FOUR BOYS: The Path We Seek
Chapter 24: A New Today
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
...Mount Justice...
Recognize Black Canary 04
The heroine walked out of the zeta beam into the mountain, Water and Rocket stood tense.
"I came to see how you were dealing with the mol-" she looked at the scene in front of her, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO RED?!"
L threw his hand to the air in calming manner "-its not what you think!"
"It looks like you are downloading his subconscious to a new body!"
L looked at the screen it was complete, "...well it is what you think."
The android sat with wide eyed making them flinch in surprise, "TEAM GET OUT OF THE CAVE."
...
Black Canary let out a Canary cry knocking them all far to look for cover, the attack was so forceful the android lost its members and part of his face.
The zeta beam sounded again. They feared for another Leaguer until a palette hit the heroine and green gas started oozing from it, Rocket was quick to trap her. BC coughed until unconscious, Water placed the cure on her.
"What is wrong with you guys! I leave for sometime and when you come back everything is crazy?" R said exasperated.
L laughed loudly, "Well if you weren't such a turtle maybe you'd come back before the crazy happened."
R huffed playfully, "Not everybody could be a kid flash like you."
"Kid Flash... jmm I dig that." The speedster said humming thoughtfully.
"Guys." Rocket sometimes wondered how where they so calm as to even joke and fool around. Where they even sane? She sighed.
...
"So where were you Ren?" L asked as they waked to the lab, Superboy carried Tornado's torso to the table as R connected some cables to a screen.
"I needed to get something just in case."
Rocket looked at him strangely "Just in case? Are you really always so paranoic?" She said, the four boys turned to her bemused.
"Can you blame us?" They said in unison. She raised her hands in surrender, Artemis and Megan gave a short laugh.
"Come on Rocket, we'll guard the entrance." With that three girls left to the main hall.
S crossed his arms in front of his chest, "So now what? The heroes are in control of those guys. What are we gonna do about it."
Water nodded, "R has the cure we used on you, L, and Black Canary."
L buzzed, he turned to the youngest who kept on checking on Red Tornado. He had come to read Renegade better and judging by the looks, something was off, "Ren" he stated.
"I don't have more."
S eyes narrowed, "What...WHY?"
He looked at them, "Those were just test pads. I would hope they would work... They hadn't been tested, but it was the only way. I'm sorry." 'For treating you as testing subjects' was left out.
L stopped him putting his palm to the other's head, "Ren we are not judging."
R sighed, he took a deep breathe. "The cure was devised with the help of Batman and the other Leaguer, I just provided what I knew about it. The cure resulted in testing pads from which I asked Batman for some just in case - as a contingency plan, in case one of us turned awry again."
It was clear R had yet again expected something to go wrong with them and had acted accordingly. "I'm sorry I still doubted you."
L punched him lightly, " I am a bit annoyed at the fact you can't trust us fully, but if you did, then we would be in big trouble right now, your 'contingency plan' took W out of his zombie state and S and I are here, so I'll let it slip for now."
S nodded, "Just... don't make a habit out of it."
R nodded smiling "Deal."
L looked around casually, "We need to get the rest then. Where are they?"
The youngest's lips were set on a firm line, "The Watchtower."
...
They suited up, they readied their minds, hearts and bodies to what was sure to come as soon as the entered the Watchtower.
Another fight against the League, another fight against the Light. Talking about habits, these one was very common now and it was something they hoped would stop.
/
...The Watchtower...
The 7 young heroes found themselves hidden on one of the hangars as R downloaded the Watchtower's layout.
He looked at L , "Help me get... here, lab 2 on the 3 wing." He pointed to the holo screen a laboratory a bit far from the hangar. L looked at the map judging the distance and route, he nodded, "Got it."
"Keep under radar once we get the cure we engage." The others nodded.
L carried R through the maze of halls and levels nearing their destination, something collided with the speedster making him stumble barely managing to catch himself, R landed gracefully ahead the lab was at his left in the hall, he turned to L.
"Go I'll keep him busy." He said turning to the scarlet speedster.
"Lighting..." He called seeing the opponent that had just knocked them.
"Ren, as much as I hate to admit it, we were literally made for this."
R nodded once and locked himself in the lab.
L smirked, "Hey zombie Flash just stay put while my friend gets the cure and everything will be-" he dodged a supersonic punch.
"They never let me finish." L lamented and returned the attack. He wasn't surprise it had connected but was surprised at the heroes hold on his arm. 'Right he was fast but he needed to work on the force of his attacks.' He sighed, "bet you don't wanna talk this out." Flash growled.
L was grateful they were the only ones in the level aside from R, having speedster fights meant they moved everywhere at great speed, just two strings colliding with one another at various points leaving a reck behind.
One punch had the younger flying toward the lab, he crashed onto the glass wall startling Ren.
"Wally are you okay?!" He asked but continued working on the cure.
The other sighed and rubbed his head, "Sure Ren, is not as if I have just crashed through a glass wall, totally fine."
R stared at him with a blank bemused expression, "Not funny, L."
"I'm not laughing either, R" the speedster answered back playfully. He looked at his multiples keeping the speedster busy, but not for long,
"How much more?"
"2 minutes."
"Make it one, dude." He said standing up and zooming to the battle.
R grinned, "Bossy aren't you?"
Done.
He threw it outside the lab, "L!" The young speedster caught it with ease. He gave the younger a quit thumbs up. Flash rose from his position on the ground and growled.
"Leave. Catch you up as soon as I can."
R nodded and left with the cure to find the others leaving some to L just in case. The fight against the speedster had possibly alerted the League members of their presence so they had to move fast, giving everybody a batch they nodded and left onto different directions to seek for the controlled heroes.
...
"Megan its done" R conveyed as he landed softly beside her.
'Copied' She was handed some nanotech pads.
R moved out.
...
15 Icon
20 Dr. Fate
17
As soon as the zoombie like heroes stepped in Megan and Rocket wasted no time ambushing them. Megan had managed to place the cure on Dr. Fate, but was struck by a laser beam from Icon.
Rocket moved forward taking advantage of the distraction. They swiftly placed the cure on each of there necks. The 2 heroes fell uncounsciuos.
"Well that was wild. Too bad cure tech doesn't work as fast as Staro-Tech. We could use this guys." Rocket said levitating back to ground.
Water walked in, Artemis following, "It is a small miracle R and the League we able to reingeneer a cure and vaccine at all."
L´s voice cut through the mental link, 'Hey! if you guys aren´t busy-'
Water frowned, 'On my way, you three rendeavou with Renegade and Superboy.'
Megan nodded towards Rocket, they moved as well. Artemis went toward the direction she knew the speedster was.
...
Flash and L kept on battling at high speed. L sensed the presence of two other Leaguers, he was getting frustrated at that point. It was Green Arrow and Aquaman.
'Where's backup.'
A speeding arrow interrupted the flow as it collided and bursted in flames. Artemis wasted no time in throwing a second one at the Scarlet speedster knocking him away.
Green Arrow responded aiming an arrow towards the blonde archer, speeding past her and exploding as it collided. She groan as she was throwned forward, L caught her they nodded and stance back to back.
L huffed. "Outnumbered as usual."
"I'm amazed we're still alive" she commented.
"Cause they are being controlled, they are limited by however is pulling their strings. The very thing that's putting us in danger is the only thing giving us a chance." He glared.
"L, ARTEMIS!" It was Water, he had a hand on the plank that opened the Watchtowers doors to outer space.
"Hold on!"
Artemis wasted no time launching an arrow with a cord, L holded on to her.
"Ready" they said in unison.
Water brought the lever down.
WARNING CARGO BAY, BENDING ATMOSPERE.
They found themselved being pulled by the void of space.
As much as Green Arrow, Aquaman and Flash tried to fight it they were sent back by the vacuuming force.
Water groaned as he once again rose the lever managing to close the doors just in time for the heroes to collide against them.
L wasted a second in speeding up to them and administer the cure.
"Hope they are fine once they wake up." L couldn't help but comment.
Water placed a hand in his shoulder, "They will be."
/
R backflipped as he had encountered Shayera on his way to find Batman. He was quick to incapacitate her and place the cure. He sighed missing the other heroine behind him.
Wonder Woman threw her leash to trap him, he was thrown toward the wall.
"AACK!" he coughed.
He struggled getting out of the leash and shouted in his mind, 'NOW'
Rocket moved in trapping the struggling Wonder Woman inside the force bubble.
"Can she escape your force bubble?" R asked urgently.
"Not if she keeps punching it, the kinetic energy only makes it stronger, but I'm stuck here. Anything I do risks freeing her-"
He sensed it right away, "Rocket look out!" She flew out of the way of the Dark Knights attack just in time.
R launched himself to the hero kicking him back with great force, the both stared at each other. R stance unsurely 'Battling against Batman always made him uncomfortable as well as contantly trying to supress the instincts he had developed to kill the man.'
Batman on the other hand glared at the boy unrecognizably as he cracked his knuckles ready for the fight.
R wasted no time on throwing a smoke pellet, and launching into the cloud, meeting dead air, 'How. Where?' He looked behind and was punched once, before the dark knight retreated his arm he took a hold of him and use the momentum to throw the hero to the ground twisting his arm behind the back, Batman groaned in slight pain, R flinched letting his hold slack just enough for the other to throw him off.
He dodged three batarangs deadly aimed, but could not judge the next attack. He was kicked with force towards the wall. R moved his head to the side as a fist collided beside him creating a dent on the wall, that would have definitely crashed his skull. That is when R realized Batman had never fought against him with the intent of harming him lethally, since the beginning even if they didn't know each other the heroes had always cared for them.
He took a deep breath they needed to end this fast, his stance changed one of a highly trained assassin, slit eyes assessing his next move. The sudden attacks with deadly precision and fast efficiency were now making Batman barely catch up with the onslaught of attacks from the teen. He growled and took out a stun gun at the last moment aiming above him as R descended to deliver a kick that was meant to render him unconscious.
The boys eyes widened, his jaw clenched as the wiring hit him followed by tons of electrical current. He couldn't help but scream.
As he descended Batman kicked him making him fall through the hole on the floor, down to the lower level where S was fighting Superman. Megan had just managed to free Martian Manhunter from the control and was just recovering from the punch she had recieved from the Man of Steel.
R fell heavily not being able to recover in time to meet the floor. He groaned sitting up, S landed hardly besides him panting.
"You don't look so well."
R scowled, "Hadn't notice, thanks." He turned to his teammate looking at the battered state, he smirked, "You don't look great either, SB."
"Megan!" S shouted, she sat holding her temple, "I´m fine."
Superboy huffed as he flushed but looked otherwise calm and determined, they both look above them as the heroes prepared to descend, "We are not gonna beat them one on one." R said.
"Plan B then." S summarized. S held R hand and threw him in the direction of the Dark Knight as he descended. The force of R colliding with him made them both impact on the wall, R placed the cure as they both fell.
S threw himself towards the Man of Steel trapping him as they both fell towards the wall.
"Are you sure about this-" R said as he ran to Superboy who held onto Superman with difficulty.
"Do it." He said through clenched teeth.
With that R opened the compartment, shiny green illuminated the box. Both Superman and Superboy felt their energy draining, the hero fell unconscious as R placed the pad on his skin.
"Kryptonite that hurts." S groaned as he sat up, R offered his arm for help.
"Which is why Batman keeps it in a overwhelmingly impenetrable vault at the batcave-" He had to thank Alfred as soon as he got home, "well more like a whelmingly penetrable vault."
S stared slightly wide eyed, "How did you get it?"
"I had some help." He said smirking, and just as the first time they knew each other S felt the shiver curse through him. R wasn't someone you could mess with. He turned to Superman who still laid unconscious as R went to check on the Dark Knight.
L flashed to them, "Everything under control here?"
Another flash follow standing besides him, it was the Scarlet Speedster he looked proud at the tired raven haired boys.
The nodded smiling tiredly. Everything turning into calm once again.
...
...Unknown location within the Watchtower...
Vandal Savage closed the holographic screen with the image of their weapons freeing the League of their control. His eyes burned with fury.
"Time to go." he said lowly.
"Come on we could take em!" Klarion
"Yes, but in the process loose control, perhaps destroy the station. Wether or not the League is in our control. The Light still needs the Four Boys alive for future plans."
Klarion booed as he petted Tickal, " I wouldn't loose control." Tickal meowed, "Okay yeah, I bring the chaos." he admitted.
The two villains stopped a they were surrounded by their weapons. L, S, W and R glared at their previous masters.
Klarion smiled darkly, "Oh boys, long time no see."
Vandal Savaged seemed in between amused and heavily angered, he glowered at the youngest who was sthen slightly covered as S and W got between them. Savage smirked, "You are all so clever right. As expected from our weapons."
L blanched, "We. Are. Not. Your. Weapons." he glowered back.
"Oh but you are. You will someday come back willingly. Isn't it right, Renegade."
R fists trembled by his side, "No. Never."
Vandal Savage smirk widened in return.
Klarion laughed, watching as the Leaguers approached them running, "Sorry to cut this short, we'll be leaving. See you around boys."
The witched boy summond a dark red hole that teleported them away from the place.
L, W, S,and R didn't move from their spot, and as much as they wanted to, they weren't sure if they were prepared to fight against their previous owners. The three older's exchanged a glance, the youngest glared at the space where they had last stood.
For now however, The Light had retrieved as everything had come to this. A scheme to take control of The Justice League they had barely managed to avoid.
...
The voice of the android, Red Tornado woke them out of their haze, "Congratulation Team. You have won the day."
They where now standing in front of the Justice League, in front of the heroes of Earth. Some they had met personally, some they had briefly talked to and some that had spend most of their time getting to know them. Miss Martian, Rocket, Artemis, Renegade, Lightning, Water, and Superboy looked at the heroes in front of them, all listening to Superman's next words...
"The Justice league was formed for two reasons, first as an acknowledgement that no single individual no matter how powerful can solve all the worlds' problems alone." He looked at the young heroes, "and second to uphold the values of truth, liberty, and justice."
He then turned to the new members the four boys "These four heroes have sworn to uphold those values, have chose the path of truth, liberty and justice even though they faced many adversities. They have saved us from a threat we hadn't seen coming, a threat that had lurked in the shadows since many years ago. For your help, your courage and your decision to uphold the right over the wrong we are eternally grateful." He finished.
The heroes clapped in support. The boys flushed and the girls grinned at them.
...
Not everybody in the League was keen on the idea of letting the boys form part of the young team. With fair reason they could be moles, they could have some other programming inside.
L had taken it lightly joking with every hero that wanted to know him, W was happy besides Aquaman, after he had offer the atlantean a place to stay in the palace as his apprentice. Some heroes had approached him as well fascinated by his manners and posture. S had much of the attention, not everyday you could see the clone of Superman. He backed away unsure on how to answer the Leaguer curiosity, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder turning around he was grateful for Superman's nod in support.
R tried not to dwell on the fact that most of the heroes would never like them as some had left after the incident. He hoped it didn't cause any further discussion within heroes. Batman placed a hand on the small raven haired, he smiled lightly at the boy in a reassuring manner. R couldn't help but beam at the action.
...
HAPPY NEW YEAR, JUSTICE LEAGUE
A soft music permeated the atmosphere giving everybody a sense of festivity and joy.
Fireworks had started coating the view or Earth, the four boys beamed at the colorful, powerful and amazingly beautiful sight, celebrating not only the start of a new time, but also their new beginning.
Just as L had finished talking with the small group of heroes he felt a tap on his shoulder, "You did gre-good carrot head, you were aweso- " Artemis stopped as she was lifted in bridal style by the speedster.
"Right back at you, babe." He said, green eyes shiny and pearly white teeth giving a sincere smile. The blonde archer couldn't help it, she had fallen for this idiot. As their eyes closed, their faces inches apart until lips met in a first kiss.
Megan took the initiative at the other side of the room, just as Conner turned around she floated toward him, circling his neck with her arms and planting a firm but soft kiss to the kryptonian cutting any word he was going to say.
To her surprise he kissed back, placing his hand around her hips.
"Shish get a room." R said playfully and Rocket laughed. Water shook his head letting out a laugh of his own.
/
Once everything had gotten back to normalicy, some members of the Justice League had departed back to Earth or in case of the Green Lanterns, they were called to their planet.
R found himself staring down at the Earth once again, the new year had come and with it, new doors had opened, new decisions waiting to be taken and more experiences to come. At this moment nobody asked for more than what they already have. There were no traces left of the Light's pre-programming, with that they had clearly disclosed each and every members. The League would deal with them accordingly.
Red Arrow was in custody of the League at the moment, as he had come back to his senses and was now in a meeting with the founding members. From what they had heard, Red Arrow denied himself being named as Roy, and conveyed his wishes on finding Speedy as he was just a traitor.
"Guardian is already searching the Light's base."
/
...The Light's Base...
Ra's Al Ghul looked around once again, he turned to the gnomes, "The League will arrive shortly. Leave nothing behind we might need."
Queen Bee, The Brain, Luthor and a nanotech controlled Guardian already moving out.
/
...The Watchtower...
Superboy walked towards Water and placed a hand in the other's shoulders, "Thank you, for returning."
Water nodded he turned to look at the smaller boy who was approaching them, "Renegade, thank you for making this possible till now"
Renegade beamed, "Ah-" he was interrupted as the speedster crashed into them, wrapping an arm around his and Superboy's shoulders.
"We did it guys!"
R smiled, 'He could just hope to believe.'
Be grateful. Choose right over wrong. Love your friends and family. Believe.
-Inspires, Four Boys: The Path We Seek
THE END