Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 4:31:14 GMT -5
The Titans of Justice Chapter 6 - "Loose Ends"
Written by: Power Guy
Co-conspirator: Scotty2Hotty
Editor: Marcus Mebes
St. Roch, Louisiana…….
The Batmobile streaked across the city skyline. Nightvision had ventured to the city in search of the deadly Dr. Phosphorus. “I know he’s here somewhere,” he mused. “I’ll have to keep driving around until this radiation-detector picks up his trail.” He landed the vehicle inconspicuously and blended quickly into the late afternoon traffic.
Unfortunately for Nightvision, it wasn’t just traffic. He happened to arrive in the middle of rush-hour traffic. “Rats! A traffic jam!” he muttered as the Batmobile came to screeching halt. “This is going to take a little longer than I thought. I’d better call in some assistance.”
Nightvision proceeded to take his Titans of Justice communicator out of his utility-belt. He held the microphone to his mouth and engaged the transmission. “Strato Hawk,” he spoke, “come in.”
About thirty seconds passed before he received an answer. “This is Strato Hawk. What’s up buddy?”
“We’ve got a situation,” began Nightvision. “I’m here in St. Roch…”
“You’re here?” interrupted Strato Hawk.
“Yes and so is Dr. Phosphorus.”
“Dr. Phosphorus? What is he doing here in St. Roch?” Strato Hawk’s voice crackled over the receiver.
“I haven’t quite figured that out yet. My informants have told me that he entered the city about six hours ago,” confirmed Nightvision. “The problem is: I’m stuck in a traffic-jam on the Interstate, and I can’t switch to hover mode or flight without causing a huge wreck. Can you come pick me up?”
“Are you serious?” asked Strato Hawk.
“As a train wreck,” stated Nightvision. He switched back to his prey. “Dr. Phosphorus is like a walking mini-reactor. His touch can burn through metal and the vapors that he gives off can put an elephant to sleep.”
“I just got out of the shower. Let me suit up,” said Strato Hawk. “Keep heading east, and take the Canal Street exit once you get to it. I’ll track you with my communicator and pick you up in fifteen minutes. There’s a department store on the corner you can park at.”
Nightvision followed Strato Hawk’s instructions, and soon had the Batmobile parked, much to the curiosity of several shoppers. He made sure to activate the car’s security system, not trusting many of the leering stares the vehicle got.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Dr. Phosphorus had made his way to the St. Roch City Museum. “This is it!” he gloated to himself. “This is the museum where Hawkman’s weapons are on display.” He stepped out of hiding and joined the people milling about outside of the alley in which he had been hiding. “Surely if I trash the place, Hawkman will come running!”
Dr. Phosphorus made his way up the museum steps, removing the overcoat and hat as he walked. Visitors exiting the museum screamed in terror as the sight of the glowing man. Dr. Phosphorus made eye contact with an elderly man who stood his ground and said, “This is what I could do to your skin!” He grabbed the metal railing and dissolved it to ash. The old man’s eyes doubled in size. He hobbled along as fast as he could to get away from radiating villain.
“Ha ha ha ha! They run like scared children!” snickered Dr. Phosphorus as he entered the museum.
Security guards confronted Dr. Phosphorus almost immediately. “Stop or we’ll shoot!” one of them yelled.
“Be my guest,” responded Phosphorus as he turned up the intensity of his irradiated fire.
The two guards fired upon Phosphorus but their quest to stop him led to no avail as the bullets melted before they could make contact with Phosphorus’s body.
“Mind if I return the favor?” asked Dr. Phosphorus as he slammed his hands together, which in turn caused a stream of white-hot fire to shoot out, burning both of the guards to dust where they stood.
A few rooms away, Carter Hall was cataloging a new shipment of artifats as museum curator when he heard the commotion coming from down the hall. He quickly raced out and saw Dr. Phosphorus making his way to the Egyptian display. “What’s Dr. Phosphorus doing here?” thought the curator incredulously. “I’d better change into Hawkman and put a quick stop to this.” Carter quickly raced to his private office where he kept a spare Hawkman uniform and Nth metal mace.
A few moments later, the aerial avenger had taken to the air in pursuit of Dr. Phosphorus. Spotting his prey (who had his back turned towards him), Hawkman dove into Phosphorus, striking him in the head with his mace.
“Arghhh!” cried Phosphorus as he fell to the ground on his hands and knees. He looked up and saw his assailant.
“Stand down or I swear I’ll crack your skull open like an egg!” barked Hawkman.
Collecting himself, Phosphorus’s mind raced. “I think I’m going to be ill…” he said as he raised his head towards Hawkman. He opened his mouth, spewing a burning blast of irradiated fire at him.
“Ahhh!!!!” screamed Hawkman. The fire quickly scorched Hawkman’s chest and burned away his wing-harness, causing his wings to fall to the floor. As the shock of intense pain shot through his body, he dropped his mace.
Dr. Phosphorus quickly grabbed the weapon and struck Hawkman in the head with it.
“Ugh...” grunted Hawkman as the metal made contact with his cranium.
“You won’t be busting heads with this anytime soon,” gloated Dr. Phosphorus as he hefted the weapon in both hands.
“I don’t need my mace to fight!” countered the bloodied Hawkman as his right-hook connected with Dr. Phosphorus’s jaw. Seeing Phosphorus was knocked off balance, Hawkman continued punching him in the face repeatedly in spite of the fact that the skin on his knuckles was scorched to the point of blistering. Hawkman suddenly started to feel light-headed. Thinking it was from the over-exertion, he tried to shake it off but soon found it difficult to even lift his arms.
“What’s wrong hero?” asked Dr. Phosphorus. “Feeling a bit tired?”
“What have you done to me?” demanded Hawkman.
“I could have burned your hand off each time you punched me,” spoke the villain as he wiped blood from his mouth and nose. “Over the last few minutes my body has been emitting a toxic vapor much like carbon monoxide. The vapor is invisible and odorless but it’s sapping your strength. Soon you’ll pass out and I’ll be able to finish what I started twenty years ago during the great Crisis.” He turned to survey the room they stood in. He returned his glare to the fallen hero, and finished, “…which is making a name for myself by killing you!”
“You bast…” whispered Hawkman as he collapsed into unconsciousness.
Dr. Phosphorus stood over him with a grin on his face like a jack o’lantern. “Ha! The great Hawkman has fallen before me!” Looking down at Hawkman, he added, “Soon I will roast you alive… but not until the news media gets here. I want the whole world to see that it was not the Shadow Thief, not Gentleman Jim, and not Hummingbird who killed you. I, Dr. Phosphorus, am your final match!”
Dr. Phosphorus cooled his hands so that he could pick Hawkman up and carry him outside to the museum’s entry way. He walked outside and stood at the top of the steps, noticing that police cars surrounded the place with armed officers along with camera-men and reporters from several local TV stations.
The captain of the policed squad held a megaphone up to his mouth and shouted. “Put Hawkman down! Surrender immediately and there won’t be any trouble.”
“You fools think your puny guns can stop me?” inquired Dr. Phosphorus, laughing. “Your pathetic bullets will melt before they’re able to do me any harm. Now I suggest you all take witness of what I’m about to do!” Dr. Phosphorus lifted Hawkman’s unconscious body up into the air. Without warning, a round pellet dropped to the ground in front of him, releasing a cloud of dense, black smoke. Phosphorus started coughing and choking, so much that he dropped Hawkman. He began to run through the cloud of smoke, but just as he made his way into some clean air, a fist struck him in the face.
“It’s the end of the line Phosphorus!” shouted Nightvision.
“How did you find me whelp?” inquired Dr. Phosphorus, turning up his burning skin.
“My mother said to tell you hello,” responded Nightvision.
“Oracle, huh?” figured Dr. Phosphorus. “I should have killed her when she was still Batgirl.” Phosphorus quickly flared up his radioactivity to the point that he was melting the sidewalk as he walked on it. “I was all set to kill Hawkman… but you’re more than welcome to take his place at the front of the line!”
“Can I be first?” yelled Strato Hawk as he threw his Nth metal mace at Dr. Phosphorus, scoring a direct hit to his cranium.
“Well, you were able to draw first blood,” confirmed Dr. Phosphorus as he shook off the blow. He braced himself with his hands upon his knees, and did not fall. “How will you take me down now that you’ve lost your little toy?” Phosphorus demanded as he quickly grabbed Strato Hawk’s mace and threw it down a nearby open manhole.
“I’ve still got my fists you freak!” countered Strato Hawk as he landed on the ground and proceeded to punch Dr. Phosphorus.
Dr. Phosphorus quickly grabbed Strato Hawk’s fists and started burning them. Despite the many blows he had received at their hands, the villain was still standing.
“Argh!!” screamed Strato Hawk. He had never experienced a burn like the one Dr. Phosphorus was giving him. He was struggling to keep his composure when Nightvision reached into his utility-belt and threw his Bat-line around Phosphorus’ legs, yanking them out from under him.
The victory was short-lived as the heat from Dr. Phosphorus’ body quickly burned the rope to a crisp. Phosphorus quickly rose to his feet and charged towards Nightvision. The hero quickly turned and ran into the museum. Phosphorus was quick to follow him. The two raced through the entry-way and then proceeded to make their way through the various hallways and display-rooms. Finally, Nightvision ducked into a dark room hoping Phosphorus would follow. Phosphorus quickly took the bait, pursuing the caped crusader. Just then Phosphorus paused.
“I know you’re in here,” he shouted angrily, out of breath. “This room doesn’t have any other exits so you might as well accept your fate and let me incinerate you!!” Phosphorus made his way around the room searching for Nightvision. He knocked over various props and scenery in his quest. Then, he stopped for a second as his eye caught what appeared to be Nightvision’s yellow Bat-cape. “Aha! You’re dust!” he shouted as he dove towards the dark figure. He soon found himself diving through a mannequin that had been covered in Nightvision’s Bat-cape. Phosphorus struggled to get the cape off of him but only became more entangled in it. As he continued to struggle, Nightvision quickly threw another Bat-line around the covered Dr. Phosphorus ensuring he could not remove the cape.
“How does it fit?” asked Nightvision. “It’s both heat and radiation-proof, and that slime coating inside is what’s keeping it tangled around you. Not even you can burn your way out of it. Oh, and just to make sure you don’t cause any more trouble until we get you back to Arkham, here’s an extra little treat for you.” He took a capsule out of his utility-belt, spraying Dr. Phosphorus with sleep-gas. Phosphorus quickly dropped to the floor, out like a light.
Nightvision then picked the cape-covered Dr. Phosphorus up, threw him over his shoulder and walked out of the museum.
Both Hawkman and Strato Hawk had recovered during the climatic battle.
Nightvision greeted them, shifting the weight on his shoulder. “How are you guys feeling?”
“Groggy…” confirmed Hawkman, “but I’ll be fine. He really did a number on me with those vapors of his. Of course, it doesn’t help that I haven’t had a good fight in years.”
“You’re still in great shape,” assured Strato Hawk as he emerged from the man-hole with his mace. “He also pretty much took you by surprise from what you told me..”
“Yeah, don’t be too hard on yourself Hawkman,” agreed Nightvision. “The first time my mother took on Phosphorus, she needed Batman’s help to take him down. He’s no light-weight.”
“Still… I’m glad you guys stopped him before he lit me up like a Christmas tree,” said Hawkman.
Just then, the Batmobile pulled up. The avians did a double-take, noticing no driver.
“What the heck?” asked the shocked Strato Hawk. “Your car can drive itself?”
“It can, but only to home in on the signal this device gives off,” affirmed Nightvision as he lifted his hand showing both Strato Hawk and Hawkman a small remote control device that he used to summon the Batmobile. He walked over to the vehicle and popped open its trunk to place the wrapped-up Dr. Phosphorus inside.
“I’m not going to take the chance of him giving me any trouble on the way back to Gotham,” stated Nightvision as he walked to the front of his car and entered the vehicle.
“I’m going to get Hawkman home so he can rest while his Nth metal helps him heal from the burns he suffered from Phosphorus,” said Strato Hawk.
“Sounds good,” replied Nightvision. “I’ll see you at the next meeting,” he added as he fired up the Batmobile and drove off.
Meanwhile on Themyscira…
The invisible jet came in for a perfect landing. Several Amazons stared in curiosity at the jet as the sounds of the Bloodhound Gang’s latest single blared from the jet’s speakers. Wonder Man and Venus quickly emerged and headed towards the royal palace.
They soon found their way to Donna Troy’s chambers. “Aunt Donna! Aunt Donna! If you’re in there, open up!” yelled Wonder Man as he pounded on the door to Donna’s suites.
“What is it honey?” Donna said as she opened the door. She paused for a minute as she noticed Wonder Man’s chest covered in dried blood.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” stated Wonder Man, “but we’ve got trouble.”
“What happened? What’s going on?” asked Donna.
“First off, is my mother here?” inquired Wonder Man.
“No, she’s off at a United Nations function representing Themyscira,” averred Donna. “Who is this with you?” she asked.
“Oh, this is Venus. She’s a new…” he paused, searching for the right word. “Friend.”
“Nice to meet you Ms. Troy,” said Venus. “I’ve only known your nephew for a few hours but all he did was rave about you on the way here.”
Donna turned and looked at Wonder Man. “What am I going to do with you?” she laughed as she shook her head.
Wonder Man opened his mouth in an effort to answer but Donna placed her finger over his mouth and said, “No, no. Don’t bother answering that, just tell me what happened to you.”
“Well I was attacked by the Cheetah, only this time she was a guy!” said Wonder Man.
“A guy? But Sebastian is dead! Barbara Minerva killed him,” stated Donna.
“Well, Barbara is pushing up daisies herself right now!” Wonder Man retorted.
“What?? How??” inquired Donna.
“Well, I’m pretty sure this new male Cheetah killed her. I ran into him when the Hall of Justice received a call from the Gateway City police department about some trouble at Barbara’s house. When I got there, Barbara was dead along with two police officers. I had a little scrap with our new Cheetah.” He glanced down at the blood on his chest. “I take it you don’t know anything about him?”
“No, the only male Cheetah I know of is Sebastian Ballesteros… but like I said, he was killed by Barbara Minerva. Let me go pack my things. I’m going back to Man’s world with you in case this new Cheetah rears his head again.”
Venus just stood there looking at Donna Troy with a feeling of admiration. Due to Donna’s Amazonian heritage, she hadn’t aged much in the last 25 years. In fact, she still looked under 35. Venus thought to herself, “She is so beautiful and kind. No wonder Wonder Man thinks so much of her.”
“But Aunt Donna, I can take care of myself!” countered Wonder Man.
“I know you can honey,” she answered, smiling. She ducked back and invited them into her suites. “But I’m not taking any chances.” She winked at Venus, and added. “So, why did you come here then? Just to share something you could’ve told me over the phone? You know that I was never able to have any more children after Robert died. Even though you’re only my nephew, I would be shattered if anything ever happened to you. Don’t worry. I won’t be up in your business. I still have my penthouse in New York City and I’ll stay there until the Cheetah makes his move.”
“I guess I don’t really have a choice in the matter, do I?” said Wonder Man. He knew his aunt was onto his ploy. He was too macho to ask for help, and he knew she would insist upon aiding them.
“Not really,” said Donna. “We’re going to have to tell your mother about this and I think you would rather have me keeping tabs on you than her.”
“Oh big-time! She’s so over protective of me,” affirmed Wonder Man. “She’d insist on staying in my apartment until this new Cheetah was caught.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” said Donna as she went to pack her things.
Soon the three of them boarded the Invisible Jet and set course for the United States.
• • •
Epilogue:
Metropolis, U.S.A.
Celsius was going through the Hall of Justice’s data files. “Why can’t I find anything on this Venus?” he muttered, scanning the files and headings. “They have everyone in here, even Bozo the Android.”
Just then, the security alarms went off. “Not again!” sighed Celsius. “This is getting ridiculous.” He closed his eyes as he realized that there had not been a moment’s peace since their new group had formed. It was as if Fate had waited for them to join forces before it unleashed a flood of events upon them. “Who could be invading our turf this time?” He turned on the monitor screens and focused the outside cameras on his visitors. Celsius noticed that a small army from the Department of Metahuman Affairs surrounded the Hall. He raced outside to meet with them.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked upon emerging from the building. He knew enough about the bureau of Metahuman Affairs to know that tangling with them was like opening a can of worms.
One of the department agents stepped forward. “Cool your jets boy,” he spoke. “Our commanding officer will explain in a few moments.” He stood back and waited, apparently for the mysterious commanding officer.
Celsius just stood there with a grim look on his face awaiting answers. He soon became frustrated and pulled his Titans of Justice communicator out of his pocked and sent out a signal summoning all available members of his team.
About twenty minutes later, a shiny black limo pulled up just as Power Guy, Sargona, Junjie Quick, and Jemstone had also arrived on the scene. Celsius met up with his teammates.
“What’s going on?” asked Junjie.
“Good question,” answered Celsius. “They showed up here about a half hour ago, surrounded the place and said that their leader would be briefing us soon.”
Just then, a door on the limo popped open and out came short, heavy-set black woman. Her hair was wrapped in a bun. She was slightly hunched over and walked with a cane. She made her way up to the Titans of Justice.
“Hello punks,” she spat. “Amanda Waller – chief officer of the Department of Metahuman Affairs. I understand your girl Jemstone here murdered the villain known as the Toyman.” She pointed her wrinkled old finger at the nervous young woman, who gasped in astonishment. “We’re taking her into custody.”
Written by: Power Guy
Co-conspirator: Scotty2Hotty
Editor: Marcus Mebes
St. Roch, Louisiana…….
The Batmobile streaked across the city skyline. Nightvision had ventured to the city in search of the deadly Dr. Phosphorus. “I know he’s here somewhere,” he mused. “I’ll have to keep driving around until this radiation-detector picks up his trail.” He landed the vehicle inconspicuously and blended quickly into the late afternoon traffic.
Unfortunately for Nightvision, it wasn’t just traffic. He happened to arrive in the middle of rush-hour traffic. “Rats! A traffic jam!” he muttered as the Batmobile came to screeching halt. “This is going to take a little longer than I thought. I’d better call in some assistance.”
Nightvision proceeded to take his Titans of Justice communicator out of his utility-belt. He held the microphone to his mouth and engaged the transmission. “Strato Hawk,” he spoke, “come in.”
About thirty seconds passed before he received an answer. “This is Strato Hawk. What’s up buddy?”
“We’ve got a situation,” began Nightvision. “I’m here in St. Roch…”
“You’re here?” interrupted Strato Hawk.
“Yes and so is Dr. Phosphorus.”
“Dr. Phosphorus? What is he doing here in St. Roch?” Strato Hawk’s voice crackled over the receiver.
“I haven’t quite figured that out yet. My informants have told me that he entered the city about six hours ago,” confirmed Nightvision. “The problem is: I’m stuck in a traffic-jam on the Interstate, and I can’t switch to hover mode or flight without causing a huge wreck. Can you come pick me up?”
“Are you serious?” asked Strato Hawk.
“As a train wreck,” stated Nightvision. He switched back to his prey. “Dr. Phosphorus is like a walking mini-reactor. His touch can burn through metal and the vapors that he gives off can put an elephant to sleep.”
“I just got out of the shower. Let me suit up,” said Strato Hawk. “Keep heading east, and take the Canal Street exit once you get to it. I’ll track you with my communicator and pick you up in fifteen minutes. There’s a department store on the corner you can park at.”
Nightvision followed Strato Hawk’s instructions, and soon had the Batmobile parked, much to the curiosity of several shoppers. He made sure to activate the car’s security system, not trusting many of the leering stares the vehicle got.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Dr. Phosphorus had made his way to the St. Roch City Museum. “This is it!” he gloated to himself. “This is the museum where Hawkman’s weapons are on display.” He stepped out of hiding and joined the people milling about outside of the alley in which he had been hiding. “Surely if I trash the place, Hawkman will come running!”
Dr. Phosphorus made his way up the museum steps, removing the overcoat and hat as he walked. Visitors exiting the museum screamed in terror as the sight of the glowing man. Dr. Phosphorus made eye contact with an elderly man who stood his ground and said, “This is what I could do to your skin!” He grabbed the metal railing and dissolved it to ash. The old man’s eyes doubled in size. He hobbled along as fast as he could to get away from radiating villain.
“Ha ha ha ha! They run like scared children!” snickered Dr. Phosphorus as he entered the museum.
Security guards confronted Dr. Phosphorus almost immediately. “Stop or we’ll shoot!” one of them yelled.
“Be my guest,” responded Phosphorus as he turned up the intensity of his irradiated fire.
The two guards fired upon Phosphorus but their quest to stop him led to no avail as the bullets melted before they could make contact with Phosphorus’s body.
“Mind if I return the favor?” asked Dr. Phosphorus as he slammed his hands together, which in turn caused a stream of white-hot fire to shoot out, burning both of the guards to dust where they stood.
A few rooms away, Carter Hall was cataloging a new shipment of artifats as museum curator when he heard the commotion coming from down the hall. He quickly raced out and saw Dr. Phosphorus making his way to the Egyptian display. “What’s Dr. Phosphorus doing here?” thought the curator incredulously. “I’d better change into Hawkman and put a quick stop to this.” Carter quickly raced to his private office where he kept a spare Hawkman uniform and Nth metal mace.
A few moments later, the aerial avenger had taken to the air in pursuit of Dr. Phosphorus. Spotting his prey (who had his back turned towards him), Hawkman dove into Phosphorus, striking him in the head with his mace.
“Arghhh!” cried Phosphorus as he fell to the ground on his hands and knees. He looked up and saw his assailant.
“Stand down or I swear I’ll crack your skull open like an egg!” barked Hawkman.
Collecting himself, Phosphorus’s mind raced. “I think I’m going to be ill…” he said as he raised his head towards Hawkman. He opened his mouth, spewing a burning blast of irradiated fire at him.
“Ahhh!!!!” screamed Hawkman. The fire quickly scorched Hawkman’s chest and burned away his wing-harness, causing his wings to fall to the floor. As the shock of intense pain shot through his body, he dropped his mace.
Dr. Phosphorus quickly grabbed the weapon and struck Hawkman in the head with it.
“Ugh...” grunted Hawkman as the metal made contact with his cranium.
“You won’t be busting heads with this anytime soon,” gloated Dr. Phosphorus as he hefted the weapon in both hands.
“I don’t need my mace to fight!” countered the bloodied Hawkman as his right-hook connected with Dr. Phosphorus’s jaw. Seeing Phosphorus was knocked off balance, Hawkman continued punching him in the face repeatedly in spite of the fact that the skin on his knuckles was scorched to the point of blistering. Hawkman suddenly started to feel light-headed. Thinking it was from the over-exertion, he tried to shake it off but soon found it difficult to even lift his arms.
“What’s wrong hero?” asked Dr. Phosphorus. “Feeling a bit tired?”
“What have you done to me?” demanded Hawkman.
“I could have burned your hand off each time you punched me,” spoke the villain as he wiped blood from his mouth and nose. “Over the last few minutes my body has been emitting a toxic vapor much like carbon monoxide. The vapor is invisible and odorless but it’s sapping your strength. Soon you’ll pass out and I’ll be able to finish what I started twenty years ago during the great Crisis.” He turned to survey the room they stood in. He returned his glare to the fallen hero, and finished, “…which is making a name for myself by killing you!”
“You bast…” whispered Hawkman as he collapsed into unconsciousness.
Dr. Phosphorus stood over him with a grin on his face like a jack o’lantern. “Ha! The great Hawkman has fallen before me!” Looking down at Hawkman, he added, “Soon I will roast you alive… but not until the news media gets here. I want the whole world to see that it was not the Shadow Thief, not Gentleman Jim, and not Hummingbird who killed you. I, Dr. Phosphorus, am your final match!”
Dr. Phosphorus cooled his hands so that he could pick Hawkman up and carry him outside to the museum’s entry way. He walked outside and stood at the top of the steps, noticing that police cars surrounded the place with armed officers along with camera-men and reporters from several local TV stations.
The captain of the policed squad held a megaphone up to his mouth and shouted. “Put Hawkman down! Surrender immediately and there won’t be any trouble.”
“You fools think your puny guns can stop me?” inquired Dr. Phosphorus, laughing. “Your pathetic bullets will melt before they’re able to do me any harm. Now I suggest you all take witness of what I’m about to do!” Dr. Phosphorus lifted Hawkman’s unconscious body up into the air. Without warning, a round pellet dropped to the ground in front of him, releasing a cloud of dense, black smoke. Phosphorus started coughing and choking, so much that he dropped Hawkman. He began to run through the cloud of smoke, but just as he made his way into some clean air, a fist struck him in the face.
“It’s the end of the line Phosphorus!” shouted Nightvision.
“How did you find me whelp?” inquired Dr. Phosphorus, turning up his burning skin.
“My mother said to tell you hello,” responded Nightvision.
“Oracle, huh?” figured Dr. Phosphorus. “I should have killed her when she was still Batgirl.” Phosphorus quickly flared up his radioactivity to the point that he was melting the sidewalk as he walked on it. “I was all set to kill Hawkman… but you’re more than welcome to take his place at the front of the line!”
“Can I be first?” yelled Strato Hawk as he threw his Nth metal mace at Dr. Phosphorus, scoring a direct hit to his cranium.
“Well, you were able to draw first blood,” confirmed Dr. Phosphorus as he shook off the blow. He braced himself with his hands upon his knees, and did not fall. “How will you take me down now that you’ve lost your little toy?” Phosphorus demanded as he quickly grabbed Strato Hawk’s mace and threw it down a nearby open manhole.
“I’ve still got my fists you freak!” countered Strato Hawk as he landed on the ground and proceeded to punch Dr. Phosphorus.
Dr. Phosphorus quickly grabbed Strato Hawk’s fists and started burning them. Despite the many blows he had received at their hands, the villain was still standing.
“Argh!!” screamed Strato Hawk. He had never experienced a burn like the one Dr. Phosphorus was giving him. He was struggling to keep his composure when Nightvision reached into his utility-belt and threw his Bat-line around Phosphorus’ legs, yanking them out from under him.
The victory was short-lived as the heat from Dr. Phosphorus’ body quickly burned the rope to a crisp. Phosphorus quickly rose to his feet and charged towards Nightvision. The hero quickly turned and ran into the museum. Phosphorus was quick to follow him. The two raced through the entry-way and then proceeded to make their way through the various hallways and display-rooms. Finally, Nightvision ducked into a dark room hoping Phosphorus would follow. Phosphorus quickly took the bait, pursuing the caped crusader. Just then Phosphorus paused.
“I know you’re in here,” he shouted angrily, out of breath. “This room doesn’t have any other exits so you might as well accept your fate and let me incinerate you!!” Phosphorus made his way around the room searching for Nightvision. He knocked over various props and scenery in his quest. Then, he stopped for a second as his eye caught what appeared to be Nightvision’s yellow Bat-cape. “Aha! You’re dust!” he shouted as he dove towards the dark figure. He soon found himself diving through a mannequin that had been covered in Nightvision’s Bat-cape. Phosphorus struggled to get the cape off of him but only became more entangled in it. As he continued to struggle, Nightvision quickly threw another Bat-line around the covered Dr. Phosphorus ensuring he could not remove the cape.
“How does it fit?” asked Nightvision. “It’s both heat and radiation-proof, and that slime coating inside is what’s keeping it tangled around you. Not even you can burn your way out of it. Oh, and just to make sure you don’t cause any more trouble until we get you back to Arkham, here’s an extra little treat for you.” He took a capsule out of his utility-belt, spraying Dr. Phosphorus with sleep-gas. Phosphorus quickly dropped to the floor, out like a light.
Nightvision then picked the cape-covered Dr. Phosphorus up, threw him over his shoulder and walked out of the museum.
Both Hawkman and Strato Hawk had recovered during the climatic battle.
Nightvision greeted them, shifting the weight on his shoulder. “How are you guys feeling?”
“Groggy…” confirmed Hawkman, “but I’ll be fine. He really did a number on me with those vapors of his. Of course, it doesn’t help that I haven’t had a good fight in years.”
“You’re still in great shape,” assured Strato Hawk as he emerged from the man-hole with his mace. “He also pretty much took you by surprise from what you told me..”
“Yeah, don’t be too hard on yourself Hawkman,” agreed Nightvision. “The first time my mother took on Phosphorus, she needed Batman’s help to take him down. He’s no light-weight.”
“Still… I’m glad you guys stopped him before he lit me up like a Christmas tree,” said Hawkman.
Just then, the Batmobile pulled up. The avians did a double-take, noticing no driver.
“What the heck?” asked the shocked Strato Hawk. “Your car can drive itself?”
“It can, but only to home in on the signal this device gives off,” affirmed Nightvision as he lifted his hand showing both Strato Hawk and Hawkman a small remote control device that he used to summon the Batmobile. He walked over to the vehicle and popped open its trunk to place the wrapped-up Dr. Phosphorus inside.
“I’m not going to take the chance of him giving me any trouble on the way back to Gotham,” stated Nightvision as he walked to the front of his car and entered the vehicle.
“I’m going to get Hawkman home so he can rest while his Nth metal helps him heal from the burns he suffered from Phosphorus,” said Strato Hawk.
“Sounds good,” replied Nightvision. “I’ll see you at the next meeting,” he added as he fired up the Batmobile and drove off.
Meanwhile on Themyscira…
The invisible jet came in for a perfect landing. Several Amazons stared in curiosity at the jet as the sounds of the Bloodhound Gang’s latest single blared from the jet’s speakers. Wonder Man and Venus quickly emerged and headed towards the royal palace.
They soon found their way to Donna Troy’s chambers. “Aunt Donna! Aunt Donna! If you’re in there, open up!” yelled Wonder Man as he pounded on the door to Donna’s suites.
“What is it honey?” Donna said as she opened the door. She paused for a minute as she noticed Wonder Man’s chest covered in dried blood.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” stated Wonder Man, “but we’ve got trouble.”
“What happened? What’s going on?” asked Donna.
“First off, is my mother here?” inquired Wonder Man.
“No, she’s off at a United Nations function representing Themyscira,” averred Donna. “Who is this with you?” she asked.
“Oh, this is Venus. She’s a new…” he paused, searching for the right word. “Friend.”
“Nice to meet you Ms. Troy,” said Venus. “I’ve only known your nephew for a few hours but all he did was rave about you on the way here.”
Donna turned and looked at Wonder Man. “What am I going to do with you?” she laughed as she shook her head.
Wonder Man opened his mouth in an effort to answer but Donna placed her finger over his mouth and said, “No, no. Don’t bother answering that, just tell me what happened to you.”
“Well I was attacked by the Cheetah, only this time she was a guy!” said Wonder Man.
“A guy? But Sebastian is dead! Barbara Minerva killed him,” stated Donna.
“Well, Barbara is pushing up daisies herself right now!” Wonder Man retorted.
“What?? How??” inquired Donna.
“Well, I’m pretty sure this new male Cheetah killed her. I ran into him when the Hall of Justice received a call from the Gateway City police department about some trouble at Barbara’s house. When I got there, Barbara was dead along with two police officers. I had a little scrap with our new Cheetah.” He glanced down at the blood on his chest. “I take it you don’t know anything about him?”
“No, the only male Cheetah I know of is Sebastian Ballesteros… but like I said, he was killed by Barbara Minerva. Let me go pack my things. I’m going back to Man’s world with you in case this new Cheetah rears his head again.”
Venus just stood there looking at Donna Troy with a feeling of admiration. Due to Donna’s Amazonian heritage, she hadn’t aged much in the last 25 years. In fact, she still looked under 35. Venus thought to herself, “She is so beautiful and kind. No wonder Wonder Man thinks so much of her.”
“But Aunt Donna, I can take care of myself!” countered Wonder Man.
“I know you can honey,” she answered, smiling. She ducked back and invited them into her suites. “But I’m not taking any chances.” She winked at Venus, and added. “So, why did you come here then? Just to share something you could’ve told me over the phone? You know that I was never able to have any more children after Robert died. Even though you’re only my nephew, I would be shattered if anything ever happened to you. Don’t worry. I won’t be up in your business. I still have my penthouse in New York City and I’ll stay there until the Cheetah makes his move.”
“I guess I don’t really have a choice in the matter, do I?” said Wonder Man. He knew his aunt was onto his ploy. He was too macho to ask for help, and he knew she would insist upon aiding them.
“Not really,” said Donna. “We’re going to have to tell your mother about this and I think you would rather have me keeping tabs on you than her.”
“Oh big-time! She’s so over protective of me,” affirmed Wonder Man. “She’d insist on staying in my apartment until this new Cheetah was caught.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” said Donna as she went to pack her things.
Soon the three of them boarded the Invisible Jet and set course for the United States.
• • •
Epilogue:
Metropolis, U.S.A.
Celsius was going through the Hall of Justice’s data files. “Why can’t I find anything on this Venus?” he muttered, scanning the files and headings. “They have everyone in here, even Bozo the Android.”
Just then, the security alarms went off. “Not again!” sighed Celsius. “This is getting ridiculous.” He closed his eyes as he realized that there had not been a moment’s peace since their new group had formed. It was as if Fate had waited for them to join forces before it unleashed a flood of events upon them. “Who could be invading our turf this time?” He turned on the monitor screens and focused the outside cameras on his visitors. Celsius noticed that a small army from the Department of Metahuman Affairs surrounded the Hall. He raced outside to meet with them.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked upon emerging from the building. He knew enough about the bureau of Metahuman Affairs to know that tangling with them was like opening a can of worms.
One of the department agents stepped forward. “Cool your jets boy,” he spoke. “Our commanding officer will explain in a few moments.” He stood back and waited, apparently for the mysterious commanding officer.
Celsius just stood there with a grim look on his face awaiting answers. He soon became frustrated and pulled his Titans of Justice communicator out of his pocked and sent out a signal summoning all available members of his team.
About twenty minutes later, a shiny black limo pulled up just as Power Guy, Sargona, Junjie Quick, and Jemstone had also arrived on the scene. Celsius met up with his teammates.
“What’s going on?” asked Junjie.
“Good question,” answered Celsius. “They showed up here about a half hour ago, surrounded the place and said that their leader would be briefing us soon.”
Just then, a door on the limo popped open and out came short, heavy-set black woman. Her hair was wrapped in a bun. She was slightly hunched over and walked with a cane. She made her way up to the Titans of Justice.
“Hello punks,” she spat. “Amanda Waller – chief officer of the Department of Metahuman Affairs. I understand your girl Jemstone here murdered the villain known as the Toyman.” She pointed her wrinkled old finger at the nervous young woman, who gasped in astonishment. “We’re taking her into custody.”