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Issue Six
By Barry Reese
"Forty-five year old men don't get super powers. It's a fact. Superpowers are something for the young... something for pimply-faced teen boys and impossibly busty femme fatales." Sheldon Grant scratched himself audibly, drawing a look of pure horror from Gabrielle Doe. Sheldon was a large man, thick in the middle and somewhat soft in the head, but he was remarkably good when it came to certain things -- like providing protection to Denise Markov, the Queen of Markovia.
Denise, dressed in a stunning gown that accentuated her slender form, smiled knowingly at Gaby, who walked on the other side of Sheldon. Denise, like everyone else, had noted that Halo was seemingly back in her 'original' body, complete with the long blonde hair that had characterized her appearance for years, but no one was mentioning it. "There are lots of older superheroes -- like the JSA's Flash."
"He doesn't count. He got his powers when he was young and then got old. Not the same thing."
Gaby held her tongue, trying to figure out why in the world Denise let such a loser chaperone her to a fancy ball. Not that Sheldon was a bad guy but he certainly didn't fit in around a palace.
"Penny for your thoughts, Gaby?"
"Oh? Nothing, Denise. I was just admiring this dress you let me borrow -- it's gorgeous! I feel like a princess." Gaby let her hands drift down over the soft material. Her dress was a bit more playful than Denise's and had drawn more than a few appreciative gazes from some of the guards as she passed. Truth be told, Gaby rather liked the attention....
Denise paused at the entrance to the great hall, staring out at the dozens of people assembled there, each dressed in their finest. Members of the palace staff drifted from group to group, offering drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Denise spotted her husband, Brion, chatting with the young Prince of Taskonov. "Maybe you'll be a princess before the night is through, Gaby."
"What do you mean?"
"This party is meant to entice some of the surrounding nations to enter into defense agreements and trade pacts... as such, there are a lot of important people here. Including the eligible sons of a ruler or two."
Gaby's eyes sparkled. With a tiny voice, she whispered "Wow."
Denise took the young girl's hand in her own and stepped into the room. "Let's go impress them, okay?"
Trying to look composed beyond her years, the young heroine named Halo followed the Queen of Markovia into the room -- and for once she felt like she was floating ten feet off the floor when she really wasn't. This was going to be a very good night -- she could feel it.
DC LEGENDS PRESENTS
Part Two
"A Dash of Romance, A Sprinkle of Mystery and a Large Helping of Fisticuffs"
Jeff Pierce sipped his drink and tried to look like he felt comfortable. In truth, he was anything but. He'd gotten used to fancy parties and fine clothing immediately after his Olympic days, but it hadn't been long before he'd returned to the Ghettos of his youth. Being back in opulence only exaggerated how different his background had been from Brion's.
Rex Mason, his elemental features hidden beneath a latex mask resembling his old human features, sauntered up, his lovely wife Sapphire clinging to his arm. The warm smiles on both faces made Jeff grin -- obviously the two lovebirds had been catching up on old times. "How's it hanging, Jeffie?" Rex asked.
"Fine. Just fine. You two seen Tatsu tonight? She wasn't with Gaby and I'm a little bit worried. She's been pretty tense ever since she arrived in Markovia."
Rex looked concerned, but shrugged. "Who knows? She and Bats are the grim and gritty part of the group, remember?"
"Oh yeah? Then what are we?"
Rex laughed heartily. "I'm comic relief, pal -- and you're the Pretty Boy."
"I thought that was Brion," Jeff chuckled.
As if on cue, the reigning King of Markovia stepped to his old friends. Dressed in royal finery, the broad-shouldered young man looked every bit the regal monarch. He bowed dashingly to Sapphire, drawing a giggle from her. "My friends... I hope you're enjoying the evening."
"It's a great bash, Brion. Me and Sapphire haven't had a night like this in ages -- it's even bigger than those shindigs Simon Stagg used to throw."
"Thank you. The party's all the more special with you back among the living, Rex."
"Outsiders... I need you."
The calm, demanding voice that suddenly filled the tiny earpieces of each of the Outsiders made everyone stand up straight. Black Lightning turned away from the crowd, touching one hand to the side of his head and leaning in somewhat. "Batman?"
"It's me, Lightning. I have our first mission lined up. I'm transmitting plans and coordinates to the central computer in the palace."
"You coming along?"
"I can't. The League and I are involved in stopping a plot engineered by the Royal Flush Gang. I'll join you if I can."
Black Lightning nodded, turning back to Brion and the others. "You want to sit this one out, Brion? People might wonder if the King suddenly takes off from his own party."
"No... My ministers can take care of any negotiations."
"Oh, Rex..." Sapphire pouted. "Do you have to go? I just got you back!"
Metamorpho patted his wife's arm. "I'll be back before you know it, baby. Promise."
Brion looked out at the small dance area, noticing that Gaby was wrapped in the arms of the Prince of Taskonov. "I'll go and retrieve Gaby. I'm glad to see that she's gotten over that boyfriend in Los Angeles...."
"Girls are resilient," Jeff murmured. "C'mon, Rex, let's head to the meeting room. Maybe Tatsu will meet us there."
Katana was waiting when the group arrived. Gaby immediately flew towards her, the girl's auras shifting colors quickly. "Tatsu! I met the most wonderful guy and he's a prince and he wants to--"
The samurai held up a hand. "I'm very happy for you, Gabrielle, but the Batman has summoned us -- discussions about boys can wait until later."
Halo's face fell somewhat. "Um... okay, Tatsu. Sorry."
Katana nodded and faced the others. She noted disapproval on Black Lightning's face, but ignored it. Jefferson was a dear friend, but he didn't know the problems that Tatsu faced these days... nor did they know of the terrible changes that Halo had undergone. When last the Outsiders had come together, Halo had been forced to abandon the body of Violet Harper and take over the form of another woman, Marissa Baron. The change had caused several problems, most of them resulting from Gaby's sudden possession of a very adult woman's body.
Each of the male members of the team, including the Batman, had approached Tatsu in the past few days, wondering how and why Halo was once again now in a body that looked, for all intents and purposes, like that of Violet Harper. Tatsu's answers had been terse, making it clear that the subject was off-limits. For now, the others had allowed it to drop -- but soon, she knew, the truth would be revealed. And when the truth comes out, Faust, you will have to stand beside me and defend our actions.
Katana shook herself free of her reverie. "I've looked over the data that Batman sent over. Apparently, Ra's Al Ghul's network is responsible for a new drug flooding the marketplaces throughout Europe. It's highly addictive, but is said to provide something approaching immortality. A shipment of the drug is due to arrive in the port of London tomorrow. The Batman is unwilling to contact the local authorities, as the shipment is reportedly protected by a metahuman presence of some kind. In addition, Batman wants us to question these men and find out where the drug was produced."
"Sounds easy enough to me. I've kicked the tails of more drug dealers than I can count," Jeff stated. As the group moved towards the elevator which would take the team to the landing pad, Jefferson caught Tatsu by the arm. "A little rough on Gaby, weren't you?"
Katana sighed. "She has to realize that this is not a game. No matter how charming the man she met this evening may have been, she has to be able to focus on the mission at hand. To do otherwise is to court death."
Black Lightning let her go, but his unease only increased. Something was definitely wrong here -- he glanced at Geo-Force, who nodded slightly. At least Brion's noticed, too. When this gig's over with, one of us is going to have to have a long talk with our resident swordswoman.
Los Angeles
Lia Briggs wasn't sure of her emotions at the moment -- she felt strangely attracted to this man, but she also felt furious that he had prevented her from curing her vampirism. The two of them were on the rooftop of a local television station, the wind blowing unusually hard. Down below, pedestrians scrambled to safety, while the two vampires stood their ground unflinchingly. "Care to tell me why you butted in where you weren't wanted?"
Andrew Bennett stared at her with his tortured gaze before answering. "Your plight was made known to me a few days ago, Ms. Briggs. When I learned what you intended to do... I had to stop you."
Lia's eyes flashed with power. She rose into the air slightly, looking for all the world like the queen that Looker was intended to be. "Don't play games with me! Moon was my best chance to be free of this curse! Every day it gets worse, the hunger and the desire! I can't stand it!"
Andrew spread his hands. "I know! I hate this infernal existence as much as you do! For years, I've sought final release!"
Looker hesitated. "Then why deny me -- ?"
"Because you are the One! I've studied the prophecies and--"
Looker groaned. "Not another damned prophecy! I'm tired of this!"
"Then listen to me! You are the One, the vampire who can end all of this."
Looker lowered herself, her feet touching the ground. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you can eradicate all vampires on Earth... Forever."
London
Katana and Halo stood in the busy port authority building, watching as ships of all shapes and sizes filtered through the Port of London. The vessel they were observing had docked a few moments before. Both of them wore overcoats and hats, which served to hide their colorful costumes. "Where are the guys?"
Tatsu glanced at the woman whom she loved like a daughter. "Metamorpho is hovering above the ship in cloud form, while Geo-Force and Black Lightning are in position on the other side of the ship. Now be alert, Gabrielle. We still haven't seen any sign of this metahuman protection they're supposed to have."
"I am alert," Gaby said petulantly. "How come the port authorities didn't notice the drugs onboard? Think they're hidden?"
"Most likely." Katana saw a flash of electricity above the ship. "There -- it's Jeff's signal! The inspectors are off the ship." The Japanese warrior tossed aside her coat and drew her sword, Soul-Taker. Several passerby squawked in alarm, but she ignored them, rushing ahead towards the ship. At her side, Halo burst into the air, looking like a star come to Earth.
Metamorpho descended, dropping from the sky in the form of a hard iron ball. He crashed into the ship's deck with a loud boom.
Geo-Force struck next, using his gravity powers to levitate several crewmembers from the deck and depositing them in the water. Halo flew near him, striking out with an energy blast as one of the crew members drew a gun.
Katana and Black Lightning raced up the ramp, even as one of the men moved to block their path. "Get out of here -- this is private property! You can't do this!"
Katana slashed outwards with her blade, nearly gutting the man. "I can and I will."
Jeff blinked. It'd been awhile since he'd seen Tatsu in battle and he'd forgotten how dangerous she could be. As more crewmembers drew weapons and began firing, Black Lightning hurled several bolts of electricity towards the enemy. They fell in crackling fury.
Geo-Force remained airborne, directing the combat. Though he lacked the Batman's tactical skill, he was still a sound leader. "Halo -- provide cover for Katana while she enters the ship and searches for the drugs! Metamorpho -- stop those men from fleeing!"
"Will do, boss!" Metamorpho jumped towards a group of escaping men, transforming into a cage that encircled them.
Meanwhile, Katana crept below decks. She could hear something up ahead, but the lights were out and the many smells onboard made it difficult to pinpoint what was coming. At the last moment, however, she sensed a sudden influx of twin sensations: intense heat and freezing cold. She twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding a certain death.
The two blasts struck Katana at once, sending her into a screaming fit of pain. Though she'd managed to dodge the main force of the blow, she still felt like she was going into shock. When she looked up, she saw a horrible visage smiling down at her. In two voices, one male and one female, it said "Well, well. If it isn't our old friend, Katana. We've missed you." The fused being raised a fist but Katana managed to block the blow, kicking out a leg to sweep her foe off their feet.
"What are you?" Katana hissed between clenched teeth.
The being struggled to its feet, a look of horrible tragedy on its face. "I -- We -- were Coldsnap and Heatstroke. But now we're one. We're Heatsnap now*!"
(*As of Aztek # 7)
Katana balanced her sword in front of her, keeping a defensive stance. "Who did this to you?"
"What does it matter? We've found someone who's offered to help us... and he will, as soon as we've done some work for him." Heatsnap generated a wall of flaming ice that struck Katana hard, sending her flying back onto the deck. "He's already increased our powers, Katana! Impressed?"
"Tatsu!" Halo screamed, flying low to catch her patron before she hit the deck. The swordswoman was conscious, though barely. Holding Tatsu tightly, Halo fired off several heat blasts as their foe came into view.
Heatsnap stepped out onto the deck, blazing with the twin forces of fire and ice. Horribly malformed, neither male nor female, Heatsnap was a twisted mockery of humanity. The villain blocked one of Halo's blasts with an ice wall, cackling with madness.
"Holy Hannah! What the heck is that?" Metamorpho gaped in open-mouthed wonder.
"Your doom, you elemental freak!" Heatsnap fired a flame burst at the Element Man. Rex was unable to avoid the blow since any movement on his part would have exposed the crewmen trapped within his shapeshifted body to the flames. Instead, the hero held his ground even as the pain flared through his body.
Geo-Force propelled himself forward, using his lava blasts to move himself as quickly as powerful. The Markovian regent slammed into Heatsnap with all his might. The blow was enough to send the merged being flying backwards.
As Heatsnap slammed to the deck, Black Lightning pressed the attack, firing several lightning bolts with precise aim. They slammed into the villain, finally forcing them into unconsciousness.
Halo joined the others as they surrounded Heatsnap. She still held Katana in her arms. "Is that it? They weren't so tough... I hope Tatsu's gonna be okay, though."
"I will be fine. Let me down." Katana stood on unsteady feet, looking down at Heatsnap. "It is a pity we no longer have a Dr. Jace to help them...."
"I'm sure Batman will know of someone who can try," Brion said. "For now, though, we have to move quickly before the authorities board the ship. Rex and Halo -- find the drugs and get some samples. Katana and Jeff -- interrogate one of these men. I will stall the authorities as best I can."
As the team moved in its separate ways, an unseen presence viewed them with satisfaction.
The return of the Outsiders was going even better than it had hoped.
Next Issue: The Outsiders have won a small battle in a much larger war -- a war that Ra's Al Ghul is prepared to win! The Demon's Head strikes back as we witness the birth of a deadly new version of the Masters of Disaster!
Author's Notes
Hope you're still enjoying things. I'm having a blast so far, playing with some characters who are like old friends to me. Look for more "fanboy crap" next issue, as I continue to revive dangling plot threads and retcon away a few things that have always bugged me.
The whole "Halo in a new body" thing from Outsiders vol 2 always bothered me a bit. Not that I didn't like the look of the character afterwards (I did), but it wasn't really "Halo" to me anymore. Some of the innocence and charm seemed to be gone -- hope you guys don't mind if I use "classic" Halo here in these stories.
The secret of her return to her old look, involving Katana and former Outsider Faust, will be revealed soon.
If you have productive comments, goodwill to offer or just want to say hi, feel free to write me. If you want to complain, insult me or anything else that's generally considered rude, please go elsewhere.
Barry Reese
01/11/02