Becoming Superboy 17
When they returned from Bart's time, he hadn't expected the whole League and Team to be waiting for them along with a crowd of curious and reporters. Among them of course was Lois Lane. He was thankful the rest of the League was able to keep them back because he didn't want them to hear Wonder Woman shouting at them. He also didn't expect for Bart to be missing. He had been sad and happy at the same time. He had his family back and the Reach was gone from Earth. It hadn't been a perfect end, but it was one where his friend regained those he thought lost.
Then Bart had returned. They didn't know how just yet but he guessed as they arrived at the Watchtower that they all would learn soon. He could tell it had taken him some time because the boy had actually grown an inch or two. Though he wondered if the League would care to listen at all; Tim had just a short time ago told them that the League was undecided about keeping them around. He wondered if Superman hadn't also told him anything because of what they were planning. Like Time had said, they had been under enough pressure at the time.
"I wish we could be in the meeting," he heard Beast Boy a few rooms away.
"Could you tell us what is going on M'gann?" La'gaan asked the Martian.
"Uncle John won't allow me," she said with a sigh.
"This is so frustrating, they are our friends," Cassie said with a stump that was felt all the way to the hall where they were walking.
"But they have broken the rules Wonder Girl. They have to face the consequences," Kaldur said though he sounded far from happy.
"Yeah, broke them and came back from freeing a slaved world and defeating the Reach," Virgil said to the Atlantean. "Plus, Bart brought some cool guests."
"Which we don't know if it will affect the fabric of time somehow," Kaldur said sounding tired.
"Superboy?" he realized he had stopped and his friends were watching him a little worried.
"It's nothing," he said though his mind was already spinning an idea.
He never got into any major trouble in school, but he wondered if it was like this. The whole League was seated around their high tech table waiting for them. He noted a few were irritated they hadn't arrived right away. He wished he could say he didn't care much like Bart and Tim did, but he did care. They were their teachers and he believed they deserved respect if simply for what they did for the everyday folk.
"I have a request," he said.
"You are not in a position to make any requests," Wonder Woman said crossing her arms.
"We are no League members," he told them, "and for such reason I believe the Team should also be present in this meeting. They deserve to know what is going to happen first hand if just for that."
"It is a sensible request," the Atom said to the angered Amazon.
"Just bring them in, we have dwelled on this for too long," Batman said glaring at the four of them.
A few moments later the whole Team was brought in. The young heroes looked worried at being called in. They thought they were in trouble as well, but soon learned from their mentors that they would be part of the meeting since they were teammates.
"Now," Batman said never taking his eyes off them, "explain everything from the beginning."
So, they told their story from the moment they arrived at Bart's time taking turns and adding details when the others forgot them. As they talked, it started to dawn on him that they had done the impossible. He knew this was no strange to the League, but to them it meant something greater. He wondered if the League felt like this too when they started. The more they progressed into their story it seemed more unreal.
He was very tempted to shut down his sensory powers but refrain as he hoped to get an inside of what they were thinking. He was by no means a mind reader like M'gann… yet. However, the past months had allowed him to learn how to read emotions to a better degree. However it was getting to the point where his emotions were threatened to be overcome by theirs. Rage was very tempting to feel, but he knew what would happen if he allowed his control to slip.
"We will have a recess for thirty minutes," Batman announced just when Conner thought he would not be able to stand it anymore.
"About time, I am starving," Bart said before rushing to the kitchen as the rest went to one of the private rooms away from the questioning looks of the League and Team.
"What do you think they will do?" Jaime said removing his armor and rubbing his shoulder as he sank into one of the comfortable chairs.
"A better question is why we are allowing them to judge us," Tim said leaning back on his chair. He seemed very nonchalant about the whole matter even though it was his mentor that had been glaring at them the whole time. He wondered if the man even blinked.
Though some didn't show it like Tim, Conner knew the whole situation was stressing all of them. It was hard enough to do all they did, but to tell the League about it and then be judged by their actions was just torturous. He didn't believe they did anything wrong. They had found a way to the end and were back safe.
"I missed the food of this time so much," Bart said returning with food for all of them.
"How long were you there?" Blue asked him.
"Almost six months," Bart said before starting to eat. They waited for him to say something else, but he just kept eating.
"I guess you found the secret to time travel?" Tim asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe," Bart said as he kept eating, "though that is something I will take with me to the grave."
It was no joke. Bart looked at each one of them in the eye to make sure they understood.
"What are you going to tell the League when they ask?" Jaime asked him.
"The same thing," Bart said returning to eat.
"This is so not going our way," Blue said with a sigh.
"What do we want anyways? We go back to taking the undercover missions and being treated like children?" Tim asked them, "or do you wish to join the League but continue to be tied down by their rules?"
"You make both of them sound so appealing," Conner couldn't help saying. Robin stared directly at him and Conner could sense what he really wanted, "you want us to quit both." Though it was no big surprise since he and Bart kept acting as if they shouldn't care what the League wanted.
They talked about what this would mean for them. Would they become a team of their own like what the Red Hood, Arsenal, and Starfire were or were they going their own ways and giving each other a hand when needed? Or would they stay and if is with the Team or demand to be part of the League? There were pros and cons to all of them, but it was hard to measure unless they tried. In the end they came to an agreement, some sure and others a little reluctant. The voice of Martian Man Hunter called to start the meeting again. Tim was the first one out the door leaving the rest in anxious silence. Kid Flash followed after a moment while trying to keep a firm look. He remained with Blue for a moment. The boy couldn't hide the conflict going through his mind.
"Are you… are you okay with this?" Blue asked him.
"Whatever happens, the four of us will face it together. Whether we want it or not, we are a team now," and then left Blue to his own thoughts. He knew of all four of them he had been at this for a lot less time. It was understandable that he had his doubts. Still, he hoped the four of them would indeed stick together.
When returning to the meeting Tim took over explained what happened next. He didn't want to speak anymore so he was fine with this. He noticed he didn't say anything about Damian; that was a whole other can of worms. That reminded him that Clark might have already read his article and the note he included in it. If he had, he was taking it quite well. He hadn't been sure they would return and decided to let him know through his article seconds before he sent it. It had been rushed, but he deserved to know.
It finally got to Bart when he was stuck in his time. It seemed they had reached an agreement with the scientist and she was able to remove the red scarabs from Bart's family and was now of finding ways to restore life to the planets the Reach had conquered. It was helpful that the scientist was a passionate collector of life from other worlds. Also, four cities had been funded since they left and were thriving with a combination of Earth, Reach, and otherworldly technology. It was no perfect for the percentage of Metas was a lot higher and were arguments about who did more for their survival, but those of extreme opinions were very few. The League continued to do what they did, but they also served consultants to the leaders. And then, just as he said he wouldn't tell them the secret to safe time travel.
"Because no such thing exists," he told them. Some of the Leaguers were ready to question him, but he raised his hand to stop them, "I really mean it; I will take it with me to the grave."
"Is there anything else you want to say before we make our decision," Batman asked them.
"Yes," he stood forwards. He could feel the eyes of his companions on his back. He had wanted Tim to do this, but since he had been doing this for a longer time than them they decided he would be the best for the job.
"Well?" the Batman said centering his gaze on him.
"You don't need to make any decisions regarding us," Conner said looking at each one of the League members, "because we quit. We are now independent agents and no longer require your approval for what we do. We are thankful for all you have taught us, but we have a different vision of what we can do for the world. We will be taking our leave now, but if you require our assistance we will be more than happy to provide it."
Then silence rained in the meeting room. The first sound was that of Tim and Bart turning away and leaving the room. He sensed the panic in Jaime and turned to face him with a smile.
"Let's go, we have plenty to talk about," he told the blue hero who could only nod before they left to join the others. As he walked, he could hear a little of the conversation that followed.
"Well, that was unexpected," said Hal Jordan.
"Talk for yourself," Batman said. He had seen this coming weeks ago.
"We are not really going to let them go, are we?" Wonder Woman asked readily to stand and drag them back there.
"I don't think we an option anymore," Superman told her with an apologetic smile, "they are on their own now."
He didn't hear it what was said after. They arrived in El Paso Texas. In actuality, they had no idea of where to go from there. They couldn't go to his place because that was also where Superman lived and the same could be said about Robin and Batman. They could have gone with the Garrets, but Bart insisted not to bother the old couple. So, they ended up going to Jaime's house sneaking through the back.
"Jaime!" a little girl he imagined was his sister rushed to him dressed in pink pajamas. Jaime shed his armor and welcomed the small girl with a hug, "you are in trouble. Mom and Dad have been waiting for you with your guests."
"My guests?" he asked.
"It's Roy and Jade," Superboy said sensing them.
They went into the house where indeed Roy and Jade were sitting across the Reyes drinking some coffee.
"Oh, look at that, there is no more desert for you kids," Jade said with a smirk.
"Ehm, what's going on?" Jaime asked.
"Artemis told us what happened," Roy said, "my respects for telling the League to fu-" he was stopped from finishing that sentence by a jab from Jade.
"We came to talk to you about what you would be doing next," Jade told them, "and before you ask, no we didn't get asked to do this by anyone."
"We will leave you kids for now," the Reyes said leaving the living room and taking their little girl in the way.
The four teens took sit in the living room.
"They really did eat all the dessert," Bart said with a pout.
"You had no right coming here," Tim told them, "Blue's family is not involved on-"
"They became involved the moment they allowed the kid to run around with an alien armor," Roy told them, "but that's beside the point. We are here to help."
"How come?"
"We have a sort of agreement with the League, but is nothing official. We would like to expand," Jade said, "I guess you could call it our business."
Conner knew Roy supplied them with new technology. If it wasn't because he had seen the gizmos, he created he would have never thought of him as the inventor type. Jade, because of her background had many informants, he suspected maybe even more than the League. The League never spoke out loud of funds, but he knew these two had to get paid something. It wasn't like the had regular day jobs, especially not with their skills.
"We don't have the resources needed to help you expand your business," Conner said already planning to find a part time job until he finished college. The League used to take care of that. He was sure they would insist on funding his studies until they ended, but he wouldn't have it. They had to be completely independent.
"Actually," Tim said looking uncomfortable. It was a sight they hadn't seen in quite some time, "we do have funds." Or it was more like Tim had an inherency left to him by his late father.
Maybe it wasn't so much about the money, thought Conner. Tim had not spoken of what happened to his father a year ago, but had simply been absent for about month from any missions. He knew he had been taken in by the Batman, but nonetheless he had lost his last blood relative.
"Then it's settled," Jade said with a confident smile.
"We will think about it," Tim said returning to his serious demeanor, "but I believe you are not here just to start a partnership."
"I don't care for what the League says, you kids are almost ready," Jade said before handing them a small piece of paper. It had coordinates on them.
"Jason?" Tim asked.
"How did you? Never mind," sighed Roy, "he wants to talk to you lot. It seems he learned; don't ask me how, of what happened. I guess he thinks you might join him."
"No," Tim said frowning, "it's something else."
"Only one way to find out," Roy said pointing at the paper before he and Jade stood up, "will be seeing you around."
The four of them sat in that living room for a while looking at that paper. Jason Todd or better known as the Red Hood wanted to talk to them. Superboy knew Blue and Kid Flash had never met him, but they had surely heard of his work. He fought the bad guys, and also killed them. He was without mercy and at one point also tried to kill Batman, though he too once was his apprentice. However, it was believed he had met his final faith thanks to the Joker, but then returned full of hate and something else. Since his failed attempt to kill the Dark Knight, the young man had stuck to breaking drug and weapon merchants' backs.
"We aren't going, are we?" Jaime asked.
"Of course we are," Bart said taking the piece of paper, "who better to tell us how it is to be on our own than people who have already done it."
"They are criminals," Conner decided to remind Bart, "even if their intentions are good, taking lives is uncalled for."
"Reach soldier guts *cough*," Bart said before feeling as if his body was pinned to the couch, "that is not fair." He had told Superboy before he released him.
"We should," Robin told them, "at least just to know why he would be interested in talking with us."
888
It was the early hours of the next day when he finally made it home. He sensed his mentor was out somewhere patrolling the city. He wondered what he would say when he returned or would he just accept it and let him be?
"About time," someone said at the end of the hall. He had detected them but had thought it was one of his neighbors.
"Simon?" he asked the young teen standing in front of his door, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I am just playing chess. What do you think?" he snapped at him. He wondered how long he had been waiting. "I tried calling the number you gave me, but let me guess, you didn't take it with you."
"Sorry," he had indeed left the phone in his backpack. "But what was so urgent you had to come here?"
"Something is happening in Smallville. Something way out there and we need help," Simon told him before taking something out of his pocket. He handed it to Conner. It looked like a fatty string, but the moment Conner touched images started flashing images in his mind. None of them made sense, but he sensed they weren't any good. He dropped it back immediately back on Simon's hand.
"What is that?" he asked wondering if the thing was still alive.
"I think is alien," Simon told him, "I came to seek the help of the Supes and who better than to talk to than you and Clark Kent."
"Simon, it doesn't really work like that," he said opening the apartment door.
"Well, it better or we are talking alien invasion, again," he said entering.
Conner made him sit and eat something before getting him to explain what happened. The kid was putting quite the front, but he could tell he was terrified.
"A few weeks ago a pastor arrived in town and set up his church in the outskirts. A few people started going just to welcome him, but soon they became part of their congregation; then, their neighbors and then the neighbors of their neighbors and families. Now, the whole town attends the place every night."
"And what does that have to do with aliens?" Conner asked him. If it weren't for the images, he would have thought a joke gone too far.
"My parents started going too," Simon told him with a frown. He looked at the string with worry, "a few nights ago I woke up to find them in my room holding me down while they tried to put that thing in my ear. It has to be related somehow."
Conner left him for a moment to start preparing coffee and also get a jar. He made Simon put the fatty string in the jar. If that thing was meant to be used to control them, it was better if neither of them touched it.
"You believe me?" Simon asked as he watched Conner bring him some blankets.
"I do," he said handing them to him, "you need to sleep. Tomorrow we will talk about what to do."
"But-" though he did look exhausted Simon Valentine was too frightened to go to sleep.
"Clark is out for tonight, he won't come back until morning," he told the youth.
"Oh," Simon said sinking on the couch. Then, he looked at the thing in the jar "that thing."
"Won't do anything while there," Conner said returning with a cup of coffee and sitting on the other end of the couch. He turned on the TV and set the channel where an old movie was playing. He hoped it would help the kid relax and get some well-deserved rest. He could only imagine the hardship he went through to find them. His plan worked for a half hour later the boy was sleeping. Just as he was about to take the jar and place it in the fridge, he heard the phone ring. He hurried to pick it up so it wouldn't wake up Simon. He wondered who was calling at that ungodly hour.
"Sorry to bother you at this time Conner," it was Mrs. Lang and she sounded worried, "we just don't know anymore where to look. Simon Valentine, one of the town's boys, is missing. His parents remember him talking about you a while back and they wondered if he was there."
"Actually no Mrs. Lang," he said picking up the jar. Something had caught his sight.
"Are you sure? The poor boy might be looking for you and Clark," Mrs. Lang said.
"Why would he be searching for us?" he asked the woman before he saw it again. The string of fat moved.
"It doesn't matter boy, you have him, don't you?" her tone changed completely. He knew this was not really Mrs. Lang talking, "return him to us."
"Now, why should I do such a thing?" he said glaring at the thing in the jar. He wondered if it was somehow communicating with Mrs. Lang.
"You have been warned Kent. Expect a visit from us for Metropolis is next," and then she hung up.
"They are coming, aren't they?" Simon said sitting up.
"We are not going to let it happen," he said grabbing the jar and started dialing a number.
Within half an hour, he opened the door to find Jaime looking at him quite irritated and sleep deprived.
"What is so important that it can't wait until tomorrow?" he said with a glare unusual for him. Probably he wasn't a morning person.
"This," he said handing the jar to him.
"What is…" the string of fat started jumping around inside the jar as if in panic. Jaime tilted his head to the side as he listened to the scarab, "the Unity."
"That's what that church calls itself," Simon said jumping to his feet, "how did you know? And why is it behaving that way?"
Jaime gave Conner a look asking how much he should say.
"Let's just say Jaime knows a lot about aliens," Conner told him, "what is it?"
"Simply put, it's a parasite. It feeds on the life of those infected until nothing living remains, but this is too small. There has to be a source," he said handing the jar back to Conner.
"It's in Smallville," Conner told him, "and we just got confirmation that they are coming here next."
"Shit," Blue said rubbing his tired eyes. "What did I get myself into?"
"Go back to sleep," Conner told Simon, "we are going to get help."
Simon only nodded, but Conner could see the wheels of his mind working behind his eyes.
Thirty minutes after they were all together on top of the building in their uniforms.
"What else do you know about it?" Robin asked Blue.
"It's linked to its victim's physiology and like almost everything in this world; it doesn't like to be burned. As long as we destroy the source the people infected will be freed," Blue told them.
"Simon said that everyone goes to that church, that's probably where it feeds on them," Superboy told them.
"Let's get going then," Kid Flash said getting ready to run.
"We are all going together," Robin told him before pressing something on his belt and then from the clouds above descended the Superbike.
"How did you get her?" Conner said going to Sphere.
"I found her in my way here. It seems she had no interest in staying with the Team if you weren't around anymore," Robin told him, "don't worry. The League and the Team already knows."
"Good, I get to have a nap before getting there," Blue said jumping on first followed by Robin and Kid Flash.
They took off towards Smallville. In the outskirts of Metropolis, they spotted Superman.
"Why is that boy in the apartment?" he asked them worried. He recognized they were going towards Smallville.
"Alien parasite in Smallville," Superboy said as they kept flying.
"What?" Superman had asked before Superboy handed him the jar with the parasite.
"An alien parasite has taken over Smallville and plans to take control of the whole world. We are going to burn down its house," Kid Flash said getting comfortable to get at least one hour of sleep.
"Oh… do you need any-"
"We will be okay," Superboy told him, "but I would really appreciate it if you kept an eye on Simon. Mrs. Lang called looking for him and threatened to come get him. They might already be in the city."
Superman sighed and then said, "Try to come back to breakfast." He stopped following them and watched as they started their own way.
"You bet!" shouted Kid Flash as they kept going.
Conner flew side by side with Superbike. At times, he would glance at his companions. Bart and Jaime were sleeping while Tim watched the sky ahead.
"I have been thinking," Conner said trying to kill some of the last minutes before they arrived in Smallville, "what are we calling ourselves?"
"Pardon me?" Tim asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I don't want people calling us 'the kids'," he said believing that would be exactly what would happen if they didn't pick a name.
"That can wait," Tim said looking ahead, but Conner saw a smile trying to break through his serious expression.