Young Justice Echo, Volume One

In the aftermath of the Reach Invasion's failure, new heroes have stepped up to join the combined forces of the Justice League and Young Justice. A new team, Echo, has been formed and immediately finds themselves facing a new enemy, and a new invasion.

I do not own The Justice League, Young Justice, or any and all characters associated with either the shows, comics, etc. All are property of DC Comics.

Opening File: HUNTSMAN

Identification: Huntsman ('the Huntsman'

Origin: Unknown, potentially cosmic in nature.

Composition: Unknown. Subject is currently theorized to be a form of sentient energy being.

Threat Tier: Tier 10, potentially Tier 11-data expunged. Corrections made. Tier 10.

Ability Classifications and Approximate Levels: Super Strength (Level 7+), Super Speed (Level 8+), Teleportation (Long Distance, numerous light years, Zeta based, Level 9+), Energy Projection (Solar/Heat based, Level 7+), Invulnerability (Potentially Level 9 based on combat data), creation of weapons from body (Classified as Level 7 in capacity for destruction and harm), suspected to possess heightened senses in keeping with his theme and title (Suspected to be Level 8+)

Notes: This being has been added to a list of supervillains and interstellar threats that are to be confronted only by the strongest members of the League, and with certain permission granted to members of the Black Ops Division. Due to the threat he poses and the lack of clear data on his limits it is advised that only the following members engage him if it can be helped: Superman, Captain Atom, Wonder Woman, Icon, Martian Manhunter, Flash, Green Lantern (any of the two currently holding positions in the league or the single associate green lantern), Doctor Fate, Aquaman, Captain Marvel.

In addition the following members of the associated Black Ops Division and other groups connected to Justice League affairs have been cleared to engage hostile if in a group or accompanied by a League member: Superboy, Ms Martian, Blue Beetle, Wonder Girl, Aqua Lad, All-Star, Daemon, Cyborg, Martian Knight and Nebula Girl.

Any members not on these lists should make every effort to remain out of direct conflict with the Huntsman or to simply observe and relay information to the Watchtower Ops Center until suitable League/Black Ops members have been deployed. It is preferred that League Members be chosen for engaging the Huntsman, but as the Black Ops Division is an independent associated group they can be dispatched at the discretion of their senior members and/or leader.

Current Status: Mobile, location unknown, next target unknown. Standing orders are to remain on look out for sightings or evidence indicating presence of the Huntsman and pursue any leads on or off world. Batman has been placed in charge of the Huntsman Investigation, and all information pertaining to the Huntsman is to be forwarded directly to him or any member of the team he has put together for the investigation (Code Named Hunting Party)

Closing file.

Xxx

Episode Eight: The Coming Storm, Part One

8:53 AM, April 14th, 2017 (EST)

Watch Tower, Ops Center

"Echo Team, in the past few weeks you have displayed incredible teamwork and coordination," Aqua Lad addressed the members of Echo Team. "Because of this, and in spite of the recent crisis with the Huntsman, I am authorizing you to begin your first mission as a complete team. You shall be given a minimum of two missions per week, and shall be provided time off to rest or attend to affairs in real life." He saw the building nervous anticipation and excitement in their youthful faces, something which suddenly made him feel like he was as old as Aqua Man himself; it was almost like he was the wise elderly mentor addressing eager young recruits where only six years ago he had been in their position.

"Echo Team possesses a combination of Meta-Human abilities, magical powers, technological augmentation and psychic prowess that make a desirable formula for an ideal team." Aqua Lad continued, pacing down the line of Echo members. "There are only two things left to decide upon before Echo enters the field as a fully active team."

He turned and faced them, folding his hands behind his back and addressing them with a calm, cool expression that made it impossible to tear one's eyes away from him. "Firstly, Echo is receiving one more member."

"Another? Oh man at this rate we're going to be a whole platoon of super heroes," Cyborg commented, keeping his voice low as he spoke softly to All-Star. The younger boy had recovered from the fight against the Huntsman four days ago, an added bonus of his body soaking up energy to fuel its natural processes.

All-Star ignored the comment, facing Aqua Lad with his best serious expression "Who is this new team member?" A sudden spark of energy made him jump and turn around along with the rest of the team as a portal opened up, unleashing the grinning and mischievous little girl known as Nyx, her pet raven Ying on her shoulder.

"Sup?" She asked. "Am I late?"

After a couple seconds Aqua Lad continued, not reacting to Nyx's antics. "Nyx, your request to join the League in combating the Light was taken under discussion by the founding members of the Justice League. They've decided to assign you to Echo Team and grant you the authorization code E08 with limited access for the time being, should you decide to accept this offer."

"Huh, getting shoved off with the junior League?" Nyx huffed and crossed her arms...but then smiled again and winked. "Kidding, guys! This is actually better anyways. Ying here thinks I should be with more people around my own age rather than running around with grown men in tights."

All-Star felt the urge to point out that no hero actually wore tights...not anymore at least, and the joke had gotten old long before he'd joined the Black Ops Division.

However instead of focusing on this annoyance, he decided to step forward. "Well uh...it's good to have you on board, Nyx." All-Star felt nervous about letting a Chaos Sorceress on the team, given the fact that the Light's leaders included a Lord of Chaos who had enough power to destroy the Watch Tower if he was ever able to get back on it past the layers of redundant defences and countermeasures aimed at repelling magical entities. "Will that be your code name or are you going to take on something else?"

"Well, I'm not really one for dressing up...but I suppose that'd be a smart idea." Nyx shrugged as Ying fluttered over to All-Star's shoulder and cawed once. "See? Ying agrees with you too! So what do you think I should be called?"

"Well..." All-Star rubbed his head and glanced back at his team for assistance.

"Why not Witch Girl?" Daemon offered. "Like...opposite of Klarion the Witch Boy?"

Nyx cringed, clenching her teeth as purple magical energy sparked around her. "Never talk to me about him..." she growled, but quickly calmed down. "...but yeah, sounds like an idea. After all, this is a 'black ops' division for a reason so blabbing my real name to every villain out there won't be a big help to me." She rubbed her chin. "I'll also need to use my magic to disguise myself a lot."

Ying cawed again and flapped back over to Nyx's shoulder. "Hm? What's that Ying?" She listened to the raven's cawing. "Oooooh. That's brilliant!" She grinned, "Hey boys, check this out!"

She snapped her fingers, and in a spiral of magical energy she became...a much older version of herself, almost an adult if one had to guess. Her clothing had been adjusted to fit her size, but...well...let's just say her adult self was enough to make the boys on Echo Team stare for a few seconds.

"Oh uh...that's cool!" All-Star blurted out. "You can do that at will?"

"Yup!" Nyx winked before retaking her younger form. "Klarion knows about me, so I'll need to change my form for these missions. Best part is these aren't even illusions, I've actually physically altered my form temporarily. And Ying here can do the same thing; he turns into other birds." To display this, Ying changed from a grey feathered raven into a majestic looking eagle which shot into the air and let out a piercing cry.

"...Can you do any of that?" Cyborg whispered to Daemon, who glared up at the older teen and growled, warning him to shut his mouth.

Aqua Lad cleared his throat, causing all eyes to rest on him once more. "If that is all, there is still a second issue to be resolved." He had given them a minute to socialize and show off to lighten the mood. While this team was anything but a social club, as he himself had said before, he understood how brief moments like this could add up in the long run and prove vital to team morale and building connections between its members. "This is something that can either be solved by a unanimous group decision, or by myself and any other senior members presiding over your team."

"You need a leader." Aqua Lad let that statement hang for several moments. "Most of you have displayed characteristics that make you suitable to this position. Currently, the three candidates that I and other personnel both in the League and division have agreed to test for long term command of Echo Team are the following."

"All-Star," Nathan felt his chest puff out a bit with pride. "You displayed the ability to quickly issue orders to numerous team mates and lead a coordinated effort against enemies. However you also are prone to place yourself in a risky situation that could be avoided with assistance from your team mates."

"Ravager," Rose Wilson crossed her arms and listened intently. "You possess the skill, training and discipline of a warrior, and have led teams before in scenarios that even the League would not send members of this division into. Disregarding your past as an assassin trainee, however, you have shown little faith in your team mates, mainly Nebula Girl due to her age. A leader must be able to see past their personal grievances and focus on the mission, making use of all resources available. Nebula Girl is a part of this team for a reason, you do not need to worry about her unless the situation dictates it." This made the white hair girl huff beneath her mask...but the way she turned her eye towards the ground indicated that part of her agreed with Kaldur'ahm.

"And finally, Cyborg," Victor straightened up immediately. "Your on board tactical matrix combined with your natural ingenuity and technological advantage makes you a logical choice for team leader, along with the fact that you displayed leadership potential during your football career. However you have not had a great deal of experience in leading this team against super villains and often follow orders from others more often than not."

Aqua Lad beckoned them forward. "Your group must come to a decision as to who shall lead it. To those of you who wished to participate as commanding member of Echo, I apologize...but the League has extensively screened your combat data, personal backgrounds and psychiatric profiles. These three are the most suited to leading you...and it falls to you to choose one of them until or unless any other members of your squad are deemed capable of leading."

Nyx pouted and looked down. "Fine, didn't want the crummy leader spot anyway." She mumbled.

"Echo Team stands relieved for the rest of the day," Aqua Lad finished his speech. "Report back to me or the next available senior member at nine AM sharp tomorrow morning. Until then you have full access to non-classified areas of the WatchTower and use of Zeta Tubes." He allowed an approving smile to cross his face as he folded his arms behind him. "And good job, all of you."

All-Star and Cyborg exchanged a high five while Daemon lifted Nebula Girl and Nyx up onto her shoulder with a grin. Star Girl leaned her staff onto one shoulder with a satisfied smile as she followed the team back towards the Zeta Tubes while Martian Knight and Ravager followed behind.

"All of us, Metropolis, now!" Daemon insisted. "I know a great place for us to grab some breakfast while we think on this whole leader issue."

"Can't argue with that," All-Star decided. "Let's just stop by the Gotham safehouse and change into our civvies."

Xxx

The Huntsman sat on the moon, staring at the distant Watch Tower as it floated almost peacefully over the blue orb.

"How can this be?" He whispered, shaking his head, "A child of the universe, a hybrid of my own people and these...humans; that should not be possible, not anymore."

And yet it was so. The girl was in the larval stage of his people, contained in the shell of a human body like a caterpillar waiting to blossom into a butterfly. It had never been uncommon for his kind to partake in relationships with lower life forms, but that had been so very long ago when the universe was younger...when there had been more of his people, a whole society.

They were gone, leaving only him behind; him and this girl: Nebula Girl.

"The Hunt must continue," The Huntsman vowed. "However...I must know more."

He gazed longingly out into the cosmos, remembering the better days when his species had glided through the stars and rode comets like noble steeds, blasting horns that sent a tremor throughout the universe and sent even the most powerful of celestial pantheons scurrying to their ramparts in fear of the coming hunt. Those days were so far behind him now, and the universe had moved on without care for the demise of a proud and noble people.

Tearing his gaze away from the stars, the Huntsman gazed at the blue orb that spun silently in the void.

"The Hunt must continue," He repeated to himself, "And it shall."

Xxx

8:43 PM, April 14th, 2017 (EST)

Metropolis

Echo Team had made its first day as a full unit count, enjoying every last minute as the clock ticked down towards midnight when they would all return to their respective living arrangements, as agreed. They had gone to the waterfront and purchased some ice cream, wasted time at a mall, posed in front of the statue of Superman erected in one of the parks and then killed another hour ordering dinner.

Now they were sitting on several benches across from the towering metal statue that had been chiselled to perfectly resemble the Man of Steel as he gazed towards the sky. Ying sat on top of one of the lamp posts close by, knowing how strange it would be for them to be spotted walking with a raven on Nyx's shoulder at all times.

There hadn't been anybody around the last few minutes, and the end of winter had come quickly to Metropolis, allowing the teenagers a mildly cool night that didn't chill them to the bone unlike in Gotham. The grass was beginning to turn green and the branches could be seen beginning to sprout tiny green leaves already. The area around the statue was well illuminated so that even in the darkest hours the city could see the life like image of their protector.

Lying on her back on her, Nyx rotated her head to stare at the monument and wondered for a moment how people could still not recognize the real deal through a pair of spectacles. She was privy to the information about who Superman was because of, well, reasons (as she would put it to anybody who asked) but how the entire city didn't recognize him on sight just confused her to this day. "Huh, talk about ego."

"He didn't ask for it," Victor shrugged, sitting next to the chaos sorceress. "When you save the city enough times, and then the planet even more than that people tend to be appreciative in their own way."

"This was the site of Superman's first public appearance," Rose said, not sounding nearly as interested in the conversation as one would think by her knowledge of the landmark. "He defeated an alien mechanized golem that had been activated by mistake, compliments of a then-inexperienced Intergang. The statue is made from fragments of the armour itself, anything the government did not confiscate."

Aurora had to maintain her appearance as a young blind girl, but she was still able to admire the craftsmanship in her peripheral vision as she kicked her dangling legs up. "That was like...thirteen years ago or something, right? I was just a little baby back when all the modern heroes started popping up."

"And now there's more of them than you can shake a stick at," Courtney added with a grin, sitting upside down between Nathan and Rose.

Nyx was about to make up a smart remark about all of this 'hero worship' talk that was going on right next to her when she noticed a figure on the opposite side of the statue, facing away from the street and most of the lights. They were just partially in view and were crouched, doing something down where 'Superman's' cape reached the pedestal the statue was set on. The others were busy chatting about something or other, god forbid she care about whatever drama or gossip it was.

Ying, go see what's up over there.

Ying tilted his head and took off into the sky and flew around the statue, gaining a clear view of the figure as they rose to their feet and cautiously stepped back down off of the pedestal. They began to back away towards the tree line, making sure to keep the statue and its wide pedestal between him and the members of Echo. He had dropped a box by the base of the statue with a peculiar symbol on the lid and a matching one drawn beneath the container.

Ying saw the magical energy coursing through the ink used to shape the sigils, recognized the purpose behind them. Reacting to the danger before Nyx could even detect what was about to happen, Ying changed course and shot towards the team. The raven transformed in mid air, assuming a full sized bipedal form as he landed and spread his wings to cover the whole of the team.

"Ying!" Nyx sat up. "What's wrong-"

The statue behind Ying suddenly began to bubble and deform, the metal turning bright red before the entire construct exploded outwards and rained molten metal down on the team's location not two seconds after Ying had positioned himself. The raven shut his eyes and then reared his head back with a pained shriek as he was struck by several of the flying globules, his feathers catching fire on impact.

"YING!" For the first time since Echo had met her Nyx sounded and looked genuinely terrified. She tried to rush forward, but the damage was already done. Most of the area within thirty feet was splattered with molten metal from the statue. All of the magically transformed raven's back was coated in blotches of the material that caused him to collapse forward.

"Don't touch him!" Nathan grasped Ying's wrist to keep her from getting burnt. "Vic, contact the watch tower and-"

"Oh my god, what happened here?!" From the edge of the park came a police officer, staring with wide eyes at the scene before him. His gaze travelled from the remnants of the base of what used to be a decade old statue to the large form collapsed in front of a group of teens with pale faces and horrified expressions.

"It-it just exploded," Rachel managed to find her voice first. "We don't know what happened!"

Other park goers who had been strolling close by had come to investigate the disturbance and exchanged hurried whispers as they saw what had happened to one of the most famous land marks in Metropolis. Soon well over a dozen other people were gathered around the perimeter while the police officer awoke from his stupor.

He blew a whistle and waved the other pedestrians back. "Back! Everybody stay out of the circle! You kids, move away from that thing!"

"No! He's hurt!" Ying shouted, tugging free of Nathan's grip and kneeling by her wounded friend to cradle his head. "Oh Ying..." Her eyes watered as she took in the damage inflicted upon her closest friend.

N-Nyx... She heard his voice in her mind. The trees...

He projected an image of the person who had tampered with the statue. They wore jeans and a green hoody that had covered all recognizable features, but he couldn't be far now.

Nyx clenched her jaw and rose to her feet, energy crackling around her feet. She turned to the team, her eyes glowing with purple energy even as tears trailed down her cheeks. "You make sure Ying gets help. I'm going after the one who did this!"

"Nyx, we'll help you find them but-" Victor began.

"But nothing! Ying saw them and I'm not giving them a chance to get away!" Nyx growled before leaping into the air.

"I said-" The police officer paused as Nyx sailed across the site of the explosion and landed by the tree line. "What in the-"

Leon reacted quickly, setting his hands upon his temple and reaching out to touch the minds of all who were present.

You did not see anything. He spoke in their minds even as he reshaped their recent memories to erase any evidence of Nyx.

This act was considered to be less than acceptable among Martians, but M'gann and J'onn had told him that so long as he did not use his powers to shatter the minds he was affecting and only did so when necessary he would not be in any trouble. In the interests of making sure Echo Team was not identified in public, he was certain this counted.

They will be an induced trance for the next thirty seconds. He informed the team after establishing a link to them. We must hurry!

Echo, after Nyx! Nathan said while pulling his hood up over his head. Martian Knight, Daemon, your uniforms travel with you so you move ahead and see if you can't help her spot her target. Cyborg, open a boom tube to the watch tower and take Ying up. You can rendezvous with us after you alert the League of our situation!

"On it," Victor's arm morphed into its sonic cannon form, but rather than unleashing a blast it projected a beam that formed into a boom tube right beneath himself and Ying, drawing them both in and enveloping them before the boom tube faded from view.

Delilah crossed her arms and exhaled before magical fire washed over her form. Her wings sprang from the embers before she shot up into the air in her armoured 'demon' form, followed by Leon as he shed his human form and morphed his clothing into his uniform, complete with the hood and cape. The two flyers vanished over the treeline as they followed Nyx's trail while the other team members trailed behind.

"Oh man," Courtney whispered while valting over the waist high fence separating the path from the trees. "I left my staff back on the tower; I'm no good without it!"

"You have your training," Rose reminded the younger girl while reaching into her back pack. "But take this, just to be safe."

Courtney turned just in time to catch a small handle which extended into a two foot long baton that gave a spark from the tip. "Uh...thanks!" While a gift from Rose was unexpected, Courtney wasn't one to refuse a weapon in her condition.

Rose then produced two more objects from her back pack and slammed them together, twisting them together with a 'click' before they extended into a full combat staff. Nathan unzipped his jacket to reveal a pair of collapsible eskrima sticks that he snapped out to their full length with a flick of his wrists. Aurora did not bother with such weapons, considering that in some parts of the world she could be counted as a walking, breathing weapon all on her own thanks to her unique biology.

It didn't take long for them to catch up to Nyx, all they had to do was follow the explosions of colorful energy as the chaos sorceress used her powers to tear trees out of the ground, showering the path with clumps of dirt, leaves and rocks that were brought out along with the deep roots. She was using them to try and swat or crush the hoody clad figure, who was nimbly dodging her attacks.

"Hold still!" Nyx shouted as she rose into the air, held aloft by her own power and radiating arcane power through her hands as she created the avatar of a colossal beast that beared down on the mysterious saboteur.

"Nyx!" Daemon was already landing near the girl with Martian Knight. "Nyx! Tone it down! There are still people in this park!"

The hooded figure stopped in place and glanced up, his hood moving aside enough to give those present a view of the big grin his mouth had curled into.

"This is why you shouldn't have run off, Nyx." He said in a whispery, high pitched voice that made Nyx stop, the glowing claws inches from the saboteur's face. "You've got all that power but next to no idea of how to use it." The hooded boy held up one hand as a familiar looking feline appeared on his shoulder from a red haze and licked the claw of Nyx's avatar.

"I'm sensing something from this guy," Daemon informed the team.

And I can't access his mind. Martian Knight added. It's like I'm looking at the edge of a vortex...it's pure-

Chaos?

The intruding presence in the mental link caused every member of the team to collapse, including Nyx. Her furious glare was replaced by a look of pure terror as she scrambled backwards to keep away from the hooded boy, who tapped the massive avatar's claw with one finger. The purple colour scheme was quickly replaced with red, and the shape became more menacing, sprouting spikes and sharper claws than before as it turned towards the team of heroes.

The hooded boy's attire changed, becoming a crisp and clean black formal suit. His dark hair and narrow face was revealed along with his beady red eyes that glowed like stars.

"Klarion...!" Nyx whispered, not reacting to Aurora pulling her to her feet.

Klarion the Witch-Boy, Lord of Chaos and one of the leading members of the Light stood before the batch of new heroes in the flesh, casually stroking the head of his cat Teekle as it curled up in his arms. The ground seemed to warp beneath his feet, any surviving plants nearby twisting and becoming things with snapping jaws, thorns and bines. The very space surrounding the celestial being of chaos was infested by his presence as he simply smiled at the group, his face morphing back to a more human form of a young boy with dark eyes and a charming smirk.

"Admit it, brats." Klarion cooed as the demonic avatar reared up onto its hind legs to stand at nearly thirty feet in height, reshaping into a more bipedal physique with a pair of bat-like wings sprouting from its back. "You can't look away."

Xxx

Stay tuned for the next chapter, I'm back baby!