Me: Here's the next chapter! Any of you who had questions, read on ahead or wait for all the other chapters to read XD
2. His Great Escape
"Superboy."
The said boy would've jump, if his body isn't so straight forward to go back to his pod.
Who could that be? It sounded like the Atlantean for it had that mellow and warm tone... that seemed to be covering up pain.
"You live."
At the sentence, the child actually stopped his movements, as if realizing something. As if he just noticed the fact that he's living.
"That gives you the right to follow your own path."
"Beyond that solar suit. Beyond your pod. Beyond Cadmus."
"A weapon, or a person."
"But like Superman, you deserve a life of your own."
"The choice is yours."
"Your home, is a test tube."
"But ask yourself: What would Superman do?"
"We can show you –introduce you –to Superman."
The three can hear a loud "Bang!" and "Crash!" at the entry way, despite the fact that they were in a painful process of being cloned (dude, do they really need this much DNA if they can somehow bring Supey to life?).
And before they know it, they could relax again (well, relax as much as you can when you're still trap in a pod) since the device was somehow disable off. The three could see the little boy holding up the heavy metal door with ease, only to throw it to the side now walking up towards the cloning pods.
It was obvious how irate Desmond is at the sudden uprising.
Dubbilex, Guardian and Desmond moved in to the take control of the clone, only to be easily pushed aside from the child with a loud "Thump!" made Kid Flash flinch. It wasn't too long till the clone was in front of three by a few feet.
"You're here to help us…" Kid Flash couldn't help but look at the temporary immobile guys that Supey had push away earlier. "…or fry us?"
Once again, Superboy looks as if he wanted to add something about the "frying" comment but shut his mouth once again. He didn't look at the Atlantean but by the way he squirms, it seemed like that he still wanted the permission.
"Go ahead."
Those two words are all he needed to know that it would be ok to talk to them at any time.
"I can't… I d-don't have laser v-vision… So… h-helping…?"
"That would be nice kid." KF comment as he squirms slightly himself under the bindings, hoping his legs would be free soon for a good run.
Superboy was surprise to hear the sound of one of the pods opening only to see the sidekick of Batman's jumping down near him.
"Ugh, finally!" Robin groaned as he rubs his wrist. His wrist was starting to chafe. "Luckily Batman isn't here; he'd have my head for taking so long!"
"Seriously? That's what you're worried about? The whole league would have our heads after tonight!"
All the while, Superboy looked at Robin as if he is some kind of magician. How in the world did he do that? He didn't think you can get yourself out from the inside of the pods unless you are really strong and break the binds or something like that… Harry Houdini?
Robin noticed the amazed stare that Superboy gave him at the fact that he got out of there without assistance and couldn't help but grin as if he knows what the child is thinking. Despite being Superman's clone –kiddy version –his child-like wonder is kinda cute.
"Yes, I am a magician." Robin stated as he crouch down to the child's height, snickering as he saw Superboy opening his mouth in astonishment. "You want me to show you some tricks kid-"
"Stop showing off and get us out of here!"
Robin rolled his eyes and stood up, walking over to the control panel as he open the doors of the pod and also taking away the syringes.
"Hey Supes." Superboy tilted his head towards Robin. "Can you go free Aqualad? I'll get Kid Mouth."
Superboy slightly frowned at being ordered but didn't complain as he knows that the order is justified. He soon after jumped on top of the Atlantean's pod, ripping and breaking off the bindings on Aqualad's wrist. When he saw Kaldur leaning forward looking about to fall, he grabbed the device on his back but was careful enough not to break the thing. Superboy sighed in relief.
Kaldur soon after found his strength back and straighten up, looking back at Superboy with a thankful smile. Feeling embarrass, the child slightly blush and look away as he let go of Aqualad. But then, he found himself picked up in the arms of the Atlantean as the teen soon jumped down to the ground along with the boy.
The child was slightly in shock for he never had someone as so much as held him or picks him up; so, it wasn't surprising to know that he felt tense and pouted.
"I can jump down." He grumbled.
Kaldur chuckled slightly and put the kid down to his feet.
"Dude, can you not embarrass me in front of the kid? "Kid Mouth", really?"
"I'm pretty sure you're doing that yourself." Robin snorted as he unlocked the bindings on KF's wrist. When he's finished, both jump down next near the other two.
Seeing that everyone is here, Superboy already started to run; well, until Kid Flash grab him and put him onto his back. The kid blinked in confusion while KF just grin at him over his own shoulder and started running with the other two.
"Sorry kid, little legs won't help the escape."
"You just want to look cool, don't you?"
"Shush!"
Superboy looked as if he wanted to argue, but ends up just quietly grumbling. Super strength or not, he doubt he could catch up to their long strides. He then looked at the other two and mumbles in jealous about how tall and bigger they are compare to his lithe size. He swore that everything here is bigger than him.
"You'll never get out of here!" There was a slight groan after that and Superboy look back to see that Desmond is awake after his recent not-so-subtle set aside from the clone. "I'll have you back in pods by morning!"
Robin smirked, stopping as he grabbed something from his belt.
Seeing that Robin stopped, Kid Flash also stopped, waiting for him to get a move on so that they wouldn't be, as Desmond said; "back in pods by morning".
"That guy is not 'whelmed." The Boy Wonder threw three exploding batarangs towards the cloning pods. "Not 'whelmed at all."
"What is it with you and this 'whelmed thing?" KF grilled as he grabbed Robin's arm and drag him to hurry up and get out of here.
Superboy looks behind him as he saw the pods exploding into a great big fire, slightly wondering if anyone is hurt over there because of the explosion.
But he had also another thing on his mind. Superboy looked utterly confuse at the new word he learned called "'whelmed". He doesn't remember such a word in a dictionary. There are others that a familiar like underwhelmed, overwhelmed and such but a single separated word as 'whelmed?
"Don't ask Supes. Rob's weird like that."
The clone snapped his head as he gave KF an incredulous look. Did he read his mind?
"Compared to the guy who flirts with every women he met."
"Hey, I don't-"
"Now is not the time." Kaldur hushed his two teammates, more concentrated on getting out of here with their lives intact rather than squabble like a married couple. "We are still 42 levels below ground."
The other three nodded, well aware of that.
"But if we can make the elevator-"
Just as Aqualad had said that, G-trolls then began to block their way through.
All three that are running, stopped where they are at. No sense in running through and get squish in the end. Hearing Superboy gasp, they then look back only to see that the way they came is also block by G-Elves coming from the bubble-looking things on the wall.
Great, they got them cornered.
Superboy, determined to escape Cadmus along with his new friends, climb up on Kid Flash's back and jumped off his shoulder, using it for a stepping stone as he jump up to one of the G-troll's face and punches it to the ground soon after. When he landed on the ground, another G-troll try to punch him down with its fist if KF didn't quickly grab the boy and ran to the other side right behind all the G-trolls.
"I'll give you an A+ for guts kid but you need to work on your planning."
Robin and Kaldur are already next to them too, but Superboy is still squirming under Kid Flash's grip as if he wanted to fight them more. It is proven difficult to keep the tike down as KF is having a hard time to not let the kid go jumping into another fight.
"Superboy." The said child snapped his head toward the Atlantean who had an air of authority. The boy is simply not use to being babied despite his age. And babying him won't make him listen. So talking to him as a teammate on a mission would be the best way to make him see reason. "Our goal is to escape. There are plenty of times to fight when necessary."
That made the boy stop, but he did unintentionally pout.
Before the others knew it, a fist came towards them but Superboy easily stop it as Kid Flash accidently drop the boy out of surprise. The kid then threw the G-troll against the other G-trolls, making them fall and giving them more time.
During so, Kaldur ran to the elevator and forcefully pried open the doors, showing the empty shaft. Kid Flash quickly ran over while dragging the kid by the hand while Robin shot a grappling hook up the elevator shaft, soon after going up already.
Kid Flash jump in the elevator shaft, standing on a ledge on the side and brought his hand out to the kid only to see that the little tike had already grab Kaldur and is now jumping far up above him. The teen couldn't help but mumble about "show off" Supers as he quickly climb up so not to get so far behind until…
He widens his eyes as he saw both Kaldur and Supes falling.
"Robin!"
The Boy Wonder instantly looks up to see them falling. Without thinking, he quickly threw a batarang.
Kaldur, seeing the batarang, quickly grab a hold of it as soon it was lodged on the wall below them and both of them ended up hanging onto dear life.
Superboy looked rather shocked by the time he fell. He had seen imagines, pictures of Superman, mostly flying. When you want Batman, look into the shadows. When you want Flash, look to the ground. When you want Aquaman, look to the sea. When you want Superman, look to the sky.
Why can't he fly?
Kid Flash climb up to the level where Robin is and the other two are hanging near.
"I think he is in shock."
"That he can't fly?" KF questioned as he took the boy from Kaldur, but he didn't put the kid down next to him on the ledge. Superboy was shaking, now deciding to cling onto Kid Flash and the boy buried his face into the speedster's shoulder. Kid Flash would be embarrassed but he didn't have time for that (also that it would make him look uncool) and tried to comfort the kid.
"Hey, it looks like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Still cool." KF remarked, grinning towards the boy.
Superboy slightly looks up at the freckled teen and KF can see the attempt of a smile. The shaking has also lessened as the boy ushered to be put down. Seeing that he might as well since the boy could get out of his grip anytime, he put down the kid next to him. Kaldur then jump down from where he is hanging next to Superboy and put his hand on the boy's head as to reassure him that it's fine.
"T-Thank you…" Superboy said towards Kaldur, though his face twisted a bit as he isn't use to the word.
Superboy then suddenly tensed as he looked up.
"Guys! This will have to be our exit!" Robin voice rung out as an echo in the shaft as an elevator above them is going down upon them fast.
Seeing the closed door on the level they were on, both Superboy and Kaldur have the same idea.
Soon, the elevator doors of sublevel 15 were forcefully opened by the single punch of both Superboy and Kaldur and all four either jump or ran out of shaft.
When they all saw the Genomorphs up ahead in the hall; instinctively, Kid Flash grabbed Supey and quickly picks him up as the child yelp in surprise, putting the boy on his back while running with the others and escaping going to the hall on their left to avoid the Genomorphs.
"Turn left brother."
Superboy squeak rather loudly in surprise when he heard the voice in his head spoke to him. It had earned him stares from the others and the child couldn't help but blush and then bury his face into Kid Flash's back.
"L-Left… go… L-Left…" Superboy said though it was almost like a whisper with his mouth muffled against speedster's mouth. He decided to listen to the voice. It sounded trustworthy for some reason.
All three teens look at each other but didn't question as they turned to the next left hallway.
"Turn right."
Superboy flinch at the voice but complied to… whoever is saying that.
"R-Right! Turn Right!"
They did what he instructed, only to find themselves face to face with a dead end.
KF try not to let his big mouth insult the boy for-
"Great directions Supey! You're trying to get us re-"
Robin instantly slaps his hand over Kid "Mouth's" mouth and glare at his best friend. Before Wally could even question, he saw the regretful and teary expression from the boy behind him, who look as if he also didn't understand why the outcome is like this either. Yeah, he decided that it would be better to shut his mouth for a moment.
Rolling his eyes, Robin looked at the vent above them, smirking.
"Don't you dare apologized Supes!" Robin said without needing to look at the boy as the child already opened his mouth to do just what Robin said he couldn't do and made a puzzled look.
Robin grins back at them.
"This is perfect!"
As anyone could imagine, Desmond is not happy. Not happy at all. Angry doesn't describe what he's feeling. He's furious. His little weapon is rebelling on him, and he doesn't exactly want to tell that to the board of directors. So today is obviously not a good day and he sought out to correct that; by any means possible.
They –Dubbilex, Guardian and himself –entered the men's room where the motion sensors detected for them to be coming out soon. Heh, the sidekick of Batman isn't that good if he neglected the motion sensors
"We have them cornered!" Desmond exclaimed, going in front of the vent as he kept an eye on the portable detector screen in his hand.
He heard the G-Elves coming closer and waited for the four pests to either jump out or fall out.
He obviously didn't expect the G-Elves to fall on him instead.
"He…" Desmond quickly pushes the Genomorphs on him off. "…hacked the motion sensors."
"I hacked the motion sensor." Robin stated with pride.
He couldn't help but snickered as he saw how Supey looked at the device on his arm with wonder. Hm… So this is what it's like to have a little brother. It's nice not being the youngest member here.
"Ok Kid Mouth, my turn to give the kid a piggy-back ride."
"No way. Get your own highly sensitive, super strong back-warmer." Kid Flash protest as he pouted, stepping back away from his buddy.
Both glare at each other in a challenge while Superboy blinked in confusion. He's a back-warmer?
This would continue on if Kaldur have not grabbed the boy himself and gently put him on Robin's back this time. The Boy Wonder was a bit surprise to find the child actually light.
"Now is not the time to be arguing whether who is the better parent."
"Uh, parent?"
"Wait a minute, are you implying-"
"Kid Flash, please do go on ahead. You have been wanting to run, no? And you have plenty of room to do so."
The speedster looked as if he wanted to argue but just pouted once again and put his goggles on. He waved to Supey, who waved back in confusion and push the door of the stair exit open, soon after running in a blur.
Superboy gapes in astonishment as he watched his speedy friend disappear at the next turn of stairs.
"Fast!"
"Yes he is." Robin agreed, adjusting himself to carry the boy as he also mumbled quietly in the end though he knows the child can hear him: "Show off."
"You have plenty of time later to make the boy's bewilderment a contest. Now we run."
Robin nodded understandingly as he then ran up fast to catch up with his (annoying, bigmouthed) best friend along with Kaldur.
They weren't so far away from the speedster but it was obvious that KF had the upper hand when going ahead. They can see from above that Kid Flash, literally, ran over the G-Elves ahead of them, successfully immobilizing them for a while as both Aqualad and the Boy Wonder pass them also. Seeing how it is possible that there are still Genomorphs trying to take them down, Robin turned on his compact-sized computer on his arm to see anymore coming, letting Superboy hanging onto him like a baby koala.
"More behind us!"
He warned to the rest of his teammates as he looked back to see even more G-Elves following them. Though Robin didn't expect Superboy to jump off of him after finishing a case of stairs, only to slam down his two little fists on top of the staircase for it to break off as the rest of the G-Elves fell down with it.
Superboy looks back up to Robin, to see the teen giving him a thumb up.
"Nice job Supes. This time, A+ for guts and planning."
The kid's face held no expression but there is a happy twinkle in his eyes.
Snickering, Robin motioned him to get on his back and the boy replied unquestioningly.
Kid Flash by then was already out of the stairways and into the hall, running through to get out of here until a door from up ahead suddenly closed right in front of him.
He then found himself with a throbbing head, groaning.
"We're cut off on the street." Kaldur stated as he ran towards Kid Flash, looking upon the thick metal door.
"Thanks, my head haven't noticed." Kid Flash sarcastically comments, rubbing the sore bump on his cranium.
Robin soon followed in after, raising an eyebrow at Kid's sitting figure on the floor while Superboy look at the red-haired teen worryingly as he saw how the speedster rubbed his head.
"Y-You ok?"
At that question, Wally was already up on his feet and gave the boy a thumb up.
"Of course I am."
"Smooth KF. Smooth."
Superboy seemed confuse but didn't question as he turned back to the closed door, frowning at it how it seemed to be in their way to freedom. He once again jump off of Robin's back and punch the metal object, only to see that it didn't faze and then try to pry it open with his bare hands.
Kaldur moved quickly and try to help as they can hear the sounds of the Genomorphs not too far behind them.
"Can't hack this fast enough…" Robin grumbled as he knows that he won't have the door open in time before the Genomorphs can get them.
He then eyed the door near them and not-so-subtly kicks it open. "This way!"
Seeing the new path laid out for them, Kid Flash followed the Boy Wonder while Kaldur soon gather Superboy in his arm and followed the other two.
In the end, they were trapped.
Me: Yep, going to stop it here.
Hopefully, it won't take long for the next chapter to go on.
Wally: Hopefully?
Me: Hopefully.
Sorry for any grammar mistake!