Mount Justice ~ December 30, 15:45 EST ~
"Tell me if this sounds familiar," Batman said, his voice even but carrying the weight of steel. "You hacked League systems. Disobeyed protocols. Endangered your lives. And in doing so—captured nearly every operative without casualties, uncovered their scheme, and retrieved the briefcase."
He paused, his eyes narrowing just slightly. Then, in a tone colder but somehow approving:
"Well done."
The team exhaled as one—relieved, if only a little. Except Ryotaro. He sat back against the wall, arms folded, watching the interplay between Batman and the others like a spectator at a chess game.
"Now," Batman concluded, "we'll analyze these components on the Watchtower."
With that, the Dark Knight, Red Tornado, Icon, and Black Canary walked into the glowing Boomtube. The light swallowed them, leaving the team in silence.
"You guys realize we were set up, right?" Ryotaro finally said, his tone deliberately casual.
Robin adjusted his gloves. "Yeah. They knew we were coming. Which means someone's feeding them intel."
"Also this is not the first time happened to us." Aqualad also agree with nod.
Artemis groaned. "Not the mole things again."
"Mole things.....again?" Rocket Rocket tilted her head, baffled.
Kid Flash jumped in, filling her in on the long-standing suspicion of a traitor. Superboy's hands clenched into fists as he snapped.
"Let's not pretend we don't know who's under suspicion. Megan. Artemis. And me. The clone lab rat."
Ryotaro raised an eyebrow. "What about me? Total outsider, remember?"
Robin gave him a side glance. "When we transform into W, our minds connect. If you were hiding something, I'd know."
Ryotaro chuckled. "Okay, fine. Just joking. But Superboy—you have been fighting angrier lately. And more reckless."
"Yes, you nearly injured Artemis when we are fighting." Aqualad said.
Superboy turned away, jaw tight. The team's voices faded in his ears, drowned out by another voice—smooth, persuasive, and terribly familiar.
The voice of Lex Luthor. Telling him about using the last shield which weakened the Human DNA inside his body to use Kryptonian DNA and asking him to come Santa Prisca to get the new shields.
Superboy froze mid-step, fists trembling.
"Superboy?" Megan's voice was soft, worried. "Are you okay?"
"I am okay. There's something I need to do." Superboy said with determination.
Santa Prisca ~ December 30, 17:59 EST ~
Superboy riding the Super-Cycle which is transformed from New Genesphere, affectionately known as Sphere, is an extraterrestrial artifact from the world of New Genesis. She is capable of adopting several forms, including that of a flying motorcycle towards the island. Lex Luthor is waiting there with his secretary and Queen Bee.
"Welcome Superboy. I would like to introduce my associates Queen Bee who you already known."
"My pleasure."
"I also believe you knows everyone else. Sportsmaster,my secretary Mercy, Blockbuster and our new friend Bane."
"So, Injustice League is just the distraction for you guys from the start."
"I am very much flatter from the compliments, my boy. There are many friends you need to meet."
The helicopter and red Bioship arrived at the place. When the helicopter door open, Artemis walk out with her sister Cheshire and surprises to see Superboy. Megan also descending from the Bioship to the ground. When she sees Superboy and Artemis, she also surprises and angrily said to Queen Bee.
"You promised me that you are not going to tell them."
"Yes, dear. But they are also like you now. You guys are one of us. So, shut up." Queen Bee said with scowl.
"Now you're done with introduction. Give me the shields and I am in." Superboy said.
Luthor walks slowly towards the Superboy with a smile and said. "Ohh my son, you are not fooling me."
Superboy surprises and try to punch Lex Luthor but Luthor just mutter the words "Red Sun" to Superboy and stop him from moving.
When they all start to walk to the other place and Blockbuster walks towards Superboy. Artemis suddenly draw the bow and shoot the arrow which release the chemical liquid comes out and harden the body.
Megan then sends out the psychic shock waves towards Queen Bee who collided with tree and knock out. She then starts fighting against them.
~ Flash Back, Two hours ago ~
Superboy then tell the team members about Lex Luthor telling him about his origin and wants him to be the traitor.
"You knows when I am going back to Cadmus facility. I becomes to know who I am. You guys must know that I am half Kryptonian DNA and some DNA inside my body. The other one is human DNA because of that I can't fly or use heat vision."
"What are you talking about you can use easily in battle." Robin said.
"No, I can use that because of this." Superboy roll up his arm sleeve and show the item.
"It's called Shield which can suppress my Human DNA. That human DNA is none other than Lex Luthor."
Seeing Superboy told about his secret, Artemis took a breath, lowering her bow. "Then it's my turn. My dad is Sportsmaster. My sister—Cheshire. And my mother… was Huntress who is now retired. My whole family's villains." Her voice cracked, but she stood firm.
"I know." Robin said.
"What you knew." Artemis asked with surprised expression.
"That's why you are always acting suspicious around Cheshire. But you don't need to worry about that after all we are a team, remember." Wally said with a smile and jokes. "Now. Anyone else want to drop bombs on us? Who's next?"
Megan's shoulders slumped. She closed her eyes. "Me."
Her form shimmered, her green skin peeling away like paint. In its place—ashen white skin, red eyes, and jagged features. A White Martian. Gasps filled the air and she tells about her past in her world.
But Superboy raised his head, pain in his eyes, and said, "You don't need to hide from us. We all consider you as a member. Also I knew. Since the day you linked our minds. I was waiting for you to tell us." Superboy then holds her hand warmly.
~ Flash Back, Ends ~
Megan then uses her psychic power to knock away the surrounding enemies and then she cried out, her voice echoing telepathically: "Now!"
*********
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