Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2015 12:44:17 GMT -5
Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 102: “Striking Gold Part 1“
Written & edited by: Power Guy
Much of the team was assembled discussing their recent encounters with members of Lance Luthor’s Legion of Hope.
“This just doesn’t make any sense,” commented Starman. “Twelve super-villains making a sudden three-sixty under Lance Luthor’s watch.”
“No, it doesn’t make any sense and that’s why we’ve got to get to the bottom of this before the Legion makes their real intentions knowm and jeopardizes the safety of the world,” agreed the Huntress.
“These super-villains, along with Lance Luthor are full of it,” added Sargona. “I don’t care how smart Luthor claims to be, there’s no way he or anyone else could rehabilitate the Sting Ray!” Sargona said, nostrils flaring.
“Easy, Sar,” advised Green Lantern, who was standing behind the daughter of Zatanna, as he rubbed her shoulders.
“No! I’m not going to take it easy until that cold-blooded killer is back behind bars!” shouted a defiant Sargona.
The room suddenly got so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Sargona quickly came to the realization at the scene she had made by yelling so loudly. She glanced around the room to see everyone staring at her. “Oh……….,” she said swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry…….I guess I still get a little worked up over her.”
“It’s ok, Sar. You’re not the only one,” offered Whirlpool who was seated on the other side of the meeting table. “No-one will ever forget how she almost killed six Titans back in that disaster at S.T.A.R. Labs.”
“Well at least one good thing came out of it,” Wonder Man said, looking at Wonder Girl and smiling,
Wonder Girl promptly smiled back at her care-taker as she handed Totem the latest issue of Glamour magazine.
Suddenly, the Hall’s visitor alert went off, “I’ll get it,” advised Argos as he hurried towards the door. “And I promise that if it’s any kind of package, I’ll open it before I bring it inside this time,” he vowed, being unusually humorous.
“Now, let’s all remember that we need to think this through,” reminded Power Guy. “Technically, this new Legion of Hope hasn’t done anything wrong so for us to do anything rash will only make them look like the victims at this point.”
“Tell that to all of the poor men and women the Cheetah has sliced through since he came on the scene!” Sargona said, becoming infuriated once again.
“Sargona….” whispered Green Lantern, firmly, hoping to help his girlfriend realize she was getting bent out of shape again.
“I…I’m sorry guys,” said Sargona, taking Daniel Jordan’s queue.
Suddenly, Argos entered the room again, “Arachnid, you have a visitor!” he announced.
“I do?” replied the bug-themed hero, quite shocked.
Just then, Skeets flew into the room.
“Aww…..Skeets!” grumbled the Arachnid.
“Are you disappointed to see me, sir?” asked the former sidekick of Booster Gold.
“It’s not that. I was kinda hoping you were this babe I met at the Metropolis Memorial Day Parade a few weeks ago,” revealed the Arachnid. “So what’s up buddy? You need an oil change or something?”
“That’s not it sir but I would like to speak with you in private if I could,” requested Skeets.
“Ok, let’s go to my room,” responded the boy also known as Aaron Kidd.
A few minutes later once the Arachnid and Skeets were alone, the Arachnid asked, “Ok, spill it.”
“I am here with a request,” began Skeets. “As you know, Booster has recently passed on.”
“Yes and I haven’t stopped thinking about him since,” revealed the Arachnid, glumly. “He was my uncle Ted’s best friend and he was a huge inspiration for me too. As you know, he was with me when I first became the Arachnid. Sure, he was a womanizer and a bit money hungry but he was a good guy deep down and I’ll never forget him.”
“Neither will I, sir,” agreed Skeets, “but at the same time, I need a new caretaker as there are certain maintenance tasks that I cannot perform on myself. I am here hoping YOU will be my new caretaker.”
The Arachnid stood silent for a few seconds as he thought about Skeets’ request, “Well, of course I will, buddy. Sadly, you and I are probably the only ones who thought fondly of good ol’ Booster. Besides, Spaceman is always hanging out with Supergirl lately anyways so I could use the company but I gotta warn you that I’m pursuing my own little lady so if the Bug’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’, ok?”
“And who is this lucky lady, if I may ask, sir?”
“Well, I’m not quite sure yet but I know she’s out there somewhere……………searching for me,” replied the Arachnid, determined to find a girlfriend.
“I see,” responded Skeets. “Since you have agreed to take me on as your partner, I should let you know that taking on this responsibility will not come without it’s rewards.”
“Rewards?” repeated a perplexed Arachnid.
“Yes, I present to you, the mantle of Booster Gold,” Skeets said, as the hood to his storage compartment opened, revealing the former Booster Gold’s costume and weaponry.
“WHOA!!!” gasped the Arachnid as he took out the various items from Skeet’s storage compartment.
“As you know, we were able to retrieve Booster’s Legion flight ring from the Lazarus Pit. The rest of the items were spares that Booster kept at his home.”
“Sooooo cool!!!” said an excited Arachnid as he looked everything over. “With this flight ring, I’ll be able to fly twice as fast as I can now. Who would have ever thought I would have warmed up to flying?” the Arachnid asked himself. Can you give me a few minutes of privacy while I change?”
“Certainly,” agreed Skeets as he exited the room, the Arachnid closing the door behind him.
About ten minutes later, the Arachnid rejoined his friends in the Hall’s main meeting room, Everyone just stopped and stared at his new costume.
“Wow………super cool pal!” commented Starmn. “I love the new look!”
“Me too!” hollered out Totem. “You certainly picked out the best elements of both Blue Beetle and Booster Gold’s costumes. You’d get a solid ‘ten’ on the runway if I was judging you!”
“Nice makeover, Aaron!” applauded Jem.
“I notice you’ve added some new weapons to your Arsenal,” observed Nucleus.
“Yup, new suit, new weapons, and a new name starting today….” revealed the man also known as Aaron Kidd.
“A new name?” questioned Starman.
“Yup, I’ve taken on Skeets here as my partner so going forward, I’ll be honoring not only the Blue Beetle legacy but Booster Gold’s as well. From here on out, I’ll be known as Gold Bug!”
Then out of the blue, the Trouble Alert went off.
“We’re getting a transmission from the Colorado Rockies,” explained Nucleus. “A state ranger is saying that an avalanche has started and they’re asking for our help in minimizing the damage. There are also reports of a Big Foot-like creature in the area”
Power Guy quickly addressed the team, “Argos, Goldbug, and Jem. Take the Javelyn to Colorado and do your best to stop that avalanche before it wipes out the cities in it‘s path.”
“We’re on it, boss!” confirmed the Gold Bug. “But no need for the Javelyn, my Bug seats six comfortably.”
“Scott, don’t wait up for me!” Jem said right before she kissed her husband good-bye.
“Come Sturmer, our services are needed once again,” Argos advised his faithful hound.
“Big Foot, huh?” mused Gold Bug. “I’ll believe it when I see it.“
Jem turned to Gold Bug, a bit perplexed, “Wait a minute. You’re on a team filled with people who can fly, aliens, and beings from other dimensions and you don’t believe in Big Foot?”
“Ah, tt’s probably just some guy with too much testosterone and an overly hairy back,” assumed Gold Bug.
As the three heroes, along with Sturmer and Skeets in tow, departed for Colorado, Power Guy dismissed the rest of the team, leaving Green Lantern and himself as the only ones left at the Hall. Green Lantern had monitor duty while Power Guy had some paperwork to catch up on.
***
A few hours earlier at the Bat-Cave, Earth 2...
The elder Dick Grayson sat in front of his large computer screen sifting through various villains’ profiles, “Lets see whose currently at large. Nightingale, Karnage, Gentleman Ghost…”
Suddenly he was interrupted as Di Di Queen entered the room and cleared her voice.
Robin turned to see the blonde bombshell standing before him and it was what she was wearing that shocked him the most.
“Di Di! You’re wearing your old Sonic Boom costume,” observed the former sidekick of the Batman.
“Dick…we need to talk…” began the daughter of Green Arrow and Black Canary. “First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to tell you this. As you know, I haven’t been the same since my recent trip back to New Earth.”
As Robin made his way over to Sonic Boom, he asked, “What happened there Di Di? Did Dan ask you to take him back?”
“Yes, he did………..but I told him ‘no’,“ replied the modern-age Black Canary, “But he almost died. Several of my old friends in the Titans almost died.”
“Helena mentioned something about one of your founding members coming back from the dead and not quite being in the right frame of mind?” recalled Robin.
“Yes, that’s correct,” confirmed Sonic Boom. “He captured and tortured virtually all of early members of the team, myself and Dan included. Anyways, seeing my old friends being put through the wringer like that made me realize how cold and selfish I’ve been. I made a very controversial decision several months ago and I was filled with anger and rage for a very long time due to having to make that decision and the circumstances that lead me to make it.” Sonic Boom then cupped Robin’s cheek, “Dick, I have to thank you for helping me dig myself out of the hole I’d gotten myself into. You were there to support me when I had pushed everyone else out of my life and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful towards you but at the same time, I’d be lying to you if I told you that you were the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning.”
“You don’t have to feel bad, Di Di,” offered the elder Dick Grayson. “I’m my world’s second greatest detective. I knew what I was getting myself into from the start and although I knew I would never be the love of your life, it didn’t matter because all I wanted to do was help you get out of that horrible place you had gotten yourself into.”
Sonic Boom smiled as she hugged Robin tightly, “Thank you, Dick. I’m being honest when I say that I’ve had a lot of fun during my stay here and I’ve made some memories that I’ll never forget.”
“Same here,” Robin said while smiling back at Sonic Boom. “So I assume you’re going back to New Earth to try and work things out with Dan?”
“Yes. Yes, I am,” confirmed Di Di Queen. “But it’s not going to be easy. He’s with Sargona now so I’m not sure what I’m going to do about all of that. I know that deep down, it’s me he loves but I don’t want anyone to get hurt in any of this, not even Sargona.”
“You’re a good woman, Di Di,” Robin said as he placed his hand on Black Canary’s shoulder. “When you see Dan, tell him I’m sorry for being so short with him last time we met. As you probably can tell, I get a little protective of those who I’m close with.”
“I will,” promised Sonic Boom as she gave Robin a final hug good-bye.
***
The Colorado Rockies…
The Blue Beetle Bug ship had landed on the ground a few minutes earlier.
“Well, I guess since we don’t have a field leader with us on this mission, I’ll be assuming command,” proposed Gold Bug.
“We don’t have time for such foolishness, Gold Bug,” Argos stated, firmly, totally dismissing the Arachnid’s desire to take charge. “Sturmer and I will do our best to minimize the falling snow and ice. You two head to the top of the mountain and see if you can’t stop this avalanche at it’s source.”
“Let’s go!” motioned Jem to Gold Bug as she took to the air.
As Gold Bug flew after Jem, he muttered to Skeets “Sure, Argos….just go ahead and rain on my parade. I got a new name, a new sidekick..”
“Partner, sir,” reminded Skeets.
“Oh, that's right. Sorry, Skeets.”
“A new partner, a new costume and when I try to assume more responsibility, that big lug from New Genesis shoots me down,” complained the man formerly known as the Arachnid. “Who the heck does he think he is?”
“Sir, he is from New Genesis. The only thing he lives for are situations like this,” explained Skeets.
Gold Bug just turned and gave Skeets a dirty look, “Hmph….do you come with a silent mode?”
As Jem and Gold Bug neared the top of the mountain, Jem commented, “It’s freezing up here! I should have brought my winter coat.”
“It’s nice and toasty inside my new force-field,” bragged Gold Bug.
“No wonder why you don’t have a girlfriend,” snapped Jem. “You certainly don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?” teased the pop princess.
“Sorry, I…” started Gold Bug until Jem interrupted him.
“What’s that?!?!” Jerrica Trevor shouted, pointing upward. “It looks like a man up there but it’s hard to see so I’m not one hundred percent sure.”
“A man standing up on top of the mountain? That’s crazy. It’s too cold up here plus the mountain is way to steep for a anyone to climb,” assumed Gold Bug.
“But listen, it sounds like he’s yelling or almost…….growling,” advised Jem as she and Gold Bug got closer. “Maybe it’s that Big Foot the civilians saw?”
“Jerrica, sweetie, I’m tellin’ ya, there ain’t no Big Foot!” countered Gold Bug as he and Jem got closer to the top.
The being standing on top of the mountain withdrew from the edge as it noticed Jem and Gold Bug approaching.
“See! It moved - whatever it is!” pointed out Jem as she and Gold Bug inched closer and close to the top of the mountain.
“If anything, it’s probably a lost bear or something,” advised Gold Bug. “I’ll throw it in one of my new force-fields and all will be fine and dandy,” he said as he and Jem finally made their way to the top of the mountain, finally getting a chance to see the being that had spooked the civilians and caused the avalanche.
Gold Bug and Jem’s eyes grew as large as dollar coins as they gazed upon the being standing before them.
“Oh crap on a stick!” shouted Gold Bug. “It’s the Shaggy Man!!!”
***
Back at the Hall of Justice…
Green Lantern sat in the Hall alone with Power Guy having left about fifteen minutes prior. As the green guardian looked up at the monitor screen in front of him, he felt a headache coming on. “I’d better run and get some Tylenol if I want to make it through my shift without a migraine.” As he got up, he heard some footsteps coming down the hallway. He immediately called out, “Vince, is that you? Did you forget something?”
As the person came around the corner, they announced, “It’s not Vince, Dan. It’s me, Di Di,” Sonic Boom turned the corner as her eyes locked with Green Lantern’s.
“Di Di…….I…….I’m surprised to see you here and wearing your Sonic Boom outfit to boot.”
“I am too, Dan but it’s time I finally set things right with my life…..and you.”
“Di Di, look I told you I’m very sorry that I had to vote the way that I did but as a Christian and a pastor, I had to stick with my beliefs, no matter what my personal opinion is about the subject.”
“I finally get that, Dan and I’m the one who’s sorry for taking so long to come to that realization. After what happened with Lian and what I felt I needed to do to Dr. Light, I was filled with a lot of bad emotions. I felt justified and guilty at the same time. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and was quick to lash out and pass judgment on others even though I had done something quite questionable myself. I’ve been a hypocrite and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for driving you away,” she said, taking Green Lantern’s hand in hers.
“What about Dick Grayson?” Green Lantern asked, quite concerned. “You two seemed to…”
But before Green Lantern could finish speaking, Di Di Queen began to answer his question, “I broke things off with him earlier today. I couldn’t lie to him or myself any more, Dan. You’re the man that I love and want to be with and there‘s no denying that any more. Please give me another chance.”
“Di Di, I’m committed to Sargona now,” pointed out the son of Hal Jordan.
“I know, Dan but do you honestly love her more than you do me? We’ve known each other since we were kids. We grew up together! My father always said that you and I were soul-mates. Please don’t walk away from this….” pleaded Sonic Boom.
“I need a minute, please,” Green Lantern said as he withdrew his hand from Sonic Boom’s.
“Huh?” Di Di asked, beginning to become nervous.
“Di Di, I’ve had a splitting headache all afternoon. I need to run to my room to get some pain reliever. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
"No, Dan, wait-a-minute..." said the modern-age Black Canary as she began reaching into her pocket to offer the pain reliever she often carried with her.
"Di Di...I just need a minute," said Dan. "Give me a few minutes alone...okay"?"
Di Di nodded nervously as she watched her former boyfriend walk out the doorway.
As Green Lantern exited the room, Sonic Boom’s mind began sifting through a thousand different scenarios as to how this would play out. She began to tremble slightly as anticipation kicked into high gear until suddenly she was interrupted.
CLAP
CLAP
CLAP
Di Di spun herself around to see Sargona standing in the doorway on the opposite site of the room.
“Bravo, Di Di,” she applauded with an angry look on her face, “That was quite a performance you just gave. Too bad I’m not about to let you steal the show this time….” she said, advancing towards her long-time rival.
TO BE CONTINUED
Written & edited by: Power Guy
Much of the team was assembled discussing their recent encounters with members of Lance Luthor’s Legion of Hope.
“This just doesn’t make any sense,” commented Starman. “Twelve super-villains making a sudden three-sixty under Lance Luthor’s watch.”
“No, it doesn’t make any sense and that’s why we’ve got to get to the bottom of this before the Legion makes their real intentions knowm and jeopardizes the safety of the world,” agreed the Huntress.
“These super-villains, along with Lance Luthor are full of it,” added Sargona. “I don’t care how smart Luthor claims to be, there’s no way he or anyone else could rehabilitate the Sting Ray!” Sargona said, nostrils flaring.
“Easy, Sar,” advised Green Lantern, who was standing behind the daughter of Zatanna, as he rubbed her shoulders.
“No! I’m not going to take it easy until that cold-blooded killer is back behind bars!” shouted a defiant Sargona.
The room suddenly got so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Sargona quickly came to the realization at the scene she had made by yelling so loudly. She glanced around the room to see everyone staring at her. “Oh……….,” she said swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry…….I guess I still get a little worked up over her.”
“It’s ok, Sar. You’re not the only one,” offered Whirlpool who was seated on the other side of the meeting table. “No-one will ever forget how she almost killed six Titans back in that disaster at S.T.A.R. Labs.”
“Well at least one good thing came out of it,” Wonder Man said, looking at Wonder Girl and smiling,
Wonder Girl promptly smiled back at her care-taker as she handed Totem the latest issue of Glamour magazine.
Suddenly, the Hall’s visitor alert went off, “I’ll get it,” advised Argos as he hurried towards the door. “And I promise that if it’s any kind of package, I’ll open it before I bring it inside this time,” he vowed, being unusually humorous.
“Now, let’s all remember that we need to think this through,” reminded Power Guy. “Technically, this new Legion of Hope hasn’t done anything wrong so for us to do anything rash will only make them look like the victims at this point.”
“Tell that to all of the poor men and women the Cheetah has sliced through since he came on the scene!” Sargona said, becoming infuriated once again.
“Sargona….” whispered Green Lantern, firmly, hoping to help his girlfriend realize she was getting bent out of shape again.
“I…I’m sorry guys,” said Sargona, taking Daniel Jordan’s queue.
Suddenly, Argos entered the room again, “Arachnid, you have a visitor!” he announced.
“I do?” replied the bug-themed hero, quite shocked.
Just then, Skeets flew into the room.
“Aww…..Skeets!” grumbled the Arachnid.
“Are you disappointed to see me, sir?” asked the former sidekick of Booster Gold.
“It’s not that. I was kinda hoping you were this babe I met at the Metropolis Memorial Day Parade a few weeks ago,” revealed the Arachnid. “So what’s up buddy? You need an oil change or something?”
“That’s not it sir but I would like to speak with you in private if I could,” requested Skeets.
“Ok, let’s go to my room,” responded the boy also known as Aaron Kidd.
A few minutes later once the Arachnid and Skeets were alone, the Arachnid asked, “Ok, spill it.”
“I am here with a request,” began Skeets. “As you know, Booster has recently passed on.”
“Yes and I haven’t stopped thinking about him since,” revealed the Arachnid, glumly. “He was my uncle Ted’s best friend and he was a huge inspiration for me too. As you know, he was with me when I first became the Arachnid. Sure, he was a womanizer and a bit money hungry but he was a good guy deep down and I’ll never forget him.”
“Neither will I, sir,” agreed Skeets, “but at the same time, I need a new caretaker as there are certain maintenance tasks that I cannot perform on myself. I am here hoping YOU will be my new caretaker.”
The Arachnid stood silent for a few seconds as he thought about Skeets’ request, “Well, of course I will, buddy. Sadly, you and I are probably the only ones who thought fondly of good ol’ Booster. Besides, Spaceman is always hanging out with Supergirl lately anyways so I could use the company but I gotta warn you that I’m pursuing my own little lady so if the Bug’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’, ok?”
“And who is this lucky lady, if I may ask, sir?”
“Well, I’m not quite sure yet but I know she’s out there somewhere……………searching for me,” replied the Arachnid, determined to find a girlfriend.
“I see,” responded Skeets. “Since you have agreed to take me on as your partner, I should let you know that taking on this responsibility will not come without it’s rewards.”
“Rewards?” repeated a perplexed Arachnid.
“Yes, I present to you, the mantle of Booster Gold,” Skeets said, as the hood to his storage compartment opened, revealing the former Booster Gold’s costume and weaponry.
“WHOA!!!” gasped the Arachnid as he took out the various items from Skeet’s storage compartment.
“As you know, we were able to retrieve Booster’s Legion flight ring from the Lazarus Pit. The rest of the items were spares that Booster kept at his home.”
“Sooooo cool!!!” said an excited Arachnid as he looked everything over. “With this flight ring, I’ll be able to fly twice as fast as I can now. Who would have ever thought I would have warmed up to flying?” the Arachnid asked himself. Can you give me a few minutes of privacy while I change?”
“Certainly,” agreed Skeets as he exited the room, the Arachnid closing the door behind him.
About ten minutes later, the Arachnid rejoined his friends in the Hall’s main meeting room, Everyone just stopped and stared at his new costume.
“Wow………super cool pal!” commented Starmn. “I love the new look!”
“Me too!” hollered out Totem. “You certainly picked out the best elements of both Blue Beetle and Booster Gold’s costumes. You’d get a solid ‘ten’ on the runway if I was judging you!”
“Nice makeover, Aaron!” applauded Jem.
“I notice you’ve added some new weapons to your Arsenal,” observed Nucleus.
“Yup, new suit, new weapons, and a new name starting today….” revealed the man also known as Aaron Kidd.
“A new name?” questioned Starman.
“Yup, I’ve taken on Skeets here as my partner so going forward, I’ll be honoring not only the Blue Beetle legacy but Booster Gold’s as well. From here on out, I’ll be known as Gold Bug!”
Then out of the blue, the Trouble Alert went off.
“We’re getting a transmission from the Colorado Rockies,” explained Nucleus. “A state ranger is saying that an avalanche has started and they’re asking for our help in minimizing the damage. There are also reports of a Big Foot-like creature in the area”
Power Guy quickly addressed the team, “Argos, Goldbug, and Jem. Take the Javelyn to Colorado and do your best to stop that avalanche before it wipes out the cities in it‘s path.”
“We’re on it, boss!” confirmed the Gold Bug. “But no need for the Javelyn, my Bug seats six comfortably.”
“Scott, don’t wait up for me!” Jem said right before she kissed her husband good-bye.
“Come Sturmer, our services are needed once again,” Argos advised his faithful hound.
“Big Foot, huh?” mused Gold Bug. “I’ll believe it when I see it.“
Jem turned to Gold Bug, a bit perplexed, “Wait a minute. You’re on a team filled with people who can fly, aliens, and beings from other dimensions and you don’t believe in Big Foot?”
“Ah, tt’s probably just some guy with too much testosterone and an overly hairy back,” assumed Gold Bug.
As the three heroes, along with Sturmer and Skeets in tow, departed for Colorado, Power Guy dismissed the rest of the team, leaving Green Lantern and himself as the only ones left at the Hall. Green Lantern had monitor duty while Power Guy had some paperwork to catch up on.
***
A few hours earlier at the Bat-Cave, Earth 2...
The elder Dick Grayson sat in front of his large computer screen sifting through various villains’ profiles, “Lets see whose currently at large. Nightingale, Karnage, Gentleman Ghost…”
Suddenly he was interrupted as Di Di Queen entered the room and cleared her voice.
Robin turned to see the blonde bombshell standing before him and it was what she was wearing that shocked him the most.
“Di Di! You’re wearing your old Sonic Boom costume,” observed the former sidekick of the Batman.
“Dick…we need to talk…” began the daughter of Green Arrow and Black Canary. “First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to tell you this. As you know, I haven’t been the same since my recent trip back to New Earth.”
As Robin made his way over to Sonic Boom, he asked, “What happened there Di Di? Did Dan ask you to take him back?”
“Yes, he did………..but I told him ‘no’,“ replied the modern-age Black Canary, “But he almost died. Several of my old friends in the Titans almost died.”
“Helena mentioned something about one of your founding members coming back from the dead and not quite being in the right frame of mind?” recalled Robin.
“Yes, that’s correct,” confirmed Sonic Boom. “He captured and tortured virtually all of early members of the team, myself and Dan included. Anyways, seeing my old friends being put through the wringer like that made me realize how cold and selfish I’ve been. I made a very controversial decision several months ago and I was filled with anger and rage for a very long time due to having to make that decision and the circumstances that lead me to make it.” Sonic Boom then cupped Robin’s cheek, “Dick, I have to thank you for helping me dig myself out of the hole I’d gotten myself into. You were there to support me when I had pushed everyone else out of my life and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful towards you but at the same time, I’d be lying to you if I told you that you were the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning.”
“You don’t have to feel bad, Di Di,” offered the elder Dick Grayson. “I’m my world’s second greatest detective. I knew what I was getting myself into from the start and although I knew I would never be the love of your life, it didn’t matter because all I wanted to do was help you get out of that horrible place you had gotten yourself into.”
Sonic Boom smiled as she hugged Robin tightly, “Thank you, Dick. I’m being honest when I say that I’ve had a lot of fun during my stay here and I’ve made some memories that I’ll never forget.”
“Same here,” Robin said while smiling back at Sonic Boom. “So I assume you’re going back to New Earth to try and work things out with Dan?”
“Yes. Yes, I am,” confirmed Di Di Queen. “But it’s not going to be easy. He’s with Sargona now so I’m not sure what I’m going to do about all of that. I know that deep down, it’s me he loves but I don’t want anyone to get hurt in any of this, not even Sargona.”
“You’re a good woman, Di Di,” Robin said as he placed his hand on Black Canary’s shoulder. “When you see Dan, tell him I’m sorry for being so short with him last time we met. As you probably can tell, I get a little protective of those who I’m close with.”
“I will,” promised Sonic Boom as she gave Robin a final hug good-bye.
***
The Colorado Rockies…
The Blue Beetle Bug ship had landed on the ground a few minutes earlier.
“Well, I guess since we don’t have a field leader with us on this mission, I’ll be assuming command,” proposed Gold Bug.
“We don’t have time for such foolishness, Gold Bug,” Argos stated, firmly, totally dismissing the Arachnid’s desire to take charge. “Sturmer and I will do our best to minimize the falling snow and ice. You two head to the top of the mountain and see if you can’t stop this avalanche at it’s source.”
“Let’s go!” motioned Jem to Gold Bug as she took to the air.
As Gold Bug flew after Jem, he muttered to Skeets “Sure, Argos….just go ahead and rain on my parade. I got a new name, a new sidekick..”
“Partner, sir,” reminded Skeets.
“Oh, that's right. Sorry, Skeets.”
“A new partner, a new costume and when I try to assume more responsibility, that big lug from New Genesis shoots me down,” complained the man formerly known as the Arachnid. “Who the heck does he think he is?”
“Sir, he is from New Genesis. The only thing he lives for are situations like this,” explained Skeets.
Gold Bug just turned and gave Skeets a dirty look, “Hmph….do you come with a silent mode?”
As Jem and Gold Bug neared the top of the mountain, Jem commented, “It’s freezing up here! I should have brought my winter coat.”
“It’s nice and toasty inside my new force-field,” bragged Gold Bug.
“No wonder why you don’t have a girlfriend,” snapped Jem. “You certainly don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?” teased the pop princess.
“Sorry, I…” started Gold Bug until Jem interrupted him.
“What’s that?!?!” Jerrica Trevor shouted, pointing upward. “It looks like a man up there but it’s hard to see so I’m not one hundred percent sure.”
“A man standing up on top of the mountain? That’s crazy. It’s too cold up here plus the mountain is way to steep for a anyone to climb,” assumed Gold Bug.
“But listen, it sounds like he’s yelling or almost…….growling,” advised Jem as she and Gold Bug got closer. “Maybe it’s that Big Foot the civilians saw?”
“Jerrica, sweetie, I’m tellin’ ya, there ain’t no Big Foot!” countered Gold Bug as he and Jem got closer to the top.
The being standing on top of the mountain withdrew from the edge as it noticed Jem and Gold Bug approaching.
“See! It moved - whatever it is!” pointed out Jem as she and Gold Bug inched closer and close to the top of the mountain.
“If anything, it’s probably a lost bear or something,” advised Gold Bug. “I’ll throw it in one of my new force-fields and all will be fine and dandy,” he said as he and Jem finally made their way to the top of the mountain, finally getting a chance to see the being that had spooked the civilians and caused the avalanche.
Gold Bug and Jem’s eyes grew as large as dollar coins as they gazed upon the being standing before them.
“Oh crap on a stick!” shouted Gold Bug. “It’s the Shaggy Man!!!”
***
Back at the Hall of Justice…
Green Lantern sat in the Hall alone with Power Guy having left about fifteen minutes prior. As the green guardian looked up at the monitor screen in front of him, he felt a headache coming on. “I’d better run and get some Tylenol if I want to make it through my shift without a migraine.” As he got up, he heard some footsteps coming down the hallway. He immediately called out, “Vince, is that you? Did you forget something?”
As the person came around the corner, they announced, “It’s not Vince, Dan. It’s me, Di Di,” Sonic Boom turned the corner as her eyes locked with Green Lantern’s.
“Di Di…….I…….I’m surprised to see you here and wearing your Sonic Boom outfit to boot.”
“I am too, Dan but it’s time I finally set things right with my life…..and you.”
“Di Di, look I told you I’m very sorry that I had to vote the way that I did but as a Christian and a pastor, I had to stick with my beliefs, no matter what my personal opinion is about the subject.”
“I finally get that, Dan and I’m the one who’s sorry for taking so long to come to that realization. After what happened with Lian and what I felt I needed to do to Dr. Light, I was filled with a lot of bad emotions. I felt justified and guilty at the same time. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and was quick to lash out and pass judgment on others even though I had done something quite questionable myself. I’ve been a hypocrite and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for driving you away,” she said, taking Green Lantern’s hand in hers.
“What about Dick Grayson?” Green Lantern asked, quite concerned. “You two seemed to…”
But before Green Lantern could finish speaking, Di Di Queen began to answer his question, “I broke things off with him earlier today. I couldn’t lie to him or myself any more, Dan. You’re the man that I love and want to be with and there‘s no denying that any more. Please give me another chance.”
“Di Di, I’m committed to Sargona now,” pointed out the son of Hal Jordan.
“I know, Dan but do you honestly love her more than you do me? We’ve known each other since we were kids. We grew up together! My father always said that you and I were soul-mates. Please don’t walk away from this….” pleaded Sonic Boom.
“I need a minute, please,” Green Lantern said as he withdrew his hand from Sonic Boom’s.
“Huh?” Di Di asked, beginning to become nervous.
“Di Di, I’ve had a splitting headache all afternoon. I need to run to my room to get some pain reliever. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
"No, Dan, wait-a-minute..." said the modern-age Black Canary as she began reaching into her pocket to offer the pain reliever she often carried with her.
"Di Di...I just need a minute," said Dan. "Give me a few minutes alone...okay"?"
Di Di nodded nervously as she watched her former boyfriend walk out the doorway.
As Green Lantern exited the room, Sonic Boom’s mind began sifting through a thousand different scenarios as to how this would play out. She began to tremble slightly as anticipation kicked into high gear until suddenly she was interrupted.
CLAP
CLAP
CLAP
Di Di spun herself around to see Sargona standing in the doorway on the opposite site of the room.
“Bravo, Di Di,” she applauded with an angry look on her face, “That was quite a performance you just gave. Too bad I’m not about to let you steal the show this time….” she said, advancing towards her long-time rival.
TO BE CONTINUED