Author Notes: Wilhem and Zatanna both a year apart in age making them both 8 and 7 in the Prologue and 16 and 15 at the start of Chapter 1. I do plan on finishing this story considering it's a bit more scaled back than my others and allows more time work my original work. I plan on making Wilhelm more than you usual OC with a dark past, who gets powerfully way too fast. His powers have a terrible price that come with them and he will grow into them. Also you are going to see a lot of influences on his character but the running theme is going be Knights and Protecting.
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice or any DC related characters, Wilhelm and the story of The Knight and the Witch, and the Black Armor of the Revenant are of my own creation.
The Witch and The Black Knight: My creed (I who Protect)
By
Nitefyre
Introduction : The Knight and the Witch
Come now sit and let me tell you a tale,
Long ago during the time of kings and knights there was once a noble Templar knight. A pious and righteous man was he that wore the armor baring the red cross of the Church. This Knight had been traveling long and he was tired from his journey to return home from the Crusades in the Holy Land. What he saw, the horrors committed during the war, had shaken his resolute faith not yet in God but in the Lord's Church. This cause, a cause that he spilled blood for, was it truly a righteous one? How could it be so ? It was a cause that forced him and others to commit horrors against their fellow man. Where they not commanded by the Lord to love thy brother and thy neighbor? These thoughts plagued the Knight as he traveled the long cold road back to his home. Soon a terrible storm came upon him - overwhelming him. As he laid there in the snow resigned to his fate believe that he had lived as a righteous man.
But fate had other plans for The Knight.
He awoke to find himself warm bed next to a warm fire, his belongings and armor stacked in the corner, the gravest of his still healing wounds tended to. Then his eyes were filled with a vision of beauty none the likes he had seen before. A raven haired women, skin the color of fine porcelain , like hair that of shining onyx, eyes the color of the blue waters of the Holy lands. Surely she had been an angel sent by the Lord telling his time was not yet. Her full rose colored lips formed a gentle smile as she placed her hands over his chest. Uttering a few soft words in a tongue he did not know her fine delicate hands being can glow with a warm light.
The knight taught from a young age to fear magic of all sorts as the work of evil jumped to his leap to action fearing losing his soul. Pinning the woman to the bed hands about her throat bruising the once soft and delicate skin.
"Witch!" he cried but she did not attack instead with kind but iron determination more than he had seen from his fellow Knights she spoke softly but firmly.
"That I'm but is your God so cruel that he'd have his honorable knight kill the one who saved him as payment for her kindness? " the question struck deep with him Knight, for much death he'd seen and not many acts of kindness had he been blessed with in his time in Holy Land and then she spoke again. "I know you return from the Churches holy Crusade, have you not seen enough death for one life or are you so righteous as to kill a woman that has offered you shelter from a raging storm?"
No, she was correct he could not do this, murder this woman. The Witch, she had saved his life and showed him kindness. The Knight had seen enough death by his hand and others; so he released his grip on the women he meekly apologized for his rudeness.
As the storm grew worst she tended to his wounds gently with a practiced care. They spoke of many things, the area and lay of the land to their upbringing. She was born with these gifts and cast out of her home, wondering the woods she was found but the previous owner of the home who taught her the ways of magic and healing that she uses. The woman taught her that many were simply afraid of that which they did not understand, she taught her not to resent them but to show them naught but kindness. Stating that hate would only beget more hate. As she told her tale, the Knight found himself more intrigued by the woman before him. Surely no creation of the Devil would be so kind and gentle? She told him that the winters in the area we harsh and prone to freak storms and it was not say travel. She offered him her home as place to stay to pass the winter, it was an `offer he found himself unable to refuse. Even still the Knight offered his service as best he could. Such as cutting wood for the fire and even protection should she be in need of any. Her reply was that what she needed most was the company of another to drive off the loneliness that her gifts brought upon her.
And so the days turned to weeks as the winter dragged on. The Witch and the Knight grew close to each other learning more and about each other. They would laugh and share tales, even argue over philosophies. For one as young her, she was very well read in many subjects, a many times he found himself stammered by her words and her understanding of many things. Where spoke the Church it spoke of the absolutely power of the Lord. She spoke, She spoke of the Balance and of Nature. On the days that were not too cold they walk through the snow covered woods learning more of each other. She would teach him of her world and more the he saw of this world, this world of balance the more he fell in love with it and her . She would be his ear for when he lay awake at night plagued by the demons of battlefield that haunted his dreams. She would listen and even offer to hold him as shed his tears of grief and regret. She was amazed such a gentle man, a man that loved the arts more than sword would be forced in the cruelty of war. The Witch saw the wounds the war left on his hear and sought but only heal them as best she could.
When Spring was near and the roads cleared, it was time for him gather his things and leave but yet the Knight held heaviness in his heart. He did not want to leave the woman that saved his life and had stolen his heart. So he his mind was decided, he would stay with her and build a new life for himself with her. The Witch was over joyed for she was not alone in her wood anymore, what she sought her whole life she had found. Spring came for them as the trees and flowers bloomed. She taught him of the difference between the gentle and good spirits of the forest and those that were not. The Witch spoke of a town not far their home. This town often sought protection from the evil spirits and creatures that inhabited the wood. So she using her magic she enchanted his blade and armor to ward off the evil spirits of the wood. So their days were spent together, him protecting the road and her serving as healer to the town. And many more days they spent in each other company, arms and bed. The Knight had found the peace he fought for in last place he thought.
Soon she was with child, a daughter and he was over joyed forgetting his past life but not his faith. He saw the world his Lord had created differently now it was larger. A more wondrous place than he had imagined and the Lord had blessed him with a companion and child to see this world with...the Knight was truly happy.
Four winters pasted and their daughter grew into a kind and playful child who inherited her mother's gift with magic. This would have bothered Knight when he was young but now it he simple smiled watching them practice and when she was of age he would teach to wield a blade.
Yet sadly, his happiness would not last and his past would come to haunt his new found paradise. While in town one day the young family found the town's folk strangely cold and distant to them. The children that played with their daughter, laughing as children should were unduly cruel leaving the poor girl almost in tears. The Witch grew worried, she did not like the dark aura about town as they walked the market, something was wrong. The Knight even more so, he had seen this behavior before and it meant only one thing. The Church had come, the Templar were here on a Witch Hunt. She knew of these hunts but her lover had talked very little about the hunts and she did not pressure him. The Witch knew that he wished to spare her the sins that he had committed in the name of his Lord and the horrors that he done and seen.
The Knight and his family were confronted by the Mayor , the Priest and Captain of the Knights. With no weapons and his family surround there was no escape, he could see his lover eyes narrow dangerously though she was trained in healing , she could defend herself if the need should arise. He placed a gentle hand on hers letting know not to attack, knowing that her lashing out would do nothing to aid them. The Knight would speak with Knight Captain a former comrade in arms surely he would be able to reason with his brother. This was not to be – his brothers were blinded by zealotry, his pleas feel out on deaf ears. The Knight watched in horror and helps as he was accused be being bewitched by the she-devil . When the Knights moved into take his lover and daughter into custody, The brave Knight fought but weaponless he was easily over powered. The Witch with her child, life and family in danger lashed out defensively to protect the family she love so dearly. The use of her magic was enough to seal the fates of the both her and her daughter and she herself was eventually overpowered.
The Knight bound and chained, begged to even the point of tears for them to spare his lover and his child, praying, pleading to God for a miracle of any kind. Yet, all he could do was lay there listening in horror as his lover and the child were tied to the stakes and the wood piled around them. The Knight screamed and pleaded till his voice was gone and throat raw, struggling against his chains so much that they cut and tore into his flesh. His heart broke as he watched in horror as the fire was lite beneath them the flames jumping high into the air. Yet, even faced with certain death the Witch did not curse her murders. She sang, she sang to ease her daughter's fears and innocent life taken for the crime of being different. She sang , for her lover, The Knight, the man that filled the loneliness of home that she lived with joy and love. She sang of the towns people filled their lives with joy. She sang for her knight, brave, caring and honorable not to despair. Even as the fire burned her skin, and hair even through a horse pain and fear filled voice she continued. The Templar knights and the Priest felt an odd pang of guilt as watched the townspeople… none cheered like the other town folk during the burnings, None spat or cursed her name. They renamed silent, a dreadful silence piercing silence that filled air. Soon the only sound that could be heard were the sorrow filled sobs of The Knight.
The Knight Captain unchained his former comrade and the Priest declared that Gods will had been done and for him go home and rest. The Knight Captain did grant him what he thought was a kind request, it was not but a morbid and cruel jester. He would be able to bury their remains and then return to ask for penance and forgiveness, the punishment for his sin against the Church and God was watching his family burn and having to bury them. Slowly and ever gently The Knight collected his family's remains never saying a word but his silence would be the loudest scream and cry one could hear. Inside his heart twisted with grief and was consumed with an anger the likes of which he had never felt before. He gathered their remains and left the town but when he returned the home he did not bury them - No.
When he returned home he placed the remains in the middle of the small house looking over the once happy and laugher filled home now as silent. He put his armor on and took up his sword face stained with tears, dirt and ash. Walking around the home using the wine, and stacks of fire wood he locked himself inside and set the house blaze, as the flames heated the metal his skin sizzled and cooked as fire roared around him, the inferno consuming him like that his fury and sorrow, and finally The Knight welcomed the end .
Expect much like the first time, the end did not come and this time The Knight did not find himself greeted with face of his beloved. No – he was greeted to the sight of the ashes of home his and smell of his own burnt flesh and the terrible memories of watching his family burn. He was greeted with the memories of all the faces, of all the people responsible for taking the love of his life away from him. He asked God was he so cruel that he would not even let rest him with his family, even the solace of death was stolen from him. The Knight, yelled ignoring the pain of his body, he yelled to heavens in fury. Had he not lived a good life, followed the laws, done his best by his brother? Yet he falls in love with that which is deemed against God's will. A woman that saved his life and showed him nothing the kindness and love . A woman that bore him a young curious, beautiful daughter who was only just 4 winters into this world and was taken from him. All this because he should kindness in return for kindness given. If this was to be so then he would show even God what true pain was, what true sin looked like. All would suffer as he has, all who stood idle and watched, all of those responsible. They're families would burn, they would bleed, their wives and children would scream in pain and terror while they begged for him to show mercy. Much like they did he would show them none…they would suffer and they would die begging for a miracle that would not come. There in the ash cover armor turning once shining breast plate grey, tarnished by the ash for his remains of his home.
The Knight waited till night time and every night he hunted the Templars one by one for five nights. Leaving the mangled burnt ,broken bodies for all to see, leaving for them to instill fear into the town. He would use fear and disorder to his advantage, much like doing the Holy Wars. Once he had hunted enough of the Templars, he next made sure that all the horse's and any means of escape where dead, leaving all the locked in with no means of escape. Those that did feel prey to him and his traps on the roads, he learned many ways to wage war and to kill a man during the Crusades. He learned how to instill fear and he would do this he would make the feel the same fear as his child.
One the sixth night they're numbers where down to what he deemed right, that being only the Knight Captains most trust and the Priest. He trapped them all in the Church, revealing his face and the twisted visage he had become. The men looked upon him with horror, his armor had become blood soaked and covered in ash. The joints groaning as they struggled to move but yet he move with ease of a predator. To their Horror when he lifted his face guard they saw his face burned , tears of crimson streaking his cheeks. Tears themselves fell from black empty eye sockets, he was more demon than man, his face twisted in masked of grief and anger. The knight Captain and his men did not stand chance as The Knight cut them down one by one. Laughing with glee as his blood soaked blade tore through them bathing in the slaughter. Yet, for the Knight Captain he had something terrible planned. Using the bones of The Priest that he tore from the man's dead body still with hanging meat and blood them he fashioned stakes… three to be exact. Two for each hand and one for the feet , he stripped the Knight Captain down before opening his stomach and slowly pulling out his innards enough to tie him to the crucifix of in the Church. Once secured he took the bone stakes and nailed the Knight Captain the crucifix. Once his grizzly was done he left the dying Knight to burn as he set church a blaze, the Templars and Priest where not his own victims. The Knight slowly made his way through the town killing every man , woman and child none were left alive but the Mayor and his family. Then finally on the Seventh night using more stakes her fashioned from bone stakes nailed the Mayor, his Wife, his two sons and his daughter to the crosses and that night… set the cross's and the town a blaze. Watching as the Mayor and his family burned to death along with the rest of the town. The Mayor begging for mercy, his mercy… the only answer to his cries was The Knight's cold and hollow voice, barely even human anymore.
"At least she had the strength not beg for mercy from those she knew would show her none."
Once the town and its inhabitants were nothing but ash and bone The Knight left but his hunger and need for revenge was not satisfied. He knew that his true enemy was God's Church and the people would worshipped and prayed there...he would show them all lies and filth that the priests, bishops, cardinals and The Pope himself spewed. So he traveled burning town and after town killing by the score leaving a trail of ash and blood in his wake. Finally the Church used its full might to bring down the Knight. When he finally cornered in abandoned for fort what the Templar found was something only born of Hell… not their brother. His armor and sword had become black as death from the blood and the ash. His face was pale and scared , eyes hollowed out sockets tears of blood raining down his cheeks. He killed many of the Templar that faced him but finally he was wound gravely enough for them pin him on a pike. Once pinned the remaining Templar set the off fort blaze burning with the Knight inside. As the stone and wood collapsed and those that survived said the very flames turned as black as the Knights armor as the air was filled with a loud rage filled cry.
Time passed after the Knight's death, no more towns were attacked but when they looked for his body all the remained was his armor which many say was possessed. So strong was his need for vengeance his very soul and spirit were bound to the armor making the armor itself alive, a Revenant is what the Knight had become. His tortured rage filled soul cursed to walk the earth bound to the armor, hungering, feeding on the souls of those that searched out his armor in the desperation , with need to protect that which they love. The Revenant would feed on this need, offering power but destroying the body and their souls in the process.
So ends the tale ends. The armor was said to be lost in time but there have been stories from all over of an armor that would consume bodies and souls of those with a great desire to protect but not the power.
Thus the legend of The Black Armor of the Revenant was born.
Prologue
Gotham - 8 years ago.
November 1, 1700hrs
"Okay now Mr. Zatara is nice man, so you are to be on your best behavior." The young mother said to the child standing next to her. He was larger than the average 8 year old by a few inches but stayed close to his mother fixing his scarf to fight of the chill of the winter evening.
"Mom , I'm always good…" he said with small smile as his mother brushed a stranded of his unruly brown hair from his face. A smile crossed the woman's youthful coffee colored face .
"You are, when you choose to be cub. Ready? Wilhelm." She said placed a gently kiss on his forehead. Laughing gentle at his mocked discontent at the affection she was showing him. "Get used to it, even when you're grown up all strong and handsome…" She smiled warm at the second love of her life. "I'll do the same thing." She added knocking on the door in front of them.
There was the sound of someone coming down steps and muffed voice staying just a minute. Several clicks of locks being unhinged followed as the door to the old Victorian house opened. Standing in front of her was a handsome man with brushed back black hair with feint signs of graying. He looked about fifteen years older than woman at the door, his olive colored skin showing the lines of aging adding to his distinguished gentlemen like appearance. He wore and simple black sweater, white collared shirt and no tie with pair of khaki pants and black shoes.
"Ms. Knight, welcome please come in out of the cold." He said in slightly accented for voice.
"Just Laruen please, Mr. Zatara we've been over this you make me sound old." She chastised him playful stepping through the door with Wilhelm in tow.
"And who would this young man be?"
"Oh Mr. Zatara, I've told about my son Wilhelm." Lauren gentle moved young boy forward as he studied the older man not out of any fear, his blue grey eyes seemed to accessing him carefully.
"Say hello Son."
"It's nice to meet you, sir." Young boy spoke quietly but with a confident voice , Giovanni knelt down with warm smile gracing his wizened features place a gentle hand on Wilhelm shoulder.
"And you as well, how would you like to meet my daughter she happens to be about your age?" he said talking both their coats – hanging them on a new by coat rack. "It would be good for her to have some her age around, sometimes I fear she spends too much time with us adults. Zatanna, dear come here there is someone I'd like you to meet." Wilhelm's eyes followed the young girl who was around his age. She wore a light lavender colored sweater and simple skirt that bloomed out around her legs. The girl hair was the black much like her father's it from cute heart shaped face, the black hair contrasting her light skin colored skin. Light blue childlike eyes glanced his way for a brief moment. He found himself watching her as she walked with a grace that he yet known in his life. Still he steeled himself for what was to come, most kids his age would tease him because his height and size compared to everyone else. He at first lashed out but instead he know wore a mask of stoic indifference soon they stopped but he would still hear the whispers.
"Zatanna –" He father spoke drawing her attention the African –American woman before her. "This is Ms. Lauren Knight, she will be your home schooling teacher while we are on the world tour and this young man is her son Wilhelm."
"It's nice to meet you Ms. Knight." She said cheerfully be turning to Wilhelm and him giving a good looking over. He was taller than most of the boys she had meet a school that was for sure. He stood above her by a good head , but he was seemed quieter than others her age almost withdrawn. The young Zatanna studying him with scholarly like gaze and his blue grey eyes stared back at her trying to hide the nervousness that he was felling. He toyed with his braid brown hair nervously as she appraised him.
The two children stood there examining each for a moment silent as their parents watching in quiet amusement. Then short girl leaned back and gave the biggest smile she could putting her arms behind her back.
"I like you, what's you name again?" she asked standing up on balls of her feet.
"Um…Wilhelm…but everyone just calls me Will." He said nervously, he was not used this kind of resection from kids his age at least not when he first meets them. She was completely nice to him.
"Will… I like that name, come on you don't want stand around here while they talk boring grow up stuff." Grabbing his hand she pulled the larger boy down the hall much to amusement of their parents.
"She so much like her mother… she always had a way of knowing the people she like from looking at them." Zatara spoke softly looking that picture of his late wife on the wall.
"Funny Wilhelm does take after his father…" Lauren watch he sons back with smile he was complete confused by the upfront nature of Zatanna and something her son would have to learn on his own. "Though it took a few knocks on his father's head for him to realize but he got the point."
"It usually does, some more than most. It seems this next year will be good both them. Come , I'll put on some tea there still matters we need to discuss .
Chapter 1: Once A Upon a Time
Gotham - Present Day
Date: October 15 Time: 1430
Gotham Academy
Eight years past since that day, Wilhelm mother was Zatanna home school teacher on her father world tours for three years. During those three years he and Zatanna had become best friends doing almost everything together. They were some of the best years of his life, even Wilhelm's mother noticed the change him. He was relaxed and would laughed more easily. They were like siblings and Zatanna had him wrapped around her finger. They got in trouble together, played , and saw the world together. Soon Zatara was going tired of the constant traveling as he grew older in years. So he retired his show to only be based out of Gotham, allowing both Zatanna and Wilhelm to have a normal life in school and Wilhelm's mother Lauren to pressure her degree at Gotham University. He found a way to even go to the same school with the help of the one Zatara's very wealthy friends Wilhelm was able to attend with Zatanna.
They were inseparable as children almost it was the same into their teenage years. Wilhelm had grown in stature and was turning a noticeably handsome young man even though he still felt award because his of size and height. He was known for his polite and quiet nature but solid insight. Zatanna had grown a beautiful and attractive young woman , known for wit and straight forward nature. She had many of the young men in school falling at her feet both figuratively and literally. She did never really would see with anything in them or of them. Her father had grown extremely protective of her as they moved into their high school years. Zatanna suspected that it he had something to do with him being just an over protective father but she noticed that he was out for longer periods of times at night. Wilhelm was really the only from friend she was allowed to have around. Though her father and Wilhelm at times would be over bearing and protective. Most guys would not even speak to her with him around just because of his sheer presence and the glare he would give them. Of course it would turn humorous as people watched the smaller girl give the larger boy a lecture that would make him visibly shrink
In all life for Wilhelm was good , he was convinced the joined the football team due his natural size and athletic ability. Something his mother said he got from both sides of the family her fathers was Soccer player while she had played woman's Lacrosse in high school. He joined reluctantly but soon found his place – not the best player on the team but a solid player that the Coaches liked. His true love was much like his mother Literature, Philosophy , Mythology and History. During his free time could be found reading or with one of the Mythology groups in the school . Many were shocked that a jock would take such an interest these but soon the found Wilhelm to be more than what he seems. Still he had issues with grades mainly in Mathematics and Chemistry which drove him nuts. Luckily for him Zatanna was a year advanced and in the same class as him, she would help when she could. Life, for Wilhelm was good, he had a family and a friend that he loved and he could ask for nothing else.
"Are you listening to me?" the sound of a tapping foot and a familiar impatient voice pulled him away from his book.
"Yeah…"
"Really, so what did I just say?" the young man's blue grey eyes peaked over the book he was reading for a moment. Almost 8 years and that look she gave him still unnerved him. "Well Wilhelm." He cringed on the inside at the use of his full name… now he had to answer.
"ZiZi…" He warmly and softly using his nickname for his longtime friend bringing her to a pause there was always a level of affection in his voice when said it that could did bring a smile to her face. "It's my own mom's year anniversary of getting the job at Gotham University … I did not forget. Matter of fact I already called Auditore's and the food should be read by the time get to there to pick it up." Zatanna let out a sigh, she hated when he did this , it was his own twisted way of poking fun at her. He acted like he forgot something only to remember. She hated that he did that and found endearing in some odd way.
"You know I hate it when you do that…" Zatanna place her hand on her hips eyes blue narrowing in mock anger.
"Yeah I do. " He smirked putting the book he was reading in his bag." Okay, okay I'm sorry." Wilhelm apologized she had that look on her face as if she was getting ready to hex him. He knew about her and her family's gift for the arcane arts this was no secret to him. He and known sense he was child – matter of fact it was how he found out that was both humorous and terrifying. They could have been no more than 8 or 9 years old and he done something that angered her to the point of wanting to hex him. She said something he could not understand and next thing he knew his hair was pink. His mother flipped out and it looked like she was going leave at the next stop on the most recent tour. What he did next shocked even his parent – he quietly apologized and beg his mother too stay. So being unable to ignore he sons' pleas she did, and till this day he always had a healthy respect of when not to push the daughter of the Great Zatara… too far.
"That's better, now come on we don't want to be late." Zatanna's anger instantly faded with his apology though she was not true angry at him to begin with. She found it amusing that a girl her size, she was only about 5'5 would stare a boy his size some who stood a good 6'0 tall in high school and solid 200 lbs. It amused her it was like having her own pet giant. She still at times to his shock would climb on his back when was he lying on his stomach. Though she stopped doing that as much given they had moved there teen years and she started to develop a full figure like her mother. Still at times they did as when they were kids, there was always as level of closeness they shared that was not sexual in sense but physical closeness. They drew comfort from simple physical contract. Though the night of the talk was one of the more embracing nights of theirs lives. Still that was not nature of their relationship , not at all.
The two left the class and merged in the busy hallways the academy , Wilhelm usually had practice but he asked to be excused for the day and the coach reluctantly gave in at the cost of sitting the first quarter of this weekend's game. A cost the Will was more than okay with paying. Unlike more kids his age he was very family oriented it was one of the only things he cherished. His mother being a single woman in one of the most dangerous cities in America did not help and drove him always be at her side. Even with the hero known as Batman and his Bat Clan in Gotham there was still trouble but it was home.
"Hey watch it..." Zatanna noticed Will body grow tense at the sound of the voice filling the halls. Carter Mack, star Wide Receiver and general pain in everyone ass around school. Will did not like him for several reasons, first and fore most he was typical jock, given a little power. He felt that just because had he that power and notoriety he could push around whoever he wanted. Zatanna knew that this would grind Wilhelm gears because he choose not flaunt or boost. He was proud but always quiet, he did not see his sheer size and strength as a means to push people around . He hated it, some teased him about it, saying it was a misconception that he got from all the old books he had is head was in all the time. She one the other hand like about that him there was a classic style of charm about it, he had always had that sense of honor .
"Well if ain't the mama's boy skipping practice and here I thought it was have dinner with the old hag but I see now…" Carter was tall thin young man of thin musculature and shaggy blonde hair. "Hey girl.. " the boy said leering at Zatanna grabbing her wrist before Will or Carter could say anything the sound of Zatanna free hand striking Carters' face was heard - leaving large red mark on his cheek.
"I told you not to put your hands on me…ever " She said coldly, her voice as chilling as the look in her light blue eyes.
"Look you little pampered slut…" Carter couldn't even finish his next words as he found himself staring into Wills' blue grey eyes that narrowed and darkened with anger. While he was mostly a quiet young man who stayed out of trouble. He did have a slow temper that once it hit its boiling point there was no stopping it. What was worst, was that he did not forget and held on to a lot of things even after they were long over. He was known on more than few occasion get his payback in a variety of ways. Yet still there were things that Wilhelm did not stand for and one them was insulting or laying of hands on Zatanna, he did not stand for this at all. Many joked that she would not get a boyfriend between her father and how protective Will was over her. He was like her big silent personal knight
"Come on… it's not worth it." She tugging on his arm, feeling his muscles tense. knowing he was the type that once he set his mind was not going change it, she wanted get away from here as quickly as possible. Carter had been a thorn in his side sense he came to this school. Always about something whether it would be that Wilhelm was here on scholarship and donation or his single parent house. Carter just would not leave well enough alone and Zatanna feared the day that Wilhelm would snap and those two would get in a fight. Will was a different person when angered sometimes, there was one fight early on where he broke a kid's nose out right. Wilhelm remembered that day well and the look of terror not on the kids face but on Zatanna's face and the disapproval on his mother's face. He promised never to let his anger get the best of him again, he not would scare her like that again.
"Oh I think it is , come on pussy I know you have been itching for it…" Carter said face just inches apart. "I can see it in your eyes, always so controlled, but I know what you are… I have you seen on the field remember. You have this little bitch fooled but no me." Will closed his eyes taking a deep breath Zatanna was right Carter was not worth it ,he was better than that ,better than this. He had her and his family to remind him of it every day, after a few seconds he finally opened his eyes.
"You're right let's go." Pushing his way past Carter he could here whispers some saying that he was afraid, others saying he was the better. So much noise he wanted to lash out them but small warm hand found its way into his and a gentle smile once again reminded him in the end what truly mattered.
"Don't let them get to you, you did the right thing. Everyone expects you to act like Carter but you don't and that's what is important. You're not like them and you don't have to be that way to get the respect you deserve."
"I know ZiZi – thanks."
Auditore's was a favorite restaurant of his mother's, one they've visited for many years. The trip was peaceful enough filled with merely idle conversation to pass the time. They had eaten here much so that owners knew them both by name. Isabella Auditore a middle age women gave them both warm welcome as they walked in her restaurant the bell on the door ringing signaling their entrance.
"Zatanna, Wilhelm - look at you two, my how you've both grown." She said gushing over them both remembering fondly when the still children.
"Hi Mrs. Auditore." Wilhelm greeted the older woman warmly , as she came out from around the counter embracing both teens.
"Here – let me look at you.." the shorter woman grabbing him by his shoulders green eyes looking up him. "My you have become such a handsome young man, so big and strong too… I sure the girls are all over you. " This brought a flush of red to his cheeks. "Young lady I tell you now… catch him before some other girl gets her claws on him, and he'll be gone."
"Oh I doubt that very much Mrs. Auditore." Mirthful smile playing on the young woman's lips - one that sent a small shiver of terror down the boys' spine.
"Go now, Roberto has your food ready in the kitchen , I just need to the deserts ready." She dismissed Wilhelm to the kitchen while taking Zatanna over to the desert counter.
"Mr. Auditore…"
"Will it's good to see you boy, all three meals just came out of oven . Just give me moment and I'll have them ready to go." Roberto Auditore was a large barrel chested man that had lived in Gotham his whole life. He was the third generation to own the restaurant. A good man loved by the community always looking of for the kids that he could look out for. A father figure to a lot of them and to Wilhelm as well. The older man was tough on him at times but he was fair. As Wilhelm waited he found himself looking out the order window watching Zatanna with Ms. Auditore. Life was changing for them now… soon they would be off at college and away from each other. This thought scared him for reason, something inside did him not want that to happen.
"Oh, now I know that look… seen and had it myself." The chef said handing him three bags of full of delicious smelling food. "Thinking about the future huh… Don't let her go, son. Never let her go always protect and honor her ya hear." Wilhelm looked back at the older man quizzically confused by his words. "You'll understand one day… Remember the promise you made?"
"Oh not that… I was just kid."
"Yeah, you were but still it stuck with me. Some of the kids were bullying her , and had both you and her cornered. She could've gotten you to out of that mess easily." Roberto remembered the day like it was yesterday this group of older kids bullying a young Zatanna and Wilhelm both of them had not more than 9 and 8 respectively. He was afraid that young mage might do something out sheer fear; he had known about the Zatara family for years now and the gift they had. What he saw shocked him, it was the sight he'd never forget. It was the sight of a young Wilhelm using his whole body as a shield while the boys and few of the girls beat and threw rocks at them, against the assault he held Zatanna as close as he could guarding the terrified girl. What shocked him even more was that the young man did not cry out as the group beat him without mercy. He just whispered it would be okay to her while fighting back his own tears. His face bloodied and dirty one eye swollen shut but he did no scream out. Just how long had fought so outnumbered by so many just to protect her?
"Yeah I remember – they chased us for at least 4 blocks… I fought them off twice."
" I know , son you refused to let her use her magic because you knew it could cause trouble for her and father." Roberto chased gang of kids away it took a several minutes of coaxing to get Will to release the crying girl. At the hospital, they sat with the worried parents, he had some pretty bad bruises, a broken arm and cracked ribs but he was going to fine. Much to the relief of everyone in the room, expect a young Zatanna. "Son, I have never seen a little girl yell with such a temper before…"
Flashback
The Doctor looked over the young Wilhelm giving him clean bill of health and proscribing plenty of rest. Giovanni and Lauren were relieved but it was Zatanna that shocked them the most at how upset she was.
"You big stupid dummy!" The little girl shouted eyes closed fighting back tears with her fists clenched tightly at her side. " I could've cast a spell to scare them off or put frogs in their pants… You didn't have to do that this. You didn't have get to beat up for me. " She said with sniffle voice growing softer the last part just a whisper.
A young Wilhelm sat there awe struck from a moment before spoke. "I did not think about that, I just thought…" he looked down for a moment before bringing his gaze back up meet hers. "That I did not want to see you hurt…so if even they beat me as long as you were fine… I would be okay." He finished smiling brightly ignoring the pain in his side.
"And what about you, silly. I was scared… I thought they were going to kill you…and. .. and." Wilhelm did not know how but he found the strength to drop down from the bed and embrace her pulling her close him.
"They called you a witch, freak, and monster but I don't care even if you're a witch or a monster. I will always be your Knight, I'll never let anyone hurt you…" her eyes widen at the words as her tears started fall, she always like some kind of outcast because her magic. "It's always the witch that's evil in the stories and I hate that.. what if she's lonely because of her magic always afraid and alone just looking for some to understand. The princess always gets her knight – So why not the witch? how is that fair." The two children parted and he looked down at her " So I said to myself even if you are Witch and not a princess, even if I get beat up, I'll be your Knight. So you always have one and never be alone or sad again."
End Flashback
"Till this day you have not left that girls side, not once… you kept that promise kid." Roberto smiled back at him. " I never seen anything like, what you two have its something special I tell ya. So you never let her or it go and you always keep that promise… Now go on and get out of here before that food gets cold. " the older man said pushing him out of the kitchen.
"What?" Zatanna asked confused by the odd look on Wilhelms' face as he watched her gather the bag with the desert in it. He was confused by Roberto words , he was scared of what was to come. Being just a kid then… he did not know what he was saying, he just want to see his friend smile again like she always did, that's all the mattered to him.
"Nothing… " he said pushing the thoughts aside for now. The graduation was almost a full year away, no need to worry about that now they just need to enjoy the time they had. The two made their way down the street together towards Gotham University as evening set upon the City. Still Wilhelm could not shake the feeling, that nagging dread in his stomach. He would put aside now as they walked on to the campus, tonight was going to celebration after all even with his small family it would special for him.
Author Notes" ZOMG, I did not realize this was so littered with errors- note to self don't proofread while failing asleep.
Authors Notes 2: I really needed to make sure I don't proof read late at night… my god, so many typos. Sorry guys … I promise future installments will be better, just stick with me while I get my grove back.