Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 5:07:07 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 93 - “Whatever It Takes Part 2”
Written & edited by: Power Guy
Frankfurt, Germany….
“Jeepers, I never thought we’d get past all of that security!” exclaimed Zan as he and his team ventured into the cave that one of the three remaining Lazarus Pits was in.
“Golly, it sure it dark in here,” Jayna said, pointing out the obvious.
“Did you just say ‘jeepers’ and “golly“? growled Power Lad, obviously annoyed. “Who the heck says “jeepers’ or “golly” any more you purple pansies???”
“Hey! Stop being so rude, Power Lad!” chastised Jayna, pointing her finger in Power Lad’s face. “If you don’t like what we have to say then stop eavesdropping!”
“Eavesdropping??? How can anyone NOT hear the two of you with how loud and annoyingly perky you always are?!?!?!” countered Power Lad.
Gleek did not like what Power Lad had said to his two life-long care-takers so he ran up to the sidekick of Power Guy and kicked him in the shins.
“OUCH!!!” screamed Power Lad. “Why you little, blue rodent!!! I’m gonna burn that blue fur off your hide!” he threatened, turning on his laser-contacts.
“You’re not going to lay a finger on him,” countered Zan as he and Jayna touched their fists together.
“WONDER TWIN POWERS - ACTIVATE!!!”
“Alright already! That’s enough!” Sargona said, forcing her way in between Power Lad and the Wonder Twins. “We have a mission to complete here and it doesn’t involve the three of you bickering the entire time!”
“Aww….ok,” sighed Jayna, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“WONDER TWIN POWERS - DEACTIVATE!”
“What a bunch of imbeciles….” muttered Kai-Ro nonchalantly as he passed the recently arguing trio.
“Ahh….shut up you ugly blue…” began Power Lad until Sargona slapped him across the face.
“Hey! That hurt!” the feisty teen said, trying to give the daughter of Sargon a guilt-trip. “Just let me punch Zan once! Just once!” pleaded Power Lad in a whisper into Sargona’s ear.
“NO! Now behave or I’ll turn your costume into a straight-jacket!” threatened the daughter of Zatanna. As the trio of arguers settled down, she sighed and thought to herself. “Nightvsion did this on purpose. He still HATES me for standing up to him during the Dr. Light ordeal. Sticking me with the Wonder Twins, Power Lad, and that creepy Kai-ro…………..I HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM!!!”
“I don’t know what we’re doing here anyways…” grumbled Power Lad. “If Flame-bat or whatever she’s calling herself these days wants to risk her life trying to take off a few wrinkles then I say we let her roll the dice….”
As the team made their way into the cave, further up ahead, another individual was making steady progress en route to the Lazarus Pit. “God, how deep IS this cave?” huffed Flamebird aka Bette Kane-Parker. “Stop complaining Bette, no pain - no prize,” she told herself. “A quick dip in this pit and Chuck will be loving you non-stop for the rest of your life, you’ll be able to resume your tennis career, you’ll win another pageant crown, and every talk-show host in America will be begging you to do a show with them. All you have to do is make it to the…” Suddenly, Flamebird was interrupted as she tripped over a rock and twisted her right ankle. “OWWW!!!” she shrieked as her derriere landed on the ground. As she picked herself up, she thought to herself, “Ok, that’s it. Full-flame mode on. I can barely see in this stupid place!” she said as her costume began to glow with light, illuminating her path ahead. Unfortunately, for Bette, the light her costume was generating awaked an ages-old guardian of the pit: a giant rock-man.
“What’s that noise?” Flamebird asked herself as she heard a crumbling noise as the rock-man pulled himself away from the side of the cave wall he had been sleeping in for several years. Flamebird began turning her head, looking all around to try and find what was causing the noise she was hearing but it was too late, the rock-man’s immense fist scooped her up before she even saw it coming.
“Oh no! Oh no!” exclaimed Flamebird in horror. “Think of something! Think of something!” Instantly, her goggles shot out a stream of flames at the monster’s eyes, startling him and blinding him at the same time, forcing him to release Flamebird from his grasp. She quickly grabbed on to the edges of her cape and used it like a parachute to land safely on the ground and then began running for her life, even though immense pain was shooting through her ankle. “Shoot! I knew it wasn’t going to be so easy!” she grumbled while racing along. The rock-man had since recovered and was hot on her trail. “I don’t think there’s anything in my utility-belt that’s going to stop this walking pile of rocks so I’m going to have to try and lose him!”
As the minutes passed, Bette noticed the monster was gaining on her. The worst part of it all was that now she was racing alongside a ledge and the slightest slip could mean her falling to her death. “Shoot! He’s closing in on me!” She quickly pulled her cell-phone out and started sifting through her phone-book. “I’ve got to call Donna or Wally. They’re the only ones who can make it here in time to save my cute little butt!” As the rock-man limbered closer, the ground beneath Flamebird began to shake causing her to drop her cell-phone over the ledge. “d**n it!!! I’m a goner,” she assumed as the monster pressed on forward. “HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!” she screamed, as loud as she could, fearing this was the end for her.
***
Mumbai, India…
“Ok, Nightvision obviously got some bad info. Booster isn’t here,” observed the Arachnid as he looked all around the area surrounding the pit.
“Perhaps he’s come and gone already,” suggested the White Wraith as he floated over the pit’s waters. He looked down upon them, “These water are giving off a most unholy aura.”
“It’s called the Lazarus Pit. How much more unholy could it possibly be?” pointed out the Arachnid.
“I’ve heard about this place from my dad………it kinda creeps me out just being here,” revealed Ms. Mars. “Plus, it stinks in in here - big time!”
“This pit washes away death and disfigurement. Do you actually expect it to smell like your last bubble-bath?” teased the Arachnid, leaning over the side of the edge, looking into the water.
“I can’t believe we got in here so easily. I would have figured Ras Al Ghul would have set up a dozen traps to keep people out of here,“ Black Vulcan said, landing on the ground. “I hate to say it but you might be right,” BlackVulcan said, looking at the Arachnid, “I think Booster must have come and gone by now.”
“Not quite!” Booster Gold said as he and Skeets flew into the room. “Now, if you’ll just get out of my way, I’ll do exactly that!”
“Booster! It’s me old buddy!” the Arachnid shouted, waiving his hands in the air.
“You know this man?” the White Wraith asked the Arachnid.
“Umm…..I am the legacy to the Blue Beetle, ya know plus Booster was there when I first became the Arachnid.”
The former member of the Justice League International landed down besides his acquaintance. “Aaron, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to stop you from making a big mistake, buddy,” answered the bug-themed hero.
“A big mistake? No, that’s what I’ve done several times in my life up until now. This is my one chance to make things right again,” said Booster Gold. “For years and years all I did was goof off and waste my life away with money-craving schemes and chasing down women who were way out of my league. Now I’m middle-aged, broke, and no-one in the entertainment business wants anything to do with me.”
“So what good is diving into that pit going to do?” questioned the Arachnid.
“Aaron, you’re a lot smarter than that,” Booster said, shaking his head back and forth. “That pit will help me regain my youth and give me a second shot at success. I’ve come to realize in the last year that I’ve spent too much time wasting my life away when I should have been making a difference. After I bathe in that pit, I’ll be able to start using knowledge from the future to help the people of today. Think of how much I could do to advance today’s society!”
“Sounds like another one of your money-making schemes, Gold,” interjected Black Vulcan.
“But Booster, you could do that the way you are now!” insisted the Arachnid, ignoring Black Vulcan’s comments.
“He’s right Mr. Gold,” agreed Black Vulcan. “That pit is known for having unexpected results on people. There’s no need to risk your life simply to make yourself look more presentable and fresh-faced.”
“Look Black Lightning or whoever you are….,” Began the future hero thrown back in time, “I don’t know you from the person walking past me on the street so stay out of my business.”
“Sir, she’s just trying to help,” offered Skeets.
“Shut up Skeets!” ordered Booster. “Now if you and the rest of Young Justice will just get out of my way, I’ll do what I need to do and be on my way.”
“Booster, I don’t know you but my father does pretty well,” Ms. Mars said, stepping in front of Black Vulcan. “He told me that you were able to come through for the Justice League several times when you really applied yourself. It isn‘t about age, it‘s about ambition.”
“Right……….that’s why I can’t even get on Dancing With The Has-Beens,” barked Booster Gold as he fired two laser-blasts up at the ceiling of the cave, causing a cave-in.
“Booster! What the heck are you doing, man???” exclaimed the Arachnid as the rocks began to fall, forming a wall in between the Titans of Justice and Booster Gold.
“Good! That should keep those pesky kids busy while I do what I need to do,” Booster said as he flew over to the Lazarus Pit. He looked down at the liquid below him and then looked upward, “You’re going to be proud of me this time, Ted. I promise! When I’m rolling in the dough, I’m going to open a Blue Beetle museum in your honor. Be back in a few, Skeets,” he said looking at his robotic partner right before he plunged into the pit.
On the other side of the rock-wall….
“Is everyone ok?” Black Vulcan asked, looking at each of her teammates.
“We’re all fine, Celeste,” acknowledged the White Wraith.
“Good, then I need you and Ms. Mars to phase through that wall and stop Booster Gold from making a terrible mistake.”
“Umm…..sorry, no can do,” apologized Ms. Mars, humbly.
“Excuse me?” questioned Black Vulcan, firmly.
The White Wraith ignored the discussion at hand and followed Black Vulcan’s orders, and passed through the wall of rubble, effortlessly.
“I can’t phase……..at least not yet,” admitted the daughter of J’onn J’onzz.
“Huh? I thought all Martians could phase?” the Arachnid asked inquisitively.
“I’m only half-Martian and my dad says that phasing is one of the toughest things for our people to learn how to do,” explained the green-skinned girl.
While the Arachnid and Miss Martian continued conversing, Black Vulcan was blasting away at the rubble in front of her. “UGH! This is taking too long!” she huffed. “I’m going to need to change into my energy form to get through. BLACK VULCAN!!!!!!!!!!” she cried out, causing a metamorphosis within her body. Soon, the young, classy girl known as Celeste Pierce was being of living lightning and headed towards the rocks blocking her way.
“Did she just cry out a magic word like they used to do in those old, corny cartoons from the seventies?” questioned Ms. Mars.
“It’s actually a mantra exercise she uses to tap into her full potential,” the Arachnid said, enlightening his new teammate.
On the other side of the wall…
The White Wraith had just passed through, looking all around, Booster Gold was nowhere in sight. “Skeets! Did your master go into the pit?”
“Yes, sir. Unfortunately he did.”
“I’ve got to save him,” said the White Wraith as he dove downward, Upon touching the murky fluid below, his skin began to burn. “ARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH!!!” these unholy waters burn my divine skin. I cannot penetrate these wicked waters!”
Suddenly, the wall of rocks burst apart thanks to Black Vulcan. “Wraith! Where’s Gold?” she asked, resuming her human form.
“In the pit but I can’t go in. Whatever fuels this pit burns my skin!”
“Someone has to help him! He’s been in there for several minutes!” alerted Skeets.
“We’ve got to get him out of there!” the Arachnid said, racing forward. “Scrab - armor mode!” The Arachnid’s body began to glow as the scarab within him began surrounding his body with a metallic coating. He immediately dove into the pit, in hopes he was not too late.
After several more minutes had passed, the Arachnid emerged with scraps of Booster Gold’s uniform and Legion flight-ring in hand. All present remained silent, knowing what had happened to the man of the future. The Arachnid began crying softly, “I’m sorry Uncle Ted…….I tried my best…..” he said dropping to his knees and burying his face in his hands.
Ms. Mars then turned to the White Wraith, “He must have stayed in too long and degenerated into nothingness.”
“No. Come closer to the pit and you’ll figure it out,” advised Black Vulcan.
As Ms. Mars ventured closer, “It smells like acid!” she exclaimed.
“That’s why Ras Al Ghul didn’t set any booby-traps. The pit itself was the trap,” concluded the woman also known as Celeste Pierce, shaking her head in disgust.
Ms Mars approached the sobbing Arachnid slowly, and gave him a soft hug, offering her support. “I know I don’t know you very well but I can tell this man was important to you and I’m very sorry he’s gone.”
The Arachnid tried to look back at Ms. Mars but tears were blurring his vision. One of the heroes he had look up to most throughout his career was gone and it was tearing him apart.
***
São Paulo, Brazil…
“Boy is it hot down in this temple,” pointed out Stellar as he and his three teammates made their way into the room containing the Lazarus Pit.
“I’d have to agree,” commented Nighvision as he scoped out the room.
“Muchachos, this is Brazil! It is always warm here, at least compared to your standards,” advised Infierna Verde. “Why do you think I dress the way I do? Between my powers and the warmth of my country, a girl can get overheated very quickly.”
“It doesn’t help that we had to disarm those booby-traps on the way in either,” noted Power Guy as he scanned the place with his x-ray and microscopic vision. “Waller’s not here. In fact no-one’s been here in weeks. The dust is too thick.”
“Good. That means we beat Waller here,” Nightvision said proudly, “It won’t take much to keep her out of the pit and return her to Belle Reve.”
“I think you’ve underestimated me once again, Bat-boy,” came the voice of Amanda Waller as she entered the room. “You see, while a tired, old lady like myself is in no condition to tango with the likes of you, I brought a few escorts to take care of that,” she smirked as the Outsiders made their way into the room.
“Blackbird! What are you doing here?!?!?!” demanded Nightvision as he approached his former flame.
“What does it look like I’m doing here? I’m on a mission,” she replied, coldly.
“Working for Waller? You know better than that,” chastised the son of Dick and Barbara Grayson. “You too, Dark Arrow. Don’t you remember everything she’s done to us?”
“Yeah, I do but I also remember what you did to my sister,” countered the avenging archer, “and you know what they say. The enemy of my enemy is my friend,”
Power Guy flew over to the conversing trio and made himself clear, “Dark Arrow, I think you’re carrying a grudge here. None of us like that Di Di and yourself chose to leave the team but aligning yourself with Waller is asking for trouble.”
“Only if you guys don’t stand down and let her take a dip in the Lazarus Pit,” declared the son of Oliver and Dinah Queen as he pulled a few arrows from his quiver.
“You guys can’t be serious about this,” challenged Stellar. “We all used to be friends.”
“I have no issues with you Stellar, heck you stayed with my family while you were growing up but these two hypocrites here have one chance to step out of the way or there’s going to be trouble,” threatened Dark Arrow.
“Senior, it sounds like you bear a lot of resentment in your heart,” interrupted Infierna Verde. “Surely your issues with Power Guy and Nightvision can be resolved without a fight.”
“Only if they step out of the way and let Waller pass,” Dark Arrow said, aiming his bow and arrows, solidifying his stance.
“Don’t think we’re playing Nightvision, we mean business,” confirmed Blackbird.
“This is about Kitty Kat, isn’t it?” questioned Nightvision, firmly as Power Guy, Stellar, and Infierna Verde lined up behind him, with Geo-Force, Tsukuri, Blackout, Miss Creeper, and Dark Arrow doing the same behind Blackbird.
“You……..B_ST_RD!!!” Blackbird screamed, punching Nightvision in the face. With that, the fight was on……….along with Waller wearing the biggest smile anyone had seen from her in over twenty years.
TO BE CONTINUED
Written & edited by: Power Guy
Frankfurt, Germany….
“Jeepers, I never thought we’d get past all of that security!” exclaimed Zan as he and his team ventured into the cave that one of the three remaining Lazarus Pits was in.
“Golly, it sure it dark in here,” Jayna said, pointing out the obvious.
“Did you just say ‘jeepers’ and “golly“? growled Power Lad, obviously annoyed. “Who the heck says “jeepers’ or “golly” any more you purple pansies???”
“Hey! Stop being so rude, Power Lad!” chastised Jayna, pointing her finger in Power Lad’s face. “If you don’t like what we have to say then stop eavesdropping!”
“Eavesdropping??? How can anyone NOT hear the two of you with how loud and annoyingly perky you always are?!?!?!” countered Power Lad.
Gleek did not like what Power Lad had said to his two life-long care-takers so he ran up to the sidekick of Power Guy and kicked him in the shins.
“OUCH!!!” screamed Power Lad. “Why you little, blue rodent!!! I’m gonna burn that blue fur off your hide!” he threatened, turning on his laser-contacts.
“You’re not going to lay a finger on him,” countered Zan as he and Jayna touched their fists together.
“WONDER TWIN POWERS - ACTIVATE!!!”
“Alright already! That’s enough!” Sargona said, forcing her way in between Power Lad and the Wonder Twins. “We have a mission to complete here and it doesn’t involve the three of you bickering the entire time!”
“Aww….ok,” sighed Jayna, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“WONDER TWIN POWERS - DEACTIVATE!”
“What a bunch of imbeciles….” muttered Kai-Ro nonchalantly as he passed the recently arguing trio.
“Ahh….shut up you ugly blue…” began Power Lad until Sargona slapped him across the face.
“Hey! That hurt!” the feisty teen said, trying to give the daughter of Sargon a guilt-trip. “Just let me punch Zan once! Just once!” pleaded Power Lad in a whisper into Sargona’s ear.
“NO! Now behave or I’ll turn your costume into a straight-jacket!” threatened the daughter of Zatanna. As the trio of arguers settled down, she sighed and thought to herself. “Nightvsion did this on purpose. He still HATES me for standing up to him during the Dr. Light ordeal. Sticking me with the Wonder Twins, Power Lad, and that creepy Kai-ro…………..I HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM!!!”
“I don’t know what we’re doing here anyways…” grumbled Power Lad. “If Flame-bat or whatever she’s calling herself these days wants to risk her life trying to take off a few wrinkles then I say we let her roll the dice….”
As the team made their way into the cave, further up ahead, another individual was making steady progress en route to the Lazarus Pit. “God, how deep IS this cave?” huffed Flamebird aka Bette Kane-Parker. “Stop complaining Bette, no pain - no prize,” she told herself. “A quick dip in this pit and Chuck will be loving you non-stop for the rest of your life, you’ll be able to resume your tennis career, you’ll win another pageant crown, and every talk-show host in America will be begging you to do a show with them. All you have to do is make it to the…” Suddenly, Flamebird was interrupted as she tripped over a rock and twisted her right ankle. “OWWW!!!” she shrieked as her derriere landed on the ground. As she picked herself up, she thought to herself, “Ok, that’s it. Full-flame mode on. I can barely see in this stupid place!” she said as her costume began to glow with light, illuminating her path ahead. Unfortunately, for Bette, the light her costume was generating awaked an ages-old guardian of the pit: a giant rock-man.
“What’s that noise?” Flamebird asked herself as she heard a crumbling noise as the rock-man pulled himself away from the side of the cave wall he had been sleeping in for several years. Flamebird began turning her head, looking all around to try and find what was causing the noise she was hearing but it was too late, the rock-man’s immense fist scooped her up before she even saw it coming.
“Oh no! Oh no!” exclaimed Flamebird in horror. “Think of something! Think of something!” Instantly, her goggles shot out a stream of flames at the monster’s eyes, startling him and blinding him at the same time, forcing him to release Flamebird from his grasp. She quickly grabbed on to the edges of her cape and used it like a parachute to land safely on the ground and then began running for her life, even though immense pain was shooting through her ankle. “Shoot! I knew it wasn’t going to be so easy!” she grumbled while racing along. The rock-man had since recovered and was hot on her trail. “I don’t think there’s anything in my utility-belt that’s going to stop this walking pile of rocks so I’m going to have to try and lose him!”
As the minutes passed, Bette noticed the monster was gaining on her. The worst part of it all was that now she was racing alongside a ledge and the slightest slip could mean her falling to her death. “Shoot! He’s closing in on me!” She quickly pulled her cell-phone out and started sifting through her phone-book. “I’ve got to call Donna or Wally. They’re the only ones who can make it here in time to save my cute little butt!” As the rock-man limbered closer, the ground beneath Flamebird began to shake causing her to drop her cell-phone over the ledge. “d**n it!!! I’m a goner,” she assumed as the monster pressed on forward. “HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!” she screamed, as loud as she could, fearing this was the end for her.
***
Mumbai, India…
“Ok, Nightvision obviously got some bad info. Booster isn’t here,” observed the Arachnid as he looked all around the area surrounding the pit.
“Perhaps he’s come and gone already,” suggested the White Wraith as he floated over the pit’s waters. He looked down upon them, “These water are giving off a most unholy aura.”
“It’s called the Lazarus Pit. How much more unholy could it possibly be?” pointed out the Arachnid.
“I’ve heard about this place from my dad………it kinda creeps me out just being here,” revealed Ms. Mars. “Plus, it stinks in in here - big time!”
“This pit washes away death and disfigurement. Do you actually expect it to smell like your last bubble-bath?” teased the Arachnid, leaning over the side of the edge, looking into the water.
“I can’t believe we got in here so easily. I would have figured Ras Al Ghul would have set up a dozen traps to keep people out of here,“ Black Vulcan said, landing on the ground. “I hate to say it but you might be right,” BlackVulcan said, looking at the Arachnid, “I think Booster must have come and gone by now.”
“Not quite!” Booster Gold said as he and Skeets flew into the room. “Now, if you’ll just get out of my way, I’ll do exactly that!”
“Booster! It’s me old buddy!” the Arachnid shouted, waiving his hands in the air.
“You know this man?” the White Wraith asked the Arachnid.
“Umm…..I am the legacy to the Blue Beetle, ya know plus Booster was there when I first became the Arachnid.”
The former member of the Justice League International landed down besides his acquaintance. “Aaron, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to stop you from making a big mistake, buddy,” answered the bug-themed hero.
“A big mistake? No, that’s what I’ve done several times in my life up until now. This is my one chance to make things right again,” said Booster Gold. “For years and years all I did was goof off and waste my life away with money-craving schemes and chasing down women who were way out of my league. Now I’m middle-aged, broke, and no-one in the entertainment business wants anything to do with me.”
“So what good is diving into that pit going to do?” questioned the Arachnid.
“Aaron, you’re a lot smarter than that,” Booster said, shaking his head back and forth. “That pit will help me regain my youth and give me a second shot at success. I’ve come to realize in the last year that I’ve spent too much time wasting my life away when I should have been making a difference. After I bathe in that pit, I’ll be able to start using knowledge from the future to help the people of today. Think of how much I could do to advance today’s society!”
“Sounds like another one of your money-making schemes, Gold,” interjected Black Vulcan.
“But Booster, you could do that the way you are now!” insisted the Arachnid, ignoring Black Vulcan’s comments.
“He’s right Mr. Gold,” agreed Black Vulcan. “That pit is known for having unexpected results on people. There’s no need to risk your life simply to make yourself look more presentable and fresh-faced.”
“Look Black Lightning or whoever you are….,” Began the future hero thrown back in time, “I don’t know you from the person walking past me on the street so stay out of my business.”
“Sir, she’s just trying to help,” offered Skeets.
“Shut up Skeets!” ordered Booster. “Now if you and the rest of Young Justice will just get out of my way, I’ll do what I need to do and be on my way.”
“Booster, I don’t know you but my father does pretty well,” Ms. Mars said, stepping in front of Black Vulcan. “He told me that you were able to come through for the Justice League several times when you really applied yourself. It isn‘t about age, it‘s about ambition.”
“Right……….that’s why I can’t even get on Dancing With The Has-Beens,” barked Booster Gold as he fired two laser-blasts up at the ceiling of the cave, causing a cave-in.
“Booster! What the heck are you doing, man???” exclaimed the Arachnid as the rocks began to fall, forming a wall in between the Titans of Justice and Booster Gold.
“Good! That should keep those pesky kids busy while I do what I need to do,” Booster said as he flew over to the Lazarus Pit. He looked down at the liquid below him and then looked upward, “You’re going to be proud of me this time, Ted. I promise! When I’m rolling in the dough, I’m going to open a Blue Beetle museum in your honor. Be back in a few, Skeets,” he said looking at his robotic partner right before he plunged into the pit.
On the other side of the rock-wall….
“Is everyone ok?” Black Vulcan asked, looking at each of her teammates.
“We’re all fine, Celeste,” acknowledged the White Wraith.
“Good, then I need you and Ms. Mars to phase through that wall and stop Booster Gold from making a terrible mistake.”
“Umm…..sorry, no can do,” apologized Ms. Mars, humbly.
“Excuse me?” questioned Black Vulcan, firmly.
The White Wraith ignored the discussion at hand and followed Black Vulcan’s orders, and passed through the wall of rubble, effortlessly.
“I can’t phase……..at least not yet,” admitted the daughter of J’onn J’onzz.
“Huh? I thought all Martians could phase?” the Arachnid asked inquisitively.
“I’m only half-Martian and my dad says that phasing is one of the toughest things for our people to learn how to do,” explained the green-skinned girl.
While the Arachnid and Miss Martian continued conversing, Black Vulcan was blasting away at the rubble in front of her. “UGH! This is taking too long!” she huffed. “I’m going to need to change into my energy form to get through. BLACK VULCAN!!!!!!!!!!” she cried out, causing a metamorphosis within her body. Soon, the young, classy girl known as Celeste Pierce was being of living lightning and headed towards the rocks blocking her way.
“Did she just cry out a magic word like they used to do in those old, corny cartoons from the seventies?” questioned Ms. Mars.
“It’s actually a mantra exercise she uses to tap into her full potential,” the Arachnid said, enlightening his new teammate.
On the other side of the wall…
The White Wraith had just passed through, looking all around, Booster Gold was nowhere in sight. “Skeets! Did your master go into the pit?”
“Yes, sir. Unfortunately he did.”
“I’ve got to save him,” said the White Wraith as he dove downward, Upon touching the murky fluid below, his skin began to burn. “ARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH!!!” these unholy waters burn my divine skin. I cannot penetrate these wicked waters!”
Suddenly, the wall of rocks burst apart thanks to Black Vulcan. “Wraith! Where’s Gold?” she asked, resuming her human form.
“In the pit but I can’t go in. Whatever fuels this pit burns my skin!”
“Someone has to help him! He’s been in there for several minutes!” alerted Skeets.
“We’ve got to get him out of there!” the Arachnid said, racing forward. “Scrab - armor mode!” The Arachnid’s body began to glow as the scarab within him began surrounding his body with a metallic coating. He immediately dove into the pit, in hopes he was not too late.
After several more minutes had passed, the Arachnid emerged with scraps of Booster Gold’s uniform and Legion flight-ring in hand. All present remained silent, knowing what had happened to the man of the future. The Arachnid began crying softly, “I’m sorry Uncle Ted…….I tried my best…..” he said dropping to his knees and burying his face in his hands.
Ms. Mars then turned to the White Wraith, “He must have stayed in too long and degenerated into nothingness.”
“No. Come closer to the pit and you’ll figure it out,” advised Black Vulcan.
As Ms. Mars ventured closer, “It smells like acid!” she exclaimed.
“That’s why Ras Al Ghul didn’t set any booby-traps. The pit itself was the trap,” concluded the woman also known as Celeste Pierce, shaking her head in disgust.
Ms Mars approached the sobbing Arachnid slowly, and gave him a soft hug, offering her support. “I know I don’t know you very well but I can tell this man was important to you and I’m very sorry he’s gone.”
The Arachnid tried to look back at Ms. Mars but tears were blurring his vision. One of the heroes he had look up to most throughout his career was gone and it was tearing him apart.
***
São Paulo, Brazil…
“Boy is it hot down in this temple,” pointed out Stellar as he and his three teammates made their way into the room containing the Lazarus Pit.
“I’d have to agree,” commented Nighvision as he scoped out the room.
“Muchachos, this is Brazil! It is always warm here, at least compared to your standards,” advised Infierna Verde. “Why do you think I dress the way I do? Between my powers and the warmth of my country, a girl can get overheated very quickly.”
“It doesn’t help that we had to disarm those booby-traps on the way in either,” noted Power Guy as he scanned the place with his x-ray and microscopic vision. “Waller’s not here. In fact no-one’s been here in weeks. The dust is too thick.”
“Good. That means we beat Waller here,” Nightvision said proudly, “It won’t take much to keep her out of the pit and return her to Belle Reve.”
“I think you’ve underestimated me once again, Bat-boy,” came the voice of Amanda Waller as she entered the room. “You see, while a tired, old lady like myself is in no condition to tango with the likes of you, I brought a few escorts to take care of that,” she smirked as the Outsiders made their way into the room.
“Blackbird! What are you doing here?!?!?!” demanded Nightvision as he approached his former flame.
“What does it look like I’m doing here? I’m on a mission,” she replied, coldly.
“Working for Waller? You know better than that,” chastised the son of Dick and Barbara Grayson. “You too, Dark Arrow. Don’t you remember everything she’s done to us?”
“Yeah, I do but I also remember what you did to my sister,” countered the avenging archer, “and you know what they say. The enemy of my enemy is my friend,”
Power Guy flew over to the conversing trio and made himself clear, “Dark Arrow, I think you’re carrying a grudge here. None of us like that Di Di and yourself chose to leave the team but aligning yourself with Waller is asking for trouble.”
“Only if you guys don’t stand down and let her take a dip in the Lazarus Pit,” declared the son of Oliver and Dinah Queen as he pulled a few arrows from his quiver.
“You guys can’t be serious about this,” challenged Stellar. “We all used to be friends.”
“I have no issues with you Stellar, heck you stayed with my family while you were growing up but these two hypocrites here have one chance to step out of the way or there’s going to be trouble,” threatened Dark Arrow.
“Senior, it sounds like you bear a lot of resentment in your heart,” interrupted Infierna Verde. “Surely your issues with Power Guy and Nightvision can be resolved without a fight.”
“Only if they step out of the way and let Waller pass,” Dark Arrow said, aiming his bow and arrows, solidifying his stance.
“Don’t think we’re playing Nightvision, we mean business,” confirmed Blackbird.
“This is about Kitty Kat, isn’t it?” questioned Nightvision, firmly as Power Guy, Stellar, and Infierna Verde lined up behind him, with Geo-Force, Tsukuri, Blackout, Miss Creeper, and Dark Arrow doing the same behind Blackbird.
“You……..B_ST_RD!!!” Blackbird screamed, punching Nightvision in the face. With that, the fight was on……….along with Waller wearing the biggest smile anyone had seen from her in over twenty years.
TO BE CONTINUED