# 15
From l to r: Venom, Captain Englander, Lady Mandarin, Jack O'Lantern,
Dragonslayer and Hell's Angel
Artwork by David Evans
Emissaries of the
Dark
in
"Grudge Match: Prelude"
"You ever thought about starring in one of these?" the man at her side asked, leering at her. She wore men's clothes, as was her preference, but they didn't quite hide the fact the fact that she was an athletic, attractive woman.
Maguire tried to hide her disgust. She was in a dirty old flat, watching the filming of Sex with the Dead XVI, the latest in the ever-increasingly popular porn series where young women allowed themselves to become sex toys for the newly revived dead. The zombie population of Great Britain was swelling to dangerous levels, with some of the smarter ones petitioning for voting rights and special recognition... but it was the slightly dumber ones that were the real cause for concern. "I don't think I'm right for the role," Maguire said, casting an icy glare at her companion. "I prefer my men living, thank you."
The guy shrugged, his pimply face parting in an even larger leer. "All warm and with the blood flowin', eh?" He slipped an arm around her waist and squeezed suggestively. "Maybe I can 'elp you out then...."
Maguire smiled, leaning in close enough to whisper something in his ear. He'd done his job -- getting her here, inside the inner circle of the supernatural porn ring -- but now he useless to her. She said one word -- an ancient one, with Celtic origins -- and the man shivered in response. He pulled away and began shambling aimlessly towards the door. He'd find a nice, quiet alley and hang himself. I do so love having magical powers, she thought.
"Enjoying the show?" a woman asked, making Maguire jump. She turned to see a red-skinned girl in black clothing staring at her. The girl looked like a playful devil come to life, with long purple hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. A forked tail swished back and forth from beneath a short leather skirt.
"You're Hell's Angel?" Maguire asked, feeling her heart skip a beat. This woman was her entire reason for coming tonight... and she definitely lived up to her reputation. Sex seemed to ooze from her, permeating every word and gesture.
"That's what they call me," Angel laughed, moving closer. She gestured towards the girl on the mattress, who was beginning to have second thoughts about rutting with the zombie star of the film. "The guys are going to love this one. She's already looking terrified -- by the end of it she'll be loving it, though. I heard you wanted to see me. Are you a fan?"
"No... but I do have a job offer." Maguire looked around the room, but no one was paying them any attention. All eyes were riveted to the ghastly scene in the center of the flat. "Don't you think all this is beneath you? I mean, your father nearly ruled the world not long ago."
Hell's Angel laughed aloud at that. "You're quite interesting, little girl... You know my father, do you?"
"Never met Blackheart -- but like everybody else under the Barrier, I've heard of him."
"My father and I weren't particularly close, Ms....?"
"Maguire Beck." Maguire tried to remember the magic she'd learned recently, hoping she wouldn't screw this part up. If there was one thing she understood very well, it was the importance of being impressive... "But you can call me Jack." At the mere mention of her alter ego's name, flame seemed to dance around her, enveloping her. When it faded, Maguire Beck seemed to have been replaced by the masculine form of Jack O'Lantern.
Hell's Angel smiled broadly, ignoring the way that people were beginning to notice them. "A supervillain. Here, in my porn shoot. Fucking A."
"You can do better than this -- You can do better than your father ever did." Maguire offered a gloved hand. "Join us. Join the Bane. Join the Emissaries."
"I'm not much of a joiner," the daughter of the devil replied. "What's in it for me?"
"Whatever you want. Power. Money. Sex."
"I have all that." Hell's Angel crossed her arms over her chest. "But there is one thing you might could help me get -- and I figure it's something you guys might have an interest in, anyway."
"What's that?"
"Well, I assume you're going after the Pendragons -- isn't that what all supervillains do these days? And if so, I want you to give me one of them to play with."
"Which one? If it's Captain Britain, you're going to have to take a backseat to Lady Mandarin."
"No... I'm more interested in the one they call Nocturne." There was a twinkle in the demon's eye. "He owes me."
Zhang Xiaomei summoned the psychic blade that was both her gift and her curse. Its deadly power had been given her by the Bane, the dark masters who coveted the destruction of the Green. It was in imitation of the power possessed by Captain Britain, but this psi-blade was slightly different -- less refined than that of Betsy Braddock, more painful both to experience and to bear. Every use caused Lady Mandarin to feel extreme agony... but she channeled that agony into rage and power. "You serve me... the both of you."
Eddie Brock, better known to the world at large as the murderous Venom, hissed like a snake. He and Captain Englander -- a reality-displaced version of Brian Braddock -- had been celebrating their recent freedom when the Lady Mandarin had appeared before them on the streets of London, demanding they return to service. For Eddie, that was a bit off-putting. He'd had quite enough of the Pendragons and all they brought with them. "Go away, witch... We're done with you!"
Englander nodded. He wore a tweed sweater that barely contained his broad shoulders and well-defined chest. He looked like he'd just stepped off a GQ photo-shoot, in stark contrast to the man at his side. Eddie, for his part, looked unkempt and in need of a shave... though his face was beginning to disappear beneath a spreading tide of inky blackness. "Edward's correct, Zhang. We've fulfilled our service to the Bane many times over -- and I think we're entitled to a bit of peace."
"You, more than anyone else, should know that it doesn't work that way." The Lady Mandarin took a step towards them, her psi-blade making hissing sounds as small raindrops began to fall around it. "The Bane are still regrouping from the Red Lord's defeat*, but that doesn't mean we can't remain active in their absence... There are new recruits on the horizon. Maguire is bringing them onboard right now."
Englander smirked at her, showing no signs of fearing the woman before him. "Even if -- and that's a mighty big 'If' -- I were interested in going back to the Emissaries, I think it'd be time for a leadership change. Your one go of it didn't fare all that well, now did it? I was the one who led the original group through one reality after another, kicking the collective arses of our enemies. And Eddie thinks I should be the one in charge again -- don't you, Eddie?"
Venom crouched low, looking massive and dangerous. There was no one else around, but the rain was falling harder now, drenching the city streets. "We don't know you, Zhang. And what we do know, we don't like. My Other doesn't trust you. He thinks you're too wrapped up in your hatred for Captain Britain."
"This coming from the man who bases his whole existence around slaying Spider-Man?" Zhang countered. "Let me tell you both this -- Join me. Help me slay the Pendragons... and I'll give you both what you want." She stared into Englander's deep blue eyes. "You could be the new ruler of Darkmoor when we depose Crown. King Brian has a ring to it, yes?" Lady Mandarin turned her attention to Venom. "And you... How would you like to get your ultimate revenge on Spider-Man?"
"The damned Barrier," Venom began.
"Doesn't matter one whit," Zhang finished for him. "His lover, Mary Jane Watson-Parker... She's here. In London. You'd know this if you paid attention, Brock -- she hasn't hid her presence at all. This is why you both need me -- to point out the obvious."
Englander frowned at the insult, but he considered her words. He had his own agenda to be sure... but he definitely needed foot soldiers to aid him. And Zhang had potential -- he would have to manipulate her to his own ends, though. Let her think she's the leader. When the time's right, Venom will stand by my side, not hers. And I can sway the others, too, no matter who they are. "I'll accept your offer, Lady Mandarin. At least until you prove your incompetence once more."
Zhang allowed her psi-blade to flutter out of existence, relaxing as the pain left her. She didn't trust either of these men but they were needed....
For now.
Nathan crouched low, hefting his spear in one hand and then standing poised to strike. The thing down below wasn't quite a dragon -- there were precious few of those, thank the Bane, but it was one of the increasingly large numbers of pseudo-dragons that had begun to infest the British countryside. They were a disgusting breed, capering about like they owned the world.
"Not today you don't, you ruddy bastard." Nathan stood suddenly, his motion causing the pseudo-dragon to look up abruptly from his meal. They were alone here on the coast -- no one around to see or hear, which was a bit of a shame, for Nathan was most impressive. He hurled the spear and his cast was true for it struck the monster full in the chest, piercing the flesh and bone. The thing howled in agony, staggering back as blood gushed from its wound.
Nathan watched for a moment before drawing forth his mystic blade. It hummed a dark tune, inky-black tendrils moving up and down its length. It wasn't the Ebony Blade that he craved, but it was close. A powerful weapon for a powerful knight, Nathan thought.
He strode towards the beast, which was thrashing about. Nathan's boots crunched on the earth, making the pseudo-dragon look towards him in worry. The thing's large eyes were pools of moisture now, giving the tiniest hint of a life far older than man. "Human... help me. Please."
Nathan smiled coldly. "I am helping you, monster. You're just too daft to realize it." The sun shone brightly on his blade as he raised it high... and then brought it down through the creature's neck.
He lifted the head, watching as blood spilled from the severed neck.
"I see you live up to your name, Dragonslayer."
Nathan narrowed his eyes but did not turn to see who was addressing him. It was a woman's voice, full of scorn. "And you are....?"
"Your future."
Dragonslayer spun about, sword in one hand and decapitated head in the other. He saw an Asian woman before him, flanked by men and women dressed in outlandish gear. Some of them he recognized, others he did not. "I have a quest before me," he answered, feeling a bit amused. "And I have no time for games."
"This is no game," a blond man answered. He stepped forward, drawing a disapproving glare from the Asian. "We are Emissaries of the Dark, servants of the Bane. You have felt their touch before, haven't you? Our blood sings to one another -- Recognizing its own."
"I serve the Bane, yes. I slay the creatures of the sky and the light. Dragons."
"Then come with us -- and hunt the last of the great old ones. Rathoon."
Nathan's lips twitched. "And when he has been slain...?"
"Then we will help you earn your birthright, Mr. Garrett."
Dragonslayer nodded slowly, feeling that this moment would be a momentous one in the days to come.
His enemies would soon die screaming.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE PAGES OF THE PENDRAGONS
AUTHOR'S NOTES
The Emissaries of the Dark were always intended to be a sort of 'Masters of Evil' in the Pendragons Universe, composed of the worst villains we had to offer. I like to think that each of their appearances has been fairly memorable and once "Grudge Match" kicks off in Pendragons, you'll find that what they've got cooked up next is going to be the most vile scheme yet. Look for it to kick off around issue 65 of the flagship title.
Dragonslayer was created by David Evans, as was the visual design of Hell's Angel. The character history for Angel is mine, inspired by Dave's great picture.
Barry