On
Tunnelworld, Wizard-King Ytitnedion boasts to the captive Xhoohx that the
latest events are all part of an elaborate scheme: Hulk has been secretly in
the Unnameable’s power and all of Ytitnedion’s actions have been intended to
capture the Defenders, put down the slave rebellion, and destroy Xhoohx and the
Orb of Ommennon. Hulk awakens and breaks free of his bonds; Ytitnedion knows
Xhoohx is doing it so he zaps the wizard whose Nya (benevolent spirits)
immediately quit antagonizing Hulk….
In
Ogeon’s slave ghetto, Doctor Strange and Sub-Mariner talk with Aeroika about
his plans for the Winged Ones’ rebellion; Strange is suspicious of the timing
while Namor is ready to join the revolt. Then word comes that enemy tanks are
battering the barricades and a battle ensues with the Defenders helping the
rebels to victory….
Hulk
is issued a military uniform and a Nillfim-Bird to fly into battle for the
Emperor….
Meanwhile,
Ytitnedion tries to puzzle out how to destroy the Orb of Ommennon into which
Xhoohx has transferred all of his magical power. All of his arcane spells fails
to damage the Orb—until, in a fit of anger at a servant, he hurls a chalice at
the Orb and it shatters as it was protected only against magical attacks, not
physical….
While
Namor and Aeroika with a group of Winged Ones guard his physical body in the
sewers, Doctor Strange sends his astral form throughout the palace, discovers
the shattered Orb then locates Xhoohx. The imprisoned wizard tells Strange to
use the Orb but Stange can only give him the bad news. Ytitnedion enters and
spies Strange and a brief magical duel ensues; Strange is at a disadvantage in
his astral form. Xhoohx’s Nya help out by pulling the villain’s cloak over his
head so Strange can escape. In retaliation, Ytitnedion kills Xhoohx, leading to
his Nya dropping to the ground and dying….
Down
in the sewers, Namor catches a little man in a boat who shows them an entrance
to the palace via the dungeon. There they free the prisoners but one
unfortunate is beyond saving so Aeroika puts him out of his misery….
Dr.
Strange, still in astral form, locates Hulk among the Nilffim Riders and, to
his surprise, they can all see him. Strange flies out, Hulk leading the Riders
in pursuit. Strange cleverly defeats one after another of the Riders until the
Hulk is the only one left. Strange flies back into the castle and leads Hulk to
the remnants of the Orb of Ommennon; he casts a spell that causes the Orb to
reassemble, trapping Hulk and his Bird inside. Ytitnedion sneaks up on Strange
but Namor and Aeroika enter behind him and overpower the Emperor….