Prom Night by Jorge Martinez

THE UNITED NATIONS

Two Crusaders walk down the street in a conversation not paying attention the all the pictures being taken of them. Ms. America and Pendragon are going to address the UN at a dinner being held for the new leader Pendragon himself.

PENDRAGON: I was only joking about you being my date.

MS.AMERICA: Well don't joke like that again. Especially in public.

PENDRAGON: Your the only one that wanted to come! The others were too busy.

MS.AMERICA: It's a Saturday night. Who but us would want to come to this UN party.

PENDRAGON: Anyway, your too old for me to date.

MS.AMERICA: Your real close to causing a scene where I break your nose.

PENDRAGON: Heh, I guess your right. Are you mad?

MS.AMERICA: If you don't stop I will be!

PENDRAGON: No, mad that I was voted leader?

MS.AMERICA: No. But I think I am better qualified.

PENDRAGON: Ofcourse you do. But I will try.

MS.AMERICA: Your an idealist Pendragon that is the only thing that bothers me.

PENDRAGON: So was Captain Photon.

MS.AMERICA: Your point? Because I don't see one.

PENDRAGON: I'm sure you don't. Look we are here. After you.

MS.AMERICA: The golden knight has to show his good manners by letting the lady first in front of all the reporters.

PENDRAGON: Precisely.

MANHATTAN

Two more Crusaders are on top of a rooftop. Watching the city on a busy night.

DAYSTAR: Are you sure about this? We've been here about 3 hours.

BLACKBUG: Patience young man. The Fearsome Threesome always make their mistakes sooner or later. They got lucky against SuperNova.

DAYSTAR: So your tip says they are staying in those apartments. Even if they are it's a Saturday night and they are probably spending all the money they looted.

BLACKBUG: Your probably right.

DAYSTAR: So what are your powers? I mean if you don't mind?

BLACKBUG: Powers? I have a good jump shot.

DAYSTAR: What?

BLACKBUG: I'm a baller. I'm the best basketball player on this super hero team.

DAYSTAR: No powers then?

BLACKBUG: None.

DAYSTAR: Man, your brave. I mean did you grow up learning martial arts your whole life.

BLACKBUG: Ah, no.

DAYSTAR: (to self) He seems so open and carefree. But obviously doesn't want to talk about his past.

DAYSTAR: Look a light in the apartment. Someone just got home.

BLACKBUG: Time to whip out the BlackBug Ear! I can hear everything they are going to say.

DAYSTAR: There's only one of them. A small one. Slyfox maybe?

BLACKBUG: I need two of them. He's not going to talk to himself.

DAYSTAR: Well then let's just bust them.

BLACKBUG: No way. We got to follow him to the others. Wait! That's a girl. A civilian it seems. One of their girls? Man I knew I should have brought the Bug Binoculars!

DAYSTAR: Wait she's picking up something.

BLACKBUG: A note! They left her a note! Great! C'mon Bambi honey read it out loud so I can hear you. C'mon do it for daddy.

DAYSTAR: Uh, you ok?

BLACKBUG: Shhh! I think she's going to read it. Yes she is..."honey, we are hitting a big fancy party...sorry I couldn't take you...it's business..but I will bring you a present...a real big rock...love Sly".

DAYSTAR: They are going to rob a party?

BLACKBUG: Yup. We gotta find out which one? There is a big party at the UN but there is another one at Samuel Winston's place. A big tycoon that throws big parties. That's gotta be it.

DAYSTAR: So we gonna crash the party? Like this?

BLACKBUG: Actually, I know someone that is going. We'll go with her. But I have to wear a tux!

DAYSTAR: A tux? And who do you know who's going.

BLACKBUG: Gina. SuperNova is a party girl. She knows all the tycoons in town. And ofcourse we are wearing tuxes! That makes it more fun!

DAYSTAR: Great....good lord your crazy.

CRUSADERS HEADQUARTERS

KING JUPITER:(to self) I hate monitor duty. The original members should not have to perfrom this menial task. Atleast, none of them are here to bother me.

A beep sounds through the main monitor screen.

KING JUPITER:(to self) A call is coming from an unknown source. Can it be her again? Or it an emergency?

Jupiter answers the call. The screen is blank for a second then a beautiful woman appears. She is the villainess known as the Sphynx.

KING JUPITER: You again! Evil woman what is it you want?

SPHYNX: Calm down dear. I just enjoy talking to you.

KING JUPITER: I know you. And I tell you I am no pawn. Leave me be.

SPHYNX: No King Jupiter you are not a pawn. You are a god!

KING JUPITER: Well...

SPHYNX: A god surrounded by mortals that do not appreciate you.

KING JUPITER: I was once mortal I ...

SPHYNX: No, King Jupiter you thought you were mortal.

KING JUPITER: What do you want?

SPHYNX: I want you King. I am drawn to you as you are to me. We are both gods...I do not take that lightly. Only you are worthy for me.

KING JUPITER: Yes, I....

Greywolf enters the monitor room. Jupiter quickly closes the connection.

GREYWOLF: Hey who was that?

KING JUPITER: None of your business boy!

GREYWOLF: I suggest you calm down. I was just asking a question.

KING JUPITER: Boy do not disturb me! What is it you want?

GREYWOLF: I was going out but I with everything happening lately decided to stay.

KING JUPITER: Yes. We have to catch your father. He is not a easy opponent. He has magic in his veins just like you do. Just like the Elemental does.

GREYWOLF: And do you have it in you?

KING JUPITER: I know not. But I have enough power to challenge anything.

GREYWOLF:(to self) That he does. And I try to stay on his good side. I don't think the others notice how close Jupiter is to losing it. I guess since I'm the newest I'm not used to him.

THE GOOD NIGHT BAR

Redeye sits at a stool with his patch over his eye. He is dressed in plain clothes no need for special eye.

REDEYE:(to self) I haven't heard a whisper about BlackWulf in this dive all night. I have been passive but let me get a bit aggressive.

REDEYE: Hey bartender you hear anything about Photon's killer?

BARTENDER: Nope.

REDEYE: C'mon now. Don't play me like that. I know it was BlackWulf.

BARTENDER: Yeah so?

REDEYE: So? Is he still hanging in the city?

BARTENDER: Don't know.

REDEYE: Look this dive has all kinds coming through here! Every two bit criminal passes through don't act like you don't know that.

BARTENDER: Then I will stop acting like I don't know who you are also! You come in here with that patch thinking your fooling everyone hero. Drive business away like crazy. And all the answers you get from us are to leave us the hell alone!

REDEYE: Well in that case I am going to have to do things a bit different from now on!

Redeye smiles.

CARMICHAEL TOWERS

The Towers are for the rich and beautiful. Tonight Samuel Winston is having a party. Lots of money in the room and jewelry. The Crusader known as SuperNova shows up by herself for the party. She does not conceal her identity for she is a tall orange blond with little hope for keeping secrets.

She enters the Towers and makes her way up the elevator. When the door opens. Two gentlemen in tuxedos greet her.

BLACKBUG: Hey there good looking!

SUPERNOVA: Oh no! What the hell are you doing here?

DAYSTAR: Just for the record he made me come.

BLACKBUG: Hey Gina I need to crash this party tonight. It's a matter of life and death.

SUPERNOVA: You losers have nothing better to do tonight than follow me?

DAYSTARS: Losers?

SUPERNOVA: Why don't you go catch some bad guys like the Fearsome Threesome?

DAYSTARS: Actually...

BLACKBUG:(whispers) Shh! I want to surprise her. She doesn't know the Threesome is crashing the party either.

BLACKBUG: Look don't make me beg. Cause I will go in there and embarrass the hell out of you!

SUPERNOVA: Don't act stupid.

BLACKBUG: I only do that in costume. It's part of my act. I'm actually a humor less bore rich guy who never smiles in my real life. When I put the mask on I change.

DAYSTAR: Please stop. Your only making things worse.

BLACKBUG: Ok, I guess.

The trio enters the condo. Everyone is drinking, eating, talking. Things are still mild.

SAMUEL WINTSON: Gina, it is always a pleasure to see you! But I didn't think a Crusader will need two body guards.

SUPERNOVA: Oh no. These are two friends from my old neighborhood. Samuel this is Doug and this is uh...Bugsy.

SAMUEL WNSTON: Well Doug and Bugsy you are more than welcomed to eat, drink and use any room in here. The bedrooms won't have much privacy but after a few you really don't care do you?

DAYSTAR: Uh no.(whispers to BlackBug) What's he talking about.

BLACKBUG:(whispers) You don't want to know. Or maybe you do.

THE UNITED NATIONS

The party has gone on for a while now.

PENDRAGON: I feel stupid wearing our uniforms. When everyone else is dressed so formal.

We don't even have secret identities. They all now us.

MS.AMERICA: Protocol.

PENDRAGON: I mentioned a twelve member roster to the administrator.

MS.AMERICA: Oh lord. You trying to make us apostles?

PENDRAGON: No that would be King Jupiter. It's just that former Crusaders form the second team like Black Orion and Inferno Savage are Protectors. We could use experienced guys like that on our team.

MS.AMERICA: They would never serve the Crusaders after what happened to their team.

PENDRAGON: Yeah but how about Onyx and Fury? They would have made great Crusaders.

MS.AMERICA: Look, cities like DC, Seattle, LA need Protectors. We cannot handle every super powered criminal in every city.

PENDRAGON: If we had enough people we can try.

MS.AMERICA: Look I really don't care. Right now I think the team might fall apart. We might need new people.

PENDRAGON: Yeah, I get the feeling RedEye might quit soon. How about you?

MS.AMERICA: Don't know.

PENDRAGON: Oh please, You and RedEye were more than friends before. You haven't talked to him in years but you know him like a book.

MS.AMERICA: I think he might leave.

PENDRAGON: Why did you break it off with him. I mean I know you went through a lot back when you were captured!

MS.AMERICA: I was tortured you @sshole!

PENDRAGON: But RedEye didn't do it. You treat him like he was the one. It was Kancer the cyborg nut!

MS.AMERICA: WHY DON'T YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!

PENDRAGON: Sorry Missy. I know I tried for to much. You have your demons and they are yours alone.

CARMICHAEL TOWERS

The party is starting to get wild.

DAYSTAR: Have you seen them yet?

BLACKBUG: Except for Bone Krusher I have no idea what they look like. I mean they always wear masks. All I know is there is a mucho money here tonight. Samuel has a b vault in here to with about 700,000 in cash.

DAYSTAR: How you know that?

BLACKBUG: I just opened it. Didn't take any ofcourse.

DAYSTAR: What?! Are you ...forget it. I'm getting used to this.

DAYSTAR: Look over there talking to Gina. That guy he looks funny.

BLACKBUG: Your right it's Slyfox! Over there staring at them is WeaponsMaster.

DAYSTAR: Where?

BLACKBUG: The guy with mustache. Let's go to the bathroom and change.

DAYSTAR: Together?

BLACKBUG: Yes. We don't have time for your homophobia.

They two quietly go to the bathroom. Together.

SUPERNOVA:(to self) Oh god they just went into the bathroom together! I will make Bug pay big time.

SUPERNOVA: So Mr. Foxx was it? You do seem familiar.

MR.FOXX:(Slyfox) Do I? How are you feeling dear? I saw your humiliating loss to those powerful Fearsome Threesome.

SUPERNOVA: Oh, ah those guys got lucky. I am fine they didn't hurt me.

MR.FOXX:(Slyfox) Really?

Out of the bathroom comes BlackBug and Daystar in their uniforms.

BLACKBUG: Gina here we come to save the day.

SUPERNOVA: What?! You jerk!

DAYSTAR: SuperNova ma'am. That's Slyfox your talking to.

SUPERNOVA: Slyfox? Wait you did look...ugh

The Weapons Master hits her with a powerful blast behind her neck. He wears a tuxedo but has his arsenal upon him.

WEAPONS MASTER: Everyone give me your money! Wintson open up that Vault!

BLACKBUG: He's ignoring us. He is asking for money instead of worrying about us. Oh I am mad! They beat me up a few weeks back and then SuperNova and now they think they are hot stuff! We gotta take them down a peg or two. You take Weapons Master I got SlyFox.

SLYFOX: You got me? But your so slow Bug!

BlackBug smashes into SlyFox and puts a knee in his throat pinning him down.

BLACKBUG: Either I'm not that slow or your not that fast. But today I don't feel like joking around.

Slyfox tries to gasp for air but he cannot and begins to pass out.

WEAPONSMASTER: Look kid you mess with me I kill everyone in here! You got that! Get your glowing ass away from me!

DAYSTAR:(to self) A few days on the job and I am already facing the dreaded hostage situation. My brother wouldn't take any chances. These guys are not worth someone here dying.

SuperNova gets up slowly she sees Weapons Master yelling at Daystar and quickly runs at him. She clothesline him putting him through a wall.

DAYSTAR: That was risky. He could have shot a hostage.

SUPERNOVA: I'm surprised a bright student as yourself hasn't read their files. The Threesome are criminals not killers.

DAYSTAR: Hmm, I guess your right. But what about Bone Krusher???

A large shadow forms in the room coming from outside. Bone Krusher comes through the window.

BONE KRUSHER: Guys? The Crusaders? Only three of you? Against the mighty BoneKrusher?

BLACKBUG: These guys get lucky against two Crusaders and they think they are the Nuclear Man or something!

DAYSTAR: I got this guy!

Daystar hit him with all he's got. Which is a lot. Krusher flies out the window.

SUPERNOVA: Good job. But that's a fourteen story drop.

BLACKBUG: I hope he's ok.

DAYSTAR: I guess I don't know my own strength.

BLACKBUG: It's cool. He will be all right besides a few bruises. They don't call him Bone Krusher for nothing/

SUPERNOVA: Look the sun is coming out already. It's morning.

CRUSADERS HEADQUARTERS

The Command Center.

KING JUPITER:(to self) My post is almost done. Ms. America will relieve me soon. Another message coming in. Is it the lovely Sphynx again?

DR. COLADO: King Jupiter! This is Dr. Colado at NASA! We discovered a small meteorite coming to Earth only minutes ago! But after close observation we noticed it was not a meteor.

Ms. America walks in for her turn at monitor duty.

MS.AMERICA: Jupiter what is it?

KING JUPITER: Dr. Colado what is it then?

DR.COLADO: A man. The Nuclear Man!

MS.AMERICA: What?!

KING JUPITER:(to self) Our most powerful enemy still survives!

END

NEXT ISSUE: The Nuclear Man attacks. The Crusaders try to stop him but he isn't giving up easy. And a member will go through desperate measures!