After marking the area of and cleaning up as best they could, the report was filed and Max passed over the footage of the fight. Nothing really caught Zatanna since he never looked her way. The beauty of spiritual sense.
Right now, he was filing a complaint against Agent Cassidy. Family was no excuse for letting someone like that escape. Especially with him now having information on Zatanna capabilities. And on the watch for Max.
"I understand Agent, but extenuating circumstances." Mr.Bones was trying to bring the situation down. What made it worse, Max was his boss with not breaking any rules currently. Especially with the people making it out that they came across. "This is higher up, than what we currently know."
"Liam Cassidy.. should be top of the track list. Family and friends should be questioned." Max turned to look at Agent Cassidy. "Starting with you. Since you are his nephew. Defintely not above suspicion after that fiasco!"
"Tch!" A member of Cassidy team didn't like this. "Enough! You are just a rookie, what do you know?" Max lulled his head over, despite the full armor, the agent could feel the look of disgust emanating off him.
"I know that every person he kills, is on you. Since you followed his orders and allowed the fugitive to escape." Max fixed a stare at all of them. "Emotions to dictate a mission like this is just stupid. Those people are all in comas and can die any minute. Are you going to speak to their families about what happened?"
"It has been a long night. You three are dismissed." Mr.Bones said to Max and his team. The four left still fully geared. The senior agents had know idea who they were still. "As for all of you, count yourself lucky is all."
"Meaning?" Agent Cassidy gave his boss a strange look.
"That those people didn't die. The next week will be rough. Hopefully, we find someone to break this spell on them." Mr.Bones lit up a cigar. "As for the girl you mentioned seeing. Leave her be. She is protected by a very powerful person."
"Shouldn't we bring here in?" Another agent asked.
"No." Mr.Bones exhaled. "The one backing her, provided the gear we use. As well as the one that helps Star Labs. Not someone to offend. Besides, if we keep up the good work, we should see her again."
The agents understood. Cassidy thinking something else. If she was able to break the hold on so many people at once, then she should be able to help his uncle. After a little more talking, they departed.
.
Back with the squad-
.
Max and company talked the entire back. The van was pretty nice. Luna was typing away on what happened. In charge of making off who was worth sticking one neck out for. And who was not.
"So.. Wayne.." Luna asked not looking away from the computer. "..your readings from your armor was crazy. Blood pressure started skyrocketing a lot. And your suit started increasing output."
"Is there a question here or?" Max looked over. Waller and Corben paying attention as well. They felt something was up. 'Atlas, what is going on now?'
'The scenario is expanding. Pulling more people in. Your power is much stronger than before. Your contractees much stronger and the decisions they are making. The Academy is also a cluster mess.' The A.I. spoke quickly. 'More people are taking note of you. Put in the Academy, such as this team that will affect those they meet. As well as those outside doing work. Pamela and Swamp Thing have just reached a strange level. Morgen's contacts are starting to take notice of her mysterious boyfriend. Both from Fear and Respect.'
"The strain.." Luna stopped typing turning to face him. "..how are you going to bear that?" The armor they wore did cause a burden on the body. But mostly for normal people. That is why they were all pushed to eat right and train hard.
"By staying in shape." Max answered simply. "Body at a high level goes a long way with our gear. Fill out the paperwork and I will approve you to study them deeper. But it comes with a contract additionally."
"I see." Luna nodded turning back around. A small smile on her face. 'Something weird about this guy. And from the surveillance from Corbin and Waller, he never looked behind him. I doubt it is just trusting in the two. Especially after this short time.'
"That guy got away. How bad will it be?" Corbin asked Max directly. The teen had trouble coming to terms with everything. Mostly the shooting from the other agents.
"Bd. But the injuries he received will slow him down." Max said as he leaned forward. Looking directly at Corbin. "But also make him desperate. You remember that golden flash right?" Waller nodded then Corben after some thought. "A magical trace. A really good one. If he is on Earth.. we will find him."
"And if he is not?" Waller questioned. "What do we do then?"
"If he is not here.. nothing to do. Hopefully, he dies in whatever hole he crawls into." The two hope that is what happened. But they doubt it. "We can only train and work hard to deal with it in the future."
Waller and Corbin understood. Both understanding the need to not go all out against the mage Liam and his group. Especially with so many civilians around and the other agents.
Right now, Corbin and Waller still were getting stronger. Not enough backing to prevent the government from trying anything. Neither one were strong enough to throw up flags yet. The waiting game before shining brightly. They needed to protect themselves.
Max kept quiet as he was mentally talking with Zatanna after that. Finding out what happened to her was not a good story. She was attacked a few days ago while going out after a fight with her parents. Both her mother and father not wanting her to practice anymore.
Especially after she and John saved the woman from the cabal. Her mother didn't need this grief. And she rather keep it from her. She wanted to protect her as best she could.
'Since you made it back to apartments, stay there to recover. In the room I assigned you is an amulet. Once you put it on... there is no going back. It can never be removed from you and you will become apart of an Egyptian Pantheon. Despite not being a Aspiring Champion.'
Zatanna moved around finding the safe in the room. Several magical lights it up marking her to make sure it as her. As well as checking for any type of... corruption. As the spells cleared and the lock removed, white mist flowed on to her.
Inside was a gold pendant with a triangle blue stone inside pointing down. A small hook to secure it to a string or chain was there up top. A spirit of a falcon appeared for just a moment.
'It seems powerful.' Zatanna thought to herself. She reached for it slowly heart pounding in her chest. But she felt no fear, accepting she needed to do more and learn more. 'I accept this Max. Even if I become apart of another Pantheon and not Gaia's.'
*Shine!* The moment she touched the pendant, it disappeared. Her already blue eyes shined even brighter. The pendant disappearing into her spirit sea. It did not need to be refined. It did not resist her. Having watched over Zatanna the entire time she visits the place and studied under Max and his people.
Zatanna didn't know when, but she felt the presence of someone in the room. Turning she was face to face with Gaia herself.
"Thank you for this." Gaia moved to set down. Gesturing for Zatanna to do the same. She did so of course. "You are young but powerful, and will become much more in the future. But their is so much that can go wrong. A little help goes a long way child."
"I know. Just wanted to do it on my own for once." Zatanna took the words to heart. "But I really wanted to join your Pantheon in the future. My mom speaks fondly of the Earth Goddess that gives life."
"Haha..." Gaia laughed a little. She hadn't heard words like that in a while. Her very breath causing a small breeze. Smelling of fresh flowers in the morning time. "..but you still can. One of two Pantheons. But it is not easy mind you. Think you are up for it?" Zatanna thought for a bit before nodding. "Then I accept you as an Aspiring Champion of both myself and of Horus. Which is not that bad considering a champion of his and Max have a close relationship."
"How close?" Zatanna looked at her oddly.
"Can not say. But Max does not remember a lot of things. And has gone through terrible things. Even lost a part of his soul and mind to a Dark God once." Gaia would not elaborate. Out of respect for Max and out of pain from the very memory of it. She lost Max for awhile. A long while at that. "If you want to know.. you will have to become close to him. Closer than Mercy and closer than Selina. Taking a walk into his Tartarus prison, is not something light."
"I can wait then." Zatanna said. There was no rush. "Does John know??"
"No. But he knows Max is scared in a way. So does Teth-Adam. Men can sense that in other men. Usually ends badly." Gaia shook the thoughts away. Changing the subject to something else. "Teth-Adam can help you understand Egyptian magic more since Max is not here directly. As well as... the Amazons actually. Take a trip there when you can."
"I understand." Zatanna nodded understanding that was a delicate subject. "What about the gem inside me?"
"What gem?" Gaia grinned. "The pendant devoured it already. It is impossible for them to track it in any way now. As well as your magic to exude any trace of it. But to be safe, continue to train. Magic does change every once in a while."
They talked some more before Zatanna start to fall asleep. Exhaustion catching up with her once more. Gaia set her in bed left a small mark of additional protection. A look of concern for the future passing quickly.
.
Undisclosed Pocket Dimension-
.
Liam Cassidy was standing in front of his master. A very large green-skinned demon with large horns. The demon Nebiros. Unlike the later adaptation, Max was dealing with the older one. The scenario was dangerous because of this bastard even more so now.
To the side was a kid around 10 or so. Chained up with small traces of light leaving him. Slowly the was forming a weapon. The outline looked a little like a spear. But it was actually a Trident. A very powerful one at that.
Liam kneeled on the ground. Groveling before his master. But no amount of pleading moved the old demon.
"You have failed, and for that.. the life of the boy is forfeit." Nebiros spoke without a care for any of the weepings. A quick look of happiness passed briefly. Something changed somewhere. Two humans he searched for were out of their hiding holes. "I have a better task for you. I need you to capture these two men."
The image of fat portly man appeared. He had black hair and reeked of cowardice even through the projection. The other man had red hair that curved up a little. Little glasses that sat on his nose just perfectly. A look of malice permanently on his face.
"Some of the first humans born. The brothers Cain and Abel. Capturing them will allow entry into the House Of Secrets and the House of Mystery." Nebiros schemed as he spoke. Demonic energy entering Liam to speed up his recovery. Unable to detect the tracer round inside of him, it actually was buried deeper inside. Healing it within. "Soon the Sandman will be mine and with that, entry back to Earth!"
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Neibiros body racked in pain through the process. The demonic energy twisting his form into something more. Something cruel and malevolent. The traces of his humanity snuffed out. Replaced with hatred. Especially towards the boy who did not listen. "Aaahhhhh!" Voice became hoarse as he spat out blood.
The boy was Daniel Cassidy. Originally meant to be the Blue Devil. After some time as a stuntman and engineer. But like Liam Cassidy, that was not happening. Neither on their Destinies and Origins.
The DImensional Collapse caused such trouble for the Cassidy Family. Instead a family of heroes and heroines, they were part of some of the worst cases against humanity.