Post by C_Miller on Jan 24, 2012 18:27:24 GMT -5
Ever After pt.2
Stunned silence filled Zatanna’s head as she stared after the tree in the door and dwarves. The noise behind her was all but forgotten. The party raged on. Or off. She wasn’t quite sure how long the calm would be maintained. Just the door in the tree. . . And dwarves. “Oh I’m kicking Grumpy’s ass.”
She took a single step out. Or at least tried to. Her foot was frozen in place. She applied more force behind the leg movement but it remained firmly in place until she lost her balance and went face first into an invisible wall.
As if the dwarves didn’t make it obvious that magic was involved, Zatanna now knew without a doubt that someone, correction, something pulled at strings. Her first thought went to Ligur but this didn’t quite feel like his style… even if there had been that funhouse.
Zatanna pushed herself off the wall, calmly, coolly. “Elbisivni llaw hsinav.” Sure of herself, she ran smack dab into the wall a second time.
Chuckling sounded behind her, almost childlike gleeful laughter yet with a sinister musical cadence behind it. “Invisible wall vanish?” the tone kept the rhythm of the chuckle. “Maybe you should try ‘Go away barrier.’ First one might as well have been a double negative.”
Spinning on the heel of her foot, Zatanna forgot about the heel of her stiletto and nearly became unbalanced for a second time that night. This was ridiculous. Made all the more so by the appearance of a beautiful, no… beautiful was not powerful enough to describe the woman. With golden tresses and a gown of jade, she looked like she had stepped out of yet another grim fairy tale. The stunned silence returned to Zatanna’s head.
The woman registered her reaction with a sneer. “This is it?” a roll of brilliantly glowing eyes, “Amazing. Simply amazing.”
“Ligur?” Zatanna finally managed to stutter, looking past the woman to find the scenery of the party frozen in place.
“Dim one, aren’t you? No wonder…” golden tresses shook in disbelief. “There are more magical threats and beings in this universe than that buffoon. In fact,” she tilted her perfectly pointed chin in thought, “he’s probably quite low on the totem pole if I had to say so myself.”
“Who are you?”
“Hmm,” she spread her arms wide and summoned to her side came James, a dimwitted grin plastered on his face. She caressed his cheek with long fingers, perfectly manicured. “You may call me Enchantress for now.”
“Enchantress.”
“Yes.”
“Original…”
“It is, isn’t it?” how could her every move be musical. Almost like she had her own theme music.
“Why are you doing this?” Zatanna asked, buying for time as she tried think of a way out of the situation. It was obvious from the getgo ‘Enchantress’ held the advantage. This was her playing field. A game of her choosing.
“Do I need a reason?” Enchantress allowed James to kiss her check then sent him away with a wave. “You amuse me is all. Your entire family. So much fun to be had. Just the other week…” she shook her to clear the glassiness of memory from her vibrant eyes. “Nevermind that.”
“Revoc reh ni samalf!”
“Never you mind that either,” the flames never appeared. “Enough. You are far too dimwitted to stop me so we shall have a gamble. I have given seven people at this party the gift of their dreams. Or, well, what they dream to be. You have an hour to find and cure them all of this enchantment or your friend…”
“Julie!”
“Yes, Julie. You have an hour before those cute little dwarves will slit her helpless throat.”
Zatanna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine.”
“Of course w—“ The Enchantress faltered over her haughtiness for an instant. “What? I expected more of a fight.”
“No sense in fighting. Lets play.”
“Hmm. Maybe you have potential after all.”
The party roared back to life. Literally, ROARED, back to life. She heard the howl of a wolf and the screams of the party goers. Zatanna wasted no time. “Tuo fo ym yaw!” a path in the chaos parted to reveal Little Red Riding Hood fleeing from a monstrous beast… the same guy that had been staring at Zee all night except now he was under Enchantress’s enchantment.
The wolf growled, knocking people out of his way as he sought out Red Riding Hood but then a blur was prying his jaws apart, keeping them from a terrified maid. It was the Vampiric doorman except now he had perfect hair, chiseled features, and marble like skin. “Run Bella!” he screamed over his shoulder at… at Zatanna?
“You have got to be kidding me.”
‘Edward’ and ‘Jacob’ rolled around, the former trying his damnedest to not harm the wolf. Zee shook her head and at this point, noticed people were becoming less terrified. They seemed to think it was all a show. “Elttes nwod!”
For a second, both men stopped and the wolf literally settled down on his haunches and stared at her through long lashes. “Tnmtnahcne esaeler.” The only thing her words released was the wolf. He charged away, free to chase after his meal. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Bella,” the vampire was at her side, her chin cupped in his hand. Zatanna looked up into golden eyes and felt a hiccup in her heart. “I’m sorry. Did I frighten you?”
“No.” She guessed a handsome man-boy who sparkled would probably be far easier for her to handle than Dracula.
“Bella,” his silky breath rushed across her neck. Such a rich intoxicating scent. “You should hate me. You shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous.”
Zatanna’s mind raced as she tried figure out how to free him from the enchantment and ultimately, she came to only one conclusion. And that conclusion made her happy no one was around to know her dirty little secret. “I’ll marry you.”
A look of complete bliss shifted his features and then Zatanna felt the snap of magic releasing him from its grip. “Hey, marriage is a bit much but I’ll gladly—“
A look silenced him, a band of tape across his mouth. Okay… that was new. She didn’t debate on its meaning for long. “Flow.” An arrow appeared on Zee’s hand pointing towards a closet door. She ran without hesitating and threw the door open to reveal… a forest.
The Big Bad Wolf had Little Red Riding Hood cornered in the hollow of a tree. The screams were bloody, her limbs pulled close. No hesitation. Zee pointed at the Wolf. “Eldoodarbal!!” The beast transformed into the cute ‘ittle doggy. Unfortunately, he still tried to bite Red Riding Hood except now he could fit into the tree.
“Crap,” holding out her hand again, she summoned an axe with a single utterance of “Exa!” She charged, swinging it at the pup, catching him with the flat of the blade and knocking him across the woods like a golfball.
Like before, the scene shifted with an audible magical snap. The forest had returned to the closet. The Big Bad Wolf was back to Creepy Leering Boy except with giant bump on his head and Red Riding Hood was – well she was still screaming. Zatanna glanced at what she held in her hands, seemingly realizing for the first time that it could be perceived as a threat. “Peels,” she whispered reflexively.
Her hand reached for the closet door but before she opened it, she cast one more glance back at wolf-boy who was groggily coming too. Probably wouldn’t be the best bet to leave him alone with Red Riding Hood without a precaution. “Elitcere noitcnufsyd.”
Door open.
Door closed, Zatanna backing away as fireball ate at its frame.
“I’ll get you my pretty,” cackled an old hag’s voice, “And your little dog too!”
Zatanna peeked through the ball sized hole in the door to see the Wicked Witch of the West looking hideous as always with her legs crossed over a flying broom. She saw far too much of hair that really needed to be shaved. Another fireball sent the door to splinters and Zee without any protection. The party goers cheered like this was one hell of a show.
Well… it worked once.
““Eldoodarbal!!” Creepy-Leering-Boy was back in puppy form and full of pumped up energy. “Go boy!” She pointed at the witch and felt like she drew on magic without meaning too. He hopped over the broken framework with a bouncing step and leapt at the witch.
Another audible crack of magic, this time witch and the boy were rolling around the filthy floor, making out like they were cast in a porn movie. Zatanna still saw far too much leg from the witch but the costume had changed. Zee recognized her as a slutty, prissy sorority sister that made Julie look downright chaste. Ugh. Not even wearing any underwear. Well, the pair would realize soon enough how useless he horndog would be if they went any further. Probably scar the kid for life.
The thought of Julie had Zee summon a watch unconsciously to replace the axe in her hands, once again realizing that this was not normal yet not registering it. Forty-seven minutes to go. Not bad. Over halfway done. But… she scanned the crowd, ignoring the hooting and hollering of the college guys watching the pair on the ground. Damn. She couldn’t see anyone out of place.
Okay, breathe Zatanna Zatara. You can do this. You have been doing this.
Working backwards, she fought to think of who was missing but how in the world could she be expected to keep track of every costumed party-goer? Her heels clacked against glass almost in answer. Goggles. Booster Gold… Well, she personally preferred Kaldur. Besides that, how the hell was she supposed to know what Booster wanted?
“Retsoob,” watch transformed itself into three dimensional compass, pointing upstairs. Zatanna followed the line of the arrow to see it vanish into an attik off the second floor. Wonderful. She just betted that it would be another reality shift. She really don’t to want find herself as the star of the Brave and the Bold. Had to be embarrassing enough with Batwoman… Just imagining what they’d do to her in this outfit…
She shivered and took the steps two at a time before almost breaking an ankle in the damn heels. Then she was walking on air, on cloud nine, each step somewhere between an inch and foot away from the nearest flat surface. By the time she was at the top and near the attic hatch, there was no need to stretch to reach the string and pull it down. Grab and yank. Steps flipped down automatically and she heard the sounds of the world ending above her.
Yep. Magnificent Magician Zatara starring in this Season’s Brave and the Bold.
There was Booster Gold, startling in his glory, standing not alone but not the standard cast. She didn’t recognize any of them except for the guy in the red and blue with the S-Shield. He spared Zee the briefest of looks then pointed up at the sky. Above them swirled an alien invasion. “Arrived just in time Zatanna,” Booster laughed cockily. She re. “The League needs us.”
Open mouthed, Zatanna watched one of the men next to Booster, wearing a cowl and a cape, reminding her of Batwoman except definitely Male. Her eyes ran over what she could see not covered by that cape, yep. Definitely male. He hopped into a waiting bat-themed jet.
“League?”
“What’s wrong with you?” asked a disbelieving Booster. “This isn’t our first invasion. Come on, use that fancy magic of yours and turn them into doves.”
Superman flew straight at the heart of the enemy fleet, leaving Zee alone with Booster as he was followed by a hawk-woman and a glowing green man. They swung at saucers, crashing them into each other. The city crumbled around them. Heroes flew above, fighting with the strength of desperation, to defend the screaming civilians below.
What.
The.
Hell?
Just how strong was Enchantress’s magic? Just how was she supposed to give Booster Gold what he wanted? What the hell was the “League?”
Stunned silence filled Zatanna’s head as she stared after the tree in the door and dwarves. The noise behind her was all but forgotten. The party raged on. Or off. She wasn’t quite sure how long the calm would be maintained. Just the door in the tree. . . And dwarves. “Oh I’m kicking Grumpy’s ass.”
She took a single step out. Or at least tried to. Her foot was frozen in place. She applied more force behind the leg movement but it remained firmly in place until she lost her balance and went face first into an invisible wall.
As if the dwarves didn’t make it obvious that magic was involved, Zatanna now knew without a doubt that someone, correction, something pulled at strings. Her first thought went to Ligur but this didn’t quite feel like his style… even if there had been that funhouse.
Zatanna pushed herself off the wall, calmly, coolly. “Elbisivni llaw hsinav.” Sure of herself, she ran smack dab into the wall a second time.
Chuckling sounded behind her, almost childlike gleeful laughter yet with a sinister musical cadence behind it. “Invisible wall vanish?” the tone kept the rhythm of the chuckle. “Maybe you should try ‘Go away barrier.’ First one might as well have been a double negative.”
Spinning on the heel of her foot, Zatanna forgot about the heel of her stiletto and nearly became unbalanced for a second time that night. This was ridiculous. Made all the more so by the appearance of a beautiful, no… beautiful was not powerful enough to describe the woman. With golden tresses and a gown of jade, she looked like she had stepped out of yet another grim fairy tale. The stunned silence returned to Zatanna’s head.
The woman registered her reaction with a sneer. “This is it?” a roll of brilliantly glowing eyes, “Amazing. Simply amazing.”
“Ligur?” Zatanna finally managed to stutter, looking past the woman to find the scenery of the party frozen in place.
“Dim one, aren’t you? No wonder…” golden tresses shook in disbelief. “There are more magical threats and beings in this universe than that buffoon. In fact,” she tilted her perfectly pointed chin in thought, “he’s probably quite low on the totem pole if I had to say so myself.”
“Who are you?”
“Hmm,” she spread her arms wide and summoned to her side came James, a dimwitted grin plastered on his face. She caressed his cheek with long fingers, perfectly manicured. “You may call me Enchantress for now.”
“Enchantress.”
“Yes.”
“Original…”
“It is, isn’t it?” how could her every move be musical. Almost like she had her own theme music.
“Why are you doing this?” Zatanna asked, buying for time as she tried think of a way out of the situation. It was obvious from the getgo ‘Enchantress’ held the advantage. This was her playing field. A game of her choosing.
“Do I need a reason?” Enchantress allowed James to kiss her check then sent him away with a wave. “You amuse me is all. Your entire family. So much fun to be had. Just the other week…” she shook her to clear the glassiness of memory from her vibrant eyes. “Nevermind that.”
“Revoc reh ni samalf!”
“Never you mind that either,” the flames never appeared. “Enough. You are far too dimwitted to stop me so we shall have a gamble. I have given seven people at this party the gift of their dreams. Or, well, what they dream to be. You have an hour to find and cure them all of this enchantment or your friend…”
“Julie!”
“Yes, Julie. You have an hour before those cute little dwarves will slit her helpless throat.”
Zatanna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine.”
“Of course w—“ The Enchantress faltered over her haughtiness for an instant. “What? I expected more of a fight.”
“No sense in fighting. Lets play.”
“Hmm. Maybe you have potential after all.”
The party roared back to life. Literally, ROARED, back to life. She heard the howl of a wolf and the screams of the party goers. Zatanna wasted no time. “Tuo fo ym yaw!” a path in the chaos parted to reveal Little Red Riding Hood fleeing from a monstrous beast… the same guy that had been staring at Zee all night except now he was under Enchantress’s enchantment.
The wolf growled, knocking people out of his way as he sought out Red Riding Hood but then a blur was prying his jaws apart, keeping them from a terrified maid. It was the Vampiric doorman except now he had perfect hair, chiseled features, and marble like skin. “Run Bella!” he screamed over his shoulder at… at Zatanna?
“You have got to be kidding me.”
‘Edward’ and ‘Jacob’ rolled around, the former trying his damnedest to not harm the wolf. Zee shook her head and at this point, noticed people were becoming less terrified. They seemed to think it was all a show. “Elttes nwod!”
For a second, both men stopped and the wolf literally settled down on his haunches and stared at her through long lashes. “Tnmtnahcne esaeler.” The only thing her words released was the wolf. He charged away, free to chase after his meal. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Bella,” the vampire was at her side, her chin cupped in his hand. Zatanna looked up into golden eyes and felt a hiccup in her heart. “I’m sorry. Did I frighten you?”
“No.” She guessed a handsome man-boy who sparkled would probably be far easier for her to handle than Dracula.
“Bella,” his silky breath rushed across her neck. Such a rich intoxicating scent. “You should hate me. You shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous.”
Zatanna’s mind raced as she tried figure out how to free him from the enchantment and ultimately, she came to only one conclusion. And that conclusion made her happy no one was around to know her dirty little secret. “I’ll marry you.”
A look of complete bliss shifted his features and then Zatanna felt the snap of magic releasing him from its grip. “Hey, marriage is a bit much but I’ll gladly—“
A look silenced him, a band of tape across his mouth. Okay… that was new. She didn’t debate on its meaning for long. “Flow.” An arrow appeared on Zee’s hand pointing towards a closet door. She ran without hesitating and threw the door open to reveal… a forest.
The Big Bad Wolf had Little Red Riding Hood cornered in the hollow of a tree. The screams were bloody, her limbs pulled close. No hesitation. Zee pointed at the Wolf. “Eldoodarbal!!” The beast transformed into the cute ‘ittle doggy. Unfortunately, he still tried to bite Red Riding Hood except now he could fit into the tree.
“Crap,” holding out her hand again, she summoned an axe with a single utterance of “Exa!” She charged, swinging it at the pup, catching him with the flat of the blade and knocking him across the woods like a golfball.
Like before, the scene shifted with an audible magical snap. The forest had returned to the closet. The Big Bad Wolf was back to Creepy Leering Boy except with giant bump on his head and Red Riding Hood was – well she was still screaming. Zatanna glanced at what she held in her hands, seemingly realizing for the first time that it could be perceived as a threat. “Peels,” she whispered reflexively.
Her hand reached for the closet door but before she opened it, she cast one more glance back at wolf-boy who was groggily coming too. Probably wouldn’t be the best bet to leave him alone with Red Riding Hood without a precaution. “Elitcere noitcnufsyd.”
Door open.
Door closed, Zatanna backing away as fireball ate at its frame.
“I’ll get you my pretty,” cackled an old hag’s voice, “And your little dog too!”
Zatanna peeked through the ball sized hole in the door to see the Wicked Witch of the West looking hideous as always with her legs crossed over a flying broom. She saw far too much of hair that really needed to be shaved. Another fireball sent the door to splinters and Zee without any protection. The party goers cheered like this was one hell of a show.
Well… it worked once.
““Eldoodarbal!!” Creepy-Leering-Boy was back in puppy form and full of pumped up energy. “Go boy!” She pointed at the witch and felt like she drew on magic without meaning too. He hopped over the broken framework with a bouncing step and leapt at the witch.
Another audible crack of magic, this time witch and the boy were rolling around the filthy floor, making out like they were cast in a porn movie. Zatanna still saw far too much leg from the witch but the costume had changed. Zee recognized her as a slutty, prissy sorority sister that made Julie look downright chaste. Ugh. Not even wearing any underwear. Well, the pair would realize soon enough how useless he horndog would be if they went any further. Probably scar the kid for life.
The thought of Julie had Zee summon a watch unconsciously to replace the axe in her hands, once again realizing that this was not normal yet not registering it. Forty-seven minutes to go. Not bad. Over halfway done. But… she scanned the crowd, ignoring the hooting and hollering of the college guys watching the pair on the ground. Damn. She couldn’t see anyone out of place.
Okay, breathe Zatanna Zatara. You can do this. You have been doing this.
Working backwards, she fought to think of who was missing but how in the world could she be expected to keep track of every costumed party-goer? Her heels clacked against glass almost in answer. Goggles. Booster Gold… Well, she personally preferred Kaldur. Besides that, how the hell was she supposed to know what Booster wanted?
“Retsoob,” watch transformed itself into three dimensional compass, pointing upstairs. Zatanna followed the line of the arrow to see it vanish into an attik off the second floor. Wonderful. She just betted that it would be another reality shift. She really don’t to want find herself as the star of the Brave and the Bold. Had to be embarrassing enough with Batwoman… Just imagining what they’d do to her in this outfit…
She shivered and took the steps two at a time before almost breaking an ankle in the damn heels. Then she was walking on air, on cloud nine, each step somewhere between an inch and foot away from the nearest flat surface. By the time she was at the top and near the attic hatch, there was no need to stretch to reach the string and pull it down. Grab and yank. Steps flipped down automatically and she heard the sounds of the world ending above her.
Yep. Magnificent Magician Zatara starring in this Season’s Brave and the Bold.
There was Booster Gold, startling in his glory, standing not alone but not the standard cast. She didn’t recognize any of them except for the guy in the red and blue with the S-Shield. He spared Zee the briefest of looks then pointed up at the sky. Above them swirled an alien invasion. “Arrived just in time Zatanna,” Booster laughed cockily. She re. “The League needs us.”
Open mouthed, Zatanna watched one of the men next to Booster, wearing a cowl and a cape, reminding her of Batwoman except definitely Male. Her eyes ran over what she could see not covered by that cape, yep. Definitely male. He hopped into a waiting bat-themed jet.
“League?”
“What’s wrong with you?” asked a disbelieving Booster. “This isn’t our first invasion. Come on, use that fancy magic of yours and turn them into doves.”
Superman flew straight at the heart of the enemy fleet, leaving Zee alone with Booster as he was followed by a hawk-woman and a glowing green man. They swung at saucers, crashing them into each other. The city crumbled around them. Heroes flew above, fighting with the strength of desperation, to defend the screaming civilians below.
What.
The.
Hell?
Just how strong was Enchantress’s magic? Just how was she supposed to give Booster Gold what he wanted? What the hell was the “League?”