Darthjennab: I think we've finally found our motivation!
CilanTheGreat: I guess? I mean this is pretty long...
Darthjennab : wow it's like 3000 words! Is that the longest so far?
CilanTheGreat: I don't know but I wouldn't expect this too often...
Darthjennab: I'm excited
CilanTheGreat: Very, the plot thickens the more we move on!
Darthjennab: Then why don't we :)
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Barry huffed in agitation as he sped down the road with Wally chasing his tail. This whole thing was getting ridiculous, it had been a few weeks and the Justice League and the Avengers were still not talking to each other. They were all supposed to be highly functioning adults but everyone was acting like children. Honestly, the children were acting more like adults than the adults were and that was saying something.
Heroes were disappearing slowly but surely and that worried Barry greatly. Recently, Reid and the rest of the Fantastic Four had disappeared entirely and more and more mutants were going missing too. If the others couldn't stop being so damned selfish, take their heads outta their asses and pay attention to things that didn't only involve themselves then maybe something could be done.
Of course, that wasn't an option, not with these people, no sir. Everyone wanted to make things more difficult than they needed to be. Of course Barry wasn't going to stand for that, he had to fix things
His best friend was gone for crying out loud, from right under his nose and he was still sitting around without a clue to how he vanished!
Lucky for Barry, he was on a team with one of the greatest detectives he's had the pleasure of knowing. He just hoped the Bat wasn't in too terrible of a mood to deal with. Coming to a quick stop in front of the manor doors, Barry could feel Wally bump into him from behind, cracking a smile when he heard the other groan.
"Uncle Barry, mind warning a guy next time you decide to stop! What are we doing here anyway?! I don't mind visiting Rob at all but there's usually at least a two days notice before things are arranged." Barry rolled his eyes at the redheads ranting. "I told you about the League/Avenger problem kid and about Hal being gone…" Wally looked away arms across his chest, he remembered the talk. "I know Uncle Barry, it's just...do you really think Bats can figure out where everyone is disappearing off too? It's already been a month and heroes are dropping like flies!" Barry sighed then patted Wally's head "I know Kid but he's our best shot at getting Hal back and fixing this whole Avenger thing, he's the only one with a close enough relation to them."
"Well, we are working with Spider-Man's team now and Iron Man did mention he was his son…" Barry raised an eyebrow, "Did he now?" Wally nodded rocking back and forth in the balls of his feet, "Maybe if I talk to him he can maybe talk to the Avengers? I doubt they'd listen to us kids but it's worth a shot?" Barry nodded and hummed in agreement, at this moment Barry was willing to try anything.
Knocking the door, Barry tapped his foot impatiently waiting for the giant ancient looking doors to swing open. A few minutes later, (a few minutes too many for a speedster) Alfred opened the door, a slightly amused expression planted on his face.
"Sir Allen, Master Wallace, what a pleasant surprise, is there something I can do for the both of you?" Barry and Wally both blushed at the titles, sheepish smiles adorning their faces. "Dick please." Alfred smiled then opened the door wider to let them in "Up in his room." Wally thanked him then zoomed inside causing Barry to shake his head exasperatedly.
"...And for you, Sir Allen?" Barry scratched the back of his head, his smile turning lopsided. "Come on Al, you know you can just call me Barry and uh, is Bruce around?" Alfred raised a brow "I'm afraid Master Bruce isn't in the manor right now." Barry sighed and ran his hand down his face, "He's holed up in the cave again?"
Alfred smiled sadly "You know how he can be at times, would you like me to lead you to him?" Barry shook his head "I've got it. Thanks anyway Alfred." With that said Barry zoomed his way down to the Cave and there sitting in his chair was Bruce. Barry was pretty sure the Bat already knew he was there so he didn't bother with any formalities, getting straight to the point.
"What are we going to do?"
Bruce didn't turn around, fingers still tapping away on the keyboard to the huge computer in front of him "What do you mean, what are we going to do?". Barry growled silently, slowly stalking up to where Bruce was sitting. "Don't play dumb with me Bruce, you know what I'm talking about. People are disappearing for crying out loud and everyone is refusing to work together! We need to do something!"
Bruce sighed then leant back into his chair, eyes dazedly looking at the screen. "I know we need to do something, I'm trying to do something, I…" Barry looked down at Bruce, his brow creasing in worry, he sounded weak but he didn't only just sound weak he looked it too. His face was pale, eyes were red and bags were clearly visible. "Bruce? Please talk to me, I want to help..." The bat looked up at Barry then sighed,
"They took Barbara… I don't know what they're going to do with her and I don't know how to explain this to her father. I'm trying to track her but it stops at a certain point, I've been searching but…"
"You can't find her? This doesn't make any sense, the heroes that have disappeared all have some sort of power! Batgirl doesn't have powers, what would they want with her?" Bruce sighed exasperatedly, "That's what I've been trying to figure out. The only thing "superpowered" about her really is her…" Bruce's eyes widened a fraction before they narrowed hands flying over the keyboard of his giant computer.
"Bats?"
"That's it Barry, the only thing super powered about Batgirl is her brain, they took her for her brain but the question is what are they going to use her for? Also if this is so why not take someone who is more experienced like Iron Man… if anything Iron Man is next and I'm going stop them before they can even think about trying."
Barry stayed quiet for a moment, silently watching Bruce as he tried to get his thoughts together. "You can't work when you look this tired, you need to rest." Bruce shook his head only to have Barry grip his shoulder "Bruce if you keep running like this, you won't be any help to anyone, you need to rest." Bruce and Barry glared at each other only to have Bruce look away momentarily. "Fine, I'll sleep but then I need you to keep working on this, I feel like I have something, I can't stop now Barry." The speedster nodded, sending Bruce a small smile,
"What do you want me to do?"
"I'm going to send all the information I currently have over to Tony, you're both good with computers so I'm pretty confident the both of you working together will get something done." Barry's eyes widened, "By Tony, you mean-"
"Ironman. Yes, and before you ask, no you don't have to reveal your ID to him, he'll probably figure it out anyway." Barry raised a brow at that "He figured mine out instantly, and he's nosy so he won't stop at anything to find out. So I would be careful around him and not take everything he says too seriously." Barry patted Bruce on the head, laughing at the growl he relieved in return.
"Don't worry about me Bats, it's going to take more than a few words to get through me."
/|\^o.o^/|\ Batsy is overwhelmed /|\^o.o^/|\
Steve sat on the couch that was placed in the corner of the lab, his eyes looking down at the Stark Pad on his lap. His ears however, were listening to the conversation the two scientists were having. It was of course amusing to listen to how uncomfortable Tony could make other people. It was also a blessing and a relief because that meant Tony wouldn't be picking on him for awhile.
"I still can't believe bats sent a scientist, that is so unlike him, you have to be pretty good if Batman sent you to work with me! Right Steve?!" Steve hummed in agreement while Barry awkwardly stared at Tony as the genius babbled on and on about how they were going to do some mega science later when this whole thing was over. Bruce had said Tony had a mouth but he didn't think the genius could actually talk 100 words per minute. "Uh yeah, we should probably get to work, Bruce is probably going to want some progress on this."
"Who's Bruce?" Tony smirked as Barry's eyes widened, while Steve's narrowed "Batman! I meant Batman is going to want some progress on this, so we should work and stuff, hehehe…" Tony then raised a brow in curiosity but then shrugged his shoulders, Steve however looked at Barry with a bit of suspicion, he looked too panicked to have made a mistake like that…
Getting straight to work on the problem at hand the two geniuses set to work tracing the different satellite waves that each missing hero had last used since their disappearance. Barry had to admit, when Tony wanted he could get a lot done. Watching him work was truly an art in itself. The whole thing would have been even more satisfying if they had found anything useful...
"Aaaarrggh! Hours and nothing! Though I have to admit Allen, you're pretty good. How did a person like you end up working for STAR Labs? I'm pretty sure there are like, 20 different labs that would love to have you!" Barry shrugged his shoulders "I guess the things that STAR has just interest me more?" Tony nodded his head at that "Different labs work with different things, I get that but I'm just saying Stark Industries wouldn't mind having a guy like you around." Barry smiled but shook his head "That's nice of you to offer but I think STAR needs me more that Stark Industries does. Working with you again would still be an honour."
Tony grinned at that, "Working with you has been fun Allen, I would definitely like to do it again too and I don't say that often." The two worked a little longer in silence, enjoying the others company. It was nice to work with someone who could actually understand what you were saying. Barry had to admit he was having a good time… key word being was.
"So you know Batman personally?"
Tony asked not looking up from his work, Barry narrowed his eyes. " I guess, he sends mixed signals, so I never know if he likes me or just tolerates me." Tony chuckled at that, "Yeah he gets like that but trust me, I'm pretty sure he likes you or else he wouldn't have trusted you with this job." Barry relaxed slightly,
"I guess so…"
"If you know Batman, you probably know the rest of the League too?"
"I guess?"
"What do you think of them?"
"They're pretty cool, everyone is nice, it's an honour to just know them."
"Yeah well, I hate them."
As Tony interrupted, Barry froze. He wasn't expecting that. "They're all glorified wannabes who are just looking for a fight. I wouldn't trust them with my life even if they were the last choice on earth." Tony continued. Barry clenched his fist, blue eyes turning steely.
"Why the Bat then? If you don't trust the League, why help him?" Tony shrugged his shoulders "I don't know, he's different and I guess he could be of some sort of use to me."
Barry grinded his teeth, he knew his emotions were probably written across his face like the pages on a book but he couldn't help it! This man was talking about his friends as if they were just toys he could play with!
"So you're just using him?!"
Tony shrugged his shoulders his smirk saying one thing but his eyes saying something completely different. If Barry wasn't so pent up on emotions he probably would have noticed the glimmer in Tony's eyes. "All I can say is you either go all out or go home."
Barry hit his clenched fist on the metal lab table, leaving a small dent in it, he didn't care if Tony talked smack about him but no one can speak poorly of his friends and get away with it.
"Listen here Mr. Stark, I don't care if you use me to get whatever the hell it is you need but you listen to me. No one can talk about the League like that and don't even think about using Batman for your own personal gain, if you hurt him in any way, I will come after you." Barry breath was coming out in harsh gasps as glared at Tony, only to receive a cocky smirk in return.
"You really care strongly about a rag tag group of heroes this much?"
"What does that have to do with anything!"
"Well it isn't like you work with them or anything."
"I-I-I…"
"You totally are the Flash."
Barry's eyes furrowed in confusion mouth hanging open,
"W-what?"
The room was silent until Steve who was still in the same spot from before bursted out laughing. Barry jumped in surprise, his cheeks turning a red that could rival his hero costume. Tony patted Barry on the cheek,grinning at how Barry's cheeks would darken in colour the longer Steve laughed. "I-I c-c-can't believe you f-fell right into that!"
Barry frowned at Steve (who he completely forgot was still sitting there) and crossed his arms, pouting. "I don't get what you mean…"
"Bruce did tell you to watch what you say around me right? You basically handed the answer to me, it wasn't much of a challenge Care Bear~" Barry shook his head, resting it on his hands,
"I don't understand-"
"-Simple really, Brucie-Bear said he had a job for me and that a friend that he trusts would help me out. Let's face it, Bruce doesn't really have friends he trusts unless you count people from the Justice League." Barry frowned then crossed his arms, "So what you're saying is he doesn't trust you? You're his friend, aren't you?" Tony rolled his eyes "Trust me when I say, I am probably one of the only people in his little click that isn't Alfred or Dick he trusts the most. Besides, this isn't about me. It's about how obvious you Leaguers make yourselves!"
It was Barry's turn to roll his eyes
"What do you mean by that?"
Tony spluttered and raised his hands exasperatedly making Steve laugh harder than he currently was."What do you mean, what do I mean by that! You guys ALL have secret identities but are terrible at hiding it, does anyone else notice that Clark Kent is just Superman with glasses! Like come on, at least grow some facial hair with that disguise or something!" Barry couldn't help but chuckle at that, "I don't really think Superman can grow facial hair whenever he wants but that still doesn't explain how you knew who I was." Tony just shrugged his shoulders, glancing over at Steve who was coming down from his laughter high.
"It wasn't your fault really, I guess Bruce set you up and even if he didn't I've met other Leaguers in civilian clothing, you don't have the facial hair like Oliver so you couldn't be Arrow and you look completely different from Hal so Latern numero uno is out of the pic too, besides isn't he missing or something?" Barry sighed then narrowed his eyes, "Still doesn't answer my question, Tony…"
"I've seen the way you act during meetings and I don't think you notice but when you get really excited about things you talk at an alarmingly fast rate. Even I don't talk that fast and I'm me." Barry kept silent mostly because he was embarrassed that he had basically exposed himself. "It's okay, Barrykins, we all make mistakes and besides, you impress me so there is an option of putting this all behind us~"
Steve let out a chuckle the rises from his place on the couch, making his way over to the two scientists. "Hey I wouldn't take what most things that come out of Tony's mouth seriously. Trust me when I say I learned that the hard way." Steve wrapped an arm around Tony's shoulders making the genius groan and playfully punch the super soldiers side. Barry sat down, his thoughts still swirling, "So all that whole hating the League and deceiving Bruce, was that real or just a way to figure me out?"
Tony's lips fell into a small sincere smile, surprising the speedster greatly, who knew Tony could be sincere? "Half truth? Bruce is basically family to me, our relationship? Kind of complicated but I trust him with my life, I could never just break his trust like that. Hating the League though? Well I can't really hate the people Bruce trusts so much but everyone's being so annoying, so liking is kind of hard to do. You're cool though, so there's that."
Barry smiled at that "I'm cool?" Tony shrugged again "Yeah and if you're pretty cool then the rest can't be too bad." Barry laughed "Same could be said for your Avengers."
"Yeah, took me awhile to get used to them too…"
"Hey!"
Tony laughed then placed his hands on Cap's cheeks squishing his face. "You and I both know our first meeting was terrible but hey! Now you're practically my brother and I wouldn't hesitate to risk my life for you and I know you'd do the same." Cap smiled then brought Tony in for a hug his chin resting on the geniuses head, while Tony's arms moved from Cap's cheeks to around his shoulders. Barry smiled at the two, if they really didn't get together at first Barry sure as hell wouldn't have been able to tell…wait a minute.
"You guys didn't get along at first?" Cap raised and shook his head, "It took a bit before we actually decided to grow up and put our differences aside." Barry raised an eyebrow his toe tapping a mile a minute now, "Yeah? And how did that happen?" Tony mimicked Barry's facial expression the shrugged his shoulders "I guess a few near death experiences, bonding moments, saving someone we mutually care about a bunch of other things...why do you ask?"
Barry grinned his hands now gesturing with every work he spoke, "Think about it! If you two didn't like each other at first but somehow became the best of friends!..." Tony's eyes widened now catching on to what Barry was trying to say, "Then he same can happen with the Avengers and the Leaguers! Care Bear you are a genius~"
Steve smirked, blue eyes shining with mischief, "And I'm guessing you have a plan?" Barry smirked back and nodded, "Yes sir, and you two both get to play a part in it!" Tony nodded then rubbed his hands together, his face adopting the usual 'crazed scientist at work' look he usually had when excited.
"Alright Flashy pants lay it on us!"
/|\^•.•^/|\
Dathjennab: There's a new science duo in town~
CilanTheGreat: I sure do love me some devious Tony and an emotional speedster but they could never replace the OG science bros.
Darthjennab: Also Steve is totally eavesdropping throughout the whole chap
CilanTheGreat: Steve dying is me.
Darthjennab: stay tuned for more adventures of the science duo +Steve
CilanTheGreat: Maybe we'll even have a Science Trio!
Darthjennab: O.o