[Mount Justice]
[Samael]
Samael watched intently as Black Canary and Robin sparred, his sharp eyes analyzing every movement, every feint and strike. It had been a week since the battle with Mister Twister, and that fight had revealed an uncomfortable truth—he was still far weaker than Superman. The Man of Steel would have ended the fight in less than a minute, yet Samael had struggled. That reality stung.
He knew he had grown stronger since leaving Cadmus, now absorbing real solar energy instead of the synthetic radiation that once sustained him. Still, the gulf between him and Superman remained daunting. Even reaching half of Kal-El's strength would take time. Too much time.
"Fail!" the AI's voice echoed across the training room as Robin picked himself off the ground with a groan.
"Aww, that hurt," The boy muttered, rubbing his back.
"You did well. Just keep your guard up next time," Canary replied with a faint smile, before turning to Samael. "Your turn."
He stepped into the ring with quiet resolve, his gaze locking on Canary's poised figure. If he couldn't overpower someone like Superman, then he would learn to outthink and outmaneuver stronger opponents.
"Begin," The AI declared.
Canary lunged, fist aimed high. Samael saw through the distraction and caught the real attack—a kick to his midsection. He blocked it, then countered with a swift kick of his own that forced her back. She tumbled through the air but flipped elegantly, landing on her feet. He didn't give her time to recover and pressed forward with a punch, which she narrowly dodged.
Canary retaliated. Her strikes were like water—sharp, fluid, and relentless. Samael caught one of her kicks on his forearm, absorbed the momentum, and spun, trying to shoulder-check her. She dodged the attack.
Samael grunted, then exhaled slowly. Black Canary motioned for him to try again.
"Don't overthink it, Samael. Trust yourself," She advised.
He nodded and began circling her, this time with greater patience. He didn't react to her feints. When she went high, he swept low, almost catching her off-guard. She grinned.
They exchanged blow after blow—his strikes were powerful but calculated, while hers were fast and surgical. She struck his ribs, shoulders, thigh, but he absorbed the hits and adapted. His movements tightened, his breathing stayed steady.
When her foot whipped toward his temple, instinct begged him to block it with brute strength. Instead, he ducked, twisted at the waist, and launched a precise elbow strike, catching her arm.
She responded with a rapid flurry, but he kept up, parrying and dodging. Then, in a flash, he struck low and swept her off her feet. She crashed to the ground with a satisfying thud.
"Winner, Superboy!" The AI declared.
Samael allowed a small smile. Canary stood, brushing herself off with pride in her eyes.
"Good job, Samael. I didn't see that one coming. You've progressed fast for someone who started just a week ago."
"Thanks," he replied, nodding. "I had a good teacher."
As he left the ring and headed to the kitchen for water, Robin caught up with him, looking stunned.
"Dude, I can't believe you beat Canary! I mean, I couldn't, and I was trained by Batman!"
"It was a lucky shot," Samael shrugged, taking a water bottle from the fridge. "She'd still win most times if I wasn't using my powers."
"Maybe," Robin admitted. "But seriously, you've improved fast. I've never seen anyone learn as fast as you."
"Heh. Must be the Kryptonian genes." Samael said.
"Man, that's such a cheat! I've been training with Batman for years, and I'm still not as good as him."
"Recognize: Batman, A-02," The AI announced.
Samael and Robin exchanged glances. Batman? What was he doing here?
"Team, report to the mission center," The Dark Knight ordered through the speakers.
They arrived first, followed soon by Miss Martian and Aqualad. Wally, as usual, was late, arriving five minutes later via Zeta-Tube.
Batman wasted no time in beginning.
"Isla Santa Prisca," He began, pulling up a map. "This island is the primary source of a dangerous and illegal neuro-steroid—Venom."
Samael absorbed the information with quiet focus. Venom, potent as it was, would never work on him. His Kryptonian physiology was nearly impervious to such drugs.
"The infrared heat signatures indicate that their factory is operating at full capacity, but all shipments of Venom have inexplicably cut off. That's where this Team comes in. This is a covert recon mission only," Batman emphasized. "Observe and report. If League intervention is necessary, it will be."
Once dismissed, Samael sped to his room and found a new suit laid out on his bed. Black, with a dark silver House of El symbol on the chest, it bore a sleek cape reminiscent of Batman's. He changed quickly, admiring the fit. It felt right.
When he arrived at the hangar, the others were already assembled.
"Man, our first mission! I'm pumped," Wally grinned.
"Felt like we were never gonna get one," Robin added.
"Nice suit, Supey. Digging the dark, edgy vibe," Wally teased.
"Thanks. Black suits me better than red and blue," Samael replied, stepping aboard the Bio-Ship.
"Indeed. It is a good suit," Aqualad noted.
"Yeah... looks good on you, Sam," Miss Martian said shyly, her cheeks turning pink.
He smiled at her, prompting a deeper blush. The ship launched.
[2 Hours Later]
"We're approaching Santa Prisca." Miss Martian announced from the pilot seat of the Bio-Ship.
Samael sat silently, closing his eyes. He focused, calmed himself, and cleared his mind. The mission was all that mattered now.
"Approaching Drop Zone A." Miss Martian said.
Aqualad stood. He tapped the Atlantean symbol on his belt, and his suit shifted—navy blue and red faded into a tactical blend of dark grey and black. "I am ready." he said firmly, glancing toward Miss Martian.
"Putting Bio-Ship in Camouflage Mode." She replied as the island came into view.
A hatch opened beneath the Bio-Ship, and without hesitation, Aqualad dove into the water below, vanishing beneath the waves. The ship continued to the next drop point.
"Drop Zone B," Miss Martian called out.
The remaining team members stood as their restraints and chairs dissolved into the Bio-Ship's floor. Miss Martian raised a hand, and ziplines descended from the ceiling. Robin and Kid Flash wasted no time latching on.
Once secured, Kid Flash tapped his lightning bolt emblem. The colors shifted—white turned light grey, yellow deepened, and his goggles darkened. Red accents remained, and he admired the new stealth palette with a grin. "How cool is this?" He asked, turning toward Miss Martian.
"Very impressive." She said, before her own form shimmered—blue skirt and boots becoming a black full-body suit. The red 'X' and trim remained, a mirror of her uncle's design. Only her cape stayed blue.
"Uh... that works." Kid Flash muttered.
Miss Martian lifted her hood and vanished from sight.
Robin and Kid Flash dropped first. Samael watched them land safely before stepping forward himself. The wind rushed past as he descended, landing with a soft thud. He immediately scanned the terrain.
"Aqualad, Drop B is a go," Miss Martian's voice came over the comm.
"Head to the factory. I'll track your GPS and meet you ASAP," Aqualad replied.
"Roger that." Robin said, pulling up a holographic map of the island.
They moved toward the factory. Samael took point, ears straining for movement. He stayed vigilant, determined not to be caught off guard.
Robin suddenly halted and held up a hand. "Guys, we're surrounded by mines."
"I know a way," Robin continued. "Follow me."
Their pace slowed as they carefully navigated the treacherous path. Samael's super-hearing picked up muffled footsteps, he looked at the direction and saw two squads approaching from opposite directions.
"Wait," He said, prompting confused glances. "Enemies ahead. Two squads."
"Steer clear of them," Aqualad ordered through the comms. Samael's gaze turned to Robin. "Stay with the team. I don't want you going off on your own."
"Who made you the leader?" Robin snapped.
Samael exhaled slowly. "We take them. Fast. Hit them hard before they can react."
"Batman said this was covert. Gather intel, get out," Robin reminded him.
"And what better intel than from the guy running the island? Bane is with them. Most of these guys are grunts—we take them before they can radio in."
Robin looked skeptical but gave in. "Fine."
"Take the grunts. I'll handle Bane. He can't escape." Samael said.
Samael noticed Robin narrowing his eyes but said nothing. A tinge of annoyance flickered through him, there was no time for petty conflict.
They crept forward, hiding behind boulders and fallen trees. Kid Flash activated infrared. "Two squads confirmed."
"Go," Samael ordered.
Kid Flash surged forward, knocking down enemies before they could react. Samael spotted Bane—the man's shock turned to focus. Samael closed the distance and went for a punch, the man managing to dodge one before his other strike hit him, sending the man straight into a tree.
Checking Bane's vitals and confirming he was unconscious, Samael returned to help subdue the remaining enemies. Within minutes, they were tied to trees.
Robin examined the uniforms. "These guys are with the Cult of Kobra."
"I doubt Batman would have left that out if he knew extremists had taken over Santa Prisca's Venom operation." Samael turned, seeing Aqualad walking towards them.
"Agreed," Samael said. "They must've overthrown Bane's group. Explains why the supply lines went dark."
"Kobra wants super cultists," Kid Flash said confidently. "Let's radio Bats, get out, and—"
"We're not leaving," Robin interrupted. "Not until I know why they're hoarding Venom."
"Until you know why?" Kid Flash repeated, stepping closer. Robin said. "This team needs a leader."
"And that's you?" Kid Flash challenged. "You disappear without a word, and now you're in charge?"
"And you thi—" Robin began.
"Enough," Samael cut in, his voice calm but unyielding. "We're in enemy territory. You can argue later."
"Oh, you're just saying that to—"
"I said enough." Samael's tone turned colder. "Your bickering and Robin's vanishing act are compromising the mission. Now shut up."
His ears picked up whispered Spanish. "They're distracted. Free yourselves and take them."
Samael's eyes flicked to the grunts. One of them had spoken.
"You're awake. Good," He said, striding toward Bane. "Let's talk about your factory."
"I'll tell you. There's even a secret entrance," Bane replied smoothly. "I can show you."
Miss Martian floated closer, her eyes glowing faintly. "He's not lying. But he's hiding something."
"Ah ah ah, chica," Bane said smugly. "Bane isn't so easy."
Miss Martian grimaced. "He's cycling football scores. In Spanish." She said. "This could take a while."
Samael crouched. "Or he can tell us now, and I won't rip his arm off."
Bane's expression darkened. "You wouldn't. You're a hero."
"I am. And I care about the mission. I'll do what I must." Samael's stare was calm and absolute.
"Sentry, that's too far," Kid Flash protested.
Bane glanced toward Robin, hoping the hero would intervene, but Samael grabbed his face.
"Don't look at him. Look at me. I will tear off your arms. Now let her into your mind." Samael stared at the man coldly. Bane refused to speak.
And Samael broke the man's arm. Bane's scream echoed through the jungle.
"That's enough, Superboy," Aqualad said, gripping his shoulder.
"One more chance," Samael warned, his voice still cool. "Where is the entrance?"
Bane stayed silent, his eyes filled with anger aimed at him. Bane wasn't a man who broke easily, and a ripped arm wouldn't accomplish anything
Samael narrowed his eyes. "He won't speak. Fine. He'll show us."
He untied the injured man and hauled him upright. Bane hissed in pain but said, "This way."
They started toward the factory, Samael leading the way. He didn't look back—didn't acknowledge the wary glances from the others.
~~~~~~~~~
They stood on top of a cliff, the factory clearly visible below. Bane halted about three feet from the edge and pointed. Robin and Kid Flash stepped forward to get a better look. From his position, Samael saw a forklift carrying crates toward a cluster of containers beside a helipad.
"Look at all that product," Robin muttered, eyes narrowing. "A buy is going down."
As Bane tried to slip away, Samael grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "But if Kobra's not selling to the usual suspects, then—"
"We need to identify that buyer," Aqualad said, stepping closer.
"There is a way inside," Bane offered. Samael looked at him suspiciously, reluctantly released him, and watched as the man pushed aside a rock, revealing a tunnel entrance.
"Answers are this way," Bane said, motioning for them to follow. The teens approached, peering down the dark passage. Without waiting for a response, Bane started into the mine.
"Great, now we're taking orders from El Luchador," Wally groaned.
They descended into the tunnel and arrived at a steel door. Bane placed his hand against a scanner, and the door slid open, leading directly onto the factory floor. He propped it slightly, just enough for Robin to slip through and scout.
"All clear." Robin called back before disappearing again.
When they regrouped, Robin was already gone. Samael exhaled in irritation
"Has the little fool been captured?" Bane asked with a smug lift of his brow.
"No," Aqualad replied tersely. "He just does that."
Kid Flash slid his goggles over his eyes. "Stay put. I'll get our intel and be back before Boy Wonder."
Before the speedster could rush off, Samael grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. "I wonder if your mother dropped you on your head as a baby," he muttered. "You'll compromise our position. Stay put."
The glare Wally shot him was fierce, but Superboy didn't flinch. Eventually, Kid Flash relented.
"Fine."
Samael released him, and Bane took the lead again. They crouched behind an unused assembly line, while Bane melded into the shadows of nearby crates. Samael observed the shipment process—whatever drug they were preparing wasn't the standard Venom. It looked new. More dangerous.
"It is a massive shipment," Aqualad whispered, stunned.
"They're moving something new." Samael confirmed. "If this hits the streets, it'll be chaos. We need to stop this."
A sound overhead caught his attention. Helicopter blades.
"A helicopter's coming in." He reported.
The aircraft landed, and its doors opened to reveal a large, muscular man in black tactical gear and a grey hockey mask—Sportsmaster. He strutted between two lines of cultists, his matching arm guards gleaming under the lights.
Samael listened closely.
"Lord Kobra," Sportsmaster greeted.
"Sportsmaster," Kobra returned, as a girl stepped forward carrying a metal case. She opened it to reveal blue vials—a mixture of the Blockbuster serum and Venom.
"The new Kobra-Venom?" Sportsmaster asked, lifting one to the light.
"This is a game-changer," he declared, flipping the vial and catching it with a grin. "Finally, we can go mano-a-mano with the Justice League." Samael's eyes narrowed at that.
Above them, Miss Martian remained cloaked in camouflage. "Aqualad, sending you a telepathic image of the buyer now."
"Sportsmaster," Aqualad said aloud, his voice filled with disbelief. "He's the buyer?"
He touched his communicator. "Aqualad to Red Tornado. Do you read?"
No response. Just static. The same as Robin.
He let out a frustrated sigh. "I can not reach the League, Robin, or Kid. The comms are jammed. We need a plan—now."
"I have a suggestion." Bane announced, leaping over the railing with a roar.
A second roar followed—deep and primal. Samael turned just in time to see Blockbuster charging. He sidestepped and grabbed the brute's arm, using his strength to hurl the massive figure into a group of cultists. Blockbuster quickly rose, enraged. Samael jumped over the railing, meeting Blockbuster's charge head-on.
His fists hammered into Blockbuster's thick hide. His expression turned surprised, his attacks weren't doing much damage. He ducked under a swing from the beast, landing an uppercut that flung the monster upward.
Samael grabbed Blockbuster's leg and threw him back down, causing a crater to form and sending debris flying. Blockbuster got up, mouth snarling in rage, and ran at Samael with his arms outstretched.
Samael jumped, and Blockbuster turned around. He grabbed one of the fallen grunts and threw him at the monster. This distracted Blockbuster, which Samael took advantage of, and punched the monster repeatedly.
Samael's punches started to damage the beast, tearing off skin. He kicked Blockbuster's ankles, causing the monster to kneel before him. Samael delivered a punch with all his might, his fist meeting Blockbuster's face, causing a boom to resound in the area.
Blockbuster fell, but he didn't stop. Blow after blow landed until Blockbuster's groans weakened. One final punch silenced the behemoth.
Panting, Samael stepped back. Samael saw his teammates running and followed after them, entering a tunnel.
"Sentry, the support beams!" Aqualad called out.
He turned and immediately struck three beams in rapid succession. He sped away before he got trapped under rubble.
~~~~~~~~~
Aqualad snapped a glow stick, casting an eerie red light across the cramped space. The glow pooled at his feet as he placed the two halves on the ground. Robin stood with his back to him, eyes fixed on the cave-in, while Kid Flash leaned against the wall, close to Miss Martian, catching his breath.
"How can my first mission as leader go so wrong?" Robin muttered.
Samael's brow lifted slightly. Leader? He hadn't realized Robin had taken that role.
Aqualad turned his gaze to the youngest member of their team. "You do have the most experience," he said calmly. "But perhaps that is exactly what left you unprepared."
Robin glanced back at him, frowning.
"Fighting alongside Batman, your roles are clearly defined," Aqualad continued. "You do not need to speak. You simply act. But this team is new. A leader must be clear—explicit. He cannot vanish and expect the rest of us to play roles in a plan we don't know."
Robin scowled and swiped a hand through the air as if physically brushing the comment aside. "So, what, I'm supposed to hold everyone's hands?"
He looked down, shoulders slumping slightly. "Ah, who am I kidding?" he said under his breath, voice laced with frustration and a note of something like shame. "Superboy's only a few months old, and he led this mission better than me."
"Aqualad should lead this team." Samael cut in, looking at the Atlantean. "He was calm and composed during this mission and knows how to lead in tough situations." He, in truth, did not care who led the team, but the most obvious choice was Aqualad.
Robin turned to face the Atlantean. "Yeah, you should lead, Kaldur."
Kid Flash straightened, his pride flaring. "Please! I can run circles—"
"Wally," Robin interrupted, using his real name despite being in the field. "Come on. You know he's the one. We all do."
The speedster looked between his teammates, sighed, and slumped. "Yeah, I guess."
All eyes turned to Aqualad.
"Then I accept the burden," He says as he walks towards Robin, pausing as he places his hand on the smaller boy's shoulder, "until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders. You were born to lead this team. Maybe not now, but soon." Robin is smiling the whole way through the speech and confirms the terms with a small nod.
Samael nodded. "Alright, now that that's all said and done, how about we focus on stopping that shipment from leaving the island."
Robin's expression shifted to a smirk. "Had the same thought. Follow me." He ran, with them following him.
"Sportsmaster's the supplier-slash-buyer," He said, "but that doesn't make sense. He doesn't have the juice to get the Blockbuster formula or force Kobra to do the work."
"And neither of them could've fused Venom with Blockbuster tech," Wally added. "That took some serious lab geek brainpower."
"I believe the expression is: 'tip of the iceberg,'" Aqualad said as they skidded to a stop.
Bane stood at the exit, blocking their path. Something long and metallic dropped from his hand, clanging against the floor to join several others like it. In his left hand, a glowing green trigger device pulsed softly.
"Halt, niños," Bane said. "I'm feeling… explosive."
Samael noted the green light, the broken state of Bane's right arm, and most importantly—his eyes, which were locked squarely on him. Bane knew who the real threat was.
"You betrayed us. Why?" Aqualad asked, tone steady.
Samael resisted the urge to groan. Seriously?
"Kid, get the trigger", He ordered through the mind link.
Wally gave a tiny nod and began inching backward.
Bane smirked. "So, I forced you into a situation where you would either eliminate my enemies… or die trying. Either way, I win."
He gestured proudly with the trigger. "If you died, the Justice League would come to avenge their sidekicks. And when the dust settled, Santa Prisca would be mine again."
"Does this guy love to monologue?" Samael said to the others, hearing a snort of amusement coming from Robin.
Bane's thumb hovered over the button. "Blowing the tunnel with you inside? Same result."
Before he could press it, a blur shot past him—and suddenly, the trigger was gone.
"Looking for this?" Kid Flash said, leaning smugly against a support beam. He twirled the trigger between his fingers. "This little detonator doohickey?"
Bane's eyes widened. He lunged at the speedster, fist cocked—but never landed the punch.
He jerked back mid-swing, caught in invisible force. Miss Martian's telekinesis lifted him a solid ten feet into the air.
Samael stepped forward, a smirk on his face. "God, I thought you'd never stop talking." He launched a punch that cracked against Bane's chest, sending the luchador flying across the chamber and into the far wall.
He hit hard and didn't get up.
~~~~~~~~
Kid Flash zipped into the helicopter pad, flooring two guards before they even registered his presence.
"M'gann, handle the rest of the guards", Aqualad instructed through the mind link.
Behind him, Miss Martian nodded and lifted off the ground, eyes glowing as several of the remaining enemies were swept into the air and knocked unconscious.
A burst of gunfire forced Wally to twist and blur, bullets missing him by inches. Sportsmaster was unloading on him, but he didn't notice when Samael closed the gap in a flash and drove a fist into the villain's jaw. Sportsmaster crumpled.
"Pathetic." Samael muttered, crouching and patting down the man's pockets. A small vial of bright blue serum caught his attention. "Kid!" He called out to the speedster. Wally came to him in a second. "Here, give it Robin." Samael gave him the serum. The speedster nodded and Samael went inside the helicopter.
It had stacked crates lined the space, each marked with the Kobra insignia. Samael didn't hesitate. He blurred through the cargo bay, reducing every container to shattered wood and splintered glass. By the time he emerged, nothing remained of the serum but blue stains on the floor.
Back outside, most of the enemies were down for the count. Aqualad was binding the last of them in restraints formed of hardened water. But one figure still stood—King Kobra—towering over a downed Robin.
Samael narrowed his eyes and shot forward, striking the man with a punch that sent him hurtling into the trees.
He didn't stop to watch him land. He sprinted after the trajectory, searching. A moment later, he found the limp body half-buried in a bush. He hoisted the unconscious man over his shoulder and carried him back to the clearing.
"Fake Voldemort-looking ass." He muttered with a smirk, unceremoniously dropping King Kobra to the ground.
He looked up. "Where's Sportsmaster?"
Aqualad approached, brow furrowed. "He disappeared."
"What?" Samael said. "I knocked him out. How did he wake up and leave?"
"We don't know. I think one of his soldiers managed to take him while we weren't looking." Robin replied, wincing slightly as he pushed himself up.
Robin looked at the scene, then gave Aqualad a genuine nod. "We picked the right guy to lead."
Robin then added with a grin, "Automatically making you the right guy to explain this mess to Batman!"
He turned on his heel and walked off, laughing.
[Mount Justice]
"A simple recon mission." Batman gets within inches of his face, berating him. He stayed calm. "Observe and report!" Then backs off. "You'll each receive written evaluations detailing your many mistakes." Batman walks past all five, who stand at full attention.
"Until then: good job." The others' heads snap up in shock, then look at Batman out of the corner of their eyes. "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy." All of them relax, even he did. "How you adjust to the unforeseen is what determines success." He watched as Batman continued. "And how you choose who leads determines character." He looked at him, his eyes narrowed.
"You're dismissed." He went to his room, taking off his suit and taking a shower. He thought about his fight with Blockbuster. Something happened that made him stronger. His punches weren't doing much damage until they did. Was it that the angrier he got, the stronger he was? No, he wasn't that angry.
He remembered Doomsday, a monster that Superman struggled against and lost to. One that adapted at an alarming rate. Did he adapt to the monster? It seemed that the more stressed he was against the monster, the stronger he got. Even now, he could tell it wasn't temporary, he felt the power coursing through him.
He needed to find a way to test this, but his real question was, where did he get it from?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[A/N]
I edited this chapter since I wasn't really feeling it before.
Now, I know I don't update this or my other stories a lot, but here's a chapter. If you have any questions, just ask. If you're wondering how Superboy's suit looks, then think of the black suit Superman wore when he was injured against Doomsday, but with a black cape.