Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 6:44:56 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 24 – “To Seek The Truth Part 1”
Written & edited by: Power Guy
The Hall of Justice…
“So what are the results?” Sargona asked frantically.
“Ivo wasn’t lying, your d.n.a. is an exact match with Zatanna’s,” confirmed Nucleus, looking at the test results.
Sargona just sat on the examination table speechless.
“He’s right, I looked it over too,” Queen Bee said, supporting her man. “There’s a reason Jason is our top scientist.”
“How could she do this?!?!?!” Sargona screamed angrily.
Power Guy walked over to the raven-haired beauty and put his arm around her, “Easy, Sar…”
“All of these years I’ve idolized her!” Sargona kept on, “Every time she was in town I went to her magic-shows. I collected all of her various dolls and action figures. Heck, I even dressed up as her for Halloween! Now I find out that she’s my mother and she abandoned me. God only knows what she did to my father to stop him from telling me.”
“There’s got to be more to this story,” suggested Power Guy.
“I’d have to agree Sargona,” added Nucleus. “Ray Palmer has always had good things to say about Zatanna. Sure there was that mess with the wind-wipes years ago but besides that, Zatanna has always had a prestigious record. Many of the other Justice Leaguers speak highly of her such as Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter.
“They probably don’t know about her walking out on her family,” snapped Sargona.
“Girl, the only way you’re going to get to the bottom is this mess is to confront your mother head-on,” Queen Bee said, pointing out the obvious.
“She’s right Sar,” agreed Power Guy. “You need to go talk to her right away.”
Sargona put her hand on her forehead and looked down at the floor due to all of the stress she was feeling. “You guys are right. I can’t put this off any longer. Wish me luck as she headed for a teleport tube.
“Wait!” called out Nucleus. “You can’t use the teleporters right now. Queen Bee and I have them down for maintenance.”
“Sigh…..great,” grumbled the daughter of Sargon. “I guess I’ll have to use my magic-carpet. This is going to take forever,” she complained.
“I can get you there in less than five minutes,” smiled Power Guy, offering to help.
“But Vince, I don’t want to put you through all of the drama that could ensue,” Sargona replied out of concern.
“You’re Sargona,” advised the cousin of Power Girl. “Where there’s Sargona, there’s drama. I’ve gotten used to it.!” he mused.
“I don’t know whether to slap you or kiss you,” smiled Sargona. “Let’s go!”
***
The home of Zatanna…
As Power Guy and Sargona landed on the ground, the Kryptonian hero asked, “Sargona? Are you ok? You were shaking the whole way here.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just a tad nervous,” answered the wielder of the Ruby of Life.
The two heroes made their way up the walkway to the door. Sargona just stood frozen and stared at the door.
“Are you going to knock?” Power Guy asked, hoping to gently urge his teammate to do so.
Sargona felt a lump in her throat as she raised her hand and knocked on the door quietly.
“She’s never going to hear a knock like that,” smiled Power Guy. “Here, let me do it!” he said banging loudly on the door.
About twenty seconds later, the door opened but it was not Zatanna that answered but rather, her assistant Misty.
“Good afternoon, can I help you?” greeted the sometimes sidekick of Zatanna.
“We’re looking for Zatanna,” Power Guy said firmly.
“I’m sorry but she’s not here,” advised Misty. “I believe she’s at the magicians’ conference in Salem. Would you like me to tell her that you stopped by?”
“No, that’s alright,” Power Guy replied, surprisingly.
After Misty closed the door, Sargona turned to her teammate. “I’m a bit surprised. You urged me to come here but now we’re not even leaving a message saying we stopped by?”
“No, we’re not…because we’re going to magicians’ conference,” Power Guy said as he picked up Sargona for travel.
Once in the air, the man of might turned on his Titans of Justice communicator, “Stranger? This is Power Guy. Do you read me?”
A few seconds later, a response came, “Yes Power Guy, I’m here. What can I help you with?”
“Are you still at that magicians’ conference you told me about?” asked the senior leader of the Titans.
“Why yes I am,” confirmed the Stranger.
“Have you seen Zatanna there today?” asked Power Guy.
“Yes, in fact I did. She’s here, Dr. Fate is here, Ibis, the Enchantress, Jennifer Morgan, Faust, I could go on and on but virtually all of earth’s mystics are here.” answered the new Lord of Order.
“Do whatever you have to do to keep Zatanna there,” ordered the Kryptonian powerhouse.
“I take it you are on your way here and Sargona is with you?” presumed the Stranger.
“Yes, e.t.a. is about fifteen minutes,” gauged Power Guy. “I can’t go any faster or Sargona would burn up.”
“Take your time. I know how much this means to Sargona,” the Stranger said, ready to follow his orders as he glanced around the room looking for the daughter of Zatara. Once he located her, he made his way over to her without haste. “Zatanna! Zatanna!” he called out.
The beautiful mistress of magic turned towards her fellow mage, “Good evening Stranger. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has,” agreed the protégé of the Phantom Stranger. “How have you been?”
After about five minutes of small talk, Zatanna revealed, “I need to be going. I have dinner plans with John Constantine in about fifteen minutes. It was good chatting with you!”
As Zatanna started to turn to walk away, the Stranger grabbed her arm and raised his tone in a state of panic, “Wait! You can’t go!”
“John, you’re a nice guy but you’re a little too young for me,” smiled Zatanna, “Now let go of my arm and you’ll be able to keep your dignity.”
“You mis-read me,” advised the Stranger. “I am not interested in a relationship with you. I am a happily married man. Still, you cannot go.”
“John, I don’t do one-nighters,” Zatanna replied, still thinking that the Stranger was hitting on her. “Especially with married men. I stay very far away from them and have for a long time. Now, wish me well and I’ll see you around,” she said as she began walking away.
Though the Stranger was behind her, he suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking the exit. “I said you cannot go!” he repeated.
In the blink of an eye, a line of mystical light made it’s way up Zatanna’s body transforming her magician’s outfit into the costume she wore for the greater part of her first duration with the Justice League of America. “I tried telling you nicely but it looks like you just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” accused the daughter of Zatara as her hands began to glow.
The Stranger knew he could be facing one of the toughest battles of his career so he prepared himself for the conflict, his hands also glowing. “You assume too much Zatanna, still I cannot let you leave just yet!”
***
The Hall of Justice…
The Arachnid sat at the meeting table shaking almost violently due to nerves. He was about fifteen minutes early for his date with Phantom Lady and each second that passed seemed like five minutes. This was his first real date since coming back to the past. He had made sure to shower, brush his teeth, and glob on an almost ridiculous amount of cologne. “I can’t blow this one,” he thought to himself.
About ten minutes later, Phantom Lady arrived, looking more gorgeous than ever. Her skin glistened, her hair looked liked it was professionally styled, and her make-up was flawless. She looked like what the Arachnid felt he deserved in a woman. “Ready to go prowl, tiger?” she teased.
“You bet!” exclaimed the Arachnid, jumping up from his chair to join his date. “So where are we going for dinner?”
“Have you ever been to Pecs?” asked the spectral heroine.
“Can’t say that I have. Do they have good food?” asked the Arachnid.
“They have the best wings in town!” confirmed Phantom Lady. “Especially if you like ‘em hot and if you’re like me, you always love a hot piece of meat!”
“Uhh….sure,” the Arachnid smiled under his mask, thinking he might get lucky tonight.
“What are we waiting for then?” Phantom Lady said, grabbing the Arachnid’s arm. “Let’s go take the town!”
About twenty minutes later, the duo arrived at Pecs Sports Bar & Grille and walked into the lobby. The hostess promptly seated them as there was no wait.
“I can’t believe there wasn’t a wait! This place is usually packed!” observed Phantom Lady.
“Well the circus is in town plus Rihanna is performing downtown,” pointed out the Arachnid as he began looking at the menu.
“Well that explains it,” concluded the former member of the All-Star Squadron. “See anything you like?” she asked, glancing around the room.
The Arachnid had his face buried in his menu as he tried to calm his still shaking body. “Yeah, I’m gonna get the regular hot wings with a side of waffle fries.”
“Good choice but I’m a little disappointed,” commented Sandra Knight.
“Why?” asked the confused Arachnid.
“I thought a man like you would go for the inferno wings,”
“Well I don’t want to burn my tongue off,” advised the bug-themed hero. “If these go down well, I’ll try the inferno wings next time.” The Arachnid continued to look over the menu trying to think of something intelligent to say when the waiter finally came to the table.
“Hey folks, my name is Shawn. Hope you’re doing well tonight. What can I get for you to drink?”
“Jack and Coke,” replied Phantom Lady.
The Arachnid lowered his menu and looked at the waiter and was shocked to find him tall, muscular, and shirtless. “I’ll….uh…have a Dr. Pepper….”
“Sure, I’ll get those right away,” confirmed Shawn. “And I must say it’s a real honor to be waiting on a couple of superheroes.”
“He’s the real hero,” Phantom Lady said, putting her arm around the Arachnid, “I’m just his sidekick,” she smiled.
“Do you know what you folks want to eat or do you need a couple of minutes?” asked the waiter.
“Inferno wings! Extra, extra, hot!” shouted Phantom Lady. “With a cup of blue cheese dressing and some celery-sticks please!”
“You’ve got some apples, girl,” smiled the waiter, a bit shocked that a lady could handle the inferno wings. He then turned to the Arachnid, “What about you, pal?”
Remembering Phantom Lady’s earlier comment, he decided to “prove” his manhood and decided on, “Same for me! But with ranch dressing and waffle fries!”
“Alrighty then, I’ll get these orders right in for you,” Shawn said as he headed for the kitchen.
About ten minutes later, Shawn returned with the food the exquisite couple had ordered. “Here you go, folks. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I think we’re good,” answered the Arachnid.
Phantom Lady dove her hands into her plate of wings and started devouring them like a hungry vulture. “Mmmm….mmmm…” she smiled while chewing. “Could be a little hotter though.”
“Hmm…they must not be that bad,” the Arachnid thought to himself, grabbing a wing and taking a huge bite. All of a sudden, his eyes grew to the size of small lemons and he began to choke, “COUGH….COUGH……COUGH!!!!” He grabbed his Dr. Pepper and started slurping it up like a fish that had been out of water. “COUGH……COUGH….”
Phantom Lady became quickly alarmed, “What’s wrong? Did you swallow a bone?”
The Arachnid continued to cough and wasn’t able to answer the Golden Age heroine’s question.
“Waiter! Waiter!” Phantom Lady called out.
Shawn came rushing over to the table,
“Do you know the Heimlich maneuver? I think my date is choking on a bone!” she cried out.
Shawn quickly put his arms under the Arachnid’s shoulder and pulled him out of his chair, ready to administer the Heimlich.”
“Stop! Stop!!” shouted the Arachnid while still slightly choking. “I’m fine….really…”
Shawn set the Arachnid back in his chair. “Are you sure? It’s no trouble at all if you have something caught in your throat.”
“I’m fine,….the sauce on the wings is just a bit….different than what I’m used to,” answered the bug-themed hero.
“Ok, well, just holler if you need anything,” the waiter said as he walked away.
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Phantom Lady asked.
“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine,” the Arachnid said, taking another drink of his soda.
“Hmm…well even if I was fine, I still would have let him give me the Heimlich,” the spectral heroine grinned from ear to ear.
“Not my type thanks,” the Arachnid answered sarcastically.
“So what is your type??” asked Sandra Knight as she put her hand on the Arachnid’s.
“I don’t really have a ‘type”, I’m all over the place,” replied the best friend of Starman.
“You’re a lot like me but a hairy-chest always seals the deal,” the former Freedom Fighter revealed.
“d**n, I hope that Rogaine I rubbed on my chest works,” the Arachnid thought to himself.
A few minutes later after Phantom Lady had finished her wings(and the Arachnid’s) and the Arachnid finished his fries, Phantom Lady threw some money on the table. “Ready to go?”
“Hang on, let me dig out my money,” requested the Arachnid.
“Oh, I got you covered,” Phantom Lady smiled warmly. “Now, let’s get to that club and party like a bunch of rock-stars!”
TO BE CONTINUED
Written & edited by: Power Guy
The Hall of Justice…
“So what are the results?” Sargona asked frantically.
“Ivo wasn’t lying, your d.n.a. is an exact match with Zatanna’s,” confirmed Nucleus, looking at the test results.
Sargona just sat on the examination table speechless.
“He’s right, I looked it over too,” Queen Bee said, supporting her man. “There’s a reason Jason is our top scientist.”
“How could she do this?!?!?!” Sargona screamed angrily.
Power Guy walked over to the raven-haired beauty and put his arm around her, “Easy, Sar…”
“All of these years I’ve idolized her!” Sargona kept on, “Every time she was in town I went to her magic-shows. I collected all of her various dolls and action figures. Heck, I even dressed up as her for Halloween! Now I find out that she’s my mother and she abandoned me. God only knows what she did to my father to stop him from telling me.”
“There’s got to be more to this story,” suggested Power Guy.
“I’d have to agree Sargona,” added Nucleus. “Ray Palmer has always had good things to say about Zatanna. Sure there was that mess with the wind-wipes years ago but besides that, Zatanna has always had a prestigious record. Many of the other Justice Leaguers speak highly of her such as Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter.
“They probably don’t know about her walking out on her family,” snapped Sargona.
“Girl, the only way you’re going to get to the bottom is this mess is to confront your mother head-on,” Queen Bee said, pointing out the obvious.
“She’s right Sar,” agreed Power Guy. “You need to go talk to her right away.”
Sargona put her hand on her forehead and looked down at the floor due to all of the stress she was feeling. “You guys are right. I can’t put this off any longer. Wish me luck as she headed for a teleport tube.
“Wait!” called out Nucleus. “You can’t use the teleporters right now. Queen Bee and I have them down for maintenance.”
“Sigh…..great,” grumbled the daughter of Sargon. “I guess I’ll have to use my magic-carpet. This is going to take forever,” she complained.
“I can get you there in less than five minutes,” smiled Power Guy, offering to help.
“But Vince, I don’t want to put you through all of the drama that could ensue,” Sargona replied out of concern.
“You’re Sargona,” advised the cousin of Power Girl. “Where there’s Sargona, there’s drama. I’ve gotten used to it.!” he mused.
“I don’t know whether to slap you or kiss you,” smiled Sargona. “Let’s go!”
***
The home of Zatanna…
As Power Guy and Sargona landed on the ground, the Kryptonian hero asked, “Sargona? Are you ok? You were shaking the whole way here.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just a tad nervous,” answered the wielder of the Ruby of Life.
The two heroes made their way up the walkway to the door. Sargona just stood frozen and stared at the door.
“Are you going to knock?” Power Guy asked, hoping to gently urge his teammate to do so.
Sargona felt a lump in her throat as she raised her hand and knocked on the door quietly.
“She’s never going to hear a knock like that,” smiled Power Guy. “Here, let me do it!” he said banging loudly on the door.
About twenty seconds later, the door opened but it was not Zatanna that answered but rather, her assistant Misty.
“Good afternoon, can I help you?” greeted the sometimes sidekick of Zatanna.
“We’re looking for Zatanna,” Power Guy said firmly.
“I’m sorry but she’s not here,” advised Misty. “I believe she’s at the magicians’ conference in Salem. Would you like me to tell her that you stopped by?”
“No, that’s alright,” Power Guy replied, surprisingly.
After Misty closed the door, Sargona turned to her teammate. “I’m a bit surprised. You urged me to come here but now we’re not even leaving a message saying we stopped by?”
“No, we’re not…because we’re going to magicians’ conference,” Power Guy said as he picked up Sargona for travel.
Once in the air, the man of might turned on his Titans of Justice communicator, “Stranger? This is Power Guy. Do you read me?”
A few seconds later, a response came, “Yes Power Guy, I’m here. What can I help you with?”
“Are you still at that magicians’ conference you told me about?” asked the senior leader of the Titans.
“Why yes I am,” confirmed the Stranger.
“Have you seen Zatanna there today?” asked Power Guy.
“Yes, in fact I did. She’s here, Dr. Fate is here, Ibis, the Enchantress, Jennifer Morgan, Faust, I could go on and on but virtually all of earth’s mystics are here.” answered the new Lord of Order.
“Do whatever you have to do to keep Zatanna there,” ordered the Kryptonian powerhouse.
“I take it you are on your way here and Sargona is with you?” presumed the Stranger.
“Yes, e.t.a. is about fifteen minutes,” gauged Power Guy. “I can’t go any faster or Sargona would burn up.”
“Take your time. I know how much this means to Sargona,” the Stranger said, ready to follow his orders as he glanced around the room looking for the daughter of Zatara. Once he located her, he made his way over to her without haste. “Zatanna! Zatanna!” he called out.
The beautiful mistress of magic turned towards her fellow mage, “Good evening Stranger. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has,” agreed the protégé of the Phantom Stranger. “How have you been?”
After about five minutes of small talk, Zatanna revealed, “I need to be going. I have dinner plans with John Constantine in about fifteen minutes. It was good chatting with you!”
As Zatanna started to turn to walk away, the Stranger grabbed her arm and raised his tone in a state of panic, “Wait! You can’t go!”
“John, you’re a nice guy but you’re a little too young for me,” smiled Zatanna, “Now let go of my arm and you’ll be able to keep your dignity.”
“You mis-read me,” advised the Stranger. “I am not interested in a relationship with you. I am a happily married man. Still, you cannot go.”
“John, I don’t do one-nighters,” Zatanna replied, still thinking that the Stranger was hitting on her. “Especially with married men. I stay very far away from them and have for a long time. Now, wish me well and I’ll see you around,” she said as she began walking away.
Though the Stranger was behind her, he suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking the exit. “I said you cannot go!” he repeated.
In the blink of an eye, a line of mystical light made it’s way up Zatanna’s body transforming her magician’s outfit into the costume she wore for the greater part of her first duration with the Justice League of America. “I tried telling you nicely but it looks like you just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” accused the daughter of Zatara as her hands began to glow.
The Stranger knew he could be facing one of the toughest battles of his career so he prepared himself for the conflict, his hands also glowing. “You assume too much Zatanna, still I cannot let you leave just yet!”
***
The Hall of Justice…
The Arachnid sat at the meeting table shaking almost violently due to nerves. He was about fifteen minutes early for his date with Phantom Lady and each second that passed seemed like five minutes. This was his first real date since coming back to the past. He had made sure to shower, brush his teeth, and glob on an almost ridiculous amount of cologne. “I can’t blow this one,” he thought to himself.
About ten minutes later, Phantom Lady arrived, looking more gorgeous than ever. Her skin glistened, her hair looked liked it was professionally styled, and her make-up was flawless. She looked like what the Arachnid felt he deserved in a woman. “Ready to go prowl, tiger?” she teased.
“You bet!” exclaimed the Arachnid, jumping up from his chair to join his date. “So where are we going for dinner?”
“Have you ever been to Pecs?” asked the spectral heroine.
“Can’t say that I have. Do they have good food?” asked the Arachnid.
“They have the best wings in town!” confirmed Phantom Lady. “Especially if you like ‘em hot and if you’re like me, you always love a hot piece of meat!”
“Uhh….sure,” the Arachnid smiled under his mask, thinking he might get lucky tonight.
“What are we waiting for then?” Phantom Lady said, grabbing the Arachnid’s arm. “Let’s go take the town!”
About twenty minutes later, the duo arrived at Pecs Sports Bar & Grille and walked into the lobby. The hostess promptly seated them as there was no wait.
“I can’t believe there wasn’t a wait! This place is usually packed!” observed Phantom Lady.
“Well the circus is in town plus Rihanna is performing downtown,” pointed out the Arachnid as he began looking at the menu.
“Well that explains it,” concluded the former member of the All-Star Squadron. “See anything you like?” she asked, glancing around the room.
The Arachnid had his face buried in his menu as he tried to calm his still shaking body. “Yeah, I’m gonna get the regular hot wings with a side of waffle fries.”
“Good choice but I’m a little disappointed,” commented Sandra Knight.
“Why?” asked the confused Arachnid.
“I thought a man like you would go for the inferno wings,”
“Well I don’t want to burn my tongue off,” advised the bug-themed hero. “If these go down well, I’ll try the inferno wings next time.” The Arachnid continued to look over the menu trying to think of something intelligent to say when the waiter finally came to the table.
“Hey folks, my name is Shawn. Hope you’re doing well tonight. What can I get for you to drink?”
“Jack and Coke,” replied Phantom Lady.
The Arachnid lowered his menu and looked at the waiter and was shocked to find him tall, muscular, and shirtless. “I’ll….uh…have a Dr. Pepper….”
“Sure, I’ll get those right away,” confirmed Shawn. “And I must say it’s a real honor to be waiting on a couple of superheroes.”
“He’s the real hero,” Phantom Lady said, putting her arm around the Arachnid, “I’m just his sidekick,” she smiled.
“Do you know what you folks want to eat or do you need a couple of minutes?” asked the waiter.
“Inferno wings! Extra, extra, hot!” shouted Phantom Lady. “With a cup of blue cheese dressing and some celery-sticks please!”
“You’ve got some apples, girl,” smiled the waiter, a bit shocked that a lady could handle the inferno wings. He then turned to the Arachnid, “What about you, pal?”
Remembering Phantom Lady’s earlier comment, he decided to “prove” his manhood and decided on, “Same for me! But with ranch dressing and waffle fries!”
“Alrighty then, I’ll get these orders right in for you,” Shawn said as he headed for the kitchen.
About ten minutes later, Shawn returned with the food the exquisite couple had ordered. “Here you go, folks. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“I think we’re good,” answered the Arachnid.
Phantom Lady dove her hands into her plate of wings and started devouring them like a hungry vulture. “Mmmm….mmmm…” she smiled while chewing. “Could be a little hotter though.”
“Hmm…they must not be that bad,” the Arachnid thought to himself, grabbing a wing and taking a huge bite. All of a sudden, his eyes grew to the size of small lemons and he began to choke, “COUGH….COUGH……COUGH!!!!” He grabbed his Dr. Pepper and started slurping it up like a fish that had been out of water. “COUGH……COUGH….”
Phantom Lady became quickly alarmed, “What’s wrong? Did you swallow a bone?”
The Arachnid continued to cough and wasn’t able to answer the Golden Age heroine’s question.
“Waiter! Waiter!” Phantom Lady called out.
Shawn came rushing over to the table,
“Do you know the Heimlich maneuver? I think my date is choking on a bone!” she cried out.
Shawn quickly put his arms under the Arachnid’s shoulder and pulled him out of his chair, ready to administer the Heimlich.”
“Stop! Stop!!” shouted the Arachnid while still slightly choking. “I’m fine….really…”
Shawn set the Arachnid back in his chair. “Are you sure? It’s no trouble at all if you have something caught in your throat.”
“I’m fine,….the sauce on the wings is just a bit….different than what I’m used to,” answered the bug-themed hero.
“Ok, well, just holler if you need anything,” the waiter said as he walked away.
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Phantom Lady asked.
“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine,” the Arachnid said, taking another drink of his soda.
“Hmm…well even if I was fine, I still would have let him give me the Heimlich,” the spectral heroine grinned from ear to ear.
“Not my type thanks,” the Arachnid answered sarcastically.
“So what is your type??” asked Sandra Knight as she put her hand on the Arachnid’s.
“I don’t really have a ‘type”, I’m all over the place,” replied the best friend of Starman.
“You’re a lot like me but a hairy-chest always seals the deal,” the former Freedom Fighter revealed.
“d**n, I hope that Rogaine I rubbed on my chest works,” the Arachnid thought to himself.
A few minutes later after Phantom Lady had finished her wings(and the Arachnid’s) and the Arachnid finished his fries, Phantom Lady threw some money on the table. “Ready to go?”
“Hang on, let me dig out my money,” requested the Arachnid.
“Oh, I got you covered,” Phantom Lady smiled warmly. “Now, let’s get to that club and party like a bunch of rock-stars!”
TO BE CONTINUED