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It was supposed to be a quiet day at the Watchtower. The Justice League had just finished their routine mission briefing, and the members were scattered across the station, either reviewing reports or taking a break. However, things had been... off for the past few days.
There had been rumors circulating among the Justice League members about a strange “kid” who had been appearing in various sections of the Watchtower. This mysterious child seemed to be everywhere—hanging out in the lounge, sneaking into the cafeteria, or even roaming the corridors. No one could quite figure out how he got in, but he seemed to act like he belonged.
Flash and Green Lantern had been the first to encounter him. They’d found the boy casually eating snacks in the kitchen, apparently making himself at home. At first, they thought it was some kind of prank, but the kid didn’t seem to be fazed by the two towering heroes.
Green Lantern (squinting at the kid, unsure): "Hey, kid. What are you doing here?"
Billy (glancing up nonchalantly, crumbs of chips on his cheek): "What do you mean? I’m just getting a snack. We have a great fridge."
Flash (frowning, raising an eyebrow): "Okay, but how did you even get here? You’re on the Watchtower. This place is a restricted area."
Billy, assuming they were just messing around, didn’t take them seriously. He chuckled, shrugged, and continued munching on chips as if it was no big deal.
Billy (laughing it off): "Ah, I’m part of the team. Batman gave me a zeta code. I come up here all the time. Chill out, guys. Want some chips?"
Flash (confused but still trying to be serious): "A zeta code? Batman gave you a zeta code?"
But before they could question him further, Billy hopped up, grabbed a few more snacks, and casually left, waving as he exited through the zeta tube. Flash and Green Lantern stood there for a moment, confused but ultimately brushing it off. If Batman had approved this kid, then it couldn’t be too big of a deal, right?
However, as the days went by, the strange sightings continued. Wonder Woman had found Billy in the medical bay, completely unphased by the advanced technology, poking around the equipment like he’d done it a thousand times. He even helped himself to some medical supplies before leaving again.
Aquaman caught a glimpse of the kid in the control room, casually fiddling with the systems like he knew how to operate them. The kid looked so comfortable and carefree that Aquaman thought he might be one of the league’s new tech specialists, or perhaps a long-time member.
But the more they saw him, the more it became clear: This kid was everywhere. And yet, no one seemed to know who he was. The League started whispering among themselves, exchanging confused glances.
Superman (raising an eyebrow as he overheard a conversation): "Anyone else seen this kid wandering around?"
Wonder Woman (nodding): "I’ve seen him in the medical bay, the control room... Even the kitchen."
Flash (grinning a little): "I thought it was just some kind of prank, but the kid’s everywhere. And nobody knows how he got in."
The whispers eventually turned into full-blown rumors. The Watchtower had a "ghost"—a kid who seemed to appear and disappear at will. Some of the League members were starting to believe it was some sort of paranormal activity.
Batman (questioning the existence of this “ghost child”): "hm."
But Batman was not one to leave any mystery unsolved. He began his investigation, determined to get to the bottom of this. After all, someone had to be giving this kid access to the Watchtower, and Batman wasn’t about to let it slide.
Hours later, Batman found him. There, sprawled across one of the couches in the lounge, was Billy. The boy was completely relaxed, feet up, watching TV, snacking on chips, as if he had all the time in the world. The only thing out of the ordinary? He was the only one in the room, and he was clearly a child.
Batman (voice stern, but not yet angry): "Who are you, and how did you get onto this ship?"
Billy, sprawled out with the remote in one hand and a bowl of chips in the other, glanced up from the screen, confused. He’d assumed it was just another one of Batman’s usual “intense” interrogations. So, naturally, he didn’t take Batman too seriously.
Billy (pausing the TV and sitting up): "What do you mean? You gave me a zeta code. I come up here all the time."
Batman stood still, not showing his emotions, but internally, his mind was racing. He had never given this kid a zeta code for the Watchtower. This boy was not only sneaking around the station, but he also seemed to have a complete disregard for the rules.
Batman (with growing tension): "I didn’t give you permission. How did you get in here?"
Billy, still not fully understanding the seriousness of the situation, was now genuinely confused.
Billy (shrugging, his tone light-hearted): "What? Wait... What do you mean? I’m part of the Justice League! I’m Captain Marvel!"
A heavy silence fell over the room as Batman processed those words. He stared at the boy for a moment, narrowing his eyes, trying to figure out if the kid was just messing with him. But the kid didn’t seem like he was joking.
Batman (eyes wide in realization, but still deadpan): "What?"
Before Batman could respond further, the rest of the Justice League slowly began filing into the room. Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Superman were all there, looking at Billy with varying degrees of confusion.
Green Lantern (eyeing Billy suspiciously): "Wait... you’re Captain Marvel?"
Flash (looking between Billy and Batman): "But you’re just a kid."
Billy, now fully aware of the fact that everyone was staring at him, couldn’t help but laugh. He scratched his head, his expression shifting from confusion to amusement.
Billy (laughing awkwardly): "Wait... you guys didn’t know? I swear I told everyone when it was my birthday last year."
The League exchanged glances, completely dumbfounded by what they were hearing.
Superman (exchanging a look with Wonder Woman, still confused): "You never mentioned it. We thought you were an adult the whole time."
Billy blinked, his face flushing with realization. Oh right, he thought, I never told them, did I?
Billy (grinning sheepishly): "Well, I guess I forgot to mention it... but yeah, I’m a kid. You know, Billy Batson. But I turn into Captain Marvel. You know, magic…"
There was an awkward pause as the Justice League took this in. Flash, of all people, was the first to speak up.
Flash (giggling nervously): "Wait, so all this time, we’ve been fighting alongside a literal kid? How did I not notice?"
Green Lantern (snickering): "I mean, I thought you were just... really youthful or something."
Batman (still processing, deadpan): "I didn’t figure this out... How?"
Billy shrugged casually, now sitting back on the couch, clearly not bothered by the confusion.
Billy (grinning): "I guess I should’ve been more clear, huh?"
At this point, Plastic Man, who had been quietly watching the whole situation, couldn’t help but chime in.
Plastic Man (laughing loudly): "Oh, man, this is gold! Captain Marvel is a kid? This is too good."
Billy (playfully scowling at Plastic Man): "Shut up, Plas."
Batman, still standing, finally let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Batman (reluctantly accepting): "Alright, we’ll deal with this later. But for now, you are part of the team, and I expect you to act accordingly. Just because you’re a kid doesn’t mean you get to break the rules."
Billy smiled, nodding. He was already used to the responsibilities that came with being Captain Marvel. He had always been ready to jump into action, even when things seemed a little out of place.
Billy (grinning widely): "Don’t worry, Batman. I’ve got this."
Plastic Man (Thinking back): “WAIT WAS THAT YOU PRANKING US LAST WEEK THEN?”
Billy (giggling): “Noooooo…”
The Justice League still seemed a little confused, but they were accepting of Billy’s explanation. After all, they had fought alongside him countless times, and he had always proven himself as a valuable member of the team. Now they just had to adjust to the fact that their mighty hero was, in fact, a kid—and they were going to have to deal with that for a while.
Extra (The pranks Billy was playing on the league: He thought everyone knew it was him and he was just doing normal pranks that he would do as Captain Marvel)
Phase 1: The First Victim- Green Lantern
Green Lantern was the first to notice something off when his ring dimmed unexpectedly while he was in the Watchtower’s control room.
Green Lantern: " Weird… the ring’s never done that before."
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a chilling whisper echoed in the room.
Billy (whispering): "What are you doing in here…"
Green Lantern spun around, his ring glowing, but there was no one there.
Green Lantern: "Flash? Batman? Anyone?"
No answer. He quickly left, muttering, "Nope. Not dealing with this tonight."
Phase 2: Wonder Woman's Skepticism
Wonder Woman wasn’t one to fall for tricks, but even she felt uneasy when her sword mysteriously shifted positions in the training room. She narrowed her eyes and called out.
Wonder Woman: "Who’s there? Show yourself."
In response, Billy made a faint, disembodied giggle echo through the room. She gripped her lasso tightly.
Wonder Woman: "I don’t believe in ghosts, but whatever you are, come out!"
When nothing happened, she left cautiously but on high alert.
Phase 3: Plastic Man and the Moving Objects
Plastic Man sat up, his eyes wide. He stretched his neck around the room, scanning for the source. When he saw nothing, he gulped and quickly flicked the remote off.
Billy quietly sneaked behind Plastic Man and used a little magical strength to subtly slide a chair across the floor. The loud screech echoed through the room.
Plastic Man (jumping up): "What the—?! WHO'S THERE?!"
The chair stopped. Silence.
Plastic Man nervously stretched his arms to grab a nearby broom as a makeshift weapon, eyes darting around.