Titans of Justice Unlimited #53: “You CAN Go Home Again Part 4(The Perfect Wedding)”
Writer: Green Lantern
Editor: Power Guy
Featured Artist: Arin of Atlantis


Metropolis: The Hall of Justice

A chill ran down Sargona’s spine as she awaited her cue to walk down the aisle. The Hall of Justice was decorated with lavish satins, lace, and golden cords. “Everything is perfect,” she thought. “This is the most wonderful day of my life.” From her waiting place she watched her mother Zatanna dab a tear away as she was ushered to her seat of honor by Daniel Jordan, the cousin of the groom.





“Feeling a little nervous?” asked her father, Jonathan Sargon.

“A little. I just hope that our relationship will be as special as yours and mom’s,” answered the enigmatic mage. “Daniel is my first love and I want it to last forever.”

The Father and daughter watched as Celeste Pierce walked gracefully down the aisle toward the front. They were unable to see the hard look that Black Vulcan gave to Dark Arrow. “I just hope that jerk doesn’t ruin the wedding the way he sabotaged the dress rehearsal last night,” thought the daughter of Black Lightning.

A peculiar hush fell across the congregation as the Maid of Honor, Jerrica Benton followed Celeste in a very stately fashion. The elegance and soft smile of the super-star camouflaged her thoughts. “I am so happy for Sargona. But something just feels wrong about all of this.” Jemstone had a great respect for Pastor Daniel Jordan, but she couldn’t help but think that Robert Queen’s had a point at the dress rehearsal. Green Lantern and Sargona were two wonderful people who were not meant for each other. A feeling of emptiness overwhelmed her. She couldn’t get the name “Scott” out of her mind. It was as if the love of her life had been ripped away from her. Yet, she would only be a bridesmaid today. “Still, it seems as if a blonde, muscular prince should be sweeping me off my feet.”





An expression of displeasure came over the countenance of Mr. Sargon as he noted that Robert Queen was whispering something to the groom.

“Danny-boy, its not too late to call this off,” said the best man in concern.





“Rob, you are like the brother I never had, but you have got to stop this. You are dangerously close to crossing a line. This is my wedding,” answered the emerald gladiator in a nervous and less than confident whisper.

“Danny, you are more to me than a brother,” answered the son of Green Arrow and the Black Canary, “and I care for you so much that I am willing to put our friendship on the line over this. You and I both know that you should be with my sister.”

“You are being rude,” interjected Rick Dinby. “Your sister took off for earth-two long ago. Let the man enjoy his own wedding.”





“And that is ANOTHER thing,” added Robert, “Who is this stretchy guy anyway?”

Green Lantern was about to answer in defense of his groomsman, but suddenly realized that he also didn’t know who the bright-eyed redhead gentleman was.

“Dan, ignore Robert,” said the Elongated Lad. “He obviously has amnesia on top of his terminal case of jerk-ery.” Turning to Dark Arrow he exclaimed, “and you know very well that I am the world famous Elongated Lad, son of Ralph and Sue Dinby.”

Suddenly Green Lantern felt a gentle tickling in his ear.

“Daniel, this is Nucleus. I think its clear that something is wrong. Don’t do anything rash. Dark Arrow could be right. I am going to contact Knight-Bat for help. I’ll be back soon. Find a way to stall this wedding.”





Daniel’s head began throbbing as the organ cued the audience to stand in respect for the bride. Sargona appeared and began walking down the aisle. The green guardian had never seen her look so beautiful, and yet a sense of doubt and panic began to cloud his mind.

***

Gotham Outskirts: The Batcave...

Brendon Grayson concentrated on the Bat-computer as a lovely blond girl massaged his massive shoulders.





“Why does Donna think that the Secret Society would target Green Lantern’s and Sargona’s wedding?” asked Jenna Kent.





“Because she is correct. All indications point to a Secret Society sabotage of the wedding,” answered Knight-Bat with a smile as Supergirl gently caressed his ear and cheek. “I am still working on determining their motive. Can you get a status report from Donna?”

“Wonder Woman, how do things look at the Hall of Justice?’ the Kryptonian/Terran hybrid inquired via Hall of Justice communicator.

“So far, everything looks fine,” answered Donna Troy, “but we all know that looks can be deceiving. Fusion, Argos, and Hawkgirl are doing another aerial scope. The espionage squad: Christophe, Kid Comet, and Queen Bee, and Stranger are well-hidden in various locations in the surrounding area, Whirlpool is at the wedding, but in charge of communications, and the Flash is monitoring several check points.”

“Sounds good,” said Supergirl in approval as she turned her attention to her fiancé.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

“Can you get that, hon?” asked the successor of the Batman.

Kara lifted the receiver of a crimson telephone and Nucleus flew out.

“I thought you were at the wedding,” said Knight-Bat coldly.

“Brendon, something is wrong,” began Jason. “Actually, everything is wrong. All indications point to a warping of our timeline.”

“Yet another conspiracy theory,” commented Brendon dryly.

“This isn’t just a theory!” exclaimed Nucleus. “Several members of the team have memories that just do not jibe with reality. That cannot be coincidence.”

“Let me guess: You are referring to Dark Arrow,” said Mr. Grayson.

“Just because he is the one who remembers the way things were doesn’t make it wrong,” argued Nucleus.

“You’re going to have to come up with a better argument to convince him, Nuke,” interjected Supergirl. “The Robert Queen angle just isn’t going to work.”

“Brendon…” said Jason softly, “Brendon LOOK at me.” After a few moments of being ignored, the world’s smartest super-hero continued, “Latavia doesn’t remember me.”

“…What are you talking about?” asked Knight-Bat.

“Queen Bee…she doesn’t remember us,” said Nucleus awkwardly. “She doesn’t remember being in love with me, or working with me, or ever having dated me.”

“You mean you two are an item?” asked Supergirl.

“I have real work to do,” said Knight-Bat sternly. “Beat it, Palmer.”

That was when Nucleus’ suspicions were confirmed. Reality had actually warped. He didn’t know how, but everything had changed. Some of the team had vague memories of another reality, and others were clueless, but Dark Arrow seemed to remember everything for some reason. “Hardwick,” thought Jason as he dialed the Bat-phone and returned to the Hall of Justice. “Why does it seem like my last name should be Hardwick and not Palmer?”

As he left the cave his HOJ communicator buzzed.

“ Mayday! Mayday! we're under attack!” came a controlled and slightly panicked voice.

“Is that you, Donna?” asked Nucleus. “Who is attacking?”

“Nuke, we need your help NOW! Its the entire membership of the –“ <crackle>

“Donna!?!” shouted Jason in alarm. “Please repeat! I didn't catch that!



...Donna!?!”

Metropolis: Outside the Hall of Justice...

Nucleus was horrified at the sight outside the Hall of Justice. He didn’t even know how to begin to help. It was as if he had stepped into an all-out-war!

“Isn’t there supposed to be a wedding going on inside?” he thought. “People are going to get killed if I don’t do something!”

Fireworks lit the sky as the Star Sapphire attacked Argos head-on. “What kind of people would attack on the day of a wedding?” asked Argos indignantly. “Even on Apokolips they have more respect than this!”





“You have no idea of what is at stake!” shouted the beautiful, yet deadly French villainess as she increased the intensity of her attack.

Shayera Hol, daughter of the famed Hawkman and Hawkwoman of Thanagar, found herself entrapped in the monstrous living plants of Jason Woodrue.





“Don’t struggle, my dear,” said the Plantmaster in an eerie voice. “It will all be over in just a few more moments.”

Gasping for breath, Shayera mustered all the strength she could to flex her wings, but the foliage grew tighter and tighter around her. Then she managed to activate the energy device on her mace.

BZZZZZZTTTT!!!!!

“NO!” shouted the Plantmaster. “You have killed my plants! You will pay dearly for that, harpy!”

On the ground below, Professor Zoom easily avoided the blasts of nuclear hero, Fusion.





“This is all so strange,” thought Fusion. “I feel like this is just some type of dream. Everything seems so wrong. Why does everyone insist that my code name is Fusion? I have always gone by Powerstorm.” Feelings of doubt plagued the hero. He felt so guilty about not even recognizing his mother when he awoke earlier that morning. He saw the look of hurt written on her face.

BOOM!

“Ha!” shouted the great-grandson of the original Professor Zoom. “Not paying attention!” he chided as Fusion flew head-over-heels into a tree and lost consciousness. “More power to my trademark thunder-clap” said the villain from the distant future as he polished his knuckles in arrogance.

“We should do something,” said Kid Comet from a hidden location as the Flash and Velocity arrived on the scene in counter-attack.







“I don’t think that would be prudent,” answered Wonder Warrior via Hall of Justice communicator.





“Yes,” concurred Queen Bee.“ As bad as this attack seems, it may be the only way to prevent some of the horrible calamities of our future.”





“But think of the lives at stake,” argued the Stranger calmly. “Are the three of you sure that the sacrifices that will surely be made this day are worth it?”





“Absolutely,” replied Queen Bee.

“Unfortunately, I have to agree,” said Christophe.

“Dave?” asked the Stranger.

“…I am not so certain…but I will stand by for now…” answered the telepath as the Whirlpool arrived on the scene and began assisting Super Lad in his struggle against Blockbuster.






“I don’t need your help, fish-boy,” shouted Super Lad as Blockbuster continued to pummel him.

“Sure ya don’t,” smirked Whirlpool as he used water-control powers to hit Blockbuster in the back of his head with several hard-water pellets, freeing Super Lad to punch the villain squarely in the jaw. “By the way, you are most certainly welcome.”

Ali rolled his eyes as he contemplated upgrading his name to ‘Hardcore Super Lad.’

“I demand answers!” shouted Wonder Woman as she kicked one of the Copperhead Twins in the abdomen. “Now!”





The only reply was a smile and an extended forked tongue from the snake-themed villain as he watched his brother’s tail squeeze around Donna Troy’s lovely neck. Elbowing the second twin, Wonder Woman secured both brothers in her magic lasso.

“The truth. Now,” insisted the founder and co-leader of the League of Titans. “Why are you trying to ruin this wedding?”

“We have been contacted by a man calling himself the Wizard,” began one of the twins. “He is from someplace called Earth-two.”

“Go on,” said Donna.

“He says that all of our very lives are at stake if this wedding pushes through,” said the other twin with a genuine sense of horror.

“The only good part is that half of you Titans would be killed too,” added the first twin.

“Why?” asked the Amazon as she wished that her older sister Diana were still alive to help her with this case.

“If Green Lantern and Sargona get married, their son will become the most horrific anti-hero that ever existed,” explained the Star Sapphire as she descended calmly with an unconscious Argos in a rose-colored power sphere. “He will call himself ‘The Apostle.’”

“He will go on a one-man mission to destroy all super-villains,” added one of the twins.

Krak! Krak! Both the Flash and Velocity fell to the ground as Professor Zoom raced to join his villainous teammates.

“You people are crazy!” accused Donna Troy. “You don’t even know this Wizard and you just believe his idiotic prophecy on your first meeting!?! Green Lantern and Sargona are going to make a great couple. They will be the perfect parents.”

“They will both die trying to stop their son,” countered Professor Zoom. “I ought to know. I am from the future, lady.”

Whirlpool eased up slowly towards the group. Wonder Woman shook her head slightly, instructing him not to engage. She didn’t want to trust villains, but she couldn’t get around the facts that Professor Zoom was from the future and the Copperhead Twins were both forced to tell the truth as long as her lasso bound them. “Listen to me, all of you,” said the Amazon beauty authoritatively. “No one dies here today. I will go inside and work this out myself. I would advise all of you to not be here when I get back if you want to avoid imprisonment.”

Inside the Hall of Justice...

Daniel Jordan had never seen Sargona look so beautiful as she walked down the aisle. She was elegance incarnate and never took her eyes off of him. The Green Guardian thought it quite ironic that he faced death both on earth and in outer space on a regular basis, but now as a raven-haired beauty advanced gracefully toward him he found himself quaking with fear. Then he felt the strong and reassuring hand of his best friend on his shoulder. Robert Queen had been as loyal of a friend as any guy could ask for. The Green Lantern glanced quickly at his best man in order to say a quick “thank you” and that’s when he noticed the similarity. Though Robert and Dinah Queen were paternal twins they did favor one another. “I wonder where Di Di is?” thought the groom. He put his eyes back on his bride-to-be and wondered what kind of gown Di Di would wear at her wedding. “What hair style would she wear?” he mused…”and where is she anyway?” He knew that something was wrong and hadn’t been able to put his finger on it until now. Di Di had always been a part of his life. They had grown up together. She should be here too.






“Robbie, where is Di Di?” asked the young bald man in a whisper.

“She is on Earth-two,” answered the Elongated Lad. “Get your mind back on your bride. This is your wedding, after all.”

“What is she doing on Earth-two?” asked Robert.

“She left after Daniel and Sargona announced their engagement,” answered the Elongated Lad in irritation. “C’mon guys! We have a wedding going on here, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Who gives this young lady?” asked the pastor as Sargona and her father reached the front of the auditorium.

“Her mother and I,” answered Sargon the Sorcerer.

The pastor motioned for Daniel to join the bride. After the father and daughter shared a tearful hug Sargon joined his beloved wife Zatanna on the front row. Daniel Jordan then took the arm of the beautiful bride standing beside him.

The pastor preached a brief message about the sanctity of marriage. Sargona listened intently as he explained how the husband and wife relationship beautifully pictured the relationship between Christ and the Church. The young lady was about to see her dream of having a husband and family fulfilled. She glanced at Daniel and took a deep breath as the pastor asked, “If there is anyone here today that can give a reason why these two should not be wed, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

At that moment Kid Comet and Wonder Woman entered the auditorium. Simultaneously, Dark Arrow’s cell phone rang. When he answered it Nucleus came shooting out of the receiver. Jerrica Benton was predicting something like this and stepped down from her position as maid of honor to support her friend, the bride. In an effort to calm the audience, Jemstone used her holographic powers to create the illusion of the entire wedding party listening as the pastor waxed on in his message.

“Daniel, Sargona, I am sorry to do this, but something is wrong,” reported Nucleus. “Reality has warped. I think it best not to make any decisions or weighty commitments until we get things sorted out.”

Sargona listened in horror as Wonder Woman spoke next. “Sargona,” said Donna tearfully, “Daniel…There has been an attack outside. We have sustained some pretty heavy injuries. Vigilante is transporting Hawkgirl, Argos, and Fusion to the hospital.”

“Are they going to be alright?” asked Celeste Pierce.

Kid Comet put his fingertips to his temples for a moment and answered, “They will recover. Their injuries will heal quickly.”

“Who attacked them?” asked the Elongated Lad.

“It was the Secret Society of Super-Villains,” said Wonder Woman grimly. “They came to prevent this wedding.”

“But why?” asked Sargona in tears.

“According to the Copperhead Twins your son will be an evil man who will kill many people, including both of you,” explained Donna.

“Waitaminute,” interrupted Black Vulcan, “The Copperhead Twins give you some prophecy of death and doom and you actually fell for it?”

“I read their minds, Celeste,” said Kid Comet.

“They could have been honestly mistaken,” suggested the Elongated Lad.

“You are forgetting that I am from the future,” said Kid Comet grimly.

“I don’t believe any of this!” said Sargona bitterly.

“Maybe I can help,” offered Kid Comet. “Jemstone, I am going to telepathically broadcast the image I read in the minds of the members of the Secret Society to you.”

Jemstone nodded her head and braced herself. After a moment she used her holographic powers to create an image for the wedding party to see.

“According to the Society he will call himself ‘The Apostle,’” Wonder Woman said softly.

Green Lantern was horrified at the image and at the very thought that his son could be a murderer. It looked like an evil version of himself. He couldn’t accept that he could bring such a person into the world.

Sargona simply stared in disbelief.

“May I ask you a question, Sargona?” asked Dark Arrow humbly.

“You are the LAST PERSON ON EARTH I want a question from right now,” shouted Sargona.

“Do you remember when you and I went out?” Robert asked softly.

Sargona was not expecting that question and it threw her off guard. “Yeah…it was one of the most miserable nights of my life…so?”

“If you and Daniel have really been dating all these years, when did you and I find the chance to go out?” asked Dark Arrow softly.

Both the bride and groom to be were filled with confusion at this point.

“What was your name again?” Green Lantern asked the Elongated Lad.

“Its Rick,” answered the redheaded hero, a little miffed that his close friend should ask such a question.

“Is what you said about Di Di true?” asked Daniel Jordan.

“Why is EVERYTHING ALWAYS ABOUT DI DI QUEEN!?!!!” shouted Sargona.

“Sar, where is Power Guy?” asked Green Lantern.

“Where is the Huntress?” asked Nucleus.

“Shouldn’t Starman be here too?” asked Black Vulcan. “Where are they?”

“Sargona? Am I remembering things wrong?” asked Green Lantern. “You…and Vince…

…I apologize for asking, but I seem to remember something about the two of you.”

The enigmatic mage dropped her flowers to the ground. “I…I…That was just a dream, wasn’t it?”

“Sargona, I am not saying we shouldn’t get married,” began Daniel.

“BUT?” interjected Sargona bitterly.

“We need to find our other teammates first. Settle things. The Elongated Lad says Di Di is on Earth-two, whatever that is. Maybe that is where the others are too,” said Daniel as kindly as possible.

“Fine. Go, answered Sargona.

After an uncomfortable pause the would-be-groom dared to speak again. “Sargona…I can’t do it alone. My ring is powerful, but…to cross dimensions, to find other worlds…I don’t know if I have the power to do it quickly enough to be of any help to our friends.”

“You mean Di Di?” asked Sargona.

“…Yes…and Vince,” added the young hero. “You are the only other member on this team with the raw power to help me do this,” explained the Green Lantern. “Nucleus and Kid Comet would be of great help…but really, Sargona, you are the woman for the job, especially with the Stranger’s powers malfunctioning lately.”

It was supposed to have been the best day of her life. She felt betrayed by her friends and rejected by the love of her life. She felt humiliated and ganged up on…and now they were calling on her to put the nail in the coffin of her own perfect wedding. She looked over at her parents. They seemed so happy together, but deep down in her heart she also knew that something was wrong.

“Sargona?” asked the man who should have been pronounced her husband by this time.

“Give me a minute, Dan,” said Sargona with an uplifted finger.

They were asking her to give up everything. EVERYTHING! Her parents as a happy couple, the man who rightfully should have been hers by now, the perfect wedding... they were asking for everything, but there was one thing within her power to keep: her identity. Even if she had to give up her perfect family, her perfect wedding, her perfect marriage, and the perfect life, she could still be what she had always wanted to be with these sacrifices: a true hero.

With tear-filled eyes she gazed into the warm face of the man she had only hoped to marry, and said, “I’ll do it. Let’s go save the universe.”

TO BE CONTINUED