Denial

Mount Justice: 7:39pm, August 19th, 2010:

Within the zeta hanger, Kaldur and Superboy decided to spar today, testing their newfound skills. While Superboy recommended to train with me because of my strength, I told him that sparring is about improving our skills. While I might want to spar with him, there are others to fight. Which is why I recommend that Kaldur take the spar. Kaldur is strong but not at Superboy's level, but he is quick and resourceful. He would be a better challenge. I decided to bring my Charger into the hanger and give it a quick look over to make sure the engine is in tip top shape. M'gann and Artemis, with their civilian wear walk into the room as they watch the spar. Superboy decided to forgo a shirt, and that decision has now made me sense M'gann's attraction. Sometimes...I can't stand being in the same room as those two. "Having fun down there?" Artemis says as I pull out from underneath the car. She is leaning against it so nonchalantly. "I'm doing fine...now get your ass off my ride." I say as I roll back underneath, all hear is a chuckle from her. I hear the spar still going on as the two girls watch.

"Kaldur's, uh, nice. Don't you think? Handsome, commanding. You should totally ask him out." I hear Artemis say to M'gann as I fumble my spanner. "He's like a big brother to me. But you know who would make the cutest couple? You and Wally." She says as I spit laugh. I roll out from underneath the car. "Yep, spot on." I say as Artemis glares at both me and M'gann. "You're so full of passion and he's so full of...of..." M'gann doesn't finish as Artemis butts in. "It?" She says as I chuckle. "You two are such fun. Loving the gossip and the crush talk. Oh and Artemis, let's make a bet." I say as I roll back underneath the car. I feel her pull the roll board as I look up at her. "What's the bet?" She demands as I smirk. "Bet is that by the end of the year, you and Wally will be a couple." I say as M'gann squeals, quietly though. "That's a sucker bet, I don't even like him." She says as I give her a look of 'really'. "What's the prize?" She asks. "The prize is that if you win, you can have the Charger...for a week." I say as her hopeful expression lessens but still remains slightly. "And if I win...and you two aren't a couple. You have to at least go on a date with Wally." I say as her eyes widen. "That's a shit bet. Become a couple by the end of the year and if I lose I still have to go on a date?" She says as I explain. "A date can go either good or bad...let's see what yours is." I say as I pull myself back under the car. "I think he has put you in a...what's the say, 'a rock and a hard place'." M'gann says as I hear Artemis sigh. "Fine...deal." she says as I wheel out and shake her hand. "Pleasure doing business." I say cheekily as she scoffs and walks off. Me and M'gann chuckle before fist bumping. Mission accomplished.

"Fail. Aqualad." The training voice lady says as I wheel out from underneath the car to see Superboy standing tall and Kaldur flat on his back. "Black Canary taught me that." Superboy says as he wipes his hands. From the ceiling, a red vortex lower as Red Tornado enters the room. Wally speeds over to him. "Do you have a mission for us?" He asks as Tornado turns to him. "Missions are the Batman's responsibility." He replies as I walk over with the others. "Batman is with Robin in Gotham. We're just wondering if we could be useful with something." I say as everyone nods. Tornado looks at me before nodding. He turns as a hologram pops up with an image of an old man on it. "This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is 106 years old." Tornado says as I nod. Impressive. "He has been missing for 23 days." Tornado states as I ponder for a minute. "Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, a precursor to your mentor's Justice League." Tornado continues as Nelson's image changes into that of a strong looking man with a blue suit, yellow details and yellow cape but the most obvious feature was the yellow helmet which covered everything but the eyes and ears. "Nabu." I hear the Rider in my head as I drone out the conversation. "Who?" I reply mentally to him. "Nabu...two thousand years before the birth of the Son. I met the man Nabu in Babylon. He was a powerful warrior and a wise leader. He along with his father and sister went to battle against a conqueror from the stars which resulted in his death. Based on the insignia on his belt. He was chosen by the Lord's of Order to represent them in this Nexus. He is a powerful sorcerer and the only one on this planet at this moment who could rival my might." He says as my eyes widen. An equal to the Rider, never thought I would see the day. But something he said made me confused. "What are the Lords of Order?" I ask him. "Primordial elementals of the universe. When the universe exploded into existence, the Lord's of both Chaos and Order were born. Their constant conflict is what keeps the universe in balance, it's what makes it flourish. One can never be more powerful than the other, otherwise the scales will tip and the consequences could be catastrophic." He says as I nod. Wait a minute. "How do you know all this...how old are you?" I ask him as I feel his pride and amusement. "I was old when I saw your Big Bang...still to this day, the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen." He says as I choke and cough on that information. "You all good?" Wally asks me as I notice that everyone is looking at me. "Yeah. I just had something in my throat." I say as I clear my throat. "So what's going on?" I ask as they all looked weirdly at me. "Weren't you paying attention?" Superboy asks as I shake my head. "Sorry, I droned out for a bit." I say as the Ride laughs in my head. "Tornado is sending us to the Tower of Fate to find and guard the helmet. With Nelson missing, and the helmet unguarded, it's at risk of being possessed or destroyed." Kaldur says as I nod. "Cool. Magical road trip, I'm game." I say as Wally scoffs, but Artemis nudges him to shut up.

We were in the bio ship on our way to where the Tower is supposedly located. "So Wally. When did you first realize your honest affinity for the mystic arts." Artemis asks sarcastically as Wally leans back in his chair. "Well, I don't like to brag but uh. Before I became Kid Flash. I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself." He says as I just laugh. "Ok Harry Potter, whatever you say." I say as everyone chuckles, except Wally who just pouts. "We've reached Tornado's coordinates, but-." M'gann starts as Superboy interjects. "Nothing's there." Kaldur tells M'gann to lower the ship. We get out and see a big open field, with nothing within it. "What city are we in again?" I ask as Artemis answers. "Salem." I roll my eyes at the irony. "Ok then, if we can't see it then what? Say the magical password?" I ask sarcastically. Wally runs around the entire field as he speeds back to us. "Nothing. This isn't simple camouflage." He says bewildered. "So what do you think, adaptive micro-optic electronics combined with phase-shifting?" She asks as Wally perks up. "Absolutely...not." he says as M'gann floats down to the ground beside him. "Clearly mystic powers are at work here." He says as Artemis just stares blanket at him. "Rider, what do you think?" I ask him as everyone turns to me. "I sense a powerful anchor here. It's foggy but it is the Tower of Fate. Maybe it's a test...a test of faith." He says as I turn to everyone. "He just said it might be a test of faith." I say as Kaldur takes out the key that Red Tornado gave him. "Stand behind me." He says as he steps forward. He puts the key forward and turns. A lock clicks as the huge tower reveals itself. It's a tower of stone with no windows. "That's an eyesore." I say as Kaldur opens the door, we all go to enter. As I'm about to cross the threshold, I barge into a glowing, yellow, transparent field. "Oww, what the fuck." I say as I rub my head. Everyone turns back to me. "Matt, what's wrong?" M'gann asks as I put my hand through the threshold and the yellow barrier comes alive. I rub my hand over it. "Seems that I can't enter." I say as I light my hand with hellfire as I brush it against the barrier. The barrier glows brighter as a single beam of light hits my chest, sending me flying all the way back to the ship. "Matt!" Superboy yells as I put my hand up. "I'm good, you guys go ahead without me, I'll stay here." I say as I drop my hand back down. "That hurt. Like really bad." I say as I sit up. "The Tower is meant to be a fortress against mystic forces. I cannot enter." He says as I rub my chest before walking back to the Tower. "Why can't your Hellfire burn through it? I thought that Hellfire can burn through anything?" I ask in ponder. "This Tower was built and powered by Heavenly Fire and the Magic of Terra. Heavenly Fire is the only source of power that can withstand and effectively overcome Hellfire." He says as my mind goes a hundred miles an hour. "Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that something from heaven, an angel, built this tower? I know that you're old but how can you know this?" I ask as I hear him sigh in acceptance. "Because I built it." As he says that, my mind goes blank. What the fuck. "Who are you? Who are you really?"

P.O.V Change: Artemis

As we watch Matt wave at us to go ahead, the doorway solidifies. "Where did the door go? Will Matt be alright?" Superboy says as a yellow light shines in the stone room. A hologram of Kent Nelson reveals as he speaks to us. "Greetings, you enter led with the key but the Tower does not recognise you. Please state your purpose and intent." Before Kaldur can answer, Wally steps forward. Oh shit. "We are true believers. Here to find Doctor Fate." He says dramatically as Nelson's hologram frowns. I feel a rumble as the floor gives way, a pit of lava is revealed as we all scream and panic. I pull out my on hand crossbow as I fire a grapple bolt at the wall. I swing and catch Kaldur. M'gann catches Wally as she floats over to the wall. Superboy breaks his fall by gripping the wall. He slides down, he stops as his feet enter the lava. He screams in pain as he pulls his feet up. "Those were my favourite boots. This Nelson guy better be worth it." He says.

P.O.V Change: Kent Nelson

I am pushed forward out of the theatre and across the street. I see a man in black pants and a leather jacket with an upside down white 'U' pacing in front of the tower. "Whose that?" Abra Kabadra says as both him and the Witch Boy look at the young man. The boy's cat hisses as the boy frowns angrily. "Doesn't matter, he can't see us. Open the Tower!" The boy screams impatiently as the young man turns to us. He walks over and stands in front of me. His eyes glow with fire as my eyes widen as to who is in front of me. After decades, he has found a new host. And I can sense that this boy is extremely willful and powerful. The Spirit chose wisely with this one. The Rider walks around us, still staring but his eyes are moving everywhere, he can sense us but can't see us. "Come on already!" The boy screams as Abra Kabadra pushes me to the Tower door. The ankh glows bright as the staircase is revealed. The Rider turns back around as he swings a fiery chain at us as we enter but the magic of the Tower deflects the chain. The Rider looks around, looking for something...or someone. He felt the magic flare when the door opened and reacted, it seems to be that the host doesn't have much experience with the Rider's mysticism.

After entering, I turn to Kabadra and the Witch Boy. "The Tower may not appreciate trespassers." I say but Kabadra waves me off. "Mute." He says as a collar floats up and wraps around my neck. This just gets worse and worse. I hope that whoever the Riser brought can help, otherwise we are in big trouble.

P.O.V Change: Artemis

I watch as M'gann has trouble keeping afloat. "Having trouble...maintaining altitude. I'm so hot." She says while groaning. Sweat is dropping from her face. Right, of course. Martians can't stand extreme heat. "You sure are." Wally says as I shout out to him. "Hey, Wally!" What I was going to say is cut off as she speaks. "Falling to my death here. I'm entitled to speak my mind!" He says as I turn back to Kaldur. Sweat is forming on his face as well. "My physiology and M'gann's are susceptible to extreme heat. We must climb out quickly." He says as I turn back to see M'gann and Wally still falling. "Hello, Megan. We never truly answered the question. Red Tornado sent us to see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe!" She shouts as floorboards close over the pool of lava. "Ok, that is very trippy." I say as myself and Kaldur descend. M'gann drops down in exhaustion as Wally drips on his ass. "This platform. It should be red hot, but it is cool to touch." Kaldur states as he feels the floor. "Don't worry, Megalicious. I got you." Wally says as he wraps his arm around M'gann's shoulder. I scowl as I bolt over to him. "Enough! Your little 'impress Megan at all cost game, nearly got us all roasted." I say as I push him off. "When did this become my fault?" He asked incredulously. "When you lied to that whatever it was and called yourself a true believer. You lied and it nearly got all of us killed." I say as everyone gathers behind me.

"Wally, you don't believe?" M'gann asks him as he looks at everyone. "Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic. But magic is the real lie. A major load." He says angrily as Kaldur steps forward. "Wally, I studied for a year at the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin income that powers my water bearers." Kaldur says but Wally turns to him. "Dude, you ever hear of bio-electricity? Hey, in primate cultures, fire was once considered magical, too. Today it's all a bunch of hocus pocus nonsense." He says but I smirk at him. "What about Matt and the Rider? How do you explain that?" I say but he just scoffs. "Obviously, the Rider is a parasitic alien that has to bound with a host to survive. It naturally has the ability to use superheated fire. Duh." He says as I shake my head. "You're pretty close minded for someone who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers." I say but he still fires back. "That's science. I recreated Flash's laboratory experiment, and here I am. Everything can be explained by science." He says arrogantly as Kaldur kneels to the ground. "Let's test that theory." He says as he reaches a door hatch. "Wait! The back-draft from the lava will roast us alive!" Wally shouts as Kaldur opens the door. Instead of lava, snow and ice are revealed. Wind blows out snow as M'gann reaches for it. "Its snow!" She says in wonder as I look at Wally. "Do you ever get tired at being wrong?" I ask sarcastically.

We all jump down the hatch, but as we come out, the hatch is on the side rather than flat. Like we jumped through the hatch rather than down. "This place gets weirder and weirder." Superboy says as the hatch glows hello and disappears. We look around at the area that we are in and it seems like we were transported to the Arctic. Huge mountains, snow and ice all over the place. We all turn to Wally. "Well?" I say with a raised eyebrow. "Ever hear of string theory. We're in a pocket dimension." He says cockily as I grunt in frustration. "Ahh! I'm done, I give up!" I hear M'gann say something as we turn and see a floating cane with ice around the base. I walk over to inspect it as I hear Wally. "Ooh, maybe it's Nelson's magic wand." He says condescending. He speeds over to me as both of us grip the cane. "I got it!" We both say at the same time as we glare at each other. The cane glows as I try to let go. "Ahh. I can't let go!" Both of us say as we both are pulled into the air. We scream in panic as we are incased in a yellow glow.

The glow stops as I come too and see a massive labyrinth. I look down and see an old man tied up, must be Nelson. A tall man with a white shirt and a wand in hand but the most confusing is the boy with a devil hair style in a tuxedo with a cat with red eyes. Very confusing. "Abra Kabadra." Wally says as we look down from the ceiling? Ground? I don't know. "Well, would you look at that." Nelson says as his cane glows yellow as Nelson himself glows as well. He shoots forward and lands on the platform that we are on. He grips the cane as myself and Wally are able to let go. "In here!" He shouts as he places his cane forward as an elevator opens up. We enter as the boy yells in anger. "No! No! No! I want that helmet. I want it! I want it! I want it!" He screams as beams of red lightning hits the elevator.

The lift is going up apparently as music plays. Nelson is completely at ease while myself and Wally are a little bit on edge. "I'm Kent Nelson by the way." He says. "Nun duh. Oww." Wally says as I elbow him. "I'm Artemis. Miss Manners here is Wally." I say in greeting. "Well, Artemis. We're up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power." He says as Wally scoff. "Abra Kabadra? Flash has proven he uses futuristic technology to simulate magic." He says as Nelson nods in agreement. "Right you are." I turned wide eyed at Nelson. "He is?" I ask. "Abra is a charlatan. But Klarion, the Witch Boy. The kid with the cat, he's an actual Lord of Chaos. The ultimate enemy of a Lord of Order like Doctor Fate." He says as Wally states unimpressed. "Right. And you're a Lord of Order?" He asks. "Oh, not me. I just an old coot Fate used to put on. Until my wife Inza convinced me there could be more to life. Ah, she was a real pistol that Inza. Anyhoo, Klarion's after the Helmet. If he gets his sticky little mitts on it then the entire planet will become his playground of pandemonium." He says as myself and Wally's eyes widen at the implication. "How powerful is Klarion?" I ask Nelson. "Very powerful. He is a primordial source of Chaos. Despite, his appearance and behaviour, he is as old as the very universe." He says as I gulp but a thought enters my head. "What if we could level the playing field? Matt, our friend, is very powerful." I say as Nelson sighs. "I've met your friend. He is indeed powerful but the Spirit of Vengeance is forbidden from entering the Tower." He says as I wave my hands up. "Fate of the world, we need him!" I say but Nelson remains silent. "It can't be helped. The magic that is keeping him out is part of a treaty between the Lord's of Order and the Spirit of Vengeance. Even if I wanted to, only Doctor Fate can break the barrier." He says as I shake my head. "Why though?" I ask as he leans against the wall. "To understand why, you must understand the how." He says as he taps his cane. The elevator disappears as we enter a black void.

"To understand, you must know the Rider." Nelson says as he walks up to us. "Where are we?" Wally asks as a bright light explodes in the distance. "We are seeing the dawn of the universe. And the first of its inhabitants." Nelson says as red and gold gems form within the new stars of the universe. "The gems are the Lords of Chaos and Order's true forms. Order and Chaos are the primordial forces of existence, everything that will exist comes from their universal conflict. However...when children fight. Someone must make sure that the rules are followed, and the mess is cleaned up." Nelson says as bright white images form out of the Big Bang. "This universe lies in a Nexus point, where the energy of the multiverse flows through it. Thirteen entities came through the Big Bang and set up shop. They are known as the Ones or too you, known as Angels." He says as mine and Wally's eyes widen. "These Celestial Gods are some of the most powerful beings to cross the multiverse. Each one represented a different factor of mortal life. Whether it would be past or future. Some include Lightbringer, Death, Rebirth, Destruction, Time, Love, War, etc. But the one that we are focused on is Justice." Nelson says as a bright light forms as a tall, beautiful man reaches through the void, his beautiful blue wings of fire stretch across the cosmos. "This is Zarathos, the Angel of Justice. His mission was to protect mortal life from the strain of Evil and to purge it from the souls of mortals with Heavenly Fire. He was particularly fond of a little planet called Earth. Earth is a Nexus point within a Nexus...in laymen's term, the centre of the mystic universe. Zarathos deemed that this planet and all of its inhabitants will come under his protection. Zarathos and his brother Lucifer, the Lightbringer, were the ones who taught and protected mortal life from the dangers and temptations of Evil. The Lords of Order deemed that Earth was going to play a pivotal role within the eons to come. Zarathos had helped the Lord's of Order to build and enforce the protection of the Tower and this the magical shield that protects the Earth from other, less friendly magical threats. Zarathos had imbued the Tower with Heavenly Fire to safeguard the Tower from anyone with the taint of Evil on their soul." Nelson says as Wally shakes his head. "Wait, go back, Lucifer? Like the Devil?" He asks as Nelson nods his head. "Yes. Now be quiet. One day, a dark entity had found itself drawn to this new universe. This entity was calculating, cruel, vicious and manipulative. It was able to hide its dark Evilness from the eyes of Zarathos and Lucifer." Kent continues as we watch the bright figures being approached by another bright figure but in the shadows, we can see four blood red eyes staring at the Angels.

"This entity tricked Zarathos and Lucifer into his home dimension, explaining that his dimension is similar to this new one and Goodness and Justice are praised. Both Zarathos and Lucifer didn't trust the entity but their missions blinded them to the entity's true self. When they entered his dimension, they were shocked to see fire, death, torture and cruelty everywhere. The entity had revealed himself, as the very source of Evil, it's embodiment." Nelson says as out eyes widen in horror at the scene. "It's hell." I say as Nelson chuckles. "Yes...it is. The entity didn't want his enemies dead, no. It'll be more fitting if they were tortured for the rest of Eternity. Lucifer was able to escape but not before the Hellfire was able to burn the Goodness from his soul. Lucifer fell into darkness. His soul lost for all Eternity. But Zarathos...had a stronger will." Nelson continues as we watch as the angel, Zarathos, screams in agony. "Zarathos was tortured for billions of years within Hell. The Hellfire couldn't burn the purity of justice from his heart...but it could corrupt it. Zarathos was driven mad as he was forced to watch as his absence from his universe was plunged into war, chaos, strife, pain. Evil flourishing and spreading to all corners of his universe. Zarathos tried to hold out but it was inevitable." Nelson says as I wipe tears from my eyes as Zarathos's body burns, his beauty is burned away, leaving only a skeleton, with wings of pure Hellfire. "Zarathos never fell into Evil. His soul was however corrupted, his mission to protect the innocent corrupted. Instead of purging Evil from souls, he would banish them to eternal damnation. No longer was he an Angel of Justice. But rather...A Spirit of Vengeance."

We watch as Zarathos laughs in sadistic glee. "But Zarathos still had a strong will. The evil entity tried to make a slave out of him, but Zarathos would and could never be chained. He escaped from Hell and was able to make his way back to his dimension. Blinding jumping, he crash landed on Earth, 100,000 years old." Nelson says as we watch as Zarathos crashes on Earth. "Like the Lords of Order and Chaos, Zarathos needed a tether to keep himself to the Earthly plane. Deeming that the souls and spirits of a host will be sufficient. Zarathos had forcibly possessed a Sabre Tooth Tiger. Alas, the first host of the Spirit was forged." Nelson says as we watch as Zarathos takes over the body. "It wasn't until thousands of years later that Zarathos would encounter early humans. Now able to walk freely amongst them, he forcibly entered an ancient human and took over. This ancient human however was close by to a mammoth that he was hunting. Zarathos deemed the mammoth as an acceptable mount for his new body. Thus, the first Ghost Rider rode into the distance, delivering vengeance down on those that he deemed deserved it." Nelson finishes as flashes of history pass. Hundreds of Ghost Riders. "When Zarathos had found the Tower, he deemed it his, but the Lord of Order at that present time said that his Aether was tainted by Evil, and he would not be allowed to enter. A great battle took place between the Lord of Order and Zarathos. Zarathos had killed him but with his last moments on the earthly plane, the Lord had commanded that the ley lines, the Magic of Terra would safeguard and reinforce the Heavenly Fire barrier. Zarathos had no choice but to leave the Tower. A silent treaty between the Lords of Order and Zarathos was forged that day, Zarathos would never be allowed to enter the Tower, only if a Lord of Order deemed it so. And since both the Lords and Zarathos have an uneasy relationship, no Lord would take down the barrier." Nelson says as we watch the great battle between Zarathos and the Lord. Their battle had rocked the Earth and brought about the last Ice Age. The last image we see is of Zarathos standing in an empty field before roaring in fury, Hellfire blazing across the field, more images depict Zarathos abandoning his hosts, leaving them to die when he sapped their energy. The images more on as it reveals that Zarathos will abandon hosts of he deems them useless, soft or have outlived their usefulness.

Nelson cuts the images as the elevator opens. "I'm sorry but as long as the barrier is up, Zarathos can't help you." He says as he steps out. Me and Wally look at each other as everything we just heard had changed our opinion about who is in Matt's head. We follow Nelson as we enter another part of the labyrinth with a large golden bell sitting there. A bright light opens above us as Kaldur, Superboy fall on their faces as M'gann floats down. "Friends of yours?" Nelson asks teasingly as I run over to everyone. A beam shoots out. Abra Kabadra and Klarion are right above us. "Friends of yours?" Wally replies sarcastically as both he and Nelson head to the bell. I follow after them. "Artemis! Wait!" Kaldur shouts at me as Nelson rings the bell. The both of them enter as I throw myself in.

We are transported to the roof of the Tower. In front of us, floating, is the Helmet of Fate. Nelson reaches out for it but is hit by a red beam of lightning. He groans in pain as Wally catches him. I turn and see Klarion floating above us. The boy smiles and fires another beam as Nelson forms a protective barrier around us and the helmet. "No!" The boy screams as a massive shockwave rocks the Tower. Klarion opens a portal to see what's happening and his eyes widen in fear as the Ghost Rider is banging his flame covered fists against the barrier. He growls in fury before turning around, seeing Klarion who panics. The Ride swings a fiery chain, but Klarion closes the portal. "Not bad for a former 'Doctor 'Fake', eh kid?" Nelson says tiredly as he wobbles. Wally catches him and rests him against the stone floor. I look between the duo and the Klarion.

"The bubble will have another juice to do what you need to do." Nelson says as he points to the Helmet. My eyes widen at what he's asking. "I have no idea what I need to do." Wally says I panic. "Have faith in what you can't explain. Believe in what you can no longer deny." Nelson says as is breath gives out as his hand drops to the ground, he's dead. My eyes test up as I see his pocket watch that has a photo of his wife, Inza.

Klarion is still firing blasts of energy at the bubble as the Tower continues to rock from Ghost Rider's assault. Wally tries CPR but I pull him back. "No! I have to help him!" He screams. "Wally, he's gone. We have to take the helmet and get out of here! Klarion is not going to let up!" I shout as the bubble starts fracturing from Klarion's blasts. "I want that helmet, and I want it now!" The boy screams. Wally looks up to helmet before looking down at Nelson. Klarion makes a circle around himself as he forms red clawed hands that punctuate the bubble, the force of the blow forces me onto my backside. "A test of faith." Wally says as he stands and reaches for the helmet. "Hey, dumb kid! You put that on, you may never get it off." Klarion says as he pulls the bubble to pieces. Wally raises it above his head as I scream to him. "Wally, noooo!" Klarion fires a stream of red fire as Wally puts the helmet on. I stand behind him as the fire diverts off of him as he body changes. A blue suit with golden armour and cape form around him as yellow energy is all around him, like an aura. Doctor Fate turns to me and speaks in a combined voice of Wally's and someone else's. "This is Fate's fight. Get out of the way." He says as he forces me to the wall, far away from the strong combatants.

Doctor Fate floats above the roof as Klarion fires a volley of blasts at him. Fate forms an ankh symbol of yellow energy which blocks the blasts. "Give up, Nabu. Order went out of style in the 20th Century." Klarion says as the Tower rocks again. "NABU! LET ME IN!" The Riders voice roars across the entire city. "This battle is pointless. You thought to take the helmet before it claimed a host. And if you manage to escape. The Spirit of Vengeance will hunt you, Witch Boy. He knows your energy now." Fate decrees in monotone as Klarion shouts. "I'm not scared of that old fart." Klarion says as the Tower rocks again. "NABU! LET...ME...IN!" The Rider says again as I move away from the blasts. There doesn't seem to be a door anywhere so I can leave and I don't know what Abra Kabadra is doing to everyone else. Fate fires a beam of ankh at Klarion who seems to disintegrate but he forms again behind Fate and blasts a beam of red at his back. Klarion fires a red dragon of energy at Fate who dodges but blocks when the dragon comes back. "Look out!" I shout out as Fate is hit from behind by another beam of energy. Klarion shoots energy like a gunslinger as Fate holds up a barrier which breaks after a while. Fate is sent back to me as he crashes against the wall. "You're out of practice, Nabu. And that pathetic host, zero affinity for the mystic arts." Klarion mocks as he fires more. Fate holds up a shield as I slide up beside him. "Matt can help. He's good. Take down the barrier." I say as Fare turns to me. "The Spirit of Vengeance cannot be trusted, why should Fate trust either of you?" He says as he groans under the pressure. "Please. You can't hold out forever. You know that you and the Lords have an issue with the Rider, but this isn't the time to hold a grudge. Let him help." I plead with Fate as he stares at me. "You trust him. Even with your life...if this doesn't work and the Spirit betrays the trust that I'm putting in, then you will suffer Fate's wrath." Fate threatens as he blasts Klarion back before levitating in a mediation position. Fate starts reciting a spell as Klarion yells. "No! No! No!" Fates eyes widen with power as a barrier of yellow forms and shatters into nothing.

Klarion looks around, panicking, as chain shoots into the sky and latches onto the stone. A black and orange figure jumps up and lands with a thud on the roof. The Ghost Rider is here and it's his turn to kick some ass. "You don't belong here, Klarion! Leave this place before I send you back to where you once came!" The Rider threatens as Klarion throws fire blasts at him. "I'm not afraid of you, you forgotten relic!" He shots but the Rider dodges the blast and swings his chains at Klarion and pulls him in. The Rider catches him and starts beating him up with a fury that I have never seen before. The shockwaves are very similar to when Superman or Superboy punches something, but this has a level of authority and power that terrifies me. This is the guy that I tried to shoot an arrow at a few years ago. Now I see why he was laughing, he saw me as a joke, nothing to be taken seriously.

Fate lowers the shield as he stares at the cat that is nearby. "A Lord of Chaos and Order must have a tether to keep them to the plane. I'm bound to the helmet and require a human host. He is bound to the cat." Fate says as I smile and fire a crossbow bolt at the cat who hisses. Fate fires a stream of yellow energy at the cat who is sent flying. Klarion pushes the Rider off as he checks on the car. "Teekl! I can't believe you assualt a defenseless pussy cat!" He says in venom as the Rider's fire burns bright. "That is no cat. And without your familiar, you are not bound to this plane. Now, GET OVER HERE!" The Rider shouts as his chains shoot at incredible high speeds and wrap around Klarion. "No! Killjoy! Damn you!" He shots as the Rider swings him into the adjacent wall. The Rider closes the distance and starts pummeling Klarion. I see the Hellfire from his skull is reaching a blazing heat as the stone around him is starting to melt. "Matt! Matt! That's enough!" I shout as I try and pull on his arm, but he throws me away and starts pummeling Klarion again. "Matt! Matthew! Stop! Matthew!" I shout but the Ride doesn't respond. "ZARATHOS!" I scream as the Rider stops and turns his head at me. His fist is glowing with Hellfire as he gazes at me. "He's done. It's over." I say quietly as the Rider drops his fist and let's go of Klarion who crawls weakly over to the cat. "We're outta here." He says quietly as he portals through the floor and away from here. I turn to the Rider whose fire has gone down as Matthew is in control once more. He stares at me with sad eyes as he falls to his knees. I walk over and pull him into a hug. "He told me. Told me his history." I say as I hug him closer. "Nelson told me and Wally." I say as I hear soft crying. "I never wanted this. I just wanted to avenge what happened to me. I didn't ask for this. I can't do this anymore." He says as he breaks from me and jumps from the Tower. I look down and see him slide the rest of the way.

I turn back and see Fate standing still. I don't want to approach, just in case he has a go at me. After a while, Fate raises his hands and removes the helmet. Wally is back as I run over and give him a hug. "This is the only one you're getting so shut up." I say as he hugs me back. We break and step back a few steps awkwardly. Wally turns to Nelson's body and fits the pocket watch in his hand. Wally kneels and let's treats fall from his head as I place my hand on his shoulder, comforting him as I wipe my own tears.

Mount Justice: 3:48am, August 20th, 2010.

After explaining to the others what happened on the roof and what Nelson told us of the Rider's history. Safe to say that everyone was shocked at the reveal. "So the Rider is an Angel from the multiverse?" Superboy asks as I point him out. "Corrupted Angel apparently but yes." I say as M'gann wipes her tears. "And Matt didn't know?" She asks as Wally shakes his head. "He didn't know, and the Rider-I mean, Zarathos told him, and it just overwhelmed him. I don't know where he is. But I'm hoping that wherever he is, I hope that he's doing ok." Wally says as I nod my head.

Matthew Spectre's Apartment:

P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre

I enter my apartment and head straight to the fridge. I take one, two, three beers and down them in quick succession. "Matthew, please understand. I didn't mean to hurt you." I growl in anger. "Leave me alone. Get out of my head." I say as I turn and see my reflection in the window, I see Zarathos standing there looking at me. "I'm sorry, Matthew." He says as I scowl in fury, I grab an empty bottle and throw it at the window. The window doesn't shatter but deep cracks are laid across it. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD! LEAVE ME ALONE!" I scream as I collapse to my knees. I look down at the wooden floor and see Zarathos staring up at me. "Please, let me help." I let my tears out as I growl in fury and get up and throw my couch across the room, I punch the wall several times, leaving massive dents and cracks. I pick up the TV and throw it into the kitchen. "GO AWAY!" I shout as I move into the kitchen, I pull the cabinets down as I smash every reflective surface I can find. "Leave me alone. Leave me alone." I say repeatedly as I fall to my knees. I see him stare at me from the floor. I scowl in rage and punch the floor, cracks form around my fist and spread as I punch the floor some more. Blood is hissing from my hand and spraying over the floor. "LEAVE! ME! ALONE!" I shout as I bring both of my fists down on the floor. I open my eyes and see that he is gone. My tears soak the broken floor as blood drips from my hands. Everything that I've learnt in the past few hours rush back to me as I just cry in complete anguish.