EPILOGUE

I

"You might have told me." Ronnie grumbled as he and Donovan rode the lift towards Booster's penthouse apartment weeks after the Ani-Men threat had ended.

Donovan was laughing so hard he could barely answer. He supposed he should not be so merciless at his friend's expense but the opportunity was too rich. Ronnie bristled visibly as Donovan made some half hearted attempt to stifle his guffaws.

"Will you cut it out already?" Ronnie glared at him.

"I'm sorry," Donovan straightened up and cleared is throat. "I supposed, I should have told you that Sigrid was gay but you never asked."

"I still can't believe it." Ronnie said bewildered. "How does a beautiful woman like that go down that road? I mean, it's almost sacrilegious."

Ronnie's reaction to Sigrid's admission made the whole situation all the more amusing. Donovan knew he should not be laughing but Ronnie Raymond went through life believing that his looks were meant for making womanising so much easier. It supposed it must have been bruising to the ego to believe that there were just some women on whom his charm failed.

"To each his own." Donovan said as he managed to regain his composure. "She told me about it the first time we went to dinner."

Ronnie turned to him quickly. "You mean you asked her out on a date too?"

"No, it was nothing like that." Donovan replied. "Sigrid and I are just friends. I like it that way. We go out to the movies and dinner sometimes. There's nothing romantic about it. Its just she doesn't know that many people in New York and me…." He paused as he inadvertently came upon a subject he did not like discussing ordinarily. However, he and Ronnie had developed a deeper understanding of each other since their talk at his apartment. Further more, it would not be premature to say they were becoming close friends in light of their tragic backgrounds.

He met Ronnie's gaze. "My friends don't know how to treat me now that I'm in a wheel chair. I have to admit they tried fitting me into the group after the shooting but it just didn't feel right and since I can't tell them I'm General Glory, its best to just keep away."

"That's rough." Ronnie responded understanding completely how that felt. When he had discovered his body was riddled with cancer, most of his friends had similarly dissolved. Ronnie understand that their behaviour was due to their own inadequacies on how he should be regarded because they feared offending him.

"Besides, being with Sigrid is easier than actually dealing with a relationship." Donovan admitted.

"How so?" Ronnie looked at him curiously.

"Let's face it." He sighed depreciatingly. "I'm not that much of a catch am I? Who would want a guy in a wheel chair?"

"Now its you whose being shallow." Ronnie stated firmly. "You shouldn't underestimate women that way. You'd be surprised how many women value an honest relationship over demi-gods like myself who think monogamy is a bad word. Believe me, I ought to know."

Donovan rolled his eyes in sarcasm but understood that Ronnie was probably right. At the moment, he had difficulty believing it was right to inflict his erratic lifestyle on any woman. Especially one he cared for deeply. General Glory was his body while he still wished to make a difference in this world; it was not his to use for his own selfish ends. He knew that stance was over simplifying matters but at this time, it was how he felt. "Anyway," he said getting back to the issue at hand. "Sigrid and I have a good friendship where there's not pressure of it leading to anything more intimate."

Ronnie let out a frustrated sigh. "I still think it's a hell of a waste."

*********

Despite the damage down to the Ani-Men complex, there was still enough of Section 22 intact for Sigrid and a number of her Star Labs companions to descend upon it with a mission. More than a dozen minds that were experts in the field of molecular biology and genetic biochemistry, were presented with the problem at hand. The scientists took Lovecraft's data apart in order to understand the scientific theory that had allowed him to perform his genetic experiments in Ani-Men evolution.

Although the task had seemed daunting at first, Sigrid refused to give up because it was imperative that a solution be found. Lovecraft's equipment was still functioning and if they could decipher the data before them, she had been confident they would find their answer. It had taken several days and nights of burning the proverbial midnight oil as learned minds studied the information like a scourge from god.

When it seemed as if success was a remote possibility, Sigrid had found the answer but learnt quickly that it was not a complete victory. In the end, Lovecraft had managed to defeat them even if it was a minor triumph. Recovery for Zatanna and Kevin was within the realms of possibility. However, for those who had been in their mutated forms for an extended period of time, the process was irreversible. To attempt such a thing would have ensured severe cellular damage and neither Sigrid nor her colleagues were willing to take the risk.

The Central American government on which the complex resided had no choice but to take matters in their own hands. Allowing the Star Lab contingent to restore the Ani-Men that could be saved, the government turned their attention to those who could. The Crusaders were forced to watch helplessly as trucks and containment vehicles loaded with the mutant captives disappear into uncertain territory. Later on, the super group discovered through Oracle's vast network of information that the specimens had been given a humane death. Sigrid could not understand how any death could be considered human but neither Star Labs nor the Crusaders were in any position to do anything. The Ani-Men complex was outside US territory and that also took their welfare out of American jurisdiction. All that was left for them to do was lodge an official protest that was all but ignored.

"So is there any word on Lovecraft?" Beatriz asked.

It was the first time the group had been together on a social occasion since their departure from Central America following the conclusion of the Ani-Men incident. Zatanna had been discharged from the ministrations of Star Labs a few days ago and had been recuperating at Booster's penthouse for the time being until she was ready to return home to New England. Although many of them had felt their accomplishments in Central America had been a hollow victory, a small celebration was still in order, if just to boost everyone's morale. It was even better when they had the presence of an unexpected guest.

"None that Oracle has been able to find." Jonn Jonzz replied. "She's been using League resources to the fullest. Wherever the man is, he must have fallen off the face of the planet."

"We'll keep an eye out for sure." Guy declared firmly. "Scum like that usually rises to the surface after a while." He reached for a slice of pizza on the nearby coffee table and took a bite before turning his attention to Ted. "By the way, thanks for the scholarship."

Ted, who was sitting on the floor against the sofa where Zatanna was lying down, shifted uncomfortably at the remark. Although Kevin Sharp's chances of getting to college with a track scholarship had been destroyed thanks to the Ani-Men, Ted had come to the rescue by means of Lightspeed. The company had donated a number of scholarships to Guy's high school, with the provision that one of those boons go to Kevin Sharpe. Ted hated the idea of letting Maximus get his way, even in this. "Its tax deductible." He replied.

"Like hell it is." Booster countered good-naturedly. "Basically Ted went to our accountants and ordered them to get it done or else."

"Thanks a lot buddy." Ted scowled at him

"My pleasure," Booster grinned. "He's just a big softy."

"Well, I appreciate it." Guy replied honestly. "Learn to take a compliment, will ya?"

Ted tried not to seem embarrassed but he was. He handled very few things well without the benefit of humour to bolster his confidence. What he had done was nothing extraordinary and after what he and Donovan had seen of that neighbourhood, he believed those kids needed all the breaks they could get.

"So how are you feeling Zatanna?" Sigrid asked, moving the subject away from Ted because she could tell he was uncomfortable with all the attention. After being showered by similar praises all week herself, she could understand his discomfiture all too well. She wished her friends would understand that restoring Zatanna and the others was not a solo effort on her part. She had the assistance of Star Labs best minds to help her understand Lovecraft's transformation procedure. She did not want to take credit for everything when it was by no means a solo performance.

"I'm alright." Zatanna said shifting in the sofa to a more upright position. She still felt sore after the treatment she had been enduring the past weeks but felt better just knowing she was back to normal. Her scrambled DNA had been purged of the Ani-Men contaminants and just being able to look in the mirror to see her own face without the benefit of any glamour was gratifying. "I'm taking my pills and Ted's making sure I'm not exerting myself any more than necessary." She responded dutifully, offering Ted a tender smile as she spoke.

"Good," Sigrid replied, pleased by the woman's progress. "I'll expect to see you on Saturday before you head back to New England."

"Will do." Zatanna saluted her obediently.

In the meantime, Jonn and Guy had slipped away from the main group for a private exchange. Although Guy had nothing to hide from his comrades, he did wish to speak to Jonn privately. It was hard being around the Martian without reverting to some old habits. To all of them in the room, Jonn would always be a picture of authority. During their League years, Jonn had been friend, adviser, sometimes parent and disciplinarian to almost everyone in the room. It was hard to forget all that history just because they were no longer teammates.

"Jonn I want to thank you." Guy said quietly.

The Martian who was probably reading his intent directly from Guy's unguarded mind did not seem surprised to hear his gratitude. "Thanks are not needed, Guy." Jonn spoke into that often infuriatingly calm voice. "The Crusaders are your team, not mine."

"I know." Guy nodded. "But I still want to thank you anyway. I know you wanted to help us with the Ani-Men but I also know you held back for a reason."

Jonn let out a heavy sigh. "You didn't need my help Guy. Things have changed for you, for the better definitely. There's not a person out there who doesn't feel that you earned their respect. I'm proud of you."

There was a time not too long ago, when those words would have been meaningless to Guy Gardner. He knew during his days in the League, he was barely tolerated by the majority of its members. Jonn included. Guy could hardly blame them for that opinion, considering he was boorish, almost psychotic and down right arrogant beyond belief. Guy knew he had gone a long way to changing those opinions about him in recent times. Still, hearing it from Jonn gave him a sense of accomplishment that was all too infrequent in his life.

"Thanks Jonn," Guy said trying not to show that the Martian's words had affected him deeply. There were still some things about the Guy Gardner image he wanted to maintain. He took a deep breath to shrug off the moment before replying. "Come on Skipper, we'll break out the Oreos."

"And then again, I might have spoken too hastily." Jonn retorted.

"Its too late now." Guy grinned.

"Hey is this a party or what?" They heard Ronnie's voice announcing loudly as he and Donovan made their arrival.

Guy glanced at Jonn with a knowing smile. "Come on Jonn," he nudged the tall Martian in the ribs as someone turned up the music and belted out Cher's latest throughout the room. "Admit it, you missed us." The Vuldarian grinned at him, full of mischief.

Jonn did not answer and rolled his eyes in resignation. "That's one way to put it."

*********

He could not see but he could hear the movement in the darkness.

Somewhere nearby, he could hear the repetitious plinking of water droplets on stone. He could not crane his neck to see which direction the sound was coming from. He hung suspended in the filament, unable to move, unable to run. All he was allowed to do was scream but it seemed no one could hear him.

Lovecraft tried to remember how much time had slipped past since he began his imprisonment in this shadowy dungeon. He remembered Titus taking him to safety when it seemed capture by the paranormals was eminent. Titus had been one of Maximus' most loyal subjects and the doctor naturally assumed that Titus would deliver him to the Ani-Men leader. However, Titus had not brought him to Maximus and as the giant spider creature carried him away from the complex, Lovecraft was almost grateful. He had not relished falling into the hands of the authorities he was certain, would not understand the nature of his work.

However, Titus had not released him and despite Lovecraft's pleas, the Ani-Men continued through the rainforest, journeying continuously for the next two days through harsh, unyielding terrain. He had screamed at Titus to let him go until his vocal cords felt like knotted pieces of leather and still Titus continued travelling. At some point, Lovecraft had finally succumb to exhaustion and allowed himself to sleep in Titus' unfailing grip.

The journey came to an end in a cave far beneath the earth. Although Lovecraft had not been awake during the descent below ground, he knew they were nevertheless deep beneath the surface. He heard no sounds of life in this place. Not even insects would dare venture into this domain. Even if Titus was no ordinary spider, the other insects recognised him for what he was and wisely kept their distance. Lovecraft could not understand what reason motivated Titus to squirrel him in such a dismal place and more importantly, where was Maximus?

Lovecraft knew with complete certainty that Maximus was too smart to allow himself to be captured by the paranormals. However, if Maximus was free, then why had he not come to deliver his faithful servant? Without Lovecraft, Maximus had no Ani-Men. Only he understood the work and only he was capable of creating a new army for Maximus' grandiose plans. However, as the days passed there were no signs of Maximus and no indication that Titus intended to let him escape. The Ani-Men had him bounded to the uneven walls of the cave with the thick residue normally reserved by arachnids for the production of their elaborate webs. Although Titus was much too large to undertake such a construct, the resin kept Lovecraft trapped as any fly snared by a web.

For a brief period of time, Lovecraft actually entertained the notion that Titus may actually intend to use him as food. Despite the subservience all Ani-Men were naturally programmed to possess, that obedience was only to Maximus. Lovecraft never believed it would be necessary to program such safeguards. Nevertheless, for days, he wrested with the fear that sooner or later Titus would see him as a source of nourishment, instead of a remnant of a past existence.

However, that opinion soon disappeared as Titus began bringing him offerings of food. Lovecraft assumed they were still in the rain forest because the food consisted mainly of fruits, berries and an assortment of nuts. Whatever purpose Titus had in mind for him, Lovecraft was relieved to know that Titus intended to keep him alive. Occasionally, Lovecraft would draw conversation from the gigantic arachnid. The more isolated Titus had become, the further his linguistic skills seem to deteriorate. Eventually, Lovecraft could get nothing from him except a loosely strung series of words that could be considered a sentence if one listened closely enough.

When he did speak, it was difficult to understand Titus. Lovecraft understood enough to know that it was the future that mostly preoccupied Titus' thoughts now that he was no longer apart of the Ani-Men hierarchy. He sometimes made reference to being a host but the manner in which he expressed himself was getting harder to understand with each passing day. The scientist in Lovecraft came to the conclusion that the further away the Ani-Men was disassociated from normal human behaviour, the faster they descended into the animal alternative. Lovecraft wondered how long it would be before Titus forgot that his prisoner was no longer a guest but food.

One day, the Ani-Men had remained in its cave for most of the day. Usually, Titus would go foraging for Lovecraft's food, but on this particular day, he had not left the confines of the dark enclosure. Still pined to the wall in the web like substance that Titus was diligent enough to reinforce daily, Lovecraft watched helplessly as the creature heaved and groaned laboriously. Titus survival was his survival and Lovecraft had feared the worst. However, the incident had come and gone with Titus returning to normal and falling back into familiar patents the following day.

Today however, Lovecraft heard something new in the usual silence of his prison. He could not identify the sound but it almost sounded like tearing. He could not even imagine what there was in this dismal place to tear but Lovecraft was certain of what he had heard. Something was moving inside his dungeon and it was not him.

Suddenly, he saw them. Small and nimble, they ran across the stone floor, their exoskeleton frames tapping lightly against the ground as they moved. There were so many of them he could barely count where one creature began and another ended. With stark horror, Lovecraft suddenly recalled what kind arachnid DNA he had used to transform Titus into an Ani-Men. He remembered that the particular species was capable of asexual reproduction and it now dawned on him that Titus was subject to such characteristics.

"I'm sorry it has to end this way doctor." Titus' voice suddenly filled the cave.

Lovecraft could not see the Ani-Men for Titus was speaking from the entrance way of his birthing chamber. There was still enough humanity left in Titus for him to mourn what was to come. However, not enough for it to be of any use to Doctor Lovecraft.

"Titus!" Lovecraft started to panic as he saw the stunted horde of spiders quickly advancing towards him. "What is this?"

"The Master always told us that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Titus continued, his raspy voice seemed inordinately sad. "I have enjoyed your companionship Doctor, but I must yield to the needs of my children."

"Needs?" Lovecraft stammered as he saw the first of tiny arachnids climbing up his toes. The swarm of spiders leapt unto him from the ground, driven by hidden purpose that the good doctor was only now starting to comprehend. Realisation brought to surface blinding panic as he struggled desperately to escape the webbing that had kept him trapped, awaiting a grisly fate. "What needs?" He shouted as the spiders began to swarm. Their dark bodies moving so fast and so many that Lovecraft could see nothing else. As he began to scream helplessly, he heard Titus' final answer.

"My children must feed."

********

In this business, it paid to have connections.

There was no way a man could call himself a legitimate theatrical agent without having at least some contacts at his disposal. It was because of these connections that Jeff Sloane was called on to do a small favour for one his prized clients and closest friends.

Although there was no reason to be here, Jeff Sloane found he could not keep away. He supposed a sense of longing had brought him to this dilapidated old circus. The establishment was well past its prime and been so for many years now. In this cynical day and age, dancing clowns, acrobats and performing animals were no match to compete in any fashion with Nintendo games and Spice Girls. In its more glamorous past, all the greats had played here at one point or another. Houdini had once been a headliner of the Davis Circus, not to mention a young lady magician by the name of Zatanna Zatara who was just beginning to perfect her craft. In those days, the air was always filled with the sounds of happy children and the smell of buttered popcorn and colourful cotton candy lifted the spirits the way nothing else could.

At present, Zee had confessed no desire to return to the entertainment industry, despite her continuing popularity. Jeff had lost count of how many times he was forced to turn down requests by dozens of venues for a comeback performance. Unfortunately, Zatanna had moved beyond the need to perform parlour tricks for a paying audience. She was not only a major player in the superhero community but the woman had also taken control of her personal life in way she had never been able to do before. Although it was not in his habit to keep abreast of such things, the New York gossip columns and superhero tabloids had been diligently reporting the ongoing romance she was having with Ted Kord. Not only was the new man in her life the CEO of up and coming Lightspeed Entertainment but was also known as the Blue Beetle. Personally, Jeff felt she could do better but felt it was not his place to say. No matter how much history there was between them, Zee would not take the intrusion kindly.

"Jeff Sloane!" Al Davis exclaimed as he saw Jeff walking through the less than crowded paths meandering through the circus stands. It was easy to identify one man when the crowds were less than prolific these days.

"Hey Al," Jeff grinned, genuinely pleased to see the owner of the Davis Circus. "How's it going?"

"Not so good." Al said honestly, gesturing to thinning crowds throughout the place. "But we're hanging on."

"I'm glad." Jeff replied truthfully. Despite the drop in business, there was something about a circus that still warmed his insides. He was reminded of his youth where he and Tommy Cutter would sneak in through the fence to see the lions of the circus travelling through their town in small town USA. It was one of the reasons why Jeff had always tried to secure as many decent acts as he could for the Davis Circus. These days, circus acts were far and few but he still tried to the best he could for Al. Despite the years of questionable prosperity, Al still looked the same. He was a distinguished looking man, who cut a fine image wearing his red ringmaster's suit against his ebony coloured skin. Even though his dark curly hair had become snow white, Al still appeared as imposing.

"By the way," Al replied. "Thanks for the package. With these environmental people the way they are, circus animals are hard to come by."

"Don't thank me," Jeff confessed. "Thank Zee. It was her gift."

"How is that little girl these days?" Al asked remembering the young girl fondly.

It was easy to forget that Al Davis had been in the business when Zatara the magician was still doing the circuit across the country. Al had known Zatanna since she was a little girl, tagging along behind the great Zatara. In those days, she was Zatara's assistant, practising his famous tricks in secret and hoping, someday, she would be just as good. Jeff wondered what it was like to have known her then before the world had passed through her eyes.

"She great." He answered although he had not seen her face to face for some months now. "Can I see him?" It was still an hour before the curtains went up in the big top. Jeff knew Al was the person to ask not simply because the older man was the ringmaster but also because he was the owner of the circus.

"I don't see why not." He led Jeff towards the tents behind the big top.

"How is he doing anyway?" Jeff inquired as they moved through the sawdust streets and a group of children all sufficiently armed with candy and peanuts. Judging by their excitement, it was the elephants for them. In the distance, Jeff could see Jenny Layton guiding the circus' performing elephant (named Leela) around a patch of green, with a child riding on its back. He made a mental note to call on Jenny later.

"He was a feisty animal I'll tell ya," Al admitted as they passed through the tent flap that led to their destination. "Kit's not one to use the whip but he didn't have much of a choice with him. I swear, I don't know who had a worse time of it."

As a rule, circus performers using animals did not like using physical force during training but Jeff knew history behind this particular animal so he did not pass judgement on the practice. Thus, he said nothing as they reached the large cage inside the tent. The acrid smell of soiled hay greeted his nose as he entered the enclosed space. Animal sounds could be heard from within.

"There he is." Al regarded the creature glaring at them through the bars. The lion paced up and down the narrow length of cage that made up his enclosure, its tail swinging lethargically from side to side. Its eyes hardly left them as he moved across the hay floor, bearing teeth that glistened with saliva.

"So it is." Jeff smiled, staring into the creatures' eyes, wondering if it knew what he had been once or if Zatanna had been callous enough to let it keep those memories. Somehow, Jeff knew instinctively that she had. The malevolence he saw in the creature's eyes did not seem at all animalistic but human in its intensity. "You kept the name." He turned to Al, deciding he did not want keep the creature's gaze any longer. Looking at it, made him uncomfortable.

"Yeah," the older man nodded. "I followed your instructions, just the way Zee wanted it."

"Good," Jeff replied with approval. His eyes moved to the wooden plaque hanging from the top of the cage with its stencilled lettering.

REX MAXIMUS

KING OF THE BEASTS

He had one more thing to do for Zatanna. During their conversation earlier that afternoon, she had made him promise even though Jeff had found it strange until she explained the truth behind her gift to Al Davis' collection of performing animals. Jeff stared at the creature for a moment and then took a deep breath. The creature's eyes unsettled him. Leaning closer towards the cage, he was far enough to avoid injury should the lion decide to react and close enough to be heard. As he stepped forward, it seemed as if the animal knew that Jeff was about to speak.

"Zatanna has a message for you Maximus." Jeff said softly. "For the rest of your life."

THE END