SMST: The Trials of Lady SHAZAM! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, DC Comics and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special Note: This story is a continuation/adaptation of the DC Comics mini-series, "Trials of SHAZAM". I liked it, but felt that some of the concepts presented could have been elaborated a bit better. This story takes place before "Blackest Reign, Darkest Night". This is also a six-parter. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 1
"Ah, it's good to be home," Usagi said, as she enters the Tsukino Residence while dropping her travel case. She didn't mind being out in deep space, but she loved being back home more. And since she is officially on leave from ALL of her obligations, such as being the Assistant Director of Stargate Command in the United States, Usagi was looking forward to a week of rest and relaxation.
Usagi looked around the main foyer a bit. It's been a while since she last been here, when she wanted to introduce her vampire daughter Moka Akashiya, and her half-sister, Kokoa Shuzen, to their other family. But for the most part, the house sits as a memorial to the memory of her parents Kenji and Ikuko Tsukino. She wished Shingo would have stayed home, but he was determined to live his life as the Norse god Balder the Brave.
With a sigh, Usagi decides to fix herself something from the kitchen…
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about anything any time soon," Usagi said, as she enters the kitchen, only to see a man sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Ah, Moon Princess," said the man. He appeared to be a middle-aged Caucasian male with a mustache and goatee. He wore a charcoal-gray business suit and attire, and he was holding up a copy of the Japanese edition of the "Wall Street Journal".
"You're back from your 'trek' to the stars…"
"Satannus, what are you doing here?" Usagi asked, as she went to get some orange juice from the refrigerator. Knowing that the house would be unoccupied most of the time, Usagi put in place all matter of gadgets to ensure that the house would be secured, as well as a refrigerator powered by a device that would put anything within into a perpetual state of stasis. Hence, Usagi could get some relatively fresh orange juice…
"Technically, I'm suppose to 'dust you' since you are EEEVIL…since I'm the soldier of Love and Justice, you know."
"Then start with yourself, 'Trigona'," Satannus said with a smirk.
"Humph."
"Any way, I am here to let you know that your other body is in the custody of Oggar the Terrible," Satannus said, as he lowered his newspaper. "I don't need to tell you why that is mistake."
"Satannus, I already know this," Usagi said, as she pours herself a class of orange juice. "I just needed to help my husband Ranma take care of some of HIS business involving the Green Lanterns."
"Understandable. But, you don't have long to decide WHEN you want to take back your old body."
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently, my sister Blaze had promised Merlin a favor if he helps her use your old body as a 'flesh-suit'."
"Why would Merlin grant Blaze such a boon?" Usagi asked.
"Why do you think wizards do anything? He may be a friend to you, my dear, but wizards, like super-scientists, want power more than anything else. And the loop hole is that since you already have a body-"
"Then my old body is seen as being abandoned," Usagi said with understanding. "Well, I don't want you nasty sister getting into my body."
"Me neither, since, I do admit, I have had…fantasy about you, when I was much younger. I do not want to think of you as my sister."
"That, I did not need to know. But, I'll just go up to the Rock of Eternity, and kick some butt-"
"That won't be easy," Satannus said. "Since taking over, Oggar has placed a spell on the place ensuring that ONLY those possessing the power of SHAZAM can enter the place."
"So, we're done, eh?"
"Not necessarily. The power of SHAZAM represents the magical sextet that creates the guardian of the Rock of Eternity. As follows, the magical sextet represents power, wisdom, strength, speed, stamina and courage, traits that are necessary to keep the Seven Original Sins and the Three Faces of Evil in check. Only those who possess those traits can enter the Rock, unless given permission to do so by the guardian. And because of Oggar, only he, my sister Blaze and myself can enter the Rock."
"Then, how can I get back up there, if I am locked out?" Usagi asked.
"I've already sent out Billy Batson to find the legendary figures who originally empowered his magical sextet. However, I do not put it past my sister to set up a proxy to harass him."
Satannus clears his throat.
"You will have to be 'the back up'," Satannus said.
"ME?" Usagi replied.
"Yes, you. And you will have to do so without the use of your powers."
"Again?"
"Well, you have to be judged by the people who will give you the boons that will empower the magical sextet…"
Satannus reaches down underneath his chair to bring out a jewelry case.
"For you," Satannus said, as he slides the jewel case. "I cannot handling for obvious reasons…"
"Okay," Usagi said, as she shrugged her shoulders. She then opens the case…
"A silver bracelet with the 'Seal of Solomon' inscribed on it," Usagi said.
"Precisely. It is similar to your 'dampening' devices, like the one used for 'mutant control'."
"Marvelous," Usagi said. She then squints her eyes.
"Why are YOU helping me? We already helped each other during that 'War in Hell' fiasco, where you won Gehenna while I won Diyu."
"That is true," Satannus said. "Let me put it this way: I can always use an ally to protect my interests, and I don't want my sister to win. Is that a good enough reason for you?"
"Yes, I guess it is."
"Good. Now, put on the power dampener."
Usagi takes out the bracelet, and looks at its silver finish…
"What are you waiting for, Moon Princess?"
"I seriously hope this isn't a trick or something," Usagi said.
"Trick or not, you know that your suspicion of me is outweighed by my sister's ambitions."
"And how long I wear this thing?"
"Upon completion of your…'trials', you can take off the bracelet."
"Hmmm…"
"Time is of the essence."
With a sigh, Usagi places the bracelet on her wrist.
CLICK!
"So, I will go with Billy to find these boons?" Usagi asked, as she shakes her wrist.
"No," Satannus said. "He will find the boons with the help of a wizard named 'Zareb'. YOU will have to find your own companion on this journey."
"Fine, show me the way at least…"
"Oh, Tsukino-sensei!" said Ruby the Witch, as she hugged her former colleague from the Youkai Academy. Satannus had told Usagi that the person she would need to see was the witch Ruby. So, after taking a short cut to the world of the Youkai, using Satannus' help, Usagi arranged a meeting to see the young woman.
"It's so good to see you again!"
"Hi, Ruby," Usagi said. "How have you been?"
"Well, many, many things have happened since you were last here," Ruby said, as she began to glow lovingly.
"I see…"
"But anyway, are you here to visit Moka and the others?"
"I'll see them in a bit, but I wanted to ask you a favor."
"Oh?"
"I need help to re-acquire the magic sextet of SHAZAM."
"Oh…huh?"
Usagi quickly explains the present situation concerning the guardianship of the Rock of SHAZAM, and what was at stake.
"…And if the demoness Blaze takes over my magical body, she could do all sorts of havoc on everyone," Usagi said. "I know this is beyond your level of expertise, but since you are a woman of many talents, I figured that you could help me complete my quest."
"Well, I do have my responsibilities here, as you know, but I think I could get some time off to help you."
Usagi smiles.
"I appreciate that, Ruby."
Soon, Usagi and Ruby are on the road.
"So, what are we going to do first, Tsukino-sensei?" Ruby asked.
"Ruby, you can call me 'Usagi', since we're not working at the Youkai Academy," Usagi said, as she slung her pack.
"Okay…Usagi," Ruby said. "So, what are we going to do first?"
"Now, even though I don't have my magical body at the moment, I still have my knowledge. And from what I know about the magical sextet, myths and legends are consistent, even if there fall under different names. We need to find the equivalent or the actual guises of the Titaness Selene, the demi-goddess Hippolyta, the demi-goddess Atalanta, the god Zephyr, and the goddesses Aurora and Minerva."
"So, we'll have to travel the world to find these people?" Ruby asked.
"No, actually," Usagi said. "There are a million versions out there, and we can find six of them here in Japan."
"So, who do we see first?"
"The first person is easy to find, actually," Usagi said. "I just hope that she won't try to blackmail me or anything."
"Oh?"
Later…
"Wow, this is interesting," Nabiki said, as she folded her arms, as her husband's ninja retainer served her and her guests tea.
"Well, I should hope so," Usagi said, as she sat across from her future "co-wife" at the Kuno residence.
"And you're saying that since I am the avatar of the Olympian goddess of wisdom, vis-à-vis as 'Sailor Minerva', then I can donate a portion of my essence to you in your quest to regain SHAZAM powers."
"That is correct. I don't need your power, just your essence to re-power the magical sextet."
"That would be the equivalent of jump-starting a car engine," Nabiki said.
"Correct."
"So…am I supposed to give you a test or something?"
"Well, I suppose I have to take the test, of your choosing."
"Hmmm…"
"And nothing ridiculous, Nabiki. Just play it straight."
"Very well," Nabiki replied, as she stands up. "I'll set something up. Wait here."
And with that, Nabiki leaves the room, and close the door behind her.
SHOOP!
Ruby, who was munching on teacakes, turns towards Usagi.
"She seems nice," Ruby said.
"Yes, she is," said Usagi. "And that's what I am worried about…"
SHOOP!
"Okay, I'm ready to initiate your test," Nabiki said. "Come to me into the living room."
Usagi and Ruby gets up. As they approach Nabiki…
"Miss Ruby, you can remain here," Nabiki said.
"Oh, okay," said Ruby with a hint of disappointment.
Usagi turns towards Ruby.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Ruby," Usagi said with a smile. "This won't take too long."
"Oh, okay," said Ruby with a sigh, as she re-take her seat…
A few minutes later, in the dining room, Usagi sees a shogi chessboard.
"Huh, 'shogi'," Usagi said.
"Actually, it's not an ordinary chessboard," Nabiki said. "Take a look at your pieces…"
Usagi looks at the pieces for a moment…
"Why is Ruby's face on these pieces?" Usagi asked.
"The simple matter is that the domain of the goddess Minerva, also known as Athena, is wisdom and strategy," Nabiki said. "Your actions will dictate Ruby's actions, while this house will serve as the shogi board."
"And your pieces serves as the traps," Usagi said.
"That, and Tatewaki and the others will help in that regard."
"And if I refuse to play this game?"
"Then you'll have to go to someone else to get what you need," Nabiki said.
"That sucks, Nabiki."
"I know, but, as you recall, strategy has risks, and sometimes, there are costs involved."
"Hmmm. Can I tell Ruby-?"
"No," Nabiki said. "Otherwise, you'll have to forfeit."
"Bummer," Usagi said, as she sits down in front of the shogi board. "Let's do this…"
Tbc.
Author's Note: Basically, Usagi will have to reconstitute the magic of SHAZAM by going to people she knows (i.e. characters that she has met throughout the Sailor Moon ST/The Ranma Trek series. So, Nabiki represents "wisdom"; who represents the other traits? I have a few ideas, but let me know what you think. C&C are welcomed.
