Summary: YJ S1 Ep 19. After this, the chalant fluff will come in pretty overwhelming waves, but I just can't help myself.
Disclaimer: I don't own DC
The team was unpacking some supplies from the League when Zatanna visited. She initially looked for Robin, but upon seeing him talking with Batman, decided to hang out with him later. As much as she wanted to see the Boy Wonder, Batman still scared her a bit. She knew Robin trusted him with his life, and her father had said amazing things about him, but there was still something off about the man. She didn't know what it was. She felt as though she should be able to trust him if Robin did, but he still somewhat freaked her out. She went over to hang out with Artemis instead. She and Arty had gotten very close with one another following the whole ghosts on Halloween thing, and they spent quite a bit of time together. They had almost become the female version of Dick and Wally. Zatanna was currently talking with Artemis while Dick and the others were unpacking. Bruce and Giovanni watched them, since there was no way in hell Zatara trusted the team with his daughter after what happened last time. Zatanna started at Dick as he stacked some crates while talking with Wally. Artemis didn't notice, as she herself was busy gazing at the speedster.
"Soooo, Zatanna's here." God, not you too.
"Y-yeah. Yeah she is." Wally smirked.
"And you must be over the moon that Zatara let her visit." Dick turned red.
"Wh-whad'ya mean by that? I-I mean o-of course I like having her here! Wh-who doesn't? B-but it's not wh-what you think!"
"Sure it isn't. Hey, just a reminder, her eyes are up there, not down-" Dick turned beet red and glared at him as hard as he could, though it wasn't very intimidating seeing as his face was redder than Wally's hair. I-I wasn't thinking about...okay, maybe a little, b-but I...
"Sh-shut up before Connor hears you!"
"Wow. What did that girl do to ya? I've never seen you this out of it before." Am I really THAT out of it? I mean, this is normal behavior when something like this happens. Right? It's not like I'm hovering around her 24/7 spewing out cheesy pick-up lines like Wally...
"Well, not all of us are as blunt as you are. Besides, she's...kinda my first." A wicked smirk jumped to Wally's face, and Dick was afraid of what might come next.
"Oh, I'm sure you'd LOVE for her to be your fir-" Dick dropped the box he was holding and growled at him, throwing Wally the fiercest batglare he could muster, but his scarlet face betrayed him. I will end you, Wallace West.
"If you finish that sentence, I will paint Arty's room red and yellow and draw lightning bolts all over it." Wally choked.
"N-no! Y-you wouldn't dare! Last time you did something like that I ended up hanging from the ceiling covered in wrapping paper!" Dick smirked.
"Wow, she went that easy on you, huh? Besides, why are you so focused on my love life? Shouldn't you worry about your own?"
"Well, I am recently single, so I got nothin' better to do than bug you."
"Really? Cuz I seem to have noticed Arty and you have been spending more time together. Heh, looks to me like you're already over Linda." Wally attempted to glare at Dick, but it did nothing to phase him as he continued to unpack boxes. Before either of them could speak again, a strange reddish purple glow emanated from Bruce and the other adults, before every adult in the room vanished into thin air. What's this?!
"Dad!"
"Bats!" Wh-what just happened? The team tried to contact the Hall of Justice, but got no response. Dick tried to call Alfred, but nobody picked up.
"I-I can't reach anybody! The Hall, the Batcave, nobody's picking up! What happened?!" After failing to contact any adults, the team turned to social media to try and figure things out. They saw several posts of adults having gone missing all over the globe. They did more research and determined that anyone over the age of 18 had disappeared, even Red Arrow and Wonder Girl. Kaldur quickly directed the team to new tasks. The only thing that could have done something like this was magic, and so they would need Zatanna's help on this one. He sent the others to round up any kids they could find while Dick stayed with Zatanna to help figure out this mess.
While Dick definitely wouldn't pass up any opportunity to spend more time with the beautiful sorceress, this was not the ideal circumstances for it at all. He was worried sick for both Bruce and Alfred, and he could tell Zatanna was just as worried for her father. He was forced to hide his fears from the rest of the team so as not to add to the collective panic. Wally, Artemis, and Megan were already freaking out along with Zatanna. He, Connor, and Kaldur had to keep their composure so as to guide the others. Currently, he and Zatanna were in the monitor room researching more on what could have happened.
"No response from the Batcave, Hall of Justice, not even the Wat-" Dick caught himself before letting the League's orbiting headquarters slip out of his tongue.
"I'm getting the same thing on every website I visit. All adults on the planet are gone. The type of magic needed to pull this off? Scary big!"
"And we need you to find the source." Zatanna's eyes widened.
"How am I-"
"I pulled this up. It's your dad helping us track the Injustice League a few weeks ago." Dick played the recording of Zatara using the locator spell to show Zatanna.
"T-the words are just a part of it. The rest takes training and-Robin, I'm just not on his level." Dick put a hand on her shoulder.
"I know it's stressful, but try to stay whelmed. We'll get your dad, Batman, and everyone back. It's what we do." Zatanna smiled as he continued. "Do ya think you could at least attempt the spell? If it doesn't work, we can find another way, but we have to try first. I think you could pull it off. I mean, you've done pretty amazing stuff with your magic before." Zatanna blushed and slowly nodded as she decided it was worth a shot. If Robin believed in her, then she had to at least try. It was the only way to get her dad back.
The other members of the team made their way back to the cave after having rounded up everyone. Dick was currently on the phone with Barbara, who had been staying with Luke when his dad disappeared.
"Yeah, Bruce and Al are gone. But I'm sure the adults will pop back up. It's probably just some Justice League thing. Don't worry about your dad." It was hard for Dick to follow his own advice, as he was freaking out about Bruce. He had complete faith in Zatanna's abilities, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't still stressing over getting his mentor back, wherever he may be.
"I hope you're right. Hey, you should come over. Bunk with me and Luke while the good guys work on fixing this."
"Thanks, but I'm good. I was anyways staying with a few...other friends when I got the news report about it. I'll be fine."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Stay safe, Babs. Tell Luke I said hi."
"Alright. See ya." Dick hung up as Kaldur walked into his room in the cave.
"Zatanna says she is ready to try the spell."
"Alright. I'm on my way." Dick walked into the room and pulled up the holo-map for Zatanna to try her spell. "Okay, it's ready. Go for it." Zatanna concentrated and said the same words her father had said to track the source of the magic. To everyone's surprise, the holo-map pinpointed the epicenter. Dick smirked at Zatanna's win. Yes, it worked! Wow, she really is amazing! "Coordinates locked! Nice work!" Zatanna smiled as she realized what she had just managed to do. As the team got ready to depart, Dick walked up to Zatanna, who was sitting down. "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Doing big spells like that just tires me out."
"For what it's worth, that was pretty amazing." Zatanna's face heated up and she smiled.
"Th-thanks. I've never really done a spell that big."
"You did great. I'm sure your dad would be proud of you." Zatanna smiled further as Dick put his hand on her shoulder without thinking. Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down Romeo! Kinda goin' a little too far here. Maybe Wally was right about me being out of it! They were suddenly interrupted by a loud crack of thunder in the monitor room. They ran to the source to find...Wait a sec! Is that...Billy Batson? Holy crap how did I not think of this before?! Captain Marvel is only 8! The rest of the team was unaware of who Billy really was, and so they took up battle positions.
"Who are you?! How did you get here?!" Why are y'all getting ready to fight a freaking 8-year-old?
"Quick, read my mind!" M'gann gasped as she did so.
"He-he's Captain Marvel!"
"And I'm Speedy Gonzales. Look, just because this kind thinks he's Shazam-"
"Gee, Wally. Do I really need to be your personal butler to get you on my side?" Everyone's mouths dropped open, except for Dick, who simply smirked.
The team deduced that the adults were in a dimension of their own, and Billy could travel between them through his transforming magic. Dick was relieved to know that Bruce was okay, and the team used Billy as a vessel to communicate with the adults. They formulated a proper plan on how to stop the mystical threat, and both teams set off to the epicenter of the magical energy.
As the Bio-ship landed, the team immediately went for a head-on assault on Klarion, who was revealed to be behind the sorcery. Robin and Artemis hurled their projectiles at Klarion, but he had a forcefield up around him. He laughed as the birdarangs and arrows fell to the floor, before countering with a dark lightning blast. Both Robin and Artemis screamed as they were knocked out cold. Soooo not feelin' the aster…
Dick woke up just as the two dimensions were set back together. He jumped to his feet to be met with Batman. Bruce! Dick gave him a tight hug and quickly broke off before anyone could see. Bruce smiled, knowing everything was back to normal. That's when Dick turned to Dr. Fate, and his eyes went wide as he realized who was under the helmet. No! She put the Helmet of Fate on?! Giovanni seemed more pissed off than ever before, and he walked up to Nabu.
"Great Nabu, release my daughter."
"No." Excuse me?! The hell you mean, 'no'?! "Witness the chaos that has been wrought in my absence. The world needs Dr. Fate, and the girl's natural affinity for the mystic arts makes her the perfect champion." Anger boiled inside Dick as he heard this. What right did Nabu have to take a teenage girl's body?!
"You can't do that!"
"She has her own life to live!"
"Kent would never allow you to-"
"Kent Nelson did object, strenuously, so I released his soul to the afterlife. He is gone." Wally's eyes went wide as Dick thought about that. Wait a sec. So you MURDERED Nelson just to keep Zatanna as your prisoner?!
Giovanni stepped forward. "Take me instead. My powers are already at their peak, and my body is stronger. It would better withstand the strain of your powers."
"A tempting offer. But how do I know you will keep your end of the bargain?"
"You have my word. I would do anything for my daughter." Dick looked on incredulously at the exchange. He knew firsthand the lengths a father would go to to keep their child safe, but he also knew firsthand the pain of losing the only family in the world you had left. He didn't want anyone else to ever feel that pain, especially Zatanna. But it was either that or Nabu keeping her soul locked away forever. Nabu accepted the offer, floating down to remove the helmet. Zatanna embraced her dad happily, and Dick could barely look on. He knew what came next. He knew how much it would hurt Zatanna. He looked to Bruce, who seemed just as distraught over this as he did. They were the only ones here who knew how much this next part would hurt.
"Take care of my daughter." Bruce walked up to his old friend, shaking his hand for one last time.
"You have my word." Giovanni smiled before preparing to don the helmet.
"No! This is my fault! Take me back! Dad, no! Dad!" Zatara donned the helmet, transforming into Dr. Fate and teleporting away with the dark wizards. Dick ran up to Zatanna's side as she collapsed to her knees, unable to move. He knew exactly what was going through her mind and body right now. The first few moments wouldn't hurt. She wouldn't feel anything for the first couple of seconds. She would just be...empty.
Bruce walked away as Dick, Arty, and Wally stayed by Zatanna. He had witnessed this far too many times at this point. First with his own parents, then Dick, now Zatanna. Even right now, he was considering adopting Zatanna to give her the same opportunity he gave Dick. But he knew she wouldn't accept the offer. She wasn't the same form of broken that Dick was when he first went through this. She was a little...different. Bruce was not sure if he could help her the same way he helped Dick. The ride back to Mount Justice was morbid to say the least. Dick told Bruce he wanted to ride with Zatanna, and he understood. He then told the rest of the team to give her space and not bother her on the way back. At first, Artemis was furious that he even suggest such a thing, but Wally helped Dick convince her to let him handle this situation. After all, Dick was the only one here who truly knew what to do in this scenario. Once he got everyone settled in, he went to the cargo hold to sit with Zatanna. He didn't say anything. He knew nothing he said would matter at all. He just sat there and let Zatanna mourn, occasionally giving her hand a squeeze or offering her a napkin to dry her eyes. He himself needed time to process the situation and figure out the best course of action to take. He knew that when he was first orphaned, it was very fragile ground for Bruce to help him. Even the slightest screw up could have permanently ruined his relationship with Bruce, so he knew exactly how careful he needed to be with Zatanna.
Dick, Artemis, and Megan carried Zatanna's belongings to her new room in the cave. Batman had already procured everything of importance to her in the short hour that the team spent flying back. Once all the boxes were there, Dick turned to Zatanna, knowing she needed alone time. Everyone cleared out of her room, and he looked back at her for a second before letting the door close. He had already decided he would stay over for the night so that he could watch over and try to help her. He was very well aware that she would need all the help she could get now. He just wasn't completely sure how he would deliver that help to her. The rest of the team sat in silence in the living room until Artemis spoke.
"Are we just supposed to give her space and hope she gets better? Because I for one think that is a horrible plan!" No offense, but you have no idea what you're talking about.
"It...is outside of our area of expertise. None of us have lost a parent right in front of our eyes before. We do not know how this feels" Dick felt slightly hurt at that. He did know how this felt. He knew better than most. But he also agreed with what Kal said. None of them could help Zatanna right now because they didn't know how to. Wally turned to Dick when Kaldur said that. He knew Dick wanted to help her, and he also knew that Dick was probably the only one of them who could, and so he played along.
"Kal's right. None of us know what this feels like." An idea clicked in Dick's head. He thought it over and realized that it was the best option. But Bats said I couldn't...but this is different. I could help her. Just like he helped me. Bruce would understand.
"Speak for yourself, Baywatch! We all have lost...something. We could try to help her right now!" Dick now knew what to do, he just needed everyone out of the cave and away from Zatanna so he could put his plan in motion.
"No. No you couldn't. Nobody here knows what she is going through. None of you have watched your family die right in front of your eyes. That's different than just losing someone. That stings in a different way. We can't help her the way she needs to be helped. We can just...give her time to get some semblance of normality back and then do our best to make her feel at home." The whole team, with the exception of Wally, turned to Dick, a mix of shock and anger in their eyes as they heard what he said. Megan noticed something in his speech that stuck out to her.
"Robin? You said 'none of you'. Not 'none of us'." Dick didn't respond to Megan's question. He simply got up and walked back to his room, shutting the door behind him. Kaldur was the next to speak.
"Robin is right. We are not in the position to help her right now. If we try to force ourselves in, we may end up doing more harm than good. It is best to give her space until she feels like reaching out to us."
"I don't get it. Why did bird-brain say 'you' and not 'us'? Did something like this...happen to him?" Wally noticed that they were all staring at him as Artemis asked her question, and so he responded.
"It's, uh, not my place to say. Look, he's right. Just give her space for now. We can come around when she's ready." Wally knew Dick would be the one to get her to open up, given his own past, and so he knew that the team should simply let Robin have his shot at it. He was the only one who stood a chance at saving Zatanna right now. The team reluctantly agreed and started to depart, as it was getting late. Artemis, Kaldur, and Wally all Zeta'd to their homes, and Connor and Megan went to their rooms. Dick waited till they all departed before making his move. He didn't want anyone interrupting him for this next part. He only hoped Bruce would understand why he would do what he was about to do.
So Zatanna finally joined the team. This was longer than normal, but that's cuz this was more eventful than most chapters. The next chapter is a direct follow-up and will show how Dick handles the situation with Zatanna. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Next chapter up soon.