Titans of Justice Unlimited #54 – “Titans Lost – Again Part 5”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy


The headquarters of the Society of Insanity…

The Riddler screamed in agony. His injuries were getting the better of him, plus the psychological effects of Ragdoll’s attack were setting in. His moans and cries for help filtered through Punchline’s hideout.





“Let me kill him and shut him up! His incessant wailing is disturbing my roses!” Briar Rose growled as she examined a patch of flowers she had cultivated.





“No, no-one kills the Riddler. Not yet.” Punchline barked, walking over to Briar Rose. He plucked one of her roses, grasping it by the stem, the thorns cutting into his hand.





Briar Rose narrowed her eyes at the madman.

“You see, the Riddler had been a bad, bad, BADDDD boy. He needs to learn his lesson….and after his….violation at the hands of the dear, beautiful Ragdoll he’s right where I want him! How sweet it will be to hear him begging for death!”

Briar Rose watched as blood trickled down his hand. He then clipped the rose and stuck it in his lapel.

“Of course, Punchline.” Briar Rose said. Despite her power, even she was not comfortable around Punchline.

“Now. I want new dollies for the doll house. Riddler needs a playmate….but which doll to add to the collection? I must retire to my study to think. How about Cheetah? Do I want that man Cheetah or the rare female variant? Oh, there are soooo many choices!!” Punchline laughed as he strolled away from Briar Rose.

In a secluded corriodor, Kitty Kat spoke in hushed tones with Tom Tressor via concealed earpiece.

“Yes, the Riddler is here. Still alive, but in bad shape.” She mentioned.





“Anyone else?” Tom asked.





“No, not yet. I do know Punchline is planning on stepping it up. Tom, I know I promised to help you but if I see the Cheetah, I can’t promise you’ll find her alive.”

“I understand, but remember—you need to hold your end of the bargain to get what you want.”

“I remember, but it won’t be easy.”

“I have an update for you. My source has told me that Stingray is a captive at the Hall of Justice.”

“Really?? I am glad that animal will be facing justice.”

Just then, Punchline appeared behind Kitty Kat. She had been so intent during her conversation with Tom, that she didn’t notice the green-haired maniac creeping up on her. She quickly spun around.

“Don’t you know cats don’t like being snuck up on?” Kitty Kat challenged.

“Be cool. Don’t let him get to you.” Came Tom’s voice in her ear.

Punchline smiled and paced. He clasped his hands behind his back. “Oh, how I know cats don’t like that. Usually because they are up to something. So my little minx….were you talking to yourself? Nothing wrong with that! I talk to myself all the time. The good thing is I always agree with what I have to say! So, my dear little kitten…what did I just happen upon? Did I hear you say something about Justice? How I hate, hate, hate that word! Titans of Justice, Hall of Justice, Justice League, Justice Society, blah, blah, blah! Such an overrated word!”

Kitty Kat thought fast. “I was doing some work for you. I think I have discovered something to your liking! The Stingray is a captive at the Hall of Justice. All you have to do is break her out and she’s yours.”

In her ear, Tom said, “What are you doing?”

“Stingray? Such a dangerous sea creature! You know I went diving once with the stingrays! One got to close and------well, I ended up having stingray for dinner. Very tough and tasted too much like pork!” Punchline laughed. Kitty Kat was repulsed as his yellow teeth flashed. “Oh my kitten, you have done good work! Let us journey to the Hall! The Hall of Justice and collect our new fish for the tank, HOHAHAHAHAHOOOOOHAAAA!!!!!” he cackled strolling away.

“Why did you tell him that?” Tom demanded.

“What was I supposed to do? He caught me red-handed talking to you! Besides, I owe those Titans of Justice nothing. So pompous and full of themselves. My only allegiances are to my brother and to you. Besides, the Stingray is worthless. Let Punchline and his gang carve her up. She deserves it after what she and her buddies did to Knightvision.”

“Ok, keep in communication. I have to go to my directors about this and find out how to proceed. Keep on your toes.”

“A cat always does.” Kitty Kat said.

Punchline assembled Dr. Natas, Prince Vertigo, Briar Rose, and Kitty Kat.

“Good doctor, can you teleport us to the Hall of Justice?” Punchline asked.

“Of course I can, but why would we want to go there?” the evil genius replied.





“Yours is not to question why, my good man!”

Dr. Natas realized he was better off to shut up and do what the son of the Joker and Harley Quinn had requested and responded, “Yes, with my the Noxium Crystal, virtually nothing is impossible. The Legion of Doom was able to teleport away countless times thanks to similar technology I provided them with. In fact, the new version of the team probably uses my teleportation device to this day.”

“But, even if Dr. Natas can get us in there, what about their alarms and security? And why are we going there?” Prince Vertigo asked.

“Ah, you entitled royalty! So pushy! So demanding!” Punchline said. He explained the purpose of going to the Hall of Justice. The assembled members all agreed it was worth the risk to retrieve one of their enemies. “And dear Kitty Kat….you will be in charge of disabling their security.”

“Should be easy.” She smiled.

Minutes later, Punchline, Briar Rose, Prince Vertigo, and Dr. Natas were hiding in a wooded area near the Hall.

“Look at her go! So lithe, so limber!” Punchline said as he observed Kitty Kat scaling the north wall of the Hall of Justice.

Tom Tressor spoke to her via the concealed ear piece. “I cannot believe you are doing this. Be careful. The top dogs at IADC by order of the President himself have given you clearance to proceed.” His voice unsure of their decision. “Let the villains take each other out. Certainly will make our jobs easier, “ the top brass had told him.

“This cloaking device is working perfectly Tom. I have bypassed all kinds of sensors and they didn’t even blink. I’m about to disable the Hall’s motion sensors and override their systems. Where do you IADC guys get all these cool toys?” Kitty Kat asked.

“Part of the job. The IADC has had an eye on the Titans for years.” Tom replied. Soon Kitty Kat had disabled the security system.

“Look, Kitty Kat just gave the signal. She did it!” Briar Rose shouted.

“Doctor Natas, do your thing!” Punchline commanded.

Seconds later, Punchline’s group was teleported in the Hall of Justice.

“GAG ME WITH A SPOON!!!!” Punchline gasped. “This place needs a renovation!” he growled, taking a can of spray paint from his jacket and ruining a framed photo of the Titans.

Stingray heard the commotion and stood in her cell. “Ah! The Legion of Doom is here to break me out of this place!” she assumed. “The Titans are fools! They thought I would sit here idly by while they were gone! HA!” Just then she saw Dr. Natas and Prince Vertigo come into view.





“You--?” she gasped.

“That’s right my dear. From the frying pan into the fire!” Dr. Natas laughed.

Just then, Hawk Warrior came swooping in. “Pretty brazen to come sneaking in here. I knew something was going on when our system went offline, thank goodness we have back up!” he shouted, swinging his mace. He swung it towards the group which forced them to scatter.





“Oh dear! These awful birds! And I always make sure to never to park under a tree!” Punchline grimaced. “Be a dear, Briar Rose!”

Briar Rose threw some seeds down and gestured towards the ground as hundreds of giant thorned stalks burst upward and outward. Hawk Warrior dodged them with ease but became quickly annoyed as they seemed to follow him.

“I wonder if he gets motion sickness? Let’s find out.” Prince Vertigo smiled, gesturing at Hawk Warrior. He suddenly felt off balance and nauseous.

“Can’t see….spinning….” he gasped, dropping his mace. Just then one of the stalks wrapped around his foot and ensnarled his leg, pulling him to the ground. Within seconds, the stalks were digging into his bare skin. Hawk Warrior screamed out as they ripped and tore into his flesh.

“Now that the pretty birdie is in its cage, I’m in the mood for fish!” Punchline declared. Prince Vertigo motioned at Sting Ray. She suddenly became nauseated as the room seemed to start circling about. She fell to her knees. “Leave me be…I’ve no quarrel with you….it’s the Cheetah you want….” She gasped, trying not to throw up.

“But I want you all! The collection must be complete!” Punchline said, smashing his giant green mallet into her skull, knocking her out. Kitty Kat stood back and watched.

“Hawk Warrior was the only one here. We have to go! No doubt he alerted the others.” The feline thief said.

“Fair enough.” Punchline said. “Before we go, why don’t you rip out our Playgirl centerfold’s throat? That bird’s squaking always gives me a headache!”

Kitty Kat said, “But Briar Rose’s thorns will keep him down until we get away and we don’t have time to kill him and bust out the Sting Ray before some of the other Titans arrive.”

“Are you disagreeing with me? Are we breaking up? Oh no, no, no!” Punchline said. Kitty Kat realized that after what had happened earlier today, she needed to regain the criminal clown’s trust.

Kitty Kat noticed Hawk Warrior’s back was to them as he struggled with the vines. She looked at Punchline and walked over to the writhing Hawk Warrior, baring her claws. She crouched down and looked him in the eye. Hawk Warrior stared back at her, still struggling. She reached down and with a quick swipe of her claws, it was over. She held up her bloodied claws for Punchline to see.

“There, satisfied?” she preened. “He’ll bleed out in minutes.”

“HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAAAA!!!! Well done! I have some catnip just for you good kitty!”

***

Stingray woke up with a jolt. She looked around and remembered what had happened. She was no longer in the clean environs of the Hall of Justice, but a dank and dark cell. She tried to stand, but realized she was strapped to a table, which was inclined. Her head almost touched the floor and she was still feeling the effects of Prince Vertigo’s power. Her helmet was missing and she cried out, “Come out you sons of b*tches! I know you’re there!” her eyes darting.

“Did you have a nice nap?” Dr. Natas asked. “Feeling a bit sick to our stomach? Poor thing”

Stingray strained to see what he was doing. She could hear running water and noticed Prince Vertigo had some type of cloth in his hands. She then heard Punchline’s voice come across an intercom system.

“Wakey, wakey little fish! How about a little swim? What, what’s that you say? You can’t swim strapped to that table? Why, that won’t do! It won’t do at all! Looks like we’ll just have to bring the ocean to you!”

“Prince Vertigo, if you please….” Dr. Natas smiled.

“Of course! You see, Sting Ray we have a torture just in mind for you. And an ironic one. Despite your affinity for the oceans, you’re nothing like Aquaman, Storm Surge, or any of those types. I bet you fear drowning.” He motioned at her and Stingray felt a slight dizziness.

“You loser! When I get loose I’ll rip you apart and feed you to the sharks—and use Dr. Natas as chum!”

“No. No, you won’t.” Prince Vertigo grinned, placing the heavy cloth across Stingray’s face. Suddenly she felt a strong rush of ice cold water crash into her face. The cloth became heavy. She couldn’t catch her breath as the water filled her nose and throat. She gasped for air.

“Is that all you’ve got?” she hissed, struggling.

She felt herself becoming more disoriented as the inclined table was adjusted to new position. The sudden movement caused her to vomit, but before she could expel her toxins, the table was flipped again and more water came smashing into her face. She began to panic.

Punchline, Briar Rose, and Kitty Kat all watched via a monitor. ”Give her more! More, I say!!!” Punchline laughed, jumping up and down and clapping.

Dr. Natas continued assaulting Stingray with the water. She felt it rushing down her throat. She had been determined not to scream, but she was truly terrified. Dr. Natas continued to lower and raise the table as well as administer more of the water torture.

Briar Rose said, “I bet she’d like a break. How about a nice glass of water?”

“Why, what a splendid idea!” Punchline agreed.

Dr. Natas then retrieved a water hose and stuck it down Stingray’s throat, causing her to gag. Prince Vertigo turned the hose on full blast. Stingray cried as the water quickly filled her insides. She passed out briefly as she felt herself being removed from the table.

Punchline walked in and surveyed the panicked villainess. “Oh my, you look like you’ve gained some weight! How about trying my new weight-loss plan, guaranteed to work. What’s that old saying? No pain, no gain? I’m sure it’s something like that!” Punchline laughed as he jumped onto Stingray’s stomach multiple times, crushing ribs and causing her to dispel the water she had ingested.

“I’ll…….I’ll stuff your broken body into a giant clam some day soon for this….” She struggled to say, defiant as ever.

“Oh booo hooo boo, poor poor girl!” Punchline giggled. “Get her out of my sight!”

Dr. Natas and Prince Vertigo dragged the battered woman to another cell and chained her hands and feet. A leather collar was placed around her neck and fixed to the wall. The material was so short she was forced to sit upright and could not lie down. “Dinner will be served at 8 sharp. Oh wait, we don’t serve dinner here.” Prince Vertigo smirked.

Stingray saw the Riddler’s bloody body across the cell as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Back in the monitor room, Punchline cheered on Kitty Kat. “2 birds—er one bird and one fish in one swoop! I’m proud of you my little kitty kat! Why don’t you treat yourself to a jewelry store!”

“I think I’ll do just that, hahahaha!” Kitty Kat laughed as she leapt up to a window and then into the night air.

***

Back at the Hall of Justice, Hawk Warrior was being attended to by Isis. His body was covered with bloody slashes, the biggest across his chest. She was the first to arrive after the Hall’s alarm system went back online.

“There, that should soothe the pain and you will heal quickly.” Isis said in a calm voice as she administered an aloe ointment.





“I still don’t get it. Kitty Kat could have killed me—easily. Instead she did a number on my chest and left me alone.” He said, trying to stand. “Thankfully, my Nth Metal kept me alive until you arrived and used your healing powers on me.”

Isis helped him up and finished applying the healing ointment to his wounds.

“Who knows? Even she may have a conscious.” Isis said, wrapping Hawk Warrior’s chest in with a bandage.

“I suppose. Still Punchline and his gang have Stingray. I can’t believe how easily they got in here. Such a brazen attack.”

“It does seem our enemies are becoming more brazen. Still, I can’t get on board with the Titans of Authority. I believe in the justice system….but after seeing this…what they did to you….”

“I’ll live.” Hawk Warrior smiled. Isis smiled back as the duo surveyed the damage to the Hall and wondered what would be coming their way next.


TO BE CONTINUED!