Karry Universe
Disclaimer: As always I own nothing.
Note 1: Now that 'New Karry' is sadly over I am sure all of you are expecting me to get back to updating this story twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays as usual… unfortunately something called 'life' is getting in the way of this. My school starting back up soon, plus work, and general other stuff means Karry Universe can't remain my no. 1 priority. This is not to say I am going to stay at one Karry a week so here's what's going to happen from now on: Mondays you will get an update – this is a promise – and Thursdays you MAY get an update if I have the time and a couple of chapters in my backlog ready to go. So, Thursday is no longer a guaranteed day for updating, but it's an optional update day. I am sorry about this and will try to give you the Thursday update as much as possible, but obviously I cannot guarantee it.
Note 2: Relates to my note above. Due to many different reasons, this Thursday will NOT have an update. The next update you will see from me is right here next Monday…
Note 3: This is in response to a review. I couldn't response in person because that person has rather annoyingly disabled private messages, but since this is about grammar I feel comfortable addressing this issue here. I am not a grammar expert and my beta and I try our best, but this is just for fun, so try to relax and enjoy. Besides, when it comes to people talking in real life to their friends, I feel no need to have their grammar perfect when speaking (that, and it would make them seem too formal in situations found in this story). Yes, these are educated people so if they are writing something or making a speech or even giving a lecture in classes, they would think of grammar but these are also common people, they are not trying to make themselves sound superior or too smart, so in social situations with friends and family I can see them going to a more common normal and natural tongue, especially people like Clark who grew up on a farm first and foremost. Obviously Stein breaks this mold, but he does like to think himself a little bit 'high and mighty' compared to the others, which is why we love him so.
An Explosive Situation
"Ever have the feelings you're forgetting something and have no idea what it is?" Eddie asked Joe, coming up and leaning on Joe's desk as the detective looked over some paperwork. "I just have a feeling I was supposed to be somewhere today."
"Did you try calling Iris and asking?" Joe asked his partner and future son-in-law. "You know she's getting pretty intense with the wedding plans. If you missed something…"
"No, that's not it," Eddie said, "and Iris is not answering her phone."
Before more could be said the pair heard their captain calling their names and turned around to see Captain Singh walking up. "We have a problem," Singh announced. "We have a missing persons case – two men taken from their homes, presumably the same culprit due to similar mysterious circumstances."
"Could they have just gone for a walk? When was this called in?" Eddie asked, knowing a person had to be missing for at least 48 hours before the police were involved.
"This morning, Thawne – I know what you're thinking, but due to Central's recent past, we can't wait the full time before calling it in. Besides we have a witness to one of the kidnappings. We need to find them now, before it could be too late."
"Meta, then?" Joe asked.
"So far, it doesn't appear so," Singh stated.
"Then why are you coming to us?" Eddie asked, since he and Joe were exclusively Central's Meta Human Taskforce.
"The mother of one of the victims heard the kidnappers mention the Particle Accelerator; she's going nuts and since it's our only lead we need to talk to the owners of said Accelerator."
"Kara and Barry own the Accelerator now," Joe pointed out, and then paused, "you honestly can't believe they would….? Barry is one of us."
"I know and I don't believe they would but we need to cover all bases," Singh said. "It's doesn't help Barry took the day off and is not answering his cell. I called STAR labs but the two aren't there."
"Kara's not answering her phone," Eddie said, having called it too.
"We need to talk to them, now. Barry's address is still listed as your house, but I assume he and his wife are not living with you?" Joe nodded. "Then you two will take me to their place and we'll have a nice little conversation."
Joe and Eddie looked at each other in worry, and then nodded, standing up.
-Superflash-
Singh knocked on the door loudly but no one would answer. "They are not home," Joe said after a moment.
"I think they are in there and ignoring us," Singh announced, clearly getting angry and looking to the lock.
"You can't break and enter," Eddie reminded him.
"It's not breaking and entering if you have a key," Singh said, taking keys out.
"Hey those are mine," Joe said instantly recognizing his keys and patting his pockets to find them missing.
"You're a simple man, Joe. You have three keys two for your house and one for your car. This one got added to your keychain recently and I assume…" Singh turned the key in the lock and the door opened, "it works."
"Sir, you don't want to…"
"I do," Singh said opening the door.
"You really don't…" Eddie paused as Singh walked in and the barking and growling started. "We tried to warn him." They heard Singh yelling at Krypto, who refused to back down.
"Should we?" Joe asked.
"I'm not getting killed by that dog," Eddie pointed out.
"Who is my dog killing?" They heard a familiar voice ask casually, and turned to see Kara and Barry behind them. Kara was in a very pretty dress while Barry had on a suit. "And what are you doing here?"
"Long story, where have you two been?" Joe asked.
"Caitlin and Ronnie's wedding," Barry answered; Eddie's mouth opened in shock, and he slapped himself in the face.
"That's what I was forgetting!" Eddie moaned. "How mad is Iris?"
"You might want to sleep on the couch tonight," Kara smiled, walking passed them and to her apartment.
"She meant our couch," Barry said a little too politely.
I meant Joe's, Kara said in her mind as she ordered Krypto down.
"Sorry she meant Joes," Barry corrected walking in, surprised to see Singh in the apartment putting his gun away.
"I have actually bedrooms now Barry and Iris have left," Joe added thoughtfully to Eddie who was still grimacing.
"You were going to shoot my dog!" Kara now said in shock to the captain, "After breaking into my apartment too!" Kara was clearly pissed.
"That's… not right, Captain." Barry said coolly, sending calming emotions to Kara and reminding her Krypto was bullet-proof. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"We need to talk," Singh said, ignoring Kara as Joe and Eddie walked in – Eddie on the phone and apologizing to Iris apparently, or maybe her answering machine. "Let's have a seat." Neither did, Barry staring concerned at his captain while Kara positively scowled at the man. "Or we can stand, whatever." Singh sighed and took out two pictures. "Do you recognize these two men?"
Barry shook his head but Kara was now looking in concern at one of the pictures and pointed out to the captain: "Him. He applied for a job at the labs, but I can't say I remember him that well. Caitlin may know more, but she's obviously unavailable for the next week or so."
"I am guessing you didn't hire him, then." Singh stated. "Why not?"
"We can't hire everyone," Kara pointed out. "Now, I have been pretty calm since you broke into my home, tried to shoot my dog, and asked all these questions… Now I want to know what's going on?"
"Henry Hewitt and Jefferson Jackson, both were kidnapped today, possibly by the same people," Singh said. "The only lead we have is from Jackson's mom saying they mentioned your Particle Accelerator so I have to ask…. where were you today?"
"At a wedding," Barry pointed out a little stupidly. "And I don't like what you are implying. We would never!"
"Who's wedding?" Singh asked, ignoring Barry.
"Our friend's. Caitlin Snow and Ronnie Raymond," Barry snapped.
"And who else but you have access to the Accelerator?" Singh questioned.
"Caitlin and Ronnie, Martin Stein, and Cisco Ramone," Kara answered this time. "We were all together today."
"So your alibi is each other?" Singh said.
"We were at city hall and a restaurant. I am sure you can find someone who saw us, or even surveillance footage from those places," Kara said, "and now I want you out."
"One more thing," Singh wasn't fazed by their less-than-sunny attitude. "I'd like to look at the Accelerator."
"Do you have a warrant?" Kara snapped, knowing they couldn't let anyone in because of their meta human prison; Singh shook his head. "Then get out and come back when you have one."
"And until you have this sorted I think I will be absent from work," Barry said bluntly.
"Oh and Joe, Eddie, please leave your keys here." Kara added, forcing pleasantries across her tone, even though she felt anything but happy right now.
Joe and Eddie took their keys to the apartment off their keychains and put them on the counter, both knowing the severity of the situation. "Sorry about this," Joe said as Singh walked out. "We did not know he would break in. We just thought he would talk…" Kara and Barry nodded, unsure what to say as Joe and Eddie left.
They looked to each other when the party was gone and went to change into their outfits – and changed Krypto. They had people to find.
-Superflash-
The next day Kara and Barry were in the Superflash cave. Krypto was sleeping on the floor, being exhausted from an all-nighter. "You couldn't find them?" Caitlin asked.
"No," Kara said. "And shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"
"Ronnie and I are going away overnight this weekend. Hard to take much longer when Ronnie can't be away from Stein that long." Caitlin explained, clearly upset about that. It was hard not being able to go away whenever you wanted because your husband needed to stay near his other half to live.
"Well we searched the city a couple of times," Barry said going back on topic. "But there are too many places with lead paint Kara can't see through, and Krypto can't pick up a scent when he doesn't know what he's looking for. We're stuck."
"And I'm no better," Cisco said, having been trying to trace the kidnappers by hacking satellite images and cross-referencing anything that could be of importance. "These kidnappers are good. They avoided cameras. I got nothing!" Cisco slammed his keyboard and leaned back in his chair. "Should we start transferring the metas we have to the DEO in case Singh does get a search warrant?"
"Not going to happen on what they have," Kara said confidently. "Besides, General Lane is at the DEO and trust me, Lois' father is an ass. We literally can't transfer until he's gone." Kara was in normal clothes again, and had her glasses on. "I've got to go. Seeing a test run of Dr. Willis' scanner." The group said their goodbyes as Kara left.
-Superflash-
At the field STAR labs owned, two of her scientist seemed to be arguing. "Dr. Willis!" Kara yelled as the man attaching something on top of what looked like a floating toy car, looked up. "What is Mr. Jones doing here?"
"Using his hover car toy here for my test run," Mr. Willis said, finishing attaching the device on top.
"It's not a toy," Mr. Jones stated, clearly annoyed.
"It's a toy," Kara sighed. "But your hover technology will be very profitable." The light at the bottom of a hover car went off and the car went towards the ground only for the light to come back on and the car to float again. "Once you work out the bugs. Now what am I here to see?"
"My sensor," Dr. Willis said excitedly. "I attached it to the top of the toy and as you can see, I had several object put around the field." Kara looked around to see the normally empty field was set up as he said it would be. "My sensor will be able to scan around the toy and send what it sees to my laptop here." Willis smiled at his laptop. "Mr. Jones, start your toy."
Jones mumbled something under his breath as he took out a remote and the hover car started to move. "Head towards the right," Dr. Willis told him and John moved the controller but the car went left.
"Sorry," Jones called and the car started towards the right and when it got close, a small fire lit up from a machine.
Kara looked at the computer to see the warning fire pop up. Looking back up the hover car was close but not so close. "Impressive," Kara said as the test continued and Kara truly was impressed as the scanner picked up everything correctly. The car disappeared behind a wall and the words 'dead burnt body' appeared on the screen. "You put a dead body on the field?"
"No that was supposed to be a hole," Dr. Willis said. "Jones, turn off your car." Jones pushed a button on the screen. "We got to go see what it's reading to correct the coding."
"I'll come with you," Kara said, following Willis to behind the wall where there was hole and inside the hole was a corpse, burned beyond recognition. Willis freaked and ran; Jones remained stony-faced. "Oh, well that's just peachy,"' Kara groaned, standing over the body and knowing the implications of this find.
-Superflash-
Singh had shown up with many officers and even the CSI, Julian Dorn. Joe and Eddie had shown up too, to watch, but they couldn't be on the case as it would be a conflict of interest. "Remember all these inventions are copyrighted to STAR," Kara said as her scientist explained the inventions to the police officer. "I would appreciate the police department respecting our privacy on these inventions too." Kara glanced to the road – the media had inevitably caught wind of this and were at the edge of the property.
"We will do what we need to," Singh said coolly. "How does this work anyway?" Kara raised an eyebrow. "I mean they make everything, but you profit?"
"All inventions and research done at STAR labs belong to the labs, but we take care of our people. When we profit off an invention they get rewarded as well. Why?"
"Trying to see if anyone would have a grudge against STAR. To frame you," Singh said.
"You checked our alibi," Kara said with a smirk now, and Singh nodded.
"You couldn't have been the kidnapper and I never really thought you were," Singh said in a form of apology. "But I would still like a look at the Accelerator."
"And do you have that search warrant?" Kara asked airily.
"It's only matter of time now," Singh said.
"How do you even know this is related to the kidnappings? This is a field. We don't protect it from the public. I am surprised more bodies haven't been thrown in here," Kara said as there was a flash near the body, causing Julian Dorn to jump.
The Flash continued running stopping, in front of Kara. "Ms. Allen," Flash said nodding and Kara smiled. "Good to see you." The Flash ran off.
"You know the Flash?" Singh asked, surprised.
"He comes by for help every once in a while. My scientists have orders to give Flash and Supergirl anything they need."
"That is true," Willis said.
"Well I will need to talk to employees."
"Talk to whoever you want but I will not order my employees to answer you," Kara said and turned to Willis. "I was very impressed by your scanner. We'll talk more about its future later." Kara then turned to leave.
-Superflash-
"This is a media nightmare," Kara moaned walking in the Superflash cave where Barry, Ronnie, Cisco, Caitlin, and Stein were. After talking to the police she had to handle the media too. "Being connected to two kidnappings and this does not help our image. Although that Flash stunt you did was helpful." Kara smiled at her husband.
You're welcome, Barry thought back with a smirk. "Unfortunately we do not have good news."
"I took the DNA Barry got from the body and compared it to DNA on file and it belongs to Henry Hewitt," Caitlin said and Kara sighed. "But that's not the worst part."
"How could it get any worst then that?" Kara asked.
"Henry Hewitt's DNA had been mutated; probably originally during the Accelerator explosion and again before his death, after being kidnapped," Caitlin said. "And the mutation is very close to the mutation found in Ronnie and Stein."
"So, on a hunch we had Barry run to this Jefferson Jackson's house and take some DNA," Cisco said.
"And?" Kara asked.
"Same," Caitlin said. "Someone is trying to make their own Firestorm and figured out these two were the perfect candidates. Unfortunately they do not realize Firestorm is two people."
"I am guessing that's important," Kara said.
"Very, Ms. Allen," Stein finally spoke up. "Myself and Ronnie each hold one half of the Firestorm mutation and when the two are combined, that combination allows the pair of us to keep the matrix stable. If they had gotten this right, Mr. Hewitt would have exploded – taking half the city with him. Thankfully he just burnt himself out."
"They have one more chance," Ronnie said worriedly, eyes on the picture of Jefferson Jackson.
There was silence for a moment. "Okay, now that we know the why we need the where,' Barry said, standing up finally. "Where in the city could do this type of experiment?"
"Here," Caitlin answered immediately,
"Not here, though," Kara said. "There has to be somewhere else."
"The equipment needed to do this…" Cisco paused as he was thinking. "Mercury Labs?"
"Mercury shut down after their explosion," Barry pointed out, reminding Cisco of the time the Flash and Supergirl had to run into the burning buildings to get people out of Mercury and safe. After that the labs had shut down, stating publicly that they were moving cities to somewhere safer.
"But they didn't take everything with them," Cisco theorized. "The equipment should be there and the building is abandoned. Perfect hiding place."
"Worth a shot," Kara said with a shrug, as she and Barry ran into their outfits. "Krypto, you're coming too." Krypto barked, sitting up in his Superdog outfit already.
"Stein, you and Ronnie too. We might need you," Barry said, and Ronnie and Stein nodded in agreement as they merged bodies and the group left.
-Superflash-
They were right, Kara thought to her husband as she and Krypto flew overhead. She had used her x ray vision on the labs to see four people, and Jefferson Jackson on a table, fire coming from his body. And we might be too late. They already did their experiment on Jefferson.
We still have to go in, Barry thought back and Kara agreed, giving Firestorm a nod as the group of heroes rushed in. Barry quickly took out two of the kidnappers while Kara got one and Krypto the last.
"You could have left one for me," Firestorm said, coming in behind them and seeing the four men on the floor.
"Well there's a boy on fire here," Barry said, pointing at Jackson who seemed to be semi-conscious – his eyes were flitting between the group and there seemed to be panic in his expression, even though he couldn't move or react properly.
Ronald, we need to split, Stein thought and the two instantly split bodies, Stein moving towards the machines connected to Jefferson. "Oh, not good," Stein muttered. "They perfected it this time. He has the full matrix in him and he's not going to be able to handle it for long."
"We've got to move him to the wasteland," Kara said, having wanted to save him but now needing to save the city. It was one life against thousands.
"You move him and he'll explode," Stein warned before the heroes could touch him.
"Then what do we do?" Barry asked, taking a step back as Stein stared in thought.
"We need to balance him out," Stein said. "I need to…. You two, get me some things from the lab." Stein listed what he needed to the fast heroes who ran out to get them. "Ronald, I am going to need your help if this is to work. Jefferson," he added to the half-conscious man, "I'm going to save you." At that moment, Barry and Kara returned with the supplies.
Ronnie and Stein went to work straight away, and even without super speed they worked fast enough making a device similar to the one Astra and Cisco had made them to keep them balanced when merged. "This is our best shot," Stein said, holding up the device and looking over at Jefferson. He was getting worst; there wasn't much time left before he blew. "You three need to get out. Go outside the building."
"Why?" Kara asked.
"If this doesn't work he will explode and me and Ronald will take in the blast," Stein said and Ronnie nodded. "The force will probably kill us but we'll save the city."
"Ronnie!" Caitlin cried over the earpiece, having heard everything,
"We have to Caitlin," Ronnie said as he and Stein combined bodies. "Go!" Kara, Krypto, and Barry went outside, taking with them the unconscious kidnappers and Ronnie connected the device to Jefferson Jackson and turned it on. The fire around him got more heated, and then there was the explosion.
Outside Kara, Krypto, and Barry were just waiting when they heard the explosion. Kara used her x ray vision immediately. "They're alive," Kara said aloud, to calm her best friend who she could hear crying over the coms. "All of them."
It wasn't long later when Firestorm walked out with another man similarly ablaze - the fire itself on this new meta's back forming shapes similar to wings and the cranial capacity of a bird's head. The fire then went out and standing in front of them was Jefferson Jackson. "What happen to me?"
"That will be explained later," Barry said. "Right now we are bringing you to the police station and after that you will come to STAR labs." Jefferson nodded, unsure of what was happening.
"And keep that on," Ronnie added pointing at the device on Jefferson's chest. "Hide it under your shirt or something…" Jefferson, knowing he wasn't in a place to argue, did as he was told and then was picked up by the Flash.
-Superflash-
"I got that search warrant," Singh told Joe and Eddie. "Sorry but I had to. I have to go where the evidence…" Before he could finish, Flash appeared with Jefferson.
"I believe this is who you are looking for," Flash said as Supergirl and Krypto came with the four kidnappers. "And his kidnappers." Flash ran off, taking the search warrant out of Singh's hands. "I don't believe you need this anymore. Maybe let Mr. and Mrs. Allen do their thing and earn back their trust."
Joe and Eddie laughed at the look on Singh face as they went to go talk to the new arrival – Jefferson.
-Superflash-
The next day Supergirl and Firestorm were helping the new meta with his powers at their field. "Seems Firestorm is stronger than Jax," Cisco commented thoughtfully as Firestorm's fire blast beat out the one Jax sent. Jefferson had told them he preferred being called Jax earlier.
"Does he need those wings?" Barry asked, not getting over the way this new Firestorm looked. "He looks like some kind of giant fire bird?"
"Probably not, but seems to be the way the fire is shaped for some reason with him," Caitlin mused.
"He needs a cool name. Fire bird…. Oh I got it, Phoenix!" Cisco grinned.
"Firehawk," they heard a voice and turned to see Joe and Eddie had driven up. "That's what Cat Grant is calling him."
"How does Cat Grant know?" Cisco asked upset.
"Sighting of Supergirl and Firestorm flying over the city with him this morning," Eddie answered. "She was very fast with the name." Cisco mumbled something as he sat back and the three in the air landed. Stein and Ronnie splitting bodies.
"Joe," Kara greeted her father-in-law.
"You'll be very happy to know Singh has issued a public apology to STAR labs," Joe said. "And the kidnappers are away for good. They didn't admit to trying to make a new Firestorm so you're all safe."
"Thank you," Kara said, knowing Joe had something to do with the apology to the labs and making sure the kidnappers didn't say what they were doing. "You can have your keys back too."
"So how long do I have to wear this?" Jax interrupted, pointing to the device on his chest.
"The device should completely stabilize the matrix in your system in a day or so," Stein said. "You'll be fine on everyday things, but even after that I would wear the device any time you plan to use your powers. The matrix could get unstable without it."
"So what am I now? A member of your League?" Jax asked.
"No," Barry said shaking his head. "The Justice League is for heroes. You're not a hero. Not yet anyway. Maybe someday."
Jax looked at them with thought and then around. "Maybe I don't want to be," he said. "A hero, I mean. I didn't ask for this after all. I just want my life, what I have going for me as it is."
"That's your choice," Kara reasoned. "But know if you use your powers for any illegal reasons we will take you down."
"Yeah I know," Jax said, rolling his eyes and flying away.
"He's a good kid," Barry said. "I think he'll come around some day."
"And you owe me a honeymoon," Caitlin added now, going to Ronnie who smirked at her. Everyone wished them a good time as they left, apart from Kara and Barry, who left with them before going their own way back home.
Kara and Barry smiled at each other as they kissed. Interesting last few days, Barry thought. What do you think will happen next?
Not a clue, Kara thought back but together we can handle it.
Post Chapter Note 1: To explain this, I realized that by keeping Ronnie alive I wrote Jax out, but I really like Jax so I found this Firehawk character while searching for a way to include Jax in some form and decided to use it for him. Hope you guys enjoyed.
Post Chapter Note 2 (PLEASE READ): Hey guys I have a favor to ask of you all. I have a personal goal for reviews on this chapter. Now just know this will not affect my update schedule. This is not one of those I need this amount of reviews before updating. I am updating next Monday no matter what, but I would really like to hit a thousand reviews by then. It's only 31 reviews away and since I have gotten more than 30 reviews on a chapter before I don't think it's an unreasonable goal so please if you have read this REVIEW. Lets get this story over the thousand mark.
Next Time on Karry Universe:
TOP SECRET! Sorry, but for once this is a complete secret. I cannot even give you a summary but I can give you the title: When Words Collide. Make of that what you will…
Karry Master OUT!