A Time of Magic

A Time of Magic is the thirteenth chapter in the Wombles Eight.

Back at Evie’s place three voices said together “With what?”  Constantine replied “Three for the price of one!  It’s like the Witches of Eastwick!”  “Are you calling us witches?” asked Evie, Mal and Clary.  “Course not!  I was just messing with ya!  Good movie mind, seen it?” Constantine replied sounding a bit worried.

“I have, it is good but what do you want?” cut in Jace saving Constantine.  “Quite simple really.  Some idiot invoked a nasty demon.  The idiot’s brother lost the sacred knife that can kill it.  Now It’s on the loose terrorising random people that say It’s name.” Constantine explained.  Jace didn’t respond.  He was looking pale and shaking.

Jace was looking petrified at his father.  Constantine slapped his forehead after being so very stupid and looked at the others. Evie was quivering in the corner trying to avoid wearing some really bad clothes.  Mal had turned into a dragon and was fighting Maleficent in her dragon form. Unfortunately it wasn’t real and Mal’s flames flew towards Constantine.  He made a quick exit to avoid being burned.  As he was chanting his incantation to disappear Clary grabbed hold of him.  The two of them reappeared in a big cave.  “Well love that didn’t quite work as well as I hoped” Constantine said casually. “That was the demon you talked about? You called it yourself?” asked Clary.

Now Clary slapped her forehead for being an idiot as It appeared again.  Constantine saw Astra, the girl he sent to hell, filling him with terrible remorse.  Clary was however fine.  “Tell me love!  Just why are you so casual eh?” asked Constantine.  “I have a Fearless Rune.  Would you like it too?” she asked.  Constantine was breaking down in tears looking pale as he tried to curl up on the floor.  Clary got out a pen and copied the picture she had onto Constantine’s arm. Instantly he stopped sobbing and sent It back to hell.  For now.

An angry voice sounded behind them.  “You again Mr Constantine!” said the voice.  Constantine looked behind him and saw Alfred.  “Alfy!  Yep me again. Sorry for the intrusion but me and my new friend have just escaped a fear reaper demon.”  Alfred looked surprisingly understanding as Batman walked in. “Mr Constantine sir” Alfred said to Batman.  “So I see” replied Batman.  “And to what do we the owe the pleasure?”

Constantine started to explain the situation without saying the word it.  That was quite tricky and took a while.  Batman wondered where Alfred had gone after finally understanding. Footsteps came towards them but they didn’t see Alfred.  A big musclebound man in a cape and a red suit with a lightning bolt on it was standing there.  “This really is one of those days.” Batman moaned.  “First I have a real nightmare about my worst enemy who should be dead. Now I don’t know if I’m mad or being haunted by his ghost.  Next Constantine appears in my top secret cave with a complete stranger.  Who are you by the way?”

“Clary Fray Mr Wayne” replied Clary.  “The name is Batman young lady!” replied Bruce taken aback.  “I can see part of your face and I’ve heard your voice on TV” replied Clary not a bit bothered by Bruce’s scary Batman act.

“Anyway” continued Bruce “Next I hear about an evil demon.  Alfred walks off when I’m hungry.  Finally Mr Muscle just wanders in!”  Just then BA and his Muscle Crew jogged in.  “Did I hear you say muscle fool?” he asked.  “Over there!  Welcome to the party!  I may as well put up a sign outside that says Batman Lives Here” sighed Bruce.  “OK Mr Wayne!” shouted BA.  He asked his crew to start on the sign immediately then invited the man in the red suit to join his crew.

“No thank you Mr Baracus. I’ve a family already but very kind of you to offer” replied the man in the red suit and cape.  “No problem Mr?” started BA.  “Captain Marvel” said the man in reply.  “Captain Marvel!  Putting up signs for my formerly secret cave!  No butler!  No dinner!” shouted Bruce and screeched out in his Batmobile.  Constantine turned to Captain Marvel.  “I’ve seen that symbol on yer chest before.  Are you in the Council of Wizards?” he asked.  “I took over from the last of them actually.  I’m his champion!” replied Captain Marvel.

“So what you can do?” asked Clary.  “I have the wisdom of Solomon!  Strength of Hercules!  Stamina of Atlas!  Power of Zeus!  Courage of Achilles!  And the speed of Mercury!” replied the Captain emphatically.  “Well you good sir are just the ticket to ‘elp me with a fear reaper demon!” said a pleased looking Constantine.  “You mentioned a family” added Clary.  Just then a big, muscular tabby cat in a dress emblazoned with Captain Marvel’s lightning symbol and a cape came in.  After that another muscular man, a bit younger with a blue version of Captain Marvel’s outfit appeared.  “Meowy Marvel at your service” said the cat.  “Captain Marvel Junior” said the man in blue.  Constantine now had his team!

Meanwhile outside the Muscle Crew had finished the sign at the entrance and put up road signs all around the area.  They were enjoying a milkshake in Muffin Break at Salisbury now that the public had seen the Batcave signs.  Hundreds of families headed in their cars to see it.  Batman had screeched by the other way in dismay.  He headed for Kent and screeched into his old UK cave.

“Bruce!  How are you doing?” asked Superman.  “Don’t ask” replied Batman.  “Do you like the changes?  Now it’s the Kentcave.  I figured that with your cave in Wiltshire under your manor you didn’t need this one. Well I had to give the personal touch.” Superman gabbled on at Bruce.  Bruce’s face darkened.  “Kentcave? This is the BATcave!” he shouted back. “Well it isn’t as if you can take it from me!” replied Superman.

Batman said nothing as he walked to a panel and opened it up.  Superman looked on in horror.  An eerie green glow shone out from a very large pile of Kryptonite.  Superman fell to the floor.