Titan's Tomorrow Issue 2... A Dark Future Is Discovered
Batman gently placed Wonderboy in a safe area away from the fight.
(Batman) Stay here Titus.
"How does he know who I am? I've never met Batman before," Before Wonderboy could question himself, Batman took off after the Joker. Wonderboy directed his attention to the Marauder's fight in time to see a blonde woman in gold and red amazon armor with a luminous red lasso tying up Harley Quinn next to the Marauder. Wonderboy tried to maintain consciousness but soon blacked out from the loss of blood.
While knocked out Wonderboy felt as if someone where speaking to him in his mind. A faint voice lingered in the back of his mind. 'I t's al ie. Don tbe lie ve wha t the ys ay . Ru naway. Yo ur ind ang er!' Wonderboy saw an image of the Zenith Defenders head quarters for a short moment before a powerful force awoke him from his slumber.
Wonderboy gasped for air, rubbing his chest in an attempt to calm himself down. The Marauder was already by his side apparently waiting for Wonderboy to wake up.
(Marauder) Titus what's wrong? Your body's trembling.
Wonderboy slowly caught his breathe, then sat up straight to face his friend. Still softly panting Wonderboy began to explain.
(Wonderboy) I... I think someone tried to contact me telepathically... just a second ago. They were trying to warn me about something, but before I could get any useful information an outside force broke the link.
Wonderboy and the Marauder's conversation was interrupted by a code being punched on the door outside. After the series of beeps stopped a metallic door slid open revealing the blonde woman from before in red and gold Amazon armor with a man who clearly was the Marauder of this time line. If Wonderboy's Marauder wasn't standing beside him, he still would have been able to easily decipher that it was not his friend. This Marauder wore red in place were the white used to be. His hair was also significantly longer. After taking a closer look at the blonde woman, Wonderboy quickly came to the realization that it was Cassie. She didn't look to much older, but it was still apparent that she had done some growing.
(Cassie) Titus your awake, wonderful! How are your injuries doing?
Wonderboy felt his chest and realized for the first time he didn't have a shirt on. He looked down to see his pants had also been removed. Bandages were strapped where Wonderboy had been shot. Quickly he unraveled them and examined the area he been previously shot. The bullet hole in his chest completely healed as well as the graze on his thigh.
(Wonderboy) It looks like I'm okay. Thank you for taking care of me. What happened?
(Cassie) After the Marauder subdued Harley Quinn we took you three back to our head quarters to give you and Bart medical attention. Bart is still knocked out but he'll recover soon.
Wonderboy examined the medical room he was in and instantly knew it wasn't the same as the one in Titans Tower.
(Wonderboy) I see. So are we in San Francisco?
Cassie chuckled as if Wonderboy said something ridiculous.
(Cassie) We haven't been located in San Francisco for quite some time. Were in Washington DC at the Hall of Justice.
Wonderboy's eyes burst open in shock.
(Wonderboy) Your the Justice League now, so soon? Where are the founding members?
Cassie's face went from cheerful to distraught as soon as Wonderboy mentioned the founding members. The Marauder and Wonderboy gave each other a quick confused glance. Apparently the Marauder had not heard this story yet either.
(Cassie) I'm not at liberty to say much because it could pollute the time stream, but what I can tell you is that a great Crisis occurred. Our mentors had no choice, but to give up their lives in order to save the world. Now we have taken their place not as a new Justice League, but as the Justice Tyrants.
Cassie's voice became eerily dark towards the end of her speech. It Wonderboy slightly uncomfortable.
(Wonderboy) So where's the rest of the League at?
(Cassie) Superman, Batman, Animal Man, Black Adam, Malevolent Man, Flash and Aquawoman are all on duty. It's just me, the Mythic Marauder, and Dark Raven here at the hall.
(Wonderboy) Woah time out! Black Adam's in the Justice League? And who in the world is Malevolent Man? That doesn't sound like a hero at all.
(Cassie) I'm sorry but I'm saying too much. We don't want to risk altering the time line with a few simple words.
Suddenly red light filled the room as the sound of an alarm blared throughout the hall of Justice. Superman appeared on the flat screen, with the sound of explosions and screams filling the background.
(Superman) Cassie, were having a little difficultly containing the threat. We need your assistance.
(Cassie) Got it. I'm taking off right now
The flat screen went black as soon as Cassie reassured Superman she'd be on the way.
(Cassie) I'm sorry about this. Once we handle everything we'll figure out a way to send you home. Just relax here at the hall.
(Wonderboy) Will you need our help?
(Cassie) No stay here. You two aiding us in this battle could pollute the time stream.
Wonderboy mumbled under his breathe.
(Wonderboy) I'm getting sick of being told that...
With that last word she flew off to help Superman. Wonderboy was weary to stay at the hall. Something didn't seem right about this future Justice Tyrants team. Everything seemed to have taken a darker turn. It definably wasn't how Wonderboy pictured his future. He wanted to speak to Revan in private but the Mythic Marauder seemed to be baby sitting the two young heroes.
(Wonderboy) I think I'm gonna chill on the roof for a bit. Will you join me Revan?
(Marauder) Sure.
On their way out the Mythic Marauder stared the two down as if they were about to do something wrong but they just ignored him. When they got to the roof the Marauder instantly gave Wonderboy a cigarette. Wonderboy planned on asking him for one but the Marauder figured it was the reason Wonderboy wanted go up there and so they could speak in private. They lit their cigarette's then took a seat on the ledge of the roof.
(Wonderboy) Something's seriously not right Revan.
(Marauder) I'm aware, look at the city. Just take a second to really listen and let it sink in.
Wonderboy slowly examined the city and kept his hearing sharp. Not one person walked the streets and it was the middle of the day. It almost felt like they were in a ghost town. Titus had to really focus on his super hearing just to hear the peoples heartbeats in the surrounding area. Whatever the city was doing, they made sure not to make a sound.
(Wonderboy) Everything's so... blank and empty. It's like they've all lost their will to live, but don't have the courage to take their own life.
(Marauder) I've noticed it ever since I arrived at the hall. Something's off about this League and I'm pretty sure were not safe here.
'Asa n Amer ica n citiz enI giv eup myr ight sto fe ela nytr ace ofemo tion tha t couldlead to cr ime.I nexc han gefor m yemoti onsI wi llbe protec t ed byt he almig hty and po werf ul Ju sti ce Tyr ants. Int he Jus tic e Tyra nts w e tru st, In the Ju sti ceT yra nts we believe, I nth e J usti ce Tyr antswe f ollow , W ith the Ju stice T yran ts we are fre e... As an Ame ricanc itiz en I...' Wonderboy was stunned he got such a loud telepathic message. When he thought about it, something about him still didn't feel quite right. It was possible that his powers could be fluctuating, and that would explain why his telepathy was triggered. The Marauder noticed the sudden look of confusion and worry that overpowered Wonderboy's face.
(Marauder) Titus what's the matter? Did you see something?
(Wonderboy) No, I got... a telepathic message like, a new National Anthem for America, but it was... it was horrible! I think in this future we took the emotion away from the people. That's why everything is so vacant meaning...
(Marauder) Meaning we can't trust these Justice Tyrants.
The Marauder flicked his cigarette butt off the roof and quickly stood up.
(Marauder) C'mon we need to get Bart and get out of here.
(Wonderboy) Right!
The two heroes sped back inside the Hall of Justice. Before they reached the room Bart was being treated in, Wonderboy received another stray telepathic message. Wonderboy grabbed the Marauder by his arm and pulled him into an empty room so he could concentrate on hearing the distorted thought. The Marauder needed no explanation and patiently waited for Wonderboy to collect the message.
'Wh ata bu nch of sad puss y's! I'd t hinkaft er Supe rma nburn ing of fmy arm wit h heat visi onwo uld beenou gh bu tnow th ey ha veto br ing t heblo nde wo nder bitc h to u seh er fuc king irr itatin glass o. Theyca n to rture m eall th ey wa nt, I'll n ever talk! They'l l slip up a nd Iw ill esc ape' Wonderboy could tell from the tone of his voice that it was Deathstroke. The Justice Tyrants must have been torturing him somewhere in the hall.
(Wonderboy) Deathstroke is being tortured somewhere here for information by Superman, Wonder Woman and I think some others. They lied to us. They're not off on some mission. They're still here at the hall.
(Marauder) That's even more reason for us to hurry and get, Bart.
Wonderboy gave the Marauder a confirming nod. The two proceeded to exit the room they were hiding in and find their friend but were suddenly stopped by Cassie and the Mythic Marauder blocking their path.
(Cassie) Now were are you guys off to in such a rush.
(Wonderboy) Oh were not rushing anywhere. We just wanted to check up on Bart and make sure he's okay.
(Cassie) Don't worry about that, he's fine. We checked on him first thing when we returned.
(Marauder) While that is reassuring, we'd like to check on our friend ourselves. If you don't mind.
Cassie's face was beginning to show some irritation. She put her hands on her hips and took a deep slow breathe before continuing.
(Cassie) Listen we've got everything under control. Barts...
Wonderboy tuned out what Cassie was saying and entered her thoughts. Apparently the Marauder knew what he was up to as he kept distracting Cassie by unnecessarily furthering the conversation, which led to the group heading for the elevator that would take them to the subbasement.
'Go t dam mit! Wh y w on't th ey j ust li ste n tome! The ir sost ubborn. It's ha rd to beli eve we became friends ba ck then. If I can ju st get the m to come with me un dergrou nd wecan era se their me mories andse nd the mhome tosav eour fu ture, bu t I had no idea their w ould be so man y distr actions...' Wonderboy's body immediately tensed up. Now he knew how far the Justice Tyrants were willing to go to preserve their future. Wonderboy severed his link with Cassie then telepathically linked himself with the Marauder.
'Reva n c an y ouhe ar me?'
'Ye s loud a nd clea r, w hat's them atter Titu s?'
'Thi s is a tr ap! Their plan ning on e ra sing our mem ories as soon as we go dow nt heir. We n eed to lea ve!'
Instinctively the Marauder grabbed Wonderboy by his arm, and the two disappeared in a plume of black smoke. They reappeared right next to Kid Flash who was still unconscious. Wonderboy hoisted Kid Flash over his shoulder and then the three friends once again vanished in a plume of smoke far away from the Hall of Justice.