Hitchhikers Guide to the Millma Verse
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Note 1: Well, this is a surprise as Sigma is currently with Millie in Florida! Very convenient for the start of a new story – and expect a special chapter soon as we always write you guys something special each time we're together.
Note 2: Also, a lot has happened since our last Hitchhikers – Crisis came and went, the heroes won, but worlds were lost. Now though, our Hitchhiking Kayla is on Karry Universe, covering that Kara's pregnancy, much like she did on Prime a few years ago. Anyway, enjoy the return of Hitchhikers!
Batman's Contingency Plans
Kayla sat by the lake of the Lake House on Karry Universe relaxing. With Karry's Kara pregnant, Kayla had opted to cover her as Supergirl, although that had been few and far between, but it had been helpful for her to relax Cisco-free and multiverse-free.
That all changed though when a portal opened near her. She sighed as she wasn't surprised to see Cisco Ramon, knowing instantly that this was Vibe Junior of Mutant Earth.
"Hey…" Kayla sighed to her hitchhiking partner. "I thought I told you I was covering Kara's pregnancy."
"I know, but it's not like you've done anything recently," Cisco pointed out. Kayla couldn't argue with that one, "Besides, we haven't really gone anywhere since before Crisis," something else Kayla couldn't argue with. "And I have been thinking..."
"That's never good," Kayla stated, to a pout from Cisco. "Sorry, go ahead." Kayla was hoping Cisco next words weren't going to be related to Star Trek or Star Wars – he had a thing about those two.
"Back before Crisis, New Justice Rae and Prime Barry did their world hopping missions and went to several new worlds," Cisco explained, and Kayla nodded, knowing this. "One of them they called Old Justice. The world is almost exactly like New Justice except one big difference: Barry died when he was a kid. With him being the Reverse Flash on New Justice, on that world it meant no League murders either, as New Justice Barry killed New Justice's Old League."
"I'm aware," Kayla pointed out, knowing New Justice's history.
"Well, Clark also has a twin sister and little brother on Old Justice too, which is not on New Justice. Apparently, the world almost exactly matches a Flashpoint Rae did…" Cisco explained
"I know about that Flashpoint," Kayla said, nodding.
"Well Rae left the Justice League there, from Prime Barry and Rae notes – the League split; some staying in the Justice League while Bruce went off to start his own Vigilante League and a lot of people went solo. I think we could use an update. This information is nearly a year old," Cisco said with a smile on his face. "And after Crisis… well, it would be good to visit known worlds to see what changes have happened."
"I'm on maternity cover," Kayla reminded Cisco, who gave her another pout. "Urgh, fine. Let me ask Kara and Barry if I can leave for a while..." Kayla took out a Justice League communicator they had given her for maternity cover.
"Haha, Star Trek," Cisco chuckled at the communicator. Kayla raised her eyebrow at this. "It reminds me of the Original Series when they used those flip-phone like communication devices before they did all their contact through their com badges."
"Is there going to be one visit where Star Trek isn't brought up?" Kayla sighed as Cisco blushed. She pressed a button on the device though. "Kara, Barry, would you be okay if I went off with Vibe Junior world hopping?" Kayla asked.
"Sure. Have fun," Barry's spoke back a moment later. "We'll be fine."
"Thanks. Guess I'm good," Kayla said, putting the communicator away and standing up. Using her jewelry, she summoned her Supergirl outfit and tied her hair back. She didn't bother to use the hologram that changed her hair color to match other Kara's.
"Right. Let's go!" Cisco held up his palm at this.
"Hey, I thought Vibes couldn't Vibe off this world," Kayla pointed out. "That Karry Conundrum thing…?"
"How do you know about that?" Cisco asked, confused as Kayla had never been to Karry Universe until this pregnancy.
"I've done a lot of reading since I got here," Kayla shrugged.
"Ah, well, that was then," Cisco smirked as he did, indeed, open a portal, "this is now," he didn't wait another moment before opening up a portal.
-Hitchhikers Guide-
On Old Justice World, their Rae was eating her breakfast when Gal-El, Clark's younger brother, came out of another room in nothing but his boxers.
"Make some for me?" Gal asked, and Rae smiled as she pointed at the plate.
The two jumped though when the blue portal opened before them, and out came Kayla and Cisco.
"Kara! But your hair…" Gal started, shocked.
"I'm Kayla, from a different Earth," Kayla said, not missing these introductions. "Can you put on some pants, Gal?" Kayla knew of Prime Gal's, who was now the Anti Monitor – and much better at it than the previous guy.
"Um… yeah," Gal said, blushing now and heading for the room he'd come out from. Rae gave a pout.
"Wait, is this a firehouse?" Cisco asked, taking in where they were. They were on the top floor, but Cisco could see beyond this room. There was a fire pole through the doorway, and the place looked redecorated.
"Yeah, I bought it from the city and refurbished it. My first solo place," Rae said with a smile. "I put a lot of love into making this a decent home. A permanent home. Had to get some walls knocked down and put others up to create rooms. Get a nice kitchen. Took some time."
"And money," Cisco said, wondering where the money for this came from.
"Red Tornado gave me all the rights to the Flash when I left the Justice League. I took it officially under my name when my divorce from Frankie was final. It was a lot of money before, but my aunt had some ideas on how to expand the amount of money I get from it too. I quit my job with the Grants and started my own catering business," Rae explained with a smile.
"Nice," Cisco mumble as he looked around. "Seems you know why we're here."
"Oh? Why are you here?" Rae asked.
"To see what's changed since last visit," Kayla raised an eyebrow as she explained. This world and New Justice might be similar, but the Rae's were definitely different – for one, New Justice Rae seemed like she never wanted to leave the Grants, even though she didn't need the money at all now, and the other was being with Gal.
"What about the garage?" Cisco asked.
"Come on," Rae chuckled as Gal appeared in clothes this time. Rae gave him a kiss as she used the pole to go down to the first floor. Kayla and Cisco followed as Gal went to eat his breakfast with a smirk.
Rae led them through the door which was once the garage for firehouse. Kayla had expected it to be big as it did, at one time, house at least two or three fire trucks and an ambulance. Besides the size, it was a long way from the garage it had once been – there were computers across the walls and many screens hanging from the ceiling. A map of Central City was on one screen with dots on it, likely Rae's own system for keeping track of crimes, while on the far end of the garage were glass cases with two outfits within: one was a male Flash outfit that Kayla figured was a replica of the one Jay Garrick had once worn, while the second was a female model of the Flash one – the same outfit New Justice Rae herself used to wear before she changed it. Sleeping in a dog bed on the floor, was a Kryptonian dog that looked exactly like New Justice's Clarky, making Kayla think this was an alternate.
But, sitting on a chair by one of the computers was none other than Winslow Schott Junior. "Hey Winn, you're early," Rae said smiling at the man, who turned in his chair but paused at seeing the two others.
"I… I had a meeting with my parole officer early and came here afterward," Winn said. "Who…?"
"Multiverse," Rae simply explained, causing Winn to sigh in relief.
"Parole?" Cisco, however, asked. He had been wanting to get his hands on the computers that looked expensive and up to date but that caught his attention. He didn't know Winn personally, never meeting his world's Winn, but the ones he knew were good people.
Rae looked at Winn, and both nodded. "I got in some trouble for a prank I pulled with my powers – the ability to freeze time. I accidentally killed someone. I was supposed to be in jail for 10 years, in Alcatraz, but Rae as the Flash and a meta human named Madam Abbot came to me. Madam Abbot unlocked my memories of the night my mom died – killed by my dad, a serial killer. The D.A. agreed to let me out on parole to testify against him. But… I have to wear a power blocker," Winn lifted up his leg to show it on his ankle. "But I needed a job and a place to live. Luckily, Rae gave me a job for her catering company and let me stay here until I found a place on my own."
"You cook?" Cisco asked.
"Deliveries," Winn explained. "But the tips are good. And Rae lets me use the car for personal use too."
"Well, I don't need it. Don't even have a license," Rae dismissed. "He also takes cares of the orders and payments, letting me just cook and be the Flash. Plus, he's my nerd in here for Flash." Kayla had to smile at the use of the word 'nerd' – this Rae might only have one, but at least the same term was used as on New Justice.
"Did you ever make your own team outside you and Winn?" Cisco asked.
"Julia and Walter West fell out of the hero work. Julia didn't have it in her heart," Rae said. "Gal joins in sometimes, but hero work isn't his passion either."
"That's a shame," Kayla commented, knowing having a Kryptonian on their team permanently would have helped Rae.
"Hey, what's this?" Cisco asked, now pointing at two screens.
"The way I keep track of the people in the Justice League and Justice Society," Rae said simply.
"Wait… what?" Kayla asked; every world she had ever been to either had a Justice League or Society, but not both of them.
"Oh. The Justice League is led by Diana and Clark, while the Justice Society is led by Bruce, Barbra, and Dick. It's really only vigilantes, although Mari the only one with a power thanks to the Spirit Totem. The Justice Society has more super-powered people, but also vigilantes as well. Mainly, Team Arrow," Rae explained.
"Does… does the Justice League have a Third?" Kayla asked, knowing on New Justice they had three leaders to the League, with their Rae the First, Kara the Second, and Sara the Third. The Justice League worked with just one of these leaders in charge.
Rae raised an eyebrow at this, while Winn giggled. "Clark and Diana have been asking Rae to rejoin and take the Third position. They refuse to name a third and say they are saving it for her when she wants it," Winn explained. "Rae says she's not ready to rejoin a team yet."
"I don't ever want to rejoin. Besides, I'm enjoying being on my own again," Rae sighed as the Justice League computer seemed to flash. "Oh, what's going on?" Rae pushed a button and Clark appeared on the screen. "Why are you sending alerts to my computer?"
"We wanted to inform you before the news did," Clark said over the screen. Cisco and Kayla kept out of line of vision. "Firehawk was fighting some weird, bearded guy and a blonde woman. They shot her with something and caused the Firestorm Matrix inside her to destabilize. She… well, Rae, she blew up over Keystone," Rae's mouth opened as she heard it. "Valor is checking on the city, but she was high enough it didn't hurt anyone. A couple of people are patrolling Keystone looking for the attackers. We're contacting Stein though – he made the Firestorm Matrix, maybe he can tell us what went wrong."
"Damn. Well, thanks for letting me know, Clark. I mean, I might not be in the League anymore, but Firehawk was a friend. She didn't deserve to die like that. If you need any help, you know where I am," Rae said.
"And you know mine and Diana's offer still stands," Clark said knowingly giving Rae a weak smile before the screen went blank.
Rae pushed a button and Firehawk name was crossed off the Justice League list of members. She then went and sat on a chair and put her head in her hand. She didn't look sad to the two world hoppers though – on the contrary, she looked angry, like she wanted to punch something. Kayla didn't know this Firehawk but could see Rae still cared for her former League member.
"If you need to punch someone there's a mess going on downtown," Winn spoke up.
"Sounds like a plan," Rae said, standing up. Kayla expected her to take the suit and helmet from the case but was a bit surprised when lightning appeared around her – it seemed that this Rae had learned how to create a Speed Force suit as well, like her New Justice alternative, not to mention Karry and Prime's Barry. This suit was similar to her father's, and her former one: still the same blue pants and a red shirt with a lightning bolt on it, but there was more gold around the edges and on each sleeve was an extra lightning symbol, as well as right above the gloves, while on her head appeared a helmet identical to Jay Garrick's. Rae put on her goggles after – the same ones New Justice Rae still used. She dressed her dog with speed in his outfit, which was identical to New Justice's Clarky's outfit, and then the two ran off without another word.
"Mind if I go take a look at what's going on?" Kayla asked Winn. She was concerned for Rae now, being very friendly with her alternative sister-in-law on New Justice, so she didn't want her to do something she'd regret.
"Sure, go," Winn said, waving his hand and Kayla sped off.
-Hitchhikers Guide-
Rae ran onto the scene with her dog. "Now what is going on here?" Rae asked, wishing she had asked for more information – the place seemed to be a mess and citizens were running around, but no obvious person seemed to have caused this devastation.
"Hello, Flash," Rae paused to see a blonde woman standing there. She was attractive in her own way with blue eyes and pale skin.
"Did you cause this?" Rae asked on guard; just because the blonde didn't look like much, didn't mean anything.
"Just trying to get your attention," the blonde said, and Rae raised an eyebrow. She then felt a sting at the back of her neck. Koda, her dog, turned and started barking wildly at the attacker, a man with dark hair and a beard, but before Rae could attack him, she felt pain like she had never felt before and dropped to the floor.
Kayla was flying overhead and when she saw Rae fall – she landed before the attacker with dark hair before he could even approach Rae, using her freeze breath to knock him away, surprising him.
"Master!" The blonde called, running over to the man.
"Ava…?" Kayla had to paused as she saw the blonde woman she had recently met on Karry Universe. She was head of one of the DEO there.
"We were not prepared for Kryptonians! But we did what we wanted. Let's ditch," the man said, and before Kayla could react, and the two seemed to disappear into a portal of their own making.
Kayla looked down. Rae was silently screaming in pain while her Speed Force outfit disappeared and reappeared, like she had no control over them in her agony. Superpup was whimpering at his mistress's side, clearly scared for her and unable to do anything.
"Stopwatch, can you hear me? Flash is down," Kayla said, hoping beyond hope that Cisco had tapped her coms into their current location, she didn't know what else to call Winn so went by his New Justice hero name.
"We don't have any medical!" Winn said in Kayla's ear, she glad Cisco had looped her into the system. "You got to bring her to the Justice League."
Before Kayla could say another thing, Cisco came out of a portal and then opened a second. Kayla didn't hesitate as she picked Rae up and went through Cisco's new portal, followed by Superpup, and then Cisco.
-Hitchhikers-
Clark was in Watchtower with Diana and several other members of the League – all members wanting to know how one of their own had died.
After the initial split of the original Justice League, only eleven members stayed, including Firehawk who was now dead – this now left ten members in the League from before the split, those ten being Diana/Wonder Woman as leader, Clark/Superman as Second, with Thea, Roy, Oliver, Mon, Red Tornado, Aquaman, Constantine, Stargirl, and J'onn.
Kara was present too, since after the League split Kara had become Supergirl and had decided to join the League. They had also found Herculea. They met Jace and the male Amazonian along with Tommy Queen, who had also joined them as Black Arrow.
"Well, someone put a device inside Firehawk from these readings," Stein was saying. "The device was what destabilized the Firestorm Matrix."
"Thanks for coming, Stein. I know you're retired," Clark thanked the man.
"Just because I no longer go out in the field doesn't mean I won't lend my genius to the League," Professor Stein replied back with a smile. "Ronnie too," he added, but before he could say anything else a portal opened, surprising them all as Kayla was the first one through, holding Rae, who was still screaming in silent pain, her Speed Force outfit coming and going. Flash Dog was by her side, as was Cisco.
"Rae…?!" Clark asked, ignoring the Frankie-lookalike and the dark-haired version of his cousin. He figured these two were multiverse. "Is that our Rae?"
"Yes, and she needs help," Kayla said.
"This way," Diana said, quickly directing them to medical area, and Kayla putting her down on the bed. "What happened?"
"Two people attacked her. From what I saw, the description matches the ones who killed your Firehawk," Kayla said, not mentioning Ava yet. "The man shot something at her… and now this."
"And she's bleeding," Cisco said pointing at the lower part of Rae where blood was starting to pour out.
"Well, according to scans not only is there a device in her electrocuting her every few seconds from within, but she's also in the middle of a miscarriage," Diana said.
"Miscarriage?!" Kara voice was heard, and she paused at the door. She had grabbed hold of Koda to make her former dog not interrupt his mistress's care. "But her and Gal… that…"
"Not now," Clark said, putting a hand on Kara's shoulder. If Rae had been pregnant, the kid had been Gal's and a member of the House of El. But Rae herself was more important than the unborn and now deceased child of El. "How do we help her?"
"Get the device out and her body will cure itself," Cisco commented.
"It's connected to the top of her spine. I don't know how…" Diana said, looking at the scans they had taken.
"A speedster can phase it out of her. I need…" Cisco never finished his sentence.
In flash of bright light, another Rae appeared in the room near them. Kayla knew right away this was New Justice's Rae – not only did the outfit make it obvious, but Kayla knew the baby connected to Rae's front with a carrier. New Justice Rae was carrying a diaper bag over one shoulder and a large plastic bag in her other hand. By her feet was her dog Clarky, like always, who started to growl at his alternate.
"and then I… wait, what? I was at the Grants and… is this Old Justice?" New Justice Rae asked, looking around. She seemed very confused. "Premo…?"
"Vibe," Cisco said.
"Vibe Junior," Kayla corrected, Prime's Cisco going by just the Vibe name, after all.
"And I didn't bring you here, but since you're here, your alternate needs your help," Cisco said. "She needs a device phased out of her." Cisco pointed at the scans Diana had.
"Okay," Rae said, putting the bag she was carrying on the floor and tossing the diaper bag down. Rae put her hands around Leona and lightning appeared as the carrier disappeared. "Leona, go to Uncle Clark for a moment," Rae gave the child over to Clark, who seemed stunned.
"That's not…?" Kara now asked, knowing a bit about the multiverse and knew this little girl could be the child their Rae had just lost.
"Oh no," Kayla said, backing away and letting New Justice Rae go to her alternate. "Gal doesn't exist on her Earth. You're actually this little ones other parent," Kayla explained. Kara blinked looking at the kid but went back to look at New Justice Rae was doing.
New Justice Rae looked at the scans for another moment before putting her hands on her alternate and started vibrating them both. In a matter of seconds, she had vibrated the device right out of Old Justice Rae, who instantly stopped screaming as New Justice Rae put the device on a tray Diana held out to her.
"Easy as pie," New Justice Rae stated. "Clark do not let go of that little one," Rae noticed Clark having trouble with the struggling Leona. "She crawls at super speed. If she's on her own, I am chasing her." The smile on new Justice Rae's face showed she didn't mind though as she went and took her daughter back from Clark.
"Well, our Rae is returning to normal. Her body needs time for her speed healing to help her," Diana said, running new scans but Old Justice Rae was already sleeping peacefully now, it seemed – the stress of the attack and the subsequent healing making her fall unconscious. "I think we need Professor Stein's genius a bit more – and someone should sit here with her."
"I'll sit with her," Kara offered, and Diana gave her a smile as Kara took a chair.
The entire Justice League was waiting when they went back to the main hall. People turned and smiled at seeing New Justice Rae, but Clark quickly held a hand up.
"Not our Rae," Clark said quickly. Rae had also picked up the diaper bag and plastic bag she had been carrying before. "But she did save our Rae," a breath of relief went around the room as Diana gave Professor Stein the tiny device. The man started looking it over immediately.
"And now, Vibe Junior," New Justice Rae made a point of saying. "Send me…." she didn't finish as a beep came from the computer.
"What's going on?" Diana asked and Mon, who was at the computer, turned to look at her.
"Frost has been attacked. She's on a street right now in pain," Mon said, showing video from someone live-streaming it.
"I'll go," Cisco said, surprising them as he opened a portal.
"Something tells me we're not going anywhere," New Justice Rae said to Leona as she put her things down again and then lighting appeared nearby and a playpen appeared in the middle of the hall; New Justice Rae put Leona in it, and then made some toys with the Speed Force. Leona laughed as she grabbed the teddy bear Rae had just made.
"That's cute," Thea said with a small smile as Cisco returned carrying Crystal in his arms.
"I better go in case they need me again," New Justice Rae said as Cisco, Clark, and Diana headed back for the medical area. "Mon," Mon was shocked as this Rae called to him and Clarky jumped into the playpen, "you keep an eye on my daughter. She goes at superspeed at times. Oh, and since that food will be really cold by the time I get it to the Grants, anyone is welcomed to it. Going to have to make something else for them now anyway."
"Why am I in charge of the kid?" Mon asked as he looked at the little girl who was in fact crawling around the playpen at superspeed.
"Because when New Justice Rae is in the room, you just obey her," Kayla chuckled, realizing she too had to just follow New Justice Rae's orders if barked to her. This made a change from being at Karry's Lake House, at least.
"Better keep your eyes on her, Mon. I have the feeling if something happens that Rae will have your head," Thea chuckled to Mon as she grabbed the bag with food in it.
-Hitchhikers Guide-
"Rae, you are needed again," Cisco said as Rae came back into the medical area.
"This time the device is heating her body up," Diana explained.
"Okay, I'm on it," Rae said, moving over to Crystal and started vibrating the device out of her now – once the device was out, Rae put it on the tray and Clark went right away to take it to Stein. "Might want to bring her body temperature down."
"Let's get her in some ice," Diana said with a nod and Cisco opened a portal above Crystal. Snow instantly began to fall on her as silence filled the room
"Portal to the artic," Cisco explained simply as the temperature from the artic was already being felt in the room and Crystal's temperature began to head back to normal.
A few moment later though, Clark came into the room with a young boy, he had a fresh scar over his neck, like he'd recently had an injury treated.
"Billy…?" Diana asked, and Billy opened his mouth, but no voice came out.
"He was attacked earlier, same guy, I only just got him," Clark said putting Billy on another bed. "He only just got away from his parents to come to us," Regardless, Diana ran a scan on him.
"His vocal cords have been completely destroyed. He can't turn into Captain Marvel without them," Diana said sadly. Billy looked sad at this as Cisco frowned. "Are all league members in Watchtower?" Diana now asked; Clark gave a nod. "Good, because it seems we're under attack. Contact the former League members and let them know. All of them. Including the ones currently in the Justice Society."
"His vocal cords were destroyed…?" New Justice Rae repeated. "Crystal's body temperature was raised…"
"You know what's going on," it was Kayla who had come into the room after Clark and Billy.
"I think I do," Rae said, rushing out and back to the main hall.
"Follow her. Kara mind…" Diana began;. Kara had been sitting in the medical with Old Justice's Superpup anyway.
"I've got them," Kara said, giving a nod and blowing a small freeze breath onto Crystal to help cool her off. Cisco closed the portal over her now.
Running back into the main hall, New Justice Rae instantly grabbed hold of Leona, who had escaped her playpen already.
"How did she crawl over the playpen?" Mon asked. Leona was still holding onto the Speed Force teddy bear Rae had summoned and giving giggles in her mom's arms.
"Super baby," Rae said, smiling at her daughter. "Stein, that device used on my alternate. It sent electricals shocks through her system every few seconds, right?"
"Correct," Stein nodded. "Using some type of nanotechnology, I…."
"Oh, Bruce…" Rae said, taking a seat as she sighed.
"What about him?" Clark asked and Rae could see the anger at this reveal.
"Okay, look on my Earth every member of the Justice League was murdered – I was the last one," Rae started. "When I took control of the League we found Bruce didn't just make contingency plans on threats to the League or the Earth, but he made contingency plans against members of the League too. Electrocuting a speedster every few seconds so we can't use our powers; raising Crystal's body temperature so she can't use hers; attacking Captain Marvel as Billy and taking away his ability to bring about his powers… these were all his plans," Rae said.
"Firehawk was murdered. The Firestorm Matrix destabilized," Diana pointed out.
"For Firehawk and Firestorm, the plan was to interrupt the Matrix. He might not have realized she would die," Rae said.
There was silence for a moment.
"I'm going to kill him," Clark said, starting to move.
"Clark!" Diana called out, stopping the man. "Don't forget the Anti-Kryptonite devices…" Clark grabbed some armor from nearby and put it on before going through a zap tunnel.
"Is… is no one going to stop him?" Kayla asked, having waited for someone to stop Clark, presuming Diana would, but everyone of this Earth shrugged. "Damn. I'm just going to go make sure he doesn't get hurt."
"Hold on. I'll come," New Justice Rae said, summoning a baby carrier again attached to her again for Leona. "Come on Leona, let's make sure Uncle Clark and Uncle Bruce don't kill each other."
"You're bringing Leona?" Kayla asked, surprised at Rae taking the baby.
"Say what you want about Bruce, but the man is still a hero and so is Clark. Neither of the two will hurt one other in front of a baby," Rae stated as a zap tunnel was opened for them, and they left with Clarky following.
"That was clever," Diana mused.
"And she can cook just as good as our Rae. I have missed Rae cooking," Thea pointed out, holding one of the containers from the bag Rae brought.
"I'm going to go give Kara some food and check on our Rae," Oliver said with a smile taking something and heading off.
"Does Clark know those two are dating yet?" Diana asked and Thea shook her head. "Let's not tell him for a while."
Cisco chuckled as he watched this interaction but also mumbled, "Oliver and Kara? That's new."
-Hitchhikers-
Bruce was in the Batcave talking to Alfred. That was until Clark charged in.
"How dare you!" Clark shouted, grabbing hold of Bruce. "Do you know what you did?!"
"If this is about Metallo again…" Bruce sighed, not reacting despite the death-grip Clark now had on him.
"This is about Firehawk," Clark spat, cutting off whatever Bruce was about to say. "And Rae, Crystal, and Billy!"
Clark was surprised as Bruce was suddenly phased out of his arm until the dark-haired Kayla was between them, with Rae now holding onto Bruce.
"Now you two play nice," Rae said as Leona gave out a cry. "There's a baby in the room."
"Since when do you have a baby?" Bruce asked, this time actually surprised.
"Not our Rae. She's the same one who came here last time. Besides, our Rae won't be a mother now. She had a miscarriage because of your device" Clark spat.
"What exactly device are you talking about?" Bruce asked, moving backward.
"Ah, do not take out the Kryptonite," Rae said, not knowing of her alternate's miscarriage but decided to let that hang. "Clark is protected, but Kayla and my dog are not wearing one of those anti-Kryptonite devices and neither is Leona, and she is part Kryptonian. Now come on Bruce, you're a dad. You won't harm a baby." Bruce gave the baby a look before he moved aside. "And Clark, you're a father too, so take a breath and stop yelling. We wouldn't want Leona scared of versions of her Uncle Clark now, would we?" Clark took a deep breath and then took a step back too. "Good boys." Clarky gave a bark; he was standing with Kayla between the two.
"Alternate Ms. Garrick, that was pretty clever," Alfred said, not moving from his spot at the bat computer.
"Thank you, Alfred, and please it's Rae," Rae said, giving the man a smile.
"Clark, Bruce is not the one attacking the Justice League and those who left the League," Kayla pointed out. "The blonde girl, Ava, and the person she called Master is."
"See," Bruce said, not entirely sure what was going on.
"You're not off the hook," Rae added, pointing at Bruce. "Because these are your plans. My nerds found them in the Justice League system after you were dead on my Earth. Your telling me you didn't make them here?"
"What are you lot on about?!" Bruce finally snapped at this.
"Firehawk," Clark stated, "she died when her Firestorm Matrix destabilized; our Rae was nearly killed by constant electrocution; Billy Barton has forever lost his voice due to an attack on his vocal chords; and Crystal was nearly killed when someone tried to bring her body temperature up."
"Ah," Bruce looked concerned now. "My contingency plans," Bruce sighed, and Rae gave a nod. "I made them." Clark crossed his arms, looking ready to send a heat vision at Bruce. The only thing stopping him might have been Leona being in the room. "I took them off the Justice League system when I left. The only place they exist now is here in the Bat Computer and it's the most secure computer system on the planet."
"Might want to hold your horses on that one," Alfred spoke up, having been typing on the computer. "I just ran scans, and it looks like we were hacked. The only thing they took were the contingency plans you made to use against the league."
"So much for secure," Clark said sarcastically as they moved over towards Alfred.
"I can try to trace the hack, but it will take time. Everyone should get to the base to…" Alfred was cut off as a communication was heard through the system.
"Batman! I'm under attack. Some blonde ninja and a weird guy with–" that was it as all they heard from Barbra Gordan.
"You made a contingency plan against Batgirl?!" Clark snapped, grabbing Bruce by the cape now.
"To aggravate an old injury, worsen it to… paralyze her," Bruce said, color now draining from his face – the fear clear in his eyes.
"Where is she?" Clark asked, and Alfred barely had the street name out of his mouth before Clark flew off. Bruce was jumping into his Batmobile in a matter of seconds later and driving it out of the cave.
"How does that get out?" Rae asked as the car was gone. Leona was laughing and Clarky gave a confused bark.
"Secret tunnels," Alfred, however, answered. "Are you two not going to go with them?" Clarky gave a bark out at the word 'two'. "I am sorry, three." Clarky gave a thankful bark at being included.
"They technically didn't ask us for help with this," Kayla said. "We can't help unless they allow us. I learned the hard way a while ago."
"Yes. Multiverse code of honor. Your world, your problem – unless you ask us to interfere," Rae added.
"Well then maybe you would accept me asking you two to go? Master Bruce and Clark were once a great team. The best of friends. But their relationship has been in the downswing for some time. I care for Miss Barbra too…" Alfred explained.
"That counts for me. Come on Clarky," Kayla said, and Clarky gave a bark and went running after Kayla.
"Hey, you're my dog!" Rae called out but gave a smile as she put her arms around Leona and unsummoned the carrier. "Alfred, I'm going to need you to babysit this one. She needs all eyes on her," Rae put Leona in Alfred's lap before running off.
"Well, I am used to taking care of Miss Helen," Alfred stated, and Leona blew up cold at Alfred face. "But she doesn't do that…" Alfred gave a laugh though as he rocked the baby.
-Hitchhikers-
Clark was on scene first to see Barbra laying on the floor in her Batgirl outfit, her motorcycle not far from her – she clearly had fallen from it as she tried to get away from her attackers. The blonde woman, Ava, was there as well as her bearded master, but the man was going for his machine to teleport them again. Clark wasn't having that though, and surprised them with a heat vision, hitting into the device and instantly destroying it.
Clark landed next to them now. "Get away from Batgirl!" Clark snapped; Barbra might have stayed by Bruce's side and left the Justice League with him, but he wasn't going to let anyone hurt her.
"Ah, Superman," the man said, taking a green rock from his jacket that Clark knew was Kryptonite, but Clark tilted his head.
"Thank HR Wells before he died for this armor then," Clark said, seeing the surprised look on the other man's face as he wasn't affected by the Kryptonite at all, so Clark punched him hard.
There was a flash and Clark knew it was the alternate Rae who took away the Kryptonite before Kayla and her dog showed up. Rae came back up, just as Bruce showed up in his car, coming out with his weapons loads.
"Flash, I thought we took care of you?" The man said, bleeding from the punch as he went to for Rae, but Rae dodged him.
"Got to be faster than that," Rae said, as Bruce had jumped from the Batmobile and teamed up with Kayla against Ava.
Rae saw Barbra was still laying on the floor and ran to her; she was still conscious, but clearly in pain. Rae gently picked her up. She had to get her away from here. "Flash Pup, help Superman!" Rae told the dog before she ran off. Clarky jumped in to help Clark and together, the two Supers had surprised them man, having him wrapped up using metal railings from an emergency escape nearby.
Turning, they noticed Kayla and Bruce had gotten the blonde woman wrapped in one of Bruce's rope gadgets. Looking back, Clark was now holding the man with one arm. "I think we should take them back to Watchtower," Clark said.
"For once, I agree with you," Bruce said with a nod. They need Diana's Lasso.
-Hitchhikers-
New Justice Rae had brought Barbra to Watchtower's medical area, where her alternate was finally up and had learned of her miscarriage – Old Justice Rae was not taking it well as she was crying into Kara arms. New Justice Rae left though, to get her daughter.
Now, the three world hoppers, the entire Justice League, Old Justice Rae, and Bruce were in the main hall of Watchtower. The two villains were still tied down, now to chairs. Diana smirked as she took out her Lasso of Truth and put it around the man.
"Firstly, what is your name?" Diana asked.
"I'm Bishop," the bearded man stated, he was battered and bruised now.
"And why are you attacking us?" Diana asked.
"To stop it from happening," Bishop said, and seeming to decide not to fight the Lasso's powers at this.
"Stop what?" Diana asked.
"Stop the Justice League from healing!" Bishop spat. "I am from the year 2213," everyone in the room bar the world hoppers, Courtney, and Clark seemed shocked. "A few months into her pregnancy, the Flash was going to take Wonder Woman and Superman up on their offer. No one really knew what changed her mind; whether it was that Superman and Supergirl are her kid's uncle and aunt, or she just decided with a kid she needed a team. The Flash became third in charge of the League and with her return, others who left came back. After that, the Justice League and Justice Society called a truce with each other. They developed a working relationship. Two teams of heroes, working together, training new heroes. You became unstoppable."
"I guess the Speed Force was right about needing to sperate the League," New Justice Rae mumbled as she rocked Leona.
"But what does this have to do with you?" Diana asked Bishop.
"The two teams survived into my time," Bishop continued, "becoming the greatest force there ever was for this world. And they took everything from me! I created Ava, the perfect human clone, designed to do whatever the buyer wants. But the Justice League and Society decided they were human beings, and that it was slavery. They turned the public against me and got society to ban the use of Avas; they freed my creations and tore my company apart to support them. I just got away with one Ava. I didn't know what to do, but then I discovered Batman made contingency plans against the heroes. Coming back to this time, getting those plans out of the Batcomputer, and using them against the heroes, I knew it would break apart the heroes even more at this delicate time, especially if the Flash never rejoined the League. The Society and the League would never come to their truce."
"Where are Rip Hunter and the Time Masters when you need them?" New Justice Rae asked.
"I am blocking them from finding me," Bishop said, surprising Rae who's question was more rhetorical than anything
"Not anymore," a new voice spoke, and the group looked to see a new type of portal had opened in the room and standing in it was none other than Rip Hunter himself, along with a woman New Justice Rae knew as his wife, Miranda. "With your capture of Bishop and Ava, we were able to track him down."
"Who are you?" Clark asked as Rip moved into the room and both Bishop and Ava groaned.
"Clark, it's okay," Courtney said and New Justice Rae smirked but didn't say anything.
"Time Masters," Rip stated, as if this explained everything; he and his wife stepping into the room. "Very good job, multiverse, Justice League and… others," Rip continued. "Now, we'll be taking him," Rip put a hand on Bishop and Diana took the Lasso off Biship, not sure why she trusted this new guy. "And yes, an Ava. We'll take her too – she could become a good Time Master," he nodded to his wife who picked up the surprised Ava and took her through the portal that was still open. Rip then turned now to Old Justice Rae, looking sad now. "Flash, I'm sorry, I would go back and stop it, but the timeline is set. Too bad too, as your son was meant to be something," Rip gave Old Justice Rae a sad smile as he now picked up the complaining Bishop and took him through the portal he and Miranda had come though. It snapped shut behind them.
"Well…" Bruce started, surprised at the turn of events. "I guess it's flattering he decided to stop us from reuniting. The point being it was he..."
"Oh, do shut up," Old Justice Rae snapped. "He couldn't have done it without you." Old Justice Rae took a step forward. "My child is dead. I didn't even know I was pregnant and it's because of you. Because you made that plan!" Old Justice Rae turned to the League now. "Open a zap tunnel for me. I want to go home."
Clark nodded and pushed a button, opening a Zap Tunnel. "Rae," Clark said before Old Justice Rae could leave. "When you want to, the offer will be open for you." Old Justice Rae barely gave a nod before leaving with her dog.
"I'm just going to go collect Barbra," Bruce sighed, walking over to the medical area. Crystal passed him on the way and gave him a dirty look, but Bruce didn't stop.
Kayla though, decided to follow him and see what happened. Barbra was awake laying on the bed as she looked over to Bruce and Kayla.
"Come on Barbra we'll…" Bruce started.
"I won't walk again," Barbra said, cutting Bruce off. Billy was still sitting on one of the beds too. They had been unable to reverse the damage and give him his voice back. "I have been with you longer than anyone, been your partner for years – and now I'm paralyzed because you didn't trust me? This plot of yours was only good for me. To use a former injury to paralyze me. An injury I got originally protecting you!"
"Barbra, I made a plan for everyone – including Dick," Bruce frowned.
"You think that makes it better? It just shows you truly trust no one but yourself," Barbra said. "Leave me alone!"
"You heard her," it was Diana, having followed them to see Barbra. "You can leave now Bruce."
Bruce stepped back, shocked, and sad, as he gave one last look at Barbra. "I'm going to make this right somehow. All of it."
"You cant throw your money at something like this," Kayla stated, feeling a little bit sorry for the man – he'd never intended these plans to be used, she knew that, but he was taking the blame for it all.
"Maybe not. Maybe this just proves that my time is over," Bruce mused sadly as he headed toward an open Zap Tunnel, leaving Kayla to raise her eyebrow at this response.
Several of the League had left already now, with the threat against them gone and New Justice Rae was looking awkward, having unsummoned the Speed Force toys and playpen it seemed and having Leona back in her carrier.
"Can I go home now?" New Justice Rae asked. "Kara's probably wondering where we went." She smiled down at Leona as she said 'we', while Clarky gave a little bark.
"I'll send you home," Cisco said with a nod.
"Thanks," Clark said to her. "Without you, this could have been a lot worse."
"Don't thank me. Thank however I got here," New Justice Rae said as Cisco opened a portal for her and she left with Leona, Clarky, and her diaper bag.
"I think it's time for us to go too," Kayla said. "Don't want to outstay our welcome," he added to a look from Cisco, who obviously wanted to stay.
"Well… if you ever need the multiverse, your Rae has the system," Cisco stood, and could see the confusion. "Oh, a multiverse phone line. A way to communicate with us, and even travel between worlds without a Vibe," Cisco gave them a wink as he opened a portal for him and Kayla though.
-Hitchhikers-
Kayla was back at the Lake House on Karry Universe; she didn't want to neglect her job as substitute Supergirl, after all. Cisco had returned to Mutant since, but Kayla's mind was reeling as she looked to her journal and bit her pen momentarily before she wrote her latest entry…
Well, I took a break from Karry's maternity leave today to do some world hopping – Vibe Junior and I went to Old Justice; a world a lot like New Justice, only Barry died as a kid, so the Old League wasn't killed. Prime Barry and New Justice Rae were the first to go there during their Speed Force missions. Kayla paused as she wrote, thinking. It's weird to see two worlds that were probably exactly the same at one point so different now. On New Justice, the Justice League is strong under Rae, while on Old Justice it's now broken into to a Justice League, Justice Society, and solo heroes. Rae is one of the ones not in a League, but there may be others, I never really asked.
Kayla paused as she thought of that Bishop person. A man from the future called Bishop came to use Bruce's contingency plans against the League, to stop their Rae from rejoining and to keep the League and Society from forming an alliance. I think he was successful, even though he was defeated. By having a miscarriage, there is no way Rae is rejoining the Justice League anytime soon and the mistrust with Bruce is now greater than ever. It all depends on what he does next. He hinted at retiring, but we'll see.
Although it was a good thing New Justice Rae showed up – even if she did take charge, I felt like I was just following her around after she appeared. Well, she was not only able to save Old Justice Rae and their Crystal from the Bishop attacks, but she knew of the contingency plans. But there is one question though: how did she show up? Vibe Junior didn't do it and it didn't seem like the Speed Force sent her. I guess it's a mystery.
Kayla frowned at that one as she put her journal down and sighed. Some things would never be answered, it seemed.
-Hitchhikers Guide-
Prime Gal, currently the Anti-Monitor overlooked Old Justice, using his new power to spy on his counterpart comforting Rae over the miscarriage. It had been devastating for Old Justice's Gal-El too, which was sad to see.
"I know you did it," Gal wasn't surprised by the voice of Accord, the new Monitor and sister of Barry Allen as she appeared near him. "You brought New Justice Rae here."
"I did," Gal said, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Why not just ask her to help them?" Accord asked.
"She doesn't care for this world. I thought it was best to just drop her in when needed. Her hero instincts wouldn't let her not help," Gal pointed out. "It's too bad I couldn't save their child though..." as the Monitor and Anti-Monitor, there were certain rules on things they could and couldn't do and, unlike the original Monitor and Anti-Monitor, they were going to follow the rules. To avoid another Crisis happening.
"Well, it seems to be a rule of the new multiverse that Rachel Garricks can't get pregnant, so you may have saved us from another mini-Crisis," Accord smirked as Gal chuckled. "But they'll have other kids, by other means."
"Yeah… they will," Gal said, knowing it as fact as he and Accord left their observations, to new tasks where they were needed.
Post Chapter Note; Well, I hope you liked this Hitchhikers. Millie enjoyed bringing Old Justice back. Did anyone see the twist involving Gal at the end? I bet you all thought it was the Speed Force trying to save one of her own. Anyway, Sigma will be writing the next three chapters though, so look out for that starting next week.
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Karry Master and Beta OUT!