Yours Truly

December 11, 1996

Then instantly lightening came and struck Adam. His grip froze, but his body shook violently. I could feel the current through his hands go into my body.

And yes, Wiz, it was a dumb idea considering the ocean is a conductor, but that only made the lightening stronger.

But I turned back into my Billy self since I felt the current. But Adam let go. He was stunned.

I swam to the dock with my remaining energy and coughed. I pulled my body from the water and hunched over. It was a close call.

It wasn't long until Adam came back though. He burst through the top of the ocean and stared at me.

Out of breath I yelled over the rain at him. I had to start the plan Superman and I had made. "I learned something from that Wizard's book." I tried to smile, but I kept coughing.

Adam landed back onto the boardwalk and slowly came toward me. "And what was that?"

"I know how you can get my powers."

"I already know you ignorant little boy." He pace quickened, "I kill you and then the powers look for the knew host or one with the same powers."

I tried to seem as confident as him. 

"Or you think you know." I stood up. 

And I couldn't lie Wiz, I felt vulnerable and afraid, but something also felt right. I was standing up to a supervillain in my normal form with rain still pouring and nothing on my side. "And I'll tell you what the book said if you leave me and Uncle alone. That's all I ask."

I gave and internal smile. He was falling for it. I played the protection card, the most hero thing I've ever done. He was buying the lie. Adam stopped. I could see him thinking. He wasn't sure if I was telling the truth.

I took a step forward. "You have to leave me and Uncle alone."

"What about the world? You're not going to stop me from taking that?" Teth said.

He was walking closer. So did I. I replied, "As long as Uncle and I don't get hurt."

Teth and I were face to face. I looked up at him. I wished I was taller, then maybe I would seem more intimidating.

Teth smiled and grabbed my throat again. 

"I'll do what ever I want. And you'll tell me now or I'll actually kill your Uncle." He let my throat go and backed away into the shadows. Moments later he returned with an unconscious Uncle.

My eyes widened. I had to get back into my other form. But Teth stopped me from doing anything. "Don't try to get back into your super form Billy, or I'll kill your Uncle. You're going to tell me what I need to know now, or Uncle will die."

I had him. He was going to believe whatever I said because he thought I was desperate. I breathed in a raggedly breath. 

"Fine. We have to say the word. You know the one. If we say it together then the powers will combine and go to the stronger person."

Teth smiled, his eyes showing the true maniac that he was. 

"Then say it. Say it now."

We both yelled it. Lightening struck me and then him. But he just turned back into his human self. The warrior he was. Uncle fell to the ground with a thud and Teth stood frozen.

He yelled. He cursed. He panicked. But then he grasped his chest in pain. He moaned as he started to vanish. His hands turned to dust and then the rest of him followed. His screams slowly fading with him. He was washed away by the rain.

I felt my body buzz. I felt more powerful. I got his powers. I got the full strength of the powers.

I went to Uncle. He wasn't dead, he was okay.

******

So Wiz, that's the story. I feel okay now. I feel at peace.

I fought Adam and won.

I rescued Uncle. He's alive.

It was hard and painful, but the most awful thing of all was the look on Teth's face when it was over.

At the very end of it all there was this look on his face that was only human. No powers. No anger. Just pure humanity that made me feel slightly regretful. He just wanted to live.

But he's not here anymore. It's just me.

I'm the protector. I'm the leader. I can save the world I guess.

And I think the best part of this story was that Supes asked me to join the League. He saw the headlines of Captain Marvel stopping Black Adam and saw something special within me.

But I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I think I'll say no. I've learned so many things and need to learn more before I can say yes.

But thanks for everything Wiz.

Yours Truly,

Billy Batson