Titans of Justice Unlimited #16 – “An Evening to Remember”
Written by Green Lantern
Featured Artists: Strato Hawk, Argos, Power Guy, and the Stranger
Edited by Power Guy


Midway City, Michigan


A pair of large avian figures graced the afternoon skies as members of the Titans of Justice Unlimited raced eastward.

“Shayera, we have to talk,” said Christian Jordain as his wings beat strongly. “We don’t accept rewards for our services. We just don’t do it. It’s Titans of Justice policy.”

“Yeah, I know,” answered the teen-aged Thanagarian, “but I have never been able to resist the delicious oysters on this planet. Besides, it was only a small cup…Why do you think those snake people attacked a seafood restaurant, anyway?”

“I don’t know,” answered Strato Hawk. “But there is more to this than meets the eye. I heard that Nucleus and the Flash solved a similar case at a delicatessen in Ohio a few hours ago.”

“Do you suppose Nightvision’s and Dark Arrow’s mission is related?” pondered Hawkgirl.

“I was just wondering the same thing,” answered Strato Hawk. “We’d better hurry. Power Guy said that neither of them have been responding to their Hall of Justice communicator.”

“I hope they are alright,” said Shayera Hol as her wings beat faster. “We need to get there right away in case something has gone wrong!”


Star Financial Bank, Star City, Connecticut


Robert Queen aimed his bow from the dark shadow of a non-functioning air conditioner in the bank. The original plan was for Dark Arrow to cause a diversion and for Nightvision to provide back-up assistance from the shadows, but yet another in a series of arguments between the two Titans ended in the two reversing roles. The result was disaster. The son of Green Arrow and Black Canary watched in horror as two villains dressed in snake costumes guarded their enchained prisoner, Nightvision. Employees and innocent citizens who had come to do last minute banking were all laying face down on the floor. The villains had turned the power off. Dark Arrow wiped beads of sweat from his forehead onto his sleeve as he watched a third man donned in a viper outfit stand on a desk and loudly proclaim, “We claim this bank in the name of the Kobra cult!”

Robert’s eyes widened in realization that their tip was incorrect. “So, these guys are completely unrelated to the Copperhead twins. Man, I hate snakes,” he thought. The masked vigilante took aim and shot five arrows into the darkened room.


Fwip! Fwip! Fwip! Fwip! Fwip!


A boxing glove arrow knocked the apparent leader off balance, resulting in his falling face first onto the floor. A boomerang arrow hit one of the snakemen in the jaw, knocking him into a state of unconsciousness. He slumped down into the lap of Brendon Grayson. A net arrow entrapped the third Kobra agent who shouted out, “What is going on!?!”

Taking advantage of the situation, Nightvision rocked his “prison chair” violently, causing the snake man on his lap to fall over on the netted villain. Then he rocked the chair in the other direction resulting in the chair crashing and breaking on the floor. The Dark knight detective quckly freed himself from the ropes that bound him and cuffed the hands of both of his captors.

Meanwhile, Dark Arrow summer-saulted into the air and landed boots first onto the back of his victim. He rapidly subdued the man dressed as a serpent, drew a bladed arrow from his quiver, placed it at the neck of his prisoner, and softly said, “Talk, snake. Who are you working for? Why are you here?” Unfortunately, the villain passed out for no apparent reason.


Fifteen Minutes Later


Hawkgirl looked down at the Star Financial Bank and said, “Look! It’s them! There on the rooftop.” The Thanagarian thrasher instinctively brandished her mace in preparation for a battle.

“Wait, Shayera,” advised Strato Hawk. “Listen and watch first. We need to assess the situation before charging in.”

Hawkgirl rolled her eyes and held back.

Strato Hawk adjusted the hearing device on his helmet and listened for key words.

“You messed up again, Arrow. I am beginning to question your appointment as a team-leader,” said Nightvision tersely.

“Look, Brendon,” began Dark Arrow.

“Nightvision,” corrected the son of Nightwing and Oracle.

“The police have already come and gone,” said Robert in defense as he wiped sweat from his brow. “No one is left to hear us, Nightvision.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” snapped Brendon Grayson.

“Look, Nightvision, I’m sorry. I am sorry for everything, for today…for what happened when I was under Grodd’s control…for hitting you…”

Nightvision tuned his teammate out with folded arms as he considered the betrayal of the former JLA. He didn’t trust Dark Arrow, Atmosphere, Air Wave or any of that crowd, except for possibly Totem.

Both heroes looked skyward as the Hawk duo descended. “Need a lift?” offered Strato Hawk in an effort to stop the continuing war between Nightvision and Dark Arrow.

“We can each fly you where you need to go,” offered Shayera.

Nightvision moved toward Strato Hawk with his eyes trained on Dark Arrow. Robert Queen and Shayera Hol watched as Christian Jordain winged the Gotham avenger into the distance.

“So, I take it you two aren’t best pals?” asked Hawkgirl.

“That’s one way to put it,” said Dark Arrow. “Can you drop me off in Star City?”


New York City, New York


[glow=yellow,2,300]Beep! Beep! Beep! [/glow]“Sargona here,” stated a beautiful woman seated on a bench outside a towering shopping center.

“I need you to check a gas station in the Bronx,” said Power Guy.

“Vince?” began Sargona sweetly, “Is there anyone else who can take this one?”

“Why?” asked the leader of the Titans of Justice, “Do you have another investigation going on?”

“No, Vince, but I am preparing for my date with Robert Queen,” said the lovely mage. “I know it sounds trivial, but I have been looking forward to this date all week. Is there anyone else?”

“I suppose I could ask Jemstone or Black Vulcan,” replied the Kryptonian.

“No, wait,” objected Sargona, “They are supposed to meet me here. Isn’t there anyone else?”

“I suppose I could ask Wonder Man and Wonder Girl,” said Power Guy in a tone that slightly betrayed disappointment.

“I owe you, Vince,” answered the daughter of Sargon with glee.

“There you are, girl,” called Celeste Pierce.

Sargona looked up to see Jerrica Benton with her African American friend. “Hi! Thanks for meeting me! Where’s Venus?”

“Good questions,” noted Black Vulcan. “She didn’t answer when I called her earlier to meet us here.”

“I think she’s still a bit depressed from the whole mess with the Floronic Man,” advised Jemstone.

The three ladies entered the shopping center and began browsing.

“So, what are you looking for?” asked Black Vulcan.

“I don’t know…Robert is taking me out for a romantic date. First, we are going to an Italian restaurant. I hope we’ll go on a moonlit walk in the park at some point,” answered the raven haired beauty as she looked in the distance. “Something that goes with rubies and says ‘you are in the presence of a lady.’”

“Follow me,” said Jemstone as she led the trio to a section of lavish evening gowns.

The three Titans had a wonderful time sharing stories about dates, trading cosmetic and clothing tips, and chatting the day away. After each lady had made several purchases they meandered to the perfume section to test fragrances. Suddenly a number of screams were heard throughout the building.

A man dressed in a snake outfit planted a green and orange flag at the cashier’s desk and shouted, “I claim this building in the name of the Cult of the Kobra!”

Using her powers of illusion, Jemstone created a hard light illusion of Wonder Man flying through the store. In an impressive display of masculinity “Wonder Man” ripped the pole off its stand and began running towards an area of the store where there was no people. The villain was joined by another man dressed as a viper in chasing Wonder Man. Celeste Pierce checked to see if anyone was watching her and shot a series of electrical bolts at the two villains.

[glow=yellow,2,300]BZZZZT! [/glow]The two snake men fell to the floor, completely drained. The hard light Wonder Man struck a macho pose and placed a foot on top of one of the unconscious villains. Sargona touched her ruby, which was currently in invisible state, and a pair of handcuffs appeared on the wrists of the two perpetrators.

World famous super-star, Jerrica Benton said, ”Celeste and I will check this out, Sargie, you go home and get ready for your date.”

Before Sargona could object Black Vulcan said, “We insist. I hope he sweeps you off your feet.”

Sargona hugged her friends and called a cab.


Star City, Connecticut


Di Di Queen was changing into her Sonic Boom uniform when her brother rushed through the door and collided with her.

“What’s the big rush, Rob?” asked the blonde bombshell as she brushed droplets of her brother’s perspiration from her jacket.

“I gotta take a shower and go. I don’t want to be late for my date,” answered her twin hastily.

“Oh, that’s right,” said Di Di in a negative tone, “You’re going out with her.”

Robert turned around and said with a grin, “You know I almost missed that snobby attitude, sis. You’ve been acting really behaved ever since Danny-boy took pity on you and accepted your proposal to be your man.”

“You stinkin' little--“ said Sonic Boom with a clenched fist.

“Languge,” warned her twin as he turned on the shower. “Aw, CRAP!” he exclaimed in horror that no water came out.

“Language,” reminded Di Di. We haven’t had water for more than two hours. Mom called the repairman, but he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do?” asked Dark Arrow. “I can’t go on a date like this!”

<sniff, sniff> “Yeah, I kind of noticed,” said Sonic Boom. “I have a half a bottle of drinking water you can use if you want.”

“I guess that’s better than nothing,” her brother mumbled.

The beautiful Titan opened the freezer and took out an ice cold bottle of water. “Here, I’m sorry its so cold,” she said as she handed it to him.

“I’ll just nuke it,” said Robert as he walked toward the microwave.

“Uhhhm…the microwave kind of broke earlier this morning, Rob” said Di Di softly.

“Aw, man!” exclaimed the handsome gentleman.

“Look, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. I am meeting Helena in Gotham,” explained the sonic warrior. “Something about a threat at a toy store.”

“Yeah, yeah, go on and kick some butt,” said Robert. “At least you get to work with the Huntress.”

“Why? Who did you get paired with?” asked Di Di.

“Night-hypocrite,” answered Dark Arrow as he began slamming drawers and tossing things in his room.

“He’ll come around,” said Sonic Boom. “What are you looking for?”

“I can’t find my deodorant,” he answered in frustration. “Have you seen it?”

“I saw dad leave with a Power Stick earlier,” answered his sister.

Robert looked up at his sister and froze in great alarm.

“You’re having a bad day, aren’t you, bro,’” said the lovely blonde. “Here, I just bought a new bottle of deodorant. You can have it,” she said as she handed it to him. “I gotta go now. Have a nice time.”

“Thanks, Di Di. You’re a life saver.” He watched his sister exit the mansion and then read the pink bottle in his hand. “Ladie’s Choice Deodorant: Spring Boquet…


…Aw, MAN!”

After a frigid sponge bath and applying fragrant deodorant the young suitor noticed that he only had nine minutes before he was to meet his date. “Oh NO!” he shouted in horror. “I cannot be late for this date!” Thinking quickly he activated his Hall of Justice communicator.


Washington, D.C.


A tall man dressed in orange green stood victoriously on a dining table in a local Mr. Hot Dog Restaurant. Waving a flag in the air he shouted, “I claim this building in the name of Kobra!”

Woosh! As Air Wave flew by in inert form the flag covered the villains face. Then suddenly the pole of the flag broke in two and both portions began beating the would-be conqueror. The newly christened Kai-Ro levitated with his legs crossed and his hands at his temples in concentration. Two more snake-themed villains revealed themselves and prepared to attack both Air Wave and Kai-Ro. Then a giant, glowing, green snake charmer appeared and began chasing one of the viper villains with a gigantic flute. The other villain found himself entrapped in a greenish woven basket. Green Lantern Daniel Jordan’s smile betrayed a sense of humor and guilty pleasure at capturing villains.

“Why are these Kobra jerks attacking a wimpy hot dog joint when they could be attacking the Capitol building?” asked the blue-skinned hero.

“Don’t give them any ideas, Kai-Ro,” answered the emerald gladiator with a look of disapproval, “and don’t disrespect this restaurant. Mr. Hot Dog has a really good menu.”

“Still, he makes a good point,” objected Air Wave as he secured the three prisoners. “Why attack a restaurant?’

“Maybe we ought to look into that,” answered Green Lantern.

[glow=yellow,2,300]Beep! Beep! Beep! [/glow]“Green Lantern here.”

“Danny-boy! I need your help! How fast can you get to my home in Star City?’ asked Dark Arrow.

“Three minutes?” spoke Daniel Jordan into his Hall of Justice Communicator.

“Make it two,” insisted Robert Queen.

Green Lantern Daniel Jordan left Air Wave in charge, warned Kai-Ro to behave himself, and took off to help his best friend. “I wonder what the emergency is?’ thought the young hero in concern.


Star City, Connecticut: Two and one-half Minutes Later


“What took you so long?” asked Robert Queen as Green Lantern de-cloaked himself and landed on the garden patio of the Queen Estate.

“I had to—“ began Daniel,

“Can you transport me and my car to New York? I need to get there in five minutes,” rambled Robert.

Daniel activated the cloaking feature on his ring. Then an emerald sphere surrounded Robert Queen’s convertible. The best friends were then airborne and on their way to New York. “What is this all about?” asked Daniel in transit.

“I am going to be late for my date with—“ began Robert.

“YOU CALLED ME AWAY FROM A MISSION FOR FREE TRANSPORTATION TO A DATE WITH MY EX?!?” exclaimed the son of Hal and Carol Jordan.

“…uh…yeah…That about sums it up,” said Dark Arrow sheepishly.

“and why are you dressed like that?”

“What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?” asked Robert defensively.

“A t-shirt and jeans?” asked Daniel in disbelief.

“You know Sargona. She’s high strung,” explained Dark Arrow. “I thought a casual date would fun and relaxing. I thought maybe we would go on a hayride.”

The two heroes arrived at their destination, so the green guardian decided not to pursue their topic any further. He prepared to take off, but then a mosquito flew into the mouth of his friend. Daniel Jordan rushed to the side of his best friend who was coughing very hard.