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!!!"
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