The inner chamber of the Rock of Eternity was in shambles. Captain Marvel and Black Adam have been battling for hours, neither taking much of an advantage.
Both were struggling to catch their breath on opposite sides of the chamber, an unspoken truce being observed by both of them.
Marvel glanced over at his assailant, who had his eyes closed, squatting like a baseball catcher, seemingly meditating. Captain Marvel turned his back to Black Adam, trying to regain his strength and think up a plan to diffuse the situation. He had no idea who this person was, or why he was attacking him. But before he could complete his thought, he found himself struck in the back by a gigantic piece of boulder, pinning him against the wall of the chamber.
“No rules in battle, pretender,” Adam said. “That is why you are not worthy of the title of Champion.”
Marvel looked bewildered as he heaved the rock off his chest. He wasn’t used to this. Picking up normal criminals was easy, but this guy was just as strong and tough as him. Plus it didn’t seem like he had any qualms about resorting to whatever it takes to destroy Marvel.
There was nothing he could do. This man had his powers, had his invulnerability and as was much more ruthless than him. Marvel was hurt, but not out. But he was working against a man who literally had thousands of years of knowledge under his belt, little did he know. This was going to be a battle for his life, and he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. The revelation hit him harder than his opponent ever did. He wasn’t going to let this... this evil man get away with harming any innocent people, even if it meant giving up his own life.
The idea seemed to give him a warm feeling and it flowed through his veins, reinvigorating his muscles until he felt renewed.
“What’s the matter pretender, I am not the cockroaches you are used to stopping?” he laughed. “Perhaps when I am done here I will teach those who do not follow the rules in that city you call home the true meaning of fear.”
Marvel flew from the other side of the room striking his attacker in the chest and driving him back, shattering statues.
“Over my dead body Mister!” he shouted.
Black Adam shook his head, trying to clear out the fog of pain he was feeling.
“You dare touch me boy!” he screamed. “I will make you learn your place.”
And before Marvel knew it the man was back on his feet and speeding towards him.
>>
Use the gifts given to you Champion!<< Shazam’s voice echoed in Marvel’s head.
Just before Adam was on him, he dropped to his back and used his feet and his opponent’s momentum to toss the man into the far wall of the chamber with a deafening crash.
Marvel desperately looked around the chamber, hoping to find something that could help him. But there was nothing. No weapons, no clues, just broken statues and seven small stone jars that were set in a small alcove way in the back of the chamber.
“Valiant effort my friend,” came a voice from behind him, spinning Marvel around. Black Adam was emerging from a pile of rubble, dusting off his black uniform, looking none worse for the wear.
“I’m not your friend Mister,” Marvel said. “I don’t know what your up to, but you’re just plain mean.”
The laugh echoed through the chamber. “Mean? You sound like a child. Do you not know the power of which you possess?”
Billy wasn’t sure what he was getting at, but any break in the fighting was welcomed at this point as his entire body ached.
“I know what I’m doing,” Marvel replied.
“Do you?” Adam retorted. “Do you indeed? I’ve bested you in hand-to-hand combat yet we were both given the same powers by the same person.”
The news hit Marvel harder than any punch he had taken over the course of their short battle.
“You mean... you’re the rogue champion?” he gasped.
“Rogue? Is that what that witch told you!” he bellowed. “I am the mighty Teth-Adam, the one true champion until the Wizard decided I didn’t fit his plan anymore.”
Billy was still in shock over this man being the first champion, the one he replaced to catch that Adam spoke of the Wizard being a he.
“Plans, what plans?” Marvel asked.
Adam just shook his head.“He disagreed with how I went about carrying my powers and dispensing justice.”
Marvel’s mouth opened slightly. “You.. You killed people?”
The scowl returned to the man’s face.
“I did what I had to do,” he snarled. “If people want to act like animals then they will be treated like animals.”
Marvel didn’t respond, the thought of using his powers to kill people and to inspire fear just seemed sickening to him. This man, this supposed champion got what he rightly deserved when Shazam stripped him of his powers or whatever she did. But now he was back, and Shazam wasn’t here to stop him this time, he’s seen to that already.
Black Adam seemed to take no notice of Marvel’s reservations.
“Help me,” he said. “With our might combined we can rid this world of everything that’s wrong with it — oppression, slavery, crime, poverty. If we stand united as the champions of,” he paused... “you know who, there can be no one that could stand in our way.”
There was nothing Marvel could do anymore. He was at the mercy of this man whom attacked him in the middle of the Rock of Eternity of all places. This wasn’t something he was prepared to do. Using the wisdom of Solomon quickly he came up with a plan.
“That sounds... wonderful,” Marvel said, gritting his teeth. It was against his nature to lie, but he had to just this one chance if he hoped to get out of this alive.
Black Adam’s eyes narrowed as he studied Marvel for several minutes. Finally a small smile crept over his face.
“Excellent,” he laughed. “I didn’t think you would be one be swayed so easily, hence our earlier disagreement.”
He stood up slowly and walked over to Marvel and extended a muscular hand.
“To our new alliance, let evil tremble at the mere sight of us!,” Adam said.
Marvel stood up reluctantly and started to reach for the man’s hand. As Black Adam’s eyes locked on the nearing handshake Marvel leapt into action, swinging a huge left hand that connected with Adam’s jaw.
It was more power than Billy had ever used in his time as Captain Marvel, and the force of the blow sent Adam flying through the far wall into the streets of Fawcett City below.
Marvel’s face became grim as he tightened his cape over his shoulder. Then without hesitation leapt out of the hole in the Rock of Eternity rocketing after Black Adam.
To Be Continued...
