บท 6: Act 1.6
Demonika was a ferocious enemy. Each time that Brayden and Captain Marvel did damage to her, she simply healed from it rather quickly. No matter what they hit her with, she simply got back up. The both of them were already starting to feel the effects of her life force draining abilities catch up to them. What kept them going for quite a bit was adrenaline.
"Okay, this is getting us nowhere!" Brayden complained, then slid back to avoid a swipe from Demonika.
"You're preaching to the choir!" Captain Marvel agreed, going into the air as the Demoness set her sights on him.
"Do you have any ideas?"
"I've got one, but I'm not sure if it'll work."
"What is it?"
"For how long can you distract her?"
"Um... five seconds?"
"Give me ten."
With that, Captain Marvel immediately flew up into the air. His cape flapped behind him as he ascended into the clouds high above. Brayden watched this, then looked at Demonika, who crouched to head after the Captain. Brayden, however, rushed forward and sent a haymaker at her. Instead of being hit, she caught his arm with one hand and wrapped her other hand around his throat. She then lifted him off the pavement as if he weighed nothing, a sadistic grin remaining plastered on her face as her violet irises stared into his.
"You are starting to become troublesome...", Demonika uttered in a soft tone, "Sleep...and I will come back to you when I am finished with the child."
The Demoness tightened her grip around Braydens' neck, her fingernail like claws almost digging into the nape of his neck. Brayden thrashed about, struggling to get free of her. She simply watched him struggle, looking as if she were taking pleasure in the panic that was in his eyes. Braydens' struggles would soon lessen as air wasn't getting to his lungs. It wouldn't be long before his thrashing simply stopped altogether, causing a soft chuckle to leave from Demonikas' lips. Her voice came out in an echo for Brayden as he started to lose consciousness.
"Fret not... I will be back for you, my little man."
Those words triggered a memory for Brayden. One that he remembered being used by someone else. In that memory, he was still ten years old, in that memory... his mother still loved him. Unfortunately, it didn't make him feel happy. It made him feel unadulterated rage for having been abandoned. It enraged him that despite the amount of hate that he had for his own mother, deep down, he still wanted her love.
Particles and Electrons came to Brayden in droves, circulating around like like a vortex. Demonika watched with confusion before being sent flying backwards. Brayden gritted his teeth as he levitated off the pavement. His body giving off erratic particles and electrons from his body. His eyes were hueing with a blue glow. His body seemingly buldged out as well, looking as if he had become a seasoned bodybuilder. Braydens' height had reached that of seven foot two inches now, his hair had gone full azure blue rather than the blue streak that it normally had. The moment that his feet touched the pavement, it cracked upon impact. His glowing eye sockets glared onto Demonika, her gaze looking up at him in wonder.
"You...what kind of human are you?" The Demoness inquired in curiosity, then prepared to attack. That was when she heard the sound of something that she hated.
"SHAZAM!!!" Came the voice of Captain Marvel, calling down a powerful bolt of lightning from overhead. It collided with Demonika, causing her to scream in pain. A shockwave was sent out, blowing away light poles, street signs, even a few parked vehicles. When the dust cleared, Demonikas' body steamed and sizzled. She had been brought down onto her knees, yet she was still regenerating quickly. A few pants escaped her as she started to rise once more. Captain Marvel descended downwards after a crack of thunder was heard overhead, of course. It seemed that he had done something before returning. The moment that his eyes landed on Brayden, dread overcame him. He remembered what Batman had said referring to the young mans' unique powers. Unfortunately, before he could try to call out to Brayden, the blue costumed hulking man blitzed forward.
Brayden appeared right in front of Demonika, his body emitting particles and electrons uncontrollably. With gritted teeth, he cocked a fist back then sent it forward. The Demoness reacted as quickly as she could. She moved a hand up to try and catch it, but instead of catching it, she found that her hand broke out of place upon feeling Braydens' fist. He pushed forward, nearly snapping her hand off of its wrist, then cracked his knuckles into her left cheek. Demonika looked on in shock as time seemed to slow down for her. A human was making her feel pain. For her, it was normal for a champion of Shazam to do this, for she faced one once before. Yet, this human, was doing something that she didn't think possible.
Brayden let out a low growl that echoed and richoceted across the Happy Harbor town. Then sent Demonika flying into the air. He watched her flap around weightless for a few seconds, then crouched and took off after her faster than a lightning bolt. Captain Marvel watched this without a clue as to what he should do. Seeing as Brayden was almost in this sort of berserk mode, it made him worry. For reasons unknown, he was stunned to see Brayden act this way.
"Ah...so that is what he is capable of." Came a small yet interested voice. Captain Marvel turned his attention to the other side of the street to find a child possibly as old as Robin standing there. She wore a school uniform in a green overcoat, green skirt, a yellow buttoned up dress shirt, and black dress shoes. She also wore a golden mask with horns protruding from the sides of it. Her hair was a vanilla blonde, and her lips seemed to have black lipstick like Demonika littering them.
"Hey kid, you should-" Captain Marvel called but held his tongue when the seemingly child turned her attention upon him.
"Child? Hardly."
"What....are you?"
"That would take too long to explain, I am simply a spectator for now."
"A spectator for what?"
"For that."
As soon as she said that, a sonic boom was heard. Captain Marvel looked up and saw Brayden headed straight for Demonika.
Demonika caught herself in the air, then unleashed a violet blast of magic at Brayden. Instead of dodging, he flew right through it with both fists outstretched in front of him.
"Your power is great, but i-" The Demoness didn't get to finish that sentence. Brayden had caught up to her at speeds that she wasn't ready for. His fists collided with her abdomen, causing her to arch her back in pain. Just as she was about to heal herself, Brayden cracked his fist into her jaw. Demonika scowled, beginning to get annoyed at Braydens' tenacity. She lunged at him with one of her claws, embedded it into his stomach. Instead of stopping, he simply grabbed her arm then chopped it off with a knife hand with his free hand.
Demonikas' eyes widened in surprise, her own black blood splattered against Braydens' chest. She looked at her stump of a hand, then found a back hand from Brayden slapping her across her right cheek. Her body was flung away once again, creating what sounded like a crack of thunder. Brayden charged after her. He outstretched his hand towards her and grabbed her by the back of the head. With a grunt, he shoved her into the ground below, causing a crater to form. The two had arrived at the surrounding forest on Happy Harbor, destroying more than a dozen trees with their descent onto the land.
Before the Demoness had time to heal, Brayden tightened his grip on her head. Then he hurled her back to the town itself. Flying after her again, he held his hands out at her. Particles and Electrons began to circulate in front of him. As if being called there by himself. That was when he larger what could only be described as a particle beam at Demonika. The moment the attack collided with the Demoness, her skin began to blacken. She let out a scream of agony as her body became enveloped by the attack. By the time that the beam had passed, she had a missing arm, her legs had been burned to nothing, and her skin was scorched. Yet, she still lived, but her body wasn't healing as fast this time. Bolting at her, Brayden intended to end her. That was when Captain Marvel got between her and the hulking man.
"Brayden stop-" Before Captain Marvel could call out to him, Braydens' knuckles collided with the magical heroes' face.
Captain Marvel skidded back, having tanked the punch but winced in pain. He hadn't been hit that hard since a fight that he had with Black Adam. Brayden was either as strong as the ancient king of Kahndaq, or he was stronger. Captain Marvel reacted quickly, for Brayden was already attacking him once again. Cocking his own fist back, Captain Marvel sent it forward and hit Brayden square in the chest. He watched as it made the hulking man stop and stumble back. But it was a temporary thing, for all it did was stun him. Captain Marvel was trying his best to not harm Brayden, but the hulking man was making it difficult.
Whilst these two powerhouses battled, the strange girl approached Demonika. She got to the Demoness' side and clicked her tongue with distaste.
"And here I was thinking that you would me entertainment.", She uttered in disgust, "I had hoped that you would fill yourself with more than a dozen human souls. Yet you failed to best inexperienced children. I should flay you alive, Demonika, but you have redeemed yourself. For you have found someone that my master thought lost. So for now... you may live."
As the child said this, she held a hand out to Demonika. The two began to he surrounded in a black void before disappearing all together. This left Brayden and Captain Marvel alone, though it hardly changed the Captains' current circumstance.
Being punched in the jaw then in the gut, Captain Marvel gritted his teeth in pain. Brayden seemed to be overflowing with so much power, too much power. His body hulked out more and more, as if trying to match Captain Marvels' strength. Yet one could only wonder for how long Brayden would be able to hold onto that level of power. So, of course, Braydens' body began to show his veins. Then, said veins began to pop each time they appeared on his body. Braydens' body was starting to be covered in his own blood each time that he struck Captain Marvel. The Captain's face showed horror at the young man seemingly bleeding to death. Yet Brayden didn't show any signs of stopping, as if his body was ignoring what pain he felt.
"Brayden, stop!", Captain Marvel pleaded as he caught the hulking mans' fists, "You have to listen to me! Your body is losing control. You are losing control! Try to think!"
Instead of answering, a low growl escaped Braydens gritted teeth as particles and electrons began to circulate at his chest. It was similar to what he had hit Demonika with, but on a grander scale. Seeing this, Captain Marvel realized that he had no choice. So closing his own eyes, thunder roared overhead. Then, when he opened his eyes, golden lightning emitted from them as he screamed a single yet powerful word.
"SHAZAM!!!"
As soon as Captain Marvel screamed this word, thunder roared louder than before as a golden bolt of lightning came down and enveloped both of them. Braydens' body burned and made him howl in pain as he thrashed about. Once the lightning bolt had faded, the only one standing was a small boy who looked down at a reverting Brayden. His body had returned to its six foot one inch size. The young mans' body steamed as cuts appeared across his body from popped veins. The boys' face was laced with worry as he kneeled down and shook Brayden gently. His own face had a cut, as well as a stab wound on him. Yet he did his best to ignore them to try and rouse Brayden awake.
"Brayden, you gotta wake up.", The boy called with concern, "Come on! Don't leave me again!"
Brayden said nothing, he simply laid there unmoving for a few long moments. That was when an exhale came out of him as his own blood oozed out of his many cuts. Opening his eyes slowly, Brayden looked up at the starry night sky. Then his eyes landed on the boy above him. He squinted, trying to make sure that he was seeing this clearly.
"B-billy...?" Brayden called weakly.
"Oh thank god.." Billy replied with relief.
"What...are you doing here?"
"Look, I can explain later, I just need you to stay awake for me. Help is on the way."
"Billy... I'm so sorry..."
"You're... sorry?"
"I left you all alone. I-i...I didn't mean to do that to you. I... was kidnapped."
"Brayden I'm not mad-"
"No... don't give me that self-righteous and optimistic forgiveness bullshit... you have every right to be mad. I-i... I had abandoned you...i...."
Braydens' eyes started to tear up, causing Billy to stare down at his older friend with a sad look. He hadn't seen Brayden this emotional before. He hadn't seen Brayden shed a tear in all his life. The next words that came out of Braydens' mouth made Billys' heart bleed for his friend.
"I-i...let you down... I don't deserve your forgiveness..."
Before Billy could try and counsel his friend, he watched as Brayden started to pose consciousness. With widening eyes, Billy rose to his feet quickly, then cried out the same word that Captain Marvel did.
"SHAZAM!"
With a crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning enveloping him, Billy had transformed into Captain Marvel. He picked Brayden up gently, then immediately flew off towards Mount Justice. As Braydens' consciousness faded entirely, he felt a pull at the center of his back. As if something or someone was trying to get his attention.
<Five Days Later>
Brayden groaned, his body aching and numb. His eyes fluttered open to reveal that he was in a room that resembled a hospital ward for patients. He was hooked up to an IV unit, had a breathing apparatus on his face, and was shirtless with nothing on but his underwear. There was no one in the room, all except a new pair of clothes. Groaning, he moved one sore hand to remove the breathing apparatus. He took in a few deep breaths before slowly sitting up. Then, He slowly took the IV unit from his arm and set it to the side.
Brayden had tried to remember what all that had happened. It was a fog, as if he remembered Demonika choking him to death. Then, after that, he remembered getting extremely pissed off at something that she had said. Moving slowly, Brayden got out of the bed to rise to his feet. He nearly stumbled over but caught himself. Looking at himself, he found a scar on his shoulder. It was from when Demonika had stabbed him. Other than that, his body looked no different. Reaching for his clothes, he started to put them on. Just as he was putting his shirt on, the door to the room swung open. Brayden turned to find a worried looking Donna staring back at him. She stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise as she uttered two words.
"Y-you're awake..."
Brayden looked at her with a confused look, then nodded as he turned to her.
"Yeah, I feel kind of sore, though.", He commented, "Oh yeah, how did your mission go-"
Donna rushed at him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Brayden was taken aback with her forwardness. He hadn't a clue as to why she was acting this way. Slowly, he placed his arms onto her shoulder. Then, he eventually hugged her back as Donna placed her face into his chest. Brayden could feel his shirt wetten from tears that she was shedding.
"Donna?" Brayden called but found no answer from her for a few seconds.
"Five days..." She uttered through a muffled voice.
"What?"
"That's how long you were out, five days. We didn't know if you were gonna wake up. One minute, you're fine, then the next you're having a heart attack. Do you know how worried you made us?"
Brayden opened his mouth to speak but closed it shut as he frowned. He lowered his head, staring into her midnight black silky hair. Then he moved one hand to have his fingers caress through her hair and scalp.
"I'm sorry..." He apologized, then found Donna tightening her hold on him more. Just as it seemed that the two were having a moment, the sound of several people running could be heard. Brayden looked up to find Superboy, Kid Flash, M'gann, Aqualad, and Robin arriving at the doorway. Each looked at him with a worried look, though in the case of Superboy, it looked more like a scowl after he saw that Brayden was fine.
"See, I told you that he'd be alright!" Superboy spouted.
"Dude, you were about to cry seeing him so messed up." Kid Flash accused Superboy
"And you were freaking out over what we were gonna do." Robin accused Kid Flash.
As the three accused one another, M'gann and Aqualad stepped inside of the room. M'ganna joined in on the hug, wrapping her arms around Brayden as she let out a sniffle.
"You had us so worried, I thought that we were going to lose you." M'gann sniffles.
"I am glad that you recovered, but please don't do that again." Aqualad chided.
Brayden then frowned at them before saying words that made all in the room stare at him in shock.
"But...what did I do?"
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