Going Blue

Superboy

"Ugh," I groaned as I came to. I glanced around to get a look at our surroundings and saw the guys and I were all in pods similar to the one we found Superboy in.

"You're finally awake," I looked to my right to see Rob giving me a reassuring smile, which I really appreciated all things considered. "How're you holding up?"

I shrugged and looked at my bindings: they had secured my wrists and ankles, and put a second restraint on my right hand that completely covered it; probably to stop me from using my ring. "Been better, but also been worse so, ok I guess," I answered aloud this time.

"What... What do you want?!" KF got my attention and I looked to the front to see Superboy standing there staring at us.

"Excuse me?" I called to get him to look directly at me, "can you please stop staring at us? It's a little creepy and also kinda rude."

He kept looking at me for a moment then turned around. 'Huh, so the kid has manners. I'm impressed.'

"We only sought to help you," Aqualad began, gaining Superboy's attention and making him turn back around. Unfortunately KF butted in before he could continue.

"Yeah, we free you and you turn on us. How's that for gratitude?" He sarcastically asked.

"Kid please, be quiet now," Aqualad told him, leaving little room to argue, "I believe our new friend was not in full control of his actions."

I heard a small click and glanced at Rob out the corner of my eye to see his lock pick emerge from his glove. Giving him a small smile and nod I turned my attention back to the conversation Aqualad was trying to have with Superboy.

"What if I...," he tried, obviously unused to speaking. "What if I wasn't?"

"You can talk?" I asked, somewhat curious as to why he chose now to speak.

He turned his head to me, "yes, I can."

I gave him a small smile and asked, "the Genomorphs taught you? Telepathically?"

"They taught me much: I can read, write," he relaxed slightly as he continued to describe his education, "I know the names of things."

"But have you seen them? Have they ever actually let you see the sky, or the sun?" Rob asked him.

"Images are implanted in my mind," he explained, but looked down almost solemnly, "but no I have not seen them."

"Do you know what you are; who you are?"Aqualad questioned.

At this he stood back up straight and answered with a confident, if somewhat robotic tone, "I am the Superboy. A Genomorph. A clone made from the DNA of the Superman. Created to replace him should he perish; to destroy him should he turn from the Light."

I looked at Robin to see him looking back in slight shock. Then Aqualad piped up again.

"To be like Superman is... a worthy aspiration," he admitted.

And I'll be honest he's my aspiration too; the guy provides hope just by showing his 'S'.

"But like Superman you deserve a life of your own. Beyond that solar suit. Beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus."

"I live because of Cadmus-"

"And that makes the people here something like parents to you," I spoke up. "But that doesn't automatically make them good parents; nor does that make this place your home. After all 'home isn't where you're from, it's where you make it.' Take that from someone who knows." I saw out of the corner of my eye that Robin was giving me a sympathetic look.