Millma Verse Tales
Disclaimer: same as it always is.
Broken Earth- Finding Superman
In a room a bag was on a backpack was on a bed and a girl was tossing some papers, money, and clothes into it. "Why are you doing this Rae?" A voice said and Rachel Garrick turned to the face of her father. Jay Garrick stood at the door.
"Because I have to," Rae said tossing the backpack over her shoulder.
"But… your tossing away everything we worked for," Jay said.
"We?" Rae said seeming angry. "It's my life dad."
"But we…." Jay started.
"Stop," Rae said holding up her hand. "Stop saying we. You trained me. Taught me everything I know. I am grateful for that but you're not the Flash anymore. You have not been the Flash for a long time. It's my role now and I have to do it on my own. The way I want to. I can't be you anymore. I need to be myself."
"What exactly are you looking for?" Jay asked with a sigh.
"What I have always been looking for. I'm going to find Superman," Rae said pushing pass her father to get out of the room.
"Your trying to find someone who is probably dead," Jay pointed out.
"He's not dead. I know it," Rae said with a smirk knowing her father didn't know. He didn't know she had formed a friendship with the Wells. Or that Jesse and Belle Wells were her new Team Flash along with their father Harrison and his sister Harriet. That they had recruited STAR Lab employee Caitlin Snow into the team as well. That they had found proof. She had done this all behind his back.
"When you come back here," Jay started following Rae out to the living room where her mother Joan and younger sibling John and Jonnie were. The two were only 11 years old and had no powers. Jay having lost his speed long before they were even a thought.
"Whether I find what I am looking for or not I'm not coming back here," Rae said causing everyone to look up at her.
"Rae?" Joan asked so shocked by this statement.
"It's time for me to find my own path," Rae said. "Time for me to be my own Flash. Away from you." Rae turned to her father. "You taught me. Now it's time to let me use what I learned. To stop reliving your glory days through me and let me run. Which is why I am moving out."
Jay opened his mouth. "We get it," Joan said with a nod to her daughter. "Go. And I hope you find what you're looking for." Rae smiled at her mom as electricity seemed to come around her. When it was gone Rae was no longer in the outfit she had been in. Red pants leading into the yellow belt. Red shirt and yellow shoulder pads. There was a lightning bolt on the front and a mask covering her face. In a second, she was running through the door and out.
"Joan," Jay said seeming upset.
"It's time to let her go," Joan told Jay putting a hand on her husband shoulder. "Every hero has their own journey. You have been guarding her from hers for too long. Hoping she would just do as you say. She'll never be great unless she goes."
"But Superman?" Jay asked her. "I mean Supergirl is right in National she could…." Jay stopped with one look form his wife and sighed. "I just hope she's not disappointed."
-Broken Earth-
As Rae ran onto the farm she paused seeing the man standing there above the pigs throwing food into the pin for the hungry animals. The man turned around and she had to smirk at the face. "Your pretty far from your normal hunting grounds," the man said.
"What?" Rae asked not sure what it meant.
"Your usually seen in Central Ms. Flash. What brings you all the way here?" He explained his sentence.
"Looking for someone," Rae said.
"Not many interesting folks around here," He said putting the bucket down.
"I wouldn't call you uninteresting Clark Kent. Or should I say Superman," Rae said and Clark looked up.
"I think you got the wrong man," Clark said fixing his glasses on his face.
"Those glasses are very good. Toss off facial recognition," Rae said. "But you didn't always wear them." Rae took a picture out of her bag and showed it to Clark. There were two pictures on it. One Clark recognized as his high school picture. The other was clearly a computerized version of the picture aging him up and doing it well. "Ran facial recognition between Superman and it came up with a 99 percent match."
"What made you even think of looking into Clark Kent." Clark asked not even bothering to hide it anymore. Even taking off the glasses.
"Lois Lane," Rae said making Clark give her a glare. "Famous for being the one Superman went to. Being a hero, I knew there was more there. So I looked into who disappeared around the same time she died. Found out her husband, fellow reporter, Clark Kent quit his job and went back to Smallville. Easy deduction from there."
"Congratulations, you figured it out," Clark said tossing the pictures at her. "Now leave."
"No," Rae said with a smirk.
"Look… what' your name. and I don't mean Scarlett speedster or Flash junior or whatever they call you over in your city," Clark said.
"Rachel," Rae said letting her costume disappear around her. "Rachel Garrick, but everyone calls me Rae."
"Look Rachel, I don't want anything to do with this life anymore. I'm a farm boy and that's it," Clark said
"I came a long way to find Superman." Rae stated.
"Superman is dead," Clark yelled. "He died when Lex killed my wife and my son." Lois Lane had been pregnant when she died. Rae knew that from reports. The sex of the baby had never been revealed though.
"No," Rae said shaking her head. "He's not dead. He's broken, but he's there." Rae was stubborn. "And I am saying here until he comes back."
"I could call the cops and have them make you leave," Clark said.
"You'd have to explain why the Flash is on your property," Rae said with a smirk summoning her costume back from the speed force. Clark groaned as he walked towards the house.
"You'll be waiting out here for a long time," Clark said. "And don't you even dare come into the house." Clark slammed the door and Rae smirked going to a large tree on the property. Placing her bag down and sitting down leaning against the tree.
"I can rough it for a bit," Rae mumbled looking at the house.
The next day when Clark woke up he was surprised to find Rae still there. "You're still here," Clark asked.
"Told you I am not going anywhere," Rae said running besides Clark.
Clark gave her a look but went running doing his chores and everything he needed to do at super speed. When he was done he closed the door leaving Rae on the outside. For the next week it continued like this. Rae would be there. Sometimes she would run off but she would then return. Clark at first found it annoying but after a while he found himself looking for her. She becoming comforting. He wouldn't dare let her know as he slammed the door at the end of every day leaving her outside.
It was a little over a week after Rae showed up that their routine changed as Clark got visitors. Rae was at one of the times she was gone when a little man came running at him. "Un Clawk," the little boy yelled.
"Topar," Clark said hugging him seeing his cousin in her superhero outfit. Kara Grant was supposed to be his older cousin but due to an accident with the pod she arrived late. She was now younger. He had entrusted his good friend Cat Grant in taking care of her. When he had chosen to stop being a hero she had stepped up in his stead.
Next to Kara was her husband Mon-El, former prince of Daxam. He had shown up on Earth several years ago and interestingly enough Kara was meant to marry him. If Krypton and Daxam had survived it was going to be an arranged marriage to bring the two worlds together. No longer having to go through with-it Kara had been curious about the man she should have married and found she liked him. The two had decided to go through with the marriage after all and had their own little boy about two years ago.
"Uncle Clark," a little girl said who was standing by Mon. This was Romana, Mon little sister. His parents had shown up not long ago on the verge of death. They had their new daughter with them. Mon and Kara had easily adopted the girl who got used to being raised by her brother and his wife. Also had liked Clark when they had seen each other. Clark brought the girl into a hug as well smiling.
"Thought we would surprise you," Kara said to her cousin.
"Let me go get cleaned up. We can go out," Clark said putting down his work and going into the house.
"What's with this?" Mon asked picking up a backpack under the tree.
Before Kara could say anything there was a flash and the back was out of Mon hand. "That would be mine," Rae said stopping. "Supergirl and Valor. Was wondering how long before I would meet you."
"Flash?" Kara asked. "What are you…."
"I see you met my Imp," Clark said coming out.
"Hey," Rae called out as Topar and Romana laughed. "I'm not an Imp."
"A small mischievous creature that won't go away. Seems to fit you," Clark said and Kara noticed he tried not to smile but he was happy as Rae stuck her tongue out at him. Clark didn't laugh but Kara could see he was holding it back. There was something different about her cousin. "I got to make a delivery and then we can go out to dinner."
"Going out you…"
"Not you," Clark said cutting Rae off.
"Mon go help Clark. I'll stay here with Flash," Kara said and Mon gave her a look but changed into normal clothes and went with Clark in his truck. "So Flash… you have a name?"
"Rae," Rae said. "You Supergirl?"
"Kara," Kara said with a smile. "So what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for Superman to return," Rae said. "I know he's there. He just needs a push." Rae gave a smirk and Kara smiled as Topar came up to Rae.
Rae smiled bending down. "Hey there little guy," Rae said. "Watch this." Rae held out her hand and lighting seemed to come to it but it died down and a ball was in her hand. "Want to play?"
"Yes," Topar called out.
"How fast can you run?" Rae asked.
"Fast," Topar said.
"Think your faster than the Flash." Rae toss the ball and Topar started running for it at his super speed. Rae waited a second before running after him and catching it before he could. The boy laughed and pouted as they continued to play. Rae letting Topar catch it at times. Romana had asked Kara if she could join and Kara easily agreed. Romana running into the game and Rae easily letting the girl join in.
Kara watched laughing as Rae had now grabbed hold of Topar and Romana. The ball disappearing in light as Rae ran with the boy and girl. Up the side of the house and around the farm. The two were having fun with the speeds. "Your good with kids," Kara said as Rae put Topar and Romana down slowing down herself.
"My brother and sister are 12 years younger than me," Rae commented.
"Why such a big difference?" Kara asked.
"When I was born my dad was a speedster," Rae explained. "But the fight with Zoom… he lost his speed. Became just a normal Joe. But I had mine. Two normal parents. One speedster kid."
"They waited until you were old enough to control your powers before having more," Kara said with a nod. "Are your siblings like you?" Rae shook her head to indicate they were not speedsters. "So do you want your own someday?" Kara was pushing but she was curious.
"Yeah," Rae said not even hesitating and Kara smiled as then Mon and Clark returned.
That night as Rae was laying under the tree she heard something and looked up to see Kara. "Sleeping bag," Kara said putting it down on the floor. "Pillows."
"Thank you," Rae said not having thought of doing that. "But why are you?"
"I was meant to protect him. When I came here. I never got the chance and now… well my cousin is broken," Kara said. "And I can't fix him but I think you can." Rae raise an eyebrow. "Don't give up on him. Stay here. Don't worry about Central either. Me and Mon got it."
Rae smiled as Kara flew away Rae got settled into the sleeping bag. The next morning when Clark came out he saw Rae still sleeping there in the bag. He smiled for a moment before straightening up and tossing a bucket near her head waking her up. "You know as long as you're going to be an Imp and stay around here you might as well help. Go feed the chickens."
Rae shrugged grabbing the bucket of food and going into the chicken coop. Forgetting to shut the door behind her and a chicken got out. "Damn," Rae mumbled shutting the door as she went to chase the chicken but somehow the chicken ended up chasing her.
"Seriously?" Clark asked and Rae turned to see he had the chicken. The stupid thing calm with him.
"So I'm not good with birds," Rae said with a shrug. "Give me something else." Clark then directed her on how to pick vegetables. Which one were ready and with her speed it was easy to do.
So the next week went with Rae helping out on the farm and sleeping outside. Until one night when it started to poor and the wind picked up sending her backpack flying. She caught it fast as she went to grab everything else. Clark saw it from his window and opened the door. "Imp," he called having been using that for her. Rae had gotten use to responding to it. "Get in here."
Rae smiled as she grabbed the sleeping bag and pillow and went into the house. She had never been allowed inside the house until now. She was dripping wet and looking through her backpack the zipper had been open. Everything inside was soaked. "Everything soaked," she voiced.
"What about that suit you summon?" Clark asked.
"Speedforce suit and it's not that comfy," Rae said.
"Go to the bathroom. Dry up. I'll get you something," Clark said and Rae easily found the bathroom getting out of her clothes and taking a quick hot shower. "Here." Clark opened the door throwing some things in without looking in.
"Are those boxers?" Rae asked picking up the boxers with the Superman and Supergirl symbol on it.
"Kara bought them online as a joke and they came several sizes too small. Don't fit me but will fit you and you're not hanging out in my house without underwear. Since yours are wet use those," Clark commented.
Rae put the boxers on along with a long shirt Clark had. "The extra room is packed with junk. You're going to need to sleep on the couch," Clark stated having put blankets and pillows on the couch.
"Thank you," Rae said taking the couch happily.
The next morning Clark woke up to the smell of something cooking. When he went into the kitchen he found Rae at the stove and a mountain load of food on the table. "Ah hi," Rae said. "Didn't know what you liked so made a little of everything," Rae said. "Pancakes, French Toast, was going to make waffles but your waffle iron wasn't working. Omelets, several different types. Eggs sunny side up. Bacon, sausage…."
"Everything I get it," Clark said sitting down and taking a little bit of everything on his place. He took a bite of the omelet and paused. "Are you some type of chef?"
"I wish," Rae said. "Always loved cooking and experimenting with food. I mean I have to eat 10,000 calories a day so why not love what I eat. I wanted to become a chef. Maybe even a pastry chef, but my dad wanted me following in his footsteps. Sort of guilted me to going into college and majoring in science. I flunked out. Did meet the people who helped me find you and became my Team Flash."
"Well it's been a long time since anything this good was made here," Clark said as Rae sat down. "Did you say 10,000 calories a day?" Rae nodded. "Basically, what I have to eat." The two together went through the entire breakfast.
As Rae was collecting everything to wash. "Why are you here?" Clark asked.
"Why did I come or why did I stay?" Rae asked not turning around as she continued to wash.
"Why did you come?" Clark asked.
"When my dad lost his speed, he lost part of who he was. And he wanted me to become him so he could live through me. Become the Flash to continue what he was. But that's not why I became the Flash," Rae told Clark. "I became the Flash because of you. I was young but I remember when you were around. How you inspired people. I wanted to be like that. Bring hope. Save people. When you left and people thought you dead I always said you weren't. I just knew it somehow. I needed to find you. Just something in me said it was important."
"Why did you stay?" Clark now asked.
"Because you claim who you were is gone but he's not. He's hurt, but he's still there and I want to see him again. Want to help you," Rae said.
Clark didn't say anything. "My mom use to make Chicken Pot Pie." Clark suddenly said making Rae turn from the sink to look at him. Not sure where the sentence came from or where it was going. "It was her specialty. Since she died I never had any as good. Think you can give it a whirl?"
"I can try," Rae said. "Although might need to go shopping."
"Money in the cookie jar," Clark said pointing at a normal looking cookie jar. "You can use my truck."
"I kind of don't drive," Rae said making Clark raise an eyebrow. "My feet can hit up to mach 2." Clark chuckled.
"Don't get caught running then," Clark said. "It's a small town after all."
Rae gave a nod and got to her day of restocking the house and making a chicken pot pie for Clark. When it was done and she had given Clark a piece she watched him take a bite. Waiting for his verdict. "Well not my moms, but it's good," Clark said with a smile. "Best I have had since. Your father was an idiot for making you go into science. You belong in the kitchen."
"Thank you," Rae said.
"If you want to clean out a spare room you can take a bed there," Clark commented not even looking up as he continued to eat.
"Thank you," Rae said again taking a piece for herself to eat.
Rae did clean out a room and got sheets for her bed. They spent the next week or so in a bit of a routine. Rae cooking as Clark did his work. They were getting comfortable. One day Rae noticed on the TV two people in Metropolis causing trouble. Both meta humans. Seeming to be trying to get money out of an armored truck.
"Is Kara going there?" Rae asked Clark.
"Her and Mon are off world. Topar and Romana are with Cat," Clark said Kara having sent him a message they had a mission for the DEO on another planet.
"Then I got to go," Rae said summoning her Flash outfit. "You coming."
"No," Clark said and watched as Rae ran out. He should go back to his farm work but he had to watch the TV. To see how Rae did.
Rae appeared on the scene. "Hey," Rae yelled out at the two. They were both men and similar enough looks they might be related.
"Flash," the one with the scythe said and tossed some energy at Rae through it. Rae using her speed to dodged as the brother used electric attack. Rae dodging that as well. "I'm Rupture. This is my brother Electro. And we'll be your end.
Rae went to continue dodging attacks going to get close to the two. Getting a punch in on Rupture and tossing lightning bolts at Electro. Rae kept her speed up looking for an opening to knock the two out. Electro shot out some device at her. Rae dodged the device easily enough but the device turned around to follow her connecting to her leg knocking her over. "What the hell?" Rae asked trying to phase through the device but she couldn't. She also couldn't run.
"I studied your powers," Electro said. "And now time to have a little fun." Blue electricity in his hands which he used on Rae. Seeming to have fun with it. Rae used her extra strength to kick at his feet. Electro dodging it and kicking her several times.
"We have a fighter," Rupture said he grabbing the money from the truck. "I think it's time to put an end to this." Rupture took his scythe and went to used it on her but it was caught before it hit her.
Clark had been watching on the TV and he couldn't stand it. He had flown out without any superhero outfit on. He grabbed the scythe from Rupture and broke it in half. "Stay away from her," Clark said.
"Who… who are you," Electro said after Clark took one of his attacks without even flinching.
"Me? I'm Superman," Clark said and both their eyes widen as Clark used his freeze breath and knocked them both out. His anger making the power even stronger. He bent down and broke the device on Rae legs and crushed it into unrecognizable pieces.
Rae was unconscious. A combination of the electrical attacks, getting beaten up, and whatever had been on her feet. Clark pick her up and flew up bringing her back to the farm.
The speed force outfit had disappeared by the time they got home and Clark went to change her out of the clothes. Smirking when he saw she was wearing those boxers he had given her. He put her in the pajamas she had been using as he tucked her into his bed. Sitting there staring at her as she slept.
Clark watched her the whole night until she woke up. "You came for me," she said when she opened her eyes.
"Well… I like my Imp," Clark said. "Your usually better than that. I mean you took down Weather Wizard easily enough. And more than enough meta humans and other criminals"
"Been looking me up?" Rae asked with a small smile.
"You've done well," Clark said. "People notice." That was the only answer he gave.
"Well it's been a while. I guess I need to start practicing again," Rae said and Clark gave a nod. "Maybe I will call my team and get some practice in today." Rae sat up.
"After getting a butt kicking?" Clark asked worried.
"I heal fast," Rae said. "I'll be back later." Rae smiled before summoning her outfit and running off.
Clark stood there for a minute before going to fly out. He got to National and saw Kara and Mon. They had arrived back early in the morning and had Topar and Romana with them having just gotten them from Cat. "How's Rae?" Kara asked having seen the battle. "You went out to help her. I saw…."
"I think I am falling in love with her," Clark said.
"I'll get them breakfast,' Mon said right away not wanting in on this conversation. This was Kara area.
"Okay," Kara said bringing her cousin aside. "And your freaking why?"
"I'm betraying Lois," Clark said.
"Lois has been dead for what 8 years now?" Kara asked. "She would want you to move on. To be happy. Not be this hermit."
"She was my bonded," Clark said.
"I grew up on Krypton. I saw people lose their bonded. It was hard. But they learned to move on. Some even bonded again," Kara said. "Never as deep as the first but it's possible. Clark it's time for you to be happy again. If Rae is the one who makes you happy I think Lois would want you to go for it."
"She's much younger than me," Clark pointed out after a moment. Seeming to agree with Kara about Lois wanting him to be happy.
"So?" Kara asked. "It's not like you look your age. Besides if you go for a girl your own age they have what? A few child bearing years left. Rae is at the prime of her life. And it would be a crime for you to never be a dad."
"I am a dad," Clark mumbled sadly thinking of his dead son.
"I mean really father a kid. Hold them in your arms. Watch them grow," Kara said. "Name them. Your son never even got a name. Clark make a life for yourself. Make it with Rae."
"She will never stop being the Flash," Clark said seeming defeated. As if surrendering to Kara being right.
"No," Kara said knowing Clark was right. "That girl is a superhero. But look at the bright side. You are too." Kara went to go eat breakfast with her family letting Clark think.
"I like Rae," Romana pointed out as Clark got up to go home. Clark paused turning to the girl. "Just so you know." Clark gave a smile as he left through the window.
Later that day Clark was in the house. His Superman outfit hanging one a rail. He had taken it out to fix it up. "Okay so training went well," Rae said as she came in through the door. "Jesse even figured out how to stop similar…." Rae paused. "Is that what I think it is?" A huge smile on her face. "Does this mean…"
Rae was cut off as Clark kissed her. It was a moment before she kissed back. When they separated Rae was stunned. "I was not expecting that," Rae said still stunned and Clark was worried. Rae then kissed him taking the worry away.
Clark hugged her close and moved hair away from her face. "Thanks for sticking around my Imp," Clark finally said after a moment of silence.
Post Chapter Note: so I hope you enjoyed this Earth. Rachel Garrick has a thing for members of the house of el and well aliens in general. Actually I don't think there's a single Rachel Garrick who's not with an alien.
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