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Brothers in Arms, chapter 4

It was three weeks after the explosion of the Group's headquarters, and Conner was still in a funk. He had seen death before, but he was still deeply disturbed by it. Clark and the Kents were worried. They had been talking about sending him to therapy.

Conner sat on the barn's roof and gave a laugh devoid of any warmth. He never would have guessed that his clone's demise would have affected him so much.

Batman was working on tracking down the Group's members when Oracle called him.

"I have news," she said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"There was an unusual piece of wreckage in the Group's headquarters. It looks like it's large enough to hold a body."

"Covered in Kryptonite dust?"

"Yes, but it's made of lead."

"It's been three weeks. The chance of surviving without food or water for that length of time is nearly non-existent."

"That is true."

"However, this should be brought to the Watchtower for decontamination and study. I'll notify Superman."

"Is it done yet?" Kon asked. "What's taking so long?"

Superman grimaced. "We don't know that it's Match in there. Even if it were, it's been three weeks. There's not a good chance of survival."

Kon looked downcast. "I know...but I have to know."

"The decontamination is finished," Batman said from behind them, startling Kon.

"You like doing that, don't you?" he accused.

Batman merely stared at Kon.

"Come on, let's open it up," Superman said.

Superman ripped open the twisted piece of metal to reveal an emaciated Match. Kon, thinking he was dead, choked off a sob. Superman stared at Match.

"I can hear a heartbeat!" he exclaimed. "He's alive!"

Even Batman was startled. "How?"

"Let's get him to the med bay first," Superman ordered. "Get J'onn to contact him telepathically and Dr. Mid-nite to treat him."

After Match was put in the med bay and hooked up, Dr. Mid-nite came out, looking grim.

"I don't understand how he's still alive," he admitted. "He's suffering from malnutrition, low oxygen in the blood, dehydration, and his blood chemistry is off."

J'onn reported, "He's in some sort of trance that prevents me from directly contacting him. I can try to interrupt it."

"Wake him up," Batman said.

They entered the med lab, and J'onn closed his eyes to concentrate. Match's eyes flew open and gasped. His eyes darted back and forth to take in his surroundings.

"I made it," he croaked with a smile on his face.

"How did you survive?" Batman asked.

"My will to survive was strong," Match replied. "I just needed to find a way."

He continued. "The Group's headquarters had lead-lined, sound-proofed rooms. From there, I was able to have a shield that would protect me from the Kryptonite. My telekinesis reinforced it to withstand the explosion."

"And the three weeks you were buried?"

"I used my powers to regulate my body functions, slowing my heartbeat and breathing. It was the only way I could have lasted that long."

Dr. Mid-nite looked aghast. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You're not supposed to manipulate your body's processes like that!"

"It was the only way to survive," Match repeated.

"I'm glad that you're alive," Kon said as he impulsively hugged Match.

Match looked a bit startled and then smiled.

The end

A sequel/follow up is possibly forthcoming.

Any and all comments are welcome!