Post by redsycorax on Sept 10, 2018 3:56:45 GMT
On the boundary of space-time and the periphery of the multiverse, a universe was fighting for its existence. Its probability configuration had dipped below the essential level that was required for its survival and as a consequence, antimatter storms had begun to consume it. And with it had come the scourge of so many universes before it, albeit much weakened- the Anti-Monitor.
His name was Kel Zal-Koor, one of two sole survivors of the underground civilisation of Atlantium on Earth 196,833- otherwise known to its inhabitants as Marvelman. His cousin Zara Zal-Koor had made it to the surface before him, starting a career first as Marvel Maid, then as Marvel Woman. Earth 196,833 was one of the more peculiar worlds of the Greater Multiverse. On it, the Statue of Liberty held a banner instead of a torch and the Eiffel Tower had been constructed in New Amsterdam (its New York). Architectual variations aside, the ecology of that world was also unusual. Small pachyderms were household pets, tigers were cat-sized and docile, while striperabbits were large and vicious creatures, kept in zoo cages.
Atlantium's destruction had one additional consequence- poisoned diamonds, the one weakness of Kel and Zara. Unfortunately, they were known to the Anti-Monitor, although it had been over thirty years since his initiation of the so-called "Crisis on Infinite Earths." As they evacuated whole civilisations from the path of the onslaught, Kel and Zara's heroic Justice Guild of North America colleagues- Green Guardsman, Black Siren, Tom Turbine, the Streak and Catman- perished giving their lives against the predatory advance. But Green Guardsman's last defiant gesture had led to an opportunity for one of the two last defenders of their world, a crack in the despot's armour. Marvelman took his chance and accelerated toward it, hammering away at the protective suit, until a stunned Marvelwoman recovered. To her horror, she saw one of the Anti-Monitor's gloves start to incandesce with antimatter energies, and she realised her cousin's peril. But then, in the distance, she saw an imperilled space station, in orbit around ringed Ares and in the path of the antimatter storm nearest her. She chose her duty and heaved the space station toward Earth and safety. Instants later, she launched herself toward the Anti-Monitor -but too late, as he was caught in blinding irradiation from the predator's almost limitless energy reserves. She caught his battered, burnt body and whispered:
"Hold on, Kel. I'll get you to the Fortress of Fortitude. It'll be okay, we'll..."
Feebly, he moved his head: "N-no good, Zara. I'm...done for. Still, we...we...did it. That...bastard...won't...touch...our...world..." And with that, Kel Zal-Koor, Marvelman, the Man of Terra's Tomorrow, breathed his last.
Several days later, Marvelwoman said her final goodbye to the Fortress of Fortitude, her sanctuary in orbit around her world. She left her Leah Lindy secret identity's clothing there, atop Marvelman's memorial plinth and coffin. Below, she watched Oliver Jameson swallow as he waved farewell to her, trying to fight back his tears, atop the Daily World newspaper building in Macropolis. Louis Lockwood, his rival for her affections, had joined him, and mouthed I love you. Together, the two men watched the telescreen as Marvelwoman departed Earth forever. She accelerated past the deserted Justice Guild watchtower on Luna, saying a silent prayer to Ashtierre for her fallen comrades and the residents of Lunabases Aleph, Beth and Gimel there. In the space of fifteen minutes, she was at the orbit of Ares and its rings, and its retinue of satellites. Coprates Colony had the Atlantium flag out and she appreciated the sign of solidarity and loyalty to their world's longtime heroine.
Kel had given his life for their world, even if neither he, Zara, or the Justice Guild could save all of the universe around it. She had what she hoped would be the ultimate weapon strapped to her back. Ahead was distant Argus, with its myriad red spot 'eyes', full of giant planet stormfury and where the Anti-Monitor awaited her. In silent contempt, the Anti-Monitor grasped hails of diamond from the storms beneath him, whipped into greater activity by his presence, chemically altering them to become Marvelwoman's poisonous nemesis. He directed them at her, but still she kept coming, even as the diamond flecks cut into her skin, blinding her, causing her unimaginable pain. The Anti-Monitor must have realised that was no obstacle to her, though, so he gathered his energies and consumed Argus itself. But then a tiny mote soared into his vicinity and with her last, failing strength, pressed the button that ignited her antisingularity bomb.
Marvelwoman perished in the ensuing hellstorm, but so did that iteration of the Anti-Monitor. He cried aloud as the antisingularity closed around him and his antimatter storm, but then all was silent. At an unimaginable cost and with the ultimate sacrifice of Marvelwoman and Marvelman, and their Justice Guild of North America comrades, had saved their world.
Although bruised and battered by its ordeal, Earth 196,833 ...Terra...would survive for billions of years to come. But there would never be another Marvelwoman or Marvelman, anywhere on that world or the multiverse.
THE END
His name was Kel Zal-Koor, one of two sole survivors of the underground civilisation of Atlantium on Earth 196,833- otherwise known to its inhabitants as Marvelman. His cousin Zara Zal-Koor had made it to the surface before him, starting a career first as Marvel Maid, then as Marvel Woman. Earth 196,833 was one of the more peculiar worlds of the Greater Multiverse. On it, the Statue of Liberty held a banner instead of a torch and the Eiffel Tower had been constructed in New Amsterdam (its New York). Architectual variations aside, the ecology of that world was also unusual. Small pachyderms were household pets, tigers were cat-sized and docile, while striperabbits were large and vicious creatures, kept in zoo cages.
Atlantium's destruction had one additional consequence- poisoned diamonds, the one weakness of Kel and Zara. Unfortunately, they were known to the Anti-Monitor, although it had been over thirty years since his initiation of the so-called "Crisis on Infinite Earths." As they evacuated whole civilisations from the path of the onslaught, Kel and Zara's heroic Justice Guild of North America colleagues- Green Guardsman, Black Siren, Tom Turbine, the Streak and Catman- perished giving their lives against the predatory advance. But Green Guardsman's last defiant gesture had led to an opportunity for one of the two last defenders of their world, a crack in the despot's armour. Marvelman took his chance and accelerated toward it, hammering away at the protective suit, until a stunned Marvelwoman recovered. To her horror, she saw one of the Anti-Monitor's gloves start to incandesce with antimatter energies, and she realised her cousin's peril. But then, in the distance, she saw an imperilled space station, in orbit around ringed Ares and in the path of the antimatter storm nearest her. She chose her duty and heaved the space station toward Earth and safety. Instants later, she launched herself toward the Anti-Monitor -but too late, as he was caught in blinding irradiation from the predator's almost limitless energy reserves. She caught his battered, burnt body and whispered:
"Hold on, Kel. I'll get you to the Fortress of Fortitude. It'll be okay, we'll..."
Feebly, he moved his head: "N-no good, Zara. I'm...done for. Still, we...we...did it. That...bastard...won't...touch...our...world..." And with that, Kel Zal-Koor, Marvelman, the Man of Terra's Tomorrow, breathed his last.
Several days later, Marvelwoman said her final goodbye to the Fortress of Fortitude, her sanctuary in orbit around her world. She left her Leah Lindy secret identity's clothing there, atop Marvelman's memorial plinth and coffin. Below, she watched Oliver Jameson swallow as he waved farewell to her, trying to fight back his tears, atop the Daily World newspaper building in Macropolis. Louis Lockwood, his rival for her affections, had joined him, and mouthed I love you. Together, the two men watched the telescreen as Marvelwoman departed Earth forever. She accelerated past the deserted Justice Guild watchtower on Luna, saying a silent prayer to Ashtierre for her fallen comrades and the residents of Lunabases Aleph, Beth and Gimel there. In the space of fifteen minutes, she was at the orbit of Ares and its rings, and its retinue of satellites. Coprates Colony had the Atlantium flag out and she appreciated the sign of solidarity and loyalty to their world's longtime heroine.
Kel had given his life for their world, even if neither he, Zara, or the Justice Guild could save all of the universe around it. She had what she hoped would be the ultimate weapon strapped to her back. Ahead was distant Argus, with its myriad red spot 'eyes', full of giant planet stormfury and where the Anti-Monitor awaited her. In silent contempt, the Anti-Monitor grasped hails of diamond from the storms beneath him, whipped into greater activity by his presence, chemically altering them to become Marvelwoman's poisonous nemesis. He directed them at her, but still she kept coming, even as the diamond flecks cut into her skin, blinding her, causing her unimaginable pain. The Anti-Monitor must have realised that was no obstacle to her, though, so he gathered his energies and consumed Argus itself. But then a tiny mote soared into his vicinity and with her last, failing strength, pressed the button that ignited her antisingularity bomb.
Marvelwoman perished in the ensuing hellstorm, but so did that iteration of the Anti-Monitor. He cried aloud as the antisingularity closed around him and his antimatter storm, but then all was silent. At an unimaginable cost and with the ultimate sacrifice of Marvelwoman and Marvelman, and their Justice Guild of North America comrades, had saved their world.
Although bruised and battered by its ordeal, Earth 196,833 ...Terra...would survive for billions of years to come. But there would never be another Marvelwoman or Marvelman, anywhere on that world or the multiverse.
THE END