Chapter 21

The Dodds Mansion was like some sorta time capsule, a Gilded Age Remnant that stuck out like a sore thumb in the modern skyline. Shit'd been built at the turn of the century by Wealthy Investor Edward Dodds, the Old Man of the Sandman from back in the day. It had that sorta old school charm that you just don't see these days. Of course, that impression was only skin deep, as anyone who bought a ticket for the tour'd be able to tell you.

Jackie'd done so, and he'd been ushered past the wrought-iron fence and into the brownstone to find the interior'd been replaced by a full-on trophy display. A buncha mannequins were hung up in the parlor with the costumes of a whole mess of the members of the JSA on 'em like displays. Each costumed mannequin had a little plaque next to it detailing the Old School Mystery Man who'd worn the costume.

Jackie couldn't help but grin as he passed by mock-ups of Wildcat, the Original Green Lantern, the Original Flash, Hourman, Doc Fate, Sandman, and others. Honestly, it surprised him how much this sorta shit could still get to him, but these guys'd fought in the War, and that alone meant they were due respect. Jackie figured he'd feel that way even if he was still knocking around with the Yakuza.

As the tour progressed, the group was taken through a garage with all kindsa vehicles from back in the day. Wildcat's Motorcycle, Sandman's Plymouth Coupe, and a couple others like that were all on display as the tour wound its way through the garage and on into a trophy room area. Here there were a buncha replicas of some stuff, like Starman's Cosmic Rod, Doc Fate's Helmet, or Green Lantern's Ring, but they were mixed in with a few genuine articles. Jackie'd spotted a functional version of the Sandman's Gas Gun, along with a pair of Hawkman's Wings that the Tour Guide, a perky blonde with a cornfed accent, assured the group still worked.

Of course, the main thing that caught Jackie's eye in the trophy room was a gemstone that'd been set up on display for just anyone to look at and possibly try and steal. A golf ball-sized ruby that was practically bursting with the kinda mystical energy that anyone with an open third eye could sense. Of course, the thing being behind the Wards of the Dodds Mansion helped on that front, but the fact that it was on display as part of the tour made Jackie a touch worried. Looking at the plaque next to the item, Jackie frowned as he read what the thing was, a fragment of the Ruby of Life that could grant the user all kindsa mystic powers.

Unfortunately, he couldn't mention shit about it without tipping folks off to what he could do, and so Jackie kept going on the tour, past the old JSA Meeting Hall with the big-ass stone table, and into a gift shop. It was here that he finally met up with one of the folks whose exploits were on display throughout the tour. The Old Man hadta be in his eighties and it showed. Wrinkled lines crisscrossed his face, and brown hair had long since faded to white, but the eyes behind those glasses were still sharp as a tack and they bored right through Jackie.

"I've seen you before in my dreams. I know who you are." Insisted Wesley Dodds, as he approached Jackie.

"I know who you are too. Gotta say, it's a privilege." Nodded Jackie.

As Jackie met with the Sandman of the JSA, he noticed the Bubbly Blonde Tour Guide was subtly hustling folks through the gift shop away from where he and the Old Timer were talking. That was smart, no need to let Joe Public in on shit like this.

"I wish I could say the same. The Dreams have let me be for forty years now, but they've started up again recently. The things they show, I'm not sure I'd believe it even after all I've seen already." Grunted Wesley Dodds.

"You ain't the first to drop a cryptic prophecy on me recently." Admitted Jackie.

"Is that so?" Questioned Wesley Dodds.

"Yeah. Doc Fate, for one." Answered Jackie.

"Fate is active again?" Queried Wesley Dodds.

"Lotta folks are active. Seems like we're heading for another boom period for Costumed Heroics, just like you and your pals in the JSA had back before the War." Shrugged Jackie.

"That's not important. Does Fate know what's coming? He has to, doesn't he?" Asked Wesley Dodds.

"That depends. What're you dreaming about?" Shot Back Jackie.

At this point, the Gift Shop was largely deserted, with the tourists having been hustled outta there by the Blonde Tour Guide. Now it was just Jackie and the Sandman talking shop. Jackie was pretty sure that the Tour Guide was in on the whole thing by now. You don't take a job at the last JSA Headquarters and not get read in on shit, after all.

"Darkness. A great, all-consuming darkness in the shape of a man, eyes burning red like the flames of the pit. I dream of armies of demons ravaging the Earth and of battles between Gods and Monsters. I dream of you facing off against a black sun in the form of a girl in a battle that will end in either victory or death for the whole eastern seaboard. Tell me Fate knows." Intoned Wesley Dodds.

"Yeah, Fate knows. Lotta folks know about that. We're working on it." Nodded Jackie.

"Not fast enough. Not with how frequent the dreams are. Tell Fate that the Sands of Time run swift and that the Sandman says he needs to pick up the pace, or else something catastrophic will happen." Warned Wesley Dodds.

"Catastrophic how?" Questioned Jackie.

"Armageddon, Apocalypse, call it what you want. Call it a Tyrant's Boot stomping the last breaths of freedom out of Mankind forever. Whatever you call it, you have to prepare for it. More than you already are." Insisted Wesley Dodds.

"I'll let Fate know, We'll figure it out, ain't no need to worry on that." Promised Jackie.

As he did so, Wesley Dodds sagged a bit, leaning on the wall and looking every bit the Old Man he was. He reached for some sorta pill bottle in his pocket, taking two pills outta the bottle and swallowing 'em. As he did so, Wesley Dodds straightened out for a bit before nodding back at Jackie.

"See that you do. For now, though, I think I've had enough excitement for one day. I'm not as spry as I used to be." Grunted Wesley Dodds.

Then, he turned and walked off. Jackie watched the Sandman go, probably to some sorta private room he still used somewhere on the upper floors that ain't open to the public. Shaking his head, Jackie was ready to head back outta New York City for Gotham once more, a new sense of urgency to his training. This'd be the third time he'd been warned by someone with the gift of prophecy that he ain't ready for the Apokaliptan Invasion and that he was gonna play some sorta pivotal role. As he left the Dodds Mansion, Jackie passed by the Blonde Tour Guide, who nodded to him before slipping something into his coat pocket.

"For emergencies. Wesley's old and his heart can't take the costumed life anymore, but he's got contacts with folks from back in his day who might be able to help." Nodded the Tour Guide.

"Contacts, huh?" Queried Jackie.

"The JSA protects their own. If Wesley vouches for you, they'll help. I only caught part of your conversation, but it sounds like you're in for something big coming down the pike. Couldn't hurt to have backup in case of emergencies, right?" Shrugged the Tour Guide.

"I'll keep that in mind." Agreed Jackie.

"I'm Courtney, by the way. Courtney Whitmore." Introduced the Tour Guide.

"Jackie Yuen." Responded Jackie.

And like that, there was some good that might just come outta this whole prophecy of doom and gloom business after all. Jackie could think of worse folks to have on your side when the chips were down than guys like the Original Flash or Green Lantern. Regardless, his time in New York City was up for now. Jackie headed back for his New York Safehouse, packed up his shit, hopped in his Camaro, and headed south for Gotham. Hopefully, he'd be able to get that Grimoire outta Constantine when he arrived.

It sounded like he was gonna need it. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here the Mini-Arc in New York City comes to a close. I couldn't in good conscience not include a bit of JSA stuff, since the Dodds Mansion is in Manhattan and was the last active JSA Headquarters before they were forced to disband. Not with Jackie effectively being a fanboy of the JSA's. This also gives me an excuse to introduce Courtney Whitmore. She's not Stargirl Yet, but she has moonlighted as the Star Spangled Kid a couple of times by this point. She's basically acting as Wesley's Intern right now while he tries to impart some wisdom from the JSA days on her.

I realize this chapter might be considered a bit of a fanservice-ridden fluff sort of chapter, but we did just go through some heavy shit involving Demons, Papa Midnite, and forcibly enslaved ghosts of family members. I figured this would serve as a bit of a breather as well as an excuse to introduce Jackie to more of the JSA Old Guard than just Doctor Fate.

The next chapter will be more character interaction with family as Jackie's Grandad and Ma are in town again.

Stay tuned. . .