Chapter Six. Trouble on Both Ends
Constantine revealed in energy the situation that had been going on globally, including the seizures Nightwing, Spoiler and Kshin were having, and the hallucinations.
"Dick was affected by these seizures?" Boston asked in shock.
"It can't be," Raven added in shock.
"I know Raven was a member of the Titans," Zatanna asked, "but how does Boston know Dick?"
"Boston was performing at the circus the night he was killed," Batman explained, "Barbara, Dick and I were in the audience that night."
"For the record," Raven stated, "I'm still a part of the Titans, but I'm currently taking a break from the team."
"Gotcha," Batman nodded.
"Rama Kushna says this will break down the walls between the planes," Boston stated, bringing up the situation, "Even the afterlife will be affected."
"Yeah, it's dodgy, all right," Constantine stated, "I'll look into it. Meanwhile, the House will drop you wherever you like."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Boston went in front of him, "Rama says we have to work together. Come on! It's a dream team. You, me, Zatanna, Mandrake, Lothar, Batman, Amy, maybe even the Justice League."
"The capes and tights crew," Constantine stated, "useless against dark magic."
"So, what else is new?" Amy replied, "I bet not even the Defenders of the Earth could be of use."
"If the Justice League are useless," Mandrake crossed his arms, "chances are..."
"Flash, Sheila, Phantom and the kids won't stand a chance," Lothar added in.
"I bet the rest of the Bat Kids not affected by the seizures right now won't stand a chance either," Mandrake stated.
"Correct," Batman nodded, "I had them and the Defenders to search for the people responsible for the Skull X "candy" and where it came from."
"That's what is causing the seizures?" Raven asked.
"I examined the drugs before I left for here," Batman explained, "it had some sort of dark energy which caused hallucinations and seizures for those who ate them."
"That's not good," Zatanna replied.
"Red Hood, Robin, Batwing, Orphan, Signal and Batwoman are helping Oracle find the source of Skull X," Batman informed the group.
"That's why we need you," Boston told Constantine, "You can lead us against this dark crisis."
"Boston, do I strike you as a team player?" Constantine asked, "Much less a team leader. Point is, even deities can get it wrong. It's how we got the appendix, Neanderthals and Reality TV. Z, your help I could use."
"Okay," Zatanna replied as she stood up, "if we do it as a group."
Constantine groaned, "This is the monkey cage in Sumatra all over again. "Oooh, we need to save the monkeys", she said."
"You're such an ass," Zatanna scoffed.
"Oh, not the monkeys," Boston stated.
"Says the man who has Newcastle and a 100 other screw ups on his resume," Zatanna retorted at her former lover, "costing lives and souls."
"But not monkeys," Constantine objected, "You're still way ahead on dead..."
"They used to be a thing," Boston told the others.
"No kidding," Mandrake replied as he adjusted his hat.
"Separate!" Raven exclaimed as she summoned her black energy to separate Constantine and Zatanna.
"What was that for?" Constantine demanded as he stood back up.
"We're wasting time," Batman told the group. Zatanna crossed her arms after she stood back up.
"He's dead, and we accept the risks," Batman gestured at Boston before gesturing towards himself, Mandrake, Lothar and Amy.
"Amy and I have the magics in us," Mandrake stated, "so we'll be ready."
"With all that being said," Batman asked, "can we get to it, or do you two need a time out?"
Zatanna and Constantine faced each other.
"Fine and dandy," Constantine replied before he turned his back, "Let's take a walk on the dark side then."
He opened the door, "Coming, team?"
Boston, Batman, Zatanna, Lothar, Mandrake, and Amy all made their way to the door with Constantine following them moments later.
-The-Magic-Within-
Oracle sighed roughly. She had the group divided again, this time they were in three groups of five and it was to look for the people responsible for Skull X, the drugs disguised as candy responsible for the seizures and hallucinations happening to its victims, including Nightwing, Spoiler and Kshin. Luckily, Nightwing and Spoiler managed to recover enough to where they could patrol again, but the others would keep an eye out on them in case something else happened.
Group one consisted of Red Hood, Orphan, the Signal, Flash, and April. They were patrolling the warehouse district as it was suspected that location was most likely to have the source of the drugs.
Group two consisted of the Phantom, Jedda, Robin, Spoiler, and Batwoman. They were patrolling the streets of Gotham for any signs of suspicious activity.
The final group consisted of Batwing, LJ, Nightwing, Sheila, and Rick. They were patrolling Central Park to find any sign of Skull X, or the source behind the drug.
Oracle looked up on the screen and she hoped something would come out of this.
"Group C report," Oracle called out, "anything I should know about?"
"Nothing important, Oracle," Batwing answered, "So far, Nightwing hasn't had another seizure."
"Come off it!" Nightwing exclaimed, "I'm fine!"
"Nothing personal, Nite," Oracle replied, "but we have to keep an eye on you in case something does happen. You never know."
"Of course," Nightwing scoffed.
"You'll be fine," Oracle assured him, "Besides, Spoiler is kept on watch too."
-The-Magic-Within-
Spoiler looked over at the group. The others in the group were keeping an eye out on her.
"You do know my seizure was a couple of days back, right?" Spoiler asked.
"True," Batwoman answered, "but we were told by Batman to keep an eye out on you in case something else happens."
"What else could possibly happen?" Spoiler shrugged her shoulders.
"It is good to have precaution," the Phantom pointed out.
"The Phantom has a really good point."
The group turned around and they saw Connor standing at the corner of the alley.
"What brings you here, Connor?" Robin asked.
"I noticed the activity that has been going on the past week," Connor answered, "and I gotta say, things have gone insane here."
"You saw everything that happened this week?" Jedda asked.
"The hallucinating of demons and seizures?" Connor answered, "Yes, I have. It has been like a mad house."
"Care to join us?" Batwoman asked.
Connor appeared to be hesitant at first, but he sighed and stepped forward, "Sure. Why not? I might run into Duncan again?"
"You know Duncan MacLeod?" Spoiler asked.
"Uh, duh," Robin replied, "he told us he's in the same clan the last time we saw him, remember?"
"Oh yeah."
"Team B report!" Oracle called out.
"We don't have much here to report at this time except for one thing," Robin announced.
"And what's that?"
"Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod will be joining us on this task!" Robin announced.
-The-Magic-Within-
April glanced over at her father. They glanced around the warehouse in hopes to spotting any suspicious activity.
"Anything?" she asked.
"Nothing yet," Flash answered, "but I have a good feeling about this."
"We'll find something," Red Hood assured them, "it is only a matter of time."
"Guys, I see something!" Orphan exclaimed.
The group looked to see a group of strange looking people walking around the area.
"It seems like we found the right location," Orphan stated. The group rushed the group before Red Hood managed to pin one of them to the wall. April's eyes widened as she recognized the young woman.
"That's the woman Rick, Jedda, LJ, Stephanie, Dick, Tim, Babs and I encountered!" April exclaimed.
"You saw her?" Flash asked.
"What's your name, Miss?" Red Hood demanded, "and no games either!"
"My name is Amber," the young lady spoke up.
"What are you doing here at this warehouse?" Orphan asked.
"We are here getting what we need for Skull X," Amber answered.
"Skull X?" Flash retorted, "is that the same candy you offered my daughter and her friends?"
"I think I encountered her last week," Amber admitted.
"Batman knows the candy is not really candy," the Signal explained, "and this candy is actually drugs that causes people to hallucinate and have seizures."
"What do you mean?" Amber asked, seemed to be playing dumb.
"That's exactly what we are talking about!" April exclaimed, "Now, you need to come clean with us if you want a lenient punishment."
"I...I...I..." Amber stammered.
"No games," Flash insisted, "three of our own have been affected by your Skull X. Tell us what is going on!"
"Okay," Amber finally relented, "well, I have been asked along with the rest of Cult X to distribute Skull X to everyone worldwide, and my boss was very much aware of the effects that someone would have once tasting the Skull X."
"Just who is your boss?" Red Hood asked, "what is his name?"
"His name is Ritchie Simpson," Amber answered, "and yes, he is suffering from cancer, but it is a magical cancer."
-The-Magic-Within-
"Stop being a child and slow down!" Zatanna exclaimed as Constantine led the group down the streets, "Where are we going?"
"Ritchie's." Constantine answered.
"Have you talked to him lately?" Zatanna asked.
"I know he's pissed," Constantine answered, "You don't have to remind me, love. It's on my CV, remember?"
"No, really, has he told you..." Zatanna started to ask. She stopped when the group noticed a group of shrouds surrounding the front door of the house.
"Oh no," Constantine stated, "He's dying."
"John Constantine," one of the shrouds called to him, "purveyor of the dark arts and lifeline of last resort."
Amy hid behind her father in fear of the shrouds.
"You have nothing to fear with these creatures," Mandrake assured her.
"No matter," the shroud continued, talking to Constantine, "Your friend's soul will be collected and there's nothing you can do to alter that."
"Why don't you go do something useful, like haunt a house?" Constantine suggested.
"Who's he talking to now?" Batman asked.
"Shrouds," Mandrake answered, "They deliver souls to hell."
"I was going to say that," Boston stated, "how did you know?"
Mandrake cleared his throat before answering, "I know a lot about the magics, including how dangerous the dark arts can be."
The shrouds suddenly surrounded Batman.
"They're drawn to you," Zatanna stated.
"Maybe it's your cologne, Batsy," Lothar quipped.
"This one had cheated us many times," one of the shrouds glanced at Batman, "It is vexing."
Batman glanced at the shrouds for a moments before simply saying, "Boo."
The shroud backed off in response.
"This has been lovely," Constantine stated as he emitted magical energy, "but it's time for you lot to bugger off."
"When the time comes," the lead shroud declared, "I'll be the one to collect your soul, Constantine."
"Yeah, yeah," Constantine replied before unleashing the energy and the Shrouds vanished.
The door opened seconds later, revealing a frail old man, Ritchie Simpson, as he said, "I thought I felt a disturbance in the force."
He glanced at Constantine, "How you doing, Johnny boy? Zatanna, Mandrake and Batman? What the hell?"
"Why, it's good to see you too," Mandrake replied, adjusting his hat.
"Tell you everything inside, mate," Constantine replied before Simpson led the group inside the house.
They looked around the house a moment as Zatanna stepped forward, "You poor thing."
"Yeah," Simpson replied, "I may have lied the last time we talked about exactly how fast I'm sledding downhill. I'm sorry about that."
Simpson gently placed a hand on Constantine's shoulder, "But it means a lot you're here, John, and hey, you don't have to say it. You're...you're forgiven."
He glanced over at the others in the room, "Still wondering what Mandrake the Magician and Batman are doing in my living room, and when he's going to shut up, right?"
"Ah, it's no trouble," Mandrake assured him.
Simpson looked at the group again, "What? What's with the face? You're not here to say sorry, are you?"
"Of course, I am," Constantine replied, "but I was looking to borrow the Keshanti Key as well."
"Unbelievable."
"I tried to tell him on the way," Zatanna assured Simpson.
"Yeah, it's not your fault, Z," Simpson assured him, "just like everything, this is rock star Johnny's fault."
"I was with you when it happened, Ritchie," Constantine interjected, "We were side by side."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Simpson replied, "side by side, but I got the magical cancer while you, you added to your rep. Isn't that right?"
"Look, me not making proper amends isn't related to the key," Constantine told him, "which, truth be told, you're not gonna need, mate."
"John!" Zatanna exclaimed in shock.
"That was harsh," Amy quipped.
"I have to agree myself," Mandrake muttered.
Simpson punched Constantine in the face before Batman grabbed him as he dropped to the floor. Simpson waved him away.
"Getting that a lot lately," Constantine stated.
"Served you right," Lothar retorted.
"You can go screw yourself," Simpson stepped forward, facing Constantine, "I am not giving you crap!"
"Your anger is understandable," Mandrake said as he and Batman walked over to the frail man.
"He is right," Batman added, "but you need to reconsider. Innocent lives are at stake."
Simpson eyed everyone in the room before walking over to a box which contained a flat, circle shaped object, "Well, doctors say an upbeat attitude can help, so what I'll focus on today is I met Batman and Mandrake the Magician. Force of good."
Simpson handed the object to Batman before Simpson eyed Zatanna, "It was also nice seeing you, Zatanna. Now, if you'll excuse me...you can show yourselves out."
With that, the group left Simpson's house.
-The-Magic-Within-
Richie staggered over in shock. He felt strange. He had been having this strange sensation ever since he took Carter's head five days ago. It was stupid of him to accept the strange Skull X candy which some strange looking individual. Tori encouraged him to buy the bag of candy because the guy claimed it would help his boss with his cancer.
Richie clutched his head with his hand and groaned. He felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning. He tried to call for Tori, but the words couldn't escape from his mouth. He couldn't even call out for help as he blacked out.
-The-Magic-Within-
Tori was startled upon sensing the Buzz. She walked down towards the house with her Tachi in hand, "I swear, if that Clay guy comes over here, I'll..."
She opened the door and saw Duncan.
"Mac, what are you doing here?" Tori asked.
"I heard you two were attacked by Haresh Clay," Duncan answered, "I came here to try to help you two."
"How did you know this guy?" Tori asked.
Duncan glared at her for a moment before speaking up, "I knew him from long ago, back in Southern Europe in 1657. He took the head of my friend Graham Ashe, who was a master. I'm glad Richie got a sword that resembled Graham's, something Amanda stole."
Tori chuckled, "That was after Zorelda broke Richie's old sword before she kidnapped him."
Duncan sighed, "From what Richie had explained about his experience, he'd never be able to live it down."
The two were startled upon hearing a loud thud.
"What was that?" Duncan asked. They both hurried up the stairs. They looked in their horror to find Richie convulsing on the floor.
"Richie!" Duncan exclaimed in horror.
"I didn't realize Immortals could have seizures!" Tori exclaimed in equal panic.
"We can't die from mortal diseases, but we're not immune to them," Duncan took off his jacket and made it as a make shift pillow. Tori placed her fiance on his side as Duncan placed the jacket on Richie's head.
"It's going to be okay, Richie," Duncan assured him, his voice trembling on the verge of tears, "It'll be okay."
Tori was actually in tears, trying to comfort Richie, "Hold on, Richie. Please hold on."
For what felt like an eternity, the seizures stopped after three minutes. Tori sobbed, "Just hang in there, Richie. Mac and I will help you."
"Help me place him on the bed," Duncan instructed. He gently grabbed Richie by one arm and Tori grabbed him by the other arm. They gently placed him on the bed. Tori gently held her fiance's hand and kissed it. Duncan returned with a wash cloth and placed it on Richie's forehead. Tori used the cloth to help Richie.
-The-Magic-Within-
Duncan walked over to a nearby closet. It wasn't often when an Immortal dealt with a mortal disease, a seizure at that was definitely rare, but it had happened before. He recalled an incident of an Immortal Nick Johnson having a seizure back in 1970. He had some drugs before eventually having a seizure, but he didn't die despite how serious the seizure was.
Duncan sighed before seeing a small plastic bag. He examined the bag and saw gray skulls and paled in shock at the sight. He recognized the contents. This was Skull X, some drug disguised as candy created by the sinister cult known as Cult X.
Author's Note: I want to clarify a couple of things. First, I am going to call Ritchie Simpson by his last name that way readers won't confuse him with Richie Ryan because they are two totally different characters, and I was more comfortable with that. Finally, not all scenes from the Justice League Dark movie will be featured.