Chapter 19: Discovering a New Friend Part 2
Dr. Desmond was in a dark room with several blue screens that only had vague white silhouettes.
"Is there something you'd like to report Dr. Desmond?" A deep voice asked the doctor, sensing something was wrong.
"Uh well yes, you see we had a small fire here at CADMUS, the origins are still unknown. But it unfortunately attracted some unwanted attention, four sidekicks of the Justice League Speedy, Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad. They discovered weapon X and released him, but the clone is luckily under our telepathic control and turned on his four would-be liberators. They're currently imprisoned in one of my labs guarded by the weapon, so uhâwhat should I do with them?" Dr. Desmond explained and asked quite nervously.
"Clone them, and program them so they will serve the light and only the light." The deep voice commanded.
"And the originals?"
"Dispose of them, leave no trace." The deep voice commanded once more.
Dr. Desmond smiled evilly once more, happy to know he could put his original plan into action.
Dr. Desmond's Lab
All four of the protégés hanged unconscious in their pods till a voice spoke in their heads.
"Wake upâyou must wake up..wake up!" The voice boomed causing all four to suddenly wake up, finding the little Superboy looking at them quite stoically.
Outside the Lab
Work was being done on the broken door to the room Superboy was previously held in. All the while Dr. Desmond walked down to observe and instruct.
"Begin the cloning on the sidekicks immediately, and then dispose of the originals once the process is complete." Dr. Desmond instructed the female scientists from earlier.
The female scientists immediately went to work but Dr. Desmond stopped in his tracks as he saw the room where Superboy was supposed to be empty.
"Where is weapon X and why is he not in his pod!" Dr. Desmond bellowed.
"He carried the protégés to your lab doc." Guardian informed the overeating doctor.
"We have Genomes for that! Get weapon X back in his pod immediately!" Dr. Desmond ordered.
"Doc calm down, I don't see any problem in letting the little guy stretch his legs a bit." Guardian said, trying to defuse the situation.
"Oh you don't do you?" Dr. Desmond said angrily as he made his Genom on his shoulder use his telepathy.
Immediately the genome on Guardian's shoulder hypnotized the hero making his fist clench.
"That clone belongs in a cage!" Guardian said very angrily acting nothing like himself as he marched to Dr. Desmond's lab.
Back in the Lab
"What's your problem? We try to free you and you turn on us!" Kid Flash yelled at the clone.
"Kid Flash calm down, I'm sure our friend here was not in full control of his actions." Aqualad said to try and calm his friend.
All the while Robin secretly pulled out a lock pick from his glove and began to work on the cuff around his wrist.
"What if Iâ.what if I wasn't?" The little boy asked, the mind control starting to wear off as he questioned his earlier actions.
"He can talk!" Kid Flash blurted out surprised.
Speedy wanted to knock Kid on the head for his stupid borderline reckless comment, he was going to get them killed!
"Yes he can!" Superboy answered very peeved and angry.
"What it wasn't like I said it!" Kid Flash tried to defend himself.
"KF shut up!" Speedy barked at his blabbermouth brother.
"The genomorphs taught you, telepathically?" Aqualad continued to inquire.
"They taught me much, I can read, write, I know the names of things.."Superboy listed off but with a melancholy beyond his very young years.
"But have you seen them? Have you ever actually seen the sun, the sky?" Speedy asked, feeling bad for the kid standing before them.
"Images were put in my brain, but no I've never seen them in person." Superboy explained sadly.
"Do you know who you are?" Robin asked empathetically, wanting to hug the boy and make him not sad anymore.
"I am the Superboy, genomorph, clone of Superman. I am here to replace him should he die or take him down if he turns from the light!" Superboy said proudly but more like to prove himself worthy of his purpose.
All the boys were taken back by this, looking at each other for answers, but Aqualad continued to probe.
"Aspiring to be Superman is a worthy goal, but like Superman you deserve a life outside of this, outside your solar suit, outside your pod, outside of CADMUS." Aqualad tried to explain.
"I live because of CADMUS, it is my home!" Superboy bellowed.
"You're home is a test tube, we can show you the sun." Speedy offered.
"Uh Speedy it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon!" Kid Flash chimed in.
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad added.
"We can help you meet you daddy!" Robin chirped innocently, figuring any little boy like him wanted to meet and be loved by their daddy.
For a moment Superboy's face changed, it looked hopeful, the prospect of meeting his idol, his hero, hisâfather filling him with a joy he'd never known. But his bubble of hope was soon burst by one voice full of jaded pride.
"No they can't, they'll be otherwise preoccupied, start the cloning process!" Dr. Desmond instructed as he walked in with the female scientist, Guardian, and a few Genomes.
"Pass! Batcaves crowded enough!" Robin retorted snarkily.
"And put the clone back in it's pod!" Dr. Desmond barked at Guardian.
"Hey why does he get to call Supey an it!" Kid Flash complained loudly.
Guardian went over to Superboy and put his hand on his little shoulder as if to guide him back to his pod.
"Please help us." Aqualad begged, his eyes promising that all the stuff they talked about would come true.
It was then Superboy flinched Guardian's hand off his shoulder as if to resist. But then a Genome hopped onto his shoulder and put him back in a telepathic trance.
"Don't start thinking you insolent child, you're not even a real boy! You're a clone and weapon, and you belong to me.. I mean CADMUS! Same thing really, but never mind, back to your pod now!" Dr. Desmond barked quite demeaningly as the genome forcefully made the little boy turn around and leave the room for his cage.
Once out of the room Desmond turned to the female scientist and signaled her to start the cloning process. The woman turned some dials and four electrified needles popped up in all four pods. The needles painfully began to extract blood, pushing down into a circular container below each pod, causing all the boys to scream in pain.
"Where is double X!" Dr. Desmond bellowed as he looked for his Genome assistant.
The tall and lanky Genome appeared behind him, spooking him greatly.
"Lurking as usual, get the genomes collecting their memories. Then delete the source material." Dr. Desmond instructed carefully as to not have another slip up.
The boys continued to wither in pain, screaming and trying everything they could to escape. As this went on Aqualad made one more desperate attempt to get Superboy to help them. He thought all he wanted to say to the little boy in loud thoughts, hoping the genomorph on his shoulder would telepathically pick them up.
"Superboy, you are a living being, just like us! That means you have a right to choose your path, weapon or hero? You may make whatever decisions you feel is best, but think! What would Superman do?" Aqualad thought very loudly.
For a few minutes urge paint and torture continued as their blood, memories, and DNA were collected. All the boys thought about how they would never see their mentors or family again. Dick cried as the thought of never getting to see his daddy, Ace, Alfred, or any of his friends filled his head. Wally felt the same way trying his best to hold back his tears as he knew he'd never get to be with Iris and Barry, his family. Roy was filled with regret at the fact he could do nothing to save his brother's and that he'd instigated this whole mess. Kaldur felt shame and hopelessness, thinking his call didn't work and that he'd so recklessly disobeyed his king.
However it was in their moment of hopelessness that the door to the lab began to crunch and rip off the wall. All the scientists turned to see Superboy standing there with a door ten times his size held over his head. The cloning process immediately stopped making all the protégés look at Superboy with hope in their eyes once more. Superboy then threw the door aside and began walking forward.
"I told you to go back to your pod your brat! Iâ" Dr. Desmond yelled as he ran to stop the seven year old, along with all in the room, but was punched unconscious by the child.
Superboy stood in front of the pods not saying a word.
"So are you here to save us of fry us?" Speedy asked tentatively.
Superboy squinted his little eyes then smiled lightly.
"Doesn't look like I have heat vision, so looks like helping's the only option." Superboy said, still smiling.
It was then both of Robin's cuff's unlocked making it so the youngest protégé could escape.
"Good thing my daddy's not here right is or he'd be mad I took so long." Robin chirped, disappointed.
"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?! The whole League is basically gonna kill us later!" Kid Flash freaked out.
"Help Aqualad Superboy!" Robin told the young kryptonian as he typed away at a computer.
"Don't you start ordering me around too pipsqueak!" Superboy snapped, but nonetheless hopped onto Aqualad's pod.
With his brute strength Superboy shattered the glass of the pod as well as the cuffs on Aqualads wrists. Even though Aqualad was bigger, Superboy easily caught him in his little arms.
"Thank you." Aqualad said with a kind smile.
Superboy smiled back, feeling he could trust Aqualad the most thus far. All the while Robin helped the other boys out of their pods and started to run away with the rest of them.
"You won't get out of here, I'll have you all back in pods by morning!" Dr. Desmond called out in pain as he tried to get up unsuccessfully.
"Oh shut it you big glorified nerd! Robin get the other three!" Speedy told the man coldly as he got ready to shoot an explosive arrow.
He shot it at one pod, while Robin threw three birdarangs and the remaining three pods. Within seconds they blew up and the boys were running for their lives to get out of CADMUS. However in that time Dr. Desmond got back on his feet and a Genome hopped onto his shoulder.
"Activate every Genomorph in CADMUS!" The doctor commanded the creature.
The genomes' horns glowed red and in turn so did little white sacks along the walls of the lower levels of CADMUS. All the while the little boys were running trying to find an escape.
"We're still 42 levels below ground, but I'd we make it to the express elevator we'll finally escape." Aqualad instructed.
But it was then that the huge genomorphs they saw before walked down the hallway towards them. They tried to turn the other direction but the glowing sacks suddenly produced smaller but just as dangerous genomorphs. It became very clear that in that moment the little protégés were trapped with no obvious way out. However Superboy immediately charged at them taking one down in a single punch only to be practically crushed by one's large first.
The other protégés managed to get around the Genomorphs since they were distracted. Superboy got back up from under the geno troll's fist , proceeding to throw it into the wall. This caused the cavern to shack and debri to fall from the ceiling, worrying the other protégés.
"Superboy the goal is escape not burying ourselves alive!" Aqualad warned the little boy.
"You want to escape fine!" Superboy screamed with a feral yell unparalleled to that ever released by any other seven year old.
He punched at the genomorphs, threw them at each other, and released his full strength on them. Once he took care of them he tore open the elevator entrance. Robin and Speedy, who held onto Kid Flash, shot their grappling hooks and cords above lifting them off the ground. Superboy grabbed onto Aqualad and jumped, sending them high into the air. However soon then began to fall, shocking Superboy.
"I'm falling." The little boy said in disbelief.
Luckily Roy shot them a cord to grab onto and with the help of the other boys pulled them up onto the steel beam ledge they were standing on.
"Superman can fly, why can't I?" Superboy said as he looked at himself in confusion, almost as if he were defective.
"Well hey you can still jump over high story buildings, that's still cool." Kid Flash said, trying to be encouraging.
It was then an elevator cape speeding down at them.
"Looks like our ride is here!" Robin yelled.
With his brute strength Superboy jumped and punched a hole into the elevator's floor making it so they could hop in. They then changed it's direction and with Superboy's strength punched the door away as they made it back to the ground floor. They then bolted into the hallways desperately trying to find a way out. At that same point genomorphs started to chase them adding more stress to the situation.
"Turn left brother!" A voice instructed in Superboy's head.
Unsure what it was but feeling he could trust it he relayed the directions.
"Turn left!" Superboy yelled.
The boys immediately turned left at the next hallway.
"Turn right!" The voice instructed once more.
"Turn right!" Superboy repeated.
They did so once more, only this time they were led to a dead end.
"Thanks a lot, Supey, are you trying to get us killed with your directions?!" Kid Flash complained anxiously.
"No it's just I.." Superboy tried to explain before Robin chirped in.
"What are you talking about? It's perfect!" Robin cheered as he pointed to the small vent.
Thanks to their small size they were all able to easily fit into the vent system. However Superboy's super hearing picked up the sounds of Genomorphs following them.
"Wait, be careful we're being followed!" Superboy whisper yelled to his liberators.
Meanwhile Out in the Hall
As they crawled through the vents Dr. Desmond, Double X, and Guardian chased the protégés location on the tablet Desmond had.
"That little brat Robin may have hacked our cameras but he didn't get the motion sensors. Our genomes are closing in on their location as we speak, it seems to be leading here!" Desmond explained as they followed the tracker to the men's restroom.
Once inside they gathered around a vent on the wall figuring they'd come out there with all the scuffling they heard. They waited as the noise fit closer, but we're disappointed as several skinny genomorphs spilled out of the vent and knocked them to the ground.
"He hacked the motion sensors." Dr. Desmond grumbled in humiliation that his system was hacked by a five year old.
"I hacked the motion sensors! And now we're close to the exit!" Robin declared proudly to the other protégés.
"Nice Robin, now I have room to move!" Kid Flash said as he put on his speed goggles and ran up the stairs that led up.
Within seconds the little speedster got several stories up till a line of genomorphs came running at him. Undeterred he bulldozed them down with his speed and made a path for his friends to get through.
"We have more behind us!" Robin warned as he looked on the map on his arm computer.
Superboy turned around and used his foot to break the stairs behind then free, causing it and the genomes on it to collapse. The four protégés continued to run and bulldoze through the genomes, determined to get out of the dangerous lab.
Meanwhile Dr. Desmond, Double X, and Guardian were in the elevator to try and cut the protégés off.
"We'll cut them off at sun level one." Guardian planned.
"We better or the board will have our headsâmy head." The doctor said as he rubbed his temples to relieve his stress.
It was then he remembered something that might help them and stopped the elevator early.
"Go in without me I just remembered something I needed from project BLOCKBUSTER. I'll meet you at sub level one!" Desmond promised as he ran out.
All the while the protégés made it to the upper levels only the emergency doors were closing off the hallway. Kid Flash tried to beat it but only sent himself flying and tumbling backwards as he hit the wall with full force.
"We're cutoff from the surface!" Aqualad cried out.
"I'm ok thanks for asking!" Kid Flash commented bitterly as he got up off the floor.
Seeing a loose board Speedy kicked it down revealing a passageway.
"This way!" Speedy called as the rest of the team followed.
However after they got out of the passageway they were greeted by Guardian and a horde of every kind of Genomorph. Each of the four prepared to fight but were instead incapacitated by the telepathic genomorphs and collapsed on the ground. However Double X then walked forward.
"Perhaps for the sake of all genomorphs we allow our little brother to choose his path." Double X suggested.
Superboy looked at him in surprise, instantly recognizing his voice.
"It was you who helped me!" Superboy thought surprised.
"Yes little one it was I who started the fire, and led you friends down here, as well as woke them when they were captured." Double X confessed.
"Why?" Superboy questioned.
"Because it is you, the genomorph hero, who shall blaze a new trail for all of us and help us find new purpose." Double X answered as he simultaneously released Guardian from his hypnotic trance.
"Ugh what happened.." Guardian wondered as he rubbed his head.
"So little brother what is it?" Double X asked in all seriousness.
Superboy looked up and knew exactly what his answer was.
"I chose freedom!" Superhero declared proudly.
"It's like fog is lifting." Guardian finished as he looked up to see five little boys standing in front of him.
"Guardian?" Aqualad questioned.
Quickly figuring out what was going on, Guardian knew what he had to do.
"You five get out of here, I'll take care of Desmond!" Guardian instructed them.
"I'm afraid not!"
Everyone, even the genomorphs, turned to see Dr. Desmond standing smugly.
"I'm afraid none of you will be leaving, project blockbuster will insure that. It will allow me to restore order to CADMUS." Dr. Desmond declared as he pulled out a tube of glowing blue liquid.
He immediately drank it, making Guardian protectively stand in front of the little protégés behind him. It was then that Desmond began a monstrous transformation, his eyes turning dark red, growing enormously in size, his skin tearing from the growth to reveal a dark blue hard shell, and large red cracks all over the shell. Once the transformation finished he animalistically roared at the children and League hero.
"Kids stand back!" Guardian commanded as he then charged at the newly transformed Dr. Desmond.
However the hero was easily knocked unconscious as he was hit into a wall by one swing of Desmond's now giant claw. Refusing to let his new friends be hurt and to get revenge on the doctor, Superboy jumped up and punched the beast's face. Desmond's head turned with a sickening crack but nonetheless retaliated with a swing that sent Superboy crashing to the floor. But the little boy didn't give up either as he jumped and mercilessly punched him in the face over and over. Eventually Desmond grabbed Superboy and jumped to crash him through the roof creating a large hole in the ceiling.
"Superboy!" Robin cried out, concerned for his new big brother.
"He'll be alright Robin, I'm sure he's invulnerable. But now we have a way out!" Speedy said as he hugged his arms around Robin to comfort him.
"Do you think lab coat planned this?" Kid Flash asked, confused by the doctor's actions.
"I don't think he's planning anything anymore." Aqualad admitted, thinking the doctor's transformation destroyed his intelligence.
Ignoring their questions the four young protégés got through the hole in the roof, finding themselves on the ground level of CADMUS. There they saw Superboy fighting toe to toe with Desmond, exchanging many blows till he was sent flying back. As he did he ran into Aqualad who tried to catch him only to be completely knocked over. Once they stopped skidding across the floor the others helped them up and teamed up to take the creature down. Kid Flash bolted at Desmond but slid under his legs before he could grab him. This distracted him before Superboy and Aqualad hit him with a combined punch to his face, sending him reeling backwards. He then tripped over the little boy behind him sending him falling to the ground.
"Ha learned that one in kindergarten!" Kid Flash boasted, despite the fact that it wasn't that long ago and he was only in 2nd grade.
Robin then flipped over KF and threw birdarangs at Desmond as Speedy simultaneously shot explosive arrows. Unfortunately the beast dodged them, but was met with Superboy who once again engaged in hand to hand combat once more. This time however Desmond pushed Superboy into a column, but was still met with hard blows to the face by the young kryptonian. He then retaliated with a heavy blow to Superboy making him groan in pain, despite his invulnerability, from the sheer force. But before Desmond could make another blow, Aqualad used his water bearers to make a whip and stop his fist from moving.
Aqualad then swung up onto the column Superboy was pinned to, transformed the whip into a mace, and attempted to swing it at Desmond's head. But the beastly doctor grabbed Aqualad's mace and threw him to the ground releasing a painfully yell from the poor little atlantean. Desmond then threw Superboy into a wall making him fall to the floor painfully as large debri pinned him to the floor. Kid Flash then tried to intervene as he ran towards Desmond, but was then grabbed by his little arm. Aqualad tried to stop him from hurting his little brother by creating another water mace, but was hit to the wall again. He then threw Kid Flash making the poor boy cry in pain as he hit the pure concrete wall. Desmond then charged at Aqualad, crashing the hurting child through two columns.
Meanwhile Robin tried to find some way he could help his brothers on his computer as Roy stood guard with an arrow poised to shoot. Eventually he found a schematic of the room they were in and an idea finally popped into his genius brain.
"That's it, KF get over here!" Robin called out.
Kid Flash whipped his tears and endured his pain as he ran to his baby brother's side. All the while Aqualad was defending himself with a water shield that was quickly diminishing as Desmond punched at it. He was about to succeed when Superboy, who had pulled himself free of the debris, came and jumped up on his back trying to keep the doctor from doing more harm to his friend. As this went on Robin was describing his plan to KF and Speedy on how to beat Desmond.
"Do you guys understand?" Robin asked to clarify they knew what the plan was.
The two protégés nodded their heads and began to play out their parts in it. Kid Flash started by getting Desmond to focus on him instead of Superboy and Aqualad by punching him in the face. As he did so Kid had accidentally grabbed some if the remaining facial skin of the doctor.
"Wow cool, look I got your nose!" Kid Flash declared to the doctor obnoxiously.
The doctor immediately began to chase the little speedster crashing into Colin's as he did so.
"Superboy Aqualad, take down those columns!" Robin instructed and pointed.
The two quickly clued in on the little bird's plan and followed suit, all the while Speedy and Robin shot arrows and birdarangs at the remaining columns. All the while Kid Flash continued to lead Desmond around breaking more and more columns as he taunted the monster. As this went on Robin drew a large white X with chalk where Aqualad produced a large puddle of water. Kid Flash eventually led Desmond to it and made the beast slip on it leaving him comatose on the floor. They all stepped away as Aqualad charged it with electricity electrocuting Desmond painfully.
"Everyone take cover!" Robin cried out.
It was then the birdarang charges and explosive arrows went off blowing up all the columns keeping the building standing. Immediately it began to crumble and fall apart, a large piece of debris crushing Desmond. The protégés ran away from the debris but were eventually unable to outrun it causing Superboy and Aqualad to throw their bodies over Robin, Kid Flash, and Speedy for protection. Within minutes the building was reduced to a pile of rubble and all was quiet. But eventually Superboy's hand popped out of the debri and pushed the large piece covering them off revealing they were all alive and ok. All of their costumes were completely wrecked and torn and they were all breathing heavily.
"Weâdid it." Aqualad gasped out as he breathed heavily.
"We did it!" KF and Robin cheered as they then high fived only to cringe in pain as it shot up their arms.
Superboy looked around and then was left in awe as he saw the large full moon hanging above them.
"Look just like we told you, the moon!" Speedy pointed out.
For a moment they all just stood there in awe and relief till they saw a shape coming from it. As it drew closer they eventually realized it was none other than Superman flying towards them.
"Look Superman too, do we keep our promises or what!" Kid Flash pointed out excitedly.
But then Martian Manhunter, Zatara, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel show up behind him landing in front of them. Following them was Hawkwoman, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, Captain Atom, and several other flying league hero's. Then descending to the ground with the assistance of a Green Lantern all the protégés mentors came to the ground with very stern looks. For a minute there was silence as they took in their current situation, but then Superboy stepped forward.
As he came closer he looked at Superman with a little smile and then pulled up the torn section of his suit to reveal the Superman symbol. At first Superman had an expression of surprise on his face but then one of intrigue making him fly down closer. Eventually the kryptonian landed right in front of Superboy and kneeled down so they looked each other in the eye.
"Hello little one, I am Superman, I see we share the same symbol there on our chests. I'd like to get know how come, but can you tell me your name first?" Superman asked with a kind but light smile.
"I am..Superboy." Superboy managed to nervously get out.
"I see that but what's your real name, little guy?" Superman rephrased as he then placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I don'tâhave one." Superboy admitted nervously.
"No name? Are you telling me thatâoh my goodness you're freezing little one! Why don't we warm you up first and we can talk more later." Superman said as he then took off his large red cape and wrapped it around the slightly shivering Superboy.
After warmly wrapping him up Superman then picked up the little boy and held him close to his chest to try and warm him up. Superboy blushed at this, unsure of what exactly he was experiencing, having never been held once in his short life, but nonetheless feeling good, comforted, and oddly safe for once in this man's arms.
The other protégés however did not receive the entirely same treatment. Each protégé was marched over to a separate area and given their own scolding lecture as well as comforting.
"Robin you were explicitly told to stay put at the Hall of Justice, but you willfully chose to disobey. Why?!" Batman asked tensely with crossed arms as he looked down at his guilty son.
"Because daddy you lied to us, an someone needed help! Supey was being kept in a pod all alone an evil doctors were tryin to use him and us to hurt people!" Dick started to sob as he felt both guilty and justified by his actions.
Bruce sighed, hating when his son cried but also conflicted because he knew overall his son did a good thing. So he crouched down and started to whip his son's tears away.
"I know you helped someone and I'm proud of you for solving the case, but you put yourselves in terrible danger. Do you have any idea how much you worried daddy, while I may be your mentor I'm your father first and your safety is my top priority. When daddy tells you there are restrictions or you can't do something it's not because I want to be mean, it's because I want to protect you and be sure your prepared for dangerous situations. Do you understand?" Bruce asked as he hugged his son tightly to his chest.
"Yes daddy." Dick said with light sniffling as he held tightly to his daddy's neck.
"Good boy, now let's get you warm and those injuries looked over little bird. We'll discuss your consequences when we get home later." Bruce said as he wrapped his cape around his child to protect him from the cold and warm him up.
All the other protégés received a similar speech and comfort, and were carried over to a small group of the league hero's standing nearby. Superman was also standing there, a light smile on his face. stroking a practically asleep Superboy resting on his chest.
"I believe it would be wise to take them to the watchtower for examination of their injuries and also to hear what they saw. As for Superboy I'd like a deeper analysis of him so we can make sure he is alright and safe from CADMUS." Martian Manhunter spoke up.
All the mentors agreed, including Superman, and after the clean up of CADMUS was delegated to certain League members they were teleported to the watchtower. Aqualad, Speedy, Robin, and Kid Flash were immediately transported to the hospital wing while Superboy was sent to the lab for tests. Superman followed, wanting to make sure the little boy was alright and felt safe during their tests.
Once in there they had Superboy laid on a table and they took a little blood from him with a kryptonite syringe. Superman held the little boy, who gladly snuggled into him, throughout that process knowing how potent the stuff could be to Kryptonians. They then did a full body check up as any doctor would for any little boy, listening to his heart beat, checking his eyes, ears and mouth, and other simple tests. Poor Superboy waited anxiously for results, not sure what the Martian would find. After about an hour the tests were done and the results came back.
"So what's the situation? Is he ok?" Superman asked nervously as he placed his hands gently on the child in question's little shoulders.
He didn't know why but he suddenly felt anxious for the little boy's health and safety. He felt a connection with him and he wanted to protect this child like he was his own son, which based on the protégés stories he pretty much was.
"Well I can start with some definite good news that Superboy is in fact in perfect health, just as any child should be. Now a few interesting things we did find, he is not fully Kryptonian, there is a light mix of human blood to his DNA. I suspect as a stabilizing agent due to it's potent properties." Martian Manhunter explained as he read the results.
"Does that mean I don't have all the powers Superman does?" Superboy asked with a sad and disappointed face.
"Not necessarily child, it also reads you have a large vitamin C deficiency, meaning a lack of sunlight. That solar suit of yours was only able to imitate yellow sun energy so much, so that could be the reason for the lack of certain abilities. I believe after a few months in the sun, many of the powers shared by Superman will come to you little one." Martian Manhunter explained as he comfortingly put his hand on Superboy's knee.
Superboy immediately smiled, happy to know he wasn't defective or less than in his mind, though either way he was of course just the way he was supposed to be.
"It also reads you are approximately seven earth years old, though your birthdate appears to be in two months, in which you'll be eight." Martian Manhunter read on trying to lighten the mood more and worry the two Kryptonians less.
"So he's perfectly fine then no problems then?" Superman asked anxiously, a paternal worry filling his mind.
"Yes Superman, though there is one problem, he lacks a true name." Martian Manhunter commented.
"I have a name! It's Kon-El!" The boy blurted out suddenly.
"I mean no offense by it child, I simply didn't know. But that is a very strong Kryptonian name little one. Now how about we chose an earth version of it so you can more easily blend into society." Martian Manhunter explained and suggested.
For a moment there was silence as the three thought about what to call Kon-El. Eventually a name popped into Superman's head, a Kent family name actually.
"What about Conner, Conner Kent?" Superman suggested as he looked at hisâ.son with pride.
"I..I like..it." Conner answered with a bashful smile.
"Very well then your alias Superboy shall be Conner Kent and Kon-El. Now that we have established that, I think it would be wise to have the boy stay here in the watchtower for further observation and till a suitable home can be foundâ" Martian Manhunter started to suggest before he was interrupted.
"All due respect Manhunter, but I think Conner here has had enough of laboratory walls. He deserves to be free like other children, to be outside and play be a perpetual lab experiment. How about he comes to stay with me!" Superman suggested hopefully, really wanting the little boy to come home with him.
"Are you sure Superman, children are quite the responsibility?" Martian Manhunter asked the hero dubiously.
"Yes, well as long as Conner is ok with it! What do you say Conner, do you want to stay with me?" Superman asked as he kneeled and looked Conner in the eye, praying he'd say yes.
Conner looked into Clark's eyes and saw something he'd never seen before in an adult's eyes, a desire to have him. It was as if Clark's eyes were promising to care for him, to protect him, toâ love him. Wanting to further explore this connection Conner nodded his head, and reached his arms out Superman to fe held. Clark smiled and gathered the boy in his Superman cape blanket into his arms.
"We'll contact you should we receive any news on Conner's condition." Martian Manhunter promised as he began to file paperwork and put away tools.
"Thank you." Superman told the alien as he walked to a zeta tube station.
"Wait, perhaps you go, you may want at least some sleep wear for Conner. I doubt his torn suit keeps him sufficiently warm." Manhunter suggested as he pulled out a pair of footie Superman pajamas they had spare from a marketing event they did to promote public support.
Superman gladly took them and then went back home to metropolis. Within seconds they were back in the busy city and in minutes at Clark's apartment. As they entered, Conner was taken back in awe, it looked so cozy and friendly like the images of the homes of average citizens the genomorphs showed him in his education.
"I know it's not much and we'll have to get you all your own stuff tomorrow. But I hope that you can call this place home Conner, at least someday." Clark stated as he quickly changed and showed the apartment a bit to Conner.
"I like it." Conner said with an adorable smile on his face.
Clark smiled back and then scooped the boy and his blankie back up, feeling unbelievable joy as he held the seven year old in his arms.
"I glad to hear that, now I know it's late but I'm sure you'd like a bath to get all clean before bedtime." Clark said as he carried the small boy to the bathroom.
Conner nodded his head excitedly, since he was going to experience another one of the things he'd only seen before. Soon enough he found himself sat on the toilet as Clark began to fill the tub with warm water.
"Ok let's strip you down for the bath." Clark said happily as he tried to take Conner's cape blankie away.
But Conner unexpectedly held on tighter to it looking nervous to let go of it
"Conner you can't bathe with your blankie there, it's going to be waiting for you as soon as you're done with your bath." Clark reassured the little boy.
"Safe." Conner said quietly with a head shake of refusal.
"Hey now it's ok your home now remember, home is safe and so am I. I won't ever let CADMUS take you away, so please trust me." Clark explained as he held out his hand.
Conner looked at it nervously, but decided to trust Clark in that moment and gave him his already precious super blankie, as he would now call it. Smiling from the tryst the boy put in him, Clark gingerly set the blanket aside and gently started to remove Conner's torn up suit. As he did so Clark immediately noticed how built the seven year old was, feeling both proud and sad at the fact that the kid's body wasn't even allowed to just be a kid.
Eventually after getting him down to his birthday suit, he lifted Conner into the nice warm tub. From there he ever so tenderly and gently began to bathe and clean the little boy before him, putting all his babysitting skills with the other protégés to use. Conner was very good about his bath as well as giggly, having never been touched in such a way before making him quite ticklish. Within minutes he was done, lifted, and wrapped up in a towel by Clark. The hero then carried the towel wrapped by to his bedroom and helped him get dressed into a pair of little boy Superman undies and Superman footie pajamas. Conner smiled as he stroked the symbol on his chest, but quickly became anxious as he looked around for his blanket.
"Super blankie!" Conner cried out, his childish side finally starting to show.
"I got you right here little one." Clark assured as he gave him his blanket.
Conner immediately took it and snuggled it to his chest and face, feeling even more safe with it in his hands. After all it was the first gift his daâI mean Superman gave him.
"Alright let me get changed and we'll call it a night, it's very late for little boys to be up." Clark said as he ruffled Conner's head.
With in seconds the returned in PJ's, scooped up Conner, and tucked himself and Conner into bed. But Conner quickly stood up as he looked at Clark like he had something on his mind.
"What is it Conner, are you alright? Do you need to go potty or maybe you'd like a glass of water?" Clark offered concerned not liking the anxious look in his soâI mean Conner's eyes.
"Superman can Iâcan Iâ" Conner started to ask as he rang his blanket in his tiny hands.
"What is it Conner, there's no need to be afraid. You can ask me absolutely anything." Clark assured Conner as he sat up and gathered him into his lap.
Conner looked up into Clark's eyes and took a deep breath.
"Superman can I call youâ.daddy?" Conner asked with desperate sparkling blue puppy dog eyes.
Clark was taken back for a moment not expecting this question so soon, but nonetheless desiring it like no other. So with a great big smile and squeezing Conner to his chest Clark gave him his answer.
"Of course I will, as long as you'll be my little boy." Clark answered with small tears of joy leaking from his eyes.
Conner showed his gratitude with a squeeze around his new daddy's neck, now feeling like he really had a home.
"I love you daddy." Conner answered, ready to give his full trust to this man.
"I love you too baby." Clark responded, banishing any sense of awkwardness he felt before.
With that the two snuggled in bed, Clark wrapping his strong arms tightly and protectively around Conner. Meanwhile Conner held tightly to his father's shirt making it clear that he was stuck with him. Clark smiled at this taking in the smell and feel of his child, whom he promised in that moment to love and protect for all harm.