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Chapter Text

"You're late!"

Kyle put his bags on the floor and straightened his slipped jacket. "I'm not!"

"I'm the Flash one but you're the late one!"

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Boo hoo! I'm the Flash one but you're the late one!"

"You act like Bart!"

Kyle tossed one of his bags at Wally. "And you complain a lot!"

"I wonder why?!"

Connor stepped in and put his hands on their chests. "You guys don't have to fight every time we go on vacation."

The two spoke at the same time. "He started it first!"

"Connor!" Kyle woke up screaming and looked around. He was covered in sweat, but he didn't know if it was the dream or Guy's leg on him. 

He swept over Guy's leg and jumped over the sleeping bodies of Hal and John. He put on his jacket and went out onto the balcony. Gotham's cold wind hit his face. Kyle and the others had come to his house that evening to celebrate Alan's return, and Alan had insisted they stay overnight. 

The screaming sound from below brought Kyle out of his thoughts. Kyle knew that Gotham had always been like this, probably any Bat was already going to intervene, but Kyle couldn't help himself.

As he jumped from the balcony, his pyjamas was replaced by a black-green costume. Kyle dimmed his light and started flying towards the street where the scream had come from. 

Finally, five blocks down, he saw an injured man. The man's clothes were torn and covered in blood. Kyle knelt down beside him, even though he knew there was nothing he could do. "Who did this to you?"

The man spoke hardly, he was looking like so much in pain. "Ha-Hawke."

-

"So you're serious about this retirement?"

Wally looked up from the job postings at his wife. "Yeah, I'm serious. I want to retire and be a normal person."

"Wally, you're not normal. You just ate a box of chocolates for breakfast."

Wally shrugged. "And they tasted so good!"

Linda muttered as she looked at her bag. "How do I know, you never gave it to me."

Wally looked up from the newspaper and looked at his wife. The conversation was going places he never liked: sharing his chocolate. 

Wally was grateful when the doorbell rang. Whoever came had saved his life. He stood up quickly and looked at the door. His hand went to the doorknob as he stared into Linda's allusive eyes. He used his speed as he went to look for the door. He knew from Linda's gaze that she was questioning him. His speed was a part of him, what would he do without it? Wally was also curious about the answer too.

Kyle waved as Wally averted his gaze and opened the door. "Finally! I've been ringing for an hour!"

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

Kyle rolled his eyes and walked in. "Haha very funny, Wally." He hugged Linda. "How are you Linda?"

"I'm fine, thanks. But sorry, I'm late for work." Linda took her purse and kissed her husband on the cheek. "We'll talk about chocolate thing tonight."

"I prefer not…" Wally closed the door behind him and looked at Kyle. "Did you just remember me?"

"Hey, I have a pretty good excuse: I was in space!"

Wally rolled his eyes and headed for the kitchen. "What do you drink?"

"Nothing." Kyle sat down in the chair and gestured to his side. Wally shrugged and sat next to him. "So why are you here?"

Kyle handed the file in his hand. He wanted to get straight to the point. Wally looked at his hand in surprise, then took the file. He frowned, slowly flipping through the pages. All the pages were filled with murders of the same kind. Wally sighed and handed the file back. "You came the wrong person, Kyle. I'm not Batman, I'm not even a hero anymore. I retired, I don't know if you heard. Go figure it out with Dick."

"The killer's name is Hawke."

"What?"

Kyle flipped through the file. On the last page, there was a robot drawing describing the killer. "The killer's name is Hawke, he's 5' 9", in his twenties, black and blond. Sound familiar?" 

Wally's eyes opened wide. "This is not possible"

"We have to help him, Wally.” Kyle touched in his shoulder. “He's our friend.”

Wally turned his head the other way. He couldn't, he was going to retire, a normal life... He clenched his fist. What if he hurts him? "I can't. I'm sorry."

"Wally, we can't let him go down this dark path. He is our friend, we must help him at his worst."

"What about me?"

Kyle hesitated. "What?"

"Where were you for me?" There was tears on his green eyes when Wally looked at him. "You haven't been with me once in years, and now you're coming for Connor?"

Kyle gulped. He hadn't thought of it before, he knew Wally was having a hard time, but… Wally wiped the tears on his sleeve. "Get out. Go solve your case with Oliver Queen, I don't care. I'm done."

Kyle reached out and tried to grab his arm, but Wally got rid of him. When he turned his head again, his eyes were glowing with blue energy. "Now go, Kyle. And don't ever come to show your fake friendship again." 

Kyle didn't say anything. He clumsily closed the file and left the house. When the door of the house was closed, Wally sat on the couch and covered his face with his hands. He could still see the image of Roy's body.

When he opened his face, he picked up the photo that had fallen from the folder. He sighed and crushed the photo between his fingers. "I won't. I can't hurt anyone else. Not again..."

Chapter Text

"I hope you gave the correct address, Hal." Kyle looked at the address in his hand and took a deep breath. Coming here was the last thing he wanted, but he had no other choice. Wally was right; It was his father, he had right to know. 

When he knocked on the door and began to wait. Shortly after, the door opened. Kyle tilted his head to the unexpected face. "Hi, I was looking for Oliver Queen."

The girl looked at him carelessly. "He's my brother, why?"

"I need the Green Arrow's help."

The girl tried to close the door. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please." Kyle held the door. The girl looked at Kyle's hand under her nose. Her eyes opened wide. "You are a Green Lantern."

Kyle let go of the door. "Is your brother or Dinah here?"

"Both went on Justice League mission." Kyle exhaled. What he feared had happened to him, the goddamn goat-face wasn't home. Deep down he realized he missed Roy, if it was him they could have worked together. Kyle hesitated. No, he didn't want Roy. He wanted his own Green Arrow and was going to get him back. 

"I'm Red Arrow" she said, breaking the silence. Kyle was sobered from his thoughts. "Is there anything else I can help?"

Kyle waved his hand in the air. "No, thanks. I'll handle it."

"I'll let him know your visit when Ollie gets back." she said, heading for the door. She didn't hesitate. "What should I tell him?"

Kyle looked at her. "Connor. Tell him it's about Connor. He'd understand."

-

"How did it go with Kyle?" said Linda, handing her coffee to her husband. Wally put the coffee on the coffee table and kissed her. Wally stroked his wife's hair and tried to change the subject. "I like it better when they're taller."

"Wally?"

Wally sighed out. "We fought." 

"I suspected.” Linda took a sip of her coffee. “You've been grumpy all night.”

Wally reached for his coffee without disturbing Linda in his lap. "Do we really have to talk about this? I thought we'd do something else since the kids are Wallace and Avery."

Linda got up from his lap. "I don't think so. I have work to do."

Wally nervously put his glass down on the coffee table. "This is all because I was rude to Kyle, right?"

Linda stopped and turned to him. "So you were mean to him?"

"But he deserved!"

Linda rolled her eyes and opened her laptop. "You act like a children, Wallace Rudolph West."

Wally turned on the tv. He quickly changed the channel when he saw the news that Barry had caught a rogue. God, how he missed messing with Snart! Wally shook his head, his Flash times were gone. There would be no more super speed or heroism. 

When he switched to the other channel, seeing the news that the Justice League had gone to space, he sighed and changed the channel again. Again the same news: Heroes, heroes, heroes…

Wally turned off the TV in frustration. He turned and looked at Linda. "Are we going to be like this all night?"

"What did you say to Kyle?"

Wally shrugged and knelt down on the chair. "Did he rat on you?" 

"No, I know my husband. Also, there were no dishes in the kitchen. If you guys had a drink something, you would never put them to the machine."

"I wash them with my hands!"

"There were no glasses in the clean dishes section, either."

Wally frowned. "That hypocritical selfish bastard pissed me off so I kicked him out. Are you happy?"

Linda closed the laptop without saying a word and tucked it under her arm. She took her coffee mug and headed to the bedroom. "Good night, Wallace. You can come into the room when you stop acting like a child. Until then, good night on the couch." 

Wally had jumped off the couch and followed him to the room, but it was too late, Linda had locked the door. "Damn you, Rayner!"

- 

Kyle dimmed his light completely as he soared above Gotham with his ring. He slid down wearily when his ring detected movement. If this was a case of snatching again, the snatcher had a pull, it was eighth tonight!

Kyle clenched his fist as he heard sighs and muttering, the person across from him injured. 

"Ple-please don't..." The man in the shadows swung his sword at the man's neck. The green structure sword stopped him within inches of the man's neck. Kyle saw his face as they both looked at him in surprise. It was him.

Kyle gasped. He thought it was him all along, but had no proof yet. Until now.

Connor's face was painted green by the light of the building, his eyes glaring at him with anger. He quickly swung his sword at him. 

Kyle backed away in panic. "Connor stop! It's me! Ky-" Kyle winced as the sword slid past his face. Somehow flames were coming out of the sword, burning Kyle's face. He quickly got up from the ground and looked at his friend. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You can't." Connor let go of the sword with one hand and threw a ninja star. Kyle started and landed as the star stabbed himself over Kyle's shoulder. "Connor stop! I'm your friend." 

Connor threw another star without saying anything. Kyle screamed as the star pierced his left leg this time. He wanted to build a construct with his ring and hit him, but Connor split the construct in half with his sword.

Kyle's eyes widened in surprise and fear. Was his will weakened or was there something wrong with that sword? "Connor-"

"That's not my name!" Kyle staggered from a kick to the stomach. When did Connor become this strong? 

Kyle spit blood out of his mouth and hit him with a construct again. Connor staggered this time, but was still standing. "Connor don't make me do this. I don't wanna hurt you."

Then it all happened in a few seconds. Connor jumped into the garbage container next door, did a somersault in midair, and landed behind Kyle. Before Kyle could realize what was going on, he thrust the sword in his hand into Kyle's right shoulder.

Kyle fell to his knees, screaming in pain. The flaming sword was burning his shoulder, the heat could be felt even on his shoulder. The pain was so unbearable that he couldn't think of anything. 

"You shouldn't have gotten in my way, hero." Connor drew his sword close to Kyle's chin. "My name is Hawke." He fell to the ground when the knife he had thrown from one hand got stuck in the throat of the injured man a little further away. Connor grabbed Kyle's hair and lifted his head. Kyle could feel the heat of his sword on his neck, the end had come. "And Hawke leaves no survivers."

"You're wrong." A familiar voice was heard in the void, and then Connor was knocked back with a punch, without understanding anything. "You are Connor Hawke. Green Arrow. A Hero. If your mind can't take those, I'll make you understand for you." Connor then took another punch, and then another punch... 

Connor could see nothing but a blue lightning bolt. Panicking, his hand went to the gas bomb in his waistband. It was covered in dust as he quickly threw it to the ground. 

Wally coughed a few laps, clearing the air, and then looked around. There was no sign of Connor. He immediately ran to Kyle's side. "Kyle, are you okay?" 

Kyle groaned in his arms. "Connor... It was Connor." Wally passed minor scratches and looked at the wound on his shoulder; the flames of the sword cauterized the wound, he wasn't losing blood. That was a good thing, he wouldn't have to worry about him losing blood while he was carrying him. 

He lifted him into the air to take him home. He took one last look at the alley before he started running. "God, Connor, what have they done to you?"

Chapter Text

Kyle opened his eyes, grimacing at the pain in his shoulder. He brought his hand to his face as the events of the previous night flashed before his eyes. He still couldn't believe what had happened.

He was startled by the noise from the kitchen. Right as he lay, he noticed the bandage on his shoulder and leg. he was lying on the bed in only his underwear, someone must have treated him. 

Kyle got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. When he entered the kitchen, he saw Wally cleaning the broken glass on the floor. 

"Let me help you.” he wanted to help him, but he grimaced when his wounds hurt.

Wally slowly lifted him to his feet. "Be careful, your wounds will open."

"Did you treat me?"

Wally shrugged and threw the floor glass in the trash. "I thought I'd cook a breakfast without using my speed, look at this mess."

"You said you wouldn't come."

Wally continued without listening to him. He really didn't want to get into that. "Remind me I owe you a cup. But at least the omelette is good. Linda always says I cook great."

Kyle sat down at the table. "Well, she's right."

Wally looked at the plate in front of him as Kyle laughed and took a bite of his omelet. Kyle had never seen him so unappetizing before. He is always hungry. Wally put down his fork and leaned back. "I've never seen him like this. He was so... bloodthirsty."

Kyle's hand hung in the air. He swallowed the bite in his mouth and took a sip of his juice. "It wasn't Connor."

Wally shook his head. "No, it wasn't." He took a deep breath and ate a bite. "Does his father know?"

"No, he was on a mission with the Justice League."

Wally ran a hand through his hair. His face was hung in distress. "Kyle, we can't do that. Neither of us can save him. It's... It's beyond us."

Kyle put his fork down on the table. "You must be kidding. You saw how he was!"

"And I saw what he did to you.” Wally leaned forward. “He almost killed you, Kyle.”

Kyle clenched his fist in his healthy hand. "So you're afraid."

"That's not the point."

"That's exactly is!" Kyle leaned forward as his shoulder hurt, but he didn't care. "I'm not afraid to die for Connor, Wally. What about you?"

Wally leaned back. "We can just wait until the Justice League returns and then they'll take care of-"

"Get out."

Wally hesitated. "What?"

"If you're not going to help me with Connor, get the hell out of my house."

Wally sighed. He knew that Kyle had used the same card as him. Without a word, he stood up and took his jacket off the couch.. "Kyle... Don't do anything stupid." 

Kyle didn't say anything when Wally left the house and closed the door behind him. Kyle closed his eyes and brought his hand to his temples. 

Kyle was startled when the phone suddenly rang. He got up and went to the sofa where the phone was, his bloody clothes still lying on the floor. He took the phone from his pants pocket and looked at the caller. "Hello? Donna?"

-

Connor nodded, bowing to his masters. "I've dealt with the traitor as you requested, Master."

One of the masters stepped forward and extended his hand to Connor's bleeding brow. "I didn't think it would hit you this hard."

Connor hesitated. He couldn't tell them how he had been beaten by something unseen. He gulped. He couldn't lie to them, they were his master, he owed them. "He wasn't alone, Master. A superhero got in my way. He had a green ring."

The man looked annoyed. "Didn't that old man retire yet? Use your wooden arrows next time, he has wood weakness."

Connor raised his eyebrows. He was sure he was his age. "I fought with the young one, master."

"Brown haired stubborn one or ginger annoying one?"

"Neither. He had black hair, a black and white suit, and a big green mask."

The man looked at him for a moment, he was surprised. Then he glanced at the one next to him. "What's he doing in Gotham?"

"I don't know, master.” Connor lied. He had come for him, he had said that to him over and over again. Connor clenched his fist. No, he had come for Connor and he wasn't exist.

The other man nodded and put his hand on his shoulder. "C'mon rest, we'll let you know at the next job."

Connor nodded and headed for his room when he stopped. The question in his mind was eating away at him. "Master?"

"Yes?"

"Who is Connor?" 

The men's faces contorted for a moment with shock. The first asked angrily. "Where did you hear that name?"

"Superhero said. He was looking for him."

The other shook his head. "Green Lantern will be taken care of, don't worry about him. Go rest."

Connor opened and closed his mouth. He couldn't question their orders. He never could. He was belong to them, he couldn't disobey. 

The first master whispered in the other's ear as he gone to his room. "Send another one quickly and we have to get rid of that Lantern."

-

"Really thanks for this walk, Donna. I needed this." Kyle said as he got to the door. 

Donna smiled. "We both needed this. I swear I would've lost my mind if I had stayed at the Academy any longer."

"That's why I left the Titans."

Donna frowned. "Is there no hope for you to come back?"

Kyle shook his head. He knew that this was Donna's purpose in coming here all along, but he had wanted to delay the matter as long as possible. "I need to get some rest, Donna."

Donna nodded. "I see," she reached down and kissed him on the cheek. "Take care of yourself."

"You too." Kyle smiled and walked in. He swallowed the shiver he felt as soon as he closed the door behind him. Like when you feel something is wrong but you can't figure out what it is?

As soon as Kyle turned around, he staggered from a kick to the head. The person in front of him took this opportunity and slammed his head on the coffee table. "Let's stop you thinking first, shall we?"

Kyle collapsed to the ground, groaning, his head throbbing, making it impossible to think. The girl sat on his chest and thrust the sword into Kyle's left shoulder joint. Kyle cried out in pain. "How do you know the name Connor?"

Kyle wanted to open his eyes, he could only make out the silhouette of her. He was seeing red all over the place... Blood… Now he understood the reason for the wetness on his cheek, his head must be bleeding. "You..."

The girl flicked the sword again, but this time she covered Kyle's mouth with her hand. Kyle groaned in pain, but no sound came out. "Speak or I'll cut off your arm."

Kyle groaned in pain. His vision was clearer, and he was beginning to grasp what was going on. The girl in front of him… He knew he wouldn't survive if she was a bit like her father. "Go to hell."

The girl shrugged. "I'll see you there." Just as she was about to thrust the dagger in Kyle's throat, she was thrown back with a heavy blow. 

Kyle looked up at the smashed door and Donna, his head was still humming. Donna looked at the girl across from her as she tightened the lasso in her hand. "Rose?" 

The girl cursed as she looked him up and down. She knew she didn't stand a chance against an amazon. As his final move, she threw the dagger at Kyle and jumped out the window. 

Chapter Text

FEW MONTHS AGO

When Connor woke up in the cell, he looked at the cuffs on his wrists. He raised his head in anger. "You can't keep me here. Someone will come and find me."

The man approached him. He was looking at him with an emotionless expression on his face. "No one will come for you, Connor. You belong to us now."

Connor struggled, trying to break free from the chains that bound him. "No! My father will come to find me."

"Your father who abandoned you at your birth?"

Connor lowered his head. "Someone will come for me..."

- 

As Connor floundered near the Lazarus pit, he looked at the two men waiting for him. He tried with all his strength to get rid of those holding him, but he couldn't. "What are you going to do to me?"

Connor's eyes widened as the man pulled out the dagger in his hand. The man thrust the dagger directly into Connor's heart. "We're going to clear your mind a little."

His head dropped forward as Connor's body relaxed. His captors threw his lifeless body at Lazarus. 

While watching Connor's blood scatter in the water, the man handed the knife to the soldier next to him. "Repeat the same process until Connor has completely lost his self. Then take him to the doctor."

"Yes, sir."

- 

Connor struggled on the stretcher he was strapped to. The words couldn't come together and he couldn't think straight, but he knew he had to get out of there. 

Connor tried to speak when a short, bald man entered the room, but nothing but a growl came out. He knew him but couldn't say who he was. 

The doctor came over to him and ran a hand over Connor's cheek. "My Hawke has returned to me."

Connor looked at him in disgust. Smiling, the doctor took the wire cap from the table and put it on Connor's head. "Don't worry, you'll be much more docile when we're done with you."

Connor snarled and struggled in the chair, but it was useless. An electric shock engulfed his entire body.

-

When the door to the room opened, Connor straightened up and looked at the doctor across from him. He was surprised that he had come this far alone, especially after his last attack…

"Aren't you afraid of me?" he said, looking at the short bald man across from him.. 

The doctor handed him the clothes he was holding. "I heard you killed five men yesterday, so I thought you might need these." 

Connor looked over himself, the dried blood really bothering him. He took the suit the doctor gave him and sat down. The doctor looked at him. "Why did you kill those men?"

"I... I don't know." Connor looked at his hands, the blood still not gone, no matter how hard he washed it yesterday. Then he got angry and broke the sink… "I have an unquenchable anger inside of me. I don't know why." Connor looked up. "I don't know who I am."

"Don't you remember anything?" The doctor's voice sounded doubtful.

"Hawke..." murmured Connor. "That's all I remember."

The doctor still looked suspicious. "This is your name."

"Is it?" Connor had learned about himself for the first time. He got excited. "Do you know me, Doctor?"

"This is a monastery. You were left here when you were just a baby, your parents died. We trained you, but you had an accident recently and your memory was damaged."

Connor nodded. The doctor's words sounded familiar. Reluctantly, he looked at the blood on his hand again. "What was I doing, Doctor?"

"I couldn't catch you?"

"What was my occupation before the accident? Why... Why am I so good at killing?"

The doctor smiled as if he had been waiting for this question. "You were our best assassin."

TODAY

"Everything was going well until that goddamn Amazon!” 

Connor came out of his room at the sound he heard. Ravenger was talking to the masters a short distance away. Connor gulped, knowing he shouldn't listen to them, but couldn't help himself. 

"What about Lantern?" asked the Master.

Connor's eyes opened wide. No. He didn't know why, but the moment he heard his name, he felt like his chest was constricting..

"I hurt badly but I don't know."

After a moment of silence, the Grand Master spoke. "Finish him at the hospital tonight."

-

Kyle groaned from the pain in his head as he opened his eyes. He thought it couldn't possibly be worse than the day before, but here he was. 

"Kyle, are you okay?" Kyle opened his eyes and looked at Donna next to him. "Donna? What happened to me?"

Donna took his hand. "Don't you remember? Rose attacked, almost killed you."

Oh, Rose. Kyle opened and closed his eyes. So she was the one who tried to kill him. 

"You almost had a brain haemorrhage, you idiot!” Kyle turned his head to see Wally in the other corner of the room. "You again?"

Wally sighed and sat at his feet. "Do you have any idea how much I've been worried about you? Why do you keep getting yourself into trouble?"

"Why do you stubbornly pretend you care just for yelling at me?"

Wally frowned. "Of course I care!"

"Liar!"

"Idiot!"

"Coward!"

"Enough!" ' Donna interrupted. She looked nervously at Wally and then at Kyle. "What are you talking about?" He turned his head to Kyle. "Do you know why Rose tried to kill you?"

Kyle looked at Wally. "Didn't you tell her?"

Wally folded his arms across his chest. "No, I didn't want to get her in trouble either."

"It's not a decision you can to make!" Donna pressed her finger against Wally's chest. "What the hell is going on here?"

Wally and Kyle made eye contact. Finally, as Wally cursed and ran a hand through his hair, Kyle began to explain. When he finally finished, Donna sat down in the chair and put her hand on her chin. "So that's why the Lazarus League wants to kill you two? For digging into Connor situation?"

Wally laughed hysterically and waved a finger in the air. "There is no us. I'm not part of this madness. I'm retired, remember?"

"Not yet.” Kyle frowned. “You're just a coward.”

"Maybe I am!” Wally said angrily, heading for the door.

"It's not death you're afraid of, is it?" At Donna's words, Wally stayed where he was. He lowered his hand to the door and closed his eyes. "Yes."

Donna got up and gave Wally a hug. "Wally, you don't have to be afraid of yourself." 

His green eyes were wet with tears when Wally looked at him. "I can't kill Roy's brother either."

"You won't." Donna hugged him. "We're going to save him together."

-

When Rose entered the hospital room, it was empty except for Kyle. Her eyes sparkled with excitement when she saw Kyle sleeping on the bed. Squeezing the sword in her hand, she took a step towards him when she suddenly crashed into the wall with someone jumping on her. Her face contorted in anger when she saw the person who pushed her. "You!"

Connor drew his sword from his back. "I can't let you kill him, I have questions to ask."

Rose laughed. "You forgot the first rule of league, golden boy. No questions." She attacked him with her sword, but Connor parried and kicked her hard in the leg. 

Rose groaned from the pain of her broken leg. "You traitor!"

"I just want answers.” Connor thrust the sword in her hand into the girl's stomach. The sword in hee hand fell to the ground as Rose's mouth filled with blood. As Connor made the final killing move, a voice stopped him. "Don't Connor!"

Connor lowered his sword and turned. Kyle was awake and staring at him. Connor thought that he looks more handsome without that stupid costume.

"You didn't shout for help,” Connor said as he nervously gripped the sword in his hand.

Kyle shook his head. "I'm not afraid of you." Then he looked at to Rose on the floor. "Please don't kill her."

"Why? I tried to kill you. Why don't you afraid of me?” Connor continue to walk without minding Kyle's words. He wasn't interested in killing her, he was only care about Kyle. He started to get close to his bed but Kyle didn't seem to care. 

"You just saved me." Connor watched him with interest, could he have been telling the truth on the street that night? Was he not afraid of him because he was his friend or was he just an idiot?

"There are questions I want to ask you." Kyle wanted to straighten up in bed but couldn't, as his wounds hurt. Still, he pointed to the tip of his toe. "Yes?"

Connor lowered his sword and sat on the bed. He still couldn't believe that Kyle wasn't afraid of him at all. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

"Should I?"

Connor looked at the bandage on his right shoulder. "I did that to you."

"Actually Rose made it worse. Kyle laughed but Connor didn't seem to understand his joke. Kyle added. "You are my friend, Connor. I'm not afraid of you."

"I'm not Connor." Connor played with his sword in his hand. "I'm not your friend either."

"No, you are.” Kyle sat up with difficulty. He lifted his healthy hand, holding it in the air for a moment, then tapped Connor's arm. Connor winced. Connor's eyes opened in surprise and looked at him as if he were a threat. Kyle kept talking. "Your name is Connor Hawke. You're the son of the Green Arrow, but there's so much more." Kyle smiled. "You're my best friend." 

The sword in Connor's hand slipped and fell to the ground. Why was he believing him? Tears streamed under his eyelids as he closed his eyes. No, that couldn't be true. If this were true, his whole life would have been about lies. Still, four words spilled out of his mouth. "How did we meet?"

"We were solving a case together, and I found you by accident.” Kyle patted his arm. “Unlike the others, you were special, Connor. I felt closer to you than I've ever been to the others."

Connor opened his eyes and looked at him. He suddenly realized that he had brought his face too close to his, but did not pull back. "Why?"

"When I first became Green Lantern, everyone looked at me as a newbie, except you. You were the only one who looked at me as an equal." Kyle smiled. "Maybe that's why I told you my identity without thinking." He laughed. "I'm a little paranoid about these things."

Connor's lip curled up. "Good thing you're very careful about your secret identity."

"Did you just smile at me?" 

Connor laughed lightly, stepping away from him and lowering his head. He really loved Kyle. He was carrying his sword to his back when the door opened. "Stay away from him." 

Connor's hand automatically gripped the hilt of his sword. Even though the face of the person at the door wasn't visible in the dark, his eyes glowing with blue lightning revealed who he was.

"Wally stop!” Kyle's yelling was enough for him. Connor quickly slid his sword into his back and jumped out the window. 

Wally first glanced at the blood on the floor and frantically approached Kyle. "Are you okay?"

Kyle pushed him. "He wasn't hurting me!"

"But blood..." 

"It was Rose's! Connor saved me when she was trying to kill me." 

"Rose?" Wally turned on the lamp in the room and looked around. "Rose isn't here, Kyle." 

Wally looked out the window as Kyle cursed. He could go and search all the streets right now, but he doubted he'd ever find Connor. "So he saved you, huh?"

"He's still in there." Kyle smiled. "I can feel it." 

Wally looked at the blood on the floor. "We're going to save him, Kyle. Together."

-

Connor kept running, not knowing where he was going. He couldn't return to the Lazarus League, no more. All the lies… Kyle's words still hit him like a slap. 

He stopped running. What about his father? Connor shook his head. No. He couldn't trust the man he had only learned of his existence two minutes ago. 

He raised his eyebrows when he noticed the building in front of him. Kyle really was finding him everywhere, wasn't he? 

He climbed into the building using the fire escape and entered through the window. The living room of the house was completely messed up, the floor was covered with blood. Connor passed by and looked at the painting materials a little further ahead. He decided to pack the notebooks in his arms and go to a room that wasn't blowing, the living room ruined by broken window. 

He walked into Kyle's bedroom and laid the notebooks on the bed. After turning pages for hours, he stopped when he stumbled upon an old drawing. Three friends were on a yacht cruise. He recognized himself and Kyle, and decided that the third person was the lightning boy. 

He ran his finger over Kyle, put the other notebooks on the floor and put the notebook with that drawing beside him and curled up on the bed. He ran his finger over the picture for the last time and closed his eyes. That night he felt at home for the first time in a long time. 

Chapter Text

"Can you guys explain why I have to do this?" snorted Wally as he ran. 

Kyle spoke in exasperation on the phone. "Because I'm just being discharged from the hospital, and you can be there in two minutes."

"He hates me." 

Donna took the key from Kyle's hand and inserted it into the doorway. Kyle was still having trouble bending over. "Stop whining, Wally. This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't scared him last night."

"How many times do I have to say, I thought he was killing Kyle!” When Wally got to the front of the house, he stopped. He took a deep breath and put his hand on his earphones. "Anyway, I'm here. Wish me luck so I don't get shot."

"Ollie won't shoot you with an arrow."

"Right, he'll torture first." He grumbled as he hung up the phone. When the costume he was wearing disappeared, he looked at the outfit he was wearing. Kyle was still wearing the same clothes, his shirt was creased since he hadn't left Kyle at the hospital but he didn't care. He rang the bell with a trembling hand and bit his lower lip nervously. 

When the door opened a few seconds later, Emiko's pensive gaze suddenly turned to anger. "How dare you come here?!"

Wally tried to open his mouth, but couldn't utter a word. She was right, by what right did he come here? His eyes began to burn as his heart beat rapidly, and his breathing became difficult. He clenched his fist and dug his nails into his palm to wake himself up. 

One second. It would take a second to get out of that situation. He could run to Keystone City without looking back, get on with his life with Linda. One second…

"Who's here, Emiko?" Dinah's voice made Wally look like a splash of water. When Dinah saw him, she looked him up and down. She panicked as her eyes fell on her hand. "God, Wally, your hands..."

Wally blinked at the blood dripping from his palms. He quickly removed his hands and hid them behind him. "They'll heal."

"Yes, unlike some people."

At Emiko's words, Dinah glared at her angrily. "Emiko!"

"What?"

"Go inside please."

Wally gulped as Emiko walked in without saying a word, giving Wally an evil look. "You know she's right."

Dinah reached out and took his hands, the palm of his hand healed, but the bloodstains still remained. "It wasn't your fault."

"No, it was.” Wally withdrew his hand. “But I didn't come here for this. We have a more urgent situation. I need to talk to Oliver."

Dinah looked unconvinced, but continued. "Oliver didn't come home last night."

"He didn't? But I spoke to Barry this morning and he said the Justice League was back last night."

Dinah nodded. "He was, but Oliver wanted to close the building. He didn't come home after that. So I just spoke to Hal, we're going to go look for him."

Wally's eyes opened wide. The Hall of Justice was one of the best guarded places, but... Wally started running in a panic. 

He found himself in the Hall of Justice in minutes. He entered the computer system, ignoring the Booster Gold and Blue Beetle speaking at the entrance. he was praying inwardly as he quickly pressed the keys. "Please don't be in the system, don't be in the system..."

He cursed when the words appeared on the screen. GREEN ARROW II.

-

Connor fluttered in the arms of the soldiers holding him. No, no, no, this couldn't be happening again.

When they arrived in front of the Lazarus pit, he glared angrily at their Master before him. "You lied to me! All my life... You made me your puppet!"

The Grand Master played with the dagger in his hand. "Yeah, we did. But someone tried to cut your strings, right? Don't worry, we'll take care of him too, but let's reprogram you first."

"That's not going to happen.” Everyone turned their backs at the familiar voice they heard. The short bald doctor was standing in the middle of the room. He held up the remote he was holding. "Wake up, my loyal hawk."

Connor screamed from the pain in his head. He had a headache, as if someone were drilling his brain with a drill. He closed his eyelids tightly as memories flashed before his eyes.

Then everything happened in a matter of seconds. As the pain in Connor's head went away, he opened his eyes, quickly grabbed the sword of the soldier holding him and swung it at the other. Then he attacked the others with one move after another.

-

"He was here.” Kyle ran his hand over the bed. He didn't have to be a detective to know Connor was here. 

Donna looked at the broken cabinet in the room. "There was someone else too, there was a conflict."

"Do you think he won?” Kyle said, picking up the shattered sketchbook that had fallen to the floor. 

"I don't think so." Donna said and showed a piece of green cloth on the floor. "They must have caught him."

"Guys! Guys!” Wally stormed into the room with lightning speed and gasped. “We have a problem! Oliver Queen has been kidnapped!"

-

Connor drew his sword from the Grandmaster and tried to wipe the blood from his face, but it only made it worse.

The doctor applauded after him. "Great job! You were just what I wanted, My Hawk."

Connor bowed his head. "I told you I would never disappoint you." He turned his head and looked at the other soldiers who were in shock as they entered the room. "The great master is dead and they belong to you now."  

Sivana placed his hand on Connor's cheek. "No, I would never have gotten this far without you, son. This army belongs to both of us."

"As you wish." Connor agreed. "What are we going to do now?"

Sivana smiled with excitement. "First, we will take revenge from your dear father." 

Chapter Text

When Oliver opened his eyes, he was suddenly awakened by the face before him, his eyes wide and his name slowly pouring out of his mouth. "Connor."

"Good morning, Dad." Connor looked at him with his arms crossed over his chest. "How are you feeling?"

Oliver looked at the ropes around him in panic. "My God, Connor, what's going on?" He lifted his head and looked at him. "Why am I tied?"

"The Lazarus League kidnapped you to kill." Connor played with his sword between his fingers. "But I don't intend to kill. I have better plans for you, dad."

Oliver's blue eyes widened, he looked at his son with concern. "Connor, I don't know what happened to you, but it's not you. We… We can get through this together."

"We?” Connor glared at him. “There is no we! You left me! Where were you when I was tortured and waiting for you here every day?!" Even if a tear fell from his eye, he didn't mind. “Connor you knew is dead. He was stabbed to death a thousand times over and over again while waiting for his father at the top of the Lazarus pit. He'll never come back anymore." 

Oliver didn't know what to say for a moment. He was still in the shock of fainting and remembering Connor. How could he forget his own son?

"Do you know what I'm going to do to you?" Connor leaned over his father's shoulder and began to run a knife through Oliver's beard.I won't kill you dad but I'll wish you were dead." 

He got up and started walking around. "I'm going to capture your loved ones first. I'm going to kill Dinah and your new sidekick, the Red Arrow, over and over in front of your eyes, just as they did me.” Connor seemed to have drifted off for a moment. "I'm going to slit Dinah's throat, just like they did to me. And that little girl..."

"Don't touch Emiko!"

Connor smiled triumphantly. "Oh, so it's Emiko. I'm going to pierce Emiko's heart." Connor put his hand to his chest. "Again, over and over and over…" He wiped the other tear from his eye with his hand. "I will resurrect them over and over, just as they did to me, until they are no more them."

"No…” Oliver tried to get away. “Connor, whoever brainwashed you, I'll find a way, son. I promise."

Connor laughed. "Oh, brainwashing. Yes, I did that to someone you love too."

Oliver looked at him without understanding. "Roy is dead."

"I'm not talking about Roy." Connor smiled. He turned his head to the soldier next to him and signaled. "Tell Sivana to activate our bug."

-

"Did you talk to Wally?" As Dinah got up to the roof, Hal looked up from the phone screen at her. "Huh?"

"Wally stopped by, he didn't look good."

Hal shrugged. "We have more important problems, Dinah. Come on, we need to find Ollie." 

Dinah nodded and looked at him as she rose with the structure Hal had made. There was something strange about Hal, even stranger than Wally. Hal had never been careless about Wally, and Dinah knew that he was often more responsible for Wally and Roy than Barry and Oliver. 

"What's wrong, Hal?"

Hal looked at her, but seemed distracted. "What?"

"You're acting weird."

Hal looked down, they could still see the buildings below them. "Do you think you would die if you fell from here?"

"What?” Dinah glared at him without understanding, but Hal just shook his head. "The ring said you wouldn't die." Then he let Dinah down without letting her say anything.

-

Emiko was looking at the packets of chips in her hand when the doorbell rang. Wallace was due to watch a movie soon, but Emiko couldn't decide which brand to choose. 

When the doorbell rang, she grumbled and placed them both on the coffee table and headed for the door. The last time she had straightened her hair in the hallway mirror and opened the door, her face fell when she saw Hal Jordan. "Oh, was that you?"

"I see your boyfriend hasn't come yet. Better."

Emiko's cheeks would normally start to burn, but something was wrong. Hal's voice… It was cold. "Is everything okay? Where's Dinah?"

"With Ollie.” Hal smiled. “Ollie wants to see you too.”

Emiko relieved, at least she knew her brother was okay, but she still didn't have to ruin her plans for him. "I'm meeting my friend like you said, Ollie can come home later."

"No, we're going now.” Hal rushed over and grabbed Emiko's arm. His fingers were as hard as steel. Emiko looked at her arm in pain. "Let me go, you're hurting me."

Hal slammed her head against the wall. "I don't care. We're leaving. Now."

- 

Connor slid sideways in his chair and propped himself into a prone position, putting his feet on the handle and turning the knife in his hand. "You know, I'm personally saddened by Roy's death. I had perfect plans for him, I was planning to drown him in lazarus."

Oliver gulped. "You are not my son. My son would never do that."

"What can I say, old man, your son died during those tortures.” Connor shrugged. “And now everyone you love is going to die with your city."

"What?" Oliver turned his bloodshot eyes at him. He has been talking about the tortures he would inflict on him and his family, but he never mentioned his city. So many innocent people… Oliver closed his eyes. No, he had to stop him, he had to have a way. A hope... Someone to pull them out of the darkness…

"Hal?” Oliver was speechless when he saw the person entering the room. His brain seemed to be giving a thousand alarms at once, and they were all saying the same thing: No, no, no, it can't be him.

"I brought them as you wanted." Hal tossed the unconscious Dinah and Emiko at Connor's feet and glanced at Oliver. His brown eyes were staring at him without emotion. "You must be pretty confused, Ollie."

The innuendo in his voice sickened Oliver. No, it wasn't Hal. He couldn't be. He looked at Dinah and Emiko on the floor. Blood was dripping from Emiko's head, but except for that, there wasn't any wound, but Dinah… Oliver gasped. What the hell had they done to her? She was covered in dust and wounds, and his arms and one leg must have been broken. 

Connor tilted his head to the side and looked at Dinah. "Is she alive?"

"She's got fractures all over her body, including three of her ribs, but she's alive, don't worry.” Hal looked bored. “Am I free to go now? You know, I have an unfinished business with Batson, too. With this body…” Hal looked at hjm. “There is no chance of me losing.”

Doctor Sivana appeared. He looked at the floor, then at Hal. Oliver was filled with anger. He should have known that everything was coming out of that bald bastard. 

"Is your new body resisting, Mr. Mind?"

Hal laughed, turned his head to look at Connor. "Maybe if he had the ring on, but with Hawke's tip, no. When I got his brain, he was just a simple human, he couldn't resist."

"And now?"

Hal smiled and shook his head. "Right now he's in a coma and I started to destroy his brain cells. Within a week, he will be brain dead and his body will be completely mine."

Oliver gasped. He lowered his head, the last ray of hope gone. "How could you do it?" he muttered. When he looked up, his eyes were wet with tears. He was staring at Connor with hatred. “All Hal wanted from the start was to help us. He resurrected me because he didn't want you to feel alone. He did his best to keep you alive while you were in surgery. How could you do this to him?! He had nothing to do with that, that damn thing could have taken my body, but you had to run his life too, right?"

Connor looked at him indifferently. "Green Lanterns are nothing but impediments."

"What about Kyle? Do you feel the same about him too?" 

Connor turned his head. Ignoring him, he turned to Sivana. "Is what I want ready?" 

"Yes, as you requested, I placed the bombs in three different parts of the city. Star City won't know what hit her."

Oliver's eyes opened wide. So that's what they were talking about. "Connor no! There are millions of innocent people out there."

Connor pressed the remote in his hand. "And now they're all going to die."

-

When Wallace got home, he realized that the door was open, and he panicked into the house. He searched the entire house, but found no one. Just as he was about to go outside, his eyes widened as the red arrow rested on his nose. "Hold on there, Junior. Who are you and what the hell are you doing here?"

"You… You're him.."

"Red Arrow. Yes." Roy stretched the arrow in his hand. His eyes flickered around a child. His heartbeat quickened when he saw the blood on the wall. He spoke again through his teeth. "What the hell are you doing in our house and where are the others?"

Wallace swallowed. It was obvious that Roy didn't know him, he could have been shot if he didn't talk. Would Roy really shoot him? He really didn't want to know the answer. "I-I'm Emiko's friend. We… We were going to hang out, but when I got home the door was open and-"

"And there was blood.” Roy lowered his arrow and placed it on his back. He put his hand to the blood on the wall, still wet. He grimaced and looked at Wallace, the boy seemed familiar from somewhere. "Who is Emiko by the way? Don't Oliver and Dinah Queen live here?"

Wallace tilted his head exaggeratedly and looked at him. "She's Oliver's sister- Wait, blood?"

"His sister?"

Both questions remained unanswered. The entire city was shaken by a terrible explosion. 

Chapter Text

BEFORE

As Hal got off the plane, he grinned at Carol. "See, I told you. She's all right!"

"So you could land the planes without breaking them down?"

Hal made a contorted face. "I'm the best pilot in the world, Carol."

Carol waved her hand in the air indifferently. "Yeah, sure."

"Thanks for giving me a second chance." Carol looked angry for a moment as Hal reached out and kissed her cheek, but then she smiled. Still, she didn't want her authority in Ferris to be broken. "I hope you don't disappoint me. Again."

"I won't." Hal pressed his lips together and swayed. "But I have to go now."

Carol hit her head with her hand. Hal took her hand and looked at her. "Dinah called, Ollie didn't come home last night, we're going to check on him. I swear it's not about space."

Carol sighed. "Just come to work tomorrow on time."

Hal got ready and saluted with his hand. "Aye Captain!"

"Grow up, Hal!"

Hal grinned and headed for the cupboards. There was only one man sitting inside when he entered the locker room, Hal didn't recognize him, but thought Carol had hired someone after him. As he directed his hand to the closet, his hand was left in the air at the man's question.

"Are you Green Lantern?"

Hal turned and looked at him from head to toe. There was something wrong with this. "No." he said sternly as his fingers reached for the locker lock. 

"Yes, you are.” The man kicked him without even breathing, causing him to hit his back against the wall. Hal groaned in pain and tried to get up, but the man caught him and pinned him to the ground. He got on top of him and slapped his right arm. "I was ordered to bring you alive."

Hal grit his teeth. He knew he couldn't get rid of the man, the man seemed to be specially trained. So he decided to buy time by talking. If Carol came, she could save him. "Who are you? Who wants me?"

"You'll meet them soon." Hal saw the man's hand go into his jacket pocket. What was he going to take out, a gun? Rather, the man took out a box and opened the lid. Something like a worm appeared on his finger. "Meet with Mr. Mind."

"A worm?" The man pinned Hal's head to the ground with his hand and placed the worm next to his ear. Feeling the worm touch his skin, Hal shuddered. The thing was crawling into his ear. Hal tried to squirm, he didn't know what was going to happen, but he didn't want to know. 

All of a sudden, his head began to throb with pain, and his whole body began to cramp. No, he had to fight. Hal cried out in pain, the thing must have gotten close to his brain. He groaned as he covered his mouth so he wouldn't shout. The pain had become unbearable. He felt like his brain was going to explode. No, he couldn't give up. He had fought Parallax. Parallax… Hal's body began to relax. How much he missed him… Then his eyes slowly closed and he surrendered to the darkness.

NOW

Hal's eyes watched the burning city. He had never liked cities. He had a bad memory, but no, he wasn't Hal Jordan anymore. Hal Jordan was gone. 

Hal looked down at the young boy who was trying to get people out of the rubble of the building. The boy looked to be at least 20, his clothes torn in the wreckage, blood dripping from his forehead. He was relieved to see him. "Green Lantern, thank God! There are survivors downstairs, help me."

As Hal raised his hand, the beam emanating from his ring shattered the boy's chest. As the boy's lifeless body collapsed to the ground, he passed him in disgust. "No one will survive." Then he directed the green flames he had created beneath the rubble. Hal, no, Mr. Mind smiled when he heard screams coming from below.

-

"Are you saying Connor abducted his father?” Wally asked, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not saying, I know. His DNA was registered in the Justice League building, so no one else can be other than him."

Kyle shook his head. "No, Connor wouldn't. He... He believed in me, he was trying to be a better person."

"Did you tell him about his father?” Wally's green eyes swept over him. Kyle hated the way he was. He was really in the mood right now. He was walking around in a panic, keeping his eyes on him as if questioning. "I did, but..."

Wally slapped his hand on his forehead. "I can't believe you!"

Just as Kyle was about to open his mouth to speak, Wally's phone rang. His green eyes opened wide and trembled as he spoke. "Star City is blown up, I have to go."

Wally didn't say anything else, that was enough for them. He thought the others could figure it out, now they had higher priorities. He quickly ran from Kyle's house to cover the few minutes' distance. His voice was shaking when Ace called him, he must have been frightened or injured.

When he got to Oliver's house, thankful that the house was a little out of town, the house was still intact. He walked in and took a quick glance, then decided that he wasn't home. 

He must have gone to help the city. Old memories flashed in Wally's eyes as he ran. Star City's collapse, Prometheus, Lian… Wally blinked, tears evaporating as he ran. Roy.

When Wally arrived in town, he looked for those who needed help. He quickly removed everyone in that neighborhood and set them aside in safety. Seeing a cold child, he moved away from the child a little. Vibrating, he lost the suit the speedforce had given him, then took off his jacket and gave it to him. "Here we go."

The girl smiled and looked at him. "Thank you, Flash."

Wally ran his hands through her hair, not much younger than Irey. He winked as his costume appeared on him. "I have to go now okay, kiddo?"

"Did you change your costume?" 

Wally froze in place. The voice he heard... No, he was dead. His ears must have been playing tricks on him. Holding his breath, he turned around. No, he was real and he was standing in front of him fresh.

Wally happily hugged him. "You're alive!"

"Yeah, but if you hug me like that, I won't be soon." A voice came from Roy's throat. "Wally, you're choking me!"

Wally let him go but still couldn't believe it. "How... how did you get back?"

Roy shrugged. "I woke up at a gas station a few days ago and hitchhiked all the way here." Roy eyed him. "You finally got your hair free, huh? So doesn't that jeopardize your confidential identity business?

"I don't use it anymore."

Roy raised his eyebrows. "Since when?"

Ever since I killed you and went to jail. "Since Sanctuary." but Wally could say. 

Roy raised his eyebrow. "Did you go to therapy?" Roy slapped him on the shoulder. "It was about time, bro. Was it Zoom again?"

Wally opened and closed his mouth. Didn't Roy remember or was he just acting like it never happened? No, even Roy couldn't pretend like that. "Where's Kid Flash?" 

"Oh, in the middle there…” Roy waved his hand in the air. Yellow lightning flashes were visible where he was pointing, he thought Ace was working there. "The boy is talented and strangely obedient. You've had a big improvement in recruiting new sidekicks after Bart."

"I didn't." Wally tried to pull himself together, still in shock, unable to get used to Roy. "Yani, Barry... Nevermind. Ace is my cousin."

"May I ask why you have the same name as your cousin?"

"My uncle wasn't creative."

"My god!" The voice behind them both turned in that direction. Donna rushed down to the ground and hugged Roy tightly, the same squeak coming from Roy's mouth again. 

Kyle landed and looked at Roy. "Donna, I think you're choking him."

"Oh," Roy took a deep breath when Donna released him, his face flushed. Wally wasn't sure if it was because of Donna or because he was out of breath?

They stopped where they were at the sudden scream they heard. Wally's heart began to beat faster: Ace. 

When he quickly went to where he was, he saw the boy writhing on the ground. He held his breath when he saw the person in front of him. "What are you doing?"

Hal looked at him, but something was wrong, Wally could sense it. Of course there is something wrong. He was trying to kill Ace. "There will be no survivors."

"Did you do this?!” Wally grabbed him by the collar and started running fast. He had to stop his breathing. Without oxygen, he couldn't think, if he couldn't think, he couldn't build. But Hal didn't seem impressed, something was definitely wrong. 

Wally groaned as Hal stabbed the structure in his stomach. He dropped it, stumbled, and crashed into a pile of debris. He groaned in pain, but he couldn't blink. When he lowered his head, he hit the giant piece that stuck in his leg.

Hal went down beside him and placed the ring on his forehead. "Don't worry, it'll be quick and painless. Connor wanted it that way."

Wally's eyes opened wide. He cursed inside. Kyle was wrong, and now they're all going to pay. The green heat was starting to burn his forehead when Hal was trapped under a green truck. 

Before Hal knew what was going on, the yellow lasso had been placed around his neck. "Don't move!" Donna shouted after pulling his ring from his finger.

As Kyle collapsed next to him in panic, Wally saw Roy walk over to Ace. "Connor." he said in a low voice. He didn't know what Roy remembered and didn't remember, but he didn't want to traumatize him any more. "He did this. All of this."

"No..." murmured Kyle. Wally could sense disappointment in his voice. Then his brown eyes blazed with anger, and he angrily grabbed Hal's collar. "Who are you? What did you do to Hal?"

"Oh I'm still Hal I assure you."

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!"

"You know your dear friend is going to kill you all, right?" Hal smiled. "Just like he did to your beloved Hal.” But his smile faded as Donna tightened the lasso. “Answer! What happened to Hal Jordan?!" 

Blood began to trickle from Hal's nose and eyes. His face contorted with pain. "K-Kyle?"

The anger faded from Kyle's face, and he knelt beside him in panic. "Hal? Is that you?"

"There's... There is no time." His voice was painful and he was crying. He was breathing heavily, forcibly putting words together. “The worm...My brain…” Hal groaned, more blood pouring from his eyes and nose. 

Kyle put his hand on her cheek. "Hal, please stay with me. I know you can do this. What worm?"

Donna's eyes opened wide. "Mr. Mind." She wrapped the rope around her palm and shortened it, then knelt down beside Hal, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Is that in your brain?"

A sob escaped Hal's mouth. "Kill-kill me."

"No," Kyle shook his head. "We will save you."

"Kill me." ' Hal repeated. "It's the only way." After saying that, his body fell to the ground.

Donna let go of the rope and crouched down, reaching out to check his pulse. "His pulse is low, but he's alive." Donna looked at Kyle, but Kyle was still trembling. "He did this," he muttered. "Connor did this to him."

Wally pulled his leg out of the rubble, it was starting to heal, and he didn't want his bone to fuse wrong. He straightened up and put his hand on Kyle's shoulder. "Do you still believe we can save him?" He wasn't sure who he was asking this question to. Himself or Kyle?

Kyle looked at her, cheeks wet with tears. "We must try. One last time."

Chapter Text

"Come on, wake up, wake up." Oliver was staring at her with red-rimmed eyes as Connor nudged Emiko with his hand. It hurt that there was no trace of the son she once knew.

Emiko woke up startled. Her eyes wandered to the chair and warehouse she was attached to. She flinched when she saw Oliver bound in front of her. "Ollie!"

"Oh, She finally woke up!" Connor clapped his hand excitedly. Emiko looked at him, not understanding. His face looked somewhat familiar, but he had never seen it before. "Who are you? What are you going to do to us-" Emiko was cut short when she saw Dinah lying on the ground. She was in such bad shape that Connor didn't even bother to tie her up.

"What should I call her, father?" ' Connor looked at Oliver. "Aunt or is Emiko enough?"

Emiko looked at him without understanding. "Father?"

"Oh, didn't my father tell you about me? Why am I not surprised?"

Oliver repeated the words he said a thousand times. "I'm so sorry I wasn’t there for son. Please don't do that."

Connor chuckled. "Because you weren't there for me? It wasn't something you did unintentionally. Don't you think I know my mom told you to take me off when she came to you? Or that you left me at birth!" As Connor threw the knife in his hand, it stabbed into Oliver's shoulder. "I hate you! Do you hear me?! I hate you for leaving me, and everyone you love will pay for it! Starting with the city you love so much."

- 

"How's his condition?" Kyle spoke without taking his eyes off Hal, clutching his trembling hands tightly. Hal's body, tied to the stretcher by Donna's rope, was constantly shaking, Hal groaning in pain.

Lilith put her hand to her temples, trying to relieve her headache. "He's in pain. Mr. Mind damages nearly every brain cell."

"Dick went to fetch the Justice League." Donna leaned down and whispered in Hal's ear. "You hear, Mr. Jordan. Atom is on the way."

Hal groaned but did not open his eyes. Kyle gulped. He hated it, hated that those around him were constantly suffering because of him. He looked at Lilith pleadingly. "Is there any way to relieve your pain?"

"Mr. Mind is inside resisting Donna's lasso, torturing her with magic." Lilith shook her head. "I can't stop him, sorry."

"Maybe I can." A boy in a blue suit came in panick, holding a spellbook under his arm. "Billy couldn't come, he sent me."

Kyle eyed him. "Who are you?"

"Captain Marvel Jr. but you can call me Freddy."

"That's the worst name I've ever heard."

"Captain Marvel was taken." Freddy put the book on Hal's bedside and began flipping through the pages. "The Amazon lasso is torturing him because he was in a coma while Mr. Lantern's body was being used, the lasso woke him up. I can put him to sleep with magic." Freddy looked at them shyly. "It's not a long-term solution, but Billy said the Justice League was on the way. Atom can take care of the rest."

Hal suddenly shook Kyle's hand. Kyle winced and sat up. "Hal? We're going to rest you, you hear?"

"He wants to talk." Lilith's eyes opened wide. She reached down and put her hand on Hal's head. "But I can't hold it long,"

When Hal opened his eyes, it was obvious that he was in pain. "A-address…" he muttered.

"Address?" Kyle bent over him, putting his ear close to him. "Connor's address?"

Hal opened and closed his eyes in agreement. "I should tell you this before I go to sleep."

-

"Is this really necessary?" snorted Roy as Wally parked the car. He turned off the ignition and got out of the car. "Yes."

Roy got out of the car and looked around. "Besides, why did we come by car? You would have carried me."

"No."

"Why?"

Because I'm afraid to kill you. Before Wally could speak, a man running suddenly bumped into him. He was trying to get away by jumping on the car quickly, but he fell to the ground with a bullet in his foot. Wally stared in horror at the blood splashing on the car window. "Barry's going to kill me."

" This man is going to die!" ' said Roy, rushing over to the man. He took his bow and arrow and aimed it at the street. "Whichever maniac you are, you're going to leave this guy alone."

"That guy is a killer-" Jason's words fell short. He slowly lowered his gun when he saw Roy. "Roy?"

Roy didn't mind. "As if you aren't either, psycho!"

"What?" Jason put his gun on his waistband and took off his mask.

"Do you think I forgot what you did to Dick's city and Mia-"

Wally awoke from the shock of the car and interrupted. "Roy, Jason has changed since then." He lowered his arrow with his hand. "Pick it up, it'll come to the car or something."

"What's the problem?" Jason shook his head. "Did you bring him from the past or something?"

Wally sighed. It would take hours to clean up that blood. “I didn't bring him, he's resurrected and…” He looked at Roy from head to toe. "He doesn't remember everything. Especially the last 10 years."

Roy folded his arms across his chest. "I remember as much as I should, and I'm right here."

Jason ignored him. "How can this be?"

"I don't know." Wally shrugged. Part of him was happy that Roy didn't remember everything, but the other part was feeling guilty. "Roy, there was a police station a little further back, would you drop this guy over there and come over?"

Roy looked at them. He knew they were hiding something from him, he wasn't stupid but he didn't mess with it. He had bigger problems. They had to save Oliver and stop the maniac that blew up the city. "Okay, sure."

Jason looked at Roy as he walked away. "Did you bring him here so he might remember something?"

"Green Arrow is missing, we need your help."

Jason put his mask back on his face. "Call Dick. I'm busy."

"His own son kidnapped him, and he's under the influence of lazarus." Jason stopped and turned to face him. "No one knows Lazarus better than you, you've experienced it yourself. Please."

Jason sighed. "The front seat is mine."

Chapter Text

When the car stopped just beyond the building, Wally stopped and turned to the people in the car. "What's our plan, Kyle?"

Jason and Roy's eyes turned straight to Kyle. Kyle didn't like the whole responsibility being thrown on him, so he glanced at Wally. But still, deep inside he understood, it was Kyle's still faith in Connor that brought them all here. Even after all he's done...

"Let's find out who we're dealing with first." ' Roy looked at him. It was clear from the tone of his voice that he was trying to help him. Lightning went off in Kyle's head, and Roy still didn't know that Connor was the problem. He looked at Wally with a confused expression. "You still haven't told him who we're dealing with?"

"Why do I have to say it to him?"

Jason looked at both of them. "He does not know?"

"I don't know what?" Roy raised his voice as they all looked at Roy. "What are you talking about? Even Jason knows but I don't? And why didn't Donna come?"

Kyle ran a hand through his hair. "She was supposed to hold Hal." He nudged Wally with his gaze.

"Roy is about the people inside... They're ..."

"Yes?"

Jason sighed. He could see that Wally was conflicted. He believed he had to do it himself. "Roy, what do you remember?"

"It doesn't concern you."

Jason rubbed his temples. "Do you really prefer Wally grunting than talking to me?"

Roy rolled his eyes and exhaled. "I remember the pain. Not Star City or my arm, but my daughter's pain." Roy ran a hand over his arm. He still couldn't believe it was there. He swallowed. “I was in the void and in pain then… I woke up at a gas station. I hitchhiked to Ollie's house, but…” He leaned back in the seat and looked out. "It's like I've fallen into the same hell again."

"You don't remember the last ten years." ' Kyle muttered, but his eyes were on Wally. Wally turned around and put his hand on Roy's knee, leaning back so he could only touch it. "Roy, I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

Wally swallowed, feeling like he had a piece in his throat. He couldn't breathe. Of course it was his fault. Roy wouldn't have lost his memory if he hadn't killed him.

"Do you remember Oliver's son?" Jason's voice broke the uncomfortable silence. Roy nodded. "Yes, Connor."

Kyle bit his lower lip. Of course, they had to hit Roy, who was already in pain, from here. "He's the one who kidnapped Oliver," he muttered.

“It is not possible,” said Roy, sitting up straight. "Anyone can do it, but he... Connor would never do that."

Jason is distracted by a bloodstain on Wally's knee. His gaze shifted to his hand, noticing the blood seeping from Wally's hand. Wally leaned his head back, only looking forward. Jason was worried about him, Wally looking worse than himself.

"Is that why Jason is here?" Jason was startled when he heard his name. By the time he got back to them, Kyle had already told Roy what had happened, it was time for the plan.

"Now we do it this way, Wally will go ahead and take down the army of assassins with super speed. Then you'll save the Olivers and fight the villains in the room while I go back and get Connor back."

Jason grimaced and looked at him. "This is the worst plan I've ever heard in my life."

"Was it in your life before you died or right now?"

Jason rolled his eyes in anger. Kyle reached out and tapped Wally's shoulder. "Are you ready?"

"Enter five minutes after I enter." After saying that, Wally got up from his seat. Wally's voice was shaking, but Kyle didn't seem to notice. Jason followed him out of the car and grabbed his arm. "Stop."

Wally looked at the arm holding him. "Do not touch me."

"It's not the time to be annoying, you're bleeding."

Wally pulled his arm sharply. His costume formed on him, vibrating. "I told you not to touch me because I was creating my costume, Speedforce might hurt you. Now if you'll excuse me I have a job to do."

"Why are you hurting yourself?"

Wally gulped. He hated bats and their detective observations. That was the main reason he didn't want Dick with him on this mission. He didn't want him to see him like this. "I don't." he lied.

"I'm not stupid, Wally." Jason stepped forward and looked at him. "You can't fight like this. Pack yourself up, it wasn't your fault."

Wally fixed her green eyes on him. "It was. I killed those people, Roy."

"Roy would remember this even if he didn't die."

"But it wouldn't be like yesterday for him."

Jason shrugged. "Maybe. But you don't know that."

"They're looking at us." murmured Wally. It was clear from his voice that he wanted to go.

Jason looked at the car. "There's a lot of anger inside you. You're angry with yourself, aren't you?" Wally didn't say anything, but they both knew the answer. "Don't hold back. Use your anger against them. If Kyle's plan doesn't work and Connor isn't convinced..."

Wally grunted. "That's eighty-nine percent."

Jason exhaled. "Eighty-nine percent chance we'll need your help. No matter how good a fighter I am, I can't beat him, Wally. None of us can. It's all up to you, remember that."

Wally nodded and disappeared, leaving behind blue lightning bolts. Kyle leaned forward as Jason got into the car to pick up his mask. "What did you guys talk about?"

"We talked about how awful your plan was." Jason dropped the subject. "Let's go."

-

Connor turned the knife in his hand and placed his hand on Emiko's shoulder. "Where were we now? Ah yes." As she was about to stab her with the knife in his hand, a lightning bolt passed in front of her. "You don't want to do this, Connor."

When Connor opened his palm, the knife was gone. Connor sighed and looked up to see Wally. "So you've finally decided to show your face."

"Listen, Connor, I know you don't remember me, but I'm just as good a friend as Kyle." Wally dropped the knife he was holding and raised his hand harmlessly. "I know we're off to a bad start, but I'm here to help you."

"No, you're not."

Wally hesitated. "What?"

"You've never been as close of a friend as Kyle." said Connor, reaching for an arrow on his back. "No one has ever been like Kyle."

Wally gulped. Even though Connor's words were deliberately meant to hurt him, he knew he was right. It was always nothing more than a third wheel when stuck together. "Connor, don't do this. I know they're brainwashing you, so I can-"

"Cut the bullshit!" Connor inserted the arrow into the bow. "I remember everything, Wally. I'm not that stupid kid from a few days ago."

Wally froze in place. He had feared, that eighty-nine percent was coming true. Wally had a ninety-nine ratio when Connor fired the arrow at him. He caught the arrow in midair and lowered his arm. "Then why are you doing this? Connor, you're the kind person I know."

"Don't take it personally, Wally. Unlike Kyle, you were there for me at my worst. But Sivana needed a test subject, you know."

Wally's green eyes opened wide. It took a few seconds for Connor to understand his words. He looked at the beeping arrow in his hand. Before he could throw him to the ground, a shock swept through his body and he collapsed to the ground.

Connor squatted down beside him. "You're probably wondering what's going to happen to you. Don't worry, the paralysis isn't permanent, you'll just stay like that for a while." Connor took the arrow and turned it in his hand. "Though I'm not quite sure what will happen to you when he's done with you. Or how much of it will be left."

"He has a family, Connor!" cried Oliver. "If you're not thinking of him, think of the twins, they're just kids! Do you really want them to grow up without a father?"

"Don't you ever talk about it!" Connor pointed his finger in anger.

Connor's eyes slowly fell to Wally. "Actually, I'm a little mad at you for killing Roy and ruining my plans. I was planning to drown him." He stood up and slapped Wally in the foot. Wally wanted to shout with the sound of his broken foot, but his whole body was paralyzed and he couldn't speak. Connor tilted his head to the side. "You know, it's actually a bit personal."

Connor nodded to the two soldiers. "Take him to the lab."

Connor took one last look at Wally. Wally was panting with panic. He had screwed everything up. Again. Others had trusted him, but he had screwed up. "Goodbye, Wally." said Connor, raising his hand. "The next time we meet, there won't be any Wally left."

Chapter Text

Wally groaned as the needle was stuck in his neck. He was lying on a stretcher, unable to move anywhere. Wally's head spun as the blood that was draining from his neck began to fill the tube. How much blood were they planning to take? All of it?

"Calm down, I'm not going to let you bleed to death. I need more." Doctor Sivana placed the bag of instruments on the table. Wally couldn't turn his head, but he could hear. Sivana looked at the blood tube that was filling. "I think that's enough blood. Now let's take a look at the marrow sample."

Wally felt something as he closed his eyes in pain. His eyes slowly looked down at his finger. The middle and ring fingers on his right hand were slightly tense, a lightning bolt. Wally's lips curved upwards. There was very little left.

-

"Let's see where we were." Connor turned the knife in his hand and began to circle Emiko. He pointed the knife straight at her heart. "That's right, I was going to kill my dear aunt." Emiko screamed in pain as Connor pressed the knife down. "I know you don't have a heart, Dad. Let's see if you have one..."

"Connor stop! I beg you, stop!

Connor was just starting to thrust the knife deeper into the room when a green light lit up. "Connor stop."

The words hit Connor like a knife. He straightened up and looked back when he saw him. "I wondered where you were."

"I was in the hospital," Kyle said coldly. "With Hal."

Oliver couldn't help but relax. Hal was in the hospital, he still had a chance.

Connor looked him up and down. He tried to read Kyle's feelings, but Kyle was strangely hiding his emotions, and Connor couldn't figure him out. "Let me guess, you came here to stop me."

Kyle shook his head and took a step toward him. "No, I came to save you."

Jason watched from the top of the building, his gun tightening. He didn’t approve of Kyle getting so close. He had been unstable and angry when he first returned, and considering Connor was the same, getting that close could be fatal.

Connor didn’t know what to think. Had he come to save him? Really? He laughed. “I have nothing to save. I’m not left for you.”

"I know you came to my apartment, I know they caught you." Kyle closed the distance between them and grabbed his arm. But Connor didn’t react the same way this time, just stared at his hand. “They brainwashed you, Connor. But we can beat this, together.”

Connor brought his face closer to his. “You’re the most hypocritical person I’ve ever met, Kyle Rayner.”

“What?” Kyle's brown eyes opened wide and his eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Where were you when I got shot in the head? Where were you when I was in a coma?” Connor shook his head. “You always act like you’re a good friend, but you’re not. You’re just a hypocrite who only goes after people when you need them.”

Kyle’s mouth opened and closed. He remembered. So what was wrong? Why was he so… evil? “Connor, I don’t understand. Did they tell you about your past accidents?”

“I remember everything, Kyle. Everything. I know who you are, the lying bastard you are.”

Kyle swallowed. “I’m so sorry, Connor. I… I’ve changed since then, I swear. I’m trying to be a better person. I—”

Kyle was about to continue when Connor cut him off. “By trying to save me?” Connor laughed. “Maybe you should have looked around yourself before I did. Where were you when Wally lost control and killed Roy? Or did you ever visit him in prison afterward?” Connor laughed and shook his head. “I bet you didn’t even ask him how his day was.” Jason turned his head as the arrow Roy was holding snapped. Damn it, he wasn’t supposed to find out this way, not now. Roy’s lips twitched in surprise. “Did he kill me?”

Jason didn’t know what to say, he knew it wouldn’t do any good. Hell, Roy couldn't even stand him, he was the last person who should have been there. Still, he reached out and touched Roy’s shoulder, whispering softly. “It was an accident.” Roy released his hand from his shoulder. “Not now.” He blinked, trying to focus. “Something’s wrong, Connor, he’s… too relaxed.” Roy reached out and picked up another arrow. “He’s planning something.”

-

Sivana picked up a scalpel. "Hmm, let's see... I need a test organ." Wally looked weakly at the man tearing his costume apart. His speed should have returned by now, what had Connor shot him with?

He clenched his teeth together in pain as the scalpel cut into his skin. "W-wait."

The doctor looked at him, not expecting him to speak yet. "Relax, I only have a few minutes left. Then I'll get to programming. Then the drugs will take the pain away."

"Programming?" Wally closed his eyes in pain, the doctor reaching into the cut on his left side.

Sivana nodded as he lifted the kidney into a jar. "Of course, just like your friend Connor." Wally opened his eyes. His whole body was throbbing with pain, practically begging him to pass out. No, Wally had to stay awake. Programming? "Connor? What did you do to him?"

"Oh, nothing. I just planted a trigger word in his brain. I used it when the time was right, and voila! He became the most ruthless killer on Earth." Wally clenched his fist, now able to move his entire hand. "What does the word do?"

"It blocks your senses, which awakens my fierce, loyal hawk inside you." Sivana lifted the syringe from his hand. "Enough talk. Now that I've collected the samples for my experiments, we can put you to sleep."

Wally's eyes flashed. "I don't think so." he said and attacked the doctor's throat with his hands.

-

"Don't do this Connor." Kyle took his hand. "Listen, you... you're right, okay? I'm a terrible jerk, but you're not. You're the best, most beautiful person I know. Please."

Connor looked into his eyes. "Kyle..."

"Yes?"

Connor grinned and pressed the button in his hand. "You're an idiot."

Kyle cried out in pain and sank to the ground, his hands to his head and into the fetal position. It was as if a thousand voices were eating away at his brain. Pain... All he felt was pain. So much pain...

"Did you really think I didn't have a plan for that magic ring of yours? Doctor Sivana started working on him as soon as Hal was under control." Connor knelt down and ran his hand across his cheek. "I'll want him to deal with you after he's done with Wally." Connor reached out and stroked his hair, examining Kyle's trembling body. "Eventually you'll agree with me, Kyle. Eventually, all your pain will be gone, I promise."

"Stay away from him!" Jason looked to his side in panic when he saw Roy on the ground. He cursed silently when he saw that his side was empty. He really hated heroes.

Connor turned around and was surprised for the first time that day. The last person he expected was Roy. He couldn't help but look at his father, but he didn't seem to believe what he was seeing either. When Roy threw the arrow in his hand to his shoulder, Connor was sure he wasn't dreaming.

He winced and pulled the arrow out of his shoulder, the wound had already started to close thanks to Plastic Man's DNA. "You were supposed to be dead."

"You're the golden boy of the family too." Roy took two arrows in his hand. "I guess we’re both disappointed."

Connor laughed. "You can't kill me with arrows, Roy."

Roy pursed his lips. “I don’t plan on it.” When he released his arrows, two of them passed Connor and hit the men behind him. The men fell to the ground as more followed. Roy grabbed a few more arrows. Wally apparently hadn’t been able to get them all down. “You can’t beat me alone,” Connor said, grabbing his sword. He went to swing at Roy when a pair of boots hit him in the face. He stumbled and fell to the ground, his sword skidding aside. Jason quickly got up from the ground and kicked him. “Who said he was alone?”

-

Wally pulled away from the unconscious body of the doctor and looked at the blood on his hand and the doctor's messed up face. He might have been a bit over the top. But he deserved it. Wally stumbled towards the door, he had to get out of there immediately. He was sure that if Sivana woke up with a broken face, the torture would hurt even more this time. But every step he took was like torture to him. His legs were not yet straightened, he was wobbling with every step he took on the ground. And there was his head... It was spinning really badly. Wally held on to the door with one hand and put his other hand to the sore spot on his stomach. When his fingers got wet, he looked at the wound on his stomach. He raised his eyebrows in pain. "Why can't I heal?"

-

Jason screamed in pain as Roy took out the last soldier. He took a quick look at him and ran to Kyle. He knew he didn't have much time, Jason might be a good fighter, but Connor was the best. There was no way Jason would survive this fight.

The sound of bone breaking and Jason's screams filled the room as Roy panicked and ripped the ring off Kyle's finger. Connor had told him it was the ring that was hurting him, if it came off, he would be fine. Roy lightly slapped Kyle's cheek. "Come on, come on, you need to wake up."

"I didn't know you were stupid enough to die again, Todd." Jason fell in pain and Connor kicked him in the face again. "You know, I always wanted to fight one of you bats. Although I would have preferred Nightwing." Connor sat on Jason, one of his broken ribs lodged itself in his lung, blood coming from Jason's mouth as he coughed in pain. Connor put his hands to his throat. "But I got the broken one."

Jason couldn't take it anymore. At least five of his ribs and arm were broken, blood was pouring from everywhere. He thought about closing his eyes, it didn't help the pain last time, but this time was different. He couldn't help but be glad when Connor put his hands on his throat. He wasn't the Joker, at least he would kill him quickly.

"The only one broken here is you!" When Roy swung the bow in his hand at him, something inside him broke along with the bow. He really liked that bow.

Connor looked at him with exasperation, but Roy didn't miss the way he put his hand on his shoulder. His lip curled up, it hurt him.

Connor stood up and looked at him. "Roy, are you really that intent on dying again?"

"Who said I would lose?"

Connor put his hand to his temple. "Roy, you're not a fighter."

Roy knew that too. He could hit any target from any distance, but he couldn't win this fight... But he had no other choice.

Kyle opened his eyes when Roy groaned in pain. His head was still hurting so much, it was hard to think. "Kyle!"

Kyle looked up. Oliver Queen was looking at him, tied to the chair, with concern. "Kyle! Pull yourself together, kid! You're needed."

Kyle shook himself when Roy shouted. He looked up. Roy's arm was broken, he was shaking unnaturally, and his face was covered in blood. "Honestly, I'm glad you're back," Connor said, and he grabbed him by the hair and started dragging him. "So I can carry out my plan." He dragged Roy to the well and held his head under the water.

When Roy started to struggle, Kyle got to his feet. He grabbed Connor's sword from a distance and put it to his throat. "Connor, stop it!"

Connor looked at him, but he was still holding Roy down with one hand. Kyle swallowed. He didn’t know how much longer Roy could hold on; he had to hurry. “Let go of Roy, or I’ll cut my throat.”

“Cut it then.” Connor’s voice was uncaring. Kyle took a deep breath and pressed the sword down. The blade of the sword pierced his skin, sending a thin line of blood down his neck. Kyle spoke through his teeth. “Shall I continue?”

Connor’s gaze shifted. He let go of Roy and stood up. Kyle stared at Roy for a few seconds. Roy used his good arm to pull himself to the side and lay on his back, but he had no strength left to move.

“Why are you doing this?” Connor stared intently at the sword in his hand. “What makes you think I care about you?”

Kyle pressed the sword down a little harder, drawing more blood. “Because I do. And I’m willing to die if it brings you back to your senses.”

Connor moved closer to him. His green eyes were fixed on Kyle. “This is stupid.”

Kyle grinned. "I'm an idiot, remember?" Connor leaned over and kissed him. Kyle's eyes widened but he didn't pull away, the sword was at both of their throats, the slightest movement could kill them both. A small trickle of blood trickled down Connor's throat, but he didn't care.

For a few seconds, time seemed to stand still, then Connor pulled away from him. Kyle stared at him in shock, and Connor smiled. "You really are an idiot." Kyle, distracted, quickly grabbed the sword from Kyle's hand and slashed him across the throat.

Kyle's mouth dropped open in horror, his hands flying to the cut on his throat in panic. Connor wiped the blood off his sword as he collapsed to the ground in pain. "I was just wondering what it felt like." Connor winced. "I don't feel anything."

He was about to stab Kyle with his sword when he heard those words. "Connor stop! Loyal hawk!"

Connor's hand hung in the air. Connor turned his head to Wally in surprise. The top of Wally's costume was completely torn apart, his neck and stomach covered in blood. He stood bent over in the doorway, watching to see if his last hope had worked.

Blood. Connor suddenly realized what he had done. He lowered his sword and fell to Kyle in panic, his blue shirt completely stained red. Connor wrapped his arms around her shaking body. "It's okay, it's me, Kyle." He reached up and kissed him on the head. "Everything's going to be okay. Hang in there... Just hang in there."

Connor looked at Wally pleadingly. "Y-you have to get him to the hospital." Connor looked at everyone in the room as if he had just woken up from a dream. "You have to get everyone... everyone."

"I can't." Wally collapsed next to Roy. His face was completely white, he looked terrible. "I'm not getting better. But..." He breathed hard. Connor realized then that he was about to faint too. "There's a car a block away, Barry's car. With it..." Wally laid his head on Roy's chest and mumbled to himself. "Blood... I lost a lot of blood." Connor looked at Kyle in his arms. No, it couldn't end like this. He turned his head and looked at the water behind him. He kissed Kyle on the head. "I'm sorry," he said, then he picked him up and together they entered the Lazarus pit.

Chapter Text

When Kyle opened his eyes, he winced at the hospital wall he saw. Again? He sighed and turned his head to the toe, but his eyes were wide. He hadn't expected a blond head that had fallen asleep on its feet while waiting for Wally.

"Connor..." he mumbled quietly. He moved his hand to his neck, then slowly to his lips. There was no trace left from the cut on his neck, but his lips still felt like they were burning.

He swallowed and reached out for him. When he gently nudged his arm, Connor woke up with a start. He looked from him to the room. "You're awake!" Then he quickly got up and approached him. "Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

Kyle nodded slowly. "I'm okay. What happened to me? How did we get here?"

"What do you remember?" Connor asked, his green eyes watching him.

As Kyle lifted his hand to run it through his hair, he saw the ring on his finger; someone must have put it on him while he was sleeping. The ring flashed through his mind. "How are you?"

Connor swallowed and took a few steps back. There was no accusation or coldness in Kyle’s voice, but the question was enough to make Connor feel guilty. “He just got out of surgery,” he said, looking away. “But Dr. Palmer said his condition was uncertain until he woke up.”

“Can I see him?”

Connor opened and closed his mouth. “I’ll… I’ll go ask.” Kyle cleared his throat when he felt the tremor in his voice, his voice still sounding strange. “Don’t go. Stay.”

Connor stopped in his tracks and looked at him. His blond eyebrows were raised in surprise. "You don't hate me?"

"Why would I do that?"

Connor put his hand to his own throat. "I almost killed you."

"You kissed me." 

"What?"

Kyle let out a breath. Now wasn't the time, maybe later... "How did I get out? After they cut my throat. All I remember is blood..." He winced. "So much blood."

"I put you in a Lazarus."

Kyle's eyes suddenly widened. "WHAT?"

"Calm down Kyle."

"Am I going crazy too?!" Saying this, Kyle took out the serum from his arm. "Oh my God, I'm going to end up like Jason!"

Connor reached out in exasperation and grabbed his arm. "You need to stay in bed, you need to rest."

"No way! I need to find out!" Kyle said as he made slippers for himself with his ring.

"What?"

Kyle headed for the door. "Whether I'm going crazy or not!"

-

"What you did was completely insane."

Jason rolled his eyes at the cast on his arm. He hadn't been here 24 hours yet, but he hated it already.

Dick continued. "Jason, do you hear me? You could have died."

"Yeah," he finally muttered. Dick sighed and sat down next to him. "Do you know how many broken bones you have? Why did you go out alone to fight a whole league? You could have called us!"

Jason exhaled. "I wasn't alone!" And it wasn't the entire league that beat him up, but he didn't add that.

"Wait," Dick cocked his head to the side. "You went there with them?"

Jason's breath hitched as his broken rib hurt. "Yeah, your speedster friend called. What did you think? That I went out there by myself and they saved me?"

"Not the first time," Dick mumbled, but he kept his eyes on the door. "Why didn't Wally call me?"

Jason had a guess, but he doubted Wally would want to share it, so he didn't say anything.

"Jason!" They both looked that way when the door to the room burst open. Kyle came in in a hospital gown and pushed Dick into the seat next to him. "Tell me I'm not going crazy."

Jason winced and looked at him. "Kyle, you're already crazy."

"I'm not talking about that!" Kyle gestured at the door. "Connor said I went into Lazarus. You're an expert on the subject, am I going to lose control too?"

Relief welled up in Jason's chest. He could see from Dick's expression that he was convinced, which was why Wally had called him to the team. Because he was knowledgeable about Lazarus. "Jason!" Jason looked at Kyle, prodded. He had completely forgotten about him. "You were still alive when Kyle went into the water, so it won't affect you like it did me." Or like it affected Connor, he thought, but didn't add. He could see Connor looking through the door, but he didn't dare go in. He turned his gaze back to Kyle. "You'll probably have some anger issues for a while, but other than that I don't think you'll be a problem."

Kyle looked relieved. He put his hand to the wound in his throat and said nothing.

-

"Look what I got you!" Wally smiled as Barry placed the giant box on the bed. "Is this what I think it is?"

Barry held out the box as if to say open it. "Linda said it was your favorite."

When Wally opened the box, the subject of chocolate filled the entire room. He put one in his mouth and grinned. "Doctor Cross would kill you if he saw this."

Barry shrugged. "Maybe. But it's worth it if it makes you happy."

"Barry..." Wally closed the box in front of him and looked at him. "I need to tell you something."

"Yes?"

Wally looked at him, not knowing how to say it. But he knew he had to, Jason was right, it was eating him up. The words came out of his mouth all at once. "I've been hurting myself." Wally licked his lip. "Ever since Roy and the others died..." He held out his palm to Barry, wanting him to understand even though the wounds had already healed. "Whenever I feel anger and regret inside me, I cut my palm with my nails."

"Wally..." Barry reached out and took his hand. Wally swallowed and continued. "That's why I wanted to retire. I... How can I help people when I can't even help myself?"

Barry pressed his lips together and bowed his head. He paused for a moment before speaking. "Listen, Wally, I... Do you think I'm always good? I'm not." He looked up at him. "When Eobard injured Wallace and took Iris, I was a mess. I was lonely, sick, angry, and hating myself. But I kept fighting, you know why?"

Wally shook his head. "Because of hope. My hope that everything would be okay kept me going."

Wally leaned back. "Another hope bullshit!"

"Then why not?" Wally looked at him incredulously. "Mine is hope, but yours is a different emotion." Barry smiled. "Like love. You have a great heart, Wally, and we all love you for it. It's your heart, not your speed, that makes you a hero."

"It's definitely not your mind." They both turned their heads toward the door at the sound of the voice. Roy was grinning in the doorway. "Get well soon. Can we talk?"

Wally looked at the bandages on his face and the cast on his arm. "I wish you as well."

Roy shrugged. "I'm just going to be out of archery for a few months, no problem."

"I'll leave you alone," Barry said, walking out of the room. Roy looked at the door he had closed behind him. "You saved us all, Wall."

Wally looked at his palms. "I didn't do anything except get caught stupidly." He ran his hand over the stitches in his stomach. "And now Sivana escapes with all those samples."

"But you brought Connor back to his senses." Roy smiled. "You saved me."

"Actually, Kyle-" Wally yelled as Roy hit his arm hard. "Agh!" "Agh!"

Roy glared at him. "Take credit for once, man!"

"I don't deserve credit!"

"Why? Because you killed me?"

Roy's words hit him like a slap. Wally's mouth fell open and he stared at him. “You remember?”

"No." Roy paused. "I don't know." He ran a hand through his hair. "When Connor tried to drown me by putting my head in the Lazarus, I saw something, but... No, I heard it earlier when he was talking to Kyle."

"I'm sorry." Wally knew the words were worthless, but he couldn't think of anything else to say.

Roy sat down next to him. "I don't blame you. Oliver said it was an accident."

Wally raised his eyebrows. "Oliver said that ?"

"Actually, Dinah was glaring, I think that's why he spoke a little softer, but ..." Roy shrugged. "I've never blamed you since the moment I first heard it. It's okay, Wally. Really. You can forgive yourself."

A few tears fell from Wally's eyes. "I can't."

"Yes, you can. Wally, I forgive you and I love you." Roy touched his shoulder. "We grew up together, you're like a brother to me."

Wally closed his eyes. He felt the weight on his chest lift. When he opened his eyes, he put his hand to the wound on his stomach and slowly unwrapped the tape. The wound was completely healed, there was no scar left. "It's healed."

Roy smiled. "Just like you."

-

"Hal, please wake up." Kyle held his hand and squeezed it gently. It had been three days since he was discharged, he had been visiting constantly since then, but Hal would not wake up. He had visitors of all kinds, the JSA, the Justice League, the Green Lanterns... Even Young Justice had come to visit, but even that noise had not been able to wake Hal.

Kyle looked up when there was a knock on the door of the room. He had thought it was Guy coming for the shift change, but it was Connor. "Can I come in?" he asked in a shy voice.

Kyle nodded. Connor went in and put the flower in the vase. Hesitantly, he put his hand on Hal's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he said, his voice trembling. Kyle knew he had to leave, he had to leave him alone. He got up and headed for the door, but he couldn't. He stopped where he was and turned to him. "It wasn't your fault."

Connor looked at him. It was the first time they had spoken since he woke up. It wasn't intentional on Kyle's part, but Connor kept avoiding him. "No, it was. I told them how to find him defenseless. If it hadn't been for me..."

“Three days was enough for them to find out Hal was a flying idiot without a ring.” Kyle didn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth, but they were true. “Anybody could have broken into Ferris and figured this out.”

Connor looked down. “I hurt you too.”

“They brainwashed you, Connor. It wasn’t you.”

Connor’s eyes were wet with tears when he looked at him. “Again.” He swallowed. “Ever since I got shot on that damn boat, he’s been controlling me again. This… When will this ever end?” Tears welled up in his eyes. “Will it ever end?”

“Of course.” Kyle closed the distance between them and hugged him. “Batman and Terrific are working out a way, and everything will be okay. I promise.” Then he paused. He pressed his lips together and pulled away from him. “Connor… I’m sorry. For not being a good friend.”

“Kyle—”

Kyle held up a hand to silence him. "No, listen. I... I lost my mother when you were shot. After... Parallax and the Sinestro War, I wanted to run away. From Earth, from everything... I know I could have come to visit you later, but... I'm sorry."

"That wasn't necessary."

Kyle shook his head. "No, it was. I want to be honest with you. You're my friend. There shouldn't be any problems between us."

"I lied to you," Connor blurted out.

"What?"

"When I kissed you. I said I didn't feel anything. I lied."

Kyle's lips parted but he didn't say anything.

"If you don't feel it that way, that's fine. I was just being honest-" Connor was cut off by Kyle's kiss. Connor's eyes widened in surprise as he responded. 

Kyle was smiling when they stopped kissing. “No, I feel it. I feel a lot of things actually.