Running back through the sublevels of Project Cadmus, the group made an unusual sight: three costumed sidekicks leading the charge, racing towards the elevator shaft and freedom. Close behind them was the clone of Superman, ironically named Superboy, the unconscious form of Guardian slung unceremoniously over his shoulder as he used his super strength to half-drag, half-carry the brainwashed hero along.
Trailing them was Thragg, floating just close enough to intervene if necessary. He threw a straight punch, crushing the chest of one of the many genomorphs swarming around them, creatures summoned by the alarms that had been triggered, no doubt set loose by the escaped scientist, Dr. Desmond.
Thus far, the group had managed to stay ahead of the horde, all of them moving rapidly through the fleshy corridors. More of the horned, grey-skinned creatures emerged from glowing, red, tumor-like growths on the walls, forcing the team to defend themselves. Robin wielded his extendable staff with practiced precision, smacking away any genomorph that dared approach. Aqualad summoned water hammers with his water bearers, smashing through anything that blocked his path. Meanwhile, Kid Flash surged ahead, a red-and-yellow blur as he punched and kicked his way forward.
"Here, hold this," Superboy grunted, abruptly thrusting Guardian's limp body at Thragg. Thragg raised a brow but released a silent tsk as he effortlessly accepted the unconscious hero onto his shoulders.
Narrowing his eyes in irritation, Thragg watched as the clone leapt at a group of gorilla-like genomorphs that blocked their way. The impact of his charge sent two of the creatures crashing into the corridor walls, before the third struck Superboy squarely in the chest.
"Superboy, we are trying to escape, not bring the building down on us," Aqualad shouted over the din.
"You want to escape!" the clone shot back before flinging the last genomorph into the others as they struggled to rise. Then he turned and sprinted to rejoin the group.
"I misjudged you; it seems you do possess some semblance of intelligence," Thragg said coldly. He tossed Guardian lightly into the air, then swiftly cut down three humanoid genomorphs, tearing their spines from their bodies and fashioning them into makeshift spears to skewer the next wave of attackers with brutal ease.
"Oi!" Superboy barked, but Thragg ignored him. He caught Guardian again, his movements calm and methodical, then drove a finger through a genomorph's skull, lobotomizing it in a single motion.
With another spine-spear, he impaled one of the genomorphs directly through its glowing red eye. The creature thrashed violently, knocking into its fellows in a chaotic mess of spasming limbs and snarls.
"We move forward," Thragg barked over his shoulder at Superboy, his tone brooking no argument. "If you lag behind, I will not wait." Without waiting for a response, he floated around the corner where Kid Flash and Aqualad were forcing open the elevator doors.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Superboy shouted, though it didn't stop him from following.
"He's like a bloody broken record, that one," Thragg muttered to himself. He wiped the creature's dark blood from his hands, catching the disgusted look on Robin's face and the discomfort in Aqualad's and Kid Flash's expressions. No doubt they'd whine later about unnecessary force, pathetic. He also noted that the League, especially Diana, wouldn't remain silent about his methods, but for now, survival took priority. "Now, come on, let's get out of here."
With that, he tossed Guardian back to Superboy, ignoring the clone's growl as he flew towards the open elevator doors.
Robin quickly grabbed Kid Flash, using a grappling gun to launch them up the shaft, passing Thragg as he floated upwards calmly. Aqualad sighed, his dark skin glowing with blue tattoos as he formed water hooks to rapidly ascend.
Seeing his teammates already climbing, Superboy hefted Guardian and leapt into the shaft, but as he reached the peak of his jump, gravity took hold. He let out a frustrated shout as he began to fall.
He didn't plummet far; Robin fired another grappling line, catching both Superboy and Guardian before they could descend too far.
"Superman can fly, why can't I fly?" Superboy asked dejectedly as the group hovered in the brief silence that followed.
"Don't know," Kid Flash said quickly, "but leaping over tall buildings in a single bound is still pretty cool." Superboy ignored him, instead offering Robin a quiet word of thanks.
Before anyone could respond, an ominous sound of metal on metal echoed above them. They looked up to see the elevator car barreling down towards them.
"We need to get out of here now!" Aqualad shouted. Thragg calculated quickly, realizing he'd already overstayed the time he had allocated for this mission. He would need to accelerate if he hoped to meet his deadline.
"Follow me. I will get us out faster," Thragg said, his voice leaving no room for doubt. The others didn't need prompting they were already clambering onto him like a ladder, much to his irritation. But they managed to avoid getting crushed by the descending elevator.
They had no time to rest. As they reached the next level, another pack of genomorphs rounded the corner, forcing them to push forward once more. Thragg and Superboy took the lead, clearing a path being within their element, while Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash covered their backs, determined to get out of this nightmare alive.