Titans of Justice Unlimited Chapter 41 – “The Silencing“
Written by: Power Guy
Editing & cards by: Green Lantern
***Special thanks to Green Lantern for his input on the Sportsmaster/Silencer segment!


The Steps to the Main Entrance of Metropolis University Hospital…

News reporters from various stations and magazines around the world had converged on the hospital grounds to get the scoop on the shocking announcement that Lex Luthor had a son. Hospital security was doing it’s best to deter the reporters, but they were making little progress.

As Mr. Luthor made his way out of the main doors, cameras flashed and reporters screamed at him with questions. “Mr. Luthor? Where have you been all of these years?” asked WGBS reporter Andrew Vinson.

“Where have I been? I’ve been studying at the finest schools in the country under an alias in hopes of hiding my parentage. My father had run the Luthor name through the gutter over the years but with his condition, the family name will no longer be an issue. Let it be known that a new Luthor generation has arrived and will polish up the family name and prove to the world that the intelligence that the Luthor family is famous for can be used to help better mankind.”

“And how do you plan to make good on this promise Mr. Luthor?” asked Summer Gleason.

“I’m not quite ready to reveal my hand just yet but all will be clear shortly,” Lance Luthor answered as he made his way into his sleek, black limo that awaiting him on he curb.

***

The Hall of Justice…

The Silencer had been up through the night upgrading the Hall’s computer systems. “After sixteen hours, it’s finally done,” he sighed. “I’ve got to thank Green Lantern and Atmosphere for keeping everyone out of the Hall so I could work in peace. I should have this place to myself for another four hours so I’d better take advantage of it while I can. I should go dig up my DVD of the old live-action Batman show and watch it on the Trouble Alert screen!” he thought, turning to rush off to his private quarters when suddenly he was stopped dead in his tracks by a puff of smoke appearing in front of him. As the smoke dissipated, the person who created it became visible: “The Wizard!” yelled an angry Silencer. “I don’t know what you’re doing here but you’re going to regret ever stepping foot in the Hall of Justice!” he shouted, leaping into the air to drop-kick the distinguished magician.

“Spare me your empty threats, street-fighter,” the Wizard said nonchalantly, waiving his hand as a glistening glow appeared around it. The Silencer soon found himself strapped to a crucifix, unable to move. “I have been around longer than your father and a young, powerless punk such as yourself shall not lay a finger on me.”

“Let me out of here and I’ll do more than lay a finger on you, you crooked old relic!” threatened the nephew of Snapper Carr.

“Not until I get what I came here for,” countered the Wizard as he stepped up to the computer console. “As you’ve probably heard, I’m reforming the Injustice Society and I’m looking to recruit and old sparring partner of yours. I just need to access your computer files to obtain his address. This disc shall allow me to override your security.”

“Get away from there!” ordered the struggling Silencer. “Unngh! I can’t reach my signal device,” he grunted to himself.

After searching a few minutes without success the Wizard became frustrated. “I cannot get through your security program! The Calculator assured me this disc would do the job!”

“It probably would have...yesterday, but I just finished upgrading our systems a few minutes before you arrived,” advised the Silencer. “Two minutes too late, pal.”

“Well, then, I guess I will have to obtain the information a different way,” the Wizard said, approaching the Silencer. He put his hands on the side of the Silencer’s head, “I hear you have a photographic memory my young friend. Now hold still or I assure you this will be very, very painful.”

The Silencer screamed in agony as the Wizard ransacked his memories…

About a half-hour later at the residence of Nicholas Martin, Wizard appeared in another puff of smoke in the middle of the living room. He thought to himself as he scanned the empty room, “Sorrow had better not interrupt me again. I wasted twenty minutes listening to that mad-man rave about how unpredictable Rag Doll and Grundy are.” Then he heard what sounded like a glass shattering on the floor in the kitchen. He slowly and quietly crept to the kitchen in hopes of finding one of the Sportsmaster’s family members there in order to force them into telling him where the sports-themed villain was hiding. As he looked into the kitchen, he was shocked to find the Sportsmaster standing before him, pillaging some food. “Well, well, well, we meet sooner than expected!”

The Sportsmaster almost jumped at the sound of the Wizard’s voice as he thought he was alone in the house. He had heard that his father and sister were out of town on vacation so he took the opportunity to steal some food and toiletries. “The Wizard?”

“Yes, it is I,” the long-time foe of the Justice Society confirmed as he bowed slightly. “I come with an offer you cannot refuse.”

“Oh really? Do tell,” requested the stalker of the Huntress.

“That I shall, but not here. Let’s go somewhere we can speak without any unplanned interruptions,” the Wizard said, waiving his hand once again, teleporting the duo to the headquarters of the Injustice Society.

As the two villains appeared in the Injustice Society’s main meeting room, the Sportsmaster was taken aback by the other villains in the room: Johnny Sorrow, Rag Doll, Solomon Grundy, Cyclotron, the Shade, Vulcan Son of Fire, Bonfire, The Ghost of Gentleman Jim, and Dr. Poison. “Wow! This is quite a group you’ve gathered. I’m pretty impressed.”

“Then you will not think twice when I extend the invitation for you to join this elite gathering,” The Wizard said, staring the Sportsmaster down.

“Sorry but I’ve got a major gig going on right now,” declined the man otherwise known as Christopher Martin. “But if that falls through, I’ll let you know.”

The Wizard wore an angry scowl on his face as he walked over to the Sportsmaster, “I think you misunderstood Mr. Martin. This is not a request. You WILL be joining the Injustice Society.”

The Sportsmaster realized that someone must have narked him out to the Wizard or the aging magician wouldn’t have been able to find him. He was curious to find out who it was so he decided to humor him a bit, “Well, I see that you have your heart set on this, so what can I say? Just curious, who told you where to find me?”

The Wizard grinned slightly as he answered the Sportsmaster’s question, “Why it was the Silencer.”

“That lousy, no good rat!” the man originally known as the Nightstalker thought to himself. “I know of a way to pay him back and get this stupid Injustice Society off of my tail.” Using the holographic-projector he had stolen from Power Lad months ago, he morphed his form into that of the Silencer’s. “Oh you mean me? Gotcha you old fool!”

The Wizard raised his cane in a bit of fury as the rest of his team surrounded the faux Silencer ready to rip him limb from limb. “So you have been masquerading as the Silencer and infiltrated the Titans of Justice. I must commend you on that. I give you one last chance to join my organization or I will kill your family after we kill you!”

The “Silencer” just shrugged his shoulders and then used his invisibility powers to escape.

“He’s gone!” shouted Bonfire.

“Where did he go?” Johnny Sorrow asked as he looked around the room. “No-one turns down the Injustice Society!”

“That little weasel thinks he can toy with us!” growled the Wizard. “He is a dimwitted idiot! Come Sorrow, let us go make an example out of him!” he urged as he waived his hand, causing Johnny Sorrow and himself to disappear.

Minutes later at the Hall of Justice…

The real Silencer had only been awake from the Wizard’s earlier attack for about fifteen minutes. His head was pounding and could do little else than close his eyes and lay back in the chair he was seated in. “I’ve got to get Dr. Fate or the Stranger to set up some kind of mystical shielding that will keep folks like the Wizard out of this place. Who’s knows what information he accessed or items he took while I was out cold?” he thought to himself. His thoughts were then interrupted by a sickeningly familiar voice.

“So you didn’t think I would figure you would come back here did you?”

The Silencer instantly opened his eyes in alarm. It was the Wizard speaking to him along with Johnny Sorrow standing at his side.

The Wizard pointed his cane at the Silencer as he spat, “Traitor! You thought you could turn down the Injustice Society! No-one does that and lives to see another day!”

Johnny Sorrow put his hand on the Wizard’s wrist, “Allow me,” he requested as he removed his mask.

The sight of Johnny Sorrow’s horrific face ripped through the Silencer’s body like a million razor-blades. His skin shriveled and contorted as it rotted away. Nearly all of his hair fell out of his head while his eyes bulged from their sockets. He slumped into the chair his was sitting in as the last spark of life left his body.

“Very nice, Sorrow,” complemented the Wizard. “This will kill two birds with one stone. First it will send out a message to any other villain that thinks to deny us and it will serve as a warning-shot to the Titans of Justice to let them know that we are coming for them.”

“Very true,” agreed the murderer arrogantly. “It’s been a long time since I killed a man and I almost forgot how good it feels.”

“Come, let us finalize our plans so that we can put our plan into motion,” the Wizard suggested as he and Johnny Sorrow teleported back to their headquarters.

About an hour later, several of the Titans of Justice returned from a mission. Dr. Fate, the Scorpion, Wonder Man, Argos, and Green Lantern entered the main meeting room and saw the lifeless body of the Silencer.

“Thunderbolts of Zeus!” cried out Wonder Man as he covered his mouth.

“By Highfather’s beard, what happened to him?” Argos asked in shock.

“Maybe it was Plasmus?” suggested the Scorpion.

“Or Decay?” added Wonder Man

As the others debated who was responsible for this heinous act, Green Lantern used his ring to lift the Silencer’s body on to a freshly-made green stretcher and covered it with a blanket.

“I’m sorry my friends but this is the work of someone well known to myself and the rest of the Justice Society,” revealed Dr. Fate. “What you see here is Johnny Sorrow’s doing.”

Green Lantern kneeled down the by the stretcher he had created and said a prayer asking God to tell the Silencer how much he and the rest of the Titans would miss him and that they will bring his killer to justice. A tear dripped down his chin as he shook his head in both grief and disgust.

“This Johnny Sorrow must be quite powerful to do this to the Silencer,” surmised Argos as he looked Sturmer in the eyes. His faithful hound could not help but detect the great amount of sorrow in the room. He whimpered softly as he looked back at his master. “It matters not, though, as we shall find this coward and make him pay for what he has done!” Argos said as he clenched his fist which was crackling with the Astro Force.

“I’ll summon the rest of the team,” offered Wonder Man. “It looks like we have another Titan to bury.”

Metropolis: The Apartment of Vince Starr aka Power Guy

As Sargona stepped out of the bathroom after what seemed like an eternity, she asked, “So how do I look?” She was adorned with a white pants-suit and draped with gold accessories including earrings, a necklace, a few rings on her fingers with styalized chop-sticks holding her hair in a Asian bun.

Vince was nearly speechless at the sight of the raven-haired beauty. Their friendship had grown over the past few weeks over many conversations. In recent days they had become a little more intimate and their relationship was blossoming into something that could become more than friendship. “All I can say is that you’re not going to have to work very hard at the interview if the person who interviews you is a guy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more beautiful, but are you sure this is really necessary?”

“Yes, it is,” replied Sargona. “I don’t want to burn up all of my savings paying rent here so it’s time to finally get a job after all of these years. I have to admit I’m a little nervous as I’ve never had to work before with my dad buying everything I needed. Even during these last few years of college he insisted that I not work so I could concentrate on school, but now it’s time to be a big girl.”

“But are you sure you want to be a waitress?” Power Guy asked as he walked over and put his hands on his teammate’s shoulders. “It’s such a stressful job, I hear.”

“But the servers at the Cheesecake Factory made darn good money from what I’ve heard,” answered the daughter of Sargon and Zatanna. “I’m talking a couple hundred dollars a night. That beats whatever Mc Donald’s or Wally-world would pay me by far.”

“But what if you chip a nail?” mused the Kryptonian powerhouse.

“I suppose that a couple hundred dollars could get a chipped nail repaired,” answered Sargona flirtatiously.

The couple giggled and the world seemed to stop for a moment. Their eyes were locked on each other, which flamed the growing attraction between them. As the seconds ticked away, they slowly moved closer towards each other. Their lips about to meet when

DING DONG!!!

As the duo snapped back to reality, Power Guy raced towards the door, “I’ve got it!” He opened the door to find his best-friend Helena Wayne otherwise known as the Huntress standing outside his condo. “Helena! You’re early!”

“Sorry, I’ve been up all night looking for Kitty Kat and I didn’t get home until around 6:00 a.m. so I figured ‘what’s the point of going to bed anymore,’ so I hopped in the shower and headed over here for our weekly breakfast get-together.”

Sargona just stood there silently. She was a bit frustrated at the Huntress’ timing. It had taken her almost a year to get over her feelings for Green Lantern and find interest in another guy and the Huntress had just ruined her opportunity to verify that Power Guy was feeling the same way she was.

“Oh Sargona! I didn’t see you over there,” called out Helena cheerily as she made her way inside.

“Oh, hey Helena,” responded Sargona. “I don’t mean to be so short but I really must be going. I have a job interview,” she said as she walked past the Huntress and began to exit the condo.

“Really? Good luck!” offered the daughter of Batman and Catwoman.

Sargona just kept walking without saying a word and closed the door behind her.

“What’s her problem?” inquired the Huntress.

“Oh, don’t take it personally. I’m sure she’s just nervous about her interview,” said Vince Starr rapidly. “Can you believe this is her first one ever?”

“Really?” questioned the Huntress in astonishment. “I know she comes from a rich family like I do, but I can’t believe she’s never had to work before. My dad made me get a paper-route when I was twelve and a real job once I was sixteen. I’ve worked ever since.”

“You’re a strong woman, Helena, and that’s what I like about you,” smiled the leader of the Titans of Justice.

Before the duo could continue their conversation a knock came from the door.

“Oh, that’s probably Sargona. I’ll bet she forgot something,” assumed Power Guy. But when he opened the door, he was shocked not to find Sargona, but Power Woman and Superman. “Karen! Clark! It’s good to see you both. What brings you here?”

As the two Kryptonian visitors entered the room, Power Woman caught the Huntress’ eye. There was something oddly familiar about her, something almost comforting. She almost felt as though she had known her for years even though this was the first time they had met.

“Thanks Vince,” replied Power Woman as she and her cousin Clark Kent made their way inside. “Oh hello there,” she smiled at the Huntress.

“Oh Karen, this is my good friend Helena Wayne,” Power Guy said, introducing his best friend. “Clark, I believe you two have met many times,” smiled.

“Yes, we have,” grinned the Daily Planet reporter. “It’s good to see you again Helena. How are your parents doing?”

“Good thanks,” the Huntress replied. “Don’t tell them you heard it from me, but I think they are planning on inviting you and Aunt Lois for some of Mom’s famous beef stroganoff soon.”

Power Guy then turned to his cousin Karen, “So what’s up cuz? You look pretty serious right now.”

“Well Vince,” started Karen Starr. “I’m here with some news you will probably find a bit startling.”

“Go ahead,” directed Power Guy.

“The other day, Clark and I were going over the papers from the rocket you traveled to earth in and we discovered that I made a great big goof when I translated the papers. It turns out that you’re not really my cousin, but my younger brother.”

“What?? Are you certain?” a perplexed Power Guy asked.

“Yes, Vince,” assured Power Woman. “Clark and Kara both confirmed it.”

“So welcome to the El family!” smiled Superman as he put his arm around Power Guy’s shoulder. “You know we’ve always considered you family, but this makes it official.”

“Wow! This is certainly great news,” said the astounded Power Guy with a big grin. “It’s great to have a few more blood relatives here on earth.”

“Let’s go out for brunch and celebrate. MY treat!” insisted the woman formerly known as Power Girl. “You too Helena.”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Miss Wayne replied, trying to be polite.

“Nonsense!” Vince said firmly. “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather share this moment with.”

“Well, I guess I don’t really have a choice in the matter,” Helena said, accepting the offer.

A few hours later as Vince and Helena were making their way back to Vince’s car, the man known as Power Guy turned to his best friend and mentioned, “You were pretty quiet in there Helena. Is something bothering you? Were you thinking about Kitty Kat again?”

“No, no, it’s not that,” revealed the Huntress. “There’s just something about your sister Karen that seems oddly familiar. It was almost like a sense of deja vu.”

“Well, I noticed you two were talking up a storm in the restaurant,” pointed out the leader of the Titans of Justice.

“Maybe you just felt this way because of our close friendship?” suggested the man of might, “She and I are a lot alike personality-wise.”

“I don’t know Vince,” commented the daughter of the Dark Knight, “I honestly think there might be something more to it than that.”

The End?