Apparently, some of the guards turned traitor and helped Deathbird take the throne from her sister Lilandra (although Gladiator only serves Deathbird as he is loyal to the throne rather than a person). At the same time, the Ultimate Alliance teleported onboard the ship transporting Lilandra to obtain a shard of the M'Kraan Crystal and, with the help of Corsair, defeated the traitorous guards, Shi'ar soldiers, and Deathbird.