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."
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