Third Person's POV

Neo walks in the Hall of justice and notices that no one is in the room and pouts to himself and then notices a entrance near the golden statues and look and tilts sideways and decides to skip through the entrance to see what he can find and so far, nothing but couches and a big computer that shows Project Cadmus he tilts his head and decides to look at the computer and tap on one of the key boards and shows a location which Neo to his curiosity but all it shows about Project Cadmus is that he shows nothing but a genetics lab in DC, but since is showed in one of the league's computer made it seemed like a suspicious place. So like anyone would do, he goes to Cadmus to investigate himself.

-scene change-

Washinton DC: July 4, 20:30 EDT.

A G-gnome sits on one of the desks in an expansive lab as Desmond paces across the center. Finally slowing as seven screens come down from the ceiling. All seven are active, but instead of pictures, white outlines counteract the blue background.

"Dr. Desmond, you require an audience with the Light?" a man's voice asks, anger clear in his tone.

"Yes. Very sorry to disturb you at this late hour." he says, seeming like a tiny mouse compared to the lion he acts like to Guardian and the others.

"Just make your report." another man's voice speaks up, annoyance clear in his tone.

"Of course." Desmond says quickly. "Ahem." he clears his throat as he tries to buy himself time. "Well, we had a small fire, here at Project Cadmus. The origin of the incident is still unclear but seems to have attracted some... unwanted attention."

As he continues to speak the scene changes to show three teenagers in odd clothing unconscious in pods as a fourth teenager in a all-white body suit with a familiar symbol on the chest area watches over them.

"The three sidekicks, Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash breached security. They found and released the weapon, the Superboy. Of course, the clone is under our telepathic control and as ordered turned against his would-be liberators. The three are contained and we don't believe the League knows they're here." With that, he finishes his report then comes to why he really called them. "Uh... what should I do with them?"

"Clone them." the second male's voice says.

"The substitutes will serve the Light and only the Light." the deeper male's voice agrees.

"And the originals?" Desmond asks.

"Dispose of them." the deeper voice commands with no hesitation. "Leave no trace." Desmond only smiles cruelly in response.

 -meanwhile-

Neo successfully infiltrated the building and sees that the Elevator door opened and judging by the hand marks he assumed someone beat him here 

he looks down as he's surprised to see the elevator shaft, which seems to go on forever. Neo open his Paraso jumps down the shaft letting himself fall. After a few seconds of falling, he opens his parasol and let himself glide with his parasol. Neo watches as the level numbers run past him. Their eyes widening as he passes SL22, SL23, SL24, and beginning to slow at SL25. Then he comes to a stop at SL26 when he sees the door open which he gracefully lands.

he tits his head as he changes his appearance to a scientist and skips down the hallway.

-with the trio-

"Time runs short." a male's voice says. "You must awaken." none of the teens even flinch. "You must awaken NOW!"

Kid Flash comes to, gasping for air and his green eyes flying open. The other two are just as alert now too. Their attention trained on the glaring Superboy before them. "What? What do you want?" the speedster asks, his annoyance fighting his fear. "Quit staring. You're creeping me out."

"Uh, KF, how about we do not tick off the guy who can fry us with a look?" Robin suggests to the seriously freaked out speedster.

-some other part of the lower levels-

Desmond and the scientist that was in Project Kr walk down the organic-looking hall.

"Prepare the cloning procedure for the new Project Sidekick, now." Desmond instructs. 

She leaves instantly which little did she knew she was about to be ambushed by a certain Ice cream themed sidekick putting her to sleep.

Desmond continues to walk until he is side-by-side with Guardian.

"Almost done here Doc." he tells him once he comes to a pause. A G-troll holds the door stable while a worker welds the broken configurations.

Desmond continues forward, then stops short in shock as he seems the pod is empty. "Where's the weapon?" he demands, though there's anger in his voice, there's fear in his eyes.

""Superboy"?" Guardian asks, stepping up as well. "He carried the intruders to the cloning chamber."

"We have Genomorphs for that!" Desmond objects. "Get the weapon back in its pod now!"

"I don't see the harm in letting the kid stretch his legs." Guardian is not trying to pick a fight with Desmond because he honestly doesn't understand the problem.

"Don't you now?" Desmond asks, raising a single eyebrow as the G-gnome on his shoulder horns begin to glow.

Guardian's eyes go wide, but blank before they harden into an angry glare "That clone belongs in a cage!" he practically growls before storming off.

-back with the trio-

"We only sought to help you." Aqualad tries to tell the clone, calmly.

"Yeah. We free you, and you turn on us." Kid Flash pipes up, clearly still annoyed at the minimum. "How's that for grat-"

"Kid, please, be quiet now." Aqualad firmly says to the younger teen. "I believe our friend was not in full control of his actions."

With the conversation gaining ground Robin activates a lockpick in the pointer finger of his glove and begins to work on his restraint.

"Wha-what if I..." he trails with an annoyed huff, his voice never been used so his words don't come out quite right and his tone is slightly scratchy. "What if I wasn't?" he manages.

"He can talk?" Kid Flash questions shocked.

Superboy's hand clenches into a fist again as he practically growls his words at Kid Flash. "Yes, he can."

The two look at Kid Flash who looks rather confused back at them. "Not like I said, it."

"The Genomorph taught you telepathically." Aqualad realizes.

"They taught me much." Superboy admits. "I can read, write. I- I know the names of things."

"But have you seen them? Have they actually let you see the sky? Or the Sun?" Robin asks, knowing how much all three of them take those things for granted.

"Images are implanted in my mind," he admits, then looks down as if ashamed, "but no. I have not seen them."

Aqualad turns towards the more pressing matter. "Do you know what you are, who you are?" he asks.

Superboy stands tall "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 last bit gets worried looks from all three of them.

"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 tries to approach it calmly.

Once those words leave Aqualad's mouth Superboy gets angry. "I live because of Cadmus! It is my home!"

"Your home is a test tube." Robin says rather simply. "We can show you the Sun."

"Uh, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon." he offered as a substitute.

"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad agrees with the young speedster, knowing how much that would mean to the teenaged clone before them. Superboy's eyes widen slightly at the prospect.

Then they all see the door opening as the Scientist walks and looks at the three sidekicks and she heads to the computer and presses a button and releases the restrains.

Robin was surprised seeing this before the looking at the scientist and who blink and reveal a brown and pale pink eye instead of her hazel yellow.

The scientist turns back into Neo to everyone present's surprised Neo winks at the three sidekicks and then look back at Superboy gesturing the four of them to follow him.

"I think she wants us to follow her" Aqualad said as they watch Neo skipping away.

"Can we trust her?" Wally questions unsurely.

"We don't have much time! they would come over here before we could get a chance" Robin tells Kid Flash running pass him following Neo.

Superboy seems unsure whether he should go as well as Aqualad place a hand on his shoulder "Come on" the darker-skinned male tells the clone before the two of them run after the other three younger teens.

"Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long." Robin said while running following Neo

"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" Kid Flash deadpans while running at the normal pace instead of using his superspeed. "The whole League will have our heads after tonight." he snaps angrily.

-scene change-

In the hallway, the five are running down the once cream-colored bumps in the wall begin to glow the same red color as the horns on the G-gnome.

"We are still 42 levels below ground." Aqualad says, not even panting as he runs at full tilt. "But if we can make the elevator..." he trails a G-trolls block their way, first two further away, then more and steadily getting closer to them.

The five stop and look back the way they came. The glowing orbs now have pale white figures moving inside them. Genomorph Elves come out in a large group. The five are trapped.

The lead G-troll strikes from behind and all four jump back to avoid its crushing blow. Aqualad moves right around it, while Kid Flash and Robin go left. Superboy glares and jumps to cross it in the jaw. Knocking it down, but he is then surrounded by three more and is brought down as one pins him to the ground with its massive paw.

Another drops low on all fours and swings its head towards Aqualad, attempting to hit him with its large horns. Aqualad jumps into a backflip over the assault, giving Robin the chance to get in front of it and take its attention as he grabs his horn to follow Aqualad over the G-troll's shoulder.

Kid Flash has another tailing him and runs it into the wall, before running along it to end up beside Aqualad and Robin. The three turn as they hear the hallway shake and crumble. Their attention lands on Superboy who is fighting off G-trolls and slamming them into the wall and using his full strength. Despite the fact that it's causing the hallway to begin to fall apart.

Aqualad speaks up, nearly yelling, but just so he can ensure that he's heard. "Superboy, the goal is escape. Not to bury ourselves here."

Superboy turns to the three with an insane look, but also anger playing across his face. "You want to escape?" he demands, grabbing an unconscious G-troll's arm and throws it into the other two that are coming towards him with a battle cry.

As he does Aqualad pries the elevator doors open, this time taking no care in the fact that he's bending the doors. Kid Flash and Robin join him, looking at the twelve-story drop below them, and the seemingly never-ending darkness above them.

Kid Flash jumps to the side of the column, while Robin uses his grappling hook to get a couple of stories above them Neopolitan Jumps to the side of the column, but unlike Kid Flash Neo's moves in a more graceful and faster pace. As a G-troll comes to take out both Superboy and Aqualad with a mighty punch the Boy of Steel grabs Aqualad's waist and jumps into the elevator shaft. Attempting to fly and getting nearly 30 levels before gravity begins to pull them back down.

Shock shows in Superboy's eyes, while confusion shows in Aqualad's. "I- I'm falling." he realizes numbly.

Robin's eyes widen as he realizes what's happening, using his Batarang he gives Aqualad something to hold onto. The Atlantean strains but doesn't let go. The hold now reversed so Aqualad is holding him, Superboy's eyes have sadness and confusion filling them. "Superman can fly. Why can't I fly?" he questions.

"Don't know," Kid Flash says, drawing the Boy of Steel's attention to him and Robin and Neopolitan who are standing on the level just below them. "But it does look like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool." Then he helps Superboy down to the small ledge. Aqualad follows shortly thereafter.

"Ah, thank you." Superboy murmurs.

Neo looks up and his eyes widen before tugging on Robin who turns to him "What is it?" he asked.

Neopolitan points up as a whir from above them catches Robin's attention. 

"Guys, this will have to be our exit." the Boy Wonder informs the other as above them, the high-speed express elevator is coming down.

Aqualad and Superboy take out the doors, now showing that they are on SL-15. All five of them just making it out of the column in time. G-elves are attracted to the sound and make their way towards the five teens in a squad of five, followed closely by a G-troll.

"Turn left, brother." a voice says in Superboy's mind.

His eyes widen, slightly confused, but after a few seconds, his mind's made up. "Go left! Left!" he relays.

They all follow him, as he follows the directions.

"Turn right."

"Right." all five make the tight turn, only to lead them to a dead end. The only thing available is an air vent a few feet below the ceiling.

"Great directions, Supey." Kid Flash says sarcastically. "Are you trying to get us repodded?"

"No. I-I don't understand." Superboy confesses as Aqualad and Robin and Neopolitan finally catch up to the two faster teens.

"Don't apologize. This is perfect!" Robin says excitedly.

By the time the G-elves and the G-troll get to the dead-end, the four teens are gone, and the air vent cover is the only indication of where they went.

In the vents, Robin leads the way, followed by Neopolitan, Aqualad, Kid Flash, then Superboy bringing up the rear. "Ugh, at this rate we'll never get out." Kid Flash complains.

"Shh." Superboy shushes, coming to a stop and so do the other boys. "Listen."

Within the vent system are the G-elves, coming after the four attempting-escapees.

-meanwhile-

Desmond, Guardian, and Dubbilex run down a hallway. Desmond holds a tablet with the building schematics on it. "Someone, Robin, I'd wager, hacked our systems deactivating internal security cameras," his voice turns smug, "but he neglected the motion sensors." a group of four dots in the vents is following their path, and two groups of three are coming to a T that converges on them. "The Genomorphs are closing in. They're all coming out in here." he opens the door to a bathroom. "We have them cornered." they stand before the vents, now it's a matter of waiting.

Instead of the teen heroes, four G-elves tumble out of the vent. Onto to Desmond and the four G-elves beside him. "He hacked the motion sensors."

-with the five teens-

"I hacked the motion sensors." Robin says as he continues advanced keystrokes on his HoloGlove.

Neopolitan applaud with awe "Sweet." Kid Flash says brightly, though probably just happy to be out of the vents and in the hallways again.

"Still plenty of them between us and out." Robin grumbles, but they are also right by the emergency staircase.

Kid Flash brings his goggles down over his eyes. "But I've finally got room to move." then opens the door and starts running up levels at super-speeds. Coming down the same staircase from a level above him are droves of G-elves. He doesn't stop, in fact, he smirks and increases speed. Taking them all out and clearing the way for Aqualad, Neopolitan, Robin- who is still hacking- and Superboy.

"More behind us." Robin calls out to Superboy. As Superboy gets to the platform he stops and slams his foot down on the connecting stair. Knocking the whole staircase down and all the G-elves on it.

-with Desmond-

In the elevator Guardian, Dubbilex, Desmond, three G-dwarves, and a G-sprite. "We'll cut them off at Sub-Level One." Guardian assures as they boost past Sub-Levels 15 and 14.

"We'd better or the board will have our heads- my head." he realizes nervously, then presses the stop button on the elevator. The door opens and he walks out briskly. "I need to get something from Project Blockbuster, just in case. I'll meet you at Sub-Level One."

-with the teens-

Kid Flash continues up the staircase at super-speed, making out the door that indicates that he is at Sub-Level 1. As he does an alarm begins to blare, and massive doors in front of him close. His eyes widen as he realizes he won't be able to stop in time. "Oh, crud." Hitting the doors hard, and his head hitting first, then falling back to the ground a few feet away from the barrier then tumbling over twice before coming to a stop on his butt.

"We are cut off from the street." Aqualad grumbles annoyed as he, Superboy, Neopolitan and Robin run to catch up with him.

Kid Flash rubs the back of his head with a grimace. "Thanks. My head hadn't noticed."

Superboy walks past the fallen speedster, punching the door, but not even getting a dent in it. He begins trying to pry it apart but can't do it. Aqualad takes half and he takes the other, but even their combined strength cannot get the doors open.

Robin is typing at high speeds on his gauntlet, grumbling annoyed. "Can't hack this fast enough."

G-trolls growl and two come around the corner. Robin notices a door to his right.

Neopolitan does 270° rotation before side-kicking a door open. Neo points making Robin look "This way!" Robin shouts to the other three.

The G-trolls can't make it through the door, but in the adjoining hallway is a drove of G-elves, another pair G-troll, and Guardian waiting for them. Not to mention a G-gnome on every creature's shoulder. Behind them, a third G-troll and a half dozen G-elves cut them off.

Aqualad removes his Water Bearers, forming dual swords as the others drop into fighting stances. Neopolitan stands besides them before the blade pokes out of the tip of the parasol Canary gave him.

One of the G-gnome's horns begin to glow, setting off a chain reaction as all the other G-gnomes do the same. Linking everyone against the heroes telepathically.

All five teens straighten out of their dropped stances before falling to the ground. Only Superboy falls to his knees.

"Perhaps for the sake of all Genomorphs our brother Superboy should make up his own mind." Dubbilex says to all the Genomorphs telepathically.

Superboy's eyes widen in realization "It was you."

"Yes, brother. I set the fire and lured your new friends into Cadmus, woke them when they were in danger-" Dubbilex lists.

"And guided me." Superboy finishes. "Why?"

"Because you are our hope, the Genomorph hero. You will blaze a trail for all our brothers, showing us the way to freedom." Dubbilex tells Superboy.

Guardian groans and grips his head, then the G-gnome jumps from his shoulder. "What's going on?" he questions, stirring Aqualad back into consciousness.

"What is your choice, brother?" Dubbilex asks Superboy as he stands tall.

"I... choose... freedom." Superboy states with conviction aloud so everyone can hear him.

"Feels... like fog... lifting." Guardian manages as the other four teen boys get back to their own two feet as well.

"Guardian?" Aqualad asks since right now his head is clearer than Neo, Robin and Kid Flash's.

"Go." he tells them with conviction. "I'll deal with Desmond."

"I think not." Desmond growls, all Genomorphs behind Guardian part ways to allow Desmond to be visible. "Project Blockbuster will give me the power to restore order to Cadmus." he says then downs one of the blue vials that he was working on in his lab.

Guardian backs up, standing protectively in front of the four teenagers as Desmond begins to transform. First, it's just his veins popping under his skin, but as he falls to his knees and his body rips through his lab coat and shirt Neopolitan, Kid Flash and Robin's eyes pop in shock. Desmond's head lifts from his arm as growls, some of his skin tearing off as his sclera turns black and his irises go bright red, Aqualad grimaces in hesitation. Finally, he stands back up and growls all his old skin ripping off him and now replaced by thicker grey skin instead of his normal skin in most areas. Superboy tenses as he roars, but doesn't attack, even as the once-Desmond turns towards the five heroes and growls, some of his hair and old skin still attached to the left side of his head, breathing heavily.

Guardian puts his hands out to the sides, but the palms turn towards the teens behind him. "Everyone back!" before he runs at Blockbuster, only to be swept aside like he's nothing and into a wall a good three or feet off the ground.

Superboy glares harder before charging at Blockbuster with a hard cross hitting the mutated scientist in the jaw. However, he's hardly affected and refutes by punching downwards on Superboy's shoulder and upper-back. Superboy plants his feet and turns a tight 180 to hit an uppercut on Blockbuster's underjaw. Then jumping to do a double-cross combo while he's still off-balance. Blockbuster finds an opening and unleashes his own hard cross to Superboy's face, knocking him back a good ten feet. As Superboy lands on his shoulder, he keeps his momentum going and rolls back to his feet. Standing up and charging, but this time jumping into the air with his hands over his head. Blockbuster jumps at Superboy, catching the teen's core and throwing both of them through the ceiling.

"Okay." Robin murmurs, amazement in his voice as he, Aqualad, and Kid Flash stand under the hole. "That's one way to bust through the ceiling." releasing his grappling hook through the same hole.

"You think Lab coat planned that?" Kid Flash questions as he grabs onto Robin's utility belt and the two zip up and out.

"I doubt he is planning anything anymore." Aqualad says darkly, before looking at Neo and offers him a hand who smile and takes it and they both jump through the hole.

All five are now standing on the main floor of the building. An expansive room that only has floors on the sides to separate the two stories. All four protégés watch as Blockbuster attempts to confine Superboy by holding his arms to his sides. The Boy of Steel is stronger than the mutant, though, and breaks the hold. Ready to strike at Blockbuster, if he hadn't grabbed his shins and thrown the taller raven at the other four heroes. Kid Flash and Robin are just barely missed, but Aqualad gets slammed into hard. Neo does a spit to avoid getting thrown over.

Blockbuster roars as Neopolitan helps Superboy back to his feet and Kid Flash helps Aqualad. It's tense, but unmoving for a few moments before Blockbuster charges at the four boys. Kid Flash reacts first, then Aqualad, then Robin, then Superboy and then Neopolitan.

Kid Flash uses his speed to run right at Blockbuster, before sliding underneath him and dodging a crippling downward punch, he remains crouched and low to the ground. Gaining Blockbuster's attention, before he turns back and finds Superboy and Aqualad both jumping at him with twin punches. The two hit him right in the face, and knock him back, Kid Flash helps the process along by straightening his legs slightly and causing Blockbuster to trip backward over him.

"Learned that one in kindergarten." the redhead says smugly, standing up and blocking Robin from view before he jumps and rotates over Kid Flash before releasing two of his signature disks.

Blockbuster swings his arm and deflects them as he staggers so he's facing away from the two teens. Only to find Superboy waiting for him. Superboy stands ready, but Blockbuster, being as large as he is, catches Superboy around the core with both his hands, before standing up and ramming the Boy of Steel into the nearby pillar.

Superboy doesn't seem to feel it, as Blockbuster pulls away he unleashes a one-two combo on the large mutant. Blockbuster pulled away so he could muster a devastating cross to Superboy's head. Hitting Superboy right in the face, but also crushing him into the pillar behind him.

As Blockbuster goes for a second, a water whip wraps around her upper arm. Turning he finds Aqualad on the end of it coming at him and hitting the villain in the face with his knee before planting his feet on the pillar above Superboy's head as his Water Bearer turns into a mace. Which, unfortunately, Blockbuster catches with one hand and throws the stunned Atlantean to the side while his other hand holds Superboy. Aqualad hits with a cry, the floor even cracking under the force, as Blockbuster grips Superboy tighter and then throws him into the second story segment of another pillar. Superboy falls and hits with his own gasp, before a slab of the pillar he fell into falls on top of his left arm and shoulder.

Neo runs up to Blockbuster attempting to hit the monster who notices and tries to punch the shorter boy only for Neo to be shattered like glass surprising everyone as Neo then reappear behind Blockbuster knocking him back

Kid Flash speeds in, as Aqualad manages to get out of the way of Blockbuster attempting to step on his head. Grabbing Blockbuster's massive wrist and allowing momentum to turn the villain's back to Aqualad. Blockbuster opens his monstrous hand, causing Kid Flash to lose his grip and catch the speedster's smaller wrist in it. Aqualad stands, his tattoos glowing as his Water Bearer turns to a mace once more, prepared to hit Blockbuster's turned back. Though Blockbuster swings Kid Flash like an extension of his arm, throwing the two into each other. Knocking Aqualad into a pillar across the room, and Kid Flash into the front of the building.

Neo catches Kid Flash before he could hit himself "Hey thanks" Kid Flash thanked Neopolitan who nodded with a smile.

Aqualad falls but slumps against the pillar just managing to look up before Blockbuster hits him with an uppercut to the Atlantean's stomach. The move destroys the pillar and Blockbuster continues his move until he has Aqualad pinned against another pillar and a hand around his throat.

The whole building shakes and the pillar cracks where the floors meet at one of the corners. Blockbuster hits Aqualad again and Robin watches from a safe distance.

"Of course." the Boy Wonder realizes, pulling up the floor plan of this room. "KF, get over here!"

Kid Flash gets to his feet and both he and Neo follow the Boy Wonder's call as Blockbuster grips Aqualad's face, ready to uppercut him again, but barely being stopped by Aqualad's Water Bearer turning into a small circular shield.

Seeing this as he stumbles to his feet, Superboy charges at Blockbuster. Hitting him in the kidneys just as Aqualad's shield breaks. Seeing the effect it has, Superboy hook punches the same spot before jumping and grabbing Blockbuster's neck in a chokehold zooming around so that he is just off to the right of Blockbuster does Kid Flash come to a stop, before changing direction and hitting Blockbuster with a high-speed cross. Nothing happens, but on his knuckles is some of his old skin. "Got your nose." he teases.

Blockbuster throws Superboy down and goes after Kid Flash. Just missing the speedster with two downward strikes from over his head. Giving Superboy enough time to get his grip again and force himself to his feet.

"Superboy, Aqualad." Robin calls pulling up the HoloGlove again. 

This goes unheard as Kid Flash comes to a stop before one of the pillars, taunting the massive villain which Neo was expecting him. "Come and get me, you incredible bulk!" The speedster gets out of the way of the punch that destroys the pillar and shattering Neo's Illusion, but some of the debris hits him in the shoulder. Knocking off his feet only to be caught by Neo using his opened Parasol.

Just barely managing to dodge the double fist combo and dive across the room to keep Blockbuster following him as Robin finishes explaining the plan to Aqualad and Superboy.

"This one and that one." he points to the one he wants, the two stronger boys nod and run to it, as Robin pulls out three more disks.

Superboy hits an already damaged pillar breaking it with ease, while behind him Aqualad's tattoos glow as his Water Bearer forms a mace as he destroys a second one.

Kid Flash drops under a cross by Blockbuster and stays just to his right, another pillar now weakened. Blockbuster attempts to hit the speedster again, only to miss. Kid Flash chuckles. "Sorry. Try again." then bolts again.

Robin uses chalk to draw a white X on the floor and Aqualad uses his Water Bearers to create a puddle that Kid Flash skids through covering up to said X.

Superboy jumps and hits Blockbuster on his way down with a cross that knocks him straight to the ground. Now right on the X.

Some water is underneath Aqualad's feet, and his tattoos continue to glow brightly as electricity crackles, coming from his hands. Which he then touches to the water. Hitting Blockbuster.

"Move!" Robin calls as Aqualad releases his hold on the electricity.

On the three remaining pillars are Robin's disks, which are now glowing red and green and beeping. Before they explode. As they do the weight of the roof becomes too much and it breaks right over Blockbuster's head dropping the rubble right on his shocked face.

All five boys are running to make it out of the debris field, but can't make it far enough, Superboy jumps over Kid Flash, while Aqualad covers Robin as Neopolitan only uses his Parasol to cover himself. The entire building is now crumbling around them. Superboy punches a small piece of rubble so he can stick his hand through and push the larger piece covering the four of them up with his shoulder. All five now have evidence of their injuries in their torn suits, but they're okay.

Breathing heavily Aqualad turns to Robin and Kid Flash. "We... did it."

"Was there... ever any doubt?" Robin questions, barely exchanging a look with Kid Flash before they high five but are forced to drop it as they aggravate their injuries on their sides and stomachs.

Superboy steps fully out of the rubble they were covered in and looks to the still pinned Blockbuster.

"See?" Kid Flash questions, drawing Superboy's attention away from the villain and using his thumb to gesture. "The Moon."

Superboy can only stand and take it all in, but then a figure appears in its light, cloaking him in shadows. Superboy squints slightly, trying to see who it is. As he slows and turns perpendicular to the ground it's obviously Superman.

"Oh. And Superman." Kid Flash comments, surprised. "Do we keep our promises, or what?" Neopolitan looks at the speedster unsure if is a good time to joke

Martian Manhunter, Zatara, Captain Marvel, and Red Tornado fly behind the Big Blue Boy scout. Followed by Captain Atom, Hawkman, Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, and the first Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. The second Green Lantern, John Stewart brings a platform for the Leaguers who can't fly; Black Canary, Aquaman, Batman, and Green Arrow. Neo grows nervous when he sees one of his Mentors.

As Batman steps up to Superman, Flash zooms in, standing to Batman's left. 

Superboy steps up first, gaining scrutiny in Superman's eyes, but not stopping as he lifts the torn front of his suit, revealing the same S that is mirrored on his own costume. Superman's eyes widen in shock, while Superboy's features soften. Only for Superman's gaze to turn hard and cold, bringing on an annoyed look of confusion on Superboy's face.

"Is that what I think it is?" Batman questions.

"He doesn't like being called an it." Kid Flash says stepping up and putting his left hand to face towards Superboy as speaks.

"I'm Superman's clone!" Superboy speaks up, gaining a shocked look from Kid Flash. While Martian Manhunter looks to Captain Marvel, Flash looks to Green Arrow, and Aquaman and Black Canary can only look on in shock.

Batman's eyes zero in on his protégé's. "Start talking."

Canary walks up to her protégé "You're not hurt, are you?" she questions Neopolitan who only shrugs as his responds "is fine, I'm guessing no one was in the hall so you follow them here?" she assumes as Neo nods.

Both Green Lanterns have Blockbuster trapped inside a sphere, while Hawkman, Hawkwoman, and Captain Atom fly alongside them.

Superman is having a conversation with Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. Nothing is said for a moment, then Manhunter places a hand on Superman's shoulder, causing Superman to meet Superboy's gaze. The clone's look is curious, while Superman's is hard. The clone looks away, then glances back, seeing Superman look down and away from him before finally turning and walking towards him.

Superman sighs as he meets his cross-armed clone. "We'll, uh, we'll figure something out for you. The League will, I mean." he corrects himself quickly. "For now I better make sure they get the Blockbuster creature squared away." then he flies away with a swish of his cape. Leaving Superboy following him with shocked, hurt, and confused eyes.

Neo notices this and walks up to the Superboy and takes off his glove and hands Superboy a note pad "Is a way of showing comfort" that what Neo wrote.

Superboy seems to realize "you're deaf?" he asks as Neo let's go of Superboy's hand and make a small X with his pointing fingers covering his mouth "I see..." he mutters in understanding.

Neo smiles and holds the clone's hand again which Superboy doesn't understand why but he feels slightly better.

"Cadmus will be investigated," Batman says, drawing the teens' attention to him, Flash, and Aquaman as they walk towards them, "All 52 levels but let's make one thing clear-"

"You should have called." Flash pipes up, even catching Batman's attention.

"End results aside, we're not happy." the Dark Knight growls. "You hacked Justice League systems, disobeyed direct orders, and endangered lives. You will not be doing this again."

"I am sorry, but we will." Aqualad states strongly, even Robin steps up slightly.

"Aqualad, stand down." Aquaman attempts to command the older teen.

"Apologies, my King," he even makes reverence as he speaks, then his voice goes firm once more. "But no." this catches an eyebrow raise from the King of Atlantis. "We did good work here tonight, the work you trained us to do. Together on our own we forged something powerful, important."

"If this is about your treatment at the Hall, the three of you-" Flash tries to understand where they're coming from but is completely off.

Kid Flash doesn't hesitate to correct him. "The five of us, and it's not."

"Batman, we're ready to do what you taught us, or why teach us at all?" Robin speaks the quietest out of the group, but as he steps up to speak to his mentor it's obvious that he feels just as strongly about it as they do.

"Why let them tell us what to do?" Superboy questions, his arms uncrossing as he too steps up. "It's simple. Get on board or get out of the way." all three protégés were watching him, but they all turn back towards their mentors. Standing tall, proud, and defiant.

Batman notices Neo "Neopolitan...we finally meet" he said.

Robin looks surprised "You mean the Protégé that Harley Quinn's been blabbering about recently, Neopolitan?" Robin questions looking at Neo.

"Cool" Wally only commented as Both Aqualad and Superboy look back at the shorter boy

Neo then moves his parasol over his shoulder and smirks at all of them.

-time skip-

Mount Justice, Rhode Island; July 8th, 8:04 EDT

Green Lantern and Captain Atom are flying large pieces of equipment around the Mountain, but in the Center stands all four teens, now dressed in civilian clothes with Neo be the only exception, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel.

"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League." Batman tells the four boys. "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." All four watch as Batman walks slightly away from the center of the room. "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions."

A pair of sunglasses covers Robin's eyes, clearly there to protect his identity, speaks up. "Real missions?" he checks.

"Yes, but covert." Batman confirms stepping back to be closer to the boys before him.

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff." Flash speaks up from behind Kid Flash's right shoulder. "There's a reason we have these big targets on our chest."

"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly." Aquaman continues, then turns his head towards Batman to continue the flow of conversation.

"The six of you will be that team." Batman states.

"Cool! Wait." Robin does the very simple math and realizes the problem. "Six?"

Batman only looks over his protégé's shoulder and all four teens turn to see Martian Manhunter stepping out of the shadows with a green-skinned, red-haired teenaged girl. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece. Miss Martian." he introduces the girl.

She raises her left hand, giving them a small wave and smile, then a shy "Hi."

Kid Flash looks down to Robin as he puts one hand on his hip, Robin, in turn, looks up at Kid Flash. "Liking this gig more every minute." he steps up, minorly blocking her view of Robin, Neopolitan and Superboy. "Uh welcome aboard, I'm Kid Flash." using his thumb to point at himself. "That's Robin," the smaller raven steps to the side and gives a Rock 'n' Roll sign, "Aqualad." the Atlantean gives a small nod but says nothing more. "It's cool if you forget their names."

"I'm honored to be included." Miss Martian says sincerely, clasping her hands in front of her to enunciate her point.

Aqualad, Robin, and Kid Flash all walk to talk to her with less of their mentors listening in. However, Superboy stays behind, something Neo notices is paired with a downcast expression. Neo tugs Superboy's arm and walks with him towards Miss Martian.

Superboy walks over to the rest of the team; Miss Martian uses her shape-shifting ability to change her shirt color from white with a red X to black with the same red X, even going so far as to remove her cape. She looks down before speaking. 

"I like your t-shirt." she admits to Superboy, who gives her a small smile.

This causes Robin to nudge his elbow into his chest with a smirk on his features. While Kid Flash zips to his other side with a bright smile.

Robin inclines his head slightly to Aqualad.

"Today is the day." the Atlantean says proudly. They all know it's true.