"Great Nabu, release my daughter." Zatara asked, standing before the Lord of Order in the form of sweet Zatanna.

"No." Came the reply, which stung- for both Zatara and the on lookers. For the voice that spoke had the tone of Zatanna's melodic voice mixed in with the harshness of Nabu's.

...

From that day on, there was no more Zatanna. There was just a hollow shell of her body being used by a Lord of Order to fulfill his duties to the universe. The loss had taken a heavy toll on everyone, none more than what it had done to Zatara. The magician was empty, his physical health was in tact, but his mental stability had been dwindling ever since the incident. Everyone had noticed, his peers on the League to the children on the Team, who were suffering from the loss.

He had offered himself in exchange for his daughter, but the Lord would not be swayed. And from that point on he knew the saying was true: The worst things in life come free to us.


2010: Artemis


"He can't do this!" Artemis cried out, the Team had finally found the strength to return to the cave, without their magician friend, "He's a bloody Lord of Order, not Lord of Chaos."

Tears were flowing freely down her face, no, she thought- I won't let myself cry, I won't.

"Artemis," Wally's voice cracked, "we can't do anything, not now."

"We can't give up!" She screamed at him, "She's our friend, she wouldn't give up on us."

"I know she wouldn't have," Wally howled back, his own tears forming in his eyes, "But Kent Nelson is gone. He was the only thing that would help us get her back now, but he's gone." Mourning a lost friend and an ally was tough, but he would march on, because that's what she would have wanted- for all of them.

"I don't care, we have to get her back." Artemis cried, finally letting herself let go. Her tears falling as she hugged herself, M'gann was the first to move over and embrace her in a hug. Quickly everyone joined in, and Zatara left. He couldn't watch- he kept seeing his daughter everywhere.

"Artemis," Kaldur spoke, addressing the whole Team as well, "We should move on, for her. It's what she would have wanted."

"I know," she cried into his shoulder.

Believe me I know.


2011: Aqualad


He knew it was pointless, but watching his Team flinch whenever her name was mentioned was unbearable, if he could do something he would.

So he waited by the waterside, when the moon was full and the tide was low. He looked up to the sky to see the bright outline of the symbol appear, being a doorway for the Lord of Order himself to arrive.

He cold still see it, those eyes haunted him- they were exactly as if she had never been trapped in there.

"Aqualad, you wished to speak to me. Make your case." He- she announced. He was still wondering how to address his former friend.

"Apologies for the inconvenience, Great Nabu. But I wish to ask a great favour of you." He politely and calmly began.

"I am not here to be a genie, I will not grant wishes. Your request is denied." The harsh voice spoke out,

"My request was not heard, so you will listen." He demanded, showing courage of a thousand soldiers.

"If it must be, continue Atlantian."

"I wish for you to release Zatanna." He said, looking into the eyes of Order that imprisoned the girl.

"Your request is denied, she will serve Order until Chaos has finished its reign. Your friend is gone, you best accept it." Nabu spoke harshly.

"Apologies, but if you will not release her, then let us speak to her- one last time." He breathed, a cloud of sadness washing over him, the guilt clawing at his soul- why couldn't he save her? He was the leader. He should be able to save her.

"Your request is denied, your frivolous attempts to speak to the girl once again are pointless and unworthy." Dr Fate spoke, before ascending to the sky and disappearing into the night.

Leaving Kaldur to wallow in his failure.

If only there was a way to help you.


2012: Miss Martian


Whenever she saw Dr Fate walking around, whether it be around the cave, in a meeting or when she- he was on official League business and monitored the Team for Red Tornado, she would try and extend her mind and make a connection with the mind of her friend.

But every time she tried it would create a backlash, the Lord of Order would fling her back with force. The helmet was impenetrable, physically and mentally. She would face the harsh and cold look from the hero and would gingerly pick herself up and continue with what she had been doing before.

Then one day, things escalated.

She was flung back against the training room floor, the computer announcing her failure. She had been sparing with Artemis but her mind hadn't been in it.

"Artemis!" Conner called, "you didn't have to hit her so hard!"

"I didn't touch her!" Artemis said, helping the martian back onto her feet.

"Then who did?"

"Dr Fate." M'gann whispered out, turning to look at the glare she was being gifted with.

"You should stop trying to reach for Zatanna's mind." He bellowed, the Team flinched, it still stung to hear that voice, her voice. "The helmet prevents you from entering her mind and bringing her back out, it cannot be achieved."

"Let her go!" M'gann screamed, unable to take it anymore. She wasn't naïve anymore, she wasn't gullible and she could fight for herself, and hell she was going to now.

"No." Dr Fate said narrowing his eyes.

"You're as bad as Klarion!" M'gann screamed, her eyes glowing green and her features scrunching up in concentration, trying to break down the helmets barriers.

"Do not compare me, a Lord of Order, to that witch boy. You will never learn, you're friend is in service, she put on the helmet, it was her choice." Dr Fate spoke.

She just glared at him as he walked out through the zeta tubes, vowing to never set foot in the cave again.

We've lost her.


2013: Superboy


Conner didn't know Zatanna very well- they hardly talked actually. But it still stung when she had put on the helmet and transformed into a cold protector of the universe.

He had watch everyone on the Team falter for a week in missions, acting rashly- even more than he was.

But the moment he hated Dr Fate the most was when he was called to speak with the Lord of Douches by Superman, who thought that he could patch things up between him and the Team.

To say the least it didn't do well.

"What?" Dr Fate asked, more of a demand than a polite question.

"I wanted to talk to you." Superboy said blankly, walking up to face the Lord of Order, who was- being Zatanna- a few inches shorter than him, but catching up.

"If you wish to regain your friend you can forget it. You all have tried for years, you need to accept the fact that Zatanna Zatara is gone." Dr Fate stated, eyes narrowing to match Conner's.

That was when he snapped, and totally forgot why he was here first- only knowing that he was mad at the Lord of Order. "Maybe if you hadn't kept her there we would still have her, ever thought about that?" He hissed through his teeth, fingers flexing into fists.

One dead monkey, two dead monkeys, three dead monkeys…

"Your judgment on this is highly biased and unwanted, if this is what you wanted to speak to me about then we are done." Dr Fate said in a monotone, turning to leave.

"Hey helmet head," Conner mocked, "We're not done. Not until you let Zatanna go."

"She tells you to stop these ambushes, it is not in your power if I release her or not." Nabu hissed, his voice being marred by the voice of Zatanna's- who Conner had noticed the change in tone, it had gotten more mature. Was that even possible?

"Tell her I said hi, and you Dr Fate need to go to Black Canary for a counseling session." He snarled before turning and storming out.

That's the last time I do anything like that for Superman.


2014: Wally


Three years, the pain was residing.

But it was still there.

Just manageable.

Things had been hectic this year; Robin had stopped being Robin and become Nightwing.

They had gotten a new Robin, Jason Todd- who was a flaming hot head.

Aquagirl and Tempest had joined them, much to Aqualad's delight.

He and Artemis had been talking about giving up the cowls for a normal life.

Things between Dr Fate and the Team had gone down a few levels, but they were still strictly on seeing no speaking with the Lord of Order.

He couldn't help but steal glances at him whenever he arrived. Technically Zatanna had been ageing at a normal pace, like them. But she herself would still think of herself as a fourteen year old, as Dr Fate never let her take the helmet off, she wouldn't have seen her reflection.

Only once had he had a conversation with him that didn't end in shouting and accusations, topped with a storm out from the Lord.

"I understand you believe magic isn't real." The League hero said after an extremely awkward silence.

"It isn't!" He cried, turning to face Dr Fate, "It' just a bunch of science strung together to make pretty things look like they can't happen normally."

"If I believe, Zatara is a magician, a homo magi- the race that evolved from humans to be able to perform feats in magic. Zatanna is a magician as well, which is why she can stand the brunt of the powers I possess." He said, rebuffing Wally's statement.

"Magic is nothing more than a fake act. Dr Fake." He argued, slipping a jab in there as if to prove his point.

"But you do not deny that Zatara or Zatanna are magicians." He pointed out.

Wally faltered, closing his eyes for the briefest second, he swore he could see Zatanna in place of Dr Fate for a second.

I should have never put on that helmet.


2015: Nightwing


He had a new sense of power, a new sense of self and a reality check that had spanned over four years.

Zatanna had been stuck inside the Helmet of Fate for years now, and it wasn't like Nabu would just release her, they had already tried.

Robin, his brother- Jason, was killed. By none other than the Joker, the biggest scum bag in Gotham.

Aquagirl had died on a mission he was in charge of, resulting in the plan to portray Kaldur as part of the enemy.

Tempest had left after the devastating new of her death and Kaldur's 'betrayal'.

Wally and Artemis had left the hero business to go to college.

Now he was team leader.

A position he had dreamed of holding but had been afraid to take.

He had support from both the Team and the League, wishing him the best of luck. But he had not expected Dr Fate to walk up to him and congratulate him on his new status.

"Nightwing," The voice of Nabu and Zatanna called out to him, halting him in his tracks, turning around to face the Body Stealer, as he had dubbed them in his years as Robin.

"Dr Fate." He acknowledged stiffly.

"Congratulations on your promotion to leader of the Team. Zatanna wishes you the best and her love." He relayed, no emotion showing in his- her eyes or voice.

Nightwing stiffened at the mention of Zatanna, and honestly- he thought he had put this behind him.

"Tell her I wish her well, figuratively speaking." He smiled fakely, hiding his pain and loss.

"She say's thank you." Dr Fate said before talking of his own accord again, "Goodbye, Nightwing, and good luck."

I wish you love and luck, too, Zatanna.


2016: Zatara


It was hard, watching your daughter being used as a host body for Dr Fate.

Some crazy superstitious people would think you to be proud, but he was anything but proud in this time. His daughter's life had been taken from her, all the experiences that came with her teenage years stolen in a short span of a few seconds.

That's how long it takes for the transformation between human and Lord takes, or how long he would have guessed it took.

He had talked with Nabu in passing, and at a few meetings but they had never talked about the host body he was occupying. Zatara didn't have the courage and will to bring it up, it still stung for him, seeing her- him everyday and not being able to do anything about it.

"Zatara," the Lord of Order nodded in acknowledgement.

"Nabu," he returned, offering a small smile to his daughter.

"I understand that you have been in charge, somewhat of the League since the six are on an intergalactic trial." Nabu spoke, oddly enough he liked Zatara- which could be a result of spending too much time listening to Zatanna tell him tales of her childhood when there is nothing to do.

"That is correct, although Captain Atom is the head of the League- I suspect after they return and this is finally over he will be turning the chairmanship down to Black Canary." He admitted.

"I think these rumors you hear are true, Captain does seem to be holding most pressure with the recent invasion of the Reach." The Lord of Order agreed gravely.

A silence fell between them as the two magician's looked out of the Watchtower onto the Earth below, in all it's glory- a ball of swirling colours inhabiting life.

"I must be going," Dr Fate said, "it was nice speaking with you Zatara."

"And you, Nabu." Zatara returned, bowing his head and watching the doctor walk away with great sadness.

Ti ammo, Zatanna.


2017: Zatanna


Zatanna was bored.

If she ever got out of this helmet she would never complain about being bored every again. Maybe that was a lie, but she was so bored being stuck here.

Nabu wished her a happy birthday the other day, which meant she was officially twenty.

Happy Birthday.

She knew that all her friends had moved on now, or they acted like it.

She remembered the moment Nabu had told her father 'no', when he asked him to release her, the Team's shock, her father's sadness and her own guilt, clawing at her. That was the first time she had cried inside the helmet, but still- Nabu would not release her.

Soon after she had come to accept her fate. And kept a vigil eye out for anything that Nabu might have missed.

The next year, coming up to the anniversary of her imprisonment she remembered Kaldur asking Nabu to release her.

"I wish for you to release Zatanna."

Her reaction was instantaneous; she sat up from her place in the helmet and started hitting the nearest wall she could find, noting the fact Nabu was telling her to shut up.

"Your request is denied."

Her heart sunk, her shoulders dropped and she sat back down, curling into a small ball.

"Apologies, but if you will not release her, then let us speak to her- one last time."

That was her last glimmer of hope, just even to talk to Aqualad- who she hadn't really talked to- and tell him to say sorry to everyone, and that she was okay, and well. One last chance to make everything alright with her friends and her dad.

But it was stolen from her, Nabu declined.

The next time she cried was when Nabu struck M'gann with his powers and hurt her. She had been shouting at him to stop, she was on her knees begging for him to stop- stop everything and just turn back time.

She remembers feeling M'gann's presence inside her mind; it was comforting, nice, warm and familiar. She wish she could have reached out to her as if to say, 'I'm here, I'm okay.'

But then she was put under total isolation for her 'pitifulness'. She just huffed and turned away, refusing to speak with him until the fight between him and Klarion.

The first time she laughed inside the helmet was when Conner, who looked exactly the same as when she first met him, told Nabu to go get a counseling session with Black Canary.

She had been hugging her sides and rolling on the floor in uncontrollable bouts of laughter. It felt nice to smile again, nice to feel a sense of freedom, nice to laugh freely- and not trying to hide it from Nabu.

The next time she genuinely felt happy was when Nabu talked to Wally about magic and science. It triggered memories of Wally constantly bugging her about what sort of science she used, or was interested in. But the conversation with him served as a faint reminder, something she could have been, someone she could have been, another life in another time.

She remembers the gut wrenching feeling when they announced the death of Robin, not her Robin, the second Robin- who she thought had spunk, and lots of it.

She wish she could act as Zatanna for one night and comfort everybody, because everyone had looked so broken after it. It was the first death of the Team, and it wasn't going to be the last.

Then came the news of Tula's demise and Aqualad's change of heart.

She had actually pleaded that time to Nabu, begging if she could have one night outside of the helmet and help everyone. Personally, she didn't know Tula. But she sure as hell knew Aqualad. Kaldur, their leader, the smart, logical, kind-hearted, strong willed, courteous guy had turned his allegiance to the Light, or more importantly- his father.

When she asked Nabu about that later she was given the information that Kaldur's true father is Black Manta. It came as a shock to her, so it must have been a bigger shock to Kaldur.

Then she remembers Nabu walking over to Nightwing and offering his congratulations, she had been babbling to him lately and it just happened to slip in about her crush on the former boy wonder, or what was a past crush.

So he allowed her to tell him a message, she chose to wish him her best and her love. Noticing the shock that was evident on his face, why was he surprised?

"Tell her I wish her well, figuratively speaking."

She smiled sadly, she wished she could get out of this.

But the most painful part about staying inside the helmet and being trapped was seeing her dad constantly around the Watchtower. He looked so hollow, so sad, nothing like he had been years ago.

She remembered their most recent conversation; they talked about the members of the League that had been sent up into space to be trailed for their act whilst under Vandal Savages control.

It wasn't something she liked to remember, she had been helplessly watching while everything inside the helmet turned red and she could hear Klarion's voice taunting her and Nabu.

"Zatanna." Nabu addressed her, bringing her out of her memories and thoughts.

"Yes, Nabu?" She drawled, sitting cross-legged on the floor in meditation.

"The time has come." He stated.

"What time?" She said standing up quickly, "don't tell me where doing to another dimension, the travel makes me woozy." Zatanna complained, pouting at the floating helmet.

"Not this time, child." He scolded, "The fates are kind to you, Zatanna Zatara. We have banished Klarion permanently, Tkeel is gone. There will be no more need for Dr Fate here."

Her eyes widened, "You mean I'm free to go?"

"Yes, child." Nabu said solemnly, "You can return to your world, and I will simply wait until the fates call upon me."

"Thank you." She squealed, tears forming in her eyes.

"None necessary child, do not forget the things you have learnt here. They will assist you greatly outside of my helmet."

She closed her eyes, her lids turning white from the light shining through.

She opened her eyes slowly.

She was standing in the middle of the Tower of Fate, holding the helmet in her hands.

Her own hands this time, not hands she had to share with another person.

She kissed the helmet gently and set it up, "Thank you, Nabu."

Now, all she had to do was find the Team, League and her dad.

Things were looking up.


A/N: This idea just came to me, and I had a lot of fun writing it. :) Please leave a review, depending on how good the feedback is, I may put up a second chapter. It'll probably be about Zatanna reuniting with everyone.

Thanks for reading!

-Burnt Pages of History