Flash arrived at the factory in a blur of red lightning, his feet skidding to a halt as he took in his surroundings. The air was thick with tension, the hum of machinery vibrating through the ground beneath him. A few seconds later, there was a sudden gust of wind followed by a loud thud, and Shazam landed beside him, his boots cracking the pavement slightly from the impact. The younger hero grinned, slightly out of breath, his eyes sparkling with playful frustration.
"Man, I can never get faster than you, right?" Shazam said, hands on his hips as he glanced over at Flash, his youthful energy bubbling just below the surface.
Flash chuckled softly, his eyes scanning the building in front of them as he remained focused on the task at hand. "If that were possible, then I wouldn't be called the fastest man alive, would I?" His tone was light but carried an edge of confidence, the kind that only came from years of experience.
Shazam sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, his shoulders slumping slightly in exaggerated defeat. "Yeah, you're right," he muttered, his lips twitching into a half-smile. Despite his joking demeanor, there was a glint of determination in his eyes. He might not be faster, but he was ready for whatever lay ahead.
Together, they made their way into the building, moving with a quiet but sure-footed urgency. Flash's movements were fluid, almost instinctive, while Shazam's were more deliberate, his muscles tensed in anticipation. The air inside the factory was hot, heavy with the scent of metal and the faint hum of machinery echoing off the walls. Flash's eyes narrowed as they ventured deeper into the facility, his senses on high alert.
As they entered the heart of the building, they finally saw him. Atom Smasher stood in the center of the room, his hulking figure bathed in a sickly green glow. He was towering over everything, absorbing radiation from a large reactor that hummed ominously behind him. His muscles bulged grotesquely, veins pulsing as he drew in more energy, his size increasing with each passing second. The sheer intensity of the power coursing through him made the air crackle with tension, the heat radiating from his body distorting the space around him.
Shazam's eyes widened slightly as he watched the transformation. "Whoa… that's… not good." His voice, usually filled with bravado, now carried a hint of concern.
"There's no need to panic," Flash said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. His sharp eyes never left Atom Smasher, watching the massive villain grow larger by the second. "We can take him down. You know what they say—too much of anything is bad. He absorbs energy, so let's overload him. Hit him with your lightning, and I'll run circles around him to keep him contained."
Shazam, who had been clenching his fists in anticipation, paused and nodded, his youthful bravado giving way to a calm focus. His eyes flickered with determination as he squared his shoulders, muscles rippling with latent power. "Got it," he said, his voice low and ready.
In one smooth motion, Shazam took off, his body soaring through the air like a rocket. His cape fluttered behind him as he flew toward Atom Smasher, drawing the giant's attention. "Hey!" Shazam shouted, lightning crackling around his fists as he pointed at the hulking villain. "Eat this!"
Atom Smasher snarled, his red eyes narrowing as he saw Shazam approaching. With a roar that shook the walls, he leaped into the air, his massive form casting a shadow over the young hero. His powerful legs propelled him toward Shazam with the intent to crush him under his weight.
But Shazam was faster. His eyes gleamed with excitement, his movements sharp and effortless. Just as Atom Smasher lunged, Shazam's fist shot forward with the force of a freight train. The punch connected squarely with Atom Smasher's chest, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. The giant's body crumpled like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom that rattled the entire building.
Atom Smasher groaned, the wind knocked out of him, but before he could recover, Shazam's entire body sparked with electricity. His eyes glowed a brilliant white as he unleashed a flurry of lightning bolts, the raw energy crackling through the air. Each strike hit Atom Smasher like a battering ram, causing him to writhe and howl in pain as the energy overwhelmed his body.
Flash, now a blur of red lightning, darted into action. He moved with lightning-fast precision, circling around Atom Smasher at blinding speed. His feet barely touched the ground as he ran faster and faster, creating a vortex of wind and energy that whipped around the villain. The swirling air buffeted Atom Smasher, trapping him within a cyclone of speed and power.
Barry's face was tense with concentration, his jaw set as he began running around Atom Smasher. Every muscle in his body moved in perfect synchronization, his legs pumping as his lightning crackled with each step. He could feel the air around him growing heavier as he contained Atom Smasher within the vortex.
Shazam, hovering just above the giant, grinned as he watched the villain struggle. His fists crackled with more lightning, ready to unleash another strike if necessary. "How's that for a snack?" he shouted, his voice filled with playful confidence.
Atom Smasher groaned, trying to rise to his feet, but between the relentless vortex of Flash and the searing electricity from Shazam, he was pinned down, unable to break free. His eyes flickered with rage, but his body was clearly reaching its limit.
"Keep it up, Shazam!" Flash shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. His legs were a blur of motion, and he could feel the energy building, the pressure around them growing with each second.
Shazam's smile widened. "Don't worry, I've got plenty more where that came from."
Barry, fully aware of his own speed and capabilities, didn't push himself to the limit. He didn't need to—not with someone like Atom Smasher. This was less about taking down the villain and more about teaching Billy the ropes. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he ran at a controlled pace, maintaining the vortex, but allowing Atom Smasher a bit of movement to keep Billy on his toes.
Barry glanced toward Shazam, watching the young hero in action. He admired Billy's raw power and enthusiasm, but he knew that brute strength wasn't always the answer. Sometimes, a little finesse went a long way. "Let's see how he handles this," Barry muttered to himself as he kept his pace just fast enough to contain the giant.
Meanwhile, Shazam floated above Atom Smasher, his youthful exuberance bubbling to the surface again. He was confident after landing that punch and unleashing his lightning. "You ready for round two?" Shazam called down, his voice brimming with energy.
Atom Smasher groaned, still absorbing the radiation but clearly struggling against the combined forces of Barry's speed and Shazam's power. He attempted to stand, his massive fists pounding the ground in frustration.
Barry, keeping his composure, called out to Shazam. "Billy, remember what I said—too much of anything can be a bad thing. Don't let him absorb more than he can handle. Control the situation."
Shazam blinked, the grin fading slightly as Barry's words sank in. "Right," he muttered, realizing that overwhelming Atom Smasher might not be the best idea. Instead of unleashing another barrage of lightning, Shazam held back, observing the enemy for a moment.
"Okay," Shazam said, cracking his knuckles, "Let's try this differently."
Barry smiled to himself. **Good, he's thinking.**
Atom Smasher, noticing the brief pause, tried to use the moment to his advantage. He roared and threw a wild punch toward Shazam, but the young hero, more focused now, dodged smoothly, his movements much more deliberate than before.
Barry, still circling at a measured pace, shouted encouragement. "Nice, Billy! Keep your distance, don't let him touch you."
Shazam nodded, flying around Atom Smasher, throwing in well-timed punches and dodging the giant's desperate swings. Each strike was controlled now, not just raw power but a calculated effort to wear Atom Smasher down without giving him more energy to absorb.
Barry's grin widened as he watched Shazam take the lesson to heart. This wasn't just about beating Atom Smasher—it was about showing Billy how to fight smarter, not harder.