Episode 5: Simian
Jump City Titans Tower: 2:35pm. Mar'i and Damian were watching a history program about the Mayans.
Damian:
Why are we watching this again? When you invited me over, I thought we'd be snuggling up and watching a movie.
Mar'i:
As Grandpa Bruce's son, I thought you'd have a shared interest in ancient history. Besides, you never know when a villain will use some kind of ancient artefact to wreak havoc. Watching specials like these might show us such artefacts.
Narrator:
Prior to the end of his reign, the Mayan warlord Ar'zarok'h hid the Golden Monkey Idol deep beneath a temple in Belize; he was sacrificed shortly after. The idol hasn't been found for centuries, but legend has it that whoever finds the Idol first will have the ability to wake the warlord from his tomb.
The TV shows an artists impression of the Idol in question.
Damian:
It those rumours are true, then that Golden Monkey Idol is dangerous if put in the wrong hands.
Mar'i:
And with Murdoc's Uncles out and about, I don't want to think about what would happen if they catch wind of such an artifact.
Damian:
They wouldn't be interested in such devices.
Mar'i:
You heard what the narrator said. Anyone who finds the idol first can awaken Ar'zarok'h from his slumber. And if this warlord is as dangerous as this special depicts him, and if Murdoc's uncles get their hands on the Golden Monkey Idol, they can use it to revive him and sway him towards their side.
Crush comes in and sees what they're watching.
Crush:
Boring.
Mar'i:
We didn't ask for your opinion, Crush.
Crush:
I was just thinking of heading to the music store.
Damian:
We heard about how you hit it off with Murdoc's band mates. Are you going to take their offer and join their band?
Crush:
I'm thinking about it.
Mar'i:
Speaking of which I hear that Murdoc is slowly overcoming his bout with writer's block.
Damian:
Say, Crush, if you're serious about joining them, maybe you can give them some ideas for new songs.
Crush:
Do I look like a songwriter to you?
Damian:
You could try. Besides, it's good if you go out and meet more people.
Crush:
Meet more people.
Damian:
Yeah, there are plenty of girls out there.
Crush:
You think they'd be interested in, you know, someone like me?
Mar'i:
Hey my dad fell in love with my mom and she's just as much an alien as you.
Crush:
You think a human could love someone who craves violence?
Damian:
You never know until you go out there and search for yourself.
Mar'i:
Finding a partner is like choosing clothes; you try a few until you find the one. Don't settle for the first one you see.
Crush:
Right; I'll do it.
She leaves.
Mar'i:
Got rid of her for a couple of hours. Now maybe we can do something a little more fun.
Damian:
Way ahead of you. (Takes lip balm out from his pocket and applies it to his lips)
Mar'i and Damian press their lips against each other; Damian lies down and pulls Mar'i on top of him.
Gotham Academy: the same time. Helena Wayne is putting away her books when a tall black-haired Chinese-American boy wearing a red shirt walks by and drops a book. Seeing this, Helena bends down and picks the book up, handing it back to the boy.
Boy:
Oh, thank you.
Helena:
You're welcome. Say, are you new here? I haven't seen you around this school before.
Boy:
My family just moved here. My name's Marcus; Marcus Shugel-Shen.
Helena:
Helena. Helena Wayne.
Marcus:
So, you're Bruce Wayne's daughter?
Helena:
Yeah. And I have a brother named Damian.
Marcus:
I've heard a lot about you and your family when we first moved here.
Helena:
My family pretty much owns the city. But don't write me off as a spoiled or snobby rich girl who gets everything her way.
Marcus:
I don't judge. You don't look the type; you come off as more down to Earth.
Helena:
Thank you.
The two are now seen walking together down the hallway.
Helena:
So, where did you and your family move from?
Marcus:
We moved from Chicago. A really beautiful city if you haven't been there.
Helena:
I have been there, but not for baseball or sightseeing. How are you liking things here in Gotham so far?
Marcus:
It's fine. Quieter compared to Chicago. I don't really know anyone, or have any friends. I think you're the first friend I've ever made here.
Helena:
Well, first off, this city can be dangerous if you look hard enough. And second, maybe you can hang out with some of my friends?
Marcus:
What are they like?
Helena:
Kind of like me. Really cool, down to earth people that welcome new potential friends with open arms.
Marcus:
Maybe after school, you can take me to where you hang out.
Helena:
I'd like that. I'll text them right now and tell them that we'll be having a new friend joining us.
Marcus:
Will I get to meet the Bat Family? Or as my Dad calls them, Batman Inc?
Helena:
Huh?
Marcus:
As in Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman, Red Robin, Huntress.
He looked flustered when he mentioned Huntress.
Helena:
Something the matter?
Marcus:
No. I just think Huntress is cool.
Helena:
You have no idea how cool.
Marcus:
I can't wait to meet her if I get the chance.
Coast City Titans Tower; 2:40pm. Jaden was playing a video game in online multiplayer mode. Martin Jr. walks in and sees Jaden playing his game.
Martin Jr.:
Are ya winning?
Jaden:
Yes, 50 kills and haven't died once.
Martin Jr.:
Nice.
Suddenly, both Jaden and Martin Jr. get a text from Helena, and they read it to see what it's about.
Martin Jr.:
So, Helena's made a new friend, eh?
Jaden:
Yeah, and it says here she wants us to meet him.
As Jaden is distracted, his character gets shot; the words 'Hornet2031 Dead' appear on the top left of the screen.
Jaden:
Aww, damnit.
Martin Jr.:
This is why we don't text and game. Anyway, I'm going to go find Olivia and see if she got Helena's message.
Jaden:
She's on the roof.
On the towers' roof, Olivia was wearing a black bikini and sunglasses, lying on a deckchair while listening to the radio and drinking a soda, soaking up the last of the summers' sunrays.
Olivia:
(Sighs wistfully) I'm going to miss moments like these when the weather gets cooler.
A shadow appears over her, blocking the sun. Olivia opens her eyes and finds Martin Jr. standing over her, blushing madly.
Martin Jr.:
You got Helena's message?
Olivia:
I've been out here soaking up some rays.
Martin Jr.:
I...I can see that.
Martin Jr. blushes even harder causing Olivia to giggle.
Martin Jr.:
Anyway, Helena texted us saying that she' s made a new friend and she wants us to meet him.
Olivia sits up.
Olivia:
Does the message say where and when?
Martin Jr.:
Just says after school.
Olivia:
Well I'd like to meet this new friend of hers. Any friend of hers is a friend of ours. I'm changing into something more presentable.
Martin Jr.:
You do that. But if he has malicious intent I'll know.
Olivia:
Don't start reading their mind.
As Olivia makes her way inside, she gives Martin Jr. a kiss on the cheek, causing him to blush even deeper than before.
Jump City Tower; 2:45pm. Mar'i and Damian had stripped down to their underwear and her making out. Damian reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a condom.
Damian:
Are you ready?
Mar'i:
So ready! (Points to her bra) Just help me get this off.
Damian reaches around, and he is about to unhook her bra when Raven and Doctor Fate appear.
Raven:
Murdoc?!
Damian:
You couldn't give a heads-up?!
Doctor Fate:
No.
Mar'i:
(As she's covering herself up) What's going on with Murdoc? Is he alright?
Raven:
No. He ran away from home and we were thinking that he came through here.
Damian:
We would've heard him. He's not exactly quiet.
Doctor Fate:
So he's not here, then. Do either of you know of any other places where we could find him?
Damian:
Try the music store.
Mar'i:
Crush is on her way there right now. If you run into her, make sure she's made aware about what's going on with Murdoc.
Damian:
We'll be sure to tell the rest of the Titans when we see them...you know, once we've made ourselves more presentable.
Raven:
Alright; just hurry up.
Mar'i and Damian hurry to get dressed while Raven and Fate disappear through a portal to head for the music shop, not hiding their disappointment.
At the music store in downturn Jump City, Crush was looking at the bass guitars.
Crush:
Oh, what have we here?
She grabs a bass with pictures of skulls and flames on it. She takes it off the rack, picks up a pick and plays the start of 'Seven Nation Army'. The store clerk hears Crush playing and goes over to check on her.
Clerk:
Say, you're pretty good.
Crush:
Thanks.
Clerk:
Can't say I've seen you around here before. Did you just move here?
Crush:
You could say that.
Clerk:
You could be the next Joan Jett.
Crush:
You think I'm that good?
Clerk:
I don't think; I know.
Clerk:
So, you looking to buy this bass? I can sell it to you for a pretty good price?
As Crush and the Clerk were conversion a portal opens up outside of the music shop, as Raven and Doctor Fate step out of it before entering the music shop. The Clerk and Crush turn to face the two upon entering.
Clerk:
Can I help you?
Doctor Fate:
(Points at Raven) We're just looking for this young lady's son.
Clerk:
Haven't seen any kids around here. Wish I could help you folks.
Crush:
Wait, Murdoc's gone missing?
Raven:
Worse. He ran away from home. He could be anywhere in the world right now.
Crush:
We could try asking his bandmates if they've seen him.
Clerk:
Pay first before you leave.
Crush:
Uh...
Clerk:
If you don't have the money I can hold onto it for you until you can get it.
Crush thinks for a minute before taking a deep breath and handing the bass to the clerk.
Crush:
(Turns to Raven and Doctor Fate) Let's go, you two!
The three of them leave through another portal in search for Murdoc's bandmates to see if they can get answers from them.
Coast City Titans Tower: 3:40pm. Helena arrives in her Huntress outfit.
Jaden:
Are you sure it's a smart idea to tell your new friend that you're a part of the Teen Titans?
Huntress:
He seems trusting enough. Now, the rest of you should change.
Olivia:
If you say so.
They leave and return moments later in their Teen Titans outfits.
Green Canary:
Alright, we're all ready.
Green Lantern:
Not quite. We're still missing Murdoc.
Huntress:
He's just clearing his head; he'll catch up.
Impulse:
So where are we meeting this new friend of yours?
Huntress:
Outside. I gave him the location. We should probably wait out front for him right now. He'll be here any moment.
In Gotham, Marcus arrives at an apartment complex. He enters room #21.
Marcus:
Mom? Dad? I'm home!
Laura:
Marcus? We're in the kitchen. You hungry? We haven't gotten dinner started yet. We're maybe gonna order a pizza.
Marcus:
Can you save me a slice for later, please? I'm going out with some new friends tonight.
Winston:
Sure champ.
Laura:
What are these new friends of yours like?
Marcus:
Actually, I've only met one of them so far. But she's going to introduce me to the rest of her friends today. But I'll tell you, the one girl that I met today is one of the nicest people I've met since we got here.
Winston:
You met a girl already? You made friends quicker than I thought.
Laura:
How long do you think you'll be out?
Marcus:
Just a few hours.
He throws down his bag and leaves. Once he left, the phone rang. Winston picks it up.
Winston:
Hello? Yeah, we'll be there soon.
Coast City: 3:55pm. The Titans were waiting outside for their guest.
Huntress:
What's taking him so long?
Hornet:
You think he bailed at the last minute?
Impulse:
(Scoffs) Wuss.
Huntress looks into the distance and sees Marcus quickly approaching.
Huntress:
Oh! Here he comes now! Act casual.
Marcus:
Hey Helena. Why are you dressed like Huntress? Are you and your friends cosplayers?
Huntress:
No. This is the real deal.
She pulls out her collapsible crossbow.
Marcus:
No way! Does that mean your friends-
Green Lantern:
Yup, we're Titans too, pal.
He forms a giant fist with the help of his ring and Marcus fist bumps the green fist.
Hornet:
I'm Jaden Stone, the team leader.
He shrinks down, grows normal, flies around and pulls out his blaster.
Impulse:
I'm Bart Allen. You can say I come from a faraway land.
He runs out of the area only to return a few seconds later with a box of tacos in hand.
Impulse:
Taco? Fresh from Mexico.
Marcus:
Does it have mango salsa in it?
Impulse:
Yes.
Marcus:
Great.
He takes the taco and eats it.
Green Canary:
I'm Olivia Queen.
Marcus:
The daughter of the Oliver Queen who runs Queen Industries?
Green Canary:
Yup. And I'm one of the archers of the team. Care to see a demonstration?
Marcus:
Sure.
Green Canary loads an arrow into her bow, pulls back the string, aims at a fly and releases the arrow; the arrow hits the fly's wings and sticks it into a tree; the fly moves, still alive.
Marcus:
Whoa...
Green Lantern:
God I love her.
Huntress:
Let's go inside.
The Titans lead Marcus inside and they begin to show him around.
Marcus:
Whoa.
Huntress:
Yup, this is our base of operations.
Marcus:
This is unreal. I can't believe I'm in the Coast City Titans Tower! (He turns to face his new friends) You're not going to wipe my memory once we're all done here right?
Impulse:
No. Unless you were to have superpowers.
Marcus:
Actually, as long as we're all here, and you all revealed your secrets to me, I have a secret of my own that I want to share with all of you. Can you all just take a few steps back?
The Coast City Titans take a few steps back as Marcus clears his throat.
Marcus:
Biàn!
As soon as he says this, a puff of smoke surrounds Marcus; when it clears, a monkey was now occupying the spot where Marcus had been standing.; brown fur, a long tail, gold and red armour, red mask and pine-green pants; his shoes were gone, instead he was barefooted, displaying his opposable toes.
Huntress:
Marcus? Is that you?
Monkey Prince:
That's Monkey Prince to you, Huntress!
He stands on his hands and raises his feet, offering to shake her hand. Helena shakes Monkey Prince's foot-hand as he offers the same thing to everyone else.
Green Lantern:
This feels weird.
Impulse:
So what exactly can you do in this new form of yours?
Huntress:
Show us what you got. But first, (pulls out her phone) you'll need a sparring partner.
Green Canary:
Who are you going to call up?
Huntress selects Damian from her contacts list. A few short moments later, Robin and Nightstar arrive via the zeta tube, disappointed they got interrupted again.
Robin:
This better be important. (He notices Monkey Prince) Who's the monkey?
Monkey Prince:
Marcus Shugel-Shen, the Monkey Prince. At your service.
He extends his foot and offers for Robin to shake it. Robin and Nightstar shake his foot.
Nightstar:
Are you looking to join the Teen Titans, Marcus?
Monkey Prince:
As long as I'm in this state, I prefer to be called Monkey Prince.
Nightstar:
Of course, your highness.
Huntress:
I hope we didn't interrupt anything, brother, but we'd like for you to spar with Monkey Prince so we can see what he's capable of.
Robin:
(Cracks his knuckles) I can teach this primate a few things. Where did you find him?
Huntress:
He's a classmate at school.
Robin:
Accidentally exposed his powers?
Huntress:
Nope. I just showed him the base
Robin:
What?! Helena you just met him today, right?
Huntress:
Yeah!
Robin:
What if he's actually an undercover agent trying to expose the Titans?!
Huntress:
You're too paranoid brother.
Robin:
I'm just being cautious. (He shoots a glance at Impulse)
Robin:
Impulse, does this lead to anything?
Impulse:
I don't seem to remember files about Marcus.
Huntress:
(To Impulse) He's new here. (To Robin) Please, brother, give him a chance.
Robin:
Could you excuse us? (He pulls his sister out of the common room into the hall) Helena, you're usually more cautious so how did that boy get you to trust him quickly. I mean you just met him.
Huntress:
He seems nice enough. I just helped him pick up some dropped textbooks and we started chatting. He really wants to meet the Bat-Family, and there's no malicious intent behind his reasons.
Robin:
No malicious intent?! So what?! Are we suddenly going to pull random Batman fans off the street?! Why do you trust him?! Hell, why don't I invite the crackhead who claims to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman?
Huntress:
Where did you see him?!
Robin:
It's just an example
Huntress:
Please, just trust him. For me?
Monkey Prince opens the door, interrupting them.
Monkey Prince:
So are we going to spar or what?
Robin:
(Sighs deeply as he turns to face Monkey Prince) Very well. Come with me.
Robin leads Monkey Prince to the training area as the rest of the Titans follow after them.
Later, they're in the training room; Robin and Monkey Prince are in the middle of the room, facing each other. Robin had his sword out, and Monkey Prince had a staff out: Jingu Bang.
Robin:
You're going to need more than a stick to defeat me!
Monkey Prince:
Make my day!
Robin leaps at Monkey Prince with his sword in an overhead strike; however, before he can make contact, Monkey Prince flips, grabs him with his foot and slams him onto the ground.
Monkey Prince:
Is that really all you've got?
Robin:
Just make your move, chimp.
Monkey Prince:
I'd appreciate it if you didn't use that slur, bird-brain.
Robin and Monkey Prince charge at each other once again. Robin swings his sword and Monkey Prince blocks with his staff. This process continues until Monkey Prince sweeps Robin's leg, knocking him on the floor.
Monkey Prince:
You done?
Robin:
I can go all day.
Monkey Prince:
Have it your way!
He pulls out four hairs from his body and drops them on the floor; immediately, they turn into Monkey Princes, surprising everyone.
Hornet:
No way!
Monkey Prince and his clones all charge at Robin, but he manages to parry all of their attacks with his sword. He gets swiped in the back by the real Monkey Prince. This sends Robin down on his knees as the clones disappear.
Monkey Prince:
Had enough now?
Robin gets up.
Robin:
I'm done playing games.
In frustration, he slices Monkey Prince's arm off. Everyone gasps; Robin is left in complete shock. But to their surprise, Monkey Prince isn't bothered one bit as the severed arm reattaches itself to his body like nothing had happened.
Monkey Prince:
That actually kind of tickled, you know.
Robin is unable to comprehend what he saw.
Robin:
No way...
Monkey Prince chuckles victoriously to himself
Monkey Prince:
Give up yet?
Robin sheathes his sword.
Robin:
Yeah.
The crime alert begins blaring.
Monkey Prince:
What's going on?
Impulse:
It's our crime alert! A couple of guys are up to no good and starting a little trouble in our neighbourhood.
Hornet:
You've been watching Fresh Prince re-runs haven't you?
Impulse:
It's a good show, alright!
They return to the common room, where a red dot had appeared on the map.
Hornet:
It's not local. It's in Belize. Weird.
Damian:
Hey, Nightstar, isn't that the same place where that temple was located?
Green Canary:
What temple?
Nightstar:
Robin and I were watching a history special about this Golden Monkey Idol hidden within a temple in Belize. Apparently whoever has it can resurrect the great warlord Ar'zarok'h.
Impulse:
I thought we were done with the weird names after Robin and the whole League of Assassins nonsense.
Monkey Prince:
I heard about that conflict. What happened exactly?
Robin:
I'll explain it on the way over to Belize.
Monkey Prince:
Wait, you want me to come with you guys?
Green Lantern:
You barely just started.
Robin:
Were you not paying attention to our battle just now? He could be a real asset to us, you guys. I say we give him a chance.
Monkey Prince:
Alright, let's go.
Later, they're in the garage beneath the tower.
Monkey Prince:
So how are we getting to Belize anyway?
Hornet:
With this bad boy!
He reveals to Monkey Prince the T-Jet.
Monkey Prince:
Cool.
Hornet:
Get in.
The Titans and Monkey Prince get into the T-Jet (Hornet in the cockpit), open up the garage doors, and the jet flies off for Belize.
On the way to Belize; Hornet piloted the T-Jet from the cockpit, as the other Titans and Monkey Prince sat comfortably in the central area. Impulse was eating tacos as Robin decided to spark a conversation with Monkey Prince.
Robin:
So can you reattach any other body parts?
Monkey Prince:
Yep.
Robin:
You're not from around here, are you?
Monkey Prince:
Never was.
Huntress:
Where did you live before you moved to Chicago?
Green Canary:
Yeah, we would be interested to know your backstory on the way.
Monkey Prince breathes out.
Monkey Prince:
Okay, I was from a mystical realm out in the universe.
Impulse:
(His mouth full of tacos) So, like an alien?
Flashback begins: A world with pagodas, bonsai trees, cherry blossoms and pristine waters and fruits sit atop a floating rock.
Monkey Prince (Voice):
I came from the Heavenly Realm; a beautiful place. But I wasn't a physical being; I was just one of many strands of hair on the Monkey King. (A monkey, very similar to Monkey Prince, is seen sitting on a throne atop a mountain covered in fruit trees, eating a dragonfruit) Alongside other rulers, King Bull Demon and Princess Iron Fan and their son Red Boy, (A bull-like man with four arms, a pale woman wearing a pink-and-green gown, and a young boy are shown) there was peace and harmony for centuries, until he came.
Monkey King stops eating as a shadow looms over the realm; he and the two other rulers approach a landing ship. The ships' doors open, revealing Darkseid and an army of parademons. The three rulers of the Heavenly Realm summon their own army (Monkey King pulling off hairs to create clones of himself), as they charge at each other, casualties on both sides, though the parademons suffer more.
Monkey Prince (Voice):
Darkseid knew the battle was lost, so he ordered a retreat. But as he fell back, (Darkseid grabs King Bull Demon and punches him through the chest, tearing out his heart, causing him to drop dead, before using his omega beams to kill Princess Iron Fan and fatally wound Monkey King) he killed the rulers in cold blood, leaving just Red Son alive.
Darkseid leaves as Monkey King wakes up in the Phantom Zone on the brink of death.
Monkey Prince (Voice):
Monkey King was alive, but barely. His clones were vanishing, and before his life ended, he ordered them to revert to hairs on his body. (One clone hides under a rock) I didn't want to suffer that fate, so I hid, and he died. I transformed into a human baby and stayed there for years.
Flashback ends.
In the present: Monkey Prince pauses. Hornet sets the T-Jet to autopilot and joins his team in the central area.
Nightstar:
Our parents also had to face Darkseid but it was my mother who got rid of him.
Hornet:
It was teamwork. She may have delivered the final blow but she didn't do it alone.
Huntress:
Anyway, how did you get here?
Monkey Prince:
From what my parents told me they found me inside of a rock that my clone must've hid himself under.
Flashback resumes: A portal appears in the Phantom Zone. Ultra-Humanite enters through the portal.
Monkey Price (Voice):
Time is not relative in the Phantom Zone; it didn't feel like any had passed, but it was actually centuries.
Ultra-Humanite sees the body of Monkey King and smiles.
Ultra-Humanite:
You would make a worthy servant.
Monkey King, actually alive, gets up and sees Ultra-Humanite, and immediately gets into a defensive position.
Monkey Prince (Voice):
Monkey King wouldn't go down without a fight so he began hurling boulders at the white ape. What he didn't know was that I was in one of the boulders, and I was hurled through and ended up in your world.
The boulder holding the human baby is thrown into Gotham City, where two scientists (one male, one female) were working to keep the portal open. The woman hears a wail coming from the boulder.
Laura:
Winston, there's something in that boulder.
Winston:
Want us to extract it?
Laura:
It sounds alive.
The two scientists leave the portal projector and approach the boulder; it crumbles apart, revealing the baby who was still wailing.
Laura:
A baby?
Winston:
You mean that thing came from in there?
Laura:
(Picking up the baby) He looks healthy, and all alone. We should adopt him.
The baby opens his eyes and looks at the pair. Winston smiles.
Winston:
We should. And we should name you... Marcus. Marcus Shugel-Shen.
Laura:
I love it. Welcome to the family.
Marcus coos content; Winston and Laura smile and leave with him. Ultra-Humanite steps out of the portal as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash (Barry Allen), Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern (John Stewart) and Hawkgirl appear and begin fighting him.
Flashback ends.
In the present:
Monkey Prince:
So that's how I got here, and now I'm with you.
Robin:
If my father is involved, there must be information on the current location of this Monkey King. I'll have to talk to him about it after this mission.
Monkey Prince:
Oh the King is long gone, likely dead, making me the last bit of him in existence.
Huntress:
I'm sorry.
Monkey Prince:
But at least I got to meet you guys.
Robin:
Yeah.
Huntress:
(To Robin) Still wary of him now?
Robin:
Obviously. We have no proof that the story he told is true. That's why I'm going to ask our father after this mission.
Huntress:
Sorry, Prince. My brother has always been the paranoid type. This is a trait common to many Robins.
Nightstar:
My father is the same, even if it was justified sometimes.
Monkey Prince:
I understand; someone's true self cannot be seen with the eye.
Hornet:
Deep.
Nightstar:
Believe me, we've had some... questionable recruits.
Robin:
Wow.
Monkey Prince:
Thank you.
Robin:
But is Monkey Prince a good name? I don't think naming yourself after a primate is a good name.
Monkey Prince:
Said the hero named after a red-bellied bird.
Impulse:
Ha! Got 'em!
Robin:
The name is symbolic. Named after Robin Hood.
Impulse:
I've never seen you steal from the rich and give to the poor.
Robin:
It's called charity.
Impulse:
What's the charity called, 'Wayne Family Bank Account?'
Robin:
Zip it!
Nightstar:
Bart, don't make him angry.
Monkey Prince:
Besides, you all want to make a good first impression with me, don't you?
Huntress:
Yeah. We have one other member but he's...elsewhere.
Nightstar:
I hope Murdoc's alright?
Monkey Prince:
Murdoc?
Huntress:
He's the last member of the Coast City Titans. His codename is Crow.
Nightstar:
Actually, Robin was a nickname given by my grandmother. When Dad swung on the trapeze, he flew like a robin. As Batman needed a Robin, the following ones kept the name.
Monkey Prince:
That's admirable.
Nightstar:
Then she died with my grandfather when her trapeze gave in under her weight.
Monkey Prince:
My condolences.
Nightstar:
Thanks Prince.
Impulse:
Are we there yet?
Hornet:
Not for another hour.
Impulse:
Crap.
Jump City: 4:23pm. Raven, Doctor Fate and Crush appear outside a house. They hear drumming coming from inside.
Raven:
This should be where Spike, one of Murdoc's bandmates lives. Murdoc is closer to Spike than he is with Grim or Spirit. If anyone knows about my son's whereabouts it's him.
Crush:
I can tell from all the drumming.
The three of them go up to the front door and knock three times before Spike's mother comes to answer the door.
Woman:
You must be Murdoc's mother. Spike's upstairs if you want to talk to him.
Raven:
Thank you.
Raven, Crush, and Fate go upstairs and find Spike in his room practicing on his drumset; He seems to be in the zone.
Raven:
Spike? (Spike doesn't hear her) Spike! (Spike still doesn't hear her)
Crush:
I got this.
She walks over to Spike and leans into his ear.
Crush:
(Yelling) SPIKE!
Hearing that made Spike drop the drumsticks out of his hands as he turns to face Crush.
Spike:
Oh hey, you're that chick from the party the other day.
Crush:
Actually that was over two weeks ago.
Spike:
Wow, time goes by quickly. (He notices Raven and Doctor Fate, especially Raven) Why's Elvira here?
Raven:
Spike, I'm Murdoc's mother. He ran away from home recently and we were hoping you know where he went.
Spike:
Sorry, haven't seen him. He hasn't called or messaged either. I'll check with Spirit and Grim later today to see if they've seen him.
Hearing this disheartens Raven.
Raven:
(To herself) Murdoc. Where did you go?
Belize; 6:23pm local time. The T-Jet lands in a clearing in the jungle. They get out; Huntress inhales the air.
Impulse (Stretching his legs):
Hey Monkey. Welcome home.
Monkey Prince just glares at him.
Impulse:
Calm down, it's just a joke.
Hornet, Robin and Nightstar were surveying the temple in front of them.
Hornet:
No activity; odd.
Robin:
I think it's time we go inside. But be careful of any booby traps.
Impulse:
(Chuckles) Booby.
Green Canary whacks him in the back of the head. They approach the temple, but it doesn't open.
Green Lantern:
I don't suppose anyone knows the magic word that'll open this door up?
Green Canary looks at a Capuchin Monkey sitting on a branch above them, watching them with interest.
Green Canary:
So, Monkey Prince, since you're a monkey can you communicate with other monkeys?
Monkey Prince:
No, unless I do this.
He transforms into a capuchin monkey and climbs up to the tree and begins conversing with the monkey. The Titans watch as the two monkeys chatter. After a while, Monkey Prince comes back down, and turns back into his 'hero form'.
Green Canary:
What she say?
Monkey Prince:
She said 'Watch your backs. I have a feeling that we're not alone here'.
Hornet:
Could you be quiet so I can concentrate?
Through his helmet, he scans the bricks to see which ones are the right ones to press. Eventually, a few of the bricks turn green and he pushes down on them in a clockwise pattern. As soon as he taps the last brick, the temple shakes and the bricks part, revealing an entryway.
Nightstar:
Alright, let's head inside. But remember, proceed with caution.
Upon saying that, everyone looks at Impulse, who looks back at everyone else with confusion.
Impulse:
What? Why are you all looking at me?
Robin:
I can't imagine why.
Nightstar lights her hand up and the group enter.
Monkey Prince:
I conclude that you are not really human.
Nightstar:
I inherited the powers of my mother and yes, she is an alien.
She leads the rest of the Titans through the temple, her hand lighting the way. Unbeknownst to them, outside the temple, threw figures had watched them enter; Ultra-Humanite and Marcus' 'parents'.
Ultra-Humanite:
That monkey-looking one; he's very familiar.
Laura:
Perhaps someone you did battle with once, father.
Ultra-Humanite:
The Monkey King; he's meant to be dead.
Winston:
Sounds like he's more of a cockroach than a monkey.
Ultra-Humanite:
Even cockroaches can be killed. Or better yet, used in servitude. And he's serving us by clearing the way to the Idol.
Laura:
What do you plan on doing once we find the idol, father?
Ultra-Humanite:
Resurrect the Warchief and create a legion that not even the Justice League would be a match for. They bested me the last time we battled. But now I'm ready for a rematch, and I intend on playing for keeps!
Inside the temple: the Titans are travelling deeper as natural light fades.
Robin:
Good thing your powers allow you to be part nightlight, babe.
Nightstar:
Thanks.
Green Lantern is holding a green lantern made from his ring to provide more light.
Nightstar:
Thanks for that.
Green Lantern:
Don't mention it.
Huntress is looking at the ceiling for bats; nothing but dripping water.
Robin:
Picking up any booby traps yet, Hornet?
Hornet:
No.
Impulse chuckles.
Green Canary:
Knock it off!
Impulse:
Sorry.
They continue walking until Hornet, with the help from his helmet, spots a red tile.
Hornet:
Stop!
The Titans stop in their tracks.
Green Canary:
Is it a tarantula? Because I hate arachnids.
Hornet:
No, we're approaching a trap. Certain tiles in this hallway may trigger them.
Hornet demonstrates by picking up a rock and tossing it onto the tile. The tile sinks and arrows fly out of the walls in front of them.
Hornet:
Stay close to me and I'll tell you which tiles are safe to step on.
Robin:
Got it.
Impulse runs ahead and makes it to the other side. He turns around to gloat.
Impulse:
I love super-speed.
He turns back around and his back is covered in arrows. Seeing this makes everyone else cringe. They shake it off and Hornet goes first, watching the floor and where he steps.
Hornet:
Just follow me, guys. Stay close and mimic my movements.
Nightstar goes second; Robin third; Huntress fourth; Monkey Prince fifth; Green Canary sixth; Green Lantern last. They all eventually make it across without setting off the traps.
Green Lantern:
Well, that went well.
Impulse:
Took you long enough.
Green Canary:
How do you not feel those arrows in your back?
Impulse:
I have arrows in my back? How bad is it? (He looks over his shoulder at his arrow-ridden back) Oh God! Oh God!
Green Canary:
Hold still we'll take care of it.
She and Green Lantern start plucking the arrows out of Impulse's back.
Impulse:
Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Owww.
Eventually, the last arrow gets pulled and Green Lantern makes some bandages with his ring to cover up Impulse's wounds.
Impulse:
I can't believe I'm still alive.
Green Canary:
We're as surprised as you.
Impulse:
What are you, slow? I would have already gotten to the idol if I shouldn't have to wait for you.
Hornet:
Given the many traps here, it is better to be careful. We don't all have accelerated healing. Let's go, and Impulse, don't rush in again.
Impulse:
Believe me, I think I've learned my lesson.
Robin:
We're holding you to it.
Monkey Prince:
(Whispers over to Huntress) Is Impulse always like that?
Huntress:
(Shrugs her shoulders) More or less.
Green Lantern:
So what other traps do you think we'll run into?
Green Canary:
Hopefully we don't have to run away from any giant boulders.
Green Lantern:
Babe, where in the world would they get a giant boulder?
Green Canary:
Sorry, been watching a lot of movies again lately.
The group continue through the temple and stop after a while.
Nightstar:
Uh, the floor appears to be moving.
She shines her starbolt down to the floor. The Titans look down at what is causing the floor to move; insects and arachnids covered the space in front of them; Green Canary squealed and jumped into Green Lantern's arms, hiding her face in his shoulder. Hornet takes out his blaster.
Hornet:
Time to do some pest control!
He shoots rounds from his blaster at the arachnids while Nightstar shoots starbolts from her hands at them. Huntress shoots arrows at them whilst Monkey Prince climbs up the wall to get over them.
Monkey Prince:
There's just too many of them! We're just going to have to run through them!
Impulse:
On it!
Hornet:
Haven't you learnt anything from the last booby trap?!
Impulse:
I think these bugs *are* the booby trap. (He quietly snickers to himself as he said 'booby')
Green Lantern creates a series of stepping stones with his ring so Green Canary can get across. Nightstar picks up Robin and they fly over the arachnids. Hornet and Huntress make it through; Huntress flicks a beetle off her arm.
Huntress:
That wasn't so bad.
Green Canary:
(Still visibly shaken) Speak for yourself!
Green Lantern:
Deep breaths Liv.
Green Canary takes a series of slow deep breaths while Green Lantern rubs her back.
Monkey Prince:
Wow, your friend is really afraid of spiders, isn't she?
Green Lantern:
She had a traumatic experience with them as a kid.
Green Canary:
I'd rather not talk about it here.
Robin slices through a thick Web, revealing another entryway.
Robin:
Moving right along. We should be close to the idol now.
Green Canary:
I sure hope so.
Further back in the temple, Ultra-Humanite, Winston and Laura were at the first booby trap. Ultra-Humanite inhaled deeply.
Winston:
Do either of you have any bright ideas on how to get through here?
Ultra-Humanite:
There's a faint scent of Monkey. He made it through here.
Laura:
He could be in the temple's inner sanctum as we speak.
Ultra-Humanite:
Get the luminol.
Winston takes a spray bottle of luminol out of his coat and sprays the tiles in front; the traversed one lights up.
Ultra-Humanite:
Follow their trail!
The trio follow the same path that the Titans took to get across the tiles.
Further in, the Titans are in a long, damp corridor when they finally see a gold light shining at the end, blocked off by more stones.
Nightstar:
That's gotta be where the Idol is!
Robin:
We just gotta break through those rocks.
Green Lantern:
Allow me.
He uses his ring to form a giant fist to break the door.
Huntress:
Stop! Martin, if you do that, you'll bring down this place and bury us!
The fist disappears.
Monkey Prince:
Wait, there's writing above the door.
They look up, Nightstar shining her light, to see hieroglyphs strewn across the archway.
Green Canary:
What does it say?
Hornet:
I can't read Aztec.
Green Lantern:
I have a universal translator.
He scans the hieroglyphs.
Green Lantern:
Language not found?!
Green Canary:
You should kiss the wall, Nightstar.
Nightstar:
This is not how it works. I need a living being.
Impulse:
(Looks at Monkey Prince) I wonder if the new guy might be able to help us?
Monkey Prince studies the text.
Monkey Prince:
(Reading) Beyond this door lies Ar'zarok'h the Brutal. He who enters his inner sanctum and touches his idol will play host to his almighty spirit and wake him from his sleeping refuge.
Hornet:
It doesn't tell us how to enter.
Green Lantern:
Why can't my ring translate this?
Impulse:
I'm going to pass through the wall.
The text glows red, the wall begins to rumble and the entryway opens up.
Impulse:
Of course. I said that and it opens.
Huntress:
I rather believe that this is what he said.
Robin:
No matter, let's go before it closes.
Nightstar:
We should still be on our guard, everyone.
They ready their weapons and enter through to the Warlord's inner sanctum, Robin firmly tightens his girp on his sword.
Upon entering the room, they are met with the Golden Monkey Idol, which was sitting up on a pedestal atop a flight of stairs. Behind it, the face of Ar'zarok'h was carved into the stone; leading to the pedestal was a small bridge crossing a body of water. Carved sculptures of Monkey faces covered the walls on either side.
Impulse:
That is one ugly lord.
Huntress:
(Looks at the monkey faces on the walls) I don't like the looks of those faces.
Impulse:
You think they might have more darts in them?
Green Canary:
Or worse; bugs and snakes.
Impulse:
Just a question, why are archaeologists always depressed?
Robin:
Now is not the time for jokes, Impulse!
Impulse:
C'mon, it's a legitimate question.
Monkey Prince:
Why?
Impulse:
Because their life is in ruins. (Laughs) Come on, it had to be said.
Robin:
(Unamused) Yes, ha, ha, ha. Get it out of your system now, because we're approaching the Idol now.
The group make it to the bridge and look down at the water below. Black shapes move below the surface.
Huntress:
Leeches.
Green Canary:
This bridge doesn't look entirely safe.
Nightstar:
I could fly you all over.
Green Lantern:
Don't bother.
He uses his ring to create a bridge of his own; which looks like a scaled down version of the London Bridge.
Impulse:
Show-off.
Green Lantern:
At least we're getting through unscathed.
The group walks across the bridge, successfully making it to the Golden Monkey Idol.
Impulse:
So what happens if we take the idol off? Will it cause the temple to collapse.
Monkey Prince:
The idol appears to be held by a pressure pad. Maybe we could find something of similar value to its weight in order for the pad to think it's the idol.
Impulse:
On it.
And in a blur, Impulse took off a backpack and pulled out a weighing scale that he used to measure the idol's weight before putting it back on the pad. Then, he pulled out a bag and put some sand into it to match its weight; he quickly snatched the idol and placed the bag of sand on the pad.
Impulse:
Ta da!
The pedestal begins to sink. Impulse takes off the bag of sand and places the idol back on. The pedestal stops sinking.
Impulse:
Okay, maybe I needed less grains of sand.
Robin:
Or perhaps this pedestal is a lot smarter than I thought it was.
The group fail to notice several coffins lying against the wall beginning to open up.
Impulse:
Oh great, Aztec zombies!
Green Lantern:
Don't jump to conclusions, they might actually just be rats.
Decayed bodies emerge from the coffins, their eyes glowing green; they begin advancing towards the group.
Huntress:
Just when I thought we were done slaying the undead.
Monkey Prince:
What do you mean by that?
Huntress:
I'll explain later.
Robin:
You know the drill, everyone, aim for the heads!
The Titans start shooting the corpses in the head, with Hornet and Nightstar shooting laser blasts and starbolts at their heads respectively as Green Canary and Huntress shoot arrows at them, but the corpses keep getting back up.
Jump City: 5:25pm local time. Raven, Doctor Fate and Crush arrive outside an apartment complex in the city's west.
Doctor Fate:
What are we doing here?
Raven:
Grim lives here.
Crush:
The bassist of the band.
They go inside and press the buzzer for Room 7A.
Grim:
(On the other end) Wassup?
Crush:
Hey, Grim, it's me, Crush. You know, the girl from that party.
Grim:
(On the other end) Oh, I remember you. You want to come up?
Crush:
Yeah. And I hope you don't mind, but I brought some guests with me.
Raven:
Grim, it's me, Murdoc's mother. Can we talk?
Grim:
(On the other end) Sure thing Mrs. Logan.
They head up the elevator and get off at the seventh floor. The door to 7A was unlocked. They open it to find Grim heating up some ramen.
Grim:
You wanna talk about Murdoc right? Well, breaking news, he's not here; hadn't seen him.
Raven:
We were just at Spike's place and he said the same thing.
Grim:
He would always call if he was going somewhere. (Pours flavouring into the saucepan, stirs and then loads his bowl) Want some?
Raven:
No thanks.
Grim:
(Shrugs his shoulders) More for me then! (Immediately chows down)
Crush:
Hey, make me a bowl you glutton!
As Grim leaves to make Crush a bowl of ramen, Raven and Fate talk amongst themselves.
Raven:
This is bad. We're running out of places Murdoc could've gone.
Doctor Fate:
We don't find him soon, then my vision would become real.
Raven:
The only other places I could think to look are Spirit's place and the West Residence.
As they conversed, Grim and Crush were in the kitchen.
Grim:
So you want to join the band?
Crush:
I've been thinking about it. My friend tell me that I need to get out more, and I figured joining your band will be a great way to do that.
Grim:
You have the look. You'd fit in perfectly with the likes of us.
Crush:
Do I need to do any trials or anything like that to get in
Grim:
We say your skills at the party. That was your trial.
Crush:
I was at the music store earlier today and I found an instrument that fit me. I don't have enough for it anyway.
Grim:
You're a member of the Devil's Advocates now, Crush. We look out for each other. After this we'll go to that music store together and I'll help pay for it.
Crush smiles warmly (a first for her).
Grim:
You know, you're kind of cute when you smile.
Crush:
Save it, pal, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Grim:
Oh, so you're...
Crush:
Yeah.
Grim:
I see...(Shrugs his shoulders) I'm not one to judge. You do you, Crush. (The timer dings) Your ramen's up.
He pours the contents into her bowl.
Grim:
Eat is while it's hot.
Crush slurps down the bowl as opposed to using utensils. In a matter of seconds, the bowl is completely empty and Crush lets out a loud belch and wipes her mouth. Raven and Doctor Fate enter.
Raven:
We'll try Spirit next.
Grim:
Don't bother wasting your time; he's not there. Though you could try the abandoned warehouse near the docks where we sometimes film music videos.
Doctor Fate:
We'd better get over there! Thank you, Grim.
Grim:
If you find Murdoc let me know.
Crush:
I'd better go too. Meet me at the music store later so we can buy that guitar.
Grim:
You got it!
Doctor Fate:
Come, now. We have no time to lose.
The trio disappear through a portal as Grim stares in amazement.
Grim:
...Wicked!
Just as Doctor Fate was leaving, he froze like he was suddenly having another vision; he saw what looked like a dock and Murdoc venting.
Doctor Fate:
The docks. That boy was right. He is there.
In Belize, Monkey Prince used his stick to knock one of the corpse's heads off. Hornet and Nighstar are shooting blasts from their blasters and hands respectively at the corpse's heads while Green Canary and Huntress are back to back shooting some corpses right between the eyes. They're unaware of Ultra-Humanite, or Winston and Laura who are standing in the doorway, watching them fight the corpses.
Ultra-Humanite:
Perfect! After fighting off this zombie hoard, they'll be too tired to deal with us and we can take the Idol for ourselves!
Laura:
Father, not to insult your high intellect but, isn't this power beyond your own capabilities?
Ultra-Humanite:
You know not what you say, daughter.
Laura:
I think I do. This is a warlord we're talking about.
Winston:
We're just looking out for you is all.
He moves into the sanctum.
Ultra-Humanite:
The time to strike is now!
Laura and Winston shoot uneasy glances at each other as they follow him.
Winston:
What if that idol gives you everything you want?
Ultra-Humanite:
What do you mean?
Winston:
I mean, what if it does something like, make your brain explode?
Laura:
Talk about mind blowing.
Ultra-Humanite:
It's worth the risk.
They walk up to the idol, avoiding the corpses and the Titans.
Meanwhile, the Titans continued to fight with the corpses. Nightstar uses her bo-staff to decapitate them, Robin cuts their necks with his sword, Huntress and Black Arrow launch freezing arrows, Hornet uses his retractile claws before switching to his blaster.
Hornet:
(Looking at his wrist) I detect other life forms nearby.
Impulse:
They are opportunists. We do all the work and they think we're going to leave them the cake? Oh, I'm getting hungry.
Green Lantern:
You just had tacos.
Impulse:
You forget that I'm a speedster and that I have a high metabolism.
Hornet:
We'll get something to eat after.
The Titans take out the last of the corpses as Robin throws a Bird-a-Rang right in the head of the last one.
Robin:
That should do it. They must've been the warlord's followers which would awake to deter intruders from taking the Idol.
Huntress:
Could be.
Impulse:
Well, if there's nothing left standing between us and the Idol, I guess we can just take it now.
Ultra-Humanite:
Not so fast.
The Titans turn around to see Ultra-Humanite, his gun out, with Laura and Winston behind him. Monkey Prince widens his eyes when he sees Winston and Laura.
Ultra-Humanite:
Thank you for doing the hard part. I'll be taking that Idol off of your hands now. Now be good children and step aside so the grown-ups can do their work in peace.
Hornet:
Try and take it.
They get into a defensive formation. Ultra-Humanite contracts his oversized head and sends a shockwave at them, causing them to break formation. Monkey Prince still stood.
Monkey Prince:
(To himself) Mother...father...what are you doing here.
Impulse:
Wait, father, mother?
Laura:
(Notices Monkey Prince) Son, why do you look like that?
Huntress:
Marcus, you're related to those guys?
Monkey Prince:
Yeah. That's Laura and Winston. They're the ones who found me.
Laura:
Son, why didn't you tell us you were a... monkey?
Impulse:
Why didn't you tell your son that you worked for a monkey?
Winston:
He's family. Specifically, Laura's father,
Impulse:
How the heck is a big-headed ape like that her father?
Laura:
That's not relevant. Marcus, why didn't you tell us you were a monkey?
Monkey Prince:
I didn't want you to think of me as a freak and run the risk of you guys kicking me out. You two are the closest thing I have to a family and I don't want to lose you!
Winston and Laura look surprised.
Ultra-Humanite:
(Feigns sympathy) Aw, how touching. (Returns to his normal mood) Oh well, back to business.
Ultra-Humanite walks up to the pedestal and picks up the Idol.
Ultra-Humanite:
Finally, unlimited power is all mi-
Suddenly, Humanite feels a sharp pain in his head.
Laura:
Father?
Ultra-Humanite:
My head hurts.
Hornet:
The power from that Idol is too much for your father to handle!
Green Canary:
What do we do now?
Ultra-Humanite's eyes begin glowing as the pedestal sinks into the ground and the carvings' mouth opens up and a pile of ashes slides out.
Nightstar:
What's going on?
Impulse:
Ask questions later! GTFO now!
The ashes swirl around Ultra-Humanite and enter his mouth.
Laura:
Father!
Ultra-Humanite:
(As the ashes continue to enter his mouth) Help...me!
He drops the idol as his eyes glow green and he begins speaking Aztec.
Ultra-Humanite:
(His voice sounding different) Ah, it's been so long since I've had a body. Especially one as bulky as this.
Laura approaches him warily.
Laura:
Father?
Ultra-Humanite turns his attention to the Titans and points at them; the corpses that they defeated earlier suddenly reanimate.
Green Lantern:
You've gotta be freaking kidding.
Impulse:
Anyone know any Latino John Constantine's cause I'd really like to know?
Robin:
There's only one John Constantine and he's not going to come and help us.
Hornet:
Well, what can we do? If we take these zombies out again, Humanite is just going to revive them again.
Nightstar:
We need to return the idol to its spot.
Impulse:
I got it!
Impulse runs at Ultra-Humanite, who lifts him up and throws him into the water; he comes out, covered in leeches.
Ultra-Humanite:
You really thought that would work on me?!
Monkey Prince steps forward and drops some of his furs onto the ground. Clones of himself immediately appear.
Monkey Prince:
We must fight, friends!
Nightstar:
He's right. We're not about to be intimidated by the likes of him. Especially since we've handled far more dangerous threats in the past.
Ultra-Humanite is unphased by the duplicates.
Ultra-Humanite:
Do your worst!
Robin:
Titans, go!
The Titans and the Clones all charge at the possessed Ultra-Humanite. Impulse even gets out of the water in time to come at the villain as well, picking off the last of the leeches in the process.
Impulse:
I hate those things!
Impulse runs at Ultra-Humanite, who puts little effort into combatting the Titans. He releases a powerful brain wave that knocks all of them down onto the floor and destroys the clones Monkey Prince created. Monkey Prince makes a swipe at Humanite; Humanite retaliates with a lightning-fast punch which Monkey Prince evades. Monkey Prince whacks Humanite with his staff a few times and doges when he tries to punch him again.
Ultra-Humanite:
So fast. You're not like those other fools I took out. Last I saw you in the Phantom Zone, you were weak and helpless.
Monkey Prince:
You...you remember!
Ultra-Humanite:
As a clone, you're expected to have all the memories of the original host. Surely you remember me, Monkey!
Monkey Prince:
You tried to kill me.
Ultra-Humanite:
Yes. And now I'm going to do what I should've done all that time ago and end your life once and for all.
Monkey Prince prepares his staff, holding it defensively. As Monkey Prince gets ready to square off with the possessed Ultra-Humanite, Laura and Winston watch while hiding behind a rock.
Ultra-Humanite:
The spirit of Ar'zararok'h gives me power.
Monkey Prince plucks off more of his hairs and throws them down to create more clones of himself.
Ultra-Humanite:
Summon all of the clones you want. It'll never be enough!
The clones surround Humanite and attack all at once. Humanite blocks all of the clones strikes however.
Ultra-Humanite:
Stop it right...NOW! (Unleashes a powerful brainwave)
The clones are blasted back, the Titans duck down to lessen the impact of the blast. Monkey Prince stands firm by digging his claws into the stone.
Monkey Prince:
You might have killed a past version of me, but you'll soon find that killing me is even harder the second time around!
Ultra-Humanite:
You're just a hindrance compared to the Justice League.
Monkey Prince:
Please...the Justice League wishes they had someone like me in their ranks!
Huntress:
He's not part of the league; he's part of our team. He has us, and you have no-one.
Impulse:
Not even your daughter and her husband is on your side!
Ultra-Humanite tears away the rock Laura and Winston are hiding behind. As Laura cowers, Winston stands in between her and Humanite in an attempt to defend his wife.
Ultra-Humanite:
You kept him alive?!
Winston:
We took him in as our own!
Laura:
When we found him he was just a baby. We weren't about to sink to that low of a level, father!
Ultra-Humanite:
And now he's a threat. Your failure will cost you both of your lives!
Ultra-Humanite moves to kill them both when Monkey Prince picks them up and takes them to the entrance to the sanctum.
Monkey Prince:
Get out of here, you two! Leave Humanite to me!
Ultra-Humanite charges furiously at Monkey Prince; what follows is an intense duel. Laura watches as her son squares off with Ultra-Humanite.
Winston:
We have to go, Laura. Our son can handle this.
Laura:
You're right. We have to believe in him.
Winston and Laura escape as Monkey Prince continues to fight Ultra-Humanite. As they square off, Hornet picks up the Idol.
Green Canary:
What do you guys think we should do with that thing?
Hornet:
If Humanite is getting his power from the idol, maybe if we destroy it we can take that power away from him.
Robin:
Destroying a piece of ancient history?
Hornet:
I'm not proud of it either, but this thing is very dangerous when put in the wrong hands. No one should have this type of power, least of all him.
Robin:
You're right. Any idea on how to destroy it?
Green Lantern:
Let's just do it the old fashioned way. (He uses his ring to form a giant mallet) Smash it!
He smashes it; but the Lantern mallet dissolves and the Idol remains undamaged.
Impulse:
I got it!
Impulse picks the idol up, yells, and throws it against the wall, only for it to fall to the floor with an audible 'clang'. His friends look at him unamused.
Green Canary:
Really?
Nightstar takes it and fires a starbolt at it, hoping the heat will melt it enough.
Nightstar:
Is it working?
Robin looks to see the idol still intact.
Robin:
Nothing, babe.
Ultra-Humanite throws Monkey Prince against the wall, hard enough to cause the temple to shake. The Titans notice this and begin to worry.
Robin:
If this keeps up, this whole temple will go down with all of us in it!
Hornet:
Wait, there's writing on the Idol!
Nightstar:
What's it say?
Hornet:
I don't know; maybe it's powerless outside the temple?
Green Lantern:
So we basically have to get this idol as far away from here as possible.
And just like that all eyes are on Impulse.
Impulse picks it up.
Impulse:
I'll be right back.
He takes off in a sprint out of the sanctum.
Green Canary:
Hope he doesn't trigger any booby traps on the way out.
Robin:
Let's hope not. In the meantime, let's help out Monkey Boy!
The Titans surround Ultra-Humanite as he slams Monkey Prince again; dust falls from the ceiling and a small slab falls.
Green Lantern:
Quit bringing the house down, pal!
Ultra-Humanite turns to face the Titans as he drops Monkey Prince to the floor. As he approaches them, some debris falls on top of his head.
Jump City- meanwhile. Doctor Fate, Raven and Crush arrive at the docks, looking for Murdoc.
Raven:
That warehouse Murdoc and his friends use has to be around here somewhere.
Doctor Fate:
Let's start searching. You take one part of the docks and I'll take the other.
Crush:
I have a better idea. Murdoc?! CROW! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE BEFORE I BEAT IT!
But nobody came.
Doctor Fate:
Yelling doesn't help.
Raven:
You'd better come with me, Crush.
Crush:
Is this one of those mother/daughter one-on-ones I hear about?
Raven:
Not exactly. It's just that two sets of eyes and ears are better than one.
Doctor Fate:
(Approaches a warehouse) He's in here.
Raven, Fate, and Crush enter the warehouse. When they do, they see a room filled with pyrotechnics, strobe lights and smoke machines; a banner with the Devil's Advocates logo was draped across the wall. In the centre, they find Murdoc standing still as he stared at the wall, not paying them any mind.
Raven:
Murdoc?
Doctor Fate:
Stand back.
Doctor Fate analysed what will happen next.
Doctor Fate:
Raven, go talk to him. I saw the future. Crush and I stand back while you encourage him.
Raven:
Will it work?
Doctor Fate:
I can't reveal that.
As Crush and Doctor Fate take a few steps back, Raven cautiously approaches her son.
Raven:
Murdoc, sweetheart? It's me. Can we talk?
Raven reaches out to touch her son's shoulder.
Murdoc:
Leave.
Raven:
Murdoc, please, we can help you. You just need to listen to us. Come on, let's go home.
Murdoc:
I don't want to go home.
Raven:
(More stern) Murdoc. This isn't a debate. You need help; you won't get it by shutting us out of your life.
Murdoc:
Leave me alone!
Crush moves forward, but Doctor Fate holds her back.
Crush:
What?
Doctor Fate:
You're going to want to stay as far as possible from them.
Crush:
Buddy, you never understood my philosophy.
Raven:
Murdoc, please.
Murdoc reluctantly turns around, Raven was horrified by what she saw; his face was frail, his cheekbones visible, deep bags under his eyes.
Raven:
I'll use the spell I used to put Plasmus to sleep.
Murdoc:
What are you talking about, mother? I'm just fine.
Raven:
You're clearly not fine, Murdoc. You look awful.
Murdoc:
I'm just scared of losing my powers. I don't want to feel weak.
Raven:
Murdoc, power isn't what makes you strong, it's the will that lies within you. I may have powers, but they made me lost control. My true power came from controlling that power. With all the will and strength I could muster. If I could control my powers, then so can you.
Murdoc ponders his mother's words. Crush and Fate stand back, still watching these events unfold.
Crush:
You think she's talking sense into him or what?
Doctor Fate:
Just wait.
Crush:
I don't like waiting.
Murdoc sighed.
Murdoc:
I'll go through with it.
Raven:
Okay, Murdoc. Come on. Let's go
Doctor Fate:
We have no time. The siblings will burst through this area in 20 minutes. They smell Murdoc and if we do the exorcism here then they will take him
Raven:
What do we do?
Doctor Fate summoned some magic and casts it on to Murdoc,
Murdoc:
What was that?
Doctor Fate:
That should disguise your scent for two hours. Perfect time for the exorcism to be complete. Come, we must get to Liverpool. John is waiting.
Raven summons a portal, and the four vacate the area.
In Belize, Impulse runs out of the temple into the clearing, holding the idol in-hand.
Impulse:
Come on, slow pokes!
Back in the temple, Nightstar and Hornet are firing their ranged attacks at Humanite while Green Canary and Huntress shoot arrows at him. They hardly phase Humanite though, and he picks up a rock and throws it at them only for Green Lantern to use his ring to create a shield to protect them. Monkey Prince manages to get a good hit on Ultra-Humanite. He's soon joined by Robin who hits Humanite with his staff.
Monkey Prince:
Don't you usually have a sword?
Robin:
We try not to kill whoever we're facing unless we really have to.
Impulse (Voice ringing through comms):
Is there an active volcano nearby I can throw this in?
Hornet:
I think I saw one just north of the temple when we flew in. Good call, Impulse!
Green Canary:
Yeah, maybe you're not as dumb as we think you are.
Impulse:
I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.
Ultra-Humanite hears all this. He busts through a wall and makes his way to the volcano.
Green Lantern:
Oh, that's not good.
Hornet:
(Talks to Impulse over the comms) You might want to hurry over there, Bart, because Humanite is on his way to the volcano right now.
Cut to Impulse running through the jungle.
Impulse:
I'm running there as fast as I can. There's no way that big monkey can beat me there.
He approaches the base of the volcano
Impulse:
I see the volcano right now!
He runs up the slope and reaches the summit, greeted by a strong smell of sulphur. He looks over the edge and into the pool of lava below. Impulse takes one last look at the idol and strokes its face.
Impulse:
Goodbye...(Raspy) My precious!
He drops it into the crater, just as Ultra-Humanite makes it. Impulse turns around to laugh at his face.
Impulse:
You're too late, Specter!
Ultra-Humanite can only watch as the idol hits the lava and melts.
Ultra-Humanite:
No! You fool! What have you done?!
Almost immediately, Humanite starts to feel weaker. His mouth opens and the ashes of Ar'zarok'h spill out and follow the idol into the lava. When the last of the ashes disappear in the lava, Humanite falls to his knees just as the rest of the Titans show up.
Impulse:
You guys got here fast.
Green Lantern:
I guess you did it then, huh?
They look at Ultra-Humanite.
Nightstar:
I guess the warchief is no more.
Green Canary:
So what do we do with him now?
Robin:
Belle Reve.
Green Lantern:
Shouldn't we worry about his brain waves?
Robin:
I don't think that's going to be a problem.
They see Ultra-Humanite clutching his head and feeling dazed.
Hornet:
Good job team. Let's get him back to the T-Jet and back home.
Coast City Titans Tower- Later. The Titans are recovering from their adventure.
Marcus:
Am I ever glad that's over.
Damian:
Yeah, (Looks over at Mar'i) Now maybe Mar'i and I can finally be alone.
Mar'i:
(Whispers) Got precautions?
Damian:
In my pocket!
Mar'i:
Race you there!
The two of them quickly leave for the Jump City Titans Tower via Zeta Tube. After they've left, Helena presents Marcus with a Titan Communicator.
Marcus:
What's this?
Helena:
We saw just what you're capable of out there today. You'd be a huge asset to our team, Marcus.
Bart:
Welcome to the Teen Titans, man!
Marcus:
Well, thanks.
He turns it on; his details and contacts were all included.
Marcus:
Aw man, this is so cool! So, do I live here now or do I just report back here whenever a mission comes up? And more importantly, when do I get to meet the rest of the team?
Jaden:
The towers are just bases; we return to our own homes. And soon enough.
Marcus:
Okay.
Martin Jr.:
Speaking of your family, it must be pretty hard to look at them the same way now, knowing that they were in league with Ultra-Humanite.
Marcus:
They were always loving and supportive. But going back to them, especially now that they know who I really am, is going to feel really weird.
Helena:
That's life.
Marcus:
I guess I'd better go back home and try and explain things to them. Hopefully they'll understand and they won't kick me out on the street.
Helena:
If they do, you're always welcome at one of our homes.
Marcus:
Thanks, Helena. Well, take it easy, everyone.
Marcus makes his leave as the other Coast City Titans wave him goodbye.
The House of Mystery; Murdoc's exorcism is underway. Murdoc was lying on a table, with Constantine standing over him. Raven, Fate, and Crush are standing by and watching
Crush:
You're sure this will work, right?
John Constantine:
Hold him steady.
As the exorcism is occuring, Murdoc is seen writhing. Constantine conjures a Ouija board underneath them and places his hands on Murdoc's head. With that, Constantine begins chanting.
John Constantine:
(Chanting in Latin)
Murdoc writhes violently.
Raven:
Murdoc...(A small tear rolls down her cheek)
Crush:
Hang in there, buddy.
Murdoc's eyes open, glowing bright red and his mouth opens. Constantine is taken aback but he keeps moving forward with the exorcism. A dark smog appears from his mouth, as Constantine's chanting becomes louder.
Crush:
Please tell me this is supposed to happen.
The smog evaporates and the candles extinguish. Not only that, but Murdoc stops writhing.
Murdoc sits up and collapses; Raven catches him.
Murdoc:
Did it... did it work?
Doctor Fate:
Try using one of your powers and see.
Murdoc:
Azarath Metrion Zinthos.
He moves a book onto the bookcase.
John Constantine:
Everything seems okay.
Murdoc:
Bucket!
Crush gives him a bucket and he throws up.
John Constantine:
Yeah, that can happen.
Raven:
He'll be alright now, won't he John?
John Constantine:
I've done everything I could on my end. We'll just have to wait and see.
Raven:
Come on. You need to eat; Gar's whipping up some burritos.
Murdoc:
(Smiles) Sweet!
As Raven, Murdoc and Crush depart, Doctor Fate stays with Constantine, watching them with a hint of worry.
Doctor Fate:
Something's telling me things aren't that cut and dried, are they?
John Constantine:
Things never are, mate.
Doctor Fate:
So what's the plan now?
John Constantine:
You're the bloke who can see into the future. You tell me.
Doctor Fate:
Murdoc will be fine. For now. We only have few years peace.
John Constantine:
Few years?! What the hell will we be doing in that time?
Doctor Fate:
I will make preparations. You will be drinking, smoking and sleeping.
John Constantine:
Harsh. And Murdoc. What happens when those few years are up?
Doctor Fate:
We can only pray.
End of 'Simian'
Cast
Kari Wahlgren: Nightstar/Mar'i Grayson
Stuart Allan: Robin/Damian Wayne
Alyson Stoner: Huntress/Helena Wayne
Jesse McCartney: Crow/Murdoc Logan
Meagan Smith: Green Canary/Olivia Queen
Damon Wayans Jr: Hornet/Jaden Stone
Jason Marsden: Impulse/Bart Allen
Seth Green: Green Lantern/Martin Jordan Jr
Janet Varney: Crush
Steven Yuen: Monkey Prince/Marcus Shugel-Shen
Tara Strong: Raven/Rachel Logan
Greg Grunberg: Doctor Fate/Steel Maxum
David Tennant: John Constantine
Travis Willingham: Ultra-Humanite
Jeff Bennett: Winston Shugel-Shen
Vanessa Marshall: Laura Shugel-Shen
Greg Cipes: Spike
Scott Menville: Grim
Jack Black: Music Store Clerk