Disclaimer

The characters used in this story are NOT owned by me. They are the property of DC comics and Warner Brothers. I have used those characters to put up this story which is ENTIRELY A PRODUCT OF MY IMAGINATION.

Chap 28

In the bat-cave, Batman is trying to contact Dr. Fate

Batman: Darn it! Still can't get him!

A voice from behind: Your man has got no sense of timing, Batman!

Batman: (without turning around) Waller! What did he do now?

Waller: (Stepping out of the darkness holding Bruce's arm) He ran off from the meeting.

Bruce (the robot): This was important. Like the bat-signal!

Waller: This is what you taught him?

Batman: What is it, Bruce?

Bruce: Aneroid...

Waller: In short, Luthor thinks Aneroid can be insane too.

Batman: What? This was important, I couldn't get to communicate with Dr. Fate.

Bruce: told you!

Waller: Have you any idea what Lex might've...

Diana walks in

Diana: Waller!

Batman: Don't worry, she's with us.

Diana: If you say so.

GL and flash rush in

GL: Dr. Fate is here.

Batman: Good, God!

Flash: Don't speak too soon. (eyes at Waller) Do we have company?

Batman: Forget her! What did you mean "Don't speak too soon".

Dr. Fate enters, in a bad shape

Diana: Great Hera! What happened? (helps him to a chair)

Dr. Fate: The natural balance is disturbed. My magic is eating my soul.

Batman: Easy Dr. Fate! Hold up! (preventing him from falling off his chair)
What happened?

Dr. Fate: The souls are captured. They are damaged, damaged souls! Damaged...

Batman: What happened?

Dr. Fate: Someone has turned our magic against us. The sacred art will only rest when the body and soul part each other.

GL: How? When?

Dr. Fate: The chest of holy magic, has been broken...they're dead...ah...(falls off onto the floor. Batman prevents his head from hitting the ground)

Batman: Who're dead?

Dr. Fate: Jason, Zatanna, my wife, and now...(unconscious)

Batman: Dr. Fate! Dr. Fate, open your eyes, talk to me? What do we do to revert it. Dr. Fate!

GL feels the heart

GL: He...he's dead!

The body of Dr. Fate crumbles into ashes. Batman withdraws his hand with a jerk

Flash: What...did that just...happen?

Batman is too shocked. He's staring into his arms, wide eyed. Dr. Fate just died in his hand

Waller: (stunned) This is more serious than you imagined!

Diana: (trying to steady herself) What is this Bruce?

Bruce (The mechanical one): I am not programmed to face such situation.

Diana: (weakly) I wasn't talking to you! (putting her hand on Batman's shoulder and kneeling beside him) What is this?

Batman tried to speak but his voice only faded into a mumble as tears appeared in his eyes. "Zatanna"