Alright guys. It is finally here... This chapter truthfully made me cry so I hope you guys enjoy it and thank you for the wait! So I'm racing against my computors batery bacause it is about to die so I will make this quick!

I own nothing, please review!

The sun was usually shining in Central City, but today, heavy clouds hung over the town as the empty chairs started to fill in the cemetery. Dick stood beside one of the many black SUVs the funeral procession had come in. He looked down at Tim who didn't seem to want to be there. He had a dejected expression and the black from his suit made his skin seem even paler than it was. Dick clapped the boy on the shoulder and led him to the car carrying the casket. He saw Artemis standing there with Wally's parents and Iris West who looked like she was out of touch with everything that was going around her. Artemis wore a plain black dress and a long black buttoned up coat over it. She wore her hair down and had a black veil that ended just below her eyes. It made her look about ten years older and it was so unusual to Dick. She looked over and caught his eye through his usual sunglasses, just as Tim and Bruce had to wear too. She nodded at him and returned back to Mary West's fussing over her veil. Rudy West looked at Dick but his expression was hard and anger was apparent through the sorrow. Rudy wasn't originally supposed to carry the casket but he had to take the place that Flash had left open.

Nearly the whole League and team was present in black suits/dresses and no masks with the exception of Barry Allen. Barry was still not heard of or seen in days. Dick felt a bit of anger towards the older speedster. How could he just leave his family and his friends? Everyone was already emotional wrecks but now they had to worry about him too?

But didn't I push everyone away as well? He thought guiltily.

The cemetery looked like fog had accompanied it that morning and now just the after effect was left. The chairs slowly started to fill with family and undercover heroes. They all decided that it would be inappropriate to arrive in their usual hero attire since this was a funeral for Wally, not Kid Flash. With much reluctance and pain, Dick heard that Impulse was going to change to be the new Kid Flash, though he was still in no shape emotionally to take up the mantle just yet.

There was an uncharacteristically solemn mood hanging almost as heavy as the oppressive clouds over the cemetery. The deep green of the lawn contrasted against the black of the guests and the gray in the sky.

Rudy started to pull the casket out of the car and Dick helped followed by Tim and Bart. The casket didn't weight much, or not as much as it should have considering Wally's body wasn't in it, but it felt like the weight of the world. The four men started slowly down the aisle followed by Wally's parents, aunt, and girlfriend. Everyone rose in respect as they passed and Dick registered that there was music playing but his mind was too far gone to hear it. The aisle seemed to stretch on forever and each row they passed, Dick saw tears, grim faces, and pain. So much pain.

The four of them placed the casket in the front and started returning to their seats. Dick looked over at Bart and Tim who seemed to age ten years during that walk. From boys to men. Their shoulders slumped a bit, like the casket was still weighing them down, and their expressions were forlorn as they sat next to each other and occupied the seats next to the West family, Artemis, and Mrs. Crock. Dick sat down next to Tim and caught the glance of Black Canary. He briefly realized that he had never seen her cry before. M'Gann was already crying behind her and Conner had an arm around her, his deep blue eyes darkened by the events that have happened. He just wasn't the innocent young clone he used to be. Kaldur sat next to him as he stared straight ahead. The whole former team seemed to be here; except for Wally…There was an empty seat next to Iris where Barry should have been.

Someone was standing and talking but it wasn't anyone Dick knew and he vaguely registered it. He wondered where Barry was and why he was missing his nephew's funeral.

But it's not really his funeral. Dick thought. His body isn't even here. There is no body of Wally West anymore.

Maybe that was something that unsettled him so much. Kid Flash just dissolved. Ceased, as Blue Beetle put it. Funerals were meant for loved ones to find closure, but how could Dick, or anyone for that matter, find closure when they were going to lay an empty casket in the ground?

Dick looked at the flower arrangement on the casket. Red and yellow roses were intermixed in the spread, the only color compared to the stark white roses everywhere else.

Dick gave a tiny smirk. That would be the only thing Wally would have liked about this funeral.

He couldn't help but think that Artemis had some say in that matter. Wally had told him years ago right after they started dating that yellow and red were her favorite colors now. Dick remembered being surprised, thinking she was only ever going to like the forest green that she so lovingly wore.

The man who was speaking stepped away and sat down. There was a heavy silence among everyone present as they knew what was coming up. Someone sniffled behind Dick and he could hear her wiping her eyes though he didn't turn to see who it was. He heard Artemis take a shaky breath before standing up and slowly making her way to the podium in front of the casket. She pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and with shaky fingers, she opened it. She took another shaky breath before she began.

"Honestly, I never thought this day would be happening. I thought that the first time I would be walking down an aisle, I would be wearing white but instead…" She choked up and she paused, trying to keep her lips from trembling as she collected herself. Dick looked at her sympathetically but also in a new light. Artemis had always appeared strong to him, but now, this was a whole new area of strength she showed. He tried to imagine standing in front of his teammates and the entire league plus Wally's family and give a eulogy. He shook his head just thinking about it.

Artemis started again. "Wallace Rudolph West was a loving son to his parents, a proud nephew of his aunt and uncle, an amazing boyfriend to me, a brother to many, and a friend to everyone. He was more than the hero in yellow and red, but he was a hero no less." She paused again and took a shaky breath. Dick didn't know how she kept going because this was undoubtedly the hardest thing he had even watched Artemis do. "I can whole heartedly say that I became a better person after I met him, even if I didn't know it at the time." She said with a choked up laugh and there was a slight chuckle from the crowd as they remembered the two heroes' bickering when they were younger.

What I wouldn't give to go back to that time. Dick thought as a calming wind blew over everyone and Artemis's hair was elegantly caught in it.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say that he brought out the best in us all." She continued, though her voice was getting thicker and thicker with each word. "Wally's smile was infectious and his uncanny ability to never be on time was ironic. I never thought…" Artemis cut herself off as tears that were filling her eyes started running down her cheeks. She took a deep, albeit shaky, breath and tried again. "I n-never thought that…" But she lost control to her emotions again and she couldn't go on. Everybody watched as the strong, stubborn archer broke down and sobbed in front of them. The wind rushed softly around her but she found no comfort in it, it seemed.

Everyone remained seated, either trying to keep it together or crying themselves. Gasps were heard from the back and Dick turned, seeing a blond man's tall and lithe figure walk up. His hair seemed windblown as always and the tie of his suit was caught in the breeze as well. Barry Allen slowly made his way up to the podium, not meeting anybody's glance or glare and stood beside Artemis. She looked up at him with teary eyes and he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Dick didn't know what surprised him more; that fact that Barry Allen was back or that Artemis was letting him comfort her. Dick looked over at Iris who had a new batch of tears slipped down her face. Dick couldn't read her expression though, it was caught somewhere between confusion for his absence, sympathy for his pain, anger for scaring her, and joy that he was back.

But the usually happy and carefree man didn't wear his smile today. Today, he looked lost. His eyes were bloodshot and he had dark circles under them. He looked exhausted and frail, like he wasn't eating like his overactive body needed him to.

Barry looked down at the paper on the podium and started where she left off. "I never thought that I would miss his laugh as much as I do now. But as we all know too well, you miss most what you can no longer have." Barry said in a voice that didn't sound like his own as he held onto Artemis. "I can imagine him joking with each of us right now, trying to liven up the funeral. No doubt he would hate it. Wally never did like to see people upset or cry. He would want us all to smile at his memory…not choke back sobs. But maybe that's why some of us can't smile or laugh anymore…Wally was the laughter in us all. And now that he is gone, so is that laughter.

"Wally was a hero to everyone, whether he was wearing the suit or not. He could make us smile, make us cry, and make us think about what is important. He never asked for anything in return and that marks a true quality that many of us struggle to obtain. He was selfless. All he wanted was for people to be happy and he would chase after this dream until his legs or stomach would give out." This got a few more sad chuckles in the crowd and Dick cracked a smile. "He was the smartest guy I knew but also the clumsiest…I guess that was part of his charm. You couldn't help but love the red headed speedster with all of your heart."

Artemis sniffed and Dick watched with the rest of the crowd as the fastest man alive wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. Artemis put a hand on his arm and they shared a look before she started up again, her voice full of emotion and nearly breaking at every other word, but she kept going.

"Wally taught me what is worth fighting for. He saw the good in me that many others couldn't, including myself. I know my position would be different had he not been there to unconsciously guide me. I still can't exactly comprehend what is happening now or what will happen in the future without you, Wally, but it is an understatement to say that you will be missed." Artemis paused and choked back a sob again. "I love you, Baywatch…" She said in a soft enough voice that only the front row could even hear her.

The two stayed up there for a few minutes. Many of the Leaguers were sniffling or wiping back their tears. The West family was almost a wreck and looked like they were just trying to keep it all in. But it didn't seem to be the end because Barry Allen pulled out his own piece of crumpled paper from his suit pocket and spread it out before himself. Artemis looked up at him with teary eyes but he wasn't looking at anyone. He cleared his throat and began.

"I've never been the best with words, especially when it comes to stuff like this, but I'll try. Wally was always the light in my life. When I first met him, I never caught him without a smile shining brightly on his face and I soon understood why my wife loved being his aunt so much. Then I was lucky enough to become his uncle and it only got better after that. He was my biggest fan, so much so that he made himself go through the same accident that changed me. I never wanted this life for him though. Fighting crime and saving lives was great, but it is a rough life. I wanted his to grow up normally and be famous in his own way, without having to wear spandex or hide behind a mask. But Wally wouldn't give up. He was persistent and I finally broke, letting him run along beside me as a partner. He became Kid Flash, and even more so, he became a son in my eyes."

Iris choked back a sob and hid her face in her hands. Mary West put her arms around her sister-in-law and watched Barry with tear filled eyes.

Barry continued. "He was always the boy that I dreamed of raising and the best day of my life was when he told me that I was his role model. Me, not the Flash, me. I…I promised myself that I would never let anything happen to him…but we all know how promises end in this line of work. I just never imagined that this would happen though. He wasn't even supposed to be there… Though, looking back, there would be so many more lives lost had he not arrived. He was the last push that we needed to save the world. Why he was the one that had to pay the price though, I'll never know, and I'll never accept it. Wally should not have been the one to pay the price for being a hero. If anything, that was my job. It was my job to protect him. But once again…once again, I was too slow to do anything but watch as he dissolved into nothing."

Barry paused and took a shaky breath, wiping his eyes. "I know that many of you have probably been wondering where I was these past few days. I can't give you a straight answer because I don't remember most of it myself…" He paused and took a deep breath. "Many years ago, back before the Young Justice was even made, Wally was hurt during patrol at Central City. He broke his leg and had to sit out of the hero gig for a few weeks. Naturally, he hated it, but the thing he hated most of all was that he couldn't even run anymore." Barry said in a hollow voice.

Dick recalled that time, so long ago.

Wally look so dejected and upset as he wobbled in on the two crutches into the manor. Dick instantly jumped up and ran to his side.

"Whoa, Wally, what happened?" The young boy asked in shock.

The 14-year-old speedster grunted and made his way slowly over to the couch and collapsed down on it. It was the slowest he had ever seen him move and it unsettled Dick.

"I broke my leg, rob, what does it look like?" He told the ebony.

Rob smirked and perched on the armrest of the couch. "What did you do? Fall out of a tree?"

Wally threw one of his crutches at the boy who just jumped back and cackled. Wally crossed his arms and glared at him. "I don't climb trees, Rob."

Robin smirked and cackled again. "Yeah, cause you fall out of them."

"Dude!" Wally cried and then rolled his eyes and rested his chin in his palm. "I got hurt while on patrol. Flash didn't see the guy behind him with a crowbar. He was going to take out Flash's legs so I got in the way." He grumbled.

Robin just stared at the boy in surprise. "You took the hit, even though you knew it would probably break your leg?"

Wally smirked. "Well I hoped it wouldn't. Besides, Central City needs the Flash more than his sidekick."

Robin stayed quiet for a bit, not knowing how to respond to that statement. This gave Wally the chance to sigh and look down. "What use am I anyway if I can't run? That's the only real thing that I'm good at."

Robin shook his head and crossed his arms. "If you think that's the only thing you are good at then you are stupider than you let on."

Wally shot him a glare. "Wow, that makes me feel loads better." He said sarcastically.

Robin cracked a smirk and punched his friend in the arm. "Come on KF, you know you're more than that."

Wally sighed dramatically and smirked at Robin. "Well I guess." He laughed. "But man, you don't know what it's like. I can just run at top speed and get away from…everything. Nothing can catch me. I'm the fastest boy alive."

Dick shook his head, clearing his thoughts of the memory and listened back into what Barry was saying.

"He always said he could just run away and forget about everything that was troubling him. He could run and just feel happy. And for once, I tried taking his advice. It was wrong and I don't expect any of you to forgive me for leaving at such a…hard time for everyone, but I just thought you all deserved to know. So I'm sorry.

"I'm sorry for running away and for thinking that it was the only thing that I had left to do. I'm sorry for leaving everyone I care about and for being so selfish that I left all of you to grieve on your own, thinking that my problems were the biggest and that I was the only one in pain. But above all, I'm sorry to Wally. I take full responsibility for what happened to him and I have been trying to take it back ever since. He should have been the last one to lose his life in this profession, and that is on me now."

Everyone was silent for a long time, trying to process everything that was said from Barry's lips. Dick was pretty sure that half of them were still in shock about him being back in the first place. Artemis then turned to the older man and made him look her in the eye. "I forgive you." She said softly and simply.

Barry nodded, a tear escaping from his eye before he quickly wiped it away. Two unknown men stepped forward and started digging the hole for the casket and that was the cue for people to start leaving. Dick stayed seated as everyone got up and slowly shuffled back to their cars and drive away. Diana walked passed him with Bruce. She lightly put her hand on his shoulder and he looked up, finding sympathy in the Amazon's eyes before she dropped her hand and walked away. Soon, all who were left was Iris, Artemis, Dick, and Barry.

Dick watched as Barry walked up to one of the two men and, without saying a word, grabbed one of their shovels from their hands. The man looked at Barry in confusion but then saw the guilt and pain weighing down on him and let the shovel go. He and the other man left the blond to dig the hole alone. Barry remained silent as he dug, not looking anywhere besides at the ground he was breaking.

Dick stood and walked over to Iris and Artemis. He looked at the older of the two women. "I'll make sure he gets home safely, ma'am." He told her, knowing she was staying mostly because she wanted to make sure Barry didn't run off again.

Iris sniffed and wiped her eyes before nodding. "Thank you." She said in barely a whisper before hugging him quickly and leaving, getting into her car and driving off.

Dick looked at Artemis with soft, sympathetic eyes. He didn't say another thing as he took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, grabbing the other shovel and standing next to Barry as he helped him dig the hole for Wally's casket. Barry paused and looked up at the youth. Dick met his eye and nodded. Barry returned the nod and continued digging.

They dug for hours, the hole getting deeper and deeper with every labored hit into the earth. Dick felt splinters getting shoved into his hands and blisters popping. Blood smeared the handle of the shovel and Dick looked over, only to find Barry's hands in the same condition. Artemis stayed standing, watching the two men work as they dug the grave of their fallen friend. Dick knew though why they had to do this. It was the least amount of labor they had to go through to make up for failing Wally. They at least had to exhaust themselves digging his physical grave because they already felt like they dug his metaphorical one.

The sun would have dipped low in the horizon by now but the sun wasn't out. A drizzly rain started to coat the city and the two men finally climbed out of the six foot hole. The hefted the heavy casket in their arms and slowly lowered it into the hole with much grunting and groaning. Then, shovelful my shovelful, they covered the empty casket up, sealing it in the ground. Dick and Barry were covered in mud and dirt, their hands bloody and their hearts broken. Artemis stood and placed one red and one yellow rose at the base of his tombstone before she left silently, the drizzle masking the tear tracks on her face.

Dick clapped a hand on Barry's hunched shoulder, dropping the shovel and steering the man away from the gravesite. Iris had a right to see her husband after waiting for so long.

They didn't see the flash of yellow and red or feel the gust of wind that rushed around the tombstone that seemed to seal their friend's fate.

Wallace Rudolph West

Beloved son, nephew, friend, and hero

November 11th, 1994 - June 20th, 2016

The world will never know all that you have sacrificed.

Whacha think? Did I nail it or did I completely blow it? I'm so happy that Barry is back now! Next chapter will be his! Dont forget to review please! I like to know what people think!