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"Illuminati…" Aqualad murmured, repeating the name as if trying to glean some hidden meaning from it.
"I've never heard of this Organization," Wally said, turning to Speedy. "Have you?"
Speedy shook his head, his meaning clear. They then looked to Robin, the resident know-it-all, as their last hope.
"Never heard of them," Robin shrugged. "Let's ask the Adults when we get back. They might know something. For now, let's focus on this…"
"O Weapon," Yang Le interjected. "Like Superboy, I don't really have a Name, so just call me O Weapon."
This name was something Yang Le had just come up with, taking the first letter of Omnitrix. After all, Yang Le was terrible at naming things, a common ailment among Little Broken Watch wielders – some traditions just couldn't be broken.
"That's not a very catchy Name," Wally said, sidling up to Yang Le and casually slinging an arm around his Shoulder. "You guys aren't Weapons. If you ask me, we've already escaped, and you're about to start a new Life. You and Superboy should both come up with new Names for yourselves."
Wally might be Ruckus, but he was also the most down-to-earth member of the Young Justice League. He was never stingy with his friendliness and could quickly become friends with anyone. Maybe his Speed Force helped with making friends too.
Yang Le and Superboy exchanged a look. Yang Le noticed the blank Expression on Superboy's Face. He clearly didn't grasp what a new Name could represent. This served as a reminder to Yang Le that Superboy's attitude was more in line with what a Mutant should be.
"Let's talk about it after we escape," Yang Le said, adopting Superboy's indifferent attitude and not showing any enthusiasm for a new Name.
"Right, what about the other Mutants?" Robin asked. "Are there others who want to escape Cadmus Research Institute like you?"
"That's exactly what I was going to talk about next," Yang Le said, with an Expression that said, 'you've hit the nail on the head.' "The Mutants at Cadmus Research Institute actually don't want to be under the Control of the Illuminati, but unfortunately, we're no match for them. To the Illuminati, Mutants are like Ants."
"I don't believe it," Speedy interjected coldly. "They're just Clones. Maybe all their actions are pre-programmed. They could be Undercover agent planted in the Justice League."
Superboy glared at Speedy's Words, but Yang Le remained unfazed. He knew very well that this Speedy was actually a Clone Body.
The real Roy Harper had been captured by the Illuminati years ago during a Secret Mission. The Illuminati had cut off his Hand and used it to Clone many Roys. This Clone Body was playing the role of Roy himself, while others played his relatives, indirectly helping the Harper family grow in influence.
*Hope the boomerang hits you when you least expect it, and you don't break down.*
Faced with Roy's suspicion, Yang Le offered him the sincerest blessings, truly a living Buddha, deeply moving.
"Boom!"
Before anyone could argue, the Elevator suddenly made a loud noise and stopped ascending. The Lights inside flickered a few times and went out. Then, the Elevator Door began to creak.
With a sickening sound of Metal twisting, the Elevator Door was yanked open from the outside.
A fearsome face peered through the opening. By the light spilling in from outside the door, they could make out the doctor's face.
Or rather, what was once his Face. It was drastically changed. The Glasses he usually wore were gone, and his once-neat hairstyle was now plastered messily to his Forehead. But the most horrifying thing was his Face itself – there wasn't an inch of good Flesh left on it.
Blue-gray Muscle tissue had burst through his Skin, with only a few strands of Flesh connecting the tattered remains of his Skin. Not only that, but the blue-gray Muscles were still expanding, and his eyes were bloodshot, filled with savagery and bestiality. The intelligence that had once characterized the researcher was completely gone.
"The Titan Project will give me the Power to restore order," Doctor's voice was hoarse and muffled, as if his throat had been damaged by the overgrown Muscles. "Cadmus Research Institute will remain under my Control."
Putting aside everything else, Doctor's current appearance could easily make him a horror movie star. He was terrifying enough to make babies stop crying. But the teenagers in the Elevator weren't scared.
Superboy, without a word, raised his Right Hand, clenched his Fist, and landed a solid Punch on Doctor's Face, producing a dull thud. But this Punch, capable of shattering Metal and splitting rocks, only made Doctor's Head turn slightly.
"What?" Superboy was shocked and uncertain. His usually invincible Super Strength had failed to achieve anything for the first time.
"Roar!"
Doctor let out an indescribable roar and lunged into the Elevator. Superboy snapped back to his senses and charged forward without hesitation. He knew everyone's Strength in the Elevator, and he was the only one who could withstand Doctor's assault. He couldn't back down no matter what.
"Whoosh!"
The Sound of Air Being Torn echoed. Aqualad drew his Aquapack, and as the patterns on his arms glowed, Water flow instantly materialized.
"Cover his Nose!"
Aqualad was about to turn the Water flow into Swords, but Robin shouted first. Although Aqualad didn't understand why, he followed Robin's instruction and turned the Water flow into a Long Whip, wrapping it around Doctor's Head as he wrestled with Superboy.
Deprived of Oxygen, Doctor panicked. Even though he had lost his Reason, as a Creature, he still desperately needed Oxygen. It was a biological imperative for all Life on Earth.
Superboy seized the opportunity, jumped up, and kicked Doctor squarely in the Face with both feet. The panicked Doctor, lacking any Strength to brace himself, was sent flying out of the Elevator.
The damaged Elevator, now without Doctor's support, was about to plummet. Superboy took a large step out of the Elevator and grabbed the falling car with his Right Hand.
"Get out, quick!" Superboy urged. "That Guy might be back any second."
"That was awesome, dude!" Kid Flash gave a thumbs-up and followed the others out of the Elevator.
Seeing that the Elevator was empty, Superboy let go, letting it fall freely.
"We're only on Floor -23," Robin said, glancing back at the floor indicator. "Is there any other Method to get back to the Ground?"
"No," Yang Le shook his Head. "Cadmus Research Institute is a one-way system. To prevent infiltration from other areas, there's only one Elevator for access."
(End of chapter)
"I've never heard of this Organization," Wally said, turning to Speedy. "Have you?"
Speedy shook his head, his meaning clear. They then looked to Robin, the resident know-it-all, as their last hope.
"Never heard of them," Robin shrugged. "Let's ask the Adults when we get back. They might know something. For now, let's focus on this…"
"O Weapon," Yang Le interjected. "Like Superboy, I don't really have a Name, so just call me O Weapon."
This name was something Yang Le had just come up with, taking the first letter of Omnitrix. After all, Yang Le was terrible at naming things, a common ailment among Little Broken Watch wielders – some traditions just couldn't be broken.
"That's not a very catchy Name," Wally said, sidling up to Yang Le and casually slinging an arm around his Shoulder. "You guys aren't Weapons. If you ask me, we've already escaped, and you're about to start a new Life. You and Superboy should both come up with new Names for yourselves."
Wally might be Ruckus, but he was also the most down-to-earth member of the Young Justice League. He was never stingy with his friendliness and could quickly become friends with anyone. Maybe his Speed Force helped with making friends too.
Yang Le and Superboy exchanged a look. Yang Le noticed the blank Expression on Superboy's Face. He clearly didn't grasp what a new Name could represent. This served as a reminder to Yang Le that Superboy's attitude was more in line with what a Mutant should be.
"Let's talk about it after we escape," Yang Le said, adopting Superboy's indifferent attitude and not showing any enthusiasm for a new Name.
"Right, what about the other Mutants?" Robin asked. "Are there others who want to escape Cadmus Research Institute like you?"
"That's exactly what I was going to talk about next," Yang Le said, with an Expression that said, 'you've hit the nail on the head.' "The Mutants at Cadmus Research Institute actually don't want to be under the Control of the Illuminati, but unfortunately, we're no match for them. To the Illuminati, Mutants are like Ants."
"I don't believe it," Speedy interjected coldly. "They're just Clones. Maybe all their actions are pre-programmed. They could be Undercover agent planted in the Justice League."
Superboy glared at Speedy's Words, but Yang Le remained unfazed. He knew very well that this Speedy was actually a Clone Body.
The real Roy Harper had been captured by the Illuminati years ago during a Secret Mission. The Illuminati had cut off his Hand and used it to Clone many Roys. This Clone Body was playing the role of Roy himself, while others played his relatives, indirectly helping the Harper family grow in influence.
*Hope the boomerang hits you when you least expect it, and you don't break down.*
Faced with Roy's suspicion, Yang Le offered him the sincerest blessings, truly a living Buddha, deeply moving.
"Boom!"
Before anyone could argue, the Elevator suddenly made a loud noise and stopped ascending. The Lights inside flickered a few times and went out. Then, the Elevator Door began to creak.
With a sickening sound of Metal twisting, the Elevator Door was yanked open from the outside.
A fearsome face peered through the opening. By the light spilling in from outside the door, they could make out the doctor's face.
Or rather, what was once his Face. It was drastically changed. The Glasses he usually wore were gone, and his once-neat hairstyle was now plastered messily to his Forehead. But the most horrifying thing was his Face itself – there wasn't an inch of good Flesh left on it.
Blue-gray Muscle tissue had burst through his Skin, with only a few strands of Flesh connecting the tattered remains of his Skin. Not only that, but the blue-gray Muscles were still expanding, and his eyes were bloodshot, filled with savagery and bestiality. The intelligence that had once characterized the researcher was completely gone.
"The Titan Project will give me the Power to restore order," Doctor's voice was hoarse and muffled, as if his throat had been damaged by the overgrown Muscles. "Cadmus Research Institute will remain under my Control."
Putting aside everything else, Doctor's current appearance could easily make him a horror movie star. He was terrifying enough to make babies stop crying. But the teenagers in the Elevator weren't scared.
Superboy, without a word, raised his Right Hand, clenched his Fist, and landed a solid Punch on Doctor's Face, producing a dull thud. But this Punch, capable of shattering Metal and splitting rocks, only made Doctor's Head turn slightly.
"What?" Superboy was shocked and uncertain. His usually invincible Super Strength had failed to achieve anything for the first time.
"Roar!"
Doctor let out an indescribable roar and lunged into the Elevator. Superboy snapped back to his senses and charged forward without hesitation. He knew everyone's Strength in the Elevator, and he was the only one who could withstand Doctor's assault. He couldn't back down no matter what.
"Whoosh!"
The Sound of Air Being Torn echoed. Aqualad drew his Aquapack, and as the patterns on his arms glowed, Water flow instantly materialized.
"Cover his Nose!"
Aqualad was about to turn the Water flow into Swords, but Robin shouted first. Although Aqualad didn't understand why, he followed Robin's instruction and turned the Water flow into a Long Whip, wrapping it around Doctor's Head as he wrestled with Superboy.
Deprived of Oxygen, Doctor panicked. Even though he had lost his Reason, as a Creature, he still desperately needed Oxygen. It was a biological imperative for all Life on Earth.
Superboy seized the opportunity, jumped up, and kicked Doctor squarely in the Face with both feet. The panicked Doctor, lacking any Strength to brace himself, was sent flying out of the Elevator.
The damaged Elevator, now without Doctor's support, was about to plummet. Superboy took a large step out of the Elevator and grabbed the falling car with his Right Hand.
"Get out, quick!" Superboy urged. "That Guy might be back any second."
"That was awesome, dude!" Kid Flash gave a thumbs-up and followed the others out of the Elevator.
Seeing that the Elevator was empty, Superboy let go, letting it fall freely.
"We're only on Floor -23," Robin said, glancing back at the floor indicator. "Is there any other Method to get back to the Ground?"
"No," Yang Le shook his Head. "Cadmus Research Institute is a one-way system. To prevent infiltration from other areas, there's only one Elevator for access."
(End of chapter)
