Time After Time ϟ Barry Allen [2]

15- In Another Life (Part 3)

Rami Malek portraying Simon Baz

   Staring at the other Green Lantern, I cannot believe reality changed again. I knew Green Lanterns existed, just have never met one in real life, nor have been one either. I furrows my eyebrows under half a mask, rather a monocle if you think about it. Glancing down at my right hand, my non-dominant hand, I have a green ring made to conjure anything from it with willpower. I bring my gaze back to the guy floating up beside me. 
   "Who are you?" 
   The guy's eyes search my face for answers, "Simon Baz, your best friend and partner in saving this sector of the galaxy." 
   "Yeah, sorry Simon. I'm not Jessica, I'm actually Sky McGray. I got switched into a new reality and I have no idea where I am or who I am." 
   "Whoa, slow down. Did you hit your head when we fought those Red Lanterns?" 
   "Why does everyone think I hit my-- Red Lanterns?" 
   "You don't remember? They really gave us a run for our money." 
   "Can I ask you something?" 
   "Sure, Jess, ask away." 
   "Do Barry Allen and Oliver Queen exist?" 
   Simon's eyes widen, "you're kidding." 
   "What?" 
   "Those are the Trigger Twins. Superman specifically said they were his responsibility, not ours." 
   "Clark Kent told us off? Look, I know Clark and he's not that type of guy." I turn my head to the direction of STAR Labs. 
   "His name isn't Clark, its John Deegan." 

Every muscle in my body stiffens. Simon waves a hand past my face, "Earth to Jessica, you in there?" 
   "Oh hell, no. No, he can't be. I need to find the Trigger Twins." 
   "That's a bad idea, especially when you're not yourself. The Trigger Twins have been on the run for months, and you know we can't stay in this city for long--" 
I take off through the sky and rocket into Central City. I land on the street and people stare at me. Yeah, superhero alert. I must look dope with my bright ring, black and green suit, and glowing Lantern half-mask. Simon lands beside me as I go to interrogate a guy walking out of a bar. If Barry and Oliver got swapped as thieves, a bar would be a good place to start. 
   "Hey," I stroll right up to him. "Have you seen the Trigger Twins anywhere?" 
   "The Trigger Twins? Nah, you're crazy lady." 
Lie detected, the ring buzzes. 
   "Just follow my lead, Simon. I promise, I've never been more myself." 
Sufficient willpower rising. I smirk, "and my badass ring thinks so too." I walk right into the bar. This Green Lantern reality twist could not be any better. 

Simon and I enter the bar and study bits of broken glass on the pub floor. Alternate reality Jimmy Olsen crosses his arms at the sight of us. 
   "Does Superman know you're in town, Lanterns?" Darker Jimmy questions. 
   "Where are the Trigger Twins?" I ask. A constructed green anvil sprouts from my ring. 
   "I don't answer to you." 
   "Don't test us," Simon's ring lights up more. "We're going off the rails here. Its been a rough day, and if you call your boss... Well, be prepared for some serious ass kicking." 
   "I'll let Mr Ramon know he has new visitors." He replies dryly. 
   "If you don't mind, we'll find his office ourselves," Simon says. "We have business to discuss." 
Jimmy lets us go and we make our way to gang lord, Cisco's office. "You've got a plan? I'll go with it," Simon mutters to me. 
   "Really?" 
   "Yeah, you've been right before. So many times before," he sighs. 
   "Barry?" I peer into the office just as Cisco and them are going to vibe. 
   "Sky? Wait, what are you supposed to be?" Barry asks in a black leather and bandana outfit. 
   "You know Green Lanterns?" Cisco questions. "This is gonna be one hell of a day." 
   Simon exhales, "you're telling me." 
We hop into the breach and after numerous times, we finally end up on Earth-38. 

I'm no stranger to the Fortress of Solitude. Managing the secret hero lair is Lois and Clark. 
   "Still Barry?" Clark asks Oliver. 
They make a gesture to say they've swapped identities back. "Wow, that's great." Clark knits his eyebrows at me, "but something's not right yet. Wait, Kara?" 
   "You want to make me think this guy's Superman?" Cisco asks. "Eh oh, what's this?" Gang leader Cisco touches an alien hammer and it flickers with light. 
   "Not everything is back to normal," Barry tells Clark. 
   "Where's Kara?" the real Superman asks. 
   "John Deegan, disguised as you, has changed all of Central City. Maybe even the world." 
   "No, I think its all the world," I respond. "Simon still thinks I'm Jessica, whoever she is. Not from this city; but if we get the book back we can rewrite all of reality again." 
   "I've come across people like this before. It takes a force of willpower and it comes at a cost to write in it." 
   "We've got willpower," Simon offers. "Jess-- Sky and I, we're Lanterns." 
   "I don't think a Green Lantern is what we need," Lois says. "But we need to go to your Earth." 
   Cisco holds out his hand, "shall we breach?" 
We all jump through and land at STAR Labs, where an evil Superman, Killer Frost and Diggle are. 
   Clark glances at Deegan, "hi. Nice suit."