The Sentinels of Magic: Chapter Five
Title: The Sentinels of Magic
Author: Asase
Rating: PG 13
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff, supernatural
Characters: Zatanna, Madam Xanadu, Raven
Summary:The dreams return.
Word Count:2,069
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or expanded DC universe.
The Sentinels of Magic
Chapter Five
?
January 18, 2:15 CDT
Zatanna opened her eyes to darkness. She raised her hands in front of her face, they glowed but lacked color. The dream is back, she thought, glancing around. She strained her ears and caught the barest whisper of a whimper. This time she boldly strode toward the sound.
She saw a form hunched in a corner. The form wore a white, hooded cloak, creating a bright spot within the darkness. Zatanna reached forward to touch the person's shoulder, but was halted by a pale hand. Zatanna turned her head sharply to see a small figure in a dark blue cloak.
Zatanna opened her mouth to speak, and the cloaked figure raised a single digit to the dark abyss behind the hood, giving her the shush signal. A dark magic surrounded Zatanna's mouth hindering her ability to speak. Before she could protest or panic the cloaked figure floated and flew off at an alarming speed, dragging Zatanna behind itself.
Its hands were small and bony, but its grip was strong, it was also cold. Zatanna held back the impulse to panic. Without the capability to speak she couldn't cast spells but panicking would not help. She stilled her rampaging thoughts and focused on how she could escape. Perhaps once it stopped she could overpower it? She had been taking lessons from Black Canary since she began to live in the cave. Apprehensive about being caught without the use of her magic she made Robin spar with her often. On one occasion she blackened his eye, apparently she had a great right hook.
The figure halted and descended slowly to the ground. "I am sorry," the figure whispered, with a young girl's voice. "It was too dangerous. I am going to release you now. Please stay still."
She released Zatanna from her firm grip and with a wave of her hand removed the spell that hindered Zatanna's ability to speak.
Zatanna watched the figure warily, assuming a fighting stance just in case. "Why are there two of you?"
"That was a decoy. A trap. I had hoped that I had erased your presence but he must have felt you anyway."
Zatanna relaxed her posture. "I don't like the way you say he." She narrowed her eyes. "Look, if this place is so dangerous why don't you just leave?"
"I told you I can't!" The young girl's voice increased in volume as she panicked. "He will follow! He always follows!"
Zatanna sighed and decided that it would be best to change tactics. She knelt and gazed into the darkness under the hood, to where she hoped there was a face. "I think we got off to a rocky start," she said gently. Zatanna smiled and offered her hand. "My name is Zatanna."
The girl removed her hood. A frown creased her sallow skin, her uncertainty reflected in her dark eyes. She looked to be no older than eight. Her dark hair had a violent tint, and was swept back from a widow's peak. A blood red gem decorated the center of her forehead.
"It's okay," Zatanna said encouragingly.
The girl's lips quirked up in a hesitant smile, the emotion was strained as if she had long since forgotten how. As she reached out to take Zatanna's hand the smile was replaced with an expression of pure terror. She stared unblinkingly at something behind Zatanna, her eyes growing wide.
Zatanna sensed a strong magical presence, a dark presence that accompanied an intense heat at her back. It paralyzed her. Nightmarish images flashed through her mind. A woman beaten, then forced, a city consumed by fire, and an endless wasteland covered by the bloated bodies of the dead. The images were somehow familiar, memories, but they were not hers.
"You have to go!" A form of pure white arose from behind the girl like a color swapped shadow. It enveloped Zatanna and once again Zatanna was enveloped in intense bright light.
Kor
January 18, 3:00 GMT
Zatanna awoke with a start. She looked around wildly, not recognizing the room assigned to her by the Wizard king. She caught her self before screaming. Zatanna panted, collecting herself and was overcome by a bone deep chill. She pulled the covers around her and sat there shaking, eyes squeezed shut.
It was only a dream. She was too old for this, much too old for this, but all she wanted was to crawl into her father's bed. The tears started and would not stop. No matter what Batman felt about her father and Nabu's union she could not see Dr. Fate as her father. That thing was not capable of compassion.
Her fear was replaced with anger. She threw the covers off in defiance and grabbed the robe provided for her. The silk of the robe warmed and soothed her body. Zatanna moved the room's balcony. It overlooked one of the castle's many gardens. As she gazed at the garden she spotted Dr. Mist. He turned and waved at her.
Zatanna changed into some proper clothing and met the king in his garden. They walked side by side, completely silent. It was the king that broke the silence.
"Were you not able to sleep? If there is something about the room that is unsatisfactory we can make other arrangements."
Zatanna laughed ruefully. "I could ask you the same thing. Why is the king so restless?" She continued when the king did not answer. "The room is beautiful. It's Egyptian right?""
"I would not call my current mood restless, but soft sheets are no replacement for the moon and stars." He waved to the cloudless sky. The moon was bright and illuminated the garden. "It can not calm the soul like the soft trickle of a fountain or the smell of a blooming rose." He halted in front of the garden's great fountain. "The room is inspired by Egypt. In my younger days I wed one of their princesses."
"Your wife slept in a different room?"
"We had a… special arrangement."
Zatanna watched him, waiting for him to continue.
"She was fourteen."
Zatanna frowned.
The king laughed. "Like I said it was a special arrangement. She actually wasn't my type at all. Yes I have a type," he added, noticing that Zee's eyebrows knit together. "Don't let Xanadu cloud your mind."
"What happened between you two anyway?" Zatanna asked.
The king grimaced. "I don't feel like talking about it. It was a lifetime ago."
"Okay….Tell me more about the princess then."
"She was skinny. Not a curve to speak of. Just long and lanky with knobby knees and elbows. Even after she bore children she remained slender. It was as if her belly was detachable. Her hair was constantly frizzy and dry from too much time in the sun, and she had a large nose. As she grew it became quite distinguishing, but at the time her beak would have put the mighty Horus to shame."
"Those aren't really nice things to say about your wife."
"And to top it of she had no magical abilities."
Zatanna giggled. "How did you meet?"
"I was engaged to her sister. It was an arranged marriage but I was content with it. Kartec's older sister was everything she wasn't. Stunning and elegant and she had magic. Nothing too powerful but at least she wouldn't dilute the blood lines."
"I don't understand. You sound happier about the sister."
"I would have been happier for a time. But Kartec was special." The king smiled and crossed his arms across his chest. "If she were a man she would have held a high position in her father's court. The child was a genius, but she had all of the eccentricities of such genius. She was constantly in trouble for speaking her mind in inopportune moments, or getting her clothing dirty while explored. "He chuckled at the memory. "She was the first woman to challenge me, to stand up to me, despite my wealth and power she was unafraid. "
"You fell in love with her," Zatanna said, filled with awe.
"I did eventually. At the moment it was the start of a grand friendship. But I had a dream that we were married the night before I was to wed her sister and so I switched brides."
"You…?" Zatanna looked confused. "How? You can't just- weren't the preparations already made?"
The king shrugged, a very un-regal gesture. Zatanna ignored it. "I am the Wizard King. I get what I want."
"All because of a dream?"
"Dream's are not to be taken lightly," he said, his tone becoming serious." Especially when they come to those with power. My kingdom is as grand as it is today because of Kartec's intelligence and wisdom. I would have spent my fortune eons ago if not for her interference. "
"A dream…"
"Yes a dream. It was Kartec who convinced me to become a part of Xanadu's plans. She visited me in my dreams again tonight. She seems pleased overall."
They walked the garden some more in silence. Zatanna deep in thought, she had much to reconsider.
Xanadu called upon Zatanna as the sun rose. A maid followed her into Zatanna's room with a tray containing tea and pastries. It was to be Zatanna's first lesson but it would be postponed.
Zatanna wasn't a boastful person, but she wasn't terribly humble either. She wasn't sure if she was a person with power as the king put it, but these dreams were too real to ignore. Zatanna had made up her mind last night. She had to tell Madam Xanadu of the dreams.
"I wish you had mentioned this sooner," Madam Xanadu said, her voice stern. The pair sat out on the balcony, enjoying the morning air.
"Sorry, I just didn't-"
"It is not your fault Zatanna, but this complicates things. "
"How?" Panic rose within Zatanna's voice. "What do you think will happen?"
"It seems that you have formed a bond with this being. It can use you as a gateway to this world."
"That's good! We need to get that girl out of there!"
"How do you know that she isn't using you?"
Zatanna narrowed her eyes and frowned. "You didn't see the look in her eyes."
"Okay. Calm down." Xanadu raised her hands in a placating gesture. "There is still the matter of what she claims is following her. It could catch a ride into this world with her."
"There has to be some type of defense right?"
"If we knew what we were dealing with… Are you certain that you do not remember anything else?"
"Nothing. I didn't even get her name. She kicked me out before I could ask her."
"Come." Xanadu stood." We will go to the library. Perhaps you will see something to jog your memory."
"I should get another dream right?" Zatanna stood as well. "Maybe I can ask some questions next time."
"Zatanna." Xanadu placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "You must promise me that you will no longer attempt to remove the child."
"But-"
"Promise me!"
"Why?" Zatanna shrugged off Xanadu's hand and stormed into the bedroom.
"Until we know more of what we are dealing with reacting impulsively is extremely dangerous." Xanadu pleaded chasing after the young woman. "Proper application of magic takes preparation. I know you know this."
Zatanna halted and shook. "I know that!" Zatanna exclaimed, her voice softened after the outburst. "But she's alone and scared. I know she came to me for a reason. What if I'm the only one who can help?"
Xanadu hugged the girl from behind."There are many demons known for making this kind of connection with humans. If she is not what she seems she will take your soul in exchange. If she is, then you still risk releasing whatever is keeping her captive." Xanadu sighed. "It is not that I don't trust your judgment or strength. Your instincts may be right. All the more reason to be certain that this demon is put down properly." Xanadu released the girl from her embrace."Come. We have a lot of ground to cover before breakfast."