Red Wizard: Book 3 (A Zatanna Zatara/OC Love Story)

Early Warning

Courtney Whitmore was standing outside Goode World Studio, as she did a report on the Outsiders.

"This is Courtney Whitmore, your very own Stargirl, reporting on today's hottest stars, The Outsiders! Led by Beast Boy, A.K.A. Space Trek star Garfield Logan, and Red Wizard, A.K.A. the stage magician Nick Russell who is married to Zatanna Zatara-Russell, and is also known as the New God Phoenix, the Outsiders include Geo-Force, better known as meta-Prince Brion of Markovia, plus Blue Beetle and Kid Flash and two brand-new heroes, Wonder Girl and Static!" Courtey said, as a picture of each Outsider appeared. For Nick/Phoenix, his image switched from Nick, in his Red Wizard costume, to Phoenix. Since Nick/Phoenix had revealed himself to the world, everyone now knew that he could split himself into Nick and Phoenix and merge back into one again.

Courtney continued. "They've already made heroic splashes in Taos, New Mexico, Brooklyn, Maine, and Chicago, Illinois." She explained, images appeared showing Gar, Jaime and Bart at the Meta-Human Youth Center when they first decided to go public. The next one showed the Outsiders as they stood on top of the Reach ship. The last one showed the Outsiders taking down bank robbers. Phoenix was seen, since Nick had been busy at the time doing a show with Zatanna in New York

There was an image that had the word Outsiders in it. "While Hashtag: We Are All Outsiders has been trending nonstop for nearly two solid weeks in the U.S.!" She declared, as the images vanished. "It's bigger than bigly, gang! So, the question is, where will the Outsiders show up next?" She asked eagerly.

Hollywood: December 21: 04:31 PST

At the Premiere Building, Phoenix, Gar, Brion, and Tara were all standing in front of the Hub's Zeta-Tube. Phoenix, Gar, and Brion were heading out on a mission, and Tara was heading to school with Violet and Fred. Nick was busy at the House of Mystery, trying to distract himself from the fact that Joan Garrick had passed away. Bart, Jaime, Ed were all going to her funeral today, along with Jay, John, Asa, Astra, Trish, Renee, Chas, and other people that knew her best. Nick/Phoenix decided not to go, since he did not wanted to go to another funeral of a person that he had lost in his life.

Tara yawned as she streatched. "Mother of Goat, I am glad this is the last day before winter break." She admitted. The boys all smiled at her in agreement.

"We are heading to Santiago de Cuba. Miss Martian says a meta-trafficking lab there needs busting up now. We'll rendezvous with Wonder Girl, Static and Bio-Ship in Happy Harbor. Then it's Outsiders away!" Gar declared. The mission also involved facing Klarion.

Phoenix looked at his daughter. "Tara, I will see you after school as Nick for training with Arty, Violet and Fred." He told her.

"Agreed." Nick said to his alien self.

Tara smiled at her dad. "Ok." She said, sharing a hug with him, and he kissed her head before they pulled back from their hug and she walked away from them. She knew what today meant for him, and she knew that he was using the training he was coming to as Nick, as a way to distract himself from mourning, just as he was going on the mission as Phoenix.

"Man, you really have stepped up as a dad." Gar admitted to his brother, as he smiled at him.

"Yes, you have." Brion agreed as he also smiled at Phoenix. He was just happy that Tara had Nick/Phoenix and Zatanna in her life now.

"Thanks. But we can discuss my parenting skills later. Right now we have a mission." Phoenix reminded them. His eyes flashed, showing Nick's agreement.

"Right. Let's go." Gar said, and they all entered the Zeta-Tube.

"Recognized: Phoenix: A12, Beast Boy: B20, Geo-Force: B31." The computer called out as they were teleported out of the Hub. Despite how tired she was, Tara smiled, having heard Phoenix, Brion, and Gar's conversation.