Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2015 5:38:56 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 38 – “The Mystery of the Bermuda Corals” Part One
Written by: Green Lantern
Co-conspirator: Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
Note: This story takes place after Titans of Justice Classified #10, featuring the introduction of Totem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
“I told you I don’t know nuthin’ about no coral!” shouted a yellow- and purple-clad man known as Flying Fish. He lifted a spear in threat towards the Devil Ray.
“You want to survive this?” warned the Devil Ray as he shot a blast from his gun. “Hand the Bermuda corals over NOW!”
Two more masked figures secretly watched the battle from behind Happy Harbor’s historic lighthouse. They had just finished aiding the police in getting all of the tourists to safety.
“What do you think?” asked the female to her companion.
“I’ll take Devil Ray,” said the male. “You take the flying dweeb.”
“Who is that guy, anyway?” asked the female.
“Let’s ask him!” replied the male as he took an arrow out of his quiver and nocked it in the bow. “Hey guys! Are ya’ finished destroying the lighthouse yet?”
Thhhhhhhhhhhhhwip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dark Arrow’s shaft released a net and entrapped the Devil Ray.
“Oh no!” shouted the Flying Fish. “First the Devil Ray and now this!”
“SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Sonic Boom’s canary cry sent the man in the winged yellow suit flying head-over-heals into the sea.
“Green Arrow and Black Canary?!?” exclaimed the Devil Ray in excitement. “At last a chance to kill not one, but TWO members of the Justice League!” he said as he burned the net with a couple of blasts from his Manta Laser.
“Not today, sea scum!” shouted Dark Arrow as he prepared another arrow for attack. “Nobody messes with the Justice League!”
The Devil Ray shot a series of blasts straight at Dark Arrow. The last one hit the young hero’s shoulder strap, releasing his quiver and scattering arrows everywhere. The shock of the blast knocked the hero to the ground and caused him to drop his bow.
“Are you alright?” asked Sonic Boom as she ran toward her twin. He simply motioned her to keep running toward Devil Ray. Sonic Boom attacked Devil Ray with an impressive demonstration of martial arts. But the son of the Black Manta was no easy prey. His armor effectively protected him from the lovely young heroine’s blows. After a two-minute battle, the Devil Ray finally got in a hit on Sonic Boom’s throat. The pain of the blow almost caused her to pass out. She was winded and unable to use her sonic scream.
Seeing his sister in trouble, Dark Arrow got up and ran toward the battling pair to try to save her. However, the Flying Fish swooped down and squarely knocked Dark Arrow’s chin with both fists. The winged villain circled in the air and prepared for another attack.
Sonic Boom continued to fight for her life as her armored foe charged her all the more. She could breathe again, but still couldn’t use her cry. Thinking quickly, she rolled with the Devil Ray’s punch and landed next to her brother’s bow and arrows.
Dark Arrow got up off the rocky beach and prepared for the Flying Fish’s next attack. He had no offensive weapons whatsoever.
“Arrow,” cried the winded heroine as loud as she could. “Use your sonic bellow!”
“I can’t,” shouted Dark Arrow as Sonic Boom picked up her brother’s bow and an arrow.
“You have to!” demanded the girl as she aimed toward the Devil Ray.
“I can’t right now! I’m too worked up to hit the right note!” answered Dark Arrow in a panicked voice.
Sonic Boom had no choice. The Devil Ray would be on her imminently, but the Flying Fish was going to kill her brother with that spear. Whirling about she re-aimed her brother’s bow at the Flying Fish.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT! Crackle! Pop! THUD!
The shock arrow hit its target and the Flying Fish dropped to the ground.
Dark Arrow’s eyes widened in horror as the Devil Ray aimed his harpoon gun at Sonic Boom.
“DUCK!” he ordered his sister. Sonic Boom instinctively cart-wheeled out of the way as Dark Arrow took a deep breath. He knew it was a big risk, but he tried a new idea.
“SKRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Dark Arrow sang a deep bass bellow with all of his might. The ground started rumbling and then it shook wildly. Soon the Devil Ray’s helmet cracked and split in two. Both his harpoon gun and Manta laser were destroyed. The villain fell backward and landed unconscious on the beach. The world seemed to spin as the dizzy young hero fell in exhaustion to the ground. Sonic Boom ran over to Dark Arrow.
“That’s my brother!” she said with pride. Dark Arrow smiled faintly before he passed out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hall of Justice Headquarters
Green Lantern was both honored and surprised at his recent appointment as the new leader of the Titans East. It took the sting out of being on probation with the Green Lantern Corps for one year. However, he found himself questioning the wisdom in accepting the position. He had already taken on too many responsibilities and now he was adding the pressure of guiding and leading this generation of the world’s greatest super-heroes. If he were going to be effective he was going to have to learn to delegate authority and duties. His first inclination was to simply appoint Nucleus, Nightvision, Power Guy, and the Huntress as deputies. But he realized that there were several Titans that he still barely knew. “I am going to have to take the time to get to know each member personally and find out their strengths and interests, so that I can better serve my team,” thought Daniel Jordan. “Hmmmm……I should probably interview Junijie Quick, Palomé, and Wonder Man…I hardly know anything about Palomé …in fact, I am not sure if any of us knows much about Palomé!” Having made his decision he began making his way to Palomé’s room. Along the way he noticed that Strato Hawk’s room was partially open, and heard Strato Hawk shouting, “WHERE ARE YOU!?! I don’t even know where you…” Green Lantern heard something smash against the wall. He knocked on the door and entered without being acknowledged.
“’Hawk! What’s wrong?” asked Green Lantern.
Strato Hawk was breathing heavily, visibly furious, and his eyes betrayed a panic that Greeen Lantern had never observed before in his strange teammate. “Just…just…” his voice began to quiver with rage mingled with horror and a great sadness. “Can you please just go?” he finished quietly.
“…’Hawk, I… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I helped you…please,” pleaded Green Lantern.
“Wait here,” said Strato Hawk as he entered his private bathroom. Green Lantern could hear his teammate’s crying over the sound of both the water faucet and shower. Needing to do something while waiting, Daniel picked up Strato Hawk’s smashed telephone and put it on a nearby nightstand. That was when he saw it. Green Lantern removed the framed portrait of a young boy from the wall. Moving to the mirror he noticed more pictures of the same child, several of which were of Strato Hawk in his civilian identity holding the child. He noticed a family portrait that also included a beautiful woman just before the bathroom door opened. Strato Hawk silently glared at his new team leader intensely for several seconds.
“Strato Hawk… I’m sorry,” began Green Lantern. “I don’t mean to interfere or pry, but whatever’s wrong I want to help,” he pleaded.
Strato Hawk looked past Green Lantern to the two women now standing in his doorway. Briskly walking past Daniel, Strato Hawk firmly closed his private door in the faces of Venus and Black Vulcan.
“This stays between us,” stated Strato Hawk firmly.
“Of course,” replied Green Lantern respectfully. “You have a family?” he asked.
“My wife left me a week before the Titans of Justice formed…” began Strato Hawk. A tear came to Green Lantern’s eye as his teammate continued. “I have been looking for her ever since. I don’t have any clue where she took…”
“Your son?” asked Green Lantern, still holding the picture of the boy.
Strato Hawk confirmed with a nod as he depressed the replay switch on his answering machine.
“<klik>…they’re breaking in the house! (waaaah!) You’ve got to help us! (waaaah!) Oh no! He’s going to - - <klik>”
“Let me charge my battery, and we’ll go!” exclaimed Daniel.
“Wait!” objected Strato Hawk. “I don’t even know where she is.”
“Then we’re going to need help…” insisted Daniel. “…and I know just the person…”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Star City: The Queen Estate
“What is this place?” asked Strato Hawk as two Titans descended and landed in an exquisite garden near a glamorous mansion.
“Queen Gardens,” answered Green Lantern as his uniformed mysteriously altered into a white collared shirt and black denim pants. “No one will notice that two super-heroes are entering the Queen Estate if we enter from here.”
“What are we doing here?” asked Strato Hawk, who remained in his uniform.
“This is where DiDi lives,” answered Daniel Jordan.
“I thought you said that this would remain—”
“…don’t worry! I’m not going to tell anyone about your family! Why do you want to keep it a secret anyway?” asked Green Lantern. His question was answered with an uncomfortable silence.
The two heroes walked through the beautiful garden in silence. As they approached the back entrance to the Queen Estate, the door opened.
“Danny-boy!” greeted a jovial male voice.
“Hi, Uncle Ollie!” replied Daniel.
“Just a minute. I’ll tell her you’re here…” instructed Oliver Queen as he went inside and partially closed the door. Green Lantern and Strato Hawk could hear the muffled announcement: “DiDi! Romeo’s here!”
The laughter which followed was unmistakable. That could only be Daniel’s best friend, Robert Queen. “OUCH!” cried one male voice. “Hey! Knock it off!” shouted another.
Strato Hawk looked strangely at the blushing Daniel Jordan. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut short.
“Hi Strato Hawk! Hi Daniel!” greeted DiDi Queen as she gestured for the two heroes to enter. Strato Hawk had never seen Sonic Boom without her mask before. She was wearing a pink blouse and a blue jean skirt. Daniel couldn’t help but notice how nice she looked with her hair down.
“Hello, Mr. Queen. I’m Strato Hawk,” said the hero as he extended his hand. “We appreciate your seeing us on such short notice. What was that you called Green Lantern, Mr. Queen?”
Daniel was alarmed by Strato Hawk’s question.
“Oh, that!” DiDi answered quickly, “Romeo… dad’s been referring to Daniel as Romeo ever since Robert told him that Daniel was seeing Sargona…”
Everyone could hear Robert’s snickering from the next room. “So, could I have the specifics of the phone call you mentioned, Dan?” asked DiDi.
Strato Hawk looked alarmed.
“Relax, ‘Hawk,” said Daniel. “Here, I’ve written the time and location down for you…” said Daniel to DiDi as he handed her a slip of paper.
“Okay, I’ll get with Oracle and be back in a few minutes,” she said as she left the room.
DiDi’s twin brother Robert entered the room with a big grin on his face. “So, Danny-boy, What’s this for anyway?”
“Classified,” answered Daniel curtly.
“I see,” said Robert. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but couldn’t you have done this over the phone? Or even asked Nightvision, Oracle’s bouncing baby boy? Or even called her yourself?” His grin grew wider.
Strato Hawk folded his arms in displeasure. He wasn’t impressed with all of this teasing. He needed to find his son as soon as possible.
“Actually, Rob, I needed to talk with Aunt Dinah if she’s here. And I thought it would be more expedient if Hawk and I were here in case DiDi or Oracle needed any more information on the phone call we are tracing.”
Dinah Queen entered the room. “Hello, Daniel! It’s nice to see you! Who’s your friend?”
“This is Strato Hawk. He is on the Titans of Justice with DiDi and me,” Daniel continued as the older generation Black Canary shook hands with Strato Hawk. “Aunt Dinah, you chaired the Justice League when it was at its greatest. I was just elected as chairman of the Titans East. I was thinking you could give me some advice on how to effectively lead the team.”
“I’d be glad to discuss this at length with you at another time, but one thing I can tell you right now is that you are seriously understaffed!” said Dinah.
“Understaffed?” asked both Daniel Jordan and Strato Hawk in unified surprise.
“Back in our day, the League found out that hard way that you have to have someone with sea-based powers on your team. It doesn’t matter how many power rings, winged warriors, and supermen you have on your team. When Black Manta comes knocking at your door, you need an Aquaman,” explained the Black Canary.
DiDi came back into the room. “Got it! The call came from this address… You might be a little surprised…”
Daniel took the slip of paper from his teammate. “Coast City? This address is just two blocks from where I live! Look, we’d better get going! Thanks DiDi! Thanks Aunt Dinah!”
Green Lantern and Strato Hawk could hear Robert Queen’s footsteps coming from behind them as they walked out the door. “Hey, buddy, I’m sorry about my mom’s bluntness. DiDi and I just got back from a major battle with the Devil Ray and the Flying Fish. Mom was really worried about us because we really got trashed. But they didn’t get away!”
“The Devil Ray? I’ve heard that he is really cruel and ruthless,” remarked Daniel.
“Apparently the sea-based baddies all have their panties in a wad about some mythical necklace called ‘the Bermuda corals,’ which is supposed to give the bearer the power of teleportation,” explained Dark Arrow. “We would love to go with you, but you know how mom is.”
“Its all right,” answered Daniel. “We’ve got it covered.”
“Oh, and Danny-boy?”
“Yeah?”
“Yellow roses are DiDi’s favorite,” Robert teased with a grin.
After Green Lantern and Strato Hawk took off, DiDi walked up to her brother Robert with an angry look on her face. “Did you think I wouldn’t hear that! You’ve really got to stop with this fantasy of yours about Dan and me getting together…”
“And you’ve got to stop with this insistent denial,” retorted Robert with a smirk. “So now tell me more about Vixen’s daughter…”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast City, California
Green Lantern and Strato Hawk had a quick but tense flight to Coast City. Strato Hawk thought only of his son. Green Lantern didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. Then he saw the panic in Strato Hawk eyes. Looking ahead he saw it too.
“Is that it?” asked Strato Hawk pointing his mace to a house below that was surrounded by police cars, ambulances, a fire truck, and a lot of officers. There was a small fire on the east section of the house.
Green Lantern confirmed with a nod. “Hawk, let me take the lead on this,” he said. “This is my hometown and I know some of the officers down there. Once we’re in you can take over.”
“…okay,” answered Strato Hawk.
Landing behind a squad car on the outside of the perimeter, Green Lantern approached a short, barrel-chested man with prominent features, olive skin, and black curly hair. “Officer Cortez, what is the situation here?”
“Thanks for coming, Green Lantern,” answered Officer Sergio Cortez. “We need all the help we can get on this one. Apparently a costumed-type calling himself The Ocean Master has been in there with his goons for a couple of hours now. The fire just started about five minutes ago.”
“Ocean Master?” asked Green Lantern, “If I remember correctly, he’s a pretty bad Aquaman villain.”
“How many of them are there?” asked Strato Hawk with mounting tension.
“We don’t know,” answered Officer Cortez.
Green Lantern used his power ring to scan the house. “My ring detects eleven breathing lives.”
“I’m going in there!” shouted Strato Hawk as he took off toward the house.
“No! Wait!” shouted Green Lantern.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” shouted Strato Hawk as he smashed the western side wall with his mace.
Seeing it was too late to formulate a plan, Green Lantern instructed Officer Cortez: “Move your men back! This could be bad!” He aimed his ring at the eastern section of the house and a green foam quenched the flames. Creating a large green mace identical to Strato Hawk’s, Green Lantern followed his teammate’s lead through the roof. The scene was violent.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” shouted Strato Hawk as he maced one of the Ocean Master’s scantily clad goons. Four were now on the floor.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” A fifth smashed into the wall.
Seeing that his teammate would need no help taking down the last two, Green Lantern ran down a corridor and started checking the other rooms.
THUD! SMASH!
Green Lantern was certain that Strato Hawk would be catching up with him at any moment. Then he opened the master bedroom door. Inside was an African-American woman tied in a chair. Green Lantern recognized her from the picture in Strato Hawk’s room. Her hairstyle was different, but she was definitely Strato Hawk’s wife. Facing the woman, but with his back to the Green Lantern was a man clad in purple with a golden-orange helmet.
“Your time has run out, Sting Ray! Give me the corals!” shouted the Ocean Master with a trident to the beautiful woman’s throat.
The imprisoned lady did not betray Green Lantern’s presence. “I already told you that I don’t know who this ‘Sting Ray’ is. I will gladly give you all of my money and even this entire house if you will just let me go,” she said calmly.
Strato Hawk brushed passed Green Lantern and raised his mace above his head.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!” he yelled as the Ocean Master’s helmet split in two and fell to the ground.
“AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!” screamed the villain as he reeled in pain.
“Marah?!?” exclaimed Strato Hawk.
“Just untie me,” she said coldly.
KRAK!!!!!! The blunt end of Ocean Master’s trident hit Strato Hawk’s rib cage.
Green Lantern’s ring formed several pair of scissors which freed Strato Hawk’s wife. Jumping from her chair she somersaulted across the room and grabbed an alien-looking weapon. She fired it at the Ocean Master’s skull.
[glow=red,2,300]BZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! [/glow]
The Ocean Master fell to the ground unconscious.
Green Lantern rushed toward his injured teammate.
“Forget me! Follow her!” yelled Strato Hawk.
Green Lantern chased Strato Hawk’s wife, but after several turns in the house he lost her. Using his ring, he scanned the building to find that there were still only eleven souls in the building, including his own and Strato Hawk’s. Assuming that Strato Hawk’s wife had somehow escaped with her son, Green Lantern returned to deliver the bad news. He was very surprised at the scene when he entered the master bedroom. Strato Hawk had removed his helmet. Tears stained his face as he hugged a young toddler. The scene was silent, but it was one that Green Lantern would never forget. He had never seen Strato Hawk’s face before. Short dark hair framed the hardened features of his teammate. His piercing blue eyes were blood-shot. But the most memorable aspect of the scene was the smile which he had never known that Strato Hawk was capable of producing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later
The afternoon cooled down somewhat as the sun began to set.
“So, you think this is all related to the incident with Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom earlier?” asked Strato Hawk.
“I’m pretty sure I heard the Ocean Master make a reference to ‘corals’ back there, Hawk,” said Green Lantern.
“Then… I suppose you’re going to have to put together a team and investigate this further?” inquired Strato Hawk.
“…right,” agreed Green Lantern. “Hawk? What are you going to do now? I know that you can’t bring a toddler on an aquatic mission.”
“Daniel… it’s been an honor,” he said.
“You’re resigning from the team?” asked Green Lantern with a sympathetic tone.
“You can put me on reserves. I need to take my boy somewhere safe, where he can live as normal as a life possible,” replied Strato Hawk.
“What about his mother?” asked Green Lantern. “I heard the Ocean Master refer to her as ‘Sting Ray’.”
“Sting Ray is a villain,” said Strato Hawk. “I’ve heard that she’s the sister of the Devil Ray and the daughter of Black Manta. I… I’m not ready yet to deal with the possibility that I may have married a super-villain… or that my father-in-law is Black Manta.”
The two heroes looked down in silence. Green Lantern clasped his hand on Strato Hawk’s shoulder as a gesture of reassurance, loyalty, and support. The two heroes shook hands firmly. “The Titans are going to miss you, Strato Hawk,” he spoke solemnly.
“Same here,” said Strato Hawk. “…and Dan? Call me Christian.”
Green Lantern smile turned to surprise as he felt something in his hand. It was a fifty dollar bill. “What’s this?” he asked.
“It’s for roses,” answered Strato Hawk. “Before… I was kind of irritated at Power Guy for teasing you about DiDi. But after this morning… well, it’s up to you whether you buy red roses for Sargona… or yellow roses for someone else. You have helped me find my son. Now I would like to help you with some advice: You aren’t going to be an effective leader until you get your personal life in order. Make your choice. The hearts of two of our teammates are on the line.”
Green Lantern listened intently to the wise words of his teammate… rather, to the words of his friend. He used his ring to create a carrier which he used to secure Strato Hawk’s son to his friend’s chest. He watched as Strato Hawk took off into the east. His wing span was magnificent. The Titans East team was truly going to feel the absence of one of their toughest members, but Daniel Jordan knew in his heart that Strato Hawk had made the wiser choice: to focus his attention on raising his beloved son.
Next chapter: Because YOU demanded it! The top three heroes from the recent “Who is YOUR favorite member of the Titans of Justice Universe thread” team up to uncover the Mystery of the Bermuda Corals.
Written by: Green Lantern
Co-conspirator: Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Editor: Marcus Mebes
Note: This story takes place after Titans of Justice Classified #10, featuring the introduction of Totem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
“I told you I don’t know nuthin’ about no coral!” shouted a yellow- and purple-clad man known as Flying Fish. He lifted a spear in threat towards the Devil Ray.
“You want to survive this?” warned the Devil Ray as he shot a blast from his gun. “Hand the Bermuda corals over NOW!”
Two more masked figures secretly watched the battle from behind Happy Harbor’s historic lighthouse. They had just finished aiding the police in getting all of the tourists to safety.
“What do you think?” asked the female to her companion.
“I’ll take Devil Ray,” said the male. “You take the flying dweeb.”
“Who is that guy, anyway?” asked the female.
“Let’s ask him!” replied the male as he took an arrow out of his quiver and nocked it in the bow. “Hey guys! Are ya’ finished destroying the lighthouse yet?”
Thhhhhhhhhhhhhwip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dark Arrow’s shaft released a net and entrapped the Devil Ray.
“Oh no!” shouted the Flying Fish. “First the Devil Ray and now this!”
“SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Sonic Boom’s canary cry sent the man in the winged yellow suit flying head-over-heals into the sea.
“Green Arrow and Black Canary?!?” exclaimed the Devil Ray in excitement. “At last a chance to kill not one, but TWO members of the Justice League!” he said as he burned the net with a couple of blasts from his Manta Laser.
“Not today, sea scum!” shouted Dark Arrow as he prepared another arrow for attack. “Nobody messes with the Justice League!”
The Devil Ray shot a series of blasts straight at Dark Arrow. The last one hit the young hero’s shoulder strap, releasing his quiver and scattering arrows everywhere. The shock of the blast knocked the hero to the ground and caused him to drop his bow.
“Are you alright?” asked Sonic Boom as she ran toward her twin. He simply motioned her to keep running toward Devil Ray. Sonic Boom attacked Devil Ray with an impressive demonstration of martial arts. But the son of the Black Manta was no easy prey. His armor effectively protected him from the lovely young heroine’s blows. After a two-minute battle, the Devil Ray finally got in a hit on Sonic Boom’s throat. The pain of the blow almost caused her to pass out. She was winded and unable to use her sonic scream.
Seeing his sister in trouble, Dark Arrow got up and ran toward the battling pair to try to save her. However, the Flying Fish swooped down and squarely knocked Dark Arrow’s chin with both fists. The winged villain circled in the air and prepared for another attack.
Sonic Boom continued to fight for her life as her armored foe charged her all the more. She could breathe again, but still couldn’t use her cry. Thinking quickly, she rolled with the Devil Ray’s punch and landed next to her brother’s bow and arrows.
Dark Arrow got up off the rocky beach and prepared for the Flying Fish’s next attack. He had no offensive weapons whatsoever.
“Arrow,” cried the winded heroine as loud as she could. “Use your sonic bellow!”
“I can’t,” shouted Dark Arrow as Sonic Boom picked up her brother’s bow and an arrow.
“You have to!” demanded the girl as she aimed toward the Devil Ray.
“I can’t right now! I’m too worked up to hit the right note!” answered Dark Arrow in a panicked voice.
Sonic Boom had no choice. The Devil Ray would be on her imminently, but the Flying Fish was going to kill her brother with that spear. Whirling about she re-aimed her brother’s bow at the Flying Fish.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT! Crackle! Pop! THUD!
The shock arrow hit its target and the Flying Fish dropped to the ground.
Dark Arrow’s eyes widened in horror as the Devil Ray aimed his harpoon gun at Sonic Boom.
“DUCK!” he ordered his sister. Sonic Boom instinctively cart-wheeled out of the way as Dark Arrow took a deep breath. He knew it was a big risk, but he tried a new idea.
“SKRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Dark Arrow sang a deep bass bellow with all of his might. The ground started rumbling and then it shook wildly. Soon the Devil Ray’s helmet cracked and split in two. Both his harpoon gun and Manta laser were destroyed. The villain fell backward and landed unconscious on the beach. The world seemed to spin as the dizzy young hero fell in exhaustion to the ground. Sonic Boom ran over to Dark Arrow.
“That’s my brother!” she said with pride. Dark Arrow smiled faintly before he passed out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hall of Justice Headquarters
Green Lantern was both honored and surprised at his recent appointment as the new leader of the Titans East. It took the sting out of being on probation with the Green Lantern Corps for one year. However, he found himself questioning the wisdom in accepting the position. He had already taken on too many responsibilities and now he was adding the pressure of guiding and leading this generation of the world’s greatest super-heroes. If he were going to be effective he was going to have to learn to delegate authority and duties. His first inclination was to simply appoint Nucleus, Nightvision, Power Guy, and the Huntress as deputies. But he realized that there were several Titans that he still barely knew. “I am going to have to take the time to get to know each member personally and find out their strengths and interests, so that I can better serve my team,” thought Daniel Jordan. “Hmmmm……I should probably interview Junijie Quick, Palomé, and Wonder Man…I hardly know anything about Palomé …in fact, I am not sure if any of us knows much about Palomé!” Having made his decision he began making his way to Palomé’s room. Along the way he noticed that Strato Hawk’s room was partially open, and heard Strato Hawk shouting, “WHERE ARE YOU!?! I don’t even know where you…” Green Lantern heard something smash against the wall. He knocked on the door and entered without being acknowledged.
“’Hawk! What’s wrong?” asked Green Lantern.
Strato Hawk was breathing heavily, visibly furious, and his eyes betrayed a panic that Greeen Lantern had never observed before in his strange teammate. “Just…just…” his voice began to quiver with rage mingled with horror and a great sadness. “Can you please just go?” he finished quietly.
“…’Hawk, I… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I helped you…please,” pleaded Green Lantern.
“Wait here,” said Strato Hawk as he entered his private bathroom. Green Lantern could hear his teammate’s crying over the sound of both the water faucet and shower. Needing to do something while waiting, Daniel picked up Strato Hawk’s smashed telephone and put it on a nearby nightstand. That was when he saw it. Green Lantern removed the framed portrait of a young boy from the wall. Moving to the mirror he noticed more pictures of the same child, several of which were of Strato Hawk in his civilian identity holding the child. He noticed a family portrait that also included a beautiful woman just before the bathroom door opened. Strato Hawk silently glared at his new team leader intensely for several seconds.
“Strato Hawk… I’m sorry,” began Green Lantern. “I don’t mean to interfere or pry, but whatever’s wrong I want to help,” he pleaded.
Strato Hawk looked past Green Lantern to the two women now standing in his doorway. Briskly walking past Daniel, Strato Hawk firmly closed his private door in the faces of Venus and Black Vulcan.
“This stays between us,” stated Strato Hawk firmly.
“Of course,” replied Green Lantern respectfully. “You have a family?” he asked.
“My wife left me a week before the Titans of Justice formed…” began Strato Hawk. A tear came to Green Lantern’s eye as his teammate continued. “I have been looking for her ever since. I don’t have any clue where she took…”
“Your son?” asked Green Lantern, still holding the picture of the boy.
Strato Hawk confirmed with a nod as he depressed the replay switch on his answering machine.
“<klik>…they’re breaking in the house! (waaaah!) You’ve got to help us! (waaaah!) Oh no! He’s going to - - <klik>”
“Let me charge my battery, and we’ll go!” exclaimed Daniel.
“Wait!” objected Strato Hawk. “I don’t even know where she is.”
“Then we’re going to need help…” insisted Daniel. “…and I know just the person…”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Star City: The Queen Estate
“What is this place?” asked Strato Hawk as two Titans descended and landed in an exquisite garden near a glamorous mansion.
“Queen Gardens,” answered Green Lantern as his uniformed mysteriously altered into a white collared shirt and black denim pants. “No one will notice that two super-heroes are entering the Queen Estate if we enter from here.”
“What are we doing here?” asked Strato Hawk, who remained in his uniform.
“This is where DiDi lives,” answered Daniel Jordan.
“I thought you said that this would remain—”
“…don’t worry! I’m not going to tell anyone about your family! Why do you want to keep it a secret anyway?” asked Green Lantern. His question was answered with an uncomfortable silence.
The two heroes walked through the beautiful garden in silence. As they approached the back entrance to the Queen Estate, the door opened.
“Danny-boy!” greeted a jovial male voice.
“Hi, Uncle Ollie!” replied Daniel.
“Just a minute. I’ll tell her you’re here…” instructed Oliver Queen as he went inside and partially closed the door. Green Lantern and Strato Hawk could hear the muffled announcement: “DiDi! Romeo’s here!”
The laughter which followed was unmistakable. That could only be Daniel’s best friend, Robert Queen. “OUCH!” cried one male voice. “Hey! Knock it off!” shouted another.
Strato Hawk looked strangely at the blushing Daniel Jordan. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut short.
“Hi Strato Hawk! Hi Daniel!” greeted DiDi Queen as she gestured for the two heroes to enter. Strato Hawk had never seen Sonic Boom without her mask before. She was wearing a pink blouse and a blue jean skirt. Daniel couldn’t help but notice how nice she looked with her hair down.
“Hello, Mr. Queen. I’m Strato Hawk,” said the hero as he extended his hand. “We appreciate your seeing us on such short notice. What was that you called Green Lantern, Mr. Queen?”
Daniel was alarmed by Strato Hawk’s question.
“Oh, that!” DiDi answered quickly, “Romeo… dad’s been referring to Daniel as Romeo ever since Robert told him that Daniel was seeing Sargona…”
Everyone could hear Robert’s snickering from the next room. “So, could I have the specifics of the phone call you mentioned, Dan?” asked DiDi.
Strato Hawk looked alarmed.
“Relax, ‘Hawk,” said Daniel. “Here, I’ve written the time and location down for you…” said Daniel to DiDi as he handed her a slip of paper.
“Okay, I’ll get with Oracle and be back in a few minutes,” she said as she left the room.
DiDi’s twin brother Robert entered the room with a big grin on his face. “So, Danny-boy, What’s this for anyway?”
“Classified,” answered Daniel curtly.
“I see,” said Robert. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but couldn’t you have done this over the phone? Or even asked Nightvision, Oracle’s bouncing baby boy? Or even called her yourself?” His grin grew wider.
Strato Hawk folded his arms in displeasure. He wasn’t impressed with all of this teasing. He needed to find his son as soon as possible.
“Actually, Rob, I needed to talk with Aunt Dinah if she’s here. And I thought it would be more expedient if Hawk and I were here in case DiDi or Oracle needed any more information on the phone call we are tracing.”
Dinah Queen entered the room. “Hello, Daniel! It’s nice to see you! Who’s your friend?”
“This is Strato Hawk. He is on the Titans of Justice with DiDi and me,” Daniel continued as the older generation Black Canary shook hands with Strato Hawk. “Aunt Dinah, you chaired the Justice League when it was at its greatest. I was just elected as chairman of the Titans East. I was thinking you could give me some advice on how to effectively lead the team.”
“I’d be glad to discuss this at length with you at another time, but one thing I can tell you right now is that you are seriously understaffed!” said Dinah.
“Understaffed?” asked both Daniel Jordan and Strato Hawk in unified surprise.
“Back in our day, the League found out that hard way that you have to have someone with sea-based powers on your team. It doesn’t matter how many power rings, winged warriors, and supermen you have on your team. When Black Manta comes knocking at your door, you need an Aquaman,” explained the Black Canary.
DiDi came back into the room. “Got it! The call came from this address… You might be a little surprised…”
Daniel took the slip of paper from his teammate. “Coast City? This address is just two blocks from where I live! Look, we’d better get going! Thanks DiDi! Thanks Aunt Dinah!”
Green Lantern and Strato Hawk could hear Robert Queen’s footsteps coming from behind them as they walked out the door. “Hey, buddy, I’m sorry about my mom’s bluntness. DiDi and I just got back from a major battle with the Devil Ray and the Flying Fish. Mom was really worried about us because we really got trashed. But they didn’t get away!”
“The Devil Ray? I’ve heard that he is really cruel and ruthless,” remarked Daniel.
“Apparently the sea-based baddies all have their panties in a wad about some mythical necklace called ‘the Bermuda corals,’ which is supposed to give the bearer the power of teleportation,” explained Dark Arrow. “We would love to go with you, but you know how mom is.”
“Its all right,” answered Daniel. “We’ve got it covered.”
“Oh, and Danny-boy?”
“Yeah?”
“Yellow roses are DiDi’s favorite,” Robert teased with a grin.
After Green Lantern and Strato Hawk took off, DiDi walked up to her brother Robert with an angry look on her face. “Did you think I wouldn’t hear that! You’ve really got to stop with this fantasy of yours about Dan and me getting together…”
“And you’ve got to stop with this insistent denial,” retorted Robert with a smirk. “So now tell me more about Vixen’s daughter…”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast City, California
Green Lantern and Strato Hawk had a quick but tense flight to Coast City. Strato Hawk thought only of his son. Green Lantern didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. Then he saw the panic in Strato Hawk eyes. Looking ahead he saw it too.
“Is that it?” asked Strato Hawk pointing his mace to a house below that was surrounded by police cars, ambulances, a fire truck, and a lot of officers. There was a small fire on the east section of the house.
Green Lantern confirmed with a nod. “Hawk, let me take the lead on this,” he said. “This is my hometown and I know some of the officers down there. Once we’re in you can take over.”
“…okay,” answered Strato Hawk.
Landing behind a squad car on the outside of the perimeter, Green Lantern approached a short, barrel-chested man with prominent features, olive skin, and black curly hair. “Officer Cortez, what is the situation here?”
“Thanks for coming, Green Lantern,” answered Officer Sergio Cortez. “We need all the help we can get on this one. Apparently a costumed-type calling himself The Ocean Master has been in there with his goons for a couple of hours now. The fire just started about five minutes ago.”
“Ocean Master?” asked Green Lantern, “If I remember correctly, he’s a pretty bad Aquaman villain.”
“How many of them are there?” asked Strato Hawk with mounting tension.
“We don’t know,” answered Officer Cortez.
Green Lantern used his power ring to scan the house. “My ring detects eleven breathing lives.”
“I’m going in there!” shouted Strato Hawk as he took off toward the house.
“No! Wait!” shouted Green Lantern.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” shouted Strato Hawk as he smashed the western side wall with his mace.
Seeing it was too late to formulate a plan, Green Lantern instructed Officer Cortez: “Move your men back! This could be bad!” He aimed his ring at the eastern section of the house and a green foam quenched the flames. Creating a large green mace identical to Strato Hawk’s, Green Lantern followed his teammate’s lead through the roof. The scene was violent.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” shouted Strato Hawk as he maced one of the Ocean Master’s scantily clad goons. Four were now on the floor.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” A fifth smashed into the wall.
Seeing that his teammate would need no help taking down the last two, Green Lantern ran down a corridor and started checking the other rooms.
THUD! SMASH!
Green Lantern was certain that Strato Hawk would be catching up with him at any moment. Then he opened the master bedroom door. Inside was an African-American woman tied in a chair. Green Lantern recognized her from the picture in Strato Hawk’s room. Her hairstyle was different, but she was definitely Strato Hawk’s wife. Facing the woman, but with his back to the Green Lantern was a man clad in purple with a golden-orange helmet.
“Your time has run out, Sting Ray! Give me the corals!” shouted the Ocean Master with a trident to the beautiful woman’s throat.
The imprisoned lady did not betray Green Lantern’s presence. “I already told you that I don’t know who this ‘Sting Ray’ is. I will gladly give you all of my money and even this entire house if you will just let me go,” she said calmly.
Strato Hawk brushed passed Green Lantern and raised his mace above his head.
“HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!” he yelled as the Ocean Master’s helmet split in two and fell to the ground.
“AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!” screamed the villain as he reeled in pain.
“Marah?!?” exclaimed Strato Hawk.
“Just untie me,” she said coldly.
KRAK!!!!!! The blunt end of Ocean Master’s trident hit Strato Hawk’s rib cage.
Green Lantern’s ring formed several pair of scissors which freed Strato Hawk’s wife. Jumping from her chair she somersaulted across the room and grabbed an alien-looking weapon. She fired it at the Ocean Master’s skull.
[glow=red,2,300]BZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! [/glow]
The Ocean Master fell to the ground unconscious.
Green Lantern rushed toward his injured teammate.
“Forget me! Follow her!” yelled Strato Hawk.
Green Lantern chased Strato Hawk’s wife, but after several turns in the house he lost her. Using his ring, he scanned the building to find that there were still only eleven souls in the building, including his own and Strato Hawk’s. Assuming that Strato Hawk’s wife had somehow escaped with her son, Green Lantern returned to deliver the bad news. He was very surprised at the scene when he entered the master bedroom. Strato Hawk had removed his helmet. Tears stained his face as he hugged a young toddler. The scene was silent, but it was one that Green Lantern would never forget. He had never seen Strato Hawk’s face before. Short dark hair framed the hardened features of his teammate. His piercing blue eyes were blood-shot. But the most memorable aspect of the scene was the smile which he had never known that Strato Hawk was capable of producing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later
The afternoon cooled down somewhat as the sun began to set.
“So, you think this is all related to the incident with Dark Arrow and Sonic Boom earlier?” asked Strato Hawk.
“I’m pretty sure I heard the Ocean Master make a reference to ‘corals’ back there, Hawk,” said Green Lantern.
“Then… I suppose you’re going to have to put together a team and investigate this further?” inquired Strato Hawk.
“…right,” agreed Green Lantern. “Hawk? What are you going to do now? I know that you can’t bring a toddler on an aquatic mission.”
“Daniel… it’s been an honor,” he said.
“You’re resigning from the team?” asked Green Lantern with a sympathetic tone.
“You can put me on reserves. I need to take my boy somewhere safe, where he can live as normal as a life possible,” replied Strato Hawk.
“What about his mother?” asked Green Lantern. “I heard the Ocean Master refer to her as ‘Sting Ray’.”
“Sting Ray is a villain,” said Strato Hawk. “I’ve heard that she’s the sister of the Devil Ray and the daughter of Black Manta. I… I’m not ready yet to deal with the possibility that I may have married a super-villain… or that my father-in-law is Black Manta.”
The two heroes looked down in silence. Green Lantern clasped his hand on Strato Hawk’s shoulder as a gesture of reassurance, loyalty, and support. The two heroes shook hands firmly. “The Titans are going to miss you, Strato Hawk,” he spoke solemnly.
“Same here,” said Strato Hawk. “…and Dan? Call me Christian.”
Green Lantern smile turned to surprise as he felt something in his hand. It was a fifty dollar bill. “What’s this?” he asked.
“It’s for roses,” answered Strato Hawk. “Before… I was kind of irritated at Power Guy for teasing you about DiDi. But after this morning… well, it’s up to you whether you buy red roses for Sargona… or yellow roses for someone else. You have helped me find my son. Now I would like to help you with some advice: You aren’t going to be an effective leader until you get your personal life in order. Make your choice. The hearts of two of our teammates are on the line.”
Green Lantern listened intently to the wise words of his teammate… rather, to the words of his friend. He used his ring to create a carrier which he used to secure Strato Hawk’s son to his friend’s chest. He watched as Strato Hawk took off into the east. His wing span was magnificent. The Titans East team was truly going to feel the absence of one of their toughest members, but Daniel Jordan knew in his heart that Strato Hawk had made the wiser choice: to focus his attention on raising his beloved son.
Next chapter: Because YOU demanded it! The top three heroes from the recent “Who is YOUR favorite member of the Titans of Justice Universe thread” team up to uncover the Mystery of the Bermuda Corals.