LJ presents: A Contest of Champions
On a technical view of the matter, it all started when she was just 17 months old. But if you're looking for the true genesis, that came a month later. And then things really and then kicked into high gear. Since September 2008, LJ has been spinning tales that have kept me - and all of you - delightfully on the edge of our seats. She's mixed canons and continuities with aplomb, divined character relationships that are both genius and obvious at the same time, and even crafted her own band of heroes worthy of inheriting their predecessors' mantles.
All that imagination... all that storytelling... all that creativity... has come down to this: the finale to top all finales!
----------
LJ presents:
A CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS
Written and directed by LJ
Novelisation by SF
“Are you sure I’m the right person for this, Jim?”
Police Commissioner James Gordon looked at the Mayor… the former Mayor, he corrected himself silently… with no small amount of affection. Though his leadership had at times been questionable, and his disasters (magical and otherwise) catastrophic, there was no doubting the man’s good-hearted nature. He was a genuine, excitable, self-promoting dervish who really wanted everyone around him to have an amazing, fantastic, incredible time. And though his once invincible sense of self had been dented by unforeseen circumstances, Gordon was determined to see it return to its uncanny heights.
“You’re absolutely the right person for this, Mr Former Mayor,” Gordon smiled, gesturing the retired public servant toward the doors. “And even if you weren’t, there’s no turning back now - everyone’s waiting!”
They stepped out into the sunlight and, at the mere sight of them, a huge cheer erupted. The former Mayor looked out over the sea of people, awestruck. Gordon watched as his doubts evaporated and that old, familiar grin returned. The former Mayor all but hurdled up the stairs and onto the dais. The ceremonial scissors appeared so quickly in his hand, one would be forgiven for thinking he had super-speed.
“My friends,” he said, enthusiasm carrying his voice father than could any microphone, “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be with you here today. This is a day of celebration, of unity, of healing - and, most of all, a day of pulse-pounding, spine-chilling, death-defying wonderment! I could talk for hours about what we’ve been through…”
“But you won’t,” Gordon said, quietly yet firmly.
“… but I won’t,” the former Mayor continued, “because what’s past is prologue! Now is the time for Super Hero City to look forward to a brighter tomorrow!” He stepped up to a long red ribbon and opened the ceremonial scissors. “Usually I’d say there’s no more suitable a phrase than ‘let the games begin!’ but that’s not the case here,” he smiled. “No… the best way to kick things off with but a single word: Excelsior!”
The scissors snapped, the ribbon fluttered and the population of Super Hero City - powered and civilian alike - cheered, clapped, hooted and hollered with deafening joy. It was time for the Conest of Champions!
It had been Gordon’s idea: a super-powered Olympic Games, designed to let the heroes blow off steam after months of anguish while at the same time reminding the citizens what they loved about their costumed champions. Thor, leader of the New Avengers, had instantly agreed to it (“t’will be like the days of old in Asgard!”) and sent out the call, far and wide. The Prince of the Aesir knew all too well the divides that had been dug between heroes and, like Gordon, saw the Contest as a way of building bridges and mending fences within the super-powered community.
To the duo’s delight, it had worked. Heroes who’d not set foot in the city since the Ultra-Revolution had returned, keen to bury the hatchet and renew friendships. Black Panther and his Wakandan Avengers had flown in on their Quinjet; Wolverine had emerged from the X-Mansion “against my better judgment, bub” but was soon smiling. The Justice League, normally busy defending Earth from cosmic threats, took time to join the celebration - as had both the legions of Asgard and the mighty Green Lantern Corps. From the House of M came Magneto and his followers; after a moment of Wolverine-generated tension they, too, were welcomed.
Next had come the surprises. With a cough and splutter of malfunctioning machinery, the Millennium Falcon had descended from the heavens. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the rest of the New Republic had received Thor’s invitation and come to celebrate with their old friends. From beneath the streets, the no-longer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had emerged - Michaelangelo, in particular, was ready to “party on with the original crew”. A shimmering portal had opened in mid-air: a trans-spatial portal linking Earth with the distant planet of Cybertron! From out the Space Bridge emerged Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sari Sumdac and the Autobots. “Ours is now a world of peace thanks, in part, to all of you,” Optimus had said. “We are here today to honour your bravery and show our gratitude.” Even Galactus was in attendance!
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the small blue box that appeared in the corner of the city. Its lone occupant - a thin, well-dressed man with really great hair - fixed an affable grin on his face. “Love this place,” he said with obvious delight. “Really should have spent more time here. It’s so… colourful! Ah well, least I’m here for all the good bits.”
The most important reunions, though, were the small ones. Batman and Wonder Woman embraced each other and their son, Damien. The young Robin had been tempered by his ordeal - and his time re-training on Themyscira - and was ready to resume the good fight. And, for the first time in years, Batman spent time with his original partner, now known as Nightwing. The happy scene was promptly ruined by Damien’s raging ego (which had returned with his confidence) and he demanded a “Robin-off” as part of the Contest. Nightwing was only too happy to oblige.
Iron Man, accompanied by Rescue and Ironclad, did his best to slip through the crowd. He still felt sheepish, and a little exposed, despite the Red Skull’s defeat. Without warning he was crash-tackled from behind… by Cyborg! The young hero had fully recovered from his ordeal at the hands of Ultron! The billionaire was agog but Black Panther simply smiled. “I told you Wakandan technology was more advanced than yours.” Iron Man was also offered apologies by Cyborg’s best friend, Firestorm, for his cruel words but the genius waved them off. He was just happy everyone was back together.
Extended super heroic families were back together. Once-fractured teams had knit together once more. As the former Mayor and Commisioner Gordon took the stage, Ironclad had run to join her friends - Shield Maiden, Quickdraw, Sunburst, Torunn, Selena Strange, Robin, Aqualad and Spider-Girl - in the front row of the Super Hero City Amphitheatre. The young heroes listened to the announcement and cheered as loudly as they could.
The Contest itself was magnificent. Hawkeye, Green Arrow and Quickdraw engaged in an archery competition. A battle of swordsmen came down to Luke Skywalker and Leonardo. The world’s greatest martial artists competed in friendly sparring… and even let Deadpool join in, so good were their moods. Iconic vehicles raced above the city and along the streets, with Bumblebee determined to avenge previous losses to the Batmobile. Dr Strange, Scarlet Witch and Selena ensured there was magic and fireworks everywhere. Nightwing and Robin dazzled everyone with their acrobatic contest. Flash and Quickdraw outpaced both the Batmobile and Bumblebee, just for fun.
The people cheered and celebrated. The heroes flexed their muscles, showed their skills and refastened the bonds of teamwork and friendship. The celebrations continued past sunset, stretched long into the night and would, the next day, fill almost every page of the first edition of the reborn Hero Times. Shortly before midnight, Ironclad sat down alongside Quickdraw, Shield Maiden and Sunburst… her best friends… her team mates… her sisters.
“Just amazing,” she breathed.
“Yeah,” the others said in wondrous unison.
“Everything’s about to change again, isn’t it?” Ironclad said softly. “Not like after Ultron or anything, but… change. It’ll be different, now.”
Sunburst draped an arm over her shoulder. “Change doesn’t always have to be a bad thing,” she said. “This is a good change. Everyone’s back on the same page. And, sure, they’re getting older. But so are we.” She gestured. “This, right here? This is a golden age. We’re never going to forget this moment, Maria.”
“None of us will,” Shield Maiden agreed. “And it’s going to be the inspiration of this moment - and the people making this moment - that’ll fuel us into the future.”
“Gah,” Quickdraw said playfully, “what a load of sentimental mush! You sound like your dads, Lara and Peggy.” She poked out her tongue.
They girls fell about laughing and then sat back up, arms entwined. It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment for any of them. It was the culmination of every success and every failure… every victory and defeat… every battle, all their toil and struggle. The city was safe, the world was safe, the universe was safe. Their family… genetic, adopted and otherwise… was united. And yes, there would be adventures to come; as Optimus himself would say “it never ends”. But for the first time in their lives, the girls were truly facing a destiny of their own making.
A sudden burst of static electricity made their hair stand up on end. The four young heroes turned to see the tell-tale flash of a teleportation device. Behind them stood Lex Luthor, the Joker, Doctor Doom and Kang the Conquerer. Each was dressed in Arkham Asylum inmate uniform… though Doom and his grandson still wore their masks… and all four were clutching the same spherical device. “It worked,” Luthor proclaimed. “It took weeks to build a functional teleportation out of scraps and off-cuts, but my superior genius has triumphed!”
“Uh, Lexy?” Joker said cautiously. He, and he alone, had noticed the heroes.
“Be silent, clown,” Doom thundered. “Luthor has conveniently forgotten none of this would have been possible without my unmatched knowledge of spatial travel!”
“Or my peerless understanding of technologies beyond both your times,” Kang sneered.
“Guys!” Joker shrieked. “Did any of you so-called geniuses stop and think about the range of your fancy-schmancy teleporter?”
Luthor, Doom and Kang followed Joker’s gaze. Ironclad and her friends were no longer alone - the New Avengers, the Justice League, the Green Lantern Corps, the Autobots and every other attendee of the Contest had gathered behind them.
Kang stammered. Joker started to cry. Luthor sighed and buried his face in his hands. Doom cleared his throat. “This isn’t really fair, you understand,” he said.
“You’re so right,” Ironclad grinned. “We’ll give you a 10-second head start.”
Quickdraw nocked an arrow. “Don’t waste it.”
With a mutual yelp of sheer terror, the four hapless villains ran away from history’s greatest assembly of heroes as fast as they could. And, with a chorus of rallying cries ranging from “Avengers Assemble” to “transform and roll out”, the heroes of the universe gave chase.
-----THE END-----
Where to next? Never fear, true believer. LJ will be back from her holiday soon and, from what she tells me, she has big plans for the future. And I mean "the future" quite literally...
Greet the Fire as Your Friend,
SF
All that imagination... all that storytelling... all that creativity... has come down to this: the finale to top all finales!
----------
LJ presents:
A CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS
Written and directed by LJ
Novelisation by SF
“Are you sure I’m the right person for this, Jim?”
Police Commissioner James Gordon looked at the Mayor… the former Mayor, he corrected himself silently… with no small amount of affection. Though his leadership had at times been questionable, and his disasters (magical and otherwise) catastrophic, there was no doubting the man’s good-hearted nature. He was a genuine, excitable, self-promoting dervish who really wanted everyone around him to have an amazing, fantastic, incredible time. And though his once invincible sense of self had been dented by unforeseen circumstances, Gordon was determined to see it return to its uncanny heights.
“You’re absolutely the right person for this, Mr Former Mayor,” Gordon smiled, gesturing the retired public servant toward the doors. “And even if you weren’t, there’s no turning back now - everyone’s waiting!”
They stepped out into the sunlight and, at the mere sight of them, a huge cheer erupted. The former Mayor looked out over the sea of people, awestruck. Gordon watched as his doubts evaporated and that old, familiar grin returned. The former Mayor all but hurdled up the stairs and onto the dais. The ceremonial scissors appeared so quickly in his hand, one would be forgiven for thinking he had super-speed.
“My friends,” he said, enthusiasm carrying his voice father than could any microphone, “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be with you here today. This is a day of celebration, of unity, of healing - and, most of all, a day of pulse-pounding, spine-chilling, death-defying wonderment! I could talk for hours about what we’ve been through…”
“But you won’t,” Gordon said, quietly yet firmly.
“… but I won’t,” the former Mayor continued, “because what’s past is prologue! Now is the time for Super Hero City to look forward to a brighter tomorrow!” He stepped up to a long red ribbon and opened the ceremonial scissors. “Usually I’d say there’s no more suitable a phrase than ‘let the games begin!’ but that’s not the case here,” he smiled. “No… the best way to kick things off with but a single word: Excelsior!”
The scissors snapped, the ribbon fluttered and the population of Super Hero City - powered and civilian alike - cheered, clapped, hooted and hollered with deafening joy. It was time for the Conest of Champions!
It had been Gordon’s idea: a super-powered Olympic Games, designed to let the heroes blow off steam after months of anguish while at the same time reminding the citizens what they loved about their costumed champions. Thor, leader of the New Avengers, had instantly agreed to it (“t’will be like the days of old in Asgard!”) and sent out the call, far and wide. The Prince of the Aesir knew all too well the divides that had been dug between heroes and, like Gordon, saw the Contest as a way of building bridges and mending fences within the super-powered community.
To the duo’s delight, it had worked. Heroes who’d not set foot in the city since the Ultra-Revolution had returned, keen to bury the hatchet and renew friendships. Black Panther and his Wakandan Avengers had flown in on their Quinjet; Wolverine had emerged from the X-Mansion “against my better judgment, bub” but was soon smiling. The Justice League, normally busy defending Earth from cosmic threats, took time to join the celebration - as had both the legions of Asgard and the mighty Green Lantern Corps. From the House of M came Magneto and his followers; after a moment of Wolverine-generated tension they, too, were welcomed.
Next had come the surprises. With a cough and splutter of malfunctioning machinery, the Millennium Falcon had descended from the heavens. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the rest of the New Republic had received Thor’s invitation and come to celebrate with their old friends. From beneath the streets, the no-longer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had emerged - Michaelangelo, in particular, was ready to “party on with the original crew”. A shimmering portal had opened in mid-air: a trans-spatial portal linking Earth with the distant planet of Cybertron! From out the Space Bridge emerged Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sari Sumdac and the Autobots. “Ours is now a world of peace thanks, in part, to all of you,” Optimus had said. “We are here today to honour your bravery and show our gratitude.” Even Galactus was in attendance!
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the small blue box that appeared in the corner of the city. Its lone occupant - a thin, well-dressed man with really great hair - fixed an affable grin on his face. “Love this place,” he said with obvious delight. “Really should have spent more time here. It’s so… colourful! Ah well, least I’m here for all the good bits.”
The most important reunions, though, were the small ones. Batman and Wonder Woman embraced each other and their son, Damien. The young Robin had been tempered by his ordeal - and his time re-training on Themyscira - and was ready to resume the good fight. And, for the first time in years, Batman spent time with his original partner, now known as Nightwing. The happy scene was promptly ruined by Damien’s raging ego (which had returned with his confidence) and he demanded a “Robin-off” as part of the Contest. Nightwing was only too happy to oblige.
Iron Man, accompanied by Rescue and Ironclad, did his best to slip through the crowd. He still felt sheepish, and a little exposed, despite the Red Skull’s defeat. Without warning he was crash-tackled from behind… by Cyborg! The young hero had fully recovered from his ordeal at the hands of Ultron! The billionaire was agog but Black Panther simply smiled. “I told you Wakandan technology was more advanced than yours.” Iron Man was also offered apologies by Cyborg’s best friend, Firestorm, for his cruel words but the genius waved them off. He was just happy everyone was back together.
Extended super heroic families were back together. Once-fractured teams had knit together once more. As the former Mayor and Commisioner Gordon took the stage, Ironclad had run to join her friends - Shield Maiden, Quickdraw, Sunburst, Torunn, Selena Strange, Robin, Aqualad and Spider-Girl - in the front row of the Super Hero City Amphitheatre. The young heroes listened to the announcement and cheered as loudly as they could.
The Contest itself was magnificent. Hawkeye, Green Arrow and Quickdraw engaged in an archery competition. A battle of swordsmen came down to Luke Skywalker and Leonardo. The world’s greatest martial artists competed in friendly sparring… and even let Deadpool join in, so good were their moods. Iconic vehicles raced above the city and along the streets, with Bumblebee determined to avenge previous losses to the Batmobile. Dr Strange, Scarlet Witch and Selena ensured there was magic and fireworks everywhere. Nightwing and Robin dazzled everyone with their acrobatic contest. Flash and Quickdraw outpaced both the Batmobile and Bumblebee, just for fun.
The people cheered and celebrated. The heroes flexed their muscles, showed their skills and refastened the bonds of teamwork and friendship. The celebrations continued past sunset, stretched long into the night and would, the next day, fill almost every page of the first edition of the reborn Hero Times. Shortly before midnight, Ironclad sat down alongside Quickdraw, Shield Maiden and Sunburst… her best friends… her team mates… her sisters.
“Just amazing,” she breathed.
“Yeah,” the others said in wondrous unison.
“Everything’s about to change again, isn’t it?” Ironclad said softly. “Not like after Ultron or anything, but… change. It’ll be different, now.”
Sunburst draped an arm over her shoulder. “Change doesn’t always have to be a bad thing,” she said. “This is a good change. Everyone’s back on the same page. And, sure, they’re getting older. But so are we.” She gestured. “This, right here? This is a golden age. We’re never going to forget this moment, Maria.”
“None of us will,” Shield Maiden agreed. “And it’s going to be the inspiration of this moment - and the people making this moment - that’ll fuel us into the future.”
“Gah,” Quickdraw said playfully, “what a load of sentimental mush! You sound like your dads, Lara and Peggy.” She poked out her tongue.
They girls fell about laughing and then sat back up, arms entwined. It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment for any of them. It was the culmination of every success and every failure… every victory and defeat… every battle, all their toil and struggle. The city was safe, the world was safe, the universe was safe. Their family… genetic, adopted and otherwise… was united. And yes, there would be adventures to come; as Optimus himself would say “it never ends”. But for the first time in their lives, the girls were truly facing a destiny of their own making.
A sudden burst of static electricity made their hair stand up on end. The four young heroes turned to see the tell-tale flash of a teleportation device. Behind them stood Lex Luthor, the Joker, Doctor Doom and Kang the Conquerer. Each was dressed in Arkham Asylum inmate uniform… though Doom and his grandson still wore their masks… and all four were clutching the same spherical device. “It worked,” Luthor proclaimed. “It took weeks to build a functional teleportation out of scraps and off-cuts, but my superior genius has triumphed!”
“Uh, Lexy?” Joker said cautiously. He, and he alone, had noticed the heroes.
“Be silent, clown,” Doom thundered. “Luthor has conveniently forgotten none of this would have been possible without my unmatched knowledge of spatial travel!”
“Or my peerless understanding of technologies beyond both your times,” Kang sneered.
“Guys!” Joker shrieked. “Did any of you so-called geniuses stop and think about the range of your fancy-schmancy teleporter?”
Luthor, Doom and Kang followed Joker’s gaze. Ironclad and her friends were no longer alone - the New Avengers, the Justice League, the Green Lantern Corps, the Autobots and every other attendee of the Contest had gathered behind them.
Kang stammered. Joker started to cry. Luthor sighed and buried his face in his hands. Doom cleared his throat. “This isn’t really fair, you understand,” he said.
“You’re so right,” Ironclad grinned. “We’ll give you a 10-second head start.”
Quickdraw nocked an arrow. “Don’t waste it.”
With a mutual yelp of sheer terror, the four hapless villains ran away from history’s greatest assembly of heroes as fast as they could. And, with a chorus of rallying cries ranging from “Avengers Assemble” to “transform and roll out”, the heroes of the universe gave chase.
-----THE END-----
Where to next? Never fear, true believer. LJ will be back from her holiday soon and, from what she tells me, she has big plans for the future. And I mean "the future" quite literally...
Greet the Fire as Your Friend,
SF