Chapter 554: Beast Boy
The pale-faced Beast Boy struggled desperately, but Thea's restraint wasn't something brute force could break. After several attempts yielded nothing, he gave up.
The little bear finally understood what fear meant, trembling as he lay on the ground.
Did I break him? Thea quickly released the spell. Beast Boy's reaction was lightning-fast. Sensing his freedom, he transformed into a cheetah and bolted for the window.
In his mind, as long as he crashed through the glass and got outside, he'd escape this lion's den. He was familiar with the neighborhood—he could definitely lose this mysterious woman.
Nice plan. Reality delivered a cruel blow. Carrying tremendous momentum, he slammed headfirst into the glass of his own home. The window that could normally be shattered with a coin was suddenly hard as stone.
CLANG! The dull impact left Beast Boy sitting on the floor in a daze, staring at the window with despair in his eyes.
Thea laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. She didn't dare punch the wall—too strong, and this house, which she'd sealed with basic magic, couldn't withstand her current strength.
Just as Beast Boy was wondering if he'd see tomorrow's sunrise, a phone call temporarily freed him from the "demon's" clutches.
Thea glanced at the caller ID—Batman. She yelled at Beast Boy, "Change back to human form and stay put! You can't escape from me!" Then she answered.
Batman's voice came through as usual. "I've found Buddy Baker and his family. How are things on your end?"
Thea's super-vision showed Beast Boy frantically searching for an escape route. Unfortunately, he didn't understand magic's mysteries. She calmly replied to Batman, "I found someone, but he's just a kid. I still need to talk to his parents."
Garfield Logan was only nine years old. While villains could just kidnap people, heroes had to consider their image.
"Then hurry up." Batman ended the call succinctly.
Hearing her conversation finish, and having found no escape route, Beast Boy reluctantly shifted back and shuffled out, dragging his feet.
Green hair, green skin, green eyes, wearing a red tracksuit—Beast Boy watched as Thea sat on his family's couch, her gaze continuously examining him. Terrified, he stood at a distance.
"You probably didn't hear what I said earlier, so I'll repeat it. The world has hit a major problem—a big crisis. We need your power." This time Thea was more serious, though traces of amusement still lingered in her eyes. A nine-year-old couldn't pick up on that.
Beast Boy was young and occasionally goofy, but his brain was sharp. In his mind, if someone as powerful as Thea needed his help, whatever trouble she mentioned must be incredibly dangerous.
He immediately shook his head. "I'm still little. I can't do anything." He spoke carefully, wearing the face of a child about to be trafficked.
Thea studied him closely without speaking. Animal Man was the legitimate chosen one of the Red. This kid, like Poison Ivy, had exploited a loophole to gain some of the Red's power. Regardless, bringing him along couldn't hurt.
Looking at his modest living conditions, combined with his powerful abilities and lack of criminal activity, clearly showed he was a natural-born superhero.
Thea's skill at persuasion was nearly maxed out. She immediately began analyzing the severity of the current situation, pointing out how precious his abilities were. Standing on the platform of all humanity, she elevated his importance to an incomparable height.
"Even after this crisis passes, you'll still need training for your abilities, plus basic socialization, school—these are all things you need."
At the mention of school, Beast Boy looked dejected. "The other students all avoid me. My skin..."
Thea suspected it went far beyond what he was saying. America was full of bad kids. Seeing someone with green skin and not bullying them a bit? That would be the real joke.
People like Superman and Flash—every single one of them got bullied as children. Beast Boy being this green, facing some cold treatment and beatings was completely normal.
Those with weak character who later gained power became villains. Those with strong hearts became heroes. It was an important part of their journey.
She had no intention of interfering with someone else's growth process. Instead, she sat quietly on the couch, waiting for something.
"What are you waiting for? For me to save the world? In San Francisco?" Beast Boy asked tentatively.
"I'm waiting for your parents. I'm not a bad person—there are many things I need to explain to them clearly. Also, you'll be coming with me to Metropolis. That's where all the resistance forces are gathering."
Beast Boy's mind immediately filled with images of righteous heroes fighting monsters. His good nature made that seem really cool. But then he realized something. "My parents don't get off work until late. They won't be home this early."
"Don't worry. Three minutes ago, I purchased the shipping company your father works for and the supermarket where your mother works. They're on their way home now." Thea said it casually. A few million dollars—barely worth mentioning.
Beast Boy's mouth fell open, staring at her in shock. Still young, he didn't fully grasp what all this meant.
Thea closed her eyes to rest, waiting ten minutes. A middle-aged couple walked in.
Mr. Logan had developed a substantial beer belly in middle age. He looked somewhat worried, and his face bore no mutton chops, nor would adamantium claws extend from his knuckles. Thea felt much more at ease.
Unlike nine-year-old Beast Boy, the couple recognized Thea—at least they'd seen her on TV. Now, hearing her solemnly discuss the world crisis and needing their son's help, they felt dizzy, as if in a dream.
Thanks to Lois Lane's fearless reporting, many citizens knew strange events had occurred worldwide. They just felt it was far away from them, treating it as after-dinner gossip.
Now, with a heavyweight figure like Thea meeting with them personally—even buying their respective companies outright and having the management urge them home to discuss this matter—the couple felt like the fate of all humanity rested on their shoulders.
Beast Boy's sense of justice stemmed from his parents. The couple quickly made their decision, agreeing to let Thea take their son.
"I'll bring him back safely. Don't worry. An adult will be the main force—Garfield Logan's power is just a precaution." Thea reassured the middle-aged couple. Her celebrity status worked in her favor. Though still worried, they let Thea take their son.
Teleporting in front of ordinary people would be too unconventional, adding psychological pressure. They'd think their son was going on an incredibly dangerous mission.
Thea held Beast Boy's hand and walked until they were out of his parents' sight before activating teleportation.