The sun hung high in the sky as Wonder Boy soared toward the chaos. Below, trees were ripped from their roots and tossed like twigs by Mr. Twister's mechanical winds. The rest of the team—Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Superboy and Miss Martian—were scattered, struggling to coordinate against the relentless android.
Mr. Twister stood at the center of the maelstrom, a menacing figure of metal and menace. His turbines roared as he unleashed gusts of wind strong enough to topple buildings.
As Wonder Boy closed in, his body shifted instinctively. His density increased, making him heavier and more durable, preparing him for impact. The air around him shimmered from the sheer power radiating off him. He dove into the fray, a silver and black streak against the bright sky.
"About time! Could use some backup down here!"
"Yeah, before Twister decides to turn us into team pancakes!"
Wonder Boy touched down with a thundering impact, the ground cracking beneath his feet. He immediately surveyed the battlefield, his sharp mind processing the situation. The team was battered but holding on, using hit-and-run tactics to distract Mr. Twister.
The android's head swiveled toward the new arrival. "Another child? " Mr. Twister's mechanical voice droned. "No matter. You will fall like the others."
"Let's test that theory," Wonder Boy said, his voice calm but firm.
Twister unleashed a gale-force wind toward him, but Wonder Boy didn't flinch. Instead, he shifted his density again, planting himself firmly in the ground. The winds battered him, but he remained unmoved, like an immovable statue in the storm.
Twister increased the intensity, the air slicing like invisible blades. Wonder Boy raised his arms to shield his face, the winds cutting into his Cadmus-forged suit but failing to pierce his enhanced skin.
"Speedster I saw some fire on the way here. Take Aqualad and go handle them. There might be people in there that need help"
"Right," he replied before darting off.
Miss Martian, watching from above, reached out telepathically. But again all she got was static
Wonder Boy crouched low before launching himself forward with explosive force. The ground cratered beneath him as he rocketed toward Twister, fist cocked. Twister spun his turbines, generating a vortex to deflect the attack, but Wonder Boy adapted mid-air. He shifted his density to its lightest state, allowing him to maneuver effortlessly through the wind barrier.
He closed the distance in a heartbeat and drove his fist into Twister's chest, denting the android's armor and sending him skidding backward. The force of the blow disrupted Twister's wind generators, and the storm briefly subsided.
"Not bad," Twister said, his voice crackling with synthetic annoyance. "But I'm far from finished."
Twister's arms transformed into missile launchers, firing a volley of explosives. Wonder Boy reacted instantly, shifting to his densest state and letting the missiles detonate against him. The explosions tore through the sand, sending smoke and debris everywhere, but when the dust cleared, Wonder Boy stood unscathed, his silver and black suit glowing faintly from the heat.
"I've had worse," he said, his lips curling into a smirk.
As the battle raged, Wonder Boy's adaptive physiology began to shine. His body adjusted to the machine's attacks, his movements growing sharper and more efficient. When Mr. Twister unleashed another barrage of lightning, Wonder Boy anticipated the attack, sidestepping and using his density-shifted weight to crush the ground beneath him, destabilizing the machine's stance.
"Predictable," Wonder Boy smirked, his confidence growing.
He launched himself skyward, grabbing hold of Mr. Twister's turbine arm. With a powerful heave, he ripped it clean off, sparks flying as the machine let out an enraged howl.
"You're losing," Wonder Boy said coldly, tossing the arm aside.
Mr. Twister's mechanical voice crackled with arrogance. "Bold words. You may be strong, but I am superior in every way."
Wonder Boy didn't respond. Instead, he dove forward with incredible speed, the air cracking around him like a whip. Mr. Twister's turbines roared to life, sending a vortex of wind and debris spiraling toward him.
Wonder Boy's density shifted mid-dive, his body becoming nearly intangible as he passed through the worst of the cyclone. He re-solidified just in time to slam his fist into Mr. Twister's chest plate, the impact resounding like thunder.
The android staggered back but quickly retaliated, firing bolts of electricity from his gauntlets. Wonder Boy twisted in the air, his adaptability kicking in as his body developed a temporary resistance to the current. The electricity danced harmlessly across his skin.
"You'll have to do better than that," Wonder Boy taunted, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Mr. Twister switched tactics, summoning a powerful tornado that tore through the battlefield. The winds howled, uprooting trees and tossing debris like missiles. Wonder Boy's eyes narrowed as he increased his density, anchoring himself to the ground. He marched forward, each step deliberate and unstoppable, despite the chaos around him.
With a roar, Wonder Boy leaped into the heart of the storm. He tore through the tornado, his powerful strikes disrupting the winds and causing the vortex to collapse.
"Enough games!" Mr. Twister bellowed, his body transforming as additional weapons emerged from his frame. Missiles launched toward Wonder Boy, each one tracking his movements with deadly precision.
But Wonder Boy was faster. He darted through the sky, his adaptability and agility allowing him to predict and evade the missiles with ease. Grabbing one mid-air, he hurled it back at Mr. Twister. The explosion sent the android staggering, exposing a critical joint in his shoulder.
Spotting the opening, Wonder Boy capitalized on it. He flew at Mr. Twister like a bullet, his density increasing just before impact. His punch shattered the joint, severing the android's remaining arm. Sparks flew as the mechanical limb fell to the ground.
"Your destruction is inevitable," Mr. Twister declared, though his voice now carried a hint of desperation. "I am a tool of precision, built to—"
"Built to fail," Wonder Boy interrupted, his tone sharp. He pressed forward, dodging another barrage of electricity and wind. Grabbing hold of Mr. Twister's torso, he increased his density to maximum, anchoring them both to the ground.
"You think you're unstoppable because you're a machine," Wonder Boy said, his grip tightening as cracks began to form in the android's armor. "But you were designed with limits. I wasn't."
With a roar, Wonder Boy unleashed more strength, his muscles tensed as he tore Mr. Twister's torso apart. The android's core sputtered and sparked, its voice garbled as it attempted to speak.
"This… is not… the end…"
Wonder Boy ripped the core from its housing, crushing it in his hand. The light in Mr. Twister's eyes flickered and died as the rest of his body collapsed in a heap of metal and wires.
-Small Timeskip-
The Watchtower's conference room was a mix of sleek technology and austere design, a fitting backdrop for the serious discussion taking place. The table was circular, symbolizing equality among its members, though everyone instinctively deferred to Batman as he stood at the head of the room. A holographic screen displayed scenes from the recent mission against Mr. Twister, captured by satellite feeds and recordings from Red Tornado's internal systems.
Wonder Woman, Superman, Martian Manhunter, Flash, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), and Aquaman were present, seated around the table as Batman began his analysis.
"Play it again," Batman ordered. His voice was calm but carried an edge of precision. The footage rewound, showing Wonder Boy and Superboy in their respective moments against Mr. Twister. The room watched in silence as Wonder Boy's adaptability, strength, and density-shifting powers were on full display.
When the recording ended, Batman turned to the group. "Let's start with Wonder Boy," he said, arms crossed. "Code-named Project Spartan, though he prefers Wonder Boy for now. Cloned from Wonder Woman's DNA and another donor Cadmus has classified. He was bred to be a warrior, and his performance against Mr. Twister confirms that purpose. Observations?"
Wonder Woman leaned forward, her expression both proud and troubled. "His fighting style is raw, but there's no denying his skill. He adapts quickly, anticipates attacks, and shows the tactical acumen of someone far beyond his years. The density-shifting ability gives him an edge even I've never had. That alone could make him a formidable opponent."
Her voice softened. "But his anger… It's palpable. Directed. He doesn't see me as his mother, only as someone who represents what he was created to fight. It's clear Cadmus instilled that mindset in him, and undoing that will take time."
Batman nodded, adding, "His psychological profile aligns with what you're saying. He's defensive, distrustful, and heavily conditioned to view authority figures with skepticism. But despite that, he's not impulsive. He chose not to confront you further on the beach once Red Tornado contacted him. That restraint says a lot."
Superman, seated beside Wonder Woman, frowned as he folded his arms across his chest. "He's strong—very strong. And that density control makes him even more dangerous. Combined with his speed, flight, and what seems like a near-immunity to most forms of attack, he's a weapon Cadmus perfected."
He glanced at Batman. "But we've seen this before, haven't we? Superboy is a reflection of the same methodology. Cadmus didn't just create power; they created control. It's obvious he was trained for specific scenarios."
"Specific scenarios like fighting me," Wonder Woman said with a touch of steel in her voice.
"Or any one of us," Superman added grimly.
Flash, ever the optimist, tapped his fingers on the table. "Okay, yeah, he's strong, fast, and can turn into a superhuman wrecking ball when he wants to. But let's not ignore the fact that he saved the team's bacon against Mr. Twister. He took control when it mattered and showed that he's not just a mindless weapon. He's a kid, and kids can learn."
He shot a glance at Batman. "Besides, if anyone can handle anger issues, it's us. We've all dealt with worse."
Martian Manhunter spoke next, his tone measured and calm. "His adaptability extends beyond the physical. While his density-shifting and combat skills are exceptional, his true strength lies in his ability to assess and adjust to his environment. During the battle, he analyzed Mr. Twister's weaknesses and exploited them effectively. That level of intelligence suggests he is not simply a product of Cadmus' programming but someone capable of independent thought."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "That said, his mental state is… fractured. While he outwardly projects confidence, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty and anger. It would be wise to approach him with patience."
Hal Jordan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "From what I've seen, the kid's the real deal. He's got the power, the adaptability, and the instincts of a fighter. But he's also carrying a lot of baggage. Cadmus didn't just give him abilities—they gave him trauma. That's something we'll need to address sooner rather than later."
Aquaman nodded in agreement. "He's a warrior, that much is clear. But a warrior without a cause can become dangerous. He needs purpose, guidance, and above all, trust. If we can provide that, he could become one of our strongest allies."
Batman brought the discussion back into focus. "His strengths are undeniable: superhuman physicality, flight, density control, and an adaptive physiology that makes him practically invulnerable to prolonged engagements. His weaknesses are emotional and psychological. He's uncertain of his identity, distrustful of authority, and burdened by the purpose he was created for. If we're not careful, that combination could make him a liability."
He turned his gaze to Wonder Woman. "He'll need a mentor, someone who can guide him not just as a warrior, but as a person. Someone he can trust."
Wonder Woman met Batman's gaze, her expression resolute. "I'll take responsibility for him. He's my son, even if he doesn't see it that way yet. I won't let him face this alone."
Batman nodded. "Then it's settled. We monitor his progress and provide support where needed. For now, we keep his abilities classified until we fully understand their limits. The last thing we need is for the world—or Cadmus—to see him as a weapon again."
As the meeting adjourned, the League members filed out, each lost in their thoughts. Wonder Woman lingered, staring at the holographic image of Wonder Boy frozen mid-battle. Her fists clenched as she whispered to herself, "You'll see, my son. You're more than what they made you. I'll help you see it."