Titans of Justice Unlimited #43: Who are the Super Friends?
Written by: Green Lantern
Editor: Power Guy

Metropolis: The Daily Planet

Seated atop of the ring of the golden globe which had distinguished the Daily Planet building, Power Guy and Huntress discussed issues and concerns in their normal meeting place.

“You have news?” asked Helena Wayne solemnly.

“The Rangers have declined Super Friends membership for Aura,” said Vince Starr.

“Why?” asked the Dark Knight daughter in surprise.

“They feel that Aura’s experience in the Rangers is sufficient for her Titans of Justice membership,” answered the Kryptonian powerhouse.

“Of course it is, just like every other member of the Super Friends. As a matter of fact, some of the other members have even more experience than she does,” added the Huntress.

“Look, amiga,” said Power Guy with his hand on his best friend’s shoulder, “Some of the others might need to see the fruit of the Super Friends training before they understand its benefits.”

“You mean like the Arachnid?” asked the future lawyer.

“Well, I am not sure he would be interested even if the entire membership of the Super Friends were given certificates of honor by the United Nations!” Power Guy said with a good hearty laugh.

Outside Metropolis City Limits

“Look GL, no offense, but I don’t understand why you are coming with us to the Super Friends meeting. You have a lot of experience under your belt and you are several years older than the other members,” said Air Wave to his cousin as they flew side-by-side towards the Hall of Justice.

Before Daniel Jordan could speak, Kai-Ro answered from the giant, green, winged horse he rode. “His experience will be an invaluable asset to the team. The Huntress herself is on this team in a training position. I think it is great that Green Lantern is joining us.”

“Look, guys, I appreciate your respect but I really feel like I could use some more training myself,” said the emerald warrior.

“Can I talk with you in private, cuz?” asked Air Wave seriously.

Pastor Daniel Jordan apologized to his new blue-skinned friend and set him down in the shade of a tree, while the cousins took a walk.

“Dan, you are doing it again,” accused Air Wave.

The Green Lantern of space sector 2814 looked blankly at his green-and yellow clad cousin.

“You are stretching yourself too thin. You always do this,” insisted Air Wave. “You are a pastor, a teacher, a college student, you have a very hot lady in your life,”

The Green Lantern raised his brow in pseudo-warning at the last comment. Both Daniels chuckled.

“…not to mention your leadership position in the Titans,” added Air Wave. “Why hit yourself in the head with a rock? You have enough headaches as it is. Go on home and get some rest. Let us teens have our fun.”

Green Lantern pondered on his cousin’s words of wisdom for a few moments. “You’re right, of course. I’m proud of you, Dan...

…Do me a favor?”

“Anything,” said Air Wave.

“Keep an eye on Kai-Ro.”

The two heroes shook hands before Green Lantern took off towards Coast City. If they had glanced toward an elm tree in the distance they would have noticed an expression of jealous indignation on Kai-Ro’s face.

Opal City

Wyvern was tired of waiting for Stellar to arrive at Opal Park. The dragon villain was holding five adults and sixteen children hostage in order to attract the star-spangled teen into his trap. The tears rolling down the cheeks of several of the children pleased the sinister dragon, but the efforts of the adults to comfort the kids was starting to get on his nerves. So, Wyvern gave them a display of his power. His entire body ignited in flame and took on the appearance of a dragon. All twenty-one of his hostages cried out in horror.

WOOOSH! BAMMMM!!!!

Bullet Boy flew head first into the fiery dragon at super-speed. Wyvern shouted out in pain. Bullet Boy then doubled back for a second attack, but this time his adversary was prepared for him and moved aside to get out of Bullet Boy’s way.

[glow=yellow,2,300]ZAP!!! Crackle![/glow]

Wyvern had no idea that Bullet Boy’s attack was just a ruse to get his full attention so that Stellar could zap him with his cosmic belt.

“Curse you two wretches!” shouted the dragon in agony. “If it’s the last thing I do I will kill you BOTH!” With his vow of vengeance, Wyvern shot a blast of fire at his hostages and escaped as the two heroes rushed to save the ladies and children.

“Are you folks, alright?” Stellar asked the shaken hostages.

Several of the members of the small crowd nodded and gave other signs of affirmation that they were okay.

“C’mon, Bullet Boy,” motioned Stellar to his new friend, “We have to get going or we are going to be late for the first meeting of the Super Friends.”

As the two young titans sped towards Metropolis, Bullet Boy asked, “Hey, I was thinking that we might invite the new girl to join the team. What do you think?”

“Good idea, but now is not the right time,” said Stellar elusively.

“Why not?” Bullet Boy pressed.

After a short pause, Stellar confessed, “I haven’t even told the Huntress about you yet.”

After a long silence the ramifications of Stellar’s answer sunk in. “You mean the Super Friends don’t even know I’m coming?” asked Bullet Boy in horror.

“Ah, don’t worry about it,” answered Stellar. “I know they are going to love you. You’ll be a perfect addition to the team.”

Bullet Boy broke out into a nervous perspiration as the two heroes neared the stately Hall of Justice.

Metropolis: The Hall of Justice Meeting Room

Power Lad, Whirlpool, and White Wraith were the first three heroes to arrive for the Super Friends orientation meeting. The three had met early to discuss which of them would be the official leader of the group. After eight minutes of deliberating the discussion began to heat up.

“Look,“ said Whirlpool in irritation, “no offense, but your powers have been seriously decreased, Brandon. You are a great team member, but you just aren’t the right man to lead this team.”

“I admit that your experience in the water makes you the perfect man to lead the team ON AQUATIC MISSIONS, Arin, but you need to defer leadership to others more qualified on land, air, and space missions,” said White Wraith pointedly.

“I think you are both missing the real issues here,” interrupted Power Lad. “One, you are both newbies and not yet ready to lead even a new team such as the Super Friends. Two, the veteran members of the Titans of Justice are going to want someone who has real experience with the team to be the leader…”

“And that would be you?” asked Whirlpool.

“Naturally,” said Power Lad in arrogance, “which brings us to my third point that since Power Guy is now in charge of the Titans of Justice Unlimited, it is only fitting that his cousin handle the junior team.”

Both White Wraith and Whirlpool rolled their eyes.

“Well, at least we can all agree on the most important point,” said Ali in an effort to regain the attention of his two companions, “the main perk of being on this team is getting to know the babes we’ll be working with.”

The three teens chuckled in concurrence.

None of the trio realized that two of the female Super Friends had arrived in time to hear Power Lad’s last comment.

“What was that!?!” shouted Wonder Girl in offense.

Brandishing her energy mace, Hawkgirl took to the air and shouted, “I’ll show you three how Thanagarians get their perks!”

Two Minutes Later Velocity sped into the meeting room to find five of his teammates viciously fighting one another. Against his better judgment, the Hispanic speedster decided to join the brawl just for the fun of it. Tempers flared as the six Titans laid a lot of blows on one another. Then Air Wave and Kai-Ro entered the room.

“What is going on here?” Air Wave asked his terrestrial companion.

“I think they are having practice exercises,” answered Kai-Ro.

“No one said anything about practice exercises,” commented the teen-aged Dan Jordan.

“Well, I don’t want to look like a coward,” said Kai-Ro just before he teleported to the center of the action and began beating on Power Lad.

Air Wave hesitated not knowing what to do as Hawkgirl whacked the White Wraith on his shoulder. The cousin of Green Lantern thought about pulling Whirlpool to the side to find out what was going on, but Wonder Girl side-kicked the Atlantean wonder. An infuriated Whirlpool set to retaliate as Air Wave received a call.

Beep! Beep! Beep! “Air Wave here,” answered the green-and-yellow clad hero.

“Dan, I need you to cover for me,” said Totem. “I am still in Milan. I just finished a show and then some picketers accidentally set a chemical building on fire. Can you explain to Huntress for me?”

“Sure thing, Totem,” affirmed Air Wave, though he was having difficulty hearing her over the commotion.

Velocity then started running in circles around his six opponents. Air Wave was sucked into the vortex. Then Whirlpool tripped the speedster by freezing water particles in the air resulting in all eight teens falling to the ground.

“What in the world is going on here?” exclaimed the Huntress as she entered the room. “Isn’t there even one responsible member on this team?”

Then Stellar entered the room. “Excuse me, Huntress? I’d like you to meet Bullet Boy. I have invited him to join the Super Friends. I hope you don’t mind. Sorry I didn’t check first.”

“Oh, and Huntress?” interrupted Air Wave gasping for breath, “Totem can’t make it. Something about a picnic in Milan.”

“Well, I can see that NOW is the perfect time for us to begin our first training lesson,” said the Huntress with a sigh.

Then a yellow blur sped through the room and seized the Huntress. All of the Super Friends were taken off guard. Next a female ninja crashed through a window and attacked Power Lad. With a judo throw, the villainess sent the youngster flying into Hawkgirl. She followed up with several kicks to both White Wraith and Stellar. Then Captain Nazi and Sting Ray entered the room.

“Take down, Air Wave,” shouted Sting Ray as she bashed Wonder Girl into the wall.

“Who are you people?” asked Bullet Boy as Captain Nazi sent him crashing into Whirlpool.

“I’m Lady Shiva,” said the Ninja woman as she elbowed Kai-ro.

Velocity got up and prepared to attack the Sting Ray, but Captain Nazi subdued him and threw him into the wall. All ten Super Friends were stymied on the floor in various stages of pain. The three villains stood victoriously over their prey. Sting Ray was about to say something and Stellar was preparing to attack Captain Nazi, but both were interrupted.

“Hey, waitaminute!” shouted Power Lad. “This is all a big show. That is not Lady Shiva! That’s Sonic Babe!”

“What are you talking about?” demanded Hawkgirl.

“I’d know that unforgettable (censored by the Hall of Justice fan fiction code authority) anywhere!” he said pointing to Lady Shiva’s gluteus maximus. “That is the behind of Sonic Babe,” said Power Lad as he stood up victoriously. He beamed with pride that he had solved the case.

WHAK! Power Lad spun backward from the speedy kick from Lady Shiva. Removing her wig and mask, Di Di Queen said , “You ever disrespect me or any other woman like that again, I will make you sorry you were ever born.”

Wonder Girl and Hawkgirl both smiled at Sonic Boom in awe and admiration.

“So, who are the other two?” asked White Wraith.

Captain Nazi removed his mask to reveal a very handsome blonde man with chiseled facial features.

“Scott, you are seriously going to pay for this!” shouted Wonder Girl.

“Every single one of you deserved that whoopin,” declared Wonder Man.

There were various reactions when the Sting Ray removed her helmet and exposed her self to be the Huntress. Some chuckled, some murmured, and Kai-Ro smiled in surprise.

“Okay, folks, you got your first lessons,” began Helena Wayne, “One, don’t waste your energy fighting your teammates. Save it for the bad guys. Two, NONE of you are ready to be the leader of this outfit. And three, all of us, even Power Guy and Wonder Man, need to be in constant training. We need to know our teammates and always be vigilant. You never know when or where the next attack is coming. Now, lets get this place cleaned up so we can sit down and introduce ourselves to one another properly.”

Outside the Hall of Justice

“Look, dude, all I am saying is that you might have fun and make some friends if you join the Super Friends,” said Starman as he and his black-and-blue clad companion descended to the ground.

“I appreciate what you are trying to do,” countered the Arachnid, “but the Titans of Justice isn’t about having fun. Its about saving lives. The Super Friends is about training newbies and I am not a newbie. I had plenty of experience before I came to this era. I also served on the Titans West. If you ask me the Titans West should reform.”

“You just don’t get it, kid,” said Starman in exasperation. “The Super Friends is about team training for the younger generation. Several of those guys have just as much experience as you and me, and the Titans West never disbanded. We just took on thirty-plus new members and changed our name.”

The Arachnid rolled his eyes.

“Look, I gotta go,” said Scott as he prepared to take off. “Just think about it. You might have fun.”

Aaron thought of both Palome and Frost as he watched his best bud fly away. He thought about Starman’s words for a few moments and decided that his friend was wrong. “Things were fine as they were,” he thought. “The Titans West should reform.” He was about to head for home when suddenly he felt dizzy and faint. After he collapsed to the ground a cloaked figure rushed out of the shadows and dragged Aaron’s unconscious form into the bushes.

Inside the Hall of Justice

Before the Super Friends’ introductory meeting began Stellar decided to visit the men’s room. Once inside he was caught off guard at a familiar presence.

“Stellar, do NOT tell anyone about what I am about to tell you,” growled Nightvision. “The Huntress and I appreciate your recruiting Bullet Boy into the Super Friends, but DO NOT do it again. WE will do the recruiting. You train. Nothing more. Got it?”

Stellar nodded his head quickly. He was too surprised to speak. He watched in a dreadful discomfort as dark knight disappeared through the skylight.

“I never knew Nightvision was so mean and scary,” thought Stellar.

The Hall of Justice Meeting Room

“By now you all know that I am the Huntress and I will be the trainer for the Super Friends,” said Helena Wayne. “I will be inviting different veteran members of the Titans of Justice Unlimited to help in training exercises. I’d like to thank Wonder Man and Sonic Boom for joining us today.”

Sonic Boom smiled and Wonder Man waved.

“I’d like for each of you to tell us a little about yourselves,” said the Huntress. “Let’s begin with Power Lad.”

Standing up arrogantly the teen powerhouse said, “My name is Hardcore Power Lad and I am the cousin of Power Guy. I am a direct descendant of the House of El of the planet Krypton.”

Sonic Boom and the Huntress exchanged a curious glance. Wonder Man was about to say something, but the Huntress signaled him to not object.

“I can fly and shoot laser beams out of my eyes. I have X-ray vision, which I use regularly” he said looking at Wonder Girl with a devilish grin, “and my dad and I have invented numerous gadgets which I use to assist in my war on crime.”

“Well, my name is Wonder Girl and I will use my Amazonian powers to kick your butt all the way to the Universe of Evil if you ever use your wimpy X-ray vision on me, creep,” said Princess Donna in a bratty manner.

“Let’s move on,” said the Huntress.

“My code name is Air Wave. I ride radio frequencies and have some sonic abilities,” said the green-and-yellow costumed hero. “I am Green Lantern’s cousin.”

“I am Kai-Ro and I am a prince from Venus. “I have both teleportation and telekinesis powers…and Green Lantern hand selected me to be his partner,” the blue skinned alien said while glaring at Air Wave.

“Isn’t part of the purpose of the Super Friends to give our younger members a chance to make friends?” asked Wonder Man.

“Absolutely,” answered the Huntress, “and I can see that we have our work cut out for us. Totem couldn’t be here today, but she is also a member of the team. You’re up next, Stellar.”

“I am Stellar and I use my Cosmic Converter Belt to blast the bad guys,” said the star-spangled hero. “I’d like to introduce you to my new pal, Bullet Boy. He and I work in Opal City. I know a few of you have met him before but the majority of you here today haven’t.”

“Hi,” said Bullet Boy shyly.

“I apologize for not asking permission before recruiting a new member,” said Stellar.

“No need to apologize,” said the Huntress sweetly. “We are glad to have Bullet Boy here.”

Stellar frowned in silent confusion.

“I am Shayera Hol of Thanagar,” said the winged warrior spiritedly, “and I use my energy mace to smash the bad guys. After graduating top in the Academy of Thanagar I was commissioned to fight injustice here on planet earth.”

“I am Whirlpool. My duties in Atlantis keep me pretty busy, but I am thankful for this opportunity to train and work with heroes of the surface world. I swim and use my Atlantean strength to protect the water world. I apply my telepathic abilities to communicate with sea creatures.”

White Wraith laughed at his buddy’s comment. Whirlpool frowned at the White Wraith’s reaction, but decided not to pick a fight.

“I am the White Wraith and I am this generation’s Spectre,” said the hero with raised arms in a gesture to appear spooky. Whirlpool rolled his eyes.

“You may have heard of me, amigos. I used to be called Rapido when Junjie Quick worked with me, but now I go by Velocity.” The young speedster then became dizzy and his speech became slurred. “I am currently based…out…of...” he said before he passed out.

Wonder Man looked around in shock as one-by-one the heroes fell asleep. “Di Di, we have to do something,” he said as he passed out.

White Wraith decided to teleport himself out of the room in order to get help, but passed out too.

“Is this some type of attack?” thought Whirlpool as he blacked out.

Air Wave noticed in horror that he was the only person left conscious and tried to de-materialize unsuccessfully. “Oh, no!” he thought, “Its some type of gas…”

A cloaked figure entered the room and threw the body of the Arachnid onto the meeting table.

“Hello, Super Friends,” said the mysterious man as he pulled back his hood to reveal a skull, “My name is Dr. Destiny…”

TO BE CONTINUED…