Titans of Justice Unlimited #86 - "Conjura The Great Part 4”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Editing & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy


Lena’s eyes widened at the sight of the Flash, Corporal Marvel, and Power Guy. She felt like she should know them somehow, but with everything going on around her, she couldn’t focus.

“So, Sargona’s fan club arrives to save the day! Just in time for her funeral!” The Blue Llama said.





“We’re going to need 3 more caskets.” Brother Night said, smoke pouring off his face from Donia’s blast.





The Flash surveyed the scene….”Sargona, terrified but otherwise ok, unknown girl on a sacrificial table, unknown man flogged. Should be easy to wrap this up.”





Just then Brother Night saw the scarlet speedster begin to run.

“SLOW.” Brother Night said, gesturing at the Flash. He stumbled over his feet and couldn’t get up.

“Feel like…like my legs are churning in molasses…..” The Flash said, trying to get to his feet.

Brother Night walked over to him and smashed a giant stone replica of some demon over the Flash’s head.

Power Guy flew over to Sargona. She recoiled from his touch. “K…keep away from me!” the terrified woman said.





“Sargona….Esmerelda….don’t you know me?” Power Guy said, fighting to hold back tears.





Sargona looked at him, looked deep into his eyes. Something told her she could trust the costumed man, something was familiar about him, something she couldn’t quite place.

“Enough of this foolishness!” The Blue Llama screamed, grabbing Vladko’s hair and snapping his head back. “Watch Sargona, watch as he dies!” The Blue Llama started to drag her fingernails across the struggling man’s throat.

Corporal Marvel flew full throttle at the Blue Llama. “I don’t who these people are, but they must be friends of Sargona’s! Friends you’ve hurt!”





“And I will hurt you too, boy.” The Blue Llama laughed, sending a bolt from her Black Diamond of Death at Corporal Marvel.

BOOOMMMMMM!!!! The impact of the blast shook the room as Corporal Marvel was changed back to Freddy. He dropped to the floor.

“Now to sacrifice this girl and take control of her power!” Brother Night laughed, raising his dagger. He plunged it down towards Donia’s chest. Suddenly all 3 of her eyes opened. Golden Energy poured from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Even Power Guy had to shield his eyes from the golden rays.

A voice came from everywhere at once, as Donia levitated into the air. “You dare harm my champion on Earth. You dare assume the power of the eye? Fool, deceiver!!! For this transgress you shall pay!!!!”

Sargona noticed Vladko’s restraints disappear and the tortured man dropped to the floor. She shouted, “Vladko!!!” and crawled to his side, cradling him as he passed out. Power Guy was dismayed at seeing this.

“No!!! All this power! I want it! It should be mine!!!” Brother Night screamed as he was bathed in golden light. His skin started burning away and smoke poured off him as his screams echoed through the chamber. Suddenly a golden gem manifested and Brother Night was drawn into the golden gem.

“You will remain a prisoner Brother Night. The souls of the innocents you have sacrificed will torment you for eternity!” the voice said, as the gem vanished.

“What….what are you?” The Blue Llama cried.

“And you! Foolish woman seeking retribution for perceived wrongs! One who abuses the power of the Black Diamond of Death!” the voice said as Donia’s body rotated towards The Blue Llama and bombarded her with golden rays.

The Blue Llama’s body twitched and turned a pale blue. Her veins popped through her skin and her eyes bulged. Her hair turned white and her skin withered.

“You will harm no more innocents, damned woman!” the voice boomed as the Blue Llama dropped to the floor, battered and disheveled. She had aged nearly 70 years in mere seconds. She caught a glimpse of herself in a large mirror and screamed.

“And you! Sargona!” the voice took a gentler tone as Donia hovered near her.

“No…please…keep away from me! Who’s Sargona!?”

“Do not worry child. All of the mysteries surrounding you shall be known!” the voice said gently, bathing her in rays bright as the sun. Donia’s eye disappeared and the young girl dropped to the floor. By now Freddy was awake. He transformed to Corporal Marvel and checked on the girl. Flash had recovered from the Brother Night’s spell and rushed to Donia’s side as well.

“She’s alright, just knocked out.” Corporal Marvel said.

Sargona looked around and screamed. Her eyes were wide and darted.

Power Guy reached out to her. “Sargona….are you alright?” he said, anticipation in his voice.

She looked down at herself and around the room. She turned and looked at Power Guy. “Vince….” Her voice trembled. “Vince…is it you, really you?”

“Yes…Yes it’s me!”

“Oh Lord…Oh God, thank you, thank you….” Sargona cried embracing Power Guy. Tears flowed freely from the two of them as they embraced for what seemed like forever. “I thought I’d never see you again…..”

“I knew you’d come back. I knew you would. I never gave up on you! And now you’re back, you’re back and everything will be ok. I promise I’ll never let you out of my sight. I love you. I love you!” Power Guy said, tears streaming.

Sargona became quiet for a moment.

“Sar? What? What’s wrong?” Power Guy asked, wiping her tears away and cradling her face.

“I love you too….I love you with all my heart…..”

“What? What’s wrong?” Power Guy noticed her looking at her hands. He saw a wedding ring.

“Vince….this man, Vladko…he’s my husband……” Sargona stepped away for a moment.

“Whoa.” Corporal Marvel gasped.

“Freddy, let’s step out of here. They need some privacy.” Flash suggested, picking up Donia and carrying her out.

Sargona kneeled over Vladko. He was coming to and his torso was covered in blood. “Lena….am I dead?”

“No, my sweet husband. You still live.” Sargona said, wiping tears away.

“Branislava….Donia….” he said, getting to his feet. Sargona steadied him.

“Donia’s fine. Branislava…..she…”

“I remember. She was murdered..murdered in cold blood….”

Power Guy tried to take this all in. His dreams had come true. Reunited with Sargona. But she was married? How could this have happened? His mind raced as he assisted Vladko to his feet.

“You…one of the American heroes…you saved us…thank you…thank you…” Vladko said.

Power Guy noticed Vladko had taken quite a beating. “We need to get you to a hospital.” His eyes met Sargona’s. She gave him a look that she had never expressed before. Power Guy wasn’t sure what she meant.

“Vladko…I can help you.” She whispered. “Eb delaeh.”

Suddenly Vladko’s bloody back was healed, not a single blemish remained. “Lena…how did you….?”

“It’s a long story. Vladko, there is much I must tell you. I…..I remember who I am. Come on, let’s get out of here and check on Donia. The men who saved us, I know them.”

Vladko noticed his wife’s tone and demeanor completely change.

“What is going on, beloved?”

The Blue Llama began to stir. From her wrinkled eyes, she had taken in the scene and figured out the drama unfolding. “Just enough power left…” she thought. A smile formed across her broken teeth.

Power Guy walked behind Vladko and Sargona.

“You! You were the first to love her! You will be the first to die!!!” the Blue Llama screamed, firing a mystical bolt at Power Guy. Before he could react, Vladko jumped between the bolt and Power Guy.

“No! You will not harm my beloved’s friends! AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Vladko screamed as he was consumed by the bolt.

“Vladko!!! Nooooo!!!” Sargona screamed. The Blue Llama laughed, but passed out, exhausted from the release of so much power.

Vladko fell the ground, his skin burning. Sargona wrapped her arms around him, knowing not even her powers could heal this intenseness of injuries.

“My wife….my love….” He mumbled. “Our time was….short….too short….but we…we loved…”

“You…you took care of me when I needed it the most…..loved me…You are a good man, Vladko. And I love you…I do love you.” She smiled stroking his cheek. “My sweet husband……”

Vladko took a deep breath and died. Sargona slumped forward and cried.

Power Guy didn’t know what to do or say. Sargona was sobbing her eyes out and he felt….like he was intruding. He stepped outside, leaving Sargona with her grief.

***

Days later...

“The tests show she’s pretty much wiped out. Whatever that ray did to her left her frail and old.” Illumina said, reading the test results to Tom Tressor. The IADC had sent an air craft lab to Albania. The Blue Llama had been placed in a power dampening cell, despite being rapidly aged and nearly powerless, the IADC weren’t taking any chances.





“What about Sargona? How did she make it back here?” Nemesis asked.





"Sargona said she would explain things to us once she gets a chance to get settled and relaxed," revealed Illumina.

“Well, I’m glad she’s made it back.” Tom said as the cell that contained The Blue Llama was loaded on board. The Blue Llama made odd gestures with her fingers and was talking to herself.

“You’re sure she’s powerless?” Tom said, noticing the old woman’s actions.

“Sure of it. She’s exhibiting all the signs of dementia. She’ll spend the rest of her days locked up at the IADC prison, a harmless and very old woman.”

Mindy Trevor approached Tom. “Do you mind if I catch a ride back with the Titans? I want to be with Sargona today.” She asked.





“Sure. I understand. See you back at IADC headquarters?”

“You can count on it.” She smiled, kissing Tom’s cheek. She then made her way to join her teammates.

***

Kosovo...

A warm breeze fell across the cemetery. Sarona and Donia held each other and cried. Sargona noticed the headstone next to Branislava’s. “Lena….her daughter that she named me after. Now they are all together….”

Sargona placed flowers on Branislava’s grave. “Thank you….thank you for taking care of me. You loved me like your own daughter.” She then stepped over to Vladko’s grave. She closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. She traced the outline of his name with her fingers. She kissed her hand and placed it on his name. “Good bye, my love. I will carry you in my heart….always.”

“What now? You have found your friends. Your home. I have no one. Branislava and Vladko are dead. What will become of me?” Donia asked, looking up at Sargona.

“I have an offer for you. If not for you, I wouldn’t have realized who I am. Where I belong. If you want, I’m willing to assist you learn about your powers. I’m a member of an organization that helps people. And we all have powers and/or skills that we had to learn how to use for good. I believe you are good young woman, Donia. You have the potential to help so many. What do you say?” Sargona smiled.

Donia looked down at the graves and adjusted her headwrap. “I say yes.” Sargona hugged the young woman. She glanced back at Champion, Flash, Corporal Marvel, and Power Guy.

“Come then, Donia. Let’s go home.”

Aboard the Titans Javelin Jet, Sargona sat quietly looking out a window. Power Guy approached her.

“How are you?” he asked, tension in his voice.

“Stunned.” Sargona replied, her face streaked with tears. “So much has happened. Those poor people, died because of me.”

“Sar, they loved you. You didn’t cause their deaths.” He said taking her hand. She pulled it back.

“Vince, please understand. I…..I need some time. Please.” She said looking away.

“I…sure. I understand.” Power Guy said entering the cockpit.

“She’ll come around.” Champion said, warmly.

Power Guy was quiet.

“She’s been through hell. She made a new life for herself. For months she lived as Lena. It’s hard to just shut those feelings off and jump right back into her life and relationships as Sargona.”

“When did you become such a relationship expert?” Power Guy asked.

Champion smiled. “I’m finding I missed out on so much in Man’s World. Mindy Trevor has shown me lots of things I’ve never experienced. I must say love is something I should have experienced sooner.”

“Love? So you two are official?” Power Guy replied.

“I care deeply for him and that’s all I have to say for now.” Champion winked. “Give Sargona her space, let her mourn her loss. She’ll come around.”

“I hope so.” Power Guy said, placing his headset on and adjusting some settings on the control panel.

***

One week later...

Vince Starr straightened his tie and looked in the mirror. He looked handsome and he was glad to have received Sargona’s call. She had been distant since her return. All of his teammates, especially the ladies, assured him to give her some space. Let her readjust. Vince was beyond happy to have received her invitation earlier in the day.

“She’s either calling me to dump me or……stop thinking so much. Just go.” He said walking to his car. Sargona’s apartment wasn’t that far away, but it seemed to take forever to get there. He walked up the stairs and rang the bell.

The door opened and there she was. The woman he loved. She wore a basic black dress and her hair was pulled back into a French-twist, accentuating her features. He noticed she was wearing the ruby along with the diamond earrings he had given her last Valentine's Day. She greeted him with a hug.

Vince noticed she had sat the table and the kitchen smelled of delicious food. “She cooked for me…” he thought.

“It’s a bit awkward isn’t it?” she said, handing him a glass of blueberry rooibos tea. “Almost like a first date.”

He smiled at her.

“I need to explain the way I’ve been acting since I got back…”

“No need to explain. I understand.”

“No, I need you to know. Branislava….she took me in. Took care of me, no questions asked. She tried to find out who I was. And Vladko….” She teared up. “He reminded me of you. Not so much the way he looked, but in his heart and spirit. I think in a weird way, maybe I thought he was you?”

Vince listened as she continued. “I remember everything. I remember how much I love you. How much fun we had and what you meant to me…and still do mean to me. I moved Heaven and Earth to get back to you, I just ended up on a detour. I hope you understand…..Branislava….Vladko….they will always have a special place in my heart.”

“Of course. I’m happy you found good, decent people. It could have been someone who would have exploited you, used you.”

“I had to mourn Vladko, had to make peace. It’s an impossible situation I found myself in. Vince, you must know I love you. I want us to be together again. I hope you know I didn’t mean to push you away. I was pretty shaken up after Vladko’s death….”

“Of course I understand. He was your husband.” Vince said. “I would wait for you forever.”

Sargona leaned in to kiss him. “And I would wait for you forever. I’d even cross dimensions for you.” She kissed him passionately, almost like a first kiss. After dinner, they sat on the balcony and finished the pitcher of iced tea. The couple held hands and looked at the stars. They smiled at each other. Vince put his arm around Sargona and she rested her head on his shoulder. She looked up and kissed him.

“I’m home.” She whispered as the summer breeze wrapped around the reunited couple.

***

The Hall of Justice...

“That concludes our tour, Donia.” Corporal Marvel said.

“This place…it’s magnificent!” the wide-eyed teen-ager smiled. “Any my quarters! I can’t believe I have running water, even electricity!”

“Really?” Corporal Marvel was stunned at her excitement for something most took for granted.

“Yes….it was rare I had a place to sleep or any luxuries.”

“I think you’ll be happy here. The Huntress runs a tight ship, but with her training plus your sessions with Sargona, you’ll fit right in.”

“Thanks Freddy.”

“Have you thought of a code name?”

“Actually I have. Watch this!” Donia said, closing her eyes and concentrating. Corporal Marvel watched as her clothes transformed into a gold and purple costume.

“You can call me Conjura!” she smiled, ready to embrace a happy future and new beginning.





THE END!