Chapter 8 – In Sapphire Light
Disclaimer - I don't own DC comics or any of its characters nor do I own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This story is purely a work of fanfiction and does not seek to claim ownership or seek any financial gain.
Last Time:
The Deceiver looked over at Zatara, who was studying his former host. Another possession, with the Magic User in the room, would not be a good idea. For a moment his desire to strike warred with his desire to avoid the mage. Eventually, the Deceiver turned away and rocket skyward.
oOoOo
Mount Justice
"You did well in a very dangerous situation," said Black Canary to the group gathered in the briefing room. "Giovanni has already explained about the entity controlling the Wizard. And while his death was unfortunate, we believe that it was unavoidable."
"Were there any civilian casualties?" asked Robin.
"Yes, but no deaths. Most of those injured have already been released from the hospital." Black Canary saw Amanda's worried expression and quickly continued. "Sara Matthews, the hostage is still under observation but otherwise fine and Cheshire is currently under guard in the Watchtowers medical wing."
Only Xander saw the flash of relief, which quickly disappeared, on the face of Artemis.
"Do we know what prompted the attack?" asked Aqualad.
Black Canary shook her head, "No, not for sure although there was an incident that we are investigating."
Xander frowned and cleared his throat, "I've had a fair bit of experience with possession. One thing we should not do is assume that because the host died the possessing spirit is as well. We once had the spirit of a demonic serial killer that could only be stopped by a specific spell on holy ground." He finished speaking and noticed the looks he was getting. "Yeah, and I get those looks quite a lot. I'm just saying that despite the youthful body, I have had a great deal of exposure to the supernatural."
Black Canary shared a look with her so far silent partner Green Arrow who slowly nodded. "We won't forget Xander. If we need your assistance, we will not hesitate to ask."
"Great, thanks," replied Xander.
The meeting ended shortly afterwards, and the Justice Leaguers departed to the Watchtower.
Xander frowned and gestured to Amanda, who nodded. Taking Miri's hand, the three Star Sapphires walked out of the room. Xander led them back to his room and shut the door behind them.
"What is the matter?" asked Miri with a note of concern. She could sense his concern and frustration through their personal link.
"Yeah X, why are we walking out of the briefing?" asked Amanda.
Xander hesitated as he studied Amanda.
"You are worrying me, boss," said Amanda as she began to feel a little uncomfortable with his scrutiny.
"Miri, can you soundproof the room?" asked Xander.
Miri hesitated then nodded, raising her ring she gestured, and a purple bubble surrounded the three of them.
"Amanda, do you remember the Devon protocols?" asked Xander.
Amanda nodded looking confused before her eyes widened, "Really Xan?"
Xander looked more worried as he nodded, "Maybe, we don't know, and without a magic user we may not be able to find out until it's too late."
Miri sighed, "Sorry, but I'm really lost here."
"Possession by a demonic entity can't always be easily detected or countered. There are some powerful ones that can move between hosts in the blink of an eye. Even worse, they are often tough to spot. Take Vampires, when someone is turned their soul moves on, and a demonic entity takes possession. It thinks it is still the victim, it has the victims' memories and skills. What it doesn't have is any sort of humanity. It's a killer, through and through almost without exception," explained Xander.
"And they are pretty strong too, stronger than most normal people," added Amanda.
"True, the good thing is that there are ways to spot a Vampire, just as there are ways to spot many other demons and spirits. Unfortunately, there are some that are so good at hiding that they can easily escape detection. We encountered one called an Umar. It somehow managed to take over a Slayer and then a powerful Wicca. As a result of that disaster, the Devon coven created a series of wards that they would use to protect coven members and their allies. They work, but they are not easy to create or power. Without similar defences how would we know if a member of the league is compromised?" asked Xander.
Miri frowned, "But our rings detected that the brainwaves were non-human. Wouldn't that work?'
Xander shrugged, "Would you bet your life on that?"
"What about a mind reader, like M'gann or her uncle?" asked Amanda.
"What if they are the ones compromised?"
Both Miri and Amanda looked worried as they considered Xander's question.
Xander sighed, "Yeah, my point exactly. We need a plan."
Amanda gestured back at the door, "We should tell the others after we scan them."
"I agree with Xander, they would be helpful if we need to fight this spirit again," added Miri.
Xander sighed, "Fine, then let's check them."
oOoOo
Red Tornado was the last to be checked and given the all clear.
"Spill, we all spirit free?" asked Kid Flash.
"As far as we can tell," replied Xander.
"Would Green Lantern be able to replicate your test?" asked Red Tornado.
"Yes, he would," confirmed Miri.
"Then it would be wise for me to notify the Watchtower of this threat. You did well to inform us," said Red Tornado as he moved toward the door. "I will return once the others have been briefed."
Artemis sat down on one of the sofas and sighed, "How do we deal with a being like this?"
"Atlantean magic might work, but I have little experience with such adversaries," said Aqualad.
"Zatara kicked its butt, so magic should work, right?" asked Kid Flash.
"Maybe," admitted Robin. "I'll check the records to see if the League has anything that might help. I know it has dealt with things like Gentleman Ghost."
Miss Martian looked around the group, her concern evident to all of them. "What if this spirit jumped into a civilian? We can't check everyone that was in town."
"Perhaps if we can find a way to track it," mused Robin.
"We don't even know what it wanted," added Superboy.
Xander grimaced, "Your right…crap. I mean we have no idea what it wants."
"You said he seemed focused on you three. Are you sure about that?" asked Robin.
"Well, he did blast Jade into the wall…then went after us, damn," Xander looked grim as he considered. He was so focused on his thoughts that he didn't notice Artemis reacted when he called Cheshire, Jade.
Artemis paled and then her eyes narrowed. How did Xander know her sister's name? Was this some alternate dimension thing?
"We need to find out, we can't have this entity targeting members of our team," Robin announced. "Let's research and see what we can find out."
"What if this is about the prophecy?" asked Xander as he turned to Miri. "Perhaps, we should ask one of the Green Lanterns or Ganthet."
Miri considered, "My Queen might also know more."
Amanda, who had been listening along, froze, "Sara!" Without pausing she willed her uniform on and took off running toward the door.
Xander swore under his breath and called out, "Amanda."
However, she had already disappeared out the door.
oOoOo
Amanda, in full Star Sapphire attire, took to the air the minute she cleared the doors of Mount Justice.
Once she was airborne, she called on her ring's powers, "Ring locate Sara Matthews."
There were a few moments pause before the ring replied, "Sara Matthews located."
Amanda now had a destination, and so she didn't waste any more time. Turning toward town, she went to full speed.
oOoOo
The Matthews' home was several streets back from the water. As she flew closer to what was, apparently the residential section of Happy Harbour. She slowed almost to a hover.
Studying the house, she was about to use her ring again when the back door opened, and Sara walked out carrying a trash bag to the bin.
The pure relief she felt at seeing Sara faded, replaced by concern that she might be targeted by the entity. Raising her ring, she pointed at Sara, "Scan Sara to make sure she's human and her brainwave thingy is normal."
"Subject shows only normal human brainwaves," reported her ring.
Relieved she hesitated, unsure how to proceed when Sara suddenly looked up and froze.
Amanda descended and landed a few steps away.
Sara took a step forward and stopped, "Amanda…I hadn't expected to see you."
"I, ah, I wanted to check that you were okay, after today," said Amanda.
Sara studied Amanda's face, looking for something. After a few seconds she smiled, "I'm good, I was a bit shocked, well with everything but I'm fine."
"That's good I was worried," explained Amanda as she stared into Sara's eyes, trying to determine if she was truly okay.
"Do you want to, um come in or something?" asked Sara.
"I…sure…" Amanda trailed off as the door to the house opened, and an older man walked out.
"Sara you forgot the…" he trailed off as he caught sight of Amanda in her Star Sapphire uniform.
"I…I what?"
Sara shot Amanda a look, "Dad, this is Amanda. Maybe we should go inside?"
"You, you're the one that saved Sara," said Sara's father.
Amanda nodded, "Yes I am sir, um maybe Sara's right. We should go inside while I explain."
"I think that's a very good idea," said Xander as he and Miri landed beside Amanda.
oOoOo
"Okay, so you three are Star Sapphires," Scott Matthews, Sara's father, said as he looked back and forth between his daughter and the three costumed superheroes sitting in his kitchen. "Which are love based versions of Green Lanterns."
Miri smiled, "Well, we think of them as willpower-based versions of Star Sapphires, but you are on the right track."
Amanda looked both pleased and worried at the fact that Sara had a tight grip on her hand.
Scott nodded and turned to look at his daughter, "Well, you don't do things by half, do you freckles."
Sara shot her father a dirty look and muttered, "I hate that nickname, Dad."
Xander cleared his throat, "While things might have been handled a little differently, Amanda was right to warn Sara and yourself. We don't know what this entity was after and that is reason enough to warn you both."
Scott grimaced, "Should we move somewhere else, a hotel or something?"
"I don't know," admitted Miri. "It might be the safest thing to do."
"I could stay here and protect them," offered Amanda.
Miri nodded, "Having someone here is an option. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to discuss it before Amanda took it upon herself to come and check on you."
Sara gave Amanda's hand a supportive squeeze, "Thanks Amanda."
Miri gave both girls a gentle smile, "I'm not criticising your decision Amanda, just the timing."
Amanda nodded, accepting Miri's feedback.
"What should we do?" asked Scott.
"We contact the Justice League," said Xander. "Then we work out how we do this." He pulled out a compact communicator and opened it before bringing it to his ear. "Hello, Red Tornado. Yes, we found her do we have a solution?"
Amanda watched Xander with some trepidation as he held his conversation.
"…okay, sure I'll organise things at this end…I will let you know, thanks." Xander shut the communicator and slipped it back into his pocket. "The League is continuing its investigation into the entity. We will be staying here, for now, if that is okay with you Mister Matthews?"
Scott nodded, "I think I can find beds for everyone."
Miri smiled as she shook her head, "Oh we won't be needing beds. We'll be on watch tonight until the Justice League can come up with a solution or some workable defences."
Xander and Miri didn't make a big deal about Amanda spending a great deal of time talking to Sara. Thankfully, they didn't experience anything untoward overnight, and in the early morning, Zatara arrived alongside Black Canary.
"I will set up wards that should make it very difficult for anything with ill intent to cross," explained Zatara. "Obviously this is a short-term solution."
"So," continued Black Canary, "We will also be providing you with these." She held out to silver chains. Each bore what looked to be a silver coin. "I got these from John Constantine. They will protect you from possession when you are out of the house."
"I don't know how to thank you," said a relieved looking Scott.
"No thanks needed," replied Black Canary. "Although they are appreciated. We will be in contact once we have dealt with the entity. Miri, Xander, Amanda, there is a briefing scheduled at ten. Given your involvement, we thought that it would be wise to include you."
Miri accepted the invitation with a nod, "Thank you, we will be there."
While this was going on Amanda and Sara were talking quietly in the corner. Eventually, Xander and Miri shared an amused look, and Xander walked over and let Amanda know they were leaving.
As they flew back to Mount Justice, Miri and Xander left Amanda to her thoughts. Only when they landed did Miri pull Amanda aside.
Miri lay a gentle hand on Amanda's shoulder, "Amanda, before we go in, I would like to talk to you for a moment."
Amanda nodded, looking resigned to a tongue-lashing. Instead, Miri simply led her toward a bench beneath a willow tree.
"I understand why you reacted as you did. I won't criticise you for it. But I do want to talk to you about what you could have done better," said Miri as she sat and gestured for Amanda to sit.
"So, what could you have done better?" asked Miri as Amanda sat beside her.
Amanda, surprised at Miri's approach, paused and considered before she answered. "I should have waited and gone in with back up."
"True," said Miri.
"I was trained to be smarter," admitted Amanda. "Xander will kick my butt, won't he?"
Miri laughed, "I doubt it. As for your training, it can be hard to think strategically when the heart is involved. As a Star Sapphire, we are the protectors of love. We encourage and protect it so that it can grow and spread. That does not mean that we act recklessly or without thought. Yes, you should have waited. You are a part of a team. In your fear, you forgot that. Thankfully, there were no dire consequences this time."
Amanda nodded, "I understand."
Miri smiled, "Good, now let's get to this briefing."
oOoOo
Tibet – League of Shadows Base
Ra's al Ghul paused and laid the scroll he was studying down on his desk. His finely tuned senses were warning him of danger, but he could see nothing amiss.
Frowning, he touched a part of his desk and a warding spell activated. It was designed by a long-dead sect of Eastern Mystics and acted as the penultimate protection against magic and the supernatural as well as a trap for such creatures.
A tracing of red lines appeared and surrounded Ra's al Ghul's desk and elsewhere in the ancient building an alarm sounded.
"Ah, a challenge then," said the Master Assassin as he sat, alert but seemingly relaxed. "My ward has detected you, but somehow you have managed to remain invisible…or is that incorporeal?"
The red lines flashed again.
Whatever was testing his ward seemed undeterred by the defences built into the ward but at the same time unable to bypass them.
"Quite ingenious I'm told," said Ra's al Ghul. "A masterpiece of warding. They are also unique in another way. They drain off your power, even as you test them."
The ward lines flashed again. This time they stayed lit up for nearly a minute.
Ra's al Ghul smirked and was about to comment on the ineffectual attack when his study door opened.
Ubu looked in to the room, but didn't enter, "Master?"
"Summon one of the Mystics," ordered Ra's al Ghul.
"Yes…" Ubu trailed off, and his eyes flashed.
Ra's al Ghul needed no more warning than that. He was already moving.
Ubu's hand went to his shoulder holster, his handgun cleared its holster as Ra's thrown blade took him in the right eye.
His faithful bodyguard staggered one step forward and then succumbed to death.
Unmoved the Master of the League of Shadows watched and waited. Ubu's death while only temporary was an annoyance. Far more worrying was the spirit that had somehow defeated his most powerful mystic defences. For it to even make it to his private rooms was a feat, to be able to possess Ubu in the presence of such defences was shocking.
Just as worrying were what it wanted and where it was now.
oOoOo
Ra's al Ghul was right to be concerned, but his precautions and counters would come far too late to stop the departing spirit.
oOoOo
The Deceiver was seeking a host, a powerful host and while his own abilities were well able to compensate for many potential weaknesses. He was faced with powerful enemies. His possession of the Wizard had led him to the League of Shadows. Unfortunately, while powerful as a group there were few among their number that had the power to overwhelm his master's enemies.
Still, the venture was not a complete loss, thanks to the knowledge of those he had used he now had a great deal of information about those beings that might suit his needs.
oOoOo
Kahndaq
Black Adam was a powerful being, more than a match for nearly any foe and even the mightiest could but claim to be his equal. Therefore, it was with a great deal of frustrated annoyance that he left his palace to deal with an unwelcome intruder. His people had reported the presence of Superman. A studied insult given the agreement he had with his old allies, now sometimes enemies in the Justice League.
As he approached the Man of Steel's supposed location, he could easily see the trail of destruction that he had been warned of. Slowing he studied the dusty landscape, looking for his foe. More likely foes, as Superman alone, would be unlikely to cause such destruction. Whatever villain he was fighting would feel his wrath for flaunting his borders.
There, lying amid the ruins of a shattered school were the familiar colours of Superman.
Descending, Black Adam prepared for the upcoming confrontation. Only to slow as the dust and sand cleared. Thrashing amid the rubble was something he had not expected. Bizarro, the twisted copy of Superman, screamed and rolled as if fighting an invisible foe.
Black Adam hesitated, something was wrong with the scene. He felt a strong strike, a probe of his mental shielding.
Bizarro was suddenly still before it slowly stood.
"What is your purpose here?" demanded Black Adam. "Why have you possessed this…defective?"
Bizarro or whatever possessed him seemingly chose to ignore him. A moment later, he rocketed skyward, disappearing into the cloudless sky.
Black Adam was about to follow when he heard the calls for help amid the rubble. The situation with Bizarro and the entity possessing him was odd and would require a response, but his people, trapped in the fallen building were a priority.
oOoOo
The Deceiver had easily taken control of the brute. Its powers were impressive and while it's lack of mental capacity hindered it that was not the case now.
The being that arrived was very powerful and resistant to possession, so he fled. It would make its host rest and recover and then it would remove those that would stop it from freeing its master.
oOoOo
The Watch Tower
"Incoming," warned the Flash.
Green Arrow looked up from the large holographic map, "Who is it?"
The Flash expanded the image and brought it up on the main screen.
Green Arrow sucked a breath in between his teeth, "Get the heavy hitters up here now."
oOoOo
Black Adam arrived at the Justice Leagues Watchtower and hovered, arms crossed a hundred metres from the station, knowing full well that they would soon respond.
"Teth-Adam, it has been some time," said the Martian Manhunter as he approached. "I assume you are not here to engage the League?"
"I am not, although I have a complaint to lay at your feet." Black Adam replied mentally.
"Then, perhaps we should address the rest of the League," replied the Martian Manhunter with a gesture toward the airlock.
Black Adam raised an amused eyebrow at the 'welcoming party'. The big hitters were clearly meant to intimidate him. A pity that such a ruse was doomed to failure.
He nodded to Superman and Wonder Woman, and he pointedly ignored Captain Marvel, the tool of Shazam.
Superman gave a polite nod, "Adam."
"Kal-El, it is you that I am seeking out. The monstrosity, Bizarro has attacked my lands, my people. I know that it does not work with the league so I am informing you so that you can deal with him and the entity possessing the beast. Do so, and we have no further quarrel. Fail to do so, and I will do it myself."
"What was controlling Bizarro and why did he attack Kahndaq?" asked Wonder Woman.
Black Adam shrugged, "I neither know nor care but in doing so he has broken my laws and so in deference to our treaty, I have informed you."
Superman stepped forward, "Hold Adam, you say Bizarro was possessed. How did you know?"
"When I confronted him, I sensed the entity. Naturally, it fled rather than face me," explained Black Adam.
"Could it be the same entity?" asked Wonder Woman.
Black Adam raised an eyebrow, "Of what do you speak? Do you know of this entity?"
"That is a long story and one that is not entirely my story to tell," explained Superman.
oOoOo
Ganthet explained about the prophecy as Black Adam sat, relaxed listening. When the Guardian had finished speaking, he turned to study Xander and Amanda.
"An intriguing story," acknowledged Black Adam. "I have not heard of these entities, but such horrors must be faced and defeated. I can sense the chaos magic around you Alexander Harris…and the primal spirit bound to you. If you need me, I will come, to protect my people." He stood as if to leave when Xander stepped forward.
Xander cleared his throat, "Sir, I would suggest that you find Felix Faust. He holds the key to Isis, but he is not be trusted…he will betray you both by trying to control her."
Black Adam froze and locked eyes with Xander.
"How do you know this?" demanded Black Adam.
"I checked, I know what it is like to lose someone you love. In my world, I thought what happened to you and Isis was wrong. So, when the JLA computers said she died, and how…well now is a good time to pass it on," Xander glanced at Miri. "After all love is eternal."
A strange expression appeared on Black Adam's face, a look of longing that was replaced by determination. "I thank you, Star Sapphire. When the time comes, Teth-Adam will fight by your side."
Black Adam nodded to the others, less contemptuously this time and walked away. After a moment Superman and Captain Marvel followed.
As the door closed, Wonder Woman turned to Xander. "That went surprisingly well, but I must ask why you told him that."
"Because it's true, Love is eternal. And Black Adam was screwed over, majorly. He made some mistakes, and he paid for them. If this universe matched the history, I know he ends up more an antihero than a villain anyway. Isis will help with that, she's powerful in her own right, and she is a good influence on him," explained Xander.
"And Faust's role in this?"
"He helps resurrect Isis but only to steal power for himself. He's a scum bag and if I'm right Black Adam is going to be a karmic force. I'm fairly sure Isis will stop Adam killing him."
"Pity," muttered Amanda.
"He's gone," reported Superman as he and Captain Marvel re-entered the room. "What was all that about?"
Xander explained Black Adam's plans to resurrect Isis and how Faust only wanted power.
"He'll kill Faust," said Captain Marvel.
Xander shook his head, "Doubt it. So what's the plan with Bizarro?"
Superman frowned, "We'll deal with Bizarro."
oOoOo
Mount Justice
Back in Xander's room, Amanda and Miri sat on the bed as Xander paced, back and forth.
Eventually, he stopped pacing, "We're being cut out of the investigation."
Miri nodded, "I suspected that we might face this. The Star Sapphires are not fully trusted, and they view you both as unknowns. The team here is a good example of how the League operate. They are supervised and assessed, despite what they are told they are not full members of the Justice League."
"You didn't say anything," accused Amanda.
Miri shrugged, "It suited our purposes and gave us time to train and prepare. Unfortunately, our presence seems to have attracted enemies, here to us."
Amanda nodded unhappily, "I don't want Sara, her father or anyone else put at risk because things are after our heads."
"Then perhaps we should consult my Queen directly. She may have uncovered more about the nature of our enemies," suggested Miri.
oOoOo
Zamaron
Artemis and Aphrodite stepped from the pink tinted doorway into what looked like a finely appointed, if alien bedroom.
"Very nice, stylish," commented Aphrodite.
Queen Aga'po spun around in shock.
"We come in peace Queen Aga'po of Zamaron, mistress of the Star Sapphires," said Artemis.
Aga'po hesitated, there was something familiar about one of the apparently human women. With an audible gasp, she stepped back, "You!"
Aphrodite grinned, "You know I never apologised to you for that. You startled me, I didn't actually mean to spill that on you."
"I…I spent days, days like that!" shrieked Aga'po. "I'm not even one of your people!"
Artemis looked at her sister goddess curiously, "What did you do?"
Aphrodite sighed, "I was checking out the Star Sapphires after all they had, at the time been giving some people a lot of grief. I was studying the Queen when she somehow sensed me and, well I spilt some of the nectar on her."
Artemis grew wide-eyed and then burst out laughing.
Aga'po stiffened as Aphrodite stepped toward the Queen, "Look, it was an accident, and I truly am sorry. I probably should have apologised when it happened."
"I had to swear those two guards to secrecy… I couldn't sit down for two days!"
Artemis wasn't helping as she snickered in the corner.
"We are here because of the prophecy," announced Aphrodite who had shifted from contrite to deadly serious.
Aga'po stiffened and then took a deep breath, calming herself, "Why?"
"Because once the Nameless is released, we will all need to work together or everything will be destroyed," answered Aphrodite. "The Nameless God is known to the gods of Olympus. By another name, that has been purged from our memories. It was a precursor of the old Gods and was sealed away, trapped until it could be released and destroyed. The old Gods had foreseen its demise, in the far distant future. The prophecy given to you by the Hidden Seers of Xoth speaks of the Whisperer in the Darkness and of the arrival of the Outsider who is both the key to the prison and the doom of the Whisperer. The prophecy we hold is from a seer known as Agamedes the Insane."
Aga'po was listening intently now, her anger at the Goddesses antics forgotten.
"When the chosen outsider appears as both key and sword
Combined by chaos, they shall be cleaved
This shall mark the freeing of the darkness
Love is their strength, their weapon and hope
Two shall become four and be bound ever more
The Darkness will rise in whispers of hate
Shadows and lies its soldiers unknowing
Its vanguard will be the twisted serpent
Unseen it will usurp the daughter of shadows
If Chosen should falter then love will be first, and hope shall be last
And the bright day shall pass to blackest night."
Aphrodite wrinkled her nose as she finished reciting the prophecy, "He was a smelly, illiterate madman but, as far as we know, no prophecy he spoke of has failed to come to pass."
Artemis shrugged, "Madman or not it sounds like recent events, does it not?"
Aga'po nodded, "It does, and it matches many of the points in the Seers prophecy. Why have you shared this with me now?"
"Besides the obvious danger to us all you mean," replied Artemis.
Aphrodite gestured, and the image of a black ring appeared, "The Black Lantern ring, death and a symbol of hatred of the living. I know you know the secret prophecy of the Guardians. A face of metal and flesh shall speak of the secrets of the 52. Fear will rise. Willpower will gather. And a wave of light will unleash the truth behind the power of the ring. The Blackest Night Prophecy as it was given by Qull of the Five Inversions. When the enemies of the Guardians of the Universe would rise up against them and destroy their great work. If the Nameless is not stopped the Blackest Night will soon beset those that serve the spectrum, and it will mark the beginning of the end of everything."
"How do you know this?" whispered Aga'po.
Aphrodite looked saddened for a moment before answering, "I discovered the prophecy millennia ago. It was hidden away by Zeus. He fears, rightly that we would be unable to stop the nameless and he sought other ways to stop the prophecy. I, however, began planning, Artemis joined me, and we began to plan how we would help."
"We must warn the others," said Aga'po.
"Yes, you must and while you do so Artemis and I shall see to our champions," said Aphrodite as she waved her hand, forming a portal. "Can we count on you Queen Apa'po?"
"Yes, you can My Lady."