Mephisto has Rogue a captive in Hell, as the copies of her fellow X-Men Storm, Psylocke, and Dazzler fade. The makes Mephisto’s minions believe that their master is now too weak to hold onto souls and they test his powers—to their regret. The Living Tribunal appears and warns the villain that he is in danger of upsetting the balance of the universe and his infernal realm is beginning to crumble around the edges. Mephisto responds by explaining his plan to capture Thor’s soul with the aid of Rogue to fight on his side in the coming conflict with Hela the Goddess of Death. They teleport to the Delaware River Gap where Thor lies mortally wounded but unable to die after his battle with the Midgard Serpent (THOR #380). The villain revives Thor (partially) and offers him the mercy of a real death if he will give his soul to the devil…..
Meanwhile, the Avengers (New York and West Coast) have arrived nearby to investigate the disaster; they discover the flame barrier set up by Mephisto to shield his actions. Each one tests his power against the flames and each one fails to make a dent in them. Inside, Hela arrives and quarrels with her Satanic opponent over Thor’s soul. As Mephisto appears to relinquish his claim, he has Rogue kiss Thor goodbye, which draws the Thunder God’s soul from his body; the villain wraps it in Mylar and returns Rogue to the X-Men. Hela responds by opening a hole in the flame barrier to admit the Avengers and snatches the bagged and boarded Thor off to another dimension. The heroes examine Thor’s gruesomely disfigured body and assume Mephisto killed him. They attack but are no match for the sinister baddie and he defeats them one by one. Hela returns Thor’s soul which still refuses to surrender to the enemy so Mephisto tries threats, temptations, and even swallows Thor whole but the hero will not yield. Hela declares victory and wipes the memory of this time from the minds of the Avengers, who depart….
Back in Hell, Mephisto is again visited by the Living Tribunal who announces that the balance has been restored. The villain then has a laugh at how he deceived Hela into claiming Thor’s soul—which he could not have held onto anyway—and she will regret when she comes to collect it….