Marvel/DC Comics Presents #7

Dr. Strange/Dr. Fate

Baltimore, Maryland

1968

Dr. Stephen Strange watched as the ambulance carrying Mr. Robert Reynolds, accompanied by his estranged wife, faded off into the distance. There was a small crowd of neighbors that slowly dispersed to their nearby homes. Dr. Strange noticed Kent Nelson, better known as the hero Dr. Fate, earlier speaking with a cop that came onto the scene. Though he was not within earshot at the time of their conversation, he recognized the effects of an enchantment placed upon the cop by Kent. The cop left before the ambulance did. The same calm blank look upon the cop’s face had eventually spread to the bystanders that had earlier gathered and they too left the scene as well until Kent and Strange were the only ones left outside across from the Reynolds’ apartment.

“Mental suggestion,” Dr. Strange asked as the fair haired Kent approached him.

“Had to be done, rookie. Only way to keep as many of them from getting mixed up in this,” Kent replied as he joined Strange under a streetlight. He then turned facing towards the apartment and said, “This demon might be strong enough to bring them into this as weapons and protection.”

“Indeed,” Dr. Strange agreed. He turned as well facing the apartment. “Though I have my doubts on whether this is some simple demon possession.”

“I don’t,” Kent quickly interjected.

Dr. Strange felt somewhat annoyed by his answer and said, “Either way, we need a plan to help this child. Did Mrs. Reynolds give you any more information on how this could have started?”

“According to her, she noticed a change in her son after her husband came back from a trip overseas,” Kent said. “Her husband works for a film company and was in a number of business trips for them. Most of those trips were in the Middle East and North Africa. He always liked to bring them exotic gifts from his trips. After his last trip he brought a lot of gifts for Robbie. Then he started changing personality wise.”

“How so,” Dr. Strange asked.

“He went from being an average 10 year old to being withdrawn and aggressive. He then graduated to being shut up in his room and speaking to someone else even though he was the only one in there. His mother mentioned that she could hear a strange low tone voice whispering in his room. About the same time her and her husband were having issues that according to her came from nowhere. They went from a happy family to one on the verge of collapse. She said that Robbie would tell her things about herself that he couldn’t know about her and her husband. Things that no child should know. On top of that were the sleepless nights with nightmares, Robbie’s secondary voice, and you can see where this is going.”

“I do,” Dr. Strange responded. “Add enough physical stress along with mental and spiritual duress and a soul can waver. However, there’s more to this than just a simple possession.”

“What do you mean, rookie,” Kent said.

“Like a buzzing just underneath your hearing. As though something is trying to weigh you down on an emotional and spiritual level. The closer one is to the apartment, the greater it feels. I felt it’s influence grow and push me to the point of wanting to fight you. This is probably what is causing the Reynolds to seek a divorce. This is also what is causing us to be antagonistic to each other,” Dr. Strange said as he cut a glance towards Kent.

Kent met his gaze and said, “Perhaps.” He then turned his gaze back to the apartment. “I suggest following my lead on this one. I have the most experience in these matters and we need to be united on this if hope to free this child of this demon. Can I count on your support?”

“That is not a matter of debate,” Dr. Strange replied. “A child’s life weighs in the balance and there’s no room for dueling methods. I may not agree completely with your diagnosis but until the matter presents itself differently you have my full support. However, I must ask if you intend to use your Helmet of Nabu.”

Kent’s head drooped a little and he replied, “No.”

“What,” Dr. Strange said shocked that Kent would not use the famed helm. He knew that the golden Helmet of Nabu was more than just a mystical artifact. It contained the essence of the famed wizard and Lord of Order. Those who wear the helm, if allowed by Nabu, would have access to incredible power and centuries of knowledge. “By the Vishanti, why not?!”

“There’s a reason why I’m not active as Dr. Fate like that these days. I’d rather not talk about it,”

“Yet you carry it with you in that bag I saw by you,” Dr. Strange said. “This whole matter could be over quickly with...”

“Enough,” Kent said angrily. “The helmet is last resort. Just drop it!”

“Fine,” Dr. Strange said sensing there was more to it than what Kent’s display of anger let on. “What is your plan?”

The two conversed over Kent’s plan before each individually meditating and mystically preparing for the matter at hand. Various spells and incantations were recited to offer protection and weapons for the exorcism. In thirty minutes, the two mages were ready. Dr. Strange began to take a step forward when he felt Kent touch his shoulder and gave him pause.

“Wait, rookie,” Kent said. “I need to get something off my chest before we go in there. I want to apologize for my outburst earlier when asked about the helmet.”

“Apology accepted.”

“There’s more,” Kent said. “”After the war and that whole mess with the government shutting most of us heroes down, I still continued protecting the world from mystic threats. It was okay for awhile until about 5 years ago.”

“What happened?”

“When one puts on the Helmet of Nabu, you are...partially possessed, in a way, by Nabu. You’re granted all this power and knowledge by him, but you also share your body with him. Lately that relationship has been changing. Nabu has been restless lately. He’s been wanting more control when I put on the helmet now.”

“When you say more control...”

“I started having missing time. About two years ago I stopped an incursion of Mindless Ones coming into our dimension. I stopped it as Dr. Fate and went home to my wife, Inza. I thought I was gone for two hours. When I got there she told me that I was gone for two weeks. Two weeks!”

“What happened in that time? Where did you go?”

“I don’t know. Nabu did heaven knows what in my body. The only thing I do know is that he’s waiting and preparing for something. Don’t ask me what. Whatever it is, it’s got him...concerned. So you know now why I’m hesitant to bring him in to anything at this point. He’s swallowing me up more and more when I’m Dr. Fate now.”

Dr. Strange took a moment to process Kent’s confession. He could see the fear but also some loathing when he spoke about Nabu. While initially put off by his earlier attitude, he found himself feeling sympathy for his plight. He placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder. “I thank you for your honesty, Kent. You are a great mage with or without the helmet. Now time is of the essence. Between the two of us we can free Robbie.”

“Thank you, rookie, I mean, Stephen,” Kent said softly. “I appreciate you.”

“Good,” Dr. Strange said smiling. “Now let’s save Robbie.”

To be continued....