The Sentinels of Magic: Chapter One
Universe: Mostly the Young Justice cartoon but I will be incorporating characters and concepts from the expanded DCU. The fic begins a bit after the first season of the show.
Title: The Sentinels of Magic.
Author: Asase
Rating:PG 13(just to be safe)
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff
Characters: Zatanna, Madam Xanadu, Dr. Fate, Batman, Miss Martian, Superboy
Summary: Zatanna’s new mentor
Word Count: 1,747
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or expanded DC universe.
The Sentinels of Magic
Chapter One
The Cave
January 14, 8:15 EDT
Moving from her home was a huge transition, but Zatanna had come to enjoy the quiet of the cave on Saturday mornings. Donning her robe she prepared to travel to the kitchen, the smell of cranberry scones reaching her nose as she exited her room. M’gann had developed a habit of testing recipes on Saturdays. Sure enough there were four separate batches of the baked good cooling on the counter, each one from a different recipe. They wouldn’t be wasted. Normally the non resident members of the team would visit by midday, and what those with normal stomachs couldn’t eat were ingested by Wally.
“Mornin’,” Conner said as Zatanna entered the room. He sat on the couch, a laptop on his lap. He had recently taken an interest in the articles posted on the Daily Planet’s website, particularly the articles of a certain Clark Kent. A plate filled with crumbs lay on the side table next to him.
“Good Morning!” M’gann chimed in brightly, she used her powers to pull out another batch from the oven and set them on the cooling rack.
“Morning,” Zatanna returned the greeting, “Those smell delicious!” Zatanna reached into a cupboard for a mug.
“Thanks!” M’gann lifted a scone from the last batch with her powers and levitated it to Connor’s plate. “I think I fixed the baking powder problem.”
Connor took a bite of the pastry, chewing slowly, “It is definitely lighter, but now it needs more cranberries.”
“Oh no,” Zatanna filled the mug with water and placed it in the microwave, “You remember when you made macadamia nut cookies Meg? The entire cookie may as well been made of nuts!”
“I like things chunky,” Conner muttered, sullen. This, he thought, Is why I don’t like helping in the kitchen.
Zatanna giggled, “Not every one has super-teeth Conner.”
Once her water was warm she picked a tea bag, citrus this time around, and a couple of scones to take back to her room. Her room had one window, but it at least faced the ocean. She placed her desk under the little window, and would gaze out of it when homework became too tedious.
After a sip of tea and a bite of her scone, with the perfect amount of cranberry, she opened her laptop and began to type. She had two more pages of a history report to finish. The report was uncommonly arduous. She liked history, not the dolled up accounts in her textbooks of course, but lately it was harder to concentrate on her interests. Canary said that it was a symptom of depression, as if there were to be any other diagnosis after the loss of her father.
One typed page later, the Cave’s computer system announced visitors.
“Recognized: Batman A02, Dr. Fate A11, Authorized guest.”
Her excitement dimmed when she heard Dr. Fates name, being in his presence still unnerved her.
“Zatanna. Report to the conference room,” Batman’s voice commanded over the intercom.
Zatanna groaned and spun in her desk chair. She contemplated stalling, but thought better of it. She took a quick shower and brushed her teeth, once dressed she made her way to the room used by Canary in her therapy sessions.
Batman and Dr. Fate stood in the room. Sitting in one of the arm chairs was a dark haired woman dolled up like a wannabe gypsy. The woman sat with her legs crossed at her ankles sipping tea. A half eaten scone was on a plate in front of her.
“Zatanna, please take a seat,” Batman said, his voice softer than usual.
The unfamiliar tone of voice piqued Zatanna’s interest. She sat in the chair opposite the woman and peaked at her under her lashes.
“Zatanna this is Madam Xanadu,” Batman spoke carefully, “She knew your father.”
She did?” Zatanna asked.
“Do not worry. My background has been thoroughly checked,” Xanadu smiled, “I come with an offer.”
“One that you would be wise to refuse,” Dr. Fate spoke with a harsh edge to his voice.
Xanadu glared at the sorcerer.
“Let her speak Fate,” Batman commanded.
“I owe your father much,” Xanadu started, eyes softening, “I wish to begin repaying that debt by taking you as my apprentice.”
“You should know child that when my pervious host Nelson encountered this woman she was performing parlor tricks instead of actual magic. She has a deceitful nature that stretches back centuries,” Fate accused.
“Like I would reveal my self to you parasite!” Xanadu spat.
“Enough!” Batman’s voice was like steel. It made Zatanna stiffen; it had a similar result on the adults. Fate turned away from the discussion and Xanadu took another sip of her tea. As powerful as the magic users were they were behaving like children, and they knew it.
“Centuries?” Zatanna asked when she regained the capacity for speech.
“I knew your father as a young man,” Xanadu answered.
“But you don’t look-“
“Like I’m in my forties?” Xanadu gave a sly smile, “My original name is Nimue,” she took another sip of tea.
Zatanna’s eyes widened. Nimue, Merlin’s lover and betrayer.
“I assure you the tales are greatly exaggerated,” said Xanadu. “Your father has a strong desire to protect this realm. When he discovered the extent of his powers he immediately wanted to use them to protect the powerless. He was the best of us,” she paused turning her cup in her hands. “He tried to convince me to join his endeavors but I wouldn’t listen. A lot of us wouldn’t listen. Ultimately is our selfishness that caused him to sacrifice his autonomy,” her body shakes and tears well up in her eyes, “We should have been there to help protect this realm but we hid.”
“Oh she cries,” Dr. Fate mutters.
Xanadu’s eyes hardened. “The eldest of our ranks are said to be immortal, but we are simply desperate to stay alive. We wish to hold on to our humanity, but we become so distant and selfish in the process that we have long since lost it. None of us felt that the danger to this realm was worth risking ourselves.”
“Save your lectures. I protected this realm with my power. I-”
“No! She did,” Xanadu pointed to Zatanna, “She offered herself to you in order to stop the madness.”
“She came to me willingly. They all do.”
“You would have robbed her of her youth just so that you could have a body. You did not care about the stakes she was against. That she was boxed into a corner and what’s worse none of it should have been necessary.”
“How?” Batman asked, “At the time of the conflict there was no other way. No other magic strong enough.”
“If it were any of us battling alone you would be right, but if the Sentinels were still in operation.”
“That is unnecessary,” said Fate, “I have all the power needed to -“
“You rely upon others more than you care to admit,” Xanadu challenged, “You do not even have your own body.”
“Who are the Sentinels?” Zatanna asked, breaking back into the conversation.
Xanadu shifted her attention back to the girl, “The Sentinels of Magic, like the Justice League they worked together to protect this realm from threats too large for the individual. It has long since been disbanded. Your father wanted to reestablish the Sentinels in his youth. I believe it was what inspired him to seek candidacy for the Justice League. In them he saw like minded individuals. People willing to use their abilities to protect others,” Xanadu stood then knelt in front of Zatanna, her head bowed, “I wish to recreate the group. Do what should have been done. There are no words that can express my sorrow. My inaction is just as responsible for your loss as Klarion’s meddling. All I can offer you is my knowledge and my sworn oath that I will do all in my power to prevent future atrocities.”
“Stop it! Just..just stand please,” Zatanna placed her hand on the older woman’s shoulder, ”There is no way you could have known.”
“You do not understand. I have the power of precognition. I could have-“
“Don’t allow sentimentality to cloud your judgment,” Fate snapped, “You know it does not work like that. The dreams come when they will, and readings are never completely accurate.”
“Do not claim to know the extent of my powers!”
“This is not the time!” Batman commanded.
“I want to learn!” Zatanna yelled over the bickering adults. They all stared at her for a moment, caught up in their petty squabbling they had forgotten that she was present.
Dr. Fate was the first to recover, “No! If you need to learn I will-“
Zatanna stood and faced Dr. Fate, “You have his body for now but you are not my father!”
“That is not entirely accurate,” said Batman, “Your father’s will can influence Fate’s actions. Dr. Fate has displayed several of your father’s traits. His over protectiveness of you is one, his willingness to work with the league is another.”
Zatanna looked away uncomfortable with the suggestion.
Batman turned to Dr. Fate, “Zatanna is a member of our special ops team. Expanding her knowledge would provide several tactical advantages. It will also give her the skills to protect herself and others. That is why I am authorizing this venture.”
“Yes!” Zatanna said in celebration.
“You would ignore my council on such matters?” Fate asked his voice low and dangerous.
“Yes,” Batman replied simply.
Dr. Fate clenched his fists, his eyes glowing. Batman stood his ground, a barrier between Fate and the two ladies.
Something within Dr. Fate shifted, his eyes stopped glowing and his body relaxed, “Do what you wish,” he stalked out of the room.
“It’s no small wonder that Zatara trusts you,” Xanadu returned to her seat, “A mortal willing to face such power.”
Batman turned to face her, “These Sentinels. Who exactly do you have in mind?”
“I have lists of candidates, half of which have already turned me down,” Xanadu said sourly.
“Would you consider collaborating with the League?” he asked the question as a formality but it was an order. Xanadu was an outsider; she would either cooperate with the League or walk.
“I would be honored,” she gave the appropriate response; she did not expect to be trusted. The two adult’s eyes met; the true intentions of their words within their respective gazes.
“So!” Zatanna interrupted cheerily, “When do we leave!”
Notes
This story will include some of the more obscure DC magic based characters. I will try to describe them as best I can.
This story is actually a sister fic to two other fics that I’m writing at the moment. The stories are all independent though. I am writing a fic with an OC called The Medic. At the moment both Zatanna and Rocket are not in the fic (they show up later). In my mind this is what is happening to Zatanna while she is not with the team. I have a similar fic set up for Rocket titled The Star Chamber
Chapter Two
Title: The Sentinels of Magic.
Author: Asase
Rating:PG 13(just to be safe)
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff
Characters: Zatanna, Madam Xanadu, Dr. Fate, Batman, Miss Martian, Superboy
Summary: Zatanna’s new mentor
Word Count: 1,747
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or expanded DC universe.
The Sentinels of Magic
Chapter One
The Cave
January 14, 8:15 EDT
Moving from her home was a huge transition, but Zatanna had come to enjoy the quiet of the cave on Saturday mornings. Donning her robe she prepared to travel to the kitchen, the smell of cranberry scones reaching her nose as she exited her room. M’gann had developed a habit of testing recipes on Saturdays. Sure enough there were four separate batches of the baked good cooling on the counter, each one from a different recipe. They wouldn’t be wasted. Normally the non resident members of the team would visit by midday, and what those with normal stomachs couldn’t eat were ingested by Wally.
“Mornin’,” Conner said as Zatanna entered the room. He sat on the couch, a laptop on his lap. He had recently taken an interest in the articles posted on the Daily Planet’s website, particularly the articles of a certain Clark Kent. A plate filled with crumbs lay on the side table next to him.
“Good Morning!” M’gann chimed in brightly, she used her powers to pull out another batch from the oven and set them on the cooling rack.
“Morning,” Zatanna returned the greeting, “Those smell delicious!” Zatanna reached into a cupboard for a mug.
“Thanks!” M’gann lifted a scone from the last batch with her powers and levitated it to Connor’s plate. “I think I fixed the baking powder problem.”
Connor took a bite of the pastry, chewing slowly, “It is definitely lighter, but now it needs more cranberries.”
“Oh no,” Zatanna filled the mug with water and placed it in the microwave, “You remember when you made macadamia nut cookies Meg? The entire cookie may as well been made of nuts!”
“I like things chunky,” Conner muttered, sullen. This, he thought, Is why I don’t like helping in the kitchen.
Zatanna giggled, “Not every one has super-teeth Conner.”
Once her water was warm she picked a tea bag, citrus this time around, and a couple of scones to take back to her room. Her room had one window, but it at least faced the ocean. She placed her desk under the little window, and would gaze out of it when homework became too tedious.
After a sip of tea and a bite of her scone, with the perfect amount of cranberry, she opened her laptop and began to type. She had two more pages of a history report to finish. The report was uncommonly arduous. She liked history, not the dolled up accounts in her textbooks of course, but lately it was harder to concentrate on her interests. Canary said that it was a symptom of depression, as if there were to be any other diagnosis after the loss of her father.
One typed page later, the Cave’s computer system announced visitors.
“Recognized: Batman A02, Dr. Fate A11, Authorized guest.”
Her excitement dimmed when she heard Dr. Fates name, being in his presence still unnerved her.
“Zatanna. Report to the conference room,” Batman’s voice commanded over the intercom.
Zatanna groaned and spun in her desk chair. She contemplated stalling, but thought better of it. She took a quick shower and brushed her teeth, once dressed she made her way to the room used by Canary in her therapy sessions.
Batman and Dr. Fate stood in the room. Sitting in one of the arm chairs was a dark haired woman dolled up like a wannabe gypsy. The woman sat with her legs crossed at her ankles sipping tea. A half eaten scone was on a plate in front of her.
“Zatanna, please take a seat,” Batman said, his voice softer than usual.
The unfamiliar tone of voice piqued Zatanna’s interest. She sat in the chair opposite the woman and peaked at her under her lashes.
“Zatanna this is Madam Xanadu,” Batman spoke carefully, “She knew your father.”
She did?” Zatanna asked.
“Do not worry. My background has been thoroughly checked,” Xanadu smiled, “I come with an offer.”
“One that you would be wise to refuse,” Dr. Fate spoke with a harsh edge to his voice.
Xanadu glared at the sorcerer.
“Let her speak Fate,” Batman commanded.
“I owe your father much,” Xanadu started, eyes softening, “I wish to begin repaying that debt by taking you as my apprentice.”
“You should know child that when my pervious host Nelson encountered this woman she was performing parlor tricks instead of actual magic. She has a deceitful nature that stretches back centuries,” Fate accused.
“Like I would reveal my self to you parasite!” Xanadu spat.
“Enough!” Batman’s voice was like steel. It made Zatanna stiffen; it had a similar result on the adults. Fate turned away from the discussion and Xanadu took another sip of her tea. As powerful as the magic users were they were behaving like children, and they knew it.
“Centuries?” Zatanna asked when she regained the capacity for speech.
“I knew your father as a young man,” Xanadu answered.
“But you don’t look-“
“Like I’m in my forties?” Xanadu gave a sly smile, “My original name is Nimue,” she took another sip of tea.
Zatanna’s eyes widened. Nimue, Merlin’s lover and betrayer.
“I assure you the tales are greatly exaggerated,” said Xanadu. “Your father has a strong desire to protect this realm. When he discovered the extent of his powers he immediately wanted to use them to protect the powerless. He was the best of us,” she paused turning her cup in her hands. “He tried to convince me to join his endeavors but I wouldn’t listen. A lot of us wouldn’t listen. Ultimately is our selfishness that caused him to sacrifice his autonomy,” her body shakes and tears well up in her eyes, “We should have been there to help protect this realm but we hid.”
“Oh she cries,” Dr. Fate mutters.
Xanadu’s eyes hardened. “The eldest of our ranks are said to be immortal, but we are simply desperate to stay alive. We wish to hold on to our humanity, but we become so distant and selfish in the process that we have long since lost it. None of us felt that the danger to this realm was worth risking ourselves.”
“Save your lectures. I protected this realm with my power. I-”
“No! She did,” Xanadu pointed to Zatanna, “She offered herself to you in order to stop the madness.”
“She came to me willingly. They all do.”
“You would have robbed her of her youth just so that you could have a body. You did not care about the stakes she was against. That she was boxed into a corner and what’s worse none of it should have been necessary.”
“How?” Batman asked, “At the time of the conflict there was no other way. No other magic strong enough.”
“If it were any of us battling alone you would be right, but if the Sentinels were still in operation.”
“That is unnecessary,” said Fate, “I have all the power needed to -“
“You rely upon others more than you care to admit,” Xanadu challenged, “You do not even have your own body.”
“Who are the Sentinels?” Zatanna asked, breaking back into the conversation.
Xanadu shifted her attention back to the girl, “The Sentinels of Magic, like the Justice League they worked together to protect this realm from threats too large for the individual. It has long since been disbanded. Your father wanted to reestablish the Sentinels in his youth. I believe it was what inspired him to seek candidacy for the Justice League. In them he saw like minded individuals. People willing to use their abilities to protect others,” Xanadu stood then knelt in front of Zatanna, her head bowed, “I wish to recreate the group. Do what should have been done. There are no words that can express my sorrow. My inaction is just as responsible for your loss as Klarion’s meddling. All I can offer you is my knowledge and my sworn oath that I will do all in my power to prevent future atrocities.”
“Stop it! Just..just stand please,” Zatanna placed her hand on the older woman’s shoulder, ”There is no way you could have known.”
“You do not understand. I have the power of precognition. I could have-“
“Don’t allow sentimentality to cloud your judgment,” Fate snapped, “You know it does not work like that. The dreams come when they will, and readings are never completely accurate.”
“Do not claim to know the extent of my powers!”
“This is not the time!” Batman commanded.
“I want to learn!” Zatanna yelled over the bickering adults. They all stared at her for a moment, caught up in their petty squabbling they had forgotten that she was present.
Dr. Fate was the first to recover, “No! If you need to learn I will-“
Zatanna stood and faced Dr. Fate, “You have his body for now but you are not my father!”
“That is not entirely accurate,” said Batman, “Your father’s will can influence Fate’s actions. Dr. Fate has displayed several of your father’s traits. His over protectiveness of you is one, his willingness to work with the league is another.”
Zatanna looked away uncomfortable with the suggestion.
Batman turned to Dr. Fate, “Zatanna is a member of our special ops team. Expanding her knowledge would provide several tactical advantages. It will also give her the skills to protect herself and others. That is why I am authorizing this venture.”
“Yes!” Zatanna said in celebration.
“You would ignore my council on such matters?” Fate asked his voice low and dangerous.
“Yes,” Batman replied simply.
Dr. Fate clenched his fists, his eyes glowing. Batman stood his ground, a barrier between Fate and the two ladies.
Something within Dr. Fate shifted, his eyes stopped glowing and his body relaxed, “Do what you wish,” he stalked out of the room.
“It’s no small wonder that Zatara trusts you,” Xanadu returned to her seat, “A mortal willing to face such power.”
Batman turned to face her, “These Sentinels. Who exactly do you have in mind?”
“I have lists of candidates, half of which have already turned me down,” Xanadu said sourly.
“Would you consider collaborating with the League?” he asked the question as a formality but it was an order. Xanadu was an outsider; she would either cooperate with the League or walk.
“I would be honored,” she gave the appropriate response; she did not expect to be trusted. The two adult’s eyes met; the true intentions of their words within their respective gazes.
“So!” Zatanna interrupted cheerily, “When do we leave!”
Notes
This story will include some of the more obscure DC magic based characters. I will try to describe them as best I can.
This story is actually a sister fic to two other fics that I’m writing at the moment. The stories are all independent though. I am writing a fic with an OC called The Medic. At the moment both Zatanna and Rocket are not in the fic (they show up later). In my mind this is what is happening to Zatanna while she is not with the team. I have a similar fic set up for Rocket titled The Star Chamber
Chapter Two