Hello everyone! This chapter starts two years later from Black Canary and Raven's team up and the start of the Young Justice Series. I tried my best to merge Raven in the series as if her presence isn't new there. I'll be back to edit and fix any grammar issues later. My computer will be going into a shop for a day!
Enjoy!
Episode 1: Independence Day
2 years later...
Gotham City July 4 12:00 EDT
It was a beautiful day in the park. A father and son were playing ball. A young college student was going on a jog. A family was enjoying a picnic and another was enjoying a barbecue.
However the peace was soon disturbed. Screams were heard as people ran away frantically. A blast hurried across the grass field and struck the scared citizens. A few were frozen in place.
"Enjoying family time? My family has other plans"
The family was frozen in horror. Mr. Freeze slid down the ice hill he created. His weapon charged to strike again until a batarang came from left and striked him in the face. He was left distracted and a frown on his face.
"Batman I was wondering when you would-,"
A laughter rang through the park and echoed through Mr. Freeze's helmet. As he turned around, Robin jumped on top of his head and pushed off of him with his feet. He landed in a pose and smirk on his face. He quickly discharged his discs from his utilities belt tossed it at the villains face while he plopped down the ground.
"Oh boy wonder. The bats sent you to haul me off to prison? Frankly, I'm underwhelmed." He said with a smile as if he was toying with the idea of an easy defeat.
"Great but I'm kinda in a hurry here" Robin said with an impatient expression. Mr. Freeze shook his head at the youth today. He prepared to stand up to face his opponent. Mr. Freeze positioned his weapon to bring the boy down.
"Kids- always in a hurry"
Robin said in a sing-song voice, "I'm not talking to you."
Batman jumped from behind the frozen rock. He dark figure blocked out the sun. The enemy turned towards the Dark Knight. His helmet was punch through and glass shattered as it sprinkled out onto the grass and into his eyes.
Star City July 4, 9:01 PDT
Traffic was normal today in the city. People passed the on the bridge with delight or seldom to their families. It was their day off from work and they were ready to relax.
A blue figure jumped in the middle of the road and sparked a giant icicle to sprout up. A car was flung off his course and another hurriedly turned to avoid it but crashed into another car.
Icicle Jr laughed manically as he sprayed horror across the highway.
Arrows rained down from the sky. Several hit the giant block he created while one was able to hit his shoulder. They all beeped until they exploded. His shoulder was blown to smithereens then an explosion hit his face. He turned to the people who dared to face him.
On top of the bridge stood Green Arrow and his partner Speedy as they drew another arrow.
Icicle Jr smirked as his arms gathered up ice shards. "Finally, I was wondering what a guy had to do to get a little attention around here." His shards were so big and heavy that they weighed his arms down. With his strength, Junior threw the icicles at the partners in crime.
"Junior's doing this for attention?" Speedy questioned. They blasted their arrows to the upcoming bullets of ice. However a few got a way and were heading towards the hero. They quickly ran out of the way to avoid being frozen. "I'm telling you now, this little distraction better not interfere."
The two ran down the wires on the bridge. They ducked, weaved and jumped over the ice shards assaulting them. They shot out arrows and Icicle Jr raised up a block of ice to block the attack. However the arrows exploded, creating an opening for Junior's face. Speedy ran and jumped over the bullets of ice shot towards him as he pulled out an arrow. He drew it and aimed at Icicle jr's face and the arrow punched him across the jaw. He was left knocked out
Green Arrow stood above the young villain. He laughed, "Kid had a glass jaw."
Speedy didn't want to stand there all day. "Hilarious. Can we go? Today's the day."
Pearl Harbor July 4, 6:02 HST
Aquaman dodged out from each blasts. Killer Frost blasted out a cold blow. He jumped down from each level of the ship to rush Killer Frost but he was captured in her attack and solid ice formed around his body. Aqualad jumped from behind and over the king to take down the villainess.
"Don't tell me you're not excited" Aquaman said as he broke out of the block of ice with his brute strength. He ran across the deck to help take the woman down.
"Right now, my king, I'm more focused on the matter at hand," the young Alantian responded.
They dodged and weaved through her blasts. Aqualad jumped out of the way. He bent the water to his need and formed a weapon to face Killer Frost. She tried blasting the teenager but he blocked it with his water weapon and it encased them in solid ice.
He deemed the usefulness in the situation and broke it over her chin and sent her flying across the boat.
Killer Frost yelled out as she fell to her defeat. Aqualad put his weapon away and turned to his king that approached him
"Well?" the king said with his hand on his hips and knowing look.
Aqualad smiled. "Yes, I'm excited. Today's the day."
Las Vegas July 4, 10:21 EDT
A gang of men dragged off boxes from a back of the building to a truck. They were preparing for another shipment. Must have been boxes of guns and knives.
"Little late for a delivery, don't you think?" The men turned around to face two ladies standing on top of their truck. Black Canary jumped onto one of the men. She grabbed him by the shoulders and as she flipped to the ground, she threw him across the alley. She twisted her body to kick a man from behind.
Raven summoned a staff into her hands with the shadows. She jumped onto the ground and landed between two boys that rushed at her. She swung her bow to push one away with powerful blow that was too close and cracked the head of the other criminal. She flipped out of the way of an attacking man. She dipped and delivered a swift kick under his leg. She butted her staff against his head with a harsh hit to knock him out.
In the corner of her eye, she saw a couple of goons pull out their guns. "That's cute," she said amusingly. As they were about to shoot Black Canary, a shadow shot up from the ground and blocked all the bullets that rained down. The shadows twisted into tentacles, reached out and grabbed the guns from their hands. The darkness crushed the weapons and let it dropped to the ground in pieces.
Black Canary flipped towards the goons. She landed on her feet between the two and clocked them both upside their chins. She smiled at her handiwork but noticed the truck was driving away. She stepped out and breathed in deep to let out her infamous canary cry. Raven nonchalantly covered her ears as she stepped towards her mentor. The screeched broke down the truck and deafened the driver. As soon as Black Canary was done with her screech, Raven raised the shadows to drag the truck back towards them along with the people inside of it.
"So how do you feel about today?" Black Canary said. She looked at her partner in crime.
Raven was dressed in a full body suit with knee high boots and grey gloves to cover her hands. She sported a jacket much like her mentor but with a hood to shadow most of her face. She changed since Black Canary took her on as her student. She had an array of confidence, new attitude and slightly different views. They agreed and disagreed on plenty of stuff, learned a lot about one another, and they also connected on a deeper level since they joined together.
Raven shrugged as she dismissed her staff into the shadows. "I'm just grateful I'm not in jail." Canary laughed.
Central City July 4, 11:03 CDT
Red and yellow blurs ran around Captain Cold as he tried to blast the assailants.
"Stealing ice? Seriously? Isn't that a bit cliché even for Captain Cold?"
He tried another blasts but it only hit a building
"Come one! We don't have time for this!" Kid Flash said impatiently as he wrapped his goggles around his head. He ran towards the villain as he risked his shoulder while it got blasted by the freezing gun. Kid Flash swooped in and snatched the gun from his hand. He skidded on the ground as he stopped himself.
Captain Cold couldn't grab his second gun fast enough. Flash fist contacted his cheek bone and crushed it as he fell to the ground.
"Oh calm down, Kid" Flash said as he smirked down at the villain.
Kid Flash walked towards him "Oh please! You'll chat it up with the cops, with bystanders, with Cold even. No. No way! Today is the day!" Kid Flash flashed an excited grin at his mentor.
Washington, D.C. July 4, 14:00 EDT
All the young heroes stood with their mentors as they were prepared to be welcomed into the Justice League. Robin with his father, Speedy with his partner in crime, Aqualad with his king and Raven with her teacher.
Batman put a hand on Robin's shoulder as he flashed a quick smile of pride "Today's the day."
Green Arrow said to young heroes, "Welcome to the Hall of Justice."
"Headquarters of the Justice League," Black Canary said as she nudged Raven. The teenage girl smiled at her mentor as she was trusted to be welcomed into a whole new possibilities of acts of heroism.
"Oh, man!" They turned around as Flash and his sidekick sped up behind from behind. "I knew we'd be the last ones here!" Flash sparked an amused glance.
They walked down the pathway to the entrance of the Hall of Justice. They passed by the cheering and grateful citizens.
"Is that Batman?"
"Look, it's Black Canary and her sidekick! She's so hot…" Someone tried to whisper but not too well.
"Which one?"
"Both!"
"I see Flash and Flash Jr"
"His name's Speedy"
"No. That's Green Arrow's sidekick"
"Well, that makes no sense…"
They all chose to ignore the whispers and Raven tried to cover up her laughter. Green Arrow trusted his girlfriend but always had a sprang of jealousy that he couldn't calm down. It was heated and green; there was no mistaking what she felt.
"Ready to see the inner sanctum?" Green Arrow whispered to his partner.
Speedy replied, "I was born ready."
"I'm glad we're all here." Aqualad said to his peers. They've never all been together. They would usually partner with each other randomly on missions and common villains. "It would be a pleasure to work with you, as well, Raven." He never got to know the shadow user as much as rest. Her and Black Canary usually did espionage work and broke up pretty big gangs.
She mused with a purr, "Well, I hope we do." The black teen blushed at her antics. She nudged him to show she was only teasing. She always liked to make people uncomfortable. It was one of her secret weapons.
Kid Flash frowned for a second but quickly changed the subject. "Have all five sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?" he said with his boyish excitement.
"Don't call us sidekicks, not after today." Speedy said harshly as if he was stabbed.
Raven nudged Kid Flash. "You pushed the sidekick button. He can get easily triggered." she said as she smirked at the speedy red head but he didn't look her in the eye.
"I can hear you," Speedy said as he glared down at the girl.
She stuck her tongue out. "I didn't think I was whispering." She winked at her serious counterpart. Robin snickered. Raven always knew how to get under their skins. People could chalk it up to her empathic powers or her teasing, sarcastic humor.
"Sorry…First time at the hall. I'm a little overwhelmed." Kid Flash explained as his excitement got the better of him
"You're overwhelmed, Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone ever just whelmed?" Robin mused
They entered the hall and there stood magnificent statues of the original members of the Justice League. The large statue felt as they looked. Big… It was such a small word but the right one. The superheroes of this world were the protectors, the defenders, the guardians and to simply put it, they were the heroes. They were more than a person; they were a symbol, a beacon.
"Oh…maybe that's why," Robin said with a wide eyes. He took it all in. He thought he was ready for this type responsibility. He was trained by the greatest detective for Christ's sakes and grew up in Gotham! He's been through hell when he watched his parents passed. He could face anything that was thrown at him.
Batman typed in a code on the padlock. The doors opened to a large room with windows acting as the ceiling. Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter were already in the room accessing the computer
"Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Raven, welcome. You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully stocked gallery and of course, our library," Batman said as he stepped out the way to let the young partners step inside.
"Make yourselves at home." Black Canary pushed Raven towards the massive mountain of books. She always knew what she liked.
Kid Flash was quick to jump on the couch and laid down on the comfy cushions with a smile on his face. Raven made her way towards the high stacks of books on the shelves. It was every book nerd's wet dream. Robin sat the computer chair with an excited grin as he watched the tornado user and Aqualad just took it all in.
Speedy wasn't impressed.
"Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day," Batman told the senior League members. He turned to the young heroes. "We shouldn't be long."
Recognized: Batman, 0-2; Aquaman, 0-6; Flash, 0-4; Green Arrow, 0-8; Martian Manhunter, 0-7; Red Tornado, 1-6.
"That's it?" Speedy said before any of the members could move. They stopped to turn to the displeased boy. Raven put the book down she was skimming through. She could feel his red, hot anger drip out. She walked to him, guessing she had to do damage control. "You promised us a real look inside, not some glorified backstage pass!"
"It's a first step. You're granted access few others get," Aquaman explained.
"Oh, really?" He pointed at the bystanders taking pictures on the other side. "Who cares which side of the glass we're on!"
Raven put a hand on his arm. She let a wave of her energy passed through her to him. She knew how much it helped. She said to him, "Speedy, you have to calm down. We can talk about this."
"Roy, you need to be patient." Green Arrow tried to reassure but he wasn't helping. Raven rolled her eyes. She swore Oliver always knew to say the wrong things at the wrong time.
The young archer was fired up again. "What I need is respect," he gritted out. He turned to rest of the young proteges. He turned to them for their understanding. "They're treating us like kids. Worse, they're treating us like sidekicks" That word left a bad taste in his mouth. "We deserve better than this!" He was hoping to spark some type of outrage but all he got was stupor looks from the rest. "You're kidding me, right? You're playing their game? Why? Because you think they play fair? Today was supposed to be the day, step one in becoming full-fledged members of The League."
Kid Flash shrugged. "Well, sure, but I thought step one was a tour of the HQ." He didn't see the big deal the hot head was causing.
"Except the hall isn't the League's real HQ! I bet you don't even know!" He couldn't believe how left in the dark everyone else was in.
Kid Flash blew out a puff of air. He said, "You're crazy, this is-,"
"No, he's right," Raven said with an unimpressed look. "It's that big satellite thing in space." She circled her finger into the air.
Speedy jumped on that. Someone had to see what he was talking about. "Yes! This place is just a false front for tourists and a pit stop for catching zeta beam teleporter tubes to the real thing, an orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."
The League glared at Green Arrow. "I know, I know, but I thought maybe we could make an exception," the hero said but he was met with a scowl from Batman. "Or not… but why am I the only one in trouble?!"
Black Canary defended herself. "I literally can't lie to Raven," she said as she reminded them of her partner's empathy abilities. She was also met with a scowl. "What? You did lie."
Aquaman tried to take control of the situation. He turned to the young archer. "You're not helping your case, son. Stand down or-,"
"Or what?" They all knew damn well they weren't going to do a thing. "You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son! I'm not even his." He pointed and glared at Green Arrow with disappointment. Raven could also feel his wavering emotions. "I thought I was his partner, but not anymore. Guess they're right about you guys. You're not ready."
Raven could tell he was hurt. He was betrayed and felt humiliated "Roy-,"
"No, Raven, not this time!" The two had run into each other the most with Green Arrow and Black Canary always pairing up with one another. After everything that happened in Gotham on that fateful night, over the past two years, they were able to become good friends and Raven was always there to calm him down but there was too much emotions boiling up in him like a water heater ready to explode. It was the last straw.
He left and pushed passed the members. He was gone on his own.
"Superman to Justice League." The screened flashed up as a picture of Superman appeared. "There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire"
Batman rested a finger on his chin. "I've had my suspicions about Cadmus. This may present the perfect opportunity to-,"
"Zatara to Justice League." The sorcerer appeared on the screen. "The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Attan to block out the sun. Requesting full League response."
"Superman?"
The big man answered. "It's a small fire. Local authorities have to it under control"
Batman rendered, "Then Cadmus can wait." He called out to all of the members. "All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara's coordinates. Batman out." He faced the teenagers as they stood up and ready to suit up. "Stay put," he ordered.
"But we can help! This is a League mission!" Kid Flash protested.
Flash tried to explain, "You're not trained-,"
"Then what were we doing with you the whole time?" Robin argued.
"That's not it. You're not trained to work with this team," Flash said.
"There will be other missions when you're ready" Black Canary said as she squeezed Raven's shoulder. She knew what it meant; she was being left in charge of damage control but to be honest, she was little bitter about Roy.
"But for now, stay put." Batman put his foot down. The League members transported out of the Hall as they left the young partners behind.
"When we're ready? How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like-like-," Robin stammered.
"Sidekicks?" Raven finished as she plopped down on the couch's arm. Everyone's emotions were running wild. It was a little suffocating. She didn't particularly care about the situation. Her circumstances were different from everybody else. Black Canary respected her enough to tell her the truth and prepared her for it, no matter her excuse to the League that she couldn't lie to her. Honestly, her mentor could have, Raven wouldn't have pushed; she was patient. Black Canary knew her like the back her own hand. Raven was also grateful for everything she did for her. She was only there for her mentor. Sure, she wanted to be a hero but a member of the Justice League? She didn't know about that.
Kid Flash looked at her. "You knew? About the Satellite? Why didn't you tell me- I mean us?" he questioned. Raven rolled her eyes; he was as smooth as ever.
"I just figured you were going to find out or be told eventually. Sooner than this at least," Raven said as she laid back to spread out on the couch. "Also, I didn't think it was my place."
Kid Flash crossed his arms. Well, you used to…
Used to, Wally. He almost forgot she could read minds; she would hardly do it. He knew she just didn't want to start another argument and she shut it down right there. It felt like such a long time ago; he almost forgot her touch in his head.
Aqualad felt so much disappointment. "My mentor, my king, I can't believe he doesn't trust me." Was there something he did wrong? What warrant such a wall to be built between them?
"I can't believe they didn't trust us with the basics." Robin threw his hands in the air. "What else are they hiding from us?"
Kid Flash kicked his feet. He was so upset he didn't know what to do. "I have a better question: why didn't we leave with Speedy?"
Raven could feel everyone mulling in disappointment, anger and betrayal. She was supposed to help, right? "Well," she nodded her head to the computer. "What about Project Cadmus?" So she did. Robin smirked at her.
He rushed to the computer. "I bet I can find out!" He typed on the key board. Access Denied. "Heh. Want to bet?" He proceeded to hack the computer.
"How are you doing that?" Kid Flash asked as he walked over to Robin's side. He thought Justice League systems were supposed to be the most secure thing on the planet.
"Same system as the Batcave" Access Granted. "Project Cadmus. Genetics lab here in D.C. That's all there is, but if Batman's suspicious, maybe we should investigate. Think you can get us all there?" Robin asked as he turned to Raven.
Aqualad mused, "Solve their case before that do. I would almost be like poetic justice"
"Of course, it's not too far," Raven answered. "I can get us all there in a couple of minutes"
Aqualad frowned and said, "They said to stay put." He never disobeyed an order before but his teenage rebellion began to rise.
"For the sun mission, not this!" Robin said. He was ready; he didn't come here for a playdate.
Aqualad wasn't so sure to jump on the band wagon. Robin was so quick to get himself in trouble and Raven never intended to stop him. He never thought she would stop any of them from doing something like this. However, it was just a fire and an investigation. He believed that could handle this even though their mentors didn't. That thought stung a little. He nodded at the two.
"Wait, does this mean we're going?" Kid Flash said excitedly. Raven raised her hand. Shadows gathered to form a solid disc above the ground. There was no time to lose.
"Hop on."
Cadmus Washington, D.C. July 4, 14:21 EDT
A building was lightened up by flames. Firefighters fought to keep the flames low.
"Help! Get us down!" Scientists shouted from the second floor window. An explosion abrupted and it sent two of the scientists flying. A yellow and red blur ran past the firemen and up the building. Kid Flash ran up the building as he caught the men in lab coats. He tossed them on the ceiling as he tripped and held on to the edge of the roof.
"It's what's his name- Flash boy!"
"It's Kid Flash!" He called out. "Why is that so hard?" He flipped inside the one the windows that weren't engulfed in flames.
"Does he always run ahead?" Aqualad said.
"Yup," Raven said as she gathered shadows. The darkness crawled up the building and formed a solid platform in front of the scientists. "Hurry and climb on!" She ordered. They hoped on the platform and Raven lowers them to safety. They quickly ran from burning building to the arms of the local ambulance.
"We need a plan. Robin-," A laughter erupted as the boy wonder swung in after the speedster. "Of course." Aqualad turned to the local firefighters. "I'm going to borrow this." He used his water manipulating skills to make the water sprout with a powerful force to both windows that illuminated flames. They extinguished faster than what the local authorities could do. Raven lowered the rest of the survivors from the windows and pulled them out of the building.
"Thanks! We appreciate the help," the firefighter said as Aqualad lowered his grip on the hose water.
Raven answered, "No problem. We're going to see if there's any other survivors." She formed a disc below her and Aqualad's feet to raise them up to window where Kid Flash and Robin disappeared into.
They were hoisted up and looked through the window to see the two peeking through files. "Thanks for the help," Aqualad said sarcastically as he climbed through the window followed by Raven.
"You guys got it covered," Robin said as he fingered through the files. "Besides, we're here to investigate. Poetic justice, remember? There might be-," An elevator binged. The young heroes turned their heads to look outside the door. A shadowed figure disappeared behind the closing doors of the elevator.
"Shouldn't elevators should be locked down during a fire?" Kid Flash asked. "And am I the only who saw the horns?"
They hurried to the elevator. Robin began to search and match the description for the elevator. "Just like I thought, this is an express elevator. Why would they need this be on a two story building?" He wondered.
Raven rested her hand on the elevator door. She closed her eyes as she concentrated her powers to feel energy through the building. She could feel the boys' familiar energy but in the depths of the ground there were connected beings swarming around. "Maybe, because there's a bunch of lifeforms underground." She opened her eyes to see the boys looking at each other.
Aqualad used his enhanced strength to pry open the doors as Raven stepped out of the way. The elevator doors opened to reveal a deep, long path for the elevator. Robin was quick to shoot out his grappling hook and lowered himself through the darkness of the pathway. Aqualad and Kid Flash followed him on his rope That was so god damn dumb… Raven thought.
Raven used the shadows to create another solid platform to step on and followed the rest of them.
Robin zoomed down as far he could go. "I'm at the end of my rope." He observed. He swung himself to the nearest elevator door opened his hacking program. "Bypassing security…" Aqualad jumped next to Robin and helped Kid Flash over the edge. Raven joined them on her ride down.
"Oh, man. I should've caught a free ride with you," Kid Flash said as he shook his head.
Raven shrugged. "Yeah, I am smarter than you," she teased.
"That's not what I-,"
Aqualad interrupted, "Raven, do you feel anything here?"
"Yeah, I think this is where I feel the most," she answered.
Robin finished up and said, "Got it. Go." Aqualad pulled the doors apart again to reveal a huge and opened hallway. They all stepped in the sub level but Kid Flash rushed to the other end with his super speed.
Aqualad tried to stop him. "Wait, Kid!" He said in a hushed voice. Raven didn't even bother to stop him. It was no use; that boy was as hardheaded as he was fast. Kid Flash sped down the hall just as he was about to turn the corner he was stopped as giant fists came crashing down. He dodged it and pushed himself to the other side. Giant monsters marched down the hall but didn't notice him. A line of them passed by the teens who were shocked to discover the giants. He zoomed between their legs to join the other four.
Aqualad asked Raven, "Is this what you felt?"
"No, there's more." A little monster propped on top of one of the giants. He caught her eye as soon as his little horns glowed.
A scientist was mixing some chemicals in a dark lab. The compound turned blue and he smiled at the results. He labeled it and put it with the rest. The door behind him beeps to alert him of an incoming visitor.
"Dr. Desmond," a young girl dressed in black and yellow approached him.
"Tell me, Ravager, what part of no interruptions did you not understand? If you're here to tell me what caused the street level fire, it can wait," Dr. Desmond said as he busied himself with the chemicals.
Ravager responded, "Fire department's still cleaning up. I'll begin my investigation as soon as they leave."
He was beginning it get impatient. "Then what?"
"The G-genome on sub-level-,"
"Did I miss a perimeter breach alert?"
She gritted her teeth. She tried her best to keep up her professionalism; she didn't want to disappoint him. "No."
"Then the G-gnome is confused," he said dismissively. "Whatever might occur in our faux lab above, the real Cadmus is safe, girl. It is the most secure facility in D.C."
"Well," Ravager crossed her arms. "I'm not about to not get paid because you want to be cocky and end up dead. I have a job to do, too, y'know."
He glared at the young girl. They clashed the moment she replaced last man that was in charge of security. "Fine. Take a squad with you."
A figure appeared from behind. "Might I suggest to leave her g-gnome behind? If violence could occur, then he would certainly be hurt"
"No!" Dr. Desmound was quick to say. "The advantage of instant telepathic communication outweighs all other concerns. She will keep hers." He petted his own G-gnome.
"Whatever," Ravager said as she took her leave
The young heroes bypassed another secured door to behold on to a large catalogue of strange beings. They were wrapped in tubes and glowed. They lit up the entire room. The produced static and current flowed through them.
"Ok. I'm officially whelmed," Robin said while his widened at the secret room. All of the young heroes entered the giant, live generator.
"This is how they hid this massive underground facility from the world. The real Cadmus isn't on the grid. It generates its own power with these things." Kid Flash observed the being trapped in behind glass walks. "Must be what they're bred for."
"Of course," Aqualad had a lightbulb. "Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the earth and this Cadmus creates life too."
Robin opened his hacking system again and connected to a computer near by. "Let's find out why."
Raven placed a hand on the glass. "Don't touch that. What if-," Kid Flash rushed to her and grabbed her hand off the tube to prevent her from getting shocked. He quickly pulled away. "Um…"
"I appreciate your concern," she said with a smile. She assured him that she didn't mind. "but they're all connected somehow. It looks like it is by a telepathic link." She stared at the being lighting up with electricity. She looked at them skeptically. "They're…sad."
"They call them genomorphs," Robin said as he pulled up a file. Kid Flash and Raven walked over to him and Aqualad. They pulled in closer to surround the Boy Wonder. "Whoa! Look at the stats on these things—super strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are living weapons!"
"They're engineering an army, but for who?" Kid Flash said.
"Wait." Robin dug into the secrets even further. "There's something else, Project Kr. Ugh! This file is triple-encrypted."
Raven sensed something. She tried to warn him. "Robin, there's someone coming."
Robin still tried hack into the security. "I can't break in but maybe I can download what I have," he said.
"Make it quick because-,"
"Don't move!" a voice came from behind. Robin continued to download the file. They turned to be greeted with a group of genomorphs and a young girl with a single katana. Her masked covered her face but not her long, undistinguished white hair wrapped in a pony tail. A line formed on Raven's face. Her energy felt- That better not be who I think that is… "You're trespassing. Oh, it's a bunch of sidekicks."
Kid Flash defended themselves. "We're not sidekicks! And why are you creating living weapons?" He questioned the young girl. He didn't know how much involved she was; she was around his age after all. It didn't seem like she would be in charge of all this but you never know these days.
She smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know? Bring them down, hard!" She ordered the group of creatures to attack. Robin threw down a smoke bomb to create a diversion. He jumped over the whole squadron of monsters and swung himself passed them.
Kid Flash dodged an attack from a genomorph and weaved away from another. Aqualad kicked one back and punched another one jumping towards him. Raven quickly lifted the shadows to create a small wall between her and an attacking monster. It happened so fast the creature ran into it.
Behind! Raven formed a sword in her hand with the shadows and quickly turned around to block an attack. She clashed with another sword ready to take her out. "It's been awhile, Raven." She said her name with venom.
"Rose," Raven greeted with a hard stare. The girl growled at her and kicked her in the stomach to push her back. She sent the young hero to the ground. Raven rolled and went back on her feet.
"It's Ravager now," she corrected as she ran to the heroine. She swung her sword downward to slice through Raven's head. Raven dodged and formed a black shield in front of her to block Ravager's quick blow. Raven pushed the young opponent yards away with her shield.
Kid Flash grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the fight. They ran with Aqualad out of the generator room and around the corner to the entrance. They saw Robin punch in codes to open the elevator.
"Way to be a team player, Rob!" Kid Flash shouted at him. He didn't appreciate being ditched.
"Weren't you right behind me?" Sometimes Raven just wanted to slap the kid.
There were genomorphs running towards them but Raven lifted her hand to form a dark barrier between them. Robin got the elevator to come down and open. They quickly piled in and the doors closed as Raven put down the shield.
Aqualad noticed something. "We're heading down?"
"Dude, out is up," Kid Flash said.
"Yeah? Did you forget about Project Kr? It's downstairs on sublevel 52. We got to check it out. Building an army, remember?" Robin argued with Kid Flash. They were there to investiage and solve the League's case. They were there to show them-
"This is out of control," Aqualad said with his head low. "Perhaps we should contact the League."
Robin frowned. "And what? Be treated like some kid again?"
"I know but-,"
"Shut up!" Raven silenced them. She could be scary when she's mad and she knew they knew it. "It doesn't matter." The elevator doors opened. "We're already here. There's no use getting mad about it."
Kid Flash rushed the end of the hallway as he was presented two separate pathways. Robin and Raven ran after him as Aqualad sighed but he followed them afterwards.
"So which way?" Aqualad asked.
"Yeah," Robin said. "creepy hallway number one or creepy hall number two."
"Hey!" a genomorph with long horns approached them. He raised couple of the tanks with telekinesis and threw it towards the young heroes. They guessed it was creepy hallway number two. The teenagers ducked from the cans as they hit the wall and caused an explosion.
Kid Flash ran ahead with his super speed. He sped down the hallway as young black woman was exiting out a steel door. He tried to stop himself from running her over but he ended up skidding and made her trip over him. He looked up to notice the sign on the door read Kr. He thought quick on his feet and lifted one of the thick, metal blocks that stood by. He pushed it in between the closing door to slow it.
He turned to the rest of young protoges running away from the genomorphs. "Guys, hurry up!" He squeezed through the small opening. Robin, Aqualad and Raven jumped in after him. Raven blew the metal block away with her umbrakinesis from the doorway allowing it to close the chasing weapons out.
Robin hacked into the door's system. "I disabled the door. We're safe."
"We're trapped." Aqualad said with frustration.
"Uh, guys," Kid Flash said. "You might want to see this." He pushed a button to turn on the lights to reveal a teenage boy with charcoal hair in a white suit. A symbol rested on his body, the symbol of Superman.
Of course. Kr was the atomic symbol for krypton. There was only one kryptonian they knew about and that certainly wasn't him. Aqualad ordered, "Robin, hack." The Boy Wonder quickly knocked out of stupor to get information. "Raven, can you read anything?" Raven stepped outside the barrier line to get closer to the glass prison.
Robin was able to get into the file. "Weapon designation Superboy, a clone force-grown… in 16 weeks?" He said in shock. "From DNA acquired from Superman."
Aqualad corrected him, "Stolen from Superman."
"There's no way the big guy is ok with this!" Kid Flash couldn't believe the audacity someone had to do that but that brought up another question. "How did they get his DNA?"
Robin looked through the file. "It doesn't say but he's wearing a solar suit that allows him to absorb yellow sun 24/7"
"And those creatures?" Aqualad asked as he gestured to three G-gnomes placed above the clone's head
"Telepathically sending him an education from history to fighting moves," Raven said as she able to require the information through the telepathic link. She stepped closer to the tube and touched the glass that stood between her and this Superboy. She closed her eyes as she felt every emotion and hope that circled within the clone. He had hopes and dreams just like any other person, just like anyone who wasn't born just sixteen weeks ago. However, she sensed deep confusion within him. He was born for a purpose and wanted fulfill it but he longed for more.
"They're making a slave out of- well, Superman's son!" Kid Flash felt a pang of disgust wretch through his body.
Raven opened her eyes but didn't release her connection. "He's more than just a mindless clone. He has feelings. We can't keep him down here."
Aqualad concluded. "Now we contact the League." Everyone seemed to agree. They tried to use their electronic devices but all they got was static.
"We're in too deep, literally," Robin said as he couldn't get a hold of Batman. Raven let go of Superboy and tried to reach her mentor through her mind but as soon as she turned her back the little G-gnomes' horns glowed read.
Raven said, "I can't reach Black Canary. She's way too out of my telepathic range."
Aqualad mauled over the possibilities and moral battles. "Set him free. Do it," he told Robin. The Boy Wonder wasted no time to bypass the security and let the clone step out of the tube. The glass lifted out of the way and the clone of Superman was set free.
However, as soon as he opened his eyes, he charged towards Aqualad, passed everyone else and jumped on the young Alantian. He landed on top of Aqualad and punched on his jaw left and right. Kid Flash rushed to grab his right arm before he could lay another hand on Aqualad and Robin grabbed his left. They struggled to keep him from causing anymore harm.
"Whoa, there! Just hang on," Kid Flash tried to stop him. "We're on your side!" But Superboy flung him across the room and made him crash into a bunch of test tubes. He grabbed Robin and tossed him off of him and elbowed him directly in the head. He was going to punch Aqualad again but he was wrapped by darkness. Shadows formed around his body and pulled him off the Alantian. His body slammed against the wall as the shadows acted as his restraint.
Raven stepped forward as she held onto him. She didn't know how well she could hold back Kryptonian strength. He struggled to break loose from the hold.
"We're trying to help you!" she said as her hands were raised to keep the shadows in hold as long as she could. She looked to her left to see Robin and Kid Flash knocked out on the ground. Aqualad rubbed his head as he was going to suffer from a severe headache. "Listen to me, Superboy. You have dreams and hopes; we can help you achieve that!"
He growled. He was going to be persuade by some liar. He shouldn't be. Raven wasn't going to let him go that easily. She sent her energy on to him. She sent him trust, understanding, and empathy. She made him feel her genuine emotion. He started to struggle less but he was still being stubborn. Something was sending messages to his mind… Oh, right.
"Aqualad," she turned to the boy. He was ready to attack if Superboy ever broke free of the hold. "Those genomorphs are sending telepathic messages. It's interfering with-,"
The door was thrown back by one of the monstrous giants from earlier. It flew and slammed right into the Alantian. A roar was heard as Raven was attacked by Ravager. She swung her sword at the young heroine. Raven threw a shadow in front of her to block Ravager. It weakened her hold on the clone and he was able to break free. Ravager swung at her again and sent a powerful kick to knock Raven back to other side. She disappeared into the dark corners.
Superboy lifted the torn door from the Alantian body. Aqualad groaned as he struggled to get up. However, the kryptonian slammed his foot into his face, knocking him out.
Ravager went to retrieve the shadow user but found she was gone. She gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on her sword.
The fight scene with Black Canary and Raven was inspired from an episode in the Justice League series. I just want to clear up that I'm skipping a few things on purpose. There will be a chapter to explain Raven's training and her relationship with Dinah clearly. And yes, I replaced Guardian with Ravager and I hope you stick around to learn more about her fate. I'm surprised she's not used in more animation. I think I only seen her Teen Titans Go when I was watching my nephew but correct me if I'm wrong at any time!
Peace~