Be Aware of Your Friends and Enemies

"Soooo are we really just gonna sit here and sip on whiskey while the mortal plane goes mad hallucinating about demons?"

"Oi! Zat-Zat please! We aren't just sipping whiskey, good whiskey mind you. We're brainstorming!" the crass Brit retorted.

"Johnny, Etrigan is literally passed out, face-first on the floor!" she cried out pointing to the collapsed demon.

"Etrigan is perfectly sober on the contrary, if you're gonna make a comment, please do so without the falsity," the demon mumbled.

"Zat-Zat, you gotta let the whiskey work its magic. Give it a bit of time. Sit back, relax. Have a chinwag. We haven't talked in years," John tried to reassure her.

He leaned forward from his seat on the couch and slid a glass of whiskey towards her. On the other side of the table, Zatanna uncrossed her arms and reluctantly took the glass. She swirled the liquid a little before staring at its light golden color.

"Why did you leave all those years ago anyway?" she asked.

"Uh well."

"You didn't even say goodbye. Dad wouldn't talk about you."

"It's uh not a pretty tale really."

"Hey, you said let the whiskey do the work," she countered finally taking a sip.

"I won't really bother you with the details. Basically me dad got into a bit of trouble with the wrong er…..person. So, he used me to get out if it and that sorta had consequences. I didn't want to cause you and your dad trouble, so I left. Been wandering ever since."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"You never have to be sorry. I'm the messed-up one."

"I mean, I don't think you're messed up."

"Trust me, luv. I'm not perfect."

"YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND DRINK WHISKEY WHILE THE WORLD BURNS ITSELF TO THE GROUND!" a loud voice shrieks into the parlor.

Startled, Zatanna and John nearly drop their glasses. Etrigan sprang up and growled immediately. Everyone glanced over and saw a huffing Greta with her hands on her hips.

"Do you have any idea how long it took me to sneak away from Nimue and find you guys!? I can only take sooo much film study on football. Do you know what cover six is and how to beat it? Be. Cause. I. Do!" she scolded the lot while clapping her hands to stress each syllable.

"Uhhh I sorta do?" Zatanna meekly raised her hand.

"Oh shut up. Seriously what are yall doing here lounging around?"

"Brainstormin!" John answered gleefully glass in hand.

"Greta's right," Zatanna said standing up, "We should recap what we know. Let's start with the pieces."

She walked over and picked up a shard of the dreamstone they had won in the casino.

"So, there are three pieces. We have two: one here and one at Shadowcrest. The enemy has the other. Is there a way we can track the pieces?" she began.

"If we knew that, luv, we woulda done it already. The shards can't be magically traced while inactive," John tiredly answered taking another swig.

"Wait," Greta realized, "But one is active. The enemy's shard. It's manipulating everyone's dreams right now!"

Everyone once again froze and looked at Greta. Zatanna whipped her head around to glare at John. Etrigan used his pinky finger to floss his fangs. John slapped his forehead and tried to brush off his obvious oversight.

"Bloody hell! Of course! We can look into the victim's minds and trace the magic back to the source. See, Zat-Zat! I told you the whiskey works!" he cheered.

"Johnny, that was literally all Greta," Zatanna scolded.

"John Constantine is narcissistic. When he is wrong, he will never admit it," Etrigan bellowed chugging some more whiskey.

"Enough with the whiskey! We now have a plan. How do we execute?" Zatanna asked.

"I've got a buddy with a fancy key. We should pay him a visit," John decided.

"I'm coming too!" Greta declared, "Sounds like an adventure!"


By now the party consisting of a fire demon, two sorcerers, and a ghost made they way down what looked like a suburban residential area near Boston. As they approached their destination, a gang of dark specters gathered on the front lawn of a particular house.

"What are those?" Zatanna asked.

"Shrouds of death. They usually pop up to take the souls of the recently deceased," John answered.

"Ugh they give me the creeps," Greta commented.

"Greta, won't they take you away?" Zatanna worried.

"Uhhh I'm sorta a special case. Long story."

The spirits finally noticed the group, and all rushed to John.

"Constantine!" one of the spirits growled, "Have you finally accepted your fate and given up your soul?"

"What's he talking about?" Zatanna glared.

"Sorry ya flippin' dementor, I've still got business on this mortal plane," John retorted ignoring Zatanna's concern.

"You cannot run forever. Sooner or later, a debt must be paid," the spirit warned.

"Later works for me. Now step aside, we have business to attend to."

Instead of leaving like John wanted, the spirits began surrounding Zatanna. She shivered as the air temperature around her dropped.

"This one is most intriguing," one spirit commented.

"Yes. Her soul has left her body once before. Curious how it returned," another chimed in.

"Her heart is bound to another. Do we get two souls for the price of one at your demise?" another snickered.

"Hey back off uglies!" Greta shouted.

"Oh lookie. The girl forever trapped on the mortal plane. Tell me child, what's it like to live completely invisible amongst the living?"

"Alright that's enough out of you lot. Go haunt a house or something," John scolded as he prepared a fire spell.

A ball of fire appeared between his hands and as he pushed, the ball expanded burning the spirts away. Before completely evaporating, one spirit flipped off Constantine.

"We will come back for your friend soon enough, Constantine. He only has minutes to live anyway," the spirit cackled before disappearing.

"Wait what?!" John panicked.

Quickly, he ran up the steps of the house and kicked down the door. In the foyer, an old gentleman with gray hair, a ponytail, and red shirt laid on the floor writhing in pain.

"Ritchie!" John cried out rushing to his friend's aid.

The rest of the party sprinted in as John knelt next to his friend.

"What's happening to him?" Zatanna worried.

"He's been suffering from a magical cancer. It's been eating away at him for years. We have to get him to Orchid. She can stabilize him," John stressed.

"We won't make it in time. I know some rudimentary healing magic. I can help!" Zatanna argued.

She put her hands on Ritchie's face and stomach. As she closed her eyes, her hands glowed green.

"Esae siht s'nam niap." (Ease this man's pain).

Slowly the man calmed down and stopped shaking. His muscles relaxed as he fell into a light slumber.

"That won't hold for long, but at least now we can make it back to Orchid," Zatanna said.

"Wow," John marveled, "You've really grown up haven't you, Zat-Zat?"

"Uh I mean, y'know. Fifteen years have passed, Johnny," Zatanna answered quickly getting up and hiding her slightly rosy cheeks.

Greta raised her eyebrow as she walked over to Etrigan.

"What's with those two?" she asked.

"Etrigan doesn't care for the intricacies of mortals…..But if I had to guess, this could result an interesting triangle."

"Hang on that doesn't really rhyme well. Mortal, triangle?"

"You will take what you can get child. The process of writing these ridiculous rhymes can be quite vile."

"Ahh there it is."


Moments later, Ritchie rested in a guest room at the House of Mystery. Orchid stood beside him slowly healing the old man.

"Well? How is he?" John asked.

"I am subduing the cancer, but I cannot cure him."

"Do what you can, Orchid."

Groaning, Ritchie woke up to see everyone staring at him in an unfamiliar room.

"John? Etrigan!? Where the hell am I!?" Ritchie panicked slightly.

"Easy mate, easy. You're in the House of Mystery. You gave us quite the scare back there," John reassured him.

Finally, Ritchie sat up and looked around. His calmed demeanor changed to irritation as he turned back to John.

"So, what's this then? Trying to make amends for what happened?" Ritchie scowled.

"Ritchie, it's not like that. It was tough for me too," John flinched

"Yet, you're the one still walking around while I'm dying from an incurable cancer."

"Look Ritchie I'm sorry."

"But…"

"Sigh but I need a favor."

"And there is it! Constantine always asking. Never helping."

"Ritchie please. This is bigger than both of us right now. The world is falling apart," John pleaded.

"Since when have you cared about the world?!"

"Uhh hi, Ritchie. I'm Zatanna. Listen I get that you don't like John very much, but we really need your help," Zatanna interrupted.

"…..Who's this?" Ritchie asked confused.

"Giovanni's kid," John answered.

"Dayum. Gio had a kid? I thought she died?"

"Uhh actually, my mom died," Zatanna corrected.

"Oh. I'm sorry, that was rude."

"It's ok. Um anyway, how about this. If you'll help us, I can introduce you to Dr. Fate. He's a stick in a mud, but maybe he can help you with whatever affliction you've got. Or at the very least prolong your life better than Orchid or I can," Zatanna bargained.

"You can put me in front of the Lord of Order himself?"

"Uhh yea. I've got connections."

"Sigh, fine, but just because you're a better sight than smoke and whiskey over here," Ritchie agreed.

"Oy, don't insult Etrigan like that!" John argued.

"He's talking about you, idiot," Zatanna smacked John behind the head.

"Joke's aside, John, what do you need?" Ritchie asked.

"Do you still have the Keshanti Key?"

"Ugh. Fine fine. Here ya go."

With a snap of his fingers, a bronze circular object appeared in his hand. John reached out to take it, but Ritchie pulled away.

"Nuh uh. I'm giving this to Zatanna. Not you! I've only met her for ten minutes, but I already know she'll return this to me. You? Jury is still out," Ritchie glared.

"Fine. Fair is fair. Get some rest," John agreed, "Orchid, you are to help this man in any way possible. Take care of him."

"Of course, John. Best of luck."

As Ritchie placed the key on Zatanna's hand, he pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you for helping an old man like me."

"Uhhh you're welcome. Thank you for helping us save the world."


At Massachusetts General Hospital, the group snuck into one of the private patient rooms. The hospital was filled with people hallucinating about demons and those who were injured in the chaos. With the mass panic and rush, no one really batted an eye when giant Etrigan walked through the halls.

"Alright, luv. It's pretty simple really. Place the key onto our victim's forehead," John instructed.

"What does this do exactly?" Zatanna asked.

"It's sorta a magical short cut. Let's me access various planes of existence without twenty hours of incantation and mumbo jumbo."

"Oh. Neat."

"At any rate, you lot stand guard. If the body dies with me in his psychic plane, I'm cooked."

"Hang on. You can't go in there alone!" Zatanna worried.

"It's too dangerous, Zat-Zat. You're not ready."

"Ohh no. I've had to hear that from my father for years. I will not be babied by the likes of you. Etrigan is more than enough to hold down the fort. I'm coming with!"

John tried to give her a hard glare, but she wasn't backing down. Finally relenting, he ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath.

"Fine," he agreed, "But stick close to me. We cannot get lost in there."

"Sounds good. Greta, Etrigan. Keep watch please!"

Zatanna placed the key onto the victim's forehead. It glowed melting into the forehead and creating a small portal. John took Zatanna's hand as they jumped straight into the portal. Meanwhile Greta crossed her arms and smirked at Etrigan.

"Ten bucks John cries when Zatanna rejects him hard," she wagered to the demon.

"No contest. Etrigan does not gamble on events that will surely happen. That just causes stress."

"Well you're no fun."


Inside the mind of the victim, Zatanna felt nauseous and dizzy. She put both hands on her head trying to calm her headache and reorient herself. John came over and put a hand on her shoulder easing her discomfort.

"You alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she answered opening her eyes.

All around them was a distortion of colors. The space was vast and filled with little balls of light. Each representing a memory. Zatanna looked around and shivered. She felt uneasy as it felt like her skin was crawling.

"This-This feels weird, Johnny. The magic here is really dark. How can you stand this?"

"Practice I guess."

"You've done this stuff before?"

"Like I said, luv. I'm not perfect."


Meanwhile, one the outside, Etrigan and Greta stood firmly at their posts.

"So as Hannah Montana, Miley was a world-famous popstar," Greta regaled, "But then she would take off her wig and go to school like a normal girl. Obviously, I never got to experience high school, but based on what I've seen, it looks like a headache."

"Hmmmm. Etrigan does not understand. How do the people not recognize Miley as Hannah? A trick like that requires more than sleight of hand."

"Dude, people have hidden more with less."

At that moment, the hospital began to rumble. Then the power went out. The lights blinked out before emergency power switched them back on.

"Well, that doesn't sound good," Greta worried.

"Peek into the hall. I pray for a good brawl," Etrigan ordered.

Greta walked over to the door and phased her head through. Looking down the hallway, she saw a hoard of demons rushing towards them. They all had four arms, no eyes, and menacing teeth. The scratched the hospital walls as they growled and let their drool fall from their mouths.

"Uhhh Etrigan, buddy! You might get that brawl you're after!" Greta signaled the demon closer.

"Excellent! A new challenge. Stand aside child as I break this door's hinge."

"…It's not perfect but then again hinge is a very difficult word to rhyme with."

"RAHHHHH."

Etrigan let out a battle cry and ran right through the hospital door. With his bare hands and fire breath, he did his best to mow down the horde of demons in front of him. Greta could only lean her head out and cheer as Etrigan tore limbs apart.


Back inside the patient's mind, Zatanna and John continued perusing the various memories to find a trace of dreamstone interference.

"So. What are ya up to these days?" John asked trying to break the silence.

"I've got my own magic show now. Just like Dad."

"Heh," he scoffed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing. If you like being a music monkey to mindless masses."

"Hey! My magic brings people joy."

"You sure it's not the drinks? Or your legs?"

"Oh grow up, Johnny!"

"I'm just saying. There's a whole magical world out there. You could be doing a lot more. You could be doing something meaningful."

"I am doing something meaningful! I work with the Justice League after all!"

"Ah yes, the sidekick super squad. Look luv, I've worked with actual leaguers like Green Arrow and Batsy. Like you said, you're a grown woman. You need to be dealing with bigger threats."

"I-I guess. But the work I do with the Team is important too! And we're not sidekicks!"

"All I'm saying is," he argued as he floated over to her, "I think you can be so much more than what you think."

He held both of her hands and looked into her eyes. However, instead of feeling her hands squeeze back, he saw her tense up and feel very uncomfortable. She tugged her hands away and floated a little bit back. Her eyes widened before she could say anything.

"Uhhh Johnny," she gestured behind him.

John turned around to see what Zatanna saw. There was a dark cloud with tendrils corrupting and darkening all the memories balls.

"That's it! That's what we've been looking for!" John exclaimed floating towards the cloud.

"Wait John! Be careful!"

"Not to worry, luv, ol' Johnny's got this one."

He reached out and stuck his hand into the cloud. He closed his eyes, and his mind followed the thread of power within the cloud. Unfortunately, the plane began to shake. Cracks were forming all along the walls of the mind.

"Uhhh Johnny, we should really get out of here."

"Not now! I've almost got it!"

The cracks got bigger and bigger as the plane shattered around them. John refused to move as he almost traced the magic back to the source. As the world collapsed around them, a frustrated Zatanna grabbed John's arm and flew them out of the portal. In a burst of light, they were flung out of the patient's mind and into a room with dismembered demon parts and blood all over the walls.

"What the hell happened here?!" Zatanna shrieked.

"Etrigan stands here in victory. Not to worry, the demons fled with fear like cats up a tree," the demon stood proudly with blood dripping down his hands.

"Yea, Zatanna, I've seen some shit, but Etrigan ripping demons limb from limb was something else," Greta commented.

"Language, young lady!" Zatanna scolded.

Greta stuck out her tongue when John got up in a huff.

"Bloody hell woman! What did you do that for?! I almost had it!" he yelled.

"Why are you yelling at me!? We would have died if we stuck around in there!"

"Yea? Well now we've got nothin'. The key's been destroyed in all this kerfuffle, and we have no leads!"

Angered he stormed out of the room. Zatanna looked around the room hoping for a little support. Sadly, the demon and little ghost could only shrug.


The group walked in silence as they climbed up the hill to where the House of Mystery was parked. With a wave of his hand, John lifted the cloaking spell.

"What in the bloody blazes?!"

The party stood stunned as the House burned ablaze. Fire burned and spouted out of every window and an eye-piercing scream could be heard for miles. Quickly John and Zatanna recited a water spell to put out the fire.

"Oh my God. Ritchie!" Zatanna realized running inside. They all ran past the blackened living room and up the creaky stairs. When they got to the guest room, it was empty save for the now burnt bed and sheets.

"What could have done this?"


Two Hours Earlier

"Thank you for helping an old man like me."

"Uhhh you're welcome. Thank you for helping us save the world."

When the group left and Orchid allowed Ritchie some solitude, a wicked grin appeared on his face.

"Hehe suckers," he cackled holding up a silver key with an encrusted ruby.

Ritchie pushed the covers off and quickly headed downstairs. In the main room, he began looting and searching every nook and cranny. Books and knick-knacks were all knocked to the floor. After a bit, Orchid appeared.

"Ritchie? Is everything alright? What are you doing?"

"Hello, Orchid. Be a dear and show me where John's safe is?"

"Wh-what? No! I refuse!"

"Ah ah ah! Your master ordered you to help me in any way possible. Help me, dear Orchid. Help me find the dreamstone shard."

Orchid froze as she did her best to resist her programmed command. But try as she might, the magic was too strong. Reluctantly, she turned and walked to the far wall. She slammed her fist against it revealing an embedded safe.

"Excellent. Open it," Ritchie ordered.

Twisting the lock a little, Orchid opened the safe and plucked out the dreamstone shard. Trying her best to resist, she shakily handed Ritchie the shard. From his shirt pocket, he pulled out another piece of the dreamstone and reattached the two pieces.

"Looks pretty, don't it. Amazing what just a chunk of this rock can do. Kept my cancer in check all these years. Wonder what the whole enchilada can do hehehe."

"This is wrong, Ritchie. People will die," Orchid pleaded.

"Oh shut up you glorified puppet. Go into the fire and burn yourself!"

Horrified, Orchid felt her legs move with her control. Steadily they led her into the burning fireplace. She walked right into the middle and stood still as the flames engulfed her. Ritchie didn't bother to look back as he left the house. He pulled out the famed Shadowcrest key and held it up to the sky.

"Just one more piece to go, Master…"

AN: Lol sorry for such a meh plot driven chapter. I didn't want this to be super long. So yea, conclusion will be the next chapter as we move along in the story. Hope yall are enjoying it. ALSO don't forget to check out the Chalant Week stories being posted. They're all in the Community titled "Happy Chalant Week" under the cartoons category of Young Justice. Happy Chalant Week!