CRUSADERS #1 by Jorge Martinez

"Eve of Destruction"

THE PINEHILL CEMETARY

A bright day.

REPORTER: America weeps today as one it s defenders Captain Photon is laid to rest. He will be buried in the city where he made his debut, San Franscicso. Captain Photon was an original member of the third and current incarnation of the Crusaders. Captain Photon held the role of leader more than any other member in the Crusaders thirteen year history. He was the soul of team, the model hero, and today we mourn.

REPORTER: The casket is being carried by the other original members. The mysterious Elemental, the noble Pendragon, Ms. America and King Jupiter. In the dead Captain s place is his sidekick and younger brother Daystar who always tried the positive image of his older sibling.

A podium is placed in front of the massive crowd as the President walks up to it. Behind him sit the four Crusaders and Daystar.

PRESIDENT: The Crusaders are the world's defenders. They mean many thing to many people. This team of Crusaders have truly been a blessing and have saved our lives many times. Captain Photon was their undisputed leader. When I took office he was already leader of the famous team for many years and did well to show me the ropes. I did not know Captain Photon well but he was the most respectable man I have ever met. We all will miss him but not as much as his teammates and especially his brother. Now I will let them come up and talk about this man they all loved.

The four members sitting are a bit nervous not knowing who will rise first to address the audience. King Jupiter rises to the occassion. The tall muscular hero in his blue toga and gold accessories including a gold head band he calls a crown hanging around his white hair slowly makes his way to the podium.

KING JUPITER: When we started this team Captain Photon was the only one who knew what he was doing. We all looked to him to take the first step, to make all the decisions, to save the day. I was a naive man then and truly must say that the Captain is responsible for what I have become.

MS.AMERICA:(to self) Don't insult the man Jupiter.

Jupiter swings back and walks back toward his seat. The blue man that is scarcely dressed with red hair known as the Elemental stands and walks as if floating to the podium.

ELEMENTAL: Photon was everything good in man. His light was pure. I will miss him.

The Elemental sits back down. Pendragon looks at Ms. America and she lets him know he is next. The knight in shining armor stands and takes the stand.

PENDRAGON: I was but a boy when this team was born. Captain Photon was the model I set for myself. He always seemed to make the right decisions! If not for his guidance my brash actions might have caused disaster. He was truly a father figure to me and will be remembered as this century s greatest hero!

Pendragon sits down. Ms. America finally makes it to the podium. The audience is still not comfortable to her most recent appearence despite she s had it for years. She has changed from the young beauty sporting long crimson red hair to her chisiled look and buzz cut. She still wears the flag but were there was once a glorious smile there is only bitter pain.

MS.AMERICA: Thirteen years ago the American government realized that the world needed new heroes. They created me and gave me the name of Ms. America. I was then appointed with the task of finding heroes to battle the the evil that used to be the old Crusaders. Captain Photon was the first I sought. I was a 22 year old girl way over her head. Photon realized that and took over this team guiding us to greatness. The smudge that the second incarnation of Crusaders created was erased and the Crusaders are again something to be proud of. I cried today because I lost a man I cared for. The team needs to continue on and live up to what Captain Photon created.

She stops and turns around.

MS. AMERICA: I now will let his brother share his thoughts.

DAYSTAR:(to self) What? I can't go up there. I'm to nervous. I m going to cry. No...

Ms. America looks back at him and waits. Daystar shakingly stands and walks towards the podium. He wears his costume on this day as a homage to his brother and to protect their family.

DAYSTAR: I....I was just a kid when we got these powers. It-It was a-a lab accident that my brother was performing and I was assisiting. I panicked but he calmed me. He taught me how to use my powers and I later became his partner. But he taught me much of life as well. My brother had a family!(sniff) I have a niece and nephew and sister-in-law as well. We already (sniff) had a memorial for him with just family. My heart goes out to them. I know how his children feel because he was also a (sniff) father to me.

Daystar stops and decideds he has said enough.

CRUSADERS HEADQUARTERS

It s night in Manhattan. This is the headquaters of the Crusaders. Thirty three stories of steel.

A man sits back in front of a large monitor. He is dressed in black and red with various weapons upon his costume. He wears the typical hero mask with eye and mouth openings while his head is covered. He has a large metallic eyepiece with a red center where his right eye used to be. He calls himself Redeye.

REDEYE:(to self) Poor kid he's about to breakdown. After today he will have to become a man. I don't know if he s up to that. Adam was a good friend. Despite his high morals always do the right thing attitude he always found a way to win. No one else could have done it. It finally caught up to him. Losing him might destroy us since he was the glue that held us together. We all know it. Especially the way he dies which complicates things!

A beep comes in. Redeye pushes a button on the huge board of buttons in front of him.

REDEYE: All clear babe?

SUPERNOVA(over the communicator) Yes, I'm flying over Brooklyn now. Keep calling me babe and I ll rip out the only good eye you have!

REDEYE: Good I like the other one better anyway. Over and out.

REDEYE:(to self) I'm going to have to put that woman in her place one day. Thinks she can bully me cause she bench 20 tons. Missy and Pendragon all talked about how good Adam was but no one mentioned the way he died. How his long time foe BlackWulf gutted him to pieces. That rabid dog should have been shot down long ago. Missy and the others know I want revenge and kill the bastard but they all oppose such acts. It's not part of being a hero. Well I m a soldier not a hero and I will kill that dog. The hard part is his son Greywolf is a good guy and our most recent member! This is affecting the team hard. I told them not to have the kid join that it will bring trouble later on. I know the importance this team plays to the world and if I go after Blackwulf I will have to quit the team. Not a good morale if this team is going to stick. I have to play this out. I really don't care any more. Missy and I have been quits for over five years now. Maybe I don't belong here any longer

Redeye focuses his target eye and sees two men walking towards him. The always festive Black Bug and the young black man known as Greywolf.

BLACKBUG: Hey it is finally over. I wished we could go but I guess someone had to watch the world at Command Center if four members were off to California.

REDEYE: Yeah right. All is quiet it seems even the crooks respected Photon.

GREYWOLF: My father has always haunted me. His curse is is much more than just lycanthropy. He must have been upset that I joined the Crusaders a year ago and this is payback.

REDEYE: When do we get to pay him back?

GREYWOLF: Don't worry I will be there if that's what your asking.

BLACK BUG: Hey guys when the others get back I'm sure we will plan on capturing him.

REDEYE: I was planning on more.

BlackBug and Greywolf both give him a long stare.

MANHATTAN

Flying through the night sky and over the streets of Manhattan is the Crusaser known as SuperNova. A tall blond with orange skin and the ability to project powerful amounts of nuclear energy.

SUPERNOVA: The next few days are going to be tough. Adam's death was huge loss. We have to elect a new leader and get a new member to restore the lineup to nine. The new member might be a positive thing. The news will be asking who it will be and will cause the usual media circus. But the question of leader causes friction within our ranks. The Elemental refuses to lead because he doesn't want to preside over mere mortals who he calls friends, the modest guy he is. But Jupiter would love the chance to treat us as his subjects. Penddragon has always wanted to be leader and the most logical choice would be Ms. America! That s going to be a tough vote but I will go for Missy. Jupiter might throw a fit when he loses though.

Supernova sees three mysterious men walking around a corner. She realizes what neighborhood she's in and the huge jewelry store on the corner. She tries to quietly spy on the trio.

As she moves to look between the building they remove their jackets to reveal some costumes. Supernova does not recognize them until they put their masks on. One of them a big bruiser about eight feet tall. The other a slim man with a mane and the last one is armed to the teeth with weapons.

SUPERNOVA: The Fearsome Threesome...haven't ran into them in a few years. I think Black Bug did and they bruised him pretty good. But I m not BlackBug...he bounces around and throws punches while I can hurl cars and blast you to smoke...this is going to be fun!

She flies down at them.

BONE KRUSHER: Oh no it's that dame SuperNova!

SLYFOX: Great we can't even rob jewelry stores any more.

WEAPONS MASTER: Sly you go for the gold....Krusher and I will take the fight to the bystanders.

SUPERNOVA: Hello boys...thanks for the show it was better than being in the Yankees locker room...well not quite.

All three of them scatter. Sly is too quick for her so she s goes after the Weapons Master and Krusher.

SUPERNOVA: I thought this was a party.

When she flies out between the building she is shot down by Weapons Master.

SUPERNOVA: Ughhh!(to self) I thought they were running away.

BONE KRUSHER: The party just started!

He smashes her with his patented "Krusher" move where he swings both fist on down on top of her.

SUPERNOVA:(to self) That...hurt. Now I am mad no more playing around!

She turns around at Krusher and lets him have it in the gut.

SUPERNOVA: Your strong big boy but I'm stronger!

He momentarily goes down. She again is shot by the Weapons Master. Knocking her across the street.

SUPERNOVA:(to self) Great! These clowns may be two bit losers but they are experienced two bit losers. They brought out here into the street where I can't unleash my power because of bystanders while Slyfox is probably robbing the store blind.

Supernova shoots an irradiated blast at Weapons Master but misses.

WEAPONS MASTER: C mon now babe...Redeye is the marksman not you.

SUPERNOVA: You and Redeye have much in common and that is not a compliment!

SUPERNOVA:(to self) He's got me. Shooting from far away knowing he can shoot me whenever he wants while my stray blast might topple a building. Only one way to do this have to fly at him and hit that weasel hard.

She jumps up and heads at the Weapons Master he tries to dodge but no luck.

WEAPONS MASTER: Oh...$&@%!

She takcles him hard knocking him out.

SUPERNOVA: (to self) Had to be careful at that speed I could have killed him despite his armor. Now....

As she turns around Slyfox has returned and running circles around her in causing a vertigo effect affecting Supernova while he repeatedly punches her.

SUPERNOVA:(to self) This is not good. He's got me dizzy and I want to let lose a blast but I can't.

As she is taking hits she firmly stick her arm out clotheslining Slyfox. He goes flying.

SUPERNOVA:(to self) Ok...did I win? Where is....

Krusher begins to wail on her before she regains her senses.

BONE KRUSHER: Your not so tough now, huh lady? That's for Master and that's for Sly and this one is for me. Man, Black Bug is a lot better than you.

SLYFOX: Krusher...let's go I got the money and Master. And I think I m going to throw up.

BONE KRUSHER: Ok.

The villians leave the scene.

CRUSADERS HQ: The Thirteenth floor.

Four super powered youths are involved in what appears to be a training session. The young knight Squire, the ocean sprung Nymph, the punk red head Inferno, and finally the massive 12 foot tall Shades.

NYMPH: So we are not going out tonight?

INFERNO: No, Doug s brother is dead...how insensitive can you be?

NYMPH: Well I have never told you anything about that crimson dye in your hair?

INFERNO: It's not dye...and you should'nt be talking blue hair!

SQUIRE: Ladies can we pay attention the training.

SHADES: I like you hair Inferno.

NYMPH: Stop kissing up Shades.

SQUIRE: We have five seconds left don t screw it up, Crew!

SQUIRE: Good job.

INFERNO: Squire your really annoying with your wanna be leader attitude.

SQUIRE: Look, I don't want to be leader. I want to be a Crusader...not a member of the The Crew.

SHADES: Hey atleast they updated the name from Teen Crew....which stood for Teen Crusaders.

NYMPH: That's because most of us are not teenagers anymore.

SHADES: Doug and I are the only teens left barely.

SQUIRE: I'm the oldest how do you think that makes me feel? I think that they should raise the member limit to twelve. Then all of us over twenty can join.

INFERNO: Your such a dork! I don't even know if I want to join the Crusaders. I mean I live in this nice building that has awesome security. I don't have a job and get spening money. This is the life.

SHADES: Still, I think the twelve member idea is a good one.

NYMPH: Oh my! Shades disagrees with Inferno. Uhoh, girl you better change the hair color lover boy has lost his crush on you.

SQUIRE: Well, they are going to pick one of us because Captain Photon died.

INFERNO: They don't have to pick one of us. They could go after an outside hero like a Protector.

SHADES: They won't do that. Last time they needed a member they came to us and Greywolf joined.

SQUIRE: So who will be the next one?

NYMPH: I really want to go out tonight.

SHADES: It's gotta be Daystar.

INFERNO: Yeah Doug is the most powerful of all us and he had similiar powers to his brother.

SQUIRE: He also has the pity factor and it will make good headlines.

INFERNO: Squire your a real snake you know that!

SQUIRE: Well when am I going to join! My whole life I have wanted to be a Crusader!

INFERNO: Yeah and you tried to be Pendragon's sidekick too but that didn't work, did it?

SQUIRE: Hey, I didn t get to be his sidekick but it got me into the Teen Crew.

SHADES: I'm still hoping on them changing the roster number to twelve. I know Pendragon wants a twelve man roster and if he is elected leader we might see that.

NYMPH: Ok, I'm going out bye.

INFERNO:(mad)

CRUSADERS HQ

The infirmary.

Supernova lays on a table and then opens her eyes.

BLACKBUG: Rise and shine!

SUPERNOVA:(frustrated) How long was I out?

BLACK BUG: Only 20 minutes. Put on a great show. RedEye wanted me to leave you on the pavment...but hey I know how it feels to get pumelled by the Fearsome Threesome, don't I?

SUPERNOVA: Shut up.

BLACKBUG: You all laughed at me back then.But don't worry I don't hold a grudge.

SUPERNOVA: I am not in the mood Bug!

BLACKBUG: Fine, I don't want you to go into a rage and beat me up or anything. You bully, things like this always happen to bullies. Met your match didja?

SUPERNOVA: Grrr.

RedEye enters the room.

REDEYE: Real stupid babe. You should have called for backup...I would have left you in the street so the media can take your picture but didn't want any news like this during what we are going through.

SUPERNOVA:(sarcastic) Would you call for backup against the Fearsome Threesome? Do I have to finish my shift?

REDEYE: No I got Greywolf on it.

SUPERNOVA: Good I will see you two at the next meeting.

She storms out.

BLACKBUG: Gina, don't forget to vote for me as leader!(he laughs)

A few days later. Daystar, Inferno, and Shades take are taking a walk in Soho out of their unifroms.

DAYSTAR: Bobby they still know your Shades. There aren't too many twelve foot nineteen year olds that hang out with with a super strong red head.

INFERNO: Hey I never had a costume or a secret identity. The daughter of Inferno Savage is what I am and what I am proud to be.

SHADES: Doug, how you feel about being the next Crusader. I mean every media giant picks you.

DAYSTAR: I rather have my brother back.

SHADES: You know that's not what I meant.

DAYSTAR: I know Bobby. I'm sorry. I don't know if they will take me?

INFERNO: Whatever. Your the golden boy. I've been thinking if you leave the Crew I might quit.

SHADES: What? But you just said the other day we live the good life. No work and all play.

INFERNO: I know but I m getting bored of the lifestyle. I mean I m twenty one already maybe it s time to move on.

INFERNO: Don't worry, your my favorite boyscout. Besides, I haven't made up my mind yet.

SHADES:(to self)She leaving?

SHADES: Don't worry Doug your money now baby, money.

CRUSADERS BASE

The eight members sit along their round table. The tall god like Elemental stands.

ELEMENTAL: Good day all. I am the one chosen to run this gathering this day. Our first order of business is selecting a new member then electing a leader. Suggestions of the new member?

REDEYE: Oh, c mon now. We all know it's going to Daystar. Anyone else disagree?

PENDRAGON: No, I believe Daystar to be the prime candidate. But bear in mind we can select other heroes. Infact, we might want to reconsider my request for a twelve member lineup. There is so much talent out there. Look at how Onyx quit the Crew to became a Protector.

GREYWOLF: Yeah, he's the Protector of Seattle. That's a nice gig.

MS.AMERICA: Tim, your twelve member roster might bring more trouble than it's worth. And right now is not the time to bring up that issue. Now I select Daystar.

PENDRAGON: Missy, remember I am not a boy any longer. I also choose Daystar.

BLACKBUG: I select that Pendragon wannabe Squire. Nah, just kidding Doug is the man!

PENDRAGON:(to self) Did she treat me like a child so I look bad and she is voted leader? This team is best defense this planet has. We're suppossed to be the best and I think we can be better. Sure, cities like Seattle, L.A., San Fran need their own personal Protectors but talents like Onyx and Fury cannot escape our attention.

KING JUPITER: I think the lad is a satisfactory replacement.

RED EYE: Doug is young but he's got more power than his brother Adam ever did. I say the boy has a future.

SUPERNOVA: Daystar.

GREYWOLF: Doug and I actually didn't like each other at first. It was like Captain Photn jr. versus Blackwulf jr. that started a rivalry. But we got over that. Now with my father killing his brother.....I feel horrible. I hope he can work with me again.

ELEMENTAL: I do not think that will be a problem. Then we all are in agreement. Daystar will be the new Crusader. Now for a leader. The U.N. needs a contact from the Crusaders quickly. We must decide today.

KING JUPITER: Before we vote. I would like to remind you all that we need.....

MS.AMERICA: Don't get on my nerves, Jupiter.

KING JUPITER: Or?

ELEMENTAL: Jupiter. You know that there is no rallying involved. We simply vote. I chose Pendragon.

MS.AMERICA: I... also choose Pendragon.

KING JUPITER: Hmph. I nominate myself.

PENDRAGON: I select Ms. America.

REDEYE: Missy.

BLACKBUG: Pendragon.

SUPERNOVA: Missy.

GREYWOLF: King Jupiter.

ELEMENTAL: We have a tie then. Ms. America and Pendragon. This ballot will be in secret.

A few moments later all the ballots are in.

ELEMENTAL: The new leader is Pendragon.

MS.AMERICA:(to self) This is going to be a year to remember.

DOWNSTAIRS.

A few floors below.

NYMPH: Doug your the one!

SQUIRE: Was there ever a doubt?

SHADES: Congrats buddy.

INFERNO: Knock them dead kiddo. Go, the Crusaders and the media are waiting.

DAYSTAR:(to self) Adam I promise to make you proud.

SPACE

Something escapes the sun's gravity and races towards Earth. Not something but someone.

NUCLEARMAN: They think they kill NuclearMan. They think they can kill me by casting me into the sun. But I cannot die. The sun make me more powerful now they all die. The Crusaders will all die as will the earth!

NEXT ISSUE: Nuclear Man is headed toward Earth but he's got awhile before he gets there. In the meantime SuperNova, BlackBug and Daystar go to a party that is crashed by the Fearsome Threesome!