Chapter 2: Remember It
Tower of Fate
Foyer
"Well? Is anyone gonna answer me?" Naruto questioned the group he had suspended with his chains. The only answer he received was the sounds of teens struggling against their restraints.
"What the heck is with these chains?" The dark haired boy asked. "Who are you and why can't I break them?"
"Seeing as you broke into my home, I should be the one asking the questions," Naruto responded. "I don't think any of you are in any position to be asking questions."
Reaching his right hand out, Naruto made a downward pulling motion that created an opening in the air. His hand reached into the opening to pull out what looked like a bronze colored bell with a handle that had a white winged attachment.
The redheaded girl was the one who decided to finally open their mouth. "Red Tornado sent us to see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe."
Looking at the bell, Naruto was surprised the bell made no sound in response to the girl's statement. "This is a magical lie detector, so I guess you're telling the truth," Naruto said when turning his head back to the group. "How did you get into the tower?"
It was the dark skinned boy who answered this time. "Red Tornado provided us with a spare key to enter."
Once again, the bell didn't ring in response to the statement. Hearing multiple truthful statements from the group, Naruto concluded that they were here in the tower with good intentions and released them from his chains.
"Sorry for attacking you all on the spot," Naruto said to the group. "I didn't know who you all were."
"It is fine," answered the dark skinned boy. "We were unprepared when we entered the tower. Red Tornado did not warn us about anyone who would be here."
"Well, not many people know about me," answered Naruto. "If you all know Red Tornado, then I'm guessing you're all associated with the Justice League. I'm Naruto. Nice to meet ya," Naruto said while extending out his hand to shake. "Should I call you by your hero names? If so, I call myself Destiny. Kent was preparing me for my own hero debut."
"I am Kaldur'ahm or Kaldur for short. You might recognize me as Aqualad. These are the rest of my team, M'gann M'orzz, Artemis Crock, and Wally West otherwise known as Miss Martian, Artemis, and Kid Flash." he responded while introducing each member. "There are circumstances, so Superboy here has not decided on a civilian identity yet. We were not expecting to run into another person here. Who exactly are you, Naruto?"
"Kent is my guardian and teacher. I'm an apprentice sorcerer. Although, I haven't seen him for a while. I'm guessing that's why the League sent you here to investigate his disappearance?" Naruto deduced.
"That is correct."
"That's weird." Naruto scratched the back of his head, "Why would the tower alert me about intruders if you were sent by a League member and had a key?"
"Maybe because Kid Mouth here played a game of 'impress Miss Martian at all costs' and nearly got us killed. He pretended to be a 'true believer' in magic when asked why we were here by the tower," came the snarky answer from Artemis as she glared over at the redheaded boy.
"Hey! How was I supposed to know the tower's security would try to kill us? Besides, magic isn't real anyway," the redheaded boy said in an offended tone.
*Ding*
The bell suddenly made a noise for the first time.
"Heh, looks like the magical lie detector is proving you wrong Kid Mouth," Artemis responded with a smug tone.
"That thing is not a lie detector," he tried to retort.
*Ding*
"I am a ladies man."
*Ding*
"I am the fastest man alive."
*Ding*
"Ok, I think that's enough," Naruto cut in before storing the lie detector back into his pocket dimension storage. "You don't have to believe in magic, but that doesn't mean it isn't real. You can dumb magic down to channeling a force to create a desired effect. A lot of things can be considered magic, even if it doesn't seem like it."
"Ignore him. He's just being his usual clown self," Artemis said while crossing her arms.
"Yeah, I can see it with the red hair. I would say he's not just a clown, he's the entire circus," Naruto responded while spreading his arms wide.
"Heehee," Artemis giggled.
"Glad I could make you laugh," Naruto said with a smile.
"Oh? Well, I appreciate it," Artemis smirked back at him while tucking some of her hair behind her ear and eyeing him a bit.
"What's that?"
The group turned to the source of the voice and saw M'gann pointing to a floating cane.
"Ooh, maybe it's Nelson's magic wand," Wally tried to joke in a mocking manner.
"That's his cane. You know, people use it to help them walk," Naruto responded in an equally mocking tone. "I have seen him use magic with it though."
"I got it," came from both Artemis and Wally as they both reached out to grab it.
The cane glowed with a golden outline as it began raising both of their hands into the air.
"I can't let go. Woah!" exclaimed the both of them. The cane took off into the air with both of them holding on for dear life.
Elsewhere in the tower, Kent was being held hostage by two males with his hands tied together. He had been captured by these two almost a month ago when he had journeyed to New Orleans back in July.
The first male was a tall and thin man with black hair styled in a ponytail, sideburns, and a goatee beard on his narrow face. He was wearing a white poet shirt that exposed his chest, a gold necklace, along with black trousers.
This man went by the moniker Abra Kadabra and is in actuality a faux magician. He had come from the future using technology so advanced that is passed off as magic. In a previous encounter with the Flash, his abilities were proven to be caused by science simulating magic.
The other male had the appearance of a scraggy young boy with long, thin limbs. His black hair was styled like devil horns over his ears. He was wearing a predominantly black outfit of a white high collared shirt, black skinny trousers, pointed shoes, as well as a black suit jacket.
This young looking boy was actually a Lord of Chaos known as Klarion the Witch Boy who has existed since the dawn of the universe 16 billion years ago. As a Lord of Chaos, Klarion is a powerful magical being who wants to destroy all order to make the world fall into the control of chaos by opposing the Lords of Order. In order to maintain his presence in the mortal plane, Klarion must use an anchor in the form of his familiar Teekl, a ginger furred cat with black tiger stripes that currently lay across Klarion's shoulders.
These two had entered into a partnership, capturing Kent for their goals. Abra Kadabra wishes to gain true magic from Klarion while Klarion wants to steal the Helmet of Fate.
Currently, Kent was being forced to guide his captors up the Tower of Fate towards the helmet. The interior structure of the tower was confusing for the intruders as various stairways hung from the ceiling and numerous stairways appeared to lead upwards towards different sections of the tower.
"Are there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" came Klarion's voice as the three continued their trek upwards.
"Tell us how to find the helmet," Kadabra growled as he removed the collar from Kent's neck which had been preventing him from speaking.
"Cant," Kent rasped out, his voice weak from weeks of torture. "Having too much fun," he followed up with a smirk and took great pleasure from leading the two by the nose.
Gritting his teeth in anger, Kadabra placed his hand on Kent's shoulder and shocked the older man. "Still having fun?" he followed up as Kent collapsed to the ground.
"Heh heh, I am" Klarion laughed at the torture. "Zap him again. Or dump him off the side and watch him splat."
The cat on Klarion's shoulders slightly growled and caused Klarion to turn his head in acknowledgement. "Ah, yes, yes, I suppose we might still need him."
Back with the group of teen heroes, they were still shocked at the disappearance of two of their own.
"We need to go after them," a panicked M'gann turned to the group.
"Gyo!" Naruto thought to himself as he channeled chakra into his eyes. The enhanced vision he gained allowed him to see the trail of magic left behind by Kent's cane. "Can any of you guys fly or do you need a lift?"
"I can fly, but I can only carry one at most," M'gann responded.
"I can levitate those two if you want to save your strength," Naruto informed her as he began floating in the air and using his magic to levitate the two boys. "I can see the trail of magic left behind the cane. Follow me."
With his declaration, Naruto began racing into the air while having Kaldur and Superboy trailing behind him with Miss Martian not far behind.
Flying through the air, M'gann made conversation with the group. "I don't understand Wally. It's almost like he needs to believe the impossible can't happen."
"Wally uses his understanding of science to control what he can not comprehend," Kaldur answered. "Acknowledging the existence of magic … would relinquish the last vestige of that control."
As the group continued their pursuit of their missing teammates, Wally and Artemis suddenly flashed into existence near where the intruders were due to Kent's cane.
"Abra Kadabra!" Wally yelled out upon seeing the villain.
"Well, will you look at that," Kent mused as he caught sight of the two teenagers. Realizing his chance to escape, Kent's cane began glowing which caused Kent to glow the same. Kent began flying towards his cane and the teenagers, away from his captors. Grabbing hold of his cane, Kent's binds around his wrists came undone.
"In here," Kent declared as he pointed his cane at a nearby wall. The wall opened up like an elevator allowing the three to quickly run inside with the doors closing behind them.
"No, no, no! I want that helmet. I want it, I want it, I want it!" Klarion yelled in frustration as he thrust his palms out. Red lightning shot out from his hands towards the elevator in an attempt to stop the trio from fleeing him but was unable to penetrate the closed doors.
Inside the elevator, smooth jazz played as the escaping trio stood in silence while the elevator ascended the tower.
"I'm Kent Nelson, by the way," Kent spoke up to break the silence.
"No duh," Wally replied as if it wasn't obvious. "Ow," was the follow up as Artemis elbowed Wally in the chest for the insensitive tone in his voice.
"I'm Artemis. Miss Manners here is Wally," introducing herself to Kent.
"Well, Artemis, we're up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power," Kent informed the teenage heroes in order to bring them up to speed.
"Abra Kadabra?" Wally scoffed in response. "Flash proved he uses futuristic technology to simulate magic. Guy's all show and no biz."
"Right you are," Kent agreed.
"He is?" Artemis asked as Wally gained a smug grin at being affirmed.
"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 Dr. Fate."
"Riiight," Wally responded with disbelief in his voice. "You're a Lord of Order."
"Oh no, not me," Kent replied as he took out his pocket watch to stare at the picture of his deceased wife. "I'm just an old coat Fate used to put on until my wife Inza convinced me there could be more to life."
Kent sighed, "Ahh, she was a real pistol, that Inza. Anywho, Klarion's after the helmet. If he gets his sticky little mitts on it, he'll turn the planet into his own personal playground of pandemonium."
*Ding*
Hearing the elevator ding, Kent put his watch away and led the trio out into a large open spaced room which held a giant bell in the center. Approaching the bell, the group turned as they heard a searing sound behind them. An upside down staircase had a hole open up like a door, and the rest of the young heroes floated down with Naruto.
"Friends of yours?" Kent asked wistfully as he saw the unfamiliar teenagers behind him. Turning his head back forward, Kent and Wally ducked as lightning passed over their heads. Looking across the open space, they saw Abra and Klarion standing on another inverted staircase.
"Friends of yours?" Wally asked with urgency as his voice. More lightning was shot towards the heroes as Wally led Kent over to the bell. Bringing his cane up, Kent rang the bell by striking it with his cane. This caused the bell to toll and glow a golden color. Kent and Wally stepped into the bell while Klarion flew towards the bell in pursuit.
In a flash of light, Wally and Kent appeared on the roof of the tower where the Helmet of Fate was floating in midair. Taking a step forward, Kent was suddenly struck by a red energy beam in the chest from the front. Stumbling back into Wally's arms, Kent started chanting in Latin before slamming his cane onto the ground beneath him. A yellow barrier was erected around him which blocked the next shot of red energy from Klarion.
"Nooo!" Klarion screamed when he saw the barrier formed.
"Not bad for a former Dr. Fake, eh kid?" Kent asked with a raspy voice from the pain. Unable to stay on his feet, Kent fell back towards Wally's arms. "The bubble will give you just enough time to do what you need to do."
"I have no idea what I need to do," Wally desperately replied.
"Have faith in what you can't explain. Believe in what you can no longer deny," Kent whispered as he collapsed.
Seeing the still form of Kent, Wally began chest compressions in an attempt to resuscitate the older man.
"28, 29, 30. Come on, come on," Wally counted as he tried to bring Kent back. The protective bubble he was in continued to be assaulted by red fire blasts thrown from Klarion's hands.
"I want that helmet and I want it now," Klarion exclaimed as he kept up his barrage of magic.
Wally could only watch as he didn't know what his next step was. His thoughts were interrupted when a telepathic message came in from M'gann.
"Wally, we're in trouble. Tell Kent we need Dr. Fate," M'gann informed. The rest of the young heroes were pinned down in electrical nets made by Abra Cadabra. The connection was cut short as Abra electrocuted M'gann. Meanwhile, Naruto was floating in the air as he had been unable to close the distance between himself and the technology wielding Abra.
Wally looked back and forth in hopes of coming up with another solution as Klarion continued to batter away at the protective bubble. Fed up with the lack of progress from his blasts, Klarion channeled magic into his hands to create red energy claws that extended towards the bubble. The claws dug into the top of the bubble and slightly pierced through.
Wally saw Kent's cane getting smaller and smaller as a lit flame at the end was burning through it. Looking at the helmet and back at Kent, Wally knew his next move.
"A test of faith," was all Wally could say as he grabbed the helmet and prepared to don it.
"Hey, dumb kid," Klarion interjected as Wally held the helmet. "You put that on, and you may never get it off." Klarion spread his arms as his energy claws finally tore the bubble apart to expose Wally.
Wally raised the helmet above his head in response to Klarion who was not going to allow Dr. Fate to appear. Thrusting his hands forward, Klarion fired another concentrated energy beam towards Wally in an attempt to stop the teen. The eyeholes of the helmet glowed as Wally donned the helmet and his body took the brunt of Klarion's attack.
A spotlight illuminated Wally from above as he stood within a dark void. "Okay, okay, no problem. I'm not here. I'm just delusional," Wally rationed as he couldn't comprehend where he currently was.
"Still don't believe?" came Kent's voice from within the void. Kent walked into the spotlight from behind Wally as he continued to address him. "Seriously, kid. How'd you get so bullheaded in fifteen short years?"
Wally was in disbelief at seeing Kent. "But you're … you're …"
"Yep, but don't feel bad. Soon after this little brouhaha is over, my spirit will ascend, and I'll be reunited with my beloved Inza," Kent reassured him.
"Uh, o … okay," was all Wally could respond with to Kent's statement. "Wait, does that mean that I'm …?"
"Ah, you're alive," Kent once again reassured as he placed a hand on Wally's shoulder. "But your soul no longer controls your body. See, we're inside the helmet. You put it on, and my soul got sucked in. Probably because I spent so many years serving its master."
"Master?"
"Nabu. The real Dr. Fate. One of them Lords of Order I told you about. He's the guy controlling your body now. Wanna watch?"
Back in the real world, Wally was now transformed into Dr. Fate. With the helmet atop his head, the rest of his body was covered in by a gold colored, high collared cape, a blue shirt with a golden oval on the chest, a large golden belt with a circle in the center, and deep blue pants along with golden boots.
Dr. Fate had his left hand extended with a large golden ankh in front of his body. The ankh was currently acting as a shield blocking Klarion's attacks.
"Give it up, Nabu!" Klarion yelled as he continuously slung magic left and right from his hands. "Order went out of style in the 20th century."
"This battle is pointless," replied Dr. Fate whose voice sounded as a mix of Wally's and another male's. "You sought to take the helmet before it gained a host, but you are too late."
"Shut it, you old fart!" Klarion exclaimed as he raised his hands. Twin pillars of earth rose from the roof beneath his feet which met in the air in an attempt to crush Dr. Fate.
A golden ankh glowed within the earth as Dr. Fate destroyed the pillars that surrounded him.
"Brat," Fate merely stated as he followed up by firing a golden beam of energy in the shape of an ankh in retaliation. The beam hit Klarion who screamed in pain before his form disappeared from the damage.
Klarion reformed on the roof behind Dr. Fate's floating body. He followed up by firing red lightning at Fate's unprotected back in a sneak attack. Fate moved forward in the air in pain from the surprise attack.
"Uggg!" Wally screamed in pain within his mind. "What gives?" Wally asked Kent.
"Well, it is your body," Kent responded as if it would be obvious.
"Then let me control it. With Fate's power and my speed …"
"Sorry, kid. It doesn't work that way. But you can see why I haven't put on the helmet in 65 years."
"And if Fate loses this fight?"
"You see Inza before I do."
Grunting with effort, Fate created another ankh to shield himself from a dragon-headed shaped blast of magical fire. The fire scattered around the ankh and redirected itself at Fate's back, knocking him to the ground. Klarion followed up by putting his hands in the shape of pistols and imitated shots being fired. A myriad of energy shots formed behind Klarion and fired quickly towards the downed body of Fate.
Fate could only put up a bubble shield in front of him to stop the blasts. This proved to be ineffective as the blasts were too much for the shield and concussive force broke the shield, knocking him back again. Klarion followed up with a breath of fire that Fate had to evade by taking to the air.
Fate then had to barrel roll and dodge pillars of flames that erupted from below. He could only dodge for so long until one pillar hit its target, knocking Fate out of the air and tumbling onto the roof.
"You're out of practice, Nabu," Klarion taunted. "And that pathetic host body, zero affinity for the mystic arts. I bet I could beat you with one arm tied behind my back."
"Well I see your bet and raise it," a voice came from behind Klarion. Klarion shouted in pain and surprise as a spiraling, blue energy beam struck him in the back and sent him tumbling forward.
Looking up from the ground, Fate saw Naruto with his palms extended after firing off his rasengan wave.
"Leave this to me, Fate," Naruto told the injured sorcerer. "Sorry for making you wait. I had to help the others take care of Abra Kadabra."
Recovering from the surprise attack, Klarion got to his feet and took notice of Naruto.
"And who are you supposed to be, kid?"
"The name's Destiny. Kent told me about you. You must be Klarion the Bitch Boy."
"It's Witch Boy," Klarion growled out.
"Like that's any better," Naruto snickered until he took notice of Kent's body lying on the floor. "Did you do that to the Old Man?"
"So what if I did?" Klarion taunted. "What are you gonna do about it, kid?"
"Why don't I show you?" Naruto got into a stance by shifting a foot back and turning his body sideways. "Cantus Bellax," Naruto cast in his mind to prepare for the fight. As his body overflowed with energy, Naruto suddenly disappeared from view before Klarion's eyes.
"What the?" was all Klarion got out of his mouth before Naruto reappeared next to him with a fist aimed at his face. Klarion was unprepared for the physical attack and took a blow to his left cheek that sent him flying. Righting himself in the air, he was unprepared when Naruto reappeared again behind him.
Naruto had his right hand reared back with a Rasengan formed and ready to slam into Klarion's unprotected backside.
"Eat this!"
With his shout, Naruto thrust his attack forward targeting Klarion's back but was not prepared for Klarion's body to separate into wisps of smoke. Naruto's momentum carried him forward and left him vulnerable to Klarion who reassembled in place. Now that he was behind Naruto, Klarion created black claws that extended to and dug into Naruto's sides.
"Ahhh!" Naruto cried out in pain as Klarion pulled Naruto's body closer to himself.
"Not so tough now, are you kid?"
"Heehee," Naruto chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"I told you. The name is Destiny, Bitch Boy. Remember it."
Channeling the fox's chakra within him, Naruto's form became covered in glowing orange chakra while his body turned a golden color. His body had dark lines running down his torso and created a necklace of six magatamas. The overwhelming energy exuding from his body destroyed Klarion's claws and freed Naruto.
"What the hell is this?!" Klarion shouted in surprise as Naruto took the opportunity to blitz forward and clock Klarion in the nose at a much higher velocity than before now that his speed had increased. Klarion was sent flying into the air past the borders of the tower's roof for a few seconds before he collected himself enough to stop his momentum midair.
"Ughh, that hurt. Wait a second. That hurt?" Klarion asked himself in disbelief. He brought a hand to his nose and was surprised at the blood he wiped from his nose.
"Nobody makes me bleed my own blood!"
Klarion turned to look back at the tower just in time to see a golden blur heading in his direction. He created a protective bubble around himself as Naruto aimed a tornado fist empowered Rasengan at Klarion's midsection. The opposing forces created an explosion that sent both flying away from each other.
"Arrgghhh!" That is it!" Klarion screamed out in frustration. "I am a Lord of Chaos, and you are nothing to me!" Thrusting both hands forward, Klarion sent an enormous wave of flames towards Naruto's form, engulfing him and creating a smoke cloud. Not seeing any movement or response from his opponent from within the smokescreen, Klarion grew a large smile in triumph.
"Ha!" Klarion pumped his fist into the air. "Who's the Bitch Boy now, kid?"
"Still you, Bitch Boy," Naruto's voice came from inside the smoke. As the smoke began to clear up and disperse, Klarion saw a large sphere where Naruto was prior made up of what appeared to be metal. Naruto had shielded himself from the blast by creating a protective barrier with his adamantine chains, not that Klarion had any idea what they were.
"My turn," Naruto declared as he sent a barrage of chains towards Klarion. Not wanting to be caught, Klarion began maneuvering in the air to avoid being captured. One chain got close enough to knick Klarion in the side and caused him to lose focus as pain coursed through him. Distracted by the feeling of being cut, Naruto was able to surround Klarion and wrap his chains around his body.
"Hey, what gives?" Klarion asked as he struggled in confinement. He tried to summon up the energy to break free but couldn't feel access to his magic.
Naruto used his chains to bring Klarion closer until they were only a few feet apart.
"Do you like feeling powerless? Do you like hurting others?" Naruto asked rhetorically. "You come at me and my mentor! You're in my house, Bitch!"
With that declaration, Naruto threw a flurry of left and right hooks at Klarion's face. Klarion's eyes and cheeks swelled up as he took the punishment until he suddenly felt his body gaining momentum as Naruto began spinning in place with his chains. Naruto used the rotational speed to fling Klarion back towards the tower, resulting in a crater being formed when his body hit the roof.
Groaning from the abuse he had taken, Klarion weakly got onto his hands and knees to support himself. A shadow cast itself over his form which caused Klarion to look upwards to see Naruto floating above him.
"Had enough?" Naruto asked the downed form of his opponent. Klarion merely groaned in pain as a response.
"Don't think this is over, kid. You think you've won? This is far from over," Klarion gasped out. As if to prove his point, Klarion's cat Teekl lunged at Naruto from behind him. The Lord of Chaos's familiar had grown in size to that of a tiger's and swiped at Naruto's back. The unexpected attack knocked Naruto out of the air and onto the tower.
"Naruto. Aim for the cat," came Dr. Fate's voice. "His familiar is his anchor to the mortal plane, similar to how the helmet is mine."
"Oh no you dont," Klarion defiantly declared. "Teekl, come here."
The cat shrunk in size and hopped into the waiting arms of Klarion. With Teekl secured, Klarion created a protective bubble around himself and his familiar to buy time for himself to recover.
Undeterred, Naruto got to his feet and raised his palm in the direction of Klarion and Teekl.
"I haven't had the chance to test this out, but now's the best time to use this," Naruto thought to himself as he prepared his magic.
This spell in particular was developed by Naruto as a way to end fights quickly against supernatural opponents, particularly demons in general, by piercing through magical defenses. Calling this spell demon killing magic was too long a name, so Naruto ended up using Google translate to shorten it.
"Zoltraak!" Naruto yelled as a white energy beam with black highlights shot out from his hand towards the Lord of Chaos and his familiar. Confident in his protective barrier, Klarion was unprepared to witness the spell pierce through the shield and blasted a hole through both Teekl and his stomach. With his familiar sufficiently hurt, Klarion's form began to fade as his tether to the mortal plane was severed.
"Nooo! What was that?!" Klarion screamed. "You better watch yourself, kid. I'll be back for that helmet and for your life," were Klarion's final words before he faded away back to whence he came.
Turning to the downed Dr. Fate, Naruto approached him to help back on his feet.
"Are you ok?" Naruto asked the sorcerer.
"I will be fine," he responded. "As will be the world now that Dr. Fate has returned."
"What about Kid Flash?" Klarion said he didn't have magical talent. He wouldn't make a good host for you, Nabu," Naruto countered.
"It matters not. The world needs Dr. Fate. I will … hold on," Fate cut off the conversation.
Back within the mindscape of the Dr. Fate, a different argument was taking place.
"Uh, it's over right? So why isn't Nabu taking off the helmet?" Wally asked Kent after witnessing Naruto defeat Klarion.
"Because the world needs Dr. Fate," came the voice of Nabu that echoed within the mindscape. A copy of the Helmet of Fate appeared to act as a representation of Nabu. "I will not release this body."
"He can't do that. Can he do that?" Wally asked in a panic.
"Can, but shouldn't," Kent responded with an annoyed tone. "Nabu, this is not the right candidate. The kid's soul belongs to the world of science, not sorcery."
"True," Nabu mused. "But I do not appreciate being permanently hidden away, useless and isolated for decades at a time. Chaos must not be allowed to reign!"
"That won't happen again," Kent appealed. "The boy will take the helmet and make sure you're put to good use.?"
"Yeah. No, I swear," Wally followed up.
"And in the meantime, I'll stick around to keep you company," Kent added in.
"Wait, what happened to you ascending, seeing Inza?"
"So you believe now, huh? Don't sweat it, kid. I'll spend a few millennia here, then see Inza. That's the great thing about eternity, it's eternal," reassured Kent.
"The bargain is acceptable," agreed Nabu.
"Give Naruto some advice when you get out of here. Tell him to find his own spitfire, one who won't let him get away with nothing," were Kent's final words before fading away as Wally's body was able to lift the helmet off of himself. The rest of Dr. Fate's outfit faded away as Wally looked towards the body of Kent Nelson. Wally went to his side and placed Kent's pocket watch into his hand.
Naruto joined Wally at his side and both lowered their heads in a moment of silence to honor the fallen hero.
"Kent told me to tell you to make sure you find your own spitfire, like he did."
"Thanks for telling me. I'm gonna miss him. Could you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Could you get me in touch with the League? I want to let them know that he's passed and to inform any of the old JSA members about him. I want to know if anybody would attend a funeral for him."
"Yeah, I can do that. Just so you know, Kent bargained with Nabu to release me by promising that I would find someone to wear the helmet."
"Yeah, that sounds like that asshat from what Kent told me. We should probably get back to your team and take Abra Kadabra into custody."
With the fight concluded, the two made their way back down the tower towards the rest of the teenaged heroes and informed them of the events that had occurred.
Mount Justice
August 20, 03:48 EDT
The team had returned from the Tower of Fate to Mount Justice and were preparing to debrief Red Tornado about what they had experienced. Wally was in his souvenir room and placing the Helmet of Fate on the shelf.
"Ahem," came a female voice clearing their throat off to the side. Artemis came into view as Wally turned his head to his right. "You never said what happened to you when you put on the helmet."
"Energy from the thing rewrote my mind's beta waves. I was bio-scripted into becoming Dr. Fate for a few minutes. No big."
"Wait, you're still claiming there's no such thing as magic? If that's how you feel, why keep it at all?"
"Souvenir," Wally merely responded as he glanced at the helmet.
"Geek," was all Artemis could say in response to how Wally dismissed their adventure.
Before Wally could snipe back with an insult, the two heard the sound of the cave's zeta tube powering up.
Recognized Batman - 02
The cave's announcement system came to life and announced the arrival of Batman via zeta beam teleportation. Walking over to a holographic console, Batman typed onto it. With a few keystrokes, the zeta tube activated once again.
Access granted: Naruto Uzumaki A-03. Authorization - Batman
The zeta tube once again lightened up and materialized Naruto into Mount Justice. He was currently out of his training gear/costume currently wearing a more casual outfit of an orange, zip up hoodie, blue jeans, finished off with a pair of black and orange Nike sneakers.
"Huh, so that's what that feels like," Naruto commented as he was more used to creating sling portals to destinations of his choosing. Looking over at Batman, he saw that Batman was still engaged at the console.
"Team, report to the zeta tubes for debriefing," was Batman's short command over the intercom. A few moments later, the group of young heroes had assembled at their cave's zeta tube entrance. They were surprised to see their new acquaintance so soon after their escapade at the Tower of Fate.
Batman broke the silence as he addressed the gathering.
"You should recognize the young man beside me from your recent time at the Tower of Fate. Kent Nelson had been planning to introduce Naruto here to the world as a young hero before his untimely demise. After speaking with him, Naruto has agreed to join the Team alongside the rest of you."
"Hey," Naruto raised his hand to greet his fellow young heroes.
"It is good to see you again," Kaldur said as he approached Naruto to shake hands.
"It's good to be here."
"He will be joining you all after we take care of funeral arrangements for Kent Nelson," continued Batman.
"I hope we can get along," Naruto followed up.
"Computer, update designation for Naruto Uzumaki A-03 to Destiny B-08," Batman commanded. With a beep for confirmation, the zeta tube archives updated with the corresponding designation for the new member.
"I hope you guys are ready for what I'm gonna bring to the table. People are gonna remember the name, Destiny.
Author's note: Thank you for reading the new chapter of my story and for all the support I have received. Time moved by so quickly after I published the first chapter. I tip my hat off to authors who can stay motivated to update on a regular basis and write so much for multiple stories. I will try to write when I have time. That being said, I do have some other ideas in mind, so I might publish other stories in the future. I will do my best to avoid abandoning anything if I do have multiple stories posted. As always, I am grateful to the fanfiction Discord communities I am a part of for bouncing around ideas with me. Catch me in AizentheGoat's Discord with this link, /ucQQmAeTS4.
Have a wonderful day.