Ellsworth Memorial Hospital

News of the riots in Smallville and Central City was on the television as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen sat in the waiting room for Dr Jerry Siegel, her GP. Siegel was a nice, amiable fellow who had been with her since she first moved to Metropolis. He had a fascination with her work which left her uncomfortable at times, and constantly asked her questions about Superman. That was the reason every time something happened to a superhero, Dr Mid-Nite of the JSA was usually called in. If Clark weren't in Central City trying to get close to that creep Thawne, he would have been there when Lois had passed out earlier that day and probably brought her to Mid-Nite. Perry White through a fit and insisted she go to the hospital. Lois couldn't explain why it had happened; she had no concussion it seemed but she had been feeling increasingly warm that day. In late October. Jimmy had come with her as moral support while Clark was out of town. She liked Jimmy. He was braver than most even if you wouldn't think it to look at him, and he knew Clark's secret. He had only known about a year or so, not as long as some, but he was still someone at the Planet who either of them could turn to in a crisis.

"Gee, Miss Lane, this sure is heavy. You think there's going to be some kind of war?" he asked with a tantalising fear in his voice as they observed the followers of the Church of Rao breaking into buildings and allowing residents of Central City to loot them, "I mean, first the government, now this. Where will it all end?" "I don't know, Jimmy," Lois said as she bit her lip. This Eddie Thawne man seemed to have a sway over people's minds that no other human could command. He reminded her of David Koresh in many ways. Young and yet able to lead an army of devoted fanatics into doing his will. Lois had a feeling that the response to him would be far harsher than the affair at Waco. She reminded herself that there were good people out there like Clark and Diana who would try to stop things getting any worse. While both had done their bit to keep peace, nearly every city in the country was up in arms about the recent presidential crisis and Thawne's progress towards the capital was only fanning the flames.

An elderly woman and a teenage boy with glasses then ran through the front door of the hospital. "Lois," her mother-in-law called across worriedly, "Perry called. Said you fainted. Conner and I got here as soon as we could. Are you alright?" "I feel fine, but I'm going in to see Dr Siegel in a minute. He'll tell me whether I am or not." Conner patted her on the shoulder as if to say he felt her concern. "I could, um…use X-ray vision to see if anything's wrong." "You're not looking under my clothes, young man! I'd much rather a medical professional than a boy looked me over. No offence." "None taken," Conner smirked through a reddened face. Martha gave him a stern look while Jimmy laughed. "Lane, Lois!" the receptionist called as the ace reporter stood up with trepidation, as if knowing she might fall over again. "Let me help you in, dear," Martha said as she helped her up, "Conner and Jimmy can stay out here and wait for us."

"Thanks, Martha. I think I'll be…"

"You're my Clark's wife. Family. I'm not letting you get some serious news on your own."

Lois shrugged in defeat before she and her mother-in-law entered the doctor's room. Siegel was an older man, close to retiring with a jowly face, whitening dark hair and glasses. He took one look at Lois and Martha, then smiled a toothy grin. "Good to see you again, Lois. Who is this?" "Kent, Martha Kent," was Ma's reply, "I'm her mother-in-law." "Ah," Siegel said tutting his lips, "you're the bad woman who raised a son who's afraid of doctors, then. I'll tell you, ma'am, he's lived in this city twenty years and he never comes here. He could have a heart attack if he doesn't get checked out regularly, especially at his age." Martha rolled her eyes and laughed. "I'll make sure to give him a good talking to. He never listens though."

"Best you can do, I suppose. So, Lois, what's troubling you this weather? Throat? Nose? Head? Or did you just want to see your handsome doctor again?"

"I fainted today at work, Dr Siegel."

"Lois, I've known you twenty years. Call me Jerry. Fainting does sound rather concerning though, especially since it hasn't happened to you before." A good half an hour of checking Lois produced no results. Then, an idea came into Siegel's head. "Tell me, Lois, have you been feeling nauseous?"

"Sometimes."

"You've put on a bit of weight I can see. Would you mind just taking one of these tests for me? Just for peace of mind."

Dr Siegel then reached into a drawer, took out a pregnancy test and passed it to Lois. Taken aback Lois took the test and went to the bathroom and came back a few minutes later looking stunned. "I don't freaking believe this." The test was positive.

"Congratulations, Miss Lane." Lois gripped Martha's hand in shock as the older woman screamed in delight. "I'm going to be a grandmother! Oh, Lois!" The two women hugged with the elder crying and the younger remaining aghast. "But, Dr Siegel…Jerry…my husband can't have children. He has low motility."

"Well, low motility doesn't necessarily mean infertility, Lois. In some cases, particularly when not attempting to conceive, conception can become easier for couples when one of the partners has trouble doing so. I hope this has been enlightening. And I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you over the next few months. You two take care now and congratulations, again." Martha held Lois' arm tightly as if to warn her not to go too much further in trying to find an explanation despite every journalistic urge in her body compelling her to. Lois shook Dr Siegel's hand and she and Martha both made their way out of the office. Conner and Jimmy were busy playing Go Fish on a table in front of them. Conner perked up at seeing Lois and his foster mother walk out looking much happier than they had going in.

"I take it everything's alright?" Jimmy asked them. "Better," Martha replied, "Lois and Clark are having a baby." Conner's jaw dropped as Lois' had in the office. "But…Clark said Kryptonians and humans can't have kids…" "He did," Lois replied, "Which makes me suspicious. I'm gonna' have him take a look at me with that X-ray vision of his tonight and see what's what." "Lois," Martha chided, "you should be over the moon. You and Clark have wanted a kid for years. And you miss Chris so much, you must feel a little bit happy." Lois contemplated her mother-in-law's words then as she looked into her eyes and cried tears of joy. Conner and Jimmy got in for a group hug, as the Boy of Steel laughed. "I'm going to be an uncle, I guess. Or a half-brother. How am I related to Clark again?" They all sort of laughed at that as Lois kissed him on the cheek affectionately.

Iron Heights

Malcolm Thawne hadn't even contemplated escaping this place before and he still did not today. Rumours abounded that Central City was about to collapse in an orgy of cultists and mob violence. The guards were on high alert to execute two of the prisoners as soon as the complex at Iron Heights was compromised. They were the two speedsters they had in custody. Malcolm Thawne and Hunter Zolomon. Zolomon was basically a vegetable at this point while Malcolm had no desire to escape. They were both being held in a special room as the city fell around them. Two guards were positioned there who took delight in dominating their charges, and both prisoners had clamps on their necks to cancel out their powers should they attempt to escape.

Malcolm had not had it easy before the Flash had stuck him in here. He found out he was adopted and the twin brother of the former Flash, Barry Allen, before being arrested for his crimes. Malcolm hadn't let that phase him initially, he had other toothpicks sticking in his gums from when he was young. He had gotten married fairly young to his high school sweetheart, Janine Gilmore. They had a little son he named Edward in honour of the Thawne family's belief that the letter 'E' held great power, and as a first initial would help their child do great things. It was never meant to be. The boy was six months old when his mother's car collided with a truck on the motorway. Both pronounced dead at the scene. Malcolm had spiralled into depression until he met Alicia Fox, a kind woman who had been his therapist for years. They got married and he now had a thirteen-year-old daughter with her named Melissa. As their marriage spiralled out of control due to her infidelity, he had turned to crime. Knowing his brother was the Flash had driven him to access the Speed Force and become the villain known as Cobalt Blue. He rarely committed crimes, but he had eventually earned the ire of Barry's successor, Wally West, and was placed in Iron Heights. His wife and daughter hadn't spoken to him since, and neither had his so-called parents who hated him anyway. Still, Malcolm had had a lot of time to think in solitary confinement. This young man he'd just met seemed to be a friend of Wally's who had turned rogue when exposed to the Negative Speed Force. Now the guy was a quadriplegic. Poor kid.

A rap on the door occurred and a young man with a scraggly beard and blonde hair walked through after the guards opened it. Both of them seemed to kneel down and kiss his ring as if he was a king or bishop in a feudal court. "At ease, men. Thank you for defying your orders and choosing the path of righteousness so I may tackle the wicked. Now, depart. I need to talk with my 'father' alone." The guards exited as they seemed to continue genuflecting at the same time. The young man sat across from Malcolm. Malcolm was nothing to look at. He was the spitting image of his twin, Barry Allen, but was far more browbeaten thanks to his time in solitary confinement. His beard was messier than the young man's by far and he was more malnourished. Not to mention he had pinkeye which had been left untreated for a while now.

"You really are a state aren't you, Dad? Or should I call you Cobalt Blue."

"Who the fuck are you?"

"I'm your son, Eddie."

"You're a sick weirdo. My son is dead. Car crash. You asshole, he was only a baby. What kind of scum are you to take his name? My boy is dead!"

"Oh, he was. I may not be your son really, but I am your grandson. With several greats tacked on, that is. Though I sometimes feel like I am Eddie now that I've redesigned my body to look younger. Regardless, I've lived the life Eddie was supposed to live. I went to college and became the leader of a religious movement which will transform the face of America. Not bad for a Thawne, eh?"

"You're not a Thawne…"

"I am in name. Though by blood because doctors are irresponsible, I'm an Allen. Now isn't that grand?"

"Tell me who you really are now!"

"Manners cost nothing, Daddy. Like I said, you're my ancestor. My name is Eobard Thawne, and I come from the 25th century. A time when your brother is remembered as the pinnacle of human achievement, and none of our family can escape his shadow. Wasted my life focusing on him. In reality, Barry is a useful idiot. It was Wally who was the real terror. You remember? He locked you up. I've given Barry what he wants and now he can't get enough of me. No, I'll focus on dealing with real threats. Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Batman…they are a true danger. As are those meddling kids who stand by them."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Oh, I'm not. I'm just telling Hunter here."

"He's a goddamn vegetable."

"Hardly. He's perfectly aware of his surroundings aren't you, Hunter? He's just a bit shy at the moment."

"You're completely mad."

"How so?"

"Well apart from the fact you think he's able to listen to you, you claim you're from the future and that you're going to take down some of the biggest powerhouses on the planet, I really can't say."

"Everything I've just said is completely true, Dad. Just because you think you've seen it all, doesn't mean what you don't believe isn't true. Now, kneel down and pay homage to me and I might consider sparing your life."

"You're going to kill me in cold blood?"

"No. I'm going to pull a little trick I learned from the Entity."

"The Entity?"

"Yes, the universal embodiment of life. I have her trapped thanks to my pal, Krona. I must remember to kill him later so that he doesn't use that power against me. Still, he's useful for the time being. The Entity is all about life, but there is a cosmic balance. Every time I raise someone from the dead, a healthy young person drops dead somewhere else on the planet. But it also works that if I heal someone of one ailment, another person will receive it, balancing the cosmos further. I plan to do just that for young Hunter here. If I focus my power enough, I can choose the person to receive the ailment. If you're not nice to me, I might just choose you."

"Yeah, right. If you can do that why don't you just kill the people you hate when you bring someone back?"

"Where would the fun be in that? A true hunter likes their prey to squirm before it finishes them."

"You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

"You've got a point, I am running around telling everyone I'm your dead son. But you're a loose end, Malcolm. You remember me dying. And I can't have that. Hunter on the other hand could be useful for a team I'm setting up to deal with the unruly. Goodbye, Dad. It's not been a pleasure." Eddie then rose up and walked towards Hunter Zolomon who stared up at him unblinking. Placing his hands on the young man's temples, he began intoning to himself as his eyes rolled back into his head. Malcolm felt a strange sensation of his brain bleeding, before collapsing on the floor drooling and completely immobile. A thunderstorm shook around Iron Heights as all of this happened.

Hunter Zolomon moved his hand for the first time in a year. He had slight atrophying of his muscles thanks to the year of hell he had lived through as a quadriplegic, but now he could feel his nerves again and experience so many sensations. "Thank you, Thawne. And might I add it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Yes, well I've never been keen on legacies, but a decoy Reverse-Flash might help my cause, eh, Zoom?"

"How do you mean?"

"The Justice League suspect I killed Wally West, which I did. They're skeptical thanks to my efforts but will discover sooner or later the truth. When they do, you need to be running around making yourself known as Zoom back on the scene. Can you do that for me, Hunter? I would be eternally grateful."

"Very well, Thawne. I suppose I do owe you one. Not every day a man gains the ability to move again. And I'm used to being on the wrong side of the law."

"Excellent. Soon my dreams of conquest will be complete, and you, Hunter Zolomon, shall shine in the light as my faithful servant."

"Whatever you say…you totally stable dude."

The Clocktower

"So, you're saying that this preacher is an old student of Ray Palmer's?" Batman asked Oracle as he sat in full costume down at her table over a cup of coffee. "Yeah, it's weird. He seemed to have been a model student. Clever, popular and athletic. Excelled at everything. Then after the Blackest Night, he joined this old cult Wonder Girl used to be in when Superboy was dead." "Yes, I read about it in Ralph Dibny's last case file," Bruce coldly quipped. "He's been with them nearly six months now, Bruce. And yet no one heard anything apart from a few rumblings in more remote states where dangerous preachers are a dime a dozen until the Smallville riots. Seeing what he did on TV set the world on fire. A faith healer who can actually heal. It's almost unheard of."

"When I saw it, I assumed he would be no more a phenomenon than Padre Pio. Seems we were wrong."

"Let's just say he timed it well with the recent crisis surrounding Suarez and Obama."

"Well, according to his speech in Smallville this all goes back to Revelations."

"His interpretations of the Bible were interesting. I did some digging on his past. Turns out…his uncle is someone we know very well."

"Who?"

"Barry Allen."

"Barry's an only child."

"You remember Cobalt Blue?"

"Yes, the madman who stole speed. Barry and Wally had a lot of trouble with him."

"He's Barry's twin brother, remember."

"Of course, how could I have forgotten. So, what you're saying, Barbara, is that this man is Cobalt Blue's son."

"Seems like it. Only I haven't found out anything about his life before college at all. No school records bar an unusually high SAT score logged in Ivy University's records."

"Has Ray said anything about him?"

"I haven't been able to contact him. He seems to have gone down the Green Arrow and John Constantine route."

"That doesn't sit well with me."

"Me neither, but he could be alright. He might be in the Microverse at the moment for all we know."

"Well, he does have form for vanishing without a trace."

"Says Mr Trapped in Time."

"Fair point. So, has he left Central City?"

"Reports on the progress say they're heading through Keystone to Washington D.C. There's over 100,000 people with him now. That's not counting whoever's looking to join in the cities in between."

"What can we do, really? He's just exercising his views. But these riots need to be brought to a halt. I've tried getting Clark to intervene and bring peace but he doesn't want to get involved in politics."

"Yes, but politics affect all of us. We've got Eiling's junta on one hand, and these fanatics on the other. Almost feels like we're living in some tinpot tyranny just out of colonialism, where you choose between asshole military officers and tribal warfare."

"It does that, Barbara. How are you anyway?"

"I'm over the moon as you know, Bruce. Has Dick spoken to you about the wedding?"

"He's already sent invitations for Damian, Alfred and me. Don't worry, we'll all attend. Even if I don't entirely approve of Dick rushing into marriage, I'm not going to not be by his side when he makes that leap."

"Bruce, Dick and I have known each other for years. We've been going out on again off again for most of those. Why do you feel like we're rushing?"

"Because that's what he did with Starfire. He saw their relationship going south and he tried to fix it with a proposal. Look how that turned out."

"Yes, and Kory and he are still friends. I'll admit, I'm not entirely comfortable with the lingering sexual tension when she's around, but they both respect one another's boundaries. And our relationship was so far from going south when he did propose."

"Yes, but Barbara you've only been back together properly since he put down the cowl. That's barely been over a month. Now you're going to marry him in three."

"Bruce, you don't understand. You've never been married, unless you count that bizarre one with Talia years ago, which was hardly consensual on your part."

"I'm just trying to not let my son break his heart."

"Newsflash, Bruce. We've both had our hearts broken. By others and each other. We're both grownups and know the risks of committing."

"Which is why I'm respecting your decision and attending. I just hope Gotham is safe without us for one evening."

"Steph says she's told Ragman and the Creeper to be on patrol. Cass got in touch with a friend of Damian's, Colin Wilkes. He's only a kid but he's got some augmented Venom in his blood. He's going out that night too. The city will be like it is any other night."

"A cesspool of crime."

"You're such a perfectionist. You're not entitled to a night out because it's still ridden with crime? It's not as if crime never happens when you're on patrol."

"You kids never did understand, did you?"

"Do I understand what it's like to have your parents murdered in front of your face while still a child? No and I don't pretend to understand what you went through…but Dick does. And he still has a better outlook on life than you."

"That's subjective."

"Whatever, Bruce. Anything else you'd like to criticise the people who love you about? Want to tell me how stupid I am for putting Steph and Cass on an active team?"

"No, in fact I'm glad you're helping Cass belong again. You, Dinah and Helena did a good job just the three of you, and when Lady Blackhawk was there. Maybe some of the younger ones could do with your guidance."

"Well, at least you're happy with one thing I'm doing. Have you spoken to Tim?"

"No, but I know you have. He's playing a dangerous game with Ra's, but hopefully his work with you will yield positive results. The Demon's Head has a long memory and he won't forgive him for what he did to the League."

"I think Ra's appreciates Tim's abilities no more than he does yours. He calls him 'Detective'. I think you're just jealous that someone as young as Tim could be as good as you."

"Hardly, Barbara. You know me long enough now to know I never let such petty feelings cloud my judgement. I best be going anyway; this city can't defend itself."

Batman flew off into the night as Oracle patched through to Red Robin on her comms unit. "Okay, Red Robin, this is Oracle. How are you holding up out there?" Tim had been sent on a mission by Ra's with Lynx to Hub City to track down stolen goods associated with Bane of all people. A shipment of Venom from Santa Prisca. Lynx had been recruited to the League not long after this and she seemed to maintain her strong Catwoman-like interest in Red Robin. "I'm fine, Oracle. Lynx and Ra's don't suspect a thing. Only problem is, I'm wondering should Ra's really get his hands on something like Venom?"

"We'll play it by ear for now, Tim. We've all beaten Bane before. Venom isn't a guarantee of invincibility."

"Still…it doesn't exactly keep the playing field level. Damn, Lynx is coming back. Red Robin out."

Babs took her headset off and poured herself another strong cup of coffee before mulling on Bruce's words. Were she and Dick really rushing into marriage? It didn't feel like it. In fact, Barbara Gordon had been waiting for him to do something like this for years. To just pull a Dick on it like he had with Kory. Still, she wouldn't have accepted if he had the mullet he had back when he was with her. Then again, a girlfriend who wears stuff as revealing as Kory can't be regarded as an expert on fashion. She probably thought men were supposed to have hair like that.

Then her thoughts drifted to Eddie Thawne and the Church of Rao. Their iconography and propaganda had turned considerably more Christian in its bent. Full on references to Jesus Christ and the gospels, instead of solely regarding the House of El as some family of saviours from on high. And it all could be traced back to this young man from Central City. There was something not quite right about him, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Maybe it was the idea that a quantum physics student could become the new Marshall Applewhite. Stranger things had happened. But what really bamboozled Barbara Gordon was not that he could lead a cult, but that he could gain so much traction outside of it.

Titans Tower

The dawn chorus broke on a Saturday morning as Bart Allen roused himself from sleep. It had been a long evening the night before of card games and hooch with Rose Wilson. It had been really fun all things considered. But they had ended up kissing, and Bart was a little embarrassed by that. He didn't really know how to feel about anything anymore. Not that Rose wasn't attractive, he just didn't think they'd be very compatible as a couple. Not to mention the fact his two cousins, Jai and Irey West had arrivedright after insisting their homework was done. It was stupid of him to drink when he was meant to train them. That and that pest Damian was here too. That kid saw and heard everything. Still, Rose kind of liked him. Who was he to judge? Both of them were killing machines with a hard childhood. Except he liked Rose.

Cassie Sandsmark was already in the training room practicing kickboxing with Amy Allen since six in the morning. "Kid Flash coming soon?" Amy asked. Cassie's face went stern. "He's sleeping off last night. We told him to be careful. Some of the kids with us aren't mature enough to be exposed to all this. Damian doesn't mind but imagine if his cousins saw how much worse he got later on." Bombshell nodded sullenly, thinking it was a bit unfair for Bart to try and regulate himself at a hard time like this. Then she remembered they weren't ordinary kids. They were the Teen Titans. Heroes who set a good example. With the news of riots in Central City happening today, they needed to stand out from the crowd as paragons of virtue. Then there was Jackson or Kaldur or whatever he called himself. He was younger than the vanguard of the team, but not as much as Damian or the kids. He had not too long ago discovered his father was the man who killed his mentor's son before he became Aqualad, and now he needed more good role models to remind him of who he was. Not to mention the poor kids who just lost their father who arrived last night to find their cousin already drunk.

Bart arrived in costume looking like he felt with the Tornado Twins behind him. Impulse and Velocity. No one knew why Jai had chosen his name. Whilst he still had his powers of speed, he wasn't nearly as tuned into the Speed Force as his sister and everyone noted his jealousy of her in that regard. He wasn't as pleasant as her either. Irey seemed to have a kind word to say about everyone. She was very much Wally's child. Bart seemed to see a softer side to the boy others didn't though and knew that one day he would grow to become every bit the hero his father had been. Zachary Zatara sat in the corner playing with his wand, not really interacting with anyone. Then came in Damian Wayne and Rose Wilson again in full gear and ready to spar with whoever would try them. Damian hadn't met the twins last night and was not exactly overjoyed to see them. "Don't we have one speedster too many with Kid Flash?" he asked with sheer disdain. "Well, if you think the team's getting too big you can leave again like you did when Tim came back," Bart snapped impatiently but with his trademark humour at the boy. "Be quiet both of you!" Cassie shouted, "By Hera, Bart, he's just a kid." "We getting hostility in the ranks here, Captain Sandsmark?" Conner noted with the bluntest sarcasm ever uttered as he descended to meet them.

"That's Wonder Girl to you, 'Metropolis Kid'."

"Uh, I wish everyone would forget about that."

Cassie motioned Conner to move away from the others for a minute, but let Bart and Damian see a cold, authoritative stare implying she expected good behaviour in her absence. "Are you okay?" she asked Kon, "I heard about what happened in Smallville, but Diana told me Clark said you were safe." Conner pursed his lips a bit. "I'm alright. Just…I had a weird experience with that Thawne guy everyone's talking about. Not to mention…he healed my aunt. You saw that right?" "The whole world did, Conner," she replied nervously, "Do you think this guy's a metahuman or a real prophet?" "I think he's a nutjob, but he must be getting that kind of power from somewhere. Clark went to Central City to meet him a while ago. We haven't heard back. The question is are you okay?

"What do you mean?"

"That church…Clark and Lois said you had something to do with it."

"I…ah shit, I hoped to never have to tell you this. It was ages ago, I tried to bring you back. I missed you so much, Kon. These people did too. I couldn't find Tim and Bart was a brooding twenty-year-old, so I turned to Ralph Dibny. He turned on us, and I never really forgave him. Then, when I met Tim again and saw the lengths he was going to for your return, it made me realise what a fool I'd been."

"So, you're saying you really couldn't live without me?"

"Only for like a year."

"Seems I've still got that Kansas charm, then."

"Watch it."

"Sorry I was late by the way. Lois had to go to hospital. She fainted at work."

"Oh, is she okay?"

"Better than okay. Don't tell Diana, 'cos Clark doesn't even know yet. She's going to have a baby."

"Oh my God, Conner that's amazing. You're going to be an uncle. Or is it half-brother?"

"I'm not sure myself. Think Lois likes to see me as Clark's brother to make herself seem young."

"Well, whatever the case she and Clark are going to be amazing parents."

"Excuse me, Sandsmark," Damian interrupted without the slightest hint of passion, "if you two fornicators would quit cavorting over there we can get down to training. I never took you as being so unprofessional, Wonder Girl." Cassie scowled back at the little brat. "We were not cavorting! Now get in line, Robin. If you're obsessed with my professionalism or lack thereof then you better start practicing what you preach and obey my orders." The rest of the team all laughed, while Conner bravely whispered in her ear, "You are so hot when you get all bossy." She rolled her eyes. "Someone's as brave as Damian today." As Conner got in line with the rest of the team, Cassie stood before them, every bit the natural leader she had been in their Young Justice days.

"Listen up, Titans. Today we have some new blood. Young blood at that. Impulse and Velocity are going to turn thirteen soon, and our job is to help train them to one day be full blown Teen Titans. And for that, we need to set an example of camaraderie and determination. Not everyone on this team is exactly brilliant at working with others. We've all had our disputes and fallings out over the years but what matters at the end of the day is that we are a team. No…more than that. The Titans are a family. Some of us have come here when they have nowhere else to go and make themselves a productive and beloved comrade. Like a family we don't always get along, and that's alright. But we need to know that every single one of us is going to stand by our side and defend us to the death should the need arise. Now, we're going to start with basic training. Ravager and Bombshell will specialise in sparring, Kid Flash and Superboy will help you speedsters work on increasing your stamina, while Robin and Zatara will teach the ability of escaping detection. We have two hours of training people, come on."

Once training was over, Jai and Irey seemed to be getting along much better than Cassie thought they would on their first day. Damian was at this time having quite the candid conversation with them. "My father told me of how your father made a noble sacrifice to save the world. It seems we have much in common by having honourable fathers." Irey and Jai were both a little bit dumbfounded by that statement as Damian outstretched his hand for them to shake. "Um…thanks, I guess," Irey said taking it, "We miss our dad." "Of course. Such a hero should be grieved accordingly. Grayson seemed to be inconsolable, which is hardly appropriate for a death so noble. I told him to get a grip. He didn't really like that." "Yeah, we were pretty upset when we heard too," Jai said, so perplexed at this boy that he felt he was talking to an old teacher from one of those kung-fu movies. "It serves no purpose. Your father's death had meaning, and his valour should be honoured not with such childish blubbering but with a respected remembrance." That was when Rose smacked Damian on the back of the head. "Shut…the…Hell…up! Sorry kids, Damian isn't great on the old social skills. That's kind of what happens when you're raised by the League of Assassins."

"It's fine. We've met idiots before."

"Jai!"

"Well, he is."

"I can speak thirteen languages and am skilled in every form of combat, West. You can't even run properly like the rest of your family."

Jai delivered a massive sucker punch into Damian's jaw which floored him. "Okay, first you make fun of Dick for being upset about our dad, now you make fun of what happened to me. You're fucking dead meat, Bat brat!" A sword blocked him from doing any more harm as Rose grabbed him by the hair and held the boy aloft. "What…did…Wonder Girl say…about…camaraderie? Damian, apologise to Jai. And Jai, learn to watch your temper." She then dropped the young speedster on his behind before lifting Damian up. "I apologise, West," Damian said, almost for real, "I had no idea you were so sensitive about this subject. I will try and keep myself silent on the issue from now on."

"You better be."

"Jai! It's okay, Damian. My brother just isn't very patient when people bring up his…powers. He accepts your apology."

"Evidently. You on the other hand seem perfectly charming. Irey, isn't it? I regret criticising your addition to the team, but now I know you will make a fine addition to our roster, Impulse." With that passive aggressive jibe at her brother, Damian took his leave of the twins. Cassie then walked up to them. "So, you've met everyone's favourite teammate? He's not as bad as I thought he'd be when I first met him. You just have to take the rough with the smooth with Damian…in small doses. He is good to have in your corner, however. Anyway, you guys haven't had the grand tour yet."

Cassie led the Tornado Twins through the common room of Titans Tower, games room and various bedrooms, explaining the history the whole way through. Inevitably, they came to a large pair of double doors at the base of the tower. "Now for the place we were all brought to first. The Hall of Fallen Titans. I hope you guys are…comfortable seeing this." "Don't worry," Irey reassured her new mentor, "we want to see what you guys have done for him. Bart said he worked days on it." Wonder Girl pushed open the double doors as she and the Tornado Twins made their way through rows of statues. "What the hell is a little kid doing here?" Jai asked rather rudely. "That's Danny Chase," Cassie replied, "I never knew him, but the older Titans always spoke of him as if he was the greatest hero who ever lived. He didn't even have powers and wasn't able to fight. But they really liked him. It's a shame really. He might have been the next Green Arrow or something if he'd lived."

"Who's that?" Irey said pointing at a statue of a girl with red hair and a shirt that seemed to have wings on it. "Kole Weathers. She died long before my time. Donna was very fond of her though. That girl over there in the swimsuit is Tula. She was the original Aquagirl before Lorena came along. Died at the same time as Kole and Don Hall did. Poor kids. And here's a personal one…" Cassie walked up to a statue of a boy who seemed to be some form of demon. "Eddie Bloomberg. Kid Devil. He had a deal with a demon named Neron to give himself superpowers. Then he lost them and...sacrificed his life so San Francisco wouldn't get nuked. Heh. He was always so nice."

"As much as we're enjoying your trip down memory lane," Jai interjected, "we'd like to see our dad's statue." "Oh, of course," Cassie said, suddenly out of her stupor, "this way." She led them further to the end of the hall where a giant statue stood tall and proud of the Flash mid run. "Bart took so long making this. He kept knocking it down and remaking it. Conner held the poor guy for nearly an hour when he heard your dad died. It was as if his whole world ended." "Our whole world did," Irey said sadly as her brother showed the first sign of the kindness Bart always saw in him by putting his hand reassuringly on her shoulder. Cassie knelt down and gave the little girl the warmest hug as she began crying. "Hush, now. I know grief can be all-consuming. I remember when Conner died. I spent a whole year not knowing what to do with myself. Diana wasn't there for me because she'd lost her own way too. Then after that, Kara and Tim found me and reminded me of who we are. Why we're heroes, and how we're making sure that so many other people get to live. And your dad died doing just that."

"Do you think he'll come back?"

"I really don't know, Irey. I hope so. I think the world would be a little bit brighter if he did. But even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean you and Jai here can't be the superheroes he knew you both would one day be."

"Thank you, Cassie."

"Yeah…thanks," was the quiet reply from the young boy, "That means a lot." Cassie drew Jai into a little group hug as she saw his eyes begin to water as well. Their little love-in was suddenly interrupted by Kid Flash rushing into the hall totally out of breath holding a phone in his hand. "Cassie! Jai! Irey! You're never going to believe this."

"What is it, Bart?"

"It's…it's Grandma Iris. She says that Dad and Aunt Dawn are alive and at their house. The original Tornado Twins. My father is alive…"

Keystone City

Donna Troy always hated cemeteries. They reminded her of all she had lost. It had been a long time since she felt the need to come to one. But she knew she should visit the grave of her dear friend, Wally West. The other reason she had come here was because upon arrival the first person she had gone to see was her sister, Diana of Themyscira. Wonder Woman. Diana felt uncomfortable with recent events and was based in Washington D.C. to help the military government undergo a much smoother transition of power and to act as a public speaker to quell the riots. Diana had told her that a big part of the chaos was one man. A man going by the name of Eddie Thawne. Donna asked Diana was there any connection to the Reverse-Flash, but Diana said there didn't seem to be according to anyone doing research, except Batman. Donna thought Bruce would be a pretty reliable source, but Diana angrily dismissed the notion saying he was responsible for Wally's death. What a strange thing to say. Regardless, the man Diana mentioned was making a progress towards the capital and his last port of call had been Central City. It was assumed he would cross the Mississippi and preach in Keystone of all places next. Donna thought she should meet this man before passing judgement. From what Diana had said, he seemed to believe the end was nigh but also was genuinely helping people. Healing the unhealable. A latter-day Jesus of Nazareth.

Donna sat crying on a bench in front of Wally West's grave. Oh, what she wouldn't give to have him or Garth or Robbie here and be able to hold them again. "What you wouldn't give? That's interesting." Donna jumped with a start at hearing this voice. "It is alright, Donna Troy, daughter of…I'm not really sure. Are you? We shall say Hippolyta for good measure. My name is Eddie Thawne. I have come to console you in this trying time." Donna had him by the throat at this point. "So, you're the creepy nut running around preaching that we're all going to die soon." "Far from it. Whoever told you that struggles at listening to His word. Then again, I would expect as much from a Hellenist. Your faith does nothing but promote war, enslavement and hedonism and accept it as the natural state of affairs."

"You know nothing of what I believe, little man!"

"No, I do. That was crass of me. I am very familiar with the Amazon way of life. Eternal peace through love. Very Christian despite your pagan origins. It is a contradiction but then again what faith isn't? Take me, for example. I preach life yet my words are causing people to kill each other. I feel like that poor carpenter's son must have when he witnessed the First Crusade from on high."

"Why are you here? I came here to remember one of my oldest and dearest friends. A fine man I knew for nearly twenty years. What excuse do you have to come sneaking up on me and reading my thoughts, eh?"

"I have come to help you, Donna. In your heart, Donna Troy, the death of someone as unimportant to you as Wally West will never weigh on your soul as heavily as the others you have suffered."

"Unimportant? No one is unimportant. Least of all one of my friends."

"Again, I apologise for my rudeness. Sometimes we preachers tend to deal in absolutes. Not that he was unimportant, but merely less important. Less important than one death which has crushed your soul for as long as you have known it. You poor, young lady."

"What do you know of me, fool? I am a Titan, both mythical and real. I am Troia! You are…some creep who talks to strangers in graveyards!"

"I am here, Donna Troy, to reward you for your righteousness. That is why He has sent me to walk among you. To prepare you for the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth I must be the guide of humanity. He has seen how ye righteous suffer and feels you are deserving of reward. A returning of that which he has cruelly taken from you."

"What are you talking about? What was cruelly taken?"

"The person you love."

"I've lost a lot of people I've loved. It's part of the job."

"Yes, but there is one soul who is paramount in your feelings."

"I…"

"Do not deny it. It is not selfish to place grief for one over another. It is no more than I grieve for my mother more than I do my neighbour. Allow Him to alleviate that grief."

"Who? What? Are you just some kind of madman?"

"Look to your left."

"Not until you start talking sens—"

"Mom?"

Donna looked to her left and saw a boy of about eleven or twelve look up at her. He seemed to have red hair and blue eyes. She looked in his eyes and saw he recognised her. As she came to the realisation of who he was, she dropped Thawne and ran over to the child and began peppering his face with kisses. "Mom! Get off! I missed you too but come on." "Oh my God, Robbie, how did you get so big? You look so handsome. But…you're dead, sweetheart you can't be here." "I was dead. But then there was a light and I felt myself waking up. This man was there. He said there was someone who really wanted to see me again. He didn't say it was you."

"How…is this a trick?"

"Not at all. Robert Long, son of Donna Troy is indeed in the land of the living once again. He is my gift to you for walking the path of the righteous. The Lord thought I should be the one to decide since you had lost so much for one person. I chose your child."

"I…thank you. Who are you again?"

"My name is Eddie Thawne. And I am your salvation."