2 2
A G-gnome sits on one of the desks in an expansive lab as Desmond paces across the center. Finally slowing as seven screens come down from the ceiling. All seven are active, but instead of pictures, white outlines counteract the blue background.
"Dr. Desmond, you require an audience with the Light?" a man's voice asks, anger clear in his tone. (Savage)
"Yes. Very sorry to disturb you at this late hour." he says, seeming like a tiny mouse compared to the lion he acts like to Guardian and the others.
"Just make your report." another man's voice speaks up, annoyance clear in his tone. (Ocean Master)
"Of course." Desmond says quickly. "Ahem." he clears his throat as he tries to buy himself time. "Well, we had a small fire, here at Project Cadmus. The origin of the incident is still unclear but seems to have attracted some… unwanted attention."
As he continues to speak the scene changes to show Kid Flash, Robin, and Aqualad unconscious in pods as Superboy watches over them.
"The three sidekicks, Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash breached security. They found and released the weapon, the Superboy. Of course, the clone is under our telepathic control and as ordered turned against his would-be liberators. The three are contained and we don't believe the League knows they're here." With that, he finishes his report then comes to why he really called them. "Uh… what should I do with them?"
"Clone them." the second male's voice says.
"The substitutes will serve the Light and only the Light." the deeper male's voice agrees.
"And the originals?" Desmond asks.
"Dispose of them." the deeper voice commands with no hesitation. "Leave no trace."
Desmond only smiles cruelly in response.
------
Above ground in Washington DC fireworks are going off. Even though it's now 12:01 in the morning on the fifth.
-----
"Time runs short." a male's voice says. "You must awaken." none of the teens even flinch. "You must awaken NOW!"
Kid Flash comes to, gasping for air and his green eyes flying open. The other two are just as alert now too. Their attention trained on the glaring Superboy before them. "What? What do you want?" the speedster asks, his annoyance fighting his fear. "Quit staring. You're creeping me out."
"Uh, KF, how about we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look?" Robin suggests to the seriously freaked out speedster.
----
In a room similar to where superboy was held and the sidekicks, a new mind was also awoken by the yell. The being looked around only to notice he looked like a green martian.
'A new life in Young Justice. I'm glad i wasn't lied to.' the being, a clone of the Martian Manhunter, thought to himself. 'Let's see if i can figured the shapeshifting out so i can escape.'
-----
Desmond and the scientist that was in Project Kr walk down the organic-looking hall.
"Prepare the cloning procedure for the new Project Sidekick, now." Desmond instructs. She leaves instantly and Desmond continues to walk until he is side-by-side with Guardian.
"Almost done here Doc." he tells him once he comes to a pause. A G-troll holds the door stable while a worker welds the broken configurations.
Desmond continues forward, then stops short in shock as he seems the pod is empty. "Where's the weapon?" he demands, though there's anger in his voice, there's fear in his eyes.
""Superboy"?" Guardian asks, stepping up as well. "He carried the intruders to the cloning chamber."
"We have Genomorphs for that!" Desmond objects. "Get the weapon back in its pod now!"
"I don't see the harm in letting the kid stretch his legs." Guardian is not trying to pick a fight with Desmond because he honestly doesn't understand the problem.
"Don't you now?" Desmond asks, raising a single eyebrow as the G-gnome on his shoulder horns begin to glow.
Guardians eyes go wide, but blank before they harden into an angry glare, "That clone belongs in a cage!" he practically growls before storming off.
-----
"We only sought to help you." Aqualad tries to tell the clone, calmly.
"Yeah. We free you, and you turn on us." Kid Flash pipes up, clearly still annoyed at the minimum. "How's that for grat-"
"Kid, please, be quiet now." Aqualad firmly says to the younger teen. "I believe our friend was not in full control of his actions."
With the conversation gaining ground Robin activates a lockpick in the pointer finger of his glove and begins to work on his restraint.
"Wha- what if I…" he trails with an annoyed huff, his voice never been used so his words don't come out quite right and his tone is slightly scratchy. "What if I wasn't?" he manages.
"He can talk?" Kid Flash questions shocked.
Superboy's hand clenches into a fist again as he practically growls his words at Kid Flash. "Yes, he can."
The two look at Kid Flash who looks rather confused back at them. "Not like I said, ＂it＂."
"The Genomorph taught you telepathically." Aqualad realizes.
"They taught me much." Superboy admits. "I can read, write. I- I know the names of things."
"But have you seen them? Have they actually let you see the sky? Or the Sun?" Robin asks, knowing how much all three of them take those things for granted.
"Images are implanted in my mind," he admits, then looks down as if ashamed, "but no. I have not seen them."
Aqualad turns towards the more pressing matter. "Do you know what you are, who you are?"
Superboy stands tall. "I am the Superboy, a Genomorph, a clone made from the DNA of the Superman, created to replace him should he perish… to destroy him should he turn from the Light." the last bit gets worried looks from all three of them.
"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration, but, like Superman, you deserve a life of your own beyond that solar suit, beyond your pod, beyond Cadmus." Aqualad tries to approach it calmly.
Once those words leave Aqualad's mouth Superboy gets angry. "I live because of Cadmus! It is my home!"
"Your home is a test tube." Robin says rather simply. "We can show you the Sun."
"Uh, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon." he offered as a substitute.
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad agrees with the young speedster, knowing how much that would mean to the teenaged clone before them. Superboy's eyes widen slightly at the prospect.
"No, they can't." Desmond says resolutely as he, Guardian, and the female scientist walk into the chamber. "They'll be otherwise occupied." his tone is almost smug now, then he turns to the female scientist. "Activate the cloning process." the two men stop and she walks off to the left to do as he instructs.
"Pass!" Robin speaks up. "BatCave's crowded enough."
"And get the Weapon back in its pod." Desmond commands of Guardian.
"Hey, how come he gets to call Supey an ＂it＂?" Kid Flash questions, seeming partially annoyed and partially saddened by the prospect.
Guardian steps up, placing a hand on Superboy's shoulder. Superboy looks to the three trapped teens.
Aqualad realizes the depths they have gone to. "Help us." he pleads with Superboy. The clone shrugs off Guardian's hand, looking at the older Hero with an angered look.
Desmond walks up behind him. "Don't start thinking now." His Genomorph hops off his shoulder and lands on Superboy's shoulder. It hisses as its horns glow red, taking telepathic control over Superboy. Only physically obvious as his eyes lose focus. "See you're not a real boy. You're a weapon, and you belong to me!" he pauses for a moment, realizing his mistake. "Well, to Cadmus. Same thing." he corrects, huffy. "Now get back to your pod!"
Superboy doesn't even show that he heard Desmond, only beginning by walking back down the way they came. The Genomorph's horns still glowing red.
Once the door closes with a thud behind Superboy, Desmond nods to the scientists at the control station. She hits two more buttons on the control station, causing robotic arms to come out of the base of the three protéges' pods.
Kid Flash reels back, attempting to maneuver away from them, but he is still restrained completely.
The tops of the arms break apart into four fingers, two prongs on the tips of each one. With no hesitation and a slight electrical buzz, they plunge the prongs into the boys' chests. All three scream out, which only increases as the fingers begin to pull out a reddish gas which then fills the spheres below their pods.
"Where's Dubbilex?" Desmond asks Guardian and the other scientist. Only to see the Anthropoid shadow coming out of the darkness. "Ooh!" he gasps, taken off-guard. "Lurking as usual. Get the G-gnomes downloading their memories. When that's done, delete the source material."
-----
Superboy walks down the hallway, the G-gnome still on his shoulder. Though it may have telepathic control he still has Superman's extremely powerful hearing capabilities. He hears Aqualad's words that he manages to whisper despite being tortured. "Superboy, you live. That gives you the right to follow your own path. A weapon or a person, the choice is yours, but ask yourself, ＂What would Superman do＂?" the clone stops short at those words, and his eyebrows crease as he fills with determination.
-----
The Martian clone is starting to figure out shapeshifting when he hears a massive boom. 'The sidekicks must be here, perfect I can join them on their great escape.' he thinks to himself.
With a final push in effort he turns in a humanoid, roughly 6 foot tall, give or take an inch, now being much shorter then his Martian form he is able to slip his shackles. Making his way out of his containment pod he wonders, 'am I as physically strong as Martian Manhunter? I hope so.' as he approaches the huge door locking him in.
Gipping the side of it, he pulls without a hint of it budging. 'Damn this body is shaped like a human from my memories, let's try to make my mucsle denser.' he thinks.
-----
There's a boom that echoes through the containment room. Catching Desmond's and Guardian's attention and turning it back to the door. Which is being crinkled as Superboy removes it, then holds it over his head with ease. As he does the torture devices on the three teens power down. Then he throws the door away and stalks into the room. Desmond, Guardian, and Dubbilex all make their way towards Superboy.
"I told you to get back to you-" Desmond begins but is cut off as Superboy's right-hand swipes him away and his left takes out both Guardian and Dubbilex. Guardian gets thrown into the wall, while Dubbilex and Desmond hit the ground with a thud.
Superboy stands tall and glares down at Desmond. "Don't give me orders." he nearly growls, then steps up to be back in front of the teen heroes.
"You here to save us or fry us?" Kid Flash questions, seeming actually sincere in the question. Honestly unsure what the clone will do.
Superboy glares for a moment, but nothing happens. "Huh. I don't seem to have Heat Vision, so I suppose helping is my only option."
Robin manages to get his wrist restraints open, then jumps from his pod. "Ahh. Finally!" he says, annoyance in his tone as he rubs his wrists. "Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long."
"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" Kid Flash deadpans. "The whole League will have our heads after tonight." he snaps angrily.
Robin ignores him and goes to the control station. Hitting one of the buttons, which retracts the arms from Kid Flash and Aqualad and opening their pod doors. He turns to Superboy. "Get Aqualad. I'll get Kid Mouth."
"Don't you give me orders either." Superboy growls but does go to release Aqualad anyway. Ripping the restraints apart with ease.
Weak from the torture Superboy has to catch his shoulders to keep the Atlantean from falling to the ground below the floor of his pod. "Thank you." Aqualad tells him sincerely.
Superboy nods but doesn't say anything. While Robin gets Kid Flash's restraints open, letting both of them drop to the ground. The two ravens follow close behind, even as Desmond begins to come to and the scientist tries to wake Guardian.
"You- you'll never get out of here!" Desmond shouts, but the boys don't listen, they only continue to run. "I'll have you back in pods before morning."
Robin turns at the doorway and pauses, causing Kid Flash to do the same. "That guy is not whelmed." he mutters then launches three disks back into the room. "Not whelmed at all."
"What is with you and this whelmed thing?" Kid Flash asks as they turn to leave.
The three disks hit all three of their DNA containers and begin to beep, then explode, destroying the material they would've used for cloning and the pods themselves.
Desmond stands before the destroyed lab, anger clear in his grimace. A G-gnome jumps onto his shoulder. "Activate every Genomorph in Cadmus." the G-gnome's horns glow red as it makes a telepathic connection to the other Genomorphs.
-----
In the hallway, the four are running down the once cream-colored bumps in the wall begin to glow the same red color as the horns on the G-gnome.
"We are still 42 levels below ground." Aqualad says, not even panting as he runs at full tilt. "but if we can make the elevator…" he trails a G-trolls block their way, first two further away, then more and steadily getting closer to them.
The four stop and look back the way they came. The glowing orbs now have pale white figures moving inside them. Genomorph Elves come out in a large group. The four are trapped.
With a resounding boom right next the four as the make their escape, a huge door is ripped down by what looks like a green muscular teenager.
"Another one?" Kid Flash whines, as everyone, inculding the genomorphs freeze. "Friend or foe?" Aqualad asks, motioning Kid Flash to stay silent.
"Friend. Now how about we escape?" The green teen asks.
"Sounds great, how are we going to do that?" Robin asks in a hushed voice.
"Which way are we headed?" The green teen asks, and when Robin points towards the elevator the teen slams the huge door he was still holding into the ground in front of where the four had just come.
"Cool." Kid Flash says, "Why couldn't I have super strength?"
Then the lead G-troll strikes from behind and all five jump back to avoid its crushing blow. Aqualad moves right around it, while Kid Flash and Robin go left. Superboy glares and jumps to cross it in the jaw. Knocking it down, but he is then surrounded by three more and is brought down as one pins him to the ground with its massive paw. The green teen shoots forward tackling the G-troll off Superboy and into a wall, shaking the surroundings.
Another drops low on all fours and swings its head towards Aqualad, attempting to hit him with its large horns. Aqualad jumps into a backflip over the assault, giving Robin the chance to get in front of it and take its attention as he grabs his horn to follow Aqualad over the G-troll's shoulder.
Kid Flash has another tailing him and runs it into the wall, before running along it to end up beside Aqualad and Robin. The three turn as they hear the hallway shake and crumble. Their attention lands on Superboy and the green teen who is fighting off G-trolls and slamming them into the wall and using their full strength. Despite the fact that it's causing the hallway to begin to fall apart.
Aqualad speaks up, nearly yelling, but just so he can ensure that he's heard. "Superboy, Martian, the goal is escape. Not to bury ourselves here."
Superboy turns to the three with an insane look, but also anger playing across his face. "You want to escape?" he demands, grabbing an unconscious G-troll's arm and throws it into the two that are coming towards him with a battle cry.
As he does Aqualad pries the elevator doors open, this time taking no care in the fact that he's bending the doors. Kid Flash and Robin join him, looking at the twelve-story drop below them, and the seemingly never-ending darkness above them.
Kid Flash jumps to the side of the column, while Robin uses his grappling hook to get a couple of stories above them. As a G-troll comes to take out both Superboy and Aqualad, the Martian interrupts with a mighty punch, while the Boy of Steel grabs Aqualad's waist and jumps into the elevator shaft. Attempting to fly, and getting nearly 30 levels before gravity begins to pull them back down.
Shock shows in Superboy's eyes, while confusion shows in Aqualad's. "I- I'm falling." he realizes numbly.
Robin's eyes widen as he realizes what's happening, then the Martian grabs them both flying Aqualad and Superboy up to the rest, Superboy's eyes have sadness and confusion filling them. "Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?"
"Don't know," Kid Flash says, drawing the Boy of Steel's attention to him and Robin who are standing on the level just below them. "but it does look like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool." Then he helps Superboy down to the small ledge. Aqualad and the Martian following shortly thereafter.
"Ah, thank you." Superboy murmurs.
A whir from above them catches Robin's attention. "Guys, this will have to be our exit." above them, the high-speed express elevator is coming down.
The Martian and Superboy take out the doors, now showing that they are on SL-15. All five of them just making it out of the elevator shaft in time. G-elves are attracted to the sound and make their way towards the five teens in a squad of five, followed closely by a G-troll.
"Turn left, brother." a voice says in Superboy's mind.
His eyes widen, slightly confused, but after a few seconds, his mind's made up. "Go left! Left!" he relays.
They all follow him, as he follows the directions.
"Turn right."
"Right." all five make the tight turn, only to lead them to a dead end. The only thing available is an air vent a few feet below the ceiling.
"Great directions, Supey." Kid Flash says sarcastically. "Are you trying to get us repodded?"
"No. I- I don't understand." Superboy confesses as Aqualad and Robin finally catch up to the two faster teens. "Did you hear it?" Superboy asks the Martian while looking confused.
"Yes I did, I'm sorry I didn't stop us from following it." The Martian apologized.
"Don't apologize. This is perfect!" Robin says excitedly.
-----
By the time the G-elves and the G-troll get to the dead-end, the five teens are gone, and the air vent cover is the only indication of where they went.
In the vents, Robin leads the way, followed by Aqualad, the Matian, Kid Flash, then Superboy bringing up the rear. "Ugh, at this rate we'll never get out." Kid Flash complains.
"Shh." Superboy shushes, coming to a stop and so do the other boys. "Listen."
Within the vent system are the G-elves, coming after the five attempting-escapees.
-----
Desmond, Guardian, and Dubbilex run down a hallway. Desmond holds a tablet with the building schematics on it. "Someone, Robin, I'd wager, hacked our systems deactivating internal security cameras," his voice turns smug, "but he neglected the motion sensors." a group of four dots in the vents is following their path, and two groups of three are coming to a T that converges on them. "The Genomorphs are closing in. They're all coming out in here." he opens the door to a bathroom. "We have them cornered." they stand before the vents, now it's a matter of waiting.
Instead of the teen heroes, five G-elves tumble out of the vent. Onto to Desmond and the four G-elves beside him. "He hacked the motion sensors."
-----
"I hacked the motion sensors." Robin says as he continues advanced keystrokes on his HoloGlove.
"Sweet." Kid Flash says brightly, though probably just happy to be out of the vents and in the hallways again.
"Still plenty of them between us and out." Robin grumbles, but they are also right by the emergency staircase.
Kid Flash brings his goggles down over his eyes. "But I've finally got room to move." then opens the door and starts running up levels at super-speeds. Coming down the same staircase from a level above him are droves of G-elves. He doesn't stop, in fact, he smirks and increases speed. Taking them all out and clearing the way for Aqualad, the Martian, Robin- who is still hacking- and Superboy.
"More behind us." Robin calls out to Superboy. As Superboy gets to the platform he stops and slams his foot down on the connecting stair. Knocking the whole staircase down and all the G-elves on it.
------
In the elevator Guardian, Dubbilex, Desmond, three G-dwarves, and a G-sprite. "We'll cut them off at Sub-Level One." Guardian assures as they boost past Sub-Levels 15 and 14.
"We'd better or the board will have our heads- my head." he realizes nervously, then presses the stop button on the elevator. The door opens and he walks out briskly. "I need to get something from Project Blockbuster, just in case. I'll meet you at Sub-Level One."
------
Kid Flash continues up the staircase at super-speed, making out the door that indicates that he is at Sub-Level 1. As he does an alarm begins to blare, and massive doors in front of him close. His eyes widen as he realizes he won't be able to stop in time. "Oh, crud." Hitting the doors hard, and his head hitting first, then falling back to the ground a few feet away from the barrier then tumbling over twice before coming to a stop on his butt.
"We are cut off from the street." Aqualad grumbles annoyed as he, Superboy, the Martian, and Robin run to catch up with him.
Kid Flash rubs the back of his head with a grimace. "Thanks. My head hadn't noticed."
Superboy walks past the fallen speedster, punching the door, but not even getting a dent in it. He begins trying to pry it apart, but can't do it. The Martian takes half and he takes the other, but even their combined strength barely get the doors open.
Robin is typing at high speeds on his gauntlet, grumbling annoyed. "Can't hack this fast enough."
G-trolls growl and two come around the corner. Robin notices a door to his right.
"This way!" he shouts to the other four, completing a 270° rotation before side-kicking the door open.
The G-trolls can't make it through the door, but in the adjoining hallway is a drove of G-elves, another pair G-troll, and Guardian waiting for them. Not to mention a G-gnome on every creature's shoulder. Behind them, a third G-troll and a half dozen G-elves cut them off.
Aqualad removes his WaterBearers, forming dual swords as the others drop into fighting stances.
One of the G-gnome's horns begin to glow, setting off a chain reaction as all the other G-gnomes do the same. Linking everyone against the heroes telepathically.
Four of the teens straighten out of their dropped stances before falling to the ground. Only Superboy falls to his knees. With the Martian still standing.
"Perhaps for the sake of all Genomorphs our brothers Superboy and Manhunter should make up their own minds." Dubbilex says to all the Genomorphs telepathically.
Superboy's eyes widen in realization "It was you."
"Yes, brother. I set the fire and lured your new friends into Cadmus, woke them when they were in danger-" Dubbilex lists.
"And guided us." Superboy finishes while pointing to the Martian and himself. "Why?"
"Because you both are our hope, the Genomorph hero. You will blaze a trail for all our brothers, showing us the way to freedom." Dubbilex tells Superboy and the Martian.
Guardian groans and grips his head, then the G-gnome jumps from his shoulder. "What's going on?" he questions, stirring Aqualad back into consciousness.
"What is your choice, brothers?" Dubbilex asks Superboy and Martian as they stand tall.
"I... choose... freedom." Superboy states with conviction aloud so everyone can hear him.
"And I will join you." The Martian says as he slaps Superboys shoulder. Holding a hand out he asks, "brothers?"
With Superboy nodding in affirmation and grabbing Martians outstretched hand, "brothers." He responds.
"Feels... like fog... lifting." Guardian manages as the other three teen boys get back to their own two feet as well.
"Guardian?" Aqualad asks since right now his head is clearer than Robin and Kid Flash's.
"Go." he tells them with conviction. "I'll deal with Desmond."
"I think not." Desmond growls, all Genomorphs behind Guardian part ways to allow Desmond to be visible. "Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." he says then downs one of the blue vials that he was working on in his lab.
Guardian backs up, standing protectively in front of the five teenagers as Desmond begins to transform. First, it's just his veins popping under his skin, but as he falls to his knees and his body rips through his lab coat and shirt Kid Flash and Robin's eyes pop in shock. Desmond's head lifts from his arm as he growls, some of his skin tearing off as his sclera turns black and his irises go bright red, Aqualad grimaces in hesitation. Finally, he stands back up and growls all his old skin ripping off him and now replaced by thicker grey skin instead of his normal skin in most areas. Superboy tenses as he roars, but doesn't attack, even as the once-Desmond turns towards the six heroes and growls, some of his hair and old skin still attached to the left side of his head, breathing heavily.
Guardian puts his hands out to the sides, but the palms turn towards the teens behind him. "Everyone back!" before he runs at Blockbuster, only to be swept aside like he's nothing and into a wall a good three or feet off the ground.
Superboy glares harder before charging at Blockbuster with a hard cross hitting the mutated scientist in the jaw. However, he's hardly affected and refutes by punching downwards on Superboy's shoulder and upper-back. Superboy plants his feet and turns a tight 180 to hit an uppercut on Blockbuster's underjaw. Then jumping to do a double-cross combo while he's still off-balance. Blockbuster finds an opening and unleashes his own hard cross to Superboy's face, knocking him back a good ten feet. As Superboy lands on his shoulder, he keeps his momentum going and rolls back to his feet. Standing up and charging, but this time jumping into the air with his hands over his head. Blockbuster jumps at Superboy, catching the teen's core and throwing both of them through the ceiling.
"Okay." Robin murmurs, amazement in his voice as he, the Martian, Aqualad, and Kid Flash stand under the hole. "That's one way to bust through the ceiling." releasing his grappling hook through the same hole.
"You think LabCoat planned that?" Kid Flash questions as he grabs onto Robin's utility belt and the two zip up and out.
"I doubt he is planning anything anymore." Aqualad says darkly, before jumping through the hole himself.
"Let's make sure he doesn't escape into the city." The Martian says as he floats after them.
"Agreed." Aqualad replies.
------
All six are now standing on the main floor of the building. An expansive room that only has floors on the sides to separate the two stories. The three protéges watch along with the Martian as Blockbuster attempts to confine Superboy by holding his arms to his sides. The Boy of Steel is stronger than the mutant, though, and breaks the hold. Ready to strike at Blockbuster, if he hadn't been grabbed by his shins and thrown at the other four heroes. Kid Flash and Robin are just barely missed, but Aqualad gets slammed into hard, before they can go flying though they are stopped by an invisible force. The Martian is standing with his arm outstretched using his telekinesis to help.
Kid Flash uses his speed to get closer to the two entangled older boys, who then separate and he positions himself between their heads as Robin runs to join him.
Blockbuster roars as Robin helps Superboy back to his feet and Kid Flash helps Aqualad. It's tense, but unmoving for a few moments before Blockbuster charges at the five boys. Kid Flash reacts first, then Aqualad, then Robin, then Superboy, with Martian flying up and yelling, "Let's drop the building on him."
"Sounds like a plan." Kid Flash says before he uses his speed to run right at Blockbuster, before sliding underneath him and dodging a crippling downward punch, he remains crouched and low to the ground. Gaining Blockbuster's attention, before he turns back and finds Superboy and Aqualad both jumping at him with twin punches. The two hit him right in the face, and knock him back into a pillar causing it to crumble, Kid Flash helps the process along by straightening his legs slightly and causing Blockbuster to trip backward over him.
"Learned that one in kindergarten." the redhead says smugly, standing up and blocking Robin from view before he jumps and rotates over Kid Flash before releasing two of his signature disks.
Blockbuster swings his arm and deflects them as he staggers so he's facing away from the two teens. Only to find Superboy waiting for him. Superboy stands ready, but Blockbuster, being as large as he is, catches Superboy around the core with both his hands, before standing up and ramming the Boy of Steel into the nearby pillar.
Superboy doesn't seem to feel it, as Blockbuster pulls away he unleashes a one-two combo on the large mutant. Blockbuster pulled away so he could muster a devastating cross to Superboy's head. Hitting Superboy right in the face, but also crushing him into the pillar behind him.
As Blockbuster goes for a second, a water whip wraps around his upper arm. Turning he finds Aqualad on the end of it coming at him and hitting the villain in the face with his knee before planting his feet on the pillar above Superboy's head as his WaterBearer turns into a mace. Which, unfortunately, Blockbuster catches with one hand and throws the stunned Atlantean to the side while his other hand holds Superboy. Aqualad hits with a cry, the floor even cracking under the force, as Blockbuster grips Superboy tighter and then throws him into the second story segment of another pillar. Superboy falls and hits with his own gasp, before a slab of the pillar he fell into almost falls on top of his left arm and shoulder. The martian grabbing it before it can and hurtling it at Blockbuster.
Kid Flash speeds in using the pillar as a distraction, as Aqualad manages to get out of the way of Blockbuster attempting to step on his head. Grabbing Blockbuster's massive wrist and allowing momentum to turn the villain's back to Aqualad. Blockbuster opens his monstrous hand, causing Kid Flash to lose his grip and catch the speedster's smaller wrist in it. Aqualad stands, his tattoos glowing as his WaterBearer turns to a mace once more, prepared to hit Blockbuster's turned back. Though Blockbuster swings Kid Flash like an extension of his arm, throwing the two into each other. Yet again the Martian stops them in the air before more harm can befall them.
Kid Flash lands on the ground, while Aqualad falls still stunned from being hit by Kid Flash. Blockbuster sees this and charges at him, before he reaches the Martian flies in performing a judo throw into another pillar. The move destroys the pillar and Blockbuster continues on until he is against another pillar.
The whole building shakes and the pillar cracks where the floors meet at one of the corners. Blockbuster struggles to get up again and Robin watches from a safe distance.
Kid Flash gets to his feet and starts to try and lure Blockbuster towards one of the last three pillars.
Seeing this as he stumbles to his feet, Superboy charges at Blockbuster. Hitting him in the kidneys. Seeing the effect it has, Superboy hook punches the same spot before jumping and grabbing Blockbuster's neck in a chokehold from behind. Angered, Blockbuster reaches over his head to grab Superboy by the armpits and throw him into the pillar, which crumbles.
Zooming around so that he is just off to the right of Blockbuster does Kid Flash come to a stop, before changing direction and hitting Blockbuster with a high-speed cross. Nothing happens, but on his knuckles is some of his old skin. "Got your nose." he teases.
Blockbuster growls and goes after Kid Flash. Just missing the speedster with two downward strikes from over his head. Giving Superboy enough time to get his grip again and force himself to his feet.
"Superboy, Aqualad." Robin calls.
This goes unheard as Kid Flash comes to a stop before one of the pillars, taunting the massive villain. "Come and get me, you incredible bulk!" The speedster gets out of the way of the punch that destroys the pillar, but some of the debris hits him in the shoulder. Knocking off his feet.
Just barely managing to dodge the double fist combo and dive across the room to keep Blockbuster following him as Robin finishes explaining the plan to Aqualad and Superboy.
"Only two left." he points to the one he wants, the two stronger boys nod and run to it.
Superboy hits an already damaged pillar breaking it with ease, while behind him Aqualad's tattoos glow as his WaterBearer forms a mace as he destroys a second one.
Kid Flash drops under a cross by Blockbuster and stays just to his right, the last pillar now weakened. Blockbuster attempts to hit the speedster again, only to miss. Kid Flash chuckles. "Sorry. Try again." then bolts again.
Robin uses chalk to draw a white X on the floor and Aqualad uses his WaterBearers to create a puddle that Kid Flash skids through covering up to said X.
Superboy jumps and hits Blockbuster on his way down with a cross that knocks him straight to the ground. Now right on the X.
Some water is underneath Aqualad's feet and his tattoos continue to glow brightly as electricity crackles, coming from his hands. Which he then touches to the water. Hitting Blockbuster.
"Move!" Robin calls as Aqualad releases his hold on the electricity.
On the last remaining pillar is Robin's disks, which are now glowing red and green and beeping. Before they explode. As they do the weight of the roof becomes too much and it breaks right over Blockbuster's head dropping the rubble right on his shocked face.
All five boys are running to make it out of the debris field, but can't make it far enough, Superboy jumps over Kid Flash, while Aqualad covers Robin, with the Martian barely able to dodge the debris by flying. The entire building is now crumbling around them.
------
Superboy punches a small piece of rubble so he can stick his hand through and push the larger piece covering the four of them up with his shoulder, with the Martian flying in and helping by pulling larger pieces away. All four that were trapped have evidence of their injuries in their torn suits, but they're okay.
Breathing heavily Aqualad turns to Robin and Kid Flash. "We… did it."
"Was there… ever any doubt?" Robin questions, barely exchanging a look with Kid Flash before they high five, but are forced to drop it as they aggravate their injuries on their sides and stomachs.
Superboy steps fully out of the rubble they were covered in and looks to the still pinned Blockbuster.
"See?" Kid Flash questions, drawing Superboy's attention away from the villain and using his thumb to gesture. "The Moon."
Superboy can only stand and take it all in, but then a figure appears in its light, cloaking him in shadows. Superboy squints slightly, trying to see who it is. As he slows and turns perpendicular to the ground it's obviously Superman.
"Oh. And Superman." Kid Flash comments, surprised. "Do we keep our promises, or what?"
Martian Manhunter, Zatara, Captain Marvel, and Red Tornado fly behind the Big Blue Boyscout. Followed by Captain Atom, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, and the first Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). The second Green Lantern (John Stewart) brings a platform for the Leaguers who can't fly; Black Canary, Aquaman, Batman, and Green Arrow.
As Batman steps up to Superman, Flash zooms in, standing to Batman's left.
Superboy steps up first, gaining scrutiny in Superman's eyes, but not stopping as he lifts the torn front of his suit, revealing the same S that is mirrored on his own costume. Superman's eyes widen in shock, while Superboy's features soften. Only for Superman's gaze to turn hard and cold, bringing on an annoyed look of confusion to Superboy's face.
"Is that what I think it is?" Batman questions.
"He doesn't like being called an ＂it＂." Kid Flash says stepping up and putting his left hand to face towards Superboy as speaks.
"I'm Superman's clone!" Superboy speaks up, gaining a shocked look from Kid Flash. While Martian Manhunter looks to Captain Marvel, Flash looks to Green Arrow, and Aquaman and Black Canary can only look on in shock.
"And I am Martian Manhunters clone." The Martian states as he steps forward drawing even more shocked gazes, as Martian Manhunter looks worried and confused.
Batman's eyes zero in on the protége's. "Start talking."
Both Green Lanterns have Blockbuster trapped inside a sphere, while Hawkman, Hawkwoman, and Captain Atom fly alongside them.
Superman is having a conversation with Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. Nothing is said for a moment, then Manhunter places a hand on Superman's shoulder, causing Superman to meet Superboy's gaze. The clone's look is curious, while Superman's is hard. The clone looks away, then glances back, seeing Superman look down and away from him before finally turning and walking towards him.
Superman sighs as he meets his cross-armed clone. "We'll, uh, we'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean." he corrects himself quickly. "For now I better make sure they get the Blockbuster creature squared away." then he flies away with a swish of his cape. Leaving Superboy following him with shocked, hurt, and confused eyes.
"Cadmus will be investigated," Batman says, drawing the teens' attention to him, Flash, and Aquaman as they walk towards them. "all 52 levels but let's make one thing clear-"
"You should have called." Flash pipes up, even catching Batman's attention.
"End results aside, we're not happy." the Dark Knight growls. "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again."
"I am sorry, but we will." Aqualad states strongly, even Robin steps up slightly.
"Aqualad, stand down." Aquaman attempts to command the older teen.
"Apologies, my King," he even makes reverence as he speaks, then his voice goes firm once more. "but no." this catches an eyebrow raise from the King of Atlantis. "We did good work here tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together on our own we forged something powerful, important."
"If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the three of you-" Flash tries to understand where they're coming from but is completely off.
Kid Flash doesn't hesitate to correct him. "The five of us, and it's not."
"Batman, we're ready to do what you taught us, or why teach us at all?" Robin speaks the quietest out of the group, but as he steps up to speak to his mentor it's obvious that he feels just as strongly about it as they do.
"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy questions, his arms uncrossing as he too steps up. "It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way." the three protéges and Martian were watching him, but they all turn back towards their mentors. Standing tall, proud, and defiant.
-----
With everyone heading off Martian Manhunter approaches his clone. "I am surprised to see they were able to clone me, I had thought Martian DNA would be to convoluted."
"I don't understand how they were able to either. Yet here I am. Will you help me? I will need training." The clone asks.
"Yes, I will. The league will also help figure out your housing. Until then, what is your name? I am J'onn J'onzz." Martian Manhunter asks.
"I don't have one." The clone replies.
"We shall find one for you together then." Martian Manhunter says as he starts to fly away.
-----
Mount Justice; July 8th, 8:04 EDT
Green Lantern and Captain Atom are flying large pieces of equipment around the Mountain, but in the Center stands all five teens, now dressed in civilian clothes, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel.
"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League." Batman tells the four boys. "We're calling it into service again. Since you five are determined to stay together and fight the good fight you'll do it on League terms." All five watch as Batman walks slightly away from the center of the room. "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions."
A pair of sunglasses covers Robin's eyes, clearly there to protect his identity, speaks up. "Real missions?" he checks.
"Yes, but covert." Batman confirms stepping back to be closer to the boys before him.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff." Flash speaks up from behind Kid Flash's right shoulder. "There's a reason we have these big targets on our chest."
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly." Aquaman continues, then turns his head towards Batman to continue the flow of conversation.
"The six of you will be that team." Batman states.
"Cool! Wait." Robin does the very simple math and realizes the problem. "Six?"
Batman only looks over his protége's shoulder and all five teens turn to see Martian Manhunter stepping out of the shadows with a green-skinned, red-haired teenaged girl. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece. Miss Martian."
She raises her left hand, giving them a small wave and smile, then a shy "Hi."
Kid Flash looks down to Robin as he puts one hand on his hip, Robin, in turn, looks up at Kid Flash. "Liking this gig more every minute." he steps up, minorly blocking her view of Robin and Superboy. "Uh welcome aboard, I'm Kid Flash." using his thumb to point at himself. "That's Robin," the smaller raven steps to the side and gives a Rock 'n' Roll sign. "Aqualad." the Atlantean gives a small nod but says nothing more. "It's cool if you forget their names."
"I'm honored to be included." Miss Martian says sincerely, clasping her hands in front of her to enunciate her point.
Aqualad, Robin, and Kid Flash all walk to talk to her with less of their mentor's listening in. However, Superboy and Martian stays behind, something Robin notices is paired with a downcast expression. "Hey Superboy, Martian come meet Miss M!" he calls out.
The boys walk over to the rest of the team; Miss Martian uses her shape-shifting ability to change her shirt color from white with a red X to black with the same red X, even going so far as to remove her cape. She looks down before speaking. "I like your t-shirt." she admits to Superboy, who gives her a small smile, which causes Robin to nudge his elbow into his chest with a smirk on his features. While Kid Flash zips to his other side with a bright smile.
Robin inclines his head slightly to Aqualad.
"Today is the day." the Atlantean says proudly. They all know it's true.
------
Below an under-reconstruction Cadmus Guardian speaks to Dubbilex and the scientist from the endeavor. "Cadmus changes today. With Desmond out of the picture the Board's placed me in charge." he turns to the scientist. "Dr. Spence, you're acting Chief Scientist. No more G-gnomes suppressing our wills, no more secret breeding projects. This is a kinder, gentler Cadmus."
"Then I will of course help in any way I can, brother." Dubbilex ensures Guardian.
The entire conversation is being watched by the Light.
"Can the Light afford to leave Guardian in charge without the G-gnomes?" a male asks. (Ocean Master)
"We have subtler means of control." a second assures. "What concerns me is the children. We now know the League is employing young Heroes to do their dirty work. Tch, that's a dark twist." (Luthor)
"Yes, but one that can be played to our advantage. Even the temporary loss of the weapons may prove useful. Eventually, everyone sees the Light." a final voice says. (Savage)
