Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Emerald Flight Book One: Union
Chapter Ten: Fear Part One
“I see,” summarized Batman as everyone gathered around after Harry completed his explanation. “And chocolate is the only thing that helps against them.”
“Well, there’s the Patronus Charm, but you have to be a wizard to do that and have really happy memories,” said Harry, as his arm was around Kara’s waist and he inclined her head right at her. “It’s fortunate I got an entire new store of them when I did.”
“Glad to help,” said Kara with a smile. “You said we couldn’t see them…”
“That’s not going to help us much then,” said Nightwing as he looked up.
The young wizard coughed. “You might not be able to see them, but you’re going to know that they’re there.”
“Crane’s the real threat that we have to focus on at the moment,” said Batman.
“Actually, the Scarecrow appears to be merely a pawn in this scheme.”
A red haired man with a white bolt of lighting through his hair had arrived, dressed in a suit.
“I’ve met some of you, but my name is Jason Blood, former knight of Camelot, Occultist, and well my other half, you may get to know him before too long,” said the man as he turned to Harry and Kara. “And you must be Harry and Kara Potter.”
“We are,” agreed Harry.
“Needless to say, I’ve heard more of a few rumors of what has happened, but we don’t need to rehash that again,” said Blood in a swift tone. “Time is of the essence. I come to you with a warning. The witch known as Morgaine le Faye has presented herself. I have tracked her to Gotham City and discovered the theft of the Phobos Totem.”
“The Phobos Totem?” asked Harry in a confused voice.
“I trust that little bit was kept out of your History of Magic class?” prompted Blood.
“No, all we learned about was Goblin Rebellions,” said Harry.
The occultist sighed. “Very well, I believe a quick history lesson is in order.”
Blood cleared his throat before he continued. “The Phobos Totem was created by a dark wizard many centuries back, even before your current Ministry. It was dark magic at its lowest definition. It drew off of the greatest subconscious fears of the individuals.”
The former knight allowed his story to sink in.
“Phobos as dubbed himself, converted his own followers into these creatures to punish all who opposed him. This statue was the crux of his powers. The creatures, Dementors as they were later called, were sealed away in Antarctica where they could perish. Yet, the Ministry of Magic dug them up and saw it fit to put them in charge of a prison where they could feed.”
“Then they joined Riddle,” muttered Harry. “Figures the Ministry would bugger everyone.”
“Not the most elegant way of putting it, but the assessment is well appreciated,” said Blood. “That witch plans to put her brat on the throne, and she’s going to bury Gotham City in a plague of fear. She knows Crane is fanatical enough to destroy this entire city, all for a mere experiment”
“So they…summon these Dementors?” asked Batgirl in a hushed voice.
“No, far worse,” answered Blood. “The Phobos Totem has the capability of turning humans into Dementors.”
The man allowed that bit to sink in before he summarized. “Everyone, man, women, and child will be consumed by their worst phobias.”
Everyone remained silent. All looked horrified. Batman turned his head for a second before he turned back and retained his stony expression.
“Merlin’s beard,” gasped Harry, as Kara grabbed onto Harry and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Batgirl nearly break down. She took a breath to compose herself.
Blood just looked at him with a faint smile. “Merlin would find great amusement of the usage of his beard as a euphemism in lieu of a swear, but…beside the point right now. The statue just was activated. The fog this city has undergone is merely the first sign.”
“We shouldn’t wait around for the next sign,” said Batman as he pieced together a battle plan. “Nightwing and Robin, you’re with me, we’re going to meet with Gordon and fill him in on the situation. Batgirl, Supergirl, and Potter, figure out a way to locate Crane. I’ll see if I can get any specifications to you when I can. Blood find le Faye.”
“It won’t be easy,” said Blood. “She has an amulet that warns her if I am close.”
“Don’t get close yet, just find her,” said Batman, as he got to his feet. “Let’s go, we have no time to waste.”
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Gordon looked up into the sky, surrounded by fog as he looked up. “All of this fog, what could it mean?”
“Nothing good,” muttered Bullock as he looked up but he saw a shadowed figure. “Figured you’d be in the middle of this freak show.”
“What’s the story now?” asked Gordon.
The Detective paused for a mere second. “Crane has stolen a mystic totem. He is channeling the power of one of the darkest creatures known to man. These Dementors cannot be seen by mundane eyes. They feed on the deepest darkest fears of all humans. Until they are nothing.”
“So get some wizard on the line then and have him track down these things,” said Bullock.
“I’m already on it,” said Batman without missing a beat. “The problem is finding Crane. The fog is merely the beginning of a bigger plague. The city will be engulfed.”
Batman watched Nightwing and Robin, as they moved around. Several cars skidded a stop already. His two protégés checked for civilians.
“It’s begun,” muttered Batman.
“Is there anything that we can do to stop these creatures?” asked Gordon.
“No,” said Batman. “Nothing you can do, but I’m working on something that might be able to stall them for a short time.”
Gordon was not surprised at this.
“So if your wizard fails, we’re all screwed then,” said Bullock as he flicked away another toothpick. “This old man better have some good shazam tricks up his sleeve, because this fog’s just getting worse.”
“Not an old man,” muttered Batman. “Much younger, but he’s fought these things many times before.”
Bullock and Gordon both seemed skeptical at this.
“Alright, I’m going to trust your judgment, if your young wizard has fought these Dementors before,” said Gordon. “But is there any way to reverse the effects of these things?”
“Chocolate. Get lots of chocolate. All of the chocolate you can find in Gotham.”
Batman used this as an opportunity to excuse himself.
“Chocolate?” asked Bullock. “Commish, I think the Bat’s off his nut, what good is chocolate going to do against monsters?”
“Do you want to argue with him?” asked Gordon as he turned to Bullock with a set look. “Now get all of the squads on deck and find all of the chocolate you can and I guess feed it to people who look like they have been affected by these things.”
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Three young people were in a practical looking room. There was a shelf of books and a teddy bear perched on the top of the shelf off to the side, a bed horizontal to it.
Barbara was at her computer and typed away. Kara and Harry rested on their fronts next to each other on the bed behind her. Heads were up and their legs both were elevated, crossed at the knees. A bag had sit to the other side of them.
“So what exactly are you doing?” asked Harry
“Depends, how much do you know about computers?” asked Barbara.
Harry looked off in the distance and thought. “Well my powers can make them blow up if I get too upset. And I know that little CD Rom thing isn’t a drink cup holder.”
Kara bit back a snicker at that last one.
“You mean, they didn’t teach you how to use them at your school?” questioned Barbara in surprise.
“No, technology doesn’t work that well with magic,” explained Harry. “Something about the magic in the air causes everything to short circuit or something.”
Barbara just shook her head. She knew she should not judge but at the same time she could not resist. “How…how do they expect you to function in the real world? Computers are everywhere, and…they’re going to be even more so in a few years the way things are going. You can’t just avoid them for long.”
“You’d be surprised what they can avoid if they put their minds to it,” said Harry.
“Yeah, to them, their little community is the only world,” added Kara, with a sad shake of her head.
“Do you even know how to type?” asked Barbara.
“Yeah, I can do it, one finger,” admitted Harry.
“Ah, the old hunt and peck method,” muttered Barbara as she looked at Harry with pity.
“Yeah, and Harry’s relatives wouldn’t spring for a computer class,” added Kara, as her arms were folded as she bit back any number of comments she had. She decided to get back on track. “But we’re getting off the subject, what are we doing?”
“Well, I’m trying to see if any satellites picked up any weird spikes of energy,” said Barbara. “I mean, magic is energy, kind of…isn’t it Harry?”
“Well yes, if you want to put it like that, it’s a lot of energy,” said Harry who was at a loss to complain a diverse and complex thing such as magic.
“Kind of like a non-lethal form of radiation,” suggested Kara.
Harry looked at her. “Well kind of but not really. Magic is magic. It’s hard to really measure.”
“Well whatever it is, I’m getting a reading,” said Barbara, as she sat right up and Harry and Kara scrambled to a sitting position “Let’s see…if I can get in…”
Kara looked impatient. She stood and leaned over. “I know what to do here, you’re going too slow.”
“I’m typing at a hundred words a minute, just be patient,” said Barbara.
“That’s all?” asked Kara. “Here let me take a crack at it.”
Against her better judgment, Barbara got up and looked at Harry. Kara put herself in front of the keyboard and began to type away as she looked at the screen. Her hands were a blur.
“Something’s wrong with your keyboard,” muttered Kara but she realized, she had nothing but a pile of dust. “Um, whoops.”
Barbara just sighed and patted her friend on the back. “And this is why I always have a spare keyboard. After the coffee maker incident, I knew that sometimes you tended to get a little excited.”
“Barbara!” whined Kara as she watched Barbara plug in her new keyboard. “Why did you have to bring that up? That was over a year ago.”
“Coffee maker incident?” asked Harry with amusement.
"Funny story, I might have to share it later,” muttered Barbara and the mortified look on Kara’s face was priceless.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” said Harry as he pulled back her hair and looked in her eyes. “Kara, you learned your lesson didn’t you?”
“Yeah”, said the girl with a fond smile. “It’s just…”
“It was embarrassing, I know,” said Harry. “But you’re doing well right now, you just make a mistake or two. All of the mistakes I’ve made…they can fill books.”
“I found it, I think I know where Crane is,” said Barbara but she took a deep breath and focused. “Yeah, he’s holed up right at the old Gotham City Fairgrounds. It has to be the place. The energy readings are off the charts…”
Barbara paused and fresh data arrived.
“Batman sent me a reading,” muttered Barbara. “These numbers…they look like binary, but that can’t be right. They’d all be ones and zeros. Plus all of the weird symbols.”
“Arithmancy,” said Harry and then he cringed.
“Not your best subject?” asked Barbara.
“No, I never took it,” said Harry. “I know bits and pieces, my friend gave me a book and insisted I study on it and Ancient Runes in my free time, but…”
“Do you have any idea?” asked Kara.
Harry studied the numbers but nothing made sense.
“We’re just going to have to do the best we can,” said Harry. “Maybe if we stop the spell…but that would mean getting our hands on the statue.”
“And that’s with Crane,” said Barbara as she took a deep breath. “I…”
“He did something to you, didn’t he?” asked Harry.
The twenty two year old girl looked frozen. “How did you…”
“I have a good eye,” said Harry. “Just take your time.”
“Barbara, Harry won’t think any less of you, just tell him,” encouraged Kara with a smile.
It was not easy, but Barbara just told Harry everything that happened with the last Scarecrow incident. Harry remained attentive.
“That’s a lot, but you’re still here,” said Harry. “I’ve…had nightmares too like that. A friend of mine was killed in front of me. I still remember when my parents die.”
“You were one when that happened though,” gasped Barbara.
“My memory is good,” said Harry. “We’re all afraid of something, Barbara. Crane is making my greatest fear come to life.”
“Oh my God,” whispered Barbara when it clicked. “And you’re…you’re going to fight them.”
“No I’m not going to fight them,” said Harry. “I’m going to beat them.”
A quick kiss and hug was given by his wife before she broke apart. “I know you will.”
“You are really something aren’t you?” asked Barbara. “Kara couldn’t have chosen better.”
Harry paused for a moment and he opened his bag. “Chocolate, it will help loads. You’ll need your strength when you get out there.”
It was a good thing he stocked up on chocolate before he left. Remus had told him that he might encounter Dementors so it was best to be prepared.
He handed the chocolate out to both girls.
“Chocolate Frogs?” asked Barbara as she eyed it apprehensive. “They’re…not really frogs are they?”
Harry laughed at this statement.
“No of course not,” said Harry as he watched his wife unwrap hers. “It’s just an enchantment.”
“Good, oh this is good,” said Kara in between bites of the frog. “Say what you want about the politicians and the attitudes of some of the people in the magical world…but chocolate is one of their strong points.”
She looked at Barbara and encouraged her. “Oh come on, try it, it won’t hurt you.”
Barbara unwrapped the chocolate frog and nibbled on it. “This really is the best. My fingers feel warm and everything…thanks Harry.”
“Yeah thanks Harry,” added Kara, before she licked the chocolate off of her fingers.
“No problem,” said Harry. “We better get going...hang on Kara, you have some chocolate on your lips.”
Kara leaned forward and pressed her lips against his mouth.
“Now who has the chocolate on his lips?” teased Kara but Harry just smiled and licked his lips, as he shouldered his bag.
“After you, my love,” said Harry, as he opened the door and Kara walked out. He followed and Barbara left last, after she logged off her computer and locked the door behind her.
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“You sure this plan of yours will work, sir?” asked Alfred as he leaned over Batman’s shoulder.
“Not exactly, but this may be able to keep them at bay for a few moments,” said Batman.
“There are things that not even the great Batman can invent his way out of,” said Alfred, but at that moment, there was a loud thud. “My word…”
At that moment, the World’s Greatest Detective was rigid. He knew there was a guest in the Bat Cave and said guest was not one that was welcomed.
“Show yourself,” ordered Batman and a middle aged man with black hair dressed in robes and the most absurd looking fake nose turned around. “Who are you?”
The man now casually sat on the floor of the Batcave and ate nachos. “Oh, I’ve been called many things over the years. I followed you into the cave….”
“Wait, I know who you are,” said Batman before he removed the nose and prepared for a fight. “Sirius Black, the notorious convinced mass murderer over in Great Britain.”
“Wait, wait,” said Sirius in an offended voice. “I was never convicted and I never murdered anyone…although I could be pretty notorious with the ladies.”
Batman did not respond and he just stared Sirius down. Sirius held out his food. “Nachos?”
“I don’t eat nachos,” said Batman in a stoic voice but he paused as he heard the communication piece in his ear crackle to life. “Yes, Robin.”
“The situation’s getting a bit bad, more people are passing out, we’re getting the chocolate, but I don’t know how we can get it to everyone,” said Robin. “Nightwing’s meeting with Bullock and Gordon…where’s Harry in all of this?”
“Just one second,” said Batman. “Yes…Batgirl.”
“We know where Crane is, the Gotham City Fair,” she said over the communication link.
“The situation the city’s getting worse, we’ll deal with Crane,” said Batman.
“So, what’s up?” asked Sirius.
“Do you know anything about Dementors?” asked Batman.
The dark haired man responded. “Should bloody well hope so. I only roomed with them for about twelve years. I was only the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
The Marauder stalled as he went down a really bad trip on memory lane. “Azkaban, a horrible place to live, worse place to visit, and the food sucked. Everyone went mad. I almost did…but I had help.”
“I see,” said Batman as he looked over Sirius one more time. “You.”
“Who me?” asked Sirius.
“Years again in Cairo,” said Batman.
Sirius was confused but then remembered. “Oh right, the pink cowl thing, so that was you.”
He laughed at the memories. “Ah, you were so young back then, look what you turned into now.”
“Funny,” said Batman in a voice devoid of humor. “Get in the car, don’t touch anything.”
“Me?” asked Sirius. “What do you want…”
Batman cut him off. “You are a wizard, you have a wand. We need all hands on deck.”
“You just don’t want to leave me alone in your cave,” prompted Sirius.
“Yes,” said Batman without a moment’s pause, as he watched Sirius get in. “Seatbelt, because I don’t want to pry you off my windshield.”
Sirius gave a salute, but he was met by the Batman glare of death. The shift of the Batmobile was pulled and the car drove right back into Gotham City.
“We do need better locks,” summarized Alfred in a nonchalant voice as he turned to resume his duties.
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Scarecrow gazed upon the statue in his hand, a sadistic expression appeared right on his face. The Master of Fear could fear the terror but he must have more.
“Boss, what is that thing?” asked one of his henchmen.
“Yeah, starting to creep me out,” said another henchmen.
“As it should,” said the criminal. “This is pure fear personified. Even the most hardened of men will be terrified at the memories inspired.”
Scarecrow paused as he looked at the statue right in his hand.
“In fact, the witch said if I direct the statue’s power at a source, I should be able to create creatures faster,” muttered Scarecrow. “All I need is some…test subjects.”
The henchmen looked at each other rather fearfully. The Scarecrow turned the statue to the side. Mist flew from the statue and engulfed his own men.
They shrieked in absolute terror, as all of their worst moments were replayed right in their heads.
The group of eight hardened criminals twitched and dropped right onto their knees. The skin turned rather clammy and black cloaks grew right over them.
“Excellent,” whispered the villain as he studied his little fear demons. “Eight dime store thugs turned into agents of absolute and utter fear. There will be more. Bring me more test subjects, the strongest you can find.”
The newly converted Dementors gave ghostly nods. The horrors glided right into Gotham City.
Scarecrow sat down upon a chair and cradled the statue right in his hands.
“Intoxicating,” breathed the Scarecrow as the statue glowed and gave an eerie hum.
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Batgirl swung over at the scene and Kara was in the air. Harry clutched onto his wife’s neck, on her back, as she dropped down. Harry slid down onto his feet. Robin and Nightwing both joined them and shivered.
“Cold, it’s getting hard to…” said Robin, but Harry reached into his bag.
“Take this,” said Harry as he handed out the chocolate to the two heroes. “If actual Dementors start getting bred, we’re going to need to keep focused.”
“Are there…” started Nightwing.
“Just a lot of fog,” agreed Harry, as he stepped right into the streets of Gotham.
Several civilians shivered right on the streets, as the Gotham City Police Force moved around.
“What’s happening?” moaned one of the civilians.
Another one breathed. “I can…barely move.”
Harry moved over to meet Commissioner Gordon.
“Do you have the chocolate?” called Harry.
“Working on it right now,” said Gordon before he looked at Harry over the top of his glasses and studied the young wizard. “You’re the expert he talked about.”
There was a second of silence. “Well, not the word I would use…but I know about them.”
“Better than we got right now,” said Gordon in a gruff voice as he watched a large truck pull up .
Harvey Bullock arrived, squeezed behind the wheel.
“That better be enough chocolate,” said Bullock as stepped out of the truck, a box of donuts in hand and a toothpick in his mouth. He turned and looked at Harry. “Scram kid, this is police work.”
Harry’s eyes just narrowed, as he fingered his wand.
“That’s our expert…” said Gordon as he prompted Harry for an introduction.
“Harry Potter,” introduced Harry with a smirk.
“You’ve got be kidding me,” said Bullock as he shook his head as he took in Harry’s rather unthreatening form. “What’s he going to do?”
“Well I’m kind of the one who has the best chance of saving you,” said Harry in a cool voice. “You look like the type that wouldn’t last five seconds against a real Dementor.”
Bullock stammered. “Hey…you’d be surprised what I’ve seen. Twenty years on this beat, and I’ve seen things that will make you wet your pants.”
“I’ve seen things in the girl’s bathroom at my old school that would make you wet yours,” countered Harry without missing a beat as he saw the two girls show up.
“Detective Bullock, look for people out there, who are the weakest and have your men get them the chocolate,” ordered the Commissioner and Bullock prepared to do as he was told.
Batgirl appeared right next to Harry and spoke to him in an undertone. “Made friends with Harvey Bullock, Harry?”
"Yeah, bit rude isn’t he?” muttered Harry.
“Ah, don’t sweat it,” said Batgirl as she waved her hand. “Bullock’s like that with everyone, that’s just who he is.”
“Yeah, he’s nothing but a bunch of hot air,” added Kara as they moved in. “Just…he gave both of us a really hard time when we first met, but he did kind of compliment us in the end.”
“What?” asked Gordon as he clung onto the side of the squad car. “A group of people dropped down right in the middle of the street, just like that….near frostbite conditions.”
Harry rushed right over to get a better listen.
“Dementors, it has to be, he’s made some,” whispered Harry. “Yes, it has to be, I can feel them.”
“So what do we do, Mr. Wizard?” asked Bullock as he had continued to give the rest orders.
“Get people as far away from the next block as you can,” said Harry as he held out his bag and handed it to Kara, but he kept a few pieces with himself. “I’m going to go deal with the Dementors right now.”
“Get them, Harry,” said Kara, before she embraced and kissed her husband good bye. She did not want to let go but she had to.
Harry moved off, as everyone looked bent right over, a bit frigid. She reached into the bag. “Here chocolate, more, we’re going to all need some. Those things are getting closer.”
Bullock placed his box of donuts down on the hood of a car and turned to the rest of the officers. “No one go anywhere near my donuts, or you’ll be busted down to paperwork.”
Down the next block, Harry surveyed the situation.
He let the breath out, and ate a bit of chocolate, as he saw downed figures right in the street. His steps quickened, eyes darted from side to side as he spotted the Dementors. One of them had a young girl right in its grasp.
Harry screwed up his eyes and recalled his first time with the love of his life. Well the one he could remember.
“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” cried Harry as the Patronus erupted right from his wand. The Dementors dropped their intended victim right away.
The cloaks ripped away from the Dementors and their skin gained color. A group of eight men dropped to the ground and shivered, barely able to move.
Harry walked over to the little girl who shivered and looked terrified.
“Who are you?” whispered the girl.
“A friend, don’t be scared,” said Harry in a gentle voice with a smile, as he held out chocolate. “You’ll feel better when you eat this, honest.”
The child took the chocolate and ate it, before she nodded.
“T-thank you, mister,” said the girl. “I feel better…I lost my Mommy…she fell down over there.”
Harry’s heart skipped a beat, as he looked at the woman who was hunched over. The Boy-Who-Lived looked right at her.
“Speak to me if you’re alive in there,” he encouraged.
“Alive…awful…felt like…” stammered the woman. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, as he handed his last bit of chocolate to her. “I…”
Harry just inclined his head with a nod. The woman took the chocolate and the warmth returned to her, to give her a nod to get up.
“Go, get as far away from here as you can,” said Harry, as he looked down and saw several bodies on the ground, as he nearly staggered.
Kara was behind Harry to catch him. She gave Harry a warm smile as he turned to look in her face, legs buckled slightly.
“I saw that,” said Kara as she held him up, with the bag right over her shoulder. “Here, you need some chocolate now…”
“I had some,” muttered Harry.
“You need more, you fought those things up close,” said the blonde girl, as she held out the chocolate and handed it to her husband. He took it with a nod and ate it. “Here you go, feel better?”
“Yes,” said Harry. “You?”
“Always with you,” replied the girl, as Harry was able to stand on his own accord.
Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon appeared on the scene.
“Did things get much warmer around here?” asked Nightwing.
“Yeah, I feel it too, it’s almost like…” said Robin before he turned to Harry. “Did you do something?”
Harry explained himself. “The Patronus Charm, it’s a spell that chased Dementors off and fueled with your happiest memories.”
“So what did you use?” asked Kara, and Harry turned to whisper in her ear.
“Our first time,” whispered Harry right in her ear. “You said it was magic.”
The blonde Kryptonian grinned from ear to ear as she got the message.
She shook her head, when she saw the seriousness of the situation.
“We’re too late for some of these people,” muttered Nightwing as he kneeled down. “No pulse.”
“They’ve been kissed,” explained Harry. “The Dementors suck out your soul.”
Harry gave the same explanation he gave Kara a while back about the Dementors.
Gordon’s professional demeanor faltered. “Dare I ask how you know so much?”
“Experience, they nearly did it to me when I was thirteen,” said Harry as his stoic resolve nearly slipped. “Never mind my near death experience, these were the Dementors…well they weren’t complete Dementors.”
“Not complete,” whispered Batgirl. “Those things…”
“I recognize three of these faces from Blackgate,” said Gordon as he looked at them. “They’re still breathing, for what it’s worth. I’ll get them to the hospital, clear the path, so you can stop Crane.”
The group nodded. Kara turned to the rest of the Bat Family.
“So where’s your leader in all of this?” asked Kara.
“He must have gotten sidetracked,” suggested Robin. “He had to return to the Cave for something.”
“We’re going to have to go without him, he’s going to have to catch up,” said Harry before he turned to Batgirl before his voice dropped to a whisper. “And to answer your question, Barbara, they weren’t full Dementors because they were still partially human.”
A breath was taken as he continued with his conclusion. “If they had been completely transformed, they would have lost their humanity. Soulless monsters.”
They were all silent, as they made their way closer to the Gotham City Fair Ground. The fog had begun to thicken once again.
“Only eight of them,” thought Harry. “If Crane makes more….focus on stopping him Potter. Don’t worry about what ifs. ”
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The Scarecrow stood right on his feet and watched the progress of his little soldiers of fear. Many weak fools dropped, succumbed to their own fears. It was like their very souls were ripped from their bodies.
Yet, there was a new hero on the scene, one that Scarecrow had never seen before. He had watched the battle.
Eight of his fear demons were reverted back with two words and some kind of energy attack from the stick in the hero’s hand.
“What matter of child is this?” demanded Scarecrow as he held his statue. “He shows no fear up close. He should be paralyzed in absolute terror. And I see fear in his eyes, but…he fights it with a foolhardy determination.”
The criminal clutched the statue once again. The boy whoever he was had a strong mind. He had to fear something, all people did.
It would be just a matter of the right stimulation. Everyone had phobias rooted deep within themselves.
Jonathan Crane enjoyed a challenge. He held the statue.
“One round lost, but the next round is mine,” said Scarecrow as held the statue. “Yes, more power, and combined with my fear toxin, now true horror will be unleashed. Gotham City will know its master.”
The sadistic intentions of the Scarecrow were evident. The power of the statue enhanced by his own fear toxin would allow him to project his will.
The plan was escalated.
“I see,” summarized Batman as everyone gathered around after Harry completed his explanation. “And chocolate is the only thing that helps against them.”
“Well, there’s the Patronus Charm, but you have to be a wizard to do that and have really happy memories,” said Harry, as his arm was around Kara’s waist and he inclined her head right at her. “It’s fortunate I got an entire new store of them when I did.”
“Glad to help,” said Kara with a smile. “You said we couldn’t see them…”
“That’s not going to help us much then,” said Nightwing as he looked up.
The young wizard coughed. “You might not be able to see them, but you’re going to know that they’re there.”
“Crane’s the real threat that we have to focus on at the moment,” said Batman.
“Actually, the Scarecrow appears to be merely a pawn in this scheme.”
A red haired man with a white bolt of lighting through his hair had arrived, dressed in a suit.
“I’ve met some of you, but my name is Jason Blood, former knight of Camelot, Occultist, and well my other half, you may get to know him before too long,” said the man as he turned to Harry and Kara. “And you must be Harry and Kara Potter.”
“We are,” agreed Harry.
“Needless to say, I’ve heard more of a few rumors of what has happened, but we don’t need to rehash that again,” said Blood in a swift tone. “Time is of the essence. I come to you with a warning. The witch known as Morgaine le Faye has presented herself. I have tracked her to Gotham City and discovered the theft of the Phobos Totem.”
“The Phobos Totem?” asked Harry in a confused voice.
“I trust that little bit was kept out of your History of Magic class?” prompted Blood.
“No, all we learned about was Goblin Rebellions,” said Harry.
The occultist sighed. “Very well, I believe a quick history lesson is in order.”
Blood cleared his throat before he continued. “The Phobos Totem was created by a dark wizard many centuries back, even before your current Ministry. It was dark magic at its lowest definition. It drew off of the greatest subconscious fears of the individuals.”
The former knight allowed his story to sink in.
“Phobos as dubbed himself, converted his own followers into these creatures to punish all who opposed him. This statue was the crux of his powers. The creatures, Dementors as they were later called, were sealed away in Antarctica where they could perish. Yet, the Ministry of Magic dug them up and saw it fit to put them in charge of a prison where they could feed.”
“Then they joined Riddle,” muttered Harry. “Figures the Ministry would bugger everyone.”
“Not the most elegant way of putting it, but the assessment is well appreciated,” said Blood. “That witch plans to put her brat on the throne, and she’s going to bury Gotham City in a plague of fear. She knows Crane is fanatical enough to destroy this entire city, all for a mere experiment”
“So they…summon these Dementors?” asked Batgirl in a hushed voice.
“No, far worse,” answered Blood. “The Phobos Totem has the capability of turning humans into Dementors.”
The man allowed that bit to sink in before he summarized. “Everyone, man, women, and child will be consumed by their worst phobias.”
Everyone remained silent. All looked horrified. Batman turned his head for a second before he turned back and retained his stony expression.
“Merlin’s beard,” gasped Harry, as Kara grabbed onto Harry and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Batgirl nearly break down. She took a breath to compose herself.
Blood just looked at him with a faint smile. “Merlin would find great amusement of the usage of his beard as a euphemism in lieu of a swear, but…beside the point right now. The statue just was activated. The fog this city has undergone is merely the first sign.”
“We shouldn’t wait around for the next sign,” said Batman as he pieced together a battle plan. “Nightwing and Robin, you’re with me, we’re going to meet with Gordon and fill him in on the situation. Batgirl, Supergirl, and Potter, figure out a way to locate Crane. I’ll see if I can get any specifications to you when I can. Blood find le Faye.”
“It won’t be easy,” said Blood. “She has an amulet that warns her if I am close.”
“Don’t get close yet, just find her,” said Batman, as he got to his feet. “Let’s go, we have no time to waste.”
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Gordon looked up into the sky, surrounded by fog as he looked up. “All of this fog, what could it mean?”
“Nothing good,” muttered Bullock as he looked up but he saw a shadowed figure. “Figured you’d be in the middle of this freak show.”
“What’s the story now?” asked Gordon.
The Detective paused for a mere second. “Crane has stolen a mystic totem. He is channeling the power of one of the darkest creatures known to man. These Dementors cannot be seen by mundane eyes. They feed on the deepest darkest fears of all humans. Until they are nothing.”
“So get some wizard on the line then and have him track down these things,” said Bullock.
“I’m already on it,” said Batman without missing a beat. “The problem is finding Crane. The fog is merely the beginning of a bigger plague. The city will be engulfed.”
Batman watched Nightwing and Robin, as they moved around. Several cars skidded a stop already. His two protégés checked for civilians.
“It’s begun,” muttered Batman.
“Is there anything that we can do to stop these creatures?” asked Gordon.
“No,” said Batman. “Nothing you can do, but I’m working on something that might be able to stall them for a short time.”
Gordon was not surprised at this.
“So if your wizard fails, we’re all screwed then,” said Bullock as he flicked away another toothpick. “This old man better have some good shazam tricks up his sleeve, because this fog’s just getting worse.”
“Not an old man,” muttered Batman. “Much younger, but he’s fought these things many times before.”
Bullock and Gordon both seemed skeptical at this.
“Alright, I’m going to trust your judgment, if your young wizard has fought these Dementors before,” said Gordon. “But is there any way to reverse the effects of these things?”
“Chocolate. Get lots of chocolate. All of the chocolate you can find in Gotham.”
Batman used this as an opportunity to excuse himself.
“Chocolate?” asked Bullock. “Commish, I think the Bat’s off his nut, what good is chocolate going to do against monsters?”
“Do you want to argue with him?” asked Gordon as he turned to Bullock with a set look. “Now get all of the squads on deck and find all of the chocolate you can and I guess feed it to people who look like they have been affected by these things.”
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Three young people were in a practical looking room. There was a shelf of books and a teddy bear perched on the top of the shelf off to the side, a bed horizontal to it.
Barbara was at her computer and typed away. Kara and Harry rested on their fronts next to each other on the bed behind her. Heads were up and their legs both were elevated, crossed at the knees. A bag had sit to the other side of them.
“So what exactly are you doing?” asked Harry
“Depends, how much do you know about computers?” asked Barbara.
Harry looked off in the distance and thought. “Well my powers can make them blow up if I get too upset. And I know that little CD Rom thing isn’t a drink cup holder.”
Kara bit back a snicker at that last one.
“You mean, they didn’t teach you how to use them at your school?” questioned Barbara in surprise.
“No, technology doesn’t work that well with magic,” explained Harry. “Something about the magic in the air causes everything to short circuit or something.”
Barbara just shook her head. She knew she should not judge but at the same time she could not resist. “How…how do they expect you to function in the real world? Computers are everywhere, and…they’re going to be even more so in a few years the way things are going. You can’t just avoid them for long.”
“You’d be surprised what they can avoid if they put their minds to it,” said Harry.
“Yeah, to them, their little community is the only world,” added Kara, with a sad shake of her head.
“Do you even know how to type?” asked Barbara.
“Yeah, I can do it, one finger,” admitted Harry.
“Ah, the old hunt and peck method,” muttered Barbara as she looked at Harry with pity.
“Yeah, and Harry’s relatives wouldn’t spring for a computer class,” added Kara, as her arms were folded as she bit back any number of comments she had. She decided to get back on track. “But we’re getting off the subject, what are we doing?”
“Well, I’m trying to see if any satellites picked up any weird spikes of energy,” said Barbara. “I mean, magic is energy, kind of…isn’t it Harry?”
“Well yes, if you want to put it like that, it’s a lot of energy,” said Harry who was at a loss to complain a diverse and complex thing such as magic.
“Kind of like a non-lethal form of radiation,” suggested Kara.
Harry looked at her. “Well kind of but not really. Magic is magic. It’s hard to really measure.”
“Well whatever it is, I’m getting a reading,” said Barbara, as she sat right up and Harry and Kara scrambled to a sitting position “Let’s see…if I can get in…”
Kara looked impatient. She stood and leaned over. “I know what to do here, you’re going too slow.”
“I’m typing at a hundred words a minute, just be patient,” said Barbara.
“That’s all?” asked Kara. “Here let me take a crack at it.”
Against her better judgment, Barbara got up and looked at Harry. Kara put herself in front of the keyboard and began to type away as she looked at the screen. Her hands were a blur.
“Something’s wrong with your keyboard,” muttered Kara but she realized, she had nothing but a pile of dust. “Um, whoops.”
Barbara just sighed and patted her friend on the back. “And this is why I always have a spare keyboard. After the coffee maker incident, I knew that sometimes you tended to get a little excited.”
“Barbara!” whined Kara as she watched Barbara plug in her new keyboard. “Why did you have to bring that up? That was over a year ago.”
“Coffee maker incident?” asked Harry with amusement.
"Funny story, I might have to share it later,” muttered Barbara and the mortified look on Kara’s face was priceless.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” said Harry as he pulled back her hair and looked in her eyes. “Kara, you learned your lesson didn’t you?”
“Yeah”, said the girl with a fond smile. “It’s just…”
“It was embarrassing, I know,” said Harry. “But you’re doing well right now, you just make a mistake or two. All of the mistakes I’ve made…they can fill books.”
“I found it, I think I know where Crane is,” said Barbara but she took a deep breath and focused. “Yeah, he’s holed up right at the old Gotham City Fairgrounds. It has to be the place. The energy readings are off the charts…”
Barbara paused and fresh data arrived.
“Batman sent me a reading,” muttered Barbara. “These numbers…they look like binary, but that can’t be right. They’d all be ones and zeros. Plus all of the weird symbols.”
“Arithmancy,” said Harry and then he cringed.
“Not your best subject?” asked Barbara.
“No, I never took it,” said Harry. “I know bits and pieces, my friend gave me a book and insisted I study on it and Ancient Runes in my free time, but…”
“Do you have any idea?” asked Kara.
Harry studied the numbers but nothing made sense.
“We’re just going to have to do the best we can,” said Harry. “Maybe if we stop the spell…but that would mean getting our hands on the statue.”
“And that’s with Crane,” said Barbara as she took a deep breath. “I…”
“He did something to you, didn’t he?” asked Harry.
The twenty two year old girl looked frozen. “How did you…”
“I have a good eye,” said Harry. “Just take your time.”
“Barbara, Harry won’t think any less of you, just tell him,” encouraged Kara with a smile.
It was not easy, but Barbara just told Harry everything that happened with the last Scarecrow incident. Harry remained attentive.
“That’s a lot, but you’re still here,” said Harry. “I’ve…had nightmares too like that. A friend of mine was killed in front of me. I still remember when my parents die.”
“You were one when that happened though,” gasped Barbara.
“My memory is good,” said Harry. “We’re all afraid of something, Barbara. Crane is making my greatest fear come to life.”
“Oh my God,” whispered Barbara when it clicked. “And you’re…you’re going to fight them.”
“No I’m not going to fight them,” said Harry. “I’m going to beat them.”
A quick kiss and hug was given by his wife before she broke apart. “I know you will.”
“You are really something aren’t you?” asked Barbara. “Kara couldn’t have chosen better.”
Harry paused for a moment and he opened his bag. “Chocolate, it will help loads. You’ll need your strength when you get out there.”
It was a good thing he stocked up on chocolate before he left. Remus had told him that he might encounter Dementors so it was best to be prepared.
He handed the chocolate out to both girls.
“Chocolate Frogs?” asked Barbara as she eyed it apprehensive. “They’re…not really frogs are they?”
Harry laughed at this statement.
“No of course not,” said Harry as he watched his wife unwrap hers. “It’s just an enchantment.”
“Good, oh this is good,” said Kara in between bites of the frog. “Say what you want about the politicians and the attitudes of some of the people in the magical world…but chocolate is one of their strong points.”
She looked at Barbara and encouraged her. “Oh come on, try it, it won’t hurt you.”
Barbara unwrapped the chocolate frog and nibbled on it. “This really is the best. My fingers feel warm and everything…thanks Harry.”
“Yeah thanks Harry,” added Kara, before she licked the chocolate off of her fingers.
“No problem,” said Harry. “We better get going...hang on Kara, you have some chocolate on your lips.”
Kara leaned forward and pressed her lips against his mouth.
“Now who has the chocolate on his lips?” teased Kara but Harry just smiled and licked his lips, as he shouldered his bag.
“After you, my love,” said Harry, as he opened the door and Kara walked out. He followed and Barbara left last, after she logged off her computer and locked the door behind her.
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“You sure this plan of yours will work, sir?” asked Alfred as he leaned over Batman’s shoulder.
“Not exactly, but this may be able to keep them at bay for a few moments,” said Batman.
“There are things that not even the great Batman can invent his way out of,” said Alfred, but at that moment, there was a loud thud. “My word…”
At that moment, the World’s Greatest Detective was rigid. He knew there was a guest in the Bat Cave and said guest was not one that was welcomed.
“Show yourself,” ordered Batman and a middle aged man with black hair dressed in robes and the most absurd looking fake nose turned around. “Who are you?”
The man now casually sat on the floor of the Batcave and ate nachos. “Oh, I’ve been called many things over the years. I followed you into the cave….”
“Wait, I know who you are,” said Batman before he removed the nose and prepared for a fight. “Sirius Black, the notorious convinced mass murderer over in Great Britain.”
“Wait, wait,” said Sirius in an offended voice. “I was never convicted and I never murdered anyone…although I could be pretty notorious with the ladies.”
Batman did not respond and he just stared Sirius down. Sirius held out his food. “Nachos?”
“I don’t eat nachos,” said Batman in a stoic voice but he paused as he heard the communication piece in his ear crackle to life. “Yes, Robin.”
“The situation’s getting a bit bad, more people are passing out, we’re getting the chocolate, but I don’t know how we can get it to everyone,” said Robin. “Nightwing’s meeting with Bullock and Gordon…where’s Harry in all of this?”
“Just one second,” said Batman. “Yes…Batgirl.”
“We know where Crane is, the Gotham City Fair,” she said over the communication link.
“The situation the city’s getting worse, we’ll deal with Crane,” said Batman.
“So, what’s up?” asked Sirius.
“Do you know anything about Dementors?” asked Batman.
The dark haired man responded. “Should bloody well hope so. I only roomed with them for about twelve years. I was only the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
The Marauder stalled as he went down a really bad trip on memory lane. “Azkaban, a horrible place to live, worse place to visit, and the food sucked. Everyone went mad. I almost did…but I had help.”
“I see,” said Batman as he looked over Sirius one more time. “You.”
“Who me?” asked Sirius.
“Years again in Cairo,” said Batman.
Sirius was confused but then remembered. “Oh right, the pink cowl thing, so that was you.”
He laughed at the memories. “Ah, you were so young back then, look what you turned into now.”
“Funny,” said Batman in a voice devoid of humor. “Get in the car, don’t touch anything.”
“Me?” asked Sirius. “What do you want…”
Batman cut him off. “You are a wizard, you have a wand. We need all hands on deck.”
“You just don’t want to leave me alone in your cave,” prompted Sirius.
“Yes,” said Batman without a moment’s pause, as he watched Sirius get in. “Seatbelt, because I don’t want to pry you off my windshield.”
Sirius gave a salute, but he was met by the Batman glare of death. The shift of the Batmobile was pulled and the car drove right back into Gotham City.
“We do need better locks,” summarized Alfred in a nonchalant voice as he turned to resume his duties.
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Scarecrow gazed upon the statue in his hand, a sadistic expression appeared right on his face. The Master of Fear could fear the terror but he must have more.
“Boss, what is that thing?” asked one of his henchmen.
“Yeah, starting to creep me out,” said another henchmen.
“As it should,” said the criminal. “This is pure fear personified. Even the most hardened of men will be terrified at the memories inspired.”
Scarecrow paused as he looked at the statue right in his hand.
“In fact, the witch said if I direct the statue’s power at a source, I should be able to create creatures faster,” muttered Scarecrow. “All I need is some…test subjects.”
The henchmen looked at each other rather fearfully. The Scarecrow turned the statue to the side. Mist flew from the statue and engulfed his own men.
They shrieked in absolute terror, as all of their worst moments were replayed right in their heads.
The group of eight hardened criminals twitched and dropped right onto their knees. The skin turned rather clammy and black cloaks grew right over them.
“Excellent,” whispered the villain as he studied his little fear demons. “Eight dime store thugs turned into agents of absolute and utter fear. There will be more. Bring me more test subjects, the strongest you can find.”
The newly converted Dementors gave ghostly nods. The horrors glided right into Gotham City.
Scarecrow sat down upon a chair and cradled the statue right in his hands.
“Intoxicating,” breathed the Scarecrow as the statue glowed and gave an eerie hum.
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Batgirl swung over at the scene and Kara was in the air. Harry clutched onto his wife’s neck, on her back, as she dropped down. Harry slid down onto his feet. Robin and Nightwing both joined them and shivered.
“Cold, it’s getting hard to…” said Robin, but Harry reached into his bag.
“Take this,” said Harry as he handed out the chocolate to the two heroes. “If actual Dementors start getting bred, we’re going to need to keep focused.”
“Are there…” started Nightwing.
“Just a lot of fog,” agreed Harry, as he stepped right into the streets of Gotham.
Several civilians shivered right on the streets, as the Gotham City Police Force moved around.
“What’s happening?” moaned one of the civilians.
Another one breathed. “I can…barely move.”
Harry moved over to meet Commissioner Gordon.
“Do you have the chocolate?” called Harry.
“Working on it right now,” said Gordon before he looked at Harry over the top of his glasses and studied the young wizard. “You’re the expert he talked about.”
There was a second of silence. “Well, not the word I would use…but I know about them.”
“Better than we got right now,” said Gordon in a gruff voice as he watched a large truck pull up .
Harvey Bullock arrived, squeezed behind the wheel.
“That better be enough chocolate,” said Bullock as stepped out of the truck, a box of donuts in hand and a toothpick in his mouth. He turned and looked at Harry. “Scram kid, this is police work.”
Harry’s eyes just narrowed, as he fingered his wand.
“That’s our expert…” said Gordon as he prompted Harry for an introduction.
“Harry Potter,” introduced Harry with a smirk.
“You’ve got be kidding me,” said Bullock as he shook his head as he took in Harry’s rather unthreatening form. “What’s he going to do?”
“Well I’m kind of the one who has the best chance of saving you,” said Harry in a cool voice. “You look like the type that wouldn’t last five seconds against a real Dementor.”
Bullock stammered. “Hey…you’d be surprised what I’ve seen. Twenty years on this beat, and I’ve seen things that will make you wet your pants.”
“I’ve seen things in the girl’s bathroom at my old school that would make you wet yours,” countered Harry without missing a beat as he saw the two girls show up.
“Detective Bullock, look for people out there, who are the weakest and have your men get them the chocolate,” ordered the Commissioner and Bullock prepared to do as he was told.
Batgirl appeared right next to Harry and spoke to him in an undertone. “Made friends with Harvey Bullock, Harry?”
"Yeah, bit rude isn’t he?” muttered Harry.
“Ah, don’t sweat it,” said Batgirl as she waved her hand. “Bullock’s like that with everyone, that’s just who he is.”
“Yeah, he’s nothing but a bunch of hot air,” added Kara as they moved in. “Just…he gave both of us a really hard time when we first met, but he did kind of compliment us in the end.”
“What?” asked Gordon as he clung onto the side of the squad car. “A group of people dropped down right in the middle of the street, just like that….near frostbite conditions.”
Harry rushed right over to get a better listen.
“Dementors, it has to be, he’s made some,” whispered Harry. “Yes, it has to be, I can feel them.”
“So what do we do, Mr. Wizard?” asked Bullock as he had continued to give the rest orders.
“Get people as far away from the next block as you can,” said Harry as he held out his bag and handed it to Kara, but he kept a few pieces with himself. “I’m going to go deal with the Dementors right now.”
“Get them, Harry,” said Kara, before she embraced and kissed her husband good bye. She did not want to let go but she had to.
Harry moved off, as everyone looked bent right over, a bit frigid. She reached into the bag. “Here chocolate, more, we’re going to all need some. Those things are getting closer.”
Bullock placed his box of donuts down on the hood of a car and turned to the rest of the officers. “No one go anywhere near my donuts, or you’ll be busted down to paperwork.”
Down the next block, Harry surveyed the situation.
He let the breath out, and ate a bit of chocolate, as he saw downed figures right in the street. His steps quickened, eyes darted from side to side as he spotted the Dementors. One of them had a young girl right in its grasp.
Harry screwed up his eyes and recalled his first time with the love of his life. Well the one he could remember.
“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” cried Harry as the Patronus erupted right from his wand. The Dementors dropped their intended victim right away.
The cloaks ripped away from the Dementors and their skin gained color. A group of eight men dropped to the ground and shivered, barely able to move.
Harry walked over to the little girl who shivered and looked terrified.
“Who are you?” whispered the girl.
“A friend, don’t be scared,” said Harry in a gentle voice with a smile, as he held out chocolate. “You’ll feel better when you eat this, honest.”
The child took the chocolate and ate it, before she nodded.
“T-thank you, mister,” said the girl. “I feel better…I lost my Mommy…she fell down over there.”
Harry’s heart skipped a beat, as he looked at the woman who was hunched over. The Boy-Who-Lived looked right at her.
“Speak to me if you’re alive in there,” he encouraged.
“Alive…awful…felt like…” stammered the woman. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, as he handed his last bit of chocolate to her. “I…”
Harry just inclined his head with a nod. The woman took the chocolate and the warmth returned to her, to give her a nod to get up.
“Go, get as far away from here as you can,” said Harry, as he looked down and saw several bodies on the ground, as he nearly staggered.
Kara was behind Harry to catch him. She gave Harry a warm smile as he turned to look in her face, legs buckled slightly.
“I saw that,” said Kara as she held him up, with the bag right over her shoulder. “Here, you need some chocolate now…”
“I had some,” muttered Harry.
“You need more, you fought those things up close,” said the blonde girl, as she held out the chocolate and handed it to her husband. He took it with a nod and ate it. “Here you go, feel better?”
“Yes,” said Harry. “You?”
“Always with you,” replied the girl, as Harry was able to stand on his own accord.
Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon appeared on the scene.
“Did things get much warmer around here?” asked Nightwing.
“Yeah, I feel it too, it’s almost like…” said Robin before he turned to Harry. “Did you do something?”
Harry explained himself. “The Patronus Charm, it’s a spell that chased Dementors off and fueled with your happiest memories.”
“So what did you use?” asked Kara, and Harry turned to whisper in her ear.
“Our first time,” whispered Harry right in her ear. “You said it was magic.”
The blonde Kryptonian grinned from ear to ear as she got the message.
She shook her head, when she saw the seriousness of the situation.
“We’re too late for some of these people,” muttered Nightwing as he kneeled down. “No pulse.”
“They’ve been kissed,” explained Harry. “The Dementors suck out your soul.”
Harry gave the same explanation he gave Kara a while back about the Dementors.
Gordon’s professional demeanor faltered. “Dare I ask how you know so much?”
“Experience, they nearly did it to me when I was thirteen,” said Harry as his stoic resolve nearly slipped. “Never mind my near death experience, these were the Dementors…well they weren’t complete Dementors.”
“Not complete,” whispered Batgirl. “Those things…”
“I recognize three of these faces from Blackgate,” said Gordon as he looked at them. “They’re still breathing, for what it’s worth. I’ll get them to the hospital, clear the path, so you can stop Crane.”
The group nodded. Kara turned to the rest of the Bat Family.
“So where’s your leader in all of this?” asked Kara.
“He must have gotten sidetracked,” suggested Robin. “He had to return to the Cave for something.”
“We’re going to have to go without him, he’s going to have to catch up,” said Harry before he turned to Batgirl before his voice dropped to a whisper. “And to answer your question, Barbara, they weren’t full Dementors because they were still partially human.”
A breath was taken as he continued with his conclusion. “If they had been completely transformed, they would have lost their humanity. Soulless monsters.”
They were all silent, as they made their way closer to the Gotham City Fair Ground. The fog had begun to thicken once again.
“Only eight of them,” thought Harry. “If Crane makes more….focus on stopping him Potter. Don’t worry about what ifs. ”
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The Scarecrow stood right on his feet and watched the progress of his little soldiers of fear. Many weak fools dropped, succumbed to their own fears. It was like their very souls were ripped from their bodies.
Yet, there was a new hero on the scene, one that Scarecrow had never seen before. He had watched the battle.
Eight of his fear demons were reverted back with two words and some kind of energy attack from the stick in the hero’s hand.
“What matter of child is this?” demanded Scarecrow as he held his statue. “He shows no fear up close. He should be paralyzed in absolute terror. And I see fear in his eyes, but…he fights it with a foolhardy determination.”
The criminal clutched the statue once again. The boy whoever he was had a strong mind. He had to fear something, all people did.
It would be just a matter of the right stimulation. Everyone had phobias rooted deep within themselves.
Jonathan Crane enjoyed a challenge. He held the statue.
“One round lost, but the next round is mine,” said Scarecrow as held the statue. “Yes, more power, and combined with my fear toxin, now true horror will be unleashed. Gotham City will know its master.”
The sadistic intentions of the Scarecrow were evident. The power of the statue enhanced by his own fear toxin would allow him to project his will.
The plan was escalated.
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