Fireworks

I back up as Robin and the others are taken away deeper into the facility. The clone follows after them but stops and turns back to me. I hide and shallow my breathing. I feel his presence as he just stands there. He leaves and goes to follow where the others are being taken. I release a breath and glance around the corner. The doctor has left and the woman and the man in blue have stayed behind to fix the door. The strange horned-like creature from before has also left. A towering creature, possibly the G-troll, mentioned before, shows up and levels the ripped off door to the hatches. Ok...now to just get past them.

I quickly run down past them and hug the wall before anyone sees me. I see the hallway where the others were transported down as the large circle pods line the walls and the ceiling. "This place gets weirder and weirder." I say to the Rider who hums in agreement. I find a door which has the others entrapped on the other side. The clone's soul is also there...great. I light my hands and burn through the thick steel. "...created from the DNA of Superman. Created to replace should he perish...or destroy him if he turns from the Light." I hear the clone say as I burn the hole through the door. I step through and see that the others are strapped to vertical tables. The clone is standing in front with his face towards me, he is waiting to attack. "Oh junior...those creatures really didn't do you any favors did they?" I say as I walk forward. "Stop...don't move!" He shouts as I do. "Took you long enough." Robin shouts as I just flip him the bird.

"Aspiring to be Superman is a worthy goal. But to be like him, you deserve a life beyond that solar suit...beyond your pod...beyond Cadmus." Aqualad says to the clone as he turns back to Aqualad in anger. "I live because of Cadmus! It's my home!" He shouts. "Your home is a test tube." Kid Flash states as I walk beside the clone. "You are just a tool for Cadmus. You are a clone...do you not think that you are the first." I say to him as he turns his attention to me. "Cloning can't be easy...how can you be sure that you are the only one?" I say as I walk forward and try to figure out how to disable the restraints. "We can show you the sun...introduce you to Superman." Aqualad states. I feel souls coming and they are not welcome. "No you can't." The door opens as the doctor, the man in blue and the woman with their little creatures enters the room. "Activate the cloning process." The doc states as Robin complains. I stand in front of the pods. "You'll have to go through me first." I say as I feel the Rider coming. I feel the fear that the man in blue has and I savour it. "So you're the fourth intruder. What can you do, sidekick? Super strength? Be a a further pain in my ass?" The doc says arrogantly as my eyes glow, a smile stretching across my face. "Let's find out." The Rider speaks through me as he comes forth.

P.O.V Change: Robin

I've seen the one that Matty calls 'The Rider' numerous times and every time I see him transform, it never fails to make me shit myself. The form is terrifying, with the flaming skull and the fiery chains of death. "What the hell is that?" Kid Flash says as I smirk. "That's the Ghost Rider." I say proudly as the Ride twirls his chains. The doctor and Guardian are absolutely scared out of their minds. Batman always made criminals fear him but this is on a whole new level, this is terror...I gotta get me a flaming skull. Superboy charges the Rider with a wild haymaker but Matty simply catches it with ease. "Don't try it." The Rider says with his deep, gravelly voice as he wraps a chain around Superboy and flings him down the hallway.

Guardian has completely backed off in fear. The doctor is whimpering as he runs away. I play with the pick as I try and break the holds on my wrist. The Rider turns his attention to the woman who backed up against the wall, dread completely overcoming her. "You... innocent." The Rider says while pointing at her, I see her sigh in relief before her eyes roll backwards, she fainted. The Rider snorts a blast of fire out his cheek bones before turning his attention back to us. "We're friends, ok. Friends." Kid drones out like the Rider is stupid. He narrows his eyes at Kid who looks away. A crash is heard as the door is ripped off by Superboy. Ghost Rider turns to him with his chains ablaze. I pick the locks and drop down from my pod. I stand in between Superboy and Ghost Rider. "Ok, relax. Chill the F out." I say as the Rider growls.

"I want to help." Superboy says as I widen my eyes. "You...you do?" I ask as he nods. I turn back to Rider and see him analyse Superboy. "Fine." He says as I release an exhale of relief. I walk over and disable the pods. "Help Aqualad. I got Kid Mouth." I say to Rider and Superboy. "You don't give me orders either." Superboy says as he helps Aqualad. The Rider swings a chain and wraps it around Kid and pulls him to the floor. "Seriously! What was that all about?" He asks as the Rider states down at him. "Get over it." He says as he walks to the hallway. "I sense hundreds of awakened souls...we have to leave now." He says as we all leave. I leave behind a few explosion rangs at the pods and other machinery. "Not whelmed at all." I say as they all blow.

P.O.V Change: Ghost Rider

We run for the elevator. I sense hundreds of souls, even along the walls. "We are still 52 levels below the surface. We have to get to that elevator." Aqualad states as we turn a corner and see half a dozen G-trolls. We hear hissing and turn back to see the circle pods along the walls glow red as more of those creatures from before come from them. I light my chains as we are completely surrounded. "Time to burn!" I scream as I wrap my chains around a troll and fling it down the hallway. Superboy has my idea and bashes against another troll. The other three are just trying not to get hit. I twirl my chains as I laugh in joy. All these corrupted souls. I feel their souls leave this world and enter Hell. This is the best feeling that I have had in centuries. "Hahahahaha!" Another troll comes as I swipe at his legs, cutting them off before and twirl the chains in a 'X' shape. I wrap a chain around a trolls neck and head, I pull him down to me before pulling the chain tight. The trolls head falls to my feet in six different pieces as the rest of the body slumps to the ground.

Superboy is bashing the trolls against the walls. The rock begins to fall. "Superboy...Ghost Rider! We are trying to escape. Not bury ourselves." Aqualad shouts as Superman throws a troll towards me as I cut it in half. "You want to escape!" Superboy shouts as flings troll to the remaining ones as I breathe fire down the hallway, lighting it up with Hellfire.

We get to the elevator as Aqualad pulls it open. We look up and see the way to go. "Only way out is up." I say as I swing the chain up and embed in the shaft wall. I pull myself up as Robin follows with his grapple gun...seems he had a second on hand. Kid Flash jumps the edges to make his way up. Superboy holds out Aqualad as he leaps into the air. He gets to my level before his eyes go wide. I watch as he starts to fall. I swing my chain down and wrap around him and Aqualad before pulling both of them up. "Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?" Superboy says as I pull him into the ledge. "Figure it out later. We have to keep moving." I say. Robin and Kid Flash make their way to our ledge as Kid Flash quips. "At least he can leap over tall buildings in a single bound." I stare back at him with no amusement whatsoever. He cowers from my gaze. "Guys, this has to be our exit." Robin says as he gestures to the falling elevator. Superboy breaks the door as we hop on before the lift crashes down on us. We run down the hallway trying to find another lift. "Go left. Left!" Superboy shouts as we follow his directions. I don't know how he figured but whatever. "Now right." He says as we reach a dead end.

"Great job, Supey. You trying to get us repodded?" Kid Flash says accusing to Superboy. "No. I don't understand." He says dejected as Robin perks up. "This is perfect." He says as he grapples the vent cover off. He goes to hop on but I pull him back. "I'll go first." I say as I jump up into the vent. This is just great...humiliating. "Hey, matchstick, you mind turning the heat down." Kid Flash says to me as I growl and turn back to him, fire spewing out if my bone cheeks, aggressively. "How about I kill you and leave you here? How about that?" I say in anger to the young speedster who raises his hands. "Sorry...I meant no disrespect." He says as his fear rolls off in waves. "Maybe not for him but for me...I'm getting very warm." Aqualad says I notice his labored breathing and sweat. I grumble before reeling the hellfire back in, leaving only my eyes glowing with fire. I hate this.

We get out and find a stairway exit. "Finally." I say as I let the hellfire cover my skull again. "I hacked the motion sensors." Robin says proudly. The creatures were gaining so he decided to misdirect them. "Finally, now I have a chance to move." The speedster says as he puts on his goggles and speeds up the staircase. We follow after him as more creatures intercept us. The speedster drives through them. I leap off the stairs and swing my chains up and heave myself up a few levels. I found more creatures and I made them pay with Hellfire. I hear a roar and look down to see Superboy breaking the stairs. The creatures closing on him paid for it with a great fall into the darkness.

We reach sub level 1 as the speedster rushes forward. The barrier doors close as he crashes into it. I laughed at his blunder. "We are cut off from the street." Aqualad states as Superboy and I walk forward and try to pull the door open. I light my hands with hellfire and try to burn through the door but the steel is much thicker than the ones on the lower levels. This could take a while. Time that we don't have. We hear trolls coming. "This way!" Robin yells as he breaks down a door. We follow after him, only to find an army of creatures surrounding us. The man in blue is here as well. I light my chains as I make my skull's fire a little bigger. All the little creature's horns glow as the others fall unconscious. I stand tall. "My mind is not to be meddled with...you couldn't handle it no matter how many tries!" I say as I am ready to whip my chains. A shadow comes from the darkness. "Maybe that's for the better." The horned creature that I've seen before, stand in front of me. "We want no trouble...not anymore." He says as I read his soul. He has done a lot of wrong. Blood is on his hands. But he has accepted that his fate is most likely death, he wants to redeem what little honour he has left. "No funny business." I say as I wrap my chains around my arms.

The horned creature's horns glow red as Superboy's eyes widen. I feel surprise and acceptance coming from Superboy and the creature. Ahh...mental conversation...rude. I notice that the man in blue is now very confused. The others are coming too from their slumber. I see Superboy close his eyes. "I...choose...freedom!" He says as the horned creature smiles in gratitude. "Guardian?" Aqualad asks the man, his name is Guardian? "Go...I'll deal with Desmond." He says but I feel another soul approach. This one is dark and full of vanity and greed...feels like..."I think not." A voice says as the creatures part to reveal the doctor.

"Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." He says as he drinks a blue liquid. I feel his body changing. His soul is becoming more corrupted, more dark...more animal. The man groans in pain as his muscles expand but also his skin tears as blue shell-like skin breaks out. The doctor grows about 3 more feet. Not as tall as the trolls but big nonetheless. "Everyone. Back!" Guardian shouts as he charges the monster. I pull him back before he is swiped by the monster. "Finally...a challenge." I say as I smile evilly before charging the creature. He goes to punch but I duck underneath and tackle him into the wall. I feel a massive force crash down on me as I'm driven into the floor. I actually felt that. Superboy leaps overhead and brawls with the creature. I get up and whip my chains at it before swinging it up into the ceiling. The amount of exertion that I pulled into was something that I didn't expect. The creature crashes through the ceiling and onto the surface floor, Superboy leaps to follow as I pull myself up. Superboy is thrown at me but the monster as I catch him with my whips and throw him back. The accelerated momentum drives Superboy into the creature, dazing it. The creature gets its bearings back and boots Superboy away, this time into Aqualad and the others. I race over to check on them...they're fine, back to the creature. Aqualad stands next to me with Superboy on my other side. Robin and Kid Flash stand next to him as all five of us gaze at the creature.

"Alright big boy...let's rumble." I say as I light my chains. The creature roars and charges as we meet him head on. Kid Flash speeds ahead as he slides underneath the creature's feet. I swing my fiery chains and wrap them around his legs, he screams in agony as the fire burns his flesh. Aqualad and Superboy leap ahead and punch at the same time, the force knocks the creature over as it trips over Kid Flash and my chains. I reel them back as Robin throws his birdarangs at the creature who just batters them away. The creature turns its attention to Superboy as it bashes him into a pillar. Superboy tries to fight but the creature proves to have superior strength. I run forward and leap, swinging my chains around its neck, I'm able to use my momentum and pull the head back into the ground with force. The ground cracks under the weight of the impact. I reel him up before swinging him into Aqualad who has his...whatever they are...a glowing, blue mace and connects with the creature's head.

Kid Flash tries to ram the creature but it steps aside and catches his arm before feeling back and bashing him into Aqualad. The creature pummels Aqualad through the pillar. I turn my attention to Superboy. "Want a ride?" I ask with a knowing look as he smiles. I wrap my chains around and swing him around before throwing him towards the creature. Superboy feels his fist and nails the creature in the face. The force sends them a good hundred feet. "We can't beat it by force!" Robin yells as I avoid the creature. I swipe my hellfire chain at him and it burns it's upper chest. I ponder for a minute...maybe not by force but...by penance. "Hold onto it, contain it." I say as I wrap my chains around its arms and legs. "How?" Kid Flash says as I growl. "Just do it!" I say as I bash the creature's head with most of my strength. The creature becomes dazed as Aqualad wraps his own whips around the creature's arms. Robin has his grapple hook, Superboy is keeping the creature down on its knees. Kid Flash is punching rapidly at the knees to keep it down. I wrap my chains around its neck before sterling it in. My eyes glow hotter as I make contact with its own eyes. "Look into my eyes." I say as the creature goes slack. The others move off and watch in confusion. "Your soul is strained by the blood of the innocent...feel their pain." I say as the creature screams in agony as I show all of its wrong. As a child, as a student. The horrors he inflicted on people here. As the monster that he became. His eyes smolder over with molten fire and the pain and suffering of all his victims. He falls to the ground with no life within him. "What the hell was that?" Kid Flash asks as I gaze at the body. My work is done.

P.O.V Change: Matthew

My skin grows back as I lean against one of the pillars. I look at the others who are wide eyed. "It's the Penance Stare. And let's leave it at that." I say as I get my breathing back. "You ok, man?" Robin asks as I wave him off. "He just took a lot out of me." I say. I hear a creaking and look behind me and see cracks forming on the pillar, the other pillars are also facing the same issue. "Oh crap." I say as the entire building starts to fall down around us. I pull Kid Flash under me as Superboy does the same with Aqualad and Robin. I feel the entire weight of the building fall down on top of us. Don't get me wrong, I'm very resilient but that hurts like a motherfucker.

I lift myself up and push the stone slab off of my back. I see that Superboy had the same idea, I look down at Kid Flash and heave him out and over. "Hey! You could be nice about it!" He says as he lands on another slab. "You're out...now quit whining." I say as I jump up and join him on the slab. We are catch our breaths as the other three meet up with us. "We...we did it." Aqualad says in awe as Robin chuckles. "Was there any doubt?" He says sarcastically as he and Kid Flash high five. Dumb idea and yep... they've hurt themselves.

I walk over to where the creature is buried under. With the Rider infusing hellfire into the chain, I cut through the slab and pull the heavy creature out. He eyes are still smoldered over as I check his pulse...very faint but there. I hear footsteps and see Superboy approaching me with his gaze up, a look of awe on his face, as he sees the moon for the first time. "It's not the Sun...but still good." I say to him as he smiles. I feel a soul...scratch that, a dozen of souls approaching us. Superboy's eyes narrow as we see a shadowy figure fly over the moon. The figure comes into the light and its Superman. "Oh. And Superman. Do we keep our promises or what?" Kid Flash says. Superman lands as he is followed by members of the league. I look around and see the familiar faces. Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Shazam, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl etc. I just realize that the entire fucking league is here. "Someone's in trouble." The Ride says readily as I mentally growl at him. 'This was your idea anyway.' I see Superboy approach Superman and Batman. Feelings of worry and caution are played between both of the super powered duo. Superboy pulls his ripped solar suit to reveal the 'S' symbol on his chest. Superman's eyes widen in shock as I feel that shock. Superboy smiles as I feel hope coming from him. I see that Superman's eyes narrow a so feel anger, Superboy just has I feel of slight fear running through him. "Is that what I think it is?" Batman says bluntly as I mentally slap my forehead. "Uh. He doesn't like being called 'it'. Kid Flash quips as I mentally drag my hand down my face. I feel Superboy's anger at the rejection of Superman. "I'm Superman's clone!" He says proudly to everyone present. Good...no beating around the bush. I feel the shock and confusion coming from everyone present. "Start talking." Batman says...going to be a very long talk.

The Leaguers walk over to the creature as they check it out. "Don't bother. He is in a coma that only I can break." I say to them as Canary and two Lanterns look at me. "Well, can you?" Canary says. I shake my head. Batman intervenes and tells them that they will worry about it later. The Lanterns, along with Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Captain Atom transport the creature away from the destroyed sight. The others and I are gathered on one of the slabs as we watch Superman talk with Wonder Woman and Manhunter. I can't hear what they are saying but I can fell the feelings of worry and slight disgust coming from Superman.

Manhunter gestures for Superman to look towards us as Superboy looks away with a scowl on his face. Superman approaches us as I place my hand on Superboy's shoulder, which makes him look at me. "We'll give you some space." I say as he nods thankfully. I gesture for the others to walk away as they nod in agreement. The conversation is short, Superman flies away and I feel that Superboy feels rejected by the only person that could make him understand. "Cadmus will be investigated. All 52 levels, but let's make one thing clear." Batman starts as Flash interrupts. "You should have called!" He says as Superboy regroups with us. "End results aside, we are not happy." Batman says as I smile on the inside. He is angry, yes. But I can feel the pride and joy that he feels for what we did. You can have your secrets Mr Wayne...doesn't mean that I'll ever let it slide. "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again." He says with his signature glare.

"Sorry but...no." Aqualad says to the leaguers. "Aqualad, stand down." Aquaman says to Aqualad but I feel his reservation and his dedication. He places a hand over his heart and bows his head slightly. "I'm sorry, my king. But no." He says as Aquaman raises an eyebrow in surprise. "We did good work here...we might not be a team yet...but I am confident we can make it work. Tonight, we forged something powerful from the skills that you taught us. We will be doing this again." He says passionately as I mentally nod, impressed with his shirt speech. "If this is about your treatment at the Hall. The three of you..." Flash starts but Kid Flash interrupts. "Five of us..." He says as they look at me and Superboy. Superboy nods his decision as they glance at me. "I'm not a hero." I say as I notice their downcast faces. I smile evilly at that. "But this could be fun...I'm in." I say as they smile and turn back to their mentors. I stand with them as I feel the Rider's happiness. "This will be fun...this will be fun." He says in a parroted voice. I smile at his antics. "Batman...we are using the skills you taught us. If we are not using them, why teach us at all?" Robin asks his mentor. "Why are we letting them decide for us?" Superboy says angrily as we look at him. "It's very simple. Get on board or get out of the way." He says as I smile. Leave it to Superboy to get right to the point.

Mount Justice: 8:04am, July 8th, 2010:

Days after rescuing Superboy from Cadmus. Batman brings us to a hollow mountain near Happy Harbour. We are all in our civilian attire. Superboy decided on a black and red Superman, shirt, while I was just what I wear normally. "This cave was the original sanctuary of the Justice League. We are calling it into service again. Since you five are determined to fight the good fight, you'll do it on league terms." Batman says as he faces us. "Res Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary will be in charge of training. I'll deploy you on missions." He says to us. "Real missions?" Robin asks, I don't why he has his sunglasses on but I'm just going to leave it. "Yes, but covert." Batman says. Covert is not really the Rider's style, but we try and make it work. And if the covert fails, resort to mayhem." He says as I smile ruefully. Yep...resort to mayhem. "The league will handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chest." Flash says as he points to his symbol. "Cadmus revealed that our enemies are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly." Aquaman says.

"The six of you will be that team." Batman as I do a double take. Wait, six? "Cool...wait. Six?" Robin says as he literally took the words right out of my mind. I feel two souls approaching from behind as we turn and see the Martian Manhunter and a young girl that bears a resemblance to him. Another Martian. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece. Miss Martian." Batman says as she waves to us. "Hi." She says shyly. "Liking this gig every minute." Kid Flash says as I roll my eyes. "Welcome abroad. I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Aqualad and Ghost Rider. It's ok if you forget their names. You forgot someone asshole. "I'm honored to be a part of this team. Kid Flash, Robin and Aqualad approach her as I go to follow. I turn to Superboy. "Come on, introductions are important." I say to him as he follows after me. As we get there, Miss Martian shifts her white shirt and blue cape into a black colour with the red X still in place. "I like your T-shirt." She says to Superboy who smiles. I can feel the slight attraction that she has for him and I smile evilly on the inside. This will be fun indeed. We all gather around as Aqualad speaks. "Today is the day." He says as I agree. This is going to be one heck of a ride.

Unknown Location:

No P.O.V

"Can the Light really afford to have Guardian in charge of Cadmus. Even without the G-Gnomes?" An unknown voice sounds to five others. "We have subtler means of control. What concerns me are the children...and the Rider." Another voice sounds over. "We now know that the League is willing to employ children to do their dirty work. But the inclusion of the Rider has got my worried. He is a powerful force that has no true equal...not on Earth." The same voice continues. "Yes...but one that can work to our advantage." Another voice says, more soft spoken than the others. "The temporary loss of the Weapon may still prove useful. The Rider is not the entity that he once was. He is hindered and chained to the mind of a child. Powerful but now useless. We should still remain cautious. The Rider is an unrelenting force of will...but still, eventually. All will see the Light."