Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2015 20:43:59 GMT -5
Hub City, Four Years Further into an alternate future…
“I said run!” A large, booming voice cried out, “The Blue Beetle’s back!”
“Do y’ think the Justice League’s coming too? I heard the Martian can rip out your mind with a look!” Another voice cried.
“Cripes, just tear open the crate, I’m not going home empty handed!” Cried another man, he ran to a crate, in the alley the gang stood. Over head, the Blue Beetle flew down.
“I hate to break up the party, gents, but General Atom told me that the Hub’s been going through some troubles. I thought it’d be best to stop you myself. After all, someone’s gotta go after the Injustice League…” Blue Beetle laughed as he landed on the floor. His wings disappearing in his ‘bugpack’, and his smile cockily showing off.
_____________________________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified Presents:
Everyone’s most favorite funny-man,
The Arachnid!
In: ‘The Secret Origin of the Arachnid’
Featuring:
______________________________________________
Hub City, Three Nights Later…
Aaron Kidd walked down the dismal streets of Hub City, it was still a dark city, still crime-infested, and, hated tourists. Aaron must’ve been crazy to come here. He looked around, trying to find his job opportunity, the reason he left Australia. He wasn’t exactly sure why Infinity Incorporated, the business named after the super-hero team, wanted him. Frankly, it was all those zeroes that made him leave the quiet Australia.
Aaron finally found what he was looking for, a shining beacon of a building, a large statue in front of it, the original Infinity Inc. team in gold. Skyman stood above the other Infinitors.
Aaron gulped. He walked into the building, and found a secretary, an over-worked, tired secretary, she was working hard, Aaron looked at her, and then looked around the room. “Um, hi, I’m Aaron Kidd, the new…actually, I’m not quite sure why I was asked here. I’ve got an appointment, right?” Aaron nervously said. He looked around the room again, and took off his yellow-tinted glasses.
***
The office of Jonathan Jones, forty-five minutes later…
Aaron was shoved through the office door, he’d heard the stories, apparently, the Martian Manhunter had a flair for business, and had officially handled every super-hero law-suit, headquarters costs, and anything else anytime someone called.
He was known as John Jones now, some said he lost his passion for heroics when Gypsy died. Aaron didn’t know what to think of the green-skinned man in front of him. They’d never met, and, it was simply strange to Aaron that he, of all people, was called to this company.
“Mister Jones? Sir, I’m Aaron Kidd. Hi.” Aaron said, rubbing the back of his head as he did.
“Greetings, welcome to Infinity Incorporated. We fund the Justice League’s latest incarnation, I hear Dark Arrow’s about to be inducted. We’re about to…how shall I put it? Make another new team. We’ve been brainstorming names, ‘Infinitors’ chief among them. We’re thinking something a little more in homage. Did you hear about the Titans of Justice?” John Jones quickly said, running through half-a-year’s progress in a day.
“The JLA’s kids, right? Got killed by that wizard guy, Mordon?” Aaron asked, having not heard that name in years.
“Mordru, but yes, that’s right. You see, those kids, well, Batman even approved of them. He hates everybody, you see. I think he only approved because he had a link inside, Nightvision. Terrible things happened, and, they never found any survivors when the JLA went in to stop Mordru.” John carefully explained, staring deeply at Aaron, as if looking through him, like he was just a waste of space. “I believe it’s more than time for someone to live up to the legacy they began. Los Angeles currently houses 80% of the ‘super-villain’ community.”
“Did you get brain damage, Mister Jones? I’m not really super-hero material…why on Earth would you call me up?” Aaron shyly asked.
“Ted Kord. You know him?” J’onn J’onzz asked, quietly, he looked at Aaron again, as if staring through him.
“Yeah, he visited my mum yearly to pay respects to her brother. My mum only ever told me about him. Is this some kind of tribute to a man I never met?”
“Two men you never met. I’ve been informed you have kept up to date on the on-goings of the super-hero community. I want you to recruit for me.” J’onn smiled.
***
Interlude: God knows where…
A blinding light filled an unknown desert. A light that had only come to life twice, against two different men, it was an artifact of immense power. It had used the moniker ‘Eye of Horus’, and the eye shaped power floated, illuminating the sky, brightly, brightly, and then it was gone.
***
Three hours later, L.A.…
Aaron Kidd had never been flown in a state of the art, Martian jet to anywhere before. Going to L.A. with the former Martian Manhunter just opened up his fear of flying. Well, heights really.
The green skinned, beetle-browed former hero led him down the streets of L.A., apparently, Aaron was the new ‘Snapper Carr’. He would stay at whatever base they had, and be on 24/7 monitor duty. He grumbled to himself as he was led to the very temporary headquarters of Wonder Warrior. The streets of L.A., unfortunately, the young, head-strong hero was off to fight some Giganta woman.
“That went well, Mister Jones.” Aaron snickered, he looked at his new boss, and inched away.
“We didn’t get a chance to talk, most people I approach take my offers because I’m the only fair business in the country.” J’onn gloated, tonelessly.
“What about WayneTech?”
“Not since Bruce took retirement. I hear that Powers fellow is like a modern-day Lex Luthor, but with hair.”
“Oh.”
***
Hub City…
A flash of multi-colored light shot out, and emerging from it, was Booster Gold, still young, and on a mission, his faithful companion Skeets hovered over head. “Why are we here again? This is a chronal possibility, like the Legion Superman hung out with when he was young.” Booster asked Skeets, looking at his companion.
“Sir, we are here to ensure another chronal possibility is allowed to continue. This incident must take place, the Eye of Ra must tear the Scarab from the Blue Beetle in order for…you’re not listening anymore are you?”
“What was that, Skeets? I was just looking at this building, I’ve never heard of Infinity Incorporated…” Booster mused aloud, checking the building he’d noticed without approaching it.
“Sir, this is a chronal possibility. It only exists in this pocket of the time-line.”
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
J’onn J’onzz sat in his jet, as Aaron Kidd climbed on, the two were silent as the jet maneuvered quickly into the sky. In only a few minutes, Hub City was only three miles away.
An annoying buzzing sounded off. J’onn checked it, and the jet was suddenly veering away from the Infinity building, Aaron clutched his seat in fear. He hated this. Stupid Martian, Aaron knew he was funny in the head!
The jet slowed and started to descend. It landed with a light, thud, and Aaron opened his eyes to see a man, had to be 25-30, entering the jet with a grin on his face, and a little floating things buzzing around him.
“Thanks for answering J’onn, I wish I could explain everything, but the Blue Beetle is in trouble.” Booster said, looking at J’onn, and showing just how serious he was.
“Jamie? Well, I don’t see why Zauriel and Kal shouldn’t know about this. They do head the League these days.”
“Seriously, Zauriel, I never pegged him as the leader type.” Booster smirked, “Oh well, at least he didn’t call me an immature foul-mouthed misfit. Stupid Hawkman…”
“That was an imposter.” J’onn smiled, it’d been a long time since he had.
“Excuse me, fellas, not to interrupt the love-fest, but, you think that Beetle guy’s in danger, you two have powers…couldn’t you help him?” Aaron asked. He got an odd stare from them.
“We’re going too, but, I think Kal and the League should get involved. Beetle’s a Leaguer, they normally help Leaguers.”
“But, J’onny, we may not have the time. We--”
“—cannae do it cap’n.” Aaron said, cutting off Booster. “Scotty, the guy from Star Trek? What? That joke’s always funny. Hey, who’s this Kal guy?”
“Superman.” J’onn said, simply.
“Oh…can I call him Kal?”
“No.”
***
El Paso, home of the Blue Beetle…
Jaime returned home after a long day, he thanked whatever alien race came up with the teleporters and switched off his powers and communicator. Jaime simply walked around as himself, not El Paso’s home-town hero. He returned to his home, a two-room apartment he shared with his best-friend, who was getting married next week, Jamie lay down on his lounge, and dozed off.
A noise, an unearthly, horrible noise woke him, but he saw nothing. Jaime thought nothing of it, and just dozed off again. He was done being hero for today. He snored, and he was being watched, the Eye looked at him, invisible to all, but un-mistakenly powerful. It didn’t make its move yet, no, it sensed it would get its chance soon. And it would win.
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
“Kal, this is J’onn, do you copy?” J’onn said into an old JLA communicator, hoping for a response, he was in his costume now, the one he adopted after the missing year. Aaron wanted to touch the point sticking out of J’onn’s head, but though better of it. After all, this was his boss.
“Yes--zzztch--I copy J’onn. Wonder Woman and Zauriel are with me, and I think Batman’s got something. Who’s the kid sitting behind Booster?” Came the voice of Superman, aged, but never tired.
“Aaron Kidd, Dan Garrett’s nephew, I hired him to help me put together a new team.” J’onn smiled, looking back at his new employee. “I don’t think he’s used to this.”
“No, I guess not. So, he’s like Oberon, or like Snapper?” Came a different voice, younger than Superman’s, but darker, more hardened.
“Like Snapper, Batman. He’s hired help, Oberon was the ultimate assistant, and Snapper…was a good kid, and a better mechanic. I must talk to him again, it’s been over a month since I’ve seen him.”
“Put a Martian in charge of a company, and suddenly he’s so sophisticated. No, Cassie, I’m not being rude. It’s the truth isn’t it?”
“Conner wouldn’t sink so low.”
“Yes…yes he would. God, I still miss him.”
“Cassie, T—Batman, maybe you should take the day off, I think Green Arrow and Zauriel are the only others on duty today. We’ll try and make it J’onn.” Crackled Superman’s voice.
“Don’t you miss the old days when you didn’t feel so old?” J’onn smirked.
“Superman out, over.”
“Who’s Cassie?” Aaron asked, sheepishly.
“Wonder Woman.”
“Isn’t her name Diana?”
“No, not that Wonder Woman.”
“But…wait, wha?” Aaron managed to get out, before his mouth seemed to shut down.
***
El Paso…
The Eye watched as the scarab’s host slumbered, Jaime was unaware of the danger waiting for him. The Eye could only watch, it was expecting a power-source, a living being of immense power it could use in order to shatter the scarab’s host, and then the scarab.
Jaime awoke, and stared around his apartment. The scarab was screaming to him. He guessed it was trying to warn him, of something he couldn’t see. He swiftly turned into the Blue Beetle.
Jaime looked around, and only just saw a blast of energy hit him, forcing him out of the building he resided in, and found himself in a crater, steam coming off of his suit. The Eye illuminated the sky, and the Blue Beetle looked in awe. The Scarab screamed. It knew what this thing was.
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
“El Paso seems pretty bright. I didn’t know they had enough power to power the sun.” Aaron spitefully said, looking out of the window near his seat.
“Mister Kidd, it may prove useful to save your wit. The Eye of Ra is a very dangerous enemy. Only speaking its true name to it has the power to send it away, if it allows you to.” Skeets hummed.
“Skeets, pal, the kid doesn’t need to know that, it’s not like he’s fighting anyone, now is it? It’s just me, and J’onn.” Booster smiled, confident, mainly because this was history, or was about to be.
“Jaime’s in danger. What do you know about what we’re dealing with?” J’onn said, turning to Booster.
“Nothing, Rip said this possibility needed to happen. He said the Eye of Ra was watching…Rip probably needs to get out more.” Booster joked, but stopped smiling after seeing J’onn’s frown.
“Mister Jones, Gold-Guy, you’re both crazy. I mean, who the hell is Rip? Why are you so d**n young when you’re a hero from the old days? And why can’t I just go home?” Aaron complained, only to have Skeets appear in front of him, and letting out a girlish scream.
“Kid, we won’t tell anyone you did that if you button it.” Booster smirked.
“I’m sorry, Gold-Guy, aren’t you meant to be dead or something?” Aaron spitefully said.
“Long story. Involves a lot of time-travel, wait, what time are you referring to, I’ve sorta died a few times.” Booster laughed.
“Booster, Aaron, shut up. We need to help Jaime.” J’onn said.
“What am I meant to do?” Aaron asked, quietly.
“You have an ability…you can communicate with technology. The scarab will need to be talked to, and it doesn’t always respond how Jaime wants. You can talk to it.” J’onn said, smiling.
“You made that up, didn’t you?” Aaron asked.
“Only one way to find out ‘Snapper’.” Booster laughed.
“I’m ‘Snapper’ now? Y’know, I’m starting to hate you.” Aaron said, frowning at the hero.
To Be Continued…
“I said run!” A large, booming voice cried out, “The Blue Beetle’s back!”
“Do y’ think the Justice League’s coming too? I heard the Martian can rip out your mind with a look!” Another voice cried.
“Cripes, just tear open the crate, I’m not going home empty handed!” Cried another man, he ran to a crate, in the alley the gang stood. Over head, the Blue Beetle flew down.
“I hate to break up the party, gents, but General Atom told me that the Hub’s been going through some troubles. I thought it’d be best to stop you myself. After all, someone’s gotta go after the Injustice League…” Blue Beetle laughed as he landed on the floor. His wings disappearing in his ‘bugpack’, and his smile cockily showing off.
_____________________________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified Presents:
Everyone’s most favorite funny-man,
The Arachnid!
In: ‘The Secret Origin of the Arachnid’
Featuring:
______________________________________________
Hub City, Three Nights Later…
Aaron Kidd walked down the dismal streets of Hub City, it was still a dark city, still crime-infested, and, hated tourists. Aaron must’ve been crazy to come here. He looked around, trying to find his job opportunity, the reason he left Australia. He wasn’t exactly sure why Infinity Incorporated, the business named after the super-hero team, wanted him. Frankly, it was all those zeroes that made him leave the quiet Australia.
Aaron finally found what he was looking for, a shining beacon of a building, a large statue in front of it, the original Infinity Inc. team in gold. Skyman stood above the other Infinitors.
Aaron gulped. He walked into the building, and found a secretary, an over-worked, tired secretary, she was working hard, Aaron looked at her, and then looked around the room. “Um, hi, I’m Aaron Kidd, the new…actually, I’m not quite sure why I was asked here. I’ve got an appointment, right?” Aaron nervously said. He looked around the room again, and took off his yellow-tinted glasses.
***
The office of Jonathan Jones, forty-five minutes later…
Aaron was shoved through the office door, he’d heard the stories, apparently, the Martian Manhunter had a flair for business, and had officially handled every super-hero law-suit, headquarters costs, and anything else anytime someone called.
He was known as John Jones now, some said he lost his passion for heroics when Gypsy died. Aaron didn’t know what to think of the green-skinned man in front of him. They’d never met, and, it was simply strange to Aaron that he, of all people, was called to this company.
“Mister Jones? Sir, I’m Aaron Kidd. Hi.” Aaron said, rubbing the back of his head as he did.
“Greetings, welcome to Infinity Incorporated. We fund the Justice League’s latest incarnation, I hear Dark Arrow’s about to be inducted. We’re about to…how shall I put it? Make another new team. We’ve been brainstorming names, ‘Infinitors’ chief among them. We’re thinking something a little more in homage. Did you hear about the Titans of Justice?” John Jones quickly said, running through half-a-year’s progress in a day.
“The JLA’s kids, right? Got killed by that wizard guy, Mordon?” Aaron asked, having not heard that name in years.
“Mordru, but yes, that’s right. You see, those kids, well, Batman even approved of them. He hates everybody, you see. I think he only approved because he had a link inside, Nightvision. Terrible things happened, and, they never found any survivors when the JLA went in to stop Mordru.” John carefully explained, staring deeply at Aaron, as if looking through him, like he was just a waste of space. “I believe it’s more than time for someone to live up to the legacy they began. Los Angeles currently houses 80% of the ‘super-villain’ community.”
“Did you get brain damage, Mister Jones? I’m not really super-hero material…why on Earth would you call me up?” Aaron shyly asked.
“Ted Kord. You know him?” J’onn J’onzz asked, quietly, he looked at Aaron again, as if staring through him.
“Yeah, he visited my mum yearly to pay respects to her brother. My mum only ever told me about him. Is this some kind of tribute to a man I never met?”
“Two men you never met. I’ve been informed you have kept up to date on the on-goings of the super-hero community. I want you to recruit for me.” J’onn smiled.
***
Interlude: God knows where…
A blinding light filled an unknown desert. A light that had only come to life twice, against two different men, it was an artifact of immense power. It had used the moniker ‘Eye of Horus’, and the eye shaped power floated, illuminating the sky, brightly, brightly, and then it was gone.
***
Three hours later, L.A.…
Aaron Kidd had never been flown in a state of the art, Martian jet to anywhere before. Going to L.A. with the former Martian Manhunter just opened up his fear of flying. Well, heights really.
The green skinned, beetle-browed former hero led him down the streets of L.A., apparently, Aaron was the new ‘Snapper Carr’. He would stay at whatever base they had, and be on 24/7 monitor duty. He grumbled to himself as he was led to the very temporary headquarters of Wonder Warrior. The streets of L.A., unfortunately, the young, head-strong hero was off to fight some Giganta woman.
“That went well, Mister Jones.” Aaron snickered, he looked at his new boss, and inched away.
“We didn’t get a chance to talk, most people I approach take my offers because I’m the only fair business in the country.” J’onn gloated, tonelessly.
“What about WayneTech?”
“Not since Bruce took retirement. I hear that Powers fellow is like a modern-day Lex Luthor, but with hair.”
“Oh.”
***
Hub City…
A flash of multi-colored light shot out, and emerging from it, was Booster Gold, still young, and on a mission, his faithful companion Skeets hovered over head. “Why are we here again? This is a chronal possibility, like the Legion Superman hung out with when he was young.” Booster asked Skeets, looking at his companion.
“Sir, we are here to ensure another chronal possibility is allowed to continue. This incident must take place, the Eye of Ra must tear the Scarab from the Blue Beetle in order for…you’re not listening anymore are you?”
“What was that, Skeets? I was just looking at this building, I’ve never heard of Infinity Incorporated…” Booster mused aloud, checking the building he’d noticed without approaching it.
“Sir, this is a chronal possibility. It only exists in this pocket of the time-line.”
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
J’onn J’onzz sat in his jet, as Aaron Kidd climbed on, the two were silent as the jet maneuvered quickly into the sky. In only a few minutes, Hub City was only three miles away.
An annoying buzzing sounded off. J’onn checked it, and the jet was suddenly veering away from the Infinity building, Aaron clutched his seat in fear. He hated this. Stupid Martian, Aaron knew he was funny in the head!
The jet slowed and started to descend. It landed with a light, thud, and Aaron opened his eyes to see a man, had to be 25-30, entering the jet with a grin on his face, and a little floating things buzzing around him.
“Thanks for answering J’onn, I wish I could explain everything, but the Blue Beetle is in trouble.” Booster said, looking at J’onn, and showing just how serious he was.
“Jamie? Well, I don’t see why Zauriel and Kal shouldn’t know about this. They do head the League these days.”
“Seriously, Zauriel, I never pegged him as the leader type.” Booster smirked, “Oh well, at least he didn’t call me an immature foul-mouthed misfit. Stupid Hawkman…”
“That was an imposter.” J’onn smiled, it’d been a long time since he had.
“Excuse me, fellas, not to interrupt the love-fest, but, you think that Beetle guy’s in danger, you two have powers…couldn’t you help him?” Aaron asked. He got an odd stare from them.
“We’re going too, but, I think Kal and the League should get involved. Beetle’s a Leaguer, they normally help Leaguers.”
“But, J’onny, we may not have the time. We--”
“—cannae do it cap’n.” Aaron said, cutting off Booster. “Scotty, the guy from Star Trek? What? That joke’s always funny. Hey, who’s this Kal guy?”
“Superman.” J’onn said, simply.
“Oh…can I call him Kal?”
“No.”
***
El Paso, home of the Blue Beetle…
Jaime returned home after a long day, he thanked whatever alien race came up with the teleporters and switched off his powers and communicator. Jaime simply walked around as himself, not El Paso’s home-town hero. He returned to his home, a two-room apartment he shared with his best-friend, who was getting married next week, Jamie lay down on his lounge, and dozed off.
A noise, an unearthly, horrible noise woke him, but he saw nothing. Jaime thought nothing of it, and just dozed off again. He was done being hero for today. He snored, and he was being watched, the Eye looked at him, invisible to all, but un-mistakenly powerful. It didn’t make its move yet, no, it sensed it would get its chance soon. And it would win.
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
“Kal, this is J’onn, do you copy?” J’onn said into an old JLA communicator, hoping for a response, he was in his costume now, the one he adopted after the missing year. Aaron wanted to touch the point sticking out of J’onn’s head, but though better of it. After all, this was his boss.
“Yes--zzztch--I copy J’onn. Wonder Woman and Zauriel are with me, and I think Batman’s got something. Who’s the kid sitting behind Booster?” Came the voice of Superman, aged, but never tired.
“Aaron Kidd, Dan Garrett’s nephew, I hired him to help me put together a new team.” J’onn smiled, looking back at his new employee. “I don’t think he’s used to this.”
“No, I guess not. So, he’s like Oberon, or like Snapper?” Came a different voice, younger than Superman’s, but darker, more hardened.
“Like Snapper, Batman. He’s hired help, Oberon was the ultimate assistant, and Snapper…was a good kid, and a better mechanic. I must talk to him again, it’s been over a month since I’ve seen him.”
“Put a Martian in charge of a company, and suddenly he’s so sophisticated. No, Cassie, I’m not being rude. It’s the truth isn’t it?”
“Conner wouldn’t sink so low.”
“Yes…yes he would. God, I still miss him.”
“Cassie, T—Batman, maybe you should take the day off, I think Green Arrow and Zauriel are the only others on duty today. We’ll try and make it J’onn.” Crackled Superman’s voice.
“Don’t you miss the old days when you didn’t feel so old?” J’onn smirked.
“Superman out, over.”
“Who’s Cassie?” Aaron asked, sheepishly.
“Wonder Woman.”
“Isn’t her name Diana?”
“No, not that Wonder Woman.”
“But…wait, wha?” Aaron managed to get out, before his mouth seemed to shut down.
***
El Paso…
The Eye watched as the scarab’s host slumbered, Jaime was unaware of the danger waiting for him. The Eye could only watch, it was expecting a power-source, a living being of immense power it could use in order to shatter the scarab’s host, and then the scarab.
Jaime awoke, and stared around his apartment. The scarab was screaming to him. He guessed it was trying to warn him, of something he couldn’t see. He swiftly turned into the Blue Beetle.
Jaime looked around, and only just saw a blast of energy hit him, forcing him out of the building he resided in, and found himself in a crater, steam coming off of his suit. The Eye illuminated the sky, and the Blue Beetle looked in awe. The Scarab screamed. It knew what this thing was.
***
The Infinity Incorporated Martian Jet…
“El Paso seems pretty bright. I didn’t know they had enough power to power the sun.” Aaron spitefully said, looking out of the window near his seat.
“Mister Kidd, it may prove useful to save your wit. The Eye of Ra is a very dangerous enemy. Only speaking its true name to it has the power to send it away, if it allows you to.” Skeets hummed.
“Skeets, pal, the kid doesn’t need to know that, it’s not like he’s fighting anyone, now is it? It’s just me, and J’onn.” Booster smiled, confident, mainly because this was history, or was about to be.
“Jaime’s in danger. What do you know about what we’re dealing with?” J’onn said, turning to Booster.
“Nothing, Rip said this possibility needed to happen. He said the Eye of Ra was watching…Rip probably needs to get out more.” Booster joked, but stopped smiling after seeing J’onn’s frown.
“Mister Jones, Gold-Guy, you’re both crazy. I mean, who the hell is Rip? Why are you so d**n young when you’re a hero from the old days? And why can’t I just go home?” Aaron complained, only to have Skeets appear in front of him, and letting out a girlish scream.
“Kid, we won’t tell anyone you did that if you button it.” Booster smirked.
“I’m sorry, Gold-Guy, aren’t you meant to be dead or something?” Aaron spitefully said.
“Long story. Involves a lot of time-travel, wait, what time are you referring to, I’ve sorta died a few times.” Booster laughed.
“Booster, Aaron, shut up. We need to help Jaime.” J’onn said.
“What am I meant to do?” Aaron asked, quietly.
“You have an ability…you can communicate with technology. The scarab will need to be talked to, and it doesn’t always respond how Jaime wants. You can talk to it.” J’onn said, smiling.
“You made that up, didn’t you?” Aaron asked.
“Only one way to find out ‘Snapper’.” Booster laughed.
“I’m ‘Snapper’ now? Y’know, I’m starting to hate you.” Aaron said, frowning at the hero.
To Be Continued…