The mysterious Prowler, An engineering genius whose designs empower his night dark battle suit. The Puma, a man gifted with the mystic and genetic birthright of his people. The Black Cat, A former cat burglar turned super heroine. Her claws can rake through flesh as easily as a cars fender. The Hornet, a superhuman powerhouse whose aerial speed and acrobatics are backed up by a super powered strength of arm. The Thunderer, formally a Thor replacement , Red Norvell seeks to make his own name in the world of super-heroes. Together they are a different type of hero. They are untrusted by the man on the street, even though they are his first line of defense against the evils that hide in every alley. They are …..

Renegades #2

Splash page: The robotic Judgement unit holds The Thunderer aloft by the throat as Thomas Fireheart watches from a distance shocked. Behind him amid a billowing cloud of mystic energy is Black Crowe.

What has gone before: Last issue a mysterious being from deep space impacted on a Manhattan street , attracting the attention of various heroes. When confronted the robot attacked, claming to be a judgement unit from a far off race that was "judging" Earth and its inhabitants. That brings up to now…..

Fireheart: "NO! That robot! It's killing him!"

Page 2

With a leap Fireheart springs into the air after the robot, transforming in mid leap into the powerful Puma! He uncoils a powerful haymaker into the robots head, the force of the blow making the robot drop Thunderer.

Pa-KOW !

Judge: "Another antagonist. Cellular scans indicate you are incapable of harming this unit. You too will fall."

The robot matter of factly raises its left arm and unleashes a concussive blast that The Puma barely avoids. Suddenly, Puma is scooped up from behind by a lithe female arm, as she swings by on a strong cable line.

Cat: "Fancy meeting you here big boy."

Puma: "Black Cat? Put me down woman, that thing must be stopped."

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Cat: "Will do hon, as soon as we rendezvous with the others."

Puma: "The Puma is held like a child by no woman!"

Angrily pulling himself free from her grip, the Puma drops acrobatically to the ground, instantly his heightened senses make him aware of those surrounding him.

Puma: "So you all survived that things attack I see."

Before him are the Prowler, the Thunderer, the Mystery woman calling herself the Hornet and in another puff of mystic energy, the Black Crowe. Behind them Black Cat lands soundlessly.

Crowe: "As I have told you Puma, this destiny has been written. You five are all that stand today against this metallic creature . None are forthcoming save you five. "

Prowler: "What are you talking about shaman? This was all foretold somehow?"

Crowe smiles.

Crowe: "You honor me Prowler, with your honorific yes it was foretold. Five great warriors will come together in the worlds time of judgement. They will be outcasts, RENEGADES ! and they will be all that stands between the worlds survival and utter annihilation . Beyond that the mists of time swirl deeply, and there is no conclusion to be seen."

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Puma: "I don't care. I told you , the heroes world is something I want no part of. Now , or ever. Return me to my offices immediately Black Crowe."

Thunderer: "Hey! Hold on here Talky Tawny, this is something big, and important. This guy, whatever it is has the power to end the world somehow, according to your buddy here. I don't see anyone else appearing to stop him. Maybe the FF and the Avengers are all out of town or something. If we don't do this, there may not be an office for you to return to. Think about it."

Puma spins away from the others angrily, staring out at the burning section of city block the creature hammers its way through. In the distance Police and fire sirens can be heard approaching. A moment later he turns back to his erstwhile teammates.

Puma: "Okay, I'll do this, just this once anyway. But you all follow my orders, and my lead."

Again Black Crowe steps forward, placing his hand on Pumas shoulder.

Crowe: "No , Puma. You are not to lead. You are to follow."

Puma: "WHAT!?!"

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Crowe: "There is another here who will lead this group. Only he has the coolness of mind to prevail."

Prowler: "Hey, I don't mind following you Black Crowe, if that's what you really want, just tell us what to do."

Crowe: "You misunderstand Prowler, I was speaking of you."

Cut to…. Deep beneath the earth, in a hidden sewer duct, long forgotten. An ornate throne sits in darkness as a great, cloaked….thing drums long nails against hardened oak. A furtive figure approaches.

Figure: " Master, Lord Bentendi has not returned as of yet. I assumed you would need to be apprised."

The "Master" stands angrily and swirls his cloak around him.

Master: "That FOOL! I warned him about his all consuming need to hunt the human cattle. Better to catch the stragglers that are easily missed then to hunt prominent citizens as was his taste. "

He snaps his fingers towards the wretched creature speaking to him.

Master: "Bring me a ….snack."

Wretch: "Yes Master."

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A moment later he returns , dragging a struggling, hooded form in front of him, to throw the form at the Masters feet.

Master: "Ah yes,."

Reaching down he rips the hood from the beings head, to reveal a young woman, long blonde hair covers her head, as fear fills her eyes. She is dirty, from being dragged through the sewers .

Master: "Do not fear my pretty."

He touches her chin gently, and helps her to her feet, as she fearfully looks on.

Master: "You are here not to be harmed, but to find a higher calling in life. The calling of serving Master Lugos !"

For emphasis he grabs her head exposing her neck, his mouth widens as she struggles hopelessly against his iron grip. His teeth suddenly grow into savage fangs, then flash down, to pierce her neck as her blood begins to flow. Running in rivulets down her naked form. Her eyes flutter once, twice, then she falls to the floor, dead.

Lugos laps the blood off the floor like a dog, licking her still warm body, then discarding her as the wretch wordlessly carries her away.

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Back on the streets…or rather above them on a rooftop overlooking the scene of the battle.

Prowler: "Me? I'm your choice of leader? What are you nuts Crowe?"

Crowe: "No my friend, I am not. You have ….qualities you have not discovered as of yet."

Puma: "And you are telling us all that now is the time to discover these qualities? In the midst of a supposed life threatening battle?"

Black Cat: "Yeah, well maybe it is big cat. I say we all trust the feather guy. He's got a certain , I don't know, way about him. I believe him and do trust him."

Standing on the sidelines, and saying nothing for sometime, the woman known as "The Hornet" has kept her own council. Until now that is.

Hornet: "I trust him too. Both of them I mean. Uh, Prowler and Bird guy."

Puma growls low under his breath.

Puma :"And your opinion is worth what?"

Page 8

Prowler: "Wait a minute cat boy, who are you to get in HER face?"

Puma: "Why are you defending her so angrily Prowler? Something hit a nerve?"

Both men come close to each other, anger in their eyes, both standing ready to attack the other, when…

Thunderer: "ENOUGH! You two idjits break it up! You think the Avengers or the FF act like this? "

Prowler : "This isn't the FF or the Avengers."

Suddenly an explosion rocks the building they're standing on as all assembled remember the reason they are there.

Prowler: "Okay, no more arguing, Thunderer, get down there , you're our strongest , hit him hard, anyway you can, but don't let him get a shot in on you, no matter what it takes. Puma, back him up. You're a powerhouse as well, not in his league, but you can stand on your own. The rest of you, hit and run that thing, keep away from it , but keep the damn thing busy. Black Crowe , you-- Where is Black Crowe?"

All turn, and there is no sign of Black Crowe.

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Puma: "Damn disappearing freak."

Prowler: "Enough, we attack now."

Thunderer: "Don't we have a nifty battle slogan , like the Avengers?"

Prowler: "Forget that for now. Just take that thing out, HARD!"

Thunderer stomps his foot down hard, and becomes a bolt of lightning, arcing up and away in a blinding flash of light that ignites the night sky. Then pierces the Judge through its chest, as Puma delivers a double fisted blow to the things face. The Police then use the moment of the Renegades attack to pull back and reassemble their forces.

Black cat Descends from above, arcing herself around in a fast long swing, to kick the huge robot in the neck as the Puma again attacks the things legs, knocking them out from under the robot.

Prowler: "That's it! Keep up the pressure. Thunderer, now, hit it with everything you've got."

Page 10

The Thunderer complies, his powerful right connects solidly with the robots face, lifting it into the air like a rocket, smashing it half a block through squad cars and building fronts alike!

Ba-Kooom!

Suddenly a voice breaks The Prowlers reverie .

Hornet: "What about me?"

He turns, waiting for her to speak.

Hornet:" I said , What about me? What am I useless here?"

Prowler turns angrily.

Prowler" No, you and me are gonna have a long talk when this mess is over, if we survive."

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Hornet: "About what? Why would we have anything to say to each other?"

Prowler: " YOU KNOW WHAT LADY! DON"T PLAY GAMES WITH ME!"

She stares , unshaken at his anger.

Hornet: "Mr. You got some problems."

With a roar her jet pack ignites, and rockets her over the scene of combat

Hornet: "Okay, time to get funky."

She fires the gloves stinger weapons, choosing an explosive variety that tears chunks of asphalt from around the huge robot, but the thing hardly notices. It's own hide is impervious to her attack, her explosives barely leave a mark on its indestructible hide.

Below the Judge and the Thunderer exchange blow after earth shaking blow, rocking the foundations of the surrounding buildings themselves!

Ba-ROOOOM!

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Prowler: (This is no good, no matter what we do, we can't make a dent in this thing. Even the Thunderer's not makin' any headway. Best we're doin' is holdin' it back a little.)

Leaping off the building, the Prowler grabs his capes corners and floats downwards, towards the robot, as he watches it fire a massive energy blast at the Thunderer, sending him smashing through glass and brick buildings helplessly!

Va-KOOOM!

Judge: "This unit has judged this world, and found it wanting. Cosmic debris must be destroyed to make way for stronger , more deserving species. This world will be cleansed."

Suddenly its body begins to hum audibly…

Puma lands next to the Prowler..

Puma: "What is it doing?"

Prowler: "Looks to me like heralding the end of the world."

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Puma: "Not funny Prowler."

Prowler: "Not trying ta be furry. I'm serious. That things buildin' up some kinda charge that'll wipe life off the planet. Don't ask me how I know, I just do."

Suddenly a hook and ladder fire truck hurtles through the air, to impact on the Judge, smashing it several blocks..

Ba-BOOOM!

Both men turn as one, to see an angry and tattered Thunderer once more stomping his foot and turning to his lightning form, to pierce the trucks fuel tank, exploding the wreckage atop the buried robot

WOOOOM!

Prowler: "I'll say this for the man, he's persistant."

Puma: "Yes, and doomed to failure. No amount of physical force can stop this thing, of that you can be sure."

Page 14

Prowler: "I know. But something keeps tellin' me there's more here then meets the eye. Somethin' just ain't right about this. And I can't put my finger on it.."

Puma: "Well while you're trying to count on your fingers to four, I'll be doing what I can to stop this monster."

The Puma leaps back into the fray, as Hornet , Black Cat and the Thunderer continue to attack the already standing Judgement unit. His double footed kick to the robots head knocks it forward several steps, while Black Cat fires her cable line around its feet. She pulls with all her strength as the Hornet dives from above into the creature, using all her battlesuits hydraulically augmented strength to drop the Robot once more.

Judge: "All your efforts are futile. This unit is beyond your capacity to harm. This worlds cleansing will commence in 10 of your time units. The cleansing will grow exponentially, until this entire orb is ablaze with cleansing fire. "

Prowler: "Not good. Not wanted. And where the hell is Black Crowe?"

Page 15

Another realm….one where magic and shadow rule the day.Forces ancient before our Sun was born flit and dart around the astral form of Black Crowe, as he seeks their aid.

Crowe: "We , your loyal subjects call upon you in our hour of need great ones. You have always come to the aid of the peoples before. We implore you to do so now in our hour of most dire need."

Slowly, the answer comes, as a cacophony of voices slowly join together as one. An echo filled thing that fills Black Crowes mind.

Voices: "The answers to your dilemma are within your grasp Black Crowe. All the clues have been laid forth for you. The gathering is complete, for now. Use what you have Black Crowe, it will be enough to win this day, if used properly."

And with that the voices fade, and Black Crowe finds himself returned to the other Renegades sides.

Prowler turns angrily towards the Black Crowe.

Prowler: "What are you doing ? You cut out on us without a word? What's wrong with you, we're getting' killed here, and soon the worlds gonna follow us!"

Page 16

Crowe: "They said we have all we need to ensure victory, what did they mean? "

Prowler grabs Black Crowe, as behind them explosions go off, followed by screams

Prowler: "Make sense man, what are you talking about?"

Nearby the Judge fires concussive bolts from its eyes, slapping Black Cat from the air, as Thunderer hurls lightning bolts from his hands into the gleaming monstrosities chest, with little effect.

Prowler: " wait , I got an idea. Thunderer, c'mere."

Anxiously , and in hushed tones he explains what he wants the Thunderer to do. Instantly The Thunderer again slams his foot to the ground mightily , and transformed into lightning, pierces the body of the robot, only once there, he solidifies himself inside the robot, bursting its metallic shell from the inside out.

Ta-Kroooom!

The robot shatters, like so much glass, spraying everywhere, and Thunderer takes two pain wracked steps before collapsing, unconscious to the ground..

Page 17

Puma turns towards the Prowler, astonished

Puma: "You did it! You found the things weakness and destroyed it I would've continued hammering at the monster, enraged and getting nowhere.

Crowe: "Do not count the victory as ours as of yet, look!"

Hornet lands next to them, as she does she refills her cartridge of stingers on each wrist.

Hornet: "I-I don't believe it, it's putting itself back together!"

Prowler: "It makes sense. Something that advanced would have a memory built into its molecular structure. It's rebuilding itself. "

Prowler turns to Black Crowe.

Prowler: "I don't know what you were talkin' about a few minutes ago mister, but now would be a good time to come up with something good. I am fresh out of ideas."

Page 18

Black Crowe looks at the gathered heroes, as the Judge continues to draw itself back together. He sees their strength, their determination. The variety of powers they wield, and how well they work together, almost instinctively. And suddenly he knows.

Crowe: "All of you, grasp hands, link to me."

Suddenly they are all one. Their wills locked together, an indestructible force made whole as the pieces from the puzzle create the entire picture. Behind them the Judge is once again whole and unscathed, though this time it begins to turn towards them, seeking the Renegades out. The Judge realizes they have caused its momentary destruction, and its new directive will be their destruction before all others. They are now classified as a threat!

Slowly it walks towards them, its eyes glowing with hidden fires as it again starts its destructive energies toward the countdown that will culminate on Earths burning death.

Then does Black Crowe speak!

Crowe: "Hear us monstrosity from beyond, you have no place here. Our wills cast you out from this place. You are not welcome. Feel our power beast, the true power of men of this world!"

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Suddenly a wave of energy engulfs the automation, a wave of pure soul from the shaky and battered heroes. Energy that suddenly shows the robot what it means to be human, to be a man from this small mudball world. To know of great triumphs as well as tragedies. But to always persevere! To never admit defeat. To always move forward mightily. To strive against incalculable odds, and to conquer those odds!

Wordlessly cops and firefighters join with the heroes, placing their all to human hands atop the great link , adding their own all to human souls to the mighty chain that now engulfs the soulless thing before them. Staggering , the Judge falters as it is hammered by wave after wave of humanity, until suddenly and quickly , the battle is over!

Judge: "This unit has found this world redeemed. No cleansing will commence. This unit will now return to the homeworld to download what it has learned of the …Earth to the masters."

Then it leaps upwards, internal energies fire faster then light engines, and the creature is gone, winking out of existence, as all assembled drop to the ground with a huge sigh of relief.

Page 20

Black Cat: "I don't know if that was good or bad, but I guess we'll find out eventually."

Prowler: "Whew! That was as close as it's ever gonna be I think."

Crowe: "Indeed my friend. Let us begone from this area quickly. There will be those that have questions, and will come seeking answers."

Prowler: "Yeah, I have no time or want to be involved in that right about now."

Puma: "Agreed. I will assist the Cat in returning home. She is dizzy and wounded from the battle."

Prowler: "Agreed. " (No where the hell is Mindy?)

He looks around and sees the telltale flash of the jet pack he created fading to the east.

Nearby reporters begin to surge forward, arriving from behind Police barricades.

Thunderer: "Lets get out o f here. I got no love for these guys."

Prowler: "Again , agreed."

Each takes to the air in their own characteristic manner, and without another word, disappearing into the night.

Page 21

Epilogue

The Prowler returns home, through his rooftop lift, descending noiselessly, he enters his basement workshop to immediately open a closed closet, expecting to find the battlesuit of the Hornet hanging there. He's surprised when the closet is empty.

Minutes later Hobie Brown enters his bedroom, to find his wife fast asleep, seemingly that way for hours.

And another mystery begins….

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Next: The Mad Thinker !

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From TJ Burns

Hey Ralph! Well, I love seeing all of these characters together as a team! I'm a

big Prowler fan, and I suspect that his wife is the new Hornet, which is fine by

me. Of course, I'd love to see the original guy who used that name, from the old

Spider-Woman series, pop up. Especially since he was in Hobie's field. Red Norvell

is a wworthy addition to the cast of this title, and so far I'm really enjoying

myself. BTW, weren't the Prowler and Puma both members of the Outlaws? It would be

nice to see that brought up... Anyway, keep up the fantastic work!