Another Timeline…Another Universe…
"I'm not the hero of this story. I'm a man who's been corrupted by his own unbearable pain. I'm a man who has too much blood on his hands to be called good. I'm a man who had nothing to live for-until the day I met The Flash."
~ Bruce Wayne of Earth-89
Despite The older Flash's success in fixing the timestream, the Flashpoint timeline continued to exist, held in place by a mysterious force. The older Flash returns to his timeline but with a different Bruce Wayne and slightly different past and present that he now has to readjust to.
As for the Flashpoint of Earth-89 dubbed by the Time Keepers, old man Bruce Wayne wakes up on September 29th just days before Zod's arrival to terraform the Earth into New Krypton and causing the extinction of the human race. Bruce Wayne sits up in bed waking up from a vivid and horrible nightmare.
Unknown to him like with Thomas Wayne Batman of Earth-52 who remembered the events of his universe's Flashpoint by intervention of the Time Keepers so too does this version of Bruce Wayne remembers the failed attempts of his Earth's Justice League to stop Zod. Bruce wore simple blue sweats, no shirt, he still had his long gray hair and bread. His body was hot and sweat dripped down his face.
Bruce felt his face feeling the long hair and beard. Bruce throws the blankets and sheets off of himself walking to the window of his bedroom to view his reflection. Bruce couldn't believe it, he didn't know what to think. Was it all just a horrible dream? Did the older Barry run back in time and undo his mistake resetting everything back to the way it was supposed to be? Or is this something else? Either way he needed to find out and fast before Zod arrived.
Bruce turned to walk toward the batcave but stopped. "What's the point?" Bruce thought to himself. Bruce flashes back to being in the Batwing as Batman about to attack the Kryptonian gun ship when the older Barry warns him not to that it was shield protected, but how did he know that unless Bruce himself attacked it and met with an ill fate causing Barry to run back in time and warn him not to. Bruce wondered how many times did both Barry's try to run back in time to prevent their deaths and win the fight?
Now, Bruce wakes up here, now, just days before Zod's arrival why? Another memory pushes its way forward of him fighting the Kryptonian the Flash's dubbed the Space Giant attacking the batwing forcing Batman to eject and crash the plane into the ground. Then as he glided to the ground he landed on the Space Giant laying several bombs across his body before lethally getting slammed into the ground.
Batman gets to his feet staring down the Space Giant as the last bomb goes off in the back of his head and he hits the ground. Batman then collapses from his injuries dying in the hands of the older Barry as he asked him if he could bring him back and Batman told him he already did. Other deaths flashed in his mind, most of which involved him crashing and burning to death in the Batwing.
Bruce shook his head to clear his mind. From the visions Bruce was able to deduce they were not able to win the fight no matter how many times the Flashs ran back in time. Bruce realized then no matter what he did his world, his people did not live past that day. It was the inevitable intersection he had warn Barrys about. The older Barry must have realized it and ran back in time to undo his mistake thus resetting things the way it should be Bruce assumed.
Bruce grabbed a dark shirt, a gray sweater looking jacket and a tie he wore around his neck like a scarf. From there Bruce walked to his study sitting at his desk opening up his laptop. He did a search on Barry Allen and found his Earth's Barry Allen, the 18 year old college student in Central City just living his life.
Bruce leans back in his chair deep in thought. If the older Barry undid his mistake then he wont be here to give his Barry powers, Supergirl stays locked up, and he continues to be the billionaire recluse of Gotham City. Zod will arrive to terraform Earth into New Krypton, Supergirl if she escapes will be hunted down and killed. All the while Barry Allen will just die like all other humans on the planet including himself.
Bruce realized if they tried to prevent this they would die and if they did nothing they would still die, once again it was inevitable. The only real choice Bruce realized was he gets to choose how he dies. He can go out as Bruce Wayne Billionaire recluse of Gotham or he can be Batman. Bruce poured a glass of scotch while taking a drink as Barry and Kara flashed in his mind.
Even if it was inevitable, Bruce couldn't leave Kara to die in that place, abandoned and alone in the dark. Another thought occurred to Bruce, if he recreates the event that gives Barry his powers he could at least flee with Kara to another timeline or another universe. Bruce in his heart accepted his fate and the fate of his doomed world but that doesn't mean everyone has to perish. Bruce had lived a full life but his Barry and Kara have not, infact Kara hasn't had a chance to live at all.
Bruce decided he would save Kara, recreate the experiment to give Barry his powers back if he didn't already have them. Then they could at least flee this doomed timeline while he makes his last stand against the Kryptonains as the Bat of Gotham.
Bruce turned his chair around walking to the book shelf touching the picture of his parents before moving it to the side as a light scanned his retinal parting the book shelf opening up to his armory of various weapons and batsuits he has worn over the decades. Bruce walks up to his jet black batsuit and smiles…
Later that afternoon Barry Allen was happily skipping to his parents house with his laundry swung over his back looking forward to some lunch, having his mom do his laundry, and go on his date with the beautiful girl from his econ class Iris West. Barry listens to his music dancing around knocking over the neighbors garbage cans before crossing the street to his parents house. Barry stops for a moment, noticing a nice luxury car parked outside.
When Barry walks in he smells a delicious meal being cooked. When he walks into the kitchen he throws his laundry to the ground turning off his music pulling his headphones down around his neck.
"MOOOOM!" Barry happily yums outloud getting her attention as she turns around giving him a hug.
"Hey monkey." Nora says. Returning the hug. Barry backs up, turning his head to the dinning table to see they had company. The man gets up adjusting his jacket on his three piece gray suit. He had short gray hair and shaved bread. He holds out his right hand to Barry introducing himself.
"Hello Barry it's good to see you again." The Man said.
"Again?" Barry gave the man a confused look.
"I mistook me for someone else." The man said. Barry tilted his head and gave him another confused look.
"Don't you mean you mistook me for someone else?" Barry lets out his creepy little laugh.
"Isn't that what I said?" the man asked.
"No, you said you mistook you for someone else." Nora corrected.
"Barry you rascal you didn't tell us you knew Bruce Wayne." Henry Allen walks in, putting his hand around Nora and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Barry gives a surprised look to his father looking back over to Bruce Wayne.
"Wait, you're Bruce Wayne? The billionaire of Gotham? In my parents house?" Barry backs up laughing then takes in the situation grabbing Bruce's hand and shaking it. Bruce just smiles. Looking at Barry in his worn shoes, navy blue jeans, white t-shirt, with an unbuttoned checkered blue shirt with a gray and yellow jacket. Once they were done shaking hands Bruce puts his left hand in his pocket and his right hand just hangs at his side.
"Sooo, what does Bruce Wayne want with me?" Barry said in a goofy and awkward tone looking back at his parents like an over eager immature child.
"You attend Central City University, Wayne Enterprises is always on the look out for promising young students and gives out grants to help them pay for school." Bruce lied.
"Oh wow monkey, this could be the break you've been looking for." Nora said outloud.
"Are you saying your company will pay my college tuition for me?" Barry gives Bruce a hopeful and excited look like someone who just won the lottery. Barry lets out an excited yell to Bruce's surprise.
"Yes, well that's what I am here to talk to you about Barry." Bruce said.
"This is all well and great but couldn't you have just sent a letter or an e-mail?" Henry inquired. Once that was stated out loud both Nora and Barry gave a confused look to Bruce Wayne.
"Now that you mention it does seem kind of odd that you yourself would come in person from Gotham. If that was the case don't you have people below you that come and handle things like this?" Nora asked, giving Bruce a skeptical look. Bruce tilted his head back and forth, rubbing his chin.
"Normally yes, but I have to approve of the grant and sometimes I like to meet the promising young students." Bruce quickly answered. They stared at him for a moment then they all let out a relieved laugh.
"Off course, off course. Were sorry Mr. Wayne. Come honey, let's give these two some privacy." Henry told Nora taking her lovingly by the hand out the room as they gave thumbs up to Barry. Bruce couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
"So do you want talk here or we can go to my room-"
"We don't have much time. Were kind of on the clock so if you could just come with me I'll explain everything on the way." Bruce suggested using his right hand to gesture toward the door.
"Oh yes of course, MOOOM I'm going with Bruce Wayne! I'll be back later!" Barry yelled out loud. Henry and Nora greeted Bruce and Barry at the door.
"Have fun kiddo and listen to Mr. Wayne." Henry told him giving a hug to his son.
"I love you monkey." Nora said, hugging him.
"I love you more." Barry said, hugging her back.
"I loved you first." Nora said.
"Bye." Barry said, opening the door for Bruce Wayne. Henry looked over and saw a profoundly sad look on the face of Bruce Wayne as he watched the loving exchange. At that moment it looked as if Bruce aged decades.
"You have a beautiful home and family Mr. Allen." Bruce said, shaking Henry's hand.
"Thank you Mr. Wayne. Please take care of our Barry." Henry said with a smile. Bruce just nods.
"I plan to." Bruce answered back before Barry and himself exited the Allen home. Nora and Henry Allen watched the two get into Bruce's car and drive off.
"So where are we going? Are we getting coffee? I know this great spot called jitters-"
"Where going to Gotham." Bruce answered back.
"Wait what? I can't go to Gotham tonight, I-I have a date tonight with this beautiful girl in my econ class named Iris West." Barry explained.
"What were about to do is important so you will just have to reschedule." Bruce tells him. Barry gave Bruce an annoyed look before crossing his arms and slouching in his seat. Bruce noticed Barry seemingly had no memory of what was going to happen nor did he have any powers.
When the older Barry came to him with the younger Barry, the younger Barry had powers and the older Barry did not. Something must have happened between then and now where older Barry lost his powers and younger Barry got his powers. All Bruce remembered was the older Barry recounting the events of his alternate timeline. Bruce looked over to see Barry was still pouting with his dark hair parted at the top hanging in front of his face. It started to rain as they were driving.
"Oh great, now it's raining." Barry said outloud. Bruce slammed on the brakes causing Barry whiplash in his seat.
"What the hell Bruce?" Barry said in an annoyed tone.
Barry saw Bruce looking up at the rain and lighting flickering across the sky. Bruce looked over at Barry.
"Does your university have a lab with industrial chemicals?" Bruce asked.
"Yeeah, why?" Barry asked. Bruce didn't answer him. He just saw Bruce punching in the name of his school on his car's GPS and pulling up the address then Bruce puts his foot on the gas as they speed off to the university.
Now Bruce had arrived at the same time the older Barry did, the only difference Bruce didn't spend time explaining everything to young Barry that older Barry did, thus giving him a little more then thirty minutes to get Barry to the lab.
"Wait, why are we going to my school Bruce?" Barry demanded to know. Bruce let out a sigh and explained everything to Barry he could remember enroute to the university.
"Wait, so you're Batman?" Barry asked. Bruce nods.
"And I'm a superhero with powers called The Flash?" Barry asked again.
"Yes, you're The Flash, fastest man alive." Bruce said.
"And we need to recreate the experiment to give me powers so we can save this Supergirl?" Barry wanted to make sure he understood everything. Bruce nods.
"And then hope we do a better job this time around stopping General Zode before he kills millions?" Barry confirmed the last detail of Bruce's wild story.
"It's General Zod and he is going to kill billions." Bruce emphasized the importance of the situation.
"So you in?" Bruce asked.
"YES! I AM SO IN!" Barry replied.
Once they got to the University, Bruce picked the lock, and with Bruce's help they were able to sneak past the guards and climb the stairs to the lab. The thunder and lighting was rumbling more and more. Once in the lab they looked around for the chemicals. Bruce was the first one to find them. He stood in front of the chemicals looking at the jars and beakers checking what he remembered from the older Barry's notes and the machine they set up.
Bruce looked past the chemicals to see the closed windows. Looking up and around the room he quickly deduced if Barry was to get hit by lighting it would have to come from the windows hit the chemicals charging them and striking the person standing in front of it. Bruce looked at Barry just aimlessly wandering around the lab.
"Barry come here, I found the industrial chemicals." Bruce called him over. Barry walked over standing in front of the chemicals.
"So what happens now?" Barry inquired.
Bruce was deep in thought looking around wondering how long this was going to take if it was going to happen at all. If the lighting bolt came from the window it's going to break the glass and send flying shards at them and potentially killing them.
"Just wait here." Bruce told Barry heading toward the windows.
Barry just held out his hands annoyed. Barry watched Bruce open the windows wide open looking at the thick cloud sky and lighting streaking across the ominous sky. Bruce then came back around but kept his distance away from Barry, the chemicals, and the calculated path of the lighting.
"So what now?" Barry does his creepy little laugh.
"Now we wait for a bolt of lightning to strike you and give you your powers." Bruce tells him. Barry nods then stops for a moment looking up at Bruce.
"Wait what? I don't want to get hit by lightning, Bruce!" Barry said in a panicked voice.
"It's the only way for you to get the powers." Bruce scolded him.
"No!" Barry protested getting out of the way. Bruce stepped forward grabbing Barry pulling him back in front of the chemicals. The two argue and struggle with Barry breaking free from Bruce's grip. Bruce stumbles back hitting an adjacent desk giving Barry an angry look.
"You're crazy! This whole thing is crazy! Your nuts! You're not Batman! You're just some creepy old guy!" Barry yelled. A lighting bolt shot through the open window shattering the beaker of chemicals and striking Barry blasting him into the far wall.
"BARRY!" Bruce yelled walking over to him kneeling down seeing the burn mark on his back. Bruce watches the wound heal over as blue lighting sparks and courses around Barry's body. Bruce was careful not to touch him out of concern of getting himself shocked. Bruce let out a sigh.
As for Barry with his connection to the speed force restored so too were his memories of Flashpoint, his feelings for both Bruce and Kara. Along with memories of his repeated failed attempts to save them, then older Barry's betrayal in going back in time and letting their mom die and thus abandoning his world, his timeline, his Justice League, and him.
He died taking the stab in the back from the insane future version of himself and how did older Barry repay him for his sacrifice? The older Barry, his friend, his brother, his hero left him in the speedforce and erased his timeline taking everything from him. Barry saw his older self for what he really was selfish and cruel, from his perspective older Barry was the big bad.
Bruce watched Barry struggle to do a push up to get off the floor then bend his knees. Barry's clothes were moist, his skin wet, and his dark hair draped in front of his face. Barry realized the full gravity of the situation they were in now.
For reasons unknown Bruce retained his memories of Flashpoint, and thanks to Bruce he now had his powers and his memories back. Once they get Kara they will have another chance to save their world and this time there would be no older Barry to run back and let mom die and thus erase everything and no Future Flash to break the multiverse timestream.
The one thing Barry didn't understand was how their timeline was still intact if older Barry ran back in time and killed mom. Barry shook his head, it didn't matter. What matters is their timeline is still intact, Zod was coming and…a memory of Kara alone, suffering, in the dark flashed in his mind.
"Kara…" Barry said weakly. Bruce carefully reached out to Barry who clung to Bruce who helped him to his feet.
"Bruce, I remember…everything…" Barry said weakly clung to Bruce. Bruce held him and supported him to his feet, throwing Barry's arm around his neck and using his arm around Barry's side to support him as they tried to walk out of the University.
"Kara…we gotta…save…Kara…" Barry said weakly as once again Bruce had to carry Barry like before.
"We will…" Bruce reassured him.
Bruce snuck them past the guards to the main hallway but could not go out the main entrance due to the guards by the front desk and the ones coming down the hall and behind him. Bruce looked back and forth looking for a way out when Barry asked Bruce to get him to the wall. Once Bruce did Barry phased them through the wall and outside into the rain. From there Bruce helped Barry back to the car putting him to the passenger seat then ran over to the driver side getting in starting the car and started to drive to Gotham City, to Wayne Manor.
The first phase of Bruce's plan to save Barry and Kara was completed. Now they need to save Kara so she and Barry can escape what's coming. As for Barry who had passed out in the car starving like he had never eaten before kept twitching and waking up from vivid and lucid nightmares of the battle replying in his head. His temporal trauma, he was reliving the failed attempts trying to discover the sequence of events that would allow him, Batman, Supergirl, and his world to survive the Kryptonians.
The Future Flash said he had it almost figured out till the older Barry ran back in time and kills mom or lets her die. The older Barry isn't here and hopefully with regaining his powers that didn't bring back the Future Flash.
Barry realized the danger of running back in time over and over again. He couldn't risk doing it again. That power was addicting. To be able to go back over and over to undo mistakes or try things differently. No he couldn't give into those thoughts. Who was he to play God? But that pain, that loss, is what gives birth to that Future Flash. That power, that speed he wielded…Barry wondered what he would become and how far would he run to save Supergirl, Batman, Mom, and his world.
Kara's smile on top of the roof of Wayne manor flashed back in his mind seeing her hovering above him with the sun to her back. She was the most beautiful and wondrous woman he ever beheld, more so then Iris West. No matter what, he would save them this time! This time they will win no matter what Barry swore to himself. He didn't care if he had to destroy every other universe and timeline to do it. In the end, like before Barry couldn't see the inevitable truth and he could not let Batman, Supergirl, his parents, or his world go. He just could not accept that in this universe and this timeline they were all destined to die. He wouldn't accept it…