The Return of Superboy Part II
Starring Superboy and Impulse
June 6 2000

The Habitat: Main Central Dome

        Large and circular in shape, the center dome is the largest,
having no inner walls to seperate it into various rooms. Instead, the
structure is a single vast chamber with a high, curved ceiling. Clear
windows line the walls high above, midway between the highest point and
the floor, allowing light to filter in during the day, or dim moonlight at
night. At set intervals along the outer perimeter lie carefully crafted
statues made of stone, placed within small outcoves and dimly lit by a
single light that is embedded above it. Each statue is a tediously hand
crafted piece of artwork done in stone, representing one hero, which all
face the center of the room. On the floor in the center is a large symbol,
with 'The Seven' written across it. Three tubes lead off into various
other domes, which are all empty, dark, and abandoned.

"Home, sweet home," Superboy says as he walks into the Habitat, following
close behind you. Once you get inside, he steps around you and spins,
holding his arms out to the side. "Oh it's good to be back!" And how true
that is. More than he can express. As he spins, he draws near the statues
of The Seven, though he stops just before he runs into them. "Hey Supes,"
he mutters, having come to a stop in front of the Man of Steel's statue.
"So Imp, how has everyone been? Just waiting for me to get back, I'm
sure." As he speaks, he looks back at you with a grin. If anyone would
understand why he was away so long, it will be his best bud.

Leaning against the wall, watching Superboy with the statues until the Kid
turns his attention back to the Tornado, Bart remains silent until his
friend speaks. "No, actually, we haven't been waiting for you to get back.
For the past six months, we've been spending just about all our collective
energy trying to keep clear of the DEO - one of our new members, a girl
who calls herself Secret, escaped from them and has been hiding out here.
They object to this." Since when does Bart talk like this? Since when is
he so serious, so tense? It could be supposed the pressure from the DEO's
done it -- some of it, at least. "Most of the JLA is kind of on the DEO's
side -- only Manhunter and Batman are willing to entertain the thought
that we're fairly capable. And Wally, but...well, he's got his own
problems."

Superboy blinks in surprise as he turns fully to face you, now. "The DEO,
eh? Sounds like I got home just in time." This time there is no wink, no
grin, no nothing. Perhaps your seriousness has rubbed off on the Kid.
After all, it is more than a little shock to him. Sure you've been upset
with him before (who hasn't?) but not like this. Not that he can remember,
anyway. Just as he is about to ask about Secret, the lightbulb turns on in
his head. "The JLA are with the DEO? Even Superman?" Please say no. Please
say no. If so, he could have brought trouble to the team already when he
spoke to Lois. But nah... Lois wouldn't rat him out. Would she? You may
see SB's face getting a little whiter at the thought.

"I'd've liked you back sooner," says Bart quietly, tugging his mask down,
then running his hands through his hair. He slides down the wall, sitting
on the floor and resting his welbows on his knees in front of him. "...but
I'll live. And I *am* glad you're home." He pauses, glancing at the
statues of the Seven, then looking back at the Kid of Steel. "I'm not sure
what Superman's position on it all is; I haven't spoken to him. Dinah,
however, seems to be trying to rally them all against us - convincing the
media as well as the JLA that we're too young and reckless to be allowed
to function without close supervision."

Ironic that you would mention Black Canary as Lois brought her up as well.
But it is the fact that you say you're glad he's back that he thinks about
the most. That's what he was the most worried about. What you all thought
about him. Folding his arms across his chest, the Kid starts pacing back
and forth in front of the statues, looking at the ground. "Let me handle
Superman. I haven't been around much lately, and maybe we can use that.
Maybe they'll think I'm not on the team anymore. That I've broken away
from you all." Turning his head to look over at you, he continues to pace.
"What do you think? Should I go to them, maybe get inside and start
talking to a few people, talking up the team? If they don't think I'm with
you anymore, it could be helpful." Of course, he still needs to find out
if he *is* still with you all.

There's a long pause from Bart's corner; he looks away while Superboy
speaks - out at the green surrounding the Habitat. Thinking. "Maybe it
would be helpful, yeah. But I don't think it's just the team, SB. The team
is who they're actually after, sure, but their excuse is a blanket
crackdown on just about everyone with powers who can't buy beer. You can
give it at shot, anyway. Especially - yeah, talk with Superman. It'd be
good to know for sure whose side he's on. What he thinks of us."
Interrupting himself midsentence - all right, that's a little closer to
normal for the poster boy for ADD. "But if you do decide to feed the media
the idea that you're not talking to us anymore..." Bart pauses, and looks
up at the Kid from his spot on the floor. "Let the rest of the team know
it's a sham?" That should answer the question -- and also keep the pride
of both boys intact.

"Of course," is the quick response. Well, as quick as Superboy can be.
"I've had enough with the team thinking I've skipped out on them again."
There. He's said it. Sorta. He's back and he plans to keep it that way. He
didn't mean for it to get like this, but somehow it did. Maybe he'll tell
you about it some day. But right now, it seems you have enough to worry
about. "As for the Man o' Steel, the best way to him is by going through
Lois. And I can handle Lois." This time, he does send a wink your way.
Heck, he needs a place to stay and where better than with her? Well,
there's lots of better places, but none more helpful. Sure he'll need to
ask first, but it shouldn't be a problem. Lois and the Kid are close. At
least they were, anyway.

Impulse grimaces. "Well -- well. You kind of /did/. Skip out again, I
mean. And maybe -- I dunno, maybe if you came back while we were under no
pressure, you know, while we were all cocky and on top of the world..." He
trails off, looking unhappy. "I'm sorry. I have no idea what you've been
doing, what you've been through. It doesn't matter, now, though - not even
if you were, like, off on Tamaran gettin' some with big-haired warrior
chicks - I don't care. You're back, and we need you." Suddenly standing,
Bart Allen reaches out a hand. "Pax? When this is all over, we can catch
up."

"I had an.. extended vacation..." Well that's more or less the truth,
though the last part was nothing like what one would call a vacation. "I'm
sorry about that.. I would have told you sooner, but.." He puts his hand
in his pocket quickly and pulls out a mangled... something. Yup. It's his
communicator. "I had a little accident." With a smirk, he replaces it once
more then holds out his hand. "Deal. Wouldn't have it any other way." The
smirk dies, becoming a grin. This is a moment he has dreaded since the
first time he tried to return and couldn't. But he'd rather wait for the
others to be present before telling you what happened.

"Rock'n'roll," grins Bart, raising his eyebrows. "I feel like I should
give you a tour or something, but you know this place better than I do, I
guess. Wanna get some lunchables or something?"

"Sure.. Then I need to call Lois. I doubt I have a room around here." With
a wink, Superboy motions for you to lead the way into the complex.
Hopefully the others will be as understanding and this isn't just a fluke
since he's known you so long.