Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, the team met up and debriefed after collecting the sample of Fallen Venom's symbiote. Knowing there's a lot of work to be done, Iron Man and Doctor Strange headed to the Forge, while everybody else headed to get some sleep. But before Cynder could, Caretaker wanted to speak with her, and strangely confirmed she was proud of Cynder for taking charge the way she did. But it came with a question of whether she was prepared to kill Spyro, Wanda and the rest should there be no way to restore them. Cynder's confident there is, given how she was brought back. Caretaker took that answer for now, but privately said she may not be able to save Cynder's heart from breaking. So, what awaits as the sun rises on the Abbey? Read on to discover...
(Our scene resumes the next morning, where Cynder is meeting with Iron Man and Doctor Strange in The Forge, hoping they've been able to make something to combat Fallen Venom out of the sample recovered the previous night)
Cynder: How's it going down here, guys?
Doctor Strange: We have everything almost ready to go.
Iron Man: All we need to do is get it fitted. Stephen, I hope you've got your tape measure ready.
Doctor Strange: Actually all we need you to do is step up here and we'll have the suit formed around you.
Cynder: So you've essentially made our own Anti-Symbiote.
Iron Man: I prefer to call it...
Cynder: Let me guess, a Symbiote Buster Armor?
Iron Man: Way to steal my thunder.
Cynder: Pretty obvious naming convention once one has seen the rest of your work. I mean, Hulkbuster, Thorbuster, didn't you have a Galactus-Buster at one point?
Iron Man: That never made it past the modeling stage. Now let's get this Symbiote Buster set up.
Cynder: Alright then, let's go.
(Cynder steps up to the forge and just as she's about to cross it's border, she is soon enveloped in a white armor with black accents and mystic runes)
Iron Man: Kid, what you've got there is the latest in custom alloy, hand-crafted, magically enchanted personal protective gear.
Doctor Strange: Thanks to the symbiote sample that young Mr. Parker recovered, we were able to isolate the alien energy signature that's been causing you so much trouble.
Cynder: The color scheme's a little weird, but I'll take it.
Doctor Strange: A color scheme should be the least of your concerns. Now you should be able to get close enough to Venom to take him down.
Iron Man: You know, minus the exploding part from last time.
Cynder: Fits like a glove guys. Now then, let's get back to NYC and see if we can't bring Eddie and Venom back to their senses.
(Newly armored, Cynder joins the rest of the group around the Mirror Table, where Caretaker is still searching for Fallen Venom)
Caretaker: Still no sign of Venom. Parker really came through with that one.
Doctor Strange: Even with his disappearance, his pet Symbiote has not given up it's taste for my Sanctum.
Captain Marvel: And HYDRA hasn't either. Somehow they've managed to up their guard again. To be honest, wasn't sure that was even possible.
Cynder: Venom's held us at a stalemate long enough, it's time we strike. Hard.
Caretaker: (Noting the pulsating look of the new Anti-Symbiote Armor) Are you sure that thing is safe?
Iron Man: Well we didn't have time to run it through my usual 37 point safety inspection, since you know, fate of the world at stake here. But the science, and the spooky bits, should be relatively sound.
Doctor Strange: Translation: You should be well protected, Cynder.
Caretaker: It's still a big risk.
Cynder: Against that, weigh leaving Lilith and Malefor in charge of the Sanctum.
Blade: You're both right.
Captain Marvel: Sounds like you've got another option. (Seeing Blade giving her the death glare) Sorry, didn't mean to steal your thunder.
Blade: A frontal assault holds too many variables. But there's still the hole.
Cynder: Makes perfect sense to me. If the front door's mad swarmed, go in the back.
Caretaker: Still, color me unsure.
Cynder: Caretaker, I know this is a big risk. Trust me, I've been running the scenarios ever since I put on this suit. But if this team is going to work, we have to start believing in each other, and ourselves. (To Doctor Strange and Iron Man) Your design will hold fast.
Doctor Strange: Believe me, we'd never send you into battle unprepared.
Caretaker: (Sighs) I guess you're right. First rule of demon hunting, if at first you don't succeed...
Blade and Caretaker: Stab, stab, again.
Iron Man: (Aside and sarcastically) You think Reed and Sue have such charming moments with Johnny and Ben?
Cynder: Then it's settled. Let's get the Sanctum back.
(And as Cynder looks at the Mirror Table map, our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for tonight. Next time, the team goes back to the Sanctum with the goal of stopping Fallen Venom and hopefully taking the place back. But how's all that going to go? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!
