Chapter Twenty-Two: Earth's Mightiest Mortal

The minute Silvia had left the Daily Planet building she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. It was an old, busted up Nokia that displayed texts in an outdated font. She had found it in the gutter years ago in working condition. It could only be assumed that it fell out of someone's purse but with no contact information to even attempt returning it, Silvia felt justified in keeping it.

The screen instantly displayed the message in small writing without any need to click onto the menu. 'You told me to update you on super villain movements instead of contracts. I heard that there's trouble in Fawcett City but I can't be sure who's causing it.'

Silvia immediately texted back confirmation that she had received this message and raced to the nearest train station. Fawcett City was further away then Gotham but still close enough to warrant checking it out.

The city was simply urban, just like she'd imagined - tall buildings in an exact grid pattern. Ubiquitous skyscrapers were smudged by the smog-filled sky, and it had more sunlight than Gotham but couldn't compare to Metropolis. Cars raced between red traffic lights, stubbornly flickering in the grey. She could hear a few birds soaring across the horizon and... multiple people running.

Silvia quickly turned to see smoke swirling in the horizon. Her eyes narrowed. Apparently that was where she needed to go.

Silvia found an empty alleyway and quickly got changed, then bolted down the street like an Olympic champion at the start gun but a lot less graceful. Her pace quickened to an all out sprint when she spotted a crowd rushing away from the area. Inside a flaming building was where she skidded to a halt. There she was faced with the largest man she'd ever laid eyes on... bigger than even Superman.

Silvia arched her neck in a strained attempt to get a good look at him. He towered over her both in height and weight. He was around 6'8 with the muscles of a bodybuilder. Veins crept visibly through each arm in bulging blue and his face was obscured, much like hers, with a mask.

"What... the... fuck..." Silvia gasped at the sight of him. Already she felt like she had no chance.

"Yeah, he's pretty scary looking, isn't he?" Someone spoke from behind her. Though Silvia was reluctant to turn her back on the giant of a man, she did so anyway to see who was speaking. Shazam was floating a few inches from the ground with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. "His name's Bane. Don't worry, he's not that tough."

"Really? Then I'll leave this to you." Silvia replied.

"Ah yeah, about that... Black Adam was actually using Bane as a distraction so I need to go find him." Shazam gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head childishly. "Unless, of course, you want to go after him instead. He's put up a pretty good fight between both me and Superman once... at the same time. I'm sure you'll come up with something though."

Silvia gulped. "Y-You... and Superman?!" Her blue eyes flicked back over to Bane and she sighed. "I'll take the distraction..."

"Good choice." The hero gave her a thumbs up. "He's a piece of cake, you can totally beat him!"

With that Shazam shot into the sky like a bullet and left her with Bane. The wrestling masked man now had her full attention and she started to realise that he had been leaning against a nearby pillar, waiting for them to finish deciding who was going to take him on.

"Eres diferente de lo que esperaba." Bane said in a voice so low that Silvia could almost feel it vibrate through the earth. The man pushed off of the pillar and slammed both fists together menacingly.

Silvia tilted her head to the side. "Sorry... uh... Do you speak English? I mean, thanks for waiting and all but I have no idea what you're trying to tell me."

Bane took a step forward that closed a lot of distance between them. "You are different then I was expecting but anyone that defeats Batman deserves my respect."

"Oh?" Silvia gleamed. "Well, thanks then!"

"La gratitud no te llevará a ninguna parte... I'm still the one that broke his back."

Silvia scoffed. "Just his back? Pretty sure I broke more than that when I fought him."

"That will not be repeated on me." It couldn't be seen whether Bane was amused or annoyed, but regardless he took another stride forward and his voice increased in volume. "I'm tired of talking, show me the strength that bested Batman."

Reaper suddenly felt her hands become clammy beneath her gloves and strands of her hair beneath the mask sticking to her face. This man was so incredibly huge that she doubted she had any chance against him. She wasn't even a mouse in comparison, more like an insect easily crushed under his boot.

Always being too stubborn to listen to any reasonable thought that ran through her mind, Reaper braced herself and curled her hands into fists. Usually she liked to play around with her enemy and to assess their strength, but something told her it was going to hurt a lot more than usual this time.

"So, you want the first hit?" She said in a tone that suggested she already knew this was a mistake. "Come on, give me your best shot!"

Bane huffed out something that sounded almost like a chuckle. "You asked for it." Then he swung his gigantic arms in Silvia's direction, knocking her off her feet and straight through a wall. She definitely felt that one.

Silvia forced herself to stand back up and stepped over the large hole that now resided in the wall. Bane was stronger than anyone she had fought so far in terms of brute force and power, but he was sluggishly slow compared to her and had little skill behind his hits. This might be easier than she initially thought.

Shrugging off the attack and trying to ignore the intense aching in her muscles, Silvia charged towards the much larger man. He swung his hand in her direction once more but she easily dodged it.

Reaper wove passed each attack effortlessly until finally tangling her legs beneath Bane's. In one heaving effort she pulled him to the ground, every muscle in her legs tensing at the strain. It took every last bit of her strength but, finally, she managed to trip him over. Once he was down it was all too easy to aim for his face, which was previously out of her reach.

Bane was sturdy but after seven of Reaper's hardest punches his jaw gave a loud crack. Another and his nose shifted beneath his mask. Still the man didn't make a sound until Silvia kicked down into his chest and broke a few ribs.

"You're strong, but you're gonna need to be faster than that to get another hit in." Silvia taunted, a smirk forming on her lips.

"See? I told ya you could do it!" Came the all too familiar voice of Shazam.

Reaper turned, rolling her shoulders to appease the soreness that stung there. It didn't help. "Guess you were right. How'd it go with that... Adam guy?"

"Black Adam put up a fight but he's in jail now." The hero stood tall, chest puffed out in a way that felt like an exaggeration. "I think I'll have a cool new scar from it though!"

Silvia could feel her brow begin to wrinkle at the man. "Aha..."

She only now remembered Starfire's words months ago. She had suggested that Shazam, who was around 6'2 and had muscles to rival Batman's, was actually a 12 year-old boy. The idea was something that Silvia just couldn't wrap her head around. His speech certainly sounded like it, but his face was so chiseled to perfection that there was no way she could comprehend it. He was the second manliest person she'd ever seen, beaten only by Superman.

Shazam seemed to get a little uncomfortable with how quiet Reaper had become, and even with a mask, he could tell that she was staring. He cleared his throat and flew toward the injured Bane. "I can... uhh... take him in if you want. I'm sure you'd want to get home."

Reaper nodded but even as Shazam left carrying Bane she didn't move. Curiosity whirled in her mind until there was no option but to give in. She had to know the truth about that man or she knew it would keep her up at night.

The sun was sinking lower in the sky by the time she got changed and caught up with Shazam. He was still at the prison making sure both Black Adam and Bane were being held securely. Silvia stayed within the shadows, waiting patiently for him to leave and when he did she followed.

It wasn't a long walk until the large jerk disappeared into a fairly average looking house with a spacious backyard. Silvia's eyes narrowed at the place. She could always break in, but seeing as she was trying to behave herself she opted for a more direct route. With no hesitation whatsoever Silvia jumped over the mahogany fence and knocked on the door.

There was a long pause and Silvia was suddenly made aware of how cold it had gotten. The wind blew against her back and whipped across her exposed arms. She could already feel a purple tinge arising from the temperature.

She didn't have much longer to think about it though because the door soon cracked open to reveal a small boy. If Silvia was to take a guess she'd say he wasn't even in High School yet. He blinked up at her oddly and she did the same.

"Uh... who are you?" He asked in a small voice.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I'm just looking for someone and thought I saw him come through here." Silvia gave a nervous laugh. "Have you seen anyone wearing a costume with a bolt on the front of it and a white cape?"

The boy gulped. He stared at her, eyes widening as if he recognised her voice. "Umm... Nope! I haven't seen anyone like that."

"Are you sure?" Silvia asked, brow furrowing at how uncomfortable the boy looked. "He's pretty hard to miss, and I heard he's popular around Fawcett City... uh... Sharlem is his name, I think."

The boy raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh wait, that's not it! Uh... Sharkboy? Sharlightning?" Silvia tapped her finger against her chin in deep thought. "How did I forget this? He has the same name as that stupid phone app... Sharlaton?"

"...Shazam?" The boy said, but accompanying his word came a strike of lightning. Suddenly there was no longer a 12 year-old boy standing in front of her, but a man so big he barely fit in the door frame. "Oh... Darn it!"

Silvia stared up at him wide eyed. She blinked... then blinked again. Her mouth fell open, jaw seeming to lose all strength. He was literally 12 years old. Her mind was refusing to process it.

Shazam gulped. "Please don't tell anyone! Cyborg will be so mad at me!"

Silvia could do nothing but stare. She wasn't even able to utter a reply. By this stage it was obvious that Shazam knew who she was, he seemed observant enough to pick up on her voice... unless he had some other way of knowing.

Regardless of why he knew, or how it was even possible for him to be Shazam, Silvia forced herself to turn back around. The superhero behind her called out to her in confusion but that only made her walk faster. She wasn't going to tell anyone, but that didn't mean she wasn't scarred for life.

The platform at the train station was so empty that it looked like a crime scene. Silvia was starting to wonder where everyone was before she felt an unusual gust of wind blow her hair back. If she wasn't already dazed and confused, she certainly was in those brief few moments. That quickly disappeared though when she looked up to see Superman.

"Ugh... not today, Golden Boy." Silvia groaned. "I just found out that Shazam is twelve years younger than me and the whole concept is giving me a head ache."

Superman chuckled. "Don't worry, I felt the same when I found out."

Silvia's brow furrowed and her silvery eyes flicked back up at him. "Did you just come here to make small talk? Whatever it is, make it quick. I don't want to be seen talking to you."

"I suppose I could say the same." Superman retorted, though he seemed to understand why. Being seen with any superhero, least of all him, was sure to get her attention she didn't want on her secret identity. "I heard that there was trouble here but by the time I arrived you and Shazam had apparently already cleaned up the mess."

"And?" Silvia shifted on the spot, arms crossing and foot tapping against the concrete beneath her.

"And I just wanted to say that you did the right thing."

"I punched a guy in the face a few times, hardly something worthy of praise." Silvia sighed. "But as easy as he was, I can at least add Bane to the list of people from your circle that I've beaten."

"So he'll be second on the list then?" Superman teased.

"Third, actually." Silvia felt a smirk threaten to quirk onto her lips but she fought against it.

"Nightwing doesn't count, he was only playing with you." Superman crossed his arms over his chest, charming smile never faltering. "He tends to go easy on pretty girls."

Silvia scoffed. "He doesn't even know what I look like."

"He has his ways."

"Whatever." Silvia huffed. "It still counts. If he went easy on me that's his problem."

Superman's grin widened to one of mirth but Silvia made an effort to look away from him. They were getting along a little too well for her liking.

"Where is this stupid train?..." Silvia muttered in irritation, glancing over at the clock to find that it was over half an hour late.

"That's the other reason I came." Superman suddenly spoke again, his low voice making Silvia inwardly cringe. It use to fill her with fury, but now she felt herself drawn to it. Her body automatically rejected the idea that she was starting to like the sound. "Black Adam broke a hole in the tracks. It'll be a few days before the repairs are done."

"Fanfuckingtastic..." Silvia groaned. "Why is it that you only ever bring me bad news?"

"Well, the good news is I'm heading back to Metropolis now so I can drop you off."

Silvia's throat dried. It felt like she hadn't had a drink in days. "I-I'm not in the business of asking you for favours!"

"You're not asking, I'm offering."

Silvia felt her body shake at the thought of flying that high up. No, not happening. "And I'm declining. I'll find my own way back, thanks."

Superman's laugh lines deepened at the effort it took for him not to laugh. "Are you... scared?"

The word instantly riled Silvia up. Her head shot in his direction and her whole face contorted. "D-Don't be ridiculous!"

"Then why don't you come with me then?"

In that instant Silvia's stubborn nature outweighed her terror. The last thing she wanted was to look weak. "M-Maybe I will!" She shouted, knowing straight away that she'd regret her decision.

Superman held out his hand. "Whenever you're ready."

Silvia swallowed whatever nerves threatened to arise. She couldn't back down now... and surely it wouldn't be that bad. Whether she actually believed that or not, she grasped onto his hand anyway.

In less than a second she was pulled to his chest, his arm moving to firmly hold her waist. Part of her wanted to growl at him to never touch her again, but another part recognised the feeling of his hand. Her brow crinkled, trying to figure out why that was but she didn't have much time to think.

Just as she was about to say something her feet left the ground. A small squeak became lodged in her throat as she dared to look down. The ground was getting further and further away. Suddenly she felt insecure and her arms flew around Superman's neck instinctually.

Fear sat on Silvia like a pillow over her mouth and nose. With every gust of wind that entered her lungs she felt like she was suffocating, yet still her body somehow kept functioning. Silvia's heart rate accelerated, and though she tried to remain calm, eventually she couldn't hide the panic.

"O-Okay, I take it back!" She gasped, staring down at the ground that was now nothing more than a landscape. "I-I'm scared! P-Please put me down!"

Silvia felt Superman's arm tense around her, then a breeze so strong that she found herself clinging to the man for dear life. When she opened her eyes she was floating above the roof of her apartment and finally being put down. The ceiling below her creaked as if it wanted to give way but she'd been up there so many times that she was confident that it wouldn't.

As soon as she had registered that she was on something solid again, she shakily walked towards a nearby generator and leaned on top of it. Her breathing still wouldn't calm down. Every inhale sounded like a painful wheeze.

"Sorry, it's difficult to tell fear from adrenaline. I should have payed more attention." Superman's eyes softened in concern. "Most women love going flying with me,

"They're insane, clearly." Silvia said through gasps.

"Never thought you'd be afraid of heights." Superman teased, though the worry didn't quite seem to leave his face. "Next time I'll make sure to distract you from it."

"W-What makes you think there'll be a next time, smart-ass?!"

"Just a hunch." He replied, tone suggesting that he knew something that she didn't. That brought back the annoyance she use to feel toward him. "See you next time, Sil."

Silvia narrowed her eyes at the hero as he left. Not only was she outraged at his assumption that she'd ever allow him to fly her somewhere again, but the use of her nickname irritated her further. She could only assume that Starfire had told him...

"What do you mean by 'a hunch'?!" Silvia practically yelled into the empty sky. "Hey! I know you can still hear me!!"

There was still no answer, well apart from a homeless man on the street that screamed at her to shut up. Silvia huffed. She was never going to fly again as long as she had any say in it.

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