"You have been identified as Kang the Conqueror," Vision said in his metallic tinged voice. "A time-travelling warlord from the 30th century. You do not belong here." Vision blasted him with another energy beam from his eyes, and Billy watched in amazement as Vision knocked Kang's sword from his hands and demanded that he return to his own era at once.
But there wasn't nearly as much fear in Kang's eyes as there should be.
"I – ack -," Kang choked. "I intend to."
And with that, Kang inserted his thumb and index finger into the two yellow glowing spots on Vision's neck. There was a resounding klik and the Young Avengers greatest hope fell to the ground whilst Kang straightened up newly rearmoured.
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. This is not good...
"Now that I am in possession of my armour again... I'm only going to ask once more," Kang drawled as he fitted his helmet on. "Before I start killing you," he aimed his gun towards the team. "Where is Iron Lad?" the menace in Kang's voice was palpable, and he took one slow, deliberate step forward.
Thwok!
A red, white and blue shield came flying through the air, temporarily winding their foe.
"Drop the rifle Kang!" Captain America roared. "Now! Or I'll -"
But Cap wasn't able to finish as Kang fired ten successive rounds into his chest and he was sent flying backwards.
Dead. Next to Iron Man and Jess's bodies.
"Who's next?" growled Kang.
Billy saw the next part in slow motion. Nathaniel appeared from through a cloud of rubble dust, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, a gleaming sword clasped and raised in his right hand.
"You are," Iron Lad said in a deafening whisper, and with that shoved the sword into Kang's back, straight through his heart.
"Is he...?" Cassie inquired cautiously.
"He's dead," murmured Nathaniel, his head hung and concealed by shadows.
"You killed Kang the Conqueror," reiterated Patriot.
This can't be good. But what the hell can be considered good so far?
"He murdered Jess and Cap and Iron Man. He was about to kill you too."
"But he was... you," Patriot responded.
"No. He was someone I might have become. But now Kang the Conqueror will never exist. The people he killed – the crimes he committed – they'll never happen. Cap and Jess and Iron Man will be -"
"They're fading away..." Patriot interrupted. "Just like Kang."
Billy stared at the slowly dissipating scenery around him, watched as the bodies of his heroes vanished. A warning alarm seemed to be going off in the pit of his stomach.
"Guys?" Kate called over to Nathaniel and Eli. "The mansion... It's back."
"Exactly as it was," Cassie marveled.
"Not quite..." Teddy said, backing up to where Billy was standing and clasping his hand.
"Oh my God..." gasped Kate. "They're all dead."
What used to be the Avengers garden was not a cemetery. The grave stones of each and every avenger littered the grass, and in the centre where the oak tree used to be was a life-size statue of the original Avengers, perfect in every detail right down to Thor's raised hammer.
"This can't be happening," Billy said.
"It's already happened," Patriot replied, in the same state of shock as Billy.
"What do we do," asked Cassie.
"The only thing we can do," Patriot said quietly. "Iron Lad...?"
"Patriot...no. You don't know what you're asking me."
"At this point I'm not asking," Patriot removed his mask to show Nathaniel the pain and grief this was causing him. "You have to go home. You have to become Kang the Conqueror. If you don't -"
Oh I don't know, you could – and probably have – change the entire course of history. For the worse if it means the Young Avengers never meet... oh God, if Teddy and I never meet...
"Eli -" Cassie said from where the grave stones lay. "My dad's grave... It's not here. What if he's still alive?"
"Cassie -" Kate started.
"Its a long shot, but it's possible, right?"
Billy hung his head. Oh Cassie, I'm so sorry. He felt strong arms wrap around him from behind, and someone nuzzle his hair.
"Teddy..." he breathed.
He turned around within the confines of the muscular green arms and stood on tiptoes, hands on either side of Teddy's face. Billy stared deep into Hulkling's forest green eyes, their sadness mirrored his own. They didn't die in battle, but now they would be erased from the timestream, torn apart by it.
It was as good as death to Billy.
Billy leant forward and tenderly kissed the big green lips, straightened the green hair that hung messily in front of Teddy's face and ran his fingers along the four piercings in his right ear.
I will find you. Even if you're taken away from me. I will always find you Teddy Altman.
Billy then turned and addressed the team.
"If the Avengers are dead, anything is possible. You dad might be alive," he gestured to Cassie. "But he might never have met your mom, and you might never have been born. Which means you could disappear from the timestream at any moment Cass."
"Is that true," Cassie asked sadly and quietly.
"It's possible, but -" Nathaniel interjected.
"And Cassie's not the only one," Billy continued. "According to the Vision, Teddy and I are also related to the Avengers somehow... so if they're gone..."
"...we could be, too," Teddy concluded. They exchanged aggrieved looks.
"Eli, if there's even a change he's still alive -" Cassie began.
"Just give us an hour to find out," Nathaniel continued for her.
"We don't have an hour. I'm sorry Cass," Patriot apologised as he picked up Iron Lad's armour.
"What are you doing?" Nathaniel asked Eli.
"Kang said your armour could send you back."
"I'm not going back. Not yet."
"Then I'll reactivate the Vision and have him send you back."
"Eli -"
"Billy will cast a spell to make you forget this ever happened, and with any luck the Avengers will be alive again, Jessica Jones will have her baby and everything will be exactly the way it was. Even if that means we wont be Young Avengers anymore."
Patriot's right. This is the only way. We have to put this right.
"Billy, wait..." Nathaniel began.
"I'm sorry, Iron Lad."
"No!" Iron Lad released the hand that had been clasping Cassie's Ah, so something did happen between them Billy dimly registered before starting to chant,
"I want Iron Lad to forget. I want Iron Lad to forget. I want Iron Lad to forget."
"Billy, stop!" Nathaniel pleaded desperately, grabbing Billy around the throat. "Please!" tears were now streaming from Nathaniel's eyes. "Shut up!" He landed a punch on Billy that sent him face first onto the ground, bringing back painful memories of school.
Wait. I feel strange.
Oh my God.
My hands.
My arms.
Oh God – everything!
I'm fading. The timestream.
Oh God! Teddy!
"Teddy, help me, I'm..."
But it was too late.
The last thing he saw was the look of horror on Teddy's face as he saw him, and how he grew to twice the size as he faced Iron Lad.
Teddy's roar was the last thing he heard before he disappeared.
"HE'S GONE!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?"