Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 5:16:53 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 62 - “You Can Go Home Again Part 13”
Written & Edited By: Power Guy
Wonder Man’s holding cell, The Perisphere…
The Cheetah as the sole villain in the room, standing guard over Wonder Man. The Wizard had ordered her to stand watch over the male Amazon but not to harm him unless he tried to break free from his bonds. “This is boring!! Why don’t you try to escape???” demanded the feral villainess.
Wonder Man was still strapped to Dr. Poison’s torture table. He looked up at the woman also known as Priscilla Rich bitterly, “You know I’m in no condition to fight you or anyone else right now,” he barked. “Or is that the only way you’re brave enough to take me on is after I’ve already been worked over?”
The Cheetah snapped and grabbed Wonder Man by the throat. “You dare question my courage?!?!?! Maybe I should just lie to the Wizard and tell him you tried to escape….”
“Stop Priscilla!” ordered a female voice.
The Cheetah immediately turned around to see her old ally Fausta standing in the doorway. “Fausta! What are you doing he-yer? I thought you were on Earth X claiming that wurld for the Nazi empire?”
“That I was, friend Cheetah,” confirmed Faust in her thick German accent. “However, once I heard about what was going on here on Earth 2, I used the Titans of Freedom to hitch a ride back here so I could join in on the fun but I see the festivities have already started as you have captured Wonder Man here.”
“Damn it! Not Fausta too!” Wonder Man thought to himself as his head began to ache.
“Yes and I was I who lured Woondah Man into the trap that brought him here,” smiled the Cheetah with sick delight. “You should have seen in Fausta! Clea, Grundy, Vulcan, Deathbolt, Star Sapphire, and I nearly beat this fool within an inch of his life!”
“It sounds like you have been quite busy, fraulein,’ noted Fausta. “Why don’t you go take a break. The Wizard has asked me to stand guard over this whelp for a while.”
“Thank you, sweet Nazi!” smiled the Cheetah. “I was getting quite hungry any way. I stole some pricy caviar earlier today and I can’t wait to feast upon it. See you lay-ter!”
Once the Cheetah exited the room, Fausta began to circle the table that Wonder Man was strapped to. “Look at you. Lying there all weak and helpless. You could not be in a worse predicament right now. I am thoroughly going to enjoy this,” she said as a twisted grin manifested on her face. She quickly pulled a sword out from a carrying case strapped to her back. “Are you ready?” she asked with sick delight as she raised the sword over her head.
CHOP!
In a shocking turn of events, Fausta had sliced through the restraints holding Wonder Man. For a few seconds, Scott Hall was completely speechless. Fausta lifted him from the table and threw him over her back. “Hmmph…..you have gained some weight since I last saw you. All of this lying around must be slowing your metabolism.”
“What are you doing?” Wonder Man asked, totally confused and still unable to move much.
“I am doing the one thing you will hate most,” answered the German powerhouse. “I am saving your life but there is no need to thank me for seeing the look on your face is gratitude enough for one day when you and I are locked in battle, you shall look at me and think of this moment and then hesitate and then, I shall kill you.”
“Then why don’t you just finish me off now?” inquired Wonder Man.
“It would be no fun,” advised Fausta as she walked through the hall with Wonder Man over her back. “You are not in any condition to give me a proper challenge.” Then Faust reached into her pocket and pulled out a Society of Titans communicator device.
“Where did you get that??” demanded Wonder Man.
“From your comrades. Where else, idiot?” spat Fausta as she raised the device to her mouth. “I have Wonder Man. You may commence with your assault.”
***
Five minutes prior in the Perisphere conference room…
The Wizard and Johnny Sorrow were in the midst of finalizing their plans.
“I really think we should take down Power Guy next,” suggested Johnny Sorrow. “Not only will that eliminate the Society of Titans’ most powerful member, it will send a message to the rest of the group that we’re unstoppable.”
“I like the way you’re thinking, Sorrow,” agreed the Wizard “But what about the Huntress and Robin? They’re too smart to leaving them running loose for long. Once they realize what we’re up to, they’re liable to sabotage our entire plan.”
But before Johnny Sorrow could answer the Wizard’s question, a violent explosion shook the entire structure of the Perisphere.
“What in the name of the six-headed demon was that?” demanded the Wizard.
Johnny Sorrow ran over to the monitor and switched on the Perisphere’s security cameras. “Wizard! We’ve got big and I do mean BIG trouble! It’s the Titans of Justice - ALL of them.”
“You mean the Society of Titans?“ presumed the mature magician.
“Not just them, all of the Titans from New Earth plus some other guys I’ve never seen before,” explained Johnny Sorrow.
“Curse them!!“ gasped the mature magician. “Radio all of our troops. Tell them all other plans are null and void. The only thing that matters is stopping the Titans from getting the Cosmic Egg. Kill on sight, tell them!!!”
Outside the Perisphere, Green Lantern was looking down at the huge hole that was just blown in the wall before him. “That was some warning shot….” he commented to Argos.
“We don’t play around on New Genesis,” Argos stated firmly as the Astro Force was still crackling between his fingers. “I hope all of those cowards inside are trembling in fear.”
The two heroes led the army of Titans into the Perisphere each of them knowing this could be the most intense battle of their career.
“I’ve got a mental fix on the Wizard,” alerted Kid Comet. “He’s holed up in the main conference room.”
“Let’s all split up and try to get to the Wizard,” directed Green Lantern.
As Dr. Fate flew into the place he once thought of as a second home, his wife Inza contacted him telepathically.
“Kent, it’s Inza. I finally found some info on the Collar of Chaos.”
“You have? Do tell my dear Inza”
“The White Wraith was right,” she began. “There are only two ways to have that collar removed from your neck. One of them is to have the Wizard remove the collar himself.”
“And what is the other way?” asked Dr. Fate.
“To end the Wizard’s life,” revealed Inza Nelson.
“I see….,” Dr. Fate replied glumly. “Thank you, Inza. I shall see you soon. I promise.”
As the Titans swarmed into the Perisphere, villains began popping out of the woodwork. Rival and Killer Wasp were two of the first to arrive on the scene.
Rival began racing towards Lightspeed, hell-bent on revenge. “You’re going to pay for what you did to me last time,” he threatened with fists cocked.
“Oh really?” came a voice on the side of Rival. The sinister speedster looked out of the corner of his eye to see three figures racing besides him. “Who the heck are you two supposed to be?”
“I’m Velocity!”
“Junjie Quick here!”
“And I’m the Flash! And if you’re messing with a fellow speedster, you’re name is M.U.D.!”
Suddenly, Rival found himself slowing down to the pace of a snail. The trio of speedsters wer sapping his speed and putting him in a most unpleasant predicament. Rival finally came to an abrupt halt as he saw Lightspeed standing in front of him, arms crossed.
“Now, I believe I heard something like a threat a few seconds ago,” smirked the grandson of Jay Garrick. Lightspeed began racing around Rival, poking him all over his chest and back. “Still wanna make something of it?” he taunted.
Rival was panicking. Here he was, confronted by no less than four super speedsters and he was completely powerless.
“Nothing to say, huh?” Lightspeed teased right before he gave Rival as sharp upper-cut resulting in T.K.O. “Looks like you’re all washed, pal!”
As the quartet of speedsters celebrated their victory over Rival, Phantom Lady was taking on False Face who had turned himself into a giant octopus.
“I’m going to kill you nice and slow lady,” he threatened as he tentacles waived around in the air preparing for his assault on the spectral heroine.
Phantom Lady began firing lasers from her bracelet , trying to hit the deadly tentacles but wasn’t having much luck hitting her targets. Much to her relief, Firebrand came to her rescue.
“Easy, Phantom Lady, I’ve got him,” assured the pretty red-head as she bombarded False Face with a series of flames.
False Face screamed in agony as his limbs began to stiffen up, What the #&@% are you doing to me???
“Baking you solid!” confirmed Firebrand as she continued to pour on the heat. As Firebrand readied to celebrate her victory, she soon found herself under attack by Vulcan, Son of Fire.
Firebrand reacted quickly and kept one of her arms pointed towards False Face and the other pointed towards Vulcan, emitting a stream of flames at both
“Danette! Concentrate on Vulcan. I’ll finish up False Face,” advised Phantom Lady as she shot her laser at False Face and shattered him into dozens of pieces.
Firebrand soon found herself locked in a battle of flames with Vulcan. The two fire-powered beings were both dead-set on taking each other down. Their powers seemed almost equally matched as every few seconds their respective streams of flames would make a little headway towards their opponent and then falter back against the other’s flames.
Vulcan quickly became irritated by this stalemate and decided to end things quickly. In a harsh display of brutality, he threw his axe at Firebrand and instantly be-headed her, stunning all those in the room.
“NO!! NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” screamed Phantom Lady in horror as she covered her mouth. “Dannette!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Vulcan just stood there for a few seconds, completely emotionless. He then turned to Phantom Lady, “You are next, woman!” he said advancing towards the former Freedom Fighter, however, before he could reach her, he found his path blocked by none other than Argos and Sturmer.
“Butcher!” accused Argos as he slammed his fist into Vulcan‘s face, knocking him across the room. The duo from New Genesis quickly made their way over to the fiery villain. Argos jumped on top of him while Sturmer latched onto Vulcan’s axe with his immense teeth and ripped it out of his grasp. The war-hound began chewing on the axe, crushing it to pieces while Argos began beating on Vulcan. “You sicken me!” barked Argos. “Killing a woman especially in the fashion you used. You are nothing more than a spineless coward!!!”
“Get off of me!” ordered Vulcan, “Or I shall burn you to cinders,” he said, releasing a barrage of flames upon the warrior from New Genesis.
“Do you worst, villain. I have braved the fire-pits of Apokolips. Your fire is nothing more than a petty annoyance to me!” Argos said as he began pummeling Vulcan into the ground mercilessly.
Several yards away, Phantom Lady was kneeling on the ground beside Firebrand’s corpse, crying softly. Starman came up behind her and gently placed his trench coat over Firebrand out of respect. He then knelt down by Phantom Lady and whispered, “I’m so sorry Aunt Sandy. I know you two were close…”
“Scott, this shouldn’t have happened to her. She was the sweetest person I’ve ever known,” sobbed Phantom Lady. “She was always there for her friends. She constantly fought to make this world a better place and she never, no matter what the circumstances were, judged another person. She just got her life back when Junjie and the Flash freed her from the Dragon King and now she’s gone…..
Starman held his aunt tightly, praying to God that he wouldn’t say the wrong thing at a time like this. “She was a very special lady….” he began until he was rudely interrupted by a familiar voice.
“If she was so special then why don’t you join her,” came the maniacal whisper of Rag Doll.
Starman turned his head in horror to see Rag Doll standing over him and Phantom Lady, scythe in hand. “Oh $#*&!!!”
But before the limber villainess could act, the Arachnid jumped on her back, “Oh no you don’t! I hear you’ve been giving my main dude here some grief for some time now, lady and I’m here to tell you keep your hands off him!” he said as he released his Beetle Bite on her. The young villainess’ limbs all stretched out at once as the mystical current of the Arachnid’s attack shot through her body and immobilized her. Seconds later, she dropped to the ground, completely unconscious.
“Phew….thanks,” smiled Starman to his best friend.
“Don’t sweat it,” replied the nephew of Ted Kord. He then looked at Phantom Lady, “I’m really sorry about Firebrand. If there’s anything I can do…”
In the midst of all of the chaos and commotion, several battles were being fought. Team Arrow was taking on Bonfire and the Icicle. The hot and cold duo found themselves overwhelmed by the series of trick arrows fired by Dark Arrow, Trickshot, and the Emerald Archer along with the ear-piercing Canary Cry of Sonic Boom.
Hawk Warrior and Hawkgirl were using the Nth Metal to combat the eerie powers of the Ghost of Gentleman Jim. The Ghost quickly became frustrated as the Hawks delivered a fast defeat to the ages old villin.
Meanwhile, Knigh-Bat, Blackbird, and Robin were trading blows with Dr. Death, Dr. Poison, and Deadshot. Knight-Bat felt honored to be fighting beside a man so similar to his father.
Several yards away, Totem was facing off with Killer Wasp who seemed to be getting the better of her until Miss Creeper jumped on his back and caused him to crash into the ground. Once grounded, Miss Creeper proceeded to bash Killer Wasp’s face into the ground until he was out cold.
Up in the air, Green Lantern and the Jade Sentinel were facing off against Star Sapphire and Knodar. Daniel Jordan felt a sense of awkwardness as he battled against the predecessor to his mother’s short-lived villainous career. Still, he didn’t let that stop him when push came to shove and he was forced to create green sleeping gas to neutralize his foe.
As the minutes passed, the Titans continued to battle various members of the Injustice Society. The new Captain Marvel Jr. , Sherry Marvel, and Bulletboy combined their powers and abilities to overcome the destructive attack launched by Deathbolt, the Shade, and Wy-vern. Near-by, Whirlpool, Super Lad, and Kid Comet found themselves up against Queen Clea of Atlantis, the Monocle, and the Tigress. The three heroes had a long day behind them and made quick work of the villains without breaking much of a sweat.
In the middle of a hallway, Sargona, Black Vulcan, and Jemstone waited nervously. Fausta had radioed them and asked them to meet her at this specific location. Jemstone’s heart was beating frantically as she waited for Fausta and Wonder Man to arrive, wondering if Fausta could really be trusted even under these circumstances. Finally, the blonde haired Nazi turned the corner and was in sight along with Wonder Man still over her shoulder.
Jemstone ran towards the approaching duo without hesitation, “Wonder Man!!” she yelled with deep concern. Sargona and Black Vulcan were tailing right behind her, ready to take on Fausta if need be. After a few seconds, the two small groups had finally had made contact.
“As promsed, here is your beloved prince,” Fausta said as she placed the weary Wonder Man in Jemstone’s arms.
Jemstone held him tight as she began to cry with joy, “Oh baby, what happened to you?” she asked, looking over his burnt flesh.
“Don’t worry about it. I feel better already now that you’re here,” smiled Wonder Man as he looked up at the love of his life. “It’s nothing the Purple Healing Ray and a few dozen kisses from you can’t take care of.”
“Ugh……..sickening,” mumbled Fausta in disgust. “You two continue your fairy tale. I shall go take care of what’s left of the Injustice Society.”
As Faust walked away, Sargona whispered to Black Vulcan, “While she’s at it, maybe she could jump on a landmine.”
“I doubt we’ll get THAT lucky today,” countered Black Vulcan .
Just then, Black Adam and Isis arrived on the scene.
“Wonder Man! You’re hurt badly,” Isis said as she made her way up the prince of Themyscria and Jemstone. “Jerrica, if you don’t mind. I can heal Wonder Man of his injuries.”
“Oh thank you, Isis,” Jemstone said gratefully as she released Wonder Man into Isis’ arms.
As Isis did her job, Jemstone commented to Black Adam, “You’re a very lucky man, Adam. I’ve never met anyone more generous and compassionate than your wife.”
“They don’t call her the heroine of hope and healing for nothing, Ms. Benton,” commented Black Adam as looked on his wife with awe as he did every time he looked at her.
A ways away, a small team consisting of Harbinger, Power Guy, the Huntress, Nucleus, Dr. Fate, and the White Wraith were approaching the room where the Wizard and Johnny Sorrowed were holed up in. As the six heroes got closer to the door, they noticed a large obstacle in their way: Solomon Grundy.
“Oh great, I knew this wouldn’t be easy,” grumbled Nucleus.
“We must get inside,” advised Harbinger, looking slightly annoyed. “You five were hand-picked by myself to put the mutiverse back in order,” she said looking at Nucleus, Dr. Fate, the White Wraith, and the Huntress. “Nucleus is one of the few humans who could understand the Cosmic Egg. Dr. Fate and the White Wraith are needed for their vast mystical abilities to help steer the chronal energy. The Huntress is essential due to her knowledge of both multiverses and Power Guy was selected to make sure we reach the Cosmic Egg without delay. We cannot fail.”
“Don’t worry, the White Wraith and I will take care of Grundy,” promised Power Guy as he and the protégé of the Spectre flew towards the marshland monster. “Alright Grundy, I’m giving you once chance to surrender so take advantage of it while you can still walk,” offered the Krypontian powerhouse.
“Wizard told Grundy to keep stupid heroes out and Grundy does whatever Wizard tells him to do,” declared the gigantic zombie as hurled a punch at Power Guy, knocking him in the jaw.
As Power Guy shook off the impact, he became quickly irritated, “You had your chance!” he reminded Grundy as he punched him in the stomach and then on the side of his face. Before Grundy knew what was happening, Power Guy raced behind him and pulled the monster’s arms behind his back, thereby restraining him. “Now Wraith!”
The White Wraith took his queue and looked Grundy dead in his eyes which allowed him entered the zombie’s body and mind. Once inside the hulking brute, he forced the monster to relive his past when he was murdered in Slaughter Swamp. Visions of pain and horror ransacked the zombie’s mind causing him to convulse and eventually collapse into a state of catatonia.
“Well, you certainly are efficient, “ the Huntress commented as the White Wraith emerged from Grundy’s body.
“We don’t have much time to waste,” replied the White Wraith, dryly.
“Now we just have to get through this door,” observed Nucleus.
“We must hurry before the inevitable occurs……” insisted Harbinger.
“What is this ‘inevitable’ you keep referring to?” questioned Nucleus.
“Don’t sweat it,” advised Power Guy as he walked up to the door. “One punch and we’ll all be inside.” But before the Kryptonian powerhouse could make due on his promise, he was interrupted by the Collar of Chaos falling off Dr. Fate’s neck.
“By the Lords of Order….” commented Dr. Fate in pure shock.
The White Wraith looked up at Dr. Fate and remembered, “You said that the only way the collar could come off was if the Wizard himself removed it.”
“Or if he were to die….” reminded the man also known as Kent Nelson.
“Sorrow must have double-crossed the Wizard,’ assumed the White Wraith.
“Power Guy, get us through that door PRONTO!” ordered Nucleus.
The visitor from Krypton knocked down the door without haste and then promptly rushed into the room with the rest of his group right behind him. As the team scanned the room, they found that the Wizard was indeed dead. His charred husk was being lifted into the air by his throat with the murderer being crystal clear. Johnny Sorrow was lying on the ground though it was unclear if he was still alive or not.
All five members of the Titans of Justice gasped in horror as they laid their eyes on none other than the Anti-Monitor.
The cold, heartless being from the Anti-Matter universe turned and addressed the group of heroes, “I asked him to give me the Cosmic Egg and he refused,” he said, shaking the corpse of the Wizard. “He has paid for his defiance with his life. Though it matters not as now that I have the Cosmic Egg, all positive matter beings and their universes shall be UTTERLY DESTROYED!!!!!!!!!!!”
The five members of the Titans of Justice just stood silent for a moment, still in shock over the huge surprise in front of them. None of them had even guessed they would face such a monstrosity in their careers.
Finally Harbinger spoke, “The inevitable has occurred…….”
TO BE CONTINUED
Written & Edited By: Power Guy
Wonder Man’s holding cell, The Perisphere…
The Cheetah as the sole villain in the room, standing guard over Wonder Man. The Wizard had ordered her to stand watch over the male Amazon but not to harm him unless he tried to break free from his bonds. “This is boring!! Why don’t you try to escape???” demanded the feral villainess.
Wonder Man was still strapped to Dr. Poison’s torture table. He looked up at the woman also known as Priscilla Rich bitterly, “You know I’m in no condition to fight you or anyone else right now,” he barked. “Or is that the only way you’re brave enough to take me on is after I’ve already been worked over?”
The Cheetah snapped and grabbed Wonder Man by the throat. “You dare question my courage?!?!?! Maybe I should just lie to the Wizard and tell him you tried to escape….”
“Stop Priscilla!” ordered a female voice.
The Cheetah immediately turned around to see her old ally Fausta standing in the doorway. “Fausta! What are you doing he-yer? I thought you were on Earth X claiming that wurld for the Nazi empire?”
“That I was, friend Cheetah,” confirmed Faust in her thick German accent. “However, once I heard about what was going on here on Earth 2, I used the Titans of Freedom to hitch a ride back here so I could join in on the fun but I see the festivities have already started as you have captured Wonder Man here.”
“Damn it! Not Fausta too!” Wonder Man thought to himself as his head began to ache.
“Yes and I was I who lured Woondah Man into the trap that brought him here,” smiled the Cheetah with sick delight. “You should have seen in Fausta! Clea, Grundy, Vulcan, Deathbolt, Star Sapphire, and I nearly beat this fool within an inch of his life!”
“It sounds like you have been quite busy, fraulein,’ noted Fausta. “Why don’t you go take a break. The Wizard has asked me to stand guard over this whelp for a while.”
“Thank you, sweet Nazi!” smiled the Cheetah. “I was getting quite hungry any way. I stole some pricy caviar earlier today and I can’t wait to feast upon it. See you lay-ter!”
Once the Cheetah exited the room, Fausta began to circle the table that Wonder Man was strapped to. “Look at you. Lying there all weak and helpless. You could not be in a worse predicament right now. I am thoroughly going to enjoy this,” she said as a twisted grin manifested on her face. She quickly pulled a sword out from a carrying case strapped to her back. “Are you ready?” she asked with sick delight as she raised the sword over her head.
CHOP!
In a shocking turn of events, Fausta had sliced through the restraints holding Wonder Man. For a few seconds, Scott Hall was completely speechless. Fausta lifted him from the table and threw him over her back. “Hmmph…..you have gained some weight since I last saw you. All of this lying around must be slowing your metabolism.”
“What are you doing?” Wonder Man asked, totally confused and still unable to move much.
“I am doing the one thing you will hate most,” answered the German powerhouse. “I am saving your life but there is no need to thank me for seeing the look on your face is gratitude enough for one day when you and I are locked in battle, you shall look at me and think of this moment and then hesitate and then, I shall kill you.”
“Then why don’t you just finish me off now?” inquired Wonder Man.
“It would be no fun,” advised Fausta as she walked through the hall with Wonder Man over her back. “You are not in any condition to give me a proper challenge.” Then Faust reached into her pocket and pulled out a Society of Titans communicator device.
“Where did you get that??” demanded Wonder Man.
“From your comrades. Where else, idiot?” spat Fausta as she raised the device to her mouth. “I have Wonder Man. You may commence with your assault.”
***
Five minutes prior in the Perisphere conference room…
The Wizard and Johnny Sorrow were in the midst of finalizing their plans.
“I really think we should take down Power Guy next,” suggested Johnny Sorrow. “Not only will that eliminate the Society of Titans’ most powerful member, it will send a message to the rest of the group that we’re unstoppable.”
“I like the way you’re thinking, Sorrow,” agreed the Wizard “But what about the Huntress and Robin? They’re too smart to leaving them running loose for long. Once they realize what we’re up to, they’re liable to sabotage our entire plan.”
But before Johnny Sorrow could answer the Wizard’s question, a violent explosion shook the entire structure of the Perisphere.
“What in the name of the six-headed demon was that?” demanded the Wizard.
Johnny Sorrow ran over to the monitor and switched on the Perisphere’s security cameras. “Wizard! We’ve got big and I do mean BIG trouble! It’s the Titans of Justice - ALL of them.”
“You mean the Society of Titans?“ presumed the mature magician.
“Not just them, all of the Titans from New Earth plus some other guys I’ve never seen before,” explained Johnny Sorrow.
“Curse them!!“ gasped the mature magician. “Radio all of our troops. Tell them all other plans are null and void. The only thing that matters is stopping the Titans from getting the Cosmic Egg. Kill on sight, tell them!!!”
Outside the Perisphere, Green Lantern was looking down at the huge hole that was just blown in the wall before him. “That was some warning shot….” he commented to Argos.
“We don’t play around on New Genesis,” Argos stated firmly as the Astro Force was still crackling between his fingers. “I hope all of those cowards inside are trembling in fear.”
The two heroes led the army of Titans into the Perisphere each of them knowing this could be the most intense battle of their career.
“I’ve got a mental fix on the Wizard,” alerted Kid Comet. “He’s holed up in the main conference room.”
“Let’s all split up and try to get to the Wizard,” directed Green Lantern.
As Dr. Fate flew into the place he once thought of as a second home, his wife Inza contacted him telepathically.
“Kent, it’s Inza. I finally found some info on the Collar of Chaos.”
“You have? Do tell my dear Inza”
“The White Wraith was right,” she began. “There are only two ways to have that collar removed from your neck. One of them is to have the Wizard remove the collar himself.”
“And what is the other way?” asked Dr. Fate.
“To end the Wizard’s life,” revealed Inza Nelson.
“I see….,” Dr. Fate replied glumly. “Thank you, Inza. I shall see you soon. I promise.”
As the Titans swarmed into the Perisphere, villains began popping out of the woodwork. Rival and Killer Wasp were two of the first to arrive on the scene.
Rival began racing towards Lightspeed, hell-bent on revenge. “You’re going to pay for what you did to me last time,” he threatened with fists cocked.
“Oh really?” came a voice on the side of Rival. The sinister speedster looked out of the corner of his eye to see three figures racing besides him. “Who the heck are you two supposed to be?”
“I’m Velocity!”
“Junjie Quick here!”
“And I’m the Flash! And if you’re messing with a fellow speedster, you’re name is M.U.D.!”
Suddenly, Rival found himself slowing down to the pace of a snail. The trio of speedsters wer sapping his speed and putting him in a most unpleasant predicament. Rival finally came to an abrupt halt as he saw Lightspeed standing in front of him, arms crossed.
“Now, I believe I heard something like a threat a few seconds ago,” smirked the grandson of Jay Garrick. Lightspeed began racing around Rival, poking him all over his chest and back. “Still wanna make something of it?” he taunted.
Rival was panicking. Here he was, confronted by no less than four super speedsters and he was completely powerless.
“Nothing to say, huh?” Lightspeed teased right before he gave Rival as sharp upper-cut resulting in T.K.O. “Looks like you’re all washed, pal!”
As the quartet of speedsters celebrated their victory over Rival, Phantom Lady was taking on False Face who had turned himself into a giant octopus.
“I’m going to kill you nice and slow lady,” he threatened as he tentacles waived around in the air preparing for his assault on the spectral heroine.
Phantom Lady began firing lasers from her bracelet , trying to hit the deadly tentacles but wasn’t having much luck hitting her targets. Much to her relief, Firebrand came to her rescue.
“Easy, Phantom Lady, I’ve got him,” assured the pretty red-head as she bombarded False Face with a series of flames.
False Face screamed in agony as his limbs began to stiffen up, What the #&@% are you doing to me???
“Baking you solid!” confirmed Firebrand as she continued to pour on the heat. As Firebrand readied to celebrate her victory, she soon found herself under attack by Vulcan, Son of Fire.
Firebrand reacted quickly and kept one of her arms pointed towards False Face and the other pointed towards Vulcan, emitting a stream of flames at both
“Danette! Concentrate on Vulcan. I’ll finish up False Face,” advised Phantom Lady as she shot her laser at False Face and shattered him into dozens of pieces.
Firebrand soon found herself locked in a battle of flames with Vulcan. The two fire-powered beings were both dead-set on taking each other down. Their powers seemed almost equally matched as every few seconds their respective streams of flames would make a little headway towards their opponent and then falter back against the other’s flames.
Vulcan quickly became irritated by this stalemate and decided to end things quickly. In a harsh display of brutality, he threw his axe at Firebrand and instantly be-headed her, stunning all those in the room.
“NO!! NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” screamed Phantom Lady in horror as she covered her mouth. “Dannette!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Vulcan just stood there for a few seconds, completely emotionless. He then turned to Phantom Lady, “You are next, woman!” he said advancing towards the former Freedom Fighter, however, before he could reach her, he found his path blocked by none other than Argos and Sturmer.
“Butcher!” accused Argos as he slammed his fist into Vulcan‘s face, knocking him across the room. The duo from New Genesis quickly made their way over to the fiery villain. Argos jumped on top of him while Sturmer latched onto Vulcan’s axe with his immense teeth and ripped it out of his grasp. The war-hound began chewing on the axe, crushing it to pieces while Argos began beating on Vulcan. “You sicken me!” barked Argos. “Killing a woman especially in the fashion you used. You are nothing more than a spineless coward!!!”
“Get off of me!” ordered Vulcan, “Or I shall burn you to cinders,” he said, releasing a barrage of flames upon the warrior from New Genesis.
“Do you worst, villain. I have braved the fire-pits of Apokolips. Your fire is nothing more than a petty annoyance to me!” Argos said as he began pummeling Vulcan into the ground mercilessly.
Several yards away, Phantom Lady was kneeling on the ground beside Firebrand’s corpse, crying softly. Starman came up behind her and gently placed his trench coat over Firebrand out of respect. He then knelt down by Phantom Lady and whispered, “I’m so sorry Aunt Sandy. I know you two were close…”
“Scott, this shouldn’t have happened to her. She was the sweetest person I’ve ever known,” sobbed Phantom Lady. “She was always there for her friends. She constantly fought to make this world a better place and she never, no matter what the circumstances were, judged another person. She just got her life back when Junjie and the Flash freed her from the Dragon King and now she’s gone…..
Starman held his aunt tightly, praying to God that he wouldn’t say the wrong thing at a time like this. “She was a very special lady….” he began until he was rudely interrupted by a familiar voice.
“If she was so special then why don’t you join her,” came the maniacal whisper of Rag Doll.
Starman turned his head in horror to see Rag Doll standing over him and Phantom Lady, scythe in hand. “Oh $#*&!!!”
But before the limber villainess could act, the Arachnid jumped on her back, “Oh no you don’t! I hear you’ve been giving my main dude here some grief for some time now, lady and I’m here to tell you keep your hands off him!” he said as he released his Beetle Bite on her. The young villainess’ limbs all stretched out at once as the mystical current of the Arachnid’s attack shot through her body and immobilized her. Seconds later, she dropped to the ground, completely unconscious.
“Phew….thanks,” smiled Starman to his best friend.
“Don’t sweat it,” replied the nephew of Ted Kord. He then looked at Phantom Lady, “I’m really sorry about Firebrand. If there’s anything I can do…”
In the midst of all of the chaos and commotion, several battles were being fought. Team Arrow was taking on Bonfire and the Icicle. The hot and cold duo found themselves overwhelmed by the series of trick arrows fired by Dark Arrow, Trickshot, and the Emerald Archer along with the ear-piercing Canary Cry of Sonic Boom.
Hawk Warrior and Hawkgirl were using the Nth Metal to combat the eerie powers of the Ghost of Gentleman Jim. The Ghost quickly became frustrated as the Hawks delivered a fast defeat to the ages old villin.
Meanwhile, Knigh-Bat, Blackbird, and Robin were trading blows with Dr. Death, Dr. Poison, and Deadshot. Knight-Bat felt honored to be fighting beside a man so similar to his father.
Several yards away, Totem was facing off with Killer Wasp who seemed to be getting the better of her until Miss Creeper jumped on his back and caused him to crash into the ground. Once grounded, Miss Creeper proceeded to bash Killer Wasp’s face into the ground until he was out cold.
Up in the air, Green Lantern and the Jade Sentinel were facing off against Star Sapphire and Knodar. Daniel Jordan felt a sense of awkwardness as he battled against the predecessor to his mother’s short-lived villainous career. Still, he didn’t let that stop him when push came to shove and he was forced to create green sleeping gas to neutralize his foe.
As the minutes passed, the Titans continued to battle various members of the Injustice Society. The new Captain Marvel Jr. , Sherry Marvel, and Bulletboy combined their powers and abilities to overcome the destructive attack launched by Deathbolt, the Shade, and Wy-vern. Near-by, Whirlpool, Super Lad, and Kid Comet found themselves up against Queen Clea of Atlantis, the Monocle, and the Tigress. The three heroes had a long day behind them and made quick work of the villains without breaking much of a sweat.
In the middle of a hallway, Sargona, Black Vulcan, and Jemstone waited nervously. Fausta had radioed them and asked them to meet her at this specific location. Jemstone’s heart was beating frantically as she waited for Fausta and Wonder Man to arrive, wondering if Fausta could really be trusted even under these circumstances. Finally, the blonde haired Nazi turned the corner and was in sight along with Wonder Man still over her shoulder.
Jemstone ran towards the approaching duo without hesitation, “Wonder Man!!” she yelled with deep concern. Sargona and Black Vulcan were tailing right behind her, ready to take on Fausta if need be. After a few seconds, the two small groups had finally had made contact.
“As promsed, here is your beloved prince,” Fausta said as she placed the weary Wonder Man in Jemstone’s arms.
Jemstone held him tight as she began to cry with joy, “Oh baby, what happened to you?” she asked, looking over his burnt flesh.
“Don’t worry about it. I feel better already now that you’re here,” smiled Wonder Man as he looked up at the love of his life. “It’s nothing the Purple Healing Ray and a few dozen kisses from you can’t take care of.”
“Ugh……..sickening,” mumbled Fausta in disgust. “You two continue your fairy tale. I shall go take care of what’s left of the Injustice Society.”
As Faust walked away, Sargona whispered to Black Vulcan, “While she’s at it, maybe she could jump on a landmine.”
“I doubt we’ll get THAT lucky today,” countered Black Vulcan .
Just then, Black Adam and Isis arrived on the scene.
“Wonder Man! You’re hurt badly,” Isis said as she made her way up the prince of Themyscria and Jemstone. “Jerrica, if you don’t mind. I can heal Wonder Man of his injuries.”
“Oh thank you, Isis,” Jemstone said gratefully as she released Wonder Man into Isis’ arms.
As Isis did her job, Jemstone commented to Black Adam, “You’re a very lucky man, Adam. I’ve never met anyone more generous and compassionate than your wife.”
“They don’t call her the heroine of hope and healing for nothing, Ms. Benton,” commented Black Adam as looked on his wife with awe as he did every time he looked at her.
A ways away, a small team consisting of Harbinger, Power Guy, the Huntress, Nucleus, Dr. Fate, and the White Wraith were approaching the room where the Wizard and Johnny Sorrowed were holed up in. As the six heroes got closer to the door, they noticed a large obstacle in their way: Solomon Grundy.
“Oh great, I knew this wouldn’t be easy,” grumbled Nucleus.
“We must get inside,” advised Harbinger, looking slightly annoyed. “You five were hand-picked by myself to put the mutiverse back in order,” she said looking at Nucleus, Dr. Fate, the White Wraith, and the Huntress. “Nucleus is one of the few humans who could understand the Cosmic Egg. Dr. Fate and the White Wraith are needed for their vast mystical abilities to help steer the chronal energy. The Huntress is essential due to her knowledge of both multiverses and Power Guy was selected to make sure we reach the Cosmic Egg without delay. We cannot fail.”
“Don’t worry, the White Wraith and I will take care of Grundy,” promised Power Guy as he and the protégé of the Spectre flew towards the marshland monster. “Alright Grundy, I’m giving you once chance to surrender so take advantage of it while you can still walk,” offered the Krypontian powerhouse.
“Wizard told Grundy to keep stupid heroes out and Grundy does whatever Wizard tells him to do,” declared the gigantic zombie as hurled a punch at Power Guy, knocking him in the jaw.
As Power Guy shook off the impact, he became quickly irritated, “You had your chance!” he reminded Grundy as he punched him in the stomach and then on the side of his face. Before Grundy knew what was happening, Power Guy raced behind him and pulled the monster’s arms behind his back, thereby restraining him. “Now Wraith!”
The White Wraith took his queue and looked Grundy dead in his eyes which allowed him entered the zombie’s body and mind. Once inside the hulking brute, he forced the monster to relive his past when he was murdered in Slaughter Swamp. Visions of pain and horror ransacked the zombie’s mind causing him to convulse and eventually collapse into a state of catatonia.
“Well, you certainly are efficient, “ the Huntress commented as the White Wraith emerged from Grundy’s body.
“We don’t have much time to waste,” replied the White Wraith, dryly.
“Now we just have to get through this door,” observed Nucleus.
“We must hurry before the inevitable occurs……” insisted Harbinger.
“What is this ‘inevitable’ you keep referring to?” questioned Nucleus.
“Don’t sweat it,” advised Power Guy as he walked up to the door. “One punch and we’ll all be inside.” But before the Kryptonian powerhouse could make due on his promise, he was interrupted by the Collar of Chaos falling off Dr. Fate’s neck.
“By the Lords of Order….” commented Dr. Fate in pure shock.
The White Wraith looked up at Dr. Fate and remembered, “You said that the only way the collar could come off was if the Wizard himself removed it.”
“Or if he were to die….” reminded the man also known as Kent Nelson.
“Sorrow must have double-crossed the Wizard,’ assumed the White Wraith.
“Power Guy, get us through that door PRONTO!” ordered Nucleus.
The visitor from Krypton knocked down the door without haste and then promptly rushed into the room with the rest of his group right behind him. As the team scanned the room, they found that the Wizard was indeed dead. His charred husk was being lifted into the air by his throat with the murderer being crystal clear. Johnny Sorrow was lying on the ground though it was unclear if he was still alive or not.
All five members of the Titans of Justice gasped in horror as they laid their eyes on none other than the Anti-Monitor.
The cold, heartless being from the Anti-Matter universe turned and addressed the group of heroes, “I asked him to give me the Cosmic Egg and he refused,” he said, shaking the corpse of the Wizard. “He has paid for his defiance with his life. Though it matters not as now that I have the Cosmic Egg, all positive matter beings and their universes shall be UTTERLY DESTROYED!!!!!!!!!!!”
The five members of the Titans of Justice just stood silent for a moment, still in shock over the huge surprise in front of them. None of them had even guessed they would face such a monstrosity in their careers.
Finally Harbinger spoke, “The inevitable has occurred…….”
TO BE CONTINUED