Guest: I have known who Batman is since I was around 5, meaning my character has the same knowledge. I didn't know Robin until I was around my age in this story, BUT in a universe where Batman and Robin exist, AND you know Batman's identity, you WOULD be able to decipher who Robin is. This is Young Justice, but this is crossed over with MY REAL LIFE up until I lost my mother.

And, "I" only told BATMAN, not the entire league. This is to show my OC's personal "detective" skills brought on my hyper-vigilance and hyper-awareness. She knows how important secret identities are, as the next several chapters will show, as she is almost JUST LIKE BATMAN when it comes to Snowfire/Olivia's care. When Olivia is Snowfire, she is held to the same level of standards, even being GIVEN a nickname (few chapters away yet) so that they don't learn her real name and making her wear her necklace NO MATTER WHAT when she's with the team. Both of them, like Batman, are only human beneath the necklace, and they have to behave as such. So they have powers WITH THE NECKLACES ON, they are still 100% human WITHOUT THEM.

Just as a reminder: SHE DOES KNOW WHO BATMAN IS. Knowing certain details about the fact that her hero work is sponsored by a millionaire (Elite in Chicago, Character from ER), knowing Batman would need either a sponsor OR to fund his own work, picking up on little details (autism symptom as well as hyper-awareness) she can tell that his body shape, face shape, etc., are the same. It's all in the details, my friend.


I have a poll on my profile page asking a question I really want to have answered. I'm trying to get as many answers as I can, and very few people visit my profile. I've gotten literally one answer in a week, and that's sad. Please answer, and be honest about it.


Independence Day

SIX MONTHS LATER: JULY 4TH, CHICAGO, 7:30 a.m.

I've been up for about an hour, and am wearing half of my costume—my dress, cape, mask, and boots are still laying on my bed, and I'm wearing a pink long sleeved knee length dress with an azure blue star print and pink ballet-style slippers with azure blue stars on the toes over my white leggings, T-shirt, and socks. "Livy, it's time to get up!"

Olivia climbs out of her bed tiredly before staggering into the kitchen. "Why so early, Riley?"

I smirk. "Did you already forget? Batman said I could take you to see the Hall of Justice today."

"Oh, yeah." Olivia jumps up. "So when are we going?"

"After our morning patrol, Liver-Loo." I tap the tip of her nose. "Batman wants us there at noon for the tour." I sigh. 'I knew I should have taught her a little more about the League.'

Olivia scoops up a spoon full of Coco Puffs before looking at me. "You have any favorite heroes?"

"Duh." I tap her forehead lightly. "Finish eating. We have to get moving."

"Is Batman your favorite? I heard Mommy say you were dating him."

"Kinda…and not really. We're just friends. I doubt Bats would let me in."


Thirty minutes later, she walks over to me with everything ready save her mask. "Girly, ya gotta put your mask on. You know how vulnerable we are here in Chicago."

"I jus' wanted to wait until we were outside first."

"And have your secret identity discovered?" I sigh. "What would your mom do if you got kidnapped because someone found out you were my sidekick?"

"Ohh… Sorry, Riley."

"Mariposa. We're in character now."

"Sorry."

"It's okay." I look down and smile at her.

"Time to fly?"

"Time to fly."


11:30 a.m.

Half a block from Cook County General, on the El, a woman wearing a white ninja costume and carrying twin Katanas stands and begins to attack the train. It's the newest ice villain, my ex-best friend, alias Thin Ice. She starts attacking, using her enchanted swords to freeze the people on the car.

Snowfire and I are finishing our daily fly-over of the bad side of Chicago. She giggles before doing a flip as she flies. 'Fearless little devil…'

"I can't believe Batman's letting me see the Hall! I'll get to see Robin, and Speedy, and Aqualad, and…who was Flash's sidekick?"

"Kid Flash, Snowy."

"And Kid Flash. Thanks, Ri—" I turn to her with a look that says "stop it before you blow our cover". She suddenly points to the El. "Mari, look!"

I turn to where Snowfire is pointing and groan. "Not her again! Come on, we'd better stop her. I really don't want to deal with her again."

"But they need us, right?"

"Right." I turn to her and smirk before smashing the bullet-proof glass. Once we're inside, the two of us pull out one of our fans each and taking our usual fighting stance. "Freeze, Thin Ice!"

"Maybe I don't want to."

"Then I'll make you." I cover my free hand in the blue inferno before punching it at her, burning her left thigh through her costume. She then aims the ice-producing enchanted sword at Snowfire. I bite my lip nervously, not knowing what Snowfire could be planning. Snowfire covers her hands in her paler fire before grabbing the blade of the sword in both hands and jerking the sword out of her hands blade-first, causing me to smirk. A second later I duck to miss her foot, then punch her in the face, then the gut, and finally a kick to the head, knocking her out effectively. I then unclip one of my white paracord bracelets and take it apart before using the cord to tie her up in case she comes around before the next stop. "Have the police meet you at the next stop. They'll deal with her."

Snowfire smiles at me as I kneel to her level. "Here, let me see your hands." I smirk when I see the tiny cuts fading away, then lead her to the broken window, where we take off for the closest zeta-tube.


AT THE ZETA-TUBE

"Hasn't your mother ever told you not to grab a knife by the blade?"

"But it was a sword, Mari, and I used the fire—"

"It was good thinking—quick thinking. If you hadn't grabbed that blade I would have been taking an ice cube to the Hall of Justice."

Snowfire giggles. "If you could carry it."

"Gone are the days when I was too weak to carry you, Little Missy." I smile before crouching down to her. "Ready to go to the Hall of Justice?"

"I was born that way."

I smile slightly, remembering when she had sang that Lady Gaga song rather loudly on the church bus—right behind the Preacher himself. Talk about funny and embarrassing. "Then let's go, before some other creepy villain shows up."


GOTHAM CITY

Families are celebrating the fourth of July in the city park, when several people start running and screaming after the sound of some kind of beam firing. A woman is literally frozen in her tracks, followed by several others.

A man in a helmet and black thermal protection suit steps up to the edge of a cliff overlooking the park. "Enjoying family time?" He fires his ice blaster at the family closest to him. "My family has other plans." He slides down the ice and prepares to fire again, when a boomerang of some kind hits him. "Batman. I was wondering when—"

Laughter sounds in the distance, then Robin lands on the confused man's head jumps off to the ground. He then flings a handful of disc-shaped bombs, only cracking the man's helmet.

"Oh. Boy Wonder. The Bat sent you to drag me off to prison? Frankly, I'm underwhelmed."

"Great, but I'm kind of in a hurry here." Robin emphasizes his point by waving his arm animatedly.

"Kids. Always in such a rush."

"Not talking to you."

Batman suddenly comes over the ridge and almost blacks out the sun with his cape before landing and punching through the guy's helmet.


STAR CITY

A teen jumps off the top of a bridge support and covers the road with ice upon landing unharmed and creating an ice formation, causing cars to flip and crash. He laughs evilly as several arrows pierce the formation. When he turns to look at the formation, another arrow pierces his icy shoulder. He turns to look at it seconds before it explodes. He then turns and finds two archers on the top of the bridge supports. "Finally. I was wondering what a guy had to do to get a little attention around here." He covers his arm in ice and fires it as ice spears.

"Junior's doing this for attention?" the red-clad one asks. He and his mentor run to the suspension cables and slide down, dodging ice blasts. "I'm telling you now, this little distraction better not interfere."

Icicle Jr. creates an ice shield before more arrows strike their target. He fires more ice spears at the red clad teen, but he simply jumps over them before firing another arrow, shattering the criminal's jaw.

The Green Arrow laughs. "Kid had a glass jaw."

"Hilarious. Can we go? Today's the day."


PEARL HARBOR

A young woman is firing ice blasts at Aquaman. He dodges several before being frozen in one. A teen flips over him before he breaks free. "Don't tell me you're not excited."

"Right now, my king, I'm more focused of the matter at hand." He dodges several blasts, then activates his water-bearers and hardens the water into two maces. The woman freezes them, and he uses the frozen-together maces in an uppercut, sending her into the air and freeing his hands. She falls to her back with a grunt, and he retracts the hardened water. Now only holding handles, he replaces them before turning to his ruler and mentor.

"Well?"

"Yes, I'm excited. Today's the day."


CENTRAL CITY

Two speedsters are racing around a fifth ice-villain—one in solid red, and one in yellow and red. The villain can't even get a hit, they're going so fast.

"Stealing ice? Seriously? Isn't that a bit cliché, even for Captain Cold?"

"Come on. We don't have time for this." The kid pulls down his goggles and winds up getting nailed on the right shoulder. He doesn't let that phase him, though, and he quickly grabs the criminal's ice blaster before skidding to a stop. The man looks at his empty hand and growls right before being tackled by the Flash.

"Calm down, Kid."

"Oh, please. You'll chat it up with the cops, with bystanders…with Cold, even. No. No way. Today is the day."


WASHINGTON D.C.

Robin, Batman, Green Arrow, Speedy, Aqualad, and Aquaman are all standing outside the hall of justice.

Batman rests a hand on Robin's shoulder. "Today's the day."

Green Arrow speaks up next. "Welcome to the Hall of Justice."

Aquaman finishes. "Headquarters of the Justice League."

"Oh, man." The Flash and Kid Flash run up then. "I knew we'd be the last ones here."


Snowfire and I touch down lightly behind Flash and Kid Flash. "Sorry we're late, Batman."

The four teens turn to look at the two of us. I look around and take note of the costumes, knowing I'll need them to match names to faces. "Who are you, and who are you with?"

"I'm Mariposa, and this is my little partner, Snowfire."

"Who?" Kid Flash looks up to his mentor.

"She joined six months ago."

The four nod, and we turn to head inside. "I'm the only girl, Mari."

"Does that matter, Sweetheart?"

"Well…no. It'd be nice to have a girl around though."

"I know what you mean."


OUTSIDE

"Is that Batman?"

"I see Mariposa!"

"Oh my goodness."

"I see Flash and Flash Jr."

"His name's Speedy. Duh."

"Speedy's Green Arrow's sidekick."

"Well, that makes no sense."

I roll my eyes and sigh before speaking to no one in particular. "I agree with that one. Since when is an archer fast?"

Green Arrow leans forward to Speedy. "Ready to see the inner sanctum?"

"Born that way." Speedy replies.

Aqualad looks around. "I'm glad we're all here."

Kid Flash turns to the rest of us. "Have all four sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?"

I groan. "There's five of you, genius." I look at our costumes, then back to the others. "Or are light blue and light pink just invisible to you all?" Snowfire giggles.

Speedy groans, covering my soft voice with his louder one. "Don't call us sidekicks. Not after today."

"Sorry…to both of you." Kid flash sighs. "First time at the hall. I'm a little overwhelmed."

Robin looks at Flash before turning away, his gaze falling on me. "You're overwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone ever just whelmed?"

I turn to Robin. "I may have a tendency to make up my own words on occasion, but…is that even a word?"

"Robin likes to create back-formations." I hear the deep growling voice of Batman whisper in my ear.

"Oh."

We then step into the building. There's a wall of statues portraying the original Justice League over the door.

"Cool, Mari. You really work here?"

Robin looks around, looking stunned. "Oh, maybe that's why."

The doors slide open, revealing a robot and a Martian.

'Both familiar, both unfamiliar…both causing me to freak out.' I reach over instinctively and take Snowfire's hand.

The two step forward, and the Martian speaks up. "Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Snowfire. Welcome." He turns and heads back through the door, causing us to follow. Robin and Kid Flash fist-bump. "You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully-stocked galley, and of course, our library."

Flash turns to us and holds his arms out. "Make yourselves at home."

"Mariposa."

I nod and walk after Batman. "Robin, keep an eye on Snowfire until I get back. Warning, she's still keyed up about facing Thin Ice."

Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Robin settle into the chairs while Speedy stands. Snowfire sits on the floor and looks up at the others.

Batman addresses the League members and I. "Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of five ice villains attacking on the same day. We shouldn't be long."

The computer scans the members. Recognized: Batman, 02. Aquaman, 06. Flash, 04. Green Arrow, 08. Martian Manhunter, 07. Red Tornado, 16. Mariposa, 17.

I look back and see Snowfire smile when she hears my name.

Robin looks over to Snowfire. "What's going on?"

"We made it. Mari's wanted to be on the League since we became heroes. I've never been here to hear that before."

The door slides open, and Speedy all but loses his head. "That's it?" The League members turn to look at him. "You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified backstage pass."

"Actually, I made sure Snowfire barely expected more than getting to hang out with you guys. She's younger than Robin was when he started out—she was seven when we started."

"I was almost eight!"

"Almost isn't quite there, little missy. Thirteen days before, if I recall, but you were still seven when we started."

Aquaman sighs. "It's a first step. You've been granted access few others get."

"Oh really?" Speedy motions to a window with people snapping pictures. "Who cares which side of the glass we're on?"

The Green Arrow steps forward. "Roy, you need to be patient."

"What I need is respect." He turns to face the teens and Snowfire. "They're treating us like kids. Worse, like sidekicks. We deserve better than this." The boys and Snowfire share a look before turning back to him. "You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? Why? Today was supposed to be the day. Step one in becoming full-fledged members of the League."

Robin sighs. "Well, sure. But I thought step one was a tour of the H.Q."

"Except the Hall isn't the League's real H.Q. I bet they never told you. It's a false front for tourists, and a pit stop for catching zeta beam teleporter tubes to the real thing—an orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."

Batman crosses his arms and glares at Green Arrow. "I know, I know. But I thought maybe we could make an exception." Batman continues to glare. "Or not."

While Batman deals with Green Arrow, I deal with Speedy. "Seems like this is step one." I step over to him. "You don't get all the way in with step one. I was lucky to be noticed so soon—a friend of mine thinks Martian Manhunter put in a word for me, to be honest. It takes time. Face it, Speedy. You're still a kid."

Aquaman steps up. "You are not helping your cause here, son. Stand down, or—"

"Or what? You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son. I'm not even his. I thought I was his partner. But not anymore." Speedy throws his hat to the ground. We all stare at him in shock, though I am quite familiar with this behavior. Speedy walks past us. "Guess they're right about you four. You're not ready." He then storms out the door. We stand and watch him leave.

"Um…Batman, mind if I go talk some sense into someone before our meeting?" Batman shakes his head before signaling for me to go. "Snowfire, stay with Robin." I turn and run after him.


"Speedy!"

"What do you want? You're just like the rest of them."

"I am not!" I sigh heavily. "Calm down, I just want to talk." I fall into step with him. "Look, I didn't have it easy as a child. My birthfather wanted me dead, my birthmother was utterly negligent, and my mother died last year—fourteen months ago, to be exact—yet I'm still right here, being a hero. You're not sidekicks, you're Junior Partners. We can pull rank on you, because you're still young, but someday, you'll get there. I mean, I have Asperger's Disorder, and I made it."

"I'm still not going back."

"I didn't ask you to. It's just not right to let an argument simmer. I had to make sure you were okay."

Speedy smiles weakly. "Thanks."


I walk back in right as the computer goes off, and Superman's face appears. "Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire."

Batman is the first to comment. "I've had my suspicions about Cadmus. This may present the perfect opportunity to—"

"Zatara to Justice League. The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Aten to blot out the sun. Requesting full League response."

Batman looks up to the computer. "Superman?"

"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control."

"Then Cadmus can wait." He pushes a button on the computer. "All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara's coordinates. Batman out."

We walk past the three teens and Snowfire. I stop and crouch down to Snowfire before resting a hand on Snowfire's shoulder. "I'm trusting you to behave while I'm away. No funny business."

"Yes, Mari."

"Listen to Aqualad."

She nods.

Batman stops in front of Robin. "Stay put."

Robin is stunned. "What? Why?"

Aquaman steps in front of Robin. "This is a League mission."

Flash cuts in. "You're not trained."

Kid Flash snaps back. "Since when?"

"I meant you're not trained to work as a part of this team."

Aquaman continues. "There will be other missions. When you're ready."

"But for now… Stay. Put."

The four of us walk off.

"Glad you didn't bring you-know-who?" Green Arrow asks the Martian Manhunter.

"Indeed." They walk after us as well. Red Tornado barely spares the four a glance before walking away. The door slams shut behind us.


"Ugh. When we're ready?" Kid Flash grimaces. "How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like—like sidekicks."

Snowfire groans before lying back on the floor. "And I thought my brothers were bad."

Aqualad looks stunned. "My mentor. My king. I thought he trusted me."

Snowfire sits up and smiles at the three boys. "Mari trusts you."

"Trust? They don't even trust us with the basics. They've got a secret H.Q. in space."

"What else aren't they telling us?"

"I have a better question. Why didn't we leave with Speedy?"

The other two look at the floor. Snowfire looks up at them with fire flashing in her eyes. "Because we're better than him, and we can prove it. I still haven't had a chance."

Robin lays a hand on her shoulder before crouching down to her. "I was nine when I started out, Snowy. You'll get there."

She nods. "I was seven."

Aqualad turns to the trio. "What is Project Cadmus?"

Robin looks up. "Don't know. But I can find out." He walks over to the computer and taps a few keys.

Access denied.

"Heh. Wanna bet?"

Kid Flash gasps. "Whoa. How are you doing that?"

"Same system as the Batcave."

Access Granted.

"All right, Project Cadmus. Genetics lab here in D.C. That's all there is." Robin turns to Aqualad. "But if Batman's suspicious, maybe we should investigate."

Aqualad continues. "Solve their case before they do. It would be poetic justice."

"Hey, heh, they're all about justice."

Aqualad sighs. "But they said stay put."

Robin smiles. "For the blotting-out-the-sun mission, not this."

Kid Flash turns to Robin and Aqualad, the latter resting a hand on Snowfire's shoulder, taking his job as babysitter seriously. "Wait, are—? Are you going to Cadmus? Because if you're going, I'm going."

"Just like that? We're a team on a mission?"

"We didn't come for a play date." Robin looks over at Snowfire. "Well, most of us didn't."

"Hey!"

Aqualad smiles as he nods slightly.

Snowfire flies into the air excitedly. "Hoo-yeah!"


WITH THE LEAGUE

I turn to Batman nervously from my seat in the Batwing. Though I can fly, there's a chance we may have to go into space, and I definitely can't breathe without the atmosphere.

"Are you okay?"

"It's my first outside-the-atmosphere mission, and I left Snowfire with a thirteen-year-old." I sigh. "It's not that I don't trust Robin, because I do, but I was his age when she was born, and I wasn't allowed to hold her for six months."

"We're here."

I nod before taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."


CADMUS

Sirens wail outside the two-story building at Cadmus. Two men are trapped on the second story.

"Help!"

"Get us down!"

A fireman holds up a megaphone. "Stay put. We will get you out."

Seconds later, an explosion behind them causes the two to fly out the window. Kid Flash darts over and runs up the wall, catching them. After setting them on the roof, he almost falls, grabbing the wall to keep from falling.

"It's what's-his-name. Flash Boy!"

Kid Flash looks down at them. "Kid Flash. Why is that so hard?"

Robin, Aqualad, and Snowfire run up. "So Smooth."

"Does he always have to run ahead? We need a plan. We—" Aqualad looks around. "Robin?"

Snowfire shrugs. "Don't ask me."

They hear a kid laughing, and turn to see him jump on the back of a fire truck. He uses a grappling hook to swing to the window Kid Flash is hanging from and pulls him up and in. "Whoa." Robin falls slightly into the building.

"Aren't you s'pposed to get out of burning buildings, not in them?"

Aqualad runs over to the firemen. "I need to borrow that." He pulls out the handles on his water-bearers and pulls their water to him. Using the water, he creates a water funnel and rises to the roof on it.

"Great. Now I'm alone."

Aqualad turns to the two scientists. "Step aboard. Now."

Aqualad stops in the window Robin and Kid Flash had fallen through, then lowers the two scientists to the ground. He then replaces the handles.

"Guess it's up to me." She lifts off the ground and flies to the window.

"Appreciate the help."

"Same here."

"You two handled it. Besides, we're here to investigate. Poetic Justice, remember?" Robin starts to hack the computer system as Kid Flash works his way through a filing cabinet.

Aqualad walks around the corner while Snowfire starts to go through the files with Kid Flash. He simply points after Aqualad before walking that way.

"There was something in the…"

"Elevators should be locked down."

Robin runs around the corner and lays a hand on Kid Flash's shoulder before darting past them. "This is wrong." He looks at his wrist before activating a holographic computer. "Thought so. This is a high-speed express elevator. It doesn't belong in a two-story building."

Neither does what I saw." Aqualad muscles the door open and looks down.

"And that's why they need an express elevator." Robin quips. He fires his grappling gun to the top and checks to make sure it's holding fast before he rappels down. Aqualad and Kid Flash grab on and follow him. Snowfire steps off the edge, relying on her powers to keep her safe.

Robin suddenly stops. "I'm at the end of my rope." He starts swinging toward the door before grabbing onto the ledge. He sits on it and checks his wrist computer while Aqualad swings over, and Kid Flash is rescued yet again—this time by Aqualad. Snowfire floats down beside the three.

Robin speaks up again. "Bypassing security." The wrist computer makes a slight chirp. "There. Go."

Aqualad muscles the door open, and they all step in.

"Welcome to Project Cadmus." Robin says.

Snowfire reaches up instinctively to grab Robin's hand. Kid Flash bolts, running nowhere in particular.

"Kid, wait." Aqualad says hoarsely.

Kid Flash skids to a stop before falling. "Aah! Oof." He looks up at the strange creature above him before seeing its foot approaching. He quickly rolls to the side, barely avoiding his death. They step over to the other side of the double line of beasts. Kid Flash quickly bolts back to them.

One of the smaller creepy things looks down at them, and his horns glow red. "No. Nothing odd going on here." Aqualad says sarcastically.


Robin unlocks another door after releasing Snowfire's hand. "Okay, I'm officially whelmed."

They look around to find several pods, each glowing electric blue and containing some strange creature.

Kid Flash walks deeper into the room. "This is how they hide this massive underground facility from the world. The real Cadmus isn't on the grid. It generates its own power with these things. Must be what they're bred for."

Aqualad walks in. "Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the earth."

"And this Cadmus creates new life too. Let's find out why." Robin hooks his wrist-computer into the Cadmus system. He types for a minute on the holographic screen. "They call them Genomorphs. Look at the stats on these things. Super-strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are living weapons."

Kid Flash leans in. "They're engineering an army. But for who?"

"Wait, there's something else." Aqualad and Snowfire step closer. "Project K-R." Robin groans. "The file's triple-encrypted. I can't—"

"Don't move!" a man in a helmet runs over with a squad of Genomorphs.

Snowfire shrieks before turning to run away. Aqualad grabs her and pulls her back. "Stay."

"Okay."

"Wait. Robin? Aqualad? Kid Flash? Who's the girl?"

Robin glances at Kid Flash. "At least he got your name right."

"I know you. Guardian. A hero. She's Snowfire. Sidekick to Mariposa."

"I do my best."

Kid Flash speaks up. "Then what are you doing here?"

"I'm chief of security. You're trespassing. But we can call the Justice League. Figure this out."

"You think the League is going to approve of you breeding weapons?"

"Weapons? What do you—? What have I—? Ugh." He puts a hand on the helmet. "My head. Take them down hard. No mercy."

The snarling beasts attack. Robin throws a smoke pellet before firing off his grappling gun and swinging away to safety. Kid flash continuously dodges a genomorph while Aqualad faces one head-on—literally. Guardian then slams Aqualad into a computer, denting the front panel. The two start fighting, punching each other so quickly Snowfire can barely catch the action. Snowfire prepares her white-blue inferno, but keeps dodging their attacks, not wanting to hurt them—they are still alive, and I taught her to never kill. After about two minutes, Aqualad shocks Guardian and pushes him back. Kid Flash then bursts through the cloud, and they all three start running.

They find Robin hacking into some mechanical system. Kid Flash darts over to him while Aqualad looks back to see the horde of genomorphs still after them.

"Way to be a team player, Rob."

Robin turns to look at him. "Weren't you right behind me?" The door opens. Aqualad runs over, pulling Snowfire along. He throws her in before diving in after her. The doors close seconds before They're attacked by more genomorphs.

Robin hits the down button.

Aqualad glances up at the number display. "We're headed down?"

Kid Flash points up. "Dude, out is up."

"Excuse me? Project K-R? It's down on sublevel fifty-two."

"And if there's a captive, we have to save him."

Aqualad rubs the back of his head. "This is out of control." He lowers his hand. "Perhaps…Perhaps we should contact the League."

The elevator dings, and the doors open. The walls and floors are red, and look like either a cave, or the inside of one of the genomorphs.

Snowfire looks back to the others. "There's no turning back now."

Robin and Snowfire dart out, this time sticking together.

Kid Flash moves his arm toward Aqualad. "We are already here." He then takes off at a dead run, as always.

They all stop at a fork, Aqualad bringing up the rear. "Which way?"

Robin pulls out one of his disc bombs. "Yeah? Bizarre-looking hallway one" He waves his arm in my direction. "Or bizarre-looking hallway two?"

"You're asking me?" Snowfire sighs. "How should I know?"

"Hold." A voice comes from a tunnel. They look back just in time to see two barrels flying for them. Aqualad and Kid Flash dive for cover as Robin throws the bomb. It misses, and the genomorph sends two more at them, causing them to run down one of the halls. "They are headed for Project K-R." Guardian and the genomorphs follow them.

A woman steps out of a room only to find Kid Flash flying toward her. He tries to slow down, but only manages to fall down, taking her down with him. He glances up at the label on the door before quickly grabbing a barrel and shoving it into the door. "Hurry!" He waves a hand for us to follow.

Robin, Aqualad, and Snowfire hurry and jump into the room. Aqualad slams it closed seconds before the genomorphs can get to us. Robin starts hacking instantly, while Snowfire looks around the room. "This place is freaky."

"Tell me about it." Robin glances over at me before returning his eyes to his work. "I disabled the door. We're safe."

"We're trapped." Aqualad corrects.

Kid Flash is looking at something. "Uh, guys? You'll wanna see this." He pushes a button, causing the pod in the middle of the room to light up.

"Whoa." Robin breathes.

"It's a boy…" Snowfire scowls slightly. "I was right." She turns away. "We have to free him, Robbie!"

Kid Flash walks over to the standing pod. "Big K, little R. The atomic symbol for Krypton. Clone?"

Aqualad turns to Robin. "Robin. Hack."

Robin turns from me. "Right, right." He gets to work. "Weapon designation Superboy. A clone force-grown in sixteen weeks from DNA acquired from Superman."

Aqualad scowls. "Stolen from Superman."

Kid Flash looks up at them. "No way the big guy knows about this."

"Solar suit allows him to absorb yellow sun radiation 24/7."

"And these creatures?" Aqualad points to the Gnomes.

Robin continues reading. "Genomorph-Gnomes. Telepathic. Force-feeding him an education."

"And we can guess what else." Aqualad stares at the pod.

Kid Flash looks at his two friends. "They're making a slave out of, well, Superman's son."

"Now we contact the League."

The three try to activate their comms to no avail. Robin is the first to speak up. "No signal."

"We're in too deep. Literally."

Snowfire checks her comm. link and trembles slightly. "Ditto."


Outside the door, Guardian and the genomorphs are attempting to get in with the help of the scientist, to no avail. The head scientist runs up.

"They're still in there? With the weapon?"

Guardian turns to look at him. "We can't get the door open."

"Use your telekinesis."
"I have tried to no avail." The genomorph that had been chasing us says.

"Useless. This is a debacle. Get some G-Trolls down here to muscle the door open. Now."

Guardian puts his hands on his hips. "Already on their way."

"You realize once we get in there, we can't ever let them leave?"

"Doc, there aren't your typical meddling kids. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the Justice League."

"Better than getting on the wrong side of the Cadmus board of directors believe me." He stares into the eyes of the gnome on Guardian's shoulder. "Contact the G-Gnomes inside K-R." the gnome closes its eyes as its horns start to glow.


"This is wrong." Kid Flash turns to the others.

"We can't leave him like this." Robin glances back to me.

Aqualad puts his hands on his hips. "Set him free. Do it."

Robin taps a few keys, and the pod hisses before the sides lower, setting Superboy free. His hand clenches, and his eyes snap open. The next thing we know, he's tackling Aqualad. He manages to get in three good punches before Robin and Kid Flash can get to him.

Kid Flash grabs his arm. "Whoa! Hang on, Supey."

"We're on your side." Robin states, taking a shoulder.

Superboy reaches back and socks Kid Flash, sending him flying through a glass cylinder.

Robin grabs Superboy's neck and holds something in his other hand. "I don't wanna do this." He pushes the button and shoves the canister into Superboy's face.

"Good. You set him free."

"Yeah, and now he's attacking us." Robin states.

"Good point."

While Superboy is distracted, Aqualad kicks him in the face and into the consol. Robin quickly charges a taser before activating it. Superboy simply grabs the cables and jerks Robin to him before standing one foot on his chest. Aqualad holds a hand to his head. When he sees Robin in danger, he activates his water-bearers and hardens the water into a large hammer before diving for Superboy. "ENOUGH!"

Superboy slams into the cot he had been laying on. Aqualad kneels down and helps Robin up. "Ugh…Ung—ugh." Robin holds a hand to his chest before collapsing again.

Snowfire runs over to Robin. "I've got him. You handle Superboy."


Snowfire kneels and helps Robin sit up. "Robbie, are you okay?"

"Feels like Superman stood on my chest."

"Well, he did." She giggles slightly. "You're gonna be okay. I can help you."

"They need me."

"But you're no help if you can't fight. My fire can heal you."


Aqualad nods and stands, prepared to stop him. He holds up a hand, palm out. "We are trying to help you."

Superboy darts for Aqualad, but the latter dodges, causing Superboy to punch the ground. Aqualad then slams Superboy into the wall. Superboy reaches a hand up and stops Aqualad's hand before kicking him away. Aqualad lands on his feet and gives three good punches before dodging one of Superboy's. He lands one more before grabbing Superboy from behind and shocking him. Superboy screams before jumping, slamming Aqualad into the ceiling. He notices Aqualad is still holding on, so he repeats the action. This time, Aqualad falls to the floor. Superboy stands and glares around the room.

Snowfire sets Robin out of the way before standing. "Time for the two of us to fight now?"

He simply nods.

"Then let's do this." Snowfire covers her hands in the white-blue inferno and fires blast after blast at him before moving closer and punching him in the gut with the flame-covered hand. She then steps back and shakes her hand. "Bad idea. Dude's got abs of steel."

Superboy crosses the room and slams open the door.

Snowfire closes her eyes and focuses her energy, shifting into a ten-foot version of herself. Now that she's towering over him, it's a little less of a challenge, save the fact that he's already let the bad guys in. Snowfire falls to her knees and returns to her normal form, shrinking down from ten feet to her normal height of almost four feet.

The head scientist steps up to see her friends taken down. "Attaboy."