Superman & Captain Marvel: Inner Strength

In the Fortress of Solitude, Powergirl stood near the central console, flipping through a set of data logs she’d been compiling over the last couple weeks. Behind her, the heavy crunch of boots on crystal echoed down the corridor. “Morning,” came Clark’s chipper morning voice. “Hi,” she muttered without turning. Kalex hovered in the background, silently cataloging climate reports from the Arctic atmosphere. Clark took a few slow steps toward her, glancing at a packed case. “So… is that everything you need for your project?” Kara didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed on her task, double-checking one of the lenses. “Yep,” she said sternly. He offered a soft nod, unsure what to do with his hands, “I mean… that’s good. That’s great. I guess I was just wondering, after all these weeks, what exactly the project is. You’ve been putting in a lot of time. I feel like I have a right to know if you’re using my stuff.” She stopped, shoulders tightening as she stared up at nothing, “Is that how you treated Supergirl?” Clark blinked, “What?” “Did you ask her to explain herself every time she wanted to do something on her own? Or is it just me you don’t trust?” His mouth opened, then shut again, “Kara, that’s not what I meant.” “You gave me a place to crash,” she said, voice flat but building, “and I appreciated that. But where I come from, I’m not some half-measure. I was the Kryptonian the world looked up to. Hell, I led my team.” She stepped closer, “So maybe don’t act like you’re dealing with a girl when you look at me.” Clark stood there for a beat, like he was trying to find something helpful to say but realized none of it would matter right now. “Alright,” he finally said, “I’ll leave you to it then.” He nodded gently, like he wanted to say more, then didn’t. Maybe I’ll be back after work. Take care, Kara.” And just like that, his cape drifted behind him as he left through the crystalline hallway. Kalex continued humming quietly as Kara stood there alone, her knuckles tightening around her work.
The Daily Planet buzzed like usual as Clark Kent sat at his computer, shoulders stiff, eyes fixed on the half-written article on the screen. Lois Lane leaned against the edge of his desk, voice just for him, “She’s not her, Clark,” Lois said gently, “You can’t keep blaming yourself for what happened with our Kara.” “I let her go,” he muttered, not looking up, “I mean, to the future? To fight battles she might not be ready for. And now I’ve got another Kara who barely trusts me, and I can’t even tell if she wants to.” Lois shrugged softly, giving him a wry half-smile, “She’s stubborn. Sound like anyone you know?” Clark gave a half smile, but it didn’t quite take, “I just… I don’t want to fail the new Kara too.” Just then, a spike of red hair popped up between their desks like a prairie dog, “Wait, what?” Jimmy Olsen said, holding a coffee in one hand and a half-eaten sandwich in the other, “Did you just say there’s a new Kara?” Clark froze. Lois’s eyes widened. “I mean—I didn’t mean—” Clark stammered, fumbling for something, anything to say. “Is Kara back in town?!” Jimmy grinned wide, “I knew she’d come back! Man, I won’t blow my shot this time.” Clark cleared his throat, “No, uh—no. Kara moved back to Smallville. She, uh… she didn’t really like the big city lifestyle.” Jimmy blinked, “Oh. Bummer. But… wait, then who’s the new Kara?” Clark glanced helplessly at Lois. Without missing a beat, Lois turned toward Jimmy with her best this-is-not-a-lie smile. “You must’ve misheard, Jimmy. We were talking about her older sister. Lara.” Clark shot her a sideways look like Lara? Really? Lois tilted her head just enough to silently say, like you would’ve done better. Jimmy lit up. “Wait? Kara has a sister?! How old is she? Does she like redheads? Because, y’know, age is just a number.” Clark leaned back, “No, uh she just got out of a rough breakup. With a redhead.” “Oof,” Jimmy winced, “Guess the rebound window’s still open though, right?” Clark turned back to his computer, desperate for a subject change, “So, Jimmy, what’s happening in the world today? Any big stories?” “Oh! Right, yeah!” Jimmy pulled out his phone and swiped through his feed, “Okay, I know it’s not your usual guy, but this is wild. That Captain Marvel fella? He’s fighting some kinda witch in Faucet City. It’s all over livestream right now.” Clark straightened, “You don’t say?” Jimmy tapped the screen and held it out. On the video, Captain Marvel soared through the air, only to be caught midflight and slammed into a brick wall by a green-glowing figure in a tattered green cape. The Enchantress hovered in a storm of magic, her power unmistakable. Clark thought, this guy could really use a hand. “Well,” he said, standing and collecting his jacket. “Sounds like a story. I think I’ll take a cab down to Faucet City and see if I can catch the action before it’s over.” Jimmy looked up in awe, “Whoa, good luck, Clarky!” Lois rose with him, brushing a hand along his arm, “Yeah. Good luck, handsome.” She gave him a quick kiss and whispered as he passed, “And don’t forget, Perry will pay for your imaginary taxi fare.” Clark smirked over his shoulder, “You know I hate wasteful compant spending. I think I can manage my own.” And with that, Clark Kent strode out of the Planet, set on a different type byline, one written in the clouds.
Faucet City was on fire. Lightning tore across the sky as mystic crackling flames licked at the rooftops, and screams echoed from every direction. A twisted swirl of dark energy writhed above Main Street like a storm. Captain Marvel crashed through the side of a pharmacy and bounced off the asphalt with a painful oof. His cape fluttered down behind him like a flag of surrender. “Gee golly,” he muttered, pushing himself up to his elbows, “You are mean, Lady!” The sky split again, this time not with lightning, but with something faster. A red and blue streak rocketed in from the clouds, crashing down between Captain Marvel and the green-glowing witch with a sonic boom that sent debris and wind screaming outward. Superman stood tall, cape whipping in the magic-choked air, “Need a hand?” he asked. Captain Marvel grinned wide, brushing soot off his face. “Oh nelly, am I glad to see you!” The Enchantress hovered above them, arms stretched unnaturally long, hair billowing like it was underwater. “You called for help from Daddy?” she hissed, “How delightful.” They launched into the air together, flanking he. And for a moment, it felt like it might work. But her sorcery didn’t care about strength or speed. Superman caught the first blast right in the chest and was flung into the side of a radio tower. Captain Marvel reached out to grab him, only to be snatched midflight by a spectral dead hand that yanked him out of the air like a fly in molasses. Then came another hand around Superman. The rings on the decaying hands extended into chains, gripping the heroes tighter. Then she opened her mouth and glowing runes stitched across the sky. They were held in place, floating midair and helpless. Captain Marvel looked at his idol, “What’s going on with you, big guy? I’ve seen you handle worse than this.” Superman groaned, straining against the bonds, “It’s… it’s magic. I’ve got no natural defense against it. Just as vulnerable as the next guy.” Captain Marvel turned to look at him, face scrunched with confusion and a little disappointment, “Wait, really? But you’re Superman.” “SHE doesn’t really seem to care!” The Enchantress descended between them. “For far too long,” she said, voice echoing as if inside a thousand caves, “my soul has been bound to a weak, mortal shell. And I have felt it. Thereee is another like me.” She turned her hollow eyes toward Captain Marvel, “You. You are the key.” Captain Marvel squirmed, “I don’t really like being called a key.” “You are a vessel, filled with divine might,” she continued, ignoring him, “But tethered… to a child. Just as I am chained to the woman called June Moone. But through my ritual I can unbind you, and doing so shall also unbind me.I will free the avatar of SHAZAM and cast aside the meat of your humanity. Kill your mortal half and then, I will truly be free.” Her arms rose, the sky rippled, and her spell began to build. A swirling mass of symbols and green fire that orbited her like satellites. Superman twisted, face contorted in effort. But the spell still came together and she fired, but the blast never reached its mark. Superman, despite the pain, broke free. He roared as he tore through the bonds and hurled himself in front of the blast just as it struck. A wave of crackling light engulfed him, blinding everything within radius. Enchantress screamed in rage, “Noooo!” And when the smoke cleared, three figures stood in the rubble. Captain Marvel. Superman. And Clark Kent. “Wha- what?” Captain Marvel blinked, “What the heck just happened? Clark Kent, in his wrinkled shirt and tie, adjusted his glasses and looked around in panic, “I—I don’t know.” Billy’s confusion got even worse. Enchantress staggered backward, drained and livid. “No… no! You’ve ruined everything!” Captain Marvel, shook off his restraints and zipped forward, fists glowing with power. But before he could land a hit, she vanished into a whirlwind of green mist, her voice echoing as it faded, “This isn’t over. I will return.” Silence fell.
The dust finally cleared, but the confusion only thickened. Three figures stood on a rooftop after the very weird magic trick. Captain Marvel blinked hard, pointing at Clark, “Okay, Superman, who’s that?” Clark stumbled a bit, brushing rubble off his shirt, “I think I’m me,” he said, then, “I mean, I’m Superman when he isn’t wearing the cape.” Captain Marvel squinted, looking at the man flying besides him, “Yeah, but like… you’re also Superman, right?” The caped one finally spoke, voice calm and certain, “I am Kal-El, last son of Krypton. Protector of Earth.” His words were more formal than Billy had heard before. Captain Marvel rubbed the back of his neck, “Okay, that’s… not confusing at all.” The three of them stood in silence. A firetruck wailed in the distance, but none of them moved. “Well, I wasn’t expecting this to happen,” Clark said, mostly to himself. “No,” Kal El agreed, “But we must be ready. She said she’d return.” Captain Marvel perked up, “Right! Enchantress. That was the first weird thing that happened today. Almost totally forgot, to be honest.” He took a small step back with no hesitation and shouted, “SHAZAM!” A bolt of lightning screamed down from the heavens and slammed into Captain Marvel, leaving only Billy Batson behind, standing sheepishly in front of his idol. “I’m the reason she’s doing all this,” Billy said, “She’s trying to separate me and Captain Marvel so she can be free from the Jewl of the Moon. Or… something like that. Magic stuff.” Clark blinked, “You mean to tell me that you’re really a kid?” “Yup.” Billy popped the p, “Billy Batson, Twelve years old. But very mature for my age.” Kal tilted his head, eyeing him like a museum display, “You wield great power for one so young.” Billy shrugged, “I mean, yeah, I’ve got the Wisdom of Solomon, but I don’t always listen to it.” Clark looked at both of them, more overwhelmed than anything, “Okay. So... what do we do now?” Kal didn’t hesitate, “She said she will return. And when she does, we must be ready. The Captain and I will face her together.” Billy looked up at him in awe, “Did you just say together?” Kal nodded, “You are a mighty warrior. You deserve another willing to fight by your side.” Billy gave a small, surprised smile, “That might be the nicest way anyone’s ever said ‘I’m babysitting you.’” Kal continued, “And once the threat is defeated, we shall force her to undo the curse and unite us as one again, Clark Kent of Kansas. Clark took a breath. The city smelled like smoke and spells, “So, I guess that means I can go back to Metropolis then.” Kal shook his head yes. Billy didn’t say anything. For all their cosmic weirdness, the plan was simple. Beat the witch, fix the spell. And if they were lucky, maybe, just maybe, figure out who was who by the end of it.
Kal El has considered to take on a mentorship role with Captain Marvel after finding out he is a kid and takes him to see the Fortress of Solitude. The northern winds howled outside the crystalline spires, but inside, it was silent. Kal-El stood tall beside Captain Marvel as he pushed open great door, “Kal El and one guest coming home.” Billy stepped inside, wide-eyed, spinning slowly in awe, “Whoa,” he breathed, “This is… the bee’s knees.” Kal nodded as if he didn’t just hear a 50 year old expression. From the far side of the room, a robotic voice called out, “Welcome home, Kal-El.” Kalex, the hovering assistant droid, glided into view, “You have company?” Kal shook his head, “This is Captain Marvel. He’ll getting the grand tour.” Kalex turned toward the boy, scanned him, then seemed to accept it without ceremony, “Noted. Bio-signature now recognized as ally. Additionally, Powergirl has departed on a mission. She did not communicate a return date.” Kal merely replied, “She’ll manage,” and walked forward, not asking for more. Billy gave Kal a curious look, “Aren’t you gonna… check where she went?” “No need,” Kal said, “She is capable. She’ll return when she’s ready.” Billy scratched his head but didn’t press. Instead, he followed as Kal led him through the next corridor. What followed felt like a cosmic field trip. Kal showed him the chamber of crystals, the holographic recordings of Jor-El speaking in fluent Kryptonian. The capsule, the original rocket, that carried him to Earth, still intact and polished like a trophy. Billy’s jaw hung open the entire time. “This is unreal,” Billy said, “It’s like you’re a living museum all about you. You must be super proud of all this.” Kal looked up at the ghostly image of his father, frozen mid-speech in flickering light, “It is… the legacy I was born into. It defines who I am. I am very proud to be from Krypton.” Billy nodded, but something in Kal’s tone made it feel more like a mission statement than a belief. As they walked past glowing glyphs and genetic archives, Billy looked up with excitement, “Hey, since I saw your place, maybe you should see mine too! Faucet City isn’t exactly alien space-tech, but it’s got this great sandwich place I know, and—” Kal raised an eyebrow, “Where we just came from?” “Yeah! It’s where I live. We’ve got, like, the best boardwalk in the country. And roller coasters! I could show you the youth center where I do homework sometimes between fights.” Kal blinked, “That seems… unnecessary.” Billy’s shoulders dropped a little in disappointment, “Well, yeah, but… C’mon, it’ll be fun! You saw my whole secret identity, so it’s only fair I show you the whole deal too, right?” Kal hesitated. There was no logic in it. No mission. No tactical benefit. But something in the boy’s grin softened him just a sliver. “…Fine,” Kal said, “Lead the way.” Billy beamed, “Sweet! I hope you like chili fries.” Kal-El just followed.
The taxi finally pulled up outside the Daily Planet building. Clark Kent stepped out, buttoning his jacket. His stride had just a hint more stumble to it than usual. Inside the newsroom, everything was its usual blend of chaos and caffeine. Phones rang, keyboards clacked, someone swore at the copy machine. Clark walked past the bullpen when the familiar voice of Steve Lombard drawled behind him, “What’s up, loser?” Clark froze, and turned back to Lombard, “You’re a loser,” he replied, completely deadpan but with an affable grin that somehow made it more awkward. Steve just shook his head. Clark slid into his desk chair, still adjusting to the feeling of every creak and muscle tug in his now completely human body. Lois leaned over from her desk beside his and narrowed her eyes at the way his fingers trembled just slightly over the keyboard. “Well?” she asked, “How’d it go?” Clark let out a long exhale as he stared at the blank screen, “I don’t even know where to begin.” Lois smirked, “C’monnnn, Smallville.” She leaned in and gave him a hard stab in the ribs with the pen she was holding. “OUCH!” Clark yelped, loudly. The entire bullpen went silent and every head turned toward them as Lois stared at Clark like he’d just grown a second head. She glared, whispering through gritted teeth, “Not funny.” Then, in a louder, forced voice to the surrounding office, “Oops, I’m so sorry, Clark.” Everyone eventually went back to their business, but Lois’s eyes narrowed even further, “Okay, I am mad at you, but please tell me that was a joke.” Clark turned his chair toward her, his face serious now, “I’m not sure how to explain it, but I think, I think I’m full-on human now. Like, just a guy. Like you.” Lois didn’t believe her ears, “What? You’re still kidding, aren’t you?” “Seriosly, I mean it. No strength, no powers. I got winded on the stairs.” She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Clark called across the room, “Hey, Jimmy!” Jimmy Olsen looked up from his phone, “What’s up?” “Is there any trace of Superman online right now? Anything trending?” Jimmy pulled up a tab, “Yeah, actually. Looks like he’s hanging with Captain Marvel over in Faucet City. Looks like they must’ve taken down that magic chick already.” Lois leaned closer, ever the skeptic, “Jimmy, how long ago was the video posted?” Jimmy checked, “Uh… it’s live right now. Someone’s doing an Instagram live stream. Cap’s showing Superman some big statue of an old boxer or something. He seems really excited about it.” He turned his phone so they could see Captain Marvel grinning like a kid at Disneyland, pointing up at a statue while Superman stood beside him, stoic, regal, and very much not entertained. Clark gave Lois a smug look that said ‘what did I tell you?’ Lois stared at the screen. Her face went through three distinct stages, confusion, suspicion, and finally a quiet storm of realization. She set her coffee down with trembling fingers.
Back in Faucet City, Captain Marvel stood proudly beside the bronze statue of the boxer, “So this guy? This guy once fought twelve rounds with a busted rib, didn’t sit once between rounds, and still won the belt!” he said, practically bouncing on his heels, “They say he walked himself to the hospital after. That’s grit. That’s heart. That’s what a real champion looks like.” Superman stood beside him, arms crossed, cape flapping in the warm city breeze. He offered a polite nod, but his gaze drifted up, his attention already scanning the horizon. Billy kept talking anyway, undeterred, “I mean, he wasn’t magic or anything, just a guy. You know? Makes you think maybe—” A sharp crash cut through the air. Shattering glass. Screeching alarms. A block or two away. Superman’s face lit up with something between relief and impatience, “Oh, thank Rao,” he muttered, and without waiting for Billy, launched into the sky like a missile. Captain Marvel blinked, “You didn’t let me finish,” he mumbled, before shouting, “Hey, wait up!” and taking off after him. They reached the scene in seconds. A group of ski-masked robbers spilled out of a jewelry store, arms full of bags and panic. But before Captain Marvel could even pick a target, Superman was already disarming one with a gust of super-breath, melting another’s gun with heat vision, then lifting their van clean off the ground and gently placing it onto the roof of a bus stop. Billy hovered mid-air, arms slightly out, unsure where to jump in. By the time the last thug hit the pavement with a woozy groan, Superman dusted off his hands and turned to Captain Marvel. Billy landed beside him, half-annoyed, “Hey, next time… maybe we actually work together? Save some guys for me in my own city.” Superman looked at him without malice, just blunt certainty, “What would be the purpose? I can handle it all myself.” Captain Marvel frowned, his fists slowly uncurling, “That’s not really the point, though.” But Superman was already turning away from the scene, cape fluttering behind him like a drawn curtain.
Back at the Daily Planet, the world continued on and felt briefly normal still. Clark sat at his desk with his tie a little loose, fingers tapping aimlessly at his keyboard. Across from him, Lois sat still hung up on this whole fiasco. Clark glanced around, making sure the cost was clear. He leaned in slightly, “You know, maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.” “What’s not?” “Being human,” he went on, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a chance. To just be us. To be safe. Maybe even start a family.” Lois blinked, “Whoa whoa whoa, back up. You skipped a couple chapters there. We need to be married first before we think about starting a family.” Clark grinned sheepishly, “I’m serious, Lois.” She watched him, really watched him, and her expression slowly softened into something caught between surprise and hopeful joy. But before she could speak, the building trembled. Screams rose from the floor below. The lights flickered and outside the bullpen windows, a swirling green energy cracked through the sky like lightning. Lois snapped to her feet, “That’s not weather.” Clark’s breath came shallow. A shriek of magic burst through the floor and ceiling as windows shattered inward. The Enchantress stood amid the chaos, her cloak billowing with a mind of its own, “The mortal!” she snarled, her gaze piercing every wall, “Where is the vessel?! I know you are here!” The Planet exploded into panic. Reporters bolted from their desks as papers flew. Perry yelled something no one heard as the staff rushed to evacuate. Lois grabbed Clark’s arm, “We’ve gotta go!” But Clark didn’t move. He knew he would sense him around other people. His legs buckled beneath him, and he stumbled backward into the nearest doorway, the copy room. For the first time in his life, he felt something he never truly understood until now. Terror. He crouched low behind the desk, eyes clenched shut, arms around his head. He stayed put. Hiding, letting the others run and escape. He told himself he was doing the right thing, but he was afraid.
Captain Marvel shot through the sky, lightning trailing in his wake. Superman followed, more calculating. The two touched down in the Daily Planet, mystic energy still tore at the walls as the Enchantress floated like a dark flame. “We do this together,” Billy said, looking up at his supposed partner. Superman gave a half-smile, eyes fixed on the chaos inside, “Sure, kid. Just don’t put your face in front of my fists.” Before Billy could argue, Superman blasted into the building like a missile. He tackled the witch head-on with a thunderous punch that knocked over cubicles and sent particleboard flying. Captain Marvel rushed in trying to catch up, trying to help, but every time he did, Superman cut ahead. Heat vision, freeze breath, fast fists. Billy finally shouted, “Hey! Maybe try working with me instead of over me!” Superman didn’t even look back, “I’ve got this handled.” But he didn’t. Enchantress grinned, her cloak curling around her like smoke as they broke through the copy room wall to Clark’s hising spot. With a crack of arcane energy, she summoned the two spectral hands from the floor again that slammed into both halves of Superman, pinning them in place like dolls on strings. Her voice rang like a bell inside their skulls, “There you are…” She floated toward Clark Kent, “You thought hiding would protect you, little vessel? I only need one moment of merging.” Clark struggled, panicked, sweat streaking his temple. Superman, restrained nearby, snarled with frustration. The witch’s hands raised, magic coiling from her fingers as she murmured in some long-dead tongue. The mystical smokey tendrils reached for both of them, Clark and Kal, and began to pull together. It felt like dying. Both men screamed as their bodies began to shimmer, phasing, bending, merging. They resisted. Kal gritted his teeth, “I… don’t… want this!” Clark shouted back, “Neither do I!” And then, the most unexpected thing happened, Captain Marvel stepped forward. Unshaken and watching. He whispered to himself, “They need to be one.” No matter what they said, he knew in his heart it was meant to be. Even if it meant Billy was destined to die as a ressult. So he didn’t fight it. And with one final arc of light and force, the spell completed and in the place of two men, stood one again, Superman. He stood a little taller. Looked a little steadier. His eyes locked with Billy’s and for the first time in this whole mess. And instead of looking superior, he looked thankful. Together, Superman and Captain Marvel launched forward, fists of will and lightning striking in unison. But Enchantress was not done with her goal. With a scream of rage, her magic exploded outward, catching both heroes mid-flight and hurling them through a crumbling wall. The ground quaked, and rubble rained. Superman groaned, lifting himself up slowly. Billy stood beside him, scuffed and panting, “She’s still winning,” he muttered. It wasn’t enough, and Enchantress was still kicking their butts.
But then a low thumping echoed across the sky, helicopter blades slicing through the haze above the ruined Daily Planet. Billy shielded his eyes, “Did you call for help?” The ARGUS chopper crested over the rooftops. But before it could even descend fully, Enchantress turned her head as it fired a flare missile. The lights rattled her as she lost her grip on the heroes. Now she was annoyed. Her eyes pulsed with energy, and with a crack of her wrist, a bolt slammed into the tail rotor. The chopper spun wildly, smoke belching from the engine as soldiers leapt from the open doors, but not all parachutes deployed. Billy shot into the air without hesitation, catching one in mid-plummet. Superman blurred past him, grabbing another by the back of the vest just before he hit the pavement. Superman steadied himself, as he looked down at the man he’d saved, “Flagg?” Superman asked, surprised. “What are you doing here? I thought ARGUS didn’t deal in--” “Magic?” Rick Flagg Jr. interrupted, pulling his straps straight, “They don’t.” Superman frowned, “Then why are you—” “Because I’m the only one who can put an end to this mess,” Flagg said flatly. Then he pointed straight ahead at the witch hovering like a storm, “Drop me in front of her.” “That’s not—” “Just do it, damn it!” Flagg snapped. Superman looked to Captain Marvel, unsure. Billy gave a helpless shrug. Seconds later, Superman landed in front of Enchantress, Flagg in his arms. The witch hissed like a viper, swirling her cloak as she turned to face them. “HEY!” Flagg bellowed, stepping forward on his own, waving his hands for her attention, “HEY! I’m here now. It’s okay.” At first, Enchantress didn’t flinch. But then, her expression changed. Confusion, recognition, then pain. “Noo,” she whispered. “You know better than this,” Flagg said, his voice cracking, “You know who you are.” Captain Marvel floated down beside Superman and muttered under his breath, “Wow. Why didn’t we just try this from the beginning?” But Flagg kept going, each word slower than the last, “I love you,” he said, “You can fight back, Mom!” The Enchantress shrieked in agony and the heroes’ faces went dumbfounded aa Captain Marvel started, “did he just say--” But her body twisted, arms writhing as ancient energy exploded from within. And then, like glass under pressure, her form began to crack, fracturing down the middle between shadow and skin. Her voice split in two, a wail of both magic and mourning. The witch fell, crumpling to the pavement. Only June Moone remained. Small, bruised, and shaking. Her skin was pale, and her eyes fluttered open just long enough to lock onto Flagg, “I love you too, son,” she whispered. Flagg ran to her and fell to his knees beside her, jaw trembling. He reached into his vest and pulled a syringe from a small black case. “Hey, what are you—” Superman stepped forward. But Flagg didn’t look up as he injected her neck. The hiss of chemicals cut through the air. Superman’s hands balled into fists, “What are you doing?” “You think I like this any more than you do!?” Flagg snapped, eyes collecting tears. Captain Marvel stood frozen as June Moone faded into a coma-like state. Superman’s brow tightened, “What is going on here?” “You’d know if you were in the loop,” Flagg said, voice now like steel, “But we both know you declined that invitation.” Superman stood silent. “So again,” Flagg added, holstering the syringe and waving over his men, “Your country thanks you. Now get lost.” Captain Marvel looked between them, unsure whether to say anything. But Superman just nodded once and stepped back. ARGUS moved in quietly to surround Flagg and his unconscious mother, boxing them in as if to keep the world out. Superman and Billy took to the sky again, the weight of the day slowing them slightly.
They landed on the rooftop as the sun began to lower behind the skyline. Superman stared out for a moment. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but earned. Billy finally broke it, “I don’t know Superman, that was crazy for me. Was that crazy for you?” Superman chuckled, “That’s one word for it.” Clark turned to Billy,“You did good work today, Billy.” Captain Marvel looked surprised, “Really?” Clark nodded, “Better than good. You kept your head, stayed focused, and put others before yourself, even when it could’ve meant your own life.” Billy gave a small smile and looked down at his boots, “Yeah, well... I guess I just learned from watching you.” Clark shook his head, “You know, Billy, I used to think I was brave. But today I realized a lot of that courage came from knowing I couldn’t be hurt. Invulnerability makes a person recklessly couragous. But you? You’re brave even when you can be hurt.” Billy blinked, unsure what to say. Clark continued, “You’ve got real courage, Billy. The kind that matters. The kind that makes someone a hero.” Billy swallowed, trying not to beam too hard, “You really think so?” “I know so,” Clark said, clapping a firm hand on his shoulder, “Even without saying shazam, I’d see you as one of the good ones. That power didn’t make you noble. You were noble first.” Billy's heart fluttered like it was made of fireworks. There was a beat of silence, until Billy’s eyes sparked with something else. Mischief, but maybe more sincere, “Hey, Superman?” “Yeah?” “To me, you are the symbol of hope. And there’s a place I’ve always thought someone like you should go.” Clark glanced sideways at him, “What kind of place?” “You’ll see,” Billy said, trying and failing to hide his grin. Superman raised an eyebrow, but smiled back, “Alright. Lead the way, Cap.” They took off into the golden sky, soaring together toward something brighter.
The children’s hospital of Faucet City wasn't anything flashy. It was old, tucked into a corner but inside the walls were bright with paint, with crayon-colored murals of animals and stars, and halls rang out with something better than medicine, hope. A wave of gasps and cheers echoed down the corridor as kids poked their heads out of rooms, nurses paused with wide eyes, and someone somewhere dropped a tray of juice cups. In a flash, Captain Marvel was already surrounded, kneeling down beside wheelchairs, laughing with wide-eyed children, letting them touch the lightning bolt on his chest like it was a new stuffy. Superman watched for a second, admiring how effortlessly Billy fit in here. A little girl with tubes in her nose tugged on Superman’s cape and asked if he could really fly. He scooped her up gently and spun her once in the air. She giggled so hard it turned into a cough, and her nurse gave a soft thank you with her eyes. Billy caught up with Clark in the hallway after handing out stickers one of the nurses gave him. “You’re amazing with them,” Superman said, “Natural.” Billy shrugged, bashful, “Maybe the kids just find you too threatening. Y’know, big muscles, square jaw, dad voice.” Superman cocked is head but Billy grinned, “Maybe you should try something silly. Let 'em know you’re not so serious.” Clark smirked, “Like what?” Billy turned to the kids, “Hey guys! Got any ideas to make Superman less scary?” A few kids threw out random suggestions, but one boy near the back in a knit beanie raised his hand with the most serious face in the room. “Superman,” he said solemnly, “maybe you could wear your underwear on the outside of your pants?” The room went silent, then it erupted as laughter bounced off every wall, even some of the nurses couldn’t keep it in. Superman blinked, then broke into a warm, full smile that softened the whole line of his face. He crouched beside the boy, and said, “You know what? I’ll consider it.” The boy beamed like he'd just won the lottery. And as the two heroes stood there, surrounded by children who had every reason to fear the future, but chose to believe in something better. Hope didn’t just feel possible. It felt real.
In the post credit scene, Waller is on the phone with Rick Flagg while she walks down the hall to her office. She say, “Yes, Cornel, very good. Return her to our detention facility immediately and we will make sure her dosage is higher from now on.” She hangs up the call and enters her office. But when she sits down at her desk, she hears a voice behind her. “Director Waller.” Waller’s eyes widen in surprise as she turns around to see Powergirl standing there, arms folded. Powergirl finishes, with eyes glowing red, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you…”

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