The fire raged as the team arrived on the scene. Flames licked at the edges of a building, smoke billowing into the night sky. Two scientists leaned out of a window on the second floor, yelling for help.
"Stay calm!" a firefighter called up to them. "We'll get you out!"
The building shook with a sudden explosion. The scientists toppled forward, screaming. In a blur of motion, Kid Flash ran up the wall, catching them both and setting them on the roof before losing his grip and falling. He managed to grab onto the ledge at the last second.
"It's what's-his-name, Flashboy!" a firefighter shouted in triumph.
"Kid Flash!" the speedster snapped. "Why is that so hard?"
Robin and Aqualad arrived just in time to witness the spectacle. Robin smirked. "So smooth."
Aqualad sighed. "Does he always have to run ahead? We need a plan—" He turned to Robin, only to find the younger hero gone.
Robin's laugh echoed from above as he swung up on a grappling hook, landing beside Kid Flash with ease. He helped the speedster back up before disappearing into the building.
Aqualad stepped forward, his water-bearers glowing as he redirected the firefighter's hose. With precise control, he created a platform beneath his feet, rising to the roof and rescuing the scientists. Once they were safe, he leaped through the window to join his teammates.
Inside, Robin was already hacking another terminal while Kid Flash rummaged through filing cabinets.
"Appreciate the help," the speedster muttered sarcastically.
Robin barely looked up, his tone smug. "You handled it. Besides, we're here to investigate. Poetic justice, remember?"
Aqualad stepped past them, his attention drawn down a long hallway. He froze as the elevator doors at the far end closed, the briefest glimpse of blue skin and an ivory horn vanishing behind them.
"There was something in the elevator," he said, his voice grave.
Robin moved quickly, scanning the area with a critical eye. "This is wrong," he muttered. He pulled up a holographic display. "That's a high-speed express elevator. It doesn't belong in a two-story building."
"Neither does what I saw," Aqualad replied. He pried the elevator doors open, peering down into the abyss. The shaft seemed to stretch on forever.
Robin knelt beside him, gazing down. "And that's why they need an express elevator."
Without hesitation, he fired his grappling hook into the top of the column. The hook latched securely, and Robin jumped, letting gravity pull him down the shaft.
Aqualad and Kid Flash exchanged a glance before following. Their descent was a blur of motion, the glowing level numbers rushing past them: SL22, SL23, SL24. Robin's eyes widened as the numbers slowed at SL25 and came to a halt at SL26.
"I'm at the end of my rope," Robin called out. His voice echoed faintly upward. Aqualad and Kid Flash paused above, watching as Robin swung onto the narrow platform by the elevator doors. He landed with practiced ease, shifting left to make room.
Aqualad dropped down next, his powerful frame landing solidly. He reached out, steadying Kid Flash as the speedster joined them on the platform.
Robin wasted no time, pulling up his holographic interface. "Bypassing security," he murmured, fingers flying over the controls. One by one, the red robin heads on the screen blinked green. "There. Go."
Aqualad stepped forward, gripping the elevator doors and forcing them apart. The trio stepped cautiously into the dimly lit corridor beyond.
"Welcome to Project Cadmus," Robin announced with a dry edge to his voice.
Kid Flash smirked. Then, in a burst of energy, he bolted forward.
"Kid, wait!" Aqualad called, but the warning fell on deaf ears. Kid Flash zipped down the hallway, only to skid to a stop as the sound of heavy footsteps rumbled ahead.
His sneakers squeaked against the polished floor as he tried to halt, but momentum sent him tumbling into the adjoining hallway. He froze, his breath hitching as he came face-to-face with massive creatures walking on all fours yet towering to the height of the corridor. They moved in two rows, their heavy limbs thudding against the ground.
Kid Flash yelped, barely dodging the swipe of the lead creature's massive hand. Scrambling to his feet, he sprinted back toward his teammates, wide-eyed and shaken.
Robin and Aqualad stared, equally stunned, as the beasts lumbered forward. One growled, its deep rumble vibrating the air. Perched atop its massive, trunk-like head, a smaller creature hissed, its horns glowing an ominous red.
As the beasts passed, Aqualad smirked
"No. Nothing odd going on here."
.
.
.
After a brief session of sneaking around, a metal door before them hissed faintly, its central light shifting from red to yellow, then green. A mechanical click echoed as it unlocked. Robin stayed focused on his holo-glove, fingers flying across the virtual interface. Aqualad stood behind him, vigilant, scanning their surroundings. Meanwhile, Kid Flash waited impatiently.
As the door slid open, both Robin and Kid Flash froze, their expressions a mix of awe and unease.
"Okay, I'm officially whelmed," Kid Flash quipped, breaking the silence. His words drew a raised eyebrow from Aqualad, who stepped closer to take in the sight.
Inside the room, towering rows of bug-like creatures pulsed faintly with electrical energy. The pulses traveled in synchronized waves, coursing into a generator embedded in the far wall, nearly twenty feet off the ground.
Kid Flash took a cautious step forward, his earlier energy replaced with a solemn tone. "This is how they keep this massive underground facility hidden from the world." He looked up at the creatures as they passed. "The real Cadmus isn't even on the grid. It generates its own power… with these things." He gestured at the towering forms. "Must be what they're bred for."
"Even the name is a clue," Aqualad added, his tone thoughtful. "The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon's teeth into the Earth."
Robin nodded, approaching a nearby terminal. "And this Cadmus creates new life too. Let's find out why." He pulled a connector from his gauntlet, plugging into the computer. A holo-screen flickered to life, feeding data to his glove. His eyes widened as the information came through.
"They call them Genomorphs," Robin announced, drawing the full attention of the others. A 3D image of one of the creatures spun on the holo-screen. "Whoa, look at the stats on these things—super-strength, telepathy, razor claws. These aren't just creatures. They're living weapons."
Robin took a step back, visibly shaken.
"They're engineering an army," Kid Flash said, voice tinged with anger. "But for who?"
"Wait," Robin said, scanning another stream of data. "There's something else." Aqualad stepped behind him, peering over his shoulder. "Project Kr," Robin read aloud, frowning. He tried accessing it, but his fingers slowed, frustration creeping into his voice. "Ugh. The file's triple-encrypted. I— I can't—"
"Don't move!"
The sharp command reverberated through the room. They all turned to see Guardian standing in the doorway, golden shield raised. Around him, smaller, skinnier Genomorphs growled low, their lean frames poised to strike. Their razor-sharp claws glinted under the dim lights. Robin's holo-glove flashed briefly, pulling up stats: Genomorph 077s.
Guardian's gaze softened briefly, recognition dawning. "Wait… Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash?"
"At least he got your name right," Robin muttered dryly, his hands continuing to work on the Project Kr file behind Aqualad.
"I know you," Aqualad said, his calm voice drawing Guardian's attention. "Guardian. A hero."
Guardian straightened his posture. "I do my best."
"Then what are you doing here?" Kid Flash demanded, confusion and suspicion lacing his words.
"I'm Chief of Security," Guardian replied, his tone firm. "You're trespassing, but we can call the Justice League and figure this out."
The room fell silent. For a tense moment, the only sound was the hum of the Genomorphs' pulsing energy. Then, a sharp beep from Robin's gauntlet broke the stillness. He had decrypted Project Kr.
"You think the League's gonna approve of you breeding weapons?" Kid Flash snapped, his anger rising.
"Weapons?" Guardian repeated, his face scrunching in confusion. "What are you—"
His words faltered. The small creature perched on his shoulder, its horns glowing faintly, hissed. Guardian staggered, clutching his head as his expression shifted to one of anguish. "What have I—" He groaned, hand pressed to his temple, his body trembling.
When Guardian finally looked up, his eyes burned with fury. His voice was sharp and cold. "Take them down. Hard." He pointed directly at the trio. "No mercy."
The Genomorphs surged forward, claws gleaming under the sterile light.
Robin reacted instantly, stepping in front of Kid Flash and Aqualad as he tossed a smoke bomb to the floor. The small capsule exploded in a plume of gray, obscuring their forms. Without missing a beat, Robin fired his grappling hook, the line hissing as it latched onto the base of a support beam. He swung upward and disappeared into the haze.
A Genomorph leaped at Kid Flash, its claws slicing through the air where his face had been a split second earlier. Kid Flash twisted, narrowly avoiding the attack. He backpedaled, planting a foot against the wall before sprinting up it. His speed carried him vertically, and he launched himself off with a twisting dive. His fists connected with the heads of two Genomorphs, the force of the blow driving them into the ground.
Without pausing, Kid Flash rebounded off a vertical support beam, flipping upside-down. He kicked another Genomorph square in the chest, sending it flying back into the smoke, its growl silenced by the impact.
Meanwhile, Aqualad grappled with a Genomorph clinging to his shoulders, its claws raking at his chest armor and its tail wrapping around his neck. With a grimace, he grabbed one of its arms, twisting hard and flinging the creature off. Another Genomorph lunged at him, but Aqualad met it with a powerful front kick, his boot connecting with its torso and sending it sprawling.
But his opening was too wide. From his blind side, Guardian charged, slamming into Aqualad like a freight train. The impact sent him into a tumbling barrel roll, metal plating screeching under his body as he skidded to a stop beneath the towering insectoid Genomorphs.
Guardian didn't hesitate. He charged again, shield raised. Aqualad rolled to his feet, meeting the older hero with a series of powerful punches—a triple-cross combo meant to stagger. But Guardian danced just out of reach, his footwork precise. Aqualad's final swing carried too much momentum, leaving his left shoulder exposed again.
Guardian took the opening, delivering a solid punch to Aqualad's face. The Atlantean stumbled back, barely ducking under the follow-up elbow aimed at his jaw. Guardian pivoted into a downward strike, but Aqualad caught the blow, his tattoos glowing blue. Electricity surged through his body, channeling into Guardian's shield. The older hero convulsed, muscles locking up for a split second. It was all Aqualad needed.
With a shout, Aqualad grabbed Guardian by the arm and threw him to the ground. The G-gnome perched on Guardian's shoulder lost its balance and tumbled off, its small body hitting the floor with a thud.
"Fall back!" Aqualad shouted.
From the haze of smoke, Kid Flash sprinted through the chaos, his form a blur as he dodged swiping claws and snapping jaws. He skidded to a stop beside Aqualad, tugging him by the arm. Together, they bolted for the door.
Outside the room, alarms blared, harsh and incessant. Robin was already at work on a nearby terminal, his fingers moving with practiced precision as he hacked into the system. The door to the elevator chimed faintly.
"Move!" Kid Flash barked as he and Aqualad appeared, both sprinting down the hallway with a pack of snarling Genomorphs hot on their heels. Kid Flash reached Robin first, skidding to a stop beside him. He whirled, pointing an accusing finger.
"Way to be a team player, Rob!" he snapped.
Robin barely spared him a glance, still focused on his hacking. "Weren't you right behind me?" he asked, his tone both surprised and slightly mocking. The terminal beeped, and the elevator doors slid open.
Kid Flash and Robin dove inside, spinning to face the hallway as Aqualad ran full-tilt, the Genomorphs snapping at his heels. With a final leap, Aqualad dove into the elevator just as the doors slammed shut.
The trio caught their breath, their tension palpable. But as the numbers on the panel began to rise, both Kid Flash and Aqualad realized something was wrong.
Aqualad straightened, his voice sharp. "We're headed down?"
"Dude, out is up," Kid Flash said, jabbing a finger upward for emphasis.
Robin turned to face them, crossing his arms defensively. "Excuse me? Project Kr is on Sub-Level 52."
Both older boys stared at him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and frustration. Aqualad stepped between them, raising a hand to physically separate them.
"This is out of control," he said, his tone heavy with disapproval. He rubbed the back of his neck, retreating to the far side of the elevator. "Perhaps… perhaps we should contact the League."
Robin didn't respond, his jaw tightening as he turned back to the control panel.
The elevator slowed, the ding signaling their arrival at Sub-Level 52. The doors opened to reveal something far more unsettling than they'd expected. The hallway before them stretched long and winding.
The walls pulsed faintly, glowing with a deep crimson light that seemed alive, their surfaces slick and veined like the flesh of some immense, slumbering creature. Embedded within were translucent sacs, each containing embryonic Genomorphs curled in fetal positions, their forms shifting slightly as if responding to the rhythm of the pulsing walls. The sacs were stretched thin, revealing flashes of claws, horns, and twitching tails as shadows beneath the gelatinous membranes. The air was heavy with a damp, metallic scent, and the occasional faint hiss or gurgle emanated from the walls, as if the entire structure was breathing, feeding, or growing.
"What the hell..." Muttered Kid Flash under his breath
The three stepped forward, tensed for battle, but the silence was deafening. For now, nothing stirred.
Robin darted ahead, his vibrant cape a streak of color in the dim, pulsing corridor. Kid Flash lingered just long enough to exchange a hesitant glance with Aqualad, who let out a resigned sigh before catching up.
"Which way?" Aqualad's tone was tight, frustration barely contained.
Robin smirked over his shoulder. "Bizarre-looking hallway one, or bizarre-looking hallway two?"
Their banter was abruptly cut off as a sharp command echoed from behind: "Halt!" The Anthropoid from earlier appeared, its glowing red horns crackling with telekinetic energy. Two metal canisters ripped free from the walls and shot toward the teens. They scattered, dodging in a flurry of motion as Robin hurled a disk. The Genomorph halted it mid-air with ease, but by the time it prepared to strike again, the trio had bolted down a side hallway, leaving the creature snarling in frustration.
Moments later, Guardian and a squad of Genomorphs emerged from the elevator, their footsteps heavy and determined. The Anthropoid pointed after the fleeing proteges. "They are headed for Project Kr." Without hesitation, the group pursued.
Deeper within the labyrinth, a scientist stepped out of a chamber door, clipboard in hand. She barely had time to look up before Kid Flash careened around the corner at full speed, colliding with her and sending her sprawling. Stumbling to his knees, Kid Flash winced, glancing back at her groaning form before his eyes caught the massive PROJECT Kr label above the closing chamber doors.
"Guys, hurry!" he yelled, leaping up and grabbing a nearby triangular prism-shaped object. With a grunt, he jammed it between the doors, stopping them mid-close.
Robin and Aqualad sprinted toward him, the former diving through the gap first. Aqualad paused for a heartbeat, glancing back at the sound of pounding footsteps—Guardian and his Genomorphs closing in fast. With a decisive kick, Aqualad dislodged the makeshift prop and slipped inside just as the doors slammed shut behind him.
Robin immediately began hacking into the door's controls with his HoloGlove, fingers flying. A soft beep signaled success. "I disabled the door. We're safe," he announced triumphantly.
Aqualad frowned, his tone grim. "We're trapped."
Before Robin could retort, Kid Flash's voice cut through the tension. "Uh, guys? You'll want to see this."
The other two turned to find him standing before a massive computer system. With a single press of a button, lights flared to life, illuminating the chamber—and the pod at its center.
Robin's jaw dropped, and all he could manage was a stunned, "Whoa."
Suspended within the glowing pod was a figure that exuded raw power—a boy with a body sculpted like a warrior, muscles taut and defined beneath the sleek white suit that hugged his frame. The suit bore a bold red S emblazoned on the chest, its significance unmistakable.
For a moment, he seemed eerily lifeless, but then his golden eyes snapped open, piercing through the dim light with a sudden, intense glow.
The trio flinched as his gaze locked onto them, sharp and analytical, as though he were silently dissecting their every move.
Kid Flash, as always was the one to break the silence.
"Uhh...hello?"