Chapter 6
New Orleans
The full-moon brightened the city as a single man strutted down the ages-old brick roads with nothing but his cane and his pocket watch which he pulled from his jacket to check the time but, also to stare at the picture of the woman on the inside of the watch.
He strolled along the road until he came across a Psychic's shop named Madam Xanadu; he rolled his eyes with a smile and stepped in through the door. Once inside the room was dark and ominous appearing with candles lit over human skulls, and a doorway with beads as the entrance hung shadowing the inside.
The man took the nearest seat at the nearest table draped in all crimson red table-cloths and upholstery; the table-cloth hung down reaching the ground as the man dusted his black and white suit off before sitting down.
A young woman, looking to be in her late-twenties stepped through the beaded entrance, "Bonjour monsieur, how can Madam Xanadu be of service?" She had glitter splattered under her eyes and jewels bedazzled to her forehead; the old man sighed loudly, "Ah, there is someone with whom you wish to speak? Your wife?"
He tightened his grip on his pocket watch and responded, "Yes, my Enza," the woman smiled coyly and sat down at the table across from him.
"Than the Madam will help you make contact," she winced, "If fate be kind…"
He rolled his eyes and sighed depressingly, "And yet he so rarely is," they sat in silence for a moment before she mockingly cleared her throat opening her palm towards him.
"Oh," he remembered, "Of course," pulling a wad of bills from his jacket-pocket and handing them over to her.
As she tucked them in-between her breasts and smiled once again closing her eyes and appearing to focus intensely; the lights dimmed, the table lifted, the chandelier above rocked back and forth as Xanadu's hair began floating around her, however; the man was completely unimpressed.
"Oh, my darling!" Xanadu spoke in a hum, "How I've missed you! I'm so lonely here, it's so col-"
The Madam was cut off by the man cracking up in uncontrollable laughter as he slapped his knee; everything being effected stopped immediately, "Imbecile! The spell has been broken! Your wife is forever lost!"
The man stood and scoffed grabbing hold of his can for support, "That was supposed the be my wife; heck, my little spitfire would kick me in the ass for spending money on a fake like you."
Madam Xanadu gasped in offence pushing her chair out and standing, "No refunds for non-believers!"
He smiled coyly, "I think we both know who the non-believer here is, Madam," he reached out and grabbed the table-cloth where from underneath the table hydraulics could be seen, "Wind machine, tire-jacks under the table, what a shame too, you have the perfect aura for the work and nothing would have pleased me more than to be reunited with my bride."
He barely turned around before a burly, buff, Italian man with long slicked back black hair grabbed the old man by his collar, "You will join her soon enough, Doctor Fate!"
They vanished in a flash of blinding light as Madam Xanadu ran through the beads and taking off into the back room; unbeknownst to anyone, the old man's cane stood up right on its own and flashed a golden light before vanishing itself.
Mount Justice
"Initiate Combat Training. 3, 2, 1. Begin"
A Mechanical voice says, as Superboy and Kaldur charged each other on the training ground. While the two teens are sparing, M'gann and Artemis are watching from the sideline.
Artemis glanced at M'gann before smiling. "Kaldur's, ah, nice," she said. "Handsome, commanding, you should totally ask him out."
"He's like a brother to me!" M'gann quickly replied. "But you know who would make the cutest couple," she continued, "You and Wally!" They both looked across the fighters to where Wally was stuffing his face with candy bars. "You're so full of passion, and he's so full of…of…"
"Of It?" finished Artemis dryly as the two girls burst into giggles.
Recognize: B06 Dracula
Both girls turned to see their Leader approaching with a book in his face.
"Goodmorning Draken." M'gann greeted with a smile
"Morning." He said
"Seriously, another book? Which one is it this time?" Artemis asked
"Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy. 7th Edition." Draken said
"You planning to be a Doctor or something?" Artemis asked
"My mother was a Doctor, still I see no harm in following her path." Draken said
"No offense, but I thought Vampire's couldn't handle the presence of blood? Wouldn't being a Doctor expose you to that?" Artemis asked
"Again, Half Vampire, plus if you hadn't already noticed, I'm different." Draken said
Fail: Aqualad
The group of teens turned their heads towards the ring as the computer announced Kaldur's defeat.
"Black Canary taught me that one," Superboy said proudly as he helped Kaldur back up.
"You've improved." Kaldur said getting up before noticing Draken. "Draken, I didn't notice you there."
"Hello Kaldur, Superboy." Draken greeted
"Hey Draken, wanna spar?" Superboy asked
"Sure, I was already getting tired of reading." Draken said making his book vanish in thin air
"This should be good." Artemis said as Draken stepped into the ring
"Initiate Combat Training. 3, 2, 1. Begin"
With that said, Superboy dashed towards his opponent while throwing a haymaker. Seeing this, Draken side steps his opponent before delivering a palm strike that knocks his opponent off his feet, but Superboy was able to flip himself in the air, letting him land on his feet.
"Man, you really pack a punch." Superboy said eyeing his opponent.
Not a moment later both fighters charged each other before locking hands. It didn't take long for Draken to bring Superboy to his knees. In an attempt to free himself, Superboy kicks Draken away from him before catching his breath, but his rest is short lived as he jumps out of the way a fireball courtesy of Draken. Facing his opponent, Superboy sees multiple balls of fire floating around Draken. Stretching his right hand, Draken began sending them towards Superboy at high speed as the clone is forced to dodge most of them but was hit on the chest by three fire balls that caused him to scream in pain before landing on his back.
Fail: Superboy
With Superboy's defeat, Kaldur, M'gann and Artemis rush into the ring to help him up.
"Superboy, are you alright?" A worried M'gann asked as Kaldur helps him up
"Yeah, it's just…that attack hurt more than it should have." Superboy groaned rubbing his chest
"Forgive me, It was not my intention to injure you." Draken apologized
"Nah I'm not injured. It just that fire has never hurt me like that." Superboy said
"It's probably due to magic." Kaldur said causing Draken to raise a brow
"You're weak to magic?" Draken asked
"Kryptonians are weak to Kryptonite and magic." Kaldur explained
"I was not aware of that." Draken admitted
"It's true. Even us Martian's are weak to fire." M'gann said
"Is that so? Then I'll speak to Wonder Woman to brief me on the weaknesses of various league members." Draken said as Red Tornado floated down from his apartment and workspace above the Cave lobby.
Wally tossed aside his half-eaten snack and sped over to the android as he touched down. "Do you have a mission for us?" he asked eagerly.
"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibilities," recited Red Tornado.
Wally rolled his eyes. "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…mission?"
Kladur stepped in front of Wally. "If we could be of service…" He let the sentence hang and Red Tornado tilted his head.
The android brought up a floor hologram of a familiar face. "This is Kent Nelson," he said, "A friend. He is over one hundred and six years old."
"Guy doesn't look a day over ninety," Wally said nudging Artemis but the girl ignored him
"Kent Nelson was a charter member of the Justice Society, a precursor to your mentor's Justice League," explains Red Tornado. The image changes to reveal a man in blue and gold tights with matching cape and helmet.
Kaldur recognizes that image immediately. "Of course, Nelson was Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. He was Doctor Fate."
"Sorcerer Supreme?" Draken asked fully interested now
A snort comes from Wally. He leans over to Artemis. "More like Doctor Fake. Guy knows a little advanced science and Dumbledore it up to magic," says Wally.
"Kent could be on one of his walkabouts but he is the holder of the Helmet of Fate. It is unwise to leave such power unguarded," says Red Tornado.
"He is like the great priests and priestess of Mars. I would be honored to help him," says M'gann.
"Me too! Magic totally rocks," smirks Wally. Artemis rolls her eyes. The speedster walks over to M'gann with a flirtatious smile. "What are the chances we are both so into the mystic arts?" Draken merely signed at the speedsters obvious advances
Red Tornado hands Kaldur a golden key. "Take this, use it to unlock the Tower of Fate. You will need to take a leap of faith."
Bioship
"So, Wally," said Artemis with a smirk as they boarded the Bioship, "When did you first discover your honest affinity for sorcery?"
Wally glanced at M'gann and grinned. "Well, uh, I don't like to brag, but before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself." This caused Draken to scoff
"You have literally Zero affinity for magic." Draken said from his seat
"Oh really…you know this why?" Wally asked
"Being able to detect magic is basically second nature to me."
Salem
"We are here," M'gann says.
The Bio-ship stays in camouflage mode as it lands in the middle of a park.
"There's nothing here," Superboy said stepping out of the ship
Wally ran a quick dozen laps around the field. "Nothing," he said as he skidded to a halt, "This isn't simple camouflage."
"What do you think? Highly advanced micro-electric phase shifting technology?" suggest Artemis.
A surprised expression appears on Wally's face. He never expected Artemis to know so much when it came to advanced science. It impresses him. "Totally…" M'gann comes walking up behind him. "Not, clearly it is mystic powers at work," finishes Wally. Artemis scowls.
"It's here." Draken said causing the team to look at him. "It's concealed in a similar fashion to my Castle."
"Dude, you have a Castle?" Wally asked
"It's basically my home." Draken said
"Oh we're totally crashing there one of these days." Wally said
Kaldur steps forward offering Draken the key. "Can you see the door?" Nodding, Draken takes the key and walks forward. The Vampire thrusts the key forward into an invisible hole. A turn to the right and an unlocking sound fills the air. Suddenly, the Tower of Fate materializes in front of the team.
The team enters into the Tower of Fate. Upon entering the tower the door behind them vanishes. "Hey where did the door go?" frowns Superboy.
A holographic image of Kent Nelson appears in front of the team. "You have entered with a key, but the Tower doesn't recognize you. Please state your reason for visiting." says Nelson.
Wally steps forward desperately trying to impress M'gann. "We are true believers come here to seek out Doctor Fate!" Nelson frowns before his image vanishes. Suddenly, the ground underneath team breaks away making them all fall down a huge hole. At the bottom of the drop is a pool of magma waiting to melt them alive.
M'gann grabs onto Wally. Artemis draws a crossbow firing it at the cavern wall. The arrow embeds into the wall and she swings around catching Kaldur while Draken floated behind her. Superboy plummets straight downward before reaching out digging his fingers into the wall. He slides down until his feet dip into the magma burning away his shoes in a second. "Ah!" screams Superboy. Superboy pulls and looks down at his feet. "Those were my favorite boots. This Nelson guy better be worth it."
"Losing altitude, too hot in here," M'gaan noted wiping her forehead and attempting to flying upwards but, only slipping further down.
"You sure are, babe," Wally said quickly as M'gaan ignored him.
"WALLY!" His entire Team aside from M'gaan shouted in unison as he tried to defend himself.
"If I'm about to roast alive, I have the right to speak my mind!"
"Hello Megan!" M'gann pants, "we never truly answered the question." Draken looks at her curiously. She starts speaking aloud. "We have come here on a mission from Red Tornado…to find Kent Nelson and the Helmet of Fate." A platform forms over the magma. Superboy lands on the platform followed by the rest of the team.
"This platform should be hot, but it is cool to the touch." Kaldur notes
Wally walks over towards M'gann. "Great thinking Megalicious."
"Enough!" Artemis places a hand on Wally's chest and slams him up against the cavern wall. "This impress M'gann at all costs needs to stop!"
"What I do is none of your business!" Wally said
"It is when you almost get us all fried! Lying about being a true believer."
M'gann frowns, "Wally you don't believe?"
The speedster pushes off against the wall. "Fine, I don't believe! But magic is the true lie. It is all a bunch of smoke and glass. Everything can be explained through science!" states Wally.
"Wally, I studied for two years at the Conservatory for Sorcery in Atlantis. Magic is what powers my water bearers," says Kaldur.
"Ever heard of bio-electricity? In some primitive cultures fire used to be considered magic." Wally waves his hands. "All that can be explained through science."
Artemis scowls, "you are pretty close minded for a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers."
"That is science. I recreated Flash's laboratory experiment and viola here I am," retorts Wally.
"Let us test that theory."
Kaldur goes to open the panel. "Wait, the backdraft from the lava will roast us alive!" shouts Wally. The panel is lifted up and instead of a backdraft of heat a cold breeze followed by snow hits the team.
"It is snow," smiles M'gann
"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?" smirks Artemis.
One by one the team leaps through the hole landing in a brand new place that is covered in snow. There are mountains of snow as far as the eye can see. Artemis cocky smirk at Wally. Wally scowls before explaining the situation. "Ever heard of string theory? This is a pocket dimension." Artemis rolls her eyes.
"How dense can you be?" Draken asked as he watches as the hole between the two places closes up leaving them trapped in this new world.
"What is that?" M'gann points ahead. Up ahead is a black cane with a golden handle.
"Ooo maybe it is Nelson's wand," says Wally sarcastically. Artemis walks forward and reaches out to grab the cane.
"Wait." Draken tried to say but it was already too late
Wally speeds forward. The two grab the cane at the same time.
"I got it," says Artemis/Wally. "I can't let go." The cane lifts the two into the air. In a burst of magic the two vanish along with the cane.
"Grabbing an object that has its own power source. Idiots." Draken thoughts. Superboy doesn't know it, but he has the same thoughts as Draken.
M'gann shakes her head. "Do you think Wally will believe in magic after that?"
"Wally uses science to understand things that are out of his control. To admit that magic exists would be to let go of that control. Give him time, I am sure he will come around eventually," explains Kaldur.
"I see," says M'gann. Draken points ahead. On top of one of the snow banks is a doorway. The team heads towards the doorway.
A gasp escapes the team as the doorway drops them into a new area. Kaldur and Superboy slam face first into the ground. Draken and M'gaan hovers down landing lightly on their feet. The team is now in a giant labyrinth that has stairs that lead upside, sideways, and downward. "These friends of yours?" says an older voice. Draken turns to see Kent Nelson a short distance away with Artemis and Wally.
"Get them!"
Everyone turns to see Klarion the Witch Boy and Abra Kadabra. Kadabra lifts up his wand launching several bolts of lightning at the team. Draken dodges to the side. Kaldur screams out in pain as a bolt strikes him and forms a barrier that electrocutes him every time he moves. "Friends of yours?" Wally uses his speed to dodge several bolts.
Kent flies into the air heading straight towards the bell. Landing next to the bell, Kent taps it with his cane making a large gong fill the area. The old wizard steps through the bell. Klarion follows flying straight into the bell. "Wally go after Nelson," shouts Artemis. Wally speeds straight into the bell vanishing like Nelson and Klarion. A bolt of lightning strikes Artemis trapping her like Kaldur.
M'gann lifts Kadabra into the air with her telekinetic powers. Kadabra vanishes into thin air shocking the Martian Girl. "Behind you!" Superboy leaps at Kadabra who reappears behind M'gann. The villain points his wand at Superboy striking him with a bolt of lightning. A scream of pain comes from Superboy as he is electrocuted and trapped like Artemis and Kaldur.
"Superboy!"
Her moment of distraction allows Kadabra to strike her with a bolt of lightning. She is soon on the ground trapped in a cage of lightning like the others. "Pathetic," smirks Kadabra. Suddenly Draken appears behind Kadabra before hitting the man behind his neck knocking him out. With Kadabra down his magical prison fades
"Thanks," says Kaldur. "We need to help Wally and Nelson."
"How do we get to the idiot?" says Artemis tapping on the bell.
"I can't open a link to his mind," frowns M'gann.
Kaldur dusts off his pants. "We will have to leave it to Wally then."
"Let me try something." Draken said as he stretched his hands
"What exactly are you doing?" Artemis asked
"I'm trying to open a portal to Wally. This is the first time I'm trying something like this." Draken said as a portal began to slowly form
With Dr Fate
Doctor Fate was losing. Aside from the beginning of the fight, he was always on the defensive, unable to launch an attack of his own. On top of that, his powers were a far cry from what they should have been, a fact that Klarion was quick to point out.
"You're out of practice, Nabu," he gloated, even as he slammed the Sorcerer Supreme into the roof of the Tower again, "And that pathetic host body. Zero affinity for the mystic arts."
Klarion raised his hands to the sky, which answered with roiling thunderclouds. Those clouds discharged a massive bolt of red lightning, which Fate only stopped by putting nearly everything he had into a small shield around himself. The resulting impact created a kaleidoscope of colors.
"Ooh," Klarion said, momentarily distracted, "Rainbows…"
At his feet, Teekl meowed loudly, making Klarion scowl.
"I am paying attention, you stupid cat." Teekl only yowled again. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm winning!"
Finally calling on every bit of energy both he and his host had, Fate dispersed the magic hitting him, as well as sending Klarion flying back. Fate took a few steps forward, as golden flames licked the ground around him.
"It is difficult for a Lord of Order or Chaos to maintain a presence on the physical plane," he said.
Enraged, Klarion's features became more demonic, as both his body and Teekl's were wrapped in scarlet fire. He then hurled a massive barrage of fireballs at his opponent, who dodged them all.
"I am bound to the Helmet, and use a human host, " Fate continued, then fired another beam of golden energy, which Klarion only blocked by raising a barrier of stone. "But that is not your way ."
"You're babbling, Nabu," Klarion snarled.
"Am I?" Fate asked, then fired a massive beam of energy from the yellow gem that secured his cape.
Klarion raised a mystical shield to block it, but he was never the intended target. Instead, Teekl was hit full-force and sent flying.
"Teekl!" Klarion shouted in horror, then glared at Fate. "I can't believe you would assault a defenseless pussycat!"
"We both know that creature is no cat, Witch-Boy," Fate intoned, "and without your familiar, you have no anchor in this reality."
Klarion looked at his hands, which were starting to fade in and out. It was true—he was starting to lose his grip on the physical plane. Still, that didn't mean he couldn't rail against the one responsible.
"Bully! Killjoy! Geezer!" Klarion yelled
Suddenly a black portal appeared with the Team of young heroes stepping out. Seeing Draken, Klarion raised a brow
"And here I thought Vampires were extinct." Klarion said
"Another creature of Chaos." Dr Fate said ready to attack Draken. Seeing this the Vampire took out his Scythe ready to defend himself
"No wait! He's with the Justice League!" M'gann said stepping Infront of Draken
"If that is the case, aid me in vanquishing the Witch Boy." Dr Fate said
"Very well." Draken said as he raised his hands and fired purple lightning towards Klarion
"Holy crap!" Klarion jumped backwards into a red portal, reappearing next to his familiar and scooping the cat up into his arms. "We're outta here!"
In a storm of red-and-black fire, the Lord of Chaos retreated.
"You are Dracula's spawn." Dr Fate said observing the Vampire
"You knew my father?" Draken asked
"He is an enemy to Order. But I will ignore your presence in my tower." Fate said as he looked at Kent's dead body before taking off the helmet
"Wally, are you alright?" M'gann asked approaching the speedster
"Yeah."
"So, still don't believe in magic?" Artemis smirked
"The helmet just messed with the neurons in my Brain." Wally said causing Draken to groan
Time seem to slow down as Draken felt a familiar chill. Turning around he then sees a familiar face
"Young Lord." Death greeted
"You are here to take his soul." Draken said
"Indeed." The Reaper said as he walked past Draken before claiming Kent's soul. With his work done he vanished as time resumed
"Draken. You alright?" Wally asked as it seemed his teammates had been trying to get his attention
"Yes. We should leave." Draken said receiving nods from his teammates.