Titans of Justice Unlimited #37 – “Crisis: Omen of the Phoenix Part 4”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy


The Hall of Justice…


Sargona had poured over her books of magic for hours. Deciphering some of the ancient texts was nearly impossible; still she was focused on her task.

“Need some help?” came a voice. Sargona turned and noticed Marvel Man framed in the doorway.

“Only if you can read languages that died years ago. Despite my father’s notes, some of these texts are unreadable. I did find this.” She said, gesturing towards a wood carving of the phoenix. “It’s from the 1100s. I have no idea who created this, but that certainly looks like our bird.”





“I wish I could be more help. How about a break? I’d love to buy you a drink.” The blonde Avenger smiled.

Realizing Marvel Man was flirting with her, Sargona replied with a smile, “Sorry, and I’m really flattered but—“

“She is spoken for.” Power Guy finished her sentence as he entered the room.





Marvel Man turned red. “Oh well, can’t blame a guy for trying!”

Power Guy took it all in stride as Sargona went back to studying her texts.

“Our powers seem similar.” Power Guy started. “Are you of alien descent? Like me?”

“Sort of. My mother’s history with alien races is long and complicated.” Marvel Man replied as the two men took their conversation down the hall towards the kitchen.

Both Wonder Men were discussing their parallel careers as Jem listened.

“Oh and then there was the time I was so drunk I threw up on the runway during fashion week! I ruined a $10,000 Versace suit! My mother was furious!” Scott Williams laughed.





“I never got sick on the runway, although I did show up for my fair share of shows hung-over. Since I got married and started a family, all that has changed.” Scott Trevor replied.





“We still have fun though.” Winked Jem.





“If I could find one as pretty and sweet as you, I just might settle down. I know it would make my parents happy and get them off my back!” Scott Williams laughed.

Corporal Marvel and Freedom Falcon were watching a monitor screen.

“She looks so pretty against the night sky.” Corporal Marvel sighed.





‘Don’t let her looks fool you. The Phoenix is probably the most dangerous entity in my universe. The cosmic devastation it causes is legendary. I am just glad something is keeping it calm here. Perhaps the dimensional journey has weakened it somehow?”





“I don’t know. Maybe Frost and Lilith are using their mental abilities to somehow keep it calm. It’s beyond me.” Corporal Marvel replied.

“Me too. I am ready for this all to be resolved. I miss my home, my parents. And my pet! Espirita. She’s a falcon and my best friend.”

“Really? Tell me more!” Corporal Marvel said, intrigued by the pretty heroine. “And when you’re done, I’ll tell you about my pet tiger.”

Donna Troy paced back and forth.

“Wearing the floor out isn’t going to help your friend.” came Wolverine’s voice. He popped open a beer and took a hearty swig.





“I can’t help it. Lilith is my best friend. We have been through so much together. Back when we were teenagers, we often took long walks talking about if we would ever find out who we really were. Growing up with no knowledge of your past is the worst. One of my teammates helped me discover my past. Poor Lilith never had any luck. She doesn’t even know when her real birthday is. Do you know what that’s like?”





“More than you realize, doll.” Wolverine said, finishing his beer and smashing the can in his fist.

Kid Comet was sitting with Red Hammer. He was using his mental powers to communicate with the Russian hero.

Isis watched in amazement as the 2 men were silent, yet were enjoying a conversation.

“So there were a team of mutants? People like me?” Kid Comet asked telepathically.





“Da, my father and aunt were on the team. Mutants were feared, but are accepted now.”





“Acceptance must be great, on any level. Red Hammer, why do you get so angry?”

“My Papa was a gentle spirit, an artist. Hearing about some of the things he endured at the hands of others….it bothers me. I would lay down my life for my friends…my family. Anyone who crosses them has one chance and that’s it. Then I smash them with my hammers.”

“Well, I hope we can be friends…all of us.”

“Da. Comrades. Friends.”

The Flash and Magneto talked as the Flash was speed reading through some of Sargona’s books. She had passed the ones written in English on to him.

“You remind me of my uncle. He too has super speed.” Magneto said.





“Really? I guess the speed force can cross dimensional barriers.” Flash replied.





“My uncle and my aunt are both mutants. I have never heard of the speed force, although I would like to learn more about it.”

“Hold that thought!” have you seen this before? The Flash asked.

“That’s the Infinity Gauntlet. We have it in our trophy room. What are texts and drawings of it doing here?” Magneto asked startled.

“I have heard the Guardians speak of relics.” Green Lantern offered. “Relics from other worlds that have been possessed by good….and evil over the centuries. Who knows, someone in the past could have possessed this gauntlet and banished it to your dimension?”





“According to this, the key to defeating anything is that gauntlet. It’s powered by gems. The possessor holds ultimate knowledge, ultimate power.” The Flash said, reading very quickly. The pages created a breeze as he sped through them.

“Slow down Flash. I don’t understand.” Isis queried.

“I understand.” Marvel Man said, joining the group. “The gems are required to power the gauntlet, but no one knows where they are. We have the gauntlet in our trophy case, but not the gems. They are too dangerous, too coveted.”

“Yeah, several years ago some of our greatest heroes were in a battle with the villains of the time.” Freedom Falcon said.

“The heroes won and hid the gems to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.” Added Wonder Man.

“But we’ll never find them. Those secrets were taken to the grave.” Magneto said.

“Not quite.” Wolverine added, as he opened his 12th beer. “Charley Xavier knew where the stones were. When I took over running the school, I found that Chuck had set an emergency system in place. Besides some other earth-shattering stuff, his files have the location of the gems. All we have to do is get the gems, activate the gauntlet, and deal with the Phoenix.”

“That almost sounds too easy.” Green Lantern replied.

Sargona and Isis both became uncomfortable.

“No one say another word.” Isis commanded.





“Something here….something that doesn’t belong….” Sargona said.

“Maybe it’s us? Maybe we disrupted---“ Magneto offered.

“No….something alien….something watching us….” Isis said, as she could feel the presence of an alien technology. “THERE!!!” she pointed at the arched ceiling of the meeting room and spotted one of Despera’s robotic eyes. Without hesitation, Isis summoned a lightning bolt and destroyed the eye.

“This is bad news folks. If Despera was able to watch and hear us, she may be planning something.” Sargona said.

Power Guy explained who Despera was to the Avengers. “No telling how long she has been watching or who she is in cahoots with.”

“We need to move fast. We need to get to the Avenger’s world and find those gems.” Green Lantern added. “Sargona, a portal brought them here. Do you think you can open one to send us all there?”

“I can, all I need to do is tweak a spell that I would have used to visit Earth 2 or any of the parallel earths.”

“Parallel earths?” Marvel Man said. “How many of us are out there?”

“More than any of us know, friend.” Power Guy said.

***

Back at Brother Blood’s lair, Despera was not happy about her eye being discovered.

“That witch! Just when things were getting good. When all this ends, she’s mine!”





“Calm down. We learned all we need to know. We just have to get those gems first and the gauntlet. Easy as pie.” Sebastian Shaw reassured her.





“Easy as pie? There are a bunch of do-gooders on the verge of ruining our plans!” Dr. Psycho huffed.





“Open that portal and send me back. I will take care of the rest.” Sebastian Shaw said.

“Hold on, Shaw. How do we know that you won’t take the gems and the gauntlet? How do we know you won’t betray us.” Brother Blood said.





“You don’t. But I am the only one who stands a chance of finding the gems. Plus, I have certain allies who can help me on my world. We can defeat these heroes! Heroes of both worlds!”

“He makes sense. I don’t trust him, but it’s our best chance.” Dr. Psycho added. Brother Blood and Dr. Psycho kept discussing the matter with Sebastian. He was distracted and did not see Despera sneaking up on him.

In an instant, she injected him with something.

“d**n you, alien! What have you done!?” he growled, doubling over.

“Insurance, Mr. Shaw. I just injected you with telepathic alien nano-organisms that I control. They come from my home planet and I assure you what they can do to even someone like you would not be pretty. My little pets will alert me if you even so much think about betraying us. If you do, all I have to do is mentally command them to devour you—from the inside out. Do you have any questions?”

“GRAAAGGGHHHHHHH!!!!” Sebastian grunted, clenching his fists.

“Temper, temper!” Despera laughed. “Dr. Psycho, would you be so kind to open the portal to his world. He has some work to do.”

“Give me a moment, my dear. Oh and Sebastian, just so you know we’ll be watching you on the dimensional viewer. If you try to get help removing her pets, Despera will make your life miserable.

Brother Blood laughed heartily. “Go Sebastian Shaw….go and summon your allies! Bring us the gems!!”

“You have the upper hand now, fools. But not for long.” Sebastian Shaw thought to himself as he entered a portal back to his world.

High above the Pacific Ocean, the Phoenix Force hovered in the night sky like a flaming star. People had gathered on the beach and sailed out to see it as if it were some sort of beautiful occurrence of nature. Deep within the White Hot Room, Frost observed Lilith.

“Can you hear it Frost? All the secrets of the world….screaming to be known!” Lilith said. Fire came from her mouth as she spoke and her eyes had turned a golden color. Even her hair danced as if it were flame.





“This might be fun.” Frost said to himself. He was not one to err to caution. “Why don’t you reveal some of those secrets. The Phoenix seems to want to share them with you.”





Lilith looked confused for a moment. “There is one thing I would like to know.” She said, her eyes glowing. She had levitated off the floor.

“Well, we’re here, not going anywhere! Ask!” Frost goaded her.

“But….if I embrace this power…I lose myself….”

“True, but don’t you want to try it?” Frost was a bit miffed that the Phoenix preferred Lilith to him. After all, he was the superior psychic.

“My parents….who….where are my parents….?” Lilith asked.

Suddenly the white hot room started to shake. Frost suddenly regretted pushing Lilith.

The Phoenix grew larger in the sky and flames erupted. Suddenly the Phoenix screamed, shattering glass for miles.

Lilith grabbed her head and screamed. Frost assumed his diamond form.

“You pushed me little man.” Her voice sounded like 100’s of people speaking at once. “You will regret that…toying with me!”

“Oh bloody hell…..just what I need…..Lilith…..please don’t go all Dark Phoenix on me!!! It's so....30 years ago”


TO BE CONTINUED!