10187/Sorcerer's World: A Fable Darkly Pt. 2

Sorcerer's World: A Fable Darkly Pt. 2
Date of Scene:	19 February 2022
Location:	The Fable Realm
Synopsis:	After weeks of effort, after travelling to multiple different realities, Dr. Fate has at last been rescued and the Queen of Fables has been overthrown. But the Justice League's problems are just beginning as the dark ritual of Felix Faust is now at hand...
Cast of Characters:	Hal Jordan, Clark Kent, Barbara Gordon, Zatanna Zatara

---

Hal Jordan has posed:
The situation could be worse. Probably. But no matter how one looks at it things are a little less than ideal.

Trapped, in a reality not their own. A reality apparently overrun with all the fairy tales of their own world and dominated by a queen. Appropriately enough, the Queen of Fables. Their attempted rescue of the missing Lord of Order, Dr. Fate, has only left them as trapped as he is. Though that is the one silver lining in an otherwise dreary outlook that the trio of heroes face at the moment. The long search for Dr. Fate is over.

Now they just have to find a way out of their current situation and back to their own reality before Felix Faust enacts his plan.

That, of course might be a little easier said then done, given that they are currently locked away in a literal gilded cage, the giant bird habitats hung from the roof of giant-sized chambers -- a giant castle in the clouds that now serves as their prison.

And there are other complications as well, naturally. While Zatanna resisted the spellcraft of the Queen of Fables and while Batgirl's alterations seem largely cosmetic, Green Lantern is missing the telltale power rin that gives him his name, replaced instead by a blue hooded cloak and a magic sword by his side. At least he's not completely disarmed. All things considered however he'd prefer his ring.

They also have numerous other cages of prisoners all hanging in close proximity, filled with men, women and beasts of all sorts, all apparently ripped from classic children's stories. And none looking terribly pleased about the fact that they are imprisoned, freed only to entertain their 'Queen'.

Perhaps a bit of a rebellion is in order, hmmmm? Or maybe there is another means of escape close at hand.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman is here. He's been here the whole time. How dare you.

He's also...tin. Frowning a bit at his red and blue but distinctily metal body, the Tin Superman bangs his chest a few times. "Cheap casting, too. Well this is frustrating. Zee, any chance you can undo this nonsense and I can just break us out before Faust gets his spell off?"

Clark tries to move a little, and winces at the sudden, sharp pain. "...does anyone have an oil can?" At least he still has his cape, Clark thinks. It's only a red blanket with an "S" decal ironed on, though. "You can always tell when they're having fun with it, huh?"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Babs had paced. She'd tried a few things to get the cage open. NOthing had worked.

Now, she is seated near the others, with her legs crossed under her white skirt. She's got a basket sitting beside her and is eating a little apple. Her red cloak, and hood, still on, her red fiery hair coming out of the shadowy hood to lay down her shoulders. She's got a leather bodice on over her dress, and leather heeled boots. Red Riding Hood never looked so good.

Crunch. Babs bites in to the apple. "I've been in worse cages." She says. "But I'm ready to get out of here." She adds, eying the Wolfman that has been eying her for the past several hours(?) across the cage.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"She's only a bird in a gilded cage...."

Zee looks up in surprise at Superman's question. She had been sitting glumly in the corner of her gilded cage, humming the refrain of a song she doesn't know all the words to, glancing at Hal and Little Red Barbara from time to time.

"I can try." Scowling hard, she whispers, ".flesmih ot nruteR" Unsure of the results.

Brightening visibly. "Books," she whispers.

"Books and stories. Right? What gives her the right to write ours?Not a damned thing. So, how do we get her into /ours/ is my question?"

Hal Jordan has posed:
In other circumstances this might be somewhat interesting. Seeing living incarnations of the storybook characters that one grew up with. But these are pretty far from ideal circumstances.

Hal just doesn't cut the same figure in blue as he does in green, at least as far as he's concerned. The cloak, while comfy, has a tendancy to whisper to him -- which is just a little disconcerting -- and hwile having a magic sword might be nice, it doesn't feel anywhere near as flexible and useful as his power ring. Still, someone always has it worse right? Poor Superman. His search for a heart will have to go on for awhile, until one of their sorcerous companions figures out a way to change them back.

Then again, others do pretty well with the transformation thing. As far as costumes go, there are much worse than Little Red Riding Hood. Minus the attention of the wolf-types of course.

<< I am most sorry for the circumstances you find yourselves in my friends. More so, I regret that you came by these challenges in your efforts to assist me, >> the golden-helmed Lord of ORder states in that unearthly sort of voice, the mix of Kent Nelson and Nabu. But that contriteness comes to a quick end when Zatanna speaks. If his expression could be read behind that golden shell, it would surely be sharp, his mind almost immediately alight with the possibilities. << Now that is a clever notion. The Queen of Fables might be all powerful here in her realm. But if we bring her into our story, if we set the rules, and limits she may be hindered enough, >> Fate muses before he clasps hands together in front of himself, forming a rapid series of hand signs. And then, in between them an open, blank book appears and the master of the mystic arts slumps in place.

<< I fear my power is still greatly limited. But if you can channel your powers into this relic, if you can shape a new story Zatanna, perhaps myself and the others can create a suitable distraction. >>

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman feels funny?.

"Hey, I can move!" Superman says, grinning. He takes a swing at the cage as if it was made of candy floss.

There's a mettalic RING as nothing happens except Clark finding a way to hurt a metal hand. "Oh, wow. Pain! Nice to see you again, buddy." Clark grunts, holding his hand and hissing. "I'll need to get used to this."

He also remembers little Batgirl in her little fighting outfit and raps his knuckles, when he think Barbara isn't looking, at the werewolf, waving his axe a little.

"So, okay, the power of storytelling I guess. But how do we...do that? Do we just start talking?" Superman asks, a bit thrown by all of this magic stuff. It's always been a bit of a blind spot to him.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara finishes her apple, as Clark makes the Wolfman think twice about whatever heinous thoughts he was having. She stands up then, smooths her skirt and looks to Zatanna, then Fate, hoping one of them would fix things right quick this time. But again, nothing comes of it. She sighs. "When I was asked to help the Justice League with this, I thought I'd be ... you know... throwing punches, and... hiding in dark corners. Not... reliving a Disney-esque storybook. I mean, not that I'm complaining, this is definitely going to be stuck in my mind for a long time after..." She glances at the front of the cage. "Assuming we get otu of here..."

She turns to glance at Hal, then at Clark again. From under her hood, she motions to the Wolfman. "Go throw a punch at him. Lets start a brawl. Might work as a distraction..." Classic Gothamite. Start a fight.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"None of us would have let you do this on your own, Hal," Zatanna replies, forehead wrinkled with concern. Shaking her head in disbelief at how badly her powers are distorted in the Queen's realm, she forces herself out of the torpor she's fallen into to rise and cross over to Hal.

Crouching next to him, "Spoken words are twisted in this place. Write them, I'd say. But now the question is with what? In blood? In ink?"

She looks solemnly at each in turn, "I think we all have to write this piece and trap her in it. Hal? Would you like to begin? I can conjure ink and a pen."

With a shrug, "Nothing says I must say my spells backwards. And blood smacks of hell."

Clearing her throat, the homo magi hrises and theatrically holds out both hands palm up. "Ink and pen."

Hal Jordan has posed:
It is possible that the Dark Knight over-trains his apprentices just a little bit. When in doubt, hit something!

Still, as far as distractions go it has the advantage of being simple and direct. And with so many cages hanging in relatively close proximity there are no shortage of potential targets either, human and non-human alike. Though for the most part they appear to be just as downcaste about their captivity as anyone else present. Surprise, surprise. No one loves the idea of being locked up in a cage.

But yes, the creepy wolfman hanging out giving Batgirl the eye looks like a likely target. It just bares it's teeth at Superman as that axe is used to good effect, flexing it's paws and showing off those very sharp looking claws.

Someone definitely deserves a newspaper across the snout.

Dr. Fate nods his approval at the suggestion. "A logical assumption. While stories may have a root in oral traditions it is when they are put to paper that they become timeless. And much more difficult to change," he agrees, glancing towards the Green Lantern as that jar of ink and feathered quill suddenly appears.

So then, where to begin? What to write? Hal eyes the feathered quill for a moment -- given the setting it makes sense that this is what would appear -- and then carefully scribbles out a sentence in that blank book. "Lets see what happens..."

There, in the book, Hal's scribbles transform, becoming bold, illuminated script, little pictures starting to form in the margins, just like a book of fairy tales. 'Unbeknownst to the evil Queen, there was a traitor in her midst...'

There is no great wait for the results, instead a voice sounds from just beneath them, by one edge of the cage. "Pssst. Psssst. If you wish out of your confinement and are willing to take my friend and I with you, stamp on the floor of the cage three times..."

Clark Kent has posed:
"That'd be rude, Batgirl." Superman says, not wanting to come off like a pushy brute who doesn't think she can take care of herself, and then the werewolf gives him lip. "Oh you think you're clever Pluto?"

He is about to throw a fist and then the traitor shows up. Superman considers taking this information soberly and calmly so they can assess their most rational attempts to escape.

Someone in the jail takes their head off. "Whee, I'm whimsical!"

Superman stamps on the floor three times.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara's eyes may be covered in shadow, but her mouth is visible, and she affords Clark a big smile. "Hey, this is a story book. YOu're supposed to defend my honor, or something..." She trails off as she over hears the other conversation going on. "We have to write a story? That sounds easy. I was big in to Tumblr fan fiction back in my teens. You should... on second though, none of you should." She stops there.

Barbara turns back to see what Clark, and the Wolfman were doing, but then hears the whispered voice from outside. She looks down at the bottom of the cage, then stomps her heeled boot down upon it 3 times also.

Thunk, thunk, thunk!

"Hopefully they're not a cat owner... Or a talking cat owner..."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Write it down, Hal. Please. 'Then, Superman disguised as Tin-man and the Red-Cloaked Maiden stamped their feet three times, bidding the mysterious voice tell them their plan."

The magician crosses her arms, eyes narrowed as she thinks, "Quietly and in secret they hatched their plans, the Queen taking no notice of how her subjects planned their escape."

Hal Jordan has posed:
Like dogs playing poker? There's three pigs clustered around a nearby table playing cards just two cages over. Or perhaps one prefers their fables a little more Disney-fied? That almost has to be Snow White bent over, lecturing seven dwarfs, right? Or the woman with the glass slippers who seems equally put out with her tall, darkly handsome companion -- who's attention seems to be firmly fixed on Snow White's backside. Prince Not-So-Charming it would seem. And of course there all sorts of more obscure characters out of legend as well, so it would seem.

While his hand writing might not be the neatest around, it would appear that the book will take care of that for him and Hal glances towards Zatanna, giving her a quick nod as he continues to record what's going on around them, adding in suggestions from the others as they make them. "Keep it coming," he urges, scrawling out 'Their new allies came bearing gifts, including a green ring of power...'.

And just who are their new allies, so willing to risk offending the Queen of Fables for a chance to escape. It is not clear at first, but as Clark and Barbara stamp their feet they can hear a whispered conversation going on beneath them. Finally however there is movement at the edge of the cage, a flash of gold, quickly gone. But not for long. It reappears, slowly rising up until standing there before them, floating on an elaborate rug is... a gold framed mirror.

The have people. They have animals. Now, apparently, they have sentient things to deal with as well.

A shaded figure appears in that mirror, just the outlines of humanoid features. "You have no idea how demanding that woman can be to work with. If I have to tell her she is the fairest one of all just one more time I swear that I will crack right down the middle," the sentient object complains. "So we have a deal, right? We help you escape, you take us with you? We even brought something to help. As a show of good faith..." the mirror says.

One tasselled corner of the rug twitches, flicks and a glowing green ring arcs between the golden bars, clattering across the cage to land at the feet of Hal.

His Precious.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman makes a little 'watching you' motion at the werewolf, and then they bail.

The Man of Tin lands in this new part of the castle, wishing his vision powers had fully returned. He can see a bit sharper, hear a bit better, but it's slow going. Superman can actually feel Zatanna's spell struggle with the curse that brought him here. It's not a great feeling.

And still, old instincts scream. Would the Queen ever, ever take her eyes off of a weapon like that?

"Hal, are you sure??" Superman says, frowning a little. "This seems awfully easy going."

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara is at the edge of the cage when that rug, and whats on it, rise up. She backs up several paces, holding her dress up a bit, so as to not step on it as she does so. She grimaces at the sight of the mirror, but then catches the rest of this strange deal. Her eyes spin around to watch Zatanna, then over to Clark again, before she watches when the ring is sent toward where Hal is.

Barbara stares with an uneasiness from within her shrouded shadowy cloak.

"At least poke it with a stick before you pick it up." She dryly comments. "It could be a ... illusion. I don't know... I'm out of my element."

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman gives Batgirl a look while they're falling. "...what fandom though?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
A pleased smile threatens to break Zatanna's gloom when she sees the page transform into illuminated script. Leering princes and sentient mirrors make an odd sort of sense in this topsy-turvy world.

Great illusions require belief. Zee catches the doubt in Superman's voice, and Barbara's stare and resolutely ignores them. "We are making our OWN world here."

Improvising as quickly as Hal's handwriting will allow, "We promise to break you from the thrall of her vanity, O Mirror. Wise wish-giving mirror (a wish on Zatanna's part) return each of us to our normal state of power and let's break out of this place."

IN an aside to Hal, "You don't need to write this.A magic carpet is really promising. Think we can get out on it?"

Hal Jordan has posed:
It is a fair question. Really, it seems a little too easy to Hal as well but the no longer Green Lantern gives a slow shrug of his shoulders and jerks a thumb in Barbara's direction. "I'm with her. I'm way out of my element here. But I mean, so far so good, right? Keep the suggestions coming and I'll keep writing them down," the cowled man says from beneath that blue hood, his latest writings transformed into that illuminated script, little pictures of themselves in their cage forming, right along with the rug and mirror.

<< The key is in it's subtlety, >> Dr. Fate offers up when Clark expresses his concerns. << If Zatanna or I were to directly pit our magics against the Queen she has shown that she can blunt them, even overcome them. But this is not focused directly towards her and thus may slip her notice. This realm is full of magic; spells, creatures and artifacts all. This is just one more, >> the Lord of Order explains. << And it's use here is further obscured by having one with no magic at his disposal to utilize the book. Quite ingenious really," Fate adds, dipping his head towards Zatanna once more.

For his part, Hal doesn't have a stick. But thanks to the Queen of Fables, he does have a sword and he draws the gleaming blade, carefully nudging the ring at his feet -- which is properly nudged, scittering a inch or two across the floor of the cage. If it is all illusion, well, count Hal in. "I'm sold," he says, scooping up his old friend and slipping it on. Almost at once the cloak draped around him shifts from blue to green, while that sword gleams with the same light.

The newly returned Green Lantern immediately turns back to the book, beginning to scrawl out more of Zatanna's suggestions. 'The mirror proves to be an even better ally then expected, granting wishes to it's friends including a return of powers, abilities and tools. The magic flying carpet likewise expands, able to carry any that need it...' "Done," he announces.

For the mirror's part, that faint image within the shadowed depths of the glass has it's eyes widen and a small smirk slides across it's features as the new 'twist in the tale' is written down. "Clever," it murmurs. "It seems like perhaps I will be calling someone else the fairest of them all before too long," it adds Zee's way.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman smiles.

He flexes.

"Well, might as well see if it works." Clark plants his feet, and puts a hand on two bars. No shock, that's a start. "Alright, let's..." Superman plants his feet and starts to move. Nothing seems to happen. The Man of Tin narrows his eyes, squares his jaw, and his muscles flex dangerously under that silly outfit.

That pops right off from the strain, revealing Clark's classic jumpsuit right under it. The cage starts to shake and shudder, and Superman can feel some sort of force struggling against him. Fine. He can struggle with the best of them. "And..."

The bars RIP out of the ground, the entire cage seeming to strain and melt as Superman tears a hole into its gilded sides, ripping through the Queen's protective spell physically. Superman wipes his brow, winking. "Someone can write that down if they want."

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara can feel her armor coming back to her, like its fading back in to place over her form. She feels the Red Riding Hood clothes being torn apart as this happens too, and as they fall away, they fade in to nothingness. Babs is back in her Batgirl armor, her red hair back around her shoulders, coming out of her cowl's edges.

She sees Superman doing what he does, then sees the Lantern back in his form. "Nice sword poking skills." She says to him before looking to Zatanna. "You're the best." She says with a quick smile before the bars to the cage are opened and Batgirl is shooting in to the air via the use of a grapple gun!

There she goes, up and out, to land on the top of the cage now!

Sorry, Wolfman!

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The magician does not simper at Dr. Fate's praise or the promise of admiration from the magic mirror. A performer from the tips of her manicured nails to the marks left by her fishnet stockings and the ache of wearing high-heeled shoes, she nods regally, affirming Dr. Fate's appraisal and letting the show carry on.

"We all have to write this or be left behind."

"Well! There is writing and doing," she remarks in admiration at Superman's show of returned power.

She pats Hal's shoulder, murmuring, "Good job. Might as well write that, too."

Looking upward at Bat Girl, Zatanna grins broadly then glances at each of the captives, "What do you think? A cloak of darkness to cover us? Any suggestions?"

Hal Jordan has posed:
All of this is almost enough to give Hal quite the appreciation for magic. Certainly more so than the Queen's version, so the emerald knight continues to scribble away in the book, balancing it in the crook of one armm hand clutching the ink pot while he dabs that quill in periodically as he continues to write their story of escape.

To great effect it seems. While it is not exactly effortless, the Man of Tin -- soon to be made of Steel again manages to tear apart the cage, leaving a gapping hole to escape from. Almost at once the carpet and it's mirrored passenger are their waiting, though neither Clark nor, as it appears, Barbara need much help in that department. Still, Hal writes it all down, nodding at Zatanna as she makes her suggestion about the cover.

"And they made their way out under a cloak of darkest night..." he mutters to himself casually, scrawling out those words as twinkling twilight abruptly descends over the candle lit room, the chandaliers dimming, fading away to mere specks of light, like stars in the sky. It's all going so perfect...

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" comes a screeching voice that is nothing near so melodious as the Queen of Fables when they first encountered her. Oh yes, she most definitely sounds pissed. "TO ME SCRUFFY," she bellows in most un-lady-like manner.

"Uh oh," the mirror mutters. "You might want to hold onto something..." it warns, the flying carpet actually darting into the cage.

A moment later there is terrifying loud howl that seems to fill every last inch of the room, then something that sounds like a loud, massive indrawn breath. Then that breath is released. It is so much worse then being in a hurricane, so much worse then being in a tornado, probably worse then being in both at the same time. The cage still populated by Hal, Zatana, Fate and their new allies absolutely flails about wildly, smashing into other cages that whip about just as out of control. Superman and Batgirl may not fare much better, depending, and that cloak of darkness is literally blown away.

Revealling an absolutely huge wolf standing on the giant table in the center of the room.

The Big. Bad. Wolf.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Huh." Clark says, and is then hit with the mother of all hurricanes. He's flung away for a moment, lost in the sheer power of the howl. The problem is.

The problem is Superman's flown through hurricanes before. He needs to adjust himself, kicking through the air and even swinging at the air, using his super strength to build power and force to keep afloat during that terrible how. It's the kind of feat worthy of the Superman name.

"Well." Superman manages, landing with an exhausted huff. "What big eyes you have, buddy. I really don't want to punch a dog."

But someone needs to buy the magical thinking ones time. "But I don't want to do a lot of things I end up doing. Gang, get us out of here!" Superman leaps into the air, moving to grab the wolf's jaws in order to keep it from howling again.

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara, at the top of the cage now, has to grab on and holds on as the howl of howls rushes over it. Her autumnal locks, and black and gold cape, whip around in the foul scented air! When its over, and the Big Bad Wolf presents itself, Babs just exhales as she stands back up...

then she snaps her right hand up and fires off a electrical weapon. Bolos with a net, aimed right at the big beasty's mouth!

"I don't mind punching dogs." Batgirl says as she activates the electricity, then shoots up in to the air with another grapple gun burst!

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Uh oh, ain't the least of it," the magician retorts breathlessly on her hands and knees from the bottom of the cage where she landed like a rag doll. It doesn't prevent her from casting a spell that keeps the ink in its place and the quill pen and book firmly in Hal's grip.

Scrambling to her feet, Zee makes a leap to the rug that bids well for her having an acrobatic career if performing magic fails. Dictating from her perch, "Then, the evil, old, ugly witch lost her power to cast spells."

Hal Jordan has posed:
The windstorm is fierce, as fierce as anything any of them are as likely to have seen -- at least on the planet Earth. But it is not endless, at least. Apparently even the villain that has spawned any number of tales has to breath now and again and when he does Superman and Batgirl are there to try and make him pay.

Even as the massive wolf starts to draw in another breath and send them all flying again, the newly minted Man of Steel is there, that powerful grip clamping those jaws shut before more than a slight breeze can escape them. Still, it's a struggle. This is no ordinary wolf afterall, it is the feature player in counterless children's nightmares. It is magic through and through. And it's power is considerable.

So how about shocking it back into the stone age? Batgirl's aim is true, those bolos adding another layer of restrain to that fearsome maw. Then the electricity hits and... things don't quite go as expected. Those wires glow visibly, arcing blue electricty zapping the angry wolf. And it seems to eat it up. For the rest of them it might be a little more difficult to see from their more distant perches, but Superman is right there, up close and personal. The electricity dies... and then is reborn in the creatures eyes, sparks dancing wildly there.

No ordinary beast breathes like that. The thing is a storm born, and there is little that the storm loves more than lightning.

Still, Superman is keeping it constrained for now.

Up in the cages Hal is rocked back for just a moment as the wind hit before he takes to the air, hovering to keep from being thrown around. That green ring around his finger flashes once more and a huge, oversized catcher's mit forms up behind Zatanna as she's thrown about, offering a little padding at least until she can flip her way to the carpet. Likewise additional handholds form atop the cage, glowing all the green so Batgirl has a secure perch as well.

Still, there's a lot going on and the ink almost slips from Green Lantern's hand as he tries to juggle -- he is not a stage performer and it might be a while before he becomes one, if that's any indication. Fortunately Zee is there once more with her magic and all at once the precarious balancing act Hal is attempting becomes a whole lot easier.

"...evil, old, ugly witch lost her power to..." Hal mutters to himself as he hastily scribbles in his book. At least until a quiet clearing of the throat comes from the carpet. Or more specficially that mirror that somehow remains upright on that flying rug. "Excuse me, but that is rather direct action agains the Queen. Something that she might be able to resist now that she's on to you. But you do have at your disposal a rather marvelous, wish-granting mirror..."

Hal locks his gaze with Zatanna and shrugs. "Mirror, Mirror on the rug, open up a portal for us hastily, before you grow any more smug." Yeah, he's never gonna be a poet either.

But there, in midair, just a few feet away from the gaping hole torn in the cage is a wonderful, swirrling glowing opening with the Meeting Hall of the Justice League visible on the far side.

Clark Kent has posed:
The Big Bad Wolf is terrifying, here in his place of power. If he'd been clever enough to change forms, or force Superman to do the same, Clark would lose, plain and simple. But the beast uses magically enhanced natural forces, and so has an equal in the Superman. It's a mistake a lot of magic users make, having heard of his weakness to spellcasting means a fireball will do what a sleep spell or transmutation would've done.

"I've got him!" Superman calls, and God help him there's a laugh like thunder in his voice. Clark doesn't get to go all out like this often and as reserved as Superman is on earth, there's genuine joy in stretching his legs. "Get out of here, I'll be right behind you!"

"Always felt bad for those little pigs." Superman confesses, moving to generate thrust and speed and thus access the full range of his strength; power he usually only dares call on in space or some similar desolate place, unless the sheer force of his moving through the air break someone.

The floor cracks, as unstoppable force meets unmovable object. "And that grandmother! I bet she didn't even taste good you glutton! Ha ha!"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Batgirl hangs from the chain of one of the cages that is being suspended in the air. She watches as the wolf just absorbs her technical approach to an attack. "I hate this place." She says before the portal is visible when it opens. "I like that place..." She says further before her hand releases the chain, and her cape goes stiff with a shock of power. The Bat takes to the air and starts to glide, doing a circle to take in the sight of everything.

"We have our way out. Lets go!"

On her way toward the portal, she fires an explosive at one of the cage locks, hoping it will pop the thing open, but in this place? She doesn't have high hopes on it!

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Smug as a bug in a rug," she mutters, unable to resist. After tapping her hat into place, Zee crosses her legs and holds on for dear life. Music fitting the corny poetry swells magically filling the hall. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4FMn-IWEY)

"Mirror, I think I love you," the magician sings as they prepare to travel through the portal.

Staring deeply into the mirror's magical depths, "I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I have tonight. Free everyone held prisoner and let them return safely home.

Holding her arms out in invitation to the mirror, "Come with us!"

Hal Jordan has posed:
If ever there was a good place to cut loose, this would certainly qualify. There is no doubt that the Big Bad Wolf can dish it out, but it seems that he is pretty good about taking it too. As Superman absolutely goes to town on him the wolf responds, snapping at him with those great big teeth, meeting fire with lightning from those great big eyes and swatting at him with those huge paws. That giant-sized table absolutely shatters under them as they exchange blows, the huge cobblestones of the floor crack audibly and little clouds of dust fall from the ceiling as the entire giant-sized castle shakes and buckles.

They might even be in danger of falling right out of the clouds they rest on at this rate.

Then the Man of Steel connects with a devestating uppercut and the wolf is knocked flying across the room, slamming into and shattering the cupboard there, dishes raining down around him. As he falls, the wolf seems to vanish in stead a scruffy looking man rests amongst the ruins, grimacing and rubbing at his jaw, glaring up at the Man of Steel.

Poor Batgirl. It's possible that she will never, ever volunteer to come on a Justice League mission again. But the way is clear and as she takes to the skies once more that tossed explosive finds it's way good and true to shatter the lock on the cage.

Of course Batgirl is not the only one making a break for that open, swirling portal. The flying carpet with it's two passengers are doing the same, clearly having no intention of sticking around now that they have betrayed their Queen. "You're a teepee, you're a wigwam, you're a teepee, you're a wigwam. Clearly you're two tents! Lighten up!" the enchanted mirror calls out to Batgirl as it wings it's way to safety too.

They may come to regret having giving sanctuary to it before too long.

As the music swells throughout the chamber -- possibly the strangest soundtrack ever to such a cataclysmic battle raging between two primal forces of nature -- the Mirror seems to practically glow. "Trust me, I know I love you! Or at least your world. You have no idea what passes for entertainment in this realm. It's watching turnips grow. Literally," the Mirror complains to it's new best friend as they dive for freedom. "You got all the streaming services right? Oh wait, soon I'll be able to do all that for you!"

Of course, just an instant before they vanish, back to safety on their own world, Zatanna's other spell goes off. Or rather her wish. The Mirror does not have time to crack any jokes this time, but even as they vanish, soaring into the Hall of Justice, looking back they can see the wish take effect. In all those cages, the confined fairy tales begin to slowly fade away, eyes wide in surprise as they find themselves liberated from the tyranny of their ruler.

The Queen of Fables is not quite so happy however. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? MY SUBJECTS!" she bellows -- quite the set of lungs on her too. Perhaps she's related to the Big Bad Wolf? "WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU YOU'RE GOING TO WISH...!" she begins. Right before a golden gag silences her bellowing.

Dr. Fate, it appears, has done his good deed for the day and with a nod to Hal and a backwards glance towards Superman, he passes through the portal at last.

Weeks of search at an end. Finally.

Hovering in midair, Hal pauses by that portal, watching as the Big Bad Wolf -- now a surprisingly scruffy, normal sized man -- slowly gets back to his feet. "We're all through Superman. Captives freed. Lets go," he calls out. eeThen he too exits, stage right.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Got it!" Superman shouts.

He lands through the portal with a SLAM, breaking something important of Bruce's. Or Ollie's. One of the rich ones. There's a big, ugly scratch across Clark's face (it's already starting to heal), a bruise all over his chest and a big dumb grin on his face.

"I've had worse trips. Everyone okay?"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara stands in the corner of the meeting hall as the others start to come through, her cape around her shoulders, as her green eyes just peer out from within her dark cowl. She looks at Superman, and winces at his injury. "I hope that heals..." She notes to him. "Thanks for the backup against all the wolves in there." She adds with a smirk before she looks to see Zatanna and Hal's arrival.

"So this is Doctor Fate?" Babs asks.

"It seems the League has gone through a lot of trouble to get you out of there..."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Back in the Hall, Zee looks down at herself and promptly changes into the latest Harajuku monochrome look in black and white. Suspended occultly in mid-air the mirror watches them return home, benignly reflecting them all without the bumps and lumps received in the land of Fables.

Oddly enough, the face behind the mask appears in the mirror, an older dapperly bearded man next to Zatanna's pale reflection.

With a hand flourish, "Welcome to the Hall of Justice. As she says...it took some doing to extract you from her clutches."

Hal Jordan has posed:
The fight, it would seem, is over.

The mighty wolf of legend and the Man of Steel matched each other blow for blow. Given that he seems to have the power of storm, it would seem a fair assumption that they might match one another speed for speed as well. But the scruffy looking man doesn't even try to pursue. Instead the faintest of smirks rests on his face and he slowly turns towards the muffled Queen of Fables where she tugs at that magical gag. Then that lightning enters his eyes once more.

First her magic mirror and flying carpet turned on her. Now it looks like a palace coup might be in the works. There are days that it is not good to be queen afterall it seems.

As Superman passes through the portal -- and adds a little sumthin' sumthin' to one of their resident billionaire's next credit card statements -- the swirling vortex closes behind him, leaving all present and counted for. Including the long sought Lord of Order, golden cape seeming to billow around him on some unseen breeze. << You have. For which I am both sorry -- to have caused such trouble -- and grateful -- to have such dedicated friends. I do not know if even I can tip the balance against Faust, but you shall have me by your side when it is time to face him, >> the golden helmed sorcerer promises them.

And then there is Zatanna and that Mirror, that somehow remains perfectly balanced, standing up right despite being on a floating carpet. "For which I am most appreciative. Though I think I might have helped a little," it cpoints out smugly. "You and me, we can go places. But not back to that world. Not anytime soon," the figure says with a mock shudder.

Before any more relief can be shared, any more banter over a job well done a beeping sounds over the JLA comms. A familiar tone, for those who have been chasing Faust and his allies all these months. The sound of their magic alarms going off. The sound of Faust being detected on this plane, on this world once more. The monitors mounted in each of the corners suddenly spring to life and an image of the globe appears, zooming in, closer and closer. Narrowing in onto the western hemisphere. Northwestern section. Europe. And then finally the clear destination of Faust becomes plain as day. The location where he intends to enact his final ritual.

Latveria.

"I don't think we're going to get much of a chance to rest afterall..." Hal says slowly.