Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 85 - “Don‘t Judge A Book”
Written and edited by: Power Guy


Prologue:

The home of Amanda Waller…

“Ridiculous! Simply ridiculous!!!” Amanda Waller screamed, talking to herself. “I’ve served the government faithfully for over fifty years and now that I’ve got a few wrinkles and some arthritis, they wanna give me some pencil-pusher job!!!” she bellowed as she threw her still warm cup of green tea at the wall, shattering the expensive piece of China.





“This is ALL the Titans of Justice’s fault!! They’ve made me look like a fool in the last year between the mess with False Face impersonating me and then the judge letting Sonic Boom off the hook after she killed Dr. Light!!” bellowed Waller. “Nothing I’ve tried to do to them has stuck. Those loose cannons are way too dangerous to be running around like a pack of wild dogs. Somehow, someway, I’ve got to keep my job as Head of Metahuma Affairs and shut them down………..no matter what it takes!!!” vowed the enraged woman.

***

The Hall of Justice…

Power Guy stood in front of the Trouble Alert monitoring various parts of the world. While many on his team dreaded doing monitor duty, he loved it. It gave him a chance to see how the rest of the world, beyond the United States, lived their lives. Nothing was more fascinating than being able to see the beaches of Spain, the dense jungles of central Africa, and the festive commuters in downtown Tokyo all in the matter of minutes. As he was about to check on Mexico, Nightvision entered the room prepared for a discussion. “Vince, we need to talk.”





“Oh, hey, Brendon,” greeted the man of might as he turned and locked eyes with his teammate. “You look so serious. Well, more serious than normal. What’s up?”

“I just got back from Khandaq. It turns out that Nefertiti raped Black Adam in order to get pregnant with his child. As you can imagine, both Black Adam and Isis are going through hell right now,” explained the modern-age Dark Knight.

“That’s horrible! How did Nefertiti pull this off?” questioned the senior leader of the Titans of Justice.

“I found a strange powder on Black Adam’s uniform after the ordeal,” revealed Nightvision. “Most likely, that powder had hypnotizing abilities. She definitely had this planned.”

“I can only wonder what Nefertiti’s plans are for this baby once it’s born?” pondered the Kryptonian powerhouse.

“I’m sure it’s nothing good,” presumed Nightvision. “On to some better news…….Waller won’t be causing us problems for much longer.”

“She won’t?” repeated a confused Power Guy. “And why’s that? Is she retiring?”

“Not by her choice but yes,” answered the man otherwise known as Brendon Grayson.

“Wait a minute…why do I get the feeling you played a part in this,” Power Guy said, becoming a little suspicious.

“Shortly before President Obama was took office, he received a very generous donation from an anonymous donor asking that if he was elected, if he could see to it that Waller’s work-load was lightened as her health was getting the best of her. This ‘concerned friend’ made it seem like another year as Chief of Metahuman Affairs could cost Waller her very life,” Nightvision said as he and Power Guy sat down at the main meeting table.

“So you paid off Obama to get Waller off our backs?” concluded Power Guy.

“That‘s not what I said. The donor was anonymous. No-one know who sent Obama the donation.” smirked Nightvision as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Wait a minute, how did you know Obama would win the election?” questioned the younger brother of Power Girl.

“I‘m Nightvision. It‘s my job to know who will be leading the most powerful country in the world,” answered the guardian of Gotham City. “Now, when I called in earlier, you said you wanted to speak with me about the membership?” he said, blatantly changing the subject.

“Yes, I’ve filled two of the vacant spots left by the Titans West and Black Orchid,” smiled Power Guy.

“You have? Who are they?” questioned Nightvision.

“See for yourself,” Power Guy said, smiling once again as he switched on the Hall’s inter-communicator system. “Ladies, you can come to the main meeting room now.”

A few minutes later, the doors to the room opened to reveal both Supergirl and Ms. Mars.

“Hey boys,” Ms. Mars said as she put one hand on her hip.





“Hmm….good choices. I’m impressed,” noted Nightvision as he stood up and walked over to greet his new teammates. “Jenna, I thought you needed some time….”

“I’ve thought things through and I want to be close to my friends again,” Supergirl said, bent on putting her life back together. “I may not be here as much as some of the other members, at least not at first, but I can make some time for you guys in my schedule.”





“I’m glad to hear it,” offered the son of Dick and Barbara Grayson. “How about you Ms. Mars? Last time we saw you, you told us you weren’t ready for a full-time superhero gig?”

“Yes, but that was nearly a year ago, You know how often we women change our minds,” the daughter of the Martian Manhunter and Scorch said, half-jokingly. “Seriously though, I need some training with my powers and my dad suggested I put in some time here at the Hall to better hone my abilities.”

“I see,” replied Nightvision. “Regardless of your motives, I think you both will be effective additions to our roster.”

“Guys, I hate to come and go so quickly but Scott is taking me out for lunch so I’ve got to be going if that’s ok?” asked the half-Kryptonian teen.

“Go enjoy yourself, Jenna, You certainly deserve it,” Power Guy said, warmly.

“Thanks Vince!” replied Supergirl happily as she rushed off. Starman was waiting for her outside the meeting room and she couldn’t wait to see him

A few seconds later, she made her way into the hallway and saw Starman standing still with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“OH MY GOD!!! Are those…” Supergirl began to ask, totally flabbergasted

“Of course they’re for you,” Starman said as he handed Supergirl the floral beauties.





“You really shouldn’t have done this,” said the modern-age girl of steel as she inhaled the fragrant scent of the flowers. “They’re so beautiful.”

“Then you two will look good together,” Starman said as he kissed Supergirl on the cheek.

The couple then stared into each others eyes and if for a moment, it seemed like time had stopped.

Before the two could say anything further to one another, Phantom Lady came around the corner, “There’s my favorite nephew!” greeted the former member of the Freedom Fighters.





“Hey Aunt Sandy!” Starman said as he turned around and hugged his dear aunt.

“You smell like a million bucks, big guy,” pointed out Phantom Lady. “Oh, are you two going out?”

“You bet we are,” smiled Starman. “I’m taking this young lady out for lunch at that new Cajun restaurant that opened up near the harbor.

“Good choice! Their jambalaya is out of this world,” recommended Phantom Lady.

“But can you two ladies excuse me for a minute while I run to my room real quick. I think I left my wallet in there,” advised Starman as he started to dash off. “I’ll be right back, Jenna!”

Phantom Lady then turned and locked eyes with Supergirl, “So you’re the girl my nephew has been raving about for the last few weeks. You know, he’s had a tough year.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard,” Supergirl replied quietly, becoming a bit nervous.

“Between being stuck out in space for a month, being dumped by that bimbo from Rann, and losing his best friend, he’s been put through the wringer.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard,” responded Supergirl as she began to tremble slightly.

“But, you know it all started when you dumped him for another man right?” Phantom Lady said, quite bluntly.

“Ms. Knight, please try to understand that I wasn’t myself at that time. That Kryptonite that I was unknowingly wearing was messing with my emotions.”

“And that’s why you’re getting a second chance. Don’t blow it this time. I’ll be watching….” advised Phantom Lady as she used her bracelet to phase out of sight, leaving Supergirl completely speechless.

***

Later that afternoon, after a delicious lunch and a walk through Metropolis City Park, Supergirl and Starman came strolling into the Hall, holding hands. The two love-birds could barely take their eyes off of one another.

“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Scott,” Supergirl said as she kissed her boyfriend on the cheek.

“There’s no need to thank me,” Starman said, his cheeks turning as red as Supergirl‘s lipstick. As they made their way into the main meeting room, they noticed Argos was on monitor duty. “Argos, what are you doing here? I thought Nightvision had monitor duty this afternoon?”

“That he did but he got upset with me when I refused to go after the new Riddler and put me on monitor duty as penance,” grumbled the son of Orion as he scratched Sturmer behind his ears.





“Why wouldn’t you go after the Riddler?” Starman asked, totally confused. “Did you have a bad run-in with him previously?”

“Are you kidding me?” scoffed Argos. “No, I didn’t but going after some petty non-powered criminal is beneath a warrior of New Genesis. Surely my time can be better spent. For as smart as Nightvision is, he should be able to realize that I am above such trivial duties.”

Just then, the door-bell rang. Hawkgirl(who was standing across the room conversing with Whirlpool) turned her head and said, “I’ll get it.”





“No, don’t bother. I need to get away from this computer screen anyways,” Argos said as he darted off to the door.

A few minutes later, he and Sturmer returned with a large package in hand. “Supergirl, this is for you.”

“For me? I didn’t order anything…” the modern-age girl of steel said, looking perplexed.

“Well, whatever it is, it’s heavy for a package, at least by your Earth standards,” advised Argos as he set the box down in front of Jenna Kent.

“Hmm…..lined with lead,” noticed Supergirl as she tried peeking with her X-ray Vision.

“Maybe you’d better let me open that for you,” Starman said as he began to step in front of his girlfriend.

“Not so fast, I’m a big girl, you know,” Supergirl said as she put her hand on Starman’s chest and held him back. If there was anything she wanted to do since recovering from her Kryptonite poisoning, it was to prove she was capable of taking care of herself. “I’m sure it’s just some welcome back gift from a fan or something,” she guessed as she started to unwrap the package until suddenly, the top of box burst open, revealing the whimsical Toyman!

“Long time no see, Stupid-girl!” the Toyman said, springing out of the box.





“Toyman! What are you doing here?” demanded Hawkgirl as she made her way over to the man in the jester’s outfit.

“Well, well, well……Bird-girl’s here to boot!” screeched the Toyman as he bounced around the room on his rocket-powered pogo-stick.

“I’ll squash this insolent bug!” declared Argos as he lunged for the son of Jack B. Nimbal.

“Not on your life you bumbling baffoon!” spat the Toyman as he bounced out of Argos’ path, reached into his pocket, threw some jaxx on the floor in front of him, and watched them explode. The powerful blast slammed Argos’ body into the wall behind him, leaving him groggy and unbalanced.

The Toyman’s actions caught the eye of Sturmer. He was very protective of his master and this assault upon him fueled an intense anger within the war-hound of New Genesis. Sturmer leaped into the air and tackled the Toyman, forcing him to the ground.

“Bad dog!!!” snapped the Toyman as he shoved a toy block in the hound’s mouth that expanded once inside, giving poor Sturmer lock-jaw for the moment. The dog began using his paws to try and loosen the block from his mouth but to no avail.

“That’s it! Playtime’s over!” declared Hawkgirl as she threw her Nth Metal Mace at the man in the jester’s outfit. Sadly, the Toyman had just climbed back on his pogo-stick and bounced out of the way.

“You’ll need a better aim to hit me, Hawk-skank!” teased the Toyman as he continued romping around the room.

“How’s this for an aim?” questioned Whirlpool as he coated the ground below the Toyman with ice.





As the Toyman’s pogo-stick descended to the ground, he hit a switch on it which caused it to turn into a snowmobile within the blink of an eye. “Your aim? It’s great! I’ve been wanting to test out the snowmobile-mode of my device for quite some time now! Now let’s see if my aim is just as good!” he said, pressing another button on his craft. This time two laser-cannons popped up on the front of the vehicle and began firing searing beams at Hawkgirl and Whirlpool.

“Not so fast, Toy-boy!” proclaimed Supergirl as she flew in front of the searing beams, deflecting them off of her chest.

“Aww…were you feeling left out, Super-tramp?” teased the Toyman. “Maybe this will make you feel a little more appreciative,” he said, reaching into his backpack. Within seconds, he produced a miniature Kryptonite airplane and sent it flying after the modern-age girl of steel. “Hahahahaha!!!” he cackled with sick delight.

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Supergirl as she flew off, trying to stay out of the range of the plane. Starman quickly followed in pursuit of the plane, trying to destroy it with blasts from his Cosmic Rod but the airborne toy was doing a remarkable job of dodging every beam fired it’s way.

“Great Krypton!” thought Supergirl. “The Kryptonite that plane is made out of is already slowing me down. Any minute now and I’ll be completely powerless!” she said, trying to keep ahead of the deadly toy

Back on the ground, the Toyman was having a field day with Hawkgirl and Whirlpool, chasing them around the room on his snowmobile. Blast after blast was emitted from his cannons, destroying many of the Hall of Justice’s furniture.

As Whirlpool and Hawkgirl ran for their very lives, the prince of Atlantis mentioned to the apple of his eye, “And Argos didn’t think a non-powered criminal could present much of a threat.”

“The Toyman is certainly no-one to fool around with,” muttered Hawkgirl as another searing blast just missed her. “I think this guy is worse than his father!” However, before Hawkgirl could say another word, another laser-blast was coming straight for her. Whirlpool noticed the blast before the Thanagarian thrasher did and shoved her out of the way, taking the full brunt of the blast.

“Great moons of Thanagar!” screamed Hawkgirl as Arin of Atlantis collapsed into unconsciousness.

“That’s it you maniac!!!” shrieked Hawkgirl as she began flying towards the Toyman, mace crackling with Nth Metal energy.

“Think you’re doing to hit me with your big, bad mace?” challenged the son of Jack B. Nimbal as he pulled a tennis racket and a single ball out of his backpack. Giving the ball a hard smack with his racket, he sent it flying towards Hawkgirl and once it was in several feet of her, it exploded, knocking her out of the sky only to join her aquatic teammate in dreamland.

“Well, with these three down(he said looking at Argos, Whirlpool, and Hawkgirl) and Stupid-girl and Starboy being preoccupied, I can now hack into the Hall of Justice‘s computer for the boss!!!” gloated the Toyman but before he could make good on his threat, Starman and Supergirl came flying out of the hallway and were they obviously mad.

“What?!?!?!” screeched the Toyman, in horror. “But my plane should have kept you busy for another at least another twenty minutes!” Suddenly, before he knew it, Starman’s fist collided with his jaw, knocking it out of place, and loosening a few of the Toyman’s teeth.

“And it probably would have if I didn’t use my gravity-bands to force it to the ground so I could destroy it with my Cosmic Rod!” revealed Starman as he clobbered the Toyman in the face several times, knocking him out completely.

Several minutes later after the other Titans had been revived, Argos made the comment, “Hmmmph, who knew a little elf like him could cause so much trouble in a matter of minutes.”

“Maybe you should take the non-powered villains a little more seriously in the future,” suggested Hawkgirl as she smacked her mace in her hand.

“That I shall, that I shall,” promised the warrior of New Genesis as he and Sturmer made their way out of the room, destined for the cafeteria.

As Argos and Sturmer exited, Hawkgirl turned to Whirlpool, “Thank you for risking your life for me,” she said as she took off her mask.

“Hey, what are teammates for?” replied Whirlpool as he began to blush, “And plus I couldn’t risk Toyman’s blast messing up a pretty face like yours.”

“Yours isn’t so bad yourself,” Hawkgirl said as she leaned in and kissed the prince of Atlantis on the cheek. “How would you like to go out for a cappuccino?”

“Make it a mocha and I’m so there!” Whirlpool said, half-jokingly.

“See you in an hour at the Starbucks on the riverfront?” asked the niece of Katar and the original Shayera Hol.

“You can count on it!” commited Whirlpool as he kissed Hawkgirl on the forehead and then departed to get cleaned up for his first real date.

“Well, I guess you and I are stuck hauling this loser off to prison,” Supergirl said looking at Starman as she threw the inert body of the Toyman over her back.

“There won’t be any need for that,” revealed Starman. “I called the S.C.U. a few minutes ago. They should be here soon.”

About fifteen minutes later the visitor alert went off:

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

“Well, that was fast,” pointed out Supergirl as she and Starman made their way outside. After about ten minutes of explaining what the Toyman had done, they were about to finish signing the police report when an unwelcome visitor arrived on the scene.





“Lance Luthor! What are you doing here?” demanded Supergirl, looking coldly at the son of her father’s worst enemy.

“So we meet at last, Supergirl,” smirked the young businessman. “Back to super-bullying so quickly after your Kryptonite infection? I guess you power-hungry heroes just can’t go without the attention for very long.”

“Look pal, you’re on our terf right now so you’d better learn some respect and pronto,” ordered Starman, getting in Luthor’s face.

“Oh, I won’t be staying long,” replied Luthor in a snobbish tone. “I’m just here to take the Toyman into my custody so that he gets the help he needs.

“Help? The only help this guy needs is a padded cell with a straight-jacket size small,” growled Starman, becoming further irritated.

“Regardless of what you think, the courts have given me full permission to take this man into custody,” Luthor said, presenting Starman some papers from his briefcase.

Supergirl skimmed the papers over at super-speed and then questioned, “How did you get these drawn up so fast???”

“My family is the second richest family in the world, my dear, and money talks…..” smirked Luthor.

“What type of game are you playing, Lance???” demanded the modern-age girl of steel. “We know your you’re collecting the children of the original Legion of Doom. Don’t think we don’t know what you’re up to!”

“Up to? Besides helping these people turn their lives into something meaningful, I’m not up to anything at all,” insisted the son of Lex Luthor. “After all, who wants to end up like a bunch of useless failures like their parents?”

Starman reacted out of anger without thinking and grabbed Lance by the shirt, “Don’t think for a minute we won’t be watching your back. If you even try to put together a new Legion of Doom, we’ll shut you down like a power-plant in a hurricane!”

“Legion of Doom?” repeated Luthor as he loosened himself from Starman’s grasp. “Try Legion of Hope.” he teased as he walked away with the Toyman and several assistants.


The End