Always Remember...
“That’s Okay,” Carom said with a smile, as the remaining four members of Dark Nemesis surrounded the Flash and Argent. “We’ll take your head instead.” The unison footfalls of the Dark Nemesis team felt like forever in the Scarlet Speedster’s ears. He was the Fastest Man Alive. Everything seemed to take forever. Even still the processes in his mind were channeling possible outcomes and decisions he could make.
However, he could not leave Argent alone. She was beaten badly; he was here mainly to protect her until the rest of the Titans got there. It was hard not to see how beaten she was. Both mentally and physically-- the girl had seen all her friends ritualistically slaughtered by a team, which her Teen Titans had beaten on more than one occasion. How had they gotten so strong? Flash had no answers for the girl however, only hope. And that hope was getting more distant by the moment.It was only an hour ago that the Teen Titans had begun a battle with the Dark Nemesis. Only an hour ago that newly built South View Mall was broken apart by the collision of Joto and Scorcher’s energies, cement ruptured and bodies flung. Now Argent was all that remained of her team. Her heart sung against her chest as she stood there, backed into a corner with the hero known as the Flash. If she hadn’t just seen her entire team killed before her eyes maybe she’d feel quite honored standing next to a JLA-er, in the midst of a battle. Unfortunately, Argent was doing all she could to remain standing. “Look, my friends will be here shortly. I don’t know what happened here, but no matter how you came together you are a Titan. We’ll see to it your friends didn’t die in vain,” Flash spoke to her. The Scarlet speedster felt strange saying this to her. It was cold of him. He knew this after he spoke it. But perhaps that’s what she needed to snap her out of it. “And you will survive. You are not going out Argent.” Flash’s arms blurred faster than any movement that Argent had ever seen. Her eyes did not try to keep up with the movements, as she felt the slight vibrating of solid arms grabbing her into his arms and taking off between two of the members of the team.
Carom saw the blur of red much more clearly than any of the other members of the team, for he like Flash had speed on his side. The blue elf jolted out in front of the other members of Dark Nemesis as the Flash pushed past the enclosure. The blue elf had to force his body to speed up. His eyes felt like they were drying, as he narrowed on the red after-trail in front of him. “You ain’t the only speedster here!” Carom spat at The Flash as he followed behind him. Flash didn’t say a word as his body continued to move zipping over battered pavement. If it wasn’t for his parcel, Carom would not have had a chance at even catching a trail behind him. But the Scarlet Speedster knew how fast he was able to go, when carrying another. The Flash came to a stop, bringing her down across the street from the mall. He sat her down in a vibrating blur. The Flash looked up to see a blur of blue fist clocking him hard in the face.
The Flash backtracked, his body flipping over in mid air. Onlookers would only see the smear of a red ball as the heir to Barry Allen’s Legacy moved his feet quickly to catch himself on the pavement. The special slick boots he wore caused dirt and asphalt to melt and flick up around him as he came to a stop. One could see the holes of the path he created as he stood there for a few nanoseconds, a blue blur racing towards him. As he stood there watching Carom launch his fists at him. “You have got to be kidding me,” the Flash mused as his body lunged to the left his leg stepping forward. His two arms moved straight up as his hands nimbly caught the wrists of Carom and flipped him over his back. “You my friend, are lucky I’m not Batman. And I’m lucky his legal teams are not around.”
Carom’s back hit the pavement hard, smashed through the street in a billow of smoke. Carom’s body moved to stop his decent but it did little to no good as he landed in the sewers in splash.
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Protecting Our Future
Always Remember... |
| The Titans #2 - August, Year 1 | by JAE LIZHINI |
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NIGHTWING Dick Grayson |
 ARSENAL Roy Harper Jr. |
 THE FLASH Wally West |
 DONNA TROY |
 TEMPEST Garth |
 ARGENT Toni Montelli |
 PRYSM |
 FRINGE |
 RISK Cody Driscoll |
 JOTO Issah Crocket |
The Skies…
Around Utah, USA
The T-Jet flew at speeds close to the sonic border. The shimmering white jet plane burst through scatters of white clouds, as those inside found it hard not to relive their youth. Donna Troy, once known as Wonder Girl sat in the seat next to Nightwing. Her almond eyes continued to look at the face of the man, who had once been the boy wonder. There was a time when Donna had romantic feelings about this man. A time when she thought they were the perfect match. Times changed. She was her own woman now. She was not a super hero anymore. No… she was a photographer, and in a relationship with Kyle Rayner, the Earth’s current Green Lantern.
Lying in a seat behind Nightwing and Donna, sat the heir to Oliver Queen’s fortune, and the once side kick known formerly as Speedy. His legs were crossed at the ankle; shimmering red hair sliding back across his face. His face was broad and well tanned, with specks of stubble where he had forgotten to shave. Almost as if he shaved just enough to always have the small stubble every morning. “So has Garth made it to the scene yet?” Arsenal asked breaking the silence.
“I don’t know Roy. Wally hasn’t answered his radio for the last twenty minutes,” Nightwing responded his hands tightened on the C-shaped navigation wheel. “So I’d say that he’s in the heat of battle.”
“I hope he doesn’t end up getting his neck broken. Running off like that to face a whole group alone...” Donna chimed in.
“Wally’s a big boy. He can take care of himself,” Nightwing spoke, his eyes not moving from the window. “He’s actually really quite capable. Batman says he’s the JLA-er he’s most worried about.”
“Which is a compliment coming from Tall, Dark, and Brooding.” Arsenal grinned. “Lets not start this up again, Roy.” Nightwing spat.“What, Wingster? I was only messing around. You really need to lighten up, or are you gonna turn that visor in for a cape and cowl soon?”
“I’m sure you would be wearing the green hat with a feather, if Connor hadn’t beaten you to the punch. You are probably just jealous.”
“Don’t even go there Dick. We all know full well that if the monk hadn’t been there when Ollie died, I’d not be wearing red right now. And I’d probably be asked to join the JLA…” Arsenal said. “Funny how Connor was nominated for the JLA recruitment drive but not me.”
“Roy, don’t bad mouth Connor!” Donna turned around catching him straight in the eye. “You might not like it that he took up the mantle, but don’t belittle him. Especially in front of me!”
“Oh right Donna, I forgot your green Sweetie, is best friends with the Zen Master.” Arsenal smiled.”
Donna went to unbuckle her seat belt, when a blue gloved hand quickly covered the latch. “Donna, don’t do this. We’re a team remember?” Nightwing gestured.
“Just like old times, eh guys?” Arsenal laughed.
“Roy you never change do you?” Donna asked turning back to view incoming skyscrapers silhouetted in the clouds. “You are as much of as an asshole as you ever were.”
“More so, I’d say.” Nightwing grinned as he looked at the dials giving details of altitude, speed, and other elements that the former-Robin didn’t really need to worry about.
“Yeah, what ever. You all so missed me,” Arsenal said with a smile. “And I missed you guys.”
“Do you even need to ask Roy?” Nightwing said, feeling that familiar irritation Arsenal always had given him. And it was at that moment, Nightwing realized how much he needed it. How much Roy Harper actually meant to his life, as a friend and a rival. The two always pushing the right buttons to allow the other to work at the best level they could.
South View Mall
Santa Rosa, California
“Aqualad?” Flash breathed as the three members of Dark Nemesis turned to view the thin hero who had now stopped in the middle of the street. His hands raised in front of him, as orbs of red light engulfed his fists.
“Gotta love California,” Tempest spoke mostly to himself as the moisture in the air interacted with his Meta ability to transform water into various elements. Two pillars of fire vaulted from out of thin air impacting the bodies of Vault and Blizzard launching them off their feet.
Flash took that moment to quickly vibrate his legs shattering the thick ice that had bonded his feet. “Playing patsy, for my grand entrance, Flash?” Tempest addressed his friend. Scorcher had already raised her own fists sending a pillar of fire at the Atlantean.
“Old hat…” Tempest gestured as a blue orb took over his left hand creating a shield of frozen moisture. The pillar hissed forming into smoke. Tempest only got a short smile in however before a blur of blue launched at him from behind. Carom let a smile grace his face as his fist connected with Tempest’s jaw. Aquaman’s former side kick felt the punch impact his jaw, the force that sent him off his feet.
Flash moved in a red arc. His arms reached up, vibrating to rob Tempest of some of the momentum, from the blow. “New move, I take it?” Tempest grinned as he found himself on the ground within three seconds of being hit. “I’ll never get used to Super Speed.”
“You and I both buddy.” Flash grinned looking into his friend’s lavender eyes. “But let’s save the reunion for after we take these guys out.”
“You’re right, Flash and when you’re right you’re…” Tempest turned to see an empty space where Flash was just standing, “…gone.” The Atlantean looked off to see a blur of red and a blur of blue mingling. Fighting at speeds he couldn’t comprehend. Perhaps he paid attention too long as he suddenly was hit by a frozen blast. His hands launched an orange shield to catch the remaining blast, in a hiss.
The force pushed his body back however. He could feel his body being forced back by the pressure. He closed his eyes fighting the blast of Blizzard with his own force. He had no idea that Blizzard had such strength. There were no reports of this much power in any of them. At least as far as the country of Atlantis knew. He bit his lips as he moved his body forward pressing into the blast. The cinders and smoke fogged the scene, Tempest’s arms shaking at the impact force of the two energies. “You are out skilled.” Tempest spat at the frozen villain.
“And you are out numbered,” Blizzard spoke in defense. Tempest looked up only to see the hue of energy materializing in front of him. He recognized it instantly. “Fish and chips,” he growled before the energy prison engulfed him.
The Flash looked up just as his red gloved fists launched an uppercut at the Dark Nemesis’ speedster. The blue elf, Carom slid hard against the sidewalk. The gravel gathering up in a mound around the villain, dust springing up billowing over the body, as he finally came to a stop. Yet The Flash was not watching the outcome of his final strike. Instead his head turned up as his ears picked up a familiar sound overhead. The shimmering blue eyes of the Flash watched on in anticipation as a new figure darted down onto the scene.
The Amazonian form was almost silhouetted in the night sky. Her choice of black spandex, matching with the raven colored tresses made her almost invisible. That is if you didn’t see her coming. Donna Troy had no smile on her face today however. No sense of remorse-only vengeance. The silhouette like form of Donna blurred as she pushed herself forward her body blurring with the speed, her wavy hair slapping the back of her shoulders. Her left fist took all her flight’s momentum and delivered a shattering punch into the jaw of Vault. Vault had no time to react. His neck was thrown back in a painful lurch his shoulder following suit, just before his feet left the ground.
“Damn,” the Flash mouthed watching Donna finally land about the moment the thud of the large Meta human clanked onto the concrete. “Lucky you are on our side.”
“Can it, Flash. We’ve got a job to finish,” Donna growled at the speedster, her fists balling up.
“She’s right man,” came another familiar voice as another silhouette darted from the skies, rings of blue dotting the otherwise blocky form.“Yeah, guess better late than nev-” Flash didn’t get to continue his words as Scorcher launched another fire pillar from her hands at the Flash. The former Kid-Flash left a red blur as he sidestepped the fiery inferno.
“I so got this one.” Arsenal smiled from the alleyway, bringing up his crossbow. He didn’t even aim shooting the bolt from the automatic string, the shaft sung whizzing between the heads of Donna and Nightwing. Nightwing moved to the left as the bolt exploded in a bright light. The former Robin could only smile at the old fashioned trick. Nightwing brought his leg forwards in a kick. His hips cycled as delicately as a dancer, his thigh muscle flexing, squeaking against the spandex. The boot impacted the shoulder of the pyromaniac sending her hard on the floor.
“Warn a guy next time huh?” Tempest spoke standing up from where his vault had been shattered. He rubbed his eyes trying to rid the dots from them.
“You will never learn, Gil-boy. If I warned you I’d also warn the villains and we can’t have that.”
“Yes that would be foolish.” Axis spat as she walked from the broken side walk. Her eyes closed as she felt the pain of her injuries from earlier. She let her mind distance herself from her body as she called forth the team that had previously been defeated. Slowly the defeated team began to shake off their beaten fatigue as though nothing had happened. Carom was the first to blur to where the Titans were standing, now collected. Blizzard watched as his teammates began to file back together; Vault, and Scorcher meeting with himself and Axis.
“Do these guys know when to quit?” Donna asked, as she watched Dark Nemesis in an utter amazement.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Nightwing addressed not just Donna but the whole team. “Okay people fan out and pick a partner… Tempest… want to do the honors this time?”
“Hell yeah Nightwing.” Tempest grinned balling up his fists… “TITANS TOGETHER!”
Cetus-A
60,000 Light years Away…
If given the chance, some people would give everything they knew to just be told they had people like them. To be told that they have a purpose. To be told what their meaning of life is. Victor Stone got that wish, when he sacrificed himself to save a world completely inhabited by artificial life. It was through this race, collectively known as the Technis, which he was finally given his ultimate wish… a purpose and a home.
Embodied in the Omega Drome, he accepted his task for this race of people, his adopted race… to travel the universe to find the Technis a new home. This was in fact the Technis Directive. Victor Stone agreed to this task, knowing as a hero and a member of the Teen Titans it was a duty. A duty he accepted, for he could not let his new found brothers and sisters perish. They were dying, and they needed a soul to survive… a human soul… one such as Victor Stone. Submerging his subconscious with the race, they gave him a new body and a name… Cyborg was no more; his name was now Cyberion, the protector and savior of the race.
Of course his decision did not come with a rousing sense of applause through his then, team mates the Teen Titans. It however was his decision, and he could not back down… not when he finally had purpose. Not when he finally had a home.
Though two years ago, in a battle to save Tamaran, did Cyberion reunite with his old team. And fight with them to save the planet. In the resulting battle Raven was badly injured reduced to only a gold wraith-like form. She could not return to Earth. Beast Boy seeing his two best friends stuck to space, agreed to stay as the rest of the Titans headed back to Earth. Beast Boy, Raven, and an alien named Minion remained now as companions for the traveling Cyberion. The traces of human mind that resided within Cyberion swelled with happiness... and they embarked on their journey through the universe.
Cyberion was only a piece of Victor Stone however. And the longer his mind swarmed with the Technis the less like Victor he seemed to become. It wasn’t noticeable at first. But slowly his sense of compassion, friendship, and even self worth began to sink. Perhaps it was the infinite void of space. Perhaps it was the machine he lived with so long finally finding his last remaining bit of humanity and utterly calcifying it. Or perhaps, it was the marks of the Operative. Beast Boy rested against the burgundy cushion of the starship’s living quarters. The gigantic room seemed to engulf miles of space. The off white walls ran in a complete square, in an almost Spartan mentality. Only the ivory colored pillars that ran from the peach carpet to the light encrusted walls gave in any semblance of random order. The furniture however seemed to be something all together different. Burgundy reds, spice orange, emerald green and lemon yellow seemed to be the colors of choice for the large sofas, and recliners for the room. They however had been requested by Gar himself. In the last two years he had made it his duty to liven up the ‘joint’. The living quarters was the only place that even seemed to reflect what the ship used to be like before Beast Boy, Raven, and Minion had followed Cyberion on his exodus to find a hospitable planet for the Technis to inhabit.Across from Beast Boy the golden spirit of Raven sat cross-legged hovering in the air. Her pupil-less eyes watched her long time friend from her perch. “So you noticed it to huh?” Beast Boy asked.
“It would be fairly hard not to. It seems the further we get away from Earth, the more distant… Victor is becoming. At first it was not a big deal. But I am having trouble even finding Victor’s independent conscious. If we do not act soon… our friend might be no more,” Raven spoke, her voice a telepathic whisper.
“So what do we do, reach into Cyberion and pull him out?”
“We could, but we do not have a vessel for him. His body is integrated with Cyberion… inside that Omega Drome,” Raven explained her voice softening.
“Then what do we do?” Beast Boy asked his eyes increasing in size as he thought about solutions himself.
“We need to find a way for him to regain himself. It is the only way.”
“How do we do that?”
“You do it, Garfield. You are after all his best friend.”
“I am?”
“Gar…”
“Okay, I’m going... you don’t need to be so pushy.”
South View Mall
Santa Rosa, California
His body turned hard in the air. His display showed amazing skill, which would have made his mother and father-- circus acrobats-- proud. Vault’s hand swished through the air, not finding him as a suitable target. At least one that was easily caught unaware, a lesson he learned from his mentor, Bruce Wayne. He brought his hands down. A hand spring easily lofted him back into the air. As his body flipped back into the air, his fingers slid against the dark blue belt that fastened about his waist. Nimble fingers slid into the brass knuckles that hung on the belt. He wasn’t quite sure that it would do any good. It was as though every pressure point had been turned off on his opponent. The juggernaut only had one objective… maiming the former boy wonder.
Nightwing brought his left hand around his arm swinging in a narrow curve, a balled fist striking the chin of the man. Chunks of metal from the helmet, and his brass knuckles fell free. The crime fighter landed just in time to catch a fist in his mid section. He knew how to take a punch of course letting the momentum take him to the ground hard. His Kevlar took a lot of the damage. But a few of his ribs were bruised, at least. He looked up to see Vault rush towards him. The bit of his face exposed showed tender swollen flesh. Nightwing couldn’t even tell what color the man use to be.
Nightwing dove to his left, his hand pressed in front of him, using the momentum to return to his feet. Vault seemed to not have responded to the motion that Nightwing made. The impact from the hero’s fist however felt like striking six feet of concrete “You should pay more attention,” Nightwing spoke in a grim voice. “What’s the point of this? You are beaten, bruised… why are you continuing?”
Vault remained silent, his head turning to Nightwing. His free arm launched forward, swinging at the former Robin. Moving with the grace of a dancer, and the skill of one of the world’s greatest martial artists, the hero let his body flip into a handspring. His body vaulted over the large forearm, both of his teal colored heels catching the skull of Vault. The helmet shattered sending the large man flat on his back. Blood ran like a stream down the bruised and beaten face.
“You were blind?” Nightwing asked? “SAY SOMETHING!” Nightwing screamed… “I don’t want to kill you. I won’t kill you!” Nightwing spat as Vault stood up once more.
“He’s a mute you idiot!” A voice suddenly spoke in quick succession as a blur rushed past Nightwing and Vault. Nightwing got only a brief look as a blue blur was being trailed by a red one, the two trails mixing into a purple color.
“Fight’s this way!” Flash spat as he landed yet another haymaker into the face of Carom. Carom’s neck arched backwards, his shoulders pushed back as he hit the ground. His body slid through the door of a parked car. The fiberglass shattered as though it was a flimsy plastic. The blue speedster felt his back pop as his body hit the seat of the blue compact car. His pores opening rushing sweat against his body. He had little time to react as the scarlet blur rushed towards him. Spandex gloves squeezed against his vest as the Flash pulled him towards his cowl-covered face.
The blue eyes of the Flash looked into the glowing eyes of the villain. “What is going on here?” the Flash asked, blood flooding the villain’s face pouring from his nose and swollen lips. “Tell me!”
The swollen lips of Carom crafted a smile. “We don’t feel it. Don’t feel anything, what was that you said before, Flash?” Carom let out a hearty chuckle. “You are outclassed. You won’t kill us, but we will take it until we die. What do you do? What do you do, Flashie?”
The Flash’s arm straightened as Carom’s head hit the window. The plate glass shattered, showering shards of glass onto the black asphalt. Flash could feel his knees cutting into the coffee colored leather seat. He leaned forward his back pressed against the chestnut roof. “What do you mean? You can’t feel it?” the Flash questioned.
“Just as it sounds… I can’t feel it.”
“Axis,” the Flash growled…
“Your quickness astounds me Flash,” Carom chuckled.
The Flash let go of Carom. The scarlet speedster leaving a trail of red as he left the car, it was all about Axis after all. His movements streaked past Arsenal who had just dodged a pillar of flame from Scorcher. “Seen Axis?” Flash asked. The sudden blur and familiar voice made Arsenal turn to his left briefly.“No… oof!” The Mexican pyro landed a fist onto the man’s jaw sending him reeling into one of the support beams. The quiver of bolts smashed, as the archer hit the wooden beam.
“Who you talking to, handsome?” the pyro asked as she closed her fist and sent out another heat blast. Arsenal brought his left hand forward his body following the left handed motion as he dropped to roll.
“What are you, histrionic, Chica?” Arsenal asked as he caught his feet regaining his stature. “You got my full attention, trust me.”
“Well it’s a good thing that I don’t have to fight for attention,” Scorcher spoke as she brought up a leg snapping forward into a roundhouse. Arsenal slid his body downwards, barely dodging the kick. His hand slid against her leg his waist turned quickly an elbow smashing into her face. Her nose bridge snapped apart in a crack.
“You really have no clue, Arsenal,” Scorcher spat as she regained her footing and launched a pillar of flame at the archer’s chest. The flame impacted him hard sending him into the support beam. This time his back hit it hard snapping the wood on impact.
Scorcher walked slowly towards the fallen hero. His red hair slid over his face as he coughed slime of blood sliding from his teeth. “It’s over, Arsenal.” She smiled, her hips swiping as she walked towards him.
The former Speedy looked up at Scorcher. Arsenal’s chest exposed from flame, his skin red from second degree burns. Her hand was engulfed with a flame. “Killing people is so reward-- what?” Scorcher exclaimed as an ebony force field suddenly materialized around the fallen archer.
“Titans have…to… stick together,” Argent said as she tried to catch her breath, her raven colored locks dotting down stark white skin.
“She’s right ya know.” Arsenal smiled, letting his fingers circle around to slithers of wood. Argent watched him out of the corner of her eye. As he began to stand up Argent let her orb down, the black force field dissolving. Arsenal leaned forward tossing the two hand sized stakes at the fire controller. The spikes bit into the fabric of her suit, sending her to what was left of the concrete wall, pinning her by her shoulders.
“We make a good team huh?” Argent said looking into the eyes of the lady-killer.
“Maybe babe, once you get off your Wingster kick.”
“How did you?” Argent asked, her cheeks showing a petal pink color.
“I got eyes for that sort of thing.” Arsenal smiled.
Cetus-A
60,000 Light years Away…
Things were good, the alien surroundings of a Spartan cleaned space craft, with little to go for human living didn’t seem to be that bad. Friends was really all one needed, at least that’s what Cyberion continually told his two closest friends… or at least used to. The last few weeks Cyberion had said little to nothing at all. Beast Boy let his shaky steps come to a stop as he looked over the placid doorway that stayed out in front of him. His green hand extended to the hand pad. He slowly let his hand press against it, the former Titan feeling a gulp in his throat. His hand felt the heat of the sensor as the door swished open.
It was as the door opened that Beast Boy’s eyes got wide. On the large navigation screen that took up most of the wall, from where he was looking, Beast Boy saw a large map showing a point line navigation system. From where they were now in Cetus-A back towards the Milky Way, still yet the target blinked at the final destination… SOL III.
The rest of the dimly lit room meant nothing to Beast Boy, Not even the grey and black plated form of Cyberion, as the automaton turned itself around in a hiss of hydraulics. Pistons fired, and cogs rotated the torso turning to find his ‘friend’. Cyberion was a strange sight to see even for someone used to it. The metal pieces seemed to graft in sharp crags fitting like a deformed puzzle against an almost human shape. Wires and gadgetry hung loose from the form. But for Beast Boy, the thing that truly got him, the thing that truly scared him was the eyes. The red shimmering LED eyes that flashed back at him from the hollowed face. --GAR?-- the matted voice of Victor Stone spoke out. The voice felt like a screeching sound of an old Nintendo game, laced underneath the voice of a friend.
“Cyberion what is this? Are we going home?” Beast Boy asked. “Are we going back to Earth?”
--Yes, we are going to our new home. Earth.-- Cyberion spoke.
“New home? Victor you are from Earth. You have family there, and our friends… Remember... the Titans?”
--We are going to make a new home for Earth… It is the answer for the Technis Operative.--
“What? Are you mad? They can’t inhabit the Earth. Hello? People live there!”
--We will just need to give it a little fine-tuning.--
“No we can’t! You can’t!” Beast Boy screamed… “Victor come on!”
--Victor Stone is no more, only Cyberion,-- the automation spat, its left limb arching upwards pressing hard into Beast Boy’s throat. The strength of Cyberion’s hand increased as it applied more pressure.
Beast Boy let out a grunt; he quickly let his body congeal, shrinking down in a blur of green flesh. From the blob, wings darted out spontaneously growing feathers. A head poked free followed by talons. The green colored hawk swooped back through the door way at high speeds squawking as it flew as hard as it could. Cyberion watched as the bird took off down the corridor. His expressionless LED’s narrowed as he watched the now empty corridor. --There is no matter, he is not important. There is little that they can do to combat us,-- Cyberion spoke as his body turned back to the monitor screen.
--Still, he can’t even get off the ship. He will survive of course and see that what we are doing is the right decision. Our friends… with us co-existing… The Tower will be rebuilt. Even better than ever before.-- His left hand clinched as he leaned forward eyeing the dotting bead hovering over Earth. --Titans Together.--South View Mall
Santa Rosa, California
[[*See Aquaman #5 & 6-Jae]]
Tempest felt the ground beneath him for a moment as he caught his breath taking in volumes of air through his nose and casting them out his mouth. His skin felt dry and stiff as he stepped closer to his combatant once again. The broken concrete did not provide the flat surface he had trained on, in his days as Aqualad. It felt like just yesterday, that he spent his days breaking up the fights between Speedy and Robin, only days ago that he was the high pitch voiced boy who never got up the nerve to talk to girls. Honestly, he was now married to Dolphin…married with a child.
Tempest brought his hand up the orb curling about his closed fist as he blocked another blast of ice. He turned to his left in a sudden motion as his leg arched out sweeping over the green armored shoulder of the villain. His kick was fluid and powerful. His leg muscles were perhaps on the caliber of Donna Troy herself, from years swimming in the deepest ocean currents… leg muscles that had no problem in shattering the globe that Blizzard wore.
The glass spiraled in a rain of pieces gouging into the face of the silver haired man. The deep blood rained down his features. Matting his flesh-yet to Tempest’s surprise he did not flinch he did not seem affected at all. The silver haired elemental twisted his hand into a fist plunging it hard into the former Titan’s chest.
Tempest winced in pain as he dropped to his knees. Coughing as he tried to regain the air from his lungs. “H…H…ow?”
“I can answer that… Tempest,” a red blur spat as the Flash moved in a whirlwind around Tempest. The winds of the centrifuge pushing Blizzard off his feet, falling hard on his ass… “Axis is controlling them some how, not letting them feel pain. Where is she anyways?” Flash asked as he continued to create powerful gusts of wind keeping Blizzard off his feet.
“Donna…” Tempest spoke in a whisper.“Oh damn,” Flash spit out… “So I guess this should be over any minute now. But just for safety measures… Think you can handle this?”
“Yeah Flash, just let me catch my breath,” Tempest rasped.
Axis growled as she did a backhand spring narrowly missing the fist of the former Wonder Girl. Donna Troy’s hair lashed out across her face and neck as she took another step forward. Though this blue skinned female was unknown to her, it did however take one bombard from her mind for her to realize this villain’s true power. Lucky for Donna, she not only was trained by the best in the Titans growing up-- but she also used to be a member of the Dark Stars, and personally trained by one of the Earth’s finest Green Lanterns… John Stewart. In many ways she knew more about Oan technology, and the use of power rings than the current Green Lantern, and her boyfriend, Kyle Rayner. And one of the chief parts of the rings was a contest of will. A strength of dedication, which was also the best way to face mental attacks. But something was wrong with Axis as either she was very weak as a telepath… or she was using a large portion of her mind elsewhere.
The Amazon lunged at the now still Axis her fists launching in a strike. Axis looked up to catch one of Donna’s fists in her shoulder. The blow caused Axis to fall hard on her ass. Her arm went limp as the shoulder was knocked out of its socket. “If you’re not going to give it your all, what’s the point?” Donna asked as she looked down at the blue skinned female.
“All that matters is that I win. I’m sure my teammates are going to win the day. That’s the point. The death of you all, that’s all that matters in the end.” Axis smiled. Her hand grappled against her shoulder as she bit her lip hard. She forced the shoulder back into its socket in steady movement. “And we will win.” Axis smiled
“Well if you are unconscious you won’t be keeping your zombies going with stimuli,” Donna spat.
“But if I go unconscious they will die. They have all been beaten pretty badly,” Axis said. “Or if I turn it off…” She smiled.
“You are sick,” Donna spat.
“Yes but it’s no matter. I’ll do anything to win. You should remember this. Even sacrifice the life of my fiancée… Vault.”
Donna’s jaw dropped as she stood there staring at the woman. She herself had lost her husband… once upon a time. The one person she could never save, out of the countless of lives she had… was the man she loved. Donna’s fist clenched angrily.
“Wait, you and Vault… Whoa, didn’t see that one coming,” a voice spoke as a crimson glove lay on Donna’s shoulder. “Donna, it’s not worth it. So many have died already. We can’t. I won’t let you.”
“Wal- Flash I wasn’t going to…” Donna’s eyes rolled up glazing as tears ran down her cheeks. “I… I just shouldn’t be doing this anymore.” Donna turned her head to Axis. “It’s over… no matter what, it’s over.”
“Give me ten seconds, Donna. If she’s supplying adrenaline flow to keep them going, then we’ll have to counter that.” Donna went to reply to Flash, but he had already zoomed off in a blur of red.
Flash’s legs pumped as he exited the alleyway. He knew that it had to be done, if only he could make it in time. Blurring past Nightwing who stood now with Vault in a pair of handcuffs he buzzed by him… “Nightwing call 911, and let them know we need an EMS with prison escort.” He continued to run blurring past the mall. His internal clock counting how long he had to get this done, only he could get this done… only he could do this… no more deaths… the Teen Titans would not die in vain… He couldn’t allow it.
10…9…8…
The EMS van across the street was almost completely surrounded by spectators watching the battle. The police had set up a barricade, which had forced everyone across the street and out of harm’s way. Flash began to vibrate his body at a fast speed as he neared the crowd bunched together beyond the police officer’s guard. Many of them would feel a bit of wind as the scarlet speedster weaved between them. Some of them turned to look as the Flash stopped in front of the emergency van for a split second opening the side door to the van. His body once again moved as he slid inside grabbing kits of adrenaline needles ripping boxes, before he took back off out of the van, at speeds most would think of as terminal velocity. Only true physics masters would be keen to realize his speed was not nearly that fast. He had to be careful. With so many people around he could not risk moving as fast as he wished he could.
…7…6…5…
The Flash’s body blurred past the crowd again and across the street. Most of
those looking on could not make any sort of shape identifying it as the Fastest
Man Alive. Instead they only guessed where he was going, what he was doing. Dirt
clouded against the broken mall lot as the hero unpackaged adrenaline shots and
hammered them into chests. First was Vault who was beaten the worst… of them
all.
…4…3…2….
The Flash secondly came to Carom whom he had left earlier. His body would be faster to act with the adrenaline. Next he blurred past Arsenal and Argent hammering the shot into the breast plate of Scorcher….
One…
Donna as well had been counting down the ten seconds. Feeling the need to end this, she was sure if anyone would come through Wallace West would be the one to do it. She watched as the dizzying streak came to a stop, pushing Blizzard against the wall opposite of her, a syringe still hanging in his chest as he coughed. Donna smiled as she threw her fist at Axis. The leader of Dark Nemesis fell over flat.
“Good job Donna,” the Flash said finally, turning towards his old team mate.
“Says the one who saved everyone. Barry would be proud.”
“Thank you Donna…”
Epilogue
The police lights didn’t quit flashing for hours. Yet the lot where the mall had once been was deserted. Each member of Dark Nemesis had been taken onto stretchers and as directed by Nightwing transported to the nearest emergency room. Of the five members of the Teen Titans, only three bodies were recovered. Argent felt strange leaving the scene with Nightwing, Arsenal, Donna Troy, the Flash, and Tempest. She felt as though she should have remained. Try to find Prysm.
Now she stood on the top of one of the skyscrapers over looking Northern California. Her mascara was down her face in thick clumps. Her neck rose shivers as the cold wind brushed over her. Yet despite the sadness of her heart she was standing in the company of the Titans... the real Titans. Not like her Titans, who were brought together because they shared DNA. But instead because they were a real family. “Look Argent, there is no easy way to say this,” Nightwing said…
“Look, Nightwing, cut it! My friends are all dead and missing. You guys are over this Titans thing, so it’s over. Time to go back to my normal life,” Argent vented.
“You should at least take a break,” Arsenal said. “After Ollie died... I didn’t think I’d do it anymore eith-“ Arsenal’s words were suddenly cut short as a bright light of gold erupted between the old friends. Each of the Titan’s eyes widened as the shimmering light died down exposing the translucent golden garbed visage of their former friend and ally… Raven.
“I don’t have long to remain in this state…” Raven began.
“Raven?” Flash, Arsenal, Nightwing, Donna, and Tempest all said in unison.
“Aren’t you traveling with Cyborg?” Nightwing asked.
“That’s what this is about. Cyberion’s mission has failed. Cyborg has fallen… The Technis Directive has given the race one last option. The option Cyborg fought for these last two years… Victor is coming home… and he’s bringing his new family.”
NEXT ISSUE: The Technis Directive … More Titans join the fray as the Cyberion comes to Earth to take it over… The Titans must assemble to stop one of their own… Victor Stone! Be here… or be assimilated!