Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Last issue Morgan Le Fay used Norn Stones and deviousness to capture Scarlet Witch, and with *her* powers she gained control of the Asgardian Twilight Sword. And with that she was able to change reality. The results are presented here.
Last issue's action ended in the ruins of Tintagel Castle. But now the Castle is restored and it has a medieval town full of medieval folk. And we'll learn that the rest of the world has gone medieval too. From here Queen Morgan rules all the civilised part of it. And her citizens love her, or die.
Drunken horse thieves Osbert and Willem are thrown out of the E Jarvis Tavern. Osbert keeps boasting how they've sold the palace guards' horses to the Picts (presumably still part of the uncivilised world). Willem tries to keep him quiet in case the guards overhear. They spot a pair of 'lusty' ladies who might be impressed by their ill-gotten wealth. But then realise their error when Jade Giantess (She-Hulk) and Lady Marvel (Binary), members of the Queen's Vengeance elite guard, beat them up.
Overhead fly others of that set Donar The Mighty (Thor), Knave Of Hearts (Starfox), Sealord (Sub-Mariner), Circe The Sorceress (Sersi), Iron Knight (Iron Man), Blackbird (Falcon), Sir Fulminator (Living Lightning), Lady Comet (Firestar), Star-Knight (Quasar) and Daystar (Photon) fresh from fighting the Picts.
Morgan watches them, exulting in having the Avengers as her personal army. Her nephew Mordred thinks it's too dangerous, she should have killed them. And now she's playing games, deliberately allowing the Picts to revolt so she can send her army to put them down. And she *still* hasn't given *him* part of the world to rule.
Morgan ignores him and welcomes Thor who comes to report a successful campaign. But he also admits to a troubled mind. He can't remember why the God Of Thunder is serving as 1 of her soldiers. She 'reminds' him how he chose to live on Earth to learn about humanity, and chose her court as the greatest in the world. And as a reward for his service she will allow him to be part of her honour guard when she accepts the Picts' surrender.
He's also surprised when a living statue brings Morgan a bowl of fruit. Donar is sure he recognises this self-proclaimed Ghost Of Stone, but with a red face (Vision). Morgan tries to smooth this over too but Donar flies off saying he's going to Asgard and his father Wotan to discover the truth.
Mordred says I told you so. Morgan rationalises that since Thor himself was alive in the real medieval times he's not as affected by her transmutation of the world as the others. But he can't do much because there *is* no Asgard in this reality (or maybe it's just empty and ruined as in the 'real' Marvel universe). She tries to ignore a half-sensed something.
Down in the dungeon Scarlet Witch is chained in iron. Wanda Maximoff was used in the spell that changed the world, but has not been changed herself (even though her clothes have). In the days since then she has been sending out a magic-powered mental cry for help.
Outside Yeoman America (Captain America), commander of the Queen's Vengeance, strides past until he finds a man he hails as Hawkeye, who's just caught the horse-thieves. But Hawkeye says his name's Longbow. Steve Rogers clamps a hand over his friend's mouth and insist that *he* is *Captain* America and the other is *Hawkeye*. And gradually Clint Barton remembers the truth. His 1st reaction is to complain that it's *another* alternate reality, but at least this time he's not "dressed like a brown Plantman". (He refers to Heroes Reborn here.)
Cap says he's been 'woken' by a voice in his head calling for the Avengers. Clint says he's been getting that too but was ignoring it. Steve adds that he's asked 6 of the others and they haven't heard it, but he figured long-time Avenger Hawkeye would be a good bet. Clint has ideas about who else to try - people with a strong sense of being Avengers.
We next see them confronting Tony Stark, but they've already recruited Pixie (Wasp) and Daystar (Monica Rambeau). But Sir Anthony of Cumbria is too enamoured of the Arthurian legends to break free of the dream easily. He dons his magic armour and attacks. When the smoke clears our 4 find themselves surrounded by more of the Queen's Vengeance (all males). We've already met Blackbird, Knave Of Hearts, Sealord, Sir Fulminator and Star-Knight. Now they are joined by Black Knight (you guessed it Black Knight), Blacksmith (Rage), Chevalier (Swordsman), Gypsy Davy (Quicksilver), Falconer (Darkhawk), Heracles (Hercules), Kreature (Beast), Liegeman (US Agent), Nubian Prince (Black Panther), Quarryman (Sandman), Serf (Demolition-Man), Sir Devilfish (Stingray), Sir MacHinery (Machine Man) and Squire Justice (Justice). Then Gigantus (Giant-Man) arrives with the contingent from the women's barracks. As well as Circe, Jade Giantess, Lady Comet and Lady Marvel we now see Arachne (Spider-Woman), Elementelle (Crystal), Firemaiden (Firebird), Grimalkin (Tigra), Lady Magdalena (Magdalene), Priestess (Moondragon) and Tsarina (Black Widow).
Iron Knight says the Yeoman and others are under an enchantment, but Captain America says it's *they* who are ensorcelled. The rest don't know who to believe. Steve appeals to the Avenger within them. They ponder his words but Morgan's spell is too strong. However Star-Knight (Quasar) remembers the truth, as then does Justice. Clint wonders why this non-Avenger broke free, but Steve reminds him how the younger Hawkeye so *wanted* to be an Avenger. Binary, D-Man, Giant-Man, Living Lightning and even Iron Man almost hear the call. But then Sealord attacks Yeoman America, and suddenly the rest turn on them.
Morgan Le Fay is still attended by the Ghost Of Stone when Mordred bursts in with news of the rebellion and fighting. She thinks he's panicking as usual. But as she goes to investigate she feels the nagging sensation again. And in the dungeon Wanda feels she's made mental contact with someone.
Outside the 6 awoken Avengers are fighting off the rest, and slowly losing. Morgan appears to them all as a face in the sky. But then a lightning bolt strikes, and it's not caused by Sir Fulminator. Thor has returned, and he knows who he is. He tells Cap and his band to escape while he guards their rear. Steve gets Photon to blind the enemy with a blast of light, and Quasar levitates the 6 out of the castle.
Morgan and Mordred arrive in person. Priestess asks permission to lead the Vengeance in pursuit, but Morgan wants to savour the sport for a while. She knows that with the Twilight Sword and the Scarlet Witch she can just remake reality again anytime and return the rebels to the fold.
But in the dungeon Scarlet Witch strengthens her call. And suddenly Wonder Man appears before her.