Cadmus Research Facility
What defines life?
Are only those who are born from a woman's womb alive? is it the emotions you feel that makes you alive? Is it the possession of the soul? And who's to say what a soul is or who is entitled to one. Is a full self-aware artificial intelligence alive? They have emotion, feelings and a sense of right or wrong but at the end they are still technically a machine but who's to that machine isn't alive. At what point does a creation become sentient or independent? Is it up to the creation or the creator to decide its fate? Who's to say that it deserves free will? Does it need to earn freedom or should it be given.
They are the questions being asked inside the head of someone who has never opened their eyes. But at the same time, he could feel information being poured into his head by an outside force, he knew how to write, read, talk and fight. He knew a great deal about fighting, hand to hand combat, battle tactics and weaponry. He knew about who he was supposed to be, he was the Superboy a clone created from DNA of the Superman, the weapon intended to be humanity's line of defense against the Leagues Alpha hero. It wasn't up to him to decide why he was being taught all of this. For him, it was like being in a womb. Children are born with information that is passed down from their parents such as breathing, eating, using your eyes, ears, mouth, crying. It's not up to the infants to decide what information they know at birth and it's not up to him now.
'Danger' he thought to himself. No, not think to himself, was told. By who? He couldn't say, he was told by the same means he was told everything else 'danger, prepare for battle' they may sound like words but to him it was his instincts being programed into his brain, for this might be the first time he wakes up. If that was the case, he didn't know what to expect. Would he be a machine or an organic being? He had no idea, how could he? Who remembers what it was like before they were born or who can control a dreamless sleep. That has been his reality for his entire existence. Until now.
For the first time, he could feel something. He was standing, he could feel a cold draft of wind against him. Without opening his eye's, he could feel a hand, he flicked his wrist and clenched his hands into fists. And now for the first time, he opened his eyes. In front of him, he could see three individuals'. All male and different sizes, the tallest was dark skinned, a shaved head, he wore black pants and a red sleeveless shirt, he had black tattoos on his arms. The second tallest had red hair and wore a red and yellow suit with a lightning bolt. The smallest had dark hair, wore a red and black suit with an 'R' on the side of his chest.
It took him a split second to know what he had to do, follow his instincts. He charged forward towards the tallest. Using all of his strength he flew across a room he didn't recognize. Without giving him a chance to counter attack, he began to punch him across the face drawing blood. He drew his fist back for another attack but felt his arm being grabbed and someone else wrapping their arm around his neck and cover his eyes with the other trying to restrain him "Unh! Whoa!" The one holding his arm said "Hang on, Supey"
"We're on your side" the other side before he got had enough and punched the one wearing yellow in the face causing him the saw through the air and smash into a large glass container.
"I don't want to do this" the other said before he shoved a gas grenade into his mouth, not that it had any effect on him. Without even flinching as the gas went down his throat, standing up straight over the tallest he tackled. He reached out and grabbed the second tallest by the chest and through him against the wall but that caused him to be distracted just long enough for the first he attacked to kick him in the stomach pushing back a couple of feet allowing him time to stand up and prepare himself.
"we are trying to help you" he said before the weapon began to walk forward towards him. The intruder threw a punch landing right on the weapons face but he barely felt it and his face only moved an inch from the impact "AAHH" he grunted holding his hand in pain before he was grabbed by the throat and lifted off the ground. The weapon floated off the ground bringing the intruder with him, he tried to struggle against the weapons strength but he couldn't anything before he punched in the face with the force to create a small creator in the ground he landed.
As he floated in the air, he turned and saw the three intruders all incapacitated on the ground, using his vision he could see dozens of people standing on the other side of the entrance to the room all trying to get in. He descended to the ground and calmly walked over to the door before digging his hands in it and ripping it open. The closet people in front of him was Dr. Desmond, Guardian and one of his Genomorph brother. He didn't know how he knew that and he didn't question it. Desmond walked past him and saw his work with the three intruders "Attaboy" he smiled as the Superboy simply looked forward with an emotionless face.
An hour later he stood in a room alone looking at the three intruders who were all contained in their own pods, it had been quite before they started to wake up the one in yellow frowned as he looked at Superboy "What?" He yelled in anger "What do you want? Quit staring. You're creeping me out" he said.
"Uh, KF" the middle sized one said "how about we not tick off the guy who can fry Us with a look?" He suggested.
"We only sought to help you" the one on the right said.
"Yeah" the one in yellow agreed quickly and loudly "We free you, and you turn on us. How's that for grat..." He stated.
"Kid, please, be quiet now" the right one interrupted him "I believe our new friend is not in full control of his actions"
Superboy was confused at that, he never questioned whether or not he actually wanted to do that, he just followed his instincts, did that mean he was being controled? He wanted to know more "Wha..." He started, it felt weird to speak. After all, he's never done it before "what if... what if I wasn't?"
"He can talk?" The yellow one asked surprised.
Superboy frowned "Yes, he can" he said angrily taking offence to his shock that he could speak.
The one in yellow was taken back "Not like I said, "it." He said trying to defend himself.
"The genomorphs taught you telepathically" the one on the right said, Superboy began to think he might be the leader.
"They taught me much. I can read, write. I know the names of things" Superboy tried to explain.
"But have you seen them? Have they ever actually let you see the sky or the sun?" The one with an 'R' on his chest asked.
"Images are implanted in my mind, but no. I have not seen them. This is first time I've opened my eyes" he informed
"Do you know what you are, who you are?" The leader asked.
Superboy snapped the attention "I am the Superboy, a genomorph, the artificially created son of Superman by using his DNA, created to replace him should He perish, to destroy him should he turn from the light" he said noticing the shocked expressions on everyone faces.
"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration" the leader said respectively "but like Superman, you deserve a life of your own beyond that Solar suit, beyond your pod, beyond Cadmus" Superboy looked down the white suit he was wearing with a red 'S' on the chest.
"Cadmus is my maker, It is my home!" He replied
"Your home is a test tube. We can show you the sun" the one on the left said.
"Uh, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon" the one in yellow corrected him.
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman" the leader said
Superboy thought for a moment and as much as it surprised him, he was considering it "No, they can't" Desmond said as he walked in behind him with Guardian and another doctor he didn't recognize "They'll be otherwise occupied. Activate the cloning process" he instructed as the doctor he didn't know headed for a console next to the pods.
"Pass. Batcave's crowded enough" the one on the left spat at him.
"And get the weapon back in its pod!" Desmond shouted at Guardian as he gestured at Superboy.
Guardian made his way over to him "Hey. How come he gets to call Supey an it?" The yellow one whined.
Guardian placed a hand on Superboy's shoulder only for him to grab the hand by the wrist without warning and twisted it backwards to the point of almost breaking it "AAHH" Guardian yelled in pain as he fell to his knees.
Desmond quickly saw his resistant's and placed a genomorph on his shoulder causing him to let go of the wrist. He looked back at the leader with a blank face "Help us" he asked with sad eyes.
Desmond was worried at the level of restraint that Superboy had, he should have left already the room heading for his pod already. He needed to do something to get him under control "Don't start thinking now" he placed a hand on Superboy's shoulder "See, you're not a real boy. You're a weapon, and you belong to me! Well, to Cadmus. Same thing. Now get back to your pod!"
It took him a moment put with that and the genomorph on his shoulder telling him what to do in his own head, it's like he wasn't in control his own actions, he turned and left without a word. He didn't take notice of the screaming that heard behind him as the door closed, not that it made a difference with his hearing. He just kept on walking "Superboy, you live" he heard the leader say through gritted teeth, he was no doubt in pain from the blood being taken and the electricity shocking him "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?"" Superboy stopped walking at that 'is this what Superman would do' he thought to himself 'am I alive?' He asked himself, he couldn't help but wonder if he deserved freedom. He narrowed his eyes as he made his decision, he brought his hands up and flicked his finger at the genomorph on his shoulder causing it to fly through the air right into the wall.
Turning around he frowned as he jumped forward down the corridor and landed right in front of the entrance to the room he just left. Without even trying he grabbed the door with both hands and ripped it apart, he could see that the screaming from the hero's stopped as the power must have been cut. Desmond and Guardian both turned to face him "I told you to get back to your..." Desmond shouted as they both made their way to him only to pushed to the side like they were nothing.
Superboy looked at Desmond as he lay on the ground dazed "Don't give me orders" he warned before turning to face the three heroes.
"You here to help us or fry us?" The yellow one asked. Superboy's eyes glowed red "wait, wait, I was kidding? I didn't mean..." He started before the heat vision shot out of his eyes heading for the one on the left, it didn't hit his body but the restraints holding him in place.
"Don't tempt me" Superboy said as the one on the left fell to the ground.
"Ahh. Finally!" He said landing on his feet "Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for being able to get out on my own" he said.
"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" The one in yellow said in disbelief "The whole League will have our heads after tonight"
The one in red ignored him and looked at Superboy "Free Aqualad. I'll get kid mouth" he said.
Superboy frowned at him "Don't you give me orders either" he warned before fly up to Aqualad's pod and ripped in open freeing him.
"Thank you" he said sincerely as he looked at Superboy who nodded back at him and the two made their way to the middle of the room as the others joined them. They all nodded to each other and started to run out of the room.
"You... you'll never get out of here!" Desmond yelled in anger "I'll have you back in pods before morning" he promised.
"That guy is not whelmed, not whelmed at all" he heard the one in red say before an explosion came from behind him.
He looked back briefly to see that the pods that held them where now engulfed in flame with the red and yellow one catching up to him and Aqualad. Now the four where running together down the hive like hallway's "we are still 42 levels below ground but if we can make the elevator..." Aqualad said as they all neared the elevator but stopped when a horde of very large genomorph's came out of a side corridor blocking their route. All four of them stopped in their tracks as they looked at the horde.
They turned around and saw the even more genomorph's where... coming out of the wall's, they weren't as big as the other but with the sharp claws they had, they looked like they could do some damage "get behind me" Superboy said as he turned to face the horde of bigger creature. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and took a deep breath before he unleashed a powerful blast of his freeze breath. Quickly the whole corridor was incased in ice and the horde of monsters where frozen solid "come on" he said running forward through the genomorph's and towards the elevator with the others behind him.
Aqualad ripped the elevator's doors off giving everyone a good view at the empty shaft that led the bottom floor of the complex. Seeing the monsters behind him Kid used his speed to run up the shaft and stood at the side. Robin used his grappling hook to bring himself up. Superboy quickly turned around and saw more genomorph's charging towards them, he wrapped his arm around Aqualad's waist and carried him up the shaft using his flight.
As he reached the same level as the other two hero's which was five levels' above the one they were just on. He placed Aqualad on the same small ledge they Robin and Kid where standing on as he continued to float in the middle of the empty shaft "well, what now?" Kid asked.
Robin looked up and his eyes widened "this is gonna have to be our stop" he said pointing upwards, everyone else looked up and saw the elevator falling towards them at a very fast rate, too fast for someone to be in it. Superboy could tell that it's counter weight had been blown. Superboy floated up a little higher so the other heroes wouldn't be hurt as the elevator bent around Superboy as he caught it and it bent around him "or... not" Robin corrected himself as he saw him holding the elevator in place "mind getting rid of that thing?" He asked.
Superboy turned his head and nodded at him before he bent his arms then pushed upwards with full power. The result being the elevator being shot up through the air like a rocket leaving the atmosphere. All the hero's looked up as they saw the elevator not only went to the top level but it went through the top level of the building causing some metal and concreate to fall past them and creating a loud bang as it hit the ground. Kid turned to face Superboy "well, what now?" He asked sounding exhausted but Superboy didn't answer as he was too busy looking upwards in a type of trance "err... Superboy?" He asked confused.
Superboy didn't hear him, he was too busy looking up at the stars. That where shinning down at him from the hole that the elevator created when it went through the building's roof "SUPERBOY" Aqualad yelled snapping Superboy out of his trance. Superboy turned his head and looked at him "we need to find a way out" he said.
Superboy looked at him for a moment before hovering over to him and without waiting for permission he grabbed him by the arm and threw him upwards, without waiting for the others to object he did the same with them and threw them upwards. Flying up after them, he reached the level they landed on. Ground level. Kid Flash looked terrified at what just happened "A little warning next time" he said as Aqualad moved towards the elevator and ripped it open. The four stepped out of the empty shaft and found themselves in the building's lobby.
"there" Superboy said as he pointed at the buildings main entrance. All four heroes began to run towards the exit, they only made it half way before the ground in front of them was blown open.
"oh, give me a break!" Kid yelled before his eyes widened as well as the others as a large black... monster, it had big red eyes and what looked like to be hanging pieces of skin around it's body. The Hero's all looked at each other and nodded, they charge at the same time as the monster did. Kid ran ahead of everyone else and slid under the monster's leg as it tried to crush him with his foot. But as he did, he turned back to face the others only to see Superboy and Aqualad charge at him and punch him in the face. His stumbled backwards as Kid got on all fours behind his legs tripping him up on his back "Learned that one in kindergarten" he smiled as Robin flipped over his back and throw two explosives at the monster who seemed to bat them away with his hand.
The monster looked up the see Superboy standing over him who was cracking his knuckles. Superboy picked the monster up by the neck and punched him in the face causing him the fly through the air across the lobby right through one of the large pillars holding up the roof. Moving forward for another attack Superboy was caught by surprise when the monster quickly shot upwards and punched him in the facing causing him to fly through his own pillar.
Aqualad moved in and created a mace with his water handle, the monster grabbed the mace with his hands before he could strike him and tackled him through another pillar. Robin looked up to see the roof crumbling and he got an idea about how to stop that monster "of course" he said to himself as he lifted his wrist up and saw a hologram on the lobby, more specifically the pillars holding it up "K.F get over here" he yelled to Kid. Who ran over towards him.
Superboy now stood up from the punch that left him dazed. He looked up and saw Aqualad pinned against one of the pillars being punched repeatedly. He quickly ran towards the monster and punched it in the back causing it to drop Aqualad. Without giving it a chance to recover he wrapped his arms around the beast's waist and picked it up before he turned and slammed him into the ground, head first "Aqualad! Superboy!" Robin yelled getting their attention as the monster was recovering "the pillars!" He yelled as he pointed at the two pillars left standing.
They both looked at each and nodded, Aqualad ran towards one pillar, he jumped in the air dived towards the pillar with his feet destroying it causing the building to rumble even more. Superboy saw the beast getting back up, before he could he grabbed it by the head and tossed it towards the pillar but before it could strike the pillar he used his heat vision and fired it at full blast, not only burning the monster but knocking him through pillar with even more force "that's it!" Robin yelled as the whole building began to crumble around them.
"over here" Superboy said as a large piece of the concreate landing next to him. as the others made their way towards him, he picked it up and lifted it over his head as the others reached him. They all took cover under the ruble that Superboy was holding and braced themselves against the crumbling building.
The sound of the rumbling stopped and there was nothing but darkness "are we still alive?" Kid asked as Superboy used his heat vision to light where they were in a red light.
"Yes, my friend" Aqualad said "I believe we are"
"be careful" Superboy said as he pushed the rumble to the side and climbed out with the others behind him. They now stood in the ruble of the now destroyed Cadmus building, everyone was panting and Superboy could see that all their uniforms where torn, including his own.
"we did it" Aqualad smiled.
"was there ever any doubt" Robin smiled as he high fived K.F.
Superboy looked to his right and saw the monster unconscious as it lay on its stomach under some ruble. He walked over towards it just to make sure he was down for good. He kept a blank face as he realized that he was "see" Kid smiled as he placed a hand on Superboys back "the moon" he said pointing upwards at the moon that stood bright in the sky.
Superboy narrowed his eyes as he saw something in the sky heading towards him. He used his vision to zoom in and his eyes widened at the sight. By now the others could see it as well "And Superman. Do we keep our promises or what?" Kid smiled as they realized that it was not just Superman but now they were surrounded by the entire league, it was hard not to be intimidated by it.
Superboy didn't know what to think, he was now in the presence of the man he was supposed to be. He walked forward a couple of steps meeting him halfway. The rest of the league looked at him carefully. When he stopped, he looked down and saw that the red 'S' on his chest had been ripped, so he lifted it up and showed Superman what he was. As soon as he saw the 'S' Superman's face adopted one of pure anger "Is that what I think it is?" Batman said as he stood beside Superman looking Superboy with a blank expression.
He frowned at that word "He doesn't like being called an it" Kid whispered at them.
Superboy took a moment before answering "I'm... Superman's son" he announced. The entire league took a step back in shock at those words, nobody expected that to happen.
Batman looked at the other Hero's as Superboy looked right into Superman's eyes "Start talking" he said.
After a brief explanation about everything that happened some of the League took that beast away while some others stayed to help with clean up, the group of younger hero's all stayed together until Superboy turned his head to see Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Superman all taking together. Manhunter saw him looking at them placed a hand on Superman's shoulder making him notice it as well, with a final look at the two he sighed before heading over towards him "Well, uh...we'll figure something out for you" he started "The League will, I mean. For now, I'd better make sure they get that Blockbuster Creature squared away" he said before flying up into the sky.
"Cadmus will be investigated" Batman said from behind the group getting them all to turn around and see him, Flash and Aqauman approach "all 52 levels, but let's make One thing clear"
"You should have called" the Flash interrupted him.
"End results aside, we are not happy" Batman said angrily "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct Orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again" he warned.
"I am sorry, but we will" Aqualad said respectfully.
"Aqualad, stand down" Aquaman ordered.
"Apologies, my king, but no" he said saluting him "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 3 of you..." The Flash started.
"The 4 of us" Kid said looking over to Superboy before turning back "and it's not"
"Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us, or why Teach us at all?" Robin said.
Superboy was starting to get annoyed "Why let them tell us what to do? It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way. Because I just left one prison and if you want to stick me in another one, then you're going to have to force me in one" he said stepping forward getting right into Batman's face with the others standing beside him. Batman narrowed his eyes at him.
Mount Justice
The group of young Hero's stood in civilian clothing in a hollowed-out mountain with some leaguers in front of them such as Batman, black Carney, Red Tornado, Lantern etc. "This cave was the original secret sanctuary Of the Justice League" Batman informed "We're calling it into service again. Since you 4 are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms. Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be Your supervisor. Black canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions" he said.
"Real missions?" Robin asked sound hopeful.
"Yes, but covert" Batman confirmed.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff" Flash said "There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests"
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter" Aqauman spoke out "Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly"
"The 5 of you will be that team" he said looking at the group.
"Cool! Wait. 5?" Robin said before the teleporter activated and Manhunter came out from it was a younger green skinned girl at his side.
"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece Miss Martian" Batman interduced.
"Hi" she said nervously clutching her arm.
"Liking this gig more every minute" Wally whispered to Robin before he walked over to her "Welcome aboard. I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Aqualad. It's cool if you forget their names" he said smiling at her as the other joined her expect for Superboy who couldn't help but use his X-Ray vision to see her anatomy 'yep, definitely Martain' he thought to him.
"I'm honored to be included" she smiled at the group as Robin turned and saw Superboy who stood still looking at them.
"Hey, Superboy" he said knocking him out of his X-ray peak at her "Come meet miss M" he said.
Superboy walked over to her, as he stopped in front of her she shapeshifted her own clothing to match his color scheme "I like your t-shirt" she said.
Superboy looked at her and couldn't help but smile, Robin elbowed him in the chest and Wally sped over to him, wrapping an around his shoulder "Today is the day" Aqualad smiled at the group.
Ok guys. Tell me what you think, reviews would be very useful in the first couple of chapters.
I wanted to let you guys know that I'm going to be changing more thinks that just Superboy's powers, Like I might change the romance between him and M'gann. I might make it a Kon-E/Zatanna story, who knows I would really like your input. I'm also going to be adding some adult themes as well because why not so when the couple do start to form, you'll read about the sex.
Also, since the story is based the changes made to Superboy the story is going to be based on his POV. If you've been reading my story's then it's going to be like my Star Wars Rebel's A New Origin Story.
Again, let me know what you think and I'll see you guys in the next chapter.