Titans of Justice Unlimited #112 - “Speed Thief”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited, & Maxi-micros by: Power Guy


“I know what you mean. It’s weird being a teen-ager when you should be much older…..and all your friends have moved on.” Hot Flash said to Superboy. “….and I can’t even buy wine anymore.”





“Yeah, I really struggled with it. But, I was lucky. Jerrica and Scott have given me a great life. I think at first I wanted nothing to do with Superman and my past…really wanted to establish myself.”





“I would think you’d change your name to Wonder Boy.” Hot Flash laughed. “You’ve certainly got the legs for short pants!”

“Hahahaha! Come on! Would you take ‘Wonder Boy’ seriously? It’s worked out really well. I was talking to Donna Troy about it and she and I have that in common….part of two worlds, equally welcome in both. I’m most definitely part of the Wonder Family, but I’m also mindful—and thankful for my past with Superman.”

Just then Jake the Power Pup landed next to the two young heroes.





“Well, hello there Jake. Did you come to join our race?” Hot Flash asked.

Jake barked in agreement. Hot Flash and Superboy were part of a fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The two of them agreed to a race to determine who was the fastest in an effort to raise awareness and money for research. Thousands had gathered in Smallville, where the race would start and finish, eager to watch and cheer. People in the crowd sported t-shirts with both the “S” symbol as well as the Flash symbol.

“You know, Jake, the last time I did this I was racing Kid Flash…and Krypto ended up winning.” Superboy said, petting Jake’s head.

Clark and Lois Kent watched from the crowd.

“I’m really proud of Connor. All he’s been through and he’s adjusted so well.” Lois smiled.





“Yeah, and I never thought he’d agree to come and stay at the farm for a visit. It’s been a nice week.” Clark smiled.





Scott Trevor was hosting the televised event and Jerrica Benton-Trevor would be performing as Jem later that evening.

The race was ready to start.

“When I fire this starter’s pistol, Hot Flash and Superboy will race around the globe---“ The semi-retired Wonder Man announced.





“ARF! ARF!!!” Jake barked.

“Oh, and I guess Power Pup is in the race too.” Scott Trevor continued. “First one back is the winner! Thanks for all your donations to fight this terrible disease and thanks to Hot Flash and Superboy for donating their time for this race!” Scott then fired the pistol and the three competitors were off.

***

Washington D.C....

Green Lantern, The Flash, and Corporal Marvel were at the Pentagon assisting with the disposal of a batch of nuclear warheads that were defective. President Angel O’Day had asked them to watch over the transport in case any villains showed up and tried to steal the missiles. She believed in taking precautions and was determined to keep the United States safe.

“We’ve hit some snags lately. Not sure why. Ever since the Celsius debacle our home defense program has had so many problems. When he was passing as the president, he had access to all our top secrets and it appears he was planning some type of nuclear strike. Little did he know, his lack of experience with our codes and systems rendered these missiles defective. The guidance systems don’t function properly.”





“We’ll make sure nothing happens to them.” Apotheosis added, joining the group.





“We didn’t realize this would be a Titans of Authority function.” Green Lantern said.

“I asked Apotheosis here to represent the Titans of Authority to be fair to both groups.” Angel O’Day smiled, giving the assembled a heroes a look that said ‘be nice’.

The Flash watched, taking this all in. Despite the strides the two teams had made to get along, there was still a bit of tension between the Titans of Justice and the Titans of Authority. As much as he loved being the Flash, his mind wandered to his girlfriend, Sandy and wishing he was spending the day with her rather than overseeing a boring government mission. He also was on a deadline to finish his latest mystery novel and the ideas for the ending kept racing into his head.

Soon, a military transport was on its way, carrying the defective missiles to a location where they would be destroyed. Green Lantern and Corporal Marvel flew above, with the Flash running alongside. Apotheosis rode in the lead transport truck.

The trucks came to a screeching halt when 2 figures appeared in the road. Apotheosis uttered, “Sultana….Sir Simian Sinister….this can’t be good.”

“How nice of you to bring these toys to us!” Sultana laughed, her yellow ring pulsating.





“Yes, all it took was a little mental persuading for you to take this route and deliver the goods to us!” Sir Simian Sinister growled, his golden fangs flashing.





“I don’t know what you losers are doing here, but you won’t be taking anything from these trucks!” Corporal Marvel said, swinging his hammer. He tossed it towards Sultana, who blocked it with her ring.





“You see, we want these missiles! We know all about Celsius betraying you and some of the things he did! I have my own snooping devices much like the government!” Sir Simian Sinister laughed, dodging a blow from Green Lantern’s ring.

“We knew it wouldn’t be long before the Legion of Doom struck again,” The Flash commented, racing towards his gorilla adversary.





“You’ll never truly defeat us nor will you stop our plans for today!” Sir Simian Sinister growled, stopping the Flash with a psionic attack.

Corporal Marvel noticed Sultana using some sort of device.

“Guys! The warheads…they’re activating!” he said, panicked.

Within seconds, the nuclear missiles were all pulsing with energy and Sultana used her ring to release them from the trucks, her evil laugh booming.

“What are you doing? Millions of innocent people will be killed!” Apotheosis screamed as he absorbed some of Sir Simian Sinister’s powers and released them against the golden fanged beast, dropping him to his knees.

“You think we give a d@mn?” Sultana sneered. “We’re bored! And besides, while you all deal with the fallout of wherever these missiles are heading, we can sit back and watch! The devastation will be beautiful! Then once you’re dead, we can ransack the planet!”

Green Lantern blasted away at Sultana , but she met him blow for blow.

“Everyone….the missiles!” Corporal Marvel screamed as one by one they took off into the air. Being defective, their path was shaky and not certain. “Forget those two, we have to stop those missiles!” he cried, flying off after one of the missiles. He quickly landed on the projectile, ripping away a console. He reached in and saw a maze of wires. “Which one do I pull? How do I stop this thing!?”

Green Lantern said, “He’s right! We have to stop those missiles.” He glared at Sultana and Sir Simian Sinister as they retreated into the woods.

Apotheosis helped get the military escorts out of the area. Green Lantern used his ring to stop several of the missiles at once as the Flash took off across a lake, running out to the ocean as a missile darted to and fro.

Corporal Marvel was in a bit of a panic, not sure of which wire to yank apart first. He soon called upon the wisdom of Solomon to assist him.

Soon, Corporal Marvel had removed the correct wire and he smashed the bomb, harmlessly with his enchanted golden hammer.

Apotheosis, after getting the military members safely out of the area, took off into the woods to see if he could find Sultana and Sir Simian Sinister.

“They both deserve to die after what they just did.” He said, fists clenched. “I could kill them both….say they attacked me first…” he thought, his eyes racing. He continued searching, but came up with nothing. Almost as if they duo had vanished into thin air. By now, Green Lantern and Corporal Marvel had safely destroyed the missiles, diverting a national disaster.

“Good work, Corporal. Flash hasn’t come back, has he?”

“No, last I saw of him he was chasing one of the bombs towards the ocean.”

Apotheosis rejoined the group. “Unfortunately, Sultana and her pet monkey got away.”

“I knew those two were pure evil….but this….this is unspeakable, even for them.” Green Lantern said, thankful the nuclear holocaust had been avoided.

Streaking across the Atlantic Ocean, the Flash kept pace with the warhead. He began spinning his arms, creating a vortex to send the bomb into outer space where it could detonate harmlessly. He arms spun as he legs moved at lightning speed. Just then something odd happened.

“What--?” The Flash gasped as he felt himself sinking. “What’s happening to me??” he said aloud as he dropped into the ocean. His arms stopped spinning and he suddenly felt….empty. He struggled to swim as he was beaten by wave after wave. He saw the nuclear bomb suddenly change its path and head straight towards him. His eyes widened as the bomb was mere yards from his face.

“My speed---it’s gone---“ he thought as a giant wave overcame him.

***

Back in Smallville, Power Pup, Hot Flash, and Superboy all headed towards the finish line. People cheered and clapped.

“Scott Trevor live from Smallville for E!News. Looks like our race is neck and neck…and neck! Could we have a three way tie?”

“Last one across the line has to hang out with Jo Jo Gardner for the day!” Hot Flash laughed.

“Ugh—no way!” Superboy said, pouring on some speed. “I’d rather kiss Aunt Minerva!” he laughed.

Hot Flash giggled at the joke as Power Pup took the lead, turning to bark playfully at them.

“When I win, I’ll give you one of my fitness posters as a consolation prize.” Superboy said.

“Oh, thank you!” Hot Flash said in a mocking voice. “Does it come with a barf-bag?”

Scott Trevor looked across the finish line. “Looks like Superboy is losing his home court advantage, Hot Flash has taken the lead!”

“Eat my dust, pretty boy!” Hot Flash said, blowing Superboy a kiss. Just then, she tripped and rolled across the ground.

Superboy stopped and rushed to her side. “You ok? What happened?”

“Whoa! Man down, er…woman, down!” Scott Trevor said into his microphone.

Power Pup raced across the finish line, winning the race. Cameras flashed and the crowd cheered.

“Looks like a last minute fall derailed the race for Hot Flash and Superboy! Power Pup is the winner!!” Scott Trevor smiled into the E!News camera.

“Wilma…what’s wrong? Talk to me!” Superboy said, helping the stunned woman to her feet.

She had a blank expression on her face. “Connor….the Speed Force…it..it’s gone….”


TO BE CONTINUED!