Titans of Justice Unlimited #105 - “The Blood Pact Pt. 5”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited, & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy
Art by: Alex Garcia


One by one, Sargona walked over to each of the Brotherhood taking their heads in her hands and saying, “!tegroF” Helena watched, knowing her opinion was outnumbered as she was in the company of mostly members of the Titans of Authority.





“You won’t make me forget!” Phantasma spat. “I’ll track you all down, murder your precious families one by one! Just like you killed my grandfather!”





“!treveR” Sargona commanded as Phantasma became Jill. She magically removed her from Roy and Dark Arrow’s trap and grasped her face. Jill looked at her with evil and defiance in her eyes. “I won’t forget! I won’t!”

“!!TEGROF!!!!!!” Sargona hissed as Jill passed out.

Sargona turned and was met with a disapproving glare from Helena Wayne.

“Don’t you dare judge me Helena.” Sargona said, sticking her finger in Helena’s face.

“I’m glad you did it!” Jem said. “You did the right thing.”





“Thanks Jerrica.” Sargona said to her old friend.

“I think you did the right thing too.” Dark Arrow offered.





Just then there was a red, white, and blue blur. Power Guy arrived, along with his dog Power Pup. Jake walked over to Superboy and seemed to know he was hurt.





“It’s ok, boy. I’m fine.” Superboy said with a weak smile as he petted the dog’s head.





“Sargona!” Power Guy said, running over and hugging her.





“Vince….” By now, the severity of the crisis she endured finally hit Sargona like a ton of bricks. She let herself sink into his arms and break down.

“I’ve got to go. My sister…..” Dark Arrow said.

“Come on, I’ll get you to S.T.A.R. Labs” Black Orchid said.





“I’ll come with you. I’m sure the west coast lab has everything I need to make sure Di Di is ok.” Illumina said as the three of them left with the injured Sonic Boom in the Arrow-plane.





“I was on my way home and my communicator came back online. I was so deep in space, that I couldn’t get any messages. Are you ok? Are all of you alright?” Power Guy asked. He noticed Superboy was bleeding. “Connor…..”

“He’ll be alright. Donna’s on her way with the jet. The healing ray on Paradise Island will make Connor good as new.” Jem offered.

Power Guy looked around. “Is that Dr. Light’s grandchildren?” he gasped.

“It appears so.” Helena Wayne said, a coldness in her voice.





Hot Flash filled the Titan’s former leader in on what all had happened.

“And don’t forget how Sargona saved the day.” Helena said.

“Oh…yeah. Sargona….well…she…” Hot Flash stammered.





“Spit it out girl! Yes, I did it. I mindwiped them!” Sargona said, angrily.

“You what??” Power Guy asked.

“Now Vince, before you panic hear us out. They knew all about us, who we are, where we live. They threatened us, even threatened Steven. I think Sargona did the right thing.” Jem said, defending her friend.

“Jem’s right.” Lian Harper added. “They were merciless. Made me recall things best left forgotten.”

“Sar….are you sure? There had to be another way….” Power Guy stammered, unsure what to say.

Sargona stepped away from him. “Of course I did the right thing! What the Heck would you have me do? Send them all to prison to tell our secrets to everyone we’ve put away? Don’t you go getting all high and mighty on me! I’m a founder of this team, and don’t you forget it!” she said with her usual candor.

“Calm down…calm down. I trust you and your judgement.” Power Guy said, trying to diffuse the tension.

“We need to get to the hospital. Sonic Boom was badly hurt.” Hot Flash said.

Just then, Starman, Flash,Black Vulcan, Lilith, and Tom Tressor arrived. Lilith and Tom rushed to Jem and Superboy.

“Has anyone been able to reach Green Lantern?” Roy Harper asked. “Sonic Boom needs him.”

“I tried to send a signal as I re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. He’s away at Oa. I hope he gets the message.” Power Guy offered, putting his arm around Sargona. Helena Wayne narrowed her eyes.

“Are you ok?” The Flash asked his young sidekick.





“I’m ok. Just kind of freaked out.” She sighed, hugging her mentor.

Soon, IADC agents swarmed the grotto. The villains were babbling how they would all get revenge, but made no mention or even indicated they knew the Titans’s secrets.

“We have specialized cells to hold each of them. They won’t be bothering anyone again. Of course they’ll go to trial for their crimes.” Nemesis said to Starman.





“I’m worried. Paranoia and The Heretic aren’t American citizens. They could be extradited back to Europe.” Starman said.





“I’m pretty sure they won’t be. They attacked members of both sets of Titans. The United Nations will not look favorably on that.” Tom smiled as the villains were loaded up in a transport.

Everyone had left except Starman and Black Vulcan.

“Not bad for a day’s work.” She smiled. We saved those kids in New Orleans and the Brotherhood of Evil has been put down.”





“Yeah, but I’m not sure I agree with what happened. I have a bad feeling that what Sargona did will come back to bite us one day.” He sighed. “Come on, we need to get to S.T. A.R. and check on Sonic Boom.”

Soon, everyone had assembled at the west coast branch of S.T.A.R.

Oliver and Dinah Queen had arrived and rushed to the nurse’s station, hands clasped.

“Rob, baby!” Dinah hugged her son tightly. “Are you ok? Where’s your sister?”





“I’m fine Mom.” He said grimly.

Supergirl joined them. “I got her here as fast as I could. Illumina joined the medical team working on Didi, but I haven’t heard anything new. I stayed with her as long as they would let me.”





“You’re a good friend, Jenna.” Oliver smiled. The Queen’s all took a seat in the waiting area.





“I wish you’d let a doctor check you out.” Roy said to his daughter as they walked down the hall.





“Dad, I told you I’m fine. Never better. I was able to face the thing that scared me the most…..and I defeated it.” Lian smiled. Before her father could say a word, they saw Oliver, Dinah, and Robert. Lian ran to the man who was like a grandfather to her.

“Lian!” Oliver hugged her with one arm and extended his hand to shake hands with Roy. “Are you ok? We heard that Dr. Light’s grandchildren were there.”

“I am. I’m fine.” Lian smiled.

Dinah noticed the young woman seemed…..lighter, confident.

Sargona and Power Guy chatted beside a vending machine.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier.” She said.

“It’s ok. I know things got rough.”

“Listen, those people are dangerous. I lost a family that cared for me when I had amnesia…..they died because of their association with me. Now that we’re together…..I mean, what if we got married one day and had children….and some villain struck at them to get at us……I wouldn’t put that past any of the Brotherhood of Evil.”

Power Guy took her hands. “I told you I understand. You know I support you, no matter what. I don’t know what else could have been done. I’m actually glad you did this instead of the Titans of Authority killing the Brotherhood.”

Helena Wayne, now in costume, overheard their conversation. “Hmmmm. Vince is letting his feelings for Sargona cloud his judgement.” The daugher of Batman thought. She still did not agree with what Sargona had done due to Sargona’s mother mind-wiping Batman a few decades ago.

Jem and Superboy arrived, flanked by Tom Tressor and Lilith.

“Unc—I mean, Connor. You’re ok?” Supergirl asked.

“Yep. A quick trip to Paradise Island and I’m all set. How’s Sonic Boom?”

Black Orchid replied, “No one’s told us anything yet. And we can’t reach Green Lantern.”

“Maybe I can try.” Lilith said. “We were connected by the Phoenix and maybe that bond is still there.”





“Please try, Lilith. He needs to be here.” Dark Arrow urged.

Lilith went into a trance and was quiet for several minutes. Suddenly, Green Lantern burst through the doors. Lilith’s telepathic message had reached him and he raced back to earth as fast as he could, worried sick about his wife. “Where is she!? Where’s my wife?” He demanded.





“Wow. Good work Lilith!” Sargona smiled.

Just then, Illumina appeared. “Green Lantern, good-- you’re here. Oliver, Dinah, Rob….all of you come with me. Roy and Lian, you may come too.”

Didi’s family left with Illumina.

“Oh no….that can’t be good.” The Flash said.

“Oh Di Di…” Black Vulcan started.

“Hey everyone, don’t panic. Could be just patient confidentiality stuff.” Starman offered.

Illumina brought the family into a consultation room.

“What is it? How is she?” Green Lantern asked.

Illumina started, “I asked you all back here because I have bad news. Di Di was being electrocuted when Supergirl saved her. If not for Supergirl, she would have died. But…..”

Illumina took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say this, but to come right out and say it.”

“Illumina….please…..” Dinah pleaded.

“Di Di was pregnant but she probably wasn’t aware yet. The baby didn’t make it. She was only about 6 weeks along……”

Green Lantern’s head slumped. Dark Arrow put his hand on his shoulder.

“Di Di has nerve damage in her legs as well as brain damage. I won’t know how severe until she wakes up. I’m truly sorry.”

Dinah sobbed as Ollie held her close. She grabbed Rob’s hand.

“I can’t believe this….why…why did I leave her…..” Green Lantern choked.

“It’s not your fault. It was the Brotherhood.” Lian said.

“What about the Amazons’ healing ray?” Oliver offered.

“As much as they like to boast about the healing ray, it is limited and is best suited for exterior and bone injuries, not nerve or brain damage like Di Di has. . She’s in the best possible place she could be right now. I would recommend you all go home, get some rest. Di Di’s going to need you more than ever.”

“This can’t be happening….after what that clone did to her…now this….there was a baby…” Green Lantern’s eyes filled with tears.

Roy went to the waiting room to explain what had happened.

“Now, do you see why I did it!?” Sargona snapped at the Huntress. “Those monsters have nearly killed our friend and succeeded in killing her baby! And don’t you stand there staring at me with that expressionless face!”

The Huntress had been taught to keep her emotions in check, but she had heard enough. “Shut up! Just shut up! Di Di is my friend and it rips my heart out to hear what’s happened to her and her baby!”

Everyone was stunned at the usually reserved Huntress’s outburst.

“I think we all need to decompress and take this all in.” Starman said as they group headed towards the exit.

“I’ll keep you all updated.” Roy said. Lilith hugged her former teammate.

***

The next day, Lian was back in her tea shop. Despite what happened to Di Di Jordan, she felt hopeful about the future. The shop was busy and filled to capacity.

Roy Harper, Lilith Clay, and Mal Duncan all sat at a nearby table.

“Look at her. Like nothing ever happened.” Roy smiled.

“She faced her fears and overcame them. I detect the most serene bliss emanating from her.” Lilith replied.

“Man, that kid’s been through hell. She’s tough. She must get that from her mother!” Mal laughed.





Roy rolled his eyes as the three former teammates continued their conversation.

Just then there was a loud ruckus at the door. It was Betty Kane-Parker. She was dressed in a light blue dress and decked out in diamonds.

“Excuse me, excuse me.” she huffed making her way to the counter. “Young woman, over here.”





“Hello Mrs. Parker.” Lian smiled.





“Lian! I heard about your darling little shop. It’s so quaint. I need some of that rooibos tea my doctor was telling me about. Good for the skin’s elasticity. You know as a former Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe, I have to keep my skin in top shape. You do realize that I am the last American to win Miss Universe.”

“Yes, ma’am. I am well aware of that. Dad and some more of your friends are over there. Why don’t you join them and I’ll be right over with your tea.”

Betty saw her old teammates and let out a squeal. She quickly pulled up a chair and started talking.

At another table, Connor Trevor and Hank Hall Jr chatted, along with Connor’s girlfriend Katie. She had gotten up to browse the new scented candle section that Lian had installed.

“Sounds like you all went through some rough stuff.” Hank Jr said.

“Yeah, not looking so good for Sonic Boom. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have these powers and just be a normal guy. Trouble seems to follow us.”

“I hear ya. I used to be upset I didn’t inherit my parents’ powers, but I think I’m better off just being plain old Hank. Of course, there’s nothing plain about me, hahahaha!”

“There’s nothing plain about either of you two knuckleheads.” Katie said, joining the boys at their table.

Max Bravo entered the shop. Lian waved at him as she and her staff waited on customers. After things died down a bit, he sat at the bar and chatted with her.

“You sure you should be here today? Shouldn’t you be home resting?” Max asked, his dark eyes full of concern.

“Max, there is no place I’d rather be right now. Here at my store with you. I’m free of the past and ready for the future. A future I want you in.” she smiled.

“I’m here for the long haul.” Max replied.

Lian noticed her father watching them intently. He winked at her and she winked back.

For the first time in many months, Roy Harper felt a bit of the worry he carried for his daughter leave.

***

IADC Headquarters…

“We’ll get out of here and when we do…” Paranoia snapped.





“Don’t make me get a muzzle.” Tom Tressor sighed.

“You can’t hold me. I’m a citizen of Portugal.” The Heretic sneered.





“Yeah? Well, they denied your request to be returned home. Said we could try you first and then extradite you for your crimes there. Though I doubt you'll ever leave American soil.”

“I don’t need my fetishes to work you over! I still have knowledge of the dark arts!” the Witch Doctor screamed.

“Mouthy bunch aren’t they?” Mindy Trevor said, as she and Tom supervised the transfer of the criminals to their holding cells. “And they don’t remember any of the Titans’ secrets?”





“Not one.” Tom smiled.

Night Terror paced in his cell. He was furious. “From one hell to another.” He thought. He wondered how his sister was faring and couldn’t shake the feeling he was forgetting something. Sort of like the feeling one might get when they couldn’t recall turning off the oven.





“What is it….it’s on the tip of my tongue.” Night Terror thought as he paced.

“Well, I have all the time in the world to try to remember.” He thought as a twisted smile crossed his face.


THE END!