Part 1: The Call to Duty

The headquarters of the Masked Riders was a small wooden structure outside the town of Rock Creek. The boys lived there, posing as simple Pony Express riders, but what the citizens of Rock Creek didn't know was they were superheroes in disguise. Riding to the rescue of those oppressed by thieves, murderers, pirates (well, they hadn't actually had to fight any pirates yet, not being all that close to a major body of water, but they could if they had to), and protecting people against tyranny, anarchy, and civil disorder. Only two people knew their true identities - the Marshal of Rock Creek, a grizzly older man who went by the name Teaspoon, and Rachel, the woman who ran the Pony Express way station.

Each of the boys had their own unique superhero abilities. Kid was generally considered the leader, demonstrating the clear-headedness and logic needed to form plans for catching their foes. He also had the ability to talk to animals, and often enlisted their help in overcoming the enemy.

Jimmy was the second-in-command, although he often clashed with the Kid and tried to act like he was the leader of the group. He was too quick tempered to really be the leader, more prone to rushing into a plan rather than thinking it out and making sure it was really the best course to follow. His superpower was lightning quick reflexes - before he joined the Masked Riders, he had used his gift to take advantage of people, challenging them to shooting competitions or any other game he could gamble on and use his gift to win. But he had found his true calling with the group, and now used his gifts only to help people.

Cody had super eyesight. His gift made him, not only the perfect lookout, but also the best person to make sure none of the bad guys got away. He could hit a target at twice the range of a normal man and identify objects from hundreds of yards away. He also had a great fashion sense, but he was really the only one who considered that a superpower.

Lou was the only girl of the group. She disguised herself as a boy in order to work for the Pony Express, and that dual identity often helped them in their missions. She could infiltrate the enemy gang, because only the other Masked Riders, Rachel, and Teaspoon knew her as a girl. Hers was the power of disguise, the ability to change her very form if needed. She was also Kid's girlfriend, and her involvement in some of their more dangerous missions was often a source of contention between them. But the rest of the team backed her up, and even Kid had to admit that she was invaluable to them. So he never stopped worrying, but he finally quit nagging her to take a less dangerous role in the team.

Buck and Ike were the "twins". Although not blood relatives, they were truly brothers. Buck was half Kiowa Indian and half white, while Ike was the grandson of Irish immigrants. His parents had migrated west when they were first married, and when he was still young were murdered, along with his younger sister, by a band of outlaws out for blood. He ended up at a mission school not too far from his family's farm. Buck was never really accepted by his Kiowa tribe, and thus also ended up at the mission school to learn about his white heritage. He and Ike became friends, discovering they had the ability to communicate with each other telepathically. For Ike, who had lost his ability to speak when he witnessed his family's slaughter, this was a miracle. Not only was he able to communicate with his friend, but through Buck he was also able to communicate with the rest of the world. Their telepathic ability, along with Buck's knowledge of Indian tracking methods and uncanny sixth sense, were extremely useful in their work as superheroes.

Noah was the last member of the team. He had joined them about a year after their formation. He had no super human ability, but anyone who saw him use his whip to disarm his foes would have said otherwise. He was as vital to the team as any of them.

They were known as the Masked Riders, but they didn't actually wear any type of disguise unless the particular mission called for it. Cody had once suggested they each get some kind of uniform that matched their particular unique power, but he was quickly voted down. They choose comfort over costuming, and even Cody rarely complained about it.

This particular morning, Jimmy, Kid and Noah were at the breakfast table, eating some of Rachel's wonderful biscuits and gravy. Cody had wolfed down his breakfast in minutes and disappeared to do his chores. He was anxious to get to town, having heard that Tompkins had gotten a new shipment of ready-made shirts at the general store. With the big town dance coming up in a few weeks, he wanted to make sure he was the best-dressed man there. Buck and Ike had taken a special run to Ft. Kearny for Teaspoon, who needed to get an important message to General Long about some military shipments that had been washed away by a flash flood the week before. They were due back before dinner. Lou was due back from the regular run later that afternoon.

So it was that they were rather surprised to hear a horse coming into the station yard, sounding like its rider was in a big hurry. They jumped up from the table and ran outside to see whom it was.

Teaspoon was dismounting by the time they got to the door. Nobody recognized them as the superhero team, knowing only to go to Teaspoon if they were needed. If their true identities were known, every villain looking to become famous by taking down the team would come for them. The boys couldn't understand why nobody ever recognized them, but as Teaspoon put it, folks don't try to see beyond what is presented to them. They are content to believe what they are told - it's easier for them that way. So they were told the Masked Riders could only be reached through Teaspoon, who would send a message to them through his Express riders, and that is what they believed.

"Boys," Teaspoon greeted them. "I've got a mission for you."

"What's the problem," Kid stepped forward to ask him.

"There's been a series of murders in Black Rock," Teaspoon said. "The latest body was just discovered the day before yesterday. He'd been shot in the back."

"Who was it?" Kid asked. One of the biggest keys to finding out who was doing the killing was knowing who was being killed.

"I don't rightly know," Teaspoon admitted. "The man who delivered the message, a Mr. Smitty, was in such an all-fired hurry to get back to Black Rock that he didn't give me much information to go on."

"How many other people were murdered?" It was Jimmy's turn to ask the questions.

"At least two other bodies have been found," Teaspoon said. "Three more people are missing. And that's all I know. I told him you boys would be in Black Rock in two days."

"We'll leave at first light," Kid said. "Give Buck and Ike a chance to rest up tonight so we are all ready to go in the morning."

"I'll get some temporary riders in to cover for you while you're gone," Teaspoon said. "I don't have to tell you boys to be careful, but I will anyway. I have a feeling this trouble goes deeper than anyone in Black Rock knows."

"It always does," Noah said. "It always does."