Heroes of the Storm
Author Notes: While there will be six main universes cross into this story. Characters from other stories will appear in the story. (Such as some crossovers via other games or comics)
Chapter 22: Destiny's Revenge
August 2nd, 2012
House of Mystery, Outside of New York City
"Why aren't we inside?" Zatanna said as they all get up after exiting the gate, Seraph had cast to bring them back to the House immediately.
"Because Ritchie's taken over the bloody House, that's why," John said as he gets up and walks towards the House. "This is what you get for having mates. Ritchie, you're going to listen to me whether you want to or not! Open the bloody door!"
The door slowly opens, allowing them to walk inside. Ritchie was standing by the fire, without his cane, and looking much younger than they last saw him.
"Too late, Johnny Boy," Ritchie said as he turns to face them. The Dreamstone in his possession as he holds it in front of them. A red barrier surrounds Ritchie emitting a dark surge of power. Ritchie quickly lifts all of them up and holds them in place.
"Ritchie, please!" said Zatanna.
"I'm sorry, Z, I do like you," said Ritchie. "but you wouldn't understand."
"Stop now while there is still a chance to save your soul," said John.
"Said the man who skates away from his responsibilities and everything else. Since you got me infected with the Curse, Johnny Boy. I had to search all over the world for a cure. It wasn't easy, but I found one. This Dreamstone will eat the curse inside of me, giving me immortality while surcharging me to new heights," Ritchie said as he clutches his fist in triumph. "Of course, what I found was only a small chip part, so I had to hunt for the rest of it, that's why I tricked the demon three to bring the rest of it to earth. It would've been so easy to take it from them. But Rock Star Johnny fuck everything up as usual, so I had to get you all to bring me in here, while I frame Faust to keep you distracted."
"You've been played Ritchie," said John. "the Stone isn't sentient. It houses a Dark Lord who calls himself Destiny. Destiny is the immortal one, but he no longer has a body. He needed a host, and you have given him your body and soul."
"You're only pissed off because I won," Ritchie said as the chip Dreamstone in his hands begins to emit red lightning.
"I wish that were the case," John said sadly.
Ritchie's hand began to emit smoke as he looks at it in confusion.
"This can't be right," said Ritchie. The big Dreamstone moves from his hands and into Ritchie's chest as he begins to scream in agony. "What's happening? John, help me!"
The chip Dreamstone reattaches itself to the main body, allowing the Dreamstone to become whole once more. Ritchie slowly disappears as a new figure took his place.
"For fifteen hundred years, I've waited," Destiny said, stepping forward. "fifteen hundred years I've planned."
Destiny conjures a barrier to surrounding himself from all harm.
"Really? I guess fifteen hundred is the new three hundred," John said. "What say we share your beauty secrets over a pint?"
"A God does not prattle with mortals," Destiny said as he raises his hand and cast a spell at them.
A massive explosion erupted within the House, annihilating it as Destiny takes off towards New York City.
The smoke clears as Zatanna stands upright, revealing a magical barrier protecting the group from Destiny's attack.
The moment Zatanna barrier drops, she collapses. Seraph catches her in his arms before she could hit the ground.
"Is she going to be okay?" asks Boston.
"I don't know," said Seraph. "As I stated before, magic is our lifeblood. If we deplete our magic within ourselves, we die. She needs a healer to help her recover. Morgan, come forth!"
Seraph calls out to Morgan, even though she was miles away.
A pentagram appears before them as Morgan le Fay appears before the group.
"Once again, despite not wanting adventure, you find ways to get caught up in one," Morgan said, looking at Seraph.
"Restore the House of Mystery," Seraph orders. "then tend to Zatanna so she can recover."
Morgan looks at him as the House that was once destroyed suddenly began to reassemble itself back together.
Morgan takes Zatanna in her arms.
"You have your own work cut out for you," said Morgan. "I'll join you as soon as I can."
Seraph nods his head in thanks as he disappears from the group.
"Where did he go?" asks Boston.
"He's chasing the one calling himself Destiny," Morgan said as she places Zatanna on a bed and begins using her healing magic to heal Zatanna.
"I should have never brought her back," John said as he looks at Zatanna. "selfish bastard, I am."
"What's important right now is stopping Destiny," said Batman.
"He's right," said Jason. "He'll have the city within the hour… the Eastern Seaboard by dawn, and tomorrow, the world. Then there will be nothing to stop him. He'll be a God."
"Well, we don't need another one of those mucking about," John said, standing up.
New York City, New York
Seraph arrives in New York City to see the city ablaze. Chaos had filled the city as people were either running or attacking one another. Destiny's influence was already spreading faster than he considered.
Seraph conjures his Patronus to take flight once more. Hedwig flies into the night sky, emitting a powerful shockwave of energy that lifts Destiny's spell he had on the people.
Everyone stops as they look upwards, seeing the strange white bird flying overhead, lifting everyone's curse as they look to what was going on.
"Who dares defy my will?" Destiny bellows as the fears and torment he was feeding on had ceased.
A bolt of blue lightning came charging at Destiny as he remains floating in midair. His barrier takes the bolt giving a sound of high-intensity electric static coming off as the spell ends.
Seraph comes down as Destiny looks at Seraph.
"You foolish mortal," said Destiny. "You dare challenge a God?"
"Why do all you idiots call yourselves a 'God' knowing you will never reach such heights?" Seraph said as he casts a pentagram.
Several arcane blades launch themselves at Destiny, hitting his barrier… the sound of energy discharging upon impact.
Down below, everyone watches as Seraph, leader of the Avengers, fighting an unknown individual merely thirty feet above them. High energy attacks could be seen coming from the unknown person and by Seraph.
Seraph releases a high powerful whitish-blue energy blast towards Destiny as unleashes maroon energy at Seraph.
Batman lands on the ground with John Constantine. The two look upwards as Boston floats above them.
"He's not strong enough to defeat Destiny," said John.
"Destiny is strong, but he's not stronger than Seraph," said Batman. "Seraph is holding back."
"Holding back? For what?" John said with a raised eyebrow.
"Seraph could easily destroy Destiny if he wanted to," said Batman.
"Then, why doesn't he?" asks Boston.
"The amount of power he would need to destroy Destiny could also destroy a large portion of the city as well. That means he would kill countless civilians in the crossfire," said Batman.
Seraph flies upwards, avoiding the magical trap Destiny had cast to stun him. Seraph cast a dissolving spell upon Destiny's barrier, only for the barrier to reflect his spell.
Seraph teleports as Destiny again tries to capture him with his magic.
Seraph reappears above Destiny as Destiny looks upwards at him with malice intentions.
'His powers is to feed off the fear of others,' Seraph thought as he analyzes his opponent. 'He won't fight me any higher than he already his as he still is feeding off the small levels of fear the people are giving off. At the same time, he's starting to become more cautious about the amount of magic he is using. Without this city erupting in panic and fear, his source of magic isn't enough to have him fight me evenly anymore. The Dreamstone is also keeping him anchored in this world. Working similarly to a Horcrux. I have to separate the Dreamstone from Destiny, or this battle will never end.'
Superman arrives on the scene and cocks his fist back before he smashes it against Destiny's barrier.
"Damnit," Seraph mutters, knowing that Superman tried to appear like the epic hero the world has seen him before.
"That's not good," said Boston.
Superman turns and looks down at the people with glowing red eyes.
"What's wrong with Superman?" Jimmy Olsen asked Lois Lane upon seeing Superman now acting strangely.
A white energy blast hits Superman in the back, sending him crashing into the ground as Seraph appears before him, attacking him again with his magic.
Superman cries out as Seraph's magic continues to zap and drain him of his strength.
"I can take care of Superman," Batman said as he rushes forward to handle the Man of Steel.
"Sorry to ask you of this, Jason," John said to Jason.
"At least you're asking," Jason said before walking forward. "Gone, gone, the form of man. Arise the Demon Etrigan!" Etrigan shouted as he appears on the ground. "So Calls Constantine once more, just like a greedy, wanton,"
"Save the bloody rhymes, and top that git!" Constantine shouts at Etrigan.
"Killjoy," Etrigan said with a smile.
Etrigan leaps into the air and attacks Destiny before he could reassume his attack.
"Etrigan, I've had many years to think on how to deal with you," Destiny said as he turns attention away from Seraph fighting Superman.
Etrigan continues to unleash hellfire upon Destiny's barrier. Etrigan didn't stop and kept pounding away.
"Call this poetic justice," Destiny said as his Dreamstone glows and unleashes a powerful attack at Etrigan point-blank range.
"Holy crap," Boston said as he looks at Jason Blood and Etrigan on the ground, lying unconscious.
"Looks like you finally beat the curse, my boy," John said, kneeling beside Jason. "Wish it were under happier circumstances."
A portal appears as Zatanna arrives with Morgan le Fay.
"Help Seraph," Morgan said as Zatanna flies upwards to as Seraph reengages Destiny.
"We got to do something to help?" said Boston.
"We need a trojan horse," Morgan said. "Destiny's barrier cannot be broken from the outside without serious collateral damage. One of you needs to get inside Destiny's barrier and take away the Dreamstone. That is the source of his power, without it, he's powerless."
Morgan's body outline glows white before she levitates to join the fray.
"Where are we going to get a trojan horse?" said Boston.
"You're the Trojan Horse," said John. "Hide inside me, I have an idea."
The spells hit Destiny's barrier sent sparks of magical energy flying all over Times Square. Destiny remained on the defensive without the ability to manifest people's fears.
Destiny sends a spell towards the glowing white owl, hoping to destroy it so he could finally manifest on everyone's fear to overcome these foolish mortals.
"You dare challenge a God!" Destiny shouts at Seraph.
"You're no god," said Seraph. "You're nothing but a hollow man who is afraid."
"Once their hope is gone, I will show you my true powers!" Destiny said as he magically grabs the owl.
Instead, his maroon energy begins to turn white as the owl began to purify his magic.
"No!" Destiny shouted as his barrier began to disappear.
John Constantine rises on a magical platform, holding a spell in his hand.
"It's time you disappear," John said as he cast a spell at Destiny. Instead, a bright light erupts blinding Destiny and everyone. "Now, Boston!"
"Trick or Treat!" Boston shouted as he enters Destiny's body.
Destiny cries out as he falls to the ground holding his head, trying to remove the poltergeist. Destiny struggles but finally removes Boston from his body.
Destiny stands up, looking very angry at the fact he was being bested by individuals he viewed lesser than him.
Destiny raised his hand and was about to resummon his barrier when a sword appears in his chest. The Dreamstone finally got knock out of his possession.
Jason Blood appears holding Etrigan's sword. He walks over as Destiny falls to his knees.
"Is that a sword in your chest? Or you happy to see me?" John said with a broad smile.
"Merlin sends his regards," Jason said slyly. "Oh, and you lose."
Destiny glares at Jason as he turns to his Dreamstone and attempts to summon it to his hand.
A blue octagon pentagram surrounds the Dreamstone, causing Destiny eyes to widen in alarm. The pentagram begins to dissolve the Dreamstone into dust.
"It's over," Morgan said as she floats down with Seraph and Zatanna.
"I am a God!" declared Destiny.
"A true God does not fear death, because they are beyond death," Morgan said calmly. Her glowing white eyes of pure arcane power holds no hint of remorse. "Death circles you ever closer."
Destiny glares at Morgan before he looks up around him to see the Shrouds arriving to take him back to Hell.
"No! I'm a God! Get away from me!" Destiny shouted as the Shrouds grabs Destiny and pull him down to Hell.
Richard 'Ritchie' Simpson appears before the group once more.
Ritchie comes to but suddenly gasps when he sees some of the Shrouds didn't leave when they took Destiny.
"Johnny, I was – I was under a compulsion," Ritchie said as he tries to get away from the Shrouds who closes in on him. "You gotta save me. You owe me. You owe me!"
"Sorry, mate," John said reluctantly. "I can't take the chance Destiny hasn't left some part of himself inside of you. I can't take that risk."
Ritchie's face looks at them in disbelief as he turns to Seraph, knowing he could save him. Before he could say a word, the Shrouds pulled his soul from his body and began to drag him to Hell.
"Help me!" Ritchie's soul screams. "Help me, you bastard! Help me!"
Ritchie's soul disappears along with the Shrouds into the depths of Hell.
"That was unpleasant," said Boston.
"So, Merlin's spell hath ended," Etrigan said, walking up to Jason Blood.
"It would seem so," Jason Blood said, turning to his former demon. "though it's a bit of 'good news, bad news' sort of thing."
Jason Blood groans as he holds his chest as Etrigan grabs him to stop him from falling.
"What's going on?" Boston said as they see blood coming out of his chest, right where his heart was located. "he wasn't wounded."
"Unless I miss my guess," said John. "That happened on the day he was bound to Etrigan."
"And now that I'm not," said Jason.
"I'm truly sorry, Jason," said John.
"Don't be," Jason said with a smile. "It's a welcome end."
"I'm sorry, Jason," Morgan said as she looks at him.
"I'm glad to be free," Jason said, turning to Morgan.
"Not what I meant," said Morgan.
"Once they were one," Morgan said as she begins to chant. Jason Blood and Etrigan's body rose and began circling one another. "Bound by a shared destiny. Trap in the form of man, I bound the demon, Etrigan, to the mortal Jason Blood."
The spells end as Jason Blood appears on the ground with Etrigan no longer seen.
Jason stood up and looks at his wound that was now gone.
"You rebound me to Etrigan?" Jason said, looking at Morgan.
"Your destiny is not yet over Jason Blood," said Morgan. "That's why I apologize to you in advance, knowing you both would hate me for bounding you both again."
Jason stood there looking stump at Morgan.
"How's Superman?" Seraph asks Batman. The spells he cast on Superman were meant to drain him. Seraph knew that magic could hurt Superman as much as Kryptonite.
"He'll live," said Batman. "I'll talk to him regarding this matter."
"We really need someone to speak to the press," said Seraph. "If these incidents keep popping up and we get caught in the middle. Then I can only imagine the stories that would be spreading that wouldn't put us in a good light."
"I got a good idea on who can take the role of the Avengers public affairs," said Batman.
"I'll be back at the Island tomorrow," said Seraph. "I'm going to rest at the House tonight."
Batman said nothing as the magical door of the House of Mystery appears as everyone, but Batman walks inside.
"Now that Destiny has been taken care of," John said as he conjures a bottle of whiskey with a pair of cups. "How about you drop me off in London?"
Everyone looks at him before turning to Seraph.
"What are you thinking?" asked Jason Blood.
"I'm thinking of keeping us together," said Seraph. "Others like Destiny will appear."
"I don't think we can handle another Destiny," said Boston.
"Is this because of the Convergence?" asked Zatanna.
"I don't know," said Seraph. "All I know is because of the Convergence, threats will emerge. Both seen and unforeseen."
"Is that why you rebound Etrigan to me?" Jason asked Morgan.
"Yes," said Morgan. "That's why I apologize in advance to the both of you. I know you both have long sought to be free of Merlin's spell, but your destiny is not over."
"I would have been happy to die a Knights' death," said Jason.
"There are factors none of us have taken into account," Morgan said. "It would be wiser to as many allies as possible moving forward."
"You still cannot see what caused the Convergence?" Harry asked Morgan.
"No," Morgan said as Harry outfit disappears. Harry lets his hair loose, having been under the hood for hours. "And that's what concerns me."
Harry said nothing as he sits down, thinking hard.
The Convergence effect left more questions than answers. The fact the answer to what caused the Convergence unanswered made them worried. Even Raiden, the Thunder God, couldn't find an answer.
"Why is that a big deal?" John said as he sits down.
"It's not so much we can't see what caused the Convergence, but the reasons why as well that is concerning," said Morgan. "The person or individual responsible had to be very powerful to evade even my sight. It's unsettling knowing the Convergence happened without warning and without knowing why."
"Could the person recast the Convergence?" asked Harry.
"I don't know," said Morgan. "to simply merge six universes into one is no easy task. It would also take centuries of work to undo the Convergence. At this point, undoing the Convergence is out of the question."
It will also cause a lot of damage to the six universes if they attempt to undo the Convergence and made one mistake. Since the Convergence appeared, everyone has finally gotten used to the Convergence of countless people and cities.
"Why do you hide who you are?" Jason Blood asked Harry. "It seems you went to great lengths into hiding your hiding identity from the world. Why?"
"I hate it," Harry said simply, referring to the time people would stare at him, given the famed he had in the Wizarding World.
"You don't like people knowing who you are?" Zatanna said with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I hate the attention that I get with my fame," Harry said. "The only thing I've ever wanted to be; was normal. Be an ordinary kid with typical problems. Sadly, I always tend to get sucked into some adventure, and I have a serious hero complex."
"What you don't like being a hero?" said John.
"No," said Morgan. "He cannot stand by while others are in trouble. This is his greatest strength and his greatest flaw. Personal loyalty. If the decision one day comes to save his loved ones over the world, he will choose his loved ones. It's also this type of character that will allow him to act to save others."
"So, you're saying there will be others that require our attention?" said Jason Blood.
Morgan conjurers an illusion of a woman wearing a mask with a young child by her side.
"The Witch," Jason Blood spat in disgust.
"I see you are acquainted," said Morgan.
"Who is she?" asked Seraph.
"Morgaine le Fay," said Jason Blood. "and her son, Mordred."
"She could be my older sister," said Morgan. "Given the Convergence and how the timeline has been altered, it's very safe to assume she is my sister."
"You never said you had sisters," said Harry.
"Not many people know of the Le Fay sisters," said Morgan. "There are three of us. Morgaine, the oldest, is a vile witch who hungers for power to form her own kingdom. Morgana is the fairest, doesn't take sides in any conflict. I'm the youngest."
"What are you?" asked John.
"Wise, Fair, and hungry for power," Morgan said without a care.
The others look at Morgan in alarm.
"Don't get me wrong," said Morgan. "I'm not like my older sister, who views others beneath her. I understand others have a strength; I never will. My hunger is that of learning spells. Not political power."
"Charming," said John.
"Is Morgaine making a move?" said John.
"I have no doubt she had a play in these events," said Morgan.
"To test us?" asked Zatanna.
"To study us," said Morgan. "The Convergence has left many with many uncertainties. Morgaine likely whispered into Ritchie's ear about the Dreamstone and put these events into motion."
"That's disturbing," said Jason.
"Which is why we should continue to stay together," said Harry. "There will be other events that will require our attention, and we have a better chance of succeeding together."
"I'm down," said Zatanna.
"I might as well stay," said Jason Blood. "I assume you're going to teach me spellcasting, so I don't have to rely on Etrigan."
"I don't mind," said Morgan.
"Wankers," said John.
Avengers Island
The next morning Morgan walks through the halls of Avengers Island for the debriefing on Destiny's attacked. The rest of the Avengers wanted answers, and they were going over the details of Destiny's power.
"Morgan," Batman said, stepping out of the shadows. "We need to talk."
"I'm assuming this isn't about Destiny," Morgan said, looking at Batman.
"No," said Batman. "what are you really after?"
"Can you clarify your meaning?" Morgan said, looking at Batman. "There are many things I am after."
"Why are you standing behind Harry Potter?" said Batman. "With your power, knowledge, and influence, you could rule half the world without any trouble. Why do you simply pretend to be a mere advisor to Harry Potter?"
"I'm not pretending," said Morgan. "I am serving Harry Potter. As for your question, I'm not interested in ruling the world."
"Why?" Batman said.
"Because I don't trust myself," said Morgan. "Yes, I could easily rule this world, I could even rewrite history to my liking if I so desire. Like Harry's original master and mentor, I, too – stay away from political power. For the same reason why you don't kill."
Batman looks at her in surprise.
"You have a good heart, but I question your effectiveness," said Morgan. "Murder can bring order – if utilize correctly."
"That's why we need to rise above those we stop," said Batman. "to be better."
"Keep telling yourself that," said Morgan. "Do know that for every wicked soul you spare, the blood they spill on their hands is on your hands."
Batman glared at her and realized she had been expecting him to confront her.
"I won't change your beliefs or your ways, but don't try to force your ways onto others," Morgan said before walking into the meeting room. Leaving Batman behind, starting at the back of her head before she disappears.
"Hmm."
Triskelion, Washington, D.C.
"Must you smoke here?" Sonya Blade said to her superior as he takes a puff from his cigar.
"Need to get it out the way," said Jax.
Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and Takahashi Takeda had been assigned to another special unit team under senior agent Phil Coulson. Takahashi Kenshi, Takeda's father, walks up towards them with his blindfold on and his sword at the ready.
"You also volunteer for this?" Sonya asked Kenshi.
"The Shirai Ryu wishes to keep an eye on certain developments around the world," said Kenshi.
"I can't wait to hunt Black Dragon," said Sonya. "time we bring the pain to those motherfuckers."
"Yeah," a guy said in S.T.R.I.K.E. gear. "there's no guarantee we're going after Black Dragon. Then again, we don't know much of anything, do we?"
"Lieutenant Sonya Blade," Sonya said, offering her hand to the soldier. "I'm a newly recruited S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent with level six clearance."
"I know who you are, Brock Rumlow," said Rumlow. "Saw the shit you pulled in New York. Got to say, not many S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents would have survived that. To stand toe to toe with Hawkeye and the Widow, impressive."
"It's been almost two months since the invasion? We're just getting together?" said Sonya.
"Afraid so," Captain America said, walking forward. "Sonya, I understand you're going to be my X.O."
"That means I'm back to be the Sergeant of the squad," said Rumlow.
"Gentlemen," Nick Fury said as he walks forward. Black Widow and Hawkeye were walking behind him. "and ladies. I know you're all curious to know why you are here, so I'll simply tell you. Welcome to S.T.R.I.K.E."
"Is there something special about this team?" said Captain America.
"The Convergence has left us in a shit storm," said Nick Fury. "After New York, we have safely determined around ten percent of the alien tech hasn't been recovered and most likely have gone to the Black Market. In response to these growing threats, the World Security Council has agreed to assemble this team as a First Response against terrorism and other threats."
"No different from what I used to doing," said Sonya.
"Captain Rogers is your team leader," said Nick Fury. "After looking at your records, Sonya Blade is X.O. Agent Romanoff will oversee gathering intel. Your first mission is a hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. Several Wakanda political officials are being held hostages by Private Military Company that is basically a front for terrorism. They are being transferred through the alps to an unknown destination."
"You want us to rescue the hostages?" said Captain America.
"Our window is closing fast," said Nick Fury. "Get in, save the hostages, and see what you can learn."