//------------------------------// // Changed for the Better // Story: The War of Champions // by Onomonopia //------------------------------// "Teren ves Shazam." Black Adam gritted his teeth as the divine magic that flowed through his veins began to repair the damage to his body, yet the healing process also caused nearly every cell in his body to burn as the magic repaired them. But Adam had experienced far greater pain, so with an act of will he suppressed the pain and turned his attention back to the other crater before him. The ponies around him were still celebrating his victory, the smarter ones among them having figured out that Black Adam had been fighting the other champion of the lightning, but all of their praise and cheering was drowned out by Adam's mind, forcing him to focus on the crater. He floated down into the large crater that his greatest foe had created when his body crashed into the earth, surprised to see that the power of Shazam hadn't revitalized Captain Marvel yet. Yet as he stood over his foe, his eyes glanced to the side to see the golden crown with the lightning bolt they both shared in the centerpiece, getting him to narrow his eyes as he sensed what kind of magic was coming from the crown. It was a magic he knew all too well. "It seems that you spoke the truth, young Batson. You were one of the chosen champions," Black Adam said with narrowed eyes as he pointed one electric-charged finger at the crown, yet in a flash of lightning the crown vanished. Adam raised his eyebrows at where the crown had vanished, but with a small shake of his head he looked back down at Captain Marvel, who was only just beginning to stir. "Black Adam?" Marvel asked weakly as he blinked twice, trying to clear his vision. "What...happened...?" "That is simple, child. I am victorious. Shazam." Black Adam stood above Captain Marvel as he uttered the word to summon the lightning, only stepping back right before the lightning struck him and instead changing its target to the true champion of Shazam. Yet in a brief flash of lightning, Captain Marvel vanished and in his place lay a fifteen year old boy, who sat up while looking at his body. Realization struck him and he glared up at Black Adam, a single word upon his lips. "Do not bother, Batson, we both know that if you try to call down the word I am fast enough to stop you. Concede, Billy. You have lost the fight." "Concede? Give up? I am a HERO, Black Adam, and we do not give up!" Billy roared while he pushed himself to his feet, shakily standing up straight as he glared up at the black clad warrior before him. "And we both saw it during the fight, didn't we? We both saw the Element of Harmony that chose me. The Element of Radiance. That proves that I am the champion chosen to save the world! Not you!" "And I will be the one to remind you, that even with the so-called Element, I still defeated you," Black Adam replied coldly as he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, getting Billy's eyes to burn brighter in response. "If your Elemental state could not even defeat me, then it is clear that you cannot even hope to destroy the monster that may come." "Oh really? And did you destroy the Sphere of Destruction when you had the chance?" Billy shot back at Adam, whose face never changed at the words. "Did you succeed in destroying it, even with the power of the wizard? No, because you were not chosen to; because you can't use any of the Elements of Harmony! If anything, over the years here all you have done is FUEL the blasted sphere!" "What?" Black Adam scowled with utter bafflement in his voice. "Killing Discord and Chrysalis. Killing the Elements of Harmony! All of the pain and destruction you have caused have been nothing but fuel for the Sphere of Destruction!" Billy yelled at Black Adam, advancing towards him despite knowing that Adam could end him in an instant. "You arriving here probably moved their plans ahead by years with all the devastation that follows you around! Destruction only fuels destruction! Don't you see it yet, Adam? Despite all the good that you think you've done, all the pain you've caused will only help bring about the end of the world you care so much for." Black Adam backed away a bit from Batson as the words pierced his heart, sending his thoughts down a path that he had never even seen before. 'It...it is true that I have made numerous mistakes since I have come to this land, but I have truly tried to the make up for them in any way I could. Can it be...that I am one of the many that helped to bring about the end of the world I care so much for?' 'No, my Beloved, he lies. You are greater than any of them.' The moment Billy saw Adam's eyes slightly look away from him, he knew that the false champion was lost in thought and that he had an opening. "SHA-" Yet faster than Billy could fathom Adam's hand shot out and wrapped itself around his throat, silencing the boy as he lifted Billy off of his feet and held him aloft by his neck. "As I told you Batson, I am fast enough to stop you," Black Adam repeated with lightning flashing in his eyes while Billy clawed in vain at the hand that kept him silent. "And despite what you have said about me, that I may be responsible for bringing the monster of destruction to my land, I realize that if I can defeat one of the champions that can overcome it, then I must be able to defeat it as well!" "You're...mad..." Billy choked out as he struggled to escape, but there was no escaping Adam's grasp. "Yes...it is clear now that I am stronger than the chosen champions!" Adam said with a smile, yet Billy noticed that he seemed to be talking more to himself that he was Billy. "I can be the one to defeat the monster of destruction, even though I am not chosen. Just as I continue to be the defender that Shazam never thought I could be! I will save this world and show that I am not the cause of its destruction, but instead be the source of its salvation!" "Adam...!" 'And because of your power, you do not need the other champions. You do not need this boy. Be rid of him.' "And since I have this power, I do not need any of the champions that have hindered me at nearly every turn," Adam said in a dark tone as he turned his flashing eyes back towards the boy clasped in his hand. Billy's eyes widened in fear when he realized that he was at Adam's mercy. "I can finally be rid of the false champions," Adam said as he began to tighten his grasp. "I can finally be rid of you." "Then do it." Adam's eyes opened in shock at Billy's words as the lightning seemed to leave them, allowing him to look clearly into the defiant, and somewhat vindicated, eyes of his foe. "Go ahead...kill me. Finally be rid of me. Prove me right...once and for all." "What are you speaking of, child?!" Adam demanded as he slightly released his grip so that Billy could speak more clearly, yet he was still on guard in case Batson tried to utter the word. "What do you mean by 'prove you right'? Answer me!" 'Ignore him, Teth, he is trying to distract you.' "You haven't changed. When I first came here, when I heard all the pain that you had caused, I knew that you were the Adam I knew and hated. Yet, for a while you managed to throw me off. When I saw...how you smiled, how you helped them...I thought that maybe you had changed," Billy grunted as he continued to try and break Adam's grip. "But you're still Black Adam. Always having to do things your way. Always unable to accept when you are the cause of the problems that plague any who are unfortunate enough to know you! Unable to accept any truth but his own, and who will kill anyone who tries to tell him otherwise. Always a slave to your anger and hatred. So, go ahead, Black Adam. Kill me. Get rid of one of the obstacles towards your nation's "salvation." Show the ponies what I have known about you all along." 'Do it, my Beloved! End him!' Black Adam's eyes narrowed as he filled one hand with electricity and brought it back, angling his next blow so that he would punch right through Billy's heart. But then as he looked into Batson's eyes, he saw eyes that were without fear and instead were filled with...pity. Black Adam then blinked twice before he moved his lightning-filled hand in front of his face, the hand with which he was about to use to kill a child. The horror of the thought quickly overtook him, and he lowered his hand to the side as he looked up at Batson, who was still waiting for Adam to move. "No, Billy. That is not who I am anymore," Black Adam said in a quiet voice as he looked from Billy to the ponies who were watching what was going on, his eyes filling with resolution as he found his strength. "You...are right. I am stubborn. I do believe that my way is the best way. And I truly believe that I can save my world from the darkness that is coming. I...can...not accept that my power cannot overcome it, that when those who I care about need me, I cannot fight off their foe. I will never believe that you are a better champion than me." Black Adam lowered his head for a moment after saying his piece before looking up at Billy again. "But I have changed...I was changed by those I met here. Celestia taught me that a leader does not have to be imposing or menacing, that kindness and understanding can be even more powerful than force could ever be. Sunny taught me to look on the brighter side of life, despite me never being able to thank her for it. And all of these ponies...have taught me that being an admired friend is far greater than being a feared defender. That you...were right in how you tried to save the world--by being a hero that people could look up to, not a killer who struck down the criminals." "I have done many evil things. I have caused far more pain and suffering than I ever dreamed I was capable of causing. I...have hurt so many. But I have become a better man, Billy. I have chosen to put these ponies...all who need me, before my own goals or desires. And if their safety means...fighting alongside you and your champions...then perhaps it is time that I let go of my anger towards you and finally open my eyes to the real threat." Adam looked into Billy's eyes to see that they had not changed, that they continued to stare at him coldly. "My words are true, Billy. Let me prove it." And then, to not only the surprise of the ponies but also to those who were watching through Adam's eyes, Adam did something that no one who had known him would believe him capable of doing. He let Billy go. Billy fell to the ground and quickly backed away from Adam, waiting for Adam to change his mind or attack him. But when Adam refused to budge, Billy decided to put Adam's words to the ultimate test. He called down the thunder. "SHAZAM!" Ponies ran for cover as the lightning came crashing down from on high and struck the teenager square in the chest. A moment later the crimson clad Captain Marvel walked out of the dust that had been kicked up by the lightning bolt, his eyes looking into Adam's the entire time he transformed. For a moment, a moment that lasted longer than either of the thunderers thought possible, the two stared into each other's eyes, each wondering what was to happen next. 'Is what he said true?' Billy mused as he glared into Adam's eyes, ignoring what the wisdom of Solomon was saying. 'Or is he simply playing me for a fool and planning to stab me and my allies in the back when we are at our lowest? Can I really put my trust in the man who has caused so much death on my world? Or...should I stop him here? Should I make sure that he never gets the chance to harm anyone again?' 'Will he believe me? Can he believe me?' Adam asked himself as he looked into the raging, yet also slightly confused, eyes of his oldest foe with emotionless eyes of his own. 'Or have I caused so much pain, not only to him but also to all of humanity and ponykind, that he will still believe me a villain? A being that only seeks to kill and harm...considering how a moment ago I almost killed him; I would not blame him if he were to finish me...and I would not stop him.' For another eternity that lasted only a minute, the two continued to stare into each other's eyes. Then, very slowly, Marvel turned off towards the direction where Canterlot was and pointed towards it, while also looking back to Black Adam. "While I was in my champion form, I sensed a great darkness coming from the city of Canterlot. If I...if we are to save the ponies of this world, then we need to get back there and aid the other champions. Come on." If Captain Marvel hadn't turned when he said that and flown off towards Canterlot, he would have seen both utter confusion and a small smile appear on the face of Black Adam at the same time. But in the next instant the confusion was replaced by a look of determination. Adam shot off after Captain Marvel, following his magic into a large chambered room near the throne room within the castle. As he descended into the room, he spotted the other five champions with Captain Marvel, all watching him as he entered, along with... "Spike?" Adam asked with hints of confusion in his voice when he spotted the purple and green dragon standing beside the Big Daddy. He saw fear flash in Spike's eyes before the dragon looked down at the Big Daddy, almost as if he was taking comfort in the titan's presence. Spike then walked forward with determination replacing his fear as he looked down at Black Adam. "Yes, Black Adam. It's really me and what you're probably thinking is right. I've decided...that these six are the chosen champions who can save this world," Spike admitted almost as if he was resigning himself to his fate. "I have seen how powerful the Elements they use can be if turned on a foe...and I have seen how they can help to heal if needed. I know you are probably thinking that I have betrayed you, but you were the one who taught me to protect those you care about no matter the cost. And if the cost of helping these six save the world is that you will hate me for eternity...then it's a sacrifice that I have to make." Black Adam was silent for a long minute after hearing Spike's words while the champions all watched with nervous eyes, none of them knowing what was going to happen next. Then, a small smile spread across Adam's face and he nodded his head with approval at the dragon. "You are willing to work with those whom I taught you to see as enemies...to keep the world safe, willing to put aside your differences for the sake of others. Spike, you are already far wiser than I am," Black Adam said to the dragon, whose face practically beamed at Adam's words. "I am glad that I chose you to be one of my Judges. You have proven yourself to be a true hero." "Does this mean that I do not need to convince you to fight alongside us?" All eyes turned to see both the Queen of the Sun and the Princess of the Night walk into the room, each of their eyes filled with resolution and power as they looked at all eight beings that were standing before them. For a long, tense moment, neither side knew what to do. Then Ryan had the bright idea to open his mouth. "Holy shit, you two actually didn't kill each other!" Ryan laughed aloud, breaking the silence that had been caused by the rulers' arrival. "That means the mare did something right for once. Hey mare, wherever you are, good job on not fucking things up for once!" "You would be wise not to speak to my daughter that way," Celestia snarled at Ryan, getting the human to shrug his shoulders while Adam looked as if a bombshell had been dropped upon his head. "Wait...you do not mean that..." "Yes, Teth. The silver mare...is Sunnysmiles." As Celestia said this, the silver mare appeared in the center of the room with a flash of silver, turning all eyes towards her as she and Black Adam locked eyes. Adam stayed silent as he walked over to her, remorseful eyes looking down at the silver mare whom he had hated for so long before he stretched out his hand and placed it upon her face, his magical nature allowing him to touch her. The two stayed like that for a brief moment before a tear escaped from Adam's eye. "So...all this time...I have been trying to destroy the filly that I swore to protect with my life," Black Adam said with a bitter laugh before sorrow overtook his face. "Sunny...I am so sorry. I...I should have listened to you. Can you ever forgive me for...for..." "For being a fucking dumbass?" Ryan finished for Black Adam, getting the mare to look at him with an annoyed air. 'You really know when to open your mouth, don't you?' the silver mare growled at him with an annoyed tone before she turned back to Black Adam, a thin smile upon her silver face. 'And of course I can forgive you, Teth. You have always been there to protect us, no matter what darkness tried to pull you away from the path of a hero. Although...can I...ask a favor?' "Of course." 'I never did...get a hug from you...when I was little.' Black Adam gave her a weak smile before he bent down and pulled the silver mare into his arms, at the same time looking at the damage to her that he knew he had caused, once again making Black Adam hate himself for his actions. The silver mare said nothing about the past though, as she returned the hug, just happy that Teth cared for her again. "Ugh. Look at the two of them...feeling...makes me sick," Ryan muttered while making gagging noises, noises that were stopped when Mr. Bubbles smacked Ryan in the back of the head with his drill, dropping the annoyance straight to the floor. Ryan swore under his breath as he stood up and looked out the window...and immediately forgot about the pain in his skull or what was going on behind him. "Okay, guys? I know that normally you would curb-stomp me for interrupting such a lovely reunion, but the shit is making out with the fan outside, and it's the kind of thing that tells me you should turn the fuck around." It wasn't Ryan's words, but the tone of his voice that told the others in the room that whatever he was seeing was serious. All eyes turned towards the window that he was looking out of to see what had rattled the human. And they found that he was not wrong. From the window the group could see thousands of black clad unicorns consuming the streets of Canterlot, while a strange machine floated in the sky above the unicorn army. The machine was triangular in shape and painted black, yet not even Adam could discern the strange magic that radiated from it as it floated down on top of one of the turrets that were around the castle. But despite being unable to tell what the strange magic that radiated from the machine was, Black Adam was more than capable of identifying the magic that radiated off of a certain bearded pony that walked out from the bowels of the machine and looked down at all of them through the window. "So, it seems that you were correct in saying that the sphere had survived. And I believe we are looking at its host," Black Adam said to the others as the five champions plus Ryan, Spike and the rulers of Equestria all glared up at the pony, who allowed a wide smile to cross his face as he looked down upon all of them. But then, as his eyes passed from the six champions to the twin rulers and then to the silver mare, his faced seemed to fall a bit before he raised a hoof and motioned for them to come to him. He then let out a wicked laugh as a column of dark magic shot out of his body and erupted into the sky, creating dark clouds of pure black magic that blotted out the sun, covering all of the land in darkness. "So then, it is true that Star-Swirl the Bearded is the one who found the Sphere of Destruction and he plans to use it to end all of Equestria," Celestia said with a remorseful sigh as she saw the blackness stretch on for miles. "I must wonder, if I had helped him more when he was younger, if this could have been avoided?" "That's what you're wondering? I'm wondering how in the blue hell an entire army managed to sneak up on two gods, the silver mare and the fucking Hulk!" "It doesn't matter how they got here; they are here now and it is clear that they wish for us to fight them," Black Adam said as he floated out the window first, looking down at the thousands of unicorns that all looked up at him with the same hatred for him and devotion to Star-Swirl beneath their hoods. "And since they all went out of their way to come tell us in person that they wished to fight..." Black Adam lifted both his hands and let twin bolts of lightning strike down on them, sounding the thunder and illuminating the darkness for a moment with a flash of lightning before he finished. "It would be rude not to oblige."