Chapter 2
"I'm worried about him," Zatanna said as she flew with Captain Marvel who looked away for a second.
"It's just this age of Chaos or whatnot. It's got him busy," He said after a few seconds, the wisdom of Solomon keeping him neutral.
"But the League has always been able to contact him. Plus there's demons running around Central City. You would have thought he would be there,"
"But I don't think that this is just refined to Earth. I think its happening everywhere. Maybe Doctor Fate is doing something off planet,"
"He's never done that before," Silence met Zatanna's words and Captain Marvel pulled at his costume nervous before noticing something and raising his hand.
"Look, there!" He exclaimed, raising an accusing hand to a large group of demons that appeared to be terrorising a bunch of humans. One teenager seemed to have managed to keep her head and was trying to sheppard the young children away. Most o the adults seemed to have panicked and the black haired teenager looked like she was struggling with getting everyone away. Already there had been a fatality - a father lay mauled. Zatanna froze briefly at the sight. Captain Marvel, however, wasted no time and had already flown forwards , knocking back a demon that had been about to make a grab at the teenager. The hero lifted the monster and threw it back towards the others before turning to look at the the teenager but she seemed to have disappeared having gotten the children quiet a distance away. Zatanna was still froze.
"Hey, Z? Some help would be good." Captain Marvel said as the demons came again.
"Yes, right," She said, shaking her head. "Yam eht tghil fo nomA aR ecreip eseht krad sgieb!" She chanted and light shot from her and forced the demons away, howling in pain. Captain Marvel took this opportunity and shot forward, slamming into a demon.
"How do we get these away?" He asked suddenly, realising that no matter how much he hit the demons, they weren't leaving Earth any time soon.
"Eno latrop ot lleH ginmoc pu." Zatanna responded and a gateway opened in the Earth and with the speed of Mercury, the red clad hero threw the demon back into the fiery realm from whence it came.
"I wonder how it got-" He could say no more as a black streak had cut across the skyline and he was ripped from his position before Zatanna had even had a chance to exclaim her shock.
"Captain Marvel!" He had already gone but there was no time to look for him. Already the demons were advancing on Zatanna and the magician realised that opening a gateway to hell may have been a little too much. Fatigue was starting to make itself known.
"Esolc!" She muttered, looking at the portal that disappeared. No way she was fighting demons while keeping something open that presented such a drain on her magic. A demon suddenly moved towards her.
"Pots!" She cried out and it fell but suddenly more seemed to appear, emerging out of the shadows like rats out of a drain. Panic filled the young witch and she raised herself to try and avoid them but it seemed that she wasn't the only one who could fly. The mass of demons were now focused on her and they rose.
"Nruter ot lleH!" She ordered and a third of the mass retreated but the rest came forwards. "Captain Marvel!" Zatanna shouted, glancing around for her teammate but there was no sign of him, just a straight line where something seemed to have thrown him. Suddenly the demons moved, clawing and scratching her and the daughter of Zatara had no time to respond. She drifted out of consciousness and just as darkness seemed to engulf her, she saw a golden light.
Meanwhile, Captain Marvel was having difficulties of his own. This was something that he had not expected when called out to face demons.
"Black Adam! What do you mean by this?" Captain Marvel asked, now on high alert as he faced the man, the former Champion of Shazam.
"Kahndaq is plagued by demons! And I came to see if the source was the Americans and I find you and the witch with a portal to hell." The man said, punching Captain Marvel as he spoke.
"It's not us!" Captain Marvel shouted back, raising a hand to catch Adam's fist and blocking another punch with his forearm.
"Zatanna was sending them back!"
"And I'm supposed to believe you?" Black Adam replied, tripping Captain Marvel and then flying up high before coming in at high speeds. This time, the Justice Leaguer was ready and flew at the attacker. The resulting collision resulted in a shock wave and the surrounding buildings (already unstable from the marauding demons) began to crumble when suddenly the falling material froze and returned to it's original state.
"Teth Adam," A voice announced.
All night, Doctor Fate had remained in the tower in quiet contemplation, staring into the Orb of Nabu. It seemed that the Lord of Order was more than capable of remaining in the lotus position and not so much twitching a muscle for many hours. Zatara had given up asking. Whatever Nabu was looking for, though, it seemed that he was having no luck. Zatara could feel the ancient being's frustration growing, displacing as soon as Zatara was about to speak again. After what seemed like a day, Zatara finally tried to once again converse with the only one he could talk to.
'Nabu, what are you looking for?' Zatara asked, sensing the presence shift slightly as the Lord of Order heard the words but did not respond.
'I may be able to help.' Zatara said after a few more minuted had passed. This time Nabu's presence shifted even more and Zatara could sense the focus moving on to him.
'I am looking for the plans of the Lords of Order, we have to stop them.' Nabu finally answered.
'But why are you struggling?' Zatara questioned - Nabu had never had any problem with finding those he desired before hand.
'Order is blocking me!' Frustration now definitely tinted his words and Zatara frowned.
'Your own power is blocking you? We're powerless?' Zatara asked, worry penetrating him.
'They are only stopping me tracking them. But we must keep trying. No matter what the costs,' Nabu answered and Zatara felt his heart grow cold as the Orb of Nabu began to show darker scenes. There was a world where the trees bent low and the roots felt for the sun. A snake like creature curled around in a Chaotic dance but that image was soon gone. Next was a man with long brown hair, laughing at something out of sight.
'God, Nabu - you can't be thinking of-'
'What choice do I have? The universe is threatened and I cannot save it without their help. I like this no more than you but I shall save lives. Even if I must debase myself.' Zatara was flooded with emotion as Nabu said this, so devoid of emotion. The Lord of Order was making the ultimate sacrifice. Nabu was going to request the help of a Lord of Chaos. Zatara could only assume that this action would be similar to Superman having to commit mass genocide.
'I will help.' Zatara said, gently. The Orb suddenly lit up and there was the image of Zatanna, sweat covering her brow and becoming rapidly burried under demons.
'My daughter!' Zatara exclaimed and Fate rose from the lotus position and teleported to the demons. Once there, the almighty being blasted the demons with light and they fled, golden light still tightening around them until they fled back to their home. Even as this was happening, Doctor Fate flew down and gently caught the fallen Zatanna who had fainted, his green eyes scanning over her form.
'She is depleted of magic. We will send her to the Tower to rest and regain her magic.' Nabu told Zatara as golden magic enveloped the female hero.
'Why aren't we going?' Zatara asked, concern for his daughter filling his voice.
'We have another thing to deal with,' Nabu answered,flying off. Zatara gave a sigh, grateful that Nabu at least seemed to be careful to make sure Zatanna remained healthy. This wasn't the first time he had done that. A shift in magic was the only warning that Zatara got that Nabu was casting a spell and the magician looked to see Doctor Fate looking down at Black Adam and Captain Marvel.
"Teth Adam," Doctor Fate said and the two champions froze.
"Nabu?" Black Adam said, a look of realisation passing over his face.
"Teth Adam?" Captain Marvel asked.
'You know Black Adam?' Zatara asked.
"Yes," Doctor Fate said, answering all the questions in one word.
"So, Black Adam is Teth Adam and you know each other?" Captain Marvel said. Black Adam ignored this and spoke to Nabu.
"It's been a long time, old friend. You seem to have changed,"
"Well, that answers mine." Captain Marvel said, looking down and his whole appearance suggested a sullen teenage boy kicking a stone out of boredom.
"Some would say it has been too long. This body is not mine and I am now a presence within my helmet," Nabu answered and Black Adam gave a nod.
"Nor is this body my original. But why do you fight with the Justice League? Did you know that they had unleashed demons on my home - which I have just reclaimed?"
"It is not them but the Kali Yuga. I shall remove the demons from Kahndaq for you but time is limited,"
"Then it must be serious, is there anything I can do in return?" Black Adam questioned and Captain Marvel held an expression of disbelief.
"Return with Captain Marvel and offer to help with Justice League until this situation is over," Doctor Fate turned to look at Captain Marvel. "And you are to make sure that the League bear no ill will or resentment." Captain Marvel managed a nod, the wisdom informing him that it was best to agree. The more help the better.
"Holy Moly, I forgot about Zatanna!" He exclaimed suddenly while Black Adam looked less than happy.
"I have moved her to safety, do not worry," Fate replied, noticing the sheepish grin on the hero's face.
"Work with the Justice League?" Black Adam asked in distaste.
"As long as it does not threaten your home." Doctor Fate said, rising.
"Wait, Nabu!" Black Adam said and the golden energy faded back down as the Lord of Order paused.
"I know you. Something has," Black Adam paused, looking towards Captain Marvel before switching languages.
"you concerned," Nabu didn't speak, instead considering whether or not he would actually answer with the truth and if so how much.
"I have to work with those that I would rather not to stop this Kali Yuga. I dare not turn to the League,"
"It's that bad?" Nabu gave a nod in response.
"Er guys?" Captain Marvel said. Neither Zatara or Billy spoke Ancient Egyptian and had completely missed the conversation.
"It is time for us to depart," Doctor Fate announced and he teleported.
"John," Hal Jordan said as the green energy from the wing surrounded the cat but was quickly burnt away but a spewing of red blood.
"I'm getting there, Hal!" Came the voice of the other Green Lantern.
"I'm coming in on your position as well," Superman said.
"After you have dealt with this situation there is a problem in Gotham," Batman radioed in.
"Everything's gone to Hell, hasn't it," Hal said, dodging the steam spew of blood and creating a giant green hand that grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck.
"Hey, Bats, what's going on in Gotham?" Came the voice of Captain Marvel.
"Half the population of Gotham are all speaking different languages, some I do not even recognise," Batman said. "The Joker has taken advantage of this and teamed up with Catwoman and Mr Freeze. There is panic on the streets."
"Different languages, like the Tower of Babel?" The voice of Teth Adam came across and Hal who had left the communication on as he battled the Red Lantern cat but upon hearing this voice, he exclaimed;
"Black Adam? What's he doing here?"
"Uh, he and Nabu knew each other in Ancient Egypt. Fate's convinced him to help us." Captain Marvel said hurriedly.
"Hal, look out!" John Stewert exclaimed and Hal was startled to realise that he had almost been caught out if it had not been for the timely arrival of the other Green Lantern who blocked the red energy hitting him and Hal rose.
"Captain Marvel, you and Black Adam are to report to Gotham," Batman's voice buzzed over as Hal and John worked on making a container for the Red Lantern.
"Where?" Came the voice from the red head as he stared at his hands. They hadn't been like this before. There had been... what had they been before? What had happened before? Something was slow. What had been slow... no, who had been slow? There had been a white light a fading feeling in his stomach.
"Your in San Francisco." Came a soft voice and he saw a teenager with long black hair looking at him with indigo eyes.
"But... I wasn't here before," He muttered, frowning.
"Well, well, well, isn't this an interesting turn of events," Came a childish voice and the teenagers turned to look at the figure with pointed black hair. An orange cat meowed and the red haired teenager felt sure he should know who this was.
"By Azar!" Exclaimed the black head and before anyone could take any action, the teenage woman had grabbed the hand of the bemused ginger and purple smoke enveloped them. They turned up in a small ice cavern and the girl shivered.
"Already came here from Central City. Kind of tired," The teenager said, offering the red head a glance and he felt a warmth fill him.
Thanks to Guest for your kind review. I am glad that you enjoyed this story and delighted to hear that Captain Marvel was in character - he was one of the ones that I was most nervous about writing about. I plan on having the focus mainly one the Justice League but I am working on figuring out what the Young Justice team will be doing and how to fit them all around the plot.