Multiverse Stories (Multicross: DC, DXD, Marvel, ETC,)

(Robin (Richard Grayson) POV)

Four years…

I've been working with Bruce for four years now… It's almost hard to imagine how fast the time has passed by. I miss them still.

Every night, I fought criminals, monsters, and madmen. I do admit, I believe I've seen everything. Nothing can truly compare to seeing the leftover effects of a Joker toxin attack.

But it would be more shameful to not move forward for them. It would make their deaths meaningless.

When Batman joined the Justice League during the Appalachian invasion, I got to see what were essentially gods that looked human. Superman alone could kill Batman in seconds.

But yet they choose to help people… it's inspiring. Yet there are still some days that surprise me.

Solomon… He's odd. I never really liked magic, as it always made things a lot more complicated than it should be. It's the one thing I'll agree with Wally on. Magic makes no sense to any of us other than Kaldur.

Yet even he hasn't seen the stuff that Solomon did in a few minutes. Walking behind him, I look over the new member of our protégé ensemble. Every movement isn't wasted, the peak of efficiency. It was like I was looking at Batman, but unlike Batman, his movements were a lot more subtle.

Unlike Batman, who moves with martial efficiency and makes every single movement count, Solomon makes every movement effortlessly. But it's not that which makes me nervous.

It's how easy he made everything look. Superboy, a legitimate clone of Superman, taken down in seconds. He made it look like child's play, and while Superboy isn't trained and hasn't had exposure to real solar radiation, it was something.

The amount of training Solomon must've done to control that amount of power… It must've been tough.

Trying to remember everything I could on Zatara, there are very few people that he would take as an apprentice, and knowing Bruce, he probably already knew.

As the elevator continues to climb through the floors, Solomon just stands there, utterly and completely silent. Wally just continues to tap his foot on the ground over and over and over again, while Kaldur is also seemingly trying to analyze Solomon.

"By the way, Superboy…" The clone looks over to Solomon as he turns towards the son of Superman.

"It's probably nighttime by now, so while you're not gonna be able to see the sun immediately, you're going to get to see the moon. And by the way, if anyone ever tells you that the moon is made of cheese, they are a liar." Superboy just looked confused at the last part, not understanding that he'll get to see the sun in a couple of hours anyway.

However, as I examine the clone further, he seemed nervous. I am too, as Bruce is definitely going to kill me.

As the elevator opens to the ground floor, I again wonder why this seems so easy. But ignoring the feeling, we exit the building and see that there are still some firefighters near the site.

Turning around to look towards Superboy and Solomon, I see that they're gone, to which Wally and Kaldur do the same, seemingly utterly surprised.

"Wait, where did they go?" Wally then looks up towards the roof and sees Solomon and Superboy just staring up at the sky.

Firing off my grappling hook, it connects with the top of the building, and all three of us scale the building.

"Didn't know we were so much of a tourist group, Solomon. Already seen the sights?" Solomon just gives him a small wave, and as all of us walk over towards them, Superboy just looks up at the moon.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" The question is met with a unanimous nod from all of us.

It's also really big tonight. I wonder how Alfred's doing?

Soon enough, however, the static that once filled my communicator dies as I immediately and reluctantly call Bruce.

Before I'm able to say a word, Bruce's voice immediately comes through, "Stay where you are. We're already on our way. And Robin, we will be continuing this conversation in private. Make sure to keep everyone else near your position."

"Roger that, Batman. How did things go with Wotan?" For a few moments, I hear some grunts, as if recalling painful memories.

"Thankfully, we were able to use the artifact that he managed to steal from the Giza Museum to reverse his ritual. Thankfully, Zatara managed to sense the ritual before it was completed. I'll debrief you once we return to the cave. Batman out."

Hanging up the communicator, Solomon just looked at me as if he had heard that entire conversation. The mask definitely doesn't help, as when I try to use the scanner that I have in my mask, all I get is nothing.

You can't see his eyes, but I can almost feel him looking right through me. Honestly, he almost reminds me of Batman in that way, except with less of a glare and more of a "I know things you don't" look.

"Did he give you an ETA?" Solomon asks through his mask. Even now, I'm trying to place the voice, but it sounds like a combination of bass and baritone, which I assume is some type of magical voice modulator.

"No exact numbers, but he did say that he'd be here soon. Well, Superboy, at least we'll be able to keep one promise: you're going to meet Superman." For a few seconds, a small smile appears on Superboy's face, but Solomon places a hand on the clone's shoulder.

"Just be prepared, Superboy. While you are technically his son, you were made from material he didn't consent to. He won't try to kill you on sight, but I imagine it's going to be a bit awkward." While I wanted to call him a Debbie Downer, he isn't wrong.

"Come on, Solomon. He just got to stretch his legs, and besides, Supes is awesome. I remember the one time he brought an entire group of kids suffering from cancer to the Hall of Justice. I remember the looks on those kids' faces. He showed them the best day of their lives. While I wasn't there for too long as Flash and I had to leave to fight Captain Cold, we kept photos." The story seems to alleviate Superboy's concerns for a few seconds.

But again, Solomon very slightly puts his head down, and to be honest, I do as well. People don't exactly take it very well when they get surprise kids, and the fact that whatever this organization is was able to make a living clone of Superman is very alarming.

The question is: who could be leading it? Something of this scale requires millions, if not billions, of dollars of R&D. The only organizations I could think of off the top of my head were Intergang and a couple of cults.

Before I could think of anything else, Superboy's eyes narrow as he sees figures flying in the distance. To be honest, I take a breath of relief as well. I'm probably going to be in for a bit of an ass-kicking; these big-league fights always slightly worry me.

As most of the League lands on the roof, Batman walks over to all of us and, in typical Batman fashion, says two words:

"Start talking."

(Gale POV)

[+100 CP Achievement: Stop The Creation Of Blockbuster]

[+200 CP Achievement: Save Superboy]

[+100 CP Milestone]

[400 CP Remaining]

"Start talking."

Truly, the Bat growl is strong in this one. Robin begins explaining the reason as to why we assaulted this facility, as well as the basics—biological weapons and the clone of Superman.

Superman himself, standing a decent five meters away, looks at Superboy, and his eyes widen. In them, I see surprise as well as fear. It's not fear of Superboy; it's fear of what he represents.

The fact that they somehow managed to clone him.

As Superboy tries to approach Superman, the man just shuffles in place awkwardly. The look of betrayal in the clone's eyes is almost heartbreaking.

The other protégés head over to their respective mentors, with Aquaman giving Aqualad a stern talking-to while Flash just hugs Wally, seeing that he's okay. Batman is just staring down at Robin like a disappointed parent, which is a lot more ironic given their relationship.

"You know, I didn't think you coming with me to the Hall of Justice would lead to this. It seems that you've inherited my luck."

Looking toward my father, I try to think of a response, using the decent amount of mental partitioning that I've learned.

"Well, you know the whole thing about interesting times. But at this point, I think it's a bit irrelevant. But for a first mission, it was definitely something."

For a few seconds, we just stare at each other, but Zatara then places a hand on my back and leans close.

"I'm happy you're all right. You had me worried. What were you thinking?" He then leans away, awaiting my answer.

"If I wanted to be entirely honest, I would say that I simply wanted to test what I've learned, and I wanted to make sure that the others weren't captured by whoever's running this science nightmare."

My father slightly facepalms as he sighs in exasperation.

"You truly have inherited your mother's stubbornness. But I would be a hypocrite to say that I'm not proud of what you have accomplished. From what I hear from Robin and Kid Flash, you handled yourself very well. But try not to do this too many times—my old heart can't take much more."

I know he can't see it, but I am definitely giving him a look right now.

"Now it's time to go home."

But before he can utter the teleportation spell, I take out the serum that I had taken from Dr. Desmond.

"By the way, Master, I found this on one of the scientists. He attempted to drink it, but I was able to stop him. Mind handing this to the League for study?"

As I hand him the Blockbuster serum, he takes a look at it and again smiles.

"Decisive and bold. Truly, you inherited your parents' worst traits. Don't worry, the League will begin to study it immediately."

After placing it in his hat, he then utters the teleportation spell, and we are sent back home.

Before we are teleported, I see Batman looking directly at me, and after giving him a bit of a cheeky goodbye wave, we return home.

As I head over and close the window, I take the mask off my face as well as the robes.

Zatara then sits down on the bed, gesturing that I should do the same.

"Tomorrow, I will tell your mother and your sister that you have inherited magical abilities. For now, however, I want you to know how proud I am. Even after only a couple of days of having your powers, you took a risk and saved an innocent life. Magic is a dangerous thing. If used too much or too often, it enacts a price. It's why I don't regularly use very powerful spells. Yet you seem unafraid, and while that is good for learning magic, restraint is also a very important factor.

To understand magic, you must be disciplined, and from the words I've heard from Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad, you performed admirably. Now, I should be punishing you for not staying at the Hall of Justice, and to do so, you need to go to sleep for the night. No late-night practice. Understood?"

Giving him a small nod, he then takes my mask and robes and leaves the room.

Honestly, I'm almost shaking with excitement to test out my new magic, but for now, let's do what the parent says. It gives me time to think of a way to disappear to my new tower… I have my own wizard tower…

To be honest, a small tear runs down my face, as I'm so happy. Every great wizard has to have their fortress or tower. And while the one I have is a copy of someone else's, it's enough for me.

Summoning the book to my hands, I place my head against the cover, and as I fall asleep, I see the tower floating in my dreams.

(Zatara POV)

Walking into the bedroom, I see my wife reading a book, and after undressing, I walk over to her and kiss her on the forehead.

My wife smiles the same way she has done for years now, one that uplifts my spirit so much that I feel like I'm on cloud nine.

"Someone's happy. So, did something good happen today? But if you start talking about a ritual or some new type of spell you found, I'm ignoring you." I just hug my wife and feel her heartbeat.

"Our son has magic."

The statement leaves my wife silent, as her arms then wrap around my back.

"He does? Truly? Please tell me you are not lying, Giovanni." I nod my head as she begins to cry in happiness.

It's been an issue, as my wife has always blamed herself for our son not having magic, even though there have been records of two wizards having children and them not having the potential for magic. For a few minutes, we just sit in bed, hugging one another.

"When did this happen?"

I then tell her what our son told me earlier, with my wife almost laughing at the circumstances that led to our son's magical awakening.

"It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, but what I don't understand is why it took so long? Zatanna showed her magic when she was not even seven years old."

Yes, that is something I must investigate, but for now, I just enjoy my wife's presence.

The fact that I almost lost her has weighed heavily on me for a while. The fact that with all of my strength, all of my knowledge, it meant nothing in the face of normal diseases. I had a gut feeling that my son had something to do with my beloved's recovery, but after finding nothing leading to that fact, I just assumed it was a miracle.

The fact that I no longer have to exclude one of my children makes this day one I shall remember forever. I imagine Zatanna will be overjoyed with this news.

However, after closing all of the windows and dimming the lights, I look to my wife, and we embrace.

(Gotham City: The Batcave)

In the depths of Wayne Manor lies the titular Batcave, with the many monitors glowing brightly with use as a certain caped crusader begins planning another project.

The screen then lights up with various charts, showing a certain new figure in the superhero community.

Various data flies across the screen, faster than any normal human would be able to absorb.

Below all of that lies the name of the new project. One of many logged in the Batcomputer's systems.

Project: Goetia (Anti-Solomon)

(Unknown Location)

In a seemingly endless room, multiple monitors activate, displaying white silhouettes, making those on the other side of the screens indistinguishable from each other.

"A new threat has appeared," one of the voices says, their tone echoing throughout the empty room.

"Yes… It seems that the protégés have stumbled upon something they shouldn't have."

"Was it wise to leave Guardian as the leader of Cadmus? He could be compromised by the League at any moment."

"The League is not so distrusting that they would check the minds of their members, especially as deeply as we have placed the programming in our clones. Let them think that they have won this battle. I am more intrigued by the newest anomaly."

"This Solomon? Yes, his actions during the release of Superboy do warrant some concern. It seems that Zatara has taken a new student, one that he has hidden from us."

"What of his son? Are we to believe that he is also now active?"

"That is not possible. He has not shown any traces of magic for years. While he is a straight-A student, there is nothing special about him. Although his work ethic does almost make me want to hire him for my company."

"We shall monitor the situation further, and if the heroes keep trying to interfere with our plans, they shall see the light. For now, we are going to have to deal with some loose ends."

"My Shadows shall take it upon themselves to get rid of these targets. Their usefulness to the Light has come to an end."

The monitors then turn off, leaving the room silent. However, two of them remain.

"What could you make out from the video?"

"Haha! That's the thing—I couldn't recognize any of what I've seen, other than the lightning magic. It's so exciting. I haven't seen something this new since… ever! Yes, it seems that something new has appeared on the board. And it looks like you may be able to keep that deal. Now, I have other things to deal with, and I have this Solomon to find. Toodles!"

The final two monitors then go dark, and the room falls silent.

(Well boys and girls it seems that our protagonist has gained some not so friendly stalkers. We'll be getting into more content soon enough. Thank you again for reading through all of this. And while I apologize for the lack of action in this chapter think of it more like an interlude.)