Batman: Building a Legend #4

[spiritofvengeance]

Batman: Building a Legend #4
Magic Words

Written By: Daniel Dyer
Edited By: Mike Bowen


Friday night.
Bruce Wayne was having a rare night on the town with one of his best friends and college roommate, Harvey Dent. Harvey was majoring in law while Bruce seemingly couldn’t pick a major. Bruce was taking a wide variety of classes. Science, psychology, a law class here or there. One surprising class the millionaire took was acting. It was one of the few extra curriculars he took.

“I tell you, Bruce,” Harvey said as he patted his best friend on the back, “this guy is one of the best magicians on the planet.”

“Really, Harvey, I’m not into all that hocus pocus mumbo jumbo.”

“It’s not mumbo jumbo.” Harvey led Bruce into the theater. “This guy is one of the best illusionists around.”

“Illusionist,” stated Bruce. “That’s all it is, an illusion.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

On a rooftop across from the theater stood Drakon.

Wayne. Al Ghul thinks you are the promised one. He punished me because of you. Because I made myself known. Because I attacked your trainer. I’m through being punished and overlooked due to you. Drakon’s thoughts were dark, filled with vile and hate.

“Report,” the communicator said, interrupting Drakon’s thoughts.

“Wayne appears to be taking a night away from his studies and his training, Master,” Drakon replied. “He is seeing an illusionist. Giovanni Zatara.”

“The magician,” the communicator comments.

“Master?”

“Monitor him. Keep me appraised.”

A click was heard. Ra’s had apparently signed out.

“Yes, Master,” Dakon said through gritted teeth.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Giovanni John Zatara stood on the stage, wearing his black tuxedo and top hat, and feeling the hot lights shine on him. The man certainly had the audience eating out of his hands.

“Do you see that, Bruce?” questions Harvey.

Bruce claps his hands. “Yes, yes, very impressive trick.”

“No, I’m talking about his assistant. She can assist me anytime.”

Bruce, then looked down at the stage. A young woman, no older than Bruce or Harvey came out wearing a matching costume with fishnet stockings along her long legs.

“Cute,” was Bruce’s only response.

“Bruce...” started Harvey, “you’re... straight, right?”

To that Bruce raised an eyebrow.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

I felt his presence once he came backstage. There was something about him. A pain that was strong. A desire to put things right. His parents were lost to him, but the will to aid others, to make sure his mistake never happened again, was strong within him.

“How may I help you, Mr. Wayne?” asked Zatara, his back towards Bruce.

Bruce was taken aback for a moment. “You are quite the illusionist.”

He is not incorrect. My performances are illusions. My real power must only be used when needed.

“That is very polite of you, but don’t lie to be polite.” Zatara turns to face Bruce. “Call me John,” he said, extending his hand.

Bruce, shaking John’s hand, replied, “Lie?”

“It is obvious you were bored out of your mind, my boy.”

“Well...” Bruce put his hand behind his head, rubbing his neck.

“Forget about it. You’d like to learn the art?”

“How...?”

Zatara lays his top hat on a table. “My act may be an illusion, Mr. Wayne, but do not think I am a pretender.”

“Dad,” calls Zatara’s young assistant as she enters the room, then noticed Bruce. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”

“Quite alright.” John kisses his daughter on her forehead. “Bruce Wayne, meet Zatanna Zatara. My daughter.”

“My pleasure,” Bruce stated, kissing the back of Zatanna’s hand.
Zatanna giggles at that.

“Here.” John then gave Bruce a card. “Tomorrow night.”

Bruce looked down at the card and read an address. Then he hears, “Eb enog!”

When Bruce looked up from the card, he saw himself out front of the theater. “What...?”

Drakon watched Bruce appear from thin air. Once the shock faded, Drakon wondered, Where would you be without your teachers, Wayne? Would you still fulfill the prophesy?
A grin forms on Drakon’s face.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

The next night Bruce entered a nondescript building. As the young billionaire went inside, he saw the building was hollowed out with no furniture and no one else around.

“John!” calls out Bruce.

In response to Bruce’s call, Zatara appears from a cloud of smoke, wearing the same tux he wore at his performance, top hat and all.

“Showy,” Bruce said to himself.

“First and foremost I am a showman,” John told him as he took off his hat. “Got to make an entrance, my boy.”

“And what was that last night?”

“That, young Mr. Wayne, was me proving my authenticity.”

Bruce stepped closer. “You want me to believe you’re some kind of... mage?”

“One of the Homo Magi, to be more accurate,” answered the magician. “My act, however, is just that, an act. And I believe the act, is what you seek to learn, correct?”

“Yes, I believe certain abilities could aid me in...”

“Shhh,” Zatara hushed the young man, “someone watches. Enon yam retne tub nik or Enyaw!” shouted the Homo Magi.

After the incantation was uttered, a wave of light shot from Zatara, spreading out of the building.

“Now, shall we begin, undisturbed?”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

The young Mr. Wayne met with me every night for a month so far. His main focus was the escape. He picked it up readily. I also taught him how to appear seemingly from thin air. Zatanna helped in the teachings. She has yet to achieve my skill, but I know... one day... after I’m gone, she will more than surpass me, in illusions and as a Homo Magi. She is meant for greater things than me.
In the past month I believe Wayne began to fall for Zatanna... and my daughter had certainly taken a liking to him. I know what the papers spout about Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy. I also know the man I’ve been training isn’t the playboy Gotham seems to think he is. I would be proud to have my daughter be with such an upstanding young man.

“Very good, Bruce,” Zatanna clapped as Bruce had just fell from where he was suspended, free from the locks that held him.

Bruce gets up, rubbing his back. “My back may disagree with you.”

“Not the smoothest landing, my boy,” Zatara spoke up, “but you did free yourself. You are doing good. Soon, you may no longer need me.”

As Bruce smiled, Zatanna looked to the floor.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Outside, Drakon crouched on a rooftop, overlooking the warehouse.
It’s been a month, thinks the assassin, and I am unable to even touch that warehouse. The mage did something. I can’t do anything... Drakon’s thoughts were halted as he saw Bruce and Zatanna leave the warehouse. Maybe I can discourage the teacher another way.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

“You’ll be leaving soon, won’t you?” inquired Zatanna.

“I live in Gotham,” was Bruce’s response.

“To further your training, I mean.”

Bruce looks away. “Yes,” was all he said.

Zatanna turns Bruce’s face back to her. “I knew this day would come. The moment I met you, I felt that you had a destiny. Far beyond this performer’s life. I’ll miss you,” and she kisses Bruce.

“Awww,” was heard from in front of them.

The lovers turned and saw Drakon, twirling a bo staff.

“Bruce, who is this?”

“Stay back!” Bruce ordered.

“You have affection for this one? Makes it all the more worthwhile.”

“What do you want?”

“What will be handed to you,” was Drakon’s answer as he charged at Bruce.

Bruce stood in a fighting stance, ready for attack.

“Eb llits!” was Zatanna’s command.

Bruce was shocked as Drakon froze in place.

“You...”

“Like Homo Sapiens, you are Homo Magi by birth. Now,” she turned to Drakon, “what is your purpose here?”

Drakon said nothing.

“Kaeps!”

Drakon wanted to fight it, but it was pointless. “To stop Wayne’s training. To prevent his destiny.”

“Why?” asked Bruce.

“It is my destiny! MINE!” Drakon screamed as he managed to move his hand enough to through a smoke bomb at Zatanna’s head.
The bomb went off in Zee’s face, causing her to lose consciousness and drop to the ground, freeing Drakon.

Bruce charged the assassin, only to have Drakon step to the side and trip him. “You don’t even have a fraction of my skill, Wayne. Please, stay down.”

He then turned to the unconscious Zatanna. “This will be fun.”

“Leave her alone!” screamed Bruce as he jumped on Drakon’s back.

Drakon flipped Bruce, slamming him to the ground. “Killing you I may not do. There would be too much attention to that, but I will kill your girlfriend.”

And when Drakon turned back, he saw past Zatanna, a dozen warriors on the surrounding rooftops. All members of the League of Assassins. One assassin, a man in a dark yellow and brown costume, a half cowl covering his face dropped down from a rooftop.

“Stand down, Drakon.”

“Shrike,” Drakon spat out.

“Cease or face execution,” Shrike said.

Bruce could only watch.

Drakon was too smart to face the warriors before him. “I will cease, Brother Shrike.”

“You are no longer a brother assassin, Drakon,” Shrike informed. “You went against the Master’s orders. Be thankful you are only dismissed. Interfere again and believe me, you will receive a lot worse.”

The two assassins stare at each other for long minutes, until Drakon turns and begins to walk off. “Pray we do not meet again, Shrike.”

As Bruce got to his feet, Drakon, Shrike, and all the rest of the assassins were already gone.

“Zatanna,” he said rushing to her side.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Zatanna’s now resting in her room. Bruce has shown great concern for her. More concern than for himself. He was willing to die for her. He cares and I know what he must do will hurt him.

“I...”

“I know, son. Going to say good-bye to her?”

“I... can’t.”

Zatara placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “It would mean a lot to her.”

“Give her this when she wakes up.” Bruce hands him a note. “If I see her face again, I’m not sure I could leave her.”

Zatara took the note. “I understand.”

“I do care for her.”

“I know, son, and so does she.” Zatara grinned as Bruce left.

There goes a man with a great burden. Is road will be long and hard. I don’t know this because of some magical gift. No, I know because he wants to become some larger than himself. He wants to better himself. I know he will. Yes, he will certainly become a legend that walks among men. Nothing but greatness could await such a man. I feel it in my bones. Godspeed, Bruce Wayne.

To Be Continued...