Karry Universe
Disclaimer: based on the Arrowverse and DC Comics
Copyright: Millma Verse
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Note 1: So, we went on a 2 week break after that cliffhanger - and what a cliffhanger! After some speculation regarding the identity of the evil speedster this chapter reveals all...
Note 2: Also, while we love speculation regarding Weapons Master, please can people go back and re-read the chapter 'In the 31st Century' where a lot of his backstory and motivation was already set in play? Whether he is Jason or not though… while we don't want to spoil it, he does have a completely different name to Jason, and his powers aren't exactly Kryptonian, or even half-Kryptonian, so…
An Evil Rae
-Beginning of December 2022-
"Rae..." Barry now groaned at the identity of Deathspeed before him.
He stood, frozen on the spot at the face of his cousin – the one who was never born on this world but now, after meeting so many of her throughout the multiverse, and even witnessing one die before his eyes, he didn't know what he would do without. This Rae's face had bad scars though.
"You know me?" This Rae said back.
"It's me, it's Barry," Barry said, wondering if this Rae's world was like Broken where he didn't exist.
"Barry," Rae said with a laugh and it indicated to Barry she did know of him at least.
"Why are you like this?" Barry asked.
"Like this? Oh, you mean this?" Rae said, pointing at her face. "The sky turned red and I ran. I ran for safety and only found pain."
Barry raised an eyebrow; the sky turning red was Crisis, but no one should remember that unless a Paragon unlocked their memories, or if they were somewhere that protected their memories like the Speed Force or the Vanishing Place Before he could dig further though, the rabbit holder on Rae's outfit seemed to disappear and Rae reacted by going to grab the rabbit before it fell and there was a speed trail.
It had not been five minutes. Barry would be shocked if it was the three that held him, but this was Rae after.
Rae and he looked at each other for a moment, frozen, and then Rae summoned her speed. "No!" Jesse yelled, going to run at her, but Rae had overcome Jesse's device, and then as Jesse ran at her, took hold of the other speedster.
Krypto gave a growl as the two seemed to disappear in lightning.
"Krypto, stop!" Barry instructed, knowing the dog wasn't a match even with his freeze breath right now. That only worked by taking her by surprise. Barry summoned his powers to keep track of the two of them, knowing he would need to use as much of his power as he could muster.
He sent a lightning bolt in their direction. He didn't know if it hit or not, but it did have a desired effect; Jesse was tossed at his feet. She was beaten up badly, but still living. Rae stood in front of him, again, the rabbit was secured firmly to her outfit again, but she hadn't summoned back her Deathspeed mask.
"That one is slow," Rae said. "Doesn't make this fun. You were fun to chase. Got in some good punches on me. Let's go again tomorrow…" the mask was summoned back over her face and Barry realized how perfectly it hid her scars. He didn't react as she ran away, and Krypto gave a growl, but Barry held out a hand to him and the dog knew to obey and not follow.
"Come on Jesse, let's get you to Caitlin," Barry said picking up Jesse and running back for the labs.
…
"You paused!" Jesse complained once Caitlin had assessed her, and the Speed Force had already healed her somewhat. Wally was up and about now and was feeding Sabrina – it had gotten late. "We could have had her, but you paused and told us all to stop."
"It was Rae. My cousin," Barry said and Jesse sighed.
"Barry… look, I get you and Kara are all into the multiverse and I have no problem with you considering New Justice Rae and Beautiful Rae – and what was it, Splitsville Rae, and all the others your cousin. I actually really like them, but you don't have a cousin really. And this Rae is evil," Jesse said.
"Is she?" Barry asked. "She had both you and Wally at her mercy. If she really wanted to, you would both be dead now. She keeps that rabbit on her like it's an emotional support pet or something. There's something more here."
"Are you willing to bet she's not just playing with us?" Wally asked.
"She said the sky turned red and she ran. She remembers Crisis," Barry said. "If Crisis did this to her and then it's my responsibility as a Paragon to help her."
"Okay," it was Caitlin who said it; she had been with Kara and Barry the longest. She saw the determination in Barry's face and voice. "We'll look into why her energy readings are different to other Raes we know of. If we can save her, we will, but Barry, if it comes to it can you end her if we need to...?"
Barry paused. He knew New Justice Rae had made the hard decision and killed her Barry. He also knew she had tried every last way not to get to that point, but in the end she made the hard call and did what she had to. Barry wasn't sure what would push him to do it though. He had ended the lives of villains before. Hell, he had stabbed Eobard Thawne himself, but he didn't know if he could look into the eyes of a Rae and kill her.
"We'll cross that bridge when and if we get there," Barry said, to a shared look between the three he ignored. "But she said we will see her tomorrow so I am going to go home and rest and see how Amelia and Winn are handling the girls and Jason."
"What about Kara and Kent?" Caitlin asked.
"Kent is with Kara in a hotel in Connecticut. She's speaking at Yale University tomorrow. Don't ask," Barry said, knowing his wife had decided to speak on campus to students at short notice. Barry ran out at that moment leaving the three to discuss what had just happened.
-Karry Universe-
The next day Barry had left Amelia and Winn to take care of everyone, since it was a Saturday now and that meant no school for the girls or Jason. Barry knew Kara was excited about talking to some students; it was an optional thing in one of the classrooms but apparently, she had heard a lot of students wanted to attend.
Barry ran into the lab where Caitlin, Jesse, and Wally were waiting. He had Krypto with him as well as Hex. The dog and cat had followed Barry to the lab where Hex went to rest on her seat. "Did you go home last night?" Barry asked seeing the three.
"Wally brought Sabrina and Garfield to Ronnie to watch, but no," Caitlin said. "Rae is important to you. All of them. So, we spent all night looking over everything we know about the Speed Force."
"And we have a theory," Jesse said.
"And possibly a way to save her," Wally added.
"Good but hold on a second. I called in some backup," Barry said, confusing the three of them as Barry looked down at his cellphone. "Which should be arriving about… now."
A second later the back door directly to their SuperFlash cave opened and in came a now familiar face.
"Hey, Uncle Barry," Jonny Kent said, giving Barry a smile. "You needed me?"
"A natural born speedster," Jesse said, realization coming to her. "I forgot we now had one of those old enough to help out."
Jonny raised an eyebrow at the comment. "Yeah, JJ we are going to need you," Barry said and showed a photo of Deathspeed to Jonny, who raised an eyebrow at the new baddie. "She's a speedster villain and she's an alternate of Rae."
Jonny took a step back at that.
"Whoa, no," Jonny said, horror on his face at the thought of it. "I can't hurt my mom- even an alternate of her."
"Clever…" Jesse muttered, realizing Jonny being a natural born speedster wasn't the only reason Barry would have brought him in on this – having someone on 'his side', so to speak, to never want to kill a version of Rachel Garrick had to help him.
"We're not planning on hurting her," Barry explained to Jonny. "There's something wrong with her and we will save her. Right, guys?" Barry asked turning to the three.
"Like we said, we have an idea," Wally said.
"Okay, that makes it better, but while I am a natural born speedster, I'm not my mom," Jonny said. "I can't match her speed as I'm still part-Kryptonian too."
"Which is why me and you will work together," Barry said, going over to the nervous teenager and putting an arm around him. "Don't worry JJ, I got your back." Jonny gave a nod, still seeming nervous but seemed better with Barry reassuring him. "Now what is this plan of yours?" Barry turned to Caitlin, Jesse, and Wally, waiting for an explanation.
-Karry Universe-
Meanwhile, Static was flying over Dakota City on his silver surfboard having had attached some bank robbers to a wall using static electricity.
"Gear, you and Wild Dog got the getaway driver?" Static asked into coms.
"We're on it," Gear said.
"Could you use a hand?" Static was surprised by the voice as Karen stopped in front of him in her Power Girl outfit. She had Power Dog next to her. Static had had very little interaction with Power Girl since he had first entered the League.
"We got this handled," Static said, dismissing her, unsure what she was doing in his city anyway.
"Then can we talk?" Karen asked and Static raised an eyebrow. It seemed this wasn't just a stop by, and Static couldn't deny he was curious about this request from the young hero. He knew he owed it to Supergirl, at least, to hear her sister out on whatever it was she wanted.
"Sure," Static said back "Gear, handle the driver and then get back to headquarters." Static heard Gear confirm he would and then Static nodded at Karen to follow him as he moved away. He didn't look back to see if she was following but knew she was.
…
Virgil, i.e. Static had made an abandoned gas station his headquarters. Before he had met the League, he was just squatting in it but afterward, with Kara and Barry giving him the rights to his superhero counterpart, he had gotten more money in. It wasn't millions, but enough to live on and buy this station outright.
He also managed to fix it up – he now lived in the back, mostly lived off the income he got from the rights which he was hoping would increase, as he had given the Static TV and movies rights to Kara and Barry and suggested a cartoon about him be made. It was still in pre-production, however.
"This place is nicer than the last time I was here," Karen pointed out as she took a seat; KJ curling up on the floor.
"It's been a while," Vigil said.
"I hoped you remembered that," Karen said. "Look I am just going to cut to the chase."
"I hoped you would," Virgil said.
"I'm trying to get into the Justice League," Karen said – Virgil had not expected that. "And a reliable source had told me you would be a big voice against me joining."
"Rose," Virgil guessed, and Karen gave a nod. "I can't say she is wrong. I would not vote yes on you and I'm not sure you can convince me to vote yes."
"I know we got off to a rough start…." Karen said and Virgil cut her off.
"You can say that again," Virgil stated.
"But like you said, it's been a while since that day. I have grown," Karen said.
"Four years is a long time in some ways and not a long enough in others," Virgil reasoned. "Think of it from the way I see it. You completely messed up the first time we saw each other. Then, not long after, you retired from hero work. Why should I be inclined to let you in?"
"Because I have grown," Karen said. "At least give me an opportunity to prove it."
-Karry Universe-
In Central City, Jesse needed to explain their research to Barry – and now Jonny.
"So, we went over everything we know about the Speed Force and a clue came from the very first time New Justice Rae met Prime Barry," Jesse explained, indicating the computer. "In the system they put down the Speed Force told Rae there are places inside her that are not so nice – that Prime Barry got stuck in one of those places. Rae went into there to get him and both were forced to face hidden fears."
"And this goes to this Deathspeed Rae, how?" Barry asked.
"The energy readings from Barry and Rae's suit at the time start to match the slight differences that are coming off this new Rae," Jesse said, "but not exactly. Here is where the theory comes in. The normal energy readings from us is the normal Speed Force – the one who is in control – but where Rae and Barry were previously is heading in the direction of a darker sider, but this full energy reading is the darker side. The dark hidden place inside the Speed Force. A negative Speed Force, to be exact."
"And why does this version of my mother radiate the same energy as this Negative Speed Force?" Jonny asked.
"She told us," Wally said. "Red skies came and she ran. We know Rae is fast. She could have escaped from Crisis went running into the Speed Force for protection."
"But ended up in this Negative Speed Force," Barry realized, and the nods were his confirmation.
"Barry and Rae described their entrance in the halfway point. The slightly darker place was torture, but also therapeutic. If this Rae was deep enough, the therapeutic was gone. Instead, she was tortured, scarred, and twisted," Jesse said. "Connected to the darker energy even after she is out. She has been corrupted."
"So, how do we help her?" Barry asked.
"Simple," Caitlin said. "We don't." Barry raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "The Speed Force does. Bring her to the proper Speed Force. The mother. The one who cares about her. She can hopefully disconnect her from the negative Speed Force and help fix her mind."
"Which means you will need this," Jesse said, holding out a device Barry knew well; he had once used it in an experiment and ended up in the Speed Force, broken himself. The Speed Force had healed him from the bad entrance. He had then used it again against Zoom and it had worked this time to let him be able to make an entrance into Speed Force without harm.
Barry took the speed-enhancing device and put it on his chest. "Now we just need her to show up," Barry said, knowing it was in this Rae's arena now. It didn't take long for Gideon to announce what they were all waiting for though-
"The manipulated Rae is at the Christmas tree and ice-skating rink," Gideon said.
"Really, has a Christmas theme," Barry said.
"Well, let's go," Wally said.
"No," Barry said, making Wally stop. "Me and Jonny only. Flash and… what is your Superhero name?"
"I was called Kid Flash," Jonny said, and Wally gave a laugh, having gone by that himself once.
"We'll have to figure out something else for you. That's Kent title eventually," Barry said knowing that for a fact. "But we got this. It's a family affair now. Liberty Belle and Velocity, stand down." Barry gave Jonny a nod and the two ran off together.
Krypto and Hex stayed in in their spot, and Jesse and Wally guessed it was to make sure they didn't go as well.
"What the hell?" Jesse asked once they were gone. "Just because she got the better of us once…"
"That's not it," Caitlin said, stopping Jesse. "It's not that he has doubts about your ability. He just knows Jonny won't kill Rae even if he has a shot. He thinks you two will if you can and he doesn't want that."
"So, he doesn't trust us?" Jesse asked.
"Not exactly. You know he trusts you, but this is Rae. He's been very overprotective of all versions of her since Zoom killed the young one here," Caitlin said. "Definitely a weakness of his now, come to think of it. But any chance you two might react and take a death blow is too much for him. It's his love for her that's making him make decision. Not his trust in you."
"And he is a Paragon of Love," Wally pointed out. "Jesse, let him have this one. We're here to run out if needed."
-Karry Universe-
Jack and Richie stopped at the gas station laughing.
"That was some device you had," Jack said.
"Helps the getaway driver was using a STAR Co. car. I have looked at the designs for those new cars," Richie said. "I'm going to go put some of my gear away in the shop. Why don't you go see why Virgil left early."
Jack gave a nod and kissed Richie's cheek before going into one section of the gas station where Virgil lived; Richie heading to a garage area where Virgil had set up a workstation for him. Richie, using his super intelligence, to make devices for him and for Virgil. Richie put his robotic backpack down and was to take off some other devices when he turned around, shocked to see the villain known as Weapons Master there.
Before Richie could attack or scream for help the villain walked at – and right into – him. Richie paused for a moment and then a smile came across his face.
"Well, your power does make you smart. I always thought that was just propaganda," the voice coming out of Richie's mouth spoke. "And with my own advantage… Yes, you are one to keep for a while. Now, I need to make something."
Richie body under Weapons Master control turning to the bench and started to work.
…
Jack walked into the room. "Hey Vir…" Jack paused when KJ barked, and he smiled at seeing Karen. "Karen, what are you doing here?" Young Justice, when it was around, used to get together a lot, but since Karen's retirement and Young Justice's own disbandment it had been a long time since Jack had seen Karen.
"She's trying to get my vote to get into the League," Virgil was the one who answered.
"You want into the League," Jack's smile grew as he said it, and he held out a hand to Karen. "Well you have my vote and I am sure Team Canary will follow through. That's six votes in total."
"Thanks," Karen said, taken aback but taking the offered hand and thinking Rose hadn't said Team Canary was an issue, besides Thea who could side with her fellow totem bearer Tantu. She assumed Jack was right about he rest of the league – that she would get those votes. "But this is a unanimous voting system. It's everyone or no one. And Virgil here is still a no."
"Oh, come on man," Jack said. "I am for her. Shouldn't that be a good vote of confidence?"
"Says the youngest member of the League," Virgil pointed out, and Jack made a face; he was still a senior in High School, making him the youngest – if they counted Connor as the age he appeared, and not how long he had been alive. "I have some serious doubts on if Karen is fit for the League and I know I am not the only one."
"I know and I am trying to get to everyone. To show them I am League material. Please don't hold something I did years ago against me. Look at the woman and hero I am now. Not the child I was then," Karen implored.
As the group was talking, though, 'Richie' came into the room with something in his hands. "Hey, Rickie what's that?" Virgil asked as he seemed to be considering what Karen said and turning to his teammate.
"New invention," 'Richie' said.
"Something wrong with your voice?" Jack asked his boyfriend; he sounded different than he had not so long ago when he had walked in.
"I…." Richie seemed to pause as he bent over and put a hand on his head. "We…weapon…" Richie seemed to try to get out.
"Weapon… possession?" Karen said, knowing about the power of the new villain and she ran at Richie, punching him in the stomach, knowing that was how Barry got the villain out of Derek. Richie fell to the floor and Weapons Master flew out of him with the device Richie had been holding.
Weapons Master quickly used devices on his own outfit to stop him from hitting into the wall and tossing the device at Static. Static went to use his powers on the device to stop it but that seemed to power it more as it attached to him, and he screamed.
"You are getting annoying," Weapons Master said, pointing a device at Karen but paused.
Jack took the pause and started shooting at Weapons Master, the bullets doing nothing against the villain's shield as Weapons Master went to flee; Jack going after him, but Karen paused. She wanted to help Jack, but knew some things were more important. Diana had told her that before.
She turned to the in-pain Static and grabbed the device attached to him – whatever it was, didn't seem to be set to work against Kryptonians. Karen ripped it off the electric hero and destroyed it with her hands, Virgil falling to the floor after it was gone.
"He got away in a giant robot," Jack said coming in.
"That's becoming a theme," Karen said as Jack went to check on his boyfriend. "Is there a zap tunnel here…?"
"Yeah," Jack said. "In the back."
"Gideon open a zap tunnel to Watchtower and tell Mother Nature we need her," Karen said.
"Does the member of the League agree?" Gideon asked, and Karen frowned. Kara and Barry had given her access to Watchtower, but she guessed giving orders the way she just did when a League member was in the room needed confirmation.
"Yes," Jack said.
"Done," Gideon said and Karen picked up Virgil as Jack went to help the in-pain Richie to the zap tunnel.
-Karry Universe-
Back in Central City, Barry stopped where Deathspeed was waiting in front of the Christmas tree. A speed trail came from the sky and Jonny landed on the other side.
"A new one?" Rae said. The rabbit was attached to her hip again – now that she had her Negative Speed Force suit – and Barry noticed it looked like she had taken care of it well. That proved to Barry there was still good inside this Rae.
"What's with the rabbit?" Jonny asked.
"Not now," Barry said to Jonny; he could feel the device on his chest. He knew he could use it to gain speed and get into the Speed Force, even from this world. "This is a family affair now. Just the three of us."
"Your son I guess," Rae said.
"No – yours," Barry said, and Rae took a step back at this. "I know this isn't really you. You're not a bad person. We can fix this. Just come with us."
"Oh and what would the fun be in that?" Rae asked, and then moved to attack Barry. Jonny ran at her before she hit Barry and took her in his arms in what seemed to be a bear hug. Barry noticed he was vibrating his arms to prevent Rae from escaping.
"Please mom, don't make me hurt you," Jonny said, and Barry heard the pain in his voice as he said it. This was something he hadn't been ready for, Barry knew it, but he also knew Jonny could face this head-on as well.
Barry saw the rabbit carrier disappear now, and the rabbit ran at speed right at Jonny, knocking him off Rae. Rae ran, grabbing hold of the rabbit before it got too far away and giving a smirk as she summoned a holder to attach the rabbit back to her costume.
"That was smart," Barry said, running, and he could feel the device he was wearing start up.
"What do we do now?" Jonny asked.
"Make sure she follows me into the Speed Force," Barry said and Jonny gave a nod. "Hey Deathspeed! Catch me if you can?" Barry started running and knew Rae was behind him. She was laughing, seeing Barry go faster than he had before.
Barry could feel himself break into the Speed Force though.
"No," he heard Rae yell, and she tried to stop herself from following Barry in but Jonny, who had been behind Rae, grabbed hold of her and forced her into the portal Barry had made.
The three superhuman speedsters and one speedster rabbit landed in a field-like area inside the Speed Force, and it was clear Rae was pissed; she had unsummoned her mask showing her scarred face.
"I recently escaped here, and you bring me back!" She was yelling as she went to attack them; Jonny and Barry defending as Rae attacked.
Barry was impressed with Jonny – it was one of the first times he really saw a Kryptonian/speedster hybrid fight at full power and Barry knew he was always fast and even faster flying in the air using his speed than on the ground, but he was clearly strong too. He clearly also had the Kryptonian-hard skin.
Barry fought as well with Rae, using his speed to the fullest.
"Enough!" A voice called out and all three stopped.
"No, no…" Rae said, fear suddenly in her face as the Speed Force appeared with a body; Barry recognizing an older Rae and Jonny took a deep breath in.
"It's okay, Rae," the Speed Force said putting a hand on Rae. "Sleep."
"No, no…" Rae said but clearly the Speed Force had forced her unconscious as she fell to the floor. Her entire Speed Force outfit disappeared, letting the rabbit loose. Jonny went to grab it – fast.
Barry looked down at Rae. She was in shorts and a T-shirt now, which showed the scars were not just on her face but running down her body as well, the clothing ripped.
"What happened to her?" Barry asked, almost angry.
"What Wally, Jesse, and Caitlin said," the Speed Force said back, "is true. She ran from Crisis and ran into… What did they call it? The Negative Speed Force. It's a dark hidden part of me. I tried to save her but at the time… I just couldn't. The Negative Speed Force tortured her." The Speed Force indicated the scars, "and twisted her. But she managed to escape – eventually - on her own. Her mind corrupted. She went after other speedsters to give them some of the pain she had suffered."
"Why couldn't you save her?" Barry asked, still angry. "She was inside you, inside this place!"
"We Forces of the Universe may seem benevolent to you, Barry," the Speed Force responded, her voice serious, "but we are complicated beings – hell, we're not even people, we're part of the multiverse and are the multiverse; and we have sides to ourselves that we cannot access. All Seven of us have many layers, many sides and this Negative Speed Force is just one of many sides to myself, one of my many faces that I cannot access. My siblings all have similar. You, New Justice Rae, other Barrys… you've barely scratched the surface when it comes to us. The fact my negative part let this Rae live, even as she was tortured is a miracle in and of itself."
"But can you fix her?" Jonny asked, sadly petting the rabbit, and stopping Barry from asking more.
"Fortunately, yes," the Speed Force said. "I will cure her mind and get rid of as many scars as I can. She will never be completely the same again, but she will recover."
"And then what?" Jonny asked.
"And then I will return her to her world," the Speed Force said, shocking Barry. "It was recovered from the Infinite Crisis. Besides, I believe I have a mission for her there." Barry was curious but also knew it was none of his business what the Speed Force wanted this Rae to do. "Thank you for bringing her to me. The true me."
"Well… we should go home," Barry said, knowing full-well he wouldn't get any true answers from the Speed Force this time, but vouching with himself to find out more when he could.
"Ah, the speedster bunnies," Speed Force said, looking at the bunny in Jonny's arm. "Those came out well. Expect more speedster animals Barry. I have been experimenting" Barry frowned at that and tilted his head wondering if the sanctuary was going to need it's own section for Speedster animals now.
"She seemed very attached to the rabbit," Jonny said and then held it out to the form of the Speed Force. "Give it to her. She will need him more than us."
"Barry?" The Speed Force asked as Barry had turned to look.
"I think that's a good idea," Barry said, and the Speed Force took the rabbit with a smile, putting it next to the still-unconscious Rae; it didn't move, in fact, it went to curl up next to Rae. A portal opened up behind Barry. "Come on JJ." Jonny paused, though.
"Jonny…" the Speed Force said. "Your mom is at peace here with me and is very proud of you." Jonny gave a sad smile as he went through the portal with Barry.
-Karry Universe-
Kara had come to Watchtower once she'd heard. Static was on a bed along with Gear and Caitlin was going between the two of them. Karen and Jack were sitting on chairs, trying to stay out of the way.
"Caitlin?" Kara asked, rocking Kent who was with her.
"Richie has a few broken ribs from the punch Karen gave him. Overall, Karen held back because it should have been a lot worse," Caitlin said.
"Only way to get Weapons Master out of him," Karen said, seeming defensive.
"Of course," Kara said giving Karen a nod at that. "You did good. And Static?" She now asked Caitlin.
"Whatever weapon that Weapons Master made through Richie was sucking his power dry. It would have made him comatose or even killed him if Karen hadn't gotten it off him. He needs some time, but his power is recharging now. He'll be back to his old self with some time," Caitlin said.
"Well, good job Power Girl and Wild Dog," Kara said giving the two a smile.
"Thank Karen," Jack stated. "If it wasn't for her…"
"I understand," Kara smiled at the boy, giving Karen a quick wink that only a speedster or Kryptonian could detect. "I think it's time for us all to go and give them some rest though."
"Karen…" it was Virgil, sitting up clearly weak now. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Karen said.
"You showed good judgment today," Virgil said. "I still have some reservations but… If everyone else says yes to you, I will not be the sole no vote."
"Thank you," Karen said, deciding not to push for more. It was good enough. Jack had already gotten up, giving a sleeping Richie a kiss on the head, and then moved off.
"Karen, walk with me," Kara said, and Karen gave a nod as she followed Kara; Kent giving Karen a wave who smiled.
"Hi!" Kent called – it seemed his go-to word these days as Karen said hi back.
"So… you got the support of Static, and I assume Rose and Liam?" Kara asked her young clone.
"Rose told me Virgil would be a hard yes for me to get," Karen explained. "Rose said she would say yes but her power can't help me since right now I would be a definite no if I was voted on. She gave me a list of people to turn. I am going to…"
"Karen, remember what I said about work/life balance. I am glad you're taking your campaign seriously, but don't forget your school work and your friends. They were asking me where you were during my talk today at Yale," Kara said.
"You talked at my school?" Karen said, shocked.
"I did," Kara said. "Really good time. Also donated to the science program. In fact, the President of Yale is offering me and Barry honorary doctorates," she chuckled at this; while they'd both met in college, both she and Barry had never gone so far in their education. Barry had gotten a master's to be a CSI, but he didn't need it anymore, while Kara never went beyond her bachelor's degree. "My point being, do what I am about to do: go home for the night." Kara gave KJ a pet on the head as she went through the zap tunnel.
Karen took a breath and nodded, deciding Kara was right. She knew to get Kara's vote she needed to show she could be both a hero and a person, so it was time to go home and balance her life.
-Karry Universe-
Barry was now sitting in the kitchen with take-out on the table. He'd been deep in thought as Kara came in – thoughts that Kara couldn't read, as they'd both gotten good at hiding their deepest feelings from each other over the years, despite their bond.
"Oh hey. The girls and Jason are already fed. Amelia, Winn, and Eric took their food downstairs," Barry said as Kara put Kent in a highchair and went to give him some food.
That was hard for you today, Kara thought, knowing facing off against a Rae was hard for Barry.
I wouldn't have been able to do it... I wouldn't have been able to kill her. And I couldn't let Wally or Jesse do it either, Barry thought back, not even having to explain why he went right 'there' in his mental conversation back, and Kara put her arms around her husband and kissed his cheek.
It's all okay. I couldn't hurt Clark either or let him be hurt, Kara thought as the two sat down.
I just wish I knew more about this Negative Speed Force – or all the other sides to the Speed Force she didn't want to tell me about, Barry stated, sharing that memory with Kara as she now paused.
She seemed to be alluding to the other Forces having negative sides, Kara thought back, curious at the memory.
More than just that…Barry began, but his thought was literally cut off by the arrival of someone else in their home.
"Aunt Kara, Uncle Barry?" The voice surprised them as Jonny came in through the balcony door.
"JJ," Barry said.
"Don't call me that!" Jason yelled from his position; the pair hadn't even realized Jason was still up here, he had been surprisingly quiet.
"I wasn't…" Barry stated, knowing Jason hated all nicknames now.
"He was calling me," Jonny said, waving his hand at the boy.
Jason looked between them, mumbled something before jumping up running up the stairs – then the group heard a loud bang.
"Jason is moody," Alura said back, giving Jonny a smile.
"I got to ask. On your world was his middle name different for you to get the JJ nickname?" Kara asked, knowing Jason had to be born first. Kara and Barry were 20 when Jason had been born, so Rae would have been 15, maybe 16 depending on when she was born. Rae couldn't have gotten with Clark for at least 5 to 6 more years.
"Samuel," Jonny admitted. "Jason Samuel Kent, after Lois's father for the middle name." Kara gave a nod.
"Oh. Well eat," Barry said. "We have plenty."
Jonny took a seat. "What's wrong?" Kara asked, seeing the look on his face. The way Jonny moved.
"Just… today," Jonny said. "You know, seeing the younger Rae's has been fine, but today… Seeing her, running with her... My mom wasn't that much older than the older ones. She had me young," Kara nodded as Jonny confirmed her own thoughts on how old Rae must have been when she had him. "I had the same connection with her that Barry has with Alura, Nora, and Kent and I miss her. I miss her a lot."
Kara moved over and brought Jonny into a hug, letting him cry on her shoulder. Barry came over and put an arm around Jonny comforting him as well. This was the first time Jonny had shown some real emotion over the loss of his world and family since arriving here. Of course, they didn't know his story between losing his world and being sent here, but they didn't want to pry.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" Jonny said, pulling away after a moment.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. We have all been through it," Kara said. "Well, me and Barry have been through losing a parent – our moms. I lost my world too, actually. The pain is real and never really disappears completely, but it gets better."
"And don't get me wrong, grandma and grandpa are great, and I love having you two and having your Clark and Lois is like having my aunt and uncle back," Jonny said. "Just there is a hole where my mom used to be – one that can never be filled because I will never have that unique connection with any other version of her."
"But when you are ready, other versions of her will be more than willing to spend time with you too," Barry said, thinking maybe when Jonny was ready, bringing him to New Justice – he was sure the Rae there would be more than happy to give Jonny some mother/son time. She had that with Leona and wasn't beyond taking in another older child, having technically adopted Chris and, more recently, Courtney Whitmore. He knew from experience with other Nora Allens though that it wasn't the same, but it was nice.
"And we're all here for you," Kara added, letting Jonny continue his emotions for a bit and smiled when Alura and Nora came over to hug Jonny's legs. Romana and Star turned around to give a smile, too, and Jonny gave a weak smile back as he picked up the two twins, giving them a hug.
After Jonny had settled down the three ate for a bit.
"So, you do need a superhero name," Barry said to Jonny. "Like I said, Kid Flash is out. Let's see… well, I know Beautiful Rae goes by Speed Spirit."
"No, she's here enough it's her name," Jonny said.
"How about like it? Something like Shadow Speed?" Barry asked. Jonny gave a frown. "No, you're right no. Let's think… oh… oh I know!" Barry said and Kara smiled hearing the name in Barry's mind and agreeing it was perfect. "Overdrive."
"Overdrive… I like it," Jonny said, a small smile on his face.
"Well, we'll send the name to Cat and Lois to officially dub you," Kara said. "And maybe we can work on getting you ready to one day join the League as well." Jonny smiled at that as the group talked some before Jonny went to go join Star and Romana playing a board game with Alura and Nora going to watch as well.
"Oh," Barry said looking at his cellphone. "We have both Lalla Ward and Louise Jameson signed on to star in the first season of Lady Romana. Plus, Paul McGann agreed to be our Doctor for a few episodes," Barry was smirking, Kara knowing he must have gotten an update from Charlie. He was in a better mood now, and this Doctor Who spinoff was a good distraction – being his and Ray's baby, after all, and Charlie knew to keep them up to date. "We also signed on Stephen Moffat to be showrunner. They are getting filming schedules down. If all this is over before they start, maybe we could go to Callisto and see some."
"Sure," Kara said with a smile. "Oh and Amelia suggested we do movies based on a book series she's been reading. The Overlords. I passed the tip off to Charlie." The couple smiled as they continued talking about their whole company but kept an eye on Jonny and the kids in case they were needed.
-Karry Universe-
Karen had spent some time on the phone talking to her friends who were giving her all the details about Kara's visit to the college. To Karen, it sounded boring, but she could know anything about STAR Co. she wanted whenever.
Making plans to meet up with her friends for a movie the next day was more fun to Karen, and after went over to write in her journal.
First, she wrote a bit about Barry going against an evil version of Rae with Jonny – having heard about this from Caitlin before Kara had arrived at Watchtower. She wrote about how she couldn't imagine what Barry was going through, having to do that and knowing Barry's unique connection to Raes across the multiverse.
Then, she went for what she did for today:
I went to get Static's vote for the League after Rose told me he would be a hard pass. Karen wrote, considering. He was definitely difficult, but what none of us expected was Weapons Master. He took control of Richie's body with his weird possession power. Richie actually seemed to try to fight it at one point, thankfully tipping me off. I managed to punch Weapons Master out of him but the villain used some device on Static. I got it off and we brought both Static and Gear to Watchtower. Whatever the weapon was took a hit on Static but I got it off in time. He will be fine with some time. Richie has some broken ribs, but he will be up again soon enough. The good news is Static says if everyone else says yes, he will not say, no so one down – technically. I don't need to worry about his vote.
Karen stopped writing and smiled at her words before going to check on her schoolwork. Kara was right: she couldn't let the want to get into the League affect her normal life. Her schoolwork was difficult and she couldn't fail out.
-Karry Universe-
Xotar was pissed; he should have read the journal more thoroughly. He hadn't expected Karen, once again, to interfere with him – but he should have if he'd read the damned thing more closely. He had skimmed and missed the part where she was there. He also realized as he had pointed his weapons at Karen, he couldn't do that. He was depending on Karen's journals to help him – and if he changed history and killed Karen, the journal disappeared.
Xotar went to read the entry again about Static, just to confirm he had done it. He had to save some success in this one.
I went to get Static's vote for the league after Rose told me he would be a hard pass. Xotar read. He was definitely difficult but what none of us expected was Weapons Master. He took control of Richie's body with his cool possession power. Richie actually seemed to try to fight it at one point tipping me off. I managed to punch Weapons Master out of him, but the villain used some device on Static. I got it off him and we brought both Static and Gear to Watchtower. Whatever the weapon was took a hit on Static. Unfortunately I didn't get it off in time. He's in a coma. I punched Richie too hard as well, and he's down for a while. I guess the good news is if Static is down when I get put up for a vote, I don't need to worry about his vote now.
Xotar had to smile. Despite his failure about being fully prepared, it had worked out well for him. Static and his sidekick down. Once he got enough League members down, he could go after the leaders…
Post Chapter Note 1: Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I liked writing it, and Sigma loved adding some more mystery to the Forces of the Universes to this, too. We can't have them as open books, after all. Hehe.
Post Chapter Note 2: Now you know who Deathspeed is, we have an interesting fact here. Back when the Flash did their Red Death plot, we decided we wanted to best it, but with no Batman or Batwoman in Karry, a Rae seemed to be the best bet to be twisted and 'evil'; however, some plots for Red Death didn't work for Rae, so we had to make it work for us. Plus, we originally wanted to do a whole 'season' worth of Deathspeed in Karry, but realized we couldn't spin it out too far, so a two-parter worked fine. Plus, it reflected nicely on the New Justice 'evil Barry' plot from earlier in Karry.
Next Time on Karry Universe-
[Redacted: In her next mission to join the Justice League, Karen goes to the Totem Bearers, but Weapons Master isn't too far behind. Will they all survive this attack? Yes, we're keeping the title a surprise for some of you.
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