Tupelo
Fawcett City
From her room, Mary heard the knock on the front door. She knew who it would be, having heard Billy make a phone call earlier. There was fear and confusion in his voice when he spoke to them. Mary knew there was nothing she could say that would convince him she didn't know why this was happening either. He was sure she was turning back into Black Mary.
"Mary? Could you come out,' Billy tentatively called. "There's a couple of people here to see you.'
Sighing, Mary stood up and adjusted her formerly bagging sweat suit and opened the door. She slowly stepped out of her room and she saw Kara and Courtney talking to Billy.
"Hi guys,' she said. Supergirl and Star Girl turned towards the voice and both didn't know what to say. They were expecting Mary, or a slightly older Mary according to Billy, but while the woman that stepped out of the room certainly looked somewhat like Mary, the change was startling.
"Mary?" Kara somehow managed to say.
"Yeah, I know, but you have to believe me, it's me,' Mary replied.
"Even your voice sounds different,' Kara observed.
"I know, I kind of grew up a bit."
"A bit?" Courtney finally blurted out. "Your boobs are huge!'
Mary blushed and crossed her arms in front of her. Billy blushed and looked everywhere except at his twin sister. Kara scowled as she looked at Courtney.
'What? They are,' Courtney said in her defense.
"Maybe I'll just take a walk and leave you three alone,' Billy quickly said and rushed out the door.
"Nice one, Courtney,' Kara snidely remarked.
"What? Come on, even Billy must have noticed it. I mean look at them!"
Mary felt so embarrassed she wished she could disappear through the floor. Kara gave Courtney a smack on the back of the head and then turned towards Mary.
"Maybe you'd better tell us what happened, Mary."
Gotham
Dinah Lance walked hurriedly from her bedroom into her kitchen. She was putting on her earrings a she looked for her phone. Her friend Ev Crawford (aka Starling) was sitting having a drink and smiled when she saw her.
"Sexy! So who's getting lucky tonight, Di?'
"Shut up! No one is getting lucky tonight," Dinah snapped. She checked her phone again to make sure there weren't any messages.
"Expecting a call?" Ev asked with a chuckle.
"No. Why? Did someone call? You didn't answer it, did you?" Dinah rapidly asked. "Was it a guy? You didn't say anything stupid, did you?"
"Nobody called,' Ev replied. "Why are you so weirded out about this? It's just a date, right?"
"Yeah."
"Is this because you're still hung up on arrow boy?" Ev asked.
"No,' Dinah replied. "It's just been awhile since I've been on a date of any kind, never mind a first date. What if I screw it up?"
Her tattooed friend slugged back her drink and stood up. She smiled a she walked over to Dinah.
"Honey, in that dress I don't think you have anything to worry about. Whoever this guy is, he'll be eating out of your hand as soon as he sees you."
Dinah smiled and hugged her friend.
"You know as good as you look, getting lucky shouldn't be a problem,' Ev whispered. Dinah stepped back and frowned.
"Look, I'm not like that, Ev,' Dinah replied. "I'm not just going to jump into bed with him on the first date!"
Ev just looked at her with a smile.
"Okay, I'm not like that any more!"
"If you say so,' Ev replied, moving back over to pour herself another drink.
"I just to have a nice time with a nice guy, okay?" Dinah offered. "I'm not looking for anything more complicated than that."
"So no sex?"
"No!"
"Doesn't sound like much of a fun date,' Ev replied.
The Watchtower
The low computerized hum clicked in as the hovering pad slowly began to enter the large diagnostic chamber. Mary's eyes shifted nervously, her heart pounding as the outer world disappeared. A slow whine filled her ears as the machine clicked into a locked position. The lights shut down as the machine began to hum. Red beams began to crisscross Mary from head to toe.
She did her best to keep down the sense of panic. The chamber walls felt like a tomb closing in on her. She couldn't move, even to wipe the sweat that covered her face. Her mouth felt so dry, her breath coming in little pants. This was a mistake, she thought.
"I want out."
"Just a few more moments, Mary, we're almost done." Ray Palmer's voice came over the speaker in response. If anything it sounded more distant, detached and clinical to her and did nothing to stem her rising panic.
"Please, I can't do this, I want to come out."
"Just hang on a bit longer, Mary."
The panic was full blown. It felt as if the cold, impersonal walls of the machine were going to suffocate her her. She hadn't done anything wrong, why were they doing this to her?
"Please, I can take it,' she practically begged. "Let me out."
Ray's voice started to say something, but then was cut off. The red beams stopped and the lights went out again. Mary had to will herself not to scream. The soft whoosh of the machine opening let her finally take a deep breath. She was already pulling off the monitors as the pad slid out again.
"It's okay, Mary, it's over, you're safe."
It was the calm reassuring voice of Jonn Jonzz. He helped her off the pad and kept whispering that is was all right, everything was going to be all right.
Standing in the room looking over the results were Ray Palmer, Mr. Terrific and Batman. They moved from one monitor to the next, checking and rechecking the results. Batman glanced over to where Jonn was still quietly talking to Mary.
"I know it was difficult, but it had to be done, Mary, if we're going to figure out what happened,' Bruce said to her.
"I just want to go home, please?"
"Yes, of course, but could you tell me one more time what happened?'
"I've told you twenty times about the lightening hitting me over and over, what more do you want?' She replied.
"Mary, I know this is all confusing and probably a little frightening, but the night this transformation happened to you, the station registered a huge power surge of unknown origins. I believe they are related,' Bruce explained.
"I didn't do it, I swear!"
"He knows that Mary,' Jonn whispered. "They are just trying to help you make sense out of all of this. Why don't we go out to the waiting room and let them do their jobs?"
"Okay, I guess,' she said.
Jonn helped her stand and then gently ushered her out of the medical bay. The others continued to go over the scans looking for clues.
"So do you think she's turning back into Black Mary?' Mr. Terrific asked the question that was on all their minds.
"I don't know, but there's a connection between the power surge and her transformation,' Ray replied. "I just can't seem to find anything in the data that explains it."
"Magic,' Bruce offered. "The whole Marvel family is magic based. I don't believe this has anything to do with Black Adam's power or even Shazam, but it is some sort of magic. The other thing that concerns me is the power surge split in two right before the data recorders were fried. That means someone else is out there going through the same thing Mary is."
"I'll contact Dr. Fate and some of the other magic based members,' Mr. Terrific said.
"Good, but until we figure this out, we should keep an eye on Mary. I've seen her as Black Mary and believe me, you can't imagine just how dangerous she is," Ray replied. The three men stood and looked at each other with concern.
The Cafeteria
Billy Batson sat drinking a root beer and Courtney was sitting with him trying to comfort him. Kara sat across from them, as they were all waiting to hear any news. Courtney did her best to try and be supportive to Billy.
"Billy, Ray will figure this out. He's like a genius so don't worry."
"Thanks Courtney, that's swell of you to say,' Billy replied. "I just wish everything would go back to how it used to be."
"They'll do their best Billy."
"If I was Captain Marvel this wouldn't be happening. She would be turning evil."
"We don't know she's turning evil, Billy,' Courtney said.
"I think she is. That's what happens when things change. It's my entire fault for sharing the power with her in the first place. If I hadn't, then Black Adam wouldn't have and things would be alright."
"Billy, I could hear them talking before we left, I don't think this has anything to do with Black Adam,' Kara said.
"That's good,' he replied. "It's still not right. You saw her, she different, so grown up. That's not the Mary I know. I wish things would just go back to the way they were. It would all be all right if it was the same as it used to be."
"It's never the same, Billy,' Kara offered. "I don't know why this happened, but Mary was going to grow up either way. You both were."
Billy just looked up from his root beer with a confused look on his face. It was as if that thought had never occurred to him before. There was a scared look in his eyes. He bowed his head and took another drink from his root beer. Courtney put her arm around him letting him know he wasn't alone.
Themyscira
It had been decided that the tournament would be held in one week's time and today was the day. It was agreed that one hundred Amazons made up from both tribes would compete. The winner would be the new Champion. The early favorite was of course Diana, but Artemis was considered a strong contender. Hippolyta had announced she would not be attending the tournament as Queen. This raised a few eyebrows, but most were too eager and interested in the contest to think much about it.
As the hour grew closer, a palpable sense of excitement could be felt through the whole island. Wagers were made and contestants got in their final preparations. General Phillipus wandered through the streets taking it all in. She smiled and chatted with some of the contestants, wishing them well. She continued moving along the main streets and then slipped down an alleyway. If one didn't know about it, they wouldn't have found the door at the end. Taking a deep breath the General pushed open the door and stepped inside. A woman half dressed for battle whirled around at the sound.
"What-What are you doing here?"
Phillipus closed the door and looked at the woman.
"Did you really think I wouldn't know you were up to something, Hippolyta?' Phillipus asked. "We've known each other too long, my Queen."
"So we have,' Hippolyta replied. "Have you mention this to anyone else?"
"No, but then they are too excited about the tournament to wonder why their Queen isn't attending,' Phillipus said. "You're actually going to participate? Why?"
Hesitantly, Hippolyta explained to her oldest friend about her dreams and the warning from the Oracle. Phillipus seemed shocked, but she didn't say anything until Hippolyta finished.
"So to protect Princess Diana, you are going to take her place?'"
"Yes."
"No, my Queen, you can't,' Phillipus said. "Please, allow me to do this. I will enter the contest."
"No, my friend,' Hippolyta said with a sad smile. "I can't ask another to make the sacrifice for me. I could not live with the thought of another dying in my place. If I'm to save Diana, it has to be me."
"But,' Phillipus started to object, but Hippolyta cut her off.
"I've made my decision."
Phillipus could see there was no way to talk Hippolyta out of her course of action. She was a mother protecting her daughter; she would not change her mind. Grumbling a bit, Phillipus walked over and started to check Hippolyta's armaments. She tightened several straps, making the Queen gasp at one point.
"Do you think you can beat her?' Phillipus finally asked.
"If you don't choke me first,' Hippolyta replied.
"It's been along time since you've worn armor, I just want to make sure you haven't gotten sloppy,' Phillipus explained. She lifted another piece of armor into place and secured it.
"Thank you, my friend,' Hippolyta said.
"Don't thank me yet, you haven't won anything,' Phillipus gruffly stated. "Do you even have a plan for how you're going to win?"
"I thought I'd stay away from Diana as long as possible,' Hippolyta offered.
"Artemis too,' Phillipus added. "She is a skilled warrior, nearly the Princess' equal. If you aren't careful she will defeat you."
"I have fought before, Phillipus," Hippolyta informed the General.
"Yes, but you're used to that comfortable living in the palace now,' Phillipus countered. "The warriors you face today are all eager to prove themselves. I've trained them, so I know how good they all are. Take none of them for granted, or you will never get a chance to take Diana's place."
Phillipus buckled the last piece of armament in place and took a step back. The two women looked at each other.
"I will be careful, I promise," Hippolyta offered. "I have one advantage that the others don't."
"That being?"
"They fight for glory, while I fight for my daughter's life,' Hippolyta explained. "I also have a bit of experience on my side, even if I haven't fought as recently as they have."
"May the Gods bless you in this, Hippolyta,' Phillipus said. It was heartfelt and the two women embraced. They had been through so much together and both knew things wouldn't be the same after today. They had tears in their eyes as they parted. Hippolyta picked up her sword and sheathed it in her scabbard. Phillipus picked up the helmet; one reminiscent of the one Diana had worn in the first tournament and helped fit it onto Hippolyta's head.
"Fight well,' Phillipus offered.
Isle of White
Mordred stood looking out the bedroom window. The rain had continued all night and showed no signs of relenting. The gray, white and black clouds seemed so close to the ground, like a blanket flung over everything. He remembered another day like this.
It was his memory of the Battle at Camlann and the day he died.
It had started out quite different, the sun had been shining and it seemed victory was in the air. He had been so sure that it would be the end of Arthur's reign and the beginning of his own. A tired old King had outlived his day. It was time for the son to take his place.
Mordred remembered how confident he'd been, riding in front of his troops, his golden armor glistening in the sunlight. He took little notice as the clouds rolled in, his focus on the battle. The first raindrops fell as steel met steel. It was as if the sky was weeping over what it was witnessing.
The Battle waged all day, both sides taking heavy losses. Mordred was death personified, wading through Arthur's troops like a scythe through wheat. The ferryman earned his coppers that day.
It was as the sun was setting that Mordred finally confronted Arthur. The battles had been grim, as only one between father and son can be. The world seemed to fall away from them. The only sound they heard was the rain and each other. Mordred's sword struck true over and over, yet the Old King wouldn't relent, wouldn't surrender to the inevitable.
Mordred brought his hand up to his bare chest as he remembered the bite of Excalibur. He could still remember the shock and surprise he felt as that magical blade cut into him. How had that tired old man, more dead than alive managed to get through his defenses?
They had looked into each other's eyes, father and son locked together for eternity in that moment. Mordred saw all his dreams slipping away, the kingdom, Guinevere, everything. Then with a roar of anger, Arthur twisted the sword and ended it. Mordred remembered his legs giving out from under him. He was on his back in the mud, the rain hitting his face. Her lurched and spat blood as Arthur pulled Excalibur from him.
"You will never have Camelot, never,' Arthur had growled down at him. "You are no son of mine!"
Then if was over; his next memory was of being a little boy in his mother's garden. Mordred glanced over his shoulder at the figure of Morgaine sleeping peacefully. She had finally managed to evoke another of those strange visions late last night. She had siphoned off more energy and it had only fueled her desire and hunger. They ended up in her bed.
He had no complains, it had been a millennia since he'd felt the tender caress of a woman. After all that time, one was the same as any other. Morgaine was a beautiful and willing partner. Any guilt or sense of taboo was foreign to him. He had always taken what he wanted, just as she did. He knew this wouldn't be the last time for them either.
But he knew he wasn't a partner in every sense. Oh, eventually she would include him in whatever plans she had, but it would only be to use him. He knew that was what she did and who she was. A lifetime ago, he had realized this and tried to break away to follow his own dreams.
Camelot. Guinevere. King.
He had been arrogant and too sure of himself. Death and a millennium spent as a child were the price of his folly. He would not make that mistake again. It was a new age and new world he found himself in. New dreams awaited Mordred.
Turning back to the window, he gazed out at the rain one last time. There was a mist coming off the water and for just a moment he could almost see those long ago days of knights and kingdoms. Like a phantom they would always remain just beyond his grasp.
Mordred turned away from the rain, went back to bed and the reality of a woman in his arms.
Space
Metron hovered over Earth, having followed the trail here. Somewhere down there the past had reached into the future. He had no feeling one way or the other about it. His roll was to observe, yet he couldn't seem to shake a sense of uneasiness. Perhaps it was an echo through time that troubled him.
The power had survived the end of two worlds, could it be a harbinger of the end of the Fourth World? Mortality was such a strange concept to him. He knew that everything that has a beginning also has an end. He rationally understood that one day he would be no more, but it had always been just a nebulous idea. All beings die.
Was he looking at the beginning of the end for him and his kind? Was this the moment that so many Gods and Rulers had known when they looked out and saw the barbarians at the gate? Was this the beginning of the end for everything he knew? Was this the canary in a coalmine moment for the End of the Fourth World and the beginning of the Fifth World?
He was Metron and his role was to observe, but that uneasy feeling remained.
The Coliseum – Later
It seemed all of Themyscira had come out to watch the tournament. Excitement filled the air, as the participants made their way in. The Senate and General Phillipus were in the royal box and they called for quiet. Phillipus waited a moment and then addressed the crowd.
"In the name of our Queen, I welcome you all. Before us stand 100 of our bravest and best. The tournament will begin and not end until only one is left standing. For you brave warriors, we salute you. Fight well and for the honor of our people! Let the tournament begin!"
Horns sounded and the tournament began. One hundred warriors squared off. The crowd went wild, cheering as swords flashed in the bright midday sun. There were several strategies employed by the combatants. They all realized Diana and Artemis were the favorites, so many concentrated on eliminating them first. The brashest contestants took them head-on. This proved a poor strategy.
Diana fought in control, knowing she was the prime target. Attacks came from every side, yet she stayed within herself and countered each of them. It was going to be a long, hard, grueling contest, but she was confident she would prevail. In between attacks she tried her best to evaluate the competition. She saw Artemis fighting in a similar situation as she was. Apparently the others had decided they were the two biggest threats and sought to eliminate them first. Diana agreed with her sisters, Artemis did pose the greatest challenge. They had sparred many times, so they knew each other very well.
Diana managed to maneuver herself so her back was against the side of the arena. This cut down the possible angles she had to defend. Artemis saw this and followed the Princess' lead. She was already breathing hard, but there was no quit in her. She would win this tournament and become the Champion of the Amazons and bring greater glory to her tribe in the process.
Hippolyta stayed towards the edges, skirmishing now and then, but keeping away from the main fighting. Unlike all the others, she was not here to prove anything, only to win. From inside her helmet, she knew very well her advantages and disadvantages. She had not trained as recently or as often as all the others so she knew she had to be careful. On the plus side, no one knew beneath the helmet that she was the Queen. If they had, she would have been just as big a target as Diana and Artemis.
Hippolyta also had the advantage of knowing all her sisters. She had watched them all in previous games and contests so she had rough idea of what they wanted to do. The young and reckless ones attacked head-on, taking the fight to Diana and Artemis. The more seasoned fighters waited, letting the young ones wear the two down a bit before they attacked. They also picked off one another when they saw the chance, lessening the odds against them. Several had thought that Hippolyta looked like easy pickings, but she had surprised them. They're elimination came with the same shocked look on their faces.
An hour passed and one hundred was done to sixty. Another hour passed and that number was forty-five. The tournament continued. Hippolyta was gasping for breath, sweat pouring off her. It had been a long time since she'd fought this long or this hard. Her only consolation was that she could see Diana and Artemis were fighting even harder.
Another hour passed and the number dipped dramatically to twenty-seven. All the participants were worn out, sweating and gasping for air, yet none yielded. The fighting slowed down, brief skirmishes here and there, yet most of the contestants were going for position now. They searched for openings and weaknesses in the others and struck at the first opportunity.
Diana was breathing hard through her open mouth, but her eyes continued to dart all around looking for the next attacker. As the match continued, she began to get a better sense of the ones remaining. Artemis was still her primary challenger, but others were proving just as skillful. One sister that Diana couldn't indentify at first slipped her notice, but as the fighting continued, she began to become more and more aware of her. The unknown fighter was a tactician Diana thought. That's what she began to think of her as, the tactician. The tactician avoided the main fighting, always staying to the edges, watching and waiting. When she struck, she hit with skill and unerring accuracy. Whoever she was, Diana knew she would have to keep an eye on her.
Artemis rolled on the ground, avoided the opponent's blade and came up quickly behind her. Another one was eliminated from the contest. Artemis was as tired and worn out as the others, but she willed herself to continue. She was not going to be defeated by one of the others, not with the prize so close. In her mind, Artemis relished the chance to face the Princess one on one. They had spared many times, but this was for the ultimate prize. She knew when it came down to the two of them she could beat the Princess.
Hippolyta was exhausted. The sword in her hand felt as if it weighted a ton. Over the last hour of the contest, things had begun to change. The other seasoned fighters recognized she was a threat. Some of them had begun to move away from Diana and Artemis and attack her. They fought skillfully, making her expend more energy than she wanted to. They were trying to wear her down, attack in twos and threes. She gave ground, waiting for them to make a mistake, to give her an opening. Always in the back of her mind, she urged herself on, knowing she was fighting to save her daughter's life.
One hour, then two, then three and finally four hours passed and the tournament was down to five contestants left. The crowd was on its feet, almost sensing that the end was near. The main event that most had come to see was finally taking place; Artemis and Diana were squaring off. Three other contestants were still battling each other off to the side, but everyone was focused on Diana and Artemis.
They were the Alphas and their fight made this apparent to everyone. The very ground shook under the cheers and roars of the crowd. They circled each other, their steel slashing out and clashing against the others. Back and forth they went, almost faster than the eye could see. Sweat dripped off them, both gasping for air, yet they continued, knowing this would decide each of their fates.
For a moment it seemed Artemis had to the upper hand, but in a blinding fast move, Diana reversed this. She swept Artemis' feet out from under her and before she could recover, Diana had her sword pointed at Artemis' throat.
"Yield, sister,' Diana said between gasps. Artemis started to answer, but then her eyes went wide. Diana suddenly felt something press against her back.
"Yield, Princess,' a voice said behind her. The tactician, Diana realized, somehow she'd defeated the other two and gotten up behind her. In shock, Diana dropped her sword. She'd lost. She couldn't believe it.
The crowd erupted, surprise and astonishment plain on everyone's face. They all expected Diana or Artemis to win, but now an unknown had emerged victorious. General Phillipus slowly stood and then began to clap. The Senate followed and soon the entire arena was standing, clapping and cheering the victor. Diana reached down and helped Artemis to her feet. The two women stood in silence, just looking at the warrior that had out done them both.
The Senate called for the champion to remove her helmet and soon the crowd took it up. They wanted to know who had won the day. Thrusting her sword into the sand, Hippolyta slowly reached up and removed her helmet. A gasp went through the arena when they saw her.
"The Queen!"