New Justice: Darkness of the League
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He's Back!
-Beginning of February-
Rae and Barry were in Watchtower and Rae had never seen her cousin so nervous. Then again, she knew his alternative more than her own Barry these days – he was pacing at speeds in the room now.
"Barry, take a breath," Rae said. "You are even making Leona nervous," Leona was in her playpen looking at her uncle with concern. Standing on two legs and holding the end of the playpen as she watched him.
"These people have every right to hate me," Barry voiced.
"We got some time before they are here. What can I do to calm you?" Rae asked knowing she needed Barry calm before her league started to arrive.
"Urm… tell me everyone in your League and their connection to the old League," Barry said. "With Rafe's outburst and Caitlin's connection to Frost. I need to know. Please."
"Just the ones who will come here or the ones in the shadows too?" Rae asked.
"Just here," Barry said, and Rae took a breath.
"Well obviously there is me. I am leader," Rae said, and Barry gave a nod to that. "Currently acting as Second in Command, but normally third is Sara Lance, White Canary. She's Oliver's sister-in-law, twice over, technically, since her sister was Olly's wife, and she married Olly's brother recently."
"Not weird at all there," Barry said but had to give a small smile at that.
"Currently acting as a temporary third is Jessica Cruz, Green Lantern. Although she's technically not a Green Lantern anymore since the Lanterns are dead on this world. She's a meta now and a child of the Emotional Spectrum. While no real connection to the old League, she was good friends with Alan Scott's grandkids, one of the Green Lanterns you killed," Rae said, and Barry gave a nod to that.
"The one from yesterday," Barry said remembering her.
"Caitlin Snow, Wild Fire, who is Crystal Snow, Frost, identical twin," Rae said.
"Kind of ironic they are identical and have opposite powers," Barry mused, and Rae had to chuckle at that. She herself had found that amusing at first too.
"Rafe was invited but he decided not to come," Rae added.
"Might be better there," Barry said back and Rae had to agree.
"Then there's Donna, Wonder Girl, who is Diana's little sister. Her boyfriend, Nisos, Wonder Boy, will also come even though he's not in the League yet," Rae said, knowing Nisos had gotten very into being a hero and tagged along with Donna on missions and meetings. Rae didn't mind and knew she would eventually put him up for a vote. "She was very affected by her sister's death." Barry nodded at that.
"Then there are my three nerds: Ray Palmer who is The Atom, Winn Schott Jnr who is Stopwatch, and Jess Morgan who is called Angel – none of them have any connection to the old League, unless you include Winn, who is married to a clone of Mon-El," Rae said.
"Clones are a thing with our world now, aren't they?" Barry asked, remembering being cloned himself recently.
"Yes," Rae said with a nod and even Leona laughed. Clarky gave a bark along with Dragon, who had been sitting to the side, watching Barry protectively. "Selina Kyle is Batwoman, and she was formerly Catwoman the thief. She had a romantic relationship with Batman, and is the mother of his daughter."
"A hero and a villain?" Barry asked.
"Happens, I guess," Rae said with a shrug. "But Selina is not a villain anymore, much like you," Barry smiled at the connection there. "While Bruce's death was bad for them, I think she's glad to be a single mother without Bruce."
"Okay," Barry didn't know what else to say to that.
"Stephanie Brown-Snart is Batgirl, and she has no connection to the old League at all – well, besides the fact we put her brother and sister in jail several times. Don't ask." Barry gave a nervous laugh at that, and Rae could see this was making him feel better. "Thea Queen, who goes by Red Arrow. A multiverse alternate of Speedy who you killed. She lost her world, and we allowed her to make ours her home."
"That's interesting," Barry said thinking it over. "If I hadn't…. you know, our Thea, she wouldn't have a home world here."
"Good way of thinking of it," Rae nodded to that. "Then we have the Aquas. Aqualad and Aquagirl, Kaldur and Selena. You might remember Aqualad was Aquaman's sidekick," Rae said and Barry nodded. "Selena is his wife and a fellow Atlantean. The two are loyal to the throne and Arthur and his son the future king."
"I… killed the king," Barry said, knowing that might be a problem.
"You did, but his son lives on and is being raised by Laurel Queen, Sara's sister and Olly's wife," Rae explained. Again, Barry nodded at that. "Chris," Rae said moving on. "Superboy. He's my stepson technically." Barry raised an eyebrow. "He's a clone of Clark."
"Another clone," Barry gave chuckle at that.
"Well, Kara adopted him, technically, before we were together. He's really a nice guy and he's family," Rae continued, and Barry gave a nod. "After that it's just Tantu Tyler, who is Mari McCabe's cousin, and now Vixen since she's dead. I think becoming Vixen on her cousin's death is a good thing for you, but the death of family might be a bone of contention," Rae mused, and Barry simply nodded to that. "Then there's Buddy Baker, Tantu's husband and Animal Man. You might remember he was in the League before and then quit." Barry nodded at that, knowing it probably saved his life, quitting the League when he did. "He came back to help with a war and stayed."
Rae took a breath.
"I also have Gypsy coming here; you met her yesterday. Frankie's wife and Athena's adopted mother," Rae said. Barry had been introduced to his new adopted little brothers and Gypsy yesterday at his parents' house. Plus, his niece from a sister he didn't have who was being raised by Frankie and Gypsy.
"She seemed nice," Barry said; Gypsy had been upset over her husband being taken but hadn't seemed to hold anything against Barry.
"She would have nothing against you," Rae mused at this.
"Anyone else?" Barry asked, his head spinning with all this new information. "What about that android? Something Tornado. Karry Universe helped bring him back, I think."
"Oh yeah, Red Tornado. He died... sort of," Rae paused at this, and Barry frowned. "Long story," she dismissed.
"Alright," Barry didn't know what else to say at that.
"Well, I also asked Lena Kiernan to come," Rae moved on "She's not in the League but definitely a contender if she wants to join. She holds the Air Totem and has no connection at all to the old League, although the Totem itself is connected to our power, but that's another story," Rae said, causing Barry to raise an eyebrow. "Plus, Ray Plamer will be bringing his adopted daughter, Raven, who is our only witch left. Raven is an alternative to many worlds' version of Rachel Roth – but her actual name is Raven here, I think I might have something to do with that when rebooting the multiverse," Rae hadn't thought too much on that but had to wonder if she had played a factor into that. "And we also have Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's butler – his daughter was taken in the Shadows recently after being kidnapped before."
"Damn, bad luck," Barry mused.
"Indeed," Rae nodded. "But, lastly the Shade, aka. Richard Swift, who is sort of an ally against Eclipso."
"Okay, so who exactly is in the shadows, currently?" Barry asked, wanting to know everything.
"Well, my wife Kara, Supergirl, normally Second in Charge," Rae said, and Barry nodded. "Laurel Queen, Black Canary and Oliver's wife. JT, Red Hood, and Thea boyfriend or husband – not really sure the status of their relationship. Nora Darkh, or Dark Witch, our normal witch of the group and Ray's wife. Courtney Whitmore, my adopted daughter, a multiverse Stranded and granddaughter to the original Stargirl you killed. Tommy Queen, Black Arrow, and Oliver's brother. Julia Pennyworth, as previously mentioned, who just seemed in the way, sadly. Then it was Mon-El, Valor – the clone of the one you killed. Frankie and my dog Krypto." Clarky gave a sad howl at that and Dragon, surprisingly, moved over to rub against the dog. Rae paused at the dog's behavior, smiling a little.
"Krypto is his father, right?" Barry asked. "Clarkys?"
"Bingo," Rae responded. "You will be fine, Barry. They won't blink at you being here at first in that outfit," Barry was in the Speed Force Flash suit which Rae had showed him how to summon himself and he had found easy enough to do. It was a generic Flash outfit, with the white background behind the lightning bolt. "They will just think you are one of your alternates until I tell them the truth."
"And when you tell them the truth?" Barry asked.
"Um…" Rae paused for a moment. "Stay close to me, Dragon, and Clarky..." Dragon and Clarky gave a bark, as if saying they had Barry's back and both went to either side of the man.
"When are they due to arrive?" Barry asked; he kind of wanted to get this over with now.
"Urm, MIA?" Rae called their A.I. for the information.
"The first members of the League are arriving presently," MIA responded as a zap tunnel opened and Ray, Winn, and Raven came in. Ray was holding his twins and Winn had his daughter, Susan.
"Sorry we're late. Had to take both Arthur and Dougie to schools in different cities," Ray explained.
"You are the first here," Rae said, raising an eyebrow at them apologizing for being late but knew since basically the whole League were staying at her house, transport to schools for some of the older kids was difficult.
"Barry, in the house," Ray said smiling at the man as he went to put Addison and Alden in the playpen with Leona while Winn put Susan down. Barry gave Ray a weak smile back as Ray held up a hand to Barry for a high five, which Barry hesitantly gave. "So, which Barry are you? You are not Karry. The background is white not blue." Ray pointed at the flash symbol on Barry's chest. "Prime's outfit is different entirely these days and SuperEarth is cut off from the multiverse so you can't be SuperEarth Barry…"
"Prime?" Barry asked, in a way that didn't confirm who he was.
"Yeah, Prime has a blue and white outfit now," Ray dismissed.
"Random, you are Random, right?" Winn asked.
Rae saw the eyes Barry gave her; he seemed like a deer caught in headlights, so she decided to save him.
"Nerds," Rae said, sternly. "Back off and take a seat to wait for everyone. You will be able to talk to Barry after." The two backed away, both raising eyebrows at each other, and headed for the computers. Barry mouthed a thank you to Rae, who gave him a nod and smiled at Raven, who quietly stood off to the side.
Jess was in shortly with Shade by his side. "I grabbed him from Home Base," Jess mumbled of Shade, as he went to join the other two nerds.
"Flash, seems an odd time for a big meeting," Shade said, raising an eyebrow at Rae.
"You will love this," Rae said, not concerned with him being upset over Barry being brought back to life – he wouldn't care either way.
Caitlin was next and gave Rae a nod as she stood back; Caitlin knew the truth, obviously, and knew what this meeting was about so didn't say a word. Gypsy arrived via her own portal shortly after Caitlin and patted Barry's shoulder – again, she knew what this was about, but kept quiet, going to stand behind him and Rae knew that was to help with extra protection or a quick getaway if they needed it.
A large group came from Rae's home next – including Sara and Selina Kyle, who both had their daughters and Owen with them, placing Owen, Kathleen and Helen into the playpen; Leona was now preoccupied by the company, especially of Owen, Kathleen, and Helen. Thea was with them as well, along with Jessica Cruz and Stephanie Brown-Snart. Alfred was also with the group and gave Rae a smile, probably glad to be invited to a League meeting.
Donna and Nisos came next – the two still hadn't moved into Rae's house yet and Rae wondered if they would, or if they just felt secure with their own powers. The Aquas arrived next, and after them Tantu and Buddy, bringing Lena with them. Rae was right, barely anyone blinked at seeing Barry there, with the only real reaction having been Ray's excitement.
Chris was the last one to show, and he surprised Rae by bringing Carter and Carter's seeing eye Kryptonian dog Ember with him.
"Carter, what are you doing here?" Rae asked, surprised as she gave Chris a hug.
"Chris said there was a meeting, and I didn't have class. Hope it's okay," Carter said. "I mean… this is a space station."
"You are blind. I don't get the excitement for you about being in space," Rae said, shaking her head. "But yeah fine."
"Another speedster?" Carter asked, turning to Barry; his power obviously left him blind to everything but metas – he could see metas in a unique way. Rae never fully understood how it worked.
"Multiverse Barry," Chris said.
"Multiverse?" Carter asked. "You seem different to other multiverse Barrys I met. Your glow is… brighter."
Rae raised an eyebrow. Carter never said anything about being able to tell a meta was from the multiverse before. She wondered if this difference was because Barry was their own or because of the way Barry's new body was made.
"Carter, why don't you sit in front of the window you can't see out of," Rae said, moving Carter over to the window where they could see Earth. "And let me start my meeting," Rae went lower to whisper into his ear, "shut up for a bit, please."
"Got you," Carter said, guessing he stepped on some toes.
"So, what is going on Rae," Sara said. As normally Third in Charge and now Second, it was weird for her not to know what a full League meeting was about, but she had been taken by surprise when Rae had set this one up.
"Well… as most of you know, but some of you don't, when Oliver Queen, our Green Arrow, was killed he didn't so much dearly depart into the next life as evolve into a new being. He became the Spectre, in charge of Purgatory and a help during the Infinite Crisis event," Rae said and stopped for a moment to let the people who didn't know this information take it in. "And, since Laurel made a baby of his and hers in one of the artificial wombs, he sometimes comes to visit Owen, meaning he can, for a short period of time at least, exist on our plane as well as Purgatory."
"Where is this going?" Winn asked, tilting his head.
"At the very beginning of all this Eclipso business, he realized Owen was living with me and heard what happened to Laurel. He decided not to just watch from afar – he recruited the help of Accord and Gal, the new Monitor and Anti-Monitor, and the Speed Force, who agreed to give us what help they can," Rae said.
"That's brilliant," it was Shade who said it.
"That is great. Are they getting our people from the shadows? What's this help?" Sara asked.
"Nothing that extreme. There are rules they need to follow for the continued existence of the entire multiverse. They did what they could and well…." Rae paused for a second taking in a deep breath. "You are looking at their help," Rae put her hand on Barry's shoulder.
"I don't get it," Selina Kyle said after a moment. "How is giving us a multiverse Barry any help? We could have called one in."
"A multiverse Barry couldn't help. We needed someone of this world," Rae explained.
"This world…?" Jessica stated this, as some realization came across her face and some of the others in the League.
"He's not a multiverse Barry," Rae confirmed. "He is our Barry. Reborn and brought back from death. Well, from Purgatory, to be precise."
Rae didn't really have the time to judge the reaction of everyone in the room as she quickly had to defend Barry. Luckily, her skills were honed of years of being a hero or she might not have noticed Donna quickly taking out her sword and rushing for them – Rae ran, and grabbed hold of Donna's arm, putting herself between the two.
"Wonder Girl, drop the sword!" Rae said sternly, staring Donna in the eyes. She didn't need to turn to know Dragon and Clarky were guarding Barry. She could hear their growls of warning.
"He killed my sister!" Donna said, not going to fight Rae as the two stared at each other in a deadlock. "He got what he deserved originally, and her revenge doesn't get to be taken. If you won't do it step aside and let me!"
"No," Rae said and gave Nisos, who had his hand on his sword hilt, a look. Nisos thankfully was scared of her, it seemed and took his hand off the sword. "I am not asking Donna. Drop the sword or I will force it out of your hand."
"Diana…." Donna started.
"Would be the first to accept Barry back," Rae finished the sentence. "If it meant saving the entire world. This is the last time I will say this Wonder Girl: put your sword away or I will take it away – then I will disconnect your communicator, and you can return to Themyscira until this is over."
That seemed to knock something into Donna as she backed away and lowered her sword but didn't completely put it away. "You would do that for him?" Donna asked.
"In a heartbeat. He's my brother and he's more important to this than you are," Rae said and Donna backed away towards Nisos. The boy took the sword from Donna's hand and gave Rae a nod.
Rae finally could turn to the rest of the people in the room. Gypsy was still behind Barry and seemed ready to open a portal in a moment's notice. Chris had moved to stand himself protectively in front of Barry, and Rae gave the boy a small smile. There was a mix of emotions from everyone else though. The faces ranged from shock to anger, while some just seemed neutral.
Caitlin had moved forward herself and gave Rae a nod. Rae knew that meant she would jump in to protect Barry if necessary.
"You can't just decide this," it was Tantu; Buddy had put his arms around her. "He hurt so many of us."
"He killed our King," Selena, Aquagirl, said. "It drove our people to civil war."
"We had to protect Arthur because his father was not there to do it," Aqualad completed. "He's the villain."
"He was the villain," Rae corrected the Aquas.
"Villains can change," Selina Kyla spoke up at this. "I was considered a villain at one point, and I am here now. Part of the Justice League."
"My brother and sister have helped the League many times," Stephanie added, "and we know he has changed. He helped with the ghosts," Stephanie nodded at Barry for this.
"But they are right. You can't just make this decision," Jessica spoke up at this, and her voice sounded angrier than Rae expected it to be. "You are the leader but right now Sara is Second in Charge, and I am Third. We can override your decision."
"She's right we can if we agree," Sara said. "But we don't agree," Sara moved over to stand by Rae in a protective position as well. "There will be no override of this decision. I am with the Flash."
"Sara?" Jessica said, seeming shocked. "Who he is…"
"I know exactly who he was," Sara said. "I also know exactly who I was. I was an assassin at one point in time. I might have left them, but I still did things when I was with them, I am not proud of. Rae defended me when she didn't have to," Sara paused there. "Our past does not define who we are today if we don't let it. Barry has proven he is not the Reverse Flash anymore, like I have proven I am not the assassin, Ta-er al-Safar anymore," this surprised Rae, that Sara used her League of Assassins name. "We, as the heroes, have to let people change." Sara addressed Jessica. "Besides, what was your grand plan there? We override Rae's orders and what? Kill him? That wouldn't make us heroes. That would make me an assassin again. Besides, you honestly expected Rae to let us because of some stupid rule that we can override her order. You expected the longest running hero to not protect her brother?"
"Well…" Jessica said.
"And then what? We kill him and screw ourselves? What's the long-term plan there? It's not really leader-level thinking. Rae said he's the only hope we have, that Oliver – my dead brother-in-law – went through a lot of trouble to get him back. He wouldn't have done that for no reason," Sara said.
"Well said, Sara," the voice made several people jump but Rae smiled as she saw Oliver had appeared in the room with them.
"Olly," Rae said turning to the man.
"Oliver," Barry finally spoke, having figured it was better letting Rae and members of the League who decided to protect him speak on his behalf.
"Rae, Barry," Oliver said, lowering his hood. "Sara, I'm glad to see you are thinking straight, but I had a feeling you might need me here," Rae gave Oliver a nod and Oliver moved in front of them. He wanted to address the League. "Let me be very clear. Several powerful beings explored many options for this world and discovered the best chance this world has to defeat Eclipso was by bringing Barry back. Barry, by Rae's side, is the path to victory. You don't have to like it, but it's the truth. Barry is not the problem this season. Eclipso is," Oliver backed up to stand by Barry and put a hand on his shoulder. "And for whatever it is worth, as one of the people he killed, I not only forgive him, but I consider him a friend. We've been through a lot in Purgatory."
"Thanks, man," Barry whispered to his friend, glad to have Olly here.
The room seemed shocked in silent as Oliver turned to the playpen. "Owen," Oliver smiled at his son. "Barry will help get back mama, I promise," Oliver kissed his son's head and then disappeared from the room as fast as he arrived. Owen didn't seem too fazed by his dad's sudden disappearance.
"Well, I think that settles it all," it was Alfred Pennyworth who had been quiet until that moment. "Welcome back, Master Barry. You get my daughter back to me and you will have redeemed yourself from the killing of Master Bruce in my eyes."
That started several people mumbling 'welcome back'. Rae could see the people not too happy with Barry's return barely say anything before leaving the room. Lena gave a smile to him, but had to leave with Tantu and Buddy, who were quick to get out. After all the people who left, it was Rae, Ray, Winn, Sara, Shade, Selina Kyle, Stephanie, Chris, Gypsy, Raven, Carter, and Caitlin left in the room.
"That went better than I thought it would," Caitlin said. "Besides Donna, people took it more calmy."
"Donna was greatly affected by her sister's death," Rae sighed.
"I have to agree with Caitlin. I was ready to portal Barry to Karry Universe to hide out seconds after the announcement," Gypsy said.
"Thank you all," Rae said, now, "especially you Sara and Chris."
"Maybe making Jessica a temporary third was too quick," Sara mused.
"Well, I wouldn't exist without Barry," Chris said. "I think a lot of them are forgetting Flashpoint and Old Justice World. Just going off emotions. They will cool off and think straight. Plus, Barry is family. But I got to get back to school."
"Me too," Carter said. "Sorry for almost spilling the beans before you did."
Rae watched her adopted son and Cat Grant's son leave, wondering exactly why Carter had even come but shrugged it off as Ray spoke up.
"So, your alternates are big nerds like us," Ray said, pointing at Winn and then looking around. "Hey where did Jess go?" Winn shrugged unsure. "So, what about it? Star Wars, Trek, Gate. Oh, game nights. We do awesome videogame nights."
"Love it all," Barry said. "I almost became a videogame designer."
"Oh awesome! Several of your alternates did. We have some copies of their games. Been playing Karry Universe's Survivors of Rao lately. It's fun for a survival videogame. After this is all over, if you are still around maybe Palmer Tech can start a video game section?" Ray said, holding up a hand for Barry to, once again, high five.
"If you are doing that, I want in," Winn said, holding up a hand for Barry to high five as well.
"I like them,' Barry said after a moment and gave a laugh.
"You would," Rae said, smiling at the interaction, glad her cousin, at least, had two friends in the League.
"But don't you two have something to do?" Stephanie asked.
"I mean Steph's right, Barry was brought back for a reason," Selina Kyle said.
"Yes, the Speed Force," Barry said turning to Rae. "We need to go to her."
"Mother Speed Force can wait just a minute," Rae said surprising them. "You have never run into the Speed Force, Barry. It's not easy in the best circumstances. I had to teach SuperEarth Barry how to, after all. You have to pick up enough speed to lift yourself out of this world, without time traveling, and direct yourself into pure energy. I have gotten good at it after a while – even able to lift myself passed the Speed Force and to the in-between place to get to her siblings, but our road to her siblings is always through her. And right now, Eclipso is blocking me from going alone. Together we can break the block, but it will be difficult."
"I'm ready," Barry said.
"I want to make sure of that. We'll go today. Tonight. But I want you to practice your powers. Go to our training facilities, run, take a crime or two," Rae said, pointing at the board showing the crimes over the United States. "Get your footing now you are alive again."
"And you will be?" Barry asked.
"The Kryptonian movie did well so now Disney wants to expand the deal with the Sanctuary to make more movies and want to meet with an owner of the Sanctuary. Apparently, I am the closest thing to an owner left on Earth and not in the shadows," Rae said, giving a frown. "Me and my sister-in-law are heading to EPCOT City for a meeting and Kara will kill me if I mess up Sanctuary business," Rae moved to picked up Leona, to a bit of a complaint from the girl who was having fun with Helen. The older girl's own cat-like meta powers made her a good playmate for Leona. "I'll be back in a few hours for us to make our trip. Make the most of it. I'll leave Dragon with you, but Clarky come."
"Flash, wait a moment," Shade said quickly as Rae went to open a zap tunnel. Rae paused as Shade took her aside, away from the others. "Do you think maybe you should have hidden your brother from the League, considering the mole?"
"No," Rae said. "Whatever we are going to do they will find out and the reaction to Barry being back would have been ten times worse if I'd hidden it. Eclipso can't stop this. Blocking a Force of the Universes from one speedster is hard, but from the two of us? He can know Barry is back all he wants. Let him have a little fear..." Rae gave a smirk and finally went through the zap tunnel.
"Well, Winn and I can direct you," Ray said to Barry.
"And I will put a device on you to monitor your health as you use your powers," Caitlin said.
"And we are out," Sara said, grabbing her own daughter and nephew. Selina followed suit, taking Helen as Stephanie waved goodbye and Gypsy left, too.
"Okay, let's do this," Barry said with a nod to the group offering to help him experiment with his powers.
Post Chapter Note: Wee, there is one more chapter left. I hope you enjoyed this little meeting - it's the longest Justice League Meeting I ever wrote!
Please REVIEW.
Karry Master OUT!