Titans of Justice Unlimited #55 – “Titans Lost – Again Part 6”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty & Power Guy
Edited & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy


The Royal Palace of Khandaq…

Black Adam knew his wife was near. From the window in the throne room, he could see palm trees sway and the sky suddenly turned dark. Thunder clapped and a heavy rain started to fall.

“Adam? Adam, where are you?” his wife’s voice echoed through the halls of the royal palace. Within moments, Isis stood before him.





“Hello beloved.” He smiled.





“Adam, thank the gods you are here.” She approached her husband, who opened his arms to embrace her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Isis was hesitant. “Nothing.”

“The weather betrays you. This thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere. I can tell when you are upset.”

“I saw you…on television. You were helping the Titans of Authority. Why, Adam? Why? For years, outsiders have called you a villain, a terrorist. After all your hard work, why do you wish to undo it?” Isis said, looking into her husband’s dark eyes.

Adam walked over to the window and watched the storm. “Tom Tressor contacted me with an offer. I never felt at home with the Titans of Justice, at least not around most of them. They are too lenient. Our world has become darker, violent. It is time to meet that violence with a more firm resistance.”

Isis was disturbed at her husband’s words. “Adam….you sound like you did…years ago. It frightens me. After all you’ve done to bring our nation into modern times…what are you saying?”

“My beautiful Isis. Our country enjoys peace, prosperity, and equality. It is an example to other nations. However, as its ruler I must protect our country. I cannot let the threats of the outside world destroy our home…or us. Come, I know you would be welcomed among the ranks of the Titans of Authority.” Adam said gesturing towards his wife.

“Adam, I can’t. And I thought you and I shared the same ideals….”

“We do…don’t you see that? I just have a clearer understanding of the world.”

“WHAT??” Isis said, as the outside storm raged.

“You are an idealist. Isis, not everyone can be rehabilitated or learn from their mistakes. The outside world is full of monsters….look at what happened to Knightvision and Batgirl. Look at how the Trevors’ son was kidnapped. It wasn’t that long ago that the latest incarnation of the Monster Society of Evil kidnapped the two of us along with our teammates in the Squadron of Justice, intending to kill us all! We must crush these violent criminals. Before they crush us.” Adam said, command in his voice.

“And if I disagree?” Isis said.

“That is your choice. But know this, there will come a day…a day when you must choose to stand by your husband or your team. Are you prepared to make that choice? Do you remember our vows? You and I are a team first and foremost.”

“I do remember. And I love you, Adam. I love you with all my heart, but this side of you…..it frightens me.”

“I see. For now, we will agree to disagree.” Adam said, his eyes narrowing.

Isis turned and went to their bedroom. For the first time in her marriage, she felt as if she was married to a stranger.

***

IADC Headquarters...

“Beverly Hills is agreeing with you.” Totem said as she and Superboy chatted. They were looking through some discarded photos left on the Titans of Authority’s meeting table.





“I’m getting used to it. Scott and Jerrica are the greatest. Plus it’s cool having a “little brother.” How’s your mom?” Superboy asked.





“She’s ok. Still misses Dad and is worried about me. I told her I would not rest until the Gored Ox is tracked down….and dealt with appropriately. In my mother’s African culture, it is an eye for eye. I never thought I would understand it…but after what happened to Dad—“ Totem’s voice began to quiver.

Changing the subject, Superboy said, “I wonder what these pictures are doing here. Look there’s Hawk and Dove, Electric Girl, Tempest, Sargona, Hawk Warrior, all kinds of costumed characters.”

“Batgirl.” Totem said looking at an old photo of Barbara Gordon. “It says here “Possible candidate, son murdered by Legion of Doom. Rejected: mental instability, diminished abilities. Possible candidate at a later time if Oracle is needed.”

“Looking at my headshots?” Tom Tressor asked.





“What are these?” Totem asked.

“Those are people who were considered for membership, but either declined or were rejected for one reason or another. Your new bosses declined, but said if there was ever a wide scale emergency, they would help. Hank’s brother was a big no.” Tom said, referencing Hank and Melody Hall, as well as Don Hall.

“Yeah, Hank and Melody are cool.” Superboy agreed.

“I’m surprised at Batgirl. She always struck me as strong and confident.” Totem said.

“Her story is a sad one. That woman has suffered some immense tragedies in her lifetime. Paralysis, losing her son. We considered her, but Lilith provides information much like Batgirl did while she was Oracle. Still, she is a reason for our team. If the Titans of Justice had been more proactive, Knightvision and that other Batgirl might be alive today.”

“And my dad….” Totem said.

“I can’t help but think if the old Justice League had been more proactive, or Superman had done something different Ma would still be alive.” Connor sighed. “No sense dwelling on it.”

“Well, this is our chance to make a difference.” Tom said, as the three of them headed to the IADC commissary to discuss the future.

***

The Hall of Justice…

The team of Starman, Goldbug, Corporal Marvel, Isis, Magno, Supergirl, and Hawk Warrior had just returned from a mission.

“Boy, did you see Dark Arrow’s face when he saw that we had gotten there first?” questioned Goldbug. “It was priceless!”





“Who knows what he and his team would have done to the Sivana Twins if we hadn’t taken them down before they arrived?” pondered Corporal Marvel.





“Isis, how are you doing? Are you still weak from the Sivana’s attack on you?” asked Starman.





“I am recovering….but slowly, Scott,” replied Isis, who was more concerned with her argument with her husband than her physical injuries.

“You know Isis, you were quiet even before Georgia hit you with that chemical bath. Is something else bothering you?” Corporal Marvel asked his friend.

“We’ve known each other too long, haven’t we?” smiled the heroine of hope and healing. “Yes, before our battle with the Sivanas, I finally confronted Adam about him joining the Titans of Authority. Things did not go well. I fear that if one of us does not quit the respective team that we belong to, it could mean big trouble for our relationship.”

Magno walked along in front of the other heroes, content with not joining in their conversation.

Supergirl elbowed her boyfriend Starman and whispered, “Does he EVER talk?”





Hawk Warrior, who was behind the couple, answered for Starman, “Go easy on him, Jenna. Magno’s body was injured in World War II and he just woke up a few months ago. He’s still adjusting to his new body and this new world. Most homes didn’t even have a television set before he went into his coma.”





Goldbug then chimed in and said, “I’ve got an idea!” He began racing towards the metal-coated hero and shouted, “Hey Magno! Why don’t you and I….” but before he could finish his sentence, he stepped into rope-trap that secured his right leg and pulled him up to the ceiling. “HEYYYYYY!!!!!”

“Looks like someone’s waiting for us!” pointed out Supergirl as she took to the air with Hawk Warrior right behind her. The Girl of Steel began scanning the room with her x-ray vision until a small sphere flew in front of her and exploded, filling her eyes with lead dust!

Just then a youthful male voice echoed through the room saying “No cheating!”

Suddenly, the room went black.

Starman and Corporal Marvel reacted by lighting up their respective weapons to counter the darkness.

“Sorry guys, I prefer the dark!” came the mysterious voice again.

Starman felt something hit his right hand which caused him to drop his Cosmic Rod which fell to the floor only to have a rope come out of nowhere, wrap around it, and pull it to the mysterious person’s grip.

“A concussion bomb or whatever it is you threw at Starman won’t work on me. My strength is the same as Hercules!” declared Corporal Marvel, holding his hammer tightly until another bomb hit his hand but this one was filled with “Grease!” exclaimed the son of Captain Marvel as his hammer slid out of his hand. He tried picking it up several times with no avail, as it was too slippery. “By the Rock of Eternity, I don’t need my hammer to put you down! Show yourself!” bellowed the current champion of Shazam.

The room went dim again without Starman and Corporal Marvel’s weapons lighting it up until the lights suddenly came back on. The Titans noticed seven sphere-shaped devices on the floor, each of them shooting out a laser-sighting onto each of their bodies.

“I win!” came the mysterious voice once again as a teenage boy dropped from the rafters above wearing a costume similar to that of Red Robin’s. Pressing a button on a device in his hand, the spheres on the floor deactivated and he began gathering them up. “Shame on all of you. Walking in here so carelessly after being gone so long.”





“Who are you and what are you doing here?” demanded Starman as he approached the boy.

“I’m the new Red Robin, at your service.”

“I thought this was a Bat-trap,” Goldbug said as he freed himself. “Though I wasn’t sure who set it with Knightvision being dead and the Huntress off in the Universe of Evil. I was kind of worried that Jason escaped from the nut-house. Wait…..you’re not Jason Todd, are you? I swear I didn’t call the 900 number….”

"I did!" admitted Starman. "So, if you're Todd, I want my dollar back!"

“Do I look old enough to be that sociopath?” asked the boy.

“No but Todd took one bath in a Lazarus Pit. He could have always taken another….” Pointed out the legacy of both the Blue Beetle and Booster Gold.

“I’m Tim Drake’s kid,” revealed the new Red Robin. “I’ve been training for this role for the last three years. When Knightvision was killed, Helena took me under her wing and began mentoring me. She told me she was going away for a while and not to reveal myself unless things got really messy. Considering that Punchline is making things difficult for you guys, I thought that was my queue to come and say ‘hello’.”

“How do we know that you’re who you say you are?” asked Corporal Marvel as he wiped his hammer down with dish soap to cut the grease.

“Let’s see…..” began Red Robin as he pointed at Corporal Marvel and said, “Freddie Batson, Scott Stone. Aaron Kidd. Jenna Kent. Adriana Tomaz. Hector Hall. Tom Dalton,” making his way around the circle of heroes present.

“Yup, he’s Drake’s kid,” concluded Goldbug.

“What makes you think we need your help?” asked Starman, still slightly annoyed with the young man.

“Because I know how Punchline thinks. He’s my family’s arch-nemesis,” reminded the modern boy wonder. “With Knightvision dead and the Huntress gone, I’m your best shot at nabbing that crazy clown. Plus – you’re short-handed right now. Beggars shouldn’t be choosers.”

“He does have a point, Scott,” agreed Supergirl.

“Otherwise, I can leave now and you can go catch some more of the Legion of Doom only to have Punchline take them right out of your hands like he did the Sting Ray,” smirked the boy wonder.

“Alright, you can stay, kid, but put the attitude back in your utility-belt,” Starman said, sternly.

“I’m sorry if I came across as rude,” Red Robin said, extending his hand to the space-faring hero. “I just wanted to show you guys that I’m confident and capable. The last thing I want is to act like Damien did when he first became Robin.”

Just then the Trouble Alert went off. Magno was already in front of the monitor and reported to his teammates, “It seems we have a situation on our hands. A metahuman known as Magenta is tearing up downtown Central City. With the Flash away, we should go and help Hot Flash deal with the situation. She is already on the scene.”





“Alright bird-boy, let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to roll with the big boys,” challenged Starman as he and the other heroes headed to the hanger to board the Javelin.


TO BE CONTINUED!