Rum & Coke
The Isle of White
It was worse than he thought. His memories were those of a child. A thousand years of candy and toys, playgrounds and cartoons. He was a man again, but a man out of time. The world had moved on.
Where did he start to attempt to catch up? Television? The shattering of time and space, the constant shifting and cutting of images, the inescapable selling of everything was too much for him to take in. Computers? Baffling machines. He typed in his name and two million references came up in less than a second. The first reference told him all he really needed to know, villain and traitor that was his legacy in the modern world.
Books. These he knew. His mother had a whole library of them, but he knew most were off limits. She was always watching, making sure he got nowhere near anything magical. So where to start? The familiar, Arthur and his knights were very popular it seemed.
Morgaine le Fay didn't know what to make of her son's transformation. She knew her little boy didn't have the power or knowledge to override her spell, yet here he was, an adult again. She'd been probing and scanning him for the last few days, but had found no reason for the transformation. His interest in her library wasn't something she was too pleased with.
She was currently standing on the second floor looking down at him. For once she wasn't wearing her golden armor. Instead she wore only an Oriental dressing gown of the purest silk. So far he had stayed away from anything remotely connected to magic. As suspicious of him as she was, there was another side of her that took delight in seeing him fully grown. He was her son, but she couldn't deny how handsome he was. Seeing him sitting in the library reminded her of long ago. She could still remember her heart racing as she watched him lead her army, his armor glistening in the midday sun.
There had always been an unspoken desire within her for Mordred. Seeing him as an adult brought all those feelings back. They were not the feelings of a mother towards a son, but a woman towards a man.
"Are you just going to hide in the shadows watching me, mother, or are you going to come do?'
He hadn't even looked up at her, but could feel her presences wherever he went. She smiled and slowly made her way down the circular staircase to the first floor. She moved over to where he was sitting and took the large leather chair across from him.
"You seem to be adjusting to the modern world,' she said. She gestured towards the work shirt and pants he was wearing.
"I found them in what must have been the maintenance man's closet. The shoes didn't fit,' he replied. She glanced down at his long, thin feet nestled in the Persian rug.
"You have been such a busy little bee since your return, 'she said. 'What has so captured your interest?"
He tips up the book to show her the title, Alliterative Morte Arthure, and then gestures to the others lying on the table next to him. Le Morte d'Arthur, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and The Once and Future King were on the top of the stack.
"It appears I'm the villain of the story,' he offered. "Well, you and I both are."
"Romantic fools,' she scoffed. "They got it all wrong."
"Well, at least Mr. Twain's story was funny,' he replied.
"Why are you reading about ancient history, anyway?"
"It's ancient history to you, not to me,' he countered. "I wanted to see what they say about me."
"What were you expecting? That you'd be the hero? We both know that's far from the case,' she offered.
"Yes, my hands were never clean," he admitted. "The notion of the Knights of the Round table does seem to have captured the authors fancy."
"Try The Mists of Avalon,' she replied. "I come out rather well in that one."
"And me?"
"Not so much."
"I did find it interesting that Lancelot has become some sort of romantic hero. The accounts of his and Guinevere's undying love were most touching."
"Don't tell me you are still pining over your father's wife, Mordred,' she asked. A small scowl played over her full lips at the mention of the woman.
"She was my wife too, mother,' he replied. "Now she's gone like all the others. Just characters in folk tales for the entertainment of the public."
"Where they should remain. You know I never condoned your relationship with her. Guinevere, you could have done so much better, Mordred.'
"Are you referring to yourself, mother?' Mordred asked. "I always suspected that it was you that informed Arthur about us."
She looked over at him, his gray eyes staring at her, almost challenging her. There were two accusations in his words, but she chose not to answer either.
"It was so long ago, I don't remember,' she coldly replied. "I've lived such a full life since then, you can't expect me to remember every detail."
She gave him a wicked smile, as his slipped away. It was a not so subtle reminder of whom he was dealing with.
"You must have enjoyed the story where she joins the nunnery rather than be with me,' Mordred finally said.
"Like she ever said no to anyone,' she replied. "They had to give her some punishment for her infidelity. I imagine the fact that it was with you, her husband's son only made it worse. Lancelot provided a nice substitute for her lover, ugly toad that he was."
"And Arthur is the wounded party,' Mordred said. He gave a derisive chuckle at this. "My father, the man that heard a prophecy that a child born on May Day would destroy him and his kingdom. The man that rounded up all the noble May babies and sent them away on a rickety ship from which only I survived. This man is the hero of the story, unbelievable."
"He was the King and you were the traitor,' Morgaine repeated. She liked to watch Mordred's reaction to it, twisting the knife just a little deeper.
"And you were the half sister that slept with him,' he reminded her. "You always did have a soft spot for him, didn't you?"
It was her turn to frown, not liking this talk anymore. She stood, adjusting her silk gown to give him just a hint of the smooth flesh that lay beneath.
"Enough of the past, Mordred, we should speak of the present and the future."
"What about them?"
"I have business to attend to and I'm not going to just leave you here alone,' she informed him.
"Where would you like me to go,' he asked. "I have no money or clothes."
"That is easily remedied."
Morgaine flicked her wrist and cast a spell towards him. On instinct he raised his hands. Some sort of magical shield sprang up from them, deflecting her spell. Morgaine stood looking at him in shock, but then saw his eyes were vacant.
Elseworld
The sky shimmered like gold. Screams and shouts of battle were all around. Mordred stood stunned as chaos swirled all around him. He was holding something and looked over to see it was a standard. Three yellow lines on a field of green. Beings of enormous size rushed past him, shouting in some strange language. Blood splattered against his face, and Mordred flinched, wiping his eyes to clear them. When he opened them again, he was back in his mother's library.
Morgaine stood over him, her body almost glowing with power. He slowly realized she had been siphoning it off him. He looked up at her in confusion and saw a smile on her face.
"Well isn't that interesting,' Morgaine mused.
The Oracle
It was almost evening as Hippolyta made her way through the dark, twisting rock paths that lead to the Oracle. She had been going back and forth of her decision about calling a new Tournament for an Amazon champion. Her dreams were so real and frightening; she wanted to consult the sage one last time before she set out on her course.
This was a sacred place to the Amazons. The mist and fumes made it feel claustrophobic and otherworldly. As she made her way along the dimly lit path, Hippolyta caught brief glimpses of the acolytes, but they were just fleeting images through the haze. When she finally reached the main area, she made an offering of gold to the Gods and the Oracle. Raising her scarf to cover her head, Hippolyta genuflected as she entered.
"I see you have returned Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons,' the Oracle whispered. Her voice seemed to carry on the wind and echo all around the chamber.
"I seek answers, Oracle, answers only you can help me with,' Hippolyta explained.
"Come forward, Queen of the Amazons."
Hippolyta moved slowly, as the vapor and fumes were even thicker here. She heard the sound of water being poured over the rocks, but couldn't see where it was coming from. The mist cleared for a moment, and Hippolyta got her first glimpse of the Oracle. Bone white, the color of the Oracles hair and skin. She wore a blood red cloth over her eyes, but it was her other vision that Hippolyta was seeking. A long boney finger stretched out and pointed at Hippolyta.
"You are still plagued by dreams and visions, Queen of the Amazons."
It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes."
"And you want to know if they are true?'
"Yes, Oracle,' Hippolyta replied. "I fear the worst if they come to pass."
The pale woman seemed to be far away suddenly, as fumes from the volcanic rock hissed all around her. When they cleared, the Oracle seemed to be almost staring straight at Hippolyta.
"Fates will change, there is nothing you can do to stop it, Queen of the Amazons. The armor will not protect the one wearing it from this change. This change will shake the foundations of the Amazon society, like nothing has for centuries. The outcome of this change is not clear, only that you are at the center of it, Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.'
Hippolyta listened to the Oracle's words and felt she was saying her dreams would come true. She wanted to ask more, but the Oracle had already disappeared into the mists.
"Your heart is pure, Hippolyta and your motives noble, I wish you well,' the Oracle's disembodied voice whispered.
Shaken, Hippolyta managed to make her way back down the treacherous path. She felt she had her answer. It was the same as last time, a variation on what she suspected. The armor would not protect the wearer from the change, Hippolyta thought, how could that mean anything other than if she did nothing Diana would die? No matter the cost, she could not let that happen. Her decision was made.
Deep within the caverns, the Oracle shuffled along towards its deepest recesses. Some of the acolytes bowed low in respect, but she paid them no mind. As she reached an ancient wooden door, she pushed it open and then shut it against the world. A smile spread across the old woman's face as she pulled off the red cloth covering her eyes.
Slowly her features began to change, growing younger by the moment. She had to stifle a laugh as she at last regained her true appearance. Circe waved her hand and the rags of the Oracle disappeared, replaced by the finest silks.
"I should have went into this fortune telling racket years ago,' she mused. "With just a few well-placed hints, I've accomplished more than all the fighting ever has. Hippolyta will leave Themyscira of her own accord. Then she will die."
Oa
The Guardians of the Galaxy were an ancient race, perhaps the oldest living beings in the universe. They had watched the shifts of time for countless eons, monitoring new powers and old. As they assembled to discuss relevant matters, there was a deep sense of worry on several of their faces. The meeting began in silence as they linked minds.
"This meeting was called because of a potential threat has arisen,' the first Guardian said. He turned to two of his colleagues.
"The power wave has appeared again,' the Guardian said simply. He had every member's attention.
"Go on."
"Before it disappeared we recorded a discharge, two to be exact."
"So it begins again,' the first Guardian mused. "Where did it happen this time?"
"Earth."
"That damn planet,' the Guardian grumbled. "Why does everything seem to happen there?"
"What do you want to do?"
The Guardians silently discussed their options.
"We can not allow her to rise again. We know what happens if she does,' the Guardian said. "Alert our lanterns in that sector."
"What should we have them look for,' another Guardian asked. "Even after all this time, we still don't know what she is trying to do?"
"Need I remind you of what the Second World was like? Even the bits and pieces we've been able to put together are frightening. Primordial Gods fighting other Gods and hosts of nightmarish beings for dominance that ended in the very termination of their age. They unleashed chaos throughout the known universe. Do you really want to take a chance on allowing her to return?"
"Also remember, she was a Goddess among Gods,' a second Guardian added.
"Put all Lanterns on alert,' the first Guardian said. "The Second World is gone and dead, we will not allow any part of it to return."
Fawcett City
Mary stood in front of the mirror an unfamiliar reflection gazing back. It was her reflection, but it wasn't. The round face, perhaps with still a hint of baby fat, that she was used to have changed into a more mature countenance. It was much more angular, defined, with fuller cheekbones and lips. Her eyes and hair were now black to the point there was almost a purple caste to them.
The changes hadn't stop there, but extended to her whole being. She was slightly taller, perhaps four inches. Her slender teen body had grown as well. She had the full figure of an adult woman, with curves she'd never had before. It was as if she'd aged six to ten years in the space of a few minutes.
Had the lightening caused all of this, she wondered? Why? Had the Gods decided to return her powers? Nervously, she took a deep breath and stepped back from the mirror.
"Shazam,' she barely whispered. Nothing happened.
"Shazam,' she repeated. This time a little louder, but received the same result, nothing.
"Shazam!" she said again. Her voice was louder, but still nothing happened. What was going on, she wondered? It took a moment for her confused mind to register it, but her voice was slightly different as well.
"Is this still me? Gee willikers,' she gasped, hearing the slightly throatier and fuller timber of her voice.
"Mary? Is everything okay in there,' Billy called out to her. Mary pulled herself away from the mirror, knowing she had to speak with him. She had seen the concern and confusion in his eyes and knew he wanted some sort of explanation.
"Be out in a second, Billy."
Hearing her new voice still rattled her, but she pushed it aside. Her clothes had been ruined, so she quickly pulled on an old pair of sweats. They were shorter and tighter, doing nothing to hide the changes her body had underwent. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself down and then opened the bathroom door.
Billy had been pacing back and forth waiting for Mary. He ran his hand through his hair trying to figure out what was going on. He knew the person in the bathroom was his twin sister Mary, but she certainly didn't look like the Mary he was used to. She was a full-grown woman. Had she taken back the power from Black Adam, he worried? Was she going to turn into evil Black Mary again? Would he be getting his powers back to stop her? Question after question ran through his head and he didn't know the answers. He turned at the sound of the bathroom door opening and stood in his tracks.
"Golly,' he whispered. His eyes went wide at seeing her again. He had seen Mary wearing that old sweat suit a hundred times, but it had never fit like it did now. The changes to her body were very noticeable. Billy ran his hand through his hair again as he recognized just how grown up she looked. He blushed as he realized he'd been staring much too long at her body.
"Um, ah, how, how are you feeling?' He stammered, trying to look her in the eye.
"I don't know,' she admitted. She'd been so consumed by her own worries and fears she hadn't noticed his stares. "I feel the same, but different, you know."
"You-You look different too.'
"I know. I don't know why.'
"Was it Black Adam," he nervously asked. "You didn't take those powers back, did you? You know how dangerous that is, Mary. You went all screwy last time."
"It's not Black Adam, Billy, I don't know what it is."
"So what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything, I swear,' she replied. "I was just walking home! It started to rain and I was just outside when lightening hit me!"
"Lightening? Are you saying Shazam gave you back your powers? Gee, I don't think that's likely, do you?"
The way he said it irritated her. Mary put her hands on her new fuller hips and stared at him.
"No, Billy, of course, it wasn't Shazam. The Gods didn't give me back my powers."
"Then what happened?' He asked.
"I told you, the lightening hit me,' she said. "It was horrible. I couldn't get away from it. The lightening just hit me again and again. It hurt so much I just passed out."
"But you look so different,' he said, glancing at her body again.
"I know, Billy! I didn't ask for this or doing anything,' she shouted. "It happened and I don't know why!"
"Okay, okay, don't get angry, I'm sorry,' he quickly replied. Part of him was afraid she had taken back the Black Adam power. He feared she was going to go all evil like she had the last time. If she got angry, may that would trigger it, he feared. He just wanted to calm her down so they could figure this out.
"I made you something to eat,' he offered. "I thought it might help.'
"Thank you,' she replied. He led her over to the small kitchen table as if she were an invalid. She realized he was just concerned for her and trying to figure this out the same as she was. She glanced down at what he'd made for her, a bologna sandwich, Fritos and a glass of milk. It was his idea of comfort food.
"I'm really not that hungry Billy, maybe I'll just have a cup of coffee or something to warm me up,' she said. Mary was trying to be nice, but even this confused him.
"Coffee? I don't think we have any coffee, Mary,' he said. "You know what happened the first time you tried it."
"Okay, tea then,' she replied.
"How about a Pepsi?"
'No, I think we have some tea bags around here,' she said and moved over to look through the cabinets. Billy picked up the glass of milk and absently started to drink it as he watched her. She looked so grown up it threw him. He was used to dealing with adult women as Captain Marvel, but as Billy Batson not so much. He thought about the few times he'd been up on the Watchtower as Billy surrounded by Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, Zatanna and the other women of the League. It had been a very intimidating experience.
"I found some," she said, turning to flash him a smile. He weakly tried to return it, still wondering what they were going to do.
The Justice League, that's it, he thought. They'll figure out what happened to her. It she has gotten the power back from Black Adam, the League will be able to handle her. Boy, I wish I had my powers back right now to figure this all out, he thought.
"Mary, I think we should contact the Justice League about this,' he said to her. She was just pouring the hot water over the tea bag and turned her head for just a second. Some of the water splashed against her hand.
"Ow!' She gasped, but as she reached for a towel to wipe it off, her hand began to glow and heal itself. Billy started towards her, but stopped when he saw this. He took a step back and looked at her. Her eyes had gone vacant.
Elseworld
The roar of battle filled Mary's ears as she felt herself rushing across a field. Screams and shouts of battle were all around. Mary looked around, confused and bewildered where she was. Enormous beings rushed by her on all sides shouting in some unknown language at her. Something fluttered above her. Mary looked up to see she was holding a standard of some sort. Three black circles stood boldly on a field of red. Above, she could see the sky, golden in color. The stars looked so close, yet different than she had ever seen them before. It was as if they were out of place.
Before she could process this, a roar came from in front of her. Mary looked down to see a massive being rushing headlong at her. It had a great sword raised above its head and was about to strike at her. Strange words came from her lips and her arm flashed out, impaling the being on her own sword. Blood spewed from the wound and she closed her eyes instinctively. When she opened them Mary was back in their apartment.
The ceramic cup she was holding shattered in her hand, her whole body surrounded by a brilliant glow. It stopped almost immediately. Stunned she turned towards Billy, only to see he'd taken several steps away from her. She tried to offer some explanation, but words didn't seem to come. Billy stood there, running his hand through is hair, his whole expression shocked and bewildered.
"Holy Moley, Mary!"
The Source Wall
Darkseid stood on an asteroid gazing at the faces of long dead and forgotten beings. Gods and champions, conquerors and fools, they all shared the same fate. His own father numbered among them. For a time, Darkseid, himself had been trapped in that endless nothingness.
To all outward appearances, he was the usual calm, cold God of Apokolips, but inside Darkseid felt uneasiness. He drifted closer, remaining far enough away so the gravitational pull wouldn't trap him. His dead eyes scanned the figures until the stopped on one particular stone statue.
Others, lesser fools, would not even notice her among the larger and more intimidating statues, but Darkseid was anything but a fool. He knew she was unique. Even her name had been forgotten through the passage of time, but echoes of her still remain. She had accomplished something none had before or since. She had sent out a part of herself to the future, jumping through time and ages.
He had read the stories of the Third World Gods. In among their tales of their heroics and victories were hints of what was before. There were veiled references to her. She was a predatory; Darkseid could see it even in the dead marble eyes of her statue. The Third World Gods feared her and they were right to fear her. Those hints of the Second World spoke of unimaginable power, a universe of Gods. The end of that age was simply known as the Darkness. She was at the center of it.
Darkseid had felt the ripples along the cosmic strings. That small piece of her had returned. He didn't know what she wanted, but he would not allow an echo from the past to take root in the present. This was the Fourth World and it was his time to dominate. Yet as he looked upon her smooth stone features, Darkseid couldn't help but admire her beauty and spirit. She was truly unique among all the others.
It would be a shame to kill such a Goddess as her, but Darkseid's will to power could allow no rivals. There could only be one Master of this age and that was now and forever, Darkseid.
The Watchtower
Clark had checked in for the meeting of the League, but he was distracted. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he'd slept with Hippolyta. He had to admit before that night, he'd never even considered her like that. She was this timeless monarch, the embodiment of her people, yet last time she'd been a woman, an amazing, breathtaking, sensual woman. As the wine finally cleared his system, more and more details of their night came back to him. It was a night of raw, unbridled passion unlike anything he'd every experienced. She was a woman, a sensual goddess in his arms and there was no thought of her being a Queen.
Now he wasn't sure what to do.
Should he call her? Did she even have a phone? What the hell would he say if he did call? She'd made it very clear it was a one-time thing, yet he felt he should do something even if it was. Send her flowers, a thank you bouquet? He didn't know what to do. Another part of him, a larger part really was deeply troubled by what had happened. He had been raised to believe words like friendship, loyalty, honor and trust weren't just words, they meant something. He certainly hadn't been living up to them lately. It only seemed to add to the sense that he was drifting that he'd been feeling for several weeks even before all of this started. He felt guilt at betraying one of his best friends. He knew how much this would hurt her if it came out. No words could make it right, he knew, but it had happened and now he wasn't sure what the right thing to do was.
He was just about to enter the conference room when Dinah stepped in front of him. She had a pensive, yet determined look on her face that stopped him short.
"Hi."
"Hi,' he replied. She looked around and then stepped a little closer.
"You didn't forget about our date Saturday, did you?" She asked.
"Um, no, of course not, Dinah."
She smiled and seemed a bit relieved.
"Good, good, just checking," she said. She was holding a small card in her hand and looked around again. "I don't usually give this out, but here's my number, you know just in case."
She started to reach towards him, but then stopped and glanced up and down at him.
"You don't have a breast pocket to tuck this into,' she said. "Do you have a wallet in there somewhere? Maybe I should just tuck it in the waistband of your pants or something.'
She moved closer and was just about to slip the card into the waistband of his pants when he stopped her gently.
"You-You could just hand it to me, I'll make sure it's safe,' he replied.
"Right, okay, I guess that will work too,' she said. Dinah moved a little closer. "Make sure you don't give this to anyone, Clark, I mean it. If someone like Plastic Man were to get it, I'd really have to figure out a way to kill you and him, of course."
He couldn't help smiling at this.
"I'll protect it with my life, promise."
Dinah nodded.
"Okay, fine, good,' she said. "Look, if you change your mind or something comes up call me, okay? Don't just blow me off and leave me hanging, Clark."
"I wouldn't do that, Dinah,' he replied. "I promise."
She moved closer and basically stared into his eyes.
"I heard about the Red Kryptonite, Clark,' she whispered. "If that's the only reason you agreed to go out with me, I want to know right now. Is it why you were checking me out?"
"Um, no, you're a beautiful woman, Dinah," he offered. "It did make me a little more obvious about, you know, checking you out, but it wasn't the reason. It wasn't the reason I agreed to go out with you either."
She smiled at him.
"Good, well, I was checking, so we're still on for Saturday?"
"Yes."
She nodded, feeling a little silly about this. She gave him a smile and then headed into the conference room. He stood for a moment just watching her walk away. Batman walked by and noticed this.
"The Red Kryptonite is out of your system, Kent, isn't it?"
"What? Oh, yeah, yeah,' Clark quickly replied, feeling foolish being caught staring at Dinah.
"Have a little tact,' Bruce said with a small smile. "Yes, she's gorgeous, but try not to so openly stare at her."
Clark gave him a withering look, but Bruce just smiled even more and entered the meeting. Clark sighed and headed in after him.
Clark tried his best to follow along with everything that was being said at the meeting, but his thoughts were still rather preoccupied. During the meeting, some of the other members had asked him about the festivities on Themyscira. At first he'd turned pale, but then he realized they were asking about the party. He did his best to say it was fine, nothing out of the ordinary, but he'd never been the best liar.
"So what, did you have to hang out with the Queen all night or something,' Wally had asked.
"What? No, why would you think that?' Clark had nearly babbled in reply. He glanced over at Dinah and saw she was staring at him. "I mean, no, I talk to her, but I didn't have to hang out with her. No."
"Okay,' Wally said, making a face. "I guess it wasn't a great party I get it. You had a crappy time, huh?"
"I wouldn't say that,' Clark mused, images and memories rushing through his brain.
Thankfully someone else changed the subject back to League business and Clark kept his mouth shut the rest of the meeting. It was just breaking up and he sat there for a moment, deep in thought, when Bruce got his attention.
"What's with you, Clark,' Bruce asked after the others left. "Did something happen on Themyscira?'
"What? Um, no, no, nothing,' Clark stumbled to say. Bruce gave him a look that said he didn't believe him. He watched Dinah as she left the room. She flashed him a quick, sexy smile as she exited. "Really, nothing happened."
"So you don't want to talk about it,' Bruce replied. "Well, if you ever do, I'll listen."
"Thank Bruce, I appreciate it,' Clark said, genuinely touched by the offer of friendship.
"I can keep a secret if it come to it, too,' Bruce said with a smile.
Clark thought about this for a moment. He felt like getting someone's opinion on what he should do. If he asked anyone else it would be all over the station in minutes. Bruce was Batman, so he'd probably find out sooner or later and he could keep a secret.
"Um, Bruce, do you think you could hang back a minute?' Clark asked, looking at the others as they exited the room. Bruce nodded and waited until the last member exited and the door closed.
"So what's up?' Bruce asked.
"I've got a bit of a problem,' Clark said.
"Okay."
"I need you to promise to not tell anyone, I mean anyone about this, Bruce,' Clark said, his voice almost pleading.
"You know I can keep a secret, Clark, but if it makes you feel better, I promise."
Bruce sat down next to Clark and waited. Clark started and stopped several times, not quite sure how to say it. Bruce's patience was running out.
"Just tell me what the problem is, Clark,' he demanded.
"I slept with Hippolyta."
The air seemed to go out of the room at that moment. Clark rubbed his hand along his jaw line as he waited for Bruce's answer. Bruce leaned back, his mouth hanging open for a moment.
"Jesus, you're dead,' Bruce absently said, blown away by the revelation.