Boom!
Thunder struck Adrian, shaking the atmosphere with a deafening roar.
Intense sparks coursed across his body, flashing violently as if lightning itself had erupted from him. The energy exploded outward, sending shockwaves through the surrounding sky.
Shazam, caught at the center of the display, stared at Adrian with a solemn expression. Despite the chaos, the figure before him remained perfectly unharmed.
Silver sparks crackled around Adrian's form, his uniform pristine, his presence exuding an almost terrifying authority. Crimson light glowed in his eyes.
Then, suddenly, a golden staff appeared in his hand, radiating oppressive power. Adrian, standing confidently amidst the turbulent atmosphere, pointed the Star Scepter at Shazam.
"Shazam!"
The word itself carried weight.
A bolt of lightning shot from the scepter, striking Shazam with a tremendous bang.
Shazam screamed as his form began to shrink, his powerful adult body giving way to the frame of a child.
"Ah?"
Falling through the air, the transformed Billy—Shazam—was caught mid-descent by Adrian, who had anticipated the strike. His invulnerability stemmed from the blessing or curse of the Trinity Goddess Hecate; no magic from her lineage could harm him.
The lightning from the Star Scepter, meanwhile, was Adrian's own adaptation, learned from Carol Danvers, an alternate version of Captain Marvel. Carol had absorbed magical lightning attacks, redirecting their energy back at Shazam, turning the tide of battle. Adrian had replicated this effect with precision, controlling the very force that had threatened him.
Holding the now-childlike Billy carefully, Adrian pinched his cheeks to prevent any sound as they slowly descended to the ground. Billy struggled, frustration etched across his small features. He couldn't comprehend how he had lost.
The moment their feet touched the earth, a green light pierced the air.
Hal Jordan, Green Lantern, appeared. This was the Hal of this timeline, newly chosen by the ring, far stronger than those who could merely fire energy blasts.
"Homelander!" Hal called, his voice a mix of surprise and apprehension.
Adrian's gaze shifted to him while still holding Billy. "Hal Jordan?"
"You finally showed up. I sent others to find you before."
Hal hesitated before continuing, "I wanted to thank you. If it weren't for your intervention, I might never have seen my mother again."
Adrian nodded lightly. "No thanks necessary. I made a promise to look after you and your mother."
Adrian's attention flicked back to Billy, still struggling quietly. "Is this why you came? Because of this child?"
Hal's expression softened slightly as he regarded Shazam. "I didn't expect him to be a child. I always thought he was an adult."
Adrian glanced down at Billy, shaking his head. "He wasn't a child when fighting."
"Forget it," Adrian said, tossing the dejected Shazam toward Hal. "Since you two know each other, I'll leave him in your hands."
Shazam landed heavily in front of Hal, groaning in discomfort.
Adrian turned his focus to Hal. "Now that I've released him, what will you do next?"
Hal exhaled slowly. "I want to see for myself… Will you truly make this world better, or will it become worse?"
"That answer comes from seeing, not from words," Adrian replied calmly before turning to leave.
Hal lingered, conflicted. Adrian had always been a figure of respect, someone Hal trusted despite the chaos he caused. Traveling the world had given Hal perspective, and though he couldn't entirely condone Adrian's actions, he could not oppose him either.
Shazam, brushing himself off, finally managed to speak, addressing Hal. "Thanks… but do I know you?"
"No, you don't. But I know you. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" Hal asked.
"No, I don't need that," Billy said firmly. "I didn't want this fight, but it's happened. Homelander… he used to be my idol."
"Idol?" Hal raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. And even after tonight, I still don't think he's entirely bad," Billy replied, rubbing his chest and looking thoughtful. "He has a temper, sure, but that doesn't mean he's wrong."
Hal chuckled quietly, understanding a little more about the child's reasoning.
"Can I ask you something?" Billy said after a pause.
"Of course."
"Earlier you said Homelander could help stop wars in the world. Is that true?"
Hal was silent, then admitted, "I can't guarantee it, but I like to think positively."
Billy considered this carefully. "Then maybe Homelander becoming president isn't such a bad thing. I finally have an answer, even if it's temporary."
Hal shook his head, smiling. "You're still a child. You don't need to carry the weight of the world yet."
Billy looked at him with a maturity beyond his years, but Hal only saw the innocence behind it.
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