Chapter 3:

Zatanna's POV:

We had just gotten back from wandering around the town, checking out for the origin point. I couldn't pinpoint one yet, but Hal told me that I shouldn't stress over it.

I'm now rummaging through some of the books I brought with me. There's a thin layer of dust on a couple that I haven't really used before. Other's had notes in the margins from when Dad was my age. Looking at the notes I try to hold back the pain, the tears that built up in my eyes. What the hell does any of this mean? I thought.

Looking around the room quickly I notice a book I left on the bed.

"Gnirb em eht koob," I say casually, (What? I'm allowed to be a little lazy)

" You should really try to get some sleep Zatanna," Hal poked his head round the corner.

"I will, just trying to find something," I wiped the dust off the cover of the book, "then I'll go to bed, promise," I smile, and continue to flip the pages.

" Make sure you do. I've seen you when you don't sleep, it's not pretty," Hal laughs as he dodges the hairbrush I threw at him. (It was the closest thing apart from my books!)

" Just for that, I'm not making pancakes tomorrow," sticking my tongue out for good measure. I see him pull a face before walking back to his room. I allow myself a small laugh before taking a deep breath and continuing through these books.

"Hecate, goddess of magic, can teach you what you seek. Power is yours to control, but how much will you give to grasp that power…" I read through the first page. I had heard of the goddess before. Greek goddess, has helped homimagis' for centuries. Dad told me that mum had learnt some powerful magic from the goddess. He never said anything about a price or cost that she had had to pay to learn this magic though. Maybe it was tuition fees. School isn't free, I heard Robins voice whisper through my head. Or maybe it was why she died, Dad's voice rang quietly in the background.

"Risk I'm going to take," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper. I gave the page one last skim before attempting to make contact with the goddess. All it said was to meditate and contact her through my mind.

Taking one last breath I close my eyes and call out to the goddess. Nothing happens at first, but then I start to feel like I'm spinning. The floor has slipped from under me. I continue to call to her and keep my breathing steady. Then there's nothing.

"Open your eyes Zatanna, daughter of Sindella (1). You have come to me," A women's soft voice spoke to me. I do as she asked. Opening my eyes I see that we are in the sky. Looking over Mt Justice. Breath taking, is the only thought in my mind right now.

" I am Hecate, goddess of magic. Teacher of spells and power," I turn my eyes to the women, only now taking in how powerful she looked. Her Long brown hair was pulled into an intricate braid, her eyes shining gold, and warm smile make her seem so welcoming. The gown she wears screams regal, and the way she stands tells me she's very powerful (obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have been here).

" How do you know my name?" I ask, " I have never met you before today, and yet you know me,"

" Your mother was my favourite student. It was only right I watched over her child as she could not," Her hand rests gently on my shoulder, " especially when her daughter has so much power ready to be used within her,"

My eyes grow wide at her words, not fully taking in what she means. Dad had always told me that it would be unlikely I could surpass his power, and yet I now had a goddess telling me the opposite.

" You inherited that from your mother. She was so strong. I miss her very much," Hecate's eyes turn a sad shade of blue for a moment before turning back to the shining gold. " But she would be happy to know you found her old book, the one that taught her how to find me,"

" I need your help," I say bluntly, " this curse Wotan has put on the town I'm in, I can't break it. I can feel how strong it is," Shaking my head a little I remember just how much power was running through the place.

" I will teach you. Your mother asked me to many years ago,"

" How long will it take? " I look up into Hecate's eyes, my own seem pleading.

" It depends on how hard you try to connect to your power,"

"What do you mean?"

" The power in you is so strong. Just like your mother, there is a barrier there that shields that power from coming through,"

" How long will it take to reach it?"

" I can't be certain Zatanna. It took your mother years, but you don't have that long," Her eyes seemed sad. As if she had wanted to spend those years working with me.

"No I don't," I sigh and look back down to Mt Justice. I smile slightly as I imagine everyone eating and watching a movie. Or Wally and Artemis fighting about something stupid. Raquel would be watching Kaldur and Connor sparring while M'gann make cookies in the kitchen. The only thing I can't picture is Robin.

" You will miss them dearly while you're on this mission. But when you get back, nothing will have changed. His feelings for you won't change," Hecate whispers into my ear, shaking me from my thoughts.

" Who's feelings?" I look back to her, my eyes wide with surprise.

" Robin's. He would wait forever for you Zatanna Zatara,"

I smile a little hearing those words. I don't know why but it makes my heart flutter a little.

"But for now, you must focus on breaking the barrier within you and learning to use your true power," Hecate looks at me with a stern face. I nod and put a serious look onto my face. " You will need to see me every night until you have truly mastered your powers,"

"I will,"

"It will be hard, and painful," Hecate gives me a questioning look.

" I can do it,"

" I believe you will," Hecate smiles softly at me, " but for now I must let you rest so you may be able to concentrate fully tomorrow night,"

" Thank you Hecate, I look forward to you teaching me," I say in all earnest.

" One last thing, you can't tell anybody that you are training with me until you have reached your full potential. It is the only way for there to be no distractions,"

" Okay, I can do that," I nod

" And Zatanna," she laughs a little as she goes to stop me from leaving again, " I have created a link between you and Robin so you may visit him once a week while you sleep,"

This is when I hug Hecate. At first she seems a little uncomfortable, but then she holds me tight to her and whispers a final goodbye to me as I fade back to my small room in the cabin.

I find myself floating in the air a little bit, meditating makes me do that sometimes, but otherwise nothing had changed. I could feel how tired my body was. Practically begging me to go to sleep. But before I climbed into bed I did a quick sweep of everything and say goodnight to Robin through my head.

Robin's POV:

We were currently watching HP and the Chamber of secrets. Wally and Artemis had fallen asleep at some point and were now (unknowingly) cuddled up together in a blanket. (I may or may not have done this just to get blackmail photos…) Kaldur and Raquel had a bowel of popcorn and watching intently, every now and then Raquel would mutter something like "no Harry," or " Ron is such an idiot," and every time she muttered something Kaldur would smile ever so slightly.

Connor had taken M'gann to her bed (She had fallen asleep in his arms…again) and had disappeared. So that left me as a fifth wheel. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if Zatanna was here. She would have been making jokes and pretending to do the spells with Hermione. It was only the first day and everything just felt off.

"Robin," Kaldur poked me in the side, jolting me from my thoughts, "the movie is over. I am certain Batman would want you home. Your communicator has been buzzing all night,"

Not a complete lie, but it was a bit of a stretch. It had only been buzzing for the last ten minutes. I think, I lost track of time a while ago.

" Your right, I'll see you tomorrow Kal," I say getting up and leaving to Zeta back to the Batcave.

"I've been trying to get through to you for the last hour, " Bruce's monotone voice calls from the computer.

"Sorry, we were watching Harry Potter,"

" You should get to bed Dick, you look exhausted," He says coming to pat my shoulder.

" I feel it too. Bruce?"

" Yes Dick,"

I look up at him, barely focusing, my eyes were too tired, "Where's Zee?"

Bruce smiles softly at me before pulling me into a hug, " She's with Hal in Australia,"

And with that I am wide awake. I pull back and look straight into his eyes.

" When can I, we," I correct quickly, "talk to her?"

" I'm sorry Dick, but she needs to focus on this mission. Meaning no distractions or calls from the team,"

" But what if she needs help?" I argue, something I know better than to do with Bruce.

" Hal give me updates every night. If they need help, they will get help. But for now you need to trust that she is safe and I know what I'm doing,"

" Whatever Bruce," Storming off I head straight up the stairs into the kitchen to get a cup of water for bed.

"Master Dick, you shouldn't be up this late, it's almost three in the morning," Alfred's thick British accent rings clearly through my ears.

" Sorry Alfred, I was at the cave and I just got back. Then I just fought with Bruce about Zee,"

" Do you wish to talk about it sir?"

" You wouldn't mind would you?"

" I am always happy to talk with you sir. You do seem to have great stories and problems to solve," Alfred gives me a warm smile and pulls up a seat.

"Bruce won't let me talk to Zee while she's on this mission and it's so hard. I don't know why but I feel so empty right now," I blew a puff of air and slumped down into my chair.

"You must care very much for Miss Zatara,"

" I do Alfie. She's always there making me smile. And when she cries, or when she hurts, I feel her pain too,"

"I think Master Dick, you should try and make the best of a bad situation. Try doing something so when Miss Zatara comes back, she will know how much you missed her," I saw a look of knowing in Alfred's eyes. But I couldn't work out what it was he knew.

" I'll give it a shot," I yawned and stretched slightly, "but for now, I think I'll go to bed,"

" Goodnight sir,"

"night Alfie,"

It took all my strength to climb the stairs to my room and get into bed. But before I fell asleep I heard Zatanna's soft voice in my head, Goodnight Robin. And with that I settled into a peaceful sleep.