Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 99 - “Running Out of Time Part 5”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited by: Power Guy


The Doom Patrol Mansion….

Supergirl fought like a woman possessed. Smashed Robotmen were piling up around her.



“This is insane! They just keep coming!” She screamed as a robot arm wrapped around her neck.

“Keep fighting!” Whirlpool said as he jumped out of the way, just as a robot fist nearly smashed into his face.

High above, Hawk Warrior was battering the robots left and right. His mace making a loud clanging noise, with each contact it made. Starman’s Cosmic Rod had cleared a path through a large group of the robots and Batwoman pressed through the opening.

“KILL YOU!!” one of robots said, running up behind her.

“Not today, tin man.” she said, producing a spray from her utility belt. She sprayed the robot’s face and it instantly rusted. She sprayed its arms and legs, rendering it immobile.

Power Lad’s heat-vision had melted several of them, and he felt optimistic. “Keep it up! We’re beating these wind up toys!” he shouted.

The others looked around and noticed they were making strides. Suddenly the walls opened up on each side of the Titans, and hundreds more robots exited all chanting ‘KILL YOU KILL YOU KILL YOU KILL YOU!”

Back in Niles Caulder’s lab, the Flash was lying in the floor gasping.

“How does it feel do know your life is ebbing? And I have what could save you right here!” Celsius cackled as he tossed the file with her cure onto a tabletop.

Halo stumbled around, unsure of what was happening. She still couldn’t quite focus her eyes and she steadied herself on a lab chair. Night Terror walked over to her.

“It’s ok, Halo. You’ll be fine in a few minutes. Then you can have your revenge.”

“Revenge…I don’t..I don’t want revenge. That woman just needs to be locked up….where she can’t hurt anyone else….”

Jem looked at her husband and noticed his eyes open. She started to say something, but he looked at her and silently said, “SHHHHHH”.

She silently thanked God that her husband was alive. Although he was stirring, Wonder Man couldn’t recall when he had felt so bad. Every muscle in his body was aching. He cut his eyes and saw the contraption that held himself and his teammates prisoner. He and Jem were the last two brought in, and he was half conscious while being bound. He looked over to the machine’s control panel.

“That lever….Colin pulled it once Jerrica and I were put in this thing. Athena, let this work.”

Jem noticed his eyes close again, as if he were going into a trance.



“Colin was always big on ceremony, so of course he’d make sure we were all in costume. Thank Hera I have my lasso.“ Scott Trevor thought, as his mind focused on the powerful lariat. Making it move via telepathy was more difficult than usual, due to the beating he received, plus being nearly electrocuted. “Focus, d**n it!“ he thought. Sweat poured off his forehead and Jem noticed his mouth tighten. Within seconds his lasso was twitching. It slowly unfolded like a giant snake and slithered across the floor.

“Keep screaming Colin….and don’t look over here.” Jem said, biting her lip. Soon, the lasso was wrapped around the lever that controlled the machine.

BOOM!!!!!! Hawk Warrior came crashing through the wall, smashing into a lab table full of glass tubes and containers. “KILL YOU!!!” a robot screamed, its arms extended and wrapping around his throat.

“Ah, the party is really in full swing now!” Celsius said, letting his foot off of Flash’s neck as she coughed and clutched her chest.

“Celsius! The Amazon!!” Phantasma screamed noticing the lasso pulling the lever.

Colin Caulder’s eyes widened. “NO.” he said, flatly.

Within a fraction of a second, the lasso had pulled the lever and the captive Titans were free.

Sargona could see through the hole in the wall made by Hawk Warrior. Her teammates were struggling against the robots. Suddenly she saw red beams--she could even feel the heat--as Power Lad and Supergirl, along with a back-up from Starman’s cosmic rod finished off the rest of the robots. Hawk Warrior grabbed the robot hands around his neck and ripped them off.

Wonder Man took his wife’s hand. Sargona released herself and took the gag out of her mouth. Power Guy was dangling, 100s of kryptonite syringes and tubes still in his body.

“I’ll get him down!” Supergirl said, flying towards him. “Aghhh! Kryptonite!” she gasped.



“I’ll take care of PG! You just got over a kryptonite meltdown!” Power Lad said, flying over to his mentor. “Hang in there big guy, I’ve got you.”

Nightvision and Huntress were free now as well and Whirlpool had released Black Orchid.



Halo looked around. “The Titans…of Justice…I remember…but what is she doing with you!?” she said pointing at Black Orchid.



“It’s a long story Halo, but I promise we’ll help you sort this out!” Starman said.

Batwoman rushed over to Green Lantern. “Your hand! I’m sure I have something in my belt….Oh Dan, what did he to you?” she said as she frantically dug in her utility belt, Green Lantern‘s hand gushing blood all the while. Though she had been bitter and angry towards Green Lantern for months, seeing him hurt and in agony caused many old feelings to come rushing back to her.

“I will take care of his hand, Batwoman. I’m more than capable of taking care of my man.” Sargona said, shoving Batwoman out of the way.

“Your man?” Bat Woman said, matter of factly. She had known Green Lantern and Sargona had gotten back together but still, she was not willing to accept it.

“Girls, you can do your Harlequin Romance bit later, we have more pressing matters.” Nightvision said, rubbing his aching neck.

“So, it all comes to this! All of you against me. I knew it would be this way. All of you never really liked me….or even cared. I was your leader! ME!!! If I had still been in charge when you all found out about what Black Orchid had done, I would have never let that murderess back among our ranks!” Celsius said, his eyes wild.

“Oh save it, you big crybaby!” Supergirl spat back. “Be a man for once and take responsibility for your actions!”

“I have. I am making this right! You have Black Orchid there….a killer several times over. And look at you Di Di. Is that change of costume a result of your guilty conscience? MURDERESS!!!!! You killed their grandfather! Why, you‘re no better than the common street thug!” he smiled gesturing towards Phantasm and Night Terror. “There she is, she’s all yours!”

Before she could react, Night Terror had enveloped Batwoman in darkness. She felt as if she were falling. Instantly she experienced dread….hopelessness. Trickshot’s screams echoed through her head as did the feelings she experienced when she felt Green Lantern had betrayed her. She saw Phantasma’s red eyes glowing. “What our grandfather did to Trickshot will look like a bubble bath compared to what my brother and I are going to do to you! If only Green Arrow and Black Canary were to hear you beg for you life!!!”

Even through the darkness, the Titans could hear Batwoman scream.

“DI DI!!!!!” Green Lantern shouted trying to aim his ring with his mangled hand.

Celsius fired off a fire blast directly at the assembled Titans. Wonder Man deflected it with his guantlets, sending it further into the lab where a fire erupted.

Green Lantern ran toward Night Terror. His cape had formed a portal of sorts and Batwoman’s cries were becoming louder. “Hold on, Didi! I’m coming!” he shouted, Sargona running behind him. “Your hand!” she said, noticing how pale Green Lantern had become.

“How sweet!” Night Terror shouted sending his dark grip outward. He captured Green Lantern, Sargona, Huntress, and Whirlpool in a scene that resembled the original Justice League of America’s first encounter with Starro.

Celsius sent an icy blast at Black Orchid, Starman, Jem, and Nightvision sending them sliding all over the floor while he continued blasting away at Wonder Man.

“Hold still so I can burn that awful costume! It‘s like something from a made for TV movie!” he demanded.

“Awful costume? Hey, I’m not the one wearing a skirt.” Wonder Man laughed, deflecting a blast away from himself, Hawk Warrior, and Supergirl.

“Get me….outside…the sun….” Power Guy gasped as Power Lad pulled the last syringe from his neck. “Need the sun…”

“Dude, it’s pitch black outside!” Power Lad said, knowing that his hero needed the yellow sun to get over the kryptonite poisoning.

Jem blasted Night Terror with a bright burning yellow beam of light that illuminated the entire lab.

“AGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!” Night Terror screamed as his smoky darkness disappeared, releasing the Titans.

“There!” Jem smiled at Power Guy. “Two birds with one stone! It’s not the sun, but it’s yellow solar radiation at least.”

Power Guy winked at her and slowly felt his strength coming back. When Night Terror’s darkness had fully vanished, the Titans saw Batwoman struggling to breathe. Her hands were clawing at her throat, while a fog enveloped her.



“It’s Phantasma! She’s choking her!” Black Orchid cried.

Green Lantern was bleeding all over the place, but he ran towards Batwoman.

“Dan! You’re going to get yourself killed! You're going to bleed out!” Sargona said, grabbing him.



“I don’t care! She needs me!” he retorted aiming his bloody mangled hand with support from his good hand. Sargona’s face looked puzzled at his words. Green Lantern screamed in agony as he tried to make a fist, sending blood pouring. Just then he saw Batwoman throw her arms back and her chest expand.

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” came her canary cry.

“AIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!! MY EARSSSSSSSS!!!!” Phantasma yelled as blood gushed from her ears.



“Bah, you two are failures!” Dr. Caulder smirked, as he pulled a machine gun type device from behind his wheel chair. He aimed it at the Titans.

“Not so fast, Dr!” Halo said, firing a blast of bright orange at the deranged genius. Thanks to Halo’s tractor-beam, the device floated into the air and dropped into her hands. “I may not know what’s going on, but I do know you are not one of the good guys!”

Nightvision smiled at her as he charged at Celsius. Whirlpool had grabbed the former Titan around the neck and was being flailed back and forth.



“Hurry, Nightvision! Do something!” the Atlantean pleaded.

“This is for my mother, you dirty son of a--”

POWWWWW!!!! A blast of fire pummeled Nightvision, burning away part of his costume and singing his chest. Huntress ran to his side.

“HA! None of you can stop me! I am the best!!! I never should have formed this team! What a bunch of losers! I should have gone solo to begin with! You all rode my coattails!” he said, full of contempt.

Power Guy and Wonder Man attacked, grabbing Celsius’s arms much like a game of tug-of-war.

“Make a wish!” Wonder Man said,

“I wish Celsius would give up before he gets hurt!” the rejuvenated Power Guy smiled.

Celsius struggled for a moment and let out a guttural cry, firing flame and ice at the same time. Power Guy and Wonder Man lost their grips on him, and flew through the air.

“IT IS TIME TO END THIS!!!!!” Celsius screamed. His powers were firing out of control and he added to the growing fire in the lab.

“Colin! Get yourself under control! You’ll kill us all!” Dr. Caulder said, rolling towards him.

“DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO OLD MAN! This is all your fault! All of it! You made mother run away, you never loved meeeee!!!!” Celsius screamed, firing a bolt of fire at his father.

“AAAAGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Dr. Caulder screamed as he burned.

“He’s totally lost it!” Huntress said as Nightvision leaned against her. “Someone stop him!”



By now, the entire lab was burning. “I HATE YOU ALL!!! WE WILL ALL DIE TOGETHERRRRRRRR!!!” Celsius said as he transformed into something inhuman--almost a being of both fire and ice. Explosions sounded as the roof came tumbling down. The walls buckled and the floor ruptured as Celsius stood among the destruction howling inhumanly.

“Get out! Everyone now!!!!” Starman said, flying over to the Flash.

Black Orchid looked back, almost wondering if she should try to save Celsius. Before she could decide, she saw the floor where he was standing collapse. All of the Titans heard his crazed screams as he plummeted into the open earth.

The Titans ran down a corridor, debris falling all around them.

“This way!” Batwoman commanded, remembering the fight with the robotmen and that this was the way out. Halo had captured Night Terror and Phantasma in a stasis field, reinforced by a spell courtesy of Sargona.

The Flash felt her life slipping away as Starman carried her.

“I….I’m sorry…sorry for the way I acted….” she whispered.

“Hey babe, don’t sweat it. We’re almost out of here.” Starman smiled.

They were bringing up the back and Starman didn’t notice part of the cavernous ceiling about to break and slam into them.



“Starman!!!!!” Huntress shouted, but it was too late.

Both Starman and the Flash gasped as the rocks hurtled towards them.

“No….one last thing….before…I die…” The Flash struggled with the words as she lifted her hand and created a mini cyclone, redirecting the debris from crashing into them.

“Hey! You did it! You saved us! Flash? Flash??” Starman said, now outside.



“T….tell my father…tell him…I died….a h--hero.” The Flash struggled to say, a tear streaming down her cheek.

Flash’s hair had turned white and her neck snapped back.

“Oh God….no….” Starman said brushing her cheek.

Power Guy walked over to her.

“PG, she’s not….” Power Lad pleaded.

“I…I can’t hear her heartbeat. She’s gone.” the leader of the Titans said.

Everyone was silent.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Serves that b*tch right!” Phantasma laughed.

“Yeah! She got what she deserved, just like all of you will! You can’t hold us forever and don’t forget--we know all about you! Where you live, where your families live! When I get loose, it’s your hot librarian mom I’m coming after BRENDON! I’ve never been with a cripple before!” Night Terror smiled, saliva dripping from his mouth.

Nightvision pulled his fist back, although his skin was burned, and ran toward the force field. “I ought to--”

“Brendan, you’re hurt. Stop!” The Huntress said, talking him down.

“What do we do!? These two are dangerous, the Flash is dead--” Power Lad demanded.

“Ali, just be quiet for a minute, I need to think.” Power Guy said, trying to take this all in. He was still a bit wiped out from the kryptonite and the fight.



“Well, I’ll tell you what we do. Sargona, do what your mother did to their grandfather. Make them forget!” Hawk Warrior said, walking over to her.

“What!?” Sargona said, surprised.

“You heard him. These two are animals. I don’t know what prison can hold them and plus they know all about us. It’s the only way.” Black Orchid added.

“This is crazy. Don’t you all know what happened when Zatanna did this years ago?” Whirlpool said.

The Titans all argued back and forth as Batwoman remembered watching Trickshot get raped. She worried about her parents and brother. She held back her tears and said, “I vote that Sargona does it.”

“Didi--you can’t mean that!” Green Lantern said.

Sargona finally said, “Something we finally agree on, Didi. I’ll do it.”

“Now wait a minute! This isn’t right.” Power Guy jumped in.

“I don’t know Vince. Not all of us have super powers or have super powered families. What about them?” Wonder Man said.

“I know I’d feel better if they didn’t who we really were and where we live.” Jem said, taking her husband’s hand.

“I don’t see what the problem is. These two have lost any humanity they might have had. What are we doing standing around waiting for? Do your thing, Sargona.” Hawk Warrior said.



Nightvision finally spoke up. “As much as I’d like to have these two lose their memories, we can’t. If we do it now, who’s to say this doesn’t get suggested again. The JLA even turned on Batman and wiped him. This is out of hand. There has to be another way.”

“What do you think Huntress? You were there when their grandfather terrorized us.” Batwoman pressed.

“Di Di, please. You and I are friends again….” The Huntress said reaching out to her.

“Fine, Helena. Agree to disagree…” Batwoman said, turning away.

The Titans all started arguing again. Finally one Titan had heard enough.

“ENOUGH!!!!” Supergirl shouted. I think I have a solution that everyone will agree with.

The Titans all turned towards the young heroine.

“Vince, you still have the Phantom Zone projector don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Well, I can’t think of two better candidates than these two. This way they can’t touch anyone or any of our families nor do we do anything….questionable to them. How about it?”

“I think it’s a great idea, Jenna.” Starman said, kissing her on the cheek.

“I agree.” Nightvision said.

“Good. We all win then.” Power Lad added.



Jem had walked over to the Flash. She cradled her head in her lap. “No, Ali. No, we didn’t win. Not really. We lost.”


***

Epilogue One:

Deep within the Hall of Justice, Halo, Power Lad, Sargona, Black Orchid, and Supergirl watched as Power Guy readied the Phantom Zone projector.

“You’re sure this will hold them?” Black Orchid said.



“I am. The only way out of the Phantom Zone is if we let them out.” Power Guy said.

“Hmph, we’re immaterial! You can’t put phantoms in a phantom zone, idiot!” Phantasma laughed.

“Stow it, pasty! You should be right at home in there.” Power Lad said.

“We’ll find a way out! We swear it!! And when we do, you’ll all pay! We’ll track you down one by one and--”

The hum of the projector cut Night Terror off as it enveloped him and his sister, still in Halo‘s stasis field.

“You’ll never bother anyone again.” Power Guy said, sending the villainous siblings into the phantom zone.



“I hope you’re right Vince. I still think I--” Sargona started.

“No, you shouldn’t have.” Power Guy said, putting the projector away.

“So, Halo. What will you do now that you’re back?” Supergirl asked.

“I don’t know….so much has changed. I need some time. My son is gone and I didn’t even get to grieve for him.” she said, noticing Black Orchid out of the corner of her eye. “Excuse me please.”

“Another person to be uncomfortable around me.” Black Orchid sighed, clasping her hands.

***

Epilogue Two:

Batwoman and Hawk Warrior prepared to head back to Earth 2.

“You ready to go home?” Hawk Warrior asked.

“I can’t get off this earth fast enough.” she replied.

Green Lantern landed just as the teleporter came on.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right behind you.” Bat Woman instructed Hawk Warrior.

“Do you need me to stay?” he replied.

“No, this won’t take long.”

“Farewell Green Lantern. Take care of that hand.” Hawk Warrior said as he vanished home to Earth 2.

“Di Di, I’m glad I caught you. Things happened so fast. I was hoping you‘d stay for the Flash‘s service.”

“How’s your hand? Is Sargona taking care of you?” Batwoman said, crossing her arms.

“It’s fine. Listen, about what happened..”

“Look, let’s just leave this, ok? I see things haven’t changed. When I saw you hurt, I thought….well, all those feelings came rushing back but when you disagreed about letting Sargona mind swipe those two…I thought you might understand how I feel for Lian now, but I see that you don’t. Dan, did it ever cross your mind what would happen if one of Light‘s grandchildren came after your mother?”

“Please Didi, I do understand…”



“Really? Does your new girlfriend know you’re here pining after me?”

“No, she doesn’t. Didi, I know we can work this out if we can just put the past behind us.”

“You want me to forget--forget that moment my life changed? When Dr. Light violated and humiliated Lian, this stopped being all fun and games, playing at carrying on our parents‘ legacies. It became personal. Move on, Dan. Move on with Sargona. I see now that Dick Grayson is the one for me. Good bye, Dan. Hope your hand heals.” she said, as she stepped into the teleported and vanished away. When she was sure Green Lantern couldn’t see her, she burst into tears knowing she had just lied to the man she truly loved.

Green Lantern stood for several minutes thinking about the two women in his life. He loved Sargona, but he was in love with Batwoman. He leaned against the ledge and looked up into the sky. The sun kissed his face and for a moment the turmoil within him ceased.

***


Epilogue Three:

Nucleus and Illumina walked towards the Hall of Justice.

“I never dreamed anything like this would happen.” the Japanese heroine said.

“I know. If only the Flash had told us….trusted us. I know we could have helped her.”



“Pride is a dangerous thing my friend. She didn’t think things through, plus her desire to please her father….” Illumina started.



“A very human trait, to please our elders. In the end, she more than proved herself. That’s why we are here today for this ceremony.”

Illumina smiled faintly as they entered the Hall. The entire membership had assembled in honor of the Flash.

Whirlpool and Stellar greeted them.



“I’m so glad you both could make it today.” Stellar said, shaking Nucleus’s hand.

“We wouldn’t think of missing this.” Ilumina smiled as she hugged both young men.

“Looks like everyone is here.” Nucleus said, noticing Wally and Linda West as well as Barry Allen.

“Please take your seats, everyone.” Power Guy said. “Today, we come together to honor one of the greatest heroic legacies of all time, that of the Flash family.”



Power Guy continued as Phantom Lady leaned over and whispered to Nucleus, “I missed out on all of this, but I hear you and Illumina really worked a miracle.”

“I guess it was a miracle of sorts. Everyone thought the Flash was dead. Her body simply shut down, a kind of hibernation. All of the stress from her illness, plus Dr. Caulder’s experiments did something to her genetic makeup. When she blasted the debris, it took so much of her energy, her body needed to regroup.”

“Yes,” added Illumina. “Thank goodness you got there from New Genesis when you did. And thank goodness Wonder Man had lassoed that file as he left the destruction. If not for that, the Flash would have been in that state of rest and hibernation for God knows how long.”

Power Guy spoke on. “Flash, please come forward.” he smiled.

The Flash stepped forward, looking young and happy, wearing a new costume.

“Flash, as chairman of the Titans of Justice, I hereby re-instate you as a full member with all privileges and rights due you.”

“Thank you.” she smiled, looking out at her parents and Uncle Barry.

Wonder Man stepped forward. “Flash, on behalf of the Titans of Justice, for the valor you showed and risking your own life to save that of your teammate Starman, I bequeath you this medal. It is an Amazon award of merit for those who show growth, maturity, and self sacrifice. May the gods smile on you now and always.” he said placing the medal around the Flash’s neck. The Hall of Justice erupted with spontaneous applause.

After many hugs and well wishes, Totem and Wonder Girl walked over to their former too fast to approach teammate.



‘Wilma, Scott got us tickets to the Versace summer show. Would you like to come with us?” Totem smiled.



“Yeah, it should be lots of fun with tons of cute models--and cute clothes!” Wonder Girl added.

“Thank you girls, but I really don’t have time for such things.” The Flash said.

“Oh. Sorry, we thought--well, never mind.” Totem said, as the girls walked away.



The Flash walked away too and suddenly turned around. “Totem, Wonder Girl, I would like to go. You know, I do have the time. I have all the time in the world.”


THE END

******Flash's new look courtesy of Power Guy*********