MARVEL/DC COMICS PRESENTS #15

Illuminati

Unknown Location

1977

“In the beginning, was darkness, emptiness, chaos. Then light came and with it came all life. In ancient times, our world was threatened by forces of darkness from within and from without. Our ancestors formed a council of light to keep back the darkness and protect our world. I, Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons of Themyscira, take my seat at this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness of the room from above and shone upon a woman seated at a table. She was raven haired with soft yet strong, beautiful features. She wore a white gown that was reminiscent of ancient Greeks and wore a small golden crown upon her head. She sat with her hands grasped together on the table with a poise of strength.

“I, T’Chaka, King of the Kingdom of Wakanda, take my seat at this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness from above and illuminated the table below. A dark masked figure sat at the table. Though the light shone, the darkness of his suit seemed to absorb the light and gave off an almost silvery glistening upon it.

“I, Zuras, Prime Eternal of the Eternals, take my seat at this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness from above and shone upon a part of the table beneath it. A large built man sat at the table. He sat with shoulder length red hair and beard. He was dressed in a fairly rich green tunic in a style similar to Ancient Rome. An air of nobility and power seemed to emanate from him.

“I, Solovar, King of Gorilla City, take my seat at this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness from above and shone upon a part of the table beneath it. There sat a large gorilla wearing a short purple cloak. His facial hair was flanked by whisps of gray on both sides of his temples. He sat with his large hairy arms on the table with eyes of deep wisdom.

“I, Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis, take my seat at this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness from above and shone upon a part of the table beneath it. There sat a long flowing pale blond hair and deep blue eyes. She wore a pale blue and green dress and held a golden trident in her hand. She sat still and calm.

I, Shazam, wizard and keeper of the Rock of Eternity, take my seat at this assembly. It was I at the behest of The Ancient One who has called this assembly.”

A light broke through the darkness from above and shone upon a part of the table beneath it. There sat a wizened old man with long white hair and facial hair wearing a long white robe. He looked about the mostly illuminated round table that still had gaps of darkness where no one sat.

“Not all are here today.” Shazam said.

“No,” T’Chaka answered. “After his passing, King Agon of the Inhumans’ successor is still much too young to take the throne. His regent sent a missive by me to extend his apologies and that they will take part in no further calls from this assembly.”

Shazam was taken aback. “No further…, but what about the other Atlantean representative?”

“They will no longer come as well.” Atlanna answered. “The representative of those tribes will no longer come as well. Since Prince Namor’s disappearance, relations between our nation and the blue skins have come to an all-time low. There is also too much division amongst themselves as well to have a representative come to this assembly as well. Especially since they find insult that I am here.”

“I knew that things were sour between your peoples, but has it come to as you say?” Shazam asked looking for a sign of hope.

“I am afraid so,” Atlanna said with a bowed head.

“Now, old friend,” Hippolyta spoke forth. “What is so important for us to make the trip for this assembly?”

Shazam stroked his beard and said, “As I said, I call this meeting at the behest of The Ancient One. His time upon the earthly plane is fast coming to an end. He wanted this assembly of light to accept his student, Stephen Strange, as his replacement at this table.”

The assembly looked at each other for a moment in silent discussion.

“Has the Ancient One relinquished the title of Sorcerer Supreme already?” Zuras asked.

“Yes,” Shazam replied. “The trials were held a few months ago for his replacement. His student has won the title.”

“Tell them the rest of the story,” a voice said in the darkness.

“Who dares?” Hippolyta shouted. “Show yourself!”

A golden light sparked above them and hovered over to an empty seat in the darkness. The light, at first, too bright for all to see quickly winced out. Then a light above shone upon the table beneath revealing a man with a golden cape and a blue and gold arrangement. Upon his head was a golden helmet that covered all but his piercing eyes. “I, Nabu, take my seat at this assembly.”

“Dr. Fate?” T’Chaka asked with astonishment.

“The same,” Hippolyta answered. “Nabu, like myself and Zuras are founding members of this assembly. Though he left us some centuries ago after losing his title as Sorcerer Supreme in a former host. Apparently, a lot has changed since we fought together 30 years ago as members of the Justice Society.”

“More than you know. What Shazam is failing to tell you is that I am Sorcerer Supreme as well. I, too, went through the trials for the title and tied for it with The Ancient One’s pupil. The Vishanti awarded us as joint heirs to the title.”

“Is such a thing unprecedented?” Atlanna asked.

“No,” Shazam answered. “In times past, the title has been shared between mages of exceptional skill and heart.”

“I believe that last word was meant for me,” Dr. Fate said. “However, something could be said about the lie of omission on your part, wizard. A singular Sorcerer Supreme has always been at this table since its founding. The Ancient One is hoping that his student will be that one here. As a founder, I claim my seat regardless.”

“This is…”

Hippolyta raised her hand silencing Shazam. “He is right, Shazam. It is his right.”

“Thank you,” Dr. Fate said. “As such, I ask that this assembly be adjourned indefinitely.”

“What?” Shazam said rising from his seat. “This cannot happen!”

“It can and will.” Dr. Fate said rising from his seat. “The world is changing, Shazam. Our time as light holding back the darkness of chaos is at an end. Look around this table and see for yourself. The empty seats. The looks on their faces. This assembly adjourned before it assembled. The Inhumans are in the grip of change that has them hiding from humanity. Gorilla City, Atlantis, and Wakanda are similarly withdrawing from this changing world. The Eternals are forever watchful for the Celestials return. The paradise of Themyscira is similarly withdrawing, especially after their Queen spent time in Man’s World as their Wonder Woman. She has seen as I that mankind are no longer the weak masses in caves and thatch-roofed homes in times past. They are smarter, wiser, and growing past their need for us. The age for those such as us has come to an end. Such was our fate. A new age is coming. That age will bring together its champions of light as the previous brought us together. The sooner we accept this, the sooner we are out of the new generations’ way. Accept this, Shazam.”

Visibly angry, Shazam stared at Dr. Fate.

“He’s right,” Solovar said. “This generation of men are getting wiser and stronger. In time their power and technology will rival our own. My apes are already devising of ways to stay hidden until men are as wise as they are smart. Farewell.”

Solovar rose from his seat and left the room. The light above his seat blinked off.

Atlanna stood up and said, “My people stand on the brink of being discovered by surface dwellers who find new ways to poison our waters. Add to that the increasing threat of the blue skins. My people must come first. I must leave this council.” She rose up from her seat and left the room. The light above her seat blinked off.

T’Chaka rose from his seat and said, “Unlike the others, my people and I hide in plain sight. We are aware of the changes in the world. My family and my people have had a seat at this assembly since after its founding. We will retreat within our land and see where these changes take us in this new age. Perhaps then my children will be part of this new world’s protection. I regretfully leave this assembly.” After those words, T’Chaka left the room. The light above his seat blinked off.

“I cannot hear any more of this.” Shazam said. “We are this world’s protectors. What will they do if we leave this assembly?”

Zuras stood up from his seat. “They will survive as they have done before us. We kept the peace separately for ages as well as together. I see the changes that are coming in a somewhat different way from you. I have faith that when the Celestials return, they will judge this world worthy.”

Shazam disappeared in a ball of light and left the room. The light above his seat blinked off.

Then Zuras turned and nodded to Hippolyta and Dr. Fate and left the room. The light above his seat blinked off.

Hippolyta rose from her seat. “You were right. You convinced me to see what Man’s World was doing. I became Wonder Woman and took part in many adventures with you and the JSA. I saw the changes in man’s knowledge and power. It was eye opening. We are truly heading into a new age. But…I know you, old friend. You are guilty of the lie of omission as well. I can see it. What are you not telling, Nabu?”

“The age to come that I spoke of stands between order and chaos. A Lord of Chaos calling itself Dr. Chaos was also at the trials. His presence speaks to the importance of this new age if one such as they wish to be Sorcerer Supreme. Our time to fight it must diminish in favor of the new heroes that are coming.”

Hippolyta stared at Dr. Fate for a moment and said, “Cryptic with a side of truth. I should have expected nothing less from you at this point. Like the others, I need to retreat from the affairs of the world for now. Four years of world war and the peace that came after having tired me. I need to see where the Fates will send this world before I rejoin it in any capacity. You are not the only one to glimpse the future, old friend. I too have seen some of what’s coming and know that it will have… wonder.”