ShadowSkribe

Clearly he has plans for you and he isn't going to let you leave without a fight. You just don't have it in you to hurt him. With one last glance back, you slide onto the seat. Adrian's fingers deftly loosen the rope from your wrists and he slips in front of you.

“Hang on tight.” You hear the smile in the tenor of his voice, a voice you know so well. Then the sound of the engine fills your ears and the bike shoots forward down the path and towards the darkening horizon.

Even though you're sure your head can't spin any faster, the landscape begins whizzing by at a dizzying speed

Leaning tight against his broad back, your arms tighten around his waist. As one gloved hand slides protectively over yours, you squeeze your eyes closed, hoping that the man you left behind can forgive you.

---

When Adrian shoulders his way into the safehouse, Ads, Chris, and Larry are sitting in one of the booths waiting for him.

He slams the knife down, skewering the table. The note floats down and Chris grabs it.

“I found that pinned to a fucking tree. The bastard knew we were following him and planned it out!”

Adrian thought he was going to pass out when he looked up after hanging up with Chris and didn't see you coming back. His knee jerk reaction was to wait just a moment longer, but when he realized the bike was gone he sprinted towards where it was parked last. He studied the tire groove in the ground where the bike had peeled off from for less than a breath before he started calling your name, searching frantically. What if you were lying somewhere hurt? He was close to the copse of trees you disappeared into, ready to start the search, when he saw the glint of a blade Vigilante had left in the tree. A note was skewered to the trunk.

He gripped the blade, knuckles turning white, as he read it. “She's safe. You'll understand why later. Meet at the coordinates below. Tomorrow at dusk.”

Without you, the drive back to the safe house was cold and quiet. He barely survived accepting that he lost you once. The fact that he wasn't there when you needed him, that he let you slip through his fingers a second time, tore at him like a feral animal trapped in his rib cage.

Ads makes a skeptical sound low in her throat, pulling him back into the present.

“I mean, he's you, you couldn't foresee this happening?”, she says softly, hands spread. “He lost her four years ago. What would you do if you were him?”

“Fuck!” Adrian tugs his curls. “I don't know, have a conversation? Not just … wisk her off on my fucking rad motorcycle.”

“Dude, it sounds like you'd totally do that.” Chris's lip curls and his brow raises. “It says right here when and where to meet them.”

Adrian's hands are knit, resting on the top of his head. He looks up at the dingy ceiling tiles, blinking back tears. “What if he hurts her?”

“Adrian, you would never hurt her!” Adebayo stands and lays a soothing hand on him. “Annoy her? Definitely. But never hurt her.”

A smile pulls at her lips. “The reality is, right now, he’s probably telling her all about how manta rays are born curled up like little burritos or that spiders can break dance.” Adebayo's eyes widen and she shoots a glance at Chris.

Chris stands abruptly. “Yeah man, it's okay. We're going to look up these coordinates he left and go get her. Don't worry.”

“Really?” Adrian studies his friend.

“Yeah, of course.” Chris smiles sadly. “We struck out tonight too. Didn't even get a glimpse of Emilia.” Chris clears his throat. “So, it looks like it's just us guys again.”

“And me, I'm here too.” Ads reminds him.

“Yeah, and Adebayo.” Chris says quickly. “But what I mean is our girls are gone and we're going to save them. This is some epic quest shit!”

“Technically, your girls are probably both with you, just the you's from the future...”

“Ads, can you just let us have our moment?” Chris says, pulling Adrian into a one armed hug.

Adrian glances at Larry who's laying on his back in a booth and tossing peanuts into his mouth. “Where's Rip?”

“I don't know what that little fucker gets up to.” Chris shrugs. “Probably had to go do some ninja shit for Flag.”

Larry sits up at this, gestures and chortles. Chris laughs. “Another banger man, where do you get this shit?”

“What’d he say?” Adrian asks, looking between the alien and Chris.

“He said we should go to the bar and have a few brewskis. It'll help us focus.” Chris grins and pulls Larry to his feet. He shoots a glance over his shoulder at Adrian. “You coming?”

The bar is packed. Luckily Adrian, Chris, Larry, and Adebayo squeeze into an empty table in the corner next to the old juke box machine and the dart board.

“What the hell, why is everyone and their grandmother here?” Chris complains. “Smells like a high-school locker room.”

“Chris, do you see many other places in town open?” Adebayo sits back in her seat shaking her head. “Pretty sure this is one of the last vestiges left of the dank crusty humanity that embodies our fair Evergreen.” She tips her beer bottle towards Larry. “Glad you're here to see it.”

“Cheers, fuckers!” Chris grins and raises his beer.

Adrian inclines his head and clinks his bottle with the others before taking a sip and setting it down.

Chris bumps his shoulder. “Before we get too deep into our cups, let's go over the plan for tomorrow.”

Adrian's head snaps up at this. “I looked up the coordinates, it's the abandoned subway system out near the lumber mill.”

“Oh, shit. I remember! Me and Gut always used to go down there to mess around with chicks and smoke the devil's lettuce.” Chris smiles nostalgically.

“What the hell! Is that why you guys never let me come with you?” Adrian’s nose scrunches.

“No way, dude.” Chris's voice shoots up an octave. “We totally wanted you to come.”

“Then why did you let Gut tie me to the flag pole outside your house when I asked?”

“We were doing you a favor.” Chris's eyes dart around the table before he leans forward and lowers his voice.

“Adrian, you were afraid of the basement at school because the radiator was loud."

“Everyone knew that evil clanking came from the pits of hell! Besides, your little stunt had everyone calling me Pole Boy my entire freshman year!”

Adebayo snorts. “Pole Boy? That's not even original.”

Grimacing Adrian takes a slug of his beer and sinks lower into his chair. “Somehow that made it worse.”

Chris drains his beer and rubs his hands together. “Anyways, you finally get to go now! It says dusk. Not really sure what that means…”

“Dusk is when twilight ends and true night begins.” Adebayo raises her brows.

“Okay so…”

“Just before ten o'clock…”

“I’m not waiting that long.” Adrian leans forward, elbows on the table. “We get there as early as we can and stake it out until they come.” He slices his hand down in a chopping motion, thudding it on the table. “We cut them off before they even know what's happening.”

“Adrian, listen to yourself…”

Chris holds a hand up to quiet her. “Ad's I know you're trying to help, but I think it's the perfect plan. Adrian has it right. We get there early and fix this as soon as we can.”

“Thank you!” Adrian grins a wide bright smile.

“I got your back, bro.” Chris winks before his eyes widen. “Hey, I bet you can't beat me in a round of darts!” Then he stands and cracks his knuckles.

Adrian jumps out of his seat. “Oh, you're on!”

---

When the bike begins to slow, you untuck your face from Adrian's shoulder and blink against the misty rain. With the exception of the street lights reflecting off the wet road, and the few neon signs of businesses still open to patrons, Evergreen is dark.

Despite the windows and doors being blacked out and boarded up, you recognize The 11th Street Kids' old headquarters immediately.

Finger combing your tangled hair back from your face, you accept Adrian's hand when he offers to help you off the bike. Knees shaking, you slide off the seat and into his arms.

“You okay?” His strong grip holds you up by your elbows. No, you're really not okay. You're in another dimension, in another time, kidnapped by the love of your life's deranged future self.

You swallow back the truth. “Why are we here?” Of all places, he's brought you back to the beginning.

“It's off Flag's and Luthor's radar. It's safe, I promise.”

“But why did you bring me here?”

“You'll see.” He pulls his mask off. His brows are knit under his tuft of loose curls. “Trust me.”

“I'm trying Adrian, but this is all… it's all so crazy.” Tears spring to your eyes and the question you'd been denying yourself answers to tumbles from your lips. “What happened to us? To you?”

Adrian presses his lips together, eyes tracking the ripples of a nearby puddle as a gentle rain begins to fall around you. You blink up at him, rain drops and tears cling heavy to your lashes.

“I… I lost you. I trusted someone I shouldn't have.” His voice wobbles, eyes squeezing shut as if replaying what happened in his mind.

“Chris.”

“Peacemaker.” He corrects. His eyes finally meet yours. “I’m the one that's supposed to be buried in the ground. Not you.” Even with the darkness cloaking the street, his eyes are bright. “It was never supposed to be you.”

His gloved hand reaches up and cups your cheek. You lean into it, savoring the warmth and familiar touch as his thumb caresses away the rain and tears.

“I still can't believe you're here.” His voice is barely above a whisper as he leans in, lips brushing yours. Pushing away the desire to chase the sadness in his eyes away with a kiss, you turn your face and he presses his lips against your cheek.

“It's me…” He whispers, breath tickling your ear. You bite back the confusion flooding you. Is it him? He has his eyes, his face, his voice… his touch. But this Adrian is wholly separate from the one you left at the car. Either way, denying him the comfort of a kiss sits heavy in your chest.

When someone clears their throat you step back from him in surprise. His hands trail down your forearms and gently drop to his sides.

“I hate to break this moment up, but the Metas are going to be doing their rounds soon.” Judo Master says quietly from the open doorway, arms crossed. He closes the door gently, gaze lingering between the two of you.

Swiping at your tear stained face with your forearm, your eyes flick up to Adrian, who's unabashedly staring at you, chest rising and falling with steady deep breaths, raindrops clinging to his hair and glasses.

“Adrian, you're staring.” You sigh, feeling your cheeks flush.

“I can't help it.” He tries and fails to steady his voice. “For the first time in four years, I can feel my heart beating again.”

You find your hand reaching for his. Fingers laced tight, he opens the door, and you both step into headquarters.

The inside of headquarters is just as it was before you left. The same shelves and desks. Even the motivational poster Adebayo had tacked up on the wall behind the coffee bar survived the test of time and an interdimensional invasion.

Two men sit in computer chairs, backs to the door when you walk in.

“What is it now, Adrian? I thought I told you we needed more time to-”

“Economos?” You can't hide the shock from your voice.

John Economos spins in his chair, eyes widening behind his glasses. He looks the same, even though five years have passed.

“Holy shit, can I see ghosts now or are you actually here?” He stands awkwardly until you close the distance and give him a hug.

“Sorry to break it to you, but you don't have a sixth sense. I’m actually here.”

He pulls you into a bear hug, lifting you off your feet and spinning you. His eyes are sparkling and cheeks pink with mirth when he sets you down.

“Five years, three days, seventeen hours, six minutes, and twelve seconds.” Sydney Happersen mumbles, typing as he speaks. “Thats the exact linear coordinates between Sanctuary and home.”

You glance up at Economos. “He’s still alive?”

John pushes his glasses up. “I was going to kill him, but he grew on me. Like a tumor… not like something pleasant.”

“If something grows on you, it's parasitic in nature, therefore nothing that takes to growing on you would be pleasant.” Happersen says matter-of-factly.

“I could still change my mind!” John snaps, glaring over his shoulder at the chuckling Happersen.

For the first time in days, you feel like you can see a way out of this mess. Economos is alive and has Happersen, the mad scientist who built the worm hole that tore through this dimension and into countless others. Since his tech caused the rift between dimensions, he's the best chance at separating them again.

You're breathless with excitement. “Tell me everything that's happened.” You lean against Harcourt's old desk and glance at Adrian as he settles in next to you, shoulder brushing yours. “Then tell me how we fix it.”

Economos’ eyes flick between you and Adrian, then he checks his watch.

“Shouldn't we wait until everyone's here?”

Adrian's gaze roams your face when you look up at him. Without pulling his eyes from yours, he answers Economos. “She should be here any minute. You know her… never late.”

“Yeah, such a tight ass!” John's smile fades and he swallows. “Please, don’t tell her I said that. It sounds so wrong. What I meant is… she's always very punctual.”

“Who?” Your brows knit, trying to read the mind working behind those eyes. “Adrian, who's coming?” Your stomach twists when you see a shadow there.

Before you can take another breath the front door unlocks and swings open. Pulling the black hood from around her face, she stops and assesses the room.

“I thought we weren't going to tell them until tomorrow.” She's as stern as ever, but when a small smile pulls at her lips you can't help the tears that fill your eyes.

“Emilia?” You watch as she strolls into headquarters, just as she always does, like she has the biggest balls in the room.

“Don't go getting all soft on me now.” You don't miss the quiver in her voice or the electric green of her watering eyes. “We made it this far. Just a little further to go.”

When her gaze trails up to Adrian's face, there's a tenderness in her features that you've never seen before. “Let's go over the plan one more time.”

---

“Shit, dude.” Chris slides his boots across the pavement, stretching his legs out. Adrian sits next to him on the curb, hat pulled low to shade his eyes from his friends sight, paper bag rustling around the bottle clutched in his hand. Larry is on the other side of Chris, stretched out on the sidewalk with his hands pillowing his head.

Chris looks up at the night sky where the giant rift glows brighter than the moon, nearly washing the stars from view entirely.

Adrian finds it hard to believe it's the same sky he lay under weeks ago watching shooting stars with you, wishing you would give him a chance.

“How'd we ever get here?” Chris slurs.

“What do you mean? Get where?” Adrian drains his beer and sets it aside.

“Us. How did we get here?” Chris's brows knit.

“You know why.” Adrian says softly pushing a pebble across the pavement with the toe of his sneaker.

“But it wasn't just that, was it?” Chris glances over. “Doing that... killing her. It was the last straw.”

Adrian clenches his jaw. Chris looks away, sighing.

“I’ve always been a fuck up, but I never would have thought I’d do that. I know she's important to you.” Chris says softly.

“I love her.” Adrian corrects him sharply. “You realize I do have fucking feelings, right?”

“I know - ”

“I've only said otherwise because no one has ever cared. No one listens! No one has room in their busy lives for my stupid fucking feelings.”

“I'm sorry. I've always been too wrapped up in my own shit to be a better friend. I don't know why I did it. But… I'll do anything to make it right.” He belches. “Well, almost anything.”

Adrian doesn't want to know where Chris will draw the line at fixing what he's done. He wants to think the best of his friend, but doing that is why he's in this exact position.

Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on his knees and smooths his ring finger and thumb together. “I know I've never been your best friend. After Gut and then dad... I was completely alone. But you would meet up with me sometimes and we'd hang out fighting crime and destroying home appliances… ” Adrian swallows back the fact that Chris only knew him as Vigilante at that time.

“I was a jerk.” Chris murmurs, eyes cast down. Adrian breathes through the embarrassment settling in his chest.

“You're like a brother to me... the one I always wanted. I know I have a brother, but Gut hated how different I was. He wasn't a brother, or even a friend. He was just another bully.”

“Gut’s a total dick, dude. You can't help that deep down you're just a nerd.” Chris looks at him, then quickly away again, a muscle in his jaw feathering.

“You know, I… I never saw Gut the same after he gave you a bloody nose after the school talent show. Your magic tricks were actually cool as fuck. To this day, I still wonder how you made that rose float between your hands.”

Adrian nods. “Thanks.” He'd spent all summer practicing that trick alone in his room, hoping that Gut would be impressed. All that work reaped the opposite reaction.

“I'm sorry I was such a dick to you growing up.” Chris squeezes his eyes closed before he speaks next.

“I remember what it was like to be the little brother. I looked up to Keith like he hung the moon in the fucking sky.” He glances at Adrian, then back at the bottle he's twisting in his hands.

“I guess, I've always seen that piece of me in you. How you followed Gut around everywhere like he was some kind of hero. Fuck... it hurt so bad to be reminded of having an older brother. And once I found myself in the position of being even a little bit like one?” He shakes his head and tosses his beer bottle, it shatters against a nearby dumpster.

“I'm a fuck up. And I'm sure as hell not qualified to be looked at as having all the answers. When I found Keith on Earth X, for one sweet moment, I thought I had my brother back. It was always just him and me against the world, and our world was the one my fucked up Nazi scumbag of a father built around us. It was hell.” He wets his lips and looks out into the distance.

“We could have run. If we were a little older, I know we would have. But, that’s my fault too. I had to move on without him.” His voice shakes around the words.

“Well, I tried, but I didn't make it too far.”

Larry chortles, the noise low and craggy coming deep from his chest.

“Yeah dude. I'm totally wasted right now.” Chris shakes his head and sets the bottle down. “Guess no matter what fucking dimension I'm in, I deal with my bullshit the same as always.”

Adrian stares at his shoes for a long moment, head spinning, breath hot in his chest, before Chris bumps his shoulder.

“Let's go get some sleep.” He hiccups. “Important mission tomorrow, remember?”

---

There's an actual bed in Economo's old office and you could cry tears of joy when he offers it to you.

“I have a ton of numbers to run before I can even think about turning in for the night.” He glances at Adrian and Harcourt who are having a heated discussion in the hall.

“Are you sure?” You press your lips together against the instinct to tell him just how much you've missed him over the last few days when you thought he was gone.

He offers a soft grin. “I usually pass out at my desk lately anyways. Now that the plan is in motion, I can barely tear myself away from the keyboard.”

You sit back on the bed. “It's big enough for four, we could all squish in.” You laugh.

He shakes his head, chuckling. “Like a pile of puppies? I don't think Harcourt would go for that.” He pauses before turning towards the door.

“I missed you. When I heard about Peacemaker and what he did, I couldn't believe it.” A pink flush creeps in around his eyes. “Glad you're back.”

“I missed you, too.” You nod. When he slips out, his words linger.

What Peacemaker did.

Harcourt steps in the doorway, behind her a dark shadow with a familiar silhouette lingers in the hall.

“The clothes fit?”

“Yeah, thanks.” You almost feel like a brand new person after changing into clean clothes, brushing your teeth, and scrubbing the grime off of your face.

“Sorry we couldn't get you a proper shower.”

“It's okay.” You pause and study her face. It's changed in the last five years, her features have softened but her gaze is as sharper as ever. “Honestly, Emilia? What I'd really like are some answers about what happened to me four years ago.”

She stiffens at this and tilts her head towards the open doorway behind her. When she turns back to face you she studies you with narrowed eyes. “You'll get them from the only person who was actually there.”

Your heart sinks. You don't want to drag the truth out of Adrian. You don't think you'll be able to keep a clear head hearing what happened if it's coming from him. But maybe you owe him that much. You incline your head. “Fine.”

“Be ready in the morning or I'll be dragging your ass out of bed,” she says tersely before spinning on her heel and shouldering past Adrian. He doesn't turn to watch her leave, instead, his sad green eyes just drink you in until long after her footsteps have receded.

“She seems upset.” You say softly.

Sighing he steps closer. “She'll be fine.”

Then he gestures to the bed, a silent question.

You feel as if the breath has been pulled from you and only manage a nod. The tension melts from your shoulders when he sits beside you.

“Do you really have to know? Because, if you do, I can tell you. I can go over every detail, every moment.” He swallows hard. “I re-live it every day.” He adds softly before shuttering his eyes.

You study his profile as he looks down at his hands clenched in his lap. Your palm smooths over his jeans, then rests on top of his hands. He glances up at you, his chin dimpling slightly. “I'm sorry.”

“It's okay.” You whisper. When he pulls you into a hug, and buries his face in your neck you hold him closer. When you feel hot tears begin to dampen your shoulder, your hand drifts up his back and into his hair. As much as you want to know what happened, if tonight is one of the last nights here with him, why make him re-live it again right now, when your both feeling so broken?

When you go back... all of this has the potential to change. This moment won't exist. You don't want to waste it.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” You whisper against his temple, following the ache in your heart.

The bed really isn't big enough for four people. Just two.

You and Adrian study one another in the dim light. His fingers trace your lips, and yours linger on the scar running down his brow to the corner of his mouth.

“How'd you get this one?” your voice is barely a whisper.

“My red visor shattered. The night you…”

“Shhh.” You press your finger against his lips and he kisses it softly. “Tomorrow, he'll want to know. Tonight is ours.”

You trail your fingertips down his neck, across the scar encircling it. Snatches of that night flash across your mind's eye. That was one of the times you truly thought you were going to lose him and it nearly destroyed you. How much pain has he been carrying since your doppleganger died?

His lips part when your gaze flicks back to his eyes. You trail your nails softly down his chest stopping to rest your palm on a ragged scar directly over his heart. Biting back tears you press your lips to it, then rest you cheek on his chest to listen to the steady thumping of his heartbeat.

His arms pull you tightly against him and you melt into his embrace, knowing that tomorrow, the full truth of his suffering will be unveiled. When you finally let the tears fall, they slip down your cheeks and onto his chest. You fall asleep hoping that there really is a way to erase the scars from his heart.

… to be continued …

I've always felt Adrian's canon character has so many gaps and inconsistencies, leaving so much left to explore. In this chapter I wanted to dive into my thoughts on some of those unanswed questions we all have. I'm a true believer that Adrian's character deserves his own complex story, so I hope you enjoyed this chapter 💖 Don't hesitate to shoot me dm or ask if you wanna chat (just be kind) !

Taking a deep breath, you glance at Adrian. His fist is clenched around his fork, knuckles white. How the hell were you supposed to take down Flag and Luthor when these two were bickering like an old married couple?

You let a doubtful smile play at your lips. “I think you're exaggerating a bit there, Chris.” You say before sipping your coffee.

“Fine. Maybe I'm feeling a little sensitive after everything. I have feelings, too.” Chris sits back, eyes locked on Adrian. Adrian doesn't meet his gaze, and the only indication he's even listening is the muscle feathering in his jaw.

You and Adebayo share an exasperated look.

“Okay, time for the adults to talk now.” You grin.

Chris shrugs and starts shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“What’s the plan today?” Tipping your cup back, you drain the last of your coffee.

“According to Rip, both Flag and Luthor have bases here in Evergreen.” Ads explains.

“Evergreen is the centralized point of access to all the interdimensional beings coming through the rift.” Rip shakes his head. “They want to stay close and have implemented check points to keep the newcomers from infiltrating beyond the boundaries of Everygreen.”

“How do we get to LexCorp’s base?”

“Head southeast towards the county highway you can't miss the miniature Metropolis Lex has built himself. Just avoid the checkpoints.” Rip concludes.

“Where's Flags base?” Adrian asks Adebayo, eyes flicking to Chris and back. “You know, in case you need our help.”

“Rip says it's a few miles south of the site we came through.”

Adebayo slides a burner phone onto the table. “We'll keep in touch with these during the stake out. I expect we will be at Flags command base until nightfall. Hopefully we can catch Harcourt alone.”

Rip shakes his head. “It could take days. She doesn't leave the base often.” He presses his lips together before his eyes flick towards you. What isn't he telling us?

“Who else is with Flag? We need to know what we're up against.” Ads presses.

“Peacemaker and Harcourt, Cyborg.” Rip shakes his head. “Then there's Vandal Savage, Brainiac, and a few others.”

“Shit.” Chris shakes his head. “Why the fuck did I team up with the losers?”

When Adrian finally speaks up, his voice is low, tone lethal. “What’s your motto again? You cherish peace with all your heart and you don't care how many men, women, or children you have to kill to get it?” He's staring at his hands. “You fit right in.”

“Adrian…” Chris runs his hand through his hair. Adrian's green eyes flick up to him.

“Is that why you did it? Did you think killing her would bring peace?” His nostrils flare.

Adrian studies his friend's pale face before turning to Adebayo. “I hope you get Harcourt out while you still can.”

“Is there anyone we can trust to get us to Luthor's base, or lend us a car?” You quickly add, squeezing Adrian's hand under the table. Calm Down.

“Larry says he found a guy that can lend you a car.” Rips gaze flicks between you both and Larry nods stoically.

“Thanks, man.” Adrian pushes away from the table and tucks the phone in his jeans. “Better not waste any more time.”

Chris stands abruptly. “Adrian, don't trust Lex Luthor. He's got to have his own agenda in this. Even if he's got Superman’s on his side, he's the furthest thing from a good guy.” His blue eyes are pleading. “Call us if you get into any trouble.”

Adrian nods grimly and Adebayo rises. “Come on, we have ammo, if I know you, you'll probably need it.”

You watch as they walk away, Adebayo's hand resting between Adrian's shoulder blades.

When Chris heaves a sigh and flops back down in the booth, you arch a brow at him. His face is in his hands, boulderous shoulders quivering.

“He fucking hates me.”

Larry pats him on the back. You and Rip watch in silence before Rip turns to you.

“You really shouldn't let Adrian meet his future self.” He hooks a thumb at Chris. “This one's doppelganger tried to kill him on sight.”

“Yeah, seems like a common occurrence whenever I meet myself in another dimension.” He groans.

“Adrian's said he's met one of his doppelgangers before and they didn't try to kill each other.”

"I remember. They got along a little too well." Rip raises a brow at Chris. “Maybe it's a temperament thing.”

“I'm right here, dont talk about me like I'm a fucking dog.”

“Still, I suggest you assess the situation before introducing them.”

“Alright.” You sigh. You don't think there's any way to keep Adrian from meeting his future self if it's what he really wants to do. Once that man gets his teeth into something, he does exactly what he wants, damn the consequences.

Rip holds your gaze when Chris and Larry leave the table. “Also, just a bit of advice; be prepared.”

“For what?”

His brows rise. “Adrian… he's changed.”

Back in 2026

“Ahhh, shit what's this asshole going to do now?” John Economos slaps the stack of papers down in frustration. A few loose pages of the recorded metrics that he and Happersen pulled from the rift drift to the floor.

They've been pouring over data since they hacked into LexCorp's and A.R.G.U.S. 's records, searching for anything that could explain where that worm hole sent his friends and how to close the rift.

John turns the volume up on the television. Happersen, handcuffed, turns in his computer chair, staring blearily at the screen.

Lex Luthor, looking every bit a megalomaniacal politician, stands rigidly at a glass podium in front of the press, brows drawn down, mouth a resolute line.

John sits back in his chair. He really doesn't have the time to spare for this clown. He and Happersen are working against the clock hoping to find any way to neutralize the rift before it's too late. The data shows the rift is growing exponentially, ripping through dimensions as it careens untethered into the unknown. You'd think Lex would be busy trying to solve that problem instead of holding a press conference.

Despite his disdain for Lex Luthor, John pushes up his glasses and leans forward on his elbows.

Maybe Lex has already found a way to stop it.

Lex Luthor's icy blue eyes scan the room. The flashing of camera bulbs and murmuring of the attendees slows to a breathless halt as he takes them all in, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“It's my duty to the citizens of this great nation, a nation that I love, and to the people of the world, to educate you all on a great injustice that has been perpetrated by the United States government."

"Everyone has noticed the growing stain in our precious Earth's atmosphere.” Lex pauses, gaze holding the camera.

“Really playing it up isn't he…” Economos snorts.

“A.R.G.U.S has used ground breaking experimental tech developed by my company, LexCorp Technologies, inappropriately and without our consent.” He nods, brows knit.

“That stain is an interdimensional rift that has occurred under the directives of General Rick Flag."

"The most brilliant minds at LexCorp confirm, the rift in the sky is growing, opening up our world to dangerous creatures from other dimensions."

"I am leading a task force to stop this cataclysmic event from worsening and am calling on the world's best aerospace engineers, theoretical scientists focused on physics and interdimensional research, heroes, and meta humans to join me. Come together under my banner."

"Join me to save humanity.”

Then, Lex Luthor waves off the stream of frantic questions coming from the press with a dismissive jerk of his head and exits the frame.

“He's doing damage control.” Happersen sucks his teeth. “They don't have the case, and the worm hole is closed.”

“He doesn't actually care about people!” Economos shakes his head in frustration.

“No, but now he has the advantage in coming out and pinning it on Flag.” Happersens mouth tilts into a slash of a grin. “I know Lex, he's going to play both sides. And in the court of public opinion, this makes him look like a damn hero.”

Economos pulls his beard. “Lex hates the metas… why would he work with them?”

“There's something in it for him.” Happersen smiles knowingly before tapping on his keyboard and bringing up the data they were analyzing. “There always is…”

—

“Geeze, this place is a shit hole now.” Adrian's lip curls. “Evergreen wasn't that special before but… it wasn't like this.”

You squint past the swinging pinetree shaped airfreshener and through the webbing of the cracked windshield of the beat up sedan Larry's contact provided.

Despite it looking like it's driven through the apocalypse, the interior is clean and smelling fresh. You nod, at a loss for words as you take in the destruction.

In the dark, Mainstreet looked like any other run down thoroughfare in a busy town. But in the daylight, it looks more like a war zone. The windows and doors of the shops and restaurants that line the streets are boarded up, and crowds of people and interdimensional beings are sleeping against buildings or loitering in alleys. Trash litters the sidewalks and scorch marks and craters pepper the buildings still standing.

“How'd it even get like this? Shouldn't Flag at least try to get this under control?” Adrian says through gritted teeth.

When he drives by a trio of ragged looking people tossing a trashcan through a shop window he slams on the breaks, outraged.

“Hey, assholes!” They turn their hungry eyes on him and his jaw drops.

“Holy shit, is that my 12th grade biology teacher Mr. Grant?”

“Adrian! Go! We can't be recognized and we can't worry about this right now!”

“I went to freaking jail for that!” Adrian hollers out the window before peeling away. He tilts the review mirror to watch as a crowd of people rush the store to loot it.

“I hope future me has a spare Vigilante suit, because this is out of hand.”

Your stomach turns. Those people were desperate and starving. Abandoned. “Just get us out of here.”

Adrian nods and tightens his grip on the steering wheel, gunning it through the rest of the lights until the buildings begin to taper into rubble. You finally relax when your veiw out the window turns into placid fields and and trees. Adrian's quiet, which is unusual.

“You okay?” Your hand smooths over his and he winds his fingers with yours.

“I never really liked Evergreen. I never fit in or had friends… well, not until Peacemaker.” He says softly. “But no matter how shitty that place was, it was still mine.”

He glances over, brows drawn down. “We have to fix this.”

The car's tires crunch over rocks and sand when Adrian swings the car onto a back road and out towards the highway.

“We will.” You smile, swallowing back the all too real truth that it may already be too late.

Rip wasn't exaggerating when he said you couldn't miss the little piece of Metroplos Lex built in Evergreen. Hundreds of acres of what used to be farm land had been bulldozed, paved, and developed. Adrian's mood darkens the moment LexCorps mirrored tower peeks over the horizon.

Unlike Evergreen’s Mainstreet, Lex Luthor's company town is clean and well landscaped, sterilized from any imperfections. Row after row of match-box style homes built with cheap materials house the working masses strolling the streets.

“Welcome to Pleasantville.” Adrian murmurs, shooting you a wide eyes glance. And is is pleasant ... at least on the surface.

However, you can't help but notice the gun toting officers that patrol every block. They shoot cursory glances at you, but look away after a beat, unconcerned.

"There are no interdimensional beings here like there are in Evergreen." Adrian murmurs.

As you close the distance with the tower, the architecture swells in size and grandure with brand new office buildings, apartment complexes, and shops. Did Lex even even try to fix the rift before dumping his resources into his new paradise?

Adrian parks the car a few blocks from the tower. It's massive, dwarfing the city growing around it.

“Guess he's just got to have his ivory tower.” Adrian pulls the bill of his hat down to shade his eyes from the glare off the tower as he looks up at it.

You entwine your hand in his and pull him away and down the block. Walking along a row of buildings across the street from the tower, you both disappear into the stream of locals perusing shops and running their errands, providing the perfect cover to look out for your target - future Adrian.

Spotting a bench with a good vantage of the front doors of the tower, you drag Adrian to it and sit down. But his eyes are focused down the street.

“Stay here and keep watch, I'll be right back.” He leans down and kisses you sweetly before disappearing into the crowd. You watch for a moment, until you lose sight of his tattered ball cap, then turn back to the monolith across the street.

LexCorp tower is a busy building. The revolving door to the side of the main entrance doesn't stop as a constant flow of couriers and sharply dressed professionals files through it.

Were these people from Evergreen? Did they escape that hellhole and find refuge here? It sounds like something Lex Luthor would do. You ponder the profitability of letting one town be destroyed only to build another, shiny and new in its place, when you feel a gentle tug on your pony tail.

You look over your shoulder and laugh when Adrian slides next to you on the opposite side of the bench. His eyes are sparkling when he sets a paper bag down and hands you a paper cup. It's good to see him smile.

“What's this?”

“Peppermint vanilla tea and an almond croissant." He grins crookedly at you and you could kick yourself for the hot tears prickling your eyes.

“My favorite.”

“I know.” He wets his lips and pulls out a sandwich and bag of cool ranch doritos.

For just a moment you forget you're in another world, another time. If you close your eyes, and lean in real close to him, you could swear you're right where you belong. Sitting in the passenger seat of the Shocker Electric van staking out a strip club, or scrolling recordings of petty crimes at headquarters on the team's laptop. It's just another day, another stake out, with Adrian.

“Who's this?” Adrian says around the last bite of his sandwich, eyes tracking a dark tinted SUV.

“Looks important.” You mutter as the vehicle pulls up the front of LexCorp tower. The tower doorman hurriedly abandons his post to open the vehicles back door. The moment you see the polished bald head you know it's him: Lex Luthor.

Lex, clad in a black suit, moves his polished shoes across the sidewalk slowly, intentionally. When he steps from the shadow of the vehicle, a tall broad man in blue and red follows.

“Superman?” You crane your neck around the people stopping in the street to wave at the duo. Adrian grunts, watching from under the bill of his hat, eyes narrowed as they continue towards the building.

People on the street begin moving again, continuing about their day now that the spectacle is over. And you have to admit seeing Lex Luthor and Superman walk side by side is quite the spectacle.

“Who's that?” Adrian whispers beside you.

“Superman and Lex.” You glance at him confused. Everyone knows who Superman is.

“No. Him…” His green eyes flick to yours and back across the street.

The SUV is pulling away from the curb and towards the parking garage. In its place stands an imposing man clothed head to toe in a matte black suit and armor. A sword and shot gun are strapped to his back. Knives and pistols line the holsters on his belt. His gloved hands rest on his hips and teal and gray lines meet on his chest plate forming a sharp V.

When he turns his head, the morning sunlight is swallowed by an iridescent teal visor, and your breath leaves you.

You can feel a buzzing sensation race under your skin a moment before he turns your way. You pivot towards Adrian just in time.

You can feel him watching you from across the street. The scary thing is, everything in you is screaming for you to meet his eyes and run to him. Instead, you hold Adrian's wide gaze.

“Adrian… that's you.”

Meanwhile in 2026…

Happersen snaps his fingers. “I got it.” He pushes back from his desk, a smug smile pulling at his lips. “They're in a temporal parallel dimension.”

Economos groans. “God, I thought Adrian was going to be the biggest nerd I ever had to work with. What the hell does that mean in normal people talk?”

“It means they are tethered to this reality, this here and now, by linear causality.” Happersen sneers.

“Like Nazi world?” Economos breathes.

“What?” Happerson glares at him. “No, not like Earth X. This is different. The two realities are directly linked. Whereas Earth X deviated from this reality, hence the Nazis winning world war two, Sanctuary isn't a different reality than ours, it runs linear to it.”

Economos squints, trying to wrap his mind around the theory. “Explain it."

“Okay, so, think about it this way - you're watching a football game. You have two televisions set to the same channel, but one is experiencing a delay. When the team on the first screen scores a touch down, the team on the second screen is still running towards the 10 yard line.” Happersen pauses, considering. “Or they're already dumping Gatorade on the coach.” He snorts.

"Uh..."

“There are going to be fundamental discrepancies in Sanctuary because of the temporal link. What exactly that link is and how it affects Sanctuary, I'm not sure yet.” Happersen searches Economo's eyes. “Do you understand?”

“No.” Economos groans. “But, do you think Lex knows this yet?” Economos’ eyes widen. Maybe they could get ahead of the game…

Happersen opens his mouth, an answer at the ready. Such a tool.

"Wait..." Economos has a sudden thought. "If Sanctuary is the same broadcast as ours, that means Luther, Flag… we are all there right? Won’t they wonder why Peacemaker is there if they sent him into Sanctuary?” Economos screws his eyes up.

Happersen hums in thought. Economos’ lips twitch in a grin. How about them apples, asshole?

“They won't know they are Sanctuary." Happersen steeples his fingers and leans back in his chair.

“Even an above average human brain cannot readily comprehend the logic of what you're questioning. Lex is far beyond your intellect -"

"Hey, what the hell, man!" Economos kicks Happersen's chair.

"-but because he's smack in the middle of it, it’ll take him some time to figure this out.” Happersen snorts a laugh. “And Flag is as dumb as a pole.”

He nods. “They'll land on the most obvious and convenient answer.”

“And what's that?”

“That Peacemaker came back through the rift. Hopefully your friend is smart enough to keep his trap shut.”

Economos squeezes his eyes closed. There are going to be two Peacemakers in Sanctuary. Fuck. One of them is going to screw it up for sure.

“Since this other dimension, Sanctuary, is a temporal parallel dimension, what can we do now to try and fix this shit?”

“It all depends on what side of the linear scale it falls on.” He pauses, head tilted, dark eyes gleaming. “I can't pinpoint the coordinates, just that Sanctuary resides in a bracket of approximately seventeen years.”

“Do you want me to cuff you to the radiator again?” Economos threatens.

Happerson sneers in response. “Fine. Based on my calculations, the linear scale ranges between negative two years to positive fifteen years”

John resists the urge to twist Happersen’s broken nose to get all the answers from him, but he doesn't need to be a genius to understand that if Peacemaker, Adrian, and you were sent into the recent past, everyone would eventually find their way to HQ.

—

“What’s he doing?” You squint when Vigilante stalks to the parking garage next to the LexCorp Tower and disappears into its shadowy depths.

“His suit is so fucking cool.” Adrian says wistfully. “I wonder where he got the material for the armor, do you think it's bullet proof? It looks like ceramic…”

“I'm sure Lex had it made for him.” You whisper, glancing at Adrian. His lips pull into a frown as he considers this.

“Sold his soul to the devil.” He mutters.

“We don't know that.” You shake your head. “You must have had a good reason to team up with Lex.”

Adrian studies you sadly, looking away when a black motorcycle idles out of the parking garage and into the street.

“Fuck, hes got a sick bike, too!” Adrian groans when you drag him to his feet. “So not fair.”

“Come on! We have to follow him.”

It's been about fifteen minutes on the highway when Adrian makes a worried noise low in his throat.

“He's going to know we're following him.” Tearing his eyes from the road, he glances at you worriedly. Future Adrian is a little over a quarter mile ahead on the county road leading back into Evergreen. “He's smart, obviously, and there's like… no other cars on the road.”

“I know you're smart.” You smile over at him and he can't help but smile back. “Honestly, he could have lost us a while ago, so he must not be worried about us.”

Adrian squeezes and relaxes his grip on the wheel, you can just see the wheels turning in his head. He presses his lips closed before looking over at you again.

“Do you think he'll like me?”

You want to say yes immediately, but you really can't predict how his future self is going to react to seeing either of you. The man you know is sitting next to you, the one on the speed bike is essentially a stranger. You remember what Rip told you; Adrian has changed.

“I think so.” You say carefully. “But Rip told me that you should hold off on meeting him right off.”

“What the hell! How long do I have to wait?” He scoffs. “Why are we even listening to that guy?”

“He's only trying to help.” Your eyes are locked on the man in the distance. “I… I'm going to try and talk to him first.” Your voice trembles around the words.

His face pales. “But, what if he thinks you're a ghost?”

“Adrian!”

“Fine. But you have to stay in my sights. I'm going to have a gun trained on him.” A muscle in his jaw feathers. “One wrong move and he’s done.”

“Okay.” You concede.

“Promise me.” He holds his pinky out. Heart pounding, you loop your pinky around his, hoping that whatever it comes down to, Adrian doesn't have to pull the trigger.

Adrian's brows knit when the bike pulls off the highway and onto a back road.

‘I think he's headed back to the old gateway portal?” He spins the wheel, pulling onto a packed gravel road. Dust flies up behind the car as he accelerates to catch up with his target.

You and Adrian watch from the car as Vigilante parks his bike and treks to the construction site. You lose sight of him when he wades into the field of tall grasses. Your eyes travel to Adrian as he watches with bated breath next to you.

“He's going to kill those guards." He glances over, green eyes wide, pupils dilated. “I mean, that’s what I would do.”

Sure enough gun shots ring out moments later. In the distance, you can spot Vigilante brawling with Rick Flag’s guards. He cold cocks one guard after twisting the man's arm and kicking away his gun. He punches the guard, again and again, until the other man is stumbling backwards on his feet, face a bloody mess.

“Why's he playing with him?” Adrian squints, pushing his glasses up and grimacing when Vigilante sweeps his victims legs out from under him and presses a boot to his throat.

Your brows draw together. “It looks like it's personal.” Maybe having a gun trained on this guy is a good idea.

After the guard stops kicking, Vigilante drags the bodies to a clearing and lines them up side by side. Then he calmly collects the weapons, holsters them, and walks to the concrete block wall. Leaning against it, he waits.

Adrian shifts in his seat beside you, sighing.

You tear your eyes from Vigilante, who's since sat on a low concrete block wall and is practicing throwing knives into a nearby tree trunk.

“I never actually thought I could die from boredom, but … “ He lifts a hand, gesturing in frustration to his future self. “ This guy is boring as fuck.”

“Text Ads.” You lean back into your seat, willing your bladder to stop aching.

“I tried, but Peacemaker keeps answering.” He rolls his eyes.

“You should just… forgive him. He feels really bad about killing future me.” You sigh. "Besides he didn't even do it... future him did."

Adrian considers this for a long moment then meets your eyes.

“No.” He says bluntly.

“Adrian-”

“I can't. I can't just forgive him like that! I need to know-”

You cant wait any longer and pop the door open. “Call him.” You say before sliding out.

“Hold on! Where are you going?”

“I have to pee.” You close the door and mimic holding a phone. “Call him.”

“Fine…” Adrian scowls and pulls the phone out.

Shooting a glance at Vigilante, you see he's still throwing knives into the tree trunk. He probably has about two dozen of the blades, you should have plenty of time to relieve yourself.

Rushing as quietly as you can into the trees, you find a secluded spot, and sigh in relief.

The sunset is shining bright through the shadowy trees. If Vigilante doesn't move on soon, it's going to be so much harder to follow him in the dark.

You shake your head, there's got to be another reason he came all the way out here. Would he really just come to kill the guards for fun?

“Fucking… peeing in the woods.” You mutter in annoyance, pulling your jeans up.

You realize your mistake when you hear a stick pop. Your scream is three seconds too late, cut off before you can even take a breath by the black gloved hand clamped over your mouth. A strong arm slips around your waist and drags you against a hard body. Your breath shudders when you feel the point of a blade prick your ribs.

“Why are you following me? Who are you?” Vigilante growls.

“Adrian, please…” Your voice is weak behind his palm.

“How… how do you know my name?” He roughly turns you, knife pressed just under your jaw as his masked face takes you in, teal visor tilted down. You can see your reflection in his visor, your eyes are wide and searching for the man you know and trust behind the mask.

You finally draw a breath when the blade slowly lowers then falls from his grip and onto the leaf strewn ground. Vigilante peels his hand off your mouth and pulls his mask off. Those familiar soft waves fall over his forehead, but now silver strands glint at his temples in the fading sunlight. His hand gently pushes your hair back from your face.

You can barely breathe as you look up at him. Your own reflection is gone, looking back at you now is a reflection of the man you love. His usual subdued green eyes are intense and bottle green, gleaming with tears, and his face has a few more lines and scars, but it's Adrian… your Adrian. He searches your eyes before he speaks.

“You're finally here.”

To be continued….

master list

I hope you're enjoying the series so far! 🙏✨️ Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!