Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2015 15:51:09 GMT -5
Here is a "pilot" if you will, for a new fan fiction series. It's called The Justice League of America and is a thematic sequel to the previous stories. Former readers may recognize Flash and Wonder Man and will meet new versions of classic heroes. We'll post this and see how it goes. If there is enough interest, more stories will be produced. If not, no worries!
Central City….
Eric Allen awoke with a start.
“How long have I been asleep?” he gasped, lifting his head from his desk. Both his arms were asleep. As his vision came into focus, he noticed his laptop was open and there were articles about a mystery he was researching for his latest book.
“Good morning sleepyhead.” Came the sweet voice of Sandy, his fiancé. “You must have really been into reading up on those unsolved murders back in Star City. I tried to wake you, but you were dead to the world.”
Eric smiled at the attractive woman and rubbed his eyes. “Did I sleep there all night?”
“You did. You’re bound to feel awful all slumped over like that. Why don’t you book a massage today? You’ve been working awfully hard on that book lately. We’ve barely had any time together.”
“Deadlines, part of being a writer.” Eric smiled as he took Sandy in his arms.
“Come on. At least you can have breakfast. I made all your favorites.”
Eric could smell what was surely a great meal coming from the kitchen and looked forward to eating. For some reason he felt weak….and a bit out of place. Almost like there was something important that he couldn’t remember.
He sat at the table and quickly devoured a meal of orange juice, eggs benedict, bacon, and fresh fruit. He couldn’t recall the last time he had been so hungry. It was like he had expended all his energy as The Flash and he was feeling very worn down.
“You’re awfully quiet, Eric. You feeling ok? You look so tired.”
“I don’t know….I am tired and I feel….out of sorts.”
“Oh gosh, I hope you aren’t getting sick! Between your book and your adventures with The Justice League of America, you’ve been going non-stop. Maybe you need a sabbatical.”
“Justice League?” Eric asked, confusion in his voice.
“Eric, you sure you’re ok? You go on some mission that’s messed with your memory?” Sandy asked, placing her hand on his forehead. “You don’t feel like you have a fever.”
“No…I remember…I’m a member of the Justice League of America….” Eric said as hazy images of other costumed heroes filled his head.
“I think you’re right Sandy. I have been working way too much lately. What do you say you call in sick today? I’ll take the day off and we’ll spend it together. Just you and me.” Eric offered, partly wanting to spend the day with the woman he loved and partly to try to figure out why he felt so odd. He felt like something horrible had happened, but he couldn’t place it…almost like he had lost something.
“That my dear, is music to my ears!” Sandy said, taking his hand. Just then a buzzer sounded.
“So much for that.” Eric sighed as his JLA signal went off. He ran over and picked up the device. A holographic image of a blonde woman in a mask appeared.
“All members, priority 3 alert! Some kind of disturbance near Malibu, California.”
“Flash here, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He said staring at the hologram…”Black Canary?” he thought, suddenly recognizing the woman.
“Copy that Flash. My sister and some of the others are already on their way!”
Before Sandy could blink, Eric had transformed into the Flash.
“See you when you get back.” She smiled, kissing his cheek.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick.” He smiled as he ran away at the speed of light.
As he ran, his mind raced. “That woman was Black Canary….and she has a twin sister…The White Canary…I know them both…been friends with them for years….what is wrong with me? Why do I feel like I can’t quite wake up….”
Beverly Hills….
“Scott! Scott! Baby, wake up!” Jerrica Trevor shook her husband.
“What?” he whispered. His eyes narrowed and he slowly opened them.
“That must have been some dream. You nearly kicked me out of the bed!” the singer formerly known as Jem smiled, snuggling up to her husband.
“I….I guess it was. I don’t even remember what I was dreaming about now.” He said, looking out the window. It was another beautiful day in Beverly Hills and the sun was up, its rays being filtered by the curtains.
“Where’s Steven?” Scott asked.
“He’s still asleep, thank goodness. I’m so glad he’s sleeping more regularly now, at least until around 7.”
Scott Trevor studied the bedroom. Everything was in place, yet it seemed different.
“What about Conner. Where is he?”
“Probably still asleep. Can you believe we have a baby and a junior in high school?” Jerrica smiled, referencing the former Conner Kent, now Trevor. She and Scott had adopted Superboy after he had been held captive in stasis by Lex Luthor’s neice, Nasthalthia, and Brainiac.
“We’re lucky and blessed.” Scott smiled. Even though everything was normal, something was off. Like he had been watching a movie, missed the middle, and was now seeing the ending. He went to his son’s room and picked him up. Steven was already awake and had pulled himself up in his baby bed.
“How is Daddy’s big boy this morning?” Scott smiled at his son. Jerrica knocked on Conner’s door as she made her way downstairs. She loved being a housewife as well as singing from time to time. Jerrica had also made a name for herself as a business woman. Her clothing line and self-tanning products were selling well. She and Scott were semi-retired and only took part in Justice League cases if there was a dire emergency. Scott smiled at her as she made her way around the kitchen. She started breakfast as Conner came bounding down the stairs.
“Morning Jerrica, morning Scott! And morning big guy!” he smiled, patting Steven on the head.
The happy family chatted over breakfast. Just as Conner picked up his back pack, both his Titans West communicator and Scott and Jerrica’s JLA communicators went off.
“Uh uh.” Jerrica smiled, closing his Titans West communicator. “Didn’t you tell me you had a big English exam today?”
“I do, but….”
“No buts. Not this close to senior year. I told those Titans your education comes first.”
Conner looked at Scott.
“I wouldn’t argue with the lady.” Scott smiled, not exactly sure who the Titans West were. Suddenly his memory filled with images of the team, the current version of the Teen Titans. “That’s weird. For a second there, I wasn’t sure who the Titans West were.” He thought.
Conner hugged Jerrica, high-fived Scott and out the door he went.
Scott opened his JLA communicator and Black Canary spoke.
“Sorry to bother you guys, but this may be a big deal. I think we could use your muscle, Wonder Man.” Her rich voice came.
“What’s going on?” Jerrica asked.
“There was an emergency up the coast from you guys. Preliminary reports are picking up a level 3 disturbance.”
“Level 3? I could handle that all by my lonesome.” Wonder Man smiled, flashing his white teeth.
Jerrica rolled her eyes.
“If you guys are free, we could really use you.” The daughter of the original Black Canary smiled.
“I’ll go.” Scott said. He was feeling weird and thought punching something might help him clear his head.
“Be careful dear.” Jerrica smiled. Scott wonder-spinned into the red, white, and blue uniform of Wonder Man, kissed his wife and son, and out the door he went.
The Flash had made extremely quick time as he approached the Malibu shoreline. He looked up and saw Wonder Man streaking across the sky.
“Wonder Man’s on the scene.” Relieved to see someone he knew immediately.
“Thank Hera, someone I recognize straight away.” Wonder Man thought, waving to Flash.
“Thank God, someone I recognize right away.” Flash thought with relief.
The two heroes were taken aback, seeing a giant starfish emerge from the surf.
“Starro? Really?” the Flash said.
“Man, Starro’s come back more times than Shirely McClaine!” Wonder Man laughed, taking his lasso in his hands.
“This time he means business!” came a voice. Both Flash and Wonder Man gasped, “Superman?”
“What’s with you two?” the man of steel said. “You’re staring at me like you’ve never seen me before.”
“Sorry, Supes….just a bit stunned seeing the giant starfish again.” Wonder Man said, suddenly remembering Superman also known as Jonathan Kent, son of Clark and Lois Kent.
“He looks so much like his dad.” Flash thought, recalling the new League’s first adventure fighting a resurrected Starro years ago.
Another figure in a shimmering red and blue uniform emerged from the surf.
“Garth--?” Wonder Man thought.
The Flash studied the man with dark wavy hair. His first thought too was of Garth, the former Aqualad. “No….that’s Cerdian….Garth’s son…the current Aquaman…” unsure where that memory came from.
“Hi gang. Looks like there were remnants of the original Starro creature that implanted on the ocean’s floor, regenerating all these years.” Aquaman smiled to his teammates.
“YES! AND WE ARE GOING TO SEEK OUR REVENGE FOR KILLING OUR ORIGINAL HOST!” the Starro creature said to the Justice League telepathically.
“Give me a break!” a masked blonde woman shouted. She was dressed all in white and carried battle staves.
“Welcome to the party, White Canary.” Superman smiled.
Just then, one of Starro’s arms whipped out towards White Canary, knocking her down.
Aquaman rushed to her side. As he helped her up, she said, “Thanks Aquaman, I may not have my twin’s canary cry, but I can handle myself!” The pretty blonde smiled and attacked Starro with her staves.
Superman used his heat vision, dehydrating the alien invader.
Aquaman wrestled with one of Starro’s arms, trying to keep him restrained to the beach. Wonder Man lassoed another arm, as Starro flailed him about.
The Flash took off and reappeared carrying 2 big bags of quicklime. “If memory serves me correct, this worked when our parents battled him first as well as when we battled him!” He then ran very quickly around Starro, coating it in quicklime.
“NO!!! WE HAVE WAITED TO LONG TO BE DEFEATED SO EASILY!!!!” Starro cried out, its skin hardening and drying out. Superman struck Starro with his heat vision, causing further damage.
“Give me a break!” came a voice from overheard. “You make it so easy to defeat you! All we need is the Flash and a Home Depot!”
“Hawkman….Golden Eagle?” Wonder Man whispered.
The winged man with golden straps crossing his chest produced a giant mace, striking Starro and shattering him to bits.
“Ah, what would the JLA be without me?” the very tan man smiled.
“Ha! Well done, Hawkman.” White Canary laughed.
“But look at the mess. We have to collect all these fragments, or Starro will be back once again.” Aquaman huffed.
“Not a problem!” Flash smiled seeing another costumed character appear. “Green Lantern and I will clean this up.” Flash wasn’t sure how he recognized Green Lantern, but he instinctively knew her.
The Flash ran, creating a funnel sending the Starro fragments upward. Green Lantern pointed her ring towards the fragments, creating a giant vacuum cleaner that collected the fragments.
“Superman, you have a place in your fortress to store this mess?” Green Lantern smiled.
“I do.” Superman smiled. “Race you there!” he laughed, streaking through the sky towards the Arctic.
“Such a show off. See you all later.” Green Lantern smiled and waved to her friends.
“Time for me to go too. Meeting my dad for lunch. Detective Lance does not like to be kept waiting.” White Canary said as she walked towards her motorcycle.
Aquaman said his farewells and swam away.
Hawkman looked at Wonder Man.
“Dude, I haven’t seen you look so vacant since your bachelor party.”
“My bachelor party?”
“Yeah, we partied so hard in Vegas. You woke up and didn’t even know where you were, haha! And remember at breakfast, Cerdian threw up right there at the buffet! Good times!” Hawkman laughed.
“I do remember that….” The Flash throught. “ I was there with Wonder Man, Aquaman, Superman, Hawkman…and the others….but why does that seem so far away?”
“Ha, Cerdian’s not much of a drinker is he?” Wonder Man laughed, his head filling with memories.
“Nope, and you aren’t much of one anymore!” Hawkman laughed. “Wish I could relive that party with you guys, but I have to get over to Jupiter Labs. My dad’s old friends want me to come over and help with some of the Titans West training. See you guys later.” Hawkman took to the sky and flew away.
Flash and Wonder Man walked along the beach.
“Scott, I am going to ask you something and it’s going to sound weird. I noticed you seemed a bit out of sorts with the others.”
“Uh…who me, of course not.” Wonder Man shrugged.
“No, I felt that way too. Do you feel like something is wrong? Well, not wrong, but….I don’t know…different.”
Wonder Man thought for a minute. “Yeah, like I feel through the looking glass. Like everything is right, but different.”
“Exactly!” The Flash said with relief. “I woke up this morning in my house, but the air felt different. The vibrations felt different. Sandy was there and everything was fine. And the Justice League…I remember being a re-founding member…I remember our adventures……”
“But something seems missing. Like a dream you can’t quite recall.”
“Yes!!”
“When I woke up this morning, Jerrica was there. Steven and Conner too. I double checked the pictures in our living room to be sure my parents were still there. Mom and Dad, even Tom Tressor. Aunt Donna too. All their pictures on a table, but I feel like someone…or several someones are missing.”
“Me too. I can remember another team….brief glimpses of costumes….I can’t remember who they were…but they meant something to me.”
“What do you think it is? I mean, this is home. It feels like home and I can remember my life and all this feels right.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe Sandy’s right. I need a vacation.”
“I don’t know. I think you are on to something. None of the others seemed out of sorts, just you and me.” Wonder Man replied.
“Wonder Man. Flash. Cast your worries aside. All will be explained.” Came the ghostly voice of The Specter. Flash and Wonder Man gasped in unison.
Wonder Man took a step back. He knew if the Specter was involved, the situation was dire.
Flash stared at the ghostly hero, vague memories flooding his mind. “What is going on here!?” he demanded, impatiently.
The Specter stared at them both. He slowly began to speak. “The two of you….of this world and not at the same time.”
“Don’t speak in riddles.” Wonder Man said, his brow furrowing.
“I apologize. I too am becoming accustomed to my new surroundings. I realize the two of you retain memory fragments from the previous reality.”
“Previous reality?” The Flash asked, looking at Wonder Man.
“There was a crisis….unlike any the worlds had encountered before. You were both born on one of the alternate earths. You had friends, family….”
“But I have friends and family here.” Wonder Man said, confusion in his voice. The hazy figures in his memory were suddenly coming into focus.
“Flash! We were members of—“ Wonder Man started.
“It is best to stop there. The friends you had are gone forever. Killed in the crisis….or lost to time.” The Specter said quietly.
“Could you break it down to where us mortal types can understand what you are trying to say.” The Flash asked as he crossed his arms.
“I am sorry. Even my memories are a bit muddled. You both lived on another earth. You were members of a team….so many members, a force to be reckoned with. Then there was a crisis. Worlds lived, worlds died. Now there is only one world. This one. New friends, new family….with some elements of the former world.”
“Specter, these memories I have…those people…” Wonder Man gasped.
“Were your former teammates, even some of your family.”
Wonder Man suddenly became worried about his wife, his son, and Conner.
“Do not worry Wonder Man. Your family is intact…for the most part. Yours too Flash.” The Specter continued. “During the crisis, several members of your former team journeyed with me to the very beginning of time. Many of them died…heroically, tragically….some were destroyed, wiped from all time. As if they never existed in the first place. The two of you were present when time itself was torn apart and rebooted. Your memories…your thoughts helped shape this world. The one true world.”
“I remember several there being several world threatening events over the years. Wonder Man…I remember being with you….Specter you were too….you and I…my speed…Wonder Man, your strength….Specter, we helped you restart time…the cosmic treadmill…..”
“Yes you did. A grave injustice has been done. You both have residual memories that keep you from fully incorporating into this world. He sent me to take this burden….these memories from you.” The Spectre said, first pointing to the sky and then gesturing towards Wonder Man and the Flash.
“No! Those people, they mattered…their sacrifice….” Wonder Man protested as the Specter placed his hand on Wonder Man’s forehead. A calming peace washed over him.
“How can you do this…those poor people…our friends wiped out? We have to remember them! Honor them!” The Flash said, a wave of memories flooding over him. He started to run. The Specter gestured and stopped him.
“I am sorry Flash. If you continue to have these memories invade your thoughts, your particular powers….your vibrational frequency…could trigger time to unravel….” The Specter placed his hand on the Flash’s forehead.
The Flash struggled for a moment and felt a calm overtake him.
*****
“What were you saying Flash?” Wonder Man asked.
“I don’t remember. Must not have been too important.” He smiled.
“Oh well, guess not. Glad this mess with Starro was easily resolved. It was kind of nice to see some action since I’m a reservist these days.”
“Who would have ever thought, the hard partying Wonder Man content being a family man.” The Flash smiled.
“Stranger things have happened, friend.” Wonder Man took to the sky and waved to the Flash.
The Flash watched him disappear into the summer sky as his thoughts turned to Sandy. Maybe one day he and Sandy would have the life Wonder Man enjoyed. A life of family and contentment.
Just then, The Flash’s JLA communicator went off. This time it was Batwoman summoning him.
“Flash, Batwoman here. Just picked up a threat near the Washington/Canada border. Looks like that new Professor Zoom is at it again. I’ve summoned the members on duty, figured you want first dibs on this one.” She smiled.
“I do.” The Flash smiled as he sped off to his next adventure.
Central City….
Eric Allen awoke with a start.
“How long have I been asleep?” he gasped, lifting his head from his desk. Both his arms were asleep. As his vision came into focus, he noticed his laptop was open and there were articles about a mystery he was researching for his latest book.
“Good morning sleepyhead.” Came the sweet voice of Sandy, his fiancé. “You must have really been into reading up on those unsolved murders back in Star City. I tried to wake you, but you were dead to the world.”
Eric smiled at the attractive woman and rubbed his eyes. “Did I sleep there all night?”
“You did. You’re bound to feel awful all slumped over like that. Why don’t you book a massage today? You’ve been working awfully hard on that book lately. We’ve barely had any time together.”
“Deadlines, part of being a writer.” Eric smiled as he took Sandy in his arms.
“Come on. At least you can have breakfast. I made all your favorites.”
Eric could smell what was surely a great meal coming from the kitchen and looked forward to eating. For some reason he felt weak….and a bit out of place. Almost like there was something important that he couldn’t remember.
He sat at the table and quickly devoured a meal of orange juice, eggs benedict, bacon, and fresh fruit. He couldn’t recall the last time he had been so hungry. It was like he had expended all his energy as The Flash and he was feeling very worn down.
“You’re awfully quiet, Eric. You feeling ok? You look so tired.”
“I don’t know….I am tired and I feel….out of sorts.”
“Oh gosh, I hope you aren’t getting sick! Between your book and your adventures with The Justice League of America, you’ve been going non-stop. Maybe you need a sabbatical.”
“Justice League?” Eric asked, confusion in his voice.
“Eric, you sure you’re ok? You go on some mission that’s messed with your memory?” Sandy asked, placing her hand on his forehead. “You don’t feel like you have a fever.”
“No…I remember…I’m a member of the Justice League of America….” Eric said as hazy images of other costumed heroes filled his head.
“I think you’re right Sandy. I have been working way too much lately. What do you say you call in sick today? I’ll take the day off and we’ll spend it together. Just you and me.” Eric offered, partly wanting to spend the day with the woman he loved and partly to try to figure out why he felt so odd. He felt like something horrible had happened, but he couldn’t place it…almost like he had lost something.
“That my dear, is music to my ears!” Sandy said, taking his hand. Just then a buzzer sounded.
“So much for that.” Eric sighed as his JLA signal went off. He ran over and picked up the device. A holographic image of a blonde woman in a mask appeared.
“All members, priority 3 alert! Some kind of disturbance near Malibu, California.”
“Flash here, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He said staring at the hologram…”Black Canary?” he thought, suddenly recognizing the woman.
“Copy that Flash. My sister and some of the others are already on their way!”
Before Sandy could blink, Eric had transformed into the Flash.
“See you when you get back.” She smiled, kissing his cheek.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick.” He smiled as he ran away at the speed of light.
As he ran, his mind raced. “That woman was Black Canary….and she has a twin sister…The White Canary…I know them both…been friends with them for years….what is wrong with me? Why do I feel like I can’t quite wake up….”
Beverly Hills….
“Scott! Scott! Baby, wake up!” Jerrica Trevor shook her husband.
“What?” he whispered. His eyes narrowed and he slowly opened them.
“That must have been some dream. You nearly kicked me out of the bed!” the singer formerly known as Jem smiled, snuggling up to her husband.
“I….I guess it was. I don’t even remember what I was dreaming about now.” He said, looking out the window. It was another beautiful day in Beverly Hills and the sun was up, its rays being filtered by the curtains.
“Where’s Steven?” Scott asked.
“He’s still asleep, thank goodness. I’m so glad he’s sleeping more regularly now, at least until around 7.”
Scott Trevor studied the bedroom. Everything was in place, yet it seemed different.
“What about Conner. Where is he?”
“Probably still asleep. Can you believe we have a baby and a junior in high school?” Jerrica smiled, referencing the former Conner Kent, now Trevor. She and Scott had adopted Superboy after he had been held captive in stasis by Lex Luthor’s neice, Nasthalthia, and Brainiac.
“We’re lucky and blessed.” Scott smiled. Even though everything was normal, something was off. Like he had been watching a movie, missed the middle, and was now seeing the ending. He went to his son’s room and picked him up. Steven was already awake and had pulled himself up in his baby bed.
“How is Daddy’s big boy this morning?” Scott smiled at his son. Jerrica knocked on Conner’s door as she made her way downstairs. She loved being a housewife as well as singing from time to time. Jerrica had also made a name for herself as a business woman. Her clothing line and self-tanning products were selling well. She and Scott were semi-retired and only took part in Justice League cases if there was a dire emergency. Scott smiled at her as she made her way around the kitchen. She started breakfast as Conner came bounding down the stairs.
“Morning Jerrica, morning Scott! And morning big guy!” he smiled, patting Steven on the head.
The happy family chatted over breakfast. Just as Conner picked up his back pack, both his Titans West communicator and Scott and Jerrica’s JLA communicators went off.
“Uh uh.” Jerrica smiled, closing his Titans West communicator. “Didn’t you tell me you had a big English exam today?”
“I do, but….”
“No buts. Not this close to senior year. I told those Titans your education comes first.”
Conner looked at Scott.
“I wouldn’t argue with the lady.” Scott smiled, not exactly sure who the Titans West were. Suddenly his memory filled with images of the team, the current version of the Teen Titans. “That’s weird. For a second there, I wasn’t sure who the Titans West were.” He thought.
Conner hugged Jerrica, high-fived Scott and out the door he went.
Scott opened his JLA communicator and Black Canary spoke.
“Sorry to bother you guys, but this may be a big deal. I think we could use your muscle, Wonder Man.” Her rich voice came.
“What’s going on?” Jerrica asked.
“There was an emergency up the coast from you guys. Preliminary reports are picking up a level 3 disturbance.”
“Level 3? I could handle that all by my lonesome.” Wonder Man smiled, flashing his white teeth.
Jerrica rolled her eyes.
“If you guys are free, we could really use you.” The daughter of the original Black Canary smiled.
“I’ll go.” Scott said. He was feeling weird and thought punching something might help him clear his head.
“Be careful dear.” Jerrica smiled. Scott wonder-spinned into the red, white, and blue uniform of Wonder Man, kissed his wife and son, and out the door he went.
The Flash had made extremely quick time as he approached the Malibu shoreline. He looked up and saw Wonder Man streaking across the sky.
“Wonder Man’s on the scene.” Relieved to see someone he knew immediately.
“Thank Hera, someone I recognize straight away.” Wonder Man thought, waving to Flash.
“Thank God, someone I recognize right away.” Flash thought with relief.
The two heroes were taken aback, seeing a giant starfish emerge from the surf.
“Starro? Really?” the Flash said.
“Man, Starro’s come back more times than Shirely McClaine!” Wonder Man laughed, taking his lasso in his hands.
“This time he means business!” came a voice. Both Flash and Wonder Man gasped, “Superman?”
“What’s with you two?” the man of steel said. “You’re staring at me like you’ve never seen me before.”
“Sorry, Supes….just a bit stunned seeing the giant starfish again.” Wonder Man said, suddenly remembering Superman also known as Jonathan Kent, son of Clark and Lois Kent.
“He looks so much like his dad.” Flash thought, recalling the new League’s first adventure fighting a resurrected Starro years ago.
Another figure in a shimmering red and blue uniform emerged from the surf.
“Garth--?” Wonder Man thought.
The Flash studied the man with dark wavy hair. His first thought too was of Garth, the former Aqualad. “No….that’s Cerdian….Garth’s son…the current Aquaman…” unsure where that memory came from.
“Hi gang. Looks like there were remnants of the original Starro creature that implanted on the ocean’s floor, regenerating all these years.” Aquaman smiled to his teammates.
“YES! AND WE ARE GOING TO SEEK OUR REVENGE FOR KILLING OUR ORIGINAL HOST!” the Starro creature said to the Justice League telepathically.
“Give me a break!” a masked blonde woman shouted. She was dressed all in white and carried battle staves.
“Welcome to the party, White Canary.” Superman smiled.
Just then, one of Starro’s arms whipped out towards White Canary, knocking her down.
Aquaman rushed to her side. As he helped her up, she said, “Thanks Aquaman, I may not have my twin’s canary cry, but I can handle myself!” The pretty blonde smiled and attacked Starro with her staves.
Superman used his heat vision, dehydrating the alien invader.
Aquaman wrestled with one of Starro’s arms, trying to keep him restrained to the beach. Wonder Man lassoed another arm, as Starro flailed him about.
The Flash took off and reappeared carrying 2 big bags of quicklime. “If memory serves me correct, this worked when our parents battled him first as well as when we battled him!” He then ran very quickly around Starro, coating it in quicklime.
“NO!!! WE HAVE WAITED TO LONG TO BE DEFEATED SO EASILY!!!!” Starro cried out, its skin hardening and drying out. Superman struck Starro with his heat vision, causing further damage.
“Give me a break!” came a voice from overheard. “You make it so easy to defeat you! All we need is the Flash and a Home Depot!”
“Hawkman….Golden Eagle?” Wonder Man whispered.
The winged man with golden straps crossing his chest produced a giant mace, striking Starro and shattering him to bits.
“Ah, what would the JLA be without me?” the very tan man smiled.
“Ha! Well done, Hawkman.” White Canary laughed.
“But look at the mess. We have to collect all these fragments, or Starro will be back once again.” Aquaman huffed.
“Not a problem!” Flash smiled seeing another costumed character appear. “Green Lantern and I will clean this up.” Flash wasn’t sure how he recognized Green Lantern, but he instinctively knew her.
The Flash ran, creating a funnel sending the Starro fragments upward. Green Lantern pointed her ring towards the fragments, creating a giant vacuum cleaner that collected the fragments.
“Superman, you have a place in your fortress to store this mess?” Green Lantern smiled.
“I do.” Superman smiled. “Race you there!” he laughed, streaking through the sky towards the Arctic.
“Such a show off. See you all later.” Green Lantern smiled and waved to her friends.
“Time for me to go too. Meeting my dad for lunch. Detective Lance does not like to be kept waiting.” White Canary said as she walked towards her motorcycle.
Aquaman said his farewells and swam away.
Hawkman looked at Wonder Man.
“Dude, I haven’t seen you look so vacant since your bachelor party.”
“My bachelor party?”
“Yeah, we partied so hard in Vegas. You woke up and didn’t even know where you were, haha! And remember at breakfast, Cerdian threw up right there at the buffet! Good times!” Hawkman laughed.
“I do remember that….” The Flash throught. “ I was there with Wonder Man, Aquaman, Superman, Hawkman…and the others….but why does that seem so far away?”
“Ha, Cerdian’s not much of a drinker is he?” Wonder Man laughed, his head filling with memories.
“Nope, and you aren’t much of one anymore!” Hawkman laughed. “Wish I could relive that party with you guys, but I have to get over to Jupiter Labs. My dad’s old friends want me to come over and help with some of the Titans West training. See you guys later.” Hawkman took to the sky and flew away.
Flash and Wonder Man walked along the beach.
“Scott, I am going to ask you something and it’s going to sound weird. I noticed you seemed a bit out of sorts with the others.”
“Uh…who me, of course not.” Wonder Man shrugged.
“No, I felt that way too. Do you feel like something is wrong? Well, not wrong, but….I don’t know…different.”
Wonder Man thought for a minute. “Yeah, like I feel through the looking glass. Like everything is right, but different.”
“Exactly!” The Flash said with relief. “I woke up this morning in my house, but the air felt different. The vibrations felt different. Sandy was there and everything was fine. And the Justice League…I remember being a re-founding member…I remember our adventures……”
“But something seems missing. Like a dream you can’t quite recall.”
“Yes!!”
“When I woke up this morning, Jerrica was there. Steven and Conner too. I double checked the pictures in our living room to be sure my parents were still there. Mom and Dad, even Tom Tressor. Aunt Donna too. All their pictures on a table, but I feel like someone…or several someones are missing.”
“Me too. I can remember another team….brief glimpses of costumes….I can’t remember who they were…but they meant something to me.”
“What do you think it is? I mean, this is home. It feels like home and I can remember my life and all this feels right.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe Sandy’s right. I need a vacation.”
“I don’t know. I think you are on to something. None of the others seemed out of sorts, just you and me.” Wonder Man replied.
“Wonder Man. Flash. Cast your worries aside. All will be explained.” Came the ghostly voice of The Specter. Flash and Wonder Man gasped in unison.
Wonder Man took a step back. He knew if the Specter was involved, the situation was dire.
Flash stared at the ghostly hero, vague memories flooding his mind. “What is going on here!?” he demanded, impatiently.
The Specter stared at them both. He slowly began to speak. “The two of you….of this world and not at the same time.”
“Don’t speak in riddles.” Wonder Man said, his brow furrowing.
“I apologize. I too am becoming accustomed to my new surroundings. I realize the two of you retain memory fragments from the previous reality.”
“Previous reality?” The Flash asked, looking at Wonder Man.
“There was a crisis….unlike any the worlds had encountered before. You were both born on one of the alternate earths. You had friends, family….”
“But I have friends and family here.” Wonder Man said, confusion in his voice. The hazy figures in his memory were suddenly coming into focus.
“Flash! We were members of—“ Wonder Man started.
“It is best to stop there. The friends you had are gone forever. Killed in the crisis….or lost to time.” The Specter said quietly.
“Could you break it down to where us mortal types can understand what you are trying to say.” The Flash asked as he crossed his arms.
“I am sorry. Even my memories are a bit muddled. You both lived on another earth. You were members of a team….so many members, a force to be reckoned with. Then there was a crisis. Worlds lived, worlds died. Now there is only one world. This one. New friends, new family….with some elements of the former world.”
“Specter, these memories I have…those people…” Wonder Man gasped.
“Were your former teammates, even some of your family.”
Wonder Man suddenly became worried about his wife, his son, and Conner.
“Do not worry Wonder Man. Your family is intact…for the most part. Yours too Flash.” The Specter continued. “During the crisis, several members of your former team journeyed with me to the very beginning of time. Many of them died…heroically, tragically….some were destroyed, wiped from all time. As if they never existed in the first place. The two of you were present when time itself was torn apart and rebooted. Your memories…your thoughts helped shape this world. The one true world.”
“I remember several there being several world threatening events over the years. Wonder Man…I remember being with you….Specter you were too….you and I…my speed…Wonder Man, your strength….Specter, we helped you restart time…the cosmic treadmill…..”
“Yes you did. A grave injustice has been done. You both have residual memories that keep you from fully incorporating into this world. He sent me to take this burden….these memories from you.” The Spectre said, first pointing to the sky and then gesturing towards Wonder Man and the Flash.
“No! Those people, they mattered…their sacrifice….” Wonder Man protested as the Specter placed his hand on Wonder Man’s forehead. A calming peace washed over him.
“How can you do this…those poor people…our friends wiped out? We have to remember them! Honor them!” The Flash said, a wave of memories flooding over him. He started to run. The Specter gestured and stopped him.
“I am sorry Flash. If you continue to have these memories invade your thoughts, your particular powers….your vibrational frequency…could trigger time to unravel….” The Specter placed his hand on the Flash’s forehead.
The Flash struggled for a moment and felt a calm overtake him.
*****
“What were you saying Flash?” Wonder Man asked.
“I don’t remember. Must not have been too important.” He smiled.
“Oh well, guess not. Glad this mess with Starro was easily resolved. It was kind of nice to see some action since I’m a reservist these days.”
“Who would have ever thought, the hard partying Wonder Man content being a family man.” The Flash smiled.
“Stranger things have happened, friend.” Wonder Man took to the sky and waved to the Flash.
The Flash watched him disappear into the summer sky as his thoughts turned to Sandy. Maybe one day he and Sandy would have the life Wonder Man enjoyed. A life of family and contentment.
Just then, The Flash’s JLA communicator went off. This time it was Batwoman summoning him.
“Flash, Batwoman here. Just picked up a threat near the Washington/Canada border. Looks like that new Professor Zoom is at it again. I’ve summoned the members on duty, figured you want first dibs on this one.” She smiled.
“I do.” The Flash smiled as he sped off to his next adventure.
