The Commonwealth |
What Has Come Before: The European Union's official superhero team, the Commonwealth, has been issued an edict by their masters: find a way, mystical or otherwise, to lift the Black Mass Barrier. With the help of the Roman Catholic Church, the Commonwealth has uncovered an ancient tome titled Chaldean Magic, which contains a spell revealing the secret to their potential success: find the human host for the Barrier's "key" and slay him. Meanwhile, the Pendragons have alerted the Prime Minister to the dangers associated with removing the Barrier... and are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect England from the alien invasion force on the other side. Thanks to Nocturne's mystical Looking Glass, they are now aware of the Commonwealth's opposing efforts....
The Vatican
"They are using the book, your holiness."
"Good," the old man whispered, his voice trembling with every word. The effort that it took to even raise his head and converse with his advisors was becoming more and more exhausting. "I wish to see the darkness lift before I die."
The cardinal shifted from foot to foot. There was an odor about the Holy Father now, one that spoke of old age and approaching death. It was heartbreaking to see, especially for one who remembered when the Holy Father had been a spry man, agile of both body and mind. "I still have grave misgivings... Are we not using the tools of the devil to--"
"No!" the older man hissed, forcing himself upright in his bed. Candles burned brightly around the room, but they did little to illuminate the gloom. The darkness that the Holy Father had spoken of seemed to cling to the Vatican now, brought forth by the angel of death, some acolytes whispered. The cardinal did not believe such nonsense, of course... though he'd come closer to believing as of late. "The Barrier has to be lifted... It was erected by the son of Mephisto; the spawn of the Devil himself! I will not go to my grave with such blasphemy in place... It will end. And if we can turn the Devil's own words against him, that is what we should do. God is guiding us in all things."
"Of course. You are right, your holiness."
The Holy Father closed his eyes, his lips and limbs beginning to tremble. There were times that he could barely hold a slip of paper between those weary fingers, the cardinal knew... and even more depressing was the fact that the older man was sometimes forgetting who and where he was.
Cardinal Maggi stepped back, allowing his leader to rest. He still had concerns over this whole affair, but hearing words of reassurance from the Holy Father had managed to still some of his doubts.
He hadn't had the courage to bring up the matter of the boy, however. The boy within whom dwelled the key to ending the Barrier. The boy who would have to die.
"Merciful father in Heaven, please forgive us," he whispered.
Mercy Hospital, London
Sixteen year old Theodore "Teddy" Knowles sat in his wheelchair, staring at the pink-tinged skies. Ever since the Barrier had gone up, weather had taken a strange turn, with ferocious storms appearing at a moment's notice. Even on sunny days, there was sometimes a pink-purple tint to the skies, giving it a surreal appearance.
Teddy took no notice of this, however. Just as he didn't notice the winged pegasi that were soaring overhead. Or the fact that a long string of drool hung from his sagging bottom lip, wetting the front of his shirt.
Teddy was lost in his own little world, one that rarely crossed over with our own.
In Teddy's world, he was strong and handsome, with no physical ailments. What's more, he was the people's champion, just as his childhood idol Captain Britain had been. Teddy saved the world over and over again in his dreams, defeating foes like Blackheart and Zarathos.
In Teddy's world, he was Lionheart, empowered by the collective hopes and dreams of the British people. He had a shield -- a bit like Captain America's, Teddy would have admitted, but cool nonetheless -- and the kind of build that girls drooled over. He was everything that skinny, shy little Teddy was not.
In Teddy's world, Lionheart saved his parents. They all lived happily ever after.
It was good -- better, in fact, than reality.
In reality, Teddy had been out with his parents during the freak snow storm that had enveloped London on that awful night. They had sought protection in a little cafe, while reports began to come in about the Pendragons being locked in battle with a demon from Hell. Teddy had experienced mixed feelings at the time -- he was frightened, of course, but also exhilarated. He was only blocks away from the place where Betsy Braddock was fighting for her life. Beautiful, wonderful Betsy Braddock... Teddy had bought a poster of her once, in which she'd worn only a towel. His mother had thrown the poster away, calling it the worst kind of rubbish.
The ground had begun to shake beneath their feet then... and a terrible dark shadow had fallen across the entire cafe. Women had screamed and men had trembled, as the visage of Blackheart appeared to them. He had surveyed the crowd with malicious glee, his eyes glowing red and a gaping darkness hiding his true face.
"So many choices," the demon had said. His voice had burned itself into Teddy's mind and he'd thought about Betsy Braddock at that moment... thought of her smooth skin and firm breasts. He'd not yet seen a real pair for himself, not in person... and he knew suddenly that he probably never would. For some reason, that made him want to cry.
Blackheart had looked upon him in that moment... and he'd laughed.
A second later, hellfire had burst forth through the cafe, incinerating everyone inside... save for Teddy. Teddy had been reserved for an even worse fate. He had watched in mounting horror as his family had burned alive, unable to move or turn away. The flames had licked at his flesh, but left him unharmed.
When the fires had died away, Blackheart had strode forth, a gleaming purple diamond in his left hand. "Time to make you a man, little boy... Someday you'll thank me."
The demon's fist had shot out, driving the diamond's tip into Teddy's chest. It had pierced the flesh and gone deeper than any physical assault ever could. The boy's mind had exploded then, gushing over with memories and lustful secrets. He'd forgotten about David Beckham or Manchester United or Betsy Braddock or the Cheeky Girls... in that moment, he was nothing more than a tool for the devil.
Since that day, he'd been cared for by the state, the tragic young boy pulled from the wreckage... a living reminder of all the frightening events that had accompanied the rise of the Black Mass Barrier.
"The poor lad. Has he really been like ever since that night?"
Nurse Reilly nodded once, sadly. She and Breeze James had been watching him for some time now, with Breeze straining to see some sign of intelligence in the youth's eyes. Their glassy stare had not reassured her, however. "I'm afraid so. Sometimes he chatters away about things, but they're nonsense. Fairy tale things."
Breeze didn't reply, though she couldn't help but think that most of what passed for normal these days used to be the stuff of fairy tales. The staff here at the hospital had been more than glad to help one of the famous Pendragons, but she felt very much out of place in her costume. "I'm going to need to take Teddy away from here."
The nurse's face lost all its color. "You can't do that. I mean... the hospital administrator is in Kent at the moment and can't be--"
"He's in great danger," Breeze warned. She held up her communicator and activated it. Normally, one of the team's telepaths -- Captain Britain and Dark Angel -- kept the team in mental contact, but there were times when the old-fashioned communicators worked best. "Captain Britain, would you please tell Nurse Reilly that this entire hospital is in a precarious situation as long as this young man is here?"
Just over a mile away, Captain Britain let out a small sigh. She was hovering in midair, keeping a mental eye open for any sign of the Commonwealth. The other Pendragons were stationed around the hospital as well, fully aware that the EU's superteam contained some of the most powerful beings inside the Barrier. If they were truly serious about slaying Teddy, they could be in for quite a fight. "Ms. Reilly, I understand your concerns. I give you my word as a Pendragon that we'll do all that we can to protect Teddy... Our main priority at the moment, though, is getting him to a place far from London, where we can minimize the risk of injury to the general popu--"
"They're at the hospital!"
Betsy blinked. That was Molly's voice. The Celtic Phoenix -- It's still bizarre thinking of her like that, Betsy mused -- was stationed right outside Mercy's... How could the Commonwealth have gotten past them? "All Pendragons, head to the hospital. Molly -- keep them outside that building! Breeze... make sure he's someplace safe."
Darkmoor Prison
Once upon a time, he'd been a King.
Not in the old, literal sense... but he'd been a modern-day King, nonetheless. He'd had his pick of women. He'd had power. He'd had prestige.
But it had all come crashing down when the Pendragons had arrived. They had smashed the Hellfire Club's base and left their organization in ruins.
For the former Red King, it had been a disturbing fall.
He now languished in his prison cell, barely able to fathom how it had all come to this. He'd tried to warn the Pendragons that the Barrier was coming, but they had refused to allow him to flee. Now he was stuck here with the rest of them. The rabble.
His long red hair had been trimmed short by the prison barber but his tattoos remained in place, marking him as something different from the other prisoners. He liked the looks of fear and respect they gave him. He still had that, at least.
"Hello, Milord."
The Red King sprang up from his cell bed, automatically reaching for the sword he'd worn buckled at his waist for so very long. There was nothing there, of course, and he cursed under his breath. His eyes narrowed as he saw a humanoid shape appear in the air before him. It was a woman, swathed in red robes. Her eyes were wide and interested, focusing on the Red King with obvious affection.
The Red King tried to muster as much arrogance as he could, considering that he was incarcerated and dressed only in prison gear. "Who are you, woman? And how did you manage to get in here?"
"I am the Red Rook, milord. And I have come to liberate you -- should be willing to reassume your former place in the Inner Circle, of course." She smiled prettily and the Red King found himself somewhat enchanted. "As for how I came to be here... let us say that the Red Queen desires your company."
"Margali? She is free?"
"We have a new Red Queen, milord... but one just as deadly as her predecessor." The Rook held her hand out for him, offering it palm up. "Take my hand and let us leave this wretched place. Your just reward awaits."
The Red King had a vision of the girl before him, stripped naked and helpless. A corner of his lip lifted upwards.
"That, too, can be yours... You are my King."
As his eyes widened in surprise, the Red King was all ready reaching out to take her hand. "You're a telepath... Then I guess you know what I'm thinking now?"
"Oh yes," she replied breathlessly. "And I am yours to command. Welcome aboard, sir."
Mercy Hospital, London
"Let's at least try to reason with them," Borys whispered, though he knew the words would have little effect on his teammates. Of them all, only Starlite could possibly be swayed by the path of nonviolence.
The Red Guardian grunted in response and shifted his shield to a better position. The Commonwealth had arrived via a spell cast by Borys, one of his so-called 'Blessed Abilities' which the Red Guardian thought was little different than the black magic practiced by so many others. Regardless, his powers were useful... and much needed at the moment.
"We are outnumbered," the lightning casting hero known as Blitzkrieg whispered. He was watching as the last of the Pendragons -- the green-skinned Hulk -- lumbered into view. The Pendragons were blocking the Commonwealth's path into the hospital, with the damned Captain Britain standing in the front.
"It is skill and power that matters, not numbers." The Red Guardian stepped forward, spreading his hands wide in a gesture of goodwill. "Pendragons. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard so much...."
"Your superiors didn't waste any time replacing Josef Petkus did they?" Breeze taunted.
"He betrayed the European Union," the Guardian replied. "But that is neither here nor there. We must have entrance into that hospital... It is of vital importance not only to mainland Europe, but to your own nation as well. We--"
"Are here to kill a young boy. We know." The Hulk cracked his knuckles and looked eager for a right. "We're going to stop you."
"There's no need for this!" Borys exclaimed. He moved forward, looking earnestly at the others. "We're here because we've found a means for removing the Barrier...."
"We know." The dark-clad Nocturne looked angry and ready for a fight. "I've seen what you're intending to do and it's not worth it. Nothing is worth the life of an innocent person."
Starlite, hovering a few feet off the ground and glowing slightly, shook her head. "I would have agreed with you... Once upon a time. But I know now that there are times when difficult decisions must be made. Yes, he is innocent... but his death will mean the liberation of all those within the Barrier. The magic will begin to fade and our lives will return to normality. Surely the sacrifice of one person is--"
"He isn't capable of making that choice for himself," Phoenix exclaimed. She was eyeing Starlite with growing distrust. "And how can you even try to argue that this is right? You're talking about murdering someone -- all for the sake of removing a Barrier that's nothing more than an inconvenience!"
"An inconvenience? Governments are close to falling all around us, comrade -- and you call that an inconvenience? You have lost two Prime Ministers since the Barrier went up -- and let none of us forget that it was your Clive Winthrop who brought the Barrier into being!" The Red Guardian shouted the last, hurling it forwards like a weapon.
"We were all fooled by him," Captain Britain said. "But that doesn't mean the British people can be held responsible for this. Besides, there are other concerns to be mentioned here. On the other side of the Barrier is an army from--"
"Enough of this!" the Red Guardian snarled. "We have our duty -- and you obviously have yours!"
"Damyian, no!"
The cry from Borys came too late, as the Red Guardian charged forward. He lowered his shoulder and drove his shield straight into Captain Britain, whose force field flared to life just in time to protect her. The impact still knocked them to the ground, however... and the battle was on.
Le Peregrine took to the skies but quickly felt a metallic tendril snake around his ankle. He looked down to see Nocturne gazing up at him, the tendril projected from his left gauntlet. "What are you trying to do, my English friend? Tie me to the ground?"
Nocturne couldn't resist a smile. "Let me introduce you to my little friend... his name is Taser."
Electricity raced up the metal tentacle, capturing Le Peregrine in its horrific embrace. He screamed in surprise and pain.
"You like to play with electricity, mein Freund? So do I."
Nocturne turned just in time to see a lightning bolt shoot forth from Blitzkrieg's hands. The attack rendered the hero unconscious in seconds, but Le Peregrine was all ready on the ground beside him, likewise out of the conflict.
Starlite evaded an energy blast from Dark Angel, casting her own attack against the Hulk. She was able to reproduce various energy wavelengths and she chose to bombard the Hulk with a specific radiation that caused his gamma-irradiated cells to explode in agony.
As their most physically imposing members staggered back, the Celtic Phoenix went on the offensive. She had yet to cut loose with her powers since becoming one with the primal force of creation, partially out of fear for what might happen. Even now, she held back just a bit -- but her energy assault was still a thiing of monstrous beauty. As the Phoenix Effect enveloped her, she bellowed "Go back to Russia, you silly git!"
The Phoenix shape, formed out of elemental fires, rushed onto Starlite. It drained her nearly dry, emptying her of the nuclear reservoir that dwelt within her. The Russian would regenerate her powers in time, but not nearly quickly enough to return to the battle.
Android Andy and Breeze found themselves double-teaming the increasingly frustrated Borys. "Why are you forcing us to fight?" the Commonwealth member exclaimed. "We should be working together on this!"
"We don't kill innocent people," Breeze retorted. She rocketed forward, meaning to pummel him at superspeed, but was sidestepped by her opponent. He drove an elbow into her back as she passed, causing her to tumble forward.
"I'm sorry, then... For what I do now is sanctioned by God."
Android Andy raised a fist and approached. "Your God is a spiteful and angry one, then." He drove a fist hard against the side of Borys' head, knocking the other man aside. "I do apologize for having to engage in fisticuffs, however. Especially against one who tried to speak of peace. It reminds me of an old story in which--"
"Please. Shut up." Borys rose from his crouched position and tackled Andy. They fell to the ground together and Borys reached out with his powers, seeking his opponent's soul. He meant to quiet it and end this particular conflict, but he hadn't counted on Breeze to recover so quickly. She seized his hand from behind and pulled him backwards by his hair. Before he could respond, she'd delivered four quick punches to his face.
Blitzkrieg saw this with mounting anger. He'd had his doubts about this mission, but once they'd been blocked in their efforts by the Pendragons, his nationalism had taken over. He hated how holier-than-thou the English had become as of late. He moved to electrocute both Andy and Breeze, but found himself instead held fast in some sort of mystic grip.
Dark Angel, flying overhead, smiled down at him. "Let's just skip the whole you-hit-me-I-hit-you bit, shall we? You're outclassed."
"Your team is losing," Captain Britain muttered, dodging another blow from the Red Guardian. "And I'm just toying with you. You know that, don't you?"
The Red Guardian said nothing but he did duck beneath one of her powerful leg kicks. She was right -- the Pendragons, at least in their current incarnation, were far too powerful for the Commonwealth. He had never been one to admit defeat, however, not even when the war in Afghanistan had dragged on and on. He caught hold of Betsy's ankle and tripped her up, knocking her onto her back. He brought the sharp edge of his shield to her throat. "Now who is toying with who, eh?"
"My god...."
All of the still conscious combatants looked up at the sound of a woman's voice. They saw Nurse Reilly standing there, with the wheelchair bound form of Teddy Knowles at her side.
Breeze couldn't believe her eyes and for a moment she was too stunned to move. "What are you doing? I told you to keep him inside!"
"He... He actually spoke sense this time. He said 'take me outside.' I couldn't say no -- I just couldn't. I know it doesn't make sense but--"
Her next words were lost in a made cacophony of sounds. The Red Guardian sprang up and threw his shield with all the unerring accuracy of a man built for such things. It whizzed through the air towards Teddy's neck, while Betsy Braddock struck out with her telepathy. She fried the Red Guardian's brain, causing him to fall back with blood spurting from his nose. Breeze meanwhile, screamed "No!" even as she rushed forward, straining herself with all the might she could muster.
It was not enough.
The shield gleamed in the sunlight as it was about to strike home....
and then clanged loudly as it was met by a second shield, this one adorned with the Union Jack.
All eyes turned to the colorfully garbed figure who caught the Union Jack shield as it flew back to him. He nodded to them all, as if regarding them as equals. "I'm Lionheart... and that boy is under my protection."
Next Issue: "The Commonwealth" continues as Teddy Knowles and Lionheart take center stage!
AUTHOR'S NOTES
I'm aware that this storyline is a bit different than most, in that I'm actually not focusing much on the Pendragons. We've spent a lot of time on the Commonwealth and Teddy Knowles so far, but I think it's a nice change of pace. With our next storyline, we'll go back to the usual soap opera that is life at Lyonesse... but for now I thought we needed to get to know some little-seen members of our Universe. Hope you agree.
Not much feedback this time around, as most of you seem to be recovering from issue # 50. We do have one letter, though, and it's in reference to Nocturne's debut in Tales of the Pendragons # 6. Here we go with Trav Hiltz:
Hey, you
must be the other guy that bought this mini!
Nice job of integrating Nocturne into the PU. I think he and Betsy will make an
interesting duo. They have a kind of UK World's Finest vibe that could be fun.
Liked the Star Trek line.
I love the old Nightraven. Only ever got a couple stories with him. Snazzy
costume and nice pulp style feel to him. I'll have to add him to my ever growing
list of characters I'm going to have to do a Spotlight story with, someday.
Always good to hear from you, Trav! I really wanted to respect the old Nocturne miniseries while at the same time incorporating him into our continuity... hopefully others feel as you do, i.e. that I succeeded. Interesting point about Betsy and Gray having a World's Finest vibe -- hadn't really seen that until you mentioned it, but I like the notion!
You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com
