AUTHOR'S NOTE: I got up this morning, looked outside, and saw a storm brewing. Though I might cheer everyone up with a surprise update. Enjoy!
Chapter 13
Bruce twisted in his bonds attempting to break them. His heart pounded in his chest as he felt the ground beneath him bouncing. A second later he smacked his head against the top of the crate he was locked in. He let out a muffled cry at the shock of pain on the top of his head. Hunkering down further as he was taken to whatever personal hell had been prepared for him.
There had been little he could do when he had been ambushed. When the gunshot had gone off Bruce had quickly been tied up and whisked away. Above him he had heard hushed voices as his captors talked about him. A chill had gone down Bruce's spine when his enemy had hissed that old name to him. His breath caught in his throat unable to respond. Now what felt like several hours later all he could say for sure was that he had to be in some kind of truck.
As Bruce had been shoved into a crate and the top loosely locked over his head he had heard bangs and echoes around him. He strained to hear who was talking, and thought he may have even recognized one of the voices, but they had soon faded away. Eventually a loud bang sounded which indicated they had locked the back of the truck. Not to soon after they were on the move.
In his small, cramped prison Bruce had little room to stretch out. His hands had been bound behind his back with duct tape. His legs were similarly bound preventing him from moving around to much. It didn't take him much time before he had worked one of his hands out of his bindings. Pulling at the tape until it stretched. Allowing him to slip his hands out before he brought them in front of him. Ripping the tape from his arms as he held back a yelp from the tape yanking out the hair on his arms. The rattling in the truck masked the sounds of the tape ripping as Bruce continued to pull it off.
Reaching up he ripped the tape from his mouth. He felt blood run over his lips, but he hardly cared. Next reaching down he undid the duct tape from his legs. It only took him a few minutes before he had it all off. Bruce crumpled the tape into a ball and placed it in the farthest corner of the crate he could reach. Next he tried to open the top of the crate. Pushing his fingers up against the rough wood he tried to shove it open. Only to hear the audible clink of the lock. The top only rose a few inches preventing Bruce from shove it up further.
With a sigh Bruce sat back bowing his head. Drawing his knees up close to his chest as he waited for the inevitable. He had managed to escape his bindings, but what would he do once he got out of the crate? Leap out of the back of the truck and wander aimlessly down the road? He had no idea where he was. Let alone any direction he would be heading in. If Krypto had been with him Bruce would have easily just told the dog to find Superboy. To think, Krypto and Alfred might be…
No, he refused to acknowledge it. They had to be alive. They had to be!
On the other side of the world stuck in an equally strange situation Connor woke up slowly. He groaned, feeling a headache working its way through his skull as he tried to wake up. For a second he thought he may have slipped away back into darkness a couple of times. Frowning, Superboy gritted his teeth as he turned his head. Fighting back the pain as he tried to concentrate. Off to his right he heard soft voices talking.
Without moving Superboy sharpened his hearing. Turning it up a few notches so he could better make out what they were saying. Several voices floated over to him catching his attention. It seemed to be three men and one woman's voice. As their voices trickled over to him Superboy found they sounded awfully young. They couldn't be no more than teenagers by the way they spoke.
"What did they say we're supposed to do?" One of the voices asked. Young and high pitched.
"Wait until he wakes up. Uncle found him unconscious when they broke in. He said they couldn't leave him there." The girl's voice responded a note of concern in her tone.
"This is dangerous. What we're they thinking? He's a clone of-" This voice sounded older and deeper. Connor's head began to clear as another voice picked up. It was young, but not as high pitched as the others were.
"We know who he is. Batman said he comes with us though. He didn't tell me anything other than to be ready when he wakes up."
"What do you mean, when he wakes up?" High pitch asked nervously.
"He said Superboy might-"
Connor did let him finish the sentence. With a roar he woke up ripping the bonds which had bound his hands to the table. When his eyes flew open he was greeted with the sight of four youths. One with dark tanned skin, the oldest of the group it seemed, glared directly as Superboy. Another one dressed in a yellow and red outfit jumped a look of nervousness coming over him. The girl, green with red hair, gazed at Connor with open fascination. The smallest of the group, dressed in a ridiculous red and black outfit with a black mask fitted over his face gazed at Superboy with a look of mild annoyance. As if he were about to lecture the clone about having broken a perfectly good table.
"Where are they?!" Connor demanded. He stepped off the table ripping the metal off his arms like so much tissue paper. He was surprised to see he was still dressed in his jeans, black T-shirt, boots, and leather jacket. The girl wrung her hands glancing at her three companions who had all taken up defensive positions. Connor growled, clenching his fists as he faced the youths.
"Where. Is. Bruce!" Connor spat his anger intensifying. He swore to himself if these people had anything to do with Bruce's disappearance he would tear them apart.
"Who? We don't know anyone by that name. Is he a friend of yours?" The older teen asked. Connor scanned their faces looking for any sign of recognition. His eyes locked on the smallest teen whose expression had flickered with one of shock before settling back into a serious scowl.
"Where is he? You know who I'm talking about. And where's Krypto? What the hell did you do with him?" Connor demanded as he began to walk towards the smallest teen. The other two boys pressed forward raising their fists to stop him. Connor glared at them clenching his own fists ready to punch them out if need be.
"We were waiting to ask you the same question." A familiar voice said from behind him. Connor whirled around to see three familiar figures coming towards him. Despite the situation he was glad to see the three familiar Justice League members.
The Flash, Jonn, and Batman, or better known as Dick Grayson according to Bruce, came towards him. They had entered in from a hallway into the room where Connor and the other youths were being kept. The ceiling above him arched into a sort of dome. When he looked around Connor noticed computers and monitors were located on nearly every surface. He frowned at the sight of all this technology. He liked electronic gadgets himself, but he missed seeing the open fields of the farm.
"Before you go tearing the hideout apart, this is the hidden headquarters of the Young Justice team. This is Aqua Boy, Robin, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian. They make up the team for right now." Flash added in gently. Connor glanced at the older man unsure of what to say. He remembered Flash had been subject to Superman's cruelty. Him he did not mind talking to. As to the Martian known as Jonn, well, he wasn't quite sure yet.
"Why don't you four go take a break? We'll take it from here." Batman assured the rest of the young team. The teens paused, glancing at Superboy who continued to glare at them. After a minute the teens filed out of the room. Casting glances over their shoulders at Connor until they left through a door which slid open and then shut.
"I'm not joining your team." Connor said once the others had left. Flash's mouth went into a thin line at the words, but he only nodded. Batman on the other hand frowned as if he wanted to do nothing more than to punch him in the jaw.
"You don't have to. We only brought you here because we felt you would be more comfortable here then in the Tower." Jonn interjected. Connor glanced at the Martian studying him closely. Of all the League members Bruce had told him about, he stated Jonn was the one he respected the most. He also admitted to Superboy that while he and the alien never spoke about it, during his time as the Batman Bruce had become close to Jonn. The Martian understood him on a level the other JL members did not. Jonn was the only one who ever reminded Bruce he was human, but was also concerned when Bruce pushed himself to far.
"Where's Bruce and Krypto? Did you find my mom?" Connor asked beginning to have a sinking feeling in his chest. Now he remembered. When he had called Luthor had been the one to answer Mercy's private number. At his inquiry a look of guilt passed over Flash's face.
"I'm afraid we have no idea where Mercy and Bruce are. We found Krypto though. Superboy, was anyone coming after you before you blacked out? Can you remember?" Flash pressed.
Connor felt his stomach unclench at the thought Krypto was okay. Yet he sensed something was wrong. If they found Krypto, but not Bruce, then where had Bruce gone? He forced himself to try and think. Maybe it was all just an elaborate game to get him to talk. If he gave them what they wanted they would give him his mentor back, right?
"There was a man. He had gray hair and an eye patch. He was talking to me but some stray dogs scared him off."
"How old was he?" Batman demanded. Connor stared at him dumbfounded as he racked his brain for information. Calling up a picture of the man he had spoken too.
"His late fifties, early sixties maybe?"
"Did he look like this?" Batman asked. He drew a picture out from beneath his cape and handed it over to Connor.
Taking the picture Connor studied it and felt a chill go down his spine. The same man he had seen that night was there. Crouched behind a wall the man appeared to be in some sort of metal armor. A sniper rifle in his hand as he no doubt picked out his target. Connor nodded his head as he felt his mouth go dry as he handed the picture back to Batman.
"Yeah, that's the same guy. Who is he?"
"He goes by the name of Deathstroke. He was contracted by Luthor to capture you and Bruce. He was given direct orders to deliver you alive at all costs. You were lucky we found you." Batman informed him.
"After you were knocked out Deathstroke delivered you some of Luthor's men. We managed to interfere and rescue you. You've been knocked out for the past twenty-four hours."
Connor rubbed his face as he closed his eyes trying to think. He had been captured? How could that much time have passed? He suddenly felt exhausted as if he had just ran a thousand miles.
"Can I please see Krypto?" Connor asked dropping his hand. He hated how small his voice sounded. As if he were a child begging to be let off time out. It was Flash who nodded his head. Shooting a glare at Batman who had been about to deny him.
"Sure, kid, you can see him. I'm not going to lie to you though. He was in pretty bad shape when we found him. He's a lot better now though. So when you see him he looks bad, but don't worry. He's already healing at a phenomenal rate." Flash explained gently.
Flash was also the one who led Connor down another hallway. They passed a couple of rooms which appeared to be normal. One seemed to be a large kitchen and living room area, another a game room, and yet another one a gym. Connor caught a glimpse of Miss Martian and Aqua Boy in the kitchen. Miss Martian reading aloud from a book while Aqua Boy was attempting to catch…eggs floating in the air? Connor shook his head turning away from the homely scene.
It reminded him of the times he would help Bruce cook. Connor could make his own food when he needed to, but he preferred his servant's cooking better. While it wasn't necessary for him to help all the time Bruce would often invited Connor to help him out. Often giving him simple tasks like whisking eggs, kneading dough, or just setting the oven to the right temperature. While Superboy never mentioned it he enjoyed helping his servant cook. One his favorite things to make happened to meatloaf. Bruce thought it was disgusting, but Connor loved to stick his hand in the raw meat. He enjoyed squeezing it and watching the ground beef come out through his fingers as he mixed in the vegetables.
Baking was another fun activity he enjoyed too. One time he and Bruce had eaten an entire bowl of cookie dough just for the hell of it. The entire time Bruce had been saying how unhealthy it was due to the raw eggs. At the time eating the dough off a spoon as Connor rolled some up into a ball and popped it into his mouth. Even Krypto had eaten some since they had been in the process of making peanut butter cookies. Later both men had been sick with a very happy Krypto whining and licking their hands for more treats.
When they finally reached what Connor guessed was the hospital ward he gasped. He walked right up to the glass and put his hands on it. Gazing at the small white form stretched out on the bed. The slight rise and fall of his chest the only indication his friend was alive.
Despite having been cleaned Krypto's usually pristine white fur was still stained with blood. Which had faded away to dark red stains where he had been shot through the chest. Parts of his body were shaved and had stiches where the bullets had ripped through him. Tears gathered to the corners of Connor's eyes as he reached for the door. Nearly tearing it off its hinges as he rushed into the room.
"Krypto? KRYPTO!" Connor yelled desperately.
One of Krypto's ears twitched as the canine raised his head. When he saw Superboy he gave him a doggy smile. Scrambling up off the table the dog floated into the air. Barreling straight into Connor's chest and knocking him flat. Connor started laughing, partially out of relief, partially out of happiness as he hugged the dog. Squeezing him tightly as Krypto began to whine and lick his face. The dog's tail thumping against his leg as Superboy sat up still being bombarded with kisses from the animal.
"See? Told you he'd be better." Flash said. Superboy turned his head to look up at the hero. Then again his heart fell even as Krypto began whining. He scratched the dog behind the ears, but he had his attention on the other three now.
"He saved an old friend of mine when we found him. We were just in the process of leaving when Krypto showed bruised and battered. I'm not sure how he did it in his condition. We found five kryptonite bullets imbedded in his body. Somehow he still managed to fly across London and find us just as we were leaving with you." Batman explained calmly. Connor nodded, giving Krypto an extra scratch beneath the chin as a reward.
"I know this is a sensitive subject for you, Connor, but do you have any idea where Bruce might be? Or your mother for that matter?" Jonn asked gently. Connor felt his throat lock up at the thought of his servant. He had smacked Bruce's hand away when he had walked out of the park. He remembered looking over his shoulder to see Bruce kneeling beside Krypto. Hugging onto the animal as the blind man stayed there. On the verge of tears, but to ashamed to call out for help.
"No. I thought….I thought Krypto would bring him home." Connor said quietly. Batman's eyes narrowed as he reached up and drew back his cowl. Dick Grayson glared at Superboy full on now.
"If he's hurt when we find him…" Dick began clenching his fists. Flash put a hand on his friend's chest stepping in between him and Connor.
"Dick, come on, the kid has been through enough today. It's not his fault." Flash whispered quietly. Dick snorted, shaking his head as he glared disgustedly at Connor.
"You know, Superboy, for everything you think you're doing for Bruce, you're no better than Superman. If anything you're worse. He trusted you beyond anything else. He gave up the little he had to make sure you were happy." Dick snapped.
He turned around and stormed out of the room. Flash and Jonn went after him to try and calm the hero down. Leaving Connor in the middle of the floor with Krypto whining in his lap. Wondering how he could fix the mess he had made.