Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2015 19:03:59 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 45 – “A Fresh Start”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty & Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
The Hall of Justice, Metropolis…
Wonder Man walked the dark and quiet corridors of the Hall of Justice. It was eerily still and he was a tad uncomfortable being there after all that had happened. He had almost decided to stop being Wonder Man and go back to modeling full time, but couldn’t fight the urge to return to the Hall. He went to the monitor room and found Venus watching the news. The duo talked at length about how the surviving members of the team had lost touch over the past few days.
“I guess we weren’t as close as we all thought we were.” Venus sighed. “At least Palomé finally called me. All this grief was too much for him. He said he felt as is if his soul were being ripped apart and that he needed some time to get himself together. He’s meeting me later.”
Wonder Man smiled at Venus, happy that she had Palomé to get her through this crisis. “I wonder who will end up officially disbanding the team with Green Lantern and Power Guy both gone…”
Venus cut him off. “Disband? We can’t disband… What will happen to me? I… I’m sorry! It’s just that this is the only home I have. I don’t mean to sound selfish, but I don’t want to go back to Vegas! Plus, we’ve helped so many people and I’ve never felt so good about myself.”
“Well, out of those of us that are left, no one except Palomé has contacted either of us. I guess I just assumed that the team was finished. I saw Mari Stewart at the memorial service and just casually mentioned Totem possibly joining and she nearly snapped my head off… although Totem texted me to keep her in mind. I think Titans East is an idea best left in the past. In fact, I already told my mother I was coming home,” Wonder Man said, getting up and walking towards his private quarters.
“Scott! No, you can’t! You were my first friend on the team. Look, what if we try to build the team back up? Black Vulcan, Palome, Nightvision… all the others will be in! I know it! They’re all just taking time to grieve.” Venus spoke with enthusiasm, although it came across more as desperation.
Wonder Man looked at the beautiful woman standing before him. He couldn’t help but feel compelled to help her…was she using her powers on him? No matter. Wonder Man decided he owed it to his fallen friends to try to keep the team going and not let their deaths be in vain.
“Venus, you’re right. It will be a tribute to our friends if we try to keep the team going.”
***
The next day…
Venus reported that she had sent the signal to the other team members, but no one had responded yet. Wonder Man had contacted every major newspaper and television station inviting heroes from all over the world to come to the Hall to check out their membership drive.
“Scott, look in the lobby! So many of have showed up! This is going to be wonderful! We shouldn’t have any problems replenishing our ranks!” she said, hugging her teammate.
“I don’t know… I recognize some of these characters and a lot of them are from the bottom of the barrel, if you know what I mean.” Wonder Man took to the air and regarded the assembled group.
He couldn’t help but turn up the “cheese” as he often did in front of a crowd.
“Hello and welcome to the first ever Titans of Justice membership drive. No pictures of me please.”
“Why don’t you shut up and get this started? We’re not here to gawk at you,” came a voice from a green amphibious creature.
“Lagoon Boy, is that you? I thought you were working as an extra at the Universal Island of Adventure!” the flying hero said, laughing out loud. Despite being raised with the manners of a prince, Wonder Man still had a mean streak; especially when taunted.
“It’s Lagoon MAN now, pretty boy,” the green man said, his voice full of venom.
“All right then. If you will all follow me into our interview room, we’ll get started.” He smirked ruefully as he began to lead them, when they were interrupted by a loud, almost maniacal laughter followed by “sproing, sproing, sproing.” A man clad in a harlequin/clown costume with green hair emerged on a pogo stick.
“It’s the Joker!” a woman that Wonder Man recognized as the Little Mermaid shouted.
“Tut-tut fish stick! I’m A joker, but not THE Joker!” the man chuckled.
He made his way to Venus. “You look like you’ve gotten too much sun, dearie! Here, let me help you!” Before Venus could react the man hit her in the face with a giant powder puff. Venus started coughing and Wonder Man flew to her side.
“Who are you, you weirdo?! Haven’t you ever heard of a spray tan?” Wonder Man demanded.
“I think you need cooling off, you hot hunk of burning love!! Hoooooo---haaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Wonder Man was ready to deck the guy just as a flower on the green haired man’s costume sprayed water all over Wonder Man’s face.
“You can call me Wildcard! I’m here to join the Titans just like my Auntie Duela did so many years ago! But where’s your Robin and Golden Eagle? Where’s your Aqualad and Flamebird?”
The crowd looked at the man and wasn’t sure what to do. He started laughing and jumped back on his pogo stick. “When the Titans—the real Titans—get back, let me know! Gotta go, can’t be late for the Great Frog show at Gabriel’s Horn!”
Wonder Man and Venus stared along with the other heroes as Wildcard pogoed out of the building.
Wonder Man surveyed the group. “Venus, I suddenly think this was a bad idea.”
***
Hours later…
Wonder Man and Venus were weary. “Out of all the people who showed up, I can’t believe we haven’t met any quality heroes,” he sighed.
Venus took a sip of her Tab and replied, “Thanks for throwing those disgusting pigs out.” She was talking about Mas and Menos. “They kept staring at my chest and leering at me. God only knows what they were saying about me! Disgusting! No wonder Rapido keeps his distance from them.”
“And that G’nort… person or whatever he was. I don’t think there is enough Lysol in the hall to get rid of the stench he left behind. That new Aztek has potential… as does Godiva,” Wonder Mad added. “I’ll bring in the next applicant.”
Wonder Man stepped out and was surprised to see a tall Egyptian woman that he instantly recognized. “Isis? Is that you?”
“Greetings Wonder Man. I am so terribly sorry for your loss.” Isis’s voice was like nothing he had heard before. It was majestic with a slight lilt. It made Wonder Man feel as if he were home on Paradise Island. The two chatted for several moments. He thanked her for stopping by and for offering her condolences.
“But I am here for more than diplomacy, my friend. I would like to serve on your team,” the visitor said with a sparkle in her eye.
“We would love to have you!” Wonder Man knew if Isis and Black Adam were interested, the team would have two much needed power houses. “Where’s your husband?”
“Adam is home looking after the best interests of our nation. I do not know how long I can offer assistance, but for now my place is here in the United States,” Isis said, with a hint of mystery in her voice.
Wonder Man shook her hand and welcomed her into the group without hesitation. “By the way,” he added, “it doesn’t look like you’ve aged a single day since your resurrection.”
“Why thank you,” replied the queen of Khandaq, humbly.
“Hey, how come Miss Egypt gets in with no tryout?” quipped the former Teen Titan called The Protector. He had entered the open door, thinking his turn was next.
Several others, such as a short guy who looked like he had a bucket on his head known as ‘Mazing Man, chimed in, angry that Isis was admitted with no try-out. Before Wonder Man knew what to do, he was surrounded by the likes of Retro, the Secret, Hero Cruz, the Protector, and several other obscure costumed types. Venus and Isis rushed to his side, trying to quiet the sullen crowd.
“Who do these kids think they are!? I was doing this when you were all still in diapers!” shouted an overweight, wrinkled woman. It was the third Terra.
“This is getting out of hand. We’ve got to get them out of here!” Isis urged her new teammates.
Before long all manner of bizarre powers were being let loose… havoc and mayhem reigned in the Hall of Justice. Wonder Man was even hit in the head with some sort of intergalactic tennis shoe! Several of the female heroines were ganging up on Venus, pulling her hair. Isis took to the air, about to start a thunderstorm…
“I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH!” came a booming voice. Wonder Man looked up, relieved to see Nightvision.
“ALL OF YOU! OUT OF THE HALL AT ONCE!!” His voice boomed again as he pulled a gadget from his utility belt.
The disgruntled heroes made comments under their breath and glared at Wonder Man and Venus, who were trying to sneak out with the rejected group.
“You two! Wonder Man and Venus: stay here. I have a few things to say to you,” Nightvision said very flatly.
Once the other applicants had cleared out, he faced his teammates sternly. “What is going on here? Our friends just died and you two have a party?” he demanded.
“It’s not like that at all Nightvision. We were trying to build the group back up. Where have you been anyway? I’ve been here for days and no one except Palomé and Wonder Man have bothered to either come by or call!” Venus shouted. “Do you want the group to shrivel up and go away? I bet you do… you cold fish! No feelings, no emotions! I bet you aren’t even sad about the others! Just another day on the job for you, right tough guy?” Venus screamed with tears in her eyes.
Wonder Man stood back, not knowing what to do.
Nightvision stared at Venus. “You don’t know what I feel. We’ve all lost in the past days. Some of us more than others. I…” Nightvision cut himself off.
“What is it? Go ahead and say it!” Venus demanded.
Nightvision didn’t want to admit why he came. He was lonely and thought being in the Hall would help him grieve. He had even dared entertain a hope that his new friend Palomé was there, and could help him cope with his feelings. Despite his anger at Wonder Man and Venus, he was actually happy to see them. “I came because I heard about this ill-fated membership drive. I don’t want the Titans to end. I guess I… I...” Nightvision started thinking of the Huntress and his encounter with Bruce and Selina Wayne. He just stood there and didn’t say anything.
Venus walked over to him and took his hand. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I yelled at you. We’ve all had it rough the past few days.”
Wonder Man looked at Nightvision. “I believe more than ever we need to be here as the Titans. I think we need to pay tribute to our friends by carrying on for them. You must admit: Isis is no third-rate wannabe. She’s the real thing.”
“I agree. We’ll summon the others,” the dark night detective said quietly.
Wonder Man and Venus smiled at each other. Wonder Man contacted his mother and told her that he wouldn’t be coming home… at least not yet.
Venus felt better than she had in days.
“Isis, I welcome you to the team,” Nightvision said as he extended his hand to Black Adam’s wife.
Palomé arrived several minutes later followed by Black Vulcan and finally, much to everyone’s pleasant surprise, Sargona.
“I’m glad you could all make it,” greeted Wonder Man. “For a while there, Venus and I thought we were the only two left who wanted to stay on the team.”
“I think we all just needed time to cope,” expressed Black Vulcan.
“Aren’t you forgetting to mention that you’ve broken your ties with Amanda Waller?” smiled Nightvision.
“You did???” said a shocked Sargona.
“Yes, I resigned from my position,” answered Black Vulcan. “You guys have taught me a lot in my time with you. You certainly deserve better than to have someone snooping around here trying to dig up dirt. I hope you can all forgive me….”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Sargona said warmly. “Nightvision told me how Waller was holding your dad’s job over your head along with his health insurance that your sick mother so desperately needed. I in turn, want to apologize for being so cold and snippy toward you since you joined the team.”
“I really can’t say I blame you for the way you acted,” offered Black Vulcan. She smiled, and added, “And I kinda thought the name Thunderdog was… funny. You can call me that if you want to… just not all the time.”
Sargona extended her hand to the lightning-powered heroine, “Fresh start?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” agreed Black Vulcan.
“Thank GOD!” explaimed Venus. “Now I can finally go shopping with the two of you at the same time.”
Palomé made his way to Venus’ side and remarked, “But you’ll still spend plenty of time with me alone, right ma belle?”
“You bet, dreamboat,” smiled Venus as she gave her boyfriend a peck on the cheek.
“Wait, does this mean I can’t call you Sarcasta anymore?” Black Vulcan demanded in jest.
“Sure you can – Thunderdog,” replied the sorceress smartly.
“Well, we’re still understaffed,” noted Palomé. “So there wasn’t a decent candidate that showed up for the membership drive besides Isis?”
“Not unless you consider Lagoon Boy and the Protector as decent,” grumbled Wonder Man. “I’ve even contacted all of our reserve members. Whirlpool’s priority is the oceans. Strato Hawk is focusing on his newly found son but he did say he’ll be there when we hunt down the Sting Ray. And the Stranger simply hasn’t responded as usual; plus, Celsius is still missing. I can’t believe he couldn’t even make it to the funeral. Anyways, back to filling the ranks, maybe we need to start looking…”
“Right over here!” came a voice.
The Titans of Justice turned to see Power Lad standing in the entry way.
“Who is this young boy?” asked Isis.
“That’s Power Lad,” answered Nightvision. “What are you doing here kid?”
“What am I doing here?” repeated Power Lad. “Moving in my stuff.”
“Umm… you don’t have a room here Ali,” stated Sargona, gently.
“Sure I do. Power Guy’s old room,” countered the cocky young here. “I’m taking over for him.”
“And who told you that?” questioned Wonder Man.
“He did,” answered Power Lad sharply, “and Black Lightning and Nightwing over there can prove it!”
“It’s Black VULCAN and NightVISION,” huffed Black Vulcan.
“Whatever…” mumbled Power Lad. “But when the four of us took down Metallo a while back, you both were there when PG said that if anything ever happened to him, his spot on the team was mine. Are you going to deny a dead man his request?” demanded the boy smugly.
“I hate to say it, but he’s telling the truth,” confirmed Black Vulcan
“No, it’s a good idea if he sticks around here,” stated Nightvision. “With Power Guy gone, someone’s going to have to keep an eye on this kid so he doesn’t get into trouble.”
“I don’t need no stinkin’ babysitter,” remarked Power Lad. “Anways, I’ll be in my room… doing a little redecorating. Let me know when the Trouble Alert goes off and I’ll let you know if it’s something that’s worth my attention.”
Sargona groaned. “I think we were better off when the Sportsmaster was on the team…”
TO BE CONTINUED
Written by: Scotty2Hotty & Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
The Hall of Justice, Metropolis…
Wonder Man walked the dark and quiet corridors of the Hall of Justice. It was eerily still and he was a tad uncomfortable being there after all that had happened. He had almost decided to stop being Wonder Man and go back to modeling full time, but couldn’t fight the urge to return to the Hall. He went to the monitor room and found Venus watching the news. The duo talked at length about how the surviving members of the team had lost touch over the past few days.
“I guess we weren’t as close as we all thought we were.” Venus sighed. “At least Palomé finally called me. All this grief was too much for him. He said he felt as is if his soul were being ripped apart and that he needed some time to get himself together. He’s meeting me later.”
Wonder Man smiled at Venus, happy that she had Palomé to get her through this crisis. “I wonder who will end up officially disbanding the team with Green Lantern and Power Guy both gone…”
Venus cut him off. “Disband? We can’t disband… What will happen to me? I… I’m sorry! It’s just that this is the only home I have. I don’t mean to sound selfish, but I don’t want to go back to Vegas! Plus, we’ve helped so many people and I’ve never felt so good about myself.”
“Well, out of those of us that are left, no one except Palomé has contacted either of us. I guess I just assumed that the team was finished. I saw Mari Stewart at the memorial service and just casually mentioned Totem possibly joining and she nearly snapped my head off… although Totem texted me to keep her in mind. I think Titans East is an idea best left in the past. In fact, I already told my mother I was coming home,” Wonder Man said, getting up and walking towards his private quarters.
“Scott! No, you can’t! You were my first friend on the team. Look, what if we try to build the team back up? Black Vulcan, Palome, Nightvision… all the others will be in! I know it! They’re all just taking time to grieve.” Venus spoke with enthusiasm, although it came across more as desperation.
Wonder Man looked at the beautiful woman standing before him. He couldn’t help but feel compelled to help her…was she using her powers on him? No matter. Wonder Man decided he owed it to his fallen friends to try to keep the team going and not let their deaths be in vain.
“Venus, you’re right. It will be a tribute to our friends if we try to keep the team going.”
***
The next day…
Venus reported that she had sent the signal to the other team members, but no one had responded yet. Wonder Man had contacted every major newspaper and television station inviting heroes from all over the world to come to the Hall to check out their membership drive.
“Scott, look in the lobby! So many of have showed up! This is going to be wonderful! We shouldn’t have any problems replenishing our ranks!” she said, hugging her teammate.
“I don’t know… I recognize some of these characters and a lot of them are from the bottom of the barrel, if you know what I mean.” Wonder Man took to the air and regarded the assembled group.
He couldn’t help but turn up the “cheese” as he often did in front of a crowd.
“Hello and welcome to the first ever Titans of Justice membership drive. No pictures of me please.”
“Why don’t you shut up and get this started? We’re not here to gawk at you,” came a voice from a green amphibious creature.
“Lagoon Boy, is that you? I thought you were working as an extra at the Universal Island of Adventure!” the flying hero said, laughing out loud. Despite being raised with the manners of a prince, Wonder Man still had a mean streak; especially when taunted.
“It’s Lagoon MAN now, pretty boy,” the green man said, his voice full of venom.
“All right then. If you will all follow me into our interview room, we’ll get started.” He smirked ruefully as he began to lead them, when they were interrupted by a loud, almost maniacal laughter followed by “sproing, sproing, sproing.” A man clad in a harlequin/clown costume with green hair emerged on a pogo stick.
“It’s the Joker!” a woman that Wonder Man recognized as the Little Mermaid shouted.
“Tut-tut fish stick! I’m A joker, but not THE Joker!” the man chuckled.
He made his way to Venus. “You look like you’ve gotten too much sun, dearie! Here, let me help you!” Before Venus could react the man hit her in the face with a giant powder puff. Venus started coughing and Wonder Man flew to her side.
“Who are you, you weirdo?! Haven’t you ever heard of a spray tan?” Wonder Man demanded.
“I think you need cooling off, you hot hunk of burning love!! Hoooooo---haaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Wonder Man was ready to deck the guy just as a flower on the green haired man’s costume sprayed water all over Wonder Man’s face.
“You can call me Wildcard! I’m here to join the Titans just like my Auntie Duela did so many years ago! But where’s your Robin and Golden Eagle? Where’s your Aqualad and Flamebird?”
The crowd looked at the man and wasn’t sure what to do. He started laughing and jumped back on his pogo stick. “When the Titans—the real Titans—get back, let me know! Gotta go, can’t be late for the Great Frog show at Gabriel’s Horn!”
Wonder Man and Venus stared along with the other heroes as Wildcard pogoed out of the building.
Wonder Man surveyed the group. “Venus, I suddenly think this was a bad idea.”
***
Hours later…
Wonder Man and Venus were weary. “Out of all the people who showed up, I can’t believe we haven’t met any quality heroes,” he sighed.
Venus took a sip of her Tab and replied, “Thanks for throwing those disgusting pigs out.” She was talking about Mas and Menos. “They kept staring at my chest and leering at me. God only knows what they were saying about me! Disgusting! No wonder Rapido keeps his distance from them.”
“And that G’nort… person or whatever he was. I don’t think there is enough Lysol in the hall to get rid of the stench he left behind. That new Aztek has potential… as does Godiva,” Wonder Mad added. “I’ll bring in the next applicant.”
Wonder Man stepped out and was surprised to see a tall Egyptian woman that he instantly recognized. “Isis? Is that you?”
“Greetings Wonder Man. I am so terribly sorry for your loss.” Isis’s voice was like nothing he had heard before. It was majestic with a slight lilt. It made Wonder Man feel as if he were home on Paradise Island. The two chatted for several moments. He thanked her for stopping by and for offering her condolences.
“But I am here for more than diplomacy, my friend. I would like to serve on your team,” the visitor said with a sparkle in her eye.
“We would love to have you!” Wonder Man knew if Isis and Black Adam were interested, the team would have two much needed power houses. “Where’s your husband?”
“Adam is home looking after the best interests of our nation. I do not know how long I can offer assistance, but for now my place is here in the United States,” Isis said, with a hint of mystery in her voice.
Wonder Man shook her hand and welcomed her into the group without hesitation. “By the way,” he added, “it doesn’t look like you’ve aged a single day since your resurrection.”
“Why thank you,” replied the queen of Khandaq, humbly.
“Hey, how come Miss Egypt gets in with no tryout?” quipped the former Teen Titan called The Protector. He had entered the open door, thinking his turn was next.
Several others, such as a short guy who looked like he had a bucket on his head known as ‘Mazing Man, chimed in, angry that Isis was admitted with no try-out. Before Wonder Man knew what to do, he was surrounded by the likes of Retro, the Secret, Hero Cruz, the Protector, and several other obscure costumed types. Venus and Isis rushed to his side, trying to quiet the sullen crowd.
“Who do these kids think they are!? I was doing this when you were all still in diapers!” shouted an overweight, wrinkled woman. It was the third Terra.
“This is getting out of hand. We’ve got to get them out of here!” Isis urged her new teammates.
Before long all manner of bizarre powers were being let loose… havoc and mayhem reigned in the Hall of Justice. Wonder Man was even hit in the head with some sort of intergalactic tennis shoe! Several of the female heroines were ganging up on Venus, pulling her hair. Isis took to the air, about to start a thunderstorm…
“I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH!” came a booming voice. Wonder Man looked up, relieved to see Nightvision.
“ALL OF YOU! OUT OF THE HALL AT ONCE!!” His voice boomed again as he pulled a gadget from his utility belt.
The disgruntled heroes made comments under their breath and glared at Wonder Man and Venus, who were trying to sneak out with the rejected group.
“You two! Wonder Man and Venus: stay here. I have a few things to say to you,” Nightvision said very flatly.
Once the other applicants had cleared out, he faced his teammates sternly. “What is going on here? Our friends just died and you two have a party?” he demanded.
“It’s not like that at all Nightvision. We were trying to build the group back up. Where have you been anyway? I’ve been here for days and no one except Palomé and Wonder Man have bothered to either come by or call!” Venus shouted. “Do you want the group to shrivel up and go away? I bet you do… you cold fish! No feelings, no emotions! I bet you aren’t even sad about the others! Just another day on the job for you, right tough guy?” Venus screamed with tears in her eyes.
Wonder Man stood back, not knowing what to do.
Nightvision stared at Venus. “You don’t know what I feel. We’ve all lost in the past days. Some of us more than others. I…” Nightvision cut himself off.
“What is it? Go ahead and say it!” Venus demanded.
Nightvision didn’t want to admit why he came. He was lonely and thought being in the Hall would help him grieve. He had even dared entertain a hope that his new friend Palomé was there, and could help him cope with his feelings. Despite his anger at Wonder Man and Venus, he was actually happy to see them. “I came because I heard about this ill-fated membership drive. I don’t want the Titans to end. I guess I… I...” Nightvision started thinking of the Huntress and his encounter with Bruce and Selina Wayne. He just stood there and didn’t say anything.
Venus walked over to him and took his hand. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I yelled at you. We’ve all had it rough the past few days.”
Wonder Man looked at Nightvision. “I believe more than ever we need to be here as the Titans. I think we need to pay tribute to our friends by carrying on for them. You must admit: Isis is no third-rate wannabe. She’s the real thing.”
“I agree. We’ll summon the others,” the dark night detective said quietly.
Wonder Man and Venus smiled at each other. Wonder Man contacted his mother and told her that he wouldn’t be coming home… at least not yet.
Venus felt better than she had in days.
“Isis, I welcome you to the team,” Nightvision said as he extended his hand to Black Adam’s wife.
Palomé arrived several minutes later followed by Black Vulcan and finally, much to everyone’s pleasant surprise, Sargona.
“I’m glad you could all make it,” greeted Wonder Man. “For a while there, Venus and I thought we were the only two left who wanted to stay on the team.”
“I think we all just needed time to cope,” expressed Black Vulcan.
“Aren’t you forgetting to mention that you’ve broken your ties with Amanda Waller?” smiled Nightvision.
“You did???” said a shocked Sargona.
“Yes, I resigned from my position,” answered Black Vulcan. “You guys have taught me a lot in my time with you. You certainly deserve better than to have someone snooping around here trying to dig up dirt. I hope you can all forgive me….”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Sargona said warmly. “Nightvision told me how Waller was holding your dad’s job over your head along with his health insurance that your sick mother so desperately needed. I in turn, want to apologize for being so cold and snippy toward you since you joined the team.”
“I really can’t say I blame you for the way you acted,” offered Black Vulcan. She smiled, and added, “And I kinda thought the name Thunderdog was… funny. You can call me that if you want to… just not all the time.”
Sargona extended her hand to the lightning-powered heroine, “Fresh start?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” agreed Black Vulcan.
“Thank GOD!” explaimed Venus. “Now I can finally go shopping with the two of you at the same time.”
Palomé made his way to Venus’ side and remarked, “But you’ll still spend plenty of time with me alone, right ma belle?”
“You bet, dreamboat,” smiled Venus as she gave her boyfriend a peck on the cheek.
“Wait, does this mean I can’t call you Sarcasta anymore?” Black Vulcan demanded in jest.
“Sure you can – Thunderdog,” replied the sorceress smartly.
“Well, we’re still understaffed,” noted Palomé. “So there wasn’t a decent candidate that showed up for the membership drive besides Isis?”
“Not unless you consider Lagoon Boy and the Protector as decent,” grumbled Wonder Man. “I’ve even contacted all of our reserve members. Whirlpool’s priority is the oceans. Strato Hawk is focusing on his newly found son but he did say he’ll be there when we hunt down the Sting Ray. And the Stranger simply hasn’t responded as usual; plus, Celsius is still missing. I can’t believe he couldn’t even make it to the funeral. Anyways, back to filling the ranks, maybe we need to start looking…”
“Right over here!” came a voice.
The Titans of Justice turned to see Power Lad standing in the entry way.
“Who is this young boy?” asked Isis.
“That’s Power Lad,” answered Nightvision. “What are you doing here kid?”
“What am I doing here?” repeated Power Lad. “Moving in my stuff.”
“Umm… you don’t have a room here Ali,” stated Sargona, gently.
“Sure I do. Power Guy’s old room,” countered the cocky young here. “I’m taking over for him.”
“And who told you that?” questioned Wonder Man.
“He did,” answered Power Lad sharply, “and Black Lightning and Nightwing over there can prove it!”
“It’s Black VULCAN and NightVISION,” huffed Black Vulcan.
“Whatever…” mumbled Power Lad. “But when the four of us took down Metallo a while back, you both were there when PG said that if anything ever happened to him, his spot on the team was mine. Are you going to deny a dead man his request?” demanded the boy smugly.
“I hate to say it, but he’s telling the truth,” confirmed Black Vulcan
“No, it’s a good idea if he sticks around here,” stated Nightvision. “With Power Guy gone, someone’s going to have to keep an eye on this kid so he doesn’t get into trouble.”
“I don’t need no stinkin’ babysitter,” remarked Power Lad. “Anways, I’ll be in my room… doing a little redecorating. Let me know when the Trouble Alert goes off and I’ll let you know if it’s something that’s worth my attention.”
Sargona groaned. “I think we were better off when the Sportsmaster was on the team…”
TO BE CONTINUED