Billy Batson [One-Shots]

Corvus

Based on Titans (2018)

Billy desperately needed some new clothes, because the ones he was wearing have seen their better days. Even his magic couldn't keep them together anymore. So he decided to go and look for them on the streets. If he found the right materials or old worn-out clothes he could work his magic on them and make them look brand new. That's why he rarely needed new clothes. With his magic, he simply could enchant the one he was wearing to never get dirty, torn, or old. Sadly, magic had its limits, and after a certain amount of time, it wore off, returning them to their primordial condition. After searching through several dumpsters and coming up with nothing valuable Billy was starting to get frustrated and lose hope, but as if someone answered his prayer, he found an old leather jacket, moth-eaten shirt, torn jeans, and sneakers with few holes in them. He could work with them, Billy decided and grabbed them to take them to his hideout. When he put the jacket on, to replace the old one, he felt a weight in one of his pockets. Reaching down, he found a small raven amulet, with words 'Corvus' carved onto it. It was handmade, out of wood, beautiful work of art.

Billy traced his fingers and muttered the word aloud, wondering what it meant. He suddenly gasped, his eyes turning milky white.

Billy was in a forest. In front of him was a young girl, running. From something terrifying and malicious, something that stood behind Billy and was approaching the terrified girl. When Billy turned around he saw a dreadful sight. Tall, red demon, that resembled what humans referred to as Devil, stood there growling like a beast. With giant horns adorning his head. Two sets of glowing, monstrous red eyes, taking permanent residence on his forehead. He plunged his hand forward. Billy closed his eyes waiting for the impact, but the pain never came. Instead, it went through Billy like he was made out of thin air. Monster's hand Reaching into the girl's chest ripping out her beating heart and crushing it into dust. When Billy looked at the girl instead of her, there was a humongous, black, bird - a raven. With a bloody cavity where her heart should be. Red jewel adorning her forehead.

Billy snapped out of his vision with a gasp, his eyes returning to his normal, blue color. Sweat was trickling down his forehead as his eyes surveyed his surroundings. He had no idea he could have visions. It wasn't good, he had no idea what to do. Actually... he did.

"SHAZAM!"

The moment he assumed his adult form, Wisdom of Solomon poured into his head. Reciting a spell in archaic Greek, Billy closed his eyes, reviewing the vision with more clarity than before. There was something he missed before. Something, his mortal self didn't notice. A sign. Traverse City. That's where he would find her, the Raven girl. Rocketing upwards into the sky, he dashed towards the Traverse City, looking around the place, searching for anything familiar. Sighing in frustration, he dragged his hand down his face. No idea what to do next. This city was huge, how he was supposed to find a nameless girl?

That's when the idea hit him. What if he tapped into the Magic of the Rock of Eternity? As its champion, he could theoretically trace where the vision came from... or at least the one it belonged to. Since it came to him, he and the girl were connected. So he was going to use that connection, however feeble it might've been and track her down. It wasn't as easy as it sounded, but Billy wasn't marvelous for nothing.

He landed in front of Rachel when she was returning from school, her head hung low and listening to music. The moment Billy touched down the ground, her head snapped up, expression of wonder and awe coloring her face. She couldn't believe that she was seeing Captain Marvel! What was he even doing here?

"C-captain Marvel?" stuttered out Rachel, unsure if she was hallucinating.

"Yeah! That's me! I'm Captain Marvel... listen... this gonna sound super weird because I don't even know your name, but I had a vision. You know... like of the future? You're in danger. There are people after you," explained Marvel.

Rachel gaped at him unattractively, wanting to deny his claims, but Captain Marvel was a hero, a good hero. Why would he lie to her? If he said there were people after her, then it must be true. "Rachel. My name is Rachel Roth," introduced herself the goth girl.

"Nice to meet you Rach..." he was interrupted by a scream that came from Rachel's house. Gunshot... and then silence.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Rachel, running towards her house, her exclamation snapped Billy out of his shock, he quickly dashed forward, stopping her mid-run.

"You don't have bullet immunity. Let me go first," she nodded her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She knew her mother was gone. She could no longer feel her emotions.

Billy barged into the house, opening it with his magic. The scene that greeted them was horrifying for the lack of better word. Bloodstains were everywhere, splattered on the walls, on the floor. Her mother's empty eyes were staring at them, hauntingly. Billy could actually see through the hole in her head. Thank God for his super-powered form. He was pretty sure he'd have thrown up if not for Courage of Achilles.

"Oh my God!" whimpered out Rachel, sinking to her knees, her eyes wide in horror and denial. Billy quickly crouched down next to her, bringing her in a comforting hug. "What's gonna happen to me now? I have no one else."

"Don't worry, Rachel. I have a friend," trailed off Billy, thinking about certain trench-coat-wearing Brit.

"Thank for everything, John," sighed Billy in relief, passing off shocked Rachel to John, who nodded his head, cig loosely hanging from his lip.

"No problem, mate. How long do you need me to keep her?" asked John. He loved Billy, but that's where his love for kids ended. He didn't fancy housing one, he was doing it for Billy.

"Few days? I don't know... I need to find her a safe home, somewhere or someone who will be well-equipped to deal with her powers, or at least not freak out," scratched Billy his head, thinking of possible candidates.

"Stay safe out there, Captain," waved him off John and closed the door in front of his face.

"Rude!" scoffed Billy, pouting a little.

"I heard that you little wanker!" came John's muffled voice behind the door.

"Hey, Billy. Did you find her suitable home?" asked John, watching as Rachel was immersed in one of his books on demonology, while he and Captain talked.

"I still can't believe Captain Marvel's name is Billy," complained Rachel, revealing that she was listening all along.

"It's a secret so hush!" Rachel just poked out her tongue in answer.

"Not really..." wearily sighed Billy, this was being harder than he expected.

"You don't need to look no more!" dramatically declared John, surprising both Billy and Rachel.

"You found someone?" asked Rachel, a bit saddened to leave him.

"Yup!" smugly replied John, puffing out his chest. "... Me!"

Billy and Rachel shared a look and burst out laughing. John wasn't amused, not at all!

"I'm serious!" angrily stomped John, trying to emphasize his point.

They stopped laughing, looking at John's face... damn! He really was serious. Billy honestly didn't see that coming and neither did Rachel.

"Are... are you sure John?" asked Billy, looking uncertainly at the man. He was known for working solo. Claiming it was better for everyone and stuff. Billy still managed to worm his way into his heart.

"Yes, I am. Who else is gonna teach her all about her powers? There's none more knowledgable than me!" boasted Constantine, getting a fond smile from Rachel. "Now get lost ye 'roided cocksucker, I have better things to do then sniff the smell of ozone you leave behind!"

Billy rolled his eyes at John but complied, standing up and teleporting away. Making sure to use lightning, just to mess with him. John's scream of absolute rage was music to his ears. That's probably what he loved about John. He never treated him like a kid, always acted around him as if Billy was his age. Which Billy was very grateful for.

Captain Marvel had many friends, his colleagues, countless citizens of Fawcett City. Billy Batson had only one friend and his name was John Constantine.