Magik confronts Mephisto, warning him of the imminent danger to his realm, and as the blackness strikes, killing many of his servants, Mephisto realizes the only way for him to survive this is to join with Amanda Sefton, so he does so, and just in time, for as they teleport away, his enormous citadel falls, broken by the nothingness. Back in Limbo, Amanda consults allies before she decides to call a convocation. The call goes out, and the next morning, the millions of rulers of the Splinter Realms begin to arrive, including Umar, Pluto and D’Spayre. In the great vault, and enormous chamber, various rulers begin to give there thoughts about the looming menace they have very little information on, and whether or not they think they should band together, many of them being rivals for eons. After words from Pluto, the rulers unanimously join in the pact of union, to protect the Splinter Realms. Meanwhile, Nightcrawler discovers that Duke Bleys is actually a long time foe and former lackey of Belasco, S’ym. Amanda finds out too, before the real enemy makes his presence known.