Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 106 - “Losing Ground Part 2”Written & edited by: Power Guy
Epilogue by: Scotty2Hotty


Outter Space…

“Curse you Titans of Justice!!!” screamed Despara into her spaceship’s radio. “You may have thwarted my take-over attempt on Zanthar but I can still make use of the nuclear arsenal I’ve collected! Your planet will pay the price!!!!”





As Despara’s ship headed towards Earth, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Starman were hot on her trail.

“Dammit! I can’t blast her ship with those missiles aboard!” cussed Starman in frustration.





“She’s certainly got us between a rock and a hard place!” agreed Hawkgirl.





“I’ve got to try one of my constructs again!” stated Green Lantern as he created a giant green catcher’s mitt in Despara’s path. Suddenly, Green Lantern felt as if his brain was on fire which caused his construct to dissipate.





“Fool! Didn’t you learn the last time!” screeched Despara. “My mental abilities are more than capable of shorting out your will-power! One more attempt and I’ll turn you into a drooling vegetable!”

As Despara‘s ship entered Earth‘s atmosphere, Hawkgirl came to an alarming conclusion, “Great Thanagar! She’s headed towards Washington D.C.!”

“That’s it! We can’t baby her any more!” advised Starman. “Maybe if I damage her ship, she’ll freak out and feel forced to land.” he said while firing several blasts from his Cosmic Rod. The blasts struck the left wing of Despara’s ship, causing it to start on fire, although it was still capable of remaining airborne.

Despara became completely enraged by this latest assault on her. “Those damnable Titans never learn! Despara cannot be stopped! If I cannot control this planet, I will DESTROY IT!!!!!”

“Her ship is made from Kalanorian Steel. Your Cosmic Rod didn’t do much to damage her ship,” pointed out Hawkgirl. “Let’s se if my mace can remedy that situation.” The Thanagarian thrasher zoomed in for the perfect strike, “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!” she screamed, slamming her mace into one of the ship’s jet thrusters, damaging it severely. As Hawkgirl was about to hit Despara’s ship again, she quickly found herself in the middle of her worst nightmare. Despara was playing havoc with her mind and was enjoying every second of it. Hawkgirl found herself back on her home world, in a chamber, surrounded by the Thanagarian Counsil. “Traitor!” one of them screamed. Then another said the same thing. Within seconds, the entire council was chanting in unison, “TRAITOR! TRAITOR!! TRAITOR!!!”

“No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Hawkgirl began screaming her lungs out.

Green Lantern rushed over to her in hopes of helping his teammate, “Shayera! Snap out of it!” requested the Green Guardian as he began shaking the winder wonder. He then turned to Starman, “Scott, this isn’t going as planned. I think we need to call in some assistance.”

“Wait, couldn’t we just blow up her ship and then you could contain the blast with your ring?” suggested the cosmic avenger.

“Are you kidding me?” questioned the son of Hal and Carol Jordan. “Only a seasoned Green Lantern such as my father or John Stewart would have a chance of containing a blast that powerful. A rookie such as myself would have no chance whatsoever.”

“What if I ran and got my ring quick to help you?” Starman said, feverishly trying to come up with a solution.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that would even be enough,” frowned the man otherwise known as Daniel Jordan.

“Fine, I’ll call for help,“ Starman said as he pulled his TOJ communicator out of his pocket. “This is Starman to Hall of Justice. We are requesting help asap! Come in!”

“Hi Scott, it’s Illimina here. What’s the situation?”





“Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and I were pursuing Despara from Zanthar and now she’s headed towards Washington D.C. with a ship full of nuclear missiles! We’re having a little trouble slowing her down. Is anyone in the area?”

“Lucky for you, yes,’ confirmed Illumina. “Wonder Man, Whirlpool, and Metamorpheous are actually in D.C. right now. They just got done foiling the plans of a new Royal Flush Gang. They should be free to help. I’ll let them know what’s going on.”

“Thanks Imako,” responded Starman just as another crisis was in the process of brewing.

Meanwhile, Green Lantern was hopeful that Shayera had snapped out of the nightmare that Despara had put her though as her body began to go limp and her eyes were half-way closed.. “Shayera, can you hear me?” asked the emerald crusader in desparation.

Suddenly, Hawkgirl’s eyes popped open - all THREE of them. Despara had taken full control of Shayera Hol and due to this, a third eye had appeared on her forehead.

“Oh no!” gasped Green Lantern in horror.

Hawkgirl’s body lit up like a fireworks display. She instantly bashed Green Lantern in the side of the head with her Nth Metal mace, knocking him out of the sky.

As Starman was putting away his communicator, he caught what Hawkgirl had done to Green Lantern out of the corner of his eye, “Aww…….CRAP!” he grumbled. “Hawkgirl! Snap out of it! Despara’s controlling you!” he said, flying towards the Thanagarian thrasher. Within seconds, Starman’s Cosmic Rod was clanging against Hawkgirl’s mace in a battle that neither hero was willing to lose.

Green Lantern had since recovered from Hawkgirl’s attack and flew up from behind her in hopes of stunning her with a low-power blast from his ring but thanks to the special lenses in Hawkgirl’s helmet, she saw him coming from several dozen feet away. Just as Green Lantern was about to strike, she grabbed Starman by the neck and threw him in front of her, using him as a human shield causing him to take the full brunt of Green Lantern’s blast. Starman plummeted to the ground, completely unconcious.

Hawkgirl took full advantage of the distraction she had provided to Green Lantern as he watched Starman fall to the ground and was busy making a giant pillow to cushion the space-faring hero’s fall. As Hawkgirl zoomed in for the “kill” her mace crackled with energy as she raised it over her head, ready to strike when suddenly she found herself soaked, from a giant wave of water.

Green Lantern looked up just in time to see the water drench Hawkgirl and felt a sigh of relief knowing what would have happened if the water had not startled her and left her unbalanced. He looked down towards the ground in the direction that the water came from and noticed Wonder Man, Whirlpool, and Metamorpheous had arrived on the scene. “Thank the Lord,” he whispered. Whirlpool had used his water-control powers to divert the water from a large fountain on the ground into the giant wave that drenched Hawkgril.

Whirlpool looked up at his girlfriend and called out, “I don’t know exactly what’s going on here, Shayera but I know you’re not in your right mind if you’re attacking Green Lantern.”





“I’ll get her under control,” advised Wonder Man as he took to the air.





“Wonder Man - NO!!” countered Green Lantern. “You and Metamorpheous go take care of Despara - she’s the source of Hawkgirl’s trouble. She’s almost to the White House. Whirlpool, Starman, and I will handle Shayera.”

“Got it!” agreed Wonder Man as he swooped down and picked up Metamorpheous. “Come on, Ethan. We’ve got work to do.”

As Wonder Man and Metamorpheous departed, Green Lantern and Whirlpool braced themselves for what could be the battle of their lives…

A few minutes later aboard Despara’s ship, the alien mastermind was deep in anticipation as she neared the White House. “Soon, I’ll destroy this nation’s capital which will ignite a war here on Earth, sending this planet into the abysmal pit it belongs in!!”

“Not if we can help it….” came a voice.

The daughter of Despero turned to see Wonder Man and Metemorpheous standing a short ways behind her. “What??? How did you get aboard my ship??? My security is top of the line!” demanded pink-skinned alien.

“It was quite simple actually,” smirked Metamorpheous. “I have the power to turn into any element I choose. It took virtually no effort for me to turn into gas and slip through the crack in between two of the doors. From there, I simply unlocked the door and let Wonder Man in.”





Despara was fuming with anger and the two heroes swore they heard her grunt slightly. “No matter! I’m not about to surrender to the likes of you!!!” firing several beams from her third eye.

“Watch those blasts!” advised Wonder Man as he pushed Metamorpheous out of the way of the oncoming beams. “If they hit you, you’ll fall under her control - instantly.”

Despara continued pouring on the heat by unleashing several more blasts at the heroes. Wonder Man used the speed of Hermes to block the oncoming blasts with his silver gauntlets. Meanwhile, Metamorpheous had turned back into gas, hoping the beams would slip right through him, unfortunately, he was dead wrong. As one of Despara’s beams passed through his body, it took control of the young hero’s mind with ease.

As Despara tightened her control on the son of Metamorpho, she found something of great interest to her. “You! You’re hiding something….take off your wrist-bands NOW!” she ordered.

Without hesitation, newest member of the Titans of Justice ripped off the control-bands on his wrists. Without the control bands regulating his powers, Metamorpheous’ abilities began to go berserk! During all of the commotion, no-one aboard the ship had noticed that due to several of Despara’s blasts striking the ship’s walls, a small portion of the wing that Starman had damaged earlier had broked off and fell onto the lawn of the White House, still on fire.

Back aboard the ship, Wonder Man’s eyes grew in horror as he witnessed Metamorpheous’ body take all sorts of forms and shapes as his body shifted through several of the various substances from Earth’s elemental table. “Great Hera! His powers are out of control!”

“Yes, they are!” gloated Despara. “And just in time for me to set off my missiles!!!”

“I’ve got to act fast or the White House will be destroyed,” Wonder Man thought to himself. Using the speed of Hermes once again, he rushed over to a door in the ship’s cabin and punched it open with ease.

“Running for your life?” assumed Despara. “Wonder Woman would be so disappointed in you!”

“Not quite, Despara,” countered the male Amazon. He then ran up to the still-changing Metamorpheous and shoved him out the doorway. “Sorry buddy, I’ll have to deal with you later!” He then turned to the pink-skinned alien and stated, “Ok lady, it’s just you and me! Let’s go!”

“Foolish cretin! You are no match for my mental abilities!” scoffed the three-eyed alien.

“Oh really, Despara?” challenged Wonder Man. “Did you know that on the island that I come from, we’re trained to resist all forms of enemy persuasion which includes mind control?”

As Wonder Man and Despara continued their battle, Metamorpheous fell to the ground. The brunt from hitting the ground and finally being released from Despara’s control left him in a groggy state, his powers still out of control. As his body continued to shift, the fire caused by the wing-fragment on the lawn of the White House came into contact with him. Without warning, a massive explosion erupted thanks to Metamorpheous’ body turning into a fire-friendly form of gas.

Green Lantern, Starman, and Whirlpool looked on in shock as they finished neutralizing Hawkgirl. The explosion encompassed a large portion of the area around it, completely obliterating the White House and several other government buildings surrounding it.

“GREAT GUARDIANS!!!” screamed Green Lantern as he began using his ring to try and contain the blast. While the blast wasn’t as bad as if Despara’s missiles would have went off, it was still quite a feat for him to contain. Sweat started pouring off the young pastor’s brow, veins were popping out all over his head, and his whole body began to shake.

“Let me help you buddy!” offered Starman as he grabbed onto Green Lantern’s wrist and did his best to channel his own will-power into Green Lantern’s ring. “I know it’s been a while since I’ve been called to duty but I’d like to remind you that you’re not the only Green Lantern responsible for sector 2814. It’s up to US to keep a lid on this thing and there’s only one way to do it!”

Knowing well what Scott Stone was referring to, Daniel met Scott in unison and began speaking, “In brightest day. In Blackest Night. No evil shall escape our sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware our power, GREEN LANTERN’s light!!!!”

Whirlpool almost didn’t believe his eyes as Starman’s costume transformed into his Green Lantern Corp uniform before his very eyes. He just looked on in amazement as he held his unconscious girlfriend in his arms, offering up prayers to the deity he believed in. “Neptune, help us!” he pleaded.





Just as both Green Lantern and Starman felt as though they couldn’t take any more, the blasts within Green Lantern’s power-bubble finally subsided.

“Phew……..” sighed the two Green Lantern’s in unison.

“That was close,” sighed Starman as he wiped the sweat from his brow and his clothing transformed back into his Starman uniform.

“You guys contained the explosion but the White House is in ruins,” pointed out Whirlpool. “We’ve got to put that fire out. Oh no!” gasped the teen heartthrob”

“What’s wrong, Arin?” asked still groggy Hawkgirl as she began to come to.

“Guys! I think I see Metamorpheous in the middle of that fire!” revealed the Atlantean hero.

“Tell you what,” stated Green Lantern. “You and Hawkgirl take care of Metamorpheous and the fire. “Starman and I will go help Wonder Man finish off Despara.”

“Deal!” agreed Whirlpool as he and Hawkgirl raced into action.

Back aboard Despara’s ship, the alien conqueror was standing in front of Wonder Man with a smug look on her face. She had won the mental battle and taken control of the male Amazon. “I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy to break your will but I did it! Now you shall be my slave for eternity and help me reduce this planet to ash! It looks like your friend made quite a mess below. Now I drop my missiles and finish the job!!!”

“The probability of you completing your plan is highly unlikely,” came a mysterious voice.

Despara whipped around to see Indigo aboard her ship. “You! You’re Brainiac’s decendent! What are you doing on my ship???” demanded the daughter of Despero.

“I am here to prevent the destruction of Washington D.C.” replied Indigo in her cold robotic tone. “You are an alpha-level threat and must be neutralized immediately.”





“Ha! I’ll enslave you just like I did this terran meathead here! Gaze into the eyes of Despara!!!”

“It seems you have come to an illogical conclusion,” countered Indigo as four tentacles sprouted from her body, wrapping themselves around Despara and sending several thousand volts of electricity through her body. “I am an semi artificial life-form. No form of mind control will work on me.”

Despara screamed in agony as her body was severely electrocuted. Within seconds she slumped to the ground, completely inert.

A few minutes later, Green Lantern and Starman barged their way into the compartment of Despara’s ship that Wonder Man and Indigo were in.

“Indigo!” shouted Starman, becoming immediately suspicious. Hmmph…..I knew you and the rest of the Legion of Hope couldn’t be trusted!” he said, aiming his Cosmic Rod, ready to fire.

“Hold up guys,” chided Wonder Man as he walked towards his comrades. “Believe it or not, she just saved half of the country….” he began.

Back on the ground, Whirlpool and Hawkgirl were doing their best to extinguish the multiple fires in the area.

“Thank Neptune, they were able to evacuate the area once we figured out where Despara’s ship was headed,” sighed Whirlpool as he waited for Hawkgirl to swoop down through the air and use her mace to crack open a fire hydrant. Using his control over water, he diverted the hydrant’s supply towards one of the infernos, smothering it.

“This is taking forever,” huffed Hawkgirl. “We’ve only put three fires out and there’s still at least a dozen more.

“Leave them to me!” came the voice of Kid Cold as he arrived on the scene.





“Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse,” grumbled Whirlpool at the new arrival. “You’ll be of little help. Not even your freeze-ray can put all of these fires out at once,” he said, being un-characteristically rude towards the son of Captain Cold. The young Atlantean had quite a day and his stress level was off the meter.

“Maybe not, but this can!” Kid Cold said pulling a snow-globe from his pocket.

“And what are you going to do with that, Cold?” challenged Hawkgirl. “Unless you can suck Washington D.C. inside that thing, it will be of little use.”

“Just watch…” advised the sub-zero supposed hero. Tossing the globe into the air, he then shot his freeze-ray at it. Suddenly, the globe started spurting all sorts of snow and ice. Within minutes, it looked as though Washington D.C. was experiencing a freak snow-storm in the middle of summery June.

Both Whirlpool and Hawkgirl were speechless as Kid Cold’s device did the job of extinguishing all of the fires within minutes when it probably would have taken the air/sea duo hours to accomplish such a feat.

“Well, the capital may have some minor flooding once all of this snow melts but that’s a lot better than being burned to the ground,” noted Kid Cold, surveying the results as Indigo’s ship landed on the ground near-by. “Oh, there’s my ride! See you two later!”

“They’re making us look like fools!” shouted Hawkgirl as she smacked the ball of her mace into her other hand.

“They sure are,” agreed Whirlpool as Green Lantern, Starman, and Wonder Man arrived on the scene with Wonder Man carrying an inert Metamorpheous in his hands.

“Great Thanagar! Is Ethan….” started Hawkgirl until Wonder Man answered her question before she could finish it.

“He’s alive. His elemental form must have protected him from the explosion. I’m going to take him to S.T.A.R. Labs and see if they can help him recover. Luckily for him, I was able to find his control bands.”

***

Later at the Hall of Justice…

The entire membership of the Titans of Justice had assembled to discuss the day’s events.

“After the fiasco in Washington, the press is running our name through the mud,” pointed out Power Guy, horribly disappointed.

“But it wasn’t our fault,” stressed Starman. “Despara’s the one who…”

“I know, Scott but all the news media saw was Metamorpheous landing outside the White House right before everything blew up,” reminded Power Guy.

“As it is, your nation’s capital is in ruins. Could this team be responsible for anything worse in the public’s eyes?” pointed out Argos.





“Well hopefully the news also showed us putting OUT the fires,” Elongated Lad said , trying to offer a glimmer of hope.





“If I know Waller, she’ll be taking full advantage of this situation,” predicted Nightvision.





“Speak of the devil!” cried out Jem. “Look who’s on T.V.!”





“Maybe she’s doing a Jenny Craig ad,” smirked Sargona as Jem turned up the volume for all to hear.”





As the camera zoomed in on the mature government official, she began speaking, “After today’s horrific event, Washington is taking the situation very seriously. Currently, President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are aboard Air Force One. Both will be placed in a separate location from the other until we can ensure their safety. All traffic to the capital has been cut off. The F.B.I. and Department of Meta-human Affairs are in the midst of a full investigation of the scene. Per the president, effective IMMEDIATELY, the Titans of Justice are banned from ANY and ALL activity until further notice!”





“She’s out of her mind!” gasped the Flash, always being the first one to speak.





“I can’t say I’m surprised!” added the Huntress.





“She’s had a bone to pick with us for quite some time” recalled Nucleus. “She’s enjoying EVERY minute of this!”





Suddenly, Nightvision interrupted all of the conversations going on in the room. “She’s not going to pin this one on us! I’ve had it with her trying to railroad us. Everyone get yourselves ready.”

“Why?” questioned Green Lantern, a bit concerned by the tone in Nightvision‘s voice.

“Because, we’re going to find Waller and the President and push back!”


TO BE CONTINUED

***

Epilogue:

Several hours earlier…

“I don’t know, Jerrica. We’ve been out every night this week--and we have a blast, but so far no kiss, no hand holding, no nothing.” Wilma West sighed as she picked at her salad with a fork.





“Well, he is from Fawcett City. Maybe he’s really old fashioned and he’s courting you.” Jerrica Benton-Trevor replied, sipping her champagne. She and Wilma had met for lunch at one of Beverly Hill’s most posh restaurants.





“I guess so. He seems to really like it here, although he hasn’t gone on missions with the team. He hangs all day with the models from the Hall agency and then we go out at night.” Wilma said, recalling how Jack had befriended one of the models named Marco.

“I heard. Scott told me that he even accompanied his Aunt Donna to a photoshoot for Marco. Ok, Wilma change of plans.”

“What?”

“I told you to go slow. You need to put the moves on him. Maybe he needs you to make the first move. You know, to let him know it’s ok.”

“But….I…oh, you’re right. I know I said I would take things slow, but I better do something fast before one of the impossibly tall girls at the modeling agency snap him up.”

“Now you’re talking girl!” Jerrica laughed as the two girls clinked glasses.

At the Hall Modeling Agency, Melody Hall was meeting with Violet Harper. Violet had been working on her photography skills and was interested in working for the Halls. Murray Spaulding, Jerrica’s agent had gotten Violet an interview with Melody Hall.
Donna Troy and Scott Trevor had both put in a good word for her and Violet was very nervous.

“These are really good, Violet. I’m impressed.” the former Electric Girl smiled.





“Thank you. After all that’s happened, I think working full time is just what I need. I always liked photography and it keeps my mind off of….” Violet’s eyes started to water.





“Hey, it’s ok. I understand. When we all thought Hank was dead, I didn’t think I could go on. I threw myself into this agency and it helped. Look, if you ever need to talk just let me know.” Melody said, offering Violet a box of Kleenex.

“Thanks. I have a second chance at life and Violet Harper has to decide what to do with it.”

“Well, how about your first assignment!” Melody smiled.

Violet was the happiest she had been since she had been resurrected. Melody had given her the assignment of photographing an ad featuring Marco, the hot male model of the moment. “I need to call Brion and tell him the good news.” she thought to herself. She made her way to the receptionist’s desk to fill out some paperwork. The receptionist was a very pretty brunette named Brandy. The two girls made small talk as Violet filled out her employment papers.

“So, you’re photographing the ad with Marco. I can’t wait to see your work. They usually hang big photos here in the lobby of all the new shots.” Brandy smiled, as she sipped her Tab.

“I’m looking forward to it. Plus, Marco is very easy on the eyes. I can’t wait to get him out of his shirt!” Violet giggled.

“He’s got a body, that’s for sure. But, it’s such a waste.”

“What do you mean? Is he married or something?”

“Oh, no! Nothing like that. Marco’s gay. It broke every girl’s heart here.”

“I see. Live and let live I say.” Violet smiled.

*****

Later that night, Wilma and Jack were finishing dinner. She had invited him over and prepared a meal. He didn’t need to know that she had burned the pie she had baked and she sped to Baker‘s Square and replaced it. The two of them sat on her couch, sipping red wine.

“That was delicious, Wilma. You are a fantastic cook!”





“Thanks.” she smiled, moving closer to him.

“So, what do you want to do tonight? Go for a walk? Go to the late movie?” Jack smiled.

“I want to do this.” she grinned ear to ear and ripped Jack’s shirt open.

“Wilma! What---?” he gasped.

Wilma kissed his neck and ran her hands across his chest. “Jack, we’ve been going out for weeks now. Don’t you think it’s time we take it to the next level?”

“Wilma, you have the wrong idea. I didn’t mean--”

“Oh no, there’s someone else isn’t there. Someone in Fawcett City. No! A girl at the modeling agency. I should have known one of those girls would catch your eye. They’re all so pretty.”

“Well, yeah they are. But, there are also some very good looking guys there too.” Jack said, buttoning his shirt back.

Wilma was silent.

“Wilma? Wilma, are you ok? I didn’t mean to shock you. I thought you knew I was…”

“Gay? I am going to clobber Jerrica the next time I see her.” Wilma grimaced. “Jack, I am so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I guess I sent out mixed signals. I just assumed you had figured it out, after all we’ve been very platonic.”

“It just hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks. You and Marco--?”

“Sort of. I like Marco, but I don’t know where it’s going.”

“Jack, am I the only one who doesn’t know--well, I guess Jerrica didn’t know either.”

“I think Scott figured it out. He’s always working and he noticed I was spending lots of time with Marco. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not embarrassed or ashamed of who I am, but it’s not something I don’t go around broadcasting. I wasn’t sure how some of the team would react.”

Wilma smiled. “If anyone has a beef with it, they answer to me.”

“So, we’re friends?” Jack asked.

“If you’ll have me after the way I acted!”

Jack hugged her. “Of course. Look, don’t give it a second thought. I really enjoy hanging out with you…..and I could really use a friend--a true friend on the team.”

“You’ve got it. But, I do have a secret to confess.”

“Wow, it all comes out. Lay it on me.” Jack said.

“That pie….I…I didn’t bake it! It came from the bakery!”

Both Jack and Wilma erupted into laughter.


THE END!