Avengers, The (1963 series) #380

Quicksilver and Crystal arrive in the valley near Mount Wundagore to be greeted by an old man named Fydor. He takes them to a cabin where they see Bova, Pietro’s and Wanda’s nursemaid when they were infants. Now Bova is dying and Fydor summoned Pietro without her knowledge. Pietro and Crys cheer her up with gossip and promise to bring baby Luna “next time.” Bova, knowing of the friction in Pietro and Crys’ marriage, encourages her to work on reconciliation….

Crystal finds Pietro outside, in tears because his beloved Bova is dying, and ashamed of his emotions. Crys tries to encourage him but he feels helpless. Fydor mentions that Bova had expressed a wish to see her creator, the High Evolutionary, once more. But the HE and his New Men abandoned the Mountain some time ago, notes Pietro. Fydor points out lights at the summit so Pietro vows to bring him back to heal Bova….

Back at Avengers Mansion, Hercules is on the telephone with his lady love Taylor Madison who insists she feels the same way about him but that she can’t be involved now. A prospective roommate, Augustine Jones, arrives at the door and Taylor invites her in. Sparkly lights in Ms. Jones’ eyes that Taylor does not see tip us off that something isn’t right with this woman. [Spoiler alert: She’s Hera of Olympus in disguise, revealed next issue.]

Quicksilver and Crystal ascend Mount Wundagore and come to a shrine, a large cross surrounded by candles. Simon Hall of the Acolytes appears, telling them that it is a shrine to Pietro’s mother, placed in the last spot where she was seen. Simon also tells them he was cast out of the group for doubting Magneto’s wisdom. But the Acolytes no longer come to the shrine as the High Evolutionary does not tolerate anyone on his mountain. Pietro invites Simon to Xavier’s school but he declines and then a bright flash occurs, Simon vanishes and the New Men arrive, ordering the two heroes to depart or die….

At the Mansion, Captain America is going through a workout routine when he falls. Black Widow, passing by, saw this and asks if he is all right. Cap just pleads a bit of tiredness and leaves. Natasha mentions this to Vision who replies that Cap will tell them when he wants to but Natasha thinks it is going to be very bad news….

Pietro and Crystal fight the two hulking New Men until the High Evolutionary himself arrives on the scene, joining the fray….

Down in the valley, people are frightened. Bova asks where Pietro and Crystal have gone. Fydor tells her they have gone into the village on an errand and he assures her everything is fine—with a very sinister smile on his face….

At bedtime, Marilla finds Luna in her mother’s room looking into the mirror. After they leave the room, Black Knight appears in the mirror calling for help and then he fades away….