Hope's Light

Chapter 3 : Cadmus Pt. 2

"You must awaken. Awaken!" A strange voice says inside my head.

My eyes fly open and see the Superboy staring up at me from the pods I'm currently being imprisoned in.

"What?!" What do you want?!" Waly snaps at the Superboy, but he seems to just ignore him and continues to stare straight at me.

"Hey! Stop staring at her!" Wally barks out at Superboy protectively. I look over to see all my friends are being held in pods similar to mine.

"Um... KF. How about we not tick off the guy who can fry our brains with a look." Robin advises our loudmouth friend.

"We only sought to help you." Aqualad tells Superboy. We really need to get him a name, I feel really bad referring to him as the Superboy or Superboy.

"Yeah. We free you, and you turn on us. How's that for grad-" Kid Flash snarks.

"Peace, kid. I believe our new friend wasn't in full control of his actions." I say as I watch Robin start to pick the locks to his restraints.

"What--what if I wasn't?" Superboy finally speaks.

"He can talk?!" Wally asks, astonished.

"Yes. He can." Superboy says sharply and Aqualad, Robin and I send Wally a pointed look.

"What?! It's not like I called him an 'it'." Wally defends.

"The genomorphs taught you telepathically." Aqualad states.

"They taught me much. I can read, write. I know the names of things." Superboy explains.

"But have you seen them? Have they ever actually let you see the sky? Or the sun?" Robin asks our new friend.

"Images are implanted in my hand, but no. I have not seen them." Superboy says.

"Do you know what you are, who you are?" Aqualad asks.

"I am the Superboy, a genomorph. A clone made from the DNA of Superman, created to replace him should he perish... to destroy him should he turn from the light." Superboy explains. 

"And what is the light, exactly?" I ask.

Superboy looks to the ground. "I'm not sure."

"To be like Superman is a worthy aspiration.But like Superman you deserve a life of your own, beyond that solar suit, beyond your pod, beyond Cadmus." Aqualad says.

"I live because of Cadmus! It is my home!" Superboy snarls.

"Your home is a test tube." Robin tells him.

"Superman didn't become great by putting on a Big S and doing what others told him to do. He became a good person because of the people he chose to call his friends and family. Everything he has done is his choice. Wouldn't you like that as well?" I ask and Superboy looks down, pondering what I have said.

"We can show you the sun." Robin tries to persuade.

"Um, pretty sure it's after midnight, but we can show you the moon." KF pipes in.

"Not helpful, Kid." I say and he sends a glare my way.

"We can show you, introduce you to Superman." Aqualad says. 

"No they can't." Desmond says as he walks into the room. "They'll be otherwise occupied."

"Activate the cloning process." Desmond instructs the female scientist beside him.

Seeing the potential danger I start to focus all my energy into trying to get my power ring working again. I know using my own life force energy to get it to work is beyond stupid and dangerous, but I don't have much choice.