Title: Presidency

Characters: Bruce and Wally

Summary: The President is a powerful man, not corrupted by injustice or evil… or so we should think.

Author's note: I'm really sorry that this one took so long, and hope that its up to par cuz I haven't been. But I'm working on it. There is a warning increase coming soon, maybe next chapter. But I'll post another warning when I do. Plus all mistakes are mine. Thanks

Disclaimer: Not mine….

Chapter Four: Presidency

The smell of something strongly bitter and disgusting floated into his mouth, he tried to spit the vile taste away but his mouth was too dry. He licked his chapped lips, nothing helped. The taste invaded deeper.

Sulfur?

He shook his head, no he knew better. Being a forensic scientist meant that he knew the elements by heart. Sulfur was odorless. No, what he did smell was Hydrogen Sulfide. It was like rotten eggs that were still trying to craw its way into his throat. A heavy cough ripped through his body leaving a louder sound then he thought echoing around him. He slowly opened his eyes. Stone, gray stone walls were the first things to come into focus for him, he tried to sit up but his body was feeling heavy. He waited for a moment on his back for the rest of his body to meet up with his head, when normally people would say that it was the other way around. The smell entered his nose again, not helping his stomach from deciding if it was done with food forever or just for now.

A faint squeak sounded to right, his turned his head a little too fast. When he vision met up only barely foot from his face sat the largest rat that he had ever seen.

"AHH!"

Wally squalled as his body shot up to a sitting position. The rat squired off down to the darkness.

'Damn thing…'

He took a couple of deep breaths which he instantly regretted. The coughing returned, he brought a hand to cover his mouth to find it coated with mud.

"Ach awesome, where the hell am I now?"

"Sewer."

Wally spun around to the hidden voice. Sitting in the far corner of their room was Bruce, although he seemed to be channeling Batman as he tried to remain in the shadows as much as he could.

"Bats, well at least we ended up together again."

Wally looked around, it was a small space. Stone walls all around with on two passage ways on each side of the room. He mud that coated his hands was covering every inch of the floor beneath them. He could barely see much else with such limited light. Above them were the wall and the ceiling met was a thin opening allowing the sun to beam through. With the mud beneath his feet it took a couple of tries to remain standing. His body felt exhausted and hungry. Acting on cue to the attention his stomach rumbled, loudly.

"Uh, you wouldn't have any food down here by chance would you?"

Batman remained silent.

"Right… so where do you think we are now? You think we're home."

He walked to the wall trying to look through the opening but only seeing the asphalt.

"No. we would have returned to where we started. Mostly like in the same space as where we disappeared from."

"Oh,"

Wally replied sheepishly. He dusted the drying mud against his pants before realizing that he was again dressed differently. He was wearing ripped blue jeans that had been worn so long that they were turning black in some parts. A plain cotton shirt with some stains was under his unbuttoned plaid shirt. Wally looked to Bruce, he was dressed similarly. Although he still favored black. He was about to speak when Bruce rose to full height. He motioned for Wally to be quiet. He stepped silently into the light of the room as Wally heard the new visitor coming toward them. The unknown person stepped through the door to their room. Wally was surprised to see that he was a very young kid. His brown hair was dirty and matted in some places. His eyes were almost black in their harsh assessment of the two before him.

"Jerald wants to see you two."

The boy stated simply. Wally nodded, he was didn't know who he was here or who this young man thought that they were. Bruce was the one to speak.

"Fine."

The boy turned from the room to once again disappear from the room. Wally followed; his footsteps were loudly squishing in the mud with each step he took. He jerked his foot free after every decent into the darkened water. He glanced ahead to see that the others were still there. Bruce's footsteps were nearly silent and hidden under his own labored ones. Judging from the time it took to reach their destination Wally estimated that they had walked nearly a half mile from the out cove that they had landed into and were now entering a large cavern. The narrow passage that they had been walking opened. Wally looked all around. The walls rose twenty feet above them and the cavern was nearly twice that size. It was an impressive structure underground but he was soon distracted by the amount of faces that turned towards them when they entered. They were all dresses similarly, thought some where covered in less mud then others. Couches and crates were lined along the walls providing perches for the one without sits. The boy lead them to the center were another man was standing in the misted of a conversation with five men and a woman.

"Jerald they're here."

The man spun on his heel to face the two. He was fairly average with dirty blonde hair slightly to long for his facial structure. Only the scar running from his left eyebrow and down the right side of his neck made him stand out in the norm. Wally grimaced at the thought that something had actually made that permanent damage to him. But also the fact that his eyes were stone cold to any other emotion other then hate.

"WHERE the hell have you two been?"

Jerald stepped closer. Wally was really starting to wish that he had subtitles to let him know what was going on. Bruce wasn't telling him much either, mostly because Wally was guessing that he knew as much as Wally did about what was going on. Jerald was getting more pissed as time passed as neither of them was talking.

"Report, did you finish it."

Wally looked up at the question, seeing that it had been directed to Bruce.

He nodded to the boss.

"Yes"

Jerald nodded, he glanced at Wally quickly, his glare piercing into Wally's eyes.

"He go with you?"

Bruce nodded.

"I'm surprised that he didn't screw it up again."

Wally flinched at the words, so he had messed up here more than once too, it seemed to be a reoccurring theme for him lately. The boss stepped back.

"Rebels."

He called out to the crowd, every head turned to attention ready for his orders.

"Today is the day, be ready by the end of the declaration. We will revolutionize!"

A loud yell came from the energized people as they began to complete their needed assignments.

"Bryce, Willy, time for you two to get in place."

The new names didn't go unnoticed but they allowed them to pass. Jerald waved over the boy from earlier to them.

"Go get the others ready, but watch the younger ones."

Jerald turn leaving the trio again. Wally looked at Bruce but be was focused on Jerald.

"Let's go."

Jerald lead them to the furthest corner of the room. He reached behind a large pile of camping supplies, obviously where they kept the sleeping quarter of the rebels. The large man pulled out two bags. He handed a deep navy hiking bag to Bruce and tossed a smaller red one to Wally.

"Lets go."

Jerald pointed down the passage. He waited, indicating for Bruce to enter first. Bruce looked at the other leader but entered the passage. Wally followed till a firm hand gripped his shoulder. He spun to face the other. Jerald's eyes were harsh as he jammed his finger into Wally's chest with each word.

"Don't fuck this one up! People are going to die. But we are going to get him and when we do, we will set this country back on course."

Wally nodded, finding himself at lost for words. Jerald's hand traveled up Wally's shoulder to the younger man's neck. With a harsh grip he pushed Wally into the passage way after Bruce. They continued traveling in silent. Jerald passed Wally and Bruce to lead the way after his chat with Wally. He was beginning to feel a headache coming from the lack of food as they walked but he remained silent. Something was off about these realities that they kept landing in. Wally was starting to feel extremely uncomfortable with each one. He was beginning to loose himself in this own thought when they stopped their trek. He avoided crashing into Bruce by the stopping but only barely. They were standing in front of a rusting metal door. The orange paint was pealing in areas to reveal the doors naturals color. The image reminded Wally of an old horror film, where the teenagers were wondering around an insane asylum. He focused on the issue before him, clearing his thoughts.

"Don't screw this up."

Jerald warned them.

"We know."

Bruce replied.

"Good. Get in position. When the declaration ends you start. Everyone else begins when you are there."

They nodded. Jerald gave one more assessment of Wally before opening the door. The light was dim but brighter then where they had been before. Bruce entered. There was stairs only few steps from them. Wally looked back to it as Jerald slammed it shut. The noise echoed around them, assaulting his ears.

"Any idea on what we are supposed to do?"

Batman glared at him.

"I was just hoping that it was something else."

"Don't be naïve."

Batman jeered as he stepped into the light. Straightening his black shirt, dusting a few places. It almost appeared like Batman was trying to get into character for Bruce… or Bryce as he was called here.

"HEEEY!!! Wait, what should I do with this?"

Batman stared at the bag that Wally had gently put on the floor.

"Take it with us."

"You can't be serious, what if they set it off while it's on my back? Or when we are in the middle of a crowd? We can't let those innocent people get injured."

A light sign escaped Batman before he knelt next to the dangerous object. His fingers traced the zipper around the bag. Feeling for any trip wires, although he seriously doubted there would be any. Once none were found he grasped the zipper and started to open it.

"Wait! BATS!"

Wally cringed automatically, both ready to race the both of them from the explosion and protect his face.

Nothing happened.

He lowered his arm. Seeing that in a single moment he had reacted. He had pushed Batman back. Trapping the dark knight between the wall and himself, his own body shielding any threat. Their legs tangled as Wally sat half on Bruce's lap. His head tucked in the crook of his arm that firmly lay across Batman's chest holding him there.

'CRAP!'

A faint blush was starting to creep over his cheeks, Wally quickly leaped up. Stumbling a little but reaching the other side of the small room in less than second. To any normal human the event had taken seconds. But Bats wasn't any normal human he knew that. Although it was fast, Batman knew exactly what had happen. The other wasn't showing anything though as he stood up slowly.

"Its not a trip wire."

"What?"

Wally asked shaking a little. Batman returned to the backpack.

"There isn't a trip wire…"

He opened the large pouch. Within was four cylinders, wires connecting in every direction.

"There isn't any timer either-"

"So its remote controlled? Even better reason to leave it here."

"We can't. The others will be watching. Jerald told the rebels to get to position. There are probably positioned along the crowd. If they see us without the bag they will detonate. More than likely killing us when they see us."

Wally gulped. Everything was becoming too much. This wasn't even their world and they might be killed here.

"Okay, so we take it out with us. To the stage? What stage? We are going to kill some political leader?"

Batman grabbed the bag, swinging it over his shoulder he walked up the stairs standing before the door again. He jerked it open. Wally followed closely behind him. If it was going to be set off before they got there he would only have one chance to get Batman away from the blast. It would be extremely difficult; he had never actually ripped a person off of a bomb as it was exploding before. He was grateful that Bruce only put one arm through the straps. He could pull the man away much easier that way. He quickened his heart rate slightly. Hoping that he would be able to react faster if he was in every way prepared. Once they had left the tunnel they had almost instantly entered a crowd. Wally squinted his eyes a little. The sun shined harshly down on the people inching their way to the main stage. They were dressed like him to. Most of them were at least. Dirt and stains covering their clothes, their hair matted in some places. Clearly the people were not doing very well here. Some were crying. But when Wally looked closer he could see that cries were coming from the people carrying small children.

'Children! Shit this keeps getting better and better.'

"Daddy, I'm hungry!"

A small girl in a once pretty pink dress cried in her father's pants as they continued next to Wally and Bruce.

"Not now, Kelly. I'm sorry. Maybe when we get back they will have some rations left."

He patted his daughters head lightly, a deep scowl taking over his face as he resumed glaring ahead. Most of the other people seemed to be going through the same things. Like life was going to leave them if they didn't get to their destination. Bruce had a similar look on his face too. Wally know that he had to be seeing these people as they walked. Not only the people but the city they were into. Shops that had once covered this busy street were closed. Most windows broken from being plundered and burnt from rage. The city was in the depths of despair and Wally couldn't be sure that their mission was going to help anything. It took a few more minutes to reach the area around the stage. Banners and stars decorated the stage in patriotic colors. It only served to deepen the hatred that these people felt. Guards stood only on the stage itself, each positioned with clear sight of the crowd but not under the stage. People could come within three feet from it without much difficulty. He followed behind Bruce closely. A few faces turned to watch as they passed, some Wally realized were from the tunnel where they had met Jerald. Bruce was right they were everywhere. Some pushed others away to allow a path to suddenly appear for them or whispered to those nearby to move. Bruce stopped a few feet from the barrier in front of the stage. Giving him enough people a head to hid behind and not to many to push through to deliver their package when the time came. They both needed this to go right or two groups of people would be after them here.

"Bryce…"

Wally whispered to his teammate. Using the alternate name in case some others from the tunnel were around that he didn't notice.

"Are we really…"

He trailed off. This was against everything he believed in. Even dictators didn't deserve death, not all but most. It was a final decision and one that he thought only the villains would be so ready to make. He had thought that this action want against every fiber of Batman's being too. But he couldn't know and was only given a short reply.

"Quiet."

Wally starred back to the stage. More guards had stepped onto the stage. Bruce stepped a little closer to the stage. Wally followed. Then the speaker they all had been waiting to see stepped onto the stage.

Wally's stomach dropped. Fate could be cruel suddenly had a less then funny meaning to it.

Lex Luthor took his place at the podium. The charming smile meant for the press plaster across his face. A sudden roar took over the crowd as people began to yell and start for the stage. Bruce and Wally were suddenly pushed forward till their body crashed against the barrier in front of the stage. The guards stepped closer to Luthor. The ex-villain's sneer widen at the protest. Enjoying the rebellion before he turned it around. He scanned the crowd, his eyes taking in each distraught face before he delivered his speech. Then right before him, he saw them. At first he over looked their dirtied and appalling appearance before recognizing that red hair. He almost laughed a deep chuckle that wanted to burst from him. Truly everything was going his way. The red, fiery, hair and green eyes were brighter than when he remembered his time in that body. He slapped the podium, waiting before a hush carried along the crowd.

"My People, I know. I know you pain. I know how these times have been hard. But we are getting through the struggle together. We are slowly recovering from the state of destruction that these metas have left us in but we are getting there. We will reach the end soon… but we will have to fight them. We still have reason to fear them. For they are more ruthless now than they have ever been. "

Wally turned to survey the people near them; surely they weren't believing his words. The times were tough because he had become president or what he called his position of "ALL POWERFUL". But each face was turned intently towards the speaker. Wally could see in their eyes that they were captivated. He looked back to Luthor, for a second he thought that the man was watching him but then they were looking out further in the crowd.

'He shouldn't recognize me here… should he? It doesn't look like the League ever founded in this world.'

"And we must fight them with the same intensity that we have for their kind. For they wish to destroy and enslave those who are weaker than them. My people, I will not let that happen."

Wally leaned closer to Batman. Whispering in a voice only he could hear.

"Bats, something is wrong here. We need to get out of here."

His own internal Bat signal was going off to the danger he was sensing around him. The guards were stepping closer to Luthor. The crowd was now beginning to nod and shout cheers in support of their Leader.

"We must stop them. Stop them from killing our neighbors, from killing us… From killing our children."

The crowd went up with applause. Cheering wildly in support. Somehow during the whole event the little girl and her father had ended up ten feet away. Wally watched as the father cheered in support, yelling to "Kill the Metas." Then as his little daughter, following her father's lead repeated the mantra. It sickened Wally.

"We must stop them. Are you, my people, here to help me save our children from these killers?"

The crowd cried yes. Wally looked back to Luthor, their eyes meeting. The smile widened as he saw the speedster looking back at him.

"There!"

He point to Wally and Bruce. But they were starting to make their way back into the crowd. Quietly Luthor muttered to himself. 'No, no you won't get away again.'

"The Metas are here. My people."

Sensing Luthor's next words, Wally gripped onto the back pack still attached to Batman's arm. Reaping the fabric apart, he tossed the bag as far back toward to the stage as he could. Then he picked up Batman, using his speed to run through the crowd before the man uttered their identity for all to see. To get through the large crowd that had formed Wally pushed people roughly to the ground. Each contact with some hurt him; he wasn't someone who injured the innocent to save himself. That wasn't what a hero did. But it wasn't only him that had to survive. They would out of the city limit seconds later. He set Bruce back on his feet. Walking a few feet away to get some space. He pulled down his sleeve a little before touching his face. When he pulled it away it was dry.

*back at the stage*

Seeing the bag fly over his head and beyond the stage, Luthor sent a few guard to handle it. Luthor grinned as he looked upon the path of fallen people that the speedster left behind.

"We must stop them."

The crowd agreed. He motioned for his guards to come closer. He leaned away from the microphone.

"Bring them to me. The Bat can be dead or alive but leave the speedster for me. Post their pictures everywhere… and post a reward for them. But make sure the speedster is left mostly unharmed. We have business to finish."

Luthor sent his people out to rid the world from these metas so that everything can return to peace. A small explosion burst from behind him. One of his attendants came up explaining that they decided to detonate on the spot.

'So the fool thought that they could kill me? The bat no less probably created the bomb himself."

For a moment Luthor regretted the command to bring the Bat in dead or alive because the drive to strangle the life from him with his own hands was almost as greats as the speedsters. But no one had gotten close to killing him yet and maybe the star would a line for that too. Everything was forming quite nicely for him anyway.

Part Two will continue soon.