Hawk 'n Croc Gaiden
Chapter 1

by Brandon A. Mayo

In an unspecified area of New Jersey, there is a city called Leonardo. In this city, many strange events happen that don't occur elsewhere. These events often involve the city's odd assortment of heroes and villains. Among these are Dariaan Nighthawk and his Birds of Prey, as well as the valiant X-Croc and his friends.

We now join four of these heroes as they await some of their friends at a nearby pizza parlor.

Hawk: Hey, Croc! Alli! How's it going?
Croc: Oh, pretty good, in-between fighting off criminals. You know how it goes.
Beth: We sure do. I'm just glad things have been going pretty slow around here recently, in terms of crimes being committed.
Hawk: Yeah, it seems like Death & Destruction are finally laying off of us for a while.
Alli: Yeah, Retvio too. The recent peace seems rather...odd.
Croc: That's for sure. Hey, where are the other guys?

Just on cue, two more guys walk into the pizza parlor and greet their friends.

Jacky: Sorry we're late, guys! Bad traffic down on Main Street 'n all.
Hawk: Don't worry about it. Come on, take a seat!
Croc: So, buddy, how're things?
Gila: ....Things don't seem right around here.
Croc: ...huh? What do you mean?
Gila: We've never been able to relax this long without Retvio trying to capture you. I just have a feeling that he's planning something big.
Jacky: Oh, relax, Gila! Let's just enjoy the peace while we have it.
Beth: Then again, Ministry's being awfully calm, too. I hope this is just a coincidence.
Croc: Oh, c'mon! You both worry too much.
Hawk: Yeah, let's just eat!

Little do our heroes know, Beth and Gila's suspicions are more well-founded than they think...

Over in the darkest corner of Leonardo, a dark chapel stands. This chapel is the home to Ministry, leader of the Birds of Prey's arch-enemies, Death & Destruction. In the central room of the chapel, the undead sorcerer stands, chanting prayers of some sort. Suddenly, the front door to the chapel swings open, and in walks Amadeus Retvio, Croc's arch-enemy. A blonde-haired man in his early fifties, Retvio has all the class of an old European nobleman. He walks toward Ministry, holding his black walking stick as he approaches.

Retvio: I have come as you requested, Ministry.
Ministry: Tell me, Retvio, have you made the preparations for both our arch-enemies' annihilation?
Retvio: Indeed, sir Ministry. May I presume that you are prepared for our plot as well?

Ministry gives an ominous nod toward the renowned scientist.

Retvio: Excellent. Finally, Devane will soon be within my grasp once again! And you, my friend... you will be rid of your enemies once and for all.
Ministry: Your science and my magic together will be, their ultimate downfall! So says I, Ministry!

After Ministry's rhyme, thunder cracks in the sky, ominously foretelling of our heroes' doom. A smirk crosses Retvio's face; finally, their plan would come to fruition...

To Be Continued

Author's Notes:
As you can probably tell, this story takes place not in the comic world, but rather, in a new alternate universe that combines Hawk and Croc's original universes into one entity. Ministry and Retvio have made an alliance, so they can together take out their enemies. What dastardly plot are these two evil geniuses scheming?

Also, if I misrepresent any of your characters, or any storyline details, please tell me. Also, do Death & Destruction have any sort of peon-type enemy that the heroes can beat up? Just wondering.

Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter in this story.

Brandon A. Mayo