DM: I Am

by Mumei Mu

In a new universe, a clone was 'born' in Cadmus and his presence will change the world forever. He will meet countless of people who will affect him in a way and some answers that he want to know, some answers that he wish he will never get. He will make a important decision one day...What will he become?

4. Am I Alone?

Thank you for the reviews and feedbacks.

I decide to update every completed chapters that I done so far. (Still working on other chapters so don't worry about it for now.)

Some questions won't be answered to avoid the spoilers and if I miss some questions, sorry!

Coldblue: I'm pretty sure that it's not you because it was mostly spam on DXD so don't worry about it. I just forget to answer the questions because I was kinda in hurry by this time. I don't mind either and I'll try my best to answer some of your questions as much as possible. 3) Maybe, maybe not, who know? Anything can happen in this universe! 4) Yes, I have seen some episode. 5) I enjoy it pretty much, even if it's kinda dark in a certain way.

Darkiller: The pairing is secret like most of my stories.

Zx: I can't tell you which stories are going to be update because it's all random and it depend on how long or short the chapters are. I don't want to say 'this chapter is coming out on…' then get people's hope up and crush it on the deadline day. It take some time.

Most characters might be OOC and there might be some grammar errors but I'm trying my best.

Enjoy the fourth chapter of DM: I Am.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Marvel, DC or anything mentioned in this story.

---

Chapter 4: Am I Alone?

---

It was almost night time on Halloween as few teenagers get ready within the cave base and Naruto feel a little silly to wear a Halloween costume, he dress like Jason Voorhees with goalie mask on side of his face. He turn to Wally as he howl out before he look down at a snoring creature, "Really?" Wally pouted at Wolf, he was dressing up like Teen Wolf. "You're not gonna join in at all? What kind of wolf are you?"

"Wally, stop torturing him." Conner looked at him sternly as Megan bandaging him with wraps, he was going as an mummy.

"Hold still, please." Megan scolded him with a smirk.

"Megan, stop torturing him." Wally teased, "Awkward for him anyway, being a third wheel on our date."

"Wally, I invited the entire team to the dance." The Martian rolled her eyes, "Zatanna too."

"Good." The speedster wiggled his eyebrow, "Keeps us on the down-low." The Kent brothers and Megan shake their heads at him, "So…" He looked down and up her, "You going as my favorite Martian?"

"Not exactly." Megan transformed her outfit to zombie bride before she act with a growl.

"Whoa." Wally whistled, "Babe, eat my brains anytime."

"Great minds think alike." Captain Marvel showed up with white makeover on his face.

"Captain, you look terrific." The Martian giggled as Marvel grinned widely, "Are you going to Halloween celebration too?"

"Well, sure, I'm going with…" Marvel glanced around confusingly, "Uh-uh, I mean, you did invite the whole team, right?"

"Yeah, we'll all be at the dance." Megan said, "SO don't worry about us. Go. Have a good time at your party."

"Recognized Artemis B-0-7." The computer announced as the said girl step out of the Zeta-tube with another familiar face, "Zatanna Zatara A-0-3."

"Oh, hey, Zatanna." Artemis glanced at the said girl's witch costume, "You look great."

"Oh, thanks." Zatanna smiled at her as she glance at her vampire outfit, "You too." She put her fists on hip as soon as they spot their teammates with a hero, "Oh, look. Zombie Captain Marvel. That's hilarious. Is the Justice League having a party? 'Cause my dad didn't mention it."

"No, no, no, no, see, I…" Marvel looked around sheepishly before he sighs dejectedly, "Fine, I'm going trick-or-treating." He fly to the Zeta-tube as he crossed his arms with pout, "And I'm not sharing my candy!" He vanished in a bright light.

"Is that normal for Halloween?" Naruto looked to Wally, "I don't know that adults can…Go trick-or-treating."

"Nope." Wally shook his head, "If adults does then they're kinda weirdo."

"Will you please stop fidgeting?" Megan giggled to Conner as she work on his costume.

"You are so making this up to me later." Conner teased and Naruto notice Artemis walk away angrily as Zatanna follow her to Zeta-tube. He wonder if there was something wrong as they teleport to other place and he look back to the older teenagers.

"Done." Megan clapped her hands together after she finished helping Conner with his costume before she glance at her friends, "Ready to go?"

"You bet!" Wally grinned widely and Naruto nod his head before they left the cave.

---

The rock music blaring out within gym as teenagers dances or chat at snack tables and the group walk in, glancing around the surrounding. "Too bad the rest of the team couldn't make it." Megan smiled at the setup and Conner look around before his eyes widened.

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding." The older clone scowled, most of the teenagers in the building were dressing up like superheroes.

"Hey, you look amazing!" Wendy dragged her friends over to them, she was dressing up like Black Canary.

"Who did your makeup, girl?" Karen said impressively, dressing as bumblebee.

"Burn Victim?" Mal adjusted his sunglass to take a good look at Conner.

"Mummy." Conner tilted his head at Mal's outfit, "You?"

"Superman…" The black teenager pushed his glasses up with a smirk, "Done right!"

"Yeah, good luck with that." The older clone deadpanned and Mal's smirk just widened.

"Wally, this is Wendy, Karen, Mal, and…" Megan introduced her school friends to Wally before Karen speak up.

"Oh, hey, aren't you the guy that got hit in balls by bowling ball?" The black girl said.

"Dudette, no!" Wally denied with paled face.

"Oh, yes, it's you!" Mal pointed out.

"A bowling ball hit you in balls?" Conner snickered at the speedster, "Really? How did that happened?"

"Your brother, that's what." The grumbling speedster dropped his head and everyone looked at the blonde boy.

"Sorry." Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, "It was my first time…"

"You should have been there to see that." Karen laughed, "It was really hilarious."

"To you, it is…" Mal shifted his legs, cringed at the memory.

"Okay…" Megan coughed into her fist before she gesture at Marvin who was dressing up like a Batman, "And that's…Um…" Marvin was texting away on his phone.

"Ignore Marvin." Wendy shook her head at him, "He thinks we're being invaded by Martians."

"I never said that." Marvin looked up with narrowed eyes, "It's just, reports are all over the interwebs and I'm not the only one getting them." Everyone checked their phone as soon as the beeping breaks out, "I mean, Martians aren't invading. It's just a prank gone viral. Right?"

"Of course, it's a prank." Lucas Carr spoke up at punch bowl, "Ever hear of Martian Manhunter? Martians aren't hostile."

"Of course, not." Megan said nervously, looking to her left.

"So Marvin is trying to prank us?" Naruto said to Carr, "He said he's good with computer…He can do something like spamming texts to us through this web, right?"

"W-What, it's not me!" Marvin denied with a stutter.

"Could be." The chuckling teacher shrugs his shoulders, "Teenagers tend to be pretty good with technologies so I won't put that past him."

"Now you mentioned it…" Mal rubbed his chin, "I checked internet for news when Marvin told me about it early but there was nothing then all of sudden, we got them just now…" He looked at Marvin, "It's kinda weird that you know about it before us."

"Um, I looked up on different one." Marvin laughed nervously.

"And this news happen to come from…?" Karen raised her eyebrow at him amusedly.

"CNN?" The teenager coughed, "And Daily planet…"

"Nope, not seeing them here." Wendy checked the websites, "Nothing about Martians, beside Manhunter and some crimes." She laughed at him, "Let me guess, you thought up of a grand prank to pull off for the Halloween, right?"

"Um…" Marvin scratched his head with shifty eyes before he groan out as he look at Naruto, "Dude, thank…"

"You're welcome?" The boy blinked confusingly.

"Remind me to let you on it next time." Marvin waved it off with a depressed sigh, here goes his best prank of the Halloween but he'll come up with better one, just wait and see.

"Good thinking." Mal patted Naruto's back, "I almost believed him until you pointed it out."

"So…" Wally turned to Megan after Marvin's failed attempt at prank, "Wanna dance?"

"Sorry, I promised Conner first dance." Megan smiled and the speedster groans softly as she went to dance with Conner.

"Do you want to join the fun?" Wendy smiled at Naruto as she gestured at the dance floor.

"Oh, um…" Naruto hid his blush from her as he fidgeted, "I-I don't know how to dance. I never dance before…"

"But I can!" Wally pop in with wiggling eyebrows.

"It's okay." Wendy laughed before she glance to the blonde boy, "I'll teach you a little, it's really easy."

"Aw, dude…" The speedster groans as the teenager girl lead Naruto to dance floor and he turn to Karen, only to see her dancing with Mal before he look to Marvin. "…"

"…Don't ask me." Marvin raised his hands with sheepish smirk, "But I know some singles."

"...Point the way." Wally said quickly with a smile.

"Relax, you're doing good for first-timer." Wendy giggled as Naruto twist his body around stiffly, trying his best not to step on her feet or anyone else's. "Just follow my lead." She took Naruto's hands, not hearing a small squeak from him and she swings them lightly in a flow. "Go loose, be a little flexible as best as you can." They dance for a bit as she release his hands, to his disappointment and he don't know why. "There, you're getting hang of it."

"T-Thank you." Naruto replied shyly.

"By the way, I just notice that your speech is getting improving." The cheerleader said, "It feel like yesterday that you barely said a word."

"I have some help." He muttered.

"From your family, right?" Wendy said, "Your brother did mention that you're adopted few months ago, where did you come from again?"

"Japan." Naruto lied, "I'm mixed."

"Ah, I can tell." She nodded, "I don't know any Asian with blue eyes and blond hair until now."

"Yeah, me too." He said and they kept dancing as she make some small talk until Wally arrive with a grin.

"Hey, can I cut in?" Wally said, he tried to cut in on Megan and Conner early but Conner said no with a deadly glare.

"Well, if Naruto don't mind…" Wendy looked to Naruto and he look between them for a little while.

"Um, it's okay…" Naruto said.

"Thank!" Wally step in before he give her a wiggling eyebrows, "So tell me a bit about yourself."

The blonde boy walk over to the table to get a punch drink and he have a odd feeling within his body when he let Wally cut in but he don't pay attention to it for now. He glance around, he feel overwhelmed in a large crowd and he don't want to bother his friends because they were enjoying the party. '…I wonder if Ace's around or not.' He thought about his friend, they just hang out few days ago but it was only for a little while before she went off and she don't tell him why. 'Maybe I'll find out in few days.' They set up a meeting and oddly, Ace was the one that always set them up. Naruto shake it out of his head as he take a sip from his punch drink before Megan ask him for a dance after she secretly steal a kiss from Conner without anyone noticing. He enjoy his first party a little as he chat and dance with his friends for few hours before they went home but not without treat-or-tricking for a little while.

---

About five days later, Naruto walk toward the exit before Robin appear at his side out of nowhere. "Hey, where are you going?" Robin asked, "Do you know Batman want us to move some crates out of Bio-Ship when they come back?"

"Bro can take care of it." Naruto said, "I'm just going out for…Um…A walk with a friend."

"But don't you have a curfew on school night?" The boy wonder smirked, "After all, your mom set it up."

"She's my foster mom, not my real mom." The boy muttered, "And she's not here anyway. I can go out whatever I want."

"Alright, but it's not like you to break the curfew until it's for missions and patrol." Robin shrugged before he nudge the metamutant's shoulder with a smirk, "Is it a girl? That's why you're breaking the rule, right, right?"

"Yeah, my friend is a girl." Naruto replied innocently, "What about it?"

The boy wonder just laughs at him for no reason, "Of course it's always the girl. Good luck with your first date." He laughed, "I can cover you for a hour then after that, you're out of luck."

"Date?" The blonde boy turned his head to him confusingly, "It's not a date, we're just hanging out."

"Sure." Robin drawled with a chortle as he spins around on his heels, walking in opposite direction with a wave. "Have fun with your 'not date'."

'He's so weird.' Naruto scratched his head confusingly, he can be so innocent sometime.

---

"Ace." The said girl looked up to see Naruto in time square as he walks over to her with a small wave, "Did you wait long?"

"No, I just got here." Ace replied flatly, "Let's go." She starts to walk, following by the blonde boy.

"Where are we going?" He asked curiously and like always, she doesn't give him any response. They walk for a bit near some stores and Naruto glance at some clothes behind a window before he nearly bump into Ace as soon as she suddenly stop in her track. "What's up?" Naruto looks ahead to see nothing but more stores.

"They disappeared." Ace turned to him.

"Who?" The blonde boy glanced at his surrounding, it was almost empty since it's close to midnight.

"The adults." She replied, "You don't see them vanish?"

"Um, no…" Naruto paused before he takes a double-take, "…Wait, what? Really?"

"Yes." Ace said.

"That's bad…" He looked around to see that there was no adults in sight, just some confusing teenagers. 'Does that mean the adults at cave are gone too?' He should go back and check in with the team.

"No, it's good thing." The girl said, catching Naruto's attention as she walk into a park.

"Huh, why?" Naruto asked her, "How is that a good thing? Shouldn't you be worried about..."

"Because I hate humans." Ace said coldly, "The world would be better without them."

"…Do you hate me too?" The blonde boy asked her slowly and she pauses for a moment.

"…No, you're different." She looked to him, "You're only human I can tolerate."

"That's good, I don't want you to hate me." Naruto smiled wearily before he scratches his head, "Um…Why do you hate humans?"

"Because they're evil." Ace sat down with a scowl as she wrap her arms around her knees, "They always lies and try to use me for their own personal agenda. They promise to help me, to make me better…But all they do is making me worse than before. They did things to me…" She clenched her head as the blonde boy look at her with concern, "The things they made me do…T-T-The pain, it hurt! Humans are monsters and I want them all to die! I hate them, I hate them, I hate them all!"

"Ace…" The blonde boy kneels down next to her, sliding his arm around her shoulders and she stiffened at the contact. He wasn't sure if it's right thing to do but it seems to work as the girl relaxed, "Who hurt you? Tell me." The girl didn't say anything but staring at the grass, "Ace, I want to help you. Please."

"…Can you keep a secret?" Ace whispered, "You can't tell anyone…" She turned her head to him with a soft hiss, "No one!"

"I promise I'll tell no one." Naruto nodded uneasily.

"…They took me when I was little because I was born with a special ability." Ace explained, "My ability allows me to alter people's perception and if I want to, I can drive some to insane. At first, they said they were going to help me, fixing me so I can control it…It start with studies and test…Then they force a headband on me to dampen my power and make me controllable…" Her arms tightened against her legs, "They used me for interrogates, mostly torture, and then they start to experimenting on me for many years, either to make my ability powerful or to make more of me…Until I escape with others."

"I-I'm sorry…" He whispered, loss at words. "…Who were they?"

"…Cadmus." She replied softly.

"Cadmus?!" Naruto looked at her sharply, "Really?"

"You heard of them?" Ace frowned.

"Yes, they were the one who created me." He nodded with a frown as the girl looked at him with a blink, "…I'm a clone but I don't know why they…Make me in first place…All I know is that I'm a metamutant. I don't know what they planning to do to me…Because I was saved and taken in by a team with my brother."

"You're a clone and metamutant?" Ace muttered, "…That's good thing."

"Really?" Naruto asked puzzlingly.

"Yes, that mean you're not human." She looked away as she rest her head on his shoulder, "And that's good because I like you. You're my only friend."

"I like you too." He said, "What Cadmus did to you was wrong and someday…They will face the justice and pay for their crimes. I want you to know that not all humans…Are evil."

"Everyone is evil…" Ace whispered, "And there's nothing you can do to change my mind." Naruto didn't give her any response as they sit on ground for hours, Ace refuse to move from this spot because she was exhausted and Naruto don't want to leave her alone, even refuse to check in with the cave because he know there's nothing he can do to help. He was right because by the time they move around, the adults mysteriously reappear everywhere.

---

By the time he come back to the cave, Robin was first to meet him. "Hey, Naruto, how was your date?"

"It was fine and it's not a date." Naruto deadpanned, "So…What happened with adults?"

"Magic spell." Robin frowned, "It split adults and kids up in two different worlds and it took us about few hours to figure out how to bring grown-ups back here…At a cost."

"What?" The blonde boy turned to him.

"We had to use the helmet of fate so Zatanna took it and it almost keeps her for good but…" The boy wonder sighed, "Her dad took her place and now he's trapped with Nabu."

"…I'm sorry." Naruto frowned, "How's Zatanna?"

"She's taking it pretty hard, she want to be left alone for now." Robin rubbed his neck and they just walk quietly because there was nothing to say after this news. Naruto would later find out that Zatanna is moving into the cave, due to the lack of guardian.

---

Two days later, Naruto was eating ice cream as he left the store and he wander into a park to think. He was so confusing because he doesn't know why he kept thinking about Wendy or why it makes him feel so nervous and weird all the time. 'Am I sick?' He frowned to himself, 'Or is it my genes that breaking down?' He wasn't sure if he was completed or not, he heard a bit about Spider-man's clones and the fact that they have very short lifespan because they were imperfect. He sit down on a bench absentmindedly and a deep sigh escape his lip before a voice at his right side speak out.

"You seem to be troubled." Naruto looked up to see a painter as he create a painting with a hum, "Something on your mind?"

"Um…" The blonde boy ate some of his ice cream, "I'm not sure if it's something I can talk with a complete stranger."

"Ah, right." The painter nodded, "Name's Olethros. You are…?"

"Naruto." He answered without thinking it first.

"And now we're not strangers." The painter laughed goodheartedly, "So what's bothering you?"

"I don't know…" Naruto muttered, "It's just…Um…I'm kinda confusing because I keep thinking about someone…She make me feel weird…"

"How weird?" Olethros looked at him, "Like what?"

"Um…" Naruto scratched his head, "She makes me feel nervous, my heart goes faster…And I have some tingling feeling somewhere inside me. I don't know why…"

"Oh, you're in love." The painter chuckled, still focusing on his painting.

"Love?" He looked at him with blinks, "You mean like as friend and family?"

"Oh, no, no, I mean like love as man love women…" Olethros paused before he look at him, "Have you get the talk about bird and bee from your parents or school?"

"Yeah, bird is an animal with feathers that can fly and bee is an insect." Naruto looked at him as if the man was an idiot.

"Oh, no, no, I mean different kind of bird and bee, you know, the bird and bee talk…Haven't your family tell you about s…Oh…Eh…Um…" The painter coughed roughly before he suddenly show the painting to him with a clearing throat, "What do you think of that painting?" It was pretty poor-made landscape.

"It's nice." Naruto said as Olethros grinned at that, the clone wasn't sure if it's good or not since it's his first time seeing a painting. "But what do you mean by different kind of bird and bee?" Dammit, the man hope that he don't remember this part.

"That is something I can't tell you about, you have to ask your family about the talk." The paled man sweated out, "Anyway, the reason why you act weird around this girl is because you like her more than a friend."

"More than a friend…" The clone blinked slowly, "Like my brother and his girlfriend?"

"Yes, yes, that's right." Olethros nodded before he take a glance at the sun, "Oh, would you look at that? Time sure went by so fast when you try to create something." He pushed the painting into Naruto's hands, "Here, take that."

"H-Huh, why?!" Naruto cried out confusingly.

"It's a gift since you like it." The man stood up as he pick a bindle up with a grin, "And beside, I have no need for the painting." He walked off with a wave, "Enjoy!"

'…That was kinda weird…' The clone looked at the painting before he think about his communication with Olethros.

---

"Naruto, where did you get this painting?" Wally raised his eyebrow as the young clone show up in living room with a painting and several teammates share his reaction.

"A painter gave it to me at park." Naruto answered, placing it on the coffee table.

"Oh…" The speedster shrugged, the clone might brought it.

"Conner, can I ask you something?" The young clone asked his brother.

"What is it?" Conner looked up, scratching Wolf's ears.

"When will I get a bird and bee talk?" Naruto asked.

"…Excuse me?" The older clone's eyes widened in horror with the others.

"The bird and bee talk." The blonde boy repeated, "The painter told me that I like someone and…I have to get the talk to understand better."

"…Oh, I think I have health checkup today." Wally quickly raced out.

"Ok, Batman, I'll come in!" Robin talked to his glove, quickly stroll to the Zeta-tube.

"It's a nice night for a little swim." Kaldur hurried out embarrassingly.

"I'm going to check on Zatanna." Artemis calmly walked to the corridor as fast as she can.

"Um…" Megan met her boyfriend's pleading eyes, "…I think I left the cookies burning in the oven." She quickly flew to the kitchen.

'COME BACK HERE!' Conner stared at her back widened-eyed before he turn to Naruto, who was waiting for him to say something. "…Go ask Dinah. She's our foster mom." He know he'll get in trouble but he don't care because that is too much for him to take.

"But she's not here." Naruto replied.

"J-J-Just…" The older clone stuttered before he ran out, to Naruto's confusion.

"What?!" The boy threw his hands up, "Why does everyone kept acting weird when…I asked about the bird and bee?! Someone tell me!" He never notice that Batman walk in before he sharply pull a U-turn back calmly.

---

Few days went by as the team was getting ready with a surprise party for Wally with Red Tornado's and Flash's help and they don't have to wait long enough when they hear the computer's voice at the zeta-tube area before they quickly get in their place, turning the light off.

"Recognize…Kid Flash. B-0-3."

"Whoa." Wally walked out toward the kitchen with a smirk, "I just made it. Be a tragedy if I missed my own…"

"Surprise!" Everyone clapped for the birthday boy.

"What!" The young speedster grinned with his hands up, "Oh, you guys! You shouldn't have."

"Right, not like you've been hinting for days or anything." Robin rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

"We made two cakes." Megan guided Wally to the table as Flash put birthday hat on his sidekick's head.

"Awesome." Wally looked up to his team, "What will you guys eat?"

"We'll split the cupcake." The Martian giggled, "Make a wish."

"Way ahead of you." The speedster winked flirty before he blow the candles out.

"Happy birthday!" Several teenagers clapped.

"You know, if I tell you my wish, it won't come true, but if you guess…" Wally glanced at the Martian before she hold slice of cake out to him, "Nope. Guess again." Artemis frowned before Megan kiss his forehead and the arrowette smirk at his disappointed reaction. Everyone receive their slices before they chat to each other about different topics.

"And then I asked Dinah about it but she freak out for no reason and…Tell me to wait until I'm older." Naruto told Flash and the red speedster tried his best to keep his snicker in after hearing the bird and bee story. "I still don't know why everyone acts weird."

"Y-You'll find out why when you get a little older." Flash snickered then he just laughs out loud as the boy raise his eyebrow at him weirdly. The young clone glance around before he notice Artemis whisper something into Wally's ear and the young speedster seems to be upset with something. Naruto wonder what the arrowette just told him about but his curiosity was short-lived when they hear the announcement.

"Attention, team." Batman's voice spoke, "Suit up. Polar stealth. Mission briefing in five."

---

After a quick change, the team gather in front of the large monitor where Batman is waiting for them and one of them notice something. "Where's Flash?" Wally asked.

"Flash and Red Tornado already have their assignments." Batman said, "A massive ice storm has paralyzed North America from coast to coast. Satellite imagery has detected five flying ice fortresses, source unknown, which seem to be responsible and must be stopped."

"Can't the Watchtower blow them out of the sky or something?" Kid Flash asked.

"What's a Watchtower?" Zatanna whispered to Naruto.

"The league's orbiting headquarters is not weaponized, and with both Green Lanterns offworld, I need all hands on deck." Batman sighed as he aimed his bat-glare at Kid Flash.

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Robin grinned widely, "The League and the team fighting side by side?"

"Whoa!" Wally gasped excitingly, "Really?"

"Superboy, use the supercycle to rendezvous with the batplane at ice fortress-I." The dark knight ordered, "You'll drop Robin and Aqualad, then continue on with Wolf to meet up with Black Canary and Red Tornado in ice fortress-II. Miss Martian, Artemis, and Zatanna, take the Bio-ship and rendezvous with Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter at ice fortress-III. Rookie, you also will go with them and drop off halfway on their way, rendezvous with Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Elongated Man at ice fortress-V. Other leaguers will deal with fortress-IV. Sending all coordinates now."

"Uh, Batman?" Kid Flash stepped up with raised index finger, "I think you skipped…"

"Kid Flash, a young girl in seattle is in desperate need of a heart transplant." Batman cut him off, "With all conventional air traffic grounded by the storm, you'll need to pick up the donor heart in Boston and run it 3,000 miles across country."

The speedster dropped his jaw, "Who is this girl?"

"Does it matter?" Batman frowned deeply.

"No, of course not." Kid Flash gulped nervously, "But can't we zeta…"

"Zeta Tubes are offline." Robin replied, "Sorry."

"Right…" Wally sighed, "Then how can I say no?" His head dropped, "Guess I won't be needing stealth." He switched back to his normal attire, "Speedy delivery boy at your service." Everyone took off as soon as they receive their coordinates and the speedster run off, grumbling mentally.

---

"Naruto, you're here." Elongated Man smiled as soon as Naruto jumped out of the moving ship onto the snowy field, "That was pretty fast."

"What do you want me to do?" Rookie asked him, glancing at the floating fortress.

"Evacuation duty." The league member replied, "Wonder Woman and Aquaman are taking care of the fortress and we have to make sure that no civilians are in this area if this thing crash." The young boy gives him a nod before they scan the surrounding and escort some civilians to safety for a while.

---

Somewhere in a run-down building, thousands miles away, a man squirm in his chair with widened eyes as he tried to free himself from the ropes before a voice froze him stiffen. "Ah, ah, what's the matter? Are you afraid of a little bondage?" A index finger run across his jawline, "Usually, I would have some little fun before pleasure but not this time, because…" The man squeal out with a whimper as the cutter's tip poke his groin, "I want some answers! Tell me where's my baby and why did you all lie to us that it was unsuccessful?!"

"I-I-I-I don't know anything!" The man cried out before he scream as soon as he feel the tip slowly dig into his left nut, "R-REALLY! DESMOND AND HIS ASSISTANT PAID EVERYONE OFF FOR SOME REASON! I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO THE CLONE AFTER THAT!"

"There were an assistant?" A voice paused.

"YES, YES!" The man nodded furiously, "SHE'S IN OHIO RIGHT NOW! SHE WENT THERE AFTER THE FIRE AT CADMUS!"

"Name and where does she live?" The cutter pressured upon his sack and the man just blab everything out with a wail.

---

After few hours, Rookie regroup with Elongated Man after they clear the area and the young clone can see some smokes coming out from the fortress, due to League's works. "Guess they really don't need our help right now." Elongated Man whistled and the young clone was about to say something but they feel a sudden change in wind before they see a ice blast heading their way and the duo leap out of the range. They quickly look up to see a figure in blue metal suit with several large armor pads on its' shoulders and the person have an helmet with four glowing red eyes, Rookie can see two cylinder objects sticking out of its back.

"Who's that?" Rookie asked the veteran hero.

"He's Blizzard." Elongated Man frowned at the figure, "A merc."

"So he gets ice power?" The young clone muttered.

"Yes, courtesy of Hammer tech suit." The hero nodded before they quickly evade another blast from the villain.

"They did tell me that the leagues were coming but they never say anything about sidekicks." Blizzard thrust his right hand out, blasting icicles at them and the duo evade them once again. "Ice to meet you, kid!"

"Spare me the puns." Elongated Man stretched his torso out toward the ice villain before he deliver a stretching left hook to Blizzard's face, "I'm tired of hearing same cold puns from the others for years!"

"Hey, you try to come up with an original line, do you have any idea how hard it is when there's bunch of cold-theme…" Blizzard fired ice beam at the stretching man before Rookie smash his boot into its face plate after the young clone vaulted up with his staff pole. The young clone flip back on his feet, quickly thrusting the end of his weapon into the armored man's stomach and Elongated Man follow it up with a double uppercut to Blizzard's jaw. They kept attacking him without giving him any chance to attack back before the villain suddenly slap his hands on the ground with a roar, "ENOUGH!" The icicles spout out around him as Elongated Man quickly drag Rookie away from the growing icicles and he dove around the corner to take cover with the clone, the veteran hero glance out to see Blizzard rising on the ice pillar.

"You get any trick daggers in your belt?" Elongated Man whispered as the villain scanning the surrounding, "Heat and explosives to be exact?"

"Yeah, five each." Rookie pulled them out, "What's the plan?"

"I'll distract him with these." Elongated Man took the daggers, "And when he has his complete attention on me, you have to break the cylinders off his back when he turns his back on you. Without these, he can't use his ice attacks. Stay here until you see the perfect chance. Understand?"

"Got it." The clone nodded and the stretching hero reach the rooftop, jumping over several roofs until he get ready before he fling two heating daggers and a explosive dagger at the pillar, catching Blizzard's attention.

"There you ar…" Blizzard aimed his right fist at him, only to lose his footing suddenly as the ice pillar start to melting and he attempt to cool them down before the explosive break out. The ice villain quickly jumps onto an ice slide that he just created immediately and he slide toward Elongated Man, firing several beams at the hero. Elongated Man countered several ice attacks with the daggers as he weaves through the hail and they clash together, landing on the ground as they kept fighting.

Rookie quietly sneak closer as he stay out of their sight, watching for any chances and he don't have to wait long enough when Blizzard have his full focus on the hero with his back facing the young clone. The clone run out, jumping on the shocked villain's back and his hands wrap around the cylinders tightened. "GET OFF!" Blizzard attempt to encase himself in ice since the suit can protect him but it was too late when Rookie stomp his foot down on the villain's back to gain a momentum and it allow the clone to rip the hissing cylinders right off its back. "NO, NO, NO!" The villain cried out as the cooling liquid spraying out from its' back and he attempt to shoot the beam at the sidekick but his fist just fizzed. Before the villain can react, Elongated Man wraps his torso around the villain's body, entrapping him in process.

"Nice job, Rookie." Elongated Man smiled at the young clone as the villain attempt to escape from the stretching hero but he give up few minutes because there was nothing he can do with a damaged system.

"Ugh, I should have spring for better suit…" Blizzard grumbled under his breath, "Lousy Hammer tech."

"We should meet up with Wonder Woman and Aquaman and turn him in." The stretching hero look up to see the falling fortress as it crash miles away, it seems like they already have take care of the fortress already. The duo went off to meet up with the League members with grumbling villain in tow.

---

When Naruto return to the cave after their team-up mission and listening to Wally's small brag about how he save a whole country. "I heard you just took Blizzard down." Zatanna glanced at the young clone, "That's so cool."

"No, it was Elongated Man that did." Naruto replied, "I just did what he said and remove the cylinders."

"But you did take him down." The magician girl replied, "If it wasn't for you, Elongated Man will have hard time taking him on."

"All I just did was just back him up." The blonde boy shook his head, "Either way, he's the one who took him down."

"Alright then." Zatanna shrugged her shoulders.

"Did Blizzard tell you anything?" Kaldur asked curiously, "Like who was the one in charge?"

"No, he doesn't." Naruto shook his head again, "All I know is that he was hired and the League are going to talk…To him."

"He'll talk soon." Robin crossed his arms, "Then we'll know who's behind that."

"But you gotta admit it…" Wally grinned to them, "I have a best awesome birthday ever!" Several teenagers just either laughed or roll their eyes at him amused.

---

Several weeks went by after the storm and the team was getting ready for their latest mission, minus several certain members. "Where's Naruto?" The speedster asked curiously, "I haven't seen him around."

"Batman loan him out to another team." Robin replied.

"Which one?" Wally asked, "The same one as before?" The boy wonder just shrugs his shoulder.

---

Naruto feel so out of place right away as soon as he steps into a lobby with someone else, glancing around at almost-empty place. "There is nothing to be nervous about." The blonde boy glanced at a bald man in wheelchair as the man give him a smile, it oddly calm him down for some reason. "That is a safe place for people who are different like you…And no one will know about your secret until you're ready to share it."

"Thank, Professor Xavier." Naruto scratched his head, "But it's not secret, it's just that some people told me not to reveal anything about me."

"It's alright." Xavier chuckled lightly, "I can understand their thinking because I have never met someone like you before. In my years, I will never think I'd meet a first metamutant in my lifetime."

"But your school is for metahumans and mutants…" The metamutant looked at him, "You would think they…"

"There are some meta-mutant couples." The professor nodded with a hum, "But their children always have one gene instead of both, mostly mutant, and we still don't know why because there are so much that we don't know or understand about in this universe. It is just how it is."

"Oh…" Naruto become upset, does that mean he will never meet someone like him and that kinda make him feel so alone…

"You're not alone." Xavier turned his wheelchair around to him, "You have some people who care about you. Maybe you're the first sign that the others will come and there will be many metamutant in few years or so, who know?"

"Yeah, you're right…" The blonde boy scratched his head again, "…Have that happened before with meta and mutant?"

"Yes, there was first case then many followed after that." Xavier leaded him around in the mansion as several children ran by them, "In fact, metahumans didn't exist until fourteen years ago."

"Wait, really?" Naruto blinked rapidly.

"Yes, really." Professor nodded, "I still remember this day when I saw this breaking news about the discovery of the metagene." He was about to say more but a group of college-age people come into his view, "Ah, just the people I was looking for."

"Professor, good morning." A redhead smiled at him before she notice Naruto, "Oh, a new student?"

"Good morning, Jean." Xavier replied with a smile, "And no, he's just here for a visit and to learn a little about few things, mostly to work with different teams."

"Oh, that's the one you said that going to shadow us for a bit?" Jean turned to Naruto with a blink, "Hello, it's nice to meet you, Naruto. I'm Jean and that are…" She gestured at each young adults, "Scott, Kurt, Ororo, Piotr and Warren." Everyone give him their own greeting.

"I was hoping that you guys would be kind enough to give him a little tour around this place then take him to Danger Room for a light training." The professor said.

"Yes, Professor, we'll do that." Scott nodded before the group lead Naruto around and the professor roll into the kitchen, where a man was taking a sip from a beer bottle.

"Logan, do you know there are some kids still around, right?" Xavier said.

"And I care because…?" Logan drink the beer uncaringly before he set it down, "By the way, this pipsqueak you just show around, he kinda smell familiar."

"Well, that's not surpise, considering that he's a clone." The professor hummed.

"A clone?" The drunker groaned, "Oh, fuck. It better not be…"

"No, he's not yours." Xavier chuckled, "You have your hands filled with Laura." He paused, "…Where's she?"

"Outside." Logan jabbed his thumb at the window, "Being anti-social like always." The professor peeks out to see a very young girl sulking under a large tree. "So…" Logan took another sip, "Tell me about this pipsqueak."

---

"So you're the X-Men?" Naruto looked at Kurt, he almost freak out when the German suddenly drop his disguise and teleport behind him for laughter.

"Oh, yes." Kurt grinned, "We have been around for a little while but not long enough like Avengers, Justice League, F-Four and few others. Our missions usually involve with mutants and metahumans, mostly mutants."

"What kind of mission?" The clone asked curiously.

"Things like recruit some unfortunate people, who have no one to turn, to our school, and to prevent some attacks on mutant-kind and humanity." Ororo answered.

"I see…" Naruto figure it must be a specialty-team like his team and he wonder if this team have help several teams out or not.

"We did help few teams few times." Jean replied with a smile as the boy blink at her, "Sorry, I accidently read your mind. Sometime I can't control it."

"It's okay, one of my friends can read mind too." He said and the redhead was about to say something.

"I'm going to turn the Danger Room on at level one." Scott's voice cut her off, "Naruto, follow the team's lead and you'll be fine." Naruto was curious why they call this room a Danger Room and his answer will be received after few levels. To this day, he wonders how the hell did they make everything so real enough to get hurt by a freaking giant hologram?!

---

"Fucking sentinel." Naruto mumbled to himself as he stumbled into the hallway after his 'little' training with the X-Men and he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"Naruto, that you?" The said boy turns his head over to see Bobby with a teenager girl.

"Bobby?" The metamutant blinked before he remembers a tidbit, "Oh, right, you went to this school."

"Dude, you don't tell me you were gonna visit." Bobby grabbed the yelping boy in a headlock with a chuckle, giving him a light noggin. "It has been a while!"

"Yeah, it has been." Naruto managed to free himself from the iceman's arm as he brushed his hair, "About one or two months, right?" The older blonde shrugged his shoulders.

"So what bring you here?" The ice mutant asked curiously with his hands on hip, "Is it just a social visit or one of these team training things?"

"The latter with X-Men, I'm here for few days." The young boy replied.

"Batman's idea?" Bobby scratched his chin, he wonder if it was a way to help the clone getting connect with his kind and to help him understanding what he is.

"Yeah, it's always his." Naruto nodded, "After all, he's the leader."

"Ah." The iceman nodded few times before he hear a clearing throat as they glance at the teenager girl with crossed eyes and raised eyebrow. "Oh, sorry!" He gestured at her with his arms, "Naruto, meet my girlfriend, Kitty." His arms shifted to the young clone, "Kitty, Naruto. He stayed with Avengers for few days for training."

"Nice to meet you." Kitty waved with a smile.

"Likewise." Naruto rubbed his neck.

"We're about to gonna eat with some friends, you should come with us." Bobby suddenly dragged the yelping clone as Kitty follows them with a small giggle, "I'll introduce you to some guys." It didn't take them long enough to reach a table outside with few teenagers and a young girl eating their lunch before one of them notice the trio.

"Bobby, Kitty." A Vietnamese girl waved to them before she notice the young blonde, "Who's that?"

"That is Naruto, he's just visiting us for few days." The ice mutant gestured at him before he shift his hand to the group, "Naruto, let me introduce you to some friends of mine. That is Xi'an, Samuel, Danielle, Roberto and Rahne."

"Hi, Naruto." Xi'an, the Vietnamese girl, said with a smile.

"Sup." Samuel raised his hand and Rahne just nod to him mutely, due to her mouth filled with foods.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you." Roberto smiled politely.

"Hey." Danielle waved slightly.

"So are you visiting here to see if you wanna attend the school?" Samuel asked.

"Um…" Naruto scratched his head nervously as he muttered quietly, "No…I'm not here for school…Um…"

"He's shy." Bobby said after noticing a couple raised eyebrows, "He's just here to learn some ropes from couple teams, something to do with his secret team."

"Secret team?" Xi'an turned to him with a blink, "Like black-ops and spying?"

"Cool." Rahne swallowed her food, "I bet you won't tell us anything about it because it's top-secret, right?"

"Yeah, I can't." The blonde boy nodded.

"So if you're here, does that mean you're mutant or metahuman?" Roberto glanced at the blonde boy as he slowly nods again, "Which one?"

"Does it matter?" Danielle said to him.

"Just curious." The Brazilian shrugged his shoulders before he turn back to the blonde boy, "You don't have to answer it if you don't wanna."

"I'm not sure if it's something I can share." Naruto scratched his head unsurely.

"It's alright, that is a safe place for metahumans and mutants." Roberto waved it off and the group chats with each other or try to getting know Naruto, despite his shyness. Naruto take a bite from his sandwich before a glimpse of something catch his attention as he turn his head to see nothing but a tree and Rahne get his attention with a question.

Behind a tree, Laura was hanging on a branch with a scowl as she watch some groups doing their own business before Logan appear under the tree. "Come down, Laura, we're going to the Danger Room." Logan grunted and his young grumbling clone obeyed him, following her 'father' inside. The clones didn't know that there were another clone the whole time during Naruto's stay, neither they would meet because she was just a loner and he was always drag around by either X-Men or Bobby and his friends.

---

Naruto feel like the time have went by so fast and he can't believe it's the first week of December already. His team has been gathering together in front of Red Arrow and several League members for an announcement before a mechanized voice speak out.

"Recognize Artemis B-0-7." The said girl appeared through the zeta tube.

"Artemis." Green Arrow smiled, "Just in time. Look who's agreed to join the team." He gestured to Red Arrow with a tilt of his head.

"Finally!" Wally grinned.

"Sure." Artemis scowled with hands on her hip, "Teams needed a real archer." That earns widened blinking eyes from the speedster.

"Ok, people, listen up." The green archer walked over to the computer monitor, "The Dynamic Duo's on a case in Gotham, but Batman gave me a heads up." Three pictures appeared on the monitor, "Sportsmaster was spotted coming from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport."

"In full costume?" Zatanna raised her eyebrow before she scoff, "Nervy."

"In street clothes." Green Arrow can't help but to chuckle as the monitor zoom into one picture, "Facial recognition software picked up the ID. Find out what he's up to."

"All of us?" Conner gestured to his team, "Seems like overkill for a shadow job."

"Perhaps a small squad." Red Tornado said, "Miss Martian's camouflage abilities seem ideal."

"Thought the sidekicks…" The teenagers narrowed their eyes at Green Arrow before he hold his hands up as some smirked at him, "Sorry, EX-sidekicks…Could suit up on this. Aqualad, Kid Flash, Red Arrow."

"Good." The older clone crossed his arms with a snort, "Stakeouts make me crazy."

"We could use the night off." Megan smiled.

"I want in." Artemis suddenly spoke out, "With M'gann and Robin out, no one's logged more hours piloting the Bio-ship."

"Artemis, are you sure?" Green Arrow asked seriously.

"Absolutely." The arrowette frowned.

"Very well, gear up in five." The green archer nodded before the squad head to the Bio-ship in the bay area. The teenagers that stay behind take a little walk though the cave.

"No offense, guys, but even my boredom is bored." Zatanna said as soon as they walk up to Red Tornado, who was doing something with the hologram computer.

"Maybe a night off wasn't the best idea." Conner rubbed his head with a sigh, "Red Tornado…" The said hero turned to them, "You got any good stakeouts for us?"

"I do not." Red Tornado fully turned his body to them, "You must amuse yourselves." As soon as he finished his sentence, he flew upward to the opening in the ceiling before the hatch close.

"…That's Tornado's apartment, right?" The magician girl asked, staring at the ceiling. "It is. But Tornado doesn't eat or sleep or change clothes or, well, anything."

"So?" Conner corked his eyebrow to her.

"So…" Zatanna turned her head to them, "What does he do up there?"

"Robot stuff?" Naruto muttered with a blink and the teenagers just trade glance with each other, wondering what the red android do in his free time before Zatanna give them a smirk.

"Etativel!" She flew up to the hatch with Megan, "Hctah siri nepo!"

"Bark if Tornado comes back." Conner said to Wolf as he put something on his arm without Naruto noticing and he grab his little brother, taking a mighty leap into the hatch. As soon as they enter the apartment, the first thing they saw was a Christmas tree with few presents and few holiday symbols like Kwanzaa candles and Menorah candles before they take a look around in the apartment, filled with technologies until they discover something.

"Is that what I think it is?" Zatanna asked nervously as she stared at a covered body under red blanket with others and they trade looks again before Conner pull the blanket off with a yank to reveal a nude male human. They almost cry out in shock before they notice metallic parts on few body parts. "…So is Red building a friend, or what?" The wind suddenly blow their way from behind as the light turn on and they look behind to see Red Tornado.

"Perhaps you should ask Red." Megan muttered.

"Wolf." Conner grumbled.

"…But you know Red Tornado was already in here, right?" Naruto said to the group, "After all, we just come in right after he went inside."

"…Shut up…" The older clone whispered under his breath, now he feel like an idiot for not thinking ahead and he wasn't aware that the girls also share his thoughts. Red Tornado placed his arms behind his back with a stern staring before the older clone jam his thumb at the humanoid android, "All right, what's with the new bod?"

"I am a robot." Red Tornado walked over to the bed, "This is an android. He will serve as my alter ego, John Smith, and allow me to download my consciousness so that I may walk along humans, interact and learn."

"I think it's a wonderful idea." Megan smiled with clasped hands.

"Your approval is appreciated, but your presence is uninvited." The red android turned to the group, "Is this is a sign of disrespect?"

"Uh, curiosity." The Martian smiled nervously.

"Boredom." Conner grunted.

"They made me." Naruto pointed at them, receiving a light nudge from his brother.

"You know, he's cute." Zatanna glanced at the human, "But if the goal's human interaction…Evig mih stnap!" She snapped her fingers and the blanket transform into a red pant, covering the human android's lower body in process. "He really needed pants." The robot just looks at her.

---

"Let me be clear…" Kaldur said after his squad return from their shadow job as the team and Red Tornado gather together in control room, "We failed. Though the Injustice League is in custody, their allies still scheme. And we have learned nothing of their plans."

"Gee, I wonder why." Red Arrow sneered with crossed arms, aiming it to Artemis.

"Hey!" Artemis stomped with a scowl, "Who found out Sportmaster was working for Brain, Klarion and Ivo?!"

"Yeah, great intel." The red archer snorted, "Except Ivo's been in Bel Rev the whole time. And the guards just checked…It's the real Ivo, not a robot."

"You know, I'm getting pretty tired of you dumping on her!" Wally stepped in between them with a narrowed eyes before the archer hold tracer up, "Her tracer, so? Cheshire ditched it!"

"No, Artemis ditched that to send us on a wild goose chase." Red Arrow pointed at other tracer in Kaldur's hand, "She put this one on Cheshire!"

"Artemis?" Wally turned to her, "Are you that freaked out about Arrow joining the team that you had to prove yourself by bringing down the bad guys solo? Please tell me I'm wrong!" She didn't say anything, "Well…Nice going! What you proved is that you're insecure and selfish!" He chuck the sai at her feet, "Keep the sigh." He snatched the tracer from Red Arrow, "This is the right souvenir for the mission!" He stormed off.

"So how will you betray us next time?" Red Arrow growled at her.

"Enough!" Kaldur grabbed Red Arrow's shoulder, "If making a mistake was a betrayal, we would all be traitors. I must report to Batman. The rest of you…" He looked to his team, "Get some sleep." The teenagers split up as Red Arrow whisper something into Artemis' ear.

---

Naruto was a nervous wreck all day when he went to bowling game again with his brother's friends from high school and it become worse when he end up sitting with Wendy alone while the others went to get their bowling shoes and snacks. He sneakily glances at his crush and Olethros' voice rang within his mind.

"Oh, you're in love." The painter's voice chuckled.

'Love…' The blonde boy fidgeted to himself, it took him a while to realize that he have a crush on Wendy and for some reason, it make him more nervous than before.

"What's wrong?" Wendy asked him as he nearly jumped at her voice, she have notice his behavior just now.

"O-Oh, it's nothing…" Naruto lied, shaking his head.

"You sure?" She tilted her head, "You can talk to me if you wanna. I'm willing to hear you out like before."

"Um…" The blonde boy wasn't sure what to say or think and his mouth just move on its own before he can stop it. "I love you." He said quietly.

"…O-Oh, wow!" Wendy's eyes widened slightly, "Really? Oh, um…" That was really unexpectedly, "I'm really flustered that you like me…But I'm sorry. I mean, you're a nice guy but I'm kinda older than you and…" Naruto just zoned her out as his mind fall down in spiral as soon as he get his first rejection. He feel so embarrassing for telling her his feeling, he feel so upset for getting rejection, he feel so ashamed for some reason and all of these feelings hurt him altogether.

"I-I have to go." Naruto said shakily before he take off, ignoring Wendy's voice as he power-walk out of the bowling alley quickly.

"Wait, Naruto!" Wendy attempted to stop him but it was too late as he left and she let out a deep sigh before Conner appear with others as he take a glance around, noticing the absent of his brother.

"Where's Naruto?" Conner asked her curiously.

"He left because of something…" The ravenette teenager said before she whisper to the older brother, "Conner, I need to talk you in private, it's about your brother." The clone blinks at her sentence, concern about his little brother.

---

He end up lying on grass in a park, staring at the starry sky sadly. Naruto don't know how long he has been lying there for but he doesn't care, due to his sad stage. "Naruto." The said boy blinked as Ace's face comes in his view blankly, "What are you doing there?"

"Ace, what are you doing here?" Naruto muttered confusingly, "I thought we were gonna meet next week?"

"Why are you lying on grass?" Ace said, ignoring his questions.

"…I told someone I love her…" The boy muttered as he didn't notice Ace's tensing shoulders, "And she rejected me…"

"Oh." The girl relaxed her shoulders as she lie down next to him with a plop, "Good."

"…Why is that a good thing?" Naruto frowned sadly.

"Because she's a human." Ace replied darkly, "She hurt you like these people who hurt me…She and they don't deserve you because you're good and kind…Pure…"

"I'm not…" He muttered before Ace suddenly hover above him, "Ace?"

"I come to tell you that I'm leaving the city tomorrow for good." She said, "I want to say goodbye but…"

"But?" The young clone asked.

"After what you told me…" Ace said calmly, "I decided to make you mine." She suddenly kisses him on lips as the clone's eyes widened at that before she breaks the kiss, "I will not let anyone else corrupt you." She slides her arms around his body in a hug, "You belong to me and no one else." She push herself up to her feet as she keep staring at him, "Remember that because I will come back for you someday…Goodbye." She retreat though the bushes.

"H-Hey, wait!" Naruto stuttered, stunned by the sudden confession but it was too late as Ace disappeared from his sight and he slump down on his knees. "…What the hell?!" He buried his face into his hands with groan, he don't expect to have a emotional day and if he look up to the sky again, he could have seen a flying card, following by several cards.

---

Naruto decide to hole up in his room as soon as he return to the cave and he don't feel like deal with anything after everything that went down few hours ago. The door slide open and he glance over his shoulder to see his older brother. "Hey." Conner looked at him, "You alright?"

"Get out of here." Naruto threw his pillow over his shoulder and it hit the wall beside Conner.

"Alright." The older clone rubbed his neck with a sigh, he really doesn't know what to do to help his little brother and he has no choice but to leave him be for now. "Dinner in five minutes…We'll put yours in microwave if you're not up then." The door closed and the young clone just buried his face in his mattress.

---

"It's no use." The voice muttered with crossed arms as the green eyes stared at map with several pins, "Whoever has him had been move him all over the country and it seems like they don't stay in one place for long. All we have is just some sighting locations and plenty of information from this assistant." They found the assistant and pry many info out of her about Naruto. "I can't believe what they did to his DNA."

"Look, look!" A smartphone stick up right in the first figure's face and the green eyes glance at a picture of some young man with foods before the owner push the phone away.

"Can't you see I'm doing something here?!" The first voice growled angrily, the owner have been trying to find the clone and the second figure have did nothing but playing with phone all day, beside gathering the info out from the victims. "I don't want to look at some pictures of men!"

"No, no, look at the back!" The smartphone stuck into the first figure's face again and the figure snatch it out with a growl, deciding to humor the second person for once as the first person look at the background before it see something…Or someone. It was Naruto walking on sidewalk with backpack and he was in civvies. "That's our baby, right, right?!"

"Yes, it is…" The green eyes narrowed, "But the question is where?"

"Oh, in Happy Harbor." The second voice replied and the first person slowly turns to the second with a raised eyebrow.

"And you know how?" The first asked.

"It say right there." The finger pointed at several lines under picture.

"…Wait, isn't that the old base that League used before they move out to somewhere else?" The green eyes blinked, it was common knowledge among the villains that the heroes were no longer using that place and it was just a tourist's trap. "…Of course!"

"What?"

"Think about it, Naruto is on a young team and they work for League." The first voice spoke, "What's the best place you can hide a secret team of sidekicks in?"

"Um…" The second figure tilted its head in deep thought, "…Oh, the friendship cave or something like that, right?!"

"They don't call this place something like that." The first person deadpanned, at least they finally find the boy.

---

It have been few weeks after the rejection and Ace's department, Naruto even refuse to join the team for the circus mission because he was still moping around and that was about eight days ago. Right now, he was doing a light sparring with Kaldur and appears to be doing okay but he was still a little furious. He throws a punch at Kaldur as the black teenager quickly brings his arms up to guard his body and Kaldur don't except the punch to break though his guard, hitting his stomach. It almost takes wind out of him as the attack almost knock him off his feet but he manage to keep his balance with few coughs, stop the sparring in process. "You okay?" Naruto asked.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Kaldur rubbed his forearms with a small wince, "Nothing like a little soak can cure some soreness. You're getting stronger lately."

"Really?" The blonde boy glanced at his clenching fist, what they all don't know is that Naruto have a super-solider serum within his body and it have slowly taking effect.

"Hurry up, guys!" Wally hollered out, "They're gonna start!" The clone and Kaldur quickly move into the control room with the team, plus Rocket who have recently join the team, as the news pop up on monitor.

"The Justice League was formed for two reasons." Superman said at the podium in front of the Hall of Justice with leagues members and new presses, "First, as an acknowledgement that no single individual no matter how powerful can solve all the world's problems alone. And second, to uphold the values of truth, liberty and justice. That last one's even in the name." The presses laughed as Superman gestured to five new members, "These five heroes have sworn to uphold those values."

"You are watching live coverage of the Justice League's induction of its five newest members." Cat spoke to the camera, "Looks like the entire league has shown up to welcome the new blood. Everyone from Batman to Captain Marvel."

"I'm glad they didn't kick Billy out." Wally grinned, they recently found out that Captain Marvel was really a ten-year old boy during the two-world event. "And I love the fact that there's a ten year old on the league."

"There is?" Rocket raised her eyebrow and Robin hit Wally's stomach hard.

"Way to keep a secret, genius!" Robin scowled.

"Hey, she's on the team now, right?" Wally grunted.

"Superman is now handing out official league membership cards, starting with Doctor Fate, the Atom, Plastic Man and Icon." The superhero handed the cards out to each members.

"You know, I was the one who convinced Icon to become a hero in the first place." The black teenager girl threw her hand up with mutter, "I should be outside celebrating with him, not hidden away in here."

"Welcome to our world." Kaldur smirked.

"Well, I suppose there's an upside, too." Rocket batted her eyelashes at the black teenager.

"Finally, Green Arrow welcomes his former protege Speedy, now known as Red Arrow to this roster of heroes." The green archer shook hands with red archer on the monitor.

"Way to go, Roy!" Wally pumped his fist up in air.

"At last, he has his wish." The black teenager boy smiled.

"The first of us to make it." Robin grinned, "No one will call him a sidekick anymore."

"Wait." Rocket turned to them, "Since when is being a sidekick a bad thing? You sidekicks were my inspiration."

"Well, see, six months ago it…" The boy wonder bobs his head before his watch beep out and he quickly check it.

"So, there you have it." Cat smiled, "The world's officially a safer place." Several heroes took off into the sky while some enter the building, ignoring some questions from the reporters while the rest just stick around to answer some questions.

"Guys, we gotta go now!" Robin suddenly race out of the control room and the team look at each other confused before they follow him out.

---

"A-Are you sure it's her?" Artemis stuttered as the Bio-Ship flew over the Smokey Mountains, "I mean, are you absolutely positive?"

"See for yourself." Robin bring several pictures up on monitor, "This is the security footage from the Ashfield Regional Airport. Facial recognition confirms that's Jade Nguyen. But you've seen her without her mask. What do you think?"

"It's Jade." Artemis sighed heavily, "Cheshire."

"Agreed." Aqualad nodded before his eyes fixture to case in Jade's hand, "But focus on what she carries. Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?"

"Yes." The arrowette replied.

"Okay, I'm guessing from the mug shot that this Cheshire's the bad guy." Rocket said, "But what's so important about that case?"

"Remember the Injustice League?" Robin pull the picture of Injustice League out.

"And their giant evil plants?" Rocket shivered, "Uh, yeah."

"The team and the league put them in prison but their allies still scheme." Aqualad explained, "And whatever is in that containment case seems important to their plans."

"We had a chance to grab it in New Orleans but someone screwed up." Kid Flash glared at Artemis, who return it with a sneer.

"Approaching Cheshire's jet." Miss Martian announced before she gasp sharply as the ship fly closer to the wreck site of airplane, "Looks like there was no survivors."

---

The team have been looking around the wreck for a while before Kid Flash speak up, "How come homeland security and the NTSB aren't all over this?"

"Cheshire's ID was a league alert." Robin scanned the black box, "Authorities didn't pick it up and her jet didn't follow its flight plan. It flew under the radar. Literally. But the Watchtower auto-tracked the jet and recorded the crash."

"Then why isn't the League here?" Rocket asked.

"Because our Boy Wonder has some mighty hacking skills and arranged to get the alert first." Zatanna glanced at the smirking boy wonder.

"And because Cheshire and that case represent our unfinished business." Aqualad pointed out.

"Where are the bodies?" Superboy tossed a large wing away before a voice catch their attention.

"Here's one." Cheshire stood over them with cocking hip, "And it is stunning."

"I am flora, not fauna." Riddler twirled his cane with several henchmens on other side of the valley with a smirk, "I am foliage, not trees. What am I?" He snapped his fingers and tesla poles rise from the ground, surrounding the team as they form a force barrier. "Hey, come on, you can get this. I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I? I…"

"Ambush." Robin frowned.

"Didn't you think we'd be tipped you were on Cheshire's trail?" The riddler gloated, "We're tired of your interference, kiddies. That is the end game. Ordered from above and executed by their master strategist, moi."

'Miss Martian, is everyone linked?' Aqualad asked the Martian.

'Yes.' Miss Martian replied.

'GO!' The leader barked mentally and the team members quickly split up to take everyone on.

Rookie was taking four henchmen on as the snowstorm kick up, due to Zatanna's spell, and he dodge several swinging weapons from the henchmen with ducks, sidestep and redirecting a couple attacks with his staff. As soon as the clone see a opening, he swing his staff around as it smash into one of the henchmen's stomach and to their surprise, the henchman fling away like an ragdoll as he crash into second henchman. "Holy…" Rookie's eyes widened behind his mask before he quickly bat the other two henchmen away and many questions pop into his head, how in the world can he do that and was it due to his DNA but why don't it show up until now. The team kept fighting the villains while Superboy attempt to take some poles out before he get attack by Mammoth then the super clone suddenly fly up in air, unleashing his power upon the villain to some people's shock. 'Is it like me?' The young clone wondered as the cliff break down in a flashy crash, 'Does it kick in at some points?'

"Tekcajtiarts!" Zatanna trapped Riddler with a spell after Robin quickly takes care of Shimmer.

"No, no!" Riddler screamed out, "I am not the straightjacket type! I am strictly Bel Rev, not Arkham!"

"Gag mih!" The magician girl huffed.

"Is it always like that?" Rocket flew to her side.

"Yeah, pretty much." Zatanna replied with a nod, "Hguone htiw eht ebolgwons." The snowstorm died down and the team round the villains and henchmen up before they make their return to the hideout after dropping the villains off with the authority.

---

"Tell me if this sounds familiar." Batman loomed over the team, "You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol and endangered your lives. And your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons proving Warden Strange runs Bel Rev as a cover for criminal activity…" He smirked, "Well done." He dropped his smirk as his eyes turned to the case, "And then there's this. Biotechnology integrated with some form of nano-circuitry."

"Though I am unfamiliar with this species, the bio component is clearly not of Earth." Icon brings a glowing red piece up to his eyes before he put it back in.

"We'll take it to the Watchtower for further study." Batman closed the case before he went into the Zeta tube with the others as Rocket congratulate Icon for joining the league and the black hero enter the Zeta tube with Dinah.

"You realize we were set up." Robin turned to his team.

"Yes." Kaldur agreed, "Cheshire and Riddler were tipped and ready for us."

"Not the mole thing again." Artemis groaned annoyingly.

"Mole thing?" Rocket approached them, "Again?"

"We had intel that there was a traitor on the team." Wally explained.

"Mainly Artemis, M'Gann, Naruto or me." Conner scowled.

"Wait, what?" Naruto looked at his brother in shock, that was first time he heard of it.

"Red Arrow thought you were the mole because you don't come with us on some missions so you can fed some intels to someone else." The older clone scoffed bitterly, "I told him that it don't make any senses because you don't know where we went on our missions or what we did."

"It is more complicated than that." Kaldur stepped in before Conner knocks his hand away with a sneer, "But your recent behavior does concern me. Your attack on Mammoth nearly got Artemis killed." The super clone suddenly holds the side of his head with a wince, "Superboy?"

"There's something I need to do." Conner looked over his shoulder, "…Something I need to tell you." He took a deep breath, "Last month, on Thanksgiving I went back to Cadmus and found a few things out. When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman's. The other half was human. That's why I don't have, will never have full Kryptonian powers."

"You sure?" Robin said, "'Cause you sure seems to have them today."

"I've been using these." The older clone pulled his sleeve up to reveal a black shield, "Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight, the heat vision…But I think I also get angry…" He paused with a hum, "Well, angrier. I'm sorry."

"…Where did you get those?" Kaldur asked.

"From my human father, Lex Luthor." Conner admitted and several members appear to be shocked.

"Lex Luthor…" Robin blinked slowly, "Is your dad?"

"He summoned me to Santa Prisca." The super clone said.

"Ahh, listen…" Artemis speak up to catch the team's attention, "Superboy's not the only one suffering from bad DNA." She walk over to the monitor before she pull pictures of Cheshire, Sportsmaster, and Huntress up on the monitor, "My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. The rest of my family aren't even ex. My dad's Sportsmaster. And he's sending my sister, Cheshire, to fly me to Santa Prisca, too."

"That's why…" Wally realized.

"Yeah." Artemis sighed, "I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out."

"I knew." Robin grinned as everyone looked at him, "Hey, I'm a detective. But it never mattered. You aren't your family. You're one of us."

"So, uh, who's next?" Wally placed his hand on Artemis' shoulder.

"I am." Megan rubbed her arms nervously.

"I swear I was kidding!" The speedster waved his hands around.

"Queen Bee's been blackmailing me." The Martian said sadly, "She wants me in Santa Prisca, too."

"Blackmailing?" Kaldur said concernedly, "How?"

"She knows my true Martian form." Megan answered.

"Bald M'Gann?" Robin laughed, "Who cares if…" Naruto elbowed his stomach lightly.

"No." The Martian released a deep sigh before she transform into a large white Martian as several members gasped out, taking steps back.

"Oh." Rocket gulped.

"I realized you would never accept me if you saw what I really am." Megan hugged herself dejectedly.

"M'Gann, did we truly seem so shallow?" Kaldur said.

"I couldn't take a chance." The white Martian replied, "Being a White Martian among the Green on Mars, I endured constant rejection. I couldn't face that from…"

"From me?" Conner walked up to take her hand, 'I've known since we mind melded last September at Bialia.'

"But that was before we even became a couple." Megan looked confused, "Why didn't you say anything?"

'I figured you'd tell me when you were ready.' The super clone replied.

"To be honest, I don't care what you look like since you're an alien." Naruto joined his brother's side, "After all, you said I'm your little brother, no matter what."

"…Yeah, you're right." The Martian smiled to him as she transformed back to her green appearance.

"I'm scared to ask who's next." Wally muttered before he looks to the young clone, "Naruto? Please don't tell me…"

"Why are you looking at me for?" The blonde boy stared back, "Do you want me to say that I'm bothered by the fact that I'm first and only metamutant in the universe, that I don't know my place and I don't know who I'm related to? I kept feeling like Batman is stalling with the DNA tests and it scare me because what if I'm related to some villains and what kind of plan they have in mind for me? I don't care about most of it, all I just want is some answers and that's it." The group stared at him, "What?"

"Dude, you just said it all without pause." Robin pointed out, "But you do have a place. Here. With us as the team…"

"And family." Conner replied.

"Yeah, you're like a little brother of the team." Wally grinned before Kaldur step in again to start discussing about a plan.

---

"Remember, we have to wait for the signal." Kaldur whispered to his team and they don't have to wait long enough as the gunfire break out before Artemis call out.

"Guys, reinforcement time!" Artemis fired arrow at Sportmaster and Cheshire before Rocket tackle Bane's gunman up in air. Bane was about to give his order out but several gunmen was taken down by a yellow flash and other few gunmen were blow away by explosive daggers before the rest of the team show up, taking some henchmen on.

Blockbuster plummet away on Superboy and he was about to crash him though the cliff but Rookie quickly smash his foot against its back with all of his strength, sending the villain flying off the cliff and crash into the ground below. Rookie helps his older brother up before Superboy grunt out, "Thanks, but I had this one."

"Pfft, yeah, right." Rookie snorted before they see the helicopter fly away as Rocket attempt to stop it but the missiles from the copter kept her at bay as it escape.

"Come on, we gotta help the others." Superboy raced into the battlefield with Rookie and it really don't take the team long enough to take care of some henchmen since several members have take villains down, one at a time with two members each. After a short battle, they round the criminals up.

"It is always like this." Rocket laughed excitingly.

"Told you." Zatanna smirked.

"Hey, disaster averted." Robin grinned, "Feeling the aster."

"Aster?" Rookie blinked confusingly behind his mask.

"Agreed." Aqualad chuckled out, "This has been a good day."

---

The team returns to the cave happily before Kaldur speak to his team, "We have reason to feel proud of yesterday's victories." It turn out it was already December thirty-one and an early morning at this time. "But one thing has not changed."

"Somehow the bad guys are still getting inside intel about us." Robin nodded.

"Yeah, but at least we know none of us are the mole." Wally grinned to Artemis.

"You think they're gonna kiss?" Zatanna whispered to Naruto with a giggle, glancing at the speedster and arrowette.

"I don't know." Naruto whispered back with a shrug, "I'm very poor with social interaction." They enter the control room and they spot Batman with Red Tornado.

"The mole was Red Arrow." Batman revealed.

"ROY?!" Robin gasped with everyone.

"No way!" Wally denied.

"Batman, that cannot be!" Kaldur turned to Batman, "He was Green Arrow's protege. We have all known him for years."

"Unfortunately, the Roy Harper we have known for the last three years is another 'Project Cadmus' clone." Red Tornado gestured to the monitor.

"We've learned the real Speedy was abducted and replaced immediately after becoming Green Arrow's sidekick." The dark knight said, "The clone was pre-programmed with a drive to join the Justice League, which is why he was so angry over any delays to his admission and why he refused to join the team. This Roy Harper had no idea he was a clone or a traitor. And his subconscious programming drove him to become League worthy. So he struck out on his own as Red Arrow. When he was finally admitted, his secondary programming kicked in and he attempted to betray the League to Vandal Savage. Fortunately, I had already deduced Red Arrow was a clone. We were prepped."

Red Tornado picked it up, "Savage was subdued but Red Arrow escaped. He is now a fugitive, armed and dangerous."

"If you guys hadn't rescued me and Naruto from Cadmus." Conner rubbed his neck, can't believe it.

"What, what happened to the real Roy?" Robin stammered.

"We don't know." Batman answered, "He isn't at Cadmus. We have to face the possibility that the real Roy Harper is dead." The original members look down upset.

"The clone Roy, the team will find him." Kaldur offered.

"Negative." Batman rejected, "Red Arrow's a member of the Justice League now. Leave him to us." He receives something in his earpiece, "I'm needed on the Watchtower. Tornado, stay with the kids."

'Clone or no clone, Red Arrow was one of us.' Kaldur thought to his team though the mind link as Batman vanished into the Zeta tube, 'We will go after him.' Red Tornado reaches out to Aqualad before he suddenly shut down without any warning.

"Tornado!" Wally checked him as the team gather around the robot.

"What happened to him?" Megan asked worriedly.

"He's totally powered down." The speedster said.

"All functions offline." Robin scanned him.

"Guys, I'm sensing a low-level mystic force at play." Zatanna sensed with closed eyes, "I-I don't know if it caused his shutdown but now that I think about it, I was getting the same buzz off Batman."

"Batman…" The boy wonder looked up, "He called us kids. He never does that."

"Look!" Wally grabbed a familiar piece from Red Tornado's hand, "One of those biotech chips we confiscated off Cheshire."

"Something is not right." Kaldur frowned in deep thought, "Robin, Kid, Zatanna, Rookie, Rocket, see if you can get Tornado back online. The rest with me to find Ro…Red Arrow." Aqualad took off with the rest of the team while the others stay behind.

"The problem's hardware, not software." Robin said, "But where do we start?"

"I have a thought." Zatanna looked at the hatch on the ceiling.

"His apartment?" Naruto said to her, receiving a nod from her.

"Why are we looking up there?" Kid Flash blinked puzzlingly.

---

"That's a little creepy." The speedster muttered to himself as he connects a link between red robot and human android.

"Download in progress." Robin typed into the hologram computer.

"So Tornado built this android to party." Rocket stared at the human android.

"Not how he'd put it, but yeah, more or less." Zatanna chuckled lightly.

"Recognized, Black Canary, 1-3." The said women appeared in control room via Zeta tube.

"Hey, guys." Dinah strolled in, "I wanted to check in see how you're handling the…" She narrowed her eyes at the sight, "What are you doing to Red?"

"It's not how it looks." Robin said.

"It looks like you're downloading his consciousness into a new body." The blonde woman said and the teenagers look at the monitor to see completed download.

"Okay, it's pretty much exactly how it looks." Wally muttered nervously, "But…" The human android suddenly sits up.

"Team, get out of the cave now!" Red shouted before Dinah suddenly scream a supersonic scream at them, knocking everyone down and Robin flip onto the table as he attempt to take Dinah down but she throw him over her shoulder easily. She was about to deliver another scream but a beeping piece on her jacket explode in a green smokescreen and Rocket quickly summon a force ball, trapped Dinah in with the gas.

"Black Canary a-attacked us?" Zatanna said shakily as the team get up as soon as Dinah passed out.

"Black Canary is the least of our problems." Red pushed himself up, "We must abandon the cave." The team quickly picks Red, Dinah and Wolf up before they run to the bay area, taking Supercycle to flee the cave as several League walk into the cave. "Stay off your radios. Let the Supercycle track Superboy. Instruct her to mask all signals. We cannot allow the League to track us."

"Right." Wally said, "Of course. Just one question. Why is the Justice League after us?"

"The entire league is under the complete mental domination of Vandal Savage." Red explained, "Red Arrow seems to have been his means. His method was something Savage referred to as 'Starotech'. An alien bio-organism fused with nano-technology and magic. It shuts down the mind's autonomy allowing Savage to reprogram the individual to suit his needs. Even my inorganic brain was not immune. But the process requires 0.16 nanoseconds to fully integrate with its host's nervous system. That delay allowed me to create an internal sub-program which would disconnect my power cells if I attempted to infect another person. Fortunately, the Starotech is body specific. As John Smith, I am now free of outside control."

"This Starotech, it worked on super-powered humans, four flavors of alien and android, even Dr. Fate, defeating all of you without a fight?" Robin looked over his shoulder.

"Indeed." Red confirmed, "A remarkable achievement. One not easily countered."

"What about the Avengers?" Naruto said in the back seat, "Can we call them for help?"

"No, we do not know if they are also affected like League." The android shook his head, "I do not wish to take risk of facing League and Avengers together if I were you."

"You have a point there…" The blonde clone agreed nervously, he really doesn't know if the Avengers were also infected with these chips too.

"I think we're getting closer to Miss Martian's range." Robin said before he send out his thought, 'Miss Martian, are you in range?'

'Here, Robin.' Megan replied back as the Bio-Ship appear right above the Supercycle, 'Linking both squads and decamouflaging.'

'Great, 'cause we really need to compare notes.' The boy wonder said as soon as they board the ship and making some plans.

---

"Recognized, Black Canray, 1-3." The mechanized voice rang throughout the Watchtower, "Red Tornado, 1-6. Red Arrow, 2-1."

"Any problems?" Vandal looked over the said trio.

"Despite an initial setback, I was able to re-infect Red Tornado and Red Arrow." Black Canary reported.

"As well as the entire team." Red Tornado added, "They await re-programming back on Earth."

"I think not." Vandal form an evil grin, "You see, Starotech does not reprogram the mind, it offers us remote control of it."

"We know exactly who's infected and who's not and none of you are." Klarion grinned wickedly and before the trio know it, green beams entrapped them as it gag them, courtesy of Green Lantern.

"But that is easily rectified." Vandal smirked at struggling trio, "50,000 years of life and nothing ever troubled me as much as the founding of the Justice League and Avengers. Dedicated to maintaining society's calcified status quo they would protect mankind from disaster, crime, tragedy of any kind." He planted the chip on Dinah's neck, "Had you never heard of the survival of the fittest? In essence, you heroes ought to protect humanity from its own glorious evolution. As such, you forced my more enlightened colleagues and myself to organize a response." He paced around the trio as he planted two more chips on the rest, "We created a co-optive network of operatives placed key individuals in key positions, made certain we were on the cutting edge of all new technologies." Green Lantern released the trio, "Genetic engineering. Bio-chemical engineering. Robotics. Nano-robotics. Even techno sorcery. Not to mention every conceivable method of mind control." He walked back to the view of Earth, "Cold hard science and a little misdirection and now you champions of stagnation have become our agents of change. Forcing the human race to evolve on a more advance schedule allowing the Earth to take its rightful place at the center of the cosmos." He wasn't even aware of the fact that someone else was listening in as he kept rambling.

---

'RT did it.' Robin listened into the control room of Watchtower as the team broke into the base via Bio-Ship, 'Wirelessly bypassed security for us as soon as he arrived. Savage shouldn't know we're here.'

'Yeah, too busy to hearing himself.' Rookie rolled his eyes, 'Is that a common thing among the villains?'

'Totally.' Kid Flash smirked.

'Move out.' Aqualad ordered his team and they sneak around the base quietly as they split up to find some League members and free them with reverse-engineered bio-chips quietly with teamwork.

---

"The brats are aboard." Klarion informed Vandal as he scanned the magic circles, "They've taken away four of my toys."

"Recall all League away missions." Vandal ordered him, "It's time to put these children in their place once and for all."

"Finally!" The witch boy grinned evilly before his cat mewl out, "Oh, yeah. Hey, Vandal. Shouldn't those three be back online by now?"

"What?!" The leader of Light widened his eyes before Black Canary's supersonic scream incap Green Lantern and Red Tornado launch a tornado at Vandal, blocking him as Red Arrow quickly free Green Lantern from mind control.

---

While the battle went on in the control room, Rookie was on his own as he sneak around the corner and he spot Elongated Man carrying a crate. The clone quietly toss a marble ball ahead to draw Elongated Man and it work as the hero look at tiny ball puzzlingly before Rookie quickly slap a chip on his back, causing the veteran hero to pass out. 'Elongated Man is down.' Rookie informed his teammates via telepathy and before he know it, a pair of boots smash into his back as it send him rolling across the hallway before he quickly get back up on his feet to see…"Animal Man?" Rookie blinked rapidly at the said hero, he met this man when he was on patrol with Elongated Man and they told him that he used to be League member before he left for personal reason. 'Does that mean the league have been infecting some people all day?' Rookie quickly dodge Animal Man's left hook as the fist smash into the wall, leaving a deep dent behind. 'At least I can hold on my own…' It only took him a while to slap the chip on Animal Man's exposed skin and like Elongated Man, Animal Man pass out immediately. Rookie moves the bodies inside the room to prevent alert and he quietly move off, wondering how his team is doing at the moment. Little did he know is that the team was in a tight spot right now when three league members attack them after they took care of three other league members but they make it out by using the airlock and rescued three more leagues.

---

The team quickly regroups at the control room as several founders attempt to take some team members and Wolf down and they join the battlefield. It was pure chaotic as several teenagers take on some powerful heroes like Robin against Batman and Superboy against Superman before Robin and Superboy team up together to take the legendary heroes on. It was over pretty quickly and the team barely saves the founders with some teamwork. Before anyone can act fast enough, Vandal and Klarion escape through the teleport spell and Aqualad decide to check up on Red Tornado.

"Congratulations, team." Red said, "You have won the day."

"Happy New Year, Justice League." The computer suddenly announced as soon as the young Justice team reunited with each other and the music start to play.

"I should have done this a long time ago." Wally suddenly scoop Artemis off her feet with a grin.

"No kidding." Artemis wrapped her arms around his neck and they kissed.

"Told you so." Zatanna whispered to Naruto as Megan and Conner share a kiss before she peck him on his cheek, drawing a surprised yelp from the blonde boy and she also give Robin a peck on his cheek since she can tell that he have a crush on her too.

"Liking this team more every day." Rocket said to Kaldur before she give him a kiss on cheek.

"Human customs still elude me." Red Tornado stared at the team.

"That makes us two…" Naruto rubbed his left cheek and the team just laughed at them. They stick around to make sure the Justice League was well and the veteran heroes congratulate them a well job before they start to working on the missing sixteen hours.

---

"Movie night start in three hours!" Wally held several dvd cases up with a grin as the teenagers loiter around, setting things up, they decide to have a movie night tonight.

"Where's Naruto?" Artemis asked after she took a quick glance around.

"He went out to buy some sodas and snacks since we're out." Megan replied.

"Oh." The arrowette stretched her arms out as she sit down next to the speedster, "I don't know you guys but I'm glad it's all over." She was referring to the Light events that took place two days ago.

"Yeah." Robin smirked lightly.

---

Naruto check the contents in the plastic bags, "Dr. Pepper, 7up, few candies boxes and bags…Plus one cookie dough ice cream for me…" He muttered quietly, "Better hide it before Wally find it." If he was paying more attention, he would have seen a van pull up closer to him and before he know it, several arms grab him and try to pull him in, causing him to fight back. He manages to elbow someone's stomach, drawing a groan from the person and he was about to break free but a colored gas assault his face before he pass out immediately. The door immediately slide closed and the van speed away, leaving split bags behind. It won't take any longer before someone go out looking for him and by the time, his kidnappers and he was long gone.

---

In a dimmed room, Naruto lies on a bed unconscious with three figures standing over him and a figure turn its head to other two figures with a frown, revealing to be Psimon. "If I do whatever you say, you two will leave me be?" Psimon hissed sourly, "For good?"

"Yup!" A voice replied cheerily, "We'll set you free and you'll never have to see us again."

"Very well." Psimon turned back to the slumbering boy, he don't know how these two get their hands on dampening headbands that prevent him from invading their mind and one of them have bewitched him with a certain ability, trapping him in this damn building for weeks until he do what they said. "Psimon says…" He held his hand over the boy's head, "Forget everything you know and…" His other hand hold out as two different hands grabbed it, "Accept their thoughts of you and your parents as if you have been living it." There was a glowing purple aura around the figures for few moments before the lightshow cause and he glance at the figures. "It is done…But you might remember that I can't remove some memories that hold strong ties to his brain. They are not gone but buried deeply in…"

"Whatever, get out of here." The second voice cut him off and Psimon just left wordlessly, he want to get the hell away from these two and out of this accursed city as soon as possible. "Now, one last thing…" The second figure pull a vial out before it pour some red liquid, a blood, over the circle symbol on Naruto's odd shirt and just like a magic, the shirt turn into liquid as they retreat into the circle. The circle piece slide off his now-bare chest at ease and it shattered as soon as it hit the ground.

"Can we wake him up?" The first voice bounced on its feet happily, "Please, please, please?"

"No, we should let him sleep until tomorrow." The second voice shook its head, "I'm tired and I know you're also exhausted after long months."

"Aww, but I wanna hug our baby!" The first voice pouted before the second figure drag the first figure out, ignoring the protesting.

---

Robin typed into the computer furiously while some teenagers pace around worriedly, Naruto have been gone for almost a whole day and they have found some signs that he have been taken but where, who, and why? Conner look up to see Kaldur return with Wally and Artemis.

"Did you find…" Conner asked worriedly.

"No, whoever took him planned ahead." Kaldur shook his head upsettingly.

"They dumped the van out the city's line and switch with another model." Wally said, "They made sure that they don't leave some traces behind…They torched the van."

"All this trouble just for kidnapping Naruto…" Robin frowned after he failed to come up with a clue, "Do you think it's Vandal and his goons?"

"That's possible…" Kaldur cupped his chin, "But I believe it must be something else. Think about it, Cadmus created him for some reason. We need to figure out who order his creation and what plan does they have for him? We need to find some answers, starting with Cadmus…"

"That won't be necessary because I have some answers." A new voice spoke as the team turn around before their eyes widen at the owner of the voice, "But the question is…Will you guys help me get my son back?"

"Captain America?!" Wally dropped his jaw, "W-What are you doing here? Wait, how did you get in here…Wait, wait, son?!"

"I invited him here." Batman said as he walked up to the frowning war hero's side, "Because he is the father of Naruto…" The teenagers can't believe their ears, "And his mothers are…" He take over the computer.

"Wait, mothers?" Robin looked at him, "As in plural?" Before two pictures pop up on the monitor as several teenagers gasped in shock, "…THAT'S HIS MOTHERS?!"

---

Naruto's eyes flutter open before he rub his forehead with painful groan, "Oooh, fuck! Did I get hit by a batmobile or what?!" He paused as he smells something before he brings his uncovered hand to his nose for a bit, "OOOH!" He holds his hands away from his face, "Did I stick my hands in cesspool?! What the hell did happened last night?!" He swing his legs over the bed before he stand up with another groan and he look around in a modest-yet-old bedroom with his own bathroom, filled with what you can expect from a young teenager's room but there was some oddities like weapons for example. "Better take a shower." Naruto don't pay mind to the weapons as he enters his bathroom.

After a quick wash and make sure that there's no remaining of this foul smell, Naruto exit his room and he walk down the old stairs before he walk into kitchen. "Morning." A voice spoke and the boy turned his head to a face, usually anyone would freak out at that but it seems like he was used to seeing this face.

"Morning, mom." Naruto yawned before he wince, releasing a groan from his lip.

"What's wrong?" The woman look up from her newspaper.

"I dunno, I have a headache." The blonde boy rubbed his forehead, "I don't remember what happened last night…Did momma do something to me again?"

"Nope, not this time." Another voice laughed and Naruto's eyes shift from the first woman to other woman as she make sunny-up eggs. "You did have a wild night out and Batty knock your light out but thankful, we got you back before he take you in."

"Ah, I see…" Naruto hummed deeply.

"Aw, did my baby get amnesia?" The second woman suddenly hug him, "Wanna me kiss it better?"

"Momma, I'm not a kid!" He squirmed in her hug embarrassingly, "Let me go!"

"Nope, I just got you and I'm not going to let you go!" The woman nuzzled her face into his hair happily.

"Mom!" Naruto cried out to the first woman.

"Harley, let him go." The woman said to her amused.

"Aw, Red, five more minutes!" Harley pouted at Poison Ivy before Naruto manage to free himself.

"Jeez, you act like I have been away for long time." Naruto looked at Harley exhaustedly.

"You were!" Harley whined.

"Harley." Ivy gave her a stern look and the harlequin holds her hands up sheepishly as the boy shake his head at her.

"Do we have any water left?" Naruto asked them.

"Here, take mine." Ivy holds a bottle out, "Haven't opened it yet."

"Thank." Naruto reach out.

"Oh, Sug, put the gloves on." Harley said out of blue.

"Huh, why?" The boy said as his hand touch Ivy's fingers and he feel a little tingle before something happen. The plants in the kitchen suddenly grow larger, twisting around as if they have become sentient. "Mom, what's wrong?!" He turned to Ivy worriedly, these plants appear to be out of control as they destroy things.

"It's not me!" Ivy quickly grabbed his hands, "It's you! Take a deep breath!"

"M-Me?!" Naruto cried, "H-How?!"

"Deep breath!" The redhead tried to calm him down, "They can react to your feeling, just take deep breath and focus." The panicking boy took few deep breaths to his best ability, "That's it, you can do it." The plants slowly calm down after few attempts and everything stop.

"W-W-What was that?!" The boy glanced between his mothers with widened eyes, "I-I thought I don't have mom's power!"

"Um…" Harley scratched her cheek as she look to Ivy, "Do you want to tell him or…?"

"I'll tell him." Ivy replied.

"Tell me what?!" Naruto asked.

"Sweet, let me ask you that, do you remember how you get your healing factor?" The redhead said.

"I was born with it, that's what you and momma told me." He said, "But how does it have to do with that?!"

"No, we lied about that." Ivy replied, "You were born with a special power and it was what give healing factor to you when you accidently touch a mutant kid when we took you to playground."

"Wait, what?!" Naruto shook his head with rapid blinks, "WHAT?!"

"You don't remember that because you were about three." Harley said, "We know you were special after I give birth to you and ran some tests…We don't know what power you have until that happened and we both realize that you have power to copy any powers and make it yours permanently."

"WHAT?!" He cried out, "Is that why I always wear gloves all the time?! And why did you wait to tell me until now?!"

"Eh, um, yes?" The harlequin laughed nervously, "We don't think about telling you until you're ready…"

"…Momma, you should have told me sooner!" Naruto threw his hands up, "I should have take some sweet powers from these guys when we went out on heists!"

"Heists?" Ivy shoot Harley a look and the harlequin just giggle nervously, she may might put some memories in without Ivy's knowledge. The redhead just sighs at her before she look to her son, "The reason why we don't tell you is because we want you to not depend on that…And your power have some requirements for you to get any powers."

"Like what?" Naruto blinked at her, "…Wait, you make me wear gloves all the time, does that mean I can't copy anyone through clothes?"

"Yes, your hand, palm to be exact, must touch skin directly." Ivy nodded.

"It have to be skin, so in other word you can't get the Thing's stone body because he's all rocky." Harley said, "And you can't copy same power twice if you already have it."

"Like healing factor?" Naruto said before he look at them oddly, "Wait, how do you know that?"

"Oh, we tried that with a meta who also have healing factor, but better, and it don't work." The harlequin shrugged her shoulders.

"And you don't know how to control after seeing that." Ivy gestured at the mutated plants, "Which mean you have to train for it."

"Oh, does that mean you'll teach me?" Naruto asked her and his mother nod to him. "Sweet!"

"You have to remember that there might be some more limits to your power or not." Harley said, "After all, we don't know much about it."

"Don't worry, I'll keep it in my mind." The boy grinned to her.

"Now, Sug, you should go eat your breakfast while momma talks to mommy." The harlequin said to her son.

"Alright!" Naruto went to get his breakfast and Harley turn to Ivy with a smile.

"Now we know he have your power, beside your DNA." Harley whispered.

"Mmm." Ivy nodded with right fist on her hip, "I'm glad he does but it still doesn't explain why Cadmus decides to splice power absorption into his DNA."

"Beat me." The harlequin shrugged, "But you gotta admit…Our little boy is gonna be so badass and we're gonna have a lot of fun together as a little family!"

"Indeed." Ivy smirked.

---

And that end the fourth chapter of I Am…! Love it? Hate it?

Now we are done with YJ first season! Remember, if I don't write any certain scenes in, it mean they are following the cannon! That mean we will start moving into new story arcs! Woo!

So far, we just saw Naruto finally realize his feeling for Wendy after talking to a mysterious painter (Wink, wink!), only to get rejected by his crush! Then it get worse when Ace told him she love him and leave right away, just after when they got a little closer without League knowing about her! Wow! While that went down, Naruto just met the X-Men and New Mutants when he was loaned out by Batman and he went on few missions, even team up with Elongated Man to take Blizzard on then save few leagues from Vandal's mind control! Just when they thought it was over, Naruto have been kidnapped and have his mind wiped clean before replace with false memories! Love it? Hate it?

Some of you got it right with the mothers!

Very few got his power right! Love it? Hate it? Before you come at me, he is not going to be overpowered right away because there are some limits to it…One, he don't have mastery of any powers until he train for it. Two, he can't copy any certain powers until he touch the exposed skin via his palm and if the skin or his hand are covered by fabric, he can't copy anything, for example: He can't copy Thing's power because he have no skin…Plus, if superhuman touch Naruto's body part another than his hand, Naruto can't copy them until he touch them with his hand. Three, if his body does not have a certain element, he can't copy the power, for example: He can't copy Hulk's ability because he doesn't have Gamma rays. It's kinda like Rouge's power but he can touch people without any problem and nothing happen if he touch a normal person or someone with similar power that he already have. There are few more drawbacks but I can't reveal it to avoid spoilers.

Will the team find Naruto again? How will he react to them since he believe he have been raised by his mothers the whole life? Will he remember the team if they meet again or not? How will Naruto act with his new power, believing he's gonna be villain like his moms? What will happen next? Let's find out in next issue…Eh, I mean next chapter!

Anyway, I think that's all I can say for now. Thank you for reading it.

REMIND: From now on, any spams (Update, update this story, update the story in different story) will be deleted. It's not good idea because it will make me stop writing to delete the spams and might delay a bit. Please be patience.

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