Karry Universe
Disclaimer: As always.
Facebook: FanFiction Millma Verse Page
Trusting the Bonds.
Around 2 Years Ago on Karry Universe…
Kara flew in the air with Diana and John Stewart.
"Are you okay?" Diana asked her friend, noticing Kara seemed unusually quiet today.
"I've been feeling weird," Kara commented thoughtfully. "I'm sure, it's nothing." Of course, it wasn't; Kara was carrying twins at this point and didn't even know, but at the time she just wanted to get the current job done.
"We did just fight an army of Kryptonians," John commented, as they had fought the army from Fort Rozz just yesterday. "Fighting the last of your people; that could affect anyone. You should go home. It's not like this is going well."
"We need to find a place," Kara said, shaking her head determinedly. The three had been looking for a while for the perfect place to set up the new Justice League headquarters and found nothing. Nothing spoke to them. "What is so hard about finding a place in the waste land somewhere between Central and National to start up?" Kara grumbled angrily, feeling Barry through their bond sending calming thoughts.
There's no rush, Barry stated in her mind, but she relented, ignoring him.
"We need a good place to build," Diana spoke up. "Good land, and its need to be accessible to our vigilantes who cannot fly."
Kara was about to comment on this when her eyes saw something. She sped up and landed on land nearby; Diana and John were not far behind her. "Here," Kara said, not sure why. She wasn't even sure what she had seen, but this place just felt right. Like it held great power – a good spot for a future League Headquarters.
"This place seems…" Diana paused, looking for the right word as she took in the area they had landed, "powerful."
"John, would this work?" Kara asked, as John landed beside them.
"The land seems good. Flat service; we can start with our plans," John said with a nod.
"Okay," Kara said with a nod, herself. "I'll move some money around."
"Is STAR labs going to be owning the land?" Diana asked, wondering how this was going to work out.
"Sort of. I created shell companies; someone does a little digging they will find the connection to STAR but who will dig over who owns land in the wasteland?" Kara said with a shrug, wanting to get this started. "John, tell me what you need, and you'll get it."
"Good, then we can start Watchtower," John said with a smile.
"Watchtower?" Kara asked, not having heard that name before.
"Well, it needed a name," John said with a smirk. "And now we have the land and funding…"
"Cisco would be proud," Kara commented, and flew off without another word. Little were they to know that this was the start of eight months of mood swings from the Kryptonian.
About a Year Ago, on a Space Station in Deep Space…
The large blue humanoid with armor covering his being and a mouth too big for his face crashed through the roof of the space station, a forcefield instantly activated to prevent everything being sucked through as he turned to the surprised-looking alien. "You!" Darkseid said.
"Darkseid, former ruler of Apokolips," the alien stated as a secondary alien appear next to it. It was hard to determine their genders, if they had any, but their large black eyes kept locked on Darkseid, who failed to notice that there should have been more than two of them in this base.
"And the future ruler of the universe," Darkseid growled, glaring the aliens through squinted eyes.
"Your powers are limited," the other alien said, it's voice lighter. "All those that you seek are gone. Protected by the White Army."
"The White Lanterns?" Darkseid took a step back. "Without a mother I cannot get near them!" He clenched his fist, about to hit a console in rage.
"There is one the White Army have not found," the first alien spoke up before Darkseid could make a move. He paused as he turned to look at the two.
"Go on…" Darkseid growled.
The second alien paused at it looked at its comrade, then back to Darkseid. "What you seek is buried on the third planet from a yellow sun. It is known as Sol 3 to most, but the inhabitances call the planet Earth, and themselves humans." Darkseid smiled at this, a wide, lopsided, dark grin. "But… it is guarded by the most powerful army on the planet."
"No army scares me," Darkseid stated, "especially not of the primitive Human Race. Yes, I have heard of them. Of Earth. It would make a good base for my new beginnings. A new Apokolips."
"Don't underestimate this army!" The first alien spoke, bringing Darkseid's attention back on the aliens.
"Don't underestimate me!" Darkseid growled, sending a pulse of energy at the alien, intent on killing it, but the pulse went straight through the creature. Darkseid frowned as he tried it again on the other but yielded the same results. "Projections!" Darkseid growled in anger as he finally took a look around the space station. "This place is abandoned! You knew I would come."
"We couldn't risk it," one of the aliens stated, a small smirk on it's small mouth at Darkseid screamed in rage, firing around him before shooting back through the hole he had made, the station exploding below him as he shot off, his destination set for Earth.
Several lightyears away, cloaked from Darkseid's knowledge, another space station orbited the moon of a gas giant, in it the same race of aliens went about their work, but two of them paused as they looked to one another, concern on their pallid faces.
"You didn't tell him," one said, knowing Darkseid could no longer hear them.
"He didn't ask," the second said with a smirked. "We won't be seeing him again."
"Thank Kri he sought our old base rather than our new one. He is out of date, being locked away all these millennia," the first stated as the second nodded, moving off.
-July 2018/Karry Universe-
Caitlin and Cisco were in Watchtower when they felt the building shake.
"Gideon!" Cisco called out. "What is going on?" The building shook again, and Cisco saw the defense systems switch on.
"Watchtower is under attack," Gideon said, pulling up footage of security cameras looking in on the nearby monitor. A familiar blue figure floated above the tall building, firing energy shots at the structure.
"Darkseid…" Caitlin moaned.
"Why us?" Cisco mumbled. With the Cortex last time, it seemed Darkseid was getting a little personal toward himself and Caitlin.
"I'm glad Garfield and Jenny are with Ronnie," Caitlin commented, wasting no time in closing her eyes and focusing on her power. Since last time she had doubled down on training, knowing this attack could be inevitable.
Vines shot out of the lifeless ground around Watchtower, growing quickly and momentarily surprising Darkseid as they quickly cocooned the building; but he was not being held back this time. Darkseid was ready for this as he destroyed the vines with a concentrated blast, and then Watchtower's defensives system with a secondary blast. A hole formed in the roof as Darkseid blasted once more. It was easier to take the building down from the top, than destroy it from the bottom.
Cisco grabbed hold on Caitlin as the roof caved in, and suddenly both went through the floor, landing in the meeting room under them.
"Did you just use your power to bring me with you through the floor?" Caitlin asked, feeling weird. Like she had a headrush or similar.
"Thank me later," Cisco said, going to the hover pad, unsure how he used his power on Caitlin as well, but thankful he had. He could see Darkseid coming down though. "Gideon get us down to the garage!" The zap tunnel was their only escape, "and alert the League on Darkseid… and transfer yourself out of here!"
"On it, Mr. Ramon," Gideon's voice was heard, but it was not as clear as normal – Darkseid had hurt the A.I somehow.
….
Kara and Barry were in their penthouse, getting ready to go to STAR when their communicators went off.
Darkseid! Both said to each other at the same time.
"Amelia, watch the girls!" Barry yelled as both went into their outfits and ran out.
Amelia, who had been about to go out, paused and turned to the two children. "Huh. It seems something is going on," Amelia cooed to them, sitting on the chair and texting Lena she might not be in today.
….
Kara and Barry got to Watchtower in time to see the tower crumble into dust.
My speed lab! Barry thought, as they both felt shocked and saddened. Watchtower had become a part of the Justice League, but they had friends to find.
Kara used her x-ray vision to see inside the rubble.
They are in the garage, Kara thought, flying right through the destruction and into the underground garage between Caitlin and Cisco, who were standing between the zap tunnel and Darkseid in the only remains of the building, but Darkseid didn't pay attention to the two at he used his energy beams from his hands to blast a hole in the ground.
"Hey!" Kara called, clapped her hands with strength and speed, sending Darkseid back in the resonating pulse.
"Good move," Caitlin said, Kara surprised the shockwave had worked.
"Took you two long enough," Cisco stated as Barry phased into the garage, followed by Diana who was forcing the rubble aside with her bare hands. She had John with her, using his Lantern powers to move the rubble.
The zap tunnel came to life before Cisco could get it started though, and Tantu appeared as Jesse showed up.
"Tell me where it is?!" Darkseid jumped up, rounding on the small number of League member now. "I know it's here."
"We have nothing," Kara said, lighting up her eyes
Darkseid gave a scream as the Justice League went to attack, but Darkseid send a pulse down on the ground, the blast throwing the League back. The ground below them was torn apart, a crack in the very Earth.
As the small League members jumped up to attack, Darkseid cried in joy as he jumped into the hole. Barry was first to the edge as he looked down to see their enemy take something small and square from the abyss. He jumped back when Darkseid leaped out of the hole.
"You have nothing, indeed…" Darkseid said, with a smirk, holding the box in one hand as he looked at it. "It's mine at last."
"Whatever that is, get it," Kara instructed as Jade now showed up along with Hal. The Justice League went to attack, but Darkseid held his hand out and a stronger blast than he had ever used before sent the team back.
There was a rustling in the air and something twisted into being between the League and Darkseid as Doctor Fate appeared, facing Darkseid as Kara now jumped to her feet, about to rush at the enemy.
"No! He has it," Fate stated authority.
"A magic user?" Darkseid growled. "Magic is meant to be dead. Unless…"
"The Mother Box…" Fate whispered, confusing the League who were now ready to attack, but knew better with Fate between them and Darkseid.
"Your powers will weaken, and you will fade," Darkseid growled, sending a blast now at Fate, which sent him back, toppling into Diana now, who only just caught him.
"You Justice League want a battle?" Darkseid called. "I will give you a battle! You won't survive my Shadow Army. But not yet. Mother needs time to charge. Once you are defeated I shall claim Earth as my own, it's people my slaves. It shall be the new Apokolips! The center of my rule."
"You're insane," Diana called, charging at Darkseid now, but he sent her back just as easily as he had Fate.
"Later. In what you call Central City. It will be the future home of my Fortress." Darkseid clutched the box tight now as he vanished in a flash of bright light.
The Justice League looked at each other in shock as the zap tunnel activated and Oliver and Paula appeared. Wally came running in as well. They were too late.
"The most powerful army in the world," Diana said, looking down at the hole. "It wasn't my sisters or the United States army. It was us."
"But we weren't guarding anything," Kara said, confused.
"Yes, you were," Fate spoke now. "You built our headquarters right on top of it. Where it was buried."
"Remember the power we felt when we choose this land?" Diana muttered, closing her eyes as she concentrated on that feeling. "I felt it every time I was here. But it's gone now. We were unknowingly guarding it."
"My master piece," John said, looking around him and making everyone turn to him. "I created this place. It was… My best creation…"
"John, there are more important things," Barry said, also still upset about this speed lab. "You heard Darkseid. Later today in Central. The final battle with him."
"His arrogance will be the last of him," Fate stated.
"What exactly was that box?" Barry now rounded on Fate. "Why did you not tell us before?"
"The Mother Boxes are sources of great power. There are three in total and together they make the user immortal, all-powerful. But one alone… The last I knew the boxes were being guarded by the most powerful army in the universe, The White Lanterns," he nodded to the Green Lanterns in the room at this. "I was unaware there was one unguarded, buried on this Earth."
"How…?" Diana asked.
"I am older than you know," Fate stated simply, implying much in this simple sentence.
"And now Darkseid has one," Oliver spoke up, catching up easily.
"What exactly can he do with just one?" Kara asked, a feeling of dread building in her.
"Rule the universe," Fate stated simply. "He can tap into it's power, create armies from his mind. Invoke fear across a planet. He intends to use it on Earth, you heard him."
"Can… can he succeed?" Barry asked, glancing to Kara, knowing what she was thinking.
"I still don't know what Trusting the Bonds means, and while the Justice League is powerful… but yes, he could still very well succeed," Fate spoke truthfully.
"Caitlin, where are Garfield and Jenny?" Kara asked, suddenly turning to her friend.
"With Ronnie and the twins. At our place," Caitlin said, taken aback. "Why?"
"Jesse, go get them," Kara stated. "Wally, get Young Justice ready. Everyone is in this time." Kara and Barry looked at each other and without another word they ran off to go back to the penthouse.
The girls were in the strollers in the blink of an eye and Barry had grabbed Amelia before she even knew what happened. They returned at the same time Jesse did, now with Amelia, the girls, and Krypto and Hex.
"Wha…?" Amelia muttered, finishing her bite of Pop Tart she had been eating, shocked as she took in the scene and the rubble.
"Cisco, text out a major text to everyone at STAR. We're not open today," Barry said, unfazed by he and Kara leaving the scene. He was determined now, he and Kara on the same thought.
The Superflash cave was still being rebuilt, and the rest of STAR was the only headquarters they had now Watchtower was gone.
"Caitlin." Barry took a device out of his concealed pockets and handed it to Caitlin. She recognized it as one of the multiverse-hopping devices. "Go to Prime."
"Why?" Caitlin asked as she looked at the device.
"We want you take the kids and go there," Kara said. "You'll all be safe there."
"Have Vibe spy on us. If things go south, tell Prime to disconnect us from the system. To never come here again," Barry said, determined tears in his eyes as he said it. They had to get them away, to keep them save. They trusted Prime; they could look after the children.
"I'm not abandoning you! My power can help," Caitlin said, determined herself.
"The kids need you," Kara said. "We're giving you our girls. Do you get that? We're trusting you to protect them. To raise them if worse comes to worse. Please, Cait…"
"Mommy?" Jenny said, not understanding what was going on. Jenny had attached to Caitlin and Ronnie quickly, encouraged to address them as parents. Caitlin knew she had to go though. She didn't want to leave her friends, her life, her husband… but this was important. She took the device and took Garfield from Jesse. Kara and Barry bent down to kiss their girls.
"We love you," Kara and Barry whispered as they handed the stroller to Caitlin.
Ronnie appeared as Firestorm at that moment and Caitlin gave him a look; he knew the seriousness without a single word and separated from the twins, going to kiss Caitlin as he whispered something into her ear. Pulling back, he remerged with Cody and Michelle. Caitlin pushed the button on the device. A portal opened.
"Jenny sweetie, walk in with me." Caitlin said, having her hands full with Garfield and the girls' stroller, so Jenny walked besides Caitlin, through the portal, and the portal closed behind them. Barry and Kara stared at where it had been, aware this could be the last time they saw their daughters.
"Amelia," Barry said, forcing himself to move on and taking out another device. "Go to Mutant. It's been fun having a little sister."
"No," Amelia said, shaking her head. "I lost my world once; I adopted this one as my own. I'll die defending it."
"Besides, I can help," another voice said, and Barry turned to see Amelia's astral form behind him.
"I'm not going to force you to go," Barry said, as the astral form disappeared. "Fine. Okay. Cisco? Last chance."
"No," Cisco said as the zap tunnel activated again and Nightwing and Roy appeared. "He can't kill what he can't touch." Cisco eyed the device as Barry nodded, putting it away. "And I told the entire STAR lab employees to take the day off."
"What about the DEO?" J'onn asked, appearing now. He had read their minds on approach and knew what had happened, only wishing he could have got here sooner.
"Out," Kara said. "They will just be killed if they try. Just the Justice League and Young Justice. We're apparently the greatest army on Earth. Let's get everyone to STAR."
…..
Despite none of the employees being at STAR Labs the place was busy.
The Justice League had taken over everything – Paula was making weapons extra weapons for all the vigilantes who needed them; anything she could make that they did not have, while the ones with superpowers were preparing themselves in the various larger labs. They knew any minute this would be the fight of their lives, the fight for Earth, humanity, and the entire universe too.
"Clark!" Kara said when Clark walked in, followed by Diana. The two had left a while ago. "Lois and the kids…?"
"Put them in the Fortress," Clark said, "along with Alex." Clark gave Sara a nod, who smiled, glad her wife was safe. They hadn't had an argument about this, Alex knew the seriousness of the matter and the importance to protect her unborn children. Just as long as Sara came back, safe. "They have the device to go to Mutant Earth though, just in case." Clark finished. With Amelia not wanting to go, Kara had given the device to her cousin to give to Lois.
"What about Laurel?" Oliver asked. Laurel was currently in the Canary Cave with Curtis; he had not even thought about hiding her anywhere else, and he should have. The last time something like this happened, Felicity had died.
"Darkseid said in Central, and I believe he wants a real battle with us now," Kara said to assure Oliver. "Getting Alex, Lois, and the kids to the Fortress might be unnecessary. If we defeat him, no other city will be touched but if we don't… well hopefully Vibe Junior or Vibe will grab Laurel before he gets to Starling." Kara didn't know if the other worlds would grab anyone else who did not go there; Romana and Starfire were still at the meta home with Eliza, but Zor was there too. Part of Kara and Barry wanted to go and put them all in the Fortress as well, but time was running out and they were needed here. Beside Zor may not have all the Kryptonian powers due to the way he was brought into this Earth but he did have some and knew how to use them. Not to mention Frankie Kane was there and the metal controlling meta was good.
That's when Barry drew Kara's attention to the door to two new arrivals: "Ha, Aunt Astra," Kara said moving towards them. "What are you doing here?"
"We're in," Ha said, putting his arm around Astra. "We're fighting Darkseid with you."
Kara's eyes went to Astra, who smiled. "Both my niece and my daughter are here… My family. My world is at stake. I am fighting," Astra said, and Kara smiled, hugging her aunt.
"He's here," Cisco said, pulling up video footage of the local news network. Darkseid had just landed in the park, and he wasn't alone – it seemed whatever his Shadow Army was, they had joined him now.
"Doctor Fate," Barry turned to the man with the helmet. "Last chance. Any last ideas on what trusting the bonds mean?"
"No," Doctor Fate said, shaking his head. "The best theory I have is about your Kryptonian Mental Bond." Kara and Barry looked at each other, but neither one of them were staying here to try the bond thing. They weren't even sure they could do it again.
"Then we'll have to just fight our hardest," Kara said. "Let's head out."
"Winn, here," Cisco called to Winn, who had showed up. Winn having no power and not being a vigilante was going to keep watch on the equipment in STAR.
Winn nodded and then turned to Amelia. "Be careful," he said, extremely seriously to her, and Amelia went and kissed him.
"I love you," Amelia said with a dorky smile, leaving Winn shocked as she ran off. She had never said that before to him and they had only been officially dating for a couple months, even if he had a crush on her since she arrived.
"You don't get to say that like you're going to die!" Winn yelled out as the Justice League, Young Justice, and powerful extras walked out with Krypto, Junior, and Hex flying next to Kara and the other Kryptonians in the air. "She'll be back…" Winn mumbled, feeling worried now.
-Karry Universe-
Kara and Barry with Krypto and Hex, Clark, Diana, Firestorm, J'onn, Oliver, Paula, Jesse, Tantu, Nightwing, Roy, Nate, Ray, Hal, John, Jade, Sara, Red Tornado, Doctor Fate, Wally, Karen, Connor with Wolf, Donna, M'Gann, Jack, Nyssa, Astra and Ha arrived at the park; the speedsters quicker than others at arrival. It only took Kara and Barry a moment to assess what needed to be done as Barry instantly gave orders.
"Liberty Belle, Velocity, Vixen," he addressed Jesse, Wally and Tantu, "get your speed on and get this place clear of pedestrians – that includes the media. We can't have anyone harmed." As he watched, Darkseid remained still, but black figures seemed to be stepping out from within him, taking life as his faceless Shadow Army. There were about twenty of them now and Barry had to wonder how many Darkseid would create before the inevitable started.
There was a flash of blue and Barry momentarily saw the ashe of the Cheetah form around Vixen before she and the two speedsters were nothing but blurs, following the orders of Barry as they made the public safe.
Darkseid however cocked his head at the move, a strange lopsided grin on his face as he watched the speedsters, unmoving.
"Valiant effort. Pointless, but valiant," he commented as he finally took a step forward, the Mother Box noticeable around his neck, like some chunky necklace which didn't suit him at all.
"Our goal is to get the Mother Box," Kara now addressed their League. They were missing Laurel and Thea, so their numbers were down, but they could do this. She had faith in her team.
Doctor Fate stepped forward as the League suddenly waited with a momentary baited breath. He didn't speak as he suddenly shot into the air and fired a white-hot blast at Darkseid, which seemed to momentarily overcome the alien before he flung the energy aside, the shockwave almost knocking the Justice League over as nearby windows shattered from the blast.
That did it as they all moved forward, in one swift movement. Their goal clear as they all headed to the same direction; but the Shadow Army; the faceless, humanoid shadow creatures that Darkseid had created from the Mother Box, stepped forward – a barrier between the League and their creator and all hell suddenly let loose. Everyone was in battle, ducking and avoiding attacks as people bowed and swerved from the very real army.
Kara sent out a heat vision at Darkseid, not expecting it to make a mark as a Shadow blocked its path, taking in the energy from her blast and somehow manifesting itself through some form of matter transference, becoming even more solid. Barry in the meanwhile was speeding between Shadows to reach Darkseid, avoiding being hit by battling League members.
That was when someone called out, their cry louder than the cries of the fight, and Barry was distracted enough to see Citizen Steel crumple to the floor, his metallic head caved in – he alone had managed to reach Darkseid, but the being was stronger than before now, and had just proved it. As Barry watched, the metallic form of Nate Heywood turned human, once more, but there was no life in his body. Ray was beside his friend as Barry looked back to Kara, who was distracted going two-on-one with Krypto against an almost-solid Shadow.
This was not going well.
….
The Oasis bar that Henry owned wasn't too far from the park. Jesse had even run in to get people out, but not all of them were so willing. With Crystal behind the bar though, there was a mutual understanding that she could protect her regulars for as long as necessary, but now that the battle was in full swing, Crystal kept an eye out of the window. Blasts, crashes and screams could be heard, and she could hear the familiar sound of a helicopter high above, obviously taking areal footage of the battle. This battle seemed to worry everyone and even Crystal was worried. Maybe more worried than others having some knowledge on how powerful this Darkseid was.
"Gary," Crystal came to a sudden decision as she address the man with glasses who was helping today. He was a nervous one. "I'm going to be gone for a bit. Keep an eye on the bar."
"What?" Gary retorted, looking shocked as Crystal vaulted over the bar top, heading for the door, "It's nuts out there!"
"My kind of mayhem," Crystal smirked as she left the building, not even checking to see if the street was clear as she deactivated her hologram, her icy appearance taking over as she jumped into the air, forming an ice bridge under her very feet with her powers which took her high and fast, close to the fight.
She could see the blue alien she knew as Darkseid already in the distance, but he was hard to get to with the League battling both in the air and in the sky.
Crystal dodged past two Lanterns and Karen as she got close but was distracted by two Amelias below – she seemed to be struggling despite her telekinetic powers. Crystal blasted away a Shadow with her ice, Amelia looking up at her as her Astral form failed and, as Crystal got closer, she suddenly took to the air and Crystal grabbed her onto her icy bridge.
"Used your powers to make you fly?" Crystal called as she held on to Amelia with one hand and blasted away two Shadows who were overcoming Connor and his wolf nearby. The two gave a half nod at the sky in thanks before going into another. Wolf biting at a nearly solid shadow and Connor punching
"Yeah, concentrated on myself and made myself float. Cool trick but I need to train on it more," Amelia breathed as they zoomed throughout the battle, Crystal trying to get close to Darkseid but with no luck.
"Grab hold of my back so I can free up my arms," Crystal instructed as Amelia did as told. "Use your telekinetic powers to make a shield. I'm going to get as close to Darkseid as possible. See if this guy likes a little ice."
"I like this plan!" Amelia cried, happy to be battling with her friend, even if it was the end of the world.
…
"The world's going to hell out there," Mick Rory grumbled as he took a sip of his beer.
He, Leonard and Lisa were having drinks in a bar closest to the battle. They had somehow been saved the chance of being whisked away by a speedster for their protection, but they were the only ones in the place and Lisa had taken over the bar to get free reign of the drinks.
"We shouldn't be here," Lisa muttered, her Gold gun sitting on the bar, which she eyed. A desire to go out and help.
"Where else should we be?" Mick grumbled. "Free drinks, pretty bartender, and the end of the world. Good way to celebrate it."
"You calling me pretty, Heatwave?" Lisa raised her eyebrow at this, but Mick simply shrugged.
"She's right though, we shouldn't be here," Leonard spoke up, his drawling voice getting both of their attention as the window shattered from a stray blast from the battle. None of the former criminals flinched at this. "We should be out there, helping. Saving the world," Snart continued.
"That's what the Justice League are for," Mick stated. "We take the back seats."
"Not when a mother of my future child is out there, risking her neck," Snart retorted, Lisa dropping a glass at this and Mick choking on his beer.
"You're dating one of them?" Lisa asked.
"You're one to talk, Mrs Ramon." Snart drawled. "No. I donated sperm – did I not tell you?"
"I think I'm going to puke," Mick shook his head at this – neither his sister or his brother in arms had been told this. Snart had wanted to keep it quiet but something spoke to him that they had to know. He just had a feeling.
"Let's go and be heroes," Snart picked up his Cold gun as he swung off the bar stool and headed toward the shattered remains of the window.
Mick and Lisa shared a look before they both shrugged, Lisa grabbing her gun from the bar top and Mick pulling his one from his belt. "Let's toast some aliens," Mick stated, marching after his comrade.
…
"There!" Oliver ordered his team; Paula and Jack keeping close to their leader as they worked in tight formation against a group of Shadows. Nightwing and Arsenal swung into the scene with them as they took a wide birth, shooting from the rooftop of the nearby building, hoping the distance would provide some perspective and a clear shot at Darkseid, but no matter what Oliver fired, what type of arrow Paula made, it never reached the baddie.
"It's no good, Arrow," Nightwing said as he pushed a Shadow off the rooftop. "We've got to get closer!"
"We?" Oliver looked at Nightwing for a moment.
"Teamwork," Nightwing stated, as they nodded to one another in understanding.
"Paula, I'm going to need something to get us from here to there," Oliver pointed at Darkseid as Paula nodded.
"I'll help clear the way," Arsenal spoke up, determination in his eye as he shot at a Shadow which had reached the rooftop with them.
…
Nyssa and Sara were close to Superman and Wonder Woman as Sara used her bo staff to effectively knock out a Shadow as Superman took his chance to get closer to Darkseid. Nyssa would have followed if it wasn't for the blast of cold air that just escaped turning her into an icicle, but hit into the shadow just before her turning it.
Looking over, she saw Citizen Cold, Heatwave and Golden Glider joining the battle; fire now being set off from Mick's weapon as a Shadow momentarily turned to gold before crumbling to dust on the floor.
"Snart!" Sara called as he joined Alex's wife. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Thought it was time to be heroes," Snart stated simple as Mick spat at the term behind him. "Going to get the golden shot and see if I can freeze Darkseid."
"The goal is to get that box on his chest," Nyssa spoke up. "It's powerful and the reason he's created this army."
"On it," Snart stated, striding forward as Amelia and Crystal came from above, both he and Crystal shooting ice at Darkseid, which he fended off easily; melting it before it could touch him.
"Oh, I like her!" Snart called to Crystal as she circled above him. He looked to Mick and Lisa and nodded, all three sending blasts at Darkseid, which he couldn't block off as he shot backward, a part of him momentarily gold as Barry sped past the former criminals with a word of encouragement.
"Time to freeze this sucker," Snart stated, moving forward again. But Mick and Lisa were distracted by several Shadows, sent for them by Darkseid, who again melted Snart's attack. But Crystal was now close enough to send her own blast at Darkseid. This distracted him as he ricocheted it back to Crystal. Amelia though used her telekinetic shield to block the ice, which again rebounded but headed straight at Snart.
In a second, Snart was frozen – a solid ice block. Darkseid laughed as he saw this and sent a blast at Snart, shattering him as Mick noticed, crying out in anger and Lisa called out to her brother, but it was too late. Darkseid had claimed his second victim today.
Lisa screamed as her brother was destroyed. Darkseid sending another blast at her but she felt arms around her and then the blast went right through her. Looking she notice the arms belonged to her husband.
"Leonard…" Lisa muttered, taking a breath as Cisco pulled her away. Crystal and Amelia were distracting Darkseid again along with Sara and Nyssa.
"I'm sorry. I could have done something. I didn't see until it was too late," Cisco stated, but Lisa pulled away from her husband as she looked back to the battle. Crystal and Amelia were still trying their hardest; Mick was screaming in anger as he torched anything and everything nearby; Kara and Barry were tag teaming several shadows and Oliver and Nightwing were both now in battle with Darkseid as they sent everything and anything at the alien.
"We're not all going to survive this, are we?" Lisa stated.
"I don't… I honestly don't know," Cisco shook his head, looking at the fighting himself.
"Then let's go out in a blaze of glory," Lisa looked at Cisco determinedly at this.
"For Snart," Cisco smiled.
"For my brother," Lisa confirmed and ran, straight back into the battle as she screamed a war cry.
-Prime Earth-
Barry and Kara Wells walked into the Cortex, only to be surprised when two little balls of light ran right at them. Barry barely managed to catch the two as they hopped right into his arms. "Dada!" One went as the other called out "Mama!" holding her hands out to Kara.
Kara and Barry looked at each other, confused, both recognizing Alura and Nora and then looked around the room. Jesse and Wally were there and sitting on the floor, looking up at the newcomers now, more than likely having been play chasing the two before Barry and Kara showed up.
There were two Caitlins present too; one with a green baby on her lap, and a little black girl sitting on the floor; the baby seemed to be upset.
Cisco had his vibe goggles on, watching something only he could see.
"What's this? What's going on?" Kara asked, deciding to take the girl from Barry who was holding her hands to Kara. The girl continuing to mumble 'mama' and both seemed upset.
"Where's Karry Kara and Barry?" Barry now asked, looking around for them. "They'd never go anywhere without these two." He was fond of his alternate kids, and knew he had to get used to them sooner or later, so kept a good hold on the one he had.
"On my Earth," Karry Caitlin spoke up, tears in her eyes as she hugged Garfield tight. "They're fighting to save the Earth."
"What?!" Kara asked, confused.
"It's not going well," Cisco now said, taking off his goggles. "Nate and Snart are dead and people are starting to get seriously injured. It's only a matter of time before they all die. Even my counterpart seems to know the worst. This Darkseid is going to destroy that world. Karry Universe is falling."
There was a moment of silence as eyes turned from Cisco to Barry. He had a determined look in his eye though, even if the mention of the battle was new to him.
"No," he spoke up, shaking his head. "Karry Universe may be the perfect world." Karry's Caitlin mouthed the word 'perfect?' but did not interrupt Barry. "They are our friends and allies. It's nice there's a world where everything worked out: Caitlin and Ronnie; Iris and Eddie… Hell, even Cisco and Lisa. We are not letting Karry Universe fall."
Cisco smirked at that. "I was hoping you'd say that," he stated.
"Quick, Silver, we're going to Karry," Barry said, ignoring Cisco's remark and giving the baby he was holding to his Caitlin. "Cisco, I hate to say it but Mutant and Karry are close. Head to Mutant and get their help. Then you and Vibe Junior need to head to other Earths. New Justice, SuperEarth, Alien, Twin, any Earth that will help."
"SnowAllen," Cisco suggested. "Me and my Mutant counterpart helped their Cisco and I believe they owe Karry."
"Yeah, even there," Barry said deciding not to ask why Snowallen owed Karry. "You get the idea."
"Powie, can you…?" Kara crouched down to her pet, but the dog stood to attention, her little Power Dog outfit still on. She barked comfortingly, wagging her tail determinedly. "Good." Kara pet her dog as she took a step back.
"Portal, now," Barry stated to a nod from Kara as Cisco put on his Vibe goggles and opened a portal to Karry, the three speedsters leaving. He then opened another portal for himself.
"Hang on, why are you not going?" Karry Caitlin rounded on Kara Wells, who she only now realized wasn't in her Power Girl outfit and had already taken a seat, smiling at the Karry kid she was still holding.
"Been told to take it easy recently," Kara said, glancing to her own Caitlin who seemed to be chuckling at this odd phrase. One look though from her double and Karry Caitlin suddenly realized what this could mean and couldn't help but smile.
"Jenny, sweetie, watch Gar and the girls," Karry Caitlin said to the five-year-old, smiling now at the multiverse going to help her world. "Kara and I need to have a word."
…
"Roy!" Nightwing shouted as Arsenal crumpled to the floor.
Roy had following Dick and Oliver toward Darkseid and, while the two team leaders were in battle with the all powerful alien, Roy had taken his chance to fire shot after shot of arrows in the man's way, but a Shadow had blocked the path of the final few arrows, and Roy could only watch in sudden shock as the Shadow ran right at him, striking him in the chest with his own arrow.
Nightwing pulled away from Oliver and Darkseid as Red Tornado joined his comrade, using arm tornados to blow the alien back. Roy however, was dead as Nightwing turned over his body. "No…" Dick moaned as a nearby portal opened and three speedsters and a Kryptonian dog ran out. One took the boy and Dick looked up at the one dressed in silver.
"We respect our dead," Prime Wally told him.
Meanwhile, Darkseid had been blasted back enough that Barry was now running circles around him, trying to keep him contained while he figured a way to get the Mother Box from him, but the alien sent out a blast from his hand, which resulted in a loud cracking sound, a lot of pain, and caused Barry himself to go flying off, crashing into a bench, his leg at crooked angle and clearly broken.
Kara appeared in front of him as Darkseid now ran at Barry, wanting to finish the job himself.
"You will not harm him!" Kara called, sending out both heat vision and freeze breath, momentarily stunning Darkseid as he paused to now block this attack.
No, go! Barry urged her, not wanting Kara to die because of him while the rest of the League were unable to reach them due to the growing Shadow army.
We die together! Kara told her husband defiantly through their bond taking his hand the two hugging onto each other. They could feel Darkseid over them. They expected the blast that would end them to come but it didn't. Darkseid had paused looking at them an unknown look on his face as he then backed away to fight Diana
"Interesting," Dr. Fate said appearing next to them. "He spared you. He could have just destroyed you. Gotten rid of our leaders and he choose not to. Why?"
"Can you heal his leg?" Kara asked Fate wanting her husband back into fighting shape.
"I don't heal," Dr. Fate simply said and then looked at them. A thought suddenly struck him. He turned back to look at Darkseid who Diana and Clark tag teaming him. Then a chuckle came out of Fate. "Trusting the bonds." He mumbled. "He's weak."
"What?" The two leaders said together unsure what Fate meant.
"Ever since Diana imbued him with a part of her soul his been different. Yes, with the Mother Box he can rule the universe, but with that important change… would he be the leader he expects?" Fate stated, neither sure if he was actually asking them this question or asking himself it. It was hard to tell when all they had to work with were eyes through the metal helmet.
"He's had more than his fair share of chances to take out more of you, all of you, but he's always faltered. That is why…" there was a tone to Fate's voice of sudden hope and it was addictive to both Allens as they looked at each other.
"I think it's time to make him really feel Diana's soul," Doctor Fate called, now knowing the perfect spell which he instead directed at Kara and Barry. Suddenly, Kara and Barry felt all the love they had for each other, and their girls, and like a physical manifestation of that, a beam of pure white energy shot from them directly at Darkseid, who screamed out as he felt it, but continued fighting.
Several of the Shadows flickered and vanished, but only those fighting them noticed this.
Kara used the opportunity to take Barry up to the rooftop of a nearby building, not sure what was happening with Darkseid now. Darkseid went right at Clark, angrier than before as Clark aimed another punch, but Darkseid grabbed the Super by the fist and swung him, gripping his throat quickly and holding the man high.
"Not my dad!" A cry could be heard, and Kara looked over the building to see Connor flying toward Darkseid now, Wolf by his side.
But Doctor Fate hit Connor as he flew, and he stopped suddenly, but the same familiar white light shot from him, directly at Darkseid who cried out and dropped Clark, not even turning to Connor as he actually whimpered, more Shadows vanished at this.
"Trust in the bonds…" Kara muttered. "Could it be, as corny as it sounds, our love…?" She turned to Barry and paused.
"Broken leg," he stated looking down at it. "Can't heal properly until it sets. I'm out."
"No, you're down but never out," Kara stated, bending down and kissing Barry.
"Go, Clark and Connor need you,' Barry said and Kara flew to where her cousin and Connor were with Wolf.
"What happened?" Connor asked as Kara joined him.
"Superboy, he needs to get out of here," Kara said, straight to action and picking up her cousin on the floor. Donna and Diana were now fighting Darkseid as Ha-Pri sent out a green blast at the man. Astra could be seen using her Kryptonian powers against a Shadow, although she didn't seem as skilled as her niece or even daughter, who seemed to be calling instruction to her mom as she too fought.
"Connor!" Kara brought his attention back to her, to Clark in her arms. "You need to take Superman back to STAR. Get him under some yellow lights. Maybe he can get back out here before this is over." Connor nodded, taking his father without another word and running off with Wolf right behind him.
Both Amazonians were thrown from Darkseid as the ashe of an elephant caught Kara's eye, and Vixen stormed at Darkseid, about to toss him high when he grabbed both her arms and twisted, Vixen crying out in pain as both her arms were broken in the movement and she was the one suddenly tossed aside. Kara gasped, but a flash of light and Jesse had her friend, speeding her away before Darkseid could do any more damage.
Oliver came running at Darkseid again, Paula and Jack firing at Shadows nearby. Olly had his robotic arm out, ready to punch Darkseid, but the alien grabbed his fist before he could do any damage and crushed the hand. Kara sent out a laser vision at that as Oliver took a shocked step back, his broken robotic hand sparking and flailing.
Doctor Fate meanwhile, kept sending his love spell, making Darkseid feel the friendship of everyone around them as they fought together, expecting to die together.
"You did this!" Darkseid screamed, turning his attention to Diana as Fate struck out once more, and more Shadows started to vanish. It was getting noticeable now. "Whatever you did! Your death is sure to stop it!" But Diana and Donna were both ready.
Oliver though was saved from further attack when a Barry, this being Prime Barry as Prime was the only Earth to show up so far, grabbed him from the floor and sped him to the nearby roof of a building – the same one he, Paula, Jack and Nightwing had planned their attack on Darkseid earlier.
"Cool arm Oliver," the Barry said with a smile before running off.
Kara had been coordinating an attack between Young Justice, Krypto, Powie and Hex with Red Tornado against Darkseid, the alien weaker now thanks to Doctor Fate's magic, when she finally noticed the extra speedster fighting with them. Recognizing them as the prime speedsters right away
"We didn't ask you to show," Kara told the three when they turned to her, Jesse grinning at seeing her parallel sister.
"We're not the only ones coming," Silver, Prime's Wally, told Kara as they saw another portal open nearby and another Barry and a Kara, wearing the Lady Power outfit of Mutant, came out, not wasting time in going to attack Darkseid as well.
I think the cavalry has arrived, Karry Barry thought to Kara keeping attention in her mind and hoping they could share his speed again.
Darkseid tried to focus on the anger as people kept attacking him, his Shadow Amy visibly failing to remain stable now. He could feel emotions he didn't want to feel, but he couldn't stop them; Fate kept throwing spells at him, and he could no longer hold off this planet's heroes.
Another portal opened and out of it came Rachel Garrick of New Justice, who tossed her helmet at Darkseid at super speed and caught it when it rebounded. This didn't do more than annoy him, but he was distracted now. Angry and getting scared. He had it all planned out and it was all going to hell.
Along with Rae though was another Kara with a white shirt instead of blue, and a not so small Kryptonian puppy, who happily joined in the fight in his own Flash-like outfit.
"What did I say about owing you?" Rae now called, looking at Kara Allen, but Kara did not answer. She could not answer. Other Earths had come to their aid and she and Barry hadn't asked. They were doing this out of sheer loyalty. They were saving her world.
"Beepo," New Justice Kara yelled out as a monkey in a cape was on Darkseid face. Seeming to annoy the man for a bit before he threw the monkey. Kara Lane catching it.
"Why did you bring the monkey and not Krypto?" Rae yelled out as she continued to fight using arm tornados on a nearby shadow.
"I didn't bring him. He attached to my cape and tagged along," Kara Lane complained but the monkey Beppo was joining in the fight and she was letting him.
This is awesome! She heard Barry call in her head, he still on the rooftop nearby with his broken leg, looking out and down at the battle, the portals opening across what had once been the park, but was now resembling No Man's Land with all the fighting that had been happening.
Kara didn't have time or thought to reply to her husband as out of the other portal came another Kara dressed as Supergirl with another Barry; he was vibrating as he attempted to run through Darkseid, while his Kara was momentarily distracted by one of the remaining Shadows.
"I see you found Doctor Fate," this Kara, SuperEarth Kara, said as she easily tossed aside the Shadow and joined Kara Allen in the sky, assessing the situation.
Yet another portal opened, and a Barry came out with a Caitlin. This version of Barry sped around the battle with blue lightning trailing behind him and sent a sonic punch at Darkseid as he went flying back. The Earth also shook as vines grabbed hold of Darkseid, who was still in mid-flight from the punch; the sudden stop enough to snap the bones of a normal person, but Darkseid was resilient, if weakened now.
Kara felt like crying in joy now as another portal opened nearby and a Mon-El in a red outfit came running out to tackle the suspended Darkseid, along with another Supergirl and a Laurel dressed in white, who let out a sonic scream at Darkseid, the vines holding him breaking apart as Darkseid fell to the floor, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
One more portal opened and a final Supergirl appeared with someone who looked exactly like her. They were holding hands and from their clasped hands, a large blast hit into Darkseid. Behind them, and through the still-open portal, a giant gorilla leaped out, roaring – he was wearing a super shirt and he went to punch Darkseid with his big fists.
Hey that's the gorilla I killed like two years ago. Grodd… They have a good Grodd… Barry thought in disbelief, seeing the battle through Kara's eyes now as he took a breather, his leg still not set and he refusing to head back to STAR Labs until this was over. Darkseid doesn't look impressed he added, I think he's succumbing to… well, everything. Darkseid was taking all the attacks and was looking weary, but he screamed as he clutched the Mother Box with one hand and sent out a big blast with the other; knocking people over in the shockwave, but the group didn't falter as they jumped back up and went to strike again.
Doctor Fate flew high into the air now – as high as he could as he summoned all his strength. He need to get everyone in on this spell as he directed his magic in masse to the group below. They all felt it; they felt the loyalty, the love, the bond between them as the spell hit them all, even Karry Barry laying on the rooftop nearby. The spell shot from everyone and directly at Darkseid, all at once.
Darkseid could feel everything – all the love and friendships between this group, a determination to help each other, even when they didn't have to, and it was too much as Darkseid yelled out in both physical and emotional pain, and then his anger turned into tears as he collapsed, crying into a heap.
"Make it stop!" Darkseid whimpered, his Shadow Army gone, and his power diminished as he shuddered.
"What just happened?" One Barry in the group asked as everyone came up around Darkseid. Kara Allen of this Earth stepped forward, unsure.
She looked around. Their multiverse friends weren't that harmed, given their later arrival, but her League all had some injury. She was lost for words. She usually knew what to say but now not even Barry had the right words. Both unsure what to say or how to explain it. A couple more portals opened and the Ciscos came out of it. Apparently, they had realized the battle was won and had stopped their recruiting.
"Trust in the bonds," Doctor Fate said, coming down to join them. "It was not the bond between you and Barry. Well, technically it was, but not only that… Darkseid's soul was black. He did not know love, friendship, and loyalty. Not until Diana gave him part of her soul. He tried to ignore it, besides small things, like he paused before killing, and today when he could not kill you and Barry. That was when I figured it out. I had to make him feel so I made him feel your emotions. Your love. Your bonds."
Doctor Fate looked around now. "But the bond that put Darkseid over the edge; that was a truly unique one: the bond of a friendship between worlds. The fact that these other worlds would come to your aid when they had no reason to beyond the fact that they like you. That friendship was too pure."
"Go us," a Cisco muttered, a lone voice in the shocked silence.
This isn't over, Barry reminded Kara who took in these words and walked up to Darkseid and bent down. Ha had summoned a barrier around their villain, but it wasn't necessary as Kara took the box from Darkseid's neck.
She felt, more than spoke, to a presence within the box. It was a great power which she suddenly understood. It could do anything, it could be anything – no wonder Darkseid sought it for his own selfish gains, but she knew what she wanted to do. She looked up at Darkseid, then nodded to Ha who removed his Green Lantern barrier.
The moment the barrier lifted a dark, almost cloud-like substance began to dissipate from the enemy, redirecting itself to the box in Kara's hands, and in a few moments, it stopped. Darkseid looked smaller now, weaker. Injured.
"It's done," Kara said, closing the box. "He has no more power." She had no idea how she had done it, she simply understood the workings of the box the moment she held it.
"Good!" Donna picked up her sword and moved so suddenly, only a vigilant Diana managed to stop her, jumping between her sister and the former villain.
"What are you going to do? Kill him?" Diana rounded on her sister, a look in her eyes.
"He killed our people!" Donna stated; she had a wound on her head, but she was obviously thinking straight.
"And they have been avenged, sister! He's powerless… weak… a mess," Diana, looked back to the alien, who seemed barely conscious now. "This is a far worst punishment than killing him. Regardless, there is no honor in killing someone who is powerless." Donna looked at her sister imploringly and after a moment Donna dropped her sword, and to the surprise of some, she broke down in tears, Diana holding her sister as she subtly moved themselves aside, away from the warzone.
"I'll take him to lock up," J'onn spoke up, going to grab Darkseid.
"No," Ha spoke up, the wisest of the Green Lanterns. "The White Lanterns are the only ones truly capable of holding him. We will take him back to them. Kara?" He glanced to Kara for confirmation, who nodded. It made sense.
Ha now looked to his other Lanterns, and as one they raised their rings, a green cage forming around Darkseid as in a flash of green light they and Darkseid were gone.
It really was over.
-Karry Universe-
STAR Labs was busy with many from the Justice League and other worlds populating it.
Kara was walking around STAR Labs with Krypto by her side and paused when an ice bridge came through the open door carrying Amelia and Crystal.
"Yikes, that's cold. But a nice way to travel," Amelia commented, shivering.
"Kara," Crystal said imploring, putting the hologram back on. "I feel terrible. My shot hit…"
"I know," Kara said quickly knowing what Crystal was about to say. "It's not your fault. A lot of people got hit by friendly fire in this battle. Thank you for joining." Kara told her as the three walked further inside.
By a computer were four Ciscos and a Winn, making Kara do a double-take, but her eyes went to her Barry, who was present with a cast, of sorts, around his leg. He had both girls in his arms though, while in the playpen nearby, was Garfield with Jenny, keeping an eye on her new little brother and smiling. As she watched, Firestorm came into the room separating from the twins as he went to take in his children. It was the first he had managed to get back. Him and the twins not being injured really had done survey on the damage to the city
My girls, Kara thought, coming up and taking one of them, kissing her and then the other one. Then she kissed Barry. It's over. He's gone.
Everyone is safe, Barry thought back as Amelia went over to Winn.
"Want to take back anything?" Winn asked coyly.
"Nope," Amelia said, kissing him. "But you didn't say anything back…" Amelia raised an eyebrow and Winn kissed her.
"I love you too," Winn said, smiling into the kiss.
The start of a new love story, Barry thought with a smile.
"Which one is our Cisco?" Kara now asked, looking at the four of them.
"None of us," all four said as one.
"He's with his wife," one of the ones with vibe goggles added; Kara guessed it was either Prime or Mutant. "We're here to give rides back. Well, he just decided to join." He pointed at one Cisco.
"No powers, but wanted to meet others mes," That Cisco said. "From Twin Earth," he added from the confused look from Kara as Barry chuckled – he had been getting on well with all four of them.
"Hey. Where's Caitlin?" Crystal asked for her sister and all the Cisco pointed.
Kara needed to talk to Caitlin too so put Alura back in the playpen and her and Crystal went over there to pause. They had set up a make shift medical area with beds where most of the Karry Justice League was getting treated. Working around the beds was five different Caitlins.
"Caitlin?" Kara asked the five, tentatively.
"Yes," all Caitlins said, turning around to face Kara and smirking at their joint reply.
"I'm out," Crystal said at that, raising her hand and turning around, leaving the room. They did not need six of these faces in the room. Besides, one Caitlin was enough for her.
"My Caitlin?" Kara tried, and one of the Caitlins raised her hand. Kara instantly hugged her. "Thanks for protecting my girls."
"Always," Caitlin whispered.
"So what's the status here?" Kara asked looking around.
"Well, Tantu's is the worst injury: both her arms were broken but thanks to the magic of the Anansi Totem," – one of the few magical artifacts on this world to still have power – "and some advance medical treatment from one of the other Caitlins, she should be up and going in a month at the least." Caitlin gave Tantu a serious look at that, putting a hand on her shoulder. Both her arms were splintered and bandaged, and Kara felt truly sorry for her.
"And I would be amputating Wally's leg if he was not a speedster," one Caitlin added from where Wally was sitting, blood still coming out of his leg as she was busy sewing up the wound. Kara had not seen that happen, but lots of things had happened fast while in the battle.
"A lot of other minor injuries too, but we got everything," a third Caitlin said with a smile.
"This is a pretty bad cut," another Caitlin commented, working on Nightwing, also stitching him up. Nightwing didn't seem bothered by it, his mind obviously still on Roy – Kara knew all their fatalities.
"Okay, I will trust Caitlin. All Caitlins," Kara said thoughtfully, noticing Clark under solar lights with Junior by him, also taking in the lights.
Kara backed up to get out of the Caitlins way and went back to Barry. "How many?" Kara heard a familiar voice, and turned to see Rae waiting for her, expectantly. Next to her was her puppy Clark and Kara had to smirk at the Flash Pup outfit. She had not really gotten a good look at it before but it was cute.
"What?" Kara asked as a Barry with a white background walked over, and Kara had a feeling this was Barry-White Two. Prime Earth's Barry. She was proven right as Powie was walking next to him.
"How many did you lose?" Rae asked. "I know the look. You lost people."
"Today we lost Nate, Roy, and Snart," Karry Barry said sadly; he had really been trying to get Snart to become a hero, but the man had seemed dead set against it. Now he had died one. It was a morbid irony.
"But before that, Darkseid also took Jax and Martin Stein from us – luckily, we found the twins to keep Ronnie alive," Kara said, and Barry put an arm around his wife.
"It gets better," Rae said, making the couple raise eyebrows. "Remember, I lost an entire League. I thought everything was ruined, but it got better – a big part thanks to you. But my point is, time heals, things get fixed. A new life and new people await you. You survive."
"She's right," Barry-White Two said. "I've lost people too; not anywhere near an entire League, and some more personal, but things get better."
Another Kara, wearing a white shirt with the El emblem on it – Kara Lane from New Justice – came up and put an arm around Rae now. She had the monkey Beppo on her back who jumped going to take Rae helmet. Rae grabbed the helmet at speed before he could and a bark from puppy Clark got Beppo back to Kara back. "Rae, I didn't mind helping, but can we go home? I had something special planned," Kara Lane said. She was avoiding looking at most of the Barrys too, and Kara and her Barry knew why. Her Barry was the one to kill New Justice's old Justice League, after all. The one to kill Clark.
"Oh did you?" Rae asked, turning to kiss her girlfriend.
"Whoa," one of the Cisco spoke. "You two are together?"
"Why not? Flash and Supergirl seem to be a thing nearly everywhere," another Cisco replied.
"What would they be?" A third Cisco asked before Rae or Kara could answer. "Karae?"
"Raera," another Cisoc said.
"No, Raeara," the other Cisco said.
"Couple names?" Rae asked, rolling her eyes. "Seriously? What do you call Kara and Barry? Bara. Or Kar…" Rae stopped as she suddenly realized, her mind turning and her mouth opening in shock. The others in the room who knew what had just happened smirked. "Karry. It's a couple name."
"Oh?" One Cisco said. "I was wondering that too."
"You know, we should put it on the system what Karry means, but it's too much fun having people guess," Vibe said with a laugh.
"I'm good. I'm back," a familiar voice said, and Kara Lane stiffened. Rae put an arm around her, knowing that voice too well herself: Clark came out of the makeshift medical area, still in his outfit. "I'm going to go get Diana and J'onn to help me get everyone from the Fortress." Clark realized the look he was getting from his cousin's alternate and paused. "Urm, Hi?" Clark said with a wave, only to be tackled in a hug by this Kara, who already had tears in her eyes.
"New Justice," Kara Allen mouthed to Clark, who nodded, and put his arms around Kara Lane – he had been informed on his fate on many Earths, but New Justice especially.
"Okay, if we're doing this, I'm in," Rae said suddenly, going to hug Clark too and Clark chuckled, bringing her into the hug too, letting them embrace him for a minute before separating. "You give the best hugs." Rae muttered.
"Well, I'm always willing to hug a version of my cousin, and my cousin-in-law's other world cousin," Clark said, giving them a smile before heading out.
"Right, so, which one of these jerks is sending us home," Kara Lane shook herself off and asked, pointing at the Ciscos as she wiped tears away from her eyes.
"Hey!" Every Cisco but one complained.
"I've met her version of us. He's a jerk," Vibe said, putting on his goggles.
"Oh," the other Ciscos seemed lost for words at this as Prime opened a portal for Raera.
"New Justice awaits." Vibe told them.
Rae hugged both Barry and Kara Allen in the room now.
"Hey," Kara Lane said before they went through, looking at Kara and Barry. "Come to the Sanctuary soon, get a break. You deserve a break," Kara Lane smiled at Kara Allen at this, who smiled back as the four from New Justice left.
"Hey Cisco," another Barry-White came in, he the one from Mutant Earth. They knew this because his Kara was next to him in her Lady Power outfit. "Kayla and Kara from Twin Earth want to head home with their Grodd…. which is very weird he's a good guy."
"That would be my Earth," the Cisco without power said.
"I'll go send them home. You and Caitlin can stay until all the injuries are done," one Vibe stated, and he headed out.
Kara Allen and Barry-Blue looked over at the Prime Barry and their Mutant Earth counterparts. These were the two Earths they had the most contact with. "You came for us," Barry-Blue said addressed them, saying the thoughts in both his and Kara head. "We didn't even ask…"
"Of course, we came," Barry-White Two said.
"One thing me and him can agree on is that," Barry-White said with a nod. "We're always here for you."
"You don't have to go about things alone if we can help," Kara Kent added.
"Well, whenever we can help you…" Kara Allen started.
"We know," all three said together, not letting Kara Allen finish.
…..
Ray was fixing Oliver's robotic hand. He had only had minor injuries the Caitlins were able to take care of in a minute so had gone to help Oliver. Darkseid had done some damage to it but it was fixable; Ray just needed to get some new fingers for the thing, and a simple zap tunnel to Gotham and casual request to Doctor Stone had him fixing new fingers to the hand.
"Hey Ray," Oliver said, finally voicing what he needed to and putting his good hand on his friend's shoulder. Ray had removed the robotic arm to fix it as he worked and didn't look around as Oliver comforted him. "I know Nate was a good friend to you." Oliver had never even said two words to Citizen Steel, but he knew Ray was the one who had suggested him.
"If I had not brought him into the League…" Ray started.
"Don't. It was his choice," Oliver said. "I went through the same with Felicity – I locked myself away from the world because I thought I could have changed it. But she wanted to be in Team Arrow and he wanted to be in the Justice League. Go, mourn your loss." Oliver advised. "This can wait. Go and be with your wife and son." Ray smiled, gave a nod and took the robotic arm with him as he headed for the zap tunnel once more.
Oliver sighed, running his hand down his face as he did in stressful time. He had Roy to mourn for as well, after all.
"Olly?" Oliver heard a voice which made him pause. Laurel's voice; but as far as he knew Laurel was still in Starling. He turned to see a Laurel dressed in white like his Sara, and with no baby bump – he then remembered a Laurel coming out of the portal during the battle. This was Laurel from another world. "It's really you." She smiled but didn't move.
"Um… Yes," Oliver said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry… My Oliver died a long time ago," Laurel stated sadly, and Oliver nodded. "Although I did not picture you with one arm?"
Oliver had to chuckle. "A run in with a very skilled assassin," he explained. "My robotic one is getting fixed though," Oliver added.
"On this Earth, are you and me…? My counterpart…?" Laurel left the question hanging.
"We went to city hall the other week and got married," Oliver confirmed knowing Laurel enough to know what this Laurel wanted to know, "and we're having a baby."
A smiled appeared on this Laurel's face at that. "I'm glad," she said, now moving over and hugging Oliver; he using his one arm to hug her back. "It was good seeing you again."
…
Alex saw Sara talking to Nyssa the minute she got to STAR.
Thanking J'onn for coming to get her from the Fortress, she went straight to her wife, who turned around and hugged her. Nyssa gave them a nod but backed off. "Snart," Sara said.
"I know," Alex said, having heard it from Clark and J'onn. "Where's Lisa?"
"With Cisco," Sara said, taking her wife's hand and leading her to where one Cisco was hugging a crying Lisa. Mick was standing nearby too, seeming not to know what to do. He didn't even want to take a swing at his beer.
"Lisa?" Alex said, taking a step towards her. "Give me your hand." Lisa, still with tears in her eyes, looked up and took out her hand which Alex took and placed it on her stomach, on the baby bump. "There are three kids, alive in here, because of Snart. He lives through them. And they will know of the man who made it possible for me and Sara to be parents. And they will know their Aunt Lisa."
"Really?" Lisa asked.
"Really," Alex confirmed. "You're Superfamily. You're their family." Lisa hugged Alex at that.
"And their Uncle Mick," a deep voice added, making the two turned to him.
"And their Uncle Mick," Sara agreed. Mick simply nodded.
….
That night, after everyone had gone back to their own Earths and the Justice League was all back in their own cities and homes, Kara and Barry stood in Nora and Alura's room, looking down at them in their cribs. The babies had long since gone to sleep, but the couple could not stop looking at them, so thankful they were alive, and they had their girls back. Krypto and Hex were sleeping peacefully on the floor, too.
I put the Mother Box in our office safe. I think the Lanterns might want to bring it to the White Lanterns when they get back, Kara commented, even though Barry knew. Our new Superflash cave should be done soon, and I sent John a message saying we're going to be designing a new Watchtower in a new location once I talk it over with some people.
Oh, you've got a plan, Barry said, chuckling and knowing when Kara had an idea she did not want to share yet. While they shared every thought when they needed too, they had also gotten good at hiding thoughts from one another too.
Let's just say, I think New Justice had the right idea, but I am mixing it up, Karry-style, Kara commented.
You know, they are 14 months old now, Barry changed the subject, letting Kara keep her plans as he wanted to make plans of their own. How about we wait until they are 18 or 19 months old, and then start trying for that boy?
Sounds like a good plan. Although can you put up with my pregnancy mood swings? Kara was well aware the difficulties the team had when she was pregnant.
I can put up with anything as long as it's you… Barry leaned into Kara, nudging her playfully. She chuckled at that.
You know, we could get another girl, Kara added, smiling.
Then I'll just have three princesses and one queen, Barry thought back, and kissed Kara's cheek now.
Krypto's ears picked up and he lifted his head, a low growl coming from him as he went running out of the room. The couple looked at each other, worried, before following the dog and seeing him growl at Doctor Fate, who stood in the lounge, obviously having transported himself here.
"Krypto…" Kara said simply, and the dog backed off. Krypto had never liked Doctor Fate anyway, his magic confusing to the animal. "Doctor Fate, what are you doing here?" She addressed the magic user now.
"Asking a courtesy of you," Doctor Fate commented, confusing the two. "Please don't let my helmet end up in a museum again. Keep it safe, and if you should ever need a magical hand again, I'll be there."
"You're giving William his body back?" Barry commented, shocked. They had been unsure if they were ever going to get William back from Doctor Fate.
"His body is not suited to magic; I guess most on this Earth are not anymore," Doctor Fate commented as he took out the communicator, which Barry took from him.
"What happens?" Kara added before Fate could take off his helmet, he cocked his head at the question as Kara continued. "When you're not possessing a body, I mean. How do you live?"
"In the dark," Fate almost joked. "I'm aware, I know what's going on around me, but I never know all the details until I have a receptacle for knowledge, a body and mind to properly process everything. It's a bit like living in a daydream, until someone puts on my helmet, and I wake up."
"Interesting," Kara didn't know what else to say to this as Barry kept quiet, thinking this over. But Fate said no more as he nodded at them, put his hand on the side his helmet and lifted it off his head.
With that movement, the gold and blue outfit faded, to be replaced by William's Red Arrow outfit he had been wearing the moment he had placed the helmet on before. William himself blinked as he shook his head, coming back into consciousness.
"William…" Barry started as the man put the helmet down on the couch.
"I know," William said simply, raising a hand to stop Barry from continuing. "I know everything. Roy is dead." William had no ill will to the source of his DNA; he was just sad Roy was gone.
Barry and Kara did not know what to say. Nightwing and all of Team Canary had been in mourning over Roy when they last saw them. Barry and Kara were upset too at all their loses – Roy had been a friend; Snart had been more than a villain who reformed, there was history with him, and he had been family; while Nate they had not known well but felt he would have become a good friend.
"What will you do now?" Kara asked.
"Head back to Starling, see if they want me back. Until Thea wakes up anyway," William stated thoughtfully
"They want you," Kara said instantly, knowing it to be true.
"What do you mean until Thea wakes up?" Barry added, catching this odd phrase.
"Being part of Doctor Fate gave me a lot of time to think, to reassess the life that's been given to me," William stated. "I never realized how much I let the memories of Roy I had control me. I think I need a fresh start. I need to become my own man. Away from Roy's shadow, away from Team Canary. But I won't abandon my friends while their numbers are down – Thea is out of action and Laurel is pregnant, yes I know that as well." William smirked seeing the looks of surprised the two had when he mentioned that. "They need all the help they can get in the short term." It seemed Fate had given William some insight too, he seemed smarter than he had been before, not that he wasn't clever before this. "Anyway…" William turned to move to the elevator; Kara and Barry looked at each other though. Both in agreement.
"William," Barry called, William paused and turned to look at him. Barry tossed over the communicator Doctor Fate had handed him, and William barely caught it. "Tell Cisco to switch that to Red Arrow for you."
"But I wasn't voted on," William said, looking at it in shock.
"You earned it," Barry said, putting an arm around Kara.
"If anyone has a problem with you joining the League, they can take it up with us," Kara said with a defiant smile. William seemed stunned but mumbled a thank you before heading to the elevator.
Barry took Kara's hand and silently, the two headed for bed. It had been a long day.
Post Chapter Note: A-a-a-and Darkseid is defeated. Gone. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. My last from Karry for a while.
Now for my normal 'why did I kill them?' post-chapter note, so to explain myself…
Nate: Obviously I brought him in to die. When I was figuring out who to kill, Sigma, my beta commented that it was a shame we didn't have a Nate to kill, as I've never liked him in Legends. So, just like that, I introduced him to simply kill him off. Sorry Nate…. I think.
Roy: I originally brought Roy in to be the mole for Cadmus, and it worked wonderfully, but after that plot I suddenly had two Roys – the original, and the clone, and I sort of had William in Roy's shadow. Deciding to kill Roy was to get rid of the shadow for William, so that he could become his own man. Also, Roy was filling the role of Nightwing's sidekick and I wanted that freed for the future. And don't worry, William will soon decide on a nickname, so Arrow fans won't confuse him with Oliver son from the show anymore.
Snart: This was a difficult one. Originally, I was going to kill Mick instead, but with Snart giving his sperm to Alex and Sara, and Snart being the one in the story more, it seemed fitting for him to be the one to die. He seems to get the short end of the stick both here and in the Arrowverse. Sorry Leonard.
Now onto happier topics and to officially announce that Karry Universe will be on a break again from this chapter, but I have several stories that are coming out to fill the gap…
First up, the second season of New Justice, and sequel to Rebuilding the League, New Justice: Trials of the League! With Reverse Flash defeated, things have settled down for the New Justice League, but when a new enemy makes himself known, things are shaken up dramatically. But there's an even greater threat to the Justice League brewing, and it's going take the entire League's current members, and some new members, to face these trials.
Then, co-written with Sigma and released under his account is a sequel to both SuperEarth, Mutant Earth and Sliders. Jailbreak sees SuperEarth's heroes come to Mutant wanting something from them that the Earth refuses to give, and things get messy. One of these Earths will do something that will have lasting repercussions across the entire Millma Verse. (Note: While I am advertising this now, Sigma's the main author of this story, so it will depend on his writing schedule when we can get this up – but he is concentrating on this now over Prime, so you may get it sooner than you expect.)
Then another one, co-written with Sigma which is not really a sequel to Sliders despite sharing a similar name… Sliders 2.0: The Nazi World War. In this story, Accord finally bites off more than she can chew when she messes with an unknown Earth, leading them directly to New Justice Earth. Now separated from the rest of the system, due to the multiverse net, and facing an invasion from Nazis, New Justice needs to recruit new Earths to help them in the fight. (Yes, Crisis on Earth X really inspired us, and as this is set in the mid-season of New Justice season 2, this won't appear until after the first half of that story.)
Now, as for the future of Karry Universe. Karry Universe will return when New Justice hits mid-season with ten chapters (starting with the 2000 review chapter that was selected by you readers). I have some plans. I hinted at it, and Karry will be back with several chapters once New Justice hits mid-season, maybe with Sliders 2.0 at the same time, but I am not going to try to go bigger than Darkseid. DC lore has no-one much bigger than Darkseid, so I am going to go smaller when it comes to threats to the Justice League and go back to where Karry really shines: relationships and fluff.
Okay so that's it. Please REVIEW
Karry Master OUT!