Hey guys I'm back. Just wanted to say that I don't own anything DC in this story, though I wish I did. Just own my OC, Nathan Bowen.
Enjoy
YOUNG JUSTICE
FIREWORKS
PREVIOUSLY ON YOUNG JUSTICE
Superboy looked around at the unconscious band of sidekicks and stepped over them as he made his way over to the disabled doors and pushed his hands in between the doors, successfully pried the doors open with one giant push. On the other side of the doors a man, dressed in a tan shirt and brown pants with a lab coat over top with a g-gnome perched on his right shoulder, walked up to the clone and surveyed the knocked-out heroes, leaning his head in the clone's direction whispered with a smirk on his face, "Attaboy."
–YOUNG JUSTICE THEME–
WASHINGTON D.C.
July 5, 00:01 EDT
"Time runs short… You must awaken… You must awaken now!"
The commanding voice echoed in all four restrained sidekicks. Red Robin came to, as did the others, and found he and his three friends were locked in pods, that looked similar to the one Superboy was in, though his didn't have restraints, and also unlike his, clear glass orbs were at the bottom of their pods. The orbs were also filled with some clear liquid.
Red Robin tested the restraints that bond his arms above his head and found very small give. He then saw the Superman clone, Superboy standing in front of them watching them, while glaring intently.
"What? What do you want?" yelled the muffled voice of Kid Flash from inside his pod. The clone's expression changed, but he continued to stare at the yellow and red speedster, "Quit starring. You're creeping me out," Kid Flash continued to snap at the teenaged Superman in front of him.
"Shut up!" snapped Red Robin at KF from his pod, "What you're doing is not a good idea," he continued.
"Yeah, how 'bout we not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look?" Robin asked, trying to also quite the speedster. He then flicked a lockpick out of his index finger on his right glove and went to work on the locks.
"I'd rather be stuck in a pod, then roasted by an angered Kryptonian clone," added Red Robin.
"We only sought to help you," Aqualad calmly stated, speaking to Superboy.
"Yeah. We free you, and you turn on us. How's that for grat," Kid Flash shot at the clone in front him, but he was interrupted by Aqualad, "Kid, please, be quiet now. I believe our new friend was not in full control of his actions," Aqualad spoke to the speedster, who's pod was next to his. Robin, while Aqualad was talking flicked his lockpick out of his glove as well and started to work on freeing himself.
"Wha- what if," Superboy began, "What if I wasn't?"
"He can talk?" Kid Flash asked shocked.
"Yes, he can," Superboy said clenching a fist.
"Dude," Red Robin chastised the speedster, "We all know you can talk KF, but that doesn't always mean you should."
"Not like I said, 'it'," KF defended himself.
"The genomorphs taught you, telepathically," stated Red Robin, turning his attention to Superboy, while still fidgeting with his lock.
"They taught me much," Superboy answered, "I can read, write. I know the names of things."
"But have you seen them?" asked Robin, a hint of sadness in his voice, "Have they ever actually let you see the sky or the sun?"
"Images are implanted in my mind, but no. I have not seen them," he answered.
"Do you know what you are? Who you are?" asked Aqualad.
"I am the Superboy, a genomorph, a clone made from the DNA of the Superman, created to replace him should he perish, to destroy him should he turn from the light," the clone explained to the four captured sidekicks, who all exchanged nervous looks with each other. Red Robin turned back to the clone. All he could read off the clone was his small amounts of emotion the clone let slip through the cracks; his feelings of isolation and pain, but that's all he could get. Superboy was more of a weapon than a person at the moment, so there was less of the normal tells he used to read people.
"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration, but like Superman, you deserve a life of your own beyond that solar suit, beyond your pod, beyond Cadmus," Aqualad spoke to the clone, who emotions exploded at his words.
"I live because of Cadmus! It is my home!" he shouted back, raging.
"Your home is a test tube," Robin pointed out to the clone.
"Those images they implant in your mind," Red Robin continued, "You deserve better. You deserve to actually see the sun, to actu…," but Red Robin was cut off before he could finish.
"Uh, pretty sure its after midnight," the speedster interjected, interrupting Red Robin, "but we can show you the moon."
"Either way," Red Robin spoke to the clone again, "what I'm saying is that you deserve better than to call a test tube your home."
"We can show you, introduce you to Superman," promised the bound Atlantean. Red Robin saw the break through in what Aqualad said. Superboy looked up at them jaw slightly opening, probably imaging what it would be like to meet the iconic Kryptonian.
"No, they can't," a voice spoke up from entrance to the room, instantly washing away the emotions on Superboy's face. The four protégés looked in the direction of the voice to see Guardian and two doctors walk in the room, each one with a g-gnome on their shoulders, "They'll be… otherwise occupied," spoke the male doctor. The male doctor was dressed in the normal doctor wear. He wore a tan t-shirt and brown pants and a standard lab coat over top. He had long brown hair that was tied into a pony tail. He had slight wrinkles present on his face and streaks of gray mixed in with his brown hair. He looked over to the female doctor, "Activate the cloning process," he ordered her. From her body language looked like she rather be anywhere else, but she had no choice. She barely even paid any mind to the heroes as she walked over to the panel to do what she was told.
"Pass," Red Robin answered, but the male doctor, who was in charge obviously, gave him none of his attention.
"Batcave's crowded enough," interjected Robin, looking forward at the male doctor.
"Really?" asked Red Robin turning his head to look at his partner, one eyebrow raised in the air.
"Yeah, I can barely breathe, let alone think" he answered, looking at his partner with a serious look. Red Robin almost believed him, but Robin's mouth grinned slightly before turning his attention to the doctors and Guardian, who was getting an earful from his boss.
"And get the weapon back in its pod!" the lab coat in charge yelled at his Chief of Security.
Guardian walked forward towards Superboy, "Hey. How come he gets to call Supey an it?" Kid Flash protested.
"Well Flash Boy," Red Robin spoke, retorting the speedsters last comment, "Maybe because he's the guy in charge," Red Robin finished, getting a glare from the speedster.
Superboy, with Guardian's hand on his shoulder, looked up at the restrained, pleading young heroes. "Help us" Aqualad spoke. Superboy then shrugged off Guardians hand.
Lab coat walked past Superboy and the g-gnome that was on his shoulder hopped off and landed on Superboy's and the g-gnome's horns glowed red, taking over the clone's mind, as the doctor walked past and looked at the clone face to face, "See, you're not a read boy. You're a weapon, and you belong to me!" he sneered at Superboy, "Well, to Cadmus. Same thing" he added as a quick afterthought to what he just said previously, "Now get back to your pod!" he shouted before nodding to the female doctor to start the procedure.
Two metallic arms reached up from the bottom of each pod the heroes were restrained in and the ends of the arms split into four needle pointed probes that descended down and pierced the heroes' chests. Electricity then arched between the probes as the process started. The four heroes hollered and groaned in pain. Red Robin's least favorite part of the job was being made the center point of villain experiments if they captured him and Robin, or even Batman as well, or even arriving on scene at a villain's hideout to see regular citizens being experimented on. One time he saw what Joker had called Joker Putty turn one of the best GCPD detectives into what the city called Clayface.
The pain Red Robin was feeling was overwhelming. He couldn't hear the others groans and screaming over his own. His muscles spasmed from the shock and wished and pleaded every second for the pain to stop, when suddenly it did. Red Robin ceased his outward expressions of pain as his spasms stopped as well and looked to see Superboy at the entrance to the room, with the door held high above his head as electricity sparked around the door.
Superboy chucked the door to the side and started to walk towards the heroes. Red Robin saw lab coat with the horned, humanoid genomorph and Guardian rush towards Superboy, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. Superboy effortlessly pushed all three aside out of his way and continued toward the heroes. Red Robin would have laughed at that, but he hurt too much to do so.
The ringing in Red Robin's ears began to die down as Superboy stood in front of their pods again looking at them, "You here to help us or fry us?" Kid Flash asked.
Superboy squinted his eyes trying to unleash his laser beams, "Huh," he said after nothing happened, "I don't seem to have heat vision, so I suppose helping is my only option," the clone grinned at Kid Flash.
After Superboy finished there was a hiss as the restraints that held Robin gave way and the door to his pod opened and he dropped down, followed by Red Robin seconds later, "Are you kidding me? You won again?" pouted Red Robin, "I even got a head start," he continued, receiving a smirk from Robin.
"You alright?" Robin asked, rubbing his writs.
"For now," Red Robin answered, bending down to rub his ankles, "If the bad guys don't kill us, Batman is for sure going to kill us," he started.
"Seriously? That's what you're worried about?" Kid Flash asked incredulously, "The whole League is gonna have our heads after tonight!" he yelled.
Red Robin made his way over to the control panel and pressed a button releasing the doors on the pods with the other heroes inside, "You want to grab Kid Doofus?" he asked his partner, who nodded and went to get KF out of his pod, "Superboy," Red Robin called out, getting the clone's attention, "You want to…" he trailed off as Superboy crossed his arms and gave a very stern glare to the gadget hero, "Orrrr not," he quickly added, putting his hands up, "I'll grab Aqualad."
Red Robin fiddled with the locks on Aqualad for a few seconds before he heard the click he was waiting for. Aqualad slumped down and Red Robin braced to catch him, but Superboy stepped in and caught the Atlantean, bringing him down to the ground, "Thank you," he said looking at Superboy, "Both of you," he finished giving Red Robin a nod of appreciation. The five heroes then took off for the door, starting their escape.
"You'll never get out of here!" the head evil scientist shouted at the in progress of escaping teens, "I'll have you back in pods before morning!"
"Man, Lab Coat doesn't get it does he?" Red Robin muttered stopping and spinning around, as did Kid Flash.
"That guy is not whelmed, not whelmed at all," muttered the Boy Wonder who also stopped and turned around.
Both Batman protégés whipped out two birdarangs and threw them at the pods they were trapped in seconds ago. All four successfully found their marks. With a clang, the birdarangs embedded themselves into the glass, spherical tanks that housed their blood mixed with the clear liquid. The birdarangs gave out a steady beep that got louder and a few short seconds later the explosion from the birdarangs destroying the pods and any DNA that was obtained.
"What is it with you and this whelmed thing?" asked Kid Flash as they took off again, racing to catch up to Aqualad and Superboy. The only answer he got was Red Robin giving him a shrug.
"We are still forty-two levels below ground," Aqualad called out to the others as he led them around a turn down a long hallway with an elevator at the end, "But if we can make the elevator…" Aqualad was cut off by a bunch of low growls coming from further down the hallway.
Five g-trolls made their presents known and advance towards the heroes. The heroes quickly looked behind for another way, but behind them from red glowing orbs from the walls began to stretch and crack, revealing several g-elves, "There's a lot of ifs" Red Robin commented on their situation. The five turned to see a g-troll with its front legs already raised in the air about to smash the sidekicks.
They all were able to move out of the way in time as its front fists came smashing down on the ground in front of them. Red Robin quickly followed after the others as they leaped and flipped over the mammoths, successfully landing on the other side of them in the clear. Red Robin looked around for their missing friend Superboy only to see him not grasping the plan. Instead of making his way passed the mammoths, he was repeatedly punching one up against the wall, while another laid knocked out on the floor behind him. From the strength Superboy was emitting, the walls began to shake and debris from the ceiling began to fall.
"Superboy!" shouted Aqualad, trying to gain his attention, "The goal is escape, not to bury ourselves here" he informed the teen clone, who know knocked out the mammoth he had up against the wall.
"You want escape?" the raging clone shouted back, picking up a knocked out mammoth and hurling it at the last two knocking them to the ground as well. The group then made it to the elevator doors and Aqualad quickly pried them open, allowing the others access to the destined escape route. Kid Flash was the first to jump into the elevator shaft landing on one of the ledges. He was then quickly followed by Robin and Red Robin who fired their gapping guns and ascended up the sub-levels. Aqualad was given a lift by Superboy.
The heroes began their ascension of the sub-levels, but Superboy caused them to stop and look in his direction with what happened next, "I'm falling" he said, shocked as he started to fall back down.
Eyes widening, Red Robin quickly let loose a birdarang from his utility belt that embedded itself into the metal walls of the elevator shaft, just in reach of Aqualad who was able to grip onto it, stopping their fall.
"Superman can fly," Superboy sadly stated, as the Kid Flash, Robin and Red Robin joined them on a ledge, "why can't I fly?" he solemnly asked. Red Robin frowned. He couldn't think of anything to answer that question. By the math, Superboy was a clone of Superman, so he should have all of Superman's powers, but he didn't. First no heat-vision, now no flight. What's next?
"Don't know," shrugged Kid Flash, "But it does look like to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool," Kid Flash then helped Aqualad and Superboy onto the ledge of SL-15.
"Guys!" Robin shouted getting everyone's attention. Red Robin then heard it and looked up, "This gonna have to be our exit," Robin finished pointing at the express elevator that was coming down the shaft. Working quickly, Superboy kicked the doors to the sub-level open, allowing the others to roll into safety as the express elevator whooshed passed them and continued down. They couldn't stop though, as right in front of them were genomorphs closing in quickly. The heroes took off again going left down a hallway
"Go left!" shouted Superboy at the last second. Red Robin put on the breaks and almost lost his footing as he whipped to his left, "Right!" Superboy called out after they ran a bit more. Kid Flash sped a head followed by Superboy and they were the first to arrive at the dead end Superboy led them too, shortly followed by Robin, Red Robin and Aqualad.
Red Robin looked around and quickly spotted their escape route and nudged his partner, who just stopped beside him to catch his breath, and used his eyes to point out the ventilation shaft.
"I don't understand" Superboy said.
"Don't apologize," Robin exclaimed.
"What?" asked Kid Flash. Red Robin whipped out his grapple gun and launched it at the vent cover. The grapple attached itself and with a yank came right off. Robin then used this time to pull out his holo-computer and brought up a map.
"You want us to fit in that?" Kid Flash asked incredulously.
"You got a better idea?," Red Robin asked, before jumping up and shimmying into the vent, followed quickly by Robin.
Hearing the genomorphs getting closer, Kid Flash decided what to do, "No, not really," he mumbled to himself, answering Red Robin's previous question. Kid Flash and the others who were taller and took up more space shared a look and then followed the two gadget heroes.
The teens crawled forward in the shaft and as he crawled Red Robin glanced back to his partner, "Which way?" he asked stopping when he came to a fork.
"At this rate will never get out," grumbled KF.
"Shh. Listen," Superboy spoke, instantly becoming quite so he can focus. Red Robin gave a questioning look to Robin, who only shook his head since he didn't hear anything, "No flight or heat-vision, but check yes next to superstrength and superhearing," mumbled Red Robin.
"Go left," muttered Robin and the group started off again, "Make a right and then follow that to our exit," Robin finished giving directions to his fellow crime fighter.
Following his partners directions, Red Robin reached their exit. Repositioning himself, he kicked open the vent cover that blocked their exit and then repositioned again and rolled out, dropping down into an empty hallway, followed by the rest of the group. Robin then quickly took the time to type on his holo-computer.
The noise of the claws on the metal vent floor grew quieter and quieter, causing Red Robin to look at his younger friend, who was knelt on the floor typing on his holo-computer. Red Robin smiled, knowing what Robin was doing.
"What?" Kid Flash asked, seeing the smiles coming from the Boy Wonders.
"I hacked the motion sensors," Robin stated.
"Sweet," stated Kid Flash excitedly.
"There is still plenty of room between us and out though," stated Red Robin.
"Yeah, but that means I finally got room to move," exclaimed the teen speedster, lowering his goggles down over his eyes and taking off through a nearby door and up the flights of stairs. The four others followed suit trailing behind the speedster. Aqualad was in front with the Gothamites in the middle, and Superboy brought up the rear. Red Robin and Robin were on their holo-computers as they ran.
"Superboy!" shouted Red Robin as he looked behind him, "There's more coming from behind us" he stated as he and the others continued to run, while Superboy stopped to take care of the trailing genomorphs. Superboy gave a yell and stomped down on the stairway behind them, causing it to break and fall, sending the genomorphs that were climbing it down as well. He then took off to catch up with the others.
The others caught up with Kid Flash, who was on the ground rubbing his head, "We're cut off from the street," Aqualad stated, seeing the metal door that blocked their way. Red Robin ran up and knelt by the door, with Robin standing right next to him. He started to get to work hacking the door.
"Thanks. My head hadn't noticed," Kid Flash sarcastically muttered to the Atlantean.
The alarms rang out loudly as Red Robin tried to concentrate on hacking to open their escape route back up. Aqualad and Superboy attempted to physically pry the thick and heavy metal double doors apart. Red Robin let out a frustrated growl, "I can't hack this fast enough."
Growling was heard now from behind them. Robin spun around and kicked open the side door next to him, "This way!" he shouted as he took off.
The others then sped off after him and came to a crossroads at the end. Red Robin sprinted after his partner, only to catch up and freeze as did the rest of the team. All five quickly took a fighting stance as an army of genomorphs, which ranged from the small g-gnomes like the one that sat on Guardians shoulder to the mammoth sized g-trolls. In the center of the genomorphs that stood in front of the heroes was Guardian, who seemed to be in control. The heroes pulled out their weapons and took a fighting stance. Instead of a physical attack they thought was coming, all the horns of the g-gnomes glowed red and a mental attack hit the heroes who were unprepared for that and they all dropped to the floor as darkness took over.
The mental force that knocked the heroes out lifted, allowing them to come to. Red Robin groaned, as did the others. As they slowly stood up, Guardian groaned and rubbed his head, taking in his surroundings.
"I…Choose…Freedom" Superboy spoke, emphasizing each word as he did so.
"Feels like…fog lifting" Guardian spoke, rubbing his head still.
"Guardian?" questioned Aqualad, as he and the others stood back up.
"Go," said hero ordered the teens, "I'll deal with Desmond."
"Lab coat?" mumbled Red Robin putting two and two together, getting a nod from Kid Flash.
"I think not," hissed Desmond. The genomorphs that were behind the newly wakened Guardian parted and behind them stood Desmond holding a bright blue glowing vial, "Project Blockbuster," he started, popping the lid off the vial, "will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus," he coldly stated before downing the contents inside the vial. Groaning was heard as Desmond's body convulsed in front of them. Desmond fell down on his hands and knees as the effects of the vial really began to take control of his body. His shirt and lab coat were torn apart as his muscle mass increased dramatically, and his groaning now turned to more of a growl. Red Robin went wide eyed, as did his friends at what was unfolding in front of them. His eyes then snapped open revealing his new red and black eyes, but the most disturbing thing was that his skin started to tear off, revealing an underlying layer of skin that was the same gray as the genomorphs. Now standing before the gathering of heroes and genomorphs was a monster that roared to life.
"Everyone back!" ordered Guardian arms spread out to keep the teen heroes at bay. He then rushed head on against the former scientist.
"Guardian I…" Red Robin spoke, but faded out when Desmond swung, knocking Guardian into one of the metal walls, effectively knocking the daylights out of him.
Superboy then rushed forward, throwing a punch at the monster, which was already more effective then what Guardian had done. However, Blockbuster threw is own punch at the teen and soon both were exchanging blows on each other. Blockbuster landed a solid punch on Superboy, making him skid across the floor, but Superboy would not be bested by his former enslaver. He jumped into the air, ready to deliver the big blow, when Blockbuster also lunged forward, grabbing Superboy. Blockbuster's momentum carried him up to and through the ceiling, leaving a gaping hole were the duo crashed through.
"Ok. That's one way to bust through the ceiling," commented the Boy Wonder as he and the other three rushed forward to look up through the hole. Robin and Red Robin each pulled out their grappling guns once again.
"You think Lab Coat planned that?" Kid Flash asked as he and Robin shot up to the next floor, followed by Red Robin and Aqualad, "I don't think he's planning anything anymore," responded Aqualad.
The four landed on the ground level floor of Cadmus only to see Superboy be grabbed by the monster and hurled in their direction. Superboy collided with Aqualad, sending both teens flying backwards. The remaining three spun around quickly and raced over to their comrades, who were on the ground. Helping them up, the five regrouped and charged the already charging Blockbuster.
Kid Flash easily sped ahead of the rest and slid under Blockbuster and popped back up behind the beast. Superboy and Aqualad then leapt together and landed a double punch on Blockbuster who reeled back from the force of the blow. Kid Flash, propped up on his hands and knees, tripped the creature, who then fell completely backwards with a roar.
Kid Flash smirked down at the fallen Blockbuster, "learned that one in kindergarten."
Robin and Red Robin followed up their attack by both leaping over the speedster, hurling birdarangs at Blockbuster, but the beast easily swatted them aside with his arm.
Blockbuster then leapt back up on his feet and grabbed Superboy slamming him into a pillar, causing the pillar to crack and the entire building to shake from the force. Superboy retaliated back with a quick one, two to the creature, but Blockbuster just reared back a fist and let an incredible punch that caved the pillar in more. Blockbuster went for the finish, but Aqualad came barreling in from out of the creature's sight and slammed into Blockbuster knocking him back into another of the building's pillars, cracking that one as well.
Kid Flash then sped towards Blockbuster, only to be grabbed by the arm by the creature, who then saw Aqualad charging at him again. Blockbuster, thinking quickly hurled the speedster in his grip at the charging Atlantean. Kid Flash collided with Aqualad, and the two skidded across the floor. Blockbuster then turned his sights on the two nonpowered heroes.
"Uh oh" muttered Red Robin as Blockbuster charged forward. The two dove to the sides to avoid the rampaging beast, but Red Robin was grabbed by the cape, causing his breathing to be restricted slightly, "Oh no you don't," he strained out. He rotated his body around to face Blockbuster and using a birdarang cut his cape near the creature's hand and dropped back down to the floor. Crouched down he then threw a smoke bomb at the creature and made his escape as Blockbuster roared from within the smoke.
When the smoke cleared, Blockbuster was met by Superboy and Aqualad, who again struck the monster with a coordinated strike, sending the monster staggering back into another pillar causing the building to shake entirely again. Red Robin and Robin shared a look, "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Red Robin asked his partner, who whipped out his holo-computer and pulled up the building blueprints.
"KF, get over here!" Robin shouted.
"We're gonna bring the whole place down," Red Robin told the speedster who was immediately right beside them. Robin gestured to a spot on his map where a pillar had gone red and the map showed 'Damage, Structural Compromise'.
"Got it?" Robin asked.
"Got it" Kid Flash repeated and took off to get Blockbuster's attention.
"Set the charges, I'll inform Superboy and Aqualad" Robin stated, getting a nod from Red Robin, who set to work making sure each pillar received a birdarang set to explode when Robin told him to. He saw Robin relay the plan to Superboy and Aqualad, who then helped Kid Flash with bringing down pillars. Robin then set to work on drawing a giant white X on the floor where Blockbuster was supposed to be positioned. Aqualad then dispersed water overtop the white X and Kid Flash put on the breaks as he ran overtop the water, spreading it out.
Blockbuster came barreling towards the speedster only for Superboy to land a punch on the face of Blockbuster, knocking the muscular monster onto the ground. Growing Blockbuster went to stand, but before he could, Aqualad placed his hands on the water and sent out electricity, shocking the creature, "NOW!" Robin yelled to Red Robin who hit a button on his wrist, activating the birdarangs, "MOVE!" he shouted as the birdarangs began to beep.
The teens began to run away from the area Blockbuster was in to a safer spot, if there was a really safer spot in a crumbling building. Red Robin heard his birdarangs go off, and that's when the two more durable teens, Aqualad and Superboy dove on top of Kid Flash, Robin and Red Robin, shielding them from most of the blast and falling rubble.
Blackness took up all of Red Robin's vision as he finally opened his eyes after everything died down and the more durable teen that grabbed him shifted the rubble away so that he could move. Superboy became visible before he shifted his sight to the sky and full moon. Breathing heavily, Red Robin, laying on his back was enjoying the mission, or more like 'the debacle' was finally over. He just now noticed that he and his allies were all covered in small cuts and scrapes thanks to 'the debacle'. He looked to his left and saw Robin and Kid Flash, "We… did it" Aqualad breathed heavily.
"Was there… ever any doubt?" Robin asked also breathing heavily as well, he then high fived Kid Flash and both winced at the pain they received.
"Yes" Red Robin answered his partner, Red Robin had his doubt, but they did it, without their mentors, without the entire league. They prevailed, but speaking of the League, they were gonna regret that conversation later. Slowly getting up, he made his way over to Superboy, who was looking down at the trapped Desmond, "See the moon," he spoke pointing at it and quickly lowering his arm afterwards, hearing a pop and wincing as he lowered it.
Superboy snapped out of his inner thoughts and turned around and looked up at the full moon, seeing it for the first time in his life. Then a small black speck appeared in the center of the moon and got closer, revealing what the speck was.
"And Superman," Kid Flash spoke, "Do we keep our promises or what?" the speedster chirped, smiling. Behind Superman, who was now landing, was followed by the other members of The League; Martian Manhunter, Zatara, Shazam and Red Tornado who all made their landing in the rubble in front of them. Captain Atom, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern Hal Jordan descended down as well. Landing down in the rubble with Superman, was Green Lantern John Stewart, carrying with him, Black Canary, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Batman. Flash then zoomed in as well.
Batman stepped up to Superman. Superboy strode forward to his icon, and Superman's eyes narrowed at the approaching boy, noting the similarities between the two. Superboy's solar suit was ripped in the front and the fabric that was ripped covered the S shield from view. Superboy pulled back the ripped fabric, revealing the S shield to Superman, who's face morphed to a shocked expression. Superboy's face was hopeful, but Superman's shocked face changed back into his steely appearance as he straightened his shoulders, rejecting the clone. Red Robin then noted the mixed expression of sorrow then anger on Superboy.
"Is that what I think it is?" Batman asked the group of sidekicks, looking at Superboy.
Kid Flash then walked up next to Superboy, "He doesn't like being called an it" warned the speedster from the corner of his mouth.
"I'm Superman's clone," snapped Superboy. Red Robin saw the shock appear on the rest of the league members.
Batman then narrowed his eyes at the sidekicks, who were the only ones not showing shock from Superboy's outburst, for obvious reasons, "Start talking," he ordered.
After the sidekicks finished their explanation of events, Captain Atom, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and both Green Lantern's Hal Jordan and John Stewart carried what the sidekicks called Blockbuster away. The rest of the league that remained behind broke off to talk about current events in huddles. Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Superman were in their own huddle. The green Martian noticed Superboy's attention on them and placed a hand on Superman's shoulder, nodding in the clone's direction. Superman sighed and made his way over to the huddle of teens, who stood in their own huddle exhausted and fatigued.
Superman stopped when he made his way to the group and stopped in front of Superboy awkwardly sighing as he did so, "Well, uh... We'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean," he quickly added, clarifying what he said earlier, "For now…" he paused looking away for a second before looking back at the clone of himself, "I'd better make sure they get that Blockbuster creature squared away," Superman barely got the last word out before he kicked up from the ground and headed off in the same direction as the heroes that carried Blockbuster away.
"Cadmus will be investigated," announced the Caped Crusader. Red Robin turned to face his mentor, along with the others. They watched Aquaman and Flash also approached from behind Batman, "All fifty-two levels, but lets get one thing clear," Batman continued but was interrupted.
"You should have called," interjected Flash, getting the signature batglare from Batman, who usually saved that for when his protégés disobeyed, "End results aside, we are not happy. You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again," Batman scolded.
The heroes let silence take over and then looked at each other. Robin and Red Robin stepped forward beside Aqualad, Superboy and Kid Flash. "I am sorry, but we will" Aqualad said, standing straighter and standing his ground, as did the others. Today was the day, the day the sidekicks stood against their mentors.
"Aqualad," Aquaman spoke, stepping forward, "Stand down" he ordered.
"Apologies my king," Aqualad bowed slightly, "but no. We did good work here tonight; the work you trained us to do. Together on our own, he forged something powerful, important"
Red Robin couldn't help but feel his confidence rise when Aqualad gave his speech to The League.
"If this is about your treatment at The Hall," Flash stepped up, taking his turn to jab at the youngsters, "The four of you-"
"The five of us," Kid Flash corrected him, "and it's not" giving his mentor a slight glare.
"Batman," Robin started, slight pleading was heard in his voice, "We're ready to use what you taught us. Or why teach us at all?"
"Batman," Red Robin spoke, gaining the attention of his mentor's glare, which was slightly intimidating, "You know we're ready. You said so yourself, or you wouldn't have let us become part of the league in the first place."
"Why let them tell us what to do?" questioned the clone, stepping forward, standing with his friends, "It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way."
The heroes defyingly stood their ground, looking at their mentors with shoulders high. Batman narrowed his eyes at them, glancing at them all, "Three days," he spoke sternly, "We'll have something ready for you" earning a nod from the protégés. Batman then spoke again, "Robin, Red Robin," he barked, snapping his two to attention, he then walked away from the league. Getting the hint, Robin and Red Robin said their goodbyes to their friends and took off after their mentor. Just then the Batplane stopped overhead and a compartment underneath the plane opened up allowing Batman and his students to jump up and into the plane and then it took off in the direction of Gotham City.
Batman took his seat in the front, while his protégés took their respective seats behind him. The ride back to Gotham was quite and uneventful. Batman obviously was fine with letting the silence continue, while Red Robin was too afraid to really say anything, fearing the wrath of Batman once he would start to say anything.
Once back in the Batcave, the team of Gotham protectors exited the Batplane and Batman led them over by the Batcomputer and training area, "I agreed to help your team, but you two are still in trouble," Batman spoke with his infamous low voice.
"Bruce," Red Robin, "You're not my parents, you can't punish me," Red Robin tried to poorly weasel out of whatever Bruce was planning, but it obviously didn't work as Batman's stance and facial expression didn't change at all.
"Really?" Batman asked, this time a small smirk made it's way slyly on his face, and Red Robin knew he was in for it, "Alfred told me Barbara stopped by the manor earlier, something about you two had to make something up to her, but when Alfred said neither of you were here, she stormed out and said she was heading to your place Nathan,"
Nathan deadpanned and wore a worried look. Dick however laughed at him, "Hey she's after you too doofus," he muttered, getting Dick to stop.
"Now the two of you will run through some new simulations I programmed into the training robots. And you're not done till I'm satisfied with your performance," he said. His smirk grew a little when he heard moans and groans from his students.
"Ugh," groaned Nathan, "My legs already feel like jelly" he stated, shaking his left leg.
"Sounds like you're asking for the extra training," Batman retorted, the almost not noticeable smirk still present on his face.
Batman aloud them to get ready, taking care of injuries that they sustained from their night activity in DC and to make sure they weren't too badly hurt. Sure Batman wanted the best from his students, but he didn't want to push them if they couldn't take it. Getting the ok from the Bat Family doctor, Alfred, the training began and it went on for hours.
The two Bat sidekicks went on for hours throwing everything they had at the training robots. The robots were made by Bruce and Alfred. Certain parts of the robot's body glowed a white light that when struck with enough force went out, either shutting down the entire robot, or just a certain body part, if it was struck in the arm or leg several times. If not completely shut down, the robots still attempted to go after the sidekicks. Eventually when their utility belts were running on almost empty and Batman was finally satisfied, the training stopped and Batman allowed his students to finally hit the showers and sleep.
WAYNE MANOR
July 6, 12:30 EDT
Siting on one of the couches at the manor was Nathan and Dick and in front of them was a pacing Barbara Gordon, who had her hands on the side of her face that wore a frustrated expression, "I can't believe you two," she stated putting her hands on her hips, "First you ditch me at the café then lied to me about why you two had to leave. I came here and Alfred had no idea about a cook out," she then stopped pacing and looked both teens in the eyes, "Why did you really have to leave?" she asked. Silence filled the room as the two boys just shared a look with one another then focused their attention on Barbara, which didn't help Barbara's rant, "So you're not even going to tell me why you both left or lied to me?" she asked again, anger apparent in her voice. Nathan raised a hand pointing with his index finger as he opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, Barbara whipped around back facing them, "You know what? I don't want to know," she spoke, "You two owe me big time now," she said, pointing a finger at them both.
"We know Barbara," Dick said sorrowfully.
"We know we hurt you and we'll start to make it up to by taking you to lunch," Nathan stated, "We'll even buy," he added.
Barbara glared even more at them. Nathan swore that her glare she was giving now rivaled Batman's when he was mad at them for whatever reason. "It's a start," Barbara said, before smiling, "Shall we?" she asked gesturing towards the doorway. Nathan and Dick got up and both noticed the smile Barbara had was slightly evil looking. She knew she had them wrapped around her finger for a few weeks at least.
GOTHAM CITY
JULY 7, 21:45 EDT
Nathan after completing his last training assignment from Bruce had texted Barbara about hanging out and going for dinner at the café they always went to. She agreed and after a relatively quiet dinner, Nathan was walking her home and like the dinner, the walk back to Barbara's was so far quiet.
"Barbara," Nathan said trying to get her attention. She allowed him to walk beside her, but she was still holding her grudge against the two boys, and she liked seeing how her being angry at them made them clamor to get her to like them again. In truth she had already forgiven them, but she felt like playing with them for a few extra days to make up for all the jokes and pranks they pulled on her through the years of their friendship.
Currently, Barbara had her arms crossed over her chest as she and Nathan continued to walk. "Hm?" was all she said to show Nathan that he had her attention, but still did not look at him.
"I know you have a right to be mad at us," Nathan stated, jumping in front of her and walking backwards so that he could make eye contact with her. All he got was a glare, the same glare she gave them a day ago when she yelled at them in the manor, "and what we did was wrong. I just wanted to say," but he didn't get to finish because he stepped off the edge of the sidewalk they were on and lost his balance and fell into a puddle of water on the street. He wiped his eyes and looked at Barbara who now had a hand over her mouth that was muffling her laugh.
"Guess I deserved that," Nathan spoke, wiping his face with his damp sleeve of his shirt, "Glad I can still make you laugh even when your mad at me," he said, giving her a small smile. Barbara stopped laughing and grabbed his hand and helped pull him up.
After he was up, she helped to clean up his hands and face before giving him a playful punch in the arm, "I'm not mad at you," she said wiping some dirt from his cheek, giving him a small smile, "I understand you guys don't have to tell me everything, I was just angry and frustrated and I finally exploded yesterday. On the bright side, I have already forgiven both of you," she continued, taking a step back to make sure that all the dirt was off his face, or at least most of it.
"That's a relief," sighed Nathan, glad that Barbara was no longer mad at them. She never really held grudges on anyone, but Nathan swore she was going to this time because she was really mad at them, even when they took her out for lunch yesterday and for basically the rest of the day.
Barbara then put a hand on his other cheek and began to wipe some dirt off of that one too, "I just wanted to get back at you two for all the jokes you pulled on me since we became friends," she said chuckling again at the appearance of Nathan in front of her, after removing her hand from Nathan's cheek and looking at him again. Nathan wouldn't admit it out loud, or at least not yet, that he liked Barbara's touch, even if she was just taking dirt off his face, but he felt it best to keep these feelings inside for now and bury them.
Nathan looked at her dumbfounded, but a smile grew on his face, "You" he said, shaking his head at her, "Well played" he said, running a hand back and forth through his hair to get any pebbles or dirt out of it, "Well we should probably get you back before your dad puts an APB out on us" he joked, only getting a shake of the head from Barbara, before they continued to her house.
HAPPY HARBOR
July 8, 08:04 EDT
Mount Justice is a hollowed-out mountain that sits near the city of Happy Harbor, Rhode Island and is a secret base of the Justice League. The cave was in the process of being fitted with the new technology that The League had in their new headquarters, The Watchtower.
Robin and Red Robin both had civilian clothes on and walked beside their mentor, Batman, who wore his vigilante attire like the rest of the Justice League. The duo was getting use to their new gig. Red Robin, or Nathan rather, adjusted his black pair of sunglasses that he wore, as the trio of Gotham heroes made their way into the main room where the rest of the teens were, along with their mentors a few other Leaguers stood waiting.
Once everyone was there and ready, Batman began his speech, "This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. 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," spoke the Cape Crusader, "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions," he finished.
"Real missions?" asked Robin.
"Yes, but covert," answered his mentor.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chests," spoke the scarlet speedster.
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly," chimed in Aquaman.
"The six of you will be that team," Batman spoke, continuing where Aquaman left off.
"Cool," exclaimed Robin excitedly, then his faced changed to one of confusion, "Wait six?" he asked. Red Robin noticed Batman shift his gaze to something behind them and he, along with his teammates, turned to see what it was. Walking towards Red Robin and the team was Martian Manhunter and a teenaged Martian girl.
"This is Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian," explained Batman, as the two Martians made their way towards the group.
"Hi" she nervously waved at the group of heroes.
Kid Flash then leaned down towards Robin and spoke quietly, but Red Robin standing beside Robin picked up on the speedster's whispered words, "Likin' this gig more every minute," he quietly whispered. Robin just kept his smirk and Red Robin rolled his eyes, but KF couldn't see because of the glasses Red Robin wore.
"Welcome aboard," exclaimed Kid Flash, walking towards the female Martian greeting her, "I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Red Robin and that's Aqualad. It's cool if you forget their names," he added at the end. The others approached and Kid Flash received an elbow in the arm lightly from Red Robin, but Superboy hung back.
"I'm honored to be included," she said and the four teens gathered around Miss Martian.
"Hey Superboy! Come meet Miss M!" Robin called out.
Superboy then stepped forward as well and Miss Martians costume changed to match Superboy's shirt, "I like your t-shirt," she said still shyly to the clone.
Robin, Kid Flash, and Red Robin stood beside Superboy and Aqualad finally voiced what was on everybody else's mind, "Today's the day" he spoke.
Hey guys, hope the chapter was enjoyable. I just wanted to say again that it was put to my attention that my story mirrored another story too much so I went back through and changed some things around. Before I say what I would like to thank the guest who brought it to my attention. It was never my intent to copy another story. I went back through and changed some of the dialogue, but most is straight from the episode or just Robin's lines divided up between him and the OC just to show that the two of them have a lot more chemistry between them then they do with any other member of the team. I also changed the Batman scolding his sidekicks scene after the end of the Fireworks episode part of the chapter.
Just one more thing. The story that originally gave me the idea for Batman scolding his sidekicks for what they did in DC was initially inspired by SnowWolf22's story Strike and after reading what I put the first time I would have sent myself the same review. So I went back to the drawing board some and changed it some more. But I wanted to give a proper shout out and also give proper credit to the original author that inspired the idea to add a scene like that. Also to put this discalimer about how certain scenes were inspired by that legendary fanfic story.
Please review and let me know what you guys think. I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story even if some of you didn't like that fact that I'm creating my own spin of the Red Robin persona with my own OC. I have no intent to create a knock off Tim Drake, I just wanted to use the hero name because Red Robin is my favorite Batman character. How my OC interacts wouldn't have changed even if I had went the route of making my own hero name. I'm not trying to sound rude or anything just explaining the initial idea behind the story.
Hope you guys continue to enjoy and please leave reviews or PM if you guys have any story arc ideas