Chapter 88: How Marvelous

Damian's POV

"Alright class, we'll meet back here in five hours. Do not leave the museum and make sure you have a buddy with you at all times." My teacher stated as Colin grabbed my arm.

"Colin, let go of me."

"But, Damian. Mrs. Gleeson said we have to stay with our buddy." He replied as I shoved him off of me.

"And we will stay together." I replied as our group headed into the museum.

"Stop thief! Someone stop that kid!"

Colin and I sharply turned to find a boy running for his life as a street vendor chased after him.

"Come on!" I yelled, pursuing the criminal as Colin reluctantly followed.

"But, we're supposed to stay in the museum!" Colin pointed out as I ignored him.

"This way!" I yelled, ducking down an alley with Colin at my heels.

We slowed down as the thief disappeared into a condemned building that looked as if it were to crumble at any given moment.

"Keep quiet and follow my lead." I hissed as we crept over and peered inside.

The blonde looked to be about my age as he leaned up against the all out of breath. He slid to the floor and took two hotdogs out of his hoodie pocket.

"Billy!" the blonde shouted as a dark haired boy appeared.

He also looked to be around my age.

"Where did you get those hotdogs, Freddy?" the dark haired boy asked.

"I was hungry… and I thought-"

"You can't steal, Freddy! What if someone caught you! Do you want to go to jail!"

"No." the blonde whispered, looking at the floor. "I was hungry."

"I know. Look, we have to lay low. If he finds us-"

"You could take him! All you have to do is say-"

"No! I say it and he'll show up again! He'll kill you! He'll kill you just like he killed everyone else."

I felt Colin tugging at my uniform.

"Damian, we should help them." he insisted before boldly walking into the room.

I reluctantly followed as the dark haired boy pulled the blonde up and protectively moved in front of the blonde.

"What do you want?" he hissed.

"I'm Colin and this is Damian. We didn't mean to scare you guys. We just wanna help."

"We don't need help! Now get out!" The dark haired screamed.

"What's your name?" Colin calmly asked.

"Freddy and this is Billy." The blonde stated as the dark haired shot him a warning glance.

"Nice to meet you… Damian and I are both nine. How old are you guys?" Colin asked.

"I'm eight and Billy's ten." Freddy replied.

"Is someone trying to hurt you?" Colin asked.

Before Freddy could respond Billy shouted, "That's none of your beeswax! Now get out!" he screamed as dust poured from the rafters.

"Everyone out!" I yelled, grabbing Colin as the building began to shake.

We hadn't even made it hallway across the floor as the roof began to cave in. Suddenly I was lifted right off my feet and deposited a safe distance away from the crumpled building. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a costumed hero transform into a kid. Billy?

"How did you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"You transformed." Colin added softly as Billy shook his head.

"No I didn't. Come on, Freddy. We're leaving."

I quickly blocked their path. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me how you did that."

"You lookin for a fight?" he hissed as I scoffed.

Colin quickly stepped in-between us.

"Um, Billy? Can I show you something?" Colin asked as we turned to him.

"Colin don't!" I growled as he took a look around before ignoring me and transforming into Abuse.

Idiot! Do you understand the meaning of a secret identity?

He quickly changed back as the two stared at him in shock.

"What are you?" Billy asked as Colin shrugged.

"I'm like you… I can change too… You're not alone… Please, let us help you." Colin pleaded as Billy nodded.

"Okay."

*********Break********

"How was your field-" Pennyworth began before noticing that there were four of us in the car.

"Hello, Master Colin. Are you spending the night?"

"Mommy and Daddy said it was ok." Colin replied as Pennyworth nodded.

"Very well. Master Damian, who are your friends."

"This is Billy and Freddy. They're spending the night too… And AJ and Mia will also be coming over." I replied as he nodded.

"Very well."

Soon, we arrived home and Pennyworth drew me aside.

"Master Damian, those two boys, are they homeless?" he asked quietly as I nodded.

"I believe so." I softly replied as he nodded.

"I'll prepare a guest room and gather some old clothes." he replied as I nodded.

*********Break********

"The two of you may share this room."

I watched as they gazed at the room in amazement.

"There are clothes in the closet that you may change into. Dinner is in two hours. Make sure you are properly bathed and dressed before then." I said before exiting the room.

Upon entering my chambers, I could see Colin lounging on my bed. He sat up and said, "We should tell the who we are."

"You already did, Colin!" I snapped.

"Come on, Damian. Young Justice can help them."

"It's a secret identity for a reason!" I hissed.

"I don't think they'll tell anyone. Sometimes we have to put faith in others, Damian."

"I'll consider it… Mia and AJ will be arriving after dinner and then we shall find out why he can change his form."

*********Break********

"Damian?"

I looked up to see Father, Grayson, Todd, and Drake all wearing surprised expressions as they took their places at the table.

"This is Billy and Freddy. They are acquaintances of mine. This is my father, Bruce Wayne and those are my brothers, Richard Grayson, Jason Todd, and Timothy Drake."

"Holy shit! Damian has friends!" Todd exclaimed as I glared at him.

"Jason, be nice and watch your language." Father warned before asking, "Are the two of you brothers?"

"Well, we're foster brothers." Billy replied nervously as Father raised an eyebrow.

And that was all that was said on the subject.

*********Break********

Soon, Mia and AJ had arrived as the five of us sat on my bed. Freddy had already retired for the evening.

"Hi I'm Mia." She greeted and shook hands with Billy as my blood boiled.

How dare he!

"Very well, what we are about to tell you can never leave this room. You are being sworn to confidentiality." I stated before rising. "I am Robin. Mia is Speedy. Colin is Abuse. AJ is Aquababy-"

"It's Aquaboy! Aquaboy!" AJ yelled.

"Shut up, AJ! No one cares!" I yelled back. "Anyway, we are Young Justice and we want you to join us."

"Me?" he questioned as I nodded.

"I can't." he whispered, shaking his head.

Colin placed his hand on Billy's shoulder and said, "Billy, it's okay. We're your friends. We can help you."

"No. You can't." he replied.

"Please, tell us what happened." Mia said softly as he sighed.

"A couple of months ago, I got put into a new foster home. But, something happened to me one day. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true… I met a wizard. He gave me some sort of power and I became almost like Superman. It was awesome… until he came." Billy replied.

"Who came?" AJ asked.

"He had powers like I did. Said he was Black Adam. We fought and I was losing so I changed back and ran and then he found my foster family… He killed them. He murdered them and it's all my fault. Freddy and I are all that's left. That's why I can't help you. That's why I can't change. He'll find me and kill me and Freddy." Billy whispered before Colin hugged him.

"Then why did you change today? You transformed when the building collapsed. Colin and I saw you." I pointed out.

"It was a chance I had to take. Everyone would have died if I hadn't of done something."

"How do you change?" I asked.

"All I have to do is say one word… Can I go to bed now?" he whispered as I nodded.

"You are dismissed." I replied before he left the room.

Seconds later, a scream came from down the hall. We rushed towards the sound and found Billy staring in horror at an empty bed with a black lightning bolt carved into it.

"He took Freddy. He took my little brother." he whispered in horror before screaming in rage.

"Billy, calm down. We'll help you get your brother back." Mia promised.

"How?" he whispered.

********Break********

"What is this place?" Billy asked as we headed for one of the spare Batmobiles. Father had already taken the one we normally use.

"The Batcave… Tell anyone and I shall kill you." I replied, climbing into the driver's seat as everyone climbed in.

"You can drive?" he asked in disbelief.

"Of course… Remember. You are to use our superhero names only. What is yours?"

"Captain Marvel." He replied as Colin began laughing.

"How marvelous!" Colin snickered as everyone rolled their eyes.

"You need to change." I stated as I moved my seat forward so I could reach the pedals.

"Shazam!" he yelled as an adult in a red costume with a lightning bolt in the center of the costume replaced him.

"That's it? An adult? That's your power?" I asked in disgust.

"Believe me, you haven't seen anything yet." He smirked.

********Break********

We approached the Gotham City Power Plant cautiously. Freddy should be here.

"Speedy, you're with me. Abuse, you and Aquaboy go with Captain Marvel and find Black Adam. Speedy and I will locate the hostage." I ordered as we headed in different directions.

"How come we get the easy assignment?" Speedy hissed into my ear.

I couldn't live if you were hurt and I don't want you near Billy. "Because I'm the leader." I replied as we entered the power plant.

"You split us up. They all have powers and we don't."

"I am aware of that." I replied as we fell in silence.

"Robin look!" she whispered excitedly as pointed to a figure a floor below us.

Peering through the floorboards, I could see a blonde bound and gagged.

"We have to get down there!" she exclaimed before we dropped down.

As we reached him, I noticed a shadow growing larger. I turned to see a floating man in black with a lightning bolt on his chest. I quickly threw a Birdarang at him and watched in horror as it struck his chest and limply fell to the ground as he laughed.

Not good. I quickly pushed Mia and Freddy behind me. Before he could strike, a shield of flowing water incased us.

"Leave them alone!"

Everyone looked up in time to see Captain Marvel fly through the air and punch Black Adam through a wall. Aquaboy dropped the shield as we ran through the hole in the wall where they had disappeared.

"Speedy, take Freddy and get in the car!" I ordered as she shot me a death glare.

"Where's Abuse?" I asked as Aquaboy shook his head.

"I don't know! We split up!" he shouted as we ran towards them.

They had gone through the building and ended up outside. We stopped as they came into view. Black Adam had Captain Marvel by the throat. I could see blood trickling down his face… He can bleed?

"Stop!" I cried as Aquaboy screamed, "Swimmy! Attack!"

Who the Hell is Swimmy?

I watched as a great white shark was suddenly thrown at Black Adam, who quickly released Billy.

"You named a shark Swimmy?" I asked as AJ nodded proudly.

"He likes to swim." He replied before Abuse appeared and sucker-punched the villain.

Suddenly, a mechanical roar was heard. A watched in shock as the Batmobile came thundering across the parking lot and ran right over the villain. That's when I drew an orb from my belt. Father gave me the orb to use in emergencies. It's a portal to the Phantom Zone. I can trap Black Adam in it.

Rushing towards the figure, I clicked it open and aimed for his chest. I watched as a swirling black vortex opened and Captain Marvel quickly threw the screaming criminal inside. Seconds later, all was quiet. Then Mia and Freddy stepped out of the Batmobile.

"Billy! Billy!" he screamed, running towards Captain Marvel.

"Freddy!" he yelled as he embraced the younger boy for a moment before pushing him back and closing his eyes.

'What are you doing, Billy?" Freddy inquired seconds before he was replaced by a costumed adult in a blue costume.

Everyone's mouth practically dropped open.

"I gave you some of my power… Now you can protect yourself if he comes back. I can't lose you too, little brother." Billy whispered as Freddy nodded.

"You want lose me, especially since I'm… Shazam!" Freddy happily replied.

********Break********

I quickly pulled the Batmobile into it's spot and smiled when I noticed that Father hadn't returned home from patrol yet. Ha! I got away with it!

We quickly changed back into our pajamas before heading up the stairs. I gasped as we were met by Pennyworth.

I'm in trouble…

********Break********

A few days later, Billy and Freddy were still staying with us. We were watching a movie when Father called us into his study. As we entered, I could see a woman somewhere between eighteen and twenty-one sitting in a chair. She smiled as Billy's mouth nearly fell open.

"Mary?" he asked in disbelief as she nodded.

"Hey, Billy." She replied coming towards them.

"You… you're alive?" he whispered as she hugged him tightly.

"Billy, I have a job. I have a house and a fiancé… I want you to come and live with me." she stated as he looked at Freddy.

"Only if Freddy can come."

"Of course. I wouldn't separate the two of you… I know what it's like to be taken away from your family." She replied as I moved closer to Father.

"Father, who is that woman?" I asked.

"Billy's older sister, Mary. They were separated when their parents died… it took some time before I could find her." Father replied.

********Break*********

"Thanks for everything, Damian." Billy stated as he held out his hand.

"We are a team, aren't we?" I replied as he smiled.

"Yeah. We are."

"Bye Damian!" Freddy shouted as he hugged me.

I scowled at him before lightly shoving him off of me.

"Please respect the law of personal space." I ordered as he frowned. "And remember, I have no tolerance for tardiness. Make sure the two of you are on time at our next meeting."

"We'll be there." They replied as I nodded.

They turned to leave as I stopped Billy. "One more thing, Mia is mine!"