[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sWeTptS.png[/img][/center]
The child’s green eyes seemed unusually large as he stared up at the figure before him. A figure that, by all appearances, was himself. The likeness of Shazam peered back at the small youth with an intense energy that caused the air around the larger figure to crackle with electricity.

Then the man’s head went back, his face adopting a sneer as he barked, [color=#f1c232][b]“Do you not [/b][/color][i][b][color=#f1c232]bow[/color][/b][/i][color=#f1c232][b] before your god?”[/b][/color]

 [sub][i][color=#f1c232]“God complex maybe,”[/color][/i][/sub] the boy uttered under his breath, along with the absolutely necessary roll of his eyes.

A bolt of lightning struck the ground at the child’s feet.

The figure before him seemed larger than life as he levitated up from the ground, voice booming as he spoke, [color=#f1c232][b]“I am [i]Theo Ramses Teth-Adam[/i]. I forged the chains of Egypt into weapons. I built the great cities of Khandaq...”[/b][/color]

[color=#f1c232]“[/color][color=#f1c232][i]-tch-[/i][/color][color=#f1c232]”[/color] the boy uttered, a derisive clicking of his tongue. There was a roll of his head before he leveled a glare up at the figure, arms crossed, and he tossed back, [color=#f1c232]“You made the name up to try and impress the Assyrians.” [/color]

Wait, why was he even wasting time with this conversation? His arms un-crossed, making a gesture as if to try and wave off the figure of Shazam, as he boy began to think out loud. [color=#f1c232]“We can’t [/color][color=#f1c232][i]both[/i][/color][color=#f1c232] exist. An illusion? I bet this is Mister Mind’s work.”[/color]

A shadow passing over the boy gave him a warning. Jumping backward, Teth narrowly avoided a fist that slammed down into the floor where he’d been standing.

[b][color=#f1c232]“Ignore me at your peril, mortal!”[/color][/b] the figure of Shazam barked, before a roll of thunder seemed to shake the walls. [b][color=#f1c232]“I am the THUNDER GOD!”[/color][/b]

Hands balled into fists, the child glared up at the glowing megalomaniac. [color=#f1c232]“You were supposed to be the best version of me, and somehow, [/color][i][color=#f1c232]you’re a total jerk![/color][/i][color=#f1c232]”[/color] the boy snapped, before taking a deep breath. His green eyes flashed dangerously as he boasted, [color=#f1c232]“You want to play with lightning? Then let’s do this – [/color][i][color=#f1c232]SHAZAM![/color][/i][color=#f1c232]”[/color]

This was generally the point where Metro Tower was supposed to get hit with lightning and Teth was going to get yelled at for one or more broken window, burned out electrical appliance, and or exploding television. 

He also should have been over six feet tall and spitting lightning bolts. 

Sadly, none of that was happening right now. And, instead, Teth just found himself staring up at a large fist that was coming right at him.

Pitching himself to one side, the child rolled out from under the sweeping punch and then scrambled to his feet as he started to break into a run.

[sub][color=#f1c232][i]“This has to be an illusion. This can’t be real. This can’t be happening...”[/i][/color][/sub] the boy muttered to himself, as he skidded around a corner and broke into a sprint, as a voice came overhead.

[color=#ed1c24][b][i]This is Red Tornado speaking. I strongly suspect that our base of operations has been struck by some type of airborne poison... [/i][/b][/color]

That was reassurance.

...well, maybe not reassurance, but at least it was confirmation of what Teth already suspected. [color=#f1c232]“Great,”[/color] the boy muttered, turning another corner and looking to see if this illusionary Shazam was following him or not.

Wait, if he wasn’t real, then why was Teth running?

[color=#f1c232]“We’re under attack and I’m too high to be of use,”[/color] the boy remarked aloud. 

Definitely not a good look for a new Leaguer.