Pendragon Comics - The Pendragons

The Pendragons

Issue # 71

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: Spitfire (leader), Union Jack, Red Sonja, Micromax, Young Miracleman, Captain UK, Polaris, Grace and the Black Knight

Written by Barry Reese

What Has Come Before: While the Pendragons recover from their battle with Nekros, Lorna Dane (aka Polaris) has come to Lyonesse. Unknown to the Pendragons, she has agreed to spy on the team for Dane Whitman. Meanwhile, a series of events have pointed to a coming cosmic crisis: a Green Lantern Power Battery has arrived in the Pendragons Universe, eliciting both confusion and excitement from Suzi Endo, who has been studying the device; the hero known as Fastforward has regained his full memory and now knows that his true identity is Barry Allen, aka the Flash; and the reality-hopping Access has arrived to warn everyone of an approaching storm....

Barry Allen stared at the scarlet uniform in his hands, running it through his fingers with a sense of intense emotion. "I'd forgotten how much this uniform meant to me." He looked over at Axel Asher, the young man who called himself Access, and cleared his throat. "You say we're all in danger?"

The younger man's expression fell and he immediately took on a more contrite expression. "Oh... Sorry. It's just I was getting such a kick out of seeing you with that suit, that's all. I mean, you're a legend on so many Earths...."

Barry shifted uncomfortably. He had never embraced the hero worship that some people seemed willing to foist onto him. "What's going on?" he asked, changing into the familiar Flash uniform at superspeed. "And how in the heck did Hal's Power Battery end up in this universe? And what's his role in all this?" he added, gesturing to the Recorder standing in the corner.

Axel scratched his head before beginning, apparently trying to get his thoughts in order before speaking. The Flash couldn't help but get the feeling that Access was uncomfortable providing the exposition to a man he obviously respected. "My power allows me to travel back and forth between universes -- there are lots of universes, some of which are arranged into multiverses, which were themselves contained in pockets of time called Hypertimelines. Collections of universes, some separated by a very tiny vibrational frequency. But you know that, I guess."

"Something's destroying these multiverses, something tries to take the core disparate universes in each and tries to combine them into one. You see, at the dawn of time, there were two entities -- brothers, if you will. They were everything, the Yin and the Yang, to each other. But they clashed and the pain they experienced jettisoned parts of them throughout reality. For long millennia, they forgot about each other... but inevitably they came together again. This second war between them came to an end when they agreed to put aside their differences. To revel in them. But now they've reconsidered. They want to unite their universes, the way they were intended to be originally. But every time has failed, resulting in the deaths of each bundle of worlds. At first, everyone -- including me -- thought the universes were just too different or that the Brothers hadn't figured out the right way to do it... but I think it's worse than that. Someone is sabotaging it."

The Flash rubbed his chin thoughtfully. As a police scientist, he'd been trained to examine evidence and trust his hunches, so he approached this the same way he would an open case. "Who would have that kind of power? And what would they gain from destroying universes? I don't see their motivation."

"I don't know, Flash -- but the Brothers have turned their attention to this multiverse now and already pieces of each universe are beginning to filter into the other -- like the Battery. Your world and this one are about to collide. If it all works out, the worlds will merge and the Brothers will be at peace. If they fail, all of you will be erased from existence."

"And I suppose we're not supposed to have any say in whether or not we want our universes squished together?"

The Flash looked at Access, smiling softly. "You travel through universes... so you can take me -- and the Battery -- back home, so I can warn the Justice League?"

"I was just waiting for you to ask." Access held out a hand, looking over at the Recorder. "You coming, Tin Man?"

"You got it. C'mon, Flash, let's head over to Lyonesse and get your friend's Battery back. And then we're off to your home universe."

The Flash took the offered hand, feeling his body flood with chronal-based energy. It's like the Crisis all over again, he thought, remembering the awful war with the Anti-Monitor that had claimed the lives of so many. But this time, we're going to save the worlds. Each and every one that's left.

Scott Wright groaned as he slid into bed. His entire body ached and he found that he was hard-pressed to maintain the sharp physique usually associated with Micromax. Instead, he relaxed, letting his body fall into its true form... that of a middle-aged, slightly paunchy man. He lay back on the pillow, letting his eyes close. He tried to picture Breeze James, the plucky young lass who had won his heart before disappearing from his life, possibly forever. She'd chosen to remain on the other side of the Barrier, risking her life to battle the alien invaders who had terrorized the rest of the world.

And he did understand... but he didn't like it. He hated it. He missed her, damnit... and there was no way in hell he would have done this to her. He wouldn't have left her to fend for herself. How could Mary Jane do that to him--

A knock at the door made him sit up, willing his body back into its usual form. "Yes?"

Mary Jane opened the door, peering inside. She looked gorgeous, as always, even dressed in sweats and a somewhat well-worn t-shirt. "You have a minute?"

Mary Jane walked through the room, glancing at the casual disarray that he left his belongings in. It reminded her of Peter, who was always quick to toss a dirty shirt or pair of pants on the floor. Men. "I... wanted to talk."

Scott swallowed hard. He gestured to a chair near the bed. "Have a seat." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to look cool. Inside, he felt like a lad of fifteen about to find out if the pretty girl in class likes him back.

Mary Jane blew out her cheeks before starting. That made Scott relax somewhat -- it was obvious that she was nervous, too. "You've been a great friend, Scott. I really want you to know that I appreciate all the things you've done for me."

Mary Jane smiled, staring into Scott's sincere eyes. "We're attracted to each other. At least I think we are...."

"Okay. But you're involved and I'm married. So that causes some problems." Mary Jane wrung her hands together, wishing she hadn't given up smoking. "I don't know if I'll ever see Peter again, though... so it's all kind of confusing. Am I making sense?"

Mary Jane sighed, nodding. "I am so glad. I just wanted to make sure that we were both--"

Scott leaned forward, his lips pressing against hers. He felt her tension give way, as her lips parted and their tongues touched. He felt himself grow warm inside, the heat from them turning the room into an inferno. His hand moved from her arm to her breast, cupping it softly.

Mary Jane pulled away suddenly, rising to her feet. "No!" She stared at him, panting. "That's not what I meant... I wanted us to take it slow, not...."

"It's okay. Let's just... leave it at that." Mary Jane stepped out quickly, leaving Scott to hang his head. I blew it, he thought to himself. Stupid, stupid.

Dane Whitman sipped his tea and stared at the Green Lantern battery, his eyes roaming over the smooth contours of the thing's design. He wore a long lab coat over his Black Knight tunic, planning to work out in the team's gym when he was done. So far, he'd had a difficult time making close friends on the Pendragons but he had faith it would work out eventually. Until then, he'd focus on his scientific pursuits, all the while trying not to step on Suzi Endo's toes.

"That's it," someone said from behind Dane. The voice was unfamiliar, but Dane recognized the way the air pressure in the room changed. Someone had just entered through a time/space rift... he'd experienced those sorts of things several times in the past and he'd never forget the faint scent of ozone that usually accompanied them.

The Black Knight spun about, the Ebony Blade jumping from the scabbard into his hand. It was eager for battle, ready to soak its dark blade in the blood of an enemy. "Who are you?" he asked, wishing that the team had a telepath onboard. Since there was none, he'd have to hope that Gulliver Jones -- the group's holographic butler -- would alert the others.

The two men standing there were wholly unfamiliar to Dane. One of them, slender like an athletic runner, wore scarlet and yellow. The other was decked out in a bizarre red-and-blue outfit complete with jacket. It was this second man who spoke first. "Black Knight... We're not your enemy. We've just come to take the Battery back to its owner."

"No -- but I'm his best friend," the scarlet-clad man said. "I'm the Flash. On my world, I'm a hero -- just like you." He took a step towards the Battery but Dane stepped in front of him. The action made the Flash smile. He seemed to move to his right, just a step. The next second the Battery was in his hand.

The Black Knight blinked in surprise. Had the stranger teleported right past him? He must have, because no one -- not even Quicksilver or Spitfire -- moved that fast.

Access nodded, raising his hands into the air. A light flashed around them, forcing Dane to throw up his hands to ward off the glare.

"What's going on?" Grace asked, bursting into the room. She was in uniform and covered in sweat -- evidently, she'd beaten Dane to the gym. Her skin was still splotchy in places, showing signs of the horrible magic practiced by Nekros upon her. "Gully said there were strangers here."

Dane sheathed his sword, frowning. "There were... some guy named the Flash and his friend. They stole the Power Battery. Said they were taking it back to the Green Lantern."

"I know... and since I was the one in the lab, how much do you want to bet that I'm blamed for it?"

Linda McQuillan soared through the sky, pouring on the speed to make her lover pursue her. Glancing over her shoulder she saw that Rick was hot on her tail, his angelic features showing his happiness. He caught hold of her leg, making her cry out in surprise, and then pulled her back to him. He pressed against her in the air, the two of them letting themselves fall over high over Lyonesse. The wind was in their hair and a soft mist of rain was soaking their uniforms, but neither was aware of their surroundings. There was only the pure, physical expression of the love.

Their costumes fell away in hurried motions, the ground rushing ever closer. Her lithe legs went about his torso and the two of them consummated their union, even as death itself waited to catch them. At the last possible instant, Rick seized control of their descent, raising them back up into the sky.

Lorna Dane stood in the corner of the room, keeping to herself. She'd spent most of the afternoon talking with Spitfire, answering the Pendragons' leader about her reasons for wanting to join the team. Jackie had been an easy person to talk to and before she'd even realized it, Lorna had spilled out the whole story of her recent madness and the events that caused it -- everything about Magneto and Alex, along with that trampy nurse that Alex was living with now. She had seen the sympathy in Jackie's eyes and she knew, even before Spitfire had mouthed the words, that she was in.

And now I feel like shit, she thought to herself, while the Pendragons around her quizzed the Black Knight about their visitors. Only Young Miracleman and Captain UK were missing. Dane Whitman sent me here to spy and I said yes. Why? Because he seemed to understand me? Because he let me feel a bit of Avalon in my heart? I should have said no... These people seem genuine. And nice.

"At least they said they were heroes," Spitfire was saying. "Maybe that means we don't have to worry about them coming back and attacking us."

"All we have is their word about that," Union Jack countered. "And if they can just pop in and out whenever they damn well please, others can, too. We need to increase the magic wards about this place."

"No magicians on the squad," Micromax muttered. Union Jack looked over at him, noticing that he and Red Sonja were on opposite sides of the room -- that was unusual, considering how chummy they'd been of late.

"We'll call in Wynter at the earliest opportunity," Spitfire said. "In the meantime, let's just be happy that no one was hurt."

Red Sonja stepped forward, her face looking grave. "There is another matter to be discussed, one that brings me no pleasure but which cannot be put aside. My mortal host and I -- as well as her child -- will be leaving this place."

Micromax started to speak up, but his mouth felt dry. He looked around the room, as if he could will someone into talking her out of this.

"All of take oaths in the course of our life... and sometimes, in order to stay true to our word, we must remove ourselves from temptation."

Spitfire fought the urge to look over at Micromax. Everyone on the team had seen it building -- the flirtations, the laughter -- but to hear it voiced like this was shocking. Regaining her composure, Jackie said "You know you'll always be welcome here. All of you, including little Anna."

Scott barely heard whatever was said next. He had turned away from them all, his heart breaking. He knew he should be the gallant one and offer to let MJ stay while he left, but he said nothing.

Scott glanced over at his teammate, seeing the care in the man's eyes. He hadn't really bonded well with Joey Chapman but he knew that Union Jack was a caring man, beneath all the humor and cynicism. It's for the best, he had said. Scott knew it to be true, but the words still hurt like hell.

The question brought Scott back to reality, for however briefly. He did hear something, a horrible sound that sent chills down his spine.

"...the Guardians say they can't find any trace of it at all. It's like it just vanished from existence."

The words came before anything else, filling Barry Allen's heart with joy. "Hal," he whispered.

The Flash saw the world slowly fade back into view and a smile grew large on his face. There were six men and women in the room before him and he could see shock on their faces, quickly changing to joy and disbelief.

"Barry?! Is that you?" Hal asked and from the way he said it, Barry knew that his friend had given up all hope of seeing him again.

Ollie was to him first, delivering a powerful bear hug that knocked the breath from Barry's lungs. It was Zatanna next, kissing him on the cheek and looking at him with a heart-tugging expression. One by one, the Flash was reunited with each of them.

Access cleared his throat, not wanting to intrude on the moment but knowing their time was short. "Listen, everybody... I'd love to let you all catch up on things but--"

The Watchtower rumbled beneath their feet, nearly knocking Black Canary from her feet. "Was that an earthquake?" she asked.

"On the moon, pretty bird? I doubt it." Green Arrow glanced back at Access. "I bet you're about to tell us the world's in danger, right?"

"I wish it were just that, Green Arrow." Access walked over to a window, staring out at the beautiful view of the Earth. "All reality's in trouble." The ground rumbled again and all around them other figures blinked in and out of existence. They were colorful figures, as godlike and awe-inspiring as the heroes of the Justice League. Axel chewed his lip anxiously, hanging on to a support for balance. "Brace yourselves, everybody. It's coming."

Access looked up into the stars, seeing past what all others could see. The Brothers, one predominantly blue and one predominantly red, were linked together, arm in arm. Each controlled a universe of heroes... and each desired Union. Not an amalgamation, like before. There would be no mish-mash of heroes this time. It would be a new timeline, one in which elements of both universe had existed side-by-side. A world where the Kree-Citadel War had nearly annihilated the galaxy. A world where Captain America had fought alongside the Justice Society in World War II. A world where gods and goddesses never meant to come together would live as one.

"What's coming?" Hawkman yelled, his voice nearly lost in the rising tide of noise. It was a screeching sound, like something being pulled painfully apart. Or, Carter Hall realized, like two things before forced together.

We're finally here: the Collision. I've been planning this since issue 60, dropping little hints here and there. Now the event will spill over into some of the other Pendragons Universe titles, including Knights of Avalon, Miracles, Inc. and a whole lot more. Be on the lookout for the various Collision tie-ins. The bulk of the event will take place here, though, so if you want to only follow the Pendragons, you'll be able to.

The Brothers come from the DC vs. Marvel miniseries from several years ago -- and the villains will be fairly recognizable to many, as well.

A nice introduction to a new Pendragon. Looking forward to the eventual meeting with the Knights of Avalon.

Thanks for writing in, Bob. The KoA crossover is coming, don't worry -- I think you'll like it when it finally arrives.

Agreed the new Pendragon is one of my favourite characters, although with the power this character has, you might think they would be instrumental against the metal war machines of the Martians. I just wish another Yank hadn't found their way under the barrier and into the ranks of the Pendragons, I would have much prefered a fuzzy elf to join, it'd be fun to see Nightcrawler in a place where he must look quite normal.

The fight against the Undead was also well handled and paced and really drew me into the action.

Although I will beg that Barry doesn't have MJ cheat on Peter, I know that it might seem like an exciting storyline (and it does to me too) but its one that I hope never comes to pass.