Synopsis
Avengers: The Children's Crusade #9 synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Rating:
Dr Doom has lost the power he took from Scarlet Witch, but at the cost of Stature's life. Scott Lang lost his daughter Cassie after she had just gone back in time and saved him from dying as Ant-Man in Avengers Disassembled.
Iron Lad, who loves her, wants to take her body into the timestream where he might find a way to bring her back. Vision, who loves her too, thinks she should be left in peace. Nathaniel takes out his anger on the android he built, saying Cassie only loved him because he had Iron Lad's personality. And he rips Vision apart.
Nathaniel now turns to blaming the Avengers for all that happened. He asks the Young Avengers to come into the timestream with him, saying the Avengers fear them and will disband them. They can go back in time and save Stature before she dies.
But Wiccan says that it's this kind of thinking that will turn Iron Lad into his adult self, Kang the Conqueror. Nathaniel leaves alone, saying he's going to be better than Kang.
Wanda is ready to submit to the judgement of the Avengers and X-Men. But her 'son' Wiccan takes part of the blame too. As does his 'twin' Speed. However Magneto points out that Doom claimed responsibility for Avengers Disassembled, House of M and the mutant Decimation. And it was he who killed Cassie. But Cyclops and Wolverine aren't ready to just take Doom's word for it.
However Cyclops agrees (probably after Speed and Wiccan's arguments last issue) that nothing will be served by punishing Scarlet Witch. The X-Men leave, but Cyclops says he'll be watching her. And he'll kill her himself when she goes supervillain again, as he believes she surely will.
Captain America offers Wanda a place with the Avengers again. The Witch doesn't think she'd be accepted. Jamie Madrox cynically bets that the Avengers will welcome her back with open arms the first time they need her power. Wanda says she'll be too busy trying to help the mutants she de-powered after House of M. Madrox says he'll be gunning for her if she doesn't. And he leaves with his X-Factor teammates.
Wonder Man agrees about staying out of the Avengers. (He has his own issues with them.) Then he too goes. Lastly her family Magneto and Quicksilver invite her to join them (but Pietro doesn't think Magneto should be involved). But Wanda turns them down too. She says she'll stay with her new-found sons.
The remaining YA meet up later in civilian dress. They discuss repairing Vision. But his 30th Century body is out of their league (and they don't think Tony Stark will build them a replacement). They have old brain backups to reload him from, but Kate Bishop doesn't think they should do that, only to have to tell him that Cassie is dead.
Eli says he's quitting as Patriot. He reminds them that it was he who messed up Doom/Wiccan/Witch's attempt to repower all the ex-mutants in #7 (and gave Doom Wanda's power). Kate also says she's quitting as Hawkeye. She has no actual power, and too many bad memories. Billy still blames himself for the whole thing, so Wiccan's out too. And boyfriend Teddy/Hulkling will go with him. And Tommy/Speed can't be a team all on his own.
They still get together as friends, except Eli who's moved away. We see them watching Marvel events unfold around them. But it may be significant that their numbers are shown as dwindling. All 4 hear about Spider Island. Kate isn't with them when Sentinels appear in North Korea. And only Billy and Teddy see the Human Torch return.
Some months after the Crusade, Teddy proposes to Billy. But as usual for this series there's an interruption. Ms Marvel calls them to Avengers Mansion. And to come in costume. Hawkeye and Speed are there too. As are the other Avengers (except Beast) who were involved in this story.
They find statues of Stature and Vision have been erected in the Avengers' garden of remembrance. Ant-Man's statue is still their next to them. And Scott Lang is present in a civilian suit. These facts probably indicate he's retired.
Cap tells the YA they are officially Avengers, whether they want to continue their costumed roles or not.