Hotshot's Crusade by Ben Church
All major characters are the property of Marvel Comics, except for
Hotshot who is owned by the author. Author's note: Just in case you
can't tell, this takes place during Infinity Crusade.
Send feedback to b_church@yahoo.com
Chapter 1
Will Davidson, now called Hotshot by his friends, drove slowly
through the quiet suburbs of Burlington Vermont. It had taken some
practice to be able to drive with only one eye. But after a while,
he'd gotten the hang of it.
The small metal cross that he wore around his neck had been a
gift for his tenth birthday. It was one of the few things that had
not been destroyed in the explosion that had destroyed his apartment.
Dark rain clouds had begun to gather in the sky, fitting his mood.
"Not surprising, considering what I'm about to do." he thought.
"Maybe I should have done this a long time ago."
"I don't understand why you didn't decide to do this earlier."
Jubilee said from the passenger seat, echoing his thoughts.
"I guess I just wasn't ready." he replied. He made a right turn
into Burlington Cemetery. "I'm still not sure I'm ready." he said
softly.
As he pulled onto the narrow paved road that ran through the
cemetery, it began to rain. But despite the gloom, there was a bright
light in the sky. Will looked out the window, and could not besieve
his eyes. He stopped the car suddenly and stared in amazement at the
sight before him. Hanging in the air above the cemetery, was a giant,
glowing cross.
"My God," he murmured, and crossed himself.
"What are you looking at?" Jubilee asked.
The cross faded away leaving him seeing spots as his eyes adjusted
to the sudden illumination change. "Uh, nothing." he said, still
reeling from the vision he'd just received. "Tell you what, let's walk
from here."
"She didn't see it," he realized. "What in God's name is going
on?"
At the same time that Hotshot received his vision, other super
powered beings all over the world also saw images of the symbols of
their religion in the sky. All knew that something important was about
to happen. But just how important, none could guess. Normal people as
well suddenly stopped what they were doing and stood trancelike for a
moment. When they snapped out of it, they were all in a very good
mood.
Will stood looking at the four graves before him. His parents',
his sister's, and his own. It had been declared that he had been
killed in the explosion in his apartment. He wondered how many people
had come to his funeral. He regretted that he had to let all his
friends believe him dead, but it was for the best.
The rain began to fall harder as he stood gazing at the graves.
He had thought that he'd dealt with the pain, but he was wrong. Before
her death, he and his twin sister Rebbecca had been inseparable. For
seven years, no matter what, they had been there for each other. Then,
the one time they were separated, she had been killed.
She'd been playing in the tall grass, and had been stung by a bee.
Being mute from birth, they never heard her scream. They found her and
hour later, dead from an allergic reaction.
"I never should have left her." he thought, tears beginning to
fall from his eyes. If I had been there, maybe I would have been able
to do something.
"And my parents," his thoughts continued unchecked. "Maybe I
couldn't help the way I was born, but I should have been more careful.
If I hadn't slipped, and used my power where others could see, maybe
they'd still be alive. They were killed because I was careless."
After two months, all the pain, guilt, and remorse came flooding back,
drowning him in a sea of despair. He was glad that it was raining, for
some reason he didn't want Lee to see him cry.
Lee took his hand, and he squeezed it gratefully. Over the time
since his parents' murder, she had been there for him. Always reminding
him that despite all that he had lost, he had still gained so much.
"Will," He looked at her.
"Yes Lee?" he asked.
"I didn't say anything." she said, looking confused.
"No Will Davidson," said a kind voice behind him. "She did not
speak. I did." Hotshot turned and saw a golden skinned woman standing
behind him. He gaped in awe.
"My God," he said.
"Close." she said smiling. "Goddess."
"What do you want?" he asked reverently.
"You have been chosen Will Davidson. Because of your faith and
the pain you feel at the death of your family, you have been chosen,
along with many others, to take part in a glorious crusade. Together
we will rid the universe of it's pain and suffering. Will Davidson,
will you join me?" A portal opened behind her, glowing with a holy
light. Hotshot had made his decision before she'd finished her
question.
"Yes." he said softly. It seemed as though he could hear many
voices all crying out the same answer at the same time. He walked
slowly towards the portal. He felt something restrain him, and he
shrugged it off. He felt a strange exhilaration as he entered the
portal, and then he felt nothing.
Jubilee watched in amazement and concern as Hotshot held a
conversation with thin air, her apprehension growing with every word.
Then without warning a portal appeared in front of him, and he began to
walk towards it as if he were in some sort of trance.
"Will no!" she cried. She grabbed his arm with both hands and
tried desperately to pull him back, but he shrugged her off and entered
the portal which disappeared.
"Oh no." she whispered. She ran back to the car, and grabbed the
car phone.
Will found himself in the middle of a field with a veritable who's
who of heroes. Some, he recognized from X-Factor. Others, like Spider
Man and Captain America he recognized from the news. He was happy to
see that some of the X-Men had been chosen as well. At least he would
not be totally among strangers. Though he was disapointed that
Jubilee had not been chosen.
"Where are we?" asked Black Knight.
"Don't look like Kansas to me, Toto." replied Multiple Man.
"Not Earth either." added Sue Storm. "Look around." A quick
examination of the area did not reveal much more information. They
were in a barren field of grass dotted with trees. Forests and
mountains could be seen not far off.
"Somehow," Hotshot said. "I thought Heaven would have more people
in it."
"No sign of animal life anywhere." Cap. said. Then, the ground
upon which they stood began to tremble.
"You folks feel what I'm feeling?" Wonder Man asked.
"No I'm not horny at the moment Wonder Man, but thanks anyway."
Hotshot said with a grin.
"NO! I mean the earthquake! At least tremors."
Then, before them, the ground broke open, and something began to
emerge from the shaking earth.
"Look over there!" yelled Spider Man, pointing to the rising
building. As it continued to rise, they could see that it was a
massive cathedral. When the building had completely emerged from the
ground, a glow emanated from the crack between the double doors.
Slowly, they began to open.
"There's someone behind those doors!" Wolfsbane cried fearfully.
Then they saw who it was, and all fear left them. Wolfsbane, Living
Lightning, and Hotshot bowed reverently as the Goddess emerged from the
cathedral. The others simply stared in awe.
"Welcome my children," the Goddess said kindly. "To Paradise
Omega!"
To Be Continued...