Disclaimer: *sigh*

Chapter 2

Amongst the setting of far off stars and cast away wishes a large metallic structure easily mistaken as another satellite drifting in space was the Justice League's base of operations, the Watchtower.

Seated before the computer console Batman's stoic face gave no glimpses of the repressed emotions running through is being as he focused on the screen.

Behind him the remaining members of the team listened somewhat unbelieving as the Martian Manhunter, known onto them as J'onn J'onzz, explained the disappearance of their two comrades to the best of his knowledge and the information thus far gathered from spectators and the police.

Wally West, known to the world around as The Flash, jumped onto his feet as he waved his hands before him as if signaling the world to stop. Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up for a moment, did you just say that Big S and Double W were turned into dolls? Thats just weird. Who is twisted enough to turn someone into toys?

You weren't so upset when the action figures of yourself were put out on market. Shayera Hol, known best as Hawkgirl, blatantly pointed out.

Yes I was. They made my butt too big. He turned at an angle so that said body part was visible for all to inspect and to compare to the toy that had been placed on market some months ago. Shay you show it, tell them about the comparisons.

Can't you see there are more important things to worry about? John Stewart snapped the aggression of his worry misplaced on the man dressed in red and yellow.

Looking to her friends she knew tension was high, Clark and Diana captured, that was great cause for worry, and they were the strongest of the team. Breaking the stifling tension she turned everyone's focus to the situation at hand. J'onn, go on.

With the slightest nod of his head he continued. There weren't many spectators at the scene when I arrived, not soon after the culprit's departure. There was not much to go by even with the police reports.

Flash elevated a brow, So how do we find out who we are dealing with?

There was a security camera trained on the street, if we are lucky it caught some of what happened. Batman stated directing everyones attention towards the large computer screen.

For the longest moment there was nothing on screen, merely the street side with a lamp post.

Can't we fast forward to the good part? Flash questioned.

His humor at the moments was not welcome and was about to be voiced when movement finally flashed onscreen. Superman crashed into the corner dropping a hooded figure farther towards the center of the screen. They all watched unable to tear their eyes away as the figure stood and their friend began to shirk in size smaller and smaller until he was nothing more than a stiff toy.

They watched wishing they had been present to stop the events from happening; they watched figments of the fight between the woman named Medea and Wonder Woman their figures falling in and out of the shot as the poor sound from the audio played out their grunts.

It was not long before Wonder Woman returned to the screen's center and picked up the fallen items mainly a large black book. A word, nearly inaudible, flowed from her mouth before an odd series of events occurred until at last she was nothing but a doll just like Superman.

What did she say? John asked leaning closer to the screen as the part was replayed. It sounded like she said More gum'.

Flash shrugged his shoulders, Well we can be sure it isnt a best seller. I think she said morning'. Does anyone know any books by that title?

Morrum. She said Morrum. Hawkgirl clarified.

Batman asked standing onto his feet.

Yes, does it sound familiar to you?

It was an old book for sale at an auction I attended last month. It really didn't seem like much but in the end it was sold to Douglas Larose for four thousand.

So we need to have a little talk with this Larose.

It won't do us any good.

Remember that someone was robbed a few days ago? It was him.

Was there anyone else bidding for the book?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four weeks before~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bruce Wayne smiled kindly as he put down yet another date from the many women who had delusional dreams of capturing the rich bachelor for themselves. Only by accepting their numbers was he able to finally get away from the hoard of women to get back to his original date.

Walking around the display cases holding the possessions of the late, Alexander Prose, an archaeologist who died in debt, he spotted the dark haired beauty standing before a large Aztec statue conversing with a woman clad in a casual black and pink pinstripe pants suit.

'this is my first auction.' She had answered honestly.

'Oh?' The dark skinned woman had asked raising a lovely naturally arched brow, 'Well you may not feel the same as I do about them but I find auctions rather amusing.'

'Amusing?' Diana asked somewhat confused.

'Yes.' She turned to the side giving the room a large swept of her well manicured hand, 'Look at everyone here to bid on art and artifacts of the past because of their wondrous value, ripped from its culture in a mess of official work that more or less means legalized stealing. But if it should ever be damaged, which in time it will, then the value dissipates rendering it trash. So therefore people send vast amounts of money on what will eventually become garbage.'

For the moment Diana stood still letting the woman's explanation seep into her mind. She looked about at all the artifacts, scrolls, and books, set up all about the display room seeing that some indeed were damaged. Turning around she faced her companion again, 'If you feel that way about them then why do you attend?'

She let out an exasperated scoff as she moved her hand in a small flourish making the smoke of her cigarette circle in a thin and disarrayed stream. 'My boss sent me to be the body while he bids; he says I'm merciless when it comes to getting a job done or some shit like that. Oh excuse my French. To be more precise, Im here to get something or another for my boss, before it falls into the wrong hands.'

'Pardon?'

It was at the time that Bruce decided to make his presents known, 'I hope that I'm not interrupting anything.'

A fond smile spread over her lips when her blue eyes caught sight of who it was that had drifted into their conversation. 'Oh Bruce, I would like for you to meet' She paused realizing that she had no name to give.

The woman smiled before extending her hand. 'I am so sorry, here I am going off at the mouth and I haven't even introduced myself. I go by Azure.'

'Azure?' The pair asked in union.

'Yes, it's my surname. I've been addressed by it so many times that I don't respond well to my first, it's as if I've forgotten what it is. And my middle is sopeculiar that its only fitting to stick with my last; thats why I ask people to address me as such.' She went on smiling amiably.

'It's a pleasure to meet you Azure, I'm Diana.' She stated shaking her extended hand.

'And I'm Bruce Wayne.' He said doing the same.

'As in the rich playboy?' Her dark eyes drifted down and up to his face again, evaluating him.

They both watched in amusement as the very thoughts that were flowing through her mind appeared on her face, first curiosity, then confusion, before at long last she decided that she did not see what others found so desirable and the amiable look returned.

Above them the lights dimmed three times silently signaling the start of the events. 'Show time.' Azure sighed drearily before pulling out a cell phone. 'I hope you enjoy the circus Diana, it was a pleasure meeting the both of you.'

Sitting side by side Diana and Bruce watched as the items from auction went quickly based by category: paintings, statues, tools, weapons, and books.

'The next bidding, item #2041 leather bound journal believed to be the possession of one Eckgard Morrum.' The auctioneer stated in a mellow drone as a large black leather book tattered with age was placed on the pedestal. 'We will start the bidding at five hundred dollars.'

A man somewhere in his late 30s to early forties was the first to lift his paddle. 'Five hundred to the man in front, any others?'

Towards the center of the left seating a paddle lifted into the air. 'Ah, a bid from our reprehensive.' He smiled.

All eyes drifted back to Azure who sat left leg crossed over her right with the cell phone to her ear.

In time the offers grew until the bid was doubled in its original price. '1,000 dollars.' Azure's paddle floated up, '1,000 to the lady, do I here more?' The caller asked.

It was like a tennis match, back and forth and back and forth, each of them battling to be the victor by going higher and higher with their bids.

The bid was up to 4,000 dollars when without a questioning glance she nodded turning off her phone then silently relented to the older man. 'Sold for 4,000 to the man in front.'

Catching up with the woman again Diana went to give her condolences.

Azure merely sighed deeply making her chest rise and fall, 'This just makes a big mess of things. Oh well me and my boss will just have to handle things as they come.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Back to present~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was not hard for Batman to find the woman who introduced herself as Azure at the auction; she had happily signed her name and left the name of the company for which she worked in the auction house guest book. If there was anyone he could get reliable information from he was sure the other who wanted that book would know.

Standing in the shadows hidden well by its dark embrace. Working solo as he preferred he peered through the small binoculars spying into the dusty yellow window of an antiques shop long since closed for the night. Through the glass he could see the vivacious woman from the auction seated at the counter with an elderly woman their lips moving chatting merrily about something over two plastic containers of takeout and drinks.

They were laughing together as Azure stood onto her feet clearing away their food. In a matter on moments the dim lights of the room darkened before both women stepped out.

The elder woman walked away vanishing into the next building as Azure climbed into a silver Mitsubishi, with a hum of the engine as it turned over and the car pulled into the mild night traffic.

Slipping back into the small space of the Batmobile, a vehicle yet to be rivaled by anything made to date by man, he took care not to fall into her sights he pursued. Turning the corner he found the object of his pursuit leaned against her parked car inhaling with deep satisfaction on a fresh Lucky Strike cigarette.

And to what do I owe the pleasure of one of the nation's greatest heroes following me? She asked into the dark once he had stepped onto the pavement. When the silence between them settled again she lifted her head pointing her round chin straight upwards while peering at him from the corner of her eye focused on his darkly dressed form. She asked blowing out a cloud of smoke imitating a chimney.

I want to ask you a few things.

Let me guess, you want to know what I know about Medea and that book she's towing around, the Morrum? She snickered lightly before bringing the cigarette back to her lips. Go figure, since I was trying to get it I knew sooner or later someone would be around asking me questions.

What do you know? Why were you sent to retrieve the book?

My boss sent me to prevent all of this She waved her hands above her head in search of the right words to describe their situation. This mess.

The Morrum was first said to have been a simple journal.

She laughed lowly causing the cigarette smoke seeping out of her closed teeth in a bellowing stream the miasma floating about her in a light fog. A simple incomplete journal written by some guy nobody has ever heard of, selling for four thousand dollars and no one was suspicious about it? Unless it's a journal written by a world leader and filled with all their dirty little secrets nothing should sell for that much. The Morrum, as you've found out, is a spell book, a catalyst to most magik users. From the looks of it I'd say it was made in the early late 12th century though others claim the mid 13th, it's 12th no matter what those idiots say. Sadly to most of its previous users it has proven to be quiet useless. She chuckled again at some private joke.

Do you know why?

The Morrum is rather picky with who it serves, there's even an inscription on the cover! It will only work for a woman. But that stupid man with his greed went and bought the book, and of course Medea retrieved it at her master's words.

Yes, I think you know himKlarion the witch boy.

At the sound of the child's name a stifling silence hovered between them. He stood still analyzing the true seriousness of situation, the spoiled malicious witching brat who was said to have turned his own parents into mice to feed his pet familiar, with another witching person willingly his minion. For his love of mischief and chaos, not only was his teammates in danger, but all was at stake. Was he trying to control Etrigan, the demon of hell, again, or was his twisted mind up for something bringer?

Returning his full focus on Azure he debated what to do with her, she was useful at the time seeing as she knew far more than they did at the moment. You know where he is. It wasn't a question, it was a blatant accusation.

I do. She said dropping her cigarette to the street and grinding it out with her foot.

Tell me where he is. He commanded his voice never betraying the ever present tone of control and void of all other emotions.

I'll tell you when we get there, until then, you'll have to follow me. She stated climbing back into her car.

TBC

DSP *hugging her Flash plushy*: Ooh Shadowhawk's gonna be pissed at me, I'm pose to be helping him out. But I had to update to take up YamiMarita's promise.
Oh and as for your question, as to what Medea is...sorry but you'll find out later.
Thank you all for the reviews and making sure that I know what Im doing (I did extensive research before typing anything ;-), and to those of you who didn't thanks for reading anyhow. All reviews are welcome as long as they wipe their feet before coming in.