Dear Wiz,
You really are something. You know, you had the power of gods in your hands and you didn't even think anything of it. That's how amazing you were. Now that I have your powers, I can say how hard it is to not use them. I feel the power pulsing under my skin and my muscles are surging with power. I can feel all of the energy humming and moving within me.
And I got to say that it's pretty amazing.
I can see why Black Adam wanted more of it.
I know, Wiz. I used past tense.
I went to the docks today. I met Adam. And yeah, we had our fight. The one I knew he was looking for.
The sun hadn't risen yet which made the night seem bleak and treacherous. Rain was pouring from giant thunderheads that blocked out the stars. I thought the rain was kind of funny because it started as soon as I left the house. Even Mother Nature was against me.
The rain came down hard. It seemed like the closer I got to the docks, the more the rain wanted to slice the ground open with sheer bitterness. It was the kind of rain that I would have liked to look at, but instead I was in it, feeling the pressure of the raindrops sting and claw at my skin.
And then I arrived at the docks. My thoughts were broken up by caution. Boats casted shadows and I saw crevices that made me paranoid. Teth could be anywhere in the shadows. I walked along a wooden boardwalk, one with boats tied in neat rows until I reached the end. I turned to search and saw that to my left, the walkway continued.
But this one wasn't surrounded by boats. It was just a long straight path that lead to a roofed pavilion.
And there he was. Adam stood tall and confident. Arrogance and pride oozed from his deadly smile. And when I looked into his eyes, it was like time stopped Wiz, I froze. Uncle was nowhere to be found.
So I asked him. I said, "Where's Uncle?"
He laughed. It was menacing and calculating. It scared me to death and it was so loud that it shook my bones. In this setting, with the only light present coming from pavilion, Adam seemed like a monster.
He gave me a reply Wiz. That's when his game began. He said, "Your precious Uncle is dead, Billy."
My heart shrank. For a moment I believed him. I fell for his lies, but then I remembered how he liked to use mind games. He had a game and he wouldn't brake the rules and kill Uncle unless I didn't show up. I knew Uncle wasn't dead. It was all a trick to get me to let my guard down.
So I replied. Looking back on it, I was arrogant. "I know he's not dead. Your game wouldn't allow you to do that."
"And what makes you so sure?"
"Because if he was dead then you would seem less worried now." And that's when I knew I was right because his face slipped. I could see a slight crack in his smiling façade.
He gave an angry yowl and hurled himself toward me. And we fought.
He came toward me running with pure rage. I ran toward him. Right before we met I jumped over him and put a kick in his back. He stumbled forward, but only flew in the air and turned toward me.
He used superspeed to catch me off guard. Before I knew it there were hands on my neck squeezing and pushing me backward. We flew into the back wall of the pavilion and fell into the ocean.
My body burned from the sudden coldness and salt that got into my mouth. But Adam didn't let go. I kicked and punched trying to get him off me, but he wasn't relenting.
But Adam was on top of me. He could get hit by something. As best I could I mumbled Shazam. I felt salt bombard my throat as it cascaded into my lungs. I choked and things began to get dark.
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