Project Sidekick
Chapter 4: One Stone
mood music-Let It Burn by RED
Over the next week, the clones grew closer to the Team. Robin, Wally, and Kaldur often worked with their clones. They'd go on missions, work out, and hang out together. Sonic and Wally had been having races around the Mountain, so there were sneaker tracks in the grass. Red X and Robin would go on patrol with Batgirl and Batman in Gotham. Kaldur even showed Cyclone Atlantis.
So, what's left to do when you've bonded with your clone?
"A birthday party?"
Red X, Sonic, and Cyclone stared at Wally and the over-exuberant grin on his face. "You wanna throw a birthday party," X said, "for us?" They stood in the living room.
Wally nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!" he said. "It was Megan's idea," the martian girl smiled from the kitchen, "and I seriously agree with her."
"Oh, please," Robin said, smirking. "You just want an excuse to eat."
"And what's wrong with that?" Wally demanded, raising a sly eyebrow. Artemis scoffed. "Besides," Wally continued, "it's only fitting that our clones be granted all human celebrations and the traditions that go with them."
"In Wally speak," Conner cut in, walking by, "that's they get a party and I get food." Robin laughed and held his hand up for a high-five. Conner smiled a little and lightly slapped his hand, mindful of his super strength.
"Anyways," Wally continued, sending at glare at Conner's back, "I still think we should have a birthday party for you guys."
"But, we were created at different times," Red X said. "And genetically, Sonic and Cyclone are a year older than me."
Wally huffed. "Whatever!" he yelled while waving his arms in the air. "I still think it'd be fun." He slung his arm over Sonic's shoulders. "What'd you say, clone-y?" he said in a sing-song voice.
Sonic grinned. "It sounds awesome!" he said.
"Team," Batman said over the intercom, "report for mission debriefing."
"Yes!" Red X said, punching the air as he and Robin raced to the main hall, "finally! I've been itching for some action!"
"Tell me about it!" Robin said. They hung a left down the hall. "That gang fight last night in Gotham totally wasn't whelming."
"Yeah," Red X laughed. They skirted into the main hall and skidded into a stop in front of Batman.
Sonic and Wally appeared a nanosecond later. "What's up, Batman?" they asked together. "Jinx! You owe me a soda! I do not! Stop that!"
Artemis snickered as she and the rest of the Team walked in. "You got a mission for us, Batman?" Artemis asked.
"Recognized: Batgirl B08, Red Arrow B06," the computer announced. The two vigilantes walked through the zeta tubes and approached the Team. "A mission for us, too," Batgirl corrected. Robin smiled at her.
Batman pulled up a holographic picture of a deformed humanoid creature with grey skin and red eyes. "A Blockbuster
creature has been terrorizing Washington D.C." He looked right at Red X.
"It's not Desmond?" the clone asked.
"Not Mark," Batman said. He pulled up security footage of the original Blockbuster creature in a jail cell. "But it could be Roland."
Red X nodded. "We'll take care of him," he promised.
"Yeah," Sonic said, cracking his knuckles. "We got a score to settle with that nerd."
Robin stepped forward. "We're going with you," he said.
Red X looked at him. "Are you sure?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Yes," Robin said, nodding.
"Well, we're coming, too," Batgirl said, pointing from her to Red Arrow. A smile flickered on the archer's lips. It was safe to say that Black Canary wasn't the only one with a soft spot for Batgirl.
Batman nodded. "Take the bio ship to Washington," he instructed. "Take down the Blockbuster creature and bring him in."
"At this rate," Kid Flash looked around at the crowded martian space ship, "we're gonna need a bio ship about double the size."
Red X stared at the floor. His brown was furrowed, as though he was deep in thought. He looked almost pained.
Zatanna noticed this. "Are you alright?" she asked, leaning towards him.
"I'm fine." Red X shook his head and shut his eyes for a moment. He groaned. "Just a little headache," he assured her.
Robin looked concerned. "You sure?" he asked.
Red X nodded. "It's like…" He stared out the window. "It's like I can…hear something in the back of my mind. It's weird."
Robin stared at him. His calculating mind was already whizzing, like gears in a complex machine.
"Approaching Washington D.C.," Miss Martian announced.
Aqualad turned towards the rest of the Team. "Kid, Sonic, Artemis, Red Arrow, Superboy, deploy," he ordered.
The five gathered around the middle of the bio ship and Miss Martian opened up a hatch. She flew the bio ship down by the ground and the five heroes jumped out. They landed in the middle of the street and looked around. A roar caught their attention.
Superboy, using his super hearing, looked down the right side of the street and spotted the Blockbuster creature. He grabbed Kid Flash by the arm, spun around, and launched the speedster at him. Kid Flash rolled in the air and slammed his feet into the creature's chest.
The blow barely fazed the Blockbuster and he grabbed Kid by the foot and threw him. Kid Flash yelled as he collided with his clone. The two tumbled to the ground as the archers raised their bows. They let their arrows fly.
The arrows struck the Blockbuster's chest and red and green foam encased his body. Red X jumped down from the air and punched him in the face. The Blockbuster fell back to the ground with a roar. He broke free from the foam and stood.
A jet of water shaped like a snake shot at him. The Blockbuster stumbled backwards, blocking the water with his hand. Cyclone held his water-bearers out as he advanced on the Blockbuster creature. He released his hold on the water and kicked him in the face. Superboy grabbed the creature in a neck hold from behind. He jumped into the air and slammed him into the ground on the way down.
"You know," Robin jumped down next to Red X, "this seems a lot easier with a bigger group."
Red X smiled at him. "Teamwork," he said. A sudden pain shot through his head. "Ah!" he cried, clutching his head. He fell to his knees.
"Red X!" Robin knelt down next to him. "What's wrong?"
"Ah!"
He looked up to see Sonic and Cyclone both bent over in pain. They held their heads and their eyes were shut tight.
Robin looked around. "What's going on?"
"They're falling under our control once again."
Robin looked up to find the Blockbuster creature towering over him. His eyes widened in surprise. "It talks?"
"Yes," the Blockbuster said, "it can."
Robin gulped.
Sonic and Cyclone stood. Their eyes were red and their faces formed in sneers. Sonic turned on Kid Flash and tackled him. Cyclone transformed his water-bearers into swords and attacked Aqualad.
Red X groaned in pain. "Ah!" he cried. There was a high-pitched ringing in his ears. His eyes were clenched shut. "Robin!" he said.
The Blockbuster creature punched the Boy Wonder aside and raised his fist. Red X caught it at the last moment with both of his hands. He slowly got to his feet, groaning in pain. "I don't take orders from anybody!" he roared. The pain and ringing went away. He fixed his grip on Blockbuster's arm and flipped him with all his might. Blockbuster's body crashed into the ground, cracking the blacktop away.
Red X loomed over him. "You don't control me, Desmond," he said.
"Sonic, Cyclone," Desmond roared, "fall back!"
The two clones ran.
"You're not going anywhere!" Red X said. He ran after them.
"Red X!" Robin called.
"Get Desmond!" Red X said, glancing back at him. "I got Sonic and Cyclone!"
Cyclone jumped onto Sonic's back. Red X fired off a grapple and latched it around Cyclone's ankle. They zipped off. Red X cried out as he was yanked forward with them. He grabbed his hoverboard from his belt, extended it, and hopped on. They turned a corner.
Cyclone whipped out his water-bearers. He cut the grapple line. Red X, losing the line, lost his balance and fell. The hoverboard shut down and snapped in two from the impact. He regained his balance in a cartwheel and simultaneously threw a bola. It snagged around Sonic's ankles and tripped him. He and Cyclone fell to the ground with a painful thud.
Red X stood and brushed off his cape. "Are we gonna do this the easy way," he said, cracking his knuckles, "or the hard way?"
Sonic and Cyclone took fighting stances.
Red X sighed. "It's always gotta be the hard way, doesn't it?" he asked, looking to the sky. He took out his bo staff and charged forward. He collided with Cyclone and the two battled with their weapons. Red X got in a lucky hit and slammed Cyclone back. Sonic didn't allow him any respite, though. He zoomed forward and punched him in the face.
Red X rebounded with a flip and threw a small pellet. It fell at Sonic's feet and exploded in a puff of smoke. He coughed and closed his eyes. Red X burst through the smoke and kicked Sonic in the face. He fell back and hit the ground.
Red X smiled. Then, his eyes suddenly shot wide open. He froze for a moment. The ringing was back. A moment passed where he didn't move. He smiled. "Message received," he said, cracking his knuckles.
Cyclone charged forward and slammed him with his hammers. Red X rolled to the side and dodged a kick. He flipped backwards and dodged a punch from Sonic.
"What," Sonic said, throwing another punch, "afraid to fight us?"
Red X laughed. He jabbed Sonic halfheartedly in the gut. Cyclone doused him in water and forced him back into a building wall. Sonic grabbed his leg and threw him into a mailbox. Red X groaned as he sat up. He looked at the mailbox in disbelief. "Really?" he said, waving his arms wildly. "Who uses these things anymore?"
Cyclone raised his hammers and slammed him in the face. Sonic ran around him, creating a small tornado. Red X flew into the air, flailing his arms wildly. Sonic skidded to a halt and the tornado disappeared.
Red X fell to the ground. He groaned as he got up on all fours. "Ow," he deadpanned.
Sonic and Cyclone approached him. "I thought you'd put up more of a fight," Sonic said, crossing his arms.
"Nah," Red X looked up at him, "I'm just stalling."
Sonic raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, a figure in a white solar suit crashed down on the scene. He bulleted at Sonic and created a crater where he stood only a moment before.
Red X smiled as he got to his feet. The two went back to back. "What took you so long?"
Match turned towards him, a smile etched in his features. "Shut up and fight," he said. His eyes were normal. Cyclone charged at him, brandishing his water bearers in the form of swords. Match grabbed the weapons, twisted them out of Cyclone's grasp and punched him in the face. Cyclone went flying back into the ground.
Red X took out his bo staff and took a fighting stance. Sonic zoomed at him and tackled him. Red X spun his staff and whipped him in the face. He kicked him in the gut and grabbed the collar to his suit. Red X kneed him in the gut, slammed his head, and butted him in the face with his staff.
The two clones fell to the ground, unconscious.
Red X grinned. "How ya been, Match?"
Match turned to his friend. "I'm a little roughed up, to be honest," he admitted, flexing his shoulder. His solar suit was torn in a few places. "That Cadmus base was harder to get out of than I imagined."
"Where was it?"
"Venezuela," Match said, shrugging. "No big deal."
Red X laughed. He and Match hugged. "Good to see you, buddy."
Match smiled. He patted Red X on the back. "You too, X," he said.
"Red X!"
The two looked up as Robin ran around the corner and towards them. Blockbuster followed him, smashing the side of a building. Kid Flash slid under his legs and quickly caught up to Robin.
"Help!"
Match raised an eyebrow. "Friends of yours?"
Red X chuckled. "Yeah," he drawled, placing his hands on his hips. "That's them." He held his staff at the ready and he charged forward. Match followed him, flying through the air. Red X threw a shuriken at Blockbuster and it exploded in a puff of smoke. Match burst through the smoke and punched him in the face.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that," Match said, cracking his knuckles. He grinned wickedly.
The rest of the Team ran around the corner. Superboy stopped in his tracks when he saw Match. "What…?"
"Hey, Supey," Robin said, smiling, "look what we found!"
Match smiled.
The Blockbuster creature roared. "Time to end this!" he said. Sonic and Cyclone snapped up and grabbed Red X and
Match in half-nelsons. "Red Sun!"
Match and Superboy went stiff and passed out.
"No!" Red X cried.
The Blockbuster, Desmond, looked at him. He smiled deviously. "Black Bat," he said.
Red X struggled before he also went stiff. But instead of passing out like Match, he stopped struggling. Sonic released him and he charged at Batgirl. He threw her into Artemis and punched Red Arrow in the face. Cyclone jumped at Miss Martian and slammed her into Zatanna.
Robin glared up at Blockbuster. He charged at him, wielding his dual Eskrima sticks. Blockbuster swatted him aside and into the side of a building. Sonic and Cyclone struck down the originals. And one by one, Young Justice fell.
There were two thoughts on Wally's mind when he woke up: 'I'm hungry' and 'Why am I upright?' He opened his eyes to find himself looking down at his chest. The Kid Flash insignia was on the yellow upholstery of his suit. His arms and legs were locked in place with claps around his wrists and ankles.
Kid Flash looked around. He was in a pod. He was instantly reminded of his trip to Cadmus all those months ago. He was in a circular room and each member of the Team was also in a pod, locked inside. The order from left to right went as follows: Artemis, Superboy, Kid Flash, Zatanna, Batgirl, Miss Martian, Red Arrow, Robin, and Aqualad. Robin was in the pod across from him. "Rob!"
The Boy Wonder's eyes snapped open in an instant. He gasped. "W—where's Red X?" he demanded. "Where are we?"
"You're in the new and improved Cadmus base."
All members of Young Justice looked up. The door on the left side of the room had opened and Red X leaned on the doorway. His Red X helmet hid his side.
"Fancy, huh?" he asked, gesturing to the room. He walked to the center of the room and smiled up at Robin. "Comfortable?"
Robin glared down at his clone. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "How could you betray us like that?"
Red X laughed. He was smiling underneath his helmet. "Oh, please," he said. "Did you really think I was ever on your side? It was all a game. I played you, like a chess game."
Kid Flash, Robin, Red Arrow, and Superboy glared at him. But the others weren't convinced.
"So, you're telling me that all of it was fake?" Artemis asked incredulously.
"You were especially easy to fool," Red X said, chuckling. "If Wally can't see what he's got, then that's unfortunate for him." He laughed. "Yeah, right."
Kid Flash looked up at Artemis. She avoided his concerned gaze.
"I don't believe it," Aqualad said. "You helped us and were able to fight Cadmus' control. Why should this time be any different?"
"Didn't you hear me, fish boy?" Red X asked, unfolding his arms. "I've been following Cadmus loyally this whole time. There is no mind control! I choose to be this way."
"You're lying," Zatanna said.
Red X's gaze shifted to her. "What makes you say so, magician?"
"I know you, X," she said. Her gaze was firm, penetrating, and yet so concerned at the same time. "Everything back at the Cave, that was real."
Red X laughed. "You can't tell," he said.
"But, Miss Martian can," Robin said, looking to his teammate. "Read his mind!"
Miss Martian's eyes glowed green, but then they flickered out. "I—I can't," she said.
"Those pods neutralize your powers," Red X said, pointing to her. "Superboy has 0 strength, Aqualad loses his control over water, Miss Martian and her telepathic powers, etc."
"You let us out right now," Kid Flash threatened, "or I'll—"
"Ooh," Red X mocked, "I'm so frightened of a powerless speedster. Nice try, Wall-Man."
Batgirl narrowed her eyes. "Why would you follow the people forcing you to be a criminal?" she questioned. "You told us that something drove you want to do the right thing. Where's that drive now?"
Red X rolled his eyes. "It never existed!" he said. "You sidekicks are too naïve for your own good. You took me in so willingly. You trusted me. And that trust will lead to your downfall."
Red Arrow narrowed his eyes. "I knew you were a traitor," he growled.
"Oh, really?" Red X turned to him, smirking behind his mask. "Is that why you gave me your trust and apologized to me, something I'm sure you rarely do?"
Red Arrow snarled. "You don't deserve anyone's trust."
Red X snickered. "I don't need your trust," he said, turning on his heel. "You all can rot here for all I care." He walked out and closed the door behind him.
Superboy growled as he fought against his binds.
"There's no point," Robin warned him. "No powers."
Despite this, Kid Flash also fought against his binds. "We have to get out of here!" he said in frustration.
"And just how are we gonna do that?" Red Arrow asked angrily. "We don't have our powers or weapons. They have us trapped in who knows where and we have no means of escaping!"
Batgirl sighed. "You boys are so thick-headed," she said, shaking her head. "We have to think logically. Having no powers myself, I had to learn how to work through these situations using only my brain and my gadgets."
"Well, you don't have your gadgets now, do you?" Red Arrow snapped.
Batgirl rolled her eyes. "Why do you think we're here?" she asked. "We're prisoners. And knowing scientists, they're probably gonna wanna interrogate us or experiment on us. And when they do, we can fight our way out. Then the rest is improvising."
"That's it? That's your master plan to escape?"
"Yes, Arrow," Batgirl sighed impatiently. "That's it."
"It's the only plan we've got," Robin said. He glared at the door. "When I get my hands on Red X, I'm gonna—"
"Stop," Aqualad ordered. "We will deal with him, and whether or not he betrayed us later."
"You still trust him?" Robin asked harshly.
"I am not convinced that Red X has betrayed us," Aqualad said. "He lived with us, the Team, for a short while and never betrayed us. This time, I believe, is no different."
Robin glared at the floor.
"Why do you so quickly distrust him?" Zatanna asked. "You called him your brother. How could you—"
"I know what my mission is, Z!" Robin snapped. "I know that my mission is to bring down the bad guys. And now, Red X is the bad guy." Zatanna looked away from him. "Why do you trust him so easily?"
She cast the Boy Wonder a cold glance. "I know who my allies are," she said.
Robin looked away from her. Then, the door opened.
Red X knelt at the base of the steps. But he wasn't Red X. Rather than the black and red uniform, he wore a suit similar to Robin's with blue colors rather than red, his Blue Jay suit. In the center of the room, there was a pedestal with steps leading up to a throne. A light shone down on the throne and Roland Desmond sat on it, twirling a vial of purple liquid in his fingers.
"How clever I am," he mumbled, admiring the formula, "for creating a willing transformation of the Blockbuster formula."
He chuckled. "You sent Match to fetch the sidekicks?"
"Yes, master," Blue Jay said obediently. "The guards went with him."
"Perfect," Desmond said, smiling. "Uh, how were your little 'adventures' with the sidekicks?"
"They were very informative, master," Blue Jay said. "I now know their individual strengths weaknesses."
Desmond smiled evilly. "Very good," he said.
The doors behind Blue Jay opened and Match, the guards, and the Team walked inside. The Team all had handcuffs on and those with powers wore inhibitor collars.
"Ah," Desmond said, standing, "so the sidekicks finally join us."
Blue Jay stood. He looked calmly at the Team as some glared at him. Match walked to his side.
"Robin the Boy Wonder, is it?" he asked gesturing to the 13 year old.
"What's it to you?" Robin spat.
Desmond laughed. "You sidekicks are pathetic," he mused.
"Don't call us sidekicks!" Red Arrow said.
Desmond looked down at him. He was bent over due to the guard's hold on him. "My apologies," he said, holding his hand over his chest. "I did not realize the former partner to Green Arrow had such…issues."
"I'll show you issues," Red Arrow growled. He surged forward and attempted to hit Desmond, but Match was too fast for him. With a simple flick of his wrist, he smacked Red Arrow to the ground. Red Arrow hit the ground and groaned in pain.
Desmond laughed. "Give it up, sidekick," he said mockingly. "You've lost."
Robin glared at him. "The battle is not lost until we give up," he said. "And I haven't given up."
"Your hope is admirable," Desmond said, smiling. "But you're foolish."
"Someone once said something very similar to me," Zatanna said, looking up at Blue Jay. He regarded her coldly.
"The boy you knew doesn't exist," Blue Jay hissed. "Get over it."
Desmond smiled in satisfaction. "I designed him to be cold," he said, laughing. "But, I never expected him to be this evil!" He patted Red X on the back, as though congratulating his son on a job well done. "Excellent!" Desmond turned to the guards. "Take them back to their pods," he said, waving his hand. "Prepare them for The Pit." He turned to Match and Blue Jay. "You two are going to get some practice in," he said, smiling, "to prepare for killing their mentors."
Blue Jay and Match nodded. They turned and followed Desmond. As he walked, Blue Jay glanced back at the Team. Some were glaring, but Zatanna was simply staring at him. He faced his front again and continued walking.
Robin snapped his utility belt around his waist. A few feet away, Artemis slung her quiver onto her back. "Why are they giving us our equipment back?" she asked in bewilderment. "We're gonna fight them, right? So, why would they—"
"They don't expect us to win," Robin cut in. "They're going to fight us, learn how to beat us, and then study how to beat our mentors and betters. We're just the practice dummies."
Batgirl clipped her own belt on. "Do you expect us to lose?" she asked.
Robin stared at the floor. "I don't know," he said.
"I don't," Red Arrow said confidently. "I gave my trust to Red X. He betrayed that trust. And now, he's gonna pay for it." He cracked his knuckles.
Artemis turned to Batgirl. "You still trust him?" she asked expectantly.
"I do," Batgirl said. "I agree with Aqualad."
Robin scoffed. "I can't believe you're so naïve," he said bitterly.
Batgirl shot him a glare. "If it was you in Red X's shoes, then I'd trust you," she said.
Robin clenched his fists.
A guard opened the metal doors. "Time's up," he said gruffly. "File out."
The four powerless heroes walked out of the room and into the small hallway. From the door to the right, Superboy, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Miss Martian, and Zatanna walked out. Their inhibitor collars were still on their necks.
"Get moving!" the guard said, poking Robin in the back with a gun. The group began walking down the left hallway. They soon came to the end and the guard opened the door. On the other side, they were met with a room the size of a football stadium with a flat floor with a design that looked like a grid. On the far side, a throne sat with a white light shining down on it. Desmond sat on it with Blue Jay and Match on either side. Sonic and Cyclone stood next to them. The guards removed their collars.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Desmond announced into a microphone, "please join me in welcoming the one, the only…Young Justice!"
The guards pushed the teens into the arena and locked the door behind them.
Desmond smiled. "Prepare to meet your doom," he whispered. "Blue Jay, Match," he looked to his clones, "show your adversaries why you are superior."
Blue Jay and Match charged forward. They ran across the field as it changed. The squares of the grid rose into small pillars. Blue Jay cartwheels onto one and leapt into the air. Match flew up next to him. Robin and Superboy ran at them.
The rest of the Team attempted to go forward, but a green force field expanded around them and held them in place.
Robin took out his dual Eskrima sticks and threw a gas pellet. It exploded at Blue Jay's feet. He leapt into the smoke in a kick, but Blue Jay disappeared. Then, he burst through the smoke and punched Robin in the face.
Superboy leapt into the air and at Match. The pure Kryptonian clone grabbed the other's arm and slammed his body into the side of a rising pillar. He grabbed the back of Superboy's head and kicked him to the ground. His heat vision further drilled him into the metal floors.
Blue Jay whipped out his bo staff and twirled it in the air. He blocked several blows from Robin before landing a kick to his rib cage. Robin bent over from the wind being knocked out of him. Blue Jay punched him in the face and flipped back onto a rising pillar.
Desmond smiled in satisfaction. "You probably already know this, Boy Wonder," he said, standing, "but there's a reason Blue Jay proves to be better than you. There's a reason you can't beat him."
Robin glared as he looked weakly up at him.
"You see," Desmond said, walking across the grid. The pillars rose to meet his feet. "Blue Jay was designed to counter you. And we succeeded in that much. But what your friend don't know is this: he is the clone of you…and the Dark Knight himself."
The Team gasped. They looked from Robin to Blue Jay. "He's…" Kid Flash was at a loss for words.
"That's right," Desmond said, smiling. "Blue Jay is the genetic clone of both Batman and Robin. He came out…imperfect, though. We'd taken too much of Batman's genetics. So, we started over. We created Sonic and Cyclone soon after this, using a balanced amount of DNA. When they proved to be satisfactory, we decided to terminate Blue Jay so that we may perfect another. But somehow, he managed to escape our control, along with Match." He smiled. "But now, we have direct remote control over our clones." He pointed to the Team. "Attack!"
Blue Jay and Match charged forward. Sonic and Cyclone joined them quickly. The green force field melted away and the Team readied themselves. Blue Jay took the lead and threw a sparking red bola at Miss Martian. It tied around her body and immediately caused her pain. It was burning hot.
Match flew over her motionless body. He picked Aqualad up by the collar and slammed him into the ceiling. He grabbed him by the arm and threw him halfway across the grid.
Sonic sped to Red Arrow, dodging all the arrows fired at him. He caught one, sped to Red Arrow's side and stuck the arrow in his shoulder. The archer cried out as ice burst from the arrowhead and expanded down his body. He fell to the ground.
Cyclone took a fighting stance as Kid Flash pulled down his goggles. He zoomed forward and Cyclone caught him by the forehead. He grabbed his arm and torso, twisted his arm, and launched him through the air. Kid Flash screamed as he flew through the air until he slammed into Artemis.
When Aqualad threatened to get up, Blue Jay threw another heat bola at him. It wrapped around his body, sparking like mad. The Atlantean cried out in pain as he fell back down to the ground.
Match looked down at Kid Flash and Artemis tangled on the ground. He opened his mouth and screamed, using his super breath. He froze their two bodies solid, leaving only their heads in the air.
Sonic and Cyclone charged at Batgirl. She threw a batarang at Cyclone. It bounced off of his armor and clattered to the ground. Sonic zoomed around her and caught her in a tornado. She was lifted into the air. Cyclone jumped into the tornado and slammed her to the ground with his hammers.
Blue Jay looked around.
"Eit mih pu!"
Blue Jay immediately recognized the spell and leapt to the side. The ropes caught nothing but air. Blue Jay glared up at Zatanna. She stared him down. Her arms were held out the way she held them while performing a spell. He narrowed his eyes and charged forward.
Zatanna dodged his kick and punch. "Ezeerf mih—"
Blue Jay leapt backwards and threw a blue square of adhesive substance. It slapped over her mouth, stopping her spell, and sealing her lips shut. It wouldn't come off. Sonic zoomed up to her and punched her in the face.
"That's enough," Desmond said, holding his arms up. "I believe they have taken enough beating…for now." He sat back down on his throne. "Take them back to their pods." The guards grabbed them. "But," they stopped, "leave the Superboy. We have some experiments for him."
The guards dragged off the Team and one grabbed Superboy. He placed another inhibitor collar around his neck and pushed him towards Desmond. The scientist smiled.
Blue Jay threw Superboy back into the prison room. The Kryptonian fell to his knees and groaned in pain. Blue Jay opened his pod, grabbed Superboy by the front of his shirt, and forced him back inside.
"Superboy!" Miss Martian cried in worry.
"He's fine," Blue Jay said in annoyance. "Desmond just performed a few blood experiments, that's all. He wanted to see how his brother's creation was shaping up."
"Oh, is that all?" Kid Flash asked sarcastically.
Blue Jay smirked. "Try to relax," he said, walking back to the door. "It'll be your turn soon enough. And if it hurt a partial Kryptonian, then I'd be pretty worried if I were you." He walked out and closed the door behind him.
Aqualad turned to Superboy. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Fine," Superboy mumbled. "I feel…lightheaded."
"Blood," Robin said, narrowing his eyes. "They must've taken blood from you. You'll be fine in a few minutes." He looked to Batgirl and Zatanna. "You still trust that creep?"
"You still don't?" Batgirl countered.
"No," Robin said defiantly.
"Enough," Aqualad said. "Blue Jay said that one of us will be next. We're not sure what they're going to do to us. We have to formulate a plan of escape."
"Agreed," Batgirl said. "The next person he takes will have to fight him off. Hopefully, it's me, Robin, Aqualad, Red Arrow, or Artemis. We have the physical capability to beat Blue Jay without powers."
"And if he takes someone else?" Kid Flash theorized. "Then what?"
"Then, they'll have to suck it up and wait for one of us to take Blue Jay down," Robin said. "We take Blue Jay down, get Desmond, escape, and contact the Lea—"
He was interrupted by the door opening again.
Match dropped Zatanna on the floor of the 'throne room'.
Desmond smiled. "Very good," he said, standing. "Keep an eye on her until I return. Then we will begin the cloning process." He opened the metal doors and walked out.
"Okay." Blue Jay immediately went to work on the ropes tied around Zatanna's wrists. "Match, get the doors."
"I'm on it," Match said. He used his laser vision to seal the metal doors. "Doors sealed."
"Good." Blue Jay finally got the bonds untied. "Zatanna, I'm—ouch!" As soon as her hands were free, Zatanna let loose a punch to his jaw. "Ow!"
Zatanna ripped the gag from her mouth. "Eitnu sepor!" she chanted. The ropes around her ankles untied and she stood.
Blue Jay rubbed his jaw as he stood. "It's times like this where I really miss my helmet," he said. He suddenly noticed Zatanna's fist coming straight towards his face. "Whoa!" He caught her fist and then caught the other. "Hold up!" He ducked when she tried to kick him. "I'm on your side!" he promised, holding his hands up in a peacemaking gesture.
Zatanna relaxed and placed her hands on her hips. She blew a loose strand of hair from her face. "I am, for some unfathomable reason, having a hard time believing that," she said.
"Seems pretty fathomable to me." Zatanna held back a smile. "I'm sorry," Blue Jay said. "But we had to convince Desmond that we were under his control. No doubt that he probably already knows we're not. We gotta find the others and get out—"
BOOM!
The doors blasted open and Desmond stood in the archway with Sonic and Cyclone. "Remote control, remember?" the scientist said. He pulled out a small rectangular remote and pressed a round red button on it. Blue Jay and Match went stiff and crumpled to their knees. Then, they suddenly stood and Blue Jay locked Zatanna's arms behind her back.
"Play along," he muttered, barely above a whisper. Match's ear twitched.
"Bring her to The Pit," Desmond ordered. A guard placed an inhibitor collar around Zatanna's neck.
Blue Jay nodded. He pushed Zatanna forward and they marched to The Pit.
Match hovered in the middle of The Pit. Blue Jay stood on the floor nearby. "Ready for this?" Match asked.
Blue Jay nodded. "Stick to the plan," he said. Match nodded.
Robin and Superboy entered The Pit. They looked to their clones and glared.
"To the death!" Desmond cheered from his throne.
The four charged at each other. Match flew to Superboy and punched him in the face. Superboy grabbed Match's leg and slammed him to the ground. Match kicked him in the face. He used his heat vision and drilled him into the ground.
Blue Jay whipped out his bo staff. He ran at Robin and leapt into the air. Robin jumped and tackled his clone around the waist. They crashed into the side of a rising pillar and Robin punched Blue Jay in the face with his locked fists.
Blue Jay kneed him in the gut and kicked him off. He jumped down after Robin and kicked him to the ground. "Play dead," Blue jay growled, bending down to his ear.
"What?" Robin asked.
Blue Jay grabbed his arm and locked it behind his back. "Play dead!" He threw him into the air and slammed his body against another pillar. He threw his shuriken and pinned his body there by his suit. Robin went limp.
"You get that message?" Match asked, dodging a punch from Superboy. The Boy of Steel nodded. "Good." Match flew into the air. He opened his mouth and screamed. Superboy was blown back from the force of his superhuman breath and crumpled to the ground.
Desmond smiled. "Very good," he said, walking forward and onto the grid. "But, there's a problem here." He pointed to Blue Jay and Match. "You two are not under my control," he pointed to Robin and Superboy, "and those two are not dead."
Blue Jay and Match exchanged glances.
Desmond frowned. "Sonic, Cyclone," he said, pointing to them, "attack the rogues!"
The cloned speedster and Atlantean rushed forward. Sonic ran at Blue Jay, but was smacked aside by a bo staff. Match blasted Cyclone with heat vision.
Desmond grabbed a vial of purple formula from his lab coat pocket. He popped the cork off and shot the formula down his throat. His body convulsed and began to transform. The Blockbuster creature roared.
Blue Jay ran off to where the rest of the Team was being held. "Match, hold them off!" he yelled.
Match punched Sonic and kicked Cyclone away. "On it!" he responded. He flew up to Desmond and blasted him with heat vision.
Blue Jay ran to the Team's force field. He smashed one of the pylons with his staff and the force field disappeared. The Team ran out.
"I knew you weren't a traitor," Zatanna said.
Blue Jay smiled at her. "Thanks for having faith in me," he said.
"Unlike some," Batgirl said, glancing at Robin. He'd gotten up soon after the fight started.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Robin muttered. He fired off a grapple and swung at Desmond.
Blue Jay grinned. He grabbed the front of his blue tunic and ripped it from his body, revealing his Red X uniform underneath. "Blue was never really my color." He peeled off his black domino mask and replaced it with his red one. He laughed and fired off his own grapple. He flew through the air and flipped. He landed on Desmond's shoulders and stuck him with an explosive X. He jumped away as it exploded.
Desmond roared in pain. He punched Red X while he was still in the air. The clone flew back and hit his back on the ground. He groaned and rolled over onto all fours.
Match flew down and knelt next to him. "What's the plan, boss?" he asked.
Red X sat up. "Desmond told me he has an emergency Self Destruct Mode for this base," he said. "If we can find it, we can activate it and end this."
"Okay," Match said, nodding. "How are we gonna find it?"
"Leave that to me." Red X stood. "Keep Desmond and the Team occupied. When I gave the signal, get everyone out." He ran for the exit.
"Wait!" Match called. "What's the signal?"
"You'll know it when you see it!"
Match sighed. "I hate it when he does that," he murmured. He flew to Desmond and punched him in the face.
Red X raced down the cold metal hallway. He pulled up his glove computer. According to the map, he'd have to take a left and then a right. He faltered when he heard a second pair of footsteps behind him. He readied a shuriken. Red X skidded to a stop and turned to face his followed.
"Whoa!" Robin held his arms up in a peacemaking gesture. "Friendly fire!"
Red X grinned and lowered his weapon. "Does this mean I'm on your side again?"
"It depends," Robin said, stepping forward. "Were you planning on telling me about the Self Destruct?"
Red X pulled up his glove computer. "Check out the blueprints for the fortress," he said. Robin narrowed his eyes. It had a design almost identical to the design of the ice fortresses. "There are bombs planted in specific weak points. If we can activate them, we can bring this place down with a bang."
Robin nodded. "What are we waiting for?" he asked, smiling.
"Race ya there!" Red X challenged, taking off in a sprint.
Robin grinned and ran after him. "Hey, no fair! You had a head start!" The two boys laughed.
Batgirl flipped away to dodged Sonic. She looked around. "Where's Robin?" she asked. "Did he do the ninja thing again?"
Desmond looked around as well. He roared as he noticed Red X's missing presence. He turned around, smacking Superboy away at the same time, and bound through the opposite wall.
Kid Flash raised an eyebrow. "Am I the only one who's confused right now?" he asked, staring at the giant hole in the wall.
"Follow him!" Aqualad ordered. The Team ran after him.
Red X opened a hatch and jumped through. He nearly lost his balance from the sudden wind. "Whoa!" he said, looking around. He stood on a large platform of the fortress, surrounded by clouds and blue sky. "This thing flies?"
"Huh," Robin said, poking his head up through the hatch, "who knew?"
Desmond crashed through the platform about 30 yards away. He spotted the two boys and roared.
"Hurry!" Red X said, hoisting Robin through the hatch. "The control panel's over there!" He pointed to the opposite side of the platform. Red X and Robin ran towards it.
Desmond leapt into the air and raised his fist. Red X and Robin rolled aside when he jumped at them. Red X threw three discs, a combination of the gum, ice, and exploding discs. All three hit Desmond in the chest. He roared and smashed the ice away from his body. The gum substance, however, stuck his hand to his chest.
Red x whipped out his bo staff. "You get the controls!" he said to Robin. "I'll hold Desmond off."
Robin nodded. He ran off and knelt down by the controls. He plugged in his glove computer and examined the controls. "Password," he mumbled. "P-A-S-S-W-O-R-D," he said, typing in the letters. The screen flashed green and Robin smirked. "I can't believe that worked." He hit the 'Engage' button on the screen and unplugged his glove computer. "Red X!" he called.
The clone looked up from his battle with Desmond.
"The Self Destruct Mode's set!" he yelled. "We gotta go!"
Red X nodded. He threw another disc that struck Desmond in the eyes. The gum stuck over his eyes and blinded him. He roared and tried to pry the pink substance from his face. Red X smirked and followed Robin down the hatch.
Match flew through the path of destruction Desmond left behind. There was a faint and distant boom and the fortress shook. Match sighed. "There's that signal," he said, turning around. He flew to where Aqualad was, following him with the rest of the Team. "Aqualad!" he said, landing on the ground. "Red X has activated the Self Destruct Mode. We have to get out of here!"
"No!" Aqualad said firmly. "We are not leaving without our teammate."
"And I'm not leaving without my best friend," Match said. The two teens nodded. Match flew to Sonic and Cyclone, grabbed a fallen support beam, and wrapped it around their bodies.
"Hey!" Sonic protested. "Let us go!"
"Shut up," Match said, tapping him on the head with his foot. Match picked them up and flew down Desmond's path. The Team followed him.
Red X and Robin sprinted down the hallway. They could hear Desmond following them. Suddenly, Red X hung a left.
"Where are you going?" Robin asked, stopping in his tracks.
Red X didn't look back. "I have to steer this fortress away from land," he yelled. "Get the team out of here!"
Robin sighed. He looked down the hallway in front of him, back to where Desmond was gaining, and down the hallway X ran down. He followed down the left.
Red X burst through the large doors and into the wide control room. He ran to the controls and began typing, flipping switches, and pulling levers.
Robin ran in after him. "Open all hatches," he said, pulling a lever.
Red X looked at him in bewilderment. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. "I told you to get the Team out!"
"I'm not letting you do this on your own," Robin persisted. "We'll do it together!"
Red X nodded. "Together." He held his hand out. Robin clasped it and they shook hands. He focused on the controls
again. "We have to extend the starboard bridges," he said.
"On it," Robin said. He opened a metal flap on the dashboard and pressed a green button.
Red X checked the clock on his glove computer. "Self Destruct activating in 19 seconds," he said.
"Miss Martian," Robin said through the telepathic link, "tell Aqualad to get everyone out. This thing's going down!"
"10 seconds!" Red X warned.
"Now!"
"Brace yourself!" Red X shouted. He and Robin grabbed onto the controls. There was a moment of peace before explosions burst from all four sides of the fortress. The whole flying structure shook and their altitude immediately decreased.
The Team grabbed onto the walls around them. Rubble from the ceiling crashed down.
"We have to get out!" Aqualad shouted.
"Follow me!" Match yelled over the noise. He jetted down the path and the Team followed him.
Desmond burst through the control room's doors. He roared and charged forward. Robin took out three discs. He threw them while Red X continued to work at the control panels. The disc stuck in Desmond's body and shocked him. He cried out and fell to his knees. A black remote fell from his pocket and was crushed under his body.
Sonic and Cyclone cried out. Their heads buzzed and a high-pitched ringing noise sounded in their ears.
"What's going on?" Aqualad asked. The fortress shook again.
Match looked down at the two clones. "I think…" He furrowed his brow before his eyes shot wide open. "The telepathic
control is broken!" He released them and pulled the support beam apart.
Sonic and Cyclone fell to their knees. When they opened their eyes, they were back to their normal color. "Aw, man!" Sonic whined. "I can't believe that guy got me again!"
Match grinned. "Come on!" he said. "Red X needs our help!"
A flashing red light activated throughout the whole fortress. "Warning," a computer voice said, "self destruct mode activated."
"Thanks for the tip!" Red X yelled to the ceiling. He grabbed the steering controls. "Rob," he said, "evacuate the fortress. I'll try and steer this thing into the ocean. Get everyone out."
"No!" Robin said firmly. "If you stay, then I stay. Together, remember?"
Red X nodded. He pushed on the controls and steered it away from the land. They were losing altitude too fast. They were too close to the ground.
Desmond climbed to his feet. He grabbed a trigger from his pocket. "Time to terminate the originals," he said. He pressed the trigger. Pylons rose up around Robin's body and red electricity shocked him. He cried out in pain.
"Robin!" Red X cried. He wanted to run to his aid, but he couldn't let go of the controls. The red light kept flashing and a siren was whirring. Sweat dripped down his face.
Match, Sonic, and Cyclone ran into the room. Sonic zoomed over to Robin and punched down the pylons. Match grabbed Desmond in a neck hold and forced him to the ground. Cyclone drenched them with water and shocked them, but with Match being Kryptonian, he couldn't feel a thing. Desmond roared.
The Team ran into the control room.
"Robin!" Batgirl cried. She ran to the Boy Wonder and helped him to his feet.
Desmond pushed Match and Cyclone off. He grabbed Superboy and threw him into the wall. A pillar rose up underneath the clone and two pylons popped up. Red electricity sparked.
"No!" Red X yelled. He let go of the steering wheel. "Rob, take the controls!" He ran, fired off a grapple, and performed a perfect quadruple somersault.
Robin looked up at him in awe. "No way," he breathed. Quickly recovering himself, he ran to the controls. He desperately steered the fortress away from the ground.
Red X landed next to Superboy on the pillar. He pushed the clone off just as Desmond pulled his trigger again. Red X cried out in pain and fell to his knees. He screamed in agony. The red electricity engulfed his body and struck his nervous system. "Ah!"
"X!" Robin yelled.
"No!" Match yelled. He ran for the pillar, but Aqualad stopped him.
"Stop!" Aqualad ordered. "Robin has a limited amount of control over this fortress! You have to steer it from outside! Guide us to the water!"
Match hesitated. He looked up at Red X.
"We'll take care of it," Aqualad promised. The Team was trying to subdue Desmond who was going on a wild, animalistic rampage.
Match nodded. He flew out into the hallway, burst through the wall and out into open air. He flew to the hull of the fortress and pressed his palms flat against it. He pushed back with all his might. He could see the water off to his left.
Sonic and Cyclone stared up at Red X. They exchanged glances and nodded. They hopped up the pillar and reached the pylons.
Desmond struggled against the team's fighting. "No!"
Sonic grabbed onto one pylon and Cyclone grabbed the other. They cried out in pain but held on. The electricity was redirected from Red X's body to theirs. Red X, finally being released from the pain, passed out. Sonic and Cyclone screamed in pain.
"No!" Kid Flash cried, but Desmond knocked him aside.
Robin groaned. He was having serious trouble steering the fortress. The water was getting closer. "Hold on!" he yelled.
Match grunted from the struggle. He glanced over his shoulder and down at the ocean. He eased up on the push a little and pushed the fortress towards the left. He looked up when a green energy boxing glove helped him push it to the side.
The fortress hit the water. It sank for a minute before exploding. The mushroom cloud pulsed over the water. People on the shore looked in awe and wonder at the explosion.
The water was still. Match's head burst from the water. He looked around.
"Nice steering, kid," Guy Gardner said from the air. He smirked down at the clone in the water.
"Green Lantern?" Match said. The man smiled.
On the other side of the fortress, Aqualad's head popped out from the water. The rest of the Team soon followed. Red X, Sonic, and Cyclone were missing.
Superboy popped up and slung Red X's motionless body onto a floating piece of shrapnel from the fortress. "I got him," he said.
Desmond's body floated to the surface a few feet away.
Robin looked around. His friends were alive. He smiled and sighed in relief.
Red X opened his eyes. He found himself staring at a white-tiled ceiling. He recognized the smell of the med bay. When he sat up, he groaned from the pain. His shirt was off and many bandages were wrapped around his torso. The whole Team, plus some Leaguers were in there.
"X!" Robin said, sighing in relief. "You're awake!"
Red X groaned as he rubbed his head. "How long have I been out?"
"Three hours and forty-five minutes," Batman said. "How do you feel?"
"Like someone microwaved my insides," Red X said. He looked around. "Where are Sonic and Cyclone?"
Robin looked away. Batman stepped forward. "We found their bodies," was all he said.
Red X's heart fell through his chest. He sighed in defeat and leaned forward on his elbows. His face fell into his hands and he shook his head. "They saved me, didn't they?" he asked.
"Yes," Batman said. "If they hadn't redirected the pylon rays, you would've died."
Red X sensed something more behind it, but he was too traumatized to care. He pulled his arms down and leaned back on his pillows.
Match stepped forward from the crowd and sat down on his bed. Superman looked away. "It's alright," Match said.
Red X smiled weakly at him. "Can we have a little privacy?" he asked.
Batman nodded. "Of course," he said. He walked out and the Leaguers followed. Red X looked at Robin as a silent signal for him and the Team to stay.
Red X looked up at the Team. "I'm sorry," he said. "I betrayed you guys after you trusted me."
"You did not have control over your actions," Aqualad said. "We do not blame you."
"He's right," Red Arrow agreed.
Red X was silent. "I didn't know I'm Batman and Robin's clone," he said.
"I knew," Robin said, "and I told Batgirl."
Red X looked up at him. "That's why you resented me," he said.
Robin nodded. "That was the past, though," he said. "We're brothers now." Batgirl smiled.
Red X smiled as well.
Superboy stared at him. "Why did you save me?" he asked.
"All of this is my fault," Red X said. "If I'd been able to stop Desmond before, none of you would've even been in danger
before. I couldn't let him kill you when I knew it was my fault. And plus," he smiled, "you're a great hero. The world can't afford to lose you."
A smile flicked on Superboy's face so fast Red X almost missed it.
Robin smiled. "You're a hero now, too, X," he said. "You're one of us."
Kid Flash smiled. "One question, though," he said. "When, in that big fortress, did you break free of Desmond's control?"
"Back in the throne room," Red x said, "when the guards brought you guys in." He looked at Zatanna. "You said that I said something very similar to you. That snapped me out of it."
Zatanna smiled. "Glad I could talk some sense into you," she said. Red X smiled at her.
"I've wiped all of Cadmus' control from your mind," Miss Martian said, "and Match's as well."
"Thanks," Red X said gratefully. "It's all gone?"
"All of it," Miss Martian said, smiling. "You saved our lives today."
Red X laughed and shook his head. "It wasn't just me," he said, looking down at his blankets. "It was Sonic and Cyclone that saved me."
Robin smiled. "They were heroes, too," he said.
Red X nodded. "I know."
Robin and Wally took Red X shopping for a new wardrobe the next day. They went to the mall, had a few laughs, got in a little trouble, beat up a few thugs; the usual. So, the rest of the Team waited in the main hall of the Cave to see Red X.
"Are you ready?" Robin asked dramatically.
There were a few nods and mumbles Yes's in response.
"Introducing," Wally said, "the new and improved Red X!" He and Robin stepped aside to reveal Red X.
He sported a tight grey T-shirt, a black sleeveless hoodie, blue jeans, and white sneakers. He smiled and held his arms out. "What do you think?"
"Hmm," Zatanna said, walking forward with her hands on her hips. She looked him up and down. "Not bad," she said, smiling. Red X smiled back at her.
"You look great!" Megan said enthusiastically, floating up to him.
Kaldur smiled faintly. "Acceptable clothing for a normal civilian," he said, which Red X figured was Kaldur speak for 'Nice'.
"That reminds me," Robin said, looking up at his partial clone," if you're gonna be a normal guy, you need a real name."
Red X nodded.
"It should be something really cool," Wally said, holding his hands up dramatically. "Ooh, and it should have an X in it!" He looked up in though and smiled when an idea hit him. "Okay, okay," he looked around, "what about…Xavier?"
Red X and Robin exchanged glances. "Nah," they said together, "too obvious."
Wally fizzled. He stroked his chin and thought for another moment. "Oh!" he said, hopping up and down in excitement. "I got it! Phoenix! For a last name, of course," he added quickly.
Red X smiled. "I like it," he said in approval.
Robin returned his smile. "I've always liked the name Jason," he suggested.
"It's perfect," Red X said, "Jason Phoenix."
Artemis nodded. "It suits you," she said sincerely. Jason smiled at her.
"So Jason," Wally said, putting more than enough emphasis on his new name, "now that you're not Red X anymore, what's your new superhero identity?"
Jason smiled.
"Wahoo!"
Jason swung from rooftop to rooftop. He flew through the air using his wings. He wore an all black bodysuit with padded armor. A dark red wing stretched across his chest in a V shape and hooked on his shoulders. A bright red bat insignia gleamed from his chest. He wore black scallop gloves, black boots, and a dark red utility belt. Robin cackled as he swung beside him. Batgirl swung on his other side. The three teens landed on a rooftop and Batman smiled at them. "Sweet!" Jason said, punching the air.
"How does it feel?" Batman asked.
"It feels awesome!" Jason said. He kicked the air and flexed. "Check me out! I'm Nighthawk the Teenage Thunderbolt! Are you kidding me? This rocks!"
Batman chuckled.
"You look great," Batgirl said.
Robin smiled. He placed his hand on Jason's shoulders. "Welcome to the Bat Family, Nigthhawk."
"So, it would seem that the Superboy has escaped The Light once again."
"And we no longer have control over Blue Jay. Sonic and Cyclone were killed."
"This matters not. Whether or not we have control over Blue Jay, we still have the NCS. It will prove to be useful…in time."
"What's our next move?"
"We wait. We will wait for the right moment to strike, for Blue Jay to strike. But for now, another friend of ours will have control over the NCS. I'm sure he will use it wisely."
Deathstroke the Terminator stepped into the light and laughed. "In time," he said, narrowing his eyes, "everyone sees The Light."
AN: That's all for now, folks! Sorry for the late update. I was busy last weekend so I crammed it all in today. I hope you like it! I will be doing an epilogue, so keep an eye out for the next chapter!
***Contest!***
The first person to tell me Deathstroke's real and full name will win a free Young Justice one-shot from me! Just submit it in a review and yadda yadda yadda, and all that jazz.
ANSWER MUST BE SUBMITTED WHILE LOGGED IN. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANSWERS IN AN ANONYMOUS REVIEW.
