AN: Sticking with that Tuesday-update schedule and delivering another giant chapter. This chapter is very much about planting the seeds for the story. There are so many scenes in here though that I'm excited about. Birdflash, Damian and Bruce, Jason and surprisingly much Flash.
I hope you like Flash-lore because you're about to see more of it. It comes with the territory of writing a multiverse story. I read a loooot of Flash-stuff during the break because I wanted to flesh the Flash-side of Birdflash out more. And let me tell you: Flash-comics are great. They truly are. And they allow me to write a bigger arc for Wally this time around – so that's a nice side effect. This trilogy kind of reflects how my knowledge of the DC universe has gotten wider with time as I've read more comics (so much still undiscovered though).
Surprisingly, I don't have to warn for anything. These first few chapters have been less angsty than you expect from me. But be ready, people.
2. Seeds of Doom
Wally was in the middle of a lecture. He had long given up on taking notes while the professor's voice droned on about material, they had already learned a semester ago. College had a way of boosting Wally's ego. His speedster-brain allowed him to rapidly process information so he was always a little ahead – not too much though to stay under the radar.
Next to him, Wally's roommate Josh – who definitely did not have a speedster brain and could benefit from paying attention – was on his laptop, shamelessly flirting with his latest Tinder-date.
"You know that people are sitting behind you and will have to bleach their eyes after this lecture?", Wally muttered.
Josh shrugged: "I have nothing to hide."
Wally shook his head in amusement. He turned back to the lecture, falling into a comfortable half-sleep.
A sudden buzzing in his pocket made Wally reach for his phone. He unlocked it lazily. A message from Nightwing. Wally almost dropped his phone from the sudden jolt that went through his body.
Josh looked up from his heated Tinder-conversation: "What's going on?"
Wally simply turned his phone to Josh, showing him Nightwing's message.
'Can we talk?'
"I don't know much about relationships, but I think that's code for: You're screwed."
"Thank you, Josh."
"What did you do to piss him off?"
Wally's thoughts raced, looking for anything Nightwing could be unhappy about. His mind came up blank.
"I don't know. Everything's been going pretty well. We've been seeing each other multiple times per week."
"Isn't he in Gotham?", Josh asked, "That's quite the distance."
"He's not in Gotham", Wally said.
He pointedly didn't mention that Nightwing was in Jump City which was even further away from Fawcett than Gotham. There was no way Wally could explain this even with excessive flights.
"So, what you gonna do?", Josh asked.
"Just ignore it for now."
Wally put his phone down, turning the screen to the bottom of the table.
Josh chuckled: "Usually, you answer him immediately. Me too, if I think about it. You're like the quickest texter I know."
"Damnit, you're right. He'll know I'm ignoring him", Wally ran his hands through his hair.
It would be suspicious if the speedster randomly didn't answer Nightwing for hours.
So, he answered, forcing his fingers to go at a normal speed: 'Hey sweetheart. Of course. You want to meet today?"
It took a bit until Nightwing's reply: '7pm. Usual place.'
'See you.'
Wally added a few heart emojis after the message.
"Laying it on thick", Josh commented.
Wally sighed in frustration and deleted all the hearts after the first one. He sent off the message.
"Don't worry", Josh clasped his hand on Wally's shoulder, "If this goes haywire, I can still reactivate that Tinder-profile I made for you."
"I'm totally not going on Tinder."
"That's what they all say before desperation hits."
Wally ran to Jump City in the evening. He thought about getting some roses to lessen the blow of whatever he screwed up, but he decided against it. Nightwing wasn't that easily distracted. And Wally was still wracking his brain about what he could have done wrong.
He had even asked Uncle Barry if anything had been up with N.
'Not that I know of', had been Barry's brief answer before he had run offfor some emergency.
Wally didn't know if he could believe his uncle. Barry was known for his conflict-avoidance.
Wally's and Nightwing's usual place was the beach next to the Titans-hideout. The speedster preferred not to enter the building considering that he had hung up the cape. It meant that he had never properly met the Titans. It would just feel weird – too reminiscent of the team and the world Wally had left behind.
Nightwing was already waiting, his face turned towards the water. Wally came up behind him and kissed his cheek.
"Hey babe", Wally ran his hands along Nightwing's shoulders.
His boyfriend was tense. Another sign that something was up.
"Hey", Nightwing's voice was quiet as he turned around - subdued.
His face was hard to read especially with the glamour charm that covered his Talon-features. It made Wally nervous.
"I missed you", Wally said.
Nightwing's face stayed closed off. He was a hard nut to crack today. Not even a little smile?
The Talon crossed his arms: "Something you want tell me?"
Wally frowned, wracking his brain. This felt like a trap.
"Nothing you forget?"
Wally bit his lip. Had he forgotten a birthday? No. N barely cared about his birthday despite Wally's promises to celebrate it next time it came up. It would be N's first proper birthday party. Their 3-year anniversary was only in a few weeks. Wally had it on his radar. He was already planning for it so you couldn't question his boyfriend-credential in that regard.
"N, what is bothering you?", Wally asked.
"If you not want me meet your family, you can just say."
Wally froze. He had expected a lot but this?
"Why would you think that?", Wally tried to evade.
"How about that family dinner you never tell me about?"
"Barry", Wally cursed.
Damn his uncle's evasiveness. Wally could have been a lot smoother about this if Barry had given him a hint.
"Exactly", Nightwing's chin clenched, "He not even like me but he expect that I come with you to family dinner."
"Of course he likes you."
"He really not and I not blame him."
"N-", Wally raised his hands.
"No. Be honest. Why you not tell me? You be ashame of me?"
Wally allowed sincerity to color his voice: "Never. You know that."
"Why then?"
Wally sighed and sat down on the sand. Nightwing followed.
"You know all my family. Bruce, Jason, Dami. Even… Cobb", Nightwing shuddered at the name, "I know nothing about you family. I only know Barry because we kind of work together – very sometimes."
"My parents aren't worth knowing."
"They be you parents. They raise you."
"And that means they are good? Cobb raised you, didn't he?"
"Touché", Nightwing muttered, "What make them so bad?"
Wally sighed: "They've always had specific ideas for me. A stable job – they like that I'm studying physics now though they would have preferred business even more. A wife. A house and two children. A normal life, you know?"
Nightwing chuckled: "You? You not have normal life ever since get speed powers."
"They hated that. It allowed me to run out of their grasp."
"But you happy like this."
"I am. Doesn't mean they are happy with it."
"They suppose be happy you be happy."
Wally stayed quiet. There were many things his parents should have done. He had only found them with Barry and Iris who had acted as his surrogate parents.
"So, you scare of them", Nightwing said.
"I'm not."
"Then why not introduce?"
"Because it's not worth it."
"They be part of your life and maybe it go better than you expect."
Wally snorted: "You represent almost everything they hate."
He froze when he noticed that he had just said that aloud.
N crossed his arms, his face turned towards the sea: "Thank you, Wally. I feel very flatter."
"Sorry, babe."
Nightwing's face turned towards him, softer than earlier: "Not worry. I understand. You be scare of them. But it be fine. I be scare of Cobb, too."
"I'm not scared", Wally insisted.
"Why you worry then that they be angry when you introduce me?"
"I don't want to force you into the West-family drama."
Nightwing tilted his head: "But I become part of West-family drama eventually. Right?"
It was a loaded question they both knew the answer, too.
Wally had imagined what it would be like to ask the big question to Nightwing. Or get asked the big question by him. They were still young so it felt far away. But if they continued like this, Wally knew in his heart that it would happen. He wanted to spend his life with Nightwing. This messy life Wally had made for himself and that went against everything his parents tried to press him into.
Nightwing reached for Wally's hands: "You help me stand up to Cobb when I be terrify. I know how scary it be, but you be with me then. You make me feel like… I can do it. I want be there for you, too, Wally."
He looked so sincere despite the glamour charm. His features soft and encouraging. Filled with love. It made Wally melt.
"Okay. Let's go to family dinner together", Wally said, "Don't say I didn't warn you though. It's gonna suck – hard."
"We just need give it chance."
Wally chest tightened to what he had just agreed. He already dreaded his parents' questions and judging eyes. His thoughts were racing, already trying to find a way to make this work.
"Can you just do me a favor?", Wally asked.
Nightwing tilted his head.
"Can you go like this? It'll help make the whole thing to go over easier."
"With glamour charm?"
Nightwing frowned. The charm made his eyes a light blue – almost icy.
"It's not about you", Wally hastily added, "You're beautiful. I tell you that all the time. Just about them."
Wally bit his lip, wondering if he had asked too much.
Nightwing didn't react for just a moment but then he forced a strained smile on his face: "Sure, Wally."
The speedster grabbed Nightwing's hands: "I owe you big time. And I'll never ask this from you again. I promise."
"Big time", Nightwing's strained smile softened just a bit.
"You're the best. You really are."
Nightwing stayed quiet. Simply pressing a kiss to Wally's cheek. It made Wally's stomach tighten in guilt. Nightwing may have agreed but the speedster knew how much he had just asked from him. His boyfriend still wasn't completely comfortable with wearing a face that was his but at the same time wasn't.
"So, how did it go with the Rogues?", Wally changed the topic, eager to not talk about this anymore.
"Pretty bad", Nightwing said, "Starfire get catch in mirror but your uncle get out."
Wally winced: "The first time sucks the hardest. I still have nightmares from when I first got caught as Kid Flash. I was trapped in there for an hour and it felt like an eternity."
"They be a good team."
"They are. Captain Cold is an asshole, but he knows how to keep his team together. They are always a pain in the ass to fight. Don't tell them I said that though. It'll make them smug."
"I not eager meet them again", Nightwing shuddered, "Especially not Cold."
Something was eating away at him.
"Getting your ass beat by the Rogues is not that bad", Wally tried to lighten Nightwing's mood, "Been doing it for ten years – beating their asses, too, of course. In Central City, it's a rite of passage for every speedster."
It did nothing to lighten the creases on Nightwing's forehead.
"You're thinking about something. The mission?"
"It be nothing", Nightwing stood up, holding his hand out to Wally, "You want go to pier?"
"Sure", Wally took his boyfriend's hand.
He opted to ignore the obvious deflection for now. Maybe he deserved the wall-treatment for a bit after the favor he had just asked. Didn't mean Wally had to like it.
"I'll make it up to you. I promise", Wally said.
Nightwing stayed quiet as he pulled Wally towards the pier.
Jason had gotten used to his games of solitaire by now. He wouldn't want it any other way. That's what he told himself while he sat on his table in the courtyard. One ear was always focused on potential attackers. Jason couldn't afford to be sloppy. Until now, no one had tried to shank him but Jason was prepared for the floodgates to open when Red Hood's reputation was not enough anymore.
The buzzing of the gate announced a new arrival. A guard entered the courtyard pushing a boy in who seemed to be around Jason's age. He was far smaller though and lacking in the muscle department. The wide grin on his face and the open body language suggested though that he thought he owned this place. Jason cringed. He and every other inmate clocked the boy immediately: Fresh meat.
"Go annoy someone else", the guard shoved the boy into the courtyard.
"Not my fault you can't take a joke", the boy had a shit-eating (and very punchable) grin on his face.
The guard scoffed and left.
All eyes were glued onto the newcomer as he walked along the courtyard. Past the tables which housed the different gangs. Jason rubbed his temple to ease the throbbing in his forehead, hoping the boy was smart enough to sit on the table of small-time goons that sported no particular affiliation.
But no. That would be too much common sense for a guy who had styled his hair into spiky strands with far too much hair gel.
The punk beelined straight towards the table that Luthor, Deathstroke, Cheetah, Grodd and Black Manta were occupying – or as Luthor liked to call them: his Legion of Doom. The throbbing in Jason's forehead intensified and he cursed the lack of common sense under his breath.
"Hey guys", the punk sat down next to Deathstroke.
The expression on Slade's face was almost comical. As if he couldn't believe the stupidity of the little punk next to him.
"And you are?", Cheetah growled.
"Axel Walker – also known as the Trickster. The second one but also the best one", Axel held out his hand.
Cheetah didn't shake it.
"And what are you doing here?", Black Manta asked.
There was a curious tinge in his voice. And a bloodlust. Manta was one of the biggest maniacs here. Even as a Gothamite, Jason would never underestimate the man.
"Punching over his weight class", Deathstroke said.
"Nahhh", Trickster winked at Grodd, "I'm exactly right here. This is the table for the big guys. The biggest villains."
"I don't even know you, kid", Slade said.
Grodd sighed: "He's one of the Rogues – one of the more pathetic ones."
"Aren't they all pathetic?", Cheetah sounded bored.
"Some of them are more pathetic than others", Grodd said.
"They have spirit", Luthor sounded distinctly unimpressed, "No ambition though."
Axel crossed his arms: "Rogues rule, man. We just defeated the Titans easy."
Jason sat up. He had followed this exchange mostly out of boredom – now he was interested.
"Hah. The baby team", Cheetah scoffed.
Luthor perked up. Jason's stomach churned. He did not like Luthor's increase in attention.
Luthor asked: "Did you kill the Titans?"
Jason's fist clutched around his cards. This was the question that was racing in his heart. If this little twerp had been involved in harming Nightwing-
"Nah. Captain Cold doesn't like that shit. He says it brings too much heat. I don't get it. We had them right there. Like Mirror Master had the alien chick in his mirror-"
Jason let out a breath of relief. Nightwing and his team were fine.
The villains laughed. Axel frowned, looking between them in confusion.
"Just fuck off, kid", Grodd said, "Before I rip off your arm. And be glad I'm feeling charitable enough to give you a warning."
Axel moped but he stayed in his seat.
"I swear – I can bring many assets to this team", Axel said, "There is a reason the Rogues view me as a valuable team member."
"Yeah?", Deathstroke stood up, "Why not just send mirror guy here and get you out?"
Axel's face fell. He looked up at Deathstroke who towered over him.
"They are very busy and-", Axel scrambled to explain.
Jason gritted his teeth. The more level-headed criminals at the other tables turned their heads away. They were not eager to witness a brutal beatdown. Luthor's Legion watched with bloodlust in their eyes. Psychopaths all of them. Jason lowered his head in annoyance.
Deathstroke grabbed Axel by the collar and pulled him into the middle of the courtyard. His fist rained down on the teenager's face.
There was a sickening crunch. Jason focused back on his cards. Not his problem. The Trickster-kid should have never been so stupid. Another blow. The teenager whimpered. Another. And another. Deathstroke was letting out all of his frustration on that kid.
A voice in Jason's head told him to step in. If he wanted to be a hero, he needed to protect people.
"Shut up", Jason muttered to himself.
Another sickening crunch. Deathstroke showed no sign of stopping. He would beat the kid to death while the other villains watched like hyenas. Jason's conscience – that sounded far too much like Nightwing – got louder.
Jason stood up. This was very stupid. The opposite of what he should do. The pain in his forehead rose in intensity.
But he said in a loud voice: "Leave him alone, Slade."
Deathstroke stopped his barrage of fists, looking up with an amused smirk.
"Someone is playing hero", Slade said.
Jason kept his voice unimpressed: "He learned his lesson."
"I think he can learn it a bit more."
"You'll beat him to death", Jason stepped closer to Deathstroke – so stupid.
"And this is my problem why?"
Jason sighed, resisting the urge to pinch his nose: "He's just some punk kid. Leave him alone."
"I don't think so", Slade was enjoying this.
Jason had no other choice. He sent a fist to Slade's face making him step back.
"Big mistake, kid", Slade growled, "You don't have big brother to protect you here."
"You mean my big brother who kicked your ass?"
"You're not half as good as him."
"Try me", Jason forced complete confidence in his voice.
He wasn't sure if he could beat Slade. But he wasn't about to show it. And all this over the stupid Trickster. If the stupid kid could have just had some self-preservation and sat down at the low-level table where he belonged, Jason's life would be so much easier now.
Slade's fist shot out and Jason narrowly dodged. He should have never been able to dodge this blow. Not with Slade at full capacity. But the mercenary was slower than usual. Weakened. For once, Jason thanked the stars for the inhibitor collar that graced the neck of every inmate in Blackgate. Jason wore his own collar. He had felt the unpleasant sting of electrical shocks more often than he liked to.
Jason kicked against Slade's knee. The mercenary retaliated with his own kick that Jason dodged. A fist followed immediately. This time it hit Jason's chest full force, making him stumble back and his head race.
Slade was on him immediately, pushing him onto the metal table. This was very bad. If Jason didn't get out of this position immediately-
"Ahh", Slade yelled suddenly, "What is this shit?"
Trickster laughed: "Itching powder. Take that, orange man."
"I'll fucking-", Slade reached out for Trickster's throat, aiming to throttle him.
Jason stood up and jumped Slade from the back. He put the man into a headlock. Slade wheezed for air trying to shake Jason off.
Trickster stood in front of them, barely holding himself up. But to Jason's surprise, he pulled a knife out of his shoe and slammed it into Slade's chest. The mercenary looked down with wide eyes. Trickster pulled the knife out with a grin, red spreading over Slade's chest. The mercenary's breath rattled as there was no healing factor to lessen the blow.
Slade tried to hit Trickster again. But the punk shanked Slade again, into the side this time. The mercenary dropped to the floor.
Jason was frozen. Staring at Trickster with wide eyes. He had clocked the kid as an annoying punk. Biting off more than he could chew. And he was. But maybe Jason had underestimated the kid. The look in his eyes was deranged. As if he saw this fight as a game.
"I should gut you like a fish", Trickster twirled the knife in his hand.
Jason asked: "Where did you get the shank from?" And the itching powder.
Trickster didn't answer. Instead, he leaned down to knife Slade again. He stopped before he could. His hand frozen. Then, his entire body convulsed from the collar around his neck. Just a moment later, the electricity in Jason's own collar went off. The pain in his forehead was unbearable as he convulsed on the floor. A guard approached him, slapping handcuffs on his wriest.
"You know what fighting means?", the guard said.
Solitary. Jason should laugh about the irony of the situation. Trickster was pulled away by another guard while two bend over Deathstroke to examine his wounds.
"That was wicked cool, dude", Trickster yelled at Jason while he was pulled away, "We should do this again. We just made fucking Deathstroke bleed like a pig."
Trickster's face was messed up. Blood running out of his nose. It looked broken. But the obvious injuries didn't lessen his gleeful joy at the situation.
Holy shit. What was wrong with this kid?
"Definitely not", Jason replied.
He was shoved into the empty, dark cell – his hands still cuffed. All this shit over the stupid Trickster.
But it had been fun to teach Slade a lesson. And maybe Jason felt a small warmth in his chest at having saved someone's life. Even if that someone was batshit insane.
Bruce sat at the Batcomputer going through old case files. He had examined these cases dozens of times already going over every angle he could think of. Tonight, he didn't find any new insights.
Damian was in the back of the Cave training with a dummy. The dummies moved with considerable speed, forcing Damian to hit them with a stick. Every time he hit one, the dummy made a sound.
Bruce frowned when he heard a silence in the stable rhythm: "You missed one."
Damian simply gritted his teeth and continued attacking the dummies. Bruce turned his chair around at being ignored. Images flashed in front of his eyes – of a narrow alley with two dead bodies on the floor. Bruce wouldn't lose any more loved ones. Each missed dummy represented a missed attack.
Bruce's voice was firm: "This kind of mistake can get you killed in the field, Robin. You cannot miss."
Damian swung around, glaring at Bruce: "You seek to bench me?"
"I will if this continues", Bruce said.
"I missed one dummy."
"We are humans among Gods, Damian. We need to be-"
"-ready at all times and plan for every eventuality", Damian finished his sentence.
"Exactly and I don't see that kind of readiness from you yet."
Damian narrowed his eyes, throwing the stick at the floor: "Then let me use the weapon I'm trained with, father."
"A katana is a lethal weapon."
"You allow Nightwing to use claws and knives."
"Because I know that Nightwing has perfect control over his weapons. He had to learn control before he earned his weapons. You have to as well."
Damian scoffed: "Just tell the truth, father. You do not trust me."
"That is incorrect."
Damian stayed quiet.
"You don't believe me", Bruce said.
"Why should I believe you when you do not trust me? I know what you are like, father."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Damian continued: "I know how you feel about me father. I am the son of the enemy."
"Talia is not my enemy."
"Then why do you not search for her?"
Bruce sighed. Damian kept asking this question. He had to admit that he had played with the thought himself. His contacts had been quiet about the happenings in the League of Shadows. They knew nothing but that Talia and Ra's were fighting a brutal war.
"Talia sent you here to keep you safe while she fights your grandfather. She is capable enough to defend herself and I will honor her trust in me."
"Lies", Damian raised his voice, "I do not even know if my mother is alive. I do not know anything."
Bruce frowned. He hadn't considered how stressful the situation was on Damian.
"I'll try to contact Talia's network again", Bruce said, "Maybe Cheshire knows something."
Damian deflated. He seemed pacified with this action for now. But it wouldn't last long.
"Very well, father", Damian returned to the training dummies and picked up his stick again, "I shall improve my handling of the useless stick."
"It is not useless if you know how to wield it."
"Tt", Damian scoffed, but there was no heat behind it.
Bruce found his mouth loosening. There was a warm feeling in his chest that he couldn't name.
He turned back to the computer. It was time for his weekly check-up by digging through news articles and video footage.
Apparently, the Titans had fought the Rogues and lost badly. Bruce reviewed the footage of the heist that he could collect from every camera. Bruce categorized every mistake that the Titans had made. It made his face tense up again. The Titans were terribly uncoordinated. Arriving at different times, lack of communication, lack of clear orders or a plan. Bruce rattled the mistakes down in his head and each of them was a disappointment. Artemis was trying to take charge, but it was obvious that the team didn't trust her enough.
Meanwhile, Nightwing was far too quiet and passive. Bruce had expected that his son would have trouble taking leadership but to this extent? Maybe Bruce had miscalculated. Maybe Nightwing wasn't suited for leadership after all. It made him nervous. The Titans were his backup-plan if the League failed. If they continued like this though, they wouldn't even be able to protect one city.
Bruce needed to act. He needed to talk to Nightwing. Make him see sense.
Bruce's hand hovered over the keyboard, his thoughts racing as he tried to stop himself. He tried to stop himself every week. But he always ended up doing it. He couldn't not check up on Jason.
His hand was already switching the cameras to a specific feed. Jason's cell. It was empty. Bruce tensed. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he hacked himself into the prison's database. He needed to know-
Bruce sighed in relief when he saw that Jason had been sent to solitary for picking a fight. A gaze at the camera in solitary showed Jason sitting on a cot in an otherwise empty cell.
The feelings in Bruce's gut were odd to describe. Seeing Jason filled him with anger at the boy's betrayal. Jason had drugged Bruce in his own home. Made him fall asleep so he could pursue his bloody vendetta without Batman's interference. Jason's actions had allowed Themis to get into the mansion and abduct Damian. Jason had almost gotten his brothers killed – leaving Bruce without the family he had so painstakingly built. But Jason was still part of that family. Where his son used to be was only an aching hole in Bruce's chest.
"You are strange, father", steps approached Bruce from behind, "You claim to have cut Todd off but you still monitor him."
"I am ensuring that he is staying in his cell. The streets are safer without him."
Damian frowned but he stayed silent to Bruce's relief.
A message popped up on the computer. The League was calling Batman in to examine an energy signature. It sounded harmless. An easy way to show Damian that he trusted him.
"Damian", Batman said, "We are leaving. League business."
Damian's eyes widened just a bit. Bruce had never taken the boy with him to any League mission.
"I shall not disappoint you, father."
Bruce nodded. He knew Damian wouldn't disappoint him. Under the haughty demeanor had always been a good heart.
Robin straightened his back when he followed Batman out of the zeta tube. This was his first time on a League-mission. A chance father had given him to prove himself. Robin would not falter. He could not allow himself to falter. Todd was living proof of how Batman handled sons who made mistakes.
They stepped out of the zeta tube arriving in rural Kansas.
"Batman", Flash greeted the Dark Knight.
"And Robin", Robin crossed his arms.
Flash looked surprised but he nodded at Damian: "It is nice to meet you."
"A pleasure I cannot share", Robin narrowed his eyes.
He knew of Batman's distrust of speedsters. Of how easily they could rip space and time apart. How careless they could be. Damian needed to be attentive as well.
"Robin", Batman scolded him, "Flash is a trusted ally."
"You do not trust anyone, father."
Batman's mouth narrowed though he did not deny. Robin counted it as a win. Flash looked between them, shuffling his foot.
"The Watchtower measured a strange energy signature", Flash continued, "In the middle of nowhere."
Batman pulled a pair of goggles out of his utility belt and looked over the fields.
He explained: "The goggles allow me to see remnants of inter-dimensional energy."
Flash did not seem surprised by this information – as if he already knew. So, father explained it for Damian's benefit.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking, Bats", Flash said.
Damian stood there feeling useless. Though he would not show it.
Batman stepped onto the field and walked towards the middle: "Here it is."
"This was a speedster. I can feel remnants of the Speedforce."
"Speedforce?", Damian asked, not eager to be left in the dark.
"The cosmic energy that we speedsters draw our powers from. I'm connected to it. Kid Flash, too. Same as Jay Garrick, the first Flash. It allows us to run fast but also to travel between universes and timelines."
"Time-travel?", Damian couldn't keep the skepticism out of his voice.
"We don't do it no matter what happens. All the heroic speedsters on earth came together to make that decision", Flash said, "I've made mistakes with time-travel before. It only creates bigger problems."
"So, it isn't one of our speedsters?", Batman asked.
"Kid Flash is retired and Jay mostly is, too. He's also too old to reach the velocity needed. In his prime he could have. Not anymore though. Don't tell him I said that though."
"So, it's a speedster from another universe?", Damian asked, "What would this speedster want? Are they hostile?"
"You are asking the right questions, Robin", Flash said.
"I do not require compliments from you."
Flash frowned: "I see. Lovely family you have there, Bats."
Batman pinched the back of his nose: "Robin, stay civil or I will send you home."
Damian crossed his arms. Why was father siding with the speedster over him?
"This is a problem", Batman said, "A hostile speedster is a multiversal threat."
"We don't know how they could screw up the time-space continuum", Flash said, "Do you see their energy signature?"
Batman handed his goggles to Flash. The speedster put them on.
"I see the energy trail", Flash said, "Let me check it out."
Then, Flash was off. The force of his departure made Damian's hair and cape shake. No, Damian did not like speedsters. West was only tolerable because he had retired and would use his considerable powers to protect Damian's brother. Nightwing deserved no less than a multiversal force to secure his safety. And if West was connected to it, Damian would allow it.
Flash returned after a minute: "I followed the trail, but I lost it. Our mysterious visitor left again. There was another energy trail though that went into another direction. Not a speedster this time."
"Another energy trail?", Batman frowned, "Do you think the speedster might have brought something onto our earth and left again?"
"I think so", Flash said, "I cannot determine what it is – only that the readings are similar to the readings I get off the Green Lanterns when they use their ring."
Robin's eyes widened: "Did the speedster bring a Green Lantern-ring onto our earth?"
"It would explain the other energy trail that I lost. The ring went off to find a new host", Flash said, "It wasn't exactly like the Green Lantern energy that our allies give off. It looked… darker. Corrupted somehow."
"So, we have a speedster from another universe who enters ours to deliver a corrupted Green Lantern-ring", Batman said, "This should confirm that this speedster has nefarious intentions."
"It sounds like a multiversal invasion", Flash said.
"We need to call a League-meeting. Prepare the team for a fight", Batman strode towards the zeta-tube, "We have a hostile speedster and potentially a hostile Green Lantern."
Robin's stomach tightened. The situation sounded grave indeed.
"Batman", Flash looked tense suddenly, "There is something you should know."
Batman halted turning around.
"The speedster made a pit stop before they left again."
"Where?", Batman growled.
"In Jump City by the Titans' headquarters", Flash said, "According to their energy trail, they stood there for quite some time. They were watching the Titans."
Batman's entire body tensed: "Why?"
"I don't know why", Flash looked queasy.
Batman paced, his cape fluttering behind him: "Are you sure, Flash?"
"Completely", Flash said.
"What does this mean for Nightwing?", Damian asked.
The two adult heroes did not answer him.
Batman stopped, looking at Flash: "Do you understand how serious this is?"
"I'm the last one you need to lecture on the dangers of an obsessive speedster with nefarious intentions", Flash said.
"This speedster could be entering this universe right now and attacking the Titans. We would be too late."
"Whoever it is could get them before they even notice", Barry said, "They aren't prepared."
"They aren't", Batman agreed, "We need to catch this speedster and warn the Titans."
Flash nodded in agreement: "Catching a speedster is not easy."
Batman swung around, glaring at Flash: "This is your field of expertise. So, you better take care of it. It's my son's life at stake."
Flash seemed unfazed by Batman's posturing: "Nightwing and I may have our differences, but my nephew loves him so he's part of the family. I protect family, Batman. Be sure of that. I have a plan of how to catch this speedster. It's not pleasant for me but this is serious enough to warrant it."
Batman nodded. His face softened just enough for Damian to see that his father was placated for now. Batman whirled around and hurried to the Zeta-tube. Damian's head spun a bit at the interaction between the two adult heroes. This was beyond anything Damian had ever encountered. Not that he would show it.
"You are zeta-ing home, Robin", Batman ordered.
"I refuse", Robin said.
He was not a useless, little boy. His father could trust him to be an effective operative.
"NOW", Batman growled, "No discussion or you're benched."
"Father."
"I need you to listen to orders, Robin. Are you capable of doing that?"
Robin balled his hands and walked into the Zeta-tube to teleport to Gotham. He scoffed. How naïve of him to think that his father trusted him.
Nightwing was working on the Titans-computer. He narrowed his eyes, trying to read a case file that felt endless. After hours of this, he had managed to get through only one file and the words were swimming across his eyes. A sudden knock on the door made Nightwing raise his eyes.
He looked at the camera that showed the front door. Flash.
Nightwing pushed a beacon on the computer to call the other Titans. He approached the door to open it.
"Hello", Nightwing said.
He examined Flash closely, watching for any signs of mind control. He couldn't find any.
Flash tensed at the sight of Nightwing.
"It is urgent, Nightwing and it concerns your entire team."
Nightwing nodded and allowed Flash to enter. The other Titans hurried into the common room.
Nightwing leaned against the wall, his head tilted. He opted to observe the situation and leave the talking to others.
Artemis didn't disappoint.
"What's going on?", the archer asked, wiping beads of sweat from her forehead.
"We need you on the Watchtower. You'll find out soon enough", Flash said.
"We aren't children", Artemis said, "We are our own team and we deserve to know what's happening."
"Artemis, please-", Flash sounded exhausted.
"Tigress", the archer corrected him, "We're using codenames."
"Just follow me, Tigress."
Artemis looked like she wanted to argue but Nightwing put a hand on her shoulder. They were wasting time.
"Fine", Artemis said, "We're listening to what you have to say."
Nightwing was always uncomfortable on the Watchtower. His fingertips dug into his palms as Flash led them to the meeting room where the entire League was already assembled.
"Titans", Superman nodded.
The Titans sat down, building a unified front.
Nightwing signed at Batman: 'What happen?'
'Not now', was the curt reply.
Nightwing made an unhappy sound. Batman did not react. Nightwing scoffed.
Flash stood up and explained the situation to them. The speedster from another universe who had entered theirs only to leave. The corrupted Green Lantern-ring. And-
"-The speedster made a stop at Titans-headquarters before leaving our universe. Do you know why they would do that?"
Nightwing frowned, his thoughts racing. Multiversal threats were in a far higher weight class than anything the Titans had dealt with.
"We don't know", Artemis said.
Nightwing was glad she was speaking for them. The other Titans sat in their seats, their arms crossed.
"Really?", Hal Jordan said, "Not even Nightwing does?"
Nightwing bit his lip in annoyance. He doubted the League would ever trust him again.
But he dug his claws deeper into his gloves and forced himself to stay calm: "Not know."
"I find that hard to believe", Hal said, "You must be planning something again."
"I promise", Nightwing forced the words out, "I not."
Hal looked like he wanted to keep digging but Starfire glared at him.
"Nightwing gave you his word and you can trust it", the alien said.
"Trust this liar's word?", Hal scoffed.
"I don't read any lies in his mind", Martian Manhunter said.
"How about we remain civil with each other and collaborate?", Wonder Woman said.
"Whatever", Beast Boy said, "Titans are out. You disrespect one of us. You disrespect us all."
"Exactly", Starfire stood up, too.
Cyborg and Donna did the same. Nightwing's chest felt warm at the support.
"Nightwing", Batman's voice was unreadable – a bad sign, "We need to talk – in private."
Nightwing simply nodded. He followed Batman just outside the door.
"Your team is a mess", Batman was not one to mince words, "I reviewed the footage of your fight against the Rogues. Your teamwork is lacking in coordination and leadership."
"Artemis work on it", Nightwing said, "She pretty new though. The team not completely trust yet."
"I'm not talking about Artemis. I'm talking about you. This is your job."
Nightwing frowned. Confused. What did Batman mean? Hadn't he sent Artemis to join their team exactly for this reason?
"But you send Artemis to our team – because Titans need leader."
"I sent Artemis because I thought it would be good for her and because she could back you up."
"Back up?"
"As team leader of the Titans", Batman said.
"No", Nightwing shook his head, "Artemis right leader. I not can do. I already tell Titans."
"You said yourself that the team doesn't trust her."
"Yet."
"A team needs to trust its leader completely. A team follows its leader. The Titans are already following you. You just need to accept it."
"They be wrong."
"Or maybe you are wrong. Why are you refusing your duty, Nightwing?"
Nightwing balled his fists: "I be bad leader."
"If you continue like this? Yes. You'll get your team killed by that speedster because they still act as if this all a big game."
Nightwing bit his lip, tasting the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
"I not suit for be leader."
"It's the Court-conditioning speaking. Not you."
"It not to do with Court. I just not good enough."
"Again, it's the Court speaking."
Nightwing wanted to tear his hair out: "You not listen to me."
"I am listening to you. I just refuse to believe it when I saw that you can do so much better. You planned and led a complex undercover mission. You already led the Titans into freedom."
"It be different."
"How?"
Nightwing's thoughts raced. Searching how to put his feelings into proper sentences. Again, his words let him down.
So, he signed: "I act like a puppet during mission. I just use what I know. What Court and you and Deathstroke teach me. No one ever teach me how lead. And I not be right person for it."
"I taught you how to use your mind. To always be in control. Those are the qualities a leader needs."
Nightwing lowered his head. He felt backed into a corner by the Titans, by Bruce, even by Wally.
"I had faith in you when I trained you. You mean to tell me that my faith was misplaced?"
Nightwing flinched. He thought of his voice that still let him down when he needed it. His inability to read case files. The distrust the League showed him because of Nightwing's bloody past. A leader couldn't have these shortcomings. It would get people killed.
"Yes", Nightwing's voice was quiet – pathetic.
He turned around, hurrying towards the exit. The zeta tube blared when he tried to enter it. Nightwing was still classified as a detainee. He made a frustrated noise, kicking against the wall. Stupid zeta-tubes. Nightwing never wanted to enter the Watchtower again. He hated it. He didn't belong here.
A zip appeared in front of him. Flash. He told the system to override the detainee-status for one trip.
"We really should change your status", Flash said.
"Not bother", Nightwing said, "I not come here again."
Flash looked anywhere but him: "I will do my best to catch that speedster. I promise you, Nightwing. If my plan works out, that speedster won't be a problem soon."
"You hear fight. You all do", Nightwing said.
Flash fiddled with his fingers: "I'm sorry. That sounded rough."
Nightwing turned around: "See you family dinner."
Then, he stepped into the beam.
Jason was bored out of his mind in solitary for three days. He breathed a sigh of relief when the guards led him out of the empty cell.
"Just a heads up", one of the guards said, "We changed your cellmate."
"What? What happened to Gary?", Jason asked.
Gary was a low-level goon who had worked for multiple Gotham villains once. He had been easy-going. Chill. Jason hoped nothing bad had happened to him.
"Gary is fine", the guard said, "We just needed to re-allocate the cells."
"Why?"
"Your new roommate is… challenging but you seem to get along with him. The only one in this prison."
Jason froze: "I'm not rooming with the fucking Trickster."
"Too bad", another guard grunted, "This is a prison – not a hotel. You do what we tell you to."
Jason balled his fists. But he forced himself to take a deep breath. Jason was here to atone.
The guards led Jason to his old cell.
"Hey bro", Trickster said with his annoyingly cheery voice as the guard led Jason inside.
The punk was spread out on the top bunk.
"I'm not your bro."
Jason allowed the guards to unshackle him and laid down on the bottom bunk.
"Get along, boys", one of the guards said as he closed the cell behind himself.
"Soooo", Trickster wasted no time, as he leaned his chin on his hands, "What is Gotham like? I always wanted to visit but Captain Cold said that Rogues keep away from the crazies."
Jason snorted: "Gotham is a pit filled with sadistic psychopaths."
"Sounds fun."
"You have no idea, kid."
"I'm not that much younger than you. How old are you anyway, man? The guards told me they don't know anything about you. Not your real name. Not your real age. Only Red Hood."
Trickster lowered his voice in an impression of a tough guy. Holy shit, this dude was annoying. No wonder the Rogues had kicked him out.
"I'll keep it that way."
"Why? You like to be mysterious. I totally get that, man. I myself like to-"
Jason crossed his arms: "We aren't friends, dude. So, stop with the fucking questions. We're cell partners. So, we'll just stick it out here and remain civil. Nothing more."
"Geez. Who pissed into your breakfast, Gotham?"
Life, Jason thought.
But he stayed quiet and turned to the wall. This was all part of his atonement. Sticking him with the Trickster had to be the most annoying version of redemption.
Barry Allen entered the ice rink. It was in the middle of the night. The plastic seats that surrounded the icy field were empty in the soft glow of the moon which streamed through the ceiling windows. Barry tensed at the silence. The quiet was more tense than peaceful.
He had come here for the last few days in-between his regular patrolling of the Titan's headquarters. Flash had needed to send a signal, hoping it got picked up by his intended recipient.
Barry approached the ice rink. He looked around, making sure to detect any blue flitters in the air. Captain Cold always had several cold fields ready before any stand-off. In his early years, the Flash had fallen for them frequently, getting caught in the area that forced his molecules to slow down to almost a stand-still.
The last few days, the ice rink had been empty. Cold had not shown up. But Barry knew that the man would come out of hiding eventually.
Tonight, Barry was lucky. Though luck could be very relative.
Captain Cold stood in the middle of the ice rink, his arms crossed, the Cold Gun strapped to his thigh. There was a blue flitter around him in a wide circle. A cold ring that followed him around and made it impossible to touch him. Lethal to an average person and a slow-down to the Flash.
If Barry tried to run at him now, he would only get caught in the field's grasp.
"Hello, Snart", Barry said.
He opted for the man's last name. It was always a little power play between them. Flash knew Cold's identity but Cold didn't know his.
Cold looked at him, his face unmoving: "Flash, what are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to talk."
Cold scoffed: "Cut the bullshit, Flash. You came here these past few days knowing I keep taps on the place. You wanted my attention. Now you got it."
"You aren't easy to contact, Snart. Especially when you're in hiding."
"Maybe I don't wanna be contacted."
Barry rolled his eyes. Cold preferred to act like an anti-social prick, but he needed people more than he liked to admit.
"So, you and the Rogues are back in Central City after your little field trip?"
"Not confirming nor denying."
Barry chuckled. It was as close to a confirmation as he would get.
"What do you want, Flash? You wouldn't come to this place if you weren't desperate", Snart put a hand on his gun, "You ain't here to arrest me. Or you would've tried something already."
Barry sighed. He hated how well Snart knew him at this point. Apparently, it was a side effect of fighting someone for more than ten years. Was Barry this old?
"The League has a problem. We have reason to suspect that our earth is being prepared for invasion by a multiversal threat."
Snart stayed quiet. He narrowed his eyes behind the goggles, already thinking along.
Barry took a deep breath: "One of the invaders is a speedster."
Cold crossed his arms: "Forget it, Flash. That shit is far above my paygrade."
Barry scoffed: "You're selling yourself short. There is no other team more capable of hunting a speedster."
"I mean we are. Trying to flatter me though?", Snart's mouth quirked up on one side, "Nice attempt but I ain't that easy. I'm sure you and your super-friends can take care of it."
"Think about it, Snart: The Flash and the Rogues joining together. We could catch that invading speedster before they can do any damage."
"Which the League can as well. You got Superman and Wonder Woman on that team of yours. You don't need little old me.", Snart said, "Or is there something you're not telling me? Something that makes it worse?"
"That speedster is after the Titans. They were watching their headquarters."
Cold frowned, pensive suddenly. Some of his standoffish demeanor dropped: "The Titans ain't ready for an evil speedster."
"They aren't", Barry agreed, "Which is why we need to contain the threat quickly. And to do that I need someone who understands speedsters. Someone who has made it their job to fight them."
Cold shook his head: "I don't do that kind of shit, Flash."
"You could."
"I'm no hero. Never pretended to be."
"You are not as bad as you like to tell yourself, Snart. You helped out before when Central was in danger. Multiple times."
"Because it's our city. My city. You view everything black and white. Heroes do that. Especially heroes who are cops. But it might be a surprise to you that I don't want my city getting trashed."
"This multiversal threat could also affect Central."
"And the grape-dude from space could invade earth tomorrow. It's Justice League-business. I don't get involved in that. You take care of it before it's my problem. It's the only thing I appreciate about your little club."
Barry sighed. He had not expected Cold to be particularly enthusiastic. But this level of apathy was new even to him.
He hated that he was being pushed towards these measures. But he had dealt with evil speedsters before and they always presented a headache. They needed to contain this threat before this speedster could do any real damage. Cold and the Rogues were Barry's best bet to do that – as much as it hurt his pride to admit. Each of their gadgets were specifically designed to thwart a speedster. Their reflexes honed to perfection after years of fighting the Flash.
Barry swallowed his pride: "And if I say please."
"Doesn't become you", Cold tilted his head, "This all? I got a hockey rerun to catch."
Barry sighed. He should have known that Cold wouldn't help without incentive. The man only acted out of three reasons: Money, self-preservation and his sister.
"Fine. A deal then. That's more like your language, isn't it?", Barry said, "There are still arrest warrants out on you and your crew. You help me with the speedster, and I can try getting you a pardon."
Cold narrowed his eyes: "Try?"
"I can't promise it completely but protecting the world from a multiversal threat should get you major points."
Cold shook his head: "Why do you think I would want a stupid pardon? Crime is what I do. I like it and I'm damn good at it. You give me a pardon and it don't hold a week."
"Your sister", Barry said, "She lost that figure skating career the moment she became a criminal. With a pardon, she could try again. Maybe she could still do the Olympics."
Cold halted for just a moment. Enough for Barry to see that he had reached something within the man. The villain looked around the rink, his gaze incredulous behind the glasses.
"You bastard. You picked this place intentionally."
Barry bit his lip. He had dug enough into Cold's and Glider's past to know most of their major haunts as children. This also included the ice rink which Glider had spent key parts of her childhood on.
"On this ice, your sister trained hard enough to reach the Olympics. It was her dream. She dropped that dream because of you. Don't you want to give her the chance to fulfill it again?"
Barry had to admit that he was taking big risks with this assertion. He only knew that Glider had committed her first thieving spree before the Olympics. Throwing the competition before she had ever touched the ice. He had never learned why she had thrown the opportunity of a lifetime away.
Cold pinched the back of his nose: "It wasn't my fault she ruined it for herself. I don't know why she did."
He sounded defensive. As if he wasn't sure of it himself.
"Help me, Snart, and you can fix it for her. You can fix all of your lives. You Rogues can be much more than thieves."
Cold balled his fist: "I would take your stupid pardon for her if I was sure she'd appreciate. But she don't. She always gets prissy when I mention the Olympics. Makes some cryptic comments I don't get."
Barry frowned sympathetically. He wished he couldn't relate so well to his villains sometimes.
His ultimate trump card in this negotiation had failed.
Cold's narrowed eyes pierced through him: "I don't appreciate it, Flash. Dangling my sister's freedom in front of me? Oldest cop trick in the book."
"Cop?", Barry halted.
Snart kept making these allusions. Barry didn't like it. It was unsettling. How many of the villains knew that Flash was a part of the police force? How did Cold know?
Cold made a dismissive gesture: "You reek of it. Always makes me sick."
"Reek?"
"The self-righteousness even when you're wrong. My way or the highway."
"I'm not like that."
"Sure", Cold turned around, "I'll do us a favor and leave. My rerun's waiting for me."
He was about to leave the ice rink. Barry felt irritation flare up in him.
"Fine", Barry said, "I tried to do it the nice way, Snart. But I can't let you do what you want. I know you Rogues are cooped up in the city somewhere and I will find you. You still owe money to Jump City Bank."
Cold swung around, his eyes blazing: "You don't wanna test me."
"Try me, Cold."
The villain took out the Cold Gun, training it on Barry: "Don't get personal with me. I hate personal."
Cold spit it out as if it was a curse.
"Think exactly about what you want to do, Flash. Holding my team over my head? My sister? Low blow. You don't want me to do that to your family."
"Kid Flash is retired. There is no one for you to attack."
Cold grinned, no joy behind his expression: "Last time I looked he was at a college. Not a retirement home."
Barry froze. His brain short-circuiting.
"I don't know what you are talking about", Barry tried to deflect.
"Like I said, you don't want to test me, Barry Allen", there was a malicious glint in Cold's eyes.
Barry's heart raced. There was no way. Cold had never indicated before that he knew Barry's identity. This was bad. Terrible. He needed to get Iris away before-
"How?", was the only thing Barry could get out.
"You wanna know the details? Like I said: You reek of cop, Flash. I know all the cops in the city. It's part of my work to know which ones are dirty. Not because I deal with those scumbags but because it's good work practice. Lab tech Barry Allen stood out like a sore thumb."
"I'm not a lab tech. I'm a forensic scientist."
"All the same. I thought Barry Allen was dirty like the rest. All the missed meetings, the delays, the accolades for all the solved crimes. Suspicious as hell to anyone who looks. But I know my crooked cops. Knew more of them as a kid than I'd ever seen clean ones. And Barry Allen would never step a foot into the places I've been in", Cold kept his gun steadily trained on Barry, "So, no. Barry Allen was no crooked cop. Just a by-the-books lab rat with a hobby and a ginger nephew. It was not difficult to put together when you've been around for as long as I've been."
Barry trembled. Adrenaline cursing through his body. He did not know what to do. This encounter should have never taken the turn it did.
"The cat is out of the bag. All the Rogues know my secret identity then", Barry shook his head, "Whatever you plan to do, just keep it focused on me. Keep Wally and my family out of it. This is between us."
"They don't", Cold said.
"What?"
"The others don't know. Not even my sister. Like I said: I don't like personal. So, if you were smart, Flash, you would science your way through my little cold field and break my neck. No one else would know your little secret."
"Heroes don't kill, Snart."
"They don't. I do if someone tests me. And you did today."
"Are you threatening my family?"
"I'm not. If you keep away from mine."
"Glider was never in any danger from me."
"I know", Cold lowered the gun, "You are a good man, Barry Allen. You have a good family. So, don't ruin it by pissing off a low life like me."
Barry shook his head. He would never understand Cold. The man was such a confusing mixture of ruthless and honorable.
"It's a stalemate then", Barry said.
"I guess it is", Cold lowered his gun, "You want a sign of my goodwill, Barry? Remember that ruse your nephew and his boyfriend played on the Light?"
An ache formed in Barry's heart. He had believed Wally to be dead for months. It had led to his temporary resignation from the Justice League.
"I mourned him."
Cold hummed, a detached form of sympathy in his voice: "I knew that Wally West was at college."
"You knew he was alive?", Barry looked up.
"I did. I make a habit of regularly checking up on all the speedsters. More than you apparently. Don't want any of them sneaking up on me. I knew that Nightwing was lying."
"You didn't tell me", Barry couldn't keep the hurt out of his voice.
The Rogues and him might be at each other's throats most of the time. But they had more respect for each other than most heroes and villains tended to have.
Cold shrugged: "None of my business."
Barry's irritation flared up again: "You just let me believe my nephew was dead. I knew you were cold, Snart. But this?"
Barry balled his fists. Energy crackling under his feet. He had to keep himself from racing at Cold knowing that he would only run into a freezing molasse that would catch him.
"What is wrong with you?", Barry asked.
"Think about it this way, Flash: I could have made a shit ton of money selling that intel about his new pet to Luthor. I didn't because I hate Luthor and his elite club as much as you do. Don't get me wrong - I'm not above selling out. But stingy bastards like Luthor don't offer enough to sell out. His little club got what was coming for them."
Barry took a deep breath. He had to reign himself in. Cold was offering an olive branch – in his own way. He should take it, glad that Cold had stayed quiet about Kid Flash's fake-death. It could have ended far worse for Wally, Nightwing, the Titans, the entire Justice League if Cold had made a deal with the Light.
"I appreciate it, Cold. I do."
Barry had to swallow his pride a lot today. Cold still had the ability to surprise him even after more than ten years of bitter rivalry.
Cold nodded, smiling in a self-satisfied way: "You are very welcome, Flash. See it as an early baby shower gift."
Barry sighed: "You know that Iris is pregnant, too? Really? My own family doesn't know yet. I was about to tell them during family dinner."
Cold shrugged: "I have contacts in the hospital. Twins. How delightful. You always run full-speed ahead in every part of your life apparently."
"I guess I do", Barry couldn't believe he was chatting with his oldest enemy about his incoming challenge in fatherhood, "I am so excited. But it's terrifying."
"I won't reassure you. You have the power to really screw those kids up. It's fucked if you think about it."
Barry cringed: "Delightful as usual, Snart."
Cold chuckled. He put his gun back into the holster, crossing the ice rink until he had left it. He walked up the stairs, his left leg slightly stiffer than the other one. Barry wondered if Snart's knee was giving him trouble again. The old injury had occasionally acted up for him as long as Barry knew him. Barry had never found out where Snart had gotten it from though he had his suspicions.
"Don't twist your tights, Flash. You'll be a good father. I know it."
Barry felt a slight warmth in his chest. It meant more than it should coming from a literal supervillain.
Cold turned around. The plastic chairs that were caught in his cold field froze over with a sheen of ice.
"Enough of the pleasantries. Don't follow me. You know what's at stake now."
Cold left the ice rink, the door slamming shut behind him. Barry stayed on the rink. Taking a moment to compose himself. He deflated. Flash might not have found any cold fields, but Cold hadn't needed them. He had a trap that was far more valuable than any cold field ever would be.
Barry shook his head. He was surprisingly at ease about the revelation that his oldest enemy knew his biggest secret. Maybe because Cold's odd code and apathy towards anything resembling emotions could be trusted. If Barry didn't become personal, Cold didn't become personal. They could keep at their eternal circle of ever-more elaborate heists that Flash tried to stop.
"What is my life?", Barry muttered.
But this confrontation hadn't helped him in his original goal. The Rogues wouldn't aid him with the multiversal speedster. It was still on Barry to protect the Titans. And he would. He owed it to Wally. It looked like Barry Allen needed to call in sick so Flash could keep a permanent eye on Titans headquarters.
Barry considered calling Wally. Telling him that Cold knew the secret. But Barry decided against it. His nephew was adamant about being out of the life. Barry didn't need to needlessly worry him.
The city of Portland was quiet as a green blur floated through its skies. A tiny object from another universe in search for its prey. The Power Ring had scanned this universe the moment it had entered it through the portal. Scanning for the cowards of this world. The weak. The pathetic. Ones who were broken by their fear.
It had an abundance of pickings. Human minds were so feeble. But one had stood out from the others. A fear so delicious that the Power Ring could not resist. It had been drawn to the city that the Earthlings called Portland. And its scannings showed it that it was close.
The Power Ring stopped in front of an apartment building. Seventh floor. The windows were shut, the blinds left no room for light. Of course, the inhabitant of this apartment was too weak to step outside – too weak to even face the sun.
But a feeble window could not deter the Power Ring that had locked on its prey. It broke through the window, the glass shattering.
There was a scream and Power Ring came face-to-face with what it had determined as its host. The woman was wearing pyjamas. Brown hair, light brown skin. She held a gun in her trembling hands.
Power Ring stopped in mid-air, scanning its prey again. Her name was Jessica Cruz - 22 years old – and she hadn't set a foot outside of this apartment for the last four years. She was weak.
Fearful. Exactly what Power Ring required.
"Jessica Cruz of Earth. You have been chosen to conquer this earth", Power Ring's electronic voice said.
Jessica's hand continued to shake. She tried to sound firm when she said: "Whatever you are - go away."
"You cannot escape me. Your fear has drawn me to you. It is your fear that will be the end of your world."
Jessica's eyes widened. She shot at Power Ring. But a bullet couldn't harm this piece of advanced alien technology.
"Go away", she lowered the gun, as realization dawned upon her.
Power Ring repeated: "Jessica Cruz of Earth. You have been chosen to-"
Jessica didn't hear it out. She ran until she reached her apartment door. Her hand stopped on the door handle.
"Do it, Jessica Cruz. Run away. Leave this apartment behind and I shall seek another host."
Jessica's trembling hand rested on the door handle. She looked at the door, her forehead creased. Trying to push the handle down.
Power Ring floated in front of her. It knew what the result of this would be. Its scanning never faltered. Its chosen subject was too fearful of the outside world. Earthling Jessica Cruz had already given in to fear. They both knew it.
Jessica bit her lip. She screamed: "Help. Somebody help me please."
"You are alone, Jessica Cruz. You have made it so yourself."
"No", Jessica shook her head.
Her hand left the doorhandle as she reached for her head. A gesture of desperation. Of fear. Power Ring soaked it in. So potent. So delicious. Power Ring would soak up that fear until nothing of its host was left.
"Go on, Jessica Cruz. Step outside and be free."
"There is no freedom outside. I know how dangerous this world is."
"I know everything about you, Jessica Cruz. This world killed your friends and the hunters are still out there – looking for you."
Jessica screamed. More a cry of desperation than for help. She sank towards the floor glaring at the Power Ring.
"Step outside and face them."
"I- I can't", Jessica hid her face in her knees, muttering to herself, "If I don't look at it, it isn't here. Just don't acknowledge it. Don't-"
Power Ring felt her fear surge. Any feeble attempt at courage had crumbled away.
Power Ring surged forward and fused itself to Jessica's right hand. Jessica screamed in agony as Power Ring sent its energy through her body. Tinting her veins in green and putting a green mark over her right eye. Jessica belonged to the Power Ring now.
Power Ring had a grip on her weak soul. Feeding away at her fear. Volthoom stirred within it – pleased. This world was marked for conquest now and Power Ring was the harbinger.
The ring and Jessica Cruz were one now. A parasitic bond. It was time to let this parasite loose on the world and let it fulfil its purpose: Conquest and fear. Power Ring flew out of the hole in the window.
AN: I want to give due credit: The last scene is heavily inspired by New 52 Justice League #31 written by Geoff Johns and pencils by Doug Mahnke. It's Jessica Cruz's first appearance. And anyone who has read that story knows that a Power Ring does not come alone…
I think you can start to see now what I meant when I told you that this will be a big story. A lot of storylines to juggle. I try to make it as easily follow-able as possible. Let me know if anything is confusing because I'm adding a lot of stuff that Young Justice never covered.
Next week: Nightwing's disastrous dinner with the Flash-family. Be ready because I took 20k words to hype it up.