The thrown car, along with Karkull, crashed violently into the side of the transit station, creating a massive hole.
Reaching the station first, Flash and Kid Flash sprinted inside, dodging falling debris. Flash delivered a sliding kick to Karkull's side while Kid Flash ran the length of the wall to flank him. Karkull reeled slightly, but roared and slammed his fists into the ground, sending a ripple through the concrete that threw both speedsters off balance.
Kid Flash recovered first, racing in circles around Karkull to disorient him. Flash leapt onto a broken pillar, launched himself from it, and landed a dropkick against Karkull's chest. The creature stumbled backward but not down.
With a snarl, Karkull raised both arms and fired multiple green bolts of magic. The blasts carved through steel support beams and exploded in bright flashes across the interior. Flash zipped between them, while Kid Flash redirected his path up a shattered escalator, only to be forced to dive when a beam nearly clipped his back.
"Too close!" Kid Flash shouted.
In frustration, Karkull levitated slightly, his hands glowing. He released a massive omnidirectional force wave. A burst of compressed energy that shattered windows, upended benches, and violently ejected both speedsters through the broken entrance.
Enraged, Karkull began chanting, his voice echoing with dark power: "I, Karkull, claim the protection of the Lords of Chaos… for myself and my own."
"Vorth nekesh tal'varuun. Shor'mek kall dravuun echeth."
Green magic erupted and swirled from his hands. It struck the walls of the transit station, forming an impenetrable dome of force. The air crackled as the barrier sealed. Inside, terrified civilians pounded desperately on the walls. There was no way out.
Outside, Flash and Kid Flash attacked the barrier, but their punches had no effect. Flash attempted to vibrate through, only to be violently repelled by a magical backlash that launched him backward into a parked car, denting its frame.
While he was never good at it, Kid Flash tried to phase just his arm through, but the energy recoiled with a sizzling crack, knocking him onto the sidewalk.
Fourarms arrived with a heavy landing and delivered mighty blows to the barrier. Each strike sent powerful shockwaves outward and shattered windows.
Undeterred, Fourarms dug his feet into the ground and pressed both sets of hands into the barrier, trying to brute-force his way through. His muscles bulged with effort, and the pavement beneath him cracked from the strain, but the barrier didn't yield.
"Damn," Fourarms muttered through gritted teeth. "Magical forcefield?"
From the Omnitrix, Azmuth's hologram appeared briefly, examining the scene. "Indeed. Whatever this shield is, it's derived from an exceptionally powerful arcane source. I suggest you wait for more information before just hitting it again."
#
The entire block was soon secured by Central City police and the Special Crimes Unit. Officers directed foot traffic away while STAR Labs technicians set up equipment on the surrounding rooftops. Police barricades and caution tape cordoned off the area.
Ben had cycled through a variety of aliens in hopes of bypassing the shield. Going underground didn't work. Not even Big Chill's intangibility allowed him to pass through. The energy rebuffed him every time. He had other cards up his sleeve, but he would like to save the literal and cosmic options when all else fails.
By 1:00 a.m., Flash reluctantly ordered Kid Flash to go home. It was a school night, and with the situation escalating, the League would likely intervene. Kid Flash argued, but eventually relented.
Central City; August 19th, 07:12 EDT
"Fire!" the SCU commander barked.
A team of officers fired a coordinated barrage from heavy energy cannons provided by STAR Labs. The blasts slammed into the barrier, rippling green across its surface, but left no dent.
"Cut it," the commander ordered.
Moments later, Kid Flash zipped back into view. He looked more awake, though his hair was still tousled from a quick nap. "Seriously? Not even a particle beam cannon is working?" he asked, hands on his hips.
"Our luck's no better than yours," the SCU captain replied. He turned toward Flash and Big Chill. "What do you think it is? Some alien force field?"
Big Chill shook his head slowly. "It's not from space."
Kid Flash furrowed his brow, stepping closer to the glowing green wall. "Okay, but maybe it's like... a plasma membrane? Some dynamic energy lattice reinforced by electromagnetic fields? If STAR Labs could recalibrate..."
Big Chill cut him off with a quiet breath. "No. The energy signature isn't fluctuating the way a tech-based shield would. It doesn't degrade with impact. That's not electromagnetic or plasma-based."
Kid Flash blinked. "What about subharmonic resonance? Maybe if we..."
"Kid," Big Chill said, nodding toward a patch of scorched pavement where earlier blasts had left marks outside but not even a singe inside the barrier. "It's not science. Believe me, I've phased through neutronium and dark matter before. This? This is something else. I think it's…"
"No... Don't say it..."
Flash sighed, eyes still fixed on the glowing barrier. "I have a suspicion, but…"
"It's an incantor," said a new voice.
The group turned to find a woman dressed entirely in black standing just outside the police perimeter. Her outfit was adorned with silver charms and crescent moon pins. "You know, like a spell of protection. It's pretty awesome."
Kid Flash rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Let the heroes do the investigating here."
A chief deputy stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Alright. Behind the line, girlie."
Flash raised a hand to stop him. "Wait. Who are you?"
"My real name's Doris, but my elf friends call me Rainsong."
Kid Flash deadpanned. "Right… Are the leprechauns also your friends?"
The deputy chuckled. "Uh-huh… Well, Tink, let's get you back to Neverland."
Flash stayed focused. "That thing inside calls himself Karkull. Ever heard of him?"
Kid Flash immediately tensed. "Flash, no…"
Rainsong nodded. "Uh-huh. I read about him in this book we sell down at my store, The Dancing Hobbit. It's that little place next to the Coffee Hut."
Kid Flash groaned and buried his face in his hands. "We're not seriously listening to her…"
Big Chill looked over. "What did the book say?"
Rainsong straightened. "About Karkull? Oh, he's bad. The worst. Seventh-level lord of the inner pit. Seeks to transform all human life into his bestial demon slaves."
Big Chill muttered under his breath, "Not this again…"
Flash raised a brow. "You've dealt with demons before?"
"Kinda? It's a long story."
"So how are we supposed to deal with that?" Flash asked.
"Well," Rainsong said, thinking, "if you give me a couple of hours, maybe I could get my white Wicca coven together and…"
"It's fine," Flash interrupted. "We know someone who can help."
Kid Flash turned to him, incredulous. "Flash, please. You can't seriously be considering this crackpot theory?"
"Kid, get to school before you're late. We'll talk about this later."
"Fine…"
With a frustrated blur of wind and yellow lightning, Kid Flash sped off into the distance.
Big Chill glanced toward Flash. "I take it we're gonna see Zatara?"
Flash nodded. "Let's hope he's familiar with demons."
Hall of Justice; August 19th, 12:12 EDT
Flash and Ark stepped out into the Hall of Justice's main teleportation chamber.
"We need to contact Zatara. Now," Flash said as he and Ark made their way swiftly toward the communications hub.
"You think he'll answer at this hour?" Ark tapped at the panel.
"He always answers when magic's involved," Flash muttered.
Within seconds, the secure channel blinked to life. The screen shimmered, revealing the image of Giovanni Zatara, already fully dressed, a steaming cup of tea in one hand.
"Flash. Ark," Zatara said, nodding once. "I take it this isn't a social call."
"There's a situation in Central City," Flash said. "We've encountered something, or someone, called Karkull. A green barrier is keeping us out, and he's inside with civilians."
Zatara's eyes narrowed slightly. "Karkull? That name hasn't come up in decades."
"We're hoping you can tell us more," Ark added. "A local named Rainsong said he was some kind of seventh-level demon lord wannabe."
Zatara set his tea down and turned, disappearing momentarily before reappearing in front of a tall bookshelf. "Let me check the Codex of the Infernal Host... Ah. Here."
He pulled an old leather-bound tome down, flipped through its pages, and paused. "Here we are. Karkull. You were right. He was one of many Arcane Slaves in the lower planes. A foot soldier in the legions of Hell, bound in service to multiple demon lords. Never achieved sovereignty, but dangerous nonetheless."
"How was he sealed?" Flash asked.
Zatara turned a few more pages, eyes scanning the text. He suddenly stopped, his brows lifting in recognition. "It seems he was sealed over a century ago... by an old friend of ours."
He rotated the book to show them a faded but detailed painting that depicted a shining figure wielding a golden helm and armor, standing against a shadowy demon. "Doctor Fate," Zatara said. "He was the one who bound Karkull last."
Flash nodded grimly. "Then it's time to pay Fate a visit."
Zatara sighed. "That's going to be a problem, actually…
Ark groaned. "What now?"
"He's sort of dropped off the map."
Mount Justice; August 19th, 19:39 EDT
"Initiate Combat Training," the computerized voice announced as Kaldur and Superboy slowly worked their way from opposite sides of the circle toward each other. "3." The two began to circle each other. "2." They maintained a distance of about ten feet between them. "1."
Both charged forward. Superboy went in for a right hook that Aqualad ducked under, retaliating with a left-right combo. Superboy blocked both strikes, though Kaldur jumped and attempted a hook kick. Superboy ducked under it while raising his hands defensively. As Kaldur landed, he launched another right hook that Kaldur evaded with a back handspring, landing in a crouch.
Artemis and M'gann watched from the sidelines. "Kaldur's uh, nice, don't you think?" Artemis asked, glancing at M'gann to ensure she was the only one listening before continuing. "Handsome. Commanding. You should totally ask him out."
"He's like a big brother to me," she denied light-heartedly. "But you know who would make the cutest couple? You and Wally." She teased, looking over her shoulder at the ginger currently enjoying his burrito noisily. "You're so full of passion and he's so full of... uh... of..."
"It," Artemis finished with conviction, though their combined laughter afterward proved she was mocking him.
Kaldur and Superboy charged each other again. With his bigger build, Superboy got his arms on the Atlantean's shoulders. In a swift motion, he pivoted his hip, stepped forward with his right foot, and delivered a perfect cross punch to Kaldur's solar plexus. The Atlantean gasped as Superboy followed through with an uppercut that sent him flying backward a good fifteen feet.
"Fail: Aqualad," the computerized voice called out as stats appeared near the fallen Atlantean's shoulder.
Superboy stood straighter, brushing off his hands. "Superman taught me that boxing combination last week."
"Man, this sucks," Wally complained loudly, drawing attention as he tossed his burrito wrapper aside. "I should be in Central City right now. Did you guys see the news? Some alien or something naked Karkull is holding up behind a forcefield in downtown, and Uncle Barry won't let me help!"
"Perhaps he has good reason," Kaldur suggested as Superboy helped him to his feet.
"Yeah, whatever," Wally grumbled. "I could totally help with crowd control at least."
Red Tornado dropped through a hole in the ceiling, gaining everyone's attention.
"Do you have a mission for us?" Wally asked, speeding in front of Red Tornado.
"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility," Tornado responded.
"Yeah. Well, the Batman is with the Robin, doing the Dynamic Duo thing in Gotham," Wally responded, tauntingly emulating Tornado's speech pattern. "But you're heading somewhere, right? Hot date or a… a missión?"
"If we can be of help..." Kaldur spoke up, counteracting Wally's general rudeness with polite, formal speech.
Tornado looked the Team over for a moment. "First, there are people to contact." He turned and called up the HoloScreens, but instead of displaying a mission brief, the screen connected to a video feed from the Hall of Justice.
The image showed Flash and Ark.
"Team," Flash said, his costume torn in several places, revealing what looked like healing wounds beneath. "We have a situation."
"Uncle!" Wally exclaimed. "Are you okay? Let me come help with Karkull!"
Ark shook his head. "Not a good idea, kid. This isn't something you want to tangle with half-cocked. Trust me."
"This is why I've connected you all," Red Tornado interjected. "Flash and Ark require assistance locating someone who might help with their current predicament."
Flash nodded on screen. "This is Kent Nelson," he said as Tornado pulled up an image beside the video feed. "A friend. He is 106 years old."
"Guy doesn't look a day over ninety," Wally commented in Artemis' direction. M'gann stepped up on his left, immediately drawing the ginger's attention away from the archer.
"And he has been missing for twenty-three days," Tornado continued. "Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society," the image changed to cover Kent's face with a golden helmet as his clothes transformed into royal blue with gold accents, "the precursor to your mentors' Justice League." With that, Kent's picture became Doctor Fate.
"Of course," Kaldur realized, sounding annoyed with himself. "Nelson was Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. He was Doctor Fate."
"Pfft," Wally snorted. "More like Doctor Fake. Guy knows a little advanced science and Dumbledores it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes." He whispered this to Artemis.
"Kid," Flash called from the screen, having read his nephew's lips. "Regardless of what you might think of his methods, they show results."
"We need Doctor Fate," Ark added, crossing his arms. "Zatara thinks he might know a way to bring down the barrier, bind Karkull, and send him back where he came from or something."
Wally groaned. "You've got to be kidding me." He got closer to the screen and whispered. "Uncle, you're a scientist. You know there's no such thing as magic."
"Wally..." Flash sighed. "People are in danger. We don't have time for this debate."
Ark leaned closer to the camera. "Look, kid. We're just being cautious with this." Ben would rather hold off on the nuclear alien options, and Ben's skills in the mana department were still paling in comparison to his cousin. This Doctor Fate seemed like a reliable source.
"Kent may just be on one of his... walkabouts," Tornado continued, "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's like the great sorcerer-priests and priestesses of Mars. I would be honored to help find him," M'gann spoke up. Everyone paid attention, knowing it wasn't often she brought up her life on their sister planet, much less her religion.
Kid Flash's attitude flipped like a switch. Wally's hand shot up instantly. "Me too." Everyone turned, surprised. "So honored, I can barely stand it," he continued, suddenly sounding sheepish as he realized all attention was focused on him.
Ark pulled Flash out of camera view with a deadpan look, whispering. "Wow, your nephew really has it bad."
Flash whispered back. "I know... I know... Teen boys will be teen boys. He'll grow out of it."
"Reminded me of when I was ten."
Flash raised a brow. "How'd that go?"
"Tried to get a girl to like me and turned into a werewolf in the process."
"I feel like I'm missing a lot of context. Let me guess. You got better."
"Yup."
"I shouldn't be surprised at this point."
Behind him, Artemis glared. "Magic rocks," he added with a rock-and-roll hand gesture. The blonde rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Take this. It is the key to the Tower of Fate," Tornado said, offering an old brass key. Aqualad took it from his waiting hand.
"What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?" Wally questioned M'gann with a grin. She gave him a small smile, but nothing more.
"You guys and Ark need to find Nelson quickly," Flash urged from the screen. "I'll be working with SCU back in Central City to keep things under control as best I can."
"See you guys soon," Ark added before the feed cut out.
#
Inside the BioShip, M'gann was at the helm, Artemis directly in front of her, Wally to Artemis' right, with Kaldur and Superboy on her left. "So, Wally," Artemis began, an already mocking tone in her words. "When did you realize your honest affinity for sorcery?"
"Well, I-I don't like to brag," Wally stumbled over his words, but his attention was fully out of the corner of his eye, right at M'gann. "But, uh, before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself." Seeing that he had M'gann's attention, he put his hands behind his head and visibly relaxed.
Artemis rolled her eyes, and Kaldur looked away from KF.
"We've reached Tornado's coordinates, but-" M'gann started, as she brought the bioship down in the street.
Salem; August 19th; 20:22 EDT
The BioShip was fully camouflaged as it made its descent. On the right side of the road was an open field, but on the left, there was an old theater that looked shut down, and a red brick building that, with its lights on, seemed to have people inside.
A red blur streaked across the sky, drawing the Team's attention. Through the BioShip's viewport, they spotted the distinctive silhouette of a manta-like alien with membranous wings.
"Is that Ark?" M'gann asked, adjusting their flight path slightly to avoid collision.
"Jetray," Wally confirmed with a nod. "One of his flying forms. Uncle Barry mentioned it to me before."
They watched as Jetray circled the area once before descending toward the same coordinates they were approaching.
"Nothing's there," Superboy finished.
"Take us down," Aqualad commanded.
Elsewhere
On the street was a mangy orange cat with deep red markings around its body. Though its face had similar black markings and red eyes that seemed to observe the hidden bioship before it hopped off the box it was on and trotted inside the theater.
"Grant us access to the tower, and I promise an end to your suffering," a man's voice- the same man who was in New Orleans- bargained. "Continue to refuse and-" he cut himself off as something zapped.
Causing another man, who sounded older, to cry out in pain.
The cat jumped on a teen's lap as he laughed from the front row of the seating. Instantly, he began petting the cat, causing it to purr and meow. His face was pale, his hair was dark and styled in a way that almost seemed to give him horns, but his eyes were old and angry. The cat began to babble at him. "Shush, Teekl!" he reprimanded. "I'm watching the show."
Up on the stage, tied in ropes and sitting in a chair, panting from pain was Kent Nelson. The same man who was in New Orleans, standing before him, holding a magic wand. "Enjoy it…" Kent began, though forced to take a breath due to the assumed torture he'd been receiving since New Orleans. "While you can," he finished. Then looked up with determination in his eyes, knowing he had their attention. "Soon enough, my friends will come to help me." The Hispanic with the long ponytail walked behind his chair, raising his wand as the end sparked blue. Touching it to Kent Nelson's back to zap him once more.
Teekl, the cat, hissed as the teen stood up. Clapping and shouting. "Encore! Encore!" before laughing in sick joy.
The cat meowed once more. "What?" he questioned, annoyed.
The cat hissed, then meowed once more. Almost as if he understood her, his eyes softened. "Oh."
Outside
Wally skidded to a stop in the middle of the field where they had parked the bioship. "Nothing," he said, looking to Artemis. "This wasn't simple camouflage."
The whole Team looked to the ginger speedster, but Artemis was smug when she responded. "What do you think, adaptive micro-optoelectronics combined with phase shifting?"
"Absolutely…" Wally started, but as M'gann appeared in his line of sight, the slight smile dropped from his face. "Not. Clearly, mystic powers are at work here." Though the way he looked at M'gann was too obvious to be missed, as well as his reason for changing his answer. The way his voice nearly cracked didn't help his case.
Under Ben's mask, Azmuth noted that their hypothesis was one of many ways to have the same effect through technological means.
Artemis glared, while Superboy and Aqualad looked skeptical.
#
Unnoticed behind the teens, the four occupants of the theater appeared. Though Teekl was in the boy's arms, Kent Nelson's hands were bound. The boy looked rather smugly at the man with the wand. "Hey, Abra Kadabra, are you using adaptive micro-optoelectronics combined with phase shifting?"
"Yes," Abra Kadabra begrudgingly responded.
#
Crickets chirped as the Team stared at the open field. A flash of red light drew their attention as Jetray transformed back into Ark, now wearing his mask and white hoodie. He approached the group with purposeful strides, his eyes scanning the seemingly empty area.
"When it comes to magic, don't expect it to follow the rules you're used to." Ark surveyed their surroundings. He raised a hand and closed his eyes in concentration. After a moment, blue-colored energy began to emit from his palm, the same ethereal glow appearing behind his mask where his eyes would be.
"What are you doing?" Superboy watched the display with skepticism.
Ark kept his hand extended, moving it slowly across the empty space before them. "I'm checking the area for any signs of residual arcane energy."
"You know magic?" Miss Martian asked in surprise.
Aqualad stepped forward, equally intrigued. "I was unaware you possessed mystical abilities."
"It runs in the family on my grandmother's side. I learned what I could do so far from my cousin, grandmother, a queen from another dimension, and a minor course in college."
The team blinked in confusion at the explanation.
"Wait," Wally said, maintaining his facade of believing in magic despite his obvious skepticism. "You learned magic at a college? Was it one of those scam liberal arts colleges?" His tone carried a hint of mockery even as he tried to appear interested for M'gann's benefit.
"Not exactly. Magic studies aren't typically part of the standard curriculum, but they still gave a transferable general education credit."
"Right…"
Kaldur looked at the key in his hand. "Perhaps this is a test of faith?" He looked at the key handle, where it said 'INSERT'.
"Well, I sense something," Ark said suddenly. "There's definitely something on a different plane existing near the center of the grove. However, without knowing more, I don't know how to bring it out." He lowered his hand, the blue glow fading. "We might need that key."
Kaldur nodded and walked between Artemis and Superboy. "Stand behind me," he commanded. Stepping up so he was more than three steps ahead of the closest team member, he raised the key, which disappeared and sounded as though it clicked into a lock. Turning his hand, the tumblers thudded to the unlocked position.
As this happened, a massive stone tower came into sight, much to Artemis' and Wally's surprise. Though Superboy and Miss M seemed rather calm about it.
Kid Flash's scientific mind raced. 'It's got to be vibrating at a different frequency,' he hypothesized to himself. That would allow it to exist on a separate plane until the key synchronizes with it. Simple physics, not magic.'
Kaldur kept a hand on the key, pushing the ornate wooden door inwards. The Team followed him in without a command. The door slammed shut, but the key remained in the door.
"Uh, where'd the door go?" Superboy asked, confused, and the entire Team looked around the blank four walls until a gold-tinted projection of Kent Nelson appeared.
"Greetings," the projection of Kent's magic power began to speak. "You have entered with a key, but the Tower does not recognize you. State your purpose and intent."
Ark stepped forward and gave a respectful nod to the projection. "Hello, we come seeking assistance."
Wally, however, looked back at M'gann before smiling. "We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate."
Ark rolled his eyes at Wally's performance. "I don't know about being 'true believers,' but we are trying to find Doctor Fate. There's a demon named Karkull in Central City that Flash and I need help dealing with."
The Kent hologram hummed in thought, his expression shifting from disappointment to contemplation before disappearing.
Wally's face fell as he heard the sound of the floor creaking loudly. Looking down just in time to see the segment beneath him and the rest of the Team give out. The section where Ark stood remained mysteriously intact, floating in midair while the others plummeted toward the magma below.
"Goddammit, Kid!" Ark yelled as they plummeted. There was a flash of green light as he dove to save them.
#
Patreon.com/Firestorm808
Get access to early previews of upcoming chapters.
Like my work? Please consider supporting me, so I can keep writing as often as possible. Even a little means a lot and helps me dedicate more time and resources to my work.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, please follow or review/comment. See you guys in the next chapter.
Discord Server: discord.com/invite/2uP8ka2