010

— the strange visitor to the strange place —

SOMETIMES HEAVEN WAS DESCRIBED TO BE AMONGST THE CLOUDS, A PLACE OF ETERNAL PEACE, AND SOMETIMES IT WAS A SUNNY MORNING TANGLED IN SHEETS. The soft shine of the sunlight ran across Hazel's face, warming her skin and making the few freckles on her face stand out. One of her arms was tucked under Gar's neck, the other splayed across his chest letting her keep her head stuffed in the crook of his neck all while Gar kept his arm wrapped around her.

The sun broke through the window enough to shine over Gar's eyes, making him stir. A groan rumbled in his chest as he woke but he kept still, ensuring not to wake Hazel. He looked down at her, slowly tracing his fingertips along her arm. In the soft morning light, she looked so beautiful, her skin glowing softly. He couldn't help but smile at her.

With his free hand, he reached out, brushing a stray curl from her face, his touch feather-light to keep from waking her. Gar leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, lingering for a moment to breathe in her familiar scent, lilies and fruit tea. The room was filled with a quiet, intimate stillness, broken only by the soft sounds of their breathing. He whispered softly, barely audible, "I love you," as if the words were a secret meant only for her.

"I love you too." Hazel opened her eyes just enough to see him and she smiled. His pink lips had been bitten red and bruised, the rest of his skin on his neck and collarbones bitten and bruised with little love marks, along with Hazel.

Hazel moved her hand off his chest and brushed her hands through his hair, trying to brush it back into place. It made Gar chuckle, "Thank you for fixing my hair that you messed up in the first place."

"I didn't hear you complaining last night," Hazel whispered, leaning closer to kiss him. Gar smiled against her lips mumbling a good morning. Hazel shifted so she could see him properly, stopping for a moment to stare into his honey-brown eyes, golden specks reflecting the sun. "You have really pretty eyes," She whispered.

Gar grinned, "Thank you Sunshine." Hazel smiled before she twisted and sat up, using the cover to keep her bare chest covered, but accidently exposed his mark covered torso.

Gar ran a hand down her back, tracing along her spine and along her golden tattoo like runes. They stood out from her caramel skin, but the gold matched her so well it looked like the richest honey, just as sweet as Hazel. "I like them," Gar mumbled. Hazel looked over her shoulder and Gar shrugged softly. "I mean it's different, but I can turn into a tiger."

Hazel laughed and looked at him, "I think I know what they're from," Hazel spoke up and Gar hummed, his fingers moving back up her spine. "Sty, the woman— Fate. She insulted you, to provoke me. I may have shot at her." Gar laughed at her and Hazel smiled.

Gar pushed himself up, using only one arm to keep himself propped up behind her. "Thanks for standing up for me," Gar whispered, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "It's sexy." Gar moved Hazel's hair from her skin and started to kiss up her neck.

"We have to find a way out of this house Gar," Hazel mumbled, turning her head to look at Gar.

Gar shook his head softly, "The others can handle it for now." Hazel laughed softly and kissed his forehead before slipping out his arms and shuffling to sit on the side of the bed. Gar watched her closely, watching the tattoos on her back stretch as she leaned over to grab her underwear and shirt. Then a thought surfaced from the back of his brain, "Haze, I have to tell you something."

Hazel pulled her shirt over her head and leaned back on her hands as she turned to look at Gar. "While I was learning to go through the Red, it. . . showed me something," Gar said cautiously. "Do you remember Doctor Niles Caulder?"

"How could I forget?" Hazel questioned with a teasing smile.

Gar chuckled softly, nervously toying with the blanket. Hazel furrowed her eyebrows and spun around to face him properly, waiting for him to keep speaking. "Well, the virus that gave me my powers, and killed my parents. He created it." Hazel's jaw dropped in shock, and she stared at Gar's sad eyes. "I think it showed me to make me accept it but—" Gar cut himself off with a shaky breath.

Hazel pushed herself up and moved into Gar's lap, her arms wrapping around him tightly. Gar was just as quick to hold her close, burying his face in her chest as he tried to control his breathing. She gently raked her hands through his hair, trying to keep him calm. "Just because it wants you to accept it," Hazel said, lifting Gar's head from her chest and whispering to him, "You don't have to do it right this second."

"What if I don't want to forgive him?" Gar asked, looking up at Hazel with the most puppy dog eyes she had ever seen.

"Then you do not have to," Hazel said sternly. "Niles Caulder took advantage of you; he used what should have been a selfless act to manipulate you. You do not have to forgive him for even more terrible things he has done." Hazel pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and Gar squeezed her closer. "You don't owe him anything.

❁

SURPRISE WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT, SHOCK WAS PLAIN, PANIC WAS GETTING CLOSE, BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKING SHIT SEEMED TO BE THE CLOSEST. Cole shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at Tim to his right who looked just as shaken as him, and everyone else as they watched Conner speak for LexCorp with Sebastion at his side. "And that is why I am formally taking over all LexCorp operations as the new CEO," Conner relayed, his sleek black suit fitting the LexCorp design. "Now, I know there were rumours that I was his enemy, his creation. Consider me his son. Consider this an inheritance of his legacy. And a new direction. Expect to see LexCorp's influence grow across the globe." Conner turned back, looking at Sebastion who sat on the board table behind him. "Technical innovation that brings the world closer, instead of tearing it apart. Clean energy, ending starvation, disease, poverty. Capitalism and conscience don't have to be enemies in a zero-sum game. Thank you, everyone. I'll take questions now."

As Conner finished speaking, the reporters clamoured, trying to shout over one another. Dick didn't waste a second, turning the TV off quicker than he had seen anyone move. Cole had no other way to describe it than absolute dread.

"So. . ." Rachel spoke up, dragging her hands down her face. She looked absolutely awful, sunken eyes and pale skin, ever more pale than normal. She had cooped up in the back of the RV by herself, blaming herself every second for Terran's death. She cleared her throat and sat straighter in her chair, "Conner's playing Lex and teaming up with Sebastion."

"He's too smart for that," Dick muttered, his arms moving to cross over his cheats. "He's working an angle.

"I—I don't care what Conner has done for us, if he was responsible for Terran's death—"

"Let's just take a breath," Dick interrupted, his eyes snapping towards Cole. "I know you're upset; I understand that, but I don't think Conner would do anything to hurt Terran." Cole looked up at Dick and nodded softly, in all honesty he wanted to believe him.

"What if he is working with Sebastin?" Tim asked, cautious of how his voice sounded. "We up against him now too?" Tim asked, turning his attention to Dick.

Dick stared at Tim for a moment before his eyes moved to the black TV screen. "May Bennet offered Sebastion Armageddon," Dick said, keeping his voice low. He turned to Kory who had worry swelling in her heart. Dick motioned at the powerless TV, "What did Conner offer him to get him standing on that stage?"

"Well, now I'm wondering what's worse than Armageddon," Kory said softly, her nerves taking over and making her twist her perfectly placed rings.

"So let's go to LexCorp," Rachel said, her voice much louder and confident than before. She stood from her chair and looked at Dick. "Conner will have to decide which side he's on, and then, either way, this thing's finished." Dick eyes deepened with worry as he looked at Rachel, then he turned to Kory again. Rachel furrowed her eyebrows, "What?"

Kory took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest. "We're not just going to rush at Conner like that, and even if we were. . ." Kory trailed off and this time she turned to Dick who nodded. "You wouldn't be coming."

Rachel's eyes widened in shock, and Cole and Tim looked just as surprised. Rachel stammered for a moment before there was anger in her eyes. "You're shutting me out?" She scoffed.

"We're protecting you," Dick insisted, raising his voice a little higher but Rachel looked ever defiant. "He cut you with a knife and he bled the same way. Whatever happened to him could happen to you."

"Yeah, in that town," Rachel snapped, "We're not in that town anymore."

"We're your family," Kory argued, although her voice was much softer. "We're deciding not to take the risk."

Rachel was lost for words again, but when she found them, she was just as mad. "Sebastian is my family too. We have the same father, the same blood. All of this happened because of me. Because of what I am. If I have to die to stop it. . ." Rachel's words trailed off and then she gave a vague shrug. "Then better me than Hazel."

"No one has to die," Dick said with a long breath.

"Anymore," Cole mumbled, spinning a pen on the table. Dick looked away, guilt running through him. Cole then took a deep breath and slid the pen down the table for Rachel to catch. "Maybe there's something we can do to sever the connection," Cole suggested, looking between Kory and Dick.

"We broke a town free from a magical curse," Tim echoed, nodding softly at Cole. "There has to be a way."

Cole spun his chair so he could look at Rachel. "If the connection is purely magical, I'm sure that I could sever it," Cole said, and Tim perked up in excitement.

Rachel shook her head, huffing through her nose. "The connection is genetic," Rachel sighed, and Tim slumped in his seat again. Rachel shook her head in annoyance but continued explaining, "You can't just re-code DNA with a spell."

"Hazel could," Cole mumbled. "She can change matter, I'm sure she could change DNA."

"Yes, but she's not here right now," Rachel snapped again. It wasn't anger however but worry. Everyone was feeling it now, the unsettling and very alarming feeling that just continued to grow without Hazel and Gar. Rachel took a deep breath and dropped her arms to her sides. She stepped closer to Dick, "Please don't make me do this. Don't make me wait on the sidelines," Rachel pleaded. "Let me help."

Dick looked down and bounced his phone in his hand, thinking hard. "I gotta make a call," Dick said, and Rachel's eyebrows furrowed. "Long distance."

Dick stepped around Rachel and quickly stepped out the door. Rachel scoffed and turned to face Tim and Cole. "What the fuck is long distance?" Rachel looked at Korry and shrugged, waiting for her answer.

Kory sighed in annoyance and hung her head back. "I don't know anything you don't," Kory said, lifting her head to look at Rachel. She took a deep breath and walked to Rachel, squeezing her arms softly. "Look, I'm gonna go prep us on Baby Luthor and Mr End of the World. Keep an eye on LexCorp, hm?" Rachel hummed softly and nodded. Kory smiled and stepped around Rachel walking out the door but turning down the opposite hall to Dick.

Kory walked down the long hall, her heels making a very noticeable clicking sound. Her long purple coat swayed behind her, and she nervously toyed with her rings, not entirely paying attention to where she was walking. She pushed a set of doors open with a heavy sigh and she flinched when she stepped through and walked through. . . vines?

"The door!"

Her head snapped up and she stared at Vic running straight for the door. But Kory didn't know him and only saw a boy running at her, so she swung her fist out, landing a hard punch on his jaw. Vic slammed into the wall and Willow, Larry and Clif, who were chasing after him, froze, staring at Vic and watching stumble and fall into a vine covered chair.

Kory stared up at the others, eyes wide, eyebrows furrowed. "Do I know you?" Kory asked, her eyes zoning in on Cliff and Larry.

"I really, really hope so," Willow mumbled, her eye's darting between Vic holding his jaw in pain, and Kory standing in the hall, the door behind her long past shut and locked.

"Kory?" Gar called out. Kory's head snapped up, smiling as she watched Gar and Hazel quickly race down the stairs at the end of the hall, Gar's hoodie that Hazel had gladly made bouncing with every step.

Kory huffed in relief, "Gar, Hazel?" Gar ran to Kory, laughing as they wrapped their arms around each other in a tight hug. Kory smiled brightly, squeezing Gar in her arms. Hazel rushed to their side and Gar stepped back to let her hug, Kory. "Oh my god," She cursed, running her hands through Hazel's hair. Hazel stepped back and Kory smiled at them both, "Are you both okay?"

"Yeah, yeah— We're fine," Gar said quickly, nodding his head as glanced at Hazel. "But, uh, have you guys been okay?"

Kory stammered for a moment, looking between the two who didn't seem worried or concerned about anything. She shook herself out of her daze and nodded quickly. "Yeah. Rachel heard your voice," Kory explained, "You saved us."

Gar smiled to himself, ready to explain, but Vic quickly cut him off as he stood, "So. . ." He stepped beside them and Kory turned to look at him, still holding his jaw. "We just gonna ignore the sucker punch or. . ."

"Do not start, Vic," Willow huffed, raising her voice slightly higher.

Kory looked around at the others in confusion, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to keep up with their strange conversations. "Uh, Kory," Gar called, getting her attention as he noticed her confused face. "You remember Cliff and Larry?" Gar motioned behind him at the Robot and bandage man.

Something in her brain clicked and Kory smiled again, "Yeah, I thought I recognised you."

"And I believe your fist already met Vic's face," Gar teased, laughing softly even as Vic turned to him with a dark glare.

Kry exhaled softly, shrugging softly, "Sorry about that."

"I wouldn't worry too much," Willow chuckled, "Vic's tough, he can take a hit."

"Oh uh, Kory, this is Willow," Hazel introduced, motioning between the two.

Willow stepped forward and smiled softly. "Nice boots," Kory complimented with a grin. Kory took a breath and turned her attention back to Gar and Hazel. "So, where are we?"

"Oh," Gar piped up, his eyes widening. "We're in my house, but we're not." Gar then tilted his head and his eyes grew wide, not entirely sure of the answer himself. "But we are."

Kory stammered again and she had to take a moment to try and decipher what Gar was saying, but in truth she had no idea what he was saying, nor did Hazel. "Okay, I'm gonna need you to just make, like, 100 percent more sense," Kory said quickly, trying to hide her confusion.

Willow laughed softly and held her hand out for a passing red and gold butterfly to land on. She smiled at Kory and shrugged, "That would be pretty nice," Willow laughed. She smiled at Kory once more before walking off down the hall, more butterflies flying out to land on her skirt and fiery red hair.

"Not making sense is kind of how we roll around here," Larry spoke up, his eyes wandering over every nook and cranny.

Kory's eyes narrowed at him, and she shook her head, her voice dripping sarcasm, "Yes, thank you." Kory turned to Gar and Hazel, dropping her voice lower, "But we can't stay."

"Sure you can," Cliff joked, walking past everyone to get his push lawn mower.

Kory shook her head softly and looked at Gar and Hazel expectantly, but Gar could only shrug. "Sorry Kory, but we're trapped here," Gar apologised with a guilty smile on his face. Gar sighed and turned, making his way down the hall.

Kory turned to Hazel, and she motioned them into an empty sitting room to the right. Hazel walked through first, sitting on the bay windowsill, the sun from the strange facade of a world running over her skin. Kory closed the door behind her and walked to the lounge chair across from Hazel and took a seat. She took a breath and looked up at Hazel, "What's going on?" She asked.

Hazel took a deep breath and leaned forward slightly. "We are in an alternate pocket dimension created by the force of life itself,'' Haze explained quickly and plainly, watching Kory's eyebrows furrow. "It's not less complicated than that."

Kory chewed on her lips and nodded softly, "O—Okay," she stammered. "And what the hell happened to you? To both of you?" Kory questioned.

"Oh, Gar went to the concrete of life itself and I went to Vema," Hazel grinned at Kory and took a deep breath. "Big couple of days." Kory's eyes sunk at the statement, and she looked as if she wanted to say something, but Hazel beat her to it. "I know, about Terran," Hazel said quickly. "I know. . ."

Kory hung her head for a moment, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologise Kory," Hazel said quickly. "It wasn't your fault." Hazel took a deep breath as silence consumed them. Hazel hadn't really had a moment to slow down and think about what happened to Terran, her mind stretched between Vema, the prophecy, Gar, her powers, getting flung halfway across the universe and then around the multiverse, and, and, and. It had distracted Hazel from the missing part at her core, but now she was stuck in her mind, Terran's dead.

Hazel tore herself out of her thoughts and reached out to Kory taking her hand in hers. "I know we have to get out of here Kory," Hazel said, trying to distract herself again. "But you bursting in here is the closest we've gotten to getting out." Kory sucked an annoyed breath through her teeth and Hazel took her hand back and stood, walking around her and out into the hall.

Kory took a few minutes before she stood and walked out the hall, following the sound of voices to an open library and living room. Larry had begun working on a pair of shrub giraffes, Hazel watching him closely, but Kory's eyes moved to Vic who still held his jaw in pain.

Kory walked over to him and sat beside him, "I'm sorry about hitting you," Kory apologised, smiling softly, although Hazel wasn't entirely sure Vic heard her, his eyes glazed over as looked at Kory like she was a wonder, and Hazel didn't blame him. Kory shrugged softly, "I thought you were attacking me."

"Oh, totally understandable," Vic said, waving it off as a boyish grin grew on his face. "You got one hell of a right hook." Kory chuckled softly, shaking her head at him.

Gar walked through the doors, stopping in front of Kory and Vic. "We wind up punching people a lot," Gar explained with a soft chuckle. He tossed a pack of frozen peas to Kory and shrugged softly at Vic. "It's kind of a reflex."

Gar laughed softly before he stepped away and walked to Hazel's side, she was leaning against the side of the table her arms crossed in front of her so Gar just leaned in the table beside her, resting his elbows on the table. "Find a way out yet?" Gar asked, grinning up at her at his admittedly stupid question.

Hazel shook her head softly, "No. You?"

"No," Gar shook his head softly, "What're you thinking about then?"

Hazel sighed softly and Gar leaned closer, pressing his arm against Hazel. "I keep thinking about Terran, and I just—" Hazel cut herself off, clenching her jaw in anger as she shook her head softly. "I wanna kill him."

Gar let his eyes run over Hazel's face and he nodded softly. "I'll get you an opening," Gar said, his smile returning but his voice seemed oddly serious.

They both turned their attention to Kory as they heard the click of her heels. Kory looked around as she stopped in front of them. "So, this is The Red?" She questioned, looking between them.

"It's a dimension of pure life," Gar explained, turning so he could look at Kory. "Kind of like the living soul of the universe."

"Okay," Kory said, nodding softly. "And it stuck us in Doom Patrol's house?" Gar nodded softly, shrugging softly as he did. "Why are we here?"

Gar took a deep breath and stood straighter, trying to work out the right way to explain that would hopefully stop Kory's nervous hands. "The Red has a will of its own," he stared, keeping his voice calm. "It doesn't tell you directly what it wants. You have to figure it out."

"Great. Okay, that's great," Kory rambled on, her voice just as nervous as she looked. Gar and Hazel looked at each other, unsure of what to say next. Kory looked between them and sighed, "Listen Sebastion and May got that horn, and then Terran. . ." Kory trailed off and took a deep breath. Sebastian is worse," Kory said sternly. "Everything is a lot worse. Every minute we stay here is another minute closer to—"

Gar was quick to shush Kory, panic making the hairs on the back of his neck stand. The others didn't know what was happening, and it was better if they stayed in the dark about everything. Willow had looked up from a book she was reading, "Closer to what?"

"Getting out of here, hopefully," Hazel mumbled, walking towards her as Gar and Kory stepped further away.

Willow smiled, "Really?"

"No," Hazel said, shaking her head. Hazel dropped into the identical brown comfy chairs placed opposite each other and took a deep breath. "Did you check the attic?"

"A hundred times," Willow huffed, tossing the book aside onto the small side table. "There is nothing new in this place ever."

"Look what I found," Cliff yelled, stomping into the room. The loud shout made Hazel's head snapped up and Willow twisting her seat to see him better. He had a mismatched pile of wooden tennis rackets in his arms, some slipping from his metal hands, but he held them tight. "Tennis, anyone?"

"Yes!" Willow yelled, jumping from the couch. "Hazel, I challenge you!" She shouted with glee as she ran towards Cliff, taking a racket that had fallen to the floor.

Hazel pushed herself from the couch and nodded, "Okay, if you wanna lose."

— legacies —