Doina Cojocaru came from a family of performers. Originally her parents performed magic shows and the like in Romania, before slowly moving their way across Europe, until eventually, they ended up in America in the state of New York, in the city of Olkton.

She had an older brother by the name of Darius and a little sister by the name of Gavrila. Her father's name was Marin, while her mother's name was Teodora. Doina wouldn't say they were the closest family to triumph all families, but they were a happy one. They would have weekly family game nights, and their parents would always make a point to show them different magic tricks and take them to their shows.

Their parents would always make time for them. Making sure to take off of work if any of them got sick or helping them through their homework whenever it was needed.

Doina wouldn't say they were inseparable, but they were happy and that was all that mattered. Until of course that all changed, on March 14th, 2008. She had gotten a call from one of her friends, a girl that went by the name of Claire-Doina wouldn't say she was especially close to the girl, but on some level she had considered the girl to be a friend.

- March 14th, 2008, 22:00, EDT

"Donna-" Doina had barely kept herself from wincing at the miss-pronunciation of her name. It wasn't the first time, and it would hardly be the last. Plenty of people having insisted upon the fact that she simply didn't know how to say her own name led to Doina having given up on correcting people. "C-Can you please come pick me up? I-I j-just-" On the other end of the call, Doina heard the girl break down into sobs.

Doina paused for a moment. The girl was clearly in distress, and she didn't really know what to think. Claire was closer with plenty of other people, people that were older than Doina who actual had a method of transportation, people who weren't thirteen-year-olds that didn't know what to do. But Claire was also asking her for help and she was in clear distress, and for some reason, instead of calling an adult for help, she called Doina. Taking a glance over at her five-year-old little sister that was sleeping on the bed across from her, Doina spoke as softly as possible.

"Where are you right now?" Doina inquired, already getting up and putting on a pair of sneakers, throwing a large hoodie over her pajama t-shirt. Grabbing a small backpack, Doina quietly snuck out of her room.

"L-Lancaster's Street, Elmwood A-Apartment's, Block C." Claire spoke, choked up. Doina hummed, she would have to take the subway for that. Glancing over at the clock read 10:00 PM, the subways closed down at midnight and wouldn't open back up again until around 6:00 in the morning. Doina had time. She could make it to Claire, take her back to her house, and be back in time before the subways closed. Hopefully she would make it back home before anyone noticed that she was gone.

"I'll be there in about thirty minutes, stay with me on the phone until then, alright?" Doina requested, even though it wasn't truly much of a request. Doina still didn't know why Claire was crying, and she doubted she was going to learn anytime soon. But what Doina did know was that Claire didn't live on Lancaster's Street, she lived on Flint Boulevard Street, in the Blue Horizon Apartment complex, Block G. Doina also knew that Claire's supposed "boyfriend" (of which Doina had never seen or met) supposedly lived on Lancaster Street. And really, that was all Doina needed to know.

"A-alright." Claire gasped, sniffling to herself as if she was trying to keep herself quiet. And maybe she was, maybe she had a very good reason to be. Doina didn't know. And Doina wasn't going to ask. She could do something later after she had gotten Claire home, but only after she knew the older girl was safe at home, otherwise things might end poorly.

"Did you know there are two types of fairies native to Romania?" Doina started talking, not expecting a response. It would be better to keep Claire distracted, attempt to bring up her mood, dissuade her focus from whatever had taken place. And what was more distracting than Faires and magic? Well, there was science, but Doina didn't think Claire would be all that interested in that. "There's Zana and Iele. Plural. Zana are known for bestowing gifts upon mortals, while Iele are known for being more of a mischievous sort."

"M-mischievous how?" Doina had the distinct impression that Claire thought she was the one humoring Doina, but that was fine. Doina could work with that.

"They like to pull pranks on humans. Some people think them evil. Others don't have much of an opinion on them. Though the general consensus is that one must stay away from them whenever they are caught dancing. However, you also aren't supposed to deny a request for a dance from the Iele either." Doina continued on.

"Isn't that a contradiction?" Claire pointed out, which Doina shrugged at even though the other girl on the end of the phone call couldn't see her, happy to note that Claire no longer sounded like she was choking on her own words.

"Fairies are often contradictory to humans. They aren't supposed to make sense to us." Doina pointed out, looking around her as she kept a steady pace. Not wanting to get snatched up in the middle of the night. It would be far from pleasant, and she wouldn't be of much help to Claire then. Not to mention her parents would be furious at her for sneaking out. Actually, they would still be mad at her regardless, which is why Doina was hoping to get back home before they noticed.

"Th-that's because fairies aren't real." Claire countered, and Doina was sure that was as true to Claire as the sky was blue.

"In a world of aliens and magic, fairies are the beings you don't believe in?" Doina softly jabbed, now having to lean her phone against her ear as she dug through her school bag, pulling out her wallet and paying for a subway ticket. Something she was sure she would also have to be paying for Claire when she picked the girl up.

"Magic isn't real either, Donna." Claire argued with a puff of exasperation, which Doina supposed was good in a way. It meant the older girl was no longer scared.

"Maybe not to you." Doina agreed, sitting on the subway.

"What, do you still believe in the Easter bunny and in Santa Clause?" Claire joked. Though Doina was positive it would be out in school in the morning that Doina was a little girl that still believed in the make-believe. That was fine. They were okay to think what they wanted to think.

"Every legend comes from somewhere. Every legend has a bit of truth. Maybe it's the one we believe in or maybe it isn't. Who's to say what exists and what doesn't?" Doina made her own retort, watching everything pass by her on the subway ride. The cart mostly empty except for one or two stragglers, one of which was asleep. Doina briefly wondered if they were homeless. They would be kicked off at around midnight if that was the case. Or maybe it was just someone that had a long way to go.

"What are you, the Chesire Cat from Alice in Wonderland?" Claire teased lightly, Doina no longer hearing any tears in the girl's voice.

"No, but I'm sure it would be plenty of fun if I was." Doina replied, imagining herself as a particularly mischievous cat that could do most anything she wanted. Doina is sure it would be a fun past time, but she would rather watch on at her parent's magic shows or play another card game with her older brother.

"You want to be the pet to some old Duchess?" Claire laughed, imagining the image, taking on a different perspective than Doina's own. But still Doina smiled, even as the train came to a stop and Doina hopped on off and started making her way through the streets. Making her way to Elmwood Apartments.

"But the Duchess is the Queen's sister. So, I'm sure I would receive special privileges." Doina offhandedly remarked.

"Why would you want to receive special privileges from a tyrant anyway?" Claire commented, Doina now looking for the taller girl with long brunette hair.

"Why wouldn't I?" Doina retorted, her own caramel brown eyes landing on the sight she was hoping for. "Are you wearing neon pink shoes?"

"Yeah, why?" Claire's voice was a little uneasy, but Doina ignored it, walking up to the girl that was sitting on the sidewalk all alone.

"Because I just found you." Doina stated, clicking off of her phone as she watched Claire's head snap up at the sound of her voice. Only to let out a breath of relief at the sight of her. Doina noticed she was hardly wearing anything to coverup, with a tank-top and short-shorts. Not that Doina could say much, considering her shoes didn't even match and her pajama shorts were mostly covered by her hoodie.

However, this gave Doina an easy time spotting the hand marks and purple bruises on fifteen-year-old Claire. Some of the darker marks being on her neck, which she had failed to cover with her hair. Doina didn't say anything. Claire's parents would notice, and even if they didn't, Doina would be making a call to the police at a more reasonable time in the morning. This wouldn't happen again.

"You're here." Claire stated, almost in pure disbelief. Almost as if Doina didn't tell her she was coming to pick her up. And for a moment, Doina considered the fact that Claire didn't believe her. And for a moment, Doina considered that she hadn't been Claire's first choice. That she had called someone else, just for them to never show up.

"You called." Doina pointed out. Claire nodded, hugging herself, caving in as if she was trying to hide.

"Yeah, yeah, I did." Claire nodded, her voice still full of disbelief. And for a moment, her and Doina just stood there. Not saying anything to one another. Doina didn't think they needed to, but she wasn't so sure the same could be said for Claire.

"Are you ready to go home?" Doina asked, and this was the first time all night that Claire had smiled at her, and Doina took that as a win. "Well, we better get going then, we wouldn't want the subway to close down on the way there."

From there on in, Claire and Doina didn't really say anything to each other. And that was fine. Doina no longer needed to play distraction and it wasn't like her and Claire were all that close. Besides a few off-handed comments Doina made throughout the night, all was silent between the two from the subway all the way to Claire's house. Not once did Doina bring up the bruises covering Claire. And not once did Claire offer up the information herself.

Claire didn't bother saying goodbye once Doina had dropped her off at her apartment, instead racing to get into the building. Towards somewhere warm. Towards somewhere safe. And Doina, for her part in this? She started making her way back home. It was now 11:25 PM. The subway had yet to close, but she would have to be quick about it.

Letting the cold night air consume her, she started making her way back home. Not minding the silent night. That was until it was no longer silent. That was until Doina could hear crying off in the distance somewhere. And this is where Doina made the second dumbest decision of the night, she decided to go an investigate.

What she found wasn't a pleasant sight. Instead coming across a group of people. There was shouting. There was blood. And Doina was certain she could see a flash of silver, a knife hidden under clothes. And like a complete idiot, Doina gets out her phone to snap a picture to show the police later. Completely forgetting that the flash was on, only for all of the attention to snap towards her.

She ran.

And she was pursued.

Desperately, she attempted to call 911 on her phone for any sort of help. She knew that coming out late at night was a bad idea. And really, she should have made sure her flash was off before she took a picture, but she had never considered that she would be in a position like this.

"This is 911, what's your emergency?" A very bored voice spoke, and already, Doina didn't like her odds.

"I'm being chased by a group of people. They were beating someone in some alley and now their-" Doina attempted to get the words out, before she was cut off.

"I can't understand you. This isn't the type of line you can call to use silly fake accents on. This is a serious line." And just like that, the connection clicked out. And Doina, honestly couldn't help but be shocked. She had heard plenty of people get on her case about her heavily accented voice, she'd had plenty of teachers and peers alike pretend that they couldn't understand her. But never once did Doina consider it would have her end up in a situation like this.

Having nothing else she could do, she tried again.

"This is 911, what's your emergency?" The very same voice as before spoke. Doina didn't like the odds, but she had to hope that the lady would listen to her this time.

"This isn't a prank, I really need hel-" The line cut off. This time Doina tried a different route. She called her brother. The entire time, she was mindful of the footsteps that weren't all that far behind her.

One ring. No one answered.

Two rings. Still no response.

Three rings. The line went dead.

Doina tried again.

One ring. The phone still buzzed.

Two rings. There was no comforting voice from her brother.

Three rings. Nothing happened. But this time, the line didn't go dead.

Four rings and finally-

Doina was grabbed, her screams being muffled as her mouth was covered. Desperately she struggled, her little strength not being able to do anything.

Her phone clattered to the concrete.

"Doina, where are you right now!? Why aren't you in bed!?" A voice ranted from the abandoned phone. But it received no reply.

- July 4th, 2010, 8:00 EDT

The vigilante known as Spinner, sat alone on a rooftop, looking over the city of Olkton. She was wearing a skintight full-body suit, with a cropped yellow hoodie overtop. The suit itself was the same soft yellow, with white accents thrown in-between in symmetrical design. A mask that covered her entire face had comically large cartoonish white lenses for eyes. Garters were attached to her legs, holding on to a pouch, reminiscing of the fact that she also carried around a backpack similar in shade to her suit. A pair of beat-up fraying yellow sneakers resting on her feet.

Besides being able to tell she was short in nature, and the overall body-type of the girl, nothing could be made out. There were no other defining features that would tell people exactly who she was. Something that was no doubt intentional.

And as she rested there, a bendy man with a small tight red suit creeped up behind her, almost as if to shock the girl, only for Spinner to turn around and stare at the man with white buggy-lenses.

"Hey Plastic Man, what's the occasion?" Spinner inquired, her voice thick with a mixture of different European accents. No way to place their true place of origin. Now, it should be said that Spinner didn't have a mentor. Not really. However, that didn't stop the Justice League from worrying over the clearly young and inexperienced vigilante. So, on occasion, they would send someone over to check on her.

It was typically the same three. Batman and Superman were the closest to her as far as cities went, so every so often she would see them. (Batman more than Superman, and even then that was uncommon, the man had to worry about both Robin and a city overflowing with rogues.) However, the one she would see the most was Plastic Man.

"It's the day kiddo, you ready to get going? Or do we need to make any stops for some beef jerky along the way?" Plastic Man joked, shifting to a more human looking form then his previous stretchy appearance.

Spinner was quiet for a moment. Right. It was the thing that Kid Flash had brought up months ago. Something Spinner wasn't interested in participating. After all, they wouldn't really be doing much, would they? It's not like they were actually going to become League members, least of all Spinner. But she supposes she could humor them, after all, what was the harm?

"Nope, I'm all packed." Spinner cheered, moving to stand up.

- July 4th, 2010, 14:00 EDT

Spinner stood alone, Plastic Man having left hours ago. He would be back to provide her access to the Zeta tube and to escort her home, but that was all. Which was normal. He wasn't her mentor, he had no reason to stick around what was essentially the Justice League showing their proteges around. Spinner was almost certain the only reason she was even attending was because one of the proteges had asked about her.

She wasn't close with any of them, but she had met the three currently here. Robin, Aqualad, and Speedy. For some reason they seemed to think she was also on the same level as them, the same level as a protege, which Spinner simply wasn't.

"Today is the day." Batman spoke, smiling, placing a hand onto Robin's shoulders.

"Welcome to the Hall of Justice." Green Arrow observed, his and Speedy's expressions firm. Something that was reflected in Aqualad, Aquaman, and now Batman. Though Robin was still grinning away, something that was a common sight for the agent of chaos himself.

"Headquarters of the Justice League." Aquaman added, and Spinner couldn't help but wonder if they had planned that. It wouldn't surprise her. She hadn't learned a whole lot about the League and their associates, but what she had learned was that they were all a bunch of drama queens in the making.

"Ah, man." A voice spoke, a wind picking up and pushing into all that were already standing there. Flash and Kid Flash being left in the wind's wake, an unhappy expression crossing Kid Flash's face. "I knew we'd be the last one's here."

"How is it that someone so fast is always so late?" Spinner teased, walking up towards the group. Her footsteps light, attempting to ignore all of the vibrations that she felt through the floor. It was bad enough that she had to hear so much going on around her, her only saving grace being that the lenses that she used for her costume dimmed some of her eyesight, bringing it back to a more human level.

She would have wore bulkier shoes today to tune out the vibrations, if not for the fact that she wanted to be prepared on the off chance that the League decided to set some sort of test up for the Juniors. Or in the off chance that when she returns home something bad happens that needs her intervention.

"Ask him." Kid Flash pointed towards his mentor, pouting. A story behind that very clear accusation in his words, a story that was never to be addressed.

"Let's head on inside, our presence here is causing a crowd to gather." Batman spoke, pointing out the reporters that were steadily gathering. With a skip in her step, Spinner fell in line with the others, as they walked on through the area that was designated for the Justice League. Though, Spinner wasn't so sure how much that would actually stop them. Spinner had seen the lengths that some or the reporters in Olkton were willing to go through after all.

"Is that Batman?"

"Oh, my goodness."

"I see Flash and Flash Jr."

"His name's Speedy. Duh."

"Speedy's Green Arrow's sidekick."

"Well, that makes no sense."

Spinner couldn't contain the snort she had at hearing the conversation amongst the reporters and everyday people had amongst themselves.

"Ready to see the inner sanctum?" Green Arrow asked, showing some of the warmth for his protege that wasn't as clear as before. Though, Spinner was sure that all of the proteges were well taken care of. Well, as well as they could be considering they were actively put in the line of fire when it came down to it.

"I was born ready." Speedy smirked, walking with all the confidence of a jaguar. Spinner wasn't quite sure what they were expecting to happen. Surely, they didn't actually think that they were going to let a bunch of teenagers join the Justice League, right? Especially one like Spinner who hadn't even been trained.

"I'm glad we're all here." Aqualad remarked, turning to look around him, taking note of the proteges, and the one lonesome solo act that was gathered by the League to get a closer look at the Hall of Justice. His tone was sincere, and Spinner appreciated the sentiment, even though she had only really met the boy a small handful of times before.

"Have all five sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?" Kid Flash paused as he noted Spinner's unique situation. "Well, four sidekicks and one junior solo act."

"Don't call us sidekicks. Not after today." Speedy practically growled the words, and Spinner was sure he would have if his vocal cords had allowed such a thing. The young boy looked furious, his yellow cap casting a shadow over his face.

"Sorry. First time at the Hall. I'm a little overwhelmed." Kid Flash smiled sheepishly as he apologized, sounding as genuinely awkward as could be.

"You're overwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone just whelmed?" Robin sighed, narrowing his eyes as he stalked forward. The lenses in Spinner's own mask narrowed, but for an entirely different reason.

"I think the better question is what your problem is with the English language. It's difficult enough as is." Spinner pointed out petulantly, especially since she knew the boy also had the same issue with the English language she did at times. Spinner had thought she had found an ally in the boy when she had first heard several different European accents in the boys voice, but not nearly as bad as Spinner's own, but no. Instead the boy enjoyed making it worse, Spinner was convinced at this point that he was doing it to annoy her.

Robin merely stuck his tongue out at her teasingly, before stepping forward into the hall, where his own mask lenses widened in surprise at the sight before him.

"...Oh. Maybe that's why." Robin breathed, staring up at the statues of the Justice League members. The sight made Spinner feel small by comparison. Sometimes it could be easy to forget just who the Justice League was when they interacted with you as a junior colleague at times, but moments like this was what really set them apart. Moments like these were what sharply reminded Spinner of the world around her.

Even still, the group pressed forward, deeper into the hall as they came across a pair of metal doors that opened to reveal Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter. The latter moving forward to address the group.

"Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Spinner. Welcome." The Martain spoke, turning around to begin leading the group further inward. Somewhere the reporters and photographers alike couldn't follow. "You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully-stocked gallery... and of course, our library." They were led to a relatively open room, somewhere where the public could stare at them from above through the glass. This particular fact not soothing Spinner's nerves in the slightest.

"Make yourselves at home." Flash cheered, opening up his arms up wide to gesture towards the space around them. Something that all the teenagers, minus Speedy and Spinner, did without a second thought. Plopping themselves down onto open chairs.

"Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day." Batman gestured to his own colleagues, making a statement that was more than vaguely concerning to Spinner. She certainly hadn't dealt with such an occurrence, but she wasn't one of the Big Leagues either. At the very least, she doubted such an occurrence was truly a coincidence. "We shouldn't be long." This time, Batman was speaking to the five teenagers in the room, before a circle device detached from the ceiling and began scanning the senior heroes.

"Recognized Batman, 0-2."

"Aquaman, 0-6."

"Flash, 0-4."

"Green Arrow, 0-8."

"Martian Manhunter, 0-7."

"Red Tornado, 1-6."

"That's it!?" Speedy suddenly exclaimed, very angry for a reason that Spinner couldn't ascertain. His show of fury making Spinner tense up, fillimg her with unease. "You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified backstage pass." He huffed, crossing his arms. They were expecting more than a backstage pass?

"It's a first step. You've been granted access few others get." Aquaman held up his arms, speaking in a placating tone, that was neutral by all accounts. However, all this seemed to do was infuriate Speedy further.

"Oh, really?" Speedy questioned, his voice nothing short of mocking as he made a big show of gesturing towards the reporters and photographers that were taking pictures of them from above, much like they were an attraction in a zoo. "Who care's which side of the glass we're on?"

Green Arrow stepped forward, as if hoping to talk sense into his protege, something that Aquaman had completely failed to do.

"Roy, you just need to be patient." Green Arrow spoke, and Spinner, for her part in this, didn't mention or call attention to the fact that the older man had used the younger's real name. Something Spinner certainly hadn't had the knowledge of before. Currently, Spinner was trying to decide if that was because the man trusted her for whatever reason or had simply forgotten that she wasn't as connected to the Big Leagues as the other proteges?

"What I need is respect." Speedy turned, looking imploringly towards the other teenagers, one's that were in much the same situation as him. "They're treating us like kids. Worse, like sidekicks. We deserve better than this." The rest of the proteges looked amongst each other, not saying anything. Spinner on the other hand, attempted to inch closer to the bookcase, as if to somehow separate herself from the situation. "You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? Why? Today was supposed to be the day. Step one in becoming full-fledged members of the League."

"Well, sure. But I thought step one was a tour of the H.Q." Kid Flash responded hesitatingly, sitting up. The boy was clearly confused, not understanding what made the boy so angry. It seemed as if no one was really sure why he was blowing up in such a manner.

"Except the Hall isn't the League's real H.Q." Speedy retorted. Aquaman's mouth opened in shock, the other proteges sitting up in their own surprise. No one having expected the words that fell from the archer's lips. "I bet they never told you. It's a false front for tourists and a pit stop catching Zeta Beam teleporter tubes to the real thing. An orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."

Speedy gestured wildly all the while as his anger grew. The real damning piece of evidence was when Green Arrow turned to both Batman and Flash awkwardly. Yeah, no, Spinner definitely wasn't supposed to hear that. Just great.

"I know, I know. But I thought maybe we could make an exception." Green Arrow attempted to defend himself, only for his shoulders to slump as the white lenses in Batman's cowl narrowed. "Or not."

"You are not helping your cause here son." Aquaman attempted to once again smooth things over, stepping forward. As if getting close to Speedy would calm him down in any manner. If anything, the way the boy was surrounded came off as more of a threat, regardless of the actual intention. "Stand down or..."

"Or what? You'll send me to my room?" Speedy mocked, getting up real close and personal with Aquaman. Which, was bold, considering the man was a literal King. "And I'm not your son. I'm not even his." Speedy's attention snapped over to Green Arrow. "I thought I was his partner. But not anymore." Speedy took off his cap, throwing it to the ground. Quickly, he began to stalk off, glancing one last time at the other proteges that desperately began to stand up, watching him stalk off in horror. "I guess they were right about you three. You're not ready."

And just like that, Speedy was gone. No one else saying anything from the shock alone.

Suddenly, a harsh beeping filled the room, curtesy of the large screen in the room blinking to life with live feed. Superman being revealed to be on screen.

"Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire." Superman reported, not at all aware of the events that had just gone down. Because of course something had to pop up just before the older heroes could smooth things over with their juniors. A situation not helped by the entire group of the Justice League, at least the one's present, immediately going over to the computer. Their proteges and the one solo act left on the side.

"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus." Batman remarked, a peculiar statement. Then again, it was odd to call any sort of Project or establishment Cadmus considering the name's origins, so Spinner supposes it wasn't completely out there. "This may present the perfect opportunity to-" Further beeping cut Batman off, as a small window screen popped up, showcasing Zatara,

"Zatara to Justice League. The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet of Aten to blot out the sun. Requesting full League response." Zatara talked quickly, making his case and plea for help in as little time as possible. Probably because he didn't have a whole lot of time.

"Superman?" Batman prompted.

"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control." Superman reassured.

"Then Cadmus can wait," Batman began tapping away on the keys connecting to the computer. Spinner didn't really know what he was doing, but it also wasn't any of her business. "All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara's coordinates. Batman out." The live connection was cut off, the Leaguers turning back to their proteges that were approaching them. Spinner staying to the side, not wanting to draw attention to herself or the fact that she learned several things today that she simply had no business knowing. "Stay put."

"What? Why?" Robin demanded, upset over the prospect. Spinner didn't see what he thought he was going to do on a mission involving someone blotting out the sun, but whatever. Robin was confident in his skills. Spinner, decidedly, was not.

"This is a League mission." Aquaman pointed out, delegating once more even though that had ended poorly when Speedy had been involved.

"You're not trained." Flash took a more direct approach in denying the three teenage boys, letting loose the real reason why today had gone the way it did. The reason they were far from being the members of the Big Leagues.

"Since when?" Kid Flash squawked, his voice cracking, just making it painfully clear how young he actually was.

"I meant you aren't trained to work as part of this team." Flash recontextualized his words, but the three teenage boys hardly seemed accepting of his explanation.

"There will be other missions. When you're ready." Aquaman reassured, as if to say not all hope was lost. Quite frankly, Spinner was more then content to stay here. She had a hard time understanding why the three proteges wanted to run off into danger as if they were seeking an adrenaline rush. She knew that wasn't the reason, but it made it no less difficult to understand their thought process.

"But for now, stay put." Batman reiterated.

"Glad you didn't bring you-know-who?" Green Arrow asked Martian Manhunter. Which wasn't odd, or suspicious, at ALL.

"Indeed." Was all Manhunter replied with as he followed the rest of the Leaguers out. All of the teenagers being left alone. Alone to be mercilessly gawked at by the reporters watching through the window panels.

"Ugh. When we're ready? How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like... like sidekicks." Kid Flash blew up, making his own wild gestures. Spinner didn't point out that they were teenagers. That as far as she was aware, the Justice League didn't have any children on its roster. It would make less sense for the League to treat them as anything other than that.

"My mentor. My King. I thought he trusted me." Aqualad spoke forlornly.

"Trust? They don't even trust us with the basics. They've got a secret H.Q. in space." Kid Flash threw his hands up in the air, as if to prove his point. One that Spinner failed to understand.

"What else aren't they telling us?" Aqualad murmured.

"I have a better question. Why didn't we leave with Speedy?" Robin grumbled. Spinner withheld from saying anything. A joke or a witty remark wouldn't help right now. And she doubts the other teenagers would appreciate her true thoughts.

Though, Spinner did consider leaving. Wait for Plastic Man to have a free moment to authorize her to use the Zeta Beams. Or she could also just catch a bus ride back to Olkton.

"What is Project Cadmus?" Aqualad, for his part in this, did a horrible job at redirecting the groups attention to something else. Especially since Spinner was sure Cadmus was probably something they shouldn't be messing with. If Batman suspected something going down, it was for the best to stay far away.

"Don't know. But I can find out." Robin remarked, smirking in such a way that told Spinner that she wasn't going to like what happened next. She rarely ever did when Robin seemed so gleeful. It was a wonder Batman managed to corral Robin in the way that he did.

The boy wonder walked over to the big computer and began tapping away without any concern that one of the League members might get the alert that their systems were being messed with. Because of course he wasn't concerned about such a thing.

"Access denied." The computer system voiced, but this just increased Robin's vigor.

"Heh. Wanna bet?" Robin laughed, not at all deterred. Quickly, he managed to hack his way into the system, going through the codes, searching for the right one that would give him access.

"Woah. How are you doing that?" Kid Flash asked in amazement, staring up at the screen.

"Same system as the Batcave." Robin replied, hitting one last button that seemed to do the trick.

"Access granted." And just like that, a file popped up, showing all the information that the League currently had on Project Cadmus.

"All right, Project Cadmus. Genetics lab here in D.C. That's all there is." Robin frowned at the lack of information, before a smile graced his lips once more. "But if Batman's suspicious, maybe we should investigate."

Spinner, unperturbed by Robin's words, got closer to the computer to get a closer look at the files that Robin was referencing. Huh.

"Solve their case before they do. It would be poetic justice." Aqualad observed, a gentle smile coming back to his face, one that had been wiped off earlier by Speedy's and the League's actions.

"Hey, heh, they're all about justice." Robin laughed, making it clear exactly what he would be doing. Regardless of if anyone followed.

"But they said stay put." Aqualad pointed out. Those words striking more of a core with Aqualad than they did Robin and Kid Flash considering his own mentor was actually his King.

"For the blotting-out-the-sun mission, not this." Robin gleefully pointed out.

"Wait, are...? Are you going to Cadmus? Because if you're going, I'm going." Kid Flash joined in, joining Robin in grinning mischievously up at Aqualad.

"Just like that? We're a team on a mission."

"We didn't come for a playdate." Robin teased. However, Spinner had her own reservations.

"I'd rather not get in trouble with the League. It's not like I'm a protege like the rest of you guys." Spinner spoke up, being the first to make an actual proper argument against the insane idea that the others were proposing.

"We'll just say that we dragged you along with us, no worries. I mean, when is the next time all four of us are actually going to get a chance to work together? This is the first time we've all ever been in the same place before!" Kid Flash argued, still grinning away. His mood not dampened by Spinner's own words.

"And it might very well be our last if we get in trouble. Not to mention, this is a genetics lab-that-it could be-messing with stuff like that could be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. The last thing that lab needs is a bunch of teenage vigilantes tearing through it with little regard to the actual research-" Spinner didn't let the subject drop, the idea sending a wave of anxiety through her stomach.

"We'll be careful. None of us would mess with chemicals that we had no understanding of. And if this really is just a simple genetics lab, there shouldn't be any problems. This'll be a simple recon mission, nothing more." Aqualad calmly interjected before Spinner could spiral anymore.

"Yeah, Spinner. Where's that normal upbeat persona? I thought you were all about reckless actions." Robin teased. Spinner was grateful in that moment that Robin couldn't see her face. It was frustrating that they assumed that she was reckless, especially since she's been a vigilante for the better part of two years, even if she was only a small time one. That doesn't change the fact that out of everyone, Spinner doesn't have a choice in being reckless. Not unless she wanted to seriously hurt someone.

"Small time reckless actions, maybe." Spinner's upbeat tone gave nothing away to what she was actually feeling. "You all promise this will be a simple recon mission?"

"You have my word." Aqualad agreed.

"Yeah, don't be so uptight Spinner. Or you'll actually start sounding like an old-grouch." Kid Flash remarked, referencing a comment that Spinner had made to the boy upon first meeting with him.

"Yeah, yeah, big mouth. I don't want to hear that from you." Spinner clapped back, jumping right back into the persona that the people present were more familiar with. "How are were even going to get to Cadmus? Robin and I can swing there, and I suppose Kid Flash could run, but what about Aqualad?"

"That's a good point. Aqualad's suit isn't built to withstand the speeds that Kid can run up to so it's not like he could carry him." Robin mentioned, only for Kid Flash to give him a semi-annoyed look.

"Why am I being discussed like a mode of transportation without my input?" Kid Flash mockingly gasped with a betrayed look.

"Didn't you just hear him? You aren't a mode of transportation, you're too unstable." Spinner nudged her foot at Kid's, metaphorically and literally poking the bear.

"Hey!"

"But Aqualad could be a tag along with me. I'm plenty use to swinging people around." Which was true. Spinner had evacuated more than a few people from burning buildings or caught more than her fair share of people falling off high places. Aqualad wouldn't be any trouble to her.

"If you would have me. That seems like one of our best bets of getting there in a timely manner." Aqualad agreed.

"Now, who's going to be bait for the reporters outside?" Spinner teased, looking up at the people still staring at them through the window. Though, she was already planning on throwing Kid to the wolves. He was the fastest out of all of them. And considering the wild smirk on Robin's face as he looked at the speedster, he had the same thought as herself.

When Spinner and the rest finally arrived, they arrived to the sight of two men being pushed out of the building by an explosion, Kid Flash running ahead to help them. And while the speedster had managed to get them to a safer position on the roof, he himself had slid down until he was hanging from a windowsill.

"So smooth." Robin's voice was nothing short of mocking as he observed Kid's actions.

"Does he always have to run ahead? We need a plan. We..." Aqualad trailed off as he noticed that Robin was no longer beside them, a maniacal laughter echoing through the air. "Robin?"

"Yeah, he took off after he made fun of Kid." Spinner supplied, watching as the boy wonder used the firetruck to vault himself towards Kid Flash. Pulling them both into the still burning building. "Soooo... you take care of the fire and the two on the roof and I'll search the building for any other damsels in distress?" Spinner offered. And while Aqualad looked disgruntled from two of their teammates abandoning them, he nodded.

"That would be wise, yes." Aqualad agreed. And just like that, the two sprinted into action. Spinner running towards the building, running up the walls and into one of the open windows.

She didn't like her seismic sense on the best of days, but she couldn't deny that in times like these it came in handy. (Though, she decidedly did not like the implication that spiders had something similar.) And so, she allowed her sense to lead her towards the people still in the building.

Granted, it didn't allow her to locate people automatically, but as long as she was close to them, on the same floor as her or if they were making a big enough stiff of it, she would feel the vibrations of their actions through the floor. The extraction of the people inside was methodical in nature and besides a few wise cracks she made at the people she was saving, it was a mostly quiet venture.

It was quick and to the point. Spinner already having practice from the various different times this has happened in Olkton. Maybe she should start considering that the residents might have an arson problem.

Aside from that, once she was done, she allowed her feet to lead her towards Aqualad, who had just finished putting out the fire throughout the entire building. Small fire her ass.

"Appreciate the help." Aqualad's tone was sarcastic as he looked at Kid Flash and Robin. The two having seemingly forgotten about the burning building and civilians inside. You know, probably the most important thing going down at Cadmus currently.

"You and Spinner handled it. Besides we're here to investigate, remember?" Robin's question was rhetorical. The small boy already tapping away on a computer system, hacking into their files with no remorse to the secrets they might have once held. On the other hand, Kid could be found methodically looking through the cabinet files, looking through information there. "Poetic justice, remember?" Robin called after Aqualad as he walked off.

Spinner didn't actually know where to look. It was a two-story building as far as she could tell, there wasn't too much to investigate. But as she stepped further into the building to get a better look around, she noticed something. She wasn't just feeling Aqualad's, Kid's, and her footsteps. She was feeling someone else's. Darting forwards, she ran past Aqualad to see something step into the elevator.

"Uh, I'm not the only one seeing this, right?" Spinner asked, just as Aqualad came up beside her. The elevator sealing shut.

"No. I also saw it." Aqualad murmured, staring at the elevator with narrowed eyes. "There was definitely something in the-" Kid came running up behind them, looking as alert as Spinner felt.

"Elevator's should be locked down." Kid stated. Robin coming in behind him, slamming into kid, resting a hand on his shoulder to gain a bit of balance. That was of course until Robin ran forward to get a closer look at the elevator, the rest of the teens following behind him as he pulled up a holographic map from his gauntlet.

"This is wrong." Boy wonder suddenly explained as he stared at the information his systems pulled up. "Thought so. This is a high-speed express elevator. It doesn't belong in a two-story building."

"Neither does what I saw." Aqualad affirmed, strolling forward and forcing the elevator doors open. Revealing A shaft that went down, down, down below. Much farther than just two stories. Much farther than most buildings were tall.

"And that's why they need an express elevator." Robin remarked with a deadpan. Spinner whistled as she got a closer look.

"What on Earth could they possibly be using all those levels for? Creating an all-paid express trip to the Underworld?" Spinner joked, as Robin used his grappling hook to hook on to the ceiling of the elevator. And then of course, the boy wonder jumped down without a second thought. Disappearing into the darkness. Shortly afterwards, Aqualad jumped on sliding down as well.

"Ladies first?" Kid Flash offered, gesturing over towards the grappling line. Spinner smirked at him, not that he could see it, and made a dramatic movement about turning around and jumping off into the shaft. Shooting up a web from her web-shooters, she began to gradually make her way down. "Show off!" Kid Flash laughed, jumping onto Robin's grappling line and following after her.

Just for her to have to suddenly stop short as she noticed that Robin suddenly stopped in his descent, instead jumping towards the side where a small 'ledge' could be found.

"You okay there boy wonder?" Spinner asked.

"My line ended, couldn't go any further with it." Robin explained, the pair watching as both Aqualad and Kid Flash also made it to the end and joined Robin. Spinner swinging over shortly afterwards. As she did so, she tugged on the string connecting it to her wrist, pulling it towards her and speeding up the dissolving process by crushing it between her fingers. "Do you think you could get us all down to the bottom, Spinner?" Robin inquired, causing Spinner to hum.

"I mean, I could. But I wasn't exactly expecting to use a whole lot of web-fluid today. I don't have much as stocked up as I normally do. Not to mention, the more lines I have to cast, the more likely whoever's down here will find evidence left behind. I can speed up the process all I want, but the residue still lasts for about two hours." That and a genetics lab could probably figure out the formula that she uses pretty quickly if they wanted to. And the last people that need to know how to make it are a bunch of shady scientists.

"Guess we'll go the long way then." Robin decided, slumping down and using his gauntlet to hack into the elevator system. "Bypassing security." The boy wonder murmured as the rest of the group waited silently. "There, go." Aqualad then proceeded to once again force the elevator doors open, all four teenagers walking onto more stable ground. "Welcome to Project Cadmus."

Spinner's nose scrunched up at the smells surrounding her. Chemicals and some kind of organic waste. It was revolting and almost made her throw up a little. Overall, it had resolved to give her a resounding headache.

Kid Flash threw caution to the wind as he ran forward.

"Kid, wait." Aqualad called, darting after Kid Flash. Spinner and Robin not far behind them. Unease and terror filled Spinner as she both felt and heard a large thumping on the floor, her speed picking up as she saw Kid Flash trip and slide across the floor. Large looking behemoths came out from the hall, one nearly squashing Kid Flash underfoot as Spinner shot out a line of webbing, pulling Kid Flash towards her.

And for a moment, nothing was said as the four just stared up at the creatures in shock. The silence filled with the behemoths stomping as they walked. Not being able to help it with the sheer weight they all carried.

"No, nothing odd going on here." Aqualad deadpanned as the behemoths walked pass.

Kid Flash began to sit up, becoming aquatinted with just how strong the web-fluid was as he attempted to wipe if off his back, just to get his hand stuck.

"Gah, this stuff is sticky!" Kid gagged. Spinner moved, gently removing the web fluid, making sure not to harm Kid even when she added the extra pressure to get the fluid to dissolve.

"Yeah, well next time, don't run headfirst into the unknown. Otherwise, you'll be getting a face full of it." Spinner teased, though she wasn't entirely joking.

Robin opened another door for them by hacking into it, staring out into an area filled with pods of some type of creature that was producing electricity. If this was what was on the upper levels, it didn't bode well for the group as a whole. And frankly, Spinner was beginning to regret having agreed to come along. This was definitely something that was more suited to the Big Leagues.

"Okay, I'm officially whelmed." Robin breathed, once again speechless by the sight that Cadmus had provided for them.

"That still isn't a word, boy wonder." Spinner spoke in an attempt to make the atmosphere more lighthearted, though she was no less serious.

"This is how they hide this massive underground facility from the world." Kid spoke, almost with a sort of reverence as he got a closer look at the beings trapped within the pods. "The real Cadmus isn't on the grid. It generates its own power with these...things. Must be what they're bred for."

"Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the earth." Aqualad explained, Robin walking up beside him added his own thoughts.

"And this Cadmus creates life to." Robin walked over to the computer system in the room, hooking up his gantlet with it to get a closer look at the going-ons. "Let's find out why." Uneasy, Spinner watched Robin, not wanting to be here much longer. Luckily, it only took the boy a moment to find what he was looking for. "They call them Genomorphs." Then he gasped. "Woah, look at the stats on these things. Super strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are living weapons."

"They're engineering an army. But for who?" Kid asked.

Spinner opened her mouth to share her own thoughts before pausing. She began to tap her feet along the floor, the lenses on her suit narrowing.

"Guys, I think somethings coming. We need to leave." Spinner suggested, but she was dutifully ignored as Robin found something he seemed to deem more important.

"Wait, Spinner. Look, there's something else. Project K-r." Robin pointed out, Aqualad also crowding around the screen. But all Spinner did was look at the doors they had come in through.

"Guys, seriously, we need to get going." Spinner warned, a buzz feeling her bones as her held filled with static.

"Just let me..." Once again, she was ignored, as Robin began typing away. "The file's triple-encrypted, I-I can't-"

"Don't move." A voice suddenly shouted, a voice belonging to a person Spinner saw run in. It was Guardian, he was a hero she recognized. However, Spinner didn't much trust his presence with the Genomorphs by his side and the buzzing underneath her skin. Especially since the Genomorphs came off aggressive, even if they weren't actively attacking.

"Wait. Robin? Aqualad? Spinner? Kid Flash?" Guardian murmured, staring at them all individually in confusion.

"At least he got your name right." Robin teased Kid Flash as he turned back to the file he was attempting to hack into. The file that had gotten them all caught. For all the mercy above, this better be worth it, otherwise Spinner was going to leave Robin hanging from some rooftop for hours. Actually, she just might do that anyway.

"I know you. Guardian. A hero." Aqualad observed, looking back at Guardian, looking just as lost as the older hero looking at them did.

"I do my best." Guardian shortly stated.

"Then, what are you doing here?" Kid voiced his own befuddlement, failing to realize why Guardian would want to be here of all places. Nothing about the place exactly screaming ethical practices.

"I'm chief of security. You're trespassing." Guardian's tone was flippant, but at the least he didn't seem upset with the teenage heroes. If they were lucky, they could walk away from this with a slap on the wrist and properly report to the Justice League what had been going down. "But we can call the Justice League. We can figure this out."

"You think the League is going to approve of you breeding weapons!?" Kid asked incredulously.

"Hey big mouth, this is where you let the idiots sell themselves out." Spinner hissed as she pinched Kid's side, the boy swatting her hand away.

"Weapons? What are you-" The man suddenly stopped talking, the little creature on his shoulder's horns started to grow red, staring at the man. "What have I-" The man groaned, clutching his head. "My head."

"Anyone else remembering the bit about telepathy?" Spinner asked, taking a step backwards, just as Guardian's head picked up, his expression nothing short of fierce.

"Take them down hard. No mercy." Guardian directed, the Genomorphs following his command without a second thought.

Robin darted forward, throwing down a smoke bomb to give them cover, using the opportunity to use his grappling hook to escape. Kid Flash dodged, using the walls and pillars to jump and dart around. Tackling the Genomorphs in the process. Spinner hopped around on her feet, using the smoke to lead them into one another, letting them take each other out. Aqualad threw and kicked them around but was ultimately thrown into a wall by Guardian.

A fist fight breaking out between the pair, before Aqualad was able to knock the man back with a force of electricity. Spinner using the opportunity to stick the man to the floor with her webs.

Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Spinner ran, not wanting to have to engage the Genomorphs more than necessary, running after Robin. The boy wonder having used the free time allotted to him to hack into the elevator shaft once more.

"Way to be a team player, Rob." Kid Flash snapped, not at all amused by the way the younger boy ditched.

"Weren't you right behind me?" Robin asked with genuine curiosity, not at all seeing the reason why Kid was angry. And while Spinner understood Kid's anger, it was for the better that Robin had the spare time to hack into the elevator. One which was now open, all four of the teenagers piling in.

It was of course, at this point, that Spinner realized what was wrong. The elevator was not going up towards the way out. No, no, it was going down. Something that Robin had not discussed with the rest of them on, a decision made on his own. Okay, now Spinner was annoyed.

"We're headed down?" Aqualad observed, something Kid also now noticed.

"Dude, out is up." Kid pointed out, waving his hands in the air as if to make a point.

"Excuse me? Project K-r? It's down on sublevel fifty-two." Robin reminded, not at all seeing the problem.

"And this wasn't a decision you could have discussed with the rest of us?" Spinner stressed, frustrated with the younger boy's actions.

"This is out of control. Perhaps... Perhaps we should contact the League." Aqualad suggested, rubbing the back of his neck. And yet, the elevator doors opened, and his words were briefly forgotten as the group wearily looked out from the elevator. The walls and floor looked organic, and as Spinner walked out, she realized they felt organic to. The realization sending a shiver of disgust through her. And of course, because this was Robin, he ran out fully intending to investigate.

"We are already here." Kid Flash shrugged, following after the boy. Spinner and Aqualad shared a tired look amongst themselves, Aqualad heaving a tired sigh. Then the pair followed after them. It was better to be together in this, in case things went even more south than they already had.

"Which way?" Aqualad stressed, sounding as amused as Spinner currently felt. Which was to say, not at all.

"Yeah. Bizarre-looking hallway one or bizarre-looking hallway to?" Robin nodded, looking between the two directions. Not at all sensing the growing ire between Aqualad and Spinner both.

"I say we go left." Spinner suggested.

"What, why?" Kid glanced over at Spinner curiously, who was trying to convey her best deadpanned look through her full-face mask.

"Because someone's coming towards us from the right hallway."

"What? How do-?"

"Hold." The creature that Spinner was certain that she had seen on the elevator came stepping out from the right hallway. Something she wasn't surprised by, as she had felt them walking over towards there group not long ago. The being's eyes and horns began to glow red as they telepathically picked up two barrels and began throwing them towards their group. And while they dodged, the barrels exploded.

Thinking on his feet, Robin threw a disk as the creature, the group darting off down the left hallway in an attempt to get away. As the group ran, at the end of the hallway was a woman coming out from a pair of metal doors, doors that were already beginning to close.

Kid Flash was the one that came across her first, quite literally since he wasn't able to slow down, knocking the poor woman over. Acting quickly, Kid used a metal tube of sorts to keep the door from closing, a door that was labeled Project K-r.

"Hurry!" Kid yelled, slipping into the room on the other side. The rest of the group followed after him, Aqualad kicking away the metal tube so they couldn't be followed in as easily.

"I disabled the door. We're safe." Robin reassured as he locked the doors by hacking his way through once again.

"We're trapped." Aqualad disagreed, and Spinner had to agree with that particular statement.

"Uh, guys. You'll want to see this." Kid called, showing the group another computer screen. A pod of some sort in front of them. The sight making Spinner stop dead in her tracks. She felt as if she was going to be sick. Who would do such a thing? Actually, scratch that, she could think of a few criminals that would. More than a fair share living in Olkton.

"Woah." Robin gasped. Kid got closer to the pod, holding a young boy. Staring.

"Big K, little r. The atomic symbol for Krypton." Kid summarized. "Clone?" He suggested, turning back towards Robin. And Spinner couldn't help but want to laugh hysterically. Before two years ago, Spinner never would have accepted that as a possibility. But this was now her reality. Where clones were an actual possibility.

"Robin, hack." Aqualad ordered. And for a moment, Spinner didn't feel as insane, as the boy wonder had to blink away his own shock.

"Right, right." Robin murmured, doubling back and reworking the network to check Kid's hypothesis. "Weapon designation Superboy. A clone force-grown in... sixteen weeks... from DNA acquired from Superman." Robin read in shock.

"DNA stolen from Superman." Aqualad corrected, staring at the boy in the pod.

"No way the big guy knows about this." Kid Flash agreed.

"Solar suit allows him to absorb yellow sun radiation twenty-four seven." Robin continued on.

"And these creatures?" Aqualad directed, gesturing towards the tiny beings in the pod with Superboy. The same being that had been resting on Guardian's shoulder.

"Genomorph-gnomes. Telepathic. Force-feeding him an education." Robin explained.

"And we can guess what else. They're making a slave out of, well, Superman's son." Kid Flash murmured, sounding as disturbed as Spinner felt.

"Isn't that the same creature that had been on Guardian's shoulder? You think that's why he's acting the way he is?" Spinner suggested, bringing up previous events that had refused to sit right in her stomach.

"Now we contact the League." Aqualad directed. The three proteges all attempting to get in touch with their mentors with the signals given to them. Something Spinner didn't bother with seeing as she didn't have one. She wasn't a protege, a reason she definitely shouldn't have come along for.

"No signal." Robin tutted.

"We're in to deep. Literally." Kid Flash winced, Spinner giving him her best unamused look.

"Ha, ha. Very funny." Spinner's voice was nothing short or mocking, her hands on her hips as she did her best to convey her clear disapproval. But Kid Flash ignored her, turning back to look forlornly at Superboy.

"This is wrong."

"We can't leave him like this." Robin added, turning towards Aqualad. Spinner wasn't sure if the two youngest boys had realized they were looking to Aqualad for guidance or not. Not that Spinner blames them, he was by far the most levelheaded considering the situation.

"Set him free. Do it." Aqualad directed.

"Hey-wait a just a minute. Are we sure that's a good idea considering the telepathic gnomes?" Spinner cut in, but by the time she managed to say it, it was already to late. Robin had opened the pod, and Superboy was awake. And then, he attacked.

- March 15th, 2008, 1:08 EDT

Doina struggled, not entirely sure where she now was. All she knew was that she had been dragged into some back of a truck and taken to what she can only vaguely recognize as a chemical plant. She had given up screaming and pleading long ago. No one answered. No one responded. When they talked, it wasn't to her. Acting as if she wasn't there.

And still she struggled, hoping that she could still make it out alive.

But this hope was dashed as she was thrown into some large tunnel, her kidnappers looking at her from above. Her right leg was broken, her hands sprained. She couldn't get away. Tears streaming down her face from the pain.

"Turn it on." The voice was called and unfeeling.

Distantly, Doina heard the whirling of a machine turning on. Distantly, she could feel the vibrations of something through the floor.

She screamed.

A cold, sharp, and crushing currant of sewage came crashing into her. Sweeping her away with the tide.

She struggled.

She fought.

She drowned.

On that morning, Doina Cojocaru disappeared. On that morning, Doina Cojocaru died.