Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 5:40:32 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 96 - “Running Out of Time Part 2”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited by: Power Guy
“Interesting.” Niles Caulder said as he examined the results from Wilma West’s battery of tests.
“Don’t be shy, doc. Go ahead and lay the bad news on me.” The Flash sighed.
“It’s not bad at all. When you inherited your powers, it was a direct result of your father’s DNA. Your body simply adapted--not in a good way mind you, but it’s nothing I can’t fix.”
Wilma West suddenly smiled ear to ear. “Do you mean that?”
“I do. But you must do exactly as I say. You cannot use your powers under any circumstance. Your organs--even though you are in your early twenties, you have the internal make up of woman in her early sixties. You must remain here and receive my treatments. All you need is intensive gene therapy to reverse the damage. Your powers will remain intact and you can use them as you wish. In fact, you may even be the greatest Flash of them all.”
“Oh Dr. Caulder!! Thank you! Thank you!” the woman jumped from the examining table and hugged the wheel chair bound man.
“It’s my pleasure. Now, go to your quarters and rest. It’s been a long day and I’m sure you need to relax. We‘ll start your treatments later tonight.”
Wilma smiled and started towards her quarters in the mansion.
When she was long gone, Celsisus appeared.
“You did well today father.”
Niles turned in his wheel chair and faced his son.
“I simply did as you asked. And what I said was true. She is a prime candidate for my gene therapy.”
“Yes, it’s what you do best. Manipulating events to your liking. Just like the original Doom Patrol.” Colin smirked.
“I could stop you, you know. Anytime I wanted.” Niles said quietly.
“I know you could. But you won’t. Your need to learn more about the human body, to…..twist people more to your liking….for them to feel dependent on you….you could stop me. But as I said, you won’t. Not when I’m about to deliver some of the most powerful people on earth for you to experiment on. It’ll be as it should have been years ago, father. You will lead the greatest team of heroes ever assembled. With me at your side. Of course the ones who wronged me….I’ll need you to ‘fix’ them.
Niles Caulder smiled devilishly. “Yes, fix them. I….I know so much more now than I did then. I can’t wait to see what I can do with a Green Lantern ring--even if I have to cut his hand off to get it or to take tissue samples from a Kryptonian! Cut thin and translucent to reveal microscopic secrets!”
Colin smiled as he father began to laugh uncontrollably. He left the man to his lab and summoned Night Terror and Phantasma. The siblings were staring at a painting of Celsius’s mother.
“So, where is she? Is she as looney as your dad?” Phantasma asked.
Celsisus grabbed the grand-daughter of Dr. Light by the throat. “Watch your tongue woman before I rip it out! Don’t you dare speak of my mother in that fashion!”
Phantasma changed to a misty fog and escaped his grasp. “Touchy, touchy aren’t we. I didn’t realize you had such parental issues.”
Celsius became quiet. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t know where my mother is. She’s good at disappearing. When I came back, she had left my father. He had become obsessed with science and she felt there was no room in his life for her. He told me she’s out searching for me somewhere. For all I know Black Orchid killed her too.” he said as his eyes filled with tears.
Wanting to change the subject, Night Terror asked, “What about the Titans? When do we get to kill them?”
“It’s time. I had dinner with Wilma last night. The fool! She was more than happy to update me on our former teammates. She’s so trusting. I want you two to bring me Huntress, Nightvision, Wonder Man, Jem, Green Lantern, and Sargona.”
“What about the others? My sister and I want to rip Sonic Boom limb from limb. I might even want to spend some time with her since my grandfather didn’t get to finish his intentions.” Night Terror smiled.
“I know Huntress is here on New Earth, visiting her parents. Sonic Boom was supposed to have returned to this earth with her. Don’t worry, we’ll get her--and you two can do anything you like to her. She’s useless to me.”
“What about their leader? And what about Black Orchid?” Phantasma asked.
“I will be dealing with those two personally.” Celsisus said, his eyes narrowing.
***
Brendan Grayson and Helena Wayne laughed as they drove to his parents’ home. He was enjoying hearing about her adventures on Earth 2.
“Sonic Boom is thriving as Bat Woman. Now, that is interesting.” Nightvision mused.
“She’s really moved on. I’ve never seen her more confident than when she’s with Dick and the two of them are taking on crooks left and right. Crime in Gotham City is at an all time low.” Helena smiled, looking out the window.
“Maybe now she’ll take her commitment more seriously. Wearing the bat symbol is serious business.”
“Brendan….”
“I know, I promised no talk like that. Tonight is for relaxing.”
“And for you mother’s great cooking!” Helena added.
Brendan parked the car and the duo walked into the home of Dick and Barbara Grayson.
“Yum! I can smell your mom’s homemade bread from here.” Helena said as they entered the foyer.
“Mom! Mom, we’re here.” Brendan shouted. He was happy to have his “sister” home and was looking forward to a family meal, even though Dick Grayson had traveled to the British Virgin Islands on Wayne Enterprises business.
As they approached the kitchen, Brendan’s eyes widened. He saw his mother’s wheelchair, knocked over with one of the wheels slowly spinning.
“Hard to believe this head on a stick used to be Batgirl.” the wavy haired man said.
Brendan instantly recognized him as Kurt Light. Helena did as well as she gasped, “Dr. Light’s grandson…”
“That’s right Miss Wayne, or should I say Huntress?” he smiled, dropping the unconscious Barbara Grayson to the floor.
“Don’t worry, she’s not dead. Your arrival stopped our little party from finishing.”
“PIG!!!!” Helena shouted, leaping forward.
Brendan was right behind, his anger getting the better of him.
Suddenly Night Terror lifted his hands and the room went black. Neither Brendan or Helena could see as they crashed to the floor. They could hear Night Terror’s voice laughing.
As both Titans tried to get their bearings, they both felt overwhelming dread.
“A failure….I’ll never be as good as my dad…” Brendan said, struggling to stand.
Helena muttered, “My mother…she thinks I’m a joke….she’s jealous….wants to know the thrill of the night again…..”
“Oh boo fricking hoo!” Phantasma hissed as the darkness suddenly disappeared. The light in the room was so bright, that both Nightvision and Huntress were blinded. They didn’t see the giant fists of fog hurtling towards them. With one quick punch Brendan went flying through a kitchen window, sending shards of glass flying everywhere. He smacked into a tree and fell to the ground.
Helena went flying across the dining room table, crashing into the china hutch breaking many expensive pieces.
“Well, that was easy enough.” Night Terror smiled, flying over to the still trying to stand Nightvision. “Uh-uh, tough guy. Celsius wants to see you!”
“C--Celsius?” Nightvision stammered, his mouth filling with blood.
“That’s right!” Night Terror whispered as he slammed the son of Nightwing and Oracle’s head into the tree.
***
“So, what do you want to do tonight, Dan? A movie? A long walk? Maybe we could go to that new play?” Sargona asked Daniel Jordan.
“I need to stay in tonight. I’m preaching Sunday and I want to research some items. You’re planning on coming to church, aren’t you?”
Organized religion wasn’t quite Sargona’s thing, but she wanted to show Daniel that she was interested in his lifestyle as he had made an effort to accompany her to some events that she liked.
“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.” She replied, speaking the truth. She found that although she wasn’t a traditional church goer, that she enjoyed hearing Dan preach.
“Why don’t I leave you to work on the sermon. I need to work on some concentration exercises for my ruby and could use the quiet.” she smiled.
“Ok, I’ll go to the study. Feel free to stay here and you can show me your new techniques and I can run my sermon by you.”
“Deal!” she winked.
Daniel Jordan shut the door to his study as Sargona sat cross legged on the floor. She was concentrating on a new teleportation technique and started talking aloud. Mid sentence, she felt something overcome her--the sensation of drowning. The sorceress started to choke as she stood. Her mind raced.
“Did I summon a demon by mistake??--I can’t breathe!!” she tried to say, gagging. Within seconds she passed out.
“Hahahaha! These Titans are a joke!” Phantasma said as she turned solid. She had used her powers of making fog solid to choke Sargona out.
Dan came back into the room. “Sar, are you ok? I thought I heard you coughing?” he stopped as he saw the ghostly woman standing before him, holding the body of the woman he was slowly growing closer and closer to. His first thought was that Sargona had cast a spell that had gone awry, but there was something familiar about the eerie woman smiling before him. She quickly dissipated, dropping Sargona to the floor. Green Lantern’s ring glowed brightly.
“Show yourself! I don’t know how you got here, but I can and will send you back!” he shouted.
“Really? And here I thought you and I might take some time to get to know each other.”
Green Lantern spun around to see the woman in a yellow smoky fog. He tried to aim his ring, but before he could move, the yellow fog was all around him--entering his nose, his mouth--even his ears. Within seconds, he joined Sargona in unconsciousness.
***
“Good night, wasn’t it?” a buxom girl with impossibly blonde hair asked.
“It sure was, Chardonay! I made over $2000!” the woman called Black Orchid by some laughed, counting her money. She had been dancing at a popular Vegas strip club to make ends meet, and partially out of enjoyment.
Another woman stuck her head into the dressing room. “There’s a guy our front wanting a private dance from Venus.”
“That would be me, but I’m off the clock.” Black Orchid smiled.
“I think you should take this one honey. He’s flashing the dough and he’s cute! Foreign too.”
Chardonay urged her friend. “You could probably turn that 2 grand into 4.” she said in a sing song voice.
Black Orchid smiled and said, “Take him to a private room. I’ll be ready in ten.”
Several minutes later, Black Orchid entered the private room. It was dimly lit and she could see the outline of the man. He was sitting and appeared to have on a suit.
Black Orchid smiled and hit a button on the wall. “Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears started to play as she began to shake seductively. She could see the man smile as she moved closer. She began to dance on him and noticed he kept his face in the shadows. He was wearing expensive cologne.
“Are you shy?” she giggled, running her hands along his thigh.
“No.” he replied.
“I like your accent. It’s sexy.” she said, tossing her hair back.
The man grabbed her by the throat.
“Whoa, this isn’t that kind of place. If you’re looking for the rough stuff, that’s down on the older part of the strip.” Black Orchid said drawing back her fist.
“I thought you liked it rough.” the man said, letting the dim light hit his face.
Black Orchid could not believe her eyes.
“Celsius?? Colin! You’re alive--I--”
His hand tightened around her throat.
“Wait!” she struggled. “I’m better now--it wasn’t my fault!” she tried to fight but couldn’t. She was nearly as strong as Power Guy--how was Celsius stronger than her??
“I have waited so long for this moment.” he said flatly, striking her across the face with his free hand.
“Colin!!” she screamed as he punched her in the mouth. Black Orchid noticed she was sweating profusely and felt like she was on the verge of passing out. She searched for the panic button, used when a customer got a little out of hand.
“No, no my little flower.” he said, stomping Black Orchid’s hand.
“I figured you would put up more of a fight. My powers of hot and cold were altered after what you did to me. I just dehydrated you--like a plant left out in the hot sun with no one to water it. You will not deny me my revenge!” he cried.
Black Orchid was in full panic mode now. She tried to crawl away--
“Have to get him out of here before he hurts the others…” she felt his hands grab her hair. She spun around, kicking him in the face. He simply smiled.
He punched her in the stomach and placed both his hands her face.
“This will cool you down!” he said as Black Orchid felt a bone chilling cold all over her body. Within seconds, she was frozen head to toe.
“Now, that’s better. I know flowers don’t like the cold, but it’s necessary. It’s temporary little flower. Don’t worry, I’ll thaw you out for the big event. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this. When my father and I are done with you---you’ll wish you were a flower--incapable of feeling pain--dispair--the pain and coldness you inflicted on me when you left me to DIEEE in outer space!!! DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU WORTHLESS DOG!!!? I am going to enjoy every single moment of hearing you beg for mercy!!”
Black Orchid felt a tear freeze on her cheek as the icy cold sent her plummeting into a deep sleep, much like frost killing a fragile plant.
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited by: Power Guy
“Interesting.” Niles Caulder said as he examined the results from Wilma West’s battery of tests.
“Don’t be shy, doc. Go ahead and lay the bad news on me.” The Flash sighed.
“It’s not bad at all. When you inherited your powers, it was a direct result of your father’s DNA. Your body simply adapted--not in a good way mind you, but it’s nothing I can’t fix.”
Wilma West suddenly smiled ear to ear. “Do you mean that?”
“I do. But you must do exactly as I say. You cannot use your powers under any circumstance. Your organs--even though you are in your early twenties, you have the internal make up of woman in her early sixties. You must remain here and receive my treatments. All you need is intensive gene therapy to reverse the damage. Your powers will remain intact and you can use them as you wish. In fact, you may even be the greatest Flash of them all.”
“Oh Dr. Caulder!! Thank you! Thank you!” the woman jumped from the examining table and hugged the wheel chair bound man.
“It’s my pleasure. Now, go to your quarters and rest. It’s been a long day and I’m sure you need to relax. We‘ll start your treatments later tonight.”
Wilma smiled and started towards her quarters in the mansion.
When she was long gone, Celsisus appeared.
“You did well today father.”
Niles turned in his wheel chair and faced his son.
“I simply did as you asked. And what I said was true. She is a prime candidate for my gene therapy.”
“Yes, it’s what you do best. Manipulating events to your liking. Just like the original Doom Patrol.” Colin smirked.
“I could stop you, you know. Anytime I wanted.” Niles said quietly.
“I know you could. But you won’t. Your need to learn more about the human body, to…..twist people more to your liking….for them to feel dependent on you….you could stop me. But as I said, you won’t. Not when I’m about to deliver some of the most powerful people on earth for you to experiment on. It’ll be as it should have been years ago, father. You will lead the greatest team of heroes ever assembled. With me at your side. Of course the ones who wronged me….I’ll need you to ‘fix’ them.
Niles Caulder smiled devilishly. “Yes, fix them. I….I know so much more now than I did then. I can’t wait to see what I can do with a Green Lantern ring--even if I have to cut his hand off to get it or to take tissue samples from a Kryptonian! Cut thin and translucent to reveal microscopic secrets!”
Colin smiled as he father began to laugh uncontrollably. He left the man to his lab and summoned Night Terror and Phantasma. The siblings were staring at a painting of Celsius’s mother.
“So, where is she? Is she as looney as your dad?” Phantasma asked.
Celsisus grabbed the grand-daughter of Dr. Light by the throat. “Watch your tongue woman before I rip it out! Don’t you dare speak of my mother in that fashion!”
Phantasma changed to a misty fog and escaped his grasp. “Touchy, touchy aren’t we. I didn’t realize you had such parental issues.”
Celsius became quiet. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t know where my mother is. She’s good at disappearing. When I came back, she had left my father. He had become obsessed with science and she felt there was no room in his life for her. He told me she’s out searching for me somewhere. For all I know Black Orchid killed her too.” he said as his eyes filled with tears.
Wanting to change the subject, Night Terror asked, “What about the Titans? When do we get to kill them?”
“It’s time. I had dinner with Wilma last night. The fool! She was more than happy to update me on our former teammates. She’s so trusting. I want you two to bring me Huntress, Nightvision, Wonder Man, Jem, Green Lantern, and Sargona.”
“What about the others? My sister and I want to rip Sonic Boom limb from limb. I might even want to spend some time with her since my grandfather didn’t get to finish his intentions.” Night Terror smiled.
“I know Huntress is here on New Earth, visiting her parents. Sonic Boom was supposed to have returned to this earth with her. Don’t worry, we’ll get her--and you two can do anything you like to her. She’s useless to me.”
“What about their leader? And what about Black Orchid?” Phantasma asked.
“I will be dealing with those two personally.” Celsisus said, his eyes narrowing.
***
Brendan Grayson and Helena Wayne laughed as they drove to his parents’ home. He was enjoying hearing about her adventures on Earth 2.
“Sonic Boom is thriving as Bat Woman. Now, that is interesting.” Nightvision mused.
“She’s really moved on. I’ve never seen her more confident than when she’s with Dick and the two of them are taking on crooks left and right. Crime in Gotham City is at an all time low.” Helena smiled, looking out the window.
“Maybe now she’ll take her commitment more seriously. Wearing the bat symbol is serious business.”
“Brendan….”
“I know, I promised no talk like that. Tonight is for relaxing.”
“And for you mother’s great cooking!” Helena added.
Brendan parked the car and the duo walked into the home of Dick and Barbara Grayson.
“Yum! I can smell your mom’s homemade bread from here.” Helena said as they entered the foyer.
“Mom! Mom, we’re here.” Brendan shouted. He was happy to have his “sister” home and was looking forward to a family meal, even though Dick Grayson had traveled to the British Virgin Islands on Wayne Enterprises business.
As they approached the kitchen, Brendan’s eyes widened. He saw his mother’s wheelchair, knocked over with one of the wheels slowly spinning.
“Hard to believe this head on a stick used to be Batgirl.” the wavy haired man said.
Brendan instantly recognized him as Kurt Light. Helena did as well as she gasped, “Dr. Light’s grandson…”
“That’s right Miss Wayne, or should I say Huntress?” he smiled, dropping the unconscious Barbara Grayson to the floor.
“Don’t worry, she’s not dead. Your arrival stopped our little party from finishing.”
“PIG!!!!” Helena shouted, leaping forward.
Brendan was right behind, his anger getting the better of him.
Suddenly Night Terror lifted his hands and the room went black. Neither Brendan or Helena could see as they crashed to the floor. They could hear Night Terror’s voice laughing.
As both Titans tried to get their bearings, they both felt overwhelming dread.
“A failure….I’ll never be as good as my dad…” Brendan said, struggling to stand.
Helena muttered, “My mother…she thinks I’m a joke….she’s jealous….wants to know the thrill of the night again…..”
“Oh boo fricking hoo!” Phantasma hissed as the darkness suddenly disappeared. The light in the room was so bright, that both Nightvision and Huntress were blinded. They didn’t see the giant fists of fog hurtling towards them. With one quick punch Brendan went flying through a kitchen window, sending shards of glass flying everywhere. He smacked into a tree and fell to the ground.
Helena went flying across the dining room table, crashing into the china hutch breaking many expensive pieces.
“Well, that was easy enough.” Night Terror smiled, flying over to the still trying to stand Nightvision. “Uh-uh, tough guy. Celsius wants to see you!”
“C--Celsius?” Nightvision stammered, his mouth filling with blood.
“That’s right!” Night Terror whispered as he slammed the son of Nightwing and Oracle’s head into the tree.
***
“So, what do you want to do tonight, Dan? A movie? A long walk? Maybe we could go to that new play?” Sargona asked Daniel Jordan.
“I need to stay in tonight. I’m preaching Sunday and I want to research some items. You’re planning on coming to church, aren’t you?”
Organized religion wasn’t quite Sargona’s thing, but she wanted to show Daniel that she was interested in his lifestyle as he had made an effort to accompany her to some events that she liked.
“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.” She replied, speaking the truth. She found that although she wasn’t a traditional church goer, that she enjoyed hearing Dan preach.
“Why don’t I leave you to work on the sermon. I need to work on some concentration exercises for my ruby and could use the quiet.” she smiled.
“Ok, I’ll go to the study. Feel free to stay here and you can show me your new techniques and I can run my sermon by you.”
“Deal!” she winked.
Daniel Jordan shut the door to his study as Sargona sat cross legged on the floor. She was concentrating on a new teleportation technique and started talking aloud. Mid sentence, she felt something overcome her--the sensation of drowning. The sorceress started to choke as she stood. Her mind raced.
“Did I summon a demon by mistake??--I can’t breathe!!” she tried to say, gagging. Within seconds she passed out.
“Hahahaha! These Titans are a joke!” Phantasma said as she turned solid. She had used her powers of making fog solid to choke Sargona out.
Dan came back into the room. “Sar, are you ok? I thought I heard you coughing?” he stopped as he saw the ghostly woman standing before him, holding the body of the woman he was slowly growing closer and closer to. His first thought was that Sargona had cast a spell that had gone awry, but there was something familiar about the eerie woman smiling before him. She quickly dissipated, dropping Sargona to the floor. Green Lantern’s ring glowed brightly.
“Show yourself! I don’t know how you got here, but I can and will send you back!” he shouted.
“Really? And here I thought you and I might take some time to get to know each other.”
Green Lantern spun around to see the woman in a yellow smoky fog. He tried to aim his ring, but before he could move, the yellow fog was all around him--entering his nose, his mouth--even his ears. Within seconds, he joined Sargona in unconsciousness.
***
“Good night, wasn’t it?” a buxom girl with impossibly blonde hair asked.
“It sure was, Chardonay! I made over $2000!” the woman called Black Orchid by some laughed, counting her money. She had been dancing at a popular Vegas strip club to make ends meet, and partially out of enjoyment.
Another woman stuck her head into the dressing room. “There’s a guy our front wanting a private dance from Venus.”
“That would be me, but I’m off the clock.” Black Orchid smiled.
“I think you should take this one honey. He’s flashing the dough and he’s cute! Foreign too.”
Chardonay urged her friend. “You could probably turn that 2 grand into 4.” she said in a sing song voice.
Black Orchid smiled and said, “Take him to a private room. I’ll be ready in ten.”
Several minutes later, Black Orchid entered the private room. It was dimly lit and she could see the outline of the man. He was sitting and appeared to have on a suit.
Black Orchid smiled and hit a button on the wall. “Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears started to play as she began to shake seductively. She could see the man smile as she moved closer. She began to dance on him and noticed he kept his face in the shadows. He was wearing expensive cologne.
“Are you shy?” she giggled, running her hands along his thigh.
“No.” he replied.
“I like your accent. It’s sexy.” she said, tossing her hair back.
The man grabbed her by the throat.
“Whoa, this isn’t that kind of place. If you’re looking for the rough stuff, that’s down on the older part of the strip.” Black Orchid said drawing back her fist.
“I thought you liked it rough.” the man said, letting the dim light hit his face.
Black Orchid could not believe her eyes.
“Celsius?? Colin! You’re alive--I--”
His hand tightened around her throat.
“Wait!” she struggled. “I’m better now--it wasn’t my fault!” she tried to fight but couldn’t. She was nearly as strong as Power Guy--how was Celsius stronger than her??
“I have waited so long for this moment.” he said flatly, striking her across the face with his free hand.
“Colin!!” she screamed as he punched her in the mouth. Black Orchid noticed she was sweating profusely and felt like she was on the verge of passing out. She searched for the panic button, used when a customer got a little out of hand.
“No, no my little flower.” he said, stomping Black Orchid’s hand.
“I figured you would put up more of a fight. My powers of hot and cold were altered after what you did to me. I just dehydrated you--like a plant left out in the hot sun with no one to water it. You will not deny me my revenge!” he cried.
Black Orchid was in full panic mode now. She tried to crawl away--
“Have to get him out of here before he hurts the others…” she felt his hands grab her hair. She spun around, kicking him in the face. He simply smiled.
He punched her in the stomach and placed both his hands her face.
“This will cool you down!” he said as Black Orchid felt a bone chilling cold all over her body. Within seconds, she was frozen head to toe.
“Now, that’s better. I know flowers don’t like the cold, but it’s necessary. It’s temporary little flower. Don’t worry, I’ll thaw you out for the big event. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this. When my father and I are done with you---you’ll wish you were a flower--incapable of feeling pain--dispair--the pain and coldness you inflicted on me when you left me to DIEEE in outer space!!! DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU WORTHLESS DOG!!!? I am going to enjoy every single moment of hearing you beg for mercy!!”
Black Orchid felt a tear freeze on her cheek as the icy cold sent her plummeting into a deep sleep, much like frost killing a fragile plant.