Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 17:02:38 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 52 – “Not Exactly What You’d Expect Part 3”
Written by: Power Guy & Scotty2Hotty
Featured Artists: Redorion4(Picture) & Green Lantern(Card)
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
The Watchtower…
“Ha! We kicked their butts and sent them packing!” gloated Stellar.
“You were right Arrow, those Titans didn’t stand a chance against us,” agreed Lt. Atom.
“I knew they wouldn’t,” Dark Arrow said, smiling at his team. “White Wraith, thanks for the assist.”
“You are welcome,” he replied in a grim tone. “I do not much care for the Stranger. It did me well to see him dispatched.”
“I can’t believe they let the Sportsmaster on the team,” observed Atmosphere.
“Me either,” stated Totem. “From what Sonic Boom told me about him, he’s a psychotic stalker.”
“Those guys are so desperate, they’d probably let the Legion of Doom join the team at this point,” smirked Air Wave.
At that instant, Dark Arrow froze up. He didn’t know why but he felt a tremendous amount of unease. Air Wave’s mention of the Legion of Doom caused him to briefly space-out due to the manipulations Grodd had been working on him.
Before the rest of the new JLA could notice their leader’s condition, a signal was received by the Watchtower’s communication system. Air Wave propped himself in front of the computer system and allowed the transmission to come through. “This is Air Wave – go ahead.”
“This is Damage – I need to speak with Atmosphere.”
Atmosphere raced over to the computer terminal. “Go ahead, Dad! What’s up?”
“Son, I think you’d better come home quick. Something bad has happed to your Uncle Albert.”
“Wha… what do you mean?” asked a concerned Atmosphere.
“Son… the Black Orchid got him. She left behind one of her trademark flowers.”
Atmosphere’s heart sank. Fond memories of his Uncle Al teaching him how to box, taking him on go-carts at the Pleasure Palace amusement park, and having hot dog eating contests came rushing through his mind. “I’ll be home in a few minutes, dad,” he said as turned off the Watchtower’s radio. “Guys, I need to leave…”
“Don’t wait another second,” directed Lt. Atom. “You need to go be with your family, right Arrow?”
After a few seconds of no response from the young archer. Lt. Atom repeated, “Arrow?”
“Wha… oh, sorry,” responded Dark Arrow. “Just have a lot going through my head right now. Yes, Atmosphere. Go be with your family and let us know when the funeral arrangements are made.”
As Atmosphere teleported back to earth, the other JLAers began to talk.
“We must find this Black Orchid so that I can condemn her damnable soul to the pits of Hell where she belongs,” stated the White Wraith.
“She’s killed four people in her latest massacre and when you add that to the list of victims from her first go around, she’s surpassed almost any serial killer in history,” commented Lt. Atom.
“And the Titans of Justice haven’t lifted a finger to stop her,” added Stellar. “And they call themselves heroes.”
“I’m sure the Titans would stop her if they could find her,” defended Totem. “From what I’ve heard about her, she’s quite elusive.” She bit her lip and continued. “Besides, the pastor at the funeral in Colorado… he was Palomé’s father. And she killed him, too. I seriously doubt Palomé and his team aren’t trying.”
“They could find her if they wanted to,” countered Dark Arrow grimly, ignoring her statement.
***
Hub City University…
Red Tornado peered out from behind the curtain of the auditorium. There were several hundred students assembled to hear the former member of the Justice League of America speak of his adventures and experiences of being an android that desperately wanted to be human. The media had been alerted to this rare public appearance and several journalists, including Lois Lane-Kent were in the front row. Seeing Lois put Red Tornado at ease. After he was introduced, to much applause, he walked to the podium. As he began his lecture, a female voice from the back shouted, “Oh shut up with your pity party, you useless pile of nuts and bolts!”
One of the students shouted, “It’s the Black Orchid! Everybody run!!”
“Oh no you don’t kids! This is one lecture you won’t want to miss!” Black Orchid took to the air. Lois Lane-Kent touched a button on her watch that would send a distress signal to her husband. “Hurry Clark,” she thought to herself as she watched several students moving about, not knowing quite what to do. “She must have disguised herself as a co-ed and slipped in here.” Lois’s eyes were fixed on the eerie form of the Black Orchid as she glided closer to Red Tornado.
“You. You should not have come here,” Red Tornado said quietly as he pointed his fists at the ethereal former heroine. “After all you have done, I shall show you no mercy.”
“Look around, you damnable freak! If you let loose with your powers these innocent lambs will surely die! Don’t you think one of your gusts will send all of these lights and sound equipment into the crowd that was so happy to see you?” Black Orchid said as she crossed her arms.
Red Tornado knew she was right. The auditorium could not be evacuated quick enough for him to let loose. “I need to get her outside,” he thought. “Why, Black Orchid? Why all of the hate? You used to be on our side and you valued life above all else. Who made you so full of hate and rage?” his calming voice said.
“That’s it, Reddy, stall her until Clark can get here,” Lois thought as she made her way to the exits with the panicked students.
“I… I don’t hate… I… where am I?” Black Orchid whispered as her face relaxed.
Red Tornado walked to the edge of the stage as the confused woman lowered herself, crying.
“Take my hand. It will be okay, I promise you. Trust me.” Red Tornado reached out to her as Black Orchid seemed to relax. If he could just get her to take his hand, he would get her out of the auditorium as quickly as possible.
“I remember it all. Everything I did—I,” she muttered as she took the android’s hand.
“I…You can’t fool me with your pretty words! AIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!” she shrieked as she ripped Red Tornado’s arm from his shoulder. “How dare you! HOW DARE YOU try to trick me!” she yelled, her eyes full of fury.
“She moved as fast as Superman,” Red Tornado thought. He looked around and felt safe using his powers now, as the students were at the back of the auditorium. He pointed his only arm at the Black Orchid and sent a force that knocked her back several feet.
“Do you think that will stop ME!? Your android brain must be getting defective with old age.” Before he could react, Black Orchid made her way through the tornado aimed at her and reached for Red Tornado’s head. She punched her fists through each side of his head.
“ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR!” came his mechanical voice.
“Oh, it’s an error all right!” she laughed as she moved with the speed of the Flash and disassembled the android hero, smashing his arms and legs.
“Now, let’s see. You’ve been put together so many times, I wonder if I throw you into the sun, will that finish you off?”
“Can you make it to the sun before me?” a voice came from behind Black Orchid. It was Superman. Lois had come closer to the stage. After all of these years she was still a curious reporter and even though she put her safety in jeopardy, she couldn’t resist a scoop.
“The almighty Superman! More like Super cream puff! I was saving you for last, boy scout,” Black Orchid said as she levitated into the air.
“I think your little spree is over. How could you do these things?” the Kryptonian demanded of her.
“Bah! Asking questions when you should be taking action! Just like a man!” she flew upward so fast that even Superman was stunned.
“How did she do that? She moved as fast as Kara and I do…” Superman thought.
In a flash, Black Orchid snapped wires holding several huge lights, sending them plunging downward at Lois.
“Ha, get me or save that nosy witch! Even you aren’t fast enough to do both!” Black Orchid snickered as she flew upward through the ceiling, sending a shower of rubble downward.
Superman raced to Lois and covered her with his muscular form, spreading his cape. The lights and debris crashed around the hero and his wife, but left her unharmed.
“Oh Clark!” Lois pleaded. “What she did to Red Tornado… Go after her!”
“I just checked with my telescopic vision. She’s gone. Lois, did you see how fast she moved? And she had strength like mine; like Diana’s.” Superman looked ruefully at the mangled mess that was once Red Tornado.
Black Orchid had flown at such speed that when she finally stopped she didn’t realize where she was. It was a city park, but what city? Sometimes her speed left her disoriented and she often found herself not knowing where in the world she could be. As she took in her surroundings she heard something coming towards her very fast.
“Maybe it’s the Flash! Instead of killing him, I’ll cripple him for life!” she thought as she grinned wide. She focused on the two blurs heading her way. “It’s not the Flash, but the two Flash wannabes!” she observed, her voice full of delight.
Mas and Menos were not very well known, except for being incredibly annoying. As they sped towards her, she stuck out one leg and made a fist. Mas said something in Spanish as Black Orchid’s fist wrapped around his neck. Menos tripped over her foot and went flying into the side of an oak tree. His head hit with such force that his forehead cracked open. Mas looked at his partner and let out a yell. Black Orchid plunged her hand into mouth, ripping out his tongue. Mas stared and made incoherent noises as his chubby legs kicked her at superspeed.
“That hurt, you little pipsqueak!” Black Orchid said as she flipped Mas over. She grabbed both his ankles and looked into his beady eyes. “Make a wish!” she announced as she pulled his ankles, spitting him down the middle. Blood and innards spilled from his mutilated body onto the green grass, slithering out before his bulging eyes as he cried out in garbled agony. She dropped him head-first into the gore, allowing him to suffocate on it.
“HAHAHAHA!!!! That was too easy! Honestly, I think the super hero community will pardon me for killing you!” She laughed and turned to the staggering Menos. His vision was blurred, but he could tell what had happened to Mas and he was desperately trying to run away. However, without contact from his partner and the gaping head wound, he could only run at a lolloping pace.
“Oh no! You don’t want to leave so quickly do you, my little pet?” Black Orchid cried out as she placed Menos in a headlock and pried his mouth open. “You don’t brush very often do you?” she said as she began pulling teeth, one by one. She then inserted a finger into one of his eye sockets and gouged out his left eye.
“Now look what you’ve done! You’ve bled all over my beautiful costume! Fool! FOOL!!!!”
By now Menos had collapsed on the ground. His head was bleeding profusely and he had gone into shock from pain. “N… no… por favor….” he gasped as she hovered above him.
By now Menos had collapsed on the ground. His head was bleeding profusely and he had gone into shock from pain. "N… no… por favor…." he gasped as she hovered above him.
She looked around and noticed a nearby utility building. "Ah! How thoughtful of the city employees! Come on, my little rag doll."
Black Orchid grabbed Menos by his nostrils and pulled him towards the building. With no effort, she tore the lock off the door and looked around inside for something to torture him with. Noticing a woodchipper, she grinned maliciously. "Ah! A mulcher," she said, giggling happily. "Let's play!" She pulled the machine out, and flipped the “on” switch. As the machine roared to life, she said, "In you go! Food for the lovely plants and flowers! You're doing your bit for the environment!" She grabbed his belly and jiggled it. "The stuff in here will be particularly good for my lovely friends."
Menos gurgled something as the blades made quick work of him. Black Orchid laughed so hard she doubled over with glee as blood and bone particles sprayed from the mulcher.
“Looks like I need to do some laundry,” commented Black Orchid as she looked down at the blood splattered all over her costume.
Then, a voice came from nowhere, “You’ll have plenty of time to do laundry during your stay on Reform Island.”
Black Orchid looked up to see Wonder Man, Isis, and Black Vulcan descending upon her. She smirked. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Justice League Junior. You kids better run home before I make short work of you like I did those two chubby speedsters. Oh, and that fellow Celsius… he was YOUR teammate, wasn’t he? I’ve seen so many, I get confused.”
Black Vulcan gasped, realizing that the mystery of their teammate’s disappearance had just been solved.
“The killings stop today!” Wonder Man said firmly as he threw his magic-lasso around her. “Thank Zeus someone saw what you were doing to Mas and Menos and called the police.”
“Ha! You want to play tug-of-war, pretty-boy?” Black Orchid pulled on the end of the lasso closest to her, hurtling Wonder Man into a mound of rocks behind her. The force of the impact was enough to leave him groggy for a few minutes.
“Wonder Man!” called out Isis in concern. She turned her attention back to the purple and black clad woman in front of her. “That is enough from you, butcher! Earth!!!” she commanded. With Isis’ control over nature, the earth below Black Orchid split open, enveloping the mass murderess. As Black Orchid dropped inside, Isis made the earth slam shut around her adversary.
“You sealed her up like a bug in a rug,” commended Black Vulcan. She was giggling hysterically, so distraught that she did not know how to react, reeling with the knowledge that Colin had been a victim of their adversary some time in the past. “I didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
“Nice job, Isis,” agreed Wonder Man, walking over to his teammates. He rubbed his head, and still staggered somewhat.
Just then, the earth erupted with Black Orchid flying up and out of it. “Fools, I am not so easily dispatched!”
“That’s it! I’ve seen enough,” said Black Vulcan as she took to the air. “I didn’t know him very well at all, but Celsius was my teammate, you awful hag!” Flying up towards Black Orchid, she expelled a stream of electricity at the villainess. “Fry witch!”
The lightning pulsed through Black Orchid’s body, temporarily immobilizing her. She grunted and grumbled as she forced herself to shake off the pain. She then slammed both of her hands together, causing a shockwave that knocked Black Vulcan into Isis who had flown up behind her.
Wonder Man took to the air to confront his prey. “What happened to you Orchid? You used to be one of the most respected heroes in the superhuman community,” he said as he punched Black Orchid in the face. Usually, he did not like striking a woman but he knew if given the chance, Black Orchid would severely hurt him or even worse.
“All of that goody goody garbage got boring. What can I say?” teased Black Orchid as she countered with a blow to Wonder Man’s stomach. As he hunched over to clench his aching abs, Black Orchid put both of her fists together and struck him on the top of his head, sending him crashing to the grassy earth below them.
Wonder Man knelt on the ground, trying to regain his composure but before he was able to stand up, Black Orchid ripped a large tree out of the ground and proceeded to strike Wonder Man with it like a baseball bat, pounding him into the earth.
***
Meanwhile at the Hall of Justice...
The Silencer, along with the Wonder Twins, watched in horror as Black Orchid got the best of the three Titans that confronted her. The viewpoint from the satellite cameras was erratic, and not steady like a television show, but they got the idea of what was going on.
“I’d better call in some of the others. This isn’t going well at all,” remarked the Silencer.
“But they’re all on missions,” Jayna reminded the Silencer.
“I guess it’s up to us to save the day, Jayna,” advised Zan. “Quick! To the teleport tubes.”
“Wait! You kids aren’t supposed to go on missions,” shouted the Silencer, unsure as to what the best course of action was.
“Listen, buddy,” retorted Jayna angrily. “We’re NOT kids. We’ve been working with the Justice League since before you were born. Just because we look like human teens doesn’t mean we are!”
“Yeah,” agreed Zan. “We’ve got more experience in our little fingers than you can even think of!”
“Then why’d you do something so stupid as to let Vampire Bling Bling out of her tomb?” demanded the Silencer, crossing his arms in front of him.
Jayna was flustered and tried to mumble something, but Zan spoke up. “We can’t just let the others die!” he shouted. “Wish us luck!” he said as he and his sister teleported out.
***
Back at the scene of the battle…
Black Orchid had Wonder Man by the throat. She gazed into his eyes with a twisted grin on her face. “Aww… and I heard that you liked it rough.”
Wonder Man had two cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and two black eyes from his battle with the mass murderess. “Why… why are you doing this? You used to be one of us!” he said, trying to remind her of her old life. Blood was running down his forehead as he waited for the villainess to answer his question.
Black Orchid’s body started to tremble as Wonder Man looked her straight in the eyes.
“You’re shaking. Something’s not right here,” noticed Wonder Man, who was having a hard time breathing due to the pain of his cracked ribs. “This isn’t you, is it?” he cried out, grasping at straws. “Are… are you… are you not in control?”
Then out of nowhere, Black Orchid’s face slackened to a distraught look of despair. “Oh my God!” she blurted out, her hand trembling as she held it to her own face. “Scott, I’m so sorry!”
Wonder Man’s eyes grew as big as they could with them both being blackened. “That voice… it can’t be…” he mumbled.
But before Black Orchid could continue, she found herself confronted with two more adversaries.
“You’d better let him go, Black Orchid or we’re going to make sure this flower dries up for good!” threatened Jayna.
Black Orchid’s personality snapped back to its previous state. “Oh this is too rich. Now you’re sending the Wonder Twerps after me? Hahahaha!!! Who’s next? General Glory and the Beefeater? Oh wait, I think I killed them already.”
The Twins stood firm in their position and said in unison, “Wonder Twin powers – ACTIVATE!” as their fists slammed together.
“Shape of…” started Jayna
“Wait, wait, wait…” requested Black Orchid. “Let me finish your lines for you. Shape of… a pathetic loser. Form of….a blood bath! Hahahahaha!!! Actually, go ahead geeks. Take your best shot!!!”
Jayna’s eyes squinted as she grew irritated with her foe’s remarks. In all her years of training with the Super Friends, she knew this was serious business. There was no fooling around with Black Orchid. Turning into an eagle or a gopher wouldn’t cut it this time. “Shape of… a tyrannosaurus rex!”
As she changed into the large beast, she quickly struck Black Orchid with her immense tail.
Black Orchid didn’t see this coming from the Twins. The impact from Jayna’s tail struck her hard, sending her crashing into several large rocks behind her.
Becoming fiercely annoyed, Black Orchid took to the air, “I’m going to skin you alive and use your hide for a new purse!”
Jayna wasted no time in punching the still dazed villainess before she could act. This time Black Orchid fell into the ground only a few feet in front of her. “That’s your cue Zan!”
“Form of… liquid nitrogen!” Zan said as he turned into the frigid substance and smothered Black Orchid, thereby freezing her alive. For now, the murderess was frozen stiff and neutralized.
Black Vulcan was the first of the Titans to get herself together and approached the Twins a few moments later. “I must be trippin’. Did I just get saved by the Wonder Twins?” she said in disbelief.
“I think we all did,” said Wonder Man as he staggered over to join the others. “Nice job guys but you took a big risk coming here.”
“We did it! We did it!” cheered Jayna. “We stopped Black Orchid!”
While the team prepared to take Black Orchid off to the authorities, the skies had darkened up and it started to pour.
“I hate rain,” complained Wonder Man. “Ah well, maybe it will wash some of this blood off of me.”
Then without warning, the icy coating around Black Orchid shattered. The pouring rain had warmed up the frigid substance just enough for Black Orchid to escape.
“FREE!” shouted the relieved murderess.
Shards of ice flew in every direction, striking all of the Titans.
Black Orchid zoomed upward into the sky and was about to take off but not before she gave a final warning. “You got lucky this time Titans; but cross my path again and you’ll all go home in body-bags!” She then took off, disappearing from view within seconds.
“Damn it, we almost had her,” commented and irritated Black Vulcan. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Nice try Twins.”
“I don’t think I have ever met someone so cold and evil,” remarked Isis. “That woman is lost in hate and despair.”
In the meantime, Zan and Jayna had transformed back to their humanoid forms.
“So close! So close!” Zan yelled in disappointment, smashing his fists in futility against the trunk of a nearby tree. He leaned his forehead into it, then recoiled in horror as he felt the slimy gore that used to be Mas and Menos trickling down it. He looked up in horror and disgust, seeing mangled chips of the pathetic speedsters caught in the boughs and branches of the tree. “Oh my God,” he whispered, then suddenly vomited. “I gotta get out of here,” he sputtered, crying visibly. The tears washed some of the blood from his face, but he smeared it with his hands, trying to wipe it off.
“I suppose we should head back to the Hall,” suggested Black Vulcan. In their battle with Black Orchid, they had not stopped to realize where all the blood and ichor had come from. “Those bits of costume… I think… I think those are… WERE… Mas and Menos.”
“Good grief,” sputtered Wonder Man. He did not know how much of the blood on him was his own and how much of it was from either Mas or Menos. “We’ve got to take care of this… mess.”
“I will,” spoke Isis coolly. Tears were streaming down her face as well. She knew that the remains were of the two speedsters that had ogled her and Venus at the tryouts, but she knew that their hearts were good, and that they had done good in their lives. “I’m sorry, brothers,” she whispered through her tears. She waved her arms and caused the plants and trees to grow their tendrils, branches and roots outward, collecting all the shredded gore, and pulling it into the earth below. Within fifteen minutes, all traces of the former heroes had been cleared away.
“Shouldn’t… s-s-shouldn’t we have g-given them a proper b-b-burial,” muttered Jayna as she held her trembling brother close to her. “N-notified authorities?”
“They have been given a proper burial,” stated Isis with conviction. “And we will notify the authorities, and tell them what has occurred here.” She pointed to Black Vulcan’s belt. “We have a camera on our mini-satellite up in space. You can thank the Silencer for that. Our actions have been recorded.”
On the way back, all Wonder Man could think about is the familiarity of Black Orchid’s voice when she apologized to him. “Could that have really been who I think it was? No, I must have been delirious from pain. There’s no way someone so sweet could be that murderous witch.”
This story is continued in the post below.
Written by: Power Guy & Scotty2Hotty
Featured Artists: Redorion4(Picture) & Green Lantern(Card)
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
The Watchtower…
“Ha! We kicked their butts and sent them packing!” gloated Stellar.
“You were right Arrow, those Titans didn’t stand a chance against us,” agreed Lt. Atom.
“I knew they wouldn’t,” Dark Arrow said, smiling at his team. “White Wraith, thanks for the assist.”
“You are welcome,” he replied in a grim tone. “I do not much care for the Stranger. It did me well to see him dispatched.”
“I can’t believe they let the Sportsmaster on the team,” observed Atmosphere.
“Me either,” stated Totem. “From what Sonic Boom told me about him, he’s a psychotic stalker.”
“Those guys are so desperate, they’d probably let the Legion of Doom join the team at this point,” smirked Air Wave.
At that instant, Dark Arrow froze up. He didn’t know why but he felt a tremendous amount of unease. Air Wave’s mention of the Legion of Doom caused him to briefly space-out due to the manipulations Grodd had been working on him.
Before the rest of the new JLA could notice their leader’s condition, a signal was received by the Watchtower’s communication system. Air Wave propped himself in front of the computer system and allowed the transmission to come through. “This is Air Wave – go ahead.”
“This is Damage – I need to speak with Atmosphere.”
Atmosphere raced over to the computer terminal. “Go ahead, Dad! What’s up?”
“Son, I think you’d better come home quick. Something bad has happed to your Uncle Albert.”
“Wha… what do you mean?” asked a concerned Atmosphere.
“Son… the Black Orchid got him. She left behind one of her trademark flowers.”
Atmosphere’s heart sank. Fond memories of his Uncle Al teaching him how to box, taking him on go-carts at the Pleasure Palace amusement park, and having hot dog eating contests came rushing through his mind. “I’ll be home in a few minutes, dad,” he said as turned off the Watchtower’s radio. “Guys, I need to leave…”
“Don’t wait another second,” directed Lt. Atom. “You need to go be with your family, right Arrow?”
After a few seconds of no response from the young archer. Lt. Atom repeated, “Arrow?”
“Wha… oh, sorry,” responded Dark Arrow. “Just have a lot going through my head right now. Yes, Atmosphere. Go be with your family and let us know when the funeral arrangements are made.”
As Atmosphere teleported back to earth, the other JLAers began to talk.
“We must find this Black Orchid so that I can condemn her damnable soul to the pits of Hell where she belongs,” stated the White Wraith.
“She’s killed four people in her latest massacre and when you add that to the list of victims from her first go around, she’s surpassed almost any serial killer in history,” commented Lt. Atom.
“And the Titans of Justice haven’t lifted a finger to stop her,” added Stellar. “And they call themselves heroes.”
“I’m sure the Titans would stop her if they could find her,” defended Totem. “From what I’ve heard about her, she’s quite elusive.” She bit her lip and continued. “Besides, the pastor at the funeral in Colorado… he was Palomé’s father. And she killed him, too. I seriously doubt Palomé and his team aren’t trying.”
“They could find her if they wanted to,” countered Dark Arrow grimly, ignoring her statement.
***
Hub City University…
Red Tornado peered out from behind the curtain of the auditorium. There were several hundred students assembled to hear the former member of the Justice League of America speak of his adventures and experiences of being an android that desperately wanted to be human. The media had been alerted to this rare public appearance and several journalists, including Lois Lane-Kent were in the front row. Seeing Lois put Red Tornado at ease. After he was introduced, to much applause, he walked to the podium. As he began his lecture, a female voice from the back shouted, “Oh shut up with your pity party, you useless pile of nuts and bolts!”
One of the students shouted, “It’s the Black Orchid! Everybody run!!”
“Oh no you don’t kids! This is one lecture you won’t want to miss!” Black Orchid took to the air. Lois Lane-Kent touched a button on her watch that would send a distress signal to her husband. “Hurry Clark,” she thought to herself as she watched several students moving about, not knowing quite what to do. “She must have disguised herself as a co-ed and slipped in here.” Lois’s eyes were fixed on the eerie form of the Black Orchid as she glided closer to Red Tornado.
“You. You should not have come here,” Red Tornado said quietly as he pointed his fists at the ethereal former heroine. “After all you have done, I shall show you no mercy.”
“Look around, you damnable freak! If you let loose with your powers these innocent lambs will surely die! Don’t you think one of your gusts will send all of these lights and sound equipment into the crowd that was so happy to see you?” Black Orchid said as she crossed her arms.
Red Tornado knew she was right. The auditorium could not be evacuated quick enough for him to let loose. “I need to get her outside,” he thought. “Why, Black Orchid? Why all of the hate? You used to be on our side and you valued life above all else. Who made you so full of hate and rage?” his calming voice said.
“That’s it, Reddy, stall her until Clark can get here,” Lois thought as she made her way to the exits with the panicked students.
“I… I don’t hate… I… where am I?” Black Orchid whispered as her face relaxed.
Red Tornado walked to the edge of the stage as the confused woman lowered herself, crying.
“Take my hand. It will be okay, I promise you. Trust me.” Red Tornado reached out to her as Black Orchid seemed to relax. If he could just get her to take his hand, he would get her out of the auditorium as quickly as possible.
“I remember it all. Everything I did—I,” she muttered as she took the android’s hand.
“I…You can’t fool me with your pretty words! AIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!” she shrieked as she ripped Red Tornado’s arm from his shoulder. “How dare you! HOW DARE YOU try to trick me!” she yelled, her eyes full of fury.
“She moved as fast as Superman,” Red Tornado thought. He looked around and felt safe using his powers now, as the students were at the back of the auditorium. He pointed his only arm at the Black Orchid and sent a force that knocked her back several feet.
“Do you think that will stop ME!? Your android brain must be getting defective with old age.” Before he could react, Black Orchid made her way through the tornado aimed at her and reached for Red Tornado’s head. She punched her fists through each side of his head.
“ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR!” came his mechanical voice.
“Oh, it’s an error all right!” she laughed as she moved with the speed of the Flash and disassembled the android hero, smashing his arms and legs.
“Now, let’s see. You’ve been put together so many times, I wonder if I throw you into the sun, will that finish you off?”
“Can you make it to the sun before me?” a voice came from behind Black Orchid. It was Superman. Lois had come closer to the stage. After all of these years she was still a curious reporter and even though she put her safety in jeopardy, she couldn’t resist a scoop.
“The almighty Superman! More like Super cream puff! I was saving you for last, boy scout,” Black Orchid said as she levitated into the air.
“I think your little spree is over. How could you do these things?” the Kryptonian demanded of her.
“Bah! Asking questions when you should be taking action! Just like a man!” she flew upward so fast that even Superman was stunned.
“How did she do that? She moved as fast as Kara and I do…” Superman thought.
In a flash, Black Orchid snapped wires holding several huge lights, sending them plunging downward at Lois.
“Ha, get me or save that nosy witch! Even you aren’t fast enough to do both!” Black Orchid snickered as she flew upward through the ceiling, sending a shower of rubble downward.
Superman raced to Lois and covered her with his muscular form, spreading his cape. The lights and debris crashed around the hero and his wife, but left her unharmed.
“Oh Clark!” Lois pleaded. “What she did to Red Tornado… Go after her!”
“I just checked with my telescopic vision. She’s gone. Lois, did you see how fast she moved? And she had strength like mine; like Diana’s.” Superman looked ruefully at the mangled mess that was once Red Tornado.
Black Orchid had flown at such speed that when she finally stopped she didn’t realize where she was. It was a city park, but what city? Sometimes her speed left her disoriented and she often found herself not knowing where in the world she could be. As she took in her surroundings she heard something coming towards her very fast.
“Maybe it’s the Flash! Instead of killing him, I’ll cripple him for life!” she thought as she grinned wide. She focused on the two blurs heading her way. “It’s not the Flash, but the two Flash wannabes!” she observed, her voice full of delight.
Mas and Menos were not very well known, except for being incredibly annoying. As they sped towards her, she stuck out one leg and made a fist. Mas said something in Spanish as Black Orchid’s fist wrapped around his neck. Menos tripped over her foot and went flying into the side of an oak tree. His head hit with such force that his forehead cracked open. Mas looked at his partner and let out a yell. Black Orchid plunged her hand into mouth, ripping out his tongue. Mas stared and made incoherent noises as his chubby legs kicked her at superspeed.
“That hurt, you little pipsqueak!” Black Orchid said as she flipped Mas over. She grabbed both his ankles and looked into his beady eyes. “Make a wish!” she announced as she pulled his ankles, spitting him down the middle. Blood and innards spilled from his mutilated body onto the green grass, slithering out before his bulging eyes as he cried out in garbled agony. She dropped him head-first into the gore, allowing him to suffocate on it.
“HAHAHAHA!!!! That was too easy! Honestly, I think the super hero community will pardon me for killing you!” She laughed and turned to the staggering Menos. His vision was blurred, but he could tell what had happened to Mas and he was desperately trying to run away. However, without contact from his partner and the gaping head wound, he could only run at a lolloping pace.
“Oh no! You don’t want to leave so quickly do you, my little pet?” Black Orchid cried out as she placed Menos in a headlock and pried his mouth open. “You don’t brush very often do you?” she said as she began pulling teeth, one by one. She then inserted a finger into one of his eye sockets and gouged out his left eye.
“Now look what you’ve done! You’ve bled all over my beautiful costume! Fool! FOOL!!!!”
By now Menos had collapsed on the ground. His head was bleeding profusely and he had gone into shock from pain. “N… no… por favor….” he gasped as she hovered above him.
By now Menos had collapsed on the ground. His head was bleeding profusely and he had gone into shock from pain. "N… no… por favor…." he gasped as she hovered above him.
She looked around and noticed a nearby utility building. "Ah! How thoughtful of the city employees! Come on, my little rag doll."
Black Orchid grabbed Menos by his nostrils and pulled him towards the building. With no effort, she tore the lock off the door and looked around inside for something to torture him with. Noticing a woodchipper, she grinned maliciously. "Ah! A mulcher," she said, giggling happily. "Let's play!" She pulled the machine out, and flipped the “on” switch. As the machine roared to life, she said, "In you go! Food for the lovely plants and flowers! You're doing your bit for the environment!" She grabbed his belly and jiggled it. "The stuff in here will be particularly good for my lovely friends."
Menos gurgled something as the blades made quick work of him. Black Orchid laughed so hard she doubled over with glee as blood and bone particles sprayed from the mulcher.
“Looks like I need to do some laundry,” commented Black Orchid as she looked down at the blood splattered all over her costume.
Then, a voice came from nowhere, “You’ll have plenty of time to do laundry during your stay on Reform Island.”
Black Orchid looked up to see Wonder Man, Isis, and Black Vulcan descending upon her. She smirked. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Justice League Junior. You kids better run home before I make short work of you like I did those two chubby speedsters. Oh, and that fellow Celsius… he was YOUR teammate, wasn’t he? I’ve seen so many, I get confused.”
Black Vulcan gasped, realizing that the mystery of their teammate’s disappearance had just been solved.
“The killings stop today!” Wonder Man said firmly as he threw his magic-lasso around her. “Thank Zeus someone saw what you were doing to Mas and Menos and called the police.”
“Ha! You want to play tug-of-war, pretty-boy?” Black Orchid pulled on the end of the lasso closest to her, hurtling Wonder Man into a mound of rocks behind her. The force of the impact was enough to leave him groggy for a few minutes.
“Wonder Man!” called out Isis in concern. She turned her attention back to the purple and black clad woman in front of her. “That is enough from you, butcher! Earth!!!” she commanded. With Isis’ control over nature, the earth below Black Orchid split open, enveloping the mass murderess. As Black Orchid dropped inside, Isis made the earth slam shut around her adversary.
“You sealed her up like a bug in a rug,” commended Black Vulcan. She was giggling hysterically, so distraught that she did not know how to react, reeling with the knowledge that Colin had been a victim of their adversary some time in the past. “I didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
“Nice job, Isis,” agreed Wonder Man, walking over to his teammates. He rubbed his head, and still staggered somewhat.
Just then, the earth erupted with Black Orchid flying up and out of it. “Fools, I am not so easily dispatched!”
“That’s it! I’ve seen enough,” said Black Vulcan as she took to the air. “I didn’t know him very well at all, but Celsius was my teammate, you awful hag!” Flying up towards Black Orchid, she expelled a stream of electricity at the villainess. “Fry witch!”
The lightning pulsed through Black Orchid’s body, temporarily immobilizing her. She grunted and grumbled as she forced herself to shake off the pain. She then slammed both of her hands together, causing a shockwave that knocked Black Vulcan into Isis who had flown up behind her.
Wonder Man took to the air to confront his prey. “What happened to you Orchid? You used to be one of the most respected heroes in the superhuman community,” he said as he punched Black Orchid in the face. Usually, he did not like striking a woman but he knew if given the chance, Black Orchid would severely hurt him or even worse.
“All of that goody goody garbage got boring. What can I say?” teased Black Orchid as she countered with a blow to Wonder Man’s stomach. As he hunched over to clench his aching abs, Black Orchid put both of her fists together and struck him on the top of his head, sending him crashing to the grassy earth below them.
Wonder Man knelt on the ground, trying to regain his composure but before he was able to stand up, Black Orchid ripped a large tree out of the ground and proceeded to strike Wonder Man with it like a baseball bat, pounding him into the earth.
***
Meanwhile at the Hall of Justice...
The Silencer, along with the Wonder Twins, watched in horror as Black Orchid got the best of the three Titans that confronted her. The viewpoint from the satellite cameras was erratic, and not steady like a television show, but they got the idea of what was going on.
“I’d better call in some of the others. This isn’t going well at all,” remarked the Silencer.
“But they’re all on missions,” Jayna reminded the Silencer.
“I guess it’s up to us to save the day, Jayna,” advised Zan. “Quick! To the teleport tubes.”
“Wait! You kids aren’t supposed to go on missions,” shouted the Silencer, unsure as to what the best course of action was.
“Listen, buddy,” retorted Jayna angrily. “We’re NOT kids. We’ve been working with the Justice League since before you were born. Just because we look like human teens doesn’t mean we are!”
“Yeah,” agreed Zan. “We’ve got more experience in our little fingers than you can even think of!”
“Then why’d you do something so stupid as to let Vampire Bling Bling out of her tomb?” demanded the Silencer, crossing his arms in front of him.
Jayna was flustered and tried to mumble something, but Zan spoke up. “We can’t just let the others die!” he shouted. “Wish us luck!” he said as he and his sister teleported out.
***
Back at the scene of the battle…
Black Orchid had Wonder Man by the throat. She gazed into his eyes with a twisted grin on her face. “Aww… and I heard that you liked it rough.”
Wonder Man had two cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and two black eyes from his battle with the mass murderess. “Why… why are you doing this? You used to be one of us!” he said, trying to remind her of her old life. Blood was running down his forehead as he waited for the villainess to answer his question.
Black Orchid’s body started to tremble as Wonder Man looked her straight in the eyes.
“You’re shaking. Something’s not right here,” noticed Wonder Man, who was having a hard time breathing due to the pain of his cracked ribs. “This isn’t you, is it?” he cried out, grasping at straws. “Are… are you… are you not in control?”
Then out of nowhere, Black Orchid’s face slackened to a distraught look of despair. “Oh my God!” she blurted out, her hand trembling as she held it to her own face. “Scott, I’m so sorry!”
Wonder Man’s eyes grew as big as they could with them both being blackened. “That voice… it can’t be…” he mumbled.
But before Black Orchid could continue, she found herself confronted with two more adversaries.
“You’d better let him go, Black Orchid or we’re going to make sure this flower dries up for good!” threatened Jayna.
Black Orchid’s personality snapped back to its previous state. “Oh this is too rich. Now you’re sending the Wonder Twerps after me? Hahahaha!!! Who’s next? General Glory and the Beefeater? Oh wait, I think I killed them already.”
The Twins stood firm in their position and said in unison, “Wonder Twin powers – ACTIVATE!” as their fists slammed together.
“Shape of…” started Jayna
“Wait, wait, wait…” requested Black Orchid. “Let me finish your lines for you. Shape of… a pathetic loser. Form of….a blood bath! Hahahahaha!!! Actually, go ahead geeks. Take your best shot!!!”
Jayna’s eyes squinted as she grew irritated with her foe’s remarks. In all her years of training with the Super Friends, she knew this was serious business. There was no fooling around with Black Orchid. Turning into an eagle or a gopher wouldn’t cut it this time. “Shape of… a tyrannosaurus rex!”
As she changed into the large beast, she quickly struck Black Orchid with her immense tail.
Black Orchid didn’t see this coming from the Twins. The impact from Jayna’s tail struck her hard, sending her crashing into several large rocks behind her.
Becoming fiercely annoyed, Black Orchid took to the air, “I’m going to skin you alive and use your hide for a new purse!”
Jayna wasted no time in punching the still dazed villainess before she could act. This time Black Orchid fell into the ground only a few feet in front of her. “That’s your cue Zan!”
“Form of… liquid nitrogen!” Zan said as he turned into the frigid substance and smothered Black Orchid, thereby freezing her alive. For now, the murderess was frozen stiff and neutralized.
Black Vulcan was the first of the Titans to get herself together and approached the Twins a few moments later. “I must be trippin’. Did I just get saved by the Wonder Twins?” she said in disbelief.
“I think we all did,” said Wonder Man as he staggered over to join the others. “Nice job guys but you took a big risk coming here.”
“We did it! We did it!” cheered Jayna. “We stopped Black Orchid!”
While the team prepared to take Black Orchid off to the authorities, the skies had darkened up and it started to pour.
“I hate rain,” complained Wonder Man. “Ah well, maybe it will wash some of this blood off of me.”
Then without warning, the icy coating around Black Orchid shattered. The pouring rain had warmed up the frigid substance just enough for Black Orchid to escape.
“FREE!” shouted the relieved murderess.
Shards of ice flew in every direction, striking all of the Titans.
Black Orchid zoomed upward into the sky and was about to take off but not before she gave a final warning. “You got lucky this time Titans; but cross my path again and you’ll all go home in body-bags!” She then took off, disappearing from view within seconds.
“Damn it, we almost had her,” commented and irritated Black Vulcan. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Nice try Twins.”
“I don’t think I have ever met someone so cold and evil,” remarked Isis. “That woman is lost in hate and despair.”
In the meantime, Zan and Jayna had transformed back to their humanoid forms.
“So close! So close!” Zan yelled in disappointment, smashing his fists in futility against the trunk of a nearby tree. He leaned his forehead into it, then recoiled in horror as he felt the slimy gore that used to be Mas and Menos trickling down it. He looked up in horror and disgust, seeing mangled chips of the pathetic speedsters caught in the boughs and branches of the tree. “Oh my God,” he whispered, then suddenly vomited. “I gotta get out of here,” he sputtered, crying visibly. The tears washed some of the blood from his face, but he smeared it with his hands, trying to wipe it off.
“I suppose we should head back to the Hall,” suggested Black Vulcan. In their battle with Black Orchid, they had not stopped to realize where all the blood and ichor had come from. “Those bits of costume… I think… I think those are… WERE… Mas and Menos.”
“Good grief,” sputtered Wonder Man. He did not know how much of the blood on him was his own and how much of it was from either Mas or Menos. “We’ve got to take care of this… mess.”
“I will,” spoke Isis coolly. Tears were streaming down her face as well. She knew that the remains were of the two speedsters that had ogled her and Venus at the tryouts, but she knew that their hearts were good, and that they had done good in their lives. “I’m sorry, brothers,” she whispered through her tears. She waved her arms and caused the plants and trees to grow their tendrils, branches and roots outward, collecting all the shredded gore, and pulling it into the earth below. Within fifteen minutes, all traces of the former heroes had been cleared away.
“Shouldn’t… s-s-shouldn’t we have g-given them a proper b-b-burial,” muttered Jayna as she held her trembling brother close to her. “N-notified authorities?”
“They have been given a proper burial,” stated Isis with conviction. “And we will notify the authorities, and tell them what has occurred here.” She pointed to Black Vulcan’s belt. “We have a camera on our mini-satellite up in space. You can thank the Silencer for that. Our actions have been recorded.”
On the way back, all Wonder Man could think about is the familiarity of Black Orchid’s voice when she apologized to him. “Could that have really been who I think it was? No, I must have been delirious from pain. There’s no way someone so sweet could be that murderous witch.”
This story is continued in the post below.