DC: My Name Is Not Billy Batson

Smithsonian National Museum, Washington, D.C.

Diana carefully worked on renovating a marble statue, an ancient masterpiece deeply rooted in Greek art.

It was exactly the kind of piece she loved. As she focused intently on her work, a soft beep sounded from her computer upon receiving a new email.

Diana chose to ignore it for another hour, finishing her work before setting down her tools. She walked over to the computer to check message.

"Your Highness Diana Prince, we have no ill will but hope to meet with you. We'll come and see you tomorrow at same time.

Your future best friends, Shazam and Clark Kent."

Diana furrowed her brows and smiled softly. Attached to the email was a photograph—one she recognized, taken with her comrades.

"Future best friends," she murmured.

She glanced back at the photo, her eyes flickering with a touch of nostalgia.

------------------------------------------

The next day, Diana arrived at the museum, instructing her assistant not to disturb her. She sat quietly, flipping through the latest archaeological journals to pass the time.

It wasn't long before a breeze stirred inside the museum, tinged with the unmistakable presence of magic. Moments later, there was a knock at the door.

"Please come in," she said.

Diana knew it couldn't be her colleague. Sure enough, as the door opened, what lay beyond was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

There stood the Rock of Eternity, and outside the door were two well-dressed men: Dane and Clark.

Diana recognized Dane, and her expression became subtly thoughtful. Despite being the president of Pioneer Technology and maintaining a low profile, Dane couldn't completely hide himself in today's fast-paced world. Media coverage and his presence on wealth lists made him easily recognizable.

Diana herself had an account on Quickshake. Though nearly a thousand years old, Her Royal Highness the princess prided herself on staying young at heart and in tune with modern trends.

"Take the liberty to excuse me, Amazon Princess Diana Prince, or should I say, Wonder Woman?"

As usual, Dane initiated the conversation, while Clark stood aside with a smile.

Diana stood up and shook Dane's hand.

"I didn't expect the famous Quickshake President, Dane Davis, to be a wizard... Well? That's impossible!"

The moment their hands met, Diana felt a vast divine power emanating from him, including the breath of her deceased father, Zeus.

Diana's relaxed demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression.

Dane sensed that the Amazonian warrior had entered a state of heightened alert, ready to engage in battle if necessary. He knew he had to speak quickly to prevent a confrontation.

He calmly said, "Please put your hostility aside for now and allow me to explain."

Diana, noted Dane's look good guy, found it hard to associate him with evil. She hesitated for a moment and then relax.

"Thank you," she said.

"'The Power of Shazam' is a magical contract with six gods, and I only need to recite a spell to obtain the power of six gods at the same time.

As the price or responsibility for gaining this power, I must become a defender of magic, and a guardian of the human world."

Dane then explained the origin of Shazam's powers, which was news even to Clark.

Clark looked at Dane with wide eyes. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

"You didn't ask me," Dane replied nonchalantly.

Initially, Dane's cautious nature made him hold back due to their unfamiliarity. Later, as they became closer, he wanted to find the right moment to share but never did. It wasn't like he could just bring it up randomly without context—it would have been awkward.

Clark, visibly annoyed, sat on the side, sulking. He was upset that he wasn't know about that.

He didn't hide this information because if Diana found out the truth later, it would be better to be transparent from the beginning than to accidentally be forced to reveal it during future actions and cause estrangement.

Diana didn't believe Dane's words. After nearly a hundred years in the human world, she was no longer the naive girl who had just left the island.

As Dane expected, she saw him produce a golden-lit bundle of lasso at some point.

"Presumably this is the 'Lasso of Truth'," Dane remarked, looking at the lasso with a smile.

Diana's eyes flashed. "You know a lot."

Dane replied modestly, "I only know what I should know."

"Then you must also know that even the gods cannot resist the power of the truth."

Of course, Dane knew. In the animated movie "Flashpoint Paradox," Wonder Woman used the lasso to make Shazam shout "SHAZAM" and revert to his human form, ultimately killed the Shazam family.

That's why he wanted to secure the word "Shazam" in the first place. Were Black Adam and Billy Batson that oblivious? Why wouldn't they address such a significant weakness?

Dane took the initiative to wrap the lasso around his hand a few times to show his sincerity.

Diana received his gesture and lowered her guard. Her focus was on Earth's future catastrophes and Justice League matters. Dane had foreshadowed some events, but she needed confirmation.

"Is it true that you said there would be a series of disasters in the future?"

"It's true, and it's probably far more serious than you think."

"What exactly could happen?"

"First of all, Seaside City, where the first Earthling to join the Green Lantern Corps will be born. The first enemy he'll face is the Parallax Monster, an enemy that even the Green Lantern Corps fears. If it comes, it could easily destroy Earth.

Next up is General Zod, a Kryptonian leader with a group of soldiers possessing the same abilities as Superman. With their superior Kryptonian technology, they could easily destroy human civilization."

Diana didn't know Superman's or his strength, but it must be formidable to campare with them from Shazam.

"And then there's Steppenwolf, Darkseid's henchman..."

Diana's body jolted. She didn't know Steppenwolf, but she knew Darkseid! Since childhood, her mother, Hippolyta, had told her stories of the heroic ages when every gods united to defeat earth from the evil god Darkseid.

"But it's not Darkseid himself, which is a blessing..."

As soon as she said, Dane shattered her illusion.

"Steppenwolf will discover an anti-life equation hidden on Earth and report it to Darkseid, drawing his attention to Earth."

Needless to say, Darkseid would definitely make a trip to Earth himself. Could Earth, in its current fragmented state, repel this dark monarch as it once did?

Diana didn't continue to ask. The future looked too bleak, and asking further would only add to her worries. She know believed Dane. She put away her lasso with a serious expression.

"You mentioned assembling a team? I'm joining!"

As expected, Wonder Woman indeed cared about the bigger picture. But then she made a request.

"You two seem strong. Would you like to have a fight with me?"

When Diana said, Dane noticed the excitement in her eyes. She must have been longing for a good fight, and now she had found two worthy opponents.

"Is this necessary?" Clark scratched his head, feeling a sense of crises.

"Okay, then you can come first!" Diana pointed to Clark, who spoke first, finalizing him as the first candidate.