DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY PROPERTIES OWNED BY DISNEY OR WARNER BROS. IF I DID, THINGS WOULD BE A LOT DIFFERENT. For past reference, this is a direct sequel to Batman: Thawing a Frozen Heart, and for future reference, chapters 6 & 19 don't need to be read to understand the entire story. They serve as explanation to what happens, and they should be read separately and consecutively from the rest of the story. Also, I rewrote Blue Beetle's origin, as he hasn't existed in this universe.

Chapter 1

There had been no eyewitnesses the day it happened. The day the Fastest Man Alive died in combat. So for a few days, the Justice League didn't say anything to the world. That was, until someone strange showed up on their doorstep.

What the Justice League didn't know was that in another universe, a battle had been ravaging the Earth. A battle that was similar to one a certain villain had foreseen. Eobard Thawne, or more commonly known as the Reverse Flash, had seen a vision that showed him a Mad Titan destroying the Justice League and the Earth. All because he defeated the Flash. He was forced to reverse his actions, but managed to escape. However, upon returning from his quarrel with the scarlet speedster, he had walked right into the hands of Lex Luthor, and without the aid of his powers, he had no choice but to follow Luthor's game. With help from Thawne, the multibillionaire had funded the construction of several dimensional portals, each one capable of opening a doorway into another universe. The reason for doing so was that Thawne had informed him an invasion was coming, by a being of great power from another universe, and he would defeat them. Luthor knew there was nothing he could do to stop it, so why not join it? But, unfortunately for him, the world had once again been saved by the heroes, although at the expense of one of them. The Mad Titan had been told of the failed invasion, and he knew he would have to do it himself.

The Justice League, on the other hand, had been in the dark, almost completely. The only warning they'd received from the Flash had been of an imminent crisis. It had been noted, but not investigated. Of course, even if it were investigated, they wouldn't have gotten anywhere. Not with what little information they had. So the days had gone by, until finally, invasion arrived. A warning from Batman had gotten them ready, but it had been the Flash who made the ultimate sacrifice to save Earth. During all the time he was dead, though, nobody mourned him more than his lady. She had been the first one informed, by Batman himself. In fact, shortly after the visit to her, Batman had started to work on a plan to bring back the scarlet speedster...

A full day after Barry Allen's death, Batman was investigating a way to bring him back. The world's greatest detective had had suspicions about what Barry had called a 'coming crisis'. He reasoned Eobard Thawne left Barry alive to go on to help against an invasion of some sort, but the one that had just taken place seemed too easy. Too fast. Something wasn't adding up. Not to mention the fact the mastermind behind the attack was never found. The only bodies they recovered were those of the Chitauri soldiers, who weren't even alive to begin with.

For Batman, this was further proof that the so-called 'invasion' was really only a prelude to the true invasion. It was only a matter of time. He figured the Chitauri had only been a force to weaken the heroes of the Earth. And they had succeeded, destroying their most powerful player. If another attack came, this time they wouldn't be able to defend the Earth. And so, Batman began forming plans to revive the fastest man alive.

Though he was mourning, he knew he was the only one in the world who would attempt what he needed to do. His first option he had thought of was the Lazarus Pit. It had been used by Ra's Al Ghul several times to keep himself alive over the span of centuries. It was said to have mystical resuscitation power in its waters, but it was also said it had a chance of bringing back half of a person only. Not the person's entire mind.

He had been looking for a solution to this on the Batcomputer when Elsa, the woman who gave him peace during his hardest moments, entered the cave.

"You're up rather late, Bruce," she called, as she descended the stairs. He didn't respond. His fingers kept pounding the keys.

Elsa walked up to him, him facing the monitor, and she laid her hands on his shoulders. It didn't cause him to move, or even flinch at all.

"You need to rest," she tried to persuade, trying to get him away from the computer.

"Elsa, the world needs this man back," he said, absently, lost in his thoughts.

"Who?" she asked.

"Someone who we recently lost," he said, still lost in contemplation. "We need him back."

"But I need you. Is that too much to ask for?" she insisted.

"You will have me all to yourself tomorrow," he promised, finally looking at her. "But today. I need to work."

Elsa sighed, and left the cave, back to her room in the manor.

Though for the first few days after his return from the past, Barry Allen had been jailed in the Watchtower, and upon his release, he had run straight back to Anna. Reunited, he began to visit her, while making plans to buy a house in the Central City suburbs. Batman had set him up with everything he had needed after his return from the past, and he had eased himself into life as a normal person living in the city always on the run, for the short time he had.

The day of the invasion, he had been in Arendelle, enjoying his time with her, when his Justice League transponder went off, alerting him of the attack. He had promised her he would come back to her, a promise which would be left unfulfilled. He had rushed to the scene, and when the time came, he defeated the invaders, at the cost of his own life. The world had been saved; for now.

Elsa had avoided her sister since the invasion, wanting to spend more time with Bruce Wayne, but since he was busy with his investigation, she decided to finally visit her. Ever since they had been brought to the future, Anna had lived in a home in Arendelle, which had been rebuilt from the ground up by the Flash. The sisters had visited each other a few times since being in the future, but Elsa had opted to live with Batman to develop her powers. She had taken a break from the training, and used the teleporter to arrive in Arendelle instantaneously. She found Anna's house, and as she got ready to knock on the door, she inhaled.

As soon as the door opened, she saw a woman whose spirit had been absolutely crushed. Her eyes were puffy and red, and there were multiple empty tissue boxes behind her on the couch.

"Anna?" Elsa said, worriedly. Anna motioned her to come in, and Elsa closed to the door. "What's happened to you?"

"I lost him," she whispered, as she sat calmly on her couch.

"Who?" Elsa asked, confused.

"Barry," she said softly, before breaking into tears. She hugged Elsa fiercely, still dealing with immense grief from learning of his death.

"Barry is gone?" Elsa asked, dumbfounded, as she held her sister. No one had told her of this.

Anna nodded, and closed her eyes. "The big man in a black suit came yesterday and told me."

Elsa had not known Barry at all, but knew he was the most important person in her sister's life. It was no wonder Anna had been broken the way she appeared.

"I don't know what to do Elsa," she said between sobs. "I really miss him."

There was nothing Elsa could do for her sister, but to embrace her.

When Elsa returned to the Batcave, a while later, she found Bruce in the exact same spot she had left him.

"Bruce!" she said, as she neared him. She heard a sigh escape him, and he turned to face her.

"I didn't want to tell you. It's not something you willingly would want to know," he said, already feeling defeated.

"Don't you think I deserve to know my sister's lover is dead, and that she's been miserable ever since you told her? Speaking of, when did you tell her?" she asked.

"As soon as it was over, I went to her. She needed to know," he said, feeling guilty.

"I beg of you, next time, please share these sort of matters with me." This time, it was her turn to sigh.

"Why do you still give me a chance?" Bruce asked, astonished at the woman he loved.

"Because I see a lot of my past in you, Bruce," she said, "And I want to see the best of you."

His urges overtook his mind, and he pulled her mouth into his. Elsa was caught off guard, but quickly responded to his gesture, as he gently brushed her long, platinum hair.

The kiss would have gone on longer, had the two not been interrupted by an alarm going off. Bruce let Elsa go, and he quickly brought up the alarm's notification to the grand monitor of his Batcomputer.

After a moment, he looked at Elsa, and told her, "Something's come up. They need me." He put on the cowl, and readied his teleporter.

"You better come back," she said to him, hugging her arm.

"You know I can't promise that," he said, as he disappeared, leaving Elsa alone in the cave.

Batman was standing on the Watchtower, and found himself staring at a man in a red, blue and white suit lying still on the floor. He was face down, which told Batman the man was dead. That and the fact there was a piercing wound through the man's chest, and ice covering it. The rest of the Justice League were surrounding a workbench, huddled and talking amongst themselves. As soon as Superman noticed Batman in the room, he turned, and addressed him.

"Batman. Glad to see you with us," he said. "There seems to be a problem."

"Apart from the body?" he asked, as he turned the body over, to see the injury and the man's face.

"Yes, a much bigger one, it seems," replied Superman, as he moved out of the way to reveal a purple gem, sitting atop a piece of Nth metal.

Batman narrowed his eyes. The fact that it was sitting on Nth metal meant that it was too dangerous to hold. He assumed the gem possessed power, but if not even Superman himself could hold it...

Batman moved towards the workbench to inspect the gem, and Superman went on. "I was in Metropolis when I heard what sounded like an explosion rock downtown. Thankfully, there weren't many civilians around, but as it turns out it wasn't an explosion. It was a portal materializing in the middle of the street."

"This man and the gem appeared from it?" Batman inquired.

"Yes, although the stone came in a container," he responded.

"Why do you call it a 'stone'?" Batman questioned.

"Because of this," he answered, and Wonder Woman came forward, with a parchment, and handed it to Batman.

The text read, If you are reading this, we most likely failed. A power hungry being named Thanos has defeated our universe, and yours is next. The gem the container carries is the Power Stone. If wielded, it can destroy entire planets. Though not anyone can wield it, Thanos can, and it's part of a collection of stones, which when used together, carry almost infinite power. Keep the stone away from him at any cost. Don't let your universe fall.

"See, when I found him, he was bleeding on the street, grasping the container. I quickly used my ice breath to stop the bleeding, and teleported him and the container to the Watchtower. However, in trying to open the container, I broke it, and when I tried to hold the stone, it burned my hand," he explained. "It was incredible. I've never felt pain like that."

"But Nth metal is strong enough to hold it?"

"For now," Superman said, "but I assume we'll need something else to contain it."

"What happened to the container you broke?"

"It's being studied by the Atom," Superman said, as he spoke into the comms to contact him. "Dr Palmer, any progress?"

The Atom, known to the team as Ray Palmer, suddenly appeared in front of them, becoming normal size. He had been in the League's Watchtower laboratory, examining the container. "There's not much I can provide. It's a metal with a composition unlike anything I've ever seen. It seems a bit paradoxical that you broke the box containing the stone that burned your hand. Frankly, I don't believe there's anything else like it on Earth, or in the universe," he said.

"In any case, I'd like a chance to study the container and the stone. How many people saw you, Kent?" Batman asked.

"Saw me what?" he asked back.

"Take the body."

"Oh. Not many, but there were some. Of course, I cleaned the street from the blood left behind," Superman responded.

"Not good enough. Security cameras will have seen you. We need a distraction for the press while we deal with this," Batman assessed.

"Do you think it's time?" Wonder Woman asked.

He thought for a moment, and came up with his answer. "Do it."

A short while later, an 'anonymous' source contacted Lois Lane, of the Daily Planet, with evidence of the death of the Flash. Soon after, Ms. Lane finished writing her article for the paper, and presented it to Perry White, the paper's Editor-in-Chief, who couldn't believe what he was seeing. And just like that, the story was published.

The story quickly became the only thing being shown on television, and some were claiming it was a hoax. But the truth was, no one had seen the Flash after the invasion. It was as if he disappeared, and now, everyone was learning why.

It was so widespread, that variations of it began popping up. Some said he had been turned into one of the aliens, and had to be put down. Others said in order for the Justice League to win, they made a trade with the invaders, and sacrificed one of their own. And others said he had been running and tripped.

Of course, Elsa had been able to keep up with the story, once Batman had given her access to his computers in the manor, and though she felt proud of Barry for what he did for everyone, she felt saddened by the fact the good man her sister had been with was gone, forever. She had embarrassed Anna by disapproving of her then fiancé, Hans, and she had been right about him. When she learned of Barry, she had also disapproved, but did not say anything. Especially since he had destroyed their home. But learning there were plenty of other people like her, with powers, had made her forget all about Barry, and only remembered him when she had visited her sister. Anna had seemed so happy and lovestruck, Elsa was finding it hard to believe Barry was being sincere with her. So when she had learned of his sacrifice, she had learned he was truly a hero.

Batman had just returned, and found Elsa asleep in his chair. Softly, he picked her up, and carried her back to her room. As he placed her down, she stirred in bed, and upon opening her eyes, she was met with Bruce Wayne's eyes looking at her. She closed her eyes, and smiled.

"You're back," she whispered.

"Was I really gone for that long?" he teased.

"Yes," she smirked.

Then, his face became serious, and he stood back. "There's been a grave development."

"I saw," she said.

"Not that," he sighed, referring to the news of the Flash. "His death was in vain."

This made Elsa sit up straight, eyes wide open. "What do you mean?"

"Shortly after the invasion, Superman recovered the body of a man from another world. He was carrying something of extreme power. The man was dead, but left a note, warning us of a being who is after the item. I believe he was the one who sent the invasion, and he is getting ready to come here to retrieve his item."

"So what Barry did will have not mattered?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm afraid so." He let out another sigh, and stopped for a moment, before resuming. "There's something I have to ask of you."

"What?" she said, as she held her breath.

"You understand the extent of your powers, correct?" he asked.

"Not really," she admitted. "I think I've only scratched the surface."

"Do you think," Bruce said slowly, "It's possible for you to resurrect someone?"

Elsa was taken back by what he said. To her, it was outlandish. Bring back the dead? He wanted her to bring back Barry?

"Every other idea I've had has a drawback; a cost. Your healing doesn't. You've saved me before. On the brink of death. I won't ask you to do it, but only for you to consider it." There was something in Bruce's eyes that screamed desperate.

"Are you sure it's absolutely necessary?" she asked.

"Barry can stop the fight before it even starts. They called him 'the fastest man alive', but no one really understands he is also the most powerful man alive. He could easily defeat Superman in a fight, and our magic users wouldn't stand a chance against him. Our best shot at defending the Earth again *is* Barry," he emphasized.

Now it was Elsa's turn to sigh. "I'll try."

Batman leaned in, and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"We'll try tomorrow. Is that fine with you?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered, sleepily.

As Bruce made his way out of the room, he whispered to her, "Rest well, Elsa."

It was time for Batman to work.

The following day, a public funeral was announced in Central City, for their beloved hero. All of the Justice League, including the reserve members, with the exception of Batman, would attend. Four days after the death of the Flash, thousands of spectators gathered in Central City Park, to pay their respects, and hear the Man of Steel say a few words.

"We're all here today to honor the fastest man who ever lived," he began. "Protector of this city and the world, who paid the ultimate price. Without his sacrifice, chances are, we wouldn't be here today.

"The Flash was the best of us," he continued. "During his time within the team, he was the one who held us all together. Whenever we would have an argument, he would remind us of who we are. He instilled hope in us, even Batman himself. So with that in mind, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence, to honor him."

It was as if the city stood still in time, frozen. The event was being transmitted live to an incredible number of four billion people.

After the moment passed, each hero went up to the podium where Superman had spoken, and said a few words of their own. There were many cries in the massive crowds, but for the most part, the city was silent.

Of course, the fact that Batman was not present raised some questions. Once the ceremony had concluded, Lois Lane was the first reporter to get ahold of the League for answers on Batman's whereabouts.

"Superman! Lois Lane for the Daily Planet. It seems to me every superhero your league has is here, minus one. Where is Batman?" she inquired.

"Well, Ms. Lane, Batman is on an important case for the League. He couldn't afford to be here," Superman responded.

"Are you saying there's something or someone out there threatening your team to the point where you send the world's greatest detective to look at it?"

"No, Ms. Lane, but at the moment, I cannot disclose the details surrounding his investigation," he confirmed, and took the questions of other reporters, waiting their turns.

During the public funeral, Batman had brought Elsa to the Watchtower's morgue, to make an attempt at reviving Barry Allen.

"You can watch the funeral if you want while you wait," he told her, pointing to a massive screen on the wall.

"Thank you," she said, as Batman turned it on, showing the live coverage of the event.

After unlocking the refrigerator containing Barry's deceased corpse, he moved it to a wheeled stretcher, and then to the center of the room. Surprisingly to Elsa, there was no heavy stench to accompany it.

The body was covered by a white body bag, and Elsa looked away.

"Elsa, you don't have to look at it, but you do have to touch some part of his body, unless your powers work wirelessly," he said seriously.

Her face wrinkled in disgust, and she walked over to the body. It was hard to believe this man was the same man who wore the scarlet and gold.

"Ready?" he asked, and she nodded, as she placed her hand on his head.

Though he was extremely cold, Elsa kept her hand pressed, and concentrated, trying to work her magic. After a while, however, nothing had happened, and she let go.

"I don't think I can Bruce," she said disappointingly, as she took a seat on a nearby chair.

Batman knew it was best not to push her, and he started pacing the floor.

"Maybe I need to be alone," she suggested.

Batman thought for a moment, then gave his response, "Do it."

Once he was gone from the room and had closed the doors, Elsa walked over to the body, and once again placed her hand on his head. She tried to force herself to revive him, but she couldn't feel the magic working at all. She knew it was a lost cause, and she knocked on the doors to let Batman know she was finished. Once he came in, she shook her head.

"You're free to return home," he told her.

"What will you do?" Elsa asked.

"I've got a call to make."

Half an hour later, the League was sitting at their meeting table. Batman had called them all in, though none knew what it was about.

"There had been a potential breakthrough, which failed," he started. "I tried to use Elsa's healing powers to revive Barry Allen."

There was a collective gasp from everyone, except the Martian Manhunter.

"And you didn't think of telling us?" accused Superman.

"I wouldn't have been able to attempt it if we had had a team vote," Batman replied.

"That *is* true," Hal Jordan pointed out.

Superman shook his head, and then said, "Alright. So it failed. Why call a meeting?"

"The note retrieved from the patriot's body said the stone was part of a collection. If that stone could burn Superman's hand, who has fallen into the sun before, imagine what an entire set of these stones could do. What defense will we have against someone with that kind of power?" he determined.

"You're saying our speedster would be our best shot to defeat this 'Thanos'?" Wonder Woman asked.

"I'm saying he would be our only shot. With near infinite power, Thanos could most likely clear out the magic users easily, and then finish the rest of us. With Allen in the game, the fight would be over before it started."

"You think Barry's our best option?" Jordan scoffed. "I bet I could give the so-called 'Thanos' a run for his money."

Batman gave the team's Green Lantern an iconic Bat-glare, which did the job.

"Or, you know, maybe we do need Barry," Jordan said, as he slouched in his chair.

"I see it necessary for us to find a way to revive him, for the sake of the universe," Batman concluded.

"I agree with him," the Martian said, something he rarely did.

"I second it," spoke Aquaman.

"I only support it because Batman is frightening," said Jordan, grumpily. "We should at least let him rest in peace."

"I agree with Batman. Without him, we may all be doomed," Wonder Woman declared.

"I agree," Superman mumbled. "How are we going to bring him back? Is it even possible?"

"Have you ever heard of Ra's Al Ghul?" Batman stared at Superman.

"Right," he said, a little embarrassed.

"It's certainly possible," Batman continued. "For a price. Which I don't know."

"Batman hasn't thought of everything?" Jordan pretended to be shock.

It wasn't that Batman hadn't thought of everything. Rather, he didn't want to face the other option, which he believed to be the easiest. Magic. Batman wasn't sure if Zatanna or Dr Fate were capable of bringing back someone from the dead, but he knew John Constantine was capable of the feat. The only problem was that the League, or at least Batman, weren't on speaking terms with him. The last time Constantine and the Justice League fought side by side, they also fought against each other. John had killed a woman who the villain Enchantress was using as a host body. This caused Batman to lash out against Constantine, which caused him to vanish. Zatanna was the only League member he would talk to, and that was only when he was in a good mood. Constantine was too much of a wild card for Batman.

"There's another option," he said slowly, as he came up with a third option.

"Which is?" asked Jordan, impatiently.

"John Constantine."

The room fell silent immediately, and there was no remark from Hal Jordan. None of them wanted to deal with the magician, ever again.

"He may be able to provide us with a solution," Batman stated.

"In other words, he'll redirect us to the nearest resurrection demon," Jordan groaned.

"Are you saying we deal with Constantine?" Superman asked.

"Either that, or the Lazarus Pit. Which hasn't always exactly worked."

"Who would go to Constantine?" Superman questioned.

"I'll do it," Batman said. Nobody was surprised.

"Any other questions?" Superman asked, waiting for any. "Well, in that case, this meeting is adjourned."

Batman had thought of another possible solution during the meeting. An extreme one, that might not even work. But it wasn't impossible until he found otherwise. What if he could use the Power Stone to revive Barry Allen? It was not out of the picture, but he would first have to find a way to wield the stone. If it had burned Superman while he held it, it would most likely instantly melt Batman's arm. There was a possibility of making nanobots out of Nth metal, and wiring it them together to link up to his brain, and maybe, just maybe it would give him power. He could only hope it wasn't physical power the stone granted, or else he would have no use for it.

"Batman to Dr Palmer, you are needed in the Justice League's laboratory," he said through the comms. "Superman, do *not* use your super hearing."

"What, you couldn't be bothered to say 'The Atom'?" Dr Palmer joked. "It's fine, I'm already in here."

Batman took the League's elevator to the lowest level of the Watchtower. When he walked through the doors, he found the Atom in his suit, geared up. "You like the suit? I made some upgrades." He shot a beam of what looked like light at a flask on a table. As soon as the beam touched it, the flask shrank.

"The suit looks the same," Batman pointed out.

"Yeah, but, well never mind. What was it you needed from me?" Dr Palmer asked.

"I need your help with some nanotechnology."

Dr Palmer raised an eyebrow. "That's awfully vague."

"I have an idea concerning the Power Stone," he said. "I believe I can use it to bring back the Flash."

"And how would my tech come into play?"

"I need a path connecting the stone to my cerebrum," he explained.

"Your plan is what, to 'wish' the Flash back to life?" Dr Palmer laughed, but stopped when he noticed Batman's expression had not changed. "Are you that desperate to avoid confronting Constantine?"

"He's not someone anyone should be unfortunate enough to run into." Batman paused and then asked, "Will you help me, or not?"

"Yeah, I will," he answered. "Though I have a date with Jean tomorrow, so I won't be able to help you then."

"Palmer?"

"Yes, Batman?"

"You tell anyone about this, and I'll leak the affair you had with Sue Dibny." The Atom gulped, and nodded.

"May I ask why it's important to keep this a secret?"

"The boy scout would freak if he found out," Batman muttered.

"Then I suggest we get to work," he said, before realizing they didn't have the stone. "Where's the stone?"

"I only came down here to ask of your assistance. Prepare whatever it is you need. I'll be back soon." Batman walked out of the room, ready to 'borrow' the Power Stone.

He walked to the elevator, and made his way to the middle floor of the Watchtower, and entered the Justice League's vault, where they kept all the dangerous weaponry they had confiscated throughout the years. He found the safe where the gem was being kept, and he opened it, making sure the stone was there. Sure enough, it was there. He closed the safe, and put it in his hand, turned around, and found himself staring at the Man of Steel.

"Batman." Superman cleared his throat. "I know you like to study everything, but not this one. It's too dangerous."

"The Atom will be aiding me in my studies." Batman's right hand was slowly nearing the compartment in his belt which contained a piece of kryptonite, ready to force Superman's hand.

Superman stopped for a moment, before moving away from the doors.

"Consider this an act of trust, Batman," Superman said sternly. "I trust you'll do the right thing."

Batman didn't say anything as he walked out, but was relieved there would be no confrontation between him and Superman. It was time to get to work.