Chapter Text
Danyal “Danny” Masters – Nightengale
Danny wasn't happy with his predicament . He was now stuck, with this absolute stranger of a man who he only knew as one John Constantine . The bane of his existence of his non-royal (yet) life ; there were so many claims and disagreements on his souls that various spirits had made a point to bitch and moan at him about. Even the Observants had gotten on his case about the guy ; and he wasn't even in charge ! Well that was until Clockwork told him that he had inadvertently been made the temporary leader by his actions against Dark Pariah. And that when he turned eighteen he would have an official coronation and take the mantle the Crowned High Prince of the Infinite Realms , and that it would be years before he even became King. He was thrown out of his thoughts when he felt his collar being grabbed, he tried to bat the man away but he had a stronger grip than he was expecting. He was safely suspended off the ground, and the young man cursed his short stature. Being 5'9 was a curse compared to his parent's height and his sister who had been a tall woman of 6'3 . He felt his heart clinch at the thought of her, but he shook that thought away at the sound of Constantine picking up a phone, frowning at he did so. Did this man take nothing seriously ? He gave an annoyed huff at the man, to his surprise it seemed he was on the phone with the Batman. And he started to make more effort to escape, he had wanted to stay under the radar ! And now , he would be face to face with the man, this was going as well as he could have planned.
"Stop fidgeting, we need to get you a little mask or something, " John Constantine said thoughtfully before snapping his fingers, a bright golden portal opening . And he set Danny down to nudge him towards it, and he gives a glare at the man for being so pushy.
But Danny obliged and walked through it, the magic was slightly refreshing as he walked through it. That's when he noticed a woman seated on the couch, and she did not look pleased. This caused him to stop in his tracks, he could practically feel the magic coming from her - she was powerful . Danny stood there, not sure how to approach the situation. So he tilted his head to the side, like a cat observing something and stared at her in silence. The ivory tresses hung loosely around her and her pale blue eyes were sharp as she observed him , her arms folded as if she was a mother preparing to scold a child. She didn't back down from his challenge and neither did he, they were locked in eye contact - and she narrowed her eyes and he could feel her magic flare slightly, it giving a slight warning buzz to him. And so he let his flare back, his own magic vicious and protective, hissing back in retaliation of hers.
"Boy, why are you in my way. If you don't got in 'ere . " came the annoyed voice of John Constantine , who roughly shoved him forward - which earned a hiss from Danny, and his fangs were bared along with his eyes narrowed in annoyance at the older male.
"Such a fussy infant eldritch creature," the man practically cooed, ruffling his hair whilst snickering, " are you cranky ? Did I disturb your nap ? " the man mocked , which only spiked Danny's irritation.
"John Constantine," came the unimpressed voice of the unnamed female within the house, causing the male to visibly shrink. Earning a grin from Danny. " Why do you attract stray godlings , first it was Billy and now this kid . " the woman says, punching the bridge of her nose, seemingly exasperated with the man - earning a small snicker from Danny .
" Godling ? What do you mean Zatanna ? " Constantine said frowning, seemingly taken aback by her statement , " if he were bearing such powers, the magic would be flooding off him like waves and I would sense it . " he looked at Danny, eyes narrowed before giving a mock gasp saying, " How dare you ! Billy may be a godling, but he needed help with his magical powers in his mortal form - and who am I to deny him. He still needs training . "
The now identified, Zatanna looked at Constantine as if he had grown a second head , " Do you not feel the blessing magic upon him ; these are blessings and protections from Ancients , " she stressed " and I can sense some powerful magical claims upon him as a ward as well from the same magic. But even then, there's a wild and powerful magical locked under key by this boy - he's not just some baby eldritch entity , he's a eldritch godling . " she said in reverence and approached him, " a baby one at that . " and she hummed softly, pleased by her statement.
" And I was just starting to like you , " he said snarkily, narrowing his eyes at her , " I am not a baby, " he huffed out in pure annoyance and walked pass her to throw himself on the couch, " I get that enough from the Ancients, I don't need it from you Sorceress Supreme . "
" Don't get your britches in a twist kid, I just need to grab a few things and we're out of here , " Constantine said , hardly muffling his laugh after his and Zatanna's little spat. " Darlin' would you come with us to meet Batsy, might need your help . " and the woman only gave a simple hum in response as the man walked off.
A few minutes later he came back and he tossed a neck gaiter mask to him, and he appreciatively put it on. Before another golden portal was opened and the man motioned for the little trio to come . They were soon met with an alley, and they saw Batman and what appeared to be two other of the Bats.
That's when a foul stench hit him. It caused him to freeze in his movements and he had to resist the urge to throw up, his magic was flaring angrily at the source and he found it to be a person clad in red . His nose wrinkled in disgust. Just what happened to this guy ? He thought, and he used his aura vision. Not caring if his eyes glowed while doing so, the man's soul was highly damaged and not to mention there was a greenish-black sludge around it, and it was eating away at it.
Danny paled at the sight, this man should be Ended. He fervently looked him up and down, " How is he not Ended ? " he said out loud, confused and worried, with a bit of horror to his voice, hands waving frantically for some explanation, " he should not be standing yet, here he is ? " he said a bit in reverence. " How long have you allowed this to go on Constantine . " he then said, turning his annoyance to Constantine .
" What do you mean kid ? Why should be Ended , " Constantine said in alarm coming over, " and I knew he had some funky death magic bullshit done to him, but I could never find anything in scrolls or books to restore his health. "
" His health, his health ? " Danny screeched, " his soul is practically crumbling and his Core is being liquified by a parasitic ectoplasmic infection and its going to latch itself to his heart and then infect his bloodstream ! How can you not see this , mage . " his voice angry and worried for this man before him .
Constantine was growing paler by the minute , " Bullocks, of course it was a Realms things. I'm assuming with how you're chewing me out, he can be cured but it's gonna take some time ? " the man groaned and ran his hands against his face in irritation.
He then pointed to the red wearing man who looked like he was a boy a good minute or two away from passing out while the one in blue and black was putting a hand on his shoulder for moral support.
" You are seeing a Realms Doctor, immediately, upon finishing this case . " Danny informed the man, not leaving much room for argument, at which he simply nodded and gulped " now, " he said inhaling and releasing a breath, " what were we called here for . "
"Constantine, who is this kid . " Batman said, his voice gracing their ears for the first time.
"Magical talent that I've scouted, my apprentice of sorts - has a good sense and head on him when it comes to supernatural stuff." Constantine smoothly lied , " he calls himself . . . "
" Schrödinger . " Danny finished for Constantine with a grin, earning an unimpressed looked from the male and a stifled giggle from Zatanna .
" So what did you find Batsy that got you to call me for once ? "
" Look at this . " was all Batman said as he pointed to the scene.
It was rather gruesome , a body lay on the ground . A look of horror frozen on the person's face , only the whites of their eyes seen while a seemingly black liquid ran from their eyes . The mouth was open as if begging for whatever it was to stop, and maggots filled the mouth. And that's when Danny noticed the gaping hold within the stomach where the entrails were lain out the body and the buzz of flies could be heard. He grimaced as he saw maggots within the body. Yet, he could sense something within the body, and he narrowed his eyes.
"Nocturn." He hissed out as he stared at the body .
That's when a purple whisp came out, it growing larger until it burst into flames, and the colors of the aurora borealis danced within them. Soon the familiar void that was Nocturn's body came into view and he was met with the Ancient's scowling face. Nocturn only bowed at the sight of Danny.
" Boy Prince," he spoke , " why are you here?" He asked confused and a bit annoyed.
"Me? What are you doing here ? " Danny leveled back sternly, " you aren't supposed to leave the Realms without my permission - Nocturn. You light the GIW's sensors up like a christmas light just with your power alone."
The Ancient waves him off, " Young Liege, you worry too much, Lady Gotham has offered to hide my signature as she does yours for me offering some of my ectoplasm as her's is weakening. " He hummed as he looked to the body, " I was brought to investigate this, " he said pointing a clawed hand to the body , " it seems something is brewing , and it's not good . "
A cough interrupted them, it was Constantine who looked about to piss himself. " Ancient , is this a Realms situation ? "
Nocturn only scrunched his face up, vermillion eyes lighting up in displeasure , "This man's soul state is deplorable. Is this the one who goes around selling it to lesser demons ? "
"Yes this is the idiot who does such a thing." Danny confirmed with a snort, before looking at the body and scrunching up his face before stumbling back , " The Soul Shredder, where is it . " he said to Nocturn with his eyes wide in panic.
" In Ser Fright Knight's domain. " Nocturn said frowning, his confusion leaking through his voice as he then looked at the body again but Danny could see the moment he caught on. " I will swiftly check about its location, I can only hope that you're wrong young lord, but you rarely ever fail to be so. "
And a flaming purple portal was opened and Nocturn gracefully walked through it and left as he came. Danny began pacing, this was bad - the Soul Shredder was possibly missing and being wielded by someone not worthy.
"Kid, if you keep pacing like that you're gonna start a fire." Constantine said, placing a hand on his arm.
"Yes, tell us what's going on." Zatanna said with a nod, stepping forward .
Danny was about to speak when a book poofed into an existence and he caught it. He then furrowed his brows in confusion as he looked at the book. It was an old book, possibly from the Ancient Library, History Of Weapons Of The Arcane - and there was a familiar sticky note attached to it.
Everything Is As It Should Be
Time Must Progress & Not Dwell On Things Past
Keep Your Friends Close, But Your Enemies Closer
There Is Much To Gain In Loss
Do Not Lose Focus , Everything Is Not As It Seems
- CW
"Well that's totally not cryptic . " said John Constantine who was reading the note over his shoulders .
" Clockwork is a cryptic bastard," Danny muttered and he groaned as he felt the familiar swing of the Time Staff as it hit his head. " I stand by what I said you cryptic bastard." He growled out at seemingly nothing .
" As in the Ancient Of Time ? " Zatanna said with horror on her face as she stumbled backwards . And Danny only nodded to confirm her words .
Afterwards , five scrolls came floating to him, and using his telekinesis he got them
and it seemed that they were some sort of invitations .
" We need to go to the Watchtower for a debriefing . " Batman grunted .
" Indeed, there is much to be talked about. " Danny said nodding his head .
" Let's find the nearest Zeta Tube . "