Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 9:22:54 GMT -5
Titans East Chapter 49 – “Revenge is an Empty Cup”
Written by: Green Lantern and Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
Dedicated to: Scotty2Hotty
***Note: This story takes place BEFORE Titans West #11.
The Planet Korugar, Seir-Hahnn Penitentiary…
Qel-hihn seethed with a violent anger. She had been entrapped in Korugar’s highest security prison for more than a year now. The new Green Lantern of Earth had turned her in to Korugarian authorities after their long battle. Both had almost died. If not for the assistance of the earthman’s cohorts, she surely would have killed him.
“Their ganging up on me was cowardice in its purest form!” thought the villainess in embittered rage. The daughter of Sinestro had been beaten and humiliated. The healing process took so long that she had no opportunity to try to escape from prison until today. “Those fools thought they stopped me by taking my crystal. But now that I am fully recovered I can effortlessly summon it to come to me.” With the slightest concentration the homely young woman beckoned for her crystal. Soon it left its resting place in the Tahz-shueol museum and gleamed within the dark and damp cell of its wicked mistress. With an evil smile the young lady grasped the levitating crystal.
Fwashhhhhhhhhhhhh!
The homely teen immediately transformed into Sultana, the evil daughter of Sinestro. Her hair grew downward to the level of her knees. It shone with a glamorous ebony gleam. Her complexion was clear red and radiated with a light rose beauty. Silvery sparkles on her eyelids accentuated her piercing blue eyes. The prominence of her eyebrows betrayed the beauty’s inward evil. She affixed her crystal to her iridescent necklace, taking a moment to gaze in pleasure at the glamour of her floor-length teal gown as it glistened in the light of Korugar’s moons. The prison walls opened, giving her passage into the cool evening air, and then closed again behind her.
She spun wildly into the night sky and threw her head back in evil laughter. Licking her lips at the though of vengeance, she spoke aloud: “Before the next moon cycle I will have my revenge!” She grinned, adding, “and Green Lantern and his she-witch Sonic Boom will both die slow and painful deaths!”
A bright white glow enveloped her being as she began the long journey to planet Earth.
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The Hall of Justice: “The Kitchen”
Palomé choked and gasped for his life and would surely drown imminently. He was pinned to the ocean floor from the harpoon blasts of the same murderess who killed six other members of the Titans East. Stingray shot blasts wildly in every direction as she fled for her life in the murky depths of the ocean. “I’ll kill you all! One by one if I have to… and I will save you for last!”
“Not only will you fail to kill any more Titans, but you won’t even damage a measly piece of seaweed, you wretch!” shouted Wonder Man as he clapped his hands at super-speed in the ocean waters. The resulting waves sent Stingray hurling helplessly where she crashed into an undersea cave wall and died.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
With the aid of her “Manta-craft’ the Stingray sailed effortlessly through the skies. Sargona and Venus lay unconscious on top of Theodore Roosevelt’s head at Mount Rushmore. Pointing a ray-gun at each of the helpless heroines, she prepared to finish them off.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHH!!” shouted Wonder Man as he dove downward and punched the Stingray into unconsciousness with the full force of both of his fists. The evil murderess fell to the rocky South Dakota ground below and died.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
Nightvision and Black Vulcan hung upside down from the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge. Both had been beaten almost to the point of death and dangled in a state of unconsciousness by a fishing line. Stingray set three bombs to activate in thirty seconds on the bridge. Screams of terror could be heard from the innocent people in the cars involved in the traffic jam on the bridge.
“The days of your murdering innocent bystanders and heroes have come to an end, you slimy WITCH!” shouted Wonder Man from his invisible jet.
“Do I note a tremor of fear in your voice?” mocked Stingray.
Wonder Man wiped away a tear as his silver lasso encircled the villainess with perfect precision. He swung her around the sky three times before setting her body free. In a tremendous display of super-speed, the son of Wonder Woman and Major Steve Trevor rescued both of his teammates and the more than two hundred souls trapped on the bridge.
BOOM!
Stingray’s body fell into the bridge five seconds after the explosion. Her screams could be heard from quite some distance as she slowly burned to death.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
Tears of fright trickled down the cheeks of the all-new Hardcore Power Lad as Stingray…
CLIK!!!!
Scott Trevor whirled around to see who had turned off the simulator. Standing before him was Isis, the ambassador who had come to assist the Titans East in the aftermath of the S.T.A.R. Labs explosion. “What are you doing, Scott?”
“Uhm… I was just working out…” answered the young hero sheepishly. His eyes were as wide as those of a deer confronted by the headlights of an oncoming car. The tank top and sweat pants that his Aunt Donna gave him last Christmas were drenched in sweat. His heavy breathing was more from rage than from the workout.
“It looked to me like much more than a workout,” said Isis softly. “Would you care to talk about why the Stingray has died repeated horrific deaths today?”
“I… I…” struggled the young Amazon-human hybrid warrior, “…it was just a workout. I have to be ready to protect the team. Sargona said—”
“According to the simulator you were on your thirty-eighth simulation,” interrupted the lovely counselor of healing and peace. “That is a lot of times to kill one person. Are you sure you are doing this with training for defense as a motivation?”
“… I… I just… I…” stuttered the young man who usually had plenty to say.
“Scott, I want to share something that has taken me years to teach my husband. Revenge is an empty cup,” she said as she tossed the towel to the powerful athlete.
“Isis… it’s not about revenge. It’s about justice,” said Wonder Man in defense.
“Scott,” began the ambassador of healing, “if it were truly about justice then why did Stingray die in every simulation you went through? This is not what your heroic young friends would have wanted. Power Guy, Nucleus, and the others died saving the lives of more than five hundred scientists. They were heroes. Their very lives were dedicated to saving lives, not taking them.”
Scott Trevor looked down at the towel that Isis had offered him. She did not realize that it was Junjie Quick’s. His heart sank as his attention turned to the boxing ring where he and Sonic Boom enjoyed their second date. He remembered how embarrassed he had been when her judo sent him crashing onto his rear end. She was a good and special friend. The strong warrior turned away from Isis for a brief moment so that he could wipe away a tear unnoticed.
“Scott, you remind me so much of the good in my husband,” began the white clad heroine, “but before he reformed and became more of a peaceful statesman he ended the lives of many souls. Though some of them certainly deserved to die, it really wasn’t his place to judge and execute them. He feigns that his past doesn’t bother him… but I hear his cries of sorrow in the night when he sleeps. He can never escape the horrific past that he has led, nor the memories of the violent deaths he has witnessed at his own hand. I would hate to see you fall into the same doom that my beloved husband suffers.”
Wonder Man stood silently with his head hanging low. He had prided himself on being “the hero who always does what is right.” The sorrow of losing six heroic friends had challenged what he had thought was an unshakable standard.
“Scott, you can become a killer, or continue to slurp the vainglory of your handsome features and sculpted body on the runway… or you can become the leader that you were destined to be. The choice is up to you. Just remember: Revenge is an empty cup.”
Scott watched silently as Isis walked out of the room. He wouldn’t soon forget Isis’ calm but stinging words. They echoed in his mind and heart as he showered in preparation for his show later that day.
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The Penthouse Apartment of Jerrica Benton
Jerrica gazed at her image in the mirror in her hallway. “I’m not sure if it’s me,” she thought as she turned sideways to see the back of the costume, “but it will do for a little while. I like the sparkles and the black compliments my hair quite nicely.” Her old suit was at the dry cleaner. She had already scrubbed the zipper several times herself, but she was still unsatisfied. She loved the design and the fabric of her feminine ‘all-pink’ battle suit. But right now, the last thing she needed in her life was any garment that had a zipper. “I guess the black isn’t all that bad for a temporary costume,” she thought as she picked up the telephone and dialed her manager.
Ring… ring… ring…
“Spaulding,” answered Jemstone’s manager.
“Hi, Murray. This is Jerrica.”
“Hey, baby! What’s up? Are you excited about your big show tonight at the debut of the Los Angeles Super Dome?”
‘Uhhmmm… Murray, that’s what I wanted to talk with you about…” said the pink haired beauty in hesitation.
“Aw, no! You aren’t cancelin’ out on me now are ya?” he asked in irritated concern.
“No, but… and I know you aren’t going to like this, but I want to donate all proceeds to charity again,” explained the young star.
“What?!? Look, Jerrie, there is nothing wrong with making a little profit every once in a while.”
“Yes, I realize that and completely agree with you,” she said firmly, “but this is just something I have to do.”
“Well, what organization is it this time?” asked the manager sarcastically. “Save the seals?”
“No, Murray, nothing like that. I want us to donate all proceeds to help rape victims,” she began. “There must be a shelter or woman’s home…”
“Oh,” said her manager seriously.
“And Murray? Before we do a show for profit I want to do another one to help this foundation that teaches women self defense,” she said as she used a lacy handkerchief to dry a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Uhhhm… well, Jerrie, that sounds good to me. I understand. With talent like yours we can make a profit on any day of the week. No problem. Look, ummmm… knock ’em dead tonight!”
“Sure thing, Murray. Thanks… ’bye.” Jemstone hung up the phone and looked in the mirror again to make absolutely sure that the new costume didn’t make her derriere look too big.
“Why do they keep on making these male jerks for villains like Dr. Light and the Toyman?” she thought as she looked out the window to the sunny skies. “Just once I would like to go up against a decent female villain.”
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The Los Angeles Center for Music and the Arts
Scott Stone arrived at the Center for Music and the Arts one hour and twenty minutes early. He was wearing a three-piece grey suit which featured an antique pocket-watch and a green tie. His hair was slicked back and he wore the nicest cologne that he could find on such short notice. Normally he wouldn’t be interested in going to such a place, especially since he became sector 2814’s new Green Lantern. He needed to devote every spare moment to practicing using the ring. He loved being a Green Lantern, but he wasn’t nearly as comfortable using it as he was with his star rod. He missed Daniel Jordan and was both sincere and serious about upholding the heroic legend of the Green Lantern.
As Scott entered the building, his thoughts traveled back to earlier in the afternoon when he saw Jemstone and Supergirl talking with one another at the Metrotower. The two red-hot beauties talked quite some time. He overheard something about a charity show at the Los Angelas Center for Music and Arts, a free front row seat, and support. Fortunately, it was only Jemstone who noticed Green Lantern’s eavesdropping. He would die a thousand deaths if Supergirl ever found out about his mega-crush on her. When the super-heroines finished their conversation, Supergirl left and Jemstone approached an embarrassed Scott.
“Hey, Starman… I mean GL!” said Jemstone cheerfully.
“Uhhhm… hi,” said the newest member of the Green Lantern Corps shyly.
“I was wondering if you would like to attend my concert tonight?” asked Jerrica sweetly. “I have a free front row seat reserved for you…”
Realizing that accepting the invitation would most assuredly mean a seat next to Kristen, Scott nodded his head quickly with a silly grin. He had planned on spending his evening practicing with his ring, but an opportunity like this one is quite rare.
Scott’s heart began racing and his rate of breathing increased as he approached the security ushers to introduce himself and claim his reserved seat next to Supergirl.
“Hello, sir. My name is Scott Stone. I have front row reservations,” said the dashing young man confidently.
The tall, pale usher looked through a couple of papers and said, “The reservations list shows no listing for Scott Stone.”
“Could you check again please?” Scott asked politely. “I am a personal friend of Jerrica Benton.”
The usher checked the list again and said, “Sir, I am sorry but there is no Scott Stone or any other man’s name on tonight’s list of special guests.”
“Is there a listing for a Kristen Kent?” asked Scott with concern.
“There is a reservation for a Jenna Kent. Sir, you could wait outside if you wish. The concert is sold out, but perhaps someone will not show up. That rarely happens though,” said the usher matter-of-factly.
Scott walked out the door in disgust and collided with a tall, muscular man wearing a black Armani.
“Scott! Hey! Nice to see you. Did you come to see Jerrica’s show or mine?” asked Scott Trevor.
Green Lantern was very embarrassed to meet the rich and famous Scott Trevor in such a situation. “Well, it looks like I won’t be seeing either. I kind of got kicked out…”
“What happened?” asked Scott in surprise.
“The usher—who looks like one of those funeral parlor guys—said my name wasn’t on the guest list,” explained Scott Stone.
“Come with me,” said Wonder Man’s civilian persona warmly, “maybe we can fix this together.”
After some long explanations and several phone calls, the agents at the ticketing office apologized and explained that Scott was the substitute for Kristen when she had told Jerrica Benton that she was unable to attend. Unfortunately, the ticketing office forgot to update the list.
Once everything was settled Scott Trevor said to his Titans West friend, “Hey, maybe after Jerrica’s show you can catch the last forty-five minutes of mine,” as he handed him a ticket.
“Thanks, Scott!” said the humbled young man, “I will see you there.”
The former Starman put on his sunglasses, smoothed his hair back, and smiled smugly at the usher as he entered the auditorium. The usher’s grim expression quickly turned to a wide smile as Scott Stone tripped on the first step and fell flat on his face.
“Sheeesh!” thought Green Lantern, “What else could possibly go wrong today?”
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Earth’s Upper Atmosphere
Sultana seethed with thoughts of vengeance as she sped towards her destination. Thanks to her crystal she had locked onto the energy ring of space sector 2814’s Green Lantern. She didn’t understand why she had difficulty at first in locating the Emerald Gladiator’s signal. She had battled the bald member of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps before, and her crystal should have instantly pinpointed its exact position. But that didn’t matter now. Qel-hihn had never killed before, but today she would begin with Earth’s greatest hypocrite, the Green Lantern. If Sinestro’s eldest daughter could find Sonic Boom, the golden-haired witch who had hurt her so badly more than a year ago, then she would join Green Lantern in the grave. A sinister smile adorned Sultana’s hardened features as she neared a heavily populated area. Her crystal directed her to a huge building from which an alien music pulsed. She paused briefly above the building and commanded her crystal to remove a portion of the roof from the building.
Jerrica Benton finished her penultimate song for the evening and was preparing for the big finale. Her custom was to bring someone from the audience up on stage with her and serenade them during the last song. She smiled at her teammate Scott Stone, who was seated in the front row as her special guest, and relished at the thought of calling up her shy friend. Then suddenly a light appeared from the rooftop. The popular vocalist was shocked to see a reddish-colored woman descending through a hole in the ceiling. The majority of the audience broke out into an instant panic. Ever since her recent battle with Dr. Light, Jerrica had spent several sleepless evenings thinking through many scenarios of super-villain ambushes and what she would do. Jemstone had made a vow to herself to never be caught off guard again, and this was the test of that decision. Concentrating ever so slightly, the beautiful heroine cast holograms of both Jerrica Benton and Scott Stone running for cover.
The newest member of the Green Lantern Corps was taken aback to see an image himself running off like a coward! But then his attention was turned to his Titans West teammate flying toward a disturbingly evil looking woman floating in the auditorium. In a fraction of a second the fledgling Green Lantern was airborne and flying side-by-side with Jemstone.
“Let’s take this battle outside,” suggested Jemstone as both heroes created shields which successfully protected them from the alien woman’s first blast.
“Good idea,” replied her teammate as he raised his Titans of Justice communicator to his mouth.
To Be Continued In Titans West Chapter 14
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Epilogue (This takes place after Titans West #14):
The Hall of Justice…
“So Batman almost caught the Sting Ray last night?” inquired Black Vulcan.
“Yes but she slipped away at the last second by teleporting out,” revealed Nightvision.
The Silencer had just finished cleaning his leather jacket. He entered the meeting room only to find a bizarre signal coming from the computers.
Racing over to the computers, he was able to decipher what the alarm was for. He called the team together. “Guys, it looks like someone’s reactivated the JLA’s old Watchtower base in space!”
“But we just saw most of the old JLAers at the funeral a few weeks back and they didn’t say anything about getting back together,” declared Wonder Man. “Maybe it has to do with Aquaman being attacked.”
“My guess is that it’s not the JLA in the Watchtower,” concluded Nightvision.
“Who else could it be?” asked Sargona. “Despero? Kanjar Ro? Starbreaker?”
“Silencer, switch on the security cameras up there and let’s see who the trespassers are,” directed Nightvision.
“I’ve been trying, but whoever is up there changed all of the access codes,” revealed the Silencer. “They’re blocking our access.”
“Then they’ve most likely blocked the teleport-tubes too,” assumed Nightvision. “I guess the only way to find out who we’re dealing with is to go up there and confront them head on.”
“Let’s go!” suggested Wonder Man as he led the team to the hanger. “Silencer you stay here and keep trying to crack their codes. Sargona, I think it’s best if you stay here too.”
“What? Why?” demanded Sargona. “With Venus and Palomé still gone, we’re already short-handed.”
Wonder Man pulled Sagona aside, “Listen Sar, with everything that you’ve been through lately, I think it’s best if you take it easy for a while.”
“I’m fine,” insisted the sorceress. “Really, I am.”
“Then humor me and keep the Silencer company,” requested Wonder Man.
“Okay…okay,” replied Sargona as she walked away, annoyed.
As the team raced towards the Javelyn, Nightvision commented, “You’re making a great leader, Wonder Man.”
“Leader?” Wonder Man said in confusion. “I didn’t think we had a leader right now.”
“That’s because you haven’t been looking under your nose,” smiled Nightvision.
In Titans East #50: Another Titan of Justice has an encounter with Black Orchid plus the Titans face off against… the Justice League of America???
Written by: Green Lantern and Power Guy
Featured Artist: Power Guy
Edited by: Marcus Mebes
Dedicated to: Scotty2Hotty
***Note: This story takes place BEFORE Titans West #11.
The Planet Korugar, Seir-Hahnn Penitentiary…
Qel-hihn seethed with a violent anger. She had been entrapped in Korugar’s highest security prison for more than a year now. The new Green Lantern of Earth had turned her in to Korugarian authorities after their long battle. Both had almost died. If not for the assistance of the earthman’s cohorts, she surely would have killed him.
“Their ganging up on me was cowardice in its purest form!” thought the villainess in embittered rage. The daughter of Sinestro had been beaten and humiliated. The healing process took so long that she had no opportunity to try to escape from prison until today. “Those fools thought they stopped me by taking my crystal. But now that I am fully recovered I can effortlessly summon it to come to me.” With the slightest concentration the homely young woman beckoned for her crystal. Soon it left its resting place in the Tahz-shueol museum and gleamed within the dark and damp cell of its wicked mistress. With an evil smile the young lady grasped the levitating crystal.
Fwashhhhhhhhhhhhh!
The homely teen immediately transformed into Sultana, the evil daughter of Sinestro. Her hair grew downward to the level of her knees. It shone with a glamorous ebony gleam. Her complexion was clear red and radiated with a light rose beauty. Silvery sparkles on her eyelids accentuated her piercing blue eyes. The prominence of her eyebrows betrayed the beauty’s inward evil. She affixed her crystal to her iridescent necklace, taking a moment to gaze in pleasure at the glamour of her floor-length teal gown as it glistened in the light of Korugar’s moons. The prison walls opened, giving her passage into the cool evening air, and then closed again behind her.
She spun wildly into the night sky and threw her head back in evil laughter. Licking her lips at the though of vengeance, she spoke aloud: “Before the next moon cycle I will have my revenge!” She grinned, adding, “and Green Lantern and his she-witch Sonic Boom will both die slow and painful deaths!”
A bright white glow enveloped her being as she began the long journey to planet Earth.
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The Hall of Justice: “The Kitchen”
Palomé choked and gasped for his life and would surely drown imminently. He was pinned to the ocean floor from the harpoon blasts of the same murderess who killed six other members of the Titans East. Stingray shot blasts wildly in every direction as she fled for her life in the murky depths of the ocean. “I’ll kill you all! One by one if I have to… and I will save you for last!”
“Not only will you fail to kill any more Titans, but you won’t even damage a measly piece of seaweed, you wretch!” shouted Wonder Man as he clapped his hands at super-speed in the ocean waters. The resulting waves sent Stingray hurling helplessly where she crashed into an undersea cave wall and died.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
With the aid of her “Manta-craft’ the Stingray sailed effortlessly through the skies. Sargona and Venus lay unconscious on top of Theodore Roosevelt’s head at Mount Rushmore. Pointing a ray-gun at each of the helpless heroines, she prepared to finish them off.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHH!!” shouted Wonder Man as he dove downward and punched the Stingray into unconsciousness with the full force of both of his fists. The evil murderess fell to the rocky South Dakota ground below and died.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
Nightvision and Black Vulcan hung upside down from the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge. Both had been beaten almost to the point of death and dangled in a state of unconsciousness by a fishing line. Stingray set three bombs to activate in thirty seconds on the bridge. Screams of terror could be heard from the innocent people in the cars involved in the traffic jam on the bridge.
“The days of your murdering innocent bystanders and heroes have come to an end, you slimy WITCH!” shouted Wonder Man from his invisible jet.
“Do I note a tremor of fear in your voice?” mocked Stingray.
Wonder Man wiped away a tear as his silver lasso encircled the villainess with perfect precision. He swung her around the sky three times before setting her body free. In a tremendous display of super-speed, the son of Wonder Woman and Major Steve Trevor rescued both of his teammates and the more than two hundred souls trapped on the bridge.
BOOM!
Stingray’s body fell into the bridge five seconds after the explosion. Her screams could be heard from quite some distance as she slowly burned to death.
[glow=yellow,2,300]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT[/glow]
Tears of fright trickled down the cheeks of the all-new Hardcore Power Lad as Stingray…
CLIK!!!!
Scott Trevor whirled around to see who had turned off the simulator. Standing before him was Isis, the ambassador who had come to assist the Titans East in the aftermath of the S.T.A.R. Labs explosion. “What are you doing, Scott?”
“Uhm… I was just working out…” answered the young hero sheepishly. His eyes were as wide as those of a deer confronted by the headlights of an oncoming car. The tank top and sweat pants that his Aunt Donna gave him last Christmas were drenched in sweat. His heavy breathing was more from rage than from the workout.
“It looked to me like much more than a workout,” said Isis softly. “Would you care to talk about why the Stingray has died repeated horrific deaths today?”
“I… I…” struggled the young Amazon-human hybrid warrior, “…it was just a workout. I have to be ready to protect the team. Sargona said—”
“According to the simulator you were on your thirty-eighth simulation,” interrupted the lovely counselor of healing and peace. “That is a lot of times to kill one person. Are you sure you are doing this with training for defense as a motivation?”
“… I… I just… I…” stuttered the young man who usually had plenty to say.
“Scott, I want to share something that has taken me years to teach my husband. Revenge is an empty cup,” she said as she tossed the towel to the powerful athlete.
“Isis… it’s not about revenge. It’s about justice,” said Wonder Man in defense.
“Scott,” began the ambassador of healing, “if it were truly about justice then why did Stingray die in every simulation you went through? This is not what your heroic young friends would have wanted. Power Guy, Nucleus, and the others died saving the lives of more than five hundred scientists. They were heroes. Their very lives were dedicated to saving lives, not taking them.”
Scott Trevor looked down at the towel that Isis had offered him. She did not realize that it was Junjie Quick’s. His heart sank as his attention turned to the boxing ring where he and Sonic Boom enjoyed their second date. He remembered how embarrassed he had been when her judo sent him crashing onto his rear end. She was a good and special friend. The strong warrior turned away from Isis for a brief moment so that he could wipe away a tear unnoticed.
“Scott, you remind me so much of the good in my husband,” began the white clad heroine, “but before he reformed and became more of a peaceful statesman he ended the lives of many souls. Though some of them certainly deserved to die, it really wasn’t his place to judge and execute them. He feigns that his past doesn’t bother him… but I hear his cries of sorrow in the night when he sleeps. He can never escape the horrific past that he has led, nor the memories of the violent deaths he has witnessed at his own hand. I would hate to see you fall into the same doom that my beloved husband suffers.”
Wonder Man stood silently with his head hanging low. He had prided himself on being “the hero who always does what is right.” The sorrow of losing six heroic friends had challenged what he had thought was an unshakable standard.
“Scott, you can become a killer, or continue to slurp the vainglory of your handsome features and sculpted body on the runway… or you can become the leader that you were destined to be. The choice is up to you. Just remember: Revenge is an empty cup.”
Scott watched silently as Isis walked out of the room. He wouldn’t soon forget Isis’ calm but stinging words. They echoed in his mind and heart as he showered in preparation for his show later that day.
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The Penthouse Apartment of Jerrica Benton
Jerrica gazed at her image in the mirror in her hallway. “I’m not sure if it’s me,” she thought as she turned sideways to see the back of the costume, “but it will do for a little while. I like the sparkles and the black compliments my hair quite nicely.” Her old suit was at the dry cleaner. She had already scrubbed the zipper several times herself, but she was still unsatisfied. She loved the design and the fabric of her feminine ‘all-pink’ battle suit. But right now, the last thing she needed in her life was any garment that had a zipper. “I guess the black isn’t all that bad for a temporary costume,” she thought as she picked up the telephone and dialed her manager.
Ring… ring… ring…
“Spaulding,” answered Jemstone’s manager.
“Hi, Murray. This is Jerrica.”
“Hey, baby! What’s up? Are you excited about your big show tonight at the debut of the Los Angeles Super Dome?”
‘Uhhmmm… Murray, that’s what I wanted to talk with you about…” said the pink haired beauty in hesitation.
“Aw, no! You aren’t cancelin’ out on me now are ya?” he asked in irritated concern.
“No, but… and I know you aren’t going to like this, but I want to donate all proceeds to charity again,” explained the young star.
“What?!? Look, Jerrie, there is nothing wrong with making a little profit every once in a while.”
“Yes, I realize that and completely agree with you,” she said firmly, “but this is just something I have to do.”
“Well, what organization is it this time?” asked the manager sarcastically. “Save the seals?”
“No, Murray, nothing like that. I want us to donate all proceeds to help rape victims,” she began. “There must be a shelter or woman’s home…”
“Oh,” said her manager seriously.
“And Murray? Before we do a show for profit I want to do another one to help this foundation that teaches women self defense,” she said as she used a lacy handkerchief to dry a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Uhhhm… well, Jerrie, that sounds good to me. I understand. With talent like yours we can make a profit on any day of the week. No problem. Look, ummmm… knock ’em dead tonight!”
“Sure thing, Murray. Thanks… ’bye.” Jemstone hung up the phone and looked in the mirror again to make absolutely sure that the new costume didn’t make her derriere look too big.
“Why do they keep on making these male jerks for villains like Dr. Light and the Toyman?” she thought as she looked out the window to the sunny skies. “Just once I would like to go up against a decent female villain.”
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The Los Angeles Center for Music and the Arts
Scott Stone arrived at the Center for Music and the Arts one hour and twenty minutes early. He was wearing a three-piece grey suit which featured an antique pocket-watch and a green tie. His hair was slicked back and he wore the nicest cologne that he could find on such short notice. Normally he wouldn’t be interested in going to such a place, especially since he became sector 2814’s new Green Lantern. He needed to devote every spare moment to practicing using the ring. He loved being a Green Lantern, but he wasn’t nearly as comfortable using it as he was with his star rod. He missed Daniel Jordan and was both sincere and serious about upholding the heroic legend of the Green Lantern.
As Scott entered the building, his thoughts traveled back to earlier in the afternoon when he saw Jemstone and Supergirl talking with one another at the Metrotower. The two red-hot beauties talked quite some time. He overheard something about a charity show at the Los Angelas Center for Music and Arts, a free front row seat, and support. Fortunately, it was only Jemstone who noticed Green Lantern’s eavesdropping. He would die a thousand deaths if Supergirl ever found out about his mega-crush on her. When the super-heroines finished their conversation, Supergirl left and Jemstone approached an embarrassed Scott.
“Hey, Starman… I mean GL!” said Jemstone cheerfully.
“Uhhhm… hi,” said the newest member of the Green Lantern Corps shyly.
“I was wondering if you would like to attend my concert tonight?” asked Jerrica sweetly. “I have a free front row seat reserved for you…”
Realizing that accepting the invitation would most assuredly mean a seat next to Kristen, Scott nodded his head quickly with a silly grin. He had planned on spending his evening practicing with his ring, but an opportunity like this one is quite rare.
Scott’s heart began racing and his rate of breathing increased as he approached the security ushers to introduce himself and claim his reserved seat next to Supergirl.
“Hello, sir. My name is Scott Stone. I have front row reservations,” said the dashing young man confidently.
The tall, pale usher looked through a couple of papers and said, “The reservations list shows no listing for Scott Stone.”
“Could you check again please?” Scott asked politely. “I am a personal friend of Jerrica Benton.”
The usher checked the list again and said, “Sir, I am sorry but there is no Scott Stone or any other man’s name on tonight’s list of special guests.”
“Is there a listing for a Kristen Kent?” asked Scott with concern.
“There is a reservation for a Jenna Kent. Sir, you could wait outside if you wish. The concert is sold out, but perhaps someone will not show up. That rarely happens though,” said the usher matter-of-factly.
Scott walked out the door in disgust and collided with a tall, muscular man wearing a black Armani.
“Scott! Hey! Nice to see you. Did you come to see Jerrica’s show or mine?” asked Scott Trevor.
Green Lantern was very embarrassed to meet the rich and famous Scott Trevor in such a situation. “Well, it looks like I won’t be seeing either. I kind of got kicked out…”
“What happened?” asked Scott in surprise.
“The usher—who looks like one of those funeral parlor guys—said my name wasn’t on the guest list,” explained Scott Stone.
“Come with me,” said Wonder Man’s civilian persona warmly, “maybe we can fix this together.”
After some long explanations and several phone calls, the agents at the ticketing office apologized and explained that Scott was the substitute for Kristen when she had told Jerrica Benton that she was unable to attend. Unfortunately, the ticketing office forgot to update the list.
Once everything was settled Scott Trevor said to his Titans West friend, “Hey, maybe after Jerrica’s show you can catch the last forty-five minutes of mine,” as he handed him a ticket.
“Thanks, Scott!” said the humbled young man, “I will see you there.”
The former Starman put on his sunglasses, smoothed his hair back, and smiled smugly at the usher as he entered the auditorium. The usher’s grim expression quickly turned to a wide smile as Scott Stone tripped on the first step and fell flat on his face.
“Sheeesh!” thought Green Lantern, “What else could possibly go wrong today?”
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Earth’s Upper Atmosphere
Sultana seethed with thoughts of vengeance as she sped towards her destination. Thanks to her crystal she had locked onto the energy ring of space sector 2814’s Green Lantern. She didn’t understand why she had difficulty at first in locating the Emerald Gladiator’s signal. She had battled the bald member of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps before, and her crystal should have instantly pinpointed its exact position. But that didn’t matter now. Qel-hihn had never killed before, but today she would begin with Earth’s greatest hypocrite, the Green Lantern. If Sinestro’s eldest daughter could find Sonic Boom, the golden-haired witch who had hurt her so badly more than a year ago, then she would join Green Lantern in the grave. A sinister smile adorned Sultana’s hardened features as she neared a heavily populated area. Her crystal directed her to a huge building from which an alien music pulsed. She paused briefly above the building and commanded her crystal to remove a portion of the roof from the building.
Jerrica Benton finished her penultimate song for the evening and was preparing for the big finale. Her custom was to bring someone from the audience up on stage with her and serenade them during the last song. She smiled at her teammate Scott Stone, who was seated in the front row as her special guest, and relished at the thought of calling up her shy friend. Then suddenly a light appeared from the rooftop. The popular vocalist was shocked to see a reddish-colored woman descending through a hole in the ceiling. The majority of the audience broke out into an instant panic. Ever since her recent battle with Dr. Light, Jerrica had spent several sleepless evenings thinking through many scenarios of super-villain ambushes and what she would do. Jemstone had made a vow to herself to never be caught off guard again, and this was the test of that decision. Concentrating ever so slightly, the beautiful heroine cast holograms of both Jerrica Benton and Scott Stone running for cover.
The newest member of the Green Lantern Corps was taken aback to see an image himself running off like a coward! But then his attention was turned to his Titans West teammate flying toward a disturbingly evil looking woman floating in the auditorium. In a fraction of a second the fledgling Green Lantern was airborne and flying side-by-side with Jemstone.
“Let’s take this battle outside,” suggested Jemstone as both heroes created shields which successfully protected them from the alien woman’s first blast.
“Good idea,” replied her teammate as he raised his Titans of Justice communicator to his mouth.
To Be Continued In Titans West Chapter 14
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Epilogue (This takes place after Titans West #14):
The Hall of Justice…
“So Batman almost caught the Sting Ray last night?” inquired Black Vulcan.
“Yes but she slipped away at the last second by teleporting out,” revealed Nightvision.
The Silencer had just finished cleaning his leather jacket. He entered the meeting room only to find a bizarre signal coming from the computers.
Racing over to the computers, he was able to decipher what the alarm was for. He called the team together. “Guys, it looks like someone’s reactivated the JLA’s old Watchtower base in space!”
“But we just saw most of the old JLAers at the funeral a few weeks back and they didn’t say anything about getting back together,” declared Wonder Man. “Maybe it has to do with Aquaman being attacked.”
“My guess is that it’s not the JLA in the Watchtower,” concluded Nightvision.
“Who else could it be?” asked Sargona. “Despero? Kanjar Ro? Starbreaker?”
“Silencer, switch on the security cameras up there and let’s see who the trespassers are,” directed Nightvision.
“I’ve been trying, but whoever is up there changed all of the access codes,” revealed the Silencer. “They’re blocking our access.”
“Then they’ve most likely blocked the teleport-tubes too,” assumed Nightvision. “I guess the only way to find out who we’re dealing with is to go up there and confront them head on.”
“Let’s go!” suggested Wonder Man as he led the team to the hanger. “Silencer you stay here and keep trying to crack their codes. Sargona, I think it’s best if you stay here too.”
“What? Why?” demanded Sargona. “With Venus and Palomé still gone, we’re already short-handed.”
Wonder Man pulled Sagona aside, “Listen Sar, with everything that you’ve been through lately, I think it’s best if you take it easy for a while.”
“I’m fine,” insisted the sorceress. “Really, I am.”
“Then humor me and keep the Silencer company,” requested Wonder Man.
“Okay…okay,” replied Sargona as she walked away, annoyed.
As the team raced towards the Javelyn, Nightvision commented, “You’re making a great leader, Wonder Man.”
“Leader?” Wonder Man said in confusion. “I didn’t think we had a leader right now.”
“That’s because you haven’t been looking under your nose,” smiled Nightvision.
In Titans East #50: Another Titan of Justice has an encounter with Black Orchid plus the Titans face off against… the Justice League of America???