Project: Prime

AN: Hello there, my dear readers! I've got another chapter ready just for you. Hope you enjoy!

Now to reviews.

Guest: I'll update when I update.

Dcraus: You'll have to wait and see.

MalTheDragonQueen: The way I see it Chris is a Superboy so giving the word Prime differentiates him from Conner, and he doesn't use the word prime to be superior, just that it was a name intended for him. Besides, with how close they are I doubt Conner would angry at Chris over a name.

Pankatoffel: Thank you. And yeah, it looks like his previous costume. I wish I could answer that, but I can't. You'll have to wait to see how the relationships form. He could and could not end up with her. And I'm pretty sure that the original Wally West fans were upset that Wally didn't end with Linda Park like he does in the comics.

xXwolfsterXx644: Well wait no more!

9 Purity of the Impure

Watchtower

October 5, 18:01

Red Tornado walked through the hallway of the Justice League satellite. His destination, the mechanic science laboratory.

After the Cave attack from his 'brother' and 'sister', he went through some thorough testing on his mental processor to see if there were any possible viruses or secret installations. Luckily, they found none.

The other matter was those other androids themselves. After they were brought to the Watchtower, Leaguers with expertise in mechanics and programming were brought to work with them. After looking through their memory cores, the League found out that they were actually former heroes, Jim Lockhart, the Red Torpedo, and Danette Reilly, Firebrand, both former members of the Justice Society.

To say that it came as a surprise to the heroes would be an understatement. Apparently, they programmed to think they were humans, though it would seem that the androids didn't know why exactly, but the logical conclusion was infiltration.

Tornado passed through the automatic doors and his two 'siblings' on a metallic operating table, lying motionless. There were also two heroes there as well, John Henry Irons, aka Steel, and Ted Kord, aka Blue Beetle. Steel was sitting at the computer with a large screen, looking over some schematics, while Ted seemed to be examining some chips.

Beetle noticed him first. "Hey there, Tornado! Something you need?"

Steel also turned to his robotic colleague. "Hey, Red. Came to see what we discovered?"

"Indeed," Tornado replied.

"Well, we were able to discover this," Steel said as he pushed some buttons on the computer, showing various images, schematics and texts. "It would appear that they were implanted with secret programming, one that would activate remotely by the one who put it there. It turned them obedient, and their last orders were to attack the Cave."

"We also found something else," Ted said as he joined the two. "It was a special techno virus, one they planned to implant into you if you ever came into contact with them and make you obedient the same way they were."

"So what you're telling me," Tornado said. "Is that I was the reason these two attacked Mount Justice?"

"That's the most obvious conclusion," Ted said.

"It was either to find you or attack the Team to get your attention," Steel said.

Tornado turned to the motionless androids. "Are they any threat?"

"Heh, hardly," Steel said. "We did such a thorough cleaning job my grandmother would be proud."

"And we were also able to bring back their old programming, which means they should act human," Ted explained.

"May I speak to them?" Tornado asked.

"Sure," Ted answered. "But, uh… we still had their motion receptors deactivated, at least for below the neck. We don't want them to act irrationally."

Red Tornado nodded before he and Ted walked over to the androids. Blue Beetle walked over to the keyboard near the table that had two vires connected to the androids' heads and pressed several buttons.

Red eyes began glowing as the two were activated. They looked at each other for a moment before becoming motionless again for a moment.

"We can't move," Torpedo said.

"It is only a temporary precaution," Tornado said after which his siblings looked over to him. "Once the rest of the Justice League gives their authorization, you will be able to move freely again."

"So that's how it is," Firebrand commented.

If Torpedo could sigh, he probably would have. "It is strange," he said. "Just a little while ago I was an old man who could barely walk. And now I find out I was never human, to begin with."

"And I was dead," Firebrand said. "The last thing I remember was getting shot and then… nothing."

"Yeah, that was because of your human programming," Beetle explained. "Normally a bullet wouldn't hurt you, but the programming was too good."

"Ah, I see," she said, though it was hard to discern whether or not it was out of sadness or something similar.

"It would appear that T. O. Morrow created all of us to destroy the Justice League from the inside," Tornado said. "We are fortunate that is no longer the case."

"What about Morrow? Have you found him?" Torpedo asked.

"We were able to locate the source of where your commands were sent," Steel said. "But when we arrived, all we found was an empty base. We tried looking through your memory banks to give us any leads but we couldn't find anything."

"Of course you couldn't," Torpedo said. "Morrow came to my home when the obedience programming was activated, and where he forced me to dig up Danette's body. We were never brought to any secret base."

"So the search is still on," Firebrand said. "I have a request. I want to join this Justice League, as you call it."

That got surprised looks from the heroes in the room, and despite Tornado and Torpedo looking emotionless, the others could tell they were surprised.

"You want to join the Justice League?" Red Torpedo asked.

"Of course," she answered. "Remember, to me, I was a hero only a few minutes ago. And I want to help the League locate T. O. Morrow. It wouldn't be the first time I chased down a supervillain."

"That's very commendable," Steel said as he approached the table. "But you still need authorization from the Leaguers such as Batman or Superman. And even then, we can't let you go after Morrow." He then turned to the android brothers. "Or any of you for that matter."

"Look, it's just that Morrow may have some sort of failsafe in hand in case any of you rebelled against him," Beetle explained. "Since you were created by him personally, we cannot take that risk."

"That is… unfortunate," Firebrand said. "But I still want to join the Justice League. I still want to operate as a hero."

"' Like the attitude," Steel said. "But you will have to prove yourself to the League first. They don't accept members willy nilly."

"Yeah, even I'm still not a part of the Justice League," Ted said. "I'm here because of my knowledge of robotics."

"And I'm more of a solo act than anything else," Steel added.

"And what of you, brother?" Red Tornado asked the last android. "What will you do now?"

There was a brief moment of silence before Torpedo responded. "I retired from being a hero because I thought I couldn't do it anymore. But knowing what I am, I know I won't be able to have my old life back. I'm also willing to become a hero once more."

"Didn't need to make it sound so depressing," Blue Beetle commented.

"Then don't worry," Steel said. "We'll have you both up and running in no time."

"Thank you," Firebrand said while Torpedo gave a small nod.

"It will be an honor working with the two of you," Tornado said, actually feeling some sort of… excitement, would be the best word to describe it, to work alongside his siblings.

Shayeris

October 5, 19:45

Chris, Conner, Megan, and Kaldur were currently in the Bio-ship, driving it beneath the ocean. Normally they would take the teleporters, but Kaldur wanted to take a more scenic route.

They arrived at one of the cities of Atlantis, and it was a beautiful view to behold. Dome-like buildings illuminated in various colors, some shaped like seashells, with many types of fish floating around.

"Welcome to my birthplace," Kaldur said. "The Atlantean city-state of Shayeris."

"It's… spectacular," Megan commented.

"Spectacular indeed," Chris said as he looked over the city.

"Come now," Kaldur said. "I've prepared appropriate attire and re-breathers."

Megan smiled. "Not needed." Her cape then disappeared, and her skirt turned into a pair of diving pants with a fin on the back of each leg, her neck also sprouting gills.

"Gills. Nice touch," Conner said with a smile making Megan blush.

"You shouldn't have bothered, Kaldur," Chris said. "Kryptonians don't need to breathe."

Both Conner and Kaldur looked at him with uncertainty. "Are you sure about that?" Conner asked.

Chris raised an eyebrow, not sure why they were confused. "Well… yeah, of course," Chris said before walking at the wall of the Bio-ship and putting his hand on it. He was then slowly swallowed into the wall before quickly appearing in front of the ship's windshield, giving his friends a smile and a wave.

"Wow, didn't think that would work," Megan said as she looked at Chris floating in the water with no problem.

Conner's eyes narrowed before he also approached the same spot, and got sucked in the same way into the ocean water. Chris smiled when he saw that and went to greet his brother. Then, Conner quickly grasped his mouth with both hands as bubbles flew out, with Conner moving around sporadically.

Chris' eyes widened before he quickly went to Conner and pushed him back into the Bio-ship before they were both sucked in, with Conner falling on the floor and coughing the moment they entered.

Megan worriedly ran over to her boyfriend and kneeled to his downed form. "Oh my God, Conner! Are you alright?!"

"I-I'm sorry… I…" Chris stammered. "I… didn't think that would happen."

Conner let out several more coughs. "Ugh, it's fine."

Kaldur and Megan helped Conner up, with Chris having a hard time looking the fellow clone in the eye.

Conner, seeing the distress on his brother, quickly put a hand on his shoulder. "Look, you didn't know that would happen so don't blame yourself. I was the one eager to try it out."

Chris looked at Conner, biting his lip before giving a small nod.

"Come, let's get you equipped," Kaldur said.

The crew soon found themselves swimming in the ocean water, Conner and Chris dressed in outfits similar to the one Kaldur was wearing, and with Superboy wearing the breathing apparatus over his mouth.

The incident from the moment ago seemed like a distant memory as they saw the city up-close, taking in all its beauty.

Kaldur led them to one of the houses, where they were met by a woman dressed in green with long blonde hair and light skin, along with a bald dark-skinned man dressed in purple.

"Kaldur, you look thin," the woman said in the Atlantean tongue as she grasped Kaldur's hands.

"Mother, please…" Kaldur said somewhat embarrassed.

"Sha'lain'a, let the boy breathe," the man said.

"My friends, these are my parents, Sha'lain'a and Calvin Durham," Kaldur introduced them before gesturing to the trio. "Mother, father, meet Superboy, Miss Martian, and Superboy-Prime."

"Pleased to meet you, call me M'gann."

Chris gave a friendly wave. "Nice to meet you as well."

"Hi there."

Sha'lain'a looked at them curiously. "You three speak Atlantean?" she asked as it was obvious the three weren't your usual residents under the sea.

"Not really," Megan said. "My telepathic abilities allow me to communicate this way."

"I was programmed by G-gnomes to speak Atlantean," Conner explained.

Chris pointed at his brother. "He taught me." When Chris found out that Conner knew several languages, which included Atlantean, he asked to be taught and Conner was happy to oblige.

"Looks like my Kaldur has made some great friends on the surface," Sha'lain'a said as she approached the three.

Calvin took his son aside so they could talk.

"Are you visiting Poseidonis on this trip?" Calvin asked.

Kaldur nodded. "First thing in the morning."

His father's face then got serious. "Then be careful, my son. There are rumors that trouble brews in the capital."

Chris looked over to where the two were talking, his super-hearing picking up on what Calvin said. It probably wasn't nice but curiosity got the better of him, and now he had an uneasy feeling about this trip.

Poseidonis

October 6, 8:06

The next day, four members of the Team arrived in Poseidonis where they were led to the throneroom of Atlantis by Kaldur, in the presence of Queen Mera herself. She was a very beautiful woman with long red hair, green garb that showed plenty of her light skin, and a golden crown on her head.

"Welcome to Poseidonis, young heroes," she greeted the four as she approached them.

Kaldur gave her the Atlantean salute. "It's good to be here, my queen."

Mera floated from her throne closer to them. "Kaldur, it's an honor to meet your friends and teammates."

"The honor is all ours, queen Mera," Megan said with a small bow, the two others joining her.

The queen chuckled. "No need for that, you're guests here," she said as the three raised their heads.

"Sorry, your highness," Chris said respectfully. "But none of us met any of the royal family before."

"There is certain wisdom in inaccessibility…" said a new voice to which all of them turned to see a man with short black hair dressed in black and red with golden armlets, belt, and feetless boots. "…when the queen carries the heir to the throne."

Megan, Conner, and Chris' eye grew wide, not knowing the queen was pregnant.

Mera sighed before smiling. "Allow me to introduce prince Orm, my overprotective brother-in-law."

Orm chuckled. "How can I be anything else when my brother is on the surface playing Aquaman?"

Kaldur approached the prince. "Excuse me, prince Orm. But king Orin's work with the Justice League is anything but a game."

"Of course, of course," Orm said. "I was only joking." He then swam over to the other three. "It's an honor to meet more surface dwellers."

"I'm Miss Martian or M'Gann."

"Superboy, Conner."

"Superboy-Prime, Christopher."

The last one caught Orm's attention. "That's quite a peculiar name, 'Superboy-Prime'."

"It's… uh… it's a long story," Chris said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Regardless, I'm glad that all of you and Kaldur'ahm are here," Orm said. "There have been reports of unrest originating at the Conservatory of Sorcery."

Kaldur got a slightly shocked look on his face before turning to Mera. "My queen, may my friends and I look into this matter?"

Mera nodded. "You may."

Kaldur gave a salute before turning to his friends, and the four of them swam towards the Conservatory.

Once they arrived, they were greeted by five other Atlanteans.

"My friends, let me introduce you to my former classmates from the academy," Kaldur said before pointing at a blonde young man dressed in black and green. "…Ronal…" Then he pointed at the one who looked like a human-sized white whale with arms dressed in green. "…Blubber…" Then at a mermaid with red hair and a red dress. "…Lori Lemaris…" Next was an amphibious boy with black shorts. "…La'Gaan…" The last one was a human-like shark dressed in black and red. "…and Nanaue Sha'ark."

The said Atlantean crossed his arms and snarled. "That's King Sha'ark to you."

"Well someone's a bit full of himself," Chris said through Megan's link, with the other two agreeing. Then something else clicked in his mind, the third one introduced, Lori Lemaris. Something about that name made the memories of his father act up.

Lori noticed Chris staring at her. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

That made Chris snap out of his thoughts. "Oh, no, nothing's wrong, it's just that… your name seems familiar," he said making her, and others look at him curiously.

"Maybe it's because your girlfriend is named Laurie," Conner suggested.

"No, it's not that," Chris said dismissively. "Have you any affiliation with someone from the surface called Superman?"

The other members of the Team were surprised to hear that suggestion, while Lori thought about it. "Oh, you must mean my mother! She shares my name, and she told me how years ago she met someone on the surface, and I think that Superman was indeed the name."

"Ah, that's pretty neat actually," Chris commented.

"Man, all of you are so… different," Megan said as she looked over the Atlanteans and how diverse they look from each other.

Kaldur then proceeded to explain that after Atlantis sank, the Atlanteans needed to use sorcery and science to adapt to the depths and they did in many different ways which is why the people of Atlantis looked so diverse and living together, especially in Poseidonis.

La'Gaan then swam to Megan. "So, are you three typical of the surface?"

"Um, not really, no," Chris said knowing a Martian and two Kryptonian clones are anything but typical.

"I should go," Ronal said sounding somewhat bitter.

"Feeling outnumbered?" Sha'ark mockingly asked.

"So how is it on the surface world?" La'Gaan asked Conner.

"Other than drier," Blubber said.

Kaldur then looked and smiled when he saw who was coming towards them.

"Let me introduce you to my two dearest friends," Kaldur said as he pointed at a young man with black hair in a ponytail dressed in black and teal, and a girl with short red hair dressed in yellow and green. "Garth and Tula."

"You're all welcome to Atlantis," Garth said with a smile.

"Yes, any friend of Kaldur's is a friend of ours," Tula added.

Kaldur then looked at the two holding hands and his expression turned into a frown.

"So that's why he brought us here," Megan said telepathically.

"What do you mean?" Conner asked.

"He's in love with her, it radiates off him in waves," Megan explained. "Kaldur couldn't face them alone."

Chris then looked at Kaldur, sad at what he was going through. He could only imagine the heartache his friend was feeling.

Kaldur then looked upwards and saw a young boy with a squid-like head, purple skin, and three fingers on each hand swimming away. "Topo?" he asked as he swam up and took the boy's hand. "Topo, I'd like you to meet some of my friends."

"Uh… maybe some other time," Topo said as he tried to swim away.

Kaldur then noticed something on Topo. "What is this?" he asked as looked at Topo's chest, where his shirt was torn and some letters seemed to be burned into him. "Topo! Who did this to you?!"

Lori then pried Kaldur off. "That's none of your concern, Kaldur'ahm."

She and the others then swam away with Topo.

"I couldn't read those markings," Conner said.

"They are ancient Atlantean runes," Tula said.

"Spelling what?" Megan asked.

Kaldur narrowed his eyes. "Impure."

The group then followed the others, wanting to see how this will escalate. On the way, Garth and Tula explained that a group of purists rose to popularity recently, a group that considered themselves the true Atlanteans because they looked completely human, and they usually dressed in red hoods and black robes. In their minds. Atlanteans with aquatic features were considered impure, even the ones with only visible gills like Kaldur.

Megan, Conner, and Chris found such notions to be ludicrous at best.

After several minutes of swimming they spotted Lori, La'Gaan, Blubber, and Sha'ark confronting some human-looking Atlanteans, Rolan among them, and currently being held by Sha'ark.

"We know you are purists!" Lori accused the human-like Atlanteans.

"You can't hide behind your robes and hoods!" La'Gaan exclaimed.

"Do we appear to hide, barbarian?!" a female purist asked aggressively.

"Your kind infects Tritonis, Nanauve, Neptunos, Lemuria, Shayeris…"

"Even Crastinus!"

"Sha'ark! What are you doing with Rolan?!" Kaldur asked as he saw Sha'ark gripping Rolan.

"Supper," Sha'ark answered.

Chris reacted quickly, using his speed to close the distance and separate those two. "Whoa there, killing is going way too far!" Chris scolded making Sha'ark growl.

"Who started this?" Kaldur demanded.

"They did!" Lori and Ronal answered at the same time.

"We were only minding our own business when those fish-heads attacked us!" Rolan exclaimed.

"And what was Topo doing when you attacked him?!" Lori asked pointing at her friend who looked like he really didn't want to be there.

"You cannot know that was us!"

The female purist then chimed in. "And if your kind doesn't like the treatment here, you simply leave Poseidonis!"

"Enough!" Kaldur said as he began activating his magic markings, with Tula and Garth doing the same. "Stop this or we'll separate you by force!"

The groups glared at each other before swimming away in different directions, with Kaldur letting out a sigh.

"I can't believe that there are people like this here," Megan said.

"Unfortunately, prejudice will always exist, in some form or another," Garth said.

"But that doesn't mean we can't make things better," Chris said. "We need to make these people see that their prejudices are senseless."

"Easier said than done, it seems," Conner said with his arms crossed.

"We're done here, let's go back," Kaldur said and swam away, the others following him.

Poseidonis

October 6, 23:45

Everyone in the city was currently asleep, with only the guards that were out on their post, and even queen Mera was resting in her room. After Kaldur and the others told her what happened, she could only feel sadness and disappointment.

Right now, Mera was having a peaceful sleep, calmly resting in the red sheets of her bed. Then something disturbed her, as her ears picked up some strange noises, making her stir.

Mera opened her eyes and immediately gasped as she saw a trident aimed at her, which was being held by the Ocean Master, with several people in red hoods and black cloaks behind him.

Ocean Master grinned widely. "Sweet dreams, my queen?"

AN: And that's it for now! In case you are unfamiliar with the comics that are tie-ins to the show, I'm doing the story arc that was in issues 14 and 15 where Kaldur goes to Atlantis with Conner and Megan, except I'll be adding Chris in it. And with his involvement, the story will end differently. And I know some of you who read the comics will say 'The story happens in September, not October!' and I know that, but I decided to move it a bit. I hope you can forgive me for that.

And I implore you to check out my other works, they are worth it. And leave a review, they are great motivators.

See you next time!