miss maggie (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bossymarmalade) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thejusticelounge2013-02-01 07:44 pm
bossymarmalade) wrote in thejusticelounge2013-02-01 07:44 pm
Entry tags:
thunderbolts and lightning, very, very, frightening
Dawn broke in downtown Fawcett City. On the steps of the courthouse, a large overstuffed leather recliner sat unoccupied. On the step in front of the recliner, seven tall brass oil lamps burned brightly, illuminating the morning. Each lamp had the same thin etching on their casings: “4:5”.
But those markings were not what caught the eye first. Burned into the headrest of the leather recliner was a single word: “SHAZAM”.
Captain Marvel stared down at the abandoned furniture, unsure what to make of it. He’d have written it off as some kind of prank, but for the fact that his own private word that changed Billy into Captain Marvel and back again was scrawled there for all the world to see, and it was here, in Fawcett City. HIS city.
He could remove the chair and lamps before anyone saw it, but that wasn’t the point. It was a message clearly meant for him, or at least about him, but he had no idea what any of it meant.
It was hard, after trying to convince the people in the League that Billy could look after himself, but wisdom overruled pride. He silently thanked Solomon as he pulled out his communicator.
“Um. Zatanna? I think I need help…”
“Bil- uh, Captain Marvel? What’s up?” Zatanna ask, flicking a hand against her thigh as her outfit transformed into her uniform. Settling her top-hat she listened to his brief explanation, “Ok. Right. I’ll be over soon. Fawcett City. Courthouse. Got it.”
In an instant she transported herself to Fawcett City, within walking distance of the courthouse Billy had described. Upon arriving, nothing seemed too threatening, but the chair and the lamps were present just as he had described. The carved numbers and word just as he had told her, “Right, we’ve got lamps and a chair…” Zatanna nodded as she glanced over the scene, nothing too out of the ordinary enough to set her thinking that any serious magic had been involved. “Any idea what’s up with 4:5 and Shazam? Some sort of connection?”
“I have NO idea what the numbers mean, but they’re on each of these seven lamps.” He lowered his voice, even though there was no one around to hear. “As for Sha-…er, that word, there,” he pointed to the chair, “It’s more than just a magic word to call upon my powers, you know. It’s an acronym. It’s the first letters of the names of all the gods and ancients that I draw my power from: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.”
“No one should really know it…” he lamented, “At least, no one outside the League. I trust you guys. Who could do this? How did they find out? It’s supposed to be a secret,” he scratched the back of his head.
Zatanna leaned in closer to Billy, listening with care over the details that went into the word he used to summon Captain Marvel. Placing a hand on his shoulder with a warm smile she calmly reassured him, “Don’t let them get in your head, you can still trust the League. You and your…god…like..pow-” she trailed off, her attention drawing back towards the numbers carved into the lamps. The mention of the Gods that field his powers giving her an idea.
“Captain Marvel, do you think those numbers could be referencing a bible verse?” She asked, her smile fading into a stern frown. She may not have known the scripture off the top of her head, but her gut was telling her it wasn’t good.
He dropped his hand from his head and looked down at her, blinking for a moment. “I see what you’re saying. Like a chapter and a verse? Chapter 4, verse 5?” He looked back at the display before them. The only knew a few bible stories, and that was from a few months of Sunday school one of his former foster parents made him attend, until he was relocated after their teenage son was arrested for dealing drugs out of the garage.
“What book though? There’s a lot of books in the Bible, aren’t there?” He looked back at the scene, then snapped his fingers excitedly, the clap of noise much louder than he meant it to be as it reverberated of the buildings around them. “Oops, sorry about that,” he reddened, “Um. What if we Google search ‘seven lamps’ and Chapter 4, verse 5?”
He did so, and showed Zatanna the result:
Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
“Weird,” he shrugged, looking back at the courtyard steps, “It looks more like a La-Z-boy than a throne…”
“Tomato Tomahto to some,” Zatanna muttered sarcastically towards the recliner, “It’s probably the equivalent of an American throne…a cheap lazy comparison to any royalty.”
Reading the verse over once more didn’t make Zatanna feel any better than before- her ears still ringing from the thunderous snap from a moment ago… ”Wait. Lighting…thunder? Captain Marvel do you think this has anything to do with your transformation?” Despite the haze of fear that had been over her when Billy had first transformed into Captain Marvel, Zatanna could still remember the deafening thunder that had sent her backwards.
“They don’t just know your word. I think whoever did this knows exactly what happens when you transform as well.”
“And if they know that,” he replied with a deep frown, folding his arms over his chest, “Then whoever ‘they’ are, they likely know about Billy as well. He’s not safe, Zatanna.” His frowning brow shadowed his eyes, making him all the more intimidating without even intending to. Billy had tried so very hard to protect Marvel’s secret, but it had gotten out anyway, and the child could be in grave danger.
After checking in with the League, they were instructed to bring up the evidence to the Watchtower lab. “Fine by me,” Marvel said seriously, “The sooner we get this out of Fawcett City, the better. People are starting to wake up, if we wait any longer they’ll see all this and they might get scared.”
With the speed of Mercury he extinguished the lamps, then gathered them up in one arm, and the recliner in the other. “Think you could use your magic to get us up to the Watchtower, Zee?”
Zatanna watched as it took only moments for Captain Marvel to gather up the lamps and recliner. The pit in her stomach only growing as Billy’s hero alter ego seemed just as worried for the young boy as she felt.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Zatanna nodded with a small smile, “I’ll get us there, no problem. Just hold still.” After a few seconds of concentration, Zee cast, “ekaT su ot eht rewothctaW.” In a flash Fawcett City was gone, and in it’s place was the familiar halls of the Watchtower. “So, do you need some help with the…evidence?” she offered, not wanting to part from Captain Marvel just yet.
He grinned down at her, always happy for her company. “Sure,” he answered her by handing her two of the lamps. The recliner was cumbersome, but to him it was as light as a feather. He walked down the corridor towards the labs, slowing slightly as they passed the branching corridor to the residential wing.
“Zatanna…” he said slowly, “I think it would be wise if Billy moved back to the Watchtower. At least until we catch the people doing this. Besides, Mrs. Jenkins could be in danger, too.”
Zatanna adjusted the lanterns in her arms as she looked to Captain Marvel with a nod, “That’s probably for the best…do you think Mrs. Jenkins is going to be in any danger for being around Billy?”
“Well, if they know about Billy, and they know where he lives, then they could try to get to me through her. Even if they just came looking for Billy, she’s an old lady, and she gets a little confused sometimes.” He adjusted his grip on the armchair as they neared the lab, “I know Green Arrow said he wants everyone up here, ready for deployment, but…”
“Look it’s no problem, I’ll take Billy down and back up to the Watchtower,” she suggested, “The two of us can go check on the situation and we’ll be gone and back before anyone can miss us.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, we’d both appreciate that, Zatanna. Thank you.” He dropped off his load at the lab, and followed her back out, transforming to Billy once they were clear of the unsuspecting staff.
Billy took her hand and grinned up at her, “Ready when you are!”
She smiled down at the boy, “Alright, hold still! oT .srM s’snikneJ emoh!”
They reappeared on the doorstep of her front door. “I can’t wait for you to meet her! She’s so nice!” he said excitedly, unlocking the door. “Mrs. Jenkins! It’s me, Billy!” There was no answer. “Mrs. Jenkins?” he called more worriedly, and began searching the house, not waiting for Zatanna. There was no sign of the shut-in woman in the kitchen, back yard, living room…when he finally looked in her bedroom, he was quite shocked. “Zee? Her quilt is gone. Off her bed. And her closet is empty! Who took her and her clothes and quilt?”
Zee held back, falling in slowly behind him, “I’m not sure Billy…but with her stuff missing I think she’s ok.” She looked out a window and noticed a neighbor nearby, “Maybe we should ask someone who lives around Mrs. Jenkins and see if they know what’s up?”
“Good idea!” he dashed outside. “Mr Blake! Mr. Blake? I just got home to look in on Mrs. Jenkins, and she’s not here. Do you know where she went?”
Zee came up behind Billy quietly, keeping a polite distance between him as he speaks to Mrs. Jenkins’ neighbor.
The middle-aged man looked at Billy, then at Zatanna, a silent nod of understanding between the two adults. He knew this woman, whoever she was, was looking out for the boy now. “Well, son, it seems some people from that Glenwood old folks’ home came and picked her up. I think they’re going to take very good care of her, don’t you worry.”
“But what about her son, Marcus? She’s waiting for him to come back from his tour of duty with the Army. How will he know how to find her?”
Mr. Blake gave Zatanna an uncomfortable look, then spoke to Billy very gently, “She told you about Marcus, did she? I’m sorry, Billy, but Mrs. Jenkins, she was a very confused lady. She has been for a long time. Her son…he was killed in the first Gulf War, almost twenty years ago. I don’t think she really accepted that he wasn’t coming home.”
“But…I don’t understand…” Billy looked back at Zatanna, confused and upset, and wanting answers.
Zee smiled at Mr. Blake warmly, “Thank you for letting us know.” Leading Billy back inside the house she told him, “We’re going to have to leave soon Billy, so grab anything that’s yours and I’ll take us back to the Watchtower. We’ll talk about it more up there, ok?”
“It’s all in the garage…just my bag, some clothes and a few library books…” he murmured, still unsure what had happened, and why. He headed to his makeshift bedroom, and looked into Marcus’ bedroom as he came back through the house. “She wouldn’t let me stay in here because it was his. She said she had to keep it the same as he left it, for when he got back…”
“Sometimes people get confused, or try to imagine things the way they want them to be. It sounds like Mrs. Jenkins really missed her son…” she took Billy’s hand in hers.
“Sometimes…she called me Marcus…”
She pressed her lips together, feeling more and more relieved that Billy was no longer able to live with this woman, “It sounds like Mrs. Jenkins is getting the help she needs now, remember she’s living in a much better place. So…are you all ready?”
“Yeah…” he said somewhat sadly, and hefted his backpack on one shoulder. “I just…I wish I could have said goodbye, is all.” He gave her hand a squeeze, to let her know he was ready to go back.
“I’ll help you unpack,” Zee smiled down to Billy, “oT eht rewothctaW”
Billy barely spoke on his way to his room. There really wasn’t much to unpack, as he just placed his backpack on the bed and took the library books out from under his arm and put the on the bedside table. “I’ll bet some lady with a briefcase came to get her. With a police officer.” He remembered the times when child services had to take him away from an undesirable situation with foster parents, only to place him in another undesirable situation.
Zatanna took a seat on Billy’s bed, “It’s probably for the best that Mrs. Jenkins isn’t living there anymore Billy. What if someone used her to get to Captain Marvel?”
“I guess you’re right.,” he sighed, “It was too dangerous for her to live with me. Especially now that people outside the League know my identity.”
She gave him a small smile, “Mrs. Jenkins is going to be fine, Billy, and so are you.”
Billy turned to her, dropping a few of his folded clothes on the bedspread, the frustration suddenly rising up in him again. “I just don’t understand how anyone found out!” he burst out, “I…I was so careful! I tried so hard…I didn’t tell anyone, honest!” Captain Marvel had be concerned for Billy’s welfare, and he had the courage of Achilles. “Don’t tell Damian, but…I’m…I’m kinda scared, Zee.”
Zatanna reached out a hand to Billy, “It’s ok to be scared, you did nothing wrong. Who knows what kind of trouble that person or group went to find out who you were. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
He took her hand, but on impulse, he threw his arms around her neck for a hug. He felt so many things right now: his mixed emotions about Mrs. Jenkins, his nervousness about his connection to Captain Marvel being known, even his mixed feelings about living on the Watchtower again, hiding from the world up here when he should be down there, saving it. “You always make me feel better,” he told her, “I think that’s your best magic of all.”
She squeezed him back tight, rocking him slightly against her while she rubbed a hand on his back, “It’s the least I can do…you’re too sweet to look that sad, Billy…”
After a little while he pulled away from her a little, and made sure he was smiling for her. “Do you think before they deploy you on a mission, you have time for a hot chocolate in the cafeteria?”
Zatanna smiled wide, “I’ve always got time for that. C’mon let’s go grab a mug for each of us.”
But those markings were not what caught the eye first. Burned into the headrest of the leather recliner was a single word: “SHAZAM”.
Captain Marvel stared down at the abandoned furniture, unsure what to make of it. He’d have written it off as some kind of prank, but for the fact that his own private word that changed Billy into Captain Marvel and back again was scrawled there for all the world to see, and it was here, in Fawcett City. HIS city.
He could remove the chair and lamps before anyone saw it, but that wasn’t the point. It was a message clearly meant for him, or at least about him, but he had no idea what any of it meant.
It was hard, after trying to convince the people in the League that Billy could look after himself, but wisdom overruled pride. He silently thanked Solomon as he pulled out his communicator.
“Um. Zatanna? I think I need help…”
“Bil- uh, Captain Marvel? What’s up?” Zatanna ask, flicking a hand against her thigh as her outfit transformed into her uniform. Settling her top-hat she listened to his brief explanation, “Ok. Right. I’ll be over soon. Fawcett City. Courthouse. Got it.”
In an instant she transported herself to Fawcett City, within walking distance of the courthouse Billy had described. Upon arriving, nothing seemed too threatening, but the chair and the lamps were present just as he had described. The carved numbers and word just as he had told her, “Right, we’ve got lamps and a chair…” Zatanna nodded as she glanced over the scene, nothing too out of the ordinary enough to set her thinking that any serious magic had been involved. “Any idea what’s up with 4:5 and Shazam? Some sort of connection?”
“I have NO idea what the numbers mean, but they’re on each of these seven lamps.” He lowered his voice, even though there was no one around to hear. “As for Sha-…er, that word, there,” he pointed to the chair, “It’s more than just a magic word to call upon my powers, you know. It’s an acronym. It’s the first letters of the names of all the gods and ancients that I draw my power from: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.”
“No one should really know it…” he lamented, “At least, no one outside the League. I trust you guys. Who could do this? How did they find out? It’s supposed to be a secret,” he scratched the back of his head.
Zatanna leaned in closer to Billy, listening with care over the details that went into the word he used to summon Captain Marvel. Placing a hand on his shoulder with a warm smile she calmly reassured him, “Don’t let them get in your head, you can still trust the League. You and your…god…like..pow-” she trailed off, her attention drawing back towards the numbers carved into the lamps. The mention of the Gods that field his powers giving her an idea.
“Captain Marvel, do you think those numbers could be referencing a bible verse?” She asked, her smile fading into a stern frown. She may not have known the scripture off the top of her head, but her gut was telling her it wasn’t good.
He dropped his hand from his head and looked down at her, blinking for a moment. “I see what you’re saying. Like a chapter and a verse? Chapter 4, verse 5?” He looked back at the display before them. The only knew a few bible stories, and that was from a few months of Sunday school one of his former foster parents made him attend, until he was relocated after their teenage son was arrested for dealing drugs out of the garage.
“What book though? There’s a lot of books in the Bible, aren’t there?” He looked back at the scene, then snapped his fingers excitedly, the clap of noise much louder than he meant it to be as it reverberated of the buildings around them. “Oops, sorry about that,” he reddened, “Um. What if we Google search ‘seven lamps’ and Chapter 4, verse 5?”
He did so, and showed Zatanna the result:
Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
“Weird,” he shrugged, looking back at the courtyard steps, “It looks more like a La-Z-boy than a throne…”
“Tomato Tomahto to some,” Zatanna muttered sarcastically towards the recliner, “It’s probably the equivalent of an American throne…a cheap lazy comparison to any royalty.”
Reading the verse over once more didn’t make Zatanna feel any better than before- her ears still ringing from the thunderous snap from a moment ago… ”Wait. Lighting…thunder? Captain Marvel do you think this has anything to do with your transformation?” Despite the haze of fear that had been over her when Billy had first transformed into Captain Marvel, Zatanna could still remember the deafening thunder that had sent her backwards.
“They don’t just know your word. I think whoever did this knows exactly what happens when you transform as well.”
“And if they know that,” he replied with a deep frown, folding his arms over his chest, “Then whoever ‘they’ are, they likely know about Billy as well. He’s not safe, Zatanna.” His frowning brow shadowed his eyes, making him all the more intimidating without even intending to. Billy had tried so very hard to protect Marvel’s secret, but it had gotten out anyway, and the child could be in grave danger.
After checking in with the League, they were instructed to bring up the evidence to the Watchtower lab. “Fine by me,” Marvel said seriously, “The sooner we get this out of Fawcett City, the better. People are starting to wake up, if we wait any longer they’ll see all this and they might get scared.”
With the speed of Mercury he extinguished the lamps, then gathered them up in one arm, and the recliner in the other. “Think you could use your magic to get us up to the Watchtower, Zee?”
Zatanna watched as it took only moments for Captain Marvel to gather up the lamps and recliner. The pit in her stomach only growing as Billy’s hero alter ego seemed just as worried for the young boy as she felt.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Zatanna nodded with a small smile, “I’ll get us there, no problem. Just hold still.” After a few seconds of concentration, Zee cast, “ekaT su ot eht rewothctaW.” In a flash Fawcett City was gone, and in it’s place was the familiar halls of the Watchtower. “So, do you need some help with the…evidence?” she offered, not wanting to part from Captain Marvel just yet.
He grinned down at her, always happy for her company. “Sure,” he answered her by handing her two of the lamps. The recliner was cumbersome, but to him it was as light as a feather. He walked down the corridor towards the labs, slowing slightly as they passed the branching corridor to the residential wing.
“Zatanna…” he said slowly, “I think it would be wise if Billy moved back to the Watchtower. At least until we catch the people doing this. Besides, Mrs. Jenkins could be in danger, too.”
Zatanna adjusted the lanterns in her arms as she looked to Captain Marvel with a nod, “That’s probably for the best…do you think Mrs. Jenkins is going to be in any danger for being around Billy?”
“Well, if they know about Billy, and they know where he lives, then they could try to get to me through her. Even if they just came looking for Billy, she’s an old lady, and she gets a little confused sometimes.” He adjusted his grip on the armchair as they neared the lab, “I know Green Arrow said he wants everyone up here, ready for deployment, but…”
“Look it’s no problem, I’ll take Billy down and back up to the Watchtower,” she suggested, “The two of us can go check on the situation and we’ll be gone and back before anyone can miss us.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, we’d both appreciate that, Zatanna. Thank you.” He dropped off his load at the lab, and followed her back out, transforming to Billy once they were clear of the unsuspecting staff.
Billy took her hand and grinned up at her, “Ready when you are!”
She smiled down at the boy, “Alright, hold still! oT .srM s’snikneJ emoh!”
They reappeared on the doorstep of her front door. “I can’t wait for you to meet her! She’s so nice!” he said excitedly, unlocking the door. “Mrs. Jenkins! It’s me, Billy!” There was no answer. “Mrs. Jenkins?” he called more worriedly, and began searching the house, not waiting for Zatanna. There was no sign of the shut-in woman in the kitchen, back yard, living room…when he finally looked in her bedroom, he was quite shocked. “Zee? Her quilt is gone. Off her bed. And her closet is empty! Who took her and her clothes and quilt?”
Zee held back, falling in slowly behind him, “I’m not sure Billy…but with her stuff missing I think she’s ok.” She looked out a window and noticed a neighbor nearby, “Maybe we should ask someone who lives around Mrs. Jenkins and see if they know what’s up?”
“Good idea!” he dashed outside. “Mr Blake! Mr. Blake? I just got home to look in on Mrs. Jenkins, and she’s not here. Do you know where she went?”
Zee came up behind Billy quietly, keeping a polite distance between him as he speaks to Mrs. Jenkins’ neighbor.
The middle-aged man looked at Billy, then at Zatanna, a silent nod of understanding between the two adults. He knew this woman, whoever she was, was looking out for the boy now. “Well, son, it seems some people from that Glenwood old folks’ home came and picked her up. I think they’re going to take very good care of her, don’t you worry.”
“But what about her son, Marcus? She’s waiting for him to come back from his tour of duty with the Army. How will he know how to find her?”
Mr. Blake gave Zatanna an uncomfortable look, then spoke to Billy very gently, “She told you about Marcus, did she? I’m sorry, Billy, but Mrs. Jenkins, she was a very confused lady. She has been for a long time. Her son…he was killed in the first Gulf War, almost twenty years ago. I don’t think she really accepted that he wasn’t coming home.”
“But…I don’t understand…” Billy looked back at Zatanna, confused and upset, and wanting answers.
Zee smiled at Mr. Blake warmly, “Thank you for letting us know.” Leading Billy back inside the house she told him, “We’re going to have to leave soon Billy, so grab anything that’s yours and I’ll take us back to the Watchtower. We’ll talk about it more up there, ok?”
“It’s all in the garage…just my bag, some clothes and a few library books…” he murmured, still unsure what had happened, and why. He headed to his makeshift bedroom, and looked into Marcus’ bedroom as he came back through the house. “She wouldn’t let me stay in here because it was his. She said she had to keep it the same as he left it, for when he got back…”
“Sometimes people get confused, or try to imagine things the way they want them to be. It sounds like Mrs. Jenkins really missed her son…” she took Billy’s hand in hers.
“Sometimes…she called me Marcus…”
She pressed her lips together, feeling more and more relieved that Billy was no longer able to live with this woman, “It sounds like Mrs. Jenkins is getting the help she needs now, remember she’s living in a much better place. So…are you all ready?”
“Yeah…” he said somewhat sadly, and hefted his backpack on one shoulder. “I just…I wish I could have said goodbye, is all.” He gave her hand a squeeze, to let her know he was ready to go back.
“I’ll help you unpack,” Zee smiled down to Billy, “oT eht rewothctaW”
Billy barely spoke on his way to his room. There really wasn’t much to unpack, as he just placed his backpack on the bed and took the library books out from under his arm and put the on the bedside table. “I’ll bet some lady with a briefcase came to get her. With a police officer.” He remembered the times when child services had to take him away from an undesirable situation with foster parents, only to place him in another undesirable situation.
Zatanna took a seat on Billy’s bed, “It’s probably for the best that Mrs. Jenkins isn’t living there anymore Billy. What if someone used her to get to Captain Marvel?”
“I guess you’re right.,” he sighed, “It was too dangerous for her to live with me. Especially now that people outside the League know my identity.”
She gave him a small smile, “Mrs. Jenkins is going to be fine, Billy, and so are you.”
Billy turned to her, dropping a few of his folded clothes on the bedspread, the frustration suddenly rising up in him again. “I just don’t understand how anyone found out!” he burst out, “I…I was so careful! I tried so hard…I didn’t tell anyone, honest!” Captain Marvel had be concerned for Billy’s welfare, and he had the courage of Achilles. “Don’t tell Damian, but…I’m…I’m kinda scared, Zee.”
Zatanna reached out a hand to Billy, “It’s ok to be scared, you did nothing wrong. Who knows what kind of trouble that person or group went to find out who you were. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
He took her hand, but on impulse, he threw his arms around her neck for a hug. He felt so many things right now: his mixed emotions about Mrs. Jenkins, his nervousness about his connection to Captain Marvel being known, even his mixed feelings about living on the Watchtower again, hiding from the world up here when he should be down there, saving it. “You always make me feel better,” he told her, “I think that’s your best magic of all.”
She squeezed him back tight, rocking him slightly against her while she rubbed a hand on his back, “It’s the least I can do…you’re too sweet to look that sad, Billy…”
After a little while he pulled away from her a little, and made sure he was smiling for her. “Do you think before they deploy you on a mission, you have time for a hot chocolate in the cafeteria?”
Zatanna smiled wide, “I’ve always got time for that. C’mon let’s go grab a mug for each of us.”