With a momentary twinkle of gleaming energy, two men and a bank of floating screens came into being on the outskirts of Keystone City- one of them in a white and black suit, the other in a unique outfit that glittered golden with blood-crimson highlights.
“You have all the technology you need?” Abra Kadabra asked his partner, who observed the 25th century display monitors he had brought with him- everything was functioning as planned. He could observe anything anywhere in the city with this- perfect.
“Everything is ready,” He said, not meeting his partner’s eyes. “Do as we discussed. It is time.” With a nod, Kadabra vanished, leaving the man alone with the screens. He let out a heavy sigh- today, at last, after so many years, after so much lost. By the end of today, he would be at peace. Just one last issue to take care of. The first screen winked to life, displaying what he knew it would- a man standing in the hospital, with a face uncannily like his own. He looked worried, but the golden figure nearly chuckled bitterly at that thought. Worried. Hah. Barry Allen was
worried. How laughable. He had no idea what he had to be worried about- he thought he knew what concern was? What fear was?
He did not know the golden figure’s pain, his sorrow, his loss, the soul-crushing agony that drove his every moment, the pain of a final hug, of the children he would never know, of the final goodbye- of knowing you had failed everyone you loved, that they were all gone- your family, your home, your friends, the cities you dedicated your life to protecting… all of it. He did not know.
But… thought the golden figure, eyes glinting in the setting sun.
…he will.* * *
I have never felt more alive in my life. Seriously, I feel like I’m about to explode. I mean, I’ve been through this before, and it was even more nerve wracking then, but that doesn’t take away the magic of the moment for one second. She’s so brave, and so strong- they say this is one of the most painful experiences a human can go through and…
…but as usual, I’m getting ahead of myself. Sorry. Allow me to introduce myself-
My name is Barry Allen. I’m the Flash- the Fastest Man Alive.
At this moment, I’m standing in the waiting room of Keystone hospital (Where I am spending
way too much time recently!) and, just like last time I was here, I want to erupt with tension. It’s a bit different of course- last time, it was my dad who was hurt, (He’s fine now, by the way- in fact, he and my mom are driving here as fast as their little old car can make it.) this time though… this time it’s for something good. The only good thing people come to a hospital for, I guess. I feel a hand on my shoulder- that’s Jay Garrick. He was Flash back in the 40s- he may not be as fast as me anymore, but there’s no one I’d rather have watching my back in a fight. Jay and his wife Joan are both here, and they’ve both been more of a comfort to me in… well, in my life, I guess… than they can ever know.
“It won’t be long now, Iris.” That’s Joan now, squeezing my wife’s hand. The nurse has her other hand. It takes every molecule of restraint in my body not to vibrate through the wall and just run, run forever, run until the tension’s gone. But I stay in place- a little bit to maintain my secret identity, but mostly for Iris. Between gasps of pain, she’s struggling to smile, and looking at me through watering eyes.
“You hear that, Barry?” she gasps up at me. “Bart’s little sister…”
“Little Carrie. That’s right,” I smile at her- and I know it must be a strained smile because I’m not like her, or Joan, or Jay- I can’t be that rock for everyone else when they need me. I don’t think I can, at least- well, not right now anyway, I’m too much of a nervous wreck. But I try my best. For Iris, I try. We’re all trying right now. Jay and Joan have been virtually living at our house in order to make her life easier and look after Bart when I’m too busy with the super hero thing. Wally’s out right now keeping the city safe- we told him he could stay here, but he just said “Crime doesn’t rest, uncle Barry, so we can’t either.” It sounds like something Bruce would say…
would have said. I have to wonder if he’s been spending too much time with Robin and the Titans. Fleetingly, I half-wish Max and Johnny could be here, but I know that’s impossible.
Today’s the day we’ve been waiting for. My little girl… my Carrie, she’s finally about to come into the world- it seems like only yesterday we were holding Bart here in this very ward, and here we are again…. It should be one of the happiest days of my life, I know.
So why isn’t it? whispers that voice at the back of my head, the one that’s been gnawing at me for month after month. The voice that shrieked a warning when Max and Johnny told me they wanted to leave Keystone to help Max explore his present, and his past. The voice that hasn’t shut up about the meeting with Warden Wolfe Iris had around the same time, the meeting that she returned home… different from. And I want to ignore the voice, I do, but it’s shouting louder than ever, and my years in the mask have taught me that it’s very rarely wrong. Something’s going to happen, and soon.
But not tonight, I promise myself.
Not tonight. Tonight is a happy tonight. Tonight is for this.My attention is snapped back to the moment as Iris gives another cry. For a second, I wonder where Bart is- then I remember he’s being looked after in the crèche downstairs. I look at the pain on Iris’ face and my heart feels like it’s just about to burst, hammering faster than the speed of light inside my chest. I hate to see her like this, but there isn’t a choice… and before long, I know we’ll be holding our beautiful baby, our new little one… our Carrie. Soon. I shouldn’t be thinking about Bruce, or about the guys who can’t be here, or about that voice in the back of my head, I know- I should just be thinking about this. This, I tell myself, is going to be one of the happiest days of my life.
* * *
Kid Flash buzzed through the streets of Central City, eyes alert. Part of him was still screaming in excitement- there was something cool about the thought that today he, Wally West alone, was responsible for the protection of the Twin Cities. He had patrolled the cities before, of course, when he wasn’t off with the Titans, but that was always with Uncle Barry, or with Jay. Tonight was the first time he had ever been the city’s sole protector–and it was an important night too. He had been there at Bart’s birth, but Wally had decided to be out here the second he heard Aunt Iris was pregnant again. He felt out here he could actually help his uncle, maybe make him really proud- that brought a smile to Wally’s face. Even after all this time, his uncle’s approval was still the best thing he could ask for. He still remembered Barry’s face when he asked to do this- (Using that line he’d stolen from Dick) and that alone had made it all worth it.
He returned his attention to the moment. All was quiet in the Twin Cities for now, it seemed. It was 9 o’clock in the evening, and not even the petty criminals were out. Occasionally, he’d pass someone in the street and they’d nod to him or shout encouragement which would never reach his ears (Unless they were girls. Then he’d slow down just enough to make sure they
definitely noticed him, though he sometimes felt guilty for Rachel as he did so, and when that happened he’d speed up again.) Part of him wished the Rogues would show up or something, just so he could take them down and show Barry, Jay and everyone just how good he was. They hadn’t seen how much he’d improved with the Titans, and…
…Suddenly, he skidded to a halt- with a flare of light, as someone familiar was standing directly in the central square of Central, just in front of City Hall.
“You!” he barked, eyes narrowing.
Finally, he thought.
Some action. “Kid Flash!” the white-haired man responded. “What an… unexpected surprise!” He was garishly dressed, in a reflective brightly coloured outfit that looked like some sort of hideous fusion of costume and disco ball. His red sunglasses were tinted- Bart wondered how he could even see through them at this time- and his arms were spread wide, cane clasped in one of them.
“What do you want, Doctor Spectro? Why aren’t you in prison?” he asked wearily, already vibrating back and forth to ensure he wasn’t caught off-guard.
Not tonight! This didn’t make any sense, he thought, brow furrowing- the Flashes had just beaten Spectro a few short months ago thanks to Max… how could he be out again already? What was his game? “You can’t catch me offguard this time- hasn’t Flash kicked your ass enough already?”
“What I want, boy?” Spectro asked theatrically. “Why, I don’t want anything.” He lent forwards, eyes glimmering mischievously over the glasses. “And let me let you in on a little secret…” He raised a hand as though to whisper- Kid Flash listened intently, ready to escape at any second.
“I’m the distraction,” Spectro told him with a nod. Wally frowned. “Wha…?”
There was a sudden burst of colour at the edge of his vision and Wally half spun… to find a villain he would know anywhere a mere foot away and moving so fast towards him that even he couldn’t stop them.
“Say goodnight, Wallace West,” hissed Savitar.
And in the space of less than a second, everything went white.
* * *
With a burst of golden energy, the caped form of Abra Kadabra materialised a long way from Keystone City. With one eyebrow cocked, he looked around; surveying thick clusters of trees in all sorts of strange shapes and sizes- a cluster of them amidst a forest of tall grass which bowed in the wind. A long way from Keystone indeed.
“Wizard.” Came a deep growl which seemed to resound inside his head for a moment too long.
“Ah,” he greeted the one he had come to meet with a mocking flourish, lip curled slightly in distaste. “You’re ready then.
“Of course. I brought my soldiers with me- we are eager for blood.”“You will be sated, as we arranged,” Kadabra nodded. “How many are there?”
“Enough.” came the brief reply.
“Waste no more time- I am ravenous.” “As you say,” Kadabra nodded. Gesturing with his wand, he concentrated for a moment on the looming form before him. “Abra… Kadabra!” With another explosion of golden light, both Kadabra, his associate and all his associate’s soldiers waiting patiently in the grove of trees vanished from the continent entirely.
* * *
Iron Heights prison was a fortress in flux. It had once seemed that there was a breakout of it every few weeks, and security was constantly adapting to try and compensate- but in recent months, due to the renewed efforts of the zealous new Warden Wolfe, the renovation had been successful. Not a single villain- Rogue or otherwise- had broken out since the little Rogue Civil War of many months previously, and Wolfe fully intended to keep it that way. Although the old Rogues were not housed within, the warden was pleased to note that the so-called “New Rogues” were kept safe and sound within it’s massive walls. Which was just as well, because they were dangerous- in many ways, more dangerous even than the old Rogues. The new Rogues were killers and murderers first- they did not have the honour or etiquette of the old. They were menaces to society, and so here they would rot.
…Which is exactly why it was more than a little troubling when Doctor Spectro vanished from his cell.
“Get more guards down there at once,” snapped Wolfe, striding through the corridors towards it’s office, having been called in urgently from his house beside the prison. “I want this facility in full lockdown. At least two outside every cell, and more searching every nook and cranny of this entire fortress- I want that delusional madman
found and I want him brought
back. He can’t have gone far, the building is still intact.”
“Sir, due respect… it’s Doctor Spectro,” snorted one of the two armed guards accompanying him. “I mean… what can he do?” Wolfe rounded on him at once.
“You do not understand these men in the way I do. These men are criminals- they are monsters. They are ruthless and every second they are not in here where we can control them is a second they are out
there where we cannot. Every person who dies by their hands dies because of
us. Their blood is on
our hands, and the hands of people like the Flash when he fails to bring them back to us, understood?” Not that
that would be an issue in a few short days, Wolfe thought with a smirk. No, his plans were proceeding apace, and the Flash would cease to be an issue soon enough.
“Geez, someone has ants in his pants…” murmured the guard so quietly he thought Wolfe couldn’t hear. “AAAAAGHHH… oh Jesus…”
“What is it?” asked the other guard with a frown.
“My leg… ah God… muscle cramp…”
“What… unfortunate timing,” Wolfe said curtly. “But we don’t have time for you to get to the medical bay. I fear you’ll have to simply bear with the pain…”
* * *
“I’m here, honey,” I hold Iris’ hand tighter as she lets out another gasp, and I lean in close. “Your parents just phoned, they’re in the lobby, they’ll be up in another moment or two. It’s okay. It’s okay.” Truth be told, the words are as much for my own nerves as hers, and despite the pain she’s clearly in, Iris doesn’t need comforting. A phone rings somewhere in the background but I’m not paying attention, my attention entirely on my wife as I stroke her hand softly. I know by the look the nurse gives me that it’ll be starting any moment now- the contractions are getting more prolonged, and closer together, and soon we’ll….
“Barry,” There’s a murmur in my ear, barely a whisper, and I recognise it at once as Joan. “The police just called Jay- something’s happened with Wally.” I daren’t react, my face frozen, as Joan pretends she’s just checking on Iris. Astute as ever, she’s watching out for my identity, of course. Before I can even ask where, she continues, again under his breath, almost conversationally. “Keystone Central Plaza. Jay’ll be waiting by the hardware store across the road.” I nod, and lean forwards to Iris, one of my hands balled into a fist. God, I don’t need this… not tonight, not tonight, any other night could….
“Go,” Iris breathes before I can even tell her what it is- she knows by my expression. I don’t hesitate- the faster I act, the faster I can be back, hopefully even before she knows I’m gone. Mumbling something about an upset stomach to the nurse, I lurch towards the bathroom, which is thankfully empty, and then I take out the ring. Four and a half seconds later, I’m standing beside Jay across the road, fully suited up, and give him one nod- he knows how eager I am to get back, so we set off at once. I’ll be back before Carrie is born, I tell myself, of course I will. This is a minor disturbance, nothing more. How bad can it be?
* * *
Warden Wolfe nodded in approval, continuing his inspection down the central corridor of the Pipeline- guards in tow. Everything seemed in order- as always. Now then, it seemed that….
“SIR!” The three whirled to find another guard running up the corridor, signalling urgently.
“What is it?” Wolfe snapped at once. “What…?”
“…It’s the Savitars, sir. Savitar and Lady Savitar. They aren’t in their cells- and the Turtle’s gone as well! We think they’ve escaped. One moment they were there, the next they weren’t…”
“…Oh God…” breathed Wolfe, and his eyes flew wide. “We need the Fla…”
*BOOM*
* * *
The sound of an explosion in the distance causes Jay and I to halt as we come to the bridge between the Cities. We exchange a momentary look, but after a second, things get worse- there’s the sound of another explosion, and another. And it’s only seconds after that that I see the first strains of smoke rise into the darkening sky- it’s from north Central. And whatever it is, it’s bad. Within me, something screams in frustration-
not tonight, not tonight. ANY other night…. But Jay and I are professionals. We don’t bother making small talk, swapping problems or any of that. I nod north, and Jay nods south. And then in an instant, we’re gone, blazing two opposite trails across the city. He’ll find Wally and sort that out, and I’ll deal with whatever this is. And still I desperately pray, I hope against hope, that it’ll be small, and it’ll be manageable. Besides, it’s not like Jay and Wally together can’t handle the problem at there end, and I’m sure that whatever’s here will be just… as…. Simple…?
It’s as I round a final corner that I first smell the blood.
* * *
Jay kept running towards Keystone, intensifying his speed. The streets were all zipping past in seconds now, and he bowed his head. Although he hadn’t shown it to Barry, he was worried. Had it been a bad idea to let Wally out on patrol by himself? Kid Flash was very smart, very good and very devoted, but he was still a teenager- it was right there in the name for Pete’s sake! If the Rogues had come back, or if that Rival monster returned, or one of those abominations left over from the Apokolips Invasion that had recently resurged, or…
…then he reached the Keystone City Hall and froze in his tracks.
It had been tradition in the Twin Cities, going back decades, that in front of each city Hall were three flags- the US flag, the state flag… and the Flash symbol. It was a sign of the pride the cities had in the Flash, and Jay could still remember the strains of his own pride deep within him when they raised it for the first time, his love for these two cities which had been a home to he and the Flash Legacy for so long. But now, the Flash Flag had been torn down… and in its place… was Wally.
His costume had been torn to shredded tatters which clung loosely to his thin frame. He had been tied to the flagpole near the top by thick ropes around his chest and legs, securing his hands behind his back- thankfully, his mask was mostly intact, as were his pants, though not without deep tears which showed angry scars beneath. He was badly bruised, and stained from head to toe in his own blood. His breath wheezed through swollen lips crusted by blood. The teenager was still unconscious- his head fallen, limp.
For a long frozen second- which seemed like hours to Jay- the elder speedster could only stand there, staring in horror and disgust. An instant later, he blazed over to the flagpole, and his eyes were hard. What… what monster would do this to a boy? Which of the Rogues had done this, had
brutalised a teenager and strung him up in humiliating defeat for the Twin Cities to see? They would pay, the normally pacifist Jay swore to himself in that instant- by God, they would pay. In the blink of an eye, he ran in a circle around the flagpole, carving an instant trench into the ground. Without leverage, the pole began to fall and he easily shunted into normal mode and then back into speed mode so that he could run over and tear the ropes off Wally as time hung, nearly frozen for a second. An instant after arriving on the scene, he laid the victimised youngster out on the grass before the hall, kneeling over him in concern. Nothing fatal, thank God. The boy would recover in time, but the trauma from such an incident was likely to be crippling. His mind raced- the Titans, wasn’t one of them supposed to be able to-
“Well, well, well… grandpa Flash comes to save the day…” came a sneering voice. Jay looked up, aged face hard with rare anger.
“Spectro,” he breathed.
* * *
It’s when that initial smell hits that I shunt out of speed mode and freeze, my mouth open in shock as I reach the northern edge of the city. Because standing right in front of me, ridiculous as it sounds, are over thirty rampaging monstrous gorillas, like something out of a bizarre King King spin-off. It’s not like I haven’t met talking gorillas before, of course (How many guys can say THAT?)- I saved them quite a while ago in their city in Africa but to see them here… in Keystone… is stunning enough. …And then I suddenly realise what they’re doing and my heart lurches again.
One monster is in the process of hurling a car full of screaming people through a building, roaring in savage pleasure. Another looks to have torn a van in half and is perching on it, reaching inside to scoop out something I don’t even want to think about. Another is on the wall of a block of apartments, clinging as though it’s a jungle vine, and looks to have put his arm through a window, grabbing the occupants and tearing them out to raise them to its mouth. Another of the creatures has torn a lamppost from the street and is waving it wildly, shattering cars and building facades. Alarms are ringing wildly, and many of the buildings are already on fire- I suddenly realise the pavement is cracked and shattered all around me under their impacts. And the smell… God, the smell only now fully reaches my nostrils and I want to vomit –smoke and fire and death and blood. These… these aberrations are ripping my city apart, and they’re slaughtering anyone who comes near them.
“FLASH!”[/i] comes a mighty roar inside my head, and I wince, clutching my skull in pain. It’s familiar, I try to place it as I jerk around looking for the source- and then I see it. It’s another of these monstrosities, even bigger than the rest, eyes crazed with hatred. It’s standing atop a largely shattered small corner shop, red blood running down its chin below massive serrated fangs- and a writhing, screaming woman is held by the head in it’s huge paw. I tense, judging angles and distances with my eye, and place this creature at once.
“…Grodd…” The ape I defeated in Gorilla City, the…monster I had caused to be imprisoned!
“You should not have stopped me, FLASH,”[/i] the creature spits as I mentally calculate the fastest way to reach him- flecks of blood fly out as he shouts.
“But in a way, I’m glad you did. Human meat is so delicious- especially here in Flash City. I wonder how YOUR blood will taste.”[/b]
* * *
The Allen’s house in the suburbs of Central City was not a particularly large or grand house. On the contrary, Barry and Iris had always kept a relatively low profile, and a modest house suited them just fine- as Iris was fond of saying, four walls and a roof was all that they really needed. Even the relatively small lawn was just a nice commodity. Just a normal, well-to-do house in a normal, well-to-do-neighbourhood. And after all, no-one knew about Barry Allen’s secret, so it wasn’t as though they were in any danger.
Which is why the neighbours could be forgiven for screaming in horror and astonishment when a massive
BOOM resounded across the neighbourhood and the Allens’ house exploded in a torrent of flame.
“Nice,” grinned the Trickster as the sounds of terror and shock surrounded him and the debris began to fall. “Even if Flasher somehow survives, he ain’t got no place to go.” God, he thought, he may have hated him before but right now, he loved Warden Wolfe. It was his tape revealing Flash’s identity that had made all this possible.
“Do you think anyone was in there?” asked the Weather Wizard, slightly more anxiously, constantly drawing up his collar to ensure no-one noticed him as the two men stood in heavy overcoats on the street outside. Thick black smoke was now rising higher into the sky, and as he looked up, Mark Mardon couldn’t help but think for a moment that it wasn’t the only gout of smoke rising into the darkening sky… that he could see more, much more, coming from somewhere…..
“Don’t be a moron,” snorted the Trickster, drawing his attention back to the moment. “You saw the family leave- and with the Flash’s lady-friend that fat, along with what we heard on that tape, there’s only one place they could be headed.” Trickster gave a tight smile, and now as the flames were reflected in his eyes, Mardon saw James was carrying a small rattle- which, with a flick of his wrist, sprouted a sharpened blade. “Let’s go welcome the baby.”
* * *
“That’s enough, Grodd!” I shout, trying to make myself heard over the maelstrom around me- no matter what way I work it out, there’s no way to make it to Grodd before he kills that poor woman in his grip, who’s howling more than ever- and all the time, I’m acutely aware of the carnage around me. I need to move soon- I know it. I tense myself, ready to leap. I just have to hope Grodd doesn’t see me coming- maybe if he’s really off-balance. “This is you and me- for God’s sake, stop this! Its me you want!”
“No,”[/i] the creature responds, eyes glittering evilly.
“I want you ALL. You’re just the appetiser.”[/i] I see his fist begin to clench and that’s my gunshot- I’m off like a bolt of lightning. I race across the road- it’s a busy road, and I need to weave between other apes and scattered debris. All around me, I know more people are dying, but Grodd’s the centre of it- if this is anything like before, he’s controlling the rest with his mind. Stop him and I stop them all… but my God, I realise as I thread my way through the chaos, the death toll’s rocketing up every second- this is the worst attack I’ve seen hit Keystone since the Crisis. I intensify my speed- now I know I can run up the wall of a neighbouring building and hit Grodd. I can save this woman, I can make up for not being there earlier when other people died- I can save her, and stop this attack and then my daughter will be fine and… my daughter… she must never be subjected to this. That force pushes me onwards- I see Grodd’s massive paw squeeze harder, hear the woman’s scream, see her skull begin to pop but I know I can make it on time…
“NotsofastFlash”
“Notthistimeyoudontwinthistime”
Two distinct voices slam into me at lightspeed and suddenly- NO! Something moving nearly as fast as I am hits me and slams me backwards- in shock, I move out of speed force for just a second. It’s a second too long- Grodd gives a roar of triumph and from within his now-clenched fist there spouts a gout of blood, and the cry ends. I give a shout of anger- NO! I can’t fail! Not now!
“I’m taking you down, Grodd!” I’m so angry, I don’t even wonder what hit me to knock me out of the Speed Force like that. “I’m taking you…”
“You have bigger concerns, Barry Allen,” comes another voice- one of the voices that had spoken to me at lightspeed.
“You’re going to let the gorillas have their fun and tear this city apart, ‘hero’,” comes another familiar voice, female this time. “Or else…”
I turn rapidly, impatiently- I have to take down Grodd, I don’t have time for… time for… but then I freeze in my tracks.
Savitar and Lady Savitar both stand there, vibrating so fast I can’t possibly catch up to them if they run- and my heart stops as I see what they’re holding. My dad and mom respectively, by the necks- both of them unconscious. Both of them apparently about to be more.
Oh My God. I’m so far over my head.
* * *
Jay froze in place for an instant, and when he spoke, his voice was far calmer than it should have been- deceptively quiet.
“Turn yourself in, Spectro. Right. Now.” Jay Garrick was not a man who allowed himself to feel anger easily, but as his heart thumped and he looked down at Wally’s poor battered body, it coursed through his veins, driving him, pushing him onwards. He would give this lunatic one chance and then…. “I’ve already summoned assistance,” He held up a flashing signal device- the same device he had given to Max and Johnny in case they were ever needed. They would come as fast as they could in an emergency- and that was considerably fast indeed.
“Oh, the other two speedsters? We were told they’d be coming- the boss would
hate for them to miss the main event!” Spectro gave a smile as dazzling as his coat. “I must say, I’m usually not one for the ‘team-up’ game, but it got me out of Iron Heights, so I really can’t complain….” He looked down at Wally. “Really, he went down
so easily, like the little boy he really….”
Time was up, Jay decidied, and sprang forwards at the speed of sound.
Or rather, he tried to. What actually happened was that he took a faltering half step forwards at normal speed, and then nearly lost his balance. His eyes widened in shock as Spectro laughed.
“Oh, didn’t I mention? I’m not the only one who was broken out of Iron Heights.” He gestured to the side of the square, where a small, withered individual came forwards painfully slowly, greedy eyes raised to look at Jay. “My friend here is out as well.” The Turtle. The super-villain whose power was to steal speed. And as Jay looked down again at Wally and over at the villain, he smelt something new in the air and looked up, eyes widening still further- smoke. He smelt smoke. Which meant…
“And I’ll let you in on a little secret!” Spectro told the suddenly slow old hero, his voice quite merry as he tapped his nose knowingly. “
We were just the first wave. This is just the beginning! Except of course, for you and your young friend here. For you two….” His smile widened, and Jay found himself unable to move entirely, all his momentum stolen by the Turtle who was eying him with greed, waiting for him to die, wanting it. “…It’s the end….”
* * *
The knife was plucked up from the dead guard’s neck and gloved hands carefully washed the blood from it, ensuring it remained sharp and pure for what lay ahead. The masked figure wielding it nodded when he was content, and turned to look at his comrades- everyone in a uniform was lying dead, their corpses strewing the courtyard before the colossal gates. One of the only other live beings in the yard, a massive sludge-like entity, laughed as he rejoined the main group, burbling with excitement.
“So that’s it?” He asked. “No catch?”
“None, as long as you do what you’re told,” Abra Kadabra replied with a pencil-thin smile. “Cause as much chaos as you like- just make sure the hospital in Central is levelled. No-one gets out.
Especially women and babies. Any problems?”
“None,” hissed another figure, who appeared to be peeling playing cards from his own skin and playing with them, flipping them around in his hands. “It’ll be a pleasure.”
“Very well then,” Kadabra nodded, smile widening, and waved his wand once. The gates of the prison burst open, and with a roar of approval, Murmur, Double Down, Kobra, Razorback, Tar Pit, The Clown and Girder – vicious mass murders one and all- charged out towards the unsuspecting cities below, columns of smoke already rising into the air above them. And Kadabra looked after them, nodding in satisfaction.
Iron Heights had been opened.
The New Rogues were out to play.
* * *
“Your city or your family, Flash.” Savitar spits. “Thawne told you this life would destroy you.”
From behind me, I hear screams- more explosions. The gorillas are rampaging on, more people are dying all the time. The fires are spreading now, and I hear the sirens of the police- but they can’t stop these monstrosities. And I’m paralyzed- the Fastest Man Alive, unable to act at all, condemned to indecision, as I freeze and look between my parents at the ‘mercy’ of two villains who are utterly without it, and my city which lies bleeding under Grodd’s minions.
“CHOOSE!” spits Savitar. “NOW!”
* * *
And on the outskirts of the cities, surrounded by floating, glowing displays and panels and equipment taken with him, a golden figure dressed in an outfit uncannily like the Flashes but with the colours inverted observed coldly. Passionlessly. Ruthlessly. As soon as the signal came that the last of the Flash’s foes were within, he depressed a floating switch on a panel and the last of the 25th century technology he had brought with him flickered online- and suddenly, the twin cities were surrounded by a glowing green dome of energy. That would hold until the night’s grim events were done- no-one would get in or out. Well… almost no-one. Those with the speed metagene could pass- it wouldn’t do, after all, for the chief orchestrator of this sad performance to miss its conclusion, and two of the players had yet to arrive. That done, he continued his solitary vigil on the monitors.
The New Rogues unleashed. Jay Garrick at his foes’ mercy. The Flashes’ parents held captive. Allen’s house destroyed. The gorillas tearing his city apart. The two groups of killers on their way to target his vulnerable loved ones at the hospital. Friends. Family. Home. Cities. Everything Flash had taken from him. Everything Flash was about to lose himself. And, still staring at the image of Barry Allen displayed on his monitor, he opened his mouth, and spoke four soft words.
“Now you will know.”
