Titans of Justice Unlimited #109 - “Poisoned”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited, & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy

A dark, abandoned mansion…….the outskirts of a suburb of Gateway City…

Passersby would assume this old house should have been condemned and toppled years ago, but residents of the town always noticed it just seemed to…be there. Curious children often worked up enough nerve to investigate but reported being frightened away. They should be thankful.

Deep beneath the house was a pristine lab with clean, sterile instruments. A figure furiously reviewed notes and reports as her subject convulsed and gagged.

“Subject has received the maximum dosage. Gene therapy a failure. Subject rejecting chromosomes, potassium and protein levels below normal.” Dr. Poison said aloud, saliva dripping from her smiling grimace. Her victim died slowly….painfully while she watched, disappointed in her failed experiment. After taking some tissue samples, she removed his body and took it to the incinerator, destroying the evidence of her crimes as she always did. If only the police were aware of this lab, almost all of the town’s missing persons cases would be solved.





“Another failure.” Dr. Poison hissed as saline was sprayed across her non-blinking eyes. She sat at a table and began shifting through head-shots of Wonder Woman, Donna Troy, Wonder Man, and Champion.

“Hmmmmm. One of them could certainly withstand the rigors of the poison.” She thought. Dr. Poison then started researching the Wonder Family. “Wonder Man, retired. Wonder Woman seen infrequently. Donna Troy…inactive except when needed. Ah! Champion…she’s the most active. She will be a fine specimen and her pain will be payment for the mistreatment my grandmother suffered.”

Dr. Poison picked up a framed portrait of her grandmother, the original Dr. Poison - the Japanese saboteur from World War II. If her mouth was able to frown, it surely would have turned down, but her mouth was pulled back and held in a permanent leering grin. This Dr. Poison had achieved more than her grandmother. Her very skin was capable of emitting poison and despite being in her 50s, she looked more like she was in her 20s due to experimenting on herself. She was immune to the very poisons she used in her experiments and after a period of kidnapping private citizens, Champion was her number one target.

***

Miles away, Mindy Trevor had dinner with her brother. After some very upsetting times, the siblings were able to enjoy each other’s company.

“Have you talked to Mom lately? She and Dad still ok about you and Tom?” Scott asked.





“Well….at least they’re being civil about the whole thing. What about you….are you really ok with this?” Mindy asked her brother as she sipped her pomegranate margarita.





“I am. I thought about it…..remembered lessons Grandmother taught me. If Tom makes you happy…I’m happy. Although it complicates the family tree.” The handsome model smiled.

“You know, I resisted everything about man’s world. Hated it even. But now…well, now I feel like I missed out on so much. Don’t get me wrong, I still embrace our Amazon ways but I can see why you and Mother are so drawn to man’s world. I’m even excited about Christmas!”

“Ah, our first Christmas as one big, happy family.” Scott sighed. “It’s going to be odd explaining all this to Stephen as he gets older. I can hear it now, ‘Why do I have 2 grandfathers?’”

“I for one can’t wait. Mother, Aunt Donna, Dad, Tom, you and Jerrica, Connor, and Stephen!”

“Ha, last time we were all together, it didn’t go so well!” Scott said, reminding his sister about her being caught in a compromising situation with Tom.

The siblings continued their meal, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

Nearby, the man known as Jack Lansing III walked down the sidewalk to his new apartment. After a period of inactivity, he was thinking about contacting the Titans of Justice and maybe seeing if they could use the services of Diamond Jack. He had just moved to Gateway City and was missing his former home of Fawcett City so he was ready for a diversion. As he neared his building he thought he saw something moving in the alley….something that didn’t quite belong.

His ring started to glow and Jack Lansing III transformed into the tuxedo-clad crime fighter, Diamond Jack.

“You there! What are you doing…..?” Diamond Jack gasped, taken aback and the frightening woman in front of him. She held a dead cat in her hand and a scalpel in the other.





“I must admit, you caught me in a most inconvenient moment. Catgut is so hard to come by, and I, a skilled doctor, must resort to combing the streets for ingredients in my experiments.” Dr. Poison’s bulging eyes and teeth stood out in the darkness.

“I’m sure the ASPCA wouldn’t approve!” Diamond Jack replied, aiming his ring at Dr. Poison. He created a giant baseball bat that struck Dr. Poison, knocking her over. He walked over to the unmoving woman, her eyes still open. “I read old case files about her, but she’s even more disturbing in person. Better call the authorities to come pick her up.”

“Yes, why don’t you do that.” She growled, lunging at him. Before Diamond Jack could dodge her attack, Dr. Poison clamped her teeth down on his shoulder, biting through his suit.

Startled, he used his ring to send a blast at her, knocking her down but taking a chunk of his shoulder with her, his flesh hanging from her mouth in a bloody mangled mess. He swore he saw her swallow his skin as his vision blurred.

“What…what did you do….?” He stammered, holding on to the alley wall.

“My little love bite? I have a wonderful poison that I passed from me to you via a bite. It’s already working on you. Do you feel your skin burning and your head spinning?”

Diamond Jack noticed her seem to start speaking into a recorder as he vomited.

“By luck, I encountered a subject. Subject has been infected with poison AX45IT. Poison is progressing as expected. Subject is losing motor function, dehydration is setting in, vomiting…body is trying to expunge the poison but failing.”

Diamond Jack stumbled as he looked at his shoulder. It was spewing a greenish bile mixed with blood. The very veins in his body popped against his flesh as he vomited again and again. He tried to raise his ring…tried to think….his mind was on fire. Within seconds he collapsed into a line of trashcans, Dr. Poison standing over him.

***
The next day at the Hall of Justice…

The Flash was on monitor duty. He quickly scanned all the screens and was relieved that so far the night had been quiet. Corporal Marvel joined him. The two of them made small talk as Tawky Tawny slept beside Corporal Marvel’s chair.

“How’s Conjura fitting in with the Super Friends?” the Flash asked.





“With some help from Sherry, she’s beginning to really find her place. I think she has a crush on Bulletboy.”





“Ha, I noticed she was flirty.” The Flash laughed. “Even caused some tension between the Huntress and Sargona.”

“Yeah, well you know Sargona. She doesn’t take anyone’s guff and encouraged Conjura to do the same. The Huntress is not on board with that.” Corporal Marvel replied, petting Tawky Tawny’s head. The battle cat purred in response.





“I’m sure it’ll all be ok.” The Flash said. Suddenly the trouble alert went off. There was a disturbance in Gateway City. A police officer reported that a medical supply warehouse had been broken into and several of the police who reported to investigate where overcome by some mysterious illness. The Flash quickly sent out a summons.

“Green Lantern reporting in. I’ve got trouble of my own in Coast City….a prison riot started by the Crumbler. Can’t make it in. Sorry!”





Next came Sargona’s voice. “I’m deep in the middle of a spell gone wrong! I’ve got to get these gremlins back to their dimension!”





Power Guy chimed in, “I’m on my way back from a mission for NASA. I’ll try to get there as quick as I can.”





Starman also replied, “I just put the Shade back behind bars. On my way!”





Champion’s face appeared on the monitor screen. “I’m already in the Invisble Jet. I can be there in less than 5 minutes.”

The Flash entered into the logs that Champion would investigate as all the other Titans were either on a mission or tied up with solo adventures.

In Gateway City, Champion landed behind the police cars that had arrived. She noticed several ambulances attending to ill police officers.

“What’s going on?” she asked one of the officers.

“Some whacko’s in there, evidently with some sort of a biological weapon. I’ve got men down with some strange illness.”

“Do not worry. I will make quick work of this ‘whacko’!” Champion smiled, brandishing her lasso. She ran passed the police cars and EMT workers into the medical warehouse. She cautiously looked around.

SWISH!!!! A scalpel came whizzing towards her. Champion deflected it with her bracelet as she heard a scurrying noise.

“You might as well come out and give up.” She shouted, looking around.

BOOM!!! Several crates dropped beside Champion. She leapt out of the way. “Give up and I promise things will go easier on you. You’re already in big trouble with whatever biological weapon you have that sickened the police. Terrorists are not dealt with lightly. You can’t hurt me. Come out and I promise you a fair trial.”

“Really?” Dr. Poison popped out of nowhere, much like a cobra striking at prey.

Champion was stunned to see someone who had caused her family so much trouble over the years.

Her caution turned to anger as Dr. Poison grinned at her menacingly. Champion swung at her and Dr. Poison dodged her blow.

“Her agility has been enhanced. No telling what kind of substance she’s on….” Champion thought.

“Aren’t you a pretty one. So much like your grandmother!” Dr. Poison’s laugh echoed through the warehouse. “How I wish my own grandmother was alive to see what I’m going to do with you!”

“And I wish my grandmother was here to see you hauled away to prison!” Champion replied, looking around as Dr. Poison retreated into the darkness. Champion chased after her, becoming uneasy. “Got to keep my wits about me…she’s no joke.”

Suddenly Dr. Poison jumped from the shadows and attacked Champion. The startled Amazon held her breath, not knowing if there was some toxin in the air.

“I know you can hold your breath for hours if needed. I know all about your Amazon training and those kinky binding games your strange sisters play!” Dr. Poison mocked.

Dr. Poison was on Champion’s back, fists punching.

“She’s completely unhinged…..can’t shake her…her strength….” Champion thought as she grabbed Dr. Poison’s arms, flipping her over her head. Dr. Poison landed on her feet.

“Come closer my pretty….let me give you a kiss!” Dr. Poison’s bloodshot eyes bulged.

“You’re not my type!” Champion shot back, jumping over pallets to reach the doctor.

WHAM!!!! Champion landed a punch, sending Dr. Poison crashing into a rack of medical supplies.

Dr. Poison scurried to her feet…..”Come closer….closer…” she thought.

Champion charged at her again, hitting her full force. Both women went crashing through several racks of supplies, metal clanging on the ground. Satisfied Dr. Poison was defeated, Champion reached for her lasso to bind the mad villainess.

“You turn your head from your opponent? Hippolyta and your mother would not be pleased!” Dr. Poison cackled as she clamped down on Champions calf, blood spurting.

“AAAGHHH!!!” Champion screamed, feeling a pain she had never experienced. She reached down, grabbing Dr. Poison by her collar.

“What did you do!? Tell me!!” Champion demanded.

“I just sealed your fate, cretin! Don’t you feel it…the world spinning…you probably see two, maybe three of me by now…..” Dr. Poison’s voice echoed in Champion’s skull.

The Amazon princess stumbled, trying to steady herself. Her vision blurred, sweat poured off her, and she couldn’t speak. She clumsily swung at Dr. Poison who simply stepped back.

“I….I…wwilllll sttopppp you…..” Champion said, fighting off nausea, getting in Dr. Poison’s face.

Dr. Poison popped one of her own teeth out and expelled a green gas from her gums.

“There, that should stop you in your tracks. My bite isn’t quite strong enough to put you under, but this chemical in my gums was developed by grandmother and the Nazis. In your weakened state, it should do the trick.”

Champion fought with all her might to stand erect. Within seconds her body betrayed her and she passed out.

“Hmph. That was harder than I thought.” Dr. Poison smirked as she dragged Champion's body away.

Later, Power Guy and Starman arrived and asked the police what had happened.

“Champion took off into that place about 40 minutes ago, but never came out. We’re sending in the hazmat team since we suspect biological weapons, but now that you’re here….” A police officer started.

“We can take it from here.” Starman smiled. “My cosmic rod will protect me from any toxins we might encounter.

“And I can withstand anything short of Kryptonite.” Power Guy added.

Both men entered the warehouse. They noticed the inside was in shambles and disarray.

“Yeah, looks like Champion was here…and put up quite a fight.” Starman said.

“Over there…..blood.” Power Guy said, growing worried about his friend.

“Cosmic rod detects no pathogens in the air. The police can come in…but where’s Champion?”

“Whoever was in here must’ve overpowered her. And if that could happen to Champion, we’re in big trouble.”

***

Champion struggled to open her eyes. She had not felt this sick since she first drank beer in man’s world. She started to rise, but noticed she was strapped to a table….and bound by her own lasso. After her eyes focused she saw the walls were lined with photos of Nazi experiments and medical atrocities.

“Where…where am I….” she said, trying to not throw up. Her body was wracked with pain and fever. She looked to her left and someone she thought she recognized was bound in some sort of contraption. Tubes were inserted all over his body and his head was slumped. Blood trickled into a line that fed into another machine.

“Ah, you’re awake. Sorry I don’t have any get well cards or flowers for you.” Dr. Poison whispered into her ear. “Shhhhh, shhhhhh….don’t try to talk, you’ll only make it worse.” Her heavy footsteps thundered into Champion’s already throbbing brain.

“You see, I’ve waited for this day so long. Revenge is a sweet poison and watching you kill your friends and family will bring joy to my heart. My grandmother was wronged all those years ago by your grandmother. I am going to make you and your former associate over there my greatest achievements. You, my dear Amazon, are the only one strong enough to handle my newest concoction. It will turn you into a mindless brute, hell-bent on destruction, murder…..all sorts of agony. You may know your friends and family at first, but as you descend further into the grasp of my poison, they will become nothing to you….it will be a symphony of chaos. I understand there’s a baby nephew. Pity he won’t live to become a man.”

“N…never…..I would never h..hurt…my f..f..family…” Champion gasped.

“Yes, you will my dear. I can promise you that.” Dr. Poison said as she began inserting needles into Champion’s body. “And I can assure you this, what’s about to happen to you will hurt.”

Champion flinched with each incision and as each tube attached to her veins. Once Dr. Poison was finished, she walked over the man.

“Diamond Jack…..an extra specimen. You see, this ring of his protects him. I ran a scan of sorts and this ring will ensure his survival, although it won’t protect him from my poison…the two of you will create a masterpiece of mayhem.” Dr. Poison said as she sat at a control panel. Champion noticed a bright orange liquid begin to enter the tubes and soon a painful darkness overcame her.

***
Back at the Hall of Justice, the Flash was coordinating a search party for Champion. So far, no clues had turned up as to Champion’s whereabouts. Scott Trevor walked in.

“Scott, please tell me you know where Mindy is.” The Flash said.

“What? What’s happened? I just had dinner with her last night!” Scott said.

The Flash filled him in about the incident at the medical warehouse and noticed Scott begin to Wonder-spin. Seconds later, he had transformed into Wonder Man.

“Let me call Jerrica and tell her I’ll be late getting home.” Wonder Man said.

“What brought you here in the first place?” Flash asked.

“My sister told me she was to relieve you for monitor duty and she left her phone at the restaurant last night. I was bringing it to her here. Hera, she better be alright.”

Flash was touched at Wonder Man’s concern for his sister. The siblings had a rocky relationship growing up and the Flash had heard that the family had not reacted well when it was revealed Champion was dating Nemesis.

Soon, Wonder Man had taken to the air. He contacted Lilith, whom he trusted with his life, to see if she could pinpoint his sister.

“I keep getting an image of a house, Scott. Old, abandoned. She’s there with someone else…connected to the Titans…not sure who….”





“That gives me a start. Where’s Connor?”

“He’s out with Donna searching.”

“I could really use his x-ray vision. See if you can get them to meet up with me.”

“Will do…and Scott…be careful.” The woman who was like an aunt said to him.

Wonder Man landed and looked around. He was grateful that the other Titans were on the case. He looked into the night sky and recalled something his grandmother had told him about the Amazon Mental Radio technology. Champion’s was installed in her tiara. Scott wore a much smaller decide under his hair so it was never noticeable. By concentrating, he could use this device as sort of a homing beacon for his sister.

“Hope you were right Grandmother.” Scott said as he tried to clear his mind and think of his sister. Moments passed and his eyes popped open. “Gateway City…she’s still there…”

Wonder Man reported in to the Flash and the Flash in turn alerted the other Titans, both Justice and Authority. Wonder Man flew directly to the old abandoned house that Lilith had described. He entered and looked around.

“Straight out of Psycho.” He thought. The floor creaked with each step he took and he called out, “Mindy? Mindy are you here?”

He heard something like a child’s muffled laughter. Wonder Man ran up the stairs where he heard the noises. He threw a door open into a bedroom, the moon shining into the room. Wonder Man noticed the room had peeling wall paper and a wrought iron bed. Gauzy, torn curtains blew as a gentle breeze entered the room through a broken window. The figure was huddled in a corner, shaking.

“Great Hera….” Wonder Man gasped, not knowing what was going on. “Please, let me get you some help…” he reached out to the figure, who quickly spun around.

“Mindy!” Wonder Man said, stunned. His sister was like a grotesque caricature of herself. Hair all matted and wild. Her skin a jaundiced yellow. Her veins pulsed blue and a foul odor poured from her skin. Green bile ran from her ears, nose, and mouth.

Her mouth opened, exposing crooked fanged teeth. Her throat growled as she said, “What’s the matter, brother? Come give your baby sister a hug!” With that, she bared clawed hands and lunged at her brother.


TO BE CONTINUED!