Act 2: "Shazam's Real Debut"
It was 6 o'clock in the evening, and I was yet to have dinner. Mom and Dad were having a serious discussion downstairs, and while I could not hear them talk, I could surmise they were talking about me.
I decided to leave them be for now and headed to my room. I needed a distraction, something to pull me out of my swirling thoughts. Sparky's number was on speed dial, and I hit the call button, hoping for some semblance of normalcy.
"Yo~ good evening, my friend…" I said, trying to inject some cheer into my voice.
Sparky answered almost immediately. "If it isn't my only white friend! Where were you!? Your parents were worried sick, and I thought the gangs might have gotten their hands on you!"
"Sorry, sorry, okay? It was complicated, and my bad I didn't make it, and here I was getting very excited about playing co-op with you…" I trailed off, knowing I was skirting the real issue.
"That is not the issue here, bro, where have you been?" Sparky's voice was filled with genuine concern.
"Like I said, it was complicated, and I wasn't exactly at liberty to say it…" I hesitated, feeling the weight of my recently acquired secrets. "So, can you hook me up with what I missed?"
Sparky sighed, but he obliged. "Taylor, your little crush is back in school, though I've observed she'd sporadically be absent once in a while…"
"She's not my crush, okay?" I retorted, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "I think I really got whacked in the head when I was young. I've done lots of introspection after I got kidnapped, and I learned I am actually the kind of guy who'd mistake little attention from girls to be something like 'interest,' 'crush,' or whatnot… I felt bad about her though, but that isn't the point! Homework, Sparky! Lessons I need to catch up to!"
"Wait, you got kidnapped?" Sparky's voice was incredulous, and I realized I had let more slip than I intended. Well, it was an intentional slip-up on my part.
I quickly backpedaled. "Yeah, but not in the way you're thinking. It's a long story, and I can't get into it right now. Just... help me out with school stuff, please?"
Sparky was silent for a moment, then he sighed. "Alright, man. I'll send you the notes and assignments. But you owe me a serious explanation later."
I took a deep breath, ready to spin the story I'd prepared. "Okay, okay, I'll tell you… I got sacked by ABB thugs. That's what happened. They thought I was an E88 son of some douche exec, and then when I tried to endear myself to them with my love for Japanese culture, anime, and games, they got angry and almost beat me up to a pulp."
"How in the hell are you still alive?" Sparky sounded horrified.
"I shat on my pants, pissed all over, and then begged them to let me go… I almost thought I triggered, you know? It was a very big life-changing moment for me, and I've learned to look more at myself since then." I wasn't going to share how I escaped because it never really happened, and I knew Sparky wouldn't press for details that I didn't have, not to mention how terrible of an experience must have been for me from his perspective.
"Oh shit, that's terrible, man… No wonder you're feeling mighty studious, which is unusual for you, but sure, I'll send you copies of my homework via e-mail."
"Dude, no need to give me your whole assignment. I'll be fine with just pictures of the handouts and the test papers… I am a changed man now, or I'd like to say, but I'd like to try to become a better person."
"Fucking hell, bro, is that even you, Greg? Don't say an alien took over your body. That will be terrible!"
"Har har~ very funny." I forced a laugh, feeling a little lighter. "Seriously, thanks, Sparky. I appreciate it."
"No problem, man. Take care of yourself, alright?"
"Will do." I hung up, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease. Lying to Sparky didn't sit well with me, but I didn't have much of a choice. My secrets were too dangerous to share.
As I set my phone down, I heard a knock on my door. "Greg, dinner's ready," Mom called softly.
"Coming," I replied. I took a moment to compose myself before heading downstairs.
At the table, the atmosphere was tense, but Mom and Dad did their best to act normal. We talked about mundane things—school, the weather, the neighbors—carefully avoiding the elephant in the room. It was almost comforting, this semblance of normalcy.
After dinner, I helped with the dishes, my mind working in the background on how to present myself to the cops. I had powers now, powers that came with a responsibility I was still grappling with.
Unfortunately, the cops and perhaps the rest of Brockton Bay had something worse needing paying attention to. It was roughly 7 o'clock, and I just finished with the dishes when I heard Mom's cry of shock.
I walked to the living room and saw Mom with her palm over her mouth. Dad stood up, answering his phone. "What is it? I hope it isn't an Endbringer attack…" Though I was joking, I sincerely hoped it wasn't an Endbringer attack. I looked at the TV and frowned at the sight.
Dad was speaking urgently into the phone. "Yes, yes… I understand…"
The news reporter on TV looked pale but managed to deliver her lines. "The ABB has just declared war. Recent events, such as Lung's capture, have rendered the ABB impotent—the gangs took it as a sign of weakness and launched an operation against the ABB. In a rapid turn of events, the ABB retaliated by showcasing their new cape… The infamous Bakuda of the Cornell University incident has been confirmed to be working as ABB's new acting boss… Bombing incidents have been occurring at multiple locations with the intent of terrorism."
Mom gasped, "Oh my god…"
Dad hung up the phone, his face tense. "I got a call. It seems work is suspended until this bombing fiasco is over with… Natalie, what about you? Anything from work?"
"Nothing," Mom shook her head, when her phone suddenly rang, "well, I don't know about now…" She answered the call with a worried expression.
I sat on the sofa, my eyes glued to the TV as the live footage showed the chaos unfolding. People were being evacuated continuously. "Wow, this is a real cluster fuck…" I muttered, feeling a mix of fear and anger.
The news reporter continued, "Bakuda has made her demands that if the Protectorate does not release Lung, then more bombs will be set off around the bay. Broadcasting from a private server via Uber and Leet's site, the robbers known as the Undersiders are confronting the ABB's Bakuda… be forewarned the images that you are about to see are visceral and viewer's discretion is advised."
The screen showed Bakuda wearing a gas mask, melting a subordinate who had displeased her as a show of power. The members of the Undersiders were surrounded by her foot soldiers while she rambled about her greatness. It was an ugly sight.
At some point, Mom took me in a hug and attempted to cover my eyes. While I am no longer a baby, I let my Mom do as she pleased as this small action on her part must have comforted her to an extent.
Dad turned to me, his face serious. "Greg, I need you to stay home. Don't go out under any circumstances."
"I understand, Dad," I replied, half-annoyed at myself because I knew I was lying to him.
Mom ended her call, looking distressed. "My work is also suspended. They're asking everyone to stay safe and indoors."
The TV continued to broadcast the chaos, and I felt a growing sense of dread. This was more than just a local gang war; this was terrorism on a grand scale. Bakuda's actions were pushing Brockton Bay into a state of panic and fear.
As the evening wore on, the news only got worse. More bombings, more threats, and more chaos. My parents and I sat together, trying to find some semblance of comfort in each other's presence. But in the back of my mind, I knew I had to do something. I couldn't just sit here and watch as my city was torn apart.
I excused myself and went back to my room, my thoughts racing. Sparky's words echoed in my mind—"Don't say an alien took over your body." I checked the time, and it was only 7:17 pm. Not much time had passed since the news went off about Bakuda's bombings.
I picked up my phone and dialed Sparky again. "Hey, man. You still there?"
"Yeah, Greg. What's up?"
"I need your help with something. Something big. Can you meet me tomorrow? Same place we usually hang out?" For this, I felt immensely sorry for Sparky, and here I thought I wanted to exclude him with my troubles.
Sparky hesitated. "Sure, but what's this about?"
"I'll explain everything tomorrow. Just trust me, okay?"
"Alright, bro. I'll be there."
I hung up, thinking about the 'smart move' that I could make. The city needed help, and maybe, just maybe, I could be the one to provide it. This wasn't ego talking, just the 'wizard' in me… Talking to Sparky would come tomorrow, but for now, I had some hero-ing to do—
"SHAZAM!" I shouted the magic word and transformed. Living Lightning coursed through my being, with the familiar blue cape flowing behind me. I opened the window and sneaked out of my room by flying at super speed. Soon, I was standing in some hidden alley. "I've defeated the Simurgh already, so how hard could beating up an insane bomber be?"
Using my super speed, I zoomed through the city, my eyes scanning for any signs of Bakuda's handiwork. The sight of burning buildings and panicked civilians spurred me on. Honestly, I didn't know how to help most efficiently and effectively possible. Jumping at Bakuda and kicking her ass there and then sounded simple, but it was more complicated than that.
It would have been convenient if I had super senses, but you couldn't have everything…
While 'Wisdom of Solomon' provided me incredible insight and even some esoteric and awesome knowledge, it didn't provide me anything that had to do with modern technical skills like computer stuff… I'd love to try my hand at hacking Leet's site, but then again, I couldn't have everything.
For now, I should be content with saving lives. I crashed into a burning building and proceeded to use the Speed of Mercury to comb every floor. I grabbed every civilian I could get my hands on and dropped them off at the fire truck, which was doing its hardest to quench the fire.
The first few floors were relatively straightforward. Screams, smoke, and the overwhelming heat. I burst through doors, scooping up terrified people and reassuring them with a quick, "You're safe now," before whisking them away to safety. The firefighters looked on in astonishment, but there was no time for explanations.
The higher I went, the more challenging it became. The heat intensified, and visibility plummeted as smoke filled the hallways. I activated my Wisdom of Solomon to navigate through the thick smoke, using logic to locate the remaining survivors. I found a family huddled in a corner, coughing and terrified. "Hold on to me tightly," I instructed, gathering them up in my arms.
As I moved them to safety, I heard a faint cry from a nearby room. I zipped over and found a young girl trapped under a fallen beam. With a quick burst of strength, I lifted the beam and freed her. "It's okay, I've got you," I said gently, cradling her in my arms before rushing her out of the building.
Back outside, the firefighters and paramedics were overwhelmed, treating burns and smoke inhalation. I placed the last group of rescued civilians by the trucks, and one of the paramedics gave me a grateful nod. "Thank you," she said, her voice shaky but sincere. "We couldn't have saved them without you."
"No problem," I replied, my voice firm. "I'll see what else I can do."
I took a moment to assess the situation. The fire was under control now, but the city was still in chaos. I needed to find Bakuda and stop her before she caused more destruction. But where could she be?
Hmmm… It wouldn't be so wrong to try my luck…
I took off again, while my mind worked on the brief video that was shown on the TV. I needed a strategy, a way to track her down efficiently. The Wisdom of Solomon whispered in my mind, suggesting patterns and probabilities. If I could figure out her next target, I might be able to intercept her.
Still, lots of people needed saving… Attempting to locate Bakuda would be difficult, but it was worth a try. The problem was I couldn't find it in my conscience to ignore the burning buildings and locations that Bakuda's henchmen have targeted…
