mattmanganon — Roleplayer Guild

 C A P T A I N   M A R V E L
C A P T A I N   M A R V E L

"So... Am i gonna have to go learn Algebra?"

Bailey breathed a heavy sigh of relief as the green one told him that Arthur was safe and to leave well enough alone. The big ginger guy scratched the back of his head "Thanks, that's a big relief." He said. As the black vans rolled up, immediately, Bailey started getting his Vietnam Flashbacks to... Well, it was only 2 hours ago that guys like this were trying to cave his skull in. He immediately adopted a fighting pose, ready for the bum-rush. Only for one guy and a bunch more rescue crew to swarm the area. He quickly put the fists down. Then a guy with a smart suit stepped towards them, the sunglasses making him seem... Eerie...

"I've been told to give you a choice: you either disperse or you come in for a debrief. The powers-that-be think there has been enough excitement for today. Let us handle the cleanup; we're the best there is.

"Debriefing?" Bailey asked. "Buddy, i barely even know what's going on other than Mr Karaku trying to kill someone called Arthur, i learned it from this- OH CHEESE N CRACKERS! I LEFT HIM ASLEEP IN CENTRAL PARK! You deal with this, i'm gonna get that guy back to the water. Don't have your guys shoot him, he seemed like a good guy, just doing his job." Bailey said."Thanks, you guys. It's... It's nice to see people care." He said to the others. He looked to see the heavy vehicles moving in. He wanted to help, but at the same time, he knew how to take a hint. He was about to try to fly again, when he suddenly heard the sounds around him stop again. He looked at the others, seeing that they stopped again. One of the vans near them had it's door glowing golden. He did remember that the Wizard said that, as soon as New York was safe again, he'd tell him everything. Well, time to learn everything. Opening the van door, the bright flash of light happened again.

To everyone else, it would look like he disappeared just as he was taking the run-up to fly. Meanwhile, from the shadows, small, compound eyes were watching. An Alien, a God, a radioactive human, an Atlantean, all backed up by the new Champion of The Rock of Eternity. Excellent that the current Champion of the Web was not available. It could be easier to manipulate them both later if he needed to. "What a pathetic rabble of tiny creatures." The small, radio voice mused. Thor, especially disgusted the creature "To think there was a time when the 9 Realms seemed so vast and important. All it takes is one little trip to realize just how small they are. That primitive "God" can't even begin to understand how beneath me he and his kin will be once everything has unfolded." The crackling laughter echoed as the eyes slunk back into the shadows.

Appearing on the large rock again, Bailey looked around. Before him, the 5 thrones were still there. Shazam still stood there. "So, do i say it now?" The wizard nodded.

"SHAZAM!!!"

As the bolt of lightning struck him, Bailey was stood there in his Spider-costume again. The Wizard stepped off his throne, before motioning for Bailey to sit. He walked to the throne and sat in the spot. The wizard spun his staff and suddenly the entire world disappeared. That back alley appeared. Bailey fighting the agents, the Wizard in the corner, desperately trying to cast a spell. When the boy attempted to go for one last attack, suddenly... Lightning lanced through the entire world. Golden bolts, something was happening. "What in the Gods?!" He managed to yell, just before disappearing. Bailey watched as Shazam arrived back at the rock, approaching the statue of Solomon, he put his hand on it and his eyes glowed an intense white. "That damnable Speed Force, it's champions are reckless beyond imagining... No... No that's not possible... The boy was right there. No... No, he can't just be gone... From this timeline, from ALL timelines." He grunted. "How is this possible? The Web of Life? But... That is New God magics..." He broke down, before sitting down and leaning the back of his head against the Solomon statue. "It seems... That the Old Gods are no longer the deciding factor in such things. Oh for the days when..." his eyes glowed again. "Dare... Dare we stand against the new?" he asked. "That boy saved my life... He was so innocent... So pure..." The statues all began glowing. "We are in agreement?" He asked. His eyes glowed again. "Them? Very well..."

"So, the great Wizard of the Rock of Eternity needs the Loom?" A shrill voice asked. In a flash, Bailey watched as the Wizard was surrounded by 3 women, 3 different ages. One young, barely out of her teens. The second of middle agae, and the last one, an old crone, currently running her hands up and down the Wizard's arm lovingly.

"Who are they and why did they know you needed their Loom?

"The sisters of Fate. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. The spinner, the allotter and the innevitable. All that happens is because they deem it so."

"And why should we allow such a thing?" Lachesis asked.

"I do not deem to mix words with you, fair ladies. If i am here, it is because you have deemed it so and you know what i am to ask, what i am to give up and what you are to gain." The wizard replied, leaning on his staff.

"But dear Shazzy, where is the fun in that?" Atropos laughed. "We know what will happen, but we still wish to hear the words. Wish to hear the mighty Wizard of The Rock Of Eternity beg for the help of the fates. You need your champion. We need our fun." She laughed a long, evil cackle.

"And what of your other champion?" Clotho asked, turning around from the Loom to face him. A black silk appeared in her hands, slowly inching it closer to the spindle "Maybe we should return him to the picture." Shazam frowned at her. "To say nothing of... The usual... A red thread slowly began wrapping its way into the bobbin. She quickly wove an image into the loom and held up the cloth that showed Shazam on his knee's, begging the three of them for help in response. The old man resigned himself, getting down on his knee's, then pressing his forehead to the floor.

"Please, great Fates. A boy whom i believe had the makings of a champion was removed from the very fabric of reality itself. The Web of Life has been cut and i believe only you have the power to restore him." He grunted in a submissive tone. The three sisters looked at each other and laughed, before Atropos leaned down, grabbed his long, white hair and pulled him up so that they were face-to-face.

"Very Well, but we will require a memory of him." She leaned in and locked her lips against his, his eyes glowing brightly, before long, thin smoke began to drain from his eyes, the form of Bailey appearing in the smoke. Bailey looked at it, his face still had his razor sharp canines. His tongue instintively moving to check over them. That certainly explained why he still had them The smoke wrapped itself around itself, turning into long strands of blue thread that wrapped into the bobbin on the Loom. Working with speed unimaginable, Clotho wove an image into the cloth, the Spider-Boy returned from nothingness. The Lightning giving him the power. They then found themselves back on The Rock. Bailey looked at Shazam.

"But... What's the Web of Life? What's the Speed Force? What happened to my Spider-Powers? I still don't understand." He replied.

"Such things as the Speed Force and Web of Life are of little consequence. The same powers that allowed you to save those people today are not the only great powers that exist." He breathed a heavy sigh. "You did not exist. Just because The Fates have wove you back into the fabric of reality, doesn't mean they retroactively returned all of you that came before." He said. Bailey poured over the memories in his head.

"So, they never wove Madam Monstrosities attack on F.E.A.S.T. in... But then why doesn't...? Wh...? Why don't...? Why d...? Bailey was immensely confused by this. The more the wizard explained, the more questions were raised. The boy grabbed his head. Shazam sat in the throne next to his and reached over, to put a hand on his shoulder.

"Bailey... You are incapable of thinking 5th dimensionally. Trying to do so will only end up with a headache. Time, Space, Reality, all things that you can never fully understand the complexities of."

"Then how come you remember me when everyone else's memories were wiped?"

"Because i CAN think 5th Dimensionally. He quickly tried to think of an analogy that a 10 year old might understand. There was once a genius who said that "For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction-"

"Reed Richards said that to me once." Bailey replied.

"He didn't coin that term. But Equal and Opposite reactions are more complex than a mind can imagine." He thought for a second. "Think of it like basic maths." He waved his staff and a 0 appeared in the air. "Everything is 0 to begin with. Then an action happens." 0+3=3 appeared. "Then an opposite reaction happens." 3-3=0 "And everything is balanced." Bailey nodded. Yes, this was simple. "But it's rarely that simple in reality."

0+3=3, 3-6=-3+2=-1+12=11-4=7-(3x2)=1-1=lim_n->∞(3+1/n-3-1/n)=lim_n->∞(0)=0

Bailey sat looking at the equation for a solid minute, having no idea what any of that meant. "What it means is that there's rarely 1 specific big opposite. It's usually a lot of smaller, more cumulative reactions and counter-reactions that balance everything out." Bailey still sat completely lost. "My point exactly."

"So... Am i gonna have to go learn Algebra?" He asked, hoping to whatever Greater Powers existed that the answer was No.

"No." He replied. Bailey was the one sighing in relief this time. "But what it does mean is that you need to learn to use your new powers." Bailey wanted to get excited, but there was one big question still burning in his head.

"So... What's going to be the equal and opposite reaction to me existing if nobody remembers me?" He asked. Shazam smiled as he asked.

"You see, Bailey. The Champion of the Rock is not just a hero who saves people from Fire Trolls and burning houses. The Champion is one who will one day become the Wizard themselves. But to become the Wizard, you need to pass the Trials that the Rock gives you." Bailey was taken aback by that.

"Ummm... I'm not sure i want that. I mean, i'm really greatful to have these powers and the opportunity to save people, but... No offense, but becoming an old man who looks after a big rock? Can't i just-" Shazam smiled.

"Some champions seek power. The greatest have power thrust upon them. Your reluctance inspires me." He replied.

"And with great power comes great responsibility." He sighed.

"Old Lady Parker would have made a fine champion." Shazam chuckled.

"So... What are these trials?" He asked. Shazam looked down at the boy, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out Bailey's Spider-Boy mask, handing it to him.

"Figuring that out... Is one of the trials." And with a flash of light, Bailey was back in the streets outside of F.E.A.S.T. with lights and people everywhere. Damage Control had made there way here to deal with that first Troll. Oh Crud, that guy he left in Central Park.

"Do not worry, i have sent him back to his people"

The voice on the wind reassured Bailey. He pocketted his mask and went into F.E.A.S.T. It seemed very busy in here. Makes sense, quite a few would be displaced after that last attack. As he waded through the crowd of people, nobody particularly noticing the small boy in his super-suit. Suddenly a hand grabbed his scruff and yanked him. It was times like this that he missed his Spider-Senses. But even if he had them, he wouldn't need them as he saw one of the only friendly faces he recognized. "CHRISTINA!!!" He yelled, hugging her tightly. She patted him on the head.

"Hey Spider-boy." She replied.
mattmanganon Member

Your friendly neighbourhood tyranical dicator

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