Alright, been a while. Been thinking of what to do about this Fic for a while and finally got my answer.
Felt it deserved an ending at least. Currently, the best I could give it.
Don't be mistaken, this isn't the Last Chapter. I haven't written that yet. Too lazy recently binge watching a Attack On Titan.
It should end in two or three more chapters at Most.
The best way I felt I could end it. I don't want to explain how exactly but most of you might already get it so, here goes nothing.
...
Mount Justice – Lounge
Kara stood in the center of the room, her arms crossed as she looked at each of her teammates. Their stares made her uncomfortable, though she wasn't sure why. Finally, she broke the silence.
"Okay… why is everyone looking at me like that?"
Megan glanced at Kaldur before stepping forward. "It's just… you're probably the only one here who's ever been close to Amari. I mean, you two did have a relationship of some kind, right?"
Kara's brow furrowed. "What?"
Wally scoffed from the couch, throwing up his hands. "For the record, I hate this plan and where it's going, but if I have to say it—then yeah, Kara, you're probably the only person in the world who knows him the best."
Kara blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly. The weight of Wally's words sank in, and for a moment, she was at a loss for how to respond.
"You did live with him," Wally added bluntly, his tone more resigned than accusatory.
Before Kara could respond, Artemis stormed over and smacked Wally on the arm.
"Hey! What was that for?" Wally yelped.
"You can't just say things like that to a girl. How insensitive are you?" Artemis shot back.
"It's the truth!" Wally protested, rubbing his arm. "And if we're really doing this, then someone's gotta say it."
Kara sighed, shaking her head as she turned to Kaldur. "You can't be serious."
Kaldur's expression was calm but resolute. "We have no other choice. You're the only one we know who has had prolonged contact with him."
"It's not as easy as you make it sound," Kara replied hesitantly.
"Why not?" Wally quipped. "Just get your cell phone, dial his number, give him a call and …."
Artemis punched him again.
"OW! Will you quit that?" Wally uttered while rubbing his shoulder. It hurt.
"Hello, Wally. Stop talking," Artemis snapped, glaring at him.
Kaldur ignored the commotion and turned back to Kara. "Why not?" he pressed gently.
"Because…" Kara hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. "Because I don't have his number."
The room fell silent for a beat before Wally broke it again. "Well, then take us to his house. Or hideout. Or lair. Whatever. You should have a key, right?"
Artemis raised her fist, and Wally flinched preemptively. "Hey, quit it!"
"No, you don't understand," Kara interrupted, her tone more serious now. "Amari doesn't live on Earth and from what I recall, nor in this universe either. Plus he didn't exactly leave me an access card. I don't know how to get back there. I've technically only been there once and that was when his base was still outside Gotham. It's not there anymore."
Megan frowned. "So… unless one of us can travel between dimensions, we're stuck?"
Kara nodded. "Exactly."
"...".
Kaldur frowned. "Then we need to find another way. Any ideas?"
The room fell silent again. No one responded.
"Kara, is there no other way we could reach him?" Kaldur asked, his voice measured.
"No." Kara hesitated. "Well…" She glanced away, her expression uncertain. "The last time I saw him, I went to where his base was previously located and in Gotham. I did meet him, but it had nothing to do with that spot. I'm not sure if it'll still work."
"Gotham!" Artemis's eyes lit up right then.
"… I got it."
"Huh?" Everyone turned to her, stunned.
"It's a long shot, but I think there might be one other place we can try," Artemis said, drawing their full attention.
"Please, go on." Kaldur prompted.
"Tell me, have you guys ever heard of Strader Pharmaceuticals?"
The group exchanged glances, puzzled, before Kaldur spoke. "It appears not."
"Right. It's a pharmaceutical company down in Gotham City. I came across it a few weeks ago when I was trying to stop a guy named Deathstroke from stealing a steroid drug alongside Robin."
Wally raised an eyebrow. "Rob was there with you?"
"Yes, and Batman. Anyway, just when we were about to face off, a computer AI showed up in the form of a red hologram, telling us to let them go."
The group exchanged puzzled expressions—everyone except Kara.
"Red hologram?" Kara's eyes widened. "Alice?"
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You know it?"
Meanwhile,
Mission Room — Mount Justice
The scene in the lounge was displayed on a holographic screen in the mission room watching was Martian ManHunter, Red Tornado and Superman.
Martian Manhunter stood silently, observing the display with his usual calm. Red Tornado stood nearby, his expressionless face somehow conveying quiet concern. Superman stood firm, arms crossed, his gaze focused but troubled.
"They seem fine," Martian Manhunter commented after a moment of silence.
Superman's lips tightened, his voice subdued. "Fine is a relative term, J'onn. None of us are fine after what's happened, not really. But they're young—they'll adapt better than most of us."
Red Tornado's robotic voice cut through the air. "Their mental health is a concern. Prolonged exposure to trauma has lasting effects on young minds. They have already lost two teammates. We must ensure they have the support they require."
"Robin will be fine". Clark uttered, his head lowering. "And we'll find Superboy. I'll make sure of it".
Superboy's possession and disappearance had given the Man Of Steel a wake-up call. His behavior towards his clone was wrong, very wrong. It didn't matter how uncomfortable he felt back then, the boy must have felt an equal level of discomfort.
But while Connor had tried to bridge that gap, he ran away from it.
He had failed. Failed to be there for someone important when he was needed. Not once, but twice.
Clark had already made up his mind. He would find Superboy and drive whatever had taken over his body out of him.
No matter what it took.
Martian Manhunter nodded in agreement before adding. "Perhaps it would be best if we let them carry out their plan".
Superman looked over. "You mean we should let them look for Amari on their own?"
"Indeed". He uttered. "Superboy is their teammate, a member of their family. Standing in their way, while it might be good for their personal safety, might end up counterproductive. You must acknowledge this Superman that their current circumstances leave little room for prolonged reflection. The destruction of the world—and its subsequent restoration—has created a level of existential dread even the League struggles to handle. We will not have the spare time to handle this problem."
The mention of the Earth's destruction shifted the conversation. Martian Manhunter turned toward Superman. "On that note, Kal-El, I am surprised to find you here. With the global panic still widespread, I would have assumed your presence was needed elsewhere."
Superman sighed, his expression heavy. "Batman asked me to be here. He called a League meeting."
Before anyone could respond, the Zeta tubes in the corner of the room activated.
[Zeta-Tube Announcement: "Recognized: Captain Marvel, 15."]
A burst of yellow light filled the room as the Zeta-tube portal receded. When the light faded, Captain Marvel stood there, his characteristic grin plastered across his face. He flew forward with ease, landing before the trio.
"Hey, guys! I'm back," he greeted cheerfully, his tone light but tinged with nervous energy.
"Captain Marvel," Martian Manhunter greeted with a nod, a quick surprise flashing by before his regular tone returned. Neutral yet welcoming.
Superman straightened, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Billy."
Even Red Tornado turned his head slightly toward the young hero. The surprise in the room was palpable.
Captain Marvel scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, uh, I'm as surprised as you guys are. But hey, I'm here, and I'm good now. All healed up and ready to go!"
Superman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your powers—they've returned?"
Billy's grin faltered for a split second before he nodded quickly. "Y-yeah. They came back… over time. I think Amari just… I don't know, took them temporarily? Or maybe the gods gave them back? Who knows how these things work, right?"
Martian Manhunter studied him for a moment, his piercing gaze making Billy shift uncomfortably. Finally, the Martian spoke. "I see. It is good to have you back."
"Yeah". Billy exhaled in relief and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, Batman called me here for a meeting. That's why you're all here too, right?"
Superman nodded, his expression softening. "That's right. We need to brief all available League members on the current situation. Unfortunately, Wonder Woman is still recovering, so she won't be joining us."
"You found Wonder Woman?"
Realization struck superman. Captain Marvel hadn't been involved in League affairs for a while.
The last time was during the League's initial attack on Amari. Back then, several Leaguers had disappeared.
"Yes. It is a long story, Captain". Red Tornado replied. "One in which you will be briefed on after we deal with our current situation".
Billy's expression grew serious. "Current situation? Is this about Amari?"
Superman exchanged a glance with Martian Manhunter before answering. "In part. It's about the destruction and reconstruction of the Earth."
Billy blinked, confused. "Destruction? Reconstruction? What does this have to do with Amari."
"He was a partial cause of the phenomenon the whole earth experienced. His battle with… an entity named Lucifer, caused the Earth and everything around it to be completely destroyed. Amari restored the planet afterward".
Superman concluded. Red Tornado picked up.
"Little is known about the full details. Which is why we are here. Batman is bringing people who can shed more light on the situation".
Captain Marvel nodded. Then asked. "Why are we meeting here anyway? Why not in the Watchtower?"
It was League protocol for all meetings to be held within the Watchtower. Captain Marvel assumed this would be no different.
However …
"...". The atmosphere instantly fell into silence once again.
"Um … Is something wrong?"
"The Watchtower is no more".
".. Wait … What?" Captain Marvel was surprised.
"Indeed". Red Tornado explained. "The battle destroyed the earth and everything around it. The Earth itself was luckily restored. The watchtower, however, wasn't".
"Green Arrow was on duty when it happened". Clark spoke up in a low voice. "He's gone".
Billy Batson froze.
Martian ManHunter sighed.
Clark looked gloomy. His clenched fists clearly displaying his inner emotions.
The past few months had been the worst they had ever experienced since the Justice League's inception.
Hawkman, Captain Atom, Green Lantern John Stewart, Flash, Wonder Woman and Cyborg were lost.
The last two had been discovered. The status of the rest was unknown.
Several Leaguers were lost, Zatara lost his magic and could only permanently take on the role of Doctor Fate.
The Earth had experienced numerous crises.
Superman was nearly kidnapped once and nearly died twice.
Batman almost fell into a permanent coma.
Black Canary and Batgirl were paralyzed.
Robin was injured, Superboy was possessed,
The Watchtower was lost, Green Arrow was dead and Black Canary was in mourning as a result.
The entire world had experienced a collective death. The only good thing that came out of the last one was that the breaches were permanently closed with the Earth's reconstruction.
The room fell silent. Billy's usual cheer was gone, replaced by a look of shock and grief. He swallowed hard, glancing at the others. "I-I didn't know…"
Superman placed a hand on Billy's shoulder, offering a faint smile. "It's okay, Billy. We're glad you're back. I'm sure that Oliver would be too".
"Everyone would".
Clark understood why Batman would recall Shazam.
With so many members missing, they would need all the help they could get.
Billy nodded solemnly. "Thanks… I'm ready to …".
[Zeta-Tube Announcement: "Recognized: Batman, 02."]
[Zeta-Tube Announcement: "Recognized: Doctor Fate, 17."]
This was followed by a bright yellow light illuminating the teleportation pad tunnel.
The Zeta-tube's glow faded as Batman and Doctor Fate stepped forward. Batman's signature grim expression immediately drew the room's attention,
"Batman… Doctor Fate. You're finally here."
Batman nodded curtly, wasting no time. "We have a problem."
Everyone in the room had their brows furrow. "What's the issue?"
Superman had his frown run the deepest. "Is it Amari?"
"No," Batman replied, his tone clipped. His piercing gaze swept across the room. "It's about our supposed allies from the Negative Multiverse."
Superman's frown deepened. "You mean Constantine? And ....."
"..... And the Phantom Stranger". Batman's finished and his voice dropped an octave. "They're gone."
---
Coastline – Near the Island Shore
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and crimson. The waves lapped gently against the rocky shore as John Constantine stood on an elevated hill, his trench coat billowing lightly in the ocean breeze. A lit cigarette dangled from his lips, the smoke curling upwards like ghosts of his past mistakes.
He exhaled deeply, a cynical grin forming. "Bloody poetic, ain't it? Sunsets like these, they make ya almost forget the chaos waitin' to pounce."
Taking another drag from his cigarette, he muttered to himself, "Almost."
Behind him, the air shimmered unnaturally before coalescing into a figure cloaked in shadowy robes. The Phantom Stranger emerged silently, his presence an eerie contradiction of calm and foreboding.
Constantine didn't bother turning around. "Knew you'd show up sooner or later, mate. You've got a knack for these dramatic entrances."
The Phantom Stranger said nothing. Both figures just stood there, peering into the distance. Until …
"It is Time, John. Time to honor your part of the commitment".
"Worry not mate. A deal's a deal. Don't get yer knickers in a twist." Constantine says, his eyes turning serious. "But this plan of yours better work. Because I'd rather not die for nothing".
What he received as reassurance was The Phantom Stranger's emotionless reply.
"Nothing is absolute. All I can say is it has a higher chance than anything anyone else has done".
"Just a higher chance eh?" The Englishman chuckles and looks towards the horizon. "If we fail, we'll be done for. I've gone through the League archives in this universe. And that guy is a vengeful fucker".
"The burden of consequence falls on all who tread the path."
"The burden of consequence, huh? How bloody uncomforting".
"...". There was no reply. John didn't care, spending several more seconds admiring what would most likely be his last sunset.
"Bloody multiverses," he muttered under his breath. "Never did like 'em. Always a mess."
The man let out a breath of smoke and dropped the stub that was left of his cigarette.
"Alright. Time to get to work …".
With the slight shift of as he caught sight of a figure in the distance. A man sat on a jagged rock near the shoreline, his head bowed as if in deep thought. The red of his suit stood out starkly against the darkening sky, the lightning bolt emblem on his chest unmistakable.
The Flash.
The same one that had been missing for many months now.
".... But first, let's head on over and let him know his part in this mess."
....
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