JLU 2001 Fanfiction -The Titans #14

Titans Tower

The crunch of gravel sounded, as a pair of feet moved up the well-worn path. Growing ever closer was the shadow of the vast building in the distance. Shiny glass and metal, standing tall in the shape of an uppercase T. Sure it wasn’t subtle. Sure it stuck out like a sore thumb, begging to be smashed by those of the villain persuasion. Yet it was home, and none of that mattered. It felt good to be home at last.

The compulsion to return home had grown exponentially within the mind with each step closer. It had almost become like a chant in the mind. A chant that pushed ever harder. With the destination reached, peace settled as the compulsion faded away. There was no need for it now. Cyborg was home.

“Never thought I’d miss the old tower this much.” The voice was low; yet familiar therefore it didn’t trigger any of his alarms or defenses. “Seems I wasn’t the only one.”

“I guess so. Been a long time.”

“A year.”

“Lot’s changed in that time I see.”

“Very much so. But…it’s good to have you back, Vic.”

“And it’s great to be back, Donna.” Turning, he wasn’t surprised as the raven-haired woman launched herself forward to gather him in a hug. “I missed you too, Wonder Girl.”

“That’s Ms. Troy to you.” Smiling lightly she pulled back to look her friend up and down. “They did good work. Better than good as new I see. I see I wasn’t the only one compelled back to this place.”

“Yeah I had this urge that I couldn’t fight. It drew me back here. Homesick I guess, or a glitch in the system. Maybe since this was one of the last places I was active, my memory banks interfered with my processing unit creating this desire to come back.”

“It was Raven. Raven has returned.”

Argent Protecting Our Future

Rebirth: Part II
'There's No Place Like Home'

The Titans #14 - August, Year Six by Scott Redmond

The Titans

DONNA TROY

CYBORG
Victor Stone

STARFIRE
Koriand'r

ARGENT
Toni Montelli

RAVEN

TEMPEST
Garth

“Raven. I really shouldn’t be surprised. Seems anytime lately a team of Titans needs to be gathered she’s behind it somehow. Pretty ironic the member that most times doesn’t open up or enjoy the team aspect brings the team together.”

“Team, Vic there is only two of us here.”

“Count again.” A silver-plated arm raised and a finger extended, pointing into the distance.

Donna’s eyes followed to catch a figure streaking through the sky, and another emerging from the waters. Both were headed for the tower, and there was no mistaking their identities. “Kory. Garth.”

As the two veteran Titans made their way towards the tower, there was a cold feeling and then a flash of darkness that deposited two forms upon the ground. Muttering Toni rose up and rubbed at her sore head. The other figure grabbed a fallen top hat to settle back upon his raven locks.

“And I thought traveling by the airlines was deplorable.” Muttering, Zatara took in the sight of those around him. “The…the Teen Titans.”

“That’s Titans now. No real teens left around here.” Vic threw out as he studied each arriving figure.

“Hey, I’m only seventeen here.” Arms crossed over her chest as Toni pouted.

“My mistake.” As Garth and Kory finally arrived, the cybernetic hero turned all his attention to them. “Look what the tide dragged in. I thought something smelled fishy.”

“Always with the fish jokes. You’d think they’d be old by now.” A twitch of a smile came to the Atlantean’s face.

“I stick with what I know. Besides it’s been over a year, I think I deserve to get to catch up on jokes.”

The orange skinned Tamaranean wrapped her arms around her comrade in a true warrior’s embrace. “Victor, it is wonderful to see you again.”

“Good to see you too Kory.” Returning the embrace, Vic actually found himself smiling. Home at last.

It was hot. Extremely hot. The kind of hot that destroyed all semblance of concentration, as the mind could only focus upon the heat. Enough energy had been gathered to summon the right individuals and move them where they needed to be. The demon’s move had included breaking her concentration with natural phenomenon’s of the dimension. It was a twisted and dark game of chess they played. Yet instead of traditional pieces it was her friends and a horde of demons that were represented by the ebony and ivory pieces.

A twisted and demonic board sat between them, the pieces all in place. Delicate fingers moved across the board, manipulating the ebony pieces with precession and malicious intent. Disgust colored the face of the cloaked child of Azarath. At the sight of the displeasure, a smirk moved across painted red lips.

“My chosen form displeases you child.” It was simply a statement of fact, but the glee behind the words was clear to pick up.

Raven was indeed disgusted as she stared upon the demon that was her father. Instead of the usual demonic crimson blood form he had come to be known for, he had chosen one of psychological value in beating his daughter. A year before the Titans had stormed Trigon’s dimension in order to defeat another errant child of the demon, in order to prevent the child from obtaining all his father’s powers. The demon you know scenario. In the course of the battle, Trigon obtained the body of Supergirl. Unable to leave the body after expending so much energy in fighting his rebellious spawn, Trigon kept the body and created a new one for Supergirl. Thus the reason Raven found herself sitting across from a proximally of Supergirl’s form.

“It bothers me not.”

“Hmm, you lie as well as your father child. Something to be proud of.”

“Hardly.”

Blond hair was brushed off the face and shoulder as a malicious grin grew. “Your move.”

As blue eyes drifted across the board, a hand hovered over pieces as the choice was processed. “It is indeed.” The hand settled upon a piece and moved it across the board closer to the pieces already gathered upon her side of the board. The piece in the shape of a trumpet settled beside the Magician’s hat, as Raven smiled.

“The year is up then.”

A silent nod was all Donna gave as she took in Victor’s question. “As of tonight the deal is over. Knowing Trigon though that won’t be the case. If Raven is reaching out and gathering us something worse is coming. Something that no doubt includes our devilish foe trying to shape the world in his own image.”

Showing agreement with a nod, Vic moved back to the large view screen that dominated the wall of the meeting room. The image changed to one that his internal recorders captured on their last trip to Trigon’s dimension when the aforementioned deal had been enacted. “From what we know of the last time we were there Trigon is now stuck in a form that mirrors Supergirl, as it was her Matrix body that was taken over by the Demon. It also seems that all his original powers were duplicated into the new body as well. Now in the past year it is possible he has found a way to free himself or make the body in his own image. So we’ll have to be on our toes at all times.”

There was a sharp sound as a throat was cleared. All eyes moved to the corner to take in the sharply dressed magician that perched upon the end of the vast table in the center of the room. “This is all well and good, but what the hell does this have to do with me? I’m not part of your fruity tight wearing club, so I don’t see a reason for me to stick around and go risk my life in Hell for some chick that I don’t even know.”

“Obviously there was a reason Raven chose you. She never makes a move like this without a very logical reason.” Garth stood beside the monitor with his arms crossed, eyes seemingly boring holes through the young man in question.

“Good for her. Really I’m all honored or flattered or whatever to meet you guys, but I’ve got ten shows across Europe next month I have to prepare for. So you can just take this mission and shove…”

The words were cut off as a flash of light appeared heralding the formation of a portal into the room. Two figures walked through before the glowing purple split in reality vanished. In its place stood a young woman in a uniform resembling a bee, and a young man at her side wearing a blue uniform with a blue hood over his head.

There was no surprise in any of the voices as the two appeared. Only Zatara seemed taken aback at the appearance. Quickly masking the expression, the magician grimaced once again. His path had halted for the moment but it was clear he would bolt the moment he could.

“Titans Tower, should have figured.”

“Who the hell are you two? Wait let me guess The Blue Trumpet and Bee Girl? Am I close?”

Herald tilted his head as he took in the tuxedoed young man. “No, I’m Herald.”

“And I’m Bumblebee.” Karen let her hands slide to her hips, glaring at Zatara.

“Hmm should have gone with Bee Girl.”

“Enough. We have more important things to discuss than such childish outbursts.” The authority in Tempest’s voice brought silence to them all. With almost regal like grace, from years of being raised by Aquaman, the aquatic hero took the center of the room. “Clearly Raven had a purpose in bringing this group together. Whatever that purpose we can be certain it has to do with her father.”

Eyeing the two newest arrivals briefly, he began to speak again. “Normally we would require Raven’s assistance in order to breach the hell dimension of her father, but I believe she sent us Herald to rectify that situation.”

With a nod Mal held onto his inter-dimensional horn. “Ready and willing.”

“The eight of us against Trigon then?” Donna’s face split into a smile as she caught the eyes of the others. “I like those odds.”

“Eight? I’m sorry did you say eight? Please don’t count me into your group’s little suicidal excursion. I have a career and buckets of money to return to. Perhaps a few assistants to private tutor if the mood strikes. You all want to waltz into hell? Go for it, but I’m taking the first exit off this crazy highway. Thank you very much.”

A metallic hand closed around the black sleeve covered arm of the magician, yanking him back towards the middle of the room. “No can do kid. Raven brought you and your clearly sparkling personality for a reason. Mal, if you don’t mind.”

Nodding at Vic, Mal began to concentrate. Moments later he used the horn by his side to cause a portal to appear in the center of the room. One by one, albeit one of them very reluctantly dragged, the heroes entered the swirling vortex and disappeared. Once the last was through the rip in time and space sealed up, leaving a completely empty tower.

Location Unknown

Bright lights almost scarred the slowly opening eyes of a lone figure in a vast room. Their hands and legs were secured to a metallic slab, the cold of the metal seeping into every pore. Yanking on the restraints found no give at all. The yells for help echoed through the large room, having no effect. The subject continued to struggle as two shadowy figures stood within the large observation window recessed into the wall. They observed their captive with passive interest.

“The drugs seem to have no effect on the subject’s meta-human make-up.”

“Suggested course of action, Doctor?”

“I’d suggest stronger drugs, but I’d rather work with much more hands on options. It’s been far too long since I’ve been able to indulge my whims as you know.”

“Yes of course. I trust you wont’ permanently harm or end the life of the subject? I’d hate to have to explain to the superiors what happened. It’s not easy to come by such heroes you know.”

“Of course. I’ll be on my best behavior. You can trust me implicitly.”

“Very well, Doctor. Have your fun.” The door swished shut behind the individual, leaving only the Doctor behind.

The clomp of heavy boots upon the metal of the stairs hit the subject’s ears. Turning their head, they tried to catch any glimpse of the approaching figure. A wide sinister grin never once left the Doctor’s face as they finally stood over the struggling subject. In one hand a scalpel, in the other a large needle full of green liquid.

“Hush, hush now. The Doctor will take good care of you. Trust me.”

Silence set in as the Doctor began to administer the drug. Moments later screams echoed through the large room. Outside the door another figure paused at the sound, rushing past quickly to forget the inhuman screams. The Doctor smiled as the screams continued, there was nothing like enjoying one’s work.

The swirling purple portal vanished as the eight individuals found themselves in the middle of a hellish landscape. Fire and brimstone swirled around them. Even if it was only one of the dimensions of hell, it came close enough to what all assumed the place would look like that it was more than unnerving. Having been there before, the senior heroes shrugged it off. They had a job to do.

“We need to find Raven.” Donna stepped forward, the position of leader falling to her quite easily.

“Agreed. We have to assume that Trigon knows we’re here.” Victor paused as numerous devices upon his updated body began to scan the surroundings. “There could be a trap in place already.”

“No. No trap this time. The game has grown past that humans.”

All eyes moved as they fell upon the figure that many believe to be Supergirl. The remaining Titans from the year before knew the wiser. “Trigon.” Donna hissed as her fists began to ball.

In a flash of light and smoke the beaten and bloody figure of Raven appeared beneath the demon’s feet. A sinister smile colored his face. “Welcome to Hell, Titans, you won’t survive the experience.”

Next Issue: Titans vs. Trigon!

TITANS TOGETHER

Never really tried the letter column type thing in Fan Fiction that I have seen done before. I figured why not give it a shot. Below are just some of the comments about such I received about Titans last issue and the Special issue I did to start it all off...

Titans has been the hardest title to keep a consistent creative team on since its inception. And the overall quality has never been top notch despite both previous writer’s attempts. When people in the community speak of JLU's finest property, it's always Will Short's short run on JLA. In second place is Steve Crosby's Batman run. Titans barely rates on anybody's radar.

However, I believe this should change. As everyone knows I was the last writer on Titans, and left a quagmire of convoluted plots, and sub-plots that could have killed the book. Despite this Scott Redmond who has been very prolific in the community came on board with a growing interest to do DC fan-fiction, took my mess, and has created a clear path for the book continue.

If anyone has read Scott's work, they would notice he has a very brisk, and free flowing prose that lends itself well to his decompressed plots, and his extensive character development. Every single scene he creates is a glimpse into the minds of the characters from his own viewpoint. As well as sheds little hints to where he is taking the direction of the book.

For example, when Cyborg wakes up he knows he has somewhere to go before he gets caught up on what has happened in the past year. This single scene here shows that Vic knows that something is amiss, that he is needed somewhere. And this shows that Scott doesn't waste any scenes on useless exposition, or dialogue exposing some foreign concept that the reader doesn't care about. He's leaving clues for the readers to follow, as he marks his paths to the eventual climax of this arc.

This is the kind of deft skill that all suspense/crime writers boast of. Only hacks waste most of their time trying to top themselves on what kind of gory, violent, and obscene scenes they can write.

The real professionals keep the readers at the edge of their seats, and this why men like Ed Brubaker and Brian Michael Bendis are the best Noir writers of our time.

If you don't believe me, read Scott's issue really close, and tell me whether, or not you see the little hints that he is leaving. The little bits of bait for the mouse to follow.

Either way, however you feel about Scott's work, or the Titans title. I am proud of Scott, and the work he is doing. Ever since his annual he has continued to impress me. People can say I am kissing his ass, and I will say here and now that they can go fuck themselves. I stand by my comments and endorsement for this talented writer.

Thank you for the kind words Mick. Titans is a title that I am really enjoying writing, and hoping I can get back to on a regular schedule so that I can write and enjoy more. Marvel has always been my strong point, and I took a chance branching out, but I’m very glad that I did. I’m really glad to be part of the larger community after where I started out, as I have received so much encouragement and kind words since I joined. It has helped with my writing immensely, and I’m glad that it seems to have paid off by your comments. I never thought of my style like that (but then most people don’t really take time to think about what their style is and such), but those are definitely high words of praise and I hope I live up to them in times to come.

As to your assessment of Scott's work thus far on Titans, I totally agree (Mick). From an Editor's stand point, he has given so far three almost immaculate tales that required so little editing that I could actually enjoy the story without stopping every few lines to make a correction. He has a fantastic grasp of the technical end of writing, which makes my job easy.

And as to the content, again, Scott comes through w/ flying colors. His Annual was sharp, and his latest - 1st issue was a pleasure to read as he captured that original feel of the Titans when the new group first appeared way back in DC Comics Presents: 26 or 27. Scott has managed to tie up loose ends and gear the title towards a huge confrontation, leaving us the readers wondering what will happen next. I look forward to the next installment.

Keep up the great work Scott! You apparently have 2 Titan fans in your corner...

Curt

Working with Hunter Lambright back at The House of Ideas, I came to realize what him and another friend had to go through while editing others work. That plus the fact that I’ve always made sure to do the best work I can and keep all words spelled right and the like, have helped when it comes to turning in my work in the community. Anything I can do to help lighten your editor load is my pleasure. Thanks again for the kind words.

Well that wraps up Titans Together for this issue. I hope to have the next issue done very soon for the next update after this one goes up. Perhaps I can finally hit a monthly schedule. There are big things in store for the Titans. Including Justice League level villains, a few new members, losing a few members, just what that strange Doctor and the corporation he works for are up to, and quite a lot more. Hope you stick along for the ride.

- Scott Redmond
10/5/09