Prologue:

The waiting was the part that Lady Darkness always hated. She had participated in the plotting and planning of the events that were about to unfold, but would not play a direct role in them. Instead, all she could do was pace back and forth inside the step-van that was being used for surveillance on this assignment.

The vehicle with a large 'Angel Communications' logo would not attract much attention. DEMON Agents disguised as workers pretended to be repairing the communication lines. Their real job was to act as spotters.

Inside, Lady Darkness waited. Occasionally she would stop to observe the screens at the monitoring station. Tiny cameras mounted on the outside of the van and carried by the spotters provided the images. The technicians before the console were noticeably nervous. That brought a smile to the Demon Priestess' face. Fear was a powerful tool, and she enjoyed wielding it.

"We are a go!" The spotter's voice came over the speaker on the monitor station. Lady Darkness moved behind the console technicians and watched. The next few minutes would reveal just how well they had planned.

The familiar form of Lightburst appeared on the screen. He flew in and landed in front of the Manhattan National Bank. The Avenger was not alone, as he carried another costumed man with him. The second man was dressed in a dark blue costume with white trim. He carried a blue shield with a large white star on it.

The multitude of passersby stopped to look at the pair. They pointed and whispered about the two men in costume. All seemed to recognize them as Lightburst of the Avengers, and Crusader, a hero with a more vigilante bent to him.

The two heroes looked about for a moment, and then strode into the bank. The images on the monitor became harder to make out as the DEMON Agents didn't have very good camera angles inside the bank.

After what seemed an eternity to Lady Darkness, the two heroes finally emerged from the bank. Both carried several money bags. As the heroes ran out, several bank guards ran after them. The guards open fired, but neither connected with the fleeing heroes.

Lightburst turned and fired a blast of light from his hand. It connected with one of the guards solidly, launching him backward and through the front window of the bank. The guard hit the ground with a sickening thud. The people in the streets had stopped and stared at the spectacle before them. Cries of, "Lightburst killed that guard!", and "Those heroes just robbed a bank!", filled the air.

Lightburst picked up Crusader and rose into the sky and was quickly lost from view.

A few moments, later, Lightburst and Crusader suddenly appeared in the rear of the Angel Communications van.

"Perfect," Lady Darkness said with a smile as she advanced towards Crusader. "Lightburst and Crusader have just made PRIMUS' most wanted list." The hero's features suddenly shifted and changed to those of Lord Evil. The two Morbanes kissed passionately.

Lightburst began to change as well to the featureless form of the Chameleon. His special ability to assume the features of others with but a thought also extended to their abilities as well. Not only could he make himself resemble Lightburst, but he could mimic some of his powers as well. While nowhere near as powerful as the real Lightburst, the Chameleon could fool just about everyone with his impersonation.

"Most invigorating," Lord Evil commented. "It has been a long time since I did something so-- petty. No doubt the Avengers will be hunting for their erstwhile teammate while the Crusader will come looking for us. Just as we had planned." Turning to the Chameleon he added, "Well done. Gather your agents and proceed to the next stage of our operation."

The Chameleon nodded and went to work. The surveillance agents quickly packed up their gear and entered the large van. The vehicle moved out into traffic, past unsuspecting police cars and drove towards its next destination...

#7 - "Old Friends"

Roll Call:

Black Diamond

Muskateer

Enchantress

Firestar

Nightingale

Thing

Guest Starring: Scarlet Sabre

It was a busy Tuesday morning at the Avengers Mansion. The Scarlet Sabre and a crew of CII service technicians were busy installing the team's Combat Simulator on Sub-Level One. Firestar kept an eye on things from a safe distance. She only did so in passing, as she was engaged in her daily telephone conversation with Rose Shepard, her stepmother in St. Louis.

One sub-level below, Muskateer was busy at work in the electronics lab on an experiment with the Enchantress.

"Are all these really necessary?" The Enchantress warily looked at the numerous sensors that Muskateer had placed on her. In addition, a multitude of other detection devices were positioned in the immediate vicinity.

"I'm not really sure if the personal sensors are necessary, but they can't hurt. Things like neurological activity and such might help us to reproduce the Crystal's magic type. I'm sorta operating in a vacuum here," Muskateer explained. "Better to have the info and not need it than to need it and not have it, right?" Muskateer was moving back and forth between the numerous computer consoles, some of which had been moved in from other laboratories. A spider web of cables crisscrossed the floor.

Gwen frowned slightly. She was skeptical that their efforts would have any tangible results, but she agreed that Muskateer's intent on locating the Crystal before it struck again was an admirable endeavor. "I didn't realize your little experiment would involve all of this," Gwen said, while gesturing around at all the equipment. "I now can empathize with guinea pigs."

"Guess it's not so little then, huh?", Muskateer answered. "I don't know exactly what I'm trying to detect, so I'm trying to cover all the bases I could imagine. From your brief explanation, I was able to exclude a few types of sensors. Otherwise, we might need Madison Square Garden to house all the equipment."

"Not my idea of a fun time at the Garden," the Enchantress responded. "Shall we begin?"

"Just another sec, Gwen. I need to calibrate this one last sensor," Muskateer explained as he fine-tuned the controls. "I bet you find it pretty ironic that it takes so much technological equipment to attempt to reproduce a quality that you can perform with a mere thought." Muskateer regarded the Enchantress amongst the considerable machinery he had assembled. She looked completely dwarfed by the equipment. Muskateer was glad he didn't have to pay the electric bill.

"Actually, I was wondering why we're always in a lab when we're together," Gwen answered in an amused tone. After a pause she added, "The last time we worked together was at the Chicoma Labs and now here. You take a girl to the most interesting places."

Muskateer was slightly taken aback by Gwen's response. Was she flirting with him, or was he just imagining it? "Now you can't blame Chicoma on me. That was Di's idea." He looked around the room again for a moment. "This is not the place I would take someone if I was trying to impress them, but you have to admit, it must be a new experience for you."

"Quite. So what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Basically I need you to recreate the energy pattern that you detected from the crystal. Most technology would not even register that it happened or more likely, it would not be understandable as being detected. But since you would be directing that specific energy, I may be able to pick up on it with some limited success. Then if we filter out any personal energy we detect from you, we may be able to come up with scanning devices that can locate the darn thing. Beats having you fly all over the city by your lonesome. Assuming it's still even in New York at all."

"You don't want me to create an explosion, do you?" The Enchantress was not completely sure just what Muskateer wanted her to do.

"Ah, no. If I understand what you explained correctly, then we are trying to detect the style of magic, not the effects. So pretty much anything that you would also detect as coming from the crystal should suffice, Gwen."

The Enchantress considered his request. "That's not going to be easy. I've never attempted to impersonate another mage."

"I wouldn't expect you to nail it on the first try, but maybe with practice? It seems logical to me, anyway," Muskateer offered.

"Magical is not as logical as science," Gwen answered with a sigh.

"It's not complete chaos either, otherwise you wouldn't have any control over its effects," Muskateer countered. "I'm not trying to understand magic, just temporarily bridge the gap on one specific instance. There is no reason why it can't be done. Magic is just another form of energy in its basest sense. It may be strange, unusual and exotic, but there are lots of things we take for granted nowadays that were once considered magical or mystical."

"You certainly know how to take the fun out of things," Gwen said. "Let's get started before I collapse under all this weight."

"Sure, no problem. But I'll have you know I've never been accused of being a stiff before. You wound me, madam." Muskateer fired up the controls and everything came to life. An audible hum filled the room.

The Enchantress concentrated and began making a series of gestures. The readouts on the various equipment began to leap to life and spit out results. Nearby a glowing form started to take shape. "There. Now you are wounded." Muskateer saw that the image was a small caricature of himself with a sword sticking out of the chest.

"Cripes. I like you too, Gwen." Muskateer turned to watch the activity on the scanners. They seemed to settle down after the image had dissipated. "You borrow Lightburst's sense of humor while he's gone?"

"I wasn't aware that he actually had one."

"Have to agree with you there."

"Did your equipment register anything?", the Enchantress asked.

"I picked up lots of things. The question is, would you have detected that as coming from the crystal?"

"Actually, no," Gwen said, disappointedly. "I said this wasn't going to be easy."

"I'm not doubting you. Experimentation rarely happens easily. Trial and error accounts for a great deal of the scientific method," Muskateer explained.

"I suppose I could try again," Gwen answered hesitantly.

"Just let it flow. I have as long as you're willing to keep trying."

"If it takes too long, I may need a reward for this." Gwen began spell casting again.

"Hey, if we pull this off, I'll make sure you get a more than suitable reward," Muskateer answered enthusiastically. After a moment, a small dragon appeared. It hovered in place and then began to fly about the room on its tiny wings. A small puff of smoke billowed out from its nostrils. Muskateer watched for a moment and shook his head. He turned to the controls, trying to keep them focused on the elusive reptile.

"Uh, Gwen, can you keep Puff under control? He keeps flying in and out of the sensors' range." He worked the controls trying to adjust for the erratic little creature.

"Aw, isn't he cute?" The dragon flew over and landed on her extended forearm.

"Okay, just keep him there for a few moments." Muskateer watched the readouts again. "How about this try? Does he like techno-polka?"

"Sorry, he's a bit more Classical. It's somewhat similar, and closer than before, but still not alien enough." She scratched the diminutive dragon under his chin. It cooed contentedly and stretched its wings.

"Now, this is a very interesting scene." Muskateer and the Enchantress both turned at the sound of the unexpected voice coming from the entranceway to the laboratory. Standing in the doorway was the Scarlet Sabre with a very amused look on her face. Given the state of the lab, it must have been quite a sight for someone not expecting it. "I can think of several comments offhand, although I'm not sure that any of them would be very appropriate at this time."

"Hello, Scarlet," the Enchantress said, dispelling her pet dragon. The two heroines were familiar with each other, having been teammates on the ill-fated Crusaders. "It's just our resident mad scientist performing an experiment."

"Hey, now," Muskateer said in protest. "I told you before, scientist yes, mad no."

"I thought you were going to help me install the Combat Simulator," Scarlet Sabre said to Muskateer as she approached. "I didn't realize you'd be playing doctor in the meantime."

"Very funny, Scarlet. This crystal-chasing thing just came up in the last couple days. I'd like to help, but this has more precedence right now," Muskateer responded. He turned to Gwen, "Unless you'd rather take a break for awhile?"

"Considering how long it took you to set everything up," the Enchantress replied, "we might as well keep going." Going through the tedious task of having the sensors applied to her again was something that the Enchantress did not look forward to.

"Looks like I'm spoken for, Red."

"Too bad. I was-- " Just then an intercom summons from Nightingale interrupted the Scarlet Sabre.

"Muskateer. Enchantress. Please report to the meeting room ASAP," the psionic Avenger instructed.

"So much for either idea. Guess I'd better help get you out of this stuff." Muskateer started removing the sensors and wires from Gwen.

"Thanks. I wonder what the emergency is?", the Enchantress answered.

"Hey, can I tag along?", Scarlet asked.

"Sure, why not, Red. Let's go."

A few minutes earlier in the gym, Black Diamond and the Thing were lifting weights and comparing notes.

"Sounds like a reg'lar soap opera 'round here," the rocky Avenger concluded. Black Diamond had been filling in the Thing regarding the latest happenings.

"It can seem that way at times." Black Diamond strained to raise the weight over her once more. The Thing was acting as her spotter. The weight machine was of special construction. Using free weights didn't make all that much sense for beings as strong as the Thing and Black Diamond. Instead, the large device used magnetism to supply the weight. The stronger the pull between the bar and the magnet, the greater the force needed to lift the bar.

"Come on, darlin', my Aunt Petunia can do better 'n that any day."

Black Diamond strained under the weight of the bar. Sweat flowed down her face, her muscles bulging under the strain. "Tell me-- another one, Mr. -- Grimm."

Slowly the bar rose into the air. Diamond's entire body was shaking under the strain. The digital read out crossed the 900,000 pound mark.

"Ben! Can't-- hold it!"

The Thing's rocky arm shot out and grabbed the bar away from Black Diamond. While Diamond was perhaps the strongest woman in the world, Ben Grimm was far stronger then her. She looked more than a bit annoyed as the Thing had taken the bar from her with just one hand.

"Show off."

The Thing just grinned and took another puff on his ever present cigar. "Yer playin' with the big boys now, Ms. M." The rocky Avenger flexed his muscle and raised the bar even higher. In its current mode, the machine would increase the pressure on the bar in response to the pressure exerted against it. The digital read out rapidly rose until it passed the 3,000,000 lb mark.

"Good lord," Black Diamond said in utter amazement as she wiped the perspiration from her face with a towel. "No wonder we're always repairing this machine."

The Thing held the weight a few beats and then eased the bar back into its holder. "They jus' don't make'm like they used to."

At that moment, Nightingale cut into Black Diamond's thoughts telepathically. "Linda, I found something on WNN which will be of great interest to you."

"What do you have, Chris?" Black Diamond spoke her reply out loud, which momentarily caught the Thing off guard. Then he realized that Nightingale must be in communication with the Avenger's leader.

"You had better see for yourself. I'm sending it down to the Meeting Room. I'll join you there shortly," Nightingale communicated.

Muskateer, the Enchantress, and the Scarlet Sabre were the first to reach the meeting room, as it was on the same level as the laboratory.

"Looks like our duel's off now, too, Red," Muskateer said, referring to the plans made after the battle at Crazy Teddy's.

"I have no problem putting off your embarrassment for another day," Scarlet retorted with a smile.

"Big talk for such a little girl. Don't worry, you'll get your chance soon enough," Muskateer answered.

"The two of you are not related, by any chance?", the Enchantress asked, shaking her head. The two sword wielder's seemed to possess quite similar personalities.

The two Avengers took their seats while Scarlet stood off to one side. Black Diamond, towel hanging around her neck, and the Thing arrived next. Firestar came in almost right behind them. Nightingale brought up the rear. Chris hit a button and the WNN report she had just viewed was displayed for all to see.

"This is Allen Kingston," the handsome man on the monitor said, "reporting for World News Network." The Enchantress smiled proudly upon seeing her brother at work. "Just moments ago, two costumed men who have been identified as Lightburst of the Avengers and Crusader robbed the Manhattan National Bank. The two escaped with an as yet undetermined amount of cash. Half a dozen security guards were injured in the robbery, while three others were fatally wounded. We'll have more on this breaking story as it develops."

A stunned silence filled the Meeting Room. Muskateer finally broke the ice. "Man, I knew he was a jerk, but this is too much."

"This doesn't make any sense," Black Diamond finally said. "Lightburst is financially secure-- there is no reason for him to do something like this."

"I can't totally say that about Crusader," the Scarlet Sabre added. "He always was such a wild card--"

"But his devotion to justice," the Enchantress interrupted, "would not let him do something as vile as this." Scarlet nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps we're dealing with impersonators," Muskateer stated. "Again."

Black Diamond caught the implication in her second-in-command's voice. "Regardless, we must investigate. Firestar, the Enchantress, and myself will go in search of the truth of this matter. We'll patrol the city and see what we can find. Nightingale, try to psionically locate Lightburst. I know it's a long shot, but we've got to try. Muskateer, I want you to revoke Lightburst's Avengers access codes. You and Ben will coordinate the search from the Avengers Mansion. All right, let's go!"

"If I may make a suggestion," the Scarlet Sabre said speaking up. "The Enchantress and myself were teammates with Crusader. How about we go check up on him? It shouldn't take that long and then she can join you in the search."

"Sounds reasonable," Diamond said. "Do it."

Muskateer and the Thing watched as the heroines departed the Meeting Room on their various tasks. The two exchanged annoyed looks and then went to work on their appointed tasks.

"This really sucks," Muskateer said as he worked the computer keyboard. With all the computer work he had performed when the Huntress was accessing their system, locking out Lightburst was a snap. "They get all the fun and we get to mind the store."

"Yeah, but it does make sense. The girls can get 'round much faster 'n we can."

"I didn't say that it didn't make sense," Muskateer shot back. "I just find it annoying to be left behind 'cause I can't fly. Guess I'm gonna have to make myself a flying scooter or something."

"Say, that's not a half bad idea, Junior. We've got the Quinnjets fer long range trips; we should have somethin' fer travelin' about town."

"By jove, I think I've got it." Muskateer excitedly began to make notes and drawings for what he had in mind.

"Still, ya got a point. This can't get much worse."

"Gentlemen...?" Muskateer and the Thing looked up to see their butler, Jeeves standing in the entrance way. "There are several dozen reporters at the door asking for interviews. What shall I tell them?"

"How about that for getting worse, Ben," Muskateer said with a sigh. "I'll tell 'em something, but I doubt they'd print it!"

Elsewhere, the Sky Sabre streaked over the New York skyline with the Enchantress flying alongside. In short order they reached a small storage building next to the Hudson River. The four story facility was originally used as a warehouse until the neighborhood around it turned into a crime-filled slum. The Crusader claimed the place and used it as his base when he had cleaned up the area. It later served as a base for the short-lived Crusaders. As far as the two heroines knew, it was still in use by Crusader.

Scarlet piloted the Sky Sabre to a specific spot on the roof of the building. The area had been specially reinforced to handle the stress of the taking off and landing of the small jet.

The Enchantress set down close by. "This brings back a lot of memories."

"Yeah, bad ones," Scarlet said sarcastically as she climbed out of her jet. She scanned the roof but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "So what's it like to be an Avenger, Gwen?"

"I'm not really sure. At times I feel like an outsider. The others go out and do things and I seem to be left by myself."

"I'm sure it's not intentional."

"No, I don't think it is," the Enchantress concluded. "But anyway, shall we go inside?" The two heroines opened a door and stairs led down into the old warehouse.

"After me," Scarlet said. She pulled her hand-held tracker from her belt and activated it. The device gave off a soft 'pinging' sound. "Just in case." Sabre led the way down the stairs with the Enchantress right behind her.

"No disagreement from me."

The two descended to the third floor of the building. It was this level that Crusader used as his base of operations. Everything was dark and covered with dust.

"Hasn't changed a bit," Scarlet remarked.

"Unfortunately," the Enchantress added. Scarlet led the way deeper into the building. Suddenly, her device started to register that someone else was in vicinity!

"Bingo!," the Scarlet Sabre said enthusiastically. "We have a winner."

"We know that you're here," the Enchantress stated in a loud voice. "Make it easy on everyone and come out."

After a pause, something in the shadows moved forward. A tall man in armor came into view. The armor was copper-colored with dark green highlights. Thick cables ran from a large backpack to thick gauntlets mounted on each forearm. The whole was done in a snake motif, complete with serpent-like scales.

"Copperhead," Scarlet hissed venomously.

"Welcome back, ladies," the armored man said in an amused tone. "It looks like a Crusaders reunion." Copperhead had also been a Crusader, and was himself the focal point for the group's split. Like the Crusader, Copperhead took a more violent, more direct approach to fighting crime. He sought justice, but didn't necessarily use legal means to accomplish this goal. During the Crusaders last mission, Copperhead had nearly killed one of his own teammates, Shrinker. Hurt and humiliated, Shrinker went rogue and devoted her life to humiliating heroes. The team fell apart from there.

"What are you doing here?," the Enchantress asked. She was glad that she saw the direction the Crusaders were heading in and had departed long before the incident with Shrinker.

"I would presume the same thing as yourselves," Copperhead stated. "Trying to find out if Crusader finally snapped and went bad."

"I could say the same about you." Scarlet's hand reached for her sabre, just in case.

"I have not changed, Scarlet. My goal remains the same. I still consider myself your friend."

"If you have information about Crusader, then why not share it with us?" The Enchantress sought to avoid any unnecessary confrontations and the tension between the other two former Crusaders was heavy in the air.

"Why not? After all, we're all on the same side here." Copperhead circled about the heroines in a non-threatening manner. Scarlet still kept herself prepared for a fight. "Crusader spent most of the last several months in Boston, rather than in New York. He's been tracking various criminal organizations that have ties between the Big Apple and Bean Town. I've assisted him on several occasions."

"I see," Scarlet said neutrally. She knew that Crusader and Copperhead still worked together once and a while but not the full extent of their partnership. Her computer alter ego, Jaime, kept track of such things. Crusader had been indeed reported in Boston several times in the last few months. The most recent report that Jaime had uncovered was Crusader being pummeled by the monstrous powerhouse called Ogre.

"Crusader should have been back from Boston a week ago," Copperhead continued. "The last thing I heard was that he had a run in with Ogre and got the short end of the stick. When I heard about the robbery this morning, I came here to investigate."

"The same as us," the Enchantress said. "Apparently, Crusader is not here. We'll have to look elsewhere." The Enchantress turned and headed back the way she came. After a pause, the Scarlet Sabre followed.

"Hey, Scarlet," Copperhead shouted at the retreating heroines. "You're still beautiful when you're angry!" The vigilante gave a hardy laugh and he too departed the scene.

Elsewhere, Black Diamond flew silently over the city. Her thoughts were very troubled. She knew Lightburst well enough, probably too well, to know that this was not something that he would normally do. Maybe Muskateer's obscure hint was right. Perhaps this new event had something to do with the mysterious Crystal that they were tracking. If Firestar and Brimstone were impostors, then perhaps the Lightburst and Crusader who robbed the bank were not the real ones as well. But to what end?

Linda was so deep in thought that she failed to notice that her special sixth sense had been tingling, alerting her to impending danger. Unexpectedly, something sharp rammed into Black Diamond's back! She let out a cry that was a combination of pain and surprise and plummeted from the sky! The heroine hit a convenient rooftop hard, nearly smashing through.

Whatever had struck her not only hurt, but it burned as well! Groggy from the surprise attack, spots playing before her eyes, Black Diamond felt her back to find out what happened. To her horror her hand discovered a small metallic spear whose tip was covered in her own blood.

Diamond struggled to her feet and scanned the sky for her attacker. Hanging in the sky some fifty feet away was a woman in an all-white battle suit. The armor consisted of interlocking plates, but the plates themselves were featureless, as was the helmet. What appeared to be a small launcher was on the woman's right arm. A trace of smoke rose from it. A small shield was a part of the left forearm.

"Who... are you?" Black Diamond had trouble just getting the question out. The burning sensation was spreading all over her back.

"An old friend," the attacker stated. "For the nonce, you may call me Artemis the Hunter and you are my prey." Artemis raised her arm and fired another shaft from her weapon's launcher...

...To Be Continued!

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