Inside a bar in New York, hidden behind the stage of a magic show, two bursts of black mist appeared without warning.
Zatanna Zatara stood at her mirror, applying makeup. The moment she sensed the surge of unfamiliar magic, her body tensed. She turned sharply toward the disturbance, eyes narrowing with caution.
Booster Gold raised both hands with a casual smile when he met her gaze.
"Easy, no misunderstanding needed. I mean no harm. The woman beside me might look rough, but appearances can be deceiving. Beneath all that dirt, she is not exactly unpleasant to look at."
"Shut your mouth."
Zatanna flicked her finger. Instantly, Booster Gold's lips sealed tight.
She exhaled, then looked toward the Witch, her tone soft but guarded.
"I have been under a lot of pressure lately, so I may be a bit on edge. Regardless of why you are here, I am not interested. I will not be involved."
She gestured toward the exit, preparing a reverse speech spell to force them out.
Before she could finish, the Witch moved.
A gray mist spread as the Witch stepped forward and clamped a hand over Zatanna's mouth, cutting off her spell before it could form.
Zatanna frowned. Her eyes glowed faint purple.
If something as simple as blocking her voice could stop a magician of the Zatara line, their name would hold no weight.
Magic surged.
The tent warped instantly into a zero gravity field. Space twisted, and the three figures began shifting unpredictably through short bursts of teleportation.
Booster Gold waved his hands quickly. Golden letters formed in the air.
"We know about your father!"
Zatanna froze.
Her eyes widened. She raised her hand and stopped the teleportation mid effect. Then she pointed directly at Booster Gold.
Once the Witch's grip loosened slightly, Zatanna forced out a breath.
"Talk."
Booster Gold exhaled in relief.
"Zatanna Zatara, we have information about your father. But it is not free. We need your help."
He activated the jets on his boots and floated closer.
"Alright, you can let her go now."
The Witch shot him an irritated look before releasing Zatanna.
It was not hesitation. She simply remembered too clearly how this man had nearly killed her and the body she inhabited days ago. Still, she had to admit, controlling someone by silencing them like this felt satisfying.
Zatanna wasted no time. She waved her hand.
"Do not touch me."
A faint magical barrier shimmered around her.
Then she fixed her gaze on Booster Gold.
"Explain. Why do you have information about my father, and what exactly do you want in return?"
"Because we are ARGUS."
Booster Gold smiled slightly.
"You know what that means. A government agency built to monitor and manage metahumans. Our intelligence network is not limited. Your father vanished, yes, but that does not make him impossible to investigate."
Zatanna stepped forward.
"Then prove it. Tell me where he is. Tell me what happened to him. Or at least explain what caused his disappearance. And while you are at it, tell me about the so called Great Evil Beast. I have searched for days and found nothing."
She folded her arms.
"You do not have to reveal everything. Just enough to prove you are not lying. Then we can talk."
Booster Gold shook his head.
"Not happening. For someone like you, one piece of truth is enough to unravel everything. So no, not a word unless you agree to our terms."
Zatanna's expression hardened.
"Yes, you will."
Her lips moved.
"Be honest. Obey."
The spell took hold instantly.
"Tell me everything you know about my father."
"Alright."
Booster Gold's eyes widened slightly, then he smirked.
"I know nothing. Not a single detail. Amanda Waller made sure of that. She expected something like this, so she told me absolutely nothing. Not even your father's name."
Zatanna clicked her tongue in frustration.
"Then answer this. Does ARGUS actually have information about him?"
Booster Gold hesitated.
"I cannot say for certain. I am from fifteen hundred years in the future. Most of your era exists as incomplete records or myths where I come from. Only a few figures leave lasting traces."
He shrugged.
"But ARGUS still exists in my time. Any organization that survives that long has to know a lot."
Zatanna studied him carefully.
"Another time traveler. Like the one from that night."
She narrowed her eyes.
"But the only disturbance I felt was a week ago."
Booster Gold waved his hand.
"I have been here twelve years. ARGUS found me almost immediately after I arrived. I never even got the chance to meet a younger Superman or Batman before they recruited me."
Zatanna gave him a brief, sympathetic look, then shook her head.
"That does not change anything. I do not work with government agencies. That was my father's rule, and I intend to keep it."
"Wait."
Booster Gold leaned forward slightly.
"You should at least hear the full situation."
He gestured toward the Witch.
"While we came to find you, Doctor Fate and his allies have already gone to recruit others. Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, even Shazam."
Zatanna's expression shifted slightly.
Booster Gold continued.
"Our target is Wraith. ARGUS cannot tolerate his existence."
He paused, watching her reaction.
"You have spoken to him before. That means he likely knows something about your father. Helping us helps you."
Zatanna remained silent.
"If you, Doctor Fate, and Wonder Woman cannot defeat him alone, then we bring more people. And if that still fails, more will come after. One way or another, he will be challenged."
He held her gaze.
"So what will it be? Stand with us and face him directly, or chase shadows on your own?"
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