The trip wasn't that bad.
While Wally would've much preferred to run to the UN assembly they decided to fly.
It was the best solution for conserving his energy after all. Wally hadn't eaten since being at Abigail's and although Kaldur appeared light, he most definitely was not.
Plus, Wally thought it was best to keep up Kaldur's princely appearance. He had tried to joke with the boy about this, calling him his highness in between his teases.
And while Kaldur vehemently exclaimed he was not royal, Wally could see just the tinge of smile near the corner of his mouth.
When they arrived, Wally wasn't sure what he expected but he knew whatever it was, it wasn't..this.
The UN building was large, bigger than Oliver's house, bigger than Bruce's house.
It was heavily guarded with an electric force field and had an extended wall that would put Berlin to shame.
Near each tower was perched an automatic gun, and although he knows he technically is faster than them, Wally can't help but sweat a little as one swivels in his direction.
"Ummm are these things usually this….guarded" Wally whispers.
Kaldur nods, "You can never be too careful. With so many leaders in one building, anyone can take advantage. You have seen the chaos when one leader perishes, imagine the chaos should one hundred. We can afford to not take such precautions".
That...does make a lot of sense. Still, Wally feels as if some of these measures are a bit extreme.
Taking Aqualad's weapon he understands. Taking his comm feels like a setup.
It was as if Aqualad was a reluctant enemy more than a welcomed participant.
Still, it definitely wasn't Wally's place to say anything, so he obliges. He watches as the robots take his new cellphone, cringes as they take his comm, and keeps his mouth shut.
They didn't see actual people until they entered the building. Apparently, in order to ensure no vital information is leaked, the UN uses only robots for employees.
Thus the only humans in the building were the political figures. The dominating callous world leaders. Who were kinda any and everything you would expect of world leaders.
Stuffy old men, some stuffy old women.
Some exchanged niceties with each other, their words saturated in too much sugar to ever be authentic. Some argued with each other, anger-filled to the brim as they spat out insults. None of them really acknowledged Kid Flash or Aqualad.
Apparently, they were only interested in having conversations with 'actual' world leaders.
That message unfortunately didn't really reach Kaldur. Smiling sheepishly at Wally, he excused himself as he aimlessly tried his hardest to interact with the snobs.
It was a trainwreck. Almost none of the leaders even spared Kaldur a glance, most of them simply pretended he wasn't there.
When a few of them decided to pretend to not speak English Wally had to look away.
Ugh, why exactly did he offer to come to this place?
"Greetings, Atlantean. We weren't expecting you….in-person. Your King so seldom does come to these meetings " a man said while clasping Aqualad on his shoulder.
At first, Wally was glad, finally, someone was acknowledging Kaldurs presence. But then he looked up and his green eyes met a familiar cool blue.
Andrew Casperson. Senator of Central City.
Beloved son of the President of the United States.
Abigail Capersons father.
Ugh, anybody else would've been better.
Granted, Wally had never officially met the man. But he had heard of him. He does know what Andrew Caperson stands for, it's no secret the man is a bit of a power-hungry asshole.
A really popular power-hungry asshole.
As he spoke, all eyes shifted. Andrew Caperson always had that effect, he was charming, charismatic, magnetic.
He drew people in, he made you look at him. Suddenly no one was ignoring them, no one was looking them over.
Suddenly everyone's eyes were on them. This wouldn't end well.
Caperson makes a show of it, he laughs as he towers over the teens. Points out how he could never do this with Aquaman. He tells Kaldur how brave he is to come here. How proud of him he is. He then outwardly has the balls to wonder if Aquaman believed he was too big to converse at the United Nations. He asked does Atlantis believed themselves to be too good for the surface.
It starts an uproar, a bounty of whispers. It was clear already that many of the leaders didn't care for Atlantis, but now Wally knew why.
Caperson. He was clearly the root of that distrust.
Thankfully Aqualad stepped in before the murmurs can get any louder, "Apologies Sir, but my King had urgent business back home to address. I'm sure you can understand what with all the circumstances".
Solid. A good, quick comeback, one that screams diplomacy.
Classic Kaldur.
Unfortunately, Casperson's reply was just as quick.
"Of course, of course. Please do send my condolences to King Arthur, I heard a few buildings sunk down and a pipe leak broke out by Gothams bay. The trouble your people must be enduring". Beside him, Wally could feel the grimace on Aqualad's face just as clear as he can see the glee on Capersons.
Classic asshole.
Still as bad as Aqualad is feeling he doesn't really let it show in his face for too long. Opting instead his most careful smile as he glances around the room. "I will, and please do not fret, the troubles are not nearly as bad as they are on the surface. Please let us know if Atlantis can assist you all in any way you feel necessary".
Score. No one has a rebuttal for that. Caperson even looks mildly miffed.
"Well then ladies and gentlemen, let's begin our conversation. Atlantean you will be seated near General Amanda Waller''.
Amanda Waller?
Wally shakes his head twice, he knows that name.
He knows, he knows that name, but from where?
Quickly he eyes the woman up, hoping some memory will pass him….but it doesn't.
Amanda Waller. She was a big woman, maybe in her thirties. African American with a short bowl cut and an even shorter temper. She had a plain face and plain suit on, but as she met the boy's eyes Wally could tell she was anything but ordinary.
Amanda Waller was something special.
She cuts her eye contact with Wally almost speedster fast, quickly opting to shake Aqualad's already extended hand.
"It is a pleasure, madam. I'm sure you know Kid Flash", Kaldur said while motioning to a puzzled Wally.
Amanda starts to reply but is instantly cut off.
"Ah yes, the kid who tears up my city every week and leaves me with the bill", Caperson jokes, or at least everyone thinks he's joking.
There is an undertone, it's small but you can hear it if you listen close enough.
That kind of tone, that kind of sugary sneer. It's unmistakable, it lets you know exactly how that person feels.
It was everything but a joke.
Andrew Caperson doesn't like Kid Flash, he doesn't like heroes. But he does love power, and he does know how to control it.
He tells another joke, this one longer and filled with anecdotes of how much tax money is spent on Flash's stomach. He then pinches Wally and tells him if he catches him running around his city again he may have to install speed meters.
Everyone laughs, hard and loud.
Wally just cringes, My city. The way he said it didn't sound right at all.
"Keep it up Andrew and I'm not sure the kid will be able to tolerate another meeting" a portly german man adds.
It was hard to see, truthfully Wally didn't even see it. But Kaldur does, as soon as the words left the german man's mouth, as soon as his voice infiltrated the air, Andrew Caperson's mood sours just the slightest.
"Oh Leften, I didn't think you'd be coming to this. It is only for official government leaders and the acting General of State, after all", Caperson said through his beaming smile.
Leften, the German leader who apparently didn't belong there just smiles back. "Yes, but exceptions are made. Sir Zahn is dealing with matters of security back in Germany. And I was available. I assume you made that same decision for your father Andy. Seeing as the "official" president of your United States isn't here".
Oh, now this time it's not hard to see at all. Andrew Caperson mood definitely is worse.
Still keeping up his political image Caperson doesn't even glare in Leften's direction. He just smiles as he exclaims, "Yes, well our United States was heavily affected, unlike everyone else. The SME was actually used in our area, this meeting may be a security check for all of you, but for America, it is a question of attack. My father clearly had other obligations"
"Clearly", Leften adds.
It was this moment Amanda Waller choose to roll her eyes and take command of the room, "If you boys are finished, we have bigger things to worry about than why you two, who have consistently represented your countries continue to question the attendance of the other".
"Ah yes, the meeting of course Amanda you may-
"Not yet. I understand the Atlantean, he represents his country. But I will not carelessly ignore the fact that another League member has not only infiltrated the United Nations' most secure building but also believes he may insert himself in world conversations. Kid Flash has no reason to be here and unless you all have something to tell me I can not fathom why any of you would be comfortable with this" Amanda spats, eyeing up Kid Flash as she finishes.
It gets quiet then, no one said a word. It's almost criminal how instant the room is captivated. Everyone, every single person there is silent. No one even blinks, they just stare at her. They wait for her.
Wally was right, Amanda Waller was anything but ordinary.
Caperson is the first to break out of the trance, he smiles and gains the attention of nearly every person as he agrees with Amanda. " While I do hate to admit it, especially against a Central City heroin, Waller has a point".
And just like that everyone is questioning it.
What is he doing here?
Who sent him?
Should Justice League members really be infiltrating world conversations?
Suddenly the room feels a bit smaller.
In the midst of the argument, Kaldur takes center stage. He addresses Caperson, but that's just to ensure everyone else will listen. "While I am quite versed in surface dwellers' languages I sometimes fail to note certain customs. Kid Flash is to serve as my translator".
Okay, that was believable. Truthfully, Kaldur does need a translator for most surface conversations.
It was apparently a good enough save that everyone let that subject drop.
Well…...almost everyone. Even as everyone took their seats, even as everyone began participating in the discussion, Wally could still feel her cold, hard gaze.
Amanda Waller, she was not one to overlook.
Still, Wally at least attempted to ignore her. He was here to support Kaldur after all. Plus the SME was something he is concerned about, he should pay attention. He shouldn't care what Amanda Waller thought of him. Or why she seemed so familiar.
He just needed to focus on the meeting. Just focus on the SME convo, and he's a okay.
Ugh, If only it wasn't so boring.
In the beginning, it was just the leaders of the main powers arguing over who could cause this. The French diplomat swore while the Russian diplomat yelled, everyone in between either added to the chaos or helplessly tried to stop it.
This went on for hours, literally. It was nearly 5 am and they were still going.
Wally almost yelped for joy when Caperson added a short recess.
"I have never met people who like to argue so much in my life", Wally groaned as he stretched his super sore muscles. He had been sitting down for hours, fucking hours.
"While I agree it is a bit tedious, I must also say conversation is better than the alternative", Aqualad points out.
Wally groans. Yes, Kaldur is right. At least no one was fighting but still, damn, they're never gonna figure out who it is if all they do is point the finger at each other all day.
"Ugh, and you do this often, seriously man I can't imagine" Wally adds.
Because seriously he couldn't. When he first offered he simply was trying to extend an olive branch. Give Kaldur someone in his corner.
He couldn't imagine actually be subjected to the crap, consistently.
Kaldur grins, "I'm not a participant as much as you would think. It took quite a while for your people to accept Atlantis within these conversations, and even then his Highness does usually attend, despite what Caperson claims".
Instantly Wally sours, "Yeah, I would apologize and say he is ass and no one in Central city likes him -"
"But you'd be lying, and causing this poor Atlantean to make a formidable enemy. Though your first statement is true, best not to say it out loud lad. Words have power here more thzan anyvwhere " the german man from earlier interrupts. His vowels extending large and wide as v's end nearly every word.
He waddles over to the duo, a smile planted firmly on his face.
It was probably the first genuine smile Wally had seen since he came into the building, so he couldn't help but mirror it back.
Aqualad is quick to follow, "Ah, representing Germany Mr. Leften-
"Cvall me Lefty everyone calls me Lefty", the man exclaims. As he now stands in front of the duo, he beams even wider. "Non, you can relax. I may be big and fellow asshole to many here but I promise I never bite child ".
Aqualad squits, "I'm sorry I'm not sure I-
"It means he's cool" Wally supplies, smile still heavy. He hadn't forgotten Lefty's save from earlier.
"Eh vright. Though I do understand your reluctance Atlantean. Image is everything after all" Lefty adds, he then gestures to Kaldur once more, "Which I'm sure you know, judging by your attire".
Wally can't help but chuckle. He told Kaldur the cape was overdoing it. He goes to tell Lefty just this and the man laughs as Kaldur's ears turn a smidge of red.
"This is most inappropriate", Kaldur flushes, "and it's not that bad".
That only causes Wally to laugh harder, and he has to press his hand against his mouth to keep the sound low.
Lefty stops altogether, though the smile is still present, "Non, it's not. In all actuality it is suitable and it makes everyone here know that Atlantis while strong in warfare may also be strong in partnership".
Aqualad perks, "Really".
"Ja, If you can't tell it's one of the reasons I'm speaking with you actually. Germany could use a better alliance, America is winding one. Ah, no offense Flash Child".
"Kid Flash" Wally whines, and this time Kaldur has to literally fight his own smile.
Lefty wasn't all that bad, he presumed. Though he did not trust the man, Kaldur could appreciate his personality. He could entertain the thought of an alliance if only to keep things amicable.
Besides Kid Flash liked him, and Kaldur trusted his judgment.
But of course, Andrew Caperson could never let that happen, "Ah, come now. I do hope you're not scaring the poor Atlantean away Oberlinki" he said while scooting right in the middle of the conversation.
In the back of his head Wally heard Lefty scoff, he heard Kaldur politely refute Capersons claim. He heard it but he really stopped listening after Capersons first sentence.
Leften, Leften Oberliki.
Shit. Chad's Dad.
First, he nearly shits himself dealing with Abby's Dad. And now he fucking makes best friends with Chad's Dad.
Chad's seriously messed up Dad. His super fucking strict dad, who Chad complains about all the time.
Who doesn't exactly fit the description of...Lefty at all.
Which could only mean one of two things. One, Chad has no idea how fucking lucky he is to have a dad like that. Or two, Wally has no idea who the real Lefty is.
He squints, if there one thing Wally knows it's things are not always what they seem.
And if that's the case, then neither are people.
"Ahhhhh, where the bathroom. I really have to go", Wally said. Awkwardly interrupting the three men in their fake exchange.
For what it's worth the men don't seem to off-put by the interruption.
"It's three halls down the stairs to your right", Lefty happily supplies.
Wally winces, he definitely can hear the fakeness in Leftys voice now. He's troubled that he couldn't before. "Great, Come on Aqualad", he said, while gripping taller boys' arms.
He pulls and pulls, But Aqualad doesn't budge.
Finally, after what seems like an incessant amount of resiting, Kaldur slowly removes Wally's arm. "Kid Flash, while I appreciate your concern I do not need to relieve myself besides it would be most improper to miss the remainder of the meeting".
"But-
"I will be here when you return, probably not even seated before so".
"But dude I really think you should-
"I think you should go before you cause more of a scene", Kaldur exclaims, leader voice apparent by his very tone. " I am fine".
He said it quickly but affirmed. Kaldur said it in a tone he hopes will convey just how important this meeting is to him. He doesn't understand what Kid Flash is saying, but he knows he's is not required to go with him to the bathroom.
He doesn't yell but he does extend his voice, he wants Kid Flash to see as Atlantis representative he can not allow a second of the meeting to continue without his presence.
He hopes Kid Flash can see that.
Kid Flash doesn't.
Wally frowns, no Kaldur didn't yell but he….. He didn't listen.
He should at least listen to him.
It is then that Wally is reminded of his once sour mantra.
They aren't friends.
Well shit. Fine. If Kaldur didn't want to listen to him, fine.
He glares, though he still doesn't feel right leaving Kaldur he's angry enough to justify five minutes. Its not like Leften Oberlinki can really do much damage.
Besides he has appearances to keep up. So hiding his frown beneath his smile, he beams up at the three men, bites off an okay, and jets off.
Zipping across the room he expected to get there in record time. Wash his hands, maybe stare at the mirror or something for a minute. He didn't exactly have to use the bathroom, but he can count on Caperson noticing if he didn't at least look like he did.
What he didn't count on was getting lost on his way back.
Seriously, how big was this place, Wally huffed.
Not that he was really complaining. He actually much preferred walking around the big ole museum-like building than listening to the world leaders argue again.
Besides Kaldur was fine, he nearly grumbled.
At one point he decided to stop looking for the way back and to explore the place just a little.
It was fun, at first. Treating it as a museum Wally zipped through as many weird sculptures as he could. He gave the particularly weird ones extra special attention, he even named them.
He was working on the name for a peculiar watercolor when he heard it.
Whispers, two people. One was quiet and firm, but the other was rushed, loud, almost angry.
Now Wallys no father time, but he is almost certain the meeting started back up. There were no employees so no one else should be here.
So who exactly had snuck to the back of the building.
And why?
Inching closer to the noise Wally prayed to the clumsy gods he wouldn't make a sound as the voices got louder. They were coming from a room to the left, the door was closed and Wally would bet you half his life savings it was probably locked too.
He couldn't see whoever was in there, but he could still hear them. And although he knows it was wrong, he couldn't help but listen just a little.
"Is this all necessary Amanda, shouldn't we focus on who has the damn SME? '' a man's voice boomed. This was a voice from earlier, the frantic one, the angry one. Unfortunately, that was the only identifier Wally could really offer. He wasn't sure who this voice belonged to, he doesn't remember them speaking in the meeting at all.
He doesn't have much time to even ponder it before the second voice whispers.
"That focus is unnecessary. Let Caperson and his follies do that. Whoever is doing this has an idea of what's on those drives, that's what I'm concerned about. Xio Shu was killed after he was pilfered. Toler is not answering, I shouldn't have to tell you how important that line of communication is. You will supervise the investigation team".
That was Amanda Waller. Calm and cold Amanda Waller.
Wally furrows his brows, what exactly is going on.
The man scoffed, "It's not like I can just up and leave. I represent my country, you know. This is a UN meeting, I could be killed for treason in Vlatava".
"You could be killed for treason now. If the Vlatava people knew what you really did, if they knew who you really were. Do you think they'd waste a second wondering if they should kill you?", Amanda exclaims, pausing a bit towards the end. Then in almost a sarcastic voice, she adds, "Or do you think they won't wonder at all. Do you think they'll act with the same bravado they used as they gutted your mother? Life is full of choices Werner, decide".
Werner, whoever that is doesn't say anything for the longest string of seconds. Wally almost thought he had left, but then the man sighs,"And if you are right? If Toler is compromised".
"Then I'll handle it", Amanda instantly replies. She then shuffles almost as if she's grabbing something. As she does this Wally presses his ear even firmer on the door and curses whoever for not giving him x-ray vision.
All while this is happening the man is huffing. Finally, he stops his whining to himself and spits out, "How can you be so sure?".
Amanda speaks once more, this time Wally can hear her smile loudly as she exclaims, "Because getting people to act in my best interest is what I do for a living. I want this done before they can issue a second blackout, you'll lead the Suicide squad. Kill Toler if necessary but retrieve the drive".
Wait. what.
What the fuck is she talking about, drives? Suicide squad? A second blackout?
Wally didn't even give himself much time to ponder it as he ran to find Aqualad. He curses as he runs endlessly around this stupid building, why the fuck did he let the dumb robots take his comm.
He has to warn the team, He has to tell the League.
He has too before-
He pauses, there is a buzz in the air. The lights start blinking and then suddenly they just stop. Everything stops the cameras, the guns, the robots.
Is this the second blackout? Why now? What's going on?
He doesn't get to question it. He doesn't even get to adjust to the darkness.
Suddenly the ground shifts, there is a loud string of explosions and Wally has but a second to blink at them before concrete beneath him is falling.
The fuck.
Sure he knows the first blackout caused some car crashes, planes, and stuff but explosions? He knows what an SME is capable of but this…..this seemed fishy. He can't shake the feeling that this wasn't just the second blackout.
He huffs, barely scraping by as flips his goggles over his eyes. It's pitch fucking black in here and he needs to fucking see. But the goggles don't come on, and he still can't see anything as a loud boom hits his ear and more parts of the building explode.
Okay, no goggles means it's defiantly the second blackout. The SME is being used again.
So why? Why can't he shake this feeling?
He swallows, he has to find Kaldur. He has to find him fucking fast.
He zooms across the room avoiding whatever scraps he could, but the light plays tricks and he trips before he can even feel the edge of the broken floor.
When he falls his chin is scraped, his googles cracked. He shuffles to help himself up, but he stops when he hears a very telling sound.
Piercing, ear throbbing, the sound of bullets hitting their mark effortlessly.
Then screaming, he pales.
He was right and he was wrong.
It was the second blackout, it was the SME again.
But it was something else too. It was someone else too.
The second blackout had begun and the UN was under attack.
Okaaaaay Chappie 18 an 19. Two for one special! Not really lol, this is really one chapter n I broke it up again. But Vwalla I give you new chappies! And Wally chappies at that. I've been away for a long while, I sorry. But it's summer so maybe more frequent updates? Maybeeeeee lol.
But on with the story. I wanna be clear technically speaking this is right after CH.14 for Wally. It's just giving you a rundown on what he's doing while Jinx is on the Toler mission, I hope that wasn't too confusing. But on to what he's doing, starting with Ch. 18. So our boy is still going through it obviously life turning to shit n all that, but I also present to you Kaldur. Gaaaaah I love him. I actually wanna do a story centered on him too, but I'm waiting. But back to him, I touched a bit on Kaldur and Wally's relationship in Ch.1 n brought a little of it back now. I know some ppl are gonna be mad at Wallys whole "were not friends" statement but I wanna clear this is a stressed, abused and super vulnerable Wally saying this. He genuinely feels like no one likes him, and he just lost one of his closest friends. ( Not really lol but he thinks so). So anyways that on top of the fact that he really only knows Kaldur through the team prompted him to think that. But back to Kaldur, gaaah such an adorably clueless careful little socially awkward bean. He truly does not get enough chops. I touched a bit on his personality as well as his naivety, but there is so much more. He's an onion n you've really only seen the first layer.
As for the UN meeting, not my technically most exciting chapter but a lot of hints and plot motions were dropped. I also really wanted to showcase not only was the SME again a villain and hero problem but a world problem. Like again, this weapon is highly illegal and super hard to come by. Of course, everyone freaking out lol. This chapter is super essential, plus I had been dragging Andrew Capersons name so much through the story it felt really needed to showcase his personality. Which by the way how are we feeling about Caperson? How about Lefty. I feel like as introductions it's truly unfair to really ask when they're so many gems with these two characters planned. But you'll see that soon.
Also, Amanda Waller is amazing and great and I'm so happy to finally include her. If you look in some of my past chapters I dropped a lot of hints about her coming appearance. But anyway any guesses on how Wally knows her name? Any guesses on who she was talking to? Also, I wanna stress if it wasn't clear Amanda has no idea who the SME mastermind is, she just really cares more about the drives than figuring it out. Which also gave ya a big hint on what's on these drives, please gimme your guesses. Finally the second blackout. Again this chapter is just showing you what Wally was doing while Jinx was on the Toler mission. With that being said, can anyone guess who the hell is attacking the UN, right when the second blackout is ignited? Small hint in this chapter.
Well ig that's enough rambling. Thank you all so much for reading, your reviews and love motivate me so much. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks again.
Review Responses
Grungekitty
Hey! Thanks so much for reviewing. Hmmmmm is Brother Blood involved, idk ig you'll just have to keep reading and see lol. The young justice team is involved lol, I just haven't showcased it because I've been focusing on Jinx and Wally. I did show a bit with Artemis but I will show more of the team soon. Like really soon lol. There are things going on in the background I haven't touched on yet also, like the Justice League meeting for example. The team is involved though, they very much are needed and essential to the story. I'm sorry it was so long lol. I broke it up after reading that, I'll try to be more cautious of word length. Thanks again for reading.
Candle
Thank youuuuuuuuuuu so much! I'm glad you like their personalities. Really warmed my heart to see your message.
JessyLynnAwesome
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind review. Literally was smiling so hard when I read it. I'm super glad you gave it a second chance lol. ANd I'm so happy you felt the feels! Barry, Artemis and Iris are supposed to make you feel that lol. I kinda feel like in any abuse situation ppl who don't catch the signs give ya that feeling, I just amplified it with those three. But in their defense, I will also say this while yes I make Barry and Iris incredibly naive and clueless lol, I also point out a lot of distractions. Barry and Iris both got promotions for example, Iris being Rudy's half-sister and never living with him, Rudy lying etc. I also make it clear that Wally himself is a liar and a pretty good one. So not only is their view of Rudy so distorted that they would think he would never, they also just trust Wally blindly when he said he "having a bad day". Artemis is a bit selfish here but that's purposeful and to also showcase Artemis's major fault, she's unsure and fearful of her own humanity. I touched on this a bit in Chapter 2, she doesn't understand rela relationships because shes never been in one or even seen one. She also just makes assumptions without base. In other word ashes a judgy person who doesn't like to be judged, but that's all because of her past and own trauma. Still terrible n your right they should notice but I wanted to be clear, they do all have their distractions. You are totally right though about everything especially the relationship bit. It's not exactly wrapping up soon but some plot ends are closing soon, if that makes sense. Not spoiling but yeah some truths will be unveiled, n some people will feel really bad. Thanks again.
Guest
Thank you! I'm super glad you like the story. Uhhhhhhhhhh not saying anything really, lol.
Welp, thanks again, everyone. Hope you enjoyed it, please review n tell me what ya think. See ya soon.