Chapter 20

Since her return from Star City, something had been bothering Zatanna about the magic used there. It seemed so familiar to her, yet she could place it. She arrived at this detective agency to find some answers. Doctor Occult and Rose Psychic were friends of her father and she'd known them most of her life. In many ways there were like second parents to her. That might seem strange to most people, considering their special situation. Years ago, Dr. Occult had been killed in a battle with an otherworldly entity and Rose had bonded their souls together to restore him. They now shared one being, shifting back and forth depending on the situation. Few knew about this and Zatanna had always found it heartbreaking. They paid the ultimate sacrifice for their love, but they would never be able to touch the other again. How they managed to go on must have been difficult, but they had, helping others. As she reached the front door, Zatanna's mystical senses flashed a warning. Something was terribly wrong, that now familiar signature of dark magic formed a barrier around the building. Casting a protection spell around herself, Zatanna began to mystically probe the shield. It took several minutes, but finally she was able to penetrate it and move into the office. The lights were all off and the whole place was dimly lit. Candles and incense created a cloud of smoke that hung in the air. Someone powerful in the black arts had worked some serious magic in this place. Pentagrams and incantations written in the ancient tongue were scrawled over the walls and floor. A sense of dread filled Zatanna as she made her way deeper into the building. Eerie shadows danced along the walls as the candles flickered as she passed. Something brushed against her aura. It was very faint, but she felt a presence, almost calling to her. As she followed it Zee nearly set off several magic traps that had been set. It seemed whoever responsible for this, had booby-trapped the whole place. Simple spells disguised much more deadly ones and she was on constant alert for them. The presence was in the back room and surrounded by powerful incantations.

"STHGIL NO," she called and the room lit up. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but when they did a shudder of horror went through her.

"Oh my God," she gasped. Trapped inside some sort of transparent cocoons were Rose and Dr. Occult. They were writhing in agony, as the cocoons kept changing, shifting so their bodies were never whole, but in a state of constant fluctuation. They were two beings, yet they were never completely one or the other.

"You never did know how to mind your own business, did you, Zee," a voice said behind her. Whirling around, Zatanna took up a defensive posture. When she saw the man standing there she had to gasp in shock.

"Nathan?" she barely managed to say.

"Been a long time, Zee, you look good,' he said with a cold smile.

"What-What are you doing here," She asked, still not believing it was him. She had known Nathan as a child, but hadn't seen him in fifteen years.

"Just visiting Mommy and Daddy," he replied.

"Something horrible has attacked them, I could use your help undoing this," she said, moving towards Dr. Occult and Rose.

"Why would I want to do that?" Nathan said, "I mean, I went to all the trouble to put them like that, it seems a shame to undo it now."

"You? You did this, to your own parents," she gasped in shock. "Why?"

"You have the nerve to ask that," he answered, his voice filled with anger. "After what these monsters put me through."

"They loved you, Nathan," Zee responded, not believing what she was hearing.

"Love? Is that what you said? They don't know the meaning of the word. All they care about is each other," Nathan spat out in disgust. "All my mother cared about was saving my father. Don't talk to me about love, Zee."

"She saved his life because she loved him."

'At what cost, Zee," he bitterly asked, "she was pregnant with me at the time! Do you have any idea what fusing with him did to me? She didn't care! As for him, did he ever give any thought to what happened to his unborn child when he was in control of their body? Do you have any idea what it's like to live in nothingness or worse? You speak of love? Ha! That thing you call my mother and father is a monstrosity and I'm its abomination! They disgust me!"

"Nathan? What's happened to you?" Zee said, horrified at his words. "I knew you growing up and this isn't you."

"Yes, Zee, it is," Nathan coldly said to her. "I used to try and hide it, the hatred I had for them. You never knew me at all, Zee. You were the little magical princess kept away from all the dark and terrible things magic can do, the little star up on the stage with Daddy. I, on the other hand learned first hand the nightmare. That's all about to change. It's why I've kept them alive. I want them to see their precious world go up in flames."

"You!" Zee gasped, "You're behind all of it, aren't you? It was your presence I felt in Africa and Star City! Why, Nathan, why?"

"Well, give the little princess a gold star for finally figuring it out," Nathan laughed. "Why? Isn't it obvious? A world that would allow those two to exist doesn't deserve to go on."

"You're insane!"

"Perhaps," Nathan admitted, "That's what they did to me. Now it's time for this world to pay for it."

"You'll never get away with it!" Zee said, her disgust and anger at him growing by the second. Nathan only smiled at this. When he'd felt the disturbance, he hadn't figured on Zatanna being here. His time was short and he needed to be elsewhere.

"The Justice League is already aware of your plan, Nathan, they'll stop you," she added.

"Really? How's Black Canary doing?"

"You! You attacked her!" Zatanna shouted, anger filling her.

"Yes," he answered. "I'm in a bit of a rush, Zee. Now for old time sake, I suggest you leave here before you get hurt."

Something snapped inside of Zatanna, the sheer evil on his words pushing her over the limit. Mystical energy began to coalesce around her, the very air shimmering. In one burst of magic from her, a shock wave hit Nathan tossing him out of the room, through the walls and out onto the street. He lay there for a moment, shocked at her power. He hadn't thought she had it in her or that it had developed so far. As he saw her storming towards him, overcome with rage he realized a battle here would take much longer than he'd thought it would. His power was still growing and there was no point in wasting it on her. Let her have the monsters, he would make them pay again and again. Rising to his feet, he brushed himself off and looked at her.

"I'm impressed, you've come long way from pulling a rabbit out of a hat," he said.

"Bastard!" she screamed, unleashing another bolt at him. He was prepared for this one and raised a magical shield against it. It took more effort than he would have liked, but he was able to deflect it

"I'll let you have this round, Zee," Nathan said, 'I don't have the time to teach you your place at the moment, but rest assured, we will be seeing each other again!"

With a flick of his wrist, Nathan disappeared, leaving a stunned and angry Zatanna in his wake. She thought of following him, sure she could pick up his mystic trail, but Dr. Occult and Rose needed her more right now.

"Zatanna to the Watchtower!" she said, opening a channel with her comm.

"Watchtower," Jonn's voice came immediately.

"Jonn, I found Dr. Occult and Rose Psychic. They're in bad shape. I'm going to transport them to the infirmary now and I need you to contact Dr. Fate for help," she said moving back into the building.

"Understood, I'll have everything ready for you."

'Thank you, Jonn, I always have information on who is behind these recent attacks. I know who it is."

"I await your arrival," Jonn said.

Gotham

Bruce Wayne was catching up on is corporate paperwork for the month when his secretary buzzed him.

"Yes?"

"A Miss Lane from the Daily Planet is here and insists on seeing you immediately," the woman said. Bruce was surprised by this and at first thought of putting Lois off, but knowing her that wouldn't be too easy.

"All right, give me a minute and then send her in," he replied. He wondered what scoop Lois was working on and what angle he played in it. Finishing off his paperwork, Bruce sat back as the door opened and Lois Lane walked in. There was a strange smile on her face as she walked towards him. Her usual confidence was apparent as well.

"Hello, Lois, what do I owe this pleasure to," Bruce said, flashing his best smile.

"First things first, Bruce, several people know I'm here. I hope you keep that in mind," Lois said, taking one of the seats across from him.

"Okay," Bruce replied, not sure what that was about. "You look lovely, by the way."

"Thank you," Lois smile, crossing her shapely legs, "You know it's still hard to believe that's all a cover."

"Excuse me," Bruce said, completely lost in this conversation.

"That whole shameless flirt, playboy façade," Lois replied, "It's so good. You must have worked at it a long time."

"I was sincere in my compliment, Lois, I hope you know that," Bruce said. The word façade had set off warning bells for him. He gave no outward appearance of it, but inside he went into defense mode.

"Well, thank you for the compliment," Lois conceded and then went ahead confidently. "So do you want to tell me about your other life, your darker self, Bruce, or do I need to say it?"

"You lost me here, Lois," Bruce replied, feinting ignorance. His whole body was on edge as she continued.

"Lost you, have I, Bruce? So your secret life, the one nobody knows about doesn't ring a bell?"

"Not really."

"I know, Bruce, I have the proof," Lois leaned forward with a smile. "I know what you're doing when all of Gotham is asleep. Tell me, is that the real you or is it just another mask you put on?"

"Maybe you'd better tell me what you think you know, Lois," Bruce said slowly, "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for it."

"I know who you really are, Bruce," Lois smugly said. "I know who your alter ego is."

Bruce couldn't believe this was happening. He'd known Lois Lane for several years and while she was a very good reporter, he never suspected she would be the one to unmask him. An almost sort of panic gripped him as he looked her. She seemed so sure of what she knew. There had to be a way to convince her she was mistaken. First, he just had to hear her say it.

"You say you know who I really am and who would that be, Lois," Bruce said, ready to deny it.

"You're the Albino, Bruce," Lois informed him triumphantly.

"That's ridiculous, Lois, you really think I'm…. wait a second, I'm the what?" Bruce asked, almost blurting out that he wasn't Batman.

"The Albino, Bruce, I know it's you."

"What exactly is the Albino?" Bruce asked in genuine confusion.

"So you want to play this game to the end, huh? The Albino, Bruce, the criminal mastermind, the invisible hand that stirs the criminal drink in Metropolis. Drugs, murder, prostitution, the whole laundry list of crime, all under the thumb of one man, you Bruce Wayne!"

Bruce sat there, a huge sigh of relief going through him. He'd almost been ready to confess he was the Batman and to ask her not to print it for the greater good of the city. That she was so off base almost made him want to laugh out loud. He looked at her with a huge smile on his face.

"So I'm the Albino, am I? Interesting," Bruce shrugged, "How-How exactly did you come to this conclusion anyway?"

"Are you still going to deny it, Bruce? I have all the proof, times, dates, photos," Lois confidently said.

"Photos, really," Bruce replied, "Could I see those, please?"

"There only copies, so don't think you can destroy them," Lois said, pulling several from her bag. She had to admit; she was surprised by his response to all of this. She'd dealt with criminals before and usually they resort to threats. Bruce looked through the photos of varies crimes scenes.

"So what am I look for in these again," he asked.

"Yourself, Bruce, your true self," Lois said, getting up and moving around the desk. There was one more thing she needed to do to prove her case completely. As she drew his attention to the pale white figure in each photo, she silently moved her hand up to his head.

You see that figure right there, Bruce? He's in every photo," Lois pointed out.

"You mean this blurry, pale guy, the bald one," He asked, looking closer at the photos.

"Yes, just like you are," Lois cried, taking a handful of Bruce's hair and pulling hard.

"Ow! What the hell are you doing, Lois? Let go!" Bruce cried out as she nearly ripped the hair out of his head.

"I don't understand, that should be a wig," Lois said, confused as she looked down at few strands of hair she had pulled out.

"Well, if you do that again, it will be," Bruce complained, moving away from her. "I'm not bald, Lois. I'm also not this Albino character you're talking about."

"But it all fits, it's perfect, you have to be," Lois exclaimed, not understand any of this.

"Maybe you'd better tell me all about this, Lois," Bruce offered, still rubbing his scalp. "I think there's been a huge mistake."

"I don't get it, all the facts fit so perfectly," Lois absently said, dropping down into his chair. "I was going to win the Pulitzer for this one"

"Ah, Lois, that's my chair," Bruce pointed out.

"Why aren't you the Albino, Bruce," she said, turning in the chair to look at him. "Hair transplant, that's it, isn't it?"

"Sorry, never had one, "Bruce shook his head.

"What about all the evidence? It fit so well, 'Lois grumbled.

"Um, ah, Lois, you're in my chair," Bruce said again. If she heard him, she paid no attention.

"Something's going on here, Bruce and I'm going figure it out," Lois said, pulling all her papers and research from her bag and spreading it on his desk.

"The chair, Lois," Bruce said again.

"There's one right there, Bruce, pull it over," Lois replied, pointing to one of the visitors chairs.

"Lois, this is my office," Bruce pointed out.

"And it's very nice, Bruce, but that's not really helping at the moment," Lois said, already going through the papers again. Bruce started to explain that it was his office and she was in his chair, but from the look on her face he knew it was hopeless. With a sigh of resignation, Bruce went over and pulled one of the guest chairs over to his desk. He started to look through the evidence she had. After several minutes of looking through the material, Bruce leaned back.

"I have to admit, I can see why you might think I'm this Albino character,"

"For the record, I'm glad you're not, Bruce," Lois admitted.

"Thank you, so am I," Bruce smiled. "I have to tell you, after looking at all this, I think someone's playing a joke on you, Lois. They've taken all these unrelated events and linked them with this Albino character. I have my doubts he even exists."

"But that makes no sense," Lois said, shaking her head, "why would anyone go to this much trouble?"

Bruce thought of several reasons someone might want to play a joke on Lois, but wisely kept them to himself.

"Well, tell me, where did you hear of this first," He asked.

"Clark," Lois answered.

"Clark," Bruce said, surprised by her answer.

"Clark Kent, he's a fellow reporter on the paper," Lois offered. "It was his story, well, not a story, just a hunch. I really did all the hard work."

"So did anything happen right before he told you about this story," Bruce asked, suddenly putting it together.

"No, nothing, really, I did stick him with a assignment to interview that lady juggler," Lois said.

"Magician," Bruce corrected her.

"Whatever," Lois dismissed this, "Hey! Wait a second! No, no, that's not like Clark at all. Besides, most of this came from other sources."

"Would those other sources have any reason to want to play a joke on you," Bruce asked.

"No," Lois denied it, "Besides they wouldn't have the guts. One of them passes out just being near me."

"So you haven't said anything to them they might find offensive?"

"No, why would you say that," Lois asked defensively.

"You do have a tendency to be rather brutally honest, Lois," Bruce pointed out.

"Well, sure, but they wouldn't take that this far," Lois sad, but then reconsidered it. "Those sneaky little bastards! They played me! I can't believe this! It's Clark! It had to be him that put them up to all of this! I would have never thought he had it in him. I guess dating that lady magician has made him a little overconfident. Well, two can play at this game, Mr. Kent!"

"Hold on a second, go back, what was that about Clark dating someone," Bruce asked, his interested suddenly very high.

"The magician, Zatanna, he's went out with her a couple of times," Lois offered, but her mind was already on to who was a part of this. "It would have to be Clark, but also Fred and Doris, they gave me most of the information. Wait a minute, Jimmy! That little bastard, he's the one that showed me the photos that got me interested in this! I'll bet it's him!"

"So how long has Clark been seeing Zatanna," Bruce asked.

"I don't know, since just after she got to Metropolis. Why? Were you interested," Lois asked.

"No, just curious," Bruce quickly said. "So they've been going out this whole time?"

"Yeah, I guess, why, are you keeping a scrapbook or something," Lois said, gathering up her papers.

"No," Bruce said, his mind already turning over this new information. Lois finished and finally stood up from his chair.

"Sorry about all this, Bruce, no hard feelings," she said, offering him her hand.

"No hard feelings," Bruce smiled and then quickly slipped into his own chair. Lois looked at him for a moment.

"You're really kind of anal about that chair, aren't you, Bruce," she observed with a smug smile.

"It is mine Lois," He pointed out.

"Whatever, I hope you two are very happy together," Lois sarcastically said. "It's a chair, Bruce, maybe you need to get out more."

"Good bye, Lois," Bruce said with a fake smile. Lois nodded as he headed for the door. She stopped and looked back at him for a moment.

"I'm glad you're not a criminal mastermind, Bruce, although it would have made a hell of a story," Lois smiled. "Are you sure you don't have some dark secret that nobody knows about?"

"Who me?" Bruce innocently smiled. "That all sounds like much too much work, really."

"Yeah, you're probably right," she conceded, "I guess it could have been worse, they could have said you were Batman. That would be a laugh, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, funny," Bruce nodded with a smile.

"See you around, Bruce," Lois smiled and then exited his office. Bruce sat there for a moment shaking his head. She was certainly one of a kind, he had to admit to himself. He turned to his intercom and called his secretary.

"Yes, Mr. Wayne?"

"I need you to call the Daily Planet for me. Clark Kent, specifically," he told her.

"It will only take a moment, sir."

"Thank you," the smile slipped from Bruce's face as he rubbed his still sore head. Clark had some explaining to do.