Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 20:43:32 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 55 – “You CAN Go Home Again Part 6”
Written by: The Archkid
Edited by: Power Guy
L.A.W. Headquarters, Hub City, Earth-4, Twenty-five years into a possible future…
Pale white hair rested on a soft pillow of peaceful blue. The man the hair belonged to was one Steve Adam, codenamed Lt. Atom, the man with atomic powers. He looked around his small bunk. His powers were great, so great in fact people feared him. The “walking atomic bomb”, they called him. That was the main reason that when the U.S. Government signed him on, he was given leadership of their new team. The Titans of L.A.W., funny little name, Titans was for the mythical beings. Those below the Gods but above humanity. L.A.W. meant something entirely different, ‘Liberation Action Workshop’. If you asked any of the Titans, they’d respond with a forced classified. If you asked Sarge Steel he’d tell you to drop it and say that Action Workshop didn’t meant anything.
Steve Adam moaned softly as he rose. He looked at his bunk, the closed off radiation protected bunk in which he slept. Though he had to admit, he was quite happy with all he had been provided with. Though he just knew the day in store was a lot of posturing and wearing his clown suit. He hated the costume. He’d prefer walking out and performing his deeds in his boxers rather than wear it though he knew that it was supposed to be reassuring to the populace.
The white-haired man exited his bunker in his bright costume and looked around. Waiting for him in the hall was the Peacemaker. The soldier of war, who fought for an eventual peace, the tall black man walked along with Atom as they moved through the halls of the L.A.W. Headquarters.
“You have something to say, Peacemaker?” Lt. Atom rudely asked, thinking of his dreams. A world where he was completely different. Silver skinned, more powerful and with a chip on his shoulder.
“Yeah. General Steel thinks you need to get your head out of the clouds and do some old fashioned good deeds. People are scared of the god-like being with the atomic punch. I can’t blame ‘em. I’m just human. So’s Solution, so’s Arachnid, so’s Judomaster. You, Vulcan, Blackout and maybe Thunderbolt are the only super-powers on the team. You’ve gotta understand, that means a lot to us ‘action heroes’.” Peacemaker retorted with a glare in his glasses. The tall man was more physically imposing than Lt. Atom and let him know it.
“Peacemaker, do me a favor. Get the team ready. I need to speak to them.” Atom ordered, the silver-haired man looking at the cold steel ceiling and being reminded of another him with that skin.
***
The L.A.W chamber, half and hour later…
The Titans of L.A.W. were assembled, from Kid Vulcan to Arachnid. The team was seated in their specially designed chairs and were wasting a government budget over their meeting. There was Blackout, the daughter of Nightshade and presumed sister of Lt. Atom, who controlled the darkness. Kid Vulcan, the son of the Son of Vulcan, who retained his god-like powers. There was Solution, the son of the Question and a woman named Renee, who brawled across the streets in his own fight for justice. There was Peacemaker, the ultimate soldier on his war for ever lasting peace. Thunderbolt, or Parker Cannon, the most physically perfect specimen on Earth who sometimes was able to do things beyond human limit. Judomaster, the perfect master of all forms of martial arts also known as the untouchable woman, and Arachnid, the nephew and successor to Ted Kord, who just happened to have once stolen his costume and updated it with a new color scheme and a different name.
Lt. Atom presided over them, with a hollow glare out towards the group. “Titans, some governmentally owned areas have recently been under attack by an old thief called the Ghost. He was an action-villain back in the day. He fought my father, Captain Atom and Nightshade. From then on, I think he’s been nothing but a minor pest. The problem being, he’s amounted a task force to work for him. All governmental spies. Trust no-one. Good day.” Atom said, the moment he stopped, he found himself floating away, through the skylight of the headquarters and seeking his escape.
***
Downtown Hub City, a few hours later…
“Trust no-one. What’s that silver-haired geek raving about?” The Arachnid muttered, the grinning wannabe super-hero found himself in another battle with the street gang called the Madmen. Once a bunch of outrageous criminals, the Madmen name had taken a real plummet.
“He’s a government tool. What do you expect?” The Solution growled, his fists smashed into the thugs as the white cloaked answer to crime stood triumphantly.
“I kinda expect a smile sometime. I feel sorry for Cannon and Peacemaker really.” The Arachnid said as he took a flying leap into one of the ‘Madmen’s’ faces. “They have to put up with him more than us ‘un-officials’.”
“Shut yer yap kid. We need to get out of here. The cops will be coming soon. And these punks need some interrogating.” Solution again growled, grabbing a Madman by the collar and running off into the shadows.
“Hey wait up Spaceman!” Arachnid called, running after his old friend. The would-be action hero couldn’t help but catch his slip up and hoped Solution didn’t. He’d been having the strangest dreams lately. In one he was fighting Starro with four other costumed people. In another he was fighting a guy named Mordru or something with even more costumed people. In yet another he was in space with his best friend…Starman…who was that?
“Spaceman? There’s nothing spacey about me junior. So wise up and shut up.” Solution once more growled. The white cloaked man was now standing over a beaten Madman. “Because I got the info. I know where the Ghost is.”
“Great, lets go tell one of the Titans and…”
“I’m going alone. No tagalongs this time. I’ll put an end to this mess. The old fashioned way. There will be no more Ghost.” The Solution barked as he ran off into the night.
“Huh. Jerk.” The Arachnid muttered to himself, running off to get the Titans together.
***
The Ditko Air Force Base, Five miles outside of Hub City…
The white clad Ghost walked around the Ditko Base, his operatives all walked around in their white jumpsuits, cleaning house on the Air Force base quite easily. The Ghost himself watched, his blank eyes keeping watch over the area.
“Ghost! The security cameras show that Question kid’s on base!” A goon shouted, he ran up to his boss with a distraught look on his face. “That kid’s a killer! We’ve lost three men, sir.”
The Ghost looked at the base, his eyes stayed the same. Unmoving, unfeeling, uncaring. “Heh. I killed his father. He will kill me. Seems fair, don’t you think Hemmingway?” The Ghost said, his voice was distorted, a chuckle and toneless mixed.
“Sir, my name’s not Hemmingway…” The goon coughed.
“No, it’s not, but he was my favorite author.” The Ghost retorted quickly.
***
The L.A.W. Headquarters…
“So, that’s the story. Solution’s gone AWOL and I was hoping you guys could help out here.” The Arachnid explained before the Titans of L.A.W., specifically Lt. Atom, who simply frowned at him.
“d**n. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down. Solution will need to be taken down. We need to stop the Ghost, but not like this.” The good lieutenant crossly said. His white hair shined in the light. “Alright. Cannon, Blackout and Peacemaker will accompany me to apprehend the Ghost. Judomaster, Arachnid and Kid Vulcan can capture the Solution. Its about time we stopped such vigilantism anyway.” Atom commanded, he walked across the room with a foul look on his face. He hated his job.
“You heard the man, move out, soldiers!” Blackout yelled with a wink, leading the Titans to their craft. The L.A.W.maker, the team ran towards their craft ready for battle.
***
The Solution found himself in battle. Blood spilled from him. His arms were cut. His costume in disarrange and his fighting prowess reduced to nothing. Men in white swarmed him, gunshots fired every so often and the bullets found their way into the Solution. Blood spilled on the floor and the brawler found himself on the ground in no time. He knew the Ghost was watching. Just like he was fifteen short years ago. When his father died. The Ghost was hi-jacking god knows what and the Action Heroes wanted to stop him. They did, but it was the Question who sacrificed himself to save the life of Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle. The boy beneath the mask remembered the funeral well. Kord was a blubbering mess, explaining how much he missed Vic Sage.
“G…G-Ghost! Get me the *^&$ing Ghost!” Solution coughed. Pain throbbed through him in a moment’s notice. “Get me the Ghost!”
“Funny…you call yourself the Solution. The Question makes way for the Solution. Clever, yes, you are indeed.” The Ghost’s voice called. He himself did not appear. “ never much cared for your father. Too…paranoid. You…too fight happy. You’re both now nothing but graves.” Insulted the Ghost, “The X-Formula will be mine thank you very much, please…don’t get up.”
The Solution found the goons retreating from his form. They were no longer worried. He was now meaningless. That was pathetic. He forced himself to stand, his blood soaked coat dragging on the floor. He had long lost his fedora. “What the *^&$’s the X-Formula?” The Solution coughed, finding himself surrounded. He knew what this meant instantly. He was captive.
***
The Entrance to the Dikto Air Force Base…
The L.A.W.maker set down and let out its passengers. Lt. Atom watched his team line up. Parker Cannon, the Thunderbolt was carrying a few weapons while Peacemaker carried a single revolver. Judomaster revealed herself. She held on to Peacemaker for a short time. They whispered to each other. Part of Steve Adam wanted to have that. He knew they were saying goodbye to each other in case one of them died during the mission, they did it before every mission. Cannon simply looked around before getting out his cell phone and ringing his dad. Kid Vulcan prayed to the source of his abilities, Vulcan. Blackout and Arachnid looked at each other while she was helping him collect all of his gear.
“What’s with the flash gun, again?” Blackout asked as she held onto the Arachnid’s inherited BB Gun.
“Uncle Ted and I still think lethality’s a bit brutal. I ain’t going to be shooting anyone, but blindin’ them’s just fine.” Arachnid weakly responded, all too interested in Blackout to think too clearly.
“Ladies, gentlemen. Let’s move out.” Lt. Atom called.
“Let me save you the trouble, Titans!” The Ghost cackled, appearing in the sky, the white clad madman laughed. His unfeeling eyes focused on the group before him. “I’m right here…”
Bolts of white energy struck out. Towards Lt. Atom, towards Kid Vulcan and towards Blackout. The energies crackled and hit. One missed Blackout instead hitting the Arachnid, who had run in front of her to take the blast. Kid Vulcan was knocked down, his fire born strength fading on impact.
Lt. Atom found his skin cracking. His handsome face became distorted and he found new skin, harder tougher skin revealing itself. Silver skin. Silver skin that revealed his true self. A self he remembered quite well…
The Arachnid was completely unconscious, his little costume changed into something else. His eyes flashed blue. He found himself in a dream state. Peering into adventures he never knew he had. The blue and black clad man found himself watching events from a life he’d only dreamt of.
There he was, next to a guy with a star on his chest in a hotel room.
“A good night’s sleep? We’ve got free reign of the 20th floor, and I’m rooming with you?” Whined the Arachnid, looking at his roommate, the young hero known as Starman.
“I’m trying to read.” Starman complained, his voice filled with annoyance.
“Sh, Spaceman, I’m whining here!” The Arachnid said, he quickly flashed blue, and was in his civvies.
“Starman, the name is Starman.” Starman said, a look of irritation on his face.
“Oh, I though you were a KISS fan.” The Arachnid laughed.
The scene changed abruptly.
“Shut up. I’m here to avenge…Arachnid, is that you?” Starman asked, just noticing the bug-themed hero stuck to the wall.
“I’m okay. In the past two hours, I’ve been shot, upgraded and blasted again. I’m in all kinds of pain at the moment, but I’m fine. Thanks for askin’.”
“Wait, you were killed, weren’t you?”
“Focus on the dress wearing guy with the ring!” The Arachnid shrieked, as another wave of green energy hit him.
It all faded into blue before a scarab shape appeared, it shined like he’d never seen. It shifted to the form of…him, a bright shining blue him. In a costume of bright blue, a light blue and white lining, it glowed. He knew who it was. Khaji Da, the Scarab itself, finding itself combined with his skeletal system to make him its…its shell.
“//Looks like you’re finally listening.// *Good*” The spiritual image spoke, it sounded like an old computer file. The light engulfed them both…and then…
The Arachnid stood. He spoke quickly in an alien dialect. Khaji Da’s language and blue light sprung forth once more. He now knew what was going on. The scarab broke and sprung into his flesh. The mystical remnants sent the scarab into default mode and let its energies seep into the hero, allowing him access to its powers. Each use of the powers allowed the scarab to combine with his skeletal system and gave him the ability to unlock more potential. His first use of flight, however brief, had unlocked his sight abilities. Now he had all of the scarab’s powers and two voices yapping in his head.
The word, by the way, was ‘fly’. That word unlocked a new flight mode for the Arachnid. He sprung forth into a look aping that of Jaime Reyes’, with the blue glowing wings.
“Hey, you old coot! Your messing with things you can’t understand. Buzz off!” The Arachnid shouted. He wanted his normal back-up on this. He’d gladly take the L.A.W.s help though.
“Enough!” Lt. Atom shouted, quantum energy blasted the Ghost down. The smell of seared flesh filled the room. “I…I…d**n you Ghost! None of this is real! None of this is the truth!” The now silver man shouted. He continued and continued to shout. “It was the Wizard, that old loser the Justice Society fought. He…the Ghost will live won’t he?”
“Yes. No thanks to your efforts.” Parker Cannon snidely said, the perfect man looked over to the group. They were just told they were a lie and Arachnid seemed to be proof that they were.
“Atom…you an’ me. We belong with Spaceman and the Titans. The real Titans. Guys, I’m sorry, but this is just some whack-job’s go at making me an’ Atom sweat for working with a bunch of grandkiddies or successors of the JSA. Those Injustice Society will pay. We…just have to find ‘em is all.” The Arachnid smiled, his wings folded away and his costume returned to its standard.
“So…we look for a way to find the Wizard. You got one?” Lt. Atom smirked, thinking of the payback he could dish out for having a perfectly good life lived out as a lie.
“Yeah. My vision’s incredible, I’m picking up on the entire multiverse. Wow. Even bigger. I’m getting omniversal imagery. We can’t go gunnin’ alone. Howzabout we grab Solution and take charge with Earth…4? You sure its 4, Khaji? With Earth-4’s finest.”
“And Khaji is?” Judomaster asked with a playful smirk.
“The scarab that has made my skeleton into a living computer bank and shell for its programming and…well, I guess it’s A.I., or soul, or somethin’.” The Arachnid calmly answered. “Listen, go grab Solution. We’re heading out. We’re going to find the Injustice Society. We’re going to find my best bud. We’re going after Spaceman. I can track ‘im to his very earth, man! Now if I can just figure out how to actually transport us…”
“We’ll figure that out, you just figure out where we need to head!”
Before the assembled heroes could pursue the matter further, a portal of light opened and a stranger stepped out asking, “Titans of L.A.W., all of existence is in horrible danger. Will you help set things right with the time-space continuum?”
TO BE CONTINUED
Written by: The Archkid
Edited by: Power Guy
L.A.W. Headquarters, Hub City, Earth-4, Twenty-five years into a possible future…
Pale white hair rested on a soft pillow of peaceful blue. The man the hair belonged to was one Steve Adam, codenamed Lt. Atom, the man with atomic powers. He looked around his small bunk. His powers were great, so great in fact people feared him. The “walking atomic bomb”, they called him. That was the main reason that when the U.S. Government signed him on, he was given leadership of their new team. The Titans of L.A.W., funny little name, Titans was for the mythical beings. Those below the Gods but above humanity. L.A.W. meant something entirely different, ‘Liberation Action Workshop’. If you asked any of the Titans, they’d respond with a forced classified. If you asked Sarge Steel he’d tell you to drop it and say that Action Workshop didn’t meant anything.
Steve Adam moaned softly as he rose. He looked at his bunk, the closed off radiation protected bunk in which he slept. Though he had to admit, he was quite happy with all he had been provided with. Though he just knew the day in store was a lot of posturing and wearing his clown suit. He hated the costume. He’d prefer walking out and performing his deeds in his boxers rather than wear it though he knew that it was supposed to be reassuring to the populace.
The white-haired man exited his bunker in his bright costume and looked around. Waiting for him in the hall was the Peacemaker. The soldier of war, who fought for an eventual peace, the tall black man walked along with Atom as they moved through the halls of the L.A.W. Headquarters.
“You have something to say, Peacemaker?” Lt. Atom rudely asked, thinking of his dreams. A world where he was completely different. Silver skinned, more powerful and with a chip on his shoulder.
“Yeah. General Steel thinks you need to get your head out of the clouds and do some old fashioned good deeds. People are scared of the god-like being with the atomic punch. I can’t blame ‘em. I’m just human. So’s Solution, so’s Arachnid, so’s Judomaster. You, Vulcan, Blackout and maybe Thunderbolt are the only super-powers on the team. You’ve gotta understand, that means a lot to us ‘action heroes’.” Peacemaker retorted with a glare in his glasses. The tall man was more physically imposing than Lt. Atom and let him know it.
“Peacemaker, do me a favor. Get the team ready. I need to speak to them.” Atom ordered, the silver-haired man looking at the cold steel ceiling and being reminded of another him with that skin.
***
The L.A.W chamber, half and hour later…
The Titans of L.A.W. were assembled, from Kid Vulcan to Arachnid. The team was seated in their specially designed chairs and were wasting a government budget over their meeting. There was Blackout, the daughter of Nightshade and presumed sister of Lt. Atom, who controlled the darkness. Kid Vulcan, the son of the Son of Vulcan, who retained his god-like powers. There was Solution, the son of the Question and a woman named Renee, who brawled across the streets in his own fight for justice. There was Peacemaker, the ultimate soldier on his war for ever lasting peace. Thunderbolt, or Parker Cannon, the most physically perfect specimen on Earth who sometimes was able to do things beyond human limit. Judomaster, the perfect master of all forms of martial arts also known as the untouchable woman, and Arachnid, the nephew and successor to Ted Kord, who just happened to have once stolen his costume and updated it with a new color scheme and a different name.
Lt. Atom presided over them, with a hollow glare out towards the group. “Titans, some governmentally owned areas have recently been under attack by an old thief called the Ghost. He was an action-villain back in the day. He fought my father, Captain Atom and Nightshade. From then on, I think he’s been nothing but a minor pest. The problem being, he’s amounted a task force to work for him. All governmental spies. Trust no-one. Good day.” Atom said, the moment he stopped, he found himself floating away, through the skylight of the headquarters and seeking his escape.
***
Downtown Hub City, a few hours later…
“Trust no-one. What’s that silver-haired geek raving about?” The Arachnid muttered, the grinning wannabe super-hero found himself in another battle with the street gang called the Madmen. Once a bunch of outrageous criminals, the Madmen name had taken a real plummet.
“He’s a government tool. What do you expect?” The Solution growled, his fists smashed into the thugs as the white cloaked answer to crime stood triumphantly.
“I kinda expect a smile sometime. I feel sorry for Cannon and Peacemaker really.” The Arachnid said as he took a flying leap into one of the ‘Madmen’s’ faces. “They have to put up with him more than us ‘un-officials’.”
“Shut yer yap kid. We need to get out of here. The cops will be coming soon. And these punks need some interrogating.” Solution again growled, grabbing a Madman by the collar and running off into the shadows.
“Hey wait up Spaceman!” Arachnid called, running after his old friend. The would-be action hero couldn’t help but catch his slip up and hoped Solution didn’t. He’d been having the strangest dreams lately. In one he was fighting Starro with four other costumed people. In another he was fighting a guy named Mordru or something with even more costumed people. In yet another he was in space with his best friend…Starman…who was that?
“Spaceman? There’s nothing spacey about me junior. So wise up and shut up.” Solution once more growled. The white cloaked man was now standing over a beaten Madman. “Because I got the info. I know where the Ghost is.”
“Great, lets go tell one of the Titans and…”
“I’m going alone. No tagalongs this time. I’ll put an end to this mess. The old fashioned way. There will be no more Ghost.” The Solution barked as he ran off into the night.
“Huh. Jerk.” The Arachnid muttered to himself, running off to get the Titans together.
***
The Ditko Air Force Base, Five miles outside of Hub City…
The white clad Ghost walked around the Ditko Base, his operatives all walked around in their white jumpsuits, cleaning house on the Air Force base quite easily. The Ghost himself watched, his blank eyes keeping watch over the area.
“Ghost! The security cameras show that Question kid’s on base!” A goon shouted, he ran up to his boss with a distraught look on his face. “That kid’s a killer! We’ve lost three men, sir.”
The Ghost looked at the base, his eyes stayed the same. Unmoving, unfeeling, uncaring. “Heh. I killed his father. He will kill me. Seems fair, don’t you think Hemmingway?” The Ghost said, his voice was distorted, a chuckle and toneless mixed.
“Sir, my name’s not Hemmingway…” The goon coughed.
“No, it’s not, but he was my favorite author.” The Ghost retorted quickly.
***
The L.A.W. Headquarters…
“So, that’s the story. Solution’s gone AWOL and I was hoping you guys could help out here.” The Arachnid explained before the Titans of L.A.W., specifically Lt. Atom, who simply frowned at him.
“d**n. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down. Solution will need to be taken down. We need to stop the Ghost, but not like this.” The good lieutenant crossly said. His white hair shined in the light. “Alright. Cannon, Blackout and Peacemaker will accompany me to apprehend the Ghost. Judomaster, Arachnid and Kid Vulcan can capture the Solution. Its about time we stopped such vigilantism anyway.” Atom commanded, he walked across the room with a foul look on his face. He hated his job.
“You heard the man, move out, soldiers!” Blackout yelled with a wink, leading the Titans to their craft. The L.A.W.maker, the team ran towards their craft ready for battle.
***
The Solution found himself in battle. Blood spilled from him. His arms were cut. His costume in disarrange and his fighting prowess reduced to nothing. Men in white swarmed him, gunshots fired every so often and the bullets found their way into the Solution. Blood spilled on the floor and the brawler found himself on the ground in no time. He knew the Ghost was watching. Just like he was fifteen short years ago. When his father died. The Ghost was hi-jacking god knows what and the Action Heroes wanted to stop him. They did, but it was the Question who sacrificed himself to save the life of Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle. The boy beneath the mask remembered the funeral well. Kord was a blubbering mess, explaining how much he missed Vic Sage.
“G…G-Ghost! Get me the *^&$ing Ghost!” Solution coughed. Pain throbbed through him in a moment’s notice. “Get me the Ghost!”
“Funny…you call yourself the Solution. The Question makes way for the Solution. Clever, yes, you are indeed.” The Ghost’s voice called. He himself did not appear. “ never much cared for your father. Too…paranoid. You…too fight happy. You’re both now nothing but graves.” Insulted the Ghost, “The X-Formula will be mine thank you very much, please…don’t get up.”
The Solution found the goons retreating from his form. They were no longer worried. He was now meaningless. That was pathetic. He forced himself to stand, his blood soaked coat dragging on the floor. He had long lost his fedora. “What the *^&$’s the X-Formula?” The Solution coughed, finding himself surrounded. He knew what this meant instantly. He was captive.
***
The Entrance to the Dikto Air Force Base…
The L.A.W.maker set down and let out its passengers. Lt. Atom watched his team line up. Parker Cannon, the Thunderbolt was carrying a few weapons while Peacemaker carried a single revolver. Judomaster revealed herself. She held on to Peacemaker for a short time. They whispered to each other. Part of Steve Adam wanted to have that. He knew they were saying goodbye to each other in case one of them died during the mission, they did it before every mission. Cannon simply looked around before getting out his cell phone and ringing his dad. Kid Vulcan prayed to the source of his abilities, Vulcan. Blackout and Arachnid looked at each other while she was helping him collect all of his gear.
“What’s with the flash gun, again?” Blackout asked as she held onto the Arachnid’s inherited BB Gun.
“Uncle Ted and I still think lethality’s a bit brutal. I ain’t going to be shooting anyone, but blindin’ them’s just fine.” Arachnid weakly responded, all too interested in Blackout to think too clearly.
“Ladies, gentlemen. Let’s move out.” Lt. Atom called.
“Let me save you the trouble, Titans!” The Ghost cackled, appearing in the sky, the white clad madman laughed. His unfeeling eyes focused on the group before him. “I’m right here…”
Bolts of white energy struck out. Towards Lt. Atom, towards Kid Vulcan and towards Blackout. The energies crackled and hit. One missed Blackout instead hitting the Arachnid, who had run in front of her to take the blast. Kid Vulcan was knocked down, his fire born strength fading on impact.
Lt. Atom found his skin cracking. His handsome face became distorted and he found new skin, harder tougher skin revealing itself. Silver skin. Silver skin that revealed his true self. A self he remembered quite well…
The Arachnid was completely unconscious, his little costume changed into something else. His eyes flashed blue. He found himself in a dream state. Peering into adventures he never knew he had. The blue and black clad man found himself watching events from a life he’d only dreamt of.
There he was, next to a guy with a star on his chest in a hotel room.
“A good night’s sleep? We’ve got free reign of the 20th floor, and I’m rooming with you?” Whined the Arachnid, looking at his roommate, the young hero known as Starman.
“I’m trying to read.” Starman complained, his voice filled with annoyance.
“Sh, Spaceman, I’m whining here!” The Arachnid said, he quickly flashed blue, and was in his civvies.
“Starman, the name is Starman.” Starman said, a look of irritation on his face.
“Oh, I though you were a KISS fan.” The Arachnid laughed.
The scene changed abruptly.
“Shut up. I’m here to avenge…Arachnid, is that you?” Starman asked, just noticing the bug-themed hero stuck to the wall.
“I’m okay. In the past two hours, I’ve been shot, upgraded and blasted again. I’m in all kinds of pain at the moment, but I’m fine. Thanks for askin’.”
“Wait, you were killed, weren’t you?”
“Focus on the dress wearing guy with the ring!” The Arachnid shrieked, as another wave of green energy hit him.
It all faded into blue before a scarab shape appeared, it shined like he’d never seen. It shifted to the form of…him, a bright shining blue him. In a costume of bright blue, a light blue and white lining, it glowed. He knew who it was. Khaji Da, the Scarab itself, finding itself combined with his skeletal system to make him its…its shell.
“//Looks like you’re finally listening.// *Good*” The spiritual image spoke, it sounded like an old computer file. The light engulfed them both…and then…
The Arachnid stood. He spoke quickly in an alien dialect. Khaji Da’s language and blue light sprung forth once more. He now knew what was going on. The scarab broke and sprung into his flesh. The mystical remnants sent the scarab into default mode and let its energies seep into the hero, allowing him access to its powers. Each use of the powers allowed the scarab to combine with his skeletal system and gave him the ability to unlock more potential. His first use of flight, however brief, had unlocked his sight abilities. Now he had all of the scarab’s powers and two voices yapping in his head.
The word, by the way, was ‘fly’. That word unlocked a new flight mode for the Arachnid. He sprung forth into a look aping that of Jaime Reyes’, with the blue glowing wings.
“Hey, you old coot! Your messing with things you can’t understand. Buzz off!” The Arachnid shouted. He wanted his normal back-up on this. He’d gladly take the L.A.W.s help though.
“Enough!” Lt. Atom shouted, quantum energy blasted the Ghost down. The smell of seared flesh filled the room. “I…I…d**n you Ghost! None of this is real! None of this is the truth!” The now silver man shouted. He continued and continued to shout. “It was the Wizard, that old loser the Justice Society fought. He…the Ghost will live won’t he?”
“Yes. No thanks to your efforts.” Parker Cannon snidely said, the perfect man looked over to the group. They were just told they were a lie and Arachnid seemed to be proof that they were.
“Atom…you an’ me. We belong with Spaceman and the Titans. The real Titans. Guys, I’m sorry, but this is just some whack-job’s go at making me an’ Atom sweat for working with a bunch of grandkiddies or successors of the JSA. Those Injustice Society will pay. We…just have to find ‘em is all.” The Arachnid smiled, his wings folded away and his costume returned to its standard.
“So…we look for a way to find the Wizard. You got one?” Lt. Atom smirked, thinking of the payback he could dish out for having a perfectly good life lived out as a lie.
“Yeah. My vision’s incredible, I’m picking up on the entire multiverse. Wow. Even bigger. I’m getting omniversal imagery. We can’t go gunnin’ alone. Howzabout we grab Solution and take charge with Earth…4? You sure its 4, Khaji? With Earth-4’s finest.”
“And Khaji is?” Judomaster asked with a playful smirk.
“The scarab that has made my skeleton into a living computer bank and shell for its programming and…well, I guess it’s A.I., or soul, or somethin’.” The Arachnid calmly answered. “Listen, go grab Solution. We’re heading out. We’re going to find the Injustice Society. We’re going to find my best bud. We’re going after Spaceman. I can track ‘im to his very earth, man! Now if I can just figure out how to actually transport us…”
“We’ll figure that out, you just figure out where we need to head!”
Before the assembled heroes could pursue the matter further, a portal of light opened and a stranger stepped out asking, “Titans of L.A.W., all of existence is in horrible danger. Will you help set things right with the time-space continuum?”
TO BE CONTINUED