Chapter 23: Chapter 22 Superboy's Awakening and Batman's Augmentation
As the crystalline shell of the containment pod sealed around Superboy, the room seemed to hold its collective breath. A faint hum resonated through the air, growing in intensity as the pod's core flared with energy, bathing the room in an otherworldly glow. Superior Spider-Man's hands moved deftly over the holographic controls, his sharp focus evident in the precise, calculated movements of his fingers.
Inside the pod, Superboy's form was illuminated by the pulsating blue and white light emanating from the core. He felt the first wave of energy surge through his body—a warm, tingling sensation that spread from his chest to his limbs. His muscles involuntarily tensed as the containment pod began its work, scanning and mapping his unique genetic structure.
"Phase one: DNA sequencing initialized," Superior Spider-Man announced, his tone clinical and brimming with confidence. "Kryptonian and human sequences detected. Beginning isolation of dormant Kryptonian gene clusters."
The molecular stabilizers flared to life, their rhythmic pulses now synchronized with the pod's crystalline matrices. Superboy felt a sharp jolt as the stabilizers probed deep into his cellular structure. It wasn't pain, exactly—more like an intense pressure building from within, as though his very essence was being scrutinized and reshaped.
Inside the pod, holographic projections of his DNA spiraled outward, visible to everyone in the room. The strands were marked with glowing annotations, highlighting areas of genetic overlap, dormant sequences, and regions of instability. The Kryptonian gene clusters, long suppressed by his partial human physiology, began to light up like stars in a dark sky.
"Phase two: Genetic amplification," Superior Spider-Man continued, his voice cutting through the hum of the machinery. "Atlantean molecular rejuvenators are stabilizing the cellular framework. Initiating nanoscopic graviton injection."
The containment pod shifted, its crystalline core glowing brighter as it unleashed a stream of microscopic gravitons into Superboy's body. The gravitons worked quickly, stimulating his cells to mimic the full functionality of Kryptonian physiology. The warm tingling sensation gave way to something more intense—a fiery surge of energy that coursed through his veins, igniting every nerve ending.
Superboy clenched his fists, his breathing becoming heavier as his body adjusted to the flood of power. His skin seemed to shimmer under the pod's light, as if his very essence was being transformed. His mind raced with a whirlwind of sensations—heat, cold, weightlessness—all at once. It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating.
"Vital signs are stable," Superior Spider-Man noted, glancing at the readouts on the holographic display. "Cellular activity is off the charts, but holding within acceptable parameters. Graviton integration is at 82% and climbing."
Inside the pod, Superboy began to feel the changes taking hold. His vision sharpened, colors becoming more vivid and detailed than ever before. He could hear the faintest vibrations of the containment pod's machinery, as if the entire world had opened itself to him. The pressure in his chest, once oppressive, now felt like a coiled spring of energy waiting to be unleashed.
"Phase three: Energy absorption calibration," Superior Spider-Man announced, his voice rising slightly with urgency. "Activating photonic resonance emitters."
The crystalline core unleashed a beam of golden light, saturating Superboy's body with energy that mimicked the radiation of Earth's yellow sun. He gasped as the energy permeated his cells, amplifying the changes already in progress. His body began to glow faintly, the light radiating from within as his cells absorbed the photonic energy like a sponge.
Superboy's fists clenched tighter, his muscles straining as the energy coursed through him. His breathing grew ragged, each exhale visible as a thin mist in the pod's controlled atmosphere. For a brief moment, the overwhelming sensations threatened to consume him.
But then, something shifted. The chaos within his body began to align, the surging energy settling into a steady, rhythmic flow. The fiery sensation cooled, replaced by a sense of clarity and power unlike anything he had ever experienced. His breathing slowed, each inhale filling him with strength and purpose.
"Integration complete," Superior Spider-Man announced, a note of triumph in his voice. "All systems report full stabilization. The dormant Kryptonian genes have been fully activated."
The containment pod began to open, the crystalline shell retracting with a soft hiss. Superboy stood within, his body radiating a faint golden aura. His chest rose and fell with controlled breaths, his posture more confident, more assured. He flexed his fingers experimentally, feeling the raw strength coursing through his limbs.
"Welcome to your true self," Superior Spider-Man said, stepping forward and folding his arms, his tone equal parts pride and superiority. "You're no longer bound by the limits of imperfection."
Superboy stepped down from the platform, his movements fluid and powerful. He turned to Superman, his gaze steady and unwavering. "I feel… incredible," he said, his voice carrying a newfound resonance, deeper and more commanding.
Superman regarded him with a mixture of pride and concern. "How do you feel? Really?"
Superboy smiled faintly. "Like I can finally be what I was meant to be. Like I can stand beside you—not as a copy, not as a shadow—but as my own person."
Superior Spider-Man interjected, his tone brimming with scientific detachment. "Your physiology is now fully Kryptonian, with none of the previous limitations. Flight, heat vision, frost breath—all of it should be accessible. But," he added with a pointed look, "you'll need time to adjust. Don't think you're invincible just yet."
Batman stepped forward, his analytical gaze fixed on Superboy. "We'll need to monitor your progress carefully. Any unforeseen complications could compromise your abilities—or worse."
Superboy nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand. But I'm ready for whatever comes next."
Superior Spider-Man folded his arms, a faint smirk evident even behind his mask. "Good. Now, it's your turn, Batman. I suggest you remove your suit and step into the secondary pod for your upgrades as well."
There was a moment of stunned silence in the room. Batman's eyes narrowed beneath his cowl, his voice low and edged with disbelief. "What?"
Superior Spider-Man tilted his head, his smirk widening into something resembling mock pity. "Come now, Batman. Surely you recognize the glaring disparity between yourself and the rest of us. A mere mortal in peak physical condition can only do so much when surrounded by gods and enhanced beings."
Batman took a deliberate step forward, his tone colder than the Arctic. "I don't need 'enhancements.' I've held my own against all manner of enemies without sacrificing who I am."
Superior Spider-Man raised a hand, cutting him off. "Ah, yes, the ever-stoic Dark Knight, clinging to his mortal limitations as though they are virtues. Admirable, in its own misguided way. But let's not confuse stubbornness with strength. I'm offering you the means to surpass your humanity—not replace it."
Wonder Woman, standing nearby, crossed her arms. "Spider-Man, you're treading dangerous ground. Enhancements aren't the answer to every problem, and Batman has proven himself time and again without them."
Superior Spider-Man turned toward her, his posture exuding intellectual confidence. The sharp gleam of his lenses narrowed, amplifying the air of calculated superiority. His voice was calm yet cutting, each word weighted with precision. "And how often has he barely survived? How often has his so-called resilience come at the cost of days—if not weeks—of recovery? The line between brilliance and recklessness is thinner than you think, Princess."
Wonder Woman's lips parted, ready to deliver a retort, but the words faltered on the edge of her tongue. The weight of his statement lingered in the air, undeniable in its stark logic.
Superior Spider-Man seized the moment. With a swift flick of his wrist, a holographic display flared to life, hovering in midair with a hum of energy. The projection showed a detailed, three-dimensional medical anatomy of Batman, rendered in unsettling precision, its layers revealing old wounds and internal scarring like a grim map of his life.
"Observe," Superior Spider-Man began, gesturing at the image with a surgeon's detachment. "The so-called 'pinnacle' of human conditioning. Impressive, yes, but tragically mortal. Here—" he magnified a section of the ribcage, the stark white outline marred with subtle fractures—"residual damage from multiple impacts. Likely the result of repeated close-combat encounters, perhaps even a certain 'Bane' incident."
He shifted the display, highlighting the spine. "This, a compressed vertebra from years of grappling hooks and rooftop acrobatics. Permanent strain on the lower back, degenerative over time."
The hologram rotated to focus on Batman's shoulder. "The left rotator cuff—notice the stress micro-tears. Repetitive strain injury. Unchecked, it will deteriorate further. And here—" he pointed to the faint shadow near the sternum, "a hairline fracture, dangerously close to the heart. An unaddressed remnant from an earlier encounter, I presume? One wrong move and this could rupture catastrophically."
His voice grew colder, laced with a faint smirk. "Tell me, Princess, is this the picture of an infallible warrior? Or a man balancing on the edge of his own physical limits?"
The holographic display continued to pulse with damning evidence—old injuries, fractures, and strain that accumulated over years of relentless combat. The cold, hard data hung in the air like a weight, suffocating the room with its unyielding logic.
Wonder Woman's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the image. Her usual composure was slipping, her mind struggling to find a retort, but she couldn't refute the reality laid bare before her. Even she had to acknowledge the toll Batman's relentless crusade had taken on his body.
A tense silence fell over the room, and the members of the Justice League present exchanged uneasy glances. Worry and concern were etched on their faces, each of them looking at Batman in a way they never had before—unsure, hesitant, and deeply troubled by the implications of Superior Spider-Man's analysis.
Wonder Woman's gaze shifted from the hologram back to Batman, her eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and concern. She stepped forward, her voice low but filled with a steely intensity that couldn't be ignored. "We need to have a serious talk, Batman."
She emphasized the word "Batman" with an edge of frustration, her patience clearly running thin. The weight of her words lingered in the air, a challenge to the man who had always been the epitome of self-reliance and unyielding strength.
Superior Spider-Man observed the tension in the room, the palpable unease between the League members and Batman. His smirk faded slightly, replaced with the clinical detachment that marked his every move.
"Relax," Superior Spider-Man said with a cool, almost dismissive tone, as he gestured toward the secondary containment pod. "The healing properties of this pod are unlike anything you've encountered before. A fusion of Atlantean bioengineering and Kryptonian tech can accelerate cellular regeneration far beyond your usual methods."
He flicked a switch on the nearby console, and the secondary pod's crystalline core shimmered to life with a pulsing blue light. "This is no mere medical chamber; this is an automated system designed for rapid tissue repair and metabolic regeneration. It will mend broken bones, restore damaged muscles, and even reverse chronic wear and tear on your organs." He paused, his voice growing colder as he addressed Batman once more. "Consider it... a gift. A shortcut to what should have been the result of years of careful planning and medical science."
As Batman eyed the pod warily, Superior Spider-Man continued, his thoughts momentarily drifting away from the task at hand.
'In the grand scheme of things,' Superior Spider-Man mused internally, his mind working at a breakneck pace, 'this technology could be the perfect tool to recreate a modern-day Super Soldier experiment. After all, the original Super Soldier serum of Captain America was nothing more than a crude version of what I've designed here.'
He allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. His intellectual superiority, backed by this technology, was unlike anything the world had ever seen. The idea of recreating the Captain America Super Soldier Event was tantalizing—perfecting it through a combination of Kryptonian and Atlantean methods. After all, who better than he to achieve a level of physical perfection that would make even the legendary serum seem obsolete?
"Perhaps it's time for a new breed of soldier," he thought, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips beneath the mask. "One who doesn't rely on outdated, imperfect solutions. If the world needs a Captain America, they could have one—only this time, it would be perfected. Stronger. Faster. Smarter."
His gaze flicked back to Batman, the thought of turning his enhancements into something larger than just an individual—something for the future—distracting him momentarily. The Justice League might never accept it, but the potential to rebuild the world's heroes through advancements in science was limitless. With the right application, he could create an entire army of enhanced soldiers, all free from the physical limitations that plagued their human counterparts.
But that would be for another day.
"For now," Superior Spider-Man continued, his voice cutting through the room like a scalpel, "this pod will stabilize you, Batman. Give you what you need to recover... and more." He paused, leaning closer to the display, his tone taking on a sharp edge. "But you'll have to choose. Either you accept help, or you continue down this self-destructive path."
His words echoed in the chamber, the weight of his offer hanging heavily in the air.
A/N
Early Chapter, I suppose.