THE ROCK OF ETERNITY

After many hours, Shazam's patience had paid off. The Marvels were still siphoning his power, but they seemed to do so from what appeared to be another dimension. After their latest call for the power, the old wizard tried to trace it through this mysterious plane.
However, as he did so, someone, or something tried to resist his power…

THE CHASM OF INFINITY

After many hours, Mazahs observed the mysterious events in Faucet with amazement and concern. Where did these children come from? How did they come to possess this power? In all his years, the old wizard had never seen anything like this.
It was then that he felt another disturbance.
As he adjusted the historama to investigate, he detected the source. The device adjusted to show an ancient bearded figure from another plane, trying to cast a spell.
In response, Mazahs set up a barrier…

For hours, the two wizards tried to outdo the other, with spells, conjurings, mind control, and barriers of sorts. However, the results were the same. Neither wizard would have an advantage over the other. Finally, Shazam tried to break the stalemate with common reason.
"I don't know who you are…" he stated, "but it is clear neither of us can win this battle. If you consider yourself a being of reason perhaps we can have a civilized discussion."
After a few moments, Mazahs relented, and dropped the barrier. Soon, each wizard's histogram adjusted to view the other.
"I am Mazahs! Master of the Chasm of Infinity. Who are you?"
"I am Shazam. Guardian of the Rock of Eternity. Are you the one responsible for abducting the Marvels?"
"So they are yours!" said the gnarled wizard. "I am not responsible for their abduction."
"Then may I at least try to locate them?" said Shazam.
After a pause, he responded. "You have my permission to view! Nothing further."
"I bid you thanks." Said Shazam as he proceeded to find the Marvels.
**He cannot be trusted** Replied a mysterious being mentally.
Shazam quickly adjusted the histogram to view the source of this voice without alerting Mazahs. Whoever it was responded from what appeared to be a solid crystal barrier. He would remember this location for future reference as he tried to locate the Marvels.

WIZZ TOWER

After he returned, Captain Terror summoned the rest of his 'family'.
Major Terror responded immediately. Bloody Mary had to be escorted to him by a group of Tawny.
When she arrived, she glared angrily at Terror.
"I WAS BUSY!!!"
"Boss Dudley can wait Mary."
"THEY THREW HIM OUT OF A WINDOW!!!"
"It was only two stories master. He is certain to survive…" said a Tawny.
"You promised you wouldn't see him again…" said Major Terror.
"Don't worry Freddy." Said Mary. "I just see him for laughs, nothing more."
"But he's a pervert…"
"WILL YOU GUYS CAN IT?!?" Said Captain Terror. "This is serious." I just came across something at the library."
"Yeah, they're called books!" said Mary sarcastically.
"ALLRIGHT!!! THAT'S IT!!" said Captain Terror as he lunged toward Mary. Immediately, Major Terror stood between them trying to separate them. At that moment however, all three of them felt a sharp pain in their chests as their symbols lit up.
As the pain subsided, Captain Terror continued. "Just watch the Video." He said as he flicked a switch.

After the video ended the two villains were flabbergast.
"W-who were they?" sputtered Major Terror.
"They look just like us! Powers and all! Except what's with that Satan awful white dress…"
"I think were dealing with reversed versions of us. Like that Justice League a few months back."
"But how do they get here? And what do they want with us?"
"How the f**k should I know? Either way we should be careful. We don't want to get trapped like the Crime Syndicate was. As soon as I finish inspecting the south sector generator, we should find them, and eliminate them!" said Captain Terror icily.

SOMEWHERE UNDERNEATH FAUCET CITY

"The Faucet Resistance?" said Captain Marvel.
"Yes," said the person who identified himself as Professor Green. We have dedicated ourselves to the overthrow of Captain Terror, and to end the tyranny he represents."
"Ours was a peaceful city, until the day THEY arrived. It started with the Captain, the construction of the shield, and then the formation of his Tawny units. Major Terror and Bloody Mary followed soon after." Said another member.
Cap couldn't believe it. Just the idea of this reversed world, heck, even reversed versions of themselves seemed hard to grasp.
"But why do you need us?" asked CM3.
Professor Green responded. "Recently, our organization has learned of the existence of parallel dimensions. We had chanced upon yours, and learned of your many wondrous exploits." He continued, "We have also made some interesting discoveries concerning your powers." He then flicked on a monitor.
It was cued at a point where Captain Marvel changed back to Billy. "We had come across this moment, when we realized that your 'alter ego' bears a striking resemblance to Captain Terror's 'spokesman' William Batson."
"I guess my, I mean OUR secret's out." said Cap sarcastically.
"Well, yes, however, this is the reason why we need your help. For you see, Captain Terror maintains his entire security system from his heavily guarded WIZZ tower. Only those with the correct biological signatures can gain access to the building unchallenged, as we learned the hard way." Said Professor Green.
"What's with the shield?" asked Mary.
The professor paused before answering. "As I mentioned, Terror maintains a tight control of the city. He uses the city to control people entering and leaving the city." He flicked another switch. "Here is another example."
The monitor showed a scene where a vehicle tried to break through a blockade. After crashing through, it pulled over to the side where some occupants fled through an open field. There was a closeup where Tawny creatures tackled some of the occupants. The few who alluded them managed to make it a few yards, when they ran into what appeared to be an azure wall. A few seconds later, all that remained of the victims were charred skeletons.
Mary gasped in horror.
The tape continued to show similar incidents. One scene showed Captain Terror forcibly breaking up what appeared to be a food riot. One grisly scene showed him lifting an elderly man above his head, snapping his spine, and throwing it towards the rioters. Another scene showed both Major Terror and Bloody Mary terrorizing innocent civilians in a run down neighborhood. Each scene showed the horrors brought on by these villains, and the misery they brought to the people of Faucet.
Professor Green then snapped off the tape. "Will you help us Captain Marvel?"

The three heroes discussed their options.
"After seeing those poor people suffer, how can we say no?" said Mary.
"Well they say they can bring us back, after we defeat these guys, the question is, can we?" asked CM3.
"I don't know, but I guess we can try. These people are counting on us." Said Cap.

A few minutes later, they returned.
"So what's the plan Professor?" asked Cap.

THE OUTSKIRTS OF FAUCET CITY

"Purpose of visit?"
"Business."
"Duration?"
"24 hours"
"Cargo?"
"Machine parts."
"Any volatile chemicals, transmitting equipment, or weaponry of any sort?"
"No."
"He is clear. His cargo matches his manifesto." Said the Tawny inspecting the vehicle.
"Very well, Mr, um, Lex, welcome to Faucet."
"Thank you."

A few minutes later, Alexander Luthor was in the city proper. Time was short, he thought. He had wasted enough time getting through the city security. If that wasn't enough, he was unable to use his regular equipment without alerting Captain Terror and his security forces.
His main goal was to somehow contact the Marvel family, wherever they were. He expected them to make their move soon. The question was when and how. Fortunately, he had an ally of sorts in the city.

As he drove through the city, he couldn't help but ponder. "This used to be a nice place," he thought to himself, "before the Terrors turned it into this hellhole!"
It wasn't too long ago, he thought, when this place was truly a shining example of what could be right in the world. The law worked, corruption was unheard of, and it was safe to walk these streets. These streets, which were now overrun with corruption at the highest level. It was almost as if the city were under some kind of mystical curse… but no. Luthor was a man of reason, not of mystical mumbo jumbo.
It was then that he arrived at his destination.

After parking his vehicle, he approached a rundown warehouse. After knocking, he was greeted by a homely young lady.
"Luthor!" she said.
"Hello Georgia, is your father in?"
"Um, of course! He's downstairs, just follow me."
Luthor followed the girl through the warehouse, which had been partly converted to a makeshift hospital. "It's been pretty hard these past few weeks. Captain Terror recently imposed a new tax, and his security forces have become more ruthless than ever."
They soon reached the basement, where they found him tinkering on a device.
"Hello Thad!" said Luthor.
The old man looked up, revealing his wizened bearded face.
"Luthor! What brings you here?" said Professor Sivana.
"I need your help old friend."

ONE MILE AWAY

"Alright, move them crates! We got some business this afternoon, and we gotta get moving.
"Sure thing Stinko." Said Weezer testily.
On the floor, 'Stinko's' gang continued to move the confiscated foodstuffs into the warehouse. With the new taxes imposed by the city, he expected to make a killing with this merchandise.
"Weezer, you are not listening!"
"What is it?" said Weezer with clenched teeth.
"The perishables go on top as not to be crushed by the heavier objects. Can't you get that straight?"
"Alright! Alright!" he said, moving the crates to their proper positions.
"No, no not like that, like this! Geez, you're so retarded!"
At that, Weezer tensed even further. Stinko could only push him so far…
Just then, there was a disturbance outside. A few seconds later, three of Stinko's guards flew through a window onto the main floor. Bloody Mary and Major Terror flew in, through the window after them. Some of Stinko's lieutenants, grabbed their weapons while others remained curiously still.

It was a short fight.

A few minutes later, Bloody Mary held Stinko, bruised and beaten beyond recognition, by his shirt collar.
"Wassa big idea Mary?" moaned Stinko. "I ain't done nothing wrong."
"Then how do you explain all this?" said Mary.
"But Terror an I had an understandin… I supply him with info, and he leaves me alone…
"Yes, you had an understanding with CAPTAIN TERROR…" said Mary, snapping his neck, "Not with me and the Major." She finished, dropping him.
Weezer walked up to her. "Thanks Mary."
"No problem Weezer, he was getting on my nerves anyway. You do remember your part of the deal, don't you?"
"Yeah, make it look like an accident. Are you sure we won't get any trouble from the Captain?"
"You may get a Tawny or two, but if you stick to our plan, it should be all right."
"Sure thing. See you later!"

Shortly after Bloody Mary and Major Terror left, the gang straightened up the mess, and work resumed.
Only with Weezer in charge.
He smiled. "Poor Stinko" he thought. Guess you just didn't cut it as a leader.
Just then, he saw a gang member move some crates.
"Skeeter, what are you doing? The perishables are supposed to go on top, so they won't be crushed…"

"I'm uncomfortable with this Mary." said Major Terror as they flew back to WIZZ tower, "It's bad enough we're behind his back as it is, but something like this, offing Stinko like that, he'll know something's up!"
"I told you not to worry about it sweetie pie!" said Mary smiling. "He may blow his top, but he won't think much of it. As far as he's concerned, lowlifes like the gangs are nothing." She continued, circling him in a playful fashion. "He's more concerned with those jerks in city hall, and that's the problem. The REAL power lies in the streets and alleys. Heck, you should know! We both grew up down there!"
"How could I forget?"
"And once our power is secure, the walls'll come tumbling down!" she said, hugging him while in flight.



THE ROCK OF ETERNITY

Unbenownsed to the two lovers, their actions were being watched with great concern by Shazam. While searching for HIS children, he was astonished to find these duplicates. Even more astonishing was the world where they resided. From what he observed, this world was opposite in almost every aspect. From Mazahs, to Faucet City, to WIZZ tower…

To Captain Terror and his 'family'.

It was then that he realized he was being observed by Mazahs through the histogram.

"So they are… yours?" inquired the good wizard.
"Yes" said the evil wizard with a voice that sounded like it came from the pits of hell. "They are my champions on this plane. I started with Captain Terror, a callow youth I found on the run from the authorities. I gave him powers beyond his wildest dreams, and safety from the authorities, which he used to maintain a foothold of power in this world. In exchange for his 'services' of course." Said the wizard smiling. Major Terror and Bloody Mary came later. They too have proven most valuable to my purpose."
"You are not even concerned that they have thoughts to betray you?" Inquired Shazam.
At this, the evil wizard gave a most hideous laugh. "Betray me?" he cackled, "They spend so much of their time and energy plotting against, outdoing, and backstabbing each other, they hardly have time for me! It was the reason I had chosen them, giving them the lure and illusion of power and respect that they envy in their youth, while at the same time, I manipulate their actions, by setting them up against each other!"
"Through the young girl, I assume!" said Shazam.
"Yes, she has been most 'influential' to my cause without realizing it. I am far pleased with them than my 'previous' attempt." he continued, "It all works out in the end,… cousin!" said Mazahs icily.
Shazam winced at that last remark. He pondered. He had spent his entire existence defending mankind from the various evils that threatened his world. Was this world the result of evil unchecked?
**he is a crafty one,** replied the mysterious being from the crystal barrier warily "the way he manipulates people into doing his bidding without their knowledge.**
**I assume you are his 'previous' attempt?** replied Shazam mentally.
**That I am. Be wary of him, he is a master of deception and lies. I made the mistake of attacking him directly.** he paused, ** and this is my punishment.**
Shazam made a note of this. At that moment, he felt another call for his power. He adjusted the historama, when he finally located Billy. "At last!" thought the wizard, relieved that he was safe. Although he wondered why he was in a limosine...