The fight broke out in a whirlwind of spells and curses, magic crackling through the air. Constantine and Jason moved together seamlessly, trying to keep Batman out of the line of fire.

"Orbis!" Jason shouted, shooting a jet of light at the child of Chorozone. She was quick, though, flicking her hand to deflect it and throwing up a protective shield with a swift Protego.

Constantine followed up with a Blasting Curse, aiming to disorient her. She dodged with a dancer's grace, then retaliated with a powerful Petrificus Totalus aimed at Constantine.

Jason was there instantly, breaking the binding spell with a Finite Incantatem. The air crackled with energy as the two sides clashed, neither willing to back down.

Constantine gritted his teeth, eyes blazing as he unleashed another barrage of curses. "Stupefy!" he yelled, sending a jet of red light toward their adversary.

She barely had time to react, deflecting the spell with a Shield Charm. But Jason was already flanking her.

"Expulso!" he cried, causing a small explosion at her feet. The blast sent her stumbling back, momentarily off balance.

Batman lunged forward with a fierce roar, joining the fray. His fists flew in a blur, striking with seasoned precision. But the child of Chorozone wasn't an ordinary foe. With a flick of her hand, she conjured ropes of darkness that bound Batman in place.

Jason and Constantine exchanged sly grins seeing Batman ensnared. It was risky, but they knew Batman's interference could mess up their chances of taking her down.

Again.

So, they left Batman to his fate and got back into the fight, determined to take down their enemy for good.

"Incendio!" Jason yelled, sending a fireball at the child of Chorozone. She tried to dodge, but it grazed her, making her scream as the flames burned her side.

In retaliation, she hit back with Crucio, the Cruciatus Curse, known for its torturous effects. Constantine jumped in quickly, countering with an Aguamenti spell to break her focus by conjuring a stream of water.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Jason didn't waste a second. With a determined look, he cast Bombarda Maxima, causing a huge explosion that shook the old building. Debris flew everywhere, disorienting her for a moment. Jason and Constantine pressed their advantage, attacking in sync to keep her on the defensive.

But she was tough, her dark magic swirling around like a protective cloak. Frustrated, she fired back stronger spells, pushing them hard. Despite the odds, Jason and Constantine fought with everything they had, using all their magical skills to keep her at bay. The old building echoed with the sounds of their spells clashing.

With a furious shout, she unleashed the deadliest curse of all: "Avada Kedavra!" The Killing Curse shot toward Jason, its green light filled with deadly intent. Acting on instinct, Jason summoned a pile of debris to block it just in time.

Constantine didn't miss a beat, conjuring thick ropes to tie her down. But she wasn't easy to hold. She struggled against the binds, her dark magic surging as she summoned shadows to obscure their vision.

Jason reacted quickly, casting Lumos Solem to disperse the shadows. Just as they started to regroup, she broke free.

"Ghoul, watch out!" Constantine yelled as she prepared to strike. But Jason was already moving, casting Impedimenta to slow her down.

She dodged the jinx with uncanny speed, retaliating with Sectumsempra, slashing out with invisible blades. Jason cried out, falling to the ground, bleeding from cuts all over.

Quick as a flash, Constantine cast Vulnera Sanentur to heal Jason's wounds. Then, he fired a freezing charm, "Glacius!" at their foe.

But she was relentless. With a sinister grin, she countered with Fiendfyre, a dark fire curse that consumed everything in its path.

Jason and Constantine knew they had to act fast. Drawing on their combined magic, they unleashed Reducto, a Blasting Curse that exploded with tremendous force. The child of Chorozone let out a demonic cry as the spells collided with her, her form engulfed in a burst of light and shadow. For a moment, the air crackled with magic as the battle reached its climax. When the dust settled, the child of Chorozone lay unconscious on the ground. Without losing momentum, they cast Fulgari, producing vicious, luminous cords to bind her arms.

Jason and Constantine exchanged solemn looks as a heavy silence settled over the abandoned building. They both understood the gravity of what they had just done. This wasn't how they had envisioned the battle ending, but circumstances had forced their hand. The binds they had conjured were only temporary, and they knew the child of Chorozone would break free soon enough. It was a grim realization, but they both knew it was the only humane course of action. Ending her life quickly and painlessly was the most merciful thing they could do.

With a heavy heart, Jason summoned his All-Blade and approached the fallen child of Chorozone. His hand trembled slightly as he raised the blade, his mind filled with conflicting emotions. As the blade descended, cutting through the air with a swift and decisive motion, a wave of sadness washed over Jason. This shouldn't have ended up like this; they could have saved her. But Batman just had to get involved and screw things up. Beside him, Constantine watched in silence, his expression grave. As the life faded from the child of Chorozone, a sense of finality settled over them both.

With a heavy sigh, Jason and Constantine dropped to their knees in exhaustion. They had fought a fierce battle—physically, magically, and emotionally—and they were weary to the bone. Despite the toll it had taken on them, they knew they had done what needed to be done. Amidst the sorrow and regret, there was also a sense of relief. They had succeeded in their mission, and no other magical child had died as a result.

Suddenly, Constantine tensed and stood up, casting a Flipendo jinx that knocked an approaching body backward. Jason raised an eyebrow when he saw the body was Batman. Constantine's jaw clenched with anger as he watched Batman rise from the ground, his eyes blazing with fury. The realization that Batman had been freed from his binds the moment the child of Chorozone died only fueled Constantine's rage further.

Jason, standing beside him, raised a skeptical eyebrow, his expression a mixture of annoyance and resignation. He knew there would be no reasoning with Batman, not now.

"So, ruining our plans and getting this poor girl killed wasn't enough for you," Constantine seethed, his voice laced with bitterness. "You had to bloody attack us now?"

Batman's glare hardened, his fists clenched at his sides. "At least I'm not a murderer!" he retorted, his voice dripping with accusation.

Jason let out a bitter laugh, the sound tinged with a hint of hysteria. "You're really a piece of work, Bats," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Truly one of a kind."

He took a step forward, his eyes flashing with anger as he met Batman's gaze head-on. "You tell me you're happy for me and accept me, even when I tell you I wouldn't stop killing if I thought it was needed. Yet here you go, calling me a murderer like a goddamn hypocrite."

Jason's frustration was raw and unfiltered. "You know what the worst part is?" he said, his voice trembling with anger. "She didn't have to die. We had a way to contain her, to give us time to find a solution, but you ruined it."

Jason's fists clenched at his sides, the weight of their actions pressing down on him. "And yeah," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper, "it burns to know we could have saved her. But it's better than letting her escape and kill another magical child."

He took a deep breath, his chest heaving. "We make the hard decisions when we have to. That's the difference between us."

Jason fell silent, staring Batman down. The tension between them was thick, a rift widening with every word.

Batman's jaw tightened, eyes narrowing. "You think you have the right to decide who lives and dies?" he shot back, voice cold. "You're no better than the criminals you fight."

Jason laughed bitterly. "You're a real piece of work, Bats," he said, shaking his head. "You tell me you're happy for me, that you accept me, even when I say I won't stop killing if it's necessary. Then you call me a murderer."

Batman's fists clenched. "You're just a kid playing at being a hero," he spat. "You have no idea what it means to be responsible."

Jason's eyes blazed with rage. "I may be young, but I've faced more pain and loss than you can imagine," he shot back. "I've made the hard choices you're too scared to make."

"You think you have the moral high ground?" Batman sneered. "You don't know what it means to truly protect people."

Jason's nails dug into his palms as he fought to keep his temper in check. "And you do?" he spat. "You hide behind a mask and a cape, thinking you're above the law."

The tension crackled between them. Each word was a dagger, slicing through the air.

"You're nothing but a criminal pretending to be a hero," Batman said coldly. "A stain on everything I stand for."

Jason's chest heaved with suppressed rage. "And what do you stand for?" he retorted. "Control? Fear? You're not a hero, Batman. You're a tyrant."

The words hung between them, charged with emotion and bitterness. The air crackled with tension.

"You'll never understand what it means to truly protect people," Batman growled. "You're just a lost cause, Ghoul. A lost cause."

Jason's body trembled with anger. "I may have made mistakes, but at least I admit them," he snapped, voice cracking. "I face the consequences of my actions."

"Both of you, shut the fuck up!" Constantine growled, cutting through the heated argument.

Jason and Batman turned toward Constantine, ready to argue, but Constantine's focus was on the corpse of the child of Chorozone. Her skin was boiling, radiating heat.

"Everyone get down, it's about to explode!" Constantine's voice was urgent. He pushed Jason and Batman away, trying to shield them.

Jason stumbled back, confusion and concern replacing his fury. Batman hesitated but recognized the urgency in Constantine's tone.

But it was too late. A deafening explosion tore through the air, shattering glass and crumbling debris.

Everything went black as the force of the explosion engulfed them.

Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his hospital bed, wincing as he felt every ache and pain. His head pounded with each movement, a constant reminder of the concussion he'd gotten. The cracked ribs jolted with every breath, and his broken leg, wrapped in a heavy cast, left him unable to move.

The explosion had left Bruce battered, but the real damage was done to Constantine and Jason. The dark magic from the blast had put them into a deep sleep, and no one could wake them. Madame Xanadu had taken them to Nanda Parbat, working non-stop to heal them and break the magical coma.

As Bruce lay there brooding, he couldn't shake the guilt eating at him. The explosion had been his fault, a result of his own rash actions and failure to control his temper. He felt responsible for the injuries Constantine and Jason were dealing with.

Clark and Diana stood by his bedside, their faces a mix of frustration and concern. Diana's eyes were blazing with anger, and Bruce knew that if Clark hadn't been there to hold her back, she'd have let him have it.

Clark's face was full of disappointment. His usually bright eyes now showed a deep sadness that tugged at Bruce's heart. Bruce could see the pain in Clark's eyes, the hurt from seeing someone he respected make such reckless choices.

Feeling the weight of their disappointment, Bruce looked away. He couldn't bear to meet their eyes, knowing he'd let them down. He was supposed to be their protector, the one who kept them safe, and now he was here, injured in a hospital bed while his son suffered far worse.

As Bruce lay there, surrounded by the aftermath of his mistakes, he wondered how things had gone so wrong. He'd let his anger control him, let his emotions cloud his judgment. Now, facing the wreckage of his choices, he realized just how much damage he'd caused.

Diana was seething as she laid into Bruce. "Bruce," she snapped, her voice cold, "you've really crossed the line. You were told to stay away from magical stuff, but you didn't listen—not once, but twice. And guess what? Red Ghoul and Constantine saved your butt both times." Her eyes were on fire as she continued, "You've put yourself and everyone else in danger."

Bruce flinched, the reminder that his son had almost died again stinging him deeply. Diana didn't care about his reaction and pressed on. "Now the Justice League Dark is livid. Your interference messed up our plans and nearly got Red Ghoul and Constantine killed. You're done, Bruce. From now on, Batman is benched."

Bruce stared at her, a mix of confusion and worry in his eyes. "Benched? What does that even mean?"

Diana's smirk was cold satisfaction. "It means exactly what you've done to Gotham. No heroes allowed there, so Batman's not allowed anywhere else. You're benched from all Justice League missions and any covert ops outside Gotham. Batman is benched."

All the guilt Bruce had felt before was gone, replaced by a blazing anger. "I've dedicated my life to protecting this world!" he roared, fists clenched. "I've sacrificed everything, and this is my reward?"

Diana didn't flinch, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Protecting? You've gone way too far, Bruce," she shot back, her voice sharp. "You've become the very thing you swore to fight."

The accusation hit Bruce hard, his chest tightening with fury. "What do you know about sacrifice?" he spat, venom in his voice. "You live in a world of gods and immortals while I'm down here doing the dirty work."

Diana's jaw tightened, her fists balled. "Don't you dare belittle my struggles," she snapped, voice dripping with scorn. "You think you're the only one who's suffered? Your pain doesn't give you the right to endanger lives."

Bruce's eyes blazed with rage. "You don't get it," he growled. "You've never had to make the tough calls, live with the consequences."

Diana's gaze turned icy. "And you've never learned from your mistakes," she retorted, her tone sharp. "You're so blinded by your ego you can't see the damage you're causing."

The words hit Bruce hard, his breath catching in his throat. "I won't stand here and be judged by you," he snarled. "I'm Batman, damn it! I answer to no one."

Diana's eyes flashed with anger. "Then you're no better than the villains you fight," she spat. "You've become a tyrant, Bruce. I won't sit by and watch you ruin everything we've fought for."

"Diana, that's enough," Clark said firmly, stepping in to calm the heated argument. He placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to defuse the situation. "You crossed a line."

Diana bristled at his touch, her eyes still blazing. "He needed to hear the truth, Clark," she shot back. "He's lost sight of what it means to be a hero."

Clark sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "I get it, Diana," he said gently. "But there are better ways to make your point. What you said... it was too harsh."

Clark's face softened as he turned to Bruce, though there was a sadness in his eyes. "Bruce, I know this is tough," he said gently. "But the decision's made. Batman's stuck in Gotham, and there's no changing that."

Clark hesitated for a moment before hitting Bruce with the final blow. "And there's one more thing," he said, his tone heavy. "The Justice League Dark put a curse on you. You won't be able to leave Gotham, not even for work."

Bruce's eyes widened in shock, a wave of panic rising inside him. It felt like the ground had disappeared beneath him, leaving him floating in despair. This was way worse than he'd imagined, a punishment he hadn't seen coming.

Betrayal burned in Bruce's chest as he looked at Clark, struggling to believe that his closest allies had done this to him. His jaw tightened, fists shaking with anger. "You can't do this," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't let you."

Clark's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Bruce," he said quietly, regret in his voice. "But this is how it has to be. The League's made their decision."

Bruce's eyes narrowed, fists still clenched. "You're all against me," he said quietly. "You're supposed to be my friends."

Clark's heart ached seeing Bruce's pain, but he knew this was necessary. "We are your friends, Bruce," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "But sometimes, doing what's right means making tough choices, even if it hurts."

With a heavy heart, Clark led Diana away, leaving Bruce alone with his anger and sense of betrayal. Bruce watched them leave, the weight of their words feeling like a heavy burden on his soul. Alone and betrayed by those he trusted, he knew things would never be the same.

Jason's head was all over the place as he tried to make sense of what had happened. Madame Xanadu's face was right there, her warm smile a sharp contrast to the mess in his mind.

"What happened?" he croaked, his throat feeling like sandpaper.

Madame Xanadu's voice was soothing as she explained. "The child of Chorozone had her body rigged to blow up if she died, with some nasty dark magic thrown in. We managed to lift the curse and heal you and Constantine."

Jason felt a huge wave of relief. The thought of what could have gone wrong made him shiver, but he pushed it aside and focused on the now.

"Justice League Dark already took Constantine back to his House of Mysteries," she continued, her tone gentle but firm. "But there are people waiting for you."

Jason nodded, feeling a deep gratitude for Madame Xanadu's help. As she moved away, his eyes found his siblings and Alfred. Their worried faces made his heart ache.

Trying to sit up was a struggle; his body felt like it was fighting him every step of the way. Seeing the worry on his siblings' faces made him feel guilty.

Alfred's steady gaze met his, and Jason felt a surge of thankfulness. "We're here for you, Master Jason," Alfred said softly, his voice full of warmth and concern.

Jason managed a weak smile, feeling his heart swell with emotion. As his siblings gathered around him, he felt a rush of warmth. Billy, Damian, Dick, and Cass pulled him into tight hugs, their relief evident as they clung to him like they were afraid he'd vanish again. Damian was a bit standoffish at first but eventually came forward, his worry showing through.

"God, I thought we lost you," Billy said, his voice thick with emotion.

Jason ruffled Billy's hair with a tired smile. "Not getting rid of me that easily, Billy."

Dick's eyes were shiny with unshed tears as he pulled back to look at Jason. "You scared the hell out of us, Little Wing. Timmy would be here, but he thought that after your fight…"

Jason sighed, "Tell Timbo to get over himself and come visit. It takes more than one fight to scare me off."

Cass squeezed Jason's hand, her eyes saying everything she couldn't. She'd always been the quiet support, and Jason was grateful for her steady presence.

Damian's expression softened slightly as he met Jason's gaze. "Tt. I'm relieved to see you're okay, akhi."

"Yeah, well, let's not forget why I was in danger in the first place," Jason muttered, his eyes darkening with emotion.

The reunion was a mix of relief and tension. Jason's earlier good mood was gone, replaced by a mix of anger and hurt over Bruce's actions.

Billy's face darkened, sparks flickering around him as his magic reacted to his frustration. "Bruce is going to hear from all of us, no doubt."

Dick's jaw was set tight as he exchanged a look with Alfred, who just looked resigned. "He's not getting off easy."

Cass's fists were clenched, her eyes blazing with resolve. "He needs to face the music."

Damian's scowl deepened, his tone dripping with contempt. "Dad's actions were reckless and inexcusable."

The room was thick with tension, everyone simmering with silent rage. Jason shook his head, trying to push away the weight of Bruce's actions. He decided to switch gears. "Did anyone find out who the child of Chorozone was or where she came from?" he asked, curiosity edging his voice.

Before anyone could respond, Barbara and Tim walked in, looking grim. Barbara spoke up first, her voice steady but serious. "Her name was Emily Reynolds. She was a twenty-six-year-old from New Jersey, living a pretty normal life. No criminal record, no connections to the supernatural. From what we gathered, she started having strange dreams about a year ago."

Tim nodded, adding to Barbara's explanation. "Emily's nightmares got worse over time. She tried seeing therapists and doctors, but nothing helped. About six months ago, she started isolating herself, getting paranoid, convinced that something was following her."

Barbara continued, her face troubled. "Her friends and family saw a big change in her behavior. She started talking about ancient rituals and dark forces, saying she was being targeted by something evil. They tried to help, but she wouldn't accept it."

Jason listened closely, his concern evident. "Did she have any prior connections to magic or the occult before the nightmares?"

Tim shook his head. "None that we found. She was just living a normal life until these dreams began."

Barbara sighed, her voice heavy with sadness. "Unfortunately, Emily's descent into darkness led to her losing control, manipulated by her father's schemes."

Jason's jaw tightened as he took in the information, a mix of anger and sadness welling up inside him. "Poor Emily. She didn't stand a chance against whatever was messing with her." He forced a smile. "Thanks for the update, Barbara. And thanks, Tim."

Tim gave Jason a small, reassuring smile. "Of course, Jason. We're all in this together."