DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. Just a reminder: the Supergirl in this story is not Kara Zor-El, but the post-Crisis Matrix with an altered backstory. For more information, see Disclaimers/Notes for the first chapter.

SHE WILL BE PROTECTED

The portal opened and three people emerged, stepping onto the rocky ground. Although technically, one was being carried by another.

Mary Batson-Trix held her daughter close. "Told you there was nothing to worry about," she soothed. "You OK, sweetheart?" The little baby simply looked at her through sleepy eyes. "Don't nod off, Marie," said Mary. "We're going to see Uncle Billy." She then turned to the woman to her side. "I really appreciate this, Zatanna."

Zatanna Kyle-Zatara smiled. "It's no trouble, Mary. I can't remember the last time I've been to the Rock of Eternity." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I also don't remember it being this cold."

Mary sighed. "Sh... the wizard's death caused alot of turmoil. It'll take time for Billy to restore this place to its proper glory." Her brother assumed the role of the magical wizard upon the ancient Shazam's passing. Billy Batson himself was now the keeper of the Marvel Family's power. A power Mary had not used for nearly a year: not only the eight months of her pregnancy, but a month beforehand and the two months since Marie's premature birth. Which was why Mary asked Zatanna to bring her to the Rock of Eternity: even if she used her powers to travel here, Mary would still have to protect her precious little girl during the journey. It was simpler, frankly, for the stage magician to create a portal. "C'mon, let's go."

Zatanna paused. "Are you sure? I can wait out here - I know Shazam doesn't like too many visitors."

Sighing again, Mary rolled her eyes. "Zatanna, this is my brother. It'll be fine, really." The World's Mightiest Girl smiled, which seemed to assure Zatanna. Together, they entered the long rocky entranceway to Shazam's domain. "I mean it, Zatanna," said Mary. "I do appreciate you bringing us here. And for keeping quiet."

"Supergirl would be that... ?"

"Superwoman," Mary interrupted. Upon becoming a parent, Mae had decided to update her heroic name.

"Oh yeah - sorry," shied Zee. "Well.. she'd be that angry?"

Mary shrugged. "Not angry, no. But... she wouldn't like the idea of me doing this. But I have to."

"I understand," Zee said smoothly. "I know how important it is to keep your child... safe... " Her voice wandered.

The young mother seemed to notice. "Zatanna?" She stopped walking and reached out to the magician. "Are you alright? What's... " It then dawned on her. "Holy moley. Oh, Zatanna, I... I'm sorry. I should've realised... "

"No, it's fine," said Zee, taking a gulp. "It was alright in the end. It's just... it was the worst time of my life. Selina and I nearly died, seeing our children with... " She paused and closed her eyes. "I pray you and Mae never have to go through anything like that."

Mary's heart ached, thinking back to what the Kyle-Zataras suffered. Which only strengthened her resolve to do this: she indeed had to. Resuming their journey, Mary and Zatanna spent the remainder in silence, until the opening to the main chamber was in sight. Then Mary remembered a little... detail. "Have you, er, spoken to Billy since he took over here?"

Zatanna shook her head. "I never really knew the original Shazam. Whenever we had magical conferences, it was always with Captain Marvel... Billy. And it's still the case now - only with Freddy."

Mary bit her lip. "There's probably something you should know... so you don't freak out."

"What?" Zee frowned.

"Unlike Freddy and I, Billy drastically changed age when he became Captain Marvel," said Mary. "Thing is, when he did so, his normal ageing... well, paused. It's like his Billy form was in limbo whenever he was powered up. There were times when he'd have to spend weeks - even months - as Captain Marvel. And, well... it added up."

"I don't understand," said Zee as they entered the main chamber. "What are you... " She stopped at what she saw.

Mary followed her gaze to the person in the stone chair. "Billy's still a teenager."

Billy Batson, no more than fifteen years old, smiled warmly. "Mary! What are you doing here?" He dove out of his chair and rushed to the two women. "And Zatanna?"

While Zatanna stared agape at the teenage wizard, Mary hugged her Billy with one arm, her other holding Marie tight. "Can't I visit my brother?"

"Of course," said Billy excitedly. "I guess I know now how our old wizard felt when we'd do a surprise visit." His grin widened at the little bundle in Mary's embrace. "And how's my beautiful little niece?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" chuckled the 21-year-old, gently passing her daughter to Billy.

The new wizard held the baby out infront of him and laughed. "How are you, Marie my angel? Huh, huh?" At her uncle's playfully-asked question, Marie began laughing herself, squirming in his grasp like babies do. "I'll take that as a yes," beamed Billy. "Who's a gorgeous girl, eh?" Again the infant thrashed happily.

"No Courtney?" Mary asked.

"She has some JSA business," replied Billy as he cradled his niece. He turned to the magician. "How are you, Zatanna? Everything good with you?"

Zee's mouth clapped open and shut. "Y... yes. I... my God, Billy. You look so... "

"Expecting an old man with a white beard?"

"Well, no, but... " Zatanna blinked. "You're twins! Mary explained, but still... !"

"You'll get used to it," smirked the boy. "Hopefully, anyway. I sure haven't." He returned his attention to his not-exactly-twin-anymore sister. "Is this a spontaneous visit, or is something up?"

Mary bit her lip again, and sighed. She never could hide anything from her brother. After Billy returned Marie to her, Mary took a deep breath. It was time to be serious. "Billy... there's something I need to ask you." At his curious expression, she continued. "There's something you need to do... " Mary suddenly paused as she remembered who she was speaking to. Not her brother - for this, she was speaking to the sage of the Rock of Eternity. She slowly lowered herself to one knee, as she and the rest of the Marvel Family often did with their old mentor. "Great wizard... I, Mary Batson-Trix, humbly request that you bequeath your power, your strength - to my daughter Marie. May she be blessed with your protection, in the event I or my wife are unable to protect her ourselves." She kept her head down, eyes at the floor in reverence. "If needed, I will gladly relinquish my own ability to call on your power so that my daughter... my little angel, Marie, need never feel pain nor suffering."

Billy's voice was barely audible. "Mary, I... " He softly reached down and placed his hand under his sister's chin, raising her gaze to meet his. "She's just a baby... "

"Which is why I ask of you this," Mary whispered, her eyes watering in emotion. "The thought of her in danger, in any capacity... please, make her strong. If need be, make my strength hers. I ask of you this, wise one."

Her brother simply stared at her, before tenderly tugging at her shoulders, motioning her to rise. Once they were level - or rather, both standing, as Mary was now taller than he - Billy looked at her sadly. "Mary... there was a reason you never called on the... my power during your pregnancy."

Mary was confused. "Surely now... "

"She's not even a toddler yet, Mary," said Billy. "She couldn't handle it. Emotionally, physically, mentally... it would be too much for her. She'd have no idea what was going on." He looked into Mary's worriful eyes. "And you know it."

Mary clenched her jaw as her grip on her daughter tightened. "I can't bear the thought of her in danger." Neither Batsons noticed Zatanna close her eyes in pain at that statement. "I just want her to be safe."

"And she will be," Billy said resolutely. "With you and Mae as her protectors. I have the greatest faith in you, Mary. I always have. You've always been the best in everything you do - and being a mother will be no different."

Mary ducked her head again, planting a loving kiss on her angel's crown. "That's... what Mae said."

"And she wouldn't approve of this," Billy said knowingly. "You told me how protective she was during the pregnancy. She never let you transform for fear of what it would do to Marie. She was right, Mary, and still is - it's too much of a risk."

Mary nodded reluctantly. Her brother was right, of course. "I guess... it's a good thing she doesn't know I'm here."

"But I do."

Mary, Billy and Zatanna turned their heads at the voice, to see Superwoman at the entranceway, Captain Marvel - AKA Freddy Freeman - with her. The Woman of Steel looked more than a little peeved.

Taking a deep gulp, Mary knew she would have to employ all of Minerva's wisdom to placate her wife...