Writer: Fabian Nicieza
On Counter Earth, Phantom Eagle fantasizes about Moonstone and then realises he's killed someone as a woman's dead body lies in front of him. Phantom Eagle says he's sorry as he flees the scene.
Moonstone, Fixer, Dallas, and Baron Zemo gather around the spot of the murder and discuss what happened. Baron Zemo continues his conversation with Moonstone elsewhere and puts her charge of finding the murderer.
Moonstone then talks to Dallas who finds a root of blonde hair that's different than the victim's hair colour. Dallas reveals others details about the murder to Moonstone such as the victim was pulled into the wall not pushed. Moonstone wonders how anyone could stand in a wall, as Phantom Eagle looks on hidden partly phased into a wall.
Moonstone leaves the scene as Phantom Eagle emerges from the wall ready to attack. His attack fails as Dallas turns into the Ionic form of Atlas. Phantom Eagle quickly escapes as Atlas tries to pursue but is blocked by debris.
Atlas tells Moonstone, Fixer and Baron Zemo that Phantom Eagle is the murder. Moonstone concludes that Phantom Eagle wants her but is afraid to go after her, and the murder victim was just a substitute. Fixer then gives Moonstone a device that will scramble Phantom Eagle's powers for twenty seconds but will also cancel out her powers as well. Moonstone plans to draw Phantom Eagle out to confront him.
Moonstone walks through the streets of Attilan on the floating city that they live on. Eventually Phantom Eagle discovers her and once he does Moonstone uses the device to cancel their powers. Moonstone questions him and he says he couldn't help himself. She then kisses him and rips his moonstone out of his body. Moonstone now has two stones absorbed in her and changes her look to black with a white coat.
Moonstone knew her powers better than Phantom Eagle knew his so she thought it would take him thirty seconds to regain control of his powers while it would only take her about twenty. It gave her enough time to carry out her plan. Phantom Eagle lies on the floor holding his chest while Atlas asks Moonstone about the amount of power she now possesses. She asks Fixer, Baron Zemo, and Atlas if anyone has a problem with that and no one responses.
Later, Fixer explains to Moonstone that Phantom Eagle couldn't handle the power of the moonstone and he would have eventually died. Moonstone asks if the murder was Phantom Eagle's fault or not. Fixer explains that Phantom Eagle knew what he was doing but it was also like another personality. With that information Moonstone goes to Phantom Eagle's cell on Attilan and releases him saying that Counter Earth needs workers and help and that he a choice now if he wants to stay or not.
At Counter Earth, Toyko, Strange energy starts emanating. A ball of black energy and a ball of white energy are referenced as father and mother, while another ball of white/blue energy has a hand coming out of it that says "it's back".
Thunderbolts and all associated characters are the property of MARVEL COMICS TM&©2003.