Thor arose from his slumber quickly. In front of him there was a blinding blue light. The Thunder God quickly reached out and grabbed a hold of Mjolnir. He would take down whatever foe intended to invade his second home. He wouldn't admit, but his deepest fear at that moment was another attack like the one the Masters of Evil committed so long ago.

"AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!"

Thor had hoped that his cry would be enough to rouse all of his Avengers from their slumber and come to his aid.

"All that yelling and shouting for me. Really I'm too flattered," Supreme Evolutionary said as he stepped out of the portal with Deathbird beside him.

"Whose dost thou bring into Avengers Mansion, Deathbird?" Thor asked angered at having been startled by the two of them.

Out of many different corners, doorways, and stairways of Avengers Mansion all of Thor's team came gravitated to the living room. Scarlet Witch was wearing a Tweety Bird nightshirt. Crystal had on some black lingerie and Sersi was clothed in a green robe. Quoi never wore any clothes so he came down looking as he usually did. Jack-of-Hearts came from the kitchen in his usual garb since he couldn't be separated from his armor for fear of his powers going out of control. Since Fusion was a robot he had no need for sleep so he was the most aware of all the Avengers.

"His name is Supreme Evolutionary my Asgardian friend. He is the one that gave the Shi'ar, my people, a new galaxy to reside in," Deathbird explained.

"So what business do you have her Deathbird?" Jack-of-Hearts asked with a stern tone. He had heard of the many cruelties of the Shi'ar woman and her ruthless nature. Jack Hart wondered what connection she had to the Avengers. He would have to ask Quoi later.

The Kree looking Supreme Evolutionary stepped in front of Deathbird. "Actually she's only here because of my business. Deathbird has been my assistant as of late in my quest to help in ensuring the future survival of the universe."

"And so I'm assuming you abandoned your people then," Scarlet Witch said with a clipped tone. The last time she had seen Deathbird was when the avengers battled against Proctor on the Shi'ar homeworld. Wanda had though Deathbird would have taken on the role of Empress.

"My people are under the rule of Gladiator, but if it wasn't for the Supreme Evolutionary my people would still be floating around in a fleet of spaceships, "Deathbird relied hoping to add to the credibility of Supreme Evolutionary. The last thing the Shi'ar woman wanted was to for this exchange to take a long time. The Celestial Puzzle needed to be gathered and quickly. Time was of the essence.

"Answer this for me. Just why exactly are you here?" Jack-of-Hearts asked. He had plenty of experience with people of a cosmic nature and what they usually always had in common was that they always wanted. Just what did Supreme Evolutionary want though? Jack had an iffy feeling about this guy.

"I'm here for help. The universe will have need of the Celestial Messiah. Deathbird, Mantis, and myself are trying to prepare the way for the Celestial Messiah, but we need help to do it," Supreme Evolutionary explained. He hoped one person in particular would respond to his explanation.

"What does my mother have to do with any of this?" Quoi asked with a slight anger in his voice.

"Plenty Celestial Messiah. She had plenty to do with this," Deathbird replied. That answer was enough to satisfy Quoi for the moment.

"So just how do you expect us to help you?" Sersi asked. She was skeptical about this Supreme Evolutionary's supposedly noble intentions, but she knew his overall intent was important. The Celestial Messiah would play a role in things on a much grander scale than just this planet. He would be a player on the universal level.

Supreme Evolutionary looked dead at the Eternal woman as he answered her question. "We were hoping that perhaps you could give us a hand. Maybe in the form of a few volunteers."

"You actually think any of us would go with you!" Crystal exclaimed.

"Just what does this volunteering entail?" Quoi asked curiously. He wasn't trusting of this Evolutionary, but the man did seem genuinely interested in Quoi's destiny. That was something that caught Sequoia's attention. Ever since he had been a child his destiny had been a blank canvas. All the Cotati/Human hybrid ever knew was that he was meant to save the universe. The details were never given to him, but this Evolutionary seemed to know about a piece of this canvas that was Quoi's destiny.

"We have to travel to different dimensions and gather the lost pieces of the Celestial Puzzle. Once this item is assembled only then will things become clearer, but some of these dimensions are extremely dangerous. Deathbird, Mantis, and myself cannot accomplish this mission alone," Supreme Evolutionary explained. He could feel he was getting to Sequoia. If Quoi joined with Evolutionary then perhaps some of the other Avengers would tag along as well.

Quoi looked at Thor and then walked up beside Deathbird. "I have to do this Thor. This is part of my destiny here. I have to be a part of it."

"Callisto and myself will go with him. He will need protection if Quoi is really as important as this Supreme Evolutionary says he is," Gilgamesh said as he and the former Morlock leader walked up next to the Celestial Messiah.

"I will go as well. In my future I remember tales of the Celestial Messiah of the 21st century. I don't want to miss out on the chance of being part of history," Fusion said.

"I can't help, but to feel the same way. This is major. I want to be in on it," Sersi added.

"I wish all of thee good fortune then. May your journey be swift and Valhalla watch over all of thee!" Thor exclaimed. The Asgardian understood all to well having to find yourself and he could see in the eyes of Quoi that same longing. Sersi, Callisto, Gilgamesh, and Fusion leaving with him on his journey was something that Thor also could understand. Wandering warriors needed their companions and Quoi now had his.

"I thank you Thor. We will return once the Celestial Puzzle is gathered. I promise," Quoi said.

Supreme Evolutionary walked into the portal. Deathbird and Quoi followed behind the Kree-looking man. Quoi gave one last look at Thor and winked. Sersi went in next and before she left she waved enthusiastically at Crystal and Scarlet Witch. The monster hunter and the mutant that was part Olympian followed behind the Eternal woman. Callisto gave a look towards Thor and nodded. She had never really thanked him from saving her from that alternate dimension. In a way now she was. Fusion was the last to go through the portal. He breathed deeply before stepping in. Once again his life was taking another turn. Would he be ready for it?

"We're down to four Avengers. Anyone have any ideas on who we should be giving a call?" Scarlet Witch asked as the portal closed shut leaving Thor, Jack-of-Hearts, Crystal, and Wanda all alone in the mansion.

The Next Day (Dublin, Ireland)

Dane Whitman looked over the green hill and stared out into the blue sky. Life had been easy for him this past few weeks and he couldn't help, but to be pissed about it. Dane enjoyed his life as the Black Knight. The danger and life threatening situations gave him purpose. Now after his time with the Defenders the Black Knight was without any of that in his life. Staring out in the sky Dane only saw one thing. He saw emptiness.

"Don't stare too hard Dane. You might find something looking back," a voice joked from behind Black Knight. Turning around Dane saw someone who was both an old flame and an old friend.

"My goodness. I hardly ever expected for you to pay me a visit," Black Knight said as he ran up and gave Crystal a tight hug. Seeing his old teammate filled Dane with a sense of happiness he hadn't felt in a while. Thinking back on old times his situation with Crystal was rocky at times, but he still considered her a good friend.

Backing away from Crystal the wielder of the Ebony Blade asked, "So what brings you here to Dublin?"

A smile faded away from the Inhuman's face. "We need you back on the Avengers. Our numbers are low and we need some people. Reliable people. You were the first one on my list."

"I'm flattered by that Crystal. I really am. I was starting to wonder when I would to get do something again. So where is your jet at?" Black Knight asked.

"At the bottom of this hill. So are you coming with me or what?" Crystal asked with a smile. She already knew her friend's answer.

"And why would I not come with you? You know good and well I'm an adventure seeker," Dane replied as he returned Crystal's smile.

New Orleans (Later on that Day)

"So you mean to tell me that this Supreme Evolutionary guy just came along and snatched up a bunch of your teammates?" Monica asked as she took a sip of her Sprite.

Wanda used her knife in combination with her fork and took a piece of steak into her mouth. The meat was so tender it practically melted in her mouth. After she had finished chewing her food she wiped her mouth with a napkin and responded to Monica's question, "That's exactly what I'm telling you. I'm pretty ticked off about it myself, but Thor was cool about it. I'm not sure how that worked out, but that's just what happened. So now the only Avengers are Thor, Crystal, Jack-of-Hearts, and myself though I believe Crystal has managed to get Black Knight back on the team."

That surprised Photon, "So she really got Dane to come back? I never thought that he was ever going to come back to the Avengers."

"Well he is and I want you to come back too. We're going to need you Monica. So will you come back?"

"Are you sure you want me back?" Photon said responding to Wanda's question with a question. It wasn't something she really liked to do on most occasions during a conversation, but in this case it needed to happen.

"What do you mean Monica?" Scarlet Witch replied with worry in her voice.

"I killed Vision. It's as simple as that. Are you sure you want the person who killed one of the people you loved most on the same team with you?"

"Just the fact you even thought of that shows me you're someone I want on the team. You did what you had to do Monica. No one blames you. Especially not me. I loved Vision with all of my heart, but what he was doing had to be stopped. He left us with no other choice," Wanda replied.

"Alright Wanda! After all that sentimental stuff there's no way I can turn you down," Photon said with a smile as she wiped the corners of her mouth with a white napkin. She placed the napkin on the table and pushed her plate aside. Monica had finished the majority of her food, but she found her seasoned pork chop to be too rough.

"I knew you couldn't turn me down," Scarlet Witch smiled as she took another sip of her shrimp gumbo. "This food is quite good. It's different from the food of my homeland, but it's enjoyable nonetheless."

"You'll have to take me to one of these Eastern European restaurants in the NYC sometime. I love my Cajun food to death, but trying something a little different every now and then doesn't hurt," Monica replied.

Outer Space (The Next Day)

Quasar flew across the space ways wit a companion by his side. It was someone who the former Cosmic Protector hadn't seen in some time. His name was Jack-of-Hearts and he was the wilder of the Zero Fluid. The two men looked out into the blackness of space and both realized how beautiful the eternal darkness truly was.

"So did this Supreme Evolutionary character snatched everyone away then" Quasar asked as worry crawled across his face. Had head heard of this Supreme Evolutionary from may of the intergalactic pubs he visited. Supposedly this guy could create galaxies and rumor had it he had given the Shi'ar on to inhabit after Proctor crushed the Imperium. Quasar wished he could have been there to help the Avengers.

"Yea pretty much Quasar. There were only four Avengers left. Fortunately Black Knight and Photon joined the team yesterday. We need you to round out the squad," Jack-of-Hearts replied.

"Count me in then. I haven't been doing too much as of late anyway and I'm not going to leave my friends hangin in there time of need," Quasar said with a smile.

"I figured you wouldn't."

"And why is that Jack?" Quasar asked curiously.

"You're too much of a sap!" Jack-of-Hearts laughed as he sped off in front of Quasar heading towards Earth.

"Oh! So you want to race huh," Quasar said as he took off to catch up with Jack. He left behind a brilliant yellow streak that could be seen by a hundred worlds.

Avengers Mansion (Later on that day)

The new Avengers were set and ready. They all had been gathered in the Avengers conference room. At the head of the table was Thor, the leader of the Avengers. To the right of Thor was Scarlet Witch and to his left was Crystal. The newest members of the Avengers; Photon, Black Knight, and Quasar were seated next to Scarlet Witch in that precise order. Jack-of-Hearts had chosen to sit next to Crystal.

"It feels good having the suit on again. I can say that for sure."

"And it doth do my heart well to have thou back in thee mighty ranks of the Avengers again Monica," Thor said.

"Yea the feeling is mutual for all of us Thor, but why'd you call us all together so soon. I haven't even had a chance to get my room together yet."

Thor laughed in his deep resounding voice. It was a laugh that could scare someone who wasn't expecting it, but everyone in this room had spent enough time with the Thunder God to come to expect it. "Thou question hath merit bold Quasar. The Odinson hath gathered you together to speak of thee future of this mighty team."

Before Thor could talk anymore a glob of blue energy appeared over the center of the table all of the Avengers were sitting at. The energy slowly shaped itself into a flat circle. The outer edges of the energy rippled like the water in a river. The center of the energy was flat and clear like glass. Suddenly the image of Satana appeared.

"Avengers if you hear me I implore you to help me! My world is under attack by a force like nothing I've ever seen before. I can't beat it alone. I'm begging you to help me," Satana pleaded before her image faded away like a watercolor painting that had just been rained on. As her image faded the energy dissipated.

"Talk about weird," Quasar said finally breaking the silence that had fallen upon the Avengers.

"If Satana is in need of our aid I don't see how we can refuse her," Scarlet Witch said in her deep Eastern European accent.

"I'll tell you how! She's the daughter of the Devil. That's enough reason for me. None of yall had to fight in Hell recently. I've seen how these demon types operate and trust me when I say it isn't pretty," Black Knight exclaimed. He couldn't even believe that this plea for help was being considered. Whatever was destroying Satana's world Dane could only say good riddance. It meant one less demon lord he would have to take down eventually.

"Satana hath served nobly and justly on thee Avengers. She shalt not be denied! We willst help her to thee best of our abilities," Thor said shocking Black Knight and Photon. Monica was of the mind of Dane. She wanted nothing to do with a demon queen. Especially someone who was the lineage of the Devil himself. Neither her nor Dane could believe that she had even been an Avenger. They were obviously behind on the times.

"In other words let's get ready to rumble people. We've got a friend to help," Crystal said as she rose out of her seat.

"Crys I can't believe you're down with this! Helping Satana? Do you know how insane that sounds?" Black Knight asked.

"Look Dane we're not asking you to help us. We're telling you to. Satana has proven herself worthy of our trust. She fought side by side with Thor, Crystal, and myself. So you either help us with this or you can walk out of that door," Scarlet Witch replied. She didn't have time to debate whether they should help Satana or not. The woman was being judged on her lineage.

"She's the daughter of the Devil. Is that not being comprehended here?" Photon asked still in a state of pure shock.

"You cannot judge someone by who their parents are Monica! If that was the case none of you should consider me a friend. My father is Magneto! Magneto the ruler of Genosha. Am I not worthy of your trust Monica? Because my father is Magneto am I not worthy of your trust?" Scarlet Witch yelled angered with her teammates at their attitudes.

"Of course I trust you gal. Never doubt that. You're my friend and if you're that damn serious about helping Satana then I will too," Photon replied. She had no clue what she was getting into, but Wanda was confident in Satana. So she'd have to be too.

"Well, I can't let you guys go at it alone. I'm in," Black Knight said lying his Ebony Blade down on the table.

"Excellent! Then let battle be joined! Avengers Assemble!" Thor yelled as he whirled his hammer into the air and enveloped all of the Avengers in a wind that would take them across dimensions and into Satana's world.

"I hope you're right about this Wanda. I really do," Photon said under her breath.

Satana looked on as a whirlpool opened up in front of her. Out of this swirling mass came the demon queen's former allies, the Avengers. The roster had changed a great deal since Satan had been a member. There were a few familiar faces amongst this squad of heroes though.

"Hello Satana. We've come to help," Scarlet Witch said as she stepped out of the swirling mass. As Wanda walked towards Satana the mass dissipated and revealed Thor.

Black Knight looked around the realm of Satan suspiciously. All he saw was flame, brimstone, and diminutive demons making their way across flaming coals. "Where is that threat you mentioned? I would hate to think we came as this way nothing. Wouldn't you agree?"

Touching the hilt of her ebony sword the demoness proceeded to rise from her throne. "Of course I agree. As for that threat well, it's nonexistent at the moment. I hope you don't mind."

A magical power overtook the Avengers and sent them into the ground. Black Knight tried to reach for his sword, but his arm felt like it weighed a ton. Thor would have went for Mjolnir, but lifting a finger alone took an immense amount of effort. Quasar's cosmically powered bands had ceased functioning and Monica found herself to be devoid of power. Whatever Satana had done made all the Avengers powerless and immobile.

Dane cursed his situation knowing he had been right all along about Satana's cries for help. She had lied to the Avengers and they had allowed themselves to be fooled. If opening his mouth didn't take so much effort Black knight would definitely have some words for Wanda. Unfortunately, he would now have to wait till they got out of this mess. That is if they got out of this.

"This should be so much fun. I wonder whom I will start with," Satana grinned as she unsheathed her ebony sword and let it glisten in the noxious air of her realm. The only reason the Avengers were surviving the harsh environment was because Satana had willed it.

"What is it that you want Satana? Why did you go through all this trouble just to capture us?" Crystal asked struggling under the power the demoness had them held under.

"I only bought you here for one reason. I want Dane's weapon," Satana smiled as she walked over to Black Knight, reached down, and took his Ebony Blade from his hand.

"Bitch," Black Knight exclaimed as he tried with all his might to stop Satana from taking his weapon.

"Oh I assure you Dane that's something I excel at," Satana smiled as she threw down her weapon on the ground. Then she threw down Dane's weapon next to it. Slowly the weapons merged together into one single Ebony Blade.

Satana smiled as she bent down and took the new blade in her hands. "My blade is now more powerful. Over a dozen Ebony Blades all merged into one. The power coursing this sword is massive. I can feel it flowing through me."

"Thou hath the mark of insanity Satana," Thor yelled as he watched Satana gloat over her sword.

"It is the mark of power Thunder God. You'll learn soon enough what I mean."

"No we won't!" Scarlet Witch yelled as she rose up from the ground and flew into the air. As she floated in the air her body and clothes took on a different appearance. Wanda's suit turned black along with her hair. She was in the same form she had been in when letting loose on the Exemplars.

The gloating of the demoness soon turned to worry as she saw Wanda's transformation take place. Despite having a great deal of magical power Satana knew she couldn't take on the Scarlet Witch in her present form. It would mean having to keep her concentration on keeping the Avengers down and on fighting Wanda. That was something she just couldn't do, but that didn't mean she wouldn't try.

"Back down little woman. I don't want to have to hurt you," Satana said as she twirled her sword in the air.

You honestly think you can hurt me. I never thought you to be so foolish. Guess I was wrong.

Wanda's hand began to glow and Satana suddenly felt something jerk her sword out of grip. Looking on in horror the daughter of Satan saw the sword go straight into the hand of Black Knight. All of the Avengers were on their feet and none of them looked at all pleased. Crystal was the only one whose attention wasn't on the demoness. None of the Avengers had ever seen Wanda in this powerful mode of hers before. And to be frank, Crystal didn't like the way her friend looked hovering in the air.

"It's becoming increasingly obvious that I've supremely underestimated you Avengers. But I'm far from out of this fight," Satana said as demons began to creep out from all corners of her realm. The Avengers were about to have to face an army of demons.

This game of yours is pointless Satana! We'll take no more part in it. We're going home!

Scarlet Witch's body turned a golden hue and she blinked out of existence. The Avengers all followed behind her. Satana could only breath a sigh of relief as they did so. She had an army that would fight for her, but the Avengers had faced their fair share of armies. She had fought against an army of Sidrian Hunters and Shi'ar herself while on the Avengers.

Don't worry Satana. Their time will come soon enough. This was only a test. Things are just beginning.

"Of course. We still have so much time ahead of us. And there is still so much to do," Satana said in reply to the massive voice that had just spoke in her head.