Hey Guys! I'm Back again! I can't believe I'm here again honestly. Guys I just have to say How grateful I am! When I looked and saw that I had so many Faves and Follows I'm not gonna lie it got me chocked up. Thank you so much for being here on this Journey with me. Check the bottom for another quick note. Lets Dive in Ya'll!

Chapter 6

GOTHAM CITY-GRANT'S GYM

September 19th 1600 EST

The days had flown by in a blur of training, and a lot of planning between Jack and Ted and sure enough almost two weeks had gone by. The dinner the one night between Ted, Helena, and Jack having left its impression on our sudo-young protagonist. It had left Jack missing home but at the same time he found himself grateful for the companionship he had found, though the dinner had not repeated itself as of yet.

Jack had gone ahead and taken the opportunity Ted had given him through the training of doing the local walks to get a lay of the area using it to go to various store's that were around, and also to make local land mark's in his own mind so that he would be able to find his way around better on his own.

Ted had conceded that Jack could easily use the GPS in his phone and most probably would, but that it would still be invaluable to know the city by his own sight, and Jack found that he couldn't countermand that argument so he had gone ahead with the training with no complaint.

Ted had also been correct in his warnings, and Jack was kind of glad that Ted had decided to follow him for the walks after all because already four separate people had made an attempt to jump him for whatever reason; though Ted had shut down each attempt quite handily.

Spending this amount of time in the famed city of Gotham had showed Jack exactly what he had already expected to be the truth, the city was in fact a cesspool for crime. The paper and news feeds gave daily updates of how common it was and Jack more than once found himself lamenting over the fact of how easy it in fact should be to fix the issues with so many supers, and yet things continued ever onward as they were.

Vexed wouldn't even begin to cover how Jack felt.

Jack also found that as he started to pay more attention as he carried on with familiarizing himself with the city his earlier estimation of the city itself was in fact quite wrong, the city was in fact dirty; you just had to be in the right areas to see it.

Getting a glance at some of the back and side alleyways in the neighborhood showed a relatively decent amount of trash, and more than a few set up's for homeless people. The second part always confusing and annoying to Jack, because he had brought up the fact that there was the home Helena was staying in to Ted and he had asked if there were other homes.

Apparently there were plenty of homes…just not enough for the population of Gotham.

On the brighter side of things as a whole though Jack could now easily navigate his way around a decent 2-3 mile radius from the gym, and know exactly where he was and the most optimal way to return to the gym. Even from the back alleys or rooftops thanks to the free running with Ted.

Even though Jack himself would immediately admit that he was still no good with street names at all and had to rely on the landmarks he had chosen, he could say confidently that he would have a much harder time getting lost if things could continue on this trend.

Thus far the workout's and diet that Ted had put Jack on were already showing results, budding muscle size that Jack had not had when he was previously this age already showing themselves though only to a small degree, though Jack knew it would only be a matter of time before they were extremely visible. Though he would be the first to say how annoying it was having to wait for the results to show themselves, and he often did…much to the annoyance of Ted.

Which would only lead to more workouts. Which in the end would be just fine.

'Straight Chicken and Broccoli gets super bland.' Jack lamented to himself as he walked up to the shared flat to change, and get ready for the next sparring match that he and Ted were supposed to be having.

Jack could honestly say that he had never eaten this much in his life, and it was driving him nuts because there was little variation. Ted had him eating a very healthy and high protein yield diet and more often than not consisted of what he was about to have, Ted also had him eating almost every two and a half hours trying to keep him fueled for all that Ted had him doing between the workouts in the morning and evening, and just general work during the day.

On top of the traversal exercises each day Ted had pushed Jack's reflexes, judgement, reaction time, fighting combinations, and strength all in equal measure as they had fought both down in the gym and up in the flat.

According to Ted, Jack's form was good and though at the moment he wasn't the biggest his strength was in fact increasing and at a very acceptable level and that wasn't even counting when Jack used 'One for All'. When pushed Ted would say that most trained athletes at this point would be hard pressed to match Jack.

Jack and Ted had over the passing nights had at least one 4 minute round where Jack would have to regulate his output of 'One for All', and be able to stand against the onslaught that Ted would throw at him. And he was expected to give back too. It was definitely and eye opener for them both.

Ted had marveled at the change any time Jack would shift from being seemingly normal to using 'One for All', noticing that it would increase his output of strength and speed by a factor of about 3 times. Jack would be almost as fast as Ted's friend Jay Garrick moving at about 30% of his own maximum speed and that alone seemed to give Ted pause when he brought it up to Jack as they discussed the fact that Jack was only still currently pushing it with 'One for All' at 5%.

Once again that thought had left Jack Marveling at the possible full output once he had mastered using 'One for All'. Though it had also left him a bit curious as he had yet to try and push beyond what he felt was 5% output. What 'would' happen if he tried to just fire off a 25,50, or even 100% charge.

'Really gotta contain that excitement lest I wind up with broken bones.' Jack thought to himself.

Most days Jack would wake feeling like a giant lump of bruised flesh and would immediately need to perform his stretching routine and take some Advil, he would then follow up with a shower and a homemade salve that Ted used for decreasing body pain.

All in all things had been going well and the most concerning thing to Jack at the moment believe it or not wasn't himself and his training but Dr. Occult, as it was that since Richard had departed from the gym the first time Jack had not heard from him.

Though that line of thought went flying out the proverbial window when Jack closed the door to the upstairs apartment and turned, to find said man sitting at the new cherry colored dining table set that Jack had made Ted get… having a cup of Coffee with Ted.

"Ahhh, our friend has finally decided to join us Ted." Occult said as he stood from his seat near the window and moved with confident steps to embrace Jack, who if he was going to voice it out loud he would say how glad he was to see the man but settled for a brief hug.

Jack knew for a fact that Richard dealt with the magical forces of the world and that thought alone sometimes put a pit of dread in Jacks gut, as he knew for a fact after having checked some more newspapers that he was in fact in the Young Justice verse; or at the very least a variant of it and that left the option for a couple of threats he knew of directly.

The pictures he had found of the Dark Knight were scarce and very few were of a good quality, but it just so happened that the one he needed was the third one he had found when looking online. The picture was actually taken in the early hours of an evening while there was still some daylight and it showed not just Batman but Robin as well actually being thanked by the mayor of Gotham in what looked to be an unofficial capacity, and the picture itself was all the proof he had needed to show he was in the Young Justice verse.

The configuration of both Batman's and Robin's uniform were exactly as he remembered them to be from the show, and once Jack had seen that he had started to look into the other side kicks to try and make the comparisons to make sure that his hypothesis was correct. Shockingly Jack found himself coming up empty for Kid Flash and Kaldur'ahm (Aqualad), but had actually found a few pictures of Green Arrow and Speedy and had found the same results as before seeing that the archer duo's uniforms resembled what he remembered.

'I don't know when Roy gets kidnapped. Gotta decide how to handle that particular situation.'

Jack still had many doubts, the most prevalent being how to deal with the coming of future events while here. He was terribly afraid of causing to many ripples.

Looking at the facts apparently the other young heroes had not made their debut's onto the hero scene in this version of the universe yet, which left Jack wondering if the timeline was on track or not.

But having this knowledge also let Jack know that Wotan, and Klarion the Witch Boy were in fact major threats on Earth here and they were both in fact Magical Powerhouse's. And that thought left Jack worried about Occult running afoul of either of them.

The thought that one of his only contacts may have been fighting either of those monsters was ever so slightly disconcerting to Jack and it must have shown because Richard seemed to pick up on his feelings.

"I'm alright Jack. Really I am. I am very sorry that I haven't reached out to you since my departure but I had some business that was pressing, and I also wanted to make sure and keep my word too you." Richard said as he broke the embrace and guided the young man to the table and started to regale him and Ted with the things he had been doing while he was away.

"You wouldn't believe some of the things I have to deal with these days you two. The demon activity in Los Angeles in particular has picked up exponentially, and things have been moving in a very aggressive direction. It's taking most of what I have on a daily basis to hold back the tide." Richard said as he had another sip of his own coffee.

"I've also had a run in with a very interesting young man by the name of…" Richard attempted to state as he placed his coffee mug back down only to be cut off by Jack.

"Constantine? John Constantine?" Jack half asked half stated with a look of slight intrigue and yet apprehension.

Ted sat and took in the look on his pseudo protégés face, and then took in the slight smile that bloomed on Richards and came to the very simple conclusion that there was a lot more to this story than he was understanding at the moment.

"Okay… so are you two just gonna be cryptic or one of you chuckle heads wanna tell me what's going on and what the significance of this Constantine fella is?" Ted said as he addressed the other two men.

Jack leaned back and tucked his left hand under the crook of his right arm and started to rub his face while Richard crossed both of his arms and sat back with that same slight grin on his face.

Ted could tell that Richard wasn't gonna budge so he turned his eyes and his full attention to his young ward and waited for him to explain the significance of this John character.

Much to Ted's shock before the explanation came a very odd question passed Jack's lips.

"How old is he?" Jack asked in a slightly hushed tone as he now stared at the table while still holding his face.

Richard's look of slight amusement didn't slip and he answered Jack's question immediately.

"He is 25 as of this past May. He and I had a nice little chat, he's just as arrogant as the memories you provided showed. But all in all he is rather clever, and he is just as skilled as you believed he would be as well. He has set himself up in Los Angeles for now to deal with some issues. He claims he has a bit of business there, so I imagine he may be there for some time. We vanquished the Demons three together, just so you know. Though they won't be gone for long unfortunately." Richard stated as he finished his cup of coffee and stood up to get more.

Jack became pensive and looked to be deep in thought and as he seemed lost in his own head Ted stood and decided to heat up a portion of food for him, and when it was finished came back to the table with it for Jack who remained quiet but then began to pick slowly at the food. Richard had long since joined them back at the table though and now had a very large black leather bag propped against the left side of his seat.

"Ok so going back to it now does anybody wanna tea me up here?" Ted asked with just a slight bit of irritation as he glanced at the other two.

"Sighs…John wasn't here. Or maybe it's that he was but was never metioned? Or at least he wasn't in the form of this place that I can reference or remember. It gets annoying to think about. John's a lot of things, hero, conman, pain in the ass, take your pick he can be and is all of those things. He's like Richard in that he uses magic, but not the same way. They even dress up pretty close too now that I think about it. That's the best and most simple way to describe John Constantine." Jack said as he continued to pick at his food.

Ted could only nod and then the three of them slipped into a comfortable silence as they waited presumably for Jack to finish his food…after all Richard had returned for Jack even though he himself hadn't realized it yet.

Jack finished his food and then sat back with the still very pensive look on his face, almost as if he had too many thoughts going through his head. As Ted went to try and break him from his thoughts he was beaten by Richard placing the black bag on the table in front of all three of them.

The addition of said package was in fact actually enough to pull Jack out of his clearly troubled thoughts, as it was when he focused on the package his face split into a very large grin.

"Doc are you serious?! You got it already? I didn't think you'd have this until after I had all of my identity papers in hand at the very least!" Jack said as he glanced at the package and gave the impression that he was doing his very best not to jump from his spot at the table and snatch the bag to open.

Whether or not he was holding himself back due to manners or what have you could only be guessed at by the two older men, though they were both happy to see that their young compatriot was closer to how they had been used to seeing him. Seeing someone that looked that young, looking like they had the very world on their shoulders was only one of the stark reminders to both men that Jack though looking as young as he did; was in fact far more worn then he or anyone should be.

And who wouldn't be given the situation.

Pulling himself from his own reverie of the state of his young friend, Occult smiled genially at the young dimensional traveler and pushed the bag slightly toward him.

"I told you that I would do everything I could to aid you. I am a man of my word my young friend, and I knew that not only did you want this piece of equipment but that you would in fact need this particular piece sooner rather than later. After all…you'll need to practice with it to get yourself up to snuff with it. And I would very much like to have you as safe as humanly possible while out there fighting the good fight. I reached out to an old friend of mine by the way, and he was able to start putting together the rest of your attire including most of what you asked for in regards to your belts extras, though there were in fact a few pieces that will take some time to arrive. As you said when we planned all of this we can consider this one Suit Alpha so there will be room for improvement. But we can talk more about that later…at another time, right now you should take a look at your gift." Richard said as he then gestured towards the bag laying in front of Jack.

After Richard finished his little explanation Jack's eyes did in fact pan to the large black leather bag, and the item inside it that he had asked for Richard to see if he could have custom made by someone. The fact that it was sitting here now...

Jack could barely contain his giddiness but at the same time took a deep breathe to give this moment the reverence it deserved. He had hoped, prayed even that Richard would be able to get this for him, but he hadn't gotten his hopes too far up. After all the man had magic, but he actually was quite curious if he was able to have it made exactly as he had asked for. Just because Richard had magic didn't mean he just had the material lying around.

Jack would be using this tool not only because of the obvious real time applications…but because of where it came from and what it represented to him personally.

Jack reached toward the bag and found the zipper on the side of the bag and drew on it until it had circled around to the opposite side of the bag, leaving Jack able to lift the one side like a flap exposing his new support item and primary melee weapon.

The shield gleamed under the lights above inside the apartment, the metallic sheen of the paint on the metal giving almost an ethereal glow. It looked exactly as he remembered, and it left Jack standing in more than just a little awe. It looked to be somewhere between 25 to 30 inches wide in total, the spacing between the concentric rings growing slightly larger out from center where the white star gleamed between the pallets of the blue circle it sat in. The spacing between the red and white lines bleeding out from the center to the final red ring.

'Call me a cheeseball, Call me a copycat, I really couldn't care less. Because this is undoubtedly the best decision I could have made when it comes to doing any of this.' Jack thought as he placed his hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and hoisted the shield up out of the bag to then rotate it around and found the thick leather holds on the back.

He saw what looked to be burned runes into the leather and smiled, remembering one of the contingencies he and Richard had talked about, and the thought brought his eyes to Occults as he placed his right arm through the holds to test the shields weight on his arm.

"I pulled the memory directly and used that for the aesthetic looks of the shield. As you know unfortunately the compound it was made of does not exist here…but with that being said I was in fact able to come through on your request. I had to call in quite a few of the favors I was owed by a couple individuals, some of them I would have rather had on hold; but I know that this will be worth it seeing you hold it now." Richard said smiling as Jack took a step back from the table to test the balance of the shield as he began to turn from side to side while moving, testing the weight and balance of his new tool as it glided through the air on his arm. Jack began to move a bit seeing how it felt to move about holding it, knowing that he would need to begin practicing so he could use the shield to its fullest.

Ted had remained quiet throughout the exchange only taking a moment to put up Jack's dishes in the sink for him, and then had returned to his chair changing positions so that he could look at and address both Jack and Richard.

"Well it's a nice shield I'll give you that kid. But Rich what makes the thing so special? Knowing you and some of the things I've seen you do Imma imagine that it's for more than just protectin the kid." Ted said as he crossed his arms and leaned a bit back in his seat waiting for either of the two to answer his question.

Richard continued with his small smirk and had closed his eyes almost seemingly lost in the memory of what had happened.

"Let's just say that getting it required some... Divine intervention."

FLASHBACK:

ISLE OF THEMYSCIRA-HEPHAESTUS'S FORGE

September 8th 1130 AST

Smoke and fog covered the area in a thick haze. The light that existed in the space fluctuated tossing about as shadows shifted the movement in the room staying at the typical pace common for here.

Firelight… even the grandiose amount that existed down in this place, would always cast imperious shadows. They flickered and danced as if alive, and in their own way they were as they mirrored those who were moving about.

The smell of sulfur and ash mixed with the smell of damp rock permeating everywhere hanging in the air and clinging to every surface. These smells mixing with the smells of cold steel and polishing oil, giving off something truly unique.

The highly vaulted walls of the cavern could be seen leading ever upward until they reached there apex at the ceiling showing the various stalagmites hanging precariously above.

The bottoms of the walls were properly molded into flat and polished surfaces, each one holding rows of weapons, armor, and even pieces that looked like polished caricatures of long past deeds of the ancient and fallen heroes of ancient Greece.

The crackling of the fire of the deep forge was loud as the bellows magically stoked it every so often to keep it raging, as the sound of a hammers pounding an anvil rang out every single clap like a heartbeat beating in tempo echoing through the forge as bodies constantly moved in and out of the forge; and around the largest of the members of said forge.

This man, (or at least at first glance this behemoth of what would be considered a man) was pounding away at the largest anvil in the chasm-esque room causing the cacophony of noise that radiated throughout the entirety of the workshop to seem whisper quiet in comparison. He could be seen standing with a slight hunch leaving him at about 5'8, though it would not be his height that would denote his greatness.

The man was of a massive size his arms and forearms alike at the least 2 sizes bigger to that of a normal man with average exercise. His shoulders and chest so broad that he could be considered the size of almost three men alone. He could be described as slightly bulky around the middle of his frame maybe even portly, but it would not detract from the obvious strength he wielded as he slammed his massive blacksmith hammer at a molten piece of metal being held upon his anvil showering sparks in all direction.

His head could be seen barely showing any sweat despite standing next to the blaze of his master forge, his dark locks peeled more toward the back of his head showing that he was in the stages of going bald. The man's face was most definitely rugged denoted by a square jaw, a large crooked nose, his deep set eyes gleaming coals of red focused as he let out a vicious snarl while focused on the task at hand as what meager sweat existed pooled at the bottom of his deep chin clinging to his light black stubble.

One would think that the man would be heavily covered working in this environment as younger looking men ran about carrying what looked to be ore, wood, and many other things such as equipment as the man worked diligently upon his latest craft. The room had many worktables, and benches all finely crafted of a deep dark oak all beautifully stained.

Many anvils lined sections off each wall showing that there were at least 18 other smiths all working on a piece of their own only adding to the noise of the forge.

But… at the biggest anvil this was no mere man and it left him the availability to wear only what he had on now while his apprentices wore decently covering vestments. The man's wrapped sandals with a dark pair of metal greaves attached to his thick lower legs covering the front of his calves, the dark vambrace's upon his arms shaking as he steadied his work, and the dark blacksmith's apron, covering his meager and tattered cloth pants. The beings work attire all fitting in the border of the colors of black and an almost mud brown…for what other colors could the God of fire, the forge, and craftsmanship the great Hephaestus need with flashy displays other than his own fine works.

The God continued to hammer at the spearhead he was currently working on, molding it into its absolute shape for the maximum effect it would have…death.

Bringing purpose to his craft through making weapons…anything really was an art form, and it was Hephaestus's one true love.

"What is more beautiful… than death?"

The memory sent a slight shiver down his spine.

Hephaestus could still hear the words as if spoken only a moment ago, if he concentrated hard enough. And in some ways, in many ways Hades the God of the Underworld's words were of course right. He had seen his works end many lives, and in its own way it was beautiful; seeing something fulfill its purpose the way his wares did.

Hephaestus could say with absolute certainty that when it came to his own weapons that was the only thing that he had ever heard Hades say that he could put any credence behind and apply to his own logic.

Being who he was Hephaestus had crafted many a thing, and his weapons on their own were numerous still; and yet the vast number of them did not remove their splendor in his own eyes.

Hephaestus treasured every single one of his works. Each of them were his children and he treated them with the utmost of care, shaping them into what they were destined to be. Whether it be sword, spear, lance, arrow, or even a piece of armor Hephaestus took the utmost pride in his works.

They were his Legacy, and one of the only things that truly mattered.

Though if he was honest, he was even beginning to take that same pride in the works of his apprentices; for they too were essentially his children. It had taken time, but having them here with him day in and day out had worn him down.

'Perhaps I'm going soft?'

As the years had passed there hadn't been many of them, but the few Amazons that were literally tasked with going out and finding a mate to produce further young women to join the ranks of the Amazons all had the same capacity as any other woman, and every once in a while a young 'pup' would be born.

The Amazons to this day did not truly care for man. Many transgressions had caused the hate that had festered in the hearts of the warrior women, and from that hate the barbarism that had given him his children had been born.

It had gone on for years, decades even. And Wonder Woman the Princess Diana hadn't had a clue, about the practice that had come to be to help maintain and replenish the ranks of the female warriors. She also had no idea how it was carried out.

Or how they had once treated the 'pups' that would be born on Themyscira.

'The Blight of 'Man' cannot be allowed to touch these sacred shores.' Hephaestus could remember hearing the reasoning the Amazon Queen had given when confronted by him, and it only stirred feelings of unrest in his old and weary heart.

Things had changed, and the rift had been slightly healed in many way yes, but the hate could still be seen if one looked closely.

But again times had long since changed and it had been many moons since that old barbaric removal practice had been carried out, and because of its end Hephaestus had gained a family.

And to think, that he had been the one to put an end to it. He had never considered that a mortal's life would weigh upon his mind, and yet he had heard and seen enough. He had chosen to act and altered the course of many destinies.

Make no mistake he had always had a family, but his fellow gods had retreated from the Earth and very rarely if ever did they make an appearance. The fact of the matter was is that quite a few of them lacked physical bodies to even go about doing so now.

Some being warriors had in fact fallen in battle facing threats to what had once been their own dominion over the Earth, and in turn their essence would return to the throne room of Olympus where they could rest and celebrate their own divinity forever.

Others…had simply chosen to walk away. The realm of man had grown and many no longer believed in the Greek Pantheon, even those of Greece itself barely practiced true worship of the Gods anymore.

Contrary to what many believed among the communities of the 'Homo Magi', The Pantheon based Gods did not actually require belief to fuel themselves and give them their strength, it had simply become something that the Gods had enjoyed. The fact stood; who would not want others to pray, and make sacrifices in one's name.

But the times had changed, and so had the Gods of most Pantheons. A great majority even from the other Pantheons had deserted the Earth and retired to their own realms to remain eternal, uncaring of the affairs of the mortals.

Hephaestus himself had chosen a different road.

He had seen it time and again. He had been here for too long to even fathom for most, which unfortunately came with the territory of being a God. Never ageing, never falling ill, and watching the clock wind down and for all the change to see everything stay almost exactly the same.

Being what he was even though he is in fact very much a 'man' what could anyone say to Him? He had enough… and he had barged into the Queen Hippolyta's throne room causing warriors to arm themselves only to wind up being told to stand down. For they would have stood no chance.

He made it quite clear then that he would hear the screams of the so called 'pups 'no more as they were thrown to their deaths. The women of Themyscira would raise the boys to the age of at least 10, and then the 'pups' would belong to him.

He would not allow another babe to be tossed to their death off of the cliffs to the waters below near his forge simply for being born. How many years had he heard the screams and done nothing?

No. No more. Never again.

He had since then raised them all. They numbered almost in the hundreds now, and they kept him company and in turn he taught them how to ply the craft, to mold and to make. And believe it or not The Queen herself had actually faced a turn, and was grateful. He, His forge, and his boys had been responsible for many of the armaments that now dotted Themyscira.

The ability and willingness to craft with ones hands… is a poetry that many he knew in the so called 'modern world' no longer possessed, at least not like him and his boys anyway. And the God was very proud of that fact.

Hephaestus found himself pulled from his own recollection and thoughts as a portal of blue and white opened a few feet behind him in the forge, and he quickly raised a hand to stall his boys from skewering his visitor as some were currently armed and quickly turned expecting an enemy.

"YIELD!... BOYYYSS! Go! Take a break for now children, enjoy a spot of rest. I have a friend that seems to need something of me." Hephaestus said as he dipped the blade he had been working on to quench it and relieve it of its intense heat, before he set it back down on the anvil along with his hammer as he turned to address his guest.

As soon as he lay eyes upon his visitor he crossed his arms and adopted a slight scowl. Richard Occult coming to see him was something he hadn't anticipated, and he made that simple fact known to the Sorcerer. He hadn't seen this man for years, for him to show up now would mean Hephaestus would probably wind up with a monumental headache soon enough.

"And just what can I do for you Occult? It's been some time." Hephaestus rumbled in his deep dulcet tones as he observed the man who had come without announcing himself.

'The nerve of some mortals. At least the heroes of old would pray to us first to gain an audience.'

"Greetings, Mighty Hephaestus! It has indeed been a long time." Richard said as he clasped his hands in front of himself addressing the God of Crafts Bringing him out of his musings.

Hephaestus was in no mood for the Sorcerer's word play or trickery today, and resolved to try and shake him up. After all, he was actually quite curious why this man had come.

"You should take heed Sorcerer; that the Amazons recovered a young girl with the ability to see the future recently and that they have brought her into the fold as a true Amazon. Should she have seen your coming here, and Queen Hippolyta gleans word of it she will be most…displeased." Hephaestus stated as a small smirk adorned his face, though he could see that the sorcerer remained quite calm.

The damned man didn't even bat an eye, much to the God's annoyance. He hadn't seen a mortal sweat from fear in a good while. It would have been a nice change. And he would have been sweating with good reason, for though things by the large majority had changed that did not mean that Queen Hippolyta wanted men visiting Themyscira. Especially unannounced.

But this Sorcerer had always been of a different sort, so Hephaestus really shouldn't have been at all surprised with his rather blase attitude.

"I have no doubt of that Lord Hephaestus, but I can assure you the only ones who will know of our visit are You, I, and your Boys." Richard stated as he tossed something at Hephaestus.

With honed reflexes and a slight widening of the eye the God of Crafts caught the projectile and turned it up towards himself, only for them to widen slightly further realizing that what he was currently holding would be one of his own Golden Drachmas.

Hephaestus pursed his lips and then glanced back up at the Sorcerer and stared hard, trying to glean why the man was here and now. It was not uncommon for mortals to be able to find one of a specific God's Drachmas lying about, after all there were quite a few of them out in the world if one knew where to look. But for this man who had five of them in reserve, 3 of them having actually been given by Hephaestus himself to said Sorcerer in front of him… it left the God of Crafts intrigued.

He had expected the man to have come calling much sooner. Having the favor of a God was a unique opportunity after all.

Possessing a Golden Drachmas was all well and good for any mortal. Gold was Gold and the humans had even coined the phrase "Good as Gold" to further explain why a single Drachmas would be quite valuable.

A single Golden Drachmas was as large as two of those fifty cent pieces that the USA had once used combined, and that bit of raw gold alone would be worth a nice bit on its own for anyone.

But to those with an affinity for the mystical arts, these little chips could be called in for a favor from the God whose chit you had. Each one marked for the God it represented. And it just so happened that Richard Occult had exactly five under Hephaestus, and in so many years had never cashed in one. If he was being honest he was slightly concerned about what the man would ask for.

"Well…You've certainly brought some intrigue my way Richard I'll give you that much. Go on. Ask for your favor, but remember that I have the right to refuse if I deem that the request is not a viable one." Hephaestus said as he clenched his large fist causing the Drachmas to disappear.

The man stood quietly for a few moments and Hephaestus began to believe that the mortal had come without his request in mind, which honestly wouldn't surprise the God of Crafts any. He had had quite a few dealings with this particular mortal, and if he was honest he liked him well enough for a simple man; but this one had a funny way about him and was seemingly quite forgetful some times.

Just as Hephaestus was to speak to get him to hurry along as he had many things to do the Sorcerer spoke.

"I give the one with a promise of two more, and in exchange I would ask you to make something for me." Richard stated as his eyes bore into Hephaestus's.

The God would normally have balked at such a thing.

Humans that did know of the ability to trade Drachmas for favors were few, but the ones that did know and could in fact either face said God or summon their essence were even fewer. Of all of the ones Hephaestus himself knew of, Occult had in fact had many dealings with the Greek and even the Egyptian Pantheon. He had asked for many things over time and to his recollection through the minor gossip of his own Pantheon he knew for a fact that Occult had only been denied once before by any of the Gods he'd asked something of. He may be facing that same rejection again but Hephaestus would hear him out at the very least…the man had made him laugh on more than one occasion.

"Very well Richard. You have my ear for the moment, let us not take too long with this. Speak plainly." Hephaestus said.

"I would ask you make a shield. I have a memory to use for its look. It is not for me but for a friend you see, a young man who shall soon be making quite a bit of mischief in this world we live in. I wish for him to be safe. I've had… well… I've had a vision. And if it is correct, that boy holds the key to fate of this world; of all worlds in his hands. The saddest part is that he doesn't even know it. He will need to be safe, and he will need to be strong. More so than anything else though he will need It because he will use it and the name he will bear to bring others courage…and Hope." Richard said as he extracted his left hand from within his coat pocket holding the other two Drachmas he had already stated he'd part with.

The Sorcerer then followed up with something Hephaestus did not expect.

"Gnirb htrof eht htn latem!" Richard said. And then a small show of golden light and sparks appeared, and as it faded it deposited an oak chest four feet long, 3 feet deep, and three feet wide upon the floor in front of Hephaestus.

He had understood it. He knew what he had said, but for the first time in a long time the god of Crafts felt awestruck. Backwards speech wasn't that difficult for someone of his own caliber to understand. Heedless of any possible trap (and later on he would lament and criticize himself that he could have been easily duped in that moment) Hephaestus opened the trunk to lay eyes upon exactly what he knew Richard had called for.

Nth Metal.

The God of Crafts had indeed worked on the metal twice before. It was exquisite, and rare beyond measure. And yet…..

The man had actually brought Nth Metal with him here and now, and quite sizeable amount of it.

And of all things he wanted of him he wanted him to make a shield out of it.

He wanted to ask the damn man where he got so much of it, but the truth was probably something the Sorcerer wouldn't part with.

The thought alone was already bringing a headache forth. But the chance was almost too good to pass up.

…

"At first you had my curiosity Occult…But now you have my attention." Hephaestus stated as he picked the trunk up off the floor and walked towards a nearby table and placed the trunk upon it.

"Let it be known that Zeus himself made a decree long ago, that I could never again make a weapon for any mere mortal without his express direction. However…A shield isn't exactly a weapon, now is it?" Hephaestus asked with wicked glint to his eye and a smile on his face showing his slightly crooked teeth.

Occult chuckled briefly but then had to compose himself and take a deep breath, as this was the part where this whole endeavor would either succeed or come undone.

And Hephaestus could already tell that this was gonna be another thing that would work his patience. Chance to work on nth metal or not, this man had a habit for bringing annoyance upon him.

"There is one more thing that I would ask of you My Lord. The 'chink' that you put…in all of your creations. The one that is meant to limit the wielder, for this piece I would ask that you not add one. My young friend will need every advantage he can get, and having any weakness this early could spell his doom." Richard said, though he quickly believed he would regret it as he watched the Gods muscular back tense as if he had just had cold water dropped on him.

Headaches. Headaches and annoyance. That was all the man ever really brought with him. And maybe the occasional chuckle, but mostly just annoyance.

The forge had been a cacophony of noise when he had arrived but after his last request a hush had fallen upon the inside. He had thought it had been quite with all of Hephaestus's boys leaving the cavern, but this…this was different. Even the fires of the forge itself seemed to stifle their crackles to allow the God of Crafts a moment to decide if he should bother entertaining the mortal any longer. The feeling was starting to put him on edge.

Richard knew that this would be a massive gamble. No one on the Earth liked being in debt. Now imagine being a highly all powerful being like a God and being so. Occult had had the pleasure and displeasure of meeting many of the Gods throughout the many Pantheons, and if he could classify them all with something to bind them together it was one shared trait. Their Vanity.

And who could really blame these beings for acting that way? Stronger than any mortal man could ever hope to be, or more beautiful than any woman could ever even aspire to be. No matter how hard any of them tried throughout the ages, no matter the luck of even the stars aiding them no one had been able to compete with the Gods.

Over time it had gone to the Gods heads. They began to see Mortals as chattel and nothing more. They'd play games, and make rules just for fun even on the fly just to watch people fall and fail and then they'd make them suffer for it.

Many of the Gods became nasty, cruel, and impetuous creatures. Caring only about their own desires and wants, and that was to say nothing of the Demi-Gods that had been sired through the ages. Few ever turned out to be genuinely good, and wound up lording themselves over their fellow man in some way or the other.

The Drachmas had been created by none other than the Goddess Hecate Herself. Being a Goddess of Magic, she bound the other Gods to the rules of having to grant a boon to any that could claim a Drachmas with one's own corresponding sigil on it.

She did this as a payment to mankind in the time after the Amazons left the waking world, in order to try and bring a sense of balance to those she herself felt were being trodden upon by her fellow Gods. She had been kind… but she had been hasty. For the greed and folly of Mortals was ever present.

Many a mortal in an earlier age had abused the Drachmas, and Hecate saw fit to grant the Gods the ability to renig upon an asked favor if the cost would be too high. It was all meant to try and keep a tumultuous balance.

And right now Richard was waiting with baited breathe. The scale could tip either way.

Because while the Drachmas gave one the ability to ask for something of one of the God's, that didn't mean that you were protected from their wrath if they felt you were being impertinent.

And many had met horrible fates at the hands of the Gods when they asked for more than they should have. A particular story of a Hunter asking for a chance to lay with Lady Artemis came to mind, as Richard began to believe that he may very well have invoked Hephaestus's own ire.

Hephaestus was one of the more even tempered God's, and had remained so throughout history quite surprisingly. But it was well known to Richard as well that some had come before asking for 'perfect' weapons, hoping to carve their names in the stone of history.

Agamemnon had been one such a name. And he had met his end, just like many others.

Asking for a sword that when wielded by him, and him alone would leave him invulnerable. But Hephaestus had cursed the blade, seeing the man's hubris. Agamemnon had wanted the world but wound up losing the sword and would eventually have to turn to the help of another to wage a great war in his own name.

He died on his knees, knowing that once upon a time the blade that pierced his neck would have done absolutely nothing. What he didn't know was that the God had basically made it happen.

That story alone being one of the examples that even Hephaestus could be like the other Gods, demonstrating a veiled contempt and the ability to play his own tricks. And though when looked at and knowing the scope of man the rule didn't seem that unfair really. But Richard knew that Jack could ill afford that kind of risk, and so here he was. Hoping not to be incinerated.

But surprisingly the air suddenly seemed to shift, and the tense aura faded away as the God turned back towards him, facing him fully.

"Four. You will give me four of the five Drachmas, on this I will have no argument. In return I will indeed forge the shield for you to gift your young friend, and I will even make it with the Nth metal as you've requested. But…It will be blended with Titanium. I will not in good conscience give that kind of power to any one man let alone a child. The forgoing of a 'chink' should suffice for the explanation of the blending of the metals as said blending will limit the extra abilities the shield would give; after all… you and I both know what 'Pure' nth metal is capable of doing." Hephaestus stated as he began to arrange the Nth metal ore on the kiln.

Richard actually shuddered as a particularly foul memory passed through him realizing what Hephaestus had meant, before he realized that the God was now in his personal space.

The Gods eyes were now meters from his and they seemed almost alive in their glow, as they looked almost as if living fire, waiting to lash out at a moment's notice. The look they bore matching the words that came follows.

"And as the final part of this deal I will even let go the fact that you dared insult me in my forge with such an audacious request. Remember always the Balance Richard, you more so than anyone should understand. And know this…Do so ever again; and your body will join the coals of my forge." Hephaestus said to him as he placed a weighty hand upon Richards's right shoulder shaking the man with the force of the clap as he then turned and walked back towards the workstation.

"I will call you when it is finished. Return no sooner." Hephaestus said as he then seemed to be engrossed in his work shutting out all else.

Richard stood for a few moments longer as Hephaestus's boys began to filter back into the cavern, preparing to go about their own duties.

Richard finished gathering himself and then said the words and left the confines of the forge, hoping that the final product would be good enough for Jack.

FLASHBACK END:

After regaling both of them with the story Richard had what was now his third or fourth cup of coffee, and Jack was now sitting down again with the object of the story sitting on the table in front of the three of them.

"Doc I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to cost you…"

"Jackson. Don't. I am happy to have gotten this for you. You will need this in the days to come. I have faith in you, you are going to help change the world. And to do that you will need all the tools you can get. Besides...I'm sure in due time I may need a set of strong arms." Richard said as he waved off what would have been an unnecessary apology from the young hero to be.

The first part left Jack slightly wary as he had no idea how he could possibly aid the man, and then again Jack found himself lamenting over the fact that he may never be able to pay back the kindness of these two men he was sitting with.

Richard started to go over what had happened when he was summoned by Hephaestus to pick up the shield, and just what abilities the shield would have. Nth metal was one of the most versatile and powerful substances in this universe, and to know that he had the amount of it he did have, had him a little shaken.

The thoughts of doubt had once again began to mount in Jack's mind.

'What if someone steals it?'

'What if I'm not worthy?'

But all of that had been put to rest when Richard said that they would need a drop of Jacks blood for the binding ritual. Nth metal would take in a piece of the wielder after shaped and that piece for the binding is what would allow for the object to return to the wielder on command.

That thought brought a smile to his face, and so he drew a small drop of blood and put it on the inside of the shield. He watched the spot ripple, and then the drop of blood was gone...as if it had never been there at all.

What none of the three men could know; what Jack himself wouldn't know for some time... was that the moment his blood had bonded with the shield to allow him to use it to its maximum potential, something else too had happened.

Deep inside of himself Eight pairs of glowing eyes snapped open.

There it is Ya'll! And once again thank you so much for coming to read this. Okay so first off a minor note. I went back and tried to redo Chapter one because it was a mess. No major changes just some polishing, and if you decide to check it please let me know what you think. Now for the big one. I also will take this moment to apologize. First and Foremost. No I am not giving up the story or taking a break. If I wind up ever thinking of doing so I'll post a note about it, but life has been busy as it always is. I also want to apologize because I had said we'd see Jack's debut this chapter. From now on I will not make such a prediction. Why? The literary bug got me and I wound up going in a direction that I hadn't even thought of until it came out on the page. I will do my best to up the pacing of the story. But also please let me know your opinion. I've been asked if I know when we will get to the Canon timeline. Truth is that I have a plan but that may change. Anyway I don't wanna bore you anymore, I hope this counts as a nice and early Holiday Gift because I'm not sure if I'll have the next chapter out before the New Year. Here's Hoping! I hope everyone is safe, Happy, and Healthy! Please stay that way. I'll see Ya'll in the next one.