DSP: Q&A time. One question I keep getting is what is Medea since she isn't like HG but she says she isnt human. Ok I'm probably ruining one of the mystery parts of this fic but it's not really a mystery because the first chapter answered it (you must read very very carefully). Another question I get is why she's working for him...well I'm going to touch down on those questions a bit in this chapter and explain the most of rest in the next.
Oh and please please please take a look at my favorite authors list. There are so many great writers out there. For instance, YamiMarita (if you're looking for a great Farscape fic). Neoen (for wonderful characters)! The list goes on and on. I should get paid for shameless advertising. But hey I love these people!
Disclaimer: *Wah!*
Chapter 3
The large modern Victorian house surrounded by a large semicircle of dense trees looked dark and uninviting to all who looked upon it in the dark of night. Had it been daylight there was no doubt the home looked wondrous, a beautiful sight to behold, where by-passers would imagine and covet living in such a place.
That was desired affects one Agnes White wanted when she had her home constructed, sadly it was eventually desired by a certain witch boy who would literally kill for it; which the widowed White found out for herself.
You get what you wish for.
Batman looked upon the manor with the look of unreadable indifference ever plastered on his face. His eyes focused on a large opened window high up in the attic of the house and there was no doubt in his mind that the woman he sought made residence there. But as for the whereabouts of Klarion, that was a different problem.
His surveillance was hindered when a small cloud of cigarette smoke floated into his face. Stay here. He commanded tucking his arms within his cape ready to make a dash across the wide lawn.
Azure threw her cigarette to the ground with a huff of annoyance, The hell I am, I'm coming too.
Pausing though never turning to face the odd woman he addressed her, No, it's too dangerous and you will only get in the way.
Oh? So what are you going to do if or when you get to your friends and the Morrum? If you don't recall it isn't an ordinary book. Its power lures men only to deny them, use them for its own needs; but when it finds the one it wants as its mistress, in our case Medeawell let me put it this way it can be worse than a jealous lover. She said complacently for she knew she had him on that point.
I'll bring it to you- before another word could be uttered she quickly pulled him underneath the large magnolia tree. Shush, the crows are out. She whispered looking skywards her eyes narrowed.
He thought back to the surveillance video he had seen black wings, a feather of an American crow, and Azure with a caution towards them, Her familiars. He reasoned out.
She nodded, Smart lil' bastards too. If they see us its gonna be an up close and personal rendition of Hitchcocks The Birds. Listen I cant stay out here and if I leave theyll know youre here, its best if I come with you.
His words came out deep and harsh in a statement of finality.
She crossed her arms over her ruby halter top making the arms of the jean jacket rub noisily together. Like it or not I'm going in that house. She spoke with an air of impatience and annoyance. Look, the lights are on only on the main floor, I'll sneak around down there and be a lookout for you, if anything goes wrong Ill scream bloody murder and make a run for it. You get the book and find me downstairs, I'll take care of your friends and then you guys can take care of Klarion. Its only logical.
Very well. He stated thinking the quicker he could get to her the quicker whatever had been done to Superman and Wonder Woman could be removed.
They moved with speed across the lawn dodging in an out of the shadows careful not to gain the attention of the dark winged alarms. Within minutes they found themselves safely beneath the attic window.
Azure gave him a small whisper of luck before slipping into a downstairs' window disappearing into the dark. Without another thought about her he removed the small launcher from his belt firing a grappling hook up onto the roof. Cutting through the air with stealth and ease he too slipped within the dark house.
His expectations for the room was something of maybe dark walls filled with books upon books and disturbing items needed for making one concoction or another seeing as her master was Klarion after all. But that was the Hollywood cliché portrayal of the old witch and sorceress. Ugly buck toothed hags and hermits isolated in their homes dressed in black and continuously stroking their pet familiars.
The spacious room looked every much down to earth with walls painted sky blue, there were only two bookshelves aligned with some old books, plants, and a random photo.
His eyes drifted about to a four poster bed draped with a silver mosquito nest showered with black feathers, to the desk set far across the opposite end room. And there lying across a table top near a photo with its heavy covers and clasp wide open was the Morrum.
His eyes locked onto the still book slowly drawing nearer. He felt drawn towards it, something calling out to him wrapping him in an invisible sheet of temptation. Power. Raw unbridled power, that's what the Morrum offered, and all just sitting there beckoning him to take and taste the sweet fruit it had to offer onto any strong enough to harvest it. Standing right in front of the desk looking down Batman could now see the faint aura of power pulsating like a slow heartbeat.
If you don't recall it isn't an ordinary book. Its power lures men only to deny them, use them for its own needs,' Azure's cocky voice echoed the warning in his mind.
Slamming the book close he picked it from the desk, I'll just read the cliff-notes.
Then the photo caught his eyes, the familiar faces all looking back into the camera seemed to be laughing at him as they teased him for his foolishness. He said giving a name to one of the faces.
Tucking the book beneath his arm he continued with the search of his friends, upon looking straight ahead of him his search ended.
Suspended securely on the wall was an old-fashion two story dollhouse, the then wood panels painted a dark shade of peach. Pulling open the face the perpetually frozen smiling faces of the dolls looked back onto him as if they were truly happy to have been saved from whatever horrors awaited them in the demented childs home.
He was reaching in to take the Superman and Wonder Woman figures when from above he heard a soft caw aided with the rustle of feathers. Slowly his eyes turned upwards, nearly fifty pairs of beady black eyes looked down onto him.
The crows, he soon realized that they didn't live just outside, there was a small rookery of them nestled above in the bared rafters decorated with their nests and bits of shiny objects that had struck their fancy.
Surely Medea and Klarion knew he was there. But nonetheless he moved slowly taking the dolls from their stands and moving with the same stealth and silence left the sorceress's room.
Dodging from shadow to shadow slinking in the dark using it well as his cover he made his way down to the first floor to retrieve Azure.
A soft voice whispered as a head peaked from behind the stairs. Oh good, I thought something had happened to you up there.
No, come on. He stated walking silently ahead of her leading them cautiously towards the closest exit.
Azure followed two feet behind with her shoes in her hands as she crept on her toes, Did you find anything? She whispered.
Yes, I have the others and the book. He stated pausing to peek about the hallway littered with decorative statues and weapons mounted on the wall. I'll give it to you once it's safe.
Looking at the decorative battle axe mounted on the wall she silently moved towards it. Good. Then we can finish this sooner than I though. She removed the axe without a sound. Taking a firm grip she brought it over her head as her eyes focused ahead of her at Batman's back.
Tell me how long have you been working for Klarion, He turned to face her with the axe still posed over her head ready to strike, the stoic look ever plastered on his squared set face told that her betrayal was no surprise, Azure, Medea?
A photo cut through the air to slide to a halt at her feet. In the picture were Klarion and herself eating pizza at some sort of show. He watched as she looked upwards away from the picture, the highly confident woman he had spoken to moments before was gone, actually shirking before his eyes and in her place stood a timid looking creature with soft eyes that sparked with a lost child like quality.
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, Yes I am Medea S. Azure, sorceress, the mistress of the Morrum and crows. She said through a whispered voice. And I've been in my master's service for two years. With a grunt she brought down the axe cutting through empty air as he gracefully leapt backwards from her attacks.
Long job title.
Swing after swing she advanced onto the dark knight each time hitting nothing as he dodged her attacks with ease the only victim to the blade was a small corner of the dark cape.
So this was nothing more than a trap. He accused.
A murderous fire sparked in her dulled eyes making her look darkly savage as she swung without letting up. Not until after Larouse outbid me, like I said we were trying to prevent all of this! She swung again missing but sent a vase into its oblivion. Klarion thought it up when I didn't get the book that fateful night. He knew one of you would sniff around the records and find me. Sadly we were hoping for more of you.
How did you manage a job with Klarion? He asked gazing into eyes, the dark pupils enlarged with a crazed predatory bloodlust all the while careful of her advances. He isn't the best person to be around, ask his parents.
The turning them into mice thing? She asked in her eerie soft spoken voice that came as a near whisper even whilst she was heated with her attacks, Yes, I know but I'm merely his caretaker. Besides the Morrum is a strong book capable of many of things. With an overheat chop she once again got nothing but cape, embedding her weapon deep into the floorboards.
Never to miss his opportunity Batman gracefully delivered a swift roundhouse kick to her upper body sending her crashing backwards into a decorative bust on a pedestal.
And what other way for me to obtain its power other than by being the master of its mistress? A smooth young voice asked. The subject at hand stood in the doorframe of a large library his hand stroking over the head of the cat resting on his shoulders. He did not spear his fallen minion a glance as he locked eyes with the man who had foiled his plans of dominance before.
Ah Batman, I have not seen you since that incident in Gotham, He stated his tone that of boredom.
I thought you were still confided to your room. He said watching as the black eyed boy scowled briefly at the memory. Whatever it is that you're up to it isn't going to work without this book. He produced the book for him to see.
With a scoff the boy turned his back on him before walking back into the library, You're foolish to think that it is truly that easy. Besides Medea wouldn't allow that to happen, would you?
Of course not, Master. Batman turned in time for her to grasp hold of his shoulders, using him as support she flipped over his head throwing him into the library after Klarion once her bare feet touched the ground.
Though the throw took him by surprise it did not hinder his ability to react. Bringing his feet down onto the slick wood floor he slid into a crouch like landing. His eyes watched as the dark woman strolled casually across the room to the boy's side her dark eyes locked with his own. He wondered how good of an actress she must have been to have played the part of the bubbly Azure to the silent Medea, two complete different people in spirit and appearance without the use of her magick and illusions. No one would have suspected, but then again he wasnt no one.
This is going to get messy isn't it? She questioned leaning against the chair's arm as Klarion took a seat.
Quite bloody if I can help it. Klarion answered a look of unrestrained glee curling into his smile.
She sighed with her eyes still focused on Batman, Theodore and I are going to up all night cleaning up this place.
Teekl, Medea. With a snap of his fingers both pairs of eyes locked on the Dark Knight.
The small feline jumped down from his shoulders transforming in mid-descent, her sleek body elongating to accustom a humanoid form crouched on all fours her green eyes narrowed to slits. She hissed through a maniacal grin that would have put the Cheshire cat to shame. There was no doubt in his mind that the feline took great pleasures in the work she did at the biddings of her owner.
Standing prepared for their attacks he looked from the feline familiar to the sorceress crow. Medea stood with her hands bared; clutching them into a fist she opened them with a loud crack of her knuckles as the naturally lucid black nails grew to accustom the long bony fingers that resembled bird-like talons had they five fingers. He looked into her face but saw no crazed look of delight despite the small river of blood flowing from her forehead down her cheek. In fact she looked rather remorseful.
With a small hiss Teekl stuck flying across the room with her claws extended in hopes of a quick wounding then the rest cruel play. Bringing his forearm up to block he swung for her thin abdomen just to strike at air as she gracefully sprung above his head to land behind him. He kicked behind him missing her as she dropped to all fours quickly moving around to crouch in front of him. With a deep hiss she sprung upwards her sharp nails scratching across his cheek.
Batman, ever quick to react, took hold of the wrist as she struck a second time. With a sudden and hard yank he pulled her towards him into the clutched fist flying towards her face.
Teekl stumbled backwards regaining her balanced quickly. Each muscle in her lithe body tensed, her narrowed green eyes locked on her prey as she began walking in a slowly wide circle around him stalking him like some mouse.
He slowly followed her waiting for the moment when she would strike again, his eyes shot back and forth one second looking at his opponent of the moment then the next looking towards Klarion, who sat watching with delight as Medea combed her inhuman fingers through his hair.
When his eyes snapped back to Teekl her muscles twitched as she sprung into action. Her bare feet thumped against the floorboards picking up speed as she ran faster and faster around him. It was a circling blur of orange as the feline ran about him hissing and clawing every once in a while. Her claws tearing into cloth and skin unmercifully.
By the fifth swipe of the hand Batman dropped and with quick thrust of his leg tripped the speeding were-cat familiar gracelessly sending her body tumbling to her masters feet.
Not a cat person, Batman? Klarion asked his frightfully dark eyes moving from the sight of his recovering pet to his intruder. I hope you like birds.
Taking the silent command Medea removed the jacket from her body as she approached Batman, the black wings appearing from there hiding place inside her back.
Batman wiped the excess blood from his cheek watching her as she approached. I'm not foolish enough to attack you head on like that cat. She removed a small line of metal chains, about the length of her arm, from around her thin wrist. To tell you the truth I could care less about your little friends, but you do have something that belongs to me.
With a flick of her wrist the chain was flying towards his face like a deadly viper. Dodging Batman made a run for the west wall of the study. Recollecting her weapon of choice the sorceress darted after him. It was not long before she was running beside him that she ran past him jumping on then bouncing off the wall.
Batman slid to a halt as the black winged woman flew back towards him with her claws bared stretched out for the proverbial kill. Analyzing her trajectory he adjusted himself accordingly, as her hands flew by he took her by the shoulders falling backwards and with a push of his legs sent her soaring over his head.
Jumping onto his feet quickly regaining his pose as she did with a small smirk tugging at her lips as she held up the Morrum for him to see the evidence that her quick hands should not be underestimated. Sitting the book down she faced-off against him in silence, both wondering how one could defeat the other.
Medea, this has become very boring, finish it. Klarion demanded.
Swinging the chain so that it wrapped neatly down her left hand and wrist she bowed her head respectively. As you wish, master.
Medea and Batman both locked eyes and nodded with a silent understanding, this charge would be the last, the one that decided the victor.
A crow-like cowl echoed in the room announcing their start like a pistol. The room filled with the sound of their feet crashing against the floor as they ran towards one another. In a blur of hits and blocks Batman unleashed a volley of punches against the woman's upper body targeting her belly, chest, and face careful to alternate his attacks least she catch on.
Her right forearm blocked his finishing attack, a blow to the neck that would render her unconscious. Dark eyes drifted onto the blank eyes of his mask, the coagulated blood flanking off her cheek gave her the most psychotic appeal though those eyes remained remorseful. Her fist wrapped in the chain collided open palm into the side of his cheek sending his body spiraling as he fell backwards the river of blood spewing from his mouth and nose.
Everything seemed to be spinning and the persistent ringing in his ears did not help him to recover from the initial blow. The pain of Teekl's scratches and the fight shot through him once again as a weight pressed down on his chest.
Don't worry, in a moment all the hurt shall be gone. Her soft whisper of a promise fell sweetly on his ears as her hand gingerly wiped the blood from his mouth.
Collecting my blood for later? He managed through the busted jaw.
Your cynicalism is such a welcome even though I am merely cleaning you up. You and many others are sadly mistaken about this art. Magick isnt just parlor tricks and reading something backwards like that Zantana bitch does. Despite her mood her voice was ever low and ever soft to the ears. And blood is not required for everything, that's just barbaric, only the large dark magick spells call for it. The simple ones, white, dark, or mutual, do not. She stated softly taking away his belt and the two dolls stolen from her room. My Morrum, much like myself, is rather mutual, neither of the light or of the dark, just trapped in a world of gray you might say.
Her hand disappeared behind her only to remove a small dagger, the light caught on its silver blade reflecting the light into his eyes. The pain will be brief. She said drawing the blade against her finger tips.
Medea, I shall do the honors. He said taking the bloodied dagger from her hand.
Standing she nodded her head before walking away with her book wrapped securely in her arms. As my master wishes. Just but be sure to wash your hands afterwards. I'm making spaghetti tonight if you are late their will be no seconds on dessert.
Strawberry shortcakes. Her voice called as she disappeared.
Batman watched the strange exchange between the pair, one moment she was the minion, the next she acted like some sort of parent. What sort of demon did you conjure up this time?
Medea? She is no demon, though she may think differently of herself, she is just a lost soul I found one day laying in her own vomit dieing slowly in her attempt to take her own life. Klarion said as if it were of no real importance.
I didn't take you to be the type to care.
Usually I would have just stood there watching her die slowly while eating my ice cream cone, but then I realized there was something veryspecial about her. It was not until she recovered that I knew that the pitiful human was an innate and denatured sorceress just waiting for someone to show her how to use all of that raw power flowing through her. I think someone in her family was a magick wielder of some sort. He rambled on.
I take it that someone she was waiting for was you. Batman said spitting the blood from his mouth. So how does a human woman suddenly get wings?
It was her wish believe it or not. There were a few exchanges in our bargain, I got a loyal sorceress as a minion, she was taught how to control something she deemed a curse and wings. Sadly it was that book that took away her humanity. Now to deal with you. He ran the blade slowly across the dark knight's face grinning at the slow pain he administered. Forget what she promised, I'm going to make sure that this hurts you.
For fifteen minutes all room of the dark manor was filled with the blood curdling sounds of the pain induced screams of a tormented man.
~*~
Bent over the large desk made of a beautiful redwood Klarion kicked his feet back and forth beneath him as he looked down upon the handwritten script of Morrum's pages.
I got rid of that belt like you said. It's in a dumpster half way across town. A glass of strawberry milk complete with a blue crazy straw was sat down to his right, If you were some normal kid I would think you were doing your homework. Medea spoke in a whisper like voice moments before she sat down on the edge of the desktop.
But alas, my dear master, you are far from normal. She placed a saucer of cream onto the desktop for the anticipating Teekl who hungry began to lap at the offered dish accepting the random strokes against her back with a mew.
Taking the glass Klarion sat back in his chair. In a way this is homework. We don't want to make any mistakes and let the rest of the Justice League find out what we are really up to. His dark eyes focused impishly onto the newest addition of his superhero collection.
Following his insidious glaze she winced at the sight. How hideous. She grumbled looking onto the bat-like Batman doll laid across the desk. I don't know why you chose to turn them into dolls; little cute fuzzy animals would have been nice. At least Teekl and my crows could have been fed. Her hand combed through his hair to drift across his cheek.
I have to keep my eyes on them somehow, until I need them that is. His narrow fingers ran over the Morrum's pages. Now we must get to work on forging this key.
Turning slight in her seat on the desk's edge she looked down onto her opened spell book. I don't see how those little decorations will make a key.
Oh but it does, Medea. This is the key of power, the key to chaos, the key that will bring hell to Earth and all at my knees. He chuckled with childish glee.
She looked towards the clock; the beautiful gold plated hands told her that it was nearly 2 AM. Disrupt the balance of good and evil tomorrow; right now it's bedtime for chaos hungry little boys. She said leading him towards his room with Teelk following loyally behind.
On the desk the brown pages of the book fluttered as if blown by the wind though there was none to speak of, the large heavy cover closed with a hollow thud with no assistance of a human hand it too feeling that it was time to rest.
TBC
DSP: Yeah, just in case some of you caught that I'm not fond of Zatanna. Call me crazy.
Random person: You're crazy!
DSP: Thank you. Til next time.
Oh yeah about next time, it might be awhile sincewell.
More or less I'm trying to explain a complex character
without making them seem omnipotent (You know like when you use
to play pretend and that one kid would always say he/she had all
these powers and no one could destroy them. Then you'd clock them
in the back of a head with a rock because they weren't playing
fair. If not that might have been you.) and without turning this
into a complete Mary-sue. Which means sooner or later a whole
chapter might have to be dedicated to answer some of your
questions.
