Part 3 of Pieces of the Soul
Danny was excited for his trip. Clockwork had strongarmed the Observants into letting him go. Not that they could stop him, he just didnât want to come back to them trying to take over the government or placing someone else into power, claiming he had abandoned it. Again, it was not that they needed him. They only crowned him because people from other dimensions were trying to take over the Infinite Realms, stating that they had no leader/monarch. So, the Observants had told everyone since he won in single combat against Pariah Dark, he was the de facto leader. Which was alright, the zone was basically self-sufficient, sure squabbles here and there, but since they all came to an understanding that Danny was in fact, currently, the strongest ghost in existence, the fighting ceased.
Danny was then, told he could make rules for the dead. These were simple ones, you can travel to the human world, but you must live peacefully there. You can use basic self-defence within reason, and you only do non-permanent damage and psychological effects. You also cannot go out of your way to provoke violence. If they must be in the human world to fulfil their obsessions, they must do it within reason. For example, Lunch Lady was allowed into the human world to help at homeless shelters and soup kitchens for adolescents and teens, getting people their main nutrition in. Box ghost was allowed into the human world, if only he took boxes, that no one was using anymore and had no plans to use in the future. Another one was Skulker. He was allowed into the human world to hunt endangered species, but only if he promised to breed them until theyâre not endangered anymore, then release them, so he can go after a different species and repeat, thus creating an everlasting growth dynamic in different species. There were special cases for certain ghosts, that could not leave the Zone, like Spectra, Desire, Nocturn and Vortex. Well, not until they could figure out a way to use their obsessions and powers, in a non-destructive way.
           Danny had created punishments for those who broke these simple rules, where he would soup them for days, months or years, depending on the crime. He also needed to be an impartial system for certain crimes committed, especially if he was involved. He has created a law enforcement and anonymous jury for these lawbreakers. If crimes were reported, investigators would go out and collect evidence, go to the jury to have it assessed, the jury would pick an appropriate sentencing, and then Danny would have to contain the ghost. So far, itâs been working, but he knows that it will have to change in the future.
           Right now, he has a trip to pack for. Danny found out that the owner of the last gem, was originating from a dimension full of superheroes. Which had him weary. Danny hasnât really interacted with many other heroes in his world. He wasnât sure if he should go as former teen superhero or as college student Danny, or as King Phantom of the infinite realms. A ghost from that dimension was at his coronation; thatâs how he found out about the owner and that their name was Constantine. When he asked his demon friends, they all had bad things to say, that he didnât know how to pay his debts, that he was a horrible gambler, that he would try to talk his way out of bets he made, that he was a horrible drunk, that he was a chain smoker, and that he would promise things only to say the same to the next guy. Thatâs why they were all so willing to gamble the gems, or fragmented life lights as they called it, because they all knew that in the end, they wouldnât be getting what they wanted, a whole life light.
That made Danny hesitate, what if this guy promised to give him the last gem, only to deny him? His core burned with urgency, that gem would be his, one way or another. But he had to at least try, because from the rumours heâs been hearing, no one has been taking any bets with him and thatâs making him desperate. So Danny has a plan to get his gem, one he wouldnât usually use, deception.
Constantine slinks back in forth outside the meeting hall, he peeks inside to see everyone still conversing. Zatanna seems to be getting heated as she spits back a response to Deadman, who is waving his hand at Dr. Fate. Batman is watching the whole thing, not saying a peep, while Superman seems to be trying to placate Zatanna with Green Lantern. Thatâs what has him worried, Batmanâs inaction, usually, he is quipping in these types of conversations, making his opinion known, but there he is, sitting back and watching the chaos unfold, like he already knows the outcome or made his decision on the situation. Probably has.
After all, they are deciding if he should still work with the JLD. He knows this is a long time coming, with all his near-misses and demon deals. He just never expected it to be so soon, and sure he could just walk in there to declare his intent to quit but⌠Okay he doesnât want to. Heâs gotten so used to having someone watch his back in a pinch and knowing he can help more people than he did when he was on his own. There is also the added benefit of being able to flash his JL clearance nearly worldwide, it gets him places when he needs to go faster most of the time. He got used to the perks and in his last, potential, hour of need? He would kind of want to know that there will be someone there.
He just about to walk over to the kitchen to get tea when the meeting room doors open. Superman is smiling his goody-two-shoes smile, and gesturing for him to come inside, âYou can come in now, Constantine.â John walks into the room and thereâs an empty chair opposite Batman, besides the one designated for Superman right beside him. He walks as calmly and with as much swagger as he can, knowing this might be the last time heâll see any of them. When he sitâs heâs looking at everyone, not a single person gives away their thoughts, and even Zatanna, was sitting calmly watching him as well.
âSo, am I staying or do I have to find a new gig?â He askâs slumping in his seat slightly and clasping a hand to his pocket, feeling for his cigarette case. âIâll smoke at least one in the Justice League Tower, before I dieâ, he thinks as Batman begins speaking. âAre the rumours true? That your remaining soul contracts belong to one person?â John sighs, âYeah, according to Deadman and my own spells, they all lead to the same being.â He starts to feel for his lighter, âSome new king, Phantom, defeated Pariah Dark, the old tyrant king, and now he had my soul on display as his jewellery.â Batman grumbles, âAnd now? How does that affect you?â John just finds his lighter when he feels a chill up his spine, like someone just walked over his grave. Heâs looking over his shoulder and around, âMate, I can still perform, tricks and all but itâs like, I can feel him reaching out for me.â Batmanâs narrow and sharply asks, âWhat was that?â John shudders, âI can feel when heâs touching the soul pieces. Itâs like someone dumped the largest bucket of cold water on me.â He shakes his head, âI can still do my job, itâs just now, that when I die, Iâm not sure whatâll happen.â
âThe original soul contracts state that I would belong to whoever owns the majority of my soul, that was for when I died, but since they switched hands, it might not mean the same thing. For all I know, this king of the dead, the ghost king, defeater of Pariah Dark, he could claim my soul right now. Iâve died before, Iâve been brought back, Iâm technically one of his subjects right now but Iâm still here, and that means something.â As John finishes, Deadman floats closer to say, âI also donât think King Phantom would take it, well, not right now.â This gets Zatanna going, âOh, you donât think a God-Like being who has unknown powers, who just happened to trade and get all of Constantineâs soul contracts, isnât just going to show up one day and take the remaining bits? What if he comes and takes it when the next big bad comes along, and we need Constantineâs help?â
Deadman throws his head back and groans, âCan you stop with this pity party for John, he SOLD his soul, HE, GAVE, IT, AWAY. He technically shouldnât even be here. Heâs already died and should be gone. Also, King Phantom isnât like your run-of-the-mill Ancient, heâs benevolent and loves humans. He has values many of you lack,â for a split second, Deadmanâs gaze is diverted away from Zatanna to Superman, âoooh, thereâs a story thereâ John thinks, he also thinks the rest of them saw it, âHe isnât like the living, all tricky and selfish. When you die, you transcend into something more, you are what you were when alive but more. Things are just simpler, choices are more transparent, so are your intentions. Phantom was just a normal person when he was alive, and when he died? He became powerful, he helped people, he made sure ghosts didnât harm humans or the living, he fueled his entire being to help those around him and serve justice when needed. He didnât need to, that wasnât what he was supposed to transcend into, he chose his afterlife to be useful. He was aâŚâ Deadman paused, realizing he was ranting. âA Hero.â A gruff voice finished, and they all turned to Batman. âThatâs what you were going to say, werenât you? Thatâs why you believe he wonât come for Constantine. When he died, he became a hero, even when he didnât have too. Constantine is alive right now, and thatâs why he isnât here, he values life.â
Deadman stiffens, âYeah, so?â Heâs looking in the other direction, Batman is watching more carefully and says, âBut thereâs something weâre still missing. Boston, we must know.â Deadman wilts and turns to the windows, âHe may value life, but he also knows when to take it. I heard a story, that Phantom had taken a life of a human, a single life. This human had opened a gateway between the Realms and a human dimension, which meant that he disrupted the balance, in order to keep the balance, he had to take their life. I also believe if Constantine disrupts this balance, King Phantom may take his life.â Deadman turns back, âThatâs why I vote to keep Constantine. If heâs in the JLD, we can monitor him more closely, we would know when this balance is tipped.â
Constantine is, well, bored, he learned this when researching his new âowner.â Heard it was a child, one that was goofing around in some lab, their life snuffed out in seconds. He also heard rumours that King Phantom actually kept the child, as some kind of half-zombie thing that did their bidding, to create things to keep ghosts in line. Heard other rumours that the child was actually still alive but got away by trading their soul away, and when they die, they will forever live in the Infinite Realms, unable to reincarnate. Whatever is true, heâs royally screwed over. He relays as such to the Justice League, who all gasp and revolt in disgust, speaking over one another.
He sits back and watches the chaos as everyone discusses, the merit of going after King Phantom. Itâs Batman whoâs breaking up fights this time. âENOUGHâ The sharp voice shuts everyone up and gets Constantine to pay attention again. âWe do not have time for this.â Batman stands and begins his speech, âThis child, as Constantine and Deadman put it, has sealed their fate, however accidental, and there isnât anything we can do. We donât know which dimension they originate from, we donât know who this child is and we certainly arenât strong enough if it comes to war. This Phantom resides in the Infinite Realms, who has access to every soul who has died in every dimension and can command an undead army, as Zatanna has told us. All we can do, is utilize the time we have left.â
âAs I see it, we have two options. 1, We vote to keep Constantine, and we try to minimize his death conditions, make sure he isnât tipping the scales of balance and document his knowledge. Or 2, We vote to remove Constantine from the League entirely and wish him the best.â Constantine is stunned by these options, âBabysitting or Abandonment? Whatâs your Options?â Heâs looking around when Batman continues, âVote now.â Batman is typing a few things into his arm gauntlet, and a hologram projection is appearing in front of everyone. The words âIn Favorâ and âOpposedâ are even presented to Constantine. Quickly pressing âIn Favor,â Constantine is looking around and sees that most, if not all, have already voted, and results are populating the center of the room.
âIt is done.â Batman drawls, âYou are staying in the League.â The results show a 76%-24% scale. John does a quick count of the room, and that means 6 people were willing to leave him to his own devices, which doesnât really bug him. He gets to stay. John is sitting up, hoping that this meeting is coming to an end, when Batman says, âNow, thereâs the matter of whoâs going to house you for the time being and help record your knowledge.â âBullocks,â John thinks, sinking back down his seat a bit.
Totally forgot to post this yesterday.
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