Chapter 31:  Dane meet Zatana

On this day, Dane took Diana to a circus.

Ever since Diana had caught the faint scent of roses lingering on him a few nights ago, she'd been unusually cold toward him. Her subtle but pointed demeanor left Dane confused.

Currently, Earth was relatively calm—no crises, no monsters, and no intergalactic threats. Still, the Justice League members were keeping themselves occupied in their own ways.

Clark spent his days stationed near low-earth orbit, absorbing solar energy like clockwork. Word had it he'd recently mastered his freezing breath, steadily advancing to the iconic powers he'd wield years later in Man of Steel.

Batman, taking Dane's advice, was scouring the globe for Constantine. Tracking a magic-user like Constantine, however, was no simple task.

Meanwhile, Jason had turned Gotham into his personal battlefield, wiping out entire gangs with ruthless efficiency. The few survivors whispered horror stories of his brutality.

Word on the street was that Jason was currently outwitting the Penguin and Two-Face. Gotham's criminals now looked back fondly on Batman—the Dark Knight, at least, never went straight for the kill.

Barbara, having chosen not to join the JL yet, returned to Gotham to focus on rehabilitation. With Nightwing by her side, sparks of their old romance seemed to be reigniting.

Diana, as mentioned earlier, seems to be in a bad mood lately, and She'd destroyed three training grounds in as many days, and even Poison Ivy, usually provocative, had dialed back her antics around her.

Dane knew something had to be done. If this continued, the Hall of Justice might never be finished. To ease the tension, he decided to take Diana out for a change of pace.

Diana eyed him skeptically as they approached the stage. "With our abilities, are magic shows really worth watching?

When I first came to human society, I enjoyed them," she continued. "But after a few performances, the novelty wore off."

"Today's magician is Zatanna," Dane said with a grin. "I used to catch her shows on TV. She's different."

Diana frowned. "I doubt her magic is truly magic."

Dane chuckled. "The performance is just part of the reason we're here. If she really is a magician, it wouldn't hurt to make her acquaintance. Better still, maybe we can recruit her for the JL."

Diana raised an eyebrow, her voice softening in a way that made Dane feel nervous. "I thought you were taking me out for fun."

The temperature around him seemed to drop inexplicably, and he stiffened. Wait, I'm a god—?

"Well… yes," Dane stammered. "Making friends is secondary. The main reason is to help you unwind."

"Hmph."

Diana said no more and turned her attention to the stage.

On stage, a young woman in her mid-twenties stepped gracefully from behind the curtain.

She wore a striking, modified fishnet tuxedo with a tailored blazer adorned with a red rose. A top hat perched perfectly atop her dark curls, and a sleek cane rested lightly in her hand.

Diana's gaze briefly shifted to Zatanna's attire, then to the crowd around her. She couldn't help but notice the deafening cheers.

She narrowed her eyes. Are they here to watch magic, or something else entirely?

"Hello, everyone! My name is Zatanna. Thank you all for coming to my show..."

The crowd's cheers grew louder, nearly overwhelming her voice. Zatanna, unfazed, raised her cane, twirling it with practiced elegance.

The uproar suddenly ceased, as if someone had pressed the mute button.

Diana straightened in her seat, her attention now fully focused. Dane might have been right about this one.

The show began with smaller tricks—sleight of hand and flashy illusions—each performed with theatrical flair. Then, Zatanna snapped her fingers, and the lights in the arena flickered out.

Before anyone could react, the lights came back on, revealing three majestic lions standing in the center of the stage.

The lions shook their manes and let out thunderous roars, their presence as real as the audience's gasps of astonishment.

Summoning three massive creatures in less than a second was no mere sleight of hand—it was extraordinary.

Zatanna gave a playful flick of her cane, and the lions rose into the air, floating as if weightless. They glided effortlessly, as if tethered by invisible strings.

"She's a real magician," Diana murmured, her tone laced with intrigue.

Though she was the daughter of the Old Gods and no stranger to wonders, Diana had never witnessed a magic show quite like this. For the first time in days, she seemed genuinely captivated.

Dane, observing her interest, let out a quiet sigh of relief. If nothing else, this outing had been worth it just to see Diana's mood improve.

The performance lasted over an hour, extended by the crowd's enthusiastic demands for encores. Zatanna graciously returned to the stage multiple times, ending each act with something even more spectacular.

Finally, when the curtains closed for the last time, Zatanna retreated to her dressing room to catch her breath.

As the audience began to disperse, Dane turned to Diana.

"I'm going to see if I can meet her backstage. Want to join me?"

Diana shook her head with a soft smile. "No, I'll head back to train. Don't worry, I'll be careful this time."

Dane grinned. "It's not the training I'm worried about. It's the damage to the building's structure. I'll work on getting you a sturdier one soon."

With a flick of his hand, he opened a portal, letting Diana step through.

He then made his way backstage. After navigating the usual resistance with a well-placed donation, Dane found himself outside Zatanna's lounge.

He knocked politely on the door.

"Who is it?" came a voice from inside.

The door creaked open to reveal Zatanna, her hat off and her hair slightly tousled. She regarded him curiously.

"Who are you looking for?"

Dane smiled. "I'm looking for you, Zatanna Zatara."

Zatanna's eyes narrowed at the mention of her surname, Zatara. It was a name known only to a select few—those well-versed in the magical world.

Her voice carried a wary edge as she asked, "Who are you?" Her free hand gripped her cane tightly, ready for anything.

"I'm Dane Davis, a member of the Justice League," he replied calmly.

Zatanna frowned. "Justice League? Never heard of it."

Dane offered a small smile. "Perhaps I should use another title. I'm the Keeper of the Rock of Eternity, the heir to the Wizard Council, and the new Shazam."

Zatanna's expression shifted from skepticism to surprise. "Shazam? You're the Shazam?"

Coming from an ancient magical lineage, Zatanna was well aware of the legends surrounding the Rock of Eternity and its guardian, Shazam.

Still, she hesitated. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Dane chuckled lightly and gestured toward the ceiling of her lounge. His magic shimmered as the roof transformed, revealing the clear night sky above.

"You know Shazam's powers, don't you?" he said.

As Zatanna watched, the serene sky turned turbulent. Clouds gathered in an instant, swirling ominously as lightning flickered within them. A crack of thunder roared through the air.

Startled, Zatanna rushed outside. Standing beneath the darkened sky, she confirmed it wasn't an illusion. The sunny day had vanished, replaced by a storm brewing at Dane's command.

"Can you really summon storms at will?" she asked, still in awe.

Dane smiled and performed a playful bow. "The weather today is entirely your choice, Miss Zatanna. Shall it rain, or would you prefer the sun?"

Her lips curled into a smile. "A sunny day sounds much better."

Dane straightened and snapped his fingers, mimicking her earlier gesture during the performance.

Zatanna flushed slightly, realizing he was teasing her. She shot him a playful glare, but the storm obeyed. The clouds dissipated as quickly as they had appeared, revealing the sun once more.

Seeing this undeniable display of power, Zatanna no longer doubted his claim. This was Shazam—a true demigod.

Her gaze flicked over Dane. His confident posture, his composed demeanor, and yes, even his appearance—everything about him exuded power and charisma.

"Miss Zatanna," Dane said, his voice steady, "I'm here to invite you to join the Justice League."

Zatanna raised an eyebrow, but her curiosity was piqued. "And where would we discuss this? The street doesn't seem very private."

Dane nodded, scanning their surroundings. "Fair point. Let's go somewhere quieter."

Before she could protest. The place around them chanaged, and Zatanna found herself in a place she had only read about—the Rock of Eternity.

Except, it was nothing like she imagined.

Gone was the eerie, ancient atmosphere she had expected. Instead, the space radiated with futuristic elegance. Soft, white light emanated from glowing stones and magical arrays, illuminating the hall in a warm glow.

The architecture resembled a utopian masterpiece—a vision straight out of the sixth dimension. Zatanna turned in awe, marveling at the blend of magic and advanced design.

At the far end of the hall stood seven ancient stone thrones, their presence starkly contrasting the modern surroundings.

"This is... the Rock of Eternity?" she whispered.

Dane nodded. "It is. I've made a few upgrades. No rule says a magical shrine can't be comfortable or stylish."

Zatanna's gaze lingered on the thrones. She recognized them from ancient texts—the Seven Thrones of the Wizard Council.

"They're real," she said, her voice tinged with reverence.

"They are," Dane replied. "And soon, I hope, this place will serve as a meeting ground for a new council. A team to protect this world—and beyond."

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