Together We Stand, United We Fall

Chapter Two: Fireworks

Author's Note: Enjoy. [Edited/Published: 12/18/2018]

Washington D.C.

July 5, 2010

00:01 EDT

"Time has run short. You must awaken. You must awaken now!"

I groaned, blinking slowly as my eyes adjusted to the bright lights strategically placed above me. With each breath I exhaled, the glass window of the pod I was imprisoned in fogged slightly.

"What-what do you want?" Kid Flash questioned, quickly adding, "And quit staring, you're creeping me out!"

Robin sighed, "Uh, K.F., how about we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look?"

Superboy remained silent, taking the opportunity to glare at each one of us individually. I tugged on the restraints, grunting in anger as my anxiety began to increase as the feeling of suffocation set in.

"We only meant to help you," Aqualad promised Superboy.

"Yeah, we free you and you turn on us! How's that for grat—" Kid Flash angrily shouted. Aqualad cleared his throat, glaring slightly at the speedster.

"Kid, quiet now, please. I believe our friend was not in full control of his behavior," Aqualad calmly reasoned.

Superboy fixed his gaze on me; his left eyebrow twitched slightly as my breathing continued to quicken.

"What," Superboy paused, clearing his throat, "what if I wasn't?"

"He can talk?" Kid Flash sarcastically gasped.

Superboy glared at Kid Flash, clenching his fists as he took an aggressive step forward.

"Yes, he can," I hissed.

"What?" Kid Flash asked, "It's not like I said 'it'."

"I'm sorry for Kid Idiot," I paused, glaring in the direction Kid Flash's pod, "He's hit his head one too many times."

Superboy grunted, crossing his arms over his chest as his glare intensified on Kid Flash.

I cleared my throat, regaining Superboy's attention, "So, the genomorphs… they taught you everything while you were asleep in that pod?"

"Yes," Superboy answered curtly.

"I'm a telepath, too," I admitted; Black Canary's lesson on kidnapping played on a constant loop in my head. Attempt to form a connection with the kidnapper and once I have discovered their weak spot, I exploit it until I am free.

"What did they teach you?" Robin probed, catching onto my method.

"I can read, write, I know the names of things," Superboy clarified.

"But have you seen them?" Robin persisted, "Have they ever actually let you see the sky? Or the sun?"

Superboy hesitated momentarily before answering, "Images are implanted in my mind, but no, I haven't seen them."

"Do you know what you are?" Aqualad paused, quickly correcting himself, "Who you are?"

Superboy leaned back slightly, proudly displaying the iconic, red S on his chest, answering robotically, "I am Superboy, a genomorph. A clone made from the DNA of Superman, created to replace him should he parish or destroy him should he turn from the Light."

For a brief moment, my anxiety was replaced with sadness. Superboy took pride in being a clone because that was all he knew, that's all his identity comprised of.

"To be like Superman is a worth aspiration, but like Superman, you deserve a life of your own," Aqualad reasoned, his voice slow yet stern.

"Beyond that solar suit, beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus," Robin added, his tone empty from his signature playfulness.

"I live because Cadmus!" Superboy shouted.

"But you're not living," I paused, "You're just existing."

"Your home is a test tube. We can show you the sun," Robin promised.

"Pretty sure it's past midnight," Kid Flash interjected, adding quickly, "but we can show you the moon."

"We can introduce you to Superman," Aqualad promised.

Superboy's tense shoulders relaxed as his anger dissolved into hope, revealing his weak spot: Superman.

"No, they can't."

A large metal door slid open, revealing Guardian, an aging male scientist, and the female scientist Kid Flash had knocked over earlier.

"They'll be otherwise occupied," the male scientist smirked. He turned to the female scientist, "Activate the cloning process."

"Pass," Robin sarcastically answered, "Batcave's crowded enough."

"Get the weapon back in its pod," the male scientist yelled at Guardian.

"Hey," Kid Flash protested, "how come he gets to call Supey an 'it'?"

"K.F., so not the time!" I scowled.

"If this was really your home, they would not treat you like a weapon and force you into a pod!" Aqualad shouted.

Guardian placed a firm hand on Superboy's shoulder, pushing him slightly in the direction of his designated pod. Superboy wavered momentarily before jerking Guardian's hand off his shoulder.

"Don't start thinking now," the male scientist groaned. The genomorph perched on the scientist's shoulder leaped, landing on Superboy's shoulder. Its horns glowed a bright red as Superboy grunted, gripping his head in pain.

"See, you're not a real boy. You're a weapon and you belong to me. Well, to Cadmus, but it's the same thing. Now, get back in your pod!"

An emotionless expression fell over Superboy's face as he immediately began walking to the metal door.

"Superboy, you're not a weapon!" I shouted.

Metal claws expanded from the bottom of our containment pods. Their claws opened, revealing needles that slid effortlessly into our exposed skin. I grunted, heaving as the feeling of suffocation intensified.

"I told you to get back to—"

Superboy violently shoved the trio aside; their bodies collectively collided into the wall, hard. The metal claws extracted themselves, returning to their containment in the pods.

"Don't give me orders," Superboy retorted.

"You here to help us or fry us?" Kid Flash questioned, the exhaustion visibly heard in his tone.

Superboy glared at Kid Flash before easing his glare, "Huh, I don't seem to have heat vision, so I guess helping you is my only option."

Kid Flash exhaled a shaky laugh before groaning.

Robin's pod door slid open with a hiss; he jumped down, rubbing his bruised wrists.

"Finally," he sighed, "Lucky Batman wasn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long."

"Seriously? That's what you're worried about? The whole League will have our heads after tonight!" Kid Flash shouted.

"The League?" Superboy curiously repeated.

Robin nodded, typing on his wrist computer. Our pods hummed before simultaneously sliding open with a hiss of air. The metal straps that bounded my body glowed red momentarily as I ripped them off my body. I flew down, landing on the ground slowly.

I rubbed my irritated wrists, explaining, "The League is a legion of superheroes who vowed to do good and help those who cannot fight for themselves. They're the successors to the Justice Society of America."

"Supes, free Aqualad. I'll get Kid Mouth," Robin instructed, working on Kid Flash's restraints.

Superboy glared at Robin, growling, "Don't you give me no orders either."

Superboy leaped onto Aqualad's pod, ripping the restraints off with his bare hands.

"Thank you, friend," Aqualad smiled, landing in a crouch beside me. Kid Flash and Robin landed soon after; Robin motioned for us to run to the door.

"You'll never get out of here! I'll have you all in your pods by morning!" The scientist promised, struggling onto his feet.

"That guy was not whelmed, not whelmed at all," Robin muttered, throwing a series of explosive batarangs at the pods that once contained us.

"What's with this whole whelmed thing?" Kid Flash questioned. The pods erupted in a violent explosion, destroying all our DNA in the process.

"We're still fifty-two levels underground!" I reminded them, pointing to the large, glowing number on the wall.

"But if we can just make it to the elevator—" We rounded the corner, skidding to halt as a large, ape-like genomorph roared at us.

"Behind us," Aqualad informed, pointing to the pods on the walls that began to hatch. Superboy lunged past me, pounding his fists repeatedly into the chest and stomach of the ape-genomorph. The two pounded at each other, slamming into the walls.

"Guys, look!" I shouted, pointing to the deteriorating support structure.

"Superboy! Our goal here is to escape, not to bury ourselves!" Aqualad yelled, easily overpowering a small genomorph.

"You want to escape?" Superboy questioned, throwing the ape-genomorph into the crowd of small genomorphs.

"To the elevator!" I instructed, flying rapidly to the express elevator. I pressed my hands firmly on the metal, prying the doors open.

Robin aimed his grappling hook, almost immediately jerked upwards. Superboy held Aqualad, leaping upwards into the dim elevator shaft. Kid Flash floated me beside me, entering the shaft with ease.

"I-I'm falling!" Superboy gasped.

"Phe!" Robin yelled. I outstretched my hands, commanding their body with ease.

"Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?" Superboy asked, his voice low and expression somber.

"Don't know, but it seems you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool," Kid Flash assured the Boy of Steel.

"The express elevator is coming," Superboy warned. Superboy cocked his fist back, grunting as his fist connected with the metal, elevator doors of the sub-levels. The doors bent in and with one hard kick from Superboy, they collapsed in all together.

"We've got to work on how to be more discrete," I muttered, gently landing all three boys.

A crowd of genomorphs stood before us, growling. I raised my hand in the air; the metal elevator door floated above us. I brought my hand down and with it, the elevator door slammed into the genomorphs.

"Let's go!" Superboy shouted, running down the hallway. After a series of quick turns, we skidded to a halt at a dead end.

"Great directions, Supey! Are you trying to get us re-podded?" Kid Flash aggressively probed.

"N-no! I don't understand. I'm sorry," Superboy murmured, glancing around the hallway in confusion.

"Don't apologize. This is perfect," Robin gasped, pointing up to an air-vent. I raised my hand, catching the vents' covering before it fell onto the floor.

I flew directly into the vent, grunting in the tight space.

"At the rate, we'll never escape," Kid Flash complained as we all struggled to fit into the tight air vent.

"I just hacked the motion sensors. Phe, can you work some magic?" Robin questioned, sending the coordinates to my wrist computer. I nodded, easily emitting false kinetic wave signals from the coordinates.

I jumped down from the air vent, landing in a crouch. I glanced around before motioning for the boys to follow. One by one, they silently dropped down from the air vent opening.

"Sweet," Kid Flash grinned, stretching his legs.

"Still plenty of them between us and out," Robin reminded him.

"But I finally got room to move," Kid Flash explained, lowering his red goggles over his eyes. He pushed the door behind us, running up the stair case; in the process, he toppled over some unexpecting genomorphs.

"More behind us!" Robin shouted, running up the staircase.

I aimed two large orbs at the genomorphs, launching mere inches away from their faces. The foundation beneath us rumbled as the staircase crumbled, detaching from the base we stood in.

"You couldn't have done that before?" Superboy snapped.

"No, actually," I retorted, "Not unless you wanted to be engulfed by kinetic energy in a tight space."

"Come on!" Robin motioned for us to follow him. We poured out into an abandoned hallway. To the left, another large vault door loomed over Kid Flash, who lay on the floor rubbing his nose.

I crouched beside him, helping him onto his feet. Superboy and Aqualad grunted, attempting to pry open the door as Robin avidly hacked into Cadmus' security system.

"This way!" Robin shouted, kicking open a door on the side. We ran through, skidding to a halt as a large army of genomorphs came to view.

Guardian stepped forward, clearing his throat, "It's over."

The genomorphs' horns all glowed a bright red; I gasped, feeling my body freeze up. I collapsed onto the floor, unable to fight.

My mind fogged over, and the feeling of not being in control of my own body fell over me. I felt alone and helpless, like a toy soldier.

"I choose freedom!"

There was a brief moment of utter silence before I was able to open my eyes once more. Kid Flash helped me onto my feet, steadying me as I swayed slightly.

"Go," Guardian instructed, "I'll deal with Desmond."

"I think not," Desmond countered; from behind us, the genomorphs parted, revealing a crazed Desmond holding a vile of blue liquid.

"Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order at Cadmus," he vaguely explained before chugging the blue liquid. He hunched over, groaning as the sounds of bones cracking filled the air. He grunted louder, visibly resisting the urge to scream in agony as he collapsed onto the floor.

I took a cautionary step back, watching as his body contorted and transformed. Desmond roared, rising to his feet; his skin had transformed into the same blue color as the liquid he had downed.

"Everyone back!" Guardian shouted as he ran towards Desmond. Desmond easily slapped Guardian to the side, without looking away from Superboy.

Superboy lunged at Desmond, slamming him against the wall. Desmond punched Superboy's jaw, sending him crashing into the ceiling.

"Okay, that's one way to bust through the ceiling," Robin sarcastically joked.

"You think Lab-Coat planned that?" Kid Flash asked.

"I doubt he's planning anything anymore," I answered, levitating the three boys in the air. We flew through the hole created by Superboy's impact, landing on the Sub-Level above us.

Desmond launched Superboy at us; Aqualad and Superboy grunted, colliding with each other and sliding on the floor. They rose to their feet, running to attack Desmond together.

Kid Flash joined them; he ran to Desmond, sliding under his feet at the last minute. As Desmond looked up, both Superboy and Aqualad's fist connected with Desmond's face.

I flew in the air, throwing multiple energy orbs at Desmond; he groaned, struggling to remain balanced. He grunted, tripping on Kid Flash's crouching figure.

"Learned that one in kindergarten," Kid Flash mused, running towards Robin.

I landed beside Robin, watching as he easily threw a series of explosives at Desmond, who struggled to rise to his feet.

Desmond roared, swinging blindly at Superboy. Aqualad held Desmond back using his mystic water-bearers; Desmond struggled before breaking free. Aqualad readied himself to strike again, but Desmond deflected his attack.

I flew towards Desmond, aiming a reasonable large orb at his face. His fist connected with my orb, causing a small shockwave that forcefully pushed me back.

I groaned as I slammed into the wall. I fell to the floor, landing awkwardly on my side.

Robin shouted for Kid Flash as I slowly stood, rubbing my pounding head. I pushed loose strands of my hair away from my sweaty face as I prepared myself for my next attack.

I lunged at Desmond again, grunting as he slapped me mid-air. My body connected with Superboy, who was emerging from a small crator created by his landing.

I moaned, clutching my aching torso as I slowly rose to my feet.

"You okay?" Superboy questioned, clenching his fists in anger.

"Never better," I struggled.

"Phe! Superboy!" Robin shouted, running towards us. He gestured towards his holographic screen, pointing towards integral structure beams.

"This one, that one!"

I levitated in the air, concentrating on the beam's location. The beam easily bent, causing the ceiling to cave inwards.

I landed in front of the four boys, quickly encasing us in a large orb. The ceiling collapsed in as I pushed us through the debris.

"We… did it," Aqualad exhaled as we emerged through the debris.

"Was there… ever any doubt?" Robin sarcastically questioned, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Poetic justice, remember?" I grinned. Superboy strayed away from us, standing over Desmond's unconscious body.

"Superboy," Aqualad called out, placing a hand on the Kryptonian's shoulder.

"See? The moon!" Kid Flash excitedly pointed at the full moon.

A tiny black dot grew significantly larger and began to disperse at it neared us.

"And Superman," Kid Flash grinned, "We like to keep our promises."

Superman stood at the head of the large group; I sidestepped out of his way as he approached Superboy. I lowered my head, avoiding Black Canary's angry glare.

Superboy glanced down, finally noticing the rip on his solar suit. He held the S intact, staring at Superman.

Superman's angry expression dissolved into confusion then shocked before returning back to anger.

"Is that what I think it is?" Batman questioned from behind Superman.

"He doesn't like being called an it," Kid Flash warned.

"I'm Superman's clone," Superboy explained.

The group of heroes erupted into whispers. Superman exchanged a look with Batman before returning his gaze to Superboy.

"Start talking," Batman demanded, glaring at the clone.

Our mentors stood a few yards away, communicating telepathically. Kid Flash, Robin, Aqualad, Superboy, and I stood in our own circle, stealing glances at our mentors.

Black Canary's expression was beyond furious as she seemed to be the one currently speaking; she pointed in our direction before slamming her closed fist into the palm of her other hand. Wonder Woman nodded, placing her hand on Black Canary's shoulder, seeming to agree with Canary's opinion.

Martian Manhunter turned, glancing over his shoulder at me. His eyes softened as he offered me a look of…pity? He placed a hand on Superman's shoulder before returning his attention to the ongoing argument.

Superman broke away from the group; he approached us slowly, staring at me then at the others. The look he had given me was one of regret. My stomach churned as he walked past me.

"We'll, uh, figure something out for you— the League will, I mean. For now, uh, I better make sure they get that Blockbuster creature squared away," Superman curtly said before turning around and flying into the murky D.C. night.

"Cadmus will be investigated," Batman assured from behind us.

We all turned, facing our mentors with dignity.

"All 52 levels. But let's make one thing clear—" The Flash stepped forward, cutting off the Batman.

"You should've called."

"We tried, but there was no signal 52 stories underground," I explained.

"End results aside, we are not happy," Batman continued, "You hijacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again." Batman glared at his protégé before glaring at the rest of us.

"I am sorry," Aqualad apologized, stepping forward and adding, "but we will."

"Aqualad, stand down," Aquaman instructed.

"Apologies, my King, but no."

Aquaman raised an eyebrow at Aqualad's newfound rebellious side.

"We did good work here tonight," Aqualad paused, glancing at us.

"Great work," I added.

"Phoenix," Black Canary warned.

"No, we did amazing work. The work you've all trained us to do," I continued, ignoring Black Canary's warning, "together, on our own as a team."

Aqualad offered me a small smile before continuing, "Together, we forged something powerful. Important."

"If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the four of—" Kid Flash cut off his mentor.

"The five of us," he corrected, "and it's not." Kid Flash glanced at the silent Superboy.

"Batman, we're ready to use what you all taught us." Robin probed at his mentor.

"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy questioned, uncrossing his arms as he took a step forward, silently challenging our mentors.

"It's simple," Superboy paused, get on board or get out of the way."

Our mentors stared us down, but we held our ground. A pregnant silent filled the air as the other Leaguers murmured, watching anxiously for our mentor's next move.

Mount. Justice

July 8, 2010

08:04 EDT

"This cave was the original, secret sanctuary of the Justice League. We're calling it into service again," Batman explained, as he paced.

Black Canary placed a hand on her waist, offering me a sly smirk. I shoved my clammy hands into the pockets of my leather jacket, returning my attention to the Dark Knight.

"Since you five are determined to stay and fight the good fight, you'll need to do it on League terms," Batman stopped his pacing, staring at each one us individually.

"Red Tornado has volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary is in charge of training. And I will deploy you on missions," Batman concluded.

"Real missions?" Robin pondered, not bothering to hide the hope in his voice.

"Yes, but covert," Batman answered.

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests," Flash joked from beside Black Canary.

"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly," Aquaman explained.

"Furthermore, you'll still need to keep your respective cities safe while being on a special covert ops team," Black Canary added.

"The six of you will be that team," Batman said.

"Cool! Wait, six?" Robin questioned, glancing at the four of us. Black Canary gestured to turn around; Martian Manhunter emerged from the hallway with a green skinned girl.

"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian." Batman introduced.

"Hi," she nervously waved; she visibly relaxed as she realized she was not the only girl. I offered her a small smile, which she eagerly returned.

"Liking this gig more every minute," Wally murmured, grinning. I elbowed him, scoffing.

"Uh, welcome aboard. I'm Kid Flash, that's Phoenix. This is Robin, and Aqualad. It's cool if you forget their names."

We each stepped forward at the mention of our aliases. Superboy lingered back, unsure.

"I'm honored to be included," Miss Martian admitted. We gathered around Miss Martian, each asking her questions.

"Hey, Superboy. Come meet Miss M," Robin said, gesturing at Superboy to join us. Superboy stepped forward, silently staring at Miss Martian.

Miss Martian's white top with a red X transformed into a black top with a red X. The color scheme matched Superboy's shirt with the iconic S on his chest.

"I like your shirt." Miss Martian smiled.

Today is the day.