The Combine tell the Avengers they have the power to absorb the radiation of the heroes in Shaman’s pouch, but declare that they’d rather send them back to Earth contaminated, to poison the planet and ignite war. While many of the heroes attack the Combine, Fantasma uses her powers to contact Shaman, learning that he cannot hold the pouch open much longer. The other remaining members of Peace Corpse suggest allowing them to merge with the Combine, to try and get it to change its mind. The attempt succeeds, with the new Combine absorbing the radiation from the heroes. The Combine then departs to travel the multiverse, allowing the others to escape Shaman’s pouch. Each of the teams depart homeward, thankful to have avoided a nuclear holocaust.