Chapter 25: A Knight of Shadows
The Gotham City emergency crews were gathered outside of a privately owned book shop, wheeling out a decrepit old man on a stretcher. He was muttering about a stone over and over before passing out from exhaustion.
"What do you suppose happened to him?" one of the medics asked.
"Beats me." the other medic answered. "My guess is whoever attacked the store gave the old codger a heart attack."
As they loaded him into the ambulance, a familiar shadow passed over them and onto the roof of the book shop. After picking the lock of the skylight, Batman quietly entered the shop, taking a look at the devastation. Books were everywhere, entire shelves having been displaced. Loose papers covered the carpet, and one book in particular seemed to stand out from the rest. It seemed to have a page torn out of it, prompting Batman to take a closer look. He picked it up, reading to pages around the missing one to try and get some context.
"The philosopher's stone." He read. "Said to be the true source of power for Excalibur… Lost to time centuries ago… power to reshape reality."
Closing the book, Batman narrowed his eyes and reached for his JL communicator.
…
Up on the Watchtower, J'onn was on monitor duty, keeping an eye on various satellite images of Earth, including a few news channels. As he did his duty, the doors opened and Diana came walking in.
"J'onn, have you seen Arthur?" she questioned. "We were scheduled to spar today."
"He said he was sidetracked by a group of illegal whalers in the Indian Ocean." J'onn reported. "He said he would try and finish soon."
"I see." Diana nodded. "Perhaps you would like to join me then. It would give you a chance to get out of monitor duty."
"No thank you." J'onn replied. "I am fine where I am."
Diana paused a bit, then approached J'onn carefully.
"When was the last time you left the tower?" she asked.
"I believe we were stopping Green Lantern's former partner from wreaking havoc for a misguided desire for revenge." J'onn answered.
Diana sighed.
"I meant outside of a mission." She clarified. "There's an entire planet down there, and you've only seen a small fraction of it. Surely you want to see more."
"I merely choose to be where I am most needed." J'onn insisted.
"Oh please, you're a super strong, shapeshifting, telepath." Diana retorted. "The only reason you're not down on the planet more is you don't want to be. I don't mean to presume, but… do you… not like humanity?"
J'onn paused for a moment.
"I don't… dislike them." J'onn finally responded.
"But you do not count yourself among them." Diana realized. "J'onn, I know that this is not Mars, and I know you miss your home, but we cannot bring back what we have lost."
She places a hand on his shoulder.
"Believe me, I know all too well how you feel." she insisted. "However, if you isolate yourself, then you will end up truly alone. You should embrace earth, embrace humanity. You don't have to do anything massive, you can start small. I'm certain Dr. Miller could help you integrate if you asked."
"I… am certain Kari has things to do for the DEO." J'onn replied. "I would hate to disrupt her work."
Before Diana could respond, Flash came running in with his communicator on.
"Diana, J'onn, Bats needs help down in Gotham." He explained. "I've already called the others but only Aquaman answered."
"Then we will have to suffice." Diana decided. "Did Batman say what was so urgent?"
"Something about magic and a stone that can warp reality." He answered. "Odds are, he'll explain more when we get there."
…
A few minutes later, Flash, Diana, J'onn, and a soaked Aquaman arrived at the bookstore, meeting Bats on the roof.
"So, what's this all about, Bats?" Flash asked.
"This." Batman replied, showing them the book.
Flash took it, speed reading through it.
"Arthurian legend." he declared, closing the book. "One of the most well known fairy tales in existence. What about it?"
"Someone has a particular interest in it." Batman explained. "An elderly man who owned the bookstore this book came from was taken to the hospital over it."
"So?" Aquaman asked.
"So, I checked." Batman responded. "He was 32 years old."
"You believe something, or someone, caused him to age up?" Flash questioned. "That's crazy."
"I know," Aquaman replied. "And I'm just the king of Atlantis."
Flash froze for a moment.
"Ok, point." Flash relented.
"Fact and folklore tend to coincide more often than not." Diana insisted. "As such, there are those who study the facts behind the fiction. Perhaps there is someone who can help us discern what is real and what is not."
"I think I know a guy." Batman suggested.
…
Later, the League arrived at a massive Victorian manor on the outskirts of Gotham City. The entire place just gave off an eerie vibe, like something unnatural lived there.
"Yeah, this does seem like the house of a friend of yours." Aquaman commented.
"Isn't this where they used to film The Addams Family?" Flash quipped.
"It belongs to Jason Blood, a renowned demonologist with personal interest in Arthurian Legend." Batman explained. "If anyone can tell us more about the Philosopher's Stone, it's him."
They all went up to the door as Batman prepared to knock. Before his knuckles even touched the wood, the door opened of its own accord.
"Ok… that is creepy." Aquaman commented.
They walked into a massive hallway with a blood red carpet on wooden floors. The walls were decorated with paintings from various eras of history, all of them of the same man. Busts of the man stood on marble pedestals, looking out with cold, stone expressions. J'onn took note of one painting in particular, showing the man in all the others with a blonde woman in his arms. There was a tiny baby in the woman's grasp, the pink blanket suggesting it was a girl. It was the only painting where the man seemed to be smiling.
"Welcome to my home." a voice called out from beside the hearth. "Come by the fire. I've made tea."
The Leaguers approached, greeted by the same man from all the paintings, a red haired man with a white streak down the middle. He wore a comfortable suit with a red tie, holding a tea cup in his hand.
"Hello Jason." Batman greeted. "Sorry to say, this isn't a social call."
"With you, Batman, it never is." Jason remarked.
"What do you know about the Philosopher's Stone?" Diana asked.
Jason's tea cup slipped out of his hands, smashing onto the floor.
"What happened." Jason asked.
"A book shop owner was hyper aged into an old man," Batman elaborated. "By someone, or something, looking for the stone."
"Morgaine..." Jason snarled, something in his voice not sounding human. "She's back."
"Who?" J'onn questioned.
"Morgaine Le Fey, a powerful sorceress and the sister of King Arthur." Jason explained. "She laid siege to camelot, hoping to take the stone. However, the wizard Merlin managed to hide it before she could."
"Any idea where?" Aquaman asked.
"As a matter of fact, I know exactly where it is." Jason answered. "Come, we must move quickly if we are to stop Morgaine from retrieving the stone."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Flash let out. "We?"
"Yes." Jason nodded. "I'm coming with you."
"If you're right about Morgaine, this is less of a learning trip and more of a 'save the world' trip." Aquaman told him. "No offense, but I doubt you'll be of much help."
Jason smirked.
"There is more to me than meets the eye, your highness." He smirked. "Now come along. It's a long flight to England."
Jason just walked off as the other Leaguers joined him.
"Where'd you find this guy, Bats?" Aquaman asked.
"It's a long story." Batman replied.
…
Meanwhile, in an ancient English Castle, a security guard was making his rounds through the grand halls. As he passed by one suit of armor, he noticed the shield was crooked so he opted to straighten it. As he admired his handiwork, he heard what sounded like a child's voice coming from down the hall. He glanced around the corner to see a boy in medieval princely robes with a blonde bowl cut playing with a sword. He swung it around with surprising grace, slicing through a suit of armor.
"Take that, foul denisan!" the boy declared. "Taste cold steel!"
The boy then hacked down another set of armor, causing the guard to call out.
"Now see here, young man, what are you doing here?" He demanded. "This castle is closed to tourists. Now, where are your parents?"
"You mean my mother?" The boy asked, resting his sword on his shoulder. "She's right behind you."
The guard turned to see a woman in a beautiful purple gown wearing an elegant golden mask practically floating above him. Caught off guard for a moment, the security guard fumbled before regaining his composure.
"Listen here, ma'am, your son has just damaged two priceless artifacts." He declared. "There will be consequences for-"
Before he could finish, the woman, none other than Morgaine Le Fey herself placed her hands on his face, absorbing his very life force into her body. After a few seconds, he dropped to the ground a withered old man, while the wrinkles on the woman's hands faded away.
"Pay him no mind, sir." the woman spoke. "Children will be children. Come, Mordred. We have other matters to attend to."
"Coming, Mother." Mordred called back, discarding the sword.
The two made their way through the castle, arriving in what appeared to be a large crypt guarded by several suits of armor. Under her mask, Morgaine smiled as she floated across the room towards a large stone arc sitting on a raised platform.
"At last, after all these centuries, the Philosopher's Stone is finally ours." She declared triumphantly.
She and Mordred approached the arc and Morgaine used her magic to move the top. Once it was fully removed, the two looked inside to find, to their shock, nothing.
"Gone?" Morgaine let out. "Curse you Merlin… Even after all these centuries you continue to be a thorn in my-"
A sudden eerie glow from a pendant on her neck cut off her angered rant. She looked down at it, her eyes narrowing behind her mask.
"He's coming." She snarled. "Merlin's pet."
"What do we do?" Mordred asked.
"We'll prepare a little welcome for our dear Jason Blood." Morgaine shared.
…
Later, the League and Jason arrived at the castle. As they walked through the halls, Flash came across the aged security guard, seeing his youthful photo on his badge.
"Guys," Flash called out. "Looks like she was here."
"The poor man." Diana lamented.
"Let's just hope we're not too late." Batman voiced. "Jason, where would the stone be?"
"This way." Jason directed.
The group arrived in the crypt where they found the room empty and the arc closed once again. Diana walked over to it, lifting the massive stone lid with ease. Arthur watched her and snorted.
"Show off." He teased.
Diana just smirked as they looked inside, seeing an empty arc.
"It's gone." Diana dreaded.
"Then Morgaine has won?" J'onn feared.
"Not necessarily." Jason replied.
He began patting the bottom of the arc, his hand glowing a bright yellow after the third pat.
"The stone was removed long before Morgaine got here." He announced. "It's safe, for now."
"Then we can't afford to waste time." Diana declared. "We must-"
Just then, the doors to the crypt slammed shut, putting the League and Jason on full alert. As they turned around, the suits of armor in the room began glowing with yellow energy before moving on their own and drawing their weapons.
"Looks like Morgaine's provided a little surprise for us." Aquaman remarked, pulling out his trident.
"Jason, get to the door!" Batman told him. "We'll cover you!"
Jason nodded and ran off as the League sprung into action. Aquaman leapt to one suit of armor and stabbed it with his trident. He then hoisted it into the air and flung it at two others coming towards him. J'onn phased through one suit before grabbing its helmet and crushing it. Despite that, the suit still turned around and smacked J'onn with its mace, knocking him aside. Wonder Woman used her sword to block and deflect a suits attacks. She then took out her shield and used it to knock the suits sword out of its hands before slicing it in half.
Jason meanwhile managed to reach the door and tried to open it, only to find the doors magically sealed shut. He pulled on the handles and threw his weight against them, but it was to no avail.
"We're trapped!" He called out.
"Yeah, and these tin cans keep coming!" Aquaman shouted, stabbing one with his trident before another attempted to steal it.
Batman quickly flipped over one suit and punched it with a shock gauntlet. He then grabbed the arm of another one and used a batarang to lob it off, taking its sword and using it to slice it in half. Flash meanwhile just ran from suit to suit, punching it down as best he could.
"How many of these things are there?" Flash asked.
"Too many!" Batman replied, getting knocked back by one suits shield.
"They will overwhelm us unless we think of something!" Wonder Woman shared, holding back one suit's sword.
Jason looked out at the Leaguers before cursing under his breath.
"Damn you, Morgaine." He swore.
He closed his eyes, clenching his fists.
"Gone! Gone! Oh Form of Man!
Arise the Demon, Etrigan!"
The League turned towards Jason as he transformed in a blaze of hellfire. His skin turned a mustard yellow as his eyes became solid red. His hair receded, giving way for short horns and batlike ears. His clothes were replaced with red and purple robes from the medieval period and he snarled with smoke billowing out of his mouth.
"Whoa…" Flash let out before turning to Batman. "Did you know he could do that?"
"Yes." Batman nodded. "That's Jason's alter ego, a demon bound to him by Merlin centuries ago."
"You always seem to meet the strangest people." Flash commented.
"You've had your fun, now it's my turn." Etrigan spoke. "Time to make you golems burn!"
He leapt up into the air, breathing fire out his mouth. Instinctively, J'onn took cover as the fire consumed the metal suits, melting them down to nothing but bits of useless slag. Once they were all nothing but scrap, he killed the fire and wiped his mouth. Diana went over to J'onn, putting a hand on his back.
"It's over." she told him. "The fire is gone."
J'onn slowly came to his senses as he joined with the others.
"The witch's trap has failed this day, and when I find her, there's hell to pay." Etrigan swore, kicking some of the bits of slag.
"That's cute." Aquaman commented. "Hellraiser meets Dr. Seuss. That your thing? Rhyming while smiting?"
"The prince of water doth mock me so?" Etrigan snarled. "Take this outside. Let's have a go."
"Anytime, anyplace." Aquaman retorted.
"Not here or now." Wonder Woman interrupted, getting between them. "We do have greater enemies to deal with right now."
"She's right." Batman agreed. "We need to find Morgaine before she finds the stone."
"The task before us, as you say, is easier said than done." Etrigan warned. "For centuries have I hunt Le Fey, yet every time, she's won."
"You seem to have a personal score with Morgaine." Flash noted. "Why is that?"
"My history is mine alone!" Etrigan bellowed. "Ask again, and I flay skin from bone!"
"If you wish us to help you find Morgaine, we would require knowing your history with her." J'onn reasoned. "I assume it has something to do with the picture of the woman in Jason Blood's castle."
Etrigan growled, then let out a snort.
"A woman indeed, one close to his heart." Etrigan answered. "His first family, which Morgaine tore apart..."
…
Camelot, many centuries ago
Outside the walls of the fabled castle, an army of evil monsters laid siege to the walls. So far, they had held up against the assault, but it was only a matter of time. At the gates of the castle, several knights stood at the ready as the monsters tried to bam through. At the same time, a lone knight in black armor came running down the stone steps.
"The King wants all knights on the wall to aid in the defense!" the knight declared.
"But the gates-" one knight protested.
"I'll stand watch." the black knight promised. "Hurry!"
The other knights obliged as they took off. The black knight then took off his helmet, revealing himself to be Jason, one with longer hair that did not have the distinctive white streak. He then went to the gates and removed the bar keeping them closed. Then he went over to the winch, lowering the drawbridge and allowing the hordes to enter the castle. Amongst the hordes was Morgaine, not yet sporting her golden mask, and her son Mordred, identical to his modern appearance.
"Did Arthur truly believe mere walls would be enough to keep me away?" she chuckled.
"I have done as you commanded." Jason told her, bowing before her. "Camelot is now yours, and my family will no longer fester in poverty."
"Indeed." Morgaine confirmed. "You have done well, Jason Blood. And your efforts will be rewarded."
She leaned down as if to embrace him, but instead, a blade pierced through a gap in his armor, causing him to gasp and choke. Blood pooled out his mouth as his strength began to leave his body.
"W-why…?" he gurgled.
"You are not the only one with a family to consider." Morgaine told him. "I do this for my son, and Camelot's new ruler."
She and Mordred walked past him into the castle as the world began to go black around Jason.
…
Sometime later, Jason awoke to Merlin standing over him, the wizard's staff glowing a bright red. Upon seeing that Jason was awake, the glow faded and the wizard gave Jason a cruel glare.
"I hope you are proud of your actions, Jason." He declared coldly. "Because of your foolishness and short sightedness, Camelot has fallen!"
"My family..." Jason grunted, forcing himself to stand. "My wife… my son..."
"After the attack on the castle, Morgaine turned her attention to the village, stamping out any who would depose her son's rule." Merlin informed.
Horror washed over Jason as he struggled to walk over to a window. His eyes went wide when he saw the fires raging in the village. He quickly ran out of the castle and down to the village, searching for a certain house. He finally found it, seeing little more than a smoking wreck in its place. As he entered the doorway, his blood ran cold and he fell to his knees.
"No..." he sobbed, tears streaming down his face at the sight of the charred remains of his family.
"See what your actions have wrought ." Merlin declared.
"I have lost everything," Jason told him, turning to him furiously. "Is that not punishment enough?!"
"No!" Merlin replied, the red glow returning to his staff. "The blood of Camelot is on your hands, Jason! You are the cause of its destruction, and thus you must pay for your actions."
"Please!" Jason begged. "What more can you take from me that Morgaine has not already?!"
"I have taken death from you." Merlin answered. "Your spirit is now bound to that of my servant Etrigan. Together, you will hunt Morgaine, never knowing true peace until she has been destroyed."
Jason was then struck by magical energies, transforming him into Etrigan for the first time.
…
"And so we're trapped in this endless chase, a man and demon who share a face." Etrigan concluded.
"You've been through so much." Diana realized.
"How has she eluded you all this time?" Batman asked.
"A gem she holds that has a spell." Etrigan explained. "When I am near, it can always tell."
"With that brimstone smell, who needs an amulet." Aquaman remarked.
Etrigan growled at Aquaman, smoke rising from the corners of his mouth.
"Enough." J'onn interrupted before turning to Etrigan. "Perhaps you should consider another approach."
Etrigan backed off, turning to J'onn
"All plans I've had were doomed to fail, let's see if yours will prevail." He declared.
"I can do a telepathic scan for her." J'onn told him. "It will only take a moment."
Etrigan did a "go ahead" gesture and J'onn began the scan.
…
Meanwhile in London, Morgaine and Mordred took refuge in another old castle, one that had been their home for awhile. Alchemical ingredients were strewn across an old table, remnants of past projects. Mordred sat at the table, dangling a mouse by its tail just out of reach of a black cat.
"Where?" Morgaine pondered. "Where could Merlin have hidden that infernal stone?"
"Maybe he didn't." Mordred suggested. "What if the archeologists who found that castle helped themselves to it? I know I would have."
"Of course." Morgaine exclaimed. "Why didn't I-"
She was suddenly cut off by a gasp as she clutched her head, stumbling backward. Mordred looked up at his mother in terror, dropping the mouse and catching her.
"Mother, are you okay?" he questioned.
"Someone is reaching out into my mind," She told him. "Trying to find me."
"Is it him?" Mordred asked. "The demon?"
"No, a mere amatur." Morgaine dismissed. "He has no idea who he's dealing with."
Her eyes began glowing as she lashed out at her mental assailant.
…
J'onn suddenly cried out in pain, grabbing his head before falling to his knees, keeling over into unconsciousness.
"J'onn!" the other Leaguers cried out, running over to him.
He remained unresponsive, but his mind was working overtime.
…
Slowly, J'onn regained consciousness. He picked himself up and rubbed his head in pain, only to look up and see he was back on red landscape spread as far as the eye could see and that wasn't all. Before him stood a large martian city, untouched by the ravages of war. There were even plants all around him, plants he had not seen in years.
"It… can't be…" J'onn let out.
"J'onn." a female voice called out to him.
J'onn turned and saw his wife descending the steps of a house, his house.
"M'yri'ah?" He gasped, barely able to believe his own eyes.
She ran to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him.
"Welcome home, my love." she told him happily.
"How…" J'onn mustered. "How are you here? How is all of this…"
"Come, the girls have missed you greatly." M'yri'ah insisted, taking his hand. "They're inside."
"The girls…" J'onn realized. "K'hym… T'ania…"
M'yri'ah lead J'onn inside the house, where he was shocked to see it the way it was before the war. Holographic images of his family danced on a small table as martian plants grew in oddly shaped vases. Glowing orbs hovered on the roof for lighting, and two young martian girls played with a ball on a carpet.
"Girls…" J'onn let out in awe.
"Father!" The two girls cried out in unison, running over to him.
They hugged him around his waist, talking over each other as they discussed their day. J'onn just held them close, shocked at the chance to do it again.
"I cannot remember the last time I held you in my arms." He said softly. "I have been away from home, living on unfamiliar surroundings for so long."
"Then stay." M'yri'ah told him. "We have been waiting for you."
"Yes, stay father!" K'hym pleaded.
"Stay! Stay!" T'ania cheered.
"I will!" J'onn declared. "I will stay! I am truly home!"
His form melted, reverting to his natural Martian form as he just held his family.
"Foolish martian!" Etrigan's voice suddenly boomed, a fiery portal opening up to allow the demon into J'onn's home. "Weak minded fool! This is an illusion, a trick most cruel!"
"How dare you violate the sanctity of my home!" J'onn declared as he stood in front of his family. "Leave here, now!"
"Time to leave, that much is true." Etrigan agreed. "But I'll not go. Not without you!"
He pounced on J'onn, knocking him into a table as the two traded blows. Etrigan quickly got J'onn in a headlock, working his magic to dispel the illusion. Everything around them began to melt around them, including his family.
…
"No!" J'onn screamed.
He shot up in his seat on the Javelin, looking around and seeing the other Leaguers and Etrigan standing over him.
"J'onn, are you alright?" Diana asked.
"Thought we lost you there for a minute." Flash admitted.
"Then… it was all an illusion." J'onn lamented.
"A fantasy of heart's desire." Etrigan informed him. "Of family and home, long lost to fire"
J'onn got up, barely able to keep the rush of pain and loss out of his face.
"Poor guy." Flash lamented.
Both fell silent as Diana approached J'onn, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
J'onn turned to her silently, but regained his composure.
"Yes." He told her. "I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" She asked. "I know you miss your family greatly."
"They are of the dead, now dust and bone." Etrigan snorted coldly. "Now tell us Martian, what of the stone?"
"She hasn't found the stone yet." J'onn answered. "I was able to learn that much."
"Thank Hera." Diana said, relieved.
"Before she lashed out at me, I sensed the words 'archeologists' and 'castle'." J'onn reported.
"She must've been talking about the archeologists who found the castle." Flash deduced. "One of them might have the stone."
"But the excavation of this place was years ago." Aquaman reasoned. "Most of the people who worked on it might be dead by now."
"It's a start." Batman reasoned. "Flash, see if you can find any records on the castles discovery and excavation."
"I'm on it." Flash replied, speeding off.
…
While the group waited for Flash to return, silence fell over the Javelin. Etrigan glared at J'onn the entire time, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Trust not in the Martian, his will is gone." he warned Batman softly. "He is now no more than the witch's pawn."
"Let us worry about that." Batman replied.
"Heed my words, man of bat." Etrigan snapped. "She's turned more powerful men than that. Your greatest desire she'll offer thus, and follow you will, and leave all in your dust."
"You should know better than anyone, shouldn't you?" Batman remarked.
Etrigan snarled in response before Flash came running back in.
"I think I got something." He reported. "The castle was excavated about fifty years ago. As Aquaman predicted, most of the crew is dead save for two men: Henry Moss and Harv Hickman."
"Harv Hickman?" Aquaman repeated. "The big magazine tycoon?"
"The very same." Flash answered. "Henry Moss became a professor of history before retiring back in 2015."
"Either one of them could have the stone." Diana pondered.
"Then we'll have to split up." Batman decided. "Diana, take Flash and Aquaman to investigate Hickman. I'll stay with J'onn and Etrigan to track down Moss."
"You sure it's a good idea to leave tall, dark, and gruesome with J'onn?" Aquaman asked. "He's been giving him the stink-eye since he woke up."
"I'll keep an eye on him." Batman reassured. "Now go. We're running out of time."
The heroes nodded, then Diana, Aquaman, and Flash all headed off.
…
Out in the english countryside, an elderly man was out for a walk with his dog. As the sun began to go down, he returned to a fair-sized house situated on a hill. He entered his front hall, pushing the door shut with his foot as he went to untether his dog. However, someone stopped the door before it shut altogether.
"Excuse me." a voice called out.
The old man turned back and saw a man of African descent standing in the door. He was clean shaven all across his head and was wearing a white button down shirt and some slacks.
"My name is J'onn Jonzz." the man greeted.
"John Jones, huh?" the old man repeated. "Pleasure. I'm Henry Moss. How can I help you?"
"My car broke down a few kilometers back." John explained. "I was wondering if I could use your phone to call for aid."
"Not a problem." Moss replied, opening the door wider. "Just be careful. I have a few breakables on display around my home."
John stepped inside and saw the vast collection of antiquities around the house.
"This is quite the collection you've assembled." John commended.
"It's nothing impressive." Moss brushed off. "Just a few trinkets I've picked up over the years. I used to be an archeologist before my knees gave out on me."
"So nothing truly noteworthy, then?" John guessed.
"Fraid not." Moss admitted. "That luck fell to my old partner, Hickman."
He settles into a worn armchair by the fireplace, his dog settling at his feet.
"He found some strange relic, one that made him rich and famous." He explained before leaning back in his chair. "But I'm not bitter. I've enjoyed my simple life. I got married, had a couple of rugrats, a simple but full life, you know what I mean?"
"I did… once…" John replied.
"Family is a real treasure, one you you can't put a price on." Moss went on. "Hickman can keep his magic stone. Phone's down the hall on the right."
"Right." John nodded. "Though, if you do not mind, I would like to continue talking."
"Not at all." Moss assured. "I'll make some tea. It's been awhile since I've had someone to talk to outside of Daisy here anyhow."
The dog barked as Moss went to make some tea. As he did, Batman and Etrigan observed from a tree outside the house.
"Moss doesn't have the stone, Hickman does." Batman declared into the comm link.
"Copy that." Flash replied. "We'll get it back ASAP."
...
Across town, the three Leaguers arrived at a massive mansion with dozens of cars parked outside and even more people dressed in various costumes lined up in front of the door.
"Whoa." Flash let out. "For a guy pushing a hundred, he knows how to party hard."
"Must be his annual costume party." Aquaman guessed.
"How do you know this?" Diana questioned.
"When you've been going to the same bar for as long as I have, you tend to meet people with particular interests." Aquman explained.
"At least we'll blend in." Flash commented.
The three of them started towards the house, passing through the line to the annoyance of the potential guests.
"Hey!"
"No cuts!"
"What's the big idea?!"
"Sorry," Aquaman apologized. "Official save the world business."
They made it to the door, where they were stopped by an oversized bouncer. He held up a hand as he looked down at them through thick shades.
"Invitations?" he prompted.
"We are here on official Justice League business." Wonder Woman declared.
"Yeah, right," the bouncer remarked. "Just like them."
He gestured with his thumb to a bunch of poorly dressed Justice League cosplayers off to the side. Aquaman cringed slightly at the sight as the bouncer cleared his throat.
"No invites, no entry." He declared. "Now beat it."
The three looked at each other in minor annoyance.
"So, strength, speed, or splash?" Aquaman proposed.
"I said leave." The bouncer snapped, grabbing Wonder Woman by her shoulder.
"Strength." Both Flash and Aquaman said in unison.
They both hit the deck as Wonder Woman threw the bouncer over her shoulder. He went flying across the hard and into a bird bath, smashing it on impact.
"I hate when people insist on being hostile." She commented.
"Right?" Aquaman let out. "No one wants to talk things out anymore."
The bouncer slowly picked himself up and pulled out a walkie talkie.
"We have a situation at the front gate!" He reported. "hurry!"
More guards came running out as the three heroes prepared for battle. However, before things could escalate any further, an older voice cut through the din.
"Wait!" The voice demanded.
The guards began to part, allowing a man in a silk robe smoking a pipe to approach the trio, clearly Harv Hickman. He looked like the definition of a sleazy old man, especially when he starts eyeing Diana with a lecherous stare.
"How can I deny such a goddess?" He leered, taking her hand and kisses it.
Diana internalized her disgust as Hickman released her hand, wrapping an arm around her waist as his hand drifted a bit lower than it should.
"By all means, come in." He insisted.
he leads Diana in, with Aquaman and Flash following behind
"I'm surprised Diana didn't throttled the guy." Aquaman commented. "I guess after a century, she's gotten used to it."
"You kidding?" Flash let out. "Ten bucks says he gets slapped within the hour."
"You're on." Aquaman agreed as they went inside.
...
Back at Moss' place, Etrigan and Batman had moved from the tree to an adjacent roof for a better view of the entire house. Etrigan was less than thrilled, turning to Batman to express his annoyance.
"We know the stone's not been this way, so tell me now, why do we stay?" He snarled.
"Because, Morgaine might not know Moss doesn't have it." Batman rationalized. "if she comes, we'll be waiting."
They looked through the window, where Moss was having tea with 'John Jones'
"Tainted goods, that martian be." Etrigan warned. "A hazard to both you and me."
"I'd trust J'onn with my life." Batman insisted.
"A trust I fear leads you astray," Etrigan mused, "but to your grave, I'll send a bouquet."
Batman just glared as he turns back to the house, where John and Moss continued to chat
"I tell you, my Maria was a spitfire." Moss went on. "Never let me get away with anything."
"She sounds quite remarkable." John commented.
"She was." Moss agreed. "One of the best things that happened to me."
He sighed, a twinge of sadness in his eyes as he spoke once again.
"Not a day goes by that I don't miss her." He lamented.
"A feeling I know all too well." John agreed.
"Even so, it won't do us no good to wallow in pain." Moss reasoned. "We'll end up isolated and alone, and that's just not right."
"My friends tell me the same thing." John remarked.
"Then listen to them." Moss insisted. "Find something or someone that makes you happy. It won't be the same as before, but that's okay. Sometimes to move on, we need to let go."
John pondered what Moss said, wondering if he had a point. All of a sudden, a shroud of energy emanated from the doorway. It coalesced into the form of Morgaine and Mordred, which had both Moss and John on their feet.
"Let go." Morgaine repeated. "An excellent idea. How about we start with the Philosopher's Stone?"
"What the bloody hell?!" Moss exclaimed.
"Stay behind me!" John insisted, putting himself between Moss and Morgaine.
The sorceress looked at John, tilting her head slightly.
"Oh, I do believe we've met before." She announced.
"I doubt that." John insisted.
"I never forget a face." Morgaine replied.
She held up a hand, sending a powerful energy blast at John. He went flying across the room, hitting the wall hard as he reverted into his Martian Manhunter form. Moss gasped in shock.
"John?" He questioned. "What's going on here?"
"Forgive me." J'onn pleaded, pulling himself up. "The last man who saw me in my natural state... I did not wish it on you."
"How sentimental." Morgaine snorted.
She snapped her fingers and Moss collapsed, consciousness robbed from his body. Etrigan and Batman took the opportunity to smash through the windows, landing in the living room before Morgaine.
"At last, foul witch, we meet again!" Etrigan howled. "Now on this night, I'll bring your end!"
He shot a fire blast at Morgaine, but she blocked it effortlessly.
"Arrogant beast!" She boasted. "You've hounded me for centuries for your own crimes. Perhaps you should rest!"
She threw a magical attack at him, one that knocked him back as Batman launched a batarang at her. She merely twisted her wrist, summoning a magic shield that shattered the projectile on impact.
As this was going on, J'onn attempted to rise, wanting to aid his companions. However, the voice of his wife stopped him in his tracks.
"J'onn…" She called out.
"M'yri'ah?" He cried.
He turned, seeing a swirling white portal with the silhouette of his beloved wife just out of reach. She held out a hand for him, as if beckoning him to come to her.
"J'onn, come back to me." She pleaded. "Come home. I'm waiting for you."
Batman happened to look over, seeing J'onn in his deluded state.
"J'onn!" he shouted. "Snap out of it!"
Morgaine hit him with a magic attack while his attention was diverted, sending him flying into Etrigan and through the wall of the house.
Come Mordred," Morgaine ordered. "What we seek is not here
She and Mordred flew off as Etrigan got to his feet, watching as J'onn flew over to Moss. He placed two fingers on his pulse, letting out a sigh of relief when he felt something.
"He's in shock, but he's still alive." He announced. "He'll recover."
Etrigan just snarled, then turned on J'onn, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him into a desk.
"A traitor born of evil's fire!" He roared, punching J'onn across the face. "Betrayed for witch's offered desires!"
He tried to deliver a second punch, but Batman grabbed his fist.
"No…" Batman let out in a weak tone. "Leave him... alone…"
Batman then abruptly collapsed to the ground, much to the shock of his companions.
"Batman!" J'onn cried out.
Etrigan dropped J'onn, allowing him to check on the fallen hero.
"The witch escaped by your decree, and the Batman's life, her exit fee." He snarled. "You could have stopped her, this be true. Now he lies in pain, because of you."
J'onn just stared off, realizing that Etrigan was right.
