Testing New powers, Wayne's Gala, The Reach.

Ethan stood in the middle of his underground lab, his body vibrating with the surge of newfound power. The transformation had been a success—he could feel it in every fiber of his being. The Titan gene, stabilized by Medusa's adaptive marker, had fully bonded with him. Now, it was time to see exactly what he was capable of.

"Helios," he said, rolling his shoulders and feeling the immense weight of his new strength, "let's run a comprehensive test. I need to know everything—strength, speed, durability, energy absorption, and this... ocular power."

"Understood," Helios responded. "Activating the test parameters now."

The lab's training area shifted, walls rearranging themselves into a fortified testing ground designed to withstand the most extreme forces. A glowing panel on the far wall displayed his vitals, power levels, and adaptive capacity in real time.

Ethan approached a massive block of reinforced tungsten alloy, weighing over 500 tons. Normally, even with his Shazam-enhanced powers, moving something like this would require extreme effort.

He placed his hands against it, inhaled deeply, and pushed. To his surprise, the block moved with relative ease, scraping across the floor with a deafening grind.

"Helios, what's the reading?"

"Strength output: 520 tons. Your base strength is now on par with Superman's terrestrial level, with room for exponential growth under moonlight exposure."

Ethan grinned. "Not bad. Let's see what else I've got."

The next test involved speed. Helios activated a course that looped through the facility, simulating urban environments with obstacles to navigate.

Ethan bolted forward, his movements a blur. While he wasn't as fast as the Flash, he was quick—his speed rivaling that of a bullet train. He leapt over barriers, crushed through walls, and dodged simulated projectiles with ease.

"Top speed recorded at 400 kilometers per hour," Helios noted. "Your land speed is impressive, though not yet comparable to Superman or Flash in full flight. However, this will likely improve with further conditioning and exposure to cosmic energy."

Ethan stood in the center of the testing arena as automated turrets fired energy blasts and projectiles at him. The impacts hit his body with the force of tank shells, yet he barely flinched.

"Durability test completed," Helios announced. "Your body is nearly impervious to conventional damage. Additionally, your cosmic energy absorption is functional. Try focusing on the energy from the lab's synthetic lunar source."

Ethan closed his eyes and concentrated. A faint silvery glow bathed the room, simulating moonlight. He felt a tingling warmth as his body absorbed the energy, muscles tightening and strength increasing.

"The moonlight is enhancing your cellular structure," Helios reported. "This process is gradual but endless. Over time, your strength, durability, and other abilities will continue to grow."

Finally, it was time to test his most unique ability: the petrifying energy beam. Ethan focused on a reinforced mannequin designed to mimic organic life.

He narrowed his eyes, channeling the energy within him. Twin beams of whitish energy erupted, striking the target. The mannequin immediately hardened, turning into solid stone.

"Incredible," Helios said. "The beam petrifies organic and living matter on contact. This could be a highly effective weapon against enemies who are otherwise indestructible."

Ethan deactivated the beams and examined the now-stone mannequin. The power was immense, but it also carried a sense of finality—this was not an ability to use lightly.

As Ethan tested his abilities, he felt something shift within him—a resonance with the powers of Shazam. When he summoned his flames, they burned hotter, brighter, and with a cosmic intensity that hadn't been there before.

"Helios, what's happening?"

"It appears the cosmic energy you've absorbed is amplifying your Shazam-based powers," Helios explained. "Your flames are now infused with cosmic energy, making them significantly more destructive."

Ethan smirked. "So, I've essentially weaponized moonlight. Interesting."

Ethan leaned against a wall, catching his breath. The tests had confirmed what he suspected: his potential was nearly limitless. The question wasn't whether he could reach Superman-level power, but how long it would take. With the moonlight strengthening him every night, his abilities would only grow.

However, he wasn't without weaknesses.

"Helios, list my vulnerabilities," he said.

"your enhanced durability does not protect against high-level mystical attacks or specific forms of energy manipulation. While your Titan abilities grow over time, this process is gradual. You are not yet at Superman's peak level."

As the testing concluded, Ethan stood in front of a full-length mirror, studying his reflection. He looked the same on the outside, but inside, he was something entirely different—a hybrid of humanity, divinity, and cosmic power.

"Helios, log today's results under Project Superior," he said.

"Results logged," Helios replied.

Ethan clenched his fists, feeling the energy humming within him. He wasn't just a man anymore; he was a force to be reckoned with. But with great power came even greater responsibility.

________________________________________

Ethan took a deep breath as he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the sleek black suit laid out before him. It had been a week since his powers stabilized, and he finally felt like he had full control. Breaking doorknobs, shattering glasses, and accidentally denting steel beams had been frustrating, but now he could regulate his immense strength like second nature.

"Helios," Ethan called out. "Log today's achievements under control calibration."

"Control calibration logged," Helios replied. "You have achieved 95% mastery over your physical enhancements. Shall we proceed with combat simulations?"

Ethan shook his head, smirking. "Not today. I've got a charity gala to attend. Let's save the training for tomorrow."

________________________________________

Location: Wayne's Charity Gala.

The Wayne Manor was aglow with elegance as Gotham's elite gathered for one of the most prestigious events of the year. Ethan arrived in a tailored black tuxedo, blending seamlessly into the sea of notable personalities. The charity gala wasn't just a networking opportunity—it was a stage where alliances, business deals, and partnerships were forged.

Alfred greeted him at the door with a polite nod. "Mr. Ethan, a pleasure to see you. Master Wayne is in the main hall with the rest of the Justice League. Shall I show you in?"

Ethan smiled. "Lead the way, Alfred."

As he entered the grand hall, Ethan immediately spotted familiar faces. Clark Kent stood by the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey while chatting with Diana Prince, who looked stunning in a sleek blue gown. Barry Allen, as usual, was animatedly talking to Cyborg, likely discussing some new tech innovation.

Ethan spent the first hour mingling with Gotham's business tycoons and scientists, discussing the possibilities of partnerships in cutting-edge technology and renewable energy. Several investors expressed interest in working with him, impressed by his vision and technical expertise.

Eventually, he found himself surrounded by a group of women eager to hear about his exploits. He enjoyed their company, skillfully navigating between charm and humility, but his attention soon drifted to Diana, who was sitting alone at the edge of the room, sipping her drink.

He excused himself from the group and approached her.

"Drinking alone, Diana?" he asked, a playful grin on his face.

She looked up, her expression softening at the sight of him. "Sometimes solitude has its charm."

"Fair enough," Ethan said, pulling up a chair beside her. "But I'm not letting you sit here brooding all night. What if I told you I have an arsenal of jokes that could make even Zeus laugh?"

Diana chuckled, her guard lowering. "Go ahead, Ethan. Impress me."

He launched into a series of lighthearted, self-deprecating stories about his accidental displays of strength during his adjustment period. Diana laughed, her melodic voice drawing the attention of nearby guests.

"You're insufferable," she said between laughs, shaking her head.

"And yet, you're still here," Ethan replied with a wink.

Later, Ethan joined the rest of the Justice League at the bar. Bruce Wayne raised a glass to the team, his expression uncharacteristically warm.

"To the Justice League," Bruce said. "May we continue to protect this world—and find a way to keep Barry from eating all the snacks in the Batcave."

"Hey!" Barry protested, earning a round of laughter.

Ethan clinked glasses with Clark and Arthur. "It's good to have moments like these," he said. "After all the battles, we need to remind ourselves what we're fighting for."

Far away from the laughter and camaraderie of the gala, deep beneath the frozen waters of Antarctica, an ancient machine stirred. Its dormant systems came alive with an eerie hum, emitting a faint glow that pulsed through the icy depths.

The machine's sensors swept across the Earth, scanning for something specific. It locked onto a signal—the distinct energy signature of a scarab.

The machine emitted a broadcast, sending the coordinates of Earth into the void of space. The message traveled faster than light, reaching its destination in mere moments.

In a distant corner of the galaxy, on a planet ruled by the Reach, a member of the conqueror species intercepted the signal. The alien's insectoid face twisted into a sinister grin as it analyzed the data.

"A scarab has activated on Earth," the creature hissed, forwarding the signal to the Reach's ruling council.

The council convened quickly, their decision unanimous. Earth, with its abundant resources and emerging metahuman population, was ripe for conquest. They dispatched a fleet of scarab conquerors, their mission clear: claim Earth and subjugate its inhabitants.

As the fleet departed, the Reach's leader watched from a towering throne. "Earth will fall," the leader declared. "Its champions will be no match for our technology and the might of the scarabs."

Back at the gala, Ethan felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as though a shadow loomed on the horizon. He dismissed it, focusing instead on the warmth of the company around him.