In a room with no doors and no windows, a man sleeps.

He is the greatest hero the universe has ever known. But no one remembers who he is.

Now, he slumbers.

But no sleep lasts forever…

The Sanctum Sanctorum

The representatives of both Heaven’s Council of Thrones and Hell’s Infernal Court both rose from their seats at the sounds coming from outside.

“What is that?” asked Lucifer.

The Eye of Agamotto opened and projected an image for the representatives as well as the gathered Defenders to see. And there they saw the Asura descending upon the Sanctum Sanctorum, with Angela leading the charge.

“You said it was impossible for the Asura to act in such a way, Armaziel.” Strange pointed to the image. “What do you say to that?”

“It proves everything,” said Mephisto. “Zadkiel is behind this, attempting to eradicate the balance.”

“No…” said Arcturus. “It’s not possible…”

“You must resolve this, but we have more pressing matters to attend to,” said Strange, generating a gateway to the outside.

“You’re leaving?” asked Armaziel.

“We’re Defenders,” said Doctor Strange. “This is what we do.”

HELL’S ANGELS

PART V

By Dino Pollard

The Defenders emerged from the portals onto the front lawn of the Sanctum Sanctorum, where they found Hellstorm, Hellcat, and Jaine Cutter already preparing for battle.

“Stephen, I was wondering when you’d decide to grace us with your presence,” said Hellstorm.

“We’re here now,” said Strange.

“It’s not just the Asura,” said Hellstorm. “My father has returned.”

“Marduk Kurios?” asked Strange. “This doesn’t bode well.”

Hellstorm shook his head and looked back at the Sanctum. “You have representatives of both sides in there, don’t you?”

Strange nodded. “I thought we could come to an arrangement.”

“Heaven and Hell aren’t known for playing nice,” said Hellstorm. “But the Asura will try to destroy both. It’s up to us.”

“Indeed.”

The fight was joined almost instantly. The Ghost Rider generated his flaming motorcycle from hellfire and took to riding. His chains sparked up with hellfire and he began tearing through angels, wrapping the chains to first disarm them of their own flaming swords, then to tear their wings from their backs.

Starlight flew overhead, surrounded by an aura of radiation. The angels circled around her, firing blue streams of fire upon her. Starlight summoned her power from within, encasing herself in a protective shield. When she was ready, she expanded outward, the shield growing larger into a radioactive ball of energy that knocked back the angels.

Nighthawk may have despised the transformations his body had undergone, but there was no denying that the demonic strength and claws made him far more effective against the Asura than his regular crime-fighting equipment would have. As he flew through the air, nimbly avoiding the angels. He flew around one and landed on his back. Nighthawk’s claws tore through the angel’s armor and finally, his wings as the two of them crashed into the ground.

Jaine stood not far from where Nighthawk had crashed, covered in her Stygian armor and wielding her Breathing Gun. When she saw Nighthawk rise from the small crater, she whistled at him.

“Not bad at all, handsome,” she said.

“I don’t want to hear your mockery,” said Nighthawk.

“I’m being sincere, baby. Y’know, when this is over, just thought you should know that Daimon and I swing.”

Nighthawk’s eyes widened as he watched Jaine blow him a kiss before she went off to find a new opponent. While Nighthawk was distracted, another angel tried to sneak up on him. But he was stopped by an arrow through the head courtesy of the Devil-Slayer.

“Don’t even think about it, Kyle. That woman will eat you for breakfast,” he said.

Valkyrie tore through the angels who came at her, alternating between Dragonfang and her spear. But then her eyes laid on Angela and Valkyrie readied her weapons.

“I thought you dead by my hand,” said Valkyrie.

“You thought wrong, heretic,” said Angela.

Valkyrie smiled. “Then prepare thyself for battle, sister.” She rose Dragonfang up to the sky as it started to glow. “Aragorn! To me, my steed!”

Dragonfang unleashed a burst of light into the clouds and moments later, a beautiful white, winged horse burst forth, joining the fight. Angela jumped away as Aragorn touched down on the ground, with Valkyrie quickly pouncing on the pegasus’ back.

Angela threw out her ribbons, latching onto Aragorn’s leg and trying to pull him back. The horse was stronger though, and took off into the air, pulling the Potentate with him.

Angela released the ribbon and flew to meet her opponent. She raised her axe, but just as she was going to strike, the Valkyrie turned, deflecting Angela’s strike. Angela’s ribbons took on a light of their own, wrapping around Valkyrie’s body and pulling her from Aragorn’s back. The Potentate tightened the ribbons, trying to strangle Valkyrie. As Brunnhilde struggled, Angela raised her axe, ready to strike…

The Gargoyle had kept himself holed up in Daimon’s lakeside home for so long that he barely remembered how to fight. And against a squadron of warrior angels, Isaac Christians was quickly learning just how out of practice he’d been.

“Oh no…” he muttered. “This doesn’t bode well…”

“Don’t sweat it, Isaac!”

The voice came from nearby. Gargoyle tried to see who it was, and then suddenly, one of the main angels attacking him lurched forward and cried out in pain. He was pulled off and Gargoyle smiled as he saw the masked woman who had come to his rescue.

“It’s Patsy!” shouted Hellcat.

“And it’s my pleasure,” said Gargoyle. “I miss you, my dear.”

“Me too, big guy,” said Hellcat. “Y’know…all things considered…”

“But I believe we have more pressing matters,” said Gargoyle, nodding his head up to the sky. “Val requires our assistance.”

Hellcat hopped on Gargoyle’s back. “Let’s ride!”

Gargoyle took off, flying towards Angela and Valkyrie. He opened his mouth wide, unleashing bio-mystic energy to serve as a distraction. Angela looked away just as Hellcat sprung from Gargoyle’s back and tore into the Potentate.

Hellcat’s distraction allowed Valkyrie to cut through Angela’s ribbons.

“My thanks, friend Patsy,” said Valkyrie. “Now, allow a shield-maiden of the All-Father to finish this!”

Almost immediately after the Defenders joined the battle, another portal opened inside the Sanctum. The Council of Thrones and the Infernal Court turned to face the new arrivals—Zadkiel and Marduk Kurios, with Satana standing behind her father.

“Zadkiel…” muttered Arcturus. “So it’s true. You’ve fallen more than I thought possible.”

“Spare me your self-righteous bullshit, Arcturus,” said Zadkiel. “I’ve wasted eons of my existence swallowing it.”

“And so you’d ally yourself with the likes of this scum?” asked Armaziel, glaring at Marduk Kurios.

But Marduk simply grinned. “I missed you too, Armaziel.”

“You should have had the good sense to stay dead, Kurios,” said Mephisto.

“And why? When soon I’ll have everything I’ve wanted?” asked Marduk.

“I’m tired of it all,” said Zadkiel. “The prophecies, the commands, the bullshit. I’m burning it all down and I’m writing a brand-new book.”

“But the balance—” began Arcturus.

“Fuck the balance. We’re superior and so we should rule the universe,” said Zadkiel.

“And you, Kurios?” asked Lucifer. “You’re fine living as an angel’s bootlicker?”

“Nothing lasts forever, Lucifer,” said Marduk.

“The Defenders will soon fall. None can withstand the Asura for long,” said Zadkiel. “And then, both the Infernal Court and the Council of Thrones will follow.”

But then, a rumbling came. The angels and demons exchanged looks of confusion—including Marduk and Zadkiel.

“What…what’s that?” asked Satana, looking at her father. “Is that you?”

“No…” muttered Marduk.

The doorless, windowless room was bathed in darkness. But then, it became bathed in light. And the walls fell down one by one.

“Something is happening…” muttered Strange. He had to act quick, summoning his power to encase his teammates in mystic shields.

And just as he did, there was a massive burst of energy from underneath the ground. A column of light reached for the skies and a figure rose from beneath the earth. He was dressed in gold, bathed in matching energy and a blue cape billowing behind him as he rose, his eyes crackling with the raw power of a thousand exploding suns.

“By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth…” muttered Strange.

The Sentry smiled as the angels all lined up against him.

“Hi,” he said. “My name’s Bob.”

The energy gathered around him and he barreled right through the angels, destroying many of them in his wake. The remaining Asura tried to focus their efforts on the Sentry, swarming over him like locusts.

The other Defenders joined in, taking advantage of the upper hand that the Sentry had given them. But as they battled the Asura, Valkyrie and Angela continued their protracted battle.

Asgardian and Heavenly steel scraped against each other, but what both Valkyrie and Angela were quickly learning was that they were too evenly matched.

But Angela soon got the better of her. Once more, she managed to bring her snake-like ribbons to life and to have them ensnare the Valkyrie. Brunnhilde struggled, trying to break free of the ribbons, but they were too strong. Angela readied her axe and raised it.

“You removed my head the last time we fought. Consider this payback,” said Angela.

But before she could bring it down, Angela found her arms frozen in place. Doctor Strange hovered towards her, bathing her in the light from the Eye of Agamotto. He held out his hands, and as his arms moved, they left motion trails, appearing like dozens of arms moving together.

“By the power of the Vishanti, I release you from your bondage!”

There was a massive flash of light and a scream. When the light faded, Angela was gone, as were the ribbons that bound Valkyrie. She stood, examining her body to see if they were truly gone.

“Stephen, what happened?” she asked. “Where did the Potentate go?”

“I’m not certain,” said Strange. “I only intended to release her from Zadkiel’s servitude, but…she vanished.”

“Your joint plot has come to an end it seems,” said Mephisto.

“Not quite,” said Marduk as his eyes began to glow. “My power has grown with each Knight of Hell I slew. While many survive, I’ve still got more than enough juice to kill you all.”

But before Marduk Kurios could turn thought into deed, Satana grabbed him by the neck and squeezed.

“Stop! What are you doing? Stop!”

Hellstorm arrived just in time to watch as green energy emerged from Marduk’s body, slowly flowing into Satana’s open mouth. His young body went limp and Satana cast it to the side.

Hellstorm looked at the mortal body that had once housed his father’s dark soul, then at his sister. “What happened?”

“He was born of a half-breed and a mortal,” said Satana. “Which meant he had a soul. And that made him prey for a succubus.”

“Well, it seems this is almost all wrapped up,” said Lucifer.

“Not quite,” said Arcturus, his eyes turning upon Zadkiel. “Perhaps Heaven and Hell could unite just this once and find common ground.”

“I do have quite creative ideas on torture,” said Mephisto with a grin.

“I would very much enjoy exchanging notes,” said Armaziel.

“No…no!” shouted Zadkiel. “This changes nothing! There will be others! There will be—”

Zadkiel’s cries echoed throughout the Sanctum as the representatives of both Heaven and Hell dragged him screaming through a portal to an unknown realm.

There was no body to bury.

When the Hulk was killed by Zadkiel, his body burned up into nothing, no doubt a result of the sorcery that was partly involved in his creation. All they had as a reminder was a bust of him to be kept in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

“He was born Matthew Talbot,” began Strange. “But he only really knew himself as the Hulk. A man of mystery, of rage, but also of begrudging respect. Despite what differences we may have had with him during his life, he proved himself to be a loyal ally in the direst of times.”

Strange ended his eulogy there and left the Defenders to mourn the loss of their teammate. He went into the living room and found Daimon and Wong sitting there, speaking to each other. They grew silent when Strange entered.

“Don’t let me interrupt,” said Strange.

“Nothing like that,” said Wong. “Daimon was just telling me of his plans.”

“Plans?” asked Stephen.

“When I first came to you, Stephen, it was to avert a threat on the horizon. Now that my father and Zadkiel have been stopped, that threat has been averted,” said Daimon.

“I see,” said Stephen. “So, back to Hell?”

Daimon nodded. “My father had many followers. Rumors of his return will no doubt have reached my realm, which means I’ll have my hands too full for defending.”

“I understand.” Stephen offered his hand to his old friend. “If you should ever need any help…”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t think you’ll want to be involved in the things I have to do.” Daimon shook Strange’s hand. He offered a slight bow to Wong and then vanished in a column of hellfire.

“So is that it?” asked Wong. “Have all the crises been averted?”

“Not quite,” said Stephen. “The Sentry’s sudden re-emergence is a concern. And I feel like this battle was just a precursor for what’s to come.”

Robert Reynolds ran through the empty streets of Times Square. He was the only one there, without a single person or even car in sight. The screens were all silent, and a chill filled the air.

That, and a voice.

Bob…you can’t escape me, Bob.

“No…” muttered Bob as he saw a wave of darkness begin swallowing the the buildings and the roads. “No, not again!”

I’m back, Bob. You never realized that all this time, I’ve only been growing stronger. And you’re the key to my re-emergence. You are and always have been my doorway.

“Stop! Stop!”

The darkness soon swallowed Bob as well. And then all was silent.

…but then.

…in the darkness.

A flicker. A spark.

A green flame.

Housed in an orange object.

And then…

Laughter.

NEXT: Godwheel