Titans East Chapter 47 ?“Annihilation?
Written by: Power Guy & Marcus Mebes
Featured Artists: The Stranger(Annihilator Piece), Power Guy(Stellar Micro), & Green Lantern(Finale Card)
Edited by: Marcus Mebes


The Hall of Justice?

“The Annihilator? But my mother told me it was destroyed years ago!?stated Wonder Man.

“What can be destroyed can almost always be rebuilt,?interjected Nightvision. “Do you know how many times the Batmobile has been rebuilt? It’s just mechanics.?
“Good point,?agreed the other hero. He turned to the Stranger, who had come to enlist their aid, and asked, “But why would Zeus sic the Annihilator on you??

“My guess is that he is not happy with me for bringing your grandmother back to the mortal plane in order to help stop Dark Angel and Fausta,?assumed the Stranger.

“But without her help, the two of them would have killed five of us and no doubt enslaved the superhero community,?retorted Wonder Man. “I cannot believe Zeus would be foolish enough not realize that you did what was for the best.?
“My friends, I don’t mean to be rude but we’ve got to get out of here,?insisted the Stranger. “Wherever I go, the Annihilator shows up within minutes. If we don’t get out of here now, I fear the Hall of Justice will be destroyed.?He rose from where he had been sitting, and looked frantically around. “Somewhere safe, or somewhere desolate. We cannot remain here!?
“Allow me to provide the transportation,?offered Palom?as he released his soul-self. “Hurry inside people.?
“Transmit your coordinates once you get wherever you’re going,?ordered Nightvision judiciously. “Sportsmaster, Sargona, and I will stay here to monitor your progress. If things don’t go well, we’ll contact the West team and ask for assistance.?
Wonder Man, Venus, Power Lad, Sargona, Black Vulcan, Isis, and the Stranger entered Palom?s soul-self, and the young healer transported his friends to a remote swamp in the bayous of Louisiana.

***

A few minutes later in a swamp between Houma and New Orleans, Louisiana?

As the heroes stepped out of Palom?s soul-self, Venus was the first to notice their surroundings. “A swamp, dear??

“Yeah, I used to play here when I was a kid. No one comes around here,?explained Palom? “except for the occasional crawfish farmer. I thought it would be best to stay away from civilians.?
“Smart move,?complimented Wonder Man as he grabbed onto a cypress tree to keep from sinking into the muck.

“I just hope Solomon Grundy doesn’t pop up too,?Black Vulcan said pulling her boot out of the puddle of mud she had stepped in.

“Don’t you worry babe, if that walking zombie shows up, I’ll clobber him too!?vowed Power Lad. “So where is the Assimilator anyways??
“It’s the Annihilator,?pointed out Black Vulcan. “Do you remember ANYone’s name?
“Assimilator, Annihilator?whatever,?muttered Power Lad. He was growing visibly upset as the swamp muck soiled more and more of his costume.

“The Annihilator is coming?He is here!?revealed the Stranger. “Listen closely??
The same noise the Stranger had heard outside of his home when the Annihilator first attacked could be heard there in the swamp.

“Y’all hear that??asked Palom?as he glanced skyward. “Sounds like thunder…”

“Yes, and it’s not my doing,?affirmed Isis. “It’s getting louder; like it’s heading toward us.?
The young heroes began to look around, trying to spot their approaching foe. Power Lad was the first to notice the hulking robot in the distance. “There!?he said as he pointed north. “Though those?those?whatever those trees are! The ones with the vines all over them.?
“Cypress and oak,?corrected Palom? “And it’s Spanish moss.?
“Whatever, Super-Hick,?muttered Power Lad under his breath. The boy did not realize that Palom?did not need to hear him to understand his sentiment.

The team looked on to see the Olympian-forged robot making its way towards them without hesitation. Despite the viscosity of the swamp and the impeding underbrush, the robot lost no time in its progress.





“He’s toast!?vowed Power Lad as he flew towards the Annihilator.

“Power Lad ?wait!?cried out Black Vulcan. “That kid’s gonna get his neck snapped…” she said, flying after him.

Power Lad quickly made his way to the Annihilator, confronting him head-on. “Time to melt you into scrap metal,?he said using his laser-beam equipped contacts. The searing beams made contact with their target but the robot was unaffected. “Hmmph…you’re a little tougher than you look,?noticed the young powerhouse. “Guess, I’m gonna have to b_tch-slap you back to Olympus!?He punched the Annihilator in the face. The robot barely nudged from his position, oblivious to the attack upon him. After a few seconds of assessing the situation, the Annihilator dealt his first blow. He raised his hand and backhanded Power Lad in the face, sending him several yards back into the murky swamp water.

Black Vulcan, Wonder Man, and the other heroes had made their way over to the battleground. Noticing Power Lad’s defeat, Black Vulcan flew over to him to make sure he was okay. Palom?quickly followed.

Black Vulcan lifted Power Lad’s head up out of the water and checked his pulse. “He’s alive but out cold. I think he has a concussion. Can you help him??she asked Palom?

“Of course,?answered the young healer. “Stand back.?He placed his hands on Power Lad and started to erase the boy’s injuries.

***

Back at the Hall of Justice?

As the remaining Titans watched the battle on the Hall monitor screen via satellite relay, Sargona turned to Nightvision, “I’m getting kind of nervous. Perhaps we should go help them or call in the West team??
“Let’s not panic just yet, I want to see what Isis can do,?demurred Nightvision. “There was a reason why I had the mini cameras given out to the team.?
“Right,?agreed Sargona. “But maybe I could stop the Annihilator like I did Amazo??
“I don’t think you should go anywhere near that battle,?denied Nightvision.

Sargona looked at the son of the Boy Wonder confused and asked, “Why not??
Nightvision hesitated for a minute as he struggled to find a tactful way to say what was on his mind. “Because I don’t think you’re in any condition to be in the field right now.?
“Excuse me? exclaimed the daughter of Sargon.

“Come on Sargona,?Nightvision said, looking into the sorceress?eyes. “Even you have to admit that you haven’t been yourself since?since S.T.A.R. Labs. You’ve been withdrawn, depressed, and oblivious to a lot of what has been going on around you. Jemstone has been worried sick about you. She calls here every day asking us how you’re doing. She’s worried, Venus is worried, heck, we’re all worried about you since the others died.?
Sargona began to cry. “You?you just don’t know how difficult this has all been for me. Sting Ray made it very clear that the reason she killed our friends was to exact revenge on me for defeating her!?She buried her face in her hands as she sobbed relentlessly. “I?I?I know she flipped the switch that made the bombs go off but I can’t help feeling like what happened is my fault.?
Nightvision pulled Sargona into his arms in an attempt to comfort her. “Shush, now. Don’t talk like that. Super-villains are a lowly lot. They’ll do anything and harm anyone to get back at us. The Joker killed Jason Todd years ago. Black Manta killed Aquaman’s first-born, and Major Force carved up Kyle Rayner’s girlfriend and put her in his refrigerator. Those on the opposite side of the law know no morals or fair-play. You can’t let what Sting Ray did affect you like this. Green Lantern certainly wouldn’t want this…”

Sargona continued to cry as Nightvision held her tight. She looked up at her comforter and whispered, “I miss him so much.?
***

Back in the Louisiana swamps?

The Stranger was busy hurling bolts of eldritch energy at his attacker. “Why won’t you fall, foul creature??he demanded in frustration.

“When Hephaestos builds something, he doesn’t cut any corners,?advised Wonder Man. “It’s going to take all of our power to take this thing down. Stand aside and let me take a crack at him.?Wonder Man flew into the metallic juggernaut. Using all of his Olympian strength, he pummeled the robot relentlessly. The Annihilator paused before counter-attacking as it assessed the situation. Then, as if the “on?switch was flipped, he responded with brutal force, first punching Wonder Man in the face and then in the stomach. The male Amazon had never been punched so hard in his life. He dropped to his knees in the swamp mire and gasped for air.

“You tell us to work together, then you attack him alone??Isis raced to Wonder Man’s aid, putting herself in between the merciless robot and his prey. “Enough monster. You will step no further towards Wonder Man. Winds!?she commanded. Within an instant, the skies grew dark, the winds picked up significantly, specifically in the proximity of the Annihilator. They forced the robot backward into a group of rotting oak trees. Once there was some distance between the heroes and the robot, Isis uttered another command, “Storms!? as she pointed directly at the Annihilator. The clouds followed their mistress?direction and released a spree of lightning on the robot.

***

Meanwhile in the throne-room of Zeus on Mount Olympus?

“Ok Hephaestos, call off your dog. He has harmed Diana’s son,?ordered Zeus.

“Aye brother, but I am having too much fun making that whelp, the Stranger, suffer,?replied the god of the forge.

“From the bruises on that mortal’s face, I would say he has learned his lesson. Now call off the Annihilator!?bellowed Zeus. “I will not have the scion of one of our own be hurt by an Olympian creation!?
“Ah well,?acquiesced Hephaestos sullenly. “It was enjoyable as it lasted.?He deactivated the Annihilator robot with his will.

After a few seconds, Zeus had noticed that the Annihilator was still moving. “Why is it not stopping? I told you to stop it.?
“The lighting that the Egyptian goddess-powered woman bombarded it with must have interfered with my control of it,?concluded Hephaestus. He willed the robot to desist, but was unsuccessful.

“Then those young men and women are in grave danger,?observed Zeus. “Find Hippolyta,?he ordered Eros, who had been hovering about the throne room, “and keep her away until we have this situation under control.?
***

Back at the scene of the battle?

“Your lightning seemed to slow him down,?noticed Venus. “Maybe he’s weakened??
“I’m sure going to find out!?Wonder Man said, flying into the Annihilator with the force of a freight-train.

Lucky for Wonder Man, he had guessed right. Isis?lightning had indeed weakened the robot, but it was still no pushover. While Wonder Man’s blow had knocked him on his backside, he continued to fight on, using the energy cannons in his fists to blast away at the Amazing Male Amazon.

Treating this like a game of bullets and bracelets, Wonder Man used his silver gauntlets to deflect the blasts but eventually remarked, “His beams are so powerful, I don’t think even my gauntlets can take much more!?
“Don’t worry Wonder Man, this thing seem vulnerable to lightning,?remarked Black Vulcan. “I’m going to give him an overdose!?She flew into the Annihilator in her energy form, taking advantage of the conductivity of the water it was standing in to flow her electrical surge through his metallic form.

Once inside the robot’s shell, Black Vulcan released her lightning from within, hoping to make the robot explode. After a few seconds, she realized her efforts were in vain. “Why isn’t it having any effect??she said as she flew back out.

“Step aside Vulcan,?requested Venus. “I’ve got something that will have an effect on him.?She put her two fists together and proceeded to beat the robot.

“Venus, no! Get away from him!?shouted Palom? “He’ll crush her like an egg if I don’t get her out of his way!?he said as he teleported over to his paramour. He believed her only power to be pheromonic mind control, but to his and everyone else’s surprise, Venus was holding her own against the metallic monster. The two adversaries traded blow after blow. Venus?super-strength had kicked in and her adrenaline was in overdrive.

“You’re not going any closer to my friends, you hunk of junk!?declared Venus in a rage. “I’ve lost too many of them already!?She grabbed the Annihilator by its throat and then to everyone’s shock, started flying, lifting the robot into the air. Once the two were about one hundred feet high, she punched her adversary several times in a fury. The robot was dented in several spots from the woman’s attack. Finally, Venus punched her prey in the face, knocking its head off. As her adrenaline started to wear off, she dropped the robot, sending him crashing into the ground with a tremendous splash of swamp mud. Within seconds, the mysterious heroine became dizzy and started to drop like a lead weight.

“Ma chere!?cried out Palom?in horror. He wasted no time in teleporting up to his beloved to catch her in mid-air and then teleport them back down to the ground.

The group crowded around Venus in astonishment over her victory, hoping she hadn’t over-exerted herself.

“Will she be okay??asked a concerned Isis. “I can heal her if need be.?
“Don’t bother, I’ve got it covered ma’am,?insisted Palom? kneeling down and holding Venus in his arms.

“I can’t believe she was able to do that,?added a shocked Black Vulcan. “I knew she had super-strength but the power she was displaying was incredible. It’s almost like we were watching Wonder Woman or Power Woman in battle.?
“Yes, I think she’s almost as strong as my mother, from what we just saw,?agreed Wonder Man. “The real shocker was her being able to fly. She’s never done that before. Nucleus once mentioned that he thought she could be from Krypton and this only adds more weight to that theory.?
“Ahh?she’s still not stronger than I am,?Power Lad commented, crossing his arms. He had decided to hover above the swamp, despite his legs being covered in the rich brown mud.

“Funny, the Annihilator took YOU down and SHE took the Annihilator down,?retorted Black Vulcan. Changing the subject, she asked, “I wonder why Isis?lightning affected the Annihilator and mine didn’t??
“My guess is because Isis?lightning is mystical in nature,?guessed Wonder Man. “Add that to the fact that she’s powered by the Egyptian gods while the Annihilator is powered by the Greek gods.?
“I believe you are right, Wonder Man,?Isis said innocently.

“I’m not sure we would have won this battle without you Isis,?Wonder Man said staring into eyes of the queen of Khandaq. He paused for a second as her beauty had him mesmerized.

“Wonder Man, your reasoning would explain why Isis?magic worked while mine failed,?added the Stranger. “Eldritch magicks are not as potent as divine magicks.?
“So now what do we do with the walking death machine??asked Black Vulcan, staring at the inert robot half submerged in mud.

“I have an idea but I will need Palom?s help,?revealed the Stranger.

“What do you have in mind??asked the curious healer. He released Venus into Isis?strong arms.

***

About a half-hour later in space, about 30 miles from the sun?

“I can’t believe we aren’t burning up,?observed Palom?incredulously.

“My magic is protecting us from the heat, but in exchange for pulling off such a feat, I needed the use of your teleportation powers to bring the Annihilator here,?explained the Stranger.

“The view from here is amazing…” commented Palom?

“I hate to interrupt your sight-seeing but I can’t hold back the heat much longer…” advised the Stranger.

“Let’s do it then,?Palom?said as he joined the Stranger in pushing the remains of the Annihilator out of the Strangers?protective field towards the sun. The momentum of their push was enough to send the remains hurtling into the gas giant.

“Well that should take care of Zeus?engine of destruction,?remarked the Stranger as he and Palom?teleported back to earth.

***

Back at the Hall of Justice?

“They did it! They beat the Annihilator!?exclained the Sportsmaster, after having watched the battle on the monitor screen. “d**n, I wish I could have been there to help take him down.?
“As much as I would have liked to see the Annihilator knock you senseless, Nightvision was right to keep you here,?Sargona said sharpyly. She was still upset from her conversation with Nightvision and was taking it out on the newest member of the team.

“Why would you say that??inquired the Sportsmaster humbly.

“Oh let’s see?because you tried to kill us all to get to the Huntress,?barked Sargona. “Psycho!?
“But I’ve reformed. I’m trying to do the right thing now,?retorted the Sportsmaster. “If Pastor Daniel was here, he’d vouch for me.?
“Look, just because that cow Waller bought your song and dance, doesn’t mean that any of us are going to let you stab us in the back,?countered the sorceress. “And you don’t know a thing about what Pastor Daniel would say,?she added angrily.

“You’re wrong,?insisted the Sportsmaster. “He and I got very close, very, very close before my release.?He stared imploringly at the irate woman. “And when we find the Sting Ray, I’m going to make her pay for killing him,?he thought to himself.

“You’re talking about him like you used to talk about the Huntress,?the sorceress said shaking her head. “You make me sick.?She walked away from him sadly.

“Dude, you creep me out,?added the Silencer who had remained quiet during the argument. “Go to your room or something…”

“Hmph?no one will give the reformed criminal a chance,?complained the Sportsmaster as he made his way to his quarters.


***Story continued in post below.