Time Against Time

Chapter Fifteen

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Young Justice, folks! If I do, Wally West should never had ceased and Nightwing should never had leave the Team. Though, I own my OCs in this story.

WARNING: OOC, a lot of that.

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Chapter Fifteen:
Fading Of Hope
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It hurt so much. His ears wasn't used to it. His ears wasn't used to Artemis' heart-clenching sobs. She always seemed to be strong and tough; it was new to see and hear her in such fragile state. He couldn't anything but rock her in his arms as he whispered soothing words to her, words that he knew meant nothing to Artemis. Words that said that everything would be okay, where they both knew it would not be anymore.

It was a funny sight. How his friends and his girlfriend were more affected than he was. It was his death, he should be screaming and yelling and breaking down. But no, he was the one who was comforting the others instead of the other way around.

M'gann was crying on Conner's arms, the former holding onto Conner like she was afraid that he was going to disappear. Raquel sniffled as Kaldur rubbed her back in circles, giving comfort. Roy was red-faced, no tears, but it was clear he was hurting. He had his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. Zatanna's eyes were puffy red from crying. Dick—oh god, his best friend—was staring at him blankly. He was probably wondering why did everyone he cared about left him. That thought made Wally guilty, his best friend didn't deserve this much pain.

Wally, himself, was devastated, too. He was going to die in the next five years, leaving all the people he loved; his parents, Aunt Iris, Uncle Barry, Artemis, his Team, his best buddies, and a lot more. He didn't want to die yet, he had so much to do in the world. He wanted to go to Paris with Artemis, he wanted to marry Artemis, he wanted that he would be the Flash one day when Barry retired. He would have kids and grandkids. He would die at old age with Artemis at his side.

But life doesn't work that way, Wally thought bittery, life would take you away at a young age.

It was only a few hours ago when he and the Team stumbled upon his, the future him, memorial hologram. He knew his heart stopped the moment he laid his eyes on it. The picture of him standing up straight with his goofy smile burned on his mind, along with the words on the plaque. Wally wondered how he died, did he seriously messed up a mission that ended his life or did he sacrifice himself? He hoped it was the second option, but he knew that it was the first one. He was just like that, wasn't he? A clumsy and hyper speedster. He wasn't anything special.

He wasn't like his Uncle Barry, who could save people in just three seconds.

No one had checked on them yet. That was somehow a relief and a frustration. It was a relief since the heroes of the future wouldn't see them like that, their guards down and a collection of a crying mess. It was frustrating because they wouldn't know the details about his future self. Wally didn't get the relief, however, he got the frustration.

Someone slammed the door open, making the young heroes jump. Tigress, the tiger-themed heroine they met days ago, and a few heroes entered the mission room. Startled, Artemis broke apart from Wally's arms as she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat, regaining her composure. Most of the grieving teens broke out of their stupor, too, and faced them.

Those heroes who just entered the room halted on their steps, their eyes widening in confusion as they took in what they saw. Wally's face flushed with embarrassment. "Er, it's not what it looks like."