MARVEL/DC COMICS PRESENTS #8

Dr. Strange/Dr. Fate

Baltimore, Maryland

1968

Dr. Stephen Strange and Kent Nelson entered the oddly cold apartment. They stepped through calm but alert. Slowly and carefully they walked through the hallway towards the stairs at the far end.

The house was oddly still as they came to the stairs. What lights were still on in the apartment seemed dulled and tinted. The buzzing feeling that both felt earlier in the back of their minds was still there as soon as they entered. Thanks to the protection spells that they each utilized the buzzing went from a cacophony of negativity to a dull roar that had little to no effect on their minds.

“Two little mages have come to visit me,” a loud low voice said from upstairs.

The pair did not halt their approach up the stairs. Dr. Strange walked behind Kent who led the way up the stairs. He noticed Kent gesture with his hand and the bag that held the Helmet of Nabu appeared on his shoulder.

“There’s no need to be worried about an attack, Kent said as they reached the top of the stairs. “The demon wants us to come.”

“There’s a lot of pride in this action,” Dr. Strange analyzing the moment. “This entity feels too confident on facing us. I suspect there’s is more to this than it seems.”

Kent sighed as he calmly reached the room door at the end of the hall. “I’m beginning to agree with you. We need to be cautious. He’s been probing our defenses since we entered.”

“I’ve felt it as well,” Dr. Strange agreed.

Kent placed his hand on the doorknob and looked back at Dr. Strange who gave a reassuring nod to him.

“Come in, little mages, come in,” the low tone voice said.

Kent turned the door knob and entered the room with Dr. Strange behind him. The room was littered with toys, papers, and books on the floor. At the far end of the room was a queen sized bed which was flanked by windows on each side on the wall. A lamp that was on the nightstand on the left side of the bed was off along with the top light. The room was mostly darkened aside from the light from the streetlight streaming through the windows. The pair could see a figure like that of a child sitting up in bed. The face was in the shadow of the room and the darkness obscured any distinguishing features.

“What an excellent night for an exorcism, gentlemen,” the male low tone voice said from the direction of the figure in the bed. “Even more excellent when you are dead.”

Kent stood up a little straighter with a more powerful stance and faced the bed. “What is your name, demon?”

A chuckle came from the bed. “Let’s take a look at you both with my own eyes.” A pair of glowing red eyes peered from the darkness. “That’s better. Now let’s get a little more light for your human vision.” The lamp on the nightstand clicked on without being touched by the figure in the bed. The light revealed a fair haired boy sitting cross-legged on the bed. It was Robbie Reynolds and yet not. The boyish face had a wide grin which gave the child a more evil appearance. “Is that better,” a low tone adult voice asked from Robbie’s lips.

“You haven’t answered his question,” Dr. Strange asked as he stepped forward. “What is your name?”

“I’m Robbie.”

“You lie,” Kent said.

“Obviously,” the voice said sarcastically. “But for the purposes of honest civil conversation, call me Robbie.”

“Fine, Robbie,” Kent relented. “You will leave this child and go back to whatever hell awaits you.”

“Can you believe this, Stephen,” Robbie said turning his attention to Dr. Strange. “Even after all you’ve said to this jealous fool, he still thinks I’m some low level hell fiend he can command.”

“Say nothing more to him, Stephen,” Kent commanded. “Stick with the plan.”

“Enough from you,” Robbie said as he turned his eyes to Kent. A faint flash of energy came from Robbie and caused Kent to fly up to the ceiling and pinned him there. His bag containing the Helmet of Nabu fell to Dr. Strange’s feet.

Dr. Strange stood still and glanced upward for a moment at Kent before turning his gaze back to Robbie. “Who or what are you really?”

“Finally some civil conversation,” Robbie said gleefully. “My name is Robbie now. The child’s body is now claimed by me. As for what I am, that is my surprise for later. Your next question?”

“How did you come to be in this child?”

“The boy’s father found my prison and took it as a souvenir for his brat. The child’s pure spirit woke me and from there I learned what I missed in my centuries of imprisonment from his memories and experiences. And those near him”

“Stop talking to him, Stephen!”

A book flew up and changed into a metal strip that covered Kent’s mouth.

“That should shut him up,” Robbie said. “You’d be surprised at much this mage is jealous of you. You learned skills in magic that took him years to master. He fears that you will outdo him. How do you feel about that, Stephen?”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Dr. Strange replied acting as emotionless and unfazed by the statement. He knew the entity in Robbie was looking for an emotional trigger to enable it to affect him and feed off the inner turmoil within him.

Robbie smiled with a grin that grew unnaturally wider on the child’s face. “I like you, Stephen. You will be a challenge when the trials come.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why the trials for Sorcerer Supreme of course,” Robbie replied. “The Ancient One isn’t, how do they say in this time, a spring chicken?”

Dr. Strange continued to keep control of his emotions in spite of what was just mentioned. The Ancient One, his teacher and mentor, is the current Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth Dimension. The position is held by the universe’s most capable and worthy mage. A title that is usually won in combat and judged by mystical entities known as The Vishanti.

“Yes, you will be a challenge in the trials. Of course you could reject the call to try when it comes. You can be like him,” Robbie said pointing at Kent. “Actually his other half. Nabu the Foolish had many opportunities to be Sorcerer Supreme and passed on it nearly each time save one. Since he doesn’t want it, we will be more than happy to take the position.”

Kent grunted loudly as if trying to speak through the mystic muzzle upon his mouth.

“Are you ready, Kent,” Dr. Strange asked staring stone faced at Robbie.

Kent grunted a reply that was understood to be “Yes.”

Dr. Strange quickly raised his hands and cast a spell that had crimson energy bands shot forth at Robbie. As the possessed boy grappled with the mystic energy, Kent fell down onto the floor.

Kent quickly scrambled for his bag at Dr. Strange’s feet. He opened it and pulled out the golden Helmet of Nabu.

“I am going to assume that there is no other choice,” Dr. Strange said as he split his focus from maintaining the spell he casted at Robbie.

“You were right, Stephen,” Kent said as he stared at his reflection in the golden helm. “I realize what we’re dealing with now and what it’s planning. I sensed that the object that got Robbie possessed is somewhere near him on the bed. I’ve made all the preparations. As Dr. Fate, I stand a better chance of dealing with what’s inside Robbie. Remember your promise, Stephen.” Kent quickly slipped on the golden helmet. His body glowed and a blinding light burst outward from him covering him entirely. Then just as quickly as it came the light retreated onto Kent. He stood up dressed in ornate blue and golden arraignment. A golden cape dropped down and a golden circular amulet appeared around his neck. Doctor Fate stood ready to act.

Robbie swung his arms out and unleashed a slew of mystic energies that broke Dr. Strange’s assault and knocked him back against the wall.

Dr. Fate was unfazed by the attack as a shield of mystic energy in the shape of an Egyptian ankh protected him. He stood in a calm yet majestic way and stared at Robbie before speaking in a commanding voice that sounded nothing like Kent’s. “I know who you are. I know your plan.”

Robbie’s wide grin grew smaller. “Makes no difference. Let me make this a fair fight.” He reached around the pillow behind his back and pulled out a helmet that was nearly identical to the Helmet of Nabu. Unlike the reflective gold of Dr. Fate’s helmet, Robbie’s helmet was a dark azure blue. He placed the helmet upon his head and said, “Call me, Doctor Chaos.”

To be continued....