Yo, back at it with the third chapter here! Just to clear a few things up, in response to the guest review. I've clearly got some heavy Ironman influence here, lol. BUT, my character will not have an Ironman suit. At least not in the way you're thinking. It might take a few chapters and a bit of setting up, but if I can introduce it correctly, I think all of you will be pleasantly surprised with what I've drawn up.
Anyhow, please enjoy this chapter for the time being.
Key:
"Speaking"
"Thought or telepathic convos"
"Automated speech or comms"
It had been just over a month since the team was formed, one WHOLE month! Things had never been better in their short operating period.
The squads previous mission led them to the island of Santa Prisca, the exact place where Banes infamous venom was manufactured. Their team had a bit of a rough time at first, failing to mesh properly and work cohesively, but they'd figured it out.
No time to learn like when your life was at stake right?
Finally working as a proper unit, they were able to destroy every vial of the volatile Kobra Venom. An extreme variant made from Banes neo-steroid and Cadmus' project blockbuster.
Max had wished they'd gotten a sample so that he could have analyzed it and have Aiva run a few tests. It was said to be permanent, but science was an odd thing. Fickle sometimes when new things were discovered and proper conditions were met. Max followed one rule and and motto when it came to science.
There was an exception to every rule.
The team had thus been able to thwart the buyer, who turned out to be the nefarious Sportsmaster, and Kobra who was the seller. Even managed to put Bane down, whom had tried to double cross them!
The mission, while having not gone according to plan, had been a resounding success! The former sidekicks came out as a stronger and tougher team, led by the cool as a clam Kaldur.
Fitting if Max had any say.
Currently though, they all had some down time. And they knew just how to spend it. Virtual air hockey.
"Aha, score!" Max cheered as an over the top buzzer rung out, the score read 7-2.
"What! No way, I hit that! Seriously you guys saw that right?!" Wally complained to their spectators. Megan smiled kindly and shrugged, Robin just smirked.
Truthfully, he probably did hit it. Max was just a bit of a cheater- no, exploiter? Yea, that was the right word. He'd notice a glitch in the game that when you hit it at just the right spot, the puck glitches and ghosts for about 1 second. All you had to do was hit it quick enough to get to the goal before it was solid again.
"I think you're just being a sore loser." Robin
"Ok then, why don't you give him a go? You'll see it then!"
"Recognized Superboy, B-04" It wasn't Aiva that announced the boy, just the mountains built in system. Batman had 'asked' him to keep Aiva confined to his lab and room. He understood why though, Max was pretty sure the whole Watchtower (and probably the batcave) ran on this same system. The man was reluctant to see what an entire overhaul on the system would to the rest of the things embedded into the database.
The two youngest members of the team had a small showdown before they set themselves up. Their match was not to be however as Superboy strode right through their holographic table.
Megan greeted the super powered clone, he didn't respond. Or rather, he didn't get the chance to.
"Ahem, hello team. Ready for training?" Black Canary along with Martian Manhunter approached. Megan flew over to her uncle and gave him a hug, it was nice to see him again after these months.
Max stepped away, this was clearly meant for the team. Last thing he wanted to do was be in the way, so he started walking away with Superboy.
"Stick around. Both of you. Class is in session." Superboy whipped around a scowl set on his face, while Max looked confused.
"Me too? You sure about that? I'm not much of a fighter."
"Mhm, even you. As long as you stay here, you will be present for these sessions. There are some situations even your big brain can't get you out of"
Max pursed his lips and looked to the side, "You're not the boss of me… And my brain so could get me out of anything." he muttered.
"Have something to say boy-genius?"
"N-No ma'am."
The blond woman nodded and the stage like area they were at lit up, "First things first, I consider it an honor to be your teacher. I'll throw a lot at you, everything I've learned up till now. Both from my own mentor, and my-ngh! Experience…" Canary grunted in pain as she slid her jacket off her arm
"What happened?" Megan asked worriedly
"The job." She answered frankly, before throwing her jacket aside "Now, combat is all about controlling the action. You should always be acting, never be reacting, lest you find yourself in unfavorable positions. Strike first, strike hard. Force your opponent to make the mistakes."
Max disagreed. He was far from a gifted martial artist, but like all things, technique was situational. Certain times called for different approaches, sometimes it was better to put on the pressure, other times it was smarter to find your opening and counter. That's how his mind processed it at least.
"I'll need a sparring partner-"
"Ooh, me!" Wally jumped, only to be properly ignored
"How about you over there Neutron?"
Max blinked in surprise, "Me? I don't think that's really a good idea… Maybe take Robin, I'm sure he'll give you a much better run for your money."
"I chose you."
Max walked out nervously, he'd never been in a real fight before. And he was far from a prime physical specimen, the only phys. he studied was physics. He was considered just barely average as far strength went.
He did however read multiple books on ancient martial arts, in hopes of learning about the body. Now, he may not be physically fit enough to perform, or even react quick enough, but he was certainly able to comprehend the movesets and go through the motions. No matter how awkward they might be.
He settled into a basic, if a bit stiff, Karate stance.
"Karate, I thought you said you weren't a fighter?"
The boy chuckled nervously, "I'm just mimicking. I've never been in a real fight before..." he admitted.
Canary started without warning, Max was immediately on the back foot but he expected as such and prepared for it. He double tapped his back foot on the ground and his shoe began to produce a glitter like glow. In a burst of quickness not his own, he circled around the black themed heroine.
The team was surprised by the gadget and quick thinking, Canary was not. Max ended up running face first in a heel and with an audible thud found himself flat on his back.
The boy brought his hand to his face, "Owww…" his eyes watered as was natural when you got hit on the nose.
A circle lit up under him and glew red with the word, FAIL printed next to him. "Nice strategy, but did anyone see what he did wrong?"
Robin instantly threw his hand up, "Oh, Oh! He cheated and tried to science you?"
Max scratched his cheek in embarrassment, he couldn't even get a single hit. "Well, you didn't really expect me to stand a chance otherwise did you…?" He muttered
"Hmm, no! He neglected in training his body, Max you can barely be considered average, am I right?" He nodded, and she sighed, "I know you don't have a healthy diet either. You're a smart kid, but sometimes even the Batman has to muscle his way through a situation. You may not be here as a hero in training, but learning to defend yourself is no less important, especially if you are ganna embrace your support role."
Superboy scoffed, if that's what all this was about, then there was no need for him to be here. His body was genetically engineered to be the strongest! Made after the man of steel himself!
"Oh please. With my powers nobody can match my strength, and no one that can hope to hurt me. I'm an invulnerable living weapon. This is a massive waste of my time."
Canary smirked at the boy, "Prove it." She tested his pride and the clone rose to the occasion.
He stepped up to the noticeably shorter woman, arms crossed and eyes glaring into her. Superboy set himself into a common boxers stance and wound up to throw a massive left hand. It was horribly telegraphed and Canary was quick to read it.
The combat specialist dodged and flipped the power house clear across the stage with his momentum.
"So much for never reacting… I'm pretty sure that counts as a counter." Max thought idly as he pressed an ice pack that Megan gave him on his nose.
Robin burst into a fit of laughter, but was silenced with an elbow.
Superboy was less entertained by the move and got up with a roar. He charge directly at Canary swiping and punching at nothing but air.
"You're angry, good! Channel that anger-."
"Ragh!" He smashed his fist into the floor cracking it. Canary flipped over him and crouched low when he swung behind wildly, simultaneously kicking Superboys legs out from under him.
The same red font appeared under him as it did Max, FAIL, it read.
Both Wally and Robin giggled like kids, while Kaldur and Megan winced. "That's it, I'm done!" Superboy slapped Canary's helping hand away and shot his feet.
The woman placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping his exit, "Training is mandatory." She informed. The clone shrugged off her hand roughly and glared back.
Nothing else could be said as a large projection of Batman appeared, "Batman to the cave." The man immediately went into a briefing, informing the team about yet another android. Only this one was so much more than Mr. Twister.
The video he presented showed that not only did it have incredible battle sense, but it could duplicate the powers of those it observed. Superman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Captain Atom, and who knew who else the android got.
A certified menace.
"It took a total of eight leaguers four hours to dismantle this android."
"Another android? Who made it, T.O Morrow?"
Batman shook his head, "Good guess, but Tornado doesn't think so."
It was at this point that the Manhunter himself spoke, "This creature bears the signature of Professor Ivo…"
Kaldur looked surprised, "Ivo? Wasn't he dead?" Max shared the atlantean teens surprise. It was big news in the engineering world his work, all though dark in nature, set record breaking marks for all modern cybernetics. It was a tremendous loss of brain power when he died.
However, that didn't mean the world was sad at his passing.
"To make sure this threat is properly put to rest, we've got two separate trucks taking the disassembled parts to two separate STAR labs. We've also got a four additional decoy trucks to confuse anyone coming after the remains. You all will split up in two covert teams and safeguard the two real trucks."
"Ah sweet! Road trip!" Wally cheered
Max thought it over, "But wouldn't that make them easier to spot? Why would you have extra people protecting just two out of six total?" He shared his concern.
"A noteworthy concern. But we have other leaguers traveling with the decoys. I'm hoping that they suspect the ones with the most fire power have the goods."
Max nodded in understanding, smart. "Sorry for questioning you then." Max then turned to the rest of the team, almost giddy looking, "I've got just the thing for you guys! You're ganna love them!" He hurried off and most of the team followed him, Superboy stayed slightly behind.
"So now we take out your trash?" He growled.
"You had better things to do?" Batman quickly checked the boys temper. Superboy had no available response a stiffly walked away.
Canary placed a hand on his arm, "When you're ready, I'll be here…" He didn't respond and just continued walking.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Max had just seen the team off and even presented them with their custom built bikes! A custom, hand built, 1200cc beast! Well, Kaldurs was, cause he seemed responsible enough to handle it. Superboys was too, but only because Max figures he could tame it.
Wally had gotten barely half that kind of power, still quick but not as powerful. Robin had gotten the same treatment as Wally, but not for the same reasons. The bird boy was simply too light weight to ride a bike the size of a 1200. As for Megan… well Max whipped up a nice little moped for her. It had all the same features as the boys bikes, but was significantly less powerful. But, the special thing about hers was that it could fly.
Max didn't really think the Martian girl had enough experience driving land vehicles to be trusted driving the savage motors he could put together, but he did trust her piloting skills.
Right now though, Max had another project he wanted to finish. His keycaps clacked while he had Aiva construct microscopic nanites that he was simply not precise enough to do himself. While his feminine AI did this, he wrote the code and constructed the command device. He switched between soldering the wiring for the command device and programming it.
Thousands- no hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of little carbonized steel particles rested in a singular clear bucket. All perfect replicas of each other.
He had at first thought it up for medical purposes. His technology could potentially save thousands of lives in emergency situations. Apply the nanites to horrendous open wounds and not only would they patch afflicted area but begin to stabilize the applicant until professional help could take over.
Max pulled his own solder machine back when a particularly large spark escaped his control panel. "I hope that didn't burn it out…"
"My readings are stable, perhaps a test would be a good idea?"
Max took his goggles off and nodded, "I agree, can't hurt anything." Max picked up the receiver he'd just made, it was shaped like a thin black headband with a single stripe of led running vertically down the right side.
"Recording. Ready whenever you are, sir."
"Ok, this test number 51. Several changes have been made, mostly to the programming and the receiver. I've placed it on my head instead of my hand, that way I can control the nanomachines mentally, instead of with physical action. Not only that, but I've given Aiva the clearance to access the nanites and take over in emergency situations, given the user says the safe word." Max spoke into a small camera atop his computer and pressed a button on the side of the receiver.
The led strip turned blue, signifying it's change to on. Max placed the clear bucket in front of him and concentrated hard on titanium particles. For a second the machines swayed like they were a thick liquid, the next it looked the texture of sand. Finally, the tiny pieces of tech rose and spilled onto the desk surface.
"Hahaha! It's working! It's actually working!" Max mentally pictured a flower. Slowly but surely, the matter rose and shifted into a dahlia, the silver particles even turned red. They refracted according to his mental images. Briefly he shuffled through colors, blue, black, purple.
Elation was the only thing that could describe his emotions.
"Imagine what we could do with this- what I could do! I could-!" A passing image influenced the nanites and they melted from their flower form and seeped across his hand. A red, form fitting, armor-like, glove spread just past his wrist. It didn't look like the plated pieces of mechanical armor he'd been trying to make for the team. It was far more streamlined, smooth, and sleek.
The teen curled his fingers and knocked on the desk, it was hard! Real hard, not to mention flexible. It hardly felt like he was wearing something when he bent his fingers. He reached over and grabbed a stray cracked piston he'd kept. He'd ran one of the bikes a bit hard before the break in period and cracked one. Taking it in his he squeezed, grunting in effort as he did so.
The piston gave way and deformed into the shape of Max's tightening palm. The genius eased up on his pressure and let the twisted metal fall. "I'm-Im strong!"
This was it- This was the answer! This was how he could contribute to the team! This was how he'd truly set himself apart! This was how he'd prove he was better than Wally-!
Wait. What?
Max paused abruptly, his lack of concentration causing the nanites to fall to the desk. The life they seemed to have gone like a wind.
The boy looked at his bare hand ashamed. Was that how he actually felt?
He'd never wanted to be 'better' than Wally. He only ever wanted to stand by his side. But better? Max stood from his desk and put his tools back where they belonged.
"I think I need a break… Could you get the nanites back in the container for me, Aiva?"
"Of course, Mr. West." The program was able to notice the abrupt change in her creator almost immediately. It wasn't hard. His rapidly beating heart had near stilled in an instant. If she had neurons they'd be firing in thought, but still she came to the same conclusion.
She was unable to decipher the cause, so it was best she left him to it. The AI didn't know it, but he certainly did.
Something nasty had reared its ugly head, something he didn't even know that he had for someone he held in such high regard as his brother.
Envy.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The team had just returned from their complicated, but accomplished mission. Professor Ivo was indeed alive, and had been able to reconstruct Amazo, the copycat android.
Superboy, Kid Flash, and Robin fought hard and through a moment of either pure luck or cleverness, Superboy put his fist through the androids head right at the moment it was coming out of a phase shift.
The move had blown its head off and at the urging of both Robin and Aqualad, they dismantled the robot for a second time.
"You all have done well. I understand there were complications." The team, with the exception of Miss. Martian, threw Superboy a look. "But complications are part of the gig. It's how you handle those complications that matter and you all did handled it just right. You've impressed the league today, be proud." Batman spoke.
"All of the league?" Superboy questioned.
"In due time. As you know, Kryptonians are hard headed. You're all dismissed. Spend the rest of the night how you wish, though I do recommend you rest. There's no telling when the next mission will be."
The leaguers dispersed, with the exception of Canary and Tornado who still had business in the cave.
Superboy approached Black Canary, exceptionally more calm than he was the first time around. "I-Ahm! I think I'm ready." He said almost shyly.
The woman in black smiled, "Good. Because I'm here."
Superboy gave a small smile and glanced around. "Um do you know where Max is? I kinda have to tell him I trashed his bike…"
"Oooh! He's ganna be pissed!" Wally spoke loudly.
Superboy looked embarrassed but Megan pat him on the shoulder, "I'm sure he'll understand if you tell him the situation."
Black Canary thought for a second, "Hm, I'm not quite sure but he's gotta be in either his lab or his room if he isn't out here."
"I see, I guess I'll check the lab first." The boy of steel thought aloud.
"I'll go with you!" Megan said.
Wally, Robin, And Aqualad opted to head to the kitchen. Nothing like a good old snack after a fight with a killer android and maniacal Monqis.
The duo cut down a few halls before coming across a large set of metal doors. Megan pressed a button and the doors slid opened. They walked in and couldn't help but be overwhelmed by staggering amount things laying around.
It wasn't necessarily messy, there was just a ton of things that they otherwise didn't know what did. The two let their eyes wander and had their interest collectively piqued.
Megan picked up an ordinary wrist watch, turning it and flipping it in observance. Accidentally she flipped a switch and the watch clasped to her wrist. She squealed in surprise and tried to throw it off, but couldn't shake it. The watch transformed and folded down her palm and over her fingers going all the way up to mid forearm.
"You ok-?" Superboy ate his words as Megan spun and punched on pure instinct. Her now armored hand clanged against the super clones teeth, he blink in surprise. "I-I kind of felt that!" He said in surprise. It didn't really hurt, it barely even tickled as a matter of fact. But the fact the someone who didn't fight with their hands, and as physically incapable as Megan, could punch like that surprised him.
"Oh no, I'm sorry! The thing, it moved all on its own!"
Superboy glanced at her hand and noticed it was covered in silvery metal, that must've been what made her hit so hard. He held her hand in place flicked the metal, it clanged loudly, "Pretty sturdy."
"Um, you've got my hand…" Megan said with a blush.
Superboys eyes widened and he too blushed, "Oh! S-Sorry!"
A large canon like object dropped from above, trained on their forms. It glew an intense orange. "Intruders, name yourselves or be disintegrated. You have 10 seconds. 10-9-8-"
"Wait Aiva! It's me, Megan! Miss. Martian and Superboy!"
The AI paused her countdown and retracted her canon, "Welcome to the 'Den', as Mr. West calls it, Megan, Superboy. How can I help you?"
"Were-Were you really ganna shoot us?" Megan asked.
"I was bluffing. I have no offensive capability."
"Oh- That's good, I guess… Do you know how to get this off me?" Without a word the metal plates fold back in onto themselves and rested into a cute little watch. Now that it wasn't taking control of her extremity, Megan found it quite stylish. She was ganna take it off completely but Aiva stopped her.
"Mr. West made that specifically for you. He intended you to have it on your next mission- this last one- but didn't have time to gift it to you. I'm sure it'll make no difference if you take it now." Aiva informed. "He's got things in here for the whole team."
Megan smiled, "Alright then thank you! I'm guessing he's not here then, would you mind telling me where he went?"
Aiva paused, seemingly in confusion, "Could you not sense his whereabouts telepathically, Megan?"
The Martian girl blushed in embarrassment, "Hello Megan!" She coughed into her hand, "A-Aqualad and the others have told me that they don't want me to do that outside of missions and emergencies." Good save!
Aiva seemed to accept the answer. "I understand, Mr. West has gone to his room for the evening. I do suggest going another time though, he left here quite bothered."
Megan frowned, "Do you know what's wrong?"
"I understand many things, I have all the information that the world can provide. But an adolescent human mind, even if it is my creators, I cannot comprehend."
"Oh, ok then. Thank you Aiva, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The two left the room and Superboy sighed, "I guess we'll have to go another time. Tomorrow maybe?" He spoke to himself but Megan disagreed.
"What do you mean? We should go now!"
"Didn't you hear what the AI said? The kid needs some space, let's give it to him."
"But he's our friend right? We should make sure he's alright!"
Superboy thought on it a moment. Megan was a bleeding heart, and if he was honest it attracted him to her. But, if he was in Maxs shoes he'd rather be left alone than be prodded.
"He's mature kid Megan. Let him sort his thoughts and he'll come to us. Trust him a little bit." That kind of calm headed thinking was uncommon for Superboy, but it was indeed apart of him. He was actually very intelligent and in certain situations could be exceptionally rational.
This time being one of them.
"I- I guess you're right…" Megan deflated a bit and floated down the hall. "Oh!" She perked up instantly, "I have this sandwich recipe I've been meaning to try, would you like to help?"
Superboy shrugged, "Not really… but I've got nothing else to do."
"Yay! Let's go!"
The two vanished down the hallway. Both content in the moment. Happy even.
Good for them.
Alrighty, that's that. So not much really happening here. I wanted to include Max in the mission but there isn't really much he can do atm. Next chapter, however, is different! Look forward to it, it's our Oc's first taste of high stake hero work! It should be coming out shortly, so be on the lookout for that.
Also I'm still trying to flesh his character out. I've got a clear picture in my brain, but I don't want him to seem inconsistent, even though it almost feels natural for me. I mean, someone isn't always confident right? They have moments where they feel intimidated or even shy. Neither are they always happy, mood is constantly changing. I want to be able to reflect that, without making it hard to follow. So hopefully I'm doing a decent job at that.
Don't be afraid to leave a review if you've got questions or concerns. Till next time guys, peace!