Titans of Justice Unlimited #103 - “The Blood Pact Pt. 3”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited, & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy



“Rob, you’re the first person I thought of….I didn’t want to worry Lian’s dad.” Max Bravo said into his cell phone.

“I’m already on it, Max. Lian’s car was found in a Beverly Hills neighborhood last night.” Dark Arrow replied.





“This is all my fault. I’ve been working so much—I was waiting up for her and fell asleep. I woke up this morning and she never came home. I should have—“

“Max, it’s ok. We’ll find her. I’ve already talked to Roy and he’s here. If you hear from her or come across anything, call me back. Ok?”

“Ok.” Max ended the call. He looked over at a framed photo of himself and Lian. “d**n.” He thought.

***

The Trevor home was busy with a flurry of voices. Jem had searched all night for clues to Connor’s whereabouts. Kimber had spotted Lian’s car on the street in front of the Trevor’s home. Jem had contacted the Titans of Authority for help, since Connor had been serving with them.

“I think this was an attack on our team.” Dark Arrow said. “Superboy, Illumina, Black Orchid…all missing. Lian’s car here. Something doesn’t add up.”

“I just got a call from Black Vulcan.” Jem said. “Sargona, Sonic Boom, Hot Flash, and The Huntress are all missing too. Huntress and Hot Flash missed a Super Friends training session earlier today.





Roy Harper and Lilith were sitting in the living room.

“Lilith, are you picking up anything…anything at all?” Roy asked his former teammate.





Lilith took his hands. “I’m trying. It’s like something is scrambling my ESP. I can detect both Connor and Lian here….others….but where they went….I keep getting multiple locations….like they’re several places at once….”





Nemesis arrived with several IADC agents. “Lilith, why don’t you go outside or to a room upstairs. Somewhere quiet where you can concentrate.”





Lilith agreed and made her way to the home’s solarium.

Jem paced nervously. “Did you reach Scott?” she asked Tom.

“I’m trying. From what you told me, he’s in a remote part of Japan for his shoot. The reception there must be unreliable.” Tom tried to reassure her.

“I just wish he was home. Him and Steven. I know if Scott were here, he’d find Connor. I just know he would.”

The IADC agents went about their tasks collecting data from the kitchen.

Kimber approached her sister. “It’s going to be ok. Connor’s no pushover. He’ll be home before you know it.”

Jem looked at her sister. “You’re right. Look at this kitchen, he must have put up quite a fight.”

***

In the grotto, Sonic Boom’s trial continued.

“After exhaustive evidence, does the jury have a verdict?” Paranoia asked, looking at the Heretic, Night Terror, Phantasma, and the Witch Doctor as photos and videos of Sonic Boom in action played.





“Judge Paranoia, after hearing the testimony of how Sonic Boom murdered Dr. Light and her part in covering up the crime, we the jury find her quilty as charged,” revealed the Witch Doctor.

“This is a mockery—bull sh*t!” Sonic Boom argued.





“Silence!” Paranoia decreed. “Remove the prisoner until her sentence is decided!”

The Heretic stood and rolled Sonic Boom’s chair to his torture chamber.

Sonic Boom gasped as she saw the bloodied and beaten body of Superboy hanging from a beam.

“Sonic Boom…..they got you too…..” Superboy mumbled, his mouth bleeding.





“He would not confess his sins. He is defiant. I told him the suffering would end if he simply tells me where to find the harlot called Jem. He had to be punished.” The Heretic said.





“Is that the best you can do? Roughing up a teenager?? I don’t need my sonic scream to fight you! When I get out of this chair---“

“Pity. You won’t be getting out of that chair. That chair is your death.” The Heretic said as he began attaching wiring to the chair.

Back in the grotto, Paranoia said, “Our next criminal is Hot Flash. Phantasma, roll the footage please.”

“With pleasure.” Phantasma turned on a monitor screen.





“As you can see from this footage from a security camera found in the rubble of Dr. Niles Caulder’s home, the then Flash was responsible for the betrayal of those trying to help her.”

The captive women watched as the battle between Celsius and the Titans raged.

“Lies! I was unconscious for most of that battle. Besides, he used me to lure my teammates. He was going to lobotomize Black Orchid!”





“Order in the court!” Paranoia screamed, slamming a skull covered gavel into her podium. “The video evidence speaks for itself! The evidence proves the guilt of the Black Orchid as well!”

“Celsius wasn’t killed in that mess!” Black Orchid said. “But I did kill him a few months ago and I’d do it again!”





“Don’t push them….” Helena Wayne thought.





“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, how do you find Black Orchid and the former Flash?” Paranoia asked.

Night Terror, Phantasma, and the Witch Doctor talked amongst themselves.

“GUILTY!” they said in unison.

“Very well. The Heretic will collect the guilty parties shortly.” Paranoia said.

“This is madness!” Illumina screamed. “What happened with Dr. Caulder and Celsius was unfortunate but necessary! What about justice for Lian? What have you done to her? She was doing so well and now…….when I am free, I’ll make you pay!”





“Ah Illumina, you truly are a Titan of Authority aren’t you? Unfortunately you spoke out of turn.” Paranoia said, glancing over to the Witch Doctor. He pressed a needle into his effigy of Illumina. She began to feel her blood boil. Veins popped under her skin as she struggled to breath.

“Stop! You’re killing her!” Sargona said.





“Not yet, just shutting her up.” The Witch Doctor laughed as Illumina slumped forward.

“I think we need a break.” Paranoia said.

The villains all walked towards the Heretic’s chambers.

“So far this is all going well.” Phantasma said.

“How are you preventing the Titans from finding us?” Night Terror asked.





‘”The Warp technology. This grotto is outfitted with several cloaking and warping devices. Anyone tries to track us or their friends and they’ll get hits all over the globe. By the time they pinpoint this place, their friends will be dead.”

***

“I tried checking with Power Guy to see if Sargona might be with him, but he’s gone on a mission in deep space with his dog.” Dark Arrow said. “And I know Green Lantern’s on Oa.

“Maybe I can help.” Supergirl offered, arriving at the Trevor Mansion.





“We’ll take all the help we can get.” Jem said.

“Despite our differences, Connor is still family. My father sent me to help if I can. He’s even put his suit on and is searching on his own.”

Nemesis explained all that the group had learned so far. “I don’t like this people. Missing friends and no leads.”

Just then Dark Arrow’s communicator went off. It was the current Flash.





“Bad news guys. Helena Wayne’s car was found this morning, crashed. There was a big fight at S.T.A.R as well. Dan Jordan’s apartment is trashed. I’m still searching for any signs of our friends, but so far nothing.”

“Thanks Flash.” Dark Arrow said, relaying the news.

“What do these ladies have in common? It seems they were all targets along with Superboy.” Nemesis thought aloud.

The group sat silent, thinking.

“Oh God.” Jem said. “There’s no way though……”

“What? What!?” Roy Harper demanded.

“Dr. Light….we were all there when he…when he……”

Roy’s head slumped. “You don’t think he’s behind this—how could he be?”

“I don’t know…how many times have supposedly dead villains come back from the dead.” Jem said, growing more worried.

“It makes sense. Let’s say he’s back. He rounded up the women he holds responsible for his death…..came here looking for Jem, found Superboy instead.” Nemesis thought. Just then Lilith came racing down the stairs, her face white as sheet. Beads of sweat were covered her forehead.

“You….you have to help them….” Lilith stammered as she shook. “Superboy….Sonic Boom……Brotherhood…..Light’s grandchildren……the images, they…they’re coming too fast!”

Roy and Tom helped Lilith to a chair. Kimber brought her a glass of water.

“Lilith, please…is Lian there?” Roy asked, his eyes welling with tears.

“Yes, she’s there….her mind…..”

Roy walked away and stared out the window.

“Do you know where they are?” Supergirl asked.

“Yes….and no….I’m picking up that they’re all over. I don’t know if they are being moved….transported or what…”

“Dark Arrow, get the Flash a list of all the places Lilith is seeing. Have him check them out quickly.” Tom ordered. Dark Arrow contacted the Flash.

Seconds later, the Flash was spanning the globe searching for the missing Titans.

***

Back in the grotto, the trials resumed.

“Bring the whore before me!” Paranoia smirked.

The writhing body of Lian Harper was placed on the cold, damp floor.

“Do you deny you enticed Dr. Light? Lured him with your feminine wiles? Well, do you?” Paranoia screamed at the tortured young woman.

“Jury, what do you think? I believe silence is an admission of guilt.”

“We the jury agree.” Night Terror said.

Lian continued to jerk and make garbled noises while thrashing about on the ground.





Black Orchid cried. Mainly out of anger plus the bleak outlook of their situation. She wondered what the Heretic was doing to Sonic Boom.

“Do we even need to try these other criminals? Don’t their records speak for themselves?” Phantasma said. “Besides, I think it’s time we hunt down Supergirl for imprisoning my brother and me in the Phantom Zone.”

“Duly noted. I’ll discuss this with the Heretic. I believe it’s time for our guests to be sentenced.”

***

“This is driving me crazy.” Jem said to Supergirl.

“I know. The Flash will find them. I’m pretty fast too. I think I’ll start searching around the area and see what I find.”

“Do you mind if I come with you? I feel helpless just sitting here waiting.”

“Actually, I have an idea. Your powers are attuned to sound, right?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe there’s some kind of frequency, some kind of trail?”

“I’ve never really tried that before, but it’s worth a shot.”

“Let me help.” It was Lilith. “Maybe between my ESP and your unique powers, we can establish some sort of trail with their psychic imprints.” She had regained her composure.

“Please…please try it.” Roy Harper said.

Lilith took Jem’s hand as she began manipulating the sound waves in the air. Lilith shut her eyes and went into a trance.

Supergirl watched and thought of the recent tensions among the Titans. Even though there were separate teams, it was nice that so many would come together to save their friends.

Lilith began to speak, “Night Terror…..a man….he looks like Houngan….another man….frightening, like an evil priest…Brother Blood….your kitchen, they took Superboy….Lian returning a missing book bag…..”

“Where are they now?” Supergirl asked.

“The energy trail….it ends in my kitchen, doesn’t it?” Jem asked, feeling remnant sound waves.

“Yes, they teleported…..concentrate Jerrica. Concentrate on Connor.” Lilith commanded.

“GASP!” Lilith said, her eyes snapping open. “I know where they are—one of two places! Here??, no New Orleans?!”

Back in the grotto, Superboy, Helena Wayne, Black Orchid, Illumina, Lian Harper, Sargona, and Hot Flash had all been tied upside down over a pit. Superboy was weak, but he could see down into the pit and what looked like images of stone people were carved into the walls. Were they entombed people….statues?

“Hope you’re uncomfortable hanging up there.” Phantasma laughed as she floated around. “Huntress, I’m going back to Wayne Manor when your parents return. The Batman and Catwoman will be no match for me. I think I’ll turn the Batcave into my own hideout, with their heads on the wall of course.”

“You may win today, but my parents will be the ones putting your head on a wall.” Helena said, straining to free herself. Phobia’s powers were still scrambling her thoughts.

“All of you have families. Families that failed you, caused you to sin. Their suffering will be legendary.” The Heretic said, wheeling Sonic Boom’s chair into view. Her chair was covered in electrical wire and a metal wired cap was placed on her head. She had bled through her costume and was pale.

“Ah the electric chair. The preferred method for executions in this country.” Paranoia began. “Night Terror, Phantasma, do you have any final words for the guilty? The woman who murdered your grandfather!”

Night Terror walked over to Sonic Boom and slapped her so hard one of her teeth broke. He grabbed her cheeks as her mouth filled with blood.

“You animal. You killed the only man who ever helped my sister and me. If not for him, we’d have starved growing up! Do you know what that’s like?? Going to bed hungry every night and hoping your grandfather will find a way to bring you something to eat? HUH!!!?” he slapped her again.

“pregnant dog.” He said, as he walked away.

Phantasma floated over. She punched Sonic Boom, busting her nose.

“I think my brother pretty much said it all. I want a souvenir to remember you by.” Phantasma’s red eyes spotted her wedding ring.

“No….kill me, but leave my ring……”

“You think I pity you? You idiot!” Phantasma said, ripping the ring from Sonic Boom’s finger. “And God help your husband when I get a hold of him. Know this, Didi. When I find him, I will kill him slowly and be sure to give him every detail of your death. Then I’m going after your brother and parents.”

Helena Wayne turned her head at the sight. She silently prayed. She then noticed the pit below them beginning to fill with a red, bubbly liquid. Heat and smoke rose from the pit.

“Paranoia, the pit is ready for the sacrifices. I am ready to guide you through the process of harnessing the power of Brother Blood.” The Heretic said, lifting his scepter and chalice into the air. The cavern began to rumble and shake. Rock began falling and the floor shifted. Smoke and dust filtered through the air. The Titans all began to cough. Soon, the rock walls of the grotto gave way to ornate demonic sculptures, stained glass windows emerged, and a crown of bones emerged from the pit.

“Perfect! You see Titans, we’re going to electrocute your murderous teammate. Once we throw the switch, you will begin descending into the pool of blood. Your energies will mix with the souls of the damned. Brother Blood’s power will emerge, we harness it, and we become unstoppable. How do you like that?” Paranoia laughed.

“Enough of this talk. Execute the prisoner!” the Witch Doctor smiled.

Night Terror and Phantasma walked over to a switch. Both of them placed their hands on it, pulling the switch down and sending thousands of volts of electricity into Sonic Boom’s body.


TO BE CONTINUED!