Project Sidekick
Chapter 1: Revelation
Batman glared as his eyes carefully scanned the Cadmus files on the Batcomputer. He'd hacked in and searched for more information on what Superboy had told him about Project Match. So far, he'd found nothing more than what he already knew. Desmond and Lex Luthor had created the project and ran it. Match was a pure Kryptonian clone of Superman. But there were still gaps that had to be filled.
Batman's attention was caught when his eyes came across the words 'Project Sidekick'. Robin had mentioned something about a Project Sidekick when he recounted his trip to Cadmus with Kid Flash and Aqualad. He clicked in the link and the screen shifted to a different page. Pictures popped up. Blue eyes flashed across the information. Batman stood from his chair with wide eyes.
Red Arrow narrowed his eyes. He was crouched on the roof of an apartment building in Capital City, the time roughly midnight. He notched his bow, aiming it at a drug dealer about to seal the deal, with a red X-shaped shuriken struck the ground at the man's feet.
"Huh?" Red Arrow looked up and saw a dark figure with a billowing black cape whipping in the wind standing atop a building. He jumped down on the scene and kicked the drug dealer in the face.
The two gangs pulled out guns and opened fire. The figure jumped to the side and blew about ten thugs off their feet with an exploding disc. He jumped onto the roof of one truck, full of drugs, and stuck the roof with an explosive X. As he leapt off, the truck blew up and flipped on its side.
A thug with a crowbar swung the weapon at the figure as he touched the ground. The figure swiftly dodged the blow and jabbed the thug in the shoulder, gut, and groin. He fell to the ground, cradling himself in pain. The figure took out four X-shaped shuriken and threw them. They whizzed in the air and stuck in the second truck's tires. The tires deflated and the truck slowly lowered to the ground.
The figure, accomplishing his job, threw down a smoke pebble and disappeared in the midnight darkness.
Red Arrow stared. His mouth hung open in wonder. Then, he narrowed his eyes. The way the figure moved strongly reminded him of someone. Police sirens could be heard approaching the scene. Something told him that it was no coincidence or stroke of fate.
"Hyah!" Robin swung his leg at Kaldur's head. The Atlantean dodged the blow and countered with a punch. Robin quickly regained his balance and jabbed Kaldur in the collarbone, side, and gut. He fell to the floor with a solid thud.
"Fail: Aqualad," the computer announced.
Robin smiled and offered his hand out. Kaldur accepted and the two faced Black Canary.
"Very good, you two," she said. "I see Robin has been making some very good process," she added, speaking quietly to Kaldur.
"As have I," Kaldur responded in a whisper. The two heroes watched as Robin jumped on Wally's back when he, once again, tried to flirt with Megan. "He is learning and growing."
"Team," Batman said, walking into the main hall with Red Tornado, "mission debriefing."
"A mission?" Wally asked in excitement. He gave Robin a high-five. "Sweet!"
"Recognized: Red Arrow, B06," the computer announced. Red Arrow walked into the room. "Good," he said, "because I need to talk to you, Batman."
Batman nodded and pulled a holographic picture. "The League has been receiving reports of two costumed teenagers with superpowers with powers identical to those of Kid Flash and Aqualad," he said gruffly.
"What?" Wally asked.
Batman indicated to the picture with his hand. It showed two teenage boys, one pale and one dark skinned, both in costumes.
The speedster had dark green eyes and dark, wild red hair. He was about Wally's height and very muscular. He wore a white and blue body suit with dark blue leggings, gloves, and a lightning design on his white torso. His belt, boots, and gloves were designed with black lightning bolts. His cowl with an open head was white and red eyes. A blue Flash insignia stuck on his left shoulder.
The Aqualad clone had dark green eyes, shaved off blonde hair, high cheekbones, and dark skin. He wore black leggings and a sea blue tunic with armor. He held dual water-bearers and a water pack on his back. He also had silver gauntlets, boots, and a belt. He also wore black fingerless gloves. The silver belt gleamed with a C insignia in the center.
The Team stared at the picture in awe.
"Apparently," Batman said, also looking at the picture, "Cadmus was able to salvage the DNA taken from Kid Flash and Aqualad when you infiltrated their headquarters and created these clones, Sonic and Cyclone. These clones have been stealing from STAR Labs. The Team is to capture them and bring them in for us to deal with." He turned to fix the Team with a glare. "No one is to know about these clones. You find them, you bring them down, you bring them in. Understood?"
Aqualad looked around at the Team. He stepped forward. "We are ready," he said.
Batman nodded. "The clones were last seen in Metropolis. Good luck."
Kaldur, Wally, and Robin turned to Red Arrow. "Are you coming with?" Robin asked.
"No," Red Arrow said. He walked past the three and didn't spare them a glance. "I have more important business to attend to."
The Team dropped down from the bio ship and landed in a quiet Metropolis street. They looked around.
"Why is it so quiet?" Artemis asked.
"Yeah," Wally said, "where are all the people?" The streets were completely empty and the silence surrounded them.
Robin pulled up his glove computer. "Batman said Superman had the city temporarily evacuated. Wouldn't tell the people why, though."
Superboy looked around. He spotted a tall Superman statue in the distance. "So, this is Superman's city, huh?"
Miss Martian cast him a sad look.
"So," Zatanna said, "where are these clones?"
Kid Flash recognized that familiar whizzing sound too late.
"Right here!" Sonic rammed into Zatanna at top speed and sent her flying backwards. She tumbled and rolled to a stop.
The rest of the Team looked up. Sonic smirked and folded his arms. Cyclone stood next to him with a wicked gleam in his eyes. He whipped out his water-bearers and charged at Aqualad. The two collided, their swords clashing.
Robin and Kid Flash rushed forward to attack. Robin threw a few discs that exploded in three puffs of smoke at Sonic's feet. Kid Flash followed through and kicked him in the gut. The two tumbled to the side and Superboy punched Sonic into the side of a building.
Miss Martian floated to Zatanna's side. The two girls stood up just in time to see Aqualad's body come flying towards theirs. The three collided and landed in a heap in the ground. Artemis notched an arrow and let it fly. A boxing glove smacked Cyclone in the face and pushed him into a bus stop. A red X-shaped shuriken stuck in the roof of the bus stop and exploded. It crashed down and buried Cyclone.
Artemis, Aqualad, Miss Martian, and Zatanna all looked up. There, standing on the building behind the bus stop, was a dark figure. He wore a black padded body suit. His long, torn black cape had an ash grey interior that matched his scallop gloves and belt. The belt had a red X in the center and square metal pouches. He wore black combat boots with red laces. He also wore a full face helmet with a white skull design on it and a red X in the center of the forehead, one line crossing over the right eye. A red X insignia was on his left pectoral.
"Who are you?" Artemis asked.
The figure pointed to the insignia on his chest. "I'm X," he said in a mechanical voice, "Red X."
Kid Flash skidded to a stop and folded his arms, a smile on his face. "Red X?" he mused. "What's your partner's name, Green Check?"
Red X jumped down from the rooftop and landed what remained of the bus stop roof. He was about Wally's height and had a lean and muscular build. "I'm here too—"
Whatever he was going to say was cut off by Cyclone punching through the roof and pushing Red X off. The clone brandished his water-bearers. Red X threw a disc at him. Cyclone swatted it aside with his sword. The disc kept flying and hit Superboy in the back.
The disc exploded, drawing his attention. Superboy glanced over his shoulder as Cyclone grabbed Red X and threw him at Miss Martian. However, Superboy assumed that Red X had jumped at her. He roared in rage and tackled Red X. The two crashed into the side of a building, cracking the wall.
Sonic knocked Kid Flash aside and ran to Cyclone's side. "Make a break for it?" he asked.
Cyclone nodded. "Let's go," he said.
Red X struggled to break free from Superboy's hold. "No!" he said, grabbing a disc from his belt. He threw it and it exploded at the clones' feet, trapping them in sticky pink goo. Red X kneed Superboy in the face and flipped over him. He ran at Sonic, but Robin intercepted him. He took out his dual Eskrima sticks and waved them threateningly. Red X took out a silver bo staff and they fell into combat.
Kid Flash pushed back Sonic, the elasticity of the goo, snapped him back, and Kid Flash punched him to the ground. Cyclone grabbed him by the back of the neck and shocked him. Kid Flash cried out in pain.
Zatanna raised her hand. "Esaeler eht retsdeeps!" she chanted.
Cyclone's steel tight grip suddenly snapped open and Miss Martian sent a motorcycle flying at him. The clone fell back and the motorcycle fell on top of him.
Red X flipped back to dodge a kick from Robin. He waved his bo staff and knocked Robin off his feet. He moved forward to punch him, but the Boy Wonder rolled to the side and kicked him in the jaw. Red X fell back and narrowly blocked a punch from Zatanna. He easily blocked a kick and narrowed his eyes in interest. "You have potential," he said, carefully watching the way she moved. "But, you need a steadier stance. Stay on your toes. Keep your knees bent."
"Do you give helpful tips to all of your enemies?" Zatanna asked, throwing another punch.
"No." Red X tripped her and caught her before she could hit the ground. "But you're not my enemy. I don't want to fight."
Zatanna scoffed. "All evidence to the contrary."
Behind his mask, Red X grinned. He released her and flipped into the air. He swung on a lamppost and crouched on the top. He leapt into the air and kicked Sonic to the ground. He blocked a stab by Cyclone with his bo staff and punched him in the face. Superboy lunged at him. Red X stuck his staff in the ground, jumped on the tip, allowed Superboy to catch the staff, and body slammed him into the ground. "I don't wanna fight you!" he shouted. Superboy elbowed him back and sent his body flying into a stop sign.
Sonic and Cyclone stood. "Let's get out of here!" Sonic said. They hopped up the windows of a building and onto the roof. "Hope this keeps you occupied!" Sonic said. Cyclone grabbed a small bomb from his belt and threw it.
Red X grabbed the stop sign, stuck it with an explosive X, and threw it like a Frisbee. It met the bomb in midair and they exploded. Everyone averted their eyes and looked up when the explosion faded. "Well," Red X said, placing his fists on his hips, "that was fun."
Aqualad took a step closer to him. "We appreciate your assistance," he said. Superboy grunted, folding his arms. "But your place begs the question: who are you?"
Red X chuckled. "That's a complicated story," he said. He faced the Team and pressed a button on his helmet. The air lock released and he pulled his helmet off, revealing black hair and a red domino mask.
Kid Flash gasped. "He looks just like…"
"Yep," Red X said, smiling, "I'm Robin's clone, living proof that the Boy Wonder does hit puberty."
The whole Team gaped. Robin's mouth fell open.
The team walked out of the bio ship and into the hangar. Batman was waiting for them, Red Arrow by his side. "What hap—"
"Why didn't you tell me that I had a clone?" Robin demanded, storming up to Batman. He glared.
Batman narrowed his eyes. "What do you know?" he asked.
"I know that Cadmus not only created a KF and Aqualad clone, but they also created a Robin clone!" Robin said angrily.
The rest of the Team walked out of the bio ship. Red X was tied up and being dragged by Superboy.
"Hi," Red X said calmly, waving to Batman as much as he could with his hands tied together.
Batman said nothing. He looked down at Robin. "We need to talk."
Five minutes later, the Team, Batman, Red Arrow, and Red X were in the living room. Red X was still tied up, sitting at the foot of the couch. Batman and Red Tornado stood in the middle of the room. The Team sat on the couch.
"In addition to Sonic and Cyclone," Batman said, "Cadmus also created a Robin clone, Blue Jay."
Robin's fist clenched as he glared down at the carpet. Miss Martian placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"The three clones were designed to be criminals," Batman explained. "They have been secretly stealing from STAR Labs."
"Correction," Red X said, "we were openly stealing from STAR Labs."
Batman shot him a glare.
"What?" Red X asked innocently. He could feel Superboy's leg tense on his back.
"So, you were the one who I saw the other night in Capital City," Red Arrow said. "Why did you stop the drug trade?"
Red X looked up at him. "I told you that I'm not the bad guy here," he said, annoyance audible on his voice.
Batman turned back to the team. "The clones were trained exactly as Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad were," he said. "They are perfect adversaries, if not more skilled than the originals."
Robin and Kid Flash shot Batman highly offended looks. They opened their mouths to protest, but Red X cut them off.
"There's a reason for that," he said calmly. "Just as Superboy had two DNA donors, Sonic and Cyclone are not only the clones of Kid Flash and Aqualad, but also The Flash and Aquaman."
The whole Team looked at him.
Red X continued. "I, however, was a clone of Robin alone. But, I was imperfect. I didn't…prove as satisfactory as they wanted. So, they took the DNA of the sidekicks—"
"Don't call us sidekicks!" Kid Flash said.
Red X looked up at him. "My apologies," he said curtly. The corners of Aqualad's mouth twitched. "Anyways, Cadmus took the DNA of the, uh, partners and mentors to create stronger clones. That's how they created Sonic and Cyclone." He looked up at Batman. "I came here to warn you," he said sincerely.
Batman stared him down.
Superboy heard his heart beating. His heart was beating at a normal speed. No stress. He wasn't lying.
"How did you escape Cadmus?" Batman asked.
"Now, that's a good story," Red X said, grinning. "Let me put it simply, Guardian found me, tried to free me, I found Match, and we battled our way out of Cadmus."
"Wait," Superboy said sharply, "you found Match? You freed him?" He grabbed Red X by the front of his suit and hoisted him into the air, face to face.
"Conner!" Miss Martian scolded, grabbing his arm.
Red X looked calmly into Superboy's eyes. "The G-Gnomes healed his mind," he said, "along with my help."
"How could you have possibly helped him?" Superboy demanded, shaking Red X's body vigorously.
Red X didn't faze. "I have the genomorphic ability to communicate telepathically with other clones and genomorphs," he said.
"What?" Superboy's anger faded as confusion set it. His grip on Red X's suit loosened. "How come I…?"
"My lack of powers allowed me to posses the ability," Red X explained. "Your Kryptonian DNA cancelled it out. Neither Sonic nor Cyclone have the ability, also due to their inherited powers." Superboy stared at him. "I was able to telepathically assist the G-Gnomes in making Match's mind whole. He is now sane and in control of himself."
"Where is he?" Superboy growled.
Batman placed a hand on his arm and Superboy slowly set Red X down. He looked down at him. "Where is Match now?" Batman asked.
Red X looked down. "When Match and I escaped, we were followed," he said. "We were cornered and Match fought them off. I escaped. Match was captured and taken back to a secret Cadmus base. I'd planned on capturing Sonic and Cyclone, forcing them to give me Match's location, and then coming here to warn the Justice League." He looked down at the ropes that bound him. "But, my plan, obviously, didn't go so well," he said.
There was silence for a moment. "What, exactly, is this warning?" Batman asked.
Red X straightened and looked him in the eye. "Cadmus has allied itself with the Injustice League. They have plans to create clones of all known sidekicks with DNA mixed of their mentors. The clones will attack and take down the Justice League. The clones will then create the Crime Syndicate of America and will rule the world, under the control of Cadmus and the Injustice League."
The Team gaped at him. They tried to process all the information.
Batman narrowed his eyes.
"What actions must we take?" Aqualad asked, standing to face Batman.
"This is now a League responsibility," Batman decided.
The Team stood in protest. "What?" they asked.
"It is decided," Batman said sternly. "The League will handle Cadmus and take down the Injustice League."
Robin stepped forward. "Batman, that's not—"
"Enough," Batman said.
"I came to the Team to ask for their help," Red X said. "They were the ones who brought me in."
"Red X," Batman said. He grabbed the clone and hauled him to his feet. "You're coming with me for interrogation. You are not to take off your mask to protect Robin's secret identity. Team, stay here. Red Arrow will supervise you." He began walking, holding Red X by the arm.
"No!" Red X said. He ripped his arm from Batman's grasp. His scallop gloves extended and cut through the ropes holding him. The Team stared at him. No one stood up to Batman. You'd have to be suicidal to do that. "Cadmus and the Injustice League have not gone public yet," Red X argued. "Intercepting them would have to be a covert mission, best for the Team." He tore off his mask to reveal stunning green eyes. "And I have no secret identity to protect!" he yelled, pointing to his face. "I am the clone of Robin, an imperfect clone. My existence poses no threat to his secret identity."
Batman narrowed his eyes at him. The Team waited in baited silence. Red X maintained a stony glare. "I respect that," Batman said finally.
A smile flicked across Red X's face.
"You and the Team will infiltrate the Cadmus headquarters and take it down from the inside," Batman ordered.
Aqualad stepped up. "What is our first move?" he asked.
"Undercover," Batman said. "Stakeout the Cadmus building in civilian garb and watch carefully."
The Team sat in the bio ship. Red X, being too big for Wally's clothing, wore some of Conner's clothes which were a little too big for him. He wore a pair of navy blue jeans and a black T-shirt. He sat in a chair on the side, with Conner sitting behind him.
Zatanna looked over at him and held back a smile. "You alright, Red X?" she asked. "You look a little tense."
"He's staring at me," Red X said stiffly, giving a little nod towards Conner.
Conner grunted.
Zatanna laughed lightly. "He does that a lot," she said.
"He doesn't trust you," Robin said bluntly.
Red X shrugged. "I'm used to it," he said simply. He pretended like he couldn't see Zatanna's smile.
"Approaching Washington D.C.," Megan announced.
The Team unbuckled and stood. In camouflage mode, the bio ship landed in a small park. They all walked out and into the sunlight.
Red X looked around. "The Cadmus building is about 100 yards to the north," he said, pointing in the direction. "Let's go."
"Whoa," Robin said, grabbing his arm. "You can't just barge in head-on."
"You got a better way to do it?" Red X asked, ripping his arm away.
"Yes," Robin said. "We observe and report. Then, we gather intel and create a planned out, strategized attack. That's the way things work around here."
Red X raised a skeptical eyebrow at the boy in his shades. "Fine," he said.
"We'll divide into teams," Kaldur said. "Megan, Wally, Artemis, and I will patrol the east end. Robin, Conner, Zatanna, and Red X will patrol the west. Keep a sharp eye out and on the Cadmus building."
The Team nodded. Red X shiftyed uncomfortably on his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets. He, Zatanna, Conner, and Robin walked off to the west end. The sun was close to setting and children still played on the jungle gym. Their mothers watched from the picnic tables.
Red X leaned against a metal fence and folded his arms. Zatanna sat down on the fence next to him. "You seem comfortable," she said casually.
"The Team doesn't trust me," Red X said. "I don't give them reason to. But you trust me."
"It's not hard to," Zatanna said, shrugging. "You jumped into that fight to help us. That's enough for me to trust you."
"I appreciate it," Red X said, smiling. "But it's very foolish of you."
Zatanna smiled. "Thanks," she said.
Red X laughed. "You are a very special girl," he said, nodding.
Robin narrowed his eyes as he watched Red X and Zatanna. "Hey Conner," he said, nudging the clone with his elbow, "can you hear what they're saying?"
Conner focused. "Red X told Zatanna that she's foolish for trusting him," he said. He waited for a moment. "And Zatanna said thanks."
Robin folded his arms. "Dude, he's totally stepping on my territory," he said, pouting.
Conner furrowed his brow. "Aren't you with Batgirl?" he asked.
"I know, but still," Robin said childishly.
Red X looked around at the trees. A bird chirped and he furrowed his brow. "What is that bird?" he asked, pointing to the tree.
Zatanna looked up to where he pointed. "It's a sparrow," she said. "They're pretty common birds, like robins."
Red X watched as it flew away. He hummed in thought. "So," he said, looking sideways at Zatanna, "how'd you join the Team?"
"Oh," Zatanna said, her enthusiasm fading slightly, "by dad was in the League, Zatara the magician."
Red X nodded. He suddenly paled as he recalled what'd happened to him. "Oh," he said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, "I-I'm sorry I asked.
"It's alright," Zatanna assured him. "I just miss him sometimes."
Red X nodded. "After Guardian found out about Project Sidekick," he said, staring off into the distance, "he was defeated by Desmond, Blockbuster. I want to free him. I feel like I owe him for helping me and Match escape."
"That's very noble of you," Zatanna said. She shifted in her seat on the fence. "Okay, I have a question for you."
"Shoot," Red X said.
"How come Sonic and Cyclone didn't escape with you?" she asked.
He nodded. "My genomorphic abilities allowed me to break free from their mind control," he explained. "Because Sonic and Cyclone don't have those abilities, they're still under the G-Gnomes' influence. I freed Match, and we escaped together. I want to go back and free Sonic and Cyclone."
Zatanna nodded. "So, how come you become Red X?" she asked.
"When Cadmus controlled me," Red X said, "I was known as Blue Jay, created to counter Robin. After I escaped, I donned the Red X mantle to throw Cadmus off." He laughed. "I've been stealing things that I knew Cadmus would be after," he said, "and then later returned them. And now, I'm known in several parts of the United States as 'the world's greatest thief'."
Zatanna chuckled. "Wow," she said, "sounds prestigious."
"Yeah," Red X laughed, "I get big props." He flexed and pulled a Superman pose.
Zatanna felt his arm. "Really?" she snorted. "Frankly, I'm underwhelmed."
"Oh yeah?" Red X said. "Well, I'm just whelmed."
She had to laugh. She couldn't help it. Zatanna giggled and covered her smile with her hand.
Red X raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Gonna tell me why that's funny?"
Zatanna shook her head. "You need to spend some time with Robin," she said.
Red X snorted. "Yeah, right," he said. "Like I said earlier, he doesn't trust me."
"Well, maybe you'll get a chance to prove that he should."
The two teenagers smiled at each other. A boom alerted their attention to the south side of the park. They all looked over and saw the fading smoke of an explosion. Civilians ran away, screaming in terror. Red X and Robin pulled out their utility belts from under their shirts and fastened them around their waists.
Sonic and Cyclone emerged from the smoke with malicious grins on their faces. Then, behind them, walked 5 robots that stood about 7 feet tall.
"What are those?" Conner asked.
Red X grimaced. "Amazo prototypes," he said grimly. "Cadmus used them to train me and the others."
"You know how to beat 'em?" Robin asked.
"Yeah," Red X said, "but I do it with Sonic and Cyclone."
"Well, you'll just have to settle for us!" Robin grumbled, taking out his throwing discs.
Red X smirked. He took out his red domino mask and stuck it on his face. "I think I can work with that." He ran forward and threw a few shuriken at the first Amazo robot. Two of the three shuriken stuck in the robot's chest and blew up. When the smoke cleared, the skin coating has burned, exposing his metal interior. The robot let out an animalistic roar and charged. Red X leapt into the air, flipped, used the robot's shoulders as a springboard, and launched himself at Sonic.
The speedster zipped out of the way. Red X hit solid ground and was knocked aside by the second robot.
Conner bolted at Cyclone and punched. Cyclone flew backwards and slammed into the trunk of a tree. Conner delivered a sharp right hook to Amazo #3 and kicked at Amazo #4.
Robin kicked at Sonic's head. The speedster dodged it and punched Robin in the face. He grabbed the boy's arm, slipped his foot around his ankle, and flipped him over his head. Robin sat up, rubbing his head, and looked up at Sonic. Black Canary had taught them Team that move.
Zatanna ran up to Amazo #5. She held her hands up. "Wolb pu tobor!" she chanted. An explosion engulfed the robot in fire. It emerged from the flames, several parts of his body burned and broken.
Red X jumped on Amazo #5's back and stuck his head with an explosive X. He vaulted over him just before the robot's head exploded. The metal body hit the ground with a solid thud. Red X admired his work. "Decapitation always works," he mused.
"Thanks," Zatanna said.
Red X winked. He cried out when Sonic rammed into him.
Artemis shot an arrow at Amazo #2. It stuck in its eye. She followed through and kicked, further lodging the arrow into the robot's head. She landed on the ground and the robot fell. When it hit the ground, its head exploded.
Wally and Megan charged at Amazo #3. He zoomed forward and kicked the robot in the chest. The robot caught his leg and threw him. Wally screamed as he soared through the air. Megan had just enough time to gasp before Wally's body crashed into hers. The two hit the ground. Kaldur whipped out his water-bearers and soaked Amazo #3 from head to toe. The robot grabbed him around the neck and hoisted him into the air. Kaldur placed his palms on the robot's wet head and shocked him. Its head blew up and Kaldur fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
Conner tackled Amazo #4. He smashed the robot's chest in with his fist. Amazo #4 kicked him off and sent him flying. Wally sped at the robot and cannonballed into its chest. The robot fell back and Megan dropped a boulder on it.
Red X grunted when Amazo #1 punched him in the face. He charged. Robin fell in line with him and the two
simultaneously leapt into the air. They landed kicks on the robot's face. It bent over from the impact. Red X and Robin turned around and both threw two discs at him. The four discs stuck in the robot's chest and neck. With three beeps, they exploded, the force pushing Amazo #1 back a few feet. With its neck weakened, Red X and Robin ran forward, targeting its head. Together, they punched Amazo #1's head and knocked it clean off.
Amazo #1 fell to the ground, dead as a doornail.
Robin smiled at Red X. "Not bad," he said.
Red X returned the smile. "Nothing compared to the original." Cyclone punched him in the jaw. Red X fell back and hit the trunk of a tree. Robin flipped into the air and aimed a kick at Cyclone. Sonic jumped and knocked him out of the sky. The two tumbled and rolled, punching every inch of the other person they could reach.
Conner bounded forward and ripped Cyclone off of Red X. He punched him in the face and launched him into a bench, denting the solid structure.
Kaldur transformed his water-bearers into hammers and knocked Sonic off his feet when he sped by. Artemis pinned him down with her bow. "Oh, how many times I've wanted to do this to the realKid Flash," she said, a wicked gleam in her eye. She raised her bow and knocked Sonic into unconsciousness.
Conner threw Cyclone into the sky, bounded up to meet him, and kicked him into the ground. The villain remained motionless in the crater his body formed. Conner looked down at him and cracked his knuckles.
Robin approached Red X, smiling. "Okay," he said fake grudgingly, "you have my trust."
Kaldur stepped up next to him. "And our respect," he added.
Red X smiled at them. "Thanks," he said. "It means a lot."
Red Arrow placed his hands on the table. "I don't trust Red X," he said.
He, Red Tornado, and Batman were in the interrogation room. Batman was pacing, back and forth, thinking.
"Neither do I," he said.
"So, what are we going to do?" Red Arrow demanded.
"Perhaps we should have Miss Martian read his mind," Red Tornado suggested.
"I already know he was telling the truth," Batman said. "Superboy could sense his heart beating normally."
"That doesn't mean he's on our side," Red Arrow argued. "He could just be a spy, sent to gain our trust and take us down from the inside."
"I do not think that is the case," Red Tornado said. "I think that his mind is telling him to do the right thing," he looked at Batman, "to bring justice." Batman looked up at him.
Red Arrow narrowed his eyes. "You're hiding something," he accused. "What do you know that I don't?"
Batman regarded him with a calm but steely expression.
AN: Yay, I've started another story. I really hope that you guys like it. I will be continuing it. Please read and review! I'd love to get some feedback on your guys' opinions on this story and all that. I've actually had this idea in my head for a while, and I had to change it due to the new episodes. I'm actually very satisfied with what I've written so far and I hope you guys like it!
***Contest!***
The first person who can tell me what animated show Red X first appeared in will win a free Young Justice one-shot from me on the subject/genre/pairing/characters/plot of your choice! Just submit it in a review and I will private message the winner. Then, you can message me back, telling me what you want me to write the one-shot on.
Note: I will not do smut or slash. I like to keep my writing clean. I don't have anything against slash pairings, but they're not canon and it's awkward.