The Avengers track Triathlon’s distress call to the floating resort Evangeline near the Caribbean island of Martinique. Penetrating Magnum’s secret base within the Evangeline’s lower levels, the Avengers and Silverclaw fight their way through Magnum’s security forces. During these battles, Triathlon and Hawkeye reach the central lab, where Magnum is using the stolen seismic cannon on himself, intent on causing a disastrous quake as a sort of message or peace offering to his estranged patron Apocalypse, who gave Magnum earthquake powers to spread chaos but later removed Magnum’s control over those powers as punishment for past defeats. The Avengers, Triathlon and Silverclaw battle Magnum and his men until Magnum badly injures Scarlet Witch. Despite the Witch being unconscious, an enraged Wonder Man materializes and attacks Magnum in a fight that takes them to nearby Martinique, where Magnum’s uncontrollable seismic power flares up again and he is lost in a closing crevice, seemingly slain. Triathlon departs on friendly terms with the Avengers while Silverclaw heads off to start classes at Empire State University and Hawkeye mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a cryptic note about having “things to do.”
Silverclaw breakfasts with the Avengers. Jarvis remarks on how radiant Wanda looks. Vision seems preoccupied by his knowledge of Wanda’s recent tryst with Wonder Man. Hawkeye tells Vision how uncomfortable he feels as a follower after so long as a leader. Firestar confides in Wanda regarding her power problems. Cap briefs the team on how the seismic cannon stolen by Magnum was designed to control earthquake forces. Triathlon somehow sends a distress call via the Avengers’ private communications wavebands, warning that Moses Magnum is planning something catastrophic (p). Philadelphia youth Delroy Garrett, Jr. becomes a US Olympic track star and triple gold medalist, but is caught taking steroids, stripped of his medals and banned from competition. Too proud to accept his few dubious job offers after his disgrace, he joins the Triune Understanding, who help him achieve inner peace and unlock his seemingly latent super-powers. Delroy becomes Triathlon (1).
The Triune Understanding is named for the first time in this story, though no members appear apart from Triathlon. Triune follower Duane Freeman was seen wearing the group’s symbol as early as Av #4, ’98. Av #11, ’98 reveals Grim Reaper is bts observing events here.
