- March 27th, 2008, 16:35 EDT
Darius sat alone in his room, a written list of names in his hand. Doina still hadn't been found. He was aware that more than likely, his little sister was dead, but he was hoping against all hope that no news was good news, and she would be found alive somewhere.
But he knew that was unlikely. Any chance of Doina surviving went down the drain the moment he didn't pick up the first time she called. Normally he wouldn't ignore a phone call, but she also didn't typically call after 11:00 at night when she should be in bed. Logically, Darius knew he had no way of knowing that she wasn't home, but a part of him blamed himself.
But an even greater part of him was angry. Doina wasn't the type of person to go out for no reason. She was a well-behaved kid, and sure, sometimes she didn't have the best taste in friends, but she had never actually done anything illegal before. She had never snuck out in the middle of the night. It just wasn't like her. And Darius knew it was one of her friends, he knew that was the reason she was out.
The police had managed to extract the last bit of data from her shattered phone once it was found. Revealing five calls in the recent memory. One call coming in from someone, who Darius still didn't know the name of seeing as the Police refused to release it to protect the person's identity. A minor. More than likely someone from Doina's school. The last four being to a 911 dispatcher and Darius himself, both getting two calls each.
The Cojocaru's had gotten that lead. The 911 dispatcher. Someone who claimed that they had hung up because some kid was playing a prank with an accent so thick that she couldn't understand what was being said. She insisted that she didn't know anything. Darius's parents were still trying to sue the former, but the case was still pending. And considering the lack of reaction the authorities had to the lady's actions, Darius didn't see it going anywhere.
Which just pissed Darius off all the more. He may have failed, but he it wasn't from a place of racist bias.
However, losing his mind over the lady wouldn't help him. No, he was going to find his sister. But first was finding the person who spoke to her in person last. Someone that Doina was friends with. Someone who's name was on the list currently in Darius's hands. He didn't know who, but he had a pretty good idea of who his sister's friends were. And if he had to talk to them all one by one, so be it.
He was going to bring his little sister home. Hopefully alive in well, but if she was dead he at least wanted her to have a chance at a proper burial so she could rest in peace. This was the least he could do for her for his mistakes. After all, that's what big brothers were for, right?
- July 5th, 2010, 00:05 EDT
"Time runs short. You must awaken. You must awaken now!"
Spinner awoke with a jolt. It taking her a painfully long second to realize that she was trapped. Closed within a pod with metal clasping her hands and feet. Panic surged through her, the idea of being stuck with no way out sending her senses in a frenzy. Her sixth-sense going haywire even if she wasn't in any immediate danger. She needed to get out. She needed to leave.
But with Superboy watching herself, and her other teenage companions that were in the same situation as herself, such a venture was fruitless. He was the entire reason they were trapped in pods to begin with, even if the boy might not have been fully in control. Escaping now would just ensure they were captured once more, even if Spinner could break the restraints. Even if the longer Spinner stayed trapped threatened to send her into a panic attack.
"What? W-What do you want?" Kid Flash snapped, not at all happy with the clone staring at him. And Spinner couldn't blame him. The boy was the entire reason they were in this mess to begin with. Spinner knew this was something the League should have handled. "Quit staring you're creeping me out."
"Uh, KF...?" Robin began, incredulously. "How about we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look." Spinner, with as anxious as she was, couldn't find it in her to play nice by any degree.
"Shut up, Robin. He would have done it by now if he was going to. Kid, keep going. Let's see how many quips in takes to get this guy to burst." Spinner snipped, which got her a narrowed eyed look from Superboy. One she returned, even through her buggy lenses.
Robin whistled.
"Well, someone's in a bad mood." Robin teased, however the boy wonder sounded a little uneasy. Perhaps thinking that Spinner was about to get them all killed with her own big mouth. But Spinner wasn't concerned. While her sixth-sense was going haywire from the entrapped space, Superboy wasn't currently registering as a threat. So, he probably wasn't currently considering turning them into fried food.
"That is enough." Aqualad cut in, not allowing any further bickering to ensue. "We only sought to help you." Aqualad turned his attention to Superboy, as if to soothe any feelings that might have been hurt.
"Yeah, we free you, and you turn on us." Kid Flash snapped, something Spinner was nodding her head along to. "How is that for grati-?"
"Kid, please, be quiet now." Aqualad, once again, attempted to keep the peace between Superboy and the rest of the teenagers. And you know, maybe Spinner would also be interested in keeping the peace if she wasn't trapped in some test tube. Along with adult supervision. Of the League variety. "I believe our new friend was not in full control of his actions."
"I'm aware. But I'm still allowed to be petty given the situation, Aqualad." Spinner pointed out. "It's like, my best defining personality trait."
"What if I..." Superboy cut himself off. His voice hoarse form the lack of use. Really pointing out that he had never left the pod he was being kept in before. Honestly, it was a miracle he was in any working condition sense he hadn't been using any of his muscles before today. "What if I wasn't?"
"He can talk?" Kid Flash sqwauked.
"Yes he can." Superboy stressed, not at all amused.
"Yeah, Kid, don't be rude. Of course he can talk." Spinner spoke in such a way that made it unclear as to if she was being sarcastic or not, something the others noticed.
"Not like I said 'it'." Kid Flash muttered before coming to a realization. "Hey, wait a minute? Were you mocking me or mocking him?"
"Good question."
"Seriously Spin, what's gotten into you? You aren't typically this snippy." Robin observed.
"Who knows, maybe secretly I'm claustrophobic Rob. Maybe I'm on the verge of a panic attack right now and this is my way of staying calm." Spinner talked in such a way that normally she wouldn't be taken seriously. And to be fair, she wasn't being completely trueful. But she also wasn't really lying.
"Are you?" Kid piped in.
"Fuck around and find out."
"What does that even mean!?"
"Focus." Aqualad reminded them and was dutifully ignored by Spinner. "The Genomorphs taught you telepathically." And once again, his attention was back on Superboy.
"They taught me much. I can read, write. I know the name of things." Superboy answered, and in that moment, the boy sounded utterly pathetic. And Spinner met this in the most un-derogatory way possible. It was honestly kind of sad. Maybe she would feel more pity if she wasn't trapped in a pod, unsure if she attempted to break out if she would be attacked again.
"But have you seen them?" Robin inquired, trying his best to persuade Superboy. Maybe he hoping the clone would let them free of his own volition. "Have they ever actually let you see the sky or sun?"
"Images are implanted in my mind. But, no, I have not seen them." Superboy replied, looking a bit lost.
"Seeing an image on the internet and actually going outside and touching the grass is completely different. No matter what someone tells you." Spinner voiced. Still sounding just as annoyed and as unserious as before. Why did she ever agree to come with the three proteges?
"Do you know what you are? Who you are?" Aqualad pressed. And Superboy straightened up, making a very eerie visual.
"I am the Superboy. A Genomorph. A clone made from the DNA from the Superman. Created to replace him should he perish. To destroy him should he turn from the light." Superboy recited, looking every bit as a brainwashed pet project as he could get. This, made Spinner wonder, just how far did the programming in Superboy go down?
"To be like Superman is a worthy inspiration." To Aqualad's credit, he moved away from the clearly programmed response that border on not really acknowledging it but addressed it enough that it hopefully shouldn't offend Superboy. "But like Superman you deserve a life of your own. Beyond that Solar suit. Beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus."
"I live because of Cadmus." Superboy snapped, the anger that Spinner had seen when the boy had first opened his eyes coming back to bat. "It is my home!"
"And just because my sperm donor and birth giver gave me life doesn't mean I owe anything to them. I hardly see how that's an argument." Spinner countered. "Cadmus being the birth giver in this equation."
"And Superman's the sperm donor?" Kid gagged.
"Obviously."
"Your home is a test tube." Robin redirected, attempting to get them back on track from how Spinner kept derailing the conversation. "We can show you the sun."
"Uh, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon?" Kid Flash observed sheepishly, once again putting his foot in his mouth.
"We could definitely find a nice patch of grass to roll around in. Something that isn't a bunch of cold walls keeping out any semblance of the real world." Spinner jumped in with her own two cents, but she had the distinct impression that someone from her team was shaking their head at her in second-hand embarrassment. Though, she couldn't actually see anyone doing it.
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad offered up, but Superboy wasn't given any time to dwell on it when an unfamiliar man stepped into the room, flanked by the scientist from earlier as well as Guardian.
"No, they can't. They'll be otherwise occupied." The unfamiliar man spoke. With brown haired diluted with shades of grey, and a lab coat draping the men, he strolled into the room with a sort of confidence that grated on Spinner's nerves. "Activate the cloning process."
The scientist that Aqualad had bumped into earlier, nodded. "At once, Dr. Desmond."
"Pass." Robin quipped. "Batcave's crowded enough."
"I reckon myself a lonely child, I rather keep it that way." Spinner snarked.
"You mean an only child?"
"Close enough."
"And get the weapon back in its pod!" Dr. Desmond, if the other scientist was to be believed, snapped. It would seem he's reached his limit of quipping he can handle.
"Hey, how come he gets to call Supey an 'it'?" Kid Flash loudly complained. To which Spinner rolled her eyes, even though no one could see as such.
"Because he's an asshole. That's why. Unless you're admitting to being an asshole, I'd stop while you're ahead Kid." Spinner snipped. Her unease and panic rising, the more people in the room causing her poorly contained fear to grow.
"Help us." Aqualad implored the clone, but his efforts were once again in vain. A gnome jumping on to Superboy's shoulders, a creepy blank look settling over his features. Spinner supposes they were just lucky that they weren't subjected to those things. If they were as effective as they seem, they could easily have made them turn on each other.
"You see, you're not a real boy. You're a weapon." Dr. Desmond walked in front of Superboy, staring the boy down even though he probably couldn't respond. A sick power play that made rage boil underneath Spinner's skin. An anger she couldn't very well let out. "And you belong to me. Well, to Cadmus. Same thing. Now get back to your pod!"
Without any hesitation, Superboy turned around and walked away. The metal doors closing behind him.
In the next few moments, strange metal tubes retracted from the bottom of the pod, separated into smaller parts showing syringes. Needles stabbed into her, electricity sparking from them. Spinner screamed. She was trapped and in pain. She felt as if she could hardly breathe. She certainly couldn't register anything else besides the invasiveness of the objects stuck inside her.
What she did focus on was the fact that this pain was different. She could breathe. Her throat wasn't being filled or choked out. Her limbs weren't broken. They weren't being pulled around forcefully like a puppet on a string. Yes, it was so much she could hardly think. But it was different. And in the end, that was the only thing keeping her completely sane.
As if the spirits above heard their cries, it all stopped. Spinner sagged in relief.
Her mind was hazy and her vision fuzzed around the edges. Hesitantly, she looked around her for an explanation as to why the pain stopped. The universe wasn't so kind as to pardon a few kids. It never was.
To her surprise, the one that had saved them was Superboy. The metal door having been ripped from out of the wall and thrown to the side.
"I told you to get back to your-" Dr. Desmond began, but Superboy no longer had a gnome on his shoulder mentally controlling his actions. And the boy clearly had some pent up anger, seeing as a simple push from him had sent the doctor, his assistant, and Guardian flying to the walls. Dazed and with the air knocked out of their lungs.
"Don't give me orders." Superboy practically growled out. By the looks of things, the boy also held a grudge, not that Spinner could blame them.
"You here to help us or fry us?" Kid Flash asked, something Spinner was also interested in knowing. If he wasn't going to stop them, then she no longer had to be worried about his attacks and could easily get out on her own. Probably anyways. Maybe not, her body still felt sore, and she hadn't time to think of what the others were feeling considering they didn't have a healing factor like herself.
Superboy, for his part in this, narrowed his eyes. As if he was contemplating. Either that or he was finally done with Kid's big mouth.
"Huh." Superboy paused. "I don't seem to have heat vision. So I suppose helping is my only option." He observed, but his response caused Spinner to give him an incredulous look.
"So you were thinking about frying us then?" Spinner snarked, but she didn't feel threatened by the clone. No buzz under her skin screaming at her to get away besides her own discomfort from being stuck in a pod. So, in a way, that gave her an answer.
Distantly, Spinner registered the jingling of something, Robin getting out of his restraints in the next few moments. Jumping to the ground besides the clone.
"Ugh, finally. Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long." Robin groaned while rubbing his wrist.
"Seriously? That's what you're worried about? The whole League will have our heads after tonight!" Kid Flash exclaimed in disbelief, but honestly Spinner wasn't surprised. She was pretty sure the only approval the boy wonder sought was Batman's, not the Leagues.
Robin walked over to the control panels, and after a quick moment of glancing it over, he clicked on a button that retracted the needles from their skin and opened the pods. However, the metal clippings still held them in the air.
"Guess that's my cue." Spinner remarked, ripping her own hands free from her metal bindings. Snapping the ones on her ankles and jumping down to join the youngest among them.
"You could have done that the whole time!?" Kid yelled. Words that Spinner promptly rolled her eyes at.
"I was waiting for Superboy to leave. They could have just as easily have ordered him to take us out, again. And then the restraints the next time would probably be even more difficult to get out of. But since Superboy over here is helping us, I no longer have to worry about that." Spinner stressed her point even more by jutting a thumb over at the mentioned boy.
"One of you free Aqualad. I'll get Kid Mouth." Robin cut in before the situation could once again get derailed. Superboy looked furious at the boy wonder's words.
"Don't you give me orders either." Once again, Superboy spoke in that gruelling tone, but in the end he still listened to Robin. Jumping over to help Aqualad while Robin ran over to help the speedster. Spinner on the other hand, turned to the groaning bodies on the floor and pinned them there with a shot of webbing.
Something in this place was probably strong enough to get rid of it, but at the very least it would give them a bit more free time as they were escaping. Luckily, the rest of her party members were in fact free from their aloft prison, Aqualad scanning over each one of them for any sign of injury.
"Well, it's been fun, but we're going to get going. You guys should just, sit and stay there for a while." Spinner cheekily commented as she began running for the exit. The rest of the other teenagers not far behind her.
"You...! You'll never get out of here! I'll have you back in pods before morning!" Dr. Desmond called after them.
Robin momentarily paused in his actions, turning to throw four explosive disks at the containers holding blood from each official vigilante it was taken from.
"That guy is not whelmed. Not whelmed at all." Robin tsked, turning away as the containers exploded and continued his running.
"What is it with you in this whelmed thing?" Kid asked, but Spinner just scoffed.
"That isn't the question Kid. The question is what's Robin's issue with making the English language even more difficult than it already is!"
"I am not. Prefixes aren't words, they're stressors! Under and over aren't even prefixes, they're adjectives! Objectively speaking, if you take out the prefixes or any added adjectives doesn't make it less of a word!"
"If it isn't in a dictionary or a thesaurus then it isn't a word!"
"Well good thing whelm is a word then!"
"Robin. Spinner. Now is not the time." Aqualad interrupted the two's bickering before it could dissolve any further. Spinner pouted behind her masks, but infuriatingly Robin grinned over at her as if he knew exactly what expression she was making under her mask. Prick. "We are still forty-two levels below ground. But if we can make the elevator-"
"Yeah, about that. We're surrounded on both sides, so that isn't going to be easy." Spinner cut in, now focusing more on her surroundings now that she was no longer arguing with Robin. She could feel the footsteps around them, as well as a buzzing beginning to simmer underneath her skin letting her know of impending danger.
"And how would you know if they were ahead or behind us?" Kid Flash directed. Almost as if the word Irony was an actual given law, the giant Genomorphs that looked like elephants stepped out from around the corners in the hallways up ahead. Behind them, growls could be heard. The bumps on the walls started to glow red and began to hatch, revealing even more Genomorphs. "We're seriously going to have a talk about what your powers are after this, Spin."
The fast majority dodged out of the way of the bigger ones instead of engaging in combat. The creatures slamming their feet on the ground in an attempt to stomp them out. Well, actually, they did manage to catch Superboy underfoot before the clone picked the Genomorph up and proceeded to use it as a battering ram against the others.
"Superboy!" Aqualad called, as the clone began to beat the Genomorph into the wall, causing the ceiling to lose its stability. Pebbles falling from above. "The goal is escape, not to bury ourselves here."
"You want escape!?" Superboy shouted, and for a moment, Spinner didn't think the boy was going to listen to reason. That was until of course he picked up one of the ones laying on the ground and threw it at two of the bigger ones. The opening of escaping becoming wider and having a better chance at success.
The five teenagers continued to run, Aqualad bolting ahead when the shimmering metal of the elevator could be seen. Just like he had done before, he forcefully opened the shaft doors open. Kid Flash jumped on in, slowly making his way upwards by climbing the small ledge provided.
Robin shot up his grappling gun, speeding up ahead once it found purchase against an upper wall, zooming up into the air. Spinner didn't hesitate to began running up the wall, as she didn't need to use the same amount of caution as the others.
Superboy had grabbed onto Aqualad as a large Gemomorph ran up behind them and leapt up into the elevator shaft. For a moment, Spinner had thought the boy was flying. That was until of course gravity suddenly began to affect him and him and Aqualad began to fall downwards. "I-I'm falling."
For a moment, Spinner thought she would have to jump down after the two, until Robin had shot out a metal disk. Something Aqualad grabbed ahold of, coming to a harsh holt with the boy that was still holding on to him.
"Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?" Superboy murmured confused. Spinner moving to join the boys beside Robin. Kid Flash making it onto the appropriate platform not long after.
"Don't know. But you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool." Kid Flash reassured, but Spinner wasn't sure how reassuring it was to the boy that must have thought himself the perfect replica moments before. Aside from that, both Kid and Spinner moved, helping both Aqualad and Superboy down onto the ledge with them.
"Thank you." Superboy spoke softly, appearing subdued. He was making a much kinder expression than he had been, something that was a little surprising considering what had seemed like never ending anger before.
"As touching as this is, we should probably get a move on. Like, now." Spinner spoke, sensing the approaching doom that was coming from above. Someone just had to use the elevator, didn't they? Maybe they should have used the elevator.
"What, why?"
"Spinner's right. Guys, this will have to be our exit." Robin stressed, loud and unnerved. He pointed upward at the approaching elevator of doom. Aqualad and Superboy both kicked in the shaft doors, with much more aggression than was actually needed, the metal folding like a paper bag in the wind.
The teens quickly ran out into the opening hallway, not wanting to get crushed. All the way, Spinner ignored the intrusive thought that suggested she stick herself to the bottom of the elevator like a starfish. That probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Genomorphs came out from the hallway, almost as if they had been expecting them the whole time. And maybe they had been, it certainly wouldn't surprise Spinner.
Instead of engaging in a fight, the teens turned left. And kept running. Problem, though? This place was a maze and no one knew where the hell they were going. Possible solution? Superboy started yelling random directions.
"Go left. Left." And they all followed his directions. Now, did Spinner consider it might not be the wisest decision to follow the boy that had never actually left his pod and therefore also had no idea where he was going? Yes. However at least someone was willing to take the risk considering they all knew absolutely nothing. "Right."
In the end, the clone's directions led them to a dead end with a vent attached to the wall above. Not a horrible predicament then. Wouldn't be the first time Spinner had crawled around a few vents.
"Great directions, Supey! You trying to get us repodded!" Kid snapped. And Spinner promptly smacked him across the head for it in a reprimend. Not enough to hurt the boy, but he definitely felt it.
"If you recall, this is his first time being outside of his own pod. No shit he had no idea where he was going. At least he took direction." Spinner pointed out.
"No I...I... don't understand." Superboy looked lost and confused. Something that left Spinner a little lost and confused. It was almost as if the boy had thought this would lead to an exit, even though he had no way of knowing his way around the place.
"Don't apologize. This is perfect." Robin grinned gleefully, staring up at the vents. That was of course until he paused and looked over at Spinner. "Do you actually have claustrophobia?" Spinner snorted, jumping up onto the wall and yanking the vent shield off and throwing it to the ground.
"Of course not, do you boy wonder?" Spinner teased, holding out a hand for the younger boy to climb onto. Something he cheerfully took. The rest of their makeshift team following shortly afterwards. Spinner being the one that ended up taking the rear.
Crawling through the events was slow going with so many people. Especially when said people didn't know how to be quiet about it. Seriously, it sounded as like they were stomping around inside the vents.
"At this rate, we'll never get out." Kid whined. Superboy shushed the boy, something that was completely deserved seeing as he was loud enough he voice echoed.
"Listen." Superboy instructed.
Currently, Robin was once again hacking into Cadmus's systems. Quickly tapping away at the keys on his gauntlet. Spinner rubbed her shoulders up in down, shivering at the memory of what happened. The horde had tried to drag her back with them. Vicious little biters.
"I hacked the motion sensors." Robin bragged, as smug as ever. Something that Spinner had quickly learned to associate with the boy wonder.
"Sweet." Kid cheered.
"Still plenty of them between us and out." Robin reminded as he stood up, but the speedster wasn't deterred at the prospect in the slightest.
"But I finally got room to move." Kid reminded, slipping on his goggles and speeding away upstairs through the door located to the side of the group. The rest of them had to hurry to follow after the boy, Spinner sparing a glance behind them.
"We've got some coming up in behind us, they'll be on the stairs within a bit." Spinner stated, Robin turning to quirk a brow at her as her prediction came through.
"Seriously, how are you doing that?"
"How much do you know about spiders?"
"I thought you didn't like being reminded that your powers are similar to a spiders."
"I don't. They're creepy little fuckers."
Spinner and Robin exchanged banter as Superboy kicked out the stairs from behind them. Cutting off the Genomorphs from following them upwards. Off in the distance, Spinner could hear the blaring of an alarm system. And when she and the rest finally caught up to Kid Flash, they were met with the sight of him crumpled on the floor, the hall bathed in red light, and metal shutters cutting them off from the rest of the hallway.
"We're cut off from the street." Aqualad observed, Kid turning to glare at him as he rubbed the back of his head that was more than likely in pain.
"Thanks, my head hadn't noticed." Kid snarked. Ignoring him, Superboy ran forward in an attempt to punch the doors open. Something that simply didn't work. Aqualad and Spinner joined the boy's efforts in attempting to force the shutters open, but nothing worked. They were trapped.
"Can't hack this fast enough." Robin tutted. Which, was a problem. Considering the pack of Genomorphs that was charging towards them with vigor. "This way!" Robin directed, kicking down another metal door beside him. However, all it did was lead them towards even more Genomorphs. They were trapped. With no where to go.
Guardian stood there, watching, menacingly. And once the little gnomes horns started to glow red and the buzzing underneath Spinner's skin turned into a roar, she knew there was nothing she could do.
She crumpled to the floor, her entire body in pain feeling as if her nerve endings were flaring. At the same time her mind was completely blank. She couldn't think of anything. Much less how to get out of this situation. But she also couldn't very well comprehend the situation she was in. She was in pain, but she was also floating. She was lost.
She didn't know how long she was like this, but she promptly decided she never wanted to experience it ever again. Her body sagging with relief once it had stopped.
"What's going on?" Aqualad rasped out, beginning to sit up again after whatever the hell that was/
"I. Choose. Freedom." Superboy ground out. And honestly, she didn't completely know what he was talking about, but same buddy, same.
"Feels like fog lifting." Guardian murmured. And Spinner has suddenly never felt more remorse in her entire life. Is that what he had been dealing with this entire time? Is that what they had done to him?
"Guardian?" Aqualad gently spoke, staring at the older man as the rest of the group of misfits stood up. Recovering.
"Go." The older hero directed. "I'll deal with Desmond."
"I think not." A familiar grating voice objected. The Genomorphs parted like the red sea, revealing Dr. Desmond to be hiding behind them. The man looked pissed, but quite frankly Spinner felt as if she had more of a reason to be upset. "Project Block Buster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." The man held up a glowing blue liquid and downed it in one gulp.
"Dude. That's like, the exact opposite of lab safety 101." Spinner incredulously watched on. But her disbelief quickly turned to horror.
The man fell to the ground, his body contorting as his bones began to crack, loud enough that she was certain even Robin could hear. The man's skin bubbled before being ripped away, an entirely different beast laying beneath as pieces of the old doctors clothing and skin hung uselessly. Spinner barely managed to stop herself from throwing up at the sight.
"Everyone back." Guardian directed, but the words did little with how much everyone was currently in shock. Well, everyone but the senior hero, that charged forward like a complete idiot. Only to get slapped to the side, landing like a ragdoll on the ground. Oh. They were fucked.
Superboy attempted to go next. And honestly, Spinner was a little embarrassed that she had been knocked out by the boy previous considering the rather clumsy attempts he was now making in taking Desmond down. It was uncoordinated and had little planning besides punching hard. Spinner was hardly a professional, but she was at least better than that. At least, she had thought she was moments ago. Now she wasn't so sure.
Superboy was thrown to the ground. But he wasn't deterred, not for even a moment. And Spinner supposes his unyielding persistence was the one thing currently going for him, seeing as Desmond hardly seemed affected by his previous attempts.
Leaping into the air, Superboy attempted to force the beast to the ground, just for the man of rotting flesh to jump upwards as well, sailing them both through the ceiling in what left a big hole.
"Okay." Robin drawled. "That's one way to bust through a ceiling." And because he was Robin, he recovered quickly, getting out his grappling hook to shoot at the new opening.
"You think lab coat planned that?" Kid asked as he latched onto Robin, the two being pulled up through the new opening.
"I doubt he is planning anything anymore." Aqualad severely stated as he jumped on up. Spinner shot a web up and pulled herself through. She didn't have many webs left, she would have to make some more tomorrow. Or whenever she could actually get the materials anyway.
Her eyes widened, suddenly instinctively moving to the side, barely missing being tugged along as Superboy was thrown at the group. Aqualad however, didn't get as lucky, instead rolling around in a big heap that Spinner was sure had to be painful.
Kid Flash and Robin ran after the pair, Spinner not far behind. The pair of boys were helped up, but there was no reprieve as the beast that was once Desmond roared at them. Kid Flash, not wasting any time, ran straight ahead, faking out the beast and ducking under a swing aimed at his head.
Aqualad and Superboy leaped forward, both throwing punches that unbalanced the beast, Kid Flash using his body as a method of tripping it up.
"Learned that one in kindergarten." Robin and Spinner flipped over Kid Flash, Robin throwing metals disks wile Spinner attempted to web the beast's feet and hands down. However the metal disks were deflected as if they were soft feathers and Spinner's webs were ripped through. Suffice to say, Spinner's normal methods weren't going to work.
Superboy moved as if to tackle the beast, only to have his body picked up and slammed into a pillar. The pillar crumbling beneath his back. It didn't matter how much the clone punched and fought; it had no effect on the beast. Aqualad lassoed the beast up with his water-magicks, but he to was flung to the side.
Spinner knew she wouldn't really be able to do much. Physical strength wasn't working, but Superboy was looking disorientated and needed a reprieve of some sort.
"Hey! You big ugly beast, pick on someone you're own size!" Spinner received a roar for that threat. Superboy being tossed as Spinner was charged towards, the young girl darting away and relying on her sixth-sense to keep her safe. All she could do was dodge, at this point it was a game of keep away with no end in sight. But what else was she supposed to do when she knew her fists or webs would have no effect?
Stupidly, Aqualad attempted to attack the thing while it was distracted, just for him to be grabbed and choked against a pillar. The same amount of force that had Superboy dazed being used against him. As the beast punch him, pieces of the ceiling began to fall down from the harsh impart. They were going to be buried alive.
"Of course!" She heard Robin shout. "KF, Spin, get over here!" Kid got to Robin much faster than Spinner did, but Spinner wasn't far behind seeing as it wasn't a very big room to begin with. "We need to bring the ceiling down."
"Are you insane? You are aware that normally kills humans, right Robin?" Spinner retorted, but Robin didn't give up, a very serious expression on his face.
"Aqualad and Superboy can cover us. And with your strength, something like that shouldn't kill you." Robin pointed out. And while the boy wonder probably wasn't wrong, it wasn't exactly a theory that she wanted to test.
"If it doesn't effect the three of us, it probably isn't going to effect that thing Rob."
"It wouldn't just be that, though." Robin reassured. "While whatever chemical Desmond consumed has changed him into something else, the important parts to his biology should be the same. Like the nerve endings for example. If we can trick him into a puddle of water made by Aqualad, then he can electrocute him. It won't kill him, but it'll weaken him. Hopefully enough that your webs will have an effect and the blocks from the ceiling will keep him down."
"Alright. So, how do we trick him into doing that?" Kid Flash asked, having full faith in the plan. Something that Spinner simply didn't have. Honestly, they could just run out the door. Call the League, play keep away until they get here. You know the smart thing to do. But as she watched both Kid Flash and Robin, she knew that simply wasn't going to happen.
"You and Spinner act as live bait. Distract him long enough for Aqualad and Superboy to destory the necessary pillars and lure him into the water when Aqualad sets it up." Robin suggested. "Got it?"
"Got it." Kid Flash reaffirmed. Spinner did not in fact get it, but she followed Kid's lead anyway. However, as much as she thought she was prepared for the boy's actions, mentally she wasn't. And how could she be, she watched the boy run forward and rip the beast's dead flesh from off of its body. Disgusting. And then he had the gall to go, "Got your nose!"
Superboy was thrown and Kid was persued. And honestly, Spinner would probably chase after the Kid if she was in the same position as the beast.
"Come and get me you incredible bulk!" Kid taunted, but he clearly sounded stressed. Thinking on her feet, she picked up a rock and hurled it as hard as she could at the beast.
"Hey, you big purple troll! Is that the best you got!? You haven't managed to hit me once!" Spinner than dodged, as the beast threw itself at her. Flipping away, she barely kept herself from tipping over her own two feet. And just like that, she and Kid flash eased into a rhythm of taunting the beast and keeping each other from being injured in the process.
So when Robin finally drew a mark and Aqualad spread water all over the floor, the pair was ready. Spinner swinging herself up high, while Kid allowed the water to guide his movements. The beast charged, but before it could reach either of them, Superboy leapt into the air and punched it into the ground. Aqualad electrocuting it moments later. Spinner pinning it with her webs once it fell to the ground.
Robin finished it all by throwing out explosives to finish off the pillars in the building. The teens rushing to quickly huddle together in an attempt to lesson the damage amongst them all. And you know what? It was painful. Having multiple slabs on concrete land on you. Zero out of ten, Spinner doesn't recommend.
However, they were all alive at the least. Superboy using his strength to push the concrete off of them, finally giving the ones that needed the air a dance to desperately take deep breaths in. Their outfits were torn, Spinner's more so than anyone else's because her costume was made from the thinnest material.
"We did it..." Aqualad rasped out, gasping.
"Was there...ever any...doubt?" Robin grinned, even as he struggled to speak. Spinner was amazed that they were even all alive. You know, there were plenty of times that she made decisions that made her question her sanity, but she was pretty sure she was the most sane out of this entire group! Which was a problem!
"I had many doubts." Spinner commented dryly as she watched Kid and Robin crumple in pain when they high-fived one another. The girl hugged herself, not liking that her limestone-colored skin could be seen through the rips in her costume. It was going to take forever to fix this!
Superboy seemed more interested in staring down the beast under the rumble. And fortunately, it didn't try to get back up. Okay, Spinner would give Robin that one. But she was never going along with his insane plans again.
"See. The moon." Kid Flash prompted, point out the full moon shining in the sky. And descending from the sky was a man in a red cape, dread filling Spinner. "Oh. And Superman. Do we keep our promises or what?"
"This is humiliating." Spinner hissed, hugging herself tight. And as if he just noticed her predicament, Robin unclipped his cape and draped it over Spinner. The older girl desperately wrapping it around her as a form of a security blanket. "Thanks." Her words were soft and barely above a whisper, but she was sure the boy wonder had heard.
Spinner found herself even more grateful as even more of the League showed up. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Plastic Man peeking over at them from a platform made from one of the Green Lanterns. A groan left her lips. She wasn't the man's protege and she honestly didn't see him a whole lot, but he was the closest thing she had to a guardian and the last thing she wanted him to see was this.
Superboy walked forward, presenting himself to Superman. And because he had the best timing ever, Batman commented-
"Is that what I think it is?"
"He doesn't like being called an it." Kid Flash stepped forward, speaking in a mock whisper. Spinner smacked him across the head with one hand.
"There's a thing called tact. Of which you have none of."
"I'm Superman's clone." Superboy suddenly exclaimed. Which was probably the worst thing he could have done considering the look one Superman's face.
"Start talking."
The beast was carted away, the Green Lanterns and several others carting it off. Spinner was relieved when it was finally gone, no longer having to worry about it waking up and attacking them.
The teens stood huddle amongst themselves as the adults talked to themselves in groups. Spinner was worried about what would happen. What would happen to her. Why did she ever go to Cadmus? Why did she ever agree to something that she knew was a bad idea?
Superman walked over to the group of teens. But Spinner suspects that had more to do with his clone staring at him than it did anything else. The man didn't look happy to be here let alone sound happy to be here.
"We'll uh... We'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean. For now, I'd better make sure that Blockbuster creature gets squared away." Then the boy scout proceeded to fly off into the night, even though everyone knew that was a horrible excuse. That it hadn't been the real reason for wanting to get away so quickly.
Spinner knew Superman had the capability to be a kind man. She knew that man. He was the man, that when he did stop by, would always have something for her to it. Always seemed to be checking up on her as a person, not a vigilante. But she could admit that he really dropped the ball today. None of this was Superboy's fault. And the clone was clearly seeking some type of acceptance.
"Cadmus will be investigated." Batman spoke, causing Spinner to jolt, having not expected the man to suddenly start talking them once again. But then she flinched at the sight of Aquaman and Flash next to him. Plastic Man off to the side, watching it all go down. Was this an intervention? It felt like an intervention. "All fifty-two levels. But let's make one thing clear-"
"You should have called." Flash piped in, Batman sending the man a glare and haven been interrupted.
"End results aside, we are not happy." Batman continued. "You hacked justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again.
"I am sorry. But we will." Aqualad refused.
"Aqualad. Stand down." Aquaman ordered.
"Apologies my King. But no. 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 four of you-" Flash once again attempted to placate.
"The five of us." Kid corrected. "And it's not."
"Batman, we're ready to use what you taught us. Or why teach us at all." Robin pleaded.
"Why let them tell us what to do? It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way." Superboy strutted forward, clearly still angry over his earlier treatment.
Spinner didn't say anything. She simply watched.
Batman was quiet before he finally spoke again. "Give me three days."
- July 8th, 2010, 8:04
Under Mount Justice, four teenage boys were surrounded by other League members. It was the four that had been there at Cadmus, now in civilian clothing. One of their group was missing, but that didn't make the other members any less giddy.
"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League." Batman explained. "We're calling it into service again. Since you five 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 prodded, well aware of how his mentor really was.
"Yes, but covert." Batman agreed.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests." Flash pointed at himself to emphasize the point he was making.
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter." Aquaman continued. "Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly."
"The five of you will be that team." Batman finished. The group of teenage boys buzzed with excitement, Kid Flash and Robin in particular.
"This is so cool! I can't wait till Spinner gets here! And we should invite Speedy onto the team to!" Robin cheered, practically jumping on the balls of his feet.
"Ya'know, of always wanted to know what Spinner looks like in civilian clothing. I guess today is the day." Kid chipped in, however Batman cut off their earlier celebrating.
"Spinner is not the fifth member of your team." Batman corrected, something that gave the boys pause.
"What why? And who's our fifth member then?" Robin demanded.
"She declined to be apart of the team. If you wish for her to join that is something you'll have to further discuss with her on your own time." Batman explained, something that caused disbelief to spread through the three sidekicks that had known Spinner the longest.
She had gone along with them to Cadmus. They had known each other for the best three years and had fought together. She was there that day at the Hall of Justice, obviously she wanted to be a League member, right? So, why wouldn't she want to be a member of this team?
"You're fifth member would be Miss Martian." Batman directed, gesturing over towards the footsteps approaching them. "She's Martain Manhunter's niece."
Walking along side Martain Manhunter was a green skinned girl with bright red hair with freckles and ruby lips. She waved shyly at the boys in front of her.
"Hi." And just like that, Spinner was momentarily forgotten.
They would convince the girl to join later. Along with Speedy. But right now, they had a new teammate to meet. Someone that both Kid and Robin both found attractive.