Chapter 113: The Battle of Earth-1

Despite the inherent danger of being in Central City at the moment, this did not stop several news stations in the surrounding area from sending in helicopters for air coverage of the battle. Of course, the reporters and cameramen would be greatly compensated if they managed to survive the battle (and their families would be if they didn't). Which was all well and good, because it seemed the battle would not be abating anytime soon.

Already, it had spread to every part of the city. Supergirl had immediately gone after the biggest guy she could find (in this case, the ever-growing Atom Smasher) and began trading punches with him. Martian Manhunter was abusing his intangibility and invisibility like no tomorrow, ambushing criminal after criminal without remorse.

Vixen had similar plans in mind, using the speed of the Cheetah, the strong legs of animals like goats and antelopes, and the strength of a gorilla and the like to take down enemies, aiming strategically for places that would go for an instant knockout. Usually the head. Black Lightning was very much the same, absorbing and manipulating electricity to hit various metas before they could attack back, showing absolutely no mercy whatsoever.

Racing through the rest of the city were Green Arrow and Black Canary. While Canary directed the motorcycle they were on to avoid obstacles and shake tails, Arrow used his impeccable aim to cripple as many enemies as possible, or even kill if they were about to harm an innocent civilian or a fellow soldier. Considering the situation, no one was holding it against him.

Yet, the most entrancing sight were the constant clashes between dark gold and blue lightning, between the Flash and Zoom. The entire world had been stunned to see the hero that had so publicly disintegrated on a live feed back to life, even as their hearts filled with desperate hope again. No doubt, he would need to explain himself as to where he went if he won. And the Flash was very intent on winning, judging by how he didn't even bother to acknowledge any other enemy but Zoom since he had arrived back to Central City.

The world watched as the battle continued to rage. But unbeknown to them, the crux of their victory did not lie with any of the Justice League. No, the fate of the world would be decided in the seemingly-abandoned building where Central City's metahuman troubles first began.

"Freaking meta-dampening bullets," Floyd Lawton cursed as he shot another attacking metahuman in the chest, putting her down with extreme prejudice. "How the hell did your kid make these, Wilson? How much free time does he have?"

"He's a speedster, Lawton," Slade retorted, slashing down another criminal. "What do you think?"

"Can you two stop with the bitching?" Plastique grumbled as she grabbed the arm of an approaching meta and slammed her elbow into his head, knocking him out. "We need to get the civvies downstairs, in case you haven't noticed!"

Said three civilians, who were currently hiding out next to the cart with their guns at the ready to shoot, vigorously nodded. Slade sighed and cut down the last metahuman. Finally. There were probably more downstairs, but whatever. At least it meant they could move.

Once the coast was declared clear, Slade pushed the cart to the elevator and stayed inside to guard it. The elevator was only so big, so two trips had to be made to bring everyone and everything over downstairs. After that was done, they pushed the cart down the hall, towards the direction of the breach room where the pulse machine was to be set up. However, they quickly got distracted when they crossed the entrance of the Cortex and were attacked by the two metahumans in there. They were quickly cut down, exposing why they were there.

The three members of Task Force X exchanged looks before going to the captive, their boss Amanda Waller, and untying her. "What's the situation outside?" Amanda demanded the moment the gag had been removed from her mouth.

The remains of Task Force X cringed.

Amanda closed her eyes. "Figures. Anything else I should know?"

"The Flash is alive and is currently engaging Zoom in battle," Plastique quickly reported, "The rest of the Justice League are fighting with the military against Zoom's army. Vibe, Firestorm, and Pied Piper are holding off the metahumans outside from following us. And we're currently heading downstairs to set up the machine that's supposed to take out all the Earth-2 metas."

To Amanda's credit, she hardly reacted to any of Plastique's report, merely raising an eyebrow when she heard that Barry was alive. After the report was finished, she shot a look towards Deadshot. "You got a spare, Lawton?"

Lawton grumbled but produced the spare from his back, handing it to her. "What do you need it for?"

"I'm going with you, of course," Amanda told him, checking the gun's bullet chamber to make sure it was fully-loaded.

Slade blinked. "Shouldn't you try to find somewhere safe to stay instead? You've just gotten out of captivity."

Amanda gave him a flat look. "Wilson, nowhere in this city is safe. Hell, nowhere in this building is safe. If I'm stuck here, I might as well make myself useful. Now come on — this machine isn't going to set itself up."

The Flash breathed heavily as Zoom and him began to circle each other after their latest clash. It had been cat and mouse so far, with each of them landing harsh blows but no one taking the upper hand. Of course, the raging battle around them didn't help matters. Even though both of them were trying to focus on each other and each other alone, trying to keep their footing, that didn't stop others from trying to intervene. Most were from Zoom's side, no doubt trying to curry favor with the evil speedster in his future regime. Some, however, were from his side, probably wishing to help him so he could focus on other threats and this battle faster for them. While he couldn't begrudge their help, he had warned them off it regardless. They would only be in the way.

"Getting tired, Flash?"

"Like you're one to talk, Zoom. I'm not the only one of us trying to catch their breath."

Zoom tilted his head. "Perhaps so. But I've recovered enough to keep going. And out of respect, I'll let you have your rest and we can continue our duel later."

Barry narrowed his eyes. That couldn't be all there was to it.

"In the meantime," Zoom continued, voice deceptively innocent. "Why don't I visit that friend of yours? Iris West, isn't it?"

Barry's eyes widened. "You son of a—"

Zoom sped away. The Flash, as always, chased.

Iris West aimed and fired, hitting the metahuman in gaudy white makeup center-mass, seeing her father do the same with another metahuman. Then they relaxed for a moment as they watched their opponents drop. For whatever reason, the hospital hadn't been swamped nearly as much as originally assumed. The approaching army of metahumans had suddenly changed tract and went in the opposite direction, leaving behind a smaller force that they were, for the most part, able to hold back.

"Something must have happened on the other side of town. Maybe the military got involved," Joe whispered over to her, eyes alert, "Or the Justice League came back. Zoom would want to get rid of them as quickly as possible so he won't lose too many forces. He hasn't consolidated his rule here in Central City, after all." The fact that they were defending the CC General Hospital from the speedster's army was proof enough of that.

"Figures. He wants the whole planet, doesn't he?" Iris scowled. "He needs to prove he can back his claims before people start throwing their lot in with him for real. It's one thing to terrify the population of Iron Heights into following him, they're already scared of speedsters because of…" she trailed off, biting her lip and closing her eyes. It was hard saying his superhero name, let alone his real name.

"Yeah," Joe grunted. "If he wants everyone else, he's going to need a little bit more cred. Though, to be honest, this attack on our city is giving him plenty."

WHOOSH!

"That's good to hear."

The entire defensive line of CC General froze as the dark figure of Zoom arrived, observing them all with amusement. "Detective West, Officer West," he greeted Joe and Iris.

"YOU!" Iris suddenly screeched, enraged and with tears in her eyes. She aimed her gun directly at Zoom and fired.

Zoom scoffed before plucking the bullet from the air and chucking it away. "You should know better than that, Iris West," he chuckled, before zipping away, taking Iris with him.

"IRIS!" Joe screamed, nearly dropping his gun as he watched the line of blue lightning carry his daughter off. He was about to chase after them, regardless of the danger, until another swish of wind stopped him.

The detective watched in shock as a familiar trail of dark gold lightning chased after them, his mouth dropping open. "Was that…" he inhaled, "…the Flash?"

Iris would've fought the bastard's claw off her throat if they weren't moving so fast. As it was, she simply glared up at him angrily, trying not to cry. She wasn't going to let this monster see her tears. Not after he had already taken so much from her.

Finally, they stopped in one of the parks. It had been cleared out entirely, now just a dump of burning debris. The metahumans responsible for its destruction were too busy fighting off the army to continue lounging around the place. Iris would've lamented its state, had she not been too distracted by Zoom — unquestionably the man she hated most in the world.

"You killed Barry," she hissed.

"I did," Zoom grinned. "Why don't I send you off to meet him?" He began vibrating his hand, aiming directly for her heart.

Iris closed her eyes, and waited for the final blow to come. There had been so many things she still wanted to do with her life, but if this was the end, then at least she'd get to be with her best friend again. I'm coming, Barry.

"NO!"

The cop gasped as she was dropped to her feet, as a red blur slammed into Zoom and pinned him to the ground. Iris breathed in deeply, adopting a stunned expression as she watched what looked like the Flash pinning Zoom to the ground and punching the super villain repeatedly in the face.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!" The Flash look-alike roared. "DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH HER! NOT EVER AGAIN!"

Zoom suddenly kneed him in the groin. The Flash winced, which was all the opportunity Zoom needed to get out from under his opponent to flee and regroup. Slowly, Flash got up to his feet, and realizing that his enemy was out of his sight, he turned around to finally look at Iris.

The two stared at each other for a long moment, before Iris found herself once again in another speedster's hold, traveling at extreme speeds. Except this speedster was a lot more gentle with her, and she… she couldn't help but curl into him.

They stopped again, and he set her down. She was back at the hospital, right outside where she had been taken, except completely out of sight and earshot. Which was well and good, because she couldn't stop gazing at the Flash.

"Is it you?" she whispered out, the words leaving her mouth almost instantaneously.

The Flash finally met her eyes with his, and there was no mistaking it. Those were her Barry's eyes. Iris felt a sob leave her mouth, a high keening sound that would soften the hardest of hearts, and she threw her arms around her friend, her oldest and dearest and closest friend, uncaring of whoever else would see. Barry froze for a moment, before his body loosened as much as it could in this kind of situation, and returned the embrace.

"I thought I lost you again…!" Iris wailed into his chest.

"You didn't," Barry murmured back. "I'm here. I'm here."

He let her sob for a minute, holding her close and rubbing circles into her back. Eventually, her tears began to subside, and she began sniffling instead, reluctantly removing her head from her best friend's chest to look at him. She would've liked to keep hearing his heartbeat, the unmistakable proof that he was alive, but she was becoming increasingly aware of the battle surrounding them.

"Iris," Barry finally said, sounding every bit as sad and reluctant as she felt, "I'm sorry, but I need to go."

"I know," Iris conceded. "But Barry…" she hiccupped, "… I don't care about what you do to him. I don't. After everything he's done, whatever you do will be no less than what he deserves. But Barry, before all that, you need to win. You need to win, and you need to come back to us, all of us, alive. We can't lose you again."

"Iris…"

"This city needs you, Barry. Your friends need you. Your family needs you," Iris paused, her breath hitching for a moment, "I need you. I…" She leaned forward, grasping her hands into his suit and burying her head into his chest. "Just promise me you'll win, and you'll come back. Please, Barry. That's all that I ask."

Barry wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I promise, Iris. I promise." He then let her go, leaning down to once again look her in the eye. "Now go. And stay safe, alright?"

Iris nodded slowly. "I will, Barry. I…"

Barry placed a hand on her shoulder, cutting her off. Then, he dropped his mask just for a moment, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. With that final gesture of affection, he sped off, no doubt intent on continuing his battle with Zoom. Iris watched him go, pressing a hand to her heart, almost forgetting the chaos surrounding her.

"… love you." Iris felt the world around her stop as the words she spoke registered in her mind.

I love you.

A gasp, and another stifled cry.

I love you. I think I always have.

Green Arrow growled as he felt the quiver on his back growing lighter and lighter. He was running out of arrows. There was a spare pack hidden in the compartment of the motorcycle, but considering the number of enemies they were dealing with, that pack would only last so long as well.

Eventually, he reached his last arrow, and grunted. He swung the quiver off, careful not to destabilize Black Canary as he dumped it off the cycle (and taking great pleasure in how it hit one of the metas who had been about to kill a soldier with what looked like to be vines). He quickly replaced it with the one stored at the back of the motorcycle, before drawing another arrow and aiming.

"Arrow!"

He had just let the arrow loose when he heard his partner's cry, and turned to look back at her. He froze when he saw what she saw — a metahuman, who looked like he had the power of hydrokinesis by the looks of it, had just spilled a flood of water on the road. Already, he could begin to feel the motorcycle begin to destabilize and slide away.

"Canary, grab onto me!" Green Arrow quickly ordered. Black Canary obeyed, wrapping her arms around his waist and freeing her legs, allowing him to fire one of his grappling line arrows into a nearby ledge. The line pulled them forward, holding them into the air as the motorcycle fully slid onto its side, before eventually crashing into the road in a fiery explosion.

Canary grimaced. "I guess we should be grateful that was a prototype?"

Arrow mimicked her expression. "Well, at least Flash knows which feature he'll have to add next."

The two dropped to the ground, catching their breaths. Canary quickly drew her tonfas as Arrow notched another arrow, and the two stood back-to-back as they were quickly surrounded. It wasn't an unfamiliar position, except their opponents usually weren't metahumans. It didn't matter, either way. If they were going to go down, they were going to go down fighting.

Before this next fight could begin, however, both their comms buzzed to life. "Yamashiro to Justice League, Yamashiro to League," Maseo's voice entered their ears, sounding oddly relieved. "The reinforcements are here."

"Reinforcements?" Canary asked, confused.

As if to answer her, a glowing green energy suddenly surrounded them, before pulsing out with multiple boxing gloves, each of which struck the hostile metahumans, knocking them out. Green Arrow and Black Canary blinked, dropping their defensive stances in shock. They hadn't expected to see that.

"Hey," a masculine voice entered the silence, "Need some help?"

The vigilantes looked up to see a man with brunette hair, in a green and black leotard and a green domino mask, floating above him. His entire outline was growing green, in fact, and the solid energy surrounding them seemed to be originating from the ring on his finger. He was smirking.

Green Arrow, never one to be easily perturbed, gaped. "You're…"

The man's smirk widened. "Green Lantern," the newly-dubbed Green Lantern proclaimed, "Protector of Coast City."

And after chapters and chapters of hints, he's finally here: Hal Jordan, everyone! And yes, he'll be joining the Justice League. And he won't be the only one, to say the least.

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