Disclaimer: I don't own the Flash which belongs to DC and CW nor Zatanna who is also property of DC as are any characters that will be featured in this story going forward. This story is strictly being done for pure fun and in no way is an attempt to profit of the properties involved
Author's Note: Hey everyone. So this will be the first chapter I've written that wasn't written with material I wrote ages ago. I didn't plan on writing it straight away but I decided to throw an extra story in since today is Halloween. Well it's Halloween on the day I write this but because of how late it is it wasn't going to be up on that date but I hope you enjoy. If there's anything I'm doing wrong or you think could be improved upon please let me know. Anyway if you're still reading or are reading for the first time then I hope you enjoy.
December 11th 2013, 4 years ago at Slaughter Swamp just outside Starling City
Cyrus Gold was one of many Mirakuru test subjects of Sebastian Blood the apparent leader of the Church of Blood and on his orders stole equipment from Queen Consolidated and had a battle with Oliver Queen in his alter ego and after a battle Gold was left for dead. Now his corpse in an effort to not be tied back too Blood was being disposed of by Brother Daily a corrupt police officer working with Sebastian into a Swamp. Some would question the necessity when Gold had been killed already but Blood didn't want failures to be around anymore even if they were dead and again it was possible they could tie connections back to him. Daily had finished backing the truck into the Swamp as he dumped the body and some dirt into the dirty waters, leaving the body to sink to the bottom below. "It's nothing personal Brother Cyrus. But you know the price of failure."
After Daily had driven away the body of Cyrus Gold continued to sink. Suddenly those eyes began to flicker as they opened, still blood red. He swamp and rattled with rage as he emerged on the surface not even gasping for breath as he walked through the water not swimming onto the ground below. Something had changed in Gold. Now he has become more monster like. A grey almost undead creature. And yet he had no memory of what happened. Or who he was?
Not knowing what else to do Gold continued walking until he left the Swamp and made his way back to a forest area that was near outside Starling City. He noticed a camp of hunters sitting by a fire with a record player as he approached them slowly.
"You hear that?" One of the campers said having heard Gold.
The hunters armed themselves but stopped upon seeing the monstrous Gold. They were less scared and more surprised. Then they laughed.
"Little late for Halloween isn't it big fellow?" One of the hunters asked
"So what are you supposed to be Frankenstein?" Another hunter taunted as he picked up a stick and put it in the fire and waved it in Gold's face "Fire bad huh?"
Gold became angered and frightened by the fire as he then shoved the man with the fire into the fire they had set up burning him alive and causing him to drop the fire he had setting the area on fire angering him some more.
"Let's go. This ain't worth it" One of the hunters complained but before he could escape Gold grabbed him by the head and crushed it, brutally killing him.
The other hunters fired upon him but to their shock found their guns had no affect on him as he tossed them aside and broke them and then kicked one of the hunters into a tree, killing him upon impact as he then punched another in the face knocking him down the burned ground.
With all the hunters dead Gold noticed one on the ground near an area that wasn't on fire as he took his black jacket which while dusty was big enough for someone of his size now having grown bigger. It was then he heard the record player repeat a song over and over again. Solomon Grundy. Born on a Monday. Over and over again. And yet he felt he heard that name before.
"Solomon Grundy." Gold repeated "Grundy will find his soul. Grundy will find someone who knows."
And so from then on he was Cyrus Gold no more. Now he was Solomon Grundy.
October 31st 2017, 4 years later at the Central City Museum
A museum curator was showing a young man who looked to be about the age of a young teen an exhibit from Egypt "This is our Nabu exhibit. In ancient times he was said to be a spiritual adviser to the Pharaoh Ramses. These items his Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Destiny were among his treasured possessions."
"And what of this helmet?" the young man said pointing to a golden helmet in a glass casing.
"That is his Helmet of Fate. For years we've been trying to find it ourselves and put it in our exhibit but it's location remained unknown to us." the curator explained.
"I'm aware" the young man muttered
"It suddenly was just donated last week by a Miss Liv Aberdine." The curator continued still surprised it ended up in their possession after years of searching just like that. "We were more than happy to take it off her hands of course."
"What's your price range for the three pieces?" The young man asked
"Oh my boy these aren't for sale. These are priceless artefacts that belong in a museum." The curator answered dismissing him. "Now run along before your parents are worried about you."
"I just wanted to give you a more easier option. Then again it's not as fun this way." The young man said his demeanour suddenly changing to one of evil.
"What..." the curator said confused before suddenly a cat jumped on his face and scratched at him.
"Secure the items Mr. Grundy" the young man ordered as Solomon Grundy then suddenly walked up having been hiding behind a wall as he easily broke through the glass cases and took the Amulet, the Helmet and Cloak.
"What Grundy do with him?" Grundy asked as the cat named Teekl jumped into the boy's arms
"Crush him. No witnesses." the young man ordered.
"Please young man. Have mercy." The curator begged.
"Mercy is for the weak you old fool. And while I may be a naughty young man my name is Klarion." Klarion said introducing himself as he levitated the items into the air and carried them off as he walked away.
The sound of Grundy's foot crushing the old curator's head and his scream of terror sent a clear message that Cyrus Gold was indeed no more. Now he was a monster.
Brother Night's Den, Central City
Brother Night sat his humble abode surrounded by various magical themed villains who served under him be they people born with powers, meta-humans who gained their powers from him or other means or beings who weren't entirely human. His home was a sanctuary to them so long as they had complete loyalty to him. And they were more than willing to ally themselves with him if it meant taking down the visitor who just appeared in his office so to speak.
Zatanna appeared in a bright light as she faced Night who was sitting in his chair.
Night chuckled "Watch it boys. The sheriff's in town."
Immediately Ember lunged at Zatanna "You ain't welcome here witch!"
Zatanna however quickly dispatched her with a freezing spell "Eci bmot!"
"You could give your new friend Killer Frost a run for her money." Brother Night said finding amusement in her particular spell choice.
"You would know. I figured you would be celebrating. Looks like anything who's anyone is here." Zatanna said observing the inhabitants as she continued "There's my old gal-pal Nimue Ravensong. Your mommy should have told you Nim, it's dangerous to play with knives."
The woman in question Nimue Ravengsong was climbing up onto the platform as she approached Zatanna from behind with a knife "Let's hear you mumble your spells with a split tongue!"
Zatanna however simply stopped her with her hand as she then grabbed it and twisted as she knocked her off the stage "Don't need a spell for you hon."
The young boy Teddy approached her with his box "Miss Zatanna wanna see a buy?"
"Nrut yddet!" Zatanna spoke causing Teddy turn and spill his box of bugs onto the ground causing them to attack some of the other monster patrons.
"Oops sorry" Teddy apologised as some of the monsters screamed in pain.
"Whatever you're paying those losers is way too much." Zatanna said unimpressed as she approached Night who got of his chair, picking up his cane.
Night was disappointed with her however "Predictable. I expected better from you."
"I save my 'A' tricks for the paying audience." Zatanna replied as a monster approached her from behind but she was quick to cast a spell "Peerc nrut otni a tibbar." With in an instant the monster became a rabbit as she then interrogated him further "So let's talk about your surprise party at the club. More importantly your change of scenery to this Earth?"
"I've run the mystic underworld in San Francisco on our Earth for the last 40 years. I needed a change of scenery as you said. Then I realised there were more Earths out there for me to enter. But I figured it's only fair I start at the one they call Earth 1. But I knew I couldn't just control the mystic underworld. Now I'm taking the mortal half as well." Brother Night explained.
Because you think you can?" Zatanna asked him
"Because I know I can." Brother Night proclaimed "The hit was my way of saying I own Central City. Though I'm disappointed the daughter of my old friend John Zatara rewrote my message."
Now he was making Zatanna angry speaking of her father as if he was one of his buddies when he was anything but "My father called you many things Brother Night but 'friend' wasn't one of them."
Night didn't feel offended as he levitated a bottle of wine and a wine glass as he continued to speak "His loss. Yours, too. If you don't remember you're only allowed here as my guest. You intrigue me Zatanna."
Zatanna knew he was trying to tempt her. His voice and words were like poison as they seeped into her ears. But she had to ignore it.
"You walk among ordinary people as if you were one of them. They marvel at your fakery with no idea of the true miracles you perform." Brother Night continued as he poured the drink.
"Hide in plain sight. Every magician does that trick." Zatanna replied cautious but a little confused as to what he was getting at.
Night then made a magical screen appear of Zatanna meeting with Barry and Iris and then her in S.T.A.R Labs "You don't always hide. Even now you're joining with heroes to uphold the so called 'good'. Now it's my turn to ask. Why? What's in it for you?"
Zatanna was a little taken back by the fact he already knew she was working with Barry. She could only hope he didn't spy on their trip back to home too. "The world's a scary place. If I can show people a friendlier aspect of magic it benefits everyone mystic or mortal."
Night held his glass in his hand as his eyes darkened, his almost permanent grin like smile widening "Your idealism is so sweet it's cloying. I can't wait until it sours. For you and your new found friend."
"What's your interest in him and his friend?" Zatanna asked enquiring about Barry and Caitlin.
"They are unique souls. One that has seen so much torture and torment and yet quite unlike yourself his idealism remains. I intend to break it permanently." Brother Night said explaining his interest in Barry "And as for darling Caitlin. She is a soul fighting between two halves. Dark and Light. She believes she mastered them both but in the end what matters to the soul is what lies in yourself. And soon enough she'll realise who she truly is and has been all along. I see darkness waiting for you as well. And disillusion with both the humans and the mystics you've tried to protect. I look forward to the terrible revenge you'll exact on humankind one day, without conscience or restraint.
"I've often said destiny's overrated. I'd rather create my own future one day at a time." Zatanna said dismissing him but she still was determined not to let him harm Barry and Caitlin.
Night looked over at Romalthi as he approached Zatanna from behind "Admirable. And as long as we're talking faces..."
Zatanna however was prepared for the attack as she quickly cast a spell "Annataz hctiws htiw eumin"
Nimue had managed to regain herself but within an instant she found herself transported from where she was to where Zatanna originally was as she accidently ensnared in Romalthi's attack "Ahh!"
Zatanna picked up a glass of wine from the bar as she made a warning of her own "I'll warn you once. You want to lord your power over this trash that's your business. You set foot into the human world again or come near Central City's hero and his friends then I'll stop you in a way you won't like." Dropping the glass she finished with a final word "Cheers."
The glass exploded emitting a green puff of smoke and with a simple trick she was gone.
Abandoned Sanctuary, Just outside Central City
Klarion was standing at an alter as he was looking to be conducting a ritual of some kind with the three artefacts in the middle. He sensed though his company demanded his attention but he didn't need heightened senses to know that. Those footsteps would wake his fellow undead "Do you need something my friend?"
"When do we search for Grundy's soul? Then Grundy can learn who truth about himself?" Solomon Grundy asked.
"I promise you my friend as soon as we take care of this we can continue our search." Klarion promised him.
Grundy then became angry as he grabbed the young man "Grundy do everything Witch Boy asks and Grundy still can't find soul. Grundy thinks you might be lying."
"And why would I lie to you my friend?" Klarion asked him playing innocent as Grundy let him down "When I found you. All those years ago. Abandoned and forgotten by those who loved you. Whoever they were they had your soul and only together can we find it. But we also have to take care of some jobs along the way. I made you a promise. And I intend to keep it."
"Grundy understand. Grundy hate waiting though." Solomon Grundy complained.
Klarion sighed as he continued the ritual "This will take me awhile. Go scare some locals. It's the right day for it after all."
Solomon Grundy seemed to understand as he lumbered away from the Sanctuary in the direction of Central City.
S.T.A.R Labs, Central City
Meanwhile our heroes were having an adventure of their own. Barry and new recruit Ralph Dibny had just returned from an encounter with another meta-human Mina Chayton aka Black Bison. Needless to say it didn't go entirely well. While he ultimately was revealed to be his greatest enemy Eobard Thawne taught Barry everything he now knew in being a superhero and he wanted to pass that onto someone else who had been given that responsibility but needless to say Ralph was making it difficult sometimes with his attitude.
"What's wrong with you?" Barry asked him
"You let her get away." Ralph reminded him "We could've caught her."
"Yeah, I let her go, but I also saved Banks's life." Barry reminded him "That was the most important thing in that situation."
"Really, Allen? Because to me, when I was a cop, getting the bad guy that was the most important thing." Ralph said as he gave a sigh "You're the Flash. You could've saved him and caught her."
Barry in someways had seen that look before. Part of him wondered if this was how Oliver felt with him sometimes? "All right, look, Ralph. I'm always gonna make the decision to help the person in danger first. That's what we do here."
Ralph scoffed in response at this "All right, well, we'll file that under superhero lesson of the day, you know?" As Ralph walked away though he was suddenly flung back on his ass onto the ground as Zatanna teleported in.
Zatanna looked over at Barry and down at Ralph "Am I interrupting something?"
Ralph quickly got to his feet "No not at all."
Zatanna however was annoyed at the way he looked at her "My legs are fine. As is the rest of me. Up here?"
"Sorry I..." Ralph stuttered
"Who are you supposed to be exactly?" Zatanna asked him.
"I can be anyone you want me to be." Ralph said flirting with her as he stretched his face to change it slightly.
Zatanna rolled her eyes at his desperate attempt at flirtation "What's your superhero name, Plastic Man?"
"Haven't thought of one." Ralph said feeling saddened at being rejected so quickly.
"Zatanna this is Ralph. Ralph this is Zatanna she's helping us in another matter. One more magical." Barry explained.
"Yeah I got back from my meeting with Night." Zatanna said telling him where she was.
"Look Sabrina we have to get a move on so can you tell us this later?" Ralph asked as he walked away and headed out the door.
Zatanna gave him an annoyed scowl as she then casted a spell to bug him "rood esolc ni no mih"
"What did she?" Ralph asked confused before suddenly the door crushed him causing him to stretch himself so he could squeeze through.
"He's new to the superhero gig." Barry explained "I'm trying to teach him but it's not easy."
"Good luck with that." Zatanna said as she changed the subject "So you are heading out?"
"Yeah we're trying to get one step of a meta who wants a third piece of Sioux necklace." Barry explained "You can come help if you want?"
"No I better leave you guys too it. Stretchy has to learn his lesson after all." Zatanna said declining his offer.
"We're also investigating a murder. The curator at a museum got his head crushed in by something we can assume isn't human. That's kind of why I offered you to come." Barry admitted adding another part to the story.
"It sounds like Night but I was just with him and I don't think he gave off the impression he could have done that so quickly." Zatanna said feeling he wasn't the culprit "Was there anything stolen?"
"Yeah" Barry replied as he walked out of the room "A helmet, a cloak and an amulet all belonging to some guy named Nabu."
Zatanna widened her eyes as she recognised the items "Barry wait I'll..."
But Barry was already gone.
Speed Lab, S.T.A.R. Labs, Central City
Meanwhile this was going Harry acted on Zatanna's advice somewhat which Cisco in turn repeated. He would make friends while solving their problem on finding out who DeVoe was. Only thing was his "friends" ended up being other versions of him from other Earths, communicating through the use of multiverse holo-projectors. Cisco entered the room to see two of the Wells, Wolfgang Wells and Wells 2.0 arguing as Harry tried to calm them down.
"Guys! Guys!" Harry shouted. "I think the best thing we can do is figure out what is DeVoe's goal, and from there..."
"Bah! It's a simple plan from a simple man," Wolfgang Wells scoffed.
"Why don't we use the Bates-Novik metod first?" Wells 2.0 suggested. "We determine why each meta developed their super powers, and then we smash them to bits."
"I've seen a lot of strange, but this takes all the cakes," Cisco muttered to himself, having not exactly been on board with the idea. "Okay, Council of Wells, how are we doing? Have we found our mystery foe yet?"
"No. We can't even agree on what methodology to use," said Harry.
"What?" Cisco asked confused "But you've had an entire day?"
"I know." Harry tried to explain before Cisco interrupted him again.
"Wait, weren't there three of you?" Cisco asked, noticing that H. Lothario Wells was not present.
H. Lothario Wells' hologram returned as he now seemed happy with himself and he was now wearing a sailor's hat he wasn't previously. "Thanks for the merry-go-round, sweetheart. You know what I mean," said H. Lothario Wells, talking to somebody only he could see. Noticing that the council's meeting was still ongoing, he had to explain himself. "Sorry, I had to take care of some off-camera business..."
"Oh, my god!" Cisco reacted, horrified by the sight in front of him of H. Lothario Wells' pants being down. Cisco and Harry had to cover the sight from their eyes.
"I can see your Frank and Beans," said Wolfgang Wells, telling the playboy Wells what was exposed to the world.
"Come on, now. I do my best thinking commando. It's not like we all haven't seen it before," said H. Lothario Wells.
"I haven't seen it!" Cisco replied, still traumatized by the horrific sight as suddenly another light emitted as Zatanna teleported into the room.
"So the friends hunt seems to be going well?" Zatanna sarcastically asked looking around the room as she suddenly jumped at the sigh of H. Lothario Wells "Holy... stnap pu!"
And with one spell cast H. Lothario Wells' pants were back up. Both Harry and Cisco were grateful her magic could transcend even if it was a hologram.
"We're kind of busy at the moment Miss Zatara can you come back to criticise later?" Harry asked her.
"Yeah I know. I got to catch up with Barry anyway. He has no idea what else he's in store for. I just wanted to check in on you but I can see you're tied up. Let me know how you and yourselves work things out." Zatanna said as she teleported herself out of the room.
"That chick is like she runs on magic am I right?" H. Lothario Wells asked as everyone remained silent.
S.T.A.R Labs, Central City
Iris had just finished explaining to Barry and Ralph where the third necklace was. Turned out it also was at a museum and thanks to their warning it was now being transported to a storage facility in Brookefield Heights.
The two heroes had just left to intercept it as Zatanna teleported into the room. "Damn it."
"What's wrong?" Iris asked her.
"Barry said he was going to go to that museum to investigate a murder and missing artefacts right?" Zatanna asked
"Yeah once he secures the necklace which is being taken out of the museum." Iris explained
"Well I'm more worried about the items unaccounted for." Zatanna said her tone now sounding more worried.
Iris didn't like this change in attitude "What's going on here Zatanna?"
Zatanna sighed as she began to explain "Thousands of years ago the sorcerer Nabu served as spiritual adviser to the Pharaoh Ramses and a magical protector. Eventually he divided his power and his being into three separate pieces. An amulet which contained his power. A Cloak which allowed him to fly and a helmet from which he stored himself inside. Whoever took wore the helmet would become a whole new kind of hero. They called him Doctor Fate.
"But you make it sound like this guy isn't around anymore?" Iris asked her confused "What happened?"
"The man who became Doctor Fate, Kent Nelson has now retired having been the role for a long time. He has yet to find a successor. So he scattered the three pieces hiding them in locations nobody in your Earth could find. As a magical user I had to cross over and meet him a few times. The only one that remained unfound was the Helmet but I guess that museum got a hold of it." Zatanna said explaining the history.
"So what are we up against?" Iris asked her.
"Well whoever wanted these items probably wanted them to destroy them. That way if Fate returned he wouldn't be able to stand in their way. But if they want them in order to become Doctor Fate? Well that opens up a whole new kind of problem. I got to get down there." Zatanna said as she casted a spell and teleported herself out of the lab.
Central City, roadway to Brookefield Heights
In the intervening time Barry and Ralph now in their costumes had managed to defeat Black Bison and stop her from obtaining the last necklace. The problem was a young girl had been injured accidently in Ralph's attempt to stop Bison.
Barry was in the process of comforting the family as police and ambulance came. When it came to Ralph the hero was giving him a look of regret. It seemed like he finally was beginning to understand.
Suddenly though Grundy appeared in the street terrifying the family as Barry urged them to get into the ambulance as it drove off away from the scene.
Ralph was confused as he gave Barry a look "Another caveman?"
"Solomon Grundy." Solomon Grundy said repeating his name.
"I think it's Frankenstein's monster." Barry said not sure what to make of him.
"Solomon Grundy. Born on a Monday." Solomon Grundy said repeating the rhyme.
That rhyme. It sounded familiar to Barry but he couldn't place where.
Suddenly Grundy attacked punching Ralph in the stomach causing it to stretch as he was sent flying to the ground.
Barry quickly super sped around the monster as he tried to catch the speedster to no avail.
"Little man too fast for Grundy!" Solomon Grundy complained.
Eventually though Grundy managed to grab hold of Barry by the neck as he picked him. Before he could crush him however Ralph stretched his arm to wrap around Grundy's legs causing him to fall to the ground and drop Barry as he stretched all around him angering the monster.
"Grundy will stretch Stretchy Man! Then Stretchy Man will stretch no more!" Solomon Grundy proclaimed as he managed to break free of Ralph as he grabbed him and stretch him out making him scream in pain.
"I don't think I was meant to stretch this much!" Ralph proclaimed as he felt pain.
Suddenly Zatanna appeared in a flash of light. She wasted no time in freeing Ralph "Eerf Yhcterts nam morf retsnom!"
Suddenly Ralph stretched back into his normal self as he was flung from Solomon Grundy's grasp and into a wall.
"Sorry!" Zatanna called out as she focused on Grundy "Alright ugly. Let's dance."
"Grundy will crush pretty lady and then Grundy will find soul." Solomon Grundy proclaimed as he tried attacking her as she dodged his attacks.
"Egac mih!" Zatanna said casting a spell as Grundy was then encased in a large metal case that he seemingly couldn't escape from.
"I'm glad you came." Barry said thankful for her rescue.
"Yeah. But there's something else." Zatanna said her tone changing to one of seriousness.
S.T.A.R Labs, Central City
After apprehending Black Bison Zatanna returned with Grundy to S.T.A.R. Labs while Barry and Ralph visited the young girl in the hospital. Thankfully she was going to make it but the experience had taught Ralph something. That Barry was right and he began to understood the arrogance of his ways with the two having a conversation about it in his office. The two then returned to S.T.A.R Labs to learn Chaytan had escaped and had attacked the museum again. Working together though the two heroes managed to defeat the villain and apprehend her again.
Now the question was what were they going to do about the monster and the three missing items? Zatanna had just finished telling them what she told Iris and needless to say they were pretty alarmed.
"We can't take a break ever can't we?" Ralph asked.
"In this business you should savour them." Zatanna said as she made tried to think of something "The only way we'll know where they are is we can interrogate the monster but given his lack of intelligence he might not be much help."
"Cyrus Gold." Barry said revealing his name.
"What?" Zatanna asked confused.
"He was a guy Oliver had me and Felicity track down a few years ago working for the Church of Blood. He said he had a Solomon Grundy nursery rhyme book in his home. But Oliver said he killed him." Barry said revealing what he suspected after realising where he heard that name before.
"Yeah well in our world nobody ever stays dead." Iris reminded him "How many times has Thawne cheated death?"
"I'm just hoping he's still dead." Barry said not wanting to be reminded of his greatest enemy.
"So to recap we have three missing artefacts that when you combine them together turn you into a powerful sorcerer and now we've chained up what is essentially an undead zombie?" Caitlin asked making sure she got everything.
"Just another day. It is the day for it after all." Ralph said reminding everyone it was Halloween.
They had all forgotten because the day didn't really feel like Halloween with all that was going on.
"Getting back on point the only way to find the artefacts is to learn what he knows. And since we can't get him to tell us we're just going to have to try and go inside what passes for his mind. Since Cisco and Harry are occupied with the Council of weirdos I'll have to get the answers. I need you guys to watch my back." Zatanna said revealing her plan as everyone in the room understood.
Ralph, Iris, Barry and Caitlin stood near the cage as Zatanna approached it. She then opened the door as she walked towards Solomon Grundy.
"I'm not going to hurt you Grundy." Zatanna told him gently. "I just need something."
Going through his mind Zatanna was able to see everything that had transpired. How Gold was dumped in Slaughter Swamp and how he returned as Grundy and how he has spent the last few years lost and confused about who he was with no memory of his former identity. He believed his soul was lost and if he found it he'd remember who he was. But most importantly she found the identity of the thief and who he was working with and where he was stationed. Klarion the Witch Boy.
"Damn it" Zatanna thought as she broke the link causing Grundy to scream in pain as he lunged to attack her, escaping the cage in the process. Ralph tried to stretch but Grundy smacked him aside into the wall as he then knocked Barry to the ground before he could speed away. Suddenly though he found himself frozen by Caitlin leaving him paralysed momentarily allowing everyone to catch their breath.
"What did you see?" Barry asked her.
"I know what we're up against. We got to the abandoned sanctuary outside Central City." Zatanna said frantically as she casted a spell to make herself and Barry disappear but before they could vanish, Grundy escaped his ice prison and grabbed onto them as they then vanished.
Abandoned Sanctuary, just outside Central City
Klarion had been in the time Grundy was gone consulting with the Lords of Chaos. Those on the other side the young man from Limbo Town truly answered too and was an agent with. He had been tasked with finding the pieces of Nabu's outfit to eliminate Doctor Fate one of the Lords of Order once and for all. He had finally finished preparing the ritual to destroy the pieces when he sensed the presence of his henchman but also two enemies. One he knew and one he was about to know. "I had a feeling you'd show up Zatanna. Given your new found presence on this Earth I counted on it."
Zatanna, Barry having put his costume on when Zatanna was interrogating Grundy and Solomon Grundy appeared right on cue. Zatanna wasn't pleased that the Limbo Town resident was here "You know if people like you keep showing up my stay here will be extended. I like a vacation and all but if it ties into having to kick your little ass it's not much of a vacation."
Klarion chuckled as he held Teekl in his arms and observed Barry "And you must be the famous Flash? I was wondering when I'd catch your attention."
"Well get in line. A lot of people are trying to do that." Barry said referring to DeVoe and Night.
"I'm aware you two are attempting to stop Brother Night from conquering the underworld. I have no business with that deal making twit. My goals and the goals of the ones I answer to are far greater. And it begins with the destruction of Nabu and his hero alter ego once and for all. I have found a way to destroy him and you can't stop me."
"We'll see about that." Barry said as he super sped towards Klarion.
Klarion gave a smirk as he created and electrical red attack and blasted Barry with it causing him to stop and slow down and be sent flying towards the ground. Klarion wasn't done yet though as he used the electrical attack to blast Barry and hurt him severely.
Suddenly though Zatanna casted a spell and levitated him and sent him hurling into a brick wall on the roof as he quickly bounced back.
"That stung a little." Klarion said complimenting her "You actually might be a challenge this time."
"I've always been a challenge for you kid." Zatanna said as she casted another spell.
Klarion avoided the attack as he then made a duplication spell making copies of himself as they attacked Zatanna and Barry but they managed to defeat them all leaving the original Klarion standing. "I'm bored now. Grundy my friend take care of them once and for all."
Solomon Grundy got to his feet as Barry and Zatanna attacked him while Klarion began the ritual. "Grundy kill speedy man and witch lady. Then he find soul. Klarion keep his promise."
"You think this little imp is good at keeping promises? He's the most deceitful little brat in all the mystic realm. He has the appearance of a child but the heart of a demon. A true Lord of Chaos." Zatanna said trying to persuade Grundy to not listen to him.
"Ignore her Grundy. Now do what you were supposed to do!" Klarion ordered.
"I can't exactly restore your mind Grundy but I can help you a little. I can help you open your mind." Zatanna said as she got close and put her hands on his forehead entering his mind again.
Through this mind meld so to speak she was able to show Grundy the real side of Klarion. How abusive he truly was and how little he cared for him. She also gave him a glimpse of Slaughter Swamp to remind him of where he woke up. Grundy suddenly broke the meld as he broke free and stumbled around into Klarion as Zatanna quickly managed to meld their two minds.
"What are you doing?!" The ritual will be unfinished!" Klarion proclaimed "If you interrupt it now it could result in this place collapsing."
"Then you got to get moving then." Barry said approaching him.
"But first why don't you tell Grundy what you really think of him?" Zatanna asked as she made his images appear in Grundy's mind.
Grundy was able to see Klarion on his own. How he didn't care for him and was only using him. He had no true intention of helping him find his lost soul. Now he was mad "Grundy crush Klarion!"
"You mindless fool you'll kill us all!" Klarion warned him as Grundy attacked him causing the ritual to fail and the aftermath of it to cause the roof to explode, leaving the Sanctuary to collapse in on itself. Klarion managed to free himself as he made himself disappear "You win this round. But you haven't won the war against Chaos."
Klarion had managed to escape but the items of Nabu had remained unharmed so in some respects the mission was accomplished.
Zatanna used a spell to levitate them towards her, putting them in a protective bubble to keep them safe. She then urged Grundy to come closer "Grab my hand. We can help you."
Before Grundy could grab on the ground below him collapsed as he fell but managed to grab onto the side. Zatanna tried to help him but found the Sanctuary was collapsing further meaning if they didn't get out soon they would die. Grundy felt a sense of sadness as he began to let go "Grundy sorry. Witch Lady."
And with that the part of the roof Grundy was hanging onto collapsed as he fell to his apparent death into the fires below.
Zatanna tried to levitate him out but couldn't find in the smoke and fire "I can't see him."
This was the second time today Barry had seen this display of someone being unable to save everyone "Zatanna we have to go if we don't we'll die too."
Zatanna knew he was right as she casted a spell to make them disappear in the nick of time as the Sanctuary collapsed in on itself, crumbling into a destroyed heap. Solomon Grundy the unstoppable monster it seemed was no more.
S.T.A.R. Labs, Central City
Zatanna was standing alone inside the lab. She told Night she was someone who would protect everyone both in the mystical realm and in the human realm and while the monster she couldn't save was a criminal he was still formally a man who had no memory of himself and she had let him die. One of many lost souls who was now lost to the price magic always comes with. She knew Barry was standing there as she spared him making another speech "I know you had a lot to deal with today regarding that girl and Dibny and I'm glad he's gone to make amends. I've dealt with a lot in my time many of which were losses. I'm used to it. This will be one of those."
"You don't have to beat yourself up about it." Barry told her "All we can do is our best."
Zatanna sighed "I know. I'd like to think my talk with Night today did some good. But his kind doesn't scare easily. Now the next move will be his."
"And we'll be ready for it." Barry told her "But we all got to stick together. If what you've told us is true he's going to prey on our weaknesses and fears. And we need to make sure we aren't vulnerable to him. If you need to talk I can refer you to a psychiatrist I know. Or you can always talk to me."
Zatanna smiled "It really sucks you're taken. Guys like you only come around once in awhile. Iris is a lucky woman."
Barry gave a sheepish smile not sure what else to say.
Zatanna then walked over to the three artefacts "Well I'm going to deliver these back to the owner and I don't mean the museum. I left them some decent looking replicas they won't be missing these."
Zatanna then vanished leaving Barry alone as he walked off and left the room.
Kent Nelson's House, Star City
Kent Nelson had watched the news at home of the theft of his costume which left him troubled. He thought his items were safe but it would seem evil never sleeps and now it was calling him back to the superhero world. Calling Doctor Fate back. But he knew he wouldn't live forever and needed to find a worthy successor. Suddenly he heard a noise as Zatanna appeared in the room with his outfit.
"I believe these belong to you?" Zatanna asked him "They aren't exactly safe at the museum anymore or anywhere else."
"I know my dear." Kent said as he took them from her. He then pressed a panel button on his wall as he walked into his sanctuary which like Shadowcrest had a treasure throve of magical items and books "I thought I was finished but it seems Fate is still calling me and will continue to do so until I am gone."
"Keep looking for your successor." Zatanna told him "The world still needs Doctor Fate."
"But will the world still be happy Kent Nelson is still around" Kent asked her.
"I am." Zatanna said with a smile.
"I'll keep looking my dear and thank you for keeping them safe." Kent told her as he put the costume away in the Sanctuary. When he turned around he found Zatanna had already teleported out of his home.
Brother Night's Den, Central City
Ember was livid that Zatanna waltzed her way into their sanctuary without much regard and naturally wanted payback "You can't let her get away with this."
"Obviously." Brother Night replied almost sarcastically
"What are you going to do?" Ember asked him.
Brother Night walked over to his couch as he lied down "Right now, take a nap. Be silent. I have to call an old ally and he doesn't take kindly to visitors."
Brother Night then fell asleep as he began to dream. Except where he was going. Nightmares ran all around.
Fuseli's Realm
A strange Goblin creature sensed Night's arrival into his domain "Well, well. It's Brother Night. Wizard, guru, murderer fraud! The sorriest mistake you could make was venturing unbidden into my realm. You won't sleep for a 1000 years! I promise you that!"
"Forgive me great Fuseli. I only saw an opportunity for us to strike at a common enemy." Brother Night tried to say explaining himself.
Fuseli though was uninterested "There's no enemy on any plane of reality worth me leaving my blessed nightmares for..."
"Zatanna" Brother Night said interrupting him.
Now Fuseli was intrigued "I'm listening."
Abandoned Sanctuary, Just outside Central City
Deep beneath the rubble of the abandoned sanctuary a lone figure emerged from beneath the rocks and pebbles still somehow alive. Solomon Grundy. Now he was alone again. No friends. No closer to finding his soul. But he could see things. Memories that Zatanna had tried to awaken. He saw the Swamp. Maybe there is where his soul was? Despite her kindness though Grundy felt for now he could trust no one again "Sorry Witch Lady." Fixing his jacket and dusting it off Solomon Grundy marched off in search of his soul once again. He would find it and who he was no matter what.
Author's Note: So yeah that's that chapter done. It ended up being a bit longer than I intended but I didn't want to stretch this episode to speak out. That doesn't mean we've seen the last of Solomon Grundy or Klarion though this was a set up if anything else for other stories down the road.
This story is essentially part one in me setting up a whole new universe of the magical side of the DC Universe to be part of the Arrowverse. I know in some respects the two most recent Seasons of Legends have been setting that up but I felt it shouldn't just be limited to their side of the universe that the other heroes could maybe deal with magical threats in the way Oliver did when fighting Damian Darhk. It was always my intention for me to introduce Zatanna to the Arrowverse through Flash even before the Legends made Constantine a main stay and since they have him I think Team Flash deserve their own magical adviser and ally.
The timeline is admittedly something I'm playing around with because these take place in real time I think and by this point we were into November in the Season. I changed it so I could have this horror themed fight take place on Halloween even though ultimately I didn't do much with the idea or theme it just so happened to be on that day. This what happens when I plan at the last second. I'm my own worst critic. I also combined the plot with a bit of Season 4 Episode 6 just so to show that plot isn't taking a back seat entirely, skipping around anything I felt I couldn't change or add. I had to go back and watch a bit of the episode because I don't have great transcripts to work from.
Cyrus Gold was introduced in Arrow way back when Barry first came onto the scene. They seemingly killed him off and haven't brought him back so I thought it would be cool to do that here. His introduction and resurrection is admittedly the same as his Gotham version and like that version is confused as to who he is but like his Justice League cartoon version where he feels by finding his soul he will learn the truth. Of course he doesn't realise he had it all along which makes him more sympathetic in that regard. Think of this as a reinvention of him.
As for Klarion I wanted another magical themed villain to be set up for more stories down the line. Like the comics he's a young boy from other dimension Limbo Town who likes causing chaos but is also like his Young Justice version to where he's more evil and sinister and enjoys tormenting and hurting and is more powerful being a Lord of Chaos the direct antithesis to the Lords Of Order which Doctor Fate serves.
And speaking of Doctor Fate he's another one set up for the future. Like Young Justice I'll be making him a legacy hero but someone new will take on the identity so nobody will have to make the sacrifice Zatara made. Part of me wonders is this too much for people? That I'm setting up elements of parts of the Arrowverse that essentially don't exist yet and acting like they do I'm kind of worried if I'm overwhelming people with information and so much setup?
In terms of who I'd cast as them if it were an episode of the show I don't know. My answer for Klarion would probably be Robbie Kay who played Pan in Once Upon A Time even if it seems obvious. He might be a bit too old but he still looks young enough at this point you could get away with it. Even though Klarion is labelled a "boy" I think realistically you'd have to cast maybe an early teen so he'd look slightly older. And again I don't know about Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson.
Again let me know you think I'm doing and if you've got ideas or want to write with me sometime don't be afraid to share them. And if you have ideas for your own stories particularly if they involve the magical side of the DC Universe in the Arrowverse then don't be afraid to write them. They'll probably be better than mine.
Anyway I think that's it for now but knowing me I've probably forgotten stuff. This is your friend Steve993 signing off and I'll see you next time.
