Magic

Chapter two

"Soooo, have you figured out what Batman wants from you?" Hal asked Captain Marvel as they walked down one of the many hallways within the Watchtower. They were walking from the training room, just finished making sure they weren't getting rusty.

"No, I mean maybe? I have an idea and it's making me nervous," Captain Marvel ran his hand through his hair.

"Well spill it, I might help," Hal offered.

"Thanks, but I don't think you can. He wanted to know if I actually lived in Fawcett City. I think he's trying to find out my secret identity," Captain Marvel sighed. It has been a month since that incident as well the whole 'Bruce Wayne' ordeal. Billy was still laying low, training his magic in multiple places. After the diner experience, Billy realized just how much he needed to learn. Thankfully, it was August. Which means he has time to learn. Unfortunately, it was August. Which means school was nearing.

"What?" Hal asked, so shocked that he stood still. "Are you serious?"

Captain stopped to give him a blank stare.

"Ok yeah, dumb question," Hal held up his hands. "But why is this such a big deal? It's not like you're a kid or something."

Captain Marvel's face remained stoic, making Hal nervous.

"Wait are you really a kid?" Hal asked, very unsure. Then to his surprise, and relief, the captain erupted into laughter.

"Haha oh man you should've seen your face," Captain Marvel's laughter dwindled down, "yeah, like someone would just give a kid powers from the gods." He joked. Hearing this made Hal laugh as well, taking the prank in stride.

Even though Captain Marvel seemed very amused with the idea, he was actually cringing on the inside. He didn't like to mislead his friend like that, but who Captain Marvel really is must be kept as a secret. Besides, at this point, Captain Marvel wasn't too sure of how the Justice League would react to Billy Batson. Even with the wisdom of Solomon, there's that seed of worry.

"But all jokes aside, this is a serious problem. I know all of you have your reasons as to not have your identities revealed. Most of you is because it's so your loved ones wouldn't get hurt," the captain looked weary once more.

"What about you? Don't you have loved ones?" Hal couldn't help but ask. Hal took in Captain Marvel and all of his entirety. He looked old, years of knowledge dragging him down. An immense sorrow broke through, only to be roped in. A battle was fighting within, trying to hide that sadness away. For the first time since Hal knew Captain Marvel, the man looked weak.

"Not anymore." Those words haunted Hal. What happened?

Hal was taken away from dark thoughts by the shrinking figure of his thoughts.

"Hey wait!" Hal called out as he jogged up to the large man. "If that isn't why you keep your secret ID a secret, then why?"

Captain Marvel stopped again. He sighed slowly. Large hands rubbed a troubled face.

"Look Hal. What I'm going to say is important. Very important. Understand?" Captain Marvel turned to his friend, finally trusting a small bit of information to his fellow hero. Hal could sense this. So he stood up straight, showing that he was paying attention.

"Yes, I won't tell a soul if need be," Green Lantern nodded.

"I'd appreciate that," Captain Marvel's expression soften only to harden again. "Look my title is Earth's Mightiest Mortal. And while people often think I'm a god myself, I'm not. I'm still mortal. Hence the mortal in the title. Only it's harder for me to die in this form since I'm using the power of the gods."