Chapter 13: Hard Time

Belle Reve Parish

21:55 September 16

Louisiana

Superboy glared at the space ahead inside the truck. It took a whole day for trial and sentencing to happen. They were guilty; why did it take them so long? He looked at M'gann, or rather his 'sister' Tuppence. She looked back and smiled slightly, then her eyes shifted to his right, and she visibly cringed. "Dude, duude!" The whispers of one Cameron Mahkent, Icicle Jr, made Superboy groan internally. Too bad he wasn't as quiet as their other illustrious passenger. Superboy looked out the corner of his eye to Victor Fries, who paid them no mind busying himself with a book. How come he gets to bring a book?

"dude, your sister is swwweeet!" Jr leaned over to M'gann, wiggling his eyebrows.

A rifle butt to his chest interrupted any further conversation. "Sit down, Jr, we're here; welcome to your new home, convicts." The guard chuckled, walking past them to the doors. Their ride pulled into Bel Rev under heavy escort. Superboy looked behind M'gann with his enhanced vision and looked at the prison grounds. Guard towers with automated defense, electrified fences, snipers, and he swears he saw a tank parked in a garage. Superboy closed his eyes, and the truck pulled into the prisoner offload. The doors opened, and the guard jumped down, rifle in hand. "Out you go, convicts!" The guard barked at them, and the four of them hopped off.

"Welcome to Belle Reve cons," a black woman with a resounding voice called out to them from a mezzanine above the convicts. She stood with a man at her side, looking down on them. Her eyes were dark brown with a will of iron behind them. "I am the law of last resort. I am Amanda Waller; I am not your mother, your maiden aunt, or your friend. I am your Warden, and you are MY prisoners." Waller glared down at them and raised her hand, brandishing a small remote. "The proprietary collars you're wearing are designed to inhibit each of your meta abilities. No strength, no ice; in addition, the collars can and are used to maintain discipline."

Amanda pushed the button on the remote, sending a shock of electricity through the convict's collars. They braced for the short shock that stung something fierce. "The first shock is used to regain order; if it has not been regained, the second shock will render you unconscious." Amanda lowered her hand, showing the convicts her button just barely pressing down on the collars. They all felt a mild buzz as a warning. "At the slightest hint of trouble, this entire facility goes on lockdown; these walls are thick enough to hold Superman." Amanda's lips quirked up ever so slightly. "Trust me, we tested them," she stored the remote in her jacket. "No one's escaped Belle Reve, and nobody ever will." Amanda glared down once more.

"Ahem," the man next to her coughed for attention.

"Oh," Amanda stepped back and gestured to him. "This is Doctor Hugo Strange, and he IS your maiden aunt."

"Actually, I am the prison psychologist, and I promise a sincere effort to rehabilitate each of you." The doctor smiled, but it gave Superboy a weird feeling. It looked almost plastic and not quite right. Still, maybe he was just reading too much into it. After all, he wasn't a fan of anyone trying to mess with his head.

"Yes, because we all know you types are all about sincerity," Waller smirked derisively down at them.

"Move it, convicts!" the guard shoved them forward, leading them inside the prison. About halfway through the first three cell blocks, M'gann was separated into the women's section of the prison. Freeze was separated and led further; Superboy and Jr were taken to Block 4. "Home sweet home, cons," the guard escorting them shoved them into their cell. The door slid close behind them.

"I call top bunk!" Jr grinned and jumped up on the bunk bed.

Superboy?

Superboy blinked, surprised; M'gann? I thought the collars…

Meant to inhibit the terror twins' super strength, which-

Which isn't as strong as Superman, I know. Superboy sat down on the bottom bunk.

What? No, that's not what I-

Whatever, I'm going to sleep. Superboy laid down and made a show, putting up a mental wall. Which was simply metaphorical, and M'gann knew how to respect it.

M'gann sighed and laid back on her bunk, placing her arm across her eyes.

"Oooh, new roommate!"

A familiar voice made M'gann lift her head to see a blonde woman swing her head over the top bunk. "Name's Harley; how's it hanging, sugah?"

M'gann opened her mouth to reply but was instantly cut off by Harley. "Oh, this is my first sleepover! Let's talk about boys now. I don't mean to brag, but Mistah J is a hottie!"

"I," M'gann tried raising herself up with her elbows.

"Nuh-uh, sorry sugah, I ain't sharing! But maybe you can get with another guy. Do you like lanky guys? Cuz I hear Copperhead is pretty lanky and flexible!" Harley wiggled her eyebrows.

"I don't." M'gann shook her head.

"Nah, you're right, he's creepy, but hey, look at the time! I need to get my beauty sleep, nighty-night, new best friend!" with that, Harley's head disappeared from view.

She's worse than Wally; M'gann sighed and flopped onto her bunk to try and sleep.


Belle Reve Prison

05:26 September 17

Louisiana

Neither of the two teens had a decent night's sleep, having grown accustomed to sleeping in the cave. But both woke up for morning call, and after a pat down and being scanned, they were released into the yard. Like the rest of the prison, it was divided between women and men. But Superboy and Miss M were able to see each other briefly walking out onto the yard. "Stick with me amigo!" Jr walked up to Superboy, putting an arm around his shoulder. "I'll show you the ropes," Jr bragged with a smirk.

Superboy shrugged Jr off, "Who you kidding? You ain't never been in Belle Reve before; you're liable to get me hanged with them ropes." Superboy rolled his eyes, pocketing his hands.

"I may have never been incarcerated here before, Tommy, but I know of which I speak," Jr stopped before Superboy and grabbed his shoulders, turning him towards the bleachers in the yard. "For starters, we pay homage to the top of the food chain. The big Capo, my father Icicle Senior." Icicle Senior was with Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold Blockbuster, and Mammoth former Kobra enforcer.

"That's your fa- I mean, that's your Pa?" Supberoy made a mental note; it was a good lead to follow up on.

"Yeah," Jr sighed, not all that pleased with the fact. "Sucks when your dad is THE man, you know?"

Superboy thought of his battle with Amazo, his loss of control in Qurac, and barely being able to help Tom stop that tram. "Believe me, I know," Superboy clenched his fits.

Superboy looked up to see a lanky guy walking up to Icicle's party. "Hey, how many ice villains does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"

"Nobody cares, Nygma," Iicile glared at the Riddler.

"Of course not, bossman," Riddler smiled nervously as the Mammoth and Blockbuster turned to him. "I just thought, if you were having a pow-wow, you might need my know-how." Riddler tapped his head with his finger and winked. Mammoth and Blockbuster answered for Icicle by crowding Riddler and staring the smaller man down. Riddler got the hint and quickly beat foot in the opposite direction.

"Get a load of Riddler, trying to hang with the big boys." The hulking Brick, a villain from Star City, mocked the Riddler as he walked by. "Riddle me this doofus, who's the biggest joke in Beller Reve? Oh, and it ain't the Joker." Brick laughed while Riddler fumed. Superboy looked back to the villain group. He narrowed his eyes when he noticed Killer Frost approaching the glass where the bleachers were. She and Iicicle started talking, with Blockbuster and Mammoth moving in to cover them from prying ears. Superboy smirked; it wouldn't be a problem for him; he focused his hearing on Iicile.

"Okay," Jr's voice drowned out Icicle before Superboy could focus. The Teen hero suppressed an annoyed growl. "Here I go," Jr started to walk towards his father. Superboy felt a tingle in the back of his neck. He stepped aside, lowering his stance, and caught a blur tackling Jr to the floor. Whoa, I'm not used to someone not attacking when I feel killing intent.

"I warned you what would happen when I saw you again, Jr," Professor Ojo forced Jr on his back and drew back a fist.

I remember that guy from the nanite swarm. Superboy moved in to aid Jr.

"Ojo, buddy, amigo," Jr grinned weakly, trying to placate his attacker.

"Hey, get off him!" Superboy, despite lacking his super strength, picked up Ojo without issue. Then, he decked him across the face! Ojo fell at Brick's feet, and the muscle-bound villain glared at Superboy, "that wasn't wise, Tommy." Across, M'gann put her hands to the glass, worry turning her stomach to knots.

"Oooh, your brother's about to get the tar beaten out of him." Harley whistled next to her. "Oh, let's cheer for him!" Harley cupped her hands around her mouth, "Tommy, grab his you know what and twist it!"

"His what?" M'gann balked at Harley before shaking her head and regaining her composure. She watched, ready to intervene with her powers if needed.

Brick and two other villains surrounded Superboy after he helped Jr up. One shoved Jr away while another circled behind Superboy. Superboy turned and raised his fists into a fighting stance. Brick rushed up behind Superboy, sneaking his arms under Superboy's and locking his hands at the nape of Supebroy's neck. "come, Ojo," Brick jerked the two towards the recovering villain. "Free shot," Brick smirked, tightening his grip on Superboy.

Above them, Wilcox, the head guard on duty, leaned on the railing. His fellow guard drew the remote, ready to stop the fight. "Nah-uh, new fish needs to learn," Wilcox smirked.

Ojo rubbed his jaw and smirked, approaching Superboy. Getting a good look at him, vague recognition started to creep into his mind. "Wait…I know you from somewhere."

Crap, better shut him up! Superboy reached up and grabbed Brick from behind his head. He lowered his stance, driving his hips against Brick's pelvis, shifting his center of gravity, and flipped the massive man over him into Ojo!

"Gwah!" Ojo went down like a sack of potatoes! Brick's mass rang his bell even with his helmet.

"Not wise at all," Brick growled, untangling himself from Ojo and raising to a knee.

Ojo pushed himself up on his elbow and rubbed his head. "Don't you get it, hes-!"

Tommy Terror! M'gann sent the mental suggestion, replacing Ojo's last thought.

"Tommy terror," Ojo groaned out, suddenly feeling a headache coming on.

"He's dead!" Brick stood, and his goons restrained Superboy.

"Enough!" A voice cut through the fight, and the gathered convicts betting on the winner. Everyone turned to Icicle Senior standing on the bleachers looking at Superboy, impressed. "Kid's got guts, the kind of guts a father wouldn't mind seeing in his own son." Icicle looked at Jr with contempt in his eyes. One of Brick's goons shoved Jr next to Superboy.

"Nice to see you too, Dad," Jr said with downcast eyes, rubbing his shoulder.

"Get over here," Icicle replied, annoyed, sitting back down. Jr and Superboy started to walk towards Iicicle. "Not you, Terror," Iicicle barked out. Brick shoved his arm, forcing Superboy back. Superboy glowered at Brick and walked off, pocketing his hands. He glanced back at the meeting, focusing his hearing on it.

"Alright, we're all here, Icicle; now what?" Mr. Freeze

"Now we put the final pieces in place to bust out every con out of Belle Reve," Iicicle replied with evident pleasure.

M'gann, it's Icicle and the ice villains; they're planning a break. Superboy took a sit on a bench by the basketball court.


Understood; I'll work on Killer Frost on my end, try to get involved, and get more info. M'gann sighed, watched Killer Frost leave the meeting, and sat on another set of bleachers with Devastation, a rouge from Wonder Woman's gallery.

"Oh, wanna join the cool club too, huh?" Harley popped seemingly out of nowhere next to M'gann.

"Ah!" M'gann actually jumped, surprised. "Harley, I don't have time right now, I need to talk to Frost."

"Oh, that chick?" Harley crossed her arms behind her head. "Yeah, she's nuts, and that's something coming from me!" Harley paused to laugh at herself. "But, if you wanna join the cool girlz club, I can help you."

"How?" M'gann asked wearily about the clearly unstable criminal.

"Oh, it's easy; crazy chicks like it when you do crazy things!" Harley grabbed M'gann's arm; "come on, let's go!"

"Wait, Harley!" M'gann protested, but before long, they were before Frost and Devastation.

"Hey, Frosty!" Harley waved at Frost, sitting with one leg crossed and examining her nails.

"Ugh, you, what do you two want?" Frost didn't bother to look up, and Devastation stood between her and the couple. She was a hulking woman of pure muscle, even with inhibited powers.

"We wanna join the club," Harley peeked over Devestation's side.

"Go away, Harley, before I have Devastation, snap your neck…or don't; that could be fun to watch," Frost smirked savagely. "Oh, you got Tuppance with you, huh? Your brother is crazy…he single?" Frost's smirk grew, "If he isn't, she won't be a problem."

"Aw, come on, Frosty, remember the good ol' days in Arkham?" Harley gave Frost googly eyes, "pretty please?"

"No," Frost growled; her patience was running extremely thin.

"Harley, maybe we should go," M'gann couldn't afford a fight right now.

"Oh, I know how about a magic trick, let's see!" Harley looked around at the guards and the automated turret sitting pretty in the corner. The turret was pointed at them, and then it started swinging away just as the guards moved to their next station, looking ahead instead of down.

"Alakazam!" Harley clapped her hands on Devestation's temples! Then, she chopped her neck with her hand, catching the yell in the throat. Then threw a close Mui Tai elbow to her liver, doubling her over. Harley flipped, wrapped her legs around Devestation's neck, and used gravity and her strength to flip her, landing head-first against the bleacher and knocking her out! The turret swiveled back, and the guards stopped to look at the cons. Looking down, they saw Harley sitting with Devestation's head on Harley's lap while she stroked her head.

The guards looked at them for a little longer before looking elsewhere. Harley grinned at Frost, "Ta-da!" she spread her arms out, doing jazz hands.

Frost whistled, impressed, "mmm, that was a good trick," Frost smirked. "Tell you what you and Tuppence be ready; I think we're due for some cold weather soon…very soon."

"Bye, frosty," Harlye waved as Frost walked off, and she threw a lazy wave back over her shoulder.

"See, told you," Harlye drummed her fingers on Devestations head like a coffee table.

"Thanks, but we better go before Devastation wakes up," M'gann said, flinching when Harley got up and letting Devestations head drop onto the bleacher. The villain groaned but didn't wake up, and the two left.


Later that day, Superboy and Jr were in their cell. Jr was surprisingly quiet, but Superboy guessed it was because of his meeting with his old man. He looked at his hand, closing it into a fist. I'm not as strong as you. Superboy pursed his lips; how am I supposed to be like you if I can't even! His train of thought got derailed when his cell door's delivery slot screeched open. Two new inmate suits plopped through. Superboy shook his head and picked them up. He threw one at Jr, who sat up and smirked. "May wanna put those new threads on sooner rather than later, Tommy boy," Jr carelessly tossed his suit aside.

Breaks coming sooner rather than later. Superboy started undressing.

Roger that, I got something similar from Killer Frost. I'll update the team. M'gann finished donning the new threads. Behind her, Harley swung her legs, pulling on the suit. Aqualad, the break is happening very soon.

Good, it's time to pull you out, I'll contact the League. Aqualad and Alpha were in the Bioship, waiting as a backup outside the prison.

Wait, we should postpone; otherwise, Senior will just delay it until later. M'gann sat on her bed while Harlye hummed a song.

Aqualad sighed mentally, agreed, and turned to the team. "We remain on alert."

"We really drew the short straw on this one," Artemis sighed, leaning back in her seat.

"You guys wouldn't last in a Batman steak out," Robin cackled while he busied himself with a handheld gaming device.

The evening was rolling around, and Tuppence and Tammy were scheduled for therapy with Doctor Strange. Strange sat before them with a guard in the corner, remote in hand. "Now, here's my concern, your antisocial tendencies are a roadblock to rehabilitation. Which is often related to trouble with the mother figure." Strange clasped his hands together and leaned forward, "hmm?" He hummed suggestively at the two teens.

Superboy sighed, bored and annoyed at having to come to this thing. M'gann fiddled with her thumbs in her lap, looking down. She looked at Superboy and decided while in Rome, as humans say. "Actually, it's more of a father situation with Tommy."

Superboy instantly perked up and glared at M'gann; Strange caught it and sat up. "Interesting, elaborate," he grinned.

"Or don't," Superboy glowered at her.

"Healing requires open dialogue, Tommy; go ahead, my dear." Strange smiled at M'gann.

"Well, Tommy, he wants to be like his Pa, our Pa." M'gann looked at Superboy; he averted his gaze and started grinding his teeth. M'gann spared him a glance and said, "Tommy wants to fill Pa's shoes, you know, but Pa, he doesn't see it. Pa's kind of distant; he doesn't mean to be. But he's busy all the time."

"Or maybe there are more important things to do, and it can't be solved in thirty minutes like in Tuppance stupid shows!" Superboy bolted to his feet, glaring at M'gann.

M'gann flinched and looked away to hide her quivering lip. Superboy cringed, and he let out his anger again. He directed it to his friends…worse to M'gann.

"Excellent, I think we've hit a breakthrough!" Strange clapped once, oblivious to the situation.

The session ended after the outburst, as no party wanted to talk anymore. They were taken to their cells, and Superboy went to have dinner.


They were finishing their tasks at the prison's women's side laundromat. "Alright, ladies, time to swap; let those gorillas next door pretend they can clean," Alexis, the head guard for the women's wing, barked. M'gann sighed and finished folding her suit. "Come on, Harley, let's go have dinner." M'gann turned, looking for Harley, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Huh?"

"Today Tuppance!" Alexis yelled, and M'gann shrugged and finished her task faster.

At the mess, Superboy sat down with Jr for their dinner. Superboy listened to Icicle finish punking Nygma. "So how come you ain't sitting with your Pa," Superboy grabbed a fork full of food.

"Because he's a jerk and only wants me around when he needs me." Jr glared at his old man. "Eh, I try not to live or die for his approval."

"You, uh, ever thought about doing something different?" Superboy poked at his food.

"What, like go solo? Nah, besides, I'm still just Icecile Jr, not much else to see." Jr looked at his food, eyes downcast.

"Maybe…maybe there's something out there besides being like your Pa. Maybe better than just doing this…you know?"

"Yeah, well, can't think about that while in here," Jr shrugged. "But anyways, what about your sister? Tell me about her."

"Ah, what, she's a pain; why?" Superboy rolled his eyes, still annoyed with M'gann, even if it panged him.

"Because she's hot! I mean, you can't say that because she's your sister. But I see that chick and think, she gets me. You know? Someone that sees the psycho in you and likes you anyway." Jr forgot his early melancholy.

Superboy thought of all his time together with M'gann. She was the first to go with him to visit Grandpa and Grandma Kent, who helped him adjust to school and even made some friends outside of the cave. M'gann has always been there, a constant that has improved his life in little and big ways. "Whoa," Superboy felt a realization dawn in him. "You're some kind of evil genius!" Superboy grinned at Jr.

"Word," Jr fist-bumped Superboy.

A loud clang made every con turn to see Icicle get laid out by Mr. Freeze with a lunch tray. "I'm done genuflecting to some old man!" Freeze kicked the down Icicle, "Belle Reve needs a new Capo! Raaah!" Mr. Freeze screamed as his collar activated.

"This ain't Arkham Freeze," Wilcox, the head guard on duty, frowned, watching Freeze collapse. "We don't put up with primodanas," Wilcox stowed the remote in his breast pocket. "Take him to Waller," Wilcox stepped back as his guards hauled Freeze off. All the while, they all missed Icicle Senior's smile.


After Dinner, Superboy and Jr were walking outside on their block. Icecile Senior came up behind them, pushed Superboy aside, and grabbed Jr. He pushed his son against the wall and hissed angrily, "We got a problem; comms are down."

"Couldn't help but overhear," Superboy, hands in pockets, approached the two.

"Tends to happen when you eavesdrop," Icecile glared at Superboy.

"See, me and my sister, we got this mental link, you talk to me, I talk to her," Superboy smirked.

"I read your stats, boy; no telepathy, just strength," Senior turned back to his son.

"Look, it doesn't pay to advertise when they're slapping collars on everybody. We got the link in eutero."

Senior groaned internally; he had little choice at this point. "Fine, tell her it's going down…now." With that, a loud buzz signaled that everyone had to return to their cells. Superboy and Jr went to their cell, and now they had to wait. Turned out it wasn't long; alarms blared, followed by the sounds of struggles. Their cell door slid open next, and Superboy rushed out with Jr. The Iceicle Jr led him to his father's cell, where he and Captain Cold froze their collars off. Jr shifted his body into his ice form and did the same. "Strength should be back, dude," Jr gestured to Superboy's collar.

"Right," Superboy tore the collar off effortlessly.

"Let's go, people!" Icecile shoved past his son, and Superboy stepped aside. "How are things going with Frost?"

"Right, let me get on that," Superboy stepped back and reached out to her.

M'gann walked out of her cell, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope Harley's okay. How did the guards not notice she was missing?"

"Tuppance!" Frost sauntered her way with Devastation at her back. As she walked, Frost hovered her hand over the railing, freezing as she went along. "You and Quinn ready?" Frost lifted her hand and blew ice crystals off her hand.

"Y-yeah, let's bust out of here," M'gann decided she'd worry about Harley later.

"Good, let's go; we'll need your strength to bust out of here." Frost led them down the block; anarchy reigned tonight as the guards were rounded up and locked in the cells as hostages. They reached the Laundromat, but the door was blocked. "Devastation," Frost stepped back and watched Devastation throw back a punch. She swung, breaking the door and whatever was blocking it with one go!

"Aah!" on the other side, a guard with a nametag, Helen fell to the ground.

"Ohh, a rat," Frost smirked, walking towards the fallen guard.

"Please, I have a family!" Helen raised her arms frightfully.

"Beg some more, why don't you?" Frost raised her hand, encasing it in ice shaped like a mace.

"No!" M'gann, without thinking, threw her arms out and used a telekinetic blast to shatter her ice weapon!

"Well," Frost cocked her hip and shook out her hand, flicking stray ice off. "Aren't you full of secrets, Tuppence."


M'gann, what's your status?

Superboy, I think I've been Ah- Frost let out a stream of ice, catching M'gann encasing her in ice.

M'gann….M'GANN! Superboy's face froze in terror, followed by anger.

"Hey, everything still Copacetic in Chick City?" Senior stepped up to Superboy.

"Uh, yeah, everything's Copacetic," Superboy regained his composure, burying his anger and replacing it with reason.

"Then why are you standing around? Move!" Senior waved them off and turned back to the task at hand. Icicle, Captain Freeze, and Mr. Freeze blasted the reinforced wall with ice, weakening the wall. Mammoth and Blockbuster moved in, smashing the wall and weakening the wall behind it.

"Genius, isn't it? Come on, let's go!" Jr smacked Superboy's shoulder, and Superboy nodded, jogging behind him.

"Yeah," Superboy said, jogging after him. M'gann, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'll save you… somehow. The two made it to the men's side of the Laundromat. Jr went to the farthest wall and shot ice at the wall near the dryers. Superboy stepped up and began punching his way through the wall. M'gann, I'm coming, but I can't fight every con here to get to you…unless. Superboy hit the wall and fell back, letting Jr shoot ice again. "Uh, what?" Superboy put his hand to the side of his head.

"What is it?" Jr said, blasting ice.

"It's muh sister; she said collars are about to come back on," Superboy shook his head, faking worry.

"Awh man, Pops not gonna like this, let's tell him." Jr turned but was stopped by Superboy's hand on his shoulder.

"Or," Superboy turned him around to face him. "You could show some initiative, show everyone there's an Icicle Jr too."

Jr blinked once, then smiled, liking the idea, "Yeah, let's be big freaking heroes, man!" Jr patted Superboy's shoulder, and they headed for the Warden's office. Superboy had to suppress the need to help the guards. They were being 'roughed up' but not killed, but exposing himself now could end up bad for him and M'gann. They rushed through the blocks and went up to the Warden's office. "Whoa," Jr slowed to a stop and looked around. Three guards were assigned to keep everyone out; all three were on the ground, and the door to the office was open. "Dude, your sister was right; somebody was here. Maybe they're still in there!" Jr rushed for the door, and Superboy followed.

They both rushed in, but the office was empty, "nobody," Superboy couldn't hear so much as a heartbeat in the room. "Guard the door, I'll make sure the collars stay off." Superboy rushed to the other side of the desk and typed away at Waller's terminal. Jr walked outside, closed the door behind him, and watched for threats.

"Who did this?" Superboy checked the terminal to see if anything was accessed. "Prison roster, who were you looking for?" Superboy checked for anyone whose file was accessed. "Ivo and Nygma? Why these two specifically?"

"Dude, are you done?" Jr poked his head in.

"Right," Superboy shook his head and hit the collar level three shock. A countdown started at five minutes and thirty seconds. "Let's go!" Superboy rushed out, and Jr followed him. They returned to the laundry room and went about the task of breaking the wall between the wings. It took ten minutes, and Superboy was ready for the final blow to break through.

"Jr!" Mr. Freeze arrived with Mammoth and Blockbuster. "The collars were activated again, and when I went to the Warden's office, I found the terminal had been tampered with. Clearly, there is a traitor among us," Mr. Freeze looked to Superboy.

Now is not the time; Superboy looked to Jr, who jumped to his defense. "What are you talking about? We were just there to stop that from happening!"

"Then how come there was a timer to turn the collars on set to five minutes and thirty seconds," Freeze glared openly at Superboy now.

"You kiddin me, this his move! You saw him at the mess; he's gunning for your Pa's seat!" Superboy stepped up beside Jr.

"Traitor!" Freeze and Jr bellowed at one another and blasted ice at each other. Superboy stepped aside and got tackled by Blockbuster! Superboyhit the back wall, cracking it! But this wasn't Cadmus; he wasn't fresh out of the pod anymore. Mammoth rushed in to join the fray, and Superboy kicked out at the inside of Blockbuster's leg. Blockbuster's leg twisted, and he fell to a knee. Superboy pushed back, grabbed Blockbuster's wrist and bicep, spun him, and smashed him against Mammoth! Both meta humans slammed against the stunned. "Let's switch dance partners!" Superboy rushed, disguising his flight as a jump, flying over Jr.

"Got it!" Jr sidestepped, letting Freeze's blast pass him by, and then he froze the stunned Mammoth and Blockbuster against the wall!

"Knock knock!" Superboy flew down, punching Mr. Freeze's domed helmet and smashing it open.

"No!" Freeze gasped, "Helmets breached only way to survive!" Freeze fired a blast of his freeze ray at himself, encasing himself in ice.

"I don't know how long I can hold them!" Jr gritted his teeth, keeping his ice beam on the two meta powerhouses.

"Thanks, buddy!" Superboy ran the weakened wall and crashed through it with a shoulder bash!


"Well, if it isn't the other twin," Frost smirked cruelly. "Care to share Tuppance's fate?"

"M'gann," Superboy said, his heart clenching his chest. She was frozen in a block of solid ice. "GGGRAAAH!" Superboy let the rage flow, and he charged Frost! Devastation rushed in and threw a left hook.

Superboy threw a right hook, and both connected with each other. Superboy stepped back, catching himself; both fighters, fueled by rage, stepped into another trade! Devastation proved she was equal to the Amazons of Themyscira by blocking, parrying, and countering Superboy.

"Get out of the way!" Frost raised her hands, trying to Freeze Superboy. "Ugh, that's it, I'm freezing you both!" Killer Frost shot her ice beam.

Superboy snapped out of his rage just in time to see the beam approaching them. Devestation's eyes widened, and she turned distracted. Superboy grabbed her, using her as a shield. Devestation's front was frozen rapidly, and Superboy threw her at Killer Frost! The villain gets her comeuppance as the partly frozen Devastation smashes against her, knocking both villains out.

"I got them iced up tight, you-" Jr rushed through the hole but snapped his mouth shut. Superboy was standing before M'gann, his face contorted in pain and anger. Superboy threw back a punch, ready to shatter the prison.

"Dude, stop!" Jr grabbed his arm before he could swing. "You'll shatter her… if she's even alive there." Jr sighed, watching Superboy slide to his knees, his head bowed. "I'm… I'm sorry, man." Jr looked down at his hands in his ice form. Watching his new friend break down, a memory resurfaced in Jr's mind. A woman in a hospital bed, his father, standing at the foot of it. Jr was a kid again, and he walked up to the bed. His old man's expression was impassive, but his lips were pressed tightly together. Jr reached up but pulled back, afraid. The woman looked down at him. Her features were obscured, but Jr could tell she was smiling. She turned her hand over her hand shifting into ice. Jr reached out his hand, shifting as well, and held her hand. Jr blinked the memory away, and a small drop of ice slid from his cheek, shattering on the floor. What was that, and why did I remember it?

The ice cracked, and both teens looked up. The cracks spread further until it shattered! M'gann fell to her hands, gasping for air. "It's pretty cold on Mars," she smiled weakly at Superboy.

"Mars?" Jr blinked,

"M'gann," Superboy placed his hand on her cheek and closed the distance, capturing her lips in his.

"W-whoa! Dude, that's your sister!" Jr cringed, looking away from them. But M'gann let the disguise slip, and she morphed back into her usual self. "Wait… but she's, so are you?" Jr clicked one and two together. "Awh man, my old man is gonna kill me," Jr didn't even bother to fight them. Instead, he started walking back to his cell, figuring out the break was a bust by then.

"Jr, wait!" Superboy stood up, stopping him.

"Dude, you won; what you beat on me to make it look better?" Jr threw his hands out, exasperated.

"No, I mean, look, I'm sorry I kind of deceived you, but I realized you're not a bad guy at all." Superboy dropped the Southern accent altogether.

"Oh, the accent was fake, too!" Jr sighed, crossing his arms and looking away.

"I thought I was laying it on thick, honestly," Superboy tried with a half smile.

"Whatever," Jr turned to the hole.

"Hey, I meant what I said; you don't have to be like your old man." Superboy looked at his hands. I don't have to be like Clark; I can be me. "It's not too late to be better, to do better."

Jr looked at Superboy and thought of the memory that resurfaced. "You don't get it. I'm Icicle Jr, and I don't get to say who I am."

"I get it, believe me," Superboy approached him.

"How?" Jr glared daggers at him.

"I'm Superman's clone; I'm supposed to be him… and I wanted to be him for so long. But I'm my own person and don't have to fly under his shadow." Superboy put his hand on Icicle Jr's shoulder. Jr thought about it for a moment but then shrugged Superboy off.

"Just leave me alone," Jr stalked off, leaving the two heroes.

"What was that about?" M'gann walked up, putting her hand in Superboy's.

"Red," Superboy said automatically.

"Huh?" M'gann looked at him, confused.

"He's still trying to save Harley Quinn, and she's…well, you know." Superboy brought his hand up. "I want to save him; he's not like his father. Doesn't have to be either, maybe…maybe I can help him. Like you guys helped me. Like Red, I'm not gonna give up on Jr."

M'gann smiled, squeezing his hand, "I think he'd be happy to hear you say that."

Superboy looked at her with his boyish smile, "you think?"

"I know it," M'gann laughed, "I'll re-establish contact with Aqualad so we can get this mess cleaned up."


Legion of Doom

05:35 September 17

Unknown

Harley Quinn led Ivo and Nygma through the facility; by all accounts, Ivo did not picture the calm and collected woman that broke him and, by complete accident, Nygma from prison. Still, the man had his uses, as he could remove their collars before they were turned back on. So Harley let him tag along. Still, Ivo was not above using those who proved themselves mildly convenient. "We're here," Harley's suddenly deeper voice said. She stepped aside, and a door slid open ahead of them. Ivo and Nygma walked in; the room was dark until several spotlights lit up.

Each light revealed the villains Gorilla Grodd, Bane, Cheeta, Joker, Black Adam, Atomic Skull, and the Wizard Wotan. Grodd, holding his human skull chalice, raised it in greetings. "Welcome, gentlemen; Ravager has informed me of Edward Nygma's contribution to your escape. As such, I have decided to be magnanimous and offer him a chance to join our organization."

"Yes!" Nygma fist pumped, "I'll show Iicile and his lackeys the genius they were missing! I might have been able to ensure their prison break, too!"

"Grodd," Harley stepped up.

"Ah, apologies, Wotan, if you please," Grodd gestured to the dark wizard.

"Of course," Wotan raised his hand and chanted in a strange language. A pentagram appeared below Harley. The pentagram raised, and it changed her appearance as it passed through Harley. When the pentagram disappeared past her head, Ravager was revealed. Still dressed in the prison garb, she nodded to Wotan in thanks.

"Your equipment was left in your personal quarters," Grodd nodded, and Ravager simply left the meeting.

"Now, gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Legion of Doom," Grodd smirked, the room lighting up, revealing the full splendor of their headquarters. Behind them, a massive plant with Poison Ivy sitting on one of the roots, stroking it gently.


Belle Reve Prison

00:00

Louisiana

"Beller Rev will be fully operational by tomorrow," Strange smiled as he ran his thumb over Amanda Waller's name on her plate. He was in her office or rather HIS new office. He tossed the nameplate carelessly into the trash bin next to him. Then he walked around behind the desk. "All prisoners are accounted for, well, all except the Riddler, who escaped in the confusion." Strange typed away at the terminal on his desk, and the screen switched to a camera inside one of the cells. Professor Ivo was sitting in his bunk, quietly reading a book. "Still, you must be disappointed."

"Me?" Iicile Senior Stranges new esteemed guest chuckled. "You had as much to lose as we did after you smuggled the tech in for us." Iicile Senior shrugged, "Sure, we got beat, but the main objectives were achieved. How did it go?" Iicile smirked, "the trojan horse is in." Icicle Senior reached out to Strange.

Strange clasped hands with his new partner in crime, "the Light should be quite pleased," Strange smirked, reveling in his new power.


Boom, told ya'll it wouldn't take long! 100% I love Iicicle Jr in this series. I also loved that weird friendship he and Superboy formed. I decided to take it up a notch. Don't worry, ya'll will see a cool payoff to that story. No pun intended, haha, anyways hope you all enjoyed some of the fun easter eggs to some of the DC villains and, of course, the introduction in the earlier chapter to a certain dark teenage sorceress. She won't be around for Season 1 regarding the team, but it's set up for later. I promise she'll have her moment to shine. Or I guess it's to be dark in, but yeah, let me know what y'all think, and I hope everyone's doing okay.

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