Even though Frank hadn't transformed, Diana could still sense the divine powers flowing within him, particularly the one she recognized best: the power of Zeus. It was unusual, even in the Age of Gods, to find multiple divine powers coexisting within a single vessel. Gods typically wielded their own unique power, and borrowing power from others, while possible within a single pantheon, was usually temporary and limited. Frank's body, containing powers from various gods, was almost unprecedented.
Diana's gaze shifted to the staff in Frank's hand, where she sensed another divine presence. Yet, the identity of this god remained a mystery to her.
"Who are you?" Frank asked warily, recognizing all the prominent Avengers but unfamiliar with Diana. Although she was a powerful figure, her activities were primarily in Europe, and she was not a formal member of the Avengers.
"You can call me Wonder Woman. I was sent by the Avengers," Diana replied calmly. "You just contacted JARVIS, and I happened to be nearby. But if you don't trust me, it doesn't matter; the Avengers will arrive shortly."
"Hello, I'm Reed Richards, a researcher with the Avengers…" Reed's head suddenly emerged from a shimmering portal in the air, reaching out to wave at Diana and Frank.
"Ah!" Billy yelped, startled by the unusual sight. He stumbled backward, nearly falling, but Frank caught him in time.
"Come on in," Reed said, amused at Billy's reaction. "This is a portal—not some ghostly apparition."
Frank didn't hesitate, pulling Billy along as he stepped through the portal into the legendary Avengers' headquarters.
"Hello, Frank, and welcome to the Avengers." Frank's awe at the headquarters' architecture was interrupted by JARVIS's welcoming voice, bringing him back to reality.
"There are a few things I need help with," Frank said, turning to Reed. "When I returned to the subway after gaining the wizard's powers, government agents must have noticed me, and they likely saw Billy speaking with me. I need you to help cover up our identities…"
Frank didn't know Reed personally, but as his escort, he assumed Reed could help. With no other options, he placed his trust in him.
"JARVIS," Reed nodded, giving the command.
JARVIS immediately took action, hacking into every electronic device and surveillance system on the subway Frank had ridden. All footage and recordings of Frank and Billy were erased, leaving no digital evidence of their presence.
"Frank Castle, Jr., and Billy Batson—any records of your images have been deleted," Reed informed Frank once JARVIS completed the operation. "However, if anyone recognizes you from memory, I can't prevent that."
"That's fine," Frank nodded, relieved. "I wasn't in my current form at the time, and I think most of their attention was on me rather than Billy," he explained to Billy.
"Still, just to be safe, it'd be best if you keep a low profile for now," Frank advised Billy. "I'll make appearances in Fawcett City to draw their attention away from you."
Billy, however, was fixated on something else. "Wait, does that mean the Avengers can access anyone's information?" His concern stemmed from Reed's knowledge of his name, despite him never mentioning it.
"Not everyone's information, but if you're asking about your mother, I can tell you where she is." Reed glanced briefly at Billy's records, understanding his question. "After remarrying, she took the last name Marilynn. She currently lives at…"
"She's… so close?" Billy's shock immobilized him. His long-held goal, the very reason he kept running from foster homes, was suddenly within reach. Trembling, he looked up. "Please, I need to go see her! I have to find my mom!"
Reed, surprised by Billy's urgent response, realized the boy hadn't fully grasped the implications. "Did you hear what I said? I mentioned that she remarried… But then again, you're still just a kid," he murmured, understanding Billy's limited perspective.
"I could take him to see her," Frank volunteered. "Technically, he was the original chosen successor, the one recognized by the wizard."
"He was recognized by the wizard?" Reed repeated in disbelief. Despite being close in age, Frank's determination and sense of responsibility made Billy seem immature by comparison. In Reed's view, giving such power to an impressionable young boy could be dangerous. Even adults could suffer drastic personality changes after a traumatic event—how much more so a child, whose character was still developing?
"Yes. The wizard had no choice but to pass it to me because Billy didn't want it… Oh, right! The wizard said that before we arrived, someone had stolen the Eye of the Demon and released the Seven Deadly Sins!" Frank explained, relieved now that his identity was safe.
"The wizard said the Seven Deadly Sins are immensely powerful, and that only his divine power could confront them. They're close to Hell Lord level, and they've come to Earth with the goal of becoming lords of hell."
"Hell Lord level?" Reed repeated, initially concerned but quickly reassured. The name "Seven Deadly Sins" sounded ominous, but knowing their power wasn't beyond Hell Lord level, he wasn't overly worried.
Though Reed lacked supernatural abilities himself, he understood the general hierarchy of power in the supernatural realm. The Seven Deadly Sins' level, though formidable, wasn't insurmountable. Even if Diana didn't intervene, Tony Stark's Iron Legion could handle them if needed. After all, they hadn't even reached the threshold restricted by Earth's dimensional limits.
"I knew the Avengers could handle the Seven Deadly Sins!" Frank said excitedly, then asked Reed, "Do you think the Saiyan will help too?"
"The Saiyan? You know about him?" Diana looked at Frank, slightly taken aback. Robert, though famous in some circles, was still less well-known than herself.
"He saved me once—from werewolves and vampires," Frank explained eagerly. "Oh, and there was also Supergirl!"
"Where are they now? Why aren't they on Earth?" Diana turned to Reed with a frown.
"There was an intergalactic threat that fled partway through an encounter, so they went off-world to pursue it," Reed explained briefly.
"Understood," Diana replied. "I'll keep an eye on the Seven Deadly Sins if they show up." She turned to Frank with a slight smile. "However, technically, facing them is part of your trial. I see you have the heart of a warrior. Perhaps you can try confronting the Seven Deadly Sins yourself. If things go south, the Avengers will have your back."
Although Frank hadn't formally joined the Avengers, Diana could see he was a potential recruit, so this trial would serve as a test of his abilities.
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Unlike Billy, who'd feared fighting the Seven Deadly Sins, Frank was thrilled by the challenge, ready to embrace his powers fully.
With arrangements made, Frank and Billy exited the Avengers' headquarters through a portal, which transported them close to Marilynn's home.
As they approached, Billy's heart pounded with anticipation and anxiety. This was the moment he'd been dreaming of—the one that had kept him going through foster homes and long days alone. But as he stood there, he wondered if the reality would match his dreams, or if he'd be met with a painful, unexpected truth.
Knock, knock, knock. Billy's hand trembled as he knocked on Marilynn's door. When it opened, he looked up at the face of the mother he'd longed to see for years.
But instead of joy or excitement, Marilynn's expression showed only shock and detachment. There was no warmth in her eyes.
"Who is it?" a man's voice called from inside, breaking Marilynn from her daze.
"Just someone looking for directions," she replied, a cold answer that crushed Billy's heart. His hopes of a happy reunion felt as if they were crumbling, slipping away.
"Mom…" Billy's voice wavered, but words failed him.
"Sorry, kid. This isn't a good time." Her voice softened slightly, tinged with sadness, as she shut the door. Speaking in a low voice, she added, "The truth is, you weren't just lost back then…"
Marilynn explained that when Billy was a small child, she'd raised him alone. On a trip to an amusement park, she'd won a compass for him by popping balloons. Billy had cherished that compass, keeping it with him even now. But as they made their way through the crowd, the compass had slipped from his hand. Billy had instinctively let go of her hand to chase it, and by the time he'd retrieved it, he'd lost her in the sea of people.
The police couldn't locate her, and Billy was eventually taken to a shelter, beginning his journey through various foster homes.
As Marilynn spoke, she confessed that she'd seen Billy with the police that day. But at the time, her life had been so hard that she felt Billy would be better off without her, raised by someone who could give him the security and happiness she couldn't provide.
Marilynn hadn't expected Billy to keep searching, nor did she think he would escape from foster homes repeatedly in hopes of finding her.
"So… I was just a burden to you?" Billy murmured, clutching the compass tightly.
"What's that?" Marilynn asked, noticing the compass in his hand. Instead of answering his question, she attempted to divert the topic.
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