Lead-up
Teddy Altman is asked to become the ruler of the Kree-Skrull alliance at the cost of leaving his longtime lover Billy Kaplan. He adopts the mantle Dorrek VIII and begins preparing to invade Earth for "the final war". [4]
G'iah and her daughters locate a sample from the Cotati in a lab. G'iah tells her children how the Skrulls were peaceful during Emperor Dorrek I's rule. The Kree massacred the Cotati and the Skrulls after losing to the Cotati in a contest engineered by the Skrulls, starting the Kree–Skrull War. G'iah is attacked by a Kree, who suddenly receives a message on his Kree-tech cellphone from Dorrek VIII stating to all Kree and Skrull soldiers that the two species have united to face a common enemy. [5]
Tony Stark begins having vivid nightmares thanks to a vision given to him by Immortus [a] about the massacre of the Cotati by the Kree. Shortly after waking up, he receives a call from Captain Marvel about a psychic request sent from the Blue Area of the Moon. After arriving on the Moon, the Avengers learn that the Cotati have secretly lived there for some time. The Avengers later learn that the Kree and Skrulls have been united in their hatred towards the Cotati. Thanks to a rousing speech from Iron Man, the team all agreed to defend the Cotati. [6]
At Casino Cosmico, a dimension dedicated entirely to gambling and gladiator fights, the Elder of the Universe known as the Profiteer reveals herself as the new owner of the place after having acquired it from her brother the Grandmaster. She re-enacted the Kree–Skrull War, pitting a Kree child named Jo-Venn against a Skrull child named N'Kalla for the pleasure of her patrons. Franklin Richards and Valeria Richards manage to break the bank and became the new owners of Casino Cosmico, but give ownership back to the Profiteer in exchange for Jo-Venn and N'Kalla's freedom. [7]
Main plot
As the joint fleet of the Kree and the Skrulls approaches Earth, the Avengers prepare to defend the Cotati while the Fantastic Four send Franklin, Valeria, Jo-Venn and N'Kalla back to Earth while they make contact with Hulkling to establish the situation. The initial conflict is brief with Hulkling and his inner circle Super-Skrull, Captain Glory, and Tanalth the Pursuer, but it is soon established that the Cotati intend to establish themselves as a new empire. [8]
In Wakanda, Black Panther deduces that the Cotati seek Vibranium to grow the same Death Blossom that was used on the Kree/Skrull fleets. The pilot of the ship arrives and is revealed to be Mantis, who plans to reason with Quoi. On the Alliance ship, Captain Marvel, Human Torch, Hulkling, and the Alliance's inner circle discuss their plans to weaken the Cotati. As the Alliance disagrees with Hulkling, Tanalth has Super-Skrull bring up a previous incident where he destroyed several Skrull colonies that imitated Earth culture. Captain Glory speaks with Tanalth in private about how Ronan died standing with the Utopian faction [b] and that his gene scan does not identify her as a Kree. Tanalth is revealed to be the thought-dead Skrull empress R'Kill in disguise. [9]
At Avengers Mountain, Tony Stark is working on another Iron Man armor as Mister Fantastic informs him about the Pyre, a weapon which they plan to use on the Sun. In Wakanda, Black Panther is leading his allies and army in fighting the Cotati. At Lake Victoria, Quoi and the Swordsman Cotati hear that the battle is not over as She-Hulk, Invisible Woman, and the Thing arrive with Mantis to confront them. She-Hulk is revealed to have been possessed by the Cotati, while Wiccan suspects that Hulkling has been possessed as well. [10] Mister Fantastic informs Tony Stark that there is a Death Blossom in Wakanda and with the Pyre triggered, they have nine minutes to save the world. [11]
Hulkling tells Captain Marvel, Human Torch, and Wiccan to combine their abilities in order to prevent the Pyre. At Lake Victoria, Invisible Woman, Mantis, and Thing are locked in combat with the Cotati-possessed She-Hulk, but Jo-Venn and N'Kalla manage to free her. Back on the Kree-Skrull alliance's warship, Captain Glory exposes that the imposter Hulkling is R'Kill and states that he is done being part of her plan. Mur-G'nn is ordered by Hulking to take Captain Glory and the Super-Skrull to Wiccan in order to help him out while he deals with R'Kill. As the Swordsman Cotati informs Quoi that the Dark Harvest has failed, Black Panther recovers and engages the Swordsman Cotati while Mister Fantastic arrives to confront Qui. The Swordsman Cotati tries to use Quoi as a shield, only for Black Panther to destroy him and the Death Blossom. The other Cotati agree to surrender. [12]
Subplot
Fantastic Four
The Thing and Human Torch break up an argument between Jo-Venn and N'Kalla as Franklin and Valeria Richards take them to Earth. At the temple of the High Priests of Pama, the head monk informs his fellow monks that the trees are speaking about the upcoming Dark Harvest. [13]
As the Fantastic Four are fighting the Cotati on the Alliance's command ship, Franklin scolds Wolverine for attacking N'Kalla. They are attacked by the Dark Harvest, the elite Priests of Pama who answer to the Cotati. Spider-Man and Wolverine fight the Dark Harvest while Alicia and Valeria work to heal N'Kalla. As the Dark Harvest raids the apartment, they encounter Franklin and Valeria and are forced to retreat. [14]
The Kree and the Skrull are engaging the Cotati until Franklin, Valeria, Spider-Man and Wolverine arrive. As Spider-Man and Wolverine fight the Cotati, one of the Skrull soldiers directs Franklin and Valeria where the Dark Harvest went. Arriving at Alchemax, Franklin, Valeria, Spider-Man, and Wolverine learn from a security guard that the Dark Harvest stole something from them. The High Priests enter Jo-Venn's mind and learn the Kree and Skrull's history with the Cotati. N'Kalla poses as a disciple to free Jo-Venn, but is captured. Franklin and Valeria manage to rescue them both. [15]
Empyre: Avengers
The Avengers, the Agents of Wakanda, and Mockingbird discuss their plans on a Helicarrier. In Manhattan, Vision and Doctor Nemesis meet with Luke Cage in Central Park. Black Knight states to Captain America that he has been focusing on becoming a hero again after fighting the giants and dark elves [c] as Black Panther detects that there are Cotati in South America, China, Canada, and the Savage Land. As Ka-Zar is unable to reach Shanna the She-Devil, Black Panther instructs Brother Voodoo to take Ka-Zar, Zabu, Black Knight, and Scarlet Witch to investigate. They arrive to find a dead Tyrannosaurus as Scarlet Witch senses they are surrounded. The group is attacked by the Cotati, who unleash a mind-controlled Man-Thing. [16]
Somewhere underground in the Savage Land, Black Knight and Zabu find Ka-Zar's son Matthew. It is then shown that they are all prisoners of the Cotati. The Cotati take control of Shanna due to her containing the Savage Land's collective life force. [d] Doctor Voodoo takes control of Man-Thing to free Matthew and Black Knight. Scarlet Witch brings Ka-Zar into Shanna's mind where he learns that some creatures in the Savage Land are dying, and trees are falling. As Matthew and Black Knight fight the Cotati, Man-Thing fights the Cotati's control and defeats the Cotati Ventri. When Ka-Zar frees Shanna from the Cotati's control, he is stabbed by a Cotati. [17]
Shanna uses the same waters that empowered her to heal Ka-Zar. Ventri and the Cotati with him are entrapped by Doctor Voodoo as Man-Thing leaves. Scarlet Witch tries to contact Black Panther, only to be informed that Wakanda is under siege. [18]
Empyre: X-Men
One month prior, Scarlet Witch attempts to resurrect the millions of mutants who were killed on Genosha. [e] In the present, the Cotati have set up a base on Genosha in their planned invasion of Wakanda. Angel assembles M, Magik, and Jamie Madrox to confront the Cotati. They witness the Cotati running from the Genoshan mutants, who have been resurrected as zombies. [19]
Magik demands to the Cotati commander to gather his forces and leave Earth. The commander activates a seed pod-type weapon that will self-destruct. Magik recruits Exodus, Lady Mastermind, Mastermind, Mister Sinister, Quentin Quire, Shadow King, Selene, and the Stepford Cuckoos to deal with the pod. [20]
When Magik and one of the Stepford Cuckoos enter the seed pod, Magik is entranced by power and transforms into a demon, declaring herself the Zombie Queen of Genosha. Jamie and M enter the seed pod and find a giant brain that the Genoshan zombies are feeding on. It is explained that the brain is part of the Cotatinaught that hatched from the seed pod. [21]
In a flashback, Scarlet Witch learns that she was responsible for reviving the Genoshans as zombies. Doctor Strange states that it will take 30 days for the spell to be fully undone. 29 days into the present, the Cotatinaught is on a rampage. Explodey Boy flies into the Cotatinaught's mouth and explodes, destroying it. Scarlet Witch's spell expires, causing the zombies to die and Magik to regain control of herself. [22]
Lords of Empyre
Hulkling and Wiccan battle the Children of Lost Tarnax, a group of rebel Skrull soldiers. Tanlath the Pursuer, M'ur-Ginn, and Super-Skrull believe that Wiccan has interfered in their goals, causing Hulkling to break up with him and have him return to Earth. Tanalth contacts the captain of the Kree zealots, who she had secretly been in league with. She has the scout-ship set to self-destruct, killing everyone on board. [23]
In the highlands of Vietnam, Quoi and the Swordsman Cotati are traveling through the jungle as the Swordsman Cotati states that he is a "creature of warring halves". When they find an Alchemax team at the temple trying to harvest the newly-grown trees, they end up in a fight until Quoi uses Swordsman's sword to cut one of the plants and give it to the Alchemax team to make them leave. Later that night, Quoi and the Swordsman Cotati approach one of the trees as the Swordsman Cotati states that he is returning home. At Alchemax Tower in Manhattan, Alchemax director Robert Chandler learns that it will take 30 years before the specimen is fully grown, which does not please him. This causes Chandler to send a team to cut down all the trees at the temple. The Swordsman Cotati emerges from his tree and kills the Alchemax team. [24]
Captain Marvel
At the edge of the galaxy, a ship containing Kree and Skrull soldiers is in the middle of a losing battle with the Cotati. They are saved by Captain Marvel wielding the Universal Weapon. The ship then plans to set a course to join the Kree/Skrull armada on Earth. Captain Marvel investigates the destruction of the Ki'nal sanctuary and learns that the culprit is Lauri-Ell, a Kree and her half-sister. [25]
Captain Marvel explains herself in a transmission to Hulkling, stating that no lone Kree could have leveled Ki'nal on their own. As she returns to Ki'nal to continue her investigation, Captain Marvel states to Hulkling that she left Lauri-Ell somewhere safe while having someone keep an eye on her. Carol later meets with Walter Lawson, a scientist whose identity Mar-Vell took years prior and is serving ten years of community service. Using the Universal Weapon, Captain Marvel discovers that Lauri-Ell is innocent. [26]
Captain Marvel confronts Walter Lawson, who has declared vengeance against the aliens he hates as he attacks in a giant tentacled robot. When the robot is destroyed, the Universal Weapon reveals that Lawson was the culprit and Captain Marvel declares him accused. They take Lawson into their custody. [27]
Captain Marvel and Lauri-Ell fight their way past the Cotati and the plants to rescue the trapped humans. Carol leaves Lauri-Ell to guard Walter Lawson, intending to clear Lauri-Ell's name and have Lawson face justice. Several weeks later, at Captain Marvel's base in Harpswell, Maine, Captain Marvel is visited by Lauri-Ell, who is now a full-time Accuser. [28]
Empyre: Captain America
In Arlington, Virginia, the army is fighting a losing battle against the Cotati led by Shi Qaanth until Captain America arrives. When the soldier Bennett snipes Shi Qaanth, he sends a vine which strikes him. Before he disintegrates, Shi Qaanth states their bones will nourish the Earth. At the Pentagon, the Cotati are laying siege until Captain America arrives with the soldiers. Having a major grant, him an audience with General James Woodley, Captain America briefs him on the Cotati and advises that the snipers and artillery target the ones that wield staffs. Near Mexico City, Shi Qaanth states to his soldiers that Earth's armies will soon serve the Cotati. To further the attack on Mexico, Shi Qaanth turns some of the ground into a gigantic monster. [29]
As the Cotati attack San Antonio, Captain America is prepared to lead the soldiers into a counter-attack when the Kree-Skrull alliance arrives to attack the Cotati. [30] Captain America arrives with the military and the Kree and Skrull soldiers to combat the invasion. Captain America advises the Kree and Skrull soldiers to hold off the Cotati while the civilians get to safety. After being entangled in vines, Captain America learns that the Man of Stone is being controlled by Shi Qaanth's staff. Using his shield, Captain America destroys the staff, causing the Man of Stone to crumble. [31]
Empyre: Savage Avengers
Conan is at a lucha libre match, where he is not impressed with the modern-day fights. He does get involved in a fight with some spectators who were offended by his comment. The lucha libre match is interrupted by a Cotati command ship with plans to turn the humans into fertilizer. As the Cotati attack, Conan comes to the defense of the civilians, but is shot in the arm and knocked out. When he regains consciousness, he is nearly eaten by the Frost Giant Atali, but is saved by Venom. Venom confronts a giant plant creature and throws a tanker truck towards it, destroying it. [32]
X-Men
After being examined by an unknown alien race, Vulcan awakens at the Summer House on the Moon and is greeted by Petra and Sway. After having a drink with them, Vulcan goes for a walk and arrives at the Blue Area of the Moon, where he is attacked by the Cotati. He takes down the Cotati as Petra and Sway arrive. [33]
In a flashback, Magneto is meditating when Gorgon and Magik inform him about a Cotati incursion approaching Krakoa. Magneto tells Magma to set off one of Krakoa's dormant volcanoes, but tells her to not go too far or else risk causing an ecological disaster. Magneto advises the Cotati general to take his forces, leave Krakoa, and never return. When the Cotati general does not take the advice, Magneto rains down Sage's satellites on him. Magneto then asks Sage to activate the closest gateway to the Moon so that the X-Men can arrive. [34]
Aftermath
Hulkling and Wiccan get married, making Wiccan the Prince-Consort and Court Wizard to the Kree-Skrull alliance. Abigail Brand tells Captain Marvel that the Alpha Flight space program did not detect the Cotati operating in the Blue Area of the Moon and that Alpha Flight cannot function as a team if they are "caught in the loop". As Hulkling tries to break up the discussion, Brand announces her resignation from Alpha Flight. [35]
Franklin Richards brings the Cotati to an uninhabited planet where they will be safe. The Profiteer attempts to gain custody of Jo-Venn and N'Kalla, but Hulkling refuses to do so and places the two in the care of Thing and Alicia. After everyone takes their leave, Nick Fury observes the Cotati weapons. He is suddenly overcome with energy as Uatu is brought back to life. [36]
Nova and Marvel Boy attend a peace meeting with Lani Ko Ako of the Badoon Sisterhood, Super-Skrull of the Skrulls, Nymbus Sternhoof of the Kymellians, Emperor Stote of the Zn'rx, Super-Skrull's subaltern Val-Korr, Mentacle of the Rigellians, Oracle of the Shi'ar, Empress Victoria of Spartax, and Peacekeeper of the Chitauri. During the meeting, Stote is murdered by an unknown assailant. When Val-Korr accuses Marvel Boy of murder, Marvel Boy kills him in self-defense. [37] Rocket Raccoon deduces that Lani Ko Ako is the true culprit, as the Badoon Sisterhood have never left their planet nor sent anyone to represent them. Lani Ko Ako deactivates her image inducer, revealing that she is the Profiteer. She interfered in the peace meeting to ensure that she would still have work selling weapons. [38]
At the Outer Rim, a Kree-Skrull armada encounters Talos the Untamed inside an escape pod. Two days later, Talos awakens and reveals that he was sent by Hulkling to investigate the Kree and Skrull bases that went dark, but was ambushed by Knull and his Symbiote dragons. In the present, Talos is confronted by Knull a second time. [39]
