Karry Universe
Disclaimer: As always.
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Note 1: This is worth saying again. THE EARTH 19 OF THE MILLMA VERSE IS NOT THE EARTH 19 OF THE SHOW.
Note 2: something I did in this chapter is very similar to something the TV show did. You will know it when you see it. I just feel like saying I had this idea and chapter written long before the TV show did it.
A Whole New World
Kara and Barry were fighting on the streets of Central. Krypto was fighting besides them, growling, snarling and biting. The entire Justice League in their ears. Strange-looking and powerfully strong monsters had popped up all over the country, and the Justice League was run thin trying to fight them all.
That was when a blue portal opened up before Supergirl and The Flash. Prime Earth has one hell of a timing, Kara thought to Barry as she dodged an attack from the monster, Barry choosing the distraction to run around it. Jesse had gone to a different city to help fight the creatures there, leaving Central to the super team.
Maybe they saw the fight and are coming to help? Barry thought back hopefully, but to no reward as out of the portal came a female speedster – someone neither superhero knew. Who's that? Barry White Two never… The newcomer didn't waste time to start tackling several of the creatures at once, not even announcing her presence as she took on three in a matter of seconds. She was skilled.
She's fighting for the right team at least, Kara responded to Barry in awe, seeing the new speedster now sending out speed tornados at the creatures Barry and Kara were fighting, and then ran right at another creature. Barry joined her and the two speedsters punched at the same time, sending the creature flying.
Down the block, the creature got up and Kara went in for a punch, but suddenly the monster stopped moving and went limp. "What just happened?" Kara asked into her earpiece, looking back at Barry and the new speedster in curiosity. Krypto was by her side, sniffing at the limp creature. Reports now came to her ears as the entire League spoke of the monsters stopping dead, just like this one.
"I think that was us," Wally's voice was heard. He had lead the Young Justice after an anomalous signal Gideon and Cisco had picked up. "We found the origin of that signal. It was a very poorly guarded lab. Looks like these monsters were genetically engineered, controlled by an A.I. in the lab – no brain, without the signal, no purpose. It seems to be a former Cadmus lab."
"Cadmus?" Superman could be heard adding in. He sounded annoyed at the very word. He had recently had an encounter with the real Hank Henshaw, otherwise known as Cyborg Superman and hadn't got the upper-hand of the cyborg. He was taking what remained of Cadmus very personally now.
"Looks like it…" Wally repeated thoughtfully.
"Martian Manhunter get the DEO there. Rest of the League; clean up duty. Young Justice, once the DEO gets there you're out," Kara instructed over the coms, hearing a moan but the four teenagers knew better than to argue. "Flash and Supergirl are out too. Cisco, disconnect us from the League. Team Superflash only."
"Got it," Cisco said, disconnecting the two from the League communicators.
Barry and Kara finally looked at the other world's arrival. She was a woman of around the same height as Kara. She had dark brown hair which wasn't hidden by a mask. She wore a dark red shirt that had a lightning bolt in the middle – just a lightning bolt, no background like Barry's. On the top right corner was a little shield-shaped badge that was simply inscribed with the letters 'JL'. She wore blue pants and on her head, was a helmet that had small wings on each side. She wore a pair of goggles over her eyes that covered her eye color.
"Who are you?" Barry asked, looking the girl over. She still looked reasonably young, maybe early twenties.
"I'm The Flash," the girl said authoritatively, looking over Barry. "Well, at least The Flash of my world. I assume you're this Earth's Flash?" Barry nodded as the girl turned to Kara looking her over. "You wear the same symbol as… oh… Superman." her voice choked as she said the name, barely getting it out
"He's my cousin," Kara said, giving her a curious look, adding to Barry: What's her deal?
"Interesting," she said looking over the pair of them as her eyes went to Krpyto and a smile came across her face. "Superdog!" Krypto ears perked up as he avoided the stranger and the girl nodded as she turned to look at the two again.
She's… kind of weird, Barry finally responded, a little tentatively.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush." The girl suddenly came to her senses. "I came here because I need help… I need help taking down the Reverse Flash." Barry and Kara looked at each other, shocked.
"Maybe you should bring her back to the lab," Cisco said in their ears. He had heard every bit of this exchange.
-Superflash-
Once in the Superflash cave, the new Flash looked around as Kara took hold of her girls. She felt protective of them with the new speedster around, and Krypto stayed by them too, keeping an eye on the unknown girl. "Frankie?" The Female Flash asked as her eyes found Cisco for the first time. Lisa, who was at the lab, put a protective arm around her husband as Cisco gave the girl a look. "You look different with the long hair and a shaved face." She smiled, taking the helmet off and the goggles, putting them over her head. "You don't know me, do you?"
"Sorry," Cisco said. "And I go by Cisco. Not Frankie." Cisco made a face at the name, not believing a version of him went by that. "I was teased with that name in school. Not fond of it."
"Well a different world, a different you," Caitlin spoke from her place, making the Female Flash look over to her now.
"Frost, is that you?" The female Flash's mouth opened as in shock as she said this, looking upset at seeing Caitlin. "Crys, you never got your powers here?"
Caitlin raised an eyebrow at her sisters' nickname. "My sister is Crystal. I'm Caitlin." She was defensive at this, especially as Crystal Snow was Killer Frost here.
"Oh. Wow." The female speedster didn't seem to know how to react to that. "Yeah I do remember her mentioning a twin at some point."
"Look, what's your name?" Barry asked, removing his mask and not finding any reason not to hide himself. The female Flash took a large step back at that, eyes large and round.
"Barry?" She said. "But you… You have speed?"
"Seems the only one she doesn't know is me," Kara said, chuckling as the girls giggled and she bounced them on her knee. "You're not well verse in the multiverse, are you?" Kara added to the newcomer, who glanced momentarily at Kara with a shrug before looking back at Barry.
"You do know it's me, right? I'm Rae… your cousin," the female speedster, Rae, said, looking at Barry who shook his head and shrugged himself.
"Both my parents were only children. I have no cousins," Barry said simply.
"Oh. Well then. I am Rachel Joan Garrick," Rae said holding out a hand. "Call me Rae – everyone does. On my world, our dads were brothers."
"Barry Allen," Barry said. "My wife Kara, our kids Nora and Alura and you seem to know Cisco and know of Caitlin. Oh, and Cisco's wife Lisa." Rae raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything to that. "So, you said the Reverse Flash? Does he wear yellow and did he kill your mom?"
"No," Rae said making a face at this. "He killed the Justice League. All of the League. Apart from me…"
The group looked at each other at this. They were so used to their own League, to think any version had been murdered by a speedster…
"Why don't you start at the beginning." Barry now added curious about this world. "How did you get your powers?"
"Born with them," Rae said. "My dad was the original Flash of our world. Jay Garrick, he passed on his speed to me. He died when I was one, leaving me orphaned. But Uncle Henry and Aunt Nora took me in. They've told me raising a little speedster was hard." She chuckled at this as Barry and Kara looked at each other. The girls giggled from their spot, almost knowing what their parents were thinking. "As I grew though I couldn't ignore it anymore. The cities. Central and National. They needed a hero."
"You took up for both of them right away?" Kara asked, surprised she could deal with two cities.
"Well, they are right across the river from each other," Rae said, a little surprised herself at this as the group made a face, not understanding how that happened. "And the people. They needed a hero. Especially since the Metamorphosis was released back when I was four. After that happened the city was in desperate need of a hero and did not have one until I took up the Flash mantel years later."
"Metamorphosis?" Caitlin asked.
"A virus of sorts. It only attaches to pure humans. For most people it did nothing, but for some it made them metas. Sometimes, it needs an outside influence to make them, like the Firestorm matrix for Ronnie and Stein. We really don't know how many metas the virus made. The only ones we know about are the ones who became villains or heroes. There could be thousands all over the world. The Metamorphosis is in our atmosphere, constantly active and mutating. It attaches to everyone who is not already a meta or alien."
"Who would make this?" Cisco asked in shock, not believing someone made such a virus and released it onto the world.
"STAR labs," Rae answered, knowing that was where she was standing. "So… Not here?"
"No here STAR Labs' Particle Accelerator blew up and made metas," Barry said, and saw the confused look Rae's face. She did not know what a Particle Accelerator was. "Never mind, please, continue."
"When I hit thirteen it was too much. Soon after I met Frankie, he helped me make the costume and the goggles. The helmet is my dad's – in fact, I stole my dad's look really. Frankie is sort of… he can see things. Future events and other worlds. Open portals. He says a magic user gave him the powers." Rae shrugged at that. "I have always thought it was the Metamorphosis."
"Let me guess, you call him Vibe?" Cisco asked dryly, rolling his eyes at the predictive name.
"No… We call him Premo. It's short for 'Premonition'," Rae said giving Cisco a look now.
"Oh, I like that," Cisco's mood changed instantly with a new name, he nodded, impressed.
"Well on Christmas Eve, not long before my 14th birthday, I stopped the Trickster…"
-Rae's World, About 9 Years Ago-
The Trickster was laughing in the street. A nearby wrapped present exploded, causing the people to jump. "Pick a present if you dare, or pay me! Unless you want to die," he screamed and laughed as there was a Flash. "What was that?" The man chuckled.
"No money for you today," Rae said, stopping in front of the Trickster, her outfit on.
"A child?" the Trickster seemed to stop in mid-laugh at the girl.
"Doesn't stop me," Rae responded, looking around in speed. Her goggles were more than just goggles – Frankie had made them with sensors. She was looking around for the heat signatures of the bombs and found them. Running around the hotter presents, Rae whipped up a wind tornado, which threw the presents in the air and they all exploded, harming no one.
Trickster took out a gun and fired in anger, but Rae took off her helmet and caught all the bullets in it. The helmet had been reinforced by her dad when he'd had it. "Not fast enough," Rae said, holding up the helmet with the bullets in. As she ran around the Trickster, disarming him of anything else, she then took him and handed him off to a cop that had finally turned up. "All yours, officer." Rae said, taking the bullets out of her helmet and holding it under her right arm as the Trickster was handcuffed and everyone was looking at Rae, shocked.
"Wait? No fair! Who are you?" The Trickster was yelling as he was dragged away.
"I thought you were smarter than that. Isn't is obvious who I am?" Rae said tossing her helmet in the air and catching it, then putting it on her head. "I'm The Flash." Rae ran off, and the crowd started to clap.
-STAR Labs, Present Day-
"What is it with the Trickster and Christmas?" Caitlin sighed from her spot.
Krypto's ears perked up now, remembering the Trickster from this world. Kara scratched him behind the ear, calming him.
"How do you know they clapped if you ran off?" Cisco asked.
"It was all over the news," Rae said. "Which means I had to tell Aunt Nora and Uncle Henry."
"Were they proud of you?" Barry asked, mainly he wanted to know if Nora was. He was curious if his mom would have been proud of what he'd done.
"After a bit of yelling, yes," Rae smirked at the memory...
-Rae's World, about 9 Years Ago-
"So, Barry, any girls at college?" Nora was asking, happy to have her son home. Barry shrugged.
"He got rejected by Iris's roommate," Rae said, having come in through the back. She was still in her outfit.
"How did you know that?" Barry asked, standing up and turning around, gritting his teeth at his cousin's appearance.
"Wally told me," Rae said. Her goggles were still on her head, and her helmet under her arm.
"What are you wearing?" Nora asked, shocked.
"Every superhero needs an outfit," Rae said.
"You're not…? No! I forbid it. You know what happened to your father. You can't go out…" Nora seemed frantic at this.
"I figured you would say that. Which is why I did not ask permission," Rae said, cutting Nora off. Rae took the remote and turned on the TV. The news stations were all over Rae's take down of the Trickster. She had to show Nora. "I am The Flash."
"You can't be serious," Barry said with a loud sigh. "You're an idiot who's going to die like her father."
"Someone needs to protect this city, and that someone is me," Rae snapped back.
Henry, who had been in the room with his son and Nora, had not said a word up until this point. "I assumed Frankie is helping you?" he finally said, and Rae nodded.
"We'll call his parents!" Nora started, but Henry cut his wife off as he looked seriously at Rae.
"Be careful out there." Henry stated, solemnly. "Run away if you have to, but save as many lives as you can." Rae seemed shocked; these words had knocked Barry and Nora silent, too. "You are so much like your father. I knew one day you would become The Flash in his place. I didn't figure it would be so soon, but it's in your DNA. Be a hero, but your grades cannot suffer." Rae laughed at this, hugged her uncle and then turned to her aunt.
"Be careful," Nora said worriedly; she looked like she wanted to say a lot more, but accepted they not only had a speedster in the family, they also had a superhero.
Barry rolled his eyes and got up, leaving the room and kicking a stool as he passed it.
-STAR Labs, Present Day-
"Wow, good old dad," Barry smiled to himself. He was a little sad to find out Nora obviously didn't approve of Rae being a speedster hero, but she was only a young teenager at the time, he had to remind himself. He glanced to his girls, wondering how he'd feel if they tried to take up the superhero mantle when they were barely teenagers.
"Uncle Henry's lovely," Rae nodded.
"What about the League?" Cisco asked now. He wanted to know more.
"Well, it wasn't even a month later I had my first contact with the Justice League," Rae said, a sad smile on her face…
-Rae's World, One Month After the Trickster-
Rae jumped over the ice ray, which collided with the heat ray. The two rays combined and blew up, sending a shockwave back to the weapons which had produced them. Their owners, Captain Cold and Heatwave, fell over as they did. "Never cross the streams boys," Rae said, leaning against the building. "Damn these villains are idiots. Maybe we'll find a real meta human, or at least a female. Maybe they won't be idiots." Rae muttered to herself.
"Well, she has sense," a voice replied and Rae looked up to see Superman and Wonder Woman floating overhead. Rae gasped and ran up the side of the building to reach level with them.
"No way," Rae said, now on eye level with the two as she sat on the edge of the building, feet hanging over. The two superheroes moved over to Rae. "Superman and Wonder Woman! You're like the best. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Superman stated, and Rae raised an eyebrow.
"Me? Why?" Rae asked, putting a hand on her chest as she did.
"The Justice League keeps track of all people being heroes. Usually we don't contact beginners like you but you got our attention," Wonder Woman stated, giving Rae eyes and an odd look. "Using the name and outfit of a dead man. Even his helmet." Wonder Woman snatched the helmet from her head.
"Hey! That's mine," Rae complained, getting up on her feet to stand on the roof. She wanted her dad's helmet back.
"This was returned to his fam…" Wonder Woman paused as she landed on the roof and took off the girls goggles to look her in the eyes.
"Wonder Woman…" Superman said warningly, standing next to her, seeing the anger fall from Wonder Woman's face and a new look on it.
"He had a daughter," Wonder Woman breathed, not removing her eyes from Rae's. "A baby at the time but she would be your age now."
"That would be me," Rae said as Wonder Woman held out the helmet to her. Rae took it back.
"Following in your father's footstep is honorable," Wonder Woman stated, turning to Superman, ready to leave.
Superman turned around but then stopped, turning back to Rae. He took a communicator out. "You know what your father thought of the League. It was his idea that formed us, but he never got the chance to be in it. He died saving the entire world. We owe him. So, take this and if you get in over your head, or want advice or training, call us." Rae took the communicator.
-Present Day-
"Your dad made the League but was never in it?" Kara asked now. She was sitting down next to Barry, each holding one of their girls as Rae's stories of her world kept them interested.
"Yeah," Rae nodded. "He had the original idea for it but it wasn't until after he died the other heroes started it."
"Do you miss him?" Barry asked, wondering what this unknown brother of his dad was like.
"Never knew him," Rae shrugged. "I grew up with Uncle Henry, your dad, so he was the only father I ever knew."
"What happened next?" Cisco breathed. He had his chair facing the wrong way, leaning his arms over the back as he listened to Rae's stories too. He wanted to know more about her Justice League, about her Earth. He needed to know about his doppelgänger from this world too.
"Superman." Rae glanced to Kara at this. "He became my mentor… in a way," Rae looked away from Kara at this, away from Krypto too as she looked at nothing in particular. "He came by a lot. Gave me advice. It was nearly three years later when the most amazing thing happened to me, though…."
-Rae's World, Six Years Ago-
Rae was at the stove, turning her own mixture in a bowl and then went to cut carrots at super speed. "You know, we have the money to send you to any culinary school you want," Nora said as she watched Rae cook. It was no secret that Rae loved food and loved cooking it. She loved making anything, but she preferred deserts over all. She dreamed about being a chef.
"Hey, don't go taking away my girlfriend," Frankie said, appearing in the kitchen in one his portals, making Nora jump. Barry was sitting at the table, ignoring the conversation. He didn't even register Frankie appearing.
"I can't leave Central and National," Rae said, turning to her aunt. "The cities need me."
"Spoken like a true hero," a new voice entered the fray, and standing at the door was Superman. "Hope you don't mind, I let myself in."
"Clark," Rae said with a smile. "Coming for dinner?"
"Actually, a quick stop. I have other plans," Clark said.
"Well, what do you need?" Rae asked with a smile.
"You," Clark said, making Rae raise an eyebrow. "Well, your presence at the Hall of Justice this weekend for the traditional induction into the Justice League ceremony." Rae dropped the knife she was holding as she looked at Clark in shock.
"You're kidding me," Rae breathed, not moving.
"What?" Barry growled, standing up and glaring at Rae, Frankie and Superman.
Clark shook his head, ignoring Rae's cousin. "No, you're in. Unanimous vote – first time in a while, but you have proven yourself. You've worked with us before and besides, your dad should have been in the League. We've had a spot open for a speedster for a very long time. We want The Flash." Rae hugged Clark, who laughed and hugged her back. "You're the youngest member we have let into the League, well… knowingly let into the League." Rae raised an eyebrow at that. "It's complicated. You'll find out soon enough. So, this Saturday? Noon at the Hall of Justice."
"I'll be there," Rae said determinedly.
-STAR Labs, Present Day-
"Wow," Cisco breathed from his place. "That's so cool. Youngest member of the Justice League. I think Connor is the youngest member of ours."
"Connor is in Young Justice," Kara said. "Not the Justice League. There's a difference."
Before Cisco could say something, Rae added in "Youngest Member Knowingly. Captain Marvel was sort of an adult and a little kid at the same time. It's complicated." Rae looked down as she spoke of her fallen league member rubbing a lone tear from her eye.
"Your Barry didn't seem too pleased," Barry pointed out wanting to move on and know more about this alternate version of him. A version of him that was not the Flash. It was different.
"Yeah, well, Barry and I never had the best relationship. He's like a brother but even so... I think my speed was always a contention to him," Rae shrugged noncommittedly.
"What's the Hall of Justice?" Caitlin asked, frowning now.
"Amazing," it wasn't exactly a reply, but Rae didn't seem to be with them now, looking back on her past. Caitlin frowned at Kara who shrugged as Rae now spoke: "It was the happiest day of my life, standing in front of the hall. Getting my communicator and this," Rae pointed at the little 'JL' badge on her costume. "I loved being with the League… Although it was a couple years later I first met him. The Reverse Flash." Her eyes suddenly hardened as she looked directly at Barry now, the only other Flash in this room.
"He wasn't called The Reverse Flash back then." She stated. "He showed up when the League was finished with a mission. Dressed in a speedster outfit all in blue." She scowled now.
-Rae's World, 5 Years Ago-
Dressed in blue, with black on his arms and on his side, a blue lightning bolt on his chest with a light blue background, he stood before The Flash, before the League. He had a mask over his head and face, vibrating his face so they couldn't see his identity. His eyes glowed blue, somehow, and when he talked, he vibrated his vocal cords so his voice was distorted and unrecognizable. "I am the real Flash. I challenge you, Faker," he spoke to Rae. "To see who really belongs in this League."
The other speedster had turned up out of the blue, demanding to be in the League and when denied, it seemed this was his alternative.
"You don't have to do it, Flash" Batman growled beside her. "You're a member of our League, no matter what."
"Scared, Fake Flash?" the blue Flash said.
"Of you? Hell no," Rae said. "Give it your best shot." The Blue Flash ran at Rae, who easily dodged. During the next few minutes they fought at super speeds, no member of the League truly able to see the battle, which only ended with Rae standing over the Blue Flash. The Blue Flash was clearly beaten, but it didn't look like Rae even took a hit. She was good.
The Justice League applauded their comrade. "You're no Flash," Citizen Steel called out at the Blue Flash.
"Maybe we should call him Kid Flash?" Valor pointed out.
The Blue Flash was almost literally growling as the rest of the League mused. "Ignore them," Rae said softy, suddenly taking pity on the man still at her feet. "You're clearly new to your powers. I can help you. Train you."
"Trained by you? I will not be your sidekick!" Blue Flash spluttered, getting up and running off.
-Present Day-
"Doesn't sound like Thawne," Barry muttered thoughtfully, once Rae had recounted her time with the Reverse Flash, before he got the name.
"Who's Thawne?" Rae countered.
"Our Reverse Flash. He's long-since dead now," Barry stated. "Yours was new to his powers? He obviously doesn't like you," he now sighed.
"Reverse Flash's rarely do," Cisco pointed out. "Thus, the whole 'Reverse' part of the name. The anti-Flash. How did he gain the 'Reverse' title, come to think of it?" Cisco now asked.
"Well, our first encounter was only a couple years ago, but I didn't see him again and nearly completely forgot about him. Then, a couple months ago, members of the Justice League started dying. It started with Arrow, Speedy, and Arsenal in Starling. Then onto Batman and Batgirl in Gotham. Nightwing… Bludhaven… It wasn't hard to figure out it was him. The common factor in their deaths was a blue speedster – the Blue Flash from those years ago. He was going by Reverse Flash though. Claiming he was the reverse of me."
Tears were forming in her eyes now, recounting the death of her friends. "He even, somehow, destroyed Red Tornado – so much we can't get him restarted. There were 30 members in my League. Everyone but me is now dead. The last one to die was today. A few hours ago. It was… It was Superman. He died in my arms. His blood is still on my hands."
"It's not your fault," Barry said quickly, thinking she meant it metaphorically. He was holding Kara's hand now, to hear of a Clark's death.
"I think she means literally," Kara said quietly, looking at the gloves on Rae's hand. It was hard to tell, since the gloves were red, but there was clearly a darker stain to them. Rae took the gloves off and threw them on the floor at that as she completely broke down, shocking the room. The mother in Kara couldn't let her cry like that, with no comfort. She gave the girls over to Barry and moved over to hold Rae. Krypto even walked up and nuzzled next to the woman.
"It was… The way he did it…" Rae gave Krypto a look. "At least Clark hid you away somewhere. Or you would be dead too…" Krypto gave her a sad and confused look at this.
-Rae's Earth, Hours Ago-
"No, no, no!" Rae said, running up to Superman. They had had a plan. They were going to take out the Reverse Flash but somehow, he had seen through it. Reverse Flash's hand just went straight through Superman, creating a large hole in his chest. Rae put her hands on the wound, trying to put pressure on it. "You can't die! You're Superman. The yellow sun will heal you. Just hold on..." Superman looked at Rae, raised his arm as if to move her hair from her face.
"Tell Ka…" he tried, but his hand dropped limply to his side as the breath left him.
"No, no you have to live!" Rae knew it was useless though; he was gone. He didn't even get his last words out. She didn't know who to tell what for her friend. For her mentor.
"Just me and you now," Reverse Flash taunted from the side. "But don't worry. I'm going to kill everyone you care about before killing you."
"What did I ever do to you?" Rae asked, tears in her eyes. She felt defeated. She couldn't even muster the energy to face up to the Reverse Flash, even though she so wanted to. She just held on to Superman's body.
"You destroyed my life," he growled, and ran off.
Rae was aware of the shocked crowd as she picked up Superman and ran back to the Hall of Justice. The front had areas for press but the backroom was private. Rae used her foot to press a button and the wall opened up. A box came out and opened up. Rae put Superman in it and pushed another button. The lid to the box closed and cold air sped around the body for a moment. Then it disappeared and Superman's body was frozen. Preserved. Rae pushed another button and the box disappeared behind the wall. She felt numb.
Rae moved off to a round, human sized metallic device. "Portal, to Watchtower," Rae said, her voice hollow, and energy appeared within the device. Rae went through it, almost on autopilot now.
She didn't stop moving as she went to the robot in pieces on the floor. She had to try. "Turn on," Rae said pushing a couple buttons, but having no idea what to do. "You're a robot, you can't die too. Come on Tornado, turn on!" Rae cried and laid on the floor next to her former friend.
She wasn't sure how long it was before someone else entered the room. "Hey," Frankie's voice was heard. "I saw what happened…"
"How did you get in here?" Rae said, looking through watery eyes. "Only Justice League allowed."
"And I can create portals anywhere," Frankie said. "You need help."
"Everyone died," Rae said.
"You can travel back in time," Frankie tried. "Why not go to the past and warn the League?"
"Do you know how dangerous time travel is?" Rae asked, standing up now to look at Frankie in shock. "You think I haven't considered it? Time travel is just too dangerous. I travel back and warn the League, save them all, and then suddenly a nuke goes off destroying the world! Time travel can never be messed with. Never."
"Then you must face him on your own," Frankie said, biting his lip.
"Or…" Rae thought, an idea coming to her. "Other worlds. You have the power to open portals to other worlds." Rae moved toward Frankie, feeling determined. He stood his ground. "He knew everything. He knew how we think, what we'd do. Maybe bringing in another world… Someone from outside the box."
"No," Frankie said. "I told you long ago: The worlds are meant to be separate. No matter what some of my counterparts think."
"What does that mean?" Rae asked.
"There are certain worlds where my counterparts not only travel, but… they have made a communication system. These connected worlds, they talk and travel all the time." Rae glared at Frankie at this now. "What?"
"And is there any danger to them traveling?" Rae asked.
"Well… part of the multiverse has been destroyed," Frankie said.
"Due to them traveling?" Rae asked.
"No," Frankie admitted.
"I want to go to one of these connected worlds and ask for help. Which one would you suggest?" Rae knew Frankie had been spying on them. That was simple to tell. His resistance was deeply seated, however. Long ago he had decided never to cross the void to other worlds, and he has stuck by this as far as she knew, but it didn't stop him observing these worlds, dreaming about them…
"I have been watching them and using their names – they do name the worlds, so weird some of the names… I would say the bests ones to go to are either Prime Earth or Karry Universe. Both seem to have it together, for the most part."
"What's a Karry?" Rae asked, and Frankie shrugged.
"Cannot figure that out." Frankie said dismissively. "But I think that's the world you would like." Rae raised an eyebrow. "They have their own Justice League. It's different from ours, but it's a League. Actually, called the Justice League. Besides they also have the most advance technology in the connected worlds. Prime has a League, although they call it a Society and their tech is… sub-par. Karry is your best bet."
"Okay," Rae said, having been convinced when Frankie said Justice League. "Open the portal to this Karry Universe."
"Rae…" Frankie began, still not moving.
"Please, Frankie. I must. Reverse Flash wouldn't realize, he wouldn't see it coming. I need to try. He's going after everyone I love, everyone I know. How long until it's Nora, Henry or Barry? How long before it's you? You once said I have the weight of the world on my shoulders and right now I do. But with Reverse Flash… I've got to do this. Please, open a portal to Karry." Frankie gave a look, but knew Rae was serious, the speech was convincing, so with a sigh, he took out his reasonably normal-looking glasses and put them on. He opened a portal between himself and Rae, the speedster ran through it.
-STAR Labs-
"That's how I got here," Rae sighed, finally taking a seat offered by Kara. "I'm hoping that you would be able to help me. I mean, if not I could try this 'Prime' but you guys seem more… you know."
"My mom's alive on your world?" Barry confirmed. His own voice was suddenly hollow now.
"Aunt Nora, yeah. Or I hope…" Rae said, looking down, and Kara could feel what Barry was thinking.
She's not your mom Barry, Kara thought quickly.
She would be like my mom though. And I would like to see her. Show her the girls. This is the closest I will ever get. Besides, I can't leave a world to the Reverse Flash. Even if it's not the same as the one from our world. Barry White helped us with the Siobhan, Livewire, and Bizzaro and then the Reverse Flash. Prime Earth has helped us with the prison breakout and the White Martians... We've not exactly returned the favor. To any Earth. I think it's time we help a world. Barry reasoned.
Okay, Kara thought back. "Cisco, can we bring the girls with us?"
"Um… what, to Rae's world?" Cisco asked to a nod. "You're actually going? I mean, yeah, there's no danger to world hopping at all. It's more dangerous running them at Mach 2, like you do."
"They like it," Barry and Kara said at the same time.
"Of course they do; they're little speedsters," Rae said, smiling watery at the babies now.
It was decided. Kara and Barry took out their communicator and put them on unavailable. Barry ran and grabbed a bag for the girls as Kara strapped them into their stroller. "Superdog, you're coming too," Kara told Krypto, who barked happily and wagged his tail "Caitlin, anti-speed formula?" Rae raised an eyebrow at this as Caitlin took out a flash drive, plugged into the computer and transferred some files to it.
"Should be able to make it there," Caitlin said. She would offer to make it herself, but she could see the two wanted to see this world now, besides, she didn't have a desire to leave this earth yet, and it took a while to make the formula anyway.
"So, how are we getting there?" Barry asked, Rae frowning at him as she glanced to Cisco.
"I don't have power," Cisco pointed out, Rae opening her mouth but a portal suddenly opened before her.
"Lucky Premo's been spying on us, then," Rae said with a small smile.
"Spying is not cool," Cisco said, taking out another device. "This is to track what world you're going to." Barry nodded, taking it as he, Kara pushing the girls, Krypto, and Rae went through the portal.
After a moment, Cisco checked the computer. "We now have an Earth 19," Cisco said with a small smile.
-Superflash-
The small group walked out of the portal to find themselves clearly in an advance headquarters, but that wasn't what got Kara and Barry's attention. Glancing to the window outside, there were stars, deep blackness, and the moon could just about be seen. The Earth was also in view. "We're on a space station!" Kara and Barry said together as the girls cried and Kara rocked the stroller.
"Welcome to Watchtower," Rae said with a smirk.
"Their Watchtower kicks our Watchtower's ass!" Barry happily cried, moving over to the window. "Does everyone know this is where the Justice League meets?"
"No, they think our headquarters is in DC," Rae said. "The Hall of Justice. No one knows about this."
"How did you do it?"' Kara asked and Rae shrugged.
"Before my time," Rae said. "There was a different headquarter before this, but this has proved to be better."
By the computer, giving them a glare, was a short-haired man with a mustache and a little beard. They recognized him, but he looked so odd, unshaven and without the mane of hair they knew too well. "Cisco," Kara and Barry said together, both with small smiles.
"Frankie," Frankie corrected them. "And I want it known I was against this." The two looked at each other. This Frankie was very different from the Ciscos they knew, not just in looks and name, but it seemed attitude.
Kara held up the flash drive. "Anti-speed formula," Kara threw it to Frankie who caught it. "Think you can get that made?"
Frankie plugged it into the computer. "The Justice League systems can make this, easily," Frankie confirmed. "Although it will take some time."
"Well while we have time…" Barry said, turning from the view to look at Rae. "I would like to visit my parents of this Earth."
"I figured," Rae said, putting back on her helmet. "Frankie, I need new gloves." Rae pushed a button, and a zap tunnel activated. "Follow me." Kara pushed the kids and the two followed.
They came out in a phone booth in an alley in Central. That was odd for a start. What was weirder, the city did look different. Barry, take the girls, Kara flew up into the air, wasting no time. From above she could see it all – Central was there, but so was National. Familiar buildings from both locations were noticeable; she could see the CatCo building clearly from where she was. There was a river between them and an island in the river which seemed to be being used by both cities. It looked like it harbored an airport, along with several businesses. She sent an image to Barry. I kind wish it was like this on our world. Would make being at both so much easier. Kara mused.
And we wouldn't have had to have that year apart, Barry added, as they followed Rae out of the alley.
I don't think this is the only Earth with combined cities. We'll ask Gideon what other ones in the system are like this. Kara added, feeling a certain familiarity with the combined cities, but not sure which Earths had it and which didn't.
-Superflash-
Nora was making dinner, keeping an eye on the TV. Superman's death had been caught on video and it was playing everywhere. There was no escape from it. Henry was watching it too. Barry sat, seeming emotionless, although harboring a sort of playful grin at the whole thing. "I wish Rae would…" As though Nora's words were a summons, Rae appeared next to her and not a second later a red-clothed speedster with two crying babies, and then a woman with blonde hair, wearing an outfit very similar to Superman's, appeared next to her.
"What…?" Barry stood up suddenly at the three superheroes, but Henry spoke over his son.
"Um…. Rae?" Henry asked, as Rae took off her goggles and helmet. "Who're…?"
"Well, long story short… you remember how Frankie can see into other Earths?" The group nodded, Rae's Barry however scowling at the newcomers as he remained silent. "Well he can open portals there and he sent me to another world where I asked the Flash of that world and his wife, Supergirl, to help with the Reverse Flash." A cry made Rae stop and look over at the babies. "And they brought their kids for some reason."
"When you're a parent you will understand," Karry Barry said, taking off his mask, still looking at his mom who stepped back in shock. Rae's Barry stood up now, staring in anger at the face the same as his.
"And he's Barry's doppelgänger," Rae added in, a little cautiously now.
Kara was trying to calm the girls. "Barry, can you take Nora?" Kara asked, having Alura in her arms but making this Earth's Nora raise an eye as Barry picked up the girl still in the stroller. "Come on, where's my happy baby?" Kara rocked her. "I think all the portals scared them."
Barry tried rocking Nora and then got an idea. "I can show you the world," Barry started singing and Kara had to smile. "Shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide? I can open your eyes. Take you wonder by wonder. Over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride. A whole new world..." This world's occupants looked at each other at that, Rae actually chuckling at the spontaneous song. "A new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no or where to go. Or say we're only dreaming."
"A whole new world," Kara now joined in, the singing was working. The girls were calming down. "A dazzling place I never knew. But when I'm way up here. It's crystal clear. That now I'm in a world new world with you."
"Now I'm in a whole new world with you," Barry continued, rocking Nora who had completely stopped crying.
"Unbelievable sights." Kara added. "Indescribable feelings. Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky. A whole new world." Alura giggled but their parents were too into the song to stop, even though their kids had stopped crying. They smiled at one another now.
"Don't you dare close your eyes," Barry sang.
"A hundred thousand things to see."
"Hold your breath it gets better." Barry lifted Nora above his head to be greeted by a happy freeze breath. He blinked into the cold, but he was used to it.
"I'm like a shooting star," Kara decided to lift her feet off the ground a bit and Alura seemed happy about it. "I've come so far. I can't go back to where I used to be."
"A whole new world," Barry sang, bringing Nora close to him now.
"A whole new world," Kara sang, putting her feet back on the ground. Alura made a noise at that, but Kara brought her close and she was fine.
"That's where we'll be," Barry sang.
"That's where we'll be," Kara sang back.
"A thrilling chase," Barry warbled.
"A wondrous place," Kara harmonized gleefully.
"For you and me," Barry and Kara sang together at the same time, finishing the song.
"Wow," Henry finally spoke. "I've never heard you sing Barry." Henry turned to his Barry who just scowled at this father.
"It's possible there are enough differences between us he cannot sing like me," Karry Barry shrugged now, looking at his alternate and then his father, but his eyes went to his mom who was looking at him and the baby he was holding.
"You named her Nora," Nora said, looking at the baby. "My counterpart never saw her, did she?"
"No," Barry said. "My mom was murdered when I was young. Right in front of me. My dad was arrested for the murder. That's the way it is on most worlds we know. If it weren't for Joe, I don't know what would have happened to me." Barry informed them, and Nora's hand went to her mouth at his history, upset by it. "It was our world's Reverse Flash who killed you." Barry went on, he had to tell this alternate version of his mom everything. She had to know the reason why he was here, to see her. "He traveled in time to stop me from becoming The Flash, but it was his mistake because killing you brought me to Kara." Kara used her free hand to take hold of Barry's hand, knowing he needed it as he continued. "Together we defeated him. Killed him actually. I could have gone back in time to save you, but… it would have meant losing Kara. I couldn't do that."
"And you shouldn't," Nora spoke, knowing this alternate version of her son needed comfort. She knew her son, or so she believed. "Your Nora wouldn't want you to give up a happy life for her. She would be proud of you being a hero." Nora moved forward and hugged Karry's Barry but baby Nora shouted out, blowing cold air onto Barry again. He felt torn for the first time ever, but his girl was his priority, even above his own mother.
"They don't like being in the middle of hugs," Barry said, not helping but smiling though.
"Let me hold one," Nora said, holding out her arms.
"Take Alura," Kara said, holding out Alura. "She's a little more… calmer, than her sister. She doesn't have freeze breath either. Just don't take off the glasses if you don't want her looking at your skeleton." Nora took the baby who laughed at the new face.
"Oh Barry, you got to get us grandkids eventually," Nora said, loving holding a baby again and looking at her son, who was still looking at the world hoppers. His expression was icy.
"First, he has to get a job and move out of our house," Henry said, teasing his son. "Rae and Frankie are closer. They at least live together and both have a job." Rae stuck her tongue out at her Uncle and Rae's Barry moved away from the arm Henry had put around him.
"What did you say your name was?" Rae's Barry asked, looking at Kara.
"Kara," Kara said with a smile.
"Kara what?" Barry asked.
"Allen of course," Kara said, confused. "Wait, are you all Garricks?"
"No just me," Rae said holding up her hand. "They are all Allens. It's a long story."
"Before you were an Allen, I mean?" Barry persisted, interrupting his cousin.
"Danvers, why?" Kara asked, and Barry gave her a look, then shrugged, now glaring at them again.
"I got a thing," Rae's Barry said, and sulked off, leaving the room and then the house.
"You wear the same symbol as Superman," Henry said, ignoring his son's attitude.
"He's my cousin," Kara answered again at this.
"I never knew Clark had a cousin," Henry said wistfully, looking at Rae who shrugged.
"Maybe, like me and dad on their Earth, she doesn't exist here," Rae said and Kara nodded.
"It's possible," Kara said. Krypto, who had been sitting by Kara feet looking up at the stove, took that moment to jump up and grab a steak from it. "Krypto!" Kara yelled as her dog started on the steak. "I am so sorry about my dog."
"It's fine," Nora laughed. "I'll throw on a few leftovers. You all can join us for dinner." Rae smiled as she went to pet Krypto.
"Jay doesn't exist on your world?" Henry now added, looking to Barry now.
"No, just my dad – you," Barry smiled weakly at this.
"Oh. We were twins. A different world, I was thinking… never mind." Henry muttered, to an odd look now from his wife.
"I wish I knew where our Krypto was," Rae now sighed. "I would give him all the steak he wanted."
Henry went over to Nora and took Alura from her, wanting to hold her as well. Alura was very happy to be with an alternate version of her grampy, not that she knew the difference. The group sat down at the table and began talking about their lives. Nora listened, chipping in facts as she cooked.
That was when a blue-cladded speedster came running in, heading right for the girls who had been put back in their stroller. Barry, seeing this, did not waste a moment before protecting his daughter and attacking the speedster. This had to be this Earth's version of the Reverse Flash. Rae jumped up, joining Barry in the fight as Kara grabbed the stroller and put Henry over her shoulder to protect him.
"Superdog," Kara nodded towards Nora, and Krypto bit carefully into Nora's shirt, and followed his mistress out the door. They had the girls, Nora and Henry into the alley nearby speedily. "Watch the girls!" Kara didn't waste time as she turned and headed back for the house, Krypto at her heel.
The three speedsters were still fighting. Barry, back away, Kara thought and Barry took a step back grabbing Rae as he did.
Kara let out a freeze breath on the Reverse Flash but he ran through it, right at Kara who had to dodge. "Think I wouldn't know that trick! I'm reinforced against cold," the Reverse Flash said, his vocal cords vibrating but it seemed familiar to Kara. Like a distant memory.
Krypto bit the Reverse Flash's leg, making him scream, but he sent a vibrating hand at Krypto who barely dodged it as Kara sent a heat vision at him. Barry went and grabbed hold of the Reverse Flash as the heat vision was turned off. Kara moved in to help hold the Reverse Flash. Rae took advantage of the distraction. "Let's see who you are," Rae said, running up taking off the mask.
As she did, everyone had to take a step back. Even Krypto stopped growling and trying to fight. Barry look right in the face of the Reverse Flash who looked right back at him with the same face. The Reverse Flash was Rae's Barry Allen!
TO BE CONTINUED
Post Chapter Note: I hope you like this whole new world. Part two coming soon…
Next Time on Karry Universe!
An Evil Barry: On Rae's worlds, the Reverse Flash is Barry Allen. He has killed the entire Justice League but what made him evil? How are Rae and Karry Universe's Kara and Barry going to take him down? And does Kara have a doppelgänger on Rae's world? All will be revealed next time.
Karry Master OUT!