A/N: Adapted from Zatanna (2010) Issue 1.

The comic this little arc is based on is, surprisingly, pretty gnarly. We were sitting on a pretty hard T, but this chapter might get this story pushed to an M-rating. We'll see.

-DMC-

Chatter and laughter resounded from a local five star restaurant. Waiters and waitresses carried trays topped with food and alcoholic beverages, quickly moving from table to table to serve their patrons. A bald man in a suit sat at a table, lit cigar in fingers. Three of his underlings, his capo's, stood around the room, like him, studying the event that was held.

The restaurant was a San Francisco steak house full of people; mobsters from rival families and their associates. Three other don's were there as well, and like him, the men were watching the event from their own corners of the restaurant, their capo's around the room and fully prepared to pull their side pieces at the first sign of trouble.

Many of the mob bosses underlings, soldiers within their organization, were distracted by the beautiful women present at the function.

The bald man got up, approaching one of the other notable Don's.

"Don De Cecco." the rival Don, a short man with a heavy irish accent said to the bald man.

"Don Moriarity." De Cecco said to the irishman, "I hear you're ready to make me an offer."

"I hear the same…" Moriarity said, the man's eyes hardening.

"De Cecco, Moriarity." the two men looked to another approaching mobster, a russian man with two capo's at his side, "I hear you're ready to talk territory? You releasing the Ingleside and Excelsior districts to me?"

At this De Cecco looked between the two Don's, "I said no such thing!"

"What?! We aren't talking territory?" A jewish mafia head approached, "Then what do you call this get together?!"

Silence filled the restaurant. The various capos were resting their fingers on their triggers and handles.

"Someone's playing me for a fool." De Cecco said, "And I wanna know who."

"Why take things so personally?" a voice echoed from all directions.

All eyes went to the center of the room, a portal opening with a spark of violent electricity. Those present gasped as a new arrival stepped through, a ghastly looking man dressed in a suit and tie. He had slicked back graying hair; dark, hollowed eyes with red irises, a face with skin that was chalk white and heavily wrinkled, and a disturbing toothy smile almost permanently crossing his face.

"You've all been played." he said, voice as rough as the pavement outside, "No need to feel special."

"Who are you?!" Don Moriarity said, the capo's in the room pulling guns and aiming them at the ghoul.

"What do you want?!" Don De Cecco asked, the man's physical appearance understandably disturbing him and everyone else in the room

The smiling man pointed at De Cecco, "What do I want? Why, what do you think I brought you all here for? Celebration!" he took a wine glass from a stunned hostesses tray, "Of the glorious new pecking order, and the observation of life and death," he quickly downed the glass, "that being, your lack of life, and corresponding death."

A portal opened up behind the man, three other figures stepping out of it; a woman with orange skin, black lips, and horns framing her red hair; a being dressed in a hooded cloak, a plain expressionless mask covering their face; and a child.

The sounds of chaos, clicking mandibles, and gun shots rang from the restaurant; blood splattering the windows.

-DMC-

The Golden Globe Theatre was packed; men, women, and children filling every seat for the event tonight. Chatter amongst the audience filled the auditorium, before the darkening of the lights brought everyone to silence. Unknown to those in the stadium below, two shadowed figures stood on a balcony, overlooking the show.

A short man in a tuxedo appeared on the stage in a puff of smoke, a smooth jazz score accompanying his appearance,

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Welcome! Thank you for stepping into the wonderful world of the mystical arts! The strange! The… sometimes spooky! Now, why don't we all put our hands together for the illustrious illusionist, the mistress of magic, Zatanna!"

Dante watched as the man disappeared in a wave of purple smoke, followed by the thunderous clapping of hands. He leaned on the balcony rail, head resting on his knuckles. The devil-hunter watched the show with mild interest, eyeing the cloud of smoke pooling on the stage. He noticed the shape within the smoke alter from short and round; to tall and shapely.

The figure held a pose, Dante not expecting much from behind the haze. The smoke dispersed into the crowd, leaving out in the open a woman… the most beautiful that Dante had seen.

He found himself leaning in for a closer look. No. Calling her beautiful wouldn't have done her justice. Her looks could give Wonder Woman and Black Canary a run for their money. Long, raven dark hair flow down her back, the woman had a voluptuous yet toned body with buxom breasts, an impressive hourglass figure, and long toned legs. She wore an outfit comprised of a tight fitting tuxedo jacket with tails, a white busier, black panties, fishnet stockings, and a top hat.

"Wow…" he breathed.

"Remember we're here for business…" Batman said, "Not a honey hunt."

The hunter ignored the vigilante as he watched the show.

Zatanna smiled to her audience, "Hello all." she suddenly frowned, "I have a disappointing announcement to make. I didn't exactly plan out this particular performance. I know, I know, what an amateur, but we get busy, ya' know how that is." she started tapping her chin as she thought, "Now what should I start this show off with? Hmmm, I know!" she pulled her hat off, "The old pull a rabbit out of a hat trick! You all love that one."

Dante shook his head, "Is this chick for real?"

Zatanna reached inside her hat, digging around for several seconds before her eyes widened with worry, "Ah, son of a- did I forget my rabbit, too!? Damn."

The audience began chatting amongst themselves, some of them beginning to boo.

"Now hold your horses, I know this seems bad, but… I got the next best thing." she reached into her hat again, and to Dante and the audience's awe and shock, a massive hand reached down from the ceiling to pull a random audience man up… and out through Zatanna's hat.

Zatanna looked to the miniature man in her palm, "Not as fluffy, but just as cute." she spoke what sounded to Dante like an odd chant, "Nrut kcab ot lamron." And the man was back to size and standing on the stage, the audience cheering and clapping at the act.

Despite his stronger than normal eyesight, Dante saw no wires, no mirrors, no smoke; and that random man's reaction was of genuine surprise, proving he was no performer.

This woman was the real deal…

As her show went on; acts ranging from the simple disappearing and reappearing of animals and people, to transforming people into doves and other animals, to the woman being bound and gagged and submerged in inescapable traps, only for her to pull off the impossible and escape anyways, Dante found himself utterly impressed with what the woman was capable of.

He thought back to what Dr. Fate told him. He was supposed to meet someone who would guide him… could she be-

No.

Dr. Fate mentioned a young lady, a child, something this woman was far from. But, that being said, maybe she could help him…

-DMC-

The sorceress watched a rerun of her performance through her crystal ball. The closing act of her night happened to be her 'putting pieces of her assistant back together' routine, "Ugh, a little slow on that delivery. Gotta be careful."

"Those were some impressive holograms." Batman said as he approached, "I still have yet to find where you keep the projectors. "

Zatanna smiled before she turned to her childhood friend, "You're friends with a greek demi-god and you still can't appreciate sorcery?" she chuckled at the irony, "But enough about my secrets. It's been too long since I've seen you, Batman." she said. She turned to Dante, quirking an eyebrow as she looked him up and down, "And what is this… toothsome specimen you've brought me today?"

Before Batman could speak up, Dante spoke for him, "This specimen's name, is Dante." he gave a slight bow, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance… mistress."

"Impressive." Batman said, "You almost passed for a gentleman."

"Ha!" Dante let out a sarcastic laugh, "You got jokes. Guess the pole ain't as far up your ass as I thought."

"Aren't you two just the best of friends." Zatanna said with a smile.

"A match made in heaven." Dante said.

"A true dynamic duo." Batman said. He looked to Zatanna, "You know why we're here."

"I sure as hell don't." Dante said, "But given who I'm meeting, can't say I'm complaining." he said to the woman.

"Charming." Zatanna replied to Dante. She held her hand out to him, as she sighed, "I've been sitting too long. My legs are so tired. Mind helping me up?"

Dante gave the woman a smile as he stepped up to her, gently grabbing her hand. She grabbed it firmly, looking into his eyes as he lifted her to her feet. It was abnormal, Dante noticed… as if she were studying him…

Her eyes narrowed, as if she were working things out in her mind. Suddenly they widened. She noticed something…

Zatanna pulled her hand from Dante's, before looking to Batman, "Gotta talk to you." she nodded towards the dressing room door. She smiled to Dante, "Wait here for us, okay?" She and Batman stepped into the room.

Dante watched, the half devil getting apprehensive. That woman knew something. Something she was sure to pass on to that pointy eared bastard.

His eyes narrowed. If Batman knew, then the other league members would be sure to know. That, would lead to a headache he'd rather try to avoid.

He could already envision the fallout that could come from that revelation. The League, already distrusting of him, trying their best to put more restrictions on him. The members putting more eyes on him, maybe 24/7 at that. The people within the League that he was starting to like, looking at him differently...

Maybe someone in the league lets that knowledge go public. Maybe the government tries to get involved…

Dante folded his arms as he looked away.

Zatanna closed the door, "Elffum." she said with a gesture of her hand.

"So." Batman got straight to the point, "What did you see?" he asked.

"Well." Zatanna started, sitting down on one of the makeup counters, "It's… complicated. Is there a semblance of supernatural energy within him… yes. Is he human, yes. Is he also… not, yes."

Batman's scowl deepened.

-DMC-

Dante watched the door, finding it odd that he could hear nothing from behind it, despite his superhuman hearing. He knew the mage had something to do with that.

Impressive, he had to admit. The chick was full of surprises.

He heard footsteps from behind. He turned to see a man with medium length brown hair, dressed in a green jacket and jeans approaching. The stranger looked around the room before turning to Dante, "Hey buddy, is Zatanna around?"

Dante's eyes quickly glanced over to the closed makeup room door, "Who's asking?"

"Police business." the man said.

'Perfect!' Dante thought, "Well then, she'd love to see you." He grabbed the man by his shoulder and dragged him over to the door. Dante rudely opened it, interrupting Batman and Zatanna's talk.

"I'm flattered you just can't keep away from me for long," Zatanna said, "but I told you to wait outside for a reason."

"Gotta respect your fans," Dante said smugly, "Can't just keep'em waitin when they come a knocking, can we?" he told her as he pushed the man inside, closing the door behind them.

Zatanna looked to the man standing before her and Batman, "Sorry, wasn't really doing meet and greets tonight. Even if I was, you picked a bad time for one."

"I'm not a fan." the apparent police officer said.

"Really." Zatanna said, "You should talk to the box office about a refund."

The man looked between Zatanna and Batman, giving the latter a curt nod, "Maybe my I.D can explain things more… eloquently." he reached into his jacket and pulled out a police badge.

Zatanna and Batman took a quick glance at the badge, "Detective Dale Colton." Zatanna said, putting a hand to her hip.

"I don't mean to interrupt your chat." the detective said as he put his I.D away, replacing it with a cigarette, "But, I'd really appreciate an hour of your time." he looked to Batman, "Yours too, if you don't mind."

"Are lives on the line?" the dark knight asked.

"They may be."

"Then I don't mind." Batman said, looking to Zatanna, "We'll talk later."

"Very well." Zatanna said, eyeing the police detective as he brought his cigarette up to his mouth, "Nrut Etteragic."

Dale's eyes widened as the cigarette he put in his mouth suddenly turned into a lollipop.

"No smoking backstage." the witch said, walking to the exit door, nodding for the men to follow after her.

Dante's eyebrow quirked at that. That was definitely a spell he wouldn't mind knowing. He had to wonder if she knew how to turn water into whiskey.

"Huh." Colton said as he settled on the sucker, "I heard you weren't all tricks and illusions." they all stepped out the exit door and into the San Francisco streets.

"Intimidated? It is to most people." she said.

"I read up on your file before I came looking for you." Colton said, "Magician, on call with the Justice League," he took a quick glance at Batman, "you've played a key role in numerous metahuman and paranormal incidents." he looked back to Zatanna, "All for the good of humanity."

Dante nodded. It made perfect sense that Batman would have him meet her…

"You did your assigned reading. Good." Zatanna said, the four standing out on the sidewalk, "You get an A. Now, gonna tell us what this is all about? Typically, police detectives don't get involved in cape and tights issues."

The detective looked over to a red car, obviously his, before he pulled out his car keys, "You like steak? Any of you like steak?" he looked to the three supers, the three of them giving him a blank stare…

"I'm vegetarian." Zatanna said.

Colton looked to Dante, the devil hunter shaking his head, "Don't look at me, dude, my diet consists of pizza with all toppings that aren't olives. His," he nodded to Batman, "might be the blood of virgins, but we're not quite sure yet."

"Ignore him." Batman said, "Unlike this one, I could actually afford to buy a steak."

"You two, are gonna kill me." Zatanna said.

"So no?" Colton said as he unlocked his car door, "No issue. I just thought I'd warn you that when you step inside Nob Hill Chop House, you won't want to look at red meat again." He walked up to his car, "Tail me there." he started the engine.

Batman held up his wrist computer in his gauntlet, "Cyborg, boom tube me transportation."

"Okay then." Zatanna said, looking to the street, "Gnirb em ym rac." she said, a black Mercedes Benz convertible appeared in the street. She looked to the wide eyed Devil Hunter beside her, "Ya' like?"

"I'm thinking I should get into showbiz." Dante said. The two looked to the dark knight, his batmobile appearing in the streets.

"Oh Batman," Zatanna said, "I know you and Dante here are such great friends, and how much you love each other's company, but I think I'm gonna borrow him for this little car ride."

"He's all yours." Batman said as he got in his car.

Zatanna let the top down on her car, Dante hopping into the passenger seat as the sorceress got in the drivers.

"Okay Dante, what kinda music ya' like?" Zatanna asked Dante as she flipped through radio stations,

"I'm a metalhead… but hard rock works too." Dante said, folding his arms behind his head

"Hmmm," Zatanna flipped through until she found a band she was familiar with. Dante quirked an eyebrow as the hard rock song played through the speakers. He looked to the name of it on the screen,

Song: Heaven's a Lie

Artist: Lacuna Coil

"That work?" Zatanna asked, satisfied with his expression.

"We'll get along nicely." Dante smiled at the woman. The car sped off down the street.

"So," Dante said as he leaned the seat back, the city lights a streak through the window, "how do you pull off being friends for so long with a hardass like that?"

Zatanna smiled, "Batman's… difficult. He's not the most joyful person, but that's because he's led a very tragic life."

Dante shrugged that off, "Everyones got a sob story. That's life."

"Empathize. Don't empathize." Zatanna said, the woman not taking her eyes from the road, "Love him or hate him, there's a reason he's so respected among the league. Give him the time and he could find a way to take down anyone. There's a reason he's called the worlds greatest detective. Whatever your secrets, whatever you're weakness, he'll find them and find a way to exploit it."

"Scary." Dante said, "So that's why he had us meet. So you could learn my secrets? Give him a way to kick my ass if we step in the ring?"

"Maybe." Zatanna said, "What are your secrets?"

"Come on now." Dante said, "You gotta be a bit more subtle than that if you're gonna dig."

"Then let's play a guessing game." Zatanna said.

"You get three tries." Dante said.

"Alright then. Try one. You're part demon." she said casually.

"Okay seriously, that's too good for a guess." Dante said, "You figured that out but the worlds greatest detective can't?"

"I can sense these sorts of things." Zatanna said, "It comes with dealing with the occult as much as I do. Besides, there's a saying, that if you want to keep a secret from a detective, put the truth right under his nose." she glanced Dante, "Being a hunter of your own kind ain't exactly gonna be everyone's go to answer."

Dante looked to her, "Why didn't you rat me out?"

"Batman's a treasure trove of secrets." Zatanna said, "Yet, he really doesn't like it when secrets are kept from him.Behave yourself, and I'll have no reason to squeal."

"Fair enough." Dante said, "I'll be your choir boy from here on out."

"Don't be for my sake." Zatanna winked at him, "I love a guy with a little edge. If you don't mind me asking, though, why be so secretive about… that?" Zatanna asked.

"It's not like I'll kill all witnesses." Dante said, "If someone figures it out, good for them. There's not a damn thing I'll do about it. But let's be real here, we're not all friends. I don't know the league's personal life, so they don't need to know mine."

"Okay okay," Zatanna nodded, "but personal life aside, you know the League is accepting of aliens and other mystics, right?"

"But unlike demons, aliens don't have a reputation for being naturally evil." Dante said, Zatanna passing him a glance.

-DMC-

The three vehicles pulled up to the steakhouse that had now become a crime scene. Police and ambulance cars were arranged in the streets outside of the buildings, the public servants entering and exiting the restaurant and asking questions from any potential witnesses.

Detective Colton led the three heroes through the restaurant doors, "Brace yourselves." was all the man had to say.

Simply glancing through the main entrance, Dante could tell this was a hell of a mess. As he stepped through, and saw the extent of it, he could see why paranormal specialists were brought in.

"Someone got creative…." Dante said as he glanced around.

"And very messy." Zatanna added.

"If you aren't getting messy you aren't having fun." Dante joked, Zatanna chuckling.

Batman grumbled, "Oh God." before turning to the police detective, "You have a flair for understatement, detective." Batman said to Colton.

The room was slick with gore, and littered with wreckage.

It was telling that the least disturbing deaths in the room came from two people, a man and a woman, both transformed into animals. The man was transformed into a pig and was knifed in the back. The woman was turned into a massive toad in a red dress, and was disemboweled with what had to be a knife.

Another man had a tree that tore from the floor and through his body, pinning him to the ceiling. Blood dripped from his corpse and down to the floor.

The putrid smell of rotten eggs hung in the air. Dante knew what that was… brimstone. He sniffed, the smell culminating from a human shaped pile of ashes on the floor. He stepped closer to it, the result of what killed this person being made clear.

Hellfire. Hot enough to burn away the soul. This unlucky bastard probably didn't have an afterlife to look forward to, heaven or hell.

One soul was turned into an ice figure and smashed, the pieces beginning to melt to the floor, while another was fried to a skeleton by what could only be electricity.

Batman looked over what could be described as the most grisly of the mass murder; two corpses that had been reduced to what looked like lasagna with teeth.

"Devoured by insects." Batman noted, reaching that conclusion at first glance.

Detective Colton pointed to one of the more intact corpses, "Recognize this one?" he asked Zatanna.

"His picture was in the chronicle often enough. Albert de Cecco, a local drug kingpin." she said, eyeing the corpse, "He once offered me about two million dollars to play a private private party on his yacht." she put her hands on her hips, "I said nah."

"The rest of them?"

"Can't say. The rest of these people were dispatched mystically, and pretty viciously." Zatanna said. She looked to Dante, "You make anything out of this?"

"Something straight outta the underworld." the hunter said, "Whatever it, or they were, they left their stink all over the room."

"Sounds about right." Zatanna said as she quickly said, "Wohs tahw deneppah ni siht moor."

The police officers in the room gasped as ghostly apparitions appeared all around. There were apparitions that represented the deceased, before they were murdered, standing around socializing.

"I recognize some of these men." Batman said, eyeing the apparitions, "They were all players in the criminal underworld. Several made attempts to expand in Gotham." he looked to what had to be the heads of different gangs, the men looking suspiciously around the room, "This wasn't a meeting of fellowship. These gangsters were brought here by an outside party."

An ethereal portal appeared in the center of the room, shocking the spectres.

Zatanna's eyes narrowed as a figure stepped through the portal, "Oh. This is bad."

A man with a face that looked to Dante like melted cheese made his presence known.

"What's so special about cheese face?" he asked.

"Eldon Peck. A narcissistic, power mad maniac." Zatanna said, she watched as the man wordlessly spoke out to the mobsters, "He was a hippie mystic in the 60's, who found a way to power by trafficking human souls. He got his start by sacrificing thirteen children. In return, he got extended life and command of some seriously nasty mojo. Nowadays, he goes by the name Brother Night."

A trio of other figures appeared through the portal, "It looks like he brought a whole rogues gallery of the mystic underworld with him." Zatanna identified one wearing a plain white mask and a dark hooded cloak, "Romalthi the Shaper. One touch transforms its victim into whatever its mask depicts." she looked to a horned woman with long strawberry blonde hair. Said woman was dressed in a glorified bdsm getup, "Ember. A dragon gestating in the form of a human woman." to Embers right was a child, a rather normal looking little boy with light blonde hair, a green shirt and shorts. The boy held in his hands a box. Zatanna's eyes widened, "Oh god. Teddy. Don't… don't even get me started on Teddy."

The villains, after a quick bit of silent dialogue from Brother Night, went to work. Batman quickly pieced together their strategy; "They started small." He watched as Romalthi's mask changed to that of a frog. He grabbed an innocent woman by the throat, turning her into the frog that lay dead on the floor, "Victimize an innocent to spread fear and gain obedience. If they were recruiting, that would have been enough." the frog turned woman was cut down by brother knight himself, "But they weren't recruiting."

Ember kissed a mafioso on the lips, the man spontaneously combusting at contact. He quickly flaked apart, becoming the pile of ashes on the floor.

The child, Teddy, floated in front of two gangsters that pulled guns on him. He opened the box in his hands, a swarm of centipedes, spiders, praying mantises, and other creepy crawlies swarming out to devour the mafiosos's… stomach first.

Zatanna looked away, "Jesus Teddy…"

Shaking his head, Dante mumbled, "And they wonder why I'm not too fond of brats."

Dante watched as Brother Night blasted mafiosos with lightning from his hand. He yawned, "Mobster demons. Not a first on my end. Long story short, this guy's starting his own empire. He's making a name by knocking off the other key players." he folded his arms, "How do we find him?"

"It's nowhere you'd be able to drive too, but I got ways of getting us there." Zatanna said, smiling at him. She looked to all of the maimed bodies, "They may have been scum, but what's been done to the people here, I couldn't wish on my worst enemy." she held up her hands, "People died here tonight. And the world needs to know that. Erotser rieht namuh smrof."

The frog turned back to a woman, the pig turned back into a man, the pile of ashes on the floor regained shape…

Dante had to admit, while it was probably more than what these people deserved, what this woman did was a kind gesture. A show of character on her part.

"How are we gonna bring in this Brother Night?" Colton asked.

"We don't." Dante said, "People who operate through the underworld can't be held. They don't fear laws. You deal with his ilk, with this." he held two fingers to his temple, and flexed his thumb, simulating a gunshot. He looked to Batman, "Do you concur, counselor?"

"The league doesn't kill humans." Batman said, looking Dante in the eye, "So guess."

Dante looked right back, "Good thing I'm not in the league, then."

Batman's brow furrowed, "Nor by extension do we allow a human to be killed."

"Way I see it, if you're with them you've lost your humanity pass." Dante said, voice ice cold.

"Well this is a well oiled machine." Zatanna said, "Allow me to be the-" she stepped between the two, "middleman." she looked to Dante, "Believe it or not, Dante, I have ways of dealing with guys like Brother Night… non fatally. We'll do our best to bring him in to answer for his crimes." she looked to Batman, "And, Batman, something like this may be out of your element. You don't need to be along for this."

Batman looked to Zatanna, and then back to Dante, "I can handle myself. The more… experience, I have in the supernatural field, the better."

"Okay." she said, giving a slight nod, she looked between Dante and Batman, "Ante up boys. You're in for a hell of a ride. Ot rehtorb s'thgin ned." the three heroes disappeared in a puff of smoke.

-DMC-

Heavy metal music roared through a hot and putrid nightclub. Demons, ghouls, and other monstrosities drank and committed all sorts vile acts on the dance floor… if it could be called that. In truth it was more of a glorified bdsm orgy. The monsters were dressed in the attire, and engaged in rough and sadistic sexual acts in shameless view of the others.

Brother Night sat on a couch, overlooking the show. Ember was next to him, biting his ear and licking his neck, her hands moving from his chest to his crotch. The necromancer's grin widened, "I wondered when Johnny's kid would show her hand."

Ember leaned back, "Everything okay?" she asked.

Night waited for the sudden sounds of a screaming demon to die down, the chained demon willingly having its chest stepped on by a high heeled dominatrix. Another female demon cried out, her back getting whipped. He didn't have to answer, the sparkles that suddenly appeared in the center of the nightclub answering for him.

All demons and monsters stopped their activities to turn to the center of the room, Zatanna, Dante, and Batman standing side to side.

Many of the demons eyes went wide with fear as they eyed Dante, few others eyes narrowing in fury.

"That scent! It's… it's him!"

"What's he doing here?!"

"Go… go!"

Many of the clubbers ran and cleared out of the room, those whose anger outweighed their fear staying behind.

Brother Night and Ember looked at the trio, the necromancer's smile widening, "Watch it boys. The sheriffs in town."

Dante scratched his neck, "More like the national guard." he noticed Ember staring directly at him, a look in her eye that screamed familiarity. He shook his head. That itch… it was back. Why did that keep happening to him? He looked to Zatanna; he'd have to ask her about that.

"Greetings Brother Night. I figured you'd be celebrating," Zatanna said, the woman looking around, eyeing demons and monsters that resembled trolls, ogres, medusa, corpses held together by meat and bone, and many others, "Looks like anything who's anyone is here."

Brother Night looked around, eyeing the demons and monsters glaring bloody murder at Dante, "One of you ain't so welcome."

Dante pulled his guns and Batman got into a fighting stance, Zatanna putting up a hand to halt, "Before we start this. Let's talk. Your surprise party at the restaurant."

"I've run the mystic underworld in San Francisco for forty years. Now I'm taking the mortal half."

"Because you think you can?" Batman asked.

"Because I know I can." Night said as he got up, Ember following suit, "That hit was a message, of me saying I own San Francisco." The two casually walked in the direction of the bar, past the trio. Ember stopped to glare at Dante, the woman sniffing the air near him,

"I think I dated your daddy…" she said.

Dante's eye twitched, "Do me a favor, lady, keep that kind of information to yourself."

"A pity that the daughter of my old friend John Zatara is trying to rewrite my message." Brother Night said as a wine glass and bottle floated up with a motionless command from him. The glass filled itself.

Zatanna's eyes hardened, "My father called you many things, Brother Night, but friend was not one of them."

"His loss." Brother Night said, the glass floating to his hand. He took a sip, "Yours too, seeing as you were only allowed here as my guest." he dropped two fingers down to the trio, "Pass revoked. Have at'em."

The nightclub was now a battleground.

A female demon with a knife lunged at Batman from behind, the vigilante grabbing her forearm and using her own momentum to plunge the knife into another demon.

Dante's sword cut through demon after demon lunging after him, his eyes shooting over to Zatanna who stood still, casually firing beams of energy from her palms, disintegrating monsters running and flying at her.

"So, if you don't mind me asking," Dante asked the sorcerer, casually impaling Rebellion through one of the party goers, before whipping Ebony and clipping a demon from behind, "how long you been in this game?"

"Since I was a youngin." the sorceress said. A hulking ogre-like demon stomped up to Zatanna, the sorceress rolling her eyes, "Oh please. Peerc nrut otni a tibbar." the hulking demon was suddenly turned into a small white rabbit, that hopped away, "My father was a hero before me. He laid the groundwork for who I am today, before he went missing..."

"Huh…" Dante blinked, "can't… uh, can't relate."

Batman was up in the scaffolding, the dark knight able to hold his own against the underworld's goons. The detective used various kata's to fend off two horned humanoid demons in hand to hand combat. They were physically stronger and faster than he, but his suit, designed to withstand blows from superhumans and explosions, and unbreakable will kept him in the fight. He blocked a punch, the blow stumbling him. He dodged a claw swipe that would have decapitated him, the vigilante following up with a roundhouse kick that nailed the fiend in the jaw.

Turning, Batman saw a punch coming for him. He dropped low to dodge, the hero catching his foot into the demon's solar plexus. Once again, instead of aiming to overpower these monsters, he used their own strength and momentum against them. He threw the demon over him and into the other.

Batman pulled fists full of batarangs, the demons getting up to their feet. When they saw the vigilante, batarangs in hands, they sniggered, "Stupid human. You believe your shuriken can kill us?"

"I'm not betting on the shuriken." Batman said before he threw them, the metal projectiles, spinning out before slicing a pair of tightly wound cables from above. The cables slung down and tore the demons to pieces.

Batman rolled his neck, his eyes going back down to the club floor. He saw Brother Night walking, the necromancer making a move for the exit. He set to glide off the scaffolding, a young voice from behind giving him pause, "Hey Mister Batman!"

He turned, Teddy standing behind him. The boy had a sinister grin plastered on his face and box in hand, "Wanna see a bug?"

"No." Batman said.

The boy opened the box anyways, a swarm of insects swarming out of it.

The Dark Knight immediately pulled a marble sized ball out of his belt, and slammed it down. An explosion of smoke shot from the ball, driving the insects back and away.

"What?!" Teddy shouted in surprise.

"Smoke." Batman said, "An insects mortal fear." he lunged at the child and punched him hard in the face, knocking the boy out if not into a coma, "You should know better than to mess with grown ups."

A battle cry escaped Dante's throat as he drove his sword into a large demon. The demon growled in fury, Dante following up with a flurry up stabs in rapid succession. He pulled back his sword, letting the demon fall back to the ground with a thud.

Romalthi, white mask in the shape of a slug, floated up behind Dante. The hunter saw the hellion levitating up to him, "What? Wear a mask cause you're ugly?" He asked, the cloaked fiends' head tilting. Dante held his arms open, a challenge to the villain.

The shaper reached out, but before he could make contact, "Nrut ihtlamoR otni a guls!"

To Dante's surprise, the shaper turned into a small slug on the floor. He turned to Zatanna, the mage smiling at him cheekily, "Sorry. Had to steal your thunder. Karmic justice and all that. No hard feelings."

Dante stared at the magician, "I like her…"

The two looked over, Brother Night heading for the exit.

Batman was in pursuit, the vigilante gliding after the man. Before he could close in, a hot, heavy weight dropped down on him from above. Batman hit the ground hard, the hero dazed. Ember stood above him, kicking him in the ribs to roll him over.

She kneeled down next to him, grabbing him tightly by the throat, "Pucker up, bat." She leaned in for a kiss,

*BANG!*

Ember leaped back to dodge the bullet, "Sorry to cockblock Lizard Lips." Dante said, "But I gotta get that there Bat home by midnight."

"Teg namtaB ot ytefas."

Batman's downed body phased out.

"Evomer rood." the door vanished from the wall, Brother Night looking to Zatanna.

Ember looked to the son of Sparda, the swordmaster holding his sword slung over his shoulder and a gun to her.

"I would've dealt with you next." Ember said, getting to her feet to stare down Dante. Zatanna stepped up next to him.

"I'm not a patient guy." Dante said, his head tilting, "That kiss of death thing again. That's definitely a universal crazy lady tactic."

Brother Night cackled, "Show'em a hell of a time, baby doll." he opened a portal in the wall, "Wish I could stay to watch, but I have a city to bring to hell!" he stepped through.

"Get back here!" Zatanna fired a bolt of lightning from her hand, the necromancer having already passed through the gate, "Shit."

"We'll get back at him." Dante said, "Let's skin one cat at a time."

Ember immediately flew up, flames heavy smoke pouring from her body. Her already red eyes glow brighter. She screamed at the two heroes, fire blasting from her throat and sweeping the nightclub at them in a tidal wave.

Knowing that his nature made him resistant to flames such as this, Dante hopped in front of Zatanna to shield her, the woman already putting up a mystical shield of her own. Zatanna looked to the half-devil, smirking at him, "Aw, so chivalrous. As much as I like that, don't bother. I can handle myself." Dante looked around, the flames passed harmlessly over and around the mystical orb.

He nodded, "I can tell."

Movement came in from the right, the two looking just as Ember's fist hit the shield, shattering it. The force and sudden disruption of her magic made Zatanna gasp and stumble. Dante immediately went in for a swing of Rebellion, the dragon catching the blade by its edge. She went in for a punch, nailing the son of Sparda in the chest hard enough to knock him back.

"Retaw!"

Ember's spit up water, almost choking as the flames in her throat turned to water and steam. She followed up with a swipe of her claws at Zatanna, the sorcerer acting fast and attempting to dodge by flying back. She was caught with the tip of the dragon's claws, Ember opening up four shallow cuts in the sorceresses abs.

The dragon shot up after her, deadly steam shooting from her throat. Before she could close the distance, two bullets pierced her back, Ember's eyes widening as she fell back to the ground.

Dante twirled his guns, "And that takes care of that."

Zatanna landed next to the man, staring at him, "Dante…"

"Yes ma'am."

"You remember what I said earlier, right?" Zatanna asked calmly.

"About what exactly?"

"Oh, something about Ember really being a dragon that just uses a human body to gestate."

The two looked to the body of Ember, her body shuddering violently before her flesh burst apart, a large, scaly mass quickly taking shape and filling the nightclub.

Red, predatory eyes reflected the two supernatural specialists. Dante and Zatanna looked up, indifferently eyeballing the snarling dragon that looked down over them.

"You know," Dante started, "Just this afternoon I was fighting a really big redhead."

Zatanna looked up as she thought, "Giganta?"

Dante snapped his fingers, "That's the one."

"Ooh." Zatanna said, "How was that?"

"That chick is way too big to go commando the way she does."

"Ugh," Zatanna rolled her eyes, "she's still doing that? Knowing her, it's hard to tell if she does it on purpose, or if she really doesn't know any better."

"I could tell she wasn't the brightest bulb in the bunch," Dante said, "and speaking of bulbs-"

"Your witless conversing irritates me…" Ember's deep and booming voice resounded.

"Well if you're in such a rush to get your ass kicked…" Zatanna said, hands filling with eldritch energy.

"Bring it on!" Dante challenged.

The dragon roared, the force of its battlecry tearing away much of the nightclub. A white and misty void was revealed in the cracks, the pocket dimension destabilizing. The dragon spread its wings as it shot up, diving at the two heroes.

-DMC-

A/N: And that's all folks. I was gonna put this chapter out on Christmas, but then I thought of some more things I wanted to add, and it got pushed back again. Then allergies hit me like a truck, and it got pushed back a tad bit again. Sorry!

Not forcing a romance on Dante and Zatanna, but both her and Dante are flirtatious enough people for them to have that sort of dynamic with one another.

And while I was always planning on this story going to the M section at some point, I think I'll go ahead and transfer it following my next update.

Go ahead and tell me what you liked, hated, think I should change, all that jazz in a review. Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Years!