Independence Day
Alright let's do this one last time. My name is Peter Parker. When I was 13, I was bitten by a radioactive spider and for the last 3 years I have been the one and only, Spider-Man. I'm pretty sure you know the rest. I saved New York City, again, and again. Aunt May found out I was Spider-Man. I moved to Gotham because I got a Wayne scholarship to the Gotham Academy. Then that same year, I received an internship at Wayne enterprises, from the Bruce Wayne who I found out was Batman and knew that I was Spider-Man. He totally didn't tell me. I also got a new suit. I also met the whole Justice League which was awesome, but that isn't comparable to what I'm about to tell you. So fasten your seat belts, you are in for one hell of a ride...
After fighting some crime in Gotham, a Spider-Man suit that was red and blue with a white spider insignia on the front and a red one on the back as he crawled into the window. Peter Parker arrived home to change back into his civilian clothing and opened the door to see Aunt May who was standing in front of him with her arms crossed.
"Now, what are you doing in your casual clothing?" Aunt May asked.
"Spider-Man needs to have a day off here and there, Aunt May," Peter said.
"Really, because Mr. Wayne said today was the day."
Peter's eyes widened, realizing what today was, "Oh crap!"
Peter was in his suit, he was standing by Robin and Batman who were standing by Green Arrow, Speedy, Aquaman, and Aqualad.
"Today is the day boys," Batman said to Robin and Spider-Man.
"Yeah, but someone almost made us late," Robin said, looking at the red and blue hero. Spidey just turned his head and rubbed the back of his head.
"Welcome to the Hall of Justice," Green Arrow said.
"Headquarters of the Justice League," Aquaman said.
"Aw man." A whine caught their attention.
The group of heroes looked back and saw two speeders, one in yellow and one in red running towards them at supersonic speeds. The heroes knew the two blurs were Flash and Kid Flash.
"I knew we'd be the last ones here." Kid Flash stated.
Spider-Man sighed and followed the group as they made their way towards the Hall. The paparazzi were there snapping photos and asking questions that won't get any answers. Fans cheered and screamed at the sight of their heroes. Despite all of this Peter focused his gaze on the building ahead.
Green Arrow leaned forward to his protege, "Ready to go into the inner sanctum?"
"Born that way." Speedy replied confidently.
"I am glad that we are all here." Aqualad stated.
"Have all four sidekicks with the inclusion of Spider-Man ever been at the same place at the same time?" Kid Flash asked, catching Peter's attention.
"Don't call us sidekicks." Speedy snapped, "Not after today."
"Talk about an ego," Peter muttered to himself.
"Sorry." Wally's smile dropped but reappeared just as quickly, "First time at the Hall, I'm a little overwhelmed."
Robin glanced at his friend, "You're overwhelmed, Fries was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone just whelmed?" He wondered.
"Cause people prefer the term unimpressed, buddy." Peter said as they entered the Hall of Justice.
Peter looked in awe at large golden statues of their mentors. The statues were modeled after Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. The seven founders of the Justice League. To him, it looked like an entire pantheon made up of new gods.
Robin looked overwhelmed at the sight of the statues, "Maybe that's why."
"I agree." Peter walked past Robin.
They stopped at large steel doors. Before anyone could make a move the doors slid open to reveal Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado. The two heroes stepped forward.
Martian Manhunter spoke, "Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Spider-Man. Welcome." The Martian turned around and began leading them inside. Robin and Kid Flash fist bumped as they began to follow the alien.
J'onn led them through the Hall, "You now have full access to the gym, the fully stocked galley and of course the library." They stopped at a large open library.
"Make yourselves at home." Flash smiled.
Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad sat down on the nearest three seats. Peter, on the other hand, looked to see which books they had while Speedy only stood.
While Peter was looking at some of the books, he heard Batman address the other league members, "Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day." Peter glanced back to see them discussing amongst themselves, "We shouldn't be long." The Dark Knight stated before turning around.
A camera came out of the ceiling and began to scan the heroes.
"That's it?" Speedy asked, catching their attention, "You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified backstage pass."
"It's the first step." Aquaman said lightly, "You've been granted access fee others get."
Speedy glared, "Oh really?" He pointed at the bay window with tourists behind it snapping pictures at them, "Who cares which side of the glass we're on?"
"Roy." Green Arrow stepped forward, "You need to be patient."
"What I need is respect." Roy replied holding his glare before turning to his friends, "They're treating us like kids, worse sidekicks. We deserve better than this."
The other three only exchanged looks but did nothing while Peter ignored the spectacle altogether. The Arachnid hero pulled a black book from a shelf. He simply didn't think it was his place to place judgment on anyone.
"You're kidding, right?" Roy asked, baffled, "You're playing their game why? Today was supposed to be the day." He emphasized, "Step one in becoming full-fledged members of the League."
"Well sure." Wally shrugged, "But I thought step one was a tour of the HQ."
"And I don't have enough experience to be in the League," Peter said.
"Except the Hall isn't the Leagues real HQ." Roy started getting shocked looks from everyone, "I bet they never told you. It's just a false front for tourists and a pitstop for catching zeta beam teleporters to the real thing." The Archer explained gesturing to the sky, "An orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."
Oliver Queen looked over her shoulder to look at Batman who crossed his arms, "I know, I know but I thought, maybe we can make an exception..." Green Arrow said this with uneasiness.
"Or not," the Emerald Archer said after receiving a glare from the Dark Knight.
Aquaman stepped forward, "You are not helping your case son. Stand down or-"
"Or what?" Roy growls, "You'll send me to my room? And I am not your son! I'm not even his," He shoots a dirty look towards Green Arrow, "I thought I was his partner." He paused, "Not anymore." He took off his hat and slammed it on the floor. He turned and stomped away, "Guess they're right about you three, you're not ready."
Before Roy left, he glared at Peter who just looked back at him and then Roy walked off. Before Peter could ponder it, an alarm caught his attention. Everyone looked up at a large screen to see Superman.
"Superman to Justice League." The Man of Steel began, "There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus, it's on fire." The League members stepped up to the screen.
"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus." Batman stated, "This may present the perfect opportunity to-"
Another alert blared and Zatara appeared on the screen. "Zatara to Justice League. Wotan is using the Amulet of Aten to block out the sun, requesting full League response."
Batman looks to Superman, "Superman?"
"It's a small fire, local authorities have it under control." Superman replied.
"Then Cadmus can wait." Batman said before he pressed a button on a large keyboard, "All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara's location. Batman out." The caped crusader turned to the teens all walked up to them, "Stay put."
"What why?" Robin spoke up.
"This is a League mission." Aquaman stated.
"You're not trained." Flash added.
"Since when?!" Kid Flash asked.
Flash gave a reply, "I meant you aren't trained to be a part of this team." He gestured to the other mentors.
"There will be other missions, when you're ready," Aquaman said.
"But for now," Batman said, "Stay put." Batman had said the last part with finality to his tone before they began to walk away.
Peter then overheard a hushed conversation, "Are you glad you didn't bring, you know who?" Green Arrow asked Martian Manhunter.
"Indeed." The alien replied before the pair followed the other three.
Red Tornado watched the teens as the other six heroes walked to the hidden room. The robot seemed to be thinking before he turned around and followed the rest.
"What do they mean 'When we're ready?'" Kid Flash scoffed, "How are we supposed to be ready when they keep treating us, like-like sidekicks?" He asked, flailing his arms.
Aqualad looked down. "My mentor, my king, I thought he trusted me." The Atlantean said dejectedly.
"Trust? They don't even trust us with the basics! They've got a secret HQ in space!" The speedster replied.
"What else are they hiding from us?" Aqualad wonders.
Peter looked around and noticed that the tourists were gone so he took off his mask and joined the group. But he turned his gaze away from the other awkwardly, knowing that he felt out of place because unlike Batman and Robin, Batman and Spider-Man were partners, despite most of the League's protest.
"Here's a better question. Why didn't we leave with Speedy?" Robin asked.
Peter felt extremely awkward.
"What is Project Cadmus?" Aqualad asks suddenly.
"I don't know," Robin smirked at Peter who smirked back, "but we can find out." The sidekick and Peter walked up to the keyboard and he began to type away.
Aqualad walked behind the shorter but Kid Flash zoomed up to Peter.
"So how come you're not a sidekick?" Kid Flash asked.
"Well, if you save a city from a high threat, then you have a tendency to be praised a little too highly," Peter said.
Kid Flash looked at Peter who had a conflicted expression on his face, as if he felt like he wasn't ready to become a normal hero.
"Well, why-" The ginger pressed on.
"Kid!" Robin called over his shoulder, "Quit with the interrogation and get over here." He ordered as he typed away.
With one last suspicious glance, Kid Flash sped to his friends. Peter let out a relieved sigh before he shyly walked up to the other three.
*ACCESS DENIED*
Robin smirked at the computer, "Wanna bet?" He continued to type and the screen changed into a green binary. Robin is hacking into Justice League systems.
"Woah." Kid Flash said in awe, "How are you doing that?"
"The same system as the Batcave," Robin answered with a smirk still plastered on his face.
*ACCESS GRANTED*
An image of a two-story building appeared on the screen. "Alright Project Cadmus, genetics lab here in D.C." He grinned mischievously, "That's all there is, but if Batman's suspicious maybe we should investigate."
"Solve their case before they do." Aqualad summarized, "It would be poetic justice."
"Hey, they're all about justice."
Peter smiled discreetly at the witty remark.
Aquaman sighed, "But they told us to stay put."
"For the blotting out the sun mission, not this." Robin countered.
"Wait, are you going to Cadmus?" Kid Flash asked, "If you're going in, I'm going too." He declared before they both smiled brightly at the Atlantean.
"Just like that?" Aqualad inquired, "We're a team on a mission."
"We didn't come for a playdate." Robin stated.
When Aqualad smirked they knew he was in. Suddenly all eyes were on Peter who stood off to the side. "So you want to disobey our mentors, go on a mission unauthorized in order to prove ourselves even though there's a chance we will be screwed over?" He asked skeptically. They all still stared at him. Peter chuckled and put his mask on as he immediately made up his mind. "Alright then, let's roll." He said, leaving the building.
"He never ceases to amaze me," Robin grinned before the rest followed after Spider-Man.
The sky was purple, orange and dark blue as the sun began to set. The second floor of the Cadmus building was in flames. Two scientists were stuck on the second floor. They screamed out the window for help. A fireman used a megaphone to talk to the two men, assuring them that they were working on rescuing them.
The shockwave from an explosion behind them pushed the two men out the window. As they fell Kid Flash zoomed toward and up the side of the building. He grabbed the scientist and threw them on the roof. He lost his footing and he skeeted against the wall until he grabbed onto the window sill from the window the two men fell from.
"Flash Boy!" One of the firemen yelled.
"Kid Flash!" The ginger corrected, "Why is that so hard?" He mumbled.
From the sky, Spider-Man was free falling and landed on the roof. The two scientists were shocked to see the hero. "Hold tight." He warned before grabbing the two men by the waist before he carefully wallran down the building. As he went to ground level, Robin swung past him.
When he landed the firemen thanked him and took the two men to safety. He saw Aqualad running towards the scene, "Hang on." He offered his hand and the other sidekick took it. He web-zipped up towards the window that Robin and Kid Flash entered through.
"Thanks," Peter said sarcastically.
"You handled it, besides we're here to investigate." The boy wonder replied, "Poetic justice remember?"
"I'll leave the detective work to you." The Arachnid started as he and Aqualad began to scan the room.
Peter then felt a tingle in his head. He rushed to find Aqualad looking down the hall to an elevator.
"There was something in the-"
"Elevator should be locked down." Kid Flash states as Robin rushes past them.
Robin looked at the elevator, "This is wrong." A holographic screen from his glove appeared, "Thought so, this is a high-speed express elevator. It doesn't belong on a two-story building."
"Neither does what I saw." Aqualad added stepping forward.
"What did you see?" Spider-Man asked as he and Aqualad held onto the doors of the elevator and pulled them open.
"A creature of some kind." He answered, "Nothing I've ever seen-" He cut himself off when he looked down.
Spider-Man looked down as well and saw a black abyss that is well over two stories deep. "And that's why they need an express elevator." Robin stepped between them and shot his grappling hook on the ceiling of the elevator shaft and began to descend. Aqualad and Kid Flash jumped on the rope and slid down while Spider-Man shot a webline and descended.
Robin continued to descend until his line stopped, "I'm at the end of my rope." He began to swing back and forth until he landed on a ledge. Peter did the same thing and landed in front of Robin. He looked at the number on the walls. They were at sublevel 26. Soon Aqualad and Kid Flash made it down to them and they two swung to the ledge.
"Can you carry us down?" Kid Flash asked Peter who looked down.
"Uhhh..." Peter looked down deep in the elevator shaft.
Kid Flash looked down to see the elevator rushing up at extreme speed. "Uh, Rob, open the door." He began to panic.
Robin activated his holographic computer, "Bypassing security, there go!" He yelled and Peter quickly slammed the doors open and the other three ran inside. He narrowly made it inside when the elevator rushed past them. He sighed in relief as he looked up but was shocked when he saw a large corridor.
"Welcome to Project Cadmus." Robin stated.
"The real Project Cadmus." Peter said.
They began to walk further in quietly but Kid Flash zoomed past them. "Kid, wait." Aqualad called quietly.
They watched as Kid Flash ran down the large hallway. The speedster didn't get too far, however, when a herd of large beasts got in his way. He slid across the floor barely avoiding being crushed. The others caught up and saw the monstrous beasts.
"Holy..." Peter added.
"No nothing going on here." Aqualad said sarcastically.
The beasts seemed to have ignored their presence since they continued on their way. Once they rounded the corner everyone released a breath they forgot they were holding in.
They made their way to a very important looking steel door. While Robin hacked the security systems the other three took watch. The doors slid opened and all four of them took in the sight before them. "Okay, I'm officially whelmed." The boy wonder said stunned.
Inside the large room row after row of blue glowing capsules were lined up against the wall. They seemed to creatures inside of them like the once before but at the same time different. They seemed to generate electricity, like batteries.
"More creatures, great." Peter mumbled as they walked through the door.
"This is how they hide this massive underground facility from the world." Kid Flash states walking further than the rest, "The real Cadmus is on the grid, it generates its own power with these things." He looked at the creatures, "Must be what they're bred for."
"Even the name is a clue." Aqualad figured it out, "The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth to the ground."
"And this Cadmus creates new life too." Robin added walking up to a control panel, "Let's find out why." He pulled a USB from his glove and plugged it in.
"What are you getting?" Peter asked, approaching Robin.
"They call them Genomorphs." Robin read, "Woah, look at the stats on these things. Super strength, telepathy, razor claws these are living weapons." He explained.
"They're engineering an army." Kid Flash said, "But for who?"
"What's to say they haven't finished?" Peter looked up at the numerous capsules.
Robin continued to scroll through the files until something caught his eye, "Wait there's something else. Project Kr." He tried to open it but to no avail, "Ugh, the file's triple-encrypted I can't-"
"Spider-Sense!" Peter said, feeling a tingle in his head.
"Don't move!"
They all look up to see a pack of deadly looking Genomorphs and among them stoked Guardian, a hero. Peter noticed a much smaller Genomorph on the man's shoulder. "Wait." He stops, "Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Spider-Man."
"Don't feel so good does it?" Kid Flash asked in a hushed tone.
"I know you." Aqualad spoke up, "You're Guardian, a hero."
"I try my best." The man replied.
"Then what are you doing here?" Kid Flash asked accusingly.
Peter was still prepared. He saw a fight coming on. "Robin, which ones use telepathy?" He whispered.
"Let me check." The boy wonder began to scroll through the files.
"I'm head of security and you're trespassing." He stated matter of factly, "But we can call the Justice League, figure this out."
"Looks like it's the small one on his shoulder." Robin whispered.
"You think the League's gonna approve of you making weapons?" Kid Flash replied quickly.
"They must be controlling him then." He figured eyeing the little creature.
"Weapons? What do you-what have I-'' The little Genomorph's horns began to glow and the man shook his head, "Ugh, my head." He groaned before he looked up at them with a glare, "Take them down hard, no mercy." He ordered the deadlier genomorphs.
The genomorphs charged at them but Robing quickly stood up and dropped a smoke bomb. Despite the smoke, the creatures still charged. Peter's Spider-Sense kicked in and ran over to hear their claws scraping against the floor. He quickly ducked when one of them tried to pounce him from behind. He quickly shot a webline on its leg and swung it around and used it to knock four others down.
He pulled back his line in time to dodge a slash that was aimed at this chest. The creature let out a fury of swipes at him that he dodged. He later shot two weblines on the floor and slid under the Genomorph's legs. He then picked it up from behind and jumped backward into a suplex. He quickly used his hands to launch himself with a flip and landed on the creature with his knees with a cracking sound.
"Spider-Man!" Aqualad called getting his attention. He saw as Aqualad and Kid Flash ran out of the room. He nodded before following.
They ran down the hall until Kid Flash slid to a stop. The others stopped as well and saw Robin typing away on his holographic computer. Kid Flash ran towards him while Aqualad and Spider-Man saw more Genomorphs following them.
"Uhh, guys..." Peter started, "If we're gonna leave, now would be a good time— ah screw it!"
Peter and Aqualad ran down the hallway and into the elevator that Robin opened.
"Close the door!" Aqualad exclaimed.
The doors shut and they heard the Genomorphs slam against the door. They all shared a sigh of relief. "Have any of you ever seen harpies? They're a lot like that but with wings."
Aqualad looked up at the floor number, "We're going down?"
"Dude out is up." The ginger pointed out and literally pointed upwards.
"Excuse me, Project Kr is down in sub-level 52." Robin reminded me.
"I'll admit I am curious about that as well." Peter states, "What can be so important that they have it under such tight security?"
"This is out of control." Aqualad caught their attention, "Perhaps-perhaps we should contact the League." He suggested before the doors slid open. The hallway didn't look like a hallway at all. It looked like the gullet of some kind of beast.
Before a word could be said, Robin and Spider-Man run ahead. They stopped and hid behind some containers when they reached a fork in the hallway. Kid Flash and Aqualad catch up and kneel down next to them.
"Which way?" Aqualad asked.
"Yea. Bazaar looking hallway number one or bazaar looking hallway number two."
"Halt!"
They all look up to see another Genomorph but this one is more humanoid than the rest; it even wore lab clothes. It's horns and eyes began to glow red and it raised its hand up. He telekinetically lifted two barrels and they were thrown towards the teens. Peter let one pass over them letting it explode but caught one with his webbing.
"Robin!" He threw the barrel back at the creature.
"Right!" Robin threw a Batarang at the barrel, blowing it up and knocking the Genomorph back.
They all quickly ran into the hallway opposite from where the creature came. Peter's Spider-Sense kicked in and Peter looked where it ringed the strongest.
"Guys, my Spider-Sense is giving me a headache," Peter said, "We need to go now."
"Time to kick it into high gear!" Kid replied before zooming ahead.
"Kid!" Aqualad called.
"I got him." Peter said as he shot a webline and began to swing down the hallway after the speedster.
Spider-Man caught up to Kid Flash when he rounded the corner. Kid Flash was moving too fast that he didn't notice a woman walking out of a room. He yelped and tried to stop only to slide on the floor knocking her down. Peter sighed at the sight but quickly saw the large steel door was marked Project Kr. It would've been great but the door is closing. He quickly sped up and stopped between the closing doors and lifted his arms to keep it from closing. He thought it was relatively keeping the doors open until the doors applied more force.
"Dude nice." Kid Flash commented on the display of strength.
The doors applied even more force making the spider hero groan, "Get in!" He growled at the speedster.
"Right sorry." The redhead zoomed past the red and blue clad hero.
Peter saw Robin and Aqualad round the corner. The door once again applied more force. This thing must've been built to withstand a hit from Superman. "Hurry!' Kid Flash yelled at the two from over his shoulder. He growled in frustration and struggle as the doors applied more force again. When the last two divided inside the room he quickly jumped back letting the doors slam shut.
Peter bowed his head as he panted. " Woah dude you okay?" Robin asked from his position next to the door.
"That door *pant* would've taken a hit *pant* from Superman." He stood up straight after he caught his breath. "What's happening now?"
"We're trapped." Aqualad answered making the prince nod.
"Uh, guys." Kid Flash caught their attention, "You might wanna look at this." He pressed a button and a light shined on a capsule.
Peter stared at the content of the capsule. Inside there sleeping is a boy no older than the others perhaps a year or two older. Fair skin, hair black as night, a toned body all in a white bodysuit. The red Superman logo on the suit made it obvious what he was and who he was cloned from.
'This can't be good,' Peter thought.
Kid Flash walked up to the capsule, "Big K little R. The atomic letters from Krypton." He turned to face them, "A clone."
"Robin, hack." Aqualad quickly ordered.
"Right, right." Robin got to it, "Weapon designation: Superboy, a clone force grown in sixteen weeks!" He baffled, "From DNA required from Superman." Peter made him towards the capsule again but this time he walked.
"Stolen from Superman." Aqualad corrected.
Peter saw three more of the smaller creatures like the one on Guardian's shoulder.
"No way the big guy knows about this."
"There are more of these things." Peter said, catching their attention, "The telepathic ones."
"Right." Robin nodded, "Genomorph gnomes, force feeding him an education."
"And we can guess what else." Kid Flash added, "They're making a slave out-well Superman's son."
Peter gets to the capsule and sees that the clone was breathing. "Set him free." He turns to the other, "They are making a weapon out of a living, breathing person. It isn't right."
Kid Flash nods, "I'm with him."
After a moment of silence, Aqualad agrees, "Set him free." He looks down to Robin who nods.
Peter steps back when the capsule opens. After a tense moment of nothing happening, Superboy opens then clenches his hands popping the bones. The clone opens his eyes to reveal blue orbs, glaring at the group.
Peter's Spider-Sense kicked in. "Get down!" He jumped back and Superboy launched forward, tackling him. Aqualad ducks down barley dodging the two who flew over him. They saw as the two rolled on the ground. Peter kicked the clone off of him, he then stood and watched the clone do the same, "Don't make me do this." He whispered.
The clone charged at Peter with a fist pulled back. Peter dodged the punch, and dodged the next series. Every punch that Superboy threw Spider-Man either blocked or dodged, he didn't want to fight the clone. He ducked and spun under a punch and picked the clone up from behind and threw him down making the ground crack, he quickly grabbed the clones left arm and wrapped his legs around it and leaned back until his back hit the ground and pulled his arm into an armbar.
Peter saw the other run towards them. "Wait!" He yelled and they stopped. He looked down at the clone, "Listen I don't want to fight you." He tried to reason as the clone struggled against his hold, "We're trying to help you." He later attempted to ensnare him in webbing. "Please you must calm down."
Everyone seemed to relax but it only lasted a minute because the clone only roared in rage before slammed his other arm in the ground. His fingers dug into the ground and used all his strength to lift Peter from the ground. With a roar, he rotated his body and slammed the hero head first into the ground cracking the concrete. Superboy then rips the webbing off of him and grabs Peter's leg. He begins to spin Spider-Man around before Superboy throws him.
Peter's lenses on his mask went wide as he saw the steel door before everything went black.
In a different room from before the four heroes were bound in four capsules. They were all unconscious, knocked out by the clone watching them. Superboy was ordered to watch over them until Desmond, the head scientist arrived.
Peter was the first to wake up as he looked at Superboy.
"Why did you attack us?" The hero asked but got silence as an answer, "We were trying to set you free."
Superboy only blinked.
"Do you like being a weapon, a possession, a puppet?" He asked, getting a glare from the clone. It suddenly hit him, "The gnomes, in your tube. They were controlling you, weren't they?"
"So, what if they did?" The clone suddenly asked.
"Well doesn't it bother you?!" Peter exclaimed, "Knowing that someone else reached into your mind and took control. That you were someone's puppet, that you were stripped of your ability to make your own damn choices."
Superboy only looked away.
Peter sighed, "Don't you want a life beyond this damn pit?"
Superboy glared up at the awake hero, "The pit is my home."
"A home is where you feel you belong, not where you are controlled." Peter's lenses started to narrow.
"And where do I belong?!" The clone snapped.
"That is for you to find out and to decide." Peter said, "But if you stay here without a choice of whether or not you want to go out you'll never know."
Superboy hesitated before replying, "And how do you know?"
"Because I'm still trying to find out where I belong." He answered and the clone looked shocked. Just as Peter was about to speak, he let out a groan.
Superboy only watched as the hero convulsed and groaned in pain. He could hear his heartbeat pick up rapidly. The clone watched as the hero began to sweat and struggle against the restraints. Superboy wasn't sure what to do one second he was talking and now he was in pain.
Peter looked up to see his web shooters were gone. Dread filled his features, "No, not right now."
Superboy watched and listened as Peter started to just stay there without any resistance.
Suddenly the other three heroes woke up with a series of gasps. Superboy simply ignored them and kept watching the unmoving hero.
The three of them saw Superboy stare at Peter. Kid Flash spoke first, "What, what do you want?" The ginger demanded. The clone only ignored him and continued to stare at Peter. Wally saw this, "Quit staring at him, it's creeping me out!" He yelled snapping Superboy back to the present.
"Shut up!" Peter suddenly yelled before he calmed himself, "It's not his fault." He unscrewed his eyes to look at the speedster.
"Yea right!" Kid Flash shot back, "We free him and he turns on us, not his fault my a-"
"He told me himself."
"He can talk?" Kid Flash asked making Peter groan.
The clone clenched his fists, "Yes, he can." Superboy glared at the ginger, offended.
Kid Flash glanced to his friends, "It's not like I said 'it'."
Aqualad spoke up, "The genomorphs taught you telepathically."
"They taught me much." Superboy replied, "I can read, write. I know the names of things."
"But have you seen them?" Robin asked, "Have they ever actually let you see the sky or sun?"
"Images are implanted in my mind." He replied, "But no I have not seen them." He looked down.
"If you let us," Peter said, "We can show you the sun and sky and more. The moon, the sea, forests, animals, everything." He offered sincerely before he groaned in pain.
"Do you know what you are?" Aqualad asks, changing the subject.
He switched his gaze to the Atlantean, "I am the Superboy, a genomorph, a clone made from the DNA of the Superman, to replace him should he perish, destroy him should he turn from the light." He stated.
Robin, Spider-Man, and Kid Flash shared an alarming look but Aqualad kept calm, "To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration, but like Superman, you need a life of your own beyond that solar suit, beyond your pod, beyond Cadmus."
"I live because of Cadmus, it is my home!" Superboy snapped.
"Your home is a test tube." Robin replied, "We can show you the sun."
"Pretty sure it's after midnight," Kid Flash remarked, "But we can show you the moon."
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad offered.
"No, they can't!" They all looked up to see a scientist with glasses and a ponytail walk in with Guardian and the lady scientist Kid Flash tripped. The three of them had gnomes on their shoulders, "They will be otherwise occupied."
He turned to the woman, "Activate the cloning process." The woman walked towards a panel.
"Pass! The Batcave is crowded enough." Robin stated.
The scientist turned to the Guardian, "And get the weapon back in its pod!" He ordered causing Peter to groan in pain and rage.
"Hey, how come he gets to call him an 'it'?" Kid asked.
"Help us," Peter said.
Guardian put a hand on the clone's shoulder but he shrugged it off. Desmond walked up from behind Superboy "Don't start thinking now." The Gnome hopped off the scientist's shoulder and onto Superboy. "See, you're not a real boy. You're a weapon and you belong to me! Well to Cadmus, same thing. Now get back to your pod!" He ordered and without a word Superboy turned around and walked away.
"Where I'm from that's called slavery." Peter said.
"Slavery implies owning a person, not an object." He nodded to the woman and she began to press buttons on the console.
From inside the pods, mechanical arms extended from the bottom and up to the teen's chest. They looked at the things cautiously before it attached to them with needles and tased them at the same time. They all yelled in pain as their blood was extracted and sent into glass spheres below. The sidekicks and Peter all screamed.
"Where's Dubbilex?" Desmond asked and the humanoid Genomorph from before walked up behind him, starling him, "Lurking around as usual. Get the Gnomes downloading their memories then delete the source material." He ordered.
Suddenly the large steel door was pulled off its hinges and lifted up revealing Superboy. The clone threw the door aside and began to walk inside.
"I told you to get back-" Superbot shoved Desmond out of the way before grabbing Guardian, throwing him across the room and onto Dubbilex. "Don't give me orders."
He later walked up to the four capsules.
"Are you here to free us or fry us?" Kid Flash asked.
Superboy had his eyes narrow, but then realized something, "Huh, I don't seem to have heat vision, so I suppose helping is the only option."
Robin picked the locks on his restraints. The boy wonder broke out of the pod.
"Ugh, finally," Robin said, rubbing his wrist, "Lucky Batman isn't here he'd have my head for taking so long."
"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" Kid Flash asked skeptically, "The whole League will have our heads after tonight!" He exclaimed.
Robin went to press the button which opened the capsules' doors. Peter managed to get free by breaking the restraints, he then went to a table that had his web shooters and put them back on his wrists.
"Free Aqualad," Robin said, "I'll get Kid Mouth."
"Don't you give me orders either." Superboy growled out before jumping towards Aqualad. He easily broke the restraints with his hands.
"Thank you." Aqualad nodded and Superboy nodded as Robin freed Kid Flash from his restraints.
The four then started to escape. They broke out into a sprint towards the exit. "You'll never get out of here!" They hear Desmond yell after them, "I'll have you back in pods by morning."
Robin stopped at the doorway, "That guy is not whelmed, not whelmed at all." He started before throwing four Batarangs.
"What is it with you and this whelm thing?" Kid Flash asked before the four batarangs made contact with the glass spheres that held their DNA and exploded.
The two heroes caught up with the other three, "We are still 42 levels below ground." Aqualad states, "But if we can make the elevator-" He was cut off when a herd of large genomorphs rounded the corner at the end of the hall.
While they were distracted one of the gorilla looking genomorphs raised its large fists with a roar. They all reacted just in time and jumped out of the way. The other began to maneuver around the beasts but Superboy jumped up and punched the beast square on the face, knocking it out. He went for the next one but was met with a large fist hurling towards him.
The four heroes dodged one of the genomorphs, only to notice that Superboy was still fighting the gorillas.
"Superboy!" Peter yelled, "We need to get out of here now, before the place starts falling apart."
"You want to escape!?" Superboy angrily asked, then threw a genomorph, knocking down two more.
"Yes!" Kid Flash yelled as Peter and Aqualad forced the elevator doors open.
The two quickly caught up to the others and made it to the elevator shaft. Robin shot his grappling hook and zipped up. Peter did the same thing while shooting a web line with Wally beside. A genomorph roared behind them so Superboy quickly picked up Aqualad and jumped up.
They caught up with the others but began to slow down and fell back down. "I'm-I'm falling?"
Peter was along the wall of an elevator shaft and saw this, "Quick grab on!" He shot a web line that Aqualad caught. "Superman can fly, why can't I fly?" Superboy asked unsure as Peter gently lowered them on a ledge.
"Don't know but it looks like you can still leap building in a single bound." Kid Flash commented, "Still cool."
Superboy looked up at Spider-Man, "Thank you." Peter nodded in return.
"Guys, this will have to be our stop!" Robin yelled looking up.
They all looked up to see the elevator descending down on them. Superboy quickly jumped at the door and punched them out of the wall. The others flooded the hallway barely missing the elevator. Just when it looked like the coast was clear more genomorphs came from down the hall. They all ran into the left hallway.
'Turn left brother'
The voice spoke to Superboy, "Go left!" He yelled and the others listened.
'Turn right'
"Right." Superboy said surely and they listened but they were met with a dead end.
"Great directions Supey are you trying to get us re-poded?" Kid Flash asked at the sight of the wall.
"No, I-I don't understand." He replied confused.
Aqualad and Robin caught up, "Don't apologize this is perfect." The boy wonder exclaimed.
Before they knew it they were crawling through the air vents. Robin was at the front and behind him was Aqualad, Kid Flash, Spider-Man at the back Superboy.
"At this rate, we'll never get out." Kid Flash complained.
Superboy quickly hushed him, "Listen."
"Not all of us have super heard you know." The ginger pointed out.
"A pack of Genomorphs closing in on us." Peter said, listening in.
"Well most of us don't anyway."
"And we're here." Robin started getting their attention.
They crawled ahead to find an open air vent with Robin and Aqualad waiting for them. Kid Flash landed with a flip, Peter descended with a web yo-yo, and Superboy landed with a thud. Robin had his holographic computer up and typed away.
"So what's the update?" Peter asked.
Robin smirked up at him, "I hacked the motion sensors."
"Sweet."
"Still plenty of them between us and out." Robin stood up.
"But I've finally got room to move." The speedster sted before zooming into a stairwell.
"Must he always run ahead?" Peter looked up. "Grab on I'll zip us up." He started holding out his hands. Aqualad took his left hand and Robin hopped on his back. Superboy took Aqualad's hand as Peter web-zipped to the ceiling.
As the four zipped up the stairwell and began to catch up with Kid Flash. They all saw Kid Flash tackle through a pack of Genormorphs with his speed.
"There's more behind us!" Robin informed them.
Superboy went to the nearest stairs that went down and stomped on them to collapse the set of stairs.
"Nice work," Peter said.
Superboy nodded as they all ran. When they reached sub-level 1 the security alarms were blaring and the hallway bled red. They all saw Kid Flash on the floor in front of a large door that cut them off from the surface.
"We're cut off from the street." Aqualad stated.
"Thanks my head hadn't noticed." The ginger groaned when he sat up.
Superboy walked up to the door and punched before he tried to pry it open. Aqualad and Spider-Man aided him and the door began to groan. It was beginning to work.
"Can't this fast enough." Robin said to himself as more large genomorphs walked around the corner and up to them. "This way!" He yelled, kicking a door to the right down.
They all followed him in but were met with an army of genomorphs with Guardian among them. They stopped at the wall of genomorphs. A loud thud caused them to turn around and saw more genomorphs. They all looked back and prepared to fight. All the small gnome's horns glow red and the heroes fell to the ground unconscious.
'Perhaps for the sake of all Genomorphs our brother Superboy should make up his own mind.' Superboy looked up to see Dubbilex. His long horn glowed red.
'It was you.'
'Yes, brother. I set the fire and lured your new friends down into Cadmus. Woke them when they were in danger-' The Genomorph explainedSuperboy cut in and looked up at Dubbilex. And guided me, why?'
'Because you are our hope. The genomorph hero.' Superboy looked over the other Genomorphs, 'Blazing a trail for all our brothers, showing us the way to freedom.'
The gnome on Guardian's shoulder hopped off and the hero clutched his head. "What's going on?"
Spider-Man and Aqualad were the first to come to. They both watched as Superboy stood up.
'What is your choice, brother?' Dubbilex asked.
Superboy met his eyes with determination, "I choose freedom."
"Feels like a fog lifting." Guardian said to himself.
The other heroes stood up and looked at the elder, "Guardian?" Aqualad asked unsurely.
The hero looked up at them, "Go, I'll deal with Desmond."
"I think not."
The crowd of Genomophs broke to reveal Desmond. The scientist held a vial of blue liquid.
He raised the vial, "Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." He stated before drinking it.
The scientist began to grow as the sound of his bones cracking filled the room. Guardian took a few steps back. Desmond fell to his knees and fell over. Everyone looked in shock as the scientist's muscles began to grow. Peter looked in disgust as the man's own skin was torn apart. His eyes were pitch black with red pupils. He stood up as the last of his clothing was torn apart. He eyed the heroes and roared. He turned himself into a monster.
"Everyone back!" Guardian ordered before running towards the monster.
Desmond easily disposed of the hero with a backhand sending the hero into a wall. Superboy roared as he charged at the monster. He punched it but it punched back twice as hard. Superboy glared at it before he gave it a series of punches but to no avail. The Blockbuster monster punched the clone back. The monster then jumped up and tackled Superboy through the ceiling. Peter was quick to web-zip up.
The other heroes below ran up to whole above, "Ok that's one way to bust through the ceiling."
"You think lab coat planned that?" Kid Flash asked before he and Robin zipped up through the ceiling.
"I doubt he's planning anything anymore." Aqualad stated dreadfully before jumping through the hole.
The first thing Aqualad saw was Superboy breaking free from Desmond's hold but the monster grabbed his leg and threw him at the heroes. He narrowly missed Robin and Kid Flash but collided with Aqualad. The two rolled on the floor and the two others caught up to them.
They watched as Desmond stood up and roared at them. Kid Flash zoomed up towards the monster before he slid down between its legs. The monster looked up to see three fists before they made contact with his face. Kid Flash on all fours tripped the monster.
"Learned that one in kindergarten." He taunted.
Robin jumped up and threw three batarangs but Desmond only swiped them away. The beast saw Superboy and quickly charged the clone into a pillar. Superboy tried to punch him but he dodged. Desmond punched the clone twice when a rope of water wrapped around his arm. He pulled at it and Aqualad came flying and hit him with his knee, he flew over and used the pillar to stop himself. His water morphed into a mace and swung down but he easily caught it and threw Aqualad aside and three Superboy across the room.
He went to attack Aqualad but Peter shot webbing around Desmond, binding his arms to his sides. "Stop it, dammit!" Peter yelled before pulling Desmond away from Superboy and through another pillar in the opposite side of the room with strong weblines in each hand. The pillar broke down causing a dust cloud.
Desmond then charged at Peter and easily dodged the incoming attacks. The arachnid hero caught a coming fist and quickly threw the monster over his shoulder and through a pillar causing the whole room to shake. He slingshotted himself towards the monster but he jumped at Peter and tackled him across the room and pinned him down. He began to wale on him causing the whole building to shake.
"Of course." Robin said observing the fight. He pulled up a holographic blueprint of the room. "Kid Flash get over here!"
While the speedster ran to the boy wonder, Superboy and Aqualad stood up. They both saw Desmond beating Peter into the ground. The two charged at the monster. Aqualad morphed his water into a maze and Superboy raised his fist. They both attacked his sides causing the monster to falter his attack. Peter quickly used the opportunity to kick the monster off of him. Superboy jumped on his back and began to punch the back of his head. Desmond grabbed Superboy by the arm and swung him around. He threw the clone at the Atlantean and they both went through another pillar causing the room to shake again.
Peter quickly stood up, jumped back, away from the monster. He glared at the monster and roared at him. Before he could charge Kid Flash got between them. He used his speed to run around him and he jumped up and punched Desmond across the face. He landed and saw a piece of flesh on his face. "Got your nose." He taunted. Desmond roared and began to chase after the speedster.
Peter was about to tackle the beast when Robin called him, "Superboy, Aqualad, Spider-Man!" He looked to see the boy wonder with a holographic blueprint of the room.
While Robin was explaining the plan Kid Flash was distracting the monster. "Come and get me you incredible bulk!" He barely dodged the punch and Desmond destroyed another pillar. A piece of debris hit his back and he stumbled on the floor. Desmond jumped at the speedster who got rolled out of the way just in time to roll out of the way. He stumbled and got punched in the side.
Robin explained the plan to the other three, "Those ones." He pointed at the pillars.
They nodded in agreement. Peter swung through a pillar, Superboy punched through the one after him and Aqualad used his mace to smash the next. Kid Flash continued to taunt Desmond and dodged another punch that destroyed the pillar behind him. Robin used chalk and marked a white 'X' in the middle of the room. Aqualad began to spray water on the floor and Peter handed Superboy the other end of his web line. Kid Flash led Desmond to the middle of the room before he stopped and slid across the water. The monster chased after the speedster but was stopped when he was starting to get webbed up. Both Spider-Man and Superboy pulled each side of the web line, Desmond on the water. Aqualad's tattoos began to glow and he electrocuted the water; the electricity spread through the water and into Desmond.
"Move!" Robin yelled and they all backed away.
The boy wonder detonated the explosive batarangs he had planted in the remaining pillars. The entire building began to collapse. The heroes tried to escape but a large chunk of debris fell on them. The rest of the building began to fall into itself burying the heroes and Desmond.
With a groan, both Peter and Superboy shoved debris off of the group. The other three stood up, "We did it." Aqualad panted.
"Was there any doubt?" Robin replied panting as well. He and Kid Flash glanced each and high fived but groaned at the sharp pain that shot through their bodies.
Superboy walked ahead and saw Desmond pinned under debris. Peter walked up next to the clone, "You're free." He stated, "Free to choose your own path, free to look up." Peter looked up. Superboy followed his gaze and saw for the very first time the moon, a full moon at that.
They all saw as a single figure came into view. Superboy squinted his eyes and it saw it was Superman. "It's Superman." Kid Flash breaks the silence, "We keep our promises or what?" He beamed.
Soon Superman was joined by the rest of the Justice League. The teens watched as the heroes landed all around them. Peter felt like he was about to be scolded. Before they knew they stood before the entire League mainly Superman and Batman. Before anyone can say anything Superboy walks forward. He met Superman's eyes, their eyes mirror each other. Superboy lifted the torn fabric of his suit revealing the famous Kryptonian 'S'. Superman looked shocked before Batman stepped forward.
"Is that what I think it is?" The Dark Knight asks.
"I'm Superman's clone." Superboy suddenly states.
The whole league shares a look of shock and worry.
"Start talking." Batman orders leaving no room for argument.
After explaining the whole ordeal the main members of the League walked off to discuss amongst themselves. Batman told the now unmasked Peter not to listen in so he stayed with the group. Superboy kept his discreet gaze on Superman.
They heard footsteps approaching and then looked over to see Superman walking towards them.
Superboy turned to face Superman.
The Man of Steel sighed, "We'll figure something out for you, the League will I mean. For now-" He hesitated before continuing, "I uh-better make sure they get that Blockbuster monster squared away." He quickly said before flying away.
"Cadmus will be investigated." Batman caught their attention. They all turned to see him walking towards them with Aquaman and Flash, "All 52 levels but let me make one thing clear-"
"You should've called." Flash interrupting gaining an annoyed glare from Batman.
The Bat turned his gaze back to them, "End results aside we are not happy." He stated sternly, "You hacked Justice League systems, disobey direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not do this again." He ordered with his Bat-glare.
He then turned to Peter, "And you let them, it was worse when you chose to further aid them in this."
"I am sorry," Aqualad began, "but we will." He stated.
"Aqualad stand down." Aquaman orders his protege.
"Apologies to my king but no." The teen replied, "We did good work tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together on our own, we forged something powerful, important."
Flash was the next to speak, "If this about your treatment at the hall the four of you-"
"The five of us." Kid Flash cut in, "And it's not."
Robin looked to his mentor, "Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us, or why teach us at all?"
"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy suddenly said before stepping forward, "It's simple, get on board or get out of the way." He states.
The teens looked to their mentors waiting for an answer.
The team was gathered a few days later in the cave of Mount Justice. With them were Batman, Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Shazam, Hawkman, and Red Tornado. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) helped refurbish the old hideout.
"This cave was the original secret sanctuary for the Justice League." Batman walked down the lined up team, "We're calling it into service again since you five are determined to stay together and fight the good fight you'll do it on League terms." He turned to face them, "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor, Black Canary's in charge of training, I will deploy you on missions."
"Real missions?" Robin asked.
"Yes, covert missions." His mentor clarified.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff." Flash added, "There's a reason we still have these big targets on our chest." He pointed on his logo.
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter." Aquaman stated, "Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly."
"The six of you will be that team." The Dark Knight states.
Peter looked at Batman in confusion, "Wait, six?"
Batman looked over their heads and they turned around to see Martian Manhunter walk alongside a younger martian female. "This is Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian." Batman introduces.
"Hi." The girl gave a short wave.
"Liking this gig more every minute." Kid Flash whispered to Robin before stepping forward, "Welcome, I'm Kid Flash. And that's Robin, Aqualad, and Spider-Man, but it's cool if you forget their names."
Peter chuckled and stepped forward. "Like Kid Flash said, I am Spider-Man, welcome. Sorry about him. You'll find most dudes here to be guided by their hormones, him especially." Peter said, pointing to Kid Flash.
"Hey!"
"I am honored to be included." She replied with a smile.
"I'm glad to welcome you." He leaned in and whispered, "I mean it. This team could use more girls." He started gaining a laugh from the Martian.
"No kidding." Kid Flash stated zooming next to him.
"Not for that reason." He elbowed the speedster as Robin and Aqualad stepped forward.
"Yo, Superboy!" Peter called, "Introduce yourself, dude."
She turned the white of her shirt black to match Superboy's shirt, "I like your T-shirt." She said, gaining a small smile from the clone.
"Today is the day." Aqualad said.
Thanks for reading, please let me know who do you want Peter to be with in this story.
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