3205 AD
It was a time of global peace. All the nations had merged into one. The Earth government then joined with other worlds to create the United Systems. The landscape of New Parodopolis was quite inspiring. Tall buildings with skyways reflected the sunlight. Every form of alien life walked freely on the streets. Many even lived on Earth. A massive feat of architecture, the Global Sphere completely surrounded the Earth. It’s job, to keep any and all threats from entering Earth. Large square access ports allowed visiting ships to enter and exiting ships to leave.
At the large headquarters of the Lair Legion of Super Heroes; one lone man sat in his lab. His face was an exact replica of the 21st Century hero known as Visionary. The differences were that his skin was green and his hair blonde. His name was Visionary 5. His father was merged with the sentient machine known as Brainattack. He gained control, allowing for the machine’s great intellect to be used for good. After his father’s death, Visionary 5 took on the tradition. He joined the Legion (the intergalactic group of youthful peacekeepers) and fought many threats to the United Systems.
Now the young genius sat, looking over images of a long dead 21st Century heroine. “Jackie, I thought somehow, someway I could have changed your fate. With all time merged during the Crisis, I thought I could save you from your destined death. It didn’t matter, though. By the time I got to the rendezvous site you and the heroes were already gone. I knew that was it.”
He flicked a few controls and suddenly an image from a long past event began on the screen.
“So why did you want to come into this alley Vishy?”
Her green skinned teammate quickly placed a strange headband on her head. It shot forth energy straight into her telepathic brain.
“Ugh!” she moaned as she stumbled backward.
“I regret that I had to do this Ima but I had no other choice. I know what history recorded. I know her fate. I just need to know if she cares for me at all. History recorded that she had a secret crush on a yellow and green wearing hero and we did serve in the JBH together. I just have to know.”
“Ugh!” Ima Arlee, the Lair Legion of Super Heroes member moaned again.
“After we are done this device will submerge the memory that we had this little meeting. This device will transform your telepathy to empathy for this one use. It will also allow you to be susceptible to my commands. Ima, tell me now, who does Jackie care deeply for?”
“Jasper Stevens.”
“What? Who? No. NO! I asked it wrong. I know she cares for her teammate, Kid Produce, but who does she love? She loves a hero who wears green and yellow. Who is it?”
“No. Her feelings inside are mixed. She feels deep infatuation for a different hero but she loves Jasper Stevens with a deeper love. He is her true hearts desire.”
“NO! Damn. I’ll have to think on that. But who is this hero she is infatuated with? Maybe there is still hope.”
“Visionary.”
Visionary 5 waited a moment but when no number followed the name he demanded, “That’s it? You mean me, right?”
“No. I mean the supposed fake man of the 21st century. I mean Visionary.”
“NO! It cant be! I’ve got to think about this. She doesn’t love me.”
“Uggggh! The pain!”
“One more question. What are her exact feelings for me?”
“You are just a friend. Nothing more. In fact your arrogant attitude turns her off. She finds it hard to like you at all.”
“NOOOOOOOO!”
“Computer, end program.”
Visionary 5 stood up and walked to the window of his lab. The beautiful cityscape glistened in the sun. He stood in a defiant pose, his hand clasped behind his back. “I cannot change the past. Jackie Roberts is dead. Thanks to the Parody War, the historical files are sketchy for the following five years. There is no record, however, of Jackie returning from the dead. There is nothing about her settling down with her love, Jasper Stevens.” When he said Kid Produce’s real name, he said it with venom.
“In fact, sometime after the War, Stevens’ record stops abruptly. The foolish prat had no future, let alone one with her. His life is no consequence.”
He crossed the room and pressed the intercom. “Von, could you please come into my lab?”
Von R Harper, descendant of the famous Al B. Harper and assistant to Visionary 5 responded from his quarters, “Right away Vish.”
Visionary 5 greeted his old friend as he picked up a device. “Von, I’ve come to a conclusion.”
Von rolled his eyes. “If this is about the Pregnancy Gun, I still don’t understand why you want it built. I mean your designs were perfect, but . . .”
“Listen to me.” Vish’s glare froze Von in place. If the young scientist did not know something was up when he entered the lab, he knew it now. “This has nothing to do with my inventions. I have come to a conclusion.” Vish leveled the strange device. “I’ve far too brilliant to continue as a simple fool.”
Von Harper started to back up towards the only door but it sealed behind him. “Oh no. I designed this headquarters, remember? All the doors follow my mental commands.” He pointed to his head. “Implanted cybernetic controls. And this weapon is a De-Atomizer. Let me teach you how it works.”
“But . . . Vish . . . you know a weapon can’t be fired on another person with out setting the alarms!” He looked into Vish’s cold green eyes. “Oh. You designed that, too. Wait! I’m your oldest friend! Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Good bye, Von. I can’t say it’s been a pleasure.” Visionary 5 fired the weapon at Von. With a blood curdling scream, Von Harper’s body broke apart into it’s separate molecules and vanished for good.
The intercom followed the scene. It was the Legionnaire Natstar.
“Vish? Visionary 5, are you there?”
“Yes, Tum Kalling. What can I help you with?”
“It’s Nurall. She’s having one of her nightmares and she won’t wake up. Please come to the infirmary.”
“I’m on my way.”
The Legion Infirmary. Cold and metallic, the infirmary has served the Lair Legion of Super Heroes as long as the new headquarters has been functioning.
Visionary 5 entered the room to find things going just as he planned. Three female Legionaries lied on hospital beds with various devices attached to them. Nurall Nett (Dream Cheryl), Ima Arlee (Saturn-Ziles) and Princess ProjectrAsil each lied very still. Leaning over his girlfriend, Natstar looked up at Visionary 5.
“I don’t understand it. Nurall normally wakes up from her nightmares. This morning though, she just started screaming. I couldn’t wake her so Gym helped me bring her here.”
Visionary 5 looked around the room. He knew that Karate Knight had been there, watching over his girlfriend ProjectrAsil, but he had missed Gym Allin.
He moved towards Dream Cheryl’s hospital bed. “It’s a good thing you were available, Allin. With most of the Legion away on missions, there isn’t many left to help in these situations.”
“Well, I was visiting my mother and missed the call outs for the missions. It’s all right though. I’m here to help now.” Answered the hero called Big-Bird.
“Yes. How fortunate.” Vish replied. His eyes glared evilly.
“Is there anything you can do for them?” Karate Knight asked.
“Yes. Of course there is.” Vish fiddled with the controls as a black liquid started to flow into their intravenous tubes.
“Wait. What is that?” Natstar asked.
“A fluid that will most certainly end their affliction. See, my dear companions, these three women have a similar problem. Princess ProjectrAsil has the natural ability to cast illusions. That could prove very problematic.” The three boys looked confused. “Dream Cheryl no doubt has picked up a very distressing future vision. She gets them all the time so there is no reason to think this is not another of the sort. Finally, ever sense we returned from the Crisis, dear Saturn-Ziles has been in a coma. The reason for that would have to do with my using her against her will for my own purposes.”
“WHAT?” Natstar started to get up, ready to use his density altering powers to pull Visionary 5 into the floor. Karate Knight took a defensive attack pose and Big-Bird started to finger his size changing flight harness.
Before they could attack, all three girls started to spasm, then flat line.
“NO! NURALL!”
“You killed them! You killed ProjectrAsil!”
“I told you I had a solution to their problem.” He pushed his Legion flight ring and all three young men fell to the ground. Electricity filled their bodies, frying them from the inside. “Remember, I designed the flight rings, too.”
He looked over his work. “Six Legionaries and one useless assistant down. A whole world left.”
I was going to do this in one part but if I post it in two parts you get something to read sooner.
