"Okay everyone, back up! This is a crime scene, not a Comic Con!" the police officer barked, waving back the large crowd as they continued gathering around the protective barrier erected around the street corner.
Upon signing his twentieth autograph for an enthusiastic college-age girl, Captain Marvel apologetically peeled away from the legions of his fans and returned to Superman's side.
The Man of Steel's eyes had not left the armored transport vehicle since it arrived, his attention remaining solely on the still unconscious Parasite as he was strapped down to a stretcher by several soldiers.
A power-dampening collar secured firmly around his neck, his body occasionally gave off a few involuntary twitches before finally being loaded inside.
Having just conferring with an officer, General Wade Eiling sauntered up to the trunk and emphatically slammed both doors shut.
As both heroes watched on, the general banged twice on the metal surface, prompting the driver to put the truck into gear.
Accelerating forwards, the vehicle gradually built up speed as two Humvees accompanied it from the front and back.
Walking up to the heroes, the military man addressed them both, "I'll be personally overseeing a convoy to take the Parasite straight to Belle Reve. He'll get his day in court, but for now we need to prioritize containment above all else. The warden's been working on some new toys over there, so he'll have quite the homecoming."
"And S.T.A.R. Labs?" Superman wanted to know.
"Currently under investigation. I don't know what else they were doing besides those blood samples we found, but if today's any indication, it's been drawing the psychos out like moths to a light."
Sighing, the General forced the next words out of his mouth, "Once again, I find myself in the Justice Leagues' debt. I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to. Just doing our jobs," Superman assured him.
Respectfully nodding at the two, General Eiling then excused himself to leave in his own personal jeep.
"Well, that was fun," Captain Marvel commented, watching the last of the convoy disappear around the corner.
Waiting until they were out of earshot from the military personnel, Superman turned to the young hero wearing an appreciative grin.
"I underestimated you, Captain," he admitted.
"It happens," Billy shrugged, knowing that sentiment all too well.
"Did Batman ever tell you why you were invited to join the League?"
"Uhhhh….something about me being related to you?" Batson suggested, racking the back of his mind for memory of his introductory meeting at the Watchtower.
"In a sense, yes. Prior to your invitation, I caught some news footage of you in action, fighting the bad guys and protecting the fine people here in this city. In a moment of arrogance, I must admit you reminded me a lot of myself. More specifically, of what I had envisioned my people doing if they too had made it from Krypton," he explained, his voice slightly apologetic.
"But I was wrong, and I couldn't be happier to admit that. You've got a good heart, and no matter where you got your powers from, I'll be glad to fight beside you on this world, or any other," Superman smiled, extending his hand.
Hesitating slightly, a newfound surge of confidence flowed through Billy Batson, strengthening him beyond just any single word.
Now looking at the veteran hero standing before him as an equal, he accepted his handshake.
Choosing his words very carefully, the world's mightiest mortal simply responded, "Thank you, Kal. I hope I don't let you guys down."
Smiling, Superman was about to say something else when he suddenly pressed both fingers up to his right ear.
After listening intently to his comlink to receive the full message, he informed the hero, "Toyman just broke out of Stryker Island. I'll be needed back in Metropolis."
"See you at the next meeting then?" Batson said.
Giving him one last affirming nod, the Man of Steel launched off the ground and tore through the urban jungle faster than a speeding bullet.
A second later, Superman had disappeared entirely into the industrial skyline.
"Showoff," Captain Marvel smirked playfully, taking off into the air with camera flashes all around him and a giant, goofy grin painted across his youthful face.
Fawcett City
8:27:35 EST
"In other news, the supervillain infamously known as the Parasite was apprehended today by two members of the Justice League: Superman and Fawcett City's own resident hero, Captain Marvel. Initially caught breaking into Fawcett City S.T.A.R. Labs, his metahuman machinations proved to be too much for local law enforcement, and even the U.S. Military. Luckily, our caped guardian angel was here to save the day, along with some assistance of course from Metropolis' own Man of Steel. Joan Jameson has more information on-"
Lowering the volume on the remote, Freddy Freeman yawned sleepily as he deflated further into the pillow cushion.
Resting on a blue coach with the TV playing in front, he was also joined by Mary Batson, her legs tucked comfortably underneath her.
Studying a textbook in her lap, she wielded a glass of water in one hand and a pencil in the other as she occasionally jotted down notes into her school agenda.
"Blah blah blah…." Mimicking the news reporters interviewing various eyewitnesses, Freddy's relaxed and lazy posture was a far cry from Mary's much more astute and studious composure.
"Is Billy on yet?" she finally spoke up, her eyes still glued to the assigned reading.
"Not yet. Just some people talking about-Whoa, holy crud!" His eyes widened as an image of the Parasite's monstrous visage was presented on the screen, with the female journalist providing a voice over into his many crimes and violent acts against the superhero community.
Out of curiosity, the brunette looked up from her studies and was equally startled by his unsettling appearance.
"Jeez, moisturizer much?" she remarked.
"You're telling me," Freddy agreed, looking at her, "So, what are you doing?"
"Oh, just doing my science homework for Mrs. Applewhite's class. A class that you are also in," she reminded him.
"We have homework?" he frowned, scratching his chin blankly.
"Yes, and you would know that if you weren't asleep in class from playing video games with Billy almost every night," she scolded him.
"Really Mary? Eavesdropping on us again?"
"Well, my only other alternative is listening to Uncle Dudley snore, so yeah, maybe I was eavesdropping," she said, her eyes flashing at him stubbornly.
"Teacher's pet," he scoffed.
"Couch potato," she shot back at him.
"Know-it-all!"
"Dumbo!"
"Smarty pants!"
"...Under pants!"
"Hey guys!" Billy Batson greeted them, finally entering through the back door to break up their sibling spat.
Now reverted back to his normal, adolescent self, he let out a visible yawn as he groggily trudged into the main area of the foster home.
As if on cue, the news broadcast then switched to footage of the fight, showcasing Captain Marvel fighting the Parasite head-on in the streets.
"My man! How'd it go with Superman?" Freddy beamed at him cheerfully, his enthusiasm not shared by Mary who gave the boy a concerned look.
"What Fred means is, are you okay?" she chimed in as well.
Brushing off her worried look, Batson yawned, "I'm fine, just a little tired. The Parasite was tough and all, but nothing I couldn't handle."
"Cool. So, did you do that move on him that we had been practicing?" Freeman chirped up excitedly,
"Sure did. Hey, I'll tell you guys more about it in the morning. I think I might need those nine hours Uncle Dudley was telling me about for once," Batson smiled, turning towards the hallway.
"You earned it, champ. Don't let Mary's nagging get you too down," he joked, predictably receiving a light slap on the shoulder by the eldest sibling.
"Good night, Billy!" she called out after him, before resuming her arguing with Freddy Freeman.
As the competing voices of his adopted family quickly faded into background noise, only one thought ran through the head of Billy Batson.
Best Day Ever.
Final Note: And thus ends "The Magic Word."
This story truly was a journey in itself to complete, one that admittedly took me much longer to complete than anticipated, but overall I'm extremely thankful for the support and feedback by all of you.
As far as final reflections go, I can honestly say that the key inspiration behind this fanfic came from the 2018 Comic-Con trailer for Shazam. I had some exposure to the character of Billy Batson and his supporting cast (mainly through the Young Justice and Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series), but upon watching that teaser trailer I just felt this sudden urge to do something- anything Shazam-related. Naturally, this led to me writing this standalone story that would hopefully be self-contained enough not to get too lost in the mythology but also be authentic to this particular interpretation of Captain Marvel within the YJ canon.
Whether or not I succeeded in that is, of course, up to you the reader, but ultimately I'm very proud of the finished product (belated as it may be). On a personal note, this is definitely the most fun I've had writing a fanfiction, and I absolutely loved just spending a day in Billy Batson's world. As always, feedback/reviews/PMs are most certainly welcome. Also, feel free to let me know if you'd like me to do anything else involving Captain Marvel and his colorful supporting cast of characters.
(Shill Time: If you enjoyed my writing here, I've also completed another story in the YJ universe, entitled "Final Exam" that features Robin, Kid Flash, and Speedy. At the moment, I'm also working on a separate fanfiction set in the Arkham-Verse, entitled "Batman Arkham City: Reconstruction." ;)
All and all, thanks so much for staying with me from beginning to ending, and hope your year is off to a great start. Shazam! :)