GREEN LANTERN NEW GENESIS: RECHARGED
Chapter 14: Denial
It was another of "those" days for Shinji. But this time he was spending it in Mount Justice alongside his teammates, no missions, even no lectures to be bored on. Not even a single message or notification from Oa as well, at least this time his boredom had some company this time. So while Kaldur and Superboy kept sparring, Wally was accompanying Shinji's own take at a combat simulation.
"Okay…ring, prepare simulation." Shinji said as several meters in front of him, green copies of the Third Angel appeared, waiting for his signal, alongside a green barrier shielding him and Wally. All while a green Evangelion's weapons rack appeared next to Shinji. Causing Wally to slightly spit out a portion of the burrito he was eating.
"Uhm, Shinji? Are you going to test…all of them? In a closed space?" Wally asked pointing at a green hand bazooka. To which Shinji only slightly raised his eyebrow before taking out an Eva handgun.
"No, just those I think I'm a little rusty with. Besides it's easy, just point and shoot. After all I am the team's sniper so I should practice right?" He asked, construct protection glasses and earmuffs instinctively appearing on his head.
"All right, ring…begin!" Shinji said as the Sachiels begun to move around, while they could seem dangerous…they were nothing more than moving targets, similarly to the shooting towers in Oa's hazard simulation facility Shinji trained at.
BANG!
With that he began, one of the Sachiels fell down after a green bullet pierced it's AT Field. It vanishing in a green puff. Shinji then turned towards another Sachiel and sent out another bullet. All while Wally kept looking at the weapons, silently marvelling at their intricacy, despite being formed seemingly on the flight.
"Dude, that's quite an arsenal you got here. Guns, knives, bigger guns, spears, is…is that a saw?" Wally asked, all while Shinji shot the last Sachiel.
"Oh, you mean this?" Shinji asked before a construct of the Anti-Material Circular Saw formed in his hands. It was made out of a handle that contained a large saw wheel. To be completely honest Shinji himself didn't know what was it for. It was another of what he internally referred to as "concept weapons" Doctor Akagi showed him that he would test in simulations against defeated angels. Which for all the reasons he was now here didn't happen.
"It's supposed to be used as a melee weapon...although it's seems too wonky and big for my taste. I'm more of a knife guy."
With that he desummoned the saw before he begun to reach out for a pellet rifle.
"What are you guys doing?" A familiar voice interrupted as Megan and Artemis walked towards them.
"Uhm, training?" Shinji replied while awkwardly taking out the rifle before Artemis begun to inspect the weapons.
"Dude, she's touching your super weapon stash…" Wally whispered to Shinji's ear, yes it was filled with his dislike towards her, but Shinji didn't really trust anyone who wasn't an Evangelion pilot to handle these. So no one but him.
"I'm, excuse me Artemis but-"
"What is this?" She asked taking out an MM-144 Super-Electromagnetic crossbow. It transforming in her hands into its battle-ready form.
"Oh, that's a crossbow. It uses electromagnetic propulsion to fire its blasts if I remember correctly." Shinji said before Wally put his arm on his shoulder. Giving Shinji a "dude I got this" look.
"In other words. A highly sophisticated deadly weapon that shouldn't be handled by a rookie." He teased, making Artemis annoyed, before she turned towards Shinji.
"Shinji, please be a dear and summon some targets." Artemis said in a tone that reminded the young Lantern of the times when Asuka wanted to prove something, and if experience was the best teacher. Than Shinji would comply, and so he did.
From behind the green barrier, Shinji formed another batch of Sachiels, alongside some MPE's to add some variety.
Artemis took a deep breath before taking her stance, not minding the sparking energy around the crossbow. Even having enough time to turn back towards Wally and Shinji and showing them a cheeky smirk.
Not giving them time to react she fired the crossbow, downing every target Shinji had set for her. Much to Wally's shock, and Megan's applause, all while Shinji just stood there.
"Hmm, a little big. But a nice weapon nonetheless." Artemis said before the green crossbow disappeared in her hands. She then turned to Wally.
"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?" She teased before walking away with Megan joining her.
"Oh, and Shinji…if you ever need someone to show you how to fire something else than a gun, you know the address." She than added before walking away with Megan. Leaving the speedster and the lantern to share a look of confusion.
Meanwhile in the centre of the mission room, Kaldur was getting ready for another sparring session with Superboy. While Megan and Artemis kept spectating the battle.
"Initiate-combat training, 3, 2, 1..." With the Mount Justice's AI command both rushed at each other. Much to the girls' delight.
"Kaldur's, uh, nice don't you think? Handsome, commanding, you should totally ask him out." Artemis said, causing Megan to chuckle.
"He's like a big brother to me. But you know who would make the cutest couple? You and Wally." She replied before turning to Wally, who still stood beside Shinji. "You're so full of passion, and he's so full of, uh."
"It? But I'm more interested in the guy standing next to him." Artemis replied watching as Shinji fired another series from the construct pellet rifle. "If only he could, I dunno, stop talking to me like I am from- "
"Another planet?" Megan asked, earning a laugh from the archer. All while Superboy got the upper hand on Kaldur, grabbing him by the arm and knocking him onto the ground.
"Fail-Aqualad." Even the AI decided to rub salt to Kaldur's wound.
"Black Canary taught me that." Superboy before the upper hatch from which Red Tornado flew down. That caused Wally to immediately leave Shinji's side and rush to the robotic hero. The young Lantern only shrugged before desummoning his equipment and joining his teammates.
"Do you have a mission for us?" Wally asked rushing in front of android.
"Mission assignments are The Batman's responsibility." Tornado stated.
"Yeah, well the Batman is with the Robin doing the dynamic duo thing in Gotham. But you're headed somewhere, right? Hot date, or a, a Misión?" Wally teased, trying to get any answers.
"If we can be of help…" Kaldur added, to which Tornado only brought up a file. Showing a nicely dressed old man holding a cane.
"This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is 106 years old."
"Guy doesn't look a day over 90." Wally whispered to Artemis.
"And he has been missing for 23 days. Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentors' justice league." Tornado added before the image transformed into a character Shinji remembered seeing in his history book. A man dressed in blue and gold costume with a cape and a helmet. Earth's sorcerer supreme.
"Of course, Nelson was Earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate!" Kaldur stated, earning a nod from Shinji. After all, he was the space guy, and all he knew about magic was from Tula.
"More like Doctor Fake, guy knows a little science and Dumbledores it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes." Wally scoffed, causing Shinji to turn around towards him with a risen eyebrow.
"You don't believe in magic?" Shinji finally asked, however before Wally could answer, Tornado continued his explanation.
"Kent may simply be on one of his walkabouts. But he is caretaker to the Helmet of Fate, the source of the Doctor's mystic might, and it is unwise to leave such power unguarded."
"He is like the great sorcerer priests and priestesses of Mars. I would be honoured to help find him." Megan said, which seemingly instantly caused Wally to raise his hand.
"Me too! So honoured I can barely stand it. Magic rocks." Wally said, which caused Artemis and Shinji to share a look of sheer dumbfound.
"Take this. It is the key to the Tower of Fate." Tornado said before giving Kaldur the said key.
"What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?" Wally then asked Megan which caused Shinji to internally face palm. 'Really smooth there Wally, really smooth.'
"I've sent you the coordinates of Kent's last sighting. I would suggest you to hurry." Tornado said.
"Let's go." Kaldur said before all of the team begun to make their way towards the Bioship. Except for Shinji.
"I'll catch up with you, there is something I need to do." He said, which earned a nod from Kaldur.
"Excuse me! Red Tornado!" Shinji said, stopping Red Tornado from leaving.
"Shinji, is there something you wanted to ask?" The android asked, to which Shinji nodded. It was something he was hoping to ask for a while, and since Tornado was a member of the former JSA. He would answer his question.
"Yes, if you were the part of the Justice Society with Doctor Fate? Did you-no, of course you did. Let me formulate it differently, what was the original Green Lantern like? The one from the 40s I mean, because in Oa's archives it states that during that period of time the only Lantern in our sector was Abin Sur." Shinji asked, to which Tornado only brought out a holographic image of the original Green Lantern.
"While it is not known from where the Lantern which granted Alan his abilities came from, even I don't know how it connects with your powers, as according to him, his power source is entirely magical. I'm sorry if I didn't clear your answers." Tornado said, which caused Shinji to raise his eyebrow.
"Wait, Alan?" He asked, to which Tornado brought up a league file.
"Alan Scott was a train engineer from Gotham City. In 1940 when testing a bridge his company built. He was sabotaged by a rival company, causing all of Scott's men to die. Alan Scott himself only surviving because he was holding onto a lantern. This Lantern, to which's power source he later referred to as the "Starheart" or "Green Flame", granted him incredible powers. After bringing the people responsible for deaths of his workers. Scott begun to fight injustice and villainy as the Green Lantern. Eventually he joined the Justice Society, as well as serving on the front lines of World War 2. Much like other heroes, he disappeared in 1952 to focus on his new business endeavour in television"
Shinji nodded at every word Tornado said, so the mystery of from where Alan Scott got his powers was still a mystery.
"Oh, thanks Tornado. I better go join the others now." Shinji said before summoning his uniform and flying away in a green streak. Him phasing though the Cave and on his way to catch up with the Bioship.
Tornado only nodded, before turning back towards his display. He wondered about Shinji's interest in his friend. Wasn't Hal Jordan's mentorship enough? He could only hope that he won't try to find him. Nor to try and locate his kids. While he was a Robot, he was surprised that Alan became a father at 82 years old.
Shinji felt the air was…tense in a sense in the Bioship's cockpit. Even though they were assigned to such a low-stake assignment, and he could potentially meet a member of the JSA. One that Tula, as fellow sorcerer was peculiarly interested in, maybe he could get her an autograph.
However, he was more focused on Wally and Artemis. The speedster's flirting façade may have supposedly fooled others. He could see that he didn't believe in magic. Although he believed everyone was entitled to their opinion, it could potentially jeopardize their mission.
"So Wally, when did you first realise your honest affinity for sorcery?" Artemis asked with hearable sarcasm, making Shinji glad he wasn't the only one to notice.
"Well, I don't like to brag, but, uh, before becoming Kid Flash. I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself." Wally said, causing Shinji to turn around, gathering enough courage to ask the question, or rather make a statement.
"You don't believe in magic, do you?" Shinji finally asked, almost causing Wally to fall out of his seat.
"What, n-no! What makes you even think that?" Wally asked, to which Shinji sighed.
"Well, you're sweating, you stuttered, and you keep looking at M'gann and try to impress her." Shinji said, causing Artemis to snicker.
"We've reached Tornado's coordinates, but-"
"Nothing's there." Superboy said interrupting Megan.
"Take us down." Kaldur commanded, with that the Bioship landed next to a park in Salem. Or more so an empty field.
"We're supposed to find a tower?" Shinji asked as they walked outside. But before Kaldur could give another order Wally stepped forward.
"I'll go do recon." He said before rushing off. Causing Artemis to roll her eyes.
"He's not beating the "I don't believe in magic" accusations." She said, all while Shinji turned to the most accurate scanner in the universe.
"Ring, do you detect any camouflage systems?" Shinji asked, bringing up a map of the area with his ring.
"Warning: Massive Mystical Energy spike in the area. Full caution is advised." The Ring's AI replied, bringing the attention of the rest of the team.
"Can you try to pinpoint it?" Kaldur asked, to which Shinji only pointed to the buzzing of his map.
"It seems the magic in the area throws the ring's scanners off. I guess it must be some strong protective spell, considering it can scan the whole planet in the matter of few minutes."
So even with the most powerful weapon in the universe, they were at a dead end.
"So we know he is here somewhere, but not here at the same time?" Superboy then asked.
"Wherever Nelson is, we must find him." Kaldur finally stated.
"At least we know magic exists, and we have a proof of it. Although no offence Shinji, but you don't seem like a person that would believe in magic." Artemis said, causing Shinji to sigh.
"I've seen my fair share of things. I guess I just learned on how to accept things for what they are." Shinji stated, after all the Third Impact happened and it was so unbelievable he could describe it as magic, but he saw how Kaldur, Garth and Tula use magic. So he believed that existed here, besides he could just ask his ring.
While they were standing, Wally finally returned from recon.
"Nothing, this isn't simple camouflage." He stated.
"So what do you think, adaptive micro-opto-electronics combined with phase shifting?" Artemis asked, causing Wally to smirk.
"Absolutely…not. Clearly mystic powers are at work here!" Wally said, quickly stopping himself from denying just as Megan walked by him. Leaving Artemis far from impressed.
Kaldur then reached out for the key, once again carefully inspecting it.
"A test of faith…" He said out loud. "Stand behind me."
With that he walked out in front of his teammates, before seemingly inserting the key into an invisible lock.
Out of nowhere a large tower appeared in the middle of the park, the tower of fate. The headquarters of Doctor Fate. Kaldur opened the door, making the rest of the team follow him inside. Just as they found themselves behind the doorsill, the door itself disappeared leaving them stranded in an empty chamber.
"Uh, where'd the door go?" Superboy asked, before a golden projection of Kent Nelson appeared in front of them.
"Greetings, you have entered with a key, but the tower does not recognise you. Please state your purpose and intent." The projection asked, before Wally shot a glance at Megan and stepped forward.
"We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate!"
The projection only looked at them with amusement, before vanishing. Suddenly the floor beneath them cracked. Sending them falling into the pit of lava.
"I knew this would end like that!" Shinji said before quickly creating a construct floor, stopping his teammates from falling into certain death, although a floor seemingly seemed like the hardest construct around to keep a hold on.
"W-What the? Ring! What's wrong?" Shinji asked feeling the struggle as the floor began to move down, just as his friends begun to stand up.
"Magic aura interfering with basic systems, caution advised with using advanced constructs." The Ring AI stated. 'Great! This just took a turn from bad to worse! Although it's funny how it's the second time how I can potentially burn in a volcano.' He thought to himself.
"Having trouble, staying on my feet. I'm so hot." Megan said stumbling around on the platform.
"You certainly are!" Wally added, causing Artemis to call him out. "Hey, probably inches above sizzling death I'm entitled to spe-"
"COULD YOU PLEASE STOP ARGUING AND JUMP AROUND WHILE I TRY TO KEEP US FROM DYING!?" Shinji finally snapped, as he felt more and more energy being poured into the platform.
"My physiology and M'gann's, are susceptible to extreme heat. We must get out of here quickly." Kaldur added, all while Shinji tried to lift the platform up. To no avail.
"The tower's magic keeps throwing off my ring. Best I can do is keep us here until we find a solution, but the ring will run out of charge eventually." He stated, barely standing on his legs while Artemis and Wally tried to support him.
"Hello Megan! We never truly answered the question." Megan then said, before turning towards the ceiling.
"Red Tornado sent us! To see if Mister Nelson and the helmet were safe!" She added, causing the lava to suddenly vanish behind a hatch. Seeing that, Shinji immediately lowered them all down, desummoning the platform just as they all felt ground beneath their feet, almost falling back before being caught by Kaldur and gently set on the ground.
"This platform, it should be red-hot. But it is cool to the touch." Kaldur said inspecting it.
"Don't worry, Megalicious. I got you." Wally said putting his hand on Megan's shoulder.
"Enough! Your little "Impress Megan At All Costs" game, if it wasn't for Shinji would got us all barbecued!" Artemis yelled out before pointing at Shinji, who just managed to get back on his feet.
"When this did this become my fault?" Wally asked backing away.
"When you lied to that…whatever it was and called yourself a true believer!" Artemis countered.
"Wally, you don't believe?" Megan then asked, finally making Wally snap.
"Fine! Fine! I lied about believed in magic. But magic is the real lie, a major load!" Wally exclaimed, making Shinji than turn to his ring.
"Ring? Check the Corps database for "Magic"." Shinji asked, earning looks of everyone around him.
"OVERRIDE: Affirmative: Magic is a force beyond known boundaries of physics and science. Able to change the fabric of space and time in an instant. A sub-race of humans capable of using magic is referred to as "Homo Magi". It is not known where magic came from, but many archives point at the first appearances of the lords of order and chaos. The Guardians, sensing the danger of magic as a whole. Gathered most of the magic in the cosmos and locked it in a star, which continued to grow in power, gaining self-awareness. More than two thousand years ago, the Starheart combined with the power of Green Lantern Officer 2814 at the time, Yalan Gur. The same Starheart, later served as the power source of Alan Scott, who while not a member of the Corps. Is considered an honorary member."
The ring finished reciting the entry, before everyone turned to Wally.
"So? It's a machine! Machines make errors even if they are the most power weapon in the universe! Shinji, remember when that thing called Black Hand of all people an Omega-level threat? Archives? It's simply what aliens see as advanced technology, after all the most advanced technology can be called magic." Wally stated, completely denying what the ring said.
"Wally, I studied for a year at the conservatory of sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my water bearers." Kaldur said, with an expression that can be both described as tired, and amused.
"Dude, you ever hear of bioelectricity? Hey, in primitive cultures, fire was considered magical too, today it's just all bunch of tricks…" Wally stated, earning only a sigh from Shinji. 'Some people just prefer stay in denial, although after what I experienced, in this case ignorance is a blessing in the disguise.'
"You're pretty closeminded for a guy who can break the sound barrier the sound barrier in his sneakers." Artemis countered, visibly annoyed.
"That's science, I recreated flash's laboratory experiment, and here I am. Everything can be explained by science." Wally stated, ending the conversation.
"Let us test that theory." Kaldur said with a smirk before finding a handle on the platform.
"Wait! The backdraft from the lava will roast us alive!" Wally said, but too late to stop Kaldur.
As he opened the hidden compartment, all of them were hit with cold air. As well as small snowflakes hitting their faces. Shinji only stared down the pit in wonder, for the first time in his life. He actually saw snow.
"So…this is snow?" He asked touching his face.
"It is!" Megan happily confirmed.
"Again, do you ever get tired of being wrong?" Artemis asked, looking at Wally with a cheeky smile.
All of them jumped in, feeling the change from vertical to horizontal. Just as Wally was the final one to jump in, the portal vanished behind them. They found themselves in what could be called an "Arctic Nowhere".
"Well?" Artemis asked.
"Ever hear of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension." Wally quickly stated. Still standing by his scientific theories.
"What's that?" Megan asked, noticing a floating cane. Shinji than raised his ring in order to scan the cane.
"No results, it seems Doctor Fate knows strong protection spells." Shinji said, feeling the slate of his ideas once again wiped clean.
"Or it simply emits a signal that throws off your scanners. Or maybe it's Nelson's magic wand…" He said, adding that last part with hearable sarcasm before he approached the cane alongside Artemis.
"I got it! Ahh, I can't let go!" Both of them said at the same time before getting pulled up into the air and teleported somewhere else. Shinji only facepalmed, letting out a tired sigh.
"This…is not going to end well." Shinji said to himself, remembering what Hal told him about "Flashes and Arrows not getting along well." when he told him about how Wally and Artemis's bickering was sending him on edge. 'I'm in exactly the same spot.' He kept thinking to himself.
Meanwhile the team kept exploring the arctic wilderness, seemingly left to themselves.
"I don't understand Wally, it's almost like he needs to believe the impossible can't happen." Megan said.
"Wally uses his understanding of science to control what he cannot comprehend. Acknowledging the existence of magic would relinquish the last vestige of that control." Kaldur explained.
"It's going to hit him sooner or later." Shinji said, earning the looks of attention from everyone. "I have been in a similar spot, and that ended badly. He'll lose faith in everything that he believes in and it won't be pleasant. Being stuck in constant denial and believing yourself to do be and know that you are doing the good thing…while you aren't. It never ends well."
Before anyone could counter Shinji, all of them noticed seemingly a rectangular portal leading to a staircase, they all shared a look before they made their way.
Wally and Artemis meanwhile, found themselves in a space completely filled with staircases that seemingly defied all of laws of physics. As both of them got up, still stuck to a cane. Wally noticed to people standing over Kent Nelson. One was kid in a suit, and the other was a man in black trousers, an open white shirt and a gold chain.
"Abra Kadabra!" Wally said identifying the older of the two attackers.
"Well, would you look at that." Kent said with a smirk, before suddenly he flew towards his cane. With only a quick grip, his hand restraints vanished and the cane released its hold on Wally and Artemis.
"In here!" Kent added before suddenly a door revealed itself in a form of a large wooden block. Not wasting any time, they rushed inside.
"No! No! No! I want that helmet! I want it I want it I want it!" The child in a suit yelled before firing some form of mystic energy at them just as the door closed.
Meanwhile for the two young heroes and former sorcerer supreme, everything seemed oddly…peaceful. The elevator music adding to the melancholy.
"I'm Kent Nelson, by the way." The man introduced himself.
"No duh, ow!" Wally said while being knocked on the arm by Artemis.
"I'm Artemis. Miss Manners here is Wally." Artemis corrected, while introducing herself.
"Well, Artemis, we're up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power." Nelson said, making Wally scoff.
"Abra Kadabra? Flash proved he uses futuristic technology to simulate magic, guy's all show and no biz." He explained, to which Kent only nodded.
"Right you are." He said with a smirk.
"He is!?" Artemis asked in confusion, causing Wally to smugly smirk.
"Abra is a charlatan. But Klarion, the witch boy, the kid with the cat, he's an actual lord of chaos, the ultimate enemy of a lord of order like Doctor Fate." Kent explained.
"Right…you're a lord of order." Wally said with sarcasm.
"Oh, no not me! I'm just an old coat Fate used to put on. Until my wife Inza convinced me there could be more to life." Kent said before opening his pocket watch to look at the picture of his deceased wife. "Ah she was a real pistol, that Inza. Anyhoo, Klarion is after the Helmet. If he gets his sticky little mitts on it, he'll turn the planet into his own personal playground of pandemonium."
Just as Kent finished speaking, the elevator tinged indicating they reached their destination. The top of the tower. The young heroes' eyes widened when they saw a giant golden bell. Just as they walked up, another entrance appeared, though which Kaldur and Superboy fell down, before being caught in green auras before Shinji and Megan flew down.
"Friends of yours?" Kent asked, before almost being hit by an electricity blast. All of them looked up to see Kadabra and Klarion.
"Friends of yours?" Wally sarcastically countered before moving Nelson out of harm's way.
"I got him." Shinji said before forming a construct sniper rifle, before it fell apart.
"REALLY!?" He asked seemingly only himself.
"Lantern rings never seemed to work here well!" Nelson cheekily yelled out, before he and Wally approached the bell. He hit the bell with his cane. Seemingly opening he and Wally walked through, before they were followed by Klarion.
"Alright, we're going to settle this with a classic!" He said before forming a giant fist and sending it Kadabra.
"Oh sh-" The pseudo sorcerer didn't even have a chance to finish the sentence before being knocked out.
"Warning: Massive mystic energy spike in the vicinity! Maximum Caution advised." His ring's AI said, making Shinji, alongside the others look up.
Meanwhile, Wally and Kent appeared on the top of the Tower of Fate. Noticing the floating helmet. Kent try to reach out for it, before being blasted by Klarion.
"Mr. Nelson!" Wally said before he caught him, trying to check if he is alright.
Kent, while severely weakened by the blast, begun to chant. Creating a powerful shield just in time to tank another of Klarion's blasts.
"NOOO!" The brat yelled out, earning a last smirk from Kent.
"Not bad for a former "Doctor Fake" eh, kid?" Kent asked before collapsing, barely conscious. "The bubble'll give you just enough time to do what you need to do."
"I have no idea what I need to do!" Wally said, barely holding himself from panicking.
"Have faith, in what you can't explain. Believe in what you can…no longer deny." Kent said, before passing away in Wally's arms, letting go of his treasured watch. Wally desperately applied CPR. Trying to get his heart pumping.
"28…29…30, come on come on!" He yelled out in a desperate tone while Klarion kept attacking the bubble.
"I want that helmet and I want it now!" He yelled out while firing his blasts, Wally glanced at the helmet, and then at Kent, and then at Klarion. Who just created a pair of claws that finally breached the bubble.
"A test of faith…" He said to himself, before grabbing the helmet.
"Hey dumb kid! You put that on, you may never get it off!" Klarion yelled out before finally tearing the bubble, but Wally was already convinced. He put the helmet on before Klarion's blast could hit him…and everything went dark.
Wally found himself standing in an empty black void. Shocked, and definitely scared, even if he wouldn't show it.
"Ok, Ok, no problem. I'm not here, I'm just delusional." He said to himself in order to calm down.
"Still don't believe?" A familiar voice asked before Kent Nelson appeared behind him. "Seriously Kid, how'd you get so bull-headed in 15 short years?" He asked, making Wally react as if he seen a ghost, which was close to the truth.
"But-But you're-you're." He stuttered before being interrupted.
"Yep, but don't feel bad. Soon as this little brouhaha is over my spirit will ascend. And I'll be reunited with my beloved Inza." Kent said calming him down.
"Oh, ok. Wait, does that mean that I'm-" Wally asked before being interrupted, again.
"Nah, you're alive. 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." Kent explained.
"Master?" Wally asked, still confused.
"Nabu, the real Doctor Fate, one of them lords of order I told you about. He's the guy controlling your body now. Wanna watch?"
Meanwhile, in the outside world. Doctor Fate, now using Wally's body as a host, was blocking Klarion's attacks.
"Give it up Nabu! Order went out of style in the 20th century!" Klarion yelled out, as Fate kept tanking his attacks.
"This battle is pointless, you sought to take the helmet before it claimed a host, but you are too late." Doctor Fate said.
"Shut it you old fart!" Klarion countered, trying to crash Fate with the portions of his tower. Only for him to miraculously remerge before firing counter spells upon Klarion. Although the attack tore him apart, the lord of chaos reappeared and struck Fate on the back.
Wally felt the sheer strength of the impact, despite being seemingly stuck in another dimension.
"Ahh! What gives?" He asked himself panting for air.
"Well. It is your body." Kent explained, after all, magic had to have its boundaries.
"Then let me control it, with Fate's power and my speed-"
"Sorry kid, doesn't work that way. But you can see why I haven't put on the helmet in 65 years." Kent said, once again cutting Wally off.
"And if Fate loses this fight?" Wally asked.
"You see Inza, before I do."
Fate, in the meantime kept fighting Klarion. It was evident that the lord of order, while powerful was out of shape, and Klarion was dangerously gaining the upper hand. Fate then got knocked out by an appearing pillar of crimson energy, before toppling onto the ground.
"You're out of practice Nabu! And that pathetic host body, zero affinity for the mystic arts." Klarion said before summoning a mystic thunderstorm. Fate summoned a bubble to protect himself. The lightning fell apart, turning into rainbow energy.
"Ooh, rainbow power." Klarion teased, to the amusement of his cat.
"I am paying attention, you stupid cat!" He sneered. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm winning."
That gave Fate enough time to release most of his power, resulting in an explosion that set him free.
"It is difficult for a lord of order or chaos, to maintain a presence on the physical plane." He teased, causing Klarion to once again launch a barrage of attacks, which Fate effortlessly dodged.
"I am bound to the helmet and use a human host." He said before firing another attack, which stunned Klarion. "But that is not your way."
"You're babbling Nabu!" Klarion yelled out.
"Am I?" Fate asked before launching another attack, and while Klarion did put up a shield. That attack wasn't meant for him, instead hitting his cat.
"TEEKL! I can't believe you would assault a defenceless pussycat!" Klarion yelled out.
"We both know that creature is no cat, witch boy. And without your familiar, you have no anchor in this reality." Fate stated, as Klarion's form begun to glitch.
"Bully! Killjoy! Geezer!" Klarion insulted Fate, who only fired another attack. The defeated lord of chaos only teleported out of the attack's range. Before he grabbed his cat.
"We're out of here!" He yelled out, before teleporting away.
"Yes! That's how we kick it on the Earthly Plane." Wally yelled out…hoping that he would soon get control of his body back.
"Uh, it's-it's over, right? So why isn't Nabu taking off the helmet?" He added before the helmet appeared in front of him and Kent.
"Because the Earth needs Doctor Fate. I will not release this body." Nabu stated.
"He can't do that! Can he do that?" Wally asked.
"Can, but shouldn't." Kent stated. "Nabu, this is not the right candidate. The kid's soul belongs to the world of science, not sorcery."
"True, but I do not appreciate being permanently hidden away, useless. And isolated for decades at a time. Chaos must not be allowed to reign." Nabu said, stating his reasoning.
"That won't happen again. The boy'll take the helmet and make sure you're put to good use." Kent said, standing in front of Wally.
"Yeah, I swear!" Wally added, hoping to get control of his body back.
"And in the meantime, I'll stick around, keep you company." Kent added, bargaining with Nabu.
"Wait, what happened to you ascending, seeing Inza?" Wally asked, making Kent smile.
"So you believe now? 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." Kent explained.
"The bargain is acceptable." Nabu stated.
"Some free advice before you go. Find your own little Spitfire. One who won't let you get away with nothing, for example, that Artemis girl…"
Wally took off the helmet, and first thing he noticed was the dead body of Kent Nelson. He put the pocket watch back into his hand. Before closing his eyes to silently mourn.
Wally, accompanied by Shinji put the helmet on display in the trophy room.
"So let me understand it more clearly, you put on the helmet, and some mystic energy took over your body?" Shinji asked, feeling something about it tingle the back of his head.
"Simple…energy from the thing rewrote my brain's beta waves. I was bio scripted into becoming Doctor Fate for a few minutes." Wally explained, to which Shinji only crossed his arms.
"So, we still agree to disagree on existence of magic? How do you explain from where the mystic energy in your bio-signature my ring detected came from?" Shinji rhetorically asked.
"Again, system bug. Also, do you have explanation from where the energy in that giant Lantern from Oa comes from?" Wally teased.
"Yes, but it would change your whole perspective on life in the universe…" Shinji said, making Wally pause for a second.
"So we agree to disagree then, truly the Brave and the Bold style." Wally said, extending his fist for a fist pump, an invitation Shinji took.
"Did I hear that right? Wally still doesn't believe in magic? If that's how you feel, why keep it at all?" Artemis suddenly asked, appearing in the doorsill of the trophy room. The speedster and the lantern eyed themselves for a second.
"Souvenir/Souvenir?" Both of the said at the same time, causing Artemis to give up.
"Geek!" She grunted out before leaving them. Wally than once again looked at the helmet. 'Find your own little Spitfire, one who won't let you get away with nothing'.' His thoughts said quoting Kent Nelson. He then turned around, noticing Megan.
"Hello Megan! Guess who bought us 2 tickets to a magic show!" Wally immediately rushed off away from Shinji, who for a second took the helmet into his hands.
"I don't know exactly how you work, but I won't let magic stand in my usefulness again…but I'll need help with it."
Shinji let out a large yawn as he entered the apartment, feeling the strain of today's assignment. Just as he walked in the living room, he noticed Hal desummoning his uniform.
"Hey Shinji…so, Tornado briefed me a little bit. That and we were invited to Mister Nelson's funeral." Hal said, but then noticed how Shinji felt a little bit…off, yes he was seemingly off all the time, but this time it was more noticeable.
"Hey…everything alright?" Hal asked, just as Shinji sat next to him on the couch.
"No, I mean yes! It's just…this ring." Shinji said before bringing up a chart showing his remaining charge, balancing on 42%. "Something is wrong with it, it just…doesn't seem to work well with magic, how stupid it sounds."
Hal only raised his eyebrow in confusion, he was expecting everything, him asking on tips how to ask Arisia? Or maybe to share something about himself than just "I was a soldier". It wasn't something he excepted.
"So…you don't believe in magic then?" Hal asked, to which Shinji turned his head.
"I do! At least I believe I do…it's just I can't let myself be…inoperable if I face another mystical opponent. The whole tower seemed to throw my ring off. We almost got killed, that and Wally and Artemis kept arguing and it took me snapping to get them to stop." He said, to which Hal unfolded his arms.
"What did I tell you? A Flash and an Arrow will simply not get along that well, it's like genetics, and it's our job to stand between them as the middle ground, believe me I learned that the hard way. Look, about the whole magic thing…maybe I'll ask Zatara the next time I'm in the watchtower or- " Hal was suddenly interrupted.
"No, I believe the problem lays on my side, and it's something I'll need to deal with myself." Shinji said, stopping Hal for a second.
"Okay…I get it; you want to be a self-made man. Also, I'm pretty sure you have someone who can teach you." Hal said, to which Shinji nodded before he got up and made his way to his room.
"Attempt whatever number I noted last time failed." Hal said with a sigh just as he heard the door of Shinji's room close. "Maybe I just need patience? Dinah said that he will open up himself, or I'll just fetch him an alien girl and set up a microphone. Although, from what I hear he and Arisia would supposedly make a good couple, and that would stop me thinking that a kid has a crush on me."
Hal than turned on the tv, hoping that any slop that was playing on TV at the time would stop making him think about it.
Shinji, now at early morning hours was sitting on-shore of the small island he and Tula were using as their meet-up spot. Checking the time on his ring, he still had around 15 minutes to spare, although knowing the Atlantian for even a few months, she would show up a few minutes earlier, and he was right.
"Good Morning Shinji!" The voice of Tula echoed as she jumped out from the water, gracefully landing on the sand. "Are you ready?"
Shinji only nodded, with a deep sigh.
"Yeah…listen, there is something I wanted to tell you." Shinji said, unknowingly making Tula beet red. Her face now even more crimson than her hair. Of course Shinji didn't know the reason why, but internally she was sparkling.
'Was…was I that obvious?' She thought to herself before deciding to play it cool.
"S-Sure, what is that you wanted to ask?" Tula finally asked, with the answer she received being far from what she expected.
"It's…it's something I recently found myself struggling with, we recently had an assignment that was heavily revolving around magic, and my ring…well let's just say I believe the problem is on me, rather with the ring. So, could you…help me?"
Yes, definitely not the answer she was expecting, but still enough to perk her ears. Despite subtle disappointment, she would take what she got. It only made her realise, that she would have to be the one to talk, even if she didn't consider herself ready for it.
"Well…you are becoming a good swimmer. Of course I'll help you! In fact, I wanted to talk to you about doing a similar thing, the conservatory and Queen Mera are great, but I wanted to learn more…improvisation, and I thought you…with your experience could help me with it! What do you think of such an exchange?" She asked, reaching out her hand. Which Shinji shook with a smile.
"I can work with that."
A/N: Welcome back to chapter 14 of New Genesis: Recharged! I found this episode to be quite difficult to adapt. Since it heavily revolves around themes that are hard to fit Shinji in, henceforth a lot of the chapter is from Wally's POV. That's why it's also a bit short, even with all additional scenes I added and cramped in to fit it in. So we can call it filler, but not filler at the same time. Anyways, I'm happy that this story is slowly growing a part from the original. I hope that the last chapter adapting the comic story will prove that we can fill out the S1 time period with more adaptation and original chapters. I also wanted to clear out some things. "Code 1012" is from the "52" series of comics. It's a code that allows a GL ring to incinerate any extraterrestrial, or any weaponry in the vicinity. How did Shinji use it without knowing what it was? It will be explained, besides we already seen a clue to it in this chapter. Stay tuned, i hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review if you want to help me with improving and creative process. And as always I don't own Evangelion and DC Comics, that belongs to Studio Khara and Warner Brothers Discovery.