Titans West

Jason Parker awakened in the middle of the night with a start. He realized that he couldn't breathe. Moments later, the voice spoke in his ear. "It's time," the voice said with unconcealed relish. Within minutes, Jason Parker's lifeless body was left lying in his dorm room, empty eyes staring at the ceiling.

Bette Kane twitched in her sleep. In her dream, she stood in a wide-open field. Suddenly she looked down and saw that she was flying. Bette smiled as she soared through the clouds.

"Bette." Bette whirled around as she heard her voice called.

"Charley!" she screamed with joy as she flew forward and threw her arms around his neck.

"Hey, Babe," Charley said.

Bette looked into his eyes as tears flowed down her cheeks. "I've missed you so much," she said, her voice shaking. "Please don't let go."

"I won't," he said as he gently stroked her hair. "But I have to say this. We don't have much time."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Jason's in big trouble," Charley said as concern clouded his face. "He needs you to help him."

"How?"

Charley closed his eyes. "I can't tell you that."

"Then what do I do?" More tears flooded Bette's eyes as she looked into Charley's face. "Charley, tell me what to do!"

"I can't tell you. But Barter can."

"Barter? That guy who helped Paco?"

Charley nodded. "Yeah. He's your key." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He then whispered something into her ear.

"Charley, please don't leave me again," Bette whispered as she squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she saw her bedroom. She was holding on to her pillow.

Paco was lounging in the monitor room when the word came in about Jason. He buzzed Bette in her room and told her. He simply nodded when Bette told him to get everybody to the meeting room.

"I have to go, Sonya," Leonid said as he got the word. "I have a very important meeting. I will see you later." He hung up the phone and hurried out.

Leonid looked around as he sat down. The only other Titans there were Paco and Bette. "What is happening?" he asked.

Bette rubbed her eyes. "We just got word. Jason's in a coma."

Leonid leaned back with shock on his face. "Bozhe moi. What happened?"

"We don't know," Bette said. "We do still have a chance, though." She told them about her dream. "We need to find Barter."

"Hang on a sec," Paco said. "Even if we do find him, what do we trade with him?"

"Easy. This." Bette placed the gem that had contained Charley's soul on the table.

"I hate to say this, but we're a little shorthanded. Can we get some backup?" Paco asked.

Bette leaned back. "I wish we could. But from the way Charley talked, we don't have long."

"How do we even know that Barter will take that as our passage?" Leonid asked.

"We don't," Bette said. "I'm just hoping that if this doesn't take care of our ticket, then he'll give us a clue as to what he wants."

"Can you use another hand?" a voice asked from the door. Hero Cruz walked in. "I was visiting Mal and Karen in the hospital, and they said that you might be a little shorthanded."

"We sure can," Bette said. "Let's go."

In Azarath, Gar Logan walked around, kicking small pieces of rubble. Lilith had insisted that he leave her and Tara alone for this session, leaving him nothing to do but wander around the devastated remains of Azarath. He paused and inspected a small piece of stonework that had survived intact, then carefully replaced it on a standing piece of debris. He looked back over his shoulder. He couldn't see the two women past the debris, but he knew that they were seated facing each other with that strange incense burning between them.

I wonder how things are going back home, he thought.

The four heroes exited the meeting room and discovered that they were standing in Barter's small shop. Barter himself stood behind a display case, carefully arranging shreds of a yellow and orange costume and a golden mask that looked like a cat. When everything was to his satisfaction, he closed the case and stepped forward.

"Ms. Kane," he said with a smile. "What can I do for you today?"

"We need transport," she said. "To and from. The four of us now and five coming back."

"Where to?" Barter asked.

Bette told him.

"Hmmm," Barter said as he stroked his chin. His cat came up and rubbed his ankles. Deep in thought, he picked the cat up and started petting it. "Quite a trip. And what do you have?"

Flamebird handed him the gem. "Will this cover it?"

Barter quickly put the cat down and inspected the gem. "Soul crystal. Very nice. I can always use another one of these." He set the gem down on a showcase. "This will buy passage for the four of you there. What do you have for the way back?"

Flamebird leaned forward. "Nothing."

Barter chuckled. "My dear Ms. Kane, I am a salesman. I do not provide services for free."

Flamebird smiled. "What if I were to say that this is to cause problems for Neron?"

Barter's smile faded as he smoked his cigar. Finally he spoke. "That is someone I have had some dealings with in the past. I do still have a debt to him for the problems he caused me. I believe that the value of your crystal has just gone up immensely. This will cover your trip on one condition."

"Name it."

Barter smiled. "I'm coming with you. I won't fight, but I do demand the pleasure it will bring me of seeing the look on Neron's face if you are successful."

"Deal," Flamebird said. "When do we leave?"

"Leave?" Barter asked as he slid a cigar case into his jacket pocket. "My dear, we've just arrived."

"Bette," Paco said as he pulled Flamebird to the side. "I'm not real sure about this."

"You've never fought demons before?" she asked. "I thought that was a weekly thing for the Justice League."

"Not my League," he said. "I could use some advice here."

"Just hit them till they fall down," Bette said. She leaned forward and gave Paco a quick peck on the cheek. "You'll do fine," she whispered.

"Let's do this," Cruz said. He quickly punched four buttons on a small golden dial and was enveloped in a blinding light. When it faded, a man wearing old clothing and brandishing a sword stood there. "The Swordsman stands ready," he said.

"Well then, let us be off," Barter said as he opened the door. The five of them stepped out into hell.

Jason Parker screamed again. In response, the demon holding the end of his leash pulled back. The barbed wire collar he wore tore into his flesh. His flesh smoked where it touched the burning coals of the floor.

"Well now," Neron said. "Why are you complaining? You knew what was coming when we made our deal." Neron took another sip of his drink. "You look thirsty. Would you like something to drink?"

Jason couldn't even speak as tears flowed down his cheeks. His knees were turning black from the coals he knelt on.

"Nothing to say?" Neron asked. "Then I shall give it to you anyway." Neron threw the drink into Jason's face. Jason started screaming again as the boiling liquid splashed across his features. Neron dropped the glass onto the ground where it shattered. At a gesture, he had more glass thrown onto the ground in the same area. Neron knelt on the other side of the shards.

"Very well, then," Neron said. "It seems that you didn't appreciate my little joke. That makes me feel bad. Therefore, I will give you this." From nowhere he produced a glass of cold, clear water. He gently set it on the ground, in an area that had cooled. He pompously looked down at Jason's writhing, bleeding, naked body. "All you have to do is crawl to me. On your belly." As he spoke, a predatory smile spread across his face.

Jason looked at the water and then at the broken glass that lay between him and his reward. Dredging up strength from reserves he didn't know he had, he spat a tiny amount of spittle at Neron. "Screw you," he said, his voice weak. "I'm not your plaything."

Neron stomped on the glass, letting Jason watch as the water evaporated on contact with the stones of the floor. He walked over and roughly grabbed Jason's chin, jerking his head so that the two were eye to eye. "Yes, you are," Neron coldly said. "You are nothing but my toy for the rest of eternity." He laughed as the thorny whip was beaten into Jason's back again. All Jason could do was scream.

"Madre de Dios," Vibe whispered as he heard the screams. "What was that? Sounds like somebody getting beat to death."

Barter looked over as he touched a cigar to one of the walls to light it. After a few puffs, he said, "Get used to it. It happens all the time down here."

"Wait a minute," Flamebird said. "Why aren't we catching fire? We're in the middle of hell and I'm not even warm."

Barter smiled. "Just a little incantation I learned a while back. All part of the deal."

"I'm impressed with your customer service," Flamebird said.

Barter shrugged with an innocent look on his face. "That's how I ensure return business." He looked up as a large demon loped toward them. "I'll handle this," he said softly. "All you people will do is start a fight."

"Who are you?" the demon rasped.

"Take us to Neron," Barter ordered. With a shrug, the demon started leading them away from the shop.

"That was easy," Red Star said.

"Yes, it was," Barter said. "That's what happens when you think with your head instead of your fists."

The team was silent as they walked closer to Neron's throne room.

Mal looked over at his wife. "Still no answer?" he asked.

Karen hung the phone up. "No. I wouldn't worry, though. They're probably down by the pool or something."

"I guess so." Mal thought a moment. "I really want to be out there."

Karen sat down on the bed beside him, careful not to dislodge any tubes or wires. "I know. Maybe you'll remember this the next time that you try to do something you can't."

"Maybe I could start wearing your Bumblebee outfit."

Karen smiled. "If you do, I don't recommend bending down. Those seams in the seat aren't that strong. And it might look kind of funny in the chest..."

Mal reached up and pulled his wife as close as he could without hurting her arm. "I love you, baby."

"I love you, too," she said. "Just don't you ever leave me."

"Don't worry," Mal said. "I'm really hard to get rid of." The two just sat there and held each other.

Neron was lounging on his throne as the four heroes walked in. Barter was lurking behind them.

"Well, well, well," Neron said with a smirk on his face. "What have we here?"

"You know why we're here," Flamebird said as she stepped forward.

Still smiled, Neron nodded. "Yes. You're here for this piece of rubbish." A demon jerked and dragged Jason into the room. Bette gasped as she saw him. His body was covered with blisters and burns. He was caked in dried blood.

"What have you done to him?" Flamebird asked, aghast.

"Whatever I want," Neron replied. "He is mine."

"What gives you the right?" Flamebird demanded. "He is a free human being."

"Not any more," Neron said as he snapped his fingers. A small demon dropped a piece of parchment into Neron's waiting hand. "As you can see here, Mr. Parker and I made a deal some time ago. I allowed him to meet his long-lost brother, and he became mine at a time of my choosing." Neron rerolled the parchment and the demon whisked it away.

The Swordsman stepped forward. His sword slashed through the air and a piece of Neron's cape fell to the ground. "You will release him now, knave!" he yelled.

Neron raised an eyebrow. "So. I should be threatened by a child masked by a toy?" He waved his hand and the Swordsman vanished, replaced by Hero Cruz. Cruz frantically worked his H-dial with no response.

Vibe was getting more and more nervous by the second. The only thing keeping him calm was fingering the rosary he'd hidden in his jacket pocket. He didn't even notice as Barter stepped forward. Red Star reached to pull him back but Barter ignored him.

"Neron!" Barter yelled. "I declare that your deal with Mr. Parker is null and void!"

Still smirking, Neron leaned forward. "Barter." He chuckled. "Still upset after the problems you had after our dealing?"

"Not me," Barter said with a smile on his face. "Someone a bit more powerful than I is rather upset, though."

Barter stepped back as the room was filled with a bright white light. Everyone shielded their eyes until the light died down. When they could see again, Charley Parker, surrounded in a white light, stood in the center of the room.

"Charley!" Flamebird said, surprised.

"Bro," Jason whispered through burned lips.

Charley stepped forward and pointed at Neron. "You have gone too far. The Presence has declared your deal null and void."

"How is that?" Neron asked.

"Did you think your plan was a secret?" Charley asked accusingly.

"Enlighten me."

"The Presence knew of your plan to use that demon who captured people through a poster.*"

(*Starman 24-26 - db)

Charley continued. "However, I was killed by the Wildebeests before you could arrange my abduction."

Neron interrupted. "But he was able to meet with you. Our deal stands."

Charley seemed to grow more intimidating. "Don't flatter yourself. That was a gift of the Presence, and it is revolting to see you profit from it."

Neron jumped to his feet. "You will not interfere here!"

Charley pointed a finger at Neron again. "No. It is you who will not interfere. By the order of the Presence, Jason Parker is free and these people will leave your domain unharmed." At a gesture, the chains around Jason's throat dissolved and he pitched forward into Flamebird's arms. Charley turned to her. "Bette. You have what you came for. You will all leave now." Charley began leading the way back to the shop. The Titans followed.

Barter darted forward and snatched up the piece of cloth that had been cut from Neron's cape. As he stuffed it into his pocket, Neron spoke. "Barter. What was your charge for their trip?"

Barter smiled. "One slightly-used soul crystal."

"One?" Neron demanded. "Why so low a price?"

"Because to see you humiliated like this, I almost would have been willing to do this for free." Barter walked away, laughing. That laughter still rang in Neron's ears as he dug his fingers into the stone of his throne's armrests.

"Where's Barter?" Vibe asked.

"Here," came the reply. Barter stepped through the group and opened the door to his shop, leading Vibe, Red Star, and Cruz inside.

"Bro," the battered Jason said. "Thanks." He fell forward and embraced his brother.

"Don't worry about it," Charley said. "I know you would've done the same for me. One thing, though..." A bright light surrounded Jason. When it cleared, he was dressed and all his wounds had been healed. "Something else. Neron tried to kill you. The Presence kept your body alive, so you'll be waking up in a hospital. Try not to freak out." Jason nodded with tears in his eyes. He gave his brother one last hug and stepped into the shop.

Bette stepped forward and pulled Charley close. "Please tell me this isn't the last time I'll see you," she said as tears flowed down her face.

"Don't worry, Babe," Charley said. "We'll see each other again. Count on it. You need to go now, though."

Bette nodded and released him. She turned in the doorway and looked back at Charley.

"Bette!" he called. "I wish you and Paco happiness." As she watched, he smiled and vanished. Bette walked into the shop and closed the door.

The door opened and the Titans stepped into the meeting room. Barter stepped out and clasped Bette's hand. "A pleasure, as always, Ms. Kane," he said. "If there is anything else I can do, please don't hesitate to call." He stepped back inside and was gone.

Cruz stepped forward. "I'd better get going, too," he said as he gave Bette a quick hug. "You take care of yourself." He quickly walked out.

"What was that?" Leonid asked.

"I think it's better that we not think about it too much," Bette said. "I don't think that we're able to understand it all."

Leonid nodded and left. Finally Paco was the only one left with Bette. "What happened?" he asked. "You were the last one in. You okay?"

Bette fell into Paco's arms. "Just hold me for a few minutes," she said. "Just make me safe for a little while." They just stood there holding each other.

Next Issue: Jason's back, but what's going to happen next? The next major story arc begins with "Prologue!"

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