Kunoichi: Reinstated

Cadmus was…creepy. A quick glance around showed that it seemed to have a standard office layout. Cubicles and offices with computers and filing cabinets set up. On occasion there would be a larger room with more equipment, but Kunoichi figured most of the labs were on a different floor. The whole building was dark, the smell of smoke and fire still lingering as the firefighters finished up their job. It gave her the creeps. She stood by Robin, watching as hacked into the computers. Kid Flash was on the other side of the office, going through the paper files.

“Thanks for the help.” Aqualad huffed as he walked up to them. He didn’t seem happy that they had left him to help the civilians.

Robin brushed him off. “We knew you could handle it. Besides, we got work to do. Poetic Justice, remember.”

“This place gives me the creeps.” Kunoichi shifted against the table, trying to shake her nerves. She was beginning to realize how long it had been since she last wore her mask. “Nothing like this in the villages.” If Orochimaru had access to this type of equipment; a shiver ran down her spine as she forced the thought out of her mind. She looked up as she heard a soft dinging noise.

“Guys!” Aqualad hissed. “There was something on the elevator.”

Kid Flash dashed over to him. “How? The security system should have shut it down.” Kunoichi and Robin pushed past them , running up to the elevator. On the surface, it seemed normal, but Kunoichi could tell there was something off with it.

“Rob, this isn’t a normal elevator, is it?” she asked.

“No, no it’s not.” He pulled up the holoscreen on his gauntlet, scanning it. “Silver Slip Express elevator. It’s high-speed.”

“For a 2-story building?” Kunoichi raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t belong.”

“Neither does what I saw.” Aqualad stepped forward. He gripped the edges of the elevator doors, shoving them open. The four of them looked down, watching the elevator shaft descend into darkness.

“That’s a lot more than 2 floors.” Kunoichi muttered.

“Guess that’s why they need an express elevator.” Robin took out his grappling hook. He attached it to the roof of the shaft, testing it’s weight. “Going down!” With a cackle he jumped down the shaft, the cord whirring as it unwound. Aqaulad and Kid Flash jumped onto the line, lowering themselves with Robin. Kunoichi ran along the walls, relishing the chance to use her chakra.

Even more reasons to think Cadmus was creepy-

Exhibit A: There were these giant creatures strolling around the underground levels. They were huge, with gorilla like features and stances, but had the tusks and back hooves of an elephant. At first it seemed like they were on patrol, but they didn’t even glance at the teens when Kid Flash darted into their path. Actually it did. But that just brought Kunoichi to-

Exhibit B: Smaller, creatures were riding on top of them. They were silver in color, with deep red eyes. As soon as one of the larger beasts stepped out of line, the smaller one breathed on it. The eyes of the larger creature glassed over and it turned forward again, as if in a trance. The smaller one stared at them though. It’s eyes unblinking as it’s horns flashed red.

If they hadn’t been riding such huge creatures, and she had seen them under different circumstances, Kunoichi might have called them cute.

“Noooo, nothing odd going on here.” Kaldur muttered sarcastically.

“What are those things?” Kunoichi whispered.

“Don’t know, but we should steer clear of them.” Robin said.

“No kidding, I was almost a speedster pancake.” Kid Flash grumbled.

“Well maybe if you didn’t charge ahead without thinking, that could have been avoided.” Kunoichi told him.

“Geez, sorry mom.” Kunoichi growled lowly, glaring at him.

“Let’s just keep moving.” Aqualad ordered.

The teens looked in shock as another set of doors laid the contents of its room bear.

Exhibit C: The room was filled with several stories of electric, bug-like creatures. They had wings that had probably never moved since their creation. And giant glowing bulbs coming out of their back. Electricity sparked inside the containment pods.

“This is why the world can’t see the real Cadmus,” Kid Flash said in awe. He walked up to one of the pods. “It hides the size of the facility by generating it’s own power with these…creatures.”

“Thus keeping it off the grid.” Kunoichi finished.

“Even the name is a clue.” Aqualad realized. “Kunoichi said it earlier: the Cadmus of myth created new life by planting the teeth of a dragon. This Cadmus does the same.”

“Poor things.” Kunoichi hummed, looking at them sadly. “This is all they’ve ever done. This is all they’ll ever know.”

“Now let’s find out why.” Robin walked over to a computer, hooking up his gauntlets. “Whoa!”

“What?” Kid Flash rushed over to him, looking at the holo-screen in shock.

“The lab calls them Geno-morphs. But check out the stats these things have. Super-strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are bred to be living weapons.”

“They’re creating an army.”

“But…for who? And why?” Kunoichi turned towards the others.

“Hold on, there’s something else.” Robin grit his teeth as he tapped at the screen. “Project Kr, seems like it’s pretty important.” He huffed as his computer beeped at him. “Triple encryption, I need another computer with higher-”

“Freeze!” the teens froze in fear. Slowly they turned it on, their eyes landing on an armored and masked figure. He was surrounded by several Genomorph creatures, a smaller one perched on his shoulders. But what shocked them was that they recognized him. And he had recognized them.

“Wait, Robin? Kid Flash? Aqualad? Kunoichi? What are you all doing down here?”

“Hey he managed to get your name right.” Kunoichi chuckled lightly.

“Yours too. Can’t believe he even recognized you.” Kid Flash bit back. Despite the spite in his voice, the smile gave away his teasing tone.

Aqualad held out a hand to silence them. He turned towards the man. “I know you. Gaurdian, correct? You’re a hero, like us.”

“I do my best.” Guardian said, giving the a shrug.

“Why are you here, of all places?” Kunoichi asked him.

“Guy’s gotta make a living. I’m head of security.” He placed his hands on his hip, and gave them all a glare. “And you four are trespassing. But I’m sure we can call the Justice League and get this all figured out and squared away.”

“Alright, then we’ll just tell them all about how you’re down here helping Cadmus breed living weapons!” Kid Flash said.

“Living weapons? What are you-?” Guardian grunted and brought a hand to his head in pain. The genomorph on his head turned towards him, his small horns glowing red. “What am I-?” He groaned again, his eyes squeezing shut as he tried to make sense of everything going on in his brain. Kunoichi pulled out two kunai, narrowing her eyes at the creature.

“Get ready.” She muttered, sliding into a fighting stance.

“Take them down!” Guardian suddenly shouted, leveling them down with a venomous look. “Don’t show any mercy!”

Robin threw down a smoke bomb as the larger genomorphs lunged forward. Kunoichi flipped back, kicking one in the face. Another one lunged for her, claws brandished. She brought up a kunai, blocking the strikes. The blade was knocked out of her hand as it gave a roar, swinging it’s arms again. Kunoichi ducked low and drug her remaining blade through its stomach. Thick, dark liquid oozed out of its torso as it let out a loud screech. A strange feeling settled in her stomach as she realized it was probably dying. The concept was nothing new to her. She had seen it firsthand, and had even taken life, but something struck her as odd as the thing screamed. Kunoichi shook the thoughts out of her head and it away, knocking it into another.

The smoke began to clear and she saw Aqualad knock Guardian. The genomorph on his shoulder skid across the floor. Kunoichi rushed forward, a kunai in her hand. A thousand thoughts rushed through her head as she watched the small horns turn red.

‘Take me. Take me Take me-!’ It gave out a small screech as the horns dimmed. Making her decision Kunoichi grabbed it with her empty hand.

“Let’s go! Robin went this way!” She shouted at her friends. He and Kid Flash ran after her as they ran after Robin.

“Way to be a team player, Rob!” Kid Flash hissed as the elevator doors slid opened.

“You guys didn’t follow?” They ran into elevator, jamming the close button as Kunoichi and Aqualad slid in at the last second. There were several thuds as the pursuing genomorphs slammed into the doors.

“You brought one of those things?” Robin asked, looking at the small creature hanging in Kunoichi’s grip. It gave no movement or struggle, as if it were content to be there with them.

“I think it’s a telepathic one.” At the looks her teammates gave her she became sheepish. “I know! I know! But I think it was controlling Guardian! We couldn’t just leave him to be mind controlled like that!”

“Why not just kill it then?” Kid Flash asked in disbelief. “I saw you kill the others!” Kunoichi looked down at it with a frown. It looked up at her and gave a small mewl.

“I think the poor thing is scared. It doesn’t want to be here.” Kunoichi said simply. She rubbed her thumb against its chin. The genomorph purred lightly, giving her a small cry of content. It wiggled in her grip, crawling up her arms and perching itself on her shoulders. It rubbed against her cheeks, the purrs growing louder.

“Don’t you think that’s dangerous?” Kid Flash shouted at her.

“Kunoichi’s practically immune to telepathic influences.” Robin said. “She’s thrown Martian Manhunter out of her mind before. It may take a second, but nothing can penetrate her mind.”

“Wait, really?” Kid Flash looked at her in shock. Kunoichi nodded, scratching the Genomorph’s chin. The elevator came to a halt, the doors opening to strange hallways.

“This looks like the inside of a throat.” Kunoichi muttered.

Kid Flash turned to glare at Robin. “Dude, where did you take us? We were supposed to get out!”

“Project Kr is on sub-level 52! We had to go down!” Robin sighed.

“You should have told us.” Aqualad said. Robin shrugged and ran into the hallway. Without a word Kunoichi followed after him.

“Well, we are already here.” Kid Flash said with a sigh. Aqualad groaned and followed after him.

“Go to Cadmus they said. We’ll prove ourselves, they said.” He muttered under his breath. “A mistake, that’s what this was.” He caught up to them, crouching beside them as they looked around. “Which way?”

“No idea.” Robin confessed. He blinked and turned towards Kunoichi. “Does the little guy know?”

“Halt!” The four teens turned towards a large creature. It looked similar to the smaller one on Kunoichi’s shoulder. It stood on it’s hind legs. His horns were larger, glowing bright red as canisters floated in the air. It swung its arm, the canisters following its direction. They were stopped mid air, sailing back towards him. It ducked out of the way as the canister exploded upon impact with the wall.

The genomorph on Kunoichi’s shoulder chirped as it lowered it’s hand.

“Good boy.” Kunoichi praised, scratching it’s chin. The Genomorph raised it’s arm, picking up more canisters. It threw them, giving them the distraction they needed. They teens ran down the empty hallway.

As they rounded the corner they saw what they were after. Giant mechanical doors labeled ‘Project Kr’. And the doors were closing. They could hear the roars of the creatures chasing after them, as well as Guardian’s shouts for them to halt.

Kid Flash surged forward, eager to stop the doors from closing. In doing so, he collided with a female scientist that had been exiting Project Kr. He looked around, spotting a container. He raced to it, grunting as he almost dropped it. He pushed it between the doors, jamming it open.

“Hurry!” At Kid Flash’s shout, they pushed themselves, jumping through the doors. Aqualad turned, kicking the canister out of the way.

“Alright, I disabled the door, we’re safe.” Robin announced, pulling his gauntlet away from the computer.

“We’re trapped.” Aqualad corrected.

“I don’t like this.” Kunoichi sighed, crossing her arms. “I don’t like being cornered like this.” The Genomorph on her shoulder purred, it’s horns glowing red. A sense of calm washed over her. After a moment thought the Genomorph cried out in pain as Kunoichi’s mind pushed against its, throwing it out. “Sorry little guy.” She stroked it’s head.

“I think it likes you.” Robin said with a smile.

“I like him.” Kunoichi hummed. “He’s kinda cute.”

“Hey guys!” Kid Flash called. His voice was shaking and he never took his eyes off of the pod in the center of the room. “You’re gonna wanna see this.” The three walked over to him as Kid Flash pressed a button to illuminate the pod. They froze in collective shock as they took in the human figure suspended in the pod. The suit he was wearing was blindingly white, but they could make out the red edges of a familiar symbol. Superman’s ‘S’. And the person in the pod bore a striking resemblance to the man.

Kid Flash stepped forward in awe as he took in the name on the glass. “Big ‘K’, little ‘r’. That’s the atomic symbol for Krypton. Did they make a clone?”

“Robin. Hack.”

At Aqauald’s order Robin turned towards the computer, connecting it to his gauntlet. “Okay, let’s see here. Project Kr, designated as ‘Superboy’. Clone force grown in sixteenweeks! He was created by DNA acquired from Superman.”

“Stolen is more like it.” Aqualad bit out.

“Yeah, there’s no way the big guy knows about this!” Kid Flash said.

“What about the little guys above him?” Kunoichi pointed at the creatures that were identical to the ones on her shoulder.

“They’re called G-Gnomes. they’re force feeding an education into him 24/7.” Robin told them.

“And what does that consist of?” Kid Flash asked. “Cause there’s no way they’re just teaching him about math and history.”

“They’re turning Superman’s...son into a slave.” Kunoichi frowned.

“We need to contact the league. Now.” Aqualad said. The attempts they made were only met with static.

“No signal.”

“We’re in this too deep.” Kid Flash said. He looked around and snorted. “Literally.”

Dr. Desmond panted as he came up to Project Kr. The Genomorphs were scattered out, their tails twitching, as if they were on edge. Guardian stood over a scientist as she tried to work the wiring of the door.

“They’re still in there with the weapon?” Desmond shouted in disbelief.

“We’re trying to get the door open now.” Guardian assured him. Desmond turned to Dubilexx.

“Use your powers! Force the damn thing open!”

“I have tried, to no avail.” the G-Goblin replied. Desmond gave a shout of frustration.

“Get some G-Trolls down here! We’ll break the doors if we have to!”

“They’re already on their way.”

Desmond huffed and gave Guardian a serious look. “You realize that we can’t allow them to leave, right? They’ve seen too much.”

“Sir, with all due respect, these aren’t just run of the mill rebellious kids.” Guardian told him. “These are the children of the Justice League. If we do anything to them, there will be consequences.”

“I’d rather deal with the League than the Board of Directors.” Desmond said solemnly. He looked to Guardian’s shoulder and frowned. “Where is your G-Gnome?”

Guardian sighed and glanced away. “There was a fight and it got lost. I believe the kids have it.”

“They do indeed.” Dubilexx confirmed. “I believe it has taken a liking to the girl.”

“Fantastic!” Desmond scoffed. He thought for a moment, placing a hand on his own G-Gnome. “Send a message to the G-Gnomes in Kr. And contact Guardian’s G-Gnome.”

“This is so wrong.” Kid Flash said, turning away from Superboy.

“We can’t just leave him here.” Robin agreed.

“Set him free.” Aqualad ordered.

“Wait.” Kunoichi held up a hand. Robin paused and turned to look at her. Kunoichi narrowed her eyes as she observed the G-Gnomes in the pod. Their horns were glowing red. “They’re telling him something.”

“Yours is doing something too.” Robin pointed at the G-Gnome on her shoulder, the horns the same red color.

“What’s going on little guy?” Kunoichi asked, petting its head. The G-Gnome whined, shaking it’s head as it curled into her hand. Sakura grunted as she felt a force invade her mind. She gripped her head, trying to shake it off.

‘Attack them. Turn on your friends, show no mercy!’

“Get out!”

“Blossom? What’s wrong?” Robin ran over to her, gripping her shoulders. The G-Gnome let out a small screech as it jumped off her shoulders, gripping its own head

‘Free him! Save him! Help us!’’

“I said get out!”

Sakura sighed in relief as the pressure in her head melted away. She turned towards the G-Gnome.

“It’s as controlled as Superboy is.” She said in awe. “It begged for help. It sounded like it was in a lot of pain. And there was another voice telling me to attack you.” She gave the G-Gnome a hard look before turning back to Superboy. “Release him. We have to free them.”

“Alright, I’m on it.” The teens watched with baited breath as the glass walls on the pod were pulled back. Superboy’s hand twitched, his fingers curling into a fist. He moved as if the feeling was foreign to him, never been done before. His eyes snapped open, taking in the teenagers around him. Without warning he surged forward, tackling Aqualad. His fists slammed into Aqualad’s face as he began punching him relentlessly.

Robin and Kid Flash ran forward, grabbing his arms.

“Calm down!”

“We’re on your side Supey!” Superboy shouted and pulled his arm out of Kid Flash’s hold. He swung his fist back, sending Kid Flash crashing through some equipment.

“I really don’t wanna do this! But you’re not giving me an option!” Robin grunted. He released a smoke bomb in Superboy’s face. The clone pushed him away, coughing as a putrid smell entered his lungs. Kunoichi tackled him, her hands glowing blue. She swung her fists, but Superboy easily caught them. Kunoichi narrowed her eyes and pulled him down, bringing her knee up. Superboy grunted as her knee collided with his jaw. With a roar he swung her around, slamming her onto the floor before releasing her.

Robin growled as he took something out of his belt. “That’s it!” He shot his taser Superboy, but the electricity didn’t even phase him. He grabbed onto the cords, pulling Robin closer. He gripped him by the throat and slammed his body into the ground. He stomped on Robin’s chest, increasing pressure.

“Get…off…” Robin grunted as he tried to push Superboy off.

“That’s enough!” Aqualad shouted. He brought down his water bearers, slamming a watery hammer into the clone. He helped Robin up only to have the young boy collapse onto his back.

Aqualad stood up, leveling a glare at Superboy. “We are trying to help you.”

Superboy said nothing as he leaped at Aqualad. They slammed into the wall, Superboy never letting up on his assault. Aqualad managed to wrestle around him, and place him in a Nelson hold. The marks on his arm lit up as electricity crackled around them. Superboy bit his tongue and jumped in the air, slamming Aqualad into the ceiling. The Atlantean did not let up his hold. Superboy repeated this, again and again, until Aqualad finally released him, falling to the ground.

A smile grew on Desmond’s face as the busted doors were ripped open. Superboy stalked out of the room, his eyes blank. Desmond strolled past him, taking in the prone figures laying on the floor.

“Atta boy.”