Ch.8

A year of blowing up buildings and shutting down 33.1 facilities as well as stopping disasters and criminals went by for the team in us. Oliver co-opted Chloe for the latest mission as 33.1 was officially shut down in a hard way.

He was having her intercept a file transfer of some shady shit Lex was up to when I told him. "This is where I get off Oliver, I've finished my final project here."

I handed him a file that showed a satellite station and all it's specs. I'd built watchtower officially and sent bribes all around the planet to monitor the criminals and powered people as well as any alien activity.

The station had a forcefield, cloaking and teleportation as well as able to put up a barrier all around the world to prevent invasions. I told him. "The AI is unhackable and will monitor you all to prevent any chance of you going dark side by powers, spells or other means. It's tied into every governments surveillance satellite and will be a place where the Justice League can hang it's hat. It's the best I can do and has all the technology I know of that can help you built in."

He was stunned before flipping through the book like packet. In the end he asked. "Where are you going then?"

I smiled. "I've done all I can to help you all prepare. Clark no longer needs me either and I've prepared a list of possible candidates for you to invite to the league. It's time I found my own thing and."

He was shocked by my words but finally asked. "Why? I mean, with the team-"

I stopped him. "The team is great, but it doesn't need me. It has you and the others as well as Clark and his cousin Kara eventually. I need to find my own path now. I've done the big brother thing and I spent all I had getting this up and running. Use it or not, but it's time I left."

He saw I wasn't kidding and held out his hand. "Then we're going to miss you, Prometheus."

I chuckled. "Yeah, definitely not keeping that name. I think I'll go by the Green Phoenix from now on. After all, those green arrows gotta be aiming for something."

He smirked and we said our goodbyes. I'd done all I could for them so I went by the farm to see what it looked like now. I'd spent all but a hundred grand out of nearly a hundred billion on the satellite station and the space ships I'd built in it's hanger.

Now it was time I enjoyed a bit of life. I met Lana there as she was leaving to head to some foundation she'd started. Seeing her sad, I told her. "I heard about what happened. I also know Bizarro had Clark's DNA and memories, so you can tell my little brother it wasn't your fault. He used you and you were the victim. If Clark can't realize you weren't able to figure out it wasn't him, tell him to try dating a robot with all your memories and emotions in it's head. Bizarro was no different and unless he cheated and used his powers, he'd never know the difference himself. You can also tell him I said to get over himself. Blaming you when you're the victim is not how dad and mom raised us."

She hugged me before thanking me for my words. Sighing I patted her back. "Don't be sad. It's not your fault you've been used by Lex then Bizarro Clark. You were vulnerable because you wanted to believe in something as powerful and as pure as love. They took advantage of that and used you for their own sick games. You're not weak, but brave to have put yourself out there and sought out love."

I when she finally stopped crying and pulled back, she thanked me for my words but I brushed it off as there was no thanks necessary. I left the farm house and headed to Washington to see mom. I told her I'd be saying goodbye soon and I'd be traveling where few can contact me. I told her that if Clark ever grew up and joined the League, he'd be able to contact me when he needed to.

After that, I went to Metropolis and captured a budding Davis Bloome who was working to be a EMT. I took him to a warehouse and hit him with some black Kryptonite. His other half woke up and I sent Davis back home with no memory of his capture.

I punched Doomsday, snapping it's neck as it woke up and it returned the blow when it healed a half hour later. Grinning, I grabbed it and tossed it in my inner galaxy where it joined Blonsky who had killed Titan. That was a fight that would take eons as they would both heal from death.

I barred off the space around the planet and contained them both inside while they did their things. My symbiote self took blood samples of Doomsday and ate them as he will eat doomsday himself once he starts winning hands down against Blonsky.

I myself already had his adaptive powers and strength now to constantly evolve after death and become immune and stronger. Now it was time I said goodbye to Clark as well. I found him at the Daily Planet talking to Chloe when I pulled him aside and explained to him. "I'm going away Clark. It's time I left this earth and explored. Oliver has a way of contacting me if you need my help later on. All you have to do is call and I'll be there. Goodbye little brother."

He stilled before asking. "Why? What are you leaving?"

I smiled. "Because, I've done my duties as a big brother. You're more protected now than ever before. You're strong, smart and resilient. It's time I left to find my own path Clark. All my life I've protected you with strength. You no longer need that strength, you have your own. You're going to be alright now, I'm sure of it."

He sighed. "What about mom?"

I smirked. "She needs my protection less than you do. Mom is right at home in the halls of power. It's time I left Clark, passed time actually. I saw to getting rid of your biggest issues, now it's time I went and did my own thing."

He agreed and mentioned he'd contact me if he needed help again. I left him there and went to Lex's place, stealing the orb of Kandor and flew to Canada at an old church cathedral called Saint Christopher's.

There I smashed an old clock facing and took the first piece of the orb of Kandor before repairing the clock without it. I then flew back to Smallville and broke into Alex's place, shorting our the cameras and feeds before smashing a hole in the head of the fireplace, taking the orb itself and repairing everything back to the way it was.

I left before security could find any traces of my existence and went to the fortress of solitude. There I gave Jor-El the orb and it's piece to hide or use as it saw fit. I left the Arctic and began my journey by running faster and faster, using my modified reality watch, I ran through a breach I myself created using the speed force and found the right reality I wanted.

I ended up on earth one where the Flash had yet to be revealed and the Green Arrow was out doing his thing from what the news reported. Another speedster appeared in a yellow suit, having detected my own speed force signature.

I was still in my Green Phoenix uniform so I shot fire from my eyes and hit him in the knees saying coldly. "Try to follow me speedster, and you'll face worse repercussions. The speed force may not be naturally connected to you, but it is to me and I don't like games. Piss off or die painfully."

I blurred as I ran faster than he could follow, all the way to Starling city. When I arrived, I robbed a store for a change of clothes, nothing fancy just a quick in and out. My suit and armor went inside the magic ring I'd made for holding it and all my precious items.

Now in a suit, I went to the nearest drug dealers and traced their communications back to their bosses before robbing them and using the money to buy a laptop and some lunch while storing the rest.

Using the laptop, I hacked banks around the world and stole ten billion from this worlds drug dealers, king pins and human traffickers and ran it all through every bank on the globe, filtering any chances of being found out whiling setting up an ID and background for myself.

When I finished, I made a bank account in the Cayman Islands and deposited most of it off shore while laminating my ID and documents. I was officially a reclusive billionaire with ties Norway. With that done, I destroyed the laptop in a dumpster and went to find out the when's of what the timeline was.

I found out the particle accelerator blew up a couple weeks ago and the Mirakuru was being made by mayor Blood, a hand of Slade. Seeing all this, I went to the club Verdant. There I paid my way in after visiting my second bank on the way.

I ordered a beer and watched as team arrow was busy through the floors with floor with my X-Ray vision. I could hear Sarah Lance arguing to deal with Roy Harper who'd been injected with Mirakuru. She said she'd handle it herself and told Oliver his mother's rally starts in a half an hour.

Hearing this I smirked and realized the entrance I planned to make. I cleared out of the club as they were getting ready for Moira queens speech. I spent the next hour watching them save Roy after he tried to kill Thea.

I then followed Oliver as he met up with his sister and mother to head back to their mansion. I saw the accident and Slade taking them from the limo. I followed him to the woods in the outskirts of town where he put a gun to their heads and tried to force Oliver to choose which one would die.

I switched to my armor and hood when Moira offered herself to die in Thea's place. When Slade went to turn and stab her with his katana, I acted and moved fast enough that time seemed to slow to a crawl and caught the blade as I appeared as if out of nowhere.

I growled. "That's not nice."

I backhanded Slade into a tree in the distance hard enough to knock out a raging elephant. I the took the blade still in my hand and cut their bindings while healing them with magic. I turned to Oliver. "You owe me one now. Next time we meet you will pay me back."

I flew up and disappeared into the night sky while they looked at me in astonishment. I left the katana next to Oliver so he could decide what to do with it. I flew to a Hotel and rented a suite. There I crashed for a couple days until the city started going to shit.

Mirakuru warriors started trashing the streets and causing problems as they harmed people so I slid into my armor and zipped around the city, beating them down and leaving the symbol of the house of El wherever I saved people.

I stacked all the unconscious warriors up inside the club Verdant and put power restraining cuffs on them all. When I finished, Thea Queen was there open mouthed and confused.

I told her. "Consider it a gift for the Green Arrow. Slade's men have all been neutralized except Sebastian Blood and the female Mirakuru warrior with him. These power restraints work on all powered individuals, tell your brother I said he and his merry band of archer fans in the basement they can keep them if they cure the warriors."

Thea gasped. "Oliver's the Green Arrow?"

I nodded. "And Malcom Merlyn is your father. I just got into town and it's already getting trashed. Tell mayor Queen she gets this one freebie for not calling the national guard. The rest is up to you all to handle."

Thea frowned lightly before asking. "Who are you?"

I chuckled. "Perhaps if you grow stronger, one day I might tell you, and show you. For now though, consider me the Green Phoenix. A passerby and occasional friend."

I blurred, leaving her there to head to the basement and verify my claims. I already knew Oliver and the rest were down there so I left and headed to repair the damaged city with magic. When I finished, I sensed out where Oliver and the rest were and flame traveled to the Arrow cave.

There I appeared in front of all of them in a burst of green flames. I turned to Oliver. "It's time to pay up Oliver Queen. Give me the contact information for John Constantine."

He gasped before saying. "How do you-"

I waved a hand, summoning a green Phoenix patronus and told him. "Pay up or this fire bird will enter one of you, catch your soul on fire, leaving you a soulless husk for anything that wishes to invade. I saved you and your family before, but I need to find Constantine now, no more games."

Oliver choked before writing down a number and handing it to me. I snapped my fingers and it entered Thea while Oliver yelled. The Phoenix patronus could no more harm her then the feelings of love could. It was an aspect of magic that personified happiness and only burnt hate and darkness.

She gasped and clutched her chest before bursting out into giggles of laughter and smiles. I chuckled. "Sorry about that, but it doesn't actually burn souls. It just makes people feel the happiness and love that I put into making it. I just needed a scare tactic to make you not ask questions."

I turned to Thea. "Remember, grow strong and one day we might meet again."

I burst into flames and headed to my Hotel room where I traced the cell phone number of one John Constantine to Chicago, Illinois. I flame traveled to the location I found and ended up in a rich guys house standing in front of Constantine, two woman and a man.

I saw the contract the man was holding. "Ah, yes, a soul contract. It's been a very long time since I saw one of those."

Constantine asked. "And what sort might you be mate?"

I chuckled. "That's a complicated question. I'm many things. For now, I'm a being that can void that contract if you'd like, and even heal this mortal's cancer. All I require is the acetate and a word with you alone."

The female bound to the contract spoke up. "Deal, let me get it."

I chuckled. "Well, you might have to stop your daughter from playing it first."

Both parents ran off and Constantine said. "What kind of game are you playing mate? If you know anything about contracts, then you know only the contract forger can remove the contract itself."

I snorted. "Hardly. Those with connections higher up the food chain and have the power, balls and pull to do so can void any contract made with hell. You see, the devil is just a seat of power the first fallen angel takes up, a title of sorts. All contracts are made with hell itself, not some silly angel. That's not to say an angel can't make a deal and lay claim to a soul, they can, but it's gotta be done in person like the one acetate belonged to."

Constantine asked. "Then what pull might you have in hell or with hell itself that you could pull this off?"

I grinned. "That's my secret...mate. We're all aloud to have secrets aren't we John."

He sighed. "You know my name, so what's yours?"

I held out a hand. "My current form's name is Jake Kent. It's nice to meet such a distinguished soul. After all, not many have the balls to try and command a prince of hell. Well, besides yours truly of course."

He shook my hand before frowning. "I don't sense any demonic energy inside you."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a demon."

His female friend had been quiet this whole time but circling me interestingly. She spoke up. "You're so bright and shiny, like a green inferno of stars. It's amazing."

I released John's hand as he snorted. "Celestial types then. So what are you, an angel? A god? Some alien?"

I chuckled. "Yes."

He frowned and asked. "Which is it?"

I asked. "Does it matter if I can help you retrieve Astra's soul from hell and remove the stain off your own soul?"

He looked strangled and the two parents came back with the acetate. The mother had it wrapped up in a cloth. I took it and pulled the cloth off before smiling and putting a hand on the center of it, drawing out my father's essence.

The acetate shattered and turned to dust when I extracted it all. Still smiling, I held out a hand. "The contract?"

The husband handed it over and I put a hand on it, training it's power and connection to hell. It burned to ash in green flames before turning to ashes. I reached forwards and at a speed faster than the eye could see and tossed a nanite pill down the husbands throat.

Dusting off my hands I said. "He'll be cancer free by morning. The contract never took it away, it only suppressed and hid it. What I did will remove it for good. Now, our bargain is over, John, I'll see you and your junior seer back at your place. I want to see what it's like inside your bunker."

I flamed away to where I read the location was from John's mind. I'd learned all he knew about magic from his memories and thoughts but the bunker had so much more as even John was still learning spells from there.

I flames into the bunker to Chas's surprise and shock. I passed him saying. "Call John, he's expecting me here."

I flashed around, reading every book in the place. Spells, divination techniques, demonic and celestial information. This bunker had it all and more. When I finished, I even knew how to operate the pocket dimension doors in the infinite hallways. Each one went to a different space for special sealing, hiding and storing artifacts and many were trap doors with nothing but a screaming void of endless nothing inside.

It was like a dimensional ring but one can actually enter it without dying and some were stable rooms. By the time Chas finished his call, I got bored and started cooking lamb chops with mash and bangers.

I got further bored and summoned Constantine and his friend along with their vehicle to the bunker outside. Chas stayed weary of me until John came inside. He asked John what I was and John merely said. "Some clearly bored celestial type."

I chuckled. "I'm complicated. Now, let's eat, I haven't eaten since I came to this reality and the speed force makes me very hungry."

I ate at super speeds while they sat down to the table I set. When I was down to a normal human portion, I slowed down. John asked. "So you're a speed force user. That's dangerous stuff to be messing with."

I smirked and cut my bangers and mash up. "I'm a dangerous sort of being. I've slaughtered thousands of humans, two aliens and soon I'll kill many more celestial types, devouring them all."

They stilled and I chuckled. "Relax, I was in the army killing what you call terrorists and extremists. As for the aliens, to be fair, they slaughtered an entire squad of cops before I got to them and they died quick. The celestial types I'll be going after, they won't be so lucky. I like to eat my food while it's still kicking and screaming. Gods, angels, demons devils. None of them taste good dead, but still alive when I tear in, mmm finger licking good."

They paled except John who smirked. "Bully for them then. So, you mentioned saving Astra's soul from hell and keeping mine from the pit?"

I nodded. "Astra's soul is claimed, for good or bad it's in hell for all eternity."

I looked him over before saying. "It would take something of equivalent effect to pull it out. I'd need something to get passed hell's gates, an invitation card if you will."

He frowned and asked. "And what would that be?"

I smiled. "Your soul of course. You sell me your soul and I'll enter hell, grab Astra and flip the devil the finger as I slaughter my way out. When I get out, I'll release her soul and it'll be heaven bound. Your soul will be under contract with me and safe from hell's fiery influence forever. You could become the next Hitler and you'd never see the gates of hell when your time was up. You'd come to me, serve as a arch mage in my court. I'd then bestow you with magic's that could bring gods to their knees. So what day you, master of the dark arts?"

He stilled looking me over to ask if I was serious. Chas whispered to him. "Don't do it John. We know nothing of this guy."

The female remained quiet but John had asked. "Where do I sign?"

I smirked and waved a hand as a green sheet of parchment appeared before him. I warned him. "John, you'd better be sure about this. Not even the almighty can break this contract. It's a forever and eternity deal. No backing out no matter what demon, god or celestial you ask for aid. Not even the devil can break this contract."

He frowned but went to sign when nothing came out. I chuckled. "It's gotta be in blood. A sort of permanent clause. You try to screw with me after you sign and your soul is forfeit immediately. Astra would still be in heaven or wherever she believed in but you would die instantly, bound to my will afterwards."

He sighed and muttered. "Freaking celestials."

He cut his finger and signed. The contract burst into flames and split into two. One for him and one for me. I put my copy away and smiled. "I'll be right back."

I stood and flames my way to the astral gates of hell where I presented the contract. The gates opened and hell, a burning inferno copy of this world appeared before me. Using my contract, I sensed the soul of young Astra in the deeper dark pits. I flamed to it and grabbed her. "Your coming with me. John Constantine has bargained for your soul."

She perked up. "John!"

I nodded and dodged a demon that swung at me from the shadows before blasting it with heat vision and flame traveled out of the pits. Almost immediately minor demons surrounded and hell spawn surrounded us. I pulled out my blades and moved in a blur, shredding demons along the way.

Their essence and insides littered the floor as their bowels fell out and discharged in death. I grabbed Astra and flew to the gates as fast as I could. Right as I got to the gates, I heard my father's voice. (Fine, take the mortal but don't enter hell again here without good reasons or you'll be staying.)

I snorted and flipped him and hell off while he chuckled and I passed through the gates and flamed away with demons on my ass. The gates closed, slamming shut just as a prince reached it and roared in anger.

I appeared back in the bunker with a semi solid Astra and covered in demon blood and stuff I'd rather not think about. Astra ran to John and hugged him as she started to glow white and float up. I sighed. "Sorry girl, I don't have the juice to bring you back at the moment. It's off to heaven for you. No soul worth it's salt sticks around long when they're as pure as yours."

Astra cried but floated through the ceiling while all three of the occupants shed tears, John most of all. I sighed. "I keep my promises John. Your soul will never enter hell, but that also means you'll never be able to sell it as no contract will last long. My claim is absolute. You can however temporarily make contracts if you want to but they'll break after a day or two depending on the demon you make them with."

He turned to me and spoke evenly but with emotion in his voice. "Thank you mate."

I shrugged. "No problem. Now, where's the bathroom, I'd like a serious shower and this demon blood doesn't come out easy. Not to mention what the rest of it is."

Chas showed me the way before thanking me as well. I patted his shoulder before closing the door and taking an hour long shower. When I finally felt clean again, I headed back to the library slash artifact room. I saw the female, Zed, touching a golden helmet.

I chuckled. "I wouldn't mess with that if I were you. That's the helmet of Nabu. It lets a spirit of Nabu posses the wearer and allows them a vast array of magical abilities but it's primary focus is seeing the strings of fate. It drives the mortal wearing it mad as the price. No mortal can see fate and stay sane after all."

She frowned. "What would happen if you wore it?"

I shrugged. "Odds are it wouldn't work as no spirit in it's right mind would try to possess me. I'd eat it like a piece of candy. I'm not exactly completely human after all."

She raised an eyebrow. "What are you then?"

I smiled. "I'll make a deal with you. One night with me, and I'll let you see whatever you want while we spoon afterwards. It'd change your life, honest."

She smiled. "You're not big with the small talk are you?"

I shook my head. "I'm not a fan of games. I enjoy the wooing and the thrill of the chase, but twenty questions bores me."

She chuckled. "I'll think about it."

I nodded. "You do that. Now, since we're not having sex, where's John, I'd like to make sure he understands his own fate a bit better."

She pointed to a door that led to an office where John was calling his friends and letting them know Astra was out of hell and in heaven now. I waited inside while he finished his most recent call. Sighing, I entered his mind and fed him his more important duties as I told him he was to continue to fight the rising darkness.

He understood it wasn't a request and asked. "What do I get as help if I do this?"

I shrugged. "I'll teach you some magic spells I know and let you make a link to my own magic to channel me. I'll even stick around and help when I feel like it. I am bored after all."

He nodded. "Fair enough."

I gave him the knowledge of every demon in the books and helped him expand his mind to a full world before teaching him how to defend against mental assaults, expanding his repertoire a great deal as he could now fight off demon possessions of low level warrior demons as well as cast more complex spells with ease and retain all knowledge he reads or hears about.

I the bit my wrist and a drop of blood came out. I took it as my wrist healed and pushed his forehead with it, making a connection. He could feel my magic and powers and was overwhelmed from what I sensed. I reeled it in a bit and he grumbled. "Bugger all mate, that's some power your packing."

I chuckled. "And now you can use it when necessary. Tap into what you need just know there's a limit I'll let you use before I come myself to see what's happening."

He nodded and I turned to Chas before muttering and slamming a ball of magic into him. John asked. "What the bloody hell was that for mate?"

I chuckled. "I just reset the magic making him immortal to a good round five hundred. Now he'll have more chances and time on this earth. After all, no one really wants to die and you could use his help."

I stood up while yawning. "So where's my room or do I need to make one?"

He showed me where I could bunk and I was out like a light after sealing the door with heavy wards. After a week of giving John spells slowly at two chapters an hour, a friend of his stopped by while he and the rest were out and got caught in a spell trap for intruders.

While it seems easy enough for me to bypass mortal wards, mortals themselves seem to have problems with them. I watched him spin in the air and made him do loops while I waited for John and Zed to get back.

I smiled when they came in while John mentioned being sorry for the poor sod who broke in. I'd been making his old friend Gary Lester spin on his head while squeaking like Flitwick. Zed looked appalled at my guest manners but John actually looked amused.

I pulled his friend out of the trap with a wave of my hand and he fell, still spinning, into the couch. John asked. "Gary mate, what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

I floated up to Zed to flirt while John got reacquainted with his old friend. She rolled her eyes when I sang to her. "You spin me right round baby right round."

Sighing, she asked. "Why'd you torment him like that?"

I shrugged. "I was bored, he broke in without knocking, you weren't here. Pick your reason, I'm not necessarily a good person Zed or should I call you by your other name?"

She looked spooked but I smirked. "Relax love, I won't tell if that's what you're worried about. I was just curious what you'd say to my question. And yes, I can read your mind. There's very few mortals that can keep me from doing so. I just prefer to here what you'd say over what you think. It keeps life fresh, not knowing the truth."

She went to touch my arm and I backed away. "Ah ah love, unless you agree to my proposal, no touching. You can forget about picking up a clue elsewhere as well. I wipe all my psychic imprints away."

She pouted and turned to see what John and Gary were talking about. I floated next to her by the railing and told her in a hushed whisper. "If you touch me, you're in fact agreeing to my proposal, so be very sure next time you reach out love, I tend to leave my lovers dazed and in a quivering mess of ecstasy."

I floated down and she shivered visibly while blushing a bit. Gary was going on about his heroin trip and exorcising a demon from some poor kid in the Sudan. When he mentioned it going free, I chuckled. "Ahh, hunger demons, voracious idiots. You really picked a winner. It'll eat through the heart of the city before moving on like a plague of locusts."

John looked to me and asked. "What do you know about it?"

I shrugged. "I can sense it right now, eating it's way through a mall food court. It hasn't hopped bodies yet but by the time you check it out, it will have. I'm surprised you managed to hold it in a jar so long. Then again the rising darkness is centered in the states right now so it probably would've broken out regardless. It's stronger than most demons you've faced except the prince. No container of glass or metal you can devise will hold it now."

John frowned. "What about one you can devise?"

I shrugged. "Are you asking for a favor John?"

He sighed. "Maybe."

I thought for a moment, making the strongest container I could with anti magic and demonic wards on it before holding out a hand. It appeared as a lighter. I told him. "Open it and light it. The flame will suck in any demonic presence below that of a prince of hell and seal it away inside forever."

I tossed it to John saying. "You might try the grocery stores a few blocks away. A woman is about to be taken."

I turned to Gary before watching him fidget under my gaze. Smiling I told him. "Leave town and never come back. This world is no longer yours. Stay away from the demons and magical stuff. Astra is in heaven so you can stop blaming yourself for her problems. The dead rarely care what the living think of them anyways."

I stood up and left the junkie and John to their issues while going to make lunch.