Teen Titans - The Fighting Life – Epilogue Story – Chapter 20: Fanning the Flames
/
He didn't move.
Slade also, didn't blink. Richard's eyes were on him for once, and they were liquid pools as tears fell. He'd not been crying again, in the dark all alone? That just would not do…
"Apprentice. Why are you outside of your quarters without my permission?" Slade asked, as if Robin were a bad kid about to be brought back to his room in the middle of the night.
To Robin, he had no idea what time it really was in this dark pit.
The ever-aching decision to call it grey, was relieving for once.
As if time had no meaning to the terrified pupil of a madman.
Deep underground, but no. He couldn't tell either where the base was located this time.
How many times had he been knocked out or brought under the man's mind control to simply follow as they relocated from base to base? City to ….
Finally, Richard blinked and woke up to the fact that THIS was real.
He had his answer and grew nervous because of it.
"Are we in Gotham, or Bluudhaven?"
The question shorted out Slade's obviously strewn temperament as he tried to redirect that positive energy into something that would bring his teen captive to see the reason in letting that thought go.
~Richard. You've gotten loose again. I'm afraid it's too soon for you to know that much of my plan. ~
"Didn't I say it before?" Slade threw his palms up in a casual shrug.
Robin stayed in his defensive stance and let the man circle him, talking him out of his insecurities and the like; as if his shadow in the background, meant to be there to push a few buttons.
"I SAID." Slade came down to lean in the boy's light, face to face with a fearful gaze looking up at his mask's grin. Could a face be seen doing so by the eyes alone? Richard seemed to see it this way; like a magical fox in old Japanese folklore, he was there to trick his apprentice from his righteous path.
How Slade loved his job.
Very much. But enough was enough.
"What made you think it wasn't Gotham? Hmm? Your time here has made your mind less than sharp; we'll have to keep you on your toes –
"I'm not staying here much longer." Richard proclaimed. That annoyed the man as his head leaned back, but his hand stepped out of line to hit his apprentice across the face.
To wake him up from that silly daydream. Richard shook as he touched his reddened cheek. Anger fueled him, but he couldn't act on it. Raven had said to be careful. Right now, he had to stay alive…
"Don't ever tell me that you've given up. The moment you walk through that door, I'll have in our contract, the reason you gave me, to kill off the Titans AND the Justice League. Who's the murderer here, Dick? Am I really the one at fault for choosing this path?" He held up the useless device that had once acted as a trigger for the nanobots. Now, Slade didn't need it. He could manipulate the controls through a mind link he'd set up, thanks to Robin's infected heart and body. It dawned on the boy that HE had made it all possible.
The man had crafted him well. Turned him less than human, made him a living trigger…
Richard panted, and stepped back. Shaken with rage; his eyes wider than last time, he shouted at the killer.
"You…you sick! –
"We've been over this, apprentice…" said, Slade in a sing – song reminder. A hiss on his title. He'd fashioned himself a god? No, he was nothing but a lowly executioner.
"There is no going back. There is only this life, your promise to keep them out of harm's way, and to serve me until I'm satisfied with the end result. I'll never rest, and neither will you…." The man hissed back and the monitors lit up by what was about to rock the kid's world.
"Did you think you were the only one picking up on their conversation. Dear child, I have a right to know everything about you. But you, show no regret in what you have done. So, your punishment will be to choose."
No…!" Richard's body slumped. "No. I'll do it! I'll sleep with you! I'll kill another of your enemies…I'll infect a hero…but….no…no…please –
"Delaying the inevitable and BEGGING." Slade shook his head and went up, closer to the kid. "You shy away from these changes. Your body, your mind…your heart…. they'll all belong to me, in time. For now, you can't be trusted –
"No!"
"It's come to this. If you won't choose which hero to kill, I'll just have to draw out the –
"FINE!"
Slade turned to see Richard coming to his feet. Good, he would take this standing up. This wouldn't take at all as long as the last time.
"Cyborg…. take out…Cy…He's got a –
"No."
Slade caught that trick, and Robin's hope fell at his feet.
"Who else?"
The monitors showed the heroes, and then…
"Wally…. Kid Flash…He shouldn't have to suffer anymore…" Richard sighed out, as the bags under his eyes were a great touch.
~Stay…. calm…just do this…~
"Do?"
"I'm….just upset, but….no…Take him. I don't care…He's seen too much. His mentor… -
"Why not Speedy's mentor, then; currently going with the kid…Arsenal, these days?" Slade asked.
"Ahn…His mentor isn't dead inside." Richard gulped. Flash had been eradicated up top; his mind was that of something already dying. Slade's dose for Arrow had not been as lethal. He'd wanted him dead, but he'd not killed him.
The thread wasn't cut yet, but the threat had been made. It was time…
~Stay…. alert…coming...~
"Apprentice?" Slade had his mind readied to strike down his child's choice of a kill. The switch was likely due to a second reason. Slade came up to the boy and had reason to believe his mind was stronger.
"Let's visit your friends, together. Ending this trustless agreement to make way for another. You've not earned the right to decide against this logic, Dick. Do it. Contact the witch and your precious team. I'll wait."
Shaking his head, Richard had no idea how to –
"Fine. Then you'll lose two. I'm going to take out…let's see…"
"Slade…. Please –
"Shut up. You'll watch this. Your witch has a counter – attack, and they have a way to counter death from the probes. I know it. They've been working behind our back. This will sting, but you'll understand what must be done –
"No, I won't. You are lying about everything. Batman isn't the reason why you wanted me; it was –
"Time's up. Any last words of farewell for your comrades?"
"Just…."
Dick said this as clearly as he could.
~BE READY. ~
The switch was unlocked, and the nanobots were about to have themselves quite a feast.
/
Raven's ears picked up trouble. Rather, the alert had come from her C.O.M.M link device. Then, it was Miss Martian who had screamed.
~WALLY!~
Arsenal dragged out his device to contact one other person. They were all fine, except Wally. Who else?
Wally was no longer in the Watchtower, but his mind was shrieking out to be saved. It was acid in his body, facing it off as his hyper – fueled healing factor from his powers wasn't enough to cool the burn.
"He's going to kill em! Where is –
Cyborg was on the road, headed to where Bee was, with BB in the front seat. The car's link went on and they were left to change course.
Raven sighed and saw as Arsenal's face contorted at the picture of the man on his unit's screen that he'd just spoken to. Constantine looked on and was afraid to go after Zan, who was trying to be brave.
"Shite! This looney bastard means business, does e' mate?" He rushed over to start a spell. Maybe he could get to Arrow in time. Raven stayed with Kid, while John did with going to Ollie's home to stop the man from keeling over.
He popped through a portal he'd summoned and off he floated to the next destination.
"The Nightmare nurse won't like this one bit. Ah, what am I bloody doing? –
He saw red eyes through the vortex, as if laughing at him. Mocking his righteous move. Narrowing his eyes, John knew it. Slade's big boss was getting his jollies by watching them all suffer.
He was feeding a demon, with souls. How droll.
/
Slade was the music meister as sparks flew. Richard's hope was a withered, poorly rooted specimen. He needed to feel this anguish, but in order to let go –
Richard didn't take it well. His bot's activation had been in his palms as he turned on Slade, who could only counter a dose at a time –
"You little!" Slade dragged the boy's arm to touch his armored and bloody chest; not his, but Atom's blood. "If I die, you can't be ANYTHING! It will be the end of us both…"
Richard gritted his teeth; this was the confession he'd been hoping for.
"You aren't working alone… -
"Ungh!" The boy was shoved to the floor. His master came and straddled the kid with a punch, then another in his face and shoulder.
"Lie still."
His relief was to die? He couldn't –
He could…
He gasped in horror as the wounds healed. Over and over, he was thrown into poles of iron and rust. His gut left intact, but his shame….
It wouldn't die, he couldn't –
"I've told you BEFORE."
Slade landed another blow as Richard managed to dodge this one, only to end up drinking in the inky blood and spit from his cut upper lip.
It took no time to metaphorically "stitch" together, but his broken pride? That would take much longer.
"Batman is a thorn in both of our sides; I want you to realize what he'll do if he thinks you a threat instead of someone worth salvaging –
"Raah!" Sticking it out, Slade made him fight. Even as the famous magician John Constantine had been there beside Ollie, with book and brains in tow, he was still helpless. He knew it. The kid…wasn't going to save them.
Richard knew what to do. He suddenly stopped fighting, and started to recite on his knees, an old memory. An oath he'd sworn to the man. The man was not liberal; not inflexible either, but he preferred traditional values over a few simple sentences strung together by a deepened bond. Dick had his eyes to the floor, and then…
Just as that, he bowed. The man wanted to be king, but this…Was it worth creating a monster in your own image for…
Power? The pressure to do anything to stay alive?
Since now, Dick had to be here when his master finally left this world. He'd be looking down from a dark tower in the sky, praying for what he'd lost to be returned. Only then, would he let go of his hatred and pains.
When the fight was over.
There was still hope…somehow. He could feel it. As long as he could plan, and think of his friends…He could be destroyed physically. He could be a hero.
Slade looked back at the bots and what these probes were currently eating away at under his eye.
He searched Richard; who's pose was of someone's, who'd wanted to try something new.
Yet he had failed in his case, to woo the man as a prize that his master had fought to keep.
When would he learn, it was always about him. There was nothing left to promise. Only his loyalty.
And Slade always got what he wanted.
No matter the cost, even of an insignificant life.
"Enough chances. I won't be swayed. It's too late to go back, anyway. Apprentice." He pointed at the monitor as the probes had Ollie and Kid out cold.
His eyes didn't sway to tear, something in Richard instead; snapped.
A sacrifice to save the rest. To save the world. Himself.
"I'm sorry, Master Slade…You're right…"
The words sharply shoved pins and pokers right through his heart and mind, as Dick fought back the old "him" that would have turned into a whelp, crying against the stone concrete.
"They were my punishment. I'm sorry I doubted you, Master."
"Very well." Slade turned off the screens as the bots at last, had been put to some better use. It was a threat. A death or two to spur something greater. Richard looked colder; a bit shocked but he didn't show his master a single sniffle.
There were no tears this time. There never would be again.
"A good soldier knows to bury his dead and move on." Slade lectured and turned from the computer screens to stare at his now maturing protégé.
His little soldier.
"How do you think this little stunt will fly with the Bat? Should we think to take our plan out to Gotham City."
"Whatever, you decide. Whatever is best for me, Master Slade. I'll follow." Robin bobbed his head as the man must have been both shocked and overjoyed. Or suspected something else, but there was nothing.
"I'm pleased, Robin. Nameless. You're turning out to be the perfect apprentice…" He was praised, for swearing away his crying and hiccups to this man. That would be fine. He wanted to avoid more bodies piling up around him.
Of faces he couldn't forget.
"Thank you, Master. I'll be sure to please you well with the time we have –
"We have all the time." Slade put a hand to the boy's chin, not seeing any fear behind those unmasked eyes. Not seeing, but sensing how much the child was trying to move past his anxiety by sheer willpower.
By the trauma that he'd caused.
It was for a very good cause, lots of perks.
"See that this lasts a bit longer… I'd hate to demonstrate more of my control onto your, former friends.
"Yes, Master."
Slade let go of the boy's chin. He'd done it. How? The shock, obviously. Slade had warned his apprentice that he could take out the heroes, and he had. All this time, Richard was just stalling him. Trying to wait for a rescuer to take him home.
He was home, and here he would remain.
"You'll be by my side in Gotham, fighting the lowest of the low. I want you prepared. December. Remember it. Now, come. You'll need to train with me in the gym. I've not given you the proper attention you deserve."
Slade steered the teen to the man's private gymnasium. It had everything he would have had in the tower, or that Batman had known he'd need to provide. Dick's acrobatic heritage was what made him stand out from the rest. He had to mold it better, shape it into something the man could find useful of his talents as Slade's future partner.
"Where do we begin…Have you ever used a sword before, Apprentice?"
"Fencing, basic study of it. Never in battle. Just, wasn't ready for Bruce to show me how."
"He was going to ban it from his arsenal, I imagine. It draws fine blood, if used correctly." Slade went to one of the walls and made sure to pull out two wooden judo swords. "This would be an art form you might never have to use, but for a sword's purpose, or any other…I want you ready for anything."
Dick nodded as the sword was passed to him. It was bamboo, so it had to be reliable to work with for a first timer.
"You've fenced, but this uses a bit more strength than simply twirling a hook." Slade told him. "I want you to take up the basic stance if you remember it, and come at me. I'll block, so you have to land a hit if you can that is."
Nodding again, Dick had gone back into autopilot. This episode would not leave him until tomorrow. He felt ridged, drone like and unable to see what was above the surface of his subconscious being.
He took up a stance and told his feet to stay grounded, because the man was not just waiting for him to land a blow.
He was going to resist with all he had.
Slade and he took to their positions, formally bowed, then…
"Begin."
/
Ollie was not dead. They were NOT dead….
And as if a miracle –
Ollie had gasped back to life, while KF at Titans Tower, stayed asleep to heal.
Raven wiped beads of sweat from her brow. "I managed to somehow allow his body, time to counter the probe's damage…He should be alright in a couple of hours."
~ Good on our end, here love. He's got the crazies in em. Ugh…I shouldn't a stopped by the pub on my way to your sea - side island. Call me crazy too, but this…was a close call if I ever guessed it… I need my woes drowned out by whiskey so strong it could knock your socks ya…ugh…~ John spoke from the computer's screen as if the life he'd led was not enough to counter this kind of drain. He seemed to be in thought; as if trying to escape what had occurred. An old fried, nearly lost to a corrupt man's plans to dominate them all.
"Wasn't…magic…" He spoke to them back in Star city with a ragged cough. "Oliver isn't fully on his feet. He could be out a tad longer…Science that's found itself to be corrupted by dark forces. Bloody e'll…" The man wiped his face with a kerchief and tried to gather his thoughts together. Like a deck of cards on the floor of his flat.
Why had he felt like he'd played a losing hand?
~ We have to get the upper hand on Slade, an' fast! ~
~ Heck! We're droppin' like flies out here! This is flipped – out - coocoo - labanza! ~
"Cyborg and Beastie? Then, you got the hint to, I reckon?" Constantine whipped a hand over his temple to gather the link. Raven was helping while Miss Martian was busy with KF's recovery process. A telepath, empath, and Laughing Magician. This would be fun to see on the big screen.
"I called in for a favor from one of my old, acquaintances. She's got a hand on Ollie's vitals. It left me in blood – shock from the price I paid, but we 'ave it now. He's staying alive thanks to magic..."
~I'm sorry for this. ~ Arsenal apologized on behalf of himself and his mentor's state.
"No worries, lad. I just have to figure out a few extra spots in his noggin to get to ole' Sladey to poke is' 'ead out. Wouldn't want Ollie to thank us just yet."
~ Wait! ~
Raven's link was shot down as his hands started to work.
"If you're connected to all of this, ya twat. Then, I want some bloody answers. You're NOT gonna' hide from my magic long enough to cover your feet from this CASTIN'!"
~ Ibi in medio mentis seclusionem voco - limen peto in eum, qui discrimen inter ac medium evertendi. Ita fiat festucam! fac me per - pro hac causa, tibi concedo meam aeternam respectum! Iam habe! Fiat! ~
Latin; the oldest of few languages left to shout a curse in, or raise the dead with. He would do none of those things. Unlike Raven, going into a guarded mind like Slade's would either leave him for dead in the astral plane, or he'd have something to return with.
Those odds did not sound too peachy, but what the heck. He closed his eyes and let the spell put him into a trance, far from the Earthen plane of existence.
~ If that man's got a grip on the demon's tail, I want to talk to the real mastermind in charge for once…~
All became light, and the world fell away.
/
He blinked and looked around. Doors were present, but padlocked. Screaming from the next hall over. A torture house? Fun house?
No.
~ I'm in the mind of a fearless and sociopathic killer. Shite. Great… This won't –
RAAAHG! ~
Constantine jumped at the shattering of one's soul into the depths of a man's memories. He almost felt the realm shake. This was like a dream scape, but not entirely. A place where memories could be twisted, as a failsafe against intruders. Like him.
~ Alright, monster – pact - holder, I'm on to you. If I take this path…. Hmm, oh alright. ~ He scratched his beard and walked, not floated on. This plane felt like a reality. A real….
Backstory.
A man with two eyes, not one. Both blue. He'd just found he'd be going to fake his time in the United States army. Old school, but with purpose.
~ Okay, so where does –
A gust, and time moved forward.
The strangely familiar man…He'd had flashbacks of his time in the jungle, fighting an enemy in numbes bravely…. And then…A love interest came.
~ Oh, God…You dog, Slade…With the hots for teacher? Not to my tastes, but you have the killer instinct, mate…good on ya…~ A smoke would have worked about now, but no polluting the mind scape. He had to focus.
No, not his mate, not bloke either. Slade was…
He'd then swapped to a few months later, to a lab experiment…On the big - bad's body –
~ Ok, so you're a meta now. I get it, what's next? White hair? That's nothin' new. Am I going to lose an eye –
That was almost exactly what happened.
A boy, his youngest of two. A truly striking blonde with a delicate frame came into the picture.
~ Joey? Try to play nice with your brother, Grant. You two are family –
~ Not Joey, dad! You love him, more! You won't even take me hunting with you –
~ I wonder why not...~ Snorted Constantine as he'd only guessed how many enemies a cold-blooded warrior could carry through one lifetime –
~ I told him not until he's older but…~
The woman was beautiful. Even as she denounced all of this, violence. She looked. Ripped.
Dog, he loved a woman when she could battle an ox. Jesus…
He whistled at the picture. A bit perverse to him in feeling. This was after all, a man's mind.
~ I'd go mad too, If I –
~ I got a ring from work, have to leave again. Addie, take care of the kids for me. ~ He pecked her on the cheek and was up, out to the door.
Grant ran after his father, close to a breakdown in a few years, maybe less…in the time it took to figure it all out…
~ Dad! What about? –
~ We'll talk about this when I get back, Grant. ~ The boy pouted and hid by his mother's arm.
~ Will you go out to the park with us when you come back, papa? ~
Joey, so innocent…And yet…
~ This won't be as bittersweet…the mood has changed. ~
He was right. All the minds that John had burrowed into could not compare for what his eyes were about to witness….
That this, was a tragedy. One that spurred an everlasting unrest in the one John had entered inside of without permission.
~ I'll be back, lock up after I leave. I love you too, kids. Addie. Be home soon, I promise…~
And like that, he was gone.
/
Racking his brain, the rest fell into place. Man is experimented on in army, gaining ability to heal as super soldier reject - later after he's dismissed. Goes in to find mercenary work. The end?
~Where 'ave I heard all of that before? ~
The next page came forth, and John braced himself.
The battlefield.
Wilson…. He was a tyrant. It gave Constantine goosebumps just to be apart of the action, looking in on the blood - lust in that man's now greying eyes.
~Dear god…he IS the demon! –
~Whoa! Next page, turn it? Sure. Let's have a go at it, shall we? ~
And so….
The man came home to find Addie in tears. Grant was not there. He'd gone to his friend's house. He was safer that way.
Addie had worked with mercs to stop them in her line of work as a soldier before, but she'd not been strong enough to face a break in and Slade's long time nemesis, The Jackal all on her own.
~Bloody! You let im' in? How in God's great Earth could you leave the house unprotected…. Damn...Even I feel her pain. Oh…Bullocks, I don't know if I wanna' even see the next chapter of this shitty prick's –
~Addie! Where…Where is Joseph? ~
Staring into her eyes, she shook her head. Her eyes were as drained from crying as drought ridden reservoirs during a dry spell in Africa.
~They took him, they were after you! Why? What have you been doing? Was this your work you kept telling me about, Slade!? A killer? You promised! You promised not to lie to me, again! ~
~Again? Not a first time for us, beastie? Whoa. Ok. Let it turn now. C'mon!? Are we –
He was shoved into a lair of sorts where Joey was being kept. A hostage. Sacrifice…
Slade had donned the appropriate uniform, rushing in to save the princess. Oh, sir knight…. You noble dolt…
~Oy, this is getting to be longer than I'd bargained for. Chas just got set free in Los Angeles, but I need a pint…. seriously…Wouldn't kill to have an intermission, would it? ~ As if talking with "Time" itself, John didn't want to stay for too long, in fear that he'd never get to go back to his time.
Funny, it wasn't a guarded mind as Raven had said. He had a trap coming up. A mind was a terrible thing to waste, after all.
Especially, when it might be his own. Slade's own. A tactician, he'd never even needed a backstory to make his suspicions clear.
~Jackal! You're business is with me; not my family! You'll pay for invading my home. Harming my wife! I'll promise to bury you with your kid too, over there –
~Keep my squad outta this one, Deathstroke! I have reason to see you fall apart. I don't want you mucking things up for us. You're too much of a competition for my group. I want you to end it. No more Deathstroke, hand yourself over, and your son will be spared –
~Not a chance in hell, Jackal! You'll have to kill me first! –
~Damn it! Guns' blazin' and 'everythin? Are you suicidal, mate? Your son is…. ~ Commentary aside, the perfect spot for this story to end on…
A sour note.
~Joey…. No! Take my –
A slice, a clean cut against his throat. Blood dripped down as Joey was dropped into Slade's shaken grip.
Gargling, gasping for his mind to still. Still breathing and saved by the one who had let him fall…
Of rage. And of pure malice. Slade would never forgive himself, never forgive his enemies.
~Bad move, Jackal…You're going to burn for this! I swear it! ~
~Oh, boy…. ~ John wished he'd had shades for what came next.
Constantine covered his eyes from the flare and the explosion that was Jackal's place. Up in smoke and down to rubble. Slade had won, but with a price paid so dearly…
The deed was done, but at what cost…?
~We'll soon find out –
A pissed woman, her anger there and never to leave those eyes.
~ By damn! She was bloody buffed? How'd I miss it? ~
He'd forgotten about her army days training Slade to fight. That had been clearly stated by the deliberate backstory log.
~Slade…Wilson…!... ~
A gun?
Ah, so the crazy lovers had it out for –
BANG! *
A shot was fired round the world that day. And from that day on, Slade had only one eye to blink with.
John stood in horror at the scene.
~ Right out of a miserable comic book…Well I'll be…huh…~
Slade's eye had been shot clean off, a woman's scorn was no laughing matter.
Powerful, and deadly. After that, here he lay. An ex – father. A disclosed military contract to make him Immortal, which had nearly failed. And….
The time came to see the main event.
Instead, John was greeted to the real deal. As Slade sat to his only knee, bent and looking into the darkness. As if this were all that remained. He was in the uniform of the nefarious Deathstroke. And, his mask was pulled up. His eye shining back in the dim light. Cunning as a trickster.
~You became a cold – blooded murderer to fill the void, but…You're doin' it all wrong –
~You saw enough; I should erase you, then…~
~Wait, wait…Before you send my ass to hell, I want to know? You're working for a demon, that word is out –
~Robin was able to leave my control thanks to you. What are you, a nameless Vagabonde? Did you come here to mock my progress? ~
~No, sir! I came to get answers, with your sign of approval... ~
~Funny, I'd thought you'd have wet yourself by that scene. ~ Slade shrugged and sat up. ~What do they call you? A joke? At times, I feel bought and sold as well. An eye for what. You have blood on your palms, John. I sensed it the moment you crept inside my mind…~
~You, did…Well, I'm truly flattered, but…I have somewhere else to be after this –
~I'll humor you then. I like you, john. You don't seem to play with a winning hand, but you have all your cards before the last is drawn out. As if you already know the outcome and how to turn things in your favor. A gambling man. ~
~ Sometimes…~ The male seemed intrigued. John liked to know that he was on some level with the pros. This man was a natural at it. Keeping you from leaving.
~ Let's play a game, shall we? ~
A deck of cards and a table; a room from God knows what location as it was all within Slade's memory of a good time at the pub. John suddenly felt right at home.
~What are the stakes? ~ Constantine frowned and knew that this could be the trap he'd been biding his time for, or a way back out wasn't possible until he won a card game at the table against this old twat.
~ Hmm, you could say I like to find out my opponent's weaknesses before getting under their skin. ~
~ Sounds as right as they tell me, I'm just as much a bastard as you claim, if not worse. ~
~ Heh, then I have your attention…Sit, we'll deal in a way we can both keep from winning unfairly. ~
~ What if I decide to cheat? ~
~ You won't. ~ Slade smiled and it looked like the devil had already caught John's tongue.
~ Then, I won't bite if you tell me something, tonight, about your apprentice –
~ Stakes? ~
~ Right. ~
~ Hmm, I could. You don't need to know about him…But, Raven's father? ~
~ Oh, no. I came to get answers, like I said. ~ John sat and tried to be firm about his wants, but this man was slick. It was almost as if his words hung in the air to possess you. Body and mind. The scape was tainted by a demonic aura. It was already too late to get this pig to squeal. He'd have to fight him for it, instead.
~ Black Jack or Poker? Not Whist. Had a sore, few losses on that one… ~
~ I don't think either will do, but why not…~ Slade thought. ~ There are two of us. Why not an old favorite – No money, no drugs on the table. Just Cribbage so we can talk…Sound fine to you? ~
~ Hunh. You know it, that game? ~ John wondered if being in the army or being smarter than an average human had made Wilson here, so "wise." He rubbed his chin and put his elbow to the table to prop himself up. Slade looked ready to roll. Staring right into his much clearer blue British sights.
~ I do. I learned it from my dear friend and a soldier named Wintergreen, in the U.S military. You can call me cold, but I'm only just a man –
~ Who's tradin' lines with a bloody demon. But who's gonna' stop ya, eh? We all have what smarts. I'm givin' souls up every chance I git! ~
~ I'll shuffle this hand. We'll begin shortly. Want a "pint" while we wait? I, promise. You'll be sober before you leave tonight. ~
~ Such a classy animal, beastie. A'lright! I'll partake as long as you get wasted on ale with me. You look so serious it's killing the mood. Can't focus on the game without my familiar buzz. ~
~ You embody a dangerous stereotype. My own isn't genuinely this loose around others, so why not? ~
~ Cheers, then –
~ A! ~ In his hand, their hands, were some tall ones all around.
~ Ready to wipe this grin off my face, Constantine? ~
Such a kidder; Sladie's face was a grin away from selling this man's soul, himself.
John snickered and smirked back at his opponent.
~ You bet…Your move, coward. Winner gets out alive, and with a way to defeat his better half. ~
~ Joy. I'm glad you stayed to share that sentiment with me. After this hand, you'll never want to leave - not until you're begging at my feet for mercy… ~
/
A tiger, a lion?
A bear!
Oh my…
No loss, but so much more.
Longer, the longer he dragged this game out, the more intense the alcohol on his tongue burned to have him purge the rest in his dreams later.
Shite. Raven wasn't kidding!... Her father wasn't going to let his prized messenger of doom go anytime soon.
~ We could always switch to darts. ~ Slade slammed down another card - that made John hiccup* by the impact. And the alcohol didn't help his stomach much. Had he eaten before he'd left? The diner with Chas; in Los Angeles, where they'd parted ways… The awful plane food, and then…. he'd gotten off in time for supper, so?
Nope, no. He was not going to keep it in. He had to finish this game, for someone else to win their freedom back from this looney - bird.
/
~ Call out and peg.~
Slade got another down, and another. John was growing light headed. He was on his fourth or was it fifth…. pint?
~ Could use a little' magic to take the edge off. ~
~ Your turn. ~ Slade interrupted the addict's pity party.
~ Sure…. ~ John slapped out a card from his hand, before shouting –
~Bullocks! You, twat! How did –
~ Know thy enemy. The alcohol here is real, but I can't get intoxicated by its riveting effects on the brain. See? ~He showed how untouched this power made him. Not just in theory, mind you.
~Six...HOLY, BLOODY!...–
~ You had my word; we're equally handicapped. It's like a punishment game. What do you think? ~
John was already using his magic to go sober. ~ I say, bring it on, you…"mighty lummocks!" ~
~Then we are evenly matched, and just as equally ruthless…~ Slade continued winning back his hand, while John kept up, draining himself and forsaking his pride to this lowly urchin.
~ Oh boy. ~ This was a deadly dual. It could go on for -
~ Time. Your question; I did say this would be a fair fight between us. ~ Slade leaned back and knotted his hands together, waiting for Constantine to crack wide open.
~ Alright, then; your apprentice. No questions asked. ~ The magician was convinced he wouldn't have his neck snapped for wanting to be a wee bit curious.
~ I want to know; what is with your brat's connection - to you and that bastard - demon that has you both thick as thieves. Well? ~
~No problem. Robin is, still unaware of my whole plan. I don't want him to discover what I have in store. His friends are dead, at least in theory. ~
~ You hurt em' then…Alright…Then we know that much from the attack -
~ Another thing; you went into my apprentice's skull to persuade him to defy my control. That, I already spoke to him, is why he paid dearly, for going against my direction –
~ How…He's just a lad! That's insane…! For one, I wouldn't box the ears of the Bat's side – kick in broad daylight, or you'll be dead wrong –
~ I'm never wrong, mostly. Time. Now… Let's continue. Shall we, Constantine? ~
/
Long, game. Bad as could be…
~ Next time that I dual a mind's reactor, I'll play my hand at…ugh… darts. This is –
Time. ~ Slade stopped and tapped his fingers against the table. A counter. Each tally was to a second.
John anxiously tried to stay among them. Right now, Constantine looked ready to hit the sack.
~ Ok, one more… Let's see…. Got it. What is the name of the program that those probe – buggers are connected to? I'm not much into government secrets, but S.T.A.R labs is where you were going to strike next –
~ Wrong. I already did, and found out what their plan is to counter the nanobots. It won't work. ~
The Laughing magician's hand shook as John heard it all from the devil's own lips.
The master of this card game. A bloody yank.
Not even a decent hand- he wasn't a sport at this, which pissed Constantine off something fierce.
~ The nano – bots are too far ingrained in the targets' nervous systems; if you were to try to remove them, you might then want to think of building a better meta –
~ Damn it…That's not at all why they can't be cured! I know when you are going to go steady with that lying art form of yours. I see it by how your eye turns a darker shade of grey…You have more to hide than meets it…~
~ Huh, interesting. Yes. IF they are improperly removed, but magic was the kicker. For you? It could be quite a challenge. A life or ten lost… I used "magic" to fortify my ends before anyone could catch on. ~ Slade now had his attention. Magic and science.
Brilliant…
~ In other words,…To search for a cure, you'd have to be more than just, bloody brilliant. You'd have to be a fucking god. Hah, first time I've heard you holler like that. Is the rush not from your, I don't know…Aging metabolism or something? ~
~What? ~ Slade was peeved by the joke. Perfect. Guard down, anyone?
~I mean; you have a temper, that is somewhat played around with through the –
~Your allies know only of facing Deathstroke in close combat. You're, one of the lucky ones. If you manage to live after this, I might let you meet my benefactor. Though, not in the flesh. ~
~Course not, he's looking for a bit of young flesh to "properly" tenderize. You just have to keep feeding im' beastie…Ha! Read em an' weep –
~You finally caught up? Good. Still, we have a few cards remaining. ~ Slade nodded at the sore loser in his sights.
~Goad me all you like, toad - face, (I'm being silly, pardon the miss -use!) but I'm not coming down from this high any - time soon. ~
~High noon. ~
~Huh? ~ Constantine stopped. A clue. He was shitting himself? Dear gods, Slade knew how to work an angle…
~An expression. The outcome will be decided. You know the place. Raven has this image burned into her brain…. You could fan the flames, or try to step into –
One last hit. Two last cards. The score was indifferent. He was winning, Slade was going to beat John at his least favorite card game…Well, he'd played a ton to not pick any favorites.
~The even ground. Where, the fire cannot reach. Up on high…and there, in lies your –
Stop this tomfoolery! I want answers! Not silly riddles from you, yank - son of a –
~Was I saying that in Latin? ~ Slade frowned and let his cards fall.
~My win. You'll abide by the rules. Go. And if you see the goth child, tell her to prepare a room at the "tower" for daddy dearest…Farewell –
~What!? No! Raven isn't in this with im' or you! He's going to –
~You can't always have what you want, John. ~ Slade stood up as his uniform; from his recent exploits in Jump city returned, and made the magician's skin purple with rage.
~Dear gods…you're a monster! You might as well out -rank any damn demon at the gates of hell –
~Why, thank you. I try my best to always show this side to, someone like you, who can trust a good game. You've been warned. Enter again, and I will be forced to leave you a brainless lump in your world for an eternity. ~
~Big words…But I think I can beat that –
~The usual vortex is useless to us here; I'll call in an old friend from one of your memories…~
John got up from the chair at lightening speed to defend himself.
~OH No, you made a bleedin' deal with the devil an' you can keep it! Shite…. Leave my mind out of your –
~Oh, there HE is to take you home. ~ Slade cocked his head as John's "retribution" spell failed him.
~Nergal?... No …. ~
His face went white, ghastly as the hybrid demon dragged John's arm to fully show his face to the horrified sorcerer.
I've been waiting for this day, and many other opportunities to see you cower before me, John…. Constantine…. Hahahaaa…. ~
Slade wasn't a fan of the monster's grotesque image. The game had him a slight restless.
~Our deal, Lord of the Underworld; take your prize, I won't need him anymore –
~You sold me off, then? You…I won't go. ~ John tried to look away from the foul stink of his new captor. Dead or alive, Hell had no second chances in his world.
~Our agreement was that you got your answers. ~ Slade graciously explained. His mind looked unreadable as a stone slab at Blarney Castle. He was however, showing his impatience by how his arms linked, feet could be tapping to the same beat.
John itched to know what lay beyond the man's expressionless visage.
~I am allowed to get rid of you as I see fit. That was my end of the bargain. For you to be punished. Lord Nergal was your enemy. I read somewhere in your file, that he was the one who drove you to Ravenscar Asylum. Oh, or did you two make up in a past life? ~
Witty mortal, you gave to me something I shall cherish. Your sacrifice is no more. We shall now take our leave –
~Damn well, we will... not take this lying down! –
Here, John had some power. He'd push until the windows shuddered at his force of good.
~….. ānidē yegehanemi āmalikiti zeri፣ke'inigidīhi inidayigodahi kezīhi bota rik'ēhalehu።beselomonina benegešitati maḫitemi፣be'ē'āna be'ānu āmalikiti širi፣āt'efahalehu።…
John's casting was the very (though updated) language that Nergal himself could recognize. The demon riled back, angered by the curse that was being used against him. He let go of John, as the man continued to banish his old foe to a place next to never.
His book was useless; he could do with a little free style magic casting, once in a blue moon –
~High noon my arse…. I'm gonna' give you the slip for once….an' SEE how YOU like being humiliated at your own bloody table! Here! ~
The cries of thousands of souls came after Nergal as he was doused in them like a rapid cycle of torment and guilt for all his mind had been – and by who he'd taken with his evil power to the underworld to suffer in silence and screams.
~izīya! ineho፥nefisochi yaseruti ānidi negeri yihonalu šiganimi iyefetenu begonumi layi milikiti yadirigu።āyinik'esak'esimi ፣kerasu isike igiru yebesebese rēsa kemoti āwiropilanu gari lezelalemi tasiro yinorali!~
Stoop! Mortal! Your craft cannot work…I feel it….and know; you are! -
Bye. ~ Slade had another type of ability or relic in hand to keep any demons down, possibly from his –
~ You…absorbed him, into that staff… ~ John wasn't sure how to go with it. His enemy…He was…
Food, to another hungry demon. Slade twirled the stick like a flimsy baton and caught it. Mid center.
~ It was feeding time, as you said. I'm not a fan of squashing bugs, but this one caught my eye. ~ He hissed defiantly.
~ We'll get im' back. Make, time return – like you warped it to do for your own selfish desires. This, it's all for Tri! -
~ Say no more. Richard is in good hands. Goodbye, John Constantine –
He was swallowed up, spat back out, and left by the water. Hopefully before the sunrise came to wake him.
/
Looking out at a lake, he would have drowned in it behind Ollie's home.
"Agh…. disgusting, I smell like dragon's piss…again." He dragged himself from the lake side with a ragged trench coat and a barrel of haggard coughing. "Just my luck, I take it back. Raven had something there…. Cough cough! * I have to go warn the Batman, soon…"
He wouldn't be up for this messenger business much longer. That spell casting had been enough to have him run out of mana. How he'd just fallen for all of it. The jokes, the riddles, hints and bargains… He'd played the fool. A joke, as Slade had compared them.
"Still, I wonder what that staff was. It caught a demon's essence inside to feed the larger; Slade is going to wipe out all of humanity with his silly gamble."
Ollie's eyes were going to open. He had to think of this as the time to plan ahead. "I used magic to keep an eye on things, but will it last…" He sighed and got ready to stop by the train to have his ticket handy. He needed to speak to the Bat in Gotham. Another bloody headache had started up. "Not enough whiskey in the world to cure that hangover…" He dragged his body to find a bench to sleep on until he'd recovered some of his strength.
"Till morning, then. Didn't need a ticket at all. Just a few days vacation would do…Nicely…"
/
I saw the house of mystery showcase and it screamed satire to me. Horror. And I thought the cast of scooby doo (the animation) would show. Boo, oh well! It was fun but this? Is in its' memory. By next time, there will be Buffy to Hellboy style action and plenty of snarky comments. If they ever make a Constantine Dc series in that lovely nostalgisa that is 2D. I am a bit old school. Waiting to get into the live action Constantine before I devour both Deathstroke and his old comics. Oh , Johnny boy! Fun week off, so stay curious! this is gonna get messy. That and, Batman is gonna show! Can't wait to pen down the rest. Review or comment if you want. Chapte 21 is next. Read on!
