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He had seen much of this world, and others, during his existence. There were still things he wished to see, but most of the pleasure had gone as he held the still forms of his comrades in his arms. Their passing had been the main impetus to revert to his original bearded form. He had never sought to be human. There was little point as he already had a very old soul. The basic tenets of sentient life were almost all met, except reproduction. His lineage had not come from biological impulses, nor would it continue from his loins.

Gawain stood near to the French-German border and waited. His fate was coming.

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EXCALIBUR MFS
Issue 13
FATE
Written and created by Mark Peyton

Gawain created by Dan Abnett and John Tomlinson

Captain Britain created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe

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A Paradise Lost Tie-in This issue takes place after Dr Strange: Streets of Salem Oneshot

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Brian Braddock dodged and swerved in the skies over France. In these times of increased tension nations were even more wary of unregistered blips in their airspace. Even with the technology built into his suit he could still be spotted by sight and so he was not keeping to a set flight plan, so as to fox any response against him. His eyes were gradually getting better, but the sense of anticipation and anxiety was growing in him. The cool air flowed around his personal forcefield and he smiled. Though the dreams had warned him of terrible danger if he did not hurry, this forced action was a near perfect way to celebrate his return. The perfect way would have been to spend the time with his wife, but she had been absent when he awoke, and the need was pressing. A call to arms would herald his return.

In his heart of hearts as Brian Braddock he was a hero.

In his heart of hearts as Lancelot he was a warrior.

His rejoicing at his return from the land of dreams was cut short by that thought. He had been possessed by the spirit of Lancelot before.. True, the spirit had filled him with increased vigour and prowess in combat, but it had also taken control of him.

It had been one of those moments in his life when he had known what he was doing was wrong and he simply hadn't cared. Bloodlust had washed over him. This was way back in the 1990s when he'd still been a member of Excalibur, before being lost in the timestream, before his marriage. He had been called in by W.H.O. [Weird Happenings Organisation - Mark] to track down a friend of his - Inspector Dai Thomas. Dai had not always been a friend. For a large part of his early career Dai Thomas had tracked and harassed Captain Britain at any opportunity. Dai had blamed superheroes for the death of his wife and that knowledge had made him a fanatic. That fanaticism had its positive points. Dai had honed his attention towards Brian as the 'patriotic hero' and had even managed to unearth the dual identity. His single-mindedness meant that Dai remembered the Jaspers Warp even though reality had wiped clean most recollections of those dark days. Gradually the years softened Dai's hatred and when a hunt for a serial killer turned very nasty he had come to Brian and Meggan's lighthouse to ask for help. That had been the start of the friendship, forged in the many hours of the stakeout.

Dai's disappearance had been linked to the reawakening of the Pendragons. He had become heavily involved in seeking the source for a series of abuses of nature. Abuse such as Elephant Tusk poaching, poisoning, and even murder. As part of the investigation Dai had gone missing, but, before he had, he had been acting very irrationally. Well irrationally by government standards, by his accusations against a large Corporation. Of course he had been absolutely right, but good old Captain Britain had been called in to hunt down his friend.

That was when it all got very strange. The awakening Pendragon spirits had been drawn together. Dai was the first person touched by the Gawain spirit, while that was the first time that the Lancelot spirit had subsumed him.

He still remembered standing on an African plain, his hands covered in his friend's blood. That had been the moment that had led to the reawakening of the Green Knight. Luck had been with him that time. No permanent damage had been done.

Looking back over his shoulder Brian was glad for the first time to be moving away from England. Away from hurting those who he loved who were still left. This way they would be out of the firing range when he lost control. His blue gloved hand moved to his nose as he searched for the scent of his beloved. "I love you, Meggan," he whispered into the wind.

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Gawain stood by the field which had enveloped Germany days before. The French forces had pulled back to establish a perimeter, prepared to sacrifice some of their land, so that the whole might be saved. No one was entirely sure what had become of Germany. Was this a preliminary to an invasion, in light of the Latverian attack on New York, or a symptom of some attack on Germany itself? If it was an attack then who would be next?

The bracelet he had worn as the sole vestige of his time on Avalon kept Gawain invisible to the sensors pointed at the border. Its technology rendered the wearer invisible to electronic devices and so the sensors and cameras drifted over him, paying him no heed. Here he waited. He knew the Green Knight had a plan and so the visions had led Gawain here. The visions had shown him why and he was resigned. He could do no more than wait as his opposite number, like he, was shrouded in technology and magic.

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GERMANY

The cracks appeared in the ground just before noon. They had developed into fissures by three. By five they crackled with energy, but all around the streets were deserted. Since the closing of the German border the churches within had seen a marked increase in people attending. Some of them had no intention of leaving until the 'crisis' was passed. So on the deserted streets the only audible sound that could be heard was the hopeful prays drifting from the churches.

At six the ground broke and evil slithered into the world. The demons were loose stepping through the first portal that they had prepared. The initial break through the ground was gradual, but then the surge of demons erupted and the streets were crawling.

And the prayers grew ever more desperate.

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The visions hit him again just as he was about to adjust his course one last time for his entry into Germany. The calling had brought him this far as glimpses of demonic beings out of the corner of his eye had drawn him on. Was this what he had been awoken for? The visions were directing him to his left, towards a more central point on the French-German border. They had not led him wrong so far and so he followed. He was acutely used to being directed in his actions by higher beings. Firstly Merlin had directed his life until the death of Mad Jim Jaspers, then his daughter had taken over with the formation of Excalibur, followed by his first encounter with the Green Knight. He had followed dreams all his life. Not merely his own, but most for the longest period in his life he followed the dream of Charles Xavier. And then those residues of his time lost drifting throughout time. Those stark glimpses into the future had pushed him to direct Excalibur's actions against Black Air. He'd fought against a demon that time. Demons didn't frighten him that much. He'd seen far worse.

He banked to the left and followed like a good soldier. His helmet sensors started to look ahead. One of the natural enhancements his body displayed was eyesight far in excess of human norms. The suit was a symbol, but it was also an amplifier. Brian had worked over the years at developing his powers without using the costume, and had achieved a modicum of success. The costume gave him that little bit extra, that little something more so he could push himself to the limit to be a hero. A warrior.

As he skimmed over another hill, the Captain almost didn't catch the thoughts of Lancelot creeping in that time. Flying onwards he wondered if that near acceptance should worry him. There would be time to consider that later. Other matters were becoming increasingly more worrying. The closer he got to the border, the readings he was getting back were suggesting a rapidly deteriorating situation. Some magical field surrounding the country, with French forces building up their battlelines in case the situation spilled over. He was needed.

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Gawain watched the weather. It was a very 'him' thing to do.. As an android he viewed the world in very different ways. He found beauty in the strangest things. Weather patterns for example, could act as symphonies in the air to him. Something was coming at high speed and the wind altered in such a minute way, that most would miss it. Gawain took it as yet another sign and drew his sword to check it was still serviceable. He already knew it was, but he wanted things to be perfect.

Then in the sky he saw it. The flash of red and blue. Fate had arrived.

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Brian's first vision of the lone figure, stood close to the border, brought a mixture of joy and confusion. Here, stood before him, appeared to be a link to his past. To both his pasts, as Lancelot recognised him too. The figure appeared to be that of Gawain. But surely that was impossible. As far as Brian had been able to ascertain he had slept for nearly two centuries. Only those embraced by magic were likely to have survived. Yet here at the border to Germany stood Gawain. Whether that was the pedestrian's true form, the Captain owed it to Gawain to investigate.

He chose the direct approach and swivelled his body, so that he descended feet first. Gawain looked up and nodded his head. "Greetings, Sir Lancelot. You have come a long way."

Captain Britain's body straightened at the name. "Only as far as you have, Sir Gawain," he replied. "My name is no longer Lancelot. It is Brian, but you should know that."

"Yes, Sir Braddock, I visited you while you slept, but it is Lancelot who has brought us here."

Brian nodded towards the border. "Not that trouble."

"Only in part, but we've brought our own trouble with us."

"Are you here to help me?"

The Knight considered the question. "Help you do what?"

"Be a hero. Get in there and see what needs... solving."

"That was not to be your first word, was it? What was?"

Captain Britain began to feel uncomfortable. The impetus was slipping away from him, forcing him to confront why he was here. "I was going to say.. fighting."

"I thought as much. I cannot allow you to enter. There are things in there who would take advantage of your presence."

"Advantage how?"

Gawain looked from his sword to the bulky form of the hero. "You have slept for almost two hundred years. Do you have any idea, brave soul, how much has changed in that time? What is your first action as soon as you awake? It is to run after some vision, never questioning where it might come from."

"You know as well as I do what type of vision it was? We've both had too many of them to not recognise them. It was a Pendragon vision."

"Convenient don't you think? That a vision comes just as you awake. Things are happening here you do not understand."

"But of course you do. Get out the way. People could be dying in there, while you want to discuss semantics."

"Captain, ask yourself are you in control here? Something is happening all around us. The very field behind us is evidence of that. And what is your plan? To charge in blindly. That is not the scientist talking. Believe me, of anyone you know, I know what you are feeling. But stop..."

Gawain raised his hand, open fisted into Brian's path. It is simple actions like that that sometimes have the greatest effect.

The Captain stepped forward and collided with the hand. On a normal day Brian would have stepped back and assessed the situation. Today was different. Today Brian wasn't alone inside his mind.

It was 15.06 as the first blow hit. Lancelot was in control of Brian now. He'd accentuated the rage and that had given him the strings of control. That being the case he had no idea of what Gawain was and so the first blow was designed to floor a human. As it impacted upon into the bearded android's face, Lancelot realised his mistake. Gawain stood firm and brought his sword up in one smooth sweep. The sword's tip sliced through the Captain's face mask as the android followed through, by taking a step back. "Clear your mind, Captain. This isn't you acting here."

Lancelot glanced down and saw the blood on his cheek. His knowledge of this body's abilities had alerted him to the forcefield, which surrounded it instinctively. There was no real reason the blade could have passed through without tremendous power behind it. Gawain had put no great strength into his swing. Lancelot pulled the strings and the Captain's body moved so that his head was pushed forward, his shoulders hunched up. Behind the mask the eyes glared and deep within Brian realised he could not stop the onslaught.

Lancelot's arm struck out and was met by the edge of Gawain's sword. Again the blade cut through. Gawain kept his stance defensive, never following through his attacks. "Calm yourself, Captain. The anger is allowing the other to take control." Lancelot was not prepared to let his control go, and leapt into the sky. The knight remained rooted to the ground and readied himself.

The first attack came after a moment's rest as Lancelot had headed into the sky to build up speed. He shot down from the heavens as Gawain tried to move out of the way. Lancelot did not pull his shot this time and slammed into the android. Gawain flipped backwards through the air and ended imbedded into a tree. He slowly pushed himself from its bark and looked around for his sword. The spirit in the Captain's body pulled up and looked down at the dishevelled knight laughing.

"I'll be on my way again now," he said through the laughter. A grand fight beckoned and Lancelot despised being late.

On the ground the bearded Pendragon considered his options. If the possessed Captain flew into Germany, an already dangerous situation could explode. Brian Braddock was a creature of magic and the last thing Germany needed at this moment was more magical energy within it. Lancelot was too dangerous to be allowed to run free. It was a decision Gawain had come to many times before, and he knew the consequence of the decision. The Captain had to be released from the prison of his own body.

He ran for his sword as Lancelot flexed his new body's muscles in the air.. After so long asleep Lancelot felt good about being 'alive'. He shifted the body in the air to get used to the sensation and prepared to break through the barrier. His preparations were disturbed by the sharp pain in his leg. He looked down to see Gawain taking another swing at him. "You've lost this fight so many times before."

"Only in your eyes have I lost it." The blade managed to leap and connect again. "You're fighting a battle without a clue of the weapons involved. Nor the stakes at risk."

With Lancelot enraged, Gawain was starting to take advantage. He needed to disrupt Lancelot's hold over the Captain, but at the present moment he could not see an easy route. Another aerial assault came and this time Gawain countered it with his blade. He knew it could cut through the Captain's forcefield, but he wasn't about to hand that piece of knowledge to the beserker. His blade swirled in his hand as Gawain allowed a few of the old programs, built into him at the Theme Park, to show off. He had to force Lancelot's hand and he knew no other way to do it.

Turning, and running towards the nearby rising ground, Gawain ran through his options. Again and again only a single option was available. He had known what coming he meant.

His feet touched the brow of the hill and he whirled, spinning his blade. "Come and finish it," he said solemnly, before beginning to quietly incant a prayer under his breath.

In the air Lancelot smiled, a wide grin spreading over Brian's captured features. 'The Fool was just making it easier.' Lancelot gloried in this form's powers. 'Time to end this.'

And in a split second fate had been arrived at.

Lancelot's blows ploughed into Gawain's almost limp form with such fury, that one might imagine he could crack open heaven. Gawain's eyes were fixed on the pleading eyes of Brian Braddock hidden behind the mask. The blows struck hard as Gawain brought his blade up, edging its way through Brian's forcefield. From behind the mask Brian's eyes showed a realisation. Gawain smiled through the damage, his robotic origins showing through as the assault continued. With one firm motion the blade pierced Brian's skin.

Gawain and Lancelot were both Pendragon spirits. Creatures that could be best described as magical. Captain Britain was a being of magic, from his father's side, and it was the dichotomy in his makeup, which had helped him throw off Lancelot's control before. And in all the options Gawain had run through, one piece of information had come to his attention again and again; Lancelot was fated to kill Gawain in the cycle. They had fought this fight so many times before.

This time Gawain was letting him win, but he was taking his opponent with him. A good man would not be sacrificed on the altar of Lancelot's quests for glory. The blade pierced Brian's skin and Lancelot realised that his host was welcoming the pain. As his assault continued it dawned on Lancelot that he was trapped. The blade protruding from his body was one of Pendragon manufacture and it had slipped through his defences. As the pain coursed through the Captain's body, his eyes looked to the tattered remains of Gawain's face. The robotic components, so long masked by the lifelike design, exhibited almost a human frailty.

The blade pushed further in as Lancelot felt the confines of his host's body closing in around him. Brian Braddock's joy at the pain could almost be described as masochistic. He sought release in the anguish, but his arms continued their barrage.

Fate had arrived. It had come for two of its players.

As the end drew near Gawain fixed his one remaining eye on the Captain's. Peace was upon him.

The final blow fell as Gawain's lips whispered forgiveness.

A scream of anger ran through Brian's body as Lancelot felt checkmate carried out upon him.

Followed by silence and Captain Britain wept as the Pendragon Spirit of Lancelot fled him, just as Gawain's spirit sought a new home.

On the French-German border no one else mourned the carnival android who had been a hero to the last, except the man who had killed him to be free.

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TO BE CONTINUED IN THE CAPTAIN BRITAIN ONESHOT, AVENGERS/DOOM GERMANY ONESHOT, AND EXCALIBUR 14.

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NEXT ISSUE - For the first time you'll get to see a guest writer on Excalibur. Joseph McCormick, the current writer on Invincible Iron Man and shortly Ghost Rider for MFS, is coming onboard to deal with Adam Destine's fate and the gathering of the individuals who are going to try and deal with all that is happening around the Marvel Future Shock world. So guest stars galore and you'll get to see how Adam does with his desire to be proactive in a tale all about the formation of the new DARK GUARD.

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There you go. The end of an initial arc. I did say that there would be death and destruction along the way. This has been set up since issue 5 with those visions. If you look back at those you'll see some have come to pass whilst others are still awaiting explanation. I know some people are going to disapprove of my killing Medieval Mickey, but it will push the cast into new stages of their lives. For Brian that next stage is something he has to deal with in the Oneshot that should be out very shortly. It's being written at the same time I've been writing this issue. That should go some way to making up for some short issues recently.

The more I write of this book the closer it gets to being a fantasy book. Well good. I am intending to veer a little away from the Pendragons for a while and deal with other elements for a change. There will be snippets, but the next Pendragon story will happen once we get to the next new member of cast, again set up in issue 5. Hopefully that'll get a few of you looking back and hypothesising where I'm going. I know the series has been a little hard going and I'm making my best effort to explain continuity along the way. The Dai and Captain Britain fight mentioned in here was originally seen in Knights of Pendragon Vol. 1 #5 and has a fantastic Alan Davis cover. Supposedly Brian going psycho didn't go down well with the higher ups in Marvel and so Union Jack got brought in later in the series to act as the Lancelot figure, and so it was established that the Pendragon spirits can move from hosts. Much like you get regeneration in Dr Who whenever the current Doctor decides he wants a change of career.

Those of you interested in quite how bad things are going to get in Germany should check out the forthcoming Avengers/Doom Germany Oneshot by Matt Pierce. Not only will you get to see the first instance of Matt writing the Steel Monarch, but you'll also get to see where the events in Europe have been leading. And remember this is only Month 2 of Paradise Lost with more chaos and mayhem next month for the conclusion. Don't worry lots of this will get explained before the last shots of Paradise Lost are done. In true MFS style we won't resolve everything and put it back to where it was when it started. What's the fun of returning to a status quo? Take this issue for example. Gawain is dead. No returns from the grave for him, not even because he started his existence as a Stark Theme Park android. There are definite changes happening. That Germany Oneshot will show some of them as well as giving you a good idea quite how suited to taking on the Avengers Matt is. He's champing at the bit for Paradise Lost to be over so he can start on the Monthly adventures of the Avengers.

Of interest to those keeping an eye on Europe of MFS is the two new books Damage Control Inc and Darkhawk. DC INC has a special out this month and will be making their home in Europe. It's another twisted idea from the mind of Alex 'Biohaz' Cook and those who've read some of his earlier work at MFS, over in New Warriors and XUG, should recognise some of the cast. Darkhawk I'll point out that there will be a webslinging hero in there based in some place called London. And there are links in there with this title that we'll get to down the line.

My fanfic picks this month are

Batman DCFS Issue 3 which should be out. I've not read it yet, but hey it's Batman DCFS by Ali and it has a Superman robot in it.

Other than that I'm writing this ahead of time and so I'm not feeling particularly prophetic.

Comics wise I'd suggest Inhumans by Pacheco and Ladronn. The art, due to the colouring, looks very much like French Sci fi comics. That's a big compliment. The story isn't too shabby, though I'm sure an Inhumans special of the early 90s dealt with a similar story.

Uncanny X Men - please someone shoot me. I've taken on buying lots of X titles and I'm even enjoying one of the main two. I must be sick, but I like the notion of a team connected to the Thieves Guild. Let's hope they don't screw it up and have the teams merge again soon.

Lazarus 5 - 5 Dead men trying to protect the world. It's co written by Tony Harris and... you need to know more? Dusty Abell back on form on art, a quirky sense of humour and Harris Covers. Harris I tell you. Go Buy.

This issue has been written to so many cds it's frightening. Of particular note I'll say Yeah by the Wannadies. If only for the fantastic line "God what a sexy man I am."

As usual comments and death threats to Starman26@hotmail.com