Broken Chains, Part Three |
What Has Come Before: Adam Crown has suffered from self-doubt and vanity, partially brought about by the Jaspers Warp. Without his lover, Ginny Halpin, he has wavered in his faith... but now the Green Knight has empowered him fully once more and all seems well. Meanwhile, Shamrock has been kidnapped alongside the Ghost Rider, both of whom are in the grip of the Bane. In Darkmoor, the Bane have established a stronghold, with their armies led by Dark Albion, Mordred and Blackheart.
Darkmoor
Dan Ketch woke to a world of hurt. His body ached from numerous bruises and open wounds, each having been delivered by the army of Bane who had assaulted him in Highgate Cemetery. He'd almost forgotten how awful this kind of thing was... he'd been dead, after all, for quite a long time. But his recent return to life* was quickly reminding him that being among the living was hardly all wine and roses.
(*In Tales of the Pendragons # 3)
"Sleeping beauty awakes."
Dan froze in place. He had just begun testing the heavy chains which held him against the cold, damp wall... but he quickly forgot all about the bondage in which he'd found himself. That voice was one that haunted his dreams almost every single day. "Blackheart," he said, his voice perfectly conveying the disdain he held for the son of Mephisto.
The shadowy figure moved out of the darkness, his red eyes burning. The dungeon smelled of blood and urine, both of which mingled together with other, even more pungent aromas. It reminded Dan of his time spent in Blackheart's home realm in Hell. "You remember me. I'm touched." Blackheart leaned forward, his voice sounding mirthful. "I'm glad to know you managed to survive somehow, Daniel. You were the most interesting plaything I ever encountered."
Dan felt white hot rage building in his veins, amplified by the thick scent of innocent blood that hung in the air. He heard a woman screaming in the distance and he knew that there was more perversity here than in any other place he'd ever been, save for in Hell itself. Flames began to flicker about Dan's head and shoulders, burning away the flesh that hid bone. Dan threw his head back and howled... for something was wrong. The transition from man to Spirit of Vengeance had never been an easy one but this -- this was pure agony.
The flames flickered and died and once more, leaving Dan to sag against the chains that held him.
Blackheart's good humor seemed to increase by leaps and bounds. "So it's true... the magic of the Red Lord is stronger than the bond you share with Noble Kale. I bet it's quite vexing for him in there, isn't it? I bet he wishes he could burst forth and strangle me..." Blackheart lashed out with clawed fingers, cutting a bloody swath across Dan's stomach.
Even as Dan stifled a cry of pain, Blackheart was turning away from him. He'd heard someone enter the chamber... "Who's there?"
Mordred, the newly crowned Avatar of the Red Lord, stepped into view. "It's only I, demon lord. No need for concern."
"You are hardly a concern," Blackheart muttered. He raised a hand and waved it in front of Dan, blocking the Ghost Rider's human host in a wall of silence. "What do you want?"
"Just giving you notice that the Pendragons are en route. The Red Lord's spies have detected the approach of the great dragon. He flies ahead of their aircraft."
"Then it's time for me to take up the ruse again," Blackheart murmured. His form began to shift and change, taking on the appearance of the Noble Kale Ghost Rider. With flaming skull, he turned back to face a stunned Dan Ketch. "Innocent blood has been spilled... Blah Blah Blah."
Dan watched as the villains spun on their heels and left the room. He had heard nothing of the conversation, as the demon's spell nullified all sound... but he had read Mordred's lips well enough. The Pendragons are coming. I have to find some way to let them know I'm here! But what do I--
A figure crept down the stairs, into view. She wore little -- nothing more than a sheet tied about her lithe form and sandals on her feet -- but she still managed to appear both dangerous and brave. Her long red hair was tied back into a hurried ponytail and her green eyes glittered as she took in his situation. Her lips moved... but Blackheart's spell hung firm.
Dan saw her face shift with concern. She obviously had no idea why he wasn't responding to her -- he experimentally said a few words of explanation but when he saw her eyes widen, he knew that no sound was escaping his lips, either. They couldn't hear one another.
The red-haired girl moved forward, lightly touching Dan's leg. He saw her eyes close and her lower, as if in prayer. For a long moment, there was nothing more... and then Dan felt it. A warmth and a glory like he had never dreamed of. He saw the room take on a greenish hue and the girl's voice sounded startlingly clear. "Can you hear me now?"
Dan grinned. "Sure can. What did you do?"
"Called upon the Lady of the Lake to pierce this spell. It's not the work of the Bane -- doesn't smell like it -- but it's infernal, all the same. I'm Molly Fitzgerald -- Shamrock."
"My name's Dan... Think you can free me from these chains?"
Shamrock stared at him for a moment, obviously sizing him up. Something in his eyes seemed to help her make a decision and she quickly set about picking the locks. "I thought I saw Mordred and some demon leaving here... We're surrounded by enemies." She retched, looking away. "And the smell of the Red Lord is so strong... it pervades the whole castle."
"You're a Pendragon, aren't you?" At Shamrock's nod, Dan said "Your teammates are on their way, but Blackheart is busy impersonating Ghost Rider. It's some kind of trap."
As the last of the locks came undone, Molly stepped back. "You're Ghost Rider, then?" She looked him head to toe, searching for some sign of the flame-skulled Spirit of Vengeance. "You're a lot cuter than I expected."
Dan grinned. He had yet to run into his old girlfriend, Stacy Dolan, but he knew she was inside the Black Mass Barrier. He wondered if she'd moved on... and if she had, did this cute redhead have a boyfriend. "Mind if I ask where your clothes are?"
"I was brought here by... an old associate. They stripped me of my clothes but I snuck out of his room while he was called away by the Red Lord. I think he thought I wouldn't be able to get out of the trap he left me in... but luckily for me, the spell faded not long after he left."
"That is lucky...."
Shamrock's smile was stunning. "That's my power, boyo. And if Lady Luck is still with me, we'll be able to contact my friends and get the hell out of here!"
"You should have contacted me sooner."
Shevaun Haldane tried to keep from rolling her eyes. She'd never liked authority figures and taking a dressing-down from your best mate made it even worse. "As soon as we figured out Molly was being held by the Bane, I sent out a telepathic call to you. Before that, we didn't know what we were dealing with."
Captain Britain continued manning the controls of the team's jet, which was banking low over the plains of Darkmoor. The great dragon Rathoon was flying just ahead of them, his keen eyes and senses trying to find any sign of Bane scouts. "You knew Shamrock had been kidnapped. That was enough."
"You were on a date, Betsy -- One that was long overdue."
"The team comes first. You know that."
"I know that unless you get shagged every once in awhile, you dry up and become a prune."
Betsy gaped at her friend. They exchanged a glance and abruptly erupted into laughter. "You're absolutely horrible, Shevaun."
"I love you, Bets... And I want you to be happy. You put so much -- too much, I think -- of yourself into making the Pendragons a success. You're losing sight of yourself as a person."
Betsy paused for a long moment. "Maybe you're right. It's just... We're more than a superhero group. We're the defenders of an ancient pact between the forces of Avalon and humanity. And being Captain Britain is such a responsibility... I actually finished ahead of Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Victoria Beckham in a poll of the most popular women in Britain."
"That's amazing, Bets." Shevaun regarded her friend with mock solemnity. "How do you sleep at night with such awesome responsibilities? I mean, outranking Kylie's bum is one thing, but Posh Spice too? That's smashing."
"Stop it," Betsy replied with a laugh. "I'm being serious. A lot of people look up to me."
"I know -- and you do really well at it. But you need some time for yourself, too." She leaned over and whispered "So... How was it?"
"What?"
"Your date, you daft thing! How did you like John?"
"He was cute enough and--"
"The Red Lord's barrier is down."
Betsy looked up as Rathoon's voice filtered through the ship's radio. "You're sure?"
"Yes... Looks like a bit of panic inside, as well. They have a lot more people than we've been led to believe... it's a whole city's worth."
Betsy chewed her lip at that. The Red Lord had been recruiting Britons for months now, tutoring them in the dark arts of the Bane. This could turn very ugly very fast. I just wish I could trust the PM more than I do... If Blair were still in power, I'd have called him. But Halpin... I can't put that much faith in him. "Any sign of Ghost Rider?"
"No...."
Shevaun heard the hesitation in the dragon's voice. "What do you see?"
"One of our prodigal members come home to roost, I think. Adam Crown's down below."
"Adam?!" Captain Britain couldn't hide her shock. The last she'd known, he was back in London, being cared for by the best psychiatrists that the Weird Happenings Organization could provide. His emotion turmoil since the Jaspers Warp had been painful to see. "Shevaun -- take over the controls. I'm going out there."
Betsy and Rathoon both landed just over a mile away from the Red Lord's realm, taking note of the way that the ground -- even here -- was becoming despoiled.
True to the dragon's words, Adam Crown stood waiting for them. He looked handsome in his golden armor, with the faintest hint of a beard beginning to grow over his youthful face. "Adam -- What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help." He held his hands at his sides. "The Green Knight appeared to me, Betsy... The healing process that began at Glastonbury is complete."
"He healed your mind?"
"More than that -- My soul." Adam strode forward, a different air about him than Betsy was used to. His eyes shone with a confidence that even she found somewhat impressive. "I want to aid you against the Red Lord -- And then I want your assistance in something that you'll find a bit daunting."
"What is it, my boy?" Rathoon asked. The dragon was quick to forgive the man's recent behavior -- humans were just that was sometimes: insane. Forgiving and forgetting was the only way to stand them for long.
"I've waited long enough... I've watched our country fall into disarray, both politically and socially. The time has come for me to re-take the throne in the name of Arthur."
Betsy stared at him for a long moment, thinking him joking. She saw no hint of humor, however... Only a resolute spirit. "Let's just rescue Molly. Then we'll talk."
"Why did you do this? Now I'm going to have to hurt you again."
Shamrock and Dan Ketch stopped in their tracks. They had just managed to get within sight of the large door leading to the outside world... and now this.
Molly looked at Dark Albion floating a few feet off the ground, just high enough to let him look down upon her. The psychological intent of that was not lost on her. "I'm leaving, Cam. Come with us -- These are not your people!"
"And who is? You and the other Pendragons? Don't make me laugh."
"You're still one of us, Cam... Otherwise, you would have felt the Pendragon spirit leave you. And you haven't, have you? Don't you see -- You're just a toy to the Red Lord. He likes having you here as a sign of his triumph, but that's all!"
Cam clenched a fist. "I'm his chosen heir."
"Great for you -- But personally I'd rather be heir to Hitler." Dan pointed an accusing finger at the youth. "The man whose existence I share worked with your predecessor. He was there when Peter Hunter died. And right now I bet he's turning over in his grave--"
"Shut up!" Albion sent a jet of mystic flame at Dan, engulfing him in a pulsing wave of death.
Something in that mystic flame, though, had an unintended effect. It triggered something within Dan Ketch, the Hellfire which resided in his core. The fire burst to life around, transforming him into the living Spirit of Vengeance... Ghost Rider. The skulled visage of the Rider looked up into Dark Albion's helmet, seeing his own reflection. "You are a tainted innocent... but you dangle precariously close to the edge of evil."
Shamrock backed away, not sure what to do next. Her own powers would probably keep her alive if these two started battling, but she lacked the strength to harm either.
Hang in there, Molly. We're on our way.
Shamrock felt hope bloom within her. "Betsy!" she whispered. "Hurry up -- but be careful."
Meanwhile, Dark Albion was continuing to shoot flame at the Ghost Rider, who moved towards him. "Molly!" Cam yelled and his voice sounded uncertain. "I only wanted you to love me!"
Molly started to tell him that she did love him... but she knew that her love for him was like for a brother. And that was definitely not what Cam desired.
Ghost Rider unwrapped the heavy chain from around his torso and spun it out towards Cam. It looped around him and Cam found himself unable to break away -- he felt himself pulled inexorably towards the Spirit of Vengeance. When they were within inches of each other, Cam warned "My Lord will destroy you."
Ghost Rider said nothing, but the dark sockets where his eyes should have been began to glow. He unleashed the full power of his Penance Stare on young Cam McClellan, subjecting him to the full horror of what he had become. He saw innocent lives snuffed out at his own hand... the spread of the horrid Bane decay, which he had allowed... and he knew the horror that his own mother felt, as she saw her son slide into sin.
And he began to cry, softly at first but then gaining in volume.
Shamrock saw him sag to the ground and she went to him, heedless of the danger. She wrapped her arms about his shoulders and pulled him close, whispering soft words of comfort to a boy who had suffered more in his short life than any should ever have to.
"Ladies and gentlemen... I think we've walked right into a trap."
Adam Crown glanced over at the Hulk, offering him a brief smile. Like the rest of the Pendragons, they were standing just outside the team's jet, which had set down in the heart of the Red Lord's city. "I daresay you're right, Bruce. But what choice do we have? Molly's here... and we may never get another chance to come here before the Red Lord's power is too great."
The Hulk nodded, staring at the empty streets and closed windows. Only moments before, Rathoon had told them that he'd seen the town's residents moving about madly, locking themselves within. Now he knew why... It was looking more and more like an Old West standoff.
Captain Britain was at the front of the assemblage, with the massive Rathoon looming over the back. "I just located Molly telepathically. She's coming out to meet us, with Cam and Ghost Rider."
"Cam?" Breeze asked. "He's Kate's kid, right?"
"Yes," Betsy replied. "And hopefully he's back on our side."
"I am not certain he can be trusted."
The Pendragons saw Ghost Rider stride towards them, emerging from a small building to their right. He looked battle-torn, with his jacket singed and burned. Captain Britain exchanged a look with Dark Angel, but neither of them could read the vigilante's mind. "Why do you say that, Rider?" Betsy asked.
"Because he's obviously a traitor," Ghost Rider replied. He stopped a few away from them. "Because if he's tossed away the power of the Red Lord, then he's thrown away his only chance at a future." Before anyone could act, the facade faded, leaving Blackheart in its place. "This time, Pendragons... You're going to pay."
With those words, the doors and windows all around began to open... and sorcerers flooded the streets, flanked by hobgoblins and other agents of the Bane. It was a small army... and riding through their midst, on a jet-black steed, was the leering face of Mordred the Evil. He brandished a large ebony-coated blade in one hand, bellowing "Forward! For the Red Lord! For the glory and infamy of the Bane!"
Adam Crown drew forth his own blade, locking eyes with the man who, in another life, was his son and nephew. "Mordred. I made a mistake in letting you live the last time... I'm going to rectify that today."
Shamrock stepped out into the bright sunlight, having heard the sounds of battle from without. Ghost Rider was at her side, carrying the mostly prone form of Dark Albion in his arms. What she saw on the outside nearly froze her to the marrow. A horde of Bane followers were attacking a small band of Pendragons, who were circled around the team's jet. She watched as Rathoon and Dark Angel took to the air, each of them attacking from above. The dragon's fireballs landed smack dab in the center of a large group of Bane cultists and hobgoblins, while Dark Angel opened a portal to another plane and deposited several of their opponents in that realm.
Shamrock looked at Ghost Rider. "Set Cam down and help them!"
The Ghost Rider nodded once, placing the youngest Pendragon on the ground. The sound of a motorcycle filled the air and a large black bike rocketed through the crowd, finally coming to a stop in front of the Spirit of Vengeance. "The enemies of man must pay."
"I agree," Molly said. She rushed forward and as she did, she reached inside herself and summoned the power of the Pendragon spirit. She'd held off on using the power to change into her costume before, not wanting to tire herself. But she definitely didn't want to go into combat in a sheet -- as the green uniform appeared around her, she launched herself into the air and delivered a powerful kick to the back of a Bane warrior's head.
The Hulk, who was slamming a hobgoblin into the dirt while three others attempted to grapple him, flashed her a bestial grin. "Molly! Glad you're okay!"
"Thanks, Big Green. You're looking fine yourself!"
The Hulk laughed, enjoying the rush of physical combat. As Bruce Banner, he'd run and hid from violence his whole life. But now that the power of the Hulk was his to command, he was relishing it once more. He grabbed a hobgoblin about the throat and hurled him into the sky.
Elsewhere on the field of combat, Breeze was zipping about and using her speed to great advantage. She dealt harsh blows to several of the Bane, trying to hold back her revulsion. Their human followers had been tainted by constant exposure to the forces of darkness, becoming twisted and broken figures... Why would anyone choose the path of easy power when it led to this? she wondered.
Captain Britain drove her psi-blade through one of her foes, then danced nimbly back as an axe-wielding hobgoblin slashed at her. She felt no fear at the overwhelming odds they now faced, however. During her time as a thrall to the Mandarin, she'd been trained in the arts of the Ninja. Though she was once again in her rightful body, she retained those memories and knew that the subjugation of emotion in combat was key. Again and again, she whirled and thrusted, spiking the minds of others with her telepathy as well. She had given instructions to Shevaun to try and do the same to the humans who were following the Bane -- at least some of them might be able to be saved later on.
On the edge of the battlefield, the Spirit of Vengeance cut a bloody swatch through the army. His chain broke apart into flying shuriken at one point, littering the ground with the bodies of his enemies. He had his attention focused on one being and one being only: "Blackheart!"
The son of Mephisto, who had cloaked himself in shadow and avoided the drudgery of physical combat, regarded him coolly. "You should have turned tail and run, Noble Kale. But that's not in your nature, is it?" He sprang back, avoiding Ghost Rider's clutching hand as the Spirit's motorcycle roared past. The demon retained his bravado, but he was by no means confident of this affair. His own power was far reduced than the last time they'd clashed, for the Bane had resurrected him with only a portion of his former grandeur intact. Nevertheless, he waved his hand and transformed the earth beneath the Ghost Rider's wheels to black slush, causing him to spin out of control. "Let us end this, old foe."
Blackheart jumped forward, striking Ghost Rider and knocking him from his motorcycle. The Spirit of Vengeance rolled with the impact and raised back up to his feet. "The souls of your victims scream for vengeance!"
"Then let me send you to join them, Noble -- So that you may commiserate over their poor fates!" Mystic energy flared from his hands and struck the Ghost Rider. The Rider responded by lashing out with his chain, striking Blackheart hard in the face.
Adam Crown, meanwhile, walked slowly and surely through the melee. None touched him or dared stand in his path. He stared straight ahead, watching as Mordred drove his horse onwards. As he neared, Adam raised his sword and blocked a passing swipe of Mordred's blade. "Face me like a man, coward!"
Mordred whirled his horse about and leapt from its saddle. "You are the coward, false Arthur! You are the one whose sanity is so precarious that he stains the name of his forefathers!"
"That is true no longer." Adam rushed forward and the two men's swords clashed again. A green fire burned in Adam's eyes and it was matched by the flickering red flames that flared in Mordred's. "For this battle, I have been gifted with the strength and power of my patron -- the Green Knight."
"And I am the avatar of the Red Lord," Mordred whispered. Their blades pressed together and each man strained to break the other, their sweat-stained faces only inches away from one another. "Our struggle will decide the day, Adam. Are you man enough to face that fact?"
"The better question is -- are you?" Adam thrust out with all his strength, sending Mordred staggering away. The reincarnation of Arthur then pressed the assault and as he did so, his mind filled with images. Twice before he'd fought this man, once in the dying days of Camelot and once at Glastonbury. Both times he'd fought for the preservation of what he most cherished... but this time he fought for more. He fought for the reclaiming of what was lost. He fought for Britain.
In the middle of the crowded field of battle, two men fought back and forth. They were chess pieces on a much larger board than they could comprehend, as the forces of the Bane and Avalon warred for supremacy. It was Adam who drew first blood, breaking through Mordred's defenses to cut a deep scratch on the other man's cheek. Blood flowed freely, driving Mordred into a rage. He began slashing madly, but found each of his thrusts well-met by Adam.
"Damn you, Crown! Fall! I have waited centuries to gain this measure of power and I will not have you taking it from me!"
Adam grunted as Mordred's sword bit in his left shoulder. "It's always about jealousy with you, isn't it? Whether of Arthur and Camelot... or your own mother and her sorcery. You never feel like you've got enough, do you?"
"Do not patronize me!" Mordred roared. "I am the true son of Arthur and Morgan! I am the past and the present and the future! I am--" Mordred's words stuttered out as he lost his footing, tripping over the fallen corpse of a hobgoblin. He tumbled to the earth, his sword dropping from his grip. He blinked away the pain, only to find Adam's sword pressed against his throat. "No... Not again...."
Adam's lips tugged up in a smile. "Swear allegiance to your king."
"What...?"
"I seize this territory in the name of Avalon and the Green Knight. Swear your loyalty to me and I will let you live. Refuse...and I shall end your life."
"You wouldn't... You refused to the last time we fought!"
"I will do so this time. I swear in the name of the Lady."
Mordred's eyes opened wide and he could feel the spirit of the Bane begin to recede... not just from him, but from the entire area. It was as if the Red Lord was recognizing that an old enemy was no longer slumbering, but was instead rising up to take what it saw as rightfully his. "I... I will do this thing."
And it was over. Adam drew his sword away and offered Mordred his hand. "Then rise, for you shall be my court magician."
Mordred allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, but he would not meet the eyes of Adam Crown.
As if sensing their battle was lost, the Bane's followers began to give up. Some of them -- the shadowy denizens of the dark -- faded into nothingness before the Pendragons' eyes. The humans, however, merely looked lost and ashamed. Of the Ghost Rider and Blackheart, there was no sign at all... though a terrible black stain that smoked was left where they had last been seen.
"What just happened here?" the Hulk said.
Shamrock looked towards Adam Crown, who was climbing atop the steps leading to the Red Lord's castle. "I think we're about to find out...."
Adam raised his sword high and it glowed with a brightness so strong that the weak and evil hid from its light... and the Pendragons reveled in it. His voice carried far and loud as his image magically appeared on every television screen throughout Great Britain and his words interrupted all radio broadcast. "I am Adam Crown, heir to Arthur... rightful King of England! I have returned... and after far too long where I have wallowed in the weakness of vanity and self-doubt, I am ready to offer you hope. The Red Lord is banished and his avatar is now my servant. The realm of Darkmoor is mine and I claim it by birthright. All who seek to return to the old ways of the Green... You are welcome here. We will work with the government of man, but we do not answer to it. Our lord is Green and his Lady is beautiful. Rejoice, for the days of darkness will be no more!"
Across Great Britain, men and women who had huddled in doubt since the rise of the Black Mass Barrier felt their burden lighten. This young man before them seemed to touch something in their deepest core, their ancestral memory. He was the King and there was no doubt of that... Even in the halls of Parliament, there was no doubt of that.
Adam Crown sheathed his sword, his eyes seeming to stare out into the depths of reality. "Ginny... I will be coming for you. I dearly hope you will be my Queen."
Next Issue: Adam Crown has declared himself King, but will it be that easy? And will Ginny be willing to forgive and forget?
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Hope you enjoyed this storyline -- I had a real blast writing it and I like to think it's set us up for some interesting times ahead. Adam's reign begins in earnest next issue, much to the chagrin of those in government who see him as a rising threat.
We're chugging along towards our fiftieth issue and I'd like to make it a special one. If you have any suggestions about how to do so, please drop me a line. Should we have a 'cover' for the issue? Backup features? A reunion of the surviving original Pendragons? Let me know!
And now a letter from Harry VanHoudnos
I have to admit, I've been reading Pendragons since you started it, and I am enjoying it. I just wonder what plans you have for #50? Will we see the trap sprung for the Pendragons that the Red Lord is planning? And if so, who will survive and who will fall? Keep up the work and GO PENDRAGONS!!
Thanks, Harry! As you can see, you didn't have to wait very long for the Red Lord's trap to be sprung. Hope you enjoyed the consequences.
As for issue 50, it's coming quickly, isn't it? Like I said above, I'm looking for ideas on how to make the issue special. Let me know if you have any.
You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com
