The Pendragons # 11
Written by Barry Reese

Earth-446, scene of the Liberty Six's last stand

Commander Briton lay on his back, his ribs shattered. Blood was welling up in his throat and mouth, threatening to block off his air supply. He raised his helmeted head, peering up through the smoke and flames that had reduced New London to a ruin. "Bloody 'ell...." he whispered. He thought of his mum and dad, both safely hidden away in the catacombs of the city. At least they would live another day... but for how long? How long before this terror destroyed the entire city and all of its inhabitants?

The cause of all this destruction walked slowly towards the fallen hero, a smile playing upon their face. The killer wore a dark uniform, with the Union Jack symbol drawn on his chest in dripping red paint. It gave the Union Jack symbol the look of having been drawn in blood, which was quite appropriate, all things considered.

He placed his booted foot atop Commander Briton's chest, exerting just enough pressure to drive the shattered remains of the hero's ribs against the interior of his body. The agony caused Briton to nearly black out but he remained conscious, long enough to see his foe lean down, bringing his face close to that of his opponent. "So sorry, old chap. But we gave you ample warning. Stand down or be disarmed forcibly. Why didn't you listen?"

Commander Briton wanted to spit in the man's face but his mouth was filled with blood now and when he opened his lips to speak, a small river of red ran down his cheeks.

"Stop playing with your prey, Englander. We still have work to do."

Captain Englander looked over his shoulder at Lady Spitfire, cloaked in her silver bodysuit. Her platinum blonde hair was streaked with black, giving her a slightly deranged look. "Don't you have something better to do than harass me, you stupid git?"

Lady Spitfire sneered at him, glancing down at the fallen hero who was quickly fading. "Get it over with, why don't you? Spring Heel Jack wants us to get into the catacombs. If Wynter is hiding on this Earth, he's bound to be down there with the survivors."

"Did we check the old Lighthouse?"

"There isn't one on this world," Gawain answered. The android murderer approached Englander and Spitfire, carrying the Prime Minister's decapitated head in his fingers. Blood dripped copiously on the ground. "Briton never founded an Excalibur here. As far as I can tell, there were no Knights of Pendragon, either. Instead, he had a group called the Liberty Six, based in Yorkshire."

Englander jabbed his foot down with all his might, driving it right through the chest of Briton. The hero's heart was crushed to a pulp, mercifully ending his life. The leader of the Emissaries of the Dark removed his boot, cleaning it on the side of the hero's torso. "Have we got all six of them accounted for?"

"All but Tangerine," Gawain replied. He saw Spitfire's look of disgust but ignored it. She considered Englander to be a brute and a sadist, but such things mattered little to the android.

Englander nodded once, looking up into the cloudy sky. A storm was coming. "Round up Black Marvel and Spring Heel Jack. We're going below."

Gawain and Lady Spitfire parted, letting their leader walk past. In the distance, Black Marvel was ripping soldiers in half with his bare hands and their screams were echoing through the nearly deserted streets.

The android glanced at his teammate. "Are you still harboring thoughts of treason?"

The former noblewoman shook her head. "He's too powerful and the others are too loyal. But the damned bastard's gone and lost the plot... We're supposed to be tracking down Wynter, not running rampant throughout the omniverse."

"Wynter's crimes demand retribution. If someone on one of these worlds knows something, our actions will make them talk. It is quite logical. Given Wynter's feelings of protectiveness towards innocents, it's even possible that word of our deeds will drive him out of hiding entirely."

Spitfire didn't reply, choosing instead to use her superspeed to carry her far away from the unfeeling android. She knew the others' reasoning -- that the residents of these worlds were just pale shades and reflections of being from their own, hardly worth caring for. But she couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps Wynter had been right all along -- perhaps there were more important things than the mere gaining of personal power.

The android Gawain watched her go, analyzing all. He activated his personal log, speaking quietly so that none would overhear. "Lady Spitfire remains untrustworthy. The dimensional refugee known as Wynter tainted her during his stay on our world. That much is clear. Prognosis: Retain her services until the criminal is found and executed. Then neutralize Lady Spitfire."

Lyonesse Island, Pendragons Castle

"I'm not sure we should open ourselves up to this kind of thing," Adam Crown stated. He stood before the gathered Pendragons, who were seated around the team's meeting room table. Most of them had small plates of food before them, sandwiches for the most, and were trying to squeeze in a meal or two before going back out to help with the rebuilding of London. Since the Black Mass Barrier had gone into place, sealing off most of Great Britain and Europe from the rest of the world, there had been widespread looting and panic -- at the request of acting Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Pendragons had made every effort to be as visible as possible to show that order was being maintained.

Spitfire leaned back in her chair, clasping Union Jack's hand in her own. The two had become more public about their affections since Grace had made it clear that the rest of the team knew about them. The outburst by Albion's former lover had shocked and hurt Spitfire at the time, but the two women had reconciled soon after. "I'm not sure what you think we're opening ourselves up for, Adam. The girl has been a hero for several years and has proven herself time and gain. If she wants to help us now, who are we to say no?"

"I just don't want every spandex-wearer in the United Kingdom thinking we're accepting auditions."

"Maybe we should be," Grace said. The fierce warrior had been mostly quiet since the team's return from Avalon. She seemed to have gained a certain inner peace after saying goodbye to Albion, but there was still a fire in her eyes. "Doom's making lots of noises from Latveria, offering assistance to frightened nations. Maybe we should be looking to expand our activities... Recruit some of the other European heroes like Le Peregrine or Blitzkrieg before Doom or someone else makes a power grab."

"We can't over-extend ourselves. The Lady of the Lake said it herself -- We're defenders of the realm, not all of Europe. Let Peregrine form his own team if he bloody well wants to," Union Jack muttered.

"Though I may not agree with the vehemence behind his statement, I do concur with Union Jack," Wynter said.

All eyes turned to the oft-times enigmatic mage. He sat beside Kate McClellan, who was being seen in his company more and more often of late. With his white hair flowing straight down his back, matching the bone-white appearance of his skin, he looked harsh and cold.

Seeing that he had their full attention, he rose to his feet gestured towards one of the team's floating monitor spheres. The holographic image of Great Britain was dotted with numerous crisis points. "Our primary concern should be England and its immediate environs. With technological breakdowns occurring frequently throughout the area and ordinary men and women suddenly bursting forth with magical abilities, we have more than enough to keep us occupied."

Adam waved a hand in the air. "Okay... Let's agree that, for now, we're not expanding outside of Britain. That doesn't change the fact that we have Shamrock sitting outside with Cam, waiting for some sort of try-out."

"Oh, let's just skip it, shall we?" Kate offered. "She's been a hero for years. We know what she can do." Turning to Betsy Braddock, who had been idly flipping through an old fashion magazine, she said "What do you think, Betsy? You're our telepath... Does she have what it takes?"

The woman who now bore the title of Captain Britain looked up with a smile dancing on her lips. "I was wondering when someone would get around to asking me." She winked at Miracleman, who had been rather openly staring at her. Though a full-grown man by all appearances, the majestic being who had protected England so well in the 1950s and early sixties was only a young man inside. A young man who was growing increasingly smitted, it seemed. Miracleman blushed wonderfully, making Betsy's smile broaden. Pressing onward, she said "Molly Fitzgerald is everything she appears to be. An outgoing, sweet young woman who wants to help us... and, by extension, all of Great Britain. All of Great Britain," she emphasised, glancing at Adam. Though she wouldn't make an issue of it, Betsy could sense that part of Adam's reluctance stemmed from the fact that Shamrock was a very outspoken critic of British policies towards Ireland. "I recommend we accept her immediately."

Adam sighed. "Alright... If everyone is in agreement. Betsy, will you tell her the news? Spitfire -- Could you please come with me? The Prime Minister is going to be giving a speech in about an hour, before the assembled members of Parliament."

Jackie gave Joey's hand a squeeze before answering. "Don't mind a bit, old chum. It'll be an honor to be near Mr. Blair again."

Joey couldn't hide a grin at that. Jackie came from a different era and was far more conservative on some issues than he was. The fact that she'd warmed so much to Tony Blair was a sign of how much she'd changed in recent years.

"Then it's done," Adam said. "Meeting adjourned. Everyone try to be back by six and we'll officially welcome Shamrock with a nice dinner."After pausing for a moment, Adam said to Betsy "And invite Shamrock to come with Jackie and I. She might as well start to work right away."

As the team separated, each going to their new missions, Joey Chapman felt his phone buzz on his belt. Picking up the small cellular device, he said "Hullo?"

The voice on the other side was both a pleasant surprise -- and a trouble one, as well. "Well, well. Mr. Chapman. Finally answering your phone are you?"

Joey glanced over at Jackie, seeing her stepping out with a wave. He returned the gesture and whispered "Romany! How are you, luv?"

"Aren't you the little wanker," she replied. "No calls, not even during all this horror? I'd think you were brushing me off."

Joey swallowed. "Actually, Rom... We need to talk. Can I come by?"

"If you still know the way."

Joey let that one pass, saying "I'll see you in a few."

Hanging up before she could answer, he saw Wynter watching him.

"A problem, Joey?"

"Yeah. You could say that. A big one...."

Later at the Palace of Westminster

Adam Crown stood behind the Prime Minister, flanked by his two teammates from the Pendragons. Spitfire seemed right at home here, amongst the combined Houses of Parliament. As first Lady Falsworth and later Lady Crichton, she had hobnobbed with the elite members of British society for far longer than Adam had been alive. It only made Adam feel more out of place. After all, he had been a rather unassuming student of history only a few years ago, before the Lady of the Lake had appeared before him. And now here I am. Amazing.

"Ye look as blown away as I am," Shamrock whispered.

The winsome lass stood with her hands clasped behind her back, watching with awe as the Prime Minister stepped to the podium to address Parliament. Numerous reporters were present, some using traditional pen and paper in place of the often unreliable cameras and recorders. Adam made eye contact with a few of them who stared back at him with a mixture of wonder and respect. "I just can't believe that we're  in this position... And look at them. They expect us to lead them. They put so much faith in us."

"I know. It's an awesome responsibility." She smiled prettily at him, making him feel a bit guilty for having fought her membership. "I'm glad to be a part o' the team, by the way. I've never considered myself much of a hero... but I try. And after seeing how much all of ye gave of yourselves against Blackheart... Well, I had to do my part."

"And we're glad you did," Jackie whispered. The Pendragon had sidled closer to her companions, eavesdropping. "I thought you'd retired, though."

"I did, for a bit. Had an injury and I quit the hero biz to open up my own line of salons*. But I healed much quicker than the doctors expected. A bit of good luck, that."

(*As shown in Excalibur # 108.)

Spitfire's response was halted by Tony Blair's voice ringing out loud and clear. Though the microphones were not working today, a minor spell cast by one of the new mages on staff had amplified the Prime Minister's speaking voice. "Thank you all for being here. I won't keep any of you long, because I know that all of you have important business to do. But that's exactly what I wish to speak of. With the barrier in place, we have no idea how long Great Britain and the rest of Europe may be alone in the world. As such, it is of vital importance that we all maintain our normal duties. We must show the citizens of England and the world that we will not be broken, that we will not sit idly by and--" Blair's words were lost in a sudden fanfare of light and sound, from which a figure emerged. The magical portal was blinding for a moment, leaving its master a hazy ghost for a moment until everyone's vision cleared.

"Strong words. Passionate words. I salute you for speaking them. But no country is capable of going it alone -- and Great Britain will survive only by uniting with its neighbors and boldly claiming this new world in which we find ourselves!"

The assembled members of Parliament and their guests, the Pendragons, all looked upwards in response to the new arrival and Adam Crown drew the mighty blade Excalibur at once. The man before him was a criminal and a tyrant, a foe to all who cherished light and freedom. "Pendragons, prepare yourselves! Spitfire, you and I shall deal with our guest -- Shamrock, guard the Prime Minister and--"

The armored figure raised a hand to halt any from approaching him. Around his neck he wore the Orb of Agamotto and eldritch energies encircled his hands and torso. "Calm yourselves! I come today with an open hand... the hand of DOOM!"

Romany Wisdom's Flat

Joey Chapman could scarcely believe his eyes. During his tenure as Union Jack, he'd clashed with vampires, werewolves and agents of both the Bane and the Parliament of the Dark. But never had he beheld such a sight as this.

Romany's spacious flat was filled to the brim with magical creatures of every kind. A young troll was sparring with a couple of playful dwarves in the corner, while a group of pixies seemed to be plotting some new mischief together. A young Elfin girl sat huddled in the corner, knees drawn up to her chest, sniffling. Even the very air was alive with flying little entities, each buzzing about happily in their own little languages.

"Rom? Are you home?" he asked, carefully stepping through the creatures and their wastes, which were lining the floor.

"In here, Joey. I'm trying to help repair a faerie wing."

Joey followed her voice, stepping into what had once been Romany's favorite room -- the library. Its shelves, once carefully organized by occult subjects and authors, were now in disarray, with many of the books showing signs of having been gnawed upon. Romany herself was leaning over a small winged creature, carefully sewing together a rip in one of the faerie's delicate wings. "What's going on here?"

"I told you -- this faerie was injured and I'm trying to get it in flying shape again. Hand me that thread, will you?"

Joey did so, frowning. "I mean, why are all these things in your flat?"

Romany spared him a glance and Joey could see a hurtful glare in her eyes. He felt badly for having given her this pain. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I'm an occultist, Joey. This whole Black Mass thing has been a dream come true for me -- All the creatures of myth are out there now. I've taken the liberty of inviting a few inside for interviews and study. It's all quite interesting, I assure you."

Joey pushed his hands deeper into the pockets of his coat. "Look, Rom... I'm sorry I haven't ringed you. But something's happened and--"

"If you're going to tell me you've been shagging that old cow, don't bother," Romany hissed, bending back down to work on the magical creature's wing.

Joey couldn't hide his shock. "...What?"

"I've seen you staring at her bum before. I'm not blind. And I noticed the way her eyes bugged out of her head when I was snogging with you before Christmas*. The two of you have a thing together and you were too cowardly to tell me, so you ignored my calls and avoided me like I had the bloody plague. I'm very disappointed in you. Now come here and hold this little creature's arm outwards, like so."

(*Back in our seventh issue.)

Joey moved forward to grasp the faerie arm, noting that its skin was as soft as silk and very thin. "I... I am sorry, Rom."

Romany rolled her eyes. "Let's not start acting out a scene from Eastenders, shall we? I hope you'll be very happy with her and all that rot. Honestly, if you'd just told me from the start, things would have been ever so much simpler." Romany finished her sewing work and stepped back to examine her work. "Looks good. Now, let him go and we'll see how it reacts."

Joey took his hand away and watched as the faerie rose to its feet, flexing its newly repaired wing in a testing manner. With a small grin, it launched itself into the air and flew out of the room. "You're an astounding woman, Rom. I never give you enough credit for that."

"You always get more appreciative of me after we've had a break-up, have you noticed?" Romany squeezed his shoulder. "You're a good mate, Joey. You and I have had our times on the merry-go-round of love -- let's just be there for one another. And I do hope you and your high society Lady are happy."

Joey smiled thankfully. "We are. I really think that this might be the one."

Romany looked away, her eyes growing a bit moist. "Right. Well, we'll hope so, won't we? C'mon, let me show you what else I've been working on."

Joey watched her step out of the room, hesitating before following. He still felt like a royal heel, but at least it looked like their friendship was intact. And, in the end, that was the important thing.

Wasn't it?

The Palace of Westminster

Victor Von Doom needed no mystical enhancements to project his words to the members of Parliament. His own forceful personality was enough to hold the attention of every man and woman present, including the Pendragons. "Many nations caught within the barrier are suffering greatly as their dependence on modern technology proves to be their undoing. But Latveria remains strong and powerful -- because our efforts have always been directed towards maintaining our history and the old ways. Where once I was derided for maintaining my people in a fashion befitting our past, now it is we alone who are seemingly unaffected by the barrier's effect on technology. And with magic now holding sway over the land, it is Victor Von Doom who has mastered the spells that are necessary to ensure alternative fuel supplies and plentiful food! It is Victor Von Doom who wields the Eye of Agamotto and who now proclaims himself Sorceror Supreme of this world!"

Adam could no longer restrain himself. As Doom raised his fists into the air and declared his own sovereignty, the reincarnation of King Arthur stepped up to face him. "Enough! Have you come just to boast of your own power... Or do you have something of practical importance for us to hear? Because if it's the former," he warned, drawing forth Excalibur, "then I tell you here and now to flee back to your own lands."

Doom stared at him with narrowed eyes. "A boy playing at being king. How droll. Let me assure you of one thing, Adam Crown... I have met King Arthur. And you are no King Arthur."

Adam flinched at the insult, raising his sword. Doom never moved a muscle, seemingly confident that he would not be harmed. Before Adam could strike, however, Spitfire was at his side, grasping his arm. "Adam, no! The last thing we need to do is start a fight in the middle of Parliament!"

Adam nodded once, tersely. He lowered his weapon but whispered "Make your point and go, Doom. England doesn't have any taste for dictators."

Doom turned away from him, as if he were nothing but an insignificant annoyance. "Members of Parliament... I have made my offer to other nations, many of which are considering accepting it. Allow me to leave details with your Prime Minister so that he may share my plans with you. In brief, however, I will let you know this -- swear fealty to Doom and your people shall not go hungry. Swear fealty to Doom and you shall find that your technology is easily replaced."

"Swear fealty to Doom and watch as your personal freedoms are taken away," Adam whispered.

Doom spared him one final glance. "The Prime Minister will receive my papers within the hour, along with energy crystals that will power all of England for a week. Consider this offer well. It will be made only once." With that pronouncement, Doom disappeared in a flash of eldritch smoke and fire.

Shamrock, standing near the Prime Minister, glanced at him with concern in her eyes. "Ye don't think Parliament will really go for it, do ye?"

The Prime Minister looked out at the excitedly buzzing members of Parliament and shook his head. "These days, I have no idea what will happen next. Anything is possible."

That's not what I was hoping to hear, the Irish heroine thought to herself. She saw Spitfire and Adam talking animatedly to one another, keeping their voices low. It was obvious that the more experienced heroine was taking her teammate to task for his actions and Shamrock didn't blame her. Too many spandex-types jumped into conflict first, asking questions second -- and Adam seemed cut from that cloth. Ah, well. It won't be the first time I've surrounded myself with dunderheads. I just have to keep me spirits up and hope for the best. For all of us.

Elsewhere

The madwoman known as the Jack O'Lantern flew lower and lower over London, keeping herself hidden behind cloudbanks wherever she could find one. She'd followed the boy for over an hour, watching as he visited one small shop after another.

She was surprised to see him alone in the city, but he was almost grown and his mother, no doubt, trusted him to be careful. Her mistake.

Cam McClellan stepped out of the Ancient Tomes bookstore with a coffee in one hand and a bag filled with occult texts in the other. Wynter had given him quite a shopping list but he didn't mind -- especially not with a pretty girl like that Jennifer Kale waiting on him in the bookstore. Of course, she didn't compare to Molly, who was simply gorgeous. He was very glad his mum had approved Shamrock for membership.

Cam rounded a corner and stopped dead in his tracks. There, hovering just above him, was a terrifying being. Dressed in orange and green, the figure had a burning jack o'lantern head and a black cat that curled around its shoulders. To his eyes, the figure was decidedly male, though he did not know that it was a mere illusion meant to confuse him.

"Don't run, little boy. If you do, I'll have to hurt you."

Cam tossed his coffee in the stranger's face, causing them to back away in surprise. With a quickness that was startling, he also whipped the heavy bag of books through the air, slamming them into the side of Jack O'Lantern's head. The impact knocked the villain off her flying platform and sent her cat scrambling for cover.

Cam whirled about, trying to flee but cried out when he felt something whip around his leg. He looked down to see a black strap encircling his knee, attached to Jack O'Lantern's wrist-gauntlet. "No! Let me go!"

"Can't do that, I'm afraid." Jack O'Lantern rose to her feet, pulled with all her strength on the strap. Cam toppled to the ground, his head striking the cement. A small pool of blood appeared beneath him and his body went limp. The villainess knelt beside, concerned that she might have accidentally killed him. But, no, his pulse was strong. "You're going to help me bring down your mum and her friends. Aren't you going to be the happy one?"

Lyonesse Island

Kate McClellan had rarely known such pleasure. She wrapped her arms and legs tightly around Wynter's back, holding him against her. "For someone who seems so reserved," she whispered, kissing his shoulder, "You are an animal in bed."

The mage favored her with one of his enigmatic grins. "I respond to the attentions of my partner."

"Indeed you do," Kate whispered. She slid out of bed, reaching for a robe. "This castle is always so drafty."

"That's the way of castles, I'm afraid." Wynter lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He felt comfortable here and was glad that, after so many years spent elsewhere, he had finally returned to the universe where he was birthed.

"I hope Cam's being careful," she said, brushing out her hair in front of the mirror. "I worry about him so... And he's been so depressed since Albion and Gawain were killed. They were his friends."

"Getting away from here was good for him, I thi-- Ugh!"

Kate turned to see Wynter sitting up in bed, clutching his forehead. "Wynter...? What's wrong?"

"They're here! They've come....!"

"Who?" she asked, touching his arm.

"The Emissaries... The Emissaries of the Dark have come."

Northern Yorkshire

Captain Englander was the first to step out of the dimensional rift, but the Black Marvel was close behind. The dark-skinned man was majestic and frightening, soaring far overhead. Lady Spitfire, Spring Heel Jack and the android Gawain were the last to come through, the portal sealing behind them.

Englander looked around them, nodding. "Nice. Not like some of the world's we've been to."

"There's a barrier around the the Isles," Marvel said. His voice crackled like lightning. "Something strange is going on."

Englander paused for a moment. He hated this, the first few days in a new world. So many uncertainties. "Doesn't matter. We're here for Wynter... and we'll raze this world to the ground looking for him!"

TO BE CONTINUED!

Coming Up Next Issue: We celebrate our 12th issue by delving into the origin of Wynter! With almost half the team away from Lyonesse, the enigmatic mage and his remaining teammates come face-to-face with the Emissaries of the Dark!

All of the characters from the Earth-446 scene are new ones, though you'll be getting a close look at the villains of the piece in the days to come. I've always been a fan of alternate reality stories and "mirror universes" so you can expect the Emissaries of the Dark to be dangerous foes for our Pendragons (and if you think their name is reminiscent of the Parliament of the Dark, you might be on to something). Plus, it allows me to explain, once and for all, the secrets of Wynter. Is he Merlin reborn? Perhaps. And perhaps that's not all... We'll see.

You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com