Despite the gloomy nature of Zatanna's home, the Shadowcrest mansion, Dick was enjoying his relatively quiet morning with Kory and Zatanna. It wasn't until they'd finally gotten around talking about Raven's 'dark magic problem', when Dick got the encrypted call from Batman.
"Nightwing, assuming you're still in or near San Francisco, I need your help with something."
Dick recognized the serious and level-headed voice from a mile away. "I'm in Las Vegas, but Zatanna's magic can get me there instantly-"
"Zatanna? Why are you in Las Vegas?" came the imperiously inquiring voice of Dick's former mentor.
Zatanna and Kory gave Dick a worrying look as if he was going to accidentally tell Batman what they'd really been doing. Dick was slightly annoyed that they'd think that--then again Dick was still getting used to the nature of this "open relationship" he had with Kory...he did just fuck Zatanna on her dinner table while Kory ate her breakfast and watched thirty minutes ago, after all.
"Raven was telling me and Kory about sensing some kind of problem involving dark magic, so we went to ask Zatanna about it." said Dick, somewhat truthfully.
"Is Raven there with you? She might be helpful for the mission I'm giving you."
"No, she's in Azarath at the moment--but why would she specifically be helpful?" asked Dick.
"Is there a computer or TV nearby? Connect your phone with it, now."
"Just use my TV,'' gestured Zatanna tiredly, waving towards the living room. She stretched in her loose white tank top and tight black shorts, and then realized how underdressed she was, quickly chanting, "Tup no krow sehtolc!", back in her usual outfit a moment later.
As Dick linked Batman's encrypted message with Zatanna's television, Kory took notice of the magician back in her "conservative" costume, fishnets and all. She sighed and pulled her blue top back on, having decided to remain topless up until that point.
"I don't see the reason for why we need to cover ourselves, on Tamaran, everyone is more than comfortable in their own skin." pouted Kory sourly.
"One, we're not on Tamaran." began Zatanna dryly. "Two, you don't think Dick would be weirded out by the fact that you'd be okay with talking to his adopted dad while topless?"
"I understand your point." conceded Kory. "But I have a feeling Batman won't like me either way."
"What do you mean?"
At that moment, the image of Batman appeared on Zatanna's TV screen, the backdrop of the Batcave easily recognizable. The Caped Crusader locked the white lenses of his cowl onto Dick's blue eyes.
"Raven's not the only one with a magic problem." continued Batman, "There've been numerous reports of magic users, good and bad, being aware of some kind of dark magic leaking into our world. I've sought out experts like Doctor Fate and Etrigan over the possible source of this leak, but they're busy looking after potential enemies responsible. My current issue are the organizations and cults seeing this as a 'sign' to accelerate whatever plans they make for the 'end of the world.'"
"Which organization?" Dick said with a raised eyebrow.
"So far, the League of Assassins, H.I.V.E, and the Kobra Cult are the most active." replied Batman calmly, "H.I.V.E's been the most elusive, from what I can tell, they're stockpiling and recruiting metahumans in preparation for something. I've already stopped Ra's al Ghul's attempt to uncover ancient Lazarus Pits last week, but my main concern at the moment is for the Kobra Cult."
"What about them?" Dick has fought the Kobra Cult a few times back when he was part of the Justice League's team composed of sidekicks that undertook covert missions. They weren't as powerful as H.I.V.E, yet-
"The Kobra Cult's viewed the resurgence in dark magic as the sign that the end is near, and have resorted to 'human trafficking' innocents to sacrifice to whatever 'deity' will take over."
"Okay, how do you even know that?" Dick said sarcastically, knowing fully well that Batman somehow had an intricate and complicated explanation.
"The cult's leader, Jeffrey Burr, has a twin brother that has a telepathic connection to his thoughts and plans." answered Batman casually, "He's currently under protection from Katana, but from what I've gathered from Jason Burr so far about his brother's current whereabouts is that he's somewhere in San Francisco."
"Surprised you already haven't stopped them yourself." remarked Dick humoredly.
"I've got my own problems here in Gotham," retorted Batman, "Most of my 'supernatural' enemies have either been empowered or risen from the dead from this dark magic leak, and I can't afford to let Deacon Blackfire's cult run rampant while I'm gone."
"Blackfire?!?" interrupted Kory to the embarrassed chagrin of Dick, "She is here? I do not know why she would call herself a 'deacon' or start a cult, but--"
"Kory!" hissed Dick a little shrilly, stepping in front of her to take the annoyed glare from Batman, "Not your sister, Deacon Blackfire's a completely different bad guy..."
"Oh, okay..." said Kory sheepishly, then giggling an apologetic "Sorry." to Batman.
Ignoring Kory's words and presence entirely, Batman continued, "Another issue is that the Kobra Cult is being aided by an actual dark magic user named Eldon Peck, also known as--"
"Brother Night." interrupted Zatanna with narrowed eyes. "I know him very well, considering he's tried to steal my soul. He's worked with lower-level thugs and criminals before, and getting the Kobra Cult to traffick human souls sounds exactly like something Peck would do."
"It's a good thing Dick was here, then, now you can kill both birds with one stone." affirmed Batman, now turning to Dick, "For the Kobra Cult themselves, I recommend seeking out the former members of your Young Justice team, seeing as they'd have the most experience taking on Kobra."