Titans Tomorrow #5

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TITANS TOMORROW #5

Fear, Itself: part 2


Written and edited by Joel A Sawyer



David Dagon huddled in the late evening darkness behind a good sized grocery store in a small, East Coast town. He had no idea where exactly he had appeared, he had simply chosen a direction and teleported. The store was closed for the evening, and no one could see him from the road.

The first twenty minutes he had spent calming himself down, meditating for some kind of control. The next twenty minutes found him wondering what had happened. For the most recent twenty or so minutes David had silently cussed himself out for not being prepared.

Of course, there is someone of a mystical nature, or at least evil intent. Why else would Raven have sent me there? She’s given you what you need: Offense, defense, transportation, and sensory abilities. Why did you run?

Because the fear was induced, his tiny, deductive voice told him.

David shook his head. He should have been ready, should have been scanning for magic or anything out of place. Dummy, he told himself, concentrating and letting his mystical feelers out. There was a contact almost instantly, a magical force miles away but coming quickly and steadily toward him.

David’s hands clenched into fists.

The shooting star closed the distance at unbelievable speed, and a shining, fiery chariot pulled by flaming horses arrived. Just as suddenly, they blinked out of existence, leaving a woman in red, ancient Roman clothing floating before him.

“I’ve come to bring you back or leave your corpse behind me. Which do you choose,” Arcana sneered.

Dagon’s appearance had changed dramatically in the moments before Arcana arrived. Now he wore a basic loose cloth pants and sleeveless shirt, both navy blue with black accents. The shirt included a hood much like Raven’s, now worn over David’s head. He also wore a loose overcoat, jet black with navy trim, flowing almost like a cape. In fact, David resembled an Asian monk with a black trenchcoat. A white, featureless mask, showing only eye-holes and an almost mechanical mouth, seemed to float in the shadow of the hood where a face should be. It seemed like there was no head behind the mask, only a void.

“I’ve always been good at multiple choice,” he stated, “I choose ‘D’, none of the above.”

“Then die,” Arcana said almost passively, a shaft appearing in her hand, “The Spear of Athena will rend your soul!”

“Not likely,” Dagon replied. As she threw the spear, a deep purple force rose out of Dagon’s body. It grew, spread out, and assumed a silhouette vaguely resembling a bat. Why a bat, Dagon wondered. His soul-self intercepted the spear, stealing its momentum and dropping it to the ground below.

“My teacher is generally a pacifist,” Dagon said in a hollow, spooky voice he had just created. “I am not. That opens some interesting possibilities.” With a wave of his hand, several blue scythes shot from his soul-self. Despite her inherent magical protection, the projectiles caused a red welt from the intense cold of the scythes.

“I have many gifts of Olympus to try on you,” Arcana spat.

The next retort on his now unseen lips was interrupted by that tiny voice of common sense within his skull. If you are defeated here, no one will know, it said.

Instantly, he changed his tactic, enveloping Arcana with his soul-self. In embraced her like a cocoon, wisps of deep purple flame drifting from the mass like solar flares.

Inside, Arcana found herself in pitch black darkness and unbelievable cold. The cold did not effect her physical body, it seemed to stifle her mind and smother her spirit. She grimaced, never feeling anything like it before, and called upon her strongest protective magic, The Aura of Hera. It would take a tremendous amount of power and push everything around her away whether it was physical or spiritual. She summoned the energies and released her spell, the void disappearing. She dropped to the tarmac and prepared her Shield of Ares for the next attack, but David Dagon had vanished.

Arcana smiled. Tricky little brat, she thought, but my leader has you marked. You cannot elude me. Arcana created another Chariot of Apollo and launched herself into the air.

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[Glippernip]

“That was fantastic,” Tamara gushed, dabbing her full lips with a silk napkin. Dr. Phineas Obos surprised them all with a five course meal, the entre an unusual combination of ostrich and Italian vegetables in an Asian garlic and sesame sauce. While Kilowatt had eaten previously, Tamara, Liana, and Taurus ate their fill even as the man-bull grumbled about preferring meat. Dr. Obos even had non-alcoholic, sparkling juices on hand for the youths. Tamara quietly hiccup-burped into the napkin, her eyes popping open and color rushing into her cheeks. Liana snickered but the boys ignored it. Tamara glanced at Dr. Obos, who smiled good-naturedly.. He heard that, she thought, shriveling inside just a bit.

You’re acting like a school girl, she told herself.

You were a school-girl just a few months ago, she answered herself sternly.

“Have we eaten our fill,” Dr. Obos asked, standing. He looked at Taurus mostly, who ate two platefuls of the main dish and four rolls despite his meaty preferences. As the psychiatrist led the foursome to another room, Tamara again noted how handsome he was. Tall, darker complexion, styled black hair, strong face, and blazing brown eyes, she found herself very distracted. They stopped in a fairly large sitting room which included framed documents, pictures, and even memorabilia from Dr. Obos’ travels, many under glass on white stone pedestals. He offered each of them a seat, even a larger, heavy-duty chair for Taurus.

“This is where I come to think, to plan,” Phineas began, “The items here mean a great deal to me and my future.”

“Your future,” Kilowatt asked, curiosity playing on his brown-skinned young face.

“Indeed,” Obos replied, “Although I’ve been adult for many years, I’m seeking approval from my father.”

“It seems you should be working toward your own goals,” Tamara blurted out, instantly feeling impertinent.

“You are still young, and have a very supportive family,” he answered. Tamara cocked her head questioningly, and Obos continued, “Yes, Ms. Markov, I know of your family. In my studies of emotions, I’ve looked into what drives costumed crime-fighters. If you look on the wall...” They all turned to see a golden, faceless mask hanging prominently like a businessman’s first dollar. “That is The Medusa Mask, which can mystically control emotions. I realize that, for as long as it is in my possession, someone may come after it. As far as my father is concerned, we are currently not on speaking terms. He thinks I am a failure, and I’m in the process of changing his mind, at least I hope to.”

“Dr. Obos, you said you’ve made some observations about the people of Opal City,” Kilowatt suggested.

“Of course,” Dr. Obos said with a smile.

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The Roost, Ivy City, at this point a temporary HQ for the five individuals making up The Titans. Gabriel Lyons walks in from a 3 mile run, not a record breaking time but certainly getting his blood pumping. Alexandra sat on the sofa watching a 3D holo-image. He grinned and asked, “Cheesy martial arts video?”

“Wonder Woman’s speech from Kasnia,” she replied absent-mindedly. She wore yellow, full body pajamas that clashed frighteningly with her pink hair. Alexandra was not a gorgeous babe, but she usually walked and talked with great confidence and seemed to know what she wanted to be. For a 19 year old girl, that was pretty impressive. Her only sore spot seemed to be her heritage.

“Again,” Gabe asked incredulously, “How many times have you watched that?”

“Dunno.. Ten, twelve.”

“Really impressed you that much,” he queried.

“There was a big fight in Gateway between Wonder Woman and a winged girl. The news coverage made me want to see this again. Didn’t she impress you,” she asked, her eyes regarding him with interest.

“It was like she was speaking for us,” he griped, “I mean, who is she? Obviously not the original Wonder Woman. It should have been Kal-El, Static, Flash, even Green Arrow.”

“But none of them stepped up,” Alex pointed out, “If any of them, particularly Superman, had asked to address the world like that, someone would have obliged. You can’t blame Wonder Woman for having the guts to do it.”

“Well...”

[Glippernip]

A rush of cold air swept through the living room, causing goosebumps to run up Gabe’s sweaty arms. A moment later, dark smoke bloomed from the floor. A strange, white-faced apparition in a black overcoat stood before them.

“I am Phantasm,” it boomed in a spooky, hollow voice, “You are needed in Opal City!”

Gabe moved like lightning, vaulting over the couch Alexandra sat on, triggering the Palmer Affect, and grabbing the intruder. It was Battalion who slammed the newcomer against the wall. “Alert code 3,” he bellowed, ordering the computer to notify the others. Starbolt, who had heard the commotion, arrived first with Jon getting there moments later.

“What’s up, guys,” Cardinal’s voice said from the comm system.

“Get here ASAP,” Battalion barked, “We have an uninvited guest.”

“Be there in five,” she replied over the comm.

The scary approach worked well, David thought to himself. “You don’t understand,” he told them, “I’m here for assistance.”

“Let him go, Battalion,” Starbolt suggested, “Give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Battalion grinned wickedly, a silent warning, then let Phantasm go. Dagon straightened.

“There is great evil in Opal City, and I need help to deal with it.”

“Have we met,” Ryand’r asked, “Your stance looks very familiar to me.”

Damn, he’s good, David mused. He lifted a hand, plucked off the white mask, and pulled the hood off his head. “My name is David Dagon. You saw me at the funeral.”

“You were with Raven,” Starbolt declared.

“Tell us your story,” Battalion added, now intrigued.

In short form, Dagon told them what had happened. “So you came for help because someone scared you,” Battalion laughed.

“The fear was induced,” Phantasm stated, mask and hood back in place, “Once the effect faded, I realized I might need aid.”

“So give us a reason other than boredom for us to help you,” Starbolt challenged.

“Besides that I am Raven’s pupil?” Dreggs, he thought. “Tamara Markov-Logan was one of those who entered the estate.”

Battalion and Starbolt glanced at each other. “Who is Tamara,” Fusion asked, now in her glittery light armor.

“A member of the family,” Starbolt answered.

“We can leave once Cardinal arrives,” Battalion said.

“No time,” Phantasm said, looking away, “My pursuer is here, now!”

[Glippernip]

With a thunderous crash, an outer wall blew inward. Arcana floated through the newly made entrance, and she threw Athena’s Spear. The weapon tore through everything it touched: a table, the carpet, the adjoining wall and into the next room. Starbolt screamed and convulsed when it hit him, and he crumpled to the floor. Battalion launched himself at her, but she sidestepped and waved her hand at him, paralyzing him. Even as Fusion rushed in and punched Arcana, another Battalion formed next to the original. They looked at each other.

“You just don’t know who you’re messing with,” they both said before attacking each other.

Suddenly a bit scared, Fusion struck Arcana again, slamming her into the comm-system. “Had enough,” Fusion asked.

“Arrow of Eros,” Arcana muttered, lifting her hands as if raising an invisible bow and drawing the string. When she released, a white dart shot from her outstretched arm. Fusion adjusted her position to take the missile in the shoulder, expecting it to deflect off her armor, but the missile hit, spread out over her, and she shook herself as if confused.

“Your protectors are weak,” Arcana told Phantasm, “I’m taking you back.”

“We’ll see,” Phantasm answered. Suddenly, the comm system behind Arcana fell onto her. With a huge crash of shattering plastic, Arcana landed on her stomach with the crippled electronics on top of her. Fusion looked at Arcana, then at Phantasm, then she shot forward and slammed Phantasm with both of her fists to his back.

“Look, Amityville, if you think I’ll let you hurt my best friend like that, you’re sadly mistaken!”

Starbolt stood, a bit unsteady. “Fusion, what are you talking about,” he questioned.

“Are you blind,” she shouted, “My friend came to visit and Battalion and this horror show attacked her!”

“She attacked me before we even said anything,” Starbolt argued, “You hit her a minute ago!”

“That was a misunderstanding! You understand, don’t you,” Fusion called to Arcana, “It was a mistake.”

“Of course,” Arcana smirked, rising to her feet, “Friends will have their arguments, but they want to harm me.”

“I won’t let them,” Fusion warned, “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

The two Battalions crashed through a wall into what was a guest bedroom. “This looks bad,” Starbolt said to Phantasm, “Any ideas?”

“Arcana is a spellcaster,” the mystic stated, “We must break her concentration, hit her in ways she can’t anticipate.”

“Sounds like my queue,” Cardinal shouted, flying through the hole in the wall and kneeing Arcana in the head.

“Cardinal, NO,” Fusion shrieked, firing a spectrum at the winged girl. With her new array of senses, Carrie felt the attack coming and averted her eyes. Once the attack ended, Cardinal drew her Talon Whip, basically a whip with a small, grasping claw at the tip, and with a sharp CRACK , tied Fusion’s legs together.

Taking advantage of Cardinal’s entrance, Phantasm extended his hand, and Arcana felt her gut twist, the contents of her stomach wanting to come back up. She wobbled, and Starbolt advanced her difficulties with a Psi-bolt migraine. Phantasm’s soul-self emerged and engulfed the fake Battalion, dispelling the duplicate. Battalion shook his head, his red mane-like hair and beard swishing back and forth. “What did you do to me,” he whispered, then he growled, “You are going to PAY for that!”

Arcana, still swept by nausea and a splitting headache, saw Starbolt, Phantasm, Cardinal, and Battalion readying an attack. He will be angry, she thought.

“Olympus,” Arcana whispered, and she winked out of the room with a ‘pop’.

“Good,” Fusion laughed, “Now you can’t hurt...now you...oh, Lord, what am I doing?” Her terror was thick in her voice.

“Calm down,” Battalion told her softly, “You were under a spell.”

“Easy for you to say,” she cried, “My first act as a Titan and I end up attacking my team-mates.”

“And I couldn’t think of anything else but to attack my other self. Until Phantasm stepped in, I was useless. Thanks, by the way,” Gabe said to Phantasm, then he turned back to Fusion. “Don’t let it get to you. Just be ready next time.”

“Speaking of which, Jon, are you still here,” Starbolt called.

“Sure,” Jon Levine said, reentering the room. He had a small pistol in his hand. “Don’t know what I could have don, but I was about to try.”

“Do you think you can pilot the plane we took from Judge and Jury?”

Sure thing, Ry,” Jon said confidently, “That thing is completely automated, and I’ve already hacked into its systems.”

“We need to get to the launch site, fast,” Ry explained.

“With that, I can help,” Phantasm said, smiling under his mask.

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[Glippernip]

“Opal’s citizens are experiencing their greatest fears at night,” Dr. Obos was saying.

Liana slowly strolled around the room looking at the treasures in the Doctor’s collection. Many of the items were from ancient Greece or Rome, but some had strange names attached. One small, nondescript trinket was named ‘Yellow Power Ring’, another was called an ‘Orb of Ra’. Metallic things were not Liana’s strong point, not like wood, so she really couldn’t tell if the items held any real power.

“Even fears a person is not aware of may come up,” Obos voice droned, “Everything; common fears like spiders, bees, or lightning, or uncommon anxieties like fear of spouse infidelity or injury to a child. I’ve even seen fears such as a fear of being less significant than siblings in a large prominent family...”

Tamara blinked, sitting up straighter.

“...a fear of responsibility suddenly thrust upon you...”

Charlie (Kilowatt) gasped slightly.

“...even a fear of never being truly human again.”

“How do you know so much about us,” Taurus growled.

[Glippernip]

Liana continued her examination, not paying attention to the exchange. The next trophy was an intricate golden idol holding four glass lenses. It was marked ‘The Avatars of Vishnu’.

The same statue Arcana had stolen from the Midway Museum.

Turning, she said, “You are the one causing the fear in Opal City, aren’t you?”

“Indeed,” Dr. Obos answered. Tamara, Kilowatt, and Taurus were not moving at all.

“And now you have my friends.”

“Yes,” Obos agreed.

“I’m going to try to stop you,” Liana warned.

Phineas Obos stood, his form changing. His blue suit morphed into midnight blue armor resembling that of an ancient Roman soldier. Like European plate armor, the arms, legs, and hands were protected as well. Shadows swallowed his face, but his eyes blazed red, glowing like malicious coals.

“You can try, little elemental,” he boomed. She recoiled a bit and he continued, “Yes, I know what you are, little one. I also know I have nothing to fear from one of your kind. Then again, who really has any chance against Phobos, the God of Fear?”

To Be Concluded...

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