~~One Year Later~~
I sat down at table outside a café in New York. I was waiting for my friend Jasmine, who was late as always. I wore a white shirt underneath a light tan jacket, a black skirt, black boots and a black choker with a small symbol etched into it. With a sigh I took a sip of my tea. I'd taken a liking to tea during my time with Doctor Strange or Uncle Stephen as I've started to call him. Not only that but, I cut my hair to just above my shoulders. The Traveler's charm would be fully charged in a few weeks but, honestly I'm not sure I wanna leave. I'm living a semi-normal life. School, friends and magic training without being a hero. This world is full of them. I'm not needed.
"My purse!" a white haired women exclaimed as a masked man ran with her purse. Although this was the downside of New York living. The man was getting away.
"Pirt mih dna etativel eht esrup kcab ot sti renwo!" I blurted out. 'What did I just do?!'
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, the robber fell to the ground and the purse floated back to the woman. In the back of my mind I felt a familiar tug, urging me to do more. I banged my head on the table and groaned. 'One year out the window' I lifted my head and saw my brown haired, brown eyed friend. She wore a denim blue cropped jacket, blue shirt, denim blue mini skirt and a red pendant.
"Sorry I'm late, Zee. Are you alright?" Jasmine questioned.
"Just fine. Now let's get going or we'll miss the movie." I say trying to rush her along instead of dwelling on the situation.
After the movie I decided to walk home the long way. I needed to think. Sighing I pulled out and opened the pocket watch Uncle Stephen gave me for my birthday. It was silver and round with a small carving of Strange's mystic eye that would protect me from dark magic. Just like the symbol on my choker. Inside was a picture of my dad and me that I shrunk down.
"I wish you were here to help me dad." I spoke. He always wanted me to do good with my magic. He would be proud of me for what I did today. Maybe it's time I reconsider but, this world can manage without me. There are plenty of other heroes. As if hearing my challenge, the universe decided to prove me wrong. A man in a purple and yellow suit was hopping away from police cars while carrying sacks of money. 'I can't just let this guy get away'
"Egnahc em otni ym emutsoc dna laenoc ym ecaf htiw ruomalg!" I shouted as my outfit turned into my costume which resembles a magician's outfit. "Etativel!" I say causing me to float into the sky. I flew until I was in front of the villain.
"You cannot capture Batroc the Leaper!" he boasted with a French accent.
"Maybe I should give it a shot." I floated into the light.
"A little girl thinks she can stop me. Go back to your magic show before you get hurt. Leap!" the villain leapt toward me.
I flew up higher dodging him. "Leap!" I barely had time to lower myself as he leapt above me. By the fourth time he'd done this I felt myself lowering 'Focus Zatanna!'
"Leap!" Batroc grabbed me and slamming me against a garbage can. "You were a fool to think you could beat me!" he was about to punch me. 'Black Canary used to say that you should keep the battle on your terms so...'
"Etativel mih!" I made him levitate in the air, much to his surprise. I stood up not letting my focus waver.
"Put me down!"
"If you insist." I released my grip on him. Batroc the Leaper fell to the ground with a thud. "Egnahc sehtolc otni sgnidnib!" his clothes became bindings and restrained him.
"You cannot do this to me! I'm Batroc th-"
"Gag mih esaelp!" the bindings covered his mouth.
"Thanks for the help but, who are you?" a police officer questioned while a few others took the villain away.
"Just a girl lending a helping hand." News reporters began to descend on the area. 'Time to go!' "Etativel!" I rose back into the air.
I finally reached a rooftop. Unfortunately, I nearly collapsed on the roof from the overuse of the levitation spell. It takes a lot of energy. "Ekat em emoh!" I was then transported outside of Strange's mansion. I almost passed out on the street but, I was caught by a pair of arms.
"Busy night?" Doctor Strange asked helping me inside.
"What do you mean?" I tried to act casual.
"Well, you've used a lot of magic and you're wearing the clothes you insist on practicing magic in. Also this." He turned on the TV.
"Who is this mysterious magician girl and is she as big a threat to the city as Spider-Man? J. Jonah Jameson has the answers to that and more." the annoying newscaster reported while I blushed sheepishly. Before the broadcast could continue, I turned off the TV.
"I thought you quit being a hero?"
"I did. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was a one-time thing." I defended.
"Or maybe you were at the right place at the right time. This may be the time the world needs a new hero most. A hero that can wield magic for good."
'Do I really wanna give up my semi-normal life for one that will turn my world upside down? Tonight felt great and I'm not sure I can let that feeling of doing something public go either.
Doctor Strange and I have stopped magical threats from entering the world but, how does that compare to actively stopping the bad guys. Things would have so simple if that purse snatching wouldn't have happened at all'
"Zatanna?" Uncle Stephen called out disrupting my thoughts.
"Yes?"
"I know you may need more time to think about this but, I'd like to give you a present to help you." A box appears in my lap. I begin to slowly open the box, afraid of what this gift could be. Inside I found a cream-colored Venetian style eye mask. It was outlined in black and had white and black decals.
"It's beautiful but, what does it do?" I knew with Strange things are never as they seem.
"It'll protect your identity, so you don't always have to use energy to fuel a glamor spell." he laughed slightly.
"Evomer eht ruomalg" I felt slightly less drained but, stupid for forgetting to undo my own spell.
"Also the markings on the mask will help with your focus. In battle it can be easy to be caught in the moment but, in order for your spells to work you must focus. It will allow you to think of the spell you want to use and permit you to cast it without speaking.
However, advanced spells and spells that require a lot of energy must still be spoken. It will make you able to do more in battle. The only ones who can remove the mask are you and me." 'Wow'
I didn't say anything. This was the perfect thing to help me become a hero again but, I'm still not sure. "I know it's a lot to take in. Sleep on the idea, there is no rush. If you wish to begin I am ready to help you whenever you are ready. Goodnight, Zatanna. I'll see you for practice in the morning." the sorcerer left.
I took the mask with me to my room. I could feel the magic in it. As I walked I magically changed my costume into sleep wear. I have to really think about this. Once I decide there is no going back.
I woke up early the next morning. Every morning before school Doctor Strange would help me with my magic. It was a pain at first but, I've gotten used to it.
Taking a deep breath, I walked into the room we use. Strange was already there.
"I'm ready." I state.
"Ready for what?" the sorcerer inquired.
"I'm ready to become a hero again." I magically transform into my costume plus the mask.
"Then let's get started shall we?" Doctor Strange replied with a smile.
Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this new chapter. Time to respond to a few reviews!
Rocker on: Sorry about that! I thought I covered it but, I might not have been as direct as I should have been with reviews. She will meet the team very soon and make her own impact on it. I'm planning a few chapters where this version of Zatanna will get to be explored. Almost all the episodes with Doctor Strange in them will include Zee. If you wanna find out if the Young Justice team finds her or not, you'll just have to wait and see. And you were right! She couldn't resist her inner hero (hence the name of the story).
Yo: Yes the story is going to focus on Zatanna more than the Young Justice team but, that doesn't mean this is the last we hear about them. Stay tuned to find out what I mean.
Thank you guys for reviewing! It really makes my day to see a review pop up on one of my stories!
Now for a few shout outs! Thank you to CryStorm808 and TheSilentWarden for favoriting, Twilight Dance of Chaos, ggboyking and mdhunter111 for following, and meme 9, NoMoreNormalcy, JAKEkenstein, .Hyuse for favoriting and following!
Anyway please review (no flames please!), follow and favorite if you like. Have a great day!
