Curious: They started training at the same time, but Robin debuted a few weeks before Blue Jay because she was a little more nervous about fighting and therefore more reserved and less safe. They were out within three months of each other, though.

AlsoRachel: I don't know if I'm going to pair her off yet, mainly because I hadn't thought about it...


Key

"Dialogue"

"Telepathic Communication"

'My thoughts, Twin Telepathy'

'Dick's thoughts, Twin Telepathy'


Fireworks

We hang from our arms on vertical cots. Superboy is staring at us.


"Four sidekicks. Robin, Blue Jay, Aqualad, and Kid Flash, breached security. They found and released the weapon. The Superboy. Of course the clone is under our telepathic control and, as ordered, turned against his would-be liberators. The four are contained and we don't believe the League knows they're here. What should I do with them."

"Clone them. The substitutes will serve the Light, and only the light."

"And the originals?"

"Dispose of them. Leave no trace."


"Time runs short. You must awaken. You must awaken NOW!"

We gasp and look up. Now the four of us have locked eyes with Superboy.

Kid Flash speaks up. "What? What do you want? Quit staring, you're creeping me out."

"Uh, KF, how about we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look?"

"I don't think he can, Robin. If he could, he would have by now."


The head scientist speaks to the female scientist. "Prepare the cloning procedure for the new Project Sidekick. Now."

She walks off.

He walks over to Guardian. "Almost done here, Doc."

He steps over and looks into the empty room. "Where's the weapon?"

"Superboy? He carried the intruders to the Cloning Chamber."

"We have genomorphs for that. Get the weapon back in its pod now."

"I don't see the harm in letting the kid stretch his legs."

"Don't you now?" the genomorph on the head scientist's shoulder's horns glow.

"That clone belongs in a cage." Guardian walks off.


"We only sought to help you." Aqualad states.

"Yeah, we free you, and you turn on us. How's that for gratitude." Kid Flash continues.

"Kid, please, be quiet now. I believe our new friend was not in full control of his actions."

Robin activates a lock pick on his pointer finger. I do the same. 'Remember, Rachel, a calm mind. Focus.'

"What if I—? Hmm. What if I wasn't?"

"He can talk?"

"Yes, he can."

"KF, listen. It's not fun being treated like you're not worth anything. He's a person, whether he was cloned or not." "Not like I said "it"." Kid Flash says.

"The genomorphs taught you telepathically." Aqualad says.

"They taught me much. I can read, write. I know the names of things."

"But have you seen them? Have they ever actually let you see the sky or the sun?"

"Images are implanted in my mind, but, no, I have not seen them."

"Do you know what you are? Who you are?" Aqualad asks.

"I am the Superboy. A genomorph. A clone made from the DNA of the Superman. Created to replace him should he perish. To destroy him should he turn from the light."

"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration. But like Superman, you deserve a life of your own. Beyond that solar suit. Beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus." Aqualad says.

"I live because of Cadmus. It is my home!"

"Lovely home." I snap snarkily.

"Your home is a test tube." Robin suddenly jerks his head toward me. "Be nice, Jay." Robin turns back to him. "We can show you the sun."

"Uh, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon." Kid Flash continues.

"We can show you—introduce you—to Superman."

Superboy looks up at all of us.

"No, they can't."

We look over to see Guardian and the two scientists.

"They'll be otherwise occupied. Activate the cloning process."

I start struggling, trying to find any way under the sun to not get cloned. 'NOOOOOOO!'

'Just relax, Rach.' Robin turns to the group. "Pass. Batcave's crowded enough."

"And get the weapon back in its pod."

"Hey, how come he gets to call Supey an "it"?" Kid Flash asks.

Guardian rests a hand on Superboy's shoulder.

"Help us." Aqualad pleads.

Superboy shrugs off the hand and glares at Guardian.

"Don't start thinking now."

The head scientist's G-gnome jumps to Superboy's shoulder. "See, you're not a real boy. You're a weapon. And you belong to me… Well, to Cadmus. Same thing. Now get back to your pod."

The female scientist starts tapping buttons.

"NOO!"

Metal shock probes stab through our costumes and shock us while removing our blood. This time, it's not just me crying out. The four of us start screaming in pain.

The clothed genomorph steps in. "Where's Dubbilex? Ooh! Ugh. Lurking as usual. Get the G-gnomes downloading their memories. When that's done, delete the source material."


Superboy tries to walk down the hall, but he can hear us crying out. Aqualad speaks painfully. "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, what would Superman do?"


The next thing we know, we hear banging on the door before it's ripped off. The shock probes stop and pull out. We all look up to see Superboy.

The head scientist starts to berate him as the three of them start for him. "I told you to get back to your—"

Superboy simply shoves past them. "Don't give me orders."

"You here to help us, or fry us?"

I giggle softly. 'Guess that shock-probe didn't fry his sense of humor.'

He stares at us for a moment. "Huh. I don't seem to have heat vision, so I suppose helping is my only option." He releases the cuffs around Robin's wrists.

"Ugh, finally. Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long."

"Tell me about it." I shake my head. "And I'm still trapped here."

"Seriously? That's what you're worried about? The whole League will have our heads after tonight." Kid Flash states.

Robin hits a button on the console, freeing the rest of us. "Free Aqualad. I'll get Kid Mouth and Starlight."

"Don't you give me orders either." Superboy jumps up to Aqualad and rips off the cuffs.

Aqualad groans and falls weakly against him. After a second, he straightens up. "Thank you."

Robin releases the cuffs around Kid Flash's wrists, and the four of them drop down. "All right, I'll get Jay, then we can go."

Superboy jumps up and rips off the cuff before cradling me.

"Or, you can get her. Now let's run." Robin sighs. "And put my sister down."

The head scientist watches us run. "You—! You'll never get out of here. I'll have you back in pods before morning."

"That guy is not whelmed. Not whelmed at all."

"You're telling me?" Superboy sets me down. "Thank you, Superboy."

Robin and I throw several of our explosive bird-a-rangs.

Kid Flash runs after us. "What is it with you and this "whelmed" thing?"


The bird-a-rangs blow up our DNA and start a fire. The head scientist's G-gnome jumps onto his shoulder. "Activate every genomorph in Cadmus." The G-gnome's horns glow. The bulbs in the tunnels start to glow orange.


Aqualad is running in front of us. "We are still forty-two levels below ground, but if we can make the elevator…"

Several genomorphs come from around the corner, and out of the pods. The G-Trolls start to attack, but Superboy strikes back fast. The G-Troll pins him to the ground. The rest of us slip past them.

"Superboy. The goal is escape, not to bury ourselves here."

"You want escape?!" he throws a G-Troll into two others.

Aqualad rips the door open. Kid Flash grabs the wall while Robin and I fire our grappling guns and start up.

Superboy jumps in an attempt to fly to the top of the elevator with Aqualad, but starts to fall. "I—I'm falling."

Robin stops their descent with a bird-a-rang.

"Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?"

"Don't know. But it looks like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool." Kid Flash grabs Superboy's arm and lowers him to their small ledge, allowing Aqualad to step down.

"Thank you." Superboy says softly.

I sigh while hanging onto my grappler for dear life. "Everything okay down here?"

The elevator starts flying towards us.

Robin points up. "Guys, this will have to be our exit."

Aqualad and Superboy both punch the door down, and they quickly step into the building while Robin and I flip.

"Uh-oh." I point down the hall to where genomorphs are running at us. We quickly turn down a hall.

"Turn left, Brother."

Superboy looks around before speaking. "Go left. Left."

"Turn right."

"Right."

We find a dead end. "Great directions, Supey. You trying to get us re-podded?"

I sigh. "Kid Flash, give the guy a break."

Superboy looks around. "No, I don't understand."

Robin steps over. "Don't apologize. This is perfect."


The genomorphs run around the corner and find the vent open.

We're all crawling through the vents. Kid Flash is not amused. "At this rate, we'll never get out."

Superboy stops. "Shh." He turns back. "Listen."


"Someone, Robin, I'd wager, hacked our systems deactivating internal security cameras. But he neglected the motion sensors. The genomorphs are closing in. They're all coming out in here. We have them cornered."

They stare in anticipation, but only get a face full of genomorph.

"Agh! He hacked the motion sensors."


"I hacked the motion sensors."

I giggle slightly. "Good one, Rob. Wish I'd thought of that one."

"Sweet." Kid Flash says.

"Still plenty of them between us and out." Robin says.

"But I've finally got room to move." Kid Flash lowers his goggles before running up the stairs, knocking down genomorphs along the way and paving the road for us.

Robin checks his wrist computer. "More behind us."

"Great." I say sarcastically.

Superboy breaks the stairs, causing them to fall.


We'll cut them off at Sub-Level One." Guardian says.

"We'd better, or the Board will have our heads. My head."

The head scientist pushes a button. "I need to get something from Project Blockbuster, just in case. I'll meet you at Sub-Level One."


Kid Flash is still running strong, but an alarm starts to go off, causing a door to close in front of him. "Oh, crud. Unh!" he tumbles backwards and lands on his back.

We run over to him, Aqualad in front. "We're cut off from the street."

"Thanks, my head hadn't noticed."

Superboy fails to punch through it, and even him and Aqualad together can't open the door.

Robin pulls out his wrist-mounted computer. "Can't hack this fast enough."

I activate my own gauntlet before hooking into his and starting to help. "Not even together!"

G-Trolls start coming around the corner.

"This way!" Robin kicks down a door off to the side, and we all quickly enter, only to find a gathering of genomorphs and the Guardian.

"Scrap."

More genomorphs walk up behind us. Aqualad creates hard-water swords and I cover my hands in blue fire while the others prepare to fight. The G-gnomes' horns start to glow, and before we know it, we're knocked out.

"Perhaps, for the sake of all genomorphs, our brother Superboy should make up his own mind."

Superboy turns to look at the clothed genomorph. "It was you."

"Yes, brother. I set the fire and lured your new friends down into Cadmus, woke them when they were in danger…"

Superboy suddenly realizes what happened. "And guided me. Why?"

"Because you are our hope, the genomorph hero. You will blaze a trail for all our brothers, showing us the way to freedom."

Guardian's G-gnome jumps off his shoulder. "What's going on?"

My friends and I start to wake up. I watch as Superboy stands.

"What is your choice, brother?"

"I choose freedom."

Guardian still has his hand to his head. "Feels like a fog lifting."

The rest of us stand up.

"Guardian?" Aqualad asks.

"Go. I'll deal with Desmond."

The head scientist shows up then. "I think not." The genomorphs and Guardian move to where they can see him. "Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." He drinks the contents of the test tube, then starts groaning as he falls to his knees. Test tube and glasses shattering. His whole body changes, and his skin rips off.

Guardian holds out his arms. "Everyone, back." Guardian then runs to the former head scientist. The former scientist slams Guardian into the wall. Superboy then runs for him and punches him, only to get slammed into the floor. Superboy then starts pummeling the former-scientist, who punches him into the wall. He rolls back to his feet and jumps into the air, planning to slam whoever into the ground, only to be slammed through the ceiling.

We all look up. "Okay, that's one way to bust through the ceiling." Robin fires his grappling hook at the ceiling. "You think Lab Coat planned that?"

Aqualad stares after Robin as he rappels up with Kid Flash. "I doubt he's planning anything anymore."

"Probably not, but he sure saved us the trouble." I fire my own grapple gun before following Robin through the hole.


Aqualad joins us on the first floor.

Superboy breaks free, only for Blockbuster to grab his legs and throw him in our direction. He hits Aqualad, and the two slide back across the floor. Robin and Kid Flash help the two back to their feet. We all take fighting stances.

They all take off for Blockbuster. Kid Flash runs up and winds up sliding under Blockbuster's feet right before he gets stomped on. Superboy and Aqualad give a two-for-one punch to Blockbuster's face, and Kid Flash rises to his hands and knees to trip him.

"Learned that one in kindergarten."

Robin then flips sideways over Kid Flash and flings the explosive bird-a-rangs at Blockbuster. I flip to the other side and fling my own. Blockbuster then picks up Superboy and slams him into a pillar. Superboy punches him twice, then gets slammed into the pillar again. Before Blockbuster can slam him a third time, Aqualad uses his water-bearers and grabs Blockbuster's arm with a water whip, then slams a foot into Blockbuster's face before standing sideways on the wall. When he dives for Blockbuster, he gets slammed away, and lands on his back. Blockbuster then throws Superboy into another cement pillar. Superboy falls to the ground, and a piece of the pillar lands on him. Kid Flash then runs over and grabs his arm using Aqualad's slight upright posture for leverage. As Blockbuster flings him into the air, Aqualad prepares a hard-water mace, but is knocked off-balance when Blockbuster brings Kid Flash down. Both hit the wall hard before falling to the ground. Blockbuster then slams a fist into Aqualad, breaking the pillar. When he hits Aqualad again, the pillar snaps.

"Of course." Robin activates his wrist computer and looks at a 3-D image of the room.

I step up beside him. "Of course what?"

"Why aren't you fighting?"

"Same reason you aren't, Rob."

Robin sighs. "KF, get over here."

Kid Flash runs to him while Blockbuster takes another swing at Aqualad, who forms a shield.

Superboy then rushes up and starts punching Blockbuster before grabbing his head.

Robin portrays damage to the pillar. "Got it, you two?"

"Got it."

I nod. "Let's move, KF."

"Go." Robin sighs. "And be careful, Jay."

Kid Flash and I take off, him running while I swing from my grappler. Kid Flash dives up and grabs Blockbuster's nose, punching him in the process. I land beside him and tilt my head curiously.

Kid Flash looks at the thing in his hand. "Got your nose."

Blockbuster throws Superboy to the ground and takes off after Kid Flash and I.

"I know it was part of the plan and all, but come on!"

Kid Flash dodges right before he gets pounded by Blockbuster. Superboy rolls over and gets back up.

"Superboy. Aqualad." Robin raises his wrist to show them the plan while Kid Flash and I flee Blockbuster.

Kid Flash leans against a pillar. "Come and get me you Incredible Bulk." Kid Flash then dodges right before Blockbuster destroys the pillar, but gets hit by a rock and falls. "No. Ugh." He quickly rolls over and jumps back up right before Blockbuster pounds him, but stumbles and winds up getting slammed into another wall. "Ugh!"

"This one and that one." Robin retracts the wrist computer, then pulls out his explosive bird-a-rangs. "Jay, over here!"

I pull out a handful of my own explosive bird-a-rangs. "Let's do this!"

Superboy slams his fist into one pillar, while Aqualad uses his hard water hammer to destroy another.
Blockbuster tries to slam his fist into Kid Flash and I, but we dodge, and he slams it into the pillar instead. "Sorry, try again."

I place my last bird-a-rang and cartwheel beside Kid Flash. "Nice try, big guy, but denied."

"Jay, get out of there!" Robin draws a large X on the floor with white chalk, then runs. Aqualad coats the floor with water. Kid Flash runs and slides on the water, spreading it. Blockbuster runs for him. Superboy jumps into the air before slamming his fist into the top of Blockbuster's head, causing him to fall right on the X. A second later, Aqualad sends a massive electrical current through it, shocking Blockbuster.

Robin runs out of the way. "Move!" His explosive bird-a-rangs beep, then blow up, bringing Cadmus down on top of us. Superboy dives for Kid Flash and Aqualad dives for Robin and I. Seconds later, the building collapses.

Superboy punches a rock away, then he pushes the large stone on our backs away. Superboy looks around to see that we're all okay. "Agh."

Aqualad, Kid Flash, Robin, and I stand from the rubble. "We…did it."

Robin rubs the back of his neck. "Was there…ever any doubt?" He and Kid Flash high-five, only to cringe and groan in pain. Superboy steps over to where Blockbuster is pinned.

"See?" Kid Flash points at the moon. "The moon."

Something seems to come from the moon. After a couple minutes, we discover that it's Superman. "Oh, and Superman. Do we keep our promises or what?"

The Justice League lands around us.

Superboy walks over to Superman and lifts the torn part of his shirt, revealing the Shield. Superman looks stunned for a second, but when Superboy gives him a hopeful look, he scowls. Superboy scowls back.

"Is that what I think it is?" Batman asks.

Kid Flash steps forward and covers the side of his mouth facing Superboy. "He doesn't like being called an "it"."

Superboy releases his top. "I'm Superman's clone."

The League members all share confused looks.

"Start talking." Batman tells us.


They haul off Blockbuster after we finish our tale. While the League talk over what happened, the five of us gather together. I catch Superboy staring at Superman. Martian Manhunter glances our way, followed by Superman, the two both talking with Wonder Woman.

Superman turns to look back at Wonder Woman before walking over to the two of us. "We'll uh—we'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean. For now, I'd better make sure they get that Blockbuster creature squared away." He then turns away and flies off, Superboy staring after him.

I sigh. "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime, Right, Rob?"

"Cadmus will be investigated. All fifty-two levels. But let's make one thing clear."

Flash cuts in. "You should have called."

I speak up softly. "We tried to call Batman, but we were down too deep."

"End results aside, we are not happy. You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again."

"I am sorry, but we will."

"Aqualad, stand down."

"Apologies, my king. But no." Aquaman raises an eyebrow. "We did good work here tonight. The work you trained us to do." Aqualad steps forward. "Together, on our own, we forged something powerful, important."

"Just like Rob and I did four years ago."

Flash cuts in again. "If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the four of you—"

Kid Flash interrupts. "The five of us. And it's not."

Robin and I step forward. "Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us, or why teach us at all?"

"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy asks.

I sigh. "Because we are still children, Superboy."

Superboy continues. "It's simple: Get on board, or get out of the way."

I nod and take my place beside the boys. "Superboy has a point, Batman. I stand with them when I say that we've made our team, and no one will stop us from fighting together."


GOTHAM

Once we step out of the zeta tube, Robin and I walk on either side of Batman as we walk to the Batmobile. "So Batman, what's going to happen to Superboy?"

"He's staying with Kid Flash until the League and I figure out what to do about this team."

Robin and I climb into the Batmobile together. "We're not backing down."

Batman climbs in. Once the roof slides back, he smirks, allowing his true personality to come through. "I didn't expect you kids to."

I smile brightly. "Thanks, Bruce."

"I still don't believe the others are ready, but I do believe that the two of you are. Now, Alfred is waiting in the Batcave. He was very worried when the two of you didn't show up. Get changed. I'll have Alfred get some cookies for the two of you, then you need to get to bed."


FOUR DAYS LATER

Dick and I run down the stairs together wearing matching batman pajamas, before running into the kitchen. We smile at the two men in the kitchen before speaking simultaneously. "Morning Alfred. Morning Bruce."

"Good morning Mistress Rachel. Good Morning Master Richard."

"Morning, kids."

"When are we leaving?"

"Half an hour."

"Asterous!"

"Finish eating and get dressed so we can leave."

I look up at our adoptive father. "Do we need to wear our costumes?"

"No, just these. Remember, no one can know your true identity." He hands each of us a pair of dark sunglasses. Dick's are plain black, with metal earpieces. Mine are black with pink plastic frames, both made specially so they can't fall off. I can see several pairs in different colors, obviously for me, sitting on the counter beside Alfred. "Get dressed, quickly."

Dick and I run up the stairs. I turn to my brother skeptically. "Think Bruce means that they can't know we're a rare set of identical twins?"

"Yeah. If that got out, they'd know."

"But there's other ways they'll find out…"

"Not our business, Rach."

I sigh. "Guess you're right, Dick." I turn to him. "But this is so not asterous. The least he could let us do is tell the team we're twins!"

We turn into our prospective rooms.


HAPPY HARBOR

Dick and I fall into line beside the others. Batman starts pacing in front of us. "This cave was the original Secret Sanctuary of the Justice League. We're calling it into service again. Since you five are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms. Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions."

I'm wearing a pink T-shirt with a light blue butterfly graphic, light blue jeggings, a pink sweatshirt with a light blue butterfly print, white socks, pink tennis shoes, and pink framed dark sunglasses. My long black braids are pulled together and tied back with a pink scrunchie. "Yes!"

Robin is wearing an orange hoodie and black jacket, with black pants and black and white sneakers. He has dark sunglasses on as well. "Real Missions?"

"Yes, but covert."

Flash is standing behind Kid Flash, who is wearing a white long sleeved shirt, blue short sleeved collared shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. "The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these targets on our chests."

Aquaman steps up next to Batman. "But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly."

"The six of you will be that team."

"Cool." Robin smirks to me. His expression suddenly turns confused. "Wait, six?"

Batman nods toward the zeta tube. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian."

"Hi." She says.

"Liking this gig more every minute." Kid Flash says, "Welcome aboard. I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin. Aqualad. It's cool if you forget their names."

I cross my arms. "What about me, Kid Mouth?" I sigh. "Hey. I'm Blue Jay."

"I'm honored to be included."

We all walk over to welcome her.

Robin turns back. "Hey, Superboy. Come meet Miss M."

Superboy quickly joins us.

She changes the color of her shirt with shape-shifting. "I like your T-shirt."

Superboy smiles slightly before scowling when Robin elbows him. Kid Flash darts over and puts his arm around Superboy.

Aqualad looks at us all. "Today is the day."

I smirk. "Too bad Speedy isn't here to see it."

Robin nods. "You said it, Jay."