A YJA Moment - Jack the Pumpkin King

The holidays have power.  Real power.

The more a holiday is observed and revered, the more power it possesses.  Though cultures around the world often worship the seasons differently, the most powerful of their representatives were the Ostara, Freyr, Autumnus, and Marzanna.

The fall of the Roman Empire ended the reign of Autumnus as the embodiment of the fall.  Without worshipers and festivals to empower him, he was defenseless against the might of the embodiment of the Celtic holiday Samhain.  Drawing forth the power of the season, the spirit took physical form, becoming known as Lord Pumpkin or simply Samhain.

For many centuries Lord Pumpkin was the harbinger of All Hallows Eve.  When the night came on that fateful day, his minions would embark on a grandiose scheme to conquer the world.  Each night someone from the living world would be there to stop him, whether it be a Spirit of Vengence, a gathering of occult superheroes, or a young chosen one.  Defeated he should slink back to the shadows awaiting the next night.

Then in 1986 something unexpected happened.  Instead of a group of wizards or magically-empowered defenders, Samhain was opposed by a group of capitalistic paranormal investigators, who brought their technological gadgets to bear on the Lord of Halloween.  Caught in the beams of their unlicensed nuclear accelerators, he was contained in their spectral prison within a disused firehouse in Tribeca, New York City.

With the loss of a host, the Spirit of Autumn went on the hunt for a new host.  The usual suitors - a collection of powerful ghosts, entities, and fallen gods - attempted to gain possession of the Spirit, but it rejected them all.  In the end, it was a Reaper that would gain the right to become the new Lord of Halloween.

Who Jack was before his exaltation is not known.  He was a psychopomp who was in charge of ferrying the souls to the various Kingdoms of the Dead.  After the end of the Third World, it was up to the various remaining death spirits to ensure that the right domains after the past and Jack was one of the most powerful.

Able to temporarily shrug off the bonds of fate the forced him into this role, Jack traveled the world and marveled at how the living feared death almost every day of the year, only to nearly worship it on Halloween.  It was this fascination that drew the Spirit of Autumn to him and granted him the title of the Pumpkin King.

Originally revealing himself as the Grim Reaper, Jack has elevated the holiday to new heights.  Although he commands with an iron, boney fist, he has lacked the stubbornness that his predecessor Samhain was known for.  Willing to update with the times, he allowed his subjects to adopt whatever cultural icons they wished, as long as the result instilled fear.

Jack himself has shed his Reaper persona of late, adopting an internet meme as his visual appearance.  He now appears as a tall, skeletal-thin man in a dark suit with a nearly featureless face.  Even when one glimpses his visage, they see that his eyes and mouth are stitched shut in a bemused grin.

Last Halloween, Jack nearly met final death at the hands of the lion Scar.  Having been inadvertently rescued by the Mythic Avengers has made him more cautious.  However, can anyone be cautious enough to deal with the reality of being displaced by the new Lord of Time, Kang the Conqueror?

A YJA Moment - The Time Stone

Charles Clarence "C.C." Batson was chosen by the Wizard Shazam to become the hero, Captain Marvel.  Though he possessed the heart of a champion, he struggled in his role as a hero.  It was hard to juggle the needs of Marvel and that of his family.  His wife Marilyn and his twins needed him to help deal with the and the bills that were piling up. He didn't feel worthy of the power and responsibility that was given to him.

After years of getting by, he found himself recruited by an honest-to-goodness alien, who needed his help fighting a war on another world.  He reluctantly agreed and helped the other members of the Infinity Watch defeat Mumm-Ra and unite the Infinity Stones.  After the battle, Leo the ThunderCat asked each member to take an Infinity Stone for safe-keeping.  C.C. was given the Time Stone.

Touching the Time Stone filled his mind with knowledge of the future and the past.  He discovered that his struggles with being Captain Marvel were because he was never meant to be Captain Marvel.  Someone had fundamentally changed the past, which resulted in a myriad of anomalies to occur throughout history.  He also saw that because of this, his future would be devastating - Black Adam would kill him in front of his wife and children, who would forever be scarred by the event.

In his visions, he also saw another terrible fate, one that would be bestowed on the universe if this purple alien named Thanos ever possessed the stone. Knowing he could never hide the Stone where it couldn't be found, he asked the Time Stone to take himself and his wife to random points in time, to make sure no one would be able to find them.  

Before he left, however, he knew he had to correct history.  He was never meant to be Captain Marvel but his children were.  That could only happen if Billy and Mary were orphans.  Using the Silver Surfer's Mind Stone, they erased the existence of Captain Marvel from the minds of everyone on Earth, even the Wizard Shazam himself.

The Batson's were conflicted. Marilyn was heart-broken that their children would grow up without their parents - Billy's life, in particular, would be very hard.  C.C. consoled her with the fact that both of them would persevere and become great heroes in the future, and though this time-line was not ideal, it was far better than the alternate future he had been shown.

In the period since their exile, the Batson's have had many adventures.  The same Crisis that had made him Captain Marvel also had created a host of temporal anomalies that needed to be repaired.  This included rescuing Kentauride's "sister" from the destruction of an alternate Themyscira from the rampage of the god Ares.  Unexpectantly the came across Thanos and nearly lost the Time Stone to the Mad Titan, but managed to escape when he became overcome from the visions it bestowed on him.

However, they didn't realize that there was a means to track their movements, through an arcane mathematical equation known as the Five-Fold Understanding.  In their last time jump was in 1955, they were confronted by the mad scientist Sir Isaac Newton who was intent on getting the stone.  He was aided by Leonardo Da Vinci himself, who helped the Batson's defeat Newton and remain in possession of the Time Stone.

Thankful, they allowed the stone to send them to times unknown again.  This time they have arrived in 2021, a time further forward than they have ever gone.  Marilyn has shown to be quite curious about the future, but C.C. remains uneasy.  There is something about this time period that Captain Marvel knows will change their lives.

A YJA Moment - The Brotherhood of the Eye

One is aware of the many organizations that keep the world safe from the myriad of threats in the galaxy.  S.H.I.E.L.D. is the largest and most powerful of these, but there are many groups who safeguard their cities and countries.  Likewise, there have been those in the past who formed secret societies that strived to keep the established order from falling into ruin.  The greatest of these was The Brotherhood of the Eye.

The Order began in 2620 B.C.E. when the Egyptian chancellor Imhotep was visited by the Man of Storms, a strange cloaked man who bestowed on the hero foreknowledge of a great alien invasion by the insectoid species known as The Brood. Gathering the great heroes of their time, including The Black Panther of ancient Wakanda, En Sabah Nur the future Apocalypse, the Fist of Khonshu, the Sorcerer-Supreme Nabu, and Teth-Adam of Khandaq.

Victorious, all the great heroes disbursed except Imhotep himself, who gathered to his side exceptional humans to form a secret society.  Working from the shadows, they would be the eye of the storm, creating a pocket of calmness and serenity in a chaotic and dangerous universe.  They would be the Brotherhood of the Eye.

Throughout history, the Brotherhood gathered the most learned and exceptional people to its ranks.  Most of these were unsung pioneers, but a few like Galileo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Sir Isaac Newton had public fame and recognition.  Besides defending humanity, the Brotherhood sought a means of contacting the Man of Storms, who had appeared in numerous locations since ancient Egypt.

When Sir Issac Newton joined the order, he obsessively pursued the legend of the Man of Storms.  In his research, he discovered the existence of the Five-Fold Understanding, the arcane mathematical model that would allow someone to track the movements of the Man of Storms.  Ruthlessly he traveled the world to gain access to knowledge he was seeking.

He ransacked the records of the Brotherhood to discover the Greater Science; Burned down the Deviant city of Ashomia to gain the Hidden Arts;  Tortured the seer Nostradamus to gain access to the Secret Alchemy, which allowed him to create the live-extending Elixir of Life.  The calmness gained through the Elixir allowed him to discover the Quiet Math and through that, the Silent Truth was revealed.

The Silent Truth was meant to determine an exact timetable for the Man of Storms.  Each location and date laid before Newton, but he would have to deal with a long-standing thorn in his side first - Leonardo Da Vinci.  The great inventor and adventurer still lived and opposed Newton's crusade.  Their ages-long conflict had ended the Brotherhood of the Eye and ultimately led to the defeat of Newton himself.

Defeated, Leonardo took the Quiet Truth and safeguarded it for many years, until the modern-day.  Newton, on the other hand, continued to scheme in order to get the Understanding Returned, turning to then Secretary-General Lex Luthor.  Luthor aided Newton in capturing Da Vinci, but then betrayed them both, imprisoning both of them within his Project: Genesis facility.

A YJA Moment - Weapons of Known Space (Part I)

There are a myriad of weapons in use by the various species in Known Space.  In fact, it would nearly be impossible to catalog every category of weapon as each planet's development and resources tie indirectly into the type of devices they arm their soldiers with.  However, there are some technologies that have come into common use by various empires and galactic sectors.

The most common weapons technology in use are Blasters, which fires bursts of particle energy at their target.  In use for many centuries, they rose to prominence during the Old Republic era when they became the standard weapon of the Grand Army of the Republic.  In that era, BlasTech was the primary manufacturer of Blasters, gaining an almost monopoly over the technology.

Even though BlasTech dominance was shattered after the Clone Wars and the end of the Galactic Empire, blaster technology still remains in common use throughout Known Space.  This is in no small part to the surplus of Republic and Imperial weapons on the open market, as well as new weapons shipped from the Corporate Sector.

Developed from Blasters by the Vulcans, Disruptors fire a concentration of particle beam energy.  At lower settings, these do damage similar to other energy weapons, but on high settings, the beam can disrupt the nuclear bonds between atoms, literally disintegrating their target. This has caused them to be known as Disintegrators by the Bounty Hunters Guild.

Though starting with the Vulcans, the technology was stolen and reversed-engineered by Romulan agents that had infiltrated the High Command.  The Romulan Star Empire then sold the technology to the Andorians in order to help them with their conflict with the Vulcans.  In retaliation, the High Command supplied weapons to the Klingon Empire to aid them against the Star Empire.

Though energy weapons are in great supply, many governments such as the Nova Empire still rely on advanced, but older projectile-based weapons.  Although these weapons employ explosive-tipped, caseless rounds, the technology is fundamentally indistinguishable from those employed in backwater planets such as Earth.  There is a tactical advantage to suing "Guns" in conflict as they are cheaper to purchase and maintain, and often defensive measures are focused more on energy weapons than those utilizing projectiles. 

A YJA Moment - The Hellfire Club

A good portion of the world believes that Metahumans are a more recent occurrence.  Though the larger presence of catalysts like radiation and chemicals has increased the number of exhibiting mutations, Gifted individuals have existed since humanity began and so have metahuman-centric societies.  Most of these have been created to keep Metahumans safe and away from those who would harm them. 

There have been, however, groups that were not interested in hiding their talents.  Their purpose was to enable metahumans to reach their full potential in personal power, influence, and wealth.  While most of these have long passed away, the most successful of these continues to the present day.  They are known as the Secret Society for Witchblood Supremacy, otherwise called The Hellfire Club.

The first incarnation of the Society is not known, but it is believed to have predated its first public appearance in the 19th century.  Fashioned after the infamous clubs for high-society rakes, this "Hellfire Club" positioned itself as only allowing the most exceptional individuals to join.  Using various means, the leadership of the Club would ascertain if this person was "Witchblooded", their term for a Metahuman, with those passing the test being offered a position in its ranks.

After being initiated, the Witchblood was given access to some of the richest and most powerful Gifted families in the world.  Opportunities were abundant but only the most ruthless and talented socialite can rise past a comfortable living and into the ranks of the powerful elite families such as the Frosts and Shaws.  There is one ironclad rule: the exploit the "Weakbloods" as you wish, but avoid messing with a fellow Gifted and NEVER act openly against a fellow Club member.

Leadership in the Hellfire Club is carried out by the Inner Circle, who are made up of the most prominent members of the most powerful families within the society.  Their titles are derived from Chess, such as Black King or White Queen. The Circle's positions are hereditary, passing to the eldest of each of the council's elite families.  The only way for someone to be elevated to the council is by deposing one of the other families.

The Hellfire Club thrived until a few years ago, during what was known as the Phoenix Incident.  Marvel Girl Jean Grey was exposed to Negative Zone radiation during an X-Men mission in orbit and as a result, found her telepathy and telekinesis amplified to god-like levels.  Sebastian Shaw, the Black King at the time, saw an opportunity to use Grey for the Inner Council's benefit.

The attempt backfired, gaining the attention of the rest of the X-Men.  Although the powerful illusionist Jason Wyngarde, known as Mastermind managed to deceive Jean, they underestimated her relationship with Scott Summers, who pulled her out of the deception.  Cyclops, Professor X, and the rest of the members of the Xavier Academy rescued Marvel Girl and directly engaged the Hellfire Club.

In an effort to gain revenge for previous actions of the Inner Circle against her family, the White Queen Emma Frost betrayed the Hellfire Club, allowing the X-Men to utterly defeat them and eliminate several council members.  The remaining members fled their headquarters, their influence network greatly diminished.

Though Shaw continues to rule over the Club, it is a shadow of its former self.  The old families are gone and with them, the influence and prestige they brought with them.  Some of the new members do show promise - the new Black Queen Selene is an immortal metahuman with years of experience and a wide variety of unique contacts.  In the near future, the Hellfire Club could rise again. 

A YJA Moment - The First Infinity Guantlet

 Long before Thanos forged his begun his crusade for the Infinity Stones, there was another powerful force that attempted to unite the stones and elevate themselves to godhood.  A force that came from an outer rim world known only as Triterra.

Many great civilizations rose and fell upon Triterra - some possessing great technology, others skilled in the arcane arts.  They uplifted animals into humanoid forms and attracted near-by aliens to immigrate.  By the time the Enshrouded One had come to power, the empire is in decline, which much of the population living in small settlements.

The Enshrouded One, the undead warlord known only to a few as Mumm-Ra, had been resurrected by the mysterious Ancient Spirits of Evil in order to complete the profane task of seeking out the Infinity Stones.  Forging the Gauntlet of Plun-darr, Mumm-Ra sent his elite force, the ThunderCats into the cosmos to collect them.

Leo, the leader of the ThunderCats realized that with the Stones and the Gauntlet the Enshrouded One would become a virtual god and no one would be able to stop him.  He set in motion a plan to collect a group of heroes to fight Mumm-Ra in secret, while the ThunderCats publicly sought out the stone.

In his travels, Leo recruited C.C. Batson, the original Captain Marvel; Emiya Shirou, the Crimson Archer;  Interstellar lawman Thad Bak, The Space Ghost; Noran Radd, the Silver Surfer; and GCPD officer Jim Corrigan, host to The Spectre.  

Leo and his secret allies managed to locate the Stones, taking them back to Triterra and using them to defeat the Enshrouded One and sealing him within his Black Pyramid fortress.  

Victorious, the team decided to protect the stones from anyone who tried to collect them.  Each taking a Stone, the heroes parted and spread out throughout Known Space.  Leo took possession of the Space Stone, mounting into the hilt of his weapon, turning it into what would be later known as the Sword of Omens.

A YJA Moment - O.M.A.C.

Developed by Lex Luthor and Checkmate, the Omnifunctional Metahuman Assault & Containment (or O.M.A.C.), were the next generation of the Sentinel systems.  The goal of the O.M.A.C. was to create an anti-metahuman system that could be transformed agents in the field, as opposed to separate constructs which would have to be separately

The original O.M.A.C. utilized pair of cybernetic and synthetic devices - a set of normal-appearing implants which would normally be used by the agent, and a combat array which were held in orbit on a satellite called Brother I.  During an emergency, the two sets of implants were switched via teleporter, upgrading the agent into an armored combat chassis with an adaptable array of weaponry.

The first test subject was a Blank, a simple-minded clone with rudimentary education created by Cadmus.  Scientists named this subject Buddy Blank and his experiences greatly influenced its development.  As the project advanced, new subjects were acquired, including civilians Michael Costner and Kevin Kho.

Though the research of Department K in Canada, Lex Luthor had obtained vital information regarding the alien Symbiotes such as those utilized by Venom and Carnage.  By integrating nano-technology with synthetic symbiotic technology, the new generation of O.M.A.C. no longer needed the Brother I - the systems would be stored within the agent's body, oozing out and transforming him into a full-fledged O.M.A.C.

O.M.A.C. of every generation had some common capabilities.  They were heavily armored and possess anti-gravity systems which allowed them to fly.  Their onboard sensors could scan all known light spectrums and they possessed the ability to detect meta-humans.  The ocular weapons system could fire a variety of energy blasts, adapting its frequency and properties based on the weaknesses of the opponent.

Because the O.M.A.C.s could only adapt to defeat powers they had experienced, Luthor set up Project: Genesis.  A multi-level secret prison, Luthor placed a variety of metahumans in detention, so they could repeatedly battle and be defeated by the O.M.A.C.s.  Luthor also sought to incarcerate those which he considered a threat, such as the immortal scientist Leonardo Da Vinci.

A YJA Moment - Deviants

The Eternals were members of sentient races which were uplifted by the fabled Celestials into powerful and immortal beings.  However, the process used by the Celestials did not always result in an Eternal, but caused a massive mutation in their cellular structure, creating individuals with a varied and sometimes hideous appearance.  The Eternals referred to these people as Deviants, but they themselves have called themselves the Changing People.

Though their mutations often gave them superhuman abilities, they lacked the cosmic-fuelled powers of the Eternals.  They often made up for this by using their hyper-intelligent members to create incredibly advanced technology.  Regardless, it was common for conflict to arise between Eternals and Deviants. Unfortunately in many cases, such as on Krypton and Titanos, this resulted in the Eternals wiping out all the Deviants.  I

On the Skrull homeworld, it was the Eternals who mysteriously perished, leaving the Deviants as the dominant lifeform on Skrullos.  The mutations would later stabilize, resulting in a separate species of shape-shifting aliens.  This species, now called the Skrulls, would eventually rise up against their normal counterparts and destroy them.

On Earth, a cold war existed between the two peoples.  Knowing they were unable to directly face the Eternals, the Deviant hid and indirectly attacked them through schemes and third parties.  From their base on Ashomia in Japan, they developed knowledge and technology that was centuries ahead of the rest of humanity.  Yet they refrained from acting against the populace, lest the Eternals intervene.

The end of the Deviants on Earth came in 1625 with the arrival of Sir Isaac Newton, scientist, and leader of a secret cabal of exceptional humans.  Seeking out a portion of what he called the Five-Fold Understanding, he stole the Book of the Hidden Arts from the Deviants and used advanced explosives to cover his theft.

Unexpectantly the blast disrupted the city's power grid, creating explosions and fire throughout the city.  Without the automated defenses to combat the blaze, the entire city to Ashomia burned to the ground.  The remains of the Deviant people were forced to flee into enclaves throughout the world, never to gather in such numbers again.