Chapter 623: Shazam? What the Heck?
A Less-Than-Heroic Debut
Despite possessing the power of the six Gods, Billy was fundamentally still a child. He wanted to fight crime like Batman and help others like Superman, but when the moment arrived, he inevitably hesitated.
"What if they have guns?"
"Batman has a famous quote: 'The best fight is the one where you knock them down before they can shoot.'"
"You can do this, Billy. It's going to be fine."
Billy rubbed his head. When did Batman ever say that? I don't remember. Nevertheless, his brother's encouragement gave him the courage to step into the alleyway.
Seven seedy street thugs were conducting an illicit transaction. Seeing the newcomer, they froze for a moment. A short guy wearing a baseball cap jeered,
"Hey, you big oaf, which circus did you escape from?"
"I'm not from a circus," Billy lifted his chin, proclaiming like a movie protagonist, "Listen up! My name is Shazam! I am the nemesis of all evil forces!"
Pfft!
Several men burst out laughing.
"Shazam?"
"What kind of name is that?"
"Are you here to be a comedian?"
"Did this guy break out of a mental hospital?"
...
As the insults flew, Billy's face flushed red with embarrassment. The leader of the thugs pulled out a gun and shouted impatiently,
"Get lost! Don't mess things up here."
Billy gritted his teeth, feeling intensely annoyed. Just announcing my name, and you all laugh like that? What's wrong with Shazam? It's not like I called myself an idiot.
He clenched his fists and advanced on them, step by step.
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out. Two bullets struck the lightning symbol on his chest, instantly bouncing off without leaving a scratch.
The thugs' faces immediately changed.
"This guy really is a superhero!"
"Damn it! I hate metahumans the most!"
"What are you waiting for? Run!"
Seeing the situation turn dire, the thugs took off running. Before they got far, Billy blocked their path. The over-six-foot-tall Billy was as strong as a gorilla. Though he didn't know how to fight, his strength was overwhelming. He easily slammed them all onto the ground with just one hand.
"Selling drugs is a crime! I'm going to take you to the police station like Batman would!"
Half an hour later, at the Philadelphia East District Police Station.
Under the dumbfounded gaze of the police officers, Billy waved goodbye with an embarrassed look.
The thugs weren't dealing drugs; they were trading marijuana. In Philadelphia, marijuana was legal. This meant he had not only arrested the wrong people but might also be sued and forced to pay their medical bills.
When he learned this, Billy's head spun. He wished he could crawl into a hole.
To have his first act as a hero turn into this was utterly humiliating.
Recruitment
After leaving the police station, a strange voice suddenly called out behind him.
"They said you were a child. I guess it was true."
Billy instinctively turned around. A figure stood on the rooftop: about five feet eight inches tall, wearing a high-tech power armor with a striking lightning bolt symbol on its chest.
"The Flash?"
Billy was completely stunned. He recognized the suit—the exclusive gear of the Flash, one of the Big Six superheroes. The hero column on ShowMe had detailed coverage.
"Central City Flash! C-c-c-c-could you give me an autograph?"
"No problem," Barry climbed down from the rooftop, skillfully pulling out an energy pen. "Where should I sign?"
Billy pointed at the lightning symbol on his chest.
"Here! Right here!"
Barry smoothly signed his carefully practiced autograph.
Billy was so excited his hands and feet were twitching. "You know, I've always been your fan! I read every single one of your blog posts! And Superman and Batman! You guys are the heroes who saved the world! Oh my gosh! I'm face-to-face with the Flash! This is so cool! I have to tell Freddy! He'll go crazy!"
Barry: "..."
The person the Wizard chose is an obsessed fan of the superheroes!
"Oh, right! Is it true that you guys are forming a league—that Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman are all joining?"
"Uh! Uh! Uh... I can't answer that question."
"That means it's true! Oh my God! You guys really are forming a league!"
Billy's eyes shone. "Look at me! I'm really powerful! Can I join you and fight crime? I'll even be a reserve member!"
Barry: "..."
"How old are you? Are you eighteen yet?"
"I'm already sixteen!"
Sixteen?
Barry brought up the file: Billy Batson, thirteen years old, eighth grade at Fawcett High, currently adopted by the Vasquez family.
"Are you sure you're sixteen?"
"Of course! My physique proves everything!"
The boy struck a bodybuilder pose, flexing his impressive chest and biceps to prove he was mature enough. Barry watched the display, his head aching. He couldn't help but wave his hands.
"Stop, stop. I believe you're sixteen, Billy... or I should call you Shazam. Can you do us a favor?"
"A favor? Help you?"
"Yes. Me, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter... we ran into some trouble, and we need you."
Billy gasped, covering his mouth in shock. He then grabbed Barry's hand, speaking with overwhelming honor. "No problem! Whatever the trouble is, I'll definitely help! When do we leave? Now? I'm ready to accept the test, sir! Absolutely no problem!"
Barry: "..."
Is there something wrong with this guy's head? Barry decided not to say too much. Following Luke's instructions, he led the boy to the rooftop, activated a remote device, and a cool-looking spaceship phased into view.
"That is one cool alien spaceship!"
"It's not an alien ship; it's an Earth product. The Boss designed it."
"Who is this 'Boss' you talk about? Is he the Red Ghost, one of the Big Six superheroes?"
Red Ghost?
Barry looked at the big guy in confusion. "You call him the Red Ghost?"
"That's what everyone says. He wears red armor, and when he fights, red light is everywhere. Plus, he's mysterious, like a ghost."
That sounds pretty reasonable. Barry thought the nickname suited Luke well.
The two boarded the ship. Billy looked and touched everything like a curious child, showing no concern about the identity or purpose of the person taking him. Seeing this, Barry couldn't help but shake his head.
He really is a child.
A normal person in this situation would be extremely wary, but this kid was fine with everything, asking no questions and just going along.
The ship started, left Philadelphia, and flew rapidly eastward. In just over ten minutes, it crossed nearly half the globe, arriving at a canyon near the eastern border of Israel.
This was one of the entrances to the Rock of Eternity.
Linda was guarding the entrance. Seeing the newcomer—a strongman who looked like a gorilla—she couldn't help but frown.
"Didn't you say he was a kid?"
Barry shrugged. "He is a kid, at least mentally."
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