Warning: contains spoilers for Empyre #6.
As Marvel's crossover event Empyre reaches its epic conclusion, Dorrek VIII, also known as the Young Avenger Hulkling, has finally solidified his role as emperor of the Kree/Skrull alliance. Hulkling's grandmother and former Skrull empress R'Klll had previously usurped Hulkling's position of leadership by disguising herself as her grandson. But thanks to Hulkling's sorcerer husband Wiccan showing up and exposing R'Kll's deception, as well as freeing Hulkling from captivity, the true emperor of the Kree/Skrull alliance was granted a fighting chance to reclaim his seat.
Before this, R'Klll had activated the Pyre, an ultimate weapon made to detonate Earth's sun and obliterate the entire planet. R'Klll's plan was to wipe out the plant-like Cotati, an alien race that successfully invaded Earth and planted the Death Blossom, a seed that when fully grown will endow the Cotati with control over all plant life in the galaxy, allowing them to finally reach their endgame of eliminating all existing animal life. However, as the Avengers and Fantastic Four still had a fighting chance at thwarting the Cotati's disastrous plan, R'Klll's activation of the Pyre had more to do with cementing the strength of the Kree/Skrull alliance than saving the entire universe.
With the Death Blossom on the verge of reaching maturity and the Pyre only eight minutes away from detonation, things only get worse when the Cotati activate a beam that reignites the history of hatred between the Kree and Skrulls, causing the two races to turn on each other. Luckily, Hulkling's inhibitor mask blocks the hate beam from warping his mind, so he uses his mental clarity to strategize. He sends Wiccan, Captain Marvel, and the Human Torch to the Earth's sun to try and stop the Pyre while he confronts R'Klll.
Back on Earth, Franklin and Valeria Richards manage to send a counteractive love beam that causes the Kree and Skrulls to snap out of their hypnosis and stop fighting each other. As a result, Captain Glory and the Super-Skrull shift their allegiances from R'Klll to Hulkling, clearing the setting for a final showdown between grandmother and grandson. The battle is a quick one, as Hulkling takes his inhibitor mask and slams it onto R'Klll's face, dampening her power and forcing her to submit. With Earth's heroes managing to prevent the death blossom and counteract the Pyre, the day is saved as Emperor Hulkling proudly retakes his position as king.
Hulkling losing his throne in Empyre revealed to him the qualities he must utilize as a responsible ruler of his people. When R'Klll supplanted Hulkling as leader, her ideological domination threatened Hulkling's more hesitant approach. It wasn't until he witnessed R'Klll's cruelty firsthand that he realized his empathy as a leader is what truly gives him strength. Hulkling can now move forward as King with a newfound wisdom for ruling.
Empyre #6 by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Valerio Schiti, and Marte Gracia is on sale now.