Chapter 1: Chapitre I
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 23:41:46 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Cardcaptor Sakura and related characters are trademarks of CLAMP (c)1996,2004. Used without permission or profit.
Shazam and related characters are trademarks of DC Comics Inc. (c) 2004. Used without permission or profit.
Arcademan and related characters are trademarks of Arcademan Universe Unlimited. (c) 1988, 2004 by Brian Chapel.
This story contains descriptions of violence and foul language that may not be suitable to everyone. You have been forewarned!
PROLOGUE...
"Damn!!! This creature of hell resists my most potent spells! Hopefully my distress calls reached their destinations!"
The White Wizard quickly erects a mystical shield to deflect the deadly bolt of anti-energy from a being created completely from dark energy...so dark that only his shadow appears. Before the dark being can attack again, a bolt of lightning strikes from the sky and finds its dark target...quickly followed up by another bolt of lightning from the dark being's back side.
The White Wizard, along with his assistant Eclipse, look up and see two sets of figures floating down from the heavens and then stood on both sides of the two.
"Praise the elder Gods! My ether-message have pierced the veils of the dimensional gates." said the White Wizard to the new arrivals.
"Greetings, White Wizard. I am the wizard Shazam! and this is my protegee Mighty Adam."
"I have also recieved your plea for assistance. My name is Clow Reed."
Before more pleasentries could be passed on between the three mages, the dark being once again pressed the attack and soon all were involved in the most glorious fight. Throughout the next thirty-six hours, The White Wizard and Eclipse, Shazam and Mighty Adam, and Clow Reed continued on with the battle with the darkness, neither side getting the upper hand however the mysitc energies of the wizards three were beginning to falter.
"The dark mage is wearing us down. Soon the advantage will be against us!" cautioned Shazam.
"Indeed. We need to come up with a plan to defeat the archmage with one final strike!" countered The White Wizard.
"I have an idea however we need a diversion to concentrate our final surge of magical energies into one powerful attack." With that cryptic remark, Clow Reed flipped two of his cards into the air and shouted..."Windy!"..."Firey!"
The two forces flew into an attack formation toward the dark being, followed immediately by Mighty Adam and Eclipse. Adam, blessed with the powers and abilities of the Egyptian Gods, held nothing back, his punches powerful enough to turn mountains into dust but having little if no effect on the dark mage...Eclipse, a duo of darkness and light, seperated into those two forms and attacked with its powers of fire and ice...the elemental Clow Cards Windy and Fiery using their master's unique mystic energies to gain the upper hand on the situation while the three wizards of three worlds began to fashion a spell that they hoped would end the reign of terror.
The dark being laughed deeply as it shook off all of the attacks of the heroes... Mighty Adam pummelled into the ground...both the light and dark Eclipse enveloped in anti-matter and rendered powerless...and as it used its dark magicks to destroy the Clow Cards, another force of energy...negative energy came from out of nowhere and absorbed the blast, protecting Windy and Fiery.
"You will NOT harm my friends!!!" said the young girl who stared at the dark being, attracting the attention of the three wizards briefly.
"What kind of being is that? It appears to be a small girl...yet her aura is completely negative." said The White Wizard.
"Yet she opposes the dark mage? What kind of sorcery is this?" wondered Shazam.
Clow Reed responded to his fellow wizards. "That is one of my Clow Cards...a sealed one. All of my mystic cards are made with positive mystical energies. This card...'The Despair'...is the negative energies of all of my powers, yet it protects the cards as its friends to one another. This was the break we were looking for. We must prevail now!!!" and the three continued to weave their most incredible spell of power.
With Despair now in the front, Mighty Adam came back into the fight with renewed vigor and continued his onslaught. Eclipse, who was also down for the duration, also recovered and continued with the attack also. Moments later, the dark being repelled all of its attackers but the deed has been completed...the spell was ready.
The White Wizard...Shazam...Clow Reed raised their hands toward the evil entity and spoke in unison...
"By the powers of Light, we, the wizards three, strike down the Darkness that threatens the world! By all that is holy...STRIKE DOWN THE DARKNESS!!!"
The wizards glowed brightly and one verdamnt beam of energy flowed from the triad and struck the dark being with its full force. For the briefest nanosecond, a human form appeared and then fell down into a crumpled heap onto the ground, a form of dark matter no longer moving.
The Despair, Eclipse and Mighty Adam flew over to their masters and braced them. They all walk over to the dark figure and begin to figure out their next course of action.
"This took our entire power to bring it down. We can beat it however even we, with our combined might, cannot destroy it." said Shazam in a weaker than normal tone...he being the elder of the three wizards was showing his age.
"Despite its dark intents, is it our right to destroy it? At best it should be contained so that it will no longer be a menace to anyone." added Clow Reed as he silently looked at his own negative creation and thought to himself "Hmmm...Despair is powerful...one day she may be powerful as the dark mage that we fought. I must make sure this does not come to fruition."
"No! Darkness MUST be destroyed! This evil would've destroyed my world...the universe and then maybe the both of your universes!" the voice from the White Wizard tinged with anger.
As the three continued their discussion, Mighty Adam turned to his two allies, Despair and Eclipse.
"I was honored to fight alongside with the both of you. Your powers are most impressive and I soon will return to my Earth to protect the weak." A sly smile came across the lips of Adam.
Eclipse also thanked the two however Despair stood silently and thought "This Mighty Adam...his aura is dark...as black as mine. He will betray his mentor and mankind. Eclipse...though the intents are good and noble, the split of darkness and light will lead to the hero's destruction. It's all so...sad."
Before Despair could share her thoughts, Clow Reed recalled her into the card she was made of. Then the Chinese wizard flipped out another card and yelled out "Sword". A sword appeared in his hand and then was grabbed by the right hands of Shazam and The White Wizard.
"Since it is not within our powers to destroy the dark entity, we will cut it up into three fragments and banish each one within our own Earths. Once sealed, it is hoped that it will not escape. If such a tactic fails, our belief is that each part will be weakened to a point where the threat of it destroying anything will be minimized or at least, a new breed of wizards or champions of Light stand ready to wage war on Darkness anew." Once said, the White Wizard, along with Shazam and Clow Reed grab the sword and with two quick strikes, slice the dark matter into three pieces.
Soon, the wizards, with a fragment of dark matter secure, trade farewells as the portals to their homeworlds open and they enter..ending the treat on Earth that is within the Arcademan Universe. Thw White Wizard using a powerful sealing spell, buries the dark matter deep within the glaciers of Antarctica. Within their own worlds, Shazam seals his portion in a area of the world not close to being populated by mankind...on the continent that will be known as North America. Clow Reed seals his portion within the Mariana Trench over 35,000 feet below sea level in the Pacific Ocean. As he hinted on doing, he also sealed the negative Clow Card beneath his mansion, less its forces wreck havok upon the unsuspecting world.
Though the flow of time differs on the three Earths where the wizards dwelled, these events took place in the Arcademan Universe over 500 years ago...
Three days ago, a tsunami appeared from out of nowhere and threatened the coast of Japan.
On Earth-S, a dark and menacing storm mysteriously appeared several miles to the east of the town known as Fawcett City.
And on Earth-AU, the ozone hole above Antarctica expanded to expose the southern hemisphere to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation.
--------------------
Tomoeda, Japan: Cardcaptor Earth...
A raging thunderstorm continues it relentless fury on the city of Tomoeda as well as the entire country of Japan. The weatherman on television warned of the possibilities of heavy flooding and advised against unnecessary travel. As far as the hows and whys on how the storm appeared was still a mystery to all the scientists. They did however noted an underwater earthquake located near the Mariana Trench out in the Pacific Ocean and the possibility of a damaging tsunami may be a likely senerio.
Jogging down the street in the downpour was Sakura Kinomoto, followed closely by Kero and her boyfriend Syaoran Li. The three were heading to the waterfront as they fought against the raging winds.
"This is crazy, Sakura!!! What are we doing out here?!! I'm drenched to the bone!!!" yelled Kero as he tried to stay under her umbrella but still getting soaked by the rain.
Syaoran turned to her. "For once, I agree with Kero...what are we doing out here?"
Sakura stopped, then pointed toward the ocean.
"I feel a powerful force of mystic energy out there. It reached out to me and I felt compelled to investigate. I really don't understand it myself but..."
Sakura's comments were stopped short of completion as the three looked out and in front of their eyes they saw a most horrific sight.
A giant wave of water over 75 meters high and coming straight for the unsuspecting city of Tomoeda.
"Look!!! It's a tsunami heading for us! We have to high tail it out of here NOW!!!" said Kero in a very high panicked voice but Sakura looked ahead and grabbed the key locket that hung from a chain around her neck and spoke...
"Key that hides the power of the stars, reveal thy true power to me. By the contract, I, Sakura command...RELEASE!!!"
Instantly the key transforms itself into the star wand. Not missing a beat, Sakura pulled out a card and tapped into its powers with the staff.
"SHIELD!!!"
A large magical shield appears and extends itself along the shoreline. As the giant wave hits, the shield absorbs the full force of the wave and soon it disappears. Once the danger appears over, the Shield is recalled by its master Sakura Kinomoto.
Syaoran Li looked impressed by the actions of her girlfriend.
"Wow!!! You did it! You stopped the wave but watch out...it looks like another one is on its way."
Sakura winked at Syaoran, then turned her attention back to the task at hand.
"FLY!!!"
Wings of an angel appear on her back as she leaps up into the stormy sky. As she approaches the newly formed wave, she pulls out another card.
"WATERY!!!"
The Watery figure shoots out from its card and charges the wave head long. After what seemed like an eternity, the two forces of water explode, then the tsunami disappears. Almost at the same time, the heavy rain stops almost instantly as Sakura comforts the Watery. The elemental force appeared weak from the confrontation but the warm, caring voice of her mistress brought a smile to her face.
"Thank you for all of your help, Watery." said Sakura as she recalled the card. The cards themselves...the 'Sakura Cards' which were the former 'Clow Cards' created by the legendary magician Clow Reed are powered by the mystical forces within the body and lifeforce of Sakura Kinomoto, thus sharing a bond with all 53 cards within her possession.
Sakura floated back down where Syaoran and Kero were waiting patiently for her. Upon landing, Syaoran hugged her.
"You did it!!! You stopped the tsunami and the storm's already leaving. You've really become stronger this days, Sakura!" said Syaoran in a voice bursting with pride.
Kero flies between the two. "You bet, brat! Because I trained her and taught her everything I know. When I pick a Cardcaptor, I know what I'm doing!" Those comments from Kero made Syaoran give the Guardian of the Cards a really nasty look.
Sakura responded. "Thanks, guys! I guess I'm getting really strong in magicks, yet..." She looks out back to the ocean. The storm clouds were out in the distant horizon and the sun was shining once more. The water itself looked calm and peaceful, as though nothing had happened. This situation greatly puzzled the young girl.
"The magic I felt earlier...it's gone." Sakura thought to herself.
Kero yelled out at the two. "Let's go back home already!!!! I'm soggy and need a bubble bath!"
Syaoran looked at Kero and said. "Maybe we should just throw you in the dryer and get you all nice and fluffy, you stuffed idiot!"
As the two argued and threw insults at one another, Sakura looked back one final time.
"Why do I no longer sense the magic?..."
Out in the ocean, above the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, the massive storm had concentrated itself into one solid black cloud, then a bolt of lightning flashed from it. Striking the water, it continued down over 12,000 meters below sea level, the water boiling in its wake. After several seconds, the waters parted briefly as a being made entirely of dark anti-matter emerges from the ocean bottom.
"Free!!! Free at last!!! Now this world shall bow before me lest I destroy it into oblivion!!!"
---------------------
Fawcett City: Earth-Shazam...
As the roar of thunder and the flash of lightning could be seen and
heard from the distant, Billy Batson looks into a mirror as he
fumbles around with his necktie. A far cry from his typical red shirt
and jeans, Billy was dressed up in a dark blue suit as he was going
to be the guest of honor over at WHIZ as being picked as newscaster
of the year by his fellow peers in the business, however Billy felt
real out of place by wearing what he referred to as a 'monkey suit.'
"Holy Moley!" thought Billy to himself. "How does this stupid thing
go around my neck?!!" After looping his tie around his neck, he
pulled on the end of it and instantly his face started turning blue
and started gasping for breath.
After loosening it, a pair of hands come from behind and helps him
out with the tie.
"This is the way it goes on, Liam." It was Caitlin O'Malley, a very
good friend of Billy as well as what many would call a wiccan.
In mere moments Cait had the tie straightened out. "Gee, thanks,
Cait. You're a real life saver. I never could do these ties for the
life of me!" laughed Billy as Cait couldn't resist flashing a cute
smile herself at the young journalist.
A knock came at the door, then it opened as Freddy Freeman and Mary
Batson peaked in.
"Are you ready, Billy? It's time we headed over to the WHIZ
building." said Freddy. Freddy Freeman, Billy's best friend and Mary
Batson, Billy's sister and Freddy's girlfriend of course along with
him composed the World's Mightiest Family...the trio of Captain
Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior and Mary Marvel.
As the four made their way to the car awaiting them, dark clouds took
over the night sky and a flash of lightning lit up the sky and
brought the storm to the attention of the four young adults.
"Looks like we're in for a real midwest storm tonight guys?" said
Mary as they hustled into the car right as the rain started up.
Billy had a puzzled look on his face.
"Hmmm...could've sworn the weatherman said it was going to be a
clear, beautiful night. I know they're not always right but to miss a
prediction like this so badly..."
A half-hour later over in the auditorium on the ground floor of the
WHIZ-TV building, many people were taking their seats as the awards
presentation were starting up. Many of Billy's friends were there to
see him accept the award for a job and career well done. Uncle Dudley
and Tawky Tawny were seated in the front row, as were Jim and Susan
Barr, known as Bulletman and Bulletgirl. Also in the crowd was the
former hero Spy-Smasher aka Alan Armstrong as well as Brian Butler
and his son Pinky, who went by the name "PB"...Mr. Scarlet and Pinky
the Whiz-Kid.
The lights dimmed as the announcer started on his presentation when
suddenly without warning the lights went out. The emergency lights
came on as people appeared to panic slightly. Sterling Morris,
Billy's boss and president of WHIZ-TV came on stage to calm everyone
down.
"People!!! Please remain calm!!! The storm has knocked out all power
to the downtown area and there are reports of tornadoes in the area.
We must make our way to the basement in a calm and peaceful matter
please!!!"
As the startled crowd made their way down to the basement cellar,
Billy, Freddy, Mary and Caitlin made a slight detour and found
themselves in one of the vacant hallways.
"Holy Moley! Tornadoes! There may be people in immediate danger...we
must go help them, gang!" said Billy.
A door opened up and entered Uncle Dudley, Tawky Tawny and Jim Barr.
"I knew you four would be together." said Jim as he took off his
jacket and unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the familiar red and yellow
uniform of Bulletman.
"Great! We need all the help we can if the storm's that powerful."
answered back Freddy.
Mary turned to Unc and Mr. Tawny. "You two please look after
everyone. If there's trouble, let us know."
"You can count on us, my lass! You guys be careful." And on that
note, Uncle Marvel and Mr. Tawny went back to assist the crowd.
"Let's said the magic words!" said Billy.
"SHAZAM!"
"SHAZAM!"
"CAPTAIN MARVEL"
As Billy and Mary said the name of the wizard and Freddy the name of
his hero, three blasts of lightning strike, instantly transforming
them into the World's Mightiest Family. Jim Barr has stripped his
outer clothing and put the gravity helmet on his head to complete his
change into Bulletman as Caitlin O'Malley stared at the sky and the
torrential downpour and the high winds.
"Marvels...Bulletman...this storm is not a natural one. I sense a
great mystical force behind its fury.
Captain Marvel turned to the pretty young wiccan. "Can you pinpoint
the origin of the storm?"
"Yes...Fawcett Forest. Ten miles to the south."
Bulletman picked up Cait as she uttered a spell of protection to help
keep the both of them safe from the wind and lightning and the five
flew due south to the heart of the storm.
Meanwhile, in the middle of Fawcett Forest, the ground turned briefly
into molten lava as a being made entirly of dark anti-matter emerges
from the ground. Once out, the ground solidified back to its normal
composition.
"Free!!! Free at last!!! Now this world shall bow before me lest I
destroy it into oblivion!!!"
--------------------
Phoenix, Arizona: Arcademan Universe (Earth-AU)...
Arcademan strolled into the headquarters of the Arcade Brigade to
check on things before taking off on patrol. After the recent
adventures with his friend from another universe, Captain Marvel, the
past few weeks, though filled with adventures and catching crooks and
thieves, were to him a vacation.
As the hero walked into the control center, Tecknight and Striker
were scanning the world for abnormal activities and the such.
"Hey guys! How is the world today?" Both heroes greeted Arcademan
upon his entry.
"Looks pretty good today, although..." Striker pointed to the monitor
and the continent of Antarctica. "The ozone hole that's above the
continent seems to be bigger today than just a few days ago."
Tecknight looked at a printed readout on the side of the computer.
"Agreed, Striker. It is almost fifty percent larger than it was
almost three days ago. Such a feat cannot occur naturally. I will
need to run some computations and come up with a possible variable."
Arcademan rolled his eyes up briefly. Of course his mask shows
absolutely no emotions so no one could tell what he was
thinking. "Striker and Tecknight...they rely too much on
technology...oh well." He turned his attention back to the two.
"I'll leave you to your figures and such. Let me know what you find
out." And on that note, left the control center and into the kitchen
area where he saw another familiar figure...Flora, making herself a
salad.
"Morning, Flora. How are you doing this morning?"
"Doing fine, Arcade. For the first time, I'm actually doing quite
well, thanks for asking." Then took her salad to the dining room,
leaving Arcademan slightly stunned.
"It's good to see her her perky and cheerful again, after the last
year she's been through...attacked by Black Adam, shot and left for
dead, nearly frozen and the recent death of Maiden Moonbeam hit her
almost as hard as myself. Maybe it's a good sign of things to come."
Grabbing himself some chicken, Arcademan joined Flora into the dining
room.
The two were in a middle of a small conversation when two more
members of the Arcade Brigade came in to check up on things...the
married couple Disruption and his wife Mystique Rose. Before
pleasentries could be exchanged, an alarm came from the control
center. The four heroes entered in as Striker was finishing the
readout of the Antarctica situation.
"The hole is still growing as we speak. Actual readings cannot be
determined due to a powerful thunderstorm in the vicinity that
suddenly formed." said Striker.
Mystique Rose looked at the monitor, then muttered something under
her breath. Her fingertips began to glow with mystic energies as she
attempted a spell, the powerful sorceress that she was. After a few
seconds, she turned to the others.
"This storm...the growing of the ozone hole...they are mystical in
nature. The two are connected."
Arcademan spoke out. "This need to be investigated. Rose, you're with
me. Anyone else?"
Flora raised her hand. "I'm with you as always, Arcade." Tecknight
opened a panel in the wall to reveal a being.
"BattleTech! Come forth!" On his command, the android stepped forward
and in a monotone voice answered back "Awaiting new orders..."
"Go with Arcademan. I want to get some scientific data on this plus
your strength and firepower will be useful in an event of an attack."
Again, BattleTech answered Tecknight "Orders received and imputed,
sir!"
The team of Arcademan, Flora, Mystique Rose and BattleTech take to
the sky toward Antarctica. Once above the clouds, Mystique Rose
gestured and soon a portal opened up.
"We'll take the direct route since time may be of the essence!" said
the mage as the four dive into the portal. After a bright flash of
light, the four appeared above the Antarctic continent...right into a
raging thunderstorm.
"Oops! Aimed too close!!!" yelled Mystique Rose as the high winds
tore at their bodies. Rose erected a shield, Arcademan grabbed a
helpless Flora and guided her over to the shielded mage. BattleTech
drifted in place, seemingly unaffected by the storm.
"What do you see in your analysis, BattleTech?" yelled Arcademan in
the howling wind to the android.
"Calculating...data downloaded...the source of the storm is down
below on the continent shelf...right below the centerpoint of the
ozone hole..." Then he froze for a brief moment. "Due to a heightened
amount of ions and mystical energies in the vicinity...I have lost
contact with the Arcade Brigade Headquarters..."
Arcademan turned to Mystique Rose. "Do you think your magicks can
help with disappating this storm?"
A grim determined look came over her face. "I'll do my best,
Arcademan." After letting down the shield, Arcademan grabbed Flora
and shielded her from nature's fury with his cape as Mystique Rose
started her incantation. Not knowing, a bolt of lightning was about
to hit her from behind however BattleTech deflected it with his
metallic body.
"I have you covered, Mistress...continue on..."
Mystique Rose's entire body glowed as bright as the sun and held that
form for over a minute. Then with one quick wave of both her arms,
released the mystic energies. The waves of magic slice through the
storm, evaporating virtually every trace of it. Once gone, the
sorceress loses consciousness as BattleTech grabs her and prevents
her from falling.
Arcademan scanned her body with his x-ray vision while Flora grabbed
some herbs and gave them to her.
"She's okay...her powers are regenerating as we speak. Let's land on
the ground and once she recovers, we'll continue on." said Arcademan.
The four drift to the icy ground...meanwhile at the center of the
ozone hole at the South Pole, the ground rumbles with force, then
explodes as a being made entirely of dark anti-matter emerges from
the ground. Once clear, the icy mound seals itself.
"Free!!! Free at last!!! Now this world shall bow before me lest I
destroy it into oblivion!!!"
Chapter 2: Chapitre II
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-18 13:36:14 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Earlier...before the release of The Darkness...
"For countless generations I have been entombed in this earthly
darkness and for that selfsame time my hatred toward those who had
imprisioned me has grown beyond mortal comprehension."
At first when the Great Darkness was buried by the wizards Clow Reed,
The White Wizard and Shazam there was no room around its form...where
it was buried was not known to The Darkness itself but at times it
felt as though its mind was not acting as one.
"Damn wizards...their combined forces could not destroy me...all they
could do is seal me, knowing eventually I would free myself from my
prison."
After the first one hundred years, it took The Darkness to create
enough space to finally move around in its tomb but the mystic
shields covering the area held fast against its guest.
"Their attack must have weakened me considerably. My most potent
spells have only enlarged the hole where I've rested for half a
millennium yet their magicks have held me in check."
Every few decades The Darkness would harness enough power in an
attempt to free itself from its prison. On the outside world,
earthquakes would be detected however were passed as normal seismic
activity.
"I shall never give up! Not until I have freed myself and take my
revenge on the world and its champion wizards!!!"
Dark forces began to power up and fill the entire space of the tomb
in the latest attempt to breach the mystic barrier. The strain was
terrific and as before looked like it was for naught until a loud
crack echoed within the tomb.
"At last!!! The shield is weakening! This is the chance I've been
waiting for!!!"
Moments turned into hours...hours into days...days into almost a
month as The Darkness continued to pour all of its anti-energies into
the ever widening crack in the mystic shields until at long last, a
mystic explosion rocked the area and a sound similar to glass
shattering echoed throughout the region.
"Free!!! Free at last!!! Now this world shall bow before me lest I
destroy it into oblivion!!!"
Upon freeing itself from its eternal prison, a tsunami appeared from
out of nowhere and threatened the coast of Japan...a dark and
menacing storm mysteriously appeared several miles to the east of the
town known as Fawcett City...and the ozone hole above Antarctica
expanded to expose the southern hemisphere to dangerous levels of
ultraviolet radiation.
But something was definitely wrong...The Darkness looked around at
its surrounding and was momentarrily confused.
"I see the ocean below my form...yet I also see a forest teaming with
life...at the same time the icy surface of the Antarctic lies beneath
me..." Then The Darkness realized what had happened to its form and
why it took over 500 years to free itself from its earthly tomb.
"Those damn wizards!!! They have split my Darkness into three
forms!!!" The Darkness looked around again and saw the three
locations at the same time, then proceeded to cast a locating spell
of the area.
"Ah...now I understand. The wizards were from three different Earths,
residing in different dimensions. They used their magicks to split my
form into three and entombed me in each of their worlds. Now that I'm
free, I can instantly access all of my forms but until I can reunited
my three forms I am highly vunerable."
The Darkness pondered his situation for a moment...then came to a
conclusion.
"I shall seek out those who had defeated me and once I merge back
with my forms I will destroy them as well as three worlds!!!"
Upon freeing itself, a chain reaction of events had taken place as
Sakura Kinomoto, Captain Marvel and Arcademan have already
discovered, not realizing the true forces behind them.
Chapter 3: Chapitre III
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-26 11:46:42 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Fawcett City: Earth-S...
"Holy Moley! The intensity of the storm is getting stronger!" yelled
out Captain Marvel to the others. Because of the howling winds, his
voice could be barely heard over the roar but they had an idea what
was going on. Worse, they were bolts of lightning and debris flying
all over the place. Thanks to Caitlin O'Malley's shiled, both
herself and Bulletman were somewhat safe. The Marvels were more
concerned about the lightning: it's the magick lightning of the
wizard SHAZAM that turns Billy and Mary Batson and their friend
Freddy Freeman into the World's Mightiest Family. Since the storm
appeared to be mystical in origin, there was a good possibility that
a lightning strike could change them back.
As the five continued on through the storm heading south to the
Fawcett Forest, a bolt of lightning hits the ankle of Captain Marvel
Junior.
"Yeow!!! That's smarts!" he yelled out however the fact that he
didn't change back to his mortal form was a somewhat welcome sight.
"Looks like the bolts sting a bit but won't change us back!" guessed
Mary Marvel. "At least we don't have to worry overly at being
changed against our will."
After a few minutes, the five come across the largest tornado they
have ever seen...over a mile wide and packing winds up to 250 miles
per hour and leaving a pathway of descruction.
Cait and Bulletman landed on the ground. The young woman was
beginning to struggle to maintain the mystic shield that was
protecting them.
"Hold on a while more, Caitlin...looks like the Marvels are tackling
the tornado head-on." said Bulletman as the three Marvels circled
around the base of the twister, going the opposite direction.
Slow at first, showing the struggle against the wind, they quickly
picked up speed due to the speed of Mercury at their disposal. As
they did, conterwinds began to slice up and break down the tornado
until after a couple of minutes, the tornado itself was finally gone.
The Marvels landed on the forest floor next to Cait and Bulletman.
The sky that produced the hellish wind and the downpouring rain was
clearing up however Caitlin waved her hands in the air with a
mystical gesture.
"The forest reeks of magick...dark...ancient...EVIL magick. We best
still be on our guards, people.
MEANWHILE...the south end of Fawcett Forest...
Upon freeing itself from its eternal prison, a tsunami appeared from
out of nowhere and threatened the coast of Japan...a dark and
menacing storm mysteriously appeared several miles to the east of
the town known as Fawcett City...and the ozone hole above Antarctica
expanded to expose the southern hemisphere to dangerous levels of
ultraviolet radiation.
But something was definitely wrong...The Darkness looked around at
its surrounding and was momentarrily confused.
"I see the ocean below my form...yet I also see a forest teaming
with life...at the same time the icy surface of the Antarctic lies
beneath me..." Then The Darkness realized what had happened to its
form and why it took over 500 years to free itself from its earthly
tomb.
"Those damn wizards!!! They have split my Darkness into three
forms!!!" The Darkness looked around again and saw the three
locations at the same time, then proceeded to cast a locating spell
of the area.
"Ah...now I understand. The wizards were from three different
Earths, residing in different dimensions. They used their magicks to
split my form into three and entombed me in each of their worlds.
Now that I'm free, I can instantly access all of my forms but until
I can reunited my three forms I am highly vunerable."
The Darkness pondered his situation for a moment...then came to a
conclusion.
"I shall seek out those who had defeated me and once I merge back
with my forms I will destroy them as well as three worlds!!!"
As The Darkness' subconscious divided itself into three, the one on
this world arised from his molten prison and saw bright lights in
the distance through the storm...Fawcett City, Indiana.
"A great city...far larger than I remember such places to be. I
wonder the year since I've been imprisoned for so long?" He saw a
unfamiliar sight as a pair of light went down a winding road...a car
making its way through the rain.
"A carriage moving without aid of an animal. I shall follow it and
see where its destination is. That's where I shall begin my world
conquest."
As The Darkness arrived in Fawcett City, high above he sensed a
familiar presence.
"The magicks in the area...SHAZAM!!! Yet...it
seems...different...divided within three human
vessels...interesting..." As he continued his scan of the city, he
finally found that it was the year 2004.
"500 years I was imprisoned by those wizards. The magicks I sense
must be from a descendant of Shazam. I know he was a powerful
mage...obviously he is no longer amongst the living, still,if his
legacy or anyone else for that matter dare oppose me, they will
guarantee their desctruction."
--------------------
The Antarctic Continent: Earth-AU...
Slowly Mystique Rose opened her eyes. Standing over her...Arcademan,
Flora and BattleTech.
"Welcome back to the living, Rose." said Arcademan as he bent down
and helped the young mystic to her feet.
"That spell took more out of me than I thought it would. It proved
to be an extremely powerful mystic force behind that storm."
Flora was huddled next to BattleTech. Since they were in Antarctic
territory, the cold was affecting the plant pixie and the heat
generated by the android was keeping her warm.
BattleTech interrupted. "Arcademan, though the storm is gone, the
ions in the air continue to block access and transmission to Arcade
Brigade Headquarters. The source of the ions is approximately 60
miles to the south."
Arcademan had gathered some wood and with a flash of heat vision had
a fire going to keep the two women warm. "Okay, once Mystique Rose
has regained her strength, we'll continue on. At least the
destructive storm has been destroyed so hopefully the rest should be
smooth sailing."
MEANWHILE...over the frozen wastelands of Antarctica...
Upon freeing itself from its eternal prison, a tsunami appeared from
out of nowhere and threatened the coast of Japan...a dark and
menacing storm mysteriously appeared several miles to the east of
the town known as Fawcett City...and the ozone hole above Antarctica
expanded to expose the southern hemisphere to dangerous levels of
ultraviolet radiation.
But something was definitely wrong...The Darkness looked around at
its surrounding and was momentarrily confused.
"I see the ocean below my form...yet I also see a forest teaming
with life...at the same time the icy surface of the Antarctic lies
beneath me..." Then The Darkness realized what had happened to its
form and why it took over 500 years to free itself from its earthly
tomb.
"Those damn wizards!!! They have split my Darkness into three
forms!!!" The Darkness looked around again and saw the three
locations at the same time, then proceeded to cast a locating spell
of the area.
"Ah...now I understand. The wizards were from three different
Earths, residing in different dimensions. They used their magicks to
split my form into three and entombed me in each of their worlds.
Now that I'm free, I can instantly access all of my forms but until
I can reunited my three forms I am highly vunerable."
The Darkness pondered his situation for a moment...then came to a
conclusion.
"I shall seek out those who had defeated me and once I merge back
with my forms I will destroy them as well as three worlds!!!"
As The Darkness' subconscious divided itself into three, the one on
this world looked at the endless horizon of ice and snow.
"Antarctica...the so-called bottom of the world. Though years have
passed since my imprisonment, mankind still has not colonized this
frozen continent. Maybe it's the perfect place to set up my plans."
and then he heard a loud buzzing sound behind a snowy peak. He took
to the sky and noticed a snowmobile making its way across the frozen
plane.
"So...people are here too...most likely an outpost. I'll follow the
machine to its destination and make that the starting place of my
world conquest." Then suddenly The Darkness felt a familiar presence.
"The magicks in the area...THE WHITE WIZARD!!! It's his magical
pattern yet...divided within different souls. According to my other
selves, the year is 2004 so he may no longer be alive... still, if
his legacy or anyone else for that matter dare oppose me, they will
guarantee their destruction."
---------------------
Tomoeda, Japan: Cardcaptor Earth...
Back in the home of Sakura Kinomoto...
Sakura was drying herself off after being drenched by the storm she
recently stopped...one created by a strange and powerful magick
force. She turned on the water in the bathroom and prepared to take
a nice hot relaxing bath and to ponder what had occurred earlier. As
the tub filled up, Kero flew to the edge of the water wearing a
shower cap on his head, waiting to take a bath with her.
"Man, that storm really got me soaking wet! I've never been so wet
in my entire life!" said Kero as he watched Sakura pull out on of
her cards...
"BUBBLE!!!"
Instantly the warm water in the bath tub turned bubbly as the two
entered in and with a relaxing sigh of relief, laid in the water for
a moment.
"Kero, I know I felt a mystical presence in that storm. Once it
disappeared, I could no longer sense it. I wonder what it could be?"
questioned Sakura.
Kero knitted his brow. "I don't know, kiddo. Maybe it another
sorcerer or something but you proved your star magic was stronger. I
wouldn't worry about it anymore. Let's relax and take pride in that
we saved Tomoeda."
"WE?!!" yelled Sakura as she splashed some water on Kero, who in
turn did the same to her.
After the bath, Sakura put on her pajamas and was getting ready for
bed. Kero was in front of the blow dryer getting all nice and
fluffy. Both headed to bed. As was customary, Sakura pulled over the
sheets as Kero turned off the lamp on the night stand and joined his
master in the cozy, soft bed.
"Night, Sakura!" said Kero. "You did good today." and quickly dozed
off to sleep. However Sakura couldn't sleep. The one thought still
stayed within her mind...
"Whose magick was that and did I truly defeat it...or is it a sign
of things to come..."
MEANWHILE...over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan...
Upon freeing itself from its eternal prison, a tsunami appeared from
out of nowhere and threatened the coast of Japan...a dark and
menacing storm mysteriously appeared several miles to the east of
the town known as Fawcett City...and the ozone hole above Antarctica
expanded to expose the southern hemisphere to dangerous levels of
ultraviolet radiation.
But something was definitely wrong...The Darkness looked around at
its surrounding and was momentarrily confused.
"I see the ocean below my form...yet I also see a forest teaming
with life...at the same time the icy surface of the Antarctic lies
beneath me..." Then The Darkness realized what had happened to its
form and why it took over 500 years to free itself from its earthly
tomb.
"Those damn wizards!!! They have split my Darkness into three
forms!!!" The Darkness looked around again and saw the three
locations at the same time, then proceeded to cast a locating spell
of the area.
"Ah...now I understand. The wizards were from three different
Earths, residing in different dimensions. They used their magicks to
split my form into three and entombed me in each of their worlds.
Now that I'm free, I can instantly access all of my forms but until
I can reunited my three forms I am highly vunerable."
The Darkness pondered his situation for a moment...then came to a
conclusion.
"I shall seek out those who had defeated me and once I merge back
with my forms I will destroy them as well as three worlds!!!"
As The Darkness' subconscious divided itself into three, the one on
this world looked up into the night sky, then down to the ocean,
then out to the west where he saw lights from the Japanese homeland.
"The land over on the horizon...Japan. I wonder the year since I've
been imprisoned for so long?" His thoughts were interrupted by a
roar from above. As the Darkness turned around, he saw a airplane
flying toward Japan.
"Interesting. A flying machine that carries people and it is heading
to Japan. I shall follow it there and make that country the starting
place of my world conquest."
As The Darkness arrived in Tokyo, high above he sensed a familiar
presence.
"The magicks in the area...CLOW REED!!! Yet...it
seems...different...dare I say more powerful?" As he continued his
scan of the city, he finally found that it was the year 2004.
"500 years I was imprisoned by those wizards. The magicks I sense
must be from a descendant of Clow Reed. I know he was a human
mage...obviously he is no longer amongst the living, still,if his
legacy or anyone else for that matter dare oppose me, they will
guarantee their desctruction."
Morning arrives as Kero wakes up and noticed Sakura still asleep,
not knowing she stayed up half the night. He glanced out the window
and noticed it was still dark as night outside.
"Man, I woke up way too early. The sun's not even out yet!" However
as he glanced over to the clock on the night stand, it said 8 AM.
"Sakura! Wake up!!!" yelled Kero right into Sakura's ear. As she
slowly wakes up and rubs her eyes, she says "What's wrong? It's
still nighttime. Go back to sleep."
Kero shoved the alarm clock into Sakura's face "According to your
clock...it's 8 AM!!!"
"Huh?" Sakura looked at her wrist watch and it also said it was 8
AM. She got out of bed and headed to the window.
"There's no clouds or a storm...there's now even any stars out."
Then it hit her like a ton of bricks...
"That powerful magick...it's back...and stronger than ever!!!"
Suddenly the phone rang. It was Syaoran Li on the line.
"Sakura! Do you see what's happening?!!" he asked.
"It's the same magick as from yesterday's storm, Syaoran. Meet me
over at my house!"
Sakura quickly dressed and as she's done countless times in the
past, pulls out her key and locket...
"Key that hides the power of the stars, reveal thy true power to me.
By the contract, I, Sakura command...RELEASE!!!"
Kero folded his wings around his body and soon an incredible
metamorphisis took place as he became Kerberos, Guardian of the Clow.
"Too bad Yue is out of the country, along with your father and Toya
on that archeologist dig in Africa. We could use his powers in case
things get rough."
Sakura turned to him. "In a sense, maybe it's for the best. If this
is truly a danger, at least they're somewhere else so they are safe
from this."
Chapter 4: Chapitre IV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-08-07 11:36:40 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
"This is very interesting..." thought The Darkness. "My body is
divided amongst three worlds...each containing the powers of the
ancient wizards that originally banished me. Now as I look on,
their 'champions' race toward me since my arrival has set off a
chain of destruction that threaten the existance of innocents. Come
then and I will show you the true powers of The Darkness!!!"
TOMOEDA, JAPAN...
Sakura, Syaoran, Kero and Tomoyo met together to assess the
situation.
"The magicks I'm sensing...it seems as powerful if not even more
powerful than Clow Reed...and it's coming from the east." said the
Cardcaptor.
"That was where we first ran into that storm. Definitely not a
coincidence." added Syaoran as he pulled out his Derivator Board and
muttered some mystical words. A beam of light emerged from the board
and pointed to the seashore east of the city.
Tomoyo sounded a little worried. "I thought when you captured all of
the Clow Cards and turned them into Sakura Cards, you became the
world's most powerful magician?"
Kerberus knotted his brow. "Maybe, this magic we're sensing is NOT
from this world. In any event, we need to investigate it."
Everyone agreed and sped off to the ocean front. Once they arrived,
they finally saw it...THE DARKNESS!!! A void of darkness shaped like
a human being, devoid totally of light within him and around his
form.
"Ah... I feel the presence of Clow Reed...yet?" His glowing eyes,
the only source of light in the area, stared at Sakura. "You
magicks...I sense it...it's MORE powerful than Clow Reed...and in
one as young as yourself. You don't deserve that power. Prepare to
meet your destruction!" A wave of his arm and a blast of black
energy leap from it toward the group. Sakura pulls out a card and
yells...
"SHIELD!!!"
An energy shield erects itself however as the black energy crashes
into it, the shield shatters like a rock hurled through a window.
Kerberus shot out a wall of flame at The Darkness as Sakura
shouted "Syaoran! Take Tomoyo to safety! Kero and I will attack!!!"
Syaoran took Tomoyo over to a set of trees. "Stay here until the
danger's past!" Tomoyo told him "Please...be careful and don't let
anything happen to Sakura!"
Syaoran nodded and ran back to Sakura as Tomoyo started her video
camera to record the battle...
FAWCETT CITY, INDIANA: EARTH-S...
Caitlin O'Malley waved her hands in the air with a mystical
gesture. "The forest reeks of magick...dark...ancient...EVIL magick.
We best still be on our guards, people."
Bulletman looked over to the south part of the forest and noticed
something strange.
"Marvels! The sky...it's totally pitch dark...even though it's in
the middle of the day!"
Captain Marvel studied it for a moment. "Holy Moley! It's as though
the world stops at the edge of the dark patch. We better go
investigate it. Jim, you and Cait stay behind just to be on the safe
side but be prepared for anything. Whatever created that storm must
be a very powerful mage at best!"
As Cap, Captain Marvel Junior and Mary Marvel flew toward the void,
a pair of lights appeared, as though it was a pair of glowing lights
as the darkness began to take the shape and form of a human being.
"I know not who you are, flying humans however you all bear the mark
of the wizard Shazam, one of the wizards who had banished me. Your
team was powerful to disrupt the storm but now, you shall feel the
true power of THE DARKNESS!!!" as a beam of black energy flows from
his eyes and strikes all three Marvels, forcing them back albeit
only briefly.
"Ohhh...I felt that! That almost hurt!" said Mary Marvel as she,
along with Cap and Junior shook off the effect of the blast.
"Junior, fly to the left. Mary, you take the right and I will fly
straight at him. Let's go!!!" As three steaks of color headed toward
The Darkness...
ANTARCTICA: WITHIN THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE...
"Okay, Arcademan. My magicks have fully regenerated. We can continue
on with our mission." said Mystique Rose.
"I'm glad you have recovered. BattleTech, do you have a lock on the
position of that dark void you detected earlier?" asked Arcademan.
"Yes I have. Furthermore, according to Flora, it is most definitely
mystic in nature. However, we still have to address the more
immediate threat in the expanding ozone hole above the Antarctic
continent, not to mention our inability to contact Arcade Brigade
headquarters."
Flora interrupts. "I'm betting that surge of dark magic is the cause
of the disaster. We need to find out who's causing it and prevent it
from destroying our world. Let's go!!!"
Arcademan looked to the south with his telescopic
vision. "Hmmm...it's pitch black over there. No visible stars or
lights. We must check this out. Mystique Rose, I'll leave it up to
you to fix the ozone hole. Can you do it by yourself?"
"I'll try my best, Arcademan!" Rose gave Arcademan a wink and a
smile and levitated up to the atmosphere.
As Arcademan, BattleTech and Flora flew into the dark void, a deep
voice boomed all around the trio.
"I sense the powers within your beings. One is a faerie, then the
sorceress, who as I speak attempts to undo my damage, another a type
of being not known by me..." referring to BattleTech, who was an
android, a simulation of life. "However you...man of red. Your
powers...and the symbol on all of you...the symbol of The
Powerstar...the symbol of The White Wizard! He who had banished
me!!! Now you shall feel the power of THE DARKNESS!!!"
A blast of black energy rose from the form of darkness and shot out
toward the heroes. Flora erected a mystic shield, as did BattleTech
with a force field. Both stopped the blast but at the same time
destroyed the shield and force field. The resulting flash of light
from the explosion blinded the heroes for but a moment however as
their sight returned, The Darkness was no longer in front of them.
"Damn! Where did he go?!!" yelled Arcademan.
BattleTech began to run a program. "He is moving due north at
approximately at 120 kilometers per hour."
"He's after Mystique Rose! We must stop him at all costs!!!" shouted
Arcademan as the three raced after The Darkness to prevent that from
happening...
Chapter 5: Chapitre V
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-08-29 14:08:17 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Earth-AU2: High above the Antarctic Continent...
After some slight meditation, Mystique Rose called upon her mystical
powers to stop and then seal the tear in the ozone layer in the
atmosphere above the Antarctic, unaware of the very recent turn of
events between Arcademan and The Darkness.
"Once I begin, I cannot be interrupted less the forces of chaos rip
throughout the region." she told herself, since Mystique Rose\'s
sorcery is based on Egyptian Ankh magick...very powerful yet takes
total concentration to control its full force, in which she will be
using...hence the meditation before the spell. After mutterring an
ancient spell, she begins to glow brightly as the spell starts to
repair the damage.
From behind, The Darkness sees the sorceress' bright aura. "She is a
very powerful sorceress indeed...almost a rival of The White Wizard
himself. Now with my own power, I shall strike her down like I did
her comrades earlier. However, as he makes his final approach, a
blur of crimson and blue crashes into his side, intercepting the
attack.
"You thought you could beat me so easily, Darkness?" Arcademan stood
in front of the archmage, cracking his knuckle anticipating the next
attack.
"Foolish mortal. You may be the legacy of the White Wizard but I
sense only darkness within you...the stench of that accursed
Powerstar masked it in our first meeting. If we are of the same
nature, why do you align yourself with Light? Join with me and we
can rule the world!"
Arcademan stared back at The Darkness with piercing eyes. "Though I
may be of Darkness, I fight for The Light with all the being in my
body. Enough talk...let's rumble!!!"
"Very well..." and The Darkness lunged at Arcademan. The hero dodged
the attack and then countered however the dark being became
intangible, Arcademan\'s fist going through only a shadow. Then he
noticed his fist and right arm slowly turning pitch black as he was
being swallowed by The Darkness.
"Damn\" muttered Arcademan as he strained to expulge the dark force
from him when suddenly a bright light struck Arcademan, causing The
Darkness to release his hold and scream out in pain.
"Thanks, Flora." As Arcademan shook off the effects of the attack,
Flora and BattleTech focused their attacks on The Darkness, the
faerie with a sunburst blast and the android a missile attack. Both
attacks hit dead-on however The Darkness stands his ground and
starts to laugh.
"Is that all you can do?!! I clearly over-estimated you all." But
Arcademan looked at his enemy again.
"Heh. My super-vision says you\'ve been weakened but he won\'t admit
to it." Arcademan's thoughts are broken by an attempt by The
Darkness to once again stop Mystique Rose from repairing the ozone
hole, the one created when he was resurrected from his underground
prison.
BattleTech moved in as a living roadblock...
ROCKET LAUNCH ATTACK!!!
As he launches the missiles, The Darkness absorbs the android\'s
body. After a slight hesitation, a loud explosion rocks the area.
"Damn you all!!! I\'m not at full strength so I'll leave you for now.
Next time we meet, you will pay for hurting me the way you did!!!"
and The Darkness disappears, leaving BattleTech in a crumpled heap
of cracked and melted metal.
"System...shut...shutting...downnnnn...*"
The glow around Mystique Rose finally dies down as she completes her
task. The hole has been sealed as she drifts down to the icy surface
and looks at Arcademan and Flora, then sees the mangled form of
BattleTech.
"We won the battle but paid a terrible price for it." was the only
thing Arcademan could say.
--------------------
Earth-S: Fawcett Forest...
The three Marvels flew into the very heart of The Darkness however
found there wasn't a solid body to strike. As they flung their fists
around, the heroes realized they were only striking to what amounted
to empty air.
"Holy Moley! We\'re getting nowhere this way, Big Brother!" said Mary
Marvel to Captain Marvel.
"You're right! We need to find a weakness in order to beat this dark
being."
Junior chimed in. "At least in this state, he can\'t strike back at
us..." but before he could finish his statement, The Darkness formed
a solid black hand and grabbed Captain Junior by his cape and swung
him around a few times, then before Cap and Mary could react, The
Darkness threw Junior full force into the other two. All three went
crashing into the ground violently. Bulletman and Caitlin O\'Malley
ran to the crater where the three Marvels crashed only to find them
crawling up and then back on their feet, none the worse for wear.
"You guys all right?" asked Bulletman as Captain Marvel dusted
himself off. "We\'re all fine however this doesn't solve our problem.
We can't touch The Darkness yet he can touch us...and hard. Though
we may have the Stamina of Atlas, our powers are finite. We know of
nothing about our enemy...his limits or weaknesses...all we can do
is continue on and try and find out all we can about him."
As the sky began to turn pitch-black around the five again, Caitlin
looked around her surroundings. "Yes...the sensation of ancient,
evil...DARK magick is back once again. Well...if it is indeed a
being of Darkness, how about I throw some light on the subject!!!" A
wiccan of powerful magicks, Caitlin spreads her arms out and in a
short moment, glows as bright as the sun itself. A loud scream came
from above as the sky cleared up, revealing the shadowy figure
called The Darkness.
"There he is!!! Strike now!!!" yelled Cap as both he, Mary and
Junior zoomed with the speed of Mercury and struck the archmage
three times in rapid succession. This definitely staggered the dark
being to the forest ground. As he stood back up, he was surrounded
by all five heroes.
"Very good, students of Shazam. You caught me off-guard, like your
mentor and those accursed wizards did 500 years ago. I\'m not up to
full strength yet but when I am, you will fall, along with this
pitiful excuse of a world." As The Darkness leaped up into the air,
Captain Marvel Junior grabbed his leg.
"You're not going anywhere until we get some answers!!!\" yelled
Junior. Before he could react, The Darkness turned into a giant
black lightning bolt and exploded. He continued on above the smoke
from the sudden explosion and soon was clear out of site.
"Whew! That was close!" said Caitlin as she erected a shield at the
last possible moment, protecting herself and Bulletman however the
force of the lightning-induced explosion changed the Marvels back
into Billy and Mary Batson and Freddy Freeman. Billy shook off the
dust from himself, then turned to his sister Mary.
"Are you okay, sis?" But before she could answer, Bulletman yelled
out "Freddy!!!"
The young boy, caught in ground zero of the blast, was laying
motionless on the ground, no spark of life coming from him.
--------------------
Ground Zero: Tomoeda, Japan...
The three: Sakura, Syaoran and Kerberus took a defensive stance as
The Darkness prepared for another wave of attack.
\"You! Young girl with the staff!!! Your powers reek of the wizard
Clow Reed yet it seems to be more powerful. You are a threat to my
existance so you must die!\" Then The Darkness extended his hands and
shot out bolts of lightning at Sakura.
\"HOEEE!!!\" yelled Sakura as she was caught off-guard but at the
last possible moment a blur of yellow stepped in between the two,
followed by an explosion...
It was Kerberus as he falls to the ground in pain.
\"DAMN!!! That really hurts!!!\" as he attempted to rise from the
ground, only to fall back down in a semi-conscious condition and
then changed back to Kero.
\"Kero! Are you all right?!\" yelled Sakura as she ran over to her
fallen friend, not paying attention at another blast of lightning
chasing her down...this time, it was intercepted by Syaoran\'s sword.
"OW!!! That\'s shocking. Sakura!!! We need to attack...I don\'t think
I can fend off another attack!" Sakura, confused by the swiftness of
The Darkness' attacks and Kero's injury was weighing heavily on her
mind as her lapse of judgment appeared to get the best of the
Cardcaptor as another blast headed toward her and certain doom when
a shield appeared from out of nowhere and saved her and the others.
"The Mistress of the Cards is under my protection. I promised to
protect her with my very life if necessary!"
Sakura looked up as she, Kero and Syaoran said in unison "Yue!!!"
"Bah! Another creature with the smell of Clow Reed's magicks! Are
you prepared to die along with your precious mistress, winged fool?"
mocked The Darkness but now the advantage of surprise was no longer
his as Sakura, now with the determined look in her eyes, pulled out
one of her Sakura Cards and struck it with her staff...
"FIREY!!!"
Along with Yue and Syaoran calling forth the lightning elemental
force, the three combine their forces and hit The Darkness with
everything they got. The archmage extends his arm to deflect the
powers, then is forced to extend both arms as he began to struggle
against their attack.
"Their powers...more than I imagined. I underestimated their
determination and in my weakened condition, they have a chance of
defeating me. I must retreat for now and continue to recharge my
powers and reunite with my other souls."
The Darkness turned to his attackers and said "I decided to let you
live for now so I shall take my leave for now. Make peace with
whatever Gods you worship for when we meet again, you all will
DIE!!!" On that note, The Darkness gestured and threw a massive
fireball at the group.
"Sakura!!! QUICK!!! Shield us!!!" yelled Kero as Sakura pulled out
the card and shouted...
"SHIELD!!!"
It deflected the blast and temporarilly blinded everyone. As the
world came back into focus and sight, the enemy had vanished.
"Everyone okay?!" asked Syaoran as everyone nodded to indicate they
were fine.
Sakura looked over at the clump of trees. "I bet you Tomoyo got some
great film of us in battle, as usual..." However for some reason
Tomoyo didn\'t come out.
Sakura walked over to the trees. "Tomoyo? Where are you?\" As she
reached a spot behind the trees, she saw a horrible sight...her best
friend, laying face-down on the ground motionless in a pool of her
own blood.
"TOMOYO!!! NOOOOOOO!!!" screamed Sakura as she began to cry
uncontrollably, the others racing over to see Sakura crying over her
fallen friend.
Chapter 6: Chapitre VI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-08-18 11:10:52 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The aftermath of the battles...
The Arcademan Universe...
"You have all of the pieces of BattleTech gathered up?!!" yelled Arcademan as his two comrades, Mystique Rose and Flora used their mystic powers to pick up any piece of metal and wiring on the icy ground of the Antarctic surface while he carried the mangled body frame of the android in his arms.
"I think that's it, Arcademan." answered back Rose, a slight tone of sadness hinted in her voice.
"Okay...let's head on back to the Arcade Brigade headquarters, post haste!" Arcademan's voice was loud and commanding as Rose opened a portal and the three entered into it. In mere moments, the portal opened up in the main room of their headquarters. Arcademan placed BattleTech on an open table as Striker and Tecknight entered into the room.
"This definitely doesn't look good." said Tecknight. He, along with Striker created the robotic hero and had a personal interest in the robot.
Arcademan looks first at the shattered android, then up to Striker and asked "Is...he going to survive?"
Flora turned her head and rolled her eyes upward. "Sheesh! Get a life, Arcade. You're calling BattleTech a 'he'...it's a robot! Not a living being like us." Her voice dripping with sarcasm...but before she could continue on, Arcademan walks up to the pixie and grabs her by her neck.
"Listen, you little bitch! Living or not, android or flesh, BattleTech is our friend! If it wasn't for him, most likely we would all be dead. You will not speak ill of him or else..." Arcademan was clearly angry and his grip was tightening around Flora's neck and she began to gasp for breath. Upon seeing her struggling for air, he released her and walked away. Flora quickly left the room, soft sobs could be heard.
Tecknight turned to Arcademan. "You know...that wasn't a nice thing you did."
"Spare me the lecture...what's the verdict?"
Striker was checking on some computer data. "Well, for starters, our emergency protocal seems to have worked. Once BattleTech realized the situation was critical, he downloaded his memory core and it's safe in our computer mainframe. It will take time for Tecknight and myself to rebuild him. Thanks to you guys collecting most of his frame, it won't be too long before he's up and running once more."
"That's all I needed to know. Notice how you also call BattleTech a 'he' too. To me, that is a valued member of our group injured...perhaps dying...whether it be any one of us." As Arcademan took a deep breath, Mystique Rose put her hand on the hero.
"Still...I think an apology is in order. Talk to Flora...please."
"Yes ma'am." was Arcademan's answer to the sorceress as he went to the next room to talk to Flora.
Meanwhile...on Earth-S...
Still somewhat stunned by The Darkness' lightning attack, which turned the World's Mightiest Family back to their normal forms, Billy Batson and his sister Mary looked in horror as Bulletman was already over with Freddy Freeman, his body stilled by the blast. He checked for a pulse, then started to perform CPR on the young boy. Caitlin O'Malley was also assisting the only way she could. He held Freddy's hand and muttered a spell. A light shined for a brief moment and then she started to shake.
"I can feel his lifeforce leaving his body. Freddy...please...don't give up! Fight!"
Billy and Mary made their way to everyone as Bulletman continued with the CPR. "Damn! He's not breathing and his heart's stopped. The hospital's too far away...he won't survive long enough!"
"We have only one chance...Mary, are you ready?" asked Billy.
"Yes. Cait...Jim...stand back! We're going to try and shock his heart back to beating." said Billy as both of them place their hands on Freddy's chest and yelled out in unison..."SHAZAM!"
The blast of twin lightnings turned the Batsons back into Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel. Once the smoke cleared, Bulletman rushed in and checked out Freddy.
"I'm getting a slight pulse and I see his chest moving up and down. He's breathing again...how long, I don't know but now we can rush him to the hospital." Captain Marvel picked up the lad and handed him to Bulletman.
"Jim...Cait...take him to the hospital. Caitlin used her magicks to created a stasis barrier around Freddy to protect him in flight as the two took to the sky toward the hospital. Bulletman turned to Cap. "Where are you going?"
"I need to have a talk with the Wizard about this dark being." As they left, Cap turned to Mary Marvel. "Race ahead and meet them at the hospital. If Freddy recovers and wakes up, I want a familiar face there with him."
"Thanks, big brother." said Mary. "and don't worry...Freddy will pull through this. Find out what you can about The Darkness." and on that note, Mary flies off to the city as Captain Marvel heads up to a place existing outside of space and time...The Rock of Eternity.
Tomoeda, Japan...a few moments ago...
"We have to help her! NOW!!!" screamed Sakura as she held Tomoyo in her arms, blood collecting on her clothes as Syaoran and Yue raced on over. Yue put his hand on Tomoyo's forehead.
"She is still alive...but barely. Time is of the essence. We must get her to a hospital fast."
"Wait!" said Kerberus. "Sakura can't reveal her powers to everyone, nor can we be visible to the public...we have to..."
Sakura interrupted him. "I don't care! I won't let my best friend in the whole world die. Let them see us!!!" Syaoran put his arm around Sakura.
"We won't let her die. Remember your 'invincibility spell' and then do this..." and he whispered to the young Cardcaptor. Sakura then wiped her tears from her eyes.
"Everything will be all right! Yue, if you please, can you carry Tomoyo?" Yue picked her up with care and then Sakura pulled out a card.
"TIME!!!"
Everything began to slow down then finally came to a stop, save for Sakura, Syaoran, Yue and Kero, who had changed back to his smaller form and the group headed to the hospital. An added effect was that Tomoyo was affected by the stop-time so now her bleeding had stopped...perhaps long enough to keep her alive. In a couple of minutes, they have arrived in the emergency room. As Sakura recalled the Time card, Yue changed back to Yukito and were able to get their young friend in a doctor's care without raising suspicions. While at the hospital, there were many patients from the recent tsunami attack created by The Darkness and the hospital staff accepted Sakura's explanation that Tomoyo was hurt during that.
In the waiting room, Sakura turned to Syaoran. "Thank you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known what to do." said Sakura, trying to keep a brave face but not doing a very good job at it.
"She's in the doctor's care now...and if you want to cry now, I won't stop you." Syaoran said back with a slight smile as Sakura leaned on him and started to sob lightly.
Somewhere on three worlds...
The Darkness looked around his surroundings. "Very strange to share one mind yet appear at the same time on three seperate worlds." He saw the ocean, yet at the exact same time, also saw a forest and a glacier.
"Clow Reed...Shazam...The White Wizard...what the hell did they do to me? Though they no longer exist on their worlds, their legacies continue to protect the planet. If my body was whole, I could crush them all with one wave of my dark magicks. Such as it is, they were able to turn back my efforts. Little do they realize that the powers of Darkness are self-generating and in days, I'll not only be back to power, but I'll be growing more powerful with each passing moment. Then, I'll find a way to reunite my bodies together as one and destroy not only one but three worlds!!!"
Chapter 7: Chapitre VII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-09-06 04:08:45 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
A scientific impossibility...but there it stands, outside of the
boundries of normal space and time...The Rock of Eternity, home of
the powerful wizard known as Shazam.
Captain Marvel enters the throne room and lights the brazier. In an
instant the ethereal form of Shazam appears and solidifies in front
of the World's Mightiest Mortal.
"You have summonned me, my son. What can I do to assist you?" asked
the wizard.
"Have you heard of a being called The Darkness? He seems to know you
from the past." The mere mention of the name disturbed Shazam.
"What do you know about him and how did you find out about one of
the greatest villains I''ve had to fight?" demanded the wizard as
Captain Marvel told him the chain of events that had just happened
prior to Cap's visit to the Rock of Eternity. After finishing,
Shazam sat up from his stone throne and clap his hand...followed by
a rumble of thunder echoing throughout the Rock of Eternity.
"HISTORAMA APPEAR!!!"
Upon his vocal command, the Historama, a television of sorts in
which Shazam can view and translate events of the past, present and
possible future, shows first an image from Fawcett General Hospital
in Fawcett City, where the severely injured Freddy Freeman was taken
after the Marvels' battle with The Darkness. Alongside his bed was
Mary Batson, Caitlin O'Malley and Jim Barr, in his civillian
identity and not his costumed identity of Bulletman.
"Freddy is recooperating from his injuries however there was damage
to his vocal cords so he cannot call upon the magic lightning to
change to Captain Marvel Junior, I fear." said the Wizard.
"Wizard...who is The Darkness...and how do we defeat him?" asked
Captain Marvel. Shazam's only response...
"I'm not sure that is even possible."
--------------------
In yet another hospital on another world, Sakura Kinomoto continued
a personal vigil at the side of Tomoyo's bed. Over twelve hours ago,
Tomoyo was rushed into surgery and now was resting in bed, however
hasn't regained consciousness since. During that time, Tomoyo's
mother Sonomi Daidouji had come down and made absolutely sure her
precious daughter was no longer in danger and Sakura's father
Fujitaka Kinomoto, who along with her older brother Touya were in
Africa on an archaeological project had called to express their
concern. Since Tomoyo's surgery, Sakura hasn't budged an inch from
her bedside and was tired beyond words.
Syaoran walked into the room and put his left hand on Sakura's
shoulder.
"You need to get some rest, Sakura. Tomoyo is in good hands. The
doctor said everything went smooth during the surgery though she is
in a coma."
Sakura slowly turned to Syaoran. Her face looked tired, her body
drained and fresh tears were rolling down her cheeks. "This is all
my fault...if she doesn't recover, I will never forgive
myself...never..." and then she began to cry. Syaoran hugged her and
whispered in her ear. "There are some things even magic can't
control. It's thanks to you that Tomoyo is here and that she is
still alive. You need to give yourself some credit."
Sakura stood up and wiped her tears with the sleeve of her
blouse. "Thank you, Syaoran. You always know the right thing to say
and like Tomoyo, have always been around when I need you the most."
There was a knock on the door and Yukito walked in. "Sakura, I'll
stay here and watch over Tomoyo. Have Syaoran walk you home and get
some rest. You can come back tomorrow and I'll call you if she
awakes." Sakura nods silently in agreement and she, along with
Syaoran head on out and shortly are walking in the cool evening air.
One thing was still gnawing at Sakura's mind the whole way home...
"Who is The Darkness and how is he familiar with Clow Reed? I need
to find the answer and I know the only one possible that
knows...Eriol Hiiragizawa."
--------------------
Arcademan headed into the living room area of the Arcade Brigade
Headquarters. Inside, he found Flora sitting on the couch, her head
down in her lap. "Flora, you have my apologies. I over reacted a
bit. I hope I didn't hurt you any."
Flora lifted her head and looked at Arcademan with a death
stare. "If you ever put your hands on me again, you will live to
regret it. That's not a threat...that's a promise!!!" As she got up
and turned away from Arcademan, he grabbed her arm. Her
reply... "Remove it or lose it!!!"
"You just don't get it, do you? To you, BattleTech is a machine...to
me, HE is a valued part of the team. Believe me...if that was anyone
else, I would be reacting the same way...or don't you remember I DID
the same for you, when you laid dying in a dark alley after being
shot by, of all things, a bullet! That's gratitude for you but then
you pixies are all the same. I've said enough...get out of my sight,
Flora!"
"Okay...I'm sorry. I don't know why I act the way I do at times.
Sometimes you mortals can be so conflicting in nature, it catches me
off-guard. I try and do what is best but it seems like it's never
good enough. Maybe I should return to Fairyland...you're better off
without me." said a dejected Flora.
Arcademan interrupted. "You ain't getting off that easy. We need to
find out who The Darkness is and what his connection is to The White
Wizard. If the last battle was any indication, we're going to need
every available person on this, including you, my dear Flora."
Flora showed a sly smile. "I knew you'd come crawling back to me,
Arcade. Consider your apology accepted!"
"Good...because I have a mission for you. I need you to find
Parrillusia and see if she can part the curtains of times past and
find out from the White Wizard who this powerful enemy is.
Meanwhile, I have a Being of Darkness to go visit and see if there's
some more information I can find."
After Flora flew off in search of the elusive person known to
everyone as 'Pixie P', Arcademan walks outside and stares off into
the star-lit sky. "Today it was BattleTech...who knows who will be
next. All I know is I will do whatever it takes to prevent my
comrades or anyone else on the Earth any further pain and
suffering...SO SWEARS ARCADEMAN!!!"
--------------------
"Ahhh..my powers are recharging. Soon, I will have enough power to
destroy my enemies." The something caught the attention of The
Darkness...his Earth-S doppelganger. A small person came strolling
up to him...
"I know not who you are human but you just guaranteed your
destruction for looking upon my body"
The person spoke back to The Darkness. "Please forgive me, your
evilness. Permit me to introduce myself. My name is Doctor Thaddeus
Bodog Sivana and I believe we both have a common enemy. His name is
Captain Marvel."
The archmage paused for a moment. "The name is not familiar however
if it's the person with the mark of Shazam on his chest, then we do
have a common thread. Speak your piece, Sivana...tell me everything
you know about the legacy of Shazam."
"Heh...heh...heh...I knew you'd listen to me. I have some others
that will join you in your crusade in ridding the world of The Big
Red Cheese! Follow me and I'll tell you everything you need to know."
Chapter 8: Chapitre VIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-09-17 13:19:21 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As The Darkness followed the short, almost fragile looking mad
scientist over to a secluded building on the outskirks of Fawcett
City, Earth-S, his duplicates on the other two worlds communicated
their thoughts...a weird feeling since though The Darkness was one
being, his body was split into three yet could think both seperately
and together at the same time.
"This Captain Marvel...the one who bears the lightning of Shazam on
his chest...must be some sort of police official or the like. He was
with several others in brightly colored uniforms too, similar to the
ones I fought in the Antarctic on The White Wizard's Earth."
"Then the ones he...or I shoud say we...follow must be against the
forces of good. They may be of some use until we can reunite
ourselves into one soul and body. Then we can dispose of them the
same way as we will those damn magicians and the worlds." said The
Darkness on Clow Reed's Earth.
Communicating back to his two selves telepathically, The Darkness on
Earth-S sensed a surge of power. "We are almost to full power. When
the chance comes, investigate those worlds more but stay in the
shadows for now. The Earths have changed the 500 years since our
exile and we must obtain more information."
As the archmages scouted the worlds, Dr. Sivana opened the warehouse
door and both he and the dark fiend entered in. After a quick trip
down an elevator to a secret lab, the two began to exchange
information.
"I see you know of the Wizard Shazam. Not many people know of his
existance but I lead a group dedicated to rid the world of his
protege Captain Marvel and his Squadron of Justice. We call
ourselves The Monster Society of Evil. The others will arrive
shortly and then perhaps we can..." Sivana was interrupted by The
Darkness.
"Where is Shazam?!! Answer me now, little man!!! He, along with two
other mages try to destroy me half a millennia ago and he shall feel
my wrath!!!"
Dr. Sivana staggered back. For all his brilliance, he was a physical
coward who relied on his mind and had others do his physical
biddings. "Well, for starters, the wizard resides in a place called
The Rock of Eternity, not accessible by normal means here. Secondly,
he's not amongst the living anymore. He appears only as a ethereal
spirit when summoned."
The Darkness pondered Sivana's answer. "So he's a spirit now. That
means this Captain Marvel I encountered earlier is now...?"
"Exactly! When he is not powered up, he is a teenage boy named Billy
Batson. He, along with two others share the Power of Shazam, one of
them you managed to almost kill, which was the reason I sought you
out, my dark friend." answered back the scientist. "So, who exactly
are you to receive such the wrath of the old wizard, if you don't
mind me asking?"
"Seeing that we have a common enemy...Shazam, along with two others,
The White Wizard and Clow Reed tried to destroy me 500 years ago but
the best they could do was to divide my soul across three universes.
The being you see before you is but one third of my actual body, the
other two located on similar Earths."
Sivana's keen mind was sorting out the whole tale. "Let me
guess...one of those worlds has a super-hero on it named Arcademan.
He was on this world not too long ago as was Captain Marvel was on
his."
"Yes! I...or I should say my other self, encountered this Arcademan,
along with several other costumed beings...all with the taint of The
White Wizard on them. Another of my selves fought the child of Clow
Reed on the third world."
Again, Sivana put on his thinking cap. "If I recall, there is a
portal within the Rock of Etenity in which connects Arcademan's
world with ours."
"YES!!! If that's the case, we can unite two of my bodies and become
more powerful and then perhaps retreive my third body and be
complete once more!!! If you can help me accomplish this feat, Dr.
Sivana, I will leave this world for you to rule, along with your
Monster Society of Evil."
On the other two worlds, The Darkness' selves now have renewed hope
when the Arcademan Universe version thought of an idea. "If the
world of Shazam is connected with The White Wizard's, then the
opposite should be true. Once I regain full power, I must encounted
this Arcademan again and make him give up those secrets to me!"
A sound of an elevator inside the warehouse could be heard by The
Darkness and Dr. Sivana.
"Ahhh...there are my collegues. Once we get aquainted, we can make
our way to The Rock of Eternity. Their unique abilities will more
than aid in our quest. Heh! Heh! Heh!!!"
Chapter 9: Chapitre IX
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-09-26 14:44:40 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
After Syaoran walked Sakura back to her house from the hospital, he asked one last time if there was anything he could do for her. "No...not tonight but thank you for everything." she said, her voice sounding extremely tired however managed a smile that made Syaoran blush slightly.
"Get some rest and we'll go back to the hospital together tomorrow morning. Good night." With that, the young boy excused himself and headed to his home.
As Sakura headed up the stairs and into her room, she was greeted by Kero, who was waiting patiently for his master.
"Welcome back, Sakura. How's Tomoyo doing? I'm really sorry that I couldn't stay...can't have people finding out who I really am." But Sakura wasn't listening as she laid on her back on her bed and stared off into space, the events of the day still fresh in her mind. Kero flew to her side and asked "Are you okay?"
Sakura turned to Kero. "Sorry. Have you ever seen this 'Darkness' creature before or has Clow Reed mentioned him in the past?"
"I'm afraid not, kiddo. Something like that I would've remembered, though I don't remember all of my past memories. That would've stuck out. Maybe Eriol can help out since he has Clow's memories." But as Kero looked again at Sakura, she was fast asleep...exhausted from her ordeal. Kero picked up a corner of the blanket and covered her body with it.
"Sleep well, Sakura. For some reason I have the feeling the worst is yet to come." and he flew back to his little bed within the dresser drawer.
As the young Cardcaptor slept, in a world away Arcademan and Flora were searching for answers about The Darkness themselves and hope the mystical entity known as Parrillusia could provide some help. Flora originally went by herself but was joined moments later by Arcademan, who decided he wasn't going to wait back at the Arcade Brigade Headquarters. Parrillusia lived in a dimension above the world known as the Plane of Higher Existance, where angels, faeries and even demons dwell...a place where mortals seldom tread. For Flora that wasn't a problem since she was a plant elemental pixie. As for Arcademan, he didn't care about that. As the two flew to the entrance to the dimension, Flora told Arcademan to wait on the outside while she went to look for Parrillusia, otherwise known as 'PixieP' but he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"I'm going in...ready or not!" As the gate opened, the two came in and Arcademan saw...absolutely nothing...a endless void.
Flora turned to Arcademan and with a sarcastic tone said "Told you so! Mortals are not permitted to see within the boundries of the Plane of Higher Existance! All they see is..." Her voice trailed off as Arcademan appeared to concentrate for a moment and then said "I sense her presence this way. Do not mistake me for a mere mortal." he said with a smirk.
Flora was surprised. "How is that possible? How can you see things here?"
"I'm mortal...yes...normal? No. My powers came from The White Wizard. I was his first creation since he retired from the mortal ways. Besides, I died twice and figured this place was similar to The Death Zone...but I can't stay here for too long because it's taking a lot of concentration on my part to 'see' the dimension so we need to hurry and find Parrillusia." But before the two could start out, a voice shouted to them from above.
"What do you need of me?" It was Parrillusia. Arcademan, not one for suspense, said right back "We need your help, PixieP. We need you to lead us to The White Wizard."
"He's long removed from the living world, Arcademan. What is so important that you must speak with him?" asked the elder pixie. Then Arcademan told her of their recent battle with the entity called The Darkness and that he had known The White Wizard from the past. Once the tale was done, Parrillusia paused briefly and said. "Return to the Arcade Brigade Headquarter. I will contact you shortly."
As Arcademan and Flora started their flight home, Arcademan turned around and said. "Parrillusia...it was good seeing you once again." There was no responsed from her as she closed the entrance to the other dimension. Flora looked at the hero and said "Don't take it personal, Arcademan. Staying in that dimension kinda sucks the humanity out of you. That's why PixieP seems cold."
Arcademan said nothing...his heart became a little sad since earlier on in his life, Parrillusia was considered a person that was more than a friend to him...through all the good and the bad...and he now felt the world around him become a little bit more alone in the world.
As Sakura Kinomoto and Arcademan struggled to find out some answers about their common enemy, The Darkness of their worlds continue to explore the realm as their powers continue to recharge, eagerly awaiting word from its third self on Earth-S, who thanks to Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, found out a possible plan to reunite at least two of his forms via The Rock of Eternity. A sound of an elevator inside the warehouse could be heard by The Darkness and Dr. Sivana.
"Ahhh...there are my collegues. Once we get aquainted, we can make our way to The Rock of Eternity. Their unique abilities will more than aid in our quest. Heh! Heh! Heh!!!" The villains were a Who's Who of Captain Marvel's enemies: Mr. Mind, the World's Wickedist Worm, Ibac, Captain Nazi, Oggar, the World's Mightiest Immortal and once a student of the wizard Shazam. The Darkness looked at them all and smiled.
"I sensed such evil thoughts out of you all. Help me conquer the worlds and I'll leave this one in your capable hands." said the dark mage as suddenly the most powerful member of the Monster Society of Evil appeared...Black Adam.
"YOU!!! Hellspawn of evil!!! What are you doing here?!!" yelled Black Adam.
"Mighty Adam!!! Prodigy of Shazam! Prepare to die!!!" yelled back The Darkness as the two readied themselves for battle...just as they did once ago half a millennia ago.
Chapter 10: Chapitre X
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-10-09 13:38:17 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
"Dark fiend!!! I don't know how you returned but you'll find
defeating me not so easy this time!" yelled Black Adam in defiance as
he still remembered how he was pummelled by The Darkness during his
past, when he was the prodigy of the wizard Shazam.
The Darkness looked at his one-time rival. "Heh. I could defeat you
with terrible ease however I sense a darkness within you, my old
enemy...whatever did you do to fall from grace with your mentor?"
"That senile old fool!!! His way was for the foolish. With his powers
at my command, I was going to be the ruler that I was meant to be.
The world would've been an utopia but The Wizard defied what was to
be. Instead, he banished me from this world. It took me over 5,000
years to return from the farthest reaches of space, only to find a
new champion named Captain Marvel, as well as other champions of the
Wizard. I was destroyed at first by them but was resurrected. I hate
Captain Marvel but my personal anger is with the Wizard!!!"
The Darkness laughed a low, bone-chilling response. "Your life,
Adam...so much like mine. Instead of using our enengies in trying to
destroy one another, we should take our similar revenge on the Wizard
Shazam. What say you?"
A gleam came over Black Adam's eyes. "Deal...for now. We shall work
together to assure this world's downfall!"
Dr. Sivana came between both fiends. "Excellent. With his powers,
Black Adam himself can lead the way to the Rock of Eternity and to
conquest!" On that, all the members of the Monster Society of Evil
led out a loud cheer.
"Excellent. I need to go into solitude for now. I shall return in six
hours. Be prepared for battle!!!" On that note, The Darkness vanished
from the hideout. As Sivana headed to his lab, Black Adam grabbed the
scientist by his arm.
"This creature is NOT to be trusted. When his defenses are down, I
will crush him!!!" As Adam walked away, beads of sweat ran from the
mad scientist's head and thought "I've never seen his so mad...so
possessed like this. What am I getting myself into?
--------------------
Nighttime, as Sakura slept, she began to have dreams...strong enough
to activate The Dream Card by her sub-consciousness. In her dream,
she looked around and saw only an infinite field of pitch blackness.
Though she appeared alone, it felt as though hundreds of eyes were
looking down on her. She looked up into the sky, also dark and devoid
of any stars. From the corner of her eye, Sakura thought she saw
something fly across but being dark, was unsure until she heard a
voice.
"You're not alone."
Whether it was a sign of an ally or of bad times ahead was not known.
As she continued to walk around in her dark dream, Sakura stopped
suddenly and took one last look around and saw movement within the
Darkness, followed by a bone-chilling low laughter, followed by a
voice as old as time itself...
"This world is mine!!! And so are you, prodigy of Clow Reed!!!"
Tendrils of dark matter began to wrap around Sakura's body,
preventing her from summoning her wand and slowly and painfully
squeezing the lifeforce from her body. She screamed but no sound came
from her mouth. At that precise moment, Sakura woke up from her bead,
her head damp in sweat, breathing heavily as though she couldn't
breathe. After a few moments, she calmed down but was still visibly
shakened by her dream.
She got up from her bed and put on her robe, then took a peek at
Kero, who was still sound asleep in her dresser drawer in his little
bed.
"No sense waking Kero up. It can wait until morning." thought Sakura
as he headed out her bedroom and down the stairs. She opened the
front door and the cool air hit her face, having a calming effect on
her.
"Maybe a little walk will do me some good. I certainly can't go back
to sleep right now." After putting on her shoes, Sakura headed out in
the early morning enviroment, so pre-occupied with her thoughts not
realizing she was being watched within the dark bushes around the
neighborhood.
--------------------
Back in the Arcade Brigade headquarters, Arcademan sat patiently for
word from Parrillusia, who was sent to summon his mentor The White
Wizard, whom he hoped knew more about the being known only as The
Darkness.
"Damn! What's taking PixieP so long? This world is going to hell in a
hand basket and all I can do is sit and wait. This isn't my style! I
need to go and pound something!!!"
"Easy, Arcademan. I'm sure Parrillusia is doing her best. You, of all
people, know how hard it is to penetrate the dimensions beyond." said
Tecknight. By the way, we're still trying to track the archmage but
so far haven't come up with anything.
Arcademan turned to his helmeted ally. "Technology isn't going to
help us. Look at what he did to BattleTech. I'm afraid the eldritch
magicks may be our only solution." Tecknight, along with Striker,
were scientist and anylists that didn't put much faith in magic,
instead holding steadfast to science as their solution to problems.
Arcademan himself couldn't perform magic however learned its value in
battle long before becoming friends with pixies and sorcerers.
Meanwhile, Parrillusia headed to a part of the Realm of Higher
Existance usually avoided by most. Using her amazing mystical
abilities, she pierced the final veil to where The White Wizard
himself dwelled. Upon her arrival, The White Wizard greeted the young
faerie.
"Salutations, Parrillusia. What brings you to my domain? For you to
come here must mean a danger very great." said the mage.
"Arcademan has requested an audience with you. It concerns a matter
of upmost urgency. There is this new threat to the Earth named The
Darkness, who has already..." Parrillusia's comments cut off as she
noticed The White Wizard freeze upon hearing the words 'The
Darkness'. Never in her entire existance has Parrillusia seen the
wizard so visibly shaken that seeing that gave her an uneasy feeling
herself.
"I must return to the mortal dimension. Arcademan and the heroes must
know the threat to the very existance of life itself in the known
cosmos!!!"
Chapter 11: Chapitre 11
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-10-24 01:45:25 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The Rock of Eternity...as the shadows form within the enclosure
caused by the flickering flames from the brazier, the wizard known as
Shazam finished with his story about he, The White Wizard and Clow
Reed confronted and defeated the entity known as The Darkness, all
Captain Marvel could say was "Holy Moley!"
"It took all of our collective powers to defeat the mage on the world
known as The Arcademan Universe. Since I was one of the two wizards
who could not destroy it, we thought it safe to divide it into three
and bury it for all eternity within each of our worlds. We knew there
was a slim chance if any that it could escape its earthly prison but
also took into consideration that if it did, it would be weakened.
Still, one with such seemingly infinite power...it's hard to guage
that kind of power and ability." Shazam turned back to the Historama
and clapped his hands.
"HISTORAMA APPEAR!!!" However unlike last time when he called upon
its vision, the screen remained black.
"That doesn't bode well, mighty sire." said Captain Marvel. "I guess
all we can do is wait and see when The Darkness will strike next."
Shazam looked deep in thought for a moment, then said "Black Adam...I
wonder where he is at?" Captain Marvel looked at the Wizard with a
puzzled look.
"He was at my side when we fought The Darkness...before he became the
man we know him as today. It was one of his first major battles as my
new champion. Though we won, he did have a hard time during the
fight. The other magicians had helpers too...Eclipse and Despair I do
believe. They teamed up with Adam while we wizards conjured up the
spell that laid the archmage low. If he finds out The Darkness is
back, he may either be an unexpected ally or teamed up with a common
enemy, hasten the possible downfall of our world. Captain Marvel, you
must return and deal with this. Godspeed, my son." As the flame went
out in the brazier, Shazam faded away.
As Captain Marvel exited the cave and flew from The Rock of Eternity
back to Earth, his thoughts turned back to Freddy Freeman, who was
seriously injured in The Darkness' previous attack and now in the
hospital, his vocal chords damamged, thus unable to speak and call
upon the powers that change him into Captain Marvel Junior.
"I hope Freddy recovers soon but without him, we have one less
powerful ally in our outcoming battle. Time for me to summon the
members of The Squadron of Justice."
--------------------
In the headquarters of The Arcade Brigade, Arcademan waited for any
news from Parrillusia. She had gone deep into the Plane of Higher
Existance to summon The White Wizard, the sorcerer who created the
heroes on this Earth. Over 500 years ago, he, along with the two
wizards from other worlds, help defeat and seal The Darkness and
since its return, Arcademan needed to know as much as he could find
out so he could defeat The Darkness. Suddenly, without warning, a
bright light flashed within the headquarters as Parrillusia showed up.
"About time! Where is he?!!" asked Arcademan in a menacing tone.
"The White Wizard will be here. Calm yourself down, Arcademan."
replied Parrillusia, in a calm and monotone-like voice.
Arcademan turned away from the faerie. "The world is in
danger...against an enemy from the past...a comrade almost
destroyed...and you want me to calm down, Pixie P?!! Yeah...right!!!
You know what your problem is? You're up there in the Plane high
above the mortal world like some sort of God. You're losing your
humanity...the way you act...the way you talk. You have some nerve!
Let me know when 'he' comes..."
As Arcademan left the main room, Parrillusia stood alone, a lone tear
streams from her left eye. "Maybe he's right. There was a time we
were very close...a bond that went further than friendship. Maybe I
need..." Before her thought was finished, another blast of light came
forth and stepping from it...THE WHITE WIZARD!!!
Arcademan returned when he appeared and spoke. "Nice of you to
return, Wizard. Now...who or what is The Darkness?!!"
"Are you sure it was him and not another villain from Lord Pyrogod's
Dark Dimension?" asked the White Wizard, wanting to make sure it
truly was his adversary from years past.
"You must really think of me as an idiot!!! I'M SURE IT WAS HIM!!!
Not many beings know of your existance and he called you out by name.
Plus his aura was not of one from The Dark Dimension. Remember...I am
also a Being of Darkness. The Darkness we encountered...he was more
evil...and extremely powerful. BattleTech was ripped apart and gave
myslf, Mystique Rose and Flora a hard enough time. Now excuse me if
I'm losing my patience but I need to know everything I can about this
dark fiend." Arcademan was visibly angry.
"My apologies for my doubting you, Arcademan. The Darkness came close
to destroying the Earth. Without the valuable help of two other mages
named Shazam and Clow Reed, we would not be here as we speak. Upon
hearing the name of the other two wizards, Arcademan's attention
wandered for a moment to his other-dimension friends Captain Marvel
and Sakura Kinomoto. Per Parrillusia's summoning the other members of
the Arcade Brigade, the other heroes filed into the headquarters.
"I'll tell you of the battle with The Darkness...over 500 years ago.
If he has indeed returned, not only is this world in danger...but
those two which at this moment may be experiencing the same senerio
as we are." On that note, with the Arcade Brigade listening, The
White Wizard tells the story...
--------------------
The cool early morning air had a calming, smoothing effect on Sakura
Kinomoto, after having a most terrifying nightmare. Still, her
thoughts were of her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, laying in the
hospital bed after being injured in battle with The Darkness.
Fortunately, Yukito stayed with her for the night and had also
contacted her father and big brother Toya on the situation, assuring
them he was honoring his promise on keeping Sakura safe from harm.
Sakura looked around the empty street, it being so peaceful and
serene.
"Why can't it be like this all the time." wondered the young teenager
though something was bothering her. "It feels like I'm being watched
but I don't see or hear anyone around." As she approached the corner
to another street, she decided to return to her house and try to get
some more rest. She was to return to the hospital and to get a hold
of Eriol Hiiragizawa, who was once Clow Reed a lifetime ago.
Hopefully he could shed some light about The Darkness.
As Sakura walked closer to the house, the street light she passed
under suddenly went out. A cold shiver went up her back as he
quickened her pace back home when without warning, two shadow
creatures appeared. Startled at first by their sudden presence, her
cardcaptor instincts kicked in as she grabbed her key necklace.
However before she could call upon her powers, tendrils of dark
matter began to wrap around Sakura's body, preventing her from
summoning her wand and slowly and painfully squeezing the lifeforce
from her body. She screamed but no sound came from her mouth. As she
began to black out, from the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure
running toward her
"Let her go!!!" yelled a voice....male in his teens. The two shadowy
creatures let go of Sakura and focused their attention at the boy who
came in charging at the two. Both grabbed the would-be rescuer and
soon he was enveloped in darkness. Sakura was gaining her senses.
"I can't let them harm that person!!!" and again grabbed her necklace.
"Key with the power of the stars...
Reveal your true power to me...
By the contract, I Sakura command...
RELEASE!!!"
As the key grew into the Cardcaptor's staff, she grabbed a card and
was about to summon its power when suddenly, a loud explosion rocked
the place where the two shadow creatures had trapped the boy. What
Sakura saw next, she couldn't believe her eyes...
Chapter 12: Chapitre XII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-11-10 10:20:43 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Tomoeda, Japan: Cardcaptor Earth...
An explsoion erupted where the young boy and the two shadow creatures that had attacked Sakura stood...however the explosion itself was completely silent, as not to disturb the peaceful serenity of the morning in Tomoeda. Once the smoke began to clear, a single figure started to walk from the blast. As Sakura raised her staff to repel the possible enemy, she saw it was the boy and not one of the shadows that had emerged from the explosion.
"Thank heavens you're all right!" said Sakura as the boy was dusting himself off.
"Oh...you means THOSE demons? They were nothing compared to what I'm used to dealing with. I'm glad I was able to save you, miss...say, I didn't catch your name." He was clearly speaking with a confident tone and a hint of self-assurance in his voice.
"Kinomoto...Sakura...and I'm pleased to know your...WATCH OUT!!!" she shouted as two more shadow creatures move in swiftly behind the two but before the young teenager could react, Sakura tossed a card and struck it with her staff...
"SHIELD!!!"
Instantly the shield blocked out the two as the boy turned around in complete amazement in seeing Sakura's power. The young girl pulled out another card and yelled out...
"LIGHT!!!"
A blinding light came from the staff, then enveloped the two shadows, completely evaporating them into nothingness.
"Looks like you didn't need much saving after all. You can take care of yourself with that big stick of yours. By the way, my name is Yusuke...Yusuke Urimeshi. I'm what you call a spirit detective."
"Sakura...wait, I already told you that, didn't I? I'm what you would call a Cardcaptor...the legecy of Clow Reed. Pleased to make your aquaintance, Yusuke."
"Clow Reed?!! You mean the famous wizard who created the Clow Cards?!! I've heard of him before but I never dreamed his powers existed to this day. Perhaps Botan was right in seeking you out..." And is if on cue, a young lady flying on what appeared to be an oar ,wearing a flowing pink kimoto floated down from the early morning sky.
"Greeting, Sakura Kinomoto. My name is Botan and I am known as The Grim Reaper...a link between the real world and the Spirit World. We know of you battle with The Darkness and wish to help out in whatever way we can."
"It's her!" thought Sakura. "She was the person flying in my dream. She said I wouldn't be alone in this."
As she and Botan shook hands, Yusuke interrupted the two. "So, what can you tell us about The Darkness and these shadow creatures he's sending after us?"
A frown formed on Sakura's face. "I'm...not entirely sure. The Darkness is somehow connected to Clow Reed since he kept referring to him in our last battle. He...or rather it seems to be extremely powerful. I was able to hold it off however my best friend in the whole world was almost killed in the process." A tear formed in her eye as she recalled the horrible events that lead to Tomoyo's injuries and the fact she still remained in critical condition in the hospital. "I was going to get a hold of Eriol Hiiragizawa over in England...he who is the reincarnated form of Clow Reed in the present day."
"Let's go see Eriol then. Hop on, Yusuke and Sakura. We'll fly on over to England and check him out." said Botan as Yusuke hopped on the flying oar but Sakura was a little reluctant.
"Fly over to England? I meant only to call him but to go meet him in person?!!" As Botan hovered over her, Yusuke grabbed Sakura and hoisted her upon the oar and the three took off like a bullet.
"HOEEEEEEEE!!!" yelled out Sakura as she was caught off-guard by the actions of the spirit detective and his companion.
"Sorry, Miss Kinomoto...but Yusuke was always the one who did things directly." said Botan in an apologetic tone. "I surely hope this Hiiragizawa fellow has information in helping us defeat The Darkness. I can feel its powers growing upon the world."
Yusuke looked at his comrades. "Even if I had brought my friends...Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei...it's just a handful of us against The Darkness and with the entire Earth at stake, it's going to be an uphill battle but I'll be damned if I allow evil to take over and destroy the world!!!"
Sakura remained silent as the trio flew across the Russian countryside. She reached inside her jacket pocket and pulled out a eight-sided jewel...The Powerstar. It was given to her from her other dimensional friend Arcademan during their last adventure two years ago. "He said to use it to summon him to my world in case of extreme emergency and he'd help out. It appears like it may get to that point. I pray I don't have to involve him in my battle but I may not have a choice." thougth Sakura, not knowing that the very origins of The Darkness came from the Arcademan Universe itself.
About 10 minutes later, the three reached England and the residence of Eriol Hiiragizawa. As they landed, Eriol was out in the front of his home, as if expecting their arrival.
"Welcome to England, Sakura...as well as your friends Botan and Yusuke. You are here because of the menace known as The Darkness. Please...step inside and I'll tell you everything I remember when I was Clow Reed..."
Within the Arcademan Universe...
"I'll tell you of the battle with The Darkness...over 500 years ago. If he has indeed returned, not only is this world in danger...but those two which at this moment may be experiencing the same senerio as we are." On that note, with the Arcade Brigade listening, The White Wizard tells the story...
"No one...myself included knows the true origins of The Darkness. There is some speculations that he was created by dark matter thrown at the creation of time and space...THE BIG BANG!...and it took billions of light years to arrive here by happenchance. Why it chose to attack Earth is not known."
Tecknight interrupted. "I really can't believe that senerio. The odds of his presence from the dawn of time to meet here out of the infinity of space is quite impossible." Tecknight, along with Striker were the scientists of the Arcade Brigade and dealt mostly in logic and science.
"As I said, it is speculation. Plus, as you, of all people know Tecknight...the impossible happens more times here than anyplace in the universe. Our world is the nexus point of the known universe when it comes to mystical forces and the spark of life. On that fateful day over 500 years ago, The Darkness came, the only thing on its mind was to destroy the entire planet. I couldn't allow that to happen yet even I did not possess the raw power to defeat him on my own. Bear in mind, I only had my own power, along with my original assistant, Eclipse to help out. Then I realize I could summon help from the infinite realms of dimensions. On two different Earths, I contacted the magician Clow Reed from one, and needing to go back to its further past, the wizard Shazam and his helper Mighty Adam from 5,000 years before also heeded my call."
This time it was Arcademan who interrupted. "So...you knew all about Earth-S all this time? That's how Parrillusia knew she could use her magicks to form a portal to that world."
"Also the Earth that Sakura Kinomoto originates from, Arcademan, though it does takes vast amounts of power." added Parrillusia as the White Wizard continued.
"The battle between The Darkness and us trio of mages took over thirty-six hours but finally we prevailed. I wanted it destroyed however the other two sought only to neutralize the archmage. Using Clow Reed's sword, we divided it into three and chained it into the underground, hoping it would be forever imprisoned but deep down, I knew the day would come when The Darkness would return to try and destroy the universe, albeit at only one-third of its power."
"That's why you created the Arcade Brigade...so as to oppose The Darkness if it returned?" asked Disruption.
"Partially. Not withstanding the Beings of Darkness, which is the real reason why of your creation, you are the only thing that stands between The Darkness and the destruction of the world...nay, the entire universe." The White Wizard was finished with his amazing tale.
"Wait a moment, Wizard. If The Darkness is here, it is possible that he is also causing havoc on Sakura's Earth and Captain Marvel's?" questioned Arcademan.
The White Wizard paused, then answered "Yes. But we must focus on The Darkness aspect here on our world. Our might should prevail since his powers are only one-third of his normal abilities."
Striker had a disturbing thought. "What if The Darkness is active in all the worlds, He could be communicating with his selves, similar to the demi-lich Hextrillia, who lives between three dimensions simutaneously. He could be trying to find a way to reunite himself."
"Seven hells! You are correct, Striker. If even two forms of him are combined, The Darkness would be powerful enough to defeat the Arcade Brigade. If all three combine, then everything we know within three worlds will be lost. My hereos...you must stop The Darkness at all cost!!!"
Arcademan turned to the fellow heroes. "We fight to the finish. Defeat is not an option!" He was greeted by cheers by the rest of the other members of the Arcade Brigade...
Fawcett City: Earth-Shazam...
After hearing the amazing tale of Shazam's battle against The Darkness, Captain Marvel headed back to Fawcett City...more specifically, the hospital from The Rock of Eternity. He was going to call out the heroes of the world, commonly known as The Squadron of Justice however he wanted to check up on his friend Freddy Freeman, who remained in the hospital unable to talk due to their recent confrontation with the dark mage.
After flying into a secluded alley and shouting the wizard's name, Billy Batson emerged where once Captain Marvel once stood. After entering the hospital and checking in with the nurse, he made his way to Freddy's room. Once there, he noticed he had visitors in the form of his sister Mary Batson and Uncle Dudley.
"So...how's everyone doing?" asked Billy as Mary hugged him and Unc shook his hand. Freddy, who still couldn't talk after neck surgery to repair his vocal chords, was alert and gave Billy a slight though tired smile.
"I'm glad you're okay, Freddy. The old wizard filled me in on everything and now it's time to take action. I'm getting ready to summon Bulletman and Bulletgirl, Mr. Scarlet and Pinky, Ibis, Spy Smasher and anyone else who wants in on this battle." Upon hearing the names of the legendary heroes of Fawcett City, Freddy attempted to get himself out of bed but was quickly held down by Mary.
"I know you want to help us, Freddy...but the best way to help us out is for you to rest up and recuperate." said Mary. She could tell he wasn't too happy about it but it had to be this way for now.
Uncle Dudley put his arms around Billy and Mary and said "Don't worry. I'll stay here and keep the lad company. You two do whatever you have to and defeat the enemy." Freddy nodded in agreement as Mary kissed him on the cheek.
"We'll be back soon. Concentrate on getting better, Freddy." said Billy as he and Mary left. Once outside of the hospital, both took a glance around and seeing nobody in the immediate vicinity, both shouted the wizard's name...
"SHAZAM!"
Twin bolts of magic lightning stabs down from the normally clear sky, striking the two and changing them back into Captain Marvel, The World's Mightiest Mortal and Mary Marvel, The World's Mightiest Girl. The two fly over to the headquarters of The Squadron of Justice. It's seldom in use except in extreme emergencies and this most definitely qualified as one. Once there, Captain Marvel presses a button on the panel.
"Now we'll wait for the others to come, then inform them of everything related to me by the wizard." Mary sat down, her mind still drifting toward the condition of Freddy back in the hospital but showing some impatience in going after the being responsible for his injuries.
"I know how you feel, Mary." said Captain Marvel. "I sure wish I knew where The Darkness is plus another thing just occured to me...I wonder if the same thing is happeningright now on the other Earths...Arcademan's and Sakura Kinomoto's. As much as I wish we could assist them, we have our own world to worry about...but once we're done here, we'll help them out. I'm sure they would do the same for us." Suddenly the doors to the headquarters opened up as the first of the heroes began to file in, preparing themselves for what needs to be done to protect their world from the latest menace.
Chapter 13: Chapitre XXIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-11-22 14:57:48 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Perched atop of Mt. Everest on the Earth within The Arcademan Universe, The Darkness looks around from the top of the world seemingly with contempt for all living creatures upon the world. The icy winds that would normally cause extreme difficulty to most mortals was unfelt by the archmage, which was now using the solitude to contact his doppelgangers on the two other Earths: Earth-Shazam and the one where the Cardcaptor Sakura Kinomoto dwelled. After intense moments of concentration, a memtal image formed within the mind of The Darkness of his other forms.
Summary of Earth-S and Captain Marvel...
In my pursuit of conquering this Earth where the wizard Shazam lived, I ran first into a conflict with his prodigy. Captain Marvel, as well as as two others. One was rendered helpless however several more of these 'heroes' are part of my resistance. I have met up with those who have waged a relentless war against the champions of Shazam, led by a scientist named Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana. By human standard and even by ours, he's brilliant and could use his expertise in defeating the heroes, though once accomplished, he would be disposed of in due time.
These villains, calling thmselves The Monster Society of Evil, will attack as a team, thus keeping the heroes busy and at bay while I, led by Dr. Sivana and of all beings, Black Adam will gain access to The Rock of Eternity, where the spirit of Shazam is. It's ironic that the person I once fought against is now leading me against the very being that is responsible for his existance. The Rock of Eternity itself is a mystical mountain located in the middle of space and time in this universe and according to both Sivana and Adam, accessibility to the Arcademan Universe can be accomplished from it. If we can learn how to open the correct portal from Earth-S to the Arcademan Universe, ourselves can be reformed and become twice as powerful as we are now.
"Very good. Once I merge, we can become even more powerful than what I am now...a former shadow of myself."
Summary of the Cardcaptor's Earth and Sakura Kinomoto...
Clow Reed had passed on...despite his powers as a wizard, he was after all, very mortal. Though he has descendants as well as a theory that Clow Reed himself was reincarnated, it matters little as the current threat here is of all people...a 16 year old girl named Sakura Kinomoto. She reeks of the magicks of Clow Reed and after our first battle, possesses the Clow Cards however they seem more poweful than the ones we confronted over 500 years ago. It could be also due to the fact my powers are only one third as before. She is the legacy of Clow Reed.
Unlike the world of Shazam and The White Wizard, this particular world seems lacking in heroes. Sakura stood alongside with three allies: a human boy named Syaoran Li, a relative of the wizard Clow Reed and two beings created by the wizrd himself serving their mystical mistress, Kerberus and Yue. A friend of hers was severely injured in the battle however though dishearted by the incident at first, the young Cardcaptor's resolution was strengthened by that and in a later battle when she, along with a boy named Yusuke Urimeshi defeated a handful of my dark shadow creatures. Despite the power of the cards, I find this world easily conquerable. All that is needed is to find a way to leave this world and reunite with myself and become all-powerful once again.
"Yes. Arcademan has been to the Cardcaptor's Earth and according to my information, this Sakura Kinomoto has also visited Arcademan so I know there is a way to travel from one world to another. With the powers of these beings, it's only a matter of time before we break their spirit and take over three universes. Admittingly Arcademan is a big threat as are the other hereoes here however the biggest threat of them all is the pixie known as Parrillusia. The key to travelling between the known universes lies within her. She lives in The Plane of Higher Existance, a level of existance I cannot penetrate however she cares deeply about Arcademan and the others so it's that selfsame concerns of her friends that will be her downfall as well as the downfall of the universes."
The three selves of The Darkness nod their heads in total agreement. "Now is the time to execute our plans and hasten the downfall of the Earths. Let us proceed immediately!!!"
Chapter 14: Chapitre XIV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-12-02 14:33:41 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As Eriol invited his guests to sit down in the library study where he spends much of his time, Sakura looked around and noticed no one else was around.
"Where are Miss Mizuki, Nakuru and Suppi, Eriol?" questioned the young cardcaptor.
"Ah. I knew you were coming so I insisted the three go on a shopping adventure for me so that we can talk alone about The Darkness. Of course I hadn't foreseen the guests you have brought along." Eriol turned to the other two. "You must be Botan and this young fellow the spirit detective Yusuke Urimeshe. A pleasure to meet the both of you." as Eriol bowed to the two.
Botan bowed back. "I heard that the wizard Clow Reed was reincarnated but I never dreamed on meeting..." Yusuke cut off Botan's sentence.
"Enough with the pleasentries! We need to know more about The Darkness!"
"Impatience, are we not...however you are correct. You three must be filled in on everything I know about this evil being. For starters, he is not of this world but comes from another Earth in another dimension known as The Arcademan Universe."
Upon hearing Eriol mention Arcademan's name, Sakura gasped. "Arcademan's world is responsible for The Darkness?!! How?!! Why?!!"
Eriol continued. "The true origin of The Darkness is unknown, even to those within his world. 500 years ago, the archmage attacked and threatened to lay waste to the entire Earth and The Arcademan Universe. A grand mage named The White Wizard called for my assistance, along with a wizard from yet another Earth named Shazam.
This time Botan interrupted. "Even we in the Spirit World have heard of the mighty Shazam. I never imagined you...I mean Clow Reed meeting him."
"Shazam was pulled from his past, where his powers were at their height to help out. Despite our powers, it took everything we had to defeat the villain. Instead of destroying him, we divided his being into three and imprisioned each one within our worlds. We also knew eventually The Darkness would be freed however at only one-third its previous strength. So though it came from the Arcademan Universe, I fear it was Clow Reed that brought him to our world."
Sakura was puzzled by something. "Why didn't Kerberus or Yue tell me anything about this?"
Eriol stood up and walked over to his desk. "The battle against The Darkness occured before I created them. I had just created the Clow Cards and this was one of the first major battles I had fought with them. I surely would have been defeated if it wasn't for my own 'darkness' in my possession."
"It was her, wasn't it?" exclaimed Sakura as she pulled out her cards from her pouch. She then took out The Hope Card. "All this time, she could've told me about this."
Eriol smiled. "However you didn't know the entire history so you had no idea. The only thing I can reveal is that she is the key between victory and defeat." Upon that cryptic remark, the telephone began to ring. "Excuse me for a moment please."
Yusuke turned to both Botan and Sakura. "I don't know why but I just got a cold shiver up my back when the phone rang. I feel something big is about to go down." Eriol returned to his three guests.
"That was Yukito. Apparently the Shadow Beings are beginning to attack Tomoeda."
"DAMN!!! The Darkness suckered us!!! While we go on a field trip to England, he attacks Japan. We need to get back there FAST!!!" yelled Yusuke.
Sakura went to reach for a card. "The Return Card will get us back immediately..." However before she could activate her star staff, Eriol grabbed her.
Please...allow me. You must be at full strength when you approach this battle...and it will be indeed a battle. I wish I could help out more. Just remember what I told you about The Hope Card." Raising his own mystical staff, Eriol casted a bolt of mystic energy and a portal instantly appeared. As Botan, Yusuke and Sakura began to head through it, Sakura turned to the person who was once known as Clow Reed...
"Thank you, Eriol. Everything will be all right." Once the three entered the light, it disappeared, leaving Eriol alone once again in his home.
"Unfortunately...I fear it will only get worse before it gets better, Sakura. I best prepare myself for the worst in the event she fails...or for that matter, the heroes from Shazam and The White Wizard's worlds...for if The Darkness is reunited with its bodies, no force known in the universe may be able to stop him."
Back in the Arcademan Universe...
Arcademan looked out from the Arcade Brigade headquarters, twin beams of x-rays scanning the immediate vicinity looking for any signs of The Darkess or his army of shadow creatures. "All clear here. Anyone else see anything?"
Several members of the Arcade Brigade spoke through their communicators reporting nothing out of the ordinary. Arcademan turned to Parrillusia.
"I don't know what is worse...knowing what's in store for us in the battle against The Darkness...or waiting around for him to make his move."
Parrillusia turned to him. "That is your dark side dictating your actions, Arcademan. You must stay focused on the task at hand." The statement stunned the hero a little bit.
"I was right in what I said earlier. Your humanity is almost gone. Seven hells, PixieP...what is your problem?" demanded Arcademan. Parrillusia remained still at a statue, looking out at the countryside. "Fine. Have it your way. I expect you to do your best in battle or you can head back to your precious Plane of Higher Existance!" On that note, Arcademan stepped back into the headquarters. Once gone, Parrillusia knelt down and began to cry uncontrollably for a few seconds, then composed herself.
"I must remain strong...yet the words of Arcademan...who I once considered my closest friend...they hurt me more than any weapon could..."
Inside the headquarters, Arcademan walked over to the computer center, where Tecknight was. "Still no sign of The Darkness anywhere, Arcademan. I'd give just about anything to find out what the hell he's up to?"
"Me too, old friend. His powers are concealing himself. Even the White Wizard couldn't locate him with his magicks. Guess all we can do is continue the search and hope he appears soon." As Arcademan finished his statement, a figure walked up from behind him.
"INFORMATION DOWNLOAD COMPLETE...BATTLETECH REQUESTING RETURN TO DUTY..."
Arcademan turned to the android. "Are you fully functional again, BattleTech?!!"
"SYSTEMS REBUILT...FUNCTIONING WITHIN DESIGNED PROTOCAL...REQUEST ASSIGNMENT..."
"It's good to have you back on the team, my friend. Here's what I need you to do..."
Of course no one knew of the events about to take place on the world known as Earth-Shazam as the combined forces of The Monster Society of Evil and the shadow creatures of The Darkness were ready to begin their assault on both the heroes of Fawcett City and The Rock of Eternity.
Chapter 15: Chapitre XV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-12-08 13:58:37 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The realm of the world known as Earth-S...inside a lavish state -of-the-art buiding, members of the Squadron of Justice begin to file into the headquarters, answering the summons sent out by the World's Mightiest Mortal...Captain Marvel. The very names known throughout the world as heroes and in times of dire need...their saviors.
The roll call: Bulletman and Bulletgirl...the husband and wife team of Jim and Susan Barr. Their powers came from a super-serum which gives them super-strength and enhanced abilities. The gravity helmets allows them to fly at super-speed and reflect most projectiles like bullets and other airborne objects.
Behind them was the team of Mr. Scarlet and Pinky. While neither on of them had any actual super-powers, the two are highly trained combatants and are highly skilled in fighting techniques and detective work and have held their own against more powerful beings in battle.
As the hum of the Gyrosub died down outside of the building, out stepped the Spy-Smasher. Sportsman Alan Armstrong became the hero during the Second World War, using only his personal abilites and the amazing GyroSub to fight the likes of Captain Nazi. Along with him was his old friend and sometimes teammate Minute-Man. A colorful red, white and blue-clad hero who fight for the pride of America. Like many of the costumed heroes of Earth-S, has no powers except his quick wits, talents and fighting abilities to battle those who aligned themselves with evil.
As the heroes huddled around the table to hear out Captain Marvel, a puff of smoke appeared and out stepped Ibis the Invincible. A reincarnated prince from ancient Egypt, he fights the forces of evil with the magical Ibistick, a weapon of immense power which does his spoken bidding. Three others were absent from the get-together: Captain Marvel Junior, who as Freddy Freeman was in the hospital recovering from the earlier run-in with The Darkness... Caitlin O'Malley, Billy Batson's good friend and confidant of The Marvels. She stayed behind with Freddy and her wiccan powers are only rivaled of that of Ibis. The third person not in attendance was Kid Eternity. Kit Freeman is the brother of Freddy whose life was taken before his time so to bring him back to Earth, he became a living spirit who can turn invisible and fly. His greatest ability was by summoning any person, living or fiction from the past by yelling 'Eternity'. Since he may be in spirit form, Kit may not be aware of what's been happening recenty.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." spoke Captain Marvel as the other heores prepared to listen to what he had to tell them all. "As you know, a villain of great power known as The Darkness has invaded our world. According to the wizard, we believe he will assault Fawcett City in short time. This is why I have called you all here."
Spy-Smasher spoke up. "According to some information I obtained, members of the Monster Society of Evil have been spotted within Fawcett City. I think they could be connected in all of this."
"Bad enough The Darkness is around. If the Monster Society teams up with him, we could be in big trouble." said Mr. Scarlet and the others nodded in agreement.
After some more discussion, Captain Marvel speaks up once again. "Okay, we're set to take them on. Mary and I are going to check up on Freddy at the hospital one last time and we'll join the rest of your shortly. Here's to victory!" The members of the Squadron of Justice yelled back in unison "VICTORY!!!" and departed from the headquarters to stand guard in Fawcett City.
Speeding across town back to the hospital, Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel fly through the window of Freddy's hospital room and both yelled out "SHAZAM!". The magic lightning changed the two back to Billy and Mary Batson as Caitlin greeted them. Freddy was awake and flashed a smile to Mary.
"We're getting ready for war." said Billy. "You'll be safe here, Freddy...as will you, Caitlin."
Caitlin turned to Billy. "No. I will be joining you in the fiight and I'm not taking no for an answer."
Before Billy could answer back, a loud crash came from outside. The three teenagers peeked out of the window to see Mr. Atom and Bulletman punching each other in the sky while below Ibac swinging a tree at Mr. Scarlet and Pinky, each miss of his target greeted with a loud bang.
"Looks like the war has started...let's go!" said Billy but before he or Mary could say another word, the entire room goes jet-black. Both of them yell out the wizard's name "SHAZAM!" however nothing happens. Mary says but one word..."Darkling!"
Back at the Rock of Eternity...
Black Adam, once the pupil of the wizard Shazam, lights the brazier in front of the throne.
"I have seen you coming, Khem-Adam!!!" shouted the wizard, using the Egyptian name given to Adam when he turned his back on justice. "And I am aware of those you ally yourself with. All I want to know...how could you team up with The Darkness...especially after what he did to you in the past?" Without warning, a strange light bathed the spirit of Shazam, freezing him in place like a statue.
"Heh...heh...heh! I knew this would work on him. It has before in the past." Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana came out from the shadows holding a ray-gun. "This had the same type of energy that King Kull used years ago to captured Shazam and the Gods of Olympus." Another being stirs within the dark reaches of the throne room...
"Black Adam...Dr. Sivana...you have done your master proud. Now all we have to do is obtain the information on how to travel from this universe to the Arcademan Universe. One this is done, the world will become your playground!" The Darkness was pleased. Adam sneered under his breath. "Beh! Master indeed! I know the way there. I've been to Arcademan's world before....and almost died there because of the being known as Flora. If I can get a message to her and to Arcademan, there may be a chance to beat this dark mage."
Adam's thoughts were broken by the voice of The Darkness. "Black Adam...do you know what needs to be done...let us begin!"
Chapter 16: Chapitre XVI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-12-22 07:52:18 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Chapter 16
Black Adam looked at the frozen wizard. For an instant, their eyes met squarely, then he turned to The Darkness and Dr. Sivana. "The magic lightning will open the portal right here!" as Adam pointed to a flat spot along the cave wall.
Almost on cue, Sivana pulled out another sinister-looking weapon. "I was going to use this on those cheesy Marvels but now I have a use for it here. This is a lightning reflector, used from certain elements I obtained from the past, present and future. I almost defeated the Marvel Family years ago with this but as always, they got lucky. I'll use its ray to deflect the lightning when you shout his name, Black Adam...right into the wall and activate the portal to the Arcademan Universe!"
The Darkness looked pleased."When I reunited with my other self, two worlds will fall. Then the third will also be united. When I'm whole, nothing will stop me! You two shall be rewarded when I present you this shattered world for you to do as you see fit. Now, let nothing stop us!!!" On that note, Black Adam positioned himself as Sivana fired his ray at him. Once bathed in its light, Adam shouted out the magic word...
SHAZAM!
The lightning came down and deflected off the shield, then struck the wall. After intense moments, a low growl began to echo throughout the cave, getting louder until finally the wall itself crumbles apart to reveal a portal...to the Arcademan Universe.
"YES!!! Now is the time for all to cower under the forces of The Darkness!!!" However before he could do anything else, moving at the speed of light, Black Adam dove straight into the portal and now, out of the range of Sivana's reflector shield, yelled out once again "SHAZAM! The lightning struck him and the portal at the same time and when the smoke cleared, both were gone.
"NOOOO!!!" That double-crossing bastard!!!" Then The Darkness turned to Dr. Sivana. "Were you in on this, little man?!!"
"No! I swear!!! I had no idea Adam would do that!!! He always was a loner. He's the type..." and Sivana was interrupted by a roar of thunder. The wizard Shazam was free and he was not happy.
"You two are trespassing on The Rock of Eternity!!! BE GONE!!!" Lightning stabs both The Darkness and Sivana and then they were gone. The wizard looked at the blank wall where the portal was.
"I hope Black Adam suceeds...if not, the future of three universes shall fall under The Darkness." and sat back down on his throne, weakened from his ordeal.
Tomoeda, Japan...
Sakura, along with her newfound allies Yususke Urimeshi and Botan, arrived from England and just in time as the Shadow Creatures were running rampant around town. Syaoran, Kerberus and Yue were fighting against them and holding their own.
"Syaoran!!! I'm back!!!" yelled Sakura as she manuevered her way through the dark images, with Yusuke using his fighting skills to beat down a path toward him. Then everyone was once again united as a team.
"We can beat these shadows however for every one we destroy, two more take their place." said Syaoran. "Perhaps if there was a way to get them all in one spot..."
"Okay...let's herd them up then." said Yusuke as the others nodded in agreement. For the next several minutes, between Syaoran's spells, Yue's light arrows, Kerberus' fireballs and Yusuke's shotgun blasts, the Shadows were all forced together in front of the same hospital where Tomoyo was staying after here accident in the previous battle. Sakura pulls out a card and strikes it:
SHIELD!!!
Sakura's shield magic surrounds the entire clan of shadows as she looked over to Yusuke, who was charging up with power. "Sakura! Drop your shield...NOW!" As she recalled The Shield card, Yusuke let loose...
SPIRIT SHOTGUN!!!
Blasts of high intensity energy beams shoot out from his right finger and strikes every shadow figure. In a blink of an eye, all the shadows are gone.
"Way to go guys!" As the team looked up from the upper floor of the hospital, there was Tomoyo, with her video camera poking out of the window. "I got it all on tape...Sakura was lovely as always in battle!" A embarrased look came over Sakura's face, then from the corner of her eye, she sees him...THE DARKNESS. He begins to move away down the street from the battle site.
"Follow him!!!" yelled Syaoran as the group took off after him and soon, as the heroes turned the corner, The Darkness stood with more shadow creatures in front of a well-to-do home, which for some reason, stood out from its surrounding however in the heat of battle, no one noticed that fact.
"Enough running! I may not be at full power but I am more than powerful enough to destroy the likes of you, legacy of Clow Reed!!!" snarled The Darkness but before he could act, a bright light stabbed through the heart of Darkness. Not knowing what was about to happen, Sakura reached into her pocket and pushed the button on the eight-sided star pendant in there.
"Such power...why did I not sense it before now?!!" The Darkness teleports out as the rest of his army is evaporated in the light. Everyone turned to Sakura, who looked as surprised as everyone else. "Don't look at me. I didn't do that!" Then a voice came out from the house. "I did that." as a lady walked out of the house, accompanied by two small girls and a teenage boy trailing the three.
"The Darkness coming here...it was all a coincidence?" said the Cardcaptor.
"There is no such thing as coincidence. There is only hitsuzen." said the lady. My name is Yuuko and the three with me...Watanuki Kimihiro and the twins Maru and Moro. If you wish, I can rid the world of The Dark Being...for a price!"
Chapter 17: Chapitre XVII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-12-28 11:50:08 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Tumbling through a long, winding corridor of flashing lights and sound, the mortal form of Black Adam, known as Teth-Adam continues to fall uncontrollably until the entire world around him went dark. When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a grassy knoll, none the worse for wear.
"Am I here? Is this the Earth that resides within the Arcademan Universe?" Then Adam saw a pair of shadows creep from behind. When he turned around, he saw the two...Arcademan and Parrillusia.
Parrillusia turned to Arcademan. "This is where I sensed the portal from Earth-S. No sign of The Darkness however this person might have seen something happen."
Arcademan looked at Teth-Adam. "He knows more than you think, Pixie P...this is Black Adam...at least his human form. What are you doing here on our world, archmage?!!" demanded Arcademan.
Adam turned to the two heroes. "You know who I am and what I'm capable of. I wish nothing more than to conquer Earth, along with that damned wizard and Captain Marvel but I will never forget nor forgive the being who humiliated me when I first received the power of the gods. Bah! I don't need your help once I shout out the name..."
SHAZAM!!!
Nothing happened.
Arcademan grabbed Adam by the shirt collar and lifted him high in the air, his other fist ready to plaster him. "You forget...your magic word does not work here in my world. Now, if you're done flapping your gums, I have a proposal for you. It seems like we have a mutual enemy in The Darkness. Swear allegience to defeating the mage and your powers will be restored and you can help avenge your defeat from times past. Don't...and I open the portal and send you back...DEAD!"
A look into Arcademan's eyes by Adam and he knew he was not bluffing. In his last trip into the Arcademan Universe, Black Adam attack and almost killed the heroine known as Flora. She, in return, poisoned him with her thorns and almost died himself. He knew deep down, the heroes of the Arcademan Universe would kill...like him. This is a world he could easily call his home but his dreams of controlling Earth-S overpowered those thoughts and if The Darkness were allowed to destroy it all, he would be denied what he felt was his destiny in life.
"Okay, Arcademan. Deal. We will deal with our common enemy first...then worry about the aftermath for another time. You have my word."
Parrillusia grabbed Arcademan to the side. "Do you know what you're doing, Arcade? His aura reeks of evil. You cannot trust this person!"
"Pixie P...of course I don't trust Adam. However, our options are low...and he does have the power we sorely need to help the cause. Besides, it's not like I've dealt with the devil before...not the first time...won't be the last. You know what to do."
Parrillusia nodded to her friend and then raised both of her arms into the air. After concentrating intensely, she pointed her right arm at Adam and fired a bolt of lightning. A flash of light and smoke enveloped the man and then when it all cleared, the black costumed being with the gold lightning on his chest...BLACK ADAM...had returned.
"Heh. Now I shall reward your kindness!" However, as Black Adam attempted to lung at the two heroes, another came from behind and grabbed the villain, holding a single thorn to his neck."
"Remember me, bastard?!!" The person was Flora, who held the thorn right to his skin. "I should kill you where you stand for what you did to me!!! Arcade told me otherwise so all I can do is THIS!!!"
HELL'S IVY!!!
Vines shot up from the ground and then surrounded Black Adam's left wrist. Then the vines fell apart, only leaving a bracelet made of vines on his wrist. "These vines are mystical in nature. You cannot break them off...you cannot slip out of them. Any attempt will release the thorns through your skin and inject poison within you. You will be dead in under a minute. I swear it!!!" A sly smile came over Adam. "You heroes are a lot like me than I even imagined. I will not betray you. We will defeat all aspects of The Darkness or die trying!"
"Adam...you and Parrillusia trade notes. Your experience in The Darkness' abilities will be invaluable to..." Before Arcademan could finish his sentence, he felt a tug within his belt pocket. Opening it up, he saw the 8 sided Powerstar flashing.
"Sakura Kinomoto is in mortal danger. I must go to her and her world. The Darkness may be already conquered the Cardcaptor World. Send me there, Parrillusia...NOW!!!" demanded Arcademan.
Black Adam whispered something to the elder faerie, then she turned to Arcademan. "Black Adam told me that before he came to our world, Shazam telepathically communicated with him. Once he was freed from being the prisioner of The Darkness and Doctor Sivana, he would project a mental shield around Earth-S. We should do the same here since obviously The Darkness has been communicating with himself between the void, coordinating the attacks against the heroes of three worlds. We can do the same thing however once done, there can be no travel between the worlds. If you decide to go to Sakura's Earth, you may not be able to return."
Without any hesitation, Arcademan said, "I'm going. Black Adam can help out here. Sakura's world lack the heroes we have here and on Earth-S. If The Darkness even conquers one world, then there may be no stopping him. Once I'm gone, set up the shield. We must do this now!"
Parrillusia opened a portal and Arcademan darted through it at super-speed. Once in, the portal closed immediately. Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, The Darkness looked puzzled.
"Damn. The heroes have found a way to cut off communications between the three worlds. I am at a temporary disadvantage but let them bask in their apparent glory. Even at one third of my strength, I am more than powerful enough to defeat them and take over Earth. Only with its destruction will my revenge against those accursed wizards be complete!"
To be continued...
Chapter 18: Chapitre XVIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-01-03 12:15:16 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Chapter 18
Billy, Mary, Caitlin and Freddy were now enveloped in a darkness much darker than any night due to the powers of the villainess known as Darkling. Her darkness so deep that it even prevents the magic lightning from penetrating its realm, thus preventing the transformation of the mighty Marvel Family. Then the four heard the voice of their enemy.
"I knew I would catch you off-guard. Now you all stay put while my fellow members of the Monster Society take care of the other heroes." and then silence, leaving the kids to ponder their next move, the whole time hearing the sounds of battle from outside.
"Holy Moley!" exclaimed Billy. "We're in a tight spot..." Then he heard a loud clang, followed by a equally loud thump.
"Sorry about that. I tripped over the bedpan lying on the floor." said Mary. "You're right though, Billy. Even if we feel our ways along the walls and the stairs down, it'd be far too late to help our fellow members of the Squadron of Justice."
There was suddenly a small glow surrounding the hands of Caitlin as she used her magicks to make her somewhat visible. "Her powers are immense. I don't think I can keep this up much longer. If anyone has any ideas, let's hear them."
Billy went silent for a moment, then said "Actually...I think I know a way out of this trap..."
Meanwhile, just outside of the hospital, the heroes and villains were duking it out and though for the first part of the fight, the battle was evenly matched, however as time went on, the advantage slowly went to the favor of the Moster Society. For all of their acrobatic skills and prowness, Mr. Scarlet and his trusty sidekick, Pinky the Whiz-Kid was no match for Ibac. After toying with the duo, Ibac, cursed with the powers of the evil entities, countered their attacks and with a few well-placed punches, was able to knocked them out of the battle.
Elsewhere, Bulletman and Bulletgirl, in their in-flight battle with Mister Atom, were caught off-guard by the blinding flash of light from Chain Lightning. Atom threw a rocket-powered roundhouse that connected with Bulletman that knocked him unconscious. When his wife Bulletgirl went to catch her fallen husband, she was shocked from behind by the archmage. Both heroes fell from the sky into the ground.
Magic bolts of eldritch energy bounced between Ibis the Invincible and Oggar, neither magician gaining the upper hand however the absence of the Marvel Family left the heroes out-numbered. Sneaking onto the shoulder of the turban-clad hero undetected, Mr. Mind quickly spun a silk mask around Ibis. Not being able to speak any commands through the Ibistick, Oggar takes quick advantage and blasts Ibis with a spell, turning him into an ice statue.
The final battle going on was between old adversaries...Captain Nazi and the tag team of Spy-Smasher and Minute Man. During the Second World War, they met countless times so the three knew themselves very well. Despite having superior strength and abilities over the two heroes, Nazi was having a hard time containing them. After intense moments, Minute Man finally fell however thanks to his sacrifice, Spy-Smasher was able to manuever behind the villain and after a quick set of well-placed judo chops to the side of Nazi's neck, was able to stun him. Gasping for breath, Spy-Smasher turned to see Captain Nazi sink to his knees but standing behind him...the rest of the Monster Society of Evil ready to continued the battle.
"Myself against the entire Monster Society...not good at all. Where are you, Captain Marvel?!!"
Back in the hospital room...
"You got the plan, Cait?" asked Billy.
"I believe so, Liam. I'm not sure if I can do it but I'll give it my best shot." On that note, Caitlin focused her mind and pointed both her hands up into the sky. Her hands lit up as a narrow beam of light began to cut through the darkness like a beacon of hope.
"It's not very wide, Billy. Will this work?" asked Mary.
"It doesn't have to be big. If Cait can punch a hole through this cone of darkness, that all we need. Suddenly, Caitlin collapsed, her magicks totally spent however a small patch of light came through the top of the darkness. Without hesitation, Billy and Mary yelled out the wizard's name...
"SHAZAM!!!"
A bright light travels down and strike the two and instantly were transformed into Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel. The transformation also destroyed the darkness that surrounded the hospital and the backlash knocked Darkling across the parking lot of the hospital and into unconsciousness.
Captain Marvel reached out to Caitlin. "Well done. You rest up and keep an eye on Freddy. It's time Mary and I give the Squadron of Justice a hand!" Mary gave Freddy a peck on the cheek. "I'll be back. Promise." and two members of the World's Mightiest Family flew out the window toward the villains. As Caitlin rested on the chair, she noticed Freddy looking with wide eyes toward the door of his room. Since he still couldn't speak, he pointed first to Caitlin, then to the person in the doorway.
Caitlin spoke out. "Oh my goodness...it's..."
To be continued...
Chapter 19: Chapitre IXX
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-03-06 13:27:00 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
CHAPTER 19
As Caitlin rested on the chair, she noticed Freddy looking with wide
eyes toward the door of his room. Since he still couldn't speak, he
pointed first to Caitlin, then to the person in the doorway.
Caitlin spoke out. "Oh my goodness...it's..."
One word spoke out from the person..."ETERNITY!!!
Upon the spoken word, a plume of smoke appears and out steps out
Zeus, the God of all Gods with a lightning bolt in his right hand.
"Freddy Freeman, since you cannot speak the name of your hero, I
have been summonned to help you from your dire moment!" And with
that, Zeus hurls the magic lightning at the bed-ridden youth. Upon
its impact, a transformation occurs, changing him into the World's
Mightiest Boy...Captain Marvel Junior. Upon changing, any and all
injuries he had substained instantly healed. With his work on the
mortal plane accomplished, the boy in the doorway shouts
out 'ETERNITY!' once again and Zeus disappears.
"Kit!" yelled out Junior as he leaped out of bed and hugged his
brother, Christopher Freeman, otherwise known as Kid Eternity. His
was the power to summon any being, fictionous or real from the past
by shouting the world 'Eternity'. Under normal circumstances, he is
a spirit but because his death was premature, he came back to Earth
to assist in justice, watched over by his guardian Mr. Keeper.
"I'm glad I could help you, Freddy. Unfortunately I can't stay. I'm already bending the rules by being here but at the same time, I couldn't see my brother suffer while the fate of the world hangs in the balance." Kid Eternity turned as though something was tapping him on the shoulder. Captain Marvel Junior or Caitlin couldn't see anything next to him but it was Mr. Keeper.
"It's time to go, kid. I know you want to help out the Marvels and the Earth however if we don't return now, the fate of the UNIVERSE may be at risk." said the elder spirit as Kid Eternity nodded his head in agreement and then turned his attention back to Junior.
"I don't understand...why can't you help us?" Junior asked. "From what I've seen of this dark enemy, we're going to need all the help we can."
Kid Eternity looked hard into his brother's eyes. "Just accept the fact that where I'm going and what I'm doing, the stakes are so much higher. I'd give almost anything to be here..."
"No need to explain, Kit. I understand...and trust you completely. You get the job done on your end and we'll take care of things here!" and Junior hugged his brother once again.
"Thanks, bro. I'll be back when I can. 'ETERNITY!!!" And with the shout of the name, Kid Eternity disappeared from the realm of mortals.
"Okay, Cait...let's go!" and the two rushed out of the hospital room from the window toward the battle.
As Spy Smasher looked in front of him at the advancing villains, he heard a loud crash coming from the hospital. Seeing Darkling unconscious on the ground following the explosion, a sly smile appeared on the hero's face.
"Now you're going to get it but good!" As the villains looked up to the sky to see both Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel speeding toward them, Spy Smasher dove toward the ground and with a leg sweep, catches the villains by surprise and knocks them to the ground. Running over to the where Bulletman was lying after being knocked out by Mr. Atom, Spy reaches into his pouch and pulls out some smelling salts and holds it to the hero. In seconds, Bulletman opens his eyes.
"Come on, Jim...the Marvels are here! We have a second chance of beating the Monster Society of Evil!" On that note, Bulletman adjusted his helmet and the two raced back to the battle.
Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel barrel into the villains, scattering them like tenpins. Oggar recovered first and tried to cast a spell on Captain Marvel but the blast was intercepted by the still-groggy Bulletgirl. The blast had absolutely no affect on the heroine.
"By the Gods!!! They know my magicks cannot harm females directly, however I can transform the air into poison and destroy her that way, then..." Suddenly, a gag formed over the World's Mightinest Immortal's mouth.
"Ibistick, chain Oggar back on the Rock of Eternity!" A bright glow came from the staff and as Oggar began to fade away, he begged "How did you escape? I had you beat....." Ibis the Invincible turned to Caitlin. "Thank you, my dear. Your magicks, combined with mine, freed me from my icy prison and dealt defeat on the enemy."
Captain Nazi, still slightly stunned by Spy Smasher was ready to rejoin the battle but before he could fully recovered, felt a tap on his right shoulder. When he tilted his head to look who it was, all he saw before fading into unconsciousness was the fist of Captain Marvel Junior. "You know...one would think I would get mighty tired punching your lights out, Nazi...but I certainly don't tire of it one bit!"
Captain Marvel was high in the sky battling the monstrosity that was the robot nuclear reactor, Mr. Atom. Every time Cap tried to move in, Atom would shoot radiation from his eyes, trying to hit innocent bystanders and the surrounding buildings. Intercepting the blasts to prevent damage, Captain Marvel was clearly on the defense. Accessing the wisdom of Solomon, he concluded the only way to win was to block the radioactivity. With the speed of Mercury at his command, Cap zipped around the robot and blocked the eyes of Mr. Atom however the villain continued to try and blast away.
"Captain Marvel! You started a chain reaction!!!" yelled Bulletman. "Atom's beginning to meltdown and if he explodes, all of Fawcett City will be destroyed!!!" As a scientist aw well as a police officer, Jim Barr had experience and expertise in the field of atomic energy and Capatain Marvel knew that as well.
"Holy Moley!!! I must get Atom clear of the area!" With his grip still tightly around the giant robot, Captain Marvel flew at top speed beyond the atmosphere of the Earth and then with one mighty throw worthy of The World's Mightiest Mortal, sent Mr. Atom into space. Three seconds later, it explodes but not until after leaving the Earth's orbit, leaving no trace of radiation fallout within the atmosphere.
"That was close! Now to head back to Fawcett City and wrap this whole thing up." thought Captain Marvel as he flew back down.
Mary Marvel was dodging Chain Lightning's bolts of electricity, knowing if one hits her, she'd change back to Mary Batson. Worse, if that happened and she calls down the magic lightning, the villainess can harness it and give herself Shazam powers. As Mary flew around, she saw a pair of shadows by a set of trees and then headed over toward the trees, Chain Lightning closely following behind. As the World's Mightiest Girl cleared the trees, two voices shouted out "NOW!!!" Two wires shot up from the ground, wrapping around Chain Lightning's legs and dragging her down. As she attempted to shoot off a bolt of lightning at the pair, she felt a draining sensation...as though all of her powers were leaving her.
"Okay, Pinky...tie her up good!!!" said Mr. Scarlet as in a moment the duo heroes had the villain wrapped in electrical wire, grounding her out.
"Thanks, Mr. Scarlet...Pinky. Great plan! Let's go do some mop-up on the rest of the MSOE." and the three headed back to the hospital.
Awhile ago, all the villains had Spy Smasher surrounded...now it was the heroes that had Ibac in the same position. "You have nowhere to run, Ibac!" said Minute-Man. "Go ahead and back down or you'll get the beating of your life!"
"Do your worst, creeps...I'll go down fighting before I back down..." Without warning, green flames shot up from the ground, filling the air with the stench of brimstone and covering Ibac. In a flash, where the brute once stood now was a kindly old street cleaner named Mr. Printwhistle. Ibac, like the Marvels, shouts out a magic word to transform back and forth. By saying the words 'I BACK' without him knowing, he accidentally changed back. As Printwhistle, he was relieved to be back to his mortal form.
"Oh...thank goodness! What did that awful brute do this time?" asked Printwhistle as Minute-Man grabbed his hat and then in the fist of his hand was Mr. Mind, who happened to be trying to hide underneath the street cleaning hat.
The Marvels quickly rounded up some materials and with the magic spells of Ibis and Caitlin O'Malley, constructed a makeshift cell to hold all the members of the Monster Society of Evil.
Bulletman told the heroes. "The Special Police Unit will arrive shortly to transport these guys to special holding cells. Looks like the Squadron of Justice wins again!" Captain Marvel had a look of concern on his face.
"That Dark being...along with Sivana and Black Adam...they went over to the Rock of Eternity...we need to investigate this." As the Marvel Family began to head out, they heard a voice as chilling as death itself speak from above.
"So...the heroes were triumphant...a momentary setback but before long, this world will fall to The Darkness!" As The Darkness prepared himself, a flash of light came from behind him as a sword slashed through him. As The Darkness screamed out in pain, he saw two figures come out from what appeared to be a portal...then he disappeared.
BACK ON THE CARDCAPTOR EARTH...
"Such power...why did I not sense it before now?!!" The Darkness teleports out as the rest of his army is evaporated in the light. Everyone turned to Sakura, who looked as surprised as everyone else. "Don't look at me. I didn't do that!" Then a voice came out from the house. "I did that." as a lady walked out of the house, accompanied by two small girls and a teenage boy trailing the three.
"The Darkness coming here...it was all a coincidence?" wondered Sakura Kinomoto.
"There is no such thing as coincidence. There is only hitsuzen." said the lady. My name is Yuuko and the three with me...Watanuki Kimihiro and the twins Maru and Moro. If you wish, I can rid the world of The dark being...for a price!"
On that note, the ground and sky seemed to bend and twist out of reality, followed by a loud 'POOOOO!!!' Once was an open space, four beings stood.
"HOOOOEEEEE!!!" shrieked Sakura as she and the others were wondering who was coming out of the portal...was it friends...or foes?
To be continued...
Chapter 20: Chapitre XX
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-03-09 14:21:04 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The Darkness growled with contempt. "Why am I reacting with cowardice toward these people?!! Since I've lost contact with my doppelgangers on the two other Earths, I've been disorganized...NO MORE!!!" With renewed anger against those that opposed him, The Darkness readied himself and his shadow warriors against the legacy of Clow Reed and the force that ralled with her in front of the house that reeked of the essence of the wizard Clow Reed himself, though long removed from the mortal plane.
Saukra Kinomoto, along with Syaoran Li, Keroberus, Yue and Yusuke Urimechi were transfixed with the column of light that had appeared. Yuuko looked also with a sly smile across her face. Once the light show faded and the smoke disappeared, four beings looked around at their surroundings, then at the group facing them. Without warning, Syaoran suddenly fainted and crumpled to the ground, while with the other group, one of them also fainted, to be caught by one of their own. Two voices cried out at the same time:
"SAKURA!!!"
"SYAORAN!!!"
Then the two looked at each other eye to eye...
"That...that looks like Syaoran...an older one but it's not possible..."
"Sakura?!! That girl looks like the princess...and she knows my name..."
"Look out!!! The Darkness has returned!!! Defend and attack!!!" shouted Yusuke as he darted in front and with a rapid succession of punches, took out two of the shadow warnings. Upon that sight, the two groups faced their adversary and began a counterattack. Meanwhile, Yuuko looked on.
"Watanuki, take Maru and Moro back into the shop. They must not be put into any danger...that goes for you as well." said Yuuko and as he ushered the two back, he noticed the staff Sakura had in her hand...similar to the one he found in the shop when he first was exposed to its treasures and secrets.
"Then what I thought was true...that girl IS the Cardcaptor I've heard about...and our world's version of those travelers but what are they doing back here? Yuuko sent them to other worlds to search for their destiny." thought Watanuki as now he and the twins were now safe from the battle. Yuuko continued to stand her ground and observe the battle at close range.
Sakura and her friends didn't know who exactly the new people were however they joined her in battle as though on sheer instinct. The person who beared an uncanny resemblence to Syaoran was fast, using kicking techniques. The blonde in the white robe was even faster, dodging blows and blasts as though they were traveling at slow speed. The third person, cloaked with a cape and weilding a long blade sword, wasn't holding back, slicing and dicing everything in sight. Sakura looked off in the distance and saw him...THE DARKNESS! He looked back at her, then without warning, charged toward her.
"Sakura...LOOK OUT!" shouted Keroberus as he darted in front of her and shot off a blast of fire. Yue also saw the danger to his mistress and formed an energy bow and arrow and shot at the archmage. The twin blasts slowed The Darness down as the ninja-looking guy saw what was happening.
"So...it's YOU that have assulted us. Time for you to die!"
"TENMA SHORYU SEN!!!" <rising dragon flash!>
The sword assult slices into The Darkness' body, making him scream out once again in pain. "Damn you all!!! If it's the last thing I do, I will kill you all and feast on all your souls!!!" The darkmage then disappeared. As he did, so did all of his minions.
Yusuke looked with astonishment. "Wow! You certainly know how to handle that sword. Thanks for the help. Name's Yusuke Urimeshi."
The others came over. "The big scary guy is Kuro-pun. My name is Fai D. Flowright and this is Syaoran. The one asleep on the ground is Princess Sakura." Upon hearing the cute name Fai said, Kurogane growled "Enough with the pet name!!! I'm Kurogane!!!" Syaoran ran over to check on the Princess Sakura while Sakura Kinomoto did likewise to Syaoran Li.
"He looks like he's asleep but I can't wake him up!" said Sakura, then she looked over and saw the Syaoran from another world. "Kero, look over Syaoran while I talk to that guy please?" Mokona told Syaoran "Sakura's sleeping. I'll keep an eye on her." Syaoran walked to where the 'other' Sakura was and the two stood there staring...like lost friends but at the same time...complete strangers to one another.
Fai looked at the two. "Just as the time space witch told us...we may meet other versions of people we know in these other worlds but the Princess Sakura in this world...the resemblence is uncanny indeed."
Kurogane looked around his surroundings. "We've been here before!" Then he spotted Yuuko standing in front of her shop. "It's that witch! We're back in her world! Give me back GINRYU!!!" Ginryu was the silver dragon sword Kurogane gave Yuuko in payment to travel between the worlds.
"I see your travels haven't changed your personality one bit at all. I cannot say why you are back here unless there could be one of the feathers of the Princess' soul here. Until your journey comes to an end, your sword belongs to me." Yuuko said in her usual defiant tone.
"Now that I have everyone's attention, as I've said before, I can help rid the world of this evil presence...however the price is very high. Sakura Kinomoto, legacy of my beloved Clow Reed...are you ready to pay such a price?"
Sakura was about to answer when a voice came from the sky..."NO! SHE DOES NOT!!!"
Chapter 21: Chapitre XXI
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-05-08 10:46:37 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
FLASHBACK: MOMENTS BEFORE IN THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE...
"Adam...you and Parrillusia trade notes. Your experience in The Darkness' abilities will be invaluable to..." Before Arcademan could finish his sentence, he felt a tug within his belt pocket. Opening it up, he saw the eight sided Powerstar flashing.
"Sakura Kinomoto is in mortal danger. I must go to her and her world. The Darkness may be already conquered the Cardcaptor World. Send me there, Parrillusia...NOW!!!" demanded Arcademan.
Black Adam whispered something to the elder faerie, then she turned to Arcademan. "Black Adam told me that before he came to our world, Shazam telepathically communicated with him. Once he was freed from being the prisioner of The Darkness and Doctor Sivana, he would project a mental shield around Earth-S. We should do the same here since obviously The Darkness has been communicating with himself between the void, coordinating the attacks against the heroes of three worlds. We can do the same thing however once done, there can be no travel between the worlds. If you decide to go to Sakura's Earth, you may not be able to return."
Without any hesitation, Arcademan said, "I'm going. Black Adam can help out here. Sakura's world lack the heroes we have here and on Earth-S. If The Darkness even conquers one world, then there may be no stopping him. Once I'm gone, set up the shield. We must do this now!"
Parrillusia opened a portal and Arcademan darted through it at super-speed. Once in, the portal closed immediately.
WITHIN THE PORTAL TO THE CARDCAPTOR EARTH...
As Arcademan flew through the portal of swirling lights, he suddenly sensed a familiar presents...no...TWO of them.
"Dream Angel! Dream Demon! What is going on?" asked the hero.
The Angel spoke first. "We are here to give you some advice and a warning. Once you arrive on Sakura Kinomoto's world, we will not be able to communicate with you so please heed our words."
Then the Demon continued. "Parrillusia will use the magicks from the Realm of Higher Existance to seal our world to prevent The Darkness from communicating so if the worse comes to past, and I hope it does not, we Dreams cannot interfer in the lives of the mortals for if they are not permitted to have dreams or nightmares, the entire human race will go slowly mad. So the battle with The Darkness must come to a close soon."
"Understood!" answered Arcademan. "I'd say wish me luck but then I don't believe in luck." Right before Arcademan was about to leave the portal, The Dream Angel says one last thing...
"You will run into a person named Yuuko. She is what is known as a dimensional witch. Her magicks are strong but there's a price to pay for them if she decides to offer her services. Do not trust her!" And on that note, the voices of the Dreams disappeared and soon Arcademan was flying over the town of Tomoeda, Japan. As he looked down, he saw Sakura, amongst others in front of a old-style home talking with a tall woman dressed in black. Thanks to his super-hearing, he could listen into the conversation taking place.
"Now that I have everyone's attention, as I've said before, I can help rid the world of this evil presence...however the price is very high. Sakura Kinomoto, legacy of my beloved Clow Reed...are you ready to pay such a price?"
Sakura was about to answer when Arcademan shouted from the sky, "NO! SHE DOES NOT!!!"
Everyone gazed their eyes on the cloaked figured Arcademan as he landed between Sakura and Yuuko. Sakura ran up to him and gave Arcade a big hug and said "I knew you would come..." Then Arcademan turned to Yuuko.
"I believe introductions are in order. My name is Arcademan and I came to destroy The Darkness that has troubled this world once and for all!"
The dimensional time-space witch looked confused at the turn of events, then she regained her composure. Fai looked on and leaned over to his partners Kurogane and Syaoran.
"Very interesting. did you notice the look on the time-space witch when that colorful character arrived?"
Kurogane looked with a puzzled expression on his face. "So what?"
"Remember when we first came here. The first thing Yuuko told us is that there is no such thing as coincidence...there is only hitsuzen."
Syaoran nodded. "Ah...yes...a naturally foreordained event. A state in which other outcomes are impossible...a result which can only be obtained by a single causality and other causalities would necessarily create different results."
"Correct. So if she is a full believer in hitsuzen, the stranger's arrival wouldn't have startled her yet it did." deducted the Wizard from Seresu.
Kurogane grunted. "Guess all we can do is wait and see what happens next but from what I can sense from this new person, his soul may be darker than the Dark being that's trying to destroy this world."
Arcademan stepped right up to Yuuko. "You mentioned you have a solution to this whole thing...let's hear it!"
Yuuko stared back at the hero. "I do however what do you have to compensate for this? This information comes with a heavy price." Then the witch looked closely at Arcademan and noticed something...
"Hmmm...a sword sheath...minus a blade. What is that, if you don't mind me asking?" Arcademan could sense her mind scheming and plotting but he didn't let it show.
"This is called The Sunblade. Its blade is made of pure negative energy. Only the darkness within my soul keeps it in check and it also prevents by being from further plunging into the darkness. What are you getting at?"
This is a slight hesitation in Yuuko, then she makes her sales pitch. "I will use my abilities to aid your battle in destroying this foul being however in trade I want that sword of yours as payment for my services."
Arcademan looked at everyone around the area, then he looked at his friend Sakura and gave her a wink of his eye, then he grabbed the Sunblade and went to hand it to Yuuko.
"I accept your deal!"
Chapter 22: Chapitre XXVI
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-09-21 13:15:28 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
With Black Adam's hand tightly clutching The Darkness, a flash of light appeared and Eclipse stepped out of it. "Adam! It IS you?!!" Black Adam stared at the girl. "Eclipse?!! You have returned?!!"
The Darkness chuckled. "Now that BOTH of you are now here, I can proceed to destroy the both of you, along with this little mudball you call home!!!"
Without warning, there was a loud, deafening explosion...then there was complete silence as everything was as still as death.
However...the silence did not last. Behind a shimmering shield of light stood the heroes of the Arcademan Universe, provided by their resident magician Mystique Rose. Nearby, Eclipse shielded Black Adam from the blast with the shadowlight within her.
The Darkness began to laugh out loud. "Now that I have your attention, please direct your attention to the being standing behind me. As the smoke began to clear, a huge figure stood well over seven feet tall, muscles upon muscles all over its body, entirely colored in green from head to toe. Two words came from the lips of Flora... "Invincible Man!"
That got an almost immediate reaction from Black Adam. "Mister Mind!!! I wonder what came of you during the recent battle of Earth-S!" Though he had never met the being known as The Invincible Man, he had heard the tale of how the alien worm created an artificial body to do hand-to-hand combat with his arch-nemesis Captain Marvel. Marvel defeated him and sealed the body with a powerful combination of metals called Marvelium. In a later battle, Mr. Mind coaxed a magic user named Maiden Moonbeam to free the body and once again wrecked havoc on Earth-S. Captain Marvel Junior, along with the rest of the Marvel Family and a visiting Flora from the Arcademan Universe defeated him however Moonbeam lost her life in the battle, which was how Flora remembered the bulking green creature.
"See. I knew these heroes would be awed by such flawless greatness, my dark ruler!" Mr. Mind was on the shoulder of The Darkness. Looking like a common green worm except for the goggles and the radio box speaker he wore as a necklace to amplify his voice, he suddenly disappeared and shortly The Invincible Man moved a few steps closer to the group of heroes. "I told you I'd be more useful than that egotistical Doctor Sivana. Now we shall have a bit of fun!" As he flexed the muscles of his creation, it looked as though the sun high in the sky began to grow dimmer.
"Help me defeat the legacies of The White Wizard and I shall give you this universe to do as you please!!!" bellowed The Darkness as the heroes took a battle stance to defend themselves against the new threat to their world.
Meanwhile on Earth-S: Within Fawcett Forest...
"Do you sense it now?!!" said the man in a long, flowing red costume but upon a closer look, didn't entirely look like a man. On his head sticking out from the white hair were dog ears.
"It's faint but I do sense it nearby." said the girl. She wore a green and white sailor suit and skirt, typical clothing for a Japanese schoolgirl and carried a bow and arrow set. "By the way, have you found any clue on where we're at?"
"Not an idea. I remember coming to your place in the future on mamy occasions. This place smells like a future time but the air here...stinks like rotten smoke."
The girl saw a crumpled newspaper nearby on a rock inside the cave and looked at it. "It's printed in English so we must be in America." On the top of the paper the date printed said June 17, 2006.
"We are back in my time according to this. At least we can..."
"Shhh, Kagome!!! I hear somebody coming!" Drawing his sword, the man took a stance.
"InuYasha...the Shikon Jewel fragment is nearby. Whoever's out their has it in their possession!!!"
Outside near the cave, Dr. Sivana was leading The Darkness toward the back of the structure.
"Damn you, small man!!! If you're going to try and double-cross me again, I'll make you and this world pay dearly for such insolence!!!" yelled the dark mage.
"Before you take that tone with me my liege, let me show you what I remembered finding recently." As Sivana removed a crop of rocks by the side of the cave, he pulled out an old metal chest and opened it. A glowing purple gem shined upon both of them.
"Such power from that gemstone..." said The Darkness. "If I combine my powers with this, those accursed Marvels and their damn wizard Shazam will fall before me. Dr. Sivana, you shall rule this world after all."
"Thank you, my dark lord." said the sniveling scientist yet his thoughts were different. "What use will I have of ruling a dead world. As much as I hate to admit it, I must seek out Captain Marvel and work with him to defeat The Darkness."
Tomoeda, Japan: The park across from the city hospital...
Loud clangs of metal echoed from the park. For passerbys, the scene had the making of a play or costumed performance but the battle taking place was real as Kurogane was swinging his sword at Sakura, who was doing her best to deflect his advances and tried to mount a counterattack. For a fleeting moment, it looked like she would succeed but without warning, Kurogane side-stepped the attack and swung around behind her, knocked the sword from her hand, foot swept her to the ground and pointed the tip of his sword up to her neck. Sakura pulled herself back up and bowed to Kurogane. "I'm sorry, sensei."
Kurogane looked serious at the young Cardcaptor. "Though you need much more training, I am impressed on how much you've learned in such a short period of time." Fai, overhearing the conversation shouts out. "Kuro-pai...you're getting soft and your face is turning red!" Hearing this made the ninja from Japan yell out and chase the wizard of Seresu around the park. The others laughed at the comical situation. Then Arcademan focused his attention to the otherworldly Syaoran, Yusuke Urimeshe and Botan.
"That's the story of The Darkness as far as I know. The aspect of him is only one-third of the being as his presence is also being felt on my homeworld as well as another Earth called Earth-Shazam. My job is not only to defeat the archmage but to destroy him once and for all." The thought of destroying the enemy got a raise from Yusuke.
"It's about time! I'm itching to test my powers against The Darkness. I managed to win in a Demon Tournament against the most powerful beings of Demon World. I'm ready to bring it on!" As the group brought themselves together to discuss a plan, Mokona's eyes opened wide and yelled out "Syaoran!!! Princess Sakura's feather is nearby and getting closer!!!"
Chapter 23: Chapitre XXII
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-07-03 11:38:14 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Chapter 22
As Arcademan dealt with the time/space witch Yuuko on Sakura Kinomoto's Earth, on his own Earth, business was getting ready to heat up once again. Though Black Adam is one of the most vile of villains known in any universe, he nonetheless has vowed to destroy the one who dealt him a humiliating defeat centuries ago and has now teamed with the heroes of the Arcademan Universe to get his chance to destroy The Darkness once and for all. Flying at super-speed around the entire globe, Adam kept his eyes open for any suspicious activities. Finally, he noticed an area around the summit of Mt. Everest being covered by some sort of mystic residue.
"Parrillusia, this is Black Adam. I may have found something but need your presence to verify what I see." In the briefest of moments, a glow appears next to the rouge as Parrillusia teleports to his location.
"This better not be a trap or a wild goose chase, Adam!!!" snapped the faerie however, as Adam noticed earlier, sensed a strange presence. Speaking an incantation, mystic lights shoot from her fingertips.
"A magic cloak is covering the top of the mountain. I believe you found his hideout, Adam. Listen...sorry about accusing you of..."
Black Adam interrupted her. "I do not blame you for thinking such thoughts. I was destined to become my world's champion until this being showed up. My defeat at his hands showed me that the pathway to becoming a hero would be full of pitfalls so it was one of the reasons I became the person I am today. In sense, The Darkness was the reason I am a villain whose name invoke fear." Adam had a somewhat sad look on his face. Parrillusia was speechless from the villain's confessions.
"Well...I better call the others here and get ready for the battle. I..." and once again, Black Adam interrupted her.
"Tell me...there was a hero that fought alongside with me and the wizards of three worlds. Her name was Eclipse. What became of her?" wondered Adam.
There was a slight hesitation before Parrillusia answered back. "Eclipse was the first hero The White Wizard created, using both aspects of Darkness and Light. One was called The Shadowlight, the other The Space Firebird. She was to be the herald of our world until The Darkness came and tried to destroy all known life. Her story ended up similar to yours in a sense. After the battle, the Darkness within her body began to slowly dominate the Light to a point that The White Wizard felt she could be a threat to humanity. He dissolved the union and sent both aspects back into space. They eventually returned to join our group as seperate heroes. One was called Darkight...the other Britelite though she was also known as the original Princess Arcade. A couple of years ago, another villain killed both of them..." Tears formed in Parrillusia's eyes, then she wiped them off her face and regain her composure. "Both aspects still live however have not been seen on the mortal plane since that unfortunate event."
Black Adam looked into Parrillusia's eyes and saw the true sorrow within her. "Call your friends now. This threat of The Darkness ends NOW!!!"
THE WORLD OF EARTH-S: MOMENTS AGO...
Captain Marvel had a look of concern on his face.
"That Dark being...along with Sivana and Black Adam...they went over to the Rock of Eternity...we need to investigate this." As the Marvel Family began to head out, they heard a voice as chilling as death itself speak from above.
"So...the heroes were triumphant...a momentary setback but before long, this world will fall to The Darkness!" As The Darkness prepared himself, a flash of light came from behind him as a sword slashed through him. As The Darkness screamed out in pain, he saw two figures come out from what appeared to be a portal...then he disappeared.
"Holy Moley! Did you see that, Cap?" said Captain Marvel Junior. "Someone sliced The Darkness from behind then both of them disappeared."
"I did as well. Should we go see what happened at the spot where this occurred?" asked Mary Marvel however Captain Marvel stopped both his companions.
"We need to go over to The Rock of Eternity and see if all is right with the Old Wizard. He is the key to the entire existance to our world. Our friends and allies of the Squadron of Justice will keep things in check here. Let's go!" commanded Captain Marvel and as the three members of the mighty Marvel Family took flight, Bulletman turned to the other heroes. "You heard the man. Let's get these villains put away and go investigate that flash of light."
Meanwhile, in a secluded abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Fawcett City, The Darkness and Dr. Sivana teleported in, the darkmage in obvious pain. "What the hell was that?!! As we were leaving, a cowardly attack from behind. I don't know what kind of sword that was but it caused me pain! PAIN I DO NOT LIKE!!!" His voice sounding like the thunder of death, Sivana cowered behind a table then noticed a device laying on that selfsame table.
In his usual sniveling tone, Sivana began to speak. "My lord and master...perhaps I can help. I know not who that person was who dared attacked you however I'm confident I can help with your injuries with this device. It harnesses the black energies found on my world. I had hope to use it against The Big Red Cheese when there was enough power to it but perhaps it can help you recover." Sivana aimed the device at The Darkness and bathed in an eerie black light, The archmage groaned first in pain, then extreme pleasure.
"You have done well, my second-in-command. When those puny Marvels lie dead at my feet and the universe is under my control, you will finally become Ruler of Earth! If we can replicate this device of yours, we can tap into the darkness that exists everywhere in the world and become unstoppable!!!" An evil laugh came from The Darkness as Sivana joined him with his trademark "Heh!Heh!Heh!!!"
At the Rock of Eternity, the wizard Shazam has filled The Marvel Family in on the events that had happened, including Black Adam's escape to the Arcademan Universe and now that he was using the magicks to his command to form a shield around Earth-S, preventing The Darkness from communicating with his doppelgangers. Shazam appeared weaker than normal but assured Captain Marvel he was fine.
"You must return back to Fawcett City. Even as we speak, The Darkness may be getting ready for another attack and my magicks have showed a mysterious portal appearing at the time he fled."
"I have the Squadron of Justice looking into that." said Captain Marvel. "Whatever or whoever came out of it caused serious damage to The Darkness. Whether it's on our side or acting on its own, we need to find out. Are you sure you'll be all right here alone, Wizard? Perhaps one of us should..."
"I am okay, my son. Make haste back to Fawcett City and prepare yourself for war." As the Marvel Family flew away from the throne room of the Wizard, Shazam leaned back and gave out a heavy sigh. "I hope they finish the battle soon...for if they do not triumph within 48 hours, I will cease to be...even as a phantom."
In the forest outlying Fawcett City, most interesting the same spot where The Darkness first appeared on Earth-S, two beings walk around the forest floor trying to get their bearings on where exactly they're at.
"What do you mean this is NOT fuedal Japan?!!" yelled the person who's voice was obviously a girl's. The other person got down on all fours and started sniffing the ground like a bloodhound.
"The smells...they're different from my home...and yours. I know we're somewhere but where? It feels like something pulled us sideways when I was taking you from your time back to mine." said the person who was a male but maybe...just more than a normal human.
To be continued...
Chapter 24: Chapitre XXIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-07-05 13:52:46 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The two strangers that were walking around in the forests outside of Fawcett City heard a roar up in the sky as an airplane flew by.
"A flying machine?!! See, we must be in YOUR time!!!" said the guy with a sarcastic tone.
"But there isn't a forest anywhere this size near the well or my house. Maybe we landed somewhere else in my time...I don't know. I still want to know why you drew your sword and attacked that...thing that was in our way?" asked the young girl.
"It looked liked a demon. Smelled like one. It was powerful enough to survive my attack...its power was more evil than that scum Nar..." He stopped short his sentence as his ears wiggled. "Voices...coming this way. I can't understand the words though." The person, dressed in red quickly grabbed his companion and hid her behind a tree.
"Now I hear them too. They're not speaking Japanese...sounds a lot like English. Maybe we're in England or even America." said the girl. "The voices are getting closer. Maybe they saw us land here. We'd better find a safer spot so we can sort this out."
"I'm not running from no one! If they're looking for us, I'll be more than happy to meet them!!!" Grabbing the sword from his waist belt, it began to grew to more than five times its normal size but the girl stepped in front of him. "We don't know what's going on yet. It's always like you to charge into action without thinking. Let's go over to that cave and figure all of this out."
"Fine! We'll do it your way. SHEESH!!!" Grabbing the girl and putting her on his shoulder, the two ran at an incredible speed and within seconds was clear of the area. Moments later, Mr. Scarlet and Pinky the Whiz Kid came by the area where the two were.
"Nope...don't see anything over here, Mr. Scarlet." Over the walkie-talkie, the voice of Bulletman and Minute-Man resonated. "Nothing over here either. Keep searching, I'm sure we'll find whatever came down here in the forest. Bulletman out!"
THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE: MOUNT EVEREST...
While the pixie Parrillusia was in a trance summoning the heroes of the Arcade Brigade, Black Adam walked toward the area that was being cloaked by the mystic forces of Darkness. He reached out and touched it and felt like a stone wall. He punched it without any effect. A little perturbed by that, he pulled back his right arm, as if preparing to strike a death blow however before he could perform the act, the mystic wall reached out and swallowed Black Adam completely. Parrillusia, finished with communicating with her allies, turned to tell Adam only to find him gone.
Black Adam looked around but all he saw was darkness. Then a voice rang out. "Black Adam. The last time we met was half a millenia ago when you was a student of Shazam. You defied me and almost paid the ultimate price for that. I know what you did on Earth-S...you became a being as dark as myself but when the time came to join forces there, you betrayed me and because of that, both your wizard and that damned White Wizard cut me off completely from my other selves. However, all is not lost. I will give you one last chance, Adam. I can feel the darkness and hatred within your soul...your very contempt for these heroes of this world...how they have you on a leash and threaten your very existance if you don't cooperate with them. Join me at my side. Together the two of us, along with my shadow beings can destroy the heroes and rule this universe for it is MY DESTINY to do so!!!"
Black Adam smirked. "Hmmm...you do raised some interesting points there. Here is my answer, Darkness." He raised his arm in a gesture. An arm formed within the dark area and the two shook each other's hand.
Up above, within the Realm of Higher Existance where The White Wizard resided, along with Parrillusia, The Dream Angel and Dream Demon to name just a few, was about to conjure up a spell. In a flash of light, two creatures stood in front of him: one was The Shadowlight...the other the Space Firebird.
"I know I said this would never happen again however I have no choice. If The Darkness is to be destroyed, I must re-create Eclipse!"
To be continued...
Chapter 25: Chapitre XIV
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-07-06 14:49:12 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The White Wizard looked at the two entities that needed to be used to form what was his first herald, Eclipse. He knew that it would take extraordinary circumstances to recreate the hero but with the fate of not only the Arcademan Universe but two other Earths within different dimensions at stake, he was left with no choice. Standing behind the White Wizard were the two Dreams that resided within the Realm of Higher Existance: The Dream Angel and The Dream Demon.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this, oh mighty wizard?" voiced the Angel with concern.
"It's not a matter of wanting to go through with it but the NEED to do such an act. You know what is expected of the both of you..." said the wizard.
The Demon, in his usual sarcastic tone said "Yeah, yeah!!! The instant the two entities are merged back, the memories will flood back into them. I need to use my nightmare powers to surpress their bad memories yadda yadda yadda. Whatever...let's get this done!"
The White Wizard entered a trance and then chanted a spell not pronouncable by mortal minds. The Shadowlight and the Firebird were first converted into raw energy and then merged the two forces together into a body...female in form. After what seemed to be an eternity, the merger was complete. When the flashing lights died down, a young girl stood. Almost instantly the Dream Angel and Dream Demon surrounded the young girl and the merging of all souls took place. During this procedure, the White Wizard stumbled back in a weakened state.
"Eclipse...you may be the last hope this world has. I hope we don't fail in doing this."
Back down at the base of Mount Everest, Parrillusia was alone, waiting for her friends to come to the mountain where just a moment ago, both she and the villainous Black Adam stood, only he had disappeared within the cloaked part of The Darkness' hiding place, not knowing what appeared to be an agreement of an alliance between the two archmages. A few minutes later, members of the Arcade Brigade began to show up: Tecknight, Midnight Striker, Flora, Disruption, Mystique Rose, BattleTech, Cryogennxx and Pyroplazm. Conspicuous by his absence was Arcademan, who earlier transported himself to Sakura Kinomoto's Earth to help fight that aspect of The Darkness.
"Where is Adam?!!" demanded Flora. "If he's going to try and double-cross us, I'll kill that bastard!!!" Earlier, when Black Adam came to the Arcademan Universe, Flora put a flower bracelet on him, which contained poisonous thorns that would kill him on either Flora's thoughts or if he attempted to remove it. Striker and Tecknight, the scientists of the group, were checking out the barrier.
"Hmmm...it is a dark matter cloak all right. I can tell Adam was here a moment ago but by the looks of things, the cloak itself may have absorbed his body." theorized Tecknight. Striker continued. "It's conceivable he was taken against his will."
"Or he willingly went inside to help The Darkness." said Mystique Rose. "I may be able to use a spell to punch a hole into it however I'll need the help of my fellow mystics." On cue, Flora and Parrillusia, both faeries joined with Mystique Rose in their attempt to breach the cloaked barrier when suddenly without warning, the barrier disappeared. What the heroes of the Arcademan Universe saw next was truly unbelievable...a shadowy figure slumped onto the ground with Black Adam standing over him.
"Your treachery will NOT work on me, foul being!!! As much as I want to rule and conquer the universe, I want to see your demise over all else...and I'll be the one that will kill you...SO SWEARS BLACK ADAM!!!"
CARDCAPTOR EARTH: MOMENTS AGO...
Flashback: Arcademan stepped right up to Yuuko. "You mentioned you have a solution to this whole thing...let's hear it!"
Yuuko stared back at the hero. "I do however what do you have to compensate for this? This information comes with a heavy price." Then the witch looked closely at Arcademan and noticed something...
"Hmmm...a sword sheath...minus a blade. What is that, if you don't mind me asking?" Arcademan could sense her mind scheming and plotting but he didn't let it show.
"This is called The Sunblade. Its blade is made of pure negative energy. Only the darkness within my soul keeps it in check and it also prevents by being from further plunging into the darkness. What are you getting at?"
This is a slight hesitation in Yuuko, then she makes her sales pitch. "I will use my abilities to aid your battle in destroying this foul being however in trade I want that sword of yours as payment for my services."
"I accept your deal!"
Yuuko looked long and hard at the sheath of the Sunblade. "Also to add, the one thing you value the most...the return to your dimension cannot take place. By accepting this agreement, you must stay here on this world forever!"
Arcademan stared at the witch with glaring eyes. "As I said before...I accept your deal." As Arcademan handed the Sunblade to Yuuko.
"Then consider this transaction complete." Before Yuuko could say another word, the Sunblade resonated with power...extremely evil power. As hard as she could, she tried to hold on to her new treasure, the sheath flew out of her hand and a blade of bright, negative energy formed. Then the blade floated in front of her and pointed itself at her heart. At the last possible second, Arcademan grabbed the Sunblade and with a blast of super-breath, shoved Yuuko across her front yard and through the door of her shop. With a quick shot of heat vision, Arcademan fused the doors shut and then concentrated on gaining control of the Sunblade. Fai D. Flowright couldn't help but notice the dark energies coming form the sword itself, as did to a lesser extent Kurogane. After precious minutes went by, the blade disappeared and the sheath of the weapon was finally back in its holster.
"Let's not go through that again anytime soon." said Arcademan as he fell down to one knee. Sakura ran to him and helped the hero back to his feet. The others: Fai, Kurogane, Syaoran, Mokona, Yusuke Urimeshe and Botan were shocked at what went on but it was Kurogane grabbed Arcademan from Sakura.
"Anyone who can manhandle that witch like that is a ally of mine." said the ninja of another world's Japan. I no not why we're here but I think it may have to do with that dark being that was here earlier."
Syaoran, which was also part of the travelling group turned to Mokona. "Is one of the princess' feather here?" The puffy white creature looked around for a minute. "I can't sense one however there is a dark power nearby that could be hiding it from me."
"Well, it looks like we're in for a fight against The Darkness however we're only as strong as our weakest link." Said Yusuke. "I know if it come right down to it, I will fight and kill, how about all of you?" All nodded except for one person in the group...Sakura Kinomoto.
To be continued...
Chapter 26: Chapitre XXV
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-07-31 11:45:44 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Sakura looked back at everyone in the group after Yusuke asked his question about fighting to the death. There was no question that the cardcaptor was an excellent magician and has shown great skill and courage during many battles however as to the matter of actually killing...it was not in her nature and those who know her closely knew she was one of the nicest, most friendly of all people.
"I...I can't even think about doing something like that." said Sakura in a soft-spoken voice as she turned away from the others. "This is my fight and I can't even finish it because of that."
Looking outside from the window of the hospital, Tomoyo, who was injured in The Darkness' first attack looked on and could sense the sadness building within her best friend. Inside of her room were Kero and Yue, whom Sakura asked to stay and protect in the event The Darkness decided to attack her while on the hospital.
"I can tell what's going on. They're preparing for what could be the final battle with that dark creature but..." said Kero.
Tomoyo looked puzzled. "But what?"
Yue finished. "It may result in destroying the dark mage completely. As brave as The Mistress is, it is not in her nature to do such an act. Even Kero and myself in our lives with Clow Reed or with Sakura have never resorted to such actions."
Tomoyo had a sad look. "I hope Sakura doesn't have to resort to that. Fortunately there are others with her that could do it, especially now that her other world friend Arcademan is here." Then she realized something. "She told me rather reluctantly about her adventure over on his world. She said she was never so scared in her life. She suffered an injury that would normally be fatal but came back and helped saved Arcademan's world. Though her wounds had healed, she did tell me once in awhile, without warning, she dreams about the way she 'died' in the Arcademan Universe."
Kero flew up to Tomoyo and wiped a tear from her face. "Sakura is strong. She'll do what has to be done, no question. Whether she can live with whatever she decides is entirely up to her. As her closest friends, we need to support Sakura one hundred percent." The three nod their heads in agreement.
Back outside, almost lost in the battle converstion, two people lie under a large shade tree in a coma-like trance. The Syaoran from another world checked on the person he called Princess Sakura while Sakura looked at her boyfriend Syaoran Li.
"I wouldn't worry too much about them." said Arcademan. "It's a temporal disturbance that's causing them to sleep...rather peacefully." The statement caused confusion on everyone's part.
"Sorry for the technical term. Basically it means that two of the same person, no matter what dimensions or time they came from, cannot exist together in the same space and time without causing a temporal disturbance. In this case, the ones with the stronger willpower is the dominate person while the other will be put into a trance."
Fai seemed to understand the situation the fastest. "Ah...so our Syaoran is stronger than this world's version...probably by age since this one looks a couple of years younger and my guess is since our Sakura's still missing parts of her soul, this one is definitely stronger...and just as cute I might add." That statement made Sakura blush slighty.
"So...at least they're not in any danger. Thank goodness." said a relieved Sakura then she stood up and faced everyone. "I need to become stronger and I need everyone's help in doing so. I don't know what will happen when we face The Darkness in final battle but I want to try my best. Train me!!!"
Syaoran turned to Kurogane. "You trained me in handling a sword. With some of my kickfighting techniques and your sword skills, do you think we can do it?"
Kurogane looked over the young cardcaptor and grunted. "Hmmm...don't know if she has what it takes to do so. I'm not a teacher and she doesn't look the type that fights with a sword."
Yusuke Urimeshe spoke up. "I don't know about her fighting but I've witness her powers and know she can be an asset in battle!!"
Arcademan put his hand on his chin. "Well, Sakura is The Cardcaptor. Her magicks power the Sakura Cards in her possession. They not only protect her but augment her powers and abilities."
Sakura grabbed a card and yelled out 'SWORD!!!' Instantly her star wand changed into a sword. Then she grabbed another card...'FIGHT!!!' and suddenly she began to glow with energy.
"Now I'm ready to be trained!!!"
THE REALM OF HIGHER EXISTANCE...WITHIN THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE...
A young girl appeared, creating from the magicks of the White Wizard and the entities known as The Firebird and The Shadowlight. Surrounded by the mystical forces of The Dream Angel and Dream Demon, the new being stood at attention for a moment, then slowly opened her eyes. "Where am I?" were the first words spoken from the girl known as Eclipse...then she turned and saw The White Wizard and knelt down in front of him. "Master, what have you need from me?"
The White Wizard said with slight resentment in his voice. "My apologies for summonning you, my dear Eclipse. The Darkness has returned to destroy the world and I'm afraid your presense..."
"No need to continue, my master!" interrupted Eclipse. "I was created to fight any and all evil that threatens the world. I shall fight The Darkness to the DEATH!!!" The Dream Angel put her hand on Eclipse's forehead.
"I added the information in your mind on the situation at hand. Also that there are now heroes created by the White Wizard who are fighting the archmage. Their powers are great however only you among them have done battle with The Darkness itself." The Dream Demon added. "The otherworldly being known as Black Adam is also here fighting the evil." That information made Eclipse gasp out loud.
"Black Adam...as in Shazam's hero Mighty Adam?!! What is he doing here and by what his name is now, then the future I had foreseen at the time has come to past?!! I need to get down to the battle NOW!!!" On that note, the White Wizard spoke a spell and transported Eclipse to the base of Mount Everest, where the others were in preperation for their battle with The Darkness.
With Black Adam's hand tightly clutching The Darkness, a flash of light appeared and Eclipse stepped out of it. "Adam! It IS you?!!" Black Adam stared at the girl. "Eclipse?!! You have returned?!!"
The Darkness chuckled. "Now that BOTH of you are now here, I can proceed to destroy the both of you, along with this little mudball you call home!!!"
Without warning, there was a loud, deafening explosion...then there was complete silence as everything was as still as death.
To be continued...
Chapter 27: Chapitre XXVII
(by Arcademan, added on 2006-11-13 15:26:32 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Seven foot six inches tall...and bulging of muscles upon muscles, Mister Mind, in his more powerful form as the Invincile Man cracked his knuckles and his neck looking as if in preparation for battle. Going unnoticed since The Darkness was already creating a wave of darkness, the sun itself seemed not as bright as usual and many of the animals in the area were restless, as though their energies were being sapped.
"Interesting. I draw my powers from the source of the universe itself yet the heroes in front of us appear unaffected. I knew Black Adam wouldn't be, since his powers originate from the Rock of Eternity, which is outside of the boundries of space and time. Hmmm..." amused Mr. Mind.
Striker looked toward the already dimming sun. "Ah. That's what's causing that. As far as us, our powers originated from the fabled Powerstar, a source not bound by space or science but by magicks created by The White Wizard."
Enraged by his appearance, Flora walked up to the giant green villain. "When I visited Earth-S, you tried to kill me. Hell, you're the one responsible for the death of Maiden Moonbeam. As far as I'm concerned, you're living on borrowed time!!!" She then struck with all of her pixie might a devestating blow across the face of the Invincible Man, who stood there unaffected by the punch and started laughing.
"If that's all you can manage, then you can join your pixie friend in the afterlife!" With a super-fast punch, the villain strikes Flora, sending her flying toward the side of the mountain. At the last possible second before impact, Black Adam races between her and the mountain and catches her. Flora looks up at her rescuer.
"To be saved by you...I'd rather have died..." and slips into unconsciousness. Adam smirked at the fallen faerie, then after laying her down carefully on the ground, turned back and pointed at The Darkness. "Now...it's time for you to DIE!!!"
As if given a cue, all of the members of the Arcade Brigade focused their energies into one powerful blast aimed toward The Darkness however The Invincible Man intercepts the blast and is knocked down from the concussion of it. Before the echoes from the explosion could die down, he gets up and dusts off his body.
"Now you know why I call myself The Invincible Man." The Darkness nods his head in approval of his ally. "Now...this world will fall and my revenge against The White Wizard will be complete!!!"
Flora opened her eyes, then felt a sharp pain in her side as she remembered what had happened. "My ribs feel broken...coughing up blood...but can't stand by and let my friends..." As she begin to fall back down,a pair of hands grabbed her.
"You may not like me for who I am and I definitely do not like you since you almost killed me but free me from your restraint. I give you my word as a warrior I will fight the evil to the death!" As Flora passes out, her fingertips glow faint with mystical light and the bracelet of poison thorns around Black Adam's right wrist rots away. He gives Flora a kiss on her head and whispers "Thank you. Rest while we destroy The Darkness and The Invincible Man." Then Adam races back into battle with the others, who now appear to be losing the fight.
Back on Sakura's world...
As the group brought themselves together to discuss a plan, Mokona's eyes opened wide and yelled out "Syaoran!!! Princess Sakura's feather is nearby and getting closer!!!"
"This is it, everyone! The battle approaches once again! Be on your guard!!!" says Syaoran, then he turned to Sakura. Though this was a doppelganger of his world's princess, he felt something deep within his heart as if she was one and the same. "Are you ready, Princess...er...a...I mean Kinomoto-chan?!!" as his face blushed with embarrassment.
Sakura looked with determination. "I believe I am. You and Kurogane-san were excellent teachers..." and she looked at the cards in her hand: The Fight, The Power and The Sword. "...and thanks to The Cards, they helped me learned real fast." As they headed out, a voice shouted out "Sakura!!!" From the hospital window shouted Tomoyo. Arcademan grabbed Sakura and flew her up to her best friend and into the room. Once there, the two hugged. The sight drew a slight smile from Arcademan, then he noticed Kero and Yue standing in the corner. They were there to protect Tomoyo on the orders of their mistress.
"I'm so happy to see you again, Tomoyo!!!" and tears streamed from the Cardcaptor's eyes, the same from Tomoyo's eyes as well. Kero flew between the two girls and cheered on. "How are you feeling, Tomoyo? I'm so sorry I haven't been able to see you since...the accident..." and Sakura started to sob softly as she remembered the accident that could've taken the life of her friend.
Tomoyo pulled out a hankerchief and dried her tears. "Don't cry, my dear Sakura...when I see you sad, then I become sad myself. Besides, I know you're getting ready for the upcoming fight. I watched you practicing and even drew a costume for you. Unfortunately I do not have any of my clothes or accessories for me to make it for you."
Kero interrupted the two. "I know what to do!!! Sakura, use The Create Card and make the costume for yourself!!!" The very thought of that make Tomoyo smile as Sakura pulled out the card. Taking a hard look at Tomoyo's detailed picture, she flipped the card into the air and struck the card with the Star Staff. Mystical lights envelop Sakura and as the light fades away, there she stood wearing the costume that was once a simple drawing. Tomoyo clapped and Kero cheered with approval. Yue nodded his head with approval and all Arcademan could say was 'Wow!" Sakura was dressed as a pink ninja. Arcademan smiled again but then his face became serious as he turned to Sakura.
"It's time, Miss Kinomoto." Sakura turned to Tomoyo and waved goodbye and told Kero and Yue "Please continue to watch over her for if I lose her, my life won't be worth living anymore." Tomoyo teared up upon hearing that and wanted to say something back but by that time she and Arcademan had left through the window to rejoin the others.
Down on the street walked the greatest team the world has ever seen: Sakura Kinomoto, Yusuke Urimeshe, Arcademan from another world, as were the travelling trio of Syaoran, Kurogane and Fai. By the time they reached the end of the block, Mokona's eyes were wide open. "There's the feather!!!" it shouted however they was no glow indicating its presence...just a darkness that was cold and seemingly infinite.
"Are you sure, white pork bun?!!" snarled Kurogane then he stopped immediately and put his hand on his sword. "The dark being...he's all around us!!!" Fai, also detected a mystical presence confirmed what his companion said but pointed straight ahead into the patch of darkness. "His mind...it's right there." And is on cue, a voice echoed thoughout the area.
"Legacy of Clow Reed...you and your companions have fought well and may have had a chance, albeit a small one, to defeat me however this item I've found just guaranteed your destruction...as well as the descruction of your world and this universe!!!" In what resembled a hand of darkness was a glowing feather...the one Syaoran and his friends were following to return to their comrade Princess Sakura who was sleeping in a coma-like state.
"Such glorious, raw power!!! I haven't felt magic like this in eons!!! Now...legacy of Clow...it's time for you to die!!!"
Earth-Shazam...
With the magical Shikon Jewel in hand, The Darkness wrapped Dr. Sivana in a cloak of darkness and disappeared seconds before Captain Marvel arrived on the scene from The Rock of Eternity. On his return to Fawcett City, he sensed a extremely powerful force from within the forest. As he landed and began to investigate, a being sprang out from the nearby cave and did a thrust kick on the World's Mightiest Mortal, knocking him down. More surprised than stunned by the sudden attack, Captain Marvel looked up to see the selfsame being, dressed in a flowing red robe extending his hand and shouting in Japanese...
IRON REAMER SOUL STEALER!!!
A fraction of a second before contact, Cap rolls out of the way and swats at his attacker, only he quickly jumps and avoids the counter attack and lands on his hands and feet. Cap stands up and takes a close look at his adversary.
"Holy Moley! That person...he's strong and he looks not exactly human. The language he yelled...Japanese."
Captain Marvel, with access to the wisdom of Solomon can decipher any language, present, past or dead speaks to the dog demon. "Who are you
and why are you attacking me?"
"Bah! As if you didn't know! I'm InuYasha and you have something I want...the sacred jewel!!! Now I plan on taking it and tearing you apart, demon!!!" From the sheath hanging from his belt, InuYasha pulls out a sword which instantly grows to monstrous size. Cap prepared himself for a fight and as if someone had rang a fight bell, the two jump up into the air toward each other and for the attack. Right before either on can make first contact, the young girl comes out of the cave and shouts out...
SIT BOY!!!
The bead necklace glows bright around InuYasha and he instantly falls into the ground with a resounding 'THUD'. As Captain Marvel follows him down and lands in front of the crater made by the fall, the half- demon from fuedal Japan pokes his head out and yells. "Why the hell did you do THAT for, Kagome?!!"
Kagome looked hard him. "If you would've noticed or bothered to listen to me, I could've told you the man with the lightning on his chest does NOT have the jewel on him...but no! You charged into fighting as always. I swear, InuYasha...why do I put up with you is beyond me!!!"
"Yap! Yap! Yap!!! That's all you know how you do, Kagome!!! Why I put up with you is..." However before he could finish his sentence,
Kagome yelled again... SIT BOY!!! and once again InuYasha hit the ground face first and hard.
"AHEM!"
Kagome turned to Captain Marvel. "I'm so very sorry about my friend's conduct. My name is Kagome Higurashi and this funny looking guy is InuYasha."
"Hmmm...you speak Japanese too." said Cap in their language. "InuYasha...means 'dog demon' in Japanese. Interesting. My name is Captain Marvel and may I ask what you two are doing here in Fawcett City?"
"Well, sir...that's a long story. InuYasha and myself were walking across the countryside looking for fragments of a powerful jewel when
suddenly, out of nowhere came a shimmering light that began to suck us into it. Before we could escape, we fell into it and the next
thing we knew, we landed in this forest...wherever and whenever this is. Once here, I felt the presence of the Shikon Jewel...more
powerful than the usual fragments we've gathered in our journeys. That's pretty much it."
Captain Marvel put his hand on his chin. "Hmmm...the power from the jewel must've been what I sensed but it disappeared a second before I
arrived. It may be the work of The Darkness. Tell me...how powerful is this jewel?"
InuYasha, forcing himself from the ground and dusting the dirt off his body like a dog by shaking his entire body then walking right up
to the World's Mightiest Mortal, "A small fragment of the jewel gives a demon super-strength tens of times over its normal ability...the
entire Shikon Jewel would give anyone ULTIMATE POWER!!!"
"Holy Moley! If The Darkness...or even Sivana got a hold of such power, they may be able to destroy the world!!!" Then the three turn
toward a clump of bushes moving around near the clearing. Two forms come out running, instantly recognized by Captain Marvel.
"Caitlin! Mr. Tawny! So you sensed the energy as well!!!"
Caitlin O'Malley...slightly out of breath tells Cap. "Yes. I haven't felt a mystic energy this powerful since..." Then she looked at the
two strangers and couldn't believe her eyes.
"InuYasha?!! Kagome?!! That's not possible!!! Here?!!"
"Wait, Cait...you know these two?!! But how?!!" Captain Marvel was very confused...as were Kagome and InuYasha, though they didn't
understand her words as she spoke English. Noticing this, Caitlin spoke a chant and pointed at the two. Suddenly the two understood her.
"Whoa! I can understand you now." said Kagome as InuYasha nodded in agreement.
"A spell that allows us to understand each other. As far as knowing these two, I haven't met them personally of course but I read the
manga written about their adventures by Rumiko Takahashi."
"What?!! We're in a book here?!! I feel so...famous now!!!" Kagome's face gleemed with pride while InuYasha looked annoyed by the whole thing.
"Whatever. Why are we standing around for?!! We got to find that jewel and then I can become a full-fleged demon!!!" Caitlin
squealed. "I knew you were going to say that!"
Captain Marvel interrupted. "InuYasha's correct. If the enemy has the power source, we must find it and them and fast. Will you two join us
in our fight against The Darkness?"
InuYasha smiled devilishly. "Now you're talking my language, Big Red. Let's get those bastards and finish them off once and for all!!!"
Caitlin put her arm on Kagome's shoulder. "Kagome has the ability to home in on the jewel so we'll have a definite advantage."
"Don't we have to find InuYasha some sort of disguise? I'm pretty sure here in your time, demons and half-demons aren't common." said
Kagome until she saw the other who came with Cait...Mister Talky Tawny and gasped out in amazement.
"What's wrong, miss? Never seen a talking, walking tiger before. Don't let my appearance scare you. Besides, we have more than our
fair share of creatures here that make your doggy friend look tame in comparison." chuckled Mr. Tawny.
"Okay, now that's settled, we'll all head back to Fawcett City and get the Squadron of Justice together. It's time for WAR!!!" Captain
Marvel, usually one for smiles and grin now had his serious face on for he knew if they fall against The Darkness, the world of Earth-S
will be destroyed.
Back at Sivana's abandoned lab, The Darkness and Dr. Sivana looked at the glowing purple jewel. "Good doctor...once we tap into this
glorious power, I shall take over this world. Help me and not only will your past failures be forgotten, you will rule at my side as I
conquer the entire universe. Only then will my revenge against the wizard Shazam be complete."
"I'll work on tapping its abilites immediately, my dark master!" said Sivana in a sniveling tone yet still his thoughts raced through his
mind. "I have to bide my time. I know he doesn't trust me and the feeling's mutual. As much as I hate The Big Red Cheese, only he can
defeat The Darkness."
Chapter 28: Chapitre XXVIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2007-05-28 15:23:41 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
High above the obit of Earth of the universe where Arcademan dwells, a humanoid-shaped figure looks down on the blue-green planet and then in a monotone voice dictates a report to his creators. The being is known as a Technicallity unit...#240 to be precise and its origins are a far away planet thousands of light years away from the Milky Way Galaxy...a world known as Silica. In the Arcademan Universe, it is said to be the definite origin of computers and technology. Once the world was the size of the Earth itself when the inhabitants discovered the universal language of technology. For thousands of years they perfected their knowledge and used their resources solely to increase it. Once all resources were almost depleted, they discovered the hidden art of replication and utilized that to further their thirst for information.
Over the years, the beings if Silica outgrew their organic bodies, creating artificial ones to continue on. Using their own sun as a power source, they were able to substain their existance for untold millions of years, adding onto their planetary surface until the world itself was as large as Jupiter. Then their sun was about to go nova, threatening their entire way of life. Devoting trillions of bytes of information to the power of a million, the Silicans found a way to reignite their dying sun and restoring their source of powers. From that, a new lifeform was created known as Starstrikers. They would soar between the galaxies to harness and control all stellar matter. One such being was captured by The Beings of Darkness and rescued by Arcademan and the heroes and is know as the heroine Celestial.
Once the homeworld was secured of all dangers, the Silicans created a robotic-like race...humanoid figures that would visit all worlds and gather any and all information. They would be called Technicallity Units and are used only to gather information and are programmed not to interfere with the natural course of any civilizations or evolution of worlds and lifeforms. Over a period of time, other civilizations have discovered Silica and have approach them to seek knowledge in exchange for even more knowledge. The ultimate neutral planet, Silica allowed access to any world on any subject that would aid them, whether it was to create a better world or to use the information to conquer other worlds, the Silicans were equal in their sharing of technology and information to all. So advance was Silica that the possibility of conquering the planet simply was not an option. So advance their technology, any attempts of introducing a computer virus to disrupt their systems were futile at best.
Technicallity #240 has been to Earth in the past recently. In the millennium battle between Darkness and Light, it observed what could have been a major shift of power is Darkness prevailed however The Beings of Light, led by the tandem of Arcademan and Parrillusia successfully defeated the dark villains, maintaining the balance of power in the Earth quadrant in the favor of Light. Now as it looks down on Earth, it sends back a message to the Silica homeworld on the current status of The Darkness and his battle not only on this Earth but two alternate Earths. Once the report is filed, it will be entered in the Silica archives for any and all civilizations to look back upon. Whether the outcome was good or bad, it mattered not since Technicallity's job is only to observe and record.
TECHNICALLITY UNIT 2-4-0 REPORTING TO HOMEWORLD...
SUBJECT: THE DARKNESS...ORIGINS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. IT IS SPECULATED ITS ORIGINS COME FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION SIMILAR TO THE DARK DIMENSION HOWEVER ITS INTERNAL HARMONIC VIBRATIONS DO NOT MATCH THOSE OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE DARK DIMENSION OR ITS CURRENT LEADER LORD PYROGOD...
DARKNESS FIRST APPREARED ON EARTH 502.4 YEARS AGO...REASONS NOT KNOWN...ATTEMPTED TO DESTROY THE WORLD AND WAS OPPOSSED BY EARTH'S PROTECTOR...THE WHITE WIZARD...DURING INITIAL BATTLE WHITE WIZARD LEARNED HIS CURRENT POWER LEVEL INSUFFICIENT TO DEFEAT THE DARKNESS...SUMMONNED TWO MYSTICAL WIZARDS FROM INTERDIMENSIONAL EARTHS TO HELP IN BATTLE...
SUBJECT: THE WHITE WIZARD...SUPREME BEING OF LIGHT...POSSESSOR OF THE POWERSTAR GEM AND CREATOR OF WHAT IS THE CURRENT ARCADE BRIGADE HEROES...THE CURRENT PROTECTORS OF EARTH LED BY ARCADEMAN...
SUBJECT: SHAZAM...GRAND WIZARD OF THE WORLD KNOWN AS EARTH-S...UTILIZED THE POWER OF CHAMPIONS OF HIS WORLD TO HELP PROTECT IT FROM EVIL FORCES...WAS KNOWN AS THE CHAMPION AND THEN GRANTED A PORTION OF HIS POWERS TO TETH-ADAM TO CARRY ON HIS WORK 5,000 YEARS AGO, ONLY TO HAVE HIM BETRAY HIM...SHAZAM'S POWERS HAVE BEEN CARRIED ON TO THE CURRENT TEAM OF CAPTAIN MARVEL, CAPTAIN MARVEL JUNIOR, MARY MARVEL AND ARE PART OF THE WORLD'S HEROES KNOWN AS THE SQUADRON OF JUSTICE...
SUBJECT: CLOW REED...WIZARD OF YET ANOTHER EARTH...USED A COMBINATION OF CHINESE AND WESTERN STYLE MAGICKS TO CREATE NATURAL FORCES OF GREAT POWER AND SEALED WITHIN A SET OF CARDS...TWO OTHER CREATIONS KEROBERUS AND YUE WERE SEALED WITHIN THE CARDS UPON HIS PASSING FROM THE MORTAL WORLD...THOSE CARDS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE POSSESSION OF A YOUNG 15 YEAR OLD GIRL NAMED SAKURA KINOMOTO...
BATTLE SUMMARY: THE THREE WIZARDS COMBINED FORCES ONCE SUMMONNED TO WHAT IS KNOWN AS EARTH-AU AND AFTER A LENGTHY BATTLE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN DEFEATING THE DARKNESS...NOT ABLE TO DESTORY THE DARK MAGE THE WIZARDS USED THEIR MAGICKS TO SEPERATE THE DARKNESS INTO THREE AND SEALED EACH ONE WITHIN THE GROUND OF THEIR OWN EARTHS...THOUGH THE BATTLE WAS COMPLETE DEEP INSIDE THEY KNEW THE POSSIBILLITY OF ESCAPE COULD HAPPEN IN THE DISTANT FUTURE AND SUBCONSCIOUSLY MADE PLANS TO CONFROT SUCH A SENERIO...
Technicallity halts his transmission for a moment as it calculates more information.
SUBJECT: ARCADEMAN...CURRENT LEADER OF THE ARCADE BRIGADE...THE HERO IS IN ACTUALITY A BEING OF DARKNESS WHO FIGHTS AGAINST HIS NATURE TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM HIS OWN KIND...THE POWERSTAR GAVE HIM ABILITIES MUCH GREATER THAN THE AVERAGE HUMAN BY A FACTOR OF 24.73...ALSO POSSESSES VISION AND ENERGY POWERS, FLIGHT AND LIMITED INVINCIBILITY...
SUBJECT: CAPTAIN MARVEL...LEGACY OF THE WIZARD SHAZAM IS IN REALITY A 16 YEAR OLD BOY NAMED BILLY BATSON...WHEN HE SAYS THE NAME OF THE WIZARD, A BOLT OF MAGIC LIGHTNING TRANSFORM HIM INTO THE WORLD'S MIGHTIEST MORTAL...HIS POWER FACTOR COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE HUMAN IS 58.46 AND HAS THE ABILITIES OF HIS MENTOR'S CHAMPIONS...
SUBJECT: SAKURA KINOMOTO...HER WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL MAGICIAN...UNLEASHED THE FORCES OF CLOW REED'S MAGICKS AND CAPTURED THEM WITHIN HIS CARDS...ONCE ALL THE CLOW CARDS WERE CAPTURED, THE CARDCAPTOR UTILIZED A POWER DEEP WITHIN HER TO CHANGE THE CARDS TO HER OWN SAKURA CARDS
ALL THREE OPPOSED THEIR WORLDLY VERSIONS OF THE DARKNESS, STILL SEPERATED IN THREE HOWEVER EACH WORLD DISCOVERED THIS AND HAVE PROJECTED BARRIERS AROUND EARTH-S AND EARTH-AU TO PREVENT THE DARKNESS FROM COMMUNICATING WITH ITSELF...DURING THE THREE BATTLES, SOME UNKNOWN BEINGS HAVE COME FORTH TO HELP THE HEROES IN THEIR FIGHT...HERE IS ALL THE INFORMATION THIS UNIT HAS DISCOVERED AND SUBMIT TO OUR ARCHIVES SO THAT THEIR IDENTITES WILL BE RECORDED ON OUR DIMENSIONAL PLANE...
SUBJECT: YUSUKE YURIMESHE...SPIRIT DETECTIVE AND PART DEMON FROM HIS FATHER'S SIDE...HE WAS 'KILLED' AND TRANSPORTED BACK TO EARTH AS A SPIRIT DETECTIVE TO PROTECT THE EARTH FROM MONSTERS APPROACHING FROM THE DEMON WORLD...A DIMENSION CONNECTED TO THE CARDCAPTOR EARTH...POSSESSES EXTREME WILLPOWER AND A POWER FACTOR OF 19.92 THOUGH IT IS SPECULATED IT IS INCREASING ON REGULAR INTRIVALS...HIS MAIN POWER IS KNOWN AS A SPIRITAL FORCE CALLED A REI-GUN BLAST...
SUBJECT: INUYASHA...HALF HUMAN AND HALF DOG DEMON FROM THE FUEDAL JAPAN ERA OF THE 15TH CENTURY EARTH...A FUSSION OF A HUMAN MOTHER AND A DEMONIC FATHER, HE POSSESSES GREAT STRENGTH OF A FACTOR OF 31.62 AND HAS HIGHLY RECUPERATIVE POWERS...HIS MAIN WEAPON IS A SWORD NAMED TETSEIGA WHICH AUGMENTS HIS DEMONIC POWERS...HE HAS A TRAVELLING COMPANION NAMED KAGOME HIGURASHI WHICH BY HER INTERNAL HARMONIC VIBRATIONS INDICATE SHE IS OF MODERN ORIGINS AND HAS TRAVELLED BACK INTO HIS TIME...
Technicallity pauses once again then its sensors indicate a flurry of action down on not only the Earth below but the other two worlds in which it is also observing.
OBSERVATION: THE FINAL BATTLES APPEAR TO BE STARTING...THIS TECHNICALLITY UNIT 2-4-0 WILL RECORD ALL ACTIONS FOR PROSPERITY...ALONG WITH THIS RECENT REPORT, THE PREVIOUS 27 MESSAGES TRANSMITTED BACK TO THE SILICA HOMEWORLD HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED SO IF THE EARTH CIVILIZATION IS INDEED DESTROYED, A DETAILED RECORD OF ITS EXISTANCE WILL FOREVER BE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO VIEW AND PERHAPS LEARN FROM THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE DARKNESS AND THE HEROES OF THREE WORLDS...
TECHNICALLITY UNIT 2-4-0 ON STANDBY STATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...
Chapter 29: Chapitre XXIX
(by Arcademan, added on 2007-07-16 12:45:20 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Tomoeda, Japan...
"Legacy of Clow Reed...you and your companions have fought well and may have had a chance, albeit a small one, to defeat me however this item I've found just guaranteed your destruction...as well as the descruction of your world and this universe!!!" In what resembled a hand of darkness was a glowing feather...the one Syaoran and his friends were following to return to their comrade Princess Sakura who was sleeping in a coma-like state.
"Such glorious, raw power!!! I haven't felt magic like this in eons!!! Now...legacy of Clow...it's time for you to die!!!"
Arcademan walked toward the archmage with a look that could kill. "Enough talk, Darkness! As far as I'm concern, you're already DEAD!!!" With that statement, Arcademan's eyes glowed red and two beams of heat shot out toward The Darkness. In relpy, he simply held out the feather in front of him and deflected the blast, as if it acted like a shield.
"Nice try, legacy of my enemy The White Wizard but it shall take far more than palour tricks to defeat the likes of me!" Then The Darkness held Princess Sakura's feather to his chest and everyone watch it disappear into his body. Despite being totally dark, an eerie glowing aura of energy appeared around his body for a brief moment then disappeared but everyone felt the sudden increase of power around the dark being.
"Now...let us proceed!!!" And with a simple gesture, dozens of dark beings appeared from the ground, armed to the teeth and marching toward the heroes. "Get by my Imperial army and perhaps you'll get the ultimate prize...your deaths by my hands!!!"
Syaoran and Kurogane drew their swords, Fai and Sakura their staffs and Arcademan and Yusuke steadied their bodies for the oncoming horde. As if someone said 'CHARGE' in each of their minds, the heroes leap ahead and begin the assault in their own style: Kurogane dodge and slice with his ninja-fast skills; Syaoran uses his kicking skills as well as his swordplay to take out several opponents; Fai hurtling above the army and sweeping them from behind with quick swings from the staff held tight in his hands; Arcademan and Yusuke using their fists and brawn to punch their way through the enemy and Sakura, after summonning 'FIGHT' and 'POWER' to use her newly taught ninja skills to take out her fair share of the army. In mere moments, the dark army was defeated and disappeared however before our heroes could catch their breath, a new army warped from the ground and began a new assault.
The Darkness appeared once again. "Oh, did I forget to mention...there are TEN waves you must defeat...then you shall have the honor in facing your death at my hands!!!" The heroes continued their battle and defeated four more waves however the onset of fatique began to show as they huddled together before the sixth wave.
"We need a plan and we need one fast!" said Arcademan. Kurogane and Yusuke looked fine but the others were breathing hard and fast. Before anyone can say anything constructive, a new wave of darkness began to appear and started their advance.
Fawcett City, Indiana: Earth-S...
At the headquarters of the Squadron of Justice, the greatest heroes of the world have once again assembled to get ready for what would be no doubt the greatest threat to not only the Earth but to the entire universe if they were to fall to The Darkness. Still conspicuous by their absence were Christopher Freeman, otherwise known as Kid Eternity and The Master Man, who rarely shows up however one would think he'd appear if the fate of the world was at stake. Following Captain Marvel, Caitlin O'Malley and Tawky Tawny into the building was the other-worldly team of InuYasha and Kagome. The neroes gave a quick glance at their seemingly new allies but introductions and explanations can wait for now for their was business to discuss.
Captain Marvel began to speak. "Okay, gang, though the majority of the members of the Monster Society of Evil have been captured and imprisioned, Sivana is once again teamed up with The Darkness and this time, they have a terrible new weapon to their disposal. Unfortunately we have no clues on their whereabouts so all we can do is wait for them to make the first move, then..." InuYasha interrupted the speech.
"Speak for yourself, Big Red!!! Kagome can sense the Shikon Jewel and I have the smell of The Darkness memorized so I can track him down!!!"
Spy-Smasher spoke out next. "If that is true, then I can take Miss Kagome with me in the Gyro-Sub and fly around the area and see if she can get a lock on that jewel. Your doggie-friend and Cap can zoom around and see if he can get a scent. Bulletman and Bulletgirl can circle around and relay any message to us at lightning-speed and then we can commence with the battle." Everyone nodded in agreement and soon The World's Mightiest Mortal and the half-demon took off toward the west while the roar of the Gyro-Sub carrying Spy-Smasher, MinuteMan and Kagome flew to the east.
Meanwhile, in a secluded laboratory thousands of feet below Dr. Sivana's former lab in the warehouse district on the outskirts of Fawcett City, the World's Wickedist Scientist finished his examination of the Shikon Jewel. "Well, my dark friend...its powers are indeed off the scales. I dare say that there's more than enough power in this to destroy the mighty Marvel Family and anyone else who dare stands in our way." A nasty look came over The Darkness.
"What do you mean 'our way?' you sniveling old fool?!! Best know your place less I dispose of you here and now. You should be grateful I let you live!" snarled the dark mage.
"My apologies, master. I meant no disrespect. Anyhow, from my tests, it appears that if the jewel itself is broken into fragments, its powers can be distributed more evenly and be a more effective tool of descruction."
The Darkness looked at the glowing, round purple jewel, then at Sivana. "I can see through you, little man. You wish to break up the jewel to render it less powerful. Nice try but I salute your evil mind for we do indeed think alike." Then grabbing the gem, The Darkess proceeds to swallow the Shikon Jewel. Despite being totally dark, an eerie glowing aura of energy appeared around his body for a brief moment then disappeared but even a mortal like Dr. Sivana felt the sudden increase of power around the dark being.
"It is done. Now...let the so-called heroes come rushing to their death but first...let's head back to The Rock of Eternity and finish that accursed wizard that banished me over 500 years ago!!!"
Up above the city, upon The Darkness consuming the jewel, Kagome sensed the power surge and at the same time, InuYasha picked up the scent of The Darkness due to his power increase. Once telling the Bullets, they relayed the message to the rest of the heroes. "Head on to Dr. Sivana's former lab and be ready for war!!!" was the message Bulletman posted.
Mt. Everest: Arcademan Universe...
With Flora down and injured, Black Adam swore to the fallen pixie that he would do everything he can to defeat The Darkness however that would be easier said than done. With Mr. Mind controlling the nigh-powerful Mr. Invincible, whose existance literally sucks up all known energy throughout the known universe, The Darkness felt an overwhelming confidence he hadn't felt since he fought the three wizards responsible for his 500 year exile.
"Now, my enemies...which one is ready to fall before your future ruler and master of the universe?" mocked The Darkness as BattleTech stepped up first.
"Not you again. Didn't you learn your lesson the first time I destroyed you, robot?!!" It's responds back. "More than you realize. Even if I do fall in battle, it will only be a machine lost and not a human life, in which I am programmed to protect at the cost of my existance if need be. So let us commence with the fight, archmage."
While the two talked, Striker and Tecknight were trying to work out a solution to bring down The Invincible Man. "He is being powered by the very energies of the universe. Obviously we cannot block the sourse of that power for every living being in the universe depends on that power. Disrupting it for even a mere moment could bring untold chaos worse than our dark enemy." said Tecknight. Striker thought for a moment. "The only solution would be to find a way to block that source and concentrate it around his body so only he would be affected, however I know of no substance, scientific or mystic, that can do such."
The Darkness and the Invincible Man were scattering the Arcade Brigade members around like tenpins, including the all-powerful Black Adam. Eclipse had tended to the fallen Flora and did her best to heal her wounds. Now somewhat conscious, Flora weakly spoke to her ally. "There is only one way to defeat Invincible Man...he was sealed in Marvelium on his homeworld...blocks all energy to...his body..." and Flora drifted off to sleep. Eclipse ran over to Striker and Tecknight. "Flora said Marvelium will stop the big green guy. It blocks all forms of energy."
Striker looked puzzled. "What the hell is Marvelium? It must be an Earth-S mineral. Such a thing does not exist here."
"Not yet but I know what it is!!!" As the trio turned, Black Adam was behind them and overheard the conversation. "Captain Marvel created it using the most densest and rarest minerals and combined them into a new material. Only one with the powers of Shazam can forge such a metal. I can do it however..."
"You would have to gather the materials to build it and that would leave it up to us to hold off the enemy in what appears to be a one-sided battel in their favor." said Tecknight. "We have no choice in the matter. Go ahead, Adam and we'll hold off The Darkness...even at the costs of our very lives if necessary."
As Black Adam races off, the unconscious Flora and battered BattleTech lay on the ground as the remaining members of the Arcade Brigade gather.
"We need to buy Adam time to gather what he needs to help defeat The Invincible Man so we need to give it our all. Commence with the attack!!!" yells Tecknight as the heroes charge toward the two, possibly to their deaths.
Chapter 30: Chapitre XXX
(by Arcademan, added on 2007-12-26 06:48:36 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
With an earth-shattering blow, Yusuke Urameshi smashes the final shadow creatures from the eighth wave, then with heavy breath, slumps down to the ground. Along with Kurogane, the two took on the last wave, giving the others a needed rest but now exhaustion was taking their toll on them. As Kurogane used his sword to keep his balance, he raised his hand in gesture to signal the ninth wave, after which one more wave would appear until the Darkness would finally battle the heroes, whether they were in shape to do so or not.
"Come on, demons!!!" yelled Kurogane in defience. "I'll send you all to the final darkness...DEATH!!!" Though not trying to show his condition, it was clear his strength was almost gone but he would not yeild nor surrender...death would have to claim him before he did such. As the next wave of shadow creatures began to form, a gloved hand reached out to the swordsman from Japan...ARCADEMAN.
"I dare rested as long as I can. Time for me to take the front of the assault!" said the greatest hero of the Arcademan Universe as the two started their attack on the creatures, using powerful yet well placed sword and fist attacks as to not waste precious energies in which they had little left. Meanwhile, Fai, Syaoran, Sakura and now Yusuke rested a bit, occasionally striking at a random demon but trying to conserve much needed strength. Syaoran was sporting burns and cuts but the look of determination was all over his face.
"We will defeat The Darkness and I WILL get Princess Sakura's feather back!" As he said that, he glanced at Sakura Kinomoto, the princess' doppelganger that hailed from this world and thought to himself. "Simply amazing how this version looks identical to the princess, though their ages are different. She has magicks that are powerful. Is this the power that was meant for the princess?" His thoughts were interrupted by the Mistress of Clow.
"Are you okay...S-S-Syaoran?" She stuttered upon saying his name. The real Syaoran...at least real to her was laying in a coma, along with her counterpart from the Country of Clow and being watched over by her guardians: Kero and Yue, along with the still bed-ridded Tomoyo Daidouji. Sakura didn't fully understand what and why there were another Syaoran and Sakura but that hardly mattered at the moment. Her world was in danger from The Darkness and that took priority over everything. Still...
"Yes. I'm fine. Are you okay yourself?" asked Syaoran. She nodded her head and for what seemed to be an eternity, the two looked at one another...deep within each other's eyes lost in thought when suddenly a staff swung between the two, followed by a muffled explosion.
"Sorry to intrude on you two but that creature of the shadow almost got to the both of you." Fai D. Flowright was holding onto the staff that vaporized the creature and grinned his trademark smile. Both Sakura and Syaoran's faces turned red briefly and then thanked Fai for the save. Then the look of determination replaced the tired expression of their faces as they both stood tall, getting ready to re-enter the battle. Sakura once again grabbed the locket around her neck and spoke out:
"Key with the power of the stars, show me your true powers. By the covenant, I, Sakura command you...RELEASE!!!"
The Star Staff appears in Sakura's hand, then she looks over to Syaoran, who was charged and ready to go. "LET'S DO IT!!!" he yelled as the two lept back into the fray. As they did, Kurogane raised his sword toward the remaining shadow creatures.
"I...had...ENOUGH!!! TENMA SHORYU SEN!!!" A powerful blast of energy, befitting the name of the attack <rising dragon flash!> comes forth and before it can do its job, Arcademan surges with power and shouts "ENERGY BLAST!!!". The two forces combine and wipes out everything in site.
"Nine down...one more to go. Can we do it?" questioned Arcademan, then he looks to the back to see a resurged Syaoran and Sakura coming back into the battle. "Kurogane and I did all we can. The final wave is up to you two to defeat. I'd wish you luck but I don't believe in luck." said Arcademan. Upon saying that, Kurogane gave a tired but sly smile to his comrade. "You know, Arcademan...I respect you as a fellow warrior in battle. If we perish together, I will be in good company." As the tenth and final wave began to form, Syaoran and Sakura glanced at one another. "Are you ready, Sakura?" Sakura answered back. "You bet. Everything will surely be all right!!!"
Back at the hospital, Tomoyo was checking the film camera aimed out the window toward the battle site, filming the entire senerio. She was not fully recovered from her injuries caused from The Darkness' first appearance but well enough to move around freely. In the beds were Syaoran Li, Sakura's boyfriend and the other dimensional Princess Sakura. The two collapsed when the team of four, along with the strange Mokona arrived in this world. Tomoyo couldn't help but glance at the two but mostly the double of her best friend.
"It's almost like the time Sakura used The Mirror Card to create a duplicate of herself...except she's a different age and has different clothing. It's so...strange." Along with Tomoyo were Kero and Yue. Sakura told the two to protect her as well as Syaoran and the otherworldly visitor, which explains why they weren't in battle with their master and the other heroes.
"As Arcademan explained, they are duplicates of the ones we know and two of the same being, no matter how different they are, cannot exist in the same place without some major reprocussions. Apparently the more powerful person is the dominating factor. Since the Mistress is in battle, she is stronger yet I do feel an extremely powerful force within this version of Sakura, even in her state. Do you agree, Yue?"
"Yes. Indeed I do, Keroberus. It seems similar to our late master Clow Reed's magicks, moreso than our present Mistress and master. Yet her potentials are yet to reach their potentials. I deduct it has something to do with that feather that The Darkness has within its possession."
Kero glared at the battle scene. "Yeah...same here. I think I can find out more from a cerain little witch named Yuuko. Yeah, we both swore to Clow Reed we'd never involve that woman in our affairs however since we can't communicate with the outside world and talk to Eriol, that leaves me no choice. Hold down the fort, snow-rabbit while I go see her."
Chapter 31: Chapitre XXXI
(by Arcademan, added on 2008-06-23 10:11:33 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Chapter 31
At a flip of a card, Sakura's star-staff transforms itself into a sword while Syaoran pulls out Hein...a flaming sword of immense power and with a primitive-type yell, both individuals leap into the crowd of shadow-creatures like a bowling ball into pins, slashing back and forth any darkness that moved. While the battle was continuing, Kero, flying at top-speed arrived at Yuuko's spacious mansion. As he approached, he saw the mysterious woman from Clow Reed's past looking out the window at the war taking place, a bottle of sake at her side. She briefly reached over first to open the window, then at the sake bottle and poured herself a glass and gulped it down.
"Kero. What brings you here...not that I'm surprised since this entire situation revolves around your present master."
"Yuuko, we've never met brfore but obviously you know quite a bit about me and thanks to Clow Reed, he's told me alot about you, girlie. Tell me...are you planning on doing anything about this or are you willing to let the world go to hell in a handbasket?" Kero's voice has a twinge of desperation within it.
Yuuko took another gulp of sake and then set the glass down next to the bottle. "Well, if you know me, you know I can do something about this...for a price. However the only person capable of paying such a price is Arcademan and he's already turned me down."
Kero looked puzzled for a moment. "Wait! Arcademan already gave you his sword and it rejected you and sealed you inside your house. Oh ho!!! Are you telling me...?"
Yuuko smiled. "Ah...you figured it all out, Kero. That was simply a ruse on both of our parts. The time was not ripe however we had to fool everyone, including The Darkness that my involvement was not a factor. The battle is going as planned and when the final encounter occurs, a pact between Arcademan and myself will take place that will either save or destroy the world and yes, the price will be high."
Kero had an uneasy look on his face and said "Well, Clow Reed told me never to trust you but I have no choice right now. Since we're both waiting for the end, can you pass me over some of that sake and maybe you have some sweets and stuff laying around..."
On the world known as Earth-S, Captain Marvel, Inuyasha and landing in the Gyro-Sub outside, Spy-Smasher and Kagome met outside of an apparently abandoned laboratory where the young girl sensed the power of the Shikon Jewel which originated from Earth-S's past. Razor claws and a powerful fist make short work of the metal door as they step inside and look around. Nothing however evidence sowed someone was in the lab recently.
"Damn! We're too late!" snarled the half-demon. "Kagome, why didn't you tell us they were gone? Surely you could've seen the jewel moving away from here with them!"
Kagome, with a surprised look on her face shook her head. "I...I don't know what's going on, Inuyasha. I can still sense the jewel in here but I can't pinpoint an exact location. I don't understand..."
"Hold on while I adjust my goggles to infra-red and take a look around." Spy-Smasher lowered the goggles over his eyes and after scouring the entire room, saw something under the floor emitting a power source. "Marvel, about 10 feet ahead of you under the floor!"
"Understood!" With a powerful swing, the World's Mightiest Mortal smashes through the wooden floor and concrete and reveals a sealed machine humming with power. Grabbing it and setting it on a table, a beam of light shoots out and a familiar picture flashed on the wall with an equally familiar voice...Doctor Thaddeus Bodog Sivana.
"Heh! Heh! Heh! If your watching and listening to this, then you figured out what's going on, you Big Red Cheese! Nice little invention of mine...it simulated the energy of that glowing purple gem so if somehow you were homing in on its energy signature, then you were fooled! We're long gone and already close to figuring out the secrets of the power. Since you possess the wisdom of Solomon, you should already know where The Darkness and myself are going. Better hurry and catch up...unless you can't figure it out in time, then you might as well sit back and watch the world grow dark! Heh! Heh! Heh!!!" and the message ended.
"So...that's why I was fooled. They faked it!" Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. Inuyasha turned to Captain Marvel. "So where are they heading with the jewel, Big Red?"
"Only one place...the center of space and time...The Rock of Eternity!"
Three hours ago, Black Adam left the greatest heroes of the Arcademan Universe to fend against The Darkness and a fellow villain from his home world of Earth-S, Mister Mind in his super-powerful body of The Invincible Man. That being used the very powers of the universe itself for its super-strength and the only thing capable of deflecting its source of energy is the world's mightiest metal...Marvelium. After zigzagging around the world collecting certain metals, materials and ores, Black Adam landed on the base of Mt. Everest and began using his Shazam powers to forge the materials together to create the marvelous metal, the echoes of explosions in the background as the fight continued on at th top of the mountain itself. Adam thought to himself "Interesting. Under normal circumstances, I could care less for these humans but my hatred for The Darkness is stronger. It's likely because of him that he made me the man I have become. Perhaps my life would be entirely different without meeting him...No! I'm losing myself in useless thought! I must finish this and rejoin the battle."
Very quickly, Adam finishes creating the marvelium and fashions it into a room with an open door. Flying halfway up the mountain, he sets the room down and flies the rest of he way to the top. Once he reached the top, Black Adam sees a most horrifying sight...
Chapter 32: Chapitre XXXII
(by Arcademan, added on 2009-01-16 13:05:02 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Chapter 32
Black Adam had finished building a makeshift room out of the rare material Marvelium and came back to the battlesite on Mt. Everest when he came across a horrifying site...all heroes and members of this Earth's Arcade Brigade defeated and sprawled across the ground. Even one as battle-worn and and dark as Adam couldn't help but gasp in surprise at the sight. Setting down the marvelium out of sight, he rushed over to the being known as Tecknight, who was stirring but was visibly beaten.
"Black Adam...you came back. We threw everything we had...still wasn't enough. Did...did you finish?" Tecknight's voice was fading away.
Adam glanced over to The Invincible Man, who appeared stunned but was recovering his strength, then spoke to his fallen comrade. "You did your job. Now it's my turn!" However before Adam could move, someone grabbed his hand.
"Hold, Mighty Adam." As he turned around, it was Eclipse who was at his side.
"I'm glad to see you're still alive. Now we can finish this like we had together over 500 years ago, Eclipse. Are you ready?" asked the progidy of Shazam.
Though somewhat weak from shielding her comrades from the dual attack of The Darkness and The Invincible Man, Eclipse gave him a nod and said "Let's finish this once and for all!"
Meanwhile, Mr. Mind, the World's Wickedist Worm still inside the form of The Invincible Man was cracking his neck and conversating with his ally The Darkness.
"You have done well, my friend from the world of Shazam. Though I would have easily dispensed with this world's super-powered beings, with your help, it's been done on a faster scale and with less effort on my part."
Mr. Mind chuckled an evil laugh. "Sure, my dark ally. You know...as powerful as I am, I could defeat you and then rule this world and universe and not have to worry about any Marvels or..." but before he could finish his sentence, a shadow covered The Invincible Man's body completely and he began to stagger.
"Keep in mind, my tall, green friend...your artifical body is powered by the source of power that makes the universe. As a void of Darkness, I can cut off that source and all you'll be is a cold, unliving statue with your pitiful worm body stuck within its head. My advice is to get rid of all thoughts of betrayal and concentrate at the task at hand. After all, the universe is an awful big place and there's more than enough for the both of us to rule. Do you not agree?" and with that, the shadow encasing The Invincible Man disappeared.
"Interesting. The Darkness can cut off his powers. Do you think you can do the same with him, Eclipse?" asked Black Adam.
"Even at full strength, probably not but as a distraction, it's possible." During the battle with The Invincible Man and The Darkness, it was Eclipse using his unique powers that helped shield the Arcade Brigade from attack. They would all be dead instead of injured plus because of her own dark powers, continued to be undetected by the villains.
"Here we go...one final glorious battle!" yelled Adam as he charged at full speed toward The Invincible Man and before he could react, punched him full force, the impact shaking the very foundation of Mt. Everest. As the hulking green beast attempted to pull himself up from the beating, a jet-black stream flowed across the ground and covered the face of the monster. "NOW!!!" screamed Eclipse as Black Adam raced back, picked up the room he created from the Marvelium and raced again toward the villain. There was a slight hesitation as Adam realized that the only way to capture and seal The Invincible Man and save the world from his destruction was to also seal Eclipse as well. The Invincible Man was grabbing his head with both of his hands and literally tearing Eclipse away when she yelled out "It's the only way to save my world, Mighty Adam...you must do it!"
Tears couldn't form from Adam's eyes since he was travelling as such a high rate of speed and though he has spent over half a millennium as an evil, black-hearted individual that his only thoughts in his life was to extract revenge on the wizard Shazam and his accursed Marvel Family, he valued the short and brief friendship of Eclipse from the past. Saying a prayer to his Egyptian gods, Adam opened the door wide and scooped up the shadowed-encased body of Mr. Mind's creation and before another thought could be, slammed the door and locked it. Without a single crack within the structure, The Invincible Man was sealed entirely from the know universe and its energy...a void within the known universe.
"It has been done. Mr. Mind's Invincible Man is defeated. As long as the room remains sealed, he will forever remain there." said Black Adam in a somber-like tone as the other heroes began to recover to see the astounishing finish to the battle.
Striker helped Flora up and then looked around at the other heroes. Tecknight had gathered the pieces of the robotic BattleTech and quickly rebuilt his body and a quick scan of his visionary powers showed everyone was more or less okay without any major injuries however there was no sigh of Eclipse. Flora staggered toward Black Adam and asked him where she was at. Adam pointed to the Marvelium room.
"What do you mean she's in there? With that creep?!! We got to get her out of there NOW!!!" screamed Flora as she ran toward the room and pulled on the door with all of her might to no avail. She pounded on the door until she slumped to her knees crying out of control. Striker pulled her away and she continued to cry. Tecknight turned to Adam. "Is there any way to save her?"
Adam replied "As long as the room stays sealed, The Invincible Man is neutralized. If even a crack shows, the energies of the universe will re-energize him and he will be once again unbeatable. Eclipse knew the risk when we carried out our mission. I wish this was the end of everything but we still have The Darkness to contend with so we can mourn for her later. We now must enter the final battle!"
The Darkness, not believing that his ally, who was seemingly unbeatable has in fact been defeated, growls in defience as he grows large...large enough to cover the entire mountain and in fact the entire Asain continent in an unearthly darkness. "Bah! That's what I get when I ally myself with incompitent fools! You heroes want me...then face me along with your deaths and the death of your entire world!!!"
Simutaneously on the Earth where the Cardcaptor lives, Sakura Kinomoto and Syaoran from yet another world continued their assault on the Army of Darkness as the final wave wore the two down while their allies rested from the previous battles. A sword slash here and there mowed down the dark beings but it was apparent they were already slowing down. At the last moment, Yusuke Urameshi runs through and with a mighty yell and fists ablazing, took apart the remaining army. At last there were no more armies on the attack and as the heroes sat down, drained of both their physical and mental capacities, The being known as The Darkness waled out into the open, slowly clapping his hands.
"Bravo. Well done. You have defeated my ten armies, thus earning the right to face me once and for all." He then raised his cape to reveal the pulsating energies of Princess Sakura's feather, which was responsible for his boost in powers. "Now I'm at full strength however by the looks of all of you, I guess the same cannot be said. Pity but then I rarely involve myself in a fair fight." He then stares at Sakura. "Now...legacy of Clow Reed...my time for retribution is here for it's time for you to die. And as an extra bonus, the accursed White Wizard's legacy Arcademan will also..." The Darkness looked around briefly and noticed that Arcademan was nowhere to be found.
Down the street inside a spacious house that people walk by everyday but tend not to notice, a most unusual meeting is taking place between the proprietor of the house and a certain caped being from another universe...the results that would have major and lasting implications on what will be the final battle between the heroes of three worlds and The Darkness.
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