Synopsis / Summary / Plot
In the previous 2 issues (and Infinity Crusade #1-2):- The Goddess took Puck, Sasquatch, Shaman, Talisman and Windshear to join her Crusade. Aurora, Guardian, Northstar and Wildheart of Alpha Flight went to join the crowd in Avengers Mansion opposing her. Then Aurora fell under Goddess' spell too, but the other 3 had to hurry back to a metamorphosed Department H because Witchfire had gone demon and seemingly killed most of Beta Flight.
Now she has captured the 3 returning Alphans and taken them to where she holds Manikin captive (she didn't bother killing Whitman Knapp because he's powerless since his alternate selves sacrificed themselves to save him in #119). Knapp tries to reach his friend Ananym within the demonic Witchfire but she gags him. She repeats her claim that her unknown father released her demonic side to oppose Goddess on behalf of his masters the Dark Ones who want this dimension for their own. She intends to welcome them with the 3 as human sacrifices. But Whit feels his captive body bulging.
We now see her father's castle in another realm where he considers his plan unstoppable. His daughter has proven her demon heritage by attacking her teammates, and their deaths will complete her transformation. And last issue she nipped over to Goddess' planet Paradise Omega and sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of Sasquatch and Talisman. And of course he has no intention of serving the Dark Ones, but will rule the multiverse himself.
We see Walter Langkowski considering that as a scientist he shouldn't succumb to blind faith. But then the memory of his mother tells him that science and faith can coexist. And he overcomes the seed of doubt. Sasquatch the awakens Talisman from her trance where she too shook off doubt by remembering that faith had helped her recover from her mother's death.
Back in Dept H Knapp has transformed into 1 of his alternates called Apeman. The brute breaks free of Whit's shackles and knocks the surprised Witchfire out. He reverts to himself explaining to Guardian that his power seems to have altered so that now he *becomes* 1 of his alternates rather than releasing it. And Witchfire seems to be changing back to her human form as well. But then she awakes and is the demon again.
The 3 Alphans are also free, and Guardian blasts Witchfire in the back before Northstar superspeed hits her. They know they have to forget the friend within her. But their foe casts an agonising spell on Northstar and Wildheart, leaving only Guardian and Whitman to face her. Manikin refuses Guardian's order to run away and he becomes the futuristic Highbrow who digitally teleports them both away.
Then Witchfire is attacked by Wyre, who we saw last issue survived his seeming death. He puts a hand over her mouth so she can't cast spells and pierces her body with his spikes. But Guardian and Highbrow teleport back in and tell him not to kill her. Guardian persuades him to let the enemy go and then Whit (seemingly using some sort of digital telepathy) gets through to Ananym and convinces her to expel her demonic self.
They think it's all over but then Puck, Sasquatch, Talisman and Windshear turn up, sent by Goddess to get revenge for Witchfire's attempt to subvert 2 of her flock. But Guardian opposes them and the 4 retreat back to Paradise Omega.
Guardian, Northstar and Wildheart return to Avengers Mansion. Knapp apparently finds the other Betans not actually dead. Witchfire *knows* that the voice in her head that made her a demon *was* her father. And we see that it is the sorcerer Belasco.
Story 2: Wind of change (starring Windshear)
Derek Yaniger pencils and inks.
Windshear has been sent by Goddess with Archangel and Hercules to spread the word to an alien planet. But the aliens won't listen so they must punish them. But when it's over Colin Hume realises that he's failed his grandfather again.
We now see his origin story. Colin's grandpa taught him never to give in to anger or hate. But when he's a teen he's threatened by 2 toughs wielding a knife and a metal pipe. And his mutant ability 1st manifests as he swings a bag as a weapon in which the air has turned solid. And causes the air-filled pipe to become too heavy to lift. And he gives in to rage. And he spends the rest of his life trying to keep control.
But now the Goddess has sent him out to kill. And he now swears not to obey her any more.