during the "avengers vs. x-men" storyline, gladiator attempts to contact kubark's bodyguard warbird about the phoenix force's return to earth. gladiator orders them to leave the planet, but the close proximity of the phoenix prevents the message from reaching warbird. he then orders the preparation of his ship so he could go rescue his son and sends death commandos to kill the phoenix's host. he is overwhelmed by the combined phoenix force five and forced to recuperate at the x-mansion.