Titans East Chapter 61 – “Facing the Inevitable”

Written by: Scotty2Hotty & Power Guy
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
Special thanks to Enzo for allowing the use of his Mircros!



The hallway in front of the Sportsmaster’s room in the Hall of Justice…

Zan and Jayna strolled through the hall after returning from their visit to the recovering Aquaman.





“Boy, Aquaman still looks pretty rough from what Black Orchid did to him,” said a concerned Zan.

“Well, it’s going to take a while for all of those broken bones to heal,” Jayna pointed out. She wondered aloud, “Where’s Palomé at times like this? He sure would be a big help.”

As the two continued to discuss the King of Atlantis, they were interrupted by the cries of the captive Sportsmaster.

“Let me out! Somebody let me outta here!” screamed the captive. “You can’t do this to ME!!!”

Zan and Jayna looked at each other, puzzled.

“Some villain must have broken in here and locked the Sportsmaster in his room,” assumed Zan. “I’ll open the door for him…”

Jayna quickly grabbed Zan’s hand before he could reach the door-handle. “Ah-ah, Wonder-brother. The last time we let someone out without checking first, Vampiress almost turned half of the Titans into her slaves. Let’s go check with Wonder Man or the Silencer and see what’s going on here.”

The Sportsmaster heard Zan and Jayna’s muffled voices through the walls of his room. “Zan! Jayna! Let me out!!” he begged. He thought quickly, wondering what to say. “I still can’t believe they did this to me. That Nightvision is nothing but an arrogant jackass and Black Vulcan and the Silencer are a bunch of ingrates. I saved their lives, for Heaven’s sake!” he thought to himself. He then started screaming again, “Someone let me out! This isn’t right!!”

Surprisingly, the door finally opened. The Sportsmaster was overwhelmed with relief that he was finally being let out. “Maybe Nightvision wasn’t so bad after all,” he thought.

As he looked to see who his savior was…

POW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sportsmaster received a harsh punch to the nose, knocking him on his rear. His nose hurt really bad as the blood poured from it. He looked up to see the Silencer.





“I’ll tell you what isn’t right,” stated the Silencer. “What isn’t right is the fact that we have to keep your warped, twisted self around here. Asking me for a kiss to save my life. You are one sick puppy, dude.”

The Sportsmaster just sat there, not quite knowing what to say.

“Now find something to occupy your time and keep quiet,” ordered his attacker as he exited, locking the door again once he was out.

“So he really asked you for a kiss to save you?” inquired Jayna who was waiting outside of the room next to Zan.

“Asked?” repeated the Sportsmaster angrily. “No: DEMANDED. Don’t get me wrong kids. I’m not homophobic or anything, but when a guy’s life is at stake, you don’t go and try and get in his pants as the price for saving him.”

“Jeepers, he sure is strange,” commented Zan. “So how long are we going to keep him in his room?”

“Until Nightvision figures out what to do with him,” informed the Silencer as he turned to go back to the meeting room.

“He gives me the creeps!” Jayna said, shivering slightly.

“I’ve got to get back to the Trouble Alert,” the Silencer said heading towards the monitor room. “Black Orchid just killed Frost a few hours ago and the Titans West are a bit more than shaken up. I need to see if any of them need anything.”

***

A luxurious hotel in Seychelles…

“Yes, mother. It is really nice here. It reminds me a lot of home,” Scott Trevor said to his mother, Queen Diana of Paradise Island. He was booked for a photo-shoot in the Seychelles and had contacted his mother to let her know he arrived safely. Even though Scott was in his twenties, his mother was still very over protective of him, especially with Black Orchid still on the loose.





“Scott, your career is really taking off. I am so proud of you. You know, you could abandon all of that Wonder Man nonsense—if you wanted,” she said to her son.

“IF I wanted to, Mother. I’m having a blast being Wonder Man—I’m even leader of the team now.”

“I know. I am very happy for you… IF that’s what you want. I just wish you would stick to modeling and watching over my interests in mans’ world. That would keep you busy enough,” the former Wonder Woman said.

Scott could tell his mother really didn’t want him to be a super hero, but in the past months she had become more open to the idea, and actually listened to her son when he spoke to her.

“Mother, I better go. I have an early shoot in the morning. You know, the sun has to be just right.”

“I know, my precious. Peace and love be with you.”

“Love to you and Dad,” he said to his mother.

Queen Diana looked out at the ocean from her royal chambers. “Scott, Scott, Scott. What am I going to do with you?”

The queen was snapped out of her thoughts by her husband, Steve Trevor. He still looked almost as young and vital as the day she first met him. Perhaps the magicks of Paradise Island had affected him somehow.

“Diana, THEY are calling for you,” he said as he presented his wife with her JLA communicator.

“It must be something extremely important if they are using the emergency frequency,” she replied.

***

Meanwhile in the Las Vegas desert…

“See anything?” Black Canary asked Batman, who was staring into the desert night through binoculars.

“No,” was his blank reply.

Members of the Justice League of America had assembled to take down the Black Orchid. Her recent killing spree and near fatal beating of Aquaman had caused the Justice League to reunite, even if it was for the sole purpose of going after Black Orchid.

The Catwoman had accompanied her husband. She was uncomfortable with her husband putting his costume back on, so she made sure that if was going to go back into action, she would be there to keep watch over him. She looked at the costumed heroes around her. Among them was the Waynes’ friend, Superman, as well as Black Canary, Hawkman, the Atom, and Wonder Woman was on her way.





Catwoman wasn’t sure how she felt about Wonder Woman answering the summons. At one point it was rumored that Batman and Wonder Woman had been romantic with each other.

“Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, and Hawkwoman really wanted in on this, but someone has to stand guard over Aquaman,” the Atom said out of nowhere. “Vixen replied that she would like to help, but wants to set an example for her daughter by not participating.”

“I’m a bit surprised by Mari’s response,” Black Canary noted.

“I think she’s deathly afraid of her daughter putting on a costume and risking her life,” Superman said, using his telescopic vision to probe the area. “I talked to Mera the other day. Arthur is expected to make a full recovery.”

“What about Red Tornado?” Hawkman said, his deep voice getting the attention of everyone.

“They’re working on putting him back together, but he’s still comatose. We’ll be in for a big fight if Black Orchid shows up. I’ve seen her in action—she’s ruthless,” the man of steel replied.

“She needs to be stopped. There’s been enough death,” Black Canary said in a toneless voice.

Her remark made Catwoman think of her daughter Helena, and the horrible way she died. She walked over to her husband. “Are you sure we’ll find Black Orchid here, Bruce?”

Bruce Wayne had been very quiet since the death of his daughter. “I’m sure of it. Zatanna’s locater spell said this area was full of Black Orchid’s essence. If she’s going to appear, it will be here,” he added, placing his hand on his wife’s. Just then, he put his binoculars down. “She’s here.”

The Leaguers could see a purplish form drifting through the night sky. Black Orchid touched the ground and collected some desert flowers. She smelled her bouquet and then promptly ripped the flowers to shreds.





“Now! While she’s distracted!” Batman shouted.

Superman, Hawkman, and the Atom all charged Black Orchid.

“Now, look at you all! Inviting yourselves to my desert get-away! How tacky! How rude!! This is where I come to relax! I don’t even have any refreshments for you. Maybe I can make it to S.T.A.R Labs and bring Aquaman to our little soiree. We could have fish sticks.” She laughed.

Superman and Hawkman attacked Black Orchid and she seemed surprised. She punched Superman and sent him flying into the air. Hawkman had her by the arm and thought, “She’s stonger than she looks.” His muscular frame rippled as he drew his mace.

“Oh! Are you going to hit me with that? You know it’s not polite to hit a lady.”

“I don’t see one. Do you?” the winged wonder retorted with a wry smile. Hawkman was able to wrestle Black Orchid to the ground. By now, Batman and Black Canary had assembled. Batman had told Catwoman to stay back.

Hawkman had restrained Black Orchid with a heavy metal net and she was struggling with it. “Canary! NOW!!!” Hawkman yelled.

Black Canary stood back as the other Leaguers braced themselves. Even with their special earplugs, Black Canary’s cry would get through a little bit. She let loose her canary cry and the Black Orchid dropped to her knees and fell over, wracked with pain.

“That was too easy. Stay back,” Batman warned.

Superman crept near Black Orchid, wondering if this was really the end of all of the bloodshed.

“I couldn’t have killed her! I just wanted to knock her out!” Black Canary said.

Just then Black Orchid arose and burst out of Hawkman’s net. She lunged at Black Canary and punched her in the gut, knocking the wind out of her. With speed that rivaled Superman’s, she grabbed Batman’s cowl by the ears and slammed her knee into his chin, dislocating his jaw. She then attacked Hawkman. “I saw this in a Bruce Lee movie once and you need to wax, big boy!” she screamed as she grabbed a handful of Hawkman’s chest hair and ripped it out.

She then grabbed his winged harness and pulled it off, then punched him in the face. Black Orchid took to the air and zoomed towards the bright lights of Las Vegas. Superman was right behind.

“Who is she? Could she be a Daxamite?” Superman’s mind raced as he chased the woman above the Las Vegas strip.

Black Orchid flew over the Paris Hotel and Casino and stood atop the Eiffel Tower replica. Tourists were dining in the restaurant on top and several more were on the observation deck. People were all over the ground as well, as the party scene was getting cranked up.

Superman flew towards Black Orchid. “Surely she can’t…….” Superman’s thoughts were disrupted as Black Orchid pulled the tower out of the ground and threw it towards the strip. “There, that should keep you busy!” she hissed.

Superman raced to the plummeting structure and sat it back upright. It was teetering still, and he yelled for everyone to evacuate while he held it steady.

As Black Orchid flew around the Las Vegas skyline, she noticed most of the Leaguers were assembled on the ground while Hawkman was flying at her..He had been able to put his harness back together, thanks to Batman. He swung his mace at her, which she dodged. Hawkman then grabbled Black Orchid by the foot and swung her around. She crashed into the side of the Bellagio Casino and dropped into the fountain.

“Atom, I think she’s getting tired! Do your thing, buddy!”

“With pleasure!” the man known as the Atom said. Hawkman threw him full force at Black Orchid.

“I don’t know what happened to you, Orchid,” Atom said as he entered Black Orchid’s ear. “You and I took down the Floronic Man the last time I saw you. If not for you, he would have killed us both along with that athlete we saved.”

“AGGGGHHHH!!!! Get… get out of my head! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!!!!” Black Orchid screamed as she thrashed in the water of the fountain.

The leaguers assembled around the purple clad woman.

“Shut her down, Atom. Shut her down,” Catwoman whispered as she watched the murderess flail around morphing from identity to identity. She finally stopped in a guise familiar to the heroes. It was Venus. She crawled from the Bellagio fountain on her hands and knees and was crying hysterically. “Pl… please kill me! Please kill me so she can’t hurt anyone else! She’s in here with me… He’s in here too… he’s telling us what to do… I… I can’t…” Venus cried in vain.

“Bruce, what has happened to that girl…?” his wife asked, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know, but she must be stopped,” replied the dark night detective as he drew his wife close to him.

Just then Venus looked up at the Justice League. She started to giggle maniacally and breathe heavily.

“GET-OUT-OF-MY-HEAD!!!!!” she shouted as she changed back into Black Orchid and the Atom came flying out of her ear and hit the sidewalk.

“AAAAIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!” the Black Orchid screamed and took to the air. Her scream was so shrill, windows all over Las Vegas shattered—even the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

“She’s going straight up! She’ll be in outer space soon!” Black Canary shouted. Superman had already taken off after her, but she had such a head-start that he was barely able to keep up.

Black Orchid was still screaming as a familiar golden rope ensnared her. She cut her eyes to see Wonder Woman on the other end of the rope.






“Cease this insanity at once!” the royal Amazon commanded.

Black Orchid lunged at Wonder Woman as the two female powerhouses exchanged blows that could devastate an entire city block.

Becoming frustrated, Black Orchid simply screamed at her and grabbed the magic-lasso, giving is a fierce tug. She sent the Amazon hurtling downward, crashing into the approaching Superman.

The duo smashed into the ground, uprooting palm trees and asphalt.

A few minutes later, Superman and Wonder Woman rejoined their teammates.

“Superman, do you see her?” Wonder Woman asked.

“I’m looking everywhere but I can’t spot her. She could have morphed into someone else or she’s just plain gone,” Superman replied.

Despite being earth’s mightiest heroes, the group assembled stood quietly as they surveyed the damage caused by the delicate woman in purple. Carnage littered the streets… rubble from broken buildings, and a veritable coat of shattered glass. People everywhere were trying to escape the scene, while others appeared to be looting. Sighing, Diana pointed out their duty to the rest of the team.

“We can’t leave it like this,” she said, looking at each of her teammates. “Our first and foremost duty is to protect and help, and right now, we’ve got a monstrous cleanup job to do.”

***

As Black Orchid advanced back across the desert, she was filled with relief. “Scott free! And to think I almost got caught by the stupid JLA. How dumb do they think I am? Only a complete idiot would take on Superman and Wonder Woman at the same time.”

As she soared through the air, she noticed a figure running across the desert below. “Hmm…the Crimson Fox…and she’s alone,” she smiled. “She must be going to meet her Justice League pals as part of their little ambush team. Well, I’ll make an example out of her,” she said, diving downward.





The Crimson Fox continued her progress until Black Orchid’s shadow eclipsed her. She looked up. “If it isn’t ze Black Orchid. Looks like you already got past my friends.”

“Yes, I did,” Black Orchid answered coldly, “which is unfortunate for you.”

“You do not scare me,” the Crimson Fox said firmly.

“Ha! Who are you kidding?” Black Orchid blurted out, with an evil grin on her face. She grabbed the Crimson Fox by the neck. “You have pheromone powers, quick reflexes, and some claws that aren’t even sharp enough to clean my teeth with. Do you Frenchies believe in God? If so, I suggest you start praying.”

“Dnas wollaws ym oef!” the Crimson Fox whispered.

“Huh? Are you speaking in French?” Black Orchid wondered aloud.

But before the Crimson Fox could answer, the sand below Black Orchid quickly turned to quicksand and sucked her under. In the midst of the commotion, she lost her grip on the Crimson Fox who jumped to safety.

About thirty seconds later, Black Orchid erupted from the ground, “Nice trick. I’m not sure how you pulled that off but you won’t get a second shot at me. There’s no way a lame loser like the Crimson Fox is taking me down.”

“You’re absolutely right about that,” the Crimson Fox agreed surprisingly. “Raeppasid usuigsid!” she shouted. Her body started to glow, revealing the form of Zatanna.





“YOU!” yelled an upset Black Orchid. “I should have known that if the JLA showed up you wouldn’t be far behind. It doesn’t matter. We’re all alone here and not even you are powerful enough to stop me by yourself.”

“Who said she was by herself?” called out a voice from above.

Black Orchid looked up to see Green Lantern Hal Jordan descending upon her with several other JLAers inside of his power-bubble including Black Lightning, Flash, and Apache Chief.





“Meet wave two,” Black Lightning said, smugly.

Black Orchid wore a scowl on her face. She was getting frustrated with having to battle multiple heroes at once. “All I see are more victims,” retorted the woman tersely.

“I’ll get her before the rest of you even have to work up a sweat,” the Flash said, racing towards the villainess. Racing around her at super-speed, he created a vacuum, sucking the air from Black Orchid’s vicinity. “Even you have to breathe.”

Black Orchid felt the air being sucked from around her yet she stood firm in her place. Finally, she kicked her leg out within a blink of an eye, tripping the Flash and sending him flying into a group of boulders nearby. His body slammed against the stones, breaking his left arm and giving him a concussion.

“Hmmm… a little too fast for your own good, twinkle-toes,” laughed Black Orchid. “So who’s next on the list for a trip to the hospital… or the funeral home?”

“The only one who’s taking a trip is you, and you’re going straight to prison,” countered Black Lightning as his fists started to crackle with electricity. “Zatanna – NOW!” he said as he released a barrage of electricity at the purple-clad villainess.

Zatanna was quick to follow suit, “Gninthgil ekirts ym oef!” she said as lightning sparked from her hands towards the murderess.

Black Orchid was not prepared for the double-pronged attack. The electricity shot through her body, causing her to jerk and shake. Soon it became hard for her to see.

“We’ve got her on the ropes!” assumed Black Lightning as he and Zatanna moved in closer.

Black Orchid knew there was only one way out of this and it was now or never. Summoning all of her remaining strength, she flew upward at super-speed, causing Black Lightning and Zatanna to strike each other with their electrical attacks. The two heroes were rendered temporarily useless from the immense pain.

Green Lantern felt a bit of an alarm by how easily Black Orchid was trouncing his team. Sadly, she had an advantage over the heroes with having no restrictions on crippling or killing them if she desired. He used his ring to fire several blasts at Black Orchid. Only of the beams made contact with his target but it was enough to stop her dead in her tracks in the air. “Apache Chief – now, while she’s stunned!”

America’s premier Native American superhero wasted no time in following Green Lantern’s request. “INUCKCHUCK!!!!” he shouted, growing to a towering fifty feet tall. Once giant-sized, he slammed his immense hands around Black Orchid, battering her from both sides. The blow was enough to cause the mass murderess to drop to the ground like a lead weight.

Green Lantern was quick to materialize a green dome around his fallen foe. Black Orchid got up and started pounding on the walls of the sphere. “Let me out or I swear I’ll shove that Crackerjack toy on your finger where the sun don’t shine! LET ME OUT!!!” Realizing it was futile to try and break through the dome, another solution came to her. “I saw this on an old Super Friends cartoon,” she snickered as she began spinning around, drilling downward into the sand. Within seconds she was gone.

“Damn! I should have put her in a bubble instead,” Green Lantern said, scolding himself. “She could be half-way to Metropolis by now.”

A few seconds later, Black Orchid sprouted from the ground. “Free at last!” she smiled.

“You’re not going anywhere,” vowed Apache Chief, advancing towards the murderess.

“You’re right, Tonto,” Black Orchid said sarcastically. “I still owe you for that little love-tap you gave me,” she said as she flew towards Apache Chief at super-speed, flying right through his stomach. Once through, Black Orchid looked behind her, “Oh, and here I thought all of you Indians had cast-iron stomachs!” she laughed. “Well Green Lantern, what’s it going to be? Take little ol’ me in or get Tonto to the hospital before he bleeds to death?” she smirked as she flew off.

Green Lantern knew there was no choice. He quickly used his ring to seal his teammate’s wound to stop the bleeding. Gathering the rest of his fallen friends, he headed to Coast City Hospital to seek treatment for Apache Chief.

Black Orchid flew away with a sense of victory, heading towards her secret lair.