Dick was returning from one mission with the Titans. Old man Slade Wilson never learned his lesson. It was shameful when he lost to some awkward teenagers, and now, after training and experience, those beatings were even more humiliating.
They were in the tower, eating pizza, drinking soda, complaining about their adult lives, reminiscing about old missions. Even Roy was able to be here, since Lian was spending some with Grandpa Ollie and Grandma Deedee. Until Rachel dropped her drink and zoned, with glowing eyes.
Victor was worried. Rachel has changed a lot since she was a girl afraid of Trigon. She is powerful, confident, and more soft with her friends, even if she has the good old Raven mood. But seeing her like this, was never a good sign.
"I'm fine, it's the House of Mysteries. It is trying to open a door here. I don't know if the wards can be maintained for much more time."
The House of Mysteries? What Constantine would possibly be thinking in coming into the Tower. He wasn't in bad terms with them, but the man always meant trouble.
"Can't you let him in, before he breaks his way through? You would have less work to do."
"I know Dick, but the man stinks and have no manners. I've cleaned the tower today, I don't want muddy footprints inside."
"C'mon Rachel, we can make Garfield clean, since he always ditches."
Before Garfield could say anything, Donna put her hand over his mouth and Rachel answered.
"Okay, but I won't be on cleaning duty for a few months."
And just like that, a door opened in their living room, and from it, the Laughing Magician made his appearance.
"Oh please Nightwing, I would've called, but none of you gave me your phone numbers."
"Well, you can always call Batman. He loves when you have bad news for him."
"Funny you mention that , I came here to talk about him."
Was Bruce in any form of danger? Dick was always cautious with Constantine, but now he was worried about his father.
"What is threatening him John?"
"Oh, besides the usual Gothamites? Nothing much mate, I just want your help to convince him to allow someone to do something in Gotham. That person would love to repay the favor, and they are a pretty powerful entity."
Hm, that was unusual. Constantine never hesitated to appear in the cave or manor unannounced and uninvited. To have him come here to broker a favor with Bruce on someone's behalf, could mean a multitude of things.
"And I suppose this friend of yours will also owe you one for this situation."
"You caught me red handed, I can never pass up a good deal. In my heart, I'm bargain hunter."
Dick could probably hear Rachel's eyes rolling, she despised the man.
"Wait a little Nightwing, Constantine is known to throw people under the bus for his deals. We need more information."
"Well, good thing I came prepared for you Raven. Do you recall that your daddy had a playmate in the Beyond? Someone under the name of Pariah Dark?"
"The High King of the Infinite Realms? You've made a deal with him?!"
"Not so fast sugar. Dark is no more. A new guy beat him fair and square and there is a new Ghost King in the game. Recently deceased, not an Ancient. His situation is similar to that psychopomp in the other kids League. Did some heroing, and ended up with the crown. Inconceivable powerful, but he has a nasty hero complex and is into self sacrificing. Could do his business in Gotham and power through any opposition we could throw. Not even Shazam could stop him. I'm trying to avoid conflict here. For each living person, there's billions of his folk. I'm really lucky that he is trying to be polite."
That changed things. Rachel's face went from angry, to confused, to worried. Constantine may be a irresponsible bastard that rarely suffer the consequences of his actions, but he is not a fool. The situation was more delicate than what he anticipated.
"If you had opened with that, I'm sure that Batman would have helped you. Why did you came to for help convincing him?"
"Does the name Jack Napier rings any bells to you?"
