Synopsis:When Billie Tells his sister Mary about being Queen Thunder, she knows that she is also chosen and becomes the fiery Red Thunder.

[-][+][-]
As I flew back home, I was relishing telling my sister about my recent adventures. We were a lot alike, but there was also a bit of sibling rivalry, too. Growing up, we'd competed all through school to push each other to be the best that we could be.

As a result, it was either her or I that won the school's beauty contests with the other the runner up. We'd won many a scholarship from our exploits as beauty queens as well as out athletic and academic prowess.

But we donated the bulk of our scholarships to the Fawcett City Scholarship Fund to help others since thanks to Unca Dudley, we were assured of our scholarships.

I landed by my sister who was sunning herself on the back patio wearing a skin tone swimdress to allow for tanning minus tan lines. I couldn't help but smile as her lotioned body turned over at the sound of my arrival, "Hi Sis. Been having fun in the sun? I giggled.

She looked at me from under her straw hat, "Billie? Is that you?"

"Yep."

She got up and hugged me, "I've missed you, Sis. Where have you been?"

"Take a look at me, Mary," I asked.

She saw me in my Queen Thunder guise, "You mean to tell me that you've been at a comic book convention and didn't let me in on it?"

"No, Mary. I've become the Champion of the Earth, thanks to Gaea."

"Like Unca Dudley's been telling us?"

"Yep."

"Okay, why the cheerleader uniform and hose?"

"Mary, you know that both of us love wearing pantyhose except for swimming and showering and that I am the Head Cheerleader. So showing off my legs is no big deal, at least not now," I admitted.

"Come inside and tell me about it," she said as she led me into the house.

We lived with Unca Dudley in his house. Unca Dudley was given the old Fawcett University Gate House that was now the gate house for Fawcett Faculty Housing Complex.

The gate house had four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a full attic and basement. The attic was dedicated to our wardrobes and had access to an upper porch where we could star gaze or grill while the basement held our launderette, storage and game room.

Best part of home was the outdoor pool and sundeck where we grilled and had pool parties with our friends.

I sat down in the veranda and smiled when I saw my sister, she'd put on white hose under a clean floral swimdress after showering, "Guess you were ready for hose again," I giggled.

"Heck! When Unca Dudley took us to ballet, we both fell in love with leotards and hose."

"True, but I recently found that wearing a skirt can be very demeaning, I sighed.

"Tell me about it."

[-][+][-]
I told Mary about how I became Queen Thunder and my adventures as well as meeting Jade. When I finished, she looked at me with new respect.

"So, as Thunder, you wear this costume and have those awesome powers, and as Billie, you have some control over plants, right?"

"Exactly!"

"Well, I'm jealous," she huffed.

"Mary, I now have an enemy in Sivana. Do you think that you could deal with him as I have?"

"Billie, we are twin sisters. I might do things a bit differently, but I know that I could handle him."

"Are you willing to do what I have done?"

"Yes, and I won't have your qualms about men seeing my bloomers when I fly," she giggled.

Then my amulet glowed and a section separated and floated to Mary who took it and placed the amulet over her head. Then we were teleported to Gaea's Presence.

WELCOME MY GUARDIAN TO THE BLESSINGS OF GAEA.

"I am humbled to be chosen, Mother Gaea. But why am I not your Champion like Billie?"

I NEED BUT ONE CHAMPION. BUT I DO NEED A GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME.

"Meaning that my power will differ from Billie's?"

QUEEN THUNDER RULES THE SKY AND HEAVENS WITH THE THUNDERBOLT AS HER POWER. YOU SHALL RULE THE HAVE MASTERY OF THE FLAME IN ALL OF ITS FORMS.

"You mean that I can create or destroy things?"

YOU CAN HEAT OR FREEZE ALL MATTER BUT LIFE, WHICH YOU MAY NOT HARM.

"But I can use my Blessing to help Life, right?"

YES. AND YOU MAY FLY WHERE LIFE IS. BEYOND MY VEIL OF LIFE< YOU CAN NOT CROSS WITHOUT APOLLO'S DECREE.

"So, I will have Queen Thunder's Blessing, but instead of lightning, I can heat or cool things."

YES. ARE YOU READY TO BECOME THE GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME?

"Yes, Mother Gaea."

THEN ARISE RED THUNDER AND BE MY GUARDIAN.

Mary's clothing morphed into a copy of my dress in red.

"A red version of my sister's costume? Why?"

YOU CHOSE YOUR GARB. DO YOU WISH ANY OTHER?

She looked down and touched her hosed leg, "I am even wearing Pantyhose like she is wearing instead of the white hose that I was," she mused.

AS YOU CHOSE, MY GUARDIAN.

"How do I return to being Mary Batson?"

TOUCH YOUR AMULET TO TAKE ON YOUR MORTAL FORM, OR TO SPEAK TO QUEEN THUNDER.

"Even when she is Billie Batson?"

YES, AND WHEN YOU NEED MY GUIDANCE.

"HEY! YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT!" I exclaimed.

YOU NEVER ASKED NOR NEEDED TO.came the amused reply.

"Okay, I asked for that," I laughed.

RED THUNDER, GO! YOUR TIME AS MY GUARDIAN BEGINS.

"What of my sister?"

QUEEN THUNDER AND I HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS.

Mary hugged me, "See ya' later, Sis," she promised. I saw my sister fly away and vanish before my eyes.

[-][+][-]
"Mother Gaea, have I done anything wrong?"
YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED A WIELDER OF THE GREEN FLAME AND THE STAR HEART. BOTH MAY CAUSE HARM TO MY BODY.

"But they are here to protect!"

DO YOU TRUST THEM?

"They will not cause harm to the Earth. My Blessing to sense Life as a mortal tells me that they revere Life as well as the Law."

I NEED TO SPEAK TO BOTH.

I held aloft my right hand with Jade's Ring on my middle finger, "Jade gave me this so that I may contact them."

DO SO.

I held the Ring to my mouth, "Jade, I need for you and Alena to meet me where I am."

"Thunder? my Ring cannot find you! Where are you?"

"I am in Mother Gaea's Throne Room. She needs to speak to both of you."

MOTHER GAEA IS EARTH INCARNATE. TO MEET HER IS TO MEET AN ENTITY EQUAL TO THE CENTRAL POWER BATTERY.

"Power Battery? Please explain, Ring."

THE CENTRAL POWER BATTERY HOUSES THE ION ENTITY THAT POWERS ALL LANTERN RINGS. MOTHER GAEA IS HIS EQUAL.

"How do I reach your Throne Room, Mother Gaea?"

GATHER THE STAR HEART AND FOLLOW MY VOICE.

The I heard Alena's voice, "I'm with Jade on her ship. The Star Heart does not fear Mother Gaea. I'll be there with Jade."

"Are you sure, Alena?"

"Yes, Jade. When we met Queen Thunder, the Star Heart knew that we would soon meet Mother Gaea so that we could Qualm her fears."

"Very well, Let's Go." with that they left Jade's ship and appeared before the Throne.

[-][+][-]
WELCOME GREEN FLAME AND STAR HEART TO MY DOMAIN. I NEED ASSURANCE FROM BOTH OF YOU THAT MY BODY IS SAFE FROM HARM FROM YOU.

Jade spoke up," AS a Green Lantern, I am a part of the Green Lantern Corps, dedicated to intergalactic law enforcement under direction of the Guardians with only my imagination and intelligence limiting me in carrying out my duties,"

WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES, GREEN FLAME?

"My duties are: The protection of life and liberty within the assigned sector. Following the orders of the Guardians without question. Noninterference with a planet's culture, political structure, or its population's collective will. Acting within local laws and obeying the local authority within reason. The Guardians' orders will overrule this when necessary. Taking no action against anyone or anything until they are proven to be a threat against life and liberty. Not to use the equipment, resources or authority of The Corps for personal gain. Showing respect for and cooperating with other members of the Corps and the Guardians. Showing respect for life which includes restraint of force unless there is no reasonable alternative. Giving top priority to the greatest danger in the assigned sector. And Upholding the honor of the Corps.

WHAT OF SITUATIONS WHERE YOU TAKE A LIFE?

"In situations that do not warrant death, it is my responsibility to turn over said criminals to local planetary law enforcement for sentencing."

WHAT OF YOUR DUTY TO ME?

"I shall preserve the Sanctity of Life and seek to heal any hurt that I cause."

AND WHAT OF YOU, STAR HEART?

"I too value Life as I am the embodiment of Life."

Mother Gaea smiled,I WELCOME YOU TO MY BODY. GO AND BE AT PEACE.

Then they were sent back to Jade's ship.

WHAT OF THE AMAZONS?

"I don't know. The Island vanished with Diana and Drusilla."

BE AT PEACE, MY CHAMPION. THEY ARE SAFE. NOW GO REST. RETURN TO EARTH IN MORTAL FORM.

Then I found myself back home with plenty of time to get to class.

In Jade's Ship
"Jade, what does this mean for the other's?"

"I don't know, but as long as they don't trash the planet, they should be Okay."

---

To Be Continued In Red Thunder-2

Synopsis:When Billie Tells his sister Mary about being Queen Thunder, she knows that she is also chosen and becomes the fiery Red Thunder.

[-][+][-]
I found myself back home as myself, the Red Thunder costume was missing.
It must have been a dream,

NO DREAM MY GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME.

"Then why am I myself, again?"

YOU MEAN THAT YOU ARE NOT THE GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME?

"I am, but now I am wearing what I was BEFORE I met you,"

AH! YOU ARE IN YOUR MORTAL FORM SO THAT YOU MY MEET WITH YOUR UNCLE DUDLEY FAWCETT. IS THAT NOT WHAT YOU WISH TO DO?

"Yes. By the way, you knew what I meant, right?"

I actually heard a soft, feminine chuckle that was full of warmth.

EVEN I, MOTHER GAEA LIKE TO HAVE FUN.

"Oh great! Now I've heard EVERYTHING! Planet Earth with a sense of humor," I giggled.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT THE GIRAFFE AND PLATYPUS CAME FROM?

"Touché, Mother Gaea," I giggled.

IN HER MORTAL FORM QUEEN THUNDER MAY TRANSMUTE ANY LIFE FORM. IN YOUR MORTAL FORM, YOU MAY TRANSMUTE STONE.

"Does that mean that Billie can sense Life?"

YES, SHE CAN SENSE THE HEALTH IF LIFE, JUST AS YOU CAN SENSE THE HEALTH OF STONE.

"Does that mean that has Mary that I can do what Terra does?"

NO, BUT YOU MAY TRANSMUTE STONE AND HEAL IT.

"Why would stone ever be sick?"

MAN HAS SICKENED STONE WITH POLLUTION. YOU MAY CALL UPON ME TO HEAL SICKENED STONE AND CURE THE SICKNESS.

"But if I do that, people will know that I have that Blessing!"

FEAR NOT, MY GUARDIAN. THE HEALING SHALL BE DONE THROUGH THOSE WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO THE HEALTH OF MY BODY.

"Okay, and my transmuting stone and sensing stone/"

YOU WILL KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ON MY BODY AND KNOW ALL STONES IN ALL OF THEIR FORMS.

"Can I transmute stone into metal?"

STONE, AND METAL ARE OF MY BODY. ONLY LIFE AND CRYSTAL ARE DENIED YOU.

"Thank you, Mother Gaea,"

[-][+][-]
After our chat, I began to comprehend just how awesome my Blessing was as I saw the world through my new Blessing's eyes. Getting overwhelmed by it, I learned how to channel it through my mortal eyes.

I could sense the aura of health surrounding me, but as I let my mortal form dominate my body, I found that I could focus the Blessing to see the stone in the room and by contrast, the vitality of the flora and fauna around me.

I focused upon the steel mixing bowl that we kept our hard candy in. We would go to the store and buy bulk containers of sugar free hard candy to suck on while watching movies. Mine are butterscotch and Coffee Nips.

The bowl changed into gold with titanium coating as I envisioned. Then I reversed the process because like Unca Dudley and Sis, I had no need for such wealth.

We preferred to accumulate more esoteric accumulations of personal gain in the form of trophies and awards from our athletic and academic pursuits. But in Unca Dudley's case, just academic since his days as an athlete were over.

Nowadays, he spent most of his time in academic pursuits running the Fawcett University Archive Museum and was Dean of Archeology and Mythology with Professor William Omaha McElroy teaching archeology and Victor Goodman teaching mythology.

I showered and donned a red sailor dress mini dress with white hose and matching sandals then got into my fiery red Trans Am, a red duplicate of K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider minus that cool voice. It had Momma's dear voice instead.

Unca Dudley bought a red Trans Am like K.I.T.T. and had the modern conveniences installed by his friend Reed Richard's and Tony Stark over at Empire State University.

I drove up to Unca Dudley's Crown Victoria as he was getting in, "Hey, Unc! Heard the news about me?"

He turned around and gave me a hug as I ran up to him, "You mean about how Billie has told you about becoming Queen Thunder and you now are Red Thunder, my little chickadee?"

He laughed at my imitation of a fish out of water, "HOW?"

"Simple, Mary. Mother Gaea just told me," he said with a smile.

"Can't that busybody let me have any fun?" I pouted.

"Switch to Red Thunder and we'll talk."

I tapped my amulet and became Red Thunder and was surprised to see him in a satin white robe, carrying a staff like Gandalf's from LORD OF THE RINGS , "Yes, I AM a Wizard, much like old Merlin was."

"YOU MEAN THAT YOU'RE A MAGICIAN?"

"No, I as High Priest to Mother Gaea may use any of the Blessings of her Champion or Guardians."

"Then why do you not become a Guardian?"

"Only a woman may be so Blessed as she carries Life within her and nurtures it."

"But Unc! I was born Mark Batson, NOT Mary Batson! I Cannot become a mother," I wept.

"Mother Gaea, Billie and I can see the feminine spirit in you. When Mother Gaea chose you to be her Guardian, she Blessed you so that you may now be a mother."

"REALLY?"

"Yes, think back now. What is new in your memory?"

I let my mind go back and see that I now remember being born a girl and how instead of my previous history, I was now Billie's sister and remembered the fun we had being cheerleaders and dancers.

Before, I wore a gaffe to hide my male genitalia until my surgery in my freshman year in high school, thanks to Unca Dudley. Then it hit me, Mother Gaea had ALREADY changed my personal history, it took Unca Dudley to make me realize it.

I hugged him, "Unca Dudley, thanks! I just realized that Mother Gaea reset my history so that I was born as Mary, not Mark," I wept.

"Any time, Chickadee, Now look at me, please," he said with a chuckle.

He was now wearing a red bodysuit with yellow trim, boots and waistband with my lightning bolt and cape.

"You look funny in those thermals,"" I laughed.

"No, Mary. For us to fly to my Special place, I had to dress like you. But I simply REFUSE to wear a dress. Besides, I think that I look sexy like this," he chuckled as he jogged around me.

Courtesy Of D.C. Comics

"Okay, Unc. How do we get there?"

"Follow me," he said as he flew up into the sky.

I flew up next to him, "Okay, now what?"

"Touch your amulet,"

I did and the next thing that I knew was that we were ABOVE an asteroid that looked like the Lonely Mountain from the Hobbit.

"BUT I THOUGHT THAT I COULDN'T GO BEYOND THE ATMOSPHERE!"

"Normally, you can't. But as Mother Gaea's Guardian, you have access to the Rock Of Eternity in the Center of the Universe where I has High Priest to Mother Gaea keep guard against some of the most terrible fallen angels in Creation," he sighed.

"You mean that the Bible is for real?"

"About the history of Israel and birth of the Church and End Times, yes. But religion has corrupted the Message of Love in the Bible."

"Does that mean that Mother Gaea is God?"

"The FEMALE aspect of God, yes."

"WOW! I WAS CHOSEN BY GOD," I said in an awed whisper.

"Yes you were, Red Thunder. Now look around you. What do you see?"

"I see a living green planet with a Green Lantern symbol on it and a desolate world."

"That green planet is the Green Lantern planet Mogo, and the desolate planet is Oa. Home of the GUARDIANS OF THE UNIVERSE, AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS.

"I bet that Jade'd love to be here."

"I can only bring one of Mother Gaea's Guardians or Champion," he sighed.

"Too bad. Why are they here as well as this place?"

"Only Mogo was moved here from the system that the Star Heart destroyed. The Green Lantern melded with the planet, giving life again."

"Why is he here, then?

"He came here because he knew that as a planet, he would cause great harm to another living planet. Now all Green Lanterns who are sick or want a vacation may go to Mogo."

"That's cool. Will I ever get to go to either planet?"

"Yes, once you receive one of Jade’s Rings, your Blessings will allow you to travel to either planet as the Ring will then be able to generate an aura that protects you while in this system."

"That also includes flight?"

"Yes, but you MUST come to the ROCK OF ETERNITY , first."

"Unca Dudley, can they see us?"

"I suppose that they can if they ever think to look this way. Why do you ask?"

"Because I see a bunch of green lights heading to Oa, and focusing on a few, I see Lanterns of many species that are hurt. SHIT!"

"WHAT?"

"I see TWO human Lanterns! A blond guy with a Bowl hair cut and a black man as well."

"Best get in before they see us. If there's been a battle, the Guardians will not like us being here."

[-][+][-]

---

To Be Continued In Red Thunder-3

Synopsis:When Billie Tells his sister Mary about being Queen Thunder, she knows that she is also chosen and becomes the fiery Red Thunder.

[-][+][-]
We went into the Rock via a natural cave that went up until it expanded into a large cavern with stylized statues of the SEVEN DEADLY SINS that had plagued Man since the DAWN OF TIME On the opposing wall was the SEVEN DEADLY PLAGUES, yet surrounding a white throne were the SEVEN VIRTUES

Uncle Dudley, now wearing his white robes, went up to the throne and bowed, "Mother Gaea, Father Time, your most humble servant wishes to present to you my adopted niece, Mary Batson."

I heard a deep, male voice,YOU HAVE DONE WELL, HIGH PRIEST. YOU HAVE GIVEN US MOTHER GAEA'S CHAMPION AND THE GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME. BUT SHE IS NOT YET READY TO FACE HER FOE.

"WAIT A MINUTE! I AM RIGHT HERE! DON'T YOU DARE THINK THAT YOU CAN ACT AS IF I AM NOT HERE." I exclaimed.

GOOD, YOU DO HAVE THE FIRE WITHIN. BUT THY FOE IS BEYOND YOU AT THIS TIME.

"Who is my foe, Sivana?"

NAY. THY FOE COMES FROM CORRUPTION. THY FOE CAN HARM THEE IF THOU HOLDS ANGER IN THY HEART.

"But that's hard for me to do since I tend to let my anger go in a fight," I sighed.

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT.

"You mean that Righteous Anger is Okay?"

RIGHTEOUS ANGER IS THY STRENGTH, ANGER IS YOUR WEAKNESS.

"I am scared that I may hurt others or cause them to be hurt if I face this enemy," I sighed.

THY SISTER DID FACE A GREAT FOE WHOSE CORRUPTION LED TO HER BATTLING HER OWN IDENTITY. ONCE SHE ACCEPTED WHO SHE WAS, SHE NO LONGER WORRIED ABOUT HER GARB.

Now I know what Billie went through battling Sivana. Can I do any less?

THOU CAN ONLY DO AS THY SOUL ALLOWS. FEAR NOT FAILURE AND THOU SHALT DEFEAT THY FOE.

"You read my mind!"

HERE, ALL THOUGHTS ARE KNOWN TO ME. I SEE THAT THOU HAST A WISH CONCERNING ME.

"Yeah! I can comprehend what you say about me, but can you please stop talking like you're from the past? Can't you speak in colloquial terms?"

I SEE THAT YOU PREFER THIS. VERY WELL, RED THUNDER, I SHALL SPEAK IN COLLOQUIAL ENGLISH.

Father Time was having fun. "Had a good laugh, Father Time?"

YES. SO SELDOM DOES THE HIGH PRIEST BRING AN ACOLYTE HERE THAT I GET LONELY.

"Father Time, an acolyte MUST be worthy of receiving Mother Gaea's Blessing. Would you have me to bring in the UNWORTHY ?" asked Uncle Dudley.

THERE ARE NEW CHAMPIONS ON EARTH THAT QUALIFY.

"Due to a META-GENE, Does that make them worthy?"

WHAT OF YOU RUNNING AROUND DRESSED LIKE RED THUNDER?

Courtesy Of D.C. Comics.

"I wear a red bodysuit, NOT A DRESS AS MARY DOES! DO NOT IMPLY THAT I DO!

I heard a chuckle,IT IS VERY GOOD THAT YOU STAND YOUR GROUND WITH ME, HIGH PRIEST. MOTHER GAEA CHOSE WELL.

"I have a question, Father Time."

SPEAK YOUR QUESTION, RED THUNDER.

"How far does Mother Gaea's influence extend?"

MOTHER GAEA AND I RUN CREATION.

"What about God?"

WE ARE ASPECTS OF THE MAKER.

"Then why rely upon Guardians and a Champion?"

AVATARS ARE CHOSEN TO BATTLE THE AVATARS OF CORRUPTION TO GIVE MORTALS A WAY TO SERVE WHOSE SOUL CALLS FOR MORE.

"You mean that I was Called to be Red Thunder?"

YES, JUST AS JADE WAS CALLED UPON TO BECOME GREEN LANTERN AND THE META-GENE HAS GIVEN THE EARTH NEW GUARDIANS.

"And you still believe that these Guardians will one day be worthy to come here?"

ONLY THE HIGH PRIEST CAN TELL IF THEY ARE WORTHY.

"That's good, because I fear this upcoming battle," I sighed.

WHAT IS YOUR FEAR?

"I fear that my foe will cause me to return to my original male form."

FEAR NOT, GUARDIAN. YOU SHALL FOREVER BE MARY BATSON. MOTHER GAEA COMMANDS IT.

"Then I need not worry that I will revert to my male form."

THE CORRUPTION THAT CAUSED YOU TO BE BORN WRONG HAS BEEN HEALED.

I bowed to the Throne, "Thank You."

GO NOW, AND BE OUR GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME.

"OUR?"

MOTHER GAEA AND FATHER TIME ARE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF GOD.

[-][+][-]
I found myself back home as myself, the Red Thunder costume was missing. 'It must have been a dream.'

NO DREAM MY GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME.

"Mother Gaea?"

YES, MY CHILD

How do I get ready for the battle?"

GO ON PATROL, HELP OTHERS. TO LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR BLESSINGS. BUT IN TIME, YOUR FOE WILL STRIKE.

"ANY IDEA OF WHO THE FOE IS?]

ONLY THAT IT IS A CORRUPTION OF GOOD MAGIC.

"Then I should be able to call upon the GOODNESS in my foe."

NAY! THE CORRUPTION IS COMPLETE. ONLY PURE GOOD MAGIC MAY HEAL IT AFTER THE EVIL IS VANQUISHED.

"Okay, guess it's time to patrol."

I touched my amulet and became Red Thunder. Looking in the mirror, I could see why Billie had had trouble with Sivana looking up her skirt. As cheerleaders, we were use to the public seeing our bloomers as we did our moves. But to have a man to try to score on you when you weren't interested was something else, entirely.

Now me, I didn't have the hang up that Billie did. I'd had boyfriends try to get fresh, only to find that I had either maced them or used a bit of Judo. So far, none had thought about trying my tricks on me. Now I know that it was thanks to Mother Gaea looking out for me. As I took to the air, I saw Uncle Dudley sunning himself by the pool. He might have a bit of a belly, but he's got Spiderman's Blessings, but isn't into the Hero business.

No, he much preferred the academic life as a Professor Emeritus in charge of Archeology and Mythology, farming out his duties to his deputies. Uncle Dudley does teach a class in building ancient monuments the way that the ancients did. That is a fun class sought out by architect students as well as building construction students.

[-][+][-]
As I near the Fawcett City Trust, I see a big black armored truck stop and twelve men wearing black armor head into the hole in the wall that wasn't there, before. I made sure that only the getaway driver was in the truck before I melted it with a touch. The driver got out in plenty of time and skedaddled down the alley. I stepped in through the hole and began trouncing the goons, finding that I am a tough as Billie. It's just that instead of strength, I have Mastery of the Flame.

The police came up by that time and seeing me, called out, "Queen Thunder! Thanks for the assist."

I went over to Officer O'Hara, "Kelly, I am not Queen Thunder. She wears a white dress."

"Glory be. Then who are ya'?"

I am her sister, Red Thunder," I say as I fly away.

I land upon Fawcett City Museum where I find Professor William Omaha McElroy sitting in the roof veranda. This is most definitely strange.

"Professor? why are you up here?"

"Waiting for you, Dear," he laughed, evilly.

I flew up as he lifted out a shard of green jade shaped like fire hanging around his neck and touched it. The next instant, the tiny man was morphed into a seven foot brute wearing black tights with his black hair cut Mohawk style.

"Who are you?"

"I AM IBAC."

"Should I be impressed?"

"YOU SHALL DIE AT MY HANDS," he threatened as he leapt up to me.

I dodged his attack, but he succeeded in clipping my left leg, spinning me out of control into the veranda. My leg hurt where he'd touched me, then the pain went away. Looking at the leg, I saw a leg distorted by fire being healed.

"You'll have to do better than that," I taunted as I hit him with a double punch.

Ibac went sailing into Fawcett Reservoir, making a splash that caused Fawcett Dam to overflow the sluice ways, sending a minor flood into Fawcett River.

I headed for the flood waters and dried it away so that only a minor surge hit the bridges.

GUARDIAN, CAREFUL OF THE INNOCENT.

"Trying, Mother Gaea. But this fellow throws me for a loop."

THEN WHO HE WAS BEFORE HIS CORRUPTION HAS MEANING FOR YOU.

"As a student, I have a crush on Professor William Omaha McElroy who became Ibac," I sighed.

YOU MUST DEFEAT IBAC TO FREE YOUR TEACHER FROM HIS CURSE.

[-][+][-]

---

To Be Continued In Red Thunder-4

Synopsis:When Billie Tells his sister Mary about being Queen Thunder, she knows that she is also chosen and becomes the fiery Red Thunder.

[-][+][-]
"Defeat Ibac, gotcha." I replied as I flew up to check on Ibac. But I need not have worried as he came bursting out of the dam, aimed right at me, "YOU'RE MINE!"

I got furious and punched him into an erupting Mount Saint Helen's, "YOU FIEND! WHO'S GOING TO REPAIR THE DAM?"

I jetted about at super speed, collecting the concrete shards and turning them into a molten mass that I placed into gaping hole that he'd made. Luckily, it was near the top, away from the generators, so there was no flooding.

By the time that I was through, he was back, having been thrown up by the volcano into a polar orbit that sent Ibac back to me from the south. He was mad with his skin red and tights and hair orange, leaving his eyes glowing green with a malevolent fire.

I waited until I could hear him holler, "IBAC WILL CRUSH YOU UNDER MY FEET! SCUM!"

I waited until I was over the deepest part of Fawcett Lake to double fist him, cracking the molten shell he was sporting, sending each half and him into the water, "Careful what you claim, Professor. I've had the upper hand in our get together. Want to tell me why you're after me?"

He came out of the water carrying the halves of the imprisoning shell that he'd been in. BOTH were filled with water, held in by a black magic field that was corrupting the water and life within.

"VERY WELL, RED THUNDER! WE WILL TALK WHILE MY CREATION GELS AND COMES TO LIFE," he laughed.

"What is the purpose of the automaton?"

"SIMPLE, AMAZO WILL BE ABLE TO COPY ANY POWER THAT HE IS HIT WITH AS WELL AS COPY AND OR ABSORB THE POWER, ABILITIES AND MIND OF ANY ATTACKER."

"Leading to their deaths."

"ONLY IF THE BODY IS ABSORBED OR DESTROYED. THE ATTACKER WILL RECOVER, BUT WILL BE DEPOWERED AND STAY SO UNTIL THEY CAN FIND A WAY TO POWER UP."

"Very well. Where will you place AMAZO?"

He slammed the halves together with such a force that it sounded like thunder, "I AM PLACING HIM BACK IN THE VOLCANO, RED. TOO BAD YOU ARE NO LONGER THUNDER." he laughed as he flew away.

I had been forcibly transformed into my mortal form and was plummeting to my death via drowning. So, I touched my amulet and became Red Thunder again. I was bushed, so I landed where Ibac had first appeared. Landing, I saw Uncle Dudley come running up to me in his red bodysuit.

Courtesy Of D.C. Comics.
"That Ibac sure did a number upon you, Mary."

"I know," I sighed. "How did he cause me to revert?"

"He has learned how to tap into his power source. But now that he's done it, he can't do it again," he affirmed.

"Does he know that?"

"No, that's when he'll get a MOST UNPLEASANT SURPRISE when he tries it again," Uncle Dudley laughed as he faded away.

I looked up and saw Ibac flying back, landing by me, "I SEE THAT YOU SURVIVED MY LITTLE SURPRISE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW, RED THUNDER?"

"Okay, Professor. How did you become Ibac?"

"Simple, A shard of the Star Heart Crystal was found and Lex Luthor used his connections with S.T.A.R. Labs to harness it's awesome magical energies."

"But according to Alena Scott, it should have some sentience. How was it convinced to be used to power you up?"

"The shard has power, but no mind to guide it."

"Then how was it corrupted?"

"Luthor himself had probes attached to it so that he himself could control it's power and make it ready to power me."

"Is Luther some sort of psychic?"

"No, but he does have a meta-gene that gives him psionic immunity and psionic domination of magic or psionic based equipment such as the Star Heart or Jade's Green Lantern Ring."

"That means that he can take over the Sorceress Supreme and Phoenix!"

"No, he can take control of the rings of Alena and Jade as well as any ring that Jade hands out if the owner is out cold. But he can't control their minds."

"How do you know this?"

"Simple, he tried to control mine before he gave me the shard."

"Then why did you accept becoming Ibac, and why are you named Ibac?"

"I will tell you about my name first. I am empowered by four of the most evil and terrifying men to ever lived: Ivan the Terrible, supplies me with Terror, Cesare Borgia gives me Cunning, Attila the Hun gives me Fierceness, and Caligula supplies me with Cruelty"

"But those are mortals, NOT deities, angels or demons."

"Just as you are empowered by deities from your pantheon, I am empowered by mine of evil from those who have served evil in the past,."

"Does Luthor fathom what you are?"

"He knows and approves, having set himself up as a counter to your High Priest, but does so as the Business Executive that he is."

"So, that is how he got to you."

"Luthor made me an offer that I couldn't refuse, now I have full access to Egypt's many secrets from the past, including the fact on how you gained your power."

"Oh?"

"Your High Priest has lived since the Dawn of Time. He has been the High Priest for Egypt, going back to its founding. For a time, he was active as you are now, then he found his first Champion in an Egyptian soldier who was soon corrupted and went from being Mighty Adam to being Black Adam."

"What happened to Black Adam?"

"He was confronted and when he saw what he'd done, Adam freely gave up his amulet. Now his descendants have inherited his mantle while he still serves as the High Priest's Sergeant-at-Arms."

"What?"

"There are many other worlds beside the Earth that host Life upon them like Earth does. Each of them have their own pantheon of Deities who serve your Mother Gaea as they in turn serve as that planet's Champion and Guardians as well as lead the populace in worshiping your God in whatever religion is manifested in that People's many cultures."

"Hold it. You mean to tell me that the Greek/Roman, Asgard, Egyptian, Hindu, Aztec/Mayan and all of the other pantheons are actually gods and goddesses who are supposed to serve God Himself?"

"Yes, your sister has met Apollo. Have you met any Deities?"

"The only possible deity other than Mother Gaea and Father Time has been the High Priest. Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity. I may be Ibac at the moment. But my curiosity as your Professor is still a part of who I am," he sighed.

He is beginning to regret accepting his offer from Luthor. That is a part of my ammunition to defeat Ibac and free the mortal from the monster. "Ibac, you know that I must fight you once this truce is over."

"That is true. What is your point?"

"Right now, you are the Professor, not the monster. Can you not fight the compulsion?"

"I AM IBAC THE TERRIBLE! NO ONE CAN DEFY ME!" he declared as he punched me into the ground.

I came rocketing up and caught him on the chin with a double fisted blow to his stomach, "Defy you, Ibac! I am trying to help you, you idiot!" he doubled over with a loud OOF as he was sent into the Gulf of Mexico.

I was about to go after him, but my arms were afire with pain from hitting him.GUARDIAN. NOW YOU FEEL THE PAIN OF YOUR WEAKNESS. UNTIL YOU DEFEAT IBAC, YOU WILL FEEL THAT PAIN, EVEN IN YOUR MORTAL FORM.

"Mother Gaea, What can I do?"

BE YOURSELF. THEN IBAC WILL FALTER.

"You mean for me to be your Guardian, or my mortal self?"

BOTH. IN BOTH FORMS, YOU ARE MY GUARDIAN.

"So, I stop defining myself as two different selves and see myself as one?"

YES. A HOUSE DIVIDED CAN NOT STAND.

I saw him jetting towards me with his fists held together to hit me with a jaw-jacker uppercut, "If that's the case, then it applies to him as well."

EXACTLY.

I drop kicked him as he neared, forcing the air out of his lungs that smelled like brimstone, "Brush your teeth, Professor! You have bad breath!" I taunted as he went plummeting into the water again.

I saw that my yellow boots were stained by my drop kick and my hosed legs looked like I had been mud wrestling. This is WAY too much! Time to end this.

Ibac came hurtling back up, screaming, "I AM IBAC! NOT PROFESSOR!"

As he neared me, I danced away and snatched away the green glowing amulet that stopped glowing and became a piece of green metal, "WRONG! You ARE both! I have just defeated you, Ibac."

He plummeted down, I was ready to save the now reverted Professor, but a flying sub shaped like a manta ray minus the tail captured him in an anti-gravity beam and rocketed away at supersonic speed who's sonic backwash sent me falling into the water.

[-][+][-]
But instead of splashing, I found that I was engulfed in a radiant green glow, "Easy there, Hero. I've got you safe and sound."

I looked towards the voice and saw a girl wearing a green leotard, and thigh high boots, "Alena Scott, I presume."

In the next instant, I felt the green glow engulf me, then fade, leaving me inside what looked to be a nifty star ship," Yes, I am Alena. And welcome to Jade's ship."

"Thanks. My sister Queen Thunder said that she met Jade who gave her a ring. Nice to meet you."

"Thanks, Jade would have done the honors of meeting you, but I need to since you have a piece of the Star Heart."

I passed it over and it changed color as the corruption left it as it glowed white, then a healthy green that matched her aura, "Glad to help, Alena, but I thought that Jade had to allow access to her ship."

I saw Jade approach, smiling, "You're right. But I wanted to honor Alena and the Star Heart by giving them time to meet you since you retrieved the shard."

STAR HEART THANKS YOU, GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME.

"You're all welcome. But could you help me by healing me of battle damage?"

Jade produced a mirror that showed that my costume was whole, "No need, Red Thunder. Are you in pain?"

Then it hit me, "HOLEY MOLEY! I haven't been in pain since I snatched the shard!"

Jade smiled as the mirror faded away, "Thought so. I didn't get any unhealthy vibes from you"

"Can you sense me down there like Alena did?"

I AND THE STAR HEART CAN SEE THE ENERGY OF YOU AND YOUR SISTER.

"THAT was my ring. It can be a bit smug, about itself, but it only speaks if it likes you," admitted Jade.

"Thanks. I'm feeling tired right now."

Jade handed me a copy of her Ring. Here, I only give these to those who want to join with me in protecting the Earth. Want to join?"

I took the ring and placed it on my right middle finger, opposite my Fawcett High School ring, "I accept."

Next thing I knew I was back home, next to the pool, "Then rest, Mary, sister of Billie and know that you have friends you can call upon who wear the ring."

"Thanks," I responded and went to my room and slept as my new ring spoke to me as I dreamed pleasant dreams.
To Be Continued In Blue Thunder

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Finis