Titans Bludhaven Issue 1: Nobody Enjoys Losing
"Since the days Robin first appeared, many young meta humans have taken on their own superhero identities. There have been many different incarnations of Titans teams throughout time but the goal of the team has always remained the same. To create a family out of strangers. Alone they are heroes, together they are the Teen Titans."
~Bludhaven, Titans Tower~
Bludhaven, not quite as populated with crime as Gotham City, but that doesn't mean it's a place many would chose to live in. Red Robin chose to set up a Titan's base in Bludhaven as a favor to his brother, Nightwing since he could no longer give his city the full attention it so desperately needed. When the Titans in San Francisco broke up to create Titan's International, Cassie volunteered to lead the Titans Bludhaven while Red Robin took care of his own personal matters in Louisiana. Cassie held a casting call in Bludhaven to form a Titan's team, and after many weeding out the many teens who did not have what it truly takes to be a Titan, she ended up with, Bombard, a former Titan and progeny to Big Barda. He's a fierce warrior who was raised on Apokolipse in Grandaddy Goodness' orphanage. Bombards mighty strength, impressive combat skills, and nigh-invulnerability make him an excellent addition to the team. Hotshot was another recruit that was accepted. He's a relatively new and young hero, but his sensational marksmanship and strong sense of justice made Cassie see him as a valuable asset.
This tiny Titan's roster remained that way until a mission forced Cassie to find help from Jack the Jester because of his connections to the villain underworld. Jack the Jester is a meta-human who was being chased by N.O.W.H.E.R.E. He possesses limited super strength and enhanced agility making him and amazing acrobat. Jack as a teen, when heroes started to arise, feel in love with Harley Quinn. As soon as his meta-gene kicked in, Jack ran away from home and dawned a red and black jester's bodysuit like his idol and became Jack the Jester, a young vigilante. The final member was an unexpected addition sent from the Justice League. HG Mercury, the new sidekick to Captain Atom appeared at the tower without the approval of Cassie, causing tension between the two, but after working together they soon earned each others respect. Cassie even went so far as to appoint HG Mercury second in command, since she was often needed elsewhere like she was on this eventful day for the Titans...
HG Mercury was keeping a watchful eye on the city through the Titan's monitors.This wasn't the first time Cassie left him in charge, but HG Mercury still didn't want to make a mistake while he was leading the team. From what he viewed so far, nothing that required the Titan's assistance was happening. Since Cassie's departure, HG Mercury decided to stay on monitor duty around the clock, which didn't bother the other Titan's in the least, accept for Jack the Jester who was eager to find out what HG Mercury was up to.
Jack tip toed his way over to the monitor room, and tried to sneak in by manually opening the door instead of entering the code, but despite his efforts to be stealthy HG Mercury still heard him enter. He looked over his shoulder, so Jack was aware that he'd been spotted.
(HG Mercury) What is it, Jester?
(Jack the Jester) Aw nuts! How did you know it was me?
HG Mercury directed his attention back to the monitors.
(HG Mercury) Your stealthy, but not enough to get past me. Why are you here?
(Jack the Jester) I was just coming to say hi, you haven't left this room in a whole day! Don't you think you should take a break?
(HG Mercury) My Dilustel armor is self sustaining. I do not require sleep. Now, if that was your only concern, then know that I am fine. Now leave me to my work.
(Jack the Jester) Don't be such a stick in the mud.
Jack acrobatically flipped and tumbled his way over to HG Mercury, who still had not looked at him since he entered the room.
(Jack the Jester) You wouldn't be so grumpy if you didn't spend so much time in this joyless, and not to mention, incredibly boring room.
(HG Mercury) I'm not here to have fun, I'm here to do the job I was sent here to do.
Jack let out a soft sigh, then began playfully twirling around HG Mercury who still did not pay attention to him.
(Jack the Jester) Your never this serious when Cassie's here.
(HG Mercury) Because I am not responsible for the team when she's here.
HG Mercury noticed that Jack kept slowly eying him up and down as he spun around him.
(Jack the Jester) So, what's underneath your Duelersteal armor shell thingy. From the looks of the outside, I'd say you must have a rockin body.
He was referring to HG Mercury's silver outer layer. This wasn't Jack's first attempt at flirting with HG Mercury. In fact Jack's quite persistent in letting him know what he wants, but HG Mercury didn't mind very much, that is when it does not interfere with the teams work on the field. He actually found it slightly amusing that Jack was so eager to try and get him in bed, but he was straight and had no real intention of hooking up with his teammate.
(HG Mercury) It's a little more... complex then that.
(Jack the Jester) Really, I'd love to take a peak.
HG Mercury softly chuckled to himself for a moment.
(HG Mercury) Maybe another time.
As if he said those words on cue, the Titans alarm began wildly blaring throughout the tower.
(HG Mercury) Computer. Find the source of the alert.
A few screens appeared in front of the two heroes revealing a young man with short brown hair, desperately trying to defend himself against a rather large meta-human with pyrokinetic abilities, relentlessly torching the city.
(Jack the Jester) Hey that's Holocaust. What's he doing in Bludhaven? His territory's in Dakota.
(HG Mercury) The distress call came from Avalon Heights. Suit up, get the others, and meet me in the hanger. We have a meta-human to stop.
~Avalon Heights, Lance Sanders~
{{Lance}} It's been a month since I left my home in search of Static. After he left Dakota to join the Teen Titans, Holocaust grew more and more violent, sending me constant threats about how he'd destroy everything I cared about unless I joined his Blood Syndicate gang, but that's something I can not do and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if my family got hurt because of me. So, I ran away to protect the people I love and hopefully to find Static. He saved me once before when Holocaust kidnapped me shortly after I was caught in the Big Bang. He protected me ever since that day, but then he suddenly disappeared and Dakota fell apart. I saw on a website that he joined the Teen Titans and started my journey to Bludhaven, the closet Titans team to me at the moment.
As my luck would have it, I barely managed to make it to Bludhaven without the metafeds trying to capture me, but before I could reach Titans Tower Holocaust caught up to me, and now here I am desperately running for my life from a psychopathic firebender.
I still don't understand why he puts so much effort into capturing me. There are many meta-humans out there and I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to find one more powerful then me.
Lance took a sharp left down the cluttered alley to temporarily get out of Holocaust sight. He spotted a dumpster and for a second considered hiding inside it, but chose not to trap himself and hid behind the dumpster instead. Holocaust left giant foot prints in the concrete floor stomping his way to the alley he saw Lance run down. He examined the dumpster and figured Lance might have hid in there.
(Holocaust) If your in that dumpster, Lancy you better get ready cause it's about to get hot!
{{Lance}} Whew, good thing I didn't hide in there. I would have been toasted, and I gotta think fast. After that dumpster melts away he's going to see me. I'll just make a run for it while he's distracted with that.
Holocaust laughed before he began to torch the dumpster. It burst into flames as it slowly began to melt down. Lance was forced to back away from the enormous amount of heat that was being produced which soon led to Holocaust spotting him. Lance scrambled to get to his feet, then immediately began dashing down the alley trying to escape his stalker.
(Holocaust) Better run fast!
Soon the alley way became engulfed in flames. A cyclone of fire followed close behind Lance. He could feel the heat lingering on the back of his neck as he desperately tried to outrun the inferno. Lance made it out of the alley and right before the flames scorched him, he quickly dove to safety. The citizens on the street instantly began screaming in a panic, as they pulled out their phones to either record the event or call the metafeds.
{{Lance}} Uh oh, this isn't good. If I use my powers here they'll turn me in for sure, but if I don't try to defend myself Holocaust is going to get me.
Holocaust emerged from the flames he created and immediately directed his attention to Lance with a cocky smiled across his unnaturally pale face.
(Holocaust) Running's not going to get you very far now that I've finally caught up with you, Lance. I really don't understand why you have to be so difficult about joining the Blood Syndicate. You'll be able to have anything you desire with us, and besides were going to get you anyway.
Lance put himself into a defensive stance as he prepared himself to fight.
(Lance) I see that I have no choice, but to fight... I will not yield.
Holocaust's eyes suddenly shifted to a bright fiery red as orbs or flames engulfed both of his fist.
(Holocaust) Let's see about that.
Holocaust shot one high powered fireball at Lance while the other blew up a building some pedestrians where taking cover under. Lance generated an invisible kinetic large triangular shield to deflect the flaming sphere Holocaust shot at him. The crowd scattered in a panic as they tried to escape the collapsing building and Lance knew that if he didn't do something quick, they'd all be crushed.
Lance focused his telekinetic strength on the building to keep it together while the civilians underneath got a chance to escape. It was a little heavy for Lance to keep in place but it wasn't so strenuous that he couldn't handle the pressure. While Lance was distracted with keeping the building intact Holocaust surrounded Lance's perimeter with massive amounts of flames.
After making sure everyone escaped the building, Lance instantly created a kinetic dome around himself to be guarded from the flames. Inside his little safe bubble, it was impossible for Lance to make out anything happening through the flames.
(Holocaust) Cute trick, but that won't be nearly enough to save you.
Holocaust burst though the flames and punched Lance's dome with enough strength to completely shatter it. Lance immediately blacked out and collapsed to the ground from the force of the impact. After finally capturing his victim, the flames around the two diminished.
(Unknown Person) How about this trick!
Three white arrows with red tips where quickly approaching Holocaust. The villain held one hand up and generated a tiny firewall, instantly incinerating the arrows upon impact. A boy was revealed to be the one who shot the arrows, wearing an orange jumpsuit with a red hood that connected into a tiny cape. He was with three other teenage heroes, the one in the middle had metallic shiny skin and an atom symbol on his chest. The boy to his left wore red, gold, and blue dragon scale armor, and carried a long golden spear. The last young man with the group had on a sleeveless, extremely low cut, red and black jester's bodysuit and a black domino mask. He carried a red and black mallet with him, one placed securely in each of his hands.
(Hotshot) Dammit, that would have been a direct hit.
(Jack the Jester) Maybe next time you shouldn't let them know your attacking by calling it out.
(Hotshot) Who are you to talk. You do it almost every time.
(Jack the Jester) Yeah, but it's expected from me, if...
(HG Mercury) Boy's, please try to stay focused. We have a mission to do.
HG Mercury directed his attention to Holocaust who was now holding Lance hostage, with his massive arm around Lance's skinny neck.
(Holocaust) Obviously your some little group of Titan's. Stay out of this! I have no business with you. This boy belongs to me!
When Bombard got a clear view of Lance's face, his jaw nearly dropped to the ground. Lance bared an impeccable resemblance to a close friend that he had to abandon on Apocalypse when Big Barda set him free.
{{Bombard}} It can't be... Amadues... can it?
(HG Mercury) I'm well aware of who you are Holocaust. The Titans have you on file. That boy doesn't belong to anyone. Now, I'm only gonna ask you once, give us the boy and surrender yourself and this can end on a good note. If you refuse we will be forced to act.
(Holocaust) Hmm... that's a really enticing offer, but I'm gonna have to pass. SHADOW!
Holocaust as well as Lance soon started to become covered in a dark aura.
(HG Mercury) Titan's move!
The four young heroes sprang after the quickly fading Holocaust but before any of the Titan's could stop him, he vanished in the dark energy. Luckily Jack the Jester assumed that no one would make it anyway and tossed a tracking device on the inside of Lances jacket at the last moment.
(Hotshot) So... he got away?
(HG Mercury) For now.
Jack jumped in front of HG Mercury's sight so he could not look past him.
(Jack the Jester) Well he won't be getting very far. I snagged that boys jacket with one of these bad babies as soon as we got here.
Jack pulled out another one of his many track devices he kept in the handle of his mallet. They were half red and half black with Jack's face on the front grinning widely. His blonde hair covered most of his forehead in the picture since he kept his bangs semi long.
(Jack the Jester) We can use the computer at home to track down that big meanie!
(HG Mercury) Quick thinking, Jester... I have to admit I am surprised.
(Jack the Jester) Good, cause I've got a ton more.
(HG Mercury) Okay, team lets get back to the tower, find Holocaust, and save that boy before anything happens to him.
All four Titans quickly agreed, then re-boarded their jet they arrived in, provided by Queen industry's then returned to the tower.
NEXT ISSUE: Find out who the BLOOD SYNDICATE is and what their plans are for Bludhaven, in the next thrilling issue of, Titans Bludhaven
AUTHOR NOTE: First I would like to thank MadrinGenesis for allowing me to use his OC for this titan's team HG Mercury. I'd also like to thank Koopaangel7177 for allowing me to use their OC Hotshot who will be a main member of the Bludhaven team. Thanks and subscribe to know when the next issue come out. Also for more information and pictures as well as much more information, visit my profile for a link to the Earth-69 official website co-created by MadrinGenesis and after don't forget to vote what you thought about it on our poll. Thank you again loyal readers.