The Pendragons Issue # 63	Brought together in defense of Avalon and the British Isles, the Pendragons are the officially-sanctioned heroes of Great Britain. Originally led by the Black Knight, the group is composed of surviving members of the old Knights of Pendragon group, as well as several other heroes. Willing to die for their beliefs, the Pendragons stand united as Britain's best defense against threats of a superhuman nature. Special "Silver Anniversary" Pendragons logo created by Kell Carpenter, inspired by the logo created by Des Davies! Pendragons Roll-Call: Captain Britain (leader), Nocturne, Union Jack, Spitfire and Micromax.
Written by Barry Reese

What Has Come Before: The Emissaries of the Dark have returned, stealing a bit of dragon's blood from Rathoon and using it to summon forth the ancient sorcerer Kulan Gath. As part of an offering to the wizard, the group gave him a prize -- the kidnapped form of Mary Jane Watson-Parker, who had foiled him in the past. Meanwhile, the Pendragons uncovered part of the Emissaries' plot and set off to the Bavarian mountains in pursuit. There, they have encountered stiff resistance but they are unaware that a surprising ally has entered the drama: Mary Jane has once more manifested the spirit and strength of Red Sonja, She-Devil with a Sword!

When the ancient one clashes with the flame-haired warrior, the new king in old raiment shall fall.....

Adam Crown would die soon. He must, if the prophecy was to be believed... and Mordred wanted, needed to believe in this ancient prediction. "I can't be his lackey forever," he whispered in the darkness, huddled in his darkened bedroom. "It's not fitting."

A mocking female laugh answered him and it chilled his blood. "And what do you know of such things, nephew? You have been most ill-fitting ever since your birth."

"Mother?" he gasped, peering into the darkness. He saw nothing but a mystic command caused the candle beside his bed to flare to life, illuminating the room. He saw her then, standing near the open window A full moon could be seen in the sky behind her, several pseudo-dragons flying before it. 

Morgan Le Fey smiled in a sickly-sweet fashion, examining her son as he rose nakedly from the bed. "You have your father's build, Mordred. A pity that your physical stoutness isn't matched by your spirit."

"What are you doing here? Have you come just to berate me?"

"Fun though that may be, the answer is no... I've come to tell you that I'm so very disappointed. I tutored you for centuries, preparing you for leadership. But after your brief victory over the forces of Avalon*, you've been beaten and abused every time you've shown your face. I sometimes wonder if you have any of my blood in you at all, or if you are merely my brother's son. Simpering and weak."

(*Waaaaay back in Black Knight: Destiny Walk # 0-6!)

"No!" Mordred roared, stepping towards the woman who was both mother and aunt to him. He held his hands out to her, as if seeking comfort. "I've tried to make you proud of me. I've done everything that you--"

Morgan held up a hand to silence him. "Be silent. Your prattling grates on my nerves." She waved her fingers through the air, as if stirring it. Images appeared, familiar ones that sent a shiver down Mordred's spine. He saw Noble Kale, the living Spirit of Vengeance, floating beside the son of Mephisto, Blackheart. "These two beings disappeared during the Red Lord's last defeat*. I have found their spirits, lurking in the nether-realms. Blackheart's father has them in his clutches. Free them and you will have the instrument for your ultimate victory."

(*See issue 46)

Mordred's face took on a suspicious cast. "Why are you doing this? You insult me and then offer me aid? Blackheart never cared for me and I doubt that Ghost Rider would slay Adam Crown for me."

"You are short-sighted, Mordred. Ghost Rider is an enemy, yes... but his freedom will keep the attentions of others off of you. And Blackheart will owe you... and he still has many uses." Her dark eyes flashed. "But I find it so disappointing that you need someone else to do your slaying for you."

"Crown is powerful."

"You slew the original Arthur. Are you weaker now?"

"Of course not."

"Then stop fearing him." She held out a small medallion, which he took. The familiar design of the Medallion of Power was etched onto its surface. It wasn't the true relic, of course, for that was lodged in the collective souls of the Kale and Badilino families... but it was a talisman capable of tapping into that ancient power. "Use this to enter Mephisto's realm. Free these beings."

"But the prophecy--"

"Will not come to pass without help! The ancient one and the flame-haired warrior clash today, my boy... but their battle is only the harbinger. The sign that things are aligned correctly for Crown to fall. You have to be the one to take the next step."

Mordred closed his fist about the medallion, nodding. "You'll be proud of me, mother. I swear it."

An abandoned Hydra base, located in Bavaria

Micromax felt like his head was about to burst open. He tried to shake away the cobwebs that clung to the edges of his consciousness but it was a difficult task. He remembered hefting Jack O'Lantern up like a sack of potatoes and tossing her at Englander... after that, it was a blur. They'd traded blows, Scott using his size and mass-shifting powers in a futile attempt to match the other man's strength. "And then I was sucker-punched," he whispered, forcing himself to his feet and gazing around himself. He saw Venom nearby and realized that it had been the symbiotically-enhanced villain who'd struck him from behind. Increasing his height to its fullest, he threw himself into the fray, trying to ignore the fear that was gnawing away at his heart. He'd always considered himself a normal man thrown into very abnormal situations... it had been Breeze, sweet adventurous Breeze, who'd relished this sort of adventure. He missed her, badly. He took that loneliness and fear, bundled it all together, and used it to drive his point home when he slammed into Venom. 

The scene outside the base was mayhem. High above, Captain Britain tried to keep some sense of control, but it was difficult. She'd wanted to do this quietly and efficiently, but things had gone wrong from the start -- and now the Pendragons and the Emissaries were waging a war.

Union Jack was engaged in a deadly face-off with someone that Betsy didn't recognize, but whom she'd heard called Dragonslayer. She wondered idly if he had engineered the assault on Rathoon, but didn't have time to worry about that... continuing to use her telepathy to link her teammates together. Nocturne was dodging eldritch blasts being cast by his ex-girlfriend, Hell's Angel -- and Betsy fought to keep herself from feeling jealous when she saw Angel pin Gray to the ground and straddle him. Stop it, she thought to herself. Don't let your emotions get in the way. Remember your training with the Hand.

Englander and Micromax were still pummeling away at one another, with Scott starting to falter. Venom was in the mix there, as well, but Spitfire was zooming that way now, to offer assistance to Micromax. We're missing someone... Where's Zhang?

The thought had barely passed through her mind when pain blotted out everything in her world. The Lady Mandarin, who'd claimed the title that Betsy herself had once used, had managed to get behind her, flying along atop Jack O'Lantern's flying platform. Blessed -- or cursed? -- with a psi-blade very similar to Betsy's, Zhang screamed in pain along with her victim, both of them reeling from psychic backlash. "Witch," she hissed in Japanese, knowing that Betsy could follow her words. "Did you think I wouldn't have a spell to hide me from your mind-rapes? I've waited far too long for my vengeance to let you ruin it all now!"

Captain Britain snarled at her enemy, responding with a ninja-trained move that nearly took Mandarin's head off. They danced in the air before a blow from Betsy sent Zhang hurtling to the ground. She landed hard, but was up on her feet in a flash to meet another assault from the Captain. Neither would give any ground, for Zhang blamed Betsy for the loss of all that was good in her life... and Betsy saw Zhang as a living reminder of the time she spent as the Mandarin's plaything.

This was a grudge match, for almost all the team. Dragonslayer's hatred of the Avalon-empowered heroes was almost palpable, as was Angel's fury at being scorned by Nocturne. Venom saw the entire assemblage as his enemy, locking him away under the Barrier to force him into a war he cared nothing for. And Spitfire fought with passion, remembering the poor dragon who'd nearly been killed by these men and women.

And within the walls of the base, something continued to stir....

Kulan Gath felt a mixture of revulsion and desire. The ancient wizard was trapped between two beings, both of great power -- in their own ways. Behind him, a mystical portal was being stretched ever wider, admitting the Red Lord back into the world of mortal man. Before him stood a beautiful woman, armed with one very sharp sword. "Sonja... We meet again."

Red Sonja held her blade before her with both hands. Her eyes were narrow slits, revealing an expression of pure fury. "This time, I'll lop your head clean off your shoulders... your foul sorcery ends today."

"Bold words, wench. Look around you... You're not in any of the old kingdoms anymore. You're in what passes for the modern world. You'll be lost here, even if you do survive this day." Gath laughed cruelly. "Everything and everyone you knew is long dead, their names lost to history. You're a relic."

Dark mirth danced along Sonja's curved lips. "Relic I may be... but I'll also be named your slayer this day!" She ran forward, ignoring the ever-growing cloud of black at her feet. She felt ethereal hands clutch at her skin, their icy touch draining none of the fire in her veins. She hacked at Gath's shoulder, driving her blade deep enough to send a jet of blood into the air. A bit of it landed on her cheek and she paused in her attack, letting her pink tongue slip from her lips. It darted over the blood, washing it up and she smiled wickedly. "First blood, mage. I'll make sure to get the last, as well."

Gath hissed at her, raking her smooth flesh with his yellowed claws. He left long streaks down her side and followed this with a burst of magical fire that briefly engulfed her. She fell backwards, the smell of burning skin and hair thick in her nose. Rolling on the ground to put herself out, Sonja had a sudden, strong image of a little girl in her mind. Anna. The child of her host, Mary Jane Watson-Parker. To her surprise, Sonja felt herself gain strength from this image... as if Mary Jane's maternal instincts had somehow been passed on to the warrior-woman.

Throwing herself back to her feet, she slashed with the sword again and again. Gath displayed surprising agility in dodging most of her attacks, but several struck home, leaving him dripping blood from a number of wounds. He stumbled back into the ever-growing dark cloud that was spewing forth from the portal he'd opened. He turned and looked into the abyss, seeing a set of malevolent eyes staring back at him. Hideous things were slithering around the portal's opening now and Gath felt newfound energy flood into him, even as a wordless voice asked him Do you serve me?

Gath smiled, feeling the transcending glory of the Red Lord. He saw death and destruction reflected in his master's eyes and he knew that he would, at long last, be a true agent of such things. He would rule over men and women, basking in their worship. He would chew on the fat of his enemies and would--

Pain flared through his chest area, spiraling out through all his limbs. He stared downwards, his hands clasping at the point of Sonja's blade, protruding from his midsection. "No. Not so easily... not again...."

Sonja put her boot on Gath's backside and shoved him off her blade. He landed in the black mist, which enveloped him like a ravenous beast. She heard the sounds of bones snapping and the strangled cries of a black-hearted wizard being devoured.

She backed away, curling her lip in disgust. Wizard-Slayer, a voice whispered inside her head. You could do well in my service.

Sonja averted her eyes from the abyss, remembering the way that Gath had become ensorcelled. "I serve no man."

I am no man... I am more. I am the darkness within you. The fury that drives you... the beings I fight serve the Green. Avalon. A place of peace and tranquility. Can you truly say you would belong with them? Is it peace and love that drive you... or vengeance and hate?

Sonja looked up as the Red Lord half-entered our plane, his hulking form blotting out all else. 

Her sword trembled in her hand....

"How could you reject me, Gray? I would have given you anything you wanted...."

Nocturne grunted as Angel's magical blasts continued to strike him, driving back until he stood pressed against the exterior wall of the base. He remembered a time when he'd thought her beautiful and exotic, but now she looked like nothing more than a mythical demoness come to life. "You were working in the porn industry, Angel... and you were hurting people."

Angel's eyes flashed a brilliant red. "Listen to you. Lecturing me like you're something better. You're nothing more than an adrenaline junkie, just like I am." She raised one hand, showing him how sharp her claws were. "I'm going to take your manhood from you. I'm going to pickle it and keep it in a jar."

Gray forced a smile, cradling an arm against his ribs. He could two -- no, three -- were broken. "You're really Blackheart's daughter? I bet he's really proud of you, Angel... Wasting your time running porn cartels and crying over ex-boyfriends."

Angel uttered a roar of emotional pain and rushed towards him, slashing the air. Gray waited until she was too close to avoid his electrified tasers. He shot one of them forward, snaking it around her torso like a tentacle... and activated the charge. Thousands of volts flooded through her, causing her scream in agony.  

Gray caught her in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. When she was like this, eyes closed and head back, she looked almost like a lost little girl. "I'm sorry for whatever made you this way, Angel. I really am."

Nearby, Captain Englander spat out a bit of blood and wiped his mouth with the back of a hand. He regarded Micromax with an even expression. "You're good... I'll give you that. Better than the Scott Wright from my word, that's for certain. He threw punches like Liam Gallagher... full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Micromax grinned coldly. "Now that's just wrong, man... Oasis is second only to the Beatles. And I oughtta know -- I was a DJ."

"No accounting for taste, mate." Englander launched himself at his foe once more, intent on finishing him this time. Micromax shrank at the last second, however, leaving Englander to pass right over him -- and straight into the back of Venom, who was towering over a downed Spitfire. The two men tumbled to the ground and Union Jack yelled "Pendragons! Remember your plugs!"

Jackie hesitated for a half-second, her head ringing from Venom's blows. Plugs... What was Joey talking about? Then she remembered, using her superspeed to put them into place. Her husband activated a portable sonic cannon that he had strapped to his waist, flooding the area with soundwaves... which proved extremely painful for the alien symbiote attached to Eddie Brock. Venom screamed, his "Other" separating from him and thrashing on the ground. Englander tried to rise, blood seeping from his nose and ears, but he lost his grip and collapsed.

The only Emissaries left standing were Lady Mandarin and Dragonslayer. They backed up until their bodies pressed together, back-to-back. Dragonslayer sneered "The day of Avalon is long past," he yelled, his voice carrying far as Union Jack encased the symbiote in a portable cage and turned off his sonic device. "The Red Lord is returning... and this time, the dragons will fall from the sky and the Green will burn."

Captain Britain strode forward, her psi-blade flickering around her right hand. "It's over. For both of you. For once, Zhang, show some sense... We can help purge you of the Bane's influence." Silently, Betsy used her telepathy. Jackie, do a recon. Find out what he meant about the Red Lord. Her eyes flickered upwards, to the sky. It was turning a ghastly shade of red. And do it quick.

Spitfire rocketed away, while the Lady Mandarin raised her own psi-blade. It looked ragged and dangerous compared to Betsy's more tightly focused manifestation. "You destroyed everything I loved, Betsy Braddock. You led me to this place and time. All that I am is your fault."

"Don't give me that. You agreed to follow the Mandarin, unlike me -- I was used by him. The only one you have to blame is yourself."

"Enough talk!" Dragonslayer rushed forward, swinging his blade in a dangerous arc. Betsy met his blow with her psi-blade, parrying each thrust, before reaching out with her telepathy to shut his mind down. She felt a brief touch of his consciousness as he fell, surprising her with what she saw. She caught him just prior to him hitting the ground, whispering aloud "He's a Garrett... I wonder if Dane knows."

"What did you say, Betsy?" Gray wandered up to her, rubbing his pained ribs. 

"Nothing we can't deal with later on." 

A flurry of dust announced the return of Spitfire, her arm wrapped tightly around Red Sonja. The warrior woman thrust herself free of the Pendragon, scowling. "Unhand me!"

Spitfire gestured to Sonja. "I found her standing over a mummified corpse... and right in front of a magic portal. The Red Lord's coming through. The entire base is filled with Bane." She showed a deep gash in her right arm, that cut through her uniform. "I barely made it out alive."

"She one of the Emissaries?" Micromax asked.

"I'm an enemy of Kulan Gath and all who stand with him." Her eyes narrowed, surveying the colorful group around her. "Are you friend or foe?"

Sptifire started to answer but the ground's rumbling silenced her. The Pendragons all fought to keep their balance as the base shuddered before them. The Red Lord's form, half-solidified, began to emerge from the rift, which had grown to enormous size by now. He was a living nightmare, with the face of a demon risen from the deepest pits of Hell. All who saw it felt a chill in the core of their soul, as if they were seeing something that no mortal man were ever meant to see.

"Bugger me!" Union Jack exclaimed. "We're in deep shite now, mates."

Captain Britain flew forward, ignoring the surprised cry of her lover, Nocturne. She'd seen the damage the Red Lord could do... and she knew that he could not be allowed to wander free again. She activated her armor's magical circuitry, generating a force field about herself, and crashed headlong into the Red Lord. She hacked away at him with her psi-blade, dimly aware that her armor had burst into flames around her. Her force field held for a moment but it was beginning to crack. 

Nocturne ran forward. "Pendragons -- throw everything you have at him!"

Sonja watched as the men and women around her sprang into action. Their powers seemed like magic to her, but she sensed that more was at work. Like when she'd appeared before, alongside the Man-Spider, she was keenly aware that this world was not her own. But here I am, she thought. And I had best act quickly if I don't wish to die... and if I want to reunite Mary Jane with her babe.

Sonja moved forward, hefting a jeweled necklace in her hand. She'd pried it off Gath's dead skin, thinking that it was the source of his power. She'd been right, feeling his dread soul lurking within the metal. Sonja lifted it high and threw it forward, straight into the opening aperture. Its passage elicited a storm of electricity and a howl of rage from the Red Lord. He stumbled back into the portal, tumbling head over foot. Captain Britain was nearly sucked into the closing portal but threw herself backwards at the last moment, hurtling downwards. Micromax snared her just before her skull was cracked open on the rocks below. Her uniform hung in tatters and her face was lined with numerous tiny fissures of blood, but she seemed healthy enough. Scott turned her over to an anxious Nocturne, who held her tightly.

"So that's it, then? The Red Lord's gone away?" Union Jack asked, staring upwards. The sky was still tinged with red. "Maybe we can go a few months without him rearing his ugly head this time."

"What about the swordswoman?" Scott asked. He flashed Sonja a wary smile. He was devoted to Breeze, of course, but he had to admit -- this new arrival looked damned good in her chainmail bikini.

"Mitra," Sonja whispered, suddenly swaying on her feet. "All of you are strange to me... Like something from a fever dream." She touched her forehead and fell forward, catching herself at the last instant. The Pendragons saw her clothes shimmer and change... her body becoming leaner and less full-figured. When she looked up, several on the team recognized her from magazines and the telly. 

"Mary Jane Watson-Parker," Betsy said, pulling away from Gray's comforting arms. "What in the world are you doing here?"

Mary Jane sighed, shaking her head. "Would you believe that I'm just a normal girl who's had her entire world turned upside down?"

Union Jack grunted, whispering to Spitfire. "Welcome to the bloody club."

The story of the Emissaries and Dragonslayer in particular will continue, with the young Mr. Garrett playing a role in Rathoon's quest. Hope you enjoyed the storyline and the introduction of Red Sonja into the mix.

A letter from David Evans, whose artwork inspired Hell's Angel and Dragonslayer of the Emissaries.

Hello Barry! Just thought I'd drop you a line to say how much I am enjoying "Grudge Match". The Emissaries are really great counter point to the Pendragons and I love what your doing with Hell's Angel and Dragonslayer. It's fantastic to see a passing thought in my head and a quick sketch fleshed out by yourself. Will Red Sonja be sticking around? Will there be any more joining the Emissaries or is this the roster for the foreseeable future? Will we see that Exiles story soon? or possibly the Pendragons Forever idea you've mentioned in the past?