Unlimited Legends #2 (Featuring Captain Marvel)

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Unlimited Legends #2
The Power of Shazam
Part 2:
The Champion

Featuring... Captain Marvel.

Written by Andrew
Edited by Daniel Dyer

The heat in Cairo was unbearable. Billy was sweating uncontrollably in the back seat of the taxi. He looked out into the streets and watched the people rushing by. It was no different than when he went through Metropolis Airport with his mother a week ago. He suddenly pushed that thought out, not wanting to focus on the immediate past just at that moment.

“Mom?” Billy turned to his mother.

“Yes Billy?”

“How long are we going to be at the museum? It isn’t exactly the most exciting place.”

“I thought you loved the mummy exhibit?” his mother asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well it was cool, until the fourth or fifth time,” Billy laughed.

His mother smiled and reassured him, saying, “I just have to take a look at an amulet dug up at the excavation site. It won’t be more than twenty minutes. Then tomorrow we go to the site. Think you can handle that?”

“I think I can handle that,” Billy smiled. The two shared a laugh as the taxi stopped in front of the museum. Then they entered the building and began to make their way to the back area. They passed an assortment of exhibits, most of which were based upon Egyptian history. Just before getting to the back area, Laura’s supervisor ran up to her.

“Laura,” the short, blonde man smiled, “Glad to see you’re here early. We need you to look at a few more things. We have a necklace and some pottery, as well as a golden headdress and some other things. I hope you’re ready for a long night.”

Billy looked at his mother, annoyed, “Only twenty minutes?”

Laura shrugged. “I hope you brought that video game you like so much.”

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

It was nearing midnight and only then was Laura Batson beginning to clean the amulet found at the excavation site. She polished the jewel and was just beginning to clean sand out of some hieroglyphs. She looked over at her son who had given up on getting to the last level an hour ago. She smiled.

“I’m almost done, Billy,” she said, “Ten more minutes at the most.”

Billy nodded in acknowledgment and went back to his thoughts. Things had changed a lot for him in the past year. His younger sister had drowned while they were playing at a campground. Billy couldn’t help but feel responsible in some way for her death, having been the one to start rolling… No! Like his mother said, you have to remember the past and learn from it. Don’t dwell on it. So he began to think of the tumultuous week he’d had. Monday, he was back home with his father. Then he hit his mother and now they were here. Why did he hit her? Just because she said the truth? His father did feel guilty and he just couldn’t deal with it. All of this was his fault.

“I hate him!” Billy hissed under his breath. He held his face in his hands and out of frustration. He didn’t like to admit it, but sometimes he wished his father would go away, or become the person he was. His mother looked at him, hearing what he had said.

“I know how you’re feeling right now, Billy,” she whispered, “Sometimes I don’t know if we have anything left. He’s given up on himself and he won’t do anything about it. Those feelings will never go away. Don’t fight them. Just… come to terms with them.”

“But he hit you, Mom!” Billy yelled, not caring who might hear, “I saw him do it with my own eyes! Didn’t you want to fight back? I just wanted to… I just wanted to hurt him-“

“Billy!” Laura said sternly, rising suddenly from her chair and walking over to her son, “Don’t you ever say that! If your anger gets the better of you only bad can come of it. Your father let that happen and you saw what that did.”

Billy got silent as his mom came over and put her hands on his shoulders. She seemed ready to cry. Billy suddenly felt horrible. This is the last thing he wanted. She looked straight at Billy, their eyes connecting.

“Promise me, Billy,” she whispered. “Promise me you won’t ever let your anger get the better of you.”

“Mom-“

“Promise me!”

“All right Mom,” Billy whispered. “I promise.” Laura let out a sigh as she returned to her desk.

“Thank you, Billy,” she smiled, “There will be times that fighting may be necessary, but only in defense. After what your father did… well, we can’t dwell on things. Why don’t you go run to the vending machine and grab us some food?”

Billy perked up. “Can I have some Doritos?” he smiled.

“Sure, Billy,” Laura smiled, “Love you.”

“You too, Mom,” Billy yelled as he ran off to find a vending machine.

Billy walked out of his mother’s work area and headed down the hall to the break room. A figure in the shadows watched as Billy left. When it was sure that Billy was gone, it headed into Laura’s work room.

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Billy walked into the room moments later. He was eating his Doritos and carrying some popcorn for his mother. When he walked in he dropped everything. The furniture was turned over and all the artifacts were gone. He started tearing through things, yelling for his mother. He looked behind the toppled desk and shrank away from the sight.

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

A month had come and gone. Laura Batson was buried next to Mary Batson’s empty grave. A small assemblage of people attended, with Billy’s father noticeably absent. None of this was on Billy’s mind at the moment, however, as he stood before a judge. Today he would find out what would happen to him, now that his mother had died.

“Due to your father’s inability to argue for custody, as well as the refusal of your relatives to take care of you, this court has decided that this day in January, you will be taken into state custody and placed within child services.”

Billy’s eyes went wide at the ruling. His father didn’t want him? Where was his father anyway? The last thing he wanted was to be put into foster care! Billy maintained his composure and decided to take the time to think instead of argue. He was then taken away by a child services worker.

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"Is this all you have to show, Wizard?” a voice interrupted, “The child has my sympathies for certain, but a tragic life by no means earns him our power.”

“Patience, I beg you,” Lady Shazam said calmly, “There is more.”

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"Just give me the damn money,” the large, rotund boy said, pushing a smaller red haired boy to the ground.

“But Mrs. Manning gave it to – oof!” the larger boy punched the smaller in the gut. Immediately he tore the money out of the small child’s hand and spat on him.

“Give back the money, Jay,” came Billy’s voice from behind the large sixteen-year-old. Jay turned around and sized up Billy. While not as frail as the red head, he was basically of average build. Jay smirked.

“What’re you gonna do, Batson?” Jay said, “I needed the money.”

“We all were given some money, Jay,” Billy said, “You don’t need it.”

There were four kids living under the Manning house. Mrs. Manning was an older lady who took in foster children. She was nice enough, but seemed to do it more for something to do rather than out of a love for children. Both boys were now in an unmonitored backyard in the city of New York. Billy waited for Jay’s response.

“Hey,” Jay shrugged, “I need money for smokes.” He turned and began to walk away. Anger was building within Billy, but he took a deep breath and walked up to Jay. He grabbed him by the shoulder to turn him around.

“Jay, can we please just be civil about thi-?“ Jay spun around and landed a stiff punch to Billy’s jaw. Billy fell to the ground holding his face. Jay stood over him without saying a word. He just shook his head and walked away. The red head came over to Billy and helped him to his feet.

“Thanks for trying Billy,” he said “You should’ve just tackled him.”

“Nah,” Billy said, wiping a small trickle of blood away from his mouth, “Wouldn’t have been right.”

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Later that night Billy awoke the small boy, Chris. He woke with a start and stared at Billy for awhile. The older boy had his Mets cap on and a blue jean jacket. He seemed ready to go somewhere.

“Billy,” Chris yawned, “What is -?”

“Shhh,” Billy warned him, “Not too loud.” Chris nodded. He seemed to know what Billy was going to say.

“You’re going to leave, aren’t you?” he asked bluntly.

Billy nodded, saying, “I have to. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that I need to get out in the world and… I don’t know. I’m leaving to find out.” Billy shrugged not really understanding that himself.

“Do you think we’ll see each other again?” Chris asked.

Billy thought about it for a moment before saying, “Who knows? If we do, I’ll be needing this back.” Billy placed his Mets cap atop Chris’ head.

“Thanks, Billy,” Chris smiled.

“Take care of yourself, little man,” Billy winked.

“You too, Billy,” Chris said. Moments later, Billy was gone.

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"You were wise to show that, Lady Shazam,” a voice said approvingly, “It is the small things that show a man’s worth.”

“Perhaps this Billy Batson will be able to handle the power of Shazam,” another agreed, “Perhaps not. I am not fully convinced, but since you approve, Wizard, I will relent.”

“Then we are decided?” Shazam asked.

“We are decided,” the stronger voice said.

---

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Almost a year had passed since Billy had been placed in foster care. A few months had gone by since he ran away from Mrs. Manning’s home. Now, he was doing odd jobs around the East Coast, constantly moving. Currently he was headed towards Philadelphia. His money was running low and he needed to find a good job working for a more extended period. He hoped that too many questions wouldn’t be asked.

He was making his way down an empty road not daring to hitchhike. Billy did hope for the best in people, but he wasn’t stupid. He neared an off road gas station and started a small run towards it hoping to take a break and spend what was left of his money on a good meal. The station slowly became more visible until Billy saw a terrifying sight. There were two men inside wearing ski masks and waving around a pair of guns. Billy stopped immediately. What should he do?

Before any thoughts could come into his head a bright light enveloped him. He couldn’t see a thing, so he closed his eyes to shut out the unwanted light. He held them shut for minutes on end. Finally, he opened them. He wasn’t prepared for what he saw next.

A huge cavern surrounded Billy. The walls were lined with statues and murals of heroics. He walked slowly over to a wall and stared at an odd word. It didn’t make much sense to him so he continued to walk in the direction he was facing. The murals and statues continued and Billy’s head looked around in awe. He was amazed by everything he saw.

“Good morning, Mr. Batson,” a voice said, “Welcome to the Rock of Eternity.”

Billy looked forward and saw what could only be described as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her skin had a dark tan to it, but it was light, like his mother’s. She wore a hood, which was down, allowing him to see her eeringly familiar face. She was so much like his mother!

“Who are you?” Billy asked carefully.

“I am Lady Shazam,” she replied, walking slowly towards Billy, “And I have brought you hear to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

“I wish to offer you the ability to bring justice to the world, Billy. I wish to offer you the chance to stop evil. I wish to offer you the chance to defeat the evil that you saw moments before I summoned you here.”

Billy’s head jerked up. “What kind of power?”

“A gift from the gods themselves,” Lady Shazam replied. She was steps away from Billy.

“The gods?”

“Yes,” Shazam smiled, “There is an evil coming to your planet. I am the protector of good on this world, so I wish to see that evil stopped. I have seen your hardships, Billy. Despite the sadness that fills your life, you have remained a strong individual. You stand by your convictions and have learned what it is to be prudent.”

“There are other heroes,” Billy stammered, “I… I…”

“You are to be granted the power to stop this evil,” Shazam interjected, “If you accept, that is. The heroes of Earth are strong, but they may not be strong enough. We need a Champion.”

Billy thought about this. He left Manning’s house to find himself. He was seeking a purpose. He had suffered much, and he didn’t wish that kind of suffering to be on others. So much could be wrong with this situation. So much could be right, though. He had been through so many hardships by now that he figured, what the hell?

“I accept,” Billy said.

“I hoped you would,” Shazam smiled, “You will be granted the attributes of some of the greatest beings ever to grace Earth. The wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. You need only to say my name, Shazam, and you will gain these abilities. You will become Earth’s Mightiest Mortal.”
Billy smirked, “So all I have to say is one word?”

“Yes,” Shazam said, “You will be granted my power. Call out my name!”

“SHAZAM!!”

Lighting crackled from the fingertips of the wizard, flying straight towards Billy. A burst of light assaulted Billy’s eyes as the lightning enveloped him. A flash of heat overcame him, and Billy fell to his knees. Just as quick as it all happened, it was done. The heat, the light and the energy all dispersed. Billy opened his eyes and looked around.

He was standing by the gas station he was at moments ago. The masked men were still inside, stuffing food and money into their bags. Billy felt different. He felt… powerful. Strong. He had changed. He looked himself over and noticed he was clad in a red and gold suit with a lightning bolt emblazoned upon his chest. He was taller too and could feel a cape fall over his broad shoulders. Suddenly, he knew who he was. And he knew what he had to do.

He walked over towards the gas station entrance and stood at the door. More concerned with the old man at the counter, the two criminals didn’t notice him. They ran towards the door and stopped cold. The one with the money raised his gun.

“Whoever the hell you are, get out of my way!”

Billy didn’t budge. He didn’t know why, but he wasn’t scared of the man.

“One strike, and you’re out,” the crook smiled.

He pulled the trigger and a loud blast was heard. Billy stood his ground. The bullets hit his chest and bounced off, flying off in random directions. Billy’s confidence grew. Bullets couldn’t hurt him! The gunman’s eyes went wide. The other crook shot him with his gun, only getting the same result. His eyes went wide.

“Oh shi-!”

“No,” Billy smiled, “The name’s Captain Marvel!”

To be continued...