Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice. The only thing I own in this is my OC.
A/N: You don't have to read this if you don't like it, don't hate just go away.
Chapter 15: Selection
The Watchtower; November 25th, 06:54 EST
The sun crests over the curvature of the Earth, shining off the waters before bathing the Watchtower in the light as well.
In one of the areas meant to be an extension of Earth on the asteroid, a red bird with white accents flaps its wings rapidly. It landed on a branch as a flock flew behind It. It then took off to follow.
Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman all watch as the light breaks across the area that looks so out of place as the curvature of the globe also stands before them.
"Times like these, one feels the very weight of the world upon us." Diana says, taking her hand off her hip and shifts her weight fully back to both her feet.
Footsteps from behind them, catching their attention. They turn and find Aquaman standing before them. "Everyone is here."
Inside, the entirety of the Justice League stands in the room around a large U shaped table. The doors to the room slide closed.
"Our agenda is clear." Aquaman starts. "What's at stake should not be underestimated." "The decisions we make today will reverberate for years to come." Superman continues. "As well as influence whether or not the world continues to put their trust in the Justice League." Wonder Woman states plainly. "Please take your seats." Batman requests. "We have work to do."
The members of the Justice league we're sitting at the table, only Martian Manhunter stands at his place. "Another expansion of the League could generate another escalation hostilities from our enemies." He states. "No one needs or wants another Injustice League."
"Point taken." Superman says from J'onn's left. "But the option remains to vote no on all candidates. So, I nominate Icon for League membership."
The Image of Icon popped up. "Why? Because you suspect Icon of being Kryptonian like you did with Captain Marvel?" Green Arrow teases from across the table. Captain Marvel perked up at that. "You thought I was Kryptonian? Cool!"
Clark shoots Marvel a nervous look, while Diana only stares at Marvel for a moment before turning to Kal El, placing a hand on his forearm.
"Icon interests me also." She assures. "As does his protégé, Rocket. Athena knows the league could use more female members." Diana says smugly. "Agreed." Dinah says. "I second that." Hawk woman agrees.
Billy glances down the row of men he's sitting with, Oliver looks a bit worried, Captain Atom's stern face looks the same, and Red Tornado is a faceless android.
Mount Justice; November 25th, 10:25 EST
The entire mountain was covered in snow, and the harbor was frozen a fair distance out.
"Gobble, gobble." Wally says before grabbing some of the pitted cranberries and eating them. "Oh, I love Thanksgiving!"
As he reaches for another helping the wooden spoon moves and hits his knuckles. "Ow!" he yelps.
M'gann stands in front of stove, cooking. "Heh, those are for dinner, Wally." She reprimands good-naturedly.
"Yelsrap egas yramesor emyht." Zatanna incants as she grabs some seasoning, and the magic takes over and covers the entire turkey in a perfect amount. "There. Seasoned to perfection and ready for the oven." She says, brushing her hands off.
M'gann uses her telekinesis to bring it to the oven before turning back to the redhead. "Wally, I thought you were eating with your family."
"Oh, yeah. Dad will kill me if I'm late." Then shoves a large handful of cranberries into his mouth before running off. "See ya!"
"Wally!" M'gann shouts after him, laughing. She hears sniffling and turns, finding Zatanna with her back to her, rubbing her eye.
Realizing she's been caught Zatanna lets out a small "oh" before dropping her hand. "It's nothing, just the onions." M'gann steps up and places her hand on her shoulder.
"These are all the things I used to cook for…" She trails and M'gann pulls her into a hug. "It's my first Thanksgiving without my dad."
"At least she had a dad." Conner mutters to Wolf, leaning forward from where he's sitting on the couch to pet Wolf.
Suddenly a high-pitched whine has him biting back a yell, M'gann and Zatanna are completely unaffected and unaware then it turns to a buzz, and a voice cuts through. Conner takes his hands off his ears, leftover high-pitched whine-buzz, muttering the words doesn't hurt it's just annoying. "Meet me in Washington, D.C. East Potomac Park. And bring Legend. I promise it'll be worth the trip."
He pouts a little as it cuts out. Then suddenly standing up, heading out with Wolf on his heels. M'gann notices this.
"Conner?" She asks. "Figure you don't want my help in the kitchen." Conner says over his shoulder, walking again. "Remember the last time?" "Uh, yeah." M'gann says awkwardly. "But-" "I'm just going to grab Joshua so we can take Wolf and Fang for a walk. No big deal." He assures, not even glancing back as he heads down the hall.
She doesn't say anything else, turning back to the food and letting him be. Conner walked up to Joshua's room and knocked on the door. "Just a second." Joshua's voice echoes out from the other side. He opens the door with fang at his side. "What's up?"
A hologram of a man, shrunken down, wearing a suit with a blue helmet down his red gloves and where the dark red meets in a triangle at a logo down to his blue boots. Accented by brighter red up to his torso, arms, and at the line of his boots as well as a blue belt with an atom symbol on it.
"Seriously? The Atom?" Captain Marvel asks with a bit of skepticism. "Well, how useful could he be at that size?"
"It's the size that makes him useful." Batman informs from Billy's left. "Absolutely." Flash agrees. "Still, we could always use more raw power." Tapping on his personal HoloScreen. "And Earth has a third Green Lantern." The image of the Atom is taken over by a white man with close-cut brown hair. His Lantern uniform is sleeveless and looks more like a vest and pants than the full body suit the two present wear.
"Guy Gardner." "No." Both Green Lanterns say at the same time. "But we could really-" Barry tries. "No." John Stewart and Hal Jordan cut the scientist off. The room is tensely quiet for a long moment.
Washington D.C.; November 25th, 11:28 EST
Superboy and Legend land the Super Cycle under an interstate bridge, unbothered by the light rain shower. They look to the white limo that pulls up to them.
The front door opens and a woman walks out and around the car to the rear side door closest to Superboy, revealing Lex Luthor.
Everyone exists their vehicle at the same time. The woman closes the door of the limo and Wolf and Fang are quick to follow the clones onwers.
"Superboy, Legend." Lex greets, offering a hand. "My name is Lex Luthor. I'm the new chairman of the board for Project Cadmus." Luthor say, offering his hand for the boys to shake.
Wolf and Fang growl, Superboy and Legend look down at the hand skeptically.
"We know who you are, Luthor." Superboy finally says, crossing his arm, he looks at Legend then back to Lex. Wolf's and Fang's growling increased in volume. "And we want nothing to do with you or Cadmus."
They all turned to walk away. "Cadmus has created new Super-clones." Lex says Rather quickly. It got the reaction he wanted.
Superboy and Legend both look panicked for a moment before turning back with narrowed.
A basic two story building stands on the corner of a street, the only thing possibly interesting about it is that it is grey and green.
Inside the building two guards charge forward, armed with large guns, through the double doors to the roof.
Outside is Superboy, Legend, Fang, and Wolf, standing beside the Super Cycle. Superboy and Legend are completely unphased. "Guardian, nice work on the rebuild." Legend says unphased. A security camera turns towards him as he names the Hero. "Now escort us down the easy way." Superboy turns to face the farmers fully. "Or we escort ourselves down the hard way."
In the main office, Guardian sits in front of a computer, watching Superboy and Legend on the screen. Dubbilex and a woman are sitting on the other side of his desk space. Guardian presses a button and the screen shuts off.
"You're letting them down here?" She asked worriedly. "Focus on the matter at hand, Dr. Spence. Another Genomorph has vanished." Guardian says harshly. "Every disappearance is being investigated." Dubbilex states. "Not good enough, Dubbilex." Guardian says quickly, his eyes turning to the door as Superboy and Legend walk through.
"Welcome home, Superboy and Legend." Guardian offers pleasantly, the two heroes do not return the greeting. "The new Super-clones. Where are you holding them?" Legend demands, heading straight to the desk.
"What are you two talking about?" Guardian asked. Dubbilex places his hand on Superboy's and Legend's shoulders. "Brothers, you are the only Super-clones in Cadmus."
"All cloning projects, human or otherwise have been shut down since your escape." Dr. Spence informs. "Since our liberation." Superboy corrects with a glare.
Dr. Spence clams up, looking away. "As you say. Well, now I'm needed back in my lab." She turns to walk out.
Guardian sighs and taking his helmet off. Revealing close cut ginger hair and some remarkably familiar features. "Sometimes, I hate this job."
Superboy lifted an eyebrow before looking shocked alongside Legend as they both recognize the face before them. "Y- you look a lot like Red Arrow." Is the only thing Legend managed to say.
"Not all that surprising. Red Arrow's my nephew." Guardian informs with a soft smile.
On the screen is large man with blue skin and giant ivory horns coming out his head when Oliver speaks up. "If we're considering Blue Devil, then I nominate Red Arrow." Roy appears in his new uniform on the Holo. "Roy has the experience and he's not a kid anymore. He's eighteen, a legal adult. He's ready." Oliver says trying to convince his fellow Leaguers of his former protégé's prowess.
On his left Captain Marvel looks at him with a proud and happy smile.
"Is he?" Aquaman questions. "Red Arrow has been uncooperative and disrespectful. If we reward that behavior, what message does that send to the rest of the team?" Arthur asks seriously.
"Here's the situation." Guardian explains as the elevator doors open. The room is brightly lit, with several scientists working at tables. "This is the new and improved Cadmus." Genomorph Sprites carry small objects from place to place. Guardian leads him through the room. "Dr. Spence and her team are doing truly worthwhile genetic medical research now." He waves to woman as they pass by, though Superboy and Legend pauses for a moment. "The Genomorphs are becoming more independent, more educated, some even have names."
They pass by a G-dwarf working at a sink to clean dishes. "Hey, Benny." Guardian greets. A G-elf sweeps the floor and they pause to let it walk past. "Erin." "Someday, the work being done here will save millions of lives."
"Superboy, Legend, you can trust Guardian." Dubbilex voice says in his head. "He keeps no secrets." "Unlike you." Superboy quips. "Apparently you still keep your psychic powers a secret."
Dubbilex remains in the office that they left. "Some secrets have their place." Dubbilex dodges the accusation before getting serious. "We were all created to be exploited as living weapons. You were designed to-" Superboy cuts him off. "To replace or destroy Superman and Icon. We know. What's your point?"
"That you should understand the plight of those left behind after I helped free you two from Cadmus." Superboy and Legend stopped and looked around. "The League liberated all the Genomorphs."
"Are we free to walk the surface as you do?" Dubbilex questions. "Or has our role merely changed from weapons to menial labor?"
"Look, it's complicated, but first things first." Superboy said ending the conversation. Turning back to where Guardian, Fang, and Wolf stand at the next door. "Guardian, could Super clones exist without you knowing?"
Lex Luthor was watching all of the through the security camera footage from the back of his limo.
Guardian met the clone's anger with calmness, but also understanding their concern and trying not to undermine it. "It's highly unlikely." He states with certainty. "Tell me, brothers. What would you do if you found this Super-Clone?" Dubbilex asks.
"If they exist, we'll free them. Just like how Aqualad, Robin and Kid Flash freed us." Superboy informs, clenching his fist, accidentally forgetting to do so telepathically and Guardian can only look on with serious confusion.
"Nothing happens at Cadmus without a Genomorph knowing. If a Super-clone exists, we will find him." Dubbilex promises.
"Look." Guardian cuts in, lowering the clones anger and drawing their attention back. "I have my own missing Genomorphs to locate, but you've got the run of the place." He says, going through the open doorway. "I highly doubt you'll find what you're looking for."
The door to Project Kr and Lg Is still lit up and in place when the two heroes and their pets walk past it. Inside, there is only two reconstructed Pods in the center, but there's nothing in them.
Superboy and Legend walked up and looking into their old Pods . A wariness that turns to annoyance the longer Superboy looks, Legend just looked emotionless.
Off to the side, Wolf and Fang sniff at the wall, catching the boy's attention. Especially when wolf started pawing at it and Fang started growling lightly.
With a frown, Superboy and Legend heads to the wall, and Superboy leaned against it. When he does, he heard a dull buzz from the other side.
Ripping the synthetically organic wall off, Superboy finds another door. This one unlabeled, but shaped similarly.
Legend jammed a hand between the doors, pulling them apart and making just enough of a gap to get his fingers in and pull them apart with a groan.
When the doors opened their breath became visible, a chill permeated the room to such an extent that the door is frosted on the inside. Cautiously, they walked in. Their eyes go wide as they see that they are now in a far larger ill-lit chamber, on a platform to overlook it, with several rows of pods, stacked two high that go back as far as they can see.
At the first break in the lines of pods is two larger pods that snag their attention. They jumped the guardrail and into the rows of pods, surrounded by what looks like parts of different Genomorphs, but their focus remains forward.
They barely glancing back as Wolf and Fang joined them. The pods were more frosted over than any of the others in the room, but Superboy and Legend both stepped up to a pod each and wipe some of the frost away.
They both jolt back as they see what their own faces looking back at them, They were asleep though. Superboy was the first to walk back up to the pod and wipe more frost off until he can see the S, Legend did the same after and saw an E in the same stile as his symbol
They went back to the control panel and Legend pushed the button to let them out. The Pods defrost and open, Project Match is written at the bottom of the first panel and project Epic was written on the second one.
Everything is still for a moment before Match's fingers twitch then forms a fist. Epic's eyes twitch and he steers. Both of their eyes instantly snap open, the most noticeable thing is that both of their sclera are pitch black, and their iris's were white.
They didn't move. "It's okay, you're free now." Superboy promises. Match's eyes focus in on the S on Superboy's chest. His gaze changes to a determined glare and that's enough to have Superboy step back.
At that same moment, Epic looked Legend in the eye and glared. Match and Epic both let out a yell, their faces showed nothing but unbridled rage. They then charged forward.
Match grabbed Superboy and Legend by the throat and knocks both of them to the ground, they roll over each other and land with a thud on top of each other.
Epic goes for a punch to Legend's face, Superboy gets his legs up and kicks Epic away from them and through another one of the pods.
Epic barely stays still for a moment after that hit, Match charges back at Superboy and pushes him through a Pod on the opposite side of the aisle. Epic goes to Legend and tackled him through another pod.
Crashing him against the base of another aisle over. Superboy looks up at the still seething Match before he lifts him by the shirt off the ground.
"Stop! We're on your side!" Superboy shouts at him as he raises his hands in surrender. "I don't think they understand us." Legend grunts out while Epic pinned him against the wall.
Match stares for a long moment at the S, Epic doing the same with Legend's L before pulling the two away from the where they held them and throwing them.
Superboy and Legend crashes through several pods on the second stack near the front of the cavern, then over the outlook, hitting both of the doors with a harsh clang that knocks it off the hinges before he crashes into the wall of the main area for Project Kr and Lg, Slumping down.
Wolf snarls at Match while Fang snarls at Epic, they charged at them, Match catches wolf by the front quarters before throwing him just as hard as he threw Superboy.
Epic punched Fang to the ground. As Fang whimpered on the floor, Epic grabs him by the tail, swung him around and threw him where Match had thrown Wolf.
Superboy and Legend looked up just in time to see Wolf and Fang flying towards them. They caught their large K9's, ensuring they wouldn't hit the wall as hard before sitting them down.
Match and Epic follows, but their feet don't touch the ground. In fact, they barely skim it, and they fly higher once their outside the broken doorway.
Superboy and Legend stared dumbly. "They can fly." Superboy said painfully. "How can they fly?" Legend asked his fellow clone.
Rather than responding Match and Epic swooped down and socked Superboy and Legend in the jaw. Knocking them away from Wolf and Fang.
Gritting his teeth Superboy gets back to his feet, blocking the punches that Match is throwing wildly. Epic grabbed Legend by the throat and slammed him into the wall where he preceded to start pummeling him. Legend tried to block but was still taking damage.
An uppercut slams into Superboy's chin, knocking him back several feet and crashing to the floor shoulder's first.
Epic grabbed Legend by the back of his head and slammed his face into the floor rapidity, after that he picked him up and kicked him to where Superboy was.
It takes them a few moments to groan and push themselves back up. "I don't wanna do this!" Superboy shouts. "I don't think they care!" Legend shouts back.
Match catches Superboy by the shirt and hits him in the face again, this time, there's the distinct sound of ripping.
Before Epic hit him, Joshua put his arms up in a block, stopping his hit but goes flying back a few feet.
Superboy slammed into the outside wall of the Project Kr complex, Match's Suit's S in his hand, falling to the ground.
Wolf snarls as he charges forward again with Fang, but Match spun fast delivering a brutal back fist with a grunt. Wolf and Fang whimper from the hit, as they're sent flying back and skid off the ground three times before coming to a stop.
Legend goes flying and lands next to Superboy. "Enough!" Superboy yells at Match and Epic's turned back, he catches Match in a headlock before he can turn around. We're trying to help you." He grits out.
Match yelled wordlessly as he tries to fight against the hold before kicking off the ground and slamming Superboy into the ceiling to make him let go.
While he's stunned, Match caught him by the neck and the right knee to slam him into it again. Hard enough to break the synthetically covering.
Match then threw Superboy to the ground directly below him. Epic then lined up to punch him before he hit the ground. Legend jumped and tackled Epic, letting Superboy continue to fall safely.
Superboy hit the ground with a harsh thud before Match drops down on his chest with a stomp, shattering the ground underneath them and kicking up enough dust to make seeing them impossible without enhanced vision.
Epic grabs Joshua by the waist, holds him upside down, pile driving him into the ground. The impact created a small crater and kicks up a dust cloud as well.
When the dust settles, Superboy and Legend were unconscious, Match and Epic let out a loud roar, though it didn't seem victorious.
Match's eyes once again narrow in on Superboy's S symbol while Epic's eyes hone in on Legend L. Still breathing heavily, they turn to the reflective surface of the door.
Activating his Heat Vision, Match burned the image into his chest. But, due to the fact that it was done in a reflection, the S is now backwards.
Suddenly Match and Epic both clutch their heads and scream in pain. The video on the security camera suddenly turns to static on the screen in Luthor's limo. Luthor is tense and glared at the now blank screen.
"No. Red Arrow may be eighteen, but the rest of the Team is too young." Clark states plainly. Billy frowns his words, tugging on his corded collar. "We're not inducting children into the League." Clark continues.
"That seems myopic." Doctor Fate opposes. "I have been one with Kid Flash and Aqualad." The two are now in the Hologram together. "Both are ready."
"And what of Zatanna?" Wonder Woman asks curiously, as the image turns to said girl. "Absolutely not!" Fate snaps. "That sounded almost protective, doctor. At least we know Zatara is still in that helmet somewhere." Diana muses.
Billy pushes himself up, standing from his chair. "Why is Dr. Fate a member?" He asks seriously. "You coerced Zatara into giving up his life to you, or else lose his daughter instead. Not cool."
The Hologram changes to that of Doctor Fate. "Should such behavior be condoned?"
"Zatara desires Dr. Fate to remain with the League." Nabu informs. "Oh, please." Green Arrow huffs.
"It is true." Fate assures, though he crosses his arms and looks only straight ahead. "Zatara's trust in Nabu is… measured. He desires the League to maintain a close watch upon us."
Superboy groans as his eyes open slowly. The bright light making it hard, but when his eyes open fully, they snap wide realizing where he is. A Pod. "No, no, NO!" He panics. "Superboy, what's going on, where are we?!" Legend askes as he wakes ups in the pod next to Superboy's. Realizing that their now wearing their old Cadmus suits. They smashed their fists into the front glass of the Pods, shattering them.
As they continue to rip the Pod's apart, Wolf and Fang howl and an alarm sounds. Stumbling out of the Pods before falling to their knees on the ground.
The Project Kr/Lg door flashes red before turning green as it opens, Doctor Spence, Guardian, and Dubbilex run in.
"It's alright!" Spence shouts over the alarm as she doesn't even slow down before she's close to the duo.
"It's not alright." Superboy growls, Spence comes to a stop and he pushes himself to his feet. "You put us in pods." Legend snaps pointing at her. "It was the fastest way to heal your injuries." She informs plainly.
"She's another Cadmus mad scientist, picking up where Desmond left off." Superboy shouts, stalking towards her. "Projects Match and Epic are yours. Admit it!" Legend snarls, pointing his finger at her again.
"Believe what you want." She refutes, but still backs away from the angry teens quickly.
"Superboy, Legend, please." Guardian nearly begs, placing a hands on their shoulders. "She was as shocked to see the security camera footage of this… Match and Epic, as I was."
"Where's are they now?" Joshua demands. "We don't know." Guardian admits. "They disappeared." "What?" Superboy shouts. "All cameras went offline after your battle. By the time we arrived, Match and Epic were gone." Dubbilex informs.
"And he isn't the only Genomorph to disappear." Guardian then turns to head out. "We need to get to the bottom of this." Dubbilex follows him out. The door closing behind them.
Superboy turns back around to grab his and Legend's clothes that are sitting on the console when Luthor suddenly appears on the screen. "So the truth wasn't that hard to find after all. I assume you both suffered no permanent damage?"
"Like you care." Superboy snaps. "Tell us what you know about Projects Match and Epic." He demands.
"Very little, I know more about you two." Luthor admits. "Alien D.N.A is notoriously difficult for human science to read. When you were created, the gaps in the sequences were bridged with human D.N.A robbing you of your full powers. No flight, no Heat Vision, no plasma blasts, etcetera."
It takes a couple of seconds for the information to settle in, and they can only look down in shock. "We're part human?" Joshua asks.
"Yes. Obviously, your brothers were created without any Human D.N.A. The missing sequences have apparently left Match and Epic unstable and insane. I'd advise you to get them back on ice as soon as possible." Luthor instructs. "Not gonna happen." Superboy says darkly.
"Your call. Either way, you'll need help." A compartment opens up on the console, revealing two small cases, one has Superman's S on it, the other has Legends L on it. "Consider these a gift."
Superboy and Legend take their respective cases cautiously and clicks it open. Revealing the outline of Superman's S in solid red in Superboy's, and Legend's L in solid blue in Legend's, there are three currently visible in each.
"I call them Shields. Stick one on your arm and it'll suppress your human D.N.A for one hour, allowing your true powers to bloom. You will be as powerful as Match and Epic, as Superman and Icon."
Superboy's and Legend's eyes snap up when they hear the last part. They look at each other, nod, and Look back to Luthor. "We don't want anything from you." Legend snaps.
"Oh well, keep them anyway, you never know." Luthor muses, then the screen shuts off.
Superboy stares at the screen for a moment before looking back and forth between Legend and the Shields in his hand.
"Plastic Man." Batman offers. Captain Marvel barely covers his mouth fast enough to cover up his laugh. "I don't know." Flash says slowly from the end of the row. "The guy's got a pretty substantial criminal record."
Billy finally loses it and flat out laughs, not bothering to cover it up. "I'm sorry, the guy just cracks me up." He wipes a tear from his eye, then winces when he realizes at least half of them are looking at him with uneasy or judgmental looks.
Flash sighs, and when Billy looks at the others, everyone on his side of the table is looking down at his as well. "Maybe it's time we all talked about the elephant in the room. Should Captain Marvel stay a member now that we know he's really only ten years old?" Marvel's image appeared on the Holoscreen.
"He does possess an adult body and the Wisdom of Solomon." Red Tornado points out. "Wisdom does not equal maturity." Arthur states plainly.
"Hey, I'm sitting right here." Billy points out, offended. "Then Billy, maybe you should leave until we've hashed this out." Dinah offers, leaning forward on her elbows.
"No." Bruce nips that one out at the bud, "Captain Marvel is a member and is entitled to participate until or unless he's voted out."
Billy looks at him with a worried but surprised look. "It's not just his age." Diana speaks up, catching both of their attentions. "It's the fact that he lied about it."
"I didn't lie, exactly." Billy defends, realizing how poor of an excuse that is only as it's leaving his mouth. "I just left out the part about being a kid." He offers with a shrug and smile.
"A lie of omission is still a lie." Wonder Woman states. "You kept an important secret from us. No one in the League knew the truth." Billy half pouts, half frowns at her, but doesn't speak. "I did." Batman interjects, Billy jumps and looks at the Dark Knight with shock.
Wonder Woman tenses. "I shouldn't be surprised since you indoctrinated Robin into crime-fighting at the ripe old age of nine." Robin's image is on the Holo as Batman speaks.
"Robin needed to help bring the men who murdered his family to justice." "So he could turn out like you?" she questions. "So that he wouldn't." Bruce intones slowly.
Superboy and Legend sighs as they look at the three capsules that are all knocked over, the glass broken out, and the spheres at the bottom broken as well. "Well, at least these are empty." Joshua said jokingly.
"Okay Dubbilex, spill." Superboy projects. "When I accused Spence, I could hear your heart rate increase. You're hiding something."
"From them, not you." Dubbilex states. "I have questioned the oldest Genomorphs. They tell me Match and Epic are not your younger brothers. They were Cadmus' first attempt to clone Superman and Icon. Their D.N.A rendered them uncontrollable so they froze them and tried again."
Superboy's eyes narrow. "Who's 'they'?" "Desmond, Spence?"
"Desmond yes, and his superior and Cadmus' founder, Lex Luthor." Superboy's and Legend's eyes go wide in shock.
"No!" Legend yells out harshly as he delivers a harsh punch to one of the Pod's containment bases. "So Luthor took Match and Epic." Superboy growls. "Actually brothers, I did that." Dubbilex informs. The teens eyes go wide once more.
The doors slide open, and a security camera watches as the two teens and their Wolves bolt out of the room and down the hall. Luthor watches from his limo with annoyance as the video feed cuts out again.
Superboy and Legend run down unfamiliar halls as Dubbilex gives them directions. "Turn left brothers." They make the turn, the wolves follow close behind, but skid to a stop as the hall comes to a sudden end.
Yet, as they stop, the hall opens up, the wall lifted up and revealed a stone staircase. The four make their way down the stairs.
As the pair of clones lift their gazes, they can only stare in stunned amazement. They we're in a massive cavern, some G-sprites were hanging from stalactites, glowing and casting light.
A G-troll carries a large stone across the massive space before setting it overtop the G-elves who mingle in what looks like a doorway but now is recognizably a house while G-gnomes dig into small dirt piles. "Welcome, brother, to the Genomorph City." Dubbilex says behind him.
Genomorph City; November 25th, 14:41 EST
Dubbilex, Superboy, Legend, Fang, and Wolf walk through the city, G-trolls were building houses for the G-elves. "So you're responsible for the missing Genomorphs?" Superboy asks.
"I am. One by one, I have liberated them and brought them here to live a new life where all our brothers and sisters can be free." Dubbilex says.
"Of course, I have a dream that one day the world you live in will accept us. But for now, no one must know that the Genomorph City exists." They come to an intersection and stop. "Which is why I brought our them here."
He gestures to the right at a column where three G-gnomes with glowing horns were sitting. At the bottom, Match and Epic are chained to the bottom of the pillar, their bodies slack, but their eyes were open and glossy.
"What did you do to them?" Legend demands as he and Superboy were moving towards the other clones.
"They are safe." Dubbilex assures, placing a hands on their shoulders. "The G-gnomes are keeping them docile with their psychic abilities."
"And the chains?" Superboy snarls. "Should they escape in their current condition they could set back the Genomorph cause by decades." Dubbilex points out.
"So you hold them prisoner like Cadmus held us? You might as well put them in pods!" Superboy snaps, catching Match's attention with his loud voice.
"Our goal is rehabilitation. We will release them when they are ready." Dubbilex voice is foggy and Match's vision has trouble settling under the G-gnomes.
Superboy uncrossed his arms. "That's not your call!" Legend snaps. Match's eyes settle on Superboy's S, theif focus returning. Epic's eyes catch sight of Legend's L.
The two yell as they strain against the chains before they gave way, they charged at the surprised Superboy and Legend. Catching them off-guard, Match hit Superboy in the chest and flung him into one of the large mountain sized stalagmite.
Epic grabbed Joshua by the shirt, spun him around, and threw him into the same stalagmite. Nearly burying the two in a bunch of large rocks. As the dust settled, they two older clones stood there and screamed.
Wolf and Fang snarled and charged at Match and Epic, catching their arms in their jaws.
Match delivers a devastating cross to Wolf's face, Epic slams Fang into the ground and threw him, sending the K9's careening into another giant stalagmite.
Dubbilex approaches carefully, his horns glowing. Match and Epic charged forward with a cry, but Dubbilex simply says "Be calm."
It doesn't even slow them down, Dubbilex backed up, making sure that the two hit the ground in front of him instead of him directly.
Superboy pushes one of the larger pieces of rubble off of him and Legend, clutching his head, he then got hit by Match's Heat Vision, and Legend got hit by Epics plasma blasts right in the chest before they could get their bearings.
The shots leaves no visible mark on Superboy or Legend, though it does destroy their shirts, Epic and Match fly in knocking Superboy and Legend back into another stalagmite with a harsh cry and a devastating thud.
Superboy got thrown from the large plume of dust, hitting the ground and rolling with several grunts.
Superboy comes to a stop, on his knees and elbows, he just barely caught Legend as he almost crashed into him, but Match and Epic are already flying in to deliver another devastating punch right to their faces. Throwing them into a large column. The column cracked and toppled over.
Leaving Superboy on his back with Legend on top of him, only just opening their eyes when Epic drops onto Legend's chest feet first. Kicking up another massive plume of dust.
Match flies over and grabs Superboy by the neck before delivering an uppercut that knocks Superboy into the caverns ceiling. Epic lifted Legend up by the arm and Knees him in the gut, launching him in the same direction as Superboy.
Match and Epic take flight and follow the unconscious Superboy and Legend, slamming a double fist, knocking them back into the floor.
The hit sent a group of G-elves scattering and cracked the ground. Superboy and Legend pushed the rubble off of themselves, they pulled out Luthor's cases of Shields, they looked back and forth between each other and the cases, debating.
Martian Manhunter stands up from beside Superman. "You seem to have reached a consensus that eighteen years is a suitable minimum age for joining the League, yet what of Miss Martian?" his niece's Hero image shows up on the Holo. "Though she is a biological adolescent, by Martian standards she was born forty-eight Earth years ago." He points out.
"So, what is the deciding factor, chronology or biology?" Red Tornado asks. The Holo Image changes from M'gann to Superboy and Legend. "Take Superboy and Legend."
"Exactly." Black Canary agrees. "They're both less than a year old. Do they have to wait seventeen more to stand beside us?"
Diana sends a look towards Clark out of the corner of her eye. Superman, with his arms still crossed, looks away from her.
Superboy and Legend open the cases, pulling out a Shield, they look at each other and nod, they placed them on their arms. Where it almost seems to glow on their skin, Superboy's was red and Legend's blue.
Their heart beats were in their ears as they winced in slight pain. their pupils shrank as their eyes go wide and they clenched their fists.
Match and Epic fly in, pushing Superboy and Legend back into a wall. Match reared his fist back for a punch, Epic prepared a kick. As they goes to deliver though, Match's punch gets caught and Epic's kick gets blocked.
They looked surprised. Superboy moves the fist out of the way and looks Match right in the face. "Our turn." He snarls. With a harsh yell, he delivers an uppercut to Match's chin, throwing him back while Joshua head butted Epic.
They caught themselves midair, they look down at Superboy and Legend before rocketing back towards them. Superboy and Legend charge at them too. The two pairs end up crashing into each other, knocking their opponent away.
Superboy and Legend tumble back, catching themselves from crashing into the floor with their now unlocked Flight.
Their inexperience with this ability is obvious as they tried to find their balance. Superboy was having a better time then Legend, Match and Epic shake off the hit and glare at their younger brothers.
Match turns his Heat Vision to one of the stalactites, cutting it off with ease, Epic caught it as it fell.
Superboy and Legend take flight and Superboy tries to use his own Heat Vision with a groan, but knocks himself and his aim off course.
He manages to hit the rock Epic is holding but his Heat Vision persists, Legend caught Superboy before he could start cutting into the ceiling or the city.
They look towards Match and Epic who flew straight at them. Superboy and Legend flew at them in return, arms pulled back with a battle cry.
The two pairs of clones crash into and circle each other in the air before Match and Epic managed to push Superboy and Legend closer to the ground. Match Comes in to deliver a hook punch to Superboy's face, Epic comes in with an axe kick to Legend's face.
Both attacks have less effect than they used too, but it gives Match the chance to send a small blip of his lasers into Superboy's eyes. Sending him reeling back with a pained cry, pressing his hands to his eyes.
Epic shoots blasts at Legend's chest making him fly back with a pained groan.
Match and Epic try to use this to their advantage, Superboy Grabbed Match by the suit while squeezes his eyes closed, flying up higher and spinning Match around to build enough momentum to slam the older clone into the ground.
Legend stops himself and flies back at Epic with both arms outstretched. He hit Epic into he chest and sent him flying up, he then flew past him and hit him with a bicycle kick, sending him to the ground. Match and Epic hit the ground with a thud.
As Match pushes himself to his feet, Superboy flies in, grabs Match by the chest, and slams him back to the ground. This time, he stays on top of him. As Epic was getting up, Legend landed on top of him with a drop kick.
Delivering punch after punch to the other's faces, not even looking as they do so. "Superboy, Legend! That's enough!" Guardian yells, panicked.
Their eyes snap open and they looked towards the source of the voice. They see Guardian, Mercy, and several SWAT members charging into the Genomorph City. "They're down, you've won." Guardian states, looking at the two heroes.
Dubbilex closes his eyes and sadly drops his head. Superboy looked at Guardian for a moment before he drops his fist and looks at Match. Legend looks at the ceiling and takes several deep breaths.
Match and Epic are a bit bruised, Match still has his self-inflicted burn in the center of his chest. They seal them back into their Pods. The freezing process on the Project Kr and Lg pods is fast and only takes mere moments.
Spence stands at the console and Guardian in between at Superboy and Legend. "It has to be this way." He tells the teens, but they only narrow their eyes before looking away.
Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman stand at the split end of the table. "No other ideas?" Superman asks, when no one responds he continues.
"Then here are our candidates for both new and continued membership." The outer part of the room is suddenly occupied by the Holograms of all the league candidates, including the members of the Team.
"We've discussed their origin, gender, size, experience, age, temperament, and background." Some members of the League look around the room, checking the Heroes available to them once more.
"But, when all is said and done…" Batman starts. "What is the fundamental criteria for membership?" Wonder Woman picks up where the Dark Knight left off, stepping forward.
"the question must be, whom do we trust? Trust to fight beside us, Trust to have our backs, Trust to uphold the high standard and ideals of the Justice League." The HoloScreens of the members that are still sitting at the table reappeared. "It's time to vote." Batman said with narrowed eyes.
Superboy and Legend jump out of the Super Cycle, now on a road next to the underpass they met Luthor at. The setting sun turning the sky's blue into purple and the clouds from earlier having disappeared.
"There was a tracker in that boxes you gave us." Superboy snarls.
"Of course." Luthor confirms. "I assume you discovered it with your X-ray Vision?"
"You initiated the cloning projects." Joshua accuses. "I wanted Superman to meet his Match." Luthor offers easily, still standing next to his Limo.
"And you used both of us to locate the missing Genomorphs." Superboy continues, just as angry.
"A good businessman has to keep track of his assets." Finally, he stands up straight. "But none of that is what really bothers you. Half your D.N.A is human. Haven't you wondered who the donor was? Or have you just been too afraid to ask?" Superboy and Legend say nothing, they just continue glare at Luthor. "Face it, son, you have much more in common with me than you do with Superman."
"You're lying!" Superboy snaps, getting in his face. "What has he given you? Nothing." Luthor sighs and crosses his arms, uncaring of the saddened look on Superboy's face or the glare from Legend. "Not even affection. And why? Because 'The Big Blue Boy Scout' lives in a world of black and white." Superboy turns away from Luthor, Legend puts a hand on Superboy's shoulders while the man kept talking.
"You were created by the bad guys, so there must be something wrong with you." Luthor tries to get in Superboy's line of sight again, but Superboy simply turns away again and Legend steps in front of Luthor, the glare still on his face. Luthor smirked.
"But, we both know life isn't that clear cut. The real world is full of gray. Weren't you determined to free Match and Epic at all costs? Yet, ultimately, you wisely agreed with my suggestion to refreeze them for the greater good of all."
Luthor reaches forward and rips the Shield off of Superboy's arm. "And though you think of me as a villain, you both still accepted my Shields." Superboy glares in Luthor's direction with Legend out of the corner of his eye. "We're more alike than you care to admit."
Superboy straightens up at that, rounding on Luthor. They both pulled the case out of his pocket. "Take them back." Legend does the same thing.
Luthor raises an easy hand, in a 'stop' motion. "Consider them a gift." He then gestures to himself. "From a father to his son."
Enraged Superboy marches forward and grabs Lex by the tie. "I won't need them for this." Luthor narrows his gaze, still smirking. "Red Sun." Superboy slumps and falls to the ground, Legend is immediately at his side. "Superboy, Superboy?! What did you do!?" Legend snarls at Lex. "He'll be fine." He says while he undid what was left of his tie.
Legend looks back to Superboy worried. "Legend." Lex say coming up behind him. "What." Legend says, not lookingd back. "Do you want to know who's D.N.A you have?" he asked. "Let me guess, your my dad too." Legend says sarcastically. Lex chuckled. "Not quite."
Lex nodded to Mercy who opened the limo door. Out walked Queen Bee, Legend looked back with widened eyes. "Why is she here." Queen Bee Chuckled. "Isn't it obvious? I'm your mother." Legend's eyes widen, Superboy's downed form forgotten for the moment. "Now I'd love to have a talk with you a little bit longer, but we on a schedule, so until next time my child. 'Supernova'."
Legend's eyes went dull and he slumps to the ground next to Superboy. By the time they woke up the sun has completely set, the stars out and all Superboy holding is Luthor's torn tie.
It slipped from his hand as he comes to and his hand eases out of the fist he'd been holding it in. Looking around, confused he spots Joshua on the ground next to him, he crawled to him before bringing his hand to his forehead.
He shook him and Joshua stirred awake. "Huh, what happened?" Joshua asked groggily.
"They took us down with just a phrase." Superboy groaned. "What else can they make us do?" Legend added. They looked down at the Shields still in their hands. Superboy's anger comes to the surface again.
Connor was about to throw them Into the river but Joshua stopped him. He glared at him only to see his fellow clones tired eyes. "Lets just go home." Superboy glare left his face, they both sighed. He put the case back into his pocket and they walked back towards the Super Cycle, Fang, and Wolf.
"All those in favor of ratifying the results?" Batman asked, standing at the head of the U-shaped table once again.
"I." Every member said in agreement, a few even raising their hands. "All opposed?" Batman asked, no one spoke up, everyone is still as he checks them over. "Then we are adjourned."
Chapter end. Please review, it really helps.
This isn't my only fanfiction, the list is on my profile, tell me which one you wanna read in the reviews. Thanks for reading.