The television was on, but he wasn't really paying attention to it. As he sat on the couch, Barry Allen's mind was racing through everything that had happened in the past year and a half. Lois dying, Clark's interventionism, Steppenwolf's invasion, all of it had happened so quickly and now the League was at war with itself. He took a breath and looked at Iris. "I don't know what to think. On the one hand, I agree with Clark, the world needs order, it needs stability, and I don't think the governments of the world have the will or the capability of providing that. But on the other hand, we can't go too far, as we're not elected."
"Yet, you're not out there killing people or telling them what they can wear, what they can think or what they can do or who they can love. Since the league started getting more involved the streets have been a lot safer, crime has gone down and people are starting to feel more at home with one another." Iris pointed out.
Barry sighed. "I know, but everyone keeps saying that the governments of the world are getting annoyed with us. And now that Clark's son is King of the United Kingdom, a lot of them are starting to think he's acting in his son's name." that was something that terrified him, the thought of there being a war.
Iris turned and looked at him. "So, what are you going to do? If you run from this now, you're not going to be making anything better. You keep telling me that it's Diana who keeps pushing for the harsher treatment of criminals, that Diana is the one who seems to be pushing for a more authoritarian look at things. That Bruce is the one who is trying to undermine all the good work that you guys have been doing. Neither of them are seeing things from the middle perspective. But you are. Bear, I know things are difficult now, but running from that won't help."
Iris was right, she always was. "I know, you're right Iris. I just find it hard to reconcile what we're trying to achieve with some of the people that Clark has embraced. People like Katar and Black Adam haven't ever given their people the chance of voicing an opinion. Sinestro, he was an enemy of the League until he swore allegiance to Clark. I'm not sure what Clark's thinking but I'm worried that he's going to go down a dark path that we can't come out of." Barry replied.
"Egypt and Kandhaq are also two of the safest places in the world, and their populations are constantly rated some of the happiest on Earth. As for SInestro, didn't you say that Hal was keeping an eye on him, as was Cyborg?" Iris responded.
"Yes." Barry said.
"Then if something goes wrong, he can easily be dealt with." Iris said. "And I know that it's going to be hard reconciling everything that is happening now, but surely it is better that you are there, to ensure that things are kept right than allowing one side or the other to dominate? Clark listens to you Bear, that's got to count for something."
Barry sighed. "You're right." He kissed his girlfriend then and turned back to the T.V. where the President seemed to be giving a speech to Congress about some bill or the other. He hoped that with time things would settle down, he wasn't entirely convinced though, and that concern was what worried him.
As they watched the President talk, Iris asked him something he'd been thinking over a lot. "Has there been any progress in your dad's case?" His dad had been unfairly imprisoned for a crime he hadn't committed some thirteen years ago, and Barry had been trying to get him out ever since.
"I think Joe said they're going to be having another read through the files again. And after I managed to find some traces of that yellow speedster the other night, I've got some new fibres to analyse." Barry said.
"Who do you think that speedster was?" Iris asked.
Barry shrugged. "I'm not sure. But he definitely knew who I was, he knew what I was going to do and when I was going to do it." Their fight had been something chilling, something he'd never experienced. He'd come back bloodied and bruised, but he'd gained some knowledge on the man. "His fighting style is definitely similar to one I've seen before. I think Zoom had it." Hunter Zolomon a monster who'd come for him and Wally a long time ago.
"Could it have been a student of his, we know that Zolomon was teaching people." Iris asked.
"I'd thought of that, but they're all locked up or dead." Barry replied.
"How interesting. Hopefully it'll be enough to get them to reopen your dad's case." Iris said.
Barry hummed. "Hopefully." He hoped to find the bastard who'd killed his mother and make him pay.