Disclaimer: Same as before.
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Mist: No time for talking -this is a week late :(
Kaz: Enjoy!
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Chapter 7: Devoted
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The following day.
The Watchtower used to be a quiet place. Very few heroes were there regularly outside of monitor duty and the weekly meetings. Now it was a lively place -and home to the heroes of the Justice League. As Wally has learned, after the identities of the League were exposed they all decided to stay in the Watchtower, as it was the safest place for them. A new living wing was built to house the heroes, including bedrooms a living room, the Beta teams hang out room, a large kitchen, and a more home-like dining area. There was also a room that was still in construction, but no one would tell Wally what exactly was in there.
Inside the living room, Wally sat watching TV with his former mentor -the Flash. Though the man was in his civvies at the moment.
As Barry went to change the channel, Wally noticed something on Barry's neck.
"Is that a tattoo?" Wally asked, surprised.
Barry grinned, and moved his shirt so Wally could see the full image of the Justice League symbol tattooed to his neck. "Isn't it great? Everyone on the League has one."
"I guess friendship bracelets weren't enough?" Wally tried to joke. Unable to shake the word 'marked' from his head when he looked at it.
"Tattoos last forever, just like devotion to the League," Barry grinned happily. "You'll get one after the paperwork for you to live with the League is all done. You still want to live with us, Right?"
Before Wally could answer, Hal walked into the room.
"Hi Hal!" Barry greeted happily.
"Hey lil buddy," Hal pulled Barry into a tight hug.
"Hi," Wally greeted the Green Lantern awkwardly, not knowing how Hal would be with him today. Though he was happy for the distraction.
Barry snuggled into Hal's hug. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to see how my favorite speedster is doing with the littlest speedster," Hal said, wanting to stay close to Barry. Not caring for Wally really.
"I'm so happy to have someone like me again," Barry grinned at him.
"And you little guy?" Hal asked Wally, figuring he would see what Wally have to say since he made Barry so happy. No matter how jealous he was getting of the young speedster.
"Board. I want to go outside," Wally replied.
"Don't you want to spend time with Barry?" Hal asked, not sure why the younger speedster was being annoying.
"We'd have more fun outside. Like we used to," Wally frowned.
Hal sighed. "It would be best if you were kept out of the public eye until we've made public knowledge what exactly had happened to you. That make sense?"
"Whatever you say," Barry agreed.
"Come on, it's suffocating in here, can't we go get some fresh air? We could go someone more isolated?" Wally asked, not liking being here even with Barry.
"Can we, Hal?" Barry asked.
"I don't know, you have been under a lot of stress and we're revealing that Kid Flash is alive tomorrow. You don't want to over exert yourself," Hal said, wanting to help him and keep him from having another episode.
"Ok," Barry agreed happily.
"What exactly am I supposed to do then?" Wally asked, not liking being stuck in this place. How was Barry standing this?
"Whatever the League says," Barry replied. It's what he does.
"Odd... mind if I go exploring?" Wally requested.
"Alone?" Hal asked him, sounding hopeful.
"Ya," Wally shrugged.
"That's fine. I want Barry for a few hours anyways," Hal grinned.
"Ok, see you later," Wally said, walking in the hallway figuring he would look into what the hell was going on with the Justice League.
Wally made his way down the hall, looking around. He was still in the residential wing and he felt disturbed to see 'family' style photos of the members of the League all over the place. The pictures seemed normal enough at first glace, but Wally just felt like something was horribly wrong about them. As Wally was walking he suddenly saw an Amazo robot standing in front of Barry's room. Unlocking it for some reason before walking away.
Cautiously Wally approached the open door, the whole time expecting the robot to stop him. When it didn't Wally became a little suspicious, wondering if he should stop. No, this is his first lead as to what was going in with the League. He needed to follow it through. His former mentor has been acting odd ever since he got back and maybe this would explain somethings.
Oh how he wished he hadn't gone inside.
The room was large and brightly coloured. As he walked in auto lights brightened up the room showing him toys placed neatly and kiddy furniture everywhere. Barry's bed was even shaped like a red race car!
"What the hell..." Wally was shocked by what he saw.
Before he could fully process what he was looking at, Wally heard the water in the joined bathroom turn on. Feeling confused, Wally started walking over to see if someone was inside -but was distracted by a set of legos on the ground.
It was Justice League figures, which would be normal, if it weren't for the way they were positioned. All the figures were circled around a Flash figure... which was inside a makeshift cage of some kind made out of blocks and placed as though the Flash figure was in the fetal position.
"Who was playing with these?" He wondered, disturbed by the image. Was Barry recreating something that was done to him?
Knowing that he only had so long before someone found him, Wally walked into the bathroom to find the source of the water. Once inside he didn't see anyone and found it was just the sink that was one for some reason. He was about to just turn off the water and leave, but then he saw a bottle of pills with the new Justice League Logo on them. Quickly he swiped one of the pills and hid it in his pocket so he could analyse it later.
The amazo unit suddenly yell. "MY VISION BEEN IMPAIRED, MY VOLUME HAVE BEEN INCREASE."
Wally jumped, and started to leave worried that the loud robots would attract attention. He exited the room and was about to run -but was grabbed by Batman!
"What were you doing in there?" The dark knight asked sharply.
"Nothing!" Wally said on instinct, doing what any teenager would do when confronted.
Batman gave him a murderous bat-glare and pushed him inside the room and shut the door. "Oh, really," he growled. "I see that Barry's toys have been moved. And the water is running." He picked up the lego figures and placed them on their seats at a lego version of their meeting room.
"It just started on it's own, I think there is a leak," Wally said, squirming around at this.
Batman went to the bathroom and shut off the tap. "Seem find to me."
"It just went off!" Wally insisted, upset that the pipes seem to be working just fine now.
Batman glared, and got angrier when he walked back in and the toys were moved again. "Those are Barry's, stop touching them," he stormed over and picked up the Flash figure and put it back on it's chair, wondering why Wally had laid it on the table in the makeshift cage again.
"It fell!" Wally told him, wondering why he didn't hear it fall over. Terrified over this.
Batman just glared at him again. "I'm not a patient man," he growled. "Now. What were you doing in here?"
"I just wanted to see why Barry has been acting so funny," Wally told him truthfully, not liking this Batman in the slightest.
"He's fine," Batman growled. "Though he has been overwhelmed since you showed up. He needs structure in his life and you are causing confusion."
"I am sorry if my return from the grave is confusing him," Wally said sarcastically, he was angry that he couldn't clear his own brain and the Justice League wasn't helping.
Batman nodded in acknowledgement as he walked around the room organizing a little. "I'm glad we're on the same page," he said. "You should spend more time with the Beta team and let us have our time with Barry."
"I already met them all of them are practically strangers to me, I miss Robin," He said, not bothering to talk to him about who Nightwing is to Batman. Since apparently that never happened.
Batman paused at the mention of his dead child. "As do I," He sighed. Then he saw that a photo was broken. "Damn it!" He swore at Wally, going to pick up the pieces so Barry wouldn't hurt himself on the glass.
It was a family photo of the league.
"What is that?" Wally asked, shocked over it's existence. What happen in those three years; why is everything so different.
"Family picture," Batman showed it to him, guessing that meant the boy didn't break it. Maybe Barry knocked it down while playing and didn't notice? He was a rather clumsy and absent minded child.
Wally didn't want to look at it, it disturbed him. "Huh, looks like it only has the Justice League on it?" Didn't Batman have his own bat family.
"This is our family," Batman replied, looking fondly at the photo. "I'll buy Barry a new frame for it."
"That sounds nice, although I don't think Barry would mind going out and getting it himself," Wally pointed out.
Batman hesitated, but ultimately decided to tell Wally the truth finally. "He can't," he told the small speedster. "Barry doesn't have any money. After his identity was revealed he was fired from his job at the CCPD. Haven't you noticed that he's always here?"
Ya, Wally had noticed and figured it was something like that. But Bruce was a master of disguise and rich, couldn't he have helped Barry and other members of the League start over in new cities and have a chance at a normal life?
"It hasn't been a problem," Batman said, not knowing why Wally didn't respond. "I've taken it upon myself to provide for him and the others who weren't able to keep their jobs."
Wally decided to voice his ideas. "You could have set him up in a new city with a new life." Wondering who else was living under Batman's thumb. He saw a lot of Leaguers around...
"He can't function away from us," Batman sighed.
"It's just a few hours, I think he can manage by himself," Wally wanted to see Barry snap out of this... whatever he was going through.
Batman debated telling him for a minute. "No. Barry can't," He sighed again. "You might be to young to understand but... Shortly after your death there was another incident. One which left Barry quite traumatized. It was bad enough that he had to stop being a hero for a few months to recover. During that time -unknown to us- your Aunt was also changing. Becoming cruel towards Barry and making him miserable. Eventually she kicked him out because she felt frustrated with him. And Barry was too scared to tell anyone, so he just started couch surfing at his villains places and barely caring for his basic needs."
"That is awful -and I mean it- but that doesn't be you should be enabling his problem!" Wally tried to make him see reason. That, and unable to believe his aunt would do that.
"It gets worse," Batman growled. "We finally learned what he was going through and got him out of the situation, but the damage was done. Barry was jumpy and distrusting. Afraid for his safety, and talking like the Rogues. We were trying to regain his trust when 'a vile reporter' decided to reveal the League's identities to the world. Barry went into shock and was unresponsive for just over a month."
Wally narrowed his eyes. "All the more reason to give him a disguise," Barry didn't need to be in an addictive friendship.
"You aren't listening!" Batman snapped. "He still hasn't recovered."
"And having him on a leash will help?" Wally asked.
"His mental state doesn't allow him to be alone," Batman replied. "Doing so would be torture."
"I don't believe that!" He said, Barry was never this childish.
"Look around you," Batman told him. "This is Barry's safe place!"
Wally did. "It looks like a daycare," he said bitterly.
"These toys help calm Barry down when he's stressed," Batman explained. "They make him happy."
"I still think he could be more," Wally couldn't shake idea of Barry as a second father figure, so seeing him so childish wasn't something he wanted to even think about.
"He's happy Like this, which is all I care about," Batman growled.
"Is he?" Wally pressed. "Barry would hate this life."
"He loves it. Haven't you seen how happy he is?" At least before Wally got here he was. Now Barry kept misguidedly trying to be an adult again. And failing to an adorable degree, not that Batman was going to allow that delusion to continue any longer.
"He seems to just be going through the motions," Wally observed. Like Barry was doing these things because that's all he knows how to do.
"It's been two years of this," Batman said calmly.
Wally fumed. "Then he's doing it out of habit."
"Which is a good thing," Batman argued.
"He doesn't do it out of any reason, but he doesn't seem to know any better," Wally clenched his fist, looking around the room some more. Plenty of pictures... but not one of Iris. Which made no sense since Barry's made it pretty clear that he's still in love with her. Though Wally had no proof, he just knew that it was someone else who wouldn't let Barry keep any.
"That's my point," Batman replied smoothly. "Barry doesn't know what's best for him, so we provide the answer."
Wally resisted the urge to punch him. "So can't you at least let him try to think on his own? Barry is a lot stronger than what you're telling me."
"Not anymore. He's helpless on his own," Batman didn't understand why the boy couldn't see reason.
"You don't seem to want to teach him how to take care of himself again," Wally realized. They liked Barry being trapped in this state. They never even tried!
"It would be a waste of time," Batman chuckled at the thought.
"How? How is helping a friend in need a waste of time?" The red head asked. Losing his cool completely.
"Because it's easier to just keep him safe and happy," Batman said, thinking it would be obvious.
"Sounds like a gilded cage," Wally sneered.
Bruce smirked at that. "Exactly."
Wally shuddered. "What happen to you?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Batman asked him in return.
"You used to respect the other heroes," Wally reminded him. Though Batman wasn't the warmest hero, he still treated others better than this.
"I respect those who deserve it," The Dark Knight replied.
"So why don't you respect Barry?" Wally demanded to know. The Scarlet Speedster had earned respect from the others a long time ago.
Batman rolled his eyes. "Barry's child-like. He doesn't need respect, he needs care."
"I don't believe it's that simple," Wally narrowed his eyes in distrust at him.
"We've made it that simple for him," Batman replied.
Wally hated this. "You hate simplicity, that's why you're a detective."
"It's best for Barry's simple mind," Batman countered.
"He's a genius!" Wally snapped. Hi mentor was a CSI, and one of the brightest minds he knows. If wasn't right what the League had reduced him to...
"Not anymore, now he can't even operate a stove," Batman barely held back a laugh.
"No, I don't believe you," Wally felt his world fall apart.
"Try paying closer attention. Maybe?" Batman mocked.
"What happened to you?" Wally questioned. The Batman he knew and respected was gone, and in his place was the obsessive, controlling, sociopath.
"I've lost two of my sons. And watched someone I care about go from being a happy-go-lucky hero to a paranoid mess and then a broken shell I needed to fix," Batman replied, looking around the room with pride for what he's accomplished with Barry.
Wally took a step back. "And this is a success?"
"My best work," Batman claimed. "Though I admit it was a group effort. Helping Barry really pulled the team together while we were all fighting."
"So what does Barry really think of all of this?" Wally was practically ready to run away.
"Ask him yourself," Batman smirked, knowing Barry loved this.
That smirk made Wally flinch, and he ran like hell. He looked back for a second and saw Batman still smirking sadistically after him. So Wally ran even faster. He needed to find Barry and figure out if what Batman said was true. Wally refused to believe that none of the hero he knew was still there.
After about a minute of running, Wally found Barry in the Watchtower 'living room'. The scarlet speedster was sitting on the floor drawing in a stretch book and talking with Hal.
"Uncle Barry?" Wally tried to get his attention, not believing his hero was so childish.
"Ya," Barry looked over to him.
"What are you doing? " Wally asked him.
"Drawing," Barry said simply. Relaxed from just having taken his medicine a few minutes ago.
Wally didn't like the sedated look on his face. "Don't you have something else you want to do?"
Well... Barry liked playing with his legos and other toys, but he didn't want to tell Wally. "This is relaxing. You should try it."
"I don't know," Wally did not have time for this.
Barry just kept drawing.
Wally carefully approached him, taking a moment to take a look at Hal and ensure he wasn't attacking. When the Green Lantern did little more than roll his eyes at his cautious approach, Wally figured he wasn't going to attack. Though Wally realized that could change at any time. Once close enough, Wally looked down to see what Barry was drawing. It was a picture of him and Hal exploring space.
"You ever been space traveling?" Wally asked. He knew his uncle loved space but never had time to explore because of work.
"A few times," Barry replied.
"Can I go?" Wally has never been off world for long periods of time.
"It's our thing," Hal growled, refusing to share Barry anymore.
"You own all of space?" Wally mocked him.
"No. But I'm not taking you," Hal snapped.
"Barry, Hal is being mean to me," Wally said, wanting to ignore the Green Lantern.
Barry froze up. He wanted to help Wally but...
Feeling concerned, Wally knelt down beside Barry. Was he ok? No, not ok. Barry's hands started shaking from the stress. So Wally put a comforting hand on his former mentor's shoulder. For some reason he felt the need to show that he wasn't a threat.
Barry hugged his 'nephew' happily, and the teen hugged him back. That made Barry feel so happy. It was kind of like having a teddy bear that hugs him back.
"Reminds me of when I used to stay at your house when I was starting out," Wally recalled, he was feeling nostalgic about what happened all those years ago.
"Those were the days," Barry sighed wistfully. "You still want to stay with us instead of Iris, right?"
"I want to be with both of you," Wally replied, he didn't want to leave his mentor but had no intentions of staying here. What should he do?
"Iris... doesn't want to be anywhere near me. Remember?" Barry sighed sadly, pulling away from Wally and leaning back against the couch. As he did he felt Hal wrap his arms around him to comfort him.
"I think we can talk this out, Iris was always reasonable," Wally reminded him.
"She's a dirty bitch," Hal rolled his eyes.
"You take that back you bastard!" Wally snapped, there was no way he would just take the idiot of the League mad mouthing his beloved Aunt.
Hal shoved Wally away with a construct. "Never, that bitch broke Barry's heart and dug her heal in," he growled hatefully, tightening his hold on Barry.
Wally caught himself from stumbling, then barreled forward and punched Hal right in the jaw!
Hal recoiled, but quickly darted out and grabbed Wally and pinned him with ease, twisting his arm in a painful way.
"Stop it!" Barry tried to pull Hal off Wally.
"I hate you!" Wally snapped at the Green Lantern. He would remember this.
"I don't care," Hal tossed Wally aside.
Barry rushed to Wally's side. "Are you ok?"
"I don't want to see him ever again," Wally said honestly, hating Hal as much as he hated Batman. Why did Barry put up with him?
Barry looked over at Hal. "He's my best friend. He's almost always with me."
"He has anger issues," Wally tried to reason with Barry.
"So does the rest of the League," Barry remarked, not knowing what he had just revealed. "It's best to be passive."
"What did you say?" Wally asked. What the hell happened to the Justice League.
"It's best to be passive. No one gets angry if you obey," Barry smiled, even more when Hal put a comforting hand on his back.
"I didn't start this but if he try it again I will finished this!" Wally snapped, really not liking seeing Hal grabbing Barry like that. It made him sick with worry over the other speedster's mental health. Being treated like a child couldn't be healthy for him.
"You wouldn't win that fight you brat," Hal growled, more than willing to beat the annoying speedster.
"Please don't hurt him," Barry begged Hal.
Wally was furious over this, but wasn't sure why.
Hal pet Barry's head. "Just because you asked nicely little brother."
"You're not even related!" Wally pointed out, upset over this.
"He's my brother in all but blood," Barry grinned.
"Why?" Wally asked, his fury growing.
"We've always been close, the last few years even more so," Hal held Barry close.
"But you're an asshole!" Wally snapped at Hal. Yes, it was clear to Wally that the Green Lantern was maybe insane, but that didn't give him a right to do the things he does!
Hal smacked him again. "I'm the best big brother ever."
"Yes," Barry agreed. Though Wally saw pain in the scarlet speedster's expression.
Wally clenched his fist and glared at Hal, but didn't say a word. Why was Barry putting up with the way Hal treated him?
"Come with me," Hal ordered Barry.
Barry's eyes glazed over. "Yes, big brother."
Wally just stared, he couldn't believe what happen to Barry. Was this really just brain damage from almost dying? Or something far more sinister?
Hal pulled Barry's arm, leading him out of the room.
"Wait!" Wally didn't want Barry to go with him.
Barry felt a mental pull, his subconscious wanting to stay with Wally. It was all too much for him.
He fainted.
Wally eyes widen as he ran to his uncle's side. "Wake up uncle Barry!"
"I knew you were going to overwhelm him," Hal growled at Wally, picking Barry up to take him to his room.
Wally followed, refusing to take the blame.
Hal brought Barry to his room. "What the hell?" He asked, finding the toys thrown all over the place.
Wally rubbed his shoulders. "What in the world... why is the AC on?" It was full blast, strong enough to force the legos off of the table they were standing on. Though that didn't explain the condition of some of the other toys.
Hal glared at Wally. "Did you do this?" He accused.
Wally just rolled his eyes. "No. Why does everyone keep on blaming me for the station malfunctions?"
"Because Barry always puts his toys away," Hal growled, placing Barry down on his bed and tucking him in.
"He's not your child," Wally said in disgust.
"No, he's my little brother," Hal said, chuckling slightly. "Bruce is the dad."
Wally felt his blood run cold. He didn't want to be here anymore. Didn't want to see what was being done. Didn't want to be involved. He needed to learn what happened here -but who would tell him the truth? Who could he believe and trust among the League... if any of them. Feeling frightened and confused, Wally did the one thing speedsters were always good at.
He ran.
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Dear UN Chairman
We are fully aware that the boy is our responsibility. Should he choose to live with the League. He has shown that he may choose his aunt instead. Which could be a problem, since as you are aware she is currently our primary suspect for the current organizer of these small rebellions that keep taking place.
We plan to investigate more soon, once we have the time. Other problems have surfaced that need our full attention.
Apparently there have been eye witnesses saying they saw Zoom. What do you know of this? Why weren't we informed immediately?
Regards, Bruce Wayne
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Mist: Dun dun dun!
Kaz: We sure learned a lot this chapter.
Mist: True, but with every answer there is a new question. What really happened to Barry? Is the League good? Who is actually still in control of themselves... and not just puppets of stringer?
Both: Find out (Maybe) next time!
