The battle erupted in a whirlwind of spells and curses, the air crackling with magical energy. Constantine and Jason moved in tandem, their movements fluid and precise as they fought to push Batman away from the line of fire.
"Orbis!" Jason shouted, sending a jet of light toward the child of Chorozone. But she was quick, deflecting the spell with a flick of her hand, conjuring a protective shield with a swift Protego.
Meanwhile, Constantine unleashed a Blasting Curse, aiming to disorient their opponent. But the child of Chorozone was agile, dodging the explosion with a dancer's grace. In retaliation, she cast a powerful Petrificus Totalus, aiming to immobilize Constantine.
But Jason was there in an instant, countering with a Finite Incantatem to break the binding spell. The magical energy crackled in the air as the two forces clashed, each side refusing to back down.
Constantine gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with determination as he unleashed another barrage of curses. "Stupefy!" he yelled, sending a jet of red light streaking toward their adversary.
The child of Chorozone barely had time to react, throwing up a Shield Charm to deflect the incoming spell. But Jason was already on the move, flanking her from the side.
"Expulso!" he cried, casting a spell to create a small explosion at her feet. The blast sent her stumbling backward, momentarily off balance.
With a fierce roar, Batman lunged forward, joining the fray with a ferocity that caught their opponent off guard. His fists flew in a blur of motion, striking with the precision of a seasoned warrior. But the child of Chorozone was no ordinary foe. With a flick of her hand, she conjured ropes of darkness to ensnare Batman, binding him in place.
Jason and Constantine exchanged sly grins as they saw Batman ensnared by the dark tendrils. It was a risky move, but they both knew that Batman's interference could jeopardize their chances of defeating the child of Chorozone.
Again.
So, they left Batman to his fate and redirected their focus back to the battle, determined to overcome their adversary once and for all.
"Incendio!" Jason shouted, sending a ball of fire hurtling toward the child of Chorozone. She tried to dodge, but the spell grazed her, causing her to scream in agony as the flames seared her side.
In retaliation, she unleashed the dreaded Crucio, the Cruciatus Curse, a spell known for its torturous effects. Constantine reacted swiftly, interjecting with an Aguamenti spell, conjuring a stream of water to break the child of Chorozone's concentration.
Seizing the momentary distraction, Jason wasted no time. With a determined expression, he cast Bombarda Maxima, unleashing a powerful explosion spell that rocked the abandoned building. The force of the blast sent debris flying in all directions, momentarily disorienting their opponent. Jason and Constantine pressed their advantage, launching a coordinated attack to keep her on the defensive.
But the child of Chorozone was resilient, her dark magic swirling around her like a cloak of shadows. With a snarl of frustration, she countered their spells with blasts of her own, each one more powerful than the last. Despite the odds stacked against them, Jason and Constantine fought with unwavering resolve, drawing upon every ounce of their magical prowess to keep the child of Chorozone at bay. As the battle raged on, the abandoned building echoed with the sounds of their spells colliding.
With a cry of rage, the child of Chorozone unleashed the deadliest curse of all - "Avada Kedavra!" The Killing Curse streaked toward Jason, its green light burning with malevolent intent. Acting on instinct, Jason summoned a pile of debris before them, intercepting the curse just in time.
Meanwhile, Constantine wasted no time, conjuring thick ropes to bind their opponent. But the child of Chorozone was not one to be easily restrained. She struggled against the binds, her dark magic surging as she summoned shadows to obscure their vision.
Jason responded quickly, casting Lumos Solem, a Solar Flare Charm, to disperse the shadows that powered their foe. However, before they could regroup, the child of Chorozone broke free from her restraints.
"Ghoul, watch out!" Constantine shouted, his eyes widening as he saw the child of Chorozone prepare to strike. But Jason was already on the move, casting Impedimenta, an Impediment Jinx, to slow her down.
The child of Chorozone dodged the jinx with uncanny speed, retaliating with Sectumsempra, a curse that lashed out with invisible blades. Jason cried out in pain as he fell into the ground, bleeding from cuts all over his body.
Quick as lightning, Constantine cast Vulnera Sanentur, a Healing Spell, on Jason to mend his wounds. Then, with a flick of his wand, he sent a freezing charm, "Glacius!" toward their adversary.
But the child of Chorozone was a force to be reckoned with. With a sinister grin, she countered the freezing charm with a blast of Fiendfyre, a dark fire curse that consumed everything in its path.
Jason and Constantine knew they had to act fast. Drawing upon their combined magic. With a united effort, 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. And then, as the dust settled, the child of Chorozone lay unconscious on the ground, quickly not to lose the momentum they casted a Fulgari, which produced vicious, luminous cords that bind an opponent's arms.
Jason and Constantine exchanged solemn looks, a heavy silence settled over the abandoned building. They both understood the gravity of what they had just done. This was not how they had envisioned the battle ending, but circumstances had forced their hand. The binds they had conjured were only temporary, and they knew that the child of Chorozone would break free soon enough. It was a grim realization, but they both knew that 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 involve 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. But despite the toll it had taken on them, they knew that they had done what needed to be done. But 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.
Constantine suddenly tense and stood up, casting a Flipendo, a jynx that knocked the upcoming body backwards. Jason raised an eyebrow when he saw that the body that had just tried to attack them had been 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 laddie killed was not enough for you," Constantine seethed, his voice laced with bitterness. "You have to bloody attack us now?"
Batman's glare hardened, his fists clenched at his sides. "At least, I am 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 are 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 are happy for me and accept me, even when I inform you that I would not stop killing if I thought it was needed. Yet here you go, calling me a murderer like a goddamn hypocrite."
His words were sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. Jason's frustration was palpable, his emotions raw and unfiltered.
"You know what the worst part is?" he continued, his voice trembling with barely contained fury. "She didn't have to die. But we had no option after you ruined the only binds that would have allowed us to keep her contained and give us the time needed to find a way to save her."
Jason's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white with tension. The weight of their actions bore down on him like a crushing weight, and he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
"And yes," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, "it burns to know that we could have saved her, and we still killed her. But it's better to have that on our conscience than to let her escape and kill another magical child."
He took a deep breath, his chest heaving with emotion. "We have the guts to make the hard decisions when needed. That's the difference between us."
With those final words, Jason fell silent, his gaze never leaving Batman's. The tension between them hung thick in the air, a silent testament to the rift that had formed between them.
However, Batman's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed Jason's words. The accusation stung, hitting a nerve he didn't want to acknowledge. But he couldn't back down, not now.
"You think you have the right to decide who lives and who dies?" Batman shot back, his voice cold and cutting. "You're no better than the criminals you claim to fight."
Jason's nostrils flared, his fists trembling with suppressed anger. "At least I don't hide behind a mask, pretending to be some righteous hero while I play judge, jury, and executioner," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.
Batman's eyes flashed with fury, his fists clenching at his sides. "You're just a kid playing at being a hero," he spat, his voice laced with contempt. "You have no idea what it means to truly be responsible for your actions."
The words struck a nerve, and Jason's eyes blazed with rage. "I may be young, but I've faced more pain and loss than you could ever imagine," he shot back, his voice trembling with emotion. "I've had to make the hard choices, the ones you're too cowardly to make."
"You think you have the moral high ground, don't you?" Batman shot back, his voice dripping with contempt. "But you have no idea what it means to truly protect people."
Jason's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he fought to keep his temper in check. "And you do?" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You, who hides behind a mask and a cape, thinking you're above the law?"
The tension crackled between them, thick with animosity and resentment. Each word was a dagger, slicing through the air with deadly precision.
"You're nothing but a criminal masquerading as a hero. You're a stain on everything I stand for." Batman shot back, his voice cold and cutting.
Jason's eyes blazed with fury, his chest heaving with suppressed rage. "And what do you stand for?" he retorted, his voice rising with every word. "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, each breath feeling like a battle cry.
"You'll never understand what it means to truly protect people," Batman growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You're just a lost cause, Ghoul. A lost cause."
Jason's fists clenched at his sides, his entire body trembling with anger. "I may have made mistakes, but at least I'm not afraid to admit them," he snapped, his voice cracking with emotion. "Unlike you, I'm not afraid to face the consequences of my actions."
"Both of you shut the fuck up!" Constantine growled, his voice cutting through the heated argument between Jason and Batman.
Jason, with his eyes filled with fury, turned sharply toward Constantine, ready to unleash a storm of words. Batman's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing in anger, as he too redirected his attention to the irate sorcerer. But Constantine's focus wasn't on them; instead, his gaze was fixed on the corpse of the child of Chorozone. His eyes widened as he noticed the sudden change in the body. The once-normal skin now boiled and reddened, radiating intense heat.
"Everyone get down, it's about to explode!" Constantine's voice was urgent, a note of panic underlying his typically composed demeanor. He pushed Jason and Batman away, instinctively trying to shield them from the impending danger.
Jason stumbled back, the fury in his eyes momentarily replaced by confusion and concern. He watched in alarm as Constantine hurriedly directed them to the ground. Batman, though reluctant to take orders, hesitated for a split second before complying, recognizing the urgency in Constantine's tone.
But it was too late. A deafening explosion tore through the air, drowning out any sound. The blast sent shockwaves rippling through the abandoned building, shattering glass, and crumbling debris.
Everything went black as the force of the explosion engulfed them, leaving nothing but darkness in its wake.
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Bruce winced as he shifted uncomfortably in his hospital bed, feeling the weight of his injuries despite their relatively minor nature. His head throbbed with each movement, a persistent reminder of the concussion he'd sustained. The cracked ribs sent sharp jolts of pain through his torso with every breath, and the broken leg, encased in a heavy cast, rendered him immobile.
The explosion had left Bruce with physical wounds, but the true devastation had been wrought upon Constantine and Jason. The dark magic infused within the blast had ensnared them in a deep slumber, their bodies unresponsive to any attempts to wake them. Madame Xanadu had taken them to Nanda Parbat, where she worked tirelessly to heal their wounds and break the hold of the magical coma.
As Bruce lay there, silently brooding, Bruce couldn't shake the guilt gnawing at him. The explosion had been his fault, a result of his impulsive actions and his failure to control his temper. He knew he had put himself and others in danger, and he couldn't help but feel responsible for the injuries suffered by Constantine and Jason.
Clark and Diana stood before him, their expressions mirroring the conflicting emotions swirling within Bruce. Diana's glare was fierce, her eyes flashing with anger so intense that it threatened to consume her. Bruce could practically feel the heat of her fury, and he knew that if Clark hadn't been holding her back, she might have given in to the urge to lash out.
Clark, on the other hand, wore an expression of disappointment and concern. His eyes, usually bright with hope and optimism, now held a sadness that tugged at Bruce's heartstrings. He could see the pain in Clark's gaze, the hurt of seeing someone he respected and admired making such reckless decisions.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Bruce looked away, unable to meet their eyes. He knew he had let them down, had let himself down. He was supposed to be the protector, the one who kept them safe, and yet here he was, lying in a hospital bed with injuries that were relatively minor compared to what his son was enduring.
As the weight of his actions settled heavily on his shoulders, Bruce couldn't help but wonder how things had gone so wrong. He had let his anger get the best of him, had allowed his emotions to cloud his judgment. And now, as he lay there, surrounded by the wreckage of his mistakes, he realized just how much damage he had caused.
Seething in fury, Diana informed Bruce that the Justice League had a meeting with the members of the Justice League Dark. "Bruce," she began, her voice like ice, "you've overstepped your bounds. You were warned to stay out of magical matters, yet you chose to ignore those warnings not once, but twice. And twice, you were saved by Red Ghoul and Constantine." Her eyes blazed with anger as she continued, "Your actions have endangered not only yourself but your allies as well."
Bruce flinched at the reminder that his son almost died, again. Diana ignored Bruce's reaction and continued; her tone unwavering. "As a result, the Justice League Dark is furious with you. Batman's involvement ruined our perfect plan and nearly got Red Ghoul and Constantine killed. This cannot go unpunished. From now on, Batman is benched."
Bruce looked at Diana with a mixture of confusion and apprehension, his mind racing as he tried to process her words. "What do you mean, 'benched'?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Diana smirked, a hint of satisfaction in her expression as she delivered the final blow. "It means the same thing you've enforced for Gotham," she replied. "No hero is welcomed there, so Batman is not welcomed in the rest of the world. You are benched from any missions with the Justice League and any undercover ops outside of Gotham. Batman is benched, Bruce."
All the guilt and remorse Bruce had previously felt was gone and his rage burned like a wildfire, fueled by a sense of betrayal and injustice. "I've dedicated my life to protecting this world!" he roared, his fists clenched at his sides. "I've sacrificed everything for the greater good, and this is how you repay me?"
Diana's stance remained firm, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You call this protecting? You've gone too far, Bruce," she shot back, her voice cutting like a blade. "You've become the very thing you swore to fight against."
The accusation hit Bruce like a physical blow, his chest tightening with anger. "What would you know about sacrifice?" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You live in a world of gods and immortals, while I'm down here doing the dirty work."
Diana's jaw clenched, her fists balling at her sides. "Don't you dare belittle my struggles," she retorted, her voice dripping with scorn. "You think you're the only one who's suffered? You think your pain gives you the right to endanger lives?"
Bruce's eyes blazed with fury, his temper flaring. "You don't understand anything," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You've never had to make the hard choices, to live with the consequences of your actions."
Diana's gaze turned icy, her tone sharp as a blade. "And you've never learned from your mistakes," she shot back, her voice like a whip crack in the air. "You're so blinded by your own ego that you can't see the damage you're causing."
The words hit Bruce like a punch to the gut, his breath catching in his throat. "I won't stand here and be judged by you," he snarled, his voice filled with righteous indignation. "I'm Batman, damn it! I answer to no one."
Diana's eyes flashed with fury, her fists trembling with anger. "Then you're no better than the villains you fight," she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "You've become a tyrant, Bruce. And I won't stand by and watch you destroy everything we've fought for."
"Diana, enough," he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. Clark's intervention halted the verbal bloodbath, but the tension hung thick in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. He placed a hand on Diana's shoulder, trying to calm the tempest raging within her. "You crossed a line."
Diana bristled at his touch, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. "He needed to hear the truth, Clark," she retorted, her voice still edged with venom. "He's lost sight of what it means to be a hero."
Clark sighed, feeling the weight of his friend's pain. "I know, Diana," he conceded, his voice gentle but firm. "But there are better ways to make your point. What you said... it was too much."
Turning to Bruce, Clark's expression softened, though there was an undeniable hint of sadness in his eyes. "Bruce, I know this isn't easy for you," he began, his voice gentle but unwavering. "But the decision has been made. Batman is confined to Gotham, and there's nothing we can do to change that."
Clark then turned to Bruce and delivered the final blow. "And there's one more thing, Bruce," he said, his tone heavy with solemnity. "The Justice League Dark placed a curse on Batman. You won't be able to leave Gotham, not even for Wayne Enterprises business."
Bruce's eyes widened in disbelief, a surge of panic rising within him as the full weight of the curse settled over him like a suffocating shroud. He felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under him, leaving him adrift in a sea of despair. This was worse than he could have imagined, a punishment far beyond anything he had anticipated.
Betrayal burned in Bruce's chest like a raging inferno as he stared at Clark, unable to comprehend how his closest allies could have conspired against him in such a way. Bruce's jaw clenched, his fists trembling with suppressed rage. He felt the sting of betrayal like a knife twisting in his gut. "You can't do this," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't let you."
Clark's gaze softened, filled with sympathy for his friend. "I'm sorry, Bruce," he said quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "But the decision has been made. The League stands by it."
Bruce's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching at his sides. "You're all against me," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're supposed to be my friends."
Clark's heart ached at the pain in Bruce's voice, but he knew that this was necessary. "We are your friends, Bruce," he insisted, his voice firm but gentle. "But sometimes, friends have to do what's best, even if it hurts."
With a heavy heart, Clark led Diana away, leaving Bruce alone with his regrets and the bitter taste of betrayal. Bruce watched them go, feeling the weight of their words like a burden on his soul. He was alone, betrayed by those he trusted most, and he knew that things would never be the same again.
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Jason's head swam with confusion as he tried to piece together the events that had led to his current state. Madame Xanadu's face loomed before him, her warm smile a stark contrast to the chaos of his thoughts.
"What happened?" he asked croakily, his throat parched from the ordeal.
Madame Xanadu's voice was soothing as she explained the situation. "The child of Chorozone had her body rigged to explode in case of her death, with dark magic infused within it. We managed to remove the curse and heal both you and Constantine."
Relief flooded through Jason at her words, the tension draining from his body as he processed the information. The thought of what could have happened sent a shiver down his spine, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the present.
"Justice League Dark already took Constantine back to his House of Mysteries," Madame Xanadu continued, her tone gentle yet firm. "But there are people waiting for you."
Jason nodded, gratitude welling up within him for Madame Xanadu's care and guidance. As she stepped away, his gaze fell upon his siblings and Alfred, their worried expressions tugging at his heartstrings.
Weakness washed over him as he struggled to sit up, his body protesting every movement. He felt a pang of guilt at the worry etched on his siblings' faces.
Alfred's steady gaze met his own, in that moment, Jason felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "We're here for you, Master Jason," Alfred said softly, his voice filled with warmth and concern.
Jason managed a weak smile in response, his heart swelling with emotion. As the batkids surrounded Jason, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth in his heart. Billy, Damian, Dick, and Cass enveloped him in tight hugs, their relief palpable as they clung to him as if afraid, he might disappear again. Damian stood back at first, his expression guarded, but then he too stepped forward, his face betraying the worry he had tried to mask.
"God, I thought we lost you," Billy murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Jason ruffled Billy's hair with a weak smile. "Not getting rid of me that easily, Billy."
Dick's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he pulled away 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 me. It takes more than one fight to scare me away."
Cass squeezed Jason's hand, her eyes conveying everything she couldn't put into words. She had always been the silent pillar of support, and Jason was grateful for her silent solidarity.
Damian's expression softened slightly as he met Jason's gaze. "Tt. I am relieved to see you well, akhi."
"Yeah, well, let's not forget the reason I was in danger in the first place," Jason muttered bitterly, his eyes darkening with emotion.
The moment of reunion was bittersweet, their joy tainted by the shadow of Bruce's actions. Jason's chest tightened with a mix of anger and hurt, his earlier good mood evaporating like mist in the sun.
Billy's expression turned grim, sparks flying around him as his magic reacted to his anger. "Bruce is going to hear from all of us, believe me."
Dick's jaw clenched as he exchanged a knowing glance with Alfred, who simply looked resigned. "He's not getting away with this."
Cass's fists clenched at her sides, her eyes flashing with determination. "He deserves consequences."
Damian's scowl deepened, his voice dripping with disdain. "Father's actions were reckless and unforgivable."
The air crackled with tension as they all shared a moment of silent rage. Jason shook his head, trying to push away the heavy weight of Bruce's actions, he decided to change the topic. "Did you guys investigate who and where the child of Chorozone came from?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Before anyone could answer, Barbara and Tim entered the room, their expressions grave. Barbara spoke up first, her voice somber. Barbara and Tim exchanged glances before Barbara spoke up, her voice calm and steady. "Her name was Emily Reynolds. She was a twenty-six-year-old woman from New Jersey, living an ordinary life. No criminal record, no ties to the supernatural. From what we could gather, she started experiencing strange dreams and nightmares about a year ago."
Tim nodded, adding to Barbara's explanation. "Emily's nightmares became increasingly intense and vivid over time. She sought help from therapists and doctors, but nothing seemed to alleviate her distress. Then, about six months ago, her behavior started to change. She became reclusive, paranoid, convinced that something was following her."
Barbara continued, her expression troubled. "Emily's friends and family noticed a drastic shift in her personality. She started talking about ancient rituals and dark forces, claiming that she was being targeted by something evil. They tried to intervene and get her professional help, but she resisted their efforts."
Jason listened intently, his brow furrowed with concern. "Did she have any connection to magic or the occult before these nightmares started?"
Tim shook his head. "None that we could find. She was just an ordinary woman living an ordinary life until these nightmares began."
Barbara sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. "Unfortunately, Emily's descent into darkness culminated in her losing control completely to her father's machinations."
Jason's jaw clenched as he absorbed the information, a mix of anger and sadness swirling within him. "Poor Emily. She never stood a chance against whatever twisted forces were at play." Jason sighed, forcing a smile on his face. "Thanks, Barbara. And thanks, Tim, for filling me in."
Tim offered Jason a small smile. "Of course,Jason. We're all in this together."