"I know that look," Superman said as he walked up behind Batman. The dark knight didn't look up from the computer.
"Whats your point," Batman asked not let any emotion to his voice.
"My point is you had that same look when Conner had been turn into a child. It also the look you have when something is bothering you," Superman added leaning against the computer console "what is it," he ask watching for any sign of what Batman was thinking.
"Flash and Arrow said that something caused Conner to temporarily regain some of his powers. Although they were considerably weaker he was still able to led the two on a wild chase through the cave. The only problem is that Conner shouldn't have any of his powers until he reaches about fifteen." Batman said keeping his voice flat. Superman lowered his eyes. He wasn't entirely sure if it would be a good thing or a bad thing if Conner's powers came sooner.
"Do you think he is in any danger," Superman asked finally remembering how he had almost lost his son.
"At this point it is unclear. We still do not know what caused Conner's powers to temporarily return, and at his age there is no telling how having his full ability effect him." There was a far amount of concern in the dark knight's voice.
"So what you're saying is that if his power develop too soon could prove harmful," Superman asked almost fearing the answer. Batman nodded in response
"Do you have any idea as to why this is happening," Superman asked let to new information sink in.
"It is possible while the effects of the stabilizer that was use to save him and caused him to remain a child did not have the same effects on his abilities. Meaning where as his physical being with remain a child he could eventually have the abilities of his teenage self. If that were to happen then how it would effect Conner could be catastrophic." Batman seemed to cut himself off then. He did not really want to be the one to tell what could happen at least out loud nor did he really need to. Superman had his own idea of how having powers at his age could harm his son. Unlike a sixteen year old who could understand why he had the strength to been steel with his bare hands, the chances were a three year old wouldn't.
"There is a chance that if they do come back they would be proportionate to his size. Flash said that although he was considerably stronger he had still been able to hold him until he calmed down," At this Superman looked up hopeful that for a change things weren't as bad as they seemed.
Snow fell softly covering the streets of Metropolis in a blanket of white. Lights and evergreens decorated the shop windows in ever sense of the holiday season. In the early hours of the morning few people were out. Most were just starting their day by preparing for the holiday crowds that would soon fill the streets and shops. Christmas was only a few day away which would only make things more hectic.
Clark walked through the streets quickly as he made his way to work. He wanted to get an early start to the day in order to finish his work as soon as possible. It was to be Conner's first Christmas as a child and Clark wanted make it as special as he could. The only problem was Perry had made it clear that Clark had to have his work completed before he took off for the holidays, or he would be working. Ever since Clark had taken off with little to no explanation back in September Perry had been a little more strict about his deadlines. The only thing that had saved his job was that Perry had been lenient when Clark had told him about Conner. Besides the longer it took Clark to finish his work the more time it took away from him spending with his son.
At the moment Conner was at the mountain under the watchful eyes of the team. In order to have more time to focus on his work he had arranged for Conner to spend the weekend with his friends. Clark had one more article to finish before he could call it quits for the holidays.
Clark was just about to the office when he heard the low chirp of his JL com link. He raise it to his hand to his ear curious as to why they would be calling.
"Superman," Batman called through the link.
"What is it Batman," Superman asked keeping his voice low so that only the com could pick it up.
"You need to get to the mountain," realization him as he realized why Batman was calling.
"Whats wrong, is Conner alright," Clark asked ducking into an alley.
"I explain later but for now just get here," Batman said ending the link. At moment later Superman emerged from the alley and headed to the nearest Zeta Beam. He had no idea what he would find when he did reach the mountain all he did know was that his gut was screaming at him to get there.
Superman stepped into the mountain and immediately saw that it had been torn apart. Superman started to panic when he didn't see nor hear Conner. He looked around to see that Batman and several other members of the league were waiting for him. He flew over to them.
"What happened," the man of steel demanded trying his best to remain calm until he heard what had happen. The other members of the league looked at him and then to Batman as if he had been the one elected to give the answers.
"Just under an hours ago we lost contact with the team," Batman began his voice flat and emotionless "when we finally got coms back we received a distress message. We sent backup immediately, but when it arrive what ever battle had happen was over. Miss Martian, Aqualad, and Kid Flash were found unconscious. Artemis, Robin, and Conner are still missing." Batman finished watching as the panic began to fill Superman's face.
"What do you mean missing," Superman asked terror filling his voice.
"Meaning who ever attacked the mountain also took them," Batman stated flatly "we still do not know who is responsible, nor do we know why they took Robin and Artemis along with Conner." Superman stopped realizing how strange it was that Artemis and Robin had also been taken. Somehow at realize Conner wasn't the only one taken made him feel a little better. At least for now Conner had someone to protect him.
"What do we know," Superman asked making an effort to calm himself.
"Whoever did them knew enough to try and erase the security footage. However they did not clear the buffer which we can retrieve the footage from. It should be ready in the next few minute," Batman said motioning to the console. The display read that the retrieval of the footage was nearing completion.
When the footage was finally ready everyone gathered around to see what had happened.
As the video played they watched the team be taken by surprise. They watched as a fight broke out between what looked to be Black Manta's foot soldiers lead by Vandal Savage and Klarion. They watched as the team stood between the intruders and Conner. From there they watched as the fight slowly turned in the villain's favor. Kid Flash was the first to be taken out followed by Miss Martian and Aqualad. Robin was separated from Conner whose only defender now was Artemis. They watch in horror when she was caught by some kind of net restraining her leaving Conner open. He was grabbed a minute later by one of Manta's soldiers much to everyone horror. Their horror quickly turned to surprise when Conner freed himself and knocked his would be captor to the ground unconscious. This had created enough of a distraction for Robin to find his way back to Conner and Artemis to free herself. Conner huddled behind his friend clearly terrified by what was happening. They saw Robin send the distress message before the room was filled with at bright light. When the light died away everyone save the two unconscious teens were gone. Several moments later the first of the backup arrived.
As they stood staring at the screen it all started to make sense. They had been after Conner the whole time the only reason Robin and Artemis had been taken was because they were protecting Conner.
Robin paced the room they were held in trying to figure a way out. Artemis sat in the middle of the floor doing her best to keep Conner calm. They were both all to well aware of how terrified the toddler was. It was only a matter of time before their captures would come back. It would have been one thing if it had just been him and Artemis who had been taken, but with Conner things had become a little more difficult. They would have to do what they could to protect him while still managing to find a way to escape. Taking out the camera had been the first thing Robin had done. If they were going to be held captive he was not going to give them the satisfaction of watching them let alone Conner. Robin and Artemis were now in full protective sibling mode.
"Wobin whewe awe we," Conner asked. His words even further evident of how terrified he was. In the last month he had become better at pronouncing his R sounds. The stress of the situation was causing him to revert back to replacing those sounds with that of a W.
"I don't know Superboy," Robin said as calmly as possible. It sounded strange calling the toddler by his super hero name after so many months. Conner had seemed confused at first until they had been able to explain.
"Can you pick the lock," Artemis asked hope Robin had figured out how to get them out of there.
"No," Robin said shaking his head "not without my picks. Though if we could get enough force on the door we might be able to break it open," Robin suggested looking around to for something to use. Even with Robin's lock picking skills he couldn't open the door without the right tool. Which of course had been taken from him upon his arrival. The only other way that they could get it open was by brute force, but he had quickly given up on that idea because neither of them possessed the strength needed.
"What do you means break it open," Conner asked.
"If we could get enough power on the door we might be able to open the door and leave," Robin explain. Conner nodded as if understanding but that look was quickly replaced with one of thought.
"Can I try," Conner asked shyly. Though he was still afraid Conner wanted to he his friends. At this Robin couldn't help but smile. He though for a moment taking in the fact that there was no harm that could come from the boy trying.
"Okay," and with that Conner hopped out of Artemis's lap and walked over to the door. Both Robin and Artemis watched as Conner braced himself and began to push against the door. Neither wanted to say that the chances of Conner actually doing damage were next to impossible, but Conner wanted to try and help so they allowed it. They watch as Conner put all his might into the door and at first nothing happen as they expected, but as Robin watch he saw that the door was starting to bend under the strain. A moment later they heard a loud crack followed by a soft thud. Conner had fallen to the floor panting heavily.
"Superboy are you okay," Artemis asked worriedly as both she and Robin rushed over to him.
"I okays," Conner said as he tried to catch his breath "the door won't move," Conner said frustrated. Both Artemis and Robin share a look of surprise that prompted Robin to try to open the door again. After a moment of messing with the door Robin managed to open it. Robin turned back to Artemis who now was again holding Conner. The surprise that they felt by Conner having succeeded in breaking the door was quickly replaced by the need to escape.
The whole League was in a frenzy as they frantically searched for the missing team members. It had been close to twelve hours since the attack on the mountain and the only lead that they had been that the Light was responsible. If anything though that just made the situation worse. They knew that the Light had been looking for Conner but never had they thought they would find him at the Mountain especially since his visits were random and unpredictable. There would be times when he'd visit regularly and other when he hardly ever visited. The fact that Conner was their target terrified the league more than ever because for them to attack like that meant that they knew where he was. It had been too well planned out to have been a spontaneous attack.
Batman was the one coordinating search. He had sent heroes to follow leads that were for the most part turned out to be dead ends.
"Batman," came Manhunter's voice through the com link.
"What is it, have you found anything," Batman asked praying for him to have found something. Though he was worried about Conner he was also equally worried about his own missing protegé.
"I am not certain," Manhunter replied. This was enough to catch Superman's attention who had just returned from another false lead.
"What do you mean," Batman asked.
"It is faint but I can feel the presents of Artemis and Robin," Both Batman and Superman froze. Manhunter could only feel Artemis and Robin but not Conner.
"What about Superboy," Superman asked quickly wanting to hear more before he started to panic.
"The distance is too great. Superboy is still far too young for me to detect his mind's presents over this great of a distance. I can barely detect Robin and Artemis," There was a reassuring tone to Manhunter's words. They seemed to do as the tension that had been building in Superman lessened. The fact that Manhunter could not detect Conner had to do with his age and his wellbeing.
"Can you tell where they are at," Batman asked pulling up a map of Manhunter's location. There was a pause as Manhunter seemed to focus on his surroundings.
"They are far unground, The farther I move from my location in any direction the weaker the connection I have with them is." As Manhunter spoke Batman pulled up the map. At the sight of the map Superman was almost taken over by his rage. The map show the location of what they thought to be an abandoned Cadmus facility. They had taken his son back to Cadmus.
Author's Note:
Sorry it took me a longer to update but this the idea for this chapter took me a little longer to get. Please let me know what you think.