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New Teen Titans
Fragments
Book Two
"She's a doll!" cooed Donna as Roy cradled his nine month old daughter.
He grinned. "Yeah! She has my looks... and her mother's manners!"
Robin replied, "I think you need to hold her head up a bit more!"
Hawk ignored the family moments to join Garth and Wally as they labored over an odd device.
"Being around Barry and Jay helped me some, but I wonder if this thing will detect the energy generated by the transporting thugs so we can trace them, or just make a good toasted cheese!" said Wally as his hands raced over the device.
Garth smiled. He had not felt much like talking since Tula's death, but while he was with these longtime friends, he didn't feel it necessary to say much.
Hawk said, "Talk, talk, talk. Come on, run something other than your mouth, West!"
Wally said, "Witty banter between you and Nubia. That I want to see!"
Donna said, "Is she really sincere about representing Diana?"
Wally nodded and flipped a switch. "She has that no nonsense Amazon demeanor, but I think she cared for Diana and wants to carry on her crusade. Not that I wouldn't feel just as annoyed if some rarely-seen cousin showed up to be Barry's heir!"
Donna agreed. Still, she needed to meet Nubia face to face to settle things.
"Hey! It shows a faint energy trace, but how can you track the end of it?" asked Hawk.
Robin piped up, "Flash'll just run to the end before it fades!"
Flash ruffled his hair. "Well said, Boy Wonder!"
Arsenal said, "Anybody know how to change a diaper? Is a kid this age even still in diapers?"
Flash took off at top speed as Donna helped her troubled friend.
Hawk said, "Diapers! Next thing you know we'll start a daycare!"
***
Joe Wilson sat by the bedside of Kole Weathers. The lovely and vulnerable redhead was healing slowing from her ordeal in the Crisis, and Joe was falling for her with a greater speed!
He signed slowly and she smiled as she began to recognize his gestures.
"Yes! I am eager to get out. Hospital food is a big letdown after Olympian meals!" she laughed.
A figure materialized within the room.
It was Lilith. She wore a very short tunic and silver sandals, but otherwise looked the same as she had before finding her mother Thia, who was a Titan of myth bent on conquest.
It was Thia who had imprisoned Kole and forced her to use her crystal spinning powers in her service. Thus, Kole felt a bit uneasy around the sensitive psychic.
"Kole! I come here to seek your aid, along with yours, Joseph! I need the Titans to help me stop the Children of the Sun -- my siblings -- from restoring our mad mother!" she said.
Joe blinked as the girl wasted no words or time on deeper explanations. Then again, all her young life she had merely appeared or disappeared as need drove her to do.
He indicated that he would help.
Lilith bent low over Kole and a bright light covered the girl. She rose seconds later, fully recovered.
"You healed me!" she gasped.
Lilith tossed back her red-gold hair and said, "My birthright as a daughter of Olympus allows me to use the sun to heal, as well as to trace my siblings. I am still getting acustomed to my new role as a goddess."
Joe nodded. He hoped the woman before him knew exactly what she was doing. She was so painfully sensitive to all around her, and yet at times could be almost single-minded in her wishes.
Kole said, "Take us where you will! I'm eager to see more of the world."
Lilith smiled, "Then, take my hand and we shall locate our other allies!"
On a Greek isle, Dr. Light found himself in a large complex. He had been rescued (or abducted, rather) by the very group Lilith sought to stop. The so-called Children of the Sun also had acquired the services and rare energy-regenerating metal called Prometheum from Mento, alias Steve Dayton. The two made odd allies.
"I can recreate my early light generation inventions but I'll need an amazingly powerful source of constantly renewing energy," said Light as he tried to recall the nuances of the alien science he had stolen long before.
Dayton said, "Bah! The Promethium is ever self sustaining. It can power your devices 'til doomsday!"
A woman in black smiled. Her calculations were accurate, as always. With the resources assembled, they would soon restore their lost mother Thia, and then a world would be theirs for the taking.
***
Dick Grayson was weary. He had been subjected to lack of sleep, constant bright lights, and other tactics designed to act along with Blood's bizarre almost vampiric manner to control his mind. He pretended to be weakening, yet in truth his strong will and meticulous training by Batman had made the young man of sturdy stuff.
Got to keep focused. If I can fool these creeps into thinking I'm ready to sign up, then I'll have the time and space to find a way to get Arella and Raven out of here. I can't count on any help from Raven, but just maybe, someone else could assist me, he mused.
He referred to a handsome winged man who stood ever alert at Brother Blood's side. His name was unknown to Dick and to himself, yet Blood had given the alien youth the name Azrael.
He had encountered the Titans before and had obviously possessed odd powers and a passionate devotion to the beauty called Lilith. When she had been required to remain upon Mt. Olympus, he had been filled with pain and emotional anguish and had somehow fallen into the clutches of the evil Blood.
Dick wondered if his love for Lilith just might prove to be stronger than any conditioning the cult had given him. He'd find out when he got a chance.
He regretted much. He was sorry that he had blown up at Donna and had allowed his pain and bitterness over Kory's decision to marry Karras on Tamaran to dominate his own normal clear and reasonable thinking.
He could not even bring himself to hate Karras. He was a victim of politics too. He had a lover and was, like Kory, merely marrying for reasons of a greater good for the ending of or prevention of further civil war on the alien world.
Kory! How could you toss our relationship away? I know you don't care as much as I do about legalities or society mores, but I can't be with a married woman, even if she claims her marriage is merely a political ceremony and not a religious or spiritiual one, he mused as he battled the whirling lights and Mother Mayhem's coldly persuasive tones.
***
The Flash tracked the fading energy trail across the waters to an isle near Greece. He saw a large complex with the logo of a man in a chariot. Phaeton Industries was the name around the logo.
Phaeton! The mythical son of Apollo. All these light and sun images fit our enemies. Although I'm wondering if maybe I couldn't get Arty out on my own, he mused.
Before he could react he was struck down from behind by a solid light construct. He whirled around only to gasp as he lost all of his air. He fell to the ground and was carried inside by more guards.
"This costumed hero spied more than was healthy for him!" said one.
"Do not fear. When they finish with him, he won't be a problem," replied his partner.
Back on the Titan jet, Donna watched a flashing signal.
"We've seen Wally's signal stop. He's at the apparent end of the energy source. Looks to be in Greece!" she said.
Aqualad agreed. "It is. I've been in those very waters. A trendy place for the wealthy and those who can buy their privacy."
"Great! Now, let's go break some heads!" said Hawk.
Arsenal bounced Lian gently. He was enjoying the new sensations of fatherhood even before he had fully grasped all of its implications. Some part of him even felt sorry for Jade. She had given him the location in which Lian was cared for when she realized her future looked grim. Wally had recovered the girl easily, yet so much had happened so fast that Roy was uncertain what to do next.
Robin said, "Look, a new bulletin featuring Cat Grant says the government has formed a new team of rehabilitated villains to serve the nation under the leadership of Captain Comet. It says he and his team saved Superman recently from some plot."
Hawk said, "So why'd Faraday drag us in if this new group works for the government?"
Donna listened to the news. "I applaud any addition to defenders of justice. Wally knows Comet in fact."
Arsenal said, "You know, that Dolphin is quite a looker!"
Garth nodded, intrigued by what he heard as they flew onward.
An incoming message reached their T-jet from the Flash. "Speedy, I'm going to check things out here solo. I'll call you fellows if I need help!" he said.
Donna frowned as the message abruptly ended. "That certainly looked and sounded like Wally, but why'd he call you Speedy? Habit?" she said.
"Habit or more? I bet you think that was a faked hologram. Old Light could easily whip something like that up. Maybe the goons saw me back when they grabbed Light and obviously don't know, as Wally does, that I changed names just a while ago," replied Roy.
Aqualad nodded. "Yes. Good thing you just happened to have an old flame in Greece who agreed to keep Lian for a while. Only you would be that lucky."
Arsenal said, "I get around. Trina is a good kid. She'll treat Lian great. I feel like a creep dumping the kid so fast after meeting her, but we can't bring her into a firezone!"
Hawk said, "That's the first reasonable thing I've heard all day. Never bring an innocent into a fight. People can die all too easily."
Donna touched his arm. "Hank, Don died saving such an innocent. Don't forget that!"
Hawk remained silent as they zoomed down.
"We better go in fast!" said Donna.
Robin said, "With all of Arkham loose, I need to get back home too. The Outsiders don't always remain easy to summon, and Batman can't fight the whole group of crooks solo."
Donna said, "Thanks, Robin. You've helped us a lot. We won't forget that. I'm sure that deep down Nightwing would appreciate it too."
Changeling yelped as Lilith appeared before him as he stepped out of the shower. "Yikes! Let a guy find a towel!" he sputtered as the beautiful goddess materialized.
Cyborg jumped up from the hallway. "You got company in there?" he said.
Lilith smiled. "Hello, Victor, Gar. I need your help in stopping the Children of Thia. I..." she began before dropping to her knees and holding her eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you having a vision?" asked Kole as she and Jericho stepped forward.
"What's she do? Run a bus service?" snapped Gar as he saw more of his friends appear.
"Yes! I see images... distorted images of monsters... Gar, at the center of all I see Mento!" said Lilith as she smoothed down her tiny tunic and stood up.
"Mento! We're headed for Greece to find him," said Vic.
Lilith said, "That is well. Greece is where my siblings plan their newest evil! I fear from the nightmares and visions of late that Steve Dayton is deeply mixed up with them."
"Then let's go!" said a grim Gar.
Jericho signed, "I think we'd better hurry!"
Lilith nodded as the newly healed Kole was greeted and welcomed by Cyborg and Gar.
"Gar, perhaps I can bring peace to Dayton's madness-darkened mind," offered the lovely Lilith as they vanished.
Gar smiled weakly. "Thanks. Nice outfit, where'd you get it? Fredericks of Olympus?"
***
Dick Grayson stood mutely by Brother Blood as the megalomaniac addressed his followers.
"Today is a day of triumph as we grow stronger," trumpeted Blood.
Mother Mayhem sat next to the captive Arella. Raven smiled demurely and blissfully as her white gown blew in the breeze.
Dick's impassive face hid a mind that worked at top speed. He had resisted all of Blood's commands and mental attacks, although to those around him he now seemed the perfect new convert. His attempt to speak to Azrael had had mixed results. He recalled it as he watched Blood fill his masses with raw emotion that he in turn fed upon himself in a mad vampiric feast.
He had convinced even Raven and Arella that he had fallen under Blood's spell, but Batman's training of years had proven superior to any tactic the island's master had used. He had been left in peace. It had been days since his first arrival. Perhaps weeks? Time seemed to have little meaning in the cells.
Still, he had retained his own will and his faculties. He took his chance and approached Azrael. "Azrael! I know Blood has convinced you that you are his 'angel,' but let me ask you this: what would Lilith think of such madness? How would that vulnerable girl be treated if Blood had her? Wouldn't he dominate and enslave her emotionally like he has done with Raven? Could you stand you see that bright woman dimmed with hate and another's dark will?" he said.
Dick deliberately played upon Azrael's feelings as he drove home the idea that Azrael's beloved would never condone Blood's ways. He felt some guilt at his ruthless manipulation, but he knew that in the long run, good could come from it.
Azrael's eyes widened. "I... I crossed space itself to find her! She was the embodiment of all I want from life! She... was taken from me!"
Dick nodded. "Yes, but Blood would hurt her! He would keep you even more apart by making you a murdering agent of his church. Lilith hates violence. Lilith would be hurt to see you serve such a man. Just think about her."
That had ended their conversation. He hoped a night's thought had moved the alien to change sides. He did appear uneasy.
Blood placed a hand upon Raven's head and another hand waved toward the masses. "Allow me to feel your love! Allow me to commune with your emotions!" he shouted.
Dick saw the empath Raven stiffen and he knew that Blood was using her to tap into the feelings of his flock. He had to do something quickly!
Azrael caught his eye. He felt the powers surging between all as he too, had some empathic ability.
"Lilith!" mouthed Dick as he exchanged glances with the winged youth.
Mother Mayhem saw this exchange and moved forward. Blood was too deeply entranced in the parasitic act to see.
Dick spun and kicked her flat and said, "Raven -- fight him! He's worse than Trigon!"
Azrael flew closer. "What should I do?"
Dick said, "Save her! For Lilith! Reverse the empathic flow!"
Azrael grabbed Blood and concentrated. Raven gasped as the surge of emotions she had been absorbing and transferring to Blood now gained a new texture as the alien interjected his own desperate efforts to awaken her from Blood's sway.
"Raven! Turn that darkness within you against Blood!" urged Dick as he smacked a guard off the balcony.
Azrael nodded. "I'm reaching her!"
Blood cried, "Kill them before they release her!"
Guards shouted and closed in as Dick tried to wage two wars. One against the troops on a physical level and one more dangerous, more tenuous as he fought with Azrael to free Raven's troubled mind and soul.
At once it happened! Raven's soul-self enveloped Blood and he screamed. She gasped in pain... perhaps even in relief. The remnants of darkness left behind when Trigon fell now flowed directly into Blood. He was overcome by a power stronger than his own, yet his own purpose, his own sense of self, refused to allow any easy transfer. This led to a conflict most powerful, most personal -- all within Brother Blood's own mind.
He screamed and as two wills fought, his body simply shut down as a protection.
Raven ran to Dick's arms as troops rushed to aid their stricken ruler. "Richard, I feel as though I am finally completely free of all taints from... my heritage. I know my father fell already, but such malice still darkened my spirit 'til now. Perhaps, I will never be a pawn of anyone again!" she said.
Dick smiled. "Blood could not handle his own urges and drives when joined to the darkness left behind by Trigon. They seemed to 'short each other out,' so to speak."
Azrael carried Arella and swooped over to lift all the three to freedom.
"I may help you escape, but I grieve for the loss of Blood. His potential may never be known again!" said the winged alien.
"Or his evil!" said a relieved Dick.
Later, as a clean shaven and fully costumed Nightwing sat across from Raven in a rented villa, she expressed her appreciation for his rescue efforts.
"Richard, I want to thank you for risking so much to save me. I sense you have suffered much yourself since last we were together," she said.
Dick smiled sadly. "I can't keep secrets from you, can I? It's true that things have fallen apart for me lately. Kory and I seemed to be so much of a sure thing, even though all logic, all past experience, our backgrounds, all combined to indicate that we were wrong for one another. Now, the political demands of Tamaran have forced her to marry another. A guy named Karras is her new husband. She and he claim it's just a civil or cermonial ritual signifying nothing spiritual, but that's not the way I can see it. So, we're apart."
Raven touched his jaw. "You and the Princess have ever been of two worlds both literally and figuratively. How one raised -- much like myself -- to always keep his emotions in check could ever be the soul mate of a being who is driven by heedless emotion and passion is a riddle not even the Batman could solve."
Dick nodded. "It's true, she is nothing like the girls I knew at Hudson U. or elsewhere. She's such a free spirit. Moreso than even other super heroines I've met, like Batgirl and Bat-Girl!"
He stood up. "I've learned a lot in the last few days. Maybe part of that lesson is how to let go."
Raven smiled sadly. "That has to be a part of any healing."
***
Dr. Light was nervous. He hated to be rushed. It was beneath his dignity. Yet, these enigmatic Children of the Sun seemed to expect him to work on a timetable of their own devising. The nerve! The raw impudence! Still, he did as he was told.
After using the Children of the Light as pawns and having them send Cheshire to kill him, he had learned not to anger even those villains whom he considered his lessers. Look at what had happened to Psimon!
"I have completed the machine. It should draw upon the ever regenerating energy source provided by Mento and hopefully allow your Thia to reform herself materially after being consumed in flames with her angry husband!" he announced.
The reddish-blond man smiled. "Excellent! Excellent! Now, if we can pull Mento away from our youthful captive, the Flash, we may begin Operation Rebirth!"
Dr. Light smiled calmly. "And then I shall leave this wretched rocky pile for better grounds!"
Mento gazed directly at the bound Flash.
"You represent all I hate. You are the embodiment of the successful super hero. Something I never was. You are the personification of the survivor who beats all odds. Something my beloved Rita was not. And so, I'll delve into your mind and raze it's shallow barriers to ashes!" he roared.
Flash groaned as he felt his very thoughts rebel against him. From darkness to light to lightning, he saw his life play out in vivid mental images that resonated in a lurid 3-D format.
At the heart of them all he saw two people: his Aunt Iris and her husband Barry Allen -- the second Flash!
As nightmarish images of a harsh or alternately distant father switched with those of grinning Rogues in costumes bright and garish, he sought the comfort of Barry Allen's steady guiding hand.
It remained just out of reach... seconds in front of him... beyond his rate of speed!
***
Princess Koriand'r had seen and felt a great deal in the last few days. She had been a bridal gown clad warrior, angry rebel, and finally bitterly enough, she had played the reluctant role of loser.
Oh, it was all true enough that she had married Karras of Kalapatt to formalize a union of state between the warring nation states of her home planet. She had even bested her evil sister Komand'r once again in grave combat. Yet, in spite of all she risked and all she had lost, the beautiful woman had been forced to taste the bitter ashes of defeat for her own people had chosen to allow Komand'r to rule with their parents as willing advisors. Thus, though she denied that Komand'r could ever truly do what was best for the millions who dwelt on the rich world, all others seemed satisfied with her strong rule. What was it Dick had once told her about many Germans during the Second World War? How they turned a blind eye to Hitler's evil in deference to the sense of national pride the madman had instilled in many.
She paced the halls of the palace and wondered if there could be hope for a reunion with Dick? Poor morally hurt Dick. She still saw his pained expression as he departed.
She flung down her goblet and cursed in rage. She glazed skyward to see more than the fabled Ring of Life that illuminated the Vegan system. She saw a fleet of oddly different starships. One she knew as Thanagarian in design.
She clattered down the hall in her high heels and flowing yellow wrap. She listened as Komand'r spoke to aliens of various races and worlds.
"I tell you all that while I too regret the disruptions and possible terrors that may spring forth from Earth like plague bearing vermin, I may not lend any aid to your planned invasion. I give you my word that Tamaran shall play no role in said war," she said forcefully.
A yellow skinned alien scowled sourly. "If Tamaran will not join us then perhaps the Alliance shall be forced to turn our power against this world."
Komand'r yelled, "Guards! Show them out! Secure the area!"
Kory heard weapon fire and rushed forward in time to witness a horror. Prince Karras and his beloved Taryia fell, along with others in a barrage of energy bursts.
The alien assembly was quickly subdued and planetary defenses secured the rich world as the fleet departed in haste.
Komand'r said, "Be ever ready should they dare return. Their planned invasion of Earth should occupy them enough."
Kory bent over the fallen figures of Karras, Taryia, and others she knew. All were dead. Kory heard her sister's harsh tones. "Your Earth brings nothing but peril and strife."
Kory whirled on one heel and ran for the docking bay. She heeded neither friend nor foe as she boarded and then blasted off in a small space skimmer.
I have to reach Dick! I must warn Earth's heroes! she thought.
***
Even as the Titans landed on the Greek isle, several uniformed guards greeted them.
"Welcoming committees out in full force!" yelled Arsenal as he released a bolo arrow that brought down the nearest one.
Donna pulled down a blazing energy weapon and crushed it to a pile of scrap. "I'd say these lowlifes won't come quietly!" she said wryly.
Hawk laughed maniacally, "Better for me!" He slugged a guard flat and charged into others.
Garth used his own considerable strength to shatter a protective shield that sheltered some troops as they aimed high tech weapons. "They seem to be desperate to keep us occupied! What's brewing beyond the ridge?" he cried as his keen eyes spotted a flash of energy.
Robin said, "We better split up and check it out!"
Donna agreed, "Come on! Arsenal, you and I will scout ahead."
Roy smiled. "Lead on, Wonder Babe!"
Donna said, "Don't you feel a bit silly talking like that? You are a father now!"
Roy sighed, "Yeah! But I'm not Ward Cleaver... at least not yet!"
They reached the crest of the ridge in time to see Dr. Light and Mento activate their devices, which gave off the bright glow.
"Super villain death ray #109!" quipped Arsenal as he released three arrows. They erupted overhead and an inky cloud of darkness covered the villains.
"Curse those brats! They've interrupted the process! Thia may not be reborn in total darkness!" cried a woman in a black business suit.
Lilith's team appeared as well. "She must not be reborn at all to continue her evil ways!" she declared.
Changeling became a green monkey and swung down to face Mento. "Steve! You can't help these fruit loops!" he urged.
Mento scowled. "Ah, the errant son returns!" He generated a mental blast that shook Gar down as Cyborg rushed to help him up.
"You can't get by with this crazy behavior, Dayton! Illness only counts so far!" said Vic.
Dr. Light turned to gasp as the lovely Kole posed before him. "Give up, old man. We have you outnumbered!" she said as Jericho came closer.
"On the contrary, my buxom child, I have you overpowered!"
Donna yelled, "Lilith! Gar! Vic! What's going on?"
Gar said, "It's Mento. He's gone mental."
Cyborg aimed his white sound at Mento, who shrieked as the high intensity sound broke his enhanced concentration.
"Kids today with their music!" joked Dr. Light as he aimed a small jewel at Kole. She produced a wall of multifaceted cystal over the distance that blocked his ray.
Jericho caught Mento's eye and took control of his body. He removed the helmet and hurled it down. "Release me!" cried the helpless Dayton.
Gar walked over to him and said, "Come on, we need to find you some help. I'll be there for you too... even if it means less time with the Titans."
Lilith faced her siblings as the two who ran Phaeton Industries appeared. "You carry your mother's looks and spirit, but you serve the Olympian usurpers!" said the man.
Lilith said, "Let the flames of healing restore your inner peace!" The lovely empath touched the man even as he pulled back and flames covered them both. In seconds, both stood unharmed, but the male was now docile.
"I've brought him peace. The roar of Thia's subtle commands burns no longer in his heart," she announced.
Behind the lovely girl stood her "sister". She said, "You witch! You betray the womb that gave you life! 'Twas ever the way of the Olympians!"
She aimed a strange device at the girl in the tiny tunic and sandals, but Kole acted first and a multi-faceted crystal shield caught the light ray and split it prism like to break the devices around them.
"No!" cried the woman in black as Hawk added his own power to toppled the regeneration device.
"Not gonna work today!" he grinned.
Garth tackled Dr. Light and said, "Back to your aborted reformation?"
Light sniffed coldly. "Bah!"
Donna said, "Flash is in there!"
At that moment Robin appeared as Flash rushed outside carrying the youth. "Robin freed me. Most guards were out here fighting you guys!" he said.
"Holy Houdini!" joked Jason Todd.
"Uh, please don't do that!" said Arsenal.
Lilith said, "My friends, I thank you for preventing the rebirth of Thia. Two of my innumerable siblings -- the Children of the Sun have been stopped. My crusade remains to use my powers to stop all of them as they emerge around this globe. Will you accept me among your number, either East or West?"
Arsenal smiled. "I'd accept you in that outfit in Titans East, Titans West, or Titans Mid-Michigan!"
Donna held Flash close. "Wally, what did they do to you?"
He said, "Mento planted some of his nightmarish visions in my mind. I'll be okay... just need time."
As they prepared to leave with the beaten foes and the ill Mento, they little knew that a world away, a reddish blond man said, "Where science failed, perhaps magic may restore Thia!"
He was one of perhaps hundreds of Thia's mad children and Lilith's earthbound career would be a very long one as she tried to stop the plans of them all.
He looked up in his empty office and stopped muttering as a secretary entered.
"Oh, Ms. Marlowe, is the President ready to see me now?" said the high ranking cabinet official.
"Yes sir, right this way!" she replied.