In a flashback, Otto Octavius lectures a drunken Tony Stark on the virtues of "cheating to win", the best way to get ahead in business. In the current day, Doctor Octopus stands over Tony Stark's shoulders as he coerces him into seeing through his challenge to either fix his brain damage condition or admit failure. Tony talks back and Doc Ock grabs him with his arms and hurls him against the wall. After a brief tussle, a frustrated Iron Man returns to work. In Broxton, a stricken Pimacher urges Pepper to track down the bad guys who hurt Tim Cababa and make them pay. She uses her RT tech to stalk Electro and Sandman, then sends an electromagnetic charge out towards them, but in the aftermath of the light show, they've disappeared. Tony turns his attentions to the bomb, which is ticking down to 4 minutes. With seemingly no way out, Stark crawls on his hands and knees and begs Octopus to stop the ticking of the clock. Octopus forces Stark into humiliating postures to beg him, then says "Fine" and apparently stops the bomb. On further inspection, Stark realizes the bomb was not truly a bomb, merely fissile material not connected to any triggering device. Octavius lied to him the whole time about a nuclear threat. Satisfied that he's humiliated his foe enough, he flies away in his Octopus craft. Later, Tony catches up with Pepper, who fills him in on the eventful nature of her night with Cababa and Pimacher. Tony reflects on some of the words passed on by Doc Ock about the possible mannerisms of the traitor within his organization, and wonders if it's either of the two men. Next up for Resilient is a pitch to Thor to rebuild a new Asgard using his plans and technology. With Pepper, Cababa and Pimacher by his side, he meets with Thor, who accepts his proposal. While watching and rewatching a videotape of Stark's humiliation, Doc Ock sees a massive ball of flame flying across the sky, crash landing somewhere in New York City. Meanwhile, at the Resilient headquarters, Cababa is bummed out because Tony Stark has moved the responsibilities of building Asgard over to the Avengers. Pimacher notes an ominous fireball flying across the sky.