Genesis, Part Two:
“Storm”
Chris King ran through the deserted streets, praying that he could win the race to his home. He reached the small, shuttered house and threw the door open. He called for his family and heard their cries. He ran into the kitchen and opened the small closet. He lifted the small door and jumped onto the ladder. Amidst a growing roar, he managed to lock the door and join his family in the storm cellar. High above, Brom Stikk watched the destruction his tornadoes were wreaking and laughed an insane laugh. “We have a situation in New England,” Mr. Jupiter said. The Teen Titans were gathered around a meeting table. Jupiter was at one end and Smith was at the other. “There is a man there who can control tornadoes and he is currently working on leveling a small town.” Wally’s face grew pale. He slowly raised a hand. “Is it-“ he began. “No,” Jupiter said. “It is not the Weather Wizard.” Wally let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “This gentleman’s name is Bromwell Stikk. He’s been identified through satellite photos. At least, until he destroyed all satellites above the town.” “So that’s why my MTV isn’t working,” Roy said. “He is calling himself Cyclonus,” Jupiter continued. ”Why’s he doing this?” Donna asked. “All those people…” Dick imperceptibly nodded in approval of the question. “Excellent question,” Jupiter said. “We have seen several reports from the town’s late sheriff that paint a very strange picture of our Mr. Stikk. He is apparently convinced that the government wants to kill him.” “Great,” Garth said. “So he’s not only got control of the weather but he’s a lunatic as well.” ”That may be overstating a bit, Mr. Curry,” Jupiter said. “So far the only ability he has demonstrated is the ability to control tornadoes. We’ve seen no evidence that he can control any other weather phenomena.” Jupiter stood. “I wish we could have had more time to train you as a team,” he said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have that time. Mr. Grayson will serve as your leader in the field, but do not forget that Mr. Smith will be on-site as well and he has the final word. Go get into your costumes. The jet will depart in ten minutes.” The Titans and Smith quickly filed out of the room. Jupiter himself turned and studied a wall of televisions. Currently they were showing WGBS’s Lana Lang as close to Hatton’s Corner as the military would allow. Jupiter sat and watched as the young reporter fought against the winds. “What’s with the red and yellow?” Speedy asked as he saw Robin’s outfit. “You think you’re Hulk Hogan or something?” ”Hardly,” Robin replied as he slipped a pair of dark goggles on. “Nothing you’d understand.” ”Is that so. Why don’t you try on some little green panties or something?” Dick stomped into a boot with a little more force than was necessary. Scowling, he turned and walked up into Roy’s face. “You sweet on me?” he asked. “Come on. What’re you going to do, Loverboy? Try and kiss me or something?” Roy’s face turned scarlet. He grabbed Dick’s shirt and Dick grabbed Roy by the collar as well. Both had their fists drawn back when the door opened. ”Gentlemen!” Smith’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “This is not a productive use of your time. This will be reported to Mr. Jupiter. Now get moving.” Smith left two seething Titans behind as he left the room. Garth nervously looked at Wally who was sitting across from him and Donna aboard the plane. Wally was jiggling his leg so fast it was nothing but a blur. “Is that safe?” he finally asked. Wally looked down and his leg stopped. “Sorry. Just a little nervous.” “No problem,” Garth said. “Just don’t want you to knock out any rivets in the plane or anything.” The three of them looked up as Roy, Dick and Smith boarded. Roy headed straight for the back. Dick sat in the front on the opposite side. Smith also took a seat at the front. “Wonder what’s going on with those two?” Donna asked. “Mr. Smith looks like the principal.” Donna leaned over and laid her head on Garth’s shoulder then jerked back. ”What?” he asked. “You squished,” Donna said, poking his shoulder. “What’s with that?” Garth smiled. “It’s part of the design Mr. J came up with for my uniform. There’s an under layer that keeps me damp all the time. So I don’t get sick if I’m out of water for an hour.” “That’s nifty,” Donna said. She was suddenly thrown back in her seat as Wally started poking Garth’s shoulders and ribs. ”Cool!” Wally yelled. “You feel like a giant… giant… squishy thing!!!” “Mr. West,” Smith said, his voice sounding tired. “You are not allowed to be out of your seat during liftoff.” ”Sorry,” Wally said. He quickly grabbed Garth’s knee to see if the legs of the costume squished as well (they did) and returned to his seat. The jet lifted off and began its flight to New England. Betty Sue Clampett looked around the debris of her diner. A tornado had touched down here, devastating the building. Fortunately the diner had been empty at the time. She turned as the Titans’ jet landed in the middle of Main Street. The five Titans slowly filed out after Mr. Smith. Smith looked around and spotted Betty Sue coming from the debris of her business. “I will be speaking to this woman,” he told Robin. “The rest of you stay out of trouble and keep an eye out for Stikk.” Smith walked to Betty Sue and started speaking with her. “This place is wrecked,” Aqualad said. “Great observation there, Cousteau,” Speedy said. “Any more deep thoughts?” ”Garth, don’t,” Wonder Girl said as he balled up a fist. “Listen, I’m going to see if I can spot anything from above.” She launched into flight and began surveying the ruined town. At least up here I can get some peace and quiet, Donna thought as she soared over the ruins. Now I just need to keep an eye out for anything unusual. She looked ahead and saw a man laughing madly, clutching a wooden stick and hovering in midair. Well, that’s unusual, she thought. Wonder Girl activated her communicator. “Guys, it’s me,” she said. “I’ve found somebody who seems to fit our nutball.” Donna stopped speaking as Stikk swiveled toward her, his eyes full of rage. “Uh-oh,” she said. “Uh oh?” Robin asked into his communicator. He looked up just in time to see Wonder Girl slam into a building. “Wonder Girl?” he asked the communicator. “Donna!” Garth yelled, taking a step forward. Robin grabbed his arm. “Flash, go check on Wonder Girl,” Robin said. He turned to Aqualad as Kid Flash sped off. “Garth, I need you here,” he whispered. “Wally can get to her quicker than any of us. We need your strength.” Aqualad didn’t say anything but did stay put. Betty Sue Clampett looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with fear. “Is something wrong?” Smith asked. “He’s coming!” she yelled, grabbing Smith’s arm and pulling him along. “Come on! We’ve got to get back to the shelter!” ”But-“ Smith began, but it was too late. He was inside the shelter and she was securing the doors. Smith sat down on a dusty crate, seething. Kid Flash ran back up to Robin. “She’s okay but she still seems pretty out of it so I took her back to the plane and -” Robin held up a hand. “That’s good.” ”Hey, Leader-boy!” Speedy yelled. “What’s real ugly, stinks to high heaven, and rides a tornado? Cause here he comes!” The Titans all ran for cover as a tornado bearing Cyclonus touched down in the middle of town. “I have got to learn how to do that,” Kid Flash said. ”Hold on!” Robin said. “We’ve got to work together to take this guy down.” ”No, we don’t,” Aqualad said, standing and starting forward. “I’m going to take him apart with my bare hands for hurting Donna.” Stikk’s lips twisted into a sneer as he saw Aqualad starting forward. “Well now!” he said. “Looks like they’re training Gestapo young these days!” ”You can think whatever you like,” Garth replied, “but you’re through.” ”I think not,” Stikk said. He pointed the staff at Garth. A cyclone blew out of the end and sent Garth flying into a house. “Who’s next?” Stikk cackled. “I love playing with toy soldiers.” ”That’s it,” Roy said. He was targeting Stikk. “I’ve got a clear shot and I’m taking it.” ”Don’t!” Robin said. “You’ll just make him mad!” ”Tough,” Speedy said as he released the bowstring. Stikk smiled at them and gestured slightly. A tornado sprung up around him and deflected the arrow. Its hard rubber tip slammed into Speedy’s temple, leaving the archer unconscious. “He’s taking us apart!” Robin yelled in frustration. “Flash, I need you to…” He stopped and looked around. “Flash?” In the street, Kid Flash was running around the cyclone. “Check it out, Robin! I’m going the other way and I think I’m getting this!” Stikk smiled. “It looks like your masters are training you kids well. It’s too bad that it’s just not good enough!” The tornado suddenly swelled and swept up Kid Flash. He was thrown through the window of a store that was missing its roof. Stikk stepped forward as Robin emerged from cover. Glass crunched under his worn shoes. “So, you’re all that’s left. I can sense that you’re nothing. Tell your masters that they may be running this country, but they still don’t control Bromwell Stikk!” A slow smile crept across Stikk’s face. “Actually, I believe that I’ll tell them myself. It appears that dear old Hatton’s Corner has learned its lesson.” A cyclone began to form around Stikk’s feet. “Next stop, Washington, DC!” He burst into a demented cackle. “Don’t bet on it,” Robin said. “You know, I may agree with you on some things, but killing people is going too far!” He quickly pulled the grappling arrow he’d lifted from Speedy’s quiver and snapped it in half. He threw the hook at Stikk and managed to snare the staff. A quick tug brought it out of Stikk’s hands. Stikk screamed as the tornado dissipated and he fell to the ground. “And that is that,” Robin said as he retrieved the staff. Around him, the town slowly started coming to life again. Next Issue: The Titans must face off against the terror of Trident! Previous Issue | Next Issue |
