James or “The Amazing Callahan.” had just finished his last show of the day. It was a hell of a show and the debut of his newest trick “The Disassembled Man” went over better than he hoped. Now he sat in his penthouse suite on top the Vegas Casino he made so much money for with his magic act.<br/><br/>He hadn’t bothered to change from the traditional stage magicians clothes that he wore for his show tuxedo, cape, bow tie, and dress shoes. He actually found them quite comfortable and found himself doing what he was doing tonight, many a night wearing them as he “wound down” for the evening and got ready for bed. Sitting in front of the TV James ate his dinner and watched one of his favorite movies on one of the local TV networks.<br/><br/>Of course his movie would come to a stop when the news interrupted his program to go to a live feed from Paris of the battle between Starman and the Iron General. At least it was entertaining these things always were. Even if the end was predictable, the Iron General was toast. Yet it would provide a good show while he ate.<br/><br/>“Damn, time for another drink.” James said as he got up and set his plate down and made his way to the kitchen. Walking by a lavish dining room table James tried to remember the last time he used that damn thing; maybe he could replace it with a work station for his magic act. He poured himself a drink of water and returned to the living room. On his way back however he noticed that now on top of the dining room table sat a book with an ancient inscription on it. To the untrained eye it would look like a bunch of squiggle lines but to James it read “The Book of Ages.” He stood there staring at the book trying to figure out where the hell it had come from. Finally he set down his drink and took the book to the living room and sat down with it in front of the TV.<br/><br/>Half watching the battle between the two legends James found he more interested in this ancient book. It was a book of magic unlike any he had ever read. His eyes darted from left to right only pausing to glance up at the TV or when he turned the page. The book had pictures and descriptions of things that couldn’t be true. Yet the book claimed it was and unlike many books of its type it felt real he could feel the truth in the words he read. Glancing up at the TV, James froze when he saw Iron General strike Starman down and move in for a killing blow. Putting the book aside James watched as what seemed impossible was about to happen but it didn’t happen. Before it could she arrived, and then another, and another, and another. Soon six were battling the Iron General. James turned his attention toward the book. The battle ensued while James read.<br/><br/>“This is interesting.” He said pausing as he looked at the book, and then the TV. “Vox Claix Don Sarni.”<br/><br/>The world felt as if it melted around him and then suddenly rose up around him. It was wet, he was no longer in Vegas but James knew where he was the land marks made it apparent. He was in Paris. Why Paris? Not only that but James now stood among the crowd watching the battle of the six versus the Iron General. Then a voice called out.<br/><br/>“He’s one of them!”<br/><br/>It took him an instant to realize they were talking about him. James could understand their confusion after all he was dressed kind of different for this kind of thing. The crowd gathered around him and he was shook his head.<br/><br/>“No, no.. I’m not a hero…” he said “Just your average magician. Want to see a trick?”<br/><br/>A nearby child stood out from the crowd and pointed at him “Then why the mask on your face? All heroes wear masks!”<br/><br/>James didn’t know what they were talking about. He reached his white gloved hands up to his face and to his surprise he had one on. It was only when he touched the mask did he realize what the magic words he said back as his apartment had done. They gave him power, magic power, and in an instant it all made sense. He looked at the crowd and bowed to them tipping his top hat.<br/><br/>“Ladies and Gentlemen… for I The Magnificent…” he paused knowing he couldn’t use his real name. So he used the first name that popped into his head “Xantos.” He said and then added “For I the Magnificent Xantos, have come to join the fray and to destroy the evil that is the Iron General!”<br/><br/>He parted the crowd and walked toward the battleground. The police and military parting for him as he made his way toward his destiny toward the six and the Iron General. Xantos walked by the two ladies the first he saw used some device earlier on the TV, the other was trying to generate some energy. He tipped his top hat to them “Ladies.” He said as he continued on his path. Now he stood a great deal between two of the many men holding weapons and before him the Iron General. The man was far more fearsome in real life then on TV. Even now after all this battling his suit still looked like a walking tank and though it was damaged it was dangerous. Perhaps more dangerous than ever before and he intended to help put an end to that.<br/><br/>He took hold of his wand and held it up high in the sky. Not sure what to do he thought for a moment and then Xantos had an idea. He began to twirl the wand in the air and as he did the rain seemed to  follow his lead twirling in the air with him.<br/><br/>“Good but we can do so much better.” He said aloud<br/><br/>With a flick of his wand the torrent of water took the shape of a Chinese Dragon, growing and growling, until it was taller than any of the nearby buildings.<br/><br/>“Now…”<br/><br/>He summoned the dragon to attack the creature turned on the Iron General and hissed. Than the torrent of water crashed with the force of a typhoon into the man’s armor driving him down to the ground. Though it was only water the sheer force of it seemed to hit the suit nearly as hard as anything else.<br/><br/>Xantos was tempted to take a bow to the crowd who watched in awe as he lowered his wand. For a few seconds his attack seemed to work. Iron General was down his armor looked like it had got hit with a very powerful pressure hose, and even looked like he wasn’t getting up. That was the problem though, he was getting up. When Xantos heard this he began to summon up another torrent of water but the Iron General took aim on him and opened fire.<br/><br/>“CRAP!”<br/><br/>He said and waved his wand just in time to deflect the shot. He kept waving his wand deflecting all that was thrown at him. With a tip of his wand Xantos teleported to nearby cover behind one of the many vehicles that littered the battlefield.<br/><br/>“Perhaps its time for a new strategy.” He said as he tried to think something up.<br/>