"Honestly, whether you act against Vought or not, they'll come for us regardless," the Sentry remarked, shaking his head in resignation as he transmitted his thoughts to Clark.
Before joining the Avengers or even leaving Vought, back when the Avengers wielded absolute authority, the Sentry couldn't fully grasp why the Avengers behaved the way they did. He especially didn't understand their insistence on maintaining such significant control.
It wasn't until he broke away from Vought and became part of the Avengers, learning about the deeper workings of the world, that the Sentry realized the necessity of the Avengers' previous approach.
Apart from the Ultron incident, where a mistake led to significant casualties, the Avengers had genuinely done their utmost to protect Earth. More importantly, they refrained from abusing their power for selfish gains.
Having the Avengers in charge was far better than the current state, where corrupt institutions like Vought run unchecked, sowing chaos.
"The Ultron incident cost the Avengers their reputation, giving Vought the perfect opportunity to take over. The Avengers' spotless public image became a double-edged sword—any misstep brought waves of public outrage," the Sentry reflected.
He compared this to Vought's deliberate strategy: from the beginning, Vought never positioned the Seven as paragons of justice. Figures like Homelander thrived on controversy, with fans accustomed to their flawed personas.
Thus, when the Avengers stumbled, their fall was monumental. But when Vought's heroes committed atrocities, the public seemed more forgiving—conditioned to expect less from them.
Furthermore, Vought's mastery over online narratives ensured that they controlled the discourse. The Avengers, by contrast, had always respected free speech, even tolerating criticism and slander.
This fundamental difference between the two organizations became a source of frustration for the Sentry. He realized that adhering too strictly to morality and principles often came at the cost of effectiveness.
"We should focus on Black Adam for now," Clark said after a moment's thought. "I overheard their conversation—he's learned about Frank and the others. But instead of coming after us, he's keeping his distance. Maybe he's gathering more information about the Avengers."
Clark's attention then shifted toward Black Adam's location. The immediate priority was addressing the threat he posed, rather than worrying about Vought's plans.
Black Adam, meanwhile, was preparing to leave the area and shake off Vought's pursuit. His aim was to uncover more about the Avengers. Suddenly, a ripple of energy caught his attention.
"Spatial fluctuations?"
His sharp senses detected a disruption ahead. Before him, the fabric of reality seemed to twist, and out stepped a figure clad in a red uniform and white cape.
This newcomer bore a striking resemblance to Black Adam in one key way: the lightning bolt emblazoned on his chest.
"You're... the wizard's successor?" Black Adam's tone was heavy with suspicion and contempt.
"I am," Frank confirmed, stepping forward. "My name is Frank. I inherited the wizard's power. But I've never heard of you before. Who are you? Where did your power come from?"
Black Adam sneered, his gaze piercing into Frank as if to discern his very essence.
"A child? That senile fool still prefers to bestow his power on children. Let me guess—he thought you'd be easier to control. Where is that decrepit old man now?"
Frank's expression softened as he shook his head. "The wizard has passed away. I don't know what grievance you have with him or where your power comes from, but he was your elder. You shouldn't speak of him so disrespectfully."
Black Adam's lips curled into a derisive smile. "An elder? That man has no right to call himself my elder..." He paused mid-sentence, his attention drawn to another spatial fluctuation.
From the void emerged five additional figures: Steve Rogers, Pietro Maximoff, Susan Storm, Harry Osborn, and Clare.
Black Adam's eyes narrowed as he observed these newcomers. His senses immediately picked up on something peculiar—the same lightning-based energy emanated from each of them, albeit with distinct nuances.
"Impossible..." Black Adam muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Why do all of you possess the complete power of Shazam?"
In Black Adam's time, the wizard's power could be shared, but only in fragments. The full power of Shazam was reserved for the wizard himself and one chosen champion.
Yet standing before him were six individuals, each wielding a complete and distinct version of the power.
"I shared it with them," Frank explained, puzzled by Black Adam's reaction. "Can't you do the same?"
Black Adam's expression twisted into rage. "That's impossible! Utterly impossible!" He clenched his fists, his aura surging violently.
"Why would the wizard grant you the ability to share his power?" Black Adam roared, his voice echoing with fury and pain. Memories of his past overwhelmed him.
Long ago, Black Adam's son, Hurut, had been the chosen champion. When Black Adam lay dying from grievous injuries, Hurut transferred his power to save him, sacrificing his own life in the process.
This loss was a wound that Black Adam had never healed from. The idea that the power of Shazam could now be shared without such a cost shattered him.
In truth, the wizard had learned from his mistakes. To prevent tragedies like Black Adam's, he had created a staff capable of distributing the power without diminishing the wielder's strength.
But for Black Adam, this revelation only deepened his anguish.
Blinded by rage, Black Adam launched himself at Frank. "You're lying!"
"Boom!"
Their fists collided, sending shockwaves through the air. Frank staggered back slightly, clearly outmatched in raw strength. But the gap wasn't insurmountable.
"Frank's struggling," the Sentry remarked as he and Clark arrived at the scene. They joined Steve and the others, forming a perimeter around the fight.
"Not surprising. Black Adam's had centuries to master his power," Clark observed. "Frank's come a long way, but he's still a novice by comparison."
The group watched closely as the battle unfolded. Frank's movements were precise, a testament to his military training, but Black Adam's ferocity and experience gave him the upper hand.
Despite his rage, Black Adam's combat prowess was undeniable. He fought with the skill of a seasoned warrior, not just raw power.
"Should we intervene?" Steve asked, his tone calm but ready.
"Not yet," the Sentry replied. "Let him push Frank. It'll be good for his growth."
As the clash raged on, Black Adam's rage only fueled his attacks. Meanwhile, Frank began to adapt, analyzing his opponent's patterns and exploiting openings.
The battle was far from over, and both sides knew it.
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