With Korvac's final reboot of time
(last issue), history has run back to just prior to Captain America's
defeat of the Red Skull (issue #17). But this time, instead of Cap
stabbing his foe through the back with a plasma sword, it is now a
staff Cap hits him with, non-fatally. Cap orders Korvac to drop the
disguise of the Watcher and Sharon Carter is angry that Cap threw
away his only chance to stop the Red Skull from achieving godhood.
Cap explains to Sharon that killing the Skull will allow Korvac to
absorb his powers, dooming Earth to a dark future. Now, caught
between two supervillains, Cap thinks he can use Korvac's error to
save them all. Korvac transports himself, Cap, and Sharon to
Galactus' ship, hoping to flee the galaxy before the Red Skull gets
them. Cap then points out that all of Korvac's actions have shown
that he considers Cap his only hope against the Skull. So Korvac
follows Cap''s lead, returning the ship to Earth. As the Skull
continues to absorb all the knowledge of the universe, he detects
them returning and blasts Korvac, spreading him thin across six
dimensions. The Skull begins tearing the ship to pieces and then
possesses Sharon's body, turning her into the consummate killing
machine—and set against Cap. The only way Cap can stop her without
killing her is to whisper “I love you.” This shocks Sharon into
her right mind long enough for Cap to knock her out. The Skull gloats
and prepares to step into the databeam to complete his apotheosis.
Cap warns him not to; the Skull scoffs and enters the beam—and is
consumed. No one said it was the databeam—it's the antimatter
engine core. The dying Skull plans to take Cap with him and causes
the ship to collapse around them. Cap puts his hand into the beam
just enough to touch the Cosmic Cube and teleport himself and Sharon
out of there. Cap hopes that the Red Skull also thought to use the
Cube to teleport to safety but his threat is over. Cap turns to
address the issue of his declaration of love—but Sharon is gone....