Heroes of the Storm
Author Notes: As I'm sure some of you are wondering and possibly getting confused on – I'll address heroes and villains depending on what they are wearing. If they're in costume or 'uniform' then by their Hero/Villain Alias. If civilian or non-combatant, then by their real name.
Chapter 21: The Dreamstone
August 2nd, 2012
House of Mystery, Spatial Space
"Want to explain what is going on?" John asks as they walk down the street.
Seraph holds up an illusion image of an object in yellow light before the group.
"I've never seen that object before," said Zatanna as they walk down the street.
"Neither have I," said John.
"These attacks will only increase and are the stages for a larger attack coming," said Seraph as the illusion ends.
"Can we stop these attacks?" asks Batman. "it's hard to get a pinpoint on these attacks if they're random and can appear anywhere?"
"The attacks are not random," said Seraph. "it's defiantly magic that's causing these attacks, but magic, much like psychics, have rules. The magic works by influencing others to see demons attacking. Not everyone will be influenced. Only those who have negative emotions. This magic feeds on those emotions while influencing its victims."
"Is that why we're heading back to Richie's place?" John asks wearily.
"Afraid so," said Seraph. "your friend Richie is an expert in magical artifacts. I'm hoping he can identify the object and tell us who might have it in their possession."
"Are you forgetting that your friend despises you," Boston chimes in at John.
"This is far too important for hurt feelings," Said John as he walks forward. "if these attacks are only the beginning, then that means some bloke is plotting an attack on a much larger scale."
"I want our 'empowered' individuals to remain on Avengers Island," said Seraph. "I can already see many of our empower heroes falling under its influence and tearing apart the world."
"Who would have that kind of power?" asks Boston. "and for what purpose?"
"Unknown," said Seraph. "could be a side effect of the Convergence. Could be something else."
"Then we need to know who is responsible and where they are hiding," Said Batman simply.
"Given that none of us has detected the presence of the individual, I would have to say they are hiding behind a magical barrier," said Zatanna.
"You mean like the wards on Avengers Island?" Batman asks Zatanna.
"Wards are defensive protections on one's property against intruders and invasion," Seraph explains. "Barriers are more of a military version of wards to defend against attackers. Depending on the type of barrier, it would be difficult to find someone."
"How do these attacks work exactly?" asks Batman.
"As I stated, the attacks influence negative emotions and feed off them," Said Seraph. "these negative emotions are common among the people. Stress, jealously, anxiety, anger, resentment, fear. It manifests these emotions inside the person while feeding of their lifeforce. It's very much liked a magical parasite and not a good one you want to encounter."
"Is there any way to counter this type of magic?" Batman asks at once.
"There is," said Seraph. "You need an incredible amount of willpower to resists the magic's influence."
"Are you safe to pursue this case?" Batman asks before Seraph could continue. "You are one of the strongest individuals on the planet. Your magical powers could destroy this world in a matter of minutes."
"I'll be fine," said Seraph. "I can resist its influence. You should see me shrug off the Imperius Curse and Love Potions."
"Love Potions?" Batman repeats with curiosity in his voice.
"There is no way to manifest love," said Seraph. "love is not something that can be created. It only makes the user have a sort of obsession and thoughts of the individual."
"You have experience in resistance love potions?" Zatanna asks, looking at Seraph.
"Yeah," admits Seraph. "in my sixth year at Hogwarts, countless girls tried to hide love potions in my drinks and food. Few even succeed. This one girl was constantly persistent, Romilda Vane. She spent the entire year trying to get me to fall in love with her."
"Why?" Zatanna asks, unable to hide her curiosity. "why would these girls waste so much time chasing after you?"
"In my world, I'm perhaps the most famous wizard next to individuals like Merlin," explains Seraph.
"All this when you were sixteen?" Batman asks as this was the first time Seraph talked about his school years.
"I was famous when I was a year old," said Seraph. "in my world, I'm the only person to have ever survived a killing curse."
"Is that a big deal?" asks John.
"It is," said Seraph. "the killing curse – is one of the three unforgivable curses. The use of them on any other individual will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban – for life. The Killing Curse is an unblockable curse that cannot be counter by any type of magic. It kills the victim instantly. I've survived this curse, twice."
"Twice?" Zatanna repeats with her eyes open wide.
"So, you're an immortal?" Constantine said in curiosity.
"I don't know," admits Seraph. "even Morgan isn't sure what I am. I may be the closest thing to an immortal. Someone with longevity that has an impressive healing factor."
"That's impressive," Boston said, who had surprisingly remained silent during Seraph's explanation.
"Not really," said Seraph. "I have no fear of death and would expect if Death claims my life, I will welcome my soul being claim by Death. I'm not sure when my end will arrive. I only know I would welcome my end without regret."
Zatanna looks at Seraph with a stern look. Inside, she couldn't help but admire Seraph, even more, knowing that he accepts his death so readily and honorably.
"Oh no," John suddenly said as they saw Richard's house.
The Shrouds had come back once more, and they were heading inside the house. John rushes forward, heading toward his friend.
"John Constantine," said one of the shrouds. "you've arrived just in time to witness –"
John causes a spell banishing the shroud as he enters the house. Richie was on the ground with the shrouds hoovering all over him. He wasn't alone. Jason Blood was beside him. He turns and sees the group enter the apartment before he quickly turns and bolts, trying to escape.
"Jason!" John shouts as he gives chase.
"John!" Zatanna shouts as John disappears into the house, chasing Jason. "help Richie!"
"You cannot stop us from claiming his soul!" the shroud declares.
"Go away!" Boston shouts as he attempts to fend the shrouds off. As there were a dozen shrouds around Richie, a couple were able to grab Boston as another grabbed Richie's soul and started pulling his soul out of his body.
"No pulse," said Batman as he checks Richard's pulse.
A bright white glow with flapping wings suddenly appears over Richard's unconscious body causing the Shrouds to cry out into the night. The owl Patronus circles around after the disappearance of the Shrouds, sending a warm feeling towards everyone in the area.
"What is that?" Zatanna asks, looking at the beautiful owl.
"My Patronus," said Seraph at his Patronus. The beautiful movement and beautiful brought back a beautiful memory of his beloved Hedwig. The companion and friend he's had ever since he started his wizard journey. A tear nearly escapes Harry's eyes upon seeing his greatest friend he lost during the Battle of Seven Potters.
Seraph was brought back to the words Dumbledore spoken to him at the end of his first year, how the ones we loved are never truly gone. Even if Hedwig was no longer physically here, she remains inside Harry's heart.
Richard gives a gasp of breath as he looks at Batman's injection in his chest.
"Why?" Richard said in agony as he looks at Batman before falling unconscious.
"I see you have a few tricks up your own," said John as he walks back with Jason Blood bond behind him.
"Not everything requires magic," said Batman as he pulls out his injection and back in his utility belt.
"We're going back to the House of Mystery," said Seraph as the door to the House suddenly appears. "we should be safe there are we regroup to figure out what is going on."
The enter the House as everyone walks inside. Seraph moves Richard's body inside the house as John sets Jason in the middle of the room. Seraph takes Richard to one of the bedrooms where the Orchid appears over Richard, offering him some treatment.
"He fades," Orchid said as she offers him the best healing.
"Do what you can for him," said Seraph as he looks at Richard's unconscious form. Seraph narrows his eyes as he couldn't sense anything from Richard, as if he feared Seraph seeing something, he didn't want him to know.
"He fades from this plane," said Orchid.
"He's the only with answers to whom attacked him. Try to keep him alive so he can tell us who was responsible. Also, have him tell what this artifact is," said Seraph as he shows the illusion of artifact.
"Understood," said Orchid.
Seraph appears back in the lounge where Jason Blood remained bond with John Constantine staring down at him.
"Alright, I'm going to make this clear once, mate," Said John coldly. "you and I are going to have a little chat. If you even think of summoning Etrigan, then I'm going to fill your lungs with ash before the first verse is complete, savvy?"
Jason nods his head as Jason bonds disappear. Jason rubs his wrists upon being free.
"The situation is not as seemed," Jason said calmly. "Richard's apartment was like that when I arrived, Richard as well."
"You were all over him!" shouted Boston.
"I was attempting to help him," said Jason. "When you all burst in, I'd knew I would get blamed and start throwing spells at me, so I ran."
"Do you believe him?" Zatanna asks John.
"Jason's not the murdering type," said John. "He's chock full of honor, loyalty, and rubbish of that sort."
"He's speaking the truth," said Seraph. "Jason Blood, do you have any idea who attacked Richard?"
"I'm afraid I don't," said Jason.
"Then tell us why you were there," said Batman, stepping forward.
"Richard is known as a collector of the supernatural and has an Encyclopedia knowledge of countless artifacts. I wanted to see if he could help me gain access to this place."
"Why would you want to break in here?" Boston asks, looking confused.
Jason did answer as he walks up to the dream stone Seraph had won last night against the three demons. "I wanted this," Jason said, looking at the dream stone.
"A broken dream stone? You risked everything for a worthless trinket?" Said John in confusion.
"If only you knew what this was as I do," said Jason. "This isn't an ordinary dream stone. It is an object created by one of the earliest Dark Lords in modern history, my history. It's called the Dreamstone, but it's really the stuff of nightmares. This is the answer you've been looking for on the recent attacks. The only artifact capable of influencing people from around the world to cause them to lose their minds."
"I was a young knight, green as grass with visions of battle-won glory dancing in my head," Jason said as he begins to tell his story. "These thoughts were dispelled thoroughly. A Dark Lord emerged who called himself, Destiny. He sought only one thing in life, and that was absolute power and a chance to make himself immortal and rule overall. Only Merlin stood in his way. Merlin once told us he was an Alchemist, very accomplish too who lost his way. Before he went insane. Destiny forged the Dreamstone with dark magic that kept him nearly immortal. He used it to subject people to their most terrifying nightmares and feed off their torment to grow more powerful. I did what I could against Destiny, but it was Etrigan, the Slayer who saved the day. Destiny was defeated that day, but Merlin knew he would one day return long after his own time had ended. To ensure that Destiny's plan would not destroy the world, I became bond to Etrigan for the past fourteen hundred years."
"I didn't think you'd give it up willingly, and though this piece is useless without the other half, it's far from powerless. I know Destiny seeks this half and seeks to reunite with the half he currently possesses," Jason said, looking at the Dreamstone.
"It's safe enough where it is," Said John, walking up towards Jason.
"Displayed like a tourist trinket in a Karachi bazaar?" Jason said, looking at John as he attempts to grabs the Dreamstone. His hand simply moves through the Dreamstone without touching the stone.
"Neat, isn't it?" said John. "I may have lost the House of Mystery to Seraph, but the House doesn't simply let anyone take anything out of here without the master's permission. Every object you see here is protected by the House. Keeping all items out of phase, so no block can run off with them. Speaking of which, I'm going to win the House back."
"Assuming you have anything left to trade," said Seraph.
"Still the timing of the stone's appearance and its power isn't a coincidence. Destiny is clearly activated once more and is causing this chaos as a distraction in search of this Dreamstone. We need to find him," said Batman.
"Easier said than done," said John.
"Destiny is hidden from all magical detection," Said Seraph. "he's going to remain hidden until he's ready to strike. Though I know exactly how to develop a countermeasure against Destiny."
"Really?" Jason said with a raised eyebrow. "How?"
"Chocolate," said Seraph simply.
Everyone looks at him with a raised eyebrow and as if Seraph had grown a second head.
"Hmm," Said Batman. "will that truly be effective?"
"You're not seriously thinking that eating chocolate is going to help us defeat Destiny," Said John, looking at Batman.
"It won't beat him," said Seraph. "it will help us from falling under his influence."
"Are you serious?" Jason Blood said with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Chocolate causes the release of endorphins in the brain, helping individuals feel happy," explains Batman.
"In my world, chocolate is a good countermeasure once you've been exposed to a Dementor," said Seraph. "Destiny is no Dementor, and truth be told, I rather face Destiny than face a Dementor."
"Okay, time out," said Zatanna, bringing her hands up in a T. "what's a Dementor?"
"Hmm," Said Seraph, looking upwards on trying to figure the best way to describe them. "The best way to imagine them is thinking of their cousins you met at Richard's house earlier."
"There was no one there besides us and the shrouds," Boston said.
Said Seraph nothing as he looks at Boston.
"Wait a minute," John Constantine said as his eyes open wide. "you're saying that?"
"Shrouds look very similar to Dementors," said Seraph. "Only Dementors don't deliver souls to hell; they eat souls from humans. They are very foul and dark creatures. Both widely feared and terrified. They are one of the few mythical creatures that actively hunt humans. They suck all hope and happiness from their victims. Forcing you to relieve your worse experience repeatedly. If you remain exposed to them within a certain amount of time, then those of us with magical powers will slowly lose them."
"Have there been any dementor's attacks since the Convergence?" Batman asks at once.
Seraph shook his head.
"None that I've seen," replies Seraph. "I've kept a sharp eye out for the Dementors. I don't know if they survived the Convergence, and I would be terrified if they were roaming this world. In my world, we used them to guard our worse criminals. Many were driven to insanity and madness after living with these things after a week."
"Why do they feed on humans?" John asks as Zatanna elbows him in the gut.
"As I stated, we are their food," said Seraph. "they don't eat our flesh if that's what you're wondering. They are dark creatures. They need to feed on our emotions. They take away our happiness and leave us with misery."
"Azkaban must be a miserable place," Said Batman.
"You have no idea," said Seraph. "I've never been, but I've been exposed to the Dementors. I have a small idea of what the prisoners go through. It's not a place I want to visit."
"What did you mean earlier when you said they 'feast on human souls'?" asks Jason Blood.
Seraph was about to answer when Orchid makes her appearance.
"Your friend is awake," Orchid said.
"Ritchie," Said John as he runs to his friend's side. "who was it? Who attacked you? I swear I'll make them pay."
"Faust," Ritchie said in a weak voice. "Felix Faust. He wanted," Ritchie coughs, unable to finish his sentence.
"Stay with him," said Seraph as they walk out the room.
"Felix Faust," said Batman. "his name has pop up in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database. There isn't any location on his whereabouts."
"Wizards don't exactly use credit cards and have a social media account," said John.
Seraph conjures a large book of every known wizard out there. Felix Faust page appears in front of him.
"I've had run-ins with Faust before," said Zatanna.
"What can you tell us about him?" asks Batman.
"Selfish wizard," said Zatanna. "He won't hesitate to sacrifice the world for power and knowledge. He seeks a way to acquire all the knowledge in the world while also acquire eternal youth."
John attempts a locator spell to find Felix Faust, but the locator spell wasn't working.
"What's going on?" asks Boston.
"If this was a computer, I'd say it's broken," said Batman.
"Locator Spells are a lot like G.P.S.," said Seraph. "as with any G.P.S., there are ways to block its signal. Felix Faust clearly doesn't want to be found, meaning he's up to something."
"Can you counter and try to locate him?" asks Batman.
"It depends on his security measure," said Seraph.
"There is another way," Said John as he lowers the pin. "but it requires asking for a favor with someone I don't have the best relations."
"Someone else despises you," Jason said, looking at John. "shocking."
"Who?" Boston asks at once.
"Dr. Alec Holland," said John.
"Swamp Thing?" Said Batman, looking at John.
"Come again?" said Seraph, looking at Batman.
"Before the Convergence, Doctor Alec Holland was working on a bio-restorative formula that would turn deserts into forests. Trying to restore the eco-system," said Batman. "That was until a group of mercenaries hired by one of his scientific rivals set a bomb in his place at his research lab down in Houma, Louisiana. His body engulfed in the burning experimental compounds. Holland tried to douse the flames in the swamp, the chemicals reacted with the surrounding bayou. Holland transformed into the Swamp Thing."
"How would he help us exactly?" asks Seraph.
"I think I know where John is getting at," said Zatanna.
They walk out of the house and found themselves in the middle of the swamp.
"The House is useful," said Seraph as the House disappears. "I can actually make a home of the House."
Seraph floats in the air and follows John deeper into the swamp.
"Why aren't the mosquitoes all over you?" Boston asks Seraph.
"Simple Bug Repellent Charm," said Seraph. "It's elementary spellwork."
Zatanna was floating beside Seraph as they look around them.
"Go away," A voice said within the swamp.
"I don't like that," said Batman.
"He's a loner," said John as he lights a match and drops it into the water. The fire soon turns into a fiery platform before moving forward. "Swamp Thing, I know you're seeing this. Come on out, or the posies get the crisp."
The water begins to emit bubbles as several plants begin to form itself into a humanoid figure that covered in green and had all types of leaves on his body.
The figure looks at John with his red eyes.
"John Constantine," said Swamp Thing. "you dare threaten the green?"
Zatanna rushes forward, having experience John's habits of pissing off people before getting help.
"Dude, your social skills are horrendous," Boston said, flying to John's.
"John's threat was only to get your attention. We aren't here to hurt any plants," said Zatanna in a kind voice. "but our need is urgent. Don't let your personal feelings for John help us do what is right."
Swamp Thing looks down upon Zatanna as the others look on as John looks at himself now covered in swamp water.
"You have a garden," Swamp Thing said, looking closely at Zatanna.
"I do," admits Zatanna. "I find it relaxing, and I water it every week. We need to find a wizard by the name of Felix Faust."
"A single human among your teeming masses," said Swamp Thing. "I only know of John Constantine because he enrages me."
John gives a half-hearted smile as he shrugs his shoulders.
"How about a trade?" said Seraph as he floats forward.
"A trade?" said Swamp Thing. "what would you have to offer the green?"
"There is a summit fast approaching to talk about the Convergence and the issue of countless countries. Among the territories that are in the talks are the Atlanteans," said Seraph.
"What of them?" said Swamp Thing.
"They want to stop pollution to their waters, or they will start a war that will drown the earth in endless water," explains Seraph. "We could easily add your demands for environmental protection that will help us cease pollution to the green and the world. We would ask you to help us locate Felix Faust."
"Faust lives in an observatory which is invisible to all who stumble across it," said Zatanna, knowing they had Swamp Things attention. "It's a place where Dark Magic would infect the earth where it resides."
"I will take you all there, so you're no longer here," Swamp Thing said as vines began to rise all around them. It took them a few moments later to realize they had moved to another location altogether.
"What you seek," said Swamp Thing, "lies there."
Swamp Thing points to a mountain cliff that had been cut flat in a bizarre way.
Zatanna walks forward and casts a spell that tries to allow them entry. The observatory appears momentarily before it disappears.
"Huh, that place is heavily warded," said Zatanna.
John said nothing as he approaches Swamp Thing.
"I know we've had our differences, mate, but we could really use your help," said John. "If we don't get a handle on this rotter, he'll threaten all of humanity, and then he'll destroy the world."
"What of it?" Swamp Thing said without a care.
"You were once human, just like me," Jason said, walking forward.
"No longer," said Swamp Thing. "perhaps his actions are an act of mercy, for who destroys the green more than your kind?"
Swamp Thing dissolves into mush as the vines slowly retreat into the earth.
"Swamp Thing has left the building," said Boston.
"Looks like we're going to do this the hard way," said John, looking at the observatory.
"Or not," Jason said, stepping forward. "Gone, gone, the form of man. Arise the Demon, Etrigan!"
Everyone looks at Etrigan, the Slayer, unsure of what he would do, as he was very unpredictable without being fully bond to a master. Etrigan's hands glow orange from fire as a large broadsword appears before he turns and leaps at the observatory.
Felix Faust was in the middle of decrypting the runic spell as the spells suddenly dissolve, telling him that either he failed or there was an intruder in his observatory.
His roof suddenly explodes as several large rubbles came crashing down.
"Who dares?" Felix Faust demands as he looks at the source of the explosion.
"I, Etrigan, bring down this house and build a tomb for Felix Faust!" Etrigan shouts as charges forward.
Felix Faust conjures a shield before he suddenly got hit by a fireball by John, who also appears to fight.
"As I would stoop to fighting with three stooges," said Felix Faust. "why don't you have fun with my guards."
The floor glows three orange pentagrams as three large demons suddenly appear. They gave loud cries as they step forward to fight them.
"From hell, we may be, it does not make us family," Etrigan shouts, charging forward.
Felix Faust chuckles, enjoying watching John, Batman, and Etrigan fight the three demons.
Zatanna appears and kicks Felix Faust in the face sending him flying as she grabs his spellbook. She brings her hand up to try to bind Faust, but to her horror, she found she had no voice.
"Do you like what I've done with the place?" Felix Faust said with a grin plastered on his face. "No woman can speak in my sanctum sanctorum. I made it especially for you, and of course, men everywhere."
Faust chuckles as he summons his spellbook back to him out of Zatanna's hand.
Zatanna glares at him as he brings hands up, forcing her to dodge his attacks.
Boston flies forward, entering Faust knowing Zatanna was in trouble.
"As a fellow showman, this is no way to treat your guests," Boston said as Zatanna quickly takes cover. "Now, settle down."
Faust and Boston began to fight for control over his body before Faust finally succeeds in removing Boston.
"Just because you are dead, doesn't mean you're out of my retribution," Faust declares as he binds arcane snakes to hold Boston.
"Oh, Zatanna darling," Faust said as he floats on his magical platform. "I know you can't speak but do give a wave. You're the only one here that's really a threat."
"Did you take into account, for me?" said Seraph as he begins to float down to face Faust.
Faust turns and looks at Seraph.
"Awe, the tv special wizard, Merlin," Faust said with a smile. "You know you gave a spectacular performance during the Invasion of New York. I hardly need to warrant any caution against a second-rate hero who only plays the hero. Let me show you some real magic."
Faust brings his hands together and fires a purple lightning bolt at Seraph. Seraph floats there, letting the bolt hit him before it dissolves as it hits him. Faust looks surprised at the outcome.
"Is that what 'real' magic is to you?" Said Seraph as he glares at Faust. "if so, then perhaps you would be wiser in performing magic tricks for nursey children. This is real magic!"
Seraph brings up his hands and fires a blue energy bolt at Faust, who quickly conjures a magical shield to protect him once he realizes he couldn't get out the way. Seraph's bolt hits Faust shield, destroying it immediately upon impact and strikes Faust in the chest, sending him flying backward into his many layers of books.
Faust gets up and wipes the blood off his face.
"Okay, so you do know some magic, but you're hardly at my level," Faust boosts.
A pentagram circle trapping Faust fast as his clothing quickly turns into bindings.
"You shouldn't have made her mad," said Seraph.
Faust looks at Seraph in frustration before he suddenly pales, knowing what was about to happen.
"Oh dear," Faust said as a surge of magical power erupts near him. Zatanna walks forward as she conjures magical swords and stood there, ready to kill Faust.
Faust turns away, seeing the swords flies at him.
Faust slowly opens his eyes to see the swords dissolving.
"What are you doing?" said Zatanna.
"Faust is despicable," said Seraph. "he's not the one responsible for the attacks. He had access to the artifact the entire time and never used it once."
"Why are you here?" Faust demand as Batman marches him forward towards Seraph. "I haven't done anything to warrant this kind of response!"
"It isn't him," Jason Blood said, walking forward as he steps over the beaten and bloody bodies of the three demons. "He simply summoned our old poker buddies in their more massive forms."
"Meaning Faust had access to the artifact for who knows how long and never gave it a second glance," said Seraph. "He properly didn't even know what it was in the first place, meaning he remained ignorant of its purpose."
"What artifact?!" Faust shouts as everyone was talking about him, without to him.
"Well, we're back to square one then," said Boston.
"Unfortunately, no," said Batman. "Your friend sent us here because he claimed Felix Faust attacked him in his home, remember?"
"But Ritchie's dying," said Zatanna.
"Is he?" said Batman.