Titans of Justice Unlimited #101 - “The Blood Pact”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy


Months ago…

“Mr. Duncan, I don’t know how I can possibly thank you.” Lian Harper smiled.





“No thanks necessary, I should be thanking you! And please call me Mal.” the former Teen Titan replied. “This property has been sitting vacant since Karen and I bought it. The bottom fell out of the real estate market and we got stuck with it. I’m glad I was able to sell it to someone who will really take care of it, make it thrive.”





Mal had sold a vacant unit in a high-end shopping center to the daughter of his former teammate. It was near Beverly Hills High School and Lian’s idea was quite unique to the immediate area.

“Well, there are tons of coffee shops around, but none specializing in tea. I hope it takes off.” She said, looking around the building and imagining how she would have it arranged.

“I have to meet Karen. Here’s the keys. Lian, I’m really happy for you. Your dad and I go way back, and it’s just so good to see you doing so well.”

“Thank you Mr. Duncan--Mal.” She said. The two of them hugged and Mal left to meet his wife. Lian looked around and held the keys tightly. She jumped and let out a “yaaaay!”

“From that cheer, I take it the purchase went out without a hitch?” came a deep voice with a sexy accent. Lian spun around to see her boyfriend, Dr. Maximillio Bravo. He was a noted doctor in the field of blood cancers and world renowned for his work in cancer research. He was quite easy on the eyes as well. He and Lian made a very exotic looking couple. Lian had struggled to get her life together after the sexual assault she suffered at the hands of Dr. Light. She had recently relocated to California, even helping out the Titans of Authority now and then with some support work at their headquarters. Max had moved his practice to California as well to research innovative cancer treatments.

Lian walked over to Max. “It went off without a hitch. I am the proud of owner of a tea shop, or what will be a tea shop.”

“A wonderful idea. With tea becoming the new must-have beverage here in the USA, all those kids from the school will be here everyday. Plus you’re near the research center. No doubt you’ll be a success.” The handsome Latino smiled.

“I couldn’t be happier.” She said kissing his cheek. “I need to call Dad and tell him all about this!”

***
The present, Portugal...

“Pour me another!” hissed a woman’s voice. The bartender quickly complied. Kurt and Jill Light had made their way across Europe after being freed from the Phantom Zone. They often frequented this bar, known for catering to……the less desirable elements of society.





“How did we come to this?” Kurt asked his sister as he finished his drink. “Before Grandfather was murdered, we had normal lives.”





“Do you regret what we did? I mean, letting Dr. Caulder….change us?”

“No, not at all. I just wish we could have killed them, especially Sonic Boom. They murdered our grandfather and that %!}(# got away with it.”

“And they ruined our lives. When they banished us to the Phantom Zone, they froze our assets, our bank accounts. If not for that Swiss account that grandfather kept, we’d be begging on the streets.” His sister replied.

“I’m sorry and I don’t mean to pry, but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.” A woman with a half shaved head of green hair said to the siblings.

“If you’re one of them, we warn you right now we’re both powerful and won’t hesitate to kill you right here and now!” Jill growled.

“Easy…easy. I’m certainly not one of them. My name is Paranoia and like you, I want the Titans of Justice dead. My associates and I have a plan and those silly Titans are sure to interfere. I think we could all benefit from teaming up.”





Kurt looked at his sister. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s time someone made those damned Titans pay.”

Paranoia smiled. “Excellent. Come with me. My associate is waiting.”

The three of them walked outside and Paranoia touched a button on her wrist. Seconds later the group arrived in Paris, France.

“How did you--?” Jill asked, confused.

“All will be revealed. Come with me.” Paranoia said icily as the siblings followed her into a modest country home. They entered a foyer and in a room to the right, they saw a man who was dressed like a….sinister priest. He was reading the Bible.

“My friends, meet the Heretic.” Paranoia smiled.

“God be with you.” He muttered, not looking up from the Bible.





“Don’t worry. He’s focused on the task at hand and preparing “punishments” suitable for the Titans’ sins.” Paranoia said, leading them through the home and out into a workshop.

“Mother, allow me to introduce Kurt and Jill Light, the grandchildren of Dr. Light.”

The woman formerly known as Phobia turned around. Her gnarled hands held a champagne flute and a smile formed across her cruel mouth.

“Hello. I worked with your grandfather years ago. I am sorry to hear of his murder.”





“Thank you.” Kurt replied.

“And this is Warp.” Paranoia gestured towards a man in a wheelchair. He was hunched over with a vacant look on his face.





Phobia said, “Time has not been kind to us, the former Brotherhood of Evil. We disbanded years ago, Warp and I returning to Europe. He suffered a series of strokes that makes his body useless, but his mind is sharp as ever.”

She picked up two wrist devices and handed them to the Light siblings. “He works all day on his warp technology. Instructing me to build these devices. All you need do is press the button and think of where you wish to be and viola, thee you are! If you are ever in trouble and need a quick escape, it comes in quite handy.” She said, lighting a cigarette.

Jill liked what she saw and transformed into Phantasma.

“Now, you’ve got the spirit!” Paranoia said, as Kurt transformed into Night Terror.

He asked, “So what’s this big plan?”

Phobia smiled at her daughter. “Years ago, we sought to control the power of Brother Blood. The latest incarnation was recently killed and no one has taken his place. We presume he was the last of his line. The source of his power is ripe of the picking! The last known location of his church was on the west coast of the United States. Somehow the power source was moved from Zandia there. Retrieve the power source and you will be unstoppable.”

“It sounds easy enough. What do the Titans have to do with this?” Phantasma asked, as Warp’s eyes followed her around the room.

“Retrieving the source requires a blood sacrifice.” came the Heretic’s voice. A sacrifice of a sinner. The Titans and their vainglorious methods require punishment and redemption through blood and suffering.”

“That’s right my friend.” Paranoia said. “Sonic Boom must be tried for her sins. She is a murderer. She must pay.”

Night Terror and Phantasma looked at each other. “We agree. We will help you. The Titans identities are known to us. We even know where most of them live.”

“P……perfect….” Warp whispered.

“Come old friend. It’s time for your medications.” Phobia said, wheeling her teammate into the house.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go! Let’s kill them—all involved! The Huntress, Jem, Illumina, Trickshot, Sargona!” Night Terror said.

“And Supergirl! She’s the one who banished us to the Phantom Zone!” Phantasma hissed. “And the Flash—she betrayed us!”

“There is a new Flash.” The Heretic said.

“Yes, there is. But, I believe his sidekick Hot Flash is the one we seek.” Paranoia said. “We leave immediately, but we must pick up our final associate and then be off to California.” She pressed the button on her wrist and the group disappeared.

***

New Orleans…

The girl struggled against her bonds as she felt the coldness of the stone slab against her bare back. The room was dark…cold, illuminated by flickering candles. She could hear chanting, becoming louder.

A figure approached her, his eyes rolled back into his head. The girl tried to scream, but the rag taped into her mouth prevented it. The figure raised a dagger into the air and plunged it into the girl’s chest, ripping out her heart.

He grabbed the heart and squeezed the blood from into a glass. He quickly consumed it.

“AHHHHHH!!!! The Witch Doctor is satisfied!!!” the man laughed. He took a lock of the girl’s hair and placed it into a pouch. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and before him stood The Heretic, Paranoia, Phantasma, and Night Terror.





“I was wondering when you’d come.” The son of Houngan said, He walked over to Paranoia, attempting to hug her.

“Don’t touch me unless you wish to become disabled.” She said, angrily.

The Witch Doctor and Paranoia had grown up together and he fostered a bit of a crush on the icy woman. He found her irresistible, yet she was dedicated to evil and proving to her mother that she could lead a new Brotherhood of Evil.

“So, this is our little group? When do we begin?” the Witch Doctor asked, wiping blood away from his mouth. The Heretic walked over to the dead girl and prayed over her body.

“Do you have the DNA imprints?” Paranoia asked.

“I do. My father had samples from several of the original Justice League and Teen Titan members. Plus with my advanced technology, I was able to pick up electronic imprints on most of the Titans of Justice. See?” he said gesturing at what appeared to be tiny dolls dressed like the Titans of Justice.

“I’ve done my part and am ready. The Titans will suffer and the Blood source will be ours.” He smiled.

***

Beverly Hills…

Lian’s tea shop had opened and was a hit. There was a fantastic write up in the local lifestyle magazine and a couple of celebrities had already made it a favorite hang-out.

Connor Trevor, Hank Hall Jr, and Connor’s girlfriend, Katie often stopped in after school for a snack and to relax.

“I’m so glad it’s finals week. I am more than ready for summer!” Katie said. “I even have new bikinis for the beach.”

“Now that is what I like to hear.” Connor smiled.





“Oh barf, get a room you too.” Hank rolled his eyes.

His girlfriend, Blair joined the group. “Don’t worry Hank. I have new bikinis too.”

The four of them laughed as Lian enjoyed the energy of the tea shop. She knew that Connor was Superboy as well as who Hank Jr’s parents were. She was happy to see young people enjoying themselves. Her mind often wandered to how part of her youth was stolen from her by Dr. Light. More customers came in and her mind quickly shut the unpleasant thoughts down. The evening passed and Lian was tidying up. She spotted a back pack sitting beneath a table where Connor and his friends had been sitting.

“For a boy with a super memory, he’s forgetful.” She mused, looking inside the bag and seeing Connor Trevor written on a notbook. “It’s a nice night out and Jerrica’s house is on my way home. Think I’ll drop this off in person.” She called Max and explained she was dropping something off for a customer and would be late getting home.

At the Trevor mansion, Connor was relaxing watching tv. Scott was away on a modeling assignment in Japan and had taken Steven with him. Jerrica was out shopping with her sister, Kimber. Connor had the house to himself. He stretched out on the couch and continued flipping through the channels. From the kitchen, he heard a racket. “Jerrica must be home. Wonder what all she bought?”

He flew into the kitchen, startled at the people standing before him. “Tell us where she is boy, and your suffering will be quick.” The Heretic said. “Where is the harlot called Jem?”

“You…you’re flying! You’re one of the Titans—that Superkid!” Night Terror said.

“I’m Superboy and you’re breaking and entering—in my house!!” he said, anger in his voice. He charged at them as the Witch Doctor stepped forward, holding an effigy of Superboy. He said some magical incantations and Superboy’s body was wracked with pain.

“Aggghhhhh!!!” he screamed, falling to the floor. The Heretic walked over to him, placing his hands around his throat.

“I’ve seen you on television. Vain and proud….promoting your fitness products…..showing your half naked body. Boastful. You will pay for your sins.”

Superboy gasped, trying to punch at the man. “If….you’ve…got it….flaunt…it….”

“Braggart.” The Heretic said, tossing Superboy’s body through the kitchen island.

Lian Harper had arrived at the Trevor’s home and rang the bell. No one answered. She heard a crash.

“What was that?” she thought.

She heard another crash and a scream. With lightning speed, she picked the locks to the front door and cautiously made her way towards the source of the noise. She didn’t have any of her weapons, save her own body and tensed up. She arrived in the kitchen and saw Superboy taking a beating. Three men hovered over him.

The Heretic noticed her and said, “Look at what we have here: the harlot that tempted your grandfather. She will pay for her sins.”

‘Wh—what?” the confused girl gasped as Night Terror turned to her. His eyes flashed as a darkness surrounded her body. Soon she couldn’t see and felt herself falling, deeper and deeper into the darkness. She felt overwhelming dread and despair. Out of the darkness she saw a pinpoint of light and heard a voice.

“Hello little flower. I’ve been waiting for you.” Dr. Light smiled and licked his lips.





TO BE CONTINUED!