Titans of Justice Unlimited #90 - “A Union of Green & Black”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Editing & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy


“I don’t know, it would be nice one day.” Sonic Boom smiled as the sun kissed her skin. She and Sargona were being uncharacteristically friendly as they relaxed by the pool.





“Have you ever talked about it?” Sargona asked.





“No, not really. Right now Dan and I seem happy with the way things are. He’s never really brought marriage up.”

“Neither has Vince. Sometimes I think about Scott and Jerrica. Those two really have it nice. Perfect looks, a happy, healthy baby, plus Superboy is part of their family.”

“Scott really has changed from the Wonder Man we first met. Always drunk, a different girl every night. Always going on about how good looking he is.” Sonic Boom mused. “Now he’s like husband of the year.”

“Black Adam and Isis seem happy too. I know they’ve had some trouble, but they really love each other.” Sargona said picking up a bridal magazine. “I wish I hadn’t bought this stupid magazine. Might as well get used to always being a bridesmaid and never a bride.”

“Ha, me too.” Sonic Boom laughed as she took a sip of her margarita. “Hand me one of those magazines!”

***

Days Later…

The Huntress had asked some of the Super Friends to assist in supervising the arrival of a new exhibit at the Gateway City Art Museum. The exhibit was showcasing a recent discovery of ancient African art. Cassie Sandsmark greeted the Huntress.

“Thanks for coming out today. These relics are priceless and would go for millions on the black market. Every little bit of extra security helps.” The former Wonder Girl smiled.





“Happy to help. Cassie, allow me to introduce Conjura, Blue Dolphin, and Corporal Marvel."





“Nice to meet you all. I’m sure it will be an easy day.” Cassie smiled as she explained the security detail to the Super Friends.

The Huntress said, “Ok, you have your assignments. I’ll be grading today, so be on your toes.”

“I’m always on my toes and don’t see why I have to work with these…these…amatuers.” Blue Dolphin sniffed.





“And that’s minus one point for you. I‘m looking for teamwork and positive attitudes today too.” The Huntress said sternly.

“Hmph.” Blue Dolphin smirked walking over to assume her post.

“Come on Conjura, you and I will work together.” Corporal Marvel said.





“With pleasure.” Conjura smiled. She looked around the museum and saw an exhibit about ancient Egyptian art. She walked over to it and her eyes began to tear up.





“What’s wrong? Is it Blue Dolphin? You should know by now, she’s all bark.” Corporal Marvel smiled.

“No…it’s not her. These artifacts…they remind me of home…and my parents.”

“Oh, I’m sorry…..” Corporal Marvel replied. He wasn’t sure about Conjura’s family. “Um, are you close with them?”

“…No. They kicked me out, abandoned me because of my powers. Thought I was evil. That’s when I had to learn to live on the streets and started to…well, I had to grow up fast.”

“Hey, don’t cry. You’re with your new family now.” Corporal Marvel said reassuringly. “Come on, let’s go to the back where the truck will be unloading.”

Conjura smiled and composed herself. Blue Dolphin watched this all unfold from her surveillance post. “Ugh, what an attention wh#re she is. She has no business training with us.”

So far, the unloading of the artifacts was going well. The Huntress saw a blur from the corner of her eye as the entire glass front of the museum shattered, sending glass flying.

“Ah, the wonderful United States of America stealing more of my country’s history! So very typical!” The Gored Ox huffed.





The Huntress gasped. She had never been this close to him and was stunned at how large he was. His muscles rippled as he moved and a foul odor permeated the museum.

“Conjura, Blue Dolphin stay back!! Corporal Marvel, keep him occupied.” The Huntress said into her communicator. “I’ve already summoned help.”

“Why do I have to stay back?” Blue Dolphin argued. “I can take fur-ball down myself without any help from Striperella or Lightning Boy!”

“Blue Dolphin! Stop!” Huntress cried, running.

Blue Dolphin stood before the Gored Ox, his breath coming in puffs through his snout.

“And what manner of creature are you? A giant smurf?” he snorted.

“I’m a dolphin, a pretty one!” she grinned, punching the Gored Ox in the abdomen.

“Aghhhh!” she recoiled, her fist smarting. Despite her super strength, the Gored Ox was much more powerful than her.

“Poor girl.” The Gored Ox laughed as he grabbed her head in his fist, tossing her through a wall.

WHAM!!! Corporal Marvel slammed his hammer down on the Gored Ox’s head. The Huntress used her crossbow and shot a line around his feet, tripping him. Within seconds he had freed himself, shredding the line, despite being groggy from the Corporal’s blow.

“Need some help?” came Sonic Boom’s voice. She was the first to arrive after receiving the Huntress’s signal.

“Yes! The kids aren’t ready to go up against Gored Ox. And I don’t think you and I can stop him either!” The Huntress said as the Gored Ox went mad, smashing through the museum.

“You! You come into a place of beauty! Of history and start destroying it!? Not today!” Cassie Sandsmark said, landing a kick to the Gored Ox’s face. Blood splattered from the blow. She flew above him as he swatted, his clawed hand slicing her back.

“AGGGHHH!” Cassie screamed, as the Gored Ox snatched her from the air, snapping both her legs and dropping her on the floor.

“SCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!” came Sonic Boom’s cry. Everyone dropped to their knees as Gored Ox covered his ears and screamed.

Corporal Marvel took Conjura’s hands and had her cover her ears. Despite the special earplugs that the Titans of Justice and Super Friends’ wore to protect them from the brunt of Sonic Boom’s cry, it was still powerful enough to be uncomfortable to them. He looked at his teammate who had appeared to go into a trance. “Not sure how her powers work, but I hope she’s cooking something up!” he thought.

“That sound! My skull is cracking!!!!” Gored Ox screamed as he picked up a huge sculpture and tossed it wildly. It was coming directly at the Huntress. Sonic Boom quickly shoved her teammate out of the way as the sculpture slammed down on the two women.

WHAM!!!! Corporal Marvel landed a punch and sent the Gored Ox staggering back into wall of paintings. WHACK!!! Gored Ox swatted Corporal Marvel away as if he were a gnat. He picked up the struggling young man and slammed his face into a brick sculpture over and over. Gored Ox then slammed Corporal Marvel into a support beam, that helped support a balcony. Several museum visitors were standing on the balcony, watching the fight as it started to shake.

“Got to save them….” Corporal Marvel thought, shaking off the effects of Gored Ox’s attack. He flew over and held the support beam until the museum visitors made their way to the stairs and safety.

Corporal Marvel noticed a wind begin to whip around and the very walls start to shake. It was as if time itself had slowed down. He craned his neck and saw Conjura levitating in the air, her cape billowing. Golden energy surrounded her. Everything was moving in slow motion. Gored Ox stared at her and he sniffed the air.

Just then, Conjura raised her fists and her mystic eye glowed. A giant bolt of golden energy manifested from her, burning the Gored Ox. He howled like an injured animal as his fur caught fire. He smashed his way through the museum destroying priceless treasures as he made his escape.

Conjura ran over to Blue Dolphin and tried to help her up.

“Don’t touch me!” Blue Dolphin snapped, smoothing her hair. "I don't need any help from your kind."

The Huntress had emerged from the rubble, her costume torn and bloodied. “Over here….I need help….”

“Oh no!” Conjura cried seeing Sonic Boom’s broken body in the rubble.

Corporal Marvel flew over and helped clear the shattered remains of the sculpture from Sonic Boom.

Flash and Green Lantern arrived next. Green Lantern rushed to Sonic Boom’s side immediately. “Didi” he gasped, fearing the worst.





“We’ve got to get her to the hospital! “ Flash said.





“It’s…..it looks worse than it feels…..” Sonic Boom mumbled, giving Green Lantern a small feeling of relief, knowing that at least, she was alive.

Later after transporting Cassie and Sonic Boom to the hospital, Green Lantern sat next to his girlfriend’s bed. Her parents were on their way from Star City and Dark Arrow had been contacted. He was away on a Titans of Authority mission, but was heading home as soon as possible.

“How is she?” The Flash asked.

“She’s going to be ok. Just some broken ribs and a concussion. A few scratches and bruises. Illumina assured me she’d be ok in a few weeks.”

“The Gored Ox….from Huntress’s debriefing, he sounds like a major problem. He’s already killed John Stewart, threatened his wife and child. The IADC had him in custody but he broke out a few days ago.”

Green Lantern took Sonic Boom’s hand. “Yeah. Makes you realize what’s important in life. What’s really important.”

Corporal Marvel made his way to Cassie’s room.

“You’re looking good, Cassie.” He smiled.

“Well, for a woman with two broken legs I guess so.” She replied.

“I contacted your mother. She’ll be on the first flight out of Portugal tomorrow.”

“Thanks, how are the others?”

“Everyone’s going to be ok.” He rejoined Conjura and Blue Dolphin in the lobby.

“Good work today.” He smiled at Conjura.

“Thanks, still not sure how I did it. But, I am thankful my powers worked.” Conjura smiled.

“Hmph. Probably a one-time only sort of thing.” Blue Dolphin smirked, walking away.

“Blue Dolphin….” Conjura said quietly.

“Don’t bother with her, Conjura. She’s not worth your time.” Corporal Marvel said.

***

Weeks later…the home of Oliver and Dinah Queen…

“I’m fine! Illumina even said so! I can do everything I did before I got hurt!” Didi Queen protested as her mother brought her a tray of food. “I am more than capable of getting my own lunch!”

“Dan, see if you can talk some sense into her!” the former Black Canary huffed, returning to the kitchen.





“You’re mother just cares for you.” Dan smiled.

“She’s driving me crazy!”

“Didi, seeing you hurt…it really bothered me.”

“Dan, it’s ok. I’m fine. All of us have been injured at some time or another. I’d think you’d be used to this by now.”

“I am. It’s just that…well, it hurts my heart when someone I care so deeply for is in danger or gets hurt.” Didi noticed his tone become serious.

“Oh Dan, I care for you too. I love you. I worry about you all the time. My brother too, but we always come through ok.”

“Didi, I want to be able to be near when you need me all the time.”

“You are. I know I can count on you.” Didi said, picking up her grilled cheese sandwich.

“No…I mean, yes, you can count on me, but I want you to be able to count on me in every way. Seeing you injured that day at the museum, it made me realize how much I care…how much I love you.”

She noticed he was digging in his pocket and dropping to one knee.

“Dan…Dan? What’re you doing?”

“Didi Queen, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?”

The usually unflappable Didi Queen was speechless.


TO BE CONTINUED!