Adventures of Superguy

I should have thought of what to tell them by now.

There is an expectant silence as Batwoman’s words hang, and a not quite guilty look shared between Robin, Aqualass and Kid Quick. Superboy finds himself sharing in it, but is unsure why he should be guilty.

This is beyond surreal. The Justice League. Are. Staring. At. ME!

BUT WHY ARE THEY ALL WOMEN?!

Well, not Zatarra. And Green Arrow isn’t, thankfully. Though the Emerald Archer’s costume choice in this world is… different. He looks like a Ren Faire version of himself. And that codpiece…

The Star City superhero is also standing on the other side of the group from Black Canary, despite arriving together. There is a distinct lack of any looks from either of them at the other.

Awkward.

Robin and Aqualad beginning spinning a tale of how they had received an alert on the fire at Project Cadmus at the Justice Guildhall while the Guild Master members were ‘indisposed’, and intel had informed that the Guild had suspicions about Cadmus’ activities, so they elected to render aid for the fire and use the opportunity to take a closer look at Cadmus activities and system. Then they explain how they discovered that the two story building, now half burned and partially collapsed, was just the tip of the iceberg and that there were dozens of sublevels. They get through a few details about the genomorphs before Batwoman interrupts.

“What about him?” She nods toward Superboy.

He perks up as he struggles to think of what to tell them.

A clone of Superwoman created by Cadmus is bad enough. That’s how the comics Superboy came to be. But my intel files mention the half human part. If the donor is who I think it is, Superwoman’s REALLY not gonna like it. Me. Like me. God, this is confusing.

The contents of the mind palace mix with his memory of the comics, cartoons, movies and other continuities and canons. It's not clear which bits come from where, and where they fit in this strange new world. The genderswaps are really starting to get to him; late arriving are the Hawks, and he’s not sure if they’re just themselves or if they’ve reversed genders. He hopes its not the latter, that would be impossibly confusing.

“We found him in the station, on sublevel 33. They called him Superboy, a product of Project Krypton. He’s a clone of Superwoman.” Robin admits with trepidation, glancing at him as she says it.

He bites his tongue; he has to tell them something, even if Robin just took the ball from him on it. There are shocked looks around the circle of superheroes, none more than Superwoman herself. Her blue eyes are wide and staring at him, confusion, disbelief, anxiety, and fear warring on her face. He can hear her heartrate increase, the sound of the mighty muscle beating like a hammer on an oil drum. Looking down at the solar suit, he says Docbuster’s torn up the front of it, so he picks up the folded flap, displaying the red S shield there, a mirror to the one on Superwoman’s costume.

Her eyes widen further and she takes a sharp intake of breath at the sight. Her eyes grow harder, and he wants to quaver beneath her gaze. The sight of Superman, or any Superfamily, looking at him like that makes the child inside of him want to cry and know what they did wrong. She radiates disapproval in a way that feels physical, but at least whatever anger she has isn’t directed at him.

She has no reason to be mad at me! I didn’t do anything! Cadmus did. They’re the bad guys. But I’m here now. Really here, I mean. In the comics, with the heroes. Its all… not like I expected. They’re different in a lot of ways, the gender isn’t even that weird. But they’re real; real people, with real emotions and lives. God, how old are they? How long have they been doing this?

The realization and the question quiet him. He can’t tell them the truth. You can’t meet your heroes and tell them they’re fiction. He can’t tell Batwoman he’s sorry about how her parents died. He knows things about these people, things they’ve never told anyone, been there with them for moments they were utterly alone. He knows more about them than they could ever guess, and suddenly it feels like an invasion of privacy, a voyeur’s game. This isn’t a comic or a movie; these are real people and he doesn’t know how they’ll react if he tells them the truth. 

But there’s a safer way.

“That’s not all.” He says, stepping forward as the Justice Guild digests Robin’s revelation. His is going to go over a lot easier, hopefully.

“What Robin said is true; this body was created by Project Cadmus 18 weeks ago. A clone of Superwoman to replace her should she… die.” This play acting is easier when he regurgitates the mind palace’s intel packets. Like his mouth is on autopilot and the information just spills out. Thankfully, its easier to control his emotions while its happening. Invaluable in a crowd of telepaths, twelfth level intellects and his genetic forebear over there. She can hear his heartbeat too…

“But I am not this body. My name… is Connor Clark. I’m 18 years old, from Boston. But the heroes I know are the Justice League, and they’re led by Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A lot of things there are different, from what I can tell. I think I’m from another universe. Back there, I was sick, very sick, for a long time. The last thing I remember before waking up in the pod tonight is dying.”

He holds his breath, seeing if his deception lands. The Justice Guild is even more confused by this, but he also sees a few grim nods from Batwoman and Superwoman; they must be familiar with the Multiverse. But their reactions are muted compared to his companions.

“You’re from another freaking universe!?” Kid demands, zipping in front of him and grabbing his arms. “For really reals?! That’s wild!” 

“I KNEW IT!” Robin shouts, causing the three of them to turn and look at her bemusedly.

“There is no way you knew that, Girl Wonder.” He says, chuckling.

“Well, I suspected something like that. Kind of. In that ballpark. You didn’t act like a genetic experiment who was born in a tube and just woke up. You were way too cool under pressure and normal with us. Tube people don’t have social skills that early.” She explains.

“Please never call me a ‘tube people’ again. It's insulting. And it wasn’t a tube, it was a pod.” He says, somewhat defensively.

“Yeah, don’t call Supey a ‘tube people’! He hates that more than ‘it’!” Kid interjects, standing up for him in a heartwarming way.

“Thanks Kid. And don’t call me Supey. That sounds terrible, like I’m filled with delicious broth.” He corrects her.

“Aww, what am I supposed to call you, ya big lunk?” She asks, punching his arm companionably.

“Well, you can call me Connor, since it's my name.” He says, laughing.

“Oh! Uh, well nice to meet you, Connor…” She says awkwardly, brushing her hair back and looking away from him.

“What she means is that it is good to be formally introduced to you, Connor Clark. I am Kaldura’ahm, of Atlantis, apprentice to Queen Oran, and known as Aqualass on the surface. And I am sorry to hear of your passing, and I would congratulate you on your resurrection.” His new Atlantean friend says as she gives him a firm handshake with solid eye contact. A perfect handshake; they must teach that at the Atlantean court.

“It's a pleasure, Kaldura. Both to meet you and be alive.” He responds and turns to Robin, who stands with her arms crossed, glowering at him.

“What?” 

“You’re not supposed to go around handing out your secret identity like that. Especially not to another hero, and expecting them to just share theirs like you were exchanging business cards!” She lectures him, taking the whole business deadly seriously.

Of course. For her, it is deadly serious. Joker and the other Batman rogues gallery would murder them, and their families, friends, and their dog if they knew who they were. It happened to one Robin, and to another’s family… he recalls, darkly.

He nods to Robin, accepting the chastisement.

“You’re right, sorry. I didn’t mean to pry into your life, Kid. You all just met me, you don’t owe me anything. You’ve already done a lot for me, so don’t worry about it. And I would never ask you, Robin. I know how serious the Bat takes the secret identity stuff.” He says placatingly.

“That I do.” Says a gravely voice from behind him that makes him start, causing Robin to giggle. Its a fascinating noise from the hypercompetent girl.

“Jesus, you really can sneak up on a Superman.” He says, trying to avoid looking Batwoman in the blank white eyes of her cowl. It is an amazingly simple but creepy tool; somehow it lets her emote but also blocks the view of the eyes. Wishing briefly for x-ray vision, before remembering that Batman lined his with lead to prevent exactly that.

“I practice a lot. You said you’re from another universe, like ours, but different. Different in what ways?” The Dark Knight interrogates him; each word is delivered like a suckerpunch to unnerve the answerer. She is very good at this.

“Well, like I said, back there’s a Batman, not a Batwoman. And a Superman… the list goes on. I could write them all down for you?” He suggests, hoping to distract her from prying too deeply. He does everything he can to remain calm and forthright; talking about DC comics lore is easy for him.

“A gender reversal. Hnh. Not unknown in the Multiverse. Anything else? Do you all worship a New God of evil? Bow down to a corporate kleptocracy that sells meta-human abilities? Dominated by a global supervillain crime syndicate?” The suggestions come blisteringly fast, and his companions are taken aback by the questioning.

“Uh, no? We have democracy, mostly. The Justice League mostly handles the supervillains. No evil god worship, or at least, none that I know of. The League occasionally busts up something like that.” The lies are coming easier, probably from their kernel of truth, but this is Batwoman. This World’s Greatest Detective. He feels stupid for even thinking about lying to her; but then, that might just be part of her hype. She built her own myth, whose to say she’s as good as she says she is?

Her sharply featured face leans into him and he leans back in not quite fear, as she examines him closely with those blank white eyes. He notes with some trepidation as she glares, that he can’t hear her heartbeat.

Oh god, this isn’t the real world, this is comics world! She really is that good! I’m freaking dead. I just lied to Batwoman’s face. These people can take me apart…

“Hnh.” Batwoman grunts, and then stalks away over to Superwoman and Wonder Woman. The Trinity, all in one place. They huddle together and with a glance at him and a quick reach for her utility belt, whatever they say becomes so muffled he cannot hope to parse it out. Batwoman and Superwoman keep their heads down but Wonder Woman keeps glancing up at him and meeting his gaze. His nervousness returns, worrying they’re discussing what to do about him. But not in a good way.

“Uh, is that a good sign or a bad sign?” He asks out the side of his mouth to Robin.

“Not sure. She’s definitely suspicious. But that goes without saying, she’s suspicious of everybody and everything.” Robin answers nonchalantly. 

“What about you? What about all three of you? Do you trust me?” He asks, his voice growing a little small as he looks around at the three young women, his eyes wary.

Its been a long time since I had real friends. If we’re even friends. They just met me, they tried to rescue me and I beat them up. We worked pretty well together, but they’re real superheroes, or sidekicks at least, and I’m just a nerd from Boston in the body of a clone of Superwoman and oh god my life has gone insane.

Better than the alternative.

Robin glances at her friends, who share her look, and they all smile at him. 

“We think you’re pretty alright, Connor. You’ve been dealt a weird hand of cards, but when the chips were down you hung with us and did the right thing.” She says, offering her fist into the middle of the four of them.

“Yeah, what Rob said. Cadmus was controlling you, it’s water under the bridge.” Kid Quick says easily, giving him a sly grin as she does so and puts her own fist in the middle.

“You are a powerful warrior, but with very little to go on, you chose to put your trust in others and acquitted yourself admirably. I would be proud to call you ‘friend.’” Aqualass finishes in her formal manner of speech, and puts her webbed fist into the center as well. The three look at him expectantly.

A wave of emotion comes over him; more than this place being like a dream come true, more than his inexplicable resurrection even, this simple human connection means even more to him than all the rest. These girls just met him, and they think this highly of him. He must have done something right in all this craziness. His eyes grow a little misty, as he puts his fist into the middle and the four bump knuckles.

He looks back at the Trinity, but their private confabulation has broken up, and now they’re speaking with Aquawoman. The Queen of Atlantis glances back at him, her face inscrutable, and turns back to Superwoman and nods as Batwoman finishes speaking. Her white noise generator prevents him from hearing what is said as they break up.

Superwoman marches over to him, her bearing stiff as she does, and looks down at him. He’s used to most adults being taller than him, since he never hit the growth spurt his peers did in his old life, but Superwoman is a few inches taller than him now, and this new body isn’t short, at least 5’, 10” or 11”. She takes a breath and nods at him.

“We’ve verified what we can from Cadmus’ files. There’s nothing on any multiversal experiments, but stranger things have happened. We don’t think you’re responsible for any of this mess, so please don’t think we do. Its not your fault… how you came to be. We’ll find a place for you, Connor.” 

Her words are a bit stilted, and bearing off, like she’s not sure how to say this. But there is a glimmer of the understanding and empathy Superman is famed for, and it warms his heart to have her acknowledge him. He holds the sigh of relief until he’s sure he’s far from the Justice Guild. The secret is safe for now.

“I appreciate it.” He says simply, unsure of what else to add.

She nods at him, and Wonder Woman approaches. She is a towering statuesque presence and his brain short circuits as she approaches him. 

“Batwoman has already run several searches, but it appears there is no Connor Clark that matches any details you provided. If you can provide more information, we can do a deeper dive, but it would appear you have no doppelganger here.” The Amazon says it gently, and her voice is melodic. He wonders what her singing voice sounds like.

“Oh.” He says stupidly. Its difficult to think of words when she is this close to him.

“Uh, well, that’s probably for the best. Wouldn’t do for there to be two copies of the same person running around. Could make things confusing for all parties involved.” Even as he says the words, he regrets them. What if he could see his parents again, or at least, this world’s version of them? But no; what if this world’s version of him died as well? How easily a resurrection would turn into a grave robbing, trying to steal someone else’s life and family, even a dead boy’s. 

Or worse, what if his double was alive and well?

Somehow the prospect of seeing a funhouse mirror version of his life, where he never got sick, his parents never broke up, where he was just a normal teen with normal problems, seems like a nightmare scenario. 

Like it would be ashes in my mouth. Everything I wanted, but couldn’t have.

He shakes himself, trying to banish the deepening gloom.

“Right! Thanks for that. We can look into it more, later. But I guess I need somewhere to stay.” He says, clapping his hands together to finish his previous line of thinking.

Robin looks awkwardly around at the suggestion.

Right, she’s keeping her identity secret. Can’t exactly have a sleepover at stately Wayne Manor then, can we?

“I would offer you lodgings, but they are not mine to offer. Queen Oran and I stay at the Atlantean embassy when we are on the surface.” Aqualass says apologetically.

“You can totally crash at my place! My folks won’t mind! They’re totally in the know about the whole superhero thing!” Kid makes her offer with overwhelming enthusiasm and speed, as if she’s afraid someone else will swoop in.

“Oh, thanks Kid. I really appreciate it. But won’t I know your secret identity then?” He inquires, a little puzzled by her reversal.

“Oh yeah, that… right. Hey, I trust you, it’s totally cool. I was just keeping to protocol before, ya know? Can’t just shake hands and tell people I’m Wallis West, right?” She declares nervously. He almost misses her actual name due to how agitated she’s become and the blush that peeks out around the edges of her mask. 

“Oh yeaaah, of course Kid, can’t just go around dropping your secret identity. Really keeping to protocol, there.” Robin says obnoxiously, seemingly frustrated with her friend’s sudden about face. She keeps her arms crossed defensively. Aqualass also gives Kid Quick a slightly askance look.

What’s all that about? He thinks, puzzled. Kid Quick’s mind must change as fast as she does everything. But the reaction of the others doesn’t follow.

Maybe Robin feels left out if she is the only one still holding back her identity?The fact that I can probably figure it out on my own makes me feel a little bad. I could just start guessing feminine first names and go down the Robins with her. Well, gotta make sure Wayne Industries is around; pretty clear who Batwoman is in that case. 

“Well, I appreciate the offer, Kid, and I accept. Or Wallis. Jeez, I’m not sure how the codename-real name thing works.” He scratches his head; this kind of question never seems to come up in the comics.

“‘Protocol’, is that whenever in costume, you should refer to superheroes by their codenames, regardless of the situation. Out of costume, you should stick to real names or aliases, as the situation warrants. The point is to keep your superhero identity and secret identity as separate as possible.” Robin rattles off the protocol, making airquotes. He struggles to commit it to memory; it could save someone’s life.

“Right, sorry Kid Quick. I’ll remember.” He nods to his temporary roommate. 

“The Guild is appreciative of you opening your home to Connor, Kid Quick. You honor us and your mentor by offering hospitality. Hestia keep you both.” Wonder Woman says, her voice like warm honey in his ears. She gives him a last, searching look, and nods to him and turns to the rest of the Guild. They have spread over the area, and Star Sapphire has Docbuster out of the sublevels and wrapped up in glowing pink energy construct restraints. The restraint construct is a large tube that he can see completely restrains her body, leaving only her head exposed. It looks like an old iron lung device.

Her departure makes way for Aquawoman, Batwoman, and Jesse Quick to march over, arms crossed and faces thunderous. His companions stiffen at their mentors’ approach. Even he can see a dressing down coming.

“Cadmus will be investigated, all 52 levels here. We will get whatever we can out of Dr. Desmond, or what’s left of her mind. Uncovering the true extent of Project Cadmus’ operations is an important achievement.” Batwoman begins.

“But rushing off on your own, without even informing the Guild, was beyond reckless, Kid. That goes for all three of you.” Quick continues, much more measured than her apprentice.

“You hacked Justice Guild communications and files, disobeyed lawful orders, and endangered lives. This will happen again.” Aquawoman commands, every inch the Queen of the Seven Seas, planting the butt of her trident in the dirt for emphasis.

That’s bullshit. They aren’t kid sidekicks, they’re all my age. Kaldura is older, I bet. Whoever gave Batwoman permission to beat up superstitious criminals? Talk about double standards… He thinks bitterly, seeing the anger on his friends’ faces.

“They also saved lives, especially mine. Cadmus was implanting controls telepathically in me, like they did the genomorphs. If not for their help, I’d probably be Cadmus’ puppet.” He says, stepping forward to defend his companions. He can feel their smiles at his back as the three Guild mentors share a look. Though he only knows the final details second hand from Dubbilex memory download. His brain is suddenly a very happening place and everyone’s invited, it seems.

“You will stand down, Aqualass.” Aquawoman states, her grip tightening on the trident’s shaft.

“Respectfully, your majesty, I will not. WE will not. We achieved something important here tonight. Something the Guild had ignored and allowed to fester. And thanks to our intervention, that cancer has been uncovered and an innocent victim and powerful ally has been freed.” Aqualass retorts, stepping forward and putting a webbed hand on Superboy’s shoulder. They share an encouraging look and a smile.

Dang, she’s good. Guess they teach a lot in the Atlantean court.

“Yeah, what she said! We’re not kids anymore, we’re adults. And you’re still trying to treat us like the JV team. We can do better than that, and we proved it tonight!” Kid Quick adds in.

“Kid, if this is about how we treated you three at the Justice Guildhall-” Jesse Quick says, before being interrupted by her apprentice.

“Its not about that! We don’t care about being allowed in the extra super secret clubhouse. We want to do the work YOU all trained us for! We’ve been patient, we’ve listened to your warnings and advice, but we’re adults now.” Kid interjects.

Clearly there’s more to this than I thought. So they definitely aren’t kid sidekicks, and they are old enough to make their own decisions. But the bosses still think they’re not ready? We handled Docbuster and Cadmus ourselves, without their help.

Well, we had a little help from my ‘brothers’. Ok, a lot of help. But we did it, and they only showed up for the clean up.

“What was the point of teaching us all of this stuff, if you won’t let us use it? This is what you trained us for, and now we’re going to do the work.” Robin says authoritatively. Batwoman turns her baleful glare on her sidekick, but the Girl Wonder doesn’t flinch. The Dynamic Duo look eyes for a long moment, and it is the Dark Knight who turns away first.

Time to hammer it home, he thinks.

“I might be new here, and I may not know how you do things on this Earth, but where I come from, you don’t need anyone’s permission to be a superhero. Its something you choose for yourself, and the consequences fall on you, good or bad. They’re-WE’RE not kids. We’re adults, we can make our own choices. This is what we want to do, so we’re going to do it. So you can work WITH us, but the impression I’m getting is that we don’t work FOR you anymore.” Superboy finishes, crossing his arms in what he hopes is a steadfast stance.

The three superheroines smile at him in the back, and turn back to their teachers, standing tall and proud. The gauntlet has been thrown down, now it is for the Justice Guild members to take it up. To his surprise, Batwoman and Jesse Quick look to Aquawoman, who considers for a moment, and gives them a nod.

“Give us three days. The Guild has heard your ultimatum, but we need to discuss how to proceed. Do you think you can give us that, AND stay out of trouble that long?’ Batwoman asks, holding up three fingers as she makes her compromise request.

Aqualass, Kid Quick and Robin hold a long and silent conference, looks of consternation on their faces. Clearly, the ultimatum was supposed to decide things, and a delay seems a betrayal of it. Undecided, they turn to Superboy, and the Justice Guilders look to him as well.

Ah crap, don’t make me the tie breaker! I just got here… I guess we can give them time. Ultimatums are great until someone calls your bluff. I kind of pushed things here, but I don’t have any skin in the game. I don’t need Wayne Industries gadgets, nor am I an Atlantean subject. Not sure about the Quicks; I think its a family affair, judging by the hair. That’ll make Thanksgiving awkward.

We can give them a couple days. What harm could that do?

He makes eye contact with each of his friends, or teammates now, he thinks. A short nod and they almost look relieved. Standing up for themselves was no doubt a lot harder than him asserting himself. The trust they place in him is a new and confusing warmth; they include him as an equal already. He can feel the weight of that responsibility.

Never had anyone depend on me before.

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