Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 6
“The Generations Saga Part 1 of 6: The New Status Quo”
Written by Green Lantern
Editors: Marcus Mebes and Power Guy

Rural Ohio (Six Months Ago)

A middle-aged man browsed the headlines of the morning paper as he poured water into his coffee machine and activated the on switch. He noticed his reflection in the mirror on the way to his favorite recliner. Crows feet, forehead wrinkles, and graying temples betrayed a hard and somewhat bitter life. The adjustment of being alone again hadn’t come too easily. He never had many friends growing up. None of his teachers ever liked him too much either, that was for sure. His relationship with his parents was always cold at best, but they were long gone. He married at a late age when he found true love for the first time in his life. However, his relationship with Marion was a little strained once their only son arrived. His wife enjoyed an instinctive special bond with their son, but Jack found it difficult to relate with the scientific minded young boy. Still, he had always been secretly proud of Jason, but now bitterly regretted never having told him so. He wished that his son hadn’t gone all the way to MIT to study astrophysics as a grad student. “Back in my day a high school education was good enough,” thought the man as he poured a piping hot cup of coffee. None of Jack’s wishes seemed to matter anymore. Jason disappeared three months ago, and by this time Jack had no choice to accept that neither his son nor his wife was ever coming back.

BOOOM!!! SMASH! KRACK!!! SKREEE!!! FWASH!!!!

Jack’s coffee cup shattered on the floor as he ran to the front window to find out what all the commotion outside was about. His dull blue eyes widened as he peered carefully between the curtains. “What are those costumed freaks doing all the way out here in Ohio?” thought the lonely man. He continued to watch the battle in irritation. He couldn’t hear what the two gaudily costumed men were saying, but it was quite obvious that the one in green and yellow was attacking the one in red and blue.

Jack quickly got his shotgun out of the closet and loaded it. Unlike his father and son, he had always been a great hunter. He opened the front door and aimed at the flying one. His jaw dropped when he saw the red-and-blue one grow taller than the maple tree in his front yard.

SWAT! “I don’t know what you want, Chronos, but you aren’t going to get it!” yelled Nucleus as Chronos’ body flew back from the giant’s slap.

Regaining control with agility, the time villain responded, “Just give me your belt and I’ll leave you alone.”

Jack had seen and heard enough. He fired a warning shot in the air. The bearded one in red-and-blue paused and stared at the owner of the home as if he were in shock or frightened. Then he shrunk down to human size, removed the belt, and smashed it.

“NOOOOO!!!!!!” shouted Chronos, “Give that to me!!!!”

After depressing another few buttons the belt exploded and knocked its owner to the ground.

Chronos cursed loudly and blasted the bearded hero into unconsciousness.

“Hey! I’ll have no more of that filthy talk around these parts!” demanded Jack as he pointed his shotgun at the ‘flying freak.’ “Go on! Get out of here.”

The white masked villain glared at the middle-aged man in fury and then vanished into thin air.

“Stupid idiot-clowns, dressin’ up like somebody out of a funny book and disturbin’ the peace,” muttered Jack Hardwick as he approached the still body of the fallen hero. He slapped the blue-and-red clad hero a couple of times and said, “C’mon, ‘Superman,’ wake up already.”



The costumed hero known as Nucleus began to stir. His eyes began to slowly focus onto the familiar face of the man stooping over him. Then he smiled and exclaimed, “Dad!?!”

Jack paused for a moment and de-masked the young man before him. The father was overcome with mixed emotions of joy at his son’s, betrayal of the secret his son had kept so long from him, and a sad bitterness at the lamentable message that he would have to deliver immediately.

“C’mon inside, son,” said the older man sadly, “I have some bad news for you…”

Breeze City, California (Today)

Soaring high above the Breeze City Power Plant, Green Lantern Hal Jordan ordered his power ring to form a gigantic brick tower, which reached halfway to the clouds.

BAM! Evil Star completely lost his breath as his alien body slammed into the emerald wall.

“You aren’t going to destroy the earth the way you eliminated your own planet, Evil Star,” said the emerald gladiator as he dodged a barrage of blasts from his adversary.



Speeding from behind the villain, Green Lantern Daniel Jordan entrapped the killer from the wasteland planet of Aarok in an energy pyramid. “Why can’t you use your powers to help others rather than for murder?” asked the bald youth.

Evil Star shot a series of energy blasts at his prison walls to no avail. “You are wasting your time trying to convert this killer,” explained Hal Jordan as he created an energy sphere around the pyramid formed by his son’s ring. “He single-handedly murdered his own wife and son…not to mention the entire population of his home world.”

Pastor Daniel paused and looked intently at his father as he thought about the horrible deeds of the villain he had entrapped. After a few moments his eyebrows furled, and the triangular shaped cell morphed into a fist wrapped tightly around the squirming body of Evil Star. Before the terrorist could react, he found himself being smashed by a second energy hand and quickly succumbed to a state of unconsciousness.

“Harsh,” commented Hal. “..not that he didn’t deserve it. I guess I’d better get this guy to Oa. Want to join me?”

“Can’t,” answered his son, “I have an appointment.”

Harold Jordan smiled wryly at his shy son and said teasingly, “Your mother and I noticed last night at dinner that you talked non-stop about Di Di Queen. Is there something going on between you two?”

“I…I’ll tell you about it later,” answered Daniel with a slight blush, “I have to meet Whirlpool at the Coast City beach in a few minutes. Apparently he saved the life of the new Star Sapphire and with the help of Dolphin and Tempest has been nursing her back to health. I am going to transport her to Paris where a pastor friend of mine is going to share the gospel with her.”

“My son,” commented Mr. Jordan as he looked into the sky with pride, “always trying to reform the bad guys. Don’t be late for supper! Your mom is cooking your favorite: turkey and all of the fixin's!”

“Nothing could stop me!” replied the youngest member of the Green Lantern Corps.

Star City, Connecticut

The Copperhead twins slithered in the shadows of the two elm trees facing the First Federal Bank of Star City. The brothers nodded at one another and jumped onto the window ledge of the third floor. One of them raised a blade in preparation to cut an entryway through the third story windowpane.

[size=3Ziiiiiiiiiiiiinng! [/size] [/i]An arrow knocked the blade from the viper’s hand.

Fwash! A blinding light prevented the serpent brothers from seeing, and thus from escape.

Scrap metal from a nearby dumpster levitated and formed a makeshift prison around the two would-be bank robbers. A sudden wind lowered the cage gently to the ground. As the bright light disappeared and the Copperhead twins’ vision returned, they realized that they had been captured by four members of the Titans of Justice Unlimited: Dark Arrow, Lady Light, Sargona, and Atmosphere.

“Four on two?” complained one of the brothers in a thick Spanish accent.

“Overkill, don’t ya think?” added the other in an almost identical voice.



“Yeah, well we got a bad tip,” said Dark Arrow.



“We were told that a major villain was going to be here,” explained Atmosphere.



“Even Power Lad could have handled this,” added Sargona dryly.



“But on the bright side, the police should be here any moment,” said Lady Light.

“So, Sargona, I hear you’re available,” said Robert Queen as he collapsed his bow and stored it on the back of his quiver. “You like Mexican?”

The mistress of mystical arts stared at the young archer in shock for a few moments. “Do I look like an idiot? I know that you were trying to break Da…Green Lantern and me up the entire time we were seeing each other. Why would I go out with a guy who deliberately sabotaged my love life?”

Lady Light was a little uncomfortable that her teammates were discussing such a personal matter in public. Still, she couldn’t resist listening in.

“Look, it wasn’t personal, Sargona,” said Dark Arrow in kind and borderline flirtatious way. “I have bee rooting for my sis…Sonic Boom and Green Lantern ever since I was eleven. They are soul mates. They belong together.”

With arms folded Sargona continued to glare at her teammate silently.

“Besides, Daniel is a quiet and unassuming kind of guy,” continued the archer. “Someone of a more fiery temperament, such as yourself, needs a strong and macho type of suitor.”

“You mean like YOU?” asked the former girlfriend of Green Lantern.

“Exactly!” said Robert with a confident grin. “So, whaddaya say? Mexican at seven o’clock tonight?”

The raven-haired beauty thought for a moment and answered, “Make it Olive Garden and you’re on.”

“C’mon, let’s just take these nasty snakes to prison ourselves,” whispered Atmosphere to Lady Light. “It’s kind of getting mushy around here.”

“Why doesn’t anything like that ever happen to me?” Lady Light muttered under her breath.

Albert grinned with hope as he used his tornado like winds to airlift the cage created by Sargona’s ruby. “You lead the way,” he said, doing his best to hide that he had heard the Japanese heroine’s comment.


Wayne Manor, outside Gotham City Limits

Weeks of scouting stately Wayne Manor had paid off for the fledgling villain code named ‘the Salamander.’ He finished tying up Bruce and Selina Wayne, and prepared to fill his bag with jewels and various precious items from the lavish mansion. Stepping over their unconscious butler, he walked towards the large family painting, which he assumed to be the cover for one of their safes. He turned around to put his bag and tools down and before the villain could react, more than a dozen arrows outlined his form and stuck in the wall behind him. Three of them drew blood. The Salamander’s eyes grew wide as a caped woman dressed in dark clothing appeared from the shadows.



“Don’t bother using your camouflage abilities, Mr. Jackson,” growled the Huntress. “They’re useless against dangerous vigilantes who wear special lenses in their masks.”

The villain shuddered when the woman said his name. “My associates and I have been following your activities with great interest for quite some time now, Mr. Jackson. You have been stalking the Wayne Estate for a total of three weeks,” said the Dark knight daughter as she shot another arrow with her hand-held crossbow. It barely missed his temple. “I don’t like stalkers, Mr. Jackson…but I’ll tell you what,” continued the heroine as her parents watched, “since I am in such a good mood tonight I am going to let you live this time.”

The Salamander wet himself as another arrow came within an inch of his groin. “Here is how this is going to go down: You are going to cheerfully join my friend Nightvision on a little field trip to Gotham City prison, where you are going to turn yourself in and tell the good Commissioner everything you know about the Earthworm’s plans… EVERYTHING!”



Nightvision stepped out of the shadows and informally saluted the cowering thief.

The villain began sniveling as the Huntress calmly continued her instructions. “Yes, Mr. Jackson, we know that you are working for the Earthworm. We are also aware that he won’t like it very much when he finds out that you ratted on him. But know this, Mr. Jackson: If you don’t cooperate fully with us you won’t have to worry about him… because I will finish you off myself,” she said as a knife passed though the space between the Salamander’s ear and the side of his head. Several tears dropped from the bloodshot eyes of the quaking villain.

“Now, I suppose that an upstanding citizen such as yourself would like an opportunity to untie the Waynes and apologize for breaking and entering into their home before you and Nightvision embark on your little field trip,” suggested the lady vigilante in a pleasing tone.

The Salamander nodded his head quickly and rushed to the place where Bruce and Selina were tied. “I am so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne,” sobbed the Salamander as he untied the ropes that bound them. “I won’t ever do this again to you...or to anyone else! I promise!”

“I think I can take it from here,” said Nightvision as he secured a pair of handcuffs tightly on the villain’s wrists.

“Oh, and by the way, Aaron,” said the Huntress to the Salamander, “tell your wife Linda hello for me when she comes to pick you up from prison.”

After Nightvision and the Salamander were on their way, Helena Wayne took off her mask and demanded of her parents, “What was that all about? I know very well that neither one of you would ever let yourselves be captured by a loser like the Salamander.”

“We have been following your activities with great interest for quite some time now,” said her father with pride. “We wanted to see first hand what you and Nightvision are capable of.”

“Helena, you know how I feel about you deceiving us all of this time,” said the former Catwoman. “But do you have any idea of how it feels to attend the funeral of your only daughter?”

“Mother…mom, I‘m sorry,” said Helena as she approached the beautiful woman and hugged her tightly, “but I was born for this.”

“I know,” admitted Selina as a solitary tear traced her cheek, “I saw.”

“Don’t worry, mom,” said the raven-haired beauty as she looked her mother in the eye, “I am going to finish law school and make you proud, and I will continue helping you in your charity work.” Looking over at her father, she noticed his steel blue eyes beaming with pride. “And Dad? I am starting the Super Friends program up again in your honor. I am going to train the younger kids in the Titans of Justice just the way you, Superman, and the others have trained so many over the years.”

Coast City Beach, California

Green Lantern looked westward at the magnificent cerulean skies as he waited for his aquatic friend. He was so thankful that he and his companions had all returned home safely from the Universe of Evil. He was hopeful that he and the Huntress could help Wonder Girl change her life and channel her unique abilities for good. He prayed that God would give him wisdom on how best to guide the Star Sapphire onto a right path.

“Ahoy there!” shouted a teen riding a giant white seahorse.



“Whirlpool!” exclaimed the son of Hal Jordan with glee. “Thank you so much for all you have done for Star Sapphire.



“Yes,” said Monique to the handsome young sea hero dressed in blue, “thank you for saving me. I owe my life to you.” Turning to Green Lantern she said, “So you are going to take me home with you?”

“Uhhhhhhhh…no. I am going to take you back to France, Monique,” answered the emerald gladiator. Whirlpool noticed the young lady’s disappointed countenance.

“Excuse me, are you the Green Lantern of Sector 2814?” asked a stranger in a beige trench coat.

“Yes, I am,” answered Daniel Jordan. “How may I help you, friend?”

Whirlpool, Star Sapphire, and Green Lantern were all surprised as the stranger removed his hat to reveal light blue skin coloring and pointed ears. “My name is Kai-Ro. Greetings from Venus. I have come to your planet seeking mentorship before I take my vows to protect my people as crown prince of the Highlanders of Venron. May I be so bold as to make application to be trained by the fabled Green Lantern of Sector 2814?”

There was an extended pause before Daniel Jordan answered. “I think you are seeking my veteran partner. I haven’t yet been with the Green Lantern Corps for two years.”

“That would be perfect. We are close enough in age that we can relate. Would you do me the honor of being my mentor?” asked the alien.

“Hey, GL! He could join the Super Friends!” exclaimed an excited Whirlpool.

Green Lantern looked at his younger teammate thoughtfully. Turning back to his new acquaintance he said with a smile, “I have a friend who is putting together a new group of super-heroes in training. I will gladly sponsor you as the newest member of the Super Friends.”

Kai-Ro smiled, concentrated briefly, and disappeared. The three witnesses looked at one another in amazement. Then as quickly as he vanished, the blue man reappeared wearing a costume similar to that worn by many Green Lanterns. “I am honored to be trained by you and to call you my friend,” said the blue-skinned alien proudly.



The Star Sapphire watched in a jealous silence as Green Lantern shook the hands of both Kai-Ro and Whirlpool.

“You’re going to need a code name, pal,” said Whirlpool as he slapped Kai-Ro’s shoulder. “How about ‘the Venutian Manhunter?’”

“Uhhmmmmmmm….maybe we should just stick with ‘Kai-Ro,’” offered Daniel Jordan politely.

The Hall of Justice, Metropolis



Stellar gasped as he and his stunning teammate approached the Hall of Justice. The two of them were nearby when the priority-A signal went out. The star-spangled teen knew that he would be facing a big challenge, but he had no idea it would be this bad. Standing between himself and the headquarters of the Titans of Justice Unlimited was an entire army of war-related toys and the villain known as Gigantus, who had an unconscious Silencer in his clutches.



“Come ON, Stellar!” shouted Sonic Boom. “They have the element of surprise, but we have the home court advantage. Let’s take them down fast and hard!” The blonde siren drew a deep breath of air and screamed with all of her might.

SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her first attack took out two-thirds of the Toyman’s army.

“You have no idea how much I missed that when we thought you were…gone,” said Stellar as he created a short force field behind the legs of the towering Gigantus. When Freddie Batson’s mother was viciously killed by the wicked Shiv, the Queen family assisted Bill Batson in raising his son. The Queens took the young boy under their wings and treated his as one of their own. While Freddie was closer with Green Arrow and Dark Arrow, he also thought of Sonic Boom as a big sister.

As Stellar enacted part two of his plan by spraying several rounds electrical stars a the chest and face of the giant, Di Di Queen replied, “I am glad you missed me, but I am back to stay. I am not going anywhere.” The sonic warrior did a series of cartwheels and aerial acrobatic spins in order to avoid the barrage of fire from the Toyman’s army.

Unbeknown to the two Titans, a third villain stood in the shadows of a strong oak tree in the distance. “Sir, it’s her. She’s here now.



…No sir, just one of the teen members. I don’t recognize him…Starboy, I think.”

Stellar’s attack on the evil son of Giganta was successful.

BOOM!

The villain fell backward and landed on the ground as Wonder Man and Jemstone arrived.



Jemstone created a series of holograms, which deceived Toyman into thinking that the entire membership of the Titans of Justice had arrived. The toy soldiers and military tanks began shooting in a different direction. Meanwhile, with his keen Amazonian eyesight, Wonder Man noticed the caller from the mighty oak and dove toward him.

“The Riddler!?!” exclaimed the Themysciran prince.



“Yes, I am following in my father’s footsteps,” remarked arrogant villain with a half-bow.

POW!!!!!!!! Wonder Man knocked the black and green-garbed man onto the ground.

“What is this,” demanded Scott Trevor, “a new Legion of Doom?”

“Wonder Man,” called Stellar in a panicked voice, “They got her!”

“Who got who?” asked the handsome hero.

“Chronos got Sonic Boom!” shouted the star-spangled kid.

“…and they all escaped!” added Jemstone. “Toyman, Gigantus, and Chronos all just vanished into thin air!”

“…and they took Sonic Boom with them!” shouted Stellar.

Wonder Man clutched the Riddler’s throat fiercely and said in a threatening tone, “Where did they take her!?!”

Clearing his throat and speaking weakly, the fledgling villain said, “Riddle me this: Which member of your team has been whisked away to the thirtieth century and will never be heard from again?”

The eyes of all three heroes widened. Wonder Man lost his grip on the Riddler, freeing the villain to let out an evil cackle.





TO BE CONTINUED…