Bump in the Night

• Writer - Tony Bedard
• Penciler - James Calafiore
• Inker - Mark McKenna
• Colorist - JC
• Lettering - Dave Sharpe
• Ass't Editor - Sean Ryan
• Ass't Editor - Stephannie Moore
• Editor - Mike Marts
• Editor in Chief - Joe Quesada

Summary

  Beak fearfully submits to being sliced by Magik's sword; it frees him from his medieval jester's form and returns him to his right mind, and Magik quickly dispatches the rest of the team. Namora is glad to be in her own clothes; Kevin is glad to see her bikini, too, but notes that he's always naked, actually. Beak points out Heather's still sick. Calvin suggests she transforms to Sasquatch and uses her healing factor, but she's afraid to. Gath thinks she should follow her instincts and gets Clarice to confirm the Tallus wants them to put him back on his throne.

  He explains that in trying to extend his empire, he released the Zarathos demon from Ghost Rider, who stole his amulet and took over. Clarice says she's just the girl to steal it back. They have to get past Morbius, Wendigo, and Werewolf by Night; Calvin thinks they're chump change, but Gath says their connection to the supernatural makes them stronger here. Zarathos has failed to extend Gath's Master spell, despite copying his method of child sacrifice.

  Russell goes to a public house, the innkeeper says six of his guests disappeared in the night, and from the webbing it appears Spider-Man was there. Russell tosses a black sphere and frees Selene, who uses the wood of the floor to trap the innkeeper. Selene senses something otherworldly, and Russell suspects Spider-Man found allies to help Gath. Their moment is at hand. Russell leaves Selene to feed on the innkeeper.

  The Exiles stand on a roof across from the Domed Temple, planning. Zarathos and many of his allies sleep in daytime, so that when they'll attack. Gath has to keep hidden; if sacrificed by Zarathos, his spell would transform the world.

  Namora, Kevin, and Calvin attack the guards as a distraction, while Clarice teleports Magik, Heather, Spider-Man, and Beak inside. The guards are about to win, when Selene shows up and has the cobblestones form into fists and pull them underground. She also wants to defeat Zarathos, and she tells the Exiles to aid their friends before the guards break free.

  Zarathos wakes and says Morbius was right: Russell is there, trying to get the amulet. He forces Russell to transform into werewolf form in the daylight, and he yelps like a dog in pain as Zarathos uses his Penance Stare. Clarice arrives and blinks the amulet away; Russell and Zarathos wrestle, and Spider-Man suddenly pushes Magik away and backhands Clarice. He shows his true form: Gath, who killed Spider-Man and took his place, and now he has the amulet. Morbius and Wendigo approach.