The next morning was a bit of a headache. Mercy wanted to put a bullet in John for what happened. It did not help that Morgan & Nyssa encouraged her. Max had to retrain her for a bit and calm her down. The day went a little worse as Circe appeared with some one. A young amazon that Max knew well enough that was dying despite the power on the island.
With a wave of his hand, she collapsed as he sent a message to the Underworld and made a call to a reporter that he hadn't seen in a while. He called Tracy Trang after she responded.
"I need you to come to California, it is in regard to.. your sisters' whereabouts." Max allowed her to talk then hung up. "Well it is time to finish this up after so many years. Are bruce and the others coming?"
"No, they are going to meet up with one of Bruce's friends. Harleen wants to see more of the sights." Morgan said. "I will go with you today with Mercy. I find what is inside of you troubling. Nyssa how about you?"
"I will send my younger members with them. I will remain here to look over these people as we arrange for them to return home." Nyssa pulled out a notebook. "I have a few people to visit in the evening. And the person you were looking for has been found. Her home anyway. I will deliver the package to her to help her understand you mean no harm. Especially if she is as you say, an Amazon."
"That is fine. Circe can go with you. I believe you know her yes?" Max arched an eyebrow. Circe nodded. As they move to leave, she grabbed Max by the shoulder. "Yes?"
"Are you.. ok with us." Circe wanted to make sure as she moved forward. "Ok with us splitting up for now?" Max nodded. He would not dwell on it. She had things she wanted to do and he had his own things. "Glad we can still remain friends at least."
"Yup." Max gave a smile and walked out with Morgan and Mercy. Meeting out front with Pamela and the rest in the cars. 'Haaa I am still sleepy.'
.
Chess Match-
.
Arriving the place was pretty bustling. The "storm" from last night having cleared giving way to a bright sunny day. The bright sun had a lot of people happy. Morgan Le Fey was happy she dressed so lightly. Turning quite a few number of faces. The veil she wore not helping with her had wrap either.
Mercy kept close to Max both calmed down once they arrived. She was not happy to not have her sweatshirt. Max made it clear she needed to still enjoy life. She relented seeing his serious face. Relaxing was not she was good at, unless she felt safe.
As the team registered, Max was annoyed by a few of the people wanting to take pictures of him. Not only did it get out he was a Wayne but his face had a more magical glow about it than normal. Something his people could ignore with no problem. But members of the chess team looked at him more as well.
"I am here to play chess, not anything else. Back off before I start breaking faces." Max smiled but he was serious.' Blasted basic spells are on the fritz. Will have to remove the impurity soon. Why the hell does Gaia want me to keep it I wonder. Not like my, spiritual energy has restored all the way yet.'
Max clenched his hands a little. His body healed completely and already showed signs of hitting a new level. Which defintely was something good. But way above schedule by a few years.
Quite a few left with no issue. Tacking pictures as they moved. Mercy received a few offers to be a model. She declined not interested in the least. Aware that most of them were creeps due to her senses. The other reporters were to intimidated to approach Morgan.
Finally registered, the team moved around the place. Taking in the large stadium. To think it would be this outlandish was surprising to Max. But considering several people from around the states came it should have made sense some.
"So what should we do till everything starts?" Edward asked. A few of the others scattered but a young man named Felix remained with them. "Should we get a meal or.. giftshop?"
"Giftshop." Pamela said. "I want to buy some things to take back. "We already know where we are playing at. So it should be fine."
"I agree." Felix said. Everyone else just shrugs not fighting against it. Moving to the gift shop turned into a debacle. The line was not long but someone Max did not expect to be there was.
"Maxmillion, as I live in breathe!" A blond young man came up. With him were a few teenage girls and a person that Max was very aware of. Jonathan, but a little younger looking with them. The poison still in his System gave him away. "How yah doing?"
"I was ok till you arrived. Why the hell are you drunk?" Max eyebrow raised as he looked past him to the others. "Thomas Merlyn, Thea Queen, and .. Lena.. Luthor. What the hell?!" Max just blinked a little. Trying to piece together why she was there. The other made sense.
"It is Lena Thorul. Parents divorced after that stunt you pulled in Gotham." She was somewhat amused by this. Stepping forward, she offered to shake Max's hand. "Thanks for that. They are both happier. I stay with my mom and Lex stays with the old man. Which works out fine for business."
*Thumm!* Her mind brushed against Max's. She found nothing but an iron fortress. Shocking the young woman. She had the ability of Telepathy as well as a genius intellect. It narrowed down which one he was dealing with a bit.
"Nice to meet you. Hopefully, you can keep Ollie here from ending up wrapped around a car." Max let go looking at Oliver.
"Heh, no need to be a stick in the mud." Oliver gave a playful punch to Max. grimacing at his solid frame. "Still lifting I see. Have gotten control of the attitude of yours yet?"
"About as well as you with partying. How many teachers have you knocked up yet?" Max face had a grin on it. Oliver knocked up at least two teachers while he was at the boarding school when Max was there. A very creepy thing considering his age and the teacher's age. "Still.."
"Ok you two, enough." Thea cut in. "I have know idea what happened between you to. But leave it for later. How about we just all get along?" Everyone gave a nod. "Good. How about we go into the Gift Shop and buy some things now."
Buying the gifts took no time at all. Max had Mercy try on some goofy glasses. Which made her relax some more. Thomas and Oliver flirted with Pamela to know avail. Thea and Edward chatted amicably. Felix wandered about looking at postcards. Lena ended up speaking with him after a bit.
Once they finished buying a good bit, they purchased the option to have things mailed. Costly but better than toting things around themselves. The matches got underway with everyone exchanging fair enough goodbyes.
.
Match-
.
A few matches went by with no problem. Pamela lost in the Quarter Finals to Lena. Igniting a bitter rivalry. Edward supringsly lost against Oliver. Much to the chargin of the team. A few others from the school losing due to the time limit. Despite losing, they continued to play. The judges saw nothing wrong with it. Which resulted in them winning unofficially in their matches. Thomas lost to Max.
A dark horse then took out Oliver in the Semifinals. A young girl with black hair. Her school was a Private School like several others, but not even a major one. In fact, it was closing down from what Max understood. looking at the young girl, Max felt a headache coming on but dismissed it.
Her name was listed as Olivia. Also known as Crazy Jane. Either she escaped from the Doom Patrol or she never made it there to them yet. Either way, Max was going to deal with her today.
The Final round had Max against her. Felix lost to her and Lena lost to Max. But from what he could tell she was more interested in trying break through his mental barriers. Which he allowed her into a small opening to talk with her. This causes Lena to quit and moved to the side happy as can be to meet another Telepath.
"Time for the finals. Hopefully we get to something amazing." The announcer said. "You may now begin!"
"Go first Olivia, consider it a friendly gesture." Max said kindly. His magic already locking down any outside inference. Morgan doing the same in keeping the girls' personalities from reacting violently.
She open with her pawn to d4. Max moved a knight to d6. She moved a pawn to d4. Max moved a pawn to e6. She moved a knight to f3. Max moved a pawn to b6. She moved her knight to c3. And paused. Staring at Max who his bishop above b7.
"You... are weird. At this rate I will win."
"Only if I let you. Why not enjoy some time talking." Max's voice did not match what he was actually speaking to her mind. Jane is the one that did the probing first. "I will to help all of you that are inside. To keep you from experiencing what you felt in the past. But only if you let me."
*Tak!* Max put the piece down.
Olivia moved her pawn to a3. Max moved his pawn to d5. She moved her bishop to f4. Max picked up his knight and held it for a bit. Setting it down only to see her flinch. Her knight moved to b5.
"Can you guarantee that you can help me?"
"Yes. As well as the others. I can take you to a place with only you and them or a place that is the same as here." Max smiled. "The choice is yours. But I really hope you do."
"Hope..." Olivia eyes bore into Max. Her power digging into his mind as she open a door inside. "You have infite "hope" despite all that has happened to you." She went deeper only stopping a dark wall. "This is scary. But you are a lot different then the Underground that I have."
"Only because you were hurt early on and did not have a chance to recover. We can change that or, I can help you do it all on your own." Max reconfigured his mind leading her into a more peaceful area. Olivia was shocked at the boundless sky and endless ocean. "It all comes in time."
The continued to play chess as they "talked" about things. Time passing quickly. It ended with Olivia signing a contract and turning really happy with the information that came in. She talked and stopped when the match ended.
"A draw...." The announcer said. "Our better known as a stalemate. Stalemate is a situation in the game of chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal move. The rules of chess provide that when stalemate occurs, the game ends as a draw. Who will go to Regionals?"
"Max, thank you." Olivia had some tears flowing down her face. Feeling safe for the first time in a long time. Max shook and watched as the girls "guardian" came over. It was a person pulled from a painting by the Hangman to act accordingly. "I still want to keep playing chess."
"Not a problem. You are going to join a pretty amazing team." Max smiled as the announcer came to a decision.
"Olivia Challis, you are crown the champion of the competition." Seeing her face, he explained. "You have more points than Maxmillion here." Max did not dispute this at all. He was a stand-in player. "So here is your prize." A check of 5,000 grand and special edition chess set made of stone. More of a souvenir than anything else. "We hope to see you return."
As everything settles down, Max and company left the building. Meeting Olivia out front. Her school was actually the result of her power at work hypnotizing people. Which to Max, was a bit of an extreme. Most people would not notice it in the end. Her other personalities did a damn good job at that.
.
A lot of people-
.
It was late in the night when Max finished what he needed to do with Olivia. The others were out while he worked. Each of the personalities were removed from her. Well 63 of them were and looked to be more or less the same as Jane with a few facial changes and hair changes. The Hangman's Daughter did not remove, however. Fusing back with Jane's mind to remove some of the child's naivete and innocence.
"So, if you cause her trouble, I am gonna clobber you!" Hammerhead said. Mercy took that as a threat and pointed her gun at her. "Gonna have a little girl do your dirty work?!"
"Just keep talking!" Mercy eyes started to glow. Her spiritual energy shot up a notch. "I have no trouble putting a bullet in you."
"Easy now. They are just protective of her, Mercy." Max placed his on the gun pulling it away. "Just give them time ok?" She nodded. "People get hurt no matter what happens, so watch it Hammerhead. Right now, you all need to learn how to fir in. You may all be psychically linked to her now, but do not overcrowd her with things while on the outside."
"We most defintely will not!" Penny said. Having trouble with modern day clothes. She kept pulling at it the material. "This stuff is so soft."
"They are going to help me train and understand what happened." Olivia said. A few of the others giving a nod understanding it was the best way to get her through things. "The Underground is so.. dark and twisted. I will need help reshaping it."
"I will defintely help with that." Mercy said. "I know a little bit of what it is like to get out of a dark place. So do the others."
"I can help mystically as well." Morgan said. "Considering you are older than you appear. But you and Mercy are close to the same age as well. In a way."
"Excuse me." Max answered his phone. Having a conversation about the amazon situation. "I have to take care of something."
"I want to come!" Olivia said excited. Hammerhead next to her stepping forward. "I want to see you at work." Mercy was already coming with.
"Ok, oh here for the rest of you." Max floated paperwork and bank cards in front of them. Small accounts and ids to go with for day to day life. "A small stipend, do not .. ah you are all adults. You should be fine. Well most of you anyway."
*Bwoop!* A mirror appeared.
"This will take you all to a house in Gotham a hotel is not that far from it, for those who need a little more room. It is own by me but that does not mean destroy the damn place." He eyed Sun Daddy. "I will dump you in the ocean if you burn it down. You better learn to control you fire power."
"Hehe.. of course." Max and company stepped through. Instantly disguised in a way. Him in his Watcher clothing. Mercy, Hammerhead, and Olivia dressed like ninjas. Why they were like that, he had no idea.
.
Hades-
.
A man with almost pale skin stood there. His black toga flickering on the rooftop. His hair long and luscious. The Greek God Hades. Circe, Nyssa, Derione with a somewhat youthful appearance. Her hair was jetblack, the same as the girl next to her. Who was a spitting image of Diana, just smaller. Donna Troy made from her magic and some of Diana's essence.
"I know you..." Hades said lowly. He kept looking at Max trying to place him somewhere. He closed his eyes thinking it over. "Give me a minute.."
*Brrrp!* A portal opened as the reporter Tracy Trang stepped out. She was a devout Follower of Hades on Earth. Max having called her before and then feeling him in the same area, made her using magic to arrive. She stood to her God's side quietly.
"Derione, why did you not take the gift all the way yourself?" Max asked.
"Because I rather save my daughter. She needed it more than me." Derione said. She gave Donna a found look over. "I do not make any apologies for what I did to save her. That foolish cult would have died the moment the ritual would have finished."
"I see.." Max eyes shined a little in anger. Not because of the trade but because of the fact things would have resolved if he did not get involved yesterday. Then again, John mother would have most likely died. So... still bad. "Well it helped with getting rid of Faust and a few others. So.. bonus there."
Picking up on his anger at first, Donna had pulled a dagger out to defend her mother.
"You will not hurt my mother!" Donna said heated. Defintely as protective as the actual Diana was of Hippolyta. "Who is this man thing mother!?" Max had a vein pop on his head.
"Donna, settle down. He made it possible for the magic to keep you togethor. As well as me looking younger." Derione said softly. She was firm but looked to be really tired.
*Schup!* Max had extended as he bathed her with magic, as well as the impurity that he received. He finally knew why Gaia did not want him to remove it. It was to be given to her.
"Mother!" Donna cried. She calmed once she saw the youthful look on her mother's face. She looked a little like her. But still more like Diana. "You are so beautiful.."
"And no more pain. The cursed Goddess Hectae may she rot wherever she may be, no longer has me cursed. She looked to Max who just waved. "I thank you. Which I never thought I would say to a man."
"Yes, thank you man thing." Donna said with a little cheek. Max made a mirror to send them home. Another mirror opening as a few others wanted to see what happened next.
Claire, Selina, Jonah, and Slade stepped out. All disguised as they watched everything proceed.
"Hehehe... right. Just return home." Max chuckled a little. "I rather see Hippoly happy for now. Tough times are ahead." Hades looked up shocked.
"Hi, remember me now?" Max asked. His head was tilted as his eyes twinkled. "Or do I need to reveal more?"
"I remember you Maxmillion." Hades said depressed. Memories of the last time they were all togethor. When his wife was at his side.
"I made you a promise did I not?" Max reached into his inventory and pulled out a few globes. Inside a woman could be seen floating. It was a spirit of course. "Each of these are the same woman. Just different lives. They have one more thing in common dont they?"
Each globe floated over to Hades. A total of 23 floated and seemed to hum to life.
"Maxmillon.. you couldnt have?" Hades asked quietly. Unable to believe it. Max just nodded. "Thank you brother.. what is it that you want?"
"At first I really wanted some Dead Water and for you to take your duties seriously again. But.. I will settle for you getting everything togethor. Put them togethor."
Hades hesitated for a bit. He didnt want to hear about her 23 lives without him. He felt that would hurt even more so.
"Do it." Selina said from the side. "Even if it ends badly, you will drive your self crazy if you dont." Claire, Mercy, Jonah, and Slade nodding agreeing.
*Boop!* The globes all fused togethor. The spirit looked around as Max approached it. The amazon that Circe brought him was taking out of subspace. Having soaked in a spirit bath to help strengthen her soul.
"I told you, I would one day bring you to the one from the stories. And allow you to see for the first time." Max waved his hands. "Almost done."
Tracy Tang then shined a little in front of them. In a blinding light, she two fused with the other.
"Ugh. What the hell is going on?" She rubbed her head and looked around. Seeing Max give her a waved freaked her out a little. Then he pointed behind her. "Lord Hades!" She kneeled down immediately in front of him. Slightly confused still.
The Amazon was Alexa. A young Amazon that would die a terrible death. Destined to since she was split into three in this World.
"Persephone.. all this time." Hades said sadly. He shrunk down to Mortal size and picked her up. "Your prayers all were able to reach me. But I just thought I was acting crazy. So much lost time."
"Kiss her!" Claire yelled. The others just chuckled and watched it happen. "Oh yeah!" Claire hopped with a little fire under her feet. "Happy ending, happy ending!"
"Yes. They are rare." Max looked for a little longer then turned to leave. A slight pang in his chest that did not go unnoticed.
"Maxmillion. Wait!" Persephone called. She ran over and gave him a big hug. "Thank you for bringing us back togethor."
"Aye, just remember to grow strong for the others not to bully you." Max took a step and disappeared. The others following right after. "I will be watching you Hades..."