Sorry for the slow speed! I hope this update is enjoyable for you guys and I promise more is to come.
Also, I truly love all the support and reviews! I could not ask for better readers. I also wanted to let you guys know I am working on responding to your questions and comments!
Just a future note, I respond better to PM's.
"You ready boy?" Steph held the soccer ball above her head as the great Dane barked happily with his butt in the air and tail wagging a mile a minute.
It has been two weeks, and no one had been able to figure what was supposedly wrong. So, tensions were running high. Bruce and Tim were endlessly frustrated with all the dead ends. Not to mention that Damian was getting on her last nerve.
Hence, why she was currently hiding away from with the only eager friend.
Throwing the ball, she laughed as the 150 lb. dashed after it, and joined in the chase. Luckily the halls were long enough that the chase lasted longer than most.
Eventually, the ball bounced into the open den. Titus followed it without hesitation, but Steph stopped as the lecture from the Bat popped in the head. Something about it being a private space and essentially off limits.
Smirking she decided that what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.
Pushing the door open the rest of the way, she notices the Titus sat in the middle of the room with the ball at this side. Smiling she scratched him behind the ears before looking around.
With all the tests and constant supervision, she didn't get a lot of time to explore on her own. Unsure if it was because they were just overprotective or if extremely untrusting. Maybe it was the crime alley kid in her, but she couldn't help but snoop.
Walking around the room she stopped at the desk and pulled at the drawers, but they held tight causing her to roll her eyes.
"Of course, this family would be the most paranoid group." Turning around she began looking through the massive bookshelf (unfortunate only being tall enough to reach the fourth shelf of over a dozen). Getting bored she sat in the fancy, leather desk chair and begun to spin herself with a sigh.
Slowly the chair stopped to face the beautiful, old grandfather clock across the room against the side wall. Staring at it, Steph could not help but get a sense of dejavu.
Getting up on autopilot, she pulled the chair up to the clock before reaching for the hands. Moving them without even thinking.
Before she could move the minute hand over, so the clock would 10:48 p.m. a voice belonging to someone she had been avoiding like the plague answered behind her.
"What're you doing Brown?" Groaning she turned around to see the arrogant teenage resident of the house. Standing there with his arms crossed and a permanent scowl on his face.
Of course, Titus was not bothered by his posture or the atmosphere trotted over to receive a head pat.
"Nothing, just trying to kill the boredom. What is so important about this room anyway?" She glares back getting down from the chair.
"Father and Grayson have told you to stay out of here," Damian stated flatly with the scowl never leaving. Steph rolled her eyes at his avoidance of the question. An ability that everyone here seemed to excel in.
"Whatever. It's just a boring old office."
"Tt." That annoying sound that made her want to stab him in his face was the only response before he turned and left with his loyal canine close behind.
"Ugh. What an ass." She gritted before flopping on the couch in front of the desk. Staring at the ceiling and listening to the ticking of the clock, thoughts of her past (which was supposedly years ago but felt like days ago) filled her mind.
What were her parents doing? Was her mom okay? What scheme with the local scumbags was her father involved in?
Shaking those thoughts away she sat up. There is no point in worrying about that right now. There was no point in worrying about them. They never seemed worried about her. Even her mom was never too worried about what happened. Saying that it was if she just kept her mouth shut or lost the attitude than everyone would be happier. Hell, they probably didn't even know she was gone.
"Ah, there you are young miss." Steph jumped a little at how quiet even the butler was.
"Master Bruce and Master Tim are looking for you. They have someone that might be able to help."
"What's the point. They have been running tests for weeks. I don't feel like being jabbed with any more needles or scanned on any tables. Steph muttered as she slid off the couch to follow him anyway.
"well, this friend has a different method that just might be what we need," Alfred explained as they went down a hallway, downstairs, and turned to stand before two massive glass doors. Inside was a library looking room with a spiral staircase leading to a landing, a fireplace, and fancy leather furniture.
Walking across the room, Alfred came to stand before a marble statue head and pushed in its nose. Slightly to the right, the wall slid to reveal a stone staircase leading down.
Continuing to follow, Steph got the idea that this was to that weird cave they lived in. Over the past few weeks, they would bring her down in different ways. Or they would run quick test/get samples on the main level. At some point, she was going to retrace her steps and see if she could find any of the other entrances.
Once reaching the bottom of the steps, she notices the big grump and Tim stood next to an examining table. But like Alfred said, they were not alone.
With them was a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties with a costume that looked like a mix between a one-piece swimsuit and a tuxedo.
Upon walking closer, the woman made eye contact and offered a kind smile.
"You must be Stephanie. Nice to meet you." Steph just stared at the outstretched hand questioningly. Not to seem rude but people from her part of town didn't really shake hands to be friendly.
With a clearing of the throat from Alfred (mostly upset with her lack of manners), she returns the gesture.
"Hi." Not at all seeming insulted, a lady just continues to offer her kind and patient smile. The one that Steph likes but hates.
"Steph, Zatana is going to do a quick test and see if she can find something that we may be missing." Steph looks over when Tim openly explains the situations like he does every time. Thus, relaxing her.
Knowing the routine by now, she hops on the table (happy that they lowered after the first test as she wouldn't let anyone pick her up). Zatanna comes to stand before her with Bruce and Tim to her left and Alfred to her right.
"Now Stephanie, there may be a strange tingling but that is normal okay?" Steph nods as the dark-haired woman puts cool hands around her face.
The next few minutes pass in a haze. Flashes of an older blonde woman joking with a short-haired, Asian girl both in costume. The next moment the blonde woman is fighting a cloak covered man in a bank. Lastly, is her waking up on the bank floor in this state while Tim looks on surprised.
"Okay, that should be enough." Zatanna states as she steps back and Steph focuses back in on the present.
"What was that?" Steph asks as she rubs her eyes to get them to focus.
"I just took a quick glimpse at your recent memories."
"What?! Have you never heard of the thing called privacy!" She was pissed. Like most people, her mind was the only place she could escape her shitty life.
"I'm sorry. I should have mentioned what was going to happen." Zatanna apologized not that it helped Steph's mood any.
"Hell, yes you should have." Not seeming to like her response, it was not Alfred that jumped at this time.
"That is enough. I told her not to mention it to you." Bruce explained without any remorse. Steph's temper flared at this piece of information and how the asshole thought there was nothing wrong. Glaring full force at the older male, he didn't seem the least bit bothered as he met her with just as much intensity.
"Look Steph we should have told you, but it is easier to read a mind when it is unexpecting and relaxed." Tim tried to defuse the situation with a calmer and less entitles approach.
Not that it made it any better. She trusted him to be completely honest with her. She should have known better.
"We are done talking about this. We did what was best to help you. If you want to continue to pout and be rude you can go upstairs." Bruce state with impatience. The nerve of the man made Steph want to punch him in the face. No wonder his son was an asshole.
But seeing as how she wanted to know the results, she backed down first. Seeming satisfied with this Bruce turned back to Zatanna and nodded.
"Well from the few pieces I got, I know you we are dealing with. His name is Zarius. A very powerful, very dangerous magic user from another dimension. He tends to hop from one dimension to the next, causing chaos where ever he goes for his enjoyment. Though he tends to be a little more gruesome than turning one person into a little girl."
"How can you tell it was him?" Tim asked.
"Every magic user leaves behind a sigil. Kind of like a signature that only other magic users can see or sense." Zatanna clarified.
"Do you know where he is now?" Bruce asked but unfortunate Zatanna shook her head.
"Zarius is very sporadic. Never following a pattern or method to his madness. Not to mention that he has centuries of experience avoiding us."
"So how long until his spell wears off?" Steph spoke up and the magician glanced over with sad eyes.
"That's the problem. I don't think it will."