Chapter 48

Haruka stepped into the room, locking the door behind him. Billy and Freddy eyed him warily, unsure of his intentions.

"Who the hell are you?" Billy asked, his voice tense with apprehension.

Freddy chimed in, nervously, "Y-Yeah, if you try anything, we'll scream and Billy here will take you down."

Haruka looked at the two boys, an amused expression on his face. "Relax, guys. It's me."

With a quick motion, Haruka equipped the First armor, the familiar Kamen Rider suit materializing around him. Billy and Freddy's eyes widened in recognition.

"Kamen Rider!" they exclaimed in unison, their initial bravado fading.

Haruka raised a hand, silencing them. "Shh, don't be so loud. My real name name is Haruka. I'm here to warn you about a dangerous threat heading your way."

The boys exchanged a glance, their bravado replaced by a sense of unease. "What kind of threat?" Billy asked cautiously, his voice betraying his concern.

Haruka showed the Takacandroid footage of Black Adam killing Mr. Grey. "This guy just appeared today. I'm guessing he's the Black Adam The Wizard told you about, Billy. He's also looking for you."

Billy's eyes widened as he watched the brutal killing. Even with his powers, he was still just a kid. "What does he want from me?"

Haruka's voice was grave. "I don't know, but if we don't stop him, he might go on a rampage trying to find you."

Freddy's usual bravado had diminished. "So what do we do? How do we stop this guy?"

Haruka did not have a clear plan for stopping Black Adam, but he knew they needed to try. "I'm not sure how to defeat him," he admitted, "but I can't let him run rampant in the city. Billy, you need to come with me."

Freddy's eyes widened, and he stepped forward. "I'm coming too! I can help, I swear!" His voice held a hint of desperation, eager to prove himself.

Haruka shook his head. "I can't risk your safety, Freddy. You don't have any powers like Billy does." He placed a hand on Freddy's shoulder, his tone stern but understanding. "You need to stay here and keep the others safe, in case Black Adam comes looking."

Freddy opened his mouth to argue, but the pleading look in Haruka's eyes made him pause. He knew deep down that Haruka was right – without powers, he would only be a liability in a fight against such a formidable foe.

Billy stepped forward, his brow furrowed with determination. "Okay, I'll go with you. But how are we going to stop Black Adam?" The weight of the responsibility on his young shoulders was palpable.

Haruka turned to Billy, his expression serious. "I don't have all the answers, but we have to try. I'll do what I can to protect you, and hopefully, we can find a way to stop him before he causes more destruction."

With a nod, Billy followed Haruka out of the room, leaving a worried Freddy behind. As they made their way towards the door, Haruka couldn't help but feel the gravity of the situation. Black Adam was a dangerous adversary, and he wasn't sure if he and Billy would be enough to stop him.

Haruka returned to his civilian clothes, and he and Billy went downstairs. Victor Vasquez, the kind-hearted foster father, greeted them with a warm smile.

"Haruka, you and Billy must be hungry. Why don't you join us for lunch?" Victor offered, gesturing towards the dining room.

Haruka glanced at Billy, who looked eager to accept the invitation. However, he knew they couldn't afford to waste any time. The threat of Black Adam loomed large, and they needed to act quickly.

"Thank you, Mr. Vasquez, but Billy and I actually need to get going," Haruka replied, trying to sound apologetic. "There's an... urgent matter we need to attend to."

Victor's brow furrowed with concern. "Is everything alright? Is there anything we can do to help?"

Haruka shook his head. "No, no, everything's fine. We just have some important business to take care of." He placed a hand on Billy's shoulder, gently guiding him towards the door.

Billy looked up at Haruka, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "But Haruka, can't we just—"

Haruka cut him off with a subtle shake of his head. "I'm sorry, Billy. We really need to go." He turned to Victor and Rosa, offering them an apologetic smile. "Thank you for your hospitality. We appreciate it."

Victor and Rosa exchanged a puzzled glance, but they didn't press the matter further. Haruka and Billy made their way to the front door, ready to face the looming threat of Black Adam.

…

Outside a nondescript apartment building, Black Adam and Doctor Sivana stood, the former's expression focused as he scanned the area.

"I can sense him here," Black Adam rumbled, his gaze intense.

Sivana's brow furrowed with curiosity. "Who?"

"An old friend," Black Adam replied cryptically, his features hardening as he stepped forward, the pavement cracking beneath his feet.

Sivana and Black Adam enter the apartment. They stood in front of one of the rooms, and BA broke down the door. When Sivana and Black Adam got inside, they saw a dirty apartment littered with food and garbage. There was an obese man sitting on the couch playing video games.

The man jumped in surprise, dropping his controller as he stared at the imposing figures in his home. "Wh-what's going on?" he stammered, his eyes darting between the two.

Black Adam glances at the obese man. "The Wizard didn't have the power to bring you back to the Rock of Eternity, so he imprisoned you out here?" he rumbles.

The man shrinks back into the couch, eyes darting between the two imposing figures. "W-Who are you?" he stammers, his voice quivering.

Black Adam's piercing gaze bore into the trembling man. "The Wizard made you forget, didn't he? He made you all forget what you really are." With a flick of his wrist, Black Adam sent a small spark of electricity into the man's head.

The obese man cried out, clutching his temples as the spark triggered a flood of memories. "AAAHHH!" Black Adam watched as the man's eyes widened in recognition. "Remember what you are now, don't you?" the ancient antihero rumbled.

The obese man's skin turns a deep purple, and his voice becomes hoarse. "Yes, I do, Black Adam."

The transformation is complete, and the man stands before them as Sloth, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. "I am Sloth! And I am your sworn enemy!" he declares, glaring at Black Adam.

Electricity crackles around Sloth's body as he rises from the couch, his bulky form concealing the power coursing through him.

Black Adam's gaze bore into Sloth's. "Only if you wish to be. You will help me locate the Wizard's champion. I will destroy him and claim the Rock's power as my own. And you and your brothers and sisters will help me tear down this world so that I can rebuild it."

Sloth's expression shifted, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "Oh, Adam...My Enemy...My Friend...How could I refuse?" he rasped, his voice dripping with eagerness.

Black Adam's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as Sloth's transformation was complete. With Sivana at his side, the ancient antihero turned his focus to the task at hand. "Then let us retrieve your brethren," he rumbled, his voice carrying a sense of purpose.

Sloth's bulky frame lumbered forward, a malicious gleam in his eyes. "Yes, let us awaken the others. Together, we will tear down this world and remake it in our image." He chuckled, the sound grating and unsettling.

The trio departed the dingy apartment, intent on locating the remaining Six Deadly Sins. Their path forward was clear - unleash the full might of the Sins and challenge the Wizard's champion, Shazam, for control over the Rock of Eternity.

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Give Power Stones so I can continue to write this story. If it does not gain any interest, I will drop it.

Advance chapters on my P@tE0N Najicablitz, which is also the best way to support me.