Welcome back to Young Justice: Fall of Cadmus, Return from Hiatus. My story will encompass not only the television series but the more important comics from Young Justice as well. The story will follow a plotline in which some features of JLU are tied in. I do not own JLU or Young Justice but my OCs are my children so no stealing. Let's get Schooled.
Young Justice Chapter X
Schooled Part I
Metropolis, August 3, 07:38 EDT
The city of Metropolis was going through the motions. There hadn't been a serious attack on the city for over a month and today seemed to be following that trend. Up until the bridge that connected the two halves of the city exploded right down the middle.
"Oh, what a way to start a perfect day!" Volcana cried manically.
Her human disguise had worn out years ago and since Genomorphs were becoming common knowledge to the outside world she no longer felt any reason to hide her otherworldly appearance. She facial features resembled Dubbilex excluding her full lips, and pointed chin. He skin was a dark grey like other Genomorphs but she was covered in bright orange stripes and had a massive mane of orange hair, "This is sure to get the Boy Scout's attention."
The screeching of rubber on pavement drew her attention. She turned and spotted a bus choked with terrified children swerving around a downed suspension cable.
A cruel smirk crossed her face, a malicious idea filling her mind, "Although, this might make him show up just a tad quicker."
Her hands ignited with ochreous flames, she flung them at the bus's tires turning them into melted slag.
The bus careened even further towards the edge of the crumbling bridge the driver having completely lost control. Inside the children's cries shot up another octave as the bus tipped over the edge it's noise pointing towards the water several stories below.
Volcana laughed cruelly as the bus continued over the edge until it stopped suddenly.
"Ah, there he is." she said with a smile as her whole body lit on fire. She stalked towards the bus anxiously watching as it began to rise up into the air.
"Oh, what a wonderful place to meet don't you think Super…" the villainess paused when she spotted the person who had saved the bus. She might have worn the crest of the House of El but she was definitely not who Volcana had been waiting for.
"What?" Supergirl asked with a dazzling smile as she gently placed the bus down and turned to face Volcana, "Didn't you miss me Hot Head?"
"Where is your cousin?!" Volcana yelled frantically. This wasn't what the villainess had pictured happening; she had planned on seducing the Man of Steel not dealing with his younger cousin! "Don't waste my time brat!"
"He'll be here right about…" Supergirl said, pausing for dramatic effect right as with a jarring boom something hit the bottom of the bridge stopping more of it from crumbling into the river, "Now!"
Supergirl then went on the attack raining down blow after blow on the fiery Genomorph.
Meanwhile Superman had begun to repair some of the damaged struts with his heat vision when he felt another tremor go through the bridge, causing it to shift in his hands.
"Kara," he said over his communicator, "Be careful, we're trying to save the bridge not cause more of it to fall apart."
"That wasn't me Clark, it was your son." Supergirl stated simply, dodging another blast of fire from Volcana.
"He is not my son!" Superman said with a little too much vehemence, before a conflicted look passed across his face, "I don't know what he is."
He, was infact Superboy, who had just arrived on scene after leaping through downtown Metropolis. At first it looked like he was going to charge straight into battle but he paused when he noticed several cars in danger of tipping over the edge. He went to work pulling the cars away from the breach all the while watching the battle between Volcana and Supergirl. When the last car was pulled to safety he rounded on the fight just in time to see Volcana nearly blind Supergirl with a breath of fire.
Though he knew she would be fine seeing his family member hurt snapped something deep inside him. He charged forward with an enraged snarl and slammed his fist into Volcana's surprised face. She flew backwards about twenty feet and landed in a heap next to the side of the bridge. She leapt back to her feet but paused when she saw Superboy and a slightly singed Supergirl marching towards her. She growled at them uncertainly, sniffed the air, and froze. Her angry expression turned to fear as she stared at Superboy.
"You're a Genomorph!" she stated her fear and paranoia growing as the two Kryptonians gave each other confused looks, "I remember you! Stay away from me you crazed mon...oof."
What ever Volcana had been about to say was cut off with a light tap to the back of her head by a slightly peeved Superman. She slumped to the ground unconscious with a bemused smile on her face.
Superman acknowledged his cousin with a smile, "Thank you for keeping her busy Kara."
"Hey, I can't take all the credit," Supergirl said with a wide grin, wrapping her younger cousin in a one armed hug, "Superboy helped a lot too."
"Yes, he helped alright, "Superman said with a grimace that melted the happy look on Kara's face, "His entrance almost did Volcana's job for her."
"But it didn't." Superboy said defensively, earning himself a glare from Superman.
"But it very well could have." the Man of Steel fired back.
"That's really not fair of you Clark!," Supergirl cried, "He did a good job all things considered, without him even more people could have gotten hurt."
"Be that as it may," Superman said, refocusing on Superboy, "We don't yet know the full extent of your powers."
Superboy looked down ashamed, "Well maybe, you could help me figure that out. I mean Kara gives me advice all the time but…"
Superman looked away for a second, "Then that should be enough."
"Well yeah, I know…" Superboy muttered, shooting Kara a defeated look.
Superman and Supergirl's communicators began beeping before anyone could say anything else and he held up his hand for silence, "Superman and Supergirl here. Wait Arrow slow down. What's attacking. No, that can't be right...yes we are both definitely available. Coordinates. Acknowledged, on our way."
He turned towards Superboy, "Sorry Super-boy. Duty calls."
He then leapt into the air leaving behind a disheartened Superboy and a peeved Supergirl.
"Sorry, but I have to go too." Supergirl said with a frown, wrapping her younger cousin in a hug, "See you on Saturday okay. I promised Ma and Pa that we would visit."
Superboy shrugged her off and began to walk away, "Yeah, sure see ya Saturday."
Supergirl gave him one more sad look and took off after Superman. She caught up with him in the blink of an eye and shot him a dirty look, "You and I are going to have a very serious talk."
Superman grimaced to himself, with Supergirl looks could kill, and damn if the look she was giving him now wasn't close.
Mount Justice, 13:06 EDT
The cave had become a home away from home for most of the heroes who didn't actually live there. At the moment they were all in full uniform prepared for a hard day of training. To pass the time Kid Flash had decided to activate the holo-projector's game mode. He was currently playing Aqualad with a smug grin on his face. The Atlantean moved to block the Speedster's latest shot only to miss. KF smiled and then took a bite out of the banana in his right hand and winked at Hawkgirl and Miss Martian. Hawkgirl rolled her eyes while Miss Martian gave him an abashed smile.
"Alright, who's next?" Kid Flash asked, eyeing the others surrounding him, "Or are you all too scared to face me, the King of Air Hockey!"
"I'll have a go." Steel said, approaching the table, "But only if you make this interesting."
KD smirked, "Alright, how about we make a bet."
"Sounds fine by me." Steel said with a shrug, "What do you have in mind?"
"If I win you have to be my personal servant for a month." Kid Flash said with a cocky grin.
"Alright, but if I win you have to clean the Cave for two months...," Steel countered.
"Oh you're on!" Kid Flash cried just before Steel could finish speaking, "Hold up KF, you didn't let me finish, if I win you have to clean the cave for two months without using your powers."
KF's seemingly permanent cocky smile faltered for a second before a determined glint lit up his eyes, "You're going down Rusty."
"Give it your best shot Kid Mouth," Steel fired back with a grin.
The puck appeared in the center of the table and sat there as the timer counted down, "3, 2, 1...GO!"
KF stared dejectedly up at the holographic scoreboard, which read 20:5. Kid Devil was standing in the corner receiving money from a disgruntled Robin and an ecstatic Hawkgirl.
"Thank you mates," Kid Devil said with a grin, "No 'ard feelin's eh?"
"Are you kidding!" Hawkgirl laughed, "KF's face is payment enough."
Steel walked towards his saddened team member and put a hand on his shoulder, "You might as well get started on the cleaning. Oh, by the way, the kitchen is a danger zone, it's almost impossible to keep it clean with our resident Genomorphs constantly rooting around."
KF shot Steel and a now smiling Aqualad dirty looks and stalked off muttering to himself.
"Recognized Superboy, B05." the computer announced as a stone faced Superboy appeared in a flash of light.
"Hi Superboy," Miss Martian called cheerfully, "How was Metropolis?"
Superboy walked past her and the others without even acknowledging them, only stopping when he felt a small form alight on his shoulder.
Caesar's psychic abilities allowed to easily key into the source of Superboy's distress.
"Brother. Hurt?" the little genomorph asked with a concerned look on his face.
Superboy glared down at him, "Not now Caesar, I don't want to talk to you or anyone else!"
He raised his voice while pointedly looking at Kid Devil and Miss M, both of whom looked taken aback by his accusatory look.
"That's too bad, because bottling up your emotions will only hurt you later down the line." a new voice said from behind the group of young hero's.
"Black Canary! Uncle J'onn!" Miss Martian cried, running to meet the new arrivals.
The others moving towards them at a more sedated pace, all except for Superboy who stood rooted to the spot. The younger heroes came to a halt as another figure appeared behind the Leaguers. He stood well over twelve feet tall and was covered in thick lizard like scales, his head an exact match of a crocodile's. He wore long brown pants that ended above a set of opened toed boots, and a leather vest held to his massive chest by a length of chain.
Miss Martian back up in fear and shock at the sight of the reptilian giant, Robin however had the opposite reaction, "King what brings you to the Cave?"
"Hey Robin long time no see!" King Croc cried with a thick Cajun accent, as he eased his way past Black Canary and Martian Manhunter, and brought Robin off to the side, "How is that little frère o' yours?"
"Still a royal pain in my behind," Robin said with a smile, looking up into Croc's surprisingly warm reptilian eyes.
King Croc, formerly known as Killer Croc was one of the newest additions to the League. In his early life he had been hated and ostracized due to his appearance, having to resort to a life of petty crime and mercenary work just to survive. He made enemies of both Batman and his adversary Bane among others over the course of career. During Darkseid's final attack on Earth Croc had turned on his villainous allies, fighting alongside the Justice League and then later helping save and care for the numerous homeless and downtrodden. Although still somewhat of a rogue the Cajun giant had become one of the Bat Clans staunchest allies on his path to redemption.
"Ha, now that definitely sounds like Damian," Croc laughed, "As to what I'm doin here, Black Canary wanted me to come and help you chiren with your trainin."
Robin and Croc walked back to the others just in time to see M'Gann wrap her uncle in a powerful hug.
"M'Gann," Martian Manhunter said with a warm smile, "I was...in the neighborhood so I decided to come see how you were progressing."
"A few bumps but I'm learning." M'Gann said with a grin.
Martian Manhunter nodded, "That is truly all I can ask for."
Superboy had been standing off to the side the whole time listening to the others conversations, growing more and more angry as he saw who easily his friends got along with their mentors and allies, he moved to leave when he heard Black Canary call after him.
"Stick around," she called, moving towards the center of the training dais, "Class is in session."
Superboy turned around with arms crossed and watched her skeptically.
The entire floor lit up as Canary turned to acknowledge the other young heroes, "It is an honor to be your teacher, I will throw a lot at you."
"That's where I come in mon amies." King Croc said, moving to stand next to Canary, who shot him a dark look, "Oh, my apologies Miss Canary."
"Yes well, I will be teaching you everything I learned from my own mentors," she said a she shrugged off her jacket, flinching in pain as she revealed a bandaged shoulder, "And my own bruises."
"What happened?" M'Gann and Hawkgirl cried at the same time.
"The job," Black Canary said matter-a-factly, before moving on with her lesson, "Combat is about controlling conflict, putting the battle on your terms. You should always be acting never reacting. Now, I need a sparring partner."
"Right here," KF said, firing his hand into the air while stepping into the ring, "After this I'll show you my moves."
Hawkgirl let out a loud groan and glared at the back of KF's head. That glare turned into a pure glee when she and the others watched Canary bring Kid Flash to the floor in a matter of seconds with a leg sweep.
"Oh…" Kid Flash moaned, "It hurts so good."
King Croc let out a bellowing laugh as he helped the young speedster back on his feet, "Never fâche a married woman frère. It can get violent."
Canary watched as KF limped off the stage to stand between a smirking Kid Devil and a pleased looking Aqualad, "He did manage a good block but did anyone see what he did wrong?"
"Oh, Oh, I know," Robin said with a smile, "He hit on teacher and got served."
"Dude!" KF hissed, causing several of the others to laugh including Hawkgirl and King Croc. Canary waited till the laughter died down before answering, "He allowed me to dictate the terms."
"Oh please," Superboy said scoffingly, walking towards her drawing everyone's attention, "With my powers the battle is always on my side. I'm a living weapon and this is a waste of my time."
"Uh mate…" Kid Devil began to say before King Croc silenced him with a look.
Canary looked Superboy over before giving him a harsh smile, "Prove it."
Superboy was taken aback by Canary's response, but quickly hardened his expression and walked towards her. Both combatants fell into their fighting stances, Superboy struck first punching forward angrily, to his surprise Canary caught it easily, then used his momentum to flip him over her and slam him hard against the ground.
Robin began to snicker at the sight of Superboy's shocked expression, but tried to muffle it after a combined glare from Aqualad, Croc and Steel.
Superboy climbed back to his feet and turned on Canary with his anger barely in check.
"You're angry, good," she commented, "But don't react; channel that anger…"
Before she could finish speaking Superboy charged at her like a freight train. Canary easily flipped over him and knocked his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the floor once again. King Croc held out a hand to help him back to his feet, but Superboy knocked it away angrily.
"That's it," he growled at his trainers, "I'm done."
"Training is mandatory." Black Canary said firmly, laying a hand on his shoulder, which he shrugged off angrily. Before either of them could say anything a holographic screen appeared showing Batman's usual scowling face.
"Batman to the Cave," Batman said, watching the young heroes assemble in front of the screen, "Five hours ago, a new menace attacked Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Vigilante."
A smaller screen popped up showing a bare chested man with red eyes, orange hair and pointed ears wearing green pants. They recording began to play showing the man slamming aside Superman, Supergirl, Red Tornado and several other Leaguers.
"The attacker was capable of studying, then duplicating the powers and abilities of it's opponents. Green Arrow called in reinforcements, which nearly proved disastrous, as our foe became more and more powerful with every hero that joined the battle."
"Whoa," Kid Flash muttered, "One guy with the powers of the whole League."
Kid Devil gave an impressed whistle, "Tha' bloke mus' have been hard to bea'."
"In the end," Batman continued, "It took eight Leaguers four hours to defeat and dismantle the android."
"An android?" Robin asked "Who made it, T. ?"
"Good guess, Robin," Batman said with the hint of a smile, "But Red Tornado doesn't think so."
"This attack is similar to when the original League faced off against the Amazo Android," J'onn said thoughtfully, "However this android's make up is very similar to another android we have come in contact with...you Steel."
Steele's eyes widened but other then that he didn't seem overly surprised. Robin however was filled to the brim with questions, "Wait wasn't the original android built by Professor Ivo? What ever happened to the original android? And does that mean Cadmus didn't create Steel?"
"Hold on," Hawkgirl said, "Both of my parents told me that Ivo was dead."
Aqualad nodded, "My king told me the same."
Black Canary waited for the commotion to calm down before speaking, "What your parents told you was what the League believed to be true but with this recent development it appears we have been duped. As for your questions Robin, yes Ivo did create the original android as to where he is…"
"The android has taken up refuge on my home world," J'onn said, "He feels that the Martian people are more like him then humans will ever be. He now resides on the top of Olympus Mons."
"And as for Steel as near as we can tell many people worked to build you basing their work on several of both T.O. Marrows and Ivo's old blueprints." Batman said. The android in question looked down at his feet for a second before looking back up, "Cadmus, mad scientist's either way they both failed making me into a weapon, so for now the point seems moot."
Batman nodded before focusing on Aqualad, "To make certain this threat is permanently neutralized, we are sending two trucks, carrying the androids parts, to two separate STAR Labs facilities in Boston and New York for evaluation and destruction. Every precaution is being taken; we'll have four additional decoy trucks to create confusion in case Ivo or anyone tries to recover the remains. You will split into undercover teams to safeguard the two real trucks."
"Yes, roadtrip!" Kid Flash and Kid Devil yelled at the same time, high-fiving.
Superboy however was less pleased, "So now we take out your trash?"
"Do you have anything better to do?" Batman shot back.
Superboy looked away ashamed, while several beeps lit up the air, Robin activated his holo-gauntlet and looked at the information before turning to Aqualad, "I've got the coordinates."
"Alright Team, suit up," Aqualad said with a firm look, "We have our mission."
The team raced off to the hangar bay all except for Superboy who felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Black Canary and King Croc giving him worried looks.
"When you're ready we'll be here," Canary said caringly, Superboy looked away and walked slowly after the others.
Litchfield County, August 3, 20:08 EDT
The team, minus Steel, KD and Hawkgirl sat waiting on their motorcycles, wearing civilian clothes. Built from some of the best tech the League had the bikes were semi automated with a few fun toys thrown in.
KD was perched in a tree above waiting for the signal, Steel was sitting crossed legged on the ground in his smaller stealth form, while Hawkgirl was having a quiet conversation with Aqualad.
"He seems to be taking the news rather well." Hawkgirl noted, glancing at Steel's meditative pose.
Aqualad nodded, "He's a Lantern, they tend not to let their emotions get out of control."
"Excuse me, have you ever met Guy Gardner, or Steel for that matter; don't you remember when he first turned into a rage beast?" Hawkgirl teased.
"Quite vividly actually," Aqualad said with a grin, "But he seems to be more in control in this form."
"Hmm weird," Hawkgirl said, turning to look at a downtrodden Superboy, "I wish Superboy would stop be such a sour puss, he won't even talk to M'Gann or Devil."
Superboy's head snapped up and swung around to glare at Hawkgirl, "I don't like it when people talk about me behind me back."
Hawkgirl squeaked in surprise, "Oh, sorry Superboy I forgot…"
"What?" Superboy cut her off, "That I have super hearing."
KD leapt to the ground in front of Aqualad's bike and flipped into the connected sidecar, "Ey calm down Suppie, they signaled us, time to roll mates.
He paused at stared at the unmoving form of Steel who was seated on the ground in front of him, "Ey Steel, wakey wakey mate, we gotta go."
"I am awake Brother Devil, I am just focusing." Steel responded as his whole body lit up blue.
"Focusing on what." Kid Flash asked impatiently, "We have to go now!"
"This," was all Steel said as his entire body deconstructed, and reformed into the form of a futuristic blue and black bike, the Star Heart its central headlight. A hologram flickered into being of a young man with thick chocolate hair and lapis eyes, dressed in a blue leather jacket, black jeans and brown boots. The hologram turned to the others shocked faces with a smile, "What never seen a robot in disguise in before?"
Aqualad nodded his way before turning to the others, "All right let's go."
He kicked his motorcycle into gear and shot off past the grouped heroes after the departing trucks with Miss Martian, Kid Devil, and Kid Flash riding after him. Hawkgirl took to the air behind them flying high enough just to be seen as an oddly shaped bird from the ground Robin lead the way for the other team shooting ahead of Steel and Superboy, who gave Superman a furtive look as they passed.
The assembled Leaguers watched as the team disappeared and began to take off, Superman was about to follow when he heard a cough behind him.
He turned and saw the oddest pair giving him the stink eye, Batman and Supergirl. Supergirl gave her cousin an exhausted look, "Ah, ah, ah, I told you. We are going to have a talk."
Well Superman's in trouble, I really enjoyed getting back to writing this story expect the second part out quite soon. Now on to my additions, Volcana, she's a villain from JL and JLU, that had control of fire. I decided to add her into the opening scene for one reason, that bridge shouldn't have just started to collapse in the show, it didn't even look that old. As for making her a genomorph, well now I have a plot device. Now on to King Croc, he's a mix of the Killer Croc from "The Batman." and the New 52, who followed a path to redemption that eventually lead to him aligning himself with the Bat Clan. Obviously he has super strength, increased durability, can survive for a long time underwater, and has some animal characteristics, like growling, biting, etc. Next time epic robot on robot violence, a nerdy old man, and a verbal tirade. As ever Vox is looking for flames this has been Damont Evermore Peace!