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. His eyes were focused on the Amazon in the center capsule. Unlike the other heroes, the clone knew nothing about him. He could only assume by his attire that he was related to Wonder Woman.
The clone watched the unconscious hero closely. He observed and notice the features of the Amazon. His short raven hair, his olive skin, his slim tone muscles that were framed perfectly by his armor. Despite his small stature, he was strong, strong enough to go toe to toe Superboy.
Superboy watched as the Amazon begin to stir. When he opened his eyes he met the familiar blue eyes of Superboy. For a short moment, all they did was look into each other's eyes. Hunter eventually looked away and saw the others bound inside capsules, he looked down to see himself in one as well. He looked up to meet Superboy's eyes once again.
"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? I broke their control with my lasso."
"So, what if they did?" The clone suddenly asked.
"Well doesn't it bother you?!" Hunter 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 choose."
Superboy only looked away.
The prince sighed, "Don't you want a life beyond this-this pit?"
Superboy glared up at the Amazon, "The pit is my home."
"A home is where you feel you belong, not where you are controlled." Hunter's eyes never left his.
"And where do I belong!" The clone snapped.
"That is for you to find out and to decide." Hunter replied calmly, "But if stay you 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, "I never felt I belonged where I was born so I made a choice and took matters into my own hands and left. You can too if you-" His speech was interrupted when 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 Amazon 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.
Hunter looked up to see his bracelets were gone. Dread filled his features, "No, not right now." He closed his eyes and began to concentrate.
Superboy watched and listened as the Amazon stilled and his heartbeat regulated. Soon it was like he never awoke at all. The clone tilted his head curiously. He must be meditating in order to calm himself down.
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 Hunter. Kid Flash spoke first, "What, what do you want?" The ginger demanded. The clone only ignored him and continued to stare at the Amazon. Wally saw this, "Quit staring at him it's creeping me out!" He yelled snapping Superboy back to the present.
"Shut up!" Hunter suddenly yelled before he calmed himself, "It's not his fault." He unscrewed his eyes to look at the speedster.
"Yea right!" KF shot back, "We free him and he turns on us, not his fault my a-"
"He wasn't in control." Hunter shifted his gazed from Kid Flash to Superboy, "He told me himself."
"He can talk?" Kid Flash asked making Hunter groan.
The clone clenched his fists, "Yes, he can." Superboy glared at the ginger, offended.
KF 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 allow us." Hunter began, "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. He let his guard down for too long.
Superboy watched as Wonder Warrior went back into his meditative state, "What is wrong with him?" Superboy asked stepped forward.
"Your guess is as good as ours." Kid Flash replied, "We barely met him today."
"He intrigues me." Superboy suddenly states, "He seems so small but strong, fierce but compassionate. He's a contradiction, I don't understand how someone like that can exist."
"Do you understand what you are?" Aqualad asks changing the subject.
He switched his gaze from the Amazon 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 and KF 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, "Like Wonder Warrior said we can show you everything outside of this place."
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad offered.
Hunter opened his eyes at the sound of footsteps. He looked around the room and saw his bracelets and lasso across the room lying on a console. "Take my lasso and choose." He suddenly said holding back a pained groan, "If you choose to come with us we can show you the world."
"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."
From his position, Hunter saw his name tag, Desmond, "Well if it isn't the three stooges." Hunter smirked before turning to Kid Flash, "I used that reference correctly, yes?"
"Yup." The ginger answered.
He turned to the woman, "Activate the cloning process." The woman walked towards a panel.
"Pass! Batcave's crowded enough." Robin stated.
The scientist turned to Guardian, "And get the weapon back in its pod!" He ordered causing Hunter to groan in pain and rage.
"Hey, how come he gets to call him an 'it'?" Kid asked.
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 of 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." Hunter let his head hand down hiding his face behind his bangs.
"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 all screamed all except for Hunter who didn't move.
"Where's doubbilex?" 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.
Hunter remembers the lessons his grandmother taught him as a child. How the Amazons were once enslaved by man and treated like objects than human beings. He felt rage dwell within him whenever he thought of anyone owning someone else as property. The rage grew and grew until it finally became too much.
A shockwave of white energy shook the room, "He is not an object!" Hunter growled out raising his head revealing his now glowing white eyes, "Despite his upbringing and means of creation he is a person!" He ripped his left arm from his restraint, "You won't turn him into a mindless weapon! I won't let you!" He roared as he ripped his other arm free. He freed his legs by kicking through the restraints. "He lives and no one, especially you, can take his right to chose!" Another wave of white energy erupted from his body causing his pod to explode.
The others in the room saw as the pod was consumed in smoke. The scientists watched nervously as the smoke began to dissipate. When the smoke cleared they saw Wonder Warrior on the floor in the fettle position. Guardian cautiously walked up to the hero and saw bruises and burns littered his body.
"That one is too dangerous." Desmond states, "Kill him now we have more than enough DNA of his."
Guardian picks up the injured sidekick by the neck and began to squeeze. Usually, this wouldn't work but at his current weakened state, he is as fragile as anybody. The air couldn't make it down to his lungs and him tried to rais his hand to fight but he couldn't muster up the strength. Hunter could hear his own hear slowing down.
*thump...thump*
*thump...thump*
*thump...*
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. He saw Hunter's beaten state and rushed 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 caught Hunter but before he could do anything another wave of energy blasted from the Amazon knocking the clone back and the glass of the pods shattered.
Robin picked the locks on his restraints. The boy wonder broke out of the pod and landed next to Hunter. He raised his hand up the Amazon's pulse and felt for a beat. After what felt like an eternity he felt it.
"He's alive but barely." He sighed in relief, "Lucky Batman isn't here he'd have my head for taking so long."
"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" KF asked skeptically, "The whole League will have our heads after tonight!" He exclaimed.
Superboy sat back up with a growl and saw Hunter on the ground. He stood up and run up to the heroes, "He panicked earlier when he looked at his wrists." He informed.
"His wrists?" Robin inspected his fellow hero. His wrists seemed fine besides the obvious burns. Then it suddenly hit him, "His bracelets! Get Aqualad and Kid Mouth, I got the accessories."
"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 in return before he jumped towards KF.
Robin ran across the room and saw Hunter's lasso and bracelets, "I really hope there's no lefty or righty." He mumbled before grabbing them and ran back to the unconscious hero. He kneeled down next to Hunter and carefully slipped them on.
"Is it working?" Superboy asked landing on the other side of Hunter.
As if on queue the burns and bruises began to heal. The scorched pink flesh faded back to its original olive color. Superboy could hear his heartbeat regulate again.
*thump, thump*
Hunter gasped and launched up until he sat upright. He panted, "I was afraid I would see Hades himself." He looked up and met Superboy's eyes, "You came back, why?"
"I had a choice to make." He replied offering his hand, "I chose." Hunter smiled and took the hand and he was pulled onto his feet.
"Uh, guys." KF caught their attention, "Not break this tender moment but don't you we should oh I don't know ESCAPE!" He exclaimed.
"He's right we need to leave." Aqualad added.
They broke out into a sprint towards the exit. "Youll never get out of here!" They hear Desmond yell after them, "I'll have you back in pods by morning."
"We'll just have wait and see about that." Hunter replied grabbing his lasso and hooking it on his hip before following the others
Robin stopped at the doorway, "That guy is not whelmed, not whelmed at all." He stated before throwing four Batarangs.
"What is it with you and this whelm thing?" KF 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 large genomorphs rounded the corner at the end of the hall.
They all stopped at the sight of them, "Uh, guys?" Hunter called, "What are the walls doing?" They all turned to see what he was talking about. Circular pods glowed red all over the hallway and more of those clawed genomorphs came out.
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 large fist hurling towards him but a golden lasso wrapped around it and pulled causing the beast to lose balance and fall face first to the ground.
Superboy watched as Wonder Warrior flew over and flipped forward to deliver an ax kick to the creature's temple, knocking it out. The Amazon picked up the unconscious beast and threw it at the smaller more vicious genomorphs blocking their path. The hero quickly gave his attention to the last to behemoths. The clone saw them as well and jumped towards one. The two simultaneously punched the two beasts in the face knocking them out.
When the two landed on the ground Superboy looked to Wonder Warrior, "You're strong."
The Amazon smirked facing the clone, "I know."
"Guys!" Aqualad called back to them.
"Escape now!" KF added as 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. Hunter picked up KF by the waist and flew upwards. 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?"
Hunter saw this, "Quick grab on!" He used his lasso and wrapped it around Superboy's arm.
"Superman can fly, why can't I fly?" Superboy asked unsure as Hunter gently lowered them on a ledge.
"Don't know but it looks like you can still leap building in a sing bound." KF commented, "Still cool."
Superboy looked up at Hunter, "Thank you." The amazon only nodded in return.
"Guy, 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 is 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?" KF 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, KF, Wonder Warrior and at the back Superboy.
"At this rate, we'll never get out." KF 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." Hunter stated listening in.
"Well most of us don't anyway."
"And we're here." Robin stated getting their attention.
The crawled ahead to find an open air vent with Robin and Aqualad waiting for them. KF landed with a flip, Hunter slowed his descent and landed gently and Superboy landed with a thud. Robin had his holographic computer up and typed away.
"So what's the update?" Hunter 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?" Hunter walked into the stairwell and looked up. "Grab on I'll fly us up." He stated holding out his hands. Aqualad took his left hand and Robin hopped on his back. Superboy seemed reluctant, "Hey, you helped me up now let me help you up." He reminded and the clone reluctantly took his hand.
He flew up the stairwell and began to catch up with Kid Flash. They all saw KF tackle through a pack of Genormorphs with his speed.
"There's more behind us!" Robin informed.
Hunter quickly landed on the stairs dropping the three off. He looked down to see another pack Genomorphs coming up. He raised his fist and slammed it down on the concrete. He saw a white-clad foot next to him and he looked up to see Superboy. They smiled at each other as the stairs below crumbled.
"Thought you could use some help." The clone stated.
"Thanks." He smiled before they both ran up after the others.
When they reached sub-level 1 the security alarms were blaring and the hallway bled red. The all saw KF 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 Wonder Warrior 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 explained.
Superboy 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?"
Wonder Warrior 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. Hunter 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.
Hunter watched as Superboy slid across the hallway, "I wish I had my sword." He turned to the other heroes, "Stay back." He warned before he flew over to the monster. "Hey!" He yelled before delivering a blow to the monster's face with his knee. The hero flipped over him and wrapped his lasso around his neck and quickly dived between his legs. The monster roared at him but Hunter quickly pulled his lasso causing the monster to flip back onto his front. The Amazon quickly kicked Desmond in the face knocking him back against the wall.
The monster looked up at the hero and smirked and Hunter gave a glare in return. The beast charged at him and Hunter raised his arms in a defensive stance. Before they could attack each other Superboy jumped over Hunter catching Desmond's attention. The monster jumped up and tackled Superboy through the ceiling. Hunter quickly flew up after them.
The other heroes below ran up to whole above, "Ok that's one way to bust through the ceiling."
"You thin labcoat planned that?" KF 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 Desmonds 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.
Hunter came up behind Desmond and wrapped his arms around the beast and flew up. He groaned as the monster struggled against his hold. He stopped when he reached the ceiling before turning back around and diving head first towards the floor. The let go the last minute and stopped his descent dropping Desmond head first. He flew over to the others.
"Think that did it?" KF asked.
"I doubt it." Hunter answered.
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 baterangs 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 Hunter wrapped his lasso around Desmond binding his arms to his sides. "I compel you to surrender!" Hunter yelled before pulling Desmond away from Superboy and through another pillar in the opposite side of the room. The pillar broke down causing a dust cloud. Hunter cautiously stood back. He heard a roar and Desmond stood up. "You may resist my lasso you mindless beast." He hooked his lasso to his side, "But by the gods, you will fall!"
Desmond roared and charged at the Amazon. Hunter blocked the first punch with his bracelets and his skidded back a bit. He easily dodged the next attacks waiting for an opening. Suddenly Kid Flash ran past him and jumped up kicking the monster in the face. Desmond only flinched before catching the speedster's leg and threw him at Hunter. The Amazo leaned back and closely dodged the other sidekick who instead collided with Aqualad. The two flew into two pillars and the platform above cracked.
Hunter stood up straight again and eyes Desmond, "Is that all ogre? I beginning to get bored." He taunted.
His taunt worked, Desmond charged at him and he easily dodged the incoming attacks. The Amazon caught a coming fist and quickly threw the monster over his shoulder and through a pillar causing the whole room to shake. He flew towards the monster but he jumped at the Amazon 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. "KF get over here!"
While the speedster ran to the boy wonder Superboy and Aqualad stood up. They both saw Desmond beating Wonder Warrior 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. Hunter 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.
Hunter quickly stood up, jumped back, away from the monster. He glared at the monster 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.
Hunter was about to tackle the beast when Robin called him, "Superboy, Aqualad, Wonder Warrior!" He looked to see the boy wonder with a holographic blueprint of the room.
While Robin was explaining the plan KF 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. Hunter flew through a pillar, Superboy punched through the one after him and Aqualad uses 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 Hunter handed Superboy the other end of his lasso. Kid Flash lead Desmond to the middle of the room before he stopped and slide across the water. The monster chased after the speedster but was stopped when a lasso wrapped around him. Both Wonder Warrior and Superboy pulled each side of the lasso keeping 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 Hunter 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 KF 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. Hunter walked up next to the clone, "You're free." He stated, "Free to chose your own path, free to look up." The Amazon 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. Hunter felt like he was about to be scolded. Before they knew they stood before the entire League mainly Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. 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.
Hunter quickly stepped forward to stand next to the clone, "He's not an 'it'." He glares at the vigilante.
"I'm Superman's clone." Superboy suddenly states.
The whole league shares look of shock and worry.
"Start talking." Batman orders leaving no room for argument.
They sang like Black Canary.
After explaining the whole ordeal the main members of the League walked off to discuss amongst themselves. Diana told her son not to listen in and she stated she would know if he did. Superboy kept his discreet gaze on Superman. Hunter could hear the clone's heart racing so he held the clones hand and gave a comforting squeeze. Superboy met Hunter's eyes and they remained like that without saying a word.
They heard footsteps approaching and the looked over to see Superman walking towards them. They quickly let go of each other's hands. 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.
Hunter was about to fly after him but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He lowered his gaze to look at his mother, "Patience, it is not easy for someone in his position."
He sighed, "What about Cadmus at least?"
"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, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not do this again." He ordered with his Bat-glare.
"I am sorry," Aqualad began, "but we will." He stated.
"Aqualad stand down." Aquaman orders his protege.
"Apologies 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." KF 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?"
"You said it yourselves we aren't trained to fight with your team." Hunter was next to speak, "But tonight we fought together as a team, together we did something the none of us could do individually." Behind him, Diana watched with a small smile as her son stood up for himself and his new friends.
"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. Wonder Woman walked around them and stood next to Batman and the others. They began to whisper to each other. The teens watched curiously before they all turned to look at the teens.
"We may have something in mind," Diana stated getting curious looks from the teens.
Mount Justice, July 8, 8:09 AM
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."
Hunter glanced at the blonde. Diana has said many times that Black Canary is one of the best fighters of the Justice League. He's giddy to see how she fights.
"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.
"Cool." Robin smiled before frowning 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." KF whispered to Robin before stepping forward, "Welcome, I'm Kid Flash. They're Robin, Aqualad but its cool if you forget their names."
Hunter rolled his eyes and stepped forward. "I am Wonder Warrior, welcome. Sorry about him. You'll find most men here to be guided by their hormones."
"Hey!"
"I am honored to be included." She replied with a smile.
"I'm glad to welcome you." He leaned in and whispered, "Hera knows this team could use more female members." He started gaining a laugh from the Martian.
"No kidding." KF stated zooming next to him.
"Not for that reason." He elbowed the speedster as Robin and Aqualad stepped forward.
Hunter noticed Superboy staying off to the side. He walked up to the clone, "Come on, introduce yourself." He encouraged before Superboy followed him and joined the group, "Miss Martian this is Superboy."
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.
Hunter smiled at their small team, "It certainly is."