"Remember, do not give Wally any sugar after eight o'clock. The password to Dick's phones, computers and gauntlet are already on your phone and your desk. Make sure you memorize them all. He says that he'll make a new one, but it's always one of them because he can't be bothered to make a new one. The recipes that you guys like are also on your desk along with a list of everything that everyone likes the most and the least."
"I…will be sure to read through them all," Kaldur spoke with a smile, which I returned as I reached out and shook his hand firmly.
"As for everyone else, Kaldur will temporarily be your leader until you all decide to pick a new one or keep him as one."
"Well, considering that you're the one that's been keeping the team in check, it will be hard to find someone other than you who can," Robin spoke as I lowered my hand and I rolled my eyes when they all nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah."
"I will miss you, brother," Match spoke with a grin as he hugged me tightly, making me chuckle as I hugged him back and nodded.
"And I'll miss you, brother. With the mind-control gone, you don't have to worry about Klarion trying to control you so just keep calm and help them out as much as you can."
"Yes, brother," he nodded as he stood back, a smile on my face before I turned to the last two silent members of the original team.
Amused at M'gann's frown, I opened my arms and chuckled as she immediately hugged me, rubbing her back for a few seconds.
"Are you listening?"
"What's wrong?"
"I know you're a White Martian," I spoke, tightening my hug slightly as I felt her tense and her heartbeat accelerate.
"Listen, M'gann. White Martian or Green Martian, that doesn't matter at all to us Terrans, okay? If you keep it a secret for too long, they're going to think that you don't trust them so if I can give you a bit of advice? Be honest and show them. You'll find that they don't care for it, okay?"
"O-Okay," she answered, taking a step back with a shake smile on her face. I simply responded with a soft smile of my own before turning to Artemis. As I did so, my eyes widened as I felt a pair of soft lips on mine, Artemis pulling back after the chaste kiss while everyone was just as frozen as I am.
"Don't forget about me while you're in the big leagues, okay~", she waved as she turned and walked away, all of us watching her leave before I just walked over and picked up my bag.
As I watched rocks beginning to levitate and the room beginning to shake, I immediately said my goodbyes and walked through the Boom-Tube. M'gann had also forgotten everything I just said as I heard her growl right before I teleported away.
"Recognized. Superboy: J-17," the computer called out as I walked through, mesmerized at the void of space I saw through the windows.
"Heh, told you it would happen," I heard Flash's voice, turning only to blink as Green Lantern huffed while handing a few bucks over to him.
'That's…Hal, right? And the other one is John Steward? As a Marvel fanboy, having names and surnames that start with the same letter was a lot easier.'
"Yeah, yeah. Hey, Superboy. How was the goodbye?"
"Uh, a lot better than I was expecting, though I don't think I should show my face in Mt. Titan for a while."
"Why's that?"
"Well, Artemis kissed me and now M'gann's pissed and I think she's about to-"
"Wait, so one girl kissed you and now another is pissed about it?", Flash asked, wanting to make sure he heard me right as I put my bag down and nodded.
"Yeah, pretty much."
"…I swear, it's like these Kryptonians get all the chicks. First, Superman with Wonder Woman and Lois Lane and now this guy with the apprentices of both Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow. Is there something about their genes that help them?"
"Hey, I'm married with a beautiful wife so you're moping on your own there," Flash responded and I smirked as Green Lantern(Hal) rolled his eyes right before I watched the elevator to our left open.
"Hey, Batman. The new guy's here," Green Lantern spoke up, my gaze focused on Batman, Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman walking through the elevator.
"To help explain, I did not have a crush on Superman as you both so helpfully explained. I was simply interested in him until I found out he was in a relationship."
"Right, we keep forgetting that almost everyone in the group has super-hearing," Green Lantern murmured and I rolled my eyes before looking to Martian Manhunter as he looked at me.
"Is…is there something on my face?"
"…No, I am trying to read your mind, but it is like your mind is not there at all."
"Yeah, M'gann and Raven said the same thing when they did. Uh, speaking of M'gann-"
"Do not worry. I will go now to talk to her."
"We will wait until you return for the voting."
"Voting?", I asked, but sighed when they just ignored me while the Boom-Tubes let Martian Manhunter through.
"Oh, Raven. Is she okay?", Last I saw her, she was saying goodbye as she and Batman disappeared through a Boom-Tube so I hope she's okay and not locked up in a cell. Would he do that?
…It's Batman. He'd most definitely do that.
"I can see the look on your face. She is currently locked in her room, but she is free to roam about the Watchtower. She is just not allowed to go down to Earth without supervision."
"Ah, got it. So, where am I stationed?"
"Here. Until your induction ceremony, that is," Flash answered and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow in confusion.
"Basically, you're not an official member of the Justice League until the public knows you are. Also, with Match having taken the name of Superboy and since you're no longer a sidekick to Superman, you're going to have to take a new name as well."
"…Well, Paragon would work since I am somewhat the perfected version of the Superman clones or Sentinel, the Guardian of Tomorrow."
"Let's go for something a bit less arrogant and a little more inspirational," Wonder Woman spoke up, smirking at my sheepish smile before something clicked and I smiled.
"Actually, Batman, can I ask for a favour?"
"You are not allowed to bring the others here."
"…Okay, can I ask for another favour? It's got to to with the name."
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"Now that all the League members are here, let us begin with the first order of business," Superman began, my gaze focused on the holographic display in the centre of the conference room of the Watchtower while sitting off to the side.
"Firstly, I nominate Icon for League membership," As he spoke, I watched as a hologram of the hero in question appeared in front of us, narrowing my eyes as I faintly remembered Superman thinking that he was a Kryptonian.
'Honestly, he does kind of look like one even though he isn't.'
"You still suspect that Icon is a Kryptonian like you did with Captain Marvel, don't you?"
"Wait, you thought I was Kryptonian? Gotta say that's pretty cool," Captain Marvel spoke up, but I hid my sigh as they all just looked at him.
"Well, I do approve of that as I do with his protege, Rocket," Wonder Woman spoke up, Icon's display vanishing as the sidekick that helped us against Klarion appeared in his place.
"The League do need a few more women," Black Canary spoke up, Hawkwoman nodding in agreement before I stifled my snickers when the guys just looked at each other and shrugged.
"Then, I don't think you guys are going to like my own. Guy G-"
"No," Both Green Lanterns spoke up instantly, a smile on my face as Flash blinked at their instant denial.
"But he's go-"
"No."
"…Red Arrow would be a good pick, then, if we want someone serious," Green Arrow chimed in, showing the figure of Red Arrow appearing in Guy's place as some of the members frowned before Aquaman spoke.
"Red Arrow has been uncooperative when we asked him to and disrespectful to both League members and authoritative figures. What message would that send to civilians and aspiring heroes if he's on the team?"
"That the League is willing to take in anyone and mould them in the best hero that they can be," I spoke up, everyone's gaze turning to me as Aquaman narrowed his eyes.
"Explain."
"Red Arrow is a loose cannon. That is something no one is denying, but one thing I've learned as a leader is that sometimes, people that act out are usually the ones that are unable to fully express how they are feeling."
"While Superboy spoke out of turn, he is correct. Red Arrow is still a capable fighter and his shooting nearly rivals my own," Green Arrow spoke before I turned my head to Superman when he spoke up.
"That may be the case, but he is above all else, still young."
"Technically, I'm only a few months old chronologically and yet, here I am."
"True, true," Captain Marvel nodded in agreement, the rest of the team glancing at each other as Superman frowned.
"You are a special case."
"Some would say that this might be nepotism, then. The clone of Superman is allowed but not the clone of a respected hero like Speedy. Actually, wait, that's not nepotism, right?", I murmured, letting them talk while narrowing my eyes as the meeting continued.
It didn't escape my notice how any time either Captain Marvel or I chimed in, there was always someone that had a counter-argument or how they simply looked at us with this…disapproving gaze before continuing.
'And I think I know where this is going.'
"Next up, Plastic Man."
"Hehehe~ The guy cracks me up," Captain Marvel spoke with a giggle only to be met with silence as I let out a frustrated sigh.
Yeah, I thought so.
"Let's all just talk about the elephant in the room. Captain Marvel," Flash spoke up, the rest of the League looking serious as an image of the hero in question appeared on display.
"Now that we know he's just a ten year old kid, is it possible for us to keep him on as a member of the Justice League?"
"He does possess an adult mind and the Wisdom of Solomon."
"Wisdom does not equal maturity. While he does have an adult mind, it is still filled with only the experience of a child."
"Hey, I'm sitting right here."
"Well, Billy, perhaps you should lea-"
"No, Billy. Stay put," I spoke up, drawing their gazes to me as I stood up and walked closer.
"Something you wish to add, Superboy?"
"Yes. Let's go back to the incident where millions of people lost their lives. Which one of you was the one who travelled back and forth between dimensions to help both the Justice League and the Titans fight against Klarion and his goons?"
"We are not denying his skill, Superboy. We are simply saying that it is unwise for a child to be on the battlefield," Wonder Woman said and I crossed my arms before nodding.
"I agree."
"Then-"
"But Billy isn't a kid right now, is he? Like Red Tornado said, he has an adult mind with Solomon's wisdom and experiences, a man that was said to be a great ruler. Wouldn't that make him a peer of most of the people in this room?"
"It does, but like we said. It's not about his wisdom or experiences. Billy himself still has only lived the life of a child and has not truly experienced everything that everyone here has while we were growing up."
"Then, I have to ask. What does experience actually mean to the League?"
"Uh, you're gonna have to elaborate there, kiddo."
"Was it experience that keeps us calm whenever we want to save someone? Is it experience that stops us all from deciding to just not show up for one day or is it resolve?"
"Experience is a teacher that one cannot replace that easily," Martian Manhunter replied and I nodded as I placed a hand on Billy's shoulder.
"I agree, but I have also seen this guy risk his mortal body when he could have just stayed away and let us struggle against Klarion. He's seen more pain, battles and sacrifice than most kids ever should and yet, he still wakes up every day. Every day, he puts on that cape and he tries to do the right thing. Is that not what a hero is? To do the right thing even if many others tell you not to?", I asked, smiling as no one spoke for a while before Batman continued.
"If we are indeed kicking people out for being emotionally underdeveloped, then I have some questions for a few of you."
"…Did Batman just try to make a joke?", I asked, raising an eyebrow as some of them smirked while the man in question turned his frown to me.
"I…I want to be here. I know that I'm just a kid and yeah, I'm still very childish, but I'm also Captain Marvel. Give me the chance and I'll prove it every day that I have what it takes to stand amongst you."
"Hey, I already liked having you around so you won't get a no from me," Hawkman spoke up with a smirk, the others glancing at each other before Superman spoke up.
"I say we take a vote. All in favour?", He asked and I watched as one by one, hands were raised. A few of them looked hesitant while others did it without hesitation.
'Green Arrow, both Lanterns, Hawkman and Hawkwoman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. That's ten to seven.'
"Majority in favour, Captain Marvel retains his place as a member of the Justice League," I chuckled at Billy letting out a relieved sigh, patting his shoulder before raising an eyebrow as Billy's hologram vanished and my own took its place.
"Now, for the last one, Superboy. Firstly, have you figured out a new name?", Batman asked and I smirked before nodding.
"Yeah, it's…"
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"Superboy, is there any reason as to why you've asked for a news conference to be held?!", One of the reporters at the front of the group asked over the others and I nodded as I stood in front of the group.
Behind me, Superman and Batman stood as well, the both of them staying silent as I cleared my throat.
"Ahem! Firstly, I would like to confess to you all something. I do not know if it's bad or not, but I do know that the Light will most definitely try to use it against me.
What I want the people of the world to know…is that I am neither a full-blooded Kryptonian nor am I a full-blooded human. I am a Genomorph created by the organization Cadmus, but not just any Genomorph. No, what I am is a clone made by the Light as a weapon against Superman or as his replacement should something happen to him."
"When did you find out?!"
"I found out the truth not too long after I was set free. I did not remember everything at first, but the more I was awake, the more I learned and the clearer it became that I was not going to allow myself to become their weapon."
"Are you saying that you're dangerous?!", One of them asked and I smiled before nodding.
"I'm not saying that I am currently dangerous, but that I was designed to be. Cadmus built me with the DNA of both Superman and Lex Luthor as a weapon that obeys, but unfortunately for them, something went wrong.
Despite their best efforts in trying to control me, the Light didn't make a mindless weapon that obeys their every order. They left my free will intact and instead of destruction, I chose protection. I chose to fight on the side of right against wrong, to stand beside these wondrous heroes against the villains.
Thus, we come back to why I called this meeting. 'Superboy' was a name given to a weapon, but I am not a weapon anymore," I continued, glancing back at Superman who nodded with a smile before I looked back.
"My name…is Paragon. I want to stand for something better, not perfection. No, I want to stand for the best version of ourselves that we all strive to be, no matter where we come from, what we're made for or what's expected of us and if my past makes you question me, then allow my future to prove you wrong," I said with a smile, staring at the numerous cameras flashing over and over before another reporter spoke up.
"And what would you say to those who are afraid that there may be another super-powered clone walking around unchecked?"
"I'd say look at their actions, not their origins. Fear isn't something that's new to any of us, but what I've learned is that it is courage and not fear that builds a better world."
"One last question, Superboy! Do you considering yourself Superman's replacement?", One of the reporters asked and I chuckled before shaking my head.
"I don't think I can. If anything, Superman cannot be replaced, but no, I am not trying to replace him nor am I here to take the place of a legend. I'm simply here to build a legacy of my own, to show all those struggling with their past that you do not need a perfect past to shape a better future. Thank you."
A/N: And we end it off here~! These last two chapters were more talking than action, but next chapter, we're doing a little something…different.
You guys will see what I mean.
Next chapter: The Light Sees All.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until next week...
Ba-Bye~!