Chapter 10: The Dust Settles

The once-devastated city was now eerily quiet, with the dust and debris settling in the aftermath of the battle against Kalibak and Steppenwolf. As the sun rose above the horizon, a hushed sense of reverence hung in the air. The scars of the battle were not just etched into the buildings and streets but into the collective memory of the nation.

The heroes, including Ezekiel Baihu, gathered at the At the Pier. Their costumes, torn and dirtied, symbolized the price they paid to protect the world. The city behind them was a testament to their bravery, but also a reminder of the destruction left in the wake of their battles.

"Cyborg can you bring back the people that were kidnapped" asked Batman

"Give me a moment" he held the mother box and re-established a connection with it"I can see them. Let's see if I can get this baby to boom for me" he raised it.

"Insufficient energy," said the mother box.

"Damn it. It needs more juice" he shouted

"Shazam, shall we give another go," said Byakko while tapping Shazam on his shoulder.

Shazam smiled and clenched his fist before nodding."Let's do it".

"Cyborg follow us up and be ready," said Byakko before jumping and launching himself into the sky with Shazam following closely behind and the cyborg coming to a halt just below them.

"Ready"

"Ready"

Byakko was soon cloaked in a potent arua and lightning crackled around Shazam's body. Byakko's eyes glowed and the sky started to darken as storm clouds began to cover the area. Shazam is charging lightning in his hands. The storm clouds for me the image of a roaring tiger whose eyes and mouth were glowing with blue lightning. Byakko smirked at Shazam, who not wanting to be outdone stopped charging and held his hands up to the sky.

~Power of Zeus~

A bolt of white lightning came from the clouds and struck Shazam's open arms. He caught and redirected it to the open maw of the tiger.

Byakko seeing this had a savage smile on his visage. His aura became more potent and to reflect this the lightning in the tiger's maw changed from blue to white with the additional charge from Shazam he swung his arm down.

~Roarrrrrrrrrr~

~Krakatoommmm~

The bolt with godly precision met with the mother box which took in the energy like a starved animal.

"Maximum cap-"

"Systems overcharged"

Cyborg hearing activated the boom tube function.

~Boom~

Several boom tubes open up above the water and the kidnapped citizens few through screaming. They were released to be free from that nightmare world but the fall was too sudden.

"I got this" shouted Green Lantern when Superman was about to take off. His power ring glowed and he created several giant padded baseball gloves to assess the impact and to prevent them from rolling out.

When the last citizen was secured green lantern was put down by the street near the pier before flying back to the group. After the people collected themselves they started collectively walking toward the group of heroes.

"We better leave before they blame us again," said Flash. And the heroes prepared to leave already expecting to somehow be blamed for this. But much to everyines's sunrise the crown started clapping and thanking them.

"What's the rush Flash" Green Lantern patted Flash on the back with a smile.

Byakko and Shazam landed on the ground along with Cybord joining the fellow heroes.

"Now that's more like it" Shazam pounded Byakko who smirked and patted Cybord on his back.

"Good job kid" Cyborg was taken aback but soon smiled.

The next day the group assembled in front of the White House at the behest of the Commander in Chief of the USA.

The president stood at a podium, the stars and stripes behind him, delivering a speech that echoed the sentiments of "The Apokolips Invasion. " His words carried the weight of the world, thanking the heroes for their unwavering dedication.

"As a nation and as a world, we are indebted to you. Your sacrifices have shown us the true meaning of heroism. You have proven that united, we can overcome any challenge, no matter how insurmountable it may seem."

As the president spoke, Ezekiel exchanged glances with his fellow heroes. These were people from different backgrounds, with their unique powers and pasts, bound by a common cause. The respect and camaraderie they shared were palpable, a unity forged in the crucible of battle.

The medals of valor glistened in the setting sun as they were presented one by one. Ezekiel's, unique among them, bore the design of the Byakko, a symbol of his heritage and his metahuman abilities. The president acknowledged his background, adding depth to the ceremony. It was a recognition of the diverse tapestry of heroes standing before him.

Amid the ceremony, as the heroes received their medals, there were flashes of the intense battle with Kalibak and Steppenwolf. The images played out in their minds, a stark reminder of the price they paid for victory.

Ezekiel, a mix of South American and Japanese heritage, couldn't help but reflect on the journey that brought him here. He remembered the training in his family's dojo, the stories of the Byakko, and the moment he discovered his metahuman gene. His presence at this ceremony was a culmination of his life's path, and the responsibility he carried was immense.

The President converted the mike and looked back at the group.

"Do you have a name for the group?" he asked.

"Yes sir. The Super Ei-" Shazam was smack at the back of his head before he finished by Byakko.

"Not at the moment Mr President" he chuckled and went back to addressing the nation.

As the ceremony concluded, the heroes raised their medals in a unifying toast, celebrating not just their achievements, but the power of teamwork and the strength that came from their diversity.

The heroes dispersed, returning to their respective corners of the world, but Ezekiel found himself in his family's dojo. In the fading light, he began performing katas, a graceful dance of martial arts, an homage to his mixed heritage and a vow to get stronger.

With each movement, he channeled the spirits of his ancestors, embracing his Byakko bloodline, and tapping into the metahuman gene that had given him powers reminiscent of Raging Beast. The sound of his breath and the swish of his movements echoed through the dojo.

Ezekiel's resolve was unshakable. He had been recognized by the nation as a hero, but he knew there were greater challenges ahead. He vowed to make his bloodline proud and to stand as a symbol of hope, strength, and unity in a world that needed heroes more than ever. The dust had settled, but the future held new battles, and Ezekiel Baihu was ready to face them head-on.

_______________Vol 1 END_______________