Pendragon Comics - The Pendragons #95

The Pendragons

Issue #95

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 the remnants of the old Knights of Pendragon group, as well as several other heroes. Willing to die for their beliefs, the Pendragons stand united as England's best defense against threats of a superhuman nature.

Pendragons logo created by David Wheatley
based on designs by Des Davies and Kell Carpenter!

Written by David Wheatley

What's Been Happening: The Red Lord has possessed Adam Crown and with Caliburn in his hand, he took down the Pendragons, taking their best shots, but as he was on the verge of victory, Dark Angel returned from Otherworld, with a gift from Elisabeth Braddock to even the odds.

“Impossible!” The Red Lord was infuriated by what had just happened here. Having possessed the body of Adam Crown, inflicted a mortal wound on Crown’s wife Ginny and taken out those who claimed to be still Pendragons, he was on the verge of a triumphal moment. Pen Dragon and Etorian Kaine were exhausted, Kate McCellan was dazed and bloodied, Union Jack was battered and bruised and that left just Jessica Drew, Spitfire and Feron, and they were no match for him.

Then Dark Angel had arrived and gifted Jessica Excalibur, a loan from Elisabeth Braddock, the new Queen of Otherworld, and the other heir to the spirit of Arthur seemed to gain a renewed strength, a new confidence and more than those she held the one thing that would match and counteract the power of Caliburn. While he was able to draw of the magic of the fabled sword in the stone and augment his own considerable might, she was able to draw on the very power of Otherworld. She did not have the powers of the Queen of Otherworld, but while Jessica Drew possessed Excalibur, she was still the match of the Red Lord. In truth, he preferred it this way; it would be a true test.

“Unbelievable,” Jessica admitted, “but since I have the sword, I think impossible is overstating it.” She gave him a dark look, accompanied by a delicious grin. “Now it’s my turn.” She ran forward, her wrist turning the blade in her hand and making a cutting arc as Caliburn and Excalibur met head on, the clash of blades against each almost sounding like a chord in the air. The Pendragons could only watch as Jessica and the Red Lord faced off against each other, both of them up for this battle. The hacking and slashing of the two powerful weapons matched the parrying defensive blocks and it was a masterpiece of choreography. Jessica’s speed and agility were able for her to move with greater fluidity than the armoured Red Lord, but he had more eldritch power at his disposal to compensate, and the two of them seemed to be equal in strength.

“Shevaun,” said Joey, “get Ginny out of here, she’s badly hurt.” Dark Angel nodded and teleported Ginny, Kate, Kaine and Dragon out of there – they were no use in this fight. None of them was in the class of the two main combatants and this was as titanic a battle as had ever been seen in Darkmoor.

“Is there anything you can do to help?” Spitfire asked Feron, and he shook his head.

“This is beyond any magic I can work,” he replied. “The swords are what are doing this.”

“There is one thing though,” said Union Jack. “Mordred. He has a measure of responsibility for this, I know it.”

Feron smiled. “Now that I may be able to handle…” He nodded and made his way out to try to find the treacherous mage, leaving just Joey and Jackie to watch as blade collided with blade, the combatants dodging blows, and each working to try to find that one moment of weakness that would give them the upper hand. The Red Lord was a master swordsman, but they knew that Jessica was being empowered by Excalibur. It was too close to call and he slipped his uninjured hand in to hers. Whatever happened here today, nothing would ever be the same for either Darkmoor or the Pendragons.

The Red Lord struck first blood however, a glancing blow on Jessica’s shoulder, which caused her to step back in pain, for the cut was quite deep. The Red Lord smiled, but Jessica wasn’t in the mood to be denied and she redoubled her effort, hacking and swiping at the Red Lord with a flurry of movement and the Red Lord could not help but be impressed at the ferocious tenacity of the woman. Unlike Adam Crown, she had been a hero before she had been part of a legacy and that gave her a quite different edge. He barely had time to strike back, let alone focus his magical abilities, using them only to keep from being too seriously wounded and then it happened.

Excalibur came down and he brought Caliburn up to meet it and the clash of blades was so powerful that Caliburn was shattered, the blade fragmenting and large shards scattered everywhere. The Sword in the Stone was not just broken, it was destroyed and the Red Lord was suddenly weaponless against the oncoming Excalibur. He tried deflecting the blows of the sword with his armour, but Excalibur easily cut it to it, though not deep enough to cleave the limbs off. It was not the full power of Excalibur was being displayed here, but it was enough and the Red Lord was angry. What did he have to do to defeat this accursed woman? However he still had one thing left – she dare not inflict a mortal wound on him for fear of killing Adam Crown and that meant the advantage was still with him and he took the blows and waited for the inevitable hesitation, preparing the power within himself and when it came he cast her back with a wave of his hand. Jessica had to do a back flip to keep on her feet but there was some distance between the two of them now.

“You’re not fast enough to stop me,” said the Red Lord and Jessica nodded.

“Agreed,” she said and she passed the blade to Spitfire, who shot forward with the sword, and with a mighty blow she swiped at the Red Lord and cleaved through his midsection, as the powerful magicks of Otherworld, the Bane and the Green collided in one. The mystical forces were unleashed in a blaze of energy and when it air cleared, the Red Lord was gone and only Adam Crown remained, his inert body bloodied and battered, Excalibur gashed through his side and just to the right of his spine. Blood seeped from the wound and it was a miracle he was still breathing.

“The sword,” said a voice and Betsy appeared before them. The Queen of Otherworld waved her hand and the sword was back in her possession. She gestured to Adam and his wounds began to heal. “Excalibur drove out the Bane, but there was magic enough to keep what was good and pure and noble alive in him.” She leant down. “Awaken, Pendragon, there is much still to do.” Adam’s eyes fluttered and opened and he sat up.

“Thank you,” he said to her, before looking at the others. “I am sorry.”

“Until the next time,” said Joey and he helped him up. Betsy placed her hand on that of Union Jack and his injuries too were healed. “Thanks for the house call,” he said.

“I may be Queen of Otherworld, but I’m still a Pendragon,” she said. “We must heal the others.”

“It was reforged once, it will be so again.” She gestured and then they were in the Infirmary, where she went to work once more. “I can’t do this every time,” she said as she healed them. “However this was an extreme situation.” Adam held Ginny’s hand, knowing she was on the verge of death. It was a miracle she had survived this long and he looked at Elisabeth.

“Please, save her.” Elisabeth looked pained as she tried to heal the wound, but something was wrong. “Please, Betsy.”

“I can’t,” she said. “The wound will not heal.” She looked at him. “I’m sorry, Adam, but Ginny is dying. She is beyond my power to save her.” The Pendragons gathered around the King, who had tears rolling down his face.

“It’s the wound,” said Mordred, bundled in to the room by Feron and accompanied by Wynter. “The wound was inflicted by a perversion of the Green, and when the Bane shed innocent blood, the sword was bound to the Bane. It is a primal force that not even the power of Otherworld can fix.” He may have been beaten, but the battle had not been without cost to the Pendragons and he could not help but sneer.

“Where did you come from?” Pen asked Wynter. “We could have done with your help.”

“Otherworld, where I’ve been keeping an eye on things. Shevaun told me about Adam, I looked in to it and warned Elisabeth and then came to find him.” He jerked a thumb at Mordred. “Feron’s good, but he’s no match for Mordred. Me, on the other hand…” He shot a look at the traitor and Mordred cowered. “I’d been waiting to do that for a while, and if she dies...” He was truly his father’s son for the anger and hatred in his voice conveyed as much as Merlyn’s had ever done in the height of his temper.

“It had it’s moments, but there are other things at hand. Elisabeth, there may be a way to save Ginny,” Wynter said quickly, knowing time was short. “The powers of the Otherworld and the Green created Caliburn anew, and since the wound was struck with their combined power, it is feasible that their combined power again could heal her.”

“How do we get to Avalon?” asked Jessica. “You told me the pathways were sealed to us.”

“To you, yes,” Elisabeth said. “Not to me.” She waved her hand and Jessica, Adam and Ginny were transported to Avalon.

“Okay, folks,” said Wynter. “Shows over, rest and relax. There’s nothing else we can do for the moment.”

They nodded in agreement, all except for Pen Dragon. He knew he had to do something. He was Pen Dragon by name, but not a Pendragon by nature. From this battle, he knew he’d never fit quite in with this, no matter what Jessica wanted, and besides his time would be better served rebuilding the Dragon’s Claws.

But he knew of a suitable replacement, and he slipped off to find transport to get to London…

“Welcome, Elisabeth Braddock,” the Green Knight said as she bowed in deference to his sovereignty. He ruled Avalon, and she Otherworld, and the Green Knight knew that she was as respectful of him as Brian had been in his time as King. “And to you,” he said, looking at the heirs of Pendragon.

“My Lord,” said Betsy, “a great wrong has transpired within Darkmoor…”

“Please,” Adam begged, stepping forward, “I have made a grave error. I don’t ask her life for myself, but for our son, for her. I will gladly take her place.” The Green Knight smiled, remembering well the true nobility he had seen within the man.

“Calm thyself, Adam Crown,” the Green Knight said, rising from his seat and approaching them, and there was a sadness in his eyes. “A measure of responsibility in this matter is my own.” He said no more and both he and Betsy focused their powers upon the young woman, bathing her in their collective power. The wound closed, the body was whole, but there was nothing else.

“We cannot do it,” Betsy said, pale from the effort. “Our magic combined cannot counteract the poison of the Bane in her wound. The body has repaired itself, but the essence of the wound remains. Adam,” she placed her hand upon his shoulder, “she is dying, beyond our help.”

The Knight sat down weary from his efforts. “I have gravely misjudged the power of the Bane, but there is little that can be done.”

“What do you mean?” Jessica asked, and the Knight waved to reveal the waters of the Lake.

“Behold,” he said, and they could not help but gasp in horror. The waters were a rusty orange in colour, and did not look healthy at all. “This is why the Green has withdrawn, the essence of our power is represented by the waters of Avalon, and the waters are polluted.”

“Many things have happened,” the Green Knight. “The death of the Lady at the hand of Dane Whitman, the poisoning of the Lake by Roma, the abandonment of duty by the Lord of the Lake, the fall of the Barrier. There was vulnerability and when the Barrier fell, the waters turned, indicating how badly we had all been affected. There was no other choice but to withdraw deep in to Avalon, and focus all my efforts on restoring the power of the Green.”

“I learned the truth upon becoming Queen of Otherworld,” said Betsy. “I have been working with the Knight to restore things, but my energies have been diverted by the damage to the Time Stream and I am trying to hold it all together until our forces are in place to defend this world.”

“That’s why we lost our blessing,” said Adam, cradling Ginny in his arms. She was so cold, her breathing shallow. “You didn’t have the power.” The Knight nodded.

“In all the ages, the Green has never been as weakened,” he answered. “However you are still Pendragons, with or without the blessing I bestowed. The legacy of the Pendragons is not about power; it’s not about heritage. It is about a concept. Every Pendragon, touched or not, has embodied that concept.”

“Every ending is a new beginning and every beginning is the ending of some old story,” Adam said, looking at Elisabeth, remembering her words, and she smiled.

“It won’t be easy for any of you,” she said. “You’re not the same people you used to be.”

“The spark of who you became still resides in each of those touched,” the Green Knight commented. “Consider the changes that remained in many Pendragons after they departed. While the Green may not empower you, there may be other methods of restoring the power of the Pendragons. By continuing the work, you will find a way of connecting to the essence of the Green that remains in you all.”

“You are,” the Green Knight confirmed. “You have pulled the sword from the stone, commanded the power of Excalibur. It was your birthright, Jessica Drew.”

“Which of us is the true King?” Adam asked, uncertain. They needed an answer to this once and for all.

“Both of you,” the Green Knight answered. “However, tradition states that the first born male inherits the throne and that, Adam Crown, is you.” Adam nodded, not sure whether he was pleased or not. “However, you cannot restore the British Isles to glory while operating as a defender. A King must be there for his people.” Adam nodded, knowing this. He would be there if the Pendragons needed him, but he had to bring law and governance to his country. “However, there must always be Pendragons, and the Pendragons need leadership, Lady Jessica.” He looked at her. “Do you accept, heir of Arthur?”

“I do,” she said. “I never wanted to be a Queen, but I know I have a calling.” The Green Knight nodded.

“My gaze will be over you all,” he said. “And now, I will return you home…”

“Hold!” said a voice, and they all turned. Merlyn himself stood there. “I may have a solution for this situation.” The Green Knight’s gaze narrowed. “I come in friendship,” he answered. “Caliburn is broken and cannot be restored until the Green is restored and I made a deal long ago. I honour my debts.”

“What is going on?” Betsy said, feeling usurped by the elder mage. “Merlyn…”

“Peace, my Queen,” he answered, soothingly. “There are powers even you are as yet unaware of. However, I require the Amulet.” He smiled. “I will return it, however the power within can save the life of this young woman.” She slowly removed it, giving it to him with some uncertainty.

“When she died,” Merlyn said, speaking to the Green Knight, “an aspect remained. I kept it and forged it as part of the Amulet. It was the spark of it’s power, a spark no longer required,” he said that, looking at Betsy, sensing her misgivings. “That spark forged the Captain Britain Corps, creating new amulets and swords for potential heroes, and there are new ways now. Roma did not use the amulet to create the artefacts presented to Kelsey Leigh. I will give the spark to this woman.”

“In doing this, you know what will happen,” the Green Knight said. “You will take her from him.” He looked at Adam.

“She is lost to him anyway if she dies. This way she will live and eventually they will be together.”

“You’re going to make Ginny in to the Lady of the Lake,” said Betsy, realising and Adam looked at his wife. Her time was short.

“Will I see her again?” he asked the Lord of the Green and the Knight paused a moment.

“There are always possibilities,” he said and Adam nodded. He stepped back from her and Merlyn came forward and placed the amulet on Ginny’s breast. He called on his powers, focusing them though the Amulet of Right and a faint glow appeared around her and then Ginny was gone and the Amulet returned to it’s resting place around Betsy’s neck. “It is done.” The Green Knight nodded to Merlyn, who smiled. “I did not think you this magnanimous.”

“My goal is now as it has always been,” he said enigmatically. “My Queen, I have things you must now know, if you are to rebuild the Corps.” She nodded and the two of them disappeared.

“I have power enough to send you home,” the Green Knight said. “However first I will allow Adam to see his wife.” Adam nodded, and he felt a new sense of inner peace. He had lost his wife, not to the Bane, but to the Green, and if Ginny could help bring back the glory of the Green, it would not be in vain. Now he would find her and say goodbye.

Jessica stood there, feeling a little lost and she felt a presence. “Hello?” she said, turning to see a man standing thee.

“Hello,” he said. “My name is Peter Hunter. In life, I was Albion, I died fighting for the Pendragons, and my spirit lives on in Avalon.”

“Okay,” she said with some trepidation.

“Come with me,” he said, holding out his hand.

“To meet those who have gone before. The Pendragons who have died reside here, and they would all very much like to meet the new leader of the Pendragons.” She seemed hesitant. “Please, Lady Jessica.” She placed her hand in his and he led her to the Chapel and as they walked she relaxed, finally feeling that the torch had been passed from one generation of Pendragons to the next.

Next Issue: New leader, new team, and the return of one of Britain's greatest icons....

Four issues in the space of a week, even I'm impressed with that. Fortunately I've had a slow week so I've been able to get a lot done, so it might be a little while before the next issue and I want a few Dragon's Claws written as well, so getting to the end of this arc was important to me, but fear not. I had an epilogue written for this issue, but it didn't work within the context of the ending, so it's the opening of the next issue.

I love the Pendragons, but with what is going on, it might be time to go international for some extra help. It might be time to call in some teams like the X-Men teams, some of Europes heroes that are still around, and maybe, a team from Japan. In the words of my favorite anime team: RONINS TO ARMS!

An interesting idea, however Pendragons is primarily UK hero based, and going international is a very large departure for the series. I'm not sure how well it would go down, as I've already had a few raised eyebrows over Jessica Drew being an heir to the spirit of Arthur, because she's half-American. I'm not sure we're quite ready as a site to take another step, though if someone trialled it as part of the Tales of the Pendragons series, we could get a taste of fan reaction. I never dimiss an idea out of hand - it's worth considering.

Overall, things are getting VERY interesting! Keep up the good work, and remember, as long as their is hope, there is life!

Ironic you should say that, because this issue was focused around that very idea, as well as the fact that there are always consequences for actions. In bringing down the Barrier, the Pendragons adversly affected the Green, and now the Green needs time to recover, but there's still hope. Thanks for the comments, Harry. Always appreciated.

If you have any comments, criticisms, anything, you can reach me at dewheatley@yahoo.com and I'll get back to you. Keep an eye out, the Pendragons will be back soon enough.