Karry Universe: Kid Swap
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Note: Just to not confuse everyone, the timeline for this chapter is AFTER SuperEarth: Fate but BEFORE the recent Beautiful segment with Caitlin's cancer announcement.
The Random Barry Issue and Solution
Clark was in his apartment once more, looking at the hole in the wall. Ella and Morgan were in the living room and Mutant Earth's Kal was on the other side of the hole, looking at his older self.
"Get some good wood, plaster, and paint and we can take care of this without paying anyone," Kal said, having a measuring tape in his hand and measuring the hole. "Barry and I have fixed worse on the farm."
"Kal, we're in Metropolis not a farm," Clark pointed out, but had to give a small smile as he remembered his own childhood on the same farm. It had been several days since Jason had injured Lois and she was still in the hospital, but they had been able to interact now. Lois had agreed with sending Jason away.
"Same rules apply," Kal said, his body disappearing as he bent down probably to measure under the hole.
Clark heard the door open and heard the barking. Turning around, he saw Lucy Lane had entered the apartment with a pram. "Musty, Goofy, El, Porthos, down," Clark yelled at the four dogs, who backed away right away.
"How many dogs do you have now?" Lucy asked.
"Good question," Clark said. "Kal, what is Porthos doing here?"
"Which one is Porthos?" Kal asked, his head appearing in the hole.
"The beagle," Clark said.
"Oh, Krypto kicked us out," Kal said back and Clark had to shake his head at that.
"Lucy, what are you doing here?" Clark said, coming over and hugging his sister-in-law. He hasn't seen her since the day Lois had been injured, having got her and Ray to look after Ella and Morgan at the Lake House.
"My sister is lying in the hospital and you think I wouldn't come?" Lucy pointed out. "She was there in the hospital with me too, after all."
Clark gave a nod. When Lucy went into labor some months ago now, they had nearly lost her. Doctors said it was only a strange set of circumstances that made it, so they were able to save her in time. "Hey, Casey," Clark said to his little nephew; the little boy was only just over two months old. "Where's Brandon?"
"Ray is taking care of him," Lucy said as Ella came up to give her aunt a hug and then Morgan. "Morgan, too tight…"
"Morgan, back away," Clark said, putting a hand on Morgan and moving him off. "Hey Morgan, do you want to go back to the Sanctuary for a bit?" Clark only now remembered, "Froggy called and said she misses you." Clark thought it might do Morgan good to get back to work and play with some of the animals. "They've got some new meta-animals in. They found some meta bears too. One has super strength and Froggy said they could use some help controlling it." It was true – Froggy did ask Clark if Morgan would feel up to coming and dealing with the new meta-Bear, given his own strength.
"Really?" Morgan asked, grinning, and Clark nodded. "What about mommy?" His face fell as he thought of Lois again.
"Mommy's going to be in the hospital for a while. I'll come and get you again soon to visit her," Clark said and Morgan gave a nod and then a smile. "I'll be right back. Goofy, Porthos, come with me," The two dogs barked and followed Clark and Morgan out.
"Well, I'm done measuring. We can go to the hardware store," Kal said, actually jumping through the hole in the wall into the next room.
"Hey, did we get a new Clark clone and no one told me…?" Lucy asked knowing that this wasn't Connor – for one Connor wore clothes that were fancier, and he also didn't look completely identical to Clark, due to not being 100% Clark's clone, and besides, Kal did look like he was right off the farm.
Ella laughed. "That's Kal from Mutant. He's spending the summer," Ella explained.
"Oh, hi, I'm…" Lucy said.
"Lois's sister, Lucy," Kal smiled pleasantly. "We've met. Well, I've met a version of you on my earth – and her husband, John Irons. You're both kickass military power couple."
"Interesting," Lucy paused, trying to think if she knew a John Irons, but she didn't. "This is my son, Casey. His father is Ray Palmer though. My husband of this world."
"I can see he's not John's son," Kal said pointed out, making Lucy raise an eyebrow. "If he was, his skin would be darker," Lucy gave a nod there, not really surprised an alternate of hers ended up with an African American. She had dated James Olsen once.
Before either could say anything, else Clark re-entered the room. "Morgan cheered up the minute he got to the Sanctuary," Clark said, thinking he should have brought Morgan back there a while ago.
"Get some tools and wood and I'm ready to help fix this," Kal said, pointing at the hole.
"Leave it," Clark said. "Well, for now. I've been thinking… and well, Lois and I had been talking before her injury and we think it's time to move somewhere bigger."
"A bigger apartment?" Ella asked and Clark couldn't blame her surprise or the question – she had lived in apartments her whole life. First, the small two bedroom where he and Lois had started their married life, and then moved to this bigger one.
"No – a house," Clark said, surprising Ella. "Still in Metropolis, so nothing too big, but a bigger place. A little yard where maybe we can plant that garden you talked about once and give the dogs a place to run and play," Musty and El gave a bark at that, being the only two dogs left.
"El, we're heading back to the farm after summer. Why are you barking?" Kal frowned, and El just barked again. He had loved being with his sister, Musty, once more – it had been too long since they'd played together.
"Kal, want to come look with us?" Clark asked.
"Sure," Kal smiled.
"Lucy, since Lois is not able to look around herself, maybe you could help provide the extremely important Lane perspective," Clark asked, and Lucy smiled at the request and wording.
"Of course," Lucy said.
"Good, because I contacted Paula yesterday and she set up several tours today," Clark said, surprising everyone in the room – Paula might live in Starling, but she was able to look up listing in Metropolis and set up tours for them. "Kal, help with transport?" Kal gave a nod and went and picked up Ella. "El, Musty stay here." Clark added when he saw El going to follow Kal.
"I got you Lucy." Clark picked up Lucy and, also held the pram with Casey in it. The two sibling dogs watched their master leave, before playing and jumping through the hole in the wall.
-Karry Universe-
Barry and Kara had planned many things for the kids in Florida – they had used some NASA contacts they had to get a tour of Kennedy Space Center, something all four girls enjoyed. Star did hang onto Kara just a bit too tightly though, remembering the last time she was in space. But with STAR Metropolis making more advanced spaceships, even NASA had updated.
Then they went more down South, about 3 hours south of Disney, they had gotten a hotel on a beach for a week and were going to spend the week on the beach before heading back to their house at Disney.
"Can I play volleyball?" Star asked the two in their family room
"Yeah," Barry said back.
"Papa Barry, did you go back to Central and save people as the Flash?" Romana suddenly asked; Hex was on her lap and was purring as Romana pet her. Krypto was sitting on one of the beds.
"No," Barry said. "Why?" Romana turned the pad she was looking at around. It was a photo of the Flash taking out a carjacker. Barry noticed the white background behind the Flash symbol and sighed.
I think you have to go have a word with our strandeds, Kara thought to her husband – Prime had sent over the first three strandeds for the apartment buildings, even giving them the warning not to do hero work on this world too. It seemed they hadn't listened.
Barry gave a sigh and ran off. "Looks like it's us girls and Kent." Kara held Kent as she said it.
-Karry Universe-
Barry ran into the Stranded Apartment in his Flash outfit; an alternate of him, known around the multiverse as Random Barry, was there along with a Caitlin and Cisco. Their first multiverse Strandeds. Random Barry's dog, Sarge was also in the room, playing with some dog toys.
"Can you explain why there are pictures of you as the Flash going around?" Barry asked.
"Because I'm the Flash," Random Barry said with a smile but then noticed the look his alternate was giving. "I figured since you were on vacation you wouldn't mind… I mean there needs to be a Flash around."
"This is my world," Barry pointed out. "I am the Flash here. I don't take on every single crime, but you can't just jump in. Not without permission which I am not giving you. You're guests here, allowed to stay here until we find a more permanent place for you."
"So same rules as Prime," Random Barry gave a sigh.
"They told you the rules were the same there," Barry pointed out.
"But I want to help…" Random Barry frowned now. "Be the Flash."
"Barry," Random Caitlin said, putting an arm around her boyfriend. "The world is being really nice to us. Not going out as the Flash is a little compromise." Barry gave a sad nod as Caitlin laid a head on his shoulder.
"I should have stayed on New Justice," Random Barry sighed at this, Karry Barry biting his lip at the thought.
"Hey, do you need a hand at STAR? Since you have no Cisco maybe…" Cisco started but Barry gave him a look now. "Okay, I got it – no."
At this, Karry Barry ran out.
Kara, I'm going to Prime, Barry thought to his wife as he headed for STAR Labs.
When he got there, his own Caitlin and Jesse were there. "Gideon, send a message to Prime that I'm coming on over and then send me to Prime," Barry said to the A.I. and he was sent to Prime.
"What's going on there?" Jesse mumbled but Caitlin shrugged.
-Karry Universe-
On Prime, Karry Barry blinked as he didn't appear in STAR Labs but seemed to be in a boat – he knew of Prime's Secret Sanctuary but hadn't realized the system had been transferred here.
"Since when did you switch the system here?" Barry-Blue asked, seeing Barry White-Two there along with their Cisco.
"Figured it was better," Barry White-Two answered. "Got your message. Something wrong?"
"We need to talk about Random Barry," Barry-Blue said and the two sighed. "Look, he really wants to be the Flash and I really need him to not go out as the Flash. He seemed to agree but I saw the look in his eyes. He's not happy just hanging out."
"Reason we sent him to you. We thought the nicer apartments and better tech might calm him down," Barry White-Two said – he had done a look over of the apartments before sending people and had been impressed. The places were nicer than the small apartments ARGUS had set up and a lot less crowded. "We had an instance here where he was out as the Flash and that confused the public and the media. Took some calming down."
"Urgh. Well, he needs a world of his own," Barry-Blue said. "What about New Justice? He did mention he should have stayed there."
"Well, a super villain did kidnap him and nearly drained him of his blood," Cisco added, and Barry-Blue remembered having to quickly give blood at one point. "Plus, it seems New Justice and Barrys don't mix. Besides, they can't take all three. They have a Caitlin and a Cisco, and Random Barry is a package deal with his Caitlin and Cisco these days."
"How about Broken?" Barry-Blue mused. "No Barry there."
"They have a Caitlin, and Cisco was a villain," Cisco said.
"Plus, Broken's is not interested in taking in any strandeds. We asked," Barry White-Two said.
"Every world has a Barry, Caitlin, and Cisco. The worlds where one is missing doesn't have all three missing. It's hard to place them all together," Cisco said.
"I think we need some help from a higher power," Barry-Blue mused, making the two from Prime raise an eyebrow. "Our Speed Force mother. If there is anyone who knows where they can be placed, it's her."
"She did have us place an older version of us who goes by Max on Different Power," Barry White-Two agreed. "Okay, let's go see our Speed Force mother."
"Oh, mission into the Speed Force. I can send you!" Cisco said.
"I think we can run it," Barry White-Two, said indicating for Barry-Blue to follow him away from Cisco. "Can't let Rae completely outshine us. She doesn't use a vibe anymore to get into the Speed Force." Barry White-Two explained to his Karry alternate, who laughed as they ran. Cisco pouted at this.
-Karry Universe-
Clark, Lucy, and the kids had been touring houses all morning and they had just entered another one.
"Look at that yard!" Ella said looking out the back; it wasn't a huge yard, still being in the city, but did have a nice small garden in the back – it was better than the garden box window they currently had
"Kal, can you bring Ella upstairs and look at the rooms?" Lucy asked and Kal gave a nod, and the two went up the stairs.
"Nice master bedroom on the ground floor. Would be good for Lois," Clark said. "This is a nice living room and a nice kitchen."
"And a good laundry room," Lucy pointed out. "Plus, a basement."
"Really?" Clark asked, looking over at the doorway Lucy was standing at. "It's not finished, but we could set it up the way we want. Maybe a little Superman cave just for me," he chuckled at this. "The area is great. Ella can continue at her school. There are five bedrooms including the master. Ella and Morgan can have their own rooms. We could set up something for Connor with a home office, too."
"And Jason," Lucy pointed out and Clark gave a short nod. Lucy instantly recognized the attitude change at the name. "Clark, talk to me. Jason…?"
"I love my son," Clark said instantly.
"I know you do," Lucy said, rocking Casey pram.
"But I also hate him," Clark said and Lucy gave a sad nod. "I don't know what to do anymore, Lucy. Since he started acting up, I tried to correct the behavior. I grounded him, took away privileges, talked to him about why he can't do certain things... Lois even set up a weekly sit downs with him so he could just talk about whatever was on his mind without being judged. None of it worked. He just kept getting worst and then he did this."
"What he did is unforgivable," Lucy agreed. "But it was also an accident at the same time. I know Lois could have died and thank God she didn't, but he does have super strength," Lucy reasoned.
"But I have been thinking over my life, trying to figure out what else I could have done to prevent this and the only thing I could think of is not taking in Connor and Morgan as my sons," Clark continued, "but they are my sons. Maybe not born the same way as Jason and Ella, but I love them and they are good boys. Lois took them in without question. Connor has already followed in my footsteps. Morgan, well, he has his problems but he's a sweetheart," Clark said. "I couldn't abandon them."
"Of course not," Lucy said, deciding to just listen to Clark now.
"But part of me doesn't want Jason to come back," Clark added. "I know Mutant is a temporarily solution, but when that's over I don't want him home. And I feel horrible about it, like I am the worst parent in the world…"
"Clark, it sounds like you've had enough, and no one can blame you," Lucy said, putting a hand on her brother-in-law's shoulder. "But you need to know you did everything possible for Jason and what he did is not your fault, it's not Lois's fault. You're good parents, Clark." Clark didn't say anything, just brought Lucy into a hug.
"Dad?" It was Ella bouncing down the stairs. "Can I have the room that looks out to the backyard?"
Clark gave a laugh, pulling away from his sister-in-law. "If we buy this house," Clark reasoned.
"It's the best one we've looked at," Ella pointed out. "Kal says we'd have an extra room and maybe we could put a pool table in it."
"Or we could finish the basement and put a pool table down there," Clark thought aloud now.
"Basement?" Ella said running to the door Clark had indicated and running down the steps.
"Pool table?" Clark turned to Kal, who had followed Ella down the stairs.
"It's a cool game," Kal said with a chuckle. "Could you really afford this place…?"
"Well with my salary as Editor in Chief," Clark reasoned, "plus, the income we get in from Hero Corp… Yes. We might need a small mortgage, since I don't think we could put all that money down at once."
"Unless Kara and Barry give you it," Lucy pointed out and Clark had to nod at that. "Clark, call Paula ask her to contact the realtor in charge of this house with an offer. It's perfect and Lois will love it."
"Definitely," Clark smirked at this now, pulling out his phone.
-Karry Universe-
"It was easier running in here with Jesse's device," Barry-Blue said as they stopped in the Speed Force.
"It wasn't that hard," Barry White-Two said, frowning with a shrug.
"We were on your world. Should be easier for you. Same vibration," Barry-Blue pointed out.
"Now, now, boys," a voice spoke before Barry White-Two could say anything else. The two Barrys noticed they were in a house and the Speed Force was there as Nora Allen. It was their childhood home, before their mother's murder. "I don't like my children, who I like, fighting each other."
"We weren't fighting," both said together as they took a seat.
"I think I like it better when you look like an older Rae," Barry-Blue said to the Speed Force, assuming she took the form of his mother for his Prime self. "I assume you know why we're here?"
"You want me to tell you of a world, a place for Random Barry, his Caitlin and Cisco," the Speed Force responded. "Unfortunately, a world doesn't exist that needs all three of them. They are just too common."
"A never-ending multiverse and there isn't one world?" Barry White-Two asked, surprised by this revelation.
"Can't you just make them a world?" Barry-Blue asked. "Make a new Earth for them."
"Why would I be able to do that?" The Speed Force asked.
"Didn't you Forces make the entire multiverse originally?" Barry-Blue asked.
"No," the Speed Force stated. "The multiverse was created after us on its own – a grand design, you could say. We forces created many things, but bringing life, making a whole new world with a full history… we do not have that power. The only people who do… are you."
"What?" Both Barrys said together.
"The Paragons are the only ones in the multiverse who can make worlds," the Speed Force explained. "You already technically did it – you brought back the multiverse. Any world that was strong enough to come back to life, to take that spark of life you gave."
"But they had already existed before," Barry White-Two pointed out.
"And not all of them came back," Barry-Blue added.
"True, not all the worlds were strong enough to live again, but don't underestimate what you did. You not only brought the worlds back, but you made changes; Emily didn't exist before the changes," the Speed Force pointed at Barry-Blue at that, referring his Oliver and Laurel's youngest child. "And neither did Jesse and Wally kids, or Laurel and Oliver as a power couple," she added to Barry White-Two. "You created new life on old worlds – rewrote pasts in some cases, such as the world your hitchhiking Kayla called Legacy Earth or Kryptonite Earth."
"So, you're saying we can give all Strandeds a new world?" Barry White-Two asked.
"No," the Speed Force said. "What I am going to suggest is not guaranteed to work. This could fail and should only be done for the right reasons. But personally, I like my Random Barry so it's worth a try for him. You will need all seven Paragons to agree to this - you two, plus your Karas, SuperEarth's Kara, New Justice's Rae, Hero's Mon, Beautiful's Kayla, and Kingdom Come's Clark."
"We remember," both Barrys said again.
"What about Oliver?" Barry-Blue asked. "The Specter?"
"New Justice's Oliver is not needed for this. You will need to travel back to the World Forge. Should you wish to take on this quest, you have my permission to head there through me," the Speed Force added. "When you get there, you will arrive on the same island as before – where the former Monitor and Anti Monitor are now imprisoned." Both Barrys tensed at this. "You will leave that Island and venture deeper – on another Island you will find where you may create new worlds and there will be a man there, waiting for you. If your reasons are pure and you convince him, he will guide you. Now, go back to your worlds and gather the other Paragons. I will open a portal for you to come back when everyone agrees."
A portal opened in the room at that.
"I guess we have our marching orders," Barry White-Two stated, bemused now.
"Yeah, see you soon," Barry-Blue added, glancing at their Speed Force mother before they both walked through the portal, to find their wives and then the other Paragons.
-Karry Universe-
Back on Karry, after putting a phone call to put an offer down on the house, Clark had brought everyone to the hospital; Lois's room was fancy- when Kara asked for a VIP room, they meant VIP. It could have been made for the President himself – the bed was big and comfortable with the best pillows. There was a large TV, large windows overlooking the city and even the personal touch of flowers about the room. Lois had the bed up now, so she was in a sitting position.
"Mom," Ella called, jumping up onto the bed to hug her mom. "Oh, did I hurt you?" Ella seemed to realize she had jumped on Lois's legs at this.
"No sweetie, I can't really feel my legs," Lois said, rubbing Ella's head.
"Which means you should be even more careful," Clark added. "You could accidentally hurt her, and she wouldn't know. Thankfully, she remains unharmed," Clark added, having quickly used his x-ray vision to make sure his wife hadn't been further damaged.
Ella gave a nod and went off to sit in the comfy chair next to her mom. "Mom, dad brought us to see a house and it was amazing," Ella said.
"It had my seal of approval," Lucy added, coming into the room with her son still in his pram; she had stopped by the bathroom to change Casey's diaper, after all.
"Lucy!" Lois grinned, and Lucy came over to hug her sister. "Oh, Casey." Lois smiled at him. "Can I hold him?"
"Of course," Lucy said, taking Casey out of his stroller and handing him to Lois, who took him carefully. Lois smiled at the baby and Clark had to smile at the way Lois looked at her nephew.
"Where's Morgan? And who's this?" Lois asked, seeming to see Kal standing back.
"Morgan is with Froggy," Clark said, and Lois nodded, understanding he was back at the Sanctuary with the person Kara had chosen to run it. "And this is Kal – I told you Jason is spending the summer on his family farm, and he came here," Clark had to be careful with what exactly he told Lois with nurses and doctors coming in and out. Lois got an understanding of what happened with the wording though.
"Oh, yes, hi Kal," Lois said with a smile and Kal smiled back. "So, the house was nice?"
"I told Paula we wanted to close as fast as possible," Clark said. "The master bedroom there would be much better to take you home to. She's giving the owners our offer and once the owner agrees, we can get an inspector there to check the property. All goes well, I'll ask Kara and Barry or Lena for a loan, so we don't have to deal with the bank," Clark knew it would close easier without having to get a bank involved. "All goes well, and I can put our apartment on the market."
"Not without fixing that hole," Kal pointed out.
"True," Clark said with a nod. "Lucy, why don't you and Ella stay with Lois for a while and me and Kal will go get supplies and fix up that hole?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Lois said. "We can have a little girl time here. The TV has a bunch of streaming services on it. We can pick a movie."
As Ella and Lucy settled in for their girl time Clark and Kal excused themselves
-Karry Universe-
The two Barrys had easily gotten their Karas with Barry-Blue dropping Caitlin, Garfield, and Jenny off to have a beach day with the girls and Kent. They sent a message out to the other Paragons; New Justice's Rae was fast in coming with SuperEarth's Kara not far behind. Hero's Mon was next followed by Kingdom Come's Clark, but Beautiful's Kayla took time to respond – in the end, Barry-Blue and Barry White-Two had gone over to the world to find out what was going on.
They returned not long later saying she would be coming and then Kayla arrived not that much longer after them.
"You're lucky we started filming early this morning," Kayla said.
"What were you filming this time?" Kara Wells asked, as Barry White-Two put an arm around her and rubbed her baby bump.
"Doctor Who," Kayla stated, non-committedly
"Doctor Who?" Both Barrys chorused with a goofy grin.
"So, who's your character?" Barry-Blue added.
"The companion, Rose Tyler's daughter," Kayla confirmed. "But what is this about?" Kayla asked before either Barry could respond; the other Paragons agreed, wanting to know why they were all brought together.
"We need to make a new world for Random Barry," Barry-Blue began.
"We went to the Speed Force to see if there was a world we could drop him, his Caitlin and Cisco off on, but there wasn't – they're all too common," Barry-White-Two added.
"But she did say we, as Paragons, could make a new world for him," Barry-Blue explained. "In the World Forge."
"We can?" Rae asked.
"Would this be safe for me and the baby?" Kara Wells asked, her hand going to her baby bump.
"I doubt the Speed Force will allow you to be hurt," Barry White-Two said to his wife. "That's her kids in there too, in a way." They knew they were expecting twins already, thanks to their Krypton and the Birther.
"But she said it might not work," Barry-Blue added, "but she didn't say it was dangerous for us and we know the Speed Force doesn't shy away from letting us know about danger."
"Are we sure this is the only option for Random Barry?" Mon asked.
"Unless one of you want to take them in and let them be heroes," Barry-Blue said.
"Tried that. Didn't work," Rae said back.
"My Earth might be open to letting them in, but we already have too many heroes. There would be nothing for them to do," Mon added.
"We already have a Caitlin – somewhere – and her sister, Crystal. Plus, a Cisco and Barry," SuperEarth's Kara pointed out.
"We're too famous to try to integrate them into my Earth. Can't just suddenly give my Barry and Caitlin twins. Or even Cisco since he's married to Amelia. Besides, heroes are barely needed back home," Kayla said with a shrug.
"I could use more heroes, but not sure those on Elysian would be happy with us taking in their alternates. Besides, all of them are wanted criminals from my government since they were major players in a rebellion against the government," Clark added thoughtfully.
"So, are we all on board to go back to the World Forge and make a world for them?" Barry-Blue asked; the Paragons gave nods.
"I think we should tell them what we want to do first though," Rae added.
"Cisco?" Barry White-Two said to his Cisco who was there – they were on the Secret Sanctuary on Prime, after all. "Mind going and getting them?" Cisco smirked at this and opened a portal, returning a moment later with the three familiar people and a dog.
"What's going on?" Random Barry asked.
"We're going to make you a world of your own," Barry-Blue explained simply.
"You can do that?" Random Cisco asked, sharing a look with his Barry.
"Yes, as Paragons, saviors of the multiverse, we can," Barry White-Two added.
"So… you're going to bring our world back?" Random Caitlin asked.
"No, the Speed Force made it obvious it won't be your world. It will be a new world made for you," Barry-Blue explained.
"Can my mom be alive?" Random Barry asked at this. Sarge, Random Barry's dog, gave a happy bark at this.
"Can I have Crystal? I've liked having a twin on other worlds," Random Caitlin asked.
"Can I have a girlfriend?" Random Cisco asked.
"Gees," Kayla said. "What's with all the demands?"
"We only literally had one request each," Random Barry pointed out at this.
"Besides, aren't you the Paragon of Humanity?" Rae asked. "Shouldn't you be more… patient?"
"Doctor Who filming schedule is nuts. I'm tired. And you're the Paragon of Truth. Tell them some truth," Kayla said back.
"Okay, Barry, maybe. Caitlin, I don't see why not," Rae decided answering the question. "Frankie, I don't care you go by Cisco, get your own girlfriend. Do you want us to do this or not?"
"Yes please," Random Barry said. "And I'd also like a Rae on this new world, if possible?" Sarge barked again at this.
"I wouldn't put it pass the Speed Force to use this to get another Rae," Barry White-Two pointed out.
"So, now can I send you all to the…" Prime Cisco was cut off by a portal open and he paused, "I didn't do that…" Sarge now growled at the portal – not as used to it as the other dogs across the multiverse.
"The Speed Force said she'd get us when we agreed," Barry White-Two pointed out.
"Do you need us to come with…?" Random Barry asked.
"Nope. Leave this to us," Barry-Blue said, pointing at the portal. All the Paragons went in at this, leaving the two Ciscos, Random Barry, Sarge, and Caitlin alone in the SuperFlash Cave.
When they got into the Speed Force, the Paragons were unsurprised to find that there was a yellow brick road at their feet. It honestly looked like Oz.
"This feels familiar," Prime's Kara chuckled.
"I really hope the Speed Force doesn't appear as my Galinda," Kayla pointed out, remembering the last time they'd been here.
"I think it's just us," Rae stated.
"Come on," Karry Kara stated, the three Karas smiling as they started to hum follow the yellow brick road. The others chuckled and followed as they walked down the yellow brick road, heading for the World Forge again.
-Karry Universe-
Kal and Clark had got the wood and supplies from a hardware store to fix up the hole in Clark's walls.
"You know I could have just paid someone to do this. As stated, before I don't have a money problem," Clark pointed out as they now worked on the wall.
"It's more satisfying doing it with your own two hands, but I guess a City Boy doesn't know that," Kal remarked.
"Ouch. You know, I grew up on a farm too – actually, the same farm," Clark said to Kal as he used his hand to put the nails in, not bothering with a hammer.
"Oh yeah, John and Martha Kent raised you," Kal said, a little thoughtfully now.
"My human parents. My ma and pa," Clark said, smiling now. "They died when you were young, right?" Kal nodded. "Kara's basically your mom." Kal nodded again.
"Barry is like my step-dad, like Lionel is to Judy in As Time Goes By," Kal remarked.
"You lost me," Clark remarked.
"An old British sitcom," Kal dismissed. "Barry got me into it."
"Right," Clark paused for a moment. "Kal, why are you here? Why did you want to come here?" He had wanted to know since Kal turned up earlier.
"Oh. Well. Since I first came here – what is it, five years ago now? – I have admired you," Kal said honestly. "I have wanted to become you. Kara has let me start being a superhero at home. Superboy. But I don't think I can become you exactly – I think I was too late to Earth. I tried writing for my school's paper, but I didn't care for it. I'm not sure I want to live in the city and Lois is too old for me, obviously. I just need to find myself a bit and thought maybe being near you would help."
"Across the multiverse we have become mostly the same, even with different faces," Clark mused. "But maybe you were too late to become like all your alternates and that's not a bad thing. You can follow your own path and not try to copy mine. Maybe your destiny has you staying on the farm and never having kids of your own..."
"The farm belongs to Kara and Barry, and they definitely belong there," Kal replied. "And I know, one day, I want kids. Besides, I got to make my Kara a grandma someday." The two paused for a moment. "Don't ever tell her I said that."
Clark gave the first true laugh he had done since Lois's injury and put an arm around Kal. "Not a problem," Clark said. "Come on, let's finish the wall. You know, you'd make a good handyman as well."
"Hey, Clark, I heard what Lucy said to you before in the house and she was right – you're a good dad," Kal said, and Clark had to smile as the two continued with the wall.
"Looking good boys," it was Lucy coming in with Ella and Casey. "You have a wall again. And I brought dinner. Fried chicken and sides."
"Nice," Kal said turning around; Lucy and Ella were taking out food out of the bags as Kal came up to help.
"Just need a paint job and it will be like it never happened," Lucy said to Clark as he came up as well.
"To the wall at least," Clark said sadly, and Lucy nodded. It would take more than a paint job to fix everything
-Karry Universe-
The Paragons appeared on the former Monitor and Anti-Monitor's Island of the World Forge – it was different than last time; for one thing, there was a small house that was clearly hand built there along with some palm trees now.
"You!" It was the former Anti-Monitor, still in his armor. "Give me my powers back. You…!" He began to charge at the group.
SuperEarth's and Karry's Kara shared a look and a smirk before both ran up and punched him. With no powers, the former Anti-Monitor went flying back. "That felt really good," SuperEarth's Kara said with a smile.
"Trust me I know it does," a new voice spoke, and the former Monitor appeared from the house. "We've had many fights. But what are you doing back here? The multiverse…."
"Is fine," Kayla said. "We're trying to add to it."
"Ah, you don't want this Island. One of the other Islands," the former Monitor pointed out into the distance. Only now did they see a scattering of other islands in the distance.
"You know, I didn't realize there were other islands last time," Clark said.
"I remember," Rae spoke up, "or sort of remember. When I lost my memories and had to rebuild myself – long story – I visited my memories of us rebuilding the multiverse; I saw the islands then."
"You'd lost your memories?" Karry's Barry asked.
"Like I said, long story," Rae dismissed. "I'm fine now, obviously."
"Well, I guess we could fly there, and the speedsters can run," Clark voiced, moving the conversation on.
"No," the former Monitor stated. "You need to take the boat. Please, follow me..." the former Monitor walked down the beach and the Paragons looked at each other. They'd never liked or trusted this Monitor, but he did know more than them.
"Or you could stay here with me," the former Anti-Monitor muttered at this, the group looking to the other man before all moving to follow the former Monitor.
The former Monitor had brought them to the other side of the island – which definitely seemed bigger than last time – where a large sailing boat was waiting.
"Does anyone know how to sail?" Mon asked.
"It will take you," the former Monitor spoke. "I'm not allowed on it, but it should react to you."
The Paragons gave him a look at that, but they all got onto the boat, nevertheless.
"I still don't like that guy," Rae said as the boat started to move.
"He has no powers here," Prime Barry stated. "We made sure of that last time."
"He could still manipulate us," Kayla remarked, darkly.
"You said the Speed Force said we would be meeting someone there," Clark said, again forcing the conversation on. "Who?"
"She didn't say," Prime Barry said, a hand on his wife's shoulder, hers on her stomach. "I guess we will find out."
The boat passed several, strange, islands – all seemed different with their own inhabitants that not even the Supers could make out with their superior vision – before coming up and stopping at one, the most extravagant of the islands. This island had a large building occupying it – seeming to be made of brick. It was fancy and the only thing on the island, aside from the jungle surrounding the place.
"That way," Karry Barry said, pointing to the road from where their boat stopped, directly to the door of the large building. No one could argue as they moved through the trees and up to the building, opening the door.
"Wow," Kayla mumbled as they entered – the building was dark, but above them they could see what looked like a multiverse map, more detailed than anything they had seen before, including that from Bounty Earth.
"It looks like our multiverse map," Prime Barry whistled as they looked it. "Only a lot bigger… never ending."
"Because the multiverse never ends," a new voice spoke, and an old man appeared in a suit. He looked human, having gray hair and was wearing glasses. "The Paragons of the multiverse... It is an honor to meet you. I am Alpheus."
"You know us?" Rae asked.
"Rachel Joan Garrick from Earth 19 or now called New Justice," Alpheus moved his hand and before them appeared one of the worlds from above. "Your universe. A mass of planets… and your Earth," Alpheus moved his hand and zoomed in on Earth, "and you." Alpheus showed a scene from Rae's past. Rae taking out a villain. Alpheus moved his hand, and the scene was gone and the world back where it was.
"What are you?" Clark asked.
"I am a Watcher. I watch this place, the place that watches the multiverse," Alpheus explained. "I make sure things run smoothly."
"And where were you during Crisis?" Prime's Kara asked.
"A valid question. I was here, cheering you on. I do not interfere," Alpheus stated. "And I know why you have come."
"You do?" All the Paragons said together.
"You wish to create a new world for your Random Barry and his friends," Alpheus spoke, and the Paragons had to nod. "The spark of life lies within all of you but it's not a guarantee. Many worlds you gave your spark to didn't make it back. Why should I help you?"
Karry Barry stepped up – this was his idea after all. "Random Barry and his friend deserve a world of their own," he stated. "He needs a place where he can be a hero, where he is no longer stepping on toes. They deserve a life the current multiverse cannot give them."
"And this isn't just to get him out of your hair?" Alpheus smirked. "No," he stopped Karry Barry from speaking. "Let's hear from the Paragon of Truth. Speak the truth, Rachel Garrick."
"Not even gods, or whatever you are, can call me Rachel. It's Rae," Rae retorted, and Alpheus gave a nod. "And the truth is, yes, we want him out of our hairs. He can be annoying but he's also my brother. But that doesn't mean we're also not doing this for him – he has helped my world enough I want to do something for him."
"And now Karry Universe, speak from a place of love," Alpheus said, nodding to Rae at her comment.
"We care for him too. It's right thing to do for him and us. That is love," was all Karry's Kara said putting an arm around her brother.
"And Prime?" Alpheus asked.
"He was chosen to be the Flash, to be a hero – just like us. He deserves a place he can do it," Prime Barry said, and his Kara nodded in agreement.
"You speak of destiny. Just like you represent," Alpheus said and then turned to the other Paragons. "SuperEarth, Beautiful, Kingdom Come, Hero… what of you? No other Paragons really know this Random Barry. Why are you here?"
"The Paragons are family," Kayla spoke up. "I do this for family and for them. He's a Barry and a Caitlin, after all."
"It is the right thing to do," Mon added.
"We gave them a promise of a new place for them. We can't back down from that," Clark said.
"I stand by my friends," SuperEarth's Kara said. "And we're not leaving until you help us." The threat was clear in her voice, but Alpheus didn't seem worried.
"Truth, Love, Destiny, Humanity, Honor, Hope, and Courage," Alpheus said. "You've come here for the right reasons. I will make it clear that I can't make any promises this will work – and I am considering this an exception. This will not become a common thing. But for this once I will let you try to add a new Earth to the multiverse."
Alpheus waved his hand again and in front of them came an obviously dead universe. Charred and blackened, even in its representation here. "Earth 14 – named Reverse at one point by Mutant Earth's Cisco. It didn't make it back from Crisis," Alpheus explained, and then clapped his hands loudly. Then there was a boom, and the planets of Earth 14 were destroyed. – looking up, the rest of the multiverse seemed to shake too.
"What was that?" Prime's Kara asked.
"To add a new Earth, I had to make room. The place where Earth 14 was, is now empty. A wave did go out through the multiverse at the destruction of the placeholders, but no damage," Alpheus said. "It is why I will not do this too much. Rewriting too much of the multiverse could damage what already is. Now…" Alpheus held out his hand with one finger and made a circle, before them new planets seemed to develop in the emptiness, but they were white and unformed.
"What is that?" Clark asked.
"A new universe. A copy of the original universe: Prime. The same planets in the same location. It's just missing the spark of life. Something only Paragons can add," Alpheus said. "You will all need to bleed over here, like you did before," Alpheus pointed to a large pedestal they hadn't noticed until now. "Concentrate on what you represent and what you want. A new world for your Random Barry, Caitlin, and Cisco. We will know if it worked when you're done."
"Always blood," Rae mumbled as they moved to the platform, and she summoned a knife from the Speed Force. "Same order? Kara, Barry…?" She turned to Karry's Kara and Barry who held out their hands and let Rae cut them. Last time they had to let their blood drop onto Oliver's own hand, this time, there was a unique glass bowl on the floor which had scriptures around the edges.
"Let the world have love," the two said together, their blood dropping into the bowel. Their blood started to glow.
"Prime?" Rae said cutting both of their hands and the two stepped forward and did the same.
"It's their destiny," Prime Barry said, thinking of Random Barry. Their blood glowing with the two from Karry in the bowl.
"Kara?" Rae said, cutting SuperEarth's Kara's hand.
"The world will know courage," SuperEarth's Kara said as she let her blood drop and the glow continued to get brighter.
"Kayla," Rae said, now cutting Kayla hand.
"The world needs everything about humanity," Kayla whispered as she let her blood join the small pool.
"Mon," Rae said, cutting Mon's hand.
"Be honorable," Mon said simply as he did the same as the others.
Clark held out his hand before Rae even asked him and let Rae cut him. "Let hope never die," Clark said as his blood joined the rest.
Rae was the last one as she cut her own hand. "The truth is I really want this to work because I owe Random Barry a lot," Rae said as her blood joined with her other paragons – the last of the Seven and the glow got so bright they closed their eyes for a moment but then reopened it to see the glow had gone, shooting up into the new universe and the new universe was no longer white.
"History is being written," Alpheus said. "Billions of years in a matter of seconds! There, Krypton's explosion… we're coming up to present day. This is the test. Will the world live or die?" The universe was slowing down, having spun quickly as history was written in seconds, and then stopped. Alpheus held up a hand and everyone waited. "And there! It survived... A new world.
"And our Random trio?" Kayla asked.
"They have a life to walk into with no alternates waiting," Alpheus said. "You did well, Paragons."
"Wow," Prime Barry stated, first to walk off the pedestal to look at the new world. "A new Earth 14."
"A new Earth 14," Alpheus chuckled now.
"Okay, so how do we get home?" SuperEarth's Kara spoke. "Last time we sort of just… woke up."
"The boat outside will bring you back to the Speed Force," Alpheus explained. "She can send you all home."
"Now that we're done, I'm keen to get back," Kayla stated, her hand already healed
"Me too," SuperEarth's Kara sighed, "I have kids to get back to."
"Well then, goodbye Paragons. Maybe we shall meet again," Alpheus sighed.
"Yeah, time to tell Random Barry he had a home," Prime's Barry stated, Kayla and SuperEarth's Kara already leading the way out of the building. "This has been… interesting," he added, the last to leave.
-Karry Universe-
Random Barry and his Caitlin exited the portal first with Sarge followed by their Cisco. All of them curious about their new world.
"Took you long enough!" It was a familiar voice and sitting in the Cortex of what was clearly STAR Labs was Kara – she was in her normal Supergirl outfit with red skirt, blue shirt with the House of El symbol, and red cape. She was leaning back in a chair and had her feet on a table Barry never remembered having there. She had a large bucket of popcorn on her lap she was munching on. She looked younger than the Karas they had just left – maybe early 20s, instead of early 30s. "I know you three like exploring the multiverse, but you're cutting it close."
"What are you doing here?" Barry asked, concerned for a moment. Did the Paragons automatically make a world where he was with Kara…?
"I work here," Kara said, seeming confused as Sarge gave a bark. "And it really is unfair New Justice gave you a dog and not me." Barry blinked.
"Everyone works here," it was another voice and walking into the room was Rae – like Kara, she looked like she was in her early 20s as well, a few years younger at least than Rae of New Justice. She was wearing a Flash outfit not too dissimilar to New Justice Rae's old outfit. "And you three really are late," Rae pointed at them as she walked past and sat on the table Kara had her feet on grabbing some popcorn as she did.
"Did you take care of the situation?" Kara asked Rae.
"Me and Mon got everyone settled and back into their cells. Had to transfer one of the prisoners to medical. Mon's taking care of that now," Rae said with a shrug. "You know, I get having the worst villains in the world under Justice League eyes, but I never pictured myself a prison guard."
Barry, Caitlin, and Cisco looked at each other, shocked, and then Caitlin indicated the sign they had within the Cortex: instead of saying 'STAR Labs' it said 'Justice League's Prison for the Worst Offenders'.
"No, you wanted to be a food creator," Kara said, tossing more popcorn into her mouth.
"Food Mixologist," Rae corrected. "Coming up with new flavors for snacks and other types of food."
"I'd make fun of you, but I am addicted to this popcorn right now. What did you put on it?" Kara asked tossing some more popcorn into her mouth as she did.
"Clark gave me some Kryptonian spices and herbs. I made a mix. I'll show you exactly when we get home," Rae said.
"Which I think now is the time to go," it was Mon coming into the room. "Thank you three for finally showing up."
"No problem," Barry said, not sure what else to say as Kara put the bucket of popcorn on the table and the two got up.
"I had to transfer one prisoner to medical. You should check on him in a few hours," Mon said.
"Sure," Caitlin said, going with the flow.
"It should be a silent night. We have no incoming or transfers coming in," Kara said. "If there are any alerts just alert the nearest League member in the field. Ralph, Nia, and Allegra will be by in the morning to relieve you," she sounded bored as she talked, as if this was normal transfer information, they gave all the time.
"Oh, and Barry and Caitlin, Uncle Henry and Aunt Nora want to know if you set a date for the wedding yet?" Rae said as the three headed for the door. "They want to send out save the day cards. Oh, and you might want to talk to Max. He's planning some weird bachelor party."
"We'll get… wait…" Barry started, but the three had already left the room.
"Wedding?" Caitlin asked.
"I didn't make this world," Barry said, shaking his head. "But I am not against it." Caitlin gave him a smile.
"Oh, come on!" Cisco said, making the two turn to face him. "My Facebook status still says single."
"Cisco, more important things," Barry said, and Sarge gave a bark as if agreeing. "Who is Max and why is he planning my bachelor party?"
"Your twin, it seems," Cisco said, looking at Barry's Facebook and showing Barry a picture of the two of them. "Maximillian Jason Allen. Bartholomew Henry Allen and Maximillian Jason Allen? Did your parents hate you?"
"Cisco, more info," Caitlin said, Barry groaning at that. "Like this." Caitlin pointed at the sign that said prison.
"Oh, yeah, seems STAR Labs was turned into a prison sometime after you inherited it. Everything still happened here even, though your mom is alive. This place is Justice League run, but funded by government entities," Cisco said. "For the worst criminals the Justice League must take down. Seems there are always three League members on site while most of the jail is run by machines – and, hey, we get a pretty good salary working as guards here. Barry also gets a rental fee for use of the property, and we own the rights to our hero counterparts."
"What about Iris?" Barry asked nervously, his history with his original Iris rocky to begin with.
"She doesn't exist. Joe and Francine have one child. A girl called Julia," Cisco said.
"Do they have a Sanctuary here?" Barry had to ask. Rae had mention Kryptonian herbs.
"No," another voice said, and the three hadn't realized the man in the black Superman outfit appear out of nowhere. He had the bucket of popcorn Kara had abandoned. "They have the fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but not animals."
"Oh. You're that Pariah guy," Barry said, remembering him from the other Barry's descriptions.
"Anti-Monitor now, but you may call me Gal," Gal said as he ate some more popcorn. "This is very good. I have been searching the multiverse for the best popcorn."
"So, you know about this world?" Caitlin asked. "Can you tell us a bit?"
"Of course. It is your world now, after all," Gal stated. "So then, you still fought Eobard and defeated him, losing Ronnie and Eddie – who was merely just a friend on this world. You joined the Justice League not long after," Gal explained. "Rae is your cousin, obviously, raised jointly by your parents and her grandparents, who shared custody. Caitlin, you have your twin sister Crystal as you wanted." Caitlin grinned at this.
"And me?" Cisco asked. "No girlfriend?"
"Lisa and Gypsy both exist on this world. Go find them," Gal dismissed, and Cisco pouted.
"Who runs the Justice League?" Barry asked.
"Clark and Diana," Gal said. "Interestingly enough, Clark is triplets. The normal Clark Kent. A Dean Kent and a Rodney Kent, who weirdly is the one that looks like Ray Palmer." Gal paused for a moment there. "Anyway, Clark is Superman, married to Lois, works for the Daily Planet when not taking his shift here, he has Jason and Ella. Dean is Ultraman and is dating Rae. Rodney refuses to be a hero. He lives in Smallville."
"I thought Rae was with Kara," Cisco said. "They were ever so friendly here."
"No, they are just roommates here. Rae, Kara, and Kayla share an apartment," Gal said.
"And there is no other us's here?" Caitlin had to ask.
"This world was made for you," a new voice spoke as Accord popped into the room, Amelia Allen. "The Paragons made this so you could come here and live life. No, there is no other you although there is a me here," she smirked at this as Gal rolled his eyes, obviously annoyed there was an Amelia Allen here but no Gal-El. "This world is, in fact, vibrating the same as you three. And there are some things you'll find similar from either your worlds, or other worlds you liked. Some things are new, but overall, you should adjust easily enough."
"This is good popcorn," Gal commented to his other half, who took some.
"Yes it is," Accord said taking some herself. "I think I like this world. Paragons added a lot of good things to it."
"Except me," Gal said with a pout.
"Well your rare," Accord said
"But I mean come on. Clark is triplets, Kara is a twin, and I'm nowhere to be found. Neither is my female alternate," Gal added, and Accord had to give a sad nod at this. "Well, enjoy your world. I'm taking this." Gal and Accord disappeared with the bucket of popcorn.
"That was… weird," Caitlin commented on the two Monitors.
"I think it's how they work," Barry dismissed.
"So, what do we do now?" Cisco asked.
"I guess take our shift and wait for Ralph, Nia, and Allegra to come relieve us," Barry said with a shrug and then a smile, glad they finally had their own world again, even if it was something to get used to.
-Karry Universe-
On Mutant Earth, the sun was rising, and Jason had a backpack, trying to leave Kent Farm – only he was stopped by being picked up.
"Where do you think you're going?" It was Kara Kent putting him down and standing in front of him. "This isn't your world. You have no one to go to and nowhere to go."
"I want out of this. I'll fend for myself!" Jason said kicking at air.
"You're staying here the summer. Just like your family wanted," Kara Kent said, already heading back to the house.
"They don't care about me," Jason snapped.
"You got that wrong, little one. If they didn't care for you then you wouldn't be here. You'd be in jail instead," Kara said to him as they headed back to the house. He was surprised by this comment as he slouched after Kara.
"They would have put me in jail for hurting mom?" Jason asked.
"You broke her back, it's criminal damage. This was the alternative to a jail sentence," Kara Kent explained. "We're going to start easy today so drop that backpack back in Kal's room and meet me back in the kitchen in five minutes, okay?"
"Urgh," Jason sighed as they reached the house. He wasn't prepared for this at all – and he was really missing his friends. He couldn't event text or call them over here.
Post Chapter Note: Wow this turned into a long chapter. Did anyone expect to see the World Forge again? What did you think of Random Barry's new world? Random World is an interesting one, right?
Next Time on Karry Universe:
Good Fences and Good-ish Neighbors'- Karry's neighbors, some new, some old, are back and still gossiping. What about, well, you'll have to find out.
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