Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Nov 16, 2006 18:26:07 GMT -5
Beyond Shazam’s Magic #2
The Once and Future Champion Part 2
The Once and Future Champion Part 2
Written by G. Brown
Edited by Daniel Dyer
Abbey laid on the cold ground of the tunnel. Her attention drawn from the man in the throne to a series of golden statues. Each huge and ornately detailed. They lined the length of the tunnel. Each was crafted to display a lifelike expression on its face. Seven in all, each marked with a placard etched into its base. Abbey pushed her glasses up from the brim of her nose and squinted to make out the writing. Pride, Envy, Greed, Hate, Selfishness, Sloth and Lust.
“They are the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. The Deadly Sins.”
It was the man from the throne. When he spoke, Abbey nearly jumped, as if she could. The man in the white robes was now standing and had silently moved closer to her. He was very tall and seemed muscular under his garments. She still couldn’t make out any details in his face. The shadows and his hood over his head continued to conceal him from her.
“Their influence plagues mankind always, but their pure essence is imprisoned here. If they were ever free, it would be ... disastrous.”
Abbey chewed on her lower lip furiously. She could barely force any words out, but she managed as best she could.
“Where exactly is here? I mean where are we, Sir?”
He continued to step closer to her. “You reside now at the Rock of Eternity. It is a nexus between dimensions.” He searched for a simpler way to explain himself. “It is the central hub for all things magic. You do believe in magic, don’t you young one?” The robed man seemed to grin.
“Magic? You mean like in Daggers and Danger? Dragons, spells, wizards.... of course, but..... Oh boy, I must be dead or dreaming.” Abbey shook her head trying to clear the cobwebs.
“You are neither dead nor dreaming, Abigail Freeman... and this certainly is no game.”
At the mention of her full name, Abbey sat up straight. He had her undivided attention now.
“Your world has all but turned its back on magic, at least those of good intent. An ancient evil has awakened. An old enemy is on the move. She is gathering her forces as we speak and the time has come for me to do likewise.”
Abbey was riveted to his words. It was like living in one of her game scenarios, only this was real. Somehow, she knew it . Every fiber of her being seemed to be alive and tingling. For a brief moment she almost thought she felt something in her legs.
“And who are you?” she asked, her excitement getting the better of her.
The man seemed to hesitate before answering.
“You may call me Shazam. In fact I am known as the Wizard Shazam.”
Abbey stopped chewing on her lip mid bite. Did he say Wizard? He certainly didn’t look like a wizard. At least not the typical description commonly referenced. He was not old, he was not frail and he had no beard. Overall, he was sort of a let down, except for the power that almost seemed tangible emanating from his person. He was for sure a man of power, but a wizard?
“If you’re a wizard, prove it.” Abbey regretted her words the moment they flew from her lips, but instead of an angry response, the man again seemed to smile. He raised his arm , palm upward and Abbey began to float into the air! She shrieked for a moment as she drifted across the tunnel. She continued to float until she hovered off the ground a mere foot from the Wizard. This close up he was even larger and bigger then she initially thought. She still could not get a glimpse of his whole face. It was if his hood blocked anyone from seeing his full face. The shadow seemed impenetrable.
“You dare challenge a wizard?!” The smile was gone and his voice reverberated through the tunnel like thunder! She was almost scared... Almost. Abbey had been through a lot in the last few hours. She had faced a monster come to life and in the process saved the life of her friend. In order to do this she had readied herself to die. After that, there was little room for fear left in her. She looked into the Wizard’s face without a trace of fear.
“No, Sir, I do not and I never will again.”
“Your courage will serve you well, Abigail. I am in need of a champion. One to fight evil in my name. For this I have chosen you.”
Abbey was stunned. She was no adventurer, not in real life anyway. She sure wasn’t any real life Lady Abigail. She and Spence thought themselves brave and heroic, but underneath it all they knew that was only make believe. Wasn’t it?
“Why me, Sir? I have no strength. I can’t even walk. Surely there are more capable candidates.....”
The Wizard interrupted her. “One’s strength is not measured by one’s muscles. A person’s true strength comes from character and heart. By this measure, Abigail Freeman, you have no equal.”
Abbey didn’t know what to say. Noone other than her family and maybe Spence had ever said anything that nice to her.
“Know first that choosing to be my champion is a perilous endeavor. You will be called upon to battle evil in all its forms on this Earth and beyond. Fighting in my name will also bring upon you many enemies. They will conspire to strike at you and those you love at all times. Those that hate me will also hate you. They will seek to hurt you in order to hurt me..... and understand this, the enemies of Shazam are legion.”
Abbey’s mouth went dry and she bit down on her lip, only once this time. She had already faced death, but the mention of placing her family in danger gave her pause. She still didn’t understand how she could be of any use to this great man.
“How will I protect my family and friends from your enemies.” Her only concern was for others, not of herself.
“You will be given many gifts with which to fight the good fight. And my magic will help to keep your true name from detection. What say you now, Abigail Freeman? Do you willingly accept the burden and title of Champion of Shazam?”
Abbey chewed on her lower lip for the last time today. She couldn’t believe that this man of great power and magic wanted her for anything. She wasn’t sure what she could do for him, but in her heart of hearts, she was willing to do anything to earn the trust he seemed to have in her.
“Yes, Yes I do.”
Suddenly, she gently floated to the ground. Abbey laid on the cold stone tunnel floor unable to move. Once again she was faced with the reality of her own limitations. For a second, a brief and wonderful second, she felt like a hero. She felt wanted and important. But now she realized she was fooling herself. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Then the Wizard touched her chin and gently turned her head upward so she could look up at him. She still could not see his face, but his mouth was wide with a kind smile.
“Say my name, Abigail. Say my name and accept your destiny.”
Abbey stared at the kindness in his half face and the gentleness in his voice soothed her. How could she be of any interest to this wonderful, powerful man? Let alone wish to be his champion of all things.
“Say my name, Abigail. I won’t ask again.”
Abbey paused and smiled back at him. He seemed to be glowing with love. He made her feel safe and warm. Finally she spoke.
“Shazam!”
And for the second time tonight she found herself engulfed by a lightning bolt of magic. Only this time she emerged transformed!
Abbey no longer was sprawled on the cold stone floor. She now stood upright and tall. Very tall! She was almost as tall as the Wizard. She had to stand 5'11 at least, she guessed. Of course, the real surprise, the true miracle was that she was standing at all. She was standing, on her own two legs! The tears she fought to hold back just moments before, now flowed freely down her cheeks. Now of course they were tears of joy.
“How is this possible?” she asked with a singsong voice she barley recognized.
The Wizard grinned at her. “Magic. Come, take a look.”
He led her to a brazier full of water. When Abbey looked at the reflection in the clear water, the person looking back at her left her in amazement. She was a woman, a young beautiful woman with long straight blonde hair. She had a small button nose and clear crystal blue eyes. She was dressed in what appeared to be a skin tight one piece bathing suit in red. Emblazoned across her chest was a yellow lightning bolt. And what a chest! Abbey laughed out loud, she had a woman’s full shapely figure!
“Oh my gosh!” she said aloud.
In short, she looked like her imaginary picture of Lady Abigail. Her imaginary hero come to life! On her wrists were yellow wrappings and across her curvy hips hung a low loose blue sash. Her one piece swimsuit left her long legs bare but ended in a pair of short yellow boots. Around her neck hung a white cape, complete with an upright collar. The cape hung by a thick braided rope and the cape was highlighted in yellow stitching.
“I’m dressed like the statue in C.C. Beck Park back home. My Grandpa’s favorite hero... and I look like a real Lady Abigail! I’m Lady Marvel!”
The Wizard shook his head with disapproval.
“There was only one who bore the Title of Lady in these halls. Her time has past. You are my champion, my new Captain. You are now Captai......”
Abbey finished for him, already knowing the answer.
“Captain Marvel!”
Now the Wizard nodded in approval. “Yes, You are. Anytime you speak my name the transformation will occur. You will be changed from Abigail Freeman to Captain Marvel and back again.”
She turned from the brazier of water and gave a little shriek of joy. She leaped toward the Wizard and embraced him in a hug. The Wizard seemed surprised, not expecting that sort of a reaction and tentatively patted her back in return before stepping away.
“Why in the world would I ever want to ever be anything other than this.”
A dark shadow seemed to come over the Wizard’s face. “Be very careful, Abigail, thoughts such as this have led others down a black path. Captain Marvel is a tool with which we achieve an end. Abigail is my true champion. Never forget this truth.”
Abbey felt taken back by his statement, but then as if from somewhere deep inside she felt chastised, corrected almost. A strong sense of conscious showed her the error of her thinking. She was immediately aware of the wisdom in the Wizard’s words.
“Yes, Sir. I understand now. The power can corrupt if you forget your true self.”
The Wizard smiled, she had passed her first test and had utilized the first of her many gifts.
“You already feel Solomon’s wisdom influencing your already sound judgement. This is quite possibly the greatest of all your gifts. The sharpest of all tools you now posses as Captain Marvel.”
With the wave of his arm a tablet of stone appeared before them from thin air. On the tablet was writing etched into the stone it was a list of powers.
“The wisdom of Solomon to guide your way, the strength of Hercules will be yours, the stamina of Atlas to preserve you, the power of Zeus to allow you to stand against any and all opponents, the courage of Achilles to steel you in battle and the speed of Mercury to carry you on your journey. All these are at the disposal of my Captain. Each attribute has many facets, allow the gods to lead you in their many uses Abigail. They will never let you down.”
With each description Abbey could feel the power pulsating through her. She felt invincible.
“Every time I say your name, will a lightning bolt hit me? What if I’m indoors or near someone?”
“The lightning is magical in nature. No one can see or hear it, unless they are equipped to detect the magical realm. Unless, of course, you want all to witness the lightning. It has a very dramatic effect to those around you. It also may be used by you against those with a weakness to magic, it can make a formidable weapon..... or so I’m told.”
Abbey nodded, taking all the information in. Everything processing easier than before, she realized.
“You will know when to use my power, it is in your nature. At other times I will call upon you. When you feel my call you will respond immediately to the Rock of Eternity. The speed of Mercury will ensure you arrive when needed. Now go my Captain, Abigail’s would be killer awaits. Go and face your first opponent.”
The Wizard raised his arms over his head and a new bolt of lightning swallowed up Captain Marvel and she vanished from the Rock of Eternity.
The Wizard stood motionless for a full minute until unseen voices from the darkness addressed him.
“The Council does not agree with your new Captain.”
“We could not wait any longer. Our enemy grows stronger by the day and she is on the move.”
“Your choice is too young, she is not ready.”
“She is the perfect age, some of the finest champions were young. Her heart is perfect.”
“Her heart and courage are true, with that we are in agreement, but she is but a child and the enemy’s magic is ancient and strong.”
“Some things are beyond magic, ancient or strong, Some are even beyond Shazam’s magic. Some things are stronger than magic, like love... and family.”
“We hope for all our sakes you have chosen wisely, Wizard. You do realize that a darkness will emerge. For every Champion, there arises a black opposite number.”
“She will meet ALL challenges! My champion has been chosen!”
The Wizard spoke with a booming voice and left no doubt to the finality of the debate. The voices of the Council did not respond. The Wizard sat on his stone throne and when he was sure he was alone spoke again with a smile on his lips.
“Go get 'em Abbey. Make the family proud.”
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