The icing wind of Antarctica blew fiercely as a man who became a god and a man who would bring Armageddon if it meant justice stared at one other.

Walter Joseph Kovacs better known as Rorschach removed his iconic shifting mask before ordering Doctor Jon Osterman or Doctor Manhattan, to "Do it", with a mere thought, the blue man vaporised the vigilante, leaving a smoking patch in the snow that began to be covered over.

With a blink and a quick look around Rorschach found himself a few feet from where he stood moments ago, he saw the smoke rise from where he stood and the atomic god walk into the massive building nearby, his hand rubbed his messy orange hair as the tears trickled down his cheek unaffected by the cold 'What just happened?'

"It can be weird." said a young female voice, Rorschach flinched and quickly turned around. A five foot two Goth girl stood there, her pure white skin almost blended into the snow, dressed in black jeans and a tank-top but yet she did not shiver, a silver ankh neckless around her neck and an Eye of Horus tattoo around her right eye, her hands on her hips and a warm inviting smile on her face.

Rorschach's eye narrowed, his mind tried to make sense of this 'Feel like I know her, but… she's quite lovely, pull it together man.', the women walked up and held out his hand "For what it's worth Rorschach you made quite a name for yourself, though I didn't like the way some your victims came to me.", Walter blinked "Wait. Your telling me your…" he often told his view of the non-existence of gods, now face to face with this girl, he didn't know what to think.

"Nearly everyone says that, come on."

"But, what happens next, if there is a heaven I know I'm not going to it, but I refuse to go to Hell, I admit I'm a monster, but I am no devil."

"Well, there's reincarnation.", the vigilante's face contorted into a grimace and shook his head violently "Refuse to be reborn into world built on lies and deaths of millions of innocent people."

"I know, I like to take people on a one-to-one basis, taking all those people in New York City." she sighed. Rorschach put his hands into his trench coat, before pulling out a load of sugar cubes, much to his surprise, he handed one to the young lady who smiling took it and put into her mouth and then hummed a bar or two of "A Spoon Full of Sugar", once the sugar cube dissolved she returned her gaze to Rorschach "If you want," she said "I could send you to a parallel dimension."

"Those exist?"

"Yes, some good, some bad, which do you want to go to?" Rorschach sighed, "Don't care. Long as can be a crime fighter."

"You're very trusting leaving it to me."

"Sure you've got more experience of this."

"That's true," she tapped her finger on her chin, then with a blink she smiled brightly "I know just the place." She held out her hand again "If you're ready.", the vigilante sighed, he pulled his mask over his face and placed his fedora on his head, his gloved hand lightly grabbed the women's dainty pale palm.

And then the sound of wings.

In a hospital, in the Californian coastal settlement of Jump City, a woman cried birthing pains as her husband breathed fast in anticipations.

Unbeknown to the doctor and the young couple, the Goth girl with a baby boy in her arms walked into the room. The infant's eye widened before he looked up at his current guardian "Will I have a good life?"

"That all depends on you." She walks up to the bed and puts the baby down, she knelt and looked him in his icy blue eyes "Before I forget, this world is full of super-powered beings, so don't be too surprised if you have some powers as well.", the boy nodded "What about my face?", she smiled and ruffled the patch of hair not yet coloured "I'll take care of it, now run along, their expecting you.", the boy nodded with an adorable smile and waddled up to the round belly of his soon to be mother, a white light surrounded him.

A quiet cry resonated across the room, Suzanna Spearing relaxed, exhaustion and happiness washed over her, her baby lived.

Her husband Nicholas Spearing breathed out in relief, his hand cupped Suzanna's cheek, and his thumb wiped the tears away.

"Congratulation," the doctor said "you have a healthy boy.", Nicholas grinned with pride, then a thought struck him "Quiet chap isn't he, shouldn't he be screaming his little head off?"

"Does appear to be a subtler kid," the doctor said "I've known a few in my time here, nothing to really be worried about." He wrote the time and weight of the child down as the midwife warped the baby in blue, before handing the precious bundle to Suzanna, when her eyes meet the face of the new born she instantly fell in love with her baby "Looks like he's got you hair Nick." She carefully rubbed her thumb on the small amount of light blonde hair.

Slowly the eyelids opened, the blue orbs slowly surveyed the surrounding before looking straight at the two above him, the woman's smile broadened as the man smirked, a giggle escaped the baby's mouth as he wiggled his hands out the cloth, fingers touched the skin of his mother who softly giggled herself, the man next to her, his father spoke "Nice of you to say hello old chap." The little boy giggle and Nick smiled. He turned to Suzanna "Well we agreed if we had a boy you'd name him, any ideas?"

"Well," Suzanna said still slightly exhausted "at first I thought Rocky, after Ford, then George as a backup, after the grandfather I never met, but doesn't look like a Rocky or a George."

"No he doesn't, he looks like he could be a commanding figure, it's September the first isn't it." He looked to the doctor who had the clip board with his notes down "Yes, born five minutes after midnight on September the first."

"Why's that relevant Nick?"

"September the first is the Roman Catholic feast of Joshua, the successor of Moses."

"Joshua?" she looked at the still wake baby "Does the name Joshua Spearing sound good to you?", the baby giggled happily before closing his eyes, Suzanna smiled and turned to Nicholas "Well that settles it, Joshua Spearing it is."

Joshua, or Josh for short grew up like any child with two loving parents. Although at school his intelligence became apparent. Like Adrian Veidt Joshua seemed to source near perfectly on his homework and test, unlike Veidt however he didn't hide it, this did cause him some bullying, but being a smart child he simply ignored his bullies and reported them to the teachers.

Not say all of his early life was good, no life is prefect. His father worked at a Private Investigator agency, the Monk Investigation Firm, meaning he spent a lot of late nights at work and Suzanna his mother suffered myasthenia gravis in her leg, which caused them to become weak on occasion, so first she used a wheel chair, and secondly they lived in a bungalow. But all in all things went nicely.

Suzanna also worked at home fixing and building equipment for STAR Labs.

At the age of five, Joshua experienced a turning point in his life.

"Joshua," Suzanna called "bedtime."

"No Mummy," the boy said, his accent, not quite American but also not all British, made his more British address of his mother sound off "Daddy said I should wait for him, and its still light outside."

"It's summer Josh," she sighed "Okay, how about this, we wait ten more minutes, if Daddy isn't back then we get you to bed okay?"

"Okay." Josh put down the toys he played with and stood up, he then walked out and towards the toilet.

The flush sounded and a relieved Josh walked out, and down the small corridor. He stopped at a slight open door, his father went down there on multiple occasions but his mother kept Josh from entering it. Curiosity entered the boy, he checked one way and another, and with his mother nowhere in view he pushed the door open and got greeted by a flight of stairs.

He spent a moment in the archway, the dark room before looked frightening, however he felt something also inviting. His eyes caught something in the light, a shoe and trouser leg.

The front door opened and Nicholas called out "I'm home."

"Daddy!" Josh cried before hugging him tightly "There's a man down in the basement.", Suzanna appeared at the door way her eyebrows frowned before she waggled her finger at her son "Joshua Spearing what did I say about going down there?"

"That I'm not allowed, but Mummy I didn't go down, I opened the door and the light…", Nicholas laughed "Poor old chap, it's alright, nothing's wrong, come on I'll show you." Taking his son's hand he escorted him back to the door before switching the light on.

The light greeted Josh's eye giving him his first look at three costumes, the first two stood on plinths, but not the third. The first, a tuxedo with a cape, both black, along with a hat of the same shade with a black ribbon around the crown and a full face covering white skull mask with a red x like symbol on the forehead.

The second costume consisted of a purple leotard, the curves showed a woman wore it, with a hood to cover the face, and the word 'Miss' written on the right side and the number '0' on the left. The costume also included a pair of googles and thigh-high boots, in the same purple as the leotard.

The third costume, the one without a plinth consisted of a blue jumpsuit, with pouches on the chest, black buckled shoes, and a white mask, almost like a helmet, featureless besides the tinted visor glass in the eyeholes and the small breathing port on the right side.

Nicholas signed, before lifting his son up and carrying him down to give Josh a closer look.

Josh stared mouth agape "What, what are these Daddy?"

"Superhero costumes."

"Like Superman or Batman?"

"Yes, but in the case of these first two," he pointed to the plinth pair "they were around before them, a few years after the Shadow began fighting crime in New York."

"There were heroes before Batman and Superman?"

"Oh yes, I recall reading that the Shadow save Bruce Wayne's life when the billionaire was a boy, anyway these two were the first protectors of Jump City, the Red X and Miss Zero, the two while technically separate they often teamed up."

"If they were so important to the city Daddy, why are these not in a museum?"

"Judy Allen, who was Miss Zero, didn't want that, quite why I don't know, she was an unusual and uptight woman."

"What about that one Daddy." Josh said pointing to the third. A smile crept up Nicholas's lip "Somebody," he sighed "sometime I wonder why I did it."

"You're a superhero Daddy?"

"Was, Josh, I have dreams that give me clues to crimes, for a time I fought crime in that get up, I stop when I learnt you were on the way, before she died Judy referred me to the Firm, she'd been a friend to a Firm Investigator Rocky Ford, who'd been Red X, so they employed me, I still get the dreams, use them as starting points in my investigations."

"Can I be a superhero Daddy? Please?"

"Not until you're older my old chap." He said laughing "Your Mum wouldn't be happy about skipping school to fight crime."

"Okay, but I want to be one just like you."

"If you want to I won't stop you, but you need to come up with a new name and costume I won't have you stealing an old name."

"Okay Daddy I'll be good." Smiling he yawned, Nicholas smiled "Looks like Jump City's newest hero needs some sleep." He picked his yawning son up, carried him up the stairs and switched the light of the basement off.

Over the next few years Josh began training himself. Become stronger physically meant he not only excelled in brains at school but also sports, though he didn't entirely like sports. Also this meant he no longer got bullied, when he could easily beat the bullies up, and when they bullied a younger child he'd often step in after contacting a teacher.

But he constantly got stuck on what his superhero name and costume would be, he liked the Red X costume and once saw an image of the Shadow, he fell in love with the style, already adopted by the "Crimson Avenger" and "The Question", the problem of a mask arose, he didn't want to copy the aforementioned heroes, not to mention his lack of powers. Though something on the back of his head said he would have powers.

As for the name he wanted something to follow the theme of mystery which the heroes of Jump City followed. Red X, Miss Zero and Somebody, something linked to uncertainty over the truth.

Another turn in his life happen at the age of ten.

A Sunday morning and Josh jogged down the street.

He heard someone shout out, it came from an alleyway in front of him. He stopped and found an old woman being harassed by a couple of teenagers. With the backs turned to him Josh simply sprinted at one before jump kicking him into a corner, the teen's head hit the wall knocking him out.

The other guy seeing him friend taken out by a ten-year-old charged at Josh, who duck down and punched the teen in the stomach before kicking in the guy's knee.

He walked to the pay phone in the street and called the police, who told him to remain put with the teens before they arrived.

The old woman looked at Josh as the boy he walked back to her "Thank your boy."

"It was nothing really, rather enjoyed taking them down actually." He smirked 'Wait until I tell Dad, I start my crime fighting with such cliché.'

"You deserve something." She said, Josh looked at her, hair more silver then white her ear in fact pointed, which confused Josh "No offense, but are you an elf?"

She chuckled "I get that sometimes, actually I'm of the Fair Folk, here a gift as payment for your help." In her hand rested a badge of a black dragon. Josh instantly took a liking to it, taking it without question and pocketed it with a happy thank you.

The police soon arrived and got the testimonies of the two, Josh also got praise but also a quick and stern telling off about the risks before they left with the arrested teens.

Josh and the Fair Women went their separate ways, but the women looked back 'Interesting he could see my ears through my glamour, maybe I should speak to Mama, or maybe Lord Daniel.' She shrugged and walked away with the sly thought of the badge she'd given him 'I think he defiantly was the right choice.'

Josh meanwhile walked down the street, having lost his appetite to jog for the rest of the day. He turned and corner and glanced in a charity shop window and stopped in his tracks.

There on the counter rest a small bag like object, white cloth but with black shapes forming. Josh walked into the shop and went straight to it, he pulled it out and examined it. More like a balaclava it would fit around a person's head. The black shapes actually mirrored, making something like the inkblot test psychiatrists used. Twice in one-day Josh found himself wanting objects, first the badge and now the prefect mask. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some money before pressing the bell on the counter.

A teenage girl, no doubt a part time clerk walked out, and looked at Josh with the money and the mask "You want to buy that ugly rag, that things been here for months and no one wanted it, some goth chick walked in and gave it for nothing."

Josh cringed at the clerk's rather rude attitude but decided to ignore it, payed the adequate amount and left the shop putting the mask in the same pocket as the badge.

He got home and went to his room, pulling the mask and badge out to look at them. He knew these two object would be core parts to his costume, especially the mask.

The door open and Suzanna, wheeled herself in "Hey Josh, heard you coming in something happen? You're back later than usual."

"Yes," he said, before rubbing the back of his neck "don't get angry but…" he explained about the fight. Suzanna sighed and rested her face on her hand "You've definitely taken after your Dad in fighting style, he'll be so proud of you."

"Thanks Mum, anyway the woman gave me this as a gift." He showed her the badge.

"It's nice."

"I rather like it as well, oh and I bought this." He picked up the mask and put it on, surprised at how clear he could see through, like a one-way visor. He grinned at his mother's wide eyes, her expression increased when he grinned.

"The black part changed."

"Must react to my expressions," he pulled it off "I wonder who made it? I'd like a spare or two."

"Let me have a look at it with my scanning equipment.", Josh put the mask on his mother's lap and pushed her to her study.

The scan came through with the working and materials, two layers of fabric with viscous black and white fluids trapped between them. The fluids remained in constant motion, being affected by heat and pressure, however, the black and white colours never combined to form grey. The patterns formed by the fluids also maintained a constant symmetrical pattern down the midline of whatever shape the fabric had been formed into.

Suzanna took the mask out of the scanner "The material is like something we at the lab would make, can't really see a reason to so though. It's striking to say the least."

"I like it, looks like those inkblot tests."

"Rorschach tests, Josh."

"Rorschach? Good name for a hero, I mean it got the mystery and uncertainty theme about it, since with those tests people sometimes see different things from the same test card." He looked at the mask again "Maybe when I start I could order the lab to create those spares.", Suzanna look at her son and shook her head while laughing, and she then glanced at the scanner "This doesn't make sense though."

"What doesn't?"

"This," she typed in a command and on the screen of the scanner appeared a type of energy signature, "I can't identify what this energy is, it's there, but there's not enough to detect it."

Josh blinked in realisation "Wait a moment." He said rushing out, before returning with the badge. Suzanna looked at her son her eyebrow slightly arched.

"I had it in the same pocket as the mask, it's just possible that…" his mother nodded before taking the badge and putting it in the machine, and set it to an energy scan.

The readout appeared, the result said 'Unknown', which intrigued Suzanna "Interesting," she turned to Josh "I'm going to need to cross reference this data with the ones in at the main lab."

"Can't you send the data?"

"I'd prefer to check it myself, the lab's open till nine that should be plenty of time."

"Alright Mum." he pulled her chair out and wheeled her to the front door "Don't forget to leave a note to Dad."

"I put it on my computer monitor."

At STAR Labs Suzanna handed her pass to the receptionist and signed in Joshua, standard stuff and Joshua made a promise not to touch anything, always the way when in his mother's study, ever since his childhood.

When they entered the scanning lab they found another scientist inside, an African-American with greying hair, Suzanna blinked recognising him "Silas? What are you doing here on a Sunday afternoon?", the man turned around before replying "I'd ask the same thing Suzanna, for me it's because with Victor out on the track training for the athletics team trials this week and Elinore visiting friends out of town I thought I could get some work done, what about you?"

Suzanna pulled the badge out and explained. Silas nodded and pulled out his work, what looked like a robotic arm, and let Suzanna put the badge in. Joshua move close to the door and simply observed the two. Silas put the arm away before walking up to Josh and offered his hand "You must be Josh, I heard Victor mention you once or twice, think's you'd be great on a sports team."

Josh smirked and took the scientist's hand "Nice to meet you Doctor Stone, but next time you talk to Vic please to him that I'm not into sports.", Silas nodded before Suzanna called "Silas, can I get a second opinion here?"

"What's the data say?"

"It's similar to readings down for people like Zatara, Zatanna, and Doctor Occult."

"So it's magic?" Silas said his eyebrows arching up.

"Seems to be, Josh said the woman claimed she was a Fae."

"Well it could be extra-dimensional, so we have no real idea what dangers it poses."

"Well," Suzanna said highlighting some data "the readings say it's harmless to humans, I've heard of no ill effects from the heroes I mentioned, or anyone they've had prolonged contact with."

"If it's okay," Josh called out "can I please have my badge back?"

"Of course sweetheart." Suzanna took it out of the machine. Josh walked over and grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and pushing her towards the door.

Sitting at his desk in his room he stared at the badge 'Magic? Sounds like rather good fun.'

Joshua focused on his magic as much as his combat training.

He began meditating while wearing the badge on his person feeling the magic, focusing on it.

After months of this he got nowhere, he felt his magic but he couldn't use it. When the summer holidays began his father had a dream "He will come, a man that walked for ages and knows."

The day after the dream Josh meditated in the garden under the shade of a tree when he felt a powerful magical presence. His eyes opened, before him stood a figure dressed in deep blue, a long cape with high collar, held with a gold medallion, his eyes hidden by the shadow cast by the brim of his hat. Joshua calmly stood up.

The Stranger looked down "Greetings Joshua Spearing, no doubt you knew of my coming", Joshua nodded "I knew someone was coming but why?"

"You wish to understand the magic you now possess?" the ten-year-old nodded, the Stranger lowered his head "That is your decision, I will take you to who can train you properly."

"I thought you were going to train me?"

"I cannot, I am only a guide, that is my purpose. I warn you, now you have started on the path to magic, there is no turning back."

"Okay," Josh said his eyebrow arch slightly "Can I tell Mum and Dad I'll be gone and I don't know when I'll be back?"

"Of course.", Joshua nodded his thanks and entered the house through the side door into the living room. The man known simply as the Phantom Stranger observed the talk, both parents nodded, tears beginning to form, Joshua hugged his mother and placed a kiss on her cheek before letting go and embracing his father. He slid the door open and gave to two a final wave, before turning to the Stranger and wiping the tears from his eyes. The Stranger's hand took hold of Josh's shoulder and to two disappeared.

Joshua shook himself from the shock, then flinched at his surroundings. A library of some sort, the walls made of shelves, the room filled with artefacts of strange magic and odd designs.

"It's nice you see you again," a calm voice said, Josh looked around as a woman walked toward them, Joshua sense some magic aura around her, but nowhere near as much as the Stranger. Her face held an expression as calm as her voice as she looked at him "I assume this is Joshua Spearing?" she stopped before them and bowed slightly "My name is Inza Nelson."

"Charmed." Joshua said elegantly bowing low, which Inza smiled and nodded her thanks. The Phantom Stranger turned away and walked out the room, leaving Joshua questioning.

Inza ignored the rude exist and closed her eyes before speaking "Kent, your guest has arrived." Before remaining silent for a moment then opened her eyes "My husband is on his way"

"Your husband is going to train me?"

"Yes, please make yourself comfortable." She said walk out the room, Joshua immediately went to the closest shelf and eyed the titles on the spines. A rattle came from behind him, he turned Inza pushed a trolley filled with sweets and sugary pastries, Josh's eyes widened slightly before looked at Inza "No thank you Mrs Nelson, I eat an hour ago."

A light filled the room, Joshua shielded his eyes before a large glowing ankh appeared in the room, followed by a man dressed in blue and gold, a golden helmet covered his face "My apologies for the delay." His voice echoed with mysticism and authority. Joshua simply stared wide eyed and mouth open, this man magical aura told him a human float before him but with power rivalling the Phantom Stranger's.

The figure simply towards him "It's a pleasure to meet you Master Spearing, I am Doctor Fate, Sorcerer Supreme of Earth."

"Why, why would wish to train me, I…"

"Because helping people is my purpose, speaking of that I hope the Phantom Stranger wasn't too rude."

"He left frightfully abrupt after your wife greeted us."

"Forgive him, while we are allies, wishing to retain order in this universe he has never been too comfortable in my presence, and myself with his, but let us not delay on such trivial matters, you wish to use to arcane powers you possess?", Joshua nodded.

"Then we shall begin." He said before he opened a portal.

Joshua stumbled out the portal clutching his head, Fate hovered beside him "You shall get used to it eventually, especially when you are able to perform such a spell yourself."

Joshua shook himself again before observing the location, the top of a tower standing within a massive star filled space.

"A place of power, necessary to begin your training, I know of the source of your magic however I am not allowed to reveal it at this time, the Phantom Stranger and myself agreed should the need arise we will."

"Why can't you?" Josh's eyebrows frowned "If I understand where my magic comes from maybe I can use it better."

"Perhaps, but the forces that govern your magic are not my domain and those who govern it prefer to remain unknown to humans until necessary."

"So their berks then.", Fate chuckled but shook it head "Hopefully they will be forgiving should you ever meet them in person. But let us begin, first you must will you magic, concentrate, something simple."

Joshua thought hard, after seeing Doctor Fate float in the air effortlessly and knowing Superman, the Green Lanterns and many other could fly, he wanted to fly as well, the more he focused the harder it got, his feet never left the good. Sweat form on his brow and his legs began to weakness. Finally, he passed out and collapsed to the ground.

Joshua opened his eyes slowly before raising himself from where he rested, finding himself in a bed, next to a roaring fire. The door to the room opened and Inza walked in holding a tray with a hot meal in her hands "You've been out for several hours I presumed you must be hungry." She put the tray down on the bed.

Josh looked at the food and his stomach growled, he took the knife and folk "Thank you Mrs Nelson." He said before cutting through the food and taking a bite. Inza smiled "When you have finished come to the library Kent wishes to speak with you."

After Josh finished his meal he carried the try towards the library, following the magical aura growing stronger the more he approached.

He entered the library to find Doctor Fate floating with his legs crossed reading some of the books. Inza walked towards Josh and took the tray. When she left Fate turned to Josh "Good evening Master Spearing, please take a seat.", a throne like chair moved across the room to face in front of the doctor. Josh walked over and sat down, while Fate lowed himself down to speak eye-to-eye, Josh lowered his head "I'm sorry, I rather messed up that training didn't I."

"I did not expect you to become a first class sorcerer on the first try, tell me what did you try and achieve?", Josh explained his attempt at flying. Fate chuckled "I should have known; flight is one of the main fantasies about becoming a superhero. Thankfully however that first try at using your magic has meant I could assess it better, while it is one that only require willpower, much like a Green Lantern's ring, to make the magic spell, it has several limitations, the largest of which is it is bound to the laws of physics."

"I've always thought magic is the opposite of science."

"Some systems of magic are, but usually they come for other dimensions or from beings powerful enough to break the rules."

"My badge was given to me by a Fae, aren't they from another dimension?"

"Not originally, the majority of the Fae left the Earthly realm because of the rise of man."

"How frightfully Tolkien of them."

"Getting back to the matter at hand, your magic cannot break the laws of physics for example if you went into space a fire spell would not work due to the lack of oxygen, and you cannot simply levitate objects because of gravity."

"I take it I can't create thing from thin air, or turn lead into gold."

"You are correct about the lead into gold, but with enough skill you may be able to create object by manipulating the atomic structures, however to get to that level could take several decades."

"Okay, you said several limitations, what are the others?"

"The another main limitation is that of strength, skill and endurance."

"That sound's more physical."

"In a way, your magic need to be exercised in the same way your physical body does, by devoting time to meditate on your magic aura and harnessing its power it will grow in strength."

"I've been doing that for the last few months, but nothing."

"That was because you didn't understand how to control your magic, you know it takes willpower and that it can't break the laws of physics, as well as your stamina, the more to push to do something beyond your current level the faster you will end up physical exhausting yourself."

"Like I did before, anything else I can't do, am I able to make myself immortal, their nothing in the laws of physics to stop me there."

"True, Inza and I have preserved our youth through our magic, but again the skill and strength to pull of an immortality spell would take decades for you to attain."

"In other words what's the point?" Josh sighed "Anything more about my magic?"

"Yes, it requires channelling, it appears unrefined and chaotic in its current state."

"Can't I channel it through the badge?"

"I am afraid not, that badge cannot be interfered with, it was specially made to be the portal for the magic to enter this plane, and any tempering with it could be catastrophic to both you and the source. You must use something of your own making or something that chooses to be wielded by you."

"So until I find something I can use to channel my magic I shouldn't try to use it"

"Indeed, perhaps instead of training you, I should enlighten you on magic as a whole."

"If you can."

"Very well, where to begin…"

"All magic," Fate said hours after beginning his lecture "no matter what kind cannot withstand Nth Metal, a heavy isotope of iron, Fe676, and most commonly found on the planet Thanagar. Another known user in the enhanced human mercenary Slade Wilson, better known as Deathstroke."

"So I should be careful if I come across it. What makes it magic's kryptonite?"

"That I'm afraid is unknown even to me," Fate sighed "but for now Master Spearing I have told you all I can of magic, from now on you much continue to strength your magic, and find an object to channel your magic, you are free to come to the tower at any time, here." A key appeared in Joshua's hand as Fate continued "If so ever you visit simply use the key and the tower shall be open to you."

"Thank you, but how do I find my way here?"

"I was about to give you that knowledge." Fate put his hands over Joshua's temples, a soft glow covered his hands and Josh's head. Josh blinked, an address and all routes to it filled his head. Fate let go and Joshua shook his head once again, before yawning.

"If you require sleep then stay the night, tomorrow I shall return you home.", Joshua nodded and walked out the room.

Inza walked in and stood be her husband "Kent, what do you think of the boy?"

"He is both intelligent and determined, I have no doubt he shall become an accomplished sorcerer, I do not think he shall be on the level of Timothy Hunter, however he may get close."

"What about the source of his magic?"

"The problems involving that may arise in the future, it would be advisable to prepare should it happen, from what the Phantom Stranger has said it will most likely be unpredictable."

The glowing ankh portal appeared beside the tree in the garden and Josh stepped out. He took a deep breath of the fresh air that he now realised he missed so much even after only a day or so away from home.

Breathing out a sigh, he glanced down at the badge 'Now what am I going to do about you? Don't want to be a staff or wand welding wizard, too cliché, plus it wouldn't go well with the look I want for Rorschach.' Shaking his head he took another breath to calm his thoughts, before re-entering his home with a happy cry.

In an instant his mother came running and embraced him "Josh sweetheart." She sniffed and tears trickled down her face.

"Mum, I was only gone a day or two."

"I know, but a mother misses her child no matter how long, Josh can you get me to the sofa my legs feel faint." Josh did so.

"Where's Dad?"

"He's asleep, late night, decided he should sleep in."

"Actually," said a familiar voice, Nicholas stood in the doorway "I got woken up by a chap shouting about being home.", Josh smiled and hugged his Dad, Nicholas grinned "So my old chap, tell us about this little adventure of yours.", Josh nodded and both men took space on the lounge sofas. Josh smirked "Are you sitting comfortable, then I'll begin."

"So," his mother said finally "what are you going to do about this channelling?"

"I don't know," Joshua said shrugging "I've already got a design idea for my outfit as Rorschach, but I don't want to spoil it with a wand or a staff, and a cane? True I'll get taller, but it just doesn't feel right to me," he sighed before getting up "I'm going for a jog, is that okay?"

"That's fine sweetheart." Suzanna said, Josh got up and existed the house.

Josh stopped outside the arcade to catch his breath, a drinking fountain stood nearby so he took a sip. A group of teenagers walked out the arcade, some with smiles and almost bouncing with energy, some with grimaces and hands in their pockets, one of the angry spoke "Man, that machine is rigged, Prince Silver doesn't do a thing I tell him to do, the controls on that games are worse than the Power Glove."

"Oh god Johnny," one of the girls said "don't get me started on that piece of shite."

Josh looked at the gang as they walked away 'Power Glove?'

When Josh got home he research the Power Glove, which led him to wired gloves type of computer controls. The idea of a technological enhance glove intrigued him, and a spark of inspiration hit him, if his magic had to align with science then it stood to reason that his magic and technology could in fact mix.

Over the next few days he began to design a pair of gauntlets, his mother gave him advice on the technology. In the end his gauntlets became a form of portable holographic computer, projectors built into the wrists would display a monitor and keyboard, and a linked to his own propose built data storage unit in his bedroom.

With two objects of his own crafting he then refocused on his magic training. Starting by mediating with the gloves on.

Suzanna kept a sensor on her son, primary to have a constant check of the energy levels, while the readings a few months ago said the energy posed no ill effects she wanted to be sure.

After a few days to get himself accustom to this arrangement he felt he should return to the Tower of Fate to resume his training, but problems arose, Josh lived in California, while Salem, Massachusetts, on the opposite side of the USA held the Earthly entrance to the Tower, and he knew the impossibilities of a ten-year-old boy traveling over three-thousand miles.

Joshua needed to learn his skills as a sorcerer himself.

Suzanna pressed the intercom button "Are you ready Josh?"

"Yes Mum." Josh sat in a test room in STAR Labs with a computer in the room.

"Okay Technology Possession and Scanning test six begin.", Josh placed his hands on the processor. A soft red glow permeated from his gloves and covered the computer system.

After a minute or so he let go, panting slightly "I've got the insides of that computer scanned, can I get a drink of water?"

"Of course sweetheart." The door opened and Josh walk out the test room as passed his mother looking at the monitor 'He's gotten better, every single detail this time, if he continues with this, who knows.'

With the help of his mother and STAR Labs resources Joshua learnt to control his magic, the few lab assistants that helped with the experiments promised to keep Josh's aspirations of being a superhero a secret, the lab assistants just like being able to study a new form of magic, coined 'Techno-Magic'.

Josh graduated early at age fifteen, meaning with school out the way, and preferring to consider college at an older age, he could devote his time to his superhero persona, finally assembling his costume.

His first patrol of Jump City went rather odd.

Downtown and sitting on a wall he took a breath of air through his shifting mask as he looked out towards the bay.

A scream nearby broke his thought.

A woman passed the opening to the street quickly followed by a group of motorcyclist.

Rorschach tipped the brim of his hat 'Chocks away.', jumping of the wall and ran to the street.

The motorcyclist, three in all circled the female, girl around his age. His mask formed a scowl like shape as the fume of the engines, and the fact that these men would attack a defenceless woman, made him screw his face.

He held out his gloved hands and concentrated. A force-field made of a red energy that wisped around like fire covered the girl. The cyclist stopped and quickly surveyed the area.

"Good evening." a low voice said, the four people in the street turned. A figure walked out. About five foot six and dressed in a light grey trench-coat. A high wing collar shirt with red cravat, a dragon badge pin to it. Polished shoes. A wide brim black fedora with a red ribbon around the diamond crown. The most striking part, the mask, black and white and constantly changing shape, this person looked inhuman with a face like that. "I'm here to put an end to your bad show."

One the three cyclist jumped off his bike and ran. The figure raised his hand and a force-field wall made of the same energy as before appear, which the man ran straight into, knocking himself out.

Another of the three rode toward the figure, who stood still. He held his hands out and a beam of the red energy shot out, like a jet of fire. The cyclist swerved violently, the tires squeal sounding like nails on a chalkboard. The force of the swerve over balanced the bike and the guy fell off. Clutching his stomach, the man got up, looked up and got punched hard in the face, collapsing to the ground.

"Hey, gangster wizard."

Josh turn and his eyes widened under his mask, the last remaining motorcyclist held the girl with a gun to her head, his grin made Josh grit his teeth "You need to better control those force-fields of yours."

"Berk, don't call me gangster wizard, the name is Rorschach."

"Well Rorschach, let me go and I'll give you the girl, take another step and I'll…" before he could finish the girl jammed her foot into the man's ankle. He let go of her screaming. She made a high kick knocking the gun out his hands. Flipped up and over her captor, landed on his shoulder and jumped off forcing him into the tarmac hard before sitting on him before speaking in a language Josh didn't recognise "Iy yal atam iy edid etay."

Josh blinked before raising his hand and casting a spell "Would you care to repeat that?", the girl looked at him wide eyed before smiling "I said do not think a woman cannot fight vomit, I didn't know someone here spoke my language.", Joshua took note of her appearance, tan skin, long braided, though slightly messy black hair, shoeless and clothed in a garment similar to a Cherokee tear dress, but only knee high, sleeveless and made of animal skin with fur around the seams and edges. Her hand gripped something, but Joshua couldn't see what.

Finally, he spoke "Well to be truthful I technically do not, I cast a spell of translation on you, and the result means you are Omni-linguistic."

"I now speak and understand all languages?"

"Correct, please excuse me for a moment I have a call to make." his thumbs pressed the palms of his gloves and the holographic screen and keyboard appear. He typed a few words and a voice called out "Rorschach, didn't think you'd be calling on your first night, what's up?"

"I've caught three motorcyclist trying to attack a teenage girl Commissioner Thatcher, their all-out cold, sending you the location."

"Got it Rorschach, I'll send some officers, is the girl still there?"

"Yes."

"What's her name and where does she live?"

"I haven't asked her that, I feel it's a bad show to be too personal."

"Well ask her and tell her stay until my boys arrive, Thatcher out.", Joshua switched his gloves off and turned to the girl "You heard the Commissioner."

"Well my name is Sun and Moon."

"Sun and Moon? Unusual."

"Yes, I am not of this world."

"An alien? How did you get here on Earth?"

"With this." She opened her hand to reveal a burnt out box like object "This is a teleport, or was. Your planet is called Earth? Why?"

"Earth is one of a few terms that means the ground, so we stand on Earth." he flinched before smacking himself "Of course, forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is…"

"Rorschach, the man you communicated with called you that."

"No, not really, that is an assumed name so I can remain anonymous so those I defeat do not attack me or my family."

"So what is your real name?" before Joshua could speak police sirens sounded and a couple of police cars stopped before them. A cop stepped out and walked up to the hero "You Rorschach?"

"Does the mask not say?"

"Okay buddy don't get shirty with me, these the three and that the girl?"

"Yes, you can take the three, however this young woman does not have a home in Jump City therefore I'll be taking care of her, I'm sure Commissioner Thatcher will be fine with it."

"Fine, I'm not arguing with a superhero, by the way good job with knocking these assholes out."

"Making sure the people of Jump City are safe."

"Amen to that." one of the other policemen said as he slammed the door on the criminals in the back.

"Well then," Rorschach said turning on his heal "I'll be off, got to get this young lady to a safe place, cheerio." And the vigilante followed by the girl walked up the street. Once of ear shot Joshua leaned into the girl called Sun "You know I've never heard vomit used as an insult.", she laughed.

"By the way, getting back to your question, my real name is Joshua Spearing, Josh for short."

After long walk in relative silence they reached the house. Rorschach took out his key and unlocked the front door, pushing it opened he called out "Mum, Dad we have a guest this evening.", Nicholas leaned out from the archway and his eyebrows raised and his eyelids rapidly blink "Josh care to explain why you've brought a rather savage looking girl into our home?"

"Long story Dad." Josh said as he took his mask off, he turned to Sun who blushed as she studied his blond locks and icy blue eyes "No need to be scared." He said.

"Who says I'm scared." She snapped putting her hands on her hips and marched into the living room, stopping when her eyes fell on Rorschach's or Josh's parents, she stood still before bowing "Hello, it is nice to meet you."

"Very polite," Suzanna said "you Native American? You look like one."

"Mum, saying that might be impolite." Josh said removing his coat, revealing a black suit with red pin stripes "Although it could be a good cover up when she's in public, anyway the reason why I brought her here, well get comfortable."

As he explained Suzanna became far more intrigued "Can I have a look at that teleporter?" the girl from another world handed her the burnt out box "Looks a little bit like a Boom Tube from Apokolips or New Genesis, still it could take months to reverse engineer a teleporter in STAR Labs."

"Do what you can," Sun said "I want to return home as soon as I can."

"What is your home planet like?" Nick said. Sun's face turned sower "It is lovely in part, but I also have bad memories of it."

"Then why," Josh asked "would you go back?"

"Family reasons."

"You left your family behind?"

"No, they, they were."

"Killed?" Nick said, Sun nodded and shut her eyes, tear formed, Josh wrapped his arms around her, she sighed and leaned into him and emitted a happy growl almost like a purr, she soon smiled and revealed fangs, Josh blinked "Are you descended from a feline species?"

"Canine actually, just hold me tight, I like it.", Josh compiled as Suzanna looked on before leaning towards her husband and whispering "Don't they look cute together?"

After several minutes Sun finally sighed and leaned up before yawning "I need sleep." she said getting up and heading for the door that lead from the living room to the garden, Nick got up "Pardon me miss but the bedrooms are that way." he pointed to the corridor, Sun turned around "I have spent my life living in forests and sleeping in trees I would prefer to keep my people's traditions." Josh conceded and she slid the door opened and walked outside and then scrambled into the tree Josh usually mediated under.

Josh watched 'Something I'm going to have used to.' he turned to his parents "I've still got an hour or two to patrol, make sure she's safe." he replaced his mask over his head, slid his coat on and flipped his hat back into place before existing, Nick chuckled "He's got a lot more flare then I even did."

When the front door closed he turned to his wife "You were right Suzanna," he motioned to the sleeping Sun on the tree branch "Josh and Miss Sun did look cute together."

The girl called Sun stared up at the night sky trying to connect the constellations 'It's so different, yet beautiful, oh Cynhund guide me in this strange place.' A sound steered she darted up and turned to a bush, her hands curled and she bared her fangs, unfamiliar with this world she might have been, but she knew how to prepare herself for a threat.

The seconds felt like hours as the bush shook more and out, came a small red fox. Sun changed from her predator stance to a different one, she slowly climbed out of the tree and whimpered motion the fox to her.

The fox titled his head and eyed the women before her, he scented her and smelt something familiar, canine, more wolf or dog then fox, but good enough, he sprinted to her and jumped into her knocking her over before licking her chin, submitting to her.

Sun smiled, this fox now belonged to her, the act of submission meant so, she stroked the head and down the back, just missing the brush tail.

"You can't keep him as pet." said a voice, the two looked up as Nicholas leaned against the doorway, "It's illegal in this state."

"I don't think he's going to be a pet, more like a friend, he can come and go as he pleases but he'll have a home here."

"Yet another secret to keep in this house." Suzanna called "Also Miss Sun starting tomorrow we need to get you new clothes, you can't go around wearing those skins in public, people will think you weird."

"I am from another planet."

"But you look so human people are going to mistake you as a human, also you need a human name, can't call you Sun in public, how do you spell you name anyway?"

"S A S U, K A Y, S A R."

"Sasu?" Nicholas question and Suzanna "Isn't that Japanese for to shine?"

"I think so," his wife said "fitting, maybe we could say it's an alternate way of the Wintu word for sun, Sas."

"Are these the Native Americans you talked about earlier?"

"One of the tribes at least, and from very north of the state, by the way you going to name that fox?" the now re-identified Sasu look at her new companion "How about Cynefrith? That's the name of the youngest of the great Cynhund's pups." the fox licked her fingers she chuckled "Hello Cynefrith."

Commissioner Horatio Thatcher sat at his desk typing up the report from earlier motorcycle attack. A knock sounded from the door.

"Yes?" the Commissioner said. The door opened and a policeman walked in "Hey chief, that Rorschach guys come, wants to speak with you."

"Let him in." the cop nodded and moved aside as Rorschach walked in. The policeman closed the door and a silence filled the room before Rorschach spoke "Good evening Thatcher, hope I didn't make too much of a mess with my first patrol."

"Actually Josh you did well, those three been causing problems before, all born in Easy Street."

"Dad said that was the roughest street in the city."

"As someone who spent five years trying to avoid that street I can attest, anyway any real reason to be here other than getting a pat on the back?"

"I wanted to discuss Undertaker."

"Mitchel Winker? Guy disappeared after your Dad's fight with him as "Somebody" after old Hick exposed the truth about Winker his assets got froze and we haven't heard from him since. He was already in his fifties when your Dad faced him; if he's not dead then he's too old to be a problem."

"I'm not sure, from what Dad told me about him, he was and presumably still is a mastermind, if alive he's too old to physically fight true, but he still smart, and NMT is still an active group."

"Last I heard they were taken over by a group called the HIVE."

"They sound like a problem, a group with such skilled assassins as NMT? From what Dad said the name of group meant…"

"Never Miss Target, yeah the infamous motto of the group, the HIVE thing is just rumour, you worry about something that may not actually happen and focus on the stuff that is."

"You have a point, when criminals and villains come looking for trouble then I'm here to stop their bad show." Rorschach turn on his heals "I'll see you when I see you, cheerio."

"By the way Josh, nice outfit, nice to a hero going back to the classic."

"Thanks." and the mask hero left. A detective walked in and put a folder on Thatcher's desk "You sure you want someone like that doing our jobs?"

"I'm more than sure, Jump's had a tradition of costumed heroes, and they all did good jobs, plus he's promised to only catch criminal he finds before we do or the one we can't handle."

"What do you mean can't handle?"

"Sooner or later these supervillain types are going to come here, if we find ourselves with our own Joker, or Livewire, or anyone like that then its Rorschach's job to take care of them. He's got my backing got it."

"Yes sir." and the detective left the room.

Josh returned home to find his parents sitting in the living room looking out to the garden, see the alien girl playing about with a fox, his eyes widened and he pulled of his mask "Is she safe?"

"The fox has taken a liking to her." Suzanna said who then told her son about the correct name of their guest. Josh nodded and walked outside, closer to the pair playing he flinched "Sasu, wait, something off with the fox."

"Cynefrith is only playing."

"I don't mean that, I sensing a small amount of magic coming from him." Sasu stopped and looked at Cynefrith then back to Josh "Not dangerous?"

"No, like my own it's nothing to get worried about, but can I just check." she nodded turned to Cynefrith and growled an order, literally, and the fox sat down. Josh smirked and sat in his meditative position before taking a deep breath. He let is magic surface, his red fire like aura covered him, in response Cynefrith let his power surface as well, a blue glow shone.

After a minute or two Josh opened his eyes "You're a Kitsune and very young only just eleven." he turned to Sasu and his parents "He's a fox youkai, a supernatural creature from Japan, Doctor Fate told me they evolved from a group of Fae that ventured far east." he looked back a Cynefrith, "Are you a Zenko or a Yako, tap a paw once for Zenko, twice for Yako.", the fox titled his head before tapping his paw on the ground once, Josh smirked and turned to the others before standing up "We're in luck, the Zenko are the more benevolent type, he may still be mischievous but nothing malicious." Cynefrith walked up and rubbed his head against Josh's thigh.

Nicholas crossed his arms "Supernatural or not, he still looks like a fox, it's illegal to have foxes as pets." Suzanna giggled "Says the man who initial fought crime as a vigilante, Josh is the first hero in Jump City to have police approval from the start."

"That's beside the point, I had good reasons to be "Somebody", there's no real reason why he should be here."

"He submitted to me," Sasu said gritting her teeth, staring like a predator "he is now my companion, and as I said before Joshua came back, I'll allow him to come and go as he pleases."

"What," Josh said stroking the kitsune's back "happens if he's caught and killed. Until he's a thousand years old, and according to Fate that's rare, he's as vulnerable as us. He's too young to have a human form, he needs to a hundred for that."

"And if he stays here someone will find out, call the police, and he'll be put down."

"Then what?" Sasu shouted, Josh put his hand on her shoulder "Next time I see the Commissioner I'll ask him what the city's view on urban foxes are, for now Cynefrith will have to fend for himself."

Josh got his chance the next morning, out on a jog he saw Thatcher walking out the Police Department building, he stopped "Good morning Commissioner Thatcher."

"Morning Spearing, just get a copy of the morning paper, no one put one on my desk."

"Hey can I ask you something?"

"Good ahead."

"What's the city policy on urban foxes?"

"Basically leave them be, the city took the UK route of banning the hunting of them, only animal control is allowed to sort them out, though I've never seen an urban fox anywhere in Jump City, have heard of them why'd you ask?"

"Well, we kind of befriend one, though he's technically not a fox, you've heard of youkai yes?"

"Have, not surprised if they exist, this fox one of them?" Josh nodded.

"Can't really do much if he's trapped, what'll probably happen is he's released into the wild."

"Right I see, thank you Commissioner."

"Anytime Josh, see you later."

Josh went home and explained to Sasu and Cynefrith the situation, as long as the kitsune avoided captured would be fine. The clever young kit understood and nodded before rushing out to the garden and out into the street.

Josh watched as the brush tailed animal disappeared from sight and turned to Sasu the two sat on the carpet both wearing normal clothing "That's a very nice dress you're wearing, light red's a good colour for you."

"Thank you Josh, your mother thought so too, where are your parents by the way?"

"Both at work," he explained their jobs "Mum's probably gone into STAR Labs to start looking at that teleporter of yours."

"Your mother is a scientist?"

"She's more of an engineer, she made gadgets and devices since before I was born, is something wrong with her being a scientist."

"No, I am just unnerved by scientist is all, I have bad memories of them."

"You were experimented on?"

"No, but my race was, my race the Kunnu, were specifically bred and genetically modified from canine like creatures to be a servant race."

"You were bred to be slaves?"

"No me, I was born free, after hundreds of generations, a mutation happened some of the Kunnu regained their wild predator instincts, managed to escape and bred, the Dyreus, the dominate race, called us the Exkunnu."

"What made you want to leave?"

"A distant cousin tried to assassinate a high ranking Dyreus, when the attempt failed a planet wide order was put out that any Exkunnu seen were to be killed on sight."

"As a predator you could see it was impossible to fight so you had to flee."

"My family lived near a regular Kunnu settlement, itself near a Dyreus city and we had contacts within that settlement, and one happened to work for a Dyreus working on a teleporter, the Kunnu took the prototype and gave it to us."

"How did you know to come here?"

"We didn't, the teleporter was keyed into the astronomical directions to find planets suitable for colonisation, whether they were occupied or not didn't matter we were about to activate it when an assassin found us and, and."

"Killed your entire family"

"I only managed to escaped by pressing the button and hoping for the best."

"Well, you ended up here and meet us."

"True, but I don't know if I can call this planet home."

"Sasu I promise to you that I'll make you as welcome on this planet as possible, by the way have you come up with a name to go out in public with?"

"I wish to use Sasu as my first or Christian name, your father suggested I combined Kay and Sar, into one to make a surname, when he said it out load you mother then said to change it to Kaiser, what does that mean?"

"Kaiser is a title, it means emperor or leader, Sasu Kaiser, not bad, has a certain ring to it. But more importantly do you like it?"

"I think I do."

"Hang on," Josh said blinking in thought "with the spell of translation you should have been able to know the meaning."

"Perhaps when a word is being said as a name, though when we first might I said my name was Sun and Moon, not Sasu Kay Sar."

"Maybe the spell was still forming and translated everything, that's all I can think of."

"Perhaps, Josh could you please hold me." Josh compiled and held Sasu's head as she fell asleep, he looked at the sky thinking about Sasu home planet 'She wants to return, but she'll be killed, why would she?' he sighed as a thought struck him he looked down at her 'If this is about revenge then I try and change you, you're too good to be consumed by revenge, I promise I'll make your life here a good one, then perhaps you won't want to go back.' she stirred and turned her head causing Josh to cup her check, his lip twitched into a smile "I promise it's for the better."

Author's Notes

This is the second "Long" Fanfiction I've written. The first being the now abandoned Bleach OJD.

The genesis of this story came out of my wanting a story that subverts the clichéd Rorschach in another universe story where Doctor Manhattan sent Walter Kovacs to this other place instead of killing him.

I don't believe Doctor Manhattan has the power to send someone to a parallel universe. He's extremely powerful yes but his powers are nuclear based and about manipulating matter on a sub-atomic level, what does that have to do with parallel universes?

I choose to include Death from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, partly because The Sandman is one of my favourite comics, and partly because it makes the most sense the Endless have been shown within Sandman that they exist across parallel dimensions and other such realms within DC Comics.

Anyway, as hopefully you can tell this version of the DC Universe is a mix of both the Teen Titans world, the DC Animated Universe, and some elements from the comics. The Shadow was for a time a part of the DC Universe.

The stuff about Somebody and the previous heroes of Jump City are stuff of my own invention, Nicholas and Suzanna Spearing, Thatcher and Judy Allen were characters in an original, and unfinished work which I decided to add into this to give the new Rorschach a backstory and supporting cast. Sasu wasn't a part of that, she's an invention for this story. Cynefrith and Kitsune Youkai are a small nodded to Inuyasha, one of my favourite Anime.

Joshua's Rorschach costume comes from a couple of things. The cravat and high-wing collar is a reference to the common stage magician style superheroes. The grey trench coat is a reference to Inspector Gadget. But overall it's the same silhouette just different substance making it.

Just something for future reference. Stand-alone episode will be done generally out of order from there airing so don't be surprised to have an episode from season three or four in the first season story arch.