New Orleans – 9:57 p.m.
Kent Nelson, a dignified man who didn't look a day over eighty, entered the circus tent with the aid of a simple wooden cane. His white hair was neatly trimmed, and he wore a classic suit with a bow tie, exuding an aura of wisdom and experience. As he navigated through the bustling crowd, his eyes were focused on a particular tent. He briefly pulled out a pocket watch, glanced at it, then closed it again before approaching a tent with a sign that read "Madam Xanadu: Mystical Readings."
Inside, Madam Xanadu, a middle-aged woman with flowing black hair, crystal-like jewelry on her forehead, and a mysterious air, was seated at a table with a crystal ball on it and mystical artifacts scattered around. Kent approached her and took a seat.
"Madam Xanadu," Kent greeted, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I was hoping you could help me communicate with my wife, Inza."
Madam Xanadu looked at him sympathetically. "I sense a great longing in you, Kent Nelson. Your love for Inza transcends even death."
Kent smiled wistfully, pulling out a pocket watch and looking at it fondly. "We were together for so long... I just want to speak to her one more time."
Madam Xanadu nodded solemnly. "Then Madam will make contact. Fate be kind."
Kent groaned slightly, "Oh, but he so rarely is," before sitting down.
Madam Xanadu extended her hand and cleared her throat. Prompted by this, Kent said, "Oh yes," and brought out cash to pay her.
Madam Xanadu began her ritual, placing her hands on the crystal ball on the table. "Let's see if the spirits are willing to grant your request."
The crystal ball began to shine as her hair floated in the air and her eyes turned yellow. She then spoke in a different tone, "Oh my darling, I have missed you. I am so lonely and cold."
Kent laughed heartily, "Haha, that's the best you can do?"
Everything returned to normal as Madam Xanadu snapped, "Imbecile! You've broken the spell. Your wife is forever lost!"
Kent shook his head, "That's my wife, huh? My spiteful Inza would have kicked my ass for wasting money."
"No refund for non-believers," Madam Xanadu retorted.
"I think we both know you are the non-believer," Kent replied, motioning to a corner. "A wind machine?" He lifted the tablecloth. "Tire jacks. A shame too, you have the perfect aura for the job."
He brought out his pocket watch with the picture of Inza. "Nothing would have pleased me more than to reunite with my bride."
Suddenly, someone with a white open shirt and long black hair in a ponytail grabbed him and lifted him up. "You will be with her soon enough," the stranger said before they disappeared in a flash of white light, leaving Madam Xanadu terrified and running away.
A moment later, Kent's cane lifted itself before vanishing in a yellow light.
MOUNT JUSTICE, August 19 7:39 pm
Toneri sat cross-legged in his room, deep in thought. Boredom had driven him to study the exotic energies of Earth, an activity that intrigued him immensely. His mind wandered back to the various energies he had sensed when in Sage Mode during the fight against Amazo. He mused on their malleability.
'The energies here are more versatile than chakra, but less potent and dense,' he thought. The sheer variety of energies fascinated him. Each seemed to have its own unique characteristics and potential, unlike the more uniform and powerful nature of chakra.
Deciding to delve deeper, he entered Sage Mode. Light green markings appeared at the sides of his eyes as his senses heightened, allowing him to perceive the natural energy in his surroundings. The foundations of this energy were almost identical to those in the Elemental Nations, yet the addition of magic added a layer of complexity.
'The natural energy here feels familiar, yet there's something else... magic,' he pondered. 'Magic seems to intertwine with natural energy in a way that chakra does not. It's less pure, but incredibly diverse in its applications.'
He theorized that magic, unlike chakra, might draw from various sources, resulting in its multifaceted nature. 'Chakra is much more pure compared to magic. It's like comparing refined steel to a complex alloy. Each has its own strengths, but in different ways.'
After a while, he dropped out of Sage Mode and stood up. The thoughts and sensations of the different energies still lingered in his mind. He walked out of his room, ready to join the rest of the team. As he moved through the corridors, his mind continued to churn through the information he had gathered, piecing together theories and possibilities.
Toneri walked into the Cave's main lobby, where Superboy, shirt off and arms up, was going toe-to-toe with Kaldur. Wally watched from the sidelines, while M'gann and Artemis stood on the other side of the ring. Amused, Toneri leaned against the wall, watching the training session. 'Let's see if the training with Canary helped at all,' he thought. He then glanced at Artemis, remembering the last mission and her connection with Cheshire, before looking back at the boys.
Artemis glanced at M'gann as she approached. "Kaldur's, ah, nice," she said conversationally. "Handsome, commanding, you should totally ask him out."
M'gann quickly replied, "He's like a brother to me!"
"But you know who would make the cutest couple," M'gann continued, "You and Wally!" They all 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…"
"It?" finished Artemis dryly as the two girls burst into giggles.
Listening in on their conversation, Toneri chuckled, thinking, 'Those two are like oil and water… but then again, who knows the future.'
Superboy and Kaldur were charging at each other. Kaldur extended his fist, but Superboy hooked his leg around the Atlantean's ankle and threw him to the ground, causing the computer to announce his victory.
"Black Canary taught me that one," Superboy said proudly as he helped Kaldur back up.
Toneri approached them. "Impressive. Looks like your training is paying off after all. And you, Kaldur, try to be more vigilant."
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.
Toneri muttered, 'Hmm, if only the android could express its frustration.'
"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?"
Kaldur 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," whispered Wally.
"He has been missing for twenty-three days," continued Red Tornado. "He said he was taking a trip to New Orleans a few weeks ago. He's probably still there."
"Perhaps," said Red, "He has been known to take extended… walkabouts. For those of you who don't know, Kent Nelson was a charter member of the Justice Society, a predecessor to the Justice League." As he spoke, the hologram of Kent was covered by blue robes and a golden cape, all topped by a shining helmet.
"Of course," whispered Kaldur reverently as he looked up at the hologram, "Nelson was Earth's Sorcerer Supreme! He was Dr. Fate!"
Toneri walked closer, looking at the picture and thinking, 'Sorcerer Supreme?' He then asked for a further explanation on who Fate was.
Red Tornado paused, gathering his thoughts, and then began his detailed explanation. "Doctor Fate is a powerful sorcerer and a Lord of Order. His true name is Kent Nelson, but his power comes from the Helmet of Fate, an ancient and mystical artifact created by the god Nabu, one of the Lords of Order."
Red Tornado projected a holographic image of the Helmet of Fate, which hovered above the table. "The Lords of Order are mystical beings who seek to maintain balance and order in the universe, countering the forces of chaos. Nabu, as one of these Lords, imbued the Helmet with his own essence, granting it immense magical power."
He continued, "When Kent Nelson dons the Helmet of Fate, he becomes Doctor Fate, a being capable of wielding vast magical energies. These energies are not merely tricks or illusions; they are the fundamental forces of the universe, allowing Doctor Fate to manipulate reality, cast powerful spells, and summon arcane entities."
Toneri's interest was piqued at the fact that the helmet was the source of Kent's powers, thinking of it as a conduit to a sentient entity a god and how the helmet was the embodiment of order.
Wally snorted. "More like Dr. Fake," he murmured to Artemis. "Guy knows a little advanced science and 'magics' it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes."
"Kent is caretaker to the Helmet of Fate, the source of the doctor's mystic might," said Red as he turned to face the team. "It is unwise to leave such power unguarded."
M'gann peered up at his floating image. "He is like the great sorcerer priests and priestesses of Mars. I would be honored to help find him."
The words had barely left her mouth before Wally's hand shot up. "Me too!" he exclaimed. "So honored, I can barely stand it! Magic rocks!"
Toneri rolled his eyes and muttered, 'Baka,' under his breath. Artemis moved closer to Toneri and said, "I really do hope he doesn't mess things up for us."
Toneri replied, "I hope so as well, but it's Wally we're talking about."
"Take this," said Red as he held up a golden key. "It will grant you access to the Tower of Fate."
Toneri felt the energy coming off the key and narrowed his eyes.