Chapter 2 [Four Hours Later—Metropolis, Clock Tower]
After a speedier drive home than one of his arrows, Oliver pondered the card's appearance in his pocket. As with the Luthors, he'd learned not to trust coincidence in life's matters. No, he'd survived too much for that. Then again, watching Zatanna's magic earlier that week made him rethink things on a deeper level as well.
It was eerie how she almost knew he'd be calling. She remembered her offered wish and debt to Clark and him. As such, she told him she'd be there at some point.
Some point. Wish she'd realize this isn't an act. He poured himself a scotch and drank that down while unsuccessfully trying to soothe his nerves. Then he grabbed his compound bow and quiver. He pressed the button on the side wall, allowing it to open and reveal the practice complex within. Maybe I should just have Chloe or Victor see what Tess has up her sleeve. If LuthorCorp invented Prometheus, they should have a way of draining the kryptonite from that suit! I don't care what that doctor said!
In front of himself, the target beckoned. A full hundred yards away, it seemed but a small white circle within circles to most.
Oliver, however, sized it up and fired a shaft, nailing the circle dead center. Over and over, he rattled out shots in machine gun fashion, splitting previous arrows down the middle and clustering them like porcupine quills. As he did so, he remembered his promise to Tess on the island. When we get out of here, I'll do what I can to help people. Remember, Queen, this isn't just about Doomsday, it's about Clark and Lana too. They need each other. He sized up another shot and sent it dead center. Wish I understood that.
"Bravo!" a familiar voice praised while clapping accompanied it.
He rolled his eyes at the entrance knowing full well who it was. Despite the fact he'd seen her do it several times, Zatanna had just snuck past his defenses again. How does she do it? He turned to see the raven haired mistress of magic observing him through the darkness. "I have people who can help you patent that entrance, you know."
"Perhaps." She smiled with satisfaction and let her eyes shine briefly reveling that she had just got his attention. "But I do not own the ways of magic. I am its servant. As I mentioned to you before, I am still learning its ways."
He shrugged. "Get any of that light reading done?" He turned and sized up another shot, hitting the bulls eye yet again.
"A little. Learning to reach out to others beyond your purpose?" she countered. "Are we finally opening up?"
"Excuse me?" he wondered.
She shook her head. "Forgive me. I noted your focus in our last meeting. As you and Mr. Kent showed me, such ambition can blind one to the rest of life, Oliver. My desire to help people does have a price as you both showed me. I have vowed to be more careful. But have you?"
"Have I what?" he inquired.
"Considered all of the outcomes of your desire to save the world?" She paced about the room. "Your purpose as the Green Arrow is very noble. Yet what of you? What of the man beneath the mask?"
"As I told you, I have everything I want," he reminded her.
She tilted her head to the side while considering his words. "Perhaps."
"What's that mean?" he queried defensively.
"Accomplishments, success and heroism are valuable things, Oliver." She stared into his eyes. "I sense that there is something missing."
"Lady, I called you to help my friends not me. Can you do that or not?" he wondered in exasperation. She was clearly getting under his skin with her words. Besides there was something about her eyes.
She smiled. "I have felt their pain, Oliver. Yes, I have a spell to help them. That is what I meant. Giving up your one wish to save others. That is true friendship."
"You did the same when you saved Chloe and denied yourself, Zatanna," he reminded her.
"We all affect the universe in our way. You do inspire, Oliver. Very well. We all have wishes and the Universe grants them as she will." She smiled warmly at him while melting away into the darkness.
He shook his head. For some reason, he felt a certain warmth coursing up his spine. He took a deep breath. "This is a job, Queen. You're doing this for them. It isn't about Lois again." Still he thought of how great an ally the magician could be for his group. Along with Black Canary, Cyborg, Impulse, Aquaman and himself, Zatanna could be a powerful force. "One thing at a time." He fired three more shots and then hit the showers.
Little did he know how magic could affect both directly and indirectly. How little indeed…..