AN: So, here's the second half of the flashback. Both chapters are almost 4,000 words each.

Disclaimer: I do not own.

Chapter 3: Fireworks.

"Intriguing, so our little bird returns home at last. This could be useful."

'Time runs short Brother,' a voice said in his mind. 'You must awaken. You must awaken NOW!'

Robin bit back a gasp as his eyes flew open and he realized he was in a pod. The strangely familiar feeling sent a wave of cold anger running through him. He hated pods.

'At least I'm not in a white Cadmus uniform,' he thought, not knowing where the thought came from.

Then, his eyes landed on Superboy, watching them, and his attention was diverted.

"What…what do you want?" he heard Kid Flash ask from the pod next to him. "Quit staring; you're creepin' me out!"

"Uh, KF," Robin said weakly. "How about we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look."

"We only sought to help you," Aqualad said.

"Yeah," KF said. "We free you and you turn on us. How's that for gratif…"

"Kid." Aqualad warned. "Please, be quiet."

Robin moved his gloved hand slightly in its cuff, glad they had kept them on him.

"Now," Aqualad said. "I believe our new friend was not in full control of his actions."

Robin pulled out a pick and began unlocking his cuffs. He paid attention though to Superboy's surprised response to Aqualad's statement.

"What …what if I wasn't," the clone said weakly.

"He can talk!" KF exclaimed with his usual tactlessness.

"Yes, he can!"Superboy replied.

"Not like I said it," Kid Flash replied at Robin's and Aqualad's glares.

"The genomorphs taught you," Aqualad said. "Telepathically."

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

"But have you seen them?" Robin asked. "Have they ever actually let you see the sky or the sun?" The part of him that had felt familiar with Cadmus seemed to understand Superboy. He didn't want to know why.

"Images are implanted into my mind," Superboy answered.

'But that doesn't make up for the feelings you get when you actually see them,' Robin thought, staring in sympathy.

"But, no, I have not seen them," Superboy finished.

"Do you know what you are," Aqualad asked, "who you are?"

"I am the Superboy," Superboy answered. "A genormorph, a clone made from the DNA of the Superman, created to replace him should he perish, to destroy him should he turn from the Light."

Robin shared a shocked look with Kid Flash. Those words, they set off something inside him, a sort of…kinship. It felt like they had the same path laid out in front of them. But that made no sense. He had no path like Superboy's.

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

'Wrong thing to say,' Robin thought.

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

Robin stared at him sadly. "Your home…is a test tube," he said. "We can show you the sun."

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

"We can show you, introduce you, to Superman," Aqualad added. This got Superboy's interest.

"No, they can't," a familiar voice said. Robin watched as Guardian, the scientist "Doc" he had greeted and another scientist entered the room. "They'll be otherwise occupied."

"Activate the cloning process," the male scientist ordered.

Robin was filled with horror as memories flooded his mind. "Pass," he said. "Bat Cave's crowded enough."

"And get the weapon back into its pod!" The scientist ordered Guardian who walked over to Superboy.

"Hey!" Kid Flash exclaimed. "How come he gets to call Supey an it?"

"Help us," Aqualad said to Superboy.

Superboy shrugged off Guardians hand from his shoulder.

"Don't start thinking now," the scientist said causing anger to rise up in Robin as a genomorph landed on the clone's shoulder. "See, you're not a real boy, you're a weapon and you belong to me….well, to Cadmus. Same thing. Now get back to your pod~"

'Oh no you don't,' Robin thought with as much force as possible causing the genomorph to fall off Superboy's shoulder in shock.

The scientist stumbled in shock. But Superboy still turned and left the room. Robin knew however that he wasn't going to his pod. The scientist nodded to "Doc" who activated something on her computer. Needles appeared in their pods and Robin stared in horror as electricity ran through him while his DNA was stolen again.

"Where's Dubbilex?" he heard the scientist ask. Dubbilex, who Robin realized was the G-Gobin that had attacked them earlier, appeared. "Oh, lurking again as usual. Get the Gnomes downloading their memories. When that's done and you're sure the clones are viable, *delete the source material."

Robin knew Aqualad was whispering something to Superboy, so when the clone suddenly ripped off the door to their chamber, Robin was relieved and not just because he had pulled out the electric cords as well, ending their torture.

"I told you to get back in your pod," the scientist said. Superboy sent all four of the Cadmus staff flying and kept walking forward.

"Don't give me orders," he growled.

"You gonna help us or fry us?" Kid Flash asked.

Superboy squinted his eyes in a joking manner. "Huh," he said. "I don't seem to have heat vision so I suppose helping is my only option," he joked. Before he could, Robin's cuffs came undone and Robin jumped out of his pod.

"Ughh, finally, lucky Batman isn't here," he said, rubbing his wrists. "He'd have my head for taking so long."

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

Robin pressed a button on the computer terminal, calling back the needles and releasing his comrades. "Free Aqualad," he told Superboy. "I'll get Kid Mouth."

"Don't you give me orders either," Superboy growled, but obeyed, breaking Aqualad's cuffs and catching the Atlantean.

Once they were all free, they raced towards the exit.

"You…you'll never get out of here," he heard the scientist say. "I'll have you back in pods before morning."

"That guy is not whelmed," he said, sending three exploding bird-a-rang at the three containers of DNA.

"What is it with you and this whelmed thing?" Kid Flash asked as they ran from the room.

"We are still 42 levels below ground," Aqualad saidas they ran. "But if we can make the elevator…"

Of course things always got in the way, in this case, all the genomorphs of Cadmus.

After fighting off a lot of genomorphs, they were finally able to reach the elevator.

"Superboy, our goal is escape, not to bury ourselves here," Aqualad said seeing Superboy's bloodthirsty battling.

"You want escape!" Superboy said. He lifted one of the huge genomorphs. With one single throw, he sent it flying into the others.

Aqualad opened the elevator. KF jumped across to a ledge. Robin used his grappling hook to attach to one of the higher levels. Superboy took Aqualad in his arms and jumped. Immediately Robin knew what was going to happen. Superboy began to fall. Luckily, Robin caught them by sending a magnet that tied around Aqualad's hand and stopped them.

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

"Dunno," KF said. "But it looks like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound, still cool." Kid Flash helped them down.

"Thank you," Superboy said.

"Guys," Robin called out. "This will have to be our exit." He pointed to the elevator that was quickly descending on them.

Immediately they were met by more genomorphs.

"Turn Left Brother," he heard in his mind. He could tell Superboy heard it too.

"Go left!" the clone ordered. "Left!"

"Turn right Brother."

"Right!" this time Robin called out much to Superboy's shock.

"Great directions Guys," Kid Flash said, "you led us to a dead end. Are you trying to get us repodded?"

"No," Robin said, grinning. "This is perfect!"

"At this rate we'll never get out," Kid Flash said as they climbed through the air ducts.

"Shh," Superboy said. "Listen."

Genormorphs. So they were in here too. Robin grinned. He had a plan.

"I hacked the motion sensors," he said. They were now out of the vents.

"Sweet!" Kid Flash exclaimed.

"Still plenty of them between us and out," he said.

"But, I finally have room to move," Kid Flash said, sliding on his goggles. They followed Kid Flash through the doors into the stairwell. The speedster took off.

"More behind us!" Robin called out as they passed a group of unconscious genormorphs that Kid Flash had taken care of.

Superboy handled the group of genomorphs by collapsing the stairs they were on with a stomp.

Finally, they were out of the stairwell. Robin barely noticed Kid Flash lying in front of a closed door. The security alarms were blaring and the lights had turned red. He focused all his attention on his computer, trying to disable the security.

"Thanks, my head hadn't noticed," he heard Kid Flash respond to something Aqualad had said. Aqualad and Superboy were now trying to force the door open with their strength, to no avail.

"Can't hack this fast enough," he said. The sound of genomorphs growling turned their attention to the huge G-Trolls heading towards them. "This way!" he ordered, kicking down a regular door beside him. Of course, with their luck they were met with Guardian and more of the G-Trolls and G-Elves.

They prepared to attack but the G-Gnomes used their telepathy to knock most of them out. Robin was barely conscious.

"Perhaps for the sake of all genomorphs, our brother Superboy should make up his own mind," he heard Dubbilex say telepathically.

"It was you," came Superboy's shocked telepathic response.

Robin's eyes widened as well as he realized what Superboy was saying.

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

"And guided me," Superboy said. "Why?"

Indeed, why would Dubbilex help them? IT made no sense to Robin. The memories he had seen in the cloning chamber had faded away, leaving only suspicions in their wake.

"Because you are our hope," Dubbilex answered Superboy, but Robin could tell it wasn't aimed at the clone, but at him, "the genomorph hero. You will blaze a trail for all our Brothers, showing us the way to freedom."

But, he wasn't a genomorph. He was a human, not even a meta at that.

Guardian groaned. "What's going on?"

Robin heard Aqualad groan and start to rise. Robin decided to do the same.

"What is your choice Brother?" Dubbilex asked Superboy.

"I…choose…Freedom," Superboy answered.

"Feels like, fog lifting," Robin heard Guardian say as he stood with the others.

"Guardian?" Robin asked.

"Go," Guardian ordered, sounding exactly like his nephew, Speedy. "I'll take care of Desmond."

"I think not," Desmond said. The genomorphs parted as Guardian turned to face the head Cadmus scientist.

"Project Blockbuster," Desmond said with a crazed look in his eyes, as he raised a test tube with blue liquid to his face, "will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." Desmond downed the liquid.

'Great,' Robin thought, 'as if this day wasn't bad enough.'

They watched in horror as a monster took Desmond's place. Not that he wasn't a monster already. The creature turned and grinned at them evilly once the transformation was complete. Superboy clinched his fists, ready to fight.

"Everyone, back!" Guardian ordered. The hero rushed at Desmond who sent him flying with a slap.

Robin watched as Superboy rushed forward in anger. He wanted to do so as well but knew how careless that would be. Superboy was holding his own though. He was able to get a few punches in . A punch sent him into a wall. Superboy lunged at Desmond again. The mutated scientist jumped up and flew straight through the ceiling with Superboy.

"Okay, that's one way to bust through the ceiling," Robin said, using his grappling hook to get them to the next floor.

"Did Lab Coat plan that?" Kid Flash asked as they rose.

"I doubt he is planning much of anything anymore," Aqualad answered.

On the first/second floor, they watched in horror as Superboy was thrown around by Desmond. Jumping out of the way of his fall, they rushed towards their new friend and helped him up. Determined, the faced Desmond together.

Kid Flash went first. The speedster, rushed at Desmond, avoiding the whole in the floor. He slid under the scientists mutated body, ending up behind him. Turning around, Desmond was distracted which allowed Superboy and Aqualad to land two simultaneous punches together. Desmond fell back, almost crushing Kid Flash.

"Learned that one in Kindergarden," Kid Flash said.

Robin sent two bird-a-rangs at Desmond who was crawling away. In response, Desmond attacked Superboy, punching him against one of the support beams, causing it to crumble. He was stopped by Aqualad who lassoed his fist with water. Robin watched in shock as the continuing fight damaged most of the other supports beams.

"Of course," he said, watching as Desmond threw Kid Flash and Aqualad into two beams. "KF, get over here!" he called out, activating his computer.

"Got it?" he asked the speedster after explaining his plan.

"Got it," Kid Flash replied.

"GO!"

While Kid Flash distracted Desmond, Robin called the other two over. "Superboy, Aqualad!"

"This one and that one!" he pointed out after telling them his plan. The two quickly obeyed and destroyed the two pillars.

Using his chalk, Robin marked an X on the floor. Done, he watched as the others led Desmond to the spot. Aqualad then used his water as a conductor for his electric magic, shocking the ex-scientist.

"Move!" Robin ordered, the exploding discs he had put in the remaining pillars activating.

They were barely able to escape the destruction of the building. Okay, so they were trapped. Superboy was able to push off the rubble trapping them.

Aqualad panted. "We…did it," he said.

Robin grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Was there…ever any doubt?" heasked, panting as well. He and Kid Flash shared a glance and high fived. Immediately they winced as their bodies protested in pain.

Robin watched as Superboy walked over to the fallen Desmond.

"See," Kid Flash said, distracting the clone, "the moon." The speedster pointed to the huge glowing moon in the sky. Robin had to fight back a laugh when he saw a familiar figure appear against it, descending towards them. "Oh," Kid Flash corrected. "And Superman. Do we keep our promises or what?"

Robin watched in awe as the entire League descended on them. They were all there, for them. He stared at Batman and Superman knowingly. He couldn't guess there reactions to this situation, but he wasn't going to let them cage or hurt Superboy.

He watched as the part-kryptonian clone walked forward, awe in his face as he stared at his father. Robin winced, at the horrified face Superman made when Superboy pulled up part of his torn suit, revealing the shield for the House of EL that Superman always wore. Superboy's expression was hopeful, but Robin glared at his pseudo-uncle in disbelief and disappointment, knowing that Batman would have been doing the same if he wasn't the leader of the League.

"Is that what I think it is?" Batman asked. Robin turned his glare to his adoptive father.

"He, not it." Robin growled, walking up beside Superboy.

"He doesn't like being called an it," Kid Flash stage-whispered, joining them.

"I'm Superman's Clone," Superboy said, seeming to get over the sting of his father's rejection.

"Start talking," Batman said, ignoring the shocked looks of the League.

After most of the League had left, Robin stood with the others as they watched Superman talking with Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. Superman's shoulders drooped as J'onn rested a hand on one of them. The Man of Steel turned and walked towards them. Robin watched in anticipation as Superboy stood faced to face with his father.

"We'll uh-We'll figure something out for now," Superman said, then hastily amended, "the League will I mean."

Robin narrowed his eyes. So Superman wanted to help Superboy, he just didn't know how, or was being forced not to by some of the League members. Robin figured it was the former.

"For now," Superman said. "I better make sure they get that Blockbuster creature squared away."

'Excuses, Excuses,' Robin thought as Superman flew away.

"Cadmus will be investigated," Batman said from behind them, "all 52 levels." Robin grinned. "But let's make one thing clear."

"You should have called," Flash said.

"End results aside we are not happy," Batman said. Robin frowned. "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders and endangered lives."

Robin bowed his head.

"You will not be doing this again," Batman said, causing Robin to lift his head hopefully. He shared a grin with his team.

"I am sorry," Aqualad said as they stood side by side, "but we will."

Robin stepped forward.

"Aqualad, stand down," Aquaman ordered.

"Apologies my king, but no," Aqualad said. "We did good work here tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together, on our own, we forged something powerful, important."

"If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the three…" Flash began to say.

"The four of us and it's not," Kid Flash corrected his uncle.

"Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us or why teach us at all," Robin said to his mentor and partner.

"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy asked, walking forward. "It's simple. Get on board, or get out of the way."

'Couldn't have said it better myself,' Robin thought.

Four days later, the Team was born on Mount Justice and received its first new member.

"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League," Batman told them. "We're calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms. Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions."

"Real Missions?" Robin asked.

"Yes, but covert," Batman replied.

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff," Flash said. "There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests."

"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter," Aquaman said. "Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly."

"The five of you will be that team," Batman said.

Cool," Robin said, the registering what Batman had said added, "Wait, five?"

They turned around and saw Martian Manhunter walk in with a green skinned, red-haired girl.

"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian," Batman introduced.

"Hi," Miss M said shyly.

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

"I'm honored to be included," Miss Martian said.

They all crowded around her.

"Hey Superboy," Robin called out. "Come meet Miss M."

The clone walked forward and joined them. Robin mentally grinned when he saw Miss M's shirt change from white to black.

"I like your t-shirt," she said. The two shared a smile.

Robin grinned as he and Kid Flash each rested an arm on Superboy's shoulders.

"Today is the day," Aqualad said.

Indeed it was. They had achieved their independence just like they wanted. They had made knew friends and they were closer than ever to becoming full-fledged members of the Justice League. Robin knew it was just the beginning of a hard but rewarding journey.

AN: Whoa, this was a long one! 7,600 words with both chapters combined! That's 3.5x as long as my usual length. I was worried about writing this one but the more I wrote it, the more I enjoyed it. Poor Robin. I had to tease him with his connections to Cadmus. For the most part the episode was the same except for a few instances. I always wondered why they didn't know about the Watchtower. To me, Robin would have obviously been raised there. I can see him pulling pranks on the League members.

For those of you who are wondering why Desmond had Robin's DNA taken again and acted like he was going to destroy him with the others, he wasn't. He would have had Dubbilex wipe Robin's mind of being there. He definitely wouldn't risk destroying him or the original Robin. I just couldn't find a way to rewrite that scene. Oh well. It was still fun.

A few things about this episode.

Robin's comment about the Batcave being crowded. I have to laugh at that. He thinks it's crowded back then, just wait 5 ½ more years.

Superboy joked with Wally! I was shocked when I realized that. The brooding clone actually joked.

Here's the proof:

"You gonna help us or fry us?" Kid Flash asked.

Superboy squinted his eyes in a joking manner. "Huh," he said. "I don't seem to have heat vision so I suppose helping is my only option," he joked.

So, next chapter will be a slight intermission into the present as well as Agendas.The episode will definitely be different as I am I going to be adding Robin to the episode. The idea will definitely be interesting

Important: I might rewrite Searching for a Bird so that I can add more Cadmus memories into this story. I still have not decided yet. It depends on how this story goes.