Hello CBMers!!! For the uninitiated, Watchtower Tales is a fan fic serial about a group of Justice Leaguers I refer to as the Second Shift. The team consists of Zatanna, Hawkman, Atom, and Black Lightning. Each story often featuring another character joining the group for some general hijinks. Lately the group has put into motion a series of events creating a more detailed narrative now. The team is now working to stop Mongul who has teamed up with the Turmoil to take over some planets and power rings…
INTERSTELLAR SENSATION
Inside the Watchtower: Cyborg, Atom, Hawkman, Zatanna, Black Lightning, Vibe, and Stargirl are standing in a circle around a large table with a bright shining surface. Cyborg reaches out and types into a keyboard also located on top of the circular table, a displayed projection of planets and stars fill the area directly above the table.
CYBORG:
Continues to type. “According to the Intel you guys have been able to gain, it appears that Mongul has moved his planet-like starship, the Warworld, to sector 1408. A desolate, uninhabited sector that is home to five planets. Five planets that could potentially provide him some sort of resources for a new dangerous weapon. And it seems like he may be under the command of someone else, someone even more of threat; if that could be possible. In addition, the Turmoil team seems to have been given power rings. With each member receiving a different type of power ring, and each one taking up residence on one of the five planets. Thus, we have a planet with Bane, Cheetah, Dr. Psycho, Black Manta, and Joker.”
ATOM:
“What would we do without you Cyborg? You have a gift, my friend. That gift? Thy name be exposition.”
CYBORG:
“Nice one Ray. Somebody’s got to do it, since J’onn had his break down. Ok, the battle plan will be to go in pairs to check out each of these planets. Stop the Turmoil team from gathering whatever resource it is they’re collecting. I’ve called in several reserve members to assist us out. The teams will be as follows: Hawkman and Shazam going to Bane’s planet, Atom and Stargirl going to Cheetah’s planet, Black Lightning and Vibe going to Black Manta’s planet, Zatanna and Constantine going to Dr. Psycho’s planet, and finally we’ll have Aquaman and Robin coming in to go to Joker’s world. On the suggestion of Batman.”
The assembled group began to all talk at once, as they do, a large noise from the teleportation dock can be heard. All the reserve members: Shazam, Constantine, Aquaman, and Robin then enter the room.
CYBORG:
“Before you start complaining to me about the pair ups, listen, Batman gave me the list. So…you know…if you got a problem, then take it up with him. And I wish you the best of luck.”
CONSTANTINE:
Looking toward Zatanna. “I knew you’d come back asking me for help my love.”
ZATANNA:
Rolls eyes. “Hardly John. By the way, how did the battle against the Easter’s bunny’s evil twin go?”
CONSTANTINE:
“Quite well dear. I used an enchantment on him, were he will continuously and only hear Nicki Manaj songs in his head. Basically, I made him certifiably insane.”
ROBIN:
“I just want to say, it’s an incredible honor to be working with the Justice League. And working with the Second Shift once again.”
HAWKMAN:
“Shut. Up. Robin. It’s about time we gave you and the others, specifically Shazam, a little insight into the rules of being a member of the Second Shift. Rule number one, don’t be a nerd. Rule number two, don’t be a nerd. Rule number three, kick ass. So you see, that is why I’ll be bringing my mace. You guys, please leave the Ninja Turtle toys at home.”
SHAZAM:
“C’mon now Hawkman. I’m much more mature than that.”
ATOM:
“Yeah, you’re one to talk Cawkman. Batman probably teamed you with Shazam, so there would be someone responsible with you. ”
HAWKMAN:
“Atom. Sometimes…oh, that reminds me, where the hell is my mace?”
CYBORG:
“Alright team, you better get going. Grab a Javelin and head off to sector 1408. This mission looks like a long and hard one.”
HAWKMAN AND SHAZAM (IN UNISON):
“That’s what she said!!”
ZATANNA:
“Oh yeah, Batman definitely found the perfect team up for you Hawkman.”
The group make their ways to the Javelin starship docks. The dock area is large and there are seven Javelins docked inside. The group pair up with their assigned partners and enter into their own Javelins. With a loud roar the Javelins take off from the Watchtower and enter warp drive, on route to sector 1408. As the Javelins exit warp drive in sector 1408, they begin to branch off each heading toward a different planet. Hawkman pilots his ship to a large world covered in a crimson glow. Hawkman lands the Javelin safely, he and Shazam exit the spacecraft.
HAWKMAN:
His mace resting on his shoulder. “Alright kid, be prepared for anything. Bane is one tough bastard.”
The two walk out of the ship and into a world that appears to be something directly from the movie “Wizard of Oz”. A red brick road winds through a red hued forest and a red tinged cornfield toward a city of large red towers. In the distance a red castle can be seen with red flying monkeys circling.
HAWKMAN:
Looks utterly confused. “What the fff…”
Suddenly Hawkman is blinded by a bright, intense light from the sky. A red bubble drifts down before Shazam and Hawkman. The bubble dissipates and Bane appears, in the air before them. Bane is fitted with a red suit, he holds the lapels of his long red jacket. His mask is a bright red, with what appears to be a red liquid dripping from it.
BANE:
“I can see your confusion. Why? Why “Wizard of the Oz”? Simply put, the last memory of my mother features us watching the timeless classic movie. Right before my father started his murderous path of destruction. With my own mother. The path that would lead to my own imprisonment. My rage. Now, I will help Mongul as he has empowered me beyond what I thought possible. I dare you to stop us. If you want to stop me from the mining I am performing here on this planet. It’s quite simple, follow the bloody brick road.”
Bane zooms away toward to the city of red towers. As he leaves, from the two sides of the red brick road, two large figures emerge. On one side, the forest parts and a large red construct of a deadly tin man steps out carrying a deadly ax. From the other side, the cornfield, a large red construct of a scarecrow carrying a large sickle emerges. Both figures tower before Hawkman and Shazam.
SHAZAM:
“Well it could be worse. We could be about to take on giant versions of James Franco.”
Zatanna maneuvers the Javelin through a thick yellow fog, landing it on the planet. Zatanna and Constantine step outside the Javelin and see before them a large maze of tall and imposing walls.
ZATANNA:
“A maze? Certainly not very original?”
Behind Zatanna and Constantine, a solo hand clap sounds, and Dr. Psycho, attired in a yellow corps outfit floats before the duo.
DR PSYCHO:
“Oh. Well no one’s ever accused me of being overly creative.”
CONSTANTINE:
“Nor have they ever accused you of being a basketball player I’m certain. Wow. I’m surprised they had that suit in your size.”
DR PSYCHO:
“Very funny. Short jokes. I’ve never heard them before. You’re the first to ever rip on me for my height. Ah ha ha. Now who's being unoriginal? No, this maze is a classic. Sometimes, you know, the classics just work. You should give it a go. You know, go back to pulling rabbits out of your hats or finding quarters behind people’s ears.”
ZATANNA:
Smiles briefly. “Guess we could do that, maybe, I know! Saw someone in half. All we need is someone short enough to fit into one side. Do you know someone so short…oh wait…got me doing it too.”
DR PSYCHO:
“Well if magic shouldn’t work out, it’s nice to know that you two could enter stand-up comedy. The maze conceals our efforts here on this crap planet. Good luck finding it. Oh yeah, keep a clear head, cause the Minotaur in this labyrinth comes straight from your own fears and thoughts.”
Dr. Psycho flies off to the center of the maze.
CONSTANTINE:
“Well dear, suppose we should get to it. And remember to keep your head clear, because the little guy can read minds and will probably try use something against us.”
The two enter the maze and turn left, before them a large group of boy bands stand holding many different types of weapons. They are all yellow constructs and they stand side by side, in a large army-like formation; fifty different constructs each with a weapon. Zatanna and Constantine stare at one another.
ZATANNA:
“Oh. My. God. John. Why on Earth were you thinking about nineties boy bands? What…?
CONSTANTINE:
“Bloody hell, I had that song stuck in me head all damn day, you know? The one about wanting it that way? Innit incredible, that bastard is using that against us. Suppose it could be worse. At least, there’s no Justin Beiber.”
Upon saying that, the formation of nineties boy band constructs parts open and a construct of Justin Beiber walks through carrying a large pitchfork. He points the pitchfork at Zatanna and Constantine and shouts loudly to attack.
ZATANNA:
“John, please…please keep your mouth shut.”
Black Lightning lands his Javelin onto a dark and foreboding planet. He and Vibe step out, each gets a sudden shiver as they stare out onto an eerie scene of black headstones and statues. Black Manta swoops down from above.
BLACK MANTA:
“Most excellent, so glad I get a second chance to kill you stupid Second Shift dudes. This time, it will certainly be done.”
VIBE:
“Yeah right man, you and what army?”
BLACK MANTA:
“Oh, just me and the Brigade of Dead President Zombies.”
A zombie construct version of Ronald Reagan stumbles over the hill before the heroes. At the top of the hill he points down at the heroes.
ZOMBIE REAGAN:
“Tear down these super heroes!!”
BLACK MANTA:
“Ha ha ha!! Oh man, sweet. Have fun fellas.”
Black Manta does a salute and then flies away over the hill. From beyond the hill, a Franklin Roosevelt zombie construct flies in fast, sitting in a futuristic hovering chair. On the side hangs a zombie construct of Teddy Roosevelt like an old timey gangster hanging on the side of a getaway car, rather than holding a tommy gun he points a saber forward. On the hill older appearing constructs come walking up. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams amble toward the heroes, they are almost entirely made up of just bones. The Reagan constructs holds out his arm and into it walks Margaret Thatcher. The two kiss and then laugh into the dark air.
BLACK LIGHTNING:
“Damn man. They sure didn’t write about something like this in the super hero handbook.”
VIBE:
“Wait…there’s a handbook? No wonder I suck at this super hero stuff.”
BLACK LIGHTNING:
Looks at Vibe oddly. “Hell no! there’s no damn handbook kid. Now get ready, we got to go punch some presidents.”
TO BE CONTINUED….
Thanks so much to everyone that read!!! Truly appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!