So it was a chance to do a story that was really global in scope and go some places that maybe we haven't been to before and really play with the idea of what that changing landscape would look like.
Helicarrier Iliad, they soon arrive in the presence of current head of S.H.I.E.L.D Director Maria Hill.
Discussing matters involving the cooperation between the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D regarding the peacekeeping of national and global security.
First order of business was the sudden emergence of an unusual string of natural disasters brewing all up and down the eastern seaboard, to which Hyperion, Thor, Captain Marvel were able to answer the call for help in Regina, Canada.
Elsewhere, a massive full-scale riot has broken out over all of Madripoor with the only calm (including well guarded) zone being a strange temple housed by Gorgon and the Hand whom are enacting a strange ritual which raises the island out of the water up upon the head of a massive beast....a dragon that is as large as an island continent.
Hawkeye, Nightmask, Spider-Woman, and Star Brand are sent to investigate massive disappearances in Velletri, Italy.
's Scientist Supreme Andrew Forson uses an unknown device accelerated the flow of time in the limits of the A.I.M.
Island, creating in a matter of hours for the real world years of progress and transforming A.I.M.
The agent comments that Sunspot and Cannonball are in their infirmary and will be treated while bringing up Smasher's connections with the Shi'ar.
Helicarrier Iliad, Bruce Banner is briefing Captain America, Maria Hill and some other S.H.I.E.L.D.
Andrew Forson approaches Izzy leading to her taking an aggressive stance, but to her surprise he apologizes and says they did not mean to attack and it was out of confusion due to the recent growth of A.I.M.
Andrew Forson's speech mentions an end to all sickness, which strikes a chord with Smasher who lost her grandfather to illness.
Andrew explains this change is to prepare her for what is to come and they are then approached by the being who has seen the end of the Universe....Jude the Entropic Man.
Shang-Chi has done his homework and, knowing the Gorgon's gaze can turn a man to stone, extinguishes all the torches with a clap of his hands to cover their fight with darkness.
The Gorgon counters by setting the temple ablaze, arguing that it can be restored but Shang Chi can not.
After discovering the Avengers team is trapped in a city of the dead, he recommends a plane be sent for him.
He explains that cities of the dead are spirit traps built by the Cult of Entropy where lost tormented souls gather and are unable to move on to the next realm.
However, the power of these cities grew beyond the control of the Cult of Entropy and only those strong in magic have any chance of survival within one.
Back in Velletai, Star Brand discovers that the souls present are the victims of the disaster caused when he got his powers.
[7] As Black Widow and Wolverine are fighting the rioters on Madripoor, Falcon is looking for Shang-Chi as Gorgon makes plans to use the dragon to attack China.
While Xian Zheng was talking with Falcon, the Circle comes under attack by some Hand Ninjas on flying dragons.