JSA Brownstone -- a sitting room near Fate's study

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

Fate and Ibn, exit to a sitting room near Fate's study, as Dr. Zukov is currently using said study for an equally important task. No matter. Formalities mean little to Nabu.

As they leave, Dr. Occult, Jim Gordon and The Wizard follow, and Fate nods to the other mages to follow if they are free.

Ma Hunkel, whom even Fate considers a mystic in her own way, has coffee brewed and waiting for them.

"Commissioner Gordon, I beg your forgiveness at the oddness of your situation, and I promise we will return you home as soon as possible."

He turns his attnention to Ibn.

"Now then," he says, tell me what news "Lady Death brings us."

Comments

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I was told that the wheel of life was in danger and that I should seek out you. That I would have a part to play in the upcoming drama and that I should prevent 'the dark lord' from removing the Lightning of the Gods from the world."

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"The dark Lord," he says. "Mordru."

The whispered name is wind against the windows. His enemies are emerging from all corners.

"Mordru is a sorceror as old as time, one who has challenged me for the role Fate in the past. He is mighty on his own, even without the likes of Darkseid and Johnny Sorrow at his side."

He hesitates, contemplating the world.

"That alliance is surely the paramount threat, but Wotan, too, must be addressed, especially if he is set again on seizing control of all Earth's magics."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I haven't been updated as to recent events. Could you give me a short synopsis?"

[jla-goldenage.livejournal.com]

"Well," says Dr. Occult, sipping his coffee. "It seems we have two situations here. In the first, The mage Mordru has allied with the mystical villains Eclipso and Johnny Sorrow, as well as the New God Darkseid, for purposes yet to be discovered. To that end, Eclipso has possessed the elder Green Lantern, and they've kidnapped Captain Marvel, as well as attempting to kidnap the younger Mary Marvel."

He calmly takes another sip of coffee.

"In the other, the villainous Wotan has escaped from a prison within the fabric of magic itself, briefly severing the connection between the Earth and the forces of magic, and has set about a once-foiled scheme to seize control of all magic. The last time he attempted this through the ritual sacrifice of ten heroes."

Jim Gordon pipes up at that.

"Balbo the Boy Magician! I was in Fawcett investigating the cold murder of a hero in the 1950s. And there were other murders in the files, too. Devil's Dagger, Codename: A.S.S.A.S.S.I.N. People I'd never heard of, but all murdered ten years apart, all beginning with Balbo's disappearance."

[jla-villains.livejournal.com]

"That clever bastard," says Zard, sneering. "He attempted to continue his spell, even with half his soul snatched away. But he was too weak to do it in one go, so he took the soul of one victim and used it do his handywork for him."

When others don't seem so impressed, he adds, "Well, you've got to admit it's a good spell."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Ok, then it sounds like getting back the Marvels and the Green Lantern should come first."

Ibn thinks a moment. "Is Captain Marvel related to Mary Marvel by blood?"

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"Agreed," says Fate. "And they are brother and sister."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Provide they are not somehow cloaked, I should be able to their connection to find the missing Captain Marvel..."

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"As good a plan as any," says the Champion of Nabu. "And we have many here who can lend strength to your alchemy."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"So presuming that that we do find them, how are we going to free them? I imagine that together, they are very powerful."

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"Any one of them would be a challenge for us all," says Fate, ponderously. "We must begin by dividing them."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Or we need a means to boost our own power levels."

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

Power levels ...

The mystics presence can all almost see Nabu's aura come forward in Dr. Fate. The force of his presence changes.

"Yes. Power. I have been carrying the power that our enmy is searching for. The power of Shazam. The wizard bid me to be its caretaker when he fell. Kent ... Hector Hall does not always remember. This is by design."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Excellent. If Mary Marvel will donate some of her blood, I can perform the ritual."

[jla-villains.livejournal.com]

"Interesting to see the so-called heroes delving into blood magic," says Zard, cooly.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I am rarely called a hero. I do what must be done."

[jla-goldenage.livejournal.com]

"Hmm. I simply must introduce you to our colleauge John Constantine at some point," says Occult, who has been listening with genuine interest.

"The good Dr. Zukov has already begun his gambit, distracting Mordru by taking on young Mary's energy signature. I suggest if we are to undertake your plan, now is the time."

How he knows what's happening in another room is anybody's guess, but Fate nods in in agreement.

"If you will keep a spare eye on Zard," continues occult. I'll see to Mr. Gordon's safe return home."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

Somewhat away from prying eyes, Ibn begins the ritual. It's not a quick and dirty spell. It takes time and blood. "I'll need Mary's blood."