The Lightning Empress

A/N: After the last chapter that I posted for this story it was incredibly hard for me to decide as to how I can continue this after Holly and Calrk separated from each other.

Sorry, I've been away for a while been in self-isolation from the corona-virus hasn't stopped my college work from piling up so I've been busily getting it all completed so I can go on for next year. But it shouldn't be too long until I'm back on track like usual.

oOo

Chapter 6: In Art Form

Dense smoke clouds painted Gotham's dreary infamous nights the rumbling of open traffic and chatter among late-night catcalls from men at the passing girls in clubs fuelled the nightly atmosphere. Away from the subpar ongoings in the more hunched back underbelly of Gotham's South criminal empire was a small warehouse owned by one Vincent "The Shark" Starkly a nefarious drug dealer among the most sinister running Gotham's criminal minds. Vincent wasn't nearly as high and mighty as other crime lords were though he never particularly minded it able to have his own warehouse for his factory and drug lab, control a generous portion of control in the Southside of the streets.

Vincent was a man well into his fifties with rapidly greying hair, stony black eyes and a vividly unimpressed look to nearly everybody even his own children. Dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and tie underneath a dark overcoat he leaned over the rails to inspect the proceeding of his future money lightning himself a cigar inhaling deeply pushing the warnings of his doctors past his logic.

A few years back Vincent had been arrested by a Vice team led by Harvey Bullock a hard-headed top investigator for the Gotham Police Department who worked directly underneath the law dog himself Commissioner Gordon. Busted being caught red-handed the court had sent him roughly two decades in Stonegate Penitentiary through biding his time with a very expensive lawyer and good behaviour he was released after only eight.

Despite starting his business back from scratch he learned the very valuable lesson of biding his time as the most crucial of all. Be satisfied with what you had on hand.

Vincent was brought out of his pondering when two of his lackeys slammed the warehouse shut doors wide open faces contorted in fear as they sprinted inside almost crashing with some of the chemists along the way a few unfortunate curse words barked at their back.

Vincent snarled crushing the cigar in his fists as he marched over ordering the thugs nearest to his side like lapdogs they obediently followed the call. "What the hell do you two goons thing your doing. The equipment in here almost like your heads is sensitive. What happened?"

The first goon closest strode forward. "Mr Vincent sir you gotta get more men out here there's some freaky chick outside tearing apart the men."

"A women" Vincent exasperated sighed while rubbing his eyes in frustration at his men's incompetence. "Are you seriously telling me that the hired help I paid top dollar for are being taken out by one girl."

A resonating explosion of golden light unravelled the warehouse doors to the side the proceedings of the drugs by chemists paused in their work to see what all of the commotions was all about preparing to flee through the back door if necessary. When the light died away a shower of suited goons flew inside crashing into the walls and railing at the furthest side of the lab while one had hit the table sliding along the contents chemical bunsen burners and test tubes of violet liquid and tubs of white powder splattered the contents to the ground.

From the diminishing fumes of smoke emerged a tall and buxom woman striding forward a cheeky smile plastered on her delicate features although she was hidden underneath a hood pulled up. A skin-tight suit with cardinal red armour plating on the forearms, shins and torso which held a bloody red lightning bolt. Heeled boots clanked with each step she took a sash swung from her tight hips with each motion.

"I don't know who the hell you think you are ya crazy broad" Vincent managed to state accepting a sub-machine gun from one of his subordinates ordering a few others to take aim while escorting the drug chemist from the oncoming fight four bulging men on either side of him two on either side at the front crouched down to allow entry of aim for the four at the back Vincent standing in the centre. "But unless your here for a hired gig then I suggest you take that sweet looking ass of yours the hell away before we pump ya full of lead."

An orchestra of guns ammunition loaded and cocked back taking heavy sight at the intruder. Raine simply smirked pressing forwards slowly walking towards the crime boss silently. The universal sign for "do your best".

"Fire" Vincent commanded lazily.

A mirage of bullets showered Raine body sparkling from all million tiny impacts as she just playfully checked her nails letting them get it over with. A few stray bullets ricocheted from her exploding glass tubes into splinters chipping apart the lined tables the duo doors behind her started to corrode and rattle. Vincent started to curse violently which got drowned out from the hail of metal.

"You would have thought" Raine stated blandly starting her trek towards them as they edged away while continuing the futile assault a few men's eyes bulging for the sight of the back door sweating at what they were seeing. "At least one criminal would have the common courtesy to treat a lady"

Lightning danced around her reducing the bullets midair to explore like fireworks the gun blushed crimson from extreme heat forcing the hired help to drop the yelping from the extreme temperatures. With nothing left to lose the gang tried to escape through the back entrance ignoring the commanding tone from their boss deciding the superhuman, lightning manipulating women was a more dangerous predator. Raine shifted forward a little disappearing from sight at her untraceable speed until she appeared at the doorway blocking their escape.

Raine shrugged finally. "Do the crime you pay with the time".

Two broken sets of ribs, dislocated arm, broken legs and a hurling blast of lightning for all later the eight men were subdued groaning on the floor tossing and turning only to groan at the new waves of pain sinking in. Raine turned her attention to Vincent who started to sweatdrop from the elongated grin peeking from the superheroine.

"Boo"

oOo

1 Hour Later

The Gotham City Police Department had received a radio transmission about a wild disturbance going down at the South of Gotham although it was hardly needed after the display from their office windows or through the musty police cruisers with what could only be described to be an ascended blast of golden lightning striking the sky. Not down and keeping company for more than half a second right through an unregistered warehouse the light shining its appearance like a beacon.

Deputys off shift hustled over to what all the commotion was about until they got to the open barred fence the sight before they caused slacked jaw and quivering in disbelief. The ex-con drug leader Vincent Starkly encased around a tonne of contracted steel burned around the edges to encase him inside squeezed along with the armed goons inside. He wriggled around furiously mouth muffled by a smaller sheet of steel woven around his mouth like a heavy shiny scarf. A lightning bolt was carved on the warehouse wall above them the first of many signatures to come.

The police jeered as they hoisted their catch of the "Great White Shark" into custody where he would be tried quickly and served a near indefinite sentence for the incriminating evidence found inside the warehouse the spillage of illegal chemicals in use and fingerprints for confirmation. In the streets of Gotham one, Holly Potter watched the proceedings of the trial reach its conclusion Vincent struggling against the bonds before being hoisted by two of GCPD officers a serene smile in complete opposition to his snarl at the camera before skipping away from the resonating boom of her taking flight signalling her absence.

oOo

Deliveries of the Gotham Gazette made its usual rounds to every home, office and street corner the following mid-afternoon the reader absorbing the information almost faster than the deliveries could arrive:

VINCENT STARKLY NOTORIOUS DRUG LORD SWIMMING BACK IN JAIL. WORK OF MYSTERIOUS WOMEN WITH LIGHTNING BOLT.

It would seem that the prayers of many have been answered as Gotham has been granted its very own guardian angel on the streets starting just last night. It is no surprise to most who are still discussing the freak lightning bolt spectacle the occurred last night in the south side of Gothams more malevolent neighbourhood igniting the murky sky like a nuclear explosion.

This has not been the first time that this has happened before either. Occurring events around the world have reported similar incidents in cities like New York City, Metropolis and even one incident in Germany where witnesses commented on spotting a flash of a golden ascended lightning bolt twice in the same day despite the fact that there were no weather patterns suggesting thunder clouds.

CCTV cameras were able to tell that this was a female from distorted audio transmitted through as well as the silhouette of the female build however this was all that was able to be gathered before the servers were short-circuited out. The technicians in charge went on record to state that no record of any inside job was done to corrupt the electronics however there was a woman who radiated some form of special electromagnetic wave that influenced nearby technology.

Who is this female superhero? Where did she come from and how does she have these intrusion abilities? Does she have an endgame?

oOo

Holly giggled flipping through the rest of the paper while stuffing her face with a heavy set of eggs, bacon, hash browns and a glass of orange juice. Currently, she was seated in a small cafe in Metropolis celebrating the arrest of the drug lord from last night deciding that her usual meals at the Rock of Eternity were becoming a little bland and decided to venture out into the world. She had become something of a regular here recently her chipper nature now that she didn't have to hide it from the Dursleys anymore had exploited her kind nature the chefs and the old lady working behind the cashier enjoyed her company though she had a feeling it was the foreign accent.

When she had done a few chores for the Kents she had been given pocket money for her services not much but then again a vast majority of what she was used to. Normally when she left the Kents she knew that money might come as an issue not wanting to stay as Raine 24/7 from the fear she would tear a building in half by accident and the other factor that guys would fawn over her falling down by the slacked jaws or tripping over their own heels. So in the R.O.E, she had researched for some sort of sourcery for copying objects and had come across the Gemini Charm which could duplicate any item the user wanted. Athena had scolded her at using the powers of SHAZAM; powers of the gods themselves for generating money but after seeing her finally happy with after leaving Clark and something else to take the mind of her hero complex she had let it slide.

Mary the elderly waiter waltzed towards her a huge jug of orange juice in one hand with a wad of notes in the other. She smiled at the godly powerful child presenting the jug.

"Wanna refill hun." offered Mary with a large smile.

Holly beamed. "Yep"

"You're in a good mood today hun. Or more than usual should I say." Mary quoted topping the glass to nearly the brim before scrawling something out on one of her notes. Her faces perked up before a teasing smile crawled on her face. "Ohh did you meet a cute boy eh"

Holly could feel steam pout out her ears Mary always tried to tease her like this and sadly it never failed. So she decided to try to play off the subject.

"What no of course not. Boys are weirdos" Holly replied back submerging her gurgled words in orange juice.

"Sure sweety whatever you say." Mary countered back with a face that if anything believe her. "By the way are your parents not here again?"

Holly mentally groaned before invoking a mental probe that pierced Mary's mind forming the illusion that two adults accompanied Holly all the time and had departed to meet with her at a later date. Mary's eyes clouded over a little misty before brought back into focus again her faraway look sprouted back her smile.

"Well just let me know if ya wanna use the wall phone to get in touch with them alright hun" Mary smiled before catering her attention to an elderly couple taking orders. Holly sighed a little tired of using the same "Legillimancy" technique for every time she came in honestly she was against the idea of using her natural magic against people but she would rather not bring any unnecessary situations like the American authorities brought in.

Holly was writing her exploits in a small black book she purchased from a stationary store in New York City. She had been inside the store just browsing the items when the cashier was threatened at gunpoint by a hooded goon in a hoodie (why on earth he would try rob a small business like that instead of a bank was beyond her) she easily dispersed the scenario with a little Speed of Mercury she had dismantled the gun into splinters and used a brand of sellotape to stick him to the ceiling it was comical on how easy it was even without turning into Raine.

Mutely casting a magic barrier around her table nobody saw her pull out a shrunken map of the world. Examining her book she made her latest note about dealing with the drug lord cartel in the south of Gotham district as well as some of the other countries she had visited. Solomons knowledge and wisdom was practically limitless as long as there was something worth knowing but in terms of being on a new face of the continents, she had enjoyed just going through the motions going on tour from the scorching sunny continents to even baren frozen wastelands.

She had devised a spell that could morph her age temporarily making her twice as old enjoying her free time though mounted caution never staying in one place too long. A personal gym in the Rock of Eternity had been used to test just how strong she was and with a few books from the library, she had started training on martial arts so heighten her control and not accidentally kill somebody with her might.

But it wasn't enough. A person could only go so far on the knowledge of books she had became too engrossed into the theory she needed a teacher, a person that could teach her control when it was time for her fight with Adam whoever that might be. Athena had tried to coach her like before but it wasn't the same she needed somebody physical to guide her into this somebody that had a more hands-on approach to the experience.

The million-dollar question was how? Maybe one of the magic schools that practise more into combat devised with magic perhaps? No, they hardly ever used things like that and even then she wanted to keep the secret Shazam hidden away for as long as she could keep it they would hound her for the secrets of the power even worse try and experiment her.

But most of all there was the risk that one of the magical societies could hand her over to the wizard Dumbledore all for his self proclaimed greater good. Then there was another factor being this Lord Voldemort - "Flight of Death". How silly.

After devouring the last of her eggs Holly wiped her face clean and thanked Mary for the meal and bolted out into the busy bustling streets checking her surroundings before ducking into an abandoned alleyway making her way towards a side door. Satisfied with the solitude she zapped a bolt activating the runes along the doors edges eliciting bright runes as the door swung open allowing her entrance into the Rock of Eternity. Anybody on the other side that might have seen her would believe she had just phased through thin air disappearing through a closed door.

Holly knew extensively about the one called Tom Riddle from the 1940s and found it rather odd that even wit the elongated life span of wizards and witches the dark lord hadn't aged or even grown mildly slow over the past decades growing her suspicion this was a type of ritual-based form of magic or something catalogued in the dark branches. Her search led her to the discovery of soul pieces the scriptures called Horcruxes; objects that act as a form of anchor to the realm of the living through the sacrifice of others through murder as the act splits the killer's soul into pieces and thus the user can never truly die.

Holly lightly traced over her forehead at the disappeared lightning bolt had once been, the same one that had earned her teasing and ridicule from the children on the schoolyard especially from her brutish cousin Dudley Athena has stated that it had disappeared after receiving Shazams power. Holly slumped gingerly on the stone floor back pressed into the bookshelves ignoring the uncomfortable stabbing like sensation growing in her back as she gazed at the picture of a child Tom Riddle the biography and terms of his birth written on the left side while a minute sketch of his person on the right.

"I think if things had gone differently then I might have turned out just like him Athena." Holly noted frowning at the growing machinations playing through the following chapters detailing Toms crusade and eventual rise as Voldemort everything from the creation of his first Horcrux to the growing number of his so-called "Death Eaters". "If you and the wizard hadn't found me and selected me when you did then I seriously doubt I would have turned any different than he had."

"You are nothing like that monster Holly doesn't even think of that" Athena abolished the crescent glow fro the ring buzzed angrily.

Holly rolled her eyes at her friend so occasionally jumping to conclusions.

"Are we really though? He grew up in an orphanage bullied by his peers and life with the Dursleys wasn't exactly a joyride for me either." Holly's eyes downcasted a little from the flash of memory. "And don't forget when I got the powers I already killed my aunt no more than a day passing by."

If Athena had eyes they would swirl like a carnival ride. "I thought we were over that. Besides even if she had survived would she have even repented."

Holly scoffed slamming the book shut and sliding it back into place the bookcase shifted like a slide label of the past few years from the decades to the centuries scrolling down.

"Your incredibly smart and sightful Athena" Holly commented brushing away the accumulated dust from her clothes. "But even you don't know what could have happened if I didn't Apparate in here then you couldn't say what would happen. Wisdom of Solomon is extensive but it only knows things that have happened in the past and the present proceedings it is exempt from the future."

Whatever retort Athena was going to boast about was interrupted from a long ping echoing through the cave walls alerting Holly who teleported through an arc of lightning to the main throne room an overly large sphere representing the planet hovered in the centre a red marker blinked over and over in repeat to a small island

oOo

"COME OUT AND FACE ME YOUR COWARDLY WHORES." a cruel vindictive voice resonated through the roman styled arena.

A bulking blast of purple magic blasted through one of the marble pillars causing it to explode from the impact. This was the island of Themyscira home of the warrior immortal women race of Amazons ruled by their queen Hippolyta.

Their intruder and cause of the destruction was the sorceress Circe stepped forth a long revealing burgundy dress exposing her long legs, modest bosom and flowing bloody red hair swirled like tendrils violet eyes lazily drawled her surroundings she was barefoot a golden necklace with a purple encrusted jewel hung around her neck while a dusty olf Grimoire levitated faithfully at her side famous for her manipulations with turning men into animals or as she referred to as "Bestiamorphs". She was a woman that believed power belongs to those who could wield it and had a burning hatred towards men and the world stems from an immortal lifetime in deceit and rejections to those she shared her heart to.

Perhaps a little history lesson is required.

Circe a dozen lifetimes ago was wedded to one of the wealthiest kings in Colchis and was set on living in the lap of luxury however as a few years passed by Circe came to realise that her husband and supposed king was nothing more than a brutish pig and planned his immediate demise so she may claim his throne however after her attempts failed and her subjects denied to carry the order out she was forced to retreat herself away and found herself stranded on a small island called Aeaea where she started to amass her magic powers and experience along with the help of Sirens that lured sailors her experiments to toy and drain their life force along with her favourite hobby of morphing them into animals.

It was through one of her prayers at night that the vision of the goddess Hecate made herself seen and answered her desires while the gods and goddesses were almost omnipotent they were not without flaws and could not break certain rules one of the dreams of Hecate was to seek revenge against the Greek gods and she decided to make the human women her instrument of revenge the deal being straightforward in return for a soul Circe would be granted immense magical power, immortality and beauty to which Circe immediately agreed. However, before Hecates form disappeared she spoke her final words a prophecy

"Upon the death of witch and the birth of witch, by name and choice shall repossess her soul."

Circe hadn't paid much attention to the strange premonition at first and had set forth to use her new power to raze the kingdom of Colchis to the ground morphing its inhabitants into animals. But her conquest wasn't sated and so for the next three centuries plotted her machinations for the world until she had been brought down by the Amazons imprisoning her on her own island for the past century cursing and spitting their faces from her vendetta to man. Like everything however, it doesn't last forever eventually her bidings faded and she was free her first stop was the Paradise Islands elated by the Amazons still intact herself the only right one to destroy them.

Which brings us up to speed to current affairs.

Another blast of magic burst from her hands the dress flowing in her wake grinning at one of their temple dropping to the ground numbly clouds of dust scrambled away. A few panthers leapt to her side growling at the sky kneeling low from the scent of an oncoming threat.

Circe glanced down. "What is it you lowly -"

The thunderstorm above hammered down on the enchantress erupting blood-curdling screams of pain the surging lightning echoed around her bones her hand slowly arose to erect a shield propelling herself away sneering in pain static coursing through her limbs. The figure in the thunderstorm gravitated herself down like a bullet an explosion of dust created a dust circle splattering the eggshell white pillars and walls that had been lucky enough to not be destroyed. Raine gingerly climbed out of the crater from her landing patting away any clinging dirt from her armour her right hand slowly caressed Quetzalcoatl she had modified it to become invisible unless she released it herself, perhaps this battle would let her test it out especially on a powerful witch popular enough to get her name in the Odyssey

"How many times have we already gone through this child" Athena stressed out slowly. "Practise your landing strategy in the future especially as to how strong you are as Raine".

"I wasn't trying to land. The aim of the game was to attack her." Holly countered.

Athena deadpanned. "And where in the archives of Solomon did you learn how to do that then."

Holly grinned. "Video games."

Athena groaned. "Of course you did child."

Circe at this point had managed to recover herself pules of purple light healed all of her wounds even repairing the smoking pieces of her dress. She glared at the new challenger unaware of who she was already analysing the situation in her mind formatting a plan. There is no way this girl was an Amazon sure she definitely packed the physical strength and look but it wasn't through labour or training the invisible plume of sky-high aura suggested it was related to magic an ambient one at that. The lightning bolt plastered on her chest definitely indicated to something stirring in her memory though for whatever she had guessed she couldn't quite remember and she could have sworn she saw something glimmer behind the lightning girl.

"And just who the hell are you" Circe sneered clicking her fingers glyph's opening as portals in the ground summoned a small group of lions, panthers and snakes which hissed, growled and pawed to defend their mistress and only key to their real forms. "You are not an Amazon of Themyscira I know that much and the level of your magic dost come to a speck of what humans are capable of. Why come to the aid of the warriors."

Raine shrugged. "I didn't realise that I needed a reason to help people. In any case, however, you are disturbing these people and it's unfair to attack a species that are prevented to leave."

Circe eyes narrowed in closer on the lightning emblem a flash of memory from scriptures of her books brought her to a realisation she gasped and that gasp contorted into a thin smile.

"The wizard Shazam is dead isn't he," Circe said. It was more of a statement than a question. "I thought I sensed a change on the power scales for a second I dismissed it as a minor inconvenience though it grew deeper when I managed to break through the island's defences. I take it then that you are his new successor."

"Indeed I am" Holly answered solemnly."Allow me to present myself to you I am Raine the Lightning Empress. Now would you mind an introduction on your part and perhaps a reason for your little invasion."

Circe huffed choosing to get the formalities over with. "Very well since your lightning blast actually left me in pain you must be fairly strong. I am Circe the daughter of the god Helios and chosen of Hecate. In respect to actually managing to inflict damage on myself, I will give you one chance to leave my quarry is not with you."

Raine tutted. "Can't do that I'm afraid I'm the one who needs to ask you to leave. You haven't harmed anybody yet the blast earlier was just a warning."

Circe raised an eye. "That blast of lightning was a warning."

"Yep"

Circe stood motionless for a split second before unleashing a bulking blast of purple magic at Raine who crossed her arms like a cross attempting to block the attack with sending her hurtling into one of the temples a few yards away the impacted wall was crushed from the blow Raine now lied on a bed of bricks and stone groaning while a little shocked that she had actually managed to feel a splinter of pain.

"Even if you do have Shazams power you couldn't have had it for long. I think once I'm done with you ill take it for myself it will help me enslave the Amazons at the very least my plague of carnage on the world of man will be sweet."

Circe narrowly managed to dodge an impending strike of a fist though was unfortunate the second time an uppercut connected with her gut causing her to cough out a handful of blood before a kick skittered her into a flowing fountain. The panthers and lions snarled viciously leaping in the air attempting to either swipe at her with elongated claws or to sink their dagger-like fangs in her neck.

Raine aimed her hands at them praying this would actually work. "MURATA IN ILLIS HOMINIBUS"

A purple light burst out exploding in her sights for a while before it died down the panthers, snakes and lions had disappeared and a group of half-naked men and women wearing armour and swords were in their place gazing at their reclaimed human hands and feet patting themselves down to see if it wasn't a cruel little mirage.

"You all need to leave right now." Raine commanded. "Go"

Not staying to be told twice they awkwardly tried running away a few falling over still either in shock or the fact they hadn't used their own human legs from what she guessed the state of the thin fabric and iron armour a good amount of centuries. Circe now drenched in water clenched her teeth at the retreating animals now back to human form.

"You lost me, my servants." Circe roared channelling two fireballs in either hand.

"Actually I just gave them their freedom back" Holly jabbed out. "Now are you going to stay down."

Circe screamed as she pressed her hands on the earth colossal boulders rammed towards Raine encasing her in the cacoon of pebbles. The caccoon shifted for a few seconds Raine attempting to get out even her punches had little effect of breaking out.

Circe chortled. "Forget it mortal. While I was proficient with human to animal transformations few have beaten my geokinisis abilities. The earth around you is laid thick with my own magic nobody can break it even with superhuman strength."

Raine perked at that. "Coated with magic you say. No time like the present then."

CLANG

A red blade broke free from the earth as it sliced and tore through the thick magic ripping apart like hot butter Raine stepped out huffing in annoyance while running a hand through her ebony locks attempting to cats out tiny drops of stone clinging on ignoring Circe perplex expression.

"Honestly do you know how long it takes for a girl to get all the dirt and grime out of her hair." Raine lectured disdainfully satisfied with the three quarters she managed to dig out resuming her fight. Circe eyed the blade warily not identifying the ruby red material backing away slowly.

"My turn" Holly spoke smugly blasting herself from what remained of the broken prison place the ground beneath her feet shattering from the force the Speed of Mercury boosting her dexterity zipping and zooming around Circe at unbelievable speeds the enchantress of old tried blasting her with poorly aimed magic blasts almost blindly but not one hit home the red and black blur only became faster like an impenetrable turbo trapping Circe in a twister the nearby gravel and stone slabs were caught like fish in the air currents.

"ETIN GI" Holly commanded. The swirling tornado was engulfed in a sky-high inferno burning the sky so strongly Holly was a little scared she might scar the blue sky. Circe tried conjuring a shield to protect herself from the overbearing flames licking at the green shield but Raine increased the power output while swiping at the shield left and right satisfied that the ruby blade pierced through almost like gas the flames crept inside like animated tendrils grasping the exposed ankles causing howling pain.

"This can end right now if you surrender and vow to never again come back here again." Raine offered diligently.

Circe snarled before bowing her head low. "I accept."

Raine scoffed. "Make a vow on your life and devotion to Hecate. Words are nothing but fumes of air."

Circe held her hands signalling for Raine to stop to which she did but not before clicking her fingers the stormcloud from before contorted itself like withering cancer in the cerulean blue the golden flashes wanning threateningly for the first sign of trouble to befall their queen.

"I CIRCE DEVOTED SERVANT OF HECATE DO HEREBY PLEDGE TO LEAVE THEMISCERA AND NEVER RETURN MY QUARREL WITH THE AMAZONS IF OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED." Circe boomed her magic enacted like chains warping themselves around her ankles, waist, wrists and finally to her neck before flashing green a minute later crumbled away from view. Proof of the pledge with magic binding itself to her word.

Circe begrudgingly clicked her fingers conjuring a portal but not without her parting worlds.

"I truly don't understand it." Circe pondered making sure her words were heard.

"What's that" Raine asked.

"You have practically all of the magical power in the world your aura is dripping boundless potential, you could have easily killed me back there and yet you present opportunities to allow me to live. Why is that?."

Raine sighed concentrating on rebuilding the temples back together the slabs and stone tablets reattached themselves together assembling piece by piece.

"I might not approve of your actions but I can relate to them. You and I are actually a lot alike Circe however there is a small difference in our similarity. You were born into power and only striven to gain more with selfish ambitions you let your anger and hatred of mortal men blind you for all of the centuries to learn the simple lesson to forgive to go into the world of today and see that it's not all bad. I myself was born with no power and grew up a weakling and when I gained this power it was through my previous weakness that I found the humility to use it for others that were just like I am."

Circe nodded. "I understand"

Raine smiled. "Between us girls not all men are bad. I recently met two incredibly kind boys that I cherish and bad luck was always my companion. Explore the world besides your island and you shall see what I mean."

Circe said nothing more than that conjuring a portal tipping her head to the lightning manipulator vanishing from sight the portal swallowing the older women whole.

Raine sighed releasing the tensed breath caught in her chest the worry of having to continue to fight the enchantress diminished rapidly. Honestly, she wasn't sure just how far she would have gone in that fight if she had been forced to more lethal means since Circe hadn't technically killed anybody since she got here then she had wanted to keep it diplomatic for however long that lasted. All in all her first official villain fight had gone quite well.

"Are you in league with the fiend Circe" a voice snapped behind her.

A second fight so soon. My my how ambitious.

Raine whirled around to meet the second oppression which turned out to be half a dozen women all armed with swords, spears, shields and bows and arrows all trained on her position. They wore very outdated attire from the roman era matching quite well with the surrounding area; various coloured tunics all just above the knees exposing unblemished skin, a few wore leather sandals while others were barefoot, silver and golden chest and shoulder plated armour connected with a matching kilt and coin silver spartan helmets.

Raine noticed from the corner of her eyes that a few Amazons had taken position atop of some of the wrecked temples arrows aimed for her through or head. She couldn't escape without at least minimal injury to one of them for close proximity.

"While you might be a woman you are still no warrior of Themyscira and helped drive away Circe you are no friend of our race stranger. Your name and purpose now." barked a close spear woman brandishing at the demigod threateningly.

Raine sighed raising her hands at least to show she didn't mean any harm. "My name is Raine I am the Lightning Empress and successor of the wizard."

The spear-wielding women cocked her head confusedly. "We know nothing of a wizard only by one. What was his name?"

Raine strained uncomfortably at that. "I cannot say."

A ticklish nudge found itself at the back of her knees a sword presented at her neck while caught in a neck hold. Raine had already done her research about the Amazon possessing superhuman strength, speeds, dexterity and stamina so she knew they were much more capable than regular humans despite having similar anatomy. A kick at the back of the knees from a regular person and she wouldn have felt anything and while the sword in either Raine or as Holly would do very little to kill her let alone harm her she thought t might be better if it made them feel secure.

"Reveal the name of the wizard" the assaulter from behind snarled.

Raine groaned. "Just don't hold my warning against me later. SHAZAM."

The soldier backed away from the racing electricity Raine let the lightning shift her form back to Holly the hurdling smoke disappearing revealing a pale blue cardigan with a red shirt, tight black jeans hugging her hip and orange sneakers with a black baseball cap lined with a red brim.

"Are you seriously trying to hide behind the guise of a mere child fiend"

"This isn't a trick or illusion sisters." A voice spoke behind the female platoon the soldiers edging out of the newcomer's way. "I have seen that crest and power previously she is the chosen of gods."

Holly levitated herself a few inches in the air to get a better look at the new female arrival the stock in the amount of armour and lined fur coat with a hanging looking bear pelt suggested this was a form of leader. She looked practically like a much more mature version of Raine though a little lillith in arms and high cheekbones tall, beautiful women with thick long cascaded honey blonde hair, caucasian skin and deep ice blue eyes. Among the animal, the pelt was a dark burgundy top with a sterling silver eagle emblem on a tiara with matching culottes and bracelets almost stuck on almost like a second skin Holly could have sworn they were painted on.

"I am Queen Hippolyta child, the ruler of the Amazons. And I take it by your attire the crest you bore that you are Shazams chosen."

Holly perched a broad smile positioned highly on her face as par noble traditions she kneeled to one nee a fist nestled in the ground her sword laid on her left side. "The pleasure is all mine Amazon Queen. My name is Holly Peverall, Slytherin Potter. I believe we are in need for a little chat are we not."

Hippolyta curtly nodded. "Quite."

oOo

A banquet was held with various fruit and vegetables such as bowls and woven stringed baskets with carrots, apples, pears and cherries with a round of wheat bread rolls. Various rounded tables were centred in the main dining hall of the Amazons the high chatter resonated through the tomb various discussions about newly developed sword techniques or newly acquired defeats and practise scores. On an island with no technology (at least known to the warrior race) and no information about the world of man lifestyle and activity was incredibly limited. Still, they had each other and obeyed a high calling something Holly would have traded if the dice rolled her favour. Holly noticed that a few of the Amazons silently chewing their foods spared a few glances her way the fact she was sitting only side by side to their queen uneased a few but by the law f their leader they were forced to stand down.

"Peverall...Slytherin...Potter. I am not very familiar with these titles Champion. Are they relevant in your world." Hippolyta asked curiously peeling away slices of an apple dropping the torn parts into her mouth.

Holly nervously nodded. "Yes, your majesty they are noble houses in the Wizarding World however the non-magicals have no idea what they represent. And please you can just call me Holly the whole Champion title is a little overwhelming."

The Amazon Queen barked a laugh patting the girl on the shoulder. "Then please just call me Hippolyta its been far too long since I've been able to be informal with anybody bar my own daughter Diana my soldiers mean well, however, I can always sense the anxiety to be relaxed in my presence. "

"Regardless of titles at least for this day, you are to be Theysciras saviour and aid from Circe for this all of our sisters are indebted to you. Name it and we shall provide even if you had been a boy then we wouldn't know what to do."

Holly nodded not intending to hold the debt over them until the reoccurring thought previously entered her mind starting to create itself into her mind until finally blurting out of her like an untamed torrent.

"I would like to be taught how to fight with the Amazons"

Hippolyta blinked. "I am not preventing this request by any means but might I ask why. From what we could detect you possess an abundant talent with the magical forces and your superhuman abilities of the gods far outclass you with our Amazon strength. There would be nothing to be taught by us."

"I wouldn't say that Hippolyta." Holly slowly denied internally wondering if it was okay for such modest talk with an actual queen outstretching a hand out channelling a flowing current of golden arcs zapping around her palm. Reaching behind her she presented the blade to Hippolyta who hungrily ran her hands and eyes over the craftsmanship the lightning that was merrily dacing in her palm slowly started to creep downwards slithering beneath the cracks of the sheath. "You could possess the greatest weapon in the world and it would be completely pointless if you had no skill in using it. The sword I carry is made from a special material that can absorb and disrupt magic but I only defeated Circe using that through pure instinct instead of knowing what I was doing. Infinite wisdom and books aren't enough I would prefer a more intimate and hand to hand experience and not to rely on Raine so much."

Hippolyta tilted her head in surprise ."You serve a queen."

"My transformations name actually." Holly shyly explained. "You know Latin."

"Amazons are omnilingual we understand all languages even from the times of the ancients." Hippolyta cleared up. "Our libraries are rather small having most of the tomes and scriptures having survived low maintenance nearly falling to dust. It has been most uneasy."

Holly pondered an idea slowly cultivating in her subconscious a mutual exchange taking form.

"How about a trade then if you train me in combat and swordsmanship then I shall make a few trips every now and then to the world of man to refresh you in what had changed such as replenishing your library, new agriculture means and modern technology. The Rock of Eternity has more than enough to spare.

Hippolyta could only stare in utter disbelief rupturing her speechless. The Rock of Eternity was the literal focal point of all magic in the universe and beyond it wasn't enough that the child was offering valuable information about the outside but the books from Solomons library were equal to none and all she wanted was training in the Amazon arts.

"We won't go easy on you. You will be a guest here however despite that your titles mean absolutely nothing here and will not hold back." Hippolyta warned.

Holly carelessly shrugged. "How bad can it be?"

oOo

The Next Day

Holly was thrown hellishly threw one of the tall pillars depicting to a greek goddess spattering unladylike on the ground until she came to an abrupt stop. Sluggishly she rose back to her feet the short sword sprawled to her side was armed back in her hand rolling her arms to get relinquish the numb pain shooting up her arms. Holly was dressed in a roman styled leather skirt, tank top covering her chest with an iron helmet guarding her face with a pair of black leather sandals covering her soles.

Her opponent and root of her being tossed like a ragdoll halfway across the field stormed towards her an axe armed in the left hand with a double-edged axe in the right. She was incredibly bulky far exceeding Holly in size and build her bronze-brown hair pulled into a short ponytail heavily tanned skin from obvious exercise regimes in the blazing sun stood as a testament to her self discipline in that field.

Her opponent who she had all but five minutes ago had introduced herself as Amethyst smirked a cocky grin at her opponent,

"Don't tell me that's all you have to offer runt" Amethyst grunted out heaving the axe to rest on one of her steel armoured shoulders with a small clink. "Looking at your combat strategy it seems your main process is to charge right at your enemy or blast them with mystic lightning telling me all I need."

"And what's that" Holly asked sceptically.

"You've never fought a day in your life" Amethyst grinned.

Holly's head sunk down gloomily.

Amethyst sighed. "Relax pipsqueak its normal for one to have a tough time to adapt to new changes especially when it comes to fighting that's what our training is all about to practise over and over until it is integrated into muscle memory. Now, let us go again."

Holly gritted her teeth at the "pipsqueak" remark and like a rampaging pull, she dove headfirst sword raised with a rapid-fire of hits tried to graze Amethyst skin but her opponent was just as fast blacking every hit with the shield the blade bouncing off every time. Frustrated Holly swung both her fists down like a hammer but instead of blocking with the shield Amethyst just sighed abruptly discarding the shield and disrupted the flow caging Holly's hands with her own. Holly tried to escape but they were like titanium braces woven in her fingers the Strength of Hercules seemingly failing her only preventing her bones from being crushed. Amethyst took her advantage and slammed a kick to Holly's chin causing her to tumble a few yards away grains of blood staining the inside of the helmet.

Holly lightly slapped her cheeks forcing herself to keep it together jumping back up side to side on her feet until she was satisfied her breathing regained its control

"SHA-"

"None of that" Amethyst barked out charging at Holly who ducked underneath a horizontal slash of her axe but wasn't lucky enough to dodge the shield bash in her midsection her opponent managed to heave her whole body weight over her head slamming Holly back to the ground. Holly was left a second to recover before a vertical slash almost split her skull like a watermelon. Holly pulled erself away levitateing a few feet in the air.

"What the hell" Holly groaned out. "Why did you stop me from transforming."

"You need to be quick-witted and not rely too much on your mystic power. While it is natural to use the arsenal at your beck and call you will learn young one that your strengths can be your greatest weakness if not fallen into perfect discipline. Take for example my own body while yes much better compared to yours in physical strength with the correct form of technique this advantage I have over you could even turn against me such as my opponent was a little faster or perhaps even more quick-witted. Once more."

Holly once more ascended to her feet this time backing away from her opponent and taking note of the whole scenario that was placed before her; the location of where they were to the nearby statues, feeling the gravel under her feet even the stance of Amethyst. What did she have that she could use against her? Her powers were not magnetised like they usually were but were far from pathetic, she still had her natural speed and strength and one of her unique capabilities was her mind so long as she didn't overthink the analysis. She could also generate her lightning as well as flight.

As Holly, she was much shorter than Raine, nimble and lighter on her feet bare clothing decreased the chance she would be held onto and a series of memories played through her mind watching the Dursleys TV through the cracks of her room/cupboard as Dudley and Vernon would never let her sleep in peace as they roared and cheered at the wrestling channel. Oh, and there was the factor of her having nigh powerful magic on an unreadable scale.

Time to test this hypothesis.

Holly kneeled down exerting her breath before blasting herself forwards towards Amethyst but this time she zig-zagged along the field never letting her movements become predictable not even to herself, Amethyst tried to swing her awe down at her but missed by a fraction leading to Holly's second step of the plan. Using a concentrated portion of Speed of Mercury Holly launched a flurry of punches and kicks into Amethyst eyes and joints in the arms and legs retreated to gain distance and entice anger into her opponent each strike instigating the seasoned Amazon until she saw her opening. Holly zipped around the Amazon and hugged her tightly around the midsection and with all her might pulled her back over her head until Amethyst head cracked on the ground her body ricocheting from the shock Holly kept them both their beads of sweat starting to form fighting against her thrashing and resistance awaiting her surrender. For the final step Holly exploeded herself with shockwaves of lightning the arcs lashing at Amethyst again and again until the faint pats on the ground signalled her defeat.

Holly cancelled her lightning and released her the two fell limp panting for breath the oldest girl popping the exposed bones chuckled recovering rose to her feet discarding the shield and Axe which looked like it was almost breaking apart. Holly not believing after all that she was just a little out of breath!

"An interesting technique I must say" Amethyst complimented a hand outstretched helping the mightiest mortal to her feet who stretched to her tippytoes feeling bold she could even pull that off the first time. "You took my advice to heart I see. You used your smaller body for better speed and kept me off balance waiting until I would get either careless and give into my rage which would lead to unwise actions or the force of your blows would tire me down. Then you performed that strange technique around my midsection and cornered me into that position until I submitted victory. Well played little warrior especially utilising your advantage with magic."

Holly gingerly scratched her cheeks. "I honestly didn't believe that it would work especially on the first try. If all else fails I would just have-"

Amethyst just raised a hand stopping her halfway. "While wizards and magicians have their secrets in the arcane arts we warrior-like to keep our knowledge just as well veiled. Words from the wise to the young. You've got a match tomorrow with our best swords women so you better get some rest we shall call it a day for your training."

Holly removed the helmet her raven black locks flowed down cascading in the election at their release bowing to one of her combat instructors. "Thank you for presenting this opportunity to fight with you Amethyst it has been an honour."

Amethyst returned the gesture. "We will have plenty more combat battle in the future if you so wish. However, I can only really help you in the terms of hand to hand and basic weapons if you want talent more with your magic disrupting sword I suggest you fight your opponent in one month she is the strongest among us."

Holly cocked her head. "I'm fighting the strongest Amazon! Who is it?

"Her name is Princess Diana. She is the daughter of our queen"

oOo

A/N: I was really stuck with how to form this chapter. I know that some of you might be raging that some of the power scales and backstories but hey its fan fiction it's our responsibility to make up the shit we wanted and make coin from it.

Im gonna get some research material for the stype of sword techniques Holly can learn as well as how Wonder Women fights with weapons I think Death Battle should open some answers. The girl beat Thor so it should be fairly interesting.

This is gonna be the birth for a friendship with Holly and Diana (nothing romantic unless you want that would be my first time creating this so don't flame me) I barely managed to get the concept for this idea I was running out of ideas with how to proceed this. I'm gonna have her train here for a few years until she is called back to Hogwarts through the Triwizard Tournament which could lead to the alliance with Clark and Bruce hopefully by then they will be all in a relationship - somehow.