Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or the DC Universe
Rated M for language, some sexuality, and violence
Enjoy
Dallas, Texas, July 4, 2010, 12:05 PM...
People ran in terror as Ice Age hovered in the air, creating large twisters of snow and hail. He cackled gleefully as he blasted the park with ice, freezing pets and plants. He lumbered towards a mother and child and raised his hand to freeze them. Ice Age fired a shot of ice, but the ice never reached them. The ice stopped as if hitting an invisible wall. Ice Age turned around as the mother and child ran off to safety. He followed a shadow and swiftly turned, receiving a blast of energy to his face. "Finally decided to show up, huh?!"
A woman floated in the air. Her piercing green eyes frowned down at Ice Age, and her dark brown hair flowed loose. She wore a dark blue coat with black accents, black leather pants, and leather boots. Her coat tail flowed around her hips. Ice Age sneered at the woman. "Sorceress! Didn't realize I deserved such attention."
Sorceress rested her hands on her hips, smirking slightly. "Fine. Get it over with."
"Very well." He summoned ice energy into his hands. "I'll end you quickly."
Sorceres raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm talking to you?"
"What?" He whirled around and received a sucked punch to the face.
Ice Age crashed hard into the dirt. He groaned as his body shuddered from pain. A teen girl dropped down in front of him, her hands glowing with red energy. She bore a striking resemblance to Sorceress, the same dark brown hair and piercing green eyes. However, she wore black leather pants and boots with blue accents, and a matching corset-like top the bared her mid-drift. She wore a black motorcycle jacket and black forearm guards. A simple blue sash was tied around her waist like a belt. "That was so quick." The girl placed her hands on her hips. "I didn't even need to use my powers."
"Wiccan! I should've known!" Ice Age growled at her, struggled to stand. "I'm disappointed, Sorceress! Sending your little sidekick to do your dirty work. You know no mere child can silence the great-"
"Shut up." Wiccan punched him again, rendering him unconscious. Sorceress landed softly next to her. "We need to drag his pathetic carcass to the police."
"What?" Wiccan turned around to face her. "No! He's out, let DPD deal with him. We can't be late, Sorceress. You promised me! Please. Today's the day."
Washington DC, July 4, 2010, 2:00 pm...
Wiccan smiled proudly as she stood with her fellow sidekicks, Speedy, Aqualad, and Robin. Sorceress stood behind her with the other famous superheroes, Batman, Green Arrow, and Aquaman. Batman placed his hand on Robin's shoulder, "Today's the day."
"Welcome to the Hall of Justice," Green Arrow announced.
"Headquarters of the Justice League," Aquaman added.
"It's our home and now, yours as well," Sorceress smiled down at Wiccan.
"Aw, man!"
The heroes turned around to see Flash suddenly appear, a small dust cloud forming around his feet. Kid Flash appeared as well, crossing his arms as he pouted, "I knew we'd be the last ones here!"
"Come on, Kid. At least we made it in time," Flash grabbed him into a headlock, nooging his head.
Batman stared at them then narrowed his eyes, "Enough. Let's go inside."
The sidekicks followed their mentors down the red carpet as paparazzi and fans snapped dozens of pictures, murmuring various rumors amongst themselves. Green Arrow whispered into his partner's ear, "Ready to see the inner sanctum?"
"Born that way," Speedy replied eagerly.
"I am glad we are all here," Aqualad smiled.
"Have all five sidekicks ever been at the same place at the same time?" Kid Flash asked.
"Don't call us sidekicks!" Speedy snapped. "Not after today."
"Oh, leave him alone, Speedy. This is a big day. There's no reason to be so uptight," Wiccan nudged his arm.
Speedy glared at her, "You're a little too relaxed."
"Hey, you just don't seem overwhelmed enough. I am."
"You're overwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone ever just whelmed?" Robin sighed, breaking the tension as they entered the Hall. All five sidekicks stopped and gazed up in awe at the giant golden statues of the seven founding members of Justice League. Robin stopped, "Oh, maybe that's why."
The rest of the group joined him as the large doors opened. Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado stepped out to greet them. "Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Wiccan...welcome."
Robin and Kid Flash fist bumped as Martian Manhunter turned to lead them inside, "You now have full access to the gym, our fully stocked galley and of course...the library."
A new set of doors opened to reveal a large, spacious room with tables, chairs, and walls lined with bookshelves. Flash turned towards the kids and gestured to the whole area, "Make yourselves at home."
Robin jumped into one chair and Aqualad sat across from him. Kid Flash and Wiccan exchanged glances and lunged at the remaining chair. Kid Flash slid into the seat as Wiccan managed to grab the arm rest. "You snooze, you loose."
Wiccan narrowed her eyes at him as she sat down on the arm rest. Speedy remained standing, watching their mentors gather around Batman. "Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of five ice villains attacking on the same day. We shouldn't be long."
He turned towards the door and a scanner popped out of the ceiling, scanning each hero. "Recognized...Batman, 02. Aquaman, 06. Flash, 04. Green Arrow, 08. Sorceress, 18. Martian Manhunter, 07. Red Tornado, 16."
"That's it?"
They glanced back as the doors opened. Speedy glared at them as he folded his arms over his chest, "You promised us a real look inside...not a glorified backstage pass."
"It's a first step," Aquaman replied calmly. "You've been granted access few others get."
"Oh, really?" Speedy gestured to the paparazzi flashing their cameras from the high windows. "Who cares what side of the glass we're on?"
"Roy," Green Arrow took a few steps towards him. "You need to be patient."
"What I need is respect!" He turned around to face the other sidekicks. "They're treating us like kids. Worse! Like...sidekicks. We deserve better than this."
The four young heroes exchange blank looks. Speedy stared at them in surprise, "You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? Why? Because you think they play fair? Today was supposed to be the day! Step one into becoming full-fledged members of the League."
"Dude," Wiccan frowned, confused by his anger. "The first step is just a tour of HQ. You know that."
"Except the Hall isn't the League's real HQ!" he blurted out, shocking the League members and the sidekicks. "I bet they never told you it's just a false front for tourists! And a pit stop for catching a Zeta beam teleporter tube to the real thing. An orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."
Green Arrow turned around to face Batman's stare, "I know, I know. But I thought we could make an exception...?"
Batman narrowed his eyes. Green Arrow dropped his hopeful smile, "Or not."
"Roy," Sorceress caught the boy's attention. "You need understand that this privilege isn't just handed to you on silver platter. You earn it."
"I have earned it!" he glared up at her. "I've worked hard to get where I am today. I've earned the respect but you refuse to give it to me."
Aquaman stepped in between them, "You're not helping your case here, son. Stand down, or-"
"Or what? You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son! I'm not even his. I thought I was his partner, but...not anymore," he threw his hat at his mentor's feet and marched to the door. "Guess they're right about you four...you're not ready."
As they watched him walk out the door, the computer screen lit up, receiving a transmission. Superman's image appeared, "Superman to Justice League! There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire."
"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus," Batman replied, walking up to the screen with the other League members. "This may be the perfect opportunity to-"
"Zatara to Justice League!" Zatara appeared on a smaller screen. "The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Aten to block out the sun! Requesting full League response."
"Superman?" Batman glanced at the larger screen.
"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control," he stated.
"Then Cadmus can wait," Batman pressed a button on the keyboard. "All League members rendezvous at Zatara's coordinates. Batman out."
The heroes walked through the doors leading to the teleporter while Batman, Aquaman, Flash, and Sorceress turned to their sidekicks. "Stay put."
"What?" Robin threw his hands out in question. "Why?"
"This is a League mission," Sorceress replied. "Too big for you to handle. You don't have the experience. You're not ready."
"And you're not trained," Flash added.
"Since when?" Kid Flash protested.
"I meant you're not trained to work as part of this team," Flash gestured to himself and the other mentors.
"There will be other missions," Aquaman reminded calmly. "When you're ready."
"But for now...stay put," Batman narrowed his eyes as he emphasized the last two words. He turned and joined the other league members through the door.
Red Tornado lingered as he stared at the four kids, then followed the others through the door. After a minute, Kid Flash gritted his teeth, "When we're ready? How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like-like...sidekicks?"
"My mentor...my king, I thought he trusted me," Aqualad glanced down.
"Trust? They don't even trust us with the basics. They got a secret HQ in SPACE!" he threw his hands up.
"Calm down. I'm sure they have their reasons for doing what they did," Wiccan placed her hands on her hips.
"What reason is that? Like I said...they don't trust us enough to tell us about-what did Speedy call it-the Watchtower!"
"I know Sorceress, Kid! She doesn't do anything without a good reason."
"Yeah. Good reason as she doesn't trust you," he frowned at her. Wiccan looked away, frowning at the chair beside her.
Aqualad raised a brow in question, "What is Project Cadmus?"
"Don't know...but I can find out," Robin smirked then walked over to the keyboard. The computer blared out "Access Denied".
Robin snorted, "Wanna bet?"
Robin dug deep into the network, reaching inside the roots of the systems. Kid Flash stared at the code in awe, "Whoa, how are you doing that?"
"Same system as the Batcave," he pressed one last button and it granted him access. "All right. Project Cadmus...genetics lab here in D.C. That's all there is, but if Batman's suspicious maybe we should investigate."
"Solve the case before they do," Aqualad thought on it. "It would be poetic justice."
"Hey, they're all about Justice," Robin laughed nervously.
Wiccan stepped in between them, frowning at Robin, "They told us to stay put."
"For blotting out the sun mission, not this." She continued to glare.
"Come on, Nate-"
"Don't call me that!"
"-look, this our chance to prove that we're ready," Kid Flash smiled at her enthusiastically. "It's now or never."
She turned to Aqualad, still unconvinced, "What do you think?"
"Kid does have a point," he gripped his chin in thought. "If we are successful, the League would praise us."
"Just like that?" she raised a brow. "We're a team with a mission?"
"We didn't come here for a playdate," Robin smirked at her.
Cadmus Building...
Two scientists screamed for help, trapped on the top floor as fire surrounded them. Suddenly, the room behind them exploded and the two men were thrown out of the building. Kid Flash raced up the side of the building, grabbing the men as he tossed them onto the roof. He lost his footing and slid back down, grabbing the window sill before falling. Robin, Aqualad, and Wiccan finally caught up, watching from across the road. Robin shook his head with a smirk, "So smooth."
"Stupid idiot," Wiccan grumbled. "Always has to run ahead."
"This is no time to sulk," Aqualad frowned. "We need a plan. We-Robin?"
"Talk about hot-headed," Wiccan pointed. Aqualad followed her finger to where Robin swung from the fire truck and into the top floor of the building, hauling Kid Flash in with him. She rose into the air and flew over to the building. She reached the window. "Take my hand!"
One of the scientists latched onto her for dear life. Aqualad used the water from the fire hose to create a water whirlpool large enough to raise him to the building's roof. The other scientist jumped on. While he lowered the scientists down below, Wiccan dropped her scientist off on the ground. She flew back up and entered the building through the open window. Kid Flash rummaged through a filing cabinet as Robin searched the computer. "What are you doing?"
"Searching. Here, you can help," Kid Flash tossed loose files at her.
The papers flew out in her face, "Dude! Not cool."
Aqualad grumbled at Robin, "Appreciate the help."
"You handled it," Robin assured him as Wiccan tossed the files back at Kid Flash. "Besides, we're here to investigate. Poetic justice, remember?"
Aqualad walked out into the dark hallway and saw something inside the elevator as the doors closed. He frowned, "I thought I saw..."
Kid Flash skidded into the hallway behind him, "Elevators should be on lock down."
Robin dashed down the hallway, bringing up his holographic computer from his gloves, "This is wrong...thought so. This is a high speed express elevator. It doesn't belong in a two story building."
"Neither does what I saw. Wiccan," Aqualad gestured to the elevator.
Wiccan nodded and approached the elevator. Her eyes glowed red as she raised her hand. The doors groaned then suddenly burst wide open. The others approached and gazed down, seeing the endless shaft. Robin knelt down between Aqualad and Wiccan, "That's why they need an express elevator."
He shot a Batarang into the ceiling and jumped, the rope squealing as it unraveled. Wiccan took a deep breath. "I hate going underground."
She flew down into the shaft, following Robin. Aqualad grabbed onto the rope, sliding down, and Kid Flash followed. Robin stopped as they reached sub-level 23, "I'm at the end of my rope."
He swung and jumped to the elevator door, sitting down on the small ledge as he brought up his holographic computer. Wiccan circled around the end of the rope and floated in front of the doors. Aqualad easily hopped onto the ledge. Wiccan helped Kid Flash reach the ledge. Robin continued typing, his computer beeping, "Bypassing security...there. Go!"
Wiccan forced the doors open, and lowered herself onto the floor. Robin and Kid Flash followed them into the dimly lit hallway. Robin glanced around, "Welcome to Project Cadmus."
Kid Flash took off running and Aqualad panicked, "Kid, wait!"
He kept running, reaching the end of the hallway. As he prepared to turn, he gasped, sliding onto the ground as giant monsters marched towards him. He rolled away in time before one stepped on him. He got up and ran around the monsters, joining the others. Aqualad gawked with the team, "No...nothing odd going on here..."
Wiccan glanced at Kid Flash. "Dude, not a smart move."
"It's called recon."
"It's called reckless," she retorted.
They watched until the monsters disappeared down the hall. Robin turned and gestured for them to follow him down the other direction as he checked the map on his computer. They reached a large door and Robin quickly unlocked it, dropping his jaw as he gazed inside, "Okay, I'm officially whelmed."
Hundreds of electric based mutant monsters that generated immense power that seemed to fuel the whole underground complex. Kid Flash strode in ahead, "This is how they hide this massive underground facility from the world. The real Cadmus isn't on the grid. It generates it's own power with these...things. Must be what they're bred for."
"Of course," Aqualad explained. "Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sewing stone dragons into the earth."
"And this Cadmus creates new lives too. Let's find out why," Robin commented as he synced into the network. "They call them Genomorphs. Whoa, look at the stats on these things! Super strength, telepathy, razor claws...these are living weapons!"
"So they're engineering an army. But for who?" Wiccan frowned at the screen.
"Wait, there's something else. Project Kr," Robin grunted, pressing the screen several times. "Ugh, the file's too encrypted. I can't-"
"Don't move!" someone ordered. A man with a golden helmet stood at the door with several large gray monsters awaiting orders. The man stopped in surprise, "Wait, Robin? Wiccan? Aqualad? Kid Flash?"
"At least he got your name right," Wiccan muttered to Kid Flash.
"I know you," Aqualad blinked in recognition. "Guardian? A hero."
"I do my best," he replied.
"Then what are you doing here?" Kid Flash demanded.
"That's my question, kids. I'm chief of security," Guardian placed his fists on his hips. "You're trespassing here. But we can call the Justice League. Figure this out."
"Yeah, let's call them. We'll see if they approve of you breeding weapons," Wiccan frowned at him, clenching her fists.
"Weapons? What are you-what have I...? My head," Guardian rubbed his temple as the genomorph on his shoulder's horns glowed red. "Take 'em down hard! No mercy!"
The genomorphs lunged as Robin threw down a smoke bomb, blinding the monsters. He shot a batarang onto one of the beams up above and swung over all the smoke to the door. Kid Flash ran and flipped over several them. He jumped onto the wall and propelled himself towards two others, knocking them unconscious. Wiccan flew up into the air. Her fists glowed with red energy and she fired red electricity at Guardian. He screamed from the pain. He threw his shield at her, and Wiccan quickly dodged it. A genomorph tackled her into a row of computers. She quickly recovered and shot the genomorph off of her. The genomorph roared from the red energy. Wiccan turned back to Guardian. She threw her fists, firing blasts of red electricity. He cried out as the blast hit him square in the chest and he slammed against the wall. He tried to get up, but fell back down. "Let's go!"
Kid Flash ran past them, genomorphs roaring after him. Aqualad and Wiccan followed, exiting the room and running down the hall. Robin stood over the controls of another elevator, bypassing the security. Kid Flash slid to a halt beside him, "Way to be a team player, Rob!"
"Weren't you right behind me?" Robin got the doors open and they ducked inside. Aqualad glanced back down the hall, his eyes widening as more monsters bounded towards them. Wiccan grabbed his arm and dragged him into the elevator with her, the doors slamming shut as the monsters reached out to them. Wiccan glanced at the small screen above the doors, watching as the number increased, "Uh...are we going down?"
"Dude, out is up," Kid Flash peered around her to glare at Robin.
"Excuse me?" he raised a brow. "Project Kr is down. On sub-level 52."
"52?" Wiccan turned towards him. "Robin, what if we can't make it back up? We can't afford to be stuck down here."
"We have to find out what Cadmus is hiding. Poetic justice, remember?"
Aqualad placed his hands on their shoulders to keep them apart, "This is getting out of control. We...perhaps we should contact the League."
Robin and Kid Flash glanced down in silent shame. The elevator beeped as the doors opened. The kids got into a defensive stance as they gazed into the empty, stomachy hallways, lined with purple eggs. Robin dashed out of the elevator. Kid Flash shrugged, "We might as well keep going."
"I swear, both of you are gonna get us killed." Wiccan jabbed her finger at him.
"Hey, I didn't run out first this time," he pushed her finger away and zoomed towards the hallway split with Robin. Aqualad and Wiccan followed him, crouching down beside the boys.
"Which way?"
"Yeah, bizarre looking hallway one or bizarre looking hallway two?" Robin gestured to both hallways.
"Halt!"
They glanced down bizarre hallway two; a humanoid genomorph stepped into view. He raised his hands as his giant horns glowed red, telekinetically lifting two barrels and hurdling them at the heroes. Robin threw some darts, but they stopped mid flight and the creature tossed some more barrels, sending them down the other hallway. Kid Flash legged it down the hall, glancing forward at the last second as a female scientist walked out of a room. He slid along the ground, tripping the woman as the doors began to close. He picked up a thin tank and stuck between the doors, causing the gears to groan under the strain. Robin and Wiccan followed Kid Flash into the room as Aqualad carefully stepped over the tank, glancing back to see Guardian and the genomorphs running full speed towards them. He kicked the tank away and the doors slammed shut.
Robin's computer beeped, "I've disabled the door. We're safe."
"We're trapped," Aqualad frowned at him.
"Like I said earlier," Wiccan pointed out.
"At least we're safe," Robin frowned at her.
"When we get out of here, I'm totally pinning this on you!"
"Me?"
"Yeah, this was your idea."
"That's if we get out of here," Aqualad pointed out.
Robin stared at him, "Do you have to be so negative?"
"He's right," Wiccan folded her arms under her chest. "If Cadmus doesn't kill us, then the League will."
"Uh, guys...you might wanna see this," Kid Flash caught their attention. He stood in front of a large control panel. He pressed a key and a bright light revealed a pod with a person resting inside. A boy around the age of 16 slept peacefully inside the pod. He wore a white body suit with the S symbol on his chest. Kid Flash walked up to the pod, studying the Kr on the glass, "Big K, little r...the atomic symbol for krypton!"
Wiccan raised her brow at Robin, "Clone?"
"Robin. Hack," Aqualad ordered.
Robin snapped out of his daze, "Oh, right, right."
He synced his computer with the panel, shuffling through the file. "Weapon designation: Superboy. A clone force grown in...16 weeks! From DNA acquired from Superman."
"Stolen from Superman," Aqualad corrected.
"Solar suit allows him to absorb yellow sun radiation 24-7," Robin continued.
Wiccan pointed to the small creatures sitting above the clone's head, "What about...those things?"
"Genomorphs gnomes," Robin answered. "Telepathic. Force-feeding him an education."
"And we can guess what else," Kid Flash scoffed. "They're making a slave out of, well, Superman's...son."
"Clone, Kid. Not son. Clone," Wiccan corrected, facing his glare.
"Okay, now we contact the League," Aqualad pressed his belt buckle, only to receive static. Kid Flash, Robin, and Wiccan tried as well to no avail. "No signal."
"We're in too deep," Kid Flash sighed. "Literally."
"Really what was your first clue?"
Kid Flash glared at Wiccan and attempted to punch her in the arm. She caught his fist and shoved him back, "You're really pushing it."
"Enough," Aqualad barked. "This is no time to be fighting amongst ourselves. We need to think of a plan."
Kid Flash glanced back at the pod, not noticing the gnomes's horns glowing red, "You know...this is wrong. Leaving him here."
"He's right," Robin agreed.
"Are you serious?" Wiccan leaned on the panel to glare at both of them. "Cadmus is brainwashing him. We have no idea what those things are putting inside his head. He could attack us."
"I highly doubt he would," Kid Flash stared dubiously.
"Wanna bet?"
"Set him free," Aqualad ordered, silencing them. He glanced at Robin, "Do it."
Robin entered a code and the pod opened. The clone flexed his fingers, forming a fist as his knuckles popped. His eyes snapped open, staring at the group blankly. He lunged out of his pod, tackling Aqualad as the others shielded themselves. They rolled until the clone was on top of Aqualad, pounding his face with his superhuman punches. Wiccan ran over, "Hey!"
She looped her arms around his neck, getting him in a choke hold. Robin wrapped himself around the clone's right arm while Kid Flash took the left. "Calm down! We're on your side!"
The clone slid his arm free and punched Kid Flash. He flew across the room, smashing into a glass container before landing hard on the back of his neck. Wiccan tried to grab the clone's free arm and lost her hold. The clone leaned forward then elbowed her hard in the face. She flew back and crashed into the wall, creating a large crater under her. Robin pulled out a gas bomb, "I don't wanna do this."
He released it and the clone backed off, choking. Aqualad reared up and kicked the clone, sending him crashing into the control panel. As he stood, Robin shot him with a taser. The clone glanced at the cables and tugged, grabbing Robin by the throat then slamming him against the ground. He placed his foot on the boy's chest and began to grind. Wiccan flew forward and tackled the clone into the pod as Aqualad ran to Robin's aide just as he passed out. She latched onto his head and shocked him with red electricity. He screamed and pulled at her wrists. He pulled her off easily and punched her. She sailed back past Aqualad, crashing into the doors. The clone stood, walking towards the hero. Aqualad stood, holding his hand out, "We're trying to help you."
The clone stared at him for a moment, then attacked, his punch missing as he made a dent in the floor. Aqualad tackled him into the wall, punching while blinded by the dust. The clone caught his fist and kicked him back. He lunged and wrapped his arms around Aqualad, squeezing tight. Aqualad screamed in pain as his bones groaned. Wiccan raised her head, her eyes widening as the clone squeezed Aqualad tighter. She lunged at high speed. She landed right next to him and pulled him off of Aqualad, throwing him against the wall. This time, her whole body glowed with red energy as she attacked. She punched him several times, but the clone caught her wrists. Wiccan unleashed a blast of red energy on him, point blank. The clone shook his head, his glare intensifying. He spread her arms open and slammed his forehead against hers. She cried out from the hit, and the clone released her wrists. He slammed his fist against her cheek, knocking her down. Wiccan struggled to stay conscious. "Damn...it."
The clone walked over to her and raised his foot, kicking her across the face. Wiccan fell onto her back, knocked out cold. He turned and walked over to the door as the four heroes laid unconscious around the room.
end of chapter 1