Be Careful of What You Say
"Stay centered, Zatanna. You need to clear your mind and maintain focus on this one objective," Pia instructed
Zatanna sat cross-legged holding something smushed between her hands. She strained a little concentrating her spell onto the singular object.
"You need to relax. You're thinking too much. Feel the flow of magic through your veins."
Zatanna sat up a bit and released the tension in her shoulders. Finally, a green light glowed in between her hands. She opened her eyes to look at her handiwork.
"That's it! Yes, you got it!"
What was once a daisy with its petals ripped off and its stem snapped in two, was now a fully healed and repaired whole daisy.
"Wow, I really did it! I actually healed something. This…..this is amazing Pia!"
"I told you! You've had this power all along! You're a natural. But you have to be careful. Healing takes up a lot of energy. You do too many healing spells back-to-back you'll get burnt out."
"Haha been there, done that. Honestly though, I can never thank you enough. I've never been able to get the hang of healing magic."
"Oh pft it's nothing really."
"I actually kinda feel bad. You, Sebastian, and Davit have all been so great in opening my eyes to the new world of magic. I feel like I'm not giving you guys anything in return."
"Girl, please. We're all here to help you. It's no problem at all."
"Pia's right! Having someone like you in our group is more than enough," Sebastian chimed in as he entered the meadow.
"Heya, someone's a little late," greeted Zatanna.
"Eh, just had to run some errands. I take it the healing session's gone well?"
"Zatanna's mastered in four days what took me like two years. She's amazing."
"That sounds promising! Quick learner ain't ya."
"Don't be like that. I'm just trying my best."
A little too forwardly, Sebastian took both of Zatanna's hands into his. Pia crossed her arms and glared harshly at Sebastian, but he didn't notice.
"And your best, is good enough."
Uncomfortably, Zatanna pulled both her hands back to herself.
"I just have good teachers. That's all. Anyway, where's Davit? I thought today was the big rocky rematch?"
"Something's come up. He won't make it unfortunately."
"Oh no! Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Nah, he'll be fine, Zatanna. Looks like it's just us for now."
"Oh ok. Well, he'll make it to the party tonight, right?"
"Yup. Well, since I guess lessons ended early, how about we grab a bite to eat? You and me, Zatanna? There's a neat café down the road and…."
"I'd like to join too, Sebastian!" Pia interrupted harshly.
Sebastian sent a glare, but Zatanna did not notice the unspoken argument between the two as she was busy texting on her phone.
"Actually, ending here works out great for me. I'm able to move up my meeting with my manager. New brand deals and brainstorming for new future acts. And oh shit I gotta buy food for Pocus."
"Pocus?" Sebastian asked
"Yea! He's a pet bunny my boyfriend and I share. He's the cutest little marshmallow ever! Oh, I love him so much. Anyway, gotta run yall. I'll see you all tonight. Shaw's at ten!"
As Zatanna scurried off, Pia locked the portal and stomped towards Sebastian.
"You have got to stop that," she scolded
"Stop what?"
"You know damn well what. Did you not hear her? She has a boyfriend. They're sleeping together. They share a pet bunny."
"What can I say? She's fascinating."
"Did you forget that we're all here because of you? You're the one who needs anchors for this ridiculous plan of yours. You need me and Davit for your plan to work. We don't agree with this flirting nonsense and will walk if you keep this up. As for Zatanna? We should have gone for someone else."
"NO! She's perfect."
"Perfect for the ritual? Or perfect for a good lay?"
"That's irrelevant. Besides, once the ritual is done, she'll be all mine"
"Whatever. You better keep your end of the bargain."
"Don't worry, I always keep my promises."
Meanwhile
The moon shined brightly over Bludhaven. Despite being just after midnight, one Beary Bear factory had all its lights on. Multiple factory workers were quickly completing their tasks in this human conveyor belt. Guys were scooping pounds and pounds of little white pills into plastic bags. The bags were tossed over to the workers by the teddy bears. Those pills were roughly stuffed into the bears which were then placed into crates ready to be shipped out across the city.
"Ay Marko? Why we gotta work overtime like this? I'm exhausted."
"Shut up O'hirn, you think I want to be here? I got a wife and kid back home. They think I'm doing a graveyard shift at the junkyard."
"Ay Gargan? You got any idea why the boss wants us to work these extra hours?" asked O'hirn ignoring Marko's scoffs.
"Hey man. I just do what the boss tells us. More hours is more money. Ain't that right Herman?"
"For the last time, Gargan, it's Tex! Or Montana! Or something! Just not Herman!"
"Ohhh Herman's a little touchy. Shocker!"
"Hang on, where are you from then? Are you from Texas or Montana? Make up your mind," O'hirn asked.
"…I'm from Florida," Herman answered meekly.
As the crew were laughing, joking, and grumbling about the extra work hours, the power went out turning off all the lights in the building. In the pitch-black darkness, a light cackle could be heard all around.
"What the? Who's there?" asked Herman.
"Come out now you little bitch! I'll sting ya!" Gargan threatened pulling out a knife
"You boys oughta be ashamed of yourselves. It's a school night after all," answered the voice.
"Where is he? I can't see."
"Spread out! We'll catch this son of a bitch and make him pay," ordered Herman.
"Spread out? Don't you boys know there's strength in numbers?" mocked the voice above.
The workers slowly walked in multiple directions hoping to turn the power back on and jump this bold intruder. O'hirn walked behind a few crates before the voice spoke again.
"No no big guy! That's a trap! Don't go there!"
"Fuck yous. I ain't scared of nothing."
Right as he said that O'hirn stepped into a rope loop. It tightened around his ankle and pulled him up hanging him from the ceiling.
"Hoooly shit! Guys help! Help! I don't do well with heights!"
"O'hirn?! I got you. I'm comin!" screamed Marko.
Just as Marko turned the corner, he stepped on a mine. It flashed and wrapped a net around him.
"What the? You've got to be kidding me! I-I can't get out!"
Herman and Gargan began to freak out and ran to regroup.
"Gargan stay with me. We don't know what we're dealing with here."
"Who is this guy? What's going on?"
"This might be that one idiot tryna play hero. He's been hitting all the other factories across town. This asshole's the reason we're forced to work overtime."
Oddly, Herman was met with silence. Normally, Gargan would reply with some witty retort or some gruesome death threat on their opponent.
"Gargan?" Herman asked as he turned around.
No one was behind him. Panicking, he pulled out a taser gun.
"I'm warning you! I maxed out the voltage on this thing! One shot and it'll fry you like Popeye's chicken!"
Behind him, he suddenly heard a faint whisper in his ear.
"I'm actually a Robin."
"WHAT THE…" Herman shouted before being knocked out cold.
"Ugh out of all the factories I've torched in the past few days, you guys are by far the heaviest set of thugs," Robin groaned as he dragged the last goon outside. He tied them up all in a big bundle with his cable. On a sticky note, he drew a smiley face and stuck it on the one of the unconscious thug's forehead. After leaving a few bags of HFS next to them he grappled to the top of another building.
"Finally. Twelve distribution centers in four days. Gotta say this last one took longer than expected. I've never felt so slow and so exhausted. Maybe this cape is starting to drag on me. Something to ask Lucius later. What day is it anyway? I am so behind with classes. So glad this was the last one."
He pushed a button in his belt and explosions rang throughout the building. Up in smoke went the last supply of HFS…supposedly.
"And now to call in the boys in blue," Robin smiled as he dialed.
"Hello, BPD Forty-second precinct."
"Yea uh hi. There was an explosion on Montgomery Street. I think I saw some nefarious thugs out there."
"Wait….was it a Beary Bears on Montgomery Street?"
"Uhh yea?"
"Goddammit! I uh mean, we'll send a squad there immediately."
The officer abruptly hung up perplexing Robin.
"Well that was weird. Maybe I should stick around to see what happens next."
Ten minutes later, a single police squad car arrived at the scene. Two officers emerged rushing towards the tied-up group of thugs.
"Huh, that's weird. If they knew there was an explosion, why only send a patrol car?"
Robin pulled out a parabolic mic and put on some headphones to listen to the conversation below.
"Schultz? What the fuck man? This was the last distrib center we got!" cried one of the officers.
"Adrian, I'm sorry man. Some ninja or whatever got to us. I think he's the guy who's been hitting us hard all over town."
"Well did you get a good look at him at least?"
"Sorry, Max. He cut the power. It was way too dark. We didn't see nothing."
"It's got to be some rival gang or whatever. Someone's tryna move in on Block….AHHH," Gargan tried to speak before getting slapped across the face with a police pistol.
"You idiot! Never say his name out in the open like that. Gah honestly, per protocol Max and I should execute you bozos on the spot."
"No! Adrian! Please! I got a wife and kid. I need this gig man!" pleaded Marko.
"Sigh…..look. You guys were at my wedding. I'll cut you loose. But I dunno what the boss is gonna think of this," Adrian reassured the thugs.
Robin sat there in shock as the cops cut the group free and actually let them go.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Robin exclaimed, "Have they just been letting these guys go? Have I done a net impact of nada this past week?!"
He laid back on the roof and pressed his hands to his face letting out an exhausted sigh.
"I took out their supply chain so that's something. But I got nothing on the manufacturer. Whatever's going on here, it's way deeper than we thought. Cops are basically useless here too. This place is worse than Gotham….which is saying a lot! I can't waste any more time here. I'll have to report back and regroup."
With his mind made up, Robin grappled away back to his hotel.
The next morning, Dick arrived back at the manor. It was a Friday and technically he should be back at MIT trying to catch up on classes, but he decided one little visit to his girlfriend wouldn't hurt. Well, it'd be nice if she was actually in their room though…
"Zee? Huh? That's odd. I didn't see her in the kitchen either. Where is she?"
Just then, little Pocus hopped towards her father. He nuzzled Dick's leg before Dick picked up the little fluff ball.
"Hey, buddy! Good morning! Have you seen your mom anywhere?"
Pocus just tilted his head and shrugged. Out of the corner of his eye, Dick noticed Ace trotting by in the hall.
"Ace! Ace! Here boy!"
"WOOF!"
Happy to see Dick, Ace leaped forward and licked his face. After saying hello, he put up a paw towards Pocus which the little bunny headbutted.
"Haha I see you two are getting along."
"WOOF!"
Suddenly, Ace pointed his head upwards and began sniffing. After a few more sniffs, he excitedly ran out the room.
"WOOF!"
"Shhhhh ahaha Ace shhh. Don't wake up the whole house."
Dick recognized that voice anywhere, however instead of being excited, he was a bit concerned. His beautiful girlfriend turned the corner but her hair was disheveled and her cheeks were bright red.
"Dick! Baby, what are you doing here?"
Zatanna stumbled forward to give her boyfriend a bone-crushing hug. Dick embraced her back but recoiled at what he smelled off her.
"Uhh Hi Zee. Man, I love you, but you kinda reek. Is that…liquor?"
"Huh? Oh hehe yea. Sorry I was out last night."
"Last night? Are you just now getting in?"
"Hehe soooorrrryyy," Zee slurred a little kissing his cheek.
"Zee, it's like nine in the morning."
"Really? I coulda sworn it's nine in the afternoon."
"Alright let's get you to bed. I'll get you some water."
Dick sat her down on the bed and grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge. Grateful, Zee took it and chugged it all down in one gulp.
"Bahhhhh refreshing! What are you doing here, Dick?"
"Uhhh did you not get my texts? I tried calling you all night."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I didn't get any…." Zee said as she reached for her phone.
On the screen showed eight missed calls and fifteen unread messages all from Dick.
"Oh. I'm so sorry. I lost track of time."
"Uh no it's ok I get it. You were out having fun. What'd you do anyway?"
"Oh I went clubbing with Sebastian and some others."
"…..Sebastian? Who's Sebastian?"
"Huh? Oh just this guy I met?"
"A guy you met?"
"Shit no not what I meant. Uhh hold on. I think I have enough energy for this. Rebos em pu" (Sober me up)
A flash of light later, Zatanna stopped swaying and her eyes cleared up along with her speech pattern. Dick sat down on the bed getting comfortable to hear about Zee's night out.
"Phew. That's better. OK. So, while you were away, I met up with these totally awesome people!"
"Uh huh…."
"Turns out, they're student magicians just like me! They're so cool. Pia's like the master at healing magic. She's got this cute familiar called Plop. He's so squishy and huggable! Davit's almost like a cool earth bender. And Sebastian's kinda our leader of sorts. They've been teaching me magic this past week."
"Oh wow. Ok um that's great!"
"Yea. I mean, Sebastian's knowledge goes super deep! He's studied so many ancient texts. He's been talking about stuff like boosting my magic capabilities, helping me cast spells without speaking backwards, he's basically promised to get my dad out of the helmet of Fate."
"Whoa whoa timeout. He's promised to free your dad from Nabu?"
"Well, he's not going to do it explicitly. But with his help I think I can max out my powers and pry my dad out from Nabu's control!"
"Uhh are you sure about this Zee?"
"What do you mean, Dick? Yes, I'm sure! I've learned so much. Pia's taught me healing magic! Think of what I could do with just that. I could heal you faster when you're out in the field. And I could be a more offensive player! I can create rock gladiators now! And Sebastian's helped me focus my power too! I feel more powerful and more in control than I've ever been."
Instead of happiness like she expected, Dick kept looking at her with concerned skepticism. He looked away from her eyes and towards the ground.
"W-why aren't you happy for me?" she asked.
"I-I mean I am, but doesn't this seem a bit….too good?" Dick asked looking back up at her
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just. I'm not saying there isn't a solution to having both Nabu and your dad exist separately here on Earth, but we've spent three years digging through all your dad's texts. We've spoken to your dad just a few months ago on this very topic. We've been hitting dead ends and suddenly some dude comes up and says he can do what we can't? Something doesn't add up."
Zatanna stood up and angrily crossed her arms.
"He's not just some dude! Yea he's a little forward, but he's smart!"
"What do you mean he's forward!?" Dick now stood up.
"Not relevant. Point is, they're good people, Dick. All my life I've never had anyone to talk to about magic. I've only had my dad and now he's gone too. And now I have an amazing support group! They care about me and support me in magic. They really want to help, and I think with them, I'll be able to free my father."
"Ok, answer me this. How exactly are you guys going to free him? Do you have a plan? Is there some special book we've yet to find? What's the play-by-play here?"
"Well, I mean….there's nothing explicit yet. Right now I'm just beefing up my skills."
"Zee, that's not good enough."
"Why can't you support me in this!?"
"Zee, I've supported you from the moment we've met. I am your number one fan, and I am always in your corner. I just want to make sure we've looked into this thoroughly that's all."
"Oh! So, this is just your Bat-paranoia? Is that it?"
"C'mon Zee! I care about you, and I just want you to be careful and wary that's all."
"I'm a big girl now Dick! I don't need babying."
"I'm not babying! I'm just saying these pieces fit a little too perfectly. Like I said, you go public with your shows and then a group of magicians show up promising you to free your father? It feels too coincidental."
"Oh. I see what this is. You're jealous."
"Zee, where are you going with this?"
"You're jealous and fucking upset that I have an opportunity to permanently see my father again while YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO EVER BRING YOUR PARENTS BACK!"
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, her heart sank. Silence fell upon the room. Slowly, she could see his soul and joy leave his eyes. Zatanna began trembling. She reached out with a single hand. To her utter horror, Dick took a step back away from her.
"Dick. Dick, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. I swear I didn't…" she stuttered desperately trying to pull him back.
"Coming here was a mistake," Dick coldly said, "I should head back to Boston. Seems like we both have classes we need to attend."
Surprisingly without shedding a single tear, he picked up his duffle bag and left the room. Without turning around once, he walked right past Pocus and Ace and just left. Zatanna froze. She couldn't say anything. She felt so numb. Her legs gave way and she collapsed on the floor. Tiny tears began falling. More and more gushed forward from her eyes as she began bawling on the carpet. Pocus and Ace had watched the whole exchanged and hopped over to comfort their mother. As she looked up, Zatanna pressed her forehead onto Ace's while Pocus tried nuzzling her leg.
"What have I done…"