Chapter 4
Barry Allen was sitting in the Batcave, talking to Bruce Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne, I don't think Superman can build that machine" he said. "I mean to say, first of all, he's not that smart. He just has muscles, but no brains"
"Yes, Barry" said Bruce. "If he was so smart, he would have built something like the Batcave and Batmobile like me"
Then, a pop-up box appeared on the Batcomputer. It was a message from Victor Stone. It read, 'Just got to know. Clark has formed a team of superheroes in case we go against his plan. Better if we even gather forces.'
"A team of superheroes?" said Barry. "Huh, even if we calculate all of their speed per hour, they wouldn't match mine. And Clark, he thinks he's faster than me? That time, I was new to all this battle and stuff. Now, I'd be two times faster than him"
"Can you keep quiet, Barry?" said Bruce.
There came another message. He unveiled it and got to know that it was from Ferris Aircraft Company. It was an invitation for being the chief guest for their new aeroplane launching ceremony.
"Gosh! Another ceremony?" said Bruce.
"Can I come, too?" said Barry.
"Only if you keep quiet and stop acting over your limits"
"Oh, Mr. Wayne! You haven't seen my second face!"
At dusk, about seven, Bruce Wayne was dressed up in his favourite black coat, whereas Barry Allen was in his red tuxedo and orange cap.
"How do I look, Mr. Wayne?" he asked.
"Better if you could comb your hair" said Bruce.
"Alright" said Barry. "How's is it now?"
"You comb your hair in a second?"
"Well, I could do it even faster, like in about seventy-five milliseconds"
"You should really learn going slow" said Bruce. "Anyways, let's go"
They both walked towards the patio and sat in Bruce's Lamborghini.
"Haven't you bought a new car?" said Barry.
"No, I was thinking you would gift me one" said Bruce.
"Alright, you'll drive or shall I go by walk?" said Barry.
"Can you stop blowing your own trumpet?" said Bruce.
"Fine"
Bruce Wayne drove in peace for sixty minutes without being interrupted by Barry's boasting words. The drive went smooth and quiet, only until Barry took his packet of chips out and started crunching them and licking them through his fingertips. Bruce, who was fed up of the young man, as a sense of punishment, began telling him the history of Gotham. Barry could not raise against the older man. He placed his chin on his hand and leant against the window.
Finally, they arrived at their destination – Ferris Aircraft Company. They got down, only for Bruce to be surrounded by mics and taken photographs of. Flashlights began appearing on Bruce's face. Barry was jealous of his popularity.
"Sir, who is this man in red?" asked one of the reporters.
"Um… actually, he's my assistant. You know, he drives my cars, serves me tea and provides me all stuff at home" said Bruce.
"What the hell?" said Barry to himself.
"And he also –"
"We are even close friends from childhood" said Barry, pushing Bruce Wayne forward with his impatient hands.
"What did you just say?" said Barry, after making room from the crowd.
"That was the best way to keep you quiet, speedster" said Bruce.
They were cut by a voice.
"Welcome, Mr. Bruce Wayne" it said.
It belonged to a man arriving into the scene, who had a belly, dark shade of skin, welcoming hands. He had on a golden overcoat, which was shining in the twinkling night. Bruce observed the little finger on his left hand missing. On the left pocket of his coat was stuck a badge on which his name was in white printed letters – Thomas Kalmaku.
"Honoured to meet you, Mr. Wayne" he said, performing a hand shake with him.
"Pleased to come here" said Bruce, looking at the decorations.
Flowers were the main motive here. Jasmines and roses were used in huge amounts.
"Well, this is Barry Allen, my friend" he said. "Do you mind him coming?"
"If he has the habit of carrying a cigar, no"
"Which means, I can come!" said Barry, with a look of self-satisfaction.
"Anyway, Mr. Wayne, let me introduce you to the best pilot in this centre" said Thomas. "Meet Mr. Harold Jordan"
Came in a man in a green coat, who also had a dark shade of skin, stuffing something into his pocket. He came forward and pushed his hand forward to shake Bruce's hand. Bruce noticed a ring on his ring finger, but a ring mark on his middle finger. Suspiciously, he welcomed the shake.
The entire ceremony went smooth – Thomas addressing the gathering, unveiling the newly designed aeroplane, explaining it's features and showing a demonstrative ride with Harold driving it. After everything, Bruce Wayne was asked to give a speech about the ceremony, his opinion about the night.
After the aeronautic events came dinner. Bruce Wayne and Barry Allen were alone sitting at a spherical table near one corner of the ground. Barry Allen was eating the food like hell. He stuffed roasted potatoes into his mouth and swallowed it in a second.
"Barry," began Bruce. "Did you see the pilot who drove the plane?"
"Yes, he was good" replied Barry.
"I notice something wrong with him" said Bruce.
"Wrong? He's absolutely fine. I mean he's not crippled or paralysed"
"He had a ring on his ring finger, but also had a deep ring mark on his middle finger"
"So what? Maybe he removed the ring he previously used? Or maybe he just shifted the position of his ring" said Barry.
"That's not the point. No ring as I know could create such type of mark"
"How do you know?"
"I've almost tried over a fifty rings in Gotham" said Bruce. "By the way, the ring, as I saw, created a lantern symbol on his finger"
"So what do we do now?" asked Barry.
"Ask him"
Harold Jordan was busy eating his food and talking to his colleagues. Everything was fine, until he suddenly disappeared with a whoosh of wind. He found himself standing right in front of Bruce Wayne. Beside him was Barry Allen, his transport system.
"How the hell did I get here?" said Harold.
"I don't know, but, can you please give me your ring?" said Bruce.
Harold stared at him for a while. Then he pushed his clenched fists forward to punch Bruce, who had held it and blocked it with ease.
"I don't want to hurt you, man" said Bruce. "Just show me your ring"
Harold this time tried to punch him with his left hand, but to vain. He tried hard and hard to finally let go of him and took out a small ring from his pocket. He wore it on his ring finger of his right hand. He pointed his hand towards Bruce, with whose repercussion Bruce found himself trapped in a green ball. Bruce stared at Harold in astonishment.
Barry quickly rushed onto Harold and knocked him down, which released Bruce from his trap. Harold kicked Barry on his stomach, who fell aback. Harold went forward to punch Barry, when he was stopped by Bruce Wayne.
"Who're you, man?" asked Bruce.
"A Green Lantern Corp" said Harold.
"So, you have superpowers?" Barry asked.
"Yes, and whatever happens, I'm not gonna give you this ring. I'm given the task to protect Earth, not cause harm to it, like you guys"
"Hey you, mind your tongue. Do you even know who we are?" said Barry.
"I don't care. Some dreaded crimi –"
"The Batman" said Bruce Wayne.
Harold stood in silence.
"How do I believe you?" he asked.
Bruce took something from his pocket and threw it on Harold. The latter in time created a shield around the thing. He closely observed it to be the Bat-Knife. He, in astonishment, stared at Bruce.
"Oh my God, I can't believe this" said Harold. "I'm sorry sir, I thought you were some criminal trying to mug me" his surprise faded away. "Who's this by the way?"
"I'm Barry Allen man, the fastest man alive" said Barry.
"Well, what can I do for you, sir?" said Harold.
"Will you mind joining my team?"
"Team? Of course!"
"Pack your luggage and come to the Wayne Manor"
"What's the motive of our team?"
"Stop Superman"
"Superman? He's a hero man, why stop him?"
"I'll explain it to you later"