Chapter Text
Watchtower
Barry’s POV:
Barry is on the floor of the League meeting hall with his leg facing the wrong direction. Neither Barry nor Dinah had noticed until a few moments ago. Dinah had gotten the others still in the Watchtower; Ms.Martian, Superboy, Zatanna, Martian Manhunter, Mr. Terrific, Black Lightning, and Green Arrow, for assistance. Green Arrow is the first to speak or is at least the first one Barry notices is speaking.
“Barry!! Why is your leg broken like that!!” Green Arrow states.
“Probably a party gift from the Reverse Flash” Mr.Terrific says.
“It’s not a big deal, it’ll heal. The real issue is this Reverse Flash”.
“Don’t worry its healing”.
“Yes, but it's healing wrong, since it's dislocated.” Mr.T kneels down in front of Barry. “Here let me??”
“Oh sure, thanks”. Mr.T nods and then relocates Barry’s leg back into place, while Barry bites back a yelp.
“Thanks Terrific.”
“No problem, Flash. How are you feeling??”
“I’m fine now, thanks to you Terrific…”
“He isn’t only talking about physically, Barry” Dinah states.
“Do you think what he said was true??”
“What?? The part about him hating you so much that he wants to see you hurt??” Oli says, being rewarded with a look from Dinah, which he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Ya…that part…”
“I mean he was willing to attack you in front of the entire Justice League all because of his hatred for you, so I would say, ow” Oliver stops speaking when he gets a light elbow to the ribs by Dinah. “What??” Oliver looks around to see everyone, but Barry gives Oliver a look that screams ‘shut up’. “Oh, shit, sorry Barry”.
“No it’s ok Oli you were only speaking the truth. I just never had a villain who has hated me for being well me, for thwarting the villains plans yes, but never just for being myself. How do I even handle this?? He knows my identity”.
“Barry, this is not just an issue for you to solve on your own…”. Everyone looks over to see that Jay is the one speaking.
“Jay is right. This Reverse Flash came here to the headquarters of the Justice League to attack you and mess with you. He is not just a Flash villain, he is a League villain, Barry”.
“That doesn’t give me an answer on what to do”.
“Thanks everyone while I appreciate it, but my family…”
“Oracle radioed earlier they are safe, she is currently watching them now”.
“Thank God”.
“But in the future…”
“I do not believe this speedster will attack your family. While familial deaths are indeed devastating and do harm a person, there are far more things he can do that can cause you harm.” Doctor fate states, Zatanna reacts with a facepalm and everyone else just looks at him.
“And you all were looking at me to shut up” Oliver states.
“I do not see what I said wrong??”
“Dad is lecturing you about subtlety and empathy, right??”
“I spoke the truth, this evil speedster highly likely wants to break the Flash’s spirit, killing one's family does not guarantee that, there is a possibility that those events would motivate you more. Many in the Justice League are examples of that…”
“He has a point there”.
“...he will most likely go for other methods to break the Flash’s spirit. Possibly using these ‘visitors’ as a way to do so”.
“You're going to believe that Wile E Coyote information about these ‘visitors’ he was talking about??”
“I felt interdimensional disturbances not long ago before the speedster arrived”.
“Why didn't you say something sooner??”
“I did not believe it was relevant information at the time”.
“How is not relevant info”.
“I can not track the disturbances but I was able to determine that there were 4”.
“Well it seems like these ‘visitors’ are quite real. But do we think they are as diabolical as the Reverse Flash says??”
“Unfortunately we may not know until we meet them. But as dark as what Dr.Fate said, he does have a point. I don’t think Reverse Flash will out right attack your family so you and your family will be safe”.
“I know, but…”
“I know how you feel Barry, I have kids too. I already put them in enough danger just being in this profession, let alone having a psycho speeder hell bent on seeing me in pain. But I think you should go see your family, and I mean that for you as well Jay”.
“I figured as much”.
“I’ll give Clark a call and ask him to keep an ear out for anything specious nearby”.
“Plus Lois has been telling how she can’t wait to visit Iris again and have a playdate with the kids”.
“That’s not a bad idea, but I wouldn’t want to put Kent’s in danger”.
“This is a speeder who can travel dimensions in an instant, if he desired you dead he would have done so already” Dr.Fate adds.
“I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse”.
“He does have a point though”. Barry feels his phone buzz and he looks at it, its a text from Hal.
<With the kids now, Iris is still at work but I just checked on her and she is fine. Though she is suspicious so you may want to think up what you are going to say to her>
“Is that Hal??”
“Ya he said he is with the kids now and Iris is still at work, but she is fine”.
“That’s good”. Jay pulls out his phone to check it.
“Jay and Barry I think it would be best if you 2 go home to your families. We will brainstorm some plans to deal with Reverse Flash and tomorrow you 2 will join…”.
“Bart??” Everyone looks up to Jay on the phone, sounding nervous “Bart??” Relief is shown on Jay’s face
“Good I’m glad Bart is safe as well”.
“Is everything ok?? Are you safe?? Yes, that's part of it. Are you at the house?? Yes, at the moment everything is ok. Well yes, but no, I’m really not sure. I’ll explain more when I get back home ok”. Jay hangs up the phone and looks at everyone, who are all looking at him. “Uh, sorry I saw that I had a missed call from Bart. I was a bit worried”.
“That is very understandable Jay. Do not worry”.
“ I hope you are all ok with me telling Bart because I believe he needs to know in case Bart has a run in with the Reverse Flash”.
“I agree Jay, he does need to know”.
“When you get home, if you could, ask Bart if he may know anything about the Reverse Flash?? Whether it's from his own experience or heard anything from the Legion of Superheroes”.
“Ya I can do that”.
“Although Jay kind of brings up a point, are we telling the Outsiders and the team?? I know how you feel about keeping secrets Jeff, but do we want to tell the non-Leaguers about this yet??”
“Ya I don’t like keeping secrets, but I think we should tell them something happened and tell them we will give them more when we get more, at least for now. Or at least once we figured out how to handle the situation”.
“Might want to talk to Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman; they have plenty of experience dealing with criminals that just hate them, not the mask.”
“Lex Luther, is a good example of that”.
“They may have some ideas on handling this guy”.
“Plus pretty sure all the Bats know now, since Oracle was listening in on the meeting”.
“Of course she was. But either way Barry, Jay do either of you want another Leaguer to take you home??”
“No that’s ok Jeff, I am pretty sure Hal is going to stay over tonight”.
<Not to rush you but Iris seriously is grilling me here. Not sure how long I’m gonna last> Hal texts.
“I better go relieve him of duty before Iris roasts him alive”.
“Barry your leg…”
“Already healed, see”.
“Don't flinch from the pain, don’t flinch from the pain”.
“Ok but before you both go I would like you both to take tracks just in case”. Both Barry and Jay take them and they both leave through the Zeta Tube.
Central City
Barry comes out of an out of order telephone booth.
“Time to head home”. Barry looks up at the sky, thinking. “It's gonna be hard dealing with this Reverse Flash, but everyone is right I am not alone. I have the Justice League backing me. We got this”. With that Barry then speeds home.