A Few Hours Ago Before Brainiac Attacks…
"I trusted you, Diana!" Supergirl spoke out of righteous anger.
The young blonde then turned around and flew to Harley before picking her up, "You're gonna be okay."
Kara flies off with Harley which makes Diana dissatisfied. In her mind, Kara betrayed the Regime and her family... Diana grew angry for that and was about to attack once more till Diana was hit from behind...by Shazam.
"You just crossed the line…" Shazam declares before powering him up.
Wonder Woman struggled to get up as she saw her former regime teammate powering himself to greater levels before raising her shield when Shazam tried to punch her in the face.
"What… Did… You… DO?!" Shazam screamed in fury, couldn't believe what he just saw.
"Getting rid of the problem!" Wonder Woman declares, "Or was, until Kara got in the way and saved Harley from her deserved-fate!"
"You know damn well what Batman just said in the meeting," Shazam reminds her as he tries to land a punch on her, "No Killing!"
"Don't you dare lecture me, Billy!" Diana yells at him back, "That Jester has done nothing but caused destruction around the world, along with that deceased murdering clown"
"Look! I agree that the Joker deserved to die, and yes, maybe I agreed that Harley deserved to pay for her crimes as well," Shazam admits while grabbing the blade of the sword that Wonder Woman tried to use on him, "But that doesn't give you the right to take her life!"
"STOP DEFENDING HER!" Wonder Woman screamed before kicking him in the face, "She's a menace to society and she'll never change!"
"Oh, really? Because ever since Superman killed the Joker, Harley has been doing just fine!" Shazam retorted, taking the blow with surprising ease and throwing the sword aside. "She's found a purpose, helping people, making amends! But your 'justice' is just a one-way ticket to more bloodshed!"
The two heroes' eyes met, fury blazing like the sun. The air grew tense as the battle line was drawn between them. Shazam knew he couldn't hold back anymore; Diana had gone too far. He had to protect the newfound peace, even if it meant fighting against his own allies.
SHAZAM VS. WONDER WOMAN
The battle starts with a thunderous clash, as Shazam's fist meets Diana's shield. The impact sends shockwaves through the ground, cracking the concrete beneath their feet. The sound of metal against metal fills the air as their superhuman strength is unleashed in a display that would make any mortal tremble with fear.
Diana leaps into the air, her golden lasso of truth snaking out towards Shazam. He quickly evades it, his agility a stark contrast to his bulky form. With a roar, he unleashes a bolt of lightning from his fingertips, aiming for her. Diana rolls out of the way, her eyes narrowing as she calculates her next move.
Shazam uses his speed to close the distance between them, but Diana is ready. She swings her sword, the blade glinting in the flickering light of the lightning strikes. Shazam catches the sword with his bare hand, his eyes widening in surprise at her strength. "I see you've been holding out on us, Diana," he says through gritted teeth.
Wonder Woman smirks, "I am more than just a warrior," she says, "I am the protector of the innocent." She kicks him back, sending him skidding across the ground.
Shazam gets up, his eyes glowing with power, "You're not protecting anyone by killing them!" He charges at her again, and this time, she meets him with a punch that sends him flying into a nearby building.
The structure groans and shakes as it takes the brunt of their fight, debris raining down around them. Shazam crashes through the walls, emerging on the other side with a roar. "This ends now!" He flies towards her, his fists blazing with lightning.
Diana, unfazed, braces herself. The moment he's within range, she throws her sword. It slices through the air, aimed directly at his chest. Shazam's eyes widen in surprise, but he's too late to dodge. The sword lodges itself in the building behind him, narrowly missing its mark as he barely manages to phase through it.
"You've lost it, Diana!" he yells, pulling the sword free and sending chunks of concrete flying.
"I am saving the world from scum like her!" she retorts, charging at him with the blade once more.
Shazam, his patience wearing thin, counters with a fierce uppercut that sends Diana soaring. She hits the ground hard, her shield cracking under the pressure. The world around them quakes as they continue to clash, their power echoing through the city streets.
"Diana, stop!" Shazam pleads, "We're not enemies!"
"We became enemies when you chose to dare question Superman's orders! When you choose to defend a criminal!" Diana shouts as she gets up, her eyes alight with fury.
Shazam lands in front of her, his stance firm. "I choose to stand for what's right," he says, "And that doesn't mean blindly following orders that lead to more death!"
Diana lunges again, her sword a blur as it slices through the air. Shazam catches it with his bare hand, the metal bending under his grip. He stares at her, his eyes filled with sadness and resolve. "You're better than this," he whispers.
Wonder Woman snatches the sword back, her expression cold. "Better than what? Protecting our world?"
Shazam sighs, his grip tightening around the sword, "Better than becoming the very thing we fight against."
The sadness and remorse once again overcame Diana as she looked down on the ground, remembering the deaths of many heroes and villains at the Regime's hands... However, much like before... She shakes her head and charges at Shazam.
Shazam's eyes glowed brighter than ever as he realized that he couldn't reason with Diana anymore. With a mighty shout, he pulled the sword from her grasp and swung it with all his might, aiming for her shield. The force of the blow sent Diana staggering back, the shield buckling under the pressure.
Diana gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with determination. She knew she had to end this, to prove her loyalty to the Regime and to Superman. She leaped into the air, her bracelets glowing with a fiery light. "If you won't stand with us, then you stand against us!"
Shazam's eyes grew serious as he watched her ascend. He knew he couldn't hold back anymore. He had to protect Harley and the path they were all trying to walk together. He raised his fists, lightning crackling around them, and met her in mid-air.
Their bracelets collided with a deafening boom, sparks flying in every direction. The explosion of energy sent them both hurtling back towards the ground, but Shazam managed to right himself first, slamming his feet into the pavement with a thunderous quake. Diana hit the ground a moment later, her shield barely holding against the onslaught.
Their eyes locked once more, the air around them charged with static electricity. The standoff was palpable, the fate of the city and their friendship hanging in the balance.
However, Diana was losing her balance before she could fully land on her feet. The force of Shazam's strike had thrown her off, and she stumbled backwards. She then got onto her knees...
SHAZAM WINS!
After defeating the Amazon Warrior, Shazam gently walked up to her, "Diana, it doesn't have to be like this. We can still work together, but not if you keep following orders that lead to destruction." He offered her his hand to help her up, but she slapped it away, her eyes burning with anger.
Wonder Woman stood, her shield barely hanging from her arm, "You dare to lecture me on destruction? Your hands aren't clean either, Billy!"
Shazam then looked down in remorse, "You're not wrong on that..." He admits in a sad tone, "Just like you, I joined Superman's Regime in order to make a difference. Especially after what Joker and Harley did to Lois and Metropolis years ago... I was willing to help him so much, even if it meant fighting the Green Lanterns, fighting the Gods, even my own friends! But we've gone too far, Diana. Too many lives have been lost. Too much has been destroyed."
Diana remained silent, her eyes cast down to the cracked ground beneath her, reflecting on the harsh reality of their actions. The Regime had started with noble intentions, but it had morphed into something unrecognizable.
Shazam then offered his hand once more, "We can still change this. For the better."
Diana took a deep breath, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. She looks up at Shazam, the light from his eyes reflecting in hers, and for a brief moment, she considers his offer. But then she shakes her head. "You're wrong, Billy. Superman knows what's best for this world. Without order, there's only chaos."
Before Billy could say anything that could convince Diana otherwise, two balls of dark energy soared through the sky, heading straight towards them. One froze Diana in place while the other sent Billy flying into a nearby building.
"Owww...! What the...?" Billy groaned as he pushed himself out of the wreckage, shaking his head to clear the fog. The air grew cold, and the ground trembled. The dark energy balls had come from nowhere, a chilling reminder of another enemy looming over them.
This one ports heavy, dark gray armor with silver accents and a Hoplite-style helmet that only exposes a small portion of his face. His gauntlets and boots have spikes on them, and six large horns-two curved and four straight-emerge from his helmet. In addition, a small horned skull emblem adorns the top of his helmet. He also wears a long, black cape, as well as a black loincloth. His skin is black, and his eyes glow red.
"It has been awhile... Billy," the figure spoke, his voice echoing through the city like a sinister symphony.
"A-ARES?!" Shazam stumbled to his feet, the tremors from the impact of the dark energy balls still reverberating through his bones.
The god of war hovered in the air, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, it is I," Ares confirmed, his red eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "I see that you've switched sides since I last saw you... Went from the Regime to the Insurgency? You may have switched sides, but that doesn't mean you're forgiven..."
"You're not the first person to tell me that" Shazam murmured under his breath, the gravity of the situation setting in. Ares hovered in the air, his very presence a harbinger of doom. The god of war had been known to incite battles and feed on the chaos that ensued, "Why are you even here?! I thought you were long gone ever since Superman took over"
"Superman's reign has nearly eliminated conflict. Left me virtually powerless…" Ares explains, "Until Batman and the Insurgents brought in some help from an alternate universe to end Superman's rule…"
"The Justice League from another dimension…" Shazam guessed correctly, remembering how he met another Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow. He then starts looking at Ares, "And I'm guessing that you actually helped them stop Superman?"
"In the short term. If Superman consolidates his rule, the conflict which fuels my powers will cease permanently." Ares answers, "Which was why I had the alternate Diana deal with my sister… After all, the enemy of my enemy… is my friend"
Shazam just glares at him, his fists tightening, "So, you're the one behind the chaos!"
"No... I did stoke the fires a bit... but I didn't cause the chaos... You, Superman and the Regime did, remember?" Ares retorted, his smile growing wider as he descended closer to Shazam.
Shazam's eyes narrowed, his fists crackling with power as he faced Ares, "We were trying to save the world!"
Ares chuckled darkly, "And yet, in your quest for order, you've only brought more death and suffering. You see, Billy, the world doesn't need saving. It needs balance."
Shazam's eyes widened in horror as he took in the destruction around them. The once-proud city was now a battleground, a testament to the unchecked power of gods and superhumans. He couldn't let Ares manipulate him anymore.
"Balance through chaos is not the answer," Shazam declared firmly, standing his ground. "The world needs heroes who fight for what's right, not just what's easy or what feeds their power."
"Then you shouldn't have joined Superman's Regime the first time," Ares retorts as he powers himself up and readies his sword, "After I'm done with you... I'll deal with my sister"
Shazam's heart sank as he saw the madness in Ares' eyes. He knew that he couldn't let him harm Diana, even though she didn't see eye-to-eye with him at the moment. He had to protect her, even if it meant going against the very gods themselves.
With a deep breath, Shazam called upon the power of the ancient wizard Shazam once more. A brilliant light enveloped him, and he grew in size and power. His muscles bulged and his eyes flashed with a fiery determination. He knew that if he didn't stop Ares now, the consequences would be catastrophic.
SHAZAM VS. ARES
Ares descended with the grace of a predator, his sword slicing through the air with a hiss that promised pain and destruction. Shazam met him with a roar, his own weapon of lightning crackling in his hand. The two titans clashed, sparks flying as their powers collided in a spectacle that could only be described as divine.
The sound of steel against steel rang out across the city, as Shazam's lightning-infused fists smashed into Ares' armor. Each blow resonated with the fury of a thousand thunderstorms, yet the god of war remained unyielding, his own weapon striking back with the precision of a seasoned warrior.
The battle was a dance of destruction, each participant moving with a grace that belied their immense power. Buildings crumbled around them as the ground trembled under the impact of their frenzied clashes. The air grew thick with the scent of ozone, a testament to the electric fury that arced between the two combatants.
Shazam dodged a swing from Ares' sword, the blade narrowly missing his head, and countered with a lightning-charged uppercut. Ares took the hit, his body convulsing from the electricity, but he didn't falter. He swung his sword again, aiming for Shazam's chest. Shazam managed to block it with his forearm, feeling the force of the blow reverberate through his very bones.
The two gods were evenly matched, their power a testament to the millennia of worship they had once enjoyed. The lightning and dark energy intertwined, creating a dazzling display of lights that painted the night sky in a macabre ballet of chaos.
It was a tough fight, with even Ares's powers increasing due to Brainiac's invasion. However, Shazam had grown stronger too, fueled by his newfound belief in justice and protection of the innocent. He couldn't allow Ares to hurt Diana even if she was currently against him. With a roar, Shazam called upon the wisdom of Solomon, and his mind raced, trying to find a way to outsmart the god of war.
Diana, still frozen by the dark energy, watched the battle unfold with a mix of fear and awe. Despite their differences, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for Shazam's valor. The clash of their powers was unlike anything she had ever witnessed. The air was charged with electricity, and the ground trembled with each blow they exchanged.
She also heard of what her step-brother just said. She couldn't believe that Ares sent her weak counterpart to stop her. Thanks to him, she was disowned by her own sister and was imprisoned for it. She then also recalled seeing him again when he visited her a few years ago, telling her about a new future threat and how she should find and train the person who could stop it. She quickly put the pieces together... The future threat was Brainiac, obviously... and she trained Supergirl to do it... before the blonde betrayed her by saving Harley Quinn from being killed by her.
Her eyes grew wide as she saw the lightning clash with dark energy, and she knew she had to get involved. However, the dark energy was too strong, she couldn't move. "ARES, YOU TRAITOR!" She screamed, her voice echoing through the city.
The dark god looked over at her, a smirk playing on his lips, "Ah, sister, always so dramatic. You should know better than to trust anyone but yourself."
Shazam took advantage of Ares' momentary distraction and lunged at him, his fists blazing with lightning. Ares blocked the attack with his sword, sparks flying everywhere. The clang of their weapons was deafening, their battle a symphony of chaos amidst the ruins of the city.
However, despite this, Shazam's resolve never wavered. He knew that the fate of the city and perhaps the world was in his hands. After a while, Ares' grin grew wider, seeing the fatigue in Shazam's eyes. But Shazam had something else in mind. He called upon the speed of Hermes and the strength of Hercules, darting around Ares in a blur of lightning.
The God of War then tries to get up but struggles to do so... He then falls to one knee, panting heavily.
SHAZAM WINS!
Shazam then walks up towards him, his eyes full of determination, "It's over!" He says as he brings down his fist, sending a bolt of lightning straight into Ares' chest, causing the dark god to roar in pain.
Ares's body convulses, his armor crackling with the electricity coursing through him. He stumbles back, his sword clattering to the ground. For a moment, it seems as if the battle is over. But the dark god isn't so easily defeated. With a snarl, he pulls himself to his feet, his eyes glowing with a fierce light.
"You haven't won yet!" Ares declares, "You may have beaten me... but the chaos is making me stronger each day! Brainiac won't stop until the Earth is gone!" He then disappears in a burst of dark energy, leaving Shazam standing alone amidst the destruction.
Diana then became unfroze from the dark energy, her eyes filled with rage at Ares's retreat. She looked around at the destruction, her heart heavy with the weight of their actions. "Is this what you call balance, Shazam?"
Shazam looked at her, his expression a mix of exhaustion and sadness. "No, Diana," he replied, his voice hoarse from the battle, "This isn't balance... This is the result of our actions, of choosing to fight each other instead of working together."
Diana rolled her eyes, "You let Ares escape!"
"We have bigger problems! As in stopping Brainiac from-ACK!" He was just about to say more when he was grabbed by someone flying at top speed, leaving a surprising Diana behind.
Shazam was grabbed by the throat before being thrown into the ground, the impact creating a crater. He looked up to see someone he thought he'd never see again...
"That ape said that you couldn't resist playing hero," the figure said with a sneer, their voice cold and menacing. It was the unmistakable tone of Thaddeus Sivana, his body now twisted and enhanced by the power of the Seven Deadly Sins once more. "But I knew better than to believe him. You're just as weak as the rest of them."
Shazam was very shocked and surprised to see him after all these years, "Thaddeus Sivana?! How did you escape from prison?"
"I had... a little help... literary..." He groaned, recalling his partnership with a green little worm named Mr. Mind, "But that's a story for another time. Right now, we have some unfinished business..."
"I don't have time for this, dude..." Shazam said as he struggles to get up, "You shouldn't even be here. Leave now while you still can."
"And miss the return of Billy Batson? I think not," Sivana sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. His body was a twisted amalgamation of power, the sins manifesting as grotesque appendages that writhed and snarled around him. "You've always been a thorn in my side, a reminder of the power I was destined to wield!"
Shazam clenched his fists, the lightning of his power crackling to life once more. "You didn't deserve that power! The Wizard gave it to me for a reason! So I can help others, not hurt innocents!"
"Ah yeah... Kinda like when Superman went to become a tyrant, and you went right along with him," Sivana retorted, his sneer growing, "But let's not dwell on the past, shall we? It's time for a new chapter in our little rivalry!"
Shazam's eyes narrowed as he staggered to his feet, the energy from the battle with Ares still crackling around him. He knew he had to be careful with Sivana. The power of the Seven Deadly Sins made him unpredictable and incredibly dangerous. "This isn't a game, Sivana," he warned, his voice echoing through the city streets.
Sivana only laughed, his twisted form seeming to grow even more monstrous. "You think I don't know that? This is about legacy, Billy. The legacy of power that was stolen from me! And I'm going to take it back, with or without your help!"
SHAZAM VS SIVANA
With a roar, Sivana charged at Shazam, his sin-infused limbs flailing like a whirlwind of destruction. Shazam managed to dodge the initial onslaught, but the sheer ferocity of the attack pushed him back, step by step. The sins of envy, greed, and pride fueled Sivana's every move, making him stronger and faster with each blow.
Shazam knew he had to end this quickly. He called upon the power of the ancient wizard again, feeling the energy surge through his veins. His eyes flashed with lightning, and he leaped into the air, aiming to catch Sivana off guard. However, Sivana anticipated the move, his gluttony-enhanced reflexes allowing him to swipe at Shazam with a tail of wrath that nearly sent him spiraling into a nearby skyscraper.
The two adversaries clashed in a fiery dance of lightning and shadow, each desperate to claim victory. The very air around them was charged with malice, the sins twisting Sivana's soul and fueling his rage. Shazam could feel the dark power emanating from his foe, a stark contrast to the warm, golden light that was his own lifeblood.
Shazam dodged a swipe from Sivana's greed-covered arm, narrowly avoiding the deadly spikes that jettisoned from his elbow. He knew that he couldn't just overpower Sivana; he had to outthink him, to find a way to separate him from the sins that had corrupted him.
He looked around for something to use to his advantage, and his eyes fell upon the ruins of a nearby electronics store. With a quick flash of speed, he darted towards it, grabbing a handful of cables. He spun around, using the cables to entangle Sivana's legs, tripping him up.
Sivana roared in anger, the ground shaking as he stumbled. Shazam knew he had to keep him off balance. He flew into the air, looping the cables around Sivana's neck and pulling tight. The tension was palpable, the electricity from his fingertips crackling menacingly.
Sivana's eyes bulged, his grip on the cables tightening as he fought against the constriction. The seven sins that had given him power were now a prison, choking the very life from him. "You can't win, Billy," he rasped, his voice strained. "The power is too great for a mere mortal to contain."
Shazam grunted with effort, his arms trembling as he held on. "I'm not just a mortal," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I'm the champion of the gods!" With a surge of strength, he yanked the cables tighter, and Sivana's body began to convulse.
The air grew thick with electricity as Shazam focused all his might into the cables, the lightning arcing through Sivana's body, trying to force the sins out of him. The dark energy fought back, the two forces locked in a brutal struggle for dominance. Sivana's eyes rolled back in his head, his body contorting as he screamed in agony.
On the ground, Diana watched the battle unfold, torn between her loyalty to Superman and her growing doubt about the Regime's methods. The sight of Shazam, a fellow hero, fighting against the darkness that had once been a man, filled her with a deep sense of unease.
Sivana was then sent crashing into the ground, the cables snapping and releasing a burst of energy that sent a shockwave through the city. Shazam hovered above him, panting heavily, his eyes glowing with a fierce determination. The sins around Sivana's body began to fade, their hold on him weakening.
Sivana tried to get up, but failed. His body was weakened, and the sins that had once empowered him were now a noose around his neck.
SHAZAM WINS!
The man looked up at his adversary, the lightning still crackling around his fists. "It's over, Sivana," Shazam said, his voice firm but tinged with sadness. "The power of the Seven Deadly Sins will no longer corrupt you."
Sivana glared at his archenemy before smirking, "Grodd is right, you know... You may have won this battle, but you've already lost the war... He and Brainiac will conquer this world, and all your precious 'justice' will crumble before them."
Shazam's expression grew grim as he stared down at the defeated villain, "Not if we can help it," he said, his voice filled with steel. He knew that he couldn't let Sivana escape again, not with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
However, unknown to the both of them, Diana was raising her sword, intending to kill Sivana for his previous crimes. She took a step forward, her eyes focused on the downed man, but then paused. She couldn't bring herself to do it. Despite her anger and the destruction she'd seen, she knew that Shazam was right. There had to be another way.
That was when she was blasted by the servant of Trigon, Raven, herself torn between her loyalty to her father and her own sense of justice. The dark magic sent Diana flying, her sword clattering to the ground.
Shazam saw the opportunity and acted quickly, catching Diana before she could hit the pavement too hard. He gently set her down, then turned to face Raven. "Why are you here?" He demanded, his eyes flashing with protective anger.
Raven hovered in the air, her eyes glowing red with Trigon's power. "Your interference has gone too far, Shazam," she said coldly. "My father has granted me the power to end this... and I shall not be denied."
"Raven, please... Don't do this! Beast Boy wouldn't want this for you," Shazam pleaded, his voice echoing with genuine concern.
A tear came from her left eye, implying some remorse due to her not being there when Metropolis was destroyed with The Joker, with Beast Boy being caught in the explosion and dying with it as well. However, she then glares at Shazam, "Beast Boy is gone... and it's because of you and your friends. You brought this destruction upon us all!"
Shazam looked at her with sadness in his eyes, "Raven, we didn't do this on purpose..."
"No, but I was wrong to join Superman's Regime..."
"We both were," Shazam said solemnly, looking into Raven's fiery eyes. "But we can still make it right."
Raven's glare didn't waver, "I am making it right," she replied, her voice echoing with the power of Trigon. "You stand in the way of order."
"Not like thi-" Shazam was about to say when Raven cut him off with a burst of dark energy that sent him hurtling into a nearby building. The structure groaned and collapsed around him, leaving him buried under a mountain of rubble.
Diana, barely conscious, watched as the dark magic enveloped Raven completely. She knew that the young woman was lost, consumed by grief and anger. Despite her own turmoil, she felt a profound sadness for her. She had to find a way to stop this madness before it claimed more lives.
With a tremendous effort, she pushed herself to her feet, the world spinning around her. She saw the city in ruins and knew that she couldn't let this go on. Not when there was still a chance to save it.
Raven floated in front towards Shazam who was getting up from the rubble, his eyes burning with a fierce light that seemed to pierce through the shadows. He knew that Raven was in pain, but he also knew that he couldn't let her become a weapon of destruction.
"Raven, listen to me," Shazam called out, his voice echoing through the ruins, "Your father's power is corrupting you. You don't have to do this."
The girl's eyes narrowed, the red glow around her intensifying, "You dare speak of corruption? You, who stand with a tyrant?"
"At least Superman had noble intentions before becoming evil, unlike your father who was evil from the start," Shazam retorted, his voice resonating through the desolate streets.
Raven's eyes flashed with anger, and she raised her hand, ready to unleash another wave of dark magic. However, a sudden surge of lightning shot out from the rubble, and Shazam emerged, looking more determined than ever.
The battle between Shazam and Raven began anew, with the two former friends now enemies locked in a fierce struggle. The air was thick with electricity and shadow as they clashed, each trying to outmatch the other's power. Shazam knew that he had to save Raven from herself, and from the influence of Trigon.
SHAZAM VS RAVEN
The demonic energy surrounding Raven grew stronger with each passing second, the air around her crackling with malevolent power. Shazam took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his decision to fight her. He knew he had to reach her, to bring her back from the brink of darkness. He leaped into the air, lightning bolts dancing around his fists.
The two of them clashed, their powers intertwining in a deadly dance of light and shadow. The ground below them shuddered with each impact, the city's remains groaning under the strain of their battle. Diana watched from a safe distance, her heart racing as she saw the raw emotion on Shazam's face. He wasn't just fighting to win; he was fighting for a soul.
Shazam rained down lightning bolts on Raven, each one a desperate plea for her to snap out of it. Raven, now fully consumed by Trigon's power, countered with waves of dark energy that sent buildings toppling. Despite the chaos, Shazam remained focused, his eyes never leaving hers. He knew that somewhere within that storm of anger and grief, the real Raven was still there, struggling to break free.
With a primal roar, Shazam gathered all his might and unleashed a blast of pure lightning, aiming for the center of Raven's chest where her heart lay. The bolt struck her, the impact sending her hurtling backward, the dark energy around her dissipating like smoke in the wind.
For a moment, everything was still. Then, the rubble began to shift, and a figure emerged, stumbling to its feet. It was Raven, her eyes clear of the red glow, the demonic aura gone. She looked around, dazed, as if waking from a terrible nightmare.
SHAZAM WINS!
"Raven... Are you okay...?" Billy Batson called out to her, his voice filled with genuine concern. She looked at him, her eyes no longer burning with the red glow of Trigon's power, but instead filled with a mix of confusion and pain.
"Billy..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked down at her hands, which were still shaking from the aftermath of the battle. "What have I done?"
Shazam stepped towards her, his expression a mix of relief and sadness. "You were under Trigon's control," he said gently, "But you're free now."
"I...I remember what happened... I... I remember the tragedy at Metropolis... Bart Allen and Beast Boy didn't got out of the explosion... A-And I remember from what Superman told me... He killed his wife and unborn child by mistake because Joker drugged him... He then killed the Joker out of revenge... A-A part of me understood his anger... Him killing the Joker... was justified, I'll say that... Batman's greatest mistake was letting the Joker live for so long... But... Me joining Superman's Regime... And becoming a servant to my father... I... I can't..." Raven's voice trailed off, her body trembling with guilt and anguish.
Shazam then gently hugs her, "You're not the only one who joined Superman, Raven... I did too, and we both regret it. But it's not too late for us to change."
Raven's eyes well up with tears, "I don't know if I can," she whispers, her voice shaking. "The things I've done..."
Shazam holds her tightly, "You can, Raven," he says firmly, "We all make mistakes. What matters is that we learn from them and make things right."
Diana, who had been watching the scene unfold, slowly approaches the two of them. Her eyes are filled with a mix of anger and sorrow, her mind racing with the revelations of the past. "Raven," she says, her voice stern but not unkind, "You've been manipulated, but that doesn't absolve you of your actions. We need to come together to fix this."
The Human/Demon Hybrid glares at the second-in-command of Superman's Regime, "Diana, stay out of this," she warns, her voice laced with the lingering power of Trigon.
Diana stands firm, her gaze unwavering. "This isn't about sides anymore, Raven," she says, her tone softening, "It's about saving our world from complete destruction."
Raven didn't fully trust Diana, especially once she secretly looked in her mind (both Shazam and Wonder Woman are unaware of that), but right now, she was too drained to argue. "I'll consider it," she says, her voice still filled with a hint of defiance.
Diana nods, understanding that pushing too hard right now could drive Raven away again. "We need to get going and find the others," she says urgently, glancing around at the destroyed cityscape. "We have to stop Brainiac now!"
Diana took a head-start flying at the air, expecting Shazam and Raven to follow. Raven looked at Shazam, who gave her a nod of reassurance. Despite the pain of their recent battle, she knew he was telling the truth. There was a bigger enemy out there, and they had to put aside their differences for now.
"B-Billy... T-Thank you... Thank you for bringing me back..." Raven mumbled as she looked at the ground, feeling the weight of her recent actions pressing down on her.
Shazam gave her a small, comforting smile, "You're welcome, Raven. Now, let's go. We need to help Diana stop Brainiac before he causes more harm."
The trio took to the skies, their hearts heavy with the realization of the monumental task ahead. The city below lay in shambles, a stark reminder of the price of their failure to unite against the real threat. As they flew, Shazam could feel the collective energy of the city's people, a mix of fear, anger, and hope. He knew that the fate of not just Metropolis, but the entire world, rested on their shoulders.
Now...
Brainiac's ship hovers over Metropolis and starts to digitize the buildings, drawing them up off of their foundations and making them ones and zeros as they get in range. While the place is abandoned of living people, the dead and dying litter the streets. Kent Nelson walks the streets, the Helm of Nabu in his hand.
Kent reaches down to help her but...
"NO!" Nabu, Spirit of the Helm, shouts in Kent's mind, warning him of changing fate like before.
Kent backs away in shame and remorse. He wanted to help the woman, but he knew he couldn't. The helm's power was too volatile, too dangerous. "I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice cracking.
"P-Please..." The female citizen begged before drawing her last breath and passing away.
Kent couldn't believe this is happening... He couldn't believe that he was so helpless to help the innocents... He couldn't believe that Nabu wouldn't let him do anything...
"Why can't I stop this?!" Kent roared, his anguish echoing through the desolate streets. Nabu's voice remained firm in his mind, reminding him of the delicate balance of fate.
He then looked at his helmet, "Why won't you let me fight back? How can there be order if Brainiac wins?!"
"Humanity breeds Chaos... Brainiac is Order!" Nabu's cold voice responded, echoing in Kent's mind.
Kent looks worried as he looks up a the sky, "But if we let him destroy everything, then what is left to order?!"
Nabu's response was silent for a moment before it came, "You do not understand the cosmic balance, mortal. Sometimes, order requires a clean slate."
He continues looking at the sky, knowing that he couldn't interfere with the fate of the city.
A/N: And that was chapter 17! I'm so happy that everyone is enjoying this story so much! Sorry that it took a while for it to be updated. Been focus on Real-Life issues and I'm moving in to my new house today! So, I might be gone for a few days, but I'll be back for this story some more! Anyways, speaking of which, I hope everyone enjoys the Shazam Chapter! I appreciate the advice everyone gave me to make this work! Now, it's time for a Detour, meaning we're heading to Damian Wayne going to Gotham City (which takes few hours before Brainiac's Attack on Metropolis) and earn Batman's forgiveness. Should I add some fight scenes for Damian or no? Review down below of what I should do!
Read, comment/review and MAY GOD BLESS US ALL!