The Forgotten Heroes: No Place Like Home, Chapter 1: Lost Identity

by Libbylawrence

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On Vumania, the island base of the Forgotten Heroes, Captain Comet smiled as Joanie Swift entered in a blur.

“So far all seems quiet,” said the perky blonde. “The renewed activities of the JLA, the New Titans, and the Outsiders make us Forgotten Heroes seem almost unneeded!”

“There’s always a need for heroes of all kinds,” said Adam Blake. “Still, this lull makes me think about taking a vacation of sorts. I want to reconnect with my roots, as the pop psychologists say.”

“That’s right,” said Joanie. “In your own way you are as much a person out of time as we victims of Atoman are. You journeyed through space for so long that the world changed a lot in your absence.”

Captain Comet nodded. “Exactly. And I made a lot of errors when I first returned. (*) I didn’t acquit myself as well as I should have during my first cases back then. If I had not made good friends like the Hols, Superman, and Green Lantern, I’d have been even worse off.”

[(*) Editor’s note: See “No Man Shall I Call Master,” Secret Society of Super-Villains #2 (August, 1976).]

Joanie said, “So, are your folks alive?”

Adam shook his head. “No. My parents and my mentor, Professor Emery Zackro, are dead. I have one relation who is a black sheep of sorts, while another was a heroine in her own right. Actually, I was thinking about some old friends instead of family. I think I’m going to try to go back home to visit them.”

Joanie looked wistful. Her own life was not only decades but a whole parallel world away. She had been torn through time and space from Earth-Two by Atoman during the Crisis on Infinite Earths as part of an ill-fated plot the madman had hatched against his own Earth. (*) She wondered if her own friends, family, and onetime partner Johnny Quick were still alive. (*)

[(*) Editor’s note: See Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: Whatever Happened To…? and “Joanie Swift, Queen of Speed,” Adventure Comics #181 (October, 1952).]

***

Elsewhere on the island base, the Vigilante shot a row of cans with ease. He grinned and looked up at the muscular young man who watched the expert marksman.

“I reckon I ain’t lost mah touch!” he said.

The Black Condor agreed. “Shooting with a mirror over one shoulder is like something one might only see on the television,” he said. This young man, whose name was Richard Grey, was the Earth-One counterpart of the more famous Black Condor of Earth-X. (*)

[(*) Editor’s note: See Hawkman and Hawkwoman: The Bermuda Triangle of Rann, Chapter 2: The Black Condor.]

“Shucks, it ain’t so much,” said Greg Sanders. The Vigilante had been recruited to join the Forgotten Heroes after coming out of retirement a few months ago. (*) Although a younger man had used the name of the Vigilante over the last couple of years, that Vigilante had not been seen by anyone since last year. (*) Greg had figured it was high time for the original Vigilante to try his hand at the crime-fighting game once more, at least until he got too old to do this anymore.

[(*) Editor’s note: See Hawkman and Hawkwoman: Mind Games, Chapter 1: As the World Slept and Showcase: Villains: Auld Lang Syne ’85.]

“Where’s Angela?” Richard asked.

At that moment, the pretty platinum blonde appeared out of the water nearby. Ever since she had learned of her origins as the long-lost sister of a detective named Angel O’Day, Dolphin had used the name Angela O’Day. (*) Although she had never been known as anything but Dolphin for most of her life, the name Angela had grown on her over the last few months. Now she was sorrowful, and it showed.

[(*) Editor’s note: See Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: In Search Of, Chapter 3: The Secret Origin of Dolphin.]

“Dolphin, what is it, darlin’?” asked Greg.

“Rich called me Angela,” she said. “That’s… that’s not my name. I just learned it this morning. Angel O’Day called. She had some… genetic work done, and the results show… we are not sisters!” She fought back tears and cried, “I don’t know who I am!”

***

Golden Wasp, alias Cameron Van Cleer, looked thoughtful as he flew over Bludhaven. He had taken the opportunity to fake his death to turn his back on his villainous past and become a true hero to the people of the beleaguered, crime-ridden city. (*) After he revealed his true identity to Captain Comet, he had even won a pardon for his past crimes as Killer Moth, although that had taken the persuasive skills and good word of Comet to bring about. (*) Since then he had signed on as a reserve member of Captain Comet’s heroic new team, the Forgotten Heroes. He could not abandon the feeling of appreciation that he enjoyed while serving as the city’s lone hero.

[(*) Editor’s note: See Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: Suicide Mission, Chapter 6: Mental Domination, Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: Heroes and Villains, Chapter 1: Leave of Absence, and Captain Comet’s Rehab Squad: The Beginning of the End.]

The former Killer Moth also had old business that kept him away from the lush island base used by the Forgotten Heroes. He wanted to see an old friend, and he was nervous, since it could ruin their relationship. What he proposed might meet with scorn or worse. But he decided the chance was worth the risk.

He put his golden helmet on and flew off toward nearby Gotham City. “Mort, I hope you give me a chance,” he mused.

***

Dolphin wept gently in Captain Comet’s arms. He had assured her that mere genetics didn’t have to rob her of a loving sisterly relationship with detective Angel O’Day, and she had readily agreed. “Oh, I know. Angel said she… cared for me like the sister she lost… so long before — the one Phaeton turned aquatic… or so he claimed,” she said tearfully, so flustered that her speech reverted to her old, halting way of talking. “I guess that child… must’ve died, after all. I mean… how likely is it that a small child… could have survived alone at the ocean’s floor? Our basic features… were alike, and my abilities matched all she knew… of her missing sibling. Phaeton certainly accepted… that I was the child he stole from Mr. O’Day… and turned into a water-breather.”

Captain Comet cupped her face in one hand. “We could still find your true origin,” he said reassuringly. “Valor wanted to do so before she left Earth. Tell you what — I’ll make it my top priority.”

“Angel’s test was just… part of a case,” said Dolphin. “She did it for a lark… but I’m almost sorry… we learned the truth!”

“Something about your past tests made the answer seem correct when it wasn’t,” mused Comet. “It’s almost as if your genetic pattern is… adaptable based on your circumstances. When you were at a point in your life that you desperately needed a family connection, you found one and had ‘proof’ that it was real at the time.”

She nodded. “So… who am I really?”

Adam could only hold her close as he tried to think of a reply.

***

Later, Dolphin and Captain Comet sat together near the base communications computer.

“I did something I should have done long ago,” he said. “We know Aquaman to be an expert on undersea lifeforms, so I called him and spoke to him in addition to Mera and Aqualad. They told me something that might give us a clue. Following the Crisis, the rebuilding work in Atlantis down below, and some personal problems, Aquaman rejoined the JLA, and of course, they’ve been pretty busy, too. Anyway, he said that a few months after the Crisis he had a case that should interest you and might shed light on your mysterious origin!”

Dolphin’s eyes grew brighter. “Tell me more!”

And he did, explaining how Arthur Curry met an amnesiac man who turned out in the end to be a Lord High Mage of ancient Atlantis from some 45,000 years ago. In that ancient era Arion of Atlantis had been in a battle to the death to protect his infant daughter from his evil brother Garn Daanuth when he desperately used an untried magic spell to protect both the baby and himself. The magic transported them both through time to the same era, but to different decades. Arion found himself in this modern era without any memory of his life, and only regained his memories by undertaking with Aquaman’s help a quest for the parts of a crystal that, when joined, restored not only his memories but also his full powers as a mage. Arion finally defeated the disembodied spirit of Garn Daanuth after he had possessed Aquaman’s wife Mera. Ever since then he had been searching for any possible clue as to where his daughter have ended up, based on the belief that she may have arrived in this era a little more than twenty years ago. Arthur Curry, grateful to have his wife back, had also vowed to help with the search. (*)

[(*) Editor’s note: See Aquaman: Old Demons, New Hope.]

“Not long after that, Arthur became busy with JLA cases,” said Captain Comet as he concluded the story. “Yet he and Arion were both intrigued when I reminded him of you today.”

Dolphin gaped. “You mean… you think I could be the babe… transported through time to grow up in our era? That I’m the lost daughter… of this Arion of Atlantis?”

“’Tis true!” said the rich, musical voice of Arion as he and Aquaman entered the room. “My child, I know you now — you are my one, true daughter! Thanks to my protective spell, you gained your aquatic gifts upon your arrival in this time in order to preserve you in the much-altered Atlantis and its environs of this era!”

Dolphin gasped at the handsome, regal heroic figure before her. “Can this… be?” she said slowly.

A magical glyph flashed into view as Arion touched her hand. “See? ’Tis the symbol of the House of Arion! Our touch produced it as a heralding that you are mine,” he said tenderly. “Daughter, I have searched through time and even ventured to another world entire to find you and look upon your beautiful face once more.” (*)

[(*) Editor’s note: See Justice Society of America: Times Past, 1977: The Man from Atlantis.]

She fell into his arms. “We have much… to talk over!” she said happily.

Captain Comet smiled broadly as he shook hands with Aquaman. “I understand you are a father-to-be,” he said.

“Sounds like Mera is too proud to keep it a secret any longer,” said Arthur Curry. “That’s one reason I’ve scaled back some of my JLA work. I intend to be here for our daughter. She will not suffer like my son did,” he said grimly.

Captain Comet said, “I’m sure the Princess of Atlantis will be very happy.”

***

Dolphin and her newfound father Arion enjoyed time together on the small island of Vumania for a few days. She exulted in having a true family and a birth name.

“Mara was your mother’s name, and it is yours as well,” said Arion. “You have her hair.”

Dolphin smiled at him. “I want to hear everything about your time… and the wonders of lost Atlantis.”

Arion smiled and spoke in his musical tone, “That tale would take many a day, but I would love to share the glories of that fabled realm anew.”

She kissed him on the cheek, and they watched Captain Comet depart. “I owe so much to him,” she said wistfully. “He’s wonderful… a hero’s hero.”

“He lives up to his name as a Man of the Future,” said Arion.

“I have a name to live up to as well,” said Richard Grey.

“The Black Condor is one that suits you, pal,” said the Vigilante.

“Maybe,” said the young man. “Still, while I was given that name by the mutated birds of the flock, it was first used by another who visited here before I left the East. He earned it. I feel like I’m unworthy.”

“So what should we call you when you’re suited up, pard?” said Greg Sanders.

“How about Raven?” said Richard Grey.

“Right nice choice,” said Greg.

***

That night, the Vigilante frowned as he saw Richard Grey carrying a suitcase and preparing to depart.

“Whoa! Where you headed?” he asked.

“Greg, my father’s lawyer located me this afternoon,” said Richard. “I have a rather large estate to manage, as his only heir. I also realize that, while Father Pierre did a fine job of teaching me while we hid in the caves from the wizard who sought my death, I have a lot to learn about just being a normal man and not a bird-man. So, I hate to say it, but I’m leaving for Massachusetts, where the land is, and I hope with the lawyer’s advice to continue a more formal education.”

“Nothin’ wrong with that,” said the Vigilante. “But don’t look so crestfallen. When you get settled and all, you can fly again, whether you call yourself Raven or the Black Condor.”

Richard shook his head. “Thanks. You and the rest have been great. I told Hawkman my plans as well, and he thinks it’s a good choice. Say goodbye to Adam for me when he gets back. I took my leave of Mara — seems odd to call Dolphin that.” He entered the transporter and vanished with a final smile.

“I hope he finds all he’s lookin’ for,” said Greg Sanders. “Lawyers can be as slick as snakes at times. Like when they’re awake.”

***

Elsewhere, the Golden Wasp hovered near a large estate outside Gotham City. I may get a rough reception, thought the former Killer Moth. Still, I need to make peace with him sooner or later.

He moved toward the large driveway with a sense of hope and a bit of his old cocky manner intact.

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