A Future Sooner than Tomorrow

A Face To See Tomorrow

The boy takes his sunglasses off and seems to visually size up the Justice League. He puts his glasses in his pocket with a practised motion and says:

"What are you lot doing back? Thought you were all gonna be off-world for another week at least," the boy strides over to the nearest couch, flops down and kicks his feet up onto the table.

"Y-you've been... taking care of Metropolis while I'm away..?" Superman's voice is strained, feeling like something is caught in his throat. The boy rolls his eyes and rests his chin on one of his hands.

"Obviously?" The boy pauses and sits up straight. "Wait, is that why you came back? Because you don't trust me enough to take care of Metropolis for more than a week?" His face goes red with- embarrassment? Anger? Indignation?- emotion. He scowls at Superman.

"No!" Diana chimes in, having recovered from her shock. "No, of course not. I'm sure your Superman is very proud of you at the moment."

"My Superman? What do you mean,'my Superman'?" The boy barely glances at Wonder Woman before turning back to squint at Superman.

"We are not your version of the Justice League. You see,we are from-"

"An alternate universe," Kal interrupts. "We're not sure how we got here but we were hoping this version of the Justice League would help," he smiles gently at the boy. The boy crosses his arms and plants his feet on the floor, leaning his crossed arms on his knees.

"Well, at the moment, they're not here. You'll have to settle for the Teen Titains if you want help. Either that or you could gather some of the solo-heroes."

"Thank you. What's your name?" Kal hurries to correct himself when the boy narrows his eyes further. "Your hero alias, I mean. Not your civilian identity."

"Superboy."

Kal fights back the urge to sob at the confirmation. His teammates give him an in sync concerned look that tells him he isn't succeeding in keeping the pain off his face. "And..?" Kal tries.

"And what?" Superboy's teeth audibly snap shut.

"Do you... Do you have a kryptonian name you'd be willing to share?" Kal sees Superboy pause for a moment and feels a flood of disappointment, relief and self-loathing at the idea that maybe he'd been wrong, maybe he had misunderstood the situation. And then Superboy speaks.

"Kon."

"No last name?" Martian Manhunter asks. Kal is glad because his throat seems to be doing its best impression of a squished straw, letting through only the tiniest sliver of air. At least someone is asking the important questions, he thinks.

"None that are mine to share," Kon says cryptically. The Justice League seems collectively stumped at his answer. The boy continues talking. "You guys can stay in your rooms in the Watchtower. I'll tell the others."

"You're awfully quick to offer us the rooms in the Watchtower. You haven't tested for DNA, followed no protocol whatsoever and have been completely at ease with us here," Batman chimes in. Green Lantern sends him a confused look. Kon simply sinks back into the couch.

"Your Superman, to borrow Wonder Woman's wording, has proved you're not from this world already," Kon glances at Superman. "Your reaction showed your ignorance of this world. Only if you lot were goons hired by Lex Luthor would that reaction make sense."

"What makes you sure we're not Lex Luthor's doing?" Martian Manhunter asks curiously. Both Green Lantern and Flash sigh exasperatedly. A dark look flashes across Kon's face.

"I know Lex's work. You seven are not it."

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The Justice League zeta to the Watchtower. They all beeline to the meeting room, where everyone takes their respective seats. Everyone takes turns glancing at Superman. Diana is the first to speak up.