Titans of Justice Unlimited #79 - "Submission & Control Part 3"
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Editing & Maxi-Micros by: Power Guy


“This is insane.” Apotheosis said to the group assembled.





The West Coast Avengers had arrived on the Titans’s earth to request help in defeating Starro only to find that Ultron had conquered this world.

“It’s like our villains swapped earths. They must be working together.” Widowmaker said.





The Ultron robots had ceased their destruction and only seemed to be out on patrol occasionally. The Titans and Avengers were using the bomb shelter under the Halls’ modeling agency as a meeting place.

“How do we defeat this Ultron?” Corporal Marvel asked.





“Ha! You think you can defeat him?” Diva smirked.





“I don’t like your attitude, Stephanie. Negativity isn’t going to help anyone right now!” Ms. Hulk growled, growing more worried about her world.





“Ultron was created by one of the original Avengers and they fought many times. Ultron was always able to be defeated, just barely though. He was eventually deactivated and was being housed in Wakanda. One of our members was charged with monitoring him.” Sunstar said.





“Wakanda….Thundercat!” Corporal Marvel said, remembering meeting him during their last adventure.

“Yes.” Banshee continued. “It all has to be connected. Ultron is freed and comes here and this Starro arrives on our world.”





“Lilith, does your ESP tell you anything?” Kitty Kat asked.





“Sort of….there was some kind of cosmic disturbance….Starro found a way into their dimension…..” Lilith replied.





Mr. Marvel was happy to see Lilith doing well after her encounter with the Phoenix. “Well, we made it here. I think I speak for all us that we’ll help you defeat Ultron.”





“And we’ll be happy to help you defeat Starro.” Dark Arrow added.





“So, what’s the plan? Right now Ultron is winning. How are we going to turn that around?” The Spider asked.





The group continued talking.

Iron Man sat away from the group, a worried look on his handsome face.

“You ok?” Superboy asked.





“Huh? Oh yeah…I’m fine.”





“I’m worried too. It’s cool to admit it. Someone I care about very much is missing. My mother…well, she’s not my mother but more like a super cool aunt. I’m adopted.”

“That sucks man—not that you’re adopted, but that she’s missing. I am worried. My dad helps me…tells me what to do with this communicator. We lost contact right before we came here. I bet he has one of those starfish attached to his face.”

“No sweat dude. Once we have this Ultron character shut down, we’ll find your dad.”

“And we’ll find your mom….er, aunt.” Iron Man tried to smile.

Just then there was a loud noise. All of the heroes tensed for action. The footsteps became louder……and Wonder Man and Wonder Woman appeared.

“Scott!!! Diana!!!!” Superboy exclaimed running over to hug them.

“Thank Hera.” Wonder Man said, hugging the young man he considered a son and scanning the room for Jem.





“We made our way here as soon as we could. I see the same horror has attacked here.” Wonder Woman said.





“You mean those things found Paradise Island?” Black Orchid asked.





“They did. We fought them, stopped them….but so many of my sisters…..” Wonder Man started.

“So, they can be stopped.” Apotheosis said. “How did you all do it? I was hoping my powers would be useful, but these things aren’t natural creations.”

“We fought them….hand to hand combat.” Wonder Woman said as the group noticed how battered the Amazon queen and her son were. “Our weapons are of godly origin, but those machines….they fought like animals.”

Mr. Marvel shook Wonder Man’s hand. “Is there any way you can rally your troops…bring them here with those weapons?”

“I’m afraid not. Paradise Island was hit hard. Our sisters are tending to our own wounded and wouldn’t be able to make the trip here. Plus the Amazons who aren’t hurt are guarding our shores.” Wonder Man said.

“Scott and I brought a few weapons with us, but not nearly enough. What of the Titans of Authority and Justice?” Wonder Woman asked.

“We’re it. Everyone else is missing or assumed dead.” Dark Arrow said grimly.

“Dead? Even Mindy?? Where’s Jerrica? We stopped at my house and Kimber and Murray were there with Steven.” Wonder Man asked.

“She hasn’t turned up.” Superboy said, not wanting to think the worst.

“And Mindy….she was confirmed…dead….” Lilith said, as Wonder Woman turned away from the group.

“Sitting around wringing our hands isn’t going to help find your wife or save your world. I for one am ready to kick Ultron’s @ss back to our world and sell his parts off on Ebay!” The Cheetah said with enthusiasm.





Just then a voice spoke up from. The group turned to find Lance Luthor in their midst.

“You! You did this!” Superboy said, flying at the smug man, punching him left and right.

“No…No I came here for help!!!” Luthor said, as a tooth went flying from his mouth.





“Liar!!” Superboy screamed as Corporal Marvel, Wonder Man, Mr. Marvel, Black Orchid, and Ms. Hulk pulled the angry teenager off the evil mastermind.

Luthor regained his composure. “I came here for help. As much as I am loathe to admit it, I…..I….well, we have to take our world back.”

“You b@st@rd!” Superboy fought as the others held him back.

“Connor, calm down. I hate him too, but look at him. He’s a wreck.” Corporal Marvel said.

“What do you want Luthor?” Black Orchid said, secretly wishing to punch his teeth out.

“The Legion of Doom is no more. Our headquarters destroyed…those things….they killed everyone. I barely escaped…..”

“And why should we believe you?” Dark Arrow said.

“Because no robotic menace from some other world is going to be the one to take you all down. I have the means to stop him, but it will come at a price.” Luthor smirked. “I help you, but you let me go once this creature is defeated.”

“I don’t know this guy, but the smarminess coming off him is making me sick.” Diva said.

“And you’d be right! This animal kept me prisoner for years! His father murdered my Ma!” Superboy said, still restrained.

Before Luthor could say a word, Wonder Woman tossed her lasso around him. “Do you speak the truth Luthor?”

“I…I do….Dr. Natas….the old Legion of Doom. He had made plans to construct an army of robots…similar to this one….his research proved the creations would eventually becoming sentient…turn on its creators…..he was working on a failsafe to stop them if that ever happened…..d**n THIS LASSO!!!!!” Luthor cursed.

“Go on Luthor! The lasso compels you.” Wonder Woman commanded.

“Dr. Natas’s research….I know where it is—my father kept the plans when they expelled Natas from the original Legion of Doom….you can find it…..build the failsafe….shut them all down…I know it will work. The robots….they are exactly like what Dr. Natas was working on….I promise…. I’ll tell you where they are..” Luthor gasped.

“You aren’t going to trust this jerk, are you?” Superboy demanded.

“Connor, it’s our only choice.” Wonder Woman said quietly.

“It’s scary…an evil mastermind on your world doing the same as Hank Pym on ours….” Banshee said.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go get these plans!” Iron Man said, trying to sound confident.

“Don’t you remember what Ultron said? He would track us down if powers are used. I mean some of us don’t have powers and could get the plans….it’s dangerous.” Kitty Kat said.

“I think I have an idea, that is, if you’re up for it Mother.” Wonder Man smiled at Wonder Woman.

***

Hours later, both Wonder Woman and Wonder Man were suited up in IADC uniforms. Being a former agent, Diana Prince had some uniforms in her west coast home. She noticed how much Scott looked like Tom Tressor in his uniform. She silently prayed that Steve was safe…..and refused to believe her daughter was dead.

Scott prayed that his wife was safe and hiding somewhere. Since Ultron had taken control of all forms of communication, there was no way to call, text, or email anyone.

“Ok guys and gals, here’s the plan.” Ms. Hulk explained. “Scott and Diana will make their way to the location Luthor gave us. Diana will use her skills as a former IADC agent to slip in undetected and Scott will help her. Widowmaker, Dark Arrow, and Kitty Kat will go along as well. Lilith will use her ESP to guide them through the building. I don’t think Lilith’s power will be detected by the Ultrons. They seem to focus on more obvious signs of super powers. The rest of us will provide a distraction to ensure the Ultrons on patrol don’t mess with them.”

“This is crazy enough to work.” Diva smiled.

Superboy glared at Luthor, who was still tied up with the magic lasso. “What about him?”

“Iron Man has volunteered to remain here and guard him.” Sunstar said. Without his father to guide him, Iron Man’s confidence was very low and he volunteered to watch after Luthor. Surely he couldn’t mess up something as simple as standing guard.

As the Titans and Avengers set out of the bomb shelter, Apotheosis said, “I can’t believe this…..we’re the last hope for our world….some of us aren’t among the strongest….”

“Don’t think that way. We all contribute.” Black Orchid said as she took his hand and smiled. “Don’t worry.”

“How was Sargona? I hate to use the past tense….but, I haven’t seen her. I assume one of the Ultrons got her?” Mr. Marvel asked.

“She’s gone, but not due to Ultron.” Corporal Marvel said as he explained Sargona’s sacrifice.

“Oh man. Vince…how is he holding up?”

“He took it hard. Saving our world is even more important now…..Sargona needs a place to come home to.” Corporal Marvel said.

“A home full of dead heroes.” Dark Arrow sighed.

“About that….I believe they’re alive.” The Spider said. “I read up on Ultron when I became an Avenger. He often uses a type of ray that places his victims in a death-like coma. He wants them alive so he can gloat. I believe your friends are alive.”

“Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine, webhead?” Diva said.

“What’s your problem, Diva? You have done nothing but rain on an already rained out parade!” The Spider uncharacteristically snapped. “Our world and this one are both in major trouble and you’ve offered no help, no positive energy! Nothing! I don’t even know why you wanted to be an Avenger in the first place! All you do is run your mouth and scr@w Ironman!”

“That’s enough!” Ms. Hulk glared at The Spider. The entire group was very tense.

Diva started to cry and hung back from the group.

***

Ultron Mountain…

“I’ve got to get out of here….got to stop him.” Jem thought as she pounded on the stasis tube. Ultron had moved her to an empty cavern. She thought she saw a crack in the seal of the bottom of the tube and decided to focus on that. She attuned her powers to the natural frequencies in the air and aimed at the crack. Colors of all sorts poured from her body as the seal cracked and the tube shattered.





“Thank God.” She whispered. All of the Ultron robots she saw seemed to be in a sleep mode. She flew silently by them as she heard all sorts of clanging. Jem peered around a corner and noticed Ultron laboring away on the female robot. It was almost finished and even looked like her.

“You can come out now, my dear.” His mechanical voiced screeched, as he turned around and faced Jem. She clenched her fists.

“How cute. You want to fight me. For your defiance, I think I’ll transfer your entire essence into this hollow metal shell…..you will truly become the bride of Ultron.”

“I’d die first.”

“Fine, have it your way female.” Ultron laughed, unleashing a ray at Jem.

***

Scott Trevor, Diana Trevor, Widowmaker, Kitty Kat, Lilith, and Dark Arrow all made their way to an abandoned apartment building. Years ago it had been a luxury property, but the criminal element had taken over this area of town. Lex Luthor had used this building as a secret hideout during those years and it was bound to be filled with traps.

“According to this, the plans are sealed away on the top floor.” Widowmaker said.

“I can get up there, easily and hopefully undetected.” Kitty Kat said, looking around.

“I can too, I can shoot an arrow up there and start climbing.” Widowmaker said, reaching for an arrow.

“I can follow right behind.” Dark Arrow said.

“And we’ll go from the inside. If Luthor left this place with any lethal traps, we’re more likely to survive them.” Scott Trevor said. The group had decided they had a better chance of making it to the top by splitting up if indeed some sort of traps were encountered.

“I already have a fix on the plans. I’ll try to be as quiet as possible and guide you all mentally.” Lilith said.

“HALT! YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OCCUPY THIS AREA! RETURN TO YOUR HOMES!” came an Ultron’s voice. Soon several robots that were patrolling the area surrounded them.

“Hey suckers! Over here!!! Nananana boo boo!” The Cheetah laughed as he balanced on one hand from a tower.

“Most people have to pay to see my show!” Diva added, causing the night sky to erupt into fireworks.

“RECALCULATING> RECALIBRATING>DETERMINING MAIN THREAT00000011100011100001111” the Ultrons said in unison as they ignored Dark Arrow and the others, flying away to attack Cheetah and Diva.

“Our friends have bought us some time, let’s use it wisely.” Diana Trevor said.

Within seconds, Kitty Kat was scaling the building along with Dark Arrow and Widow Maker.

Diana Trevor and her son entered the once grand building. The entire interior was gone except for support columns and empty elevator shafts.

“Hope you remember your IADC training I gave you.” Diana smiled at her son.

“I remember. You sure you’re up to this?”

“They didn’t call me Wonder Woman for nothing. Besides, I did operate briefly with no powers. Not sure why I chose to wear white all the time though, it’s not my color.”

Diana Trevor used a crossbow to shoot a line upwards. Once it was secure, she and her son started climbing up an empty elevator shaft.

Outside, the battle raged. An Ultron chased the Cheetah as he bounded from building to building.

“UNAUTHORIZED METAHUMAN/MUTANT/UNCLASSIFIED DETECTED!” the Ultron shouted as it chased The Cheetah.

Ms. Hulk lifted an abandoned bus and tossed it at the Ultron, which it quickly shattered. The debris flew everywhere and almost crashed on Apotheosis. Banshee used her cry to shatter the debris.

“Whew, that was close!” Apotheosis sighed. “Hey…I just had an idea….what if your power and Diva’s….what if you combined them. From what I’ve seen her powers are similar to Jem’s.”

“I see what you’re saying!” Mr. Marvel said.

Corporal Marvel, Black Orchid, and Superboy all pounded away at the other Ultrons on Patrol. The Spider tried to use his webbing to slow some of them down, but the robots burst right through. Ms. Hulk fought hard…harder than ever to no avail. The Ultrons just kept coming. Sunstar poured on the firepower only for the Ultrons to emerge unscathed and keep attacking.

“Now!” Apotheosis said to Diva and Banshee. Banshee unleashed her wail as Diva emitted an array of light daggers. Both women directed their powers at an Ultron who seemed to start to stall out. “Keep it up!” Apotheosis urged.

The daggers were able to dig in to the Ultron’s shell and the wailing seemed to disrupt its internal control systems.

BOOM!!! Ultron number 52 exploded!

“So much for 52!” Apotheosis high fived the two women.

Back at the apartment house, Dark Arrow’s team had arrived at Luthor’s hideaway. Lilith’s mental voice said, “It’s behind a false wall…….I detect a trap…infrared sensors…..”

Dark Arrow started to produce an arrow to blow the wall down.

“Allow me. My widow’s sting will contain the mess, rather than a concussion arrow.” Widow Maker smiled, as he aimed his wrist and let loose the sting. The wall crumbled and there it was….the device already assembled and sealed in a case. Red sensors danced around the device.

“Luthor was thorough. Didn’t want anyone taking the device he assembled using Natas’s plans.” Dark Arrow said.

“Child’s play.” Kitty Kat smiled as her lithe body flipped through the array of sensors. She balanced upside down on one hand and retrieved the device. She held it close, flipping backwards through the sensors.

“Impressive.” Smiled Widowmaker.

“Well done Kitty Kat. Now, to get this to Luthor. I have no idea how this thing will work.” Diana said. She turned, hearing the battle raging outside. “It seems our friends are outnumbered.”

“Mother…what are you doing?” Scott said, as his mother started spinning and became Wonder Woman.

“I’m giving you a chance. Take the device, go to Luthor. He’ll keep his word, the lasso will compel him to make the device work. I love the United States, it’s my home. I’ll go down fighting to protect it.”

Scott Trevor hugged his mother and fought back tears. His sister, fathers, and wife….all either dead or missing. He didn’t want to lose his mother too, but admired her courage.

“I’ll go with you Scott.” Lilith said.

“I’m with Wonder Woman. I’m not going to let some robots destroy my home.” Dark Arrow said. Kitty Kat and Widow Maker agreed as they joined the fight.

Scott Trevor wonder-spinned into Wonder Man, picked Lilith up and flew back to the bomb shelter. The Ultrons paid no attention to them as they were focused on the other heroes.

“Oh no….” Lilith gasped as they made their way down the stairs. “Iron Man….”

Both Wonder Man and Lilith gasped at what they saw. Iron Man was bound by the lasso and Luthor was nowhere in sight.

“I’m sorry. He tricked me. I really am a failure.” Iron Man said.

Wonder Man was silent as he removed the rope from Iron Man.

“Don’t worry. We found the device.” Lilith said.

“But my job was to guard him! I let you all down. He’s the only one who knew how to work the device. Man, I wish my dad was here. He’d know what to do. If only all the work I saw him do in his lab made sense to me.” Iron Man sighed.

Wonder Man looked at the device. There were several buttons and controls. “No idea how to work the blasted thing. What if I hit the wrong button?”

“Iron Man, I have an idea. Do you mind if I use my powers? Maybe you saw something in the past. You mentioned your father and watching him. Maybe there are remnant memories I can detect that might help us understand this device?” Lilith asked.

“It’s worth a shot.” Wonder Man said.

“Well. Ok, you probably won’t find much though. I know how the others talk about me. They say I’m just a pretty face with no brain.” Iron Man said. Lilith placed her hands on the sides of Theo Stark’s head. Usually she was overwhelmed at the array of thoughts when she did this, but Theo’s mind was almost….blank.

“Oh….!” Lilith said, coming across memories of Stark Labs. Lilith went into a trance.

Across town, the battle raged. Banshee and Diva managed to blow up another Ultron.

“I need to rest, my voice…” Banshee said, her voice becoming hoarse.

“Me too, producing those daggers takes a lot out of me.” Diva said.

WHAM!!!! Ms. Hulk was sent crashing into a building.

BOOM!!! Corporal Marvel went sailing by, his hammer behind him.

The remaining heroes were surrounded by Ultrons.

“Oh God….this is it…” Black Orchid gasped.

“PREPARING FOR EXECUTION!”

“Do your worst! We die defending our home!” Wonder Woman said.

“Yeah!” The Spider said pumping his fist.

“Never give up my friends, we fight together! Down to the last man!” Sunstar added.

Just then the Ultrons sputtered and began to shake. Each of them started expelling energy as their legs buckled.

CLANG CLANG CLANG! They fell one after one.

Corporal Marvel opened his eyes. “Am I dead. Seeing things?”

“No, my young friend.” Wonder Woman said, extending her hand to him. “You just saw a miracle.”

Across the country, Ultrons fell from the sky and collapsed as cheers arose.

At Ultron Mountain, Jem and Ultron were locked in battle.

“Wait…what is this….my army….my children….offline!” Ultron shouted.

Noticing he was distracted, Jem unleashed a solid wall of sound, cracking his armor.

“No! I will not be defeated by a mere woman!”

She noticed his eyes and mouth fill with red energy. He snapped his head back. Jem shut her eyes. Suddenly she heard a loud clang and Ultron fell over. She cautiously walked towards him. His head spun around.

“GENERATING BACK UP POWER1100111001110001111111>>>>>>>”

“Oh no you don’t!” Jem said, pouring decibel after decibel of solid sound. Ultron’s body shattered into millions of splinters. Jem collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

Back on the west coast, the heroes were all reunited.

“The device must have worked!” Superboy said.

“Well, sort of.” Wonder Man said. “You see, Luthor escaped.”

“WHAT!? We had him…we could make him pay for holding me hostage…. Dammit!!!” Superboy fumed.

“Don’t worry Connor. We’ll find him.” Corporal Marvel said, putting his hand on Superboy’s shoulder.

Wonder Man handed his mother’s lasso to her.

Lilith continued. “Unfortunately Luthor escaped. But, Iron Man saved the day.”

“What?” Widowmaker gasped.

“How about that.” Iron Man smiled beneath his mask. “Lilith tapped into some latent memories I had from watching and working with my dad.”

“Right. From there it was simple. I ‘absorbed’ some of those memories, figured out the device and viola, Iron Man saves the day.” Lilith smiled.

The West Coast Avengers all cheered their friend.

“I still think you’re dumb as a box of rocks….but good in the sack. I’ll reward you later.” Diva smiled.

“Hey my communicator just came back online.” Apotheosis said.

“Mine too.” Dark Arrow said.

Mintues later citizens emerged from their hiding places and cheered their liberators.

“Still, we don’t know the fate of the others. My poor Mindy…..” Wonder Woman started.

Just then, Wonder Man’s communicator buzzed.

“Scott, it’s Tom. Can you hear me?” came Tom Tressor’s voice.





“I hear you Tom, are you ok?”

“A little roughed up, but no worse for wear. Your friends..your sister….they’re all ok. Well, not ok but alive. It seems they were in some sort of coma. When the Ultrons shut down, they all came around. IADC is getting them medical attention. Steve’s here too. He and I worked together.”

Scott smiled knowing his fathers had worked together and that his sister was alive. Wonder Woman wiped a tear of relief from her eye.

“Am I too late for the party?” Jem’s voice rang out.

Wonder Man and Superboy ran to her and the three of them hugged.

“Looks like whatever you guys did here worked. There are lifeless robots all over the place.” She smiled.

Diva looked her up and down.

“Where’s Steven?” Jem asked.

“Right here!” came Kimber Benton’s voice. She was accompanied by Murray Spaulding and handed Jem’s son to her.

Hank, Melody, and Hank Hall Jr all approached the group.

“Good work, Connor.” Hank Sr smiled.

“Did you hear from Don?” Lilith asked.

“He’s fine, thank God.” Melody replied, remembering that Lilith briefly dated Hank’s brother.

“Dude, Katie’s been driving us crazy asking ‘Where’s Connor? Is Connor hurt? We have to hunt for Connor!’” Hank Jr said.

“Ha, I’m sure you were able to keep her occupied.” Superboy smiled.

“I’m glad you all are ok and this is over.” Hank Jr said.

“Over? Look around. Far from it.” Corporal Marvel said, looking at the burning and leveled buildings.

Days later, clean up and rebuilding had started from coast to coast Jo Jo Gardner had used his power ring to collect the lifeless robots, including the splinters that had been Ultron. He flew through space along with Sunstar towards the sun. Hot Flash accompanied them.

“I’m the only one who can get close enough to the sun. When I give the signal, you create a vortex.” He said to Hot Flash.

Jo Jo Gardener had created a funnel with his power ring pointed at the sun.

“Looks like you’re up!” he said to Hot Flash. She was protected from the ravages of space by Jo Jo’s ring.





“Since we can’t send these suckers to Hell, the sun will do.” Hot Flash smiled as she spun her arms, sending the lifeless robots and what was left into the sun.





Sunfire watched. “Good work! They’re melting…evaporating! Good bye and good riddance Ultron!”

Back on Earth, Mr. Marvel visited Power Guy in the IADC hospital.

“It’s weird. I can usually shake off the effects of something like that.” Power Guy said, referencing Ultron’s attack.





“I’m glad you’re alive. And…I’m sorry to hear about Sargona.”

“Thanks. We need to figure out how to save your world.” Power Guy said, changing the still sore subject.

“Oh—of course.” Mr. Marvel said.

“I for one am ready to return the favor.” Apotheosis said.

“Me too! After taking down Ultron, I’m pumped!” Corporal Marvel added, relieved that Tawky Tawny was resting in a veterinary facility overseen by the IADC.

Wonder Man overheard their conversation. He held his son close. “Don’t you go getting any ideas.” He said to Jem.

“Don’t worry Mr. Trevor. I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled.

Ms. Hulk arrived. “I have the amulet to take us home. Who’s going with us?”

“I’m going. My father fought Starro several times. I wish to honor him…and the original Justice League of America by helping defeat him.” Storm Surge said. He had arrived at IADC headquarters after successfully defending Atlantis from the Ultrons.





“I just got a release from the hospital. I’m going.” Champion said.





“Me too.” Offered the Flash.





“Daniel Jordan’s still laid up, plus his power ring’s busted. I’ll go.” Jo Jo Gardner said.

“Not so fast, Jo Jo.” Daniel said, his hand healed and ring glowing.





“How did--?”

“Somehow my ring reassembled and healed my hand. My father fought Starro before with the original Justice League of America. Like Storm Surge, I’m going to honor my father.”

“Count us in too.” Coproral Marvel said, gesturing towards Apotheosis.

“I’d like to go, but there’s so much to do here.” Superboy said.

“I think we’ll make a good team.” Ms. Hulk said surveying the volunteers.

Mr. Marvel picked up the amulet, concentrated on his homeworld, as the Avengers and Titans vanished.


TO BE CONCLUDED!