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Looking at the car park set me wondering how many of the drivers had paid more to park their car than they had to fly from Larnaca to Birmingham on this A319.
A very poor, rushed shot of the rear end of Arriva North West 3058 MX10 DCU is seen here in Tuebrook as it operates route 18 to Croxteth Park.
This bus, along with 3059-61, have been on loan to Arriva Malta for the past 9 months. They have now returned. In an effort to get them into service quicker, the LED's have been rather poorly programmed. The front shows the route number on the left, the side just shows the number and the rear doesn't work at all.
This bus is plastered with Maltese notices internally, and as can just be seen here it's Arriva Malta website notice is still evident.
National Express Trident 4594 passes Birmingham Road whilst carrying a 51 service for Birmingham
Vehicle Details
Operator: National Express West Midlands
Fleet Details: 4594 'Minah'
Registration: BX54 DCU
Vehicle Type: Transbus Trident 2, Transbus ALX400
Vehicle History
New to Wolverhampton 07/04
transferred to Birmingham 12/16
transferred to Walsall 12/17
transferred to Yardley Wood 04/19
1984 Daimler 4.2 auto.
Last taxed in June 2014 and last MoT test expired in April 2022.
Anglia Car Auctions, King's Lynn -
"Chassis number: SADDCRLP3CC377129. This Daimler 4.2 saloon is finished in Sand beige with beige hide interior. Registered in January 1984 with 103,395 miles now showing on its odometer. The 4.2-litre car's last MoT expired in April 2022 after having been tested the previous year at an indicated 103,250 miles. Enclosed with the Daimler are the V5C, assorted 21st century bills, some MoT certificates, undated photos of the car seemingly being restored and the book pack, with maintenance handbook, radio instructions and service book, with stamps to 99,898 miles in June 2011."
No reserve but remained unsold.
Volvo B5tL/Wrightbus Gemini 3 SG496 is seen leaving the Dublin City University Complex on a route 44
Welp here's some figs inspired by the published DCU content.
Lantern - Of course written by King Clown. I honestly don't have the parts that most use to upgrade this figure so I left him as is.
Green Arrow - Written by Enoshime. Pretty much the one from the javelin but I added TLBM Robin arms and painted my own dark green boots.
Shazam - Written by HaphazardPanada. Pretty simple Shazam. I would've loved to use the new figure but it ain't out yet.
Aquaman - I don't have the new figure so I used the old torso with the Black Manta Sub Legs. Also used the original Chris Pratt head because King Clown does so.
Batman - Written by Joe. Thought this suit closely resembled Joe's beautiful painted one.
Superman - Written by Superior Idiot. Just used the MM legs but I didn't have the arms so I just used red.
Beast Boy - Written by Enoshima. Vanilla fig,
Starman: By Congo Jack. I like his "out of costume" look.
Flash: Written by me. I painted the dark red on an old Flash Figure.
DC Classics Batman and First Appearance Nightwing.
This version of Nightwing gets criticized a lot but I like it. Memories of the '80s, I guess.
During and immediately after the hurricane, we all stayed in warehouses, along with all the earth moving equipment belonging to the Seabees.
“Well then Parasite.” I say with my arms closed. “I can hope that you will surrender peaceful-” I’m interrupted by him punching me in the chest. Which throws me against a wall.
“So much for superman.” The parasite says. I try to punch him, but he grabs my fist. As soon as he does, I feel myself getting weaker each second. “So this your energy, so full of pure energy. I like it!” I get my left hand into a fist and muster as much strength as I can to punch him. Which causes him to fly through the building and roof.
I try to take a few breaths, feeling my energy coming back to me. I then speed away into the air. I have to make sure I don’t make contact with his hands or mouth.
I land at the ground near him. Using my X-ray vision to find any weak points. There’s one extra vein around the center of his chest. It appears to be glowing and almost like a second heart, but it looks to absorb energy more rather than be an organ. I have to be careful and not kill him, although i’ll probably have to let him think he got me. I approach him, expecting him to get me, by which he does.
“You’re finished superman!” He yells. I then give a grin before giving a remark.
“I don’t think so.” I use my heat ray vision to blast him at the vein. He roars in pain and causes a powerful explosion, powerful enough to get me of my feet. With him being weakened, now’s my chance! I freeze breath him to keep him there. I stand there before I hear a bunch of cheers coming from behind me. I turn around and give a smile to the crowd, until I see Lois, and the police. Time to go!
I fly off into the sky. This is gonna be awkward.
National Express Hydroliner H1008 pauses at High Street whilst carrying a 51 service for Walsall
Vehicle Details
Operator: National Express West Midlands
Fleet Details: H1008
Registration: BX21 DCU
Vehicle Type: Wright Streetdeck Hydroliner FCEV
Vehicle History
New 09/21 - into service at Walsall 12/21
DCU Shazam! - Issue #4
Dinner is… a strange event.
I am sat at the head of the table, as the new guy. Down the left side is Freddie, Mary and Darla. On the right is Rosa, Pedro, Eugene and finally Victor at the other head of the table.
Everyone digs into the homemade pizza. It's even better than Papa Johns. I devour mine, a pepperoni, in less than 5 minutes. Everyone else was only halfway through theirs when I finished.
I felt greedy, so offered a few crusts to the cat that kept bothering me and rubbing around my legs. I assumed this was Tawny, who Freddie mentioned earlier. A ginger cat, who everyone seemed to be chuckling at as I fed him my scraps. Laughing back, I ask:
Billy Batson: “What is it?”
Mary Bromfield: “That's Tawny. He always bothers newcomers, ‘cause he knows they'll give him food.”
Rosa Vasquez: “He's the cheekiest cat I've ever known!”
Eugene Choi: “He bothers guests too, y'know.”
Everyone gives Eugene a look. I scowl in his direction.
Victor Vasquez: “That's enough of that, Eugene. Billy is a part of this family now, and that's the last we'll hear of it.”
Eugene huffs and leaves the table with an attitude, slamming the door shut on the way out.
Victor Vasquez: “Don't take it too personally, Billy. He'll come around, I'm sure.”
After that eventful… event, we finish dinner and then everyone clears up. They work as a unit. A family unit, even though none of them are related.
I take over Eugene's role of moving all the dirty plates and boards into the kitchen, with help from Pedro. Then, Freddie washes the plates while Darla and Mary dry them off and put them back in the cupboard. They were cohesive, and now I was a part of that. Part of a family.
But not everyone in the family agreed. When Pedro went off to feed Tawny some real cat food, I ventured up the stairs and into Eugene and Pedro's room.
Eugene was sat on a beanbag chair over Pedro's side of the room, hunched over a controller. By the looks of it, he was playing DOOM or something equally as aggressive.
Eugene Choi: “It's two player, Pedro, so if you wanna jump in...”
I coughed, alerting him to my presence.
Eugene Choi: “Oh. It's you.”
He pauses the game and turns to me.
Eugene Choi: “What do you want?”
Billy Batson: “I just wanna know why you hate me so much.”
I say it bluntly.
Eugene Choi: “I don't hate you. It's just… everything is going so well and… I
I don't want you to screw it up.”
Billy Batson: “I don't plan on it. I really like this place”
Eugene Choi: “Okay. It's just… I used to be the new kid and I didn't settle in at first. It was so hard to adjust to this life. But I managed. Then Freddie came, and everything was different again, and I had to readjust. Now you're here and everything is changing again…”
He turns away from me and faces the TV screen again.
Billy Batson: “Don't worry, man. I want to make this work as much as you do. This is hard for me too…”
He turns back to me. He now has two controllers in his hand, and passes one in my direction. I take it and start playing the game alongside him. Alongside my new friend. Maybe not my brother yet, but friend is a decent step in the right direction.
________________________________________________
Credit to Paul Lee & ReggiesTake (I think) for the Movie Posters
The Caped Crusaders have been tracking a killer in Gotham City. When they narrowed their search to this area, Batman took one side of the street and Robin took the other. Looks like this is Robin's lucky day.
The killer is actually a WWF Demolition figure (appropriately, it's Ax).
I started out intending to take one photo, but ended up with a full Instagram sequence showing Robin take down and disarm his assailant.
I hear screams at the eiffel tower monument, I fly as fast as I can to see people running away, I land close by to search for lois.
“Superman?” I turn to see lois.
“Loi-” I get distracted to notice something rush me to the side, causing me to crash at one of the pillars.
“Sorry to interrupt a passionate moment between you and your loved one.” I look to see the voice from earlier, it looks to have a body similar to the robots from before, but it’s in blue, and a quarter of it’s head has a human eye and skin surrounding it, with hair. “But I have a score to settle.”
“What did I do to be your enemy?” it chuckles before flying at me.
“You took down lex luthor, you stole my kill.” it grabs and throws me inside the structure.
“That doesn’t make any sense, unless…..” Then a possibility hits me, “You were one of his victims?”
“There we go! At least now I know you’re not hopelessly clueless.” I attempt to get a hit on him, but he blocks it and slammed me into the ground. I blast my laser vision, but it barely fazes him.
“Nice try, but I don’t burn.” his arm transforms into an arm cannon, blasting me several blocks. There’s gotta be some way to beat him. He flies right at me. I grab a street lamp pole and swung it at him, incapacitating him for barely a few seconds before he flies back at me. I block him, however the force of impact causes me to crash into the ground.
“Honestly, with all this power, I don’t know why you thought of becoming a superhero. Seems kind of idiotic if you ask me.” I try to go for a punch, but he dodges only to knee and grab me by the neck before throwing me at a bridge. I get up to try and rush at him to get him away from the people, but he holds his ground and throws me at another wall.
“You done yet? I’m starting to feel slightly bad for you.” He jokes before going for another hit. I dodge and grab him by the forearm before using freeze breath on his chest and punching him. I notice, His chest isn’t healing, it’s possible that maybe freezing his body will stop him, but it likely won’t work while he’s still moving. I don’t have enough time before he blasts at me.
“Is that it? Do you really think a little bit of cold air will stop me?”
“No, but maybe this will.” I clap my hands together, letting out a thunderclap, which the impact has him fly through a wall. Giving me a bit of time to grab him by his leg and fly as fast as I can into the sky.
“What are you doing?” He asks, slightly confused before realising what I’m about to do.
“Are you insane?! You’ll kill us both!” He shouts, trying his best to break free. Before I turn back to him.
“We’ll find out, won’t we?” I continue to fly as fast as I can until I see darkness and the stars. And finally, with all my strength to throw him as far away from earth as I can. The last I see of him is his body freezing before he disappears.
I then notice…. I’m in space, and…. I’m still alive.
“But… how?” I think to myself. I notice a slight glow surrounding my body, almost like a… forcefield. I then notice the glow of the sun, and how it feels… warm.I look around to see the stars and other planets, and how…. Beautiful it all looks. A smile escapes me. I get one last look at the scenery of the stars and planets before I fly back down to earth, thinking to myself.
“Lois is gonna be so jealous.”
-------------------------------------------
I rush back to meet up with lois.
“Hey, sorry it took so lo-” she hugs me tightly.
“Never do your crazy plans without at least telling me Kent, or I swear.”
“Don’t worry lois, I’m fairly sure you’ll kill me before any villain does.” She does a fake gasp before lightly punching me in the shoulder. I respond by laughing a bit before she joins in.
“So… that concert, we still going?”
“Due to the attack, the concert was kinda….. Cancelled.”
“Oh, Lois I’m-”
“Don’t say sorry Clark, I get it. Although I’m curious to know why that guy was attacking you.” She asks, arms folded. I look up at her.
“He was one of Lex’s victims, said I took away his chance.”
“That sounds dumb if you ask me.” She mutters out.
“Lois.”
“What? It is!” I chuckle a bit before putting my arm around her.
“So, hotel?” I ask.
“Hotel.”
She finishes as she puts her arm around mine and we walk back home.
Just a few seconds ago, Hank was slowly dying, until he heard something that knocked him out. Everything was black, hollow, like a cave. There the paneling looked metallic, yet, felt like cement. And then he heard something.
-/Hello Hank/- he heard the same voice from before.
“Who’s there?!?” he yelled out.
-/We are./- A hologram of what appeared to be a skull appeared before him.
“Wha-What the hell are you?” He asks, frozen in fear of what’s in front of him.
-/Consider us an ally for your cause. Although, we wish we could’ve met through…… different circumstances. However it is how you humans say “Better late than never.”/- the voice responded
“Who are you?” he asked nervously.
-/Someone who is a fan of your work. Someone who saved you from your previous condition./-
“C-Condition?”
-/Observe/- it said as multiple screens were appearing around him, showing the news reports him being missing, Lex being arrested, breaking out, and being defeated by Superman.
“H-How long have I been gone?”
-/Long enough to lose your goal to that kryptonian. He took away the one thing that kept you alive…. Vengeance. You humans normally have that desire to fuel you. But he took it away./- He doesn’t respond, just looking to the nonexistent ground beneath him. Tears running down his cheeks.
-/Thankfully, We can help you get that vengeance from that kryptonian./- It interjects. He looks up and stands before asking.
“I must ask, why do you refer to yourself as we?” Suddenly, he hears a humming before turning around to see a red glow coming from behind him. Then he sees two more, they get closer to reveal themselves as robots that had an uncanny valley of looking human, yet non-human.
-/How about it Hank?/- a light appears, shining on what seems to be the remains of his body, surrounded by a liquid metal of sorts.
“Wha-what is it?” He stuttered out.
-/What we could save, but now, we can help you acheive your goal, to kill superman./-
-/Will you claim your vengeance? Will you become our avatar and claim your second life?/- He stares at it before responding.
“Y-Yes, but never call me Hank again. Hank died years ago, now Cyborg Superman lives.” The liquid metal then forms the superman symbol on his chest.
“Hey Clark.” Lois greeted, putting on a smile that seemed fake. “What did you want to talk about?” I hesitated before responding. I told her to meet with me at the park before dark, that way I could tell her without telling anybody; although, in retrospect, this might seem very suspicious to say the least.
“There’s something I need to tell you about me.”
“I knew it!” Lois piped up. “I knew that there was something about you ever since I met you!” She says while pointing at me. “Well tell me. What are you hiding Clark?” I take a deep breath before answering.
“I’m Superman.” She stares at me before laughing.
“I’m sorry I just-” She then continues laughing.
“No no, take your time.” I say with a nod.
“I’m sorry, it’s just, I don’t believe you. Superman is confident and strong, but you’re-” She pauses for a bit before continuing. “You’re Clark Kent.”
“Look, Lois, can I… can I just… show you?”
“Go ahead.” I take a deep breath before I take off my glasses and pull up the curl on my hair. “Come on Clark, you can’t just expect me to-” She then stares at me for maybe a minute before responding. “O-Oh, oh my god!” She replies. “You’re Superman.”
“Yeah, I am.” I respond with a smile.
“Huh.” She lets out. “I-I mean, it does explain why you’re always late and why you’re not here very often. But…... why?”
“Why? Why what?” I ask, very worried to say the least.
“Why do you love me? You’re a guy who can save everyone at once, a guy who could probably have everyone and everything you wanted, why would you pick this life as a reporter for the Daily Planet and love me of all people?” I’m silent for a bit before responding.
“When I grew up, I was alone in the world, I didn’t have a lot of friends, the only ones I did were Pete Ross and Lana Lang. But the problem was I still didn’t feel like I had a place to fit, at least until I visited the Daily Planet and saw you screaming at nearly everyone, do you know what that made me realize?”
“What?”
“It made me realize that I love you.” A smile escapes me before I approach her and kiss her. “I hope this is proof enough.” She then grabs my face before replying,
“It isn’t.” Our lips then reconnect back into a kiss.
DCU Shazam! - Issue #15
Black Adam: “So nice to finally meet you, Champion!”
Black Adam lowers himself from the air and goes to approach Shazam, his black suit with a tainted yellow emblem shining in the hot summer sun.
Shazam: “S-Stay back, Black Adam!”
Black Adam: “So I see The Wizard has told you his lies! My name is not Black, it is Teth. Teth-Adam!”
Shazam: “Quite frankly, I don't care what your name is! You just killed a Superhero! You’re gonna pay for that!”
Black Adam: “And I'll kill a dozen more if they stand in between me and you!”
Shazam has had enough. He pulls the golden staff from Bulletman's bloodied body and begins flying towards Black Adam with it.
Black Adam: “You don't even know what that thing is! You have no idea what it can do… the power it possesses!”
Shazam: “I know it can probably kill you!”
Shazam uses his hyper-speed to ram into Black Adam with the staff, but Adam easily dodges it, more experienced with his powers, and Shazam smashes into the side of a corner store, dropping the golden staff as he does. The debris almost hits some people crowded below, too scared to move. Victor and Freddie are still amongst them.
Black Adam: “You fool! I've had these powers for thousands of years, and you've had them for what, a few days! You are no match for me!”
He's right. Shazam doesn't know all his powers yet. He discovered the ones he knows about by pure luck. He thinks back to what The Wizard told him… about what Shazam
really stands for.
He stands up from the debris of bricks and shards of glass, and faces down Black Adam, who now stands maybe a dozen metres away.
Shazam: “Perhaps you're right… but maybe you're WRONG!”
Shazam punches his fist high into the air, and lightning begins to crackle in the lower atmosphere.
Shazam: “Everybody run for it!”
Shazam then charges at Black Adam, who is distracted by the thunder. He collides into him, then says the magic word…
Shazam: “SHAZAM!”
An enormous bolt of lightning strikes Shazam and Black Adam, who both tumble down the street. Black Adam's suit is charred and sizzling, and he’s dropped the staff. Meanwhile, Billy has transformed from Shazam and back into himself. His knees and elbows scraped from the tarmac, he stands up and runs into the crowd, who are darting around in all sorts of directions.
It's chaotic pandemonium, during which Billy manages to run back over to Bulletman. He takes a second to close his eyes, then grabs the device he used to trap King Kull. He looks over to Black Adam, who is stirring awake. He could grab the staff… but it’s too risky while he isn’t Shazam.
Still running through the crowd, he sees Victor leading Freddie away from the action, with Freddie nervously looking around behind him, looking for Billy. Billy sees them make it to Victor's car, and they begin to quickly drive out of the city. At least his family is safe, for now.
By the time Black Adam comes to his senses, Billy has vanished into the crowd and is running off towards the suburbs. Black Adam raises the golden staff from the ground, admires it, then floats high above Fawcett City.
Black Adam: “Go hide like your Wizard did, Champion. I control the magic in this world now…”
________________________________________________
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DCU Shazam! - Issue #3
Freddie Freeman: “This is where the magic happens.”
Freddie says this sarcastically as he opens to door to his humble bedroom. The room is split in half, my half completely barren while his is a total and utter mess. Clothes and toys everywhere.
I dump my box upon a desk on my side of the room. It has a name carved into it. My name.
Billy.
My desk. Outside of a bed, I'd never had a piece of furniture for myself before, not for that long anyway. I admire it for a handful of seconds, lost in my thoughts.
Freddie Freeman: “Yup, your own desk”
I was so confused. It was like he could read my thoughts.
Billy Batson: “Ww-what?”
Freddie Freeman: “I reacted exactly like you did when I moved in a few months ago.”
I was nice to finally meet someone today who I could somewhat relate to.
Billy Batson: “How many times were you adopted then?”
Freddie Freeman: “Three. Four if you include here… How about you?”
Billy Batson: “Here is my sixth place.”
Freddie Freeman: “Yeah, don't worry, you'll fit in here. We were all lost causes before Victor and Rosa picked us up. Everyone is super chill, except maybe Eugene as you could probably tell. Oh, and Tawny too. They're both alright once they get to know you though.”
Billy Batson: “I can't wait.”
Freddie helps me unpack my things. Photo of my parents on my desk. Check. My Sony Walkman that Sharon gave me as a leaving present. Check. Complete sense of dread for the house tour. Check, check, and check.
Mary came into the room and she led the house tour with Freddie. My room is on the ground floor, as is the kitchen and dining room. Upstairs, Eugene shares a room with Pedro.
Pedro is a bulky Latino kid whose side of the room is just one big gaming area. Gameboy and PlayStation. Rollercoaster Tycoon. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Grand Theft Auto 2. Pokèmon Yellow. He's got it all.
Eugene's side of the room reflects his personality. It's drab and plain and boring. Nothing compared to Pedro's gaming station.
Mary shows me her room and her bunkie; Darla. Darla Dudley is very sweet, just like Mary, but I got the impression that she didn't want to be distracted from whatever she was writing on her computer. Homework? A Novel? Who knows...
The three of us; Me, Freddie and Mary; went back to mine and Freddie's room to just hang out, get to know each other. Mary is a few years older, so it's cool that she would want to hang out with us. She and Freddie get on really well. They exchange a few stories and tell me about themselves.
Mary was born in Boston, her parents died just after she was born. Victor and Rosa travelled all that way just to meet her and take her back home with them. That was when she was 15, my age. She's 17 now, and was the first foster kid in this house. She was quickly joined by Eugene, then Darla, Pedro, Freddie, and then myself.
Victor Vasquez: “Dinner's ready!”
This breaks up our conversation as Mary and Freddie both drop what they were saying and rush out of the bedroom as fast as they possibly can. I follow meekly behind them as they lead me into the kitchen, where everyone has gathered to eat pepperoni pizzas. My favourite.
DCU Shazam! - Issue #9
It’s dark by the time I get home. Very dark.
Billy Batson: “I am in soooo much trouble…”
Cautiously, I park my bike up outside the garage. Mr. Delarus said I could keep it because it was so dark when I finished the papers. I remember that Pedro said there was a spare key under the doormat, so I find that and slowly open the front door.
Mary Bromfield: “Oh my god!”
Mary rushes towards me and embraces me in an unexpected hug.
Mary Bromfield: “We were worried sick!”
I look further into the house to see my entire new family sat around, half of them with Nokia mobiles in their hands or to their ears. Freddie is sat alone in the corner, looking slightly ill, until he sees me and his face brightens up a bit.
Billy Batson: “W-What’s going on?”
Rosa and Victor walk towards me, while Mary timidly backs away.
Billy Batson: “Am I in trouble?”
Victor Vasquez: “Billy, where the hell were you?”
Rosa Vasquez: “Victor!”
Victor Vasquez: “I’m sorry but we thought he’d ran away”
I cut into their argument.
Billy Batson: “You thought I’d ran away? That I’d leave this place?”
They look back at me, slightly guilty.
Billy Batson: “Guys, I love it here! I just needed to finish the paper round ‘cause I got lost and fell off my bike and there was this wizard hallucina- ”
Rosa Vasquez: “I’m sorry we assumed the worst Billy. Truly. We’re just relieved that you’re alright.”
I don’t blame them for thinking that. I probably would’ve thought the same, in their position.
Billy Batson: “I’m planning to stick around for a long while.”
I embrace my new parents in a hug, and slowly all five other kids join the hug as well. It’s nice to feel so… wanted, and missed, although I never want it to happen like this ever again.
That night we order Chinese and eat so much that we can’t possibly eat any more. After watching Blade, Freddie and I go back to our room to chill and prepare for the night, but I highly doubt we're gonna get much sleep tonight.
Freddie Freeman: “So are you finally gonna tell me about that dream or hallucination or whatever?”
Billy Batson: “Yeah man, it was totally wild. I must’ve hit my head pretty damn hard. I was in this weird cave with some wizard dude, and he told me this wacky story about how he was the last magician, or something.”
Freddie Freeman: “Woah, are you sure you didn’t smoke anything?”
Billy Batson: “I’m pretty sure I didn’t. Anyway, he then said I was like, a chosen one and that I needed to stop some evil guy called Adam, or something.”
Freddie Freeman: “What sort of chosen one?”
Billy Batson: “I dunno really. I think it was called something like… Shazam?”
As soon as I say that word, there is a loud KABOOM of lighting, that strikes me square in the chest. When that happens, I grow an extra foot, get rock hard abs, and I’m dressed like… a superhero? I know this sounds unbelievable, but trust me, I’m not lying!
Freddie Freeman: “Jesus! Are you sure I didn’t smoke anything?!”
So there I stand. All of a sudden, I'm 6 foot tall and wearing a bright red suit, with a white cape and golden armoured parts.
Billy Batson: “What the hell just happened!”
Freddie Freeman: “Is that you, Billy?! That’s so rad!”
Billy Batson: “I… Woah! My voice! It's different. More… mature. I like it!”
Then, as if things weren't going badly enough…
Rosa Vasquez: “Freddie! Billy!”
Rosa is calling us, while walking down the stairs to our room.
Freddie Freeman: “It happened as soon as you said ‘Shazam’. Try saying it again!”
Billy Batson: “SHAZAM!”
I say it as fast as I possibly can, and miraculously turn back into my regular self, as another bolt of lightning strikes the house.
Freddie and I are so freaked and scared that we aren't sure what to do.
Freddie Freeman: “Try to look natural…”
Freddie whispers that as soon as Rosa knocks on the door.
Billy Batson: “Come in.”
I say that sheepishly and my voice cracks a little bit.
Rosa opens the door to see the pair of us just awkwardly stood in the middle of the room.
Rosa Vasquez: “What's going on guys? I heard something crashing and a strange voice.”
I look across at Freddie, unsure what excuse to make up, but before I can say anything…
Freddie Freeman: “It's Billy! He can transform into a-”
I punch Freddie hard on the shoulder. Rosa looks at us both worryingly.
Billy Batson: “I can… transform into… ”
I'm stalling for time, trying to think of something, anything.
Freddie Freeman: “An actor! Yeah, Billy joined the school play!”
Billy Batson: “I did? *cough* I mean yeah, I did!”
Rosa doesn't seem too convinced.
Rosa Vasquez: “Hmm…”
Her ‘Hmm…’ seems to be her deciding whether or not to call out our pretty obvious bullshit.
Rosa Vasquez: “Well keep the noise down of any practicing, okay boys?”
Billy & Freddie: “Okay!”
We say that in unison and Rosa leaves the room. We wait until we hear that she's gone all the way upstairs before I say:
Billy Batson: “You were gonna sell me out?! Like, immediately?! ”
Freddie Freeman: “Well why the heck would you want to keep this a secret! You have a SUPERPOWER!”
While I disagree with Freddie's sentiment, hearing the fact that I have a superpower does put a big grin across my face.
I have a superpower.
"Just a few hours ago, there was a robbery attempt that was once again prevented by our very own caped crusader. However, there was also a fight with Superman and a strange robot dubbed 'Metallo', who was taken-" I turn off the TV.
"I'm sorry that it didn't work Mr. Luthor. But don't worry I'll deal with Henshaw, painfully." I let out a minor chuckle before replying.
"Mercy please, I appreciate your effort to amuse me, but I'll handle it myself." We then stop by the place, my driver gives me a nod to confirm it. I leave the car and head there myself. I'm greeted by the tired, yet nervous professor.
"M-mr. Luthor, if you just let me explai- " I interrupt as I strike him in the right cheek, resulting in a bloody mess.
"Mercy!" I yell out. She hands me a handkerchief. Which I wipe off the blood with. "You have to understand something Mr. Henshaw, I'm a simple man who expects results of success, not failures."
"P-please do-." I silence him as I pull out a pistol unload a round into his chest.
"Hank, you of all people should know the most important thing about being a savior is not accepting other people's failures, that's why Lexcorp was built, for successful ideas to help the next generation, not to fail." I then stand up. "Mercy!" She leaves and returns with gasoline, and lights up the lab. Hank struggles to breathe. "I'm so sorry it had to come down this way, I really am. But hey, you'll be one of the many examples of not crossing with Me." I leave the building.
---------------
Hank struggles to move, his breathing getting weaker. Until he hears someone approaching him.
-/Hello Hank/-
It says
“Who…. are-” is the last thing he lets before he gets his head slammed into the ground, knocking him out.
Cobalt Air. Airbus A319-112. One of the few that are in the airlines full livery. Taken STN 05/04/18.
-A few weeks after the first issue.
“And because of the recent attacks from Kasnia due to race relations, they have showed us that after nearly 30 years since the Civil Rights Movement, the world still hasn’t fully cha-” I’m interrupted by yelling coming from the editor-in-chief’s office.
Geez louise, Lois sure can be pretty loud when she’s upset. Loud enough to wake up poor Jimmy from his nap.
“You okay James? You look nervous.” I ask while blowing away the smoke off my hot chocolate.
“No, I can’t get my beauty nap with her yelling like that, she seriously needs to do something about that.” He says while rubbing his eyes. “How do you do it man? How do you date someone like this?” He asks. I chuckle before I reply.
“Well James, there’s two you gotta have, you gotta have patience and you most importantly got to have-”
“Clark!” I then hear a yell coming from said person.
“Bravery.” I whisper to Jimmy. I then turn around to face the music. “Hey Lois, what’s going on?”
“Clark back me up here, should I or should I not report on the recent assassinations from intergang?” She asks with her hands on her hips.
“Uh……” I’m unable to give an answer as Perry intervenes, i’ll have to thank him later.
“Dammit Lois, it’s bad enough we’re losing people in this city to this intergang business, but I won’t allow my best reporter on this. No exceptions!” He yells out.
“But Perry, we need to show the public what’s been going on recently in the streets!” She replies.
“We’ve already got enough to report on, can’t you what with the recent sightings of superman or maybe you could do the grand opening of the luthor foundation.” He says, trying to steer her off the story. Unfortunately, knowing and dating Lois, the likelihood of that happening is slim to none.
“There’s no way i’m going to allow this to happen and not do something about this.” Perry sighs before replying. He sighs before replying.
“All right, you can do a report on it. But please be safe.”
“You can count on me Perry! I won’t disappoint you!” She yells out.
“That’s what worries me.” I hear him murmur with my super hearing.
“Well, that was something.” I hear Jimmy, giving a chuckle. Lois then walks up to us, with a clear smile showing in her face.
“Well boys, since I’m going to be reporting on the Intergang, anyone interested in joining me?” Me and Jimmy glance looks at each other, but before I say anything, Jimmy’s the first to speak.
“I’d love to, but Clark was just talking to me about how he’d love to help out with your story.” Oh no.
“Really? Clark you shouldn’t have! Of course you can!” Oh no.
“Thanks.” I reply as nicely as I can. This is gonna be a long day.
DCU Shazam! - Issue #5
I spend the whole next day hanging out with my new family in town. We live in the suburbs, just outside Fawcett City, where there are only a few stores, but there's still plenty to do.
Freddie asks if I wanna go to the skate-park. I say yes, of course. I’ve never really been one for skateboards, but I can ride. We only have two boards, so I take turns with Eugene, while Mary and Pedro also take turns. Darla isn’t particularly interested in riding them, but she does record us with her video camera. I don’t think I’ve actually ever used a video camera, but I don’t tell any of them this.
Darla manages to get a few great shots of me skating alongside Mary, and a really funny one of Pedro flailing off his board right at the peak of a half-pipe. Don’t worry, he’s fine. We can hear Freddie laughing hysterically in the background of the footage, which only makes it funnier.
As we’re all gathered around the camera, watching the footage back, we don’t notice some other kids enter the skate-park. However, we take notice when they try to snatch Eugene’s skateboard, right out of his hands!
Eugene Choi: “Hey man! You can’t have this, it’s not even mine!”
Teenager: “You aren’t using it! And we need another one!”
The teenager lets loose of the board when we all turn to face him. Freddie raises one of his crutches like a weapon. The guy snarls, and turns tail, running back to his friends.
This may have been a mistake.
About a dozen similarly scruffy teenagers, most of them older than us, come over to our corner of the skate-park. Mary steps out in front of our group, and addresses the leader of these teenagers, who must be about her age.
Mary Bromfield: “You can’t have it, Matthew!”
I assume that they go to the same high school that my foster siblings do. I can’t wait to attend...
Matthew Morris: “Whatever dweeb. I’m more interested in who the scrawny new freak is”
He looks directly at me. Unsure what to do, I step forward and offer a handshake.
Billy Batson: “My name’s Billy. Billy Batso-”
He slaps my hand away, then smacks me in the head so hard across the face that I fall to the ground. All his little cronies friends are laughing, until…
Freddie Freeman launches one of his crutches directly into Matthew’s nuts, then leaps onto his chest and starts repeatedly beating him across the face. Over, and over again. I can’t help but grin from ear-to-ear.
Matthew’s cronie friends are too stunned to do anything. Who would’ve expected a skinny, 80 lbs, 14 year old with a limp leg and crutches to tackle a strong, build senior student, twice his weight.
Mary lifts Freddie up off Matthew. His nose is clearly broken and he’ll probably have a black eye too. I would’ve never expected such anger and fercosity from him. As everyone gets back onto their feet, and Matthew is helped up by his cronies, we all hear the *CLIK-CLUNK* of Darla’s video camera as it finishes recording.
She recorded the entire thing.
At this point, we knew it was time to run away.
Matthew Morris: “You’re all dead! Freeman! Batson! ALL OF YOU!”
We run until we can’t hear him yelling any more.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This issue is dedicated to Quadegilbert.
“So, who are we interviewing first?” I ask, adjusting my glasses while walking with Lois.
“We’re going to interview top scientist of S.T.A.R. Labs, Emil Hamilton.”
“Why? I heard he’s one of the few decent people that actually live in this city.” She scoffs before replying.
“Everyone has skeletons in their closet Clark. They all have something they want to hide, I can tell.”
“Really?” I say with a smile of curiosity. “What’s yours.” She’s silent before turning around with a confident smile.
“Clark, I know what you’re playing at.” She then gives a fake sigh. “Alright, fine. But don’t laugh, alright?” She asks with a stare. I hold my hands up in surrender.
“Promise.”
“Okay.” She gives a deep breath before telling me. “Here goes. My friends used to call me Lolo.” Seriously? A smile escapes me, i’m trying my best not to laugh.
“What about you Clark? What’s your big secret?” She asks with a smug smile and her arms crossed.
“O-Oh. W-Well I.” I’m interrupted by a blood-piercing scream. Me and Lois look to the direction of the scream and see people running away from someone, or something. I use my X-ray vision to see what it is, it appears to be a purple man?
“My god, what is that thing?” Lois asks, before I run off into an ally. Take off my glasses and suit up.
-------------------------------------------
“Fix me Hamilton.” The purple man says with his scratchy voice. “Fix what you ruined.”
“I can’t Rudy! Even if I had a cure, your body has evolved to the point where your body has to live off energy!” The doctor yells out.
“Then you will suffice very well.” The purple man says with a sinister smile before sinking his teeth into the guy’s neck, stealing his strength, causing his body to decay and wither to nearly a skeleton. He then drops his husk of a body and hears a scream and sees people running away from him. He hears a yell coming behind him.
“Freeze!” The officer yells out, gun pointed at him, which barely fazes him. He slams the officer into the car, hard enough that it flew across the street, aiming at a mother and daughter. She holds onto her daughter and closes her eyes. But suddenly, nothing happens, she opens her eyes to see the car still in the air, being held by a man in a red and blue costume.
“Superman?!” The woman says, he puts the car down on the ground and lands close to approach the purple man.
“Enough of this.” The purple man looks to him, he then gives a toothy smile.
“So you are the great superman?” The purple man asks before giving a belly laugh.
“And you are?” Superman asks.
“ Call me ‘The Parasite’.”
I block the charge, but it unfortunately doesn’t do much of a favor for me as we crash into a wall.
“If I were you Superman, I’d be on my knees.” I look back up before replying.
“Where’s the fun in that?” He grits his teeth and charges at me again through the wall. I try to grab the staff, but he swings at me several times, some of which actually get me, leaving some cuts on me. I slap away the staff from him, but he doesn’t stop. I’m able to get a few strikes, but he sends some missiles, which knock me through a building. I get up and try to shrug it off.
“Oh come on superman, don’t tell me you didn’t feel that?” I take a few breaths before responding.
“Like I’m gonna let you walk out of here.” He shrugs before responding.
“Your loss.” He uses a grenade made from that green crystal to use against me. It dazes me a bit before I try and unsuccessfully rush at him. “Too slow!” He yells out before punching me a few times with his fists being powered by that crystal, I’m unable to block any of the punches. He finally uses an uppercut, causing me to crash into a street. I hear screaming and ringing, likely from my ears. I then hear him walking towards me.
“You truly don’t understand what I'm doing, do you?” I try my best to get up, but I’m barely able to stay standing. “I’m trying to save this city!”
“What, by killing people?! What about the people who were innocent?!”
“Sometimes, you need to do unspeakable things to accomplish a goal for good. That’s a necessary evil I’m willing to take.” He stops and proceeds to kick me several times in the stomach. "
But you won't take NO FOR AN ANSWER!" He finishes. I lie there, wheezing. He grabs his spear, and walks towards me. "I gave you a choice to walk away." He rolls my body to face him, spear in both hands.
“And you will die like a fool.” He attempts to stab me, but I grab the spear before it lands.
“Not ... today.” I respond weakly. I use what little strength I have left to move it away from my neck. He tries again with more effort. I decide I have no choice. I let him stab me in the shoulder.
I scream in pain, but it gives me an opportunity to distance him from the spear. I use the last of my strength to aggressively shove him a dozen feet away, crushing a part of his armor. I get up, breathing hard. Trying my best to remove the spear from my arm, I’m successful in doing so, and throw it across the sky. Where he definitely won’t be able to grab it again.3
I attempt to take a few steps, but fall on my knees. I take a few deep breaths. I then look up to see the sun shine on me. Making me somehow, feel better. I see Lex getting back up, angry as hell.
"No……. No!" He yells out, "I have gone so far to fight for this city! And I'm not gonna let some inhuman creature take that away from me!" He shoots about a dozen missiles right at me. I fly right pass them, blowing them up with my heat vision. But he's not done, he punches me in the gut and throws me at a wall, nearly destroying it.
"If I were you Lex, I'd surrender." I say calmly.
"Like hell I'm gonna lose." He replies as he runs towards me, punching me to nearly no end. Until I grab the armour of his forearm and rip it off. He blasts me back and jumps right at me, that's when I unleash a powerful clap that blasts him through a store.
I walk towards him, seeing him powering his gauntlet to blast right at me. I'm pushed against the ground, feeling an excruciating amount of pain, but I won't let that stop me. I get up and block it with both of my hands, walking towards him.
"This… This can't be." He lets out. I grab the other gauntlet and rip it off of his arm. I then go through the armour, and use the best of my strength to rip it in two. Fortunately, I'm successful. “This, this can’t be…” he lands his knees on the ground.
“You’re finished Lex.”
“Finished?” he replies. “That’s funny.” he looks up at me. “Because i’ve only just started.” I hear sirens approaching. I stare at him before flying away.
…………………..
“I’m back.” I say, going through the window. Lois rushes to me, looking very concerned.
“Oh my god. Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” She asks, sounding very worried.
“I’m fine lois, trust me.”
“What happened?” she asks.
“Lex tried to break out-”
“What?!” she interrupts.
“But it’s okay, I got him.” She hugs me.
“I’m glad you’re ok.” she says.
“I know lois.” I hug back. “I know.”
Bullets escape the barrels as the twin pistols load into the two police cruisers chasing the truck.
“Dammit Ozzie! Are you trying to get us killed?!” Winslow asks before a proud Oswald giving a crazy laugh.
“Need not worry Toyboy, For we have struck again!” Oswald says before continuing his mess of bullets. I rush in and lift the truck by the front and flip it over. Winslow staggers out of the truck. He tries to make a break for it, but stops when he sees me.
“Oh crap!” He tries to run away but trips and falls. I approach him, making sure he doesn’t attempt to escape.
“Stand down, you have nowhere to run.” I then hear a machine whirring behind me so I turn to see the source of it to see a guy in a suit with a giant gun.
“Surprise!”
“O-Ozzie! What are you doing!” Winslow yells out, not even attempting to hide his fear.
“I’m so, SO sorry Toyboy, I really am, but sacrifices are needed.” He says while charging up the gun. “And you’re unfortunately one of them.” He then aims it at me and Winslow.
“I'd recommend you not doing that.” I say, trying to convince him to surrender.
“Oh contraire mon man of steel. I think I DO.” He then blasts the gun at me, the energy forces me off my feet,and against the wall. However, I thankfully I took the brunt of the blast. I get up and fly him, he tries to shoot me, but I freeze breath the end of the gun. “Oh poop.”
“Are you finished?” Oswald lets out a small giggle before aiming it back at me.
“Not even close.” He blasts at me with full force,which forces me back to the ground, but I stand my ground and struggle to take even a slight step. It’s not working! I try to look for something that could turn it off. Luckily, I find a control pad, and focus my heat ray on the control pad, causing the gun to short. I then immediately grab him by the collar of his shirt.
“Now?” I ask, eyebrow raised.
“Well, you see I would but, uh LIVEWIRE!!!” Oswald yells out.
“Livewire? Who’s Livewire?” He smiles and points to the right, where what looks to be a young teen girl pops out of thin air, electricity coming from her hands.
“That’s Livewire.” Oh, well that’s just swell.