Monsters
Chapter 7: Aftermath
Lightning struck and thunder cracked but when the smoke cleared Captain Marvel still stood there looking vastly relieved. "Oh thank the gods," he sighed.
"How?" an infuriated Mamaragan demanded. "How do you still have your powers?"
"It would appear he's stronger than you give him credit for," Batman commented, secretly relieved. Captain Marvel was unusually structured for a magic user, not causing mischief or taking people's money. Besides the demigod didn't use it very often, using his brain and brawn instead.
"I talked to the gods themselves," Captain Marvel explained. "I told them about you and they decided to revoke your access. No one can take them away now and since I still have them I can defeat you. You may have been good once but the isolation caused the power to go to your head. You've been corrupted and you know what happens to those that have been corrupted."
Mamaragan was pale now, shaking his head and desperately clutching his staff. "If anything happens to me you'll have to take my place and stay here for all eternity. You'll become just as corrupted as I have."
Captain Marvel shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not but if that day comes then I trust that someone will stop me just like I'm about to stop you." A glow began to grow between his hands, forming what appeared to be a giant ball of lightning. "Thank you for everything, Wizard. I will miss you. May you find peace and joy on the other side. Farewell."
As the ball of lightning expanded Batman was forced to shield his eyes in order to avoid being blinded. It wasn't until he heard the Wizard cry out and the light vanished that he opened his eyes again. The Wizard was gone and there was a pile of ashes there instead and his staff lay discarded on the ground. Captain Marvel knelt and picked up the staff, looking at it sadly. "It had to be done," Batman placed a hand on his shoulder. "It was the only way to save Fawcett."
"I know," Captain Marvel stood. "That doesn't mean I have to like it though."
"I'd be concerned if you did," Batman admitted. "Can you send the demon back now?"
"Yes," Captain Marvel raised the staff and began speaking. The language was ancient and foreign, one Batman didn't recognize. Electricity sparked in the air around him and his eyes began to glow. The emblem on his chest glowed as well and Batman's hair stood on end. "It has been done," Captain Marvel announced, his voice sounded older, more powerful than it had before. "I shall go and repair the damage done to Fawcett City."
"And after that?" Batman asked. "Do you have to stay here?"
"Nah," Captain Marvel shook his head. "I mean I'll have to visit a lot more often but thankfully I don't have to live here."
Remembering his earlier comment Batman said, "There are rooms available on the Watchtower if you need a play to stay."
Narrowed blue eyes regarded him warily. "I don't want your pity," his voice was flat.
"It's not pity," Batman hastened to reassure him. "The offer is open to every member of the League. Green Lantern practically lives there already and somehow I doubt that you'll be as annoying as he is."
That got him a laugh and a full-fledged grin then Captain Marvel said, "I'll think about it."
"The rooms are lead-lined so Superman can't see or hear anything," Batman reminded him.
"We'll see," Captain Marvel hedged, "but I need to go. I have many things to do."
"Sure," Batman agreed and the two disappeared in a flash of light.
It had been almost a month since the demon had been banished. Captain Marvel had disappeared shortly after cleaning up Fawcett City and hadn't been seen since. His villains were still vanquished but even they weren't sure who or what had stopped them. Batman had reluctantly taken him off of the duty roster and his communicator could no longer be reached. It was, therefore, surprising to everyone when Captain Marvel appeared in the middle of the cafeteria, wielding the Wizard's staff. His costume was rumpled and he had a few cuts and bruises but appeared to be in good spirits.
"Hi, guys," he waved. "It's good to see you again."
"You too, Cap," Flash gave the demigod a wave then went back to eating.
"Yeah where you been, buddy?" Green Lantern asked. "We haven't seen you in a while."
"Sorry," he grinned sheepishly. "Being the Guardian and Protector of Magic takes a lot more time than I thought. Boy it's a lot of responsibility. Is Batman here? I wanted to talk to him."
"I'm here," Batman walked in. "It's good to see you again, Captain. How have you been?"
"Busy," Captain Marvel groaned. "I had no idea just how much stuff the Wizard had to do. Keeping balance in this realm is exhausting. Anyways, I came to apologize for my absence and to offer a few upgrades to the Watchtower."
Batman raised an eyebrow. "What kind of upgrades?"
"The kind that'll make it possible for you to reach me and for there to never be another communication issue."
Batman blinked. "I would like that upgrade very much," he admitted. "Come with me to the Communications Room."
"Sounds good to me."
"My offer to stay here still stands," Batman said as they exited the cafeteria. "And Black Canary said she's available to talk if you ever want to."
Captain Marvel winced. "I may take her up on that. I will admit I'm having some trouble adjusting. The good news is that the demon and I struck a deal so I sent him to another dimension, one with lots of other demons that taste better than I do."
Batman nodded in approval. "I had you put down on the reserve list but I can have you put back on active duty if you want," he offered.
Captain Marvel shook his head. "I appreciate the offer but I'm extremely busy these days. I'll keep in touch more often though, I promise. Who knows, maybe I'll get a Champion of my own one day, one that actually knows what they're getting into."
Batman laughed and patted Captain Marvel on the back. "I'm sure whoever you pick will make a wonderful Champion."
A/N: Wahoo this story is finally finished! Thanks so much to all of you who read and reviewed this story and I would appreciate it if you did this to this chapter as well so I can say all of my chapters got reviewed. Please?