posted
I wrote this a very long time ago. Originally, I had written a part 2, but I was never happy with it. I will more than likely go back and retry it. Let me know what you think...
Part 1: The Gathering
Thom pulled the star pattern tunic over his head. The uniform felt stiff and uncomfortable after a month long vacation on Orando. Of course the words vacation and Orando don't usually go hand in hand for most people in the thirty-first century, but Thom and Nura weren't most people.
As Star Boy and Dream Girl of the Legion of Super-Heroes, they had traveled most of the known galaxy. The universe, although a beautiful place and mostly peaceful, needed protection from the likes of the Fatal Five and Mordru. The Legion's function was to protect that peace. Several of them had died for their efforts: Andrew, Lyle, Condo, Val and now, yet another death.
Nura and Thom had another month left on their visit with Jeckie on Orando when they received the call. Jeckie, of course, being the queen of Orando, insisted on returning with them, even though it meant leaving her planet without its beloved monarch. Jeckie had also served with the Legion for many years as Princess Projectra. That was before her father died, leaving the young girl to rule the backward planet. Nura had missed Jeckie terribly, so when it came time for a vacation, Thom suggested Orando to a delighted Nura. The planet was still governed much as the Middle Ages on Earth, with castles and dungeons and kings and queens. The stuff of ancient fairy tales....
Thom snapped up from his reverie by the holographic image of Nura that manifested directly in front of him.
"Thom, are you ready, honey? The funeral is going to start soon."
"Yeah, I'm ready. Where are you?"
"I just left Vi's room, she terribly upset about this. Thom, I...I..."
"Nura, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Why couldn't I see this coming?" Thom sighed, coming from anyone but Nura, it would be a natural thing to say when a close friend passed away. But Nura had the ability to see in the future while she dreamed. She should have seen this coming. Something was very wrong here. Maybe Brainy could get to the bottom of it after things calmed down.
"I don't know, Nura, I just don't know." There was no sense in trying to come up with some phony explanation that neither of them would truly believe. They were beyond that. Having been lovers for many years, Thom knew Nura loved him and vice-versa.
"It's just that... Thom, what if I can't dream at all anymore?"
"Hon, we'll talk to Brainy about it after the service. He'll know what to do." He wasn't half as sure as he hoped he sounded.
"I suppose... But hurry, please, lover, I need you to hold me."
"I'm on my way." As strong as Nura appeared on the outside, in many ways she was like a lost, little girl.
The image of Nura faded away.
"Poor kid," he said aloud as he left his quarters to join the others. It was gonna be a long day.
Jeckie surveyed the room that had served as her quarters for many years.
Although she missed her friends, her place was with her people now. She felt a twinge of regret at leaving them, even now. But she had to be here for this. She was a Legionnaire long before she was Queen. Her ability to create illusions had served her well in her years in service to the Legion. In a very real sense, that experience prepared her for the trials of the monarchy. She waved her hand and as she did so, an image took shape in front of her. A scene from the past played itself out before her, a time that occurred just after she had joined the Legion. She and Val, who was her beloved consort until his death, were walking hand in hand on a pleasure world whose name she could no longer remember. She cherished that moment, and so many others. His presence was closer to her here. And now he was joined by yet another fallen teammate.
"Take care of her, my love. I will shed a tear for you both today."
Tomorrow she would be Projectra, Queen of Orando but today she was again Princess Projectra, Legionnaire. Again she gestured and her royal garments were transformed into the red and yellow uniform she wore for many years as a member of the Legion. There was one final thing left to do. She opened a small box she had left lying on her bed. Inside was a ring with the letter 'L' as its face. She placed the golden ring on her finger and took a deep breath.
It's beginning, she thought. Just as the oracles had warned. Death had come once, but if what she had been told was true, more would surely follow. She couldn't let that happen. She hadn't spoken of it to Nura or Thom about it, mostly because Nura had been upset about her own faltering prophetic abilities and partly because the oracle did not have a clear vision. Only broken phrases and strange rhymes. Such is the way of her people....
"The knights of the thirty shall gather to honor their dead The queen returned cannot halt the dread For a malicious plot shall become known But a phantom target, then the true threat shown Beware my queen, for death is not done Before it's over, thrice more to come.
Jeckie shrugged, feeling a chill wind in the air. Again, she thought of her late consort.
"Val, I need you."
Violet looked around the Memorial Chamber as it began to fill with her fellow Legionnaires. Chuck and Luornu were there already, more old friends returned. Nura had told her that Jeckie was there as well. Funny how it takes a tragedy to bring them home, she thought. But that was the point for them, this wasn't home anymore. She wondered if she would ever have the courage to actually leave if the time came. She had no plans to go anywhere, of course. This was home and she could think of nowhere else she would rather be. Certainly not Imsk, her home planet, with its perpetual wars.
She was happy where she was.
She looked at the newly erected statue in the memorial center. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. She had not cried when Nura was with her earlier, but now it seemed pointless to even try to hold the tears back. Staring at the statue, she remembered how she was always envious of her, of how pretty she was. How together she always was. But still death had taken her.
It's not fair, Violet thought, not fair at all. She wished that she could use her powers now. She wished that she could shrink away from this. A Legionnaire doesn't hide, she reminded herself. She had to draw the courage from somewhere.
At that moment, Gim Allon, Colossal Boy, took his place beside her. He placed his arm around her tentatively, as if unsure if he should. She instinctively buried her head in his chest as she sobbed....
"Thank you, Gim. I really needed that."
"We all need that right now. But no one more than him." He pointed. Salu immediately felt guilty for feeling so sad. If she felt this bad, imagine how HE must feel right now.
Garth Ranzz, Lightning Lad, stared coldly at the lifeless statue. It didn't do her justice, he mused coldly. She was so beautiful, so full of life and fire.
He knew that some of the others, Tinya and Tasmia in particular, had labeled her the 'Ice Queen'. But they didn't know the woman as well as Garth did. They didn't share a bed with her. They didn't take vows of Holy Matrimony with her. NO, they had no idea of the truly passionate woman she was. He thought back to the day Rokk, Imra and he met. It was the beginning of the Legion. They never thought it would lead to this. He was so angry that his fingertips began to tingle with the familiar electricity that sprang forth from his hands. He had activated his power subconsciously.
God, he loved that woman.
It hadn't sunk in yet. Even when Rokk began to speak....
"Today, it is my sad duty to preside over this memorial for one of our own. Not just one of ours though, one of our founders. We come here today to remember Imra Ardeen Ranzz, Saturn Girl...."
[ July 18, 2003, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: Danny Blaine ]
-------------------- Touch the magic...
From: Morganfield, KY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
YOU KILLED SATURN GIRL!! Well done you!!! nice character driven peice there.... now don't keep us waiting too long before the second part please.
From: home sweet home... unless i'm posting from work | Registered: Jul 2003
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They met in shadows. Their voices hushed in whisper.
Finally, one of them spoke.
"The knights of the thirty shall gather to honor their dead The queen returned cannot halt the dread For a malicious plot shall become known But a phantom target, then the true threat shown Beware my queen, for death is not done Before it's over, thrice more to come."
The orange skined Chameleon looked around after he finished those words. There was no surprise, only sadness on their faces.
"Jeckie told you this, right? Did she mention it to anyone else?" Violet's asked, her face partially covered in shadow.
"No," Cham replied, "Not even Thom and Nura. She didn't want to worry them and she thought we would make the most use out of the information."
"And Dream Girl's powers are did not warn her of this?" Invisible Kid had a sad look on his face, he had known Imra the least amount of time, but his sadness seemed as strong as any of the other, Cham thought.
"No, and we need to find out why." Cham answered. "I'm sure there is a connection. "Because for someone to get that close to Imra without her knowing it, someone had to have shut her powers down,somehow, or at least dampened them. She should have sensed that someone was there with her. If Nura's powers were similarily tampered with..."
"But Nura has been gone for over a month!" Shadow Lass said. "Either this was thought out well in advance, or more than one person is involved."
"We can't rule anything out. All we know right now for sure, is that Saturn Girl was murdered in her own quarters. There were no marks on her body and they med lab reports that cause of death was some sort of poison."
"Where was Garth during all of this?" Shadow Lass asked impatiently. "Where was Lightning Lad."
"He was downstairs in the workout room with Sun Boy. He was gone for about an hour. When he returned, she was dead."
"Cham, do you think a Legionnaire did this?"
"I don't know yet, for now, we treat this as if everyone is a suspect." He paused, looking at each of them. "There is one other thing."
"What is it, Cham?" Violet asked.
He pulled out a square object. The metallic frame glistened in the half light. The planet Saturn pictured in it's center. "This was found in her hands when they found her."
"But that's her Mission Monitor Board icon," Invisible Kid gasped. "Why would someone do that?
"It's fairly obvious, isn't it Cham?" Phantom Girl interrupted.
Cham nodded. "I think so. I don't think our serial killer is finished with us yet."
"That would fit with Jeckie's message."
Cham nodded. "I want each of you to be on guard for now. Until we decide how to handle this, we can't tell anyone anything. Trust no one." He looked at Phantom Girl and SHadow Lass and repeated, "No one."
"Understood." Invisible Kid said, "what do we do now?"
"Jacque, I want you and Violet to search Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl's quarters, see if you can find any clues. Lightning Lad, Garth, won't be there. "He is going to Winath for a few days."
"Phantom Girl and Shadow Lass, stay on standby. If you see anything strange at all, let us know."
"I am going to find out what I can about Nura's power loss. I want to know if there is any connection. Be careful, Jeckie's message has me worried."
They dispersed into the shadows. The Legion Espionage Squad was activated...
***
The quarters of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl were quiet. Violet and Jacque had no trouble getting in, given their unique abilities. Violet, shrinking to micorscopic size, flew under the door and unlocked it from the inside. Jacque, invisible, opened the door quickly and closed it behind him as he entered. He relocked it behind him.
They made no sound as they searched. Violet grew to normal size. After an exhaustive search, they were about to give up when Violet noticed that an object was protruding slightly out from under the holovid player. SHe lifted it up and picked up the object.
She gasped. "what does this mean?"
Invisible Kid stared at the object as well. Another Mission Monitor Board Icon. She handed it to him and he could see it clearly.
A framed image of the sun...
***
At the same time, Nura woke with a start.
"Thom!" she cried.
"Nura? What's wrong, kid?" He turned over and propped his head with his hand.
"I had a dream... I think."
"You think?"
"Well, I..."
"What?"
"I was lying there asleep, and I felt as I do when the dreams usually come, it felt the same. Only this time, it was all black, like someone painted over it so that I couldn't see it! All I could see was the darkness, then it was gone. Thom, someone has done this to me! I'm sure of it! Someone doesn't want me to see the future!"
"But who would do that, Nura? And why?" He already knew at least the why part, and so did she.
"We need to find Brainy, now!"
***
Dirk Morgna was walking alone in the streets of Metropolis. He had gone out looking to pick up a tourist, maybe another Carggite. They were always a good time!
The death of Saturn Girl had hit him harder than he had thought. Sure he had found his Carggite and he had gone through the motions, but his heart wasn't in it. Another Legionnaire was dead, and so soon after Val. It had only beed a few months since they lost him. Maybe it was time to leave the Legion, he thought.
Sun Boy never noticed that someone was following him until the last second. He heard a noise and swiftly turned around.
"You?" He said, "What are you doing?"
The dart had already pierced his skin. He tried to activate his powers, the very powers of the sun, but all he could muster was a brief flare. Soon, he was unable to move at all. All he could do was watch as a silvery object sliced into him. And again. And again.
And then, he was gone. The sun had been extinguished.
***
[ July 18, 2003, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: Danny Blaine ]
-------------------- Touch the magic...
From: Morganfield, KY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Can't believe I waited this long to read the story. Great work Danny! I'm not much of a casual reader anymore, more than likely to pick up a technical manual when I have the time instead. But this was great and I want more!
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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Brainiac 5 was working late in his lab when Star Boy and Dream Girl rushed in.
"Brainy, you've got to help me!" Nura Nal, exclaimed. Nrua, Dream Girl, was rarely the excitable type. She had served as Legion leader, any to everyone's surprise (even her own, Brainiac thought), she had done remarkably well.
"What's wrong? Besides the obvious mourning for Saturn Girl's untimely demise." Brainiac showed no hint of emotion as he spoke.
"My powers! They aren't working right! I need you to run some tests! I think, we think," she glanced at Thom, "that someone has tampered with my powers!"
"IS that all?" He flashed a smirk. "Dream Girl, your powers are not scientific in nature. Maybe you should talk to your sister, the White Witch. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my research!" He turned away from them and began adjusting dials on a complex looking machine.
"But..."
Suddenly, a purple glow shot from Star Boy's hands. Brainac could see the platform that his maching was on start to buckle. Star Boy had the ability to increase the weight of anything with his gravity manipulating powers.
"Stop, you fool. You'll destroy my work!"
"Then help her, Brainy. All we are asking for is a few minutes." Star Boy showed no sign of relenting.
"Very well, you lovesick neanderthal. Dream Girl, please disrobe and meet me at Med Lab 4." A slight smile came over him as he strode passed Star Boy, as if he wasn't there.
"ok, Brainy. We'll be there."
Chameleon Boy watched the three of them, disguised as a very small insectoid. HE would follow them to the medlab.
***
The next morning, Element Lad was pacing the Mission Monitor Board when Dawnstar and Wildfire entered.
"Have you seen Sun Boy?" Jan Arrah asked impatiently.
"No, not today. Why do you need him? Is there another paternity scandal?"
"He was supposed to relive me on monitor duty an hour ago!"
"do you want me to track him? He can't have been gone for too long, I should be able to find him."
"Yes, and take Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy with you. I don't want to take any chances after..."
Suddenly, the image of Shvaughn Erin, Science Police Liason to the Legion and Element Lad's lover, came to life on the Monitor Screen.
"Jan, I'm at the carggite district. I think you should get down here. Right now!" There were visible tears rolling down her eyes even on screen.
"What's wrong, Shvaughn?"
"It's Sun Boy, he's.... dead"
***
Element Lad, Dawnstar and Wildfire were joined by Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy at the crime scene. Many of the other Legionnaires were off world on various personal or professional missions. Dream Girl and Thom had been working with Brainy in the medlab all night, trying to find out why Dream Girl's powers weren't working.
By the time the Legionnaires arrived at the scene, a crowd had formed.
The Legionnaires stood there, stunned. Sun Boy's corpse was bloodied and the ground around him had been burned.
"Looks like he went nova before he..." WIldfire's voice broke off.
Phantom Girl was solemn. She and Sun Boy weren't friends by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, they had been somewhat antagonistic toward each other. But this??? No one deserved this.
Suddenly, laughter filled the air. Disgusted, the Legionnaires turned to face Dr. Regulus. Quickly, Regulus shot a solar powered be of heat at the building above them. Debris from the damaged building began to fall, threatening the many innocents who had gathered.
Ultra boy, with his ability to Use one power at a time, switched to Super-Speed in order to clear the ciivilians out of harm's way. Wildfire blasted some of the debris to dust and Element Lad used his powers to transmute the rest to air.
That left Dawnstar and Phantom Girl to tackle Regulus. He fired again, this time at the flying Dawnstar. She managed to avoid his blast, but because she was in a confined area, was unqable to recover in time to aviod hitting a nearby tree, knocking her unconscious.
By this time, Phantom Girl was right on him. HOwever, they both realized they were at a stalemate. He couldn't hurt her because she was immaterial. But at the same time, she couldn't risk becoming solid or Regulus could hit her.
"You finally got your wish, Regulus. You killed Sun Boy, you bastard!"
"No! As much as I would love to claim this victory, I didn't do it. Someone got to him first, damn them all!" He seemed distracted and agitated.
"What? Who?"
"It was..." Just then, Ultra Boy rushed in and punched Regulus, knocking him unconscious.
"Grife, Jo! Why'd you have to do that?"
"What? Tinya, have you lost your sprocking mind? This nasshead killed Dirk."
"No, I don't think he did." She walked away from him. Then she remembered Violet and Invisible Kid had reported about finding Sun Boy's icon in Saturn Girl's quarters. She went to Dirk's corpse but found nothing. Vi had said that the killer had hidden it the last time. Where would it be now? Forcing herself to look at Dirk's corpse, she noticed that his finger seemed to be pointing to something. She followed it to tree that had been upturned during Regulus' attack. Something silvery lay on the ground beside it.
"This was it," she thought. "I'm going to find out who's next."
She picked up the metal. Unfortunately, it had been melted to slag. It was still warm to the touch. She pocketed into a hidden pouch in her cape just as the other Legionnaires joined her.
"Tinya, what are you doing?" Jo asked, obviously concerned.
"Nothing. Nothing at all..."
"Let's go home and tell the others," Element Lad said sadly.
***
[ July 18, 2003, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Danny Blaine ]
-------------------- Touch the magic...
From: Morganfield, KY | Registered: Jul 2003
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Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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Oops, I see. I shouldn't have skimmed the story this time.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Phantom Girl]](graemlins/PhantomGirl.gif)
