Mount Justice, October 10, 4:58 PM
This week the team were overseen, or rather babysat as Wally likes to put it, by Black Canary. This meant that the entire week was spent doing rigorous training. However, whilst the team trained Wally lounged around eating snacks and watching TV. If that wasn't enough Captain Marvel catered to him hand and foot.
Currently the entire team, sans Wally, were sparring. The pairs were Hunter and Conner, given they're the only ones with super strength, Kaldur and M'gann were paired up for their similar levels of strength and lastly Robin and Artemis were facing off. Wally sat to the side on a recliner without a care in the world with Rex laying next to him.
"Pineapple juice!" Captain Marvel announced as he presented the glass to Wally.
The speedster sipped the juice through a straw before he sighed in content, "Just what the doctor ordered."
Captain Marvel leaned down and asked, "How's that arm doing, Wally?"
"Nothing a plate of nachos can't cure." Wally replied.
"Nachos? Oh! I'll go get you some!' He said excitedly before he flew away just as Artemis knocked Robin down.
Hunter threw a few punches at Conner but the clone dodged the attacks. Conner grabbed Hunter's arm while he threw another punch and tossed him over his shoulder. The Amazon spun around in the air and landed on all fours. Before they could continue their session Black Canary stepped forward.
"Good work everyone." She said as the team stopped their sparring, "In fact I'd say it's been a productive week."
"Yeah, for everyone except kid malingerers." Artemis said as everyone turned to face Wally as he lounged.
"Hey, arm broke in combat against the Injustice League here!" He shot back.
Black Canary let out a humorous sigh, "I really enjoyed. . .being your den mother this week."
RECOGNIZED
ZATARA 11
Everyone watched as Zatara appeared with a flash of light. He stepped into the cave and immediately accessed the Zeta-tube's holographic controls. His fingers typed on the holographic pad before the computer announced.
ACCESS GRANTED
ZATANNA ZATARA A-03
AUTHORIZATION ZATARA 11
The Zeta-tube flashed once more. This time a young girl came into the cave. She wore a school uniform.
"Zatanna this is the team." Zatarra introduced, "Team this is Zatanna, my daughter."
M'gann flew across the room and landed in front of Zatanna, "Hi I'm-"
"Robin!" Robin exclaimed before he cleared his throat, "I mean I'm Robin."
"Well he's officially lost all my respect." Hunter whispered to Conner who only chuckled.
Robin then stepped aside to introduce everyone else, "She's M'gann, Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, Hunter and Conner."
"Welcome to the cave." Kaldur greeted.
"Uh thanks." Zatanna said shyly.
"So are you joining the team?" Robin asked eagerly.
"Careful Robin, you're starting to act like Wally." Hunter said, causing Robin to blush.
"Hey!" Wally exclaimed.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Zatara said, "This is strictly a visit. Though I am sorry we missed training, it is something Zatanna could benefit from."
"Do you get the impression that we're still on probation with Zatara?" M'gann asked the team telepathically.
"Not just Zatara. Why's Marvel still hanging around?" Conner asked.
Wally replied, "Because we like having him around.""You like having him around because he waits on you, hand and foot." Artemis shot back.
"You have been taking advantage of his generosity." Hunter added.
"And your point is?" He asked.
"It almost makes one nostalgic for Red Tornado's tenure as our supervisor." Kaldur stated.
"Yeah. At least he trusted us." Robin agreed.
"If you ignore the fact we shouldn't have trusted him." Conner stated hotly, "He was a traitor. That machine nearly got Hu... all of us killed!"
"Are you guys having a psychic conversation?" Zatanna suddenly asked, "Cause I can't decide if that's cool or really rude."
The team turned to see Black Canary and Zatara looking at them, "All right, fine." Conner said, "We were talking about Tornado. It's been weeks since his attack and the league hasn't told us anything."
"The League is searching for Tornado as well as the other androids that invaded the cave and their creator T.O. Morrow." Black Canary said, "Batman's made tracking them down our highest priority."
Robin stepped forward, "But you've found none of the above."
"Not yet, but Red Tornado is Justice League. The team is not to pursue this." Canary ordered.
"Why don't you all take Zatanna to a. . . tour of the cave?" Zatara suggested as everyone looked around for her.
Hunter spotted her first as she was cuddling with Rex, "Well Rex seems to like her." He smiled as the rest of the team turned to look at her.
Captain Marvel returned with a plate full of nachos, "You're giving a tour?" He asked excitedly, "Cool!"
Rex shot up from the ground excitedly at the scent of the nachos. The wolf barreled across the room at Captain Marvel. He panted as his mouth salivated with hunger.
"Actually, I was hoping you'd take Rex outside." Conner said, "He needs the exercise. We'll join you in a few."
"Oh sure I could do that. Let's go Rex!" Captain Marvel flew away with Rex chasing after him.
"But my nachos." Wally whimpered before Conner grabbed him by his collar and pulled him away.
The team eventually made their way to the living room. They had remained silent the entire time. Zatana noticed the odd behavior. If this was a tour shouldn't they be showing her around with commentary?
Zatana walked up next to Wally startling him, "When did you. . . how did you-"
"We're not really taking a tour, are we?" She asked.
"No." Conner answered, turning to face her, "We're hunting down that robot."
"Yes, we are." Kaldur affirmed.
She said, "Wow, out loud and everything."
"What about the new girl?" Artemis asked.
"I'm sure she won't tell." Robin quickly replied.
"I can't tell. Not if you kidnap me." She smirked at the Boy Wonder.
Artemis replied with a smirk of her own, "Oh yeah, she's gonna fit in great."
"So what now?" Zatanna asked, "Are we gonna take the Invisible Jet?"
"Not quite." Hunter replied, "After our fight with the Injustice League the jet had been in need of heavy repairs."
After fishing it out of the Bayou, the jet was returned to the cave. Over the last week Hunter, Conner, Diana and Green Lantern have been putting it back together. Apparently Green Lantern was a pilot whenever he wasn't wearing his ring. Even with the occasional help from Batman and Black Canary, they're not even halfway done.
"We'll take the Bio-ship." M'gann said, "You'll love it."
"I'll go get suited up!" Wally said before he dashed away.
"He doesn't seem so injured now does he?" Artemis teased.
Hunter replied with a chuckle before he levitated off the ground, "I'll go get my weapons."
Hunter flew off towards his room and quickly got his weapons. His sword, shield and lasso. Once he was done he flew towards the hangar where everyone else was climbing onto the Bio-ship. He flew towards them and passed the Invisible Jet. He gave the jet a longing look before he flew into the ship.
"Are we all here?" Hunter asked as he sat down between Kaldur and Conner.
Just then Wally dashed into the ship, "Yes, we are."
"Prepping the Bio-ship for take off." M'gann announced. With the team, save for Zatanna, suited up and prepped, they took off through the waterfall and took to the sky.
They flew for a minute before Black Canary's voice rang through the ship, "M'gann, the Bio-ship wasn't authorized for departure."
M'gann replied, "We're kidnapping Zatanna. . . to show hee Happy Harbor." She quickly added, "Be back soon!"
"Roger that. . .uh have fun." Black Canary said before he cut off.
"It won't be long before they figure out what we're doing." Hunter stated, "If we're gonna find Tornado, his siblings and T.O. Morrow we will need to do it today."
"Sounds like a plan." Robin said before he added, "If we knew where we were going. Batman is the world's greatest detective and he searched for Tornado and Morrow in every logical location. If we're gonna do better we'll need an illogical solution." He said before he looked over his shoulder at Wally, "A truly dumb idea."
The speedster looked around to find the entire team, Zatanna included, looking at his direction, "As a matter of fact I do have one great idea."
"This should be good." Hunter commented.
Belle Reve, 6:35 P.M.
"Warden Strange owed us a favor for stopping the break out last month." Miss Martian stated, "He's given us five minutes with you. Spill Ivo."
The team stood in an interrogation room. Before them sat Professor Ivo. It was Wally's idea that since Ivo and Morrow are rivals that only Ivo would know where he is. He's in handcuffs and the signature collar all Belle Reve prisoners wore. The team felt a sense of satisfaction at the sight of the smug scientist in the orange jumpsuit.
"How do we find T.O. Morrow and his Red." Superboy demanded.
"Now, why in the world would I know how to find Morrow?" The scientist sat back on the chair.
Because, and here's a truly dumb idea. . ." Wally stepped up, "you're Morrow's biggest competitor in the evil android game. Who better to keep track of what he's up to and where?"
"Ah, I see your point." Ivo said before he laced his fingers and rested his hands on the table, "So let me rephrase, why in the world would I tell you how to find Morrow?
Hunter glanced over his shoulder at the surveillance camera, "Because you don't have a choice." Hunter said before turning Robin, "Do you mind?" He nodded towards the camera.
"It'll be my pleasure." He chuckled before he pulled out his holo-computer. He typed away before he smirked, "Got us five minutes."
"That's more than enough time." Hunter then ensnared Ivo with his lasso and demanded, "Tell us where T.O. Morrow is."
The lasso shined gold before Morrow struggled. The scientist tried to keep his mouth shut before Zatanna walked around the team and spoke, "Pots gnilggurts!"
Ivo let out a gasp before he spoke, "Morrow's in a secret underground base beneath Yellowstone National Park. One hundred meters south of Old Faithful." He let out panting breaths, "What just happened?"
The team all looked at Zatanna in shock, "What? You said we only have five minutes."
"You're a magician like your father?" Robin asked in awe.
"I'm still training but I've got a few neat tricks up my sleeve." She said confidently.
Hunter unwrapped Ivo from his lasso, "Can one of those tricks make him forget what he told us?" The Amazon asked.
"Of course." Zatanna leaned on the table and eyed Ivo, "Tegrof siht noitagorretni!"
Ivo rapidly blinked before he shook his head, "What are we talking about?"
"Color me impressed." Artemis commented.
They quickly took their leave from the prison and flew off on the Bio-Ship. The majority of the team were baffled by Zatanna's abilities. Hunter's the only one who wasn't completely baffled by her abilities. He's grown up around magic his whole life but it was usually spoken in Ancient Greek or Latin not spoken backwards like Zatanna's way of doing it.
"Lock out all external communications." Aqualad ordered, "It won't be long before Canary and Zatara find out we're not in Happy Harbor."
"And then the whole League will catch on to what we're actually doing." Hunter added as he sharpened his sword over his knee, "I can't imagine mother's wrath." He shuddered.
Robin scoffed, "It won't be anything compared to Batman's."
"Uncle J'onn may reprimand me." M'gann sighed nervously.
"Reprimand is a pretty word for what my dad is going to do to me." Zatanna let out an anxious chuckle, "He'll probably put a spell on my room so I can't sneak out."
"What's our ETA to Yellowstone?" Conner suddenly snapped, "I'm way past ready to turn Tornado into a trash compactor."
Hunter glanced over his shoulder to see Conner glaring out into the sky. Maybe they were being insensitive, families were a sore subject for the clone. Conner didn't have a family like most of the team and the closest thing he had to family avoided him at all cost. Along with the situation at hand it's no wonder he's irritated.
"Are you so certain that Red Tornado betrayed us?" Kaldur asked.
"Aren't you?" Conner demanded.
"I am not convinced." Kaldur replied calmly, "And even so, that makes him but a victim of his creator's programming. Certainly he deserves a chance to prove he's more then the weapon others designed him to be."
After that Conner's gaze downcasted. He was in deep thought. Hunter decided not to press on the matter as did anyone else. He continued to sharpen his sword. He was lost in thought as his sword his as the sharpening stone glided across the metal.
Would he see those visions again when they faced Red Tornado?
"Hunter, may I ask?" Zatanna broke the silence, "Why did you make me erase Ivo's memories?"
"Yeah, and why did you make me cut the feed?' Robin asked as well.
The team all looked at Hunter as he answered, "It was because of Strange. I get an off feeling about him, I don't trust him."
"Has he ever shown any signs of being distrustful?" Aqualad asked.
Hunter only shrugged, "Let's call it a gut feeling."
Yellowstone National Park, October 10, 8:22 PM
The sun had set when they finally reached Yellowstone. M'gann landed the Bio-Ship a few kilometers away from where the base is supposed to be. Wonder Warrior had changed into his black and silver armor. The rest of the team changed to their stealth mode whilst Zatanna cast a spell to change her clothing to more resemble her father.
"We should be getting close." Kaldur whispered as they lurked through the trees.
"Ivo was right there's definitely something down there." Robin said as he looked at his wrist computer, "There's a bunker underground."
"Is there a way for us to get in?" Wally asked.
"Not without making some noise." Robin smirked at Superboy and Wonder Warrior, "You fellas feeling like knocking on the door."
The two heroes gave each other an excited smirk before they looked at Robin, "What do you have in mind?" Conner asked.
After establishing the mental link, and explaining it to Zatanna, Robin led Wonder Warrior and Superboy towards one of the hidden entrances into the bunker. Their trail led them to a hidden cave. The trio proceeded with caution as they made their way through the cave.
"Here." Robin said as they approached a circular steel door, "You guys ready?"
"Born that way." Superboy stomped forward.
"Stand back." Wonder Warrior warned as he joined Superboy.
The two boys stood before the door. They raised their fists, reeled back and threw a pair of powerful punches. The door immediately flew off its hinges and down the cave. Robin whistled as he stepped between the two other boys.
"Let's go find Tornado." Superboy said before he walked ahead.
Wonder Warrior followed with a sigh before he gasped. The cave began to rumble beneath their feet. He quickly whipped his lasso and wrapped it around Superboy and pulled him back. Just then a stream of lava came down from where the clone once stood. He grabbed Robin before he flew towards the mouth of the cave.
They narrowly escaped the flood of lava as Hunter flew out of the cave, "First phase completed, I guess." Robin stated.
"Since when did Tornado have the ability to manipulate earth and lava?" Wonder Warrior asked before the wind began to pick up.
"I don't know but this is more his brand." Conner replied as the android descended from the sky, "Wonder Warrior, swing me up!"
"Thanks for saying 'please'." Hunter rolled his eyes before he swung around and launched Superboy towards the android.
Tornado easily knocked Superboy back with a gust of wind. Hunter easily caught him before he flew away and Red Tornado took chase. The Amazon flew at blinding speed keeping his eyes ahead. Robin opened his hollow map and smirked.
"Now!" Kaldur exclaimed through the mental link.
Zatanna appeared in a puff of smoke before she chanted a spell. The spell of caused Old Faithful to spew an enormous amount of water. Kaldur appeared and used his water bearers to morph the water into two lengthy whips. With the large amount of water Aqualad was able to reach towards the android.
Red Tornado easily avoided the water whips before he sent a cyclone of air towards the Atlantean. Wonder Warrior dropped Superboy and Robin before he flew towards the android. With a sonic boom he tackled the android before locked his arms around it. His spun forward and threw Red Tornado down.
"Now Aqualad!" He screamed.
Aqualad quickly unleashed a torrent of water towards the android, quickly engulfing it. Red Tornado raised his hands and began to generate two tornadoes. Before he could form them his arms were then forced behind his back. The android looked up to see Miss Martian telepathically restraining him.
From behind him Artemis fired an arrow. The arrow flew into the water before finding its way into Red Tornado's wrist. The arrow exploded trapping the android's arms in foam. Now with the android fully restrained the team lowered him to the floor.
Pulling the water back Aqualad approached Red Tornado, "We've got him."
Kid Flash ran into the clearing and appeared next to Robin, "Yeah, we're pretty awesome." He boasted.
"We?" Artemis smirked, "Who was hiding behind the bushes while we were doing all the heavy lifting?"
"Arm! Broken!" He raises his casted arm with a glare.
Wonder Warrior landed behind the android. He took hold of his lasso and extended it with his other hand. He approached Red Tornado ready to tie him up before he heard metallic tapping. He blinked before he looked down to see Red Tornado tapping his foot on the floor. He listened to the rhythmic tapping before he gasped, it was Morse Code.
"Everyone out of the way!" He abruptly exclaimed before slamming his bracelets sending everyone else flying across the clearing. Just then a large boulder landed where they once stood, crushing Wonder Warrior.
Superboy was the first to stand, "Wonder Warrior!"
"Morse Code, really brother?" A new voice from atop the boulder asked, "I have all of your memories as well as a next-gen processor. I know your next move before you do." Once the dust settled the team saw a brand new red android, "Killing the first one was easy enough. The seven to go will be just as simple."
The boulder beneath him began to crack before Wonder Warrior erupted from the stone. His fist aimed for the android's chin ready to deliver an uppercut. However, the android leaned back avoiding the attack. He opened his palms shattering the boulder below before the rocks flew towards Wonder Warrior sending him flying away.
"He can control the earth. He's probably what sent that flood of lava after us." He informed the team before he broke stones that were attacking him, "M'gann, hang back and use your telekinesis to counteract his long distance attacks. Wally, Robin and Artemis distract him. Conner, Kaldur, and I will go in for the kill."
"What should I do?" Zatanna asked.
"Do you have an illusionary spells?" The prince asked as he got rid the last of the stones.
"Of course." Zatanna replied confidently.
With no objections to the plan the team immediately went on the offensive. The android raised his arms cracking the ground before he unleashed a hail of boulders. M'gann quickly began to redirect the boulders with her mind allowing Artemis to fire a trio of arrows at him. The android easily dodged the arrows before Wally jumped behind him and caught one of the arrows and threw it at him. The villain quickly caught the arrow before he looked up at Wally but before he could retaliate Robin threw a birdarang at his back and both exploded.
The explosion sent Wally flying away causing M'gann to catch him with her mind. The smoke disappated revealing the android to be unharmed, "My body is stronger than Tornado's and my processor is faster along with his memories I am well versed in all of your moves." He explained before he easily ducked under a sword swing. He easily caught Hunter's arm before he swung the Amazon around, knocking down Aqualad and Superboy who were aiming to attack him, "You cannot defeat me!" He declared before the earth beneath his feet erupted into a pillar, raising him to the sky. He then grabbed Wonder Warrior by the neck and began to choke the hero.
Zatanna then casted a spell and the Lasso of Enticement wrapped itself around the android's eyes. The android let go of Hunter, who gasped for air, and grabbed at the rope around his eyes. The prince glared up at the android before he saw a second red figure flying away.
"Red Tornado's making a run for it." Kid Flash yelled.
"Is he ditching us?" Robin asked as he ran to help Hunter.
"No." The Amazon grabbed his shield, "He's going to get us reinforcements." He said before he took hold of his lasso and pulling the android down, colliding his knee with its head.
The android then slammed his hands down on the floor causing a ground shaking eruption. The mountain not far from them spewed molten lava and clouds of ash. The molten rock quickly cascaded down the mountain forming lake of lava. The violent shaking ceased but the ground continued to rumble as the volcano continued spew out lava and Ash.
"No." Hunter gasped.
Consumed by shock Wonder Warrior didn't react to the attack from behind. A large boulder knocked him off the pillar as the android stood back up. Raising his arms the android levitated burning stones and threw them at the team. They all avoided the attacks but the problem of the volcano began to be a more pressing matter.
"He's started a stage two eruption." Wally said through the link, "Should he get to stage three kiss the human race goodbye."
Superboy caught one of the superheated stones and screamed in pain before he threw it back at the android. This didn't do much of anything as the android easily shattered the stone. Wonder Warrior flew up threw the stones his face hidden behind his shield.
"We won't let that happen." Robin stated, "We need to find a way to stop it preferably before human extinction."
Hunter swung his place down narrowly missing his target. The android created two large hands made of stones. The large hands clapped down on Wonder Warrior who fell back. The Amazon groaned before he shook his head and continued on with his assault. He swung and jabbed with his sword breaking and slicing threw all the rocks being thrown at him.
M'gann flew behind the android taking the opportunity to restrain his arms, allowing Hunter to land a hit. The Amazon jabbed his sword into the android's shoulder. He swung upward leaving a large portion of its shoulder open. The android glanced back at the Martian and released cloud of hot sulfur out from the ground surrounding her. The heat around her, along with the sulfer in her lungs, forced her to fall towards the lava below.
"Not today!" Kid Flash dashed across the field before jumping up and caught the Martian before she fell into the molten rock.
Kicking the Amazon away the android jumped up and landed on Hunter before they crashed on the ground below. Superboy then pounced on the android's back before throwing him over his shoulder. He then knelt down and picked Hunter off the ground.
"Are you ok?" He asked concerned.
Hunter opened his eyes with a groan. He blinked and pulled Superboy down and raised his shield. The clone quickly looked over his shoulder to see the android standing above them with a fist raised. The clash of metal rang out across the field like a gong.
Just as the android went for another attack a pillar of water sent him flying into the lake of lava.
"Nice hit!" Robin compliments Aqualad.
"The hit was not mine. Look!" He pointed to the side and the team turned to find Red Torpedo standing behind them.
A torrent of water raised the android from the ground before he sent another blast of water towards the android. The water and lava created a cloud of steam giving the android time to create a stone pillar. He didn't get far as Red Tornado flew down and broke through the pillar forcing him to fall back down in the lava. When he stood back up blasts of fire were thrown down at him by Red Inferno. The femme then flew down and grappled with the larger android.
"Sister, brothers, stop!" He exclaimed before Red Torpedo kicked him into the lava.
Red Tornado flew down and forced the android down even further. The team watched as the lava began to melt through Red Tornado's legs began to melt. Superboy moved first and tackled Tornado out of the lava lake. Wonder Warrior then flew above the lake and slammed his bracelets together. The shockwave pushed the lava away long enough the reveal the three remaining androids. He flew down and grabbed Red Torpedo and Red Inferno.
He gave the lone android a glare and raised his foot, "To the Underworld you!" He slammed his foot down crushing the android's head.
The Amazon flew up before the lava could engulf him. He dropped the two androids next to Red Tornado. They couldn't stand as they were too damaged. He looked down at the two androids who both nodded to him.
The ground continued to shake as the volcano continued to erupt, "We need to stop it!" Hunter exclaimed.
"Tornado, listen. We're on the verge of a stage three super volcano eruption!" Wally exclaimed, "There's no turning back from that. We need tk vent pressure fast but the ash cloud will bring on worldwide nuclear winter unless you divert it!"
"No!" Hunter objects gaining the team's attention, "He's too damaged, I'll do it." He said before pulling off his bracelets.
"Hunter, no!" Conner exclaimed just as the Amazon flew away faster than any of them have ever seen.
"Triangulate around the pressure locus!" Wally ordered and Robin quickly pulled up a 3D map of the mountain pinpointing the three locus.
Artemis quickly fired three explosive arrows each hitting their marks. Above them the sky darkened as storm clouds formed in the sky. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed. Rain began to fall cooling the lava around them into stone. The team watched as the storm clouds rotated funneling the ash cloud into the upper atmosphere.
The storm clouds began to break apart revealing the stars and moon in the sky. In the distance they watched as Hunter began to descend. Except he wasn't slowing down, he was plummeting down towards the earth.
"He's unconscious!" Artemis exclaimed.
Superboy prepared to jump to catch his boyfriend but a red cyclone of air appeared. They all looked down to see Red Tornado's arms raised towards the hero. The cyclone slowed Hunter's descent allowing him to fall gently into Superboy's arms. Robin quickly returned the bracelets back to Wonder Warrior's wrists. The team held a collective breath as they watched the Amazon's unconscious body.
A sudden cough caught them off guard as Hunter's eyes opened, "Did we win?"
Returning to Ivo's bunker they quickly began to work on returning Red Tornado's voice. It was mostly Robin and Wally doing the work.
"There that should do it." Robin declared.
"Yes." Red Tornado replied, "I can speak again."
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself to safe the planet. All of you." Kaldur stated.
"The planet would've survived." The android stated, "It is humanity that was saved today. Though not by me. My sister and brother are the true heroes today." He declared causing the team to look at the two other androids who were laying down on two other tables waiting to be repaired, "Thank you, Wonder Warrior, for saving them."
"They showed bravery and valor, it was the least I could do." The Amazon replied witb a shrug.
"You were never the mole, never the traitor." Kaldur continued.
"No, I left to protect you from further attack." Red Tornado said, "And to find my creator, Morrow."
Across the room Robin and Wally rummaged through robotic body parts, "Cool. A souvenir." Wally exclaimed as he found a robotic hand.
"Reddy, we can rebuild you better than you guys were before." Robin declared carrying a robot leg.
"I do not believe I should be rebuilt." He replied.
"Why'd you volunteer to become our den mother in the first place?" Superboy asked looking down at Red Tornado.
Red Tornado replied, "I was the pragmatic choice. I do not require sleep. I have no secret identity or second life to live."
"But you do have advanced A.I. Programming, designed to learn, adapt, evolve." Wally replied as he played with the robot hand.
"Hello, Megan!" M'gann exclaimed, "You wanted to become more human."
"And you couldn't do that with the league. They're stiffs" Artemis scoffed.
Robin then said, "You're sure not gonna learn emotion from Batman. Trust me."
"You wanted to be in an environment where you could see humans in a more intimate setting." Hunter stated.
"Then the cave was not a proving ground only for us, but for you as well." Kaldur surmised.
Red Tornado took a moment before he answered, "I do not know if these statements are accurate but perhaps they are true." He looked around at the team, "And if I understand the term correctly. . .I believe I have come to care about you all as well as my siblings."
"If that's not a human reaction I don't know what is." Hunter said as Superboy wrapped an arm over his shoulder, "Which reminds me." He looked up at Superboy who met his eyes curiously.
"What is it?" The clone asked curiously.
Smallville, October 12, 12:36 PM
RECOGNIZED
BATMAN 02
WONDER WOMAN 03
WONDER WARRIOR B-04
SUPERBOY B-05
Walking out of the zeta beam the group found that they were inside of a tornado bunker. Diana took the lead and found the stairs before swinging open the doors. Stepping out, Conner found himself at a small barn. The trees were adorned by red, brown and yellow leaves and he could hear the clucking of chickens and the moos of cows.
"What is this place?" Superboy asked as they approached the house.
Diana replied, "Be patient, you'll have all of you're answers soon."
Once they approached the door Batman knocked. Behind the door Conner heard the voices of an older man and woman. He began began feel anxious. What was this all about? Before he could begin to panic too much Hunter took his hand in his own. Looking down to see Hunter's comforting smile his nerves eased but not completely.
The door swung open to see an older woman. She was short and had gray hair. She didn't seem surprised to see Wonder Woman and Batman. The two heroes stepped aside for the woman to have a good look at Conner. The woman gasped and raised a hand over her mouth.
"Darling, who is it?" The older man, most likely her husband, asked as he appeared next to her. He got one look at Conner before he turned white as a ghost.
Before Conner could say anything the woman then exclaimed, "CLARK JOSEPH KENT!" Conner felt a chill down his spine at the woman's fury filled scream.
"Kent?" Conner asked aloud before a loud boom cracked from the sky.
Just then a blue and red blur landed on the road a few meters away. The group looked back to see Superman standing there. Superboy blinked in confusion as he and the man of steel locked eyes. Before either of them could get a word out the woman walked past the group.
"Get over here, young man." She demanded, "You have a lot of explaining to do."
Conner's confusion only intensified as Superman's shoulders slumped and he approached the house. The sight baffled him. Superman walked towards the house like a child who was about to be grounded. Who is this woman and why is she yelling at Superman like that?
Superman spared him a glance as he entered the house. The woman then turned to Conner who flinched not wanting to face her fury, "Do you want a slice of pie sweety?" She asked sweetly as she gently pulled him away from Hunter
"Uh, ok." He said before he looked over his shoulder to see Hunter waving at him before he was escorted into the house.
"I'll see you at the cave." Hunter waved.
"Are you sure this was the best idea?" Diana asked as Martha Kent shut the door behind them.
"Just think of this as ripping the band aid off." Batman replied before he stepped off the porch, "We should give them some time. I don't want to be here when he tells them how long he's been around."
"You've got a point." Diana replied with a pleased smile, "Come, Hunter, this is a family matter."
"Right." Hunter nodded before he gave the house one last parting look.