Saiyan of Gotham

The Wayne family's return to Gotham was quiet, but the city felt different after the summer in Smallville. Bruce, Ojaga, and Clark carried secrets no one else could guess, and the weight of their recent adventure pressed on them even as they slipped back into the routines of city life. The farm's open fields were replaced by Gotham's endless skyline, the hush of Kansas nights by the distant hum of traffic and sirens. But beneath the surface, everything had changed.

Bruce was nearly eight, Ojaga just a few months older, and Clark the same age as Bruce. Their bodies had grown lean and strong from months of training and Saiyan pod nutrition, but it was their minds and spirits that had changed most. They had faced ancient magic, passed the seven hurdles of desire, and Bruce now carried the power of Shazam—though no one outside the trio knew. The secret was theirs alone, a bond forged in lightning and trust.

Thomas Wayne noticed the difference immediately. He watched his sons spar in the manor's gym, their movements sharper, more controlled. Bruce's ki was unmistakable now, a steady pulse that Jarvis, the AI Thomas built with Lucius Fox, monitored with clinical precision. Ojaga's energy was wild, barely contained, and Clark—though he hadn't learned to sense ki—was physically stronger than either brother, his Kryptonian heritage hidden behind a shy smile and quiet eyes.

Thomas kept his observations to himself. He knew better than to pry into the boys' secrets before they were ready. Instead, he focused on supporting their growth, refining Jarvis's training programs, and ensuring the Saiyan pod's remaining technology was used wisely. The nutrition system was nearly depleted, the last of the regenerative supplements carefully rationed. Bruce's body, already different from an ordinary human, responded with rapid ki accumulation. Ojaga's Saiyan bloodline thrived, and Clark's strength continued to grow, even without conscious ki control.

The boys' days fell into a new rhythm. Mornings began with meditation and breathing exercises, guided by Jarvis's calm voice. Ojaga and Bruce practiced sensing and shaping their ki, experimenting with techniques they'd developed in Smallville. Clark watched, fascinated, sometimes joining in, sometimes content to test his own limits with feats of raw strength—leaping rooftop to rooftop, racing the wind, lifting weights that would crush steel.

Afternoons were spent in the manor's dojo, where Jarvis projected holographic opponents and simulated martial arts masters. The AI's programming drew from the world's greatest fighters, blending styles and adapting to each boy's strengths and weaknesses. Bruce's discipline and focus made him a natural tactician. Ojaga's instincts and explosive power set him apart. Clark's resilience and speed made him nearly unstoppable, even if he didn't understand the energy flowing through his friends.

Progress was slow at first. Sensing ki had taken Bruce nearly six months to master, Ojaga less, but only because of his unique biology. Clark struggled, unable to feel the subtle warmth his friends described. But he compensated with determination, pushing himself harder, never complaining.

One evening, after a particularly grueling session, the boys collapsed in the training hall, sweat-soaked and breathless. Bruce stared at the ceiling, feeling the energy swirling inside him—a storm waiting to be unleashed.

"Do you ever wonder what comes next?" Bruce asked, voice quiet.

Ojaga grinned, tail flicking lazily. "Always. There's always another challenge."

Clark smiled, rolling onto his side. "As long as we're together, I'm not worried."

The manor's lights dimmed, and Jarvis's voice echoed softly. "Training complete. Recovery protocols initiated."

Thomas watched from the balcony, pride and worry mingling in his chest. He knew the world was changing. He'd seen the reports—strange energy readings, unexplained phenomena, whispers of ancient magic awakening. Black Adam's seal was weakening, though no one in Gotham knew the name yet. For now, all Thomas could do was prepare his sons for whatever might come.

The boys' training continued, each day building on the last. Jarvis introduced new techniques, pushing them to refine their control, to blend ki with movement, to sense the energy in their environment. Bruce excelled, his ki responding to his will with increasing ease. Ojaga experimented, testing the limits of his power, sometimes frightening even himself with the results. Clark remained the outlier—his strength unmatched, his senses sharp, but the mysteries of ki still just out of reach.

One afternoon, as rain lashed against the manor's windows, the boys gathered in the library. Bruce sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, focusing on the energy within. Ojaga mirrored him, his breathing steady. Clark watched, frustration flickering in his eyes.

"I don't get it," Clark admitted. "I can lift a car, but I can't feel this… ki."

Ojaga opened one eye, smiling. "It's not about strength. It's about focus. Try again."

Clark sighed, closing his eyes, trying to mimic his friends. He felt nothing—no warmth, no spark. But he didn't give up.

Bruce reached out, placing a hand on Clark's shoulder. "It'll come. Or maybe you have your own way. You're already stronger than us."

Clark grinned. "Maybe. But I want to learn, too."

The moment was interrupted by a sudden crackle of energy. The air shimmered, and the library's shadows deepened. A figure appeared—tall, robed, eyes aglow with ancient power.

The Wizard Shazam stood before them, his presence filling the room with thunder.

"Champions," the Wizard intoned, his voice echoing in the boys' minds. "The world stands on the edge of change. Darkness stirs, and the seal that binds Black Adam weakens. You must be ready."

Bruce stood, bowing his head in respect. "We're training, sir. We'll be ready."

The Wizard's gaze softened. "You have done well, Bruce. Your heart is strong, your will unbroken. But strength alone is not enough. You must trust your friends. Together, you are greater than the sum of your parts."

Ojaga stepped forward, curiosity burning in his eyes. "What about me? What about Clark?"

The Wizard smiled. "Each of you has a role to play. Ojaga, your power is vast, but your heart must guide it. Clark, your strength is unmatched, but your journey is just beginning. The bonds you share will be your greatest weapon."

Clark looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Will I ever learn to use ki?"

The Wizard's eyes sparkled. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you will find your own path. There are many forms of power."

The room brightened, the Wizard's form fading. "Remember: unity, courage, and heart. The storm is coming. Stand together, and you will not fall."

The library returned to normal, the only sign of the Wizard's visit a faint scent of ozone and the lingering echo of thunder.

The boys sat in silence, the weight of the Wizard's words settling over them.

Bruce broke the silence, determination hardening his voice. "We have to keep training. We have to be ready."

Ojaga nodded. "We will be."

Clark grinned, confidence returning. "Together."

The days that followed were filled with purpose. The boys pushed themselves harder, refining their techniques, supporting each other through setbacks and breakthroughs. Jarvis adapted the training, introducing new challenges, simulating opponents stronger and faster than any they'd faced before.

Thomas watched, pride swelling in his chest. He saw the way his sons and Clark worked together, the way they encouraged and challenged each other. He knew the world would soon need heroes—not just one, but a team, united by friendship and trust.

The seal on Black Adam's prison continued to weaken, the ancient magic straining against the bonds that held it. In distant lands, storms gathered, the air thick with foreboding. But in Gotham, three friends stood ready, their hearts and minds sharpened by trial and training.

They did not know what the future would bring. But they knew this: whatever darkness awaited, they would face it together.

And in the quiet moments between battles, they were just boys—laughing, learning, growing. The world would soon call them heroes. For now, they were brothers in all but blood, bound by secrets, courage, and the promise of tomorrow.

Everything in their world was changing. But some things—the bonds of friendship, the strength of family, the hope for a better future—remained unbreakable.