*****PLEASE READ*****
Sorry about the wait guys. I got caught up in school and threw myself into work and burned myself out. I will be trying to post another chapter this or next month. This chapter will not have much fighting and will instead focus on the characters showcased in the fic, and won't be too long, or...at least as long as the other ones.
Leave any reviews, favorite, or follow this fic if you guys are interested. Though if you guys have any constructive criticisms, please post them so I can make the chapters better for you guys and help my skill in writing.
Roanoke Island
"Hahaha!" Klarion laughed as he faced the Team, using his magical shield to block their ranged attacks while hitting them with lightning created from his sorcery.
Videl yelled as she shot a blast but it was simply absorbed by the shield and so she started to punch the shield to no avail.
The day before this fight the Team was having a regular day as they moved groceries inside the cave, but that was stopped as all the adults of the League suddenly disappeared, and after some time they noticed that all adults had disappeared.
Though to the adults of the world the children were those that vanished. This strange occurrence was the result of the entity of chaos, Klarion, and his allies using their combined magic to separate the world: One where adults reside, while the other contained the children.
With another wave of his hand, Klarion shot lighting towards Robin and Artemis. Artemis was knocked unconscious while Robin was forced to his knees, though the other members of the Team were not perturbed. Superboy tried to jump towards Klarion, but was knocked out of the air by Teekl, Klarion's familiar that had transformed from a cat into a large lion. Zatanna, seeing their chance of losing, chanted a spell that revealed a large rock near them, revealing itself to be the Helm of Nabu: An ancient artifact hosting the Lord of Order.
In the other dimension, the adult heroes fought against Klarion's allies, a group of sorcerers. Shazam, a hero who was both an adult and a child with the chant of a wizard's name, destroyed several boulders being shot towards him at incredible speeds, but was struck down with a bolt of magic formed by three of the sorcerers.
Fortunately, Zatara puts up a shield using his own magic to protect them. Meanwhile, the other heroes held the sorcerers back such as Tien, Batman, and many others. Zatara looks towards the center of the large glyph pentagram the sorcerers occupied. Zatara quickly noticed the glowing stone and quickly deduced it as the conduit. "Shazam! That stone is what created the separation of the world," Zatara informed.
Shazam quickly nodded and yelled with intent, "Shazam!" transforming himself into Billy Batson.
Billy now saw the Team instead of the League, as he was now in the dimension that contained the children. Running, Billy informs them, "Guys! The stone! We need to get the stone!"
After hearing this, the rest of the Team quickly converged on Klarion, but he overpowered them as he raised his hands that soon shot out an all-encompassing blast of magic.
Hearing Billy's words and seeing their inevitable loss Zatanna began to dawn the helmet, as she did Wally and Aqualad yelled, "Zatanna! Stop!" Their screams fell on deaf ears, however. A glow surrounded Zatanna as her clothes changed. She acquired a golden high collared cape fastened with two buttons, beneath the cape appeared a blue shirt with an oval set in the chest, a large golden belt, a circular center, and deep blue pants with golden boots.
Nabu floated into the sky as an ankh appeared behind his host's body in an almost holy light. "This farce ends now, Klarion!" Nabu exclaimed, with the combined voice of Zatanna and Nabu. Klarion's eyes became a demonic red as he saw this new intervention, "Nabu! You're going to ruin the fun!" he said, throwing balls of magic fire at the Lord of Order.
M'gann looked at Billy, who watched in awe, "Billy! Tell Zatara!" Megan yelled, to which the boy nodded before shouting the magic word, "Shazam!"
As Klarion focused on Nabu his barrier of magic weakened, and the Team took advantage. Videl fired a Masenko, Aqualad pounded with his water bearers, Miss Martian threw boulders the size of cars, while Kid Flash shot punches at incredible speeds, all breaking down the barrier as cracks began to appear.
Unfortunately, Nabu's presence started to shift.
Klarion laughed at this, "Hah! I guess you can't stay in a host so young in this dimension, Nabu!"
Nabu growled in annoyance and focused his magic. Pointing his hands forward, a wave of magic forced against Klarion's shield, and almost immediately went through it, finally bringing down Klarion's defenses. Klarion screamed in protest as his body became trapped in a construct akin to the symbol of ankh. "Kid Flash!" Aqualad quickly yelled, giving Wally the go-to to grab the stone and toss it to Nabu.
Meanwhile, in the adult dimension, Shazam appeared once more, "Zatara, Zatanna put on the Helm of Fate. Get ready!" Shazam yelled as he floated into the air, then dove into the ground, spinning like a top out of the earth, he quickly grabbed their version of the stone and tossed it to Zatara. Nabu and Zatarra both simultaneously chanted a spell, finally bringing the dimensions back together.
The Team watched as members of the League appeared in the area around them. Tien sighed in relief as he felt the ki of billions come back onto the same earth once more, along with Robin looking up the news on how families came back together.
With Klarion's allies defeated, the Witch-Boy looked around before looking at the heroes with a smile, "Oops," he says as he snaps his fingers, dispersing the ankh construct holding him. Standing up and wiping the dirt off his suit he calls to Teekl, who hops off Superboy and strides towards Klarion as he slowly transforms back into his cat form, leaping into Klarion's arms. Klarion waved his hand, opening a portal and jumping into it with a smile.
All was not well, however, as Zatara walked up to Nabu, "Release my daughter, Nabu."
For a tense moment Nabu remained silent but responded, "No. This body is young and already has an affinity for magic. This host...is exceptional."
"Please," Zatara begged, "My body is far more mature, powerful, and more well versed in mystic arts. I will be able to handle the energy of Fate better than Zatanna, but I will only do this if you let my daughter go, Nabu."
For several moments Nabu lingered in thought, then nodded in agreement, taking off the helm, a glow appearing as he did so.
Zatanna opened her eyes and smiled, "Dad!" she exclaimed as she ran and hugged Zatara, but as she looked up, she quickly noticed his solemn expression, "Dad, what's wrong?" Hugging his daughter back, he kisses her forehead, before grabbing the Helm of Fate. Zatanna tries to stop him, but is held back by Videl, who explains the bargain to Zatanna.
"What!? No, Dad!" Zatanna yelled, tears forming in her eyes.
Zatara looked at Batman as he held the helm over his head, "Please. Take care of her for me," Zatarra asked, causing The Dark Knight to nod. Placing the helm on, a golden glow appeared as Zatara was transformed into Doctor Fate. Zatanna reached to touch her father, but without another word he waved his hand as he levitated himself and the evil sorcerers into the air, disappearing with a flash.
Zatanna dropped to her knees, sobbing as Videl and Robin comforted her.
One Day Later
Inside of a room in the cave, Zatanna moved her items into her new room inside the cave.
"Thanks, guys," Zatanna said with a huff and wiping sweat from her brow, putting down the final box with help from Videl, Robin, Artemis, and M'gann. Zatanna forced a smile on her face, "I'll put what's in the boxes where they need to go. You don't need to do any more."
The rest of the Team left, with M'gann telling Zatanna she will be there whenever Zatanna needs her.
On the way-out Robin looks at Zatanna and gives a worried expression, to which Zatanna gives another forced smile before he leaves.
After the door closes Zatanna still looks up with a forced smile, then slowly her face contorts as she puts a hand over her mouth to quiet her sobbing so the others didn't hear her.
Unknown Location
Inside of a room The Light met to focus on what they had gained from their world-wide distraction. Sportsmaster and Riddler entered the room with the remains of the echinoderm: The same species as the alien Starro, an alien capable of even controlling the minds of beings like Superman.
"This… will be great advancements in our plan," said the villain, Brain, in his robotic voice.
Each of the members of The Light showed pleased expressions as Vandal Savage spoke, "One more step for us…. to show our light to the world."
Two Days Later
It was early in the morning as the sounds of fists and kicks impacting the body were heard in the training room of the cave. Robin and Videl had gotten up early to do their usual routine of daily training, though toned down as advised from Artemis, something Robin was grateful for as he didn't have to worry about being thrown across the room anymore.
Superboy, Megan, and Aqualad were asleep, while the others like Wally and Artemis were at home.
It was at over an hour that they stopped as Robin gasped for breath, "Horizon, can… we take a break?" to which Videl nodded.
Coming into the cave's kitchen Videl grabbed some water and tossed another to the Boy Wonder.
"You've been getting better Rob. Your strength is definitely increasing compared to our first day, maybe we can give you a more aggressive style of fighting along with the style you have now to complement your new strength," Videl suggested.
"Maybe I would have made progress faster if someone didn't leave bruises every time they sparred," Robin complained, mirth in his voice.
"Well maybe if someone did better, then they would–" Videl tried to finish, but was interrupted by the sound of a sliding door.
Coming out of the room was Zatanna, who looked worse for wear with tired and red eyes. After grabbing a snack out of the room, she walked out of the kitchen with a slow stride. Both Videl and Robin looked at each other, then looking back at Zatanna, Robin stood and stopped in front of her, "Heyyy, Zatanna. Uh...good morning?" he said with some hesitation.
"Not… not now, Robin," Zatanna said in a voice that was more solemn than tired, going around Robin to her room.
Robin looked down with a disappointed expression, which made Videl get an idea.
Some Minutes Later
Zatanna began to smell something as she rested in her bed, looking at a photo of her and her father when she was little. Quickly she got out of bed to see what smelled so good. Coming into the kitchen she saw Horizon each with a plate of cookies.
Robin walked up to her with a smile and gave her a plate, "Cookies?" Zatanna showed a small smile, before taking the plate and biting into a piece of it. After several bites Zatanna looked up, "Thanks guys, Robin, I'm sorry about earlier. It's just that ever since my dad…" before she could say anymore as tears slowly came to her eyes Robin hugged her, followed by Videl, and they stayed like that for several moments.
After letting go of her Videl came forward to the sorceress, "Zatanna, we were wondering if you could come with us to New York City to hang out? Maybe get our minds off the past few days with some patrolling, and get some food while we're off."
Zatanna looked at them both, as she stared into Robin's desperate look behind his smile, and Videl's hopeful eyes, she sighed, "Yeah, I-I'll come. I guess I could have one day where I'm not in bed for too long."
In just a moment, Zatanna chanted a spell, "Tup no ym tiftuo dna naelc srieht." Her outfit changed into her superhero attire, while Robin and Videl noticed the sweat and smell from their own outfits went away and they looked at her, brows raised, "What? You guys stunk," replied Zatanna with a shrug in her shoulders.
Walking out of the kitchen they entered the Zeta-Tube, and then walked into the light as they were teleported.
Walking forward they turned the knob of an old alley telephone booth, away from the sight of New York City residents. As they walked in the alley, Videl floated up into the air onto the roof of a building, followed by Zatanna who chanted a spell, while Robin used a grappling gun to scale to the side of the structure.
They roamed across New York City for hours as they stopped crime all around the city. It was a good time, as Zatanna began to stop thinking of her father's sacrifice more and more. They had drug busted a gang, beat some men who had assaulted a couple and another group who were harassing an old woman. They even saved the residents of an apartment from a fire that had ravaged the building.
As they patrolled over the city Videl flew over the streets and to her surprise started to notice people wearing shirts with her kanji of horizon on them. Many New Yorkers even started to cheer, wave, and yell the name Horizon as she danced across the air.
After a number of hours, the sun finally started to set early because of the fall season, and the three teens rested on a rooftop, watching the sun go down. "Man, we should do this more often." Videl said enthusiastically as she stretched.
Robin responded with the same enthusiasm, "Agreed, this was nice. Plus, I really like how some of them down there are wearing your kanji, maybe you could cash by claiming copyright," laughed Robin.
As they continued their talk Zatanna's eyes were elsewhere, however. On the street below them was a hotdog vendor, with a portly man giving a man two hotdogs with a smile. The man looked down and passed the second hotdog to his young daughter, who smiled brightly at her father. Zatanna looked with a sad smile as she saw the father and daughter walk away.
Robin noticed Zatanna was silent and followed her line of sight, then grabbed her hand, "Hey, Z. You okay?"
Zatanna nodded, "Yeah, Robin. Just happy we were able to bring families back together."
Robin looked at the smiling girl, who now sat on the shoulders of her father with a smile as they walked down the street, "Yeah, perks of being a hero, and… I'm here for you, okay?" Robin replied.
Videl watches this and cuts in between them with a smirk behind her mask, "Hey, third-wheel here, let's take a break and start a real night out on the town."
Zatanna nodded and stepped back before chanting, "Evig su nailivic sehtolc, dna s'Nibor sedahs.'' With this spell Robin's, Videl's, and Zatanna's clothes were changed into casual clothing with Robin having his signature black glasses.
Videl, however, quickly noticed her face was bare and placed her hands on her features, "Uh, hey!? Secret identity!"
Zatanna rolled her eyes, "Jeez, you already cover your whole face, Horizon, but fine, I guess. Evig reh a ksam." Her magic created a long cloth stretch mask over Videl's face, a dark purple cloth that went over her nose and touched her shoulders.
"Thanks, Z. By the way, call me V when we're in public, don't need anyone getting suspicious," Videl warned.
"Right, so where are we going exactly?" Robin questioned.
"Let's just see where time takes us," Videl said, jumping down to the street alley, making sure to stay out of prying eyes.
"Alright," Robin said, using his agility to maneuver after Videl, with Zatanna following with a smile.
After a few minutes of walking they came to be awed at the sight of Times Square, not just a new sight to Zatanna and Robin, but Videl as well, for the only times Videl explored New York City was during patrols, and when she wasn't doing that she Videl would train for most of the day.
Times Square reminded Videl of her time in West City whenever her father took her there, some time before he became the "World Champion" which seemed like ages ago. After that, whenever she went anywhere people would harass her, asking about her dad, something that was a breath of fresh air to not feel again nowadays.
Looking around she noticed some tour brochures near a store and grabbed one, with Zatanna and Robin looking over her shoulders at the attractions, "We could go to Central Park," Robin said.
"How about we get something to eat, we haven't had anything in hours?" asked Zatanna. After arguing for a few more minutes, the group decided to go to Queens Night Market, an open-air market, featuring nearly 100 different vendors selling diverse foods from around the world.
"Hey, let's get a taxi. Really get that New Yorker experience. Also, Rob, you really wouldn't mind paying for the girls today, right?" said Videl, followed by a giggle coming from Zatanna, and to Robin's dismay.
After calling a taxi, it took almost 20 minutes to get to the Queens Night Market, and once they stepped out of the taxi the scent of spicy, sweet, and mild aromas from food that circled the world hit their noses with an invisible force that caused all three of their mouths to water.
Walking into the large crowd with many people at different vendors they looked as people chatted, kids played with each other, and some of the most unique food they had ever seen were given to New Yorkers and tourists.
"Gasp," Zatanna let out, as she speed-walked over to a vendor called El Trompo, and excitedly asked for three flour tortillas, extra meat, and queso filling. Robin looked around before finding a vendor giving out Romanian food, asking for pierogi, filled dumplings that were usually pan-fried.
Meanwhile, Videl walked over to a Japanese street food vendor and was surprised to see okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake with a variety of ingredients, on the menu, her favorite food from her own world, a reminder this world had similarities to her own. After ordering they sat down at one of the tables and talked.
"Seemed a little excited for tacos, eh, Zatanna?" Videl said with a smirk.
Zatanna stopped eating and gained a sad smile on her face, "Yeah, this is what my dad would usually get me whenever we went out."
Robin gave his own two cents, "My dad, he used to make this for me when I was a kid."
"Okonomiyaki is what my own dad would get me whenever we went to the big city, sometimes my mom would make it before she passed, while dad would nearly burn down the kitchen trying to make some for me sometimes," Videl shared, gaining a feeling of slight nostalgia and sadness in her tone as she told the personal story.
Each of the teens looked at each other in surprise as they each realized the similar reasons behind their food, then they started to chuckle, "Huh, guess we have something in common besides being heroes," Robin said, chuckling.
"Yeah, I guess we've all lost someone close," Zatanna responded.
Robin leaned in and held her hand, "Yeah, but we've all got each other now, for what it's worth," he said, nodding in agreement.
Zatanna wiped some emerging tears, and looked at them with a smile, "Thanks, I mean it," she said, a smile coming onto her features.
"But, I just wish I could see my dad, even if only for a day," Zatanna said with a distant look to the ground, and Robin nodded in agreement.
Though Videl gained an idea, "Zatanna, do you think there could be a way to do that?"
"What do you mean, V?" Zatanna asked.
"I mean, maybe we could find a way to make Nabu let go of your father for a day." Videl clarified.
Zatanna thought about this for a moment, but Robin responded first, "Nabu took Zatara because he needed a permanent host to keep Klarion at bay, we just… don't have anything to bargain for Zatara."
Zatanna looked up from her thoughts and silently nodded to Robin's response, and Videl looked away and muttered, "Sorry."
After listening to some bands, they started to notice it was getting too late and went on to go back to the cave. It was a great experience, and something Zatanna needed to get her thoughts together, but she couldn't stop thinking about Videl's words.
Back In The Cave
After each of them went to sleep, with Videl staying in New York, Zatanna laid in her bed as she stared at the ceiling and thought about Robin's word… bargain.
Could she really bargain with Nabu to see her father again, 'But, I don't have anything to bargain except… the book.' Zatanna began to think about what could go wrong as she bit the inside of her cheek.
Though, as she thought of the worst-case scenarios, memories of her father entered Zatanna's mind. Her father had always been there for her, and she was sure had she been taken as Nabu's host then her father would work tirelessly to free her as well, she could at least try to do the same, maybe... even if only for a day.
Standing up, Zatanna chanted clothes onto her body. She walked out of her room, and instead of walking through the Zeta-Tube, she teleported outside of the cave with magic instead, as to not have any logs of using the Tube and to make sure no one heard her leave.
Looking back at the cave before she was going to chant a teleportation spell she thought, 'Hopefully, I'll see you guys soon.' Now looking away from the cave with determined eyes, and then she chanted, teleporting away.
Salem, Massachusetts
After some time traveling using her spells Videl finally came to a field.
Walking forward in the open field Zatanna showed eyes set in determination and chanted, "Raeh em Uban."
After several moments a yellow light appeared in front of her as Doctor Fate floated in front of her, a set of narrowed eyes pointed at the young magician.
"Why are you here, girl?" Doctor Fate questioned.
"I'm here... so I don't have to let someone sacrifice their lives for me, and... I'm here to make a bargain," Zatanna said, holding out the book she had brought, causing Fate's eyes to widen.
"The Book of Anesh," he said with surprise, holding his hand out to hold it, however, Zatanna pulled it out of his reach.
"I'm here to bargain, and I wish to bargain for the little of my father's life that you've taken over, and… for training, in exchange for you having temporary access to the Book of Anesh," Zatanna said with steel in her words.
Nabu narrowed his eyes once more, almost denying her bargain immediately, but then he looked at the book again, and with a wave of his hand made the Tower of Fate appear behind him, and gestured for Zatanna to follow him inside.
After entering the Tower of Fate, the doors closed themselves, and the tower disappeared from view.
The Team would only learn of her disappearance in the morning.
Hey guys, glad you made it. Not much to say, but leave a review, follow, and favorite if you can.
I'll try to pump out the next chapter by at least next month.