NYA~PAH! Everyone ready?
Tobey: No. I want more shrimp toast. And my friends!
(claps once. Shrimp toast falls from a portal, along with Sid and Sue)
Tobey: MY FRIENDS! AND SHRIMP TOAST!(runs over, hugs them, then begins devouring toast)
Wally: Yuck, is that actually good?
Tobey:(nods his mouth stuffed) Wamm fuhm?
Wally: Eh.(shrugs) Why not?
Aw, they're making nice!
CHAPTAH!
STARTO!
The ceiling began to break apart, and Kid Flash scooped up the boy bridal-style as the group fled from the room, not bothering to avoid treading on the corpses.
"WHAT THE HELL? I thought the building was stable?" The red-head called back, clutching the whimpering boy closer as he dodged the falling pieces of concrete and plaster. Superboy barreled after him, practically a barrier for the others to follow behind. Aqualad kept his water-whips locked tightly into a shield-shape, covering Robin and Artemis, M'gann throwing what she could away from their group.
"It looks like something on the roof is causing massive shock-waves throughout the place! We need to get out NOW!" Robin yelled, dodging a piece of rubble that could've made him face-plant. Superboy roared as the hallway in front of them was filled with rubble, and he turned to the wall next to him, creating a new hole a split second later.
"Alright Supey!" Kid Flash cheered as they all dove through the opening. A few more hallways (and holes) later, they had made it outside. To their surprise, the mentors were waiting for them, a League jet parked next to Miss Martian's ship.
"WALLY!" Flash called out in fear, and that's when the ginger finally realized - he had left his cowl down the entire time. He hurriedly yanked it back over his face, the boy setting his feet down on the grass as he panicked. Batman was going to throttle him for sure.
The boy stared at the adults, then at Young Justice, then back again, before finally connecting the two groups. He waved shyly, and the Flash managed to wave back, despite the murderous aura emanating from the Gotham hero beside him.
"Guys, we really need to keep moving. Whatever was shaking the building is still up there." Robin said loud enough for the mentors to hear, and grabbed the boy's wrist, yanking him forward. Young Justice made its way over, but just before they reached the adults, a giant mass landed on the ground behind them. In an instance, they were bared down on by what looked like a demonic-like dog, at least twice the size of an elephant.
"FLASH!" Wally screeched, taking the boy from his friend and tossing him towards his uncle. Barry caught the teen, backing away from the monster uncertainly.
The dog-monster growled, leaned down close enough for Superboy to make out the faint outline of its pupil, before it let out a howl that actually broke the ground beneath them. The boy, who had become dazed when he was thrown, looked up at the beast, and felt a cold shudder run through him.
"NO!" The shout echoed across the field, catching everyone's attention. He looked up, his eyes glowing gold, and without warning, his jaw dropped open, and his chin tilting back, a fireball shot forth from his lips. It caught the beast on the side of its face, making it roar in pain. Its paws lifted off of the team, allowing them to escape. The beast rubbed at its face, growling low, when it realized it was surrounded by both the mentors and the teens. It blinked, and sat up, fading away in a ghost-like fashion.
"Well, that was whelming..." Robin muttered, straightening up. He glanced over to the Flashes, who were fretting over the now unconscious boy. He glanced back when he felt the dark gaze settled between his shoulders, courtesy of his mentor.
"Explain. NOW."
"It sounds just like how you guys found Superboy. Maybe he's another experiment?" Black Canary said as she wrung out a washcloth and placed it over the boy's forehead. "This white streak is so odd. It's very defining, not CADMUS style at all." Wally, having changed into his civvies, shrugged.
"Well, he isn't a very good weapon, that's for sure. He acted more like a baby than anything." The red-head stepped closer to the boy, who like-wise shifted closer, as though he could sense the other's presence. "I don't think he was made by CADMUS, though."
"Why's that?" Batman, who had been checking the computer, looked over at Red Tornado's question.
Robin was the one to answer. "Because, there were dead bodies everywhere around his pod, even though it was locked shut. It was as if they were keeping him in there, and then he did that fire-thing and blew them up." Batman watched as the pictures of the room were displayed onscreen. He glared at the images.
"The real question I'm pondering is, what the hell was that thing that attacked you?" Flash said, leaning against the wall. Surprisingly, it was Martian Manhunter who answered.
"I believe I have that information. When I studied in the Earth region known as China, I found an old legend that contained a picture depicting a beast known as Nian. It is said to be a demon that lives either under the sea or in mountains, and enjoys attacking children. I do not know why it would appear at the CADMUS laboratory though." Miss Martian gasped.
"The boy looks like he's Chinese! Hello Megan, whoever sent the Nian must've been after him!" Aqualad walked forward, pinning her with a stare.
"While we did witness him displaying powers, we can't use that as the only reason. It wouldn't make sense if it were. And there's still the question of what exactly happened in that room." Remembering the horrid stench that she'd inhaled, Artemis gagged.
"Uh guys, not to interrupt the discussion, but I think he's waking up." All eyes flew to them as the boy clutched Wally's hand. He moaned, his eyes fluttering before opening up, and dazed doe brown eyes darted around the room.
He sat up, staring at each occupant of the room. Wally sat down on the table, waiting as the boy slowly turned his attention to the red-head. "Hey there. Remember me?" A beat, then a nod. "Good. That thing ran off after you hurt it. Do you know how you did that?" A shake no. "Do you know who you are?"
The boy frowned, and the Chinese mumbling started. Martian Manhunter stepped close, making the boy jump and hide his face in Wally's shoulder. "I can help. I can give him knowledge of the English language." The alien spoke softly, which somehow calmed the boy down a bit. He let J'onn reached out and press a finger to his temple, just under the white streak. Both their eyes glowed orange, and a few minutes later Martian Manhunter stepped away. The boy shook his head rubbing at his eyes.
"Can you say your name?" Wally tried. The boy blinked, and looked at the ground.
"I'm...Tobey." Wally smiled.
"Tobey? That's a nice name. Do you remember your last name?" Tobey shook his head, clutching it afterwards in pain. Wally picked up the cloth, dipped it back into the water, and pressed it to the others forehead. "That's okay. Just try to remember slowly. My name is Wally West. You don't have to be afraid of anyone her. Well, except maybe Batman." Robin began giggling, to which Tobey smiled slightly.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE ESCAPED?" A plate went flying past the Nian's head, and smashed into the wall behind it. The beast cowered, trembling in front of its master. "Well, no matter. That idiot has always had a streak of dumb luck. Sooner or later, it will run out." Kong Li, evil Chinese wizard supreme, walked towards the Nian, pressing his palm against it's jaw.
"I will have the Chi Core. Even if I have to cut that fool into tiny little pieces myself." He hissed, muttering an incantation under his breath. The Nian shook its head confusedly, before growling and slinking away.
"Mei Hua might have been trying to protect him, but I will meet him face to face again. And this time..." He said, picking up a metal cup of wine. "I will not be denied!" The cup was crushed into a lump, red liquid running down the bitter man's hand.
READ AND REVIEW! Whew, I had to go online for a while, then decided 'aw screw it, I'll have J'onn give him an English lesson or something.' Short chapter is short.