No I in Team
The Watchtower was very quiet that night. Usually, when the rest of their members stayed Nightwing or Aqualad made them go through some training exercises. She wondered if the rookies had gone home since she couldn't sense them anywhere nearby. As she finished reporting about her mission with Beast Boy, Bumble Bee, and Wonder Girl she finally got around to ask Nightwing. His response was not one she had expected and made it clear she didn't approve.
"What do you mean you sent them on a mission with Conner?" M'gann asked. She knew Bumble Bee and Wonder Girl shared a look behind her back.
"Yeah! And why wasn't I included?" Beast Boy said crossing his arms completely failing to sense the tension in the room.
"It means just what I said," Nightwing said to her before turning to Beast Boy "and you were already on a mission when it came up."
"That better be the reason why " the boy mumbled marching out of the room followed by Bumble Bee and Wonder Girl who waited until they were outside of the mission's room to talk.
"But he still-" she ignored their worried whispers and started to say.
"This is not just for him Miss Martian, but for them too," Kaldur said as he logged the information of their reconnaissance mission into their database.
"You asked for them to take on more responsibilities, this is it," Nightwing said as Kaldur displayed the details of the mission.
"They are ready," Kaldur said in a definitive voice. She nodded knowing she would not be able to change their minds. It was true that she asked for more responsibilities to fall on them but what if Conner wasn't ready?
Or what if she wasn't the one ready? She thought after she left the room.
She went to sit in the garden of the Watchtower. It was a place that always helped her relax; sitting among the greenery and with a beautiful view of Earth. She knew this was the reason why her uncle chose the place for their long postponed conversation. He had sensed her outburst when Conner's abilities first manifested. He gave her time to come to terms with the idea that one of her longest friends would not be the same ever again. She was so proud to be related to him not just for all the good he did for Earth and their world, but also because he was wise. He could see her potential for who she was and not for what she was. Still, when needed of guidance he didn't shy from talking to her honestly.
He faced through the floor before sitting next to her with a kind smile. He communicated with her through their psychic link, something she sometimes missed doing outside of missions.
"M'gann, sorry for keeping you waiting" his presence was even more calming than the garden and the view. She knew he was someone she could confide in.
"It's alright uncle J'onn, we all have been rather busy these past few weeks" she replied keeping her eyes ahead.
"Still, it is no excuse," he said placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Actually, I wish we didn't have to talk about it" she admitted looking down at her lap.
"Do you doubt yourself?" he asked her.
"How could I not? You sensed how I reacted. He is just too powerful and he doesn't even realize it," that was one of the things that irked her the most.
But that is not what she wanted to say but she knew he would understand. On the whole planet Earth, there was no one but him who could understand her fears as well.
"Once the same could have been said about you, and I don't fear you" he reminded her. Mars never felt the same when she visited as everyone could sense her growth. There were those in her family who also shied away from her.
"His power is too raw, volatile," she said with a frown. His powers were not exactly like hers. There was something raw and at the same time unnatural about them.
"Like that of children from our home. In the same way, he will learn to control them" he told her trying to remind her that her friend too eventually would learn.
"…" but he didn't feel like her friend anymore. It was as if he was something entirely new. She knew it didn't make sense, but that was how she felt. This was part of what she was, and she hated it.
"M'gann, no one can run from what they are. But, when we come across those moments when our nature contradicts what we want we must remember that what we are, does not define who we are. The first step towards really understanding this is accepting that which we are by nature. It is a part of what makes us but not as a whole" her uncle said to her after a long silence.
"How can I accept what I am when what I am comes from bloodlust and rage?" she knew well of the stories of her kind; conquerors and warriors without mercy; all to achieve their objectives. They were the perfect war machines.
"But that is not what the White Martians are alone. You are forgetting about the strength to face that which seems untamable, the curiosity for that which is beyond sight and the valor to find a new purpose when they were deemed worthless by those who don't really understand them" her mother, she thought solemnly. Her mother was a little rough around the edges, and though she received a lot of criticism she never faltered on her decisions or actions. She wished she had her strength.
"I have yet to feel that," she said once more remembering how she felt when she sensed Conner's power.
"Then you have spent too much among the Earthlings," he said in a stern voice.
She turned to look at him in shock.
"You are from Mars, not Earth. You showed valor when you dared to go against other Martians, very green if I recall correctly. You came here looking for a purpose and found it. You showed your strength when you came here with limited knowledge of a vastly more complex kind than ours. Mind you not physically but you have to admit their problems are rarely cut as clean and dry as ours, but that's why we find them so fascinating, is it not?"
She nodded with a small smile. She remembered how much trouble she had understanding them. She did her best until she talked like them and eventually also thought like them or an imitation of it at least. She was no Earthling, but she loved them for all their faults and wonders nonetheless. She realized then that just as humans she had her faults and gifts and though indeed some were heavier on her heart the ruling of whom she was, was her decision alone to make.
"Then it's time for me to change again, to start accepting myself," but this change frightened her.
"If that is what you believe is right; then yes you have to" he could sense her doubt.
"What I have in mind is a lot different. I am worried I will scare them" she didn't want to push her friends away.
"I am sure a few will be, but they are not beings who like change to start with. Give them time, and if they ask, try to answer as honestly as you can. You will be surprised how many of them will be willing to listen" he told her and after knowing some of them for quite a few years she knew he was right.
They both stood up and she started working on her new form. She saw her uncle's eyes widen in shock, but only for a brief moment.
"I won't hide anymore," she told him as she adapted to her new form.
"And once again you show your strength before the unknown," he said offering her a proud smile.
8888
He sat against the old building regaining his bearings. Up was down, his body weighted a ton, and his head wouldn't stop buzzing. The high ceiling of the cavern was so far he could only see darkness. He closed his eyes and willed for all of it to go away, but he could still hear the labored breaths of the rest. They were too weak and exposed.
"How long has it been?" he asked them after a moment.
"It's almost dawn," Robin said with a troubled frown.
"And on that note, we should leave like now or we are getting stuck here," Kid Flash said anxiously.
He took a deep breath and used the wall to get up. Blue reached to help him but he wouldn't have it. He pushed his way through them doing his best to ignore the worry and exhaustion in their faces. Every step was painful but soon enough he was running towards the exit and they were following close behind. He ran through every remaining Hollow Man, never slowing down. It was his fault they were in that state; he wasn't going to hold them back anymore.
The sun was just rising when they finally made it outside. The door disappeared moments later drawing gasps and shudders. That had been too close. His head was still buzzing as he boarded the Super-Cycle who had been waiting nearby. As they took into the air his cells hungrily drank the energy of the sun. In the light of dawn, he saw the night had taken a toll on them more than he had initially thought. They were bruised, exhausted, and covered with dirt and ash. He could hear Robin reporting to the Watchtower but only caught every other word.
"We should ask for backup. There are a ton more of those things inside the factory," Blue said after Robin finished reporting.
"No way hermano, we can take them. They were just lucky they snuck on us this time," Kid Flash said trying to show energy that was no longer there.
"This is bigger than we thought," Robin said with a downcast look, probably blaming himself.
"Maybe," Kid Flash said insistently, "but that doesn't mean we can't handle it."
Robin turned to look at him, "Superboy?"
"You are the leader of the mission," besides, he was almost of no help. He started to think that it might be best if he stayed out of this mission from now on. Then, he saw their expressions. Each one of them looked miserable. "Get some sleep first," he told them before he leaned back and closed his eyes. That would probably make them feel better.
When the farm came in sight they knew that would have to wait. The sheriff's car was parking in front of the house.
"Stay out of sight," he told them as they landed in the fields. He shook as much of the dirt and ash as he hurried through the fields but most still clung to him. When he made it to the house the sheriff was knocking on the front door.
"Kent, where in the world were you?" the sheriff asked marching up to him and glaring at his appearance. The man stank of too many cigars and coffee.
"Taking a walk through the fields, I fell. Is something wrong?" he asked keeping a straight face.
"The Valentine boy is missing. His parents' think he snuck out in the middle of the night, have you seen him?" the man gave him a look that said he dared him to lie.
"No," he said before the man took another step towards him.
"This is not a game, and you are not Clark. Tell me what happened," the sheriff demanded with his face only a few inches away from his.
"I don't know anything," he said retaining his straight face. It wasn't like he hadn't run into the authorities in the past while in missions though he usually let the talking to Nightwing or Kaldur.
"Be that way, but if that boy doesn't come back home it will be on you," the sheriff sneered at him stomping back to his car and driving away. Once he was out of sight the rest came out of the fields.
"Get some rest," he told them again as he walked into the house.
"Do you think that boy was taken?" Blue asked as his armor came off.
"Probably but we have no way in until sundown," Kid Flash said removing his mask and shaking the ash and dirt from his hair.
"Crash wherever you want," he told them as he started going upstairs for a bath and few hours of sleep.
"Conner, wait," Tim said catching up to him in the middle of the stairs.
"What?" he asked turning around abruptly which took Tim by surprise.
"It wasn't your fault, none of us-" he started to say before he gave him an unimpressed look, "I… never mind."
He knew the kid wanted to cheer him up, but Tim trying actually made it worse. He didn't need the rookies telling him they could do better next time. His bed groaned when he collapsed on it deciding to forget the shower for the moment. He was just too tired. Still, he couldn't help to listen to the rest downstairs.
"Is he angry?" Jaime asked Tim as he sat on the couch.
"I don't know, I think he is just tired," Tim responded unable to hide he felt troubled.
"Oh man, Aqualad is not giving us another mission after this," Jaime sighed.
"We could still complete it on our own. Now we have a better idea of what we are against," Bart said kicking his boots off.
"I don't know," Tim said.
"C'mon, we have waited for this since forever," Bart said, "I am sure no one has ever felt ready when they start on their own."
"Dude, we aren't ready. We got creamed and at the top of that, a boy is missing. We can't risk his life just because we want to try to do this on our own," Jaime said.
"He is right," Tim said.
"See?" Jaime said though he didn't sound too happy about it.
"Not you, Bart," Tim said.
"Yes!" the speedster shouted with his arms on the air.
"There is always going to be some danger, things we don't expect. We have to get used to it," Tim continued.
"But-" Jaime started to protest but was interrupted by Bart handing him some of their provisions.
"Live in the moment hermano¸ you know you want to," Bart said munching on his own.
"What about Superboy?" Jaime asked, "I don't think he wants to-"
"He said I am the leader," Tim said still sounding tired but more confident, "he will have to come if I tell him."
"Dammit," Jaime said before he started to eat.
He wanted to laugh. He didn't have to follow Tim's orders; he could simply pull back from the mission with one call to Nightwing. Still, he didn't do it. He relaxed into the bed. Next time he would make sure they succeeded.
888
He woke up at the sound of the shower running. Downstairs he found Tim at the kitchen table going over the 3D layout of the underground base created by Blue's armor. He sat and watched as Tim worked through a plan to first, find Simon, then stop the production of the Hollow Men, and then capture Tannarak.
"You and Blue will enter the factory and find Simon. Kid Flash and I will stop the production," Tim started to say before showing him where Tannarak kept his prisoners as it was the place Tim ended at while Blue was possessed.
"But the kid knows you, he is going to ask questions," Blue said looking at Conner.
"We will deal with it if it comes to that," Tim told Blue, "your main objective is to get him somewhere safe. Blue, you are taking him out of there while the rest of us try to capture Tannarak."
As they continued Bart joined them and listened to his part in the plan. It seemed while he was trapped the three of them gained a good idea of the layout of the underground town. Kid Flash knew where to hit to stop completely the production of the Hollow men, and when Robin escaped his cell he saw the main room from which Tannarak and Took operated from though he looked uncomfortable when the others asked him how did old Took look like.
"He isn't human anymore," Tim wouldn't tell them anything else and went on to explain the rest of the plan.
As they flew back he could see Tim's previous words and planning had given them the confidence they had needed. Kid Flash was back to joking and Blue was back to his usual worrying self. They landed in the woods not far from where the door would appear in a few hours. They had decided to explore the woods, once again to make sure no more civilians got involved.
"Guys, I found something," Blue reported before they joined him near the clearing. He showed them a cellphone which Blue's armor was fast to unlock. A recording application was open.
"Play the last entry," he told them after a moment of silence. They knew what they would hear wasn't going to be good.
"Journal of Simon Valentine, entry 968, a continuation of entries 954 to 967. After a failed attempt to contact Conner Kent for assistance regarding the rise of the Hollow Men I concluded he came to the site of the event. After a quick examination of the surroundings, it is easy to say something abnormal happened here. There are multiple marks through the surroundings and most are of strange nature. Some footprints of no recognizable footwear stop in one spot and start in another as if the owner could leap great distance or more likely fly as their depth don't show any sign of impact one would expect from a long leap."
Blue paused the recording for a moment and turned to look at him, "who the heck is this kid?"
"Keep going," Kid Flash said intrigued.
"Furthermore, there are signs of scorching but not from a chemical but a natural reaction to a highly energized moving object. My initial hypothesis suggested the use of firearms but after not finding traces of ammo or any other object that could match them I find the hypothesis lacked an element that I hadn't considered until now, in my defense due to being too easy of a scapegoat when something can't be explained through logic. It is likely Metahumans (a term which emerged no much after the Reach left the Earth to describe people with unusual abilities) are involved though recent feeds don't show any of the better known Metas leaving their usual residences. This would explain the footprints, and it would also explain the small none explosive projectile I found. The craftsmanship is like nothing I have seen, clearly custom made. Created to incapacitate, not maim, I can only think of some people who use similar items. Still, we are nowhere Gotham and though it fits with the initial hypothesis of Metahumans involvement the chances of one of them are almost nonexistence though it would be cool if that was the case."
Blue paused the recording once again. They didn't say a word but simply absorbed what one teenage boy was able to decipher from his surroundings.
"This brings me back in full circle to Conner Kent. What is his involvement in all of this besides the Kent history in relation to Took's? After some inquiring, Mrs. Lang being the best source, I found the Kents have a tendency to get involved in odd mysteries. Refer to entries 106 to 196 in reference to old Smallville mysteries. I have reached the edge of the clearing where the old silo used to be. There are piles of what seems to be ash and dirt all around along with the signs of a fight. I am taking samples for further analy-WHAT A HELL!"
They heard the boy drop his phone as the sound of a long mournful moan was recorded. They heard running and screaming and then a minute of silence before the recording ended.
"It's my fault," Blue said with a frown, "if I hadn't gotten possessed I would have been here to help him."
"There is no point of thinking about that now," he told Blue who didn't look any less guilty.
They continued to explore the woods and scare away the curious until the sun started to set. They stood around the place where the door would appear ready for any attack. Then the door finally appeared, but this time, in the eerie silence of the night there was no attack. He opened the door and started going down ahead of them. They didn't find any opposition as they reached the immense cavern withholding the Hollow Town and the gloomy factory that made them. They froze in their tracks when they saw the town in the same state as they initially found it as if the night before hadn't happened. Hollow men roamed the streets with their carts filled with pods from and to the factory. Any sign of the damaged building was gone. The only hint that they hadn't dreamed it was the hole in the factory Blue and Robin had made which was almost completely sealed and the pod fields they ruined but were now being fixed.
The hairs on the back of his head stood up when he saw some of the Hollow Men watching them, but none made a move towards them. It was almost mocking in their colorless and mournful expressions. They could take down the whole town, they would just rebuild and go on as if nothing had happened.
"Everyone ready?" Robin asked snapping all of them out of their stupor. They all nodded before Blue picked him up and flew him over the town. The Hollow Men watched them with their empty eyes and few moans but once again none moved against them.
"They are creeping me out more than usual," Blue said as they entered through the hole and made quick work of the Hollow Men who had been fixing the whole. Though he imagined they could have left them alone and they wouldn't have attacked them. He led him through winding tunnels to a long room with cells hanging from the ceilings. One cage stood out among the others because of its cut bars. Blue flew among the cages and he searched from below but there was no sign of Simon Valentine. When Blue landed the ground shook under them. They knew Kid Flash and Robin was doing good on their end. It wouldn't be long before they headed to Tannarak and Took, and they would need their backup.
"Go join them, I will keep looking for the boy," he told Blue who looked ready to protest. He was the one assigned to take the boy out of there since he was faster due to his wings. "Just do it Blue," he said before running out and not giving him a choice. He wasn't about to admit he didn't think he would be of much help otherwise. Though the magic still buzzed in his senses he did his best to try to locate the boy. He kept meeting Hollow Men through the long halls but didn't bother to destroy them as they didn't bother to interfere with him. That really bothered him.
"Superboy, we need your help!" he heard Kid Flash shout through the communicator stopping him dead in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he started to run back, "Robin? Blue?" he called but no one answered. He couldn't believe this was happening, "I am such an idiot!" How could he have left them on their own? Yeah, they stood their ground the night before, but that was against the Hollow Men. Tannarak, he had no idea what else the necromancer was capable of.
"Conner?!" he stopped and turned around to see Simon run from another hall towards him with a relieved expression "I knew you were here! C'mon, we have to get out before the sun comes out again!" the skinny teen tried to pull him but failing miserably. He looked tired and scared. "What are you waiting for?!" he demanded when he wouldn't budge.
"I have to do something first, stay here. I will come back for you," he said before the boy shook his head no.
"If you going to stop Took, I am in," Simon said clenching his fists. Though the kid was scared out of his mind he knew he wanted to help.
"Just don't do something stupid," he said knowing he couldn't waste any more time and continued to run. The kid followed at his pace. They finally reached the immense doors Robin had told him about. Beyond them, there would be a large chamber from which Tannarak and Took orchestrated the Hollow Men. He expected the heard the sound of fighting, but there was only the sound of their breathing. He pushed Simon to stand behind him with one hand as he pushed the doors open with the other.
He saw his three teammates standing in the middle of the chamber, facing three figures, one who was familiar to him, Wally. He knew they weren't real because their skins were dry like sand and their eyes hollow. But, somehow it was if they had their friends captured in a trance. They kept their distances, and he wasn't sure if this was on purpose or because they were resisting. If the charms around their necks came off they would be under Tannarak's control.
"Look," Wally said holding Bart by his shoulders. Bart's muscles tensed before he took a step back. Still he turned around and saw him with scared and slightly dimmed eyes, "he wants to take me away, are you going to let him?"
"My dear son, I have missed you so much. Please, don't let him hurt me," a woman with long dark hair and a sundress said to Robin.
"Please, don't let them kill me again," a young man of Hispanic descent said to Blue "please, don't leave me behind again."
He saw all of them struggle for control.
"Please don't," he heard Robin said through a ragged sob as he clenched his teeth, "she doesn't deserve this."
"She didn't deserve to die either boy. I can help her get another chance, to all of them, but it's all up to you," a dark voice echoed through the chamber before he spotted on the other side among the shadows two figures. He knew who they were right away. Took as Tim had said he was no longer human. He didn't look much different than the Hollow Men for the exception of his eyes which remained human, though soulless. The other cloaked figure was Tannarak and though his figure was human he knew he wasn't. His pupils were blood red and his face and bare head was covered in strange marking which shone even in the darkness.
"Por favor¸ I want to see my mother again," the young man before Blue gave a mournful moan and then covered his face.
"You are not real, you are not real. Paco would never ask me to-" Blue said to himself as he refused to look at the young man, "he was my friend."
"I am still your friend even after you abandoned me," the young man said approaching Blue and reaching for the charm around his neck, "you owe me another chance."
"Snap out of it!" he shouted at the top of his lungs before they all froze, "they aren't real! You know they aren't real! So stop whining and fight back!"
He couldn't believe it worked. Though there were tears and regretful looks they all came out of the trance.
"Blue, take care of her," Robin said moving first launching at the copy of Wally while Kid Flash launched at the young man who had been facing Blue. It was almost sad how easily the shadows of those they lost came apart in more piles of dirt and ashes. They were only Hollow Men made to look like those they had lost.
"You are going to pay for that!" Kid Flash shouted before he tackled Took at all speed. The shell of the man slammed against the wall with a moan before Kid Flash started punching him as fast as he could.
"Watch out!" Blue shouted when Tannarak tried to reach Kid Flash with long talon-like hands before forming his energy cannon and blasting at the necromancer.
"You two need to get out of here," Robin told them as Hollow Men started to arrive, "we can't work with civilians getting in the way."
"These civilians just saved you-" Simon started to say.
"Let's go," he said taking the kid's wrist. He knew Robin was giving an order.
"But-" the kid tried to resist.
"We can't do anything else to help," he said seeing Blue evade Tannarak's attacks as he tried to blast the necromancer.
"Take this," Robin said throwing him his retractable bo staff.
He gave him a brief nod before he and Simon started running through the crowds of Hollow Men. Those that tried to stop them were hit with the bo staff. He knew Simon would have a lot of questions he if just ran through them and the kid was clearly too smart for his own good. They reached the lower level of the factory where they saw the bizarre assembly line in shambles. He was glad he had a strong stomach because among the debris he saw parts moving as if trying to reach for them. Though Simon complained, he picked the kid up and started running through the wreckage until he reached the main doors and kicked them open. Once outside he let him down and they started running again.
On their way out they didn't find much opposition from the Hollow Men. They were all heading towards the factory. He knew he would need to return to help them after making sure Simon was at a safe distance. As they reached the stairs that would lead them outside, the earth started to shake and parts of the rock ceiling started to fall. He shielded Simon hoping the kid wouldn't notice a large boulder had hit him on the back, and then he watched from the corner of his eye as the whole factory started to collapse. The Hollow Men near them gave long moans as they started to fall apart. He saw Blue fly out carrying Robin and Kid Flash following close behind. Once the factory was down, the rest of the town too started to fall apart, as if it had stood only because of magic. By the time they reached them, nothing was left standing of the Hollow Town.
"Let's get out of here," Robin said before they started climbing up. When they reached the top, the moon was still shining.
"What happened with Took?" Simon asked after a moment of absorbing what just had happened.
"That was a corpse," Kid Flash said still angry at what the necromancer had made them see, "Tannarak was using him as a medium to control those things."
"Tannarak?" Simon asked confused.
"It's a very long story," Robin said, "but now it's over."
"Until Tannarak resurfaces again," Blue sighed.
"Probably not in our lifetime," Robin said.
"I still wish we could have captured him," Kid Flash said.
"We will take you back to town," Robin told them.
"What about this place?" Simon asked looking at the door on the ground.
"The League's magic users will come to make sure Tannarak can never return," Robin told him.
"Wait, the League knows of what happened?" Simon asked wide eyed.
"Yes, one of our sources told us of the strange events and we were sent to investigate. We never thought it would be something of such scale," Robin said smoothly.
"We aren't exactly magic users," Blue said with a sheepish shrug.
"So, what now?" Simon asked.
"You go home, your family is worried sick about you," he told the boy.
"Oh right, I guess this belongs to you," Blue said handing Simon his phone back.
"Thanks," he said cradling the small thing with relief.
Simon was very quiet as they were flown into town. He had expected the kid to bombard them with questions but for the time being, he seemed lost in his thoughts. They landed at the sheriff's station and away from prying eyes.
"We can't tell anyone what really happened," he told Simon as they got off.
"I already know that, besides, who would believe me?" the kid said offhandedly as if this wasn't the first time he saw something like this.
"For what is worth, thanks for your help back there," Robin said as Super-cycle started to rise.
"Likewise," he said before they took off.
He and Simon walked into the station where the sheriff seemed to be on his ninth cup of coffee of the night. He bolted upright when he saw Simon and Conner walk in dirty and tired.
"I found him lost in the woods," Conner said to the sheriff who seemed baffled by this simple explanation before he burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Right," the man said after a moment still laughing a little every time he took in their appearances, "so, I take everything was just-"
"An old legend, nothing to worry about," he said as the man collapsed back on his chairs as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted off his shoulders.
"Great," he said for a moment lost in his thoughts before turning to them, "I am going to let this one slide, Kent since you did break the curfew but don't let it happen again."
"Understood," though he knew the man only said it out of obligation.
"And you," the sheriff said looking at Simon, "I am calling your parents to pick you up, and you know what that means."
"I know, I know," Simon said digging into his pocket before taking out a five dollar bill and then walking to a large glass jar he hadn't noticed before. It had the kid's name attached to it. It was half way full with coins and bills.
"How often does this happen?" he asked the sheriff.
"More times than I care to count," the sheriff said looking at the aloof kid who lifted the jar trying to count the contents, "as long as it covers his first bail by the time he turns eighteen, we are good."
He left shortly after filing a report for the sheriff. Simon had to stay to wait for his parents. As he walked he noticed two figures standing before the Mrs. Rose store. Getting a little closer he saw it was James Talbot, Nelson Braverman ready to throw some eggs at the store's window. Before he could shout to try to stop them they threw the eggs, but not with the intention of dirtying the window, but break it. Then the eggs disappeared in midair before they appeared smashed on the kid's heads.
The two kids looked at each other in horror before they ran away screaming right into the sheriff's station.
"That was fun," Bart said standing next to him in his civilian clothing. Then he spotted Jaime driving the truck towards them with Tim.
"Yeah it was," he said with a brief laugh.
888
Away from the magic, away from that cavern, the memory playing in his dreams became sharper. The scents, the sights, every single detail stood out to him. He was no better than a newborn trying to make sense of the depths and the reflections; curiosity and fright invading his whole being. The look of Dr. Spence's face when she saw the intelligence in his eyes, of his understanding, was breathtaking. Then, there was the dread in the pit of his stomach as he went back into the pot and prepared to block part of what he was. His mind sank into a dark gruel pit, stopping parts of his mind and blocking memories and feelings altogether. Triggers were left to keep anyone from dwelling too deep. The feeling expanded into the rest of his body and soon it was as if he was floating in nothingness. Only the slight sensations of curiosity for the world and fright remained.
"Conner!"
His eyes shot open and he was looking at the wall, but he was sure he had been sleeping lying down.
"Conner!" Tim shouted again before the wall was pulled back from him. Then, he realized he was falling, and that wasn't just any wall, it was the ceiling. He crashed on the bed with a groan.
"Was I-" he started to ask looking at the shocked boy.
"You were," Tim said watching him as a smile started to spread on his face, "I guess you are getting more powers."
He sat up and covered his face with his hands, more powers? No, it could all be part of the ones he just got.
"Are you okay?" Tim asked him worried.
"I don't know," he admitted, "I don't understand what is going on."
The kid sat next to him on the bed in silence. He didn't offer kind or encouraging words.
"There is more to your powers, isn't there?" he asked after a few minutes.
"I don't know," he said again, "there might be someone who does."
He didn't know if it was because Tim was just still a kid or because he already had the makings of a great leader, but he told him of the memories he had been seeing in his dreams. For some minutes, he let the boy's mind take it all in and process it.
"She left Cadmus," it was so sudden the League lost track of her completely. He hoped that what he had seen of her meant that she was not helping anyone else with their shady agendas. It had to mean something for her to protect him even though he had only been an experiment to most in Cadmus.
"I know," he said closing his eyes, "but I think she didn't go far."
"I will see what I can dig up," Tim said.
"Thank you," he said releasing a breath he hadn't known he had been holding, "could we keep it-"
"No problem," Tim said. "now let's go, there is someone here to see you and he brings gifts."
Curious, he went downstairs to find Pete Ross opening two boxes of donuts and portable coffee pots on the living room table.
"About time, I don't know how long we were able to hold this one," Pete said as Jaime kept Bart from taking a whole box.
"Food!" Bart shouted under Jaime's headlock.
"I heard the League is sealing that place up and Simon is back home," Pete said, "you kids are good."
"We know, now can I eat?" Bart asked trying a more civil approach.
"Take a pill first," he said before Jaime released him. Bart grumbled as he took out a small container with calorie concentrated pills to damper his metabolism.
"Thanks, Mr. Ross," Jaime said getting a cup of coffee.
Pete watched as the kids got coffee and donuts with curiosity, he realized Conner was watching him, "sorry, it's just I was around the same age as them when I first went exploring those woods and returned with nothing to show for it. We live in some amazing times, God only knows what awaits when they grow up."
Conner looked back at the teenagers fighting over the last buttercream filled donut.
"You already ate three!" Jaime said trying to keep Bart back with one arm as Tim prepared to leap over the two of them to get to it first.
"You have a mom that makes cookies! Let me have it!" Bart shouted.
It wasn't that hard to believe after the night before, he thought as he concentrated on the donut and made it float towards him.
"Nooo!" the three teenagers shouted as he took a bite.
It wasn't long before Pete left with an offering of a free cup of coffee per day until he had to go back to Washington. He watched slightly disappointed as the rookies prepared to leave. It was nice to have some company, however short it was. A part of him wanted to go with them, but he knew he still had a long way to learn how to fully control his abilities.
Once he was alone again, he couldn't stand staying in the house and made a quick trip to town. Mrs. Rose welcomed him with a gentle smile which turned curious as he bought three dozens of eggs.
"You aren't up to something bad, are you?" she asked him with a raised eyebrow as she rang the purchase.
"No," he said shaking his head, "they are for an experiment."
"I thought you came here to relax?" the old lady asked him.
"I am, but I am getting a little bored," he said with a shrug. It was partially true.
"Alright then," she said handing him the paper bag. As he started to leave she said, "I don't know what you did, but those kids aren't going to give you any more trouble."
"I have no idea what you could possibly mean," he said as he kept walking.
Once outside he couldn't keep a serious expression anymore. A smile slipped when he saw James and Nelson showing their friends the place where the ghost attacked them with the eggs. The rest of the kids started laughing. Now, he just hoped Clark didn't find out.
8888
It would be some weeks later that Clark would hear about the ghost that would pull down your pants or shower you with acorns, or the one that attacked you with eggs if you tried to throw it at a store. There was even a ghost rumored to haunt the fields of his childhood home whenever someone tried to get to the house through them. He was started to believe Batman didn't want him 'smothering' Conner for more than just giving him some space. It was no coincidence someone shut off the surveillance he placed on the farm some nights.
As he sat with Conner to listen to his progress he didn't say anything about it but watched curiously as now he could prepare an omelet with his powers.
It was nice to see him act like a kid.
8888
Conner considered thanking James and Nelson for giving him the idea. At first, all he could do was crack the eggs and make a mess. But a few weeks later he was able to move them freely, and even crack them without making a mess. They were small and fragile, and perfect for him to test his control. As time passed he realized the more he used his abilities the less he tired. It was as if it this ability was an atrophied muscle in the path to recovery.
One afternoon as he returned from another trip to the bookstore he sensed the Bioship. He had gotten better at controlling how far he could extend his senses. Usually, at night he concentrated on fields in case any more kids tried to eggs the house. He could sense M'gann right away, and he was glad when he realized Kaldur was there. By the time he parked in front the bioship had already landed. He took a deep breath not wishing to repeat the same episode with M'gann.
Any thoughts of remaining calm were brought to a halt when he spotted her standing next to Kaldur.
"Like the new look?" she asked him with a sharp smile.
"Depends on why?" he asked walking towards them.
"Just embracing my true self a little more," she said before he spotted a small but rather sharp looking fang on the side of her bright red lips.
He imagined that was part of the reason, for now, her skin was as pale as paper, her pupils red, and her limbs longer to the point she matched Kaldur in height. Gone was the short pixie cut, replaced by a tightly tied red ponytail. He admitted he felt fear for a moment, but he realized it was something she would have expected. He knew M'gann and he knew deciding to show more of her natural form was not easy for her.
"I don't imagine you came here just to show off your new look," he said offering her a smile which she quickly returned. Then he turned to Kaldur, "is everything alright?" he didn't imagine it was something so serious so that they couldn't contact him through the communicator.
"We need you to return to the team," Kaldur nodded stepping forwards. Nightwing had already told Kaldur that he wasn't ready but they were shorthanded, "do you think you have enough control by now?"
He was silent for a moment before inviting them inside. He needed to buy some time to think. He brought them some cookies Mrs. Lang had brought him the day before. Neither took them and he wished then that Nightwing hadn't told him of the difficulty the team had been having. It seemed the Lanterns were off planet because of a crisis all the way across from the galaxy, and Zatanna and Dr. Fate were assisting other magical heroes regarding a witch by the name of Enchantress who was trying to gain omnipotent magical power. It also seemed that issues were becoming more prominent in Gotham and it wasn't enough for Batman and Robin to handle them alone.
He wanted to help but he was also worried. He could feel M'gann trying to get a feel for what he was thinking though very lightly, almost like a feather's touch. He gave her a glance and she stopped.
"Well?" Kaldur asked not missing the small interaction.
"I will go back, but under a few conditions" when Kaldur nodded to continue, "I want to work on my own," he said before their leader raised his eyebrows at him.
"What do you mean on your own?" Kaldur said with a tight jaw.
Conner could already tell he didn't like the idea, "what I said. I don't want to be placed on any team. I believe I still have a lot to learn about my powers and I don't want to endanger anyone if I lose control."
He couldn't help noticing M'gann's grateful look. He had to ask her later. He was starting to believe her change was not just about her learning to accept herself.
"You c-" for the first time in a very long time they almost saw their leader lose his temper, but then he took a deep breath "don't expect anything too exciting," Kaldur said giving him a hard look. He knew he didn't want to lose another friend, "and if the mission requires a team I will be the one to go with you."
"Me too," M'gann said though she looked uncomfortable at the idea, "if your powers get out of control I should be able to help you rein it in."
"My other condition," he paused hoping he wouldn't get any complaint, "I want to continue living here. I want to continue practicing in my free time and I don't believe the Watchtower is right for that."
"Actually, I agree," Kaldur said offering him a sympathetic smile, "this place seems very peaceful" it was the first farm in the surface he had ever seen up close "though I will ask you to stay at the Watchtower until we find a safe place to set a Zeta-Beam."
Conner nodded, it seemed reasonable. He had packed all his things and closed down the house. He left a note in the front door in case the Langs stopped by saying he would be away for a short while. As he boarded the Bioship, his bags floating in after him, he wondered if he was really ready to go back in missions. He wasn't sure but knew he would have to learn the hard way.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888
OLD CHAPTER VERSION
Becoming Superboy 5
M'gann sat in the small gardens of the Watchtower. She had been expecting this conversation would come up for a while. Her uncle had probably sensed her outburst from when she felt Conner's abilities within the Watchtower. They both knew eventually something like that would happen. She was proud to be related to him as he saw her potential for who she was and not as much for what she was. Still, for the sake of keeping the harmony those around them they had to talk about this part of her.
Martian Manhunter faded through the floor before sitting next to her. He communicated with her through his thoughts, something she sometimes missed doing.
"M'gann, sorry for keeping you waiting"
"Is okay uncle J'onn, we all have been rather busy these past few weeks"
"Still, it is no excuse for delaying our talk"
"Actually, I wish we didn't have to talk about it"
"Do you doubt yourself?"
"How could I not, he is too powerful"
But that is not what she wanted to say but she knew he would understand. On the whole planet Earth there was no one but him who could understand her fears as well.
"As are you, and I don't fear you"
"His power is too raw, volatile"
"Like that of children from our home. In the same way he will learn to control them"
"…"
"M'gann, no one can run from what they are. But, when we come across those moments when our nature contradicts what we want we must remember that what we are does not define who we are. The first step towards really understanding this is accepting that which we are by nature. It is a part of what makes us but not as a whole"
"How can I accept what I am when what I am comes from bloodlust and rage?"
"But that is not what the White Martians are alone. You are forgetting about the strength to face that which seems untamable, the curiosity for that which is beyond sight and the valor to find a new purpose when they were deemed worthless by those who don't really understand them"
"I have yet to feel that," she said once more remembering how she felt when she sensed Conner's power.
"Then you have spent too much among the Earthlings"
She turned to look at him in shock.
"You are from Mars, not Earth. You showed valor when you dared to go against all of those other Martians, very green if I recall correctly. You came here looking for a purpose and found it. You showed your strength when you came here with limited knowledge of a vastly more complex kind than ours. Mind you not physically but you have to admit their problems are rarely cut clean and dry as ours, but that's why we find them so fascinating, is it not?"
She nodded with a small smile. She remembered how much trouble she had understanding them. She did her best until she talked like them and eventually also thought like them or an imitation of it at least. She was no Earthling, but she loved them for all their faults and wonders nonetheless. She realized then that just as humans she had her faults and gifts and though indeed some were heavier on her heart the ruling of whom she was, was her decision alone to make.
"I have to change then,"
"If that is what you believe is right, then yes you have to"
"I am worried I will scare them"
"I am sure a few will be, but they are not beings who like change to start with. Give them time, and if they ask try to answer as honestly as you can. You will be surprised how many of them will be willing to listen"
And change she did. She couldn't help laughed a little at the shock from her own uncle, though it only lasted a moment.
"I won't hide anymore,"
"And once again you show your strength before the unknown"
888
Before he entered the kitchen he already knew what everyone was doing. Jaime was finishing dinner and he could sense a hidden pride. Bart was setting the dishes on the table wondering if he might be able to sneak a bite or two without them noticing. Tim was setting the plates wondering if the changes he made to Nightwing's plan would lead to more trouble. When he finally entered the kitchen the scent of warm home cooking awoke his appetite. He helped with the last dishes before they sat to eat and went over a few details of the plan.
He listened quietly as he allowed his senses to roam around the farm. He couldn't wait for them to arrive. Tim didn't look the part but he could be as devious as Richard. They were all feeling impatient, for even though they were taking higher roles in their world they were still young and wanted to have fun.
Was that cinnamon? He looked down and saw they were already eating something like pudding made with rice and milk. He turned to look at Bart who seemed to be on his third bowl and didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. He sensed a whole pot in the kitchen just for this reason.
He looked at Jaime from the corner of his eye. He looked as if he was listening intently to Tim, but Conner could sense he was getting lost in the comfort he felt at the familiarity of the dessert. He was losing himself in his memories and then Conner saw a child sitting with his grandfather in a backyard as they ate the same dessert. The grandfather would stop every once in a while and point out at the starts and name a few for the child. The child would listen with a big smile. Time passes and the same boy but now older sits with a little girl eating the same dessert. The boy is now pointing at the stars and the girl… his sister is listening.
He blinked back into focus when everyone started to get up. Now they were to wait for them. After cleaning up he went to sit in the living room and picked up the book he had been reading the night before. He opened it but didn't really read it. Instead he continued to sense around the farm. He knew that boy and his friends would come tonight. His words though meant to keep him away had probably done the complete opposite. An hour later or so he sensed the same vehicles approach.
"They are here," he said standing up and dropping the book on the couch.
The rest stopped what they were doing before walking outside. A moment later Bart and Jaime were on their suits already set in camouflage smiling and impatient to get started, "they won't know what hit them" Tim said before they nodded to each other and then rushed into the extensive fields. Conner sat on the steps and closed his eyes before securing his targets. He took a deep breath before spreading his senses into the whole field. Soon enough he had what could be called the best view of the show.
This time they were going to break all the windows in that stupid farm. They were going to trash it. They were going to make sure that stupid city kid wish he had never come to Smallville. It didn't matter they were less this time for the rest had been cowards and thought they were going too far.
Conner took another deep breath keeping his temper under check. They would never allow them to get so far.
They walked through the fields for what felt too long.
"What is the deal man?"
"Don't ask me, James got us lost"
"Me? But I am back here. You guys are stupid"
He stopped and looked at the back of who he had thought was James.
"Charley?"
"What?" Charley answered from the back of the group.
"Who the fu-" but in a blink whoever it was had disappeared, "very funny guys. Stop messing around and lets kee-" but he stopped mid sentence as a wave of dizziness assaulted him as he turned around. He blinked in confusion when he found no one behind him. He did a whole turn trying to see the rest "this is not right" he could no longer tell which direction was which. He decided to go to where he believed the cars were as he called for the rest.
"Is that you Nelson?" he heard one of his friends call not too far "what the hell is going on?" and just as sudden as he had spotted his friends he was gone again, the sense of dizziness returned before he slipped and fell on his behind. He saw a pair of feet stop before him and he started to look up but once again in a blink whoever it was it had disappeared.
This time he didn't call out to anyone as he started to run. He would feel dizzy again and again and then feel as if he had already passed the same spot a few moments ago. He also heard sounds. Steps and shadows started to appear around him. He heard James scream and then he felt a scream of his own try to come out when he spotted ahead of him a pair of lights. They looked like eyes staring at him from the darkness. He tried to run away but something grabbed his feet and he fell. He crawled away before getting up and sprinting in the opposite direction. Then he saw the same lights and suddenly they were not far but only a few steps away from him. A dark figure was walking towards him.
He screamed before dashing to the side as fast as he could with eyes half close. Soon he hit something and fell back. He looked up and saw a scarecrow. He almost started to laugh but then he realized the scarecrow was leaning forwards. He stood and started running. He dared look back and saw the leaning scarecrow do a sharp turn. Its button eyes looked directly at him. In his fear he crashed into something else. His blood was pounding in his ears by then. He felt horror as he turned knowing what would be there. He looked up at another scarecrow. The sewn mouth was becoming undone but he didn't wait to see what would come out.
He kept running, this time his eyes as wide as plates. As he ran he realized he could hear the screams of his friends getting closer and closer and before he knew they all met in the same path running scared.
"Oh God," he didn't know who said it, but he stopped when the rest did. Before them was a dozen or so scarecrows lined up. Their hanging bodies started to lean towards them and they stood back before running with their now aching legs. Suddenly they burst into the open before the Kent house. Sitting there they spotted the city kid who looked at them with raised eyebrows.
"You are not seriously going to egg the house again, are you?" he asked rolling his eyes at them.
He wanted to laugh at their expression. He could feel their shock at seeing him sitting there as if it was any other Saturday night. It took them a moment to react but not long after they were running down the road. He stood in the middle of the road and watched with a smile. A moment later his friends came out of the field trying to hold back their laughter.
"We are goooood!" sang Bart being the first to break the silence.
Conner would remember that evening for many years to come; his friends and he laughing as they spent the night doing very little but just being young. As the years passed and they left childhood they would recall it and still laugh.
Still, it was a small event the following morning that would forever replay on his mind whenever he came across a dark moment. He had been dreaming that same dream where he is taken out of his pot by Dr. Spencer when a shout woke him up.
"CONNER!"
His eyes shot open and he was staring at a wall, though he was sure he was lying down.
"Conner!" shouted Tim before he fell. As he fell he realized he had not been looking at a wall but the ceiling. He crashed on to the bed making it groan to the breaking point.
"Was I-" he started to say.
"Yes, you were" and Tim watched him as a silent smile spread on his face, "I guess there is more to your new powers than just moving things"
The smile was off his face a second later and Tim wondered if he had said something wrong, but then Superboy sat with a frown on his face, "I don't know, but I know someone who might"
Tim listened as Conner told him of the dreams of his repressed memories before remaining silent for a few minutes as the wheels of his mind turned and turned.
"She left Cadmus," it had happened from one moment to the next and the League had lost complete track of her. He hoped with what he had learned just now it meant she wasn't up to anything bad. It had to mean something for her to protect Conner even though he had only been an experiment to most of Cadmus.
"I know," he said somberly, "but I believe she didn't go far"
"I will see what I can dig up"
"Thank you"
It wasn't long after that his friends left. He wished to go with them but he was still far from fully controlling his powers. After they were gone he made a quick trip to town. The old lady at the store gave him a curious glance as he bought at least three dozens of eggs.
"You are not up to something bad? Are you boy?" she asked though he didn't seem to be the kind of kid to do something like that.
"No," he shook his head "they are for an experiment"
"I thought you were here to relax?"
"I am, but I am getting a little bored" which was partially true.
"Alright then," she said bagging them and then handing the bag to him. He thanked her and started to leave when she called out, "I don't know what you did to scare those kids, but they shouldn't bother you anymore"
"I have no idea what you could possibly mean," he said as he kept walking.
Once outside he tried to keep his smile under control but failed miserably. Now he just hoped Clark didn't find out.
8888
It would be some weeks later when Clark was visiting Smallville that he would hear for the first time that some of the kids thought the fields around his home were haunted. Though Batman didn't think he had much of an analytical mind it took him less than a second to connect the dots. For some reason someone had shut off the surveillance he had placed on the farm the night after it was egged. Now he knew why. On his visit to the farm he didn't say anything to Conner. He dealt with things his own way and he respected that.
8888
Conner wondered if he should thank those kids for giving him this idea. At first all he could do was crack the eggs and make a mess, but after a few days he was able to move them around freely. They were small and fragile enough for him to gain an idea of his strength and how to control it. He also found overtime that the more he used his abilities the less he tired. He realized it was indeed like a muscle that had been victim to atrophy but now was in the path to recovery.
An afternoon as he returned from a trip to town he sensed the Bio-ship. He had also gotten better at controlling how far he should extend his senses and had kept it at short range. He started to believe it would be better if he should keep it more extended when he was away. He was glad when he realized Kaldur was also there. As he parked he did his best to keep calm as he didn't want to repeat the previous episode with M'gann.
Any thought of remaining calm stopped when he spotted her standing next to Kaldur.
"Like the new look?" she asked with a side grin.
"Depends, why?" he said walking towards them.
"Just embracing my true self a little more" she said before he spotted a small but rather sharp looking fang on the side of her bright red lips.
He imagined that was part of the reason for now her skin was as pale as paper, her eyes red like freshly spilled blood, and her limbs longer to the point where she matched them in height. Gone was short hair cut to be replaced by a tightly tied pony tail. He admitted he felt fear for a moment, but soon realized it was something she would have expected. He knew M'gann and he knew deciding to show a little of her natural form was not easy.
"I don't imagine you came here just to show off your new look," he said offering her a smile which she quickly returned. Then he turned to Kaldur, "is everything alright?" he didn't imagine it was something so serious so that they couldn't contact him through the communicator.
"We need you to return to the team," Kaldur said stepping forwards. Nightwing had told him Conner wasn't ready but they were shorthanded at the time, "do you think you have enough control by now?"
He was silent for a moment before inviting them inside. He needed to buy some time to think. He brought them some cookies Mrs. Lang had brought him the day before. Neither took them and he wished then that Nightwing hadn't told him of the difficulty the team had been having. It seemed the Lanterns were off the planet because of a crisis all the way across from the galaxy, and Zatanna and Dr. Fate were assisting other magical heroes regarding a witch by the name of Enchantress who was trying to gain omnipotent magical power. It also seemed that issues were becoming more prominent in Gotham and it wasn't enough for Batman and Batgirl to handle them mostly.
He wanted to help but he was also worried. He could feel M'gann trying to get a feel for what he was thinking though very lightly, almost like a feather's touch. He gave her a glance and she stopped.
"Well?" Kaldur asked not missing the small interaction.
"I will go back, but under a few conditions" when Kaldur nodded to continue he dropped the bomb, "I want to work on my own," he said before their leader raised his eyebrows at him.
"What do you mean on your own?" Kaldur said with a tight jaw.
Conner could already tell he didn't like the idea, "what I said. I don't want to be placed in any team. I believe I still have a lot to learn about my powers and I don't want to endanger anyone if I lose control"
He couldn't help noticing M'gann's grateful look. He had to ask her later. He was starting to believe her change was not just about her learning to accept herself.
"You c-" for the first time in a very long time they almost saw their leader lose his cool, but then he took a deep breath "don't expect anything too exciting" Kaldur said giving him a hard look. He would not lose another friend, "and if the mission requires a team I will be the one to go with you"
"Me too," M'gann said not believing what she was saying. She was supposed to try to stay away from that raw power as much as she could, however she saw the logic on it, "if your powers get out of control I should be able to help you rein it in," she believed no one else in the Team or the League would have the strength to do it.
"My other condition," he paused hoping he wouldn't get any complain, "is that I want to continue living here. I want to continue practicing in my free time and I don't believe the Watchtower is right for that"
"Actually I agree," Kaldur said offering him a sympathetic smile, "this place seems very peaceful" it was the first farm in the surface he had ever seen up close "though I will ask you to stay at the Watchtower until we find a safe place to set a Zeta-Beam"
Conner nodded, it seemed like a reasonable reason. Not long after that he had packed all his things and closed down the house. He left a note in the front door in case the Langs stopped by saying he would be away for a short while. As he boarded the Bio-ship, his bags floating in after him, he wondered if he was really ready to go back in missions. He wasn't sure but knew he would have to learn the hard way.