Summary: Harry never asked to be trapped in a new world filled with heroes. And he certainly never asked to be reborn as a clone of a hero. Slash.
Unbeta'd
A New Dawn
-Chapter 2-
1
Harry returns to his previous spot and sits upon the piece of cloth, his mind still reeling at the revelation of his appearance. In the shock of it all, Harry had first failed to notice the lack of a scar on his forehead. The thing that always defined him as the boy-who-lived, a name he still despises to this day. Now it's gone. Harry did not know how to feel about that. Although the scar no longer marred his skin, its ghostly presence is still there haunting him with every breath he takes. This isn't the only surprise that he discovers. His face is that of a child's. A child in their early teenage years to be specific. He recalls what the genomorph had showed him about Project Cadmus. Unlike an ordinary child, this body had been made and brought up in a vat, a container which trapped Harry until the genomorph released him. That's if he believes what the genomorph said and frankly Harry has no choice but to.
The weirdness of his eyes and hearing, the drastic changes to his physical appearance and the lack of his defining scar. There is no other explanation than the one he was given, but Harry still has more questions. Ones the genomorph will not be able to answer and maybe no one will. Like how in Merlin's name did he get here? Become trapped in this body that was not his own? Just what happened to him on his way to Kingsley? This was all too much for him to process at the current moment. He needs to stay calm and think logically. Let's say he believes the genomorph then what of the wizarding world? Have they been revealed? If beings like Superman can exist and are mostly accepted, does that mean the wizarding world has no reason to hide any longer? This he can ask the genomorph upon its return.
Until then, Harry decides to check his magical core once more. Despite his body being that of a child's, his magical core is fully developed. This brought Harry some comfort as he at least has something to protect himself with. The only downside is the lack of a wand. Harry isn't well versed in the art of wandless magic. So what better time to practice than now. Kingsley and the others can wait a little longer for his return.
Harry grabs one of the many small pieces of rocks lying about and places it before him. He opens his mouth and aims to say, 'wingardium leviosa' in the way Hermione taught him as a child but the only sound that escapes him is a wheeze. This causes him to release painful coughs. That's when he realises this body must have never uttered a single word before. So he tries again. Raising his arm and with a flick and swish of his hand, Harry attempts to speak.
"Wing..gar…dium levi..o..sa," he says in between stutters.
This is going to take a while.
2
On his fifty-ninth attempt, the creature returns. By that time, Harry can say the spell with little difficulty, but the rock has only rolled over instead of levitating. He can try again later. He needs to focus on the genomorph who steps out of a tunnel with items visible in its hands. It strides towards Harry before kneeling down and scattering the objects in front of him. It is sandwiches and a few bottles of water. That's when hunger grips Harry. He didn't realise how much he is starving for food, but Harry looks towards the creature instead. The genomorph gestures towards the sandwiches and Harry decides to take one. The reason being there is no need for the creature to poison his food. Not after it had gone through such lengths to get him. Poisoning him now will seem a bit redundant. It is a chicken sandwich he wafts down, and as he turns to grab the water, the bottle bursts beneath his grip sending water flying in every direction. Harry blinks in shock and a hand rests on his shoulder.
"You need to learn to control your strength," it says.
My strength? There is no way he is that strong. He gazes down at the water bottle. It's completely crushed within the palm of his hands. This didn't happen with the rock.
"Yes, brother. Try and grab the bottle again but lightly."
Harry nods. He grabs another bottle with care, and he turns the lid open.
"Well done," the creature praises with what looks like a smile upon its face.
Harry doesn't reply and drinks the much-needed water to soothe his throat. After he's done drinking, he turns towards the genomorph and asks, why are you doing this for me?
"Doing what?" It says in response, its hand still on Harry's shoulder.
Looking after me?
The creature turns silent as if contemplating an answer. Harry did not think it will respond to this question as the silence draws out. But it did.
"We are both the same and different," the genomorph begins. "We were both created to serve a purpose, to be controlled by others for the sake of their goal. But, unlike me, you have a chance of freedom where I do not. You have the capability of having a will of your own, away from this place. I have seen other brothers like you, failed experiments which were terminated for not passing their tests. I thought that maybe I can save one. That I could save you."
The genomorph falls silent once again.
Why… Why don't you escape if being here is so bad? Harry says, treading carefully with the question.
"I do not look human. I will not be accepted."
The creature let's go of Harry's shoulder, and any more questions that Harry has dies on his tongue.
3
After that, it takes a while before the genomorph is able to speak to Harry again. When it does, it explains that there is a group which can help him escape but it also means waiting for them. The Justice League, they are called. A group made up of heroes with the ability to protect the world. Most importantly, his father, the man who he shares parts of his genetic make-up with, is a part of the group. Superman; one of the world's finest heroes. The genomorph tells him stories about Superman as if in awe of his power and strength.
"He will be able to take you out," it gushes with optimism.
Harry supposes that to be true if the man is like anything in the stories. Although, taking in a random child that Superman doesn't even know exists is a big ask.
"Do not worry," it says after sensing his concern. "You are his son. He cannot deny you freedom."
Yeah, Harry answers. Maybe…
There is doubt within Harry because no man or Superman can be that perfect and kind.
Shaking those thoughts from his head, Harry sets out asking the questions he desperately wants answers to.
Have you ever heard of magic?
The question must have alarmed the genomorph as it stares at Harry with a strange expression.
"Yes…," the creature says but with a tone of apprehension. It shifts a little in its seat as if trying not to squirm. That just made it look bizarre because of its large size. What did it have to be afraid of? Harry wonders.
Then do wizards and witches exist? Or…or the wizarding world?
For the first time in a while, Harry dares to hope that everyone is safe and is waiting for his return. That he doesn't need Superman to save him. He just needs his friends by his side and he will be all right.
"Wizards and witches do exist, but you must learn to stay away from them. They are dangerous. But… I do not know of a wizarding world. Was that apart of your learning scheme?"
Harry releases a sigh of relief. They exist. That's all he needs to know.
My learning scheme? Harry probes, wondering what that means.
"Yes, one of the tests for subjects is to slowly fill their head with knowledge from this world with the help of G-gnomes. But to my understanding, you have not entered the level five learning scheme because you failed to do so. So how do you know about magic?"
Harry ponders at the thought of telling it the truth. He has nothing to lose by being truthful and maybe this will help him in the long run. But first, he'll need proof to show it so the genomorph will not think he's insane.
Grabbing another rock within his distance, Harry places it in front of him.
Confusion fills the creature's expression. "What are you doing?"
Just watch.
Harry raises his arm once again, and for the sixtieth time, he moves his hand with a flick and swish while proclaiming in a child's voice, "Wingardium leviosa."
The rock floats and Harry tells the creature everything.
4
The creature believes him and that's all Harry could ever ask for, but it also makes the creature more determined to get out of the cave and into safety.
"He cannot know," it repeatedly says. "He cannot know. He will use you as they use me."
Harry recalls back to what the genomorph told him. Are you talking about Lex Luthor?
"Yes, that vile man. We must go."
Harry stares at the genomorph in surprise. You mean now?
The genomorph frantically nods. "We cannot waste any more time. We can no longer wait for the Justice League to find us. Come."
The creature helps Harry up onto his feet and they begin their descent into one of the tunnels. It is the tunnel Harry travelled through earlier. Plunging into near darkness, both of them continue to hurry through and Harry once again steps into a puddle but this time without a care in the world. The genomorph is guiding him even though Harry can clearly see in the dark. They travel for a while before reaching an elevator. The genomorph pushes a button on the side of the elevator and the door opens. It urges Harry through the opening and follows after him.
"We have to be careful," it says with a shaky voice, hinting a small amount of fear.
We will, Harry says with more determination. He is sure of it. This is the only chance they've got, and he will not mess up. The others are waiting for him.
Suddenly, the genomorph freezes up and tightly grips Harry shoulder to the point that it's almost painful.
"Intruders," he proclaims in Harry's head. "There are intruders in the building and they've been captured."
Insecurity fills Harry. Is it the Justice League?
"No…," it says. "It's – it's children."
Children?!
Harry thinks about Lex Luthor and all the experiments he has done. There is no way that those children will survive whatever happens to them. Harry now has a choice; either use the distraction as a means to get out or help the children which means sacrificing his own escape. Harry curses his luck.
We have to get the children.
The genomorph turns sharply to Harry. "No."
You can't just leave them, Harry argues. They're going to die if we leave them here.
The elevator doors finally open before the genomorph can reply, but Harry can already tell what its answer is going to be. So mustering up all his strength, Harry shoves the creature to the side and yells, "Sorry!" as he legs it down the red corridor. He can hear a roar of fury behind him but Harry refuses to stop. He cannot stop now.
It's only after he continues to run that he notices his environment. The walls are like nothing he has ever seen before. They mimic flesh with yellow pods protruding from all sides. It disgusts Harry. Those pods are filled with experiments, other genomorphs waiting to be born into this world. He turns a corner and listens. Harry can hear the sounds of people groaning in pain up ahead. It must be the children. He has to hurry or else.
But before Harry could take another step further, pain explodes from his side as he is thrown across the corridor. The genomorph that said it will protect him, keep him safe has caught up with him. It roars once again while Harry tries his best to stand up despite the agony in his side, but the creature pins him down and holds him there.
"You are not going!" It shrieks while causing a sharp ache in Harry's head.
Get off me! Harry shouts back as he struggles against the creature.
"I'll drag you back if I have to!"
Anger races through Harry. Using his legs, he draws them to his chest and kicks the genomorph in the chest, causing it to fly across the room and collide with one of the pods on the wall. The pod cracks and yellow liquid gushes out on top of the genomorph. Harry grimaces at the sound as he forces himself up. The creature is out cold and for how long Harry does not know. So Harry begins to run again and towards the sounds from earlier.
As he turns another corner, he catches sight of someone and freezes up on the spot. The person in front of him looks to be a kid with jet black hair and blue eyes. A shade of blue Harry instantly recognises as his own. Could he be? What stuns Harry is that they could be almost identical if not for a few differences. One difference being that Harry is small and lean while the other boy is large and muscular. The shapes of their faces differ too; Harry's face is more oval and softer in features, but the kid's face is more angular with a sharp jawline. He looks like Superman or he seemingly does from the images the creature showed Harry. Could this be Superman's perfect clone? But he looks so young. How is he meant to replace Superman? The boy is wearing a blinding white suit with a symbol of a red 'S' in the middle of his chest. Before Harry's mind can race any further, the boy speaks and his own shock is palpable.
"Who are you?" The boy demands, rage morphing his features.
"I'm like you," Harry says, his own voice cracking from disuse.
The boy opens his mouth to say something but the small G-gnome on the boy's shoulder stops him. Or what Harry believes stops him as its horns glow a faint red. They seem to be conversing through each other's heads while Harry stands there watching them. Then the boy turns back to Harry, a conflicted look spread across his face.
"Brother," he says hesitantly as if the word is foreign on his tongue. "You're my brother."
Harry did not know what to say to that.
More cries filled the air and Harry is reminded of what he has come here to do. Then he hears a voice speaking through anguish.
"Superboy, you live. That gives you the right to follow your own path. A weapon or a person, the choice is yours, but ask yourself this, 'what would Superman do?'"
Harry rushes past the boy and his G-gnome with ease – his aim to follow that voice.
"Oi," the boy cries before tailing him. The boy quickly catches up to Harry's pace but does not make any attempts to harm him. The surprises Harry as he thought the boy would be under telepathic control. That's what the creature told Harry – that everyone created in Project Cadmus is controlled. Instead, the boy seems to be fighting it as is expression is full of agonising concentration. With rapid movements, the boy grabs the G-gnome on his shoulder and flings it across the corridor. His expression quickly softens as if no longer in pain. Most of all, he is running alongside Harry to the room where screams can be heard.
They reached the entrance and the boy grabs a hold of the metal handles before ripping the door off its hinges. He then throws it aside which makes a large boom. They enter and Harry takes in the vastness of the room. He is then interrupted by a middle-aged man in a lab coat.
"I told you to get back to you–" the man says, stepping forward towards the boy or Superboy someone had called him. Although, the man is cut off by Superboy's right hand slamming against him and sending him onto the floor. Superboy does the same to two other people who step forward, one a genomorph and the other a human being in a mask.
Harry decides to ignore the commotion and heads straight to the boys trapped in the pods. The first one he goes to is of a boy with flaming red hair and green eyes. He is wearing a bright yellow and red costume with a mask. This throws Harry off a second, but he decides not to question it. He has seen wizards wear more outrageous clothes. Using his strength, Harry pries the pod open and rips the kid's restraints apart, freeing the redhead.
"Finally," the boy murmurs while rubbing his wrists. The redhead glances at Harry with suspicion. "And you are?"
"My brother," Superboy's voice almost growls out, and the whole room turns silent at the revelation.
"Your brother?" The short black-haired boy with an 'R' logo on his chest says in surprise. He is standing next to a control panel and is repeatedly hitting buttons. He must have escaped from his pod without Harry noticing. With some final clicks, the final pod is open and the teen with light blonde hair and deep brown skin is freed. Although, he almost collapses to the ground and Superboy hurries to catch him.
"I thought there was only one clone?" The redhead says.
"It doesn't matter," the blonde-haired boy groans out. "We need to leave. Now."
5
They escape, through explosions and genomorphs. Nearly everyone is exhausted as the boys Harry helped save almost flop to the floor. Harry is less tired but still relieved that he made it out. He can feel the cool breeze touch his heated skin. He closes his eyes as to savour the moment, but the redhead's voice breaks him out of it.
"Oh. And Superman," the kid says surprised. "Do we keep our promises, or what?"
Harry looks towards the moon and a figure with a cape overshadows it.
Superman. He exists.
As Superman touches the ground, his gaze wanders towards Superboy and then Harry. Shock obviously colouring his expression. Soon others arrive in costumes of all sorts; two are dressed in all green and black, and another has wings like a bird. This is the Justice League, he realises. The mighty heroes of earth, the creature had called them. Harry wonders if he should feel intimidated. He glances towards Superboy and sees a face of admiration and wonder, but Superboy does not get that in return from Superman.
This isn't good, he thinks.
"Are they what I think they are?" A man dressed in a bat costume questions.
"I'm – No, we're Superman's clones," Superboy exclaims, gaining a startled look from everyone who just arrived.
Multiple eyes look between Harry and Superboy. At that moment, Harry feels like an animal caught in a bear trap. He looks away from those gazes and focuses his attention on the man in the bat costume.
"Start talking," the man growls out.
Yeah, Harry thinks. This isn't going to end well.
Author's Note:
I was really excited to write more, so hope you guys enjoyed this.
Once again, feel free to give constructive criticism like if there are any mistakes. Plus, a thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter.