It's been a week since I got my powers. I've been flying around the city, helping where I can. From pulling people from burning buildings, to stopping car accidents, to swooping in to evacuate civilians from construction site accidents, all the way to stopping violent crimes. I've been doing my duty. I think?

Honestly, I thought by now I would have faced something or somebody with powers. Monsters, evil aliens, demons, mad witches or sorcerers. So far, it's just been crooks. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad people aren't getting severely hurt by some super powered evil, but I'm concerned that this is just the calm before the storm. I mean Shazam said I was the next Champion of Magic, and that I'd have to face his failed successor from six thousand years ago. Not only that, but the "wider world of magic" hasn't come around to say high or cause trouble. It seems too quiet, and I'm worried a lot of people are going to get hurt when things finally pop off.

I suppose it's better that I just be grateful for the quiet times like these. I mean, you never know when things are going to get out of hand. Once things do go south, how long will that go on for? Will I be able to stop it on my own?

"Hey look! It's Captain Marvel!"

"The Captain's here?"

"Yeah! Up there!"

At the moment I'm just flying around the city, keeping an eye on things. It's only been a week, but when people see me they get excited. Fawcett City has it's very own caped hero now, and he's hard to miss with his white cape, red and black outfit and glowing lightning bolt emblem on his chest. I'm already smiling due to still enjoying the ability to fly, so I simply raise my hand and wave as I pass over.

"Hello, everyone! Hope you're having a great day!"

"We are with you around Cap!"

"Yeah! Thanks for keeping us safe!"

"No thanks needed guys! I do it because its right!" Despite the cheesy cliche, and how it makes me cringe, I'm not lying. Whether they thanked me or not didn't matter. I mean don't get me wrong, it feels nice and all, but I don't need the praise in order to keep doing the right thing. Besides, it's not like they know who I really am anyway. Imagine their reaction if they knew a 14 year old orphan boy is their protector. Calls for "he's too young" and "who's irresponsible enough to give a kid such power". Well, an extremely old man. I've heard how they are comparable to overgrown children so I suppose it makes sense.

Oh and I wouldn't hear the end of it from Mary and Monica. Jorge may think it's cool and Ryan would probably just be beside himself in exasperation, but Monica and Mary would never let me hear the end of it. "What were you thinking?" "You just agreed?!" "Billy, you aren't allowed to go out there alone?!" Or some other nonsense. Just means I have to be extra careful about my secret.

Flying by WHIZ Radio reminds me of the dumb move I pulled when Mr. Morris and his niece were talking to me on my first day on the job. Morris was offering extra cash to those that could get an interview with Captain Marvel, and I stupidly recorded myself as both Billy and Cap, in order to make him think I had an in. Simple questions like, who I was and where I was from. What powers I had.

I didn't go into finer details, simply mentioning that Captain Marvel is a magical hero who grew up in Fawcett City, and has been chosen to be Magic's Champion. On top of that, I let it slip that he was an "ordinary guy" underneath it all, before he got his powers. Stupid. I just wanted to give kids like me, and people who felt like they have nothing going for them, hope that they could become something more some day. But, it may lead future villains to believe they have a way to get to me.

Mr. Morris was ecstatic and played the interview live with me sitting in the studio with him. He wanted to talk to me about what it was like to see Cap up close and I was so nervous that I wished to anybody that would listen that I had the Courage of Achilles in that conversation. Eventually, Mr. Morris let up and during an ad read by his sister, he talked to me about how to handle reporting and speaking publicly. It helped a bit, mostly because it showed me he wasn't a ruthless boss like I thought he was going to be. He's actually a very kind man and seems to care about my situation. So much so that he asked me to do another interview with him some time soon to talk about the life of an orphan in Fawcett City. Off air I told him it's not always the happiest of tales, but he insisted that it might help to get my story, and the story of everyone else involved in foster care, out to the public. Something about awareness and giving people the chance to do good.

After that, his niece, Cissie Sommerly, wanted to hang out. I politely declined, asking for a rain check, which she seemed not at all bothered by. Good thing to, because I would have loved to hang out with her, but I was too anxious about talking to her. I don't know why, I talk to Mary all the time, and Mary's a beautiful girl.

I shake my head. All I can think about now is Cissie's golden locks, her pretty smile, her blue eyes, and her athletic figure. Apparently she does cross-fit and gymnastics. That last piece of information unconsciously had me thinking of something naughty and I scolded myself for letting my lust plague my thoughts.

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself Billy. It's normal for a kid your age to have an over active imagination when it comes to sexual desires. Your hormones ar-

'Mary already had this convo with me, Achilles, thank you! I don't need a repeat of it.'

No need to be embarrassed child. It's only natural.

'I'm not embarrassed. I just, don't want to think about sex while in Captain Marvel's body?'

Why not?

'I'm a dude in a spandex outfit. Why do you think?'

I see your point.

So would everybody else if you kept thinking about laying with Blondie

'God damn it Mercury.'

Which one of the other gods are you asking? None can keep up with me sooo...

I roll my eyes at his remarks and shake my head.

Billy, Achilles has a point. You shouldn't be afraid of the things that make you human. Shazam asked you to resist the Seven Deadly Sins. Not to deny their existence within you. Master Thyself, not by avoiding or denying the flaws, but accepting them, and managing them.

'I will Solomon. Thank you.'

I head over to the McKeon History Museum, and land in a back alley. I say the word and return to the form of Billy Batson. Back in my regular body, I check to see if my backpack and it's contents are still in tact. I'm pleased to see that the recorder and my note book are undamaged, as well as my bag, save for the broken side pocket and the hole that's starting to show itself at the bottom.

Replacing the bag on my back, I head in to the museum, and pay for admission with the money I earned from my job. I feel a sense of pride as I still have some money left over after paying for admission, not needing to sneak in or being flat broke after doing so, and head over to the Ancient Greece exhibit. Despite the interview I gave to Mr. Morris already, he seems to want to continue covering Captain Marvel. Since Cap is such a hot button topic right now, and he seems to be genuinely interested in the guy, I'm trying to get inspired to make a report on the topic of... well me. Or the magical hero version of me.

Walking through the exhibit, I feel a sense of connection to my heritage. Though my name wouldn't give any clues to my Greek ancestry, both my parents are half Greek. My dad's Mom was from Athens and my Mom's dad was from Sparta. Yes, both of those places still use the same name. I was surprised when I first found that out.

I look over the paintings, the statues, and the vases with images depicting the legends of old. One that stuck out to me was The Lament For Icarus. One of the few depictions of the man who flew to close to the sun that didn't focus on the moment of his fall, but the period following it. Icarus is dead, his wings browned and his skin tanned, depicting how close he came to the sun before falling. In the background, distant cliffs touched by the suns rays can be seen. It almost looks like time has passed, since it looks to be nearing evening in this image. Ultimately, this is a composition of epic failure.

Pulling out my recorder, I flip it on and start spit balling. Throwing anything against the wall until it sticks.

"The man who threatened to bomb the east wing of Beck's General Hospital is a prime example of epic failure. Intending to avenge his daughter by blowing up a hospital that refused to provide medical care due to lack of insurance, ending his own life as he and Captain Marvel were high in the sky, in an attempt to make our hero pay for interfer- no." I don't feel right depicting Printwhistle like that. Though everything I said is true, the man was heart-broken. I still couldn't help but to feel compassion for the man. Yes, he screwed up, and yes he could have killed so many, but nobody got hurt. Maybe that's why I couldn't be angry with him. In the end, he died miserable and alone. I wish he had a second chance.

I say that yet I'm still having trouble trusting that Timothy deserves a second chance. The kid just rubs me the wrong way. In the past week, he's apparently been really nice and helpful around the home, but I just don't know. Trusting him before... it was a mistake. But what if he's actually changed? Maybe the reason I feel something missing in him is because he's just broken, and trying to put himself back together. What if he hasn't been able to manage that yet, and my constant scrutiny and paranoia is damaging him further? Shit I don't know. I think back to the memory of Daniel Johnston. The boy was angry and resistant to my attempts at being his friend, but eventually he came around. He was still mean from time to time and prone to angry outbursts, but he seemed to get a bit better after awhile. Unfortunately, Daniel's dad took him on a late night beer run. Of course he was under the influence, the stupid asshole, and they weren't found until morning. The car was upside down in a ditch. Neither of them made it. I cried for weeks about that. Now I just visit his grave on my birthday.

"Shit! I never visited-" I'm interrupted by a sudden rumbling. At first I didn't think I felt it, so I just kept moving through the museum, but the next one was stronger. This time, shaking some of the art hung up on the walls. The next threatened to topple some of the vases and statues. Strange, considering this place boasts about how they protect their exhibits from such dangers.

"Somethings wrong." I just knew it in my bones. Rushing through the museum, I look for the bathroom as quickly as possible.

Everybody is hurrying out the door. One or two people are acting like idiots and running full sprint, threatening to spark a panicked stampede, but thankfully most of the patrons here have a good head on their shoulders and they are being as calm as possible.

It's not until I exit the exhibit that I see a public restroom in the hallway. I try pushing my way through the crowd but I nearly get knocked over. Strong hands grab me, keeping me upright, and push me towards the door. Can't really get mad about that. Whoever it was just saved me from being trampled. They don't let go, not even after we're outside. I try to move away, but the person spins me around with an iron grip and I come face to face with a gorgeous brunette woman.

"Where are your parents little boy?" Little boy? I shrug my arm trying to free myself. It's quickly becoming clear that this woman is stronger than she looks, but she relents and lets go before standing back up. Her jacket is long and grey, and she's wearing a simple skirt with a white blouse and black heels.

"Parents are dead, tall lady." She smirks at my response to her earlier remark. "Thanks for saving me."

"Don't mention-" The rumbling is getting more violent. I nearly lose my balance, where as the woman keeps hers. I fall forward into her and she catches me with ease. This woman must be a body builder or something. I mean her legs do look well toned, from what little I can see of her calves, so I can imagine that the rest of her is just as built. "-we should get out of here."

"Yeah, you're right, lead the way." She nods as she turns taking hold of my hand. Her hands are smooth, but I can see a few faint scars around her knuckles. Her touch is gentle, but firm enough to keep me up right. The fact that she can manage the quakes in heels is astonishing and I think I'm falling in love with how much of a bad ass she is. "Can you let go of my hand?"

She looks back at me with a skeptical look, and nods before letting go. I stay close to her for a moment, waiting for an opening to sneak off. Looking around, the streets are filled with people running south, away from City Hall to the north. Now I know where I need to go. Another rumble and I grab her wrist unintentionally. I feel something hard underneath, not a bracelet, but something longer, covering most of her forearm. She gives me a look, one that I can't really read, before we hear a car crash into a parked vehicle across the street. I let go of her wrist and she rushes off to check on the occupants of the car. Given they weren't going that fast, I figured they'd be okay, and let her handle it. Quickly, I run off for about a block before I finally find an alley that some homeless guy is hiding in.

"Shazam!" The living lightning strikes me, Billy Batson and his backpack are gone, replaced with Captain Marvel. The Homeless guy is looking at me in disbelief. Waving my hand in front of his face, I mimic Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars.

"You didn't see me transform." The guy clearly fakes being affected by the Jedi-Mind trick and laughs it off.

" I didn't see your face kid. If Robin can save the day in Gotham, you can save the day in Fawcett." I nod slowly, giving him a half smile and salute before taking to the sky.

'I hope that isn't going to be a problem later.'

You should learn some illusion magic so you can cover your tracks when transforming. For now, focus on the task at hand.

When I clear the building, I gaze in the direction of the source of the supposed earthquakes, and can hear somebody angrily shouting about corruption in our system. More importantly, I can feel a dark energy coming from that direction. It's menacing, and cruel.

"I jinxed it. If I jinxed it because I'm magic I'm going to be so annoyed." The idea that I gotta be extra careful about things I say simply because of my power actually worries me a bit, but I can feel Achilles urging me onward.

A plume of smoke coming from the same direction alerts me to a fire, which means I'm going to have a lot to deal with when I get there. I reach the scene in a second, and I can see that there is a fire that's started in the building across the street, and the front steps of City Hall have been demolished, as well as the front entrance of the structure having been torn down. People were hurt, and I needed to get them out of there.

First things first, I fly down to the building across the street, and suck in an insane amount of air before heading inside. Luckily, nobody seems to be trapped, so I turn around and make sure the area in front of the building is clear, before rapidly blowing the air through my mouth. Due to the focus point being so small, the air rapidly passing my lips is super cooling. It takes no time at all for the fire to be blown out like a candle and I fly out to remove the rubble that's trapping civilians in front of City Hall.

The first being a man who's leg is trapped under a pillar. Lifting it up, I can see that his leg is broken, and I need to carry him away. Placing the pillar down next to him, I slide him up and lean him against the stonework, and notice his shin is actually sticking out. I take off his belt and use it to cut off blood flow to his leg so he doesn't bleed out. I then get up and move over to the over turned minivan. Inside is a man and woman with two kids. They all seem to have only minor injuries, but are trapped. Gently, I turn the van back over onto it's wheels, before ripping the doors off and pulling the family out. The father picks up the smaller child and the teenage daughter gives me a tearful thank you, as do the parents, before they try to run off. They're stopped by another quake however, this one causing all the glass on the surrounding buildings to shatter outwards, and some of the damaged buildings walls to collapse.

Raising my hand, I shoot multiple lightning bolts to destroy the falling rubble, preventing it from hurting anybody else. Time slows as I fly at high speed to find an abandoned bus one block over, and pick it up, intending on using it to get the survivors out before coming back to deal with whatever is in that building.

"Okay! Everybody in! Captain's orders!" The doors are open and those who can still walk are helping those who can't get on, while I'm rounding up the stragglers. In less than a minute I have ten people on the bus and I tell them to hold on. Focusing on my magic, I will it to encompass the bus and the passengers, as I fly it rapidly to the hospital. I get there in seconds, place the bus down, wave to the shaken yet grateful passengers, and I return to the destruction, just as another quake happens from within.

'Do you guys feel that energy to, or are you just limited to my other senses.'

We can feel it Billy. Solomon speaks.

It's filled with such vitriol. But... there's something else. Achilles speaks.

Oh that's interesting.

'What is it Mercury?' Another quake shakes the foundations of the buildings around us, only it doesn't just disappear and settle, but instead is followed by quake after quake.

I think it's my sister. What Hercules is suggesting isn't just surprising but also not very specific, considering how many siblings he has.

'Uh, which one?' Just as I'm about to descend towards the building, one massive quake is heard and somebody is sent through the roof and hurtling into the sky.

Diana.

"Wonder Woman?!" I hear a cracking sound as a man comes sailing through the freshly made hole in the roof, sword in hand and heading straight for the superheroine.

Shaking myself of my shock, I fly forward to get in between them, making it just in time to wrap my arm around the Princess of The Amazons, and raise my other arm to guard against the sword this muscle head was wielding.

Evade, you idiot! That wasn't Solomon, but Hercules. If he is giving me battle strategy I should listen, and listen I do.

Gliding to the side, I narrowly avoid the attempt at cleaving me in two. I can sense now that the sword is also magic. Powerful magic, in fact.

'Thanks Herc.'

Focus boy!

Right. Watching the guy descend to the ground, it was clear he didn't know how to fly, or couldn't. So, I quickly fly to a nearby roof, and place the unconscious Wonder Woman on down. How he managed to one up her is beyond me, but I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

He isn't to be trifled with if he could beat her of all people.

'You have respect for her abilities. She really is that good?'

A begrudging respect, but yes. She is that good.

'Alright. Time to teach this clown some manners.'

Flying back over to City Hall I see a car being hurled at me from the ground. Luckily there is nobody around anymore, and the vehicles here are all damaged, so I don't have to be gentle with them. Catching it, I send it hurtling back towards the ground where it came from, but whoever this guy is must have planned that because he jumped into the air and used it to springboard towards me.

I can see his features more clearly now. He's burly with a shaved head. He's wearing a dark denim vest and dark jeans. The fury in his eyes is unsettling. He swings at me with practised ease, as if this wanna-be-biker super villain is a master swordsman. Given I can sense the stench of dark magic and brimstone on him, I wouldn't be surprised if he's an ancient being of some kind. I evade the attack and let him go by me as I swing my fist and connect with his kidney. He groans, but uses the force to spin around and kick me in the mouth.

'Ow! Wait! I could feel that!' I pull away, avoiding a follow up swing of the sword as the guy starts to fall again.

He's a being of potent magic Billy. You'll feel his strikes, though I can sense he isn't as powerful as you. Not quite. Solomon's words do little to sooth my jaw or my nerves.

'Well if that's not as powerful as me and I can still feel it, I'd hate to be hit like that by Black Adam.'

Focus on the opponent in front of you Billy. Adam is a problem for later, far from being your priority right now.

Achilles is right. This battle will be the first real challenge for you. Diana's blade is magical, forged by Hephaestus. It is capable of splitting atoms. Do not let him deal a fatal blow. I take the God of Strength's warning seriously and prepare myself for battle as the evil magic biker landed on the side of a building and used to it to kick off back towards me.

Deciding to take this battle to the ground, I wait till the guy winds up to swing at me again. Once he does, I throw out my right hand and unload a considerable concussive blast using the Power of Zeus, hitting the guy square in the chest with lightning. His trajectory is abruptly halted, instantly changing directions and falling directly towards the ground as I follow after him. He hits the ground hard, tearing up asphalt and creating a cloud of debris and dust that envelops me just as I'm about to swing down on him. My instincts scream at me to stop and move out of the way however, doing so just in time to avoid being ran through by the sword. Despite my blast, he was still managing to hold the blade upward and trying to thrust it into me.

Now that he was free of my assault, he stands up and gets ready to strike again. The hate evident in his oddly familiar eyes.

"Mind telling me why you're trashing City Hall and causing harm to the citizens of Fawcett City?!" I plant my feet and stare him down as he seems to be ready to lunge at me any moment.

"Mainly, I was trying to get your attention, but it doesn't hurt that I get to kill those that get rich and fat off of our suffering."

"My attention? Why me?"

"Because you killed me."

"What?"

With a roar the man leaps forward, trying to strike me down with Wonder Woman's blade. I evade relatively easily. He's fast, but he isn't as fast as I am. He does seem to be damn near as durable and as strong though. At least, he might be. Let's test that out.

As he comes down on me for another diagonal slash, I side step, lift my arm and go for a left hook. I wasn't expecting him to flip the blade around and stab backwards. I feel the blade slide just a little into my side as I land the punch, but have to pull away and glide away from him before he rams the sword all the way through me. My punch was pulled, but he still hits the ground, landing on his back. I feel a continuous sharp and burning pain in my left side, causing me to place my right hand over warm liquid. My eyes shoot open as I look down and turn my hand over to reveal that I'm bleeding.

It really hurts. I'm talking the worst physical pain I've ever experienced. For the past week, I haven't faced anything that could make me feel pain as Captain Marvel, or make me fear for my life. I didn't even know I could bleed in this form.

I warned you.

'Don't need to remind me!'

You need to disarm him, and then work on figuring out the source of his power.

'Yeah... yeah okay.' Whoever this guy is chuckles a bit as he looks over to me, and pulls himself to his feet.

"What are you laughing at? Can't you see the suffering you've caused?"

"So what?!" He slams his fist against a wall of the building next to him, caving a huge portion of it in. "They don't care about us! Hell, nobody cares about anybody but themselves these days!"

"If that were true, I wouldn't be here. Wonder Woman wouldn't have shown up!"

"Oh of course! The superheroes that want to protect the world, but don't want it to change! You'll let these monsters swindle us of our money, our freedoms, and let them kill us, because at least you'll be hailed a hero and given a key to the city. While those of us that were forced into a corner, given nothing, while having everything taken away, get punished for standing up for ourselves!"

"Sir, if you've been wronged, there are better ways of dealing with it. You could have asked for help or-"

"They don't want to help! They just want to retain their wealth and power, while the rest of us wither and die!" Well, I suppose he's not entirely wrong.

Billy.

'Oh relax, I'm not going to start attacking governments and billionaires. I'm just not stupid. I'm an orphan, so to a certain extent I know what he's talking about. I just don't know what experience he's specifically referring to.' The bleeding from my wound doesn't seem to be slowing down and I can't risk it getting worse. I've been cut before, but this is different. I need to close the wound, but how?

Cauterize it.

'Nice suggestion Herc. What exactly would you suggest using by the way?'

My father's power.

Damn, that's actually a good idea. Channelling lightning into my hands, I turn to the side to hide what I'm doing from my opponent, and I begin to have the magic energy dance across my wound. It hurts like a bitch, and it seems to be taking longer than expected, so I need to keep this wretch talking.

"Okay, than tell me what happened. Maybe I can help." I can feel the wound sealing inside out, but I still have my work cut out for me.

"You've already heard the story Cap. Why repeat what you clearly didn't care about?" The wound seems to be healing centimetre by centimetre. I'm more focused on it's progress than I am on what this guy is babbling about.

"I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you. You sure you told me the story?" The wound was about half-way healed now. Funny, considering I was expecting to just be burning it closed.

"Figures you don't recognize me. You're just like them. You don't care about me, or a young girl with cancer. You don't care about anybody but yourself." The wound is almost done, I just need another ten seconds or so. Wait... Cancer?

I peer directly into his eyes now, a familiar green with madness, grief, and rage swirling within. Something sinister lingers behind the madness, and I don't want to believe this is real.

Well, I wasn't expecting that. Mercury's surprise is dwarfed by my own.

"Stanley Printwhistle?" He smiles at my acknowledgement, but the sinister wrath behind his eyes remains.

I have such a bad feeling about his.