Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 23:29:24 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 31 – “The Never Ending Nightmare”
Written by: Green Lantern
Co-conspirator: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
Dusk: The Sunset Skies over New York State
Flying beside Wonder Man’s invisible jet, Power Guy asked, “Hey, guys! You want to know who I think our field leader should be until we catch up with the Huntress and the others?
Green Lantern detected the slight note of humor in Power Guy’s voice. He had learned his lesson and didn’t feel like playing along.
“Who’s that, PG?” asked Venus innocently from the passenger seat of Wonder Man’s plane. Green Lantern groaned.
“Mr. Wonderful!” shouted Power Guy with a laugh. Venus and Wonder Man burst out in laughter as well.
Soaring above the others, Strato Hawk was slightly irritated. He was preoccupied with his own personal problems and didn’t appreciate joking during missions.
Riding her new Indian carpet that Green Lantern bought for her, Sargona commented, “My daddy means well. He seemed pretty impressed by you, Scott.”
Wonder Man blushed. “I kinda liked him too.”
“E.T.A. to the location Huntress forwarded us, Mr. Wonderful?” asked Power Guy.
“We should be there in another minute and a half, Mr. Powerful,” answered Wonder Man.
Strato Hawk let out a sigh of exasperation and flew ahead of the rest.
Green Lantern was just relieved that he was no longer the victim of Power Guy’s jokes. He liked the other hero and appreciated his good sense of humor, but Green Lantern felt stressed and burdened with a lot of things to think about. “I hope the others are going to be okay,” he thought. “Sargona’s dad doesn’t have a very high opinion of me. Not that I can blame him. Will she still go out with me if her dad doesn’t like me? Should I even ask her out again?” He felt embarrassed as he gazed at the lovely girl flying beside him. “She looks so cool flying on that carpet with her arms folded like that. I wonder what the rest of the team would think if they knew that I’m on probation for a year with the Green Lantern Corps? And what about these never ending headaches? Maybe I should get my eyes checked up? Or maybe I should just go straight to the doctor?” He paused, clearing his mind as he traveled. “…nah. Its just stress. It’s just lack of sleep from staying up so late to study for finals and then getting up early to go out on patrol. Maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew. I certainly couldn’t take on any new responsibilities.”
Green Lantern dared not admit to himself what was really bothering him. “What if Power Guy starts teasing Di Di about me?” Daniel treasured Sonic Boom’s friendship and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. He wished that his teammates would show a little more compassion with their jokes.
With his keen vision, Power Guy was the first to notice the situation at Huntress’ location. “Oh NO! Is that Power Lad down there?”
Strato Hawk and Power Guy were the first to land. Black Vulcan was having a nervous breakdown and was sobbing uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong?!” shouted Venus.
“There has been… an unfortunate accident,” answered the Huntress.
Shaking the unconscious Hardcore Power Lad, Power Guy said, “PL! Wake up! WAKE UP!”
“…huh? … five more minutes, Ma…” said the beaten young man drowsily as he turned over.
“What do you mean, Huntress?” asked Venus. “What kind of accident?”
“Power Lad was attacking the Sportsmaster…” began the Huntress.
“The Sportsmaster!?!” asked Sargona in surprise, “Why?”
“Because he is the Nightstalker,” explained the Huntress, “He’s killed at least twice and he is the guy who attacked Nightvision, Celsius, and Junjie Quick.”
Placing her hand on Power Guy’s shoulder she added, “Apparently the Sportsmaster stole Power Lad’s super-surfboard. Power Lad was enraged that he used it to attack us. That’s why he attacked him.”
“…and then… and then…” Black Vulcan was unable to finish her sentence for sobbing.
“The Hunter and Black Vulcan both tried to stop Power Lad,” said Sonic Boom.
“Who is this Hunter?” asked Strato Hawk.
“He was one of the Nightstalker’s targets. He was an archery expert from Australia. He put on the mask to help me solve the case,” explained the Huntress.
“We couldn’t have done it with out him…” added Sonic Boom, “…you should have seen him in action. He was great… When Power Lad attacked the Sportsmaster the Hunter jumped on his back…”
“…and that’s when… when… I k-killed him!!!” Black Vulcan’s sobbing grew louder and more out of control. “I’m so sorry… so… sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
“You lousy HYPOCRITE!” snapped Sargona. “You absolutely railed on Jemstone for accidentally killing the Toyman! And he was a MAJOR LEAGUE VILLAIN! Why don’t you go turn yourself in to Amanda Waller, Thunder Dog?!”
An uncomfortable tension filled the air as Black Vulcan’s sobs ringed in their ears.
“What’s goin’ on?” asked Hardcore Power Lad, “Can’t a guy get any sleep around…” Hardcore Power Lad looked dizzily around at the ensemble of heroes surrounding him.
“Are you all right?” asked Sonic Boom softly. “What is the last thing you can remember?”
“…Let’s see… oh, yeah! That jerk used my super-sonic surfboard to attack the Titans East!” said Hardcore Power Lad as he got up and brushed himself off. “…oh, man, is my dad ever gonna have a cow!” He looked balefully up at the sky. “I attacked him, but then… that Australian dude jumped on my back… and then the Lightning chick tried to zap the Sportsmaster before I could get to him… That’s all I can remember. Listen, I gotta go…”
“Are you sure you are okay?” asked Sonic Boom as Hardcore Power Lad took off.
“Fine and dandy!” shouted Hardcore Power Lad from the sky.
“Power Lad, wait!” shouted Power Guy, but he was too late.
“Let him go,” said Green Lantern. “One problem at a time.”
“To think of all of the MONTHS that you tortured us talking about how Jemstone was a menace and wasn’t worthy to be on our team!” ranted Sargona pointing her finger to the crying Black Vulcan. “You are the biggest hypocrite and fraud that I have ever…”
“Sargona, perhaps this isn’t the best time…” said Venus softly.
“You’ve heard her yourself, Venus!” argued Sargona, “She makes it sound like Jemstone deserved the death penalty! Who deserves the death penalty NOW, Thunder Dog?!”
“Really, Sargona, I think Black Vulcan is sorry. It was an accident,” reasoned Wonder Man. He added, “And please stop calling her that.”
“Accident!?!” shouted Sargona indignantly. “What Jemstone did was an accident! Did Black Vulcan ever give Jemstone the benefit of the—“
“SARGONA!!!!”
Everyone's attention was turned to the Green Lantern. All were shocked at their “soft-spoken” teammate.
“…show some compassion,” said Green Lantern to Sargona softly. “Power Guy, can you handle this? I’m not feeling so well.” The young hero left his companions as he rubbed his temples.
Sonic Boom ran after him as Sargona watched in horror. “Dan, are you alright?” asked Di Di Queen.
“Yeah, I just got a headache…” answered the Emerald Gladiator. “So, how did you guys stop the Sportsmaster, anyway?”
“You aren’t going to believe it,” said Sonic Boom, “I jumped down SIX stories and knocked him out myself!”
“No way!” said Green Lantern giving Sonic Boom a high-five.
Sargona noticed Daniel’s changing countenance as he said, “Oh, what I would give to see Robert’s face when he hears!”
“You want to come over for supper?” asked Sonic Boom with a perky voice, “My dad’s making his famous chili!”
“Really?” said Daniel with enthusiasm. He was doing his best to ignore the pain in his head.
Sargona shivered as she watched the two heroes walk off into the sunset. Feeling a strong hand on her shoulder she turned around to see the sympathetic face of Wonder Man. “Oh, Scott! I don’t know what I’m going to do. I think I’m losing him…”
Sargona’s soft hair grazed Wonder Man’s forearm as the two embraced. “Shhhhh… It will be okay…I think he’s just stressed,” he said trying to comfort his dear friend. He would lose three night’s sleep trying to figure out what flower her perfume smelled like.
Venus tried to console Black Vulcan to no avail.
“Crikey… my whole body aches!” said a voice with an Australian accent.
“It’s the Hunter!” cried the Huntress.
“What?” asked Black Vulcan in hope.
“Where?” asked Venus.
“Right over here...” answered the voice. “What ‘n the…?…I must’ve died! I can’t even see myself! What’s goin’ on?”
The mystery of the voice was quickly forgotten as the Sportsmaster woke up and gave a blood-curdling scream. “I CAN’T SEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Somebody help me! I can’t seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!”
Black Vulcan wiped her tears and rushed over to help him. Venus and Power Guy joined her.
“I can’t replicate! I – I’ve lost my powers! What have you people done to me?” The Sportsmaster went on and on, crying, sobbing, shouting out accusations, and screaming.
“What do we do with him?” asked Power Guy
“We have to do what’s right,” said Wonder Man.
“I know the perfect place for him,” said the Huntress as she shot him out of his misery with one of her red arrows. “Nite-nite. You’ll wake up in a nice cozy cell.”
Suddenly the Hunter appeared to everyone’s shock. Then just as quickly he disappeared.
“Concentrate, Hunter. Think ‘solid’!” said the Huntress. “I think Black Vulcan’s blast may have transferred the Sportsmaster’s powers to you.
Reappearing at last the Hunter said, “I guess I will be going back to Australia a changed man!” He chuckled nervously as he gazed at the group assembled around him.
“I wouldn’t wish what’s happened to you on anyone,” said the Huntress, “but maybe you can use this gift to help protect your people.”
“You can bet on it, sheila!” answered the Hunter with a grin.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High in the Sunset Sky
Hardcore Power Lad did a head-over-heals large loop in the sky. He had never taken time to notice the beautiful hues of pink and orange that a sunset had to offer. He felt light and free. “MAN!!! That new Black Canary babe scores way high on the babe-o-meter!” he thought as he did three more loops. He did a few ‘cat calls’ and shouted out to the civilians of planet earth below, “That babe is HOT!!! Hotty-hot-Hot HOT!!!!”
He knew now more than ever that he had to get on the team. What had taken them so long to invite him to become a member of the Titans East? Did they think they weren’t good enough for him?
Then he saw a bird flying against the waning sun. He checked to make sure that Power-puff Guy wasn’t watching and prepared to fry the little bugger. “Wait..” he thought, “Maybe I need to ‘turn over a new leaf.’ Sonic… (what’s her name again?)” He felt that Sonic Babe probably wouldn’t be too impressed if she found out that he used birds as target practice. “I probably need to ‘downgrade’ to Power Lad for a while… just long enough to get on the team.” He did another loop in the sky and returned home to tell his father that the new super-speed turbo surfboard was missing and ask if he had seen it anywhere.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baptist Hospital of Metropolis
Palomé’s mind wandered as he looked out the hospital window at the familiar, but strange city outside. His whole life had recently been turned upside-down when his team had gotten trapped in the past. At first he comforted himself that at least he was with friends. But then when Wonder Warrior and Celsius decided to divide the Titans of Justice into east coast and west coast teams, all of his friends were assigned to the west branch while he alone was placed on the east division. He was fine with it at first, but so far he hadn’t seen any action at all, and now he was laid up in the hospital. He couldn’t even remember the Sportsmaster attacking him. Nucleus had stayed with him for quite awhile and seemed like a nice guy, but so far no one else had really paid him any attention.
“Excuse me, Mr…. Palomé? You have a visitor,” said the nurse. “Try to keep it short. The doctor says you can go home in a couple of days if you get your rest.”
Palomé sat up in anticipation. A woman adorned with a beautiful smile entered the door. She was wearing a frilly magenta-colored blouse and a black skirt. Large dangling earrings adorned her ears. “You may not recognize me,” she stated. “I’m Venus.”
“Venus! Wow! You look… I mean… it’s GREAT to see you! Thanks for coming!” said Palomé.
“I thought you might like some company, but the nurse says I have to make this visit quick,” she said. “I was wondering if you would like to join me for a picnic adventure in the forest, once you get out.”
Palomé was stunned. “SURE!”
“Great! It’s a date! I’ll be in touch,” she said as she reluctantly left the room.
“Things are starting to look up!” thought Palomé as he closed his eyes and enjoyed a peaceful sleep. He chuckled softly, enjoying the fact that the Titans of Justice were paying for his hospital stay. He knew full well he could heal himself in a heartbeat, but chose to take the time to lay back and relax instead.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belle Reve
Chris Martin was a miserable soul. He was so close to winning the heart of the love of his life. He felt rejected and alone. No one ever cared for him. Why had his mother left so many, many years ago? His father didn’t even care enough about him to come and visit him in this hole, Belle Reve. No, his father was off searching for new athletic talent for next year’s exchange students. “Where was it he went again?” Chris questioned himself. “Oh! That’s right! Cairo.
“That group of imbeciles that defeated me and took away my sweet Huntress: dead. ALL of them. DEAD DEAD DEAD!!!!” vowed the young man the newspapers had dubbed “The Nightstalker”. “Black Vulcan…DEAD. Hardcore…what’s-his-name? Who cares! Hardcore POOPER Lad…DEAD. That stinkin’ Australian my dad imported, ‘the Hunter’…slimy, arrogant, foreigner…DEAD. When I get out of here…and make no mistake, I’m getting OUT…they are all DEAD!”
His heart was burdened with the pain of rejection. No one loved him. Helena had rejected him. His thoughts were cut off by the sound of a steel door opening.
“Excuse me, Mr. Martin? You have a visitor.”
Chris’ heart was filled with hope. Who could it be? Had dad canceled his vacation? Was it the Huntress? Chris would even settle for a visit from his sister at this point. He heard footsteps approaching him. A felt a strong and warm hand shake his own hand.
“Hello! My name is Pastor Daniel. They told me that you lost your sight. If you will allow me, I would like to be your friend… and I can show you from God’s Word how even a blind man can see the Light.”
The voice was friendly… but it was also familiar. As the pastor began sharing from the book of John chapter three, Chris’ mind wandered. “Where have I met this guy before? Daniel… Do I know someone named Daniel?
…That’s IT!!!”
When he followed the Green Lantern to India on Pooper Lad’s surfboard he witnessed Green Lantern’s transformation into his secret identity. Sargona had called him “Daniel.” It was him. He knew it. Chris Martin wanted to leap for joy. The Green Lantern cared for him. When no one else had cared, the Green Lantern had come to visit him. “Should I share with him my good news?” he thought to himself. “No. I shouldn’t play all of my cards. That backfired with the Huntress. No one needs to know that my vision is already returning. No one needs to know that my duplication powers are returning. I can already divide one time!” Of course, his invisibility powers were gone, thanks to Black Vulcan, but now it felt like he could alter his appearance. He could hardly wait until his vision was fully restored so he could be sure.
Chris continued to listen to the soft-spoken tones of Daniel, the Green Lantern. The more he thought about it, the more this hero inspired him. The Green Lantern made him want to be good. “Maybe I could become a super-hero again?” he mused. “The Sportsmaster is definitely out…but perhaps I could become someone else? I wonder if Green Lantern is in the market for a sidekick? On second thought, maybe the Sportsmaster could be used to attack Green Lantern, and then I can save him in my new heroic identity! But no rushing this time. No need to make my move until my powers are at full-strength and I can see clearly again.”
“Excuse me, Pastor…Daniel, did you say?” asked Chris to his kind visitor.
“Yes?”
“I really appreciate the things you have shared with me. Is there any way you could come again?" asked Chris Martin, the Nightstalker.
Daniel’s first visit with Chris Martin seemed to be a great success. He had felt a lot of pressure with all his responsibilities, but any time someone responded to one of his Bible studies it really encouraged him. “Things are starting to look up!” thought Daniel as he left the prison.
...The End?
Written by: Green Lantern
Co-conspirator: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
Dusk: The Sunset Skies over New York State
Flying beside Wonder Man’s invisible jet, Power Guy asked, “Hey, guys! You want to know who I think our field leader should be until we catch up with the Huntress and the others?
Green Lantern detected the slight note of humor in Power Guy’s voice. He had learned his lesson and didn’t feel like playing along.
“Who’s that, PG?” asked Venus innocently from the passenger seat of Wonder Man’s plane. Green Lantern groaned.
“Mr. Wonderful!” shouted Power Guy with a laugh. Venus and Wonder Man burst out in laughter as well.
Soaring above the others, Strato Hawk was slightly irritated. He was preoccupied with his own personal problems and didn’t appreciate joking during missions.
Riding her new Indian carpet that Green Lantern bought for her, Sargona commented, “My daddy means well. He seemed pretty impressed by you, Scott.”
Wonder Man blushed. “I kinda liked him too.”
“E.T.A. to the location Huntress forwarded us, Mr. Wonderful?” asked Power Guy.
“We should be there in another minute and a half, Mr. Powerful,” answered Wonder Man.
Strato Hawk let out a sigh of exasperation and flew ahead of the rest.
Green Lantern was just relieved that he was no longer the victim of Power Guy’s jokes. He liked the other hero and appreciated his good sense of humor, but Green Lantern felt stressed and burdened with a lot of things to think about. “I hope the others are going to be okay,” he thought. “Sargona’s dad doesn’t have a very high opinion of me. Not that I can blame him. Will she still go out with me if her dad doesn’t like me? Should I even ask her out again?” He felt embarrassed as he gazed at the lovely girl flying beside him. “She looks so cool flying on that carpet with her arms folded like that. I wonder what the rest of the team would think if they knew that I’m on probation for a year with the Green Lantern Corps? And what about these never ending headaches? Maybe I should get my eyes checked up? Or maybe I should just go straight to the doctor?” He paused, clearing his mind as he traveled. “…nah. Its just stress. It’s just lack of sleep from staying up so late to study for finals and then getting up early to go out on patrol. Maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew. I certainly couldn’t take on any new responsibilities.”
Green Lantern dared not admit to himself what was really bothering him. “What if Power Guy starts teasing Di Di about me?” Daniel treasured Sonic Boom’s friendship and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. He wished that his teammates would show a little more compassion with their jokes.
With his keen vision, Power Guy was the first to notice the situation at Huntress’ location. “Oh NO! Is that Power Lad down there?”
Strato Hawk and Power Guy were the first to land. Black Vulcan was having a nervous breakdown and was sobbing uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong?!” shouted Venus.
“There has been… an unfortunate accident,” answered the Huntress.
Shaking the unconscious Hardcore Power Lad, Power Guy said, “PL! Wake up! WAKE UP!”
“…huh? … five more minutes, Ma…” said the beaten young man drowsily as he turned over.
“What do you mean, Huntress?” asked Venus. “What kind of accident?”
“Power Lad was attacking the Sportsmaster…” began the Huntress.
“The Sportsmaster!?!” asked Sargona in surprise, “Why?”
“Because he is the Nightstalker,” explained the Huntress, “He’s killed at least twice and he is the guy who attacked Nightvision, Celsius, and Junjie Quick.”
Placing her hand on Power Guy’s shoulder she added, “Apparently the Sportsmaster stole Power Lad’s super-surfboard. Power Lad was enraged that he used it to attack us. That’s why he attacked him.”
“…and then… and then…” Black Vulcan was unable to finish her sentence for sobbing.
“The Hunter and Black Vulcan both tried to stop Power Lad,” said Sonic Boom.
“Who is this Hunter?” asked Strato Hawk.
“He was one of the Nightstalker’s targets. He was an archery expert from Australia. He put on the mask to help me solve the case,” explained the Huntress.
“We couldn’t have done it with out him…” added Sonic Boom, “…you should have seen him in action. He was great… When Power Lad attacked the Sportsmaster the Hunter jumped on his back…”
“…and that’s when… when… I k-killed him!!!” Black Vulcan’s sobbing grew louder and more out of control. “I’m so sorry… so… sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
“You lousy HYPOCRITE!” snapped Sargona. “You absolutely railed on Jemstone for accidentally killing the Toyman! And he was a MAJOR LEAGUE VILLAIN! Why don’t you go turn yourself in to Amanda Waller, Thunder Dog?!”
An uncomfortable tension filled the air as Black Vulcan’s sobs ringed in their ears.
“What’s goin’ on?” asked Hardcore Power Lad, “Can’t a guy get any sleep around…” Hardcore Power Lad looked dizzily around at the ensemble of heroes surrounding him.
“Are you all right?” asked Sonic Boom softly. “What is the last thing you can remember?”
“…Let’s see… oh, yeah! That jerk used my super-sonic surfboard to attack the Titans East!” said Hardcore Power Lad as he got up and brushed himself off. “…oh, man, is my dad ever gonna have a cow!” He looked balefully up at the sky. “I attacked him, but then… that Australian dude jumped on my back… and then the Lightning chick tried to zap the Sportsmaster before I could get to him… That’s all I can remember. Listen, I gotta go…”
“Are you sure you are okay?” asked Sonic Boom as Hardcore Power Lad took off.
“Fine and dandy!” shouted Hardcore Power Lad from the sky.
“Power Lad, wait!” shouted Power Guy, but he was too late.
“Let him go,” said Green Lantern. “One problem at a time.”
“To think of all of the MONTHS that you tortured us talking about how Jemstone was a menace and wasn’t worthy to be on our team!” ranted Sargona pointing her finger to the crying Black Vulcan. “You are the biggest hypocrite and fraud that I have ever…”
“Sargona, perhaps this isn’t the best time…” said Venus softly.
“You’ve heard her yourself, Venus!” argued Sargona, “She makes it sound like Jemstone deserved the death penalty! Who deserves the death penalty NOW, Thunder Dog?!”
“Really, Sargona, I think Black Vulcan is sorry. It was an accident,” reasoned Wonder Man. He added, “And please stop calling her that.”
“Accident!?!” shouted Sargona indignantly. “What Jemstone did was an accident! Did Black Vulcan ever give Jemstone the benefit of the—“
“SARGONA!!!!”
Everyone's attention was turned to the Green Lantern. All were shocked at their “soft-spoken” teammate.
“…show some compassion,” said Green Lantern to Sargona softly. “Power Guy, can you handle this? I’m not feeling so well.” The young hero left his companions as he rubbed his temples.
Sonic Boom ran after him as Sargona watched in horror. “Dan, are you alright?” asked Di Di Queen.
“Yeah, I just got a headache…” answered the Emerald Gladiator. “So, how did you guys stop the Sportsmaster, anyway?”
“You aren’t going to believe it,” said Sonic Boom, “I jumped down SIX stories and knocked him out myself!”
“No way!” said Green Lantern giving Sonic Boom a high-five.
Sargona noticed Daniel’s changing countenance as he said, “Oh, what I would give to see Robert’s face when he hears!”
“You want to come over for supper?” asked Sonic Boom with a perky voice, “My dad’s making his famous chili!”
“Really?” said Daniel with enthusiasm. He was doing his best to ignore the pain in his head.
Sargona shivered as she watched the two heroes walk off into the sunset. Feeling a strong hand on her shoulder she turned around to see the sympathetic face of Wonder Man. “Oh, Scott! I don’t know what I’m going to do. I think I’m losing him…”
Sargona’s soft hair grazed Wonder Man’s forearm as the two embraced. “Shhhhh… It will be okay…I think he’s just stressed,” he said trying to comfort his dear friend. He would lose three night’s sleep trying to figure out what flower her perfume smelled like.
Venus tried to console Black Vulcan to no avail.
“Crikey… my whole body aches!” said a voice with an Australian accent.
“It’s the Hunter!” cried the Huntress.
“What?” asked Black Vulcan in hope.
“Where?” asked Venus.
“Right over here...” answered the voice. “What ‘n the…?…I must’ve died! I can’t even see myself! What’s goin’ on?”
The mystery of the voice was quickly forgotten as the Sportsmaster woke up and gave a blood-curdling scream. “I CAN’T SEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Somebody help me! I can’t seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!”
Black Vulcan wiped her tears and rushed over to help him. Venus and Power Guy joined her.
“I can’t replicate! I – I’ve lost my powers! What have you people done to me?” The Sportsmaster went on and on, crying, sobbing, shouting out accusations, and screaming.
“What do we do with him?” asked Power Guy
“We have to do what’s right,” said Wonder Man.
“I know the perfect place for him,” said the Huntress as she shot him out of his misery with one of her red arrows. “Nite-nite. You’ll wake up in a nice cozy cell.”
Suddenly the Hunter appeared to everyone’s shock. Then just as quickly he disappeared.
“Concentrate, Hunter. Think ‘solid’!” said the Huntress. “I think Black Vulcan’s blast may have transferred the Sportsmaster’s powers to you.
Reappearing at last the Hunter said, “I guess I will be going back to Australia a changed man!” He chuckled nervously as he gazed at the group assembled around him.
“I wouldn’t wish what’s happened to you on anyone,” said the Huntress, “but maybe you can use this gift to help protect your people.”
“You can bet on it, sheila!” answered the Hunter with a grin.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High in the Sunset Sky
Hardcore Power Lad did a head-over-heals large loop in the sky. He had never taken time to notice the beautiful hues of pink and orange that a sunset had to offer. He felt light and free. “MAN!!! That new Black Canary babe scores way high on the babe-o-meter!” he thought as he did three more loops. He did a few ‘cat calls’ and shouted out to the civilians of planet earth below, “That babe is HOT!!! Hotty-hot-Hot HOT!!!!”
He knew now more than ever that he had to get on the team. What had taken them so long to invite him to become a member of the Titans East? Did they think they weren’t good enough for him?
Then he saw a bird flying against the waning sun. He checked to make sure that Power-puff Guy wasn’t watching and prepared to fry the little bugger. “Wait..” he thought, “Maybe I need to ‘turn over a new leaf.’ Sonic… (what’s her name again?)” He felt that Sonic Babe probably wouldn’t be too impressed if she found out that he used birds as target practice. “I probably need to ‘downgrade’ to Power Lad for a while… just long enough to get on the team.” He did another loop in the sky and returned home to tell his father that the new super-speed turbo surfboard was missing and ask if he had seen it anywhere.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baptist Hospital of Metropolis
Palomé’s mind wandered as he looked out the hospital window at the familiar, but strange city outside. His whole life had recently been turned upside-down when his team had gotten trapped in the past. At first he comforted himself that at least he was with friends. But then when Wonder Warrior and Celsius decided to divide the Titans of Justice into east coast and west coast teams, all of his friends were assigned to the west branch while he alone was placed on the east division. He was fine with it at first, but so far he hadn’t seen any action at all, and now he was laid up in the hospital. He couldn’t even remember the Sportsmaster attacking him. Nucleus had stayed with him for quite awhile and seemed like a nice guy, but so far no one else had really paid him any attention.
“Excuse me, Mr…. Palomé? You have a visitor,” said the nurse. “Try to keep it short. The doctor says you can go home in a couple of days if you get your rest.”
Palomé sat up in anticipation. A woman adorned with a beautiful smile entered the door. She was wearing a frilly magenta-colored blouse and a black skirt. Large dangling earrings adorned her ears. “You may not recognize me,” she stated. “I’m Venus.”
“Venus! Wow! You look… I mean… it’s GREAT to see you! Thanks for coming!” said Palomé.
“I thought you might like some company, but the nurse says I have to make this visit quick,” she said. “I was wondering if you would like to join me for a picnic adventure in the forest, once you get out.”
Palomé was stunned. “SURE!”
“Great! It’s a date! I’ll be in touch,” she said as she reluctantly left the room.
“Things are starting to look up!” thought Palomé as he closed his eyes and enjoyed a peaceful sleep. He chuckled softly, enjoying the fact that the Titans of Justice were paying for his hospital stay. He knew full well he could heal himself in a heartbeat, but chose to take the time to lay back and relax instead.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belle Reve
Chris Martin was a miserable soul. He was so close to winning the heart of the love of his life. He felt rejected and alone. No one ever cared for him. Why had his mother left so many, many years ago? His father didn’t even care enough about him to come and visit him in this hole, Belle Reve. No, his father was off searching for new athletic talent for next year’s exchange students. “Where was it he went again?” Chris questioned himself. “Oh! That’s right! Cairo.
“That group of imbeciles that defeated me and took away my sweet Huntress: dead. ALL of them. DEAD DEAD DEAD!!!!” vowed the young man the newspapers had dubbed “The Nightstalker”. “Black Vulcan…DEAD. Hardcore…what’s-his-name? Who cares! Hardcore POOPER Lad…DEAD. That stinkin’ Australian my dad imported, ‘the Hunter’…slimy, arrogant, foreigner…DEAD. When I get out of here…and make no mistake, I’m getting OUT…they are all DEAD!”
His heart was burdened with the pain of rejection. No one loved him. Helena had rejected him. His thoughts were cut off by the sound of a steel door opening.
“Excuse me, Mr. Martin? You have a visitor.”
Chris’ heart was filled with hope. Who could it be? Had dad canceled his vacation? Was it the Huntress? Chris would even settle for a visit from his sister at this point. He heard footsteps approaching him. A felt a strong and warm hand shake his own hand.
“Hello! My name is Pastor Daniel. They told me that you lost your sight. If you will allow me, I would like to be your friend… and I can show you from God’s Word how even a blind man can see the Light.”
The voice was friendly… but it was also familiar. As the pastor began sharing from the book of John chapter three, Chris’ mind wandered. “Where have I met this guy before? Daniel… Do I know someone named Daniel?
…That’s IT!!!”
When he followed the Green Lantern to India on Pooper Lad’s surfboard he witnessed Green Lantern’s transformation into his secret identity. Sargona had called him “Daniel.” It was him. He knew it. Chris Martin wanted to leap for joy. The Green Lantern cared for him. When no one else had cared, the Green Lantern had come to visit him. “Should I share with him my good news?” he thought to himself. “No. I shouldn’t play all of my cards. That backfired with the Huntress. No one needs to know that my vision is already returning. No one needs to know that my duplication powers are returning. I can already divide one time!” Of course, his invisibility powers were gone, thanks to Black Vulcan, but now it felt like he could alter his appearance. He could hardly wait until his vision was fully restored so he could be sure.
Chris continued to listen to the soft-spoken tones of Daniel, the Green Lantern. The more he thought about it, the more this hero inspired him. The Green Lantern made him want to be good. “Maybe I could become a super-hero again?” he mused. “The Sportsmaster is definitely out…but perhaps I could become someone else? I wonder if Green Lantern is in the market for a sidekick? On second thought, maybe the Sportsmaster could be used to attack Green Lantern, and then I can save him in my new heroic identity! But no rushing this time. No need to make my move until my powers are at full-strength and I can see clearly again.”
“Excuse me, Pastor…Daniel, did you say?” asked Chris to his kind visitor.
“Yes?”
“I really appreciate the things you have shared with me. Is there any way you could come again?" asked Chris Martin, the Nightstalker.
Daniel’s first visit with Chris Martin seemed to be a great success. He had felt a lot of pressure with all his responsibilities, but any time someone responded to one of his Bible studies it really encouraged him. “Things are starting to look up!” thought Daniel as he left the prison.
...The End?