Mist: Here's a new situation, of their reality. What happened in the past. How did the corrupted world get this way? Here is a peace.
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Chapter 13: Corrupt Justice
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-Three Years ago-
A man in a bright red and yellow costume sat silently in his seat at his favorite cafe. Normally people would be running over to talk with him, or he'd be running around socializing, but today everyone knew to give him his space. His name is Barry Allen, but to the world he is known as the Flash -hero of Central City. Though right now he didn't feel like a hero. Right now he was a man grieving. Just the month before his beloved nephew was murdered along side a few other young hero. Then not even two weeks later, Barry himself almost died at the hands of Grodd. Only surviving because Grodd was killed.
By his best friend.
The injuries were severe. Even being a speedster, it took two days in a comatose state for Barry to wake up. Wake up and learn what horrors had happened.
The fight twisted his friends. They all... changed. Adapted, they said. Though Barry could only beg for them to listen to reason. For you see, in their desperation to live the rest of the Justice League had abandoned their morals and switched to using lethal tactics on their opponents. Sparing no one.
Apparently it started with Batman jabbing a batarang into the Joker's skull. Forever silencing his laugh.
Then Superman fried the brains of Poison Ivy. Turning her skull to ashes.
At that point Barry didn't listen fully anymore. Just barely recognizing the names of those killed. Until it got to Hal. And then Barry learned that Hal had ripped Grodd to shreds in order to make him stop beating Barry to death. Hal justified his actions by saying it was the villains or them.
They all made that justification.
It didn't take long for the news to spread of what had happened. Evidently it would seem someone had gotten a hold of the security footage and released it to the public. Before Barry had even woken up the whole world knew.
Once Barry was awake and caught up on what had happened, the Justice League held a meeting to decide what would happen now. As Barry understood, none of them had left the Watchtower since the incident. All shaken up over what had occurred.
The topic of the meeting was simple. Should they continue using lethal force, or not?
No matter how much Barry protested, begged, and pleaded... the decision was final. Everyone else was willing to keep killing.
So Barry left.
With Iris' help, Barry made a public statement of his decision to leave the Justice League due to their recent tactic changes.
Only an hour later, Batman made a public statement claiming that 'Flash was severely injured in the fight, as seen in the video, and is suffering minor brain damage and doesn't know what he's talking about. Someone made him say he was leaving. That is not the case. He is simply on temporary leave until he is feeling better. Just to let him rest. I'll personally deal with the one responsible for confusing him.' After that during a Q and A panel Batman had added that 'Flash is suffering from depression after the death of his sidekick.'
Barry took another sip of his mocha as he though about how that day changed him. No one would approach him as the Flash. They all looked at him like he was damaged, apparently believing Batman's lie about him having brain damage.
It's been a week and a half since then. He thinks. Time is moving weird for him now. He's having a hard time adapting. Things keep getting worse.
Iris... Iris kicked him out five days ago.
There was no way he could have seen it coming. Things had been quiet for the two of them. Maybe it was too quiet? Barry had been focusing on work and protecting the city. Then he got home from patrol and Iris was seething at the TV, which was displaying a report from Batman saying that the crime rate in Gotham had already dropped by 20%. She demanded that Barry do something about the Justice League using lethal tactics. Telling him to arrest them.
When Barry tried to tell her he wasn't strong enough to take down the Justice League alone, she told him to leave. At first Barry didn't understand. Confused. Iris just pushed him out the door -telling him not to come back until the League was arrested. And that if he tried to come inside she was charge him for trespassing and harassment and reveal his identity.
Naturally, Barry was devastated. With only the clothes on his back he had quietly walked the streets, not feeling like running.
"-Today is a dark day in Gotham City," A news broadcaster suddenly said on the old TV hanging precariously on the wooden walls of the cafe. "Our hero -Batman- has just killed Two-Face. Clearly the Dark Knight is keeping true to his word to clean up Gotham. No matter what he has to do."
The broadcast snapped Barry out of his thoughts. "Not again," Barry curled inward, hating what he heard. This was the eight killing this week. "Stop. Please stop guys."
There was a chime as the door to the cafe was opened, not that Barry cared. He did care, however, when he heard a couple people gasp and the sounds of people taking off filled the small structure.
At this Barry finally looked over, seeing Hal in his costume floating over to him with a soft smile. Behind him patrons were rushing out of the cafe. Likely afraid of how this might go. Vaguely Barry took note of the cafe employee and owner going into the back room.
"You ok, buddy?" Hal asked as he slid into the booth with him. Facing the speedster.
"Fine," the speedster said coldly as he swiftly lowered his head, refusing to even look up at his former friend.
"Barry, you have to talk with us," Hal said worriedly. Only using Barry's real name since they were alone, and he knew that Barry usually liked being called by his real name. It was more personable he'd always say.
Barry kept his head down. "We're talking right now, Green Lantern."
"You don't look well," the Green Lantern worried, trying to get his friend to look up by using a construct hand. "And you look way too skinny. Are you eating enough?"
"You look like a villain," Barry countered, not letting Hal know that he hadn't eaten since yesterday and hasn't been eating properly.
"It's just an air force uniform, with a war world 2 jacket and green lantern logo," Hal explained. it also glows but so did his last one. Why did his appearance scare Barry?
Barry was finally forced to look up, showing how exhausted and weak he looked. "Just leave me alone, Green Lantern."
Seeing his best friend in this sorry state worried Hal. "Barry, I can help you get through this," he promised.
"You don't want to help me," Barry hissed at him, swatting at the construct that made him look up. "I'm not an idiot. Contrary to what you and rest of the damn League thinks I don't exist to be your 'ray of sunshine' or 'the League mascot!"
"You are just grieving and hurt," Hal sighed, taking that for why this is happening. Thinking maybe Batman was right about the brain damage.
"I don't want anything to do with the League -I already told you guys that!" Barry was frustrated that they weren't taking him seriously.
Hal just shook his head at that, wondering who made Barry say that to the media. "You have to help us, if you don't we might not be able to make the world a better place for everyone."
"I am helping my city. That's all I have the energy to do," Barry countered, taking a sip of his drink to give himself a few careful moments to choose his wording. "I have no time to help the Justice League. That's why I quit. If there is ever a true world ending emergency, I'll work with the Justice League. But until then leave me alone."
"Barry, are you sure that's what Wally would want?" Hal asked.
This set off the scarlet speedster. "Don't you dare mention him!" Barry started vibrating and crying.
Hal tried to comfort him, holding Barry's wrist. "He wouldn't want you to be miserable and alone."
"Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" Barry demanded, curling into a ball in his seat.
Seeing this, Hal got up and sat beside Barry, holding him gently to try and offer him more comfort. Seeing how devastated and hurt his friends was made the emerald knight want to do anything to help him. Anything.
The speedster tried to get away, but was too weak to do so. Instead he just cried more until his stomach gave an angry rumble. "Stupid stomach..."
"Want me to grab you something to eat?" Hal offered, wanting to show his best friend kindness. The traumatized speedster deserved it.
As much as Barry didn't want to give a Leaguer any leeway... "Yes," he agreed, visibly humiliated.
Letting go of him finally, Hal got up from the bench and went to the counter. The cafe owner came out and Hal ordered food for Barry, paying for it and being friendly with the owner. Though as soon as the food was ready the owner ran back to the back. Clearly still not wanting to be involved. Though Barry had to give the man props for not having just left through the back door. Barry felt bad for being partly responsible for most of the customers running away. And their presence here would likely keep more from entering.
The thoughts, however, died as a tray of pastries and sandwiches were placed in front of the hungry speedster.
The speedster immediately started eating. "Hmmm," Barry allowed himself to relax and enjoy the food. "Thankyou."
"Hows the food?" Hal asked, knowing that speedsters got hungry quicker. Why did Barry look malnourished? He'd have to look into that. Ask Iris why the hell she isn't helping Barry remember to eat when he clearly isn't mentally ok enough to do it himself.
"Yummy," Barry said with a mouth full of food.
Hal smiled, relieved that he could help. "Glad you like it."
Barry looked embarrassed again. "Are you leaving soon? You have your own city you know."
"John is watching it; I figured I could use this time to talk to you," The Green Lantern shrugged. Besides, since their change of tactics there has been significantly less crime to deal with.
"I have nothing more to say to you," Barry said quietly. "I quit the Justice League and I want to be left alone. If this is because you worry I'm a threat, I'm not. I swear I won't get in your way." Even though Iris wanted him to, Barry knew that when compared to the rest of the Justice League he wouldn't stand a chance. He'd be dead in minutes if he fought them. And he wasn't ready to die yet...
Great. Now he's a coward.
"You can do more with us, than you can mopping alone," Hal said, trying to encourage Barry. Wanting so desperately to see his best friend smile again.
"I'm not mopping -I'm protecting my city," Barry growled. "Like I said. I'm super busy all the time time. So much crime, so little time."
This gave Hal an idea. "I can help you weed them out," he offered.
Barry shuddered at the thought of his city running red with blood from Hal's 'help'. "I'm handling it just fine on my own," He insisted. "It get's me out of the house. Besides, I don't want or need your kind of help."
"I am not a cold blooded killer," Hal said, figuring out what Barry was implying, and feeling the need to justify himself. The emerald knight only kills those who are too dangerous to live.
"Could have fooled me," Barry let slip, becoming terrified when he did. Hal was probably going to attack him now! Fearfully the speedster got ready to run -trying to figure out how to run past Hal, despite his former best friend blocking him into the booth.
"Barry, I am not you enemy. What can I do to get that point across? " Hal asked, wanting to comfort and protect his best friend.
"I don't see you as an enemy," Barry said meekly. His words were the truth, he knows that Hal and the Justice League are still heroes. At the same time their recent tactic changes terrified the speedster. Terrified the world. All Barry wanted was for everyone to just... go back to normal.
Hal leaned towards him. "Then why are you afraid of me, Barry?" He asked.
Barry glared at him, getting fed up with Hal continuously using his name in public. "Please don't use my real name. We're in costume," he said coldly, avoiding the question. "I'm Flash. And you are Green lantern. That's all we are."
"I guess," Hal sighed. "I just want to help my best friend."
"We're not best friends anymore Green lantern," Barry tried to sound as indifferent as possible. "We're not even friends. We are practically strangers."
"Come on, Barry, the Justice League has never been better," Hal said warmly, wanting Barry to see that everything was ok. Furious with whoever it was that filled Barry's head with confusing thoughts of leaving the Justice League and not being friends with them.
"You call this better? People are terrified of us!" Barry snapped, losing it. "Even me, and I have sworn multiple times to the media and everyone who will listen that I'm not a part of the Justice League! But because you guys keep telling the media that I'm on 'temporary leave because of brain damage and depression', no one will believe me!"
"You are on temporary leave," The emerald knight replied, that's all this was to Hal.
"I want it to be permanent!" Barry hissed. "I told you that! Told the whole Justice League! How come no one ever takes me seriously?"
"You're just under a lot of stress, my friend," Hal assured him, not wanting to call him brain damaged since he didn't want to upset Barry further.
"Dammit Lantern you never listen to me!" Barry crunched up some of his wrappers and threw them at Hal's head.
Hal didn't even bother blocking it, not worth the trouble.
This just frustrated the speedster more. "If you won't treat me like a fellow hero at least treat me like an adult!" He demanded. "I see that stupid smirk on your face!"
"Barry, you're not thinking rationally," Hal tried to reason with him.
"And you are?" Barry growled at him. "You've killed three people!"
"They were trying to kill me, and you," Hal reminded him, leaning to the table and trying to look as non-threatening as possible.
"So? People try to kill me all the time!" Barry snapped. "Just yesterday Zoom stabbed me repeatedly with a scalpel."
"He did what?" Hal exclaimed in shock. He couldn't believe Barry would just take that without fighting back. Yep, his best friend definitely had brain damage and needed someone to help him.
"Well, less stabbing and more cutting," Barry mused, rolling up the sleeves of his vibrant costume in order to show the small, precise cuts all over his arms. "He made a poison that cancels out speedster healing... and decided to test it on me."
"That bastard, where is he I'll kill him!" Hal declared with venom in his voice. How dare that villain hurt Barry like this!
Barry flinched when Hal said that. "I don't know where he is," he lied, looking at his cuts with an almost curious eye. They didn't look good. He never treated them since he's never had to before but...
Hal noticed the condition the wounds were in as well. "Wait did you not treat them, Barry? They could get infected!"
"I don't know how to," Barry admitted. "My wounds usually last an hour or two..."
"Come along, I've got training in this kind of thing," Hal held his hand out to Barry. First aid was something he learned in basic training.
Barry didn't want to, but knew fighting would run the risk of him being kidnapped. "Fine," he agreed, standing up to follow him.
At this, the Green Lantern lifted Barry up in a construct hand. Protectively holding the traumatized speedster in what Hal hoped was a comforting way.
It wasn't.
Barry squeaked when he was grabbed. "Stop man handling me!" He snapped. "I can run! I just have a few cuts on my legs."
"We can't afford for something to get infected," Hal tried to reason with Barry.
The frightened speedster reluctantly stopped fight him. "Fine..." he grumbled.
Swiftly Hal took to the skies and brought Barry to Coast City, specifically Hal's house. He would have brought Barry to the Watchtower, but he could see that his best friend was already scared enough just being alone with him. Hal didn't want to make it any worse. He hoped that by helping Barry with his injuries it will prove that he is nothing to be afraid of. As then arrived in Hal's living room Barry squirmed in fear a little, so Hal laid him on the couch before leaving to grab the first aid kit.
"You sure you know how to do this?" Barry asked nervously.
"I learned it in military training, and have gotten regular practice since then," Hal assured him. It was required to keep up to date in First aid training.
Barry reluctantly removed his costume so Hal could see the cuts covering his body. "These sting all the time," he complained.
Hal pulled the rubbing alcohol out of the first aid kit.
"Is this going to hurt?" Barry asked nervously.
Hal smiled reassuringly at him. "Just sting, but it is for your own good."
"O-ok," Barry flinched when Hal started. "Ow!"
"Stay still," Hal told him gently.
Barry bit his lip and waited for him to finish. "Is it over?"
"I just need to put gauze on your cuts," Hal assured him.
Barry deflated. "I hate this..."
"Nobody likes this, but since it is for your health it is needed," Hal said gently, wanting to comfort Barry.
"I hate feeling like I'm at your mercy," Barry corrected as Hal wrapped his wounds.
"Better mine than Zoom's," Hal said darkly.
Barry visibly shuddered at the reminder, rubbing his wrists as he thought about what happened. "I blacked out," he said, not realizing it was out loud. "Hadn't eaten that day. When I woke up I was strapped to a table and he took out the scalpel and..."
"I have you now," Hal promised him gently, then he thought of something. "I have some medicine to help you with the pain." It was something Batman made for Barry since the speedster wasn't affected by drugs as easily. Batman gave a few doses to Hal to give to Barry if he got hurt, as a way of regaining his trust.
"You know meds don't work on me," Barry sighed. "Speedster metabolism sucks sometimes."
"This was made to be a lot stronger so that they would effect you positively," Hal promise, smiling warmly at his best friend.
Barry looked excited at the idea. "Really? This is great!" He cheered.
"Here ya go buddy," Hal gave him the bottle, keeping an eye on him.
Barry put one in his mouth and swallowed. "How many do I take?" He asked the Green Lantern.
"It is take as needed, so anything you are in pain take a pill," Hal instructed.
"Ok. Thanks Hal," Barry said sleepily, leaning back on the couch.
Hal smile, he was told this would happen. "They seem to be working," He said in victory. Glad that Barry had finally started to show signs of trusting him again, even using his real name like he used to. Hal hoped he'd be able to keep Barry like this.
"Ya," Barry agreed, "It doesn't hurt anymore. But I feel funny."
"Medicine does that, but you will feel better because of it," Hal replied, smiling down at him reassuringly.
"Ok," Barry said complacently. This was a strange feeling for him, and he didn't like it very much. Everything felt foggy and he didn't have the energy to move or escape if the need arises.
"Maybe you need to take a nap; That should also help you heal," Hal suggested.
"I don't want to go home," Barry objected. "Don't want to fight anymore. Iris hates me."
"I can rent you a hotel room," Hal offered, not wanting to make Barry feel like he was holding him hostage.
"Can't I just stay here?" Barry requested, too weak to even stand.
Hal smiled at that. "If you want to."
Barry gave a lazy smile back to him. "Wanna watch TV like we used to?" He asked, feeling nostalgic over this. He used to always go to Hal's place when he and Iris had a fight or he just needed to get away. Even when that wasn't the case he spent a lot of time at Hal's.
"I don't see any reason not to," Hal replied, sitting down next to him and using his ring to get the remote.
"It's so cool when you do that," Barry commented, loopy from being drugged. For some read he couldn't remember why he was scared of Hal earlier.
"Glad you like it," Hal chuckled at that, deciding to joke with Barry. "Makes being lazy easier."
Barry laughed like it was the funniest thing he's ever heard.
Hal laugh with him, setting the remote on his friend lap. "You want to watch something?"
Barry put on a scary movie. "Spooky spoooky," he said, the drug fully in his system now.
"That will do," Hal said. Barry was happy, that was all that matters.
Barry leaned on his friend as they watched the movie. "Want to hear a secret?" He asked.
Hal thought for a moment. "Sure thing Barry."
"You're like a big brother to me," Barry confessed.
"Really?" Hal asked, he never knew how close Barry saw him.
"Is that ok?" Barry asked nervously, feeling sad.
The Green Lantern smiled. "It is great," He said, giving his 'little brother' a hug.
Barry nuzzled into the hug. "I'm relieved," he said. "I was scared you didn't feel that close with me. Iris is always telling me that I think I'm closer to people than I actually am. But things seem longer to me. I feel like I've known some people forever."
"Some people are just like that," Hal assured him gently. "I cannot imagine a world without you, even through we have only known each other for a few years."
"Me neither," Barry grinned sleepily. "You're my best friend."
"And you are my best friend," Hal held him even tighter, keeping him close. "I will always protect you."
Barry looked down at the bandages covering his wounds. "Thank you," he told Hal. "Zoom is scary."
"I will protect you from him, I might even help you finish him off," Hal mused, thinking about killing Zoom with morbid delight. "I will protect my family at all cost."
"I don't wanna kill anyone," Barry said meekly.
Seeing this worried Hal. "If you want I will do it, does that sounds good?" He asked, "No more of him scaring you."
"No more scaring," Barry repeated back sleepily. The drug in his system making him complacent to what Hal was saying.
"Yes, doesn't that sounds amazing brother?" Hal asked, rubbing Barry's back.
"It does big brother," Barry smiled happily at him, not understanding what he had just agreed to.
This made Hal smile. The Green Lantern used his ring to bring over a pillow, giving it to Barry so the exhausted speedster can sleep. "Doesn't that feel comfortable?"
Barry snuggled into it, comfortable. "It's great," he sighed happily. "Please don't leave me."
"I won't," Hal promised, now using his ring to bring over a blanket and wrapping it around Barry gently. Promising himself that he will never let anyone hurt Barry again. No matter what he has to do to keep him safe.
He'll do anything.
Anything.
Barry's eyes drifted shut. He felt safe and comfortable, he could just...
The speedster fell asleep.
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Mist: Welp, what did you guys think?
Kaz: Quite the change of time.
Mist: Let us know!