Part IV

"…the hell!" Flash exclaimed and jumped back from the sparking control panel with his hands in the air. "I didn't do it! I didn't touch anything!"

"It's not you," J'onn J'onzz told the fleet-footed hero, his green Martian face set in a grim frown as he narrowed his eyes at the readouts. "There was a massive power surge just as the Einstein-Rosen bridge began to open."

"Einstein-Rosen... You mean the Boom Tube?" Flash said.

"Yes," the Martian said. "I mean the extradimensional portal we opened to transport our potential candidate from the Metropolis train station to our Watchtower. I'm not certain the system is strong enough to compensate…"

"It is," Batman stated, striding through the automatic doors into the Watchtower control room with Nightwing and Robin at his flank. "Just barely." He took a seat at the sparking controls and started tapping at the keypad with his gloved hands, his frown a near match for J'onzz's. "Seems our new arrival activated his powers while in the booth. From what I've learned of him, though, I doubt the act was malicious. Possibly a defensive move. J'onn?"

"Confirmed, Batman," the Martian said. "The electrical disturbance has been successfully absorbed by our system. Indeed, it seems we received only a small, residual fraction of what had been a far more severe energy blast."

Flash quirked his brow.

"Wait – you mean just a small fraction of that guy's power nearly shorted out our computer?"

J'onzz grunted. "So it would seem."

Flash snorted, impressed. "Brutal."

"Our guest has been placed in holding for an automatic security scan," J'onzz reported. "Once the computer finishes with him, we can determine his motives."

"The data from that scan is coming in right now," Nightwing said from an adjacent panel, where he and Robin stood watching the computer collect the newcomer's biodata. "Wow – we're getting some off the charts readings here! Not just electricity manipulation, but strength, stamina, accelerated healing…" He turned and faced the others, his eyebrows raised above his mask. "Whoever this guy is, he's seriously stacked. I mean seriously. Power-wise, it looks like he could easily rival Superman. You too, Flash."

"What?" Flash said, zipping over to stare at the charts. "All that, and speed too? I gotta say, that's impressive. Guess it's a good thing he's on our side." He glanced at Batman. "He is on our side, right? Sorry, but things were pretty busy at the lab. I mean, I knew we were having a meeting tonight, but I didn't exactly have a chance to catch up on the news before heading up here from my day job."

"The media has taken to calling him 'Shazam'," Batman informed them. "Origins, unknown. He's been summoned here, on Superman's recommendation, as a candidate for possible membership in the League. It seems Superman has been observing this Shazam's activities ever since he answered his request to visit Fawcett Central School in Philadelphia a few months back. Said he has 'a good heart'."

"Pretty high praise from the world's biggest boy scout," Nightwing said. "Oh, and speak of the red-and-blue devil…"

"Sorry I'm late. Glad you could all make it," Superman greeted over the pneumatic hiss of the sliding door, holding up a folded newspaper as he strode over to join his teammates. "I brought along this evening's edition of The Daily Planet. Hot off the presses!"

"Seen it. Read it," Batman said without turning his head.

"What?" Superman blinked. "But, this hasn't even hit Gotham's newsstands yet."

Batman held up his Batphone, the main article already on the screen. "Print is dead," he deadpanned.

Superman shot him a look.

"I'll take that. Thanks!" Flash said, snatching the newspaper and giving the front page a quick once-over. "Ohhhhh! I get it now!" he said. "Shazam – he's that new guy! The one who showed up back around Christmas! So, he's the one we're interviewing today!"

Nightwing and Robin shared a smirk.

"You're right on top of things, Flash," Superman said with a smile. "So, where is our newest candidate? I thought he'd be here by now."

"He is," Batman said.

"The guy nearly blew out a Boom Tube getting here with that lightning of his," Nightwing said, gesturing to the busy monitor screens. "Nearly fried our systems too. We doubt it was on purpose, but the computer dumped him in a precautionary security scan anyway. Still, I'd stay he's set to turn up right about…"

An elevator rose up a transparent shaft and a tall, very muscular, very befuddled man stepped hesitantly out. He turned slowly in place, staring up and all around with a wide-eyed wondrous gape.

"…now," Nightwing finished and crossed his arms, leaning back against the console.

"Holy moley…" the newcomer stammered, his gold boots clacking on the polished floor as he turned. "Where am I? What the heck is this place!"

"Shazam," Superman greeted, holding out a friendly hand to the red-and-gold clad superhero. "Good to see you again. I'm pleased you decided to accept our invitation. Welcome to the Watchtower. Headquarters of the Justice League."

Shazam stared, then smiled and took the Kryptonian's proffered hand in relief.

"Superman! Hey! Oh, thank goodness," he said. "So, I am in the right place after all! It's crazy, I know, but I was starting to wonder if I'd been abducted by aliens or— Hey! You're Martian Manhunter!" he exclaimed, zipping at super-speed to shake J'onn's hand. "And the Flash! Ha ha, so cool! You know, my friend has a poster of you. Running. And a t-shirt with that Flash emblem. Lightning, yeah? Kinda like mine. And… Oh, my god…"

Shazam's voice trailed away as the Dark Knight rose to his feet in front of him.

"I'm Batman."

"Geep!" Shazam squeaked despite himself. He clapped both hands to his mouth, his wide eyes bulging. "Oh, my god," he gasped. "Oh, my god, you said it! You actually said it! Oh wow! Fred—that is, uh… Seriously, though, he'd have a heart attack if he heard that, I swear! Wait – wait, I just had a thought!"

Shazam patted his golden belt. Batman narrowed his eyes, tracking his every move. But—

"Yes!" Shazam exclaimed. "Yeah, I had my phone out this time – I still have my phone!" He held it up to Batman and said, "Can you say your name again? Please? Can I take a video? Or, one of them can do it. It can be you and me, together – our first meeting! Video proof of authenticity!"

"Sheesh, man," Nightwing commented dryly. "Stay whelmed."

Robin snorted. "I know, right?" he said. "And I thought the Flash was…enthusiastic…"

"Huh?" Shazam squinted at Nightwing. "I'm sorry…who…?"

"I'm Nightwing," he said, and smirked at Shazam's blank look. "Not quite the same effect, I know."

"Sorry," Shazam said, shaking his hand. "I'm sorry, it's good to meet you. I'm kinda new to this. My friend Freddy, he's the one up on all the latest superhero stuff, and…wait… Oh wow... You're Robin! The real Robin!" Shazam realized, grinning down at the scowling boy by Nightwing's side. Nightwing pinched the bridge of his nose. "My kid sister has, like, such a crush on you, man! But she's, like, seven or whatever so, you know… It's cute. Anyway—"

"We're wasting time," Batman said and strode for the door, his black cape billowing dramatically even though there wasn't any wind. The others fell in behind him, casting Shazam varying glances, ranging from amused to nonplussed, as they passed by.

Shazam moved to tuck his phone away, only to blink in surprise at his empty hand.

"Hey – my phone! Who—?"

"You'll get it back when you leave," Batman said, pocketing the device.

"Wha—? How—? When did he...?"

Superman clapped a guiding hand on Shazam's shoulder to help him break out of his dumbstruck stare.

"OK," Shazam said, "I have got to learn that move. I mean, I didn't even feel him take it. And his whole cape thing…!"

Superman raised his eyebrows at him. Shazam blinked and straightened his shoulders.

"Sorry," he said. "I guess I'm a little…excited…you know… To be here. With you and…all of them."

He fell into step beside the brightly clad Kryptonian, unable to keep from marveling at how similar the two of them were in height and build.

"I really should thank you again. For, uh… You know, for agreeing to drop by Fawcett Central like that," he said sincerely. "It really meant the world to my, uh… My young friend."

"It was my pleasure," Superman said.

"The bullies haven't bothered him since. I've seen to that."

"Glad to hear it."

Shazam smiled.

"So, this is really the home of the Justice League?"

"Our newest headquarters," Superman told him as they walked together into a long, curving corridor. The transparent inner hull wall looked out over a state-of-the-art cafeteria. The outer, at the softly glowing curve of the Earth, far, far below. "What do you think of the view?"

Shazam stared, then rushed to the outer hull, pressing his hands and forehead against the cool transparent aluminum.

"Holy moley… We're in space?" he exclaimed, turning his amazed grin on Superman. "This is a space station? We're in space!"

"Well," Superman said. "Yes."

"Oh man. Oh, holy moley, I'm in space. I'm with the Justice League. On a space station!"

"This way," Superman said, and Shazam trailed after him, staring alternately down at the Earth and into the cafeteria, where he saw a few more familiar-looking faces chatting together at the tables.

"I can't believe this is real," he said excitedly. "Whoa, that guy's Green Arrow! Hi! And that's…wait, who is that? Some Aqua-dude? The hell is he eating? Man, this place is so awesome!"

Superman smiled. "I'm glad you think so. Come on. The conference hall is just ahead."

"What'll happen there?" Shazam asked.

"The Justice League's leading members have gathered to meet you," Superman told him. "We'd like to learn about you, and to tell you more about us. And to ask if you're open to membership on our team."

"Hey, you bet," Shazam said. "But...why now? I mean, why did you guys decide to contact me today and not, like, last week when I stopped that oil guy's giant robots from tearing up those solar panels?"

"Well," Superman said, "last week you were mainly a local hero. Which is fine. But, now it seems you've gone international."

Shazam furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"That last exploit against Ibac," Superman said. "It just so happens there was a reporter on scene, from The Daily Planet. Once he submitted his report, a press release was sent out to news organizations around the country. And from there, well..." He paused at the door and regarded the red-clad hero. "It's not just WHIZ local news and internet videos anymore, my friend. The whole world knows about Shazam."

"Holy moley," he whispered.

"So," Superman said, giving Shazam's arm a supportive clasp. "Ready to face the team?"

"Huh?" Shazam looked up. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I'm ready." He smiled and squared his shoulders to match Superman's confident posture. "Let's do this."

To Be Continued…


References Include – Justice League: Unlimited - Clash; Young Justice (series); Shazam! (movie); Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (transparent aluminum - which, apparently, is now a real thing!); Superman/Shazam: First Thunder by Judd Winick and Joshua Middleton.

Note: Most of the inspiration for the depiction of the Justice League's headquarters, the operation of the Boom Tubes, and the League's members in this chapter is drawn from the Justice League/Justice League: Unlimited and Young Justice animated series, which is why I included Martian Manhunter and Nightwing in the group. :)

More updates are in the works and will be coming soon. Stay tuned, and thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think! :D