Shazam Reassures His New Champion

"Do not let your heart grow heavy for Blaze, daughter," the old wizard said. "You have destroyed her physical form, yes, but her flame is not so easily extinguished. Look!"

The hooded reporter turned. The old man stood with his hands cupped before them, as though holding a sphere. In what would be the sphere's center was a black glow, like a will-o-the-wisp but of darkness. As Lois watched, black sparks shot out from that core, only to vanish when they hit the invisible bounds of the sphere.

"You see? She waits only to return to hell, to gather what strength she needs to be re-embodied," sorrow creased his face, and for a moment the wizard appeared to be older than the most ancient tree, older than the statues Lois had seen in Egypt. The new heroine watched as he drew his hands together, condensing the invisible sphere until his fingers touched.

"I will take her with me, to the Rock of Eternity. There, at least, she will do no harm." Then he raised his eyes and stared at her. "And what of you, daughter? Will you return with me, and learn more of your new powers, or..."

The old man's face twisted into a rare smile. "I sense perhaps there is another on your mind. Now that you have the power to withstand his caresses...well, I leave the choice up to you."

Lois Lane licked her lips. She stared down at her red uniform, the golden lightning bolt emblazoned on her chest. Her fingers played with the hem of her skirt. In truth, if she was so powerful, then at last she and Superman could be together...but was that really the best use of her new powers?