Chapter Text
Wally paused when Nabu didn’t take off the helmet. He turned to look at Kent Nelson, the man getting paler by the second. “Kent? What’s happening? I thought that… I thought that you said he’d use my body to beat Klarion.”
Kent nodded his head, slowly. “I did.”
“Then, what’s happening?” asked Wally. “Shouldn’t he be letting me go?”
Before Kent could reassure Wally, a deep resonating voice shook the void that Kent and Wally resided in. “No, Wallace West. I am not releasing you from my service. You would provide a new set of abilities. Your speed would provide me with access to several new paths to total order. Is that not your purpose? To sacrifice yourself for the greater good?”
Wally took a moment to let Nabu’s words sink in. Wasn’t that his goal? To end crime, to make sure that everyone would remain safe? Well… I could better help the world. I could make sure that Mom and Dad are safe. I would also be able to help them better.
“Nabu! The boy is not the right candidate. His affinity for the mystic arts is weak, his belief in the world of science too strong! You should wait for the proper…”
“NO!” cried Nabu. “How long has Fate been absent from the world? How many times did your wife prevent you from fighting to protect the world from chaos unleashed? What is your hope? Maybe you would like the world to collapse. Your ‘beloved Inza’ prevented you from doing your duty! Why should I take you at your word?”
A heavy silence fell among the three beings. One a spirit, one a boy, one a Lord of Order. Wally glanced back and forth between the two, nervous and on edge. These two were fighting over his soul, something he wasn’t even sure existed. All he knew was that he was going to try and end this fight peacefully.
“Mr. Nabu? Mr. Nelson? If you guys are interested, I might have a way to end this without my psyche being ripped apart.”
After receiving the mutual, if tense, assent of the other two beings, Wally relayed to them his plan. “Dr. Fate, you are right.” Wally put a hand up to preeminently stop Kent Nelson’s outburst. “Let me finish. Dr. Fate, you are right, the world has fallen into chaos. But Mr. Nelson has been looking for the perfect host for you. His words should not be dismissed. However, I also believe that it is my duty to fight for those who cannot defend themselves. As such, I would think it would be beneficial for me to help you, as you and I could greatly help those who either one of us alone would be unable to help.”
“Then… do you agree that you should stay as one with me?” questioned Fate.
“No,” said Wally. “I’m only 15 years old. There’s so much to do in the world, and there’s so much for me to learn, some of which would probably greatly help in the fight against evil. And also, as Kent said, I’ve got no clue what any of this ‘mystic arts’ hooey is.”
“What are you saying, Wallace West? What is your counter-proposal?”
“I’ll take you back with me. I’ll train to better use your powers, and be able to help you in our fights, so that you don’t need to carry the burden of myself and you. I’ll train with and without the helmet, and I’ll get something like Nelson’s magic wand,” Wally stated, ignoring Kent’s indignant noise about how it was a cane. “I’ll always keep that on me, so I can summon the Helmet of Fate at anytime. However, when our battles would be completed, you must allow me to remove the helmet, and live my life free of interference. I will also plan for times where you and I will merge, so that we can perform your other duties,” said Wally.
The pause dragged on. It dragged on so long that Wally and Kent believed that Nabu would deny Wally’s proposal. “The bargain is accepted. However, Wallace West, as this is a magical contract, you will be severely punished if you break your vow.” As Wally raised his hand to ask a question, Nabu warned, “The punishment is death, as your soul is ripped from your body and burned, so that it may find its way to Hell, guided by the Demon.” Wally lowered his hand, his question answered in details that made him queasy.
“How should I provide my answer? Is there some ‘magic’ phrase I have to say?”
“Do you know Latin?” When Wally nodded his head yes, Nabu explained. “Say this phrase as if you were promising Life and Death: Ego Wallace West, iurare in verba convenerit, in periculo mei finis.”
Wally spoke these words, and immediately felt a burning feeling in his chest. “The contract has been agreed upon, and made binding. With whom will you train?”
Wally looked to Kent, and spoke, saying, “I was hoping that you could help me, Mr. Nelson. At least while I’m in the helmet. Outside, I was thinking of asking Giovanni Zatara, the league’s resident magic and occult expert. Could you help, Mr. Nelson?”
Kent smiled, pulling out his pocket watch. His picture of his Spitfire, his picture of his true love smiled back at him. What’s a little bit more time? She’d want me to help him stay alive, at least for a little while. Kent looked up at Wally and nodded, showing his assent to be considered.
“I approve of these choices. Wallace, will you relate to these heroes and your friends the terms of our agreement?” Wally smiled at the void, giving a double thumbs up to show Nabu he would. “Then I will leave you two to converse before Wallace removes the helmet. I shall see you soon, Wallace West. I hope you will be worthy.”
With those parting words, it felt like the pressure of the pocket dimension Kent and Wally resided in was released. Wally turned to the old man, whose death weighed heavily on Wally, and asked him a final question. “What should I do, Mr. Nelson?”
Kent gave Wally his biggest smirk. “My advice? Find yourself your own little spitfire. One who won’t let you get away with nothing. For instance, that blonde friend of yours… Artemis! That’s her name!”
In a flash of light, Wally found himself removing the helmet, only to be staring straight into the face of the girl Kent as just complimenting. “What the hell were you thinking, Wally? And what’s with the ring?”
Wally looked to his hand, and marveled at the powers of Fate. He had a ring, almost exactly like the Flash’s, only this one didn’t have a lightning bolt on it. This one had an ankh, like the Egyptian symbol for life. Wally liked that. Hopefully, he could save many lives and provide people with the hope to live their lives.
Then Wally looked up into the expectant faces of his teammates, with Artemis standing directly in front of him, with barely six inches of space between them. And like any 15 year old boy, with a pretty girl he was just told to date standing right in front of him, Wally blushed as red as a strawberry.
“What is it, Wally? Why are you so red?”