AN: We are back everyone. I'm also back personally. After months of crippling writers block, thanks to the help of my loyal and amazing best friends, I have broken the chains of my writers block. Special shoutouts go to Story's Shadow and Rushstar32 for their continued support in helping me work through my own crippling writers block. I wouldn't be anything without the friendship and support of Story's Shadow, Rushstar32, Death Fury, and all the other members of the 'Nobel Patriots' writing team. And an equally massive shoutout goes to all our endearing and lovely fans. God Bless you all.
Story's Shadow edited parts of this chapter, and I wrote for the first time in months almost the complete chapter. I'm so eager to display this work. Thank you everyone. Enjoy ;)
-Continuum Home World, Congressional Building, Three Days Later-
Continuum politicians, ambassadors, strategists, and military commanders walked through the golden plated doors to the meeting hall. They stepped into a massive room with high golden arches that were held in placed by pristine white stones. It overlooked several rows of seats adorned with glistening metal that encircled a platform. Statues of and paintings of the Heavenly Host were displayed around the room.
One Continuum greeted them from the room, dressed in white and golden robes with their hands behind their back. They nodded to the group.
"Please take your seats, we must begin."
The Continuum moved to take their seats around the room, some talking with one another before the one Continuum that had greeted them earlier moved to the central platform. They held up their hand and the room quieted down. Then they looked to them and sighed before speaking.
"Honored delegates, representatives and ambassadors of the Continuum Government, thank you all for gathering here in these early morning hours."
Tension was very thick within the congressional building as everyone assembled was either listening intently, or listening while exchanging private whispers amongst themselves and each other. News of Imperious attacking the present Earth and universe he was in had been flooding to the Continuum world's awareness for some time. The increasing attacks and schemes he had concocted had been an ever continuing and worrying realization to them.
"I yield the floor as of now to the Congressional Speaker: Jeremiah Crane."
The advisor took his seat within the speakers' elevated platform that could be found in the center of the room surrounded by every other delegate seated in attendance. Speaker Crane cleared his throat and stood up from his chair and stepped forward so his words could be heard from his platform microphone.
Everyone gathered either exchanged a silent look amongst each-other, or whispered uncertainly amongst their fellow politicians. For even though everyone was almost completely certain of the reason Speaker Crane has ordered this emergency session of the Continuum Congress, they still were uncertain on what view he would take.
"Honored members of the Continuum Governmental Congress, today our world put bluntly is at an uncertain crossroad. Down one path lies the damnation of an entire planet, down the other path lies our world and very way of life being forced into conflict with an ancient adversary, an adversary we all know too well."
Every assembled Continuum politician nodded silently, for they all knew who Crane was speaking of. He was quiet for a moment before he continued his face grim. Crane saw in the faces of the delegates concern, anger, fear, and uncertainty. In his preparation for his speech, he had known that his people would feel the weight of this decision and the details of how it would be determined. Even though they hadn't been to war with this enemies for years, those that had survived it knew the horrors he could unleash.
"Today we must decide how we shall act, we must be certain of our intent as to ensure peace is restored and creation is once again no longer under threat at the hands of a tyrant. I know the war with Imperious ended with a loss of life amongst our people that was beyond mourning and in many ways we are still healing from those wounds. It saddens me to say that war may very well occur once again, for our charge is under threat at the hands of our old enemy. Today we must decide if we are to march to war against Imperious."
Crane looked to everyone, all the delegates nodded in response before he continued.
"Let this tribunal begin."
Crane then sat down in his chair as his advisor cleared his throat and stood up and prepared to speak into the microphone.
"Would any Representative like to speak at this time?" the advisor asked in his serious and straight forward tone.
Many representatives began whispering to each other lowly. For they were curious as to who would speak first.
"Speaker Crane?" a lone woman's voice echoed throughout the room. A voice everyone present recognized, and some began groaning internally at who the voice began too, and many were dreading the words this representative would say.
Cranes advisor turned his head down and to his left to see who had spoken up, even though he as well recognized the woman's voice. The advisor turned around to look at Crane, and the Speaker discretely gave his advisor the 'ok' gesture to recognize the representative.
"The Speaker recognizes the representative from the Emerald Ocean District at this time: Melinda Chambers."
No sooner had Speaker Cranes advisor finished his recognition for the representative, that Ms. Chambers approached her chairs microphone.
With her three trusted aids by her side, she cleared her throat and began to speak.
"Fellow honored Representatives, ambassadors, strategists, military commanders, and Speaker Crane." Chambers addressed them all individually but many of her fellows were angered that she had recognized Speaker Crane last, for normally as a show of respect Speaker Crane was recognized first. But then again everyone knew of Representative Chambers often fiery clashes with Speaker Crane, for the two often didn't agree.
"As Speaker Crane put bluntly, we are at a crossroads today... and it is arguably the most difficult yet most important decision that our congress will ever have to decide. Our actions today will drastically affect not only the sovereignty of the Continuum race, but also as to whether or not our old adversary will continue his campaign of indoctrination and genocide without fear of repercussions or punishment." Chambers said firmly.
It was clear that Representative Chambers now held the undivided attention of all those gathered in the Congressional building. Even those who had been apprehensive about Speaker Crane giving her the floor were now hooked on her every word.
She looked silently from her chair across the chamber at those who were listening to her, she then took a deep breath and proceeded to continue.
"Even though the official war against Imperious ended with a signed treaty, I must ask bluntly: what did we truly win by signing that treaty. A treaty that we all debated here in this chamber years ago, a treaty that we all agreed was signed out of necessity to protect and ensure of the survival of the multi-verse. But I must ask again: what did we truly win from signing that treaty?"
Representative Chambers paused to take a breath and judge the reaction to her statements before taking a breath and continuing her statement.
"To answer what we truly won, I need to merely say what we gave Imperious when we signed that treaty, and tell us what he so "generously" gifted us in retu–"
"Objection Speaker Crane!" another woman's voice echoed throughout the chamber. Everyone including Representative Chambers all turned to look at the one who had interrupted, and to their non surprise it was Representative Cheney.
This objection almost earned visible, audible groans of detest from dozens present. For Representative Cheney could hold the floor for hours if she was allowed to speak over another representative, and she often ended up not yielding the floor back to her fellow representatives, including Speaker Crane.
Speaker Crane rose from his seated position and spoke directly into his platforms microphone.
"The Speaker does not recognize the Representative from the Silver Mountains District at this time." Speaker Cranes firmly said immediately upon hearing Representative Cheney's objection.
Upon seeing that Representative Cheney was about to protest, Speaker Crane merely shot her a look that summed up his seriousness that he wasn't joking, then gestured her with his right hand for her to sit back down.
With a silent and well hidden muttering of protest, Representative Cheney sat back down in her seat.
"Representative Chambers: the Speaker returns the floor to you. Please continue your statements at this time." Speaker Crane said calmly as he returned to his seat and began to listen silently as Representative Chambers with a thankful look stood back up from her chair.
"Thank you Speaker Crane. To continue my point, to protect the multi-verse from the combined power of Imperious and our Third Elder, Crusader. The treaty was signed. We promised the Emperor that we would never again set foot in his realm, attempt to dethrone him, or interfere with his conquest in any way. And what did he give us in return? I'll bluntly say: he simply vowed to never attack us or our home again. Does that sound like a fair trade?"
All of Representative Chambers fellows all began either shaking their heads silently in agreement or began whispering lowly amongst each other.
"Do not misunderstand or misinterpret what I'm actually saying to what you think your hearing. I truly understand why that treaty was signed, and at the time of its passing it was without a doubt the right thing to do, but as we all know time flows on and inevitably... things change."
Many more began nodding in silent agreement. Even Speaker Crane gave a brief nod to the Representatives words.
"At the time it was a fair trade. But had we known then what we know now about how far Imperious was willing to go on his God forsaken conquest for complete indoctrination and control of very dimension within every multi-verse, I dare say we would have torn up the draft of that treaty!"
Representative Chambers said angrily as she paused before continuing.
"We have all been made aware of Imperious ever growing ambitions, and about how he will not hesitate to use innocent life as a means to forward his agenda! Fellow Representatives: he has even used Crusaders own daughter to discreetly murder his then sadistic general: Wraith. How immoral is that, even for Imperious to use an innocent 15 year old girl to murder his own general!?"
The congressional chamber was now beginning to get more vocally upset and enraged with Imperious.
Speaker Crane motioned silently for his advisor to send the signal to the Chambers peacekeepers to be ready, just in case to declare order to restore order in case things needed to be restored so this debate could resume.
"I will also say that due to private testimony from Crusader himself, that we entered into the congressional record before this session, that Imperious attempted to indoctrinate Vixen Starlight to his side in order to use her to attack our world! That's right, Imperious was willing to go as low as turn Crusaders own daughter against him, and her adoptive home. By the grace of God Vixen did not fall prey to Imperious vile trap or schemes, but the damage has been done to her and our race." Representative Chambers slammed her fist down on her podium in genuine anger.
The same anger felt by her was now resonating in the chamber.
"For Vixen might not be Continuum by blood, but she is Crusaders own daughter. Adopted or not she is still a part of our society, and we have all watched and loved watching her grow up as one of our own. The first non Continuum raised amongst our people, yet she is highly regarded, loved and respected. She might be Crusaders only daughter, but in a way we are all family to her. And family sticks together no matter what!"
Speaker Crane kept listening, while keeping his calm demeanor and leaned down to whisper to his advisor. His advisor nodded and prepared for when Representative Chambers would yield back the floor to the Speaker. But they were all surprised by Representative Chambers next words.
"Speaker Crane, honored representatives of all districts: I firmly request a motion to not only prepare the Continuum military for the possibility of war. But to actively at this time declare war, and send our vote and recommendation to the desk of Madam Elise so that she may authorize our vote and act immediately and accordingly!" Representative Chambers ended her statements with a firm and convicted tone.
Cheers of agreement and resolve echoed throughout the Congressional Chamber. Even though there were those who were understandably not as certain, or even likely against is like Representative Cheney, their opinions and concerns would have not been heard over the continued agreement and chanting the order: "Vote!"
The Peacekeepers were ready to restore civility to the chamber so Speaker Crane could accept or differ the motion in favor of hearing other statements. But to their surprise everyone in the chamber fell silent upon seeing Speaker Crane calmly rise from his chair and silence everyone with a gentle hand gesture requesting for silence so that he could speak.
Speaker Crane looked at everyone present before he cleared his throat to speak.
"Representative Chambers... I second your motion and stand in agreement with your words." Speaker Crane said firmly which resulted in clapping from the overwhelming majority. Those claps again subsided when Speaker Crane gestured for silence.
"We shall cast our respective votes in three minutes time. Afterwards we shall have another three minute period if any wishes to change their vote. After that the vote shall be finalized and sent before Madam Elise. She will then red our vote tally and recommendation. She will then either send it back before us for more debate. Overrule our vote with written and or verbal objections then proceeding to send it back to our chamber with an opportunity to overrule her vote with a 3/4ths majority. Or... she will sign the motion." Speaker Crane said calmly yet firmly.
Everyone was all eagerly awaiting Speaker Cranes next words before he would give his final statement and begin the voting process.
"Honored Representatives of the Continuum Congressional Congress, voting begins in three minutes, briefly discuss this motion with your advisors and fellow representatives and then cast your votes..."
-An Hour Later, Continuum Capital Building, Elise's Private Office-
Madam Elise could be currently found in her office reading over the vote tally and recommendation sent forward to her by Speaker Crane and the Continuum Congress. Crusader stood patiently by her side as he as well observed what she was reading over.
With a sigh Elise finished reading what has been rushed to be presented to her.
"Elise?" Crusader asked simply, for he seemingly already knew, he didn't need visions of the future like her to know what was about to be said.
"Crusader... it's time." Elise said firmly as she showed him the vote tally and the recommendation from Congress.
The first three minutes resulted in over the 75% percent majority needed to override her veto, and the second wave of voting upped that total from 75 to 88%. Even if she had considered giving the motion a veto, she knew that they would have overruled her veto. Then again it certainly helped Congress that she had no intent of giving this motion a veto. Despite her genuine concerns and dread of the now looming inevitable war, she knew she had to be firm, all Continuum's did now more than ever.
"Agreed, it is done then." Crusader said firmly. "I will relay the vote, then give orders to Admiral Achilles and General Cunningham to begin fully preparing our entire military force for the war."
Elise gave Crusader a small yet still saddened smile.
"I will of course order them to have more than enough forces remain stationed on our world just in case in the God forsaken event–"
Madam Elise gently raised a hand to silence him, that sad smile still on her face. It pained her to carry that smile, but she knew she would be wearing it during the entire conflict.
"Crusader, I know you will do those things. That's now what plagues me or my mind, I'm worried about–"
"We'll cross that bridge if it comes to that. IF being the key word Elise." Crusader interrupted in a firm yet gentle tone. Even though he as well was leery about the vision Elise had informed him of prior, he still hung on to hope and prayed often that her vision would not come to pass. For everyone sake, Continuum and human.. But for the sake of another in particular... one very close to both of them...
Elise simply stood up from her office chair an gave her closest friend a hug. The two held the hug in silence for a short time, no words having to be said between them to signify how important and dangerous would likely, it not certainly be.
With a sigh Elise ended the hug and turned around to gently walk towards the double doors that lead to her offices balcony. She gently opened the double doors and stepped out unto the balcony, letting the cool evening wind flow around her. The wind playfully whispered in her red hair as Elise looked out over the capital and beyond into the plains and valleys and surrounding mountains.
Elise sighed gently as she felt the cool evening winds wash over her skin and flow through her red hair. She always loved the sunset, it was always peaceful to her and a promising reminder of the blessing tomorrow would bring.
"Crusader, would you mind staying a few minutes out here with me? I'd really appreciate your company, my old friend." Elise said gently as she continued to marvel at the beauty of the beginning sunset.
Crusader didn't say anything but silently walked out unto the balcony and took his place standing on her right hand side. With a content sigh he leaned both hands gently unto her balcony's railing.
The two leading elders knew that unspeakable horrors an bloodshed were within their near to immediate future. But as Elise and now Crusader stood and overlooked the beauty the sunset brought to all within their sight as they stood on Elise's balcony, they knew that the promise of tomorrow blessings were worth fighting, and dying for...
AN: Indeed, that promise is worth dying for... For what does that mean, or should I ask instead: who does it directly refer to? You'll find out soon. Get ready for next chapter as the invasion begins soon, and you'll see Vixen for sure next chapter. Until next time :)
Also: I want all my lovely fans to know what actors I'd have voice these characters. I have a list: These voices belong to these characters, imagine them and you'll hear these heroes and villains:
OC Roles: Heroes and Villains (only including major roles so far, more will be added over time as more characters with major roles are added)
Heroes:
Vixen Starlight: Melisa Hutchison
Vulpine: Scott Menville
Crusader: Jim Caviezel
Madam Elise: Tara Strong
Metatron Arch: Mark Wahlberg
Cassandra: Kaitlyn Dever
Jacob: Yuri Lowenthal
Villains:
Imperious: Keith David
Stalker: Ron Pearlman
Wraith: Mark Hamill
Unnamed Assassin for Imperious: Jason Griffith (official name upcoming in story)
Existing Characters from Fandom:
Doreen Green/Squirrel Girl: Milana Vayntrub
America Chavez: Cierra Ramirez
Kamala Kahn/Ms. Marvel: Kathreen Khavari
Daisy Johnson/Quake: Chloe Bennet
Dante/Inferno: Tyler Posey
Rayshaun Lucas/Patriot: Kamil McFadden
Gwen Stacy/Ghost Spider: Dove Cameron
Please let me hear your thoughts. Thank you all again.