Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 104: “Striking Gold Part 3“
Written & edited by: Power Guy
Prologue by: GreenLantern
Epilogue by: Scotty2Hotty


Paris, France...

“Thank you for joining me on this mission,” said Green Lantern as he mentally commanded his power ring to create a major system of emerald-colored clouds over the raging fire below.





“No, problem,” answered Sargona icily as a series of rose-colored beams burst forth from the ruby of life and ignited a rainstorm. “After all we still are teammates.”





“Well, that is kind of why I wanted to talk with you,” said Daniel Jordan sheepishly as dozens of enormous jade hands emanating from his energy ring gently grabbed French citizens from the buildings below.

“Look, Dan,” said Sargona as her ruby created a vacuum to siphon sources of air away from the now waning fire, “I know what you are going to say, so don't both--”

“Please let me say it anyway,” pleaded the emerald Gladiator as he flew near to Sargona. “I am sorry. I have been a complete jerk and you have gotten a rotten deal.”

“Dan, there is some type of commotion going on down there,” said the daughter of Sargon in an effort to change the subject.

“At the prison?”

“Yes, see? I think its a jail break,” insisted Sargona.

“Then we'll handle it,” affirmed Green Lantern. “Look, Sar, all I just want to tell you how sorry I am and ask your forgiveness.”

The gates of the Parisian prison suddenly opened and a female encased in a spectacular violet light burst forth from the building.

“Green Lantern, darling!” exclaimed the Star Sapphire with glee. “I just knew you would be waiting for me!”





“Oh shut up, Monique!” spat Sargona as she successfully commanded the Ruby of Life to swat down the Star Sapphire into unconsciousness. Turning to her former boyfriend Sargona simply stated, “I don't need your apology and I really don't need to be a part of your harem, pastor! I think you can handle returning the prisoners to their cells.”

“This has been a bad year,” sighed Daniel Jordan as he watched Sargona fly away on her magic carpet.

***

The Colorado Rockies...

“Oh great! Three more super-villains to deal with,” fumed Jem, as she and Gold Bug looked on at the three members of the Legion of Hope standing before her.





“I guess you’ve been wrapped up in your own career so much you haven’t been reading the news,” Sultana said, a bit sarcastically. “We’ve changed…….and we’re here to prove it!” she declared, firing another blast from her power-crystal at the oncoming Shaggy Man. “He’s extremely powerful. We’ve got to take him down fast and hard!”





“I’ll keep him busy for a few minutes while we come up with something,” promised the second Riddler as he aimed his cane at the longtime foe of the JLA, Instantly, he fired his distortion beam at the man-monster, causing him to become dizzy and disoriented.





“No need to think. Grundy take care of furry man, Me no like the way he smell!” shouted the ages old foe of the original Green Lantern as he rammed himself into the Shaggy Man. The two oversized opponents became locked in an intense battle. Mammoth-sized fists began punching away, the force of the blows shaking the ground beneath them, causing even more snow to start sliding down the mountain.





“Oh great! They’re causing the avalanche to intensify!” shouted Jem, flying into action once again. Sutlana quickly followed the pop princess and asked, “Can you use your light powers to try and melt some of the snow while I used my power-crystal to form a giant sponge to soak up the water?”

“That I can do but rest assured I’ll be keeping an eye on you the entire time,” promised the former lead singer of the Holograms.

Back on top of the mountain, Solomon Grundy and the Shaggy man were still duking it out, neither one ready to stand down.





“Oh boy, this is getting ugly,” observed the modern-age Riddler.

“Ain’t that the truth,” agreed Gold Bug. “I know I’m not getting between those two. Got any suggestions?”





“None that wouldn’t lead to our immediate death,” answered the son of Edward Nigma. “I’d use my distortion ray again but my guess is the Shaggy Man’s body has adjusted to it by now.”

“Well then, until Jem and Sultana get back or you or I think of something, I guess we’re stuck watching the show,” pointed out Gold Bug. “Know where I can get some popcorn?”

As Solomon Grundy and the Shaggy Man continued to pummel each other, the ground below them began shaking even more violently.

“This isn’t good. They’re going to cause the entire mountain to come down if they aren’t stopped soon,” worried the new Riddler.

“Hey, Grundy’s your buddy. Why don’t you go have a talk with him,” suggested the Blue & Gold legacy hero.

“I’ve learned to stay out of Grundy’s way when he’s fighting. It’s a lot easier on my spine,” replied the former super-criminal from Gotham.

Suddenly, Sultana arrived back on the scene by herself.

“Hey! Where’s Jem? What have you done with her???” demanded Gold Bug.

“Don’t worry about her,” advised the daughter of Sinestro “She’s doing what she can to stabilize the avalanche. I’m here to take care of the root cause of the problem!” Instantly, Sultana enveloped the Shaggy Man in a beam from her power-crystal. Once he was fully coated, she flew upward dragging him with her.

“Hey! Grundy not done fighting!! You bring furry man back!” shouted the marshland monster.

Within seconds, Sultana and the Shaggy Man were out of view.

A few minutes later, Jem rejoined her teammate. “Thank God all of that snow stopped sliding down the mountain. I’m exhausted,” sighed the wife of Wonder Man.

Suddenly, Argos and Sturmer arrived on the scene. “Gold Bug! What seems to be the trou…” he started until he saw Solomon Grundy and the Riddler. “The Legion of Doom! I knew they couldn’t be trusted!” he said, lunging at Grundy. “I’ll see to it that you never cause any trouble again, you foul creature!”





Sturmer followed suit and tacked the new Riddler, pinning him to the ground. “AHHHH!!!! Someone get this dog off of me!!!” he screamed, fearing for his life as the giant dog opened his mouth wide and began growling viciously.

Argos cold-clocked Solomon Grundy relentlessly, dislocating his jaw. “Surrender while you still have a chance!” ordered the warrior from New Genesis.

“Grundy not here to fight but will certainly do so if space-man hits him again!”

“Coward! You endanger all of the people below yet you buckle as soon as someone who can give you a proper challenge arrives on the scene!” barked Argos, ready to punch Grundy again.

“Argos! Wait!!!” cried out Gold Bug as he grabbed the son or Orion’s arm.

“Huh….” questioned the New God. “What are you stopping me for??”

“The Legion isn’t the problem. It was the Shaggy Man,” revealed the bug-themed hero.

“The Shaggy Man? Then where is he?” Argos asked, looking all around.

“I deposited him on Mars,” answered Sultana as he she came into view, descending downward. “He won’t be able to cause much trouble there.”

“Hmm….I guess then the only question is, why are you super-villains helping us?” Argos asked, still suspicious.

“First of all, we aren’t super-villains any more,” reminded Sultana. “We’ve reformed and are just trying to make this world a better place.”

“You’re lucky my husband isn’t here,” spat Jem. “Or he’d throw his magic-lasso around one of you and get you to admit the truth.”

“We just helped you stop an avalanche and take care of the Shaggy Man. What more proof do you need?” insisted Sultana. “I think you people are just nervous that another super-team has come into play. One that might outshine you some day.”

“Why you little….” Jem grumbled, becoming angry.

“Riddler, Grundy, let’s take our leave,” directed the daughter of Sinestro as she created a power-bubble for her two teammates. A minute later, they began to take off.

“I don’t buy it for one minute!” shouted Jem, completely irritated.

“Me either,” agreed Argos.

“I don’t know,” interjected Gold Bug. “The Riddler and I were striking up quite a conversation while you two were busy elsewhere. He seemed pretty cool to me.”

“You really are an buffoon, aren’t you?” asked Argos, angrily.

***

The home of Kathy Kane, Gotham City….

Bette Kane walked inside the house after being on patrol with Nightvision for the ninth day in a row.

Her Aunt Kathy noticed her come in and greeted her immediately, “How are you doing today, dear?”

“Great! Nightvision and I just finished taking down the Mad Hatter!” bragged the woman otherwise known as Bat-Girl.





“He’s still around and causing trouble?” asked the former Batwoman.

“I think the one we fought is his son or nephew or something,” explained Bette. “Nightvision really took him down hard.”

“Dear, I don’t mean to pry but it sounds like you’re becoming quite interested in your new partner.”

“What am I supposed to do, Aunt Kathy? I loved Chuck with all of my heart? He’s the one who decided to throw in the towel over a stupid little make-over. I’m not about to sit around and sulk over him. If he wants to work things out, that’s fine and if not, well I’ve got the the body of a seventeen year old so it shouldn’t take me long to find myself a new suitor………….maybe even one with the last name Grayson!”

“Now, Bette darling, you know that I’ve always thought of you and your cousin Kate as my own daughters but don’t you think you’re rushing things a bit”

Bette sat there in a flux of emotions, she wanted to blurt out how wrong her Aunt Kathy was right now but she knew that she’d be lying like a rug if she did that. Coming to terms with her true feelings, she admitted, “You’re right, Aunt Kathy. I’m…..I’m…..” Bette began to weep, “I’m just s..s…..s..s….so torn uuuu…..u…up over losing Chuck…”

Kathy Kane hugged her niece tightly, “It’s ok dear……I understand how you’re feeling right now. Let it all out….”

After several minutes of Bette bawling her eyes out, she began speaking again, “I just don’t know what to do. Chuck was my life. He was there for me when no-one else was. I just don’t know how he could walk out on me like that.”

The former Batwoman felt a sense of guilt running through her mind. For several years, she could not be there for her beloved niece as she had to go into hiding after she and the Batman had faked her death during an assassination attempt by the League of Assassins. Even Bette was unaware that her beloved aunt survived the attack until the Batman rounded up each and every member of the League and put them away, allowing Kathy Kane to reveal that she was alive and well to her family, friends, and the general public.

“Honey, you know I love you when I say this,” Kathy said apprehensively, “You have a lot of energy and when you want something, you don’t stop at anything to get it. I think it would be hard for any man to keep up with you sometimes. Perhaps Chuck just needs some time to let all of this sink in.”

“You really think so, Aunt Kathy?” Bette asked, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Yes, I do,” Kathy Kane smiled, warmly. “But in the meantime, you have some fun. Just don’t do anything to make Chuck’s decision final unless you decide that you want to move on without him.”

***

The Hall of Justice…

Sonic Boom sat in a waiting room after as Power Guy and the rest of the senior leadership decided whether or not they would allow Sonic Boom back on the team. Her mind raced along a rollercoaster track of emotions wondering if her old friends could get past her recent actions and have her among them again. After almost an hour of waiting, Power Guy and Green Lantern burst into the room. Di Di began to tremble slightly and her heart began beating intensely. “Vince! Dan!” she cried out in anticipation.





“Well Di Di, the votes are in,” revealed the Kryptonian powerhouse.


Sonic Boom felt herself stop breathing for a few seconds as she waited for Power Guy to finish speaking.

“Don’t look so scared, Di Di,” smiled Power Guy. “You were voted back on the team six to two.”

“Only two people voted against me?” the modern-age Black Canary asked in shock.

“Only one voted against you. The other voted neutral,” Green Lantern answered for Power Guy.





Di Di Queen began thinking to herself, “Hmmm….well I know it was Nightvision who voted against me being that he was the one who called my membership into question after the whole ordeal with Dr. Light and Sargona must have been the one to vote neutrally. Well, I guess at least she didn’t vote against me.” She then began to speak, “I’m so happy to hear that you all want me back.”

“So then, now the question is, are you willing to take your spot back on the team?” Green Lantern asked with anticipation.

***

The secret headquarter of the Outsiders….

Blackbird sat at her desk, going over some expense reports for the team. “Thank God we got that money from Waller or we’d be in the red by now.” Just then, Black Orchid walked into the room. “Venus, you haven’t returned my calls all week. I was beginning to wonder if something was wrong.”





“Oh, there’s something wrong alright,” Black Orchid stated angrily. “I heard about what you did to the Titans when you helped Waller out.”





“Venus, we didn’t want that fight,” Blackbird said, trying to calm the enigmatic heroine down.

“Don’t try and put one over on me, Brenda!” retorted Black Orchid. “I know for a fact that it was YOU who lost her temper and threw the first punch so don’t try play Miss Goody Goody to me. It’s bad enough that you helped out that manipulative cow, Waller, but then you go and beat on my old teammates! That’s enough for me! Consider this my resignation, effective immediately!” she said turning and storming out.

“Venus! Wait!” cried out Blackbird.

“No! You’re obviously not fit to lead this team or any other. I feel sorry for the others who have nowhere else to go,” spat Black Orchid, leaving Blackbird a bit speechless.

After a few minutes, Blackbird regained her composure and thought to herself, “Well, at least Hunter has finally decided to join the team. Still, without her, we’re short on muscle. We need another big gun. Time to start a recruitment drive….”

A few minutes later, Black Orchid was flying though the air as fast as she could, “I feel off the wagon when Palome’ went back to the future but today marks a new day. No more pouting. No more stripping. Certainly, no more taking orders from that no good Blackbird. I used to be one of Earth’s most respectable heroes and I’m going to get that title back - whatever it takes.”


***

Epilogue:

The Hall of Justice Rec-Room:

“I could relax here forever!” Wilma West said to Jerrica Trevor.





“I know! Nucleus is really something, isn’t he? Who knew he could create a program with holograms to make the pool area look like anything we want. It even feels like the sun’s really out.” Jerrica replied as she floated in the pool.





“Is Scott’s ancestral home really this beautiful?” Wilma asked. The girls had decided on the Paradise Island simulation for their dip.

“This is close, but nothing like the real thing.” Jerrica smiled.

“Oh wow! Look at the pool! I have to get my suit on!” came a teenaged voice. It was Sherry, the Girl of Two Thousand Gimmicks and Diamond Jack. Sherry was joining the Super Friends Program and Diamond Jack had escorted her to the Hall from the Squadron of Justice‘s headquarters. With his ring, he had created a jet to get them there from Fawcett City in under 30 minutes.





“You’ll have plenty of time for that later, Sherry. Let’s go get you settled. Nice to see you ladies.” Diamond Jack smiled.





“You too!” Jerrica waved back.

“He’s hot. I like the whole suit as a costume.” Wilma said, her eyes following the debonair man.

“I don’t know much about him, but he seems really nice.” Jerrica said.

“I’d like to find out first hand. Since I got cured, I realized what a mess my life is.” said Wilma.

“What do you mean? I thought you were happy now?”

“Oh, I am! It’s just that when I was acting brash, I alienated most of my friends and I never took time to have a relationship.”

“I wonder if Diamond Jack is single.” Jerrica mused, sipping a Tab. Before she met Scott she couldn’t stand the diet beverage, but found a taste for it now.

“I think I’ll go find out!” Wilma replied as she climbed out of the pool.

“Wait!” Jerrica said, swimming over to the pool’s edge. “Don’t jump his bones! Flirt a little! Look, I have a benefit tomorrow night for the Special Olympics. I’ll get you VIP passes and you can invite Diamond Jack. Even if he can’t go, you can still bring a friend.”

“Like who? White Wraith? Arachnid?” Both girls laughed at the absurdity of that idea and Wilma set out to find Diamond Jack. She found him bringing a box to Sherry’s new quarters. She stopped to check herself out in a mirror. She looked like she had stepped out of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue with her wet hair, bronzed body, and barely there bikini.

“Jack, hi! I was wondering….how long do you plan on staying?” Wilma smiled as she took a deep breath.

“Just long enough to get Sherry settled in.” the man smiled.

“Well, I have 2 VIP tickets to Jerrica’s show tomorrow. It’s for a really good cause and I thought you might like to join me.”

“I’m sorry, but---” he started

“Jack! Stick around and go. You barely know half of the Titans and weren’t you telling me you wanted to get to know them better?” Sherry interjected.

Diamond Jack was silent for a moment. “Ok. I’ll go with you. But, I want to make a donation, since we got free tickets.” he smiled.

“Aren’t you sweet!” Wilma grinned ear to ear. The duo made plans to attend Jem’s show.

She walked back to the pool.

“Well?” Jerrica asked.

Wilma looked at her and simply squealed like a school girl and did a cannon ball into the pool.


THE END