012

— we keep fighting —

SHE HATED IT HERE.

The doors loomed before her, pristine white and seemingly growing taller with every heartbeat. Hazel's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the security panel, the small card in her hand feeling like a heavy weight. Her bones felt heavy, as if her feet were rooted to the ground. She clenched her fist, trying to pull the strength back into her limbs but her hands still felt numb. With a quick, determined breath, she pressed the card against the panel, and the door unlocked with a sharp beep.

Hazel stepped through the doors, and they closed behind her with a soft thud. She descended the stairs; the hum of the LED lights and the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor the only thing breaking the silence. She kept her eyes on the hospital bed in the centre of the room, Hazel's eyes fixed on Cole's still form. He lay there, motionless, connected to the monitor by dozens of tubes and patches.

Taking a step closer, Hazel reached out and took Cole's hand in hers. When Tim had told her what had happened, she had nearly collapsed, but Gar had held her upright, his arms the only thing keeping her from crumbling. Some part of her hoped it was Tim telling a sick joke, maybe he had joined May and was trying to spite her. But it didn't make sense, whatever answer she had tried to make up didn't make sense.

All she knew was that if Cole weren't a demigod, he would be dead.

Like Terran.

Hazel tightened her grip on Cole's hand, willing her healing powers to wake him from his coma, but the demonic magic that had cursed him pushed back against her abilities, shutting her out. The steady beeping of the machine remained unchanged. Hazel slowly let go of his hand and lowered her head. Grief washed over her like waves crashing over her body, pulling her under and making it hard to breathe. She gripped the side of the hospital bed, fighting to keep her breathing steady, her tears falling unchecked.

The security lock beeped, and the doors slid open again. Hazel quickly wiped her tears as footsteps approached. "Hey," Dick called softly, stopping beside her. Hazel took a deep breath and turned to face him, managing a small smile and a quiet greeting. "It's good to see you."

Hazel nodded; her lips pressed into a thin line. She kept her eyes on Cole, afraid to look away. "Did you want to talk about it?" Dick's voice was gentle yet cautious, as if he feared she might shut him out.

"I just don't understand," Hazel mumbled, her voice barely audible, strained under the weight of her tears. "Why them?"

Dick took a deep breath, sliding his hands into his pockets as he searched for the right words. He knew there was nothing he said could truly ease Hazel's pain. She had lost so much in just a few days: her sister was murdered, and now her brother had been cursed. "I don't know," he admitted quietly, his voice almost lost in the ambient noise of the room. "Sometimes we don't get an explanation."

They stood in silence, so much left unsaid in the air, but it remained there. Hazel squeezed Cole's hand again, wishing she could wake him. The uncertainty and helplessness were suffocating, yet Dick stayed by her side, refusing to leave her alone.

"We're supposed to be the good guys. We're supposed to protect people," Hazel said, her voice growing firmer with each word. "How can we protect everyone else if we can't save each other?"

Dick met her gaze, his eyes filled with shared anguish and understanding. It wasn't just about Terran and Cole anymore; it was about Jason, Donna, Hank, Jinx— all the people they had lost. He knew there was no easy answer to her question, but he would give her the best he could. "We do our best," he replied steadily, despite the unease within him. "We keep fighting, for them and for each other."

Hazel looked up at him, her eyes flashing with anger at his answer, which offered little comfort. But she stopped herself from snapping at him. It wasn't his fault— what had happened to Cole or Terran. She was just looking for someone to blame.

❁

HAZEL HAD BEEN INSIDE HER OWN MIND ENOUGH TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER DEATH REALM, A DREAM AND A VISION; AND THIS WAS A VISION. Her feet carried her down the dark hallways, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the darkness. Hazel followed the trail of red flashing lights, a clear sign of an alarm but there was no sound to accompany it.

She walked to a set of heavy metal doors at the end of the hall, the red lights reflecting off it. As she stepped closer the doors opened for her revealing the unfinished lab. She stepped around the tables and equipment covered in sheets and plastic coverings. Hazel stopped in the centre of the room, staring at the glass dome built into the wall.

As Hazel stared at the glass her eyes lit up bright red. Something behind the glass dome sparked to life and a pulsating light grew within the dome, soaking everything in a red light. The doors slammed shut behind her and Hazel spun, feeling panic spread through her. When Hazel looked back at the light everything had disappeared.

It was a dark void stretching endlessly with the red light floating high, twisting and pulsing like an enormous sun. It hung in the endless black sky just beyond reach, a massive, fiery sphere, the surface rolling with swirls of molten crimson red and bright white, the flames so hot it was drained of any colour.

Hazel very slowly reached her hand out, the small flares sparking out brushing her skin but nothing more. She took a cautious step forward, moving her hand closer to the liquid ball of fire. As her fingers brushed the white light it surged forward and all of the red light spilled into Hazel, burning her skin. She could feel the heat consuming her but before she could really understand what was happening the lights exploded and shot Hazel back.

She landed against the hard ground, the last of the light absorbing into her skin. Her eyes were shut tight, shocks of pain running up her spine. In the distance she could hear a voice faintly calling for her, but she kept her eyes closed focused on her burning skin.

"Hazel. . ." It was there again, still soft and quiet but it seemed closer.

"Hazel."

"Hazel."

Hazel pushed her face from her arm, her eyes blinking quickly as she tried to adjust to the bright lights. She stretched her arms out, trying to push the pins and needles from her muscles. She finally shook the sleep off and looked up at Kory who had been trying to wake her. "Hey, um, hi— hey," Hazel mumbled.

Kory laughed softly and spun in her seat to face Hazel. "I'm gonna go check on Dick," Kory explained, nodding over her shoulder towards the door. "Did you want me to get someone to keep you company? I'm sure Gar's around."

Hazel shook her head softly, "Uh no, that's okay. He's in the red anyway," Hazel explained, offering Kory a small smile.

Hazel turned back to the table, tapping it and kick stating the touch screen. They had been tracking Sebastion and Conner, who still hadn't contacted them, but there hadn't been a single hit in nearly 27 hours. Kory watched Hazel lose herself in the screen and she sighed softly. "Are you okay?" Kory asked, leaning a little closer.

Hazel's eyes darted across the tracking screen, watching the next search come up negative. Hazel took a breath before shaking her head softly. "No," Hazel looked at Kory again and smiled softly. "But I have to be." Hazel turned back to the tracking system and took a deep breath. Kory watched Hazel for a few more moments before she stood and walked down the hall.

Hazel looked over her shoulder, making sure Kory was gone before she dropped her head against the table. She pushed herself out of the chair and stood, dragging her fingers through her hair as she stretched out her muscles.

Before Hazel could walk out the door, Dr Kruger rushed after her, calling her name. "Hi, sorry, welcome back," Kruger said quickly, smiling at Hazel. "We should talk afterward because I heard you went to Vema, but uh, that's not the point." Kruger cut herself off, but Hazel smiled at her, nodding softly. "Um, I know they're hasn't been a lot of traction from Sebastion or Conner but—"

"You got something?" Hazel asked hopefully.

"I was able to get a hit of a heat signature only identifiable as Super boy," Kruger explained, handing Hazel a tablet. Hazel scrolled through the files, opening the map to the triangulated location. Hazel cursed and pulled out her phone, taking a quick photo. "Did you want me to alert the others?" Kruger asked, taking the tablet back.

Hazel looked up to Kruger for a moment, thinking over her options before ultimately shaking her head. "No, no, that's okay," Hazel insisted, knowing it was the wrong choice, but s\he did it anyway. "I can handle it. Thank you doctor."

Hazel stepped away from the doctor and made her way outside onto the balcony café, pulling a pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She paused when she spotted Gar standing by a table filled with doughnuts and other sweet treats. Quickly, she pocketed the cigarettes and made her way over to him, slipping her arm around his. Gar jumped slightly at her touch but then relaxed, a smile spreading across his face as he let her link their arms together.

"Well, hello to you too," Gar laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Hazel said, her hand already reaching for a doughnut from Gar's plate. He scoffed and shook his head in mock disapproval as he grabbed another doughnut for himself.

"Just wanted to check on you," she continued between bites, "I'm about to head out and check on something."

"But you made time for me?" Gar teased, stepping away from the table of treats and moving toward the railing. Hazel followed, hopping up to sit on the railing as she munched on her doughnut, mumbling, always. Gar shook his head, his smile growing even wider. "It's not as romantic when you've got half a doughnut in your mouth."

Hazel slipped off the railing, finishing her bite with a playful grin. "Always," she repeated, more clearly this time. She leaned on the railing beside him, gazing out over the city. "Did you find what you were looking for? In the Red?"

Gar chuckled; his expression curious. "Why do you think I'm looking for something?"

"You're curious—it's the cat in you," Hazel teased.

Gar furrowed his brow. "Didn't that saying end with the cat dying?"

"Yeah, but you're a tiger," Hazel corrected with a smirk. "It's not curiosity killed the tiger."

Gar laughed harder, but as he leaned on the railing beside her, his smile faded into something more serious. "The more time I spend in the Red, the less sure I am of where I'm supposed to be. Here or there," Gar admitted, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"Like you're torn between the two?" Hazel asked, tilting her head to better see his face.

Gar turned to face her, searching her eyes. "Do you feel the same about Vema?"

Hazel took a deep breath, turning back to look over the city. "Well, part of me was born to exist on Vema, so. . ." Hazel trailed off, chuckling softly. "But you can use the Red to travel, right?" Gar nodded. "So can't you go anywhere you want?"

Gar shrugged slightly. "I guess."

"Then don't make a place your home," Hazel advised, her tone gentle but firm. "Find someone— a lot of people. Be your own home if you want. DIY." Gar couldn't help but smile, the urge to laugh bubbling up. "Just admit that was funny," Hazel pressed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Gar rolled his eyes but leaned closer, closing the gap between them with a kiss. Hazel didn't waste a second in kissing him back. She stepped back, grinning so hard it hurt her cheeks. "I have that thing I need to check on. But I'll find you later?" Hazel asked, looking up at Gar with hope.

"Yeah, I'll find you," Gar said with a nod. "Good luck. Love you."

Hael nodded, smiling even more. "Love you too."

Hazel made her way down the outdoor stairs, stopping by the garage to take Dick's Porsche. Hopefully he wouldn't mind too much. She sped out of the garage and followed the directions to an unused LexCorp building. She twisted the doorknob, but the lock refused to budge. Hazel glanced around before blasting the lock away, the door swinging open. Hazel stepped through, her eyes darting around the empty dark room.

Hazel raised her hand, an orb of golden light floating in her palm. A few sparks of red light shot from her hand, and she had to take a deep breath to keep herself focussed. She walked further into the building, the golden lights illuminating each room she checked. She reached the final door, reaching for the doorknob when she realised the door was already open. She took a breath and pushed the door open, revealing the dark industrial staircase that led underground. Hazel took the staircase down, thinking it led to a basement, but when she opened the next door, she revealed an underground labyrinth.

Hazel stepped through, her eyes scanning the three different tunnels. She huffed, chewing on her lips as she thought hard. What would Dick do? Hazel crouched, her eyes scanning along the floor. She brought the golden orb closer, the golden orb lightning up outline of footprints in the years of dust that had collected on the floor. Hazel grinned and followed the footprints.

Hazel took the twisting tunnels that led to a final hall with a blue bomb door leading into another room. It certainly wasn't Conner, he would have heard her by now and revealed himself, but whatever, or whoever was beyond the door was important. Hazel went to take another step forward, but the door creaked as whoever was inside started to pull it open. Panic shot up her spine and she jumped out of the way, hiding around the corner and making her light disappear.

The sound of metal groaning as the door was pushed opened echoed down the hall. Soft, steady footsteps followed, slowly making their way down the hall. Hazel waited in silence, counting the steps of whoever was stalking closer. Hazel stayed silent, keeping still until whoever was creeping down the hall was just on the other side of the corner. As the barrel of the handgun peeked around the corner, Hazel grabbed the weapon, wrestling the gun from their grip while kneeing their chest and stealing the air from their lungs.

Hazel kicked the person against the wall, knocking them down as Hazel disarmed the gun and tossed the magazine away. Hazel crouched down, forming another orb of light letting her see the person's face; dark skin, dark eyes, high cheekbones and burns along her neck and side of her face. Hazel smiled softly, scoffing to herself. "Of all the people in the world, Mercy Graves."

Hazel grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Mercy stayed still and silent as Hazel dragged her down the hall and back towards the metal door. She pulled the door open and tossed Mercy on the ground, giving her a moment to look around; shelfs, filing cabinets and cupboards took up most of the room, most likely filled with whatever dirty illegal stuff Lex had managed to gather. There were tables along the walls with computer screens and the rest of the tech needed.

Hazel grabbed Mercy and hurled her into a chair, sending her skidding back against the table with a crash. Mercy's breath caught in her throat as she tried to shuffle further away, her eyes wide with fear. Hazel stopped in front of her, tilting her head at the woman, "I'm sorry, are you uncomfortable?" Hazel hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

"You need me to help you find Super boy," Mercy stammered, desperately trying to keep her voice steady. "If only Lex were here to enjoy this—"

Hazel cut her off with a swift punch to the nose, the sickening crack of bone echoing in the room as blood splattered across Mercy's clothes. Mercy let out a sharp whine as the pain exploded through her face, but Hazel didn't relent. Another brutal punch followed, splitting the skin on Mercy's cheek and sending her head snapping to the side.

"I'm only going to say this once," Hazel said, her voice low and deliberate, ensuring she had Mercy's full attention despite the agony contorting her features. "Lex Luthor is dead, and you have no leverage here. Yes, I need to find Superboy, and your help would speed things up, but let me be clear— I do not need you." Hazel's words were ice-cold, her eyes blazing with intensity she was surprised her powers hadn't sparked. "Whatever you have on these computers, even if you wiped the drives, I can retrieve it. The end of the world is coming, and you piss me enough to kill you early."

Mercy's eyes darted to Hazel's, panic flashing in them as she tried to compose herself. "I sent Conner on a mission, a backup safety protocol Mr. Luthor had in place," Mercy blurted out, her voice shaky but determined. Hazel's eyes narrowed as she took a deep breath, her anger barely restrained. "Conner broke off communication with me," Mercy continued hurriedly. "His mission was to kill Sebastian and his mother, but it seems he's switched sides."

Hazel took a small step back. "Psych evaluation or a guess?" Hazel asked, her tone laced with scepticism.

Mercy chuckled, the sound bitter and dry. "Two powerful young men who've never been fully appreciated for their extraordinary abilities," she began, her voice slow and deliberate as she gauged Hazel's reaction. "I've seen it before with Lex. All that anger at the world can drive someone to the heights of greatness—or to the depths of depravity." Mercy's eyes narrowed; a calculating look in them as she studied Hazel. "So, if you're ready to kill Brother Blood, you need to ask yourself: Are you ready to kill Conner too?"

Hazel's fist crashed into Mercy's nose again, eliciting a scream of pain. "Don't play games with me, Graves," Hazel growled, her voice a dangerous whisper. "I almost killed you last time; I won't hesitate to finish the job now."

"No one's killing anyone!" Dick's voice made Hazel freeze. She slowly turned back, staring up at Dick and Kory who looked less than pleased, Rachel mirroring their looks. She didn't look at Gar yet, she could guess the look he had. Dick raised an eyebrow at her, "Visiting old friends?"

— legacies —