My name is Barry Allen. And I'm the fastest man alive. Probably.
Instead of being a hero, I retired. I've had enough. The guilt, the devastation. Oliver said the lightning chose me for a reason, but I wish it never chose me.
People are dead because of me. No matter how the city used to look at the Flash, it was him that killed the people he cared about.
"You'll never truly be happy, Barry"
Thawne's words echoed through my mind.
"We are the same."
I remembered Zoloman said those words to me right after he murdered my father.
"You're the big bad villain."
Savitar was right. No matter how many times Joe, or Cisco, or Caitlin, or HR said he was wrong.
This is a fact.
I sighed. I looked at the table and glanced at the DNA tester. It's still running through the database. Not sure how long time had passed, but it was long enough for me to run five laps around the entire America.
"Ding!" Finally! The DNA results were shown on the computer.
Francis Wes with metahuman gene.
I emailed the results to STAR labs. Hopefully, Wally and Jesse could take care of it.
"Allen!" Captain Singh summoned me by shouting my last name again. I ran down to Captain's office and found him reading a file. "You called me, Captain?" I asked.
"Yeah. Who's behind the slaughter in the museum?" He asked.
"Francis Wes, with metahuman gene." I replied.
"Oh, so I guess Kid Flash and Jesse Quick will take care of it, then?"
"Probably." I nodded.
"By the way, where's the Flash?" Captain Singh sat back on his chair, glancing at the paperwork in front of him.
I looked around, not sure what to answer, "Probably still having a vacation time."
"A vacation time? Allen, I know you're a brilliant CSI, but isn't that's a bit absurd? It has been a year since his absense. He's lucky that we've Kid Flash and Jesse Quick. " Singh looked right into my eyes.
I shrugged, trying to make a better excuse, "I don't know. He has been looking after this city for 3 years."
"Yeah, I know. But it is also worth mentioning that it's been a year since he began this 'vacation time'." Singh said, "Anyway, go back to your lab."
I left his office, thankful that he didn't ask much further. I haven't really thought of this. How to explain that I retired from being the Flash. I sat in my chair, glancing at STAR labs through the window. Remembering the night I got my powers.
"Hey Bar." Joe shouted at the doorway of the lab. I turned around, smiled at him, "Hey. What's up?"
"Just wondering if you'd like to have lunch right now." I looked at the clock and saw "12:30 pm".
"Yeah sure." I stood, "Big Belly Burger?"
"You read my mind." He smiled. We'd been through a lot this past year, but we were better than a year before.
~~~~~~~Line Break~~~~~~
I opened the door and tossed the keys to the table. The furniture was in the same place as they were one year ago. I never have the heart to move them.
I quickly showered. In case you're wondering, I did not use my speed. I don't feel like using them anymore after I retired.
I grabbed a box of popcorn and turned on TV; sat on the sofa and watched Netflix.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
I could imagine Cisco saying nerdy stuff like "May the force be ever in your favor." I chuckled at the memories of him saying movie reference.
I closed the light after the end of the movie. Laying down on the bed, I stared at the ceiling for no reason. Everything was so quiet. So peaceful. So harmony. I wish this was how things had been for the past few years.
Beep. Beep.
I groaned at the moment my phone rang. I glanced at the monitor. Cisco had sent me a text, "Need you STAR"
I replied, "I'm not going. You know I don't. Go get Wally or Jesse." Then I put my phone right next to the lamp.
A few minutes later, Cisco texted again, "Not metahuman stuff. Other stuff. Come right now."
I sighed. Figured out that he wouldn't leave me alone unless I go there. I quickly put on my T-shirt and my trousers, grabbed the keys and my jacket, then found a taxi and told the driver to head to STAR labs.
The ride was peaceful. Unlike running, there's no air rushing through your face, no electricity pumping through your veins. It's indeed longer than I expected, but the view was just fine.
I paid the driver and headed to the elevator. Pressed the "600/F" button and waited for the door to open.
Once it was opened, I stepped out and headed to the Cortex, "Cisco?" I asked.
"Here!" I turned around, and saw he's in his workshop, "Long time no see, dude!"
"Yeah. Long time." I hugged him, "Why called me here." Only to realize he's toning his goggles.
"Oh, a breach has opened." He said.
"What? When?"
"A few hours ago. Usually, I won't call you after you know...but tonight I need someone to chat to...it can be a little boring just to watch over the breach by myself."
I smiled. Knowing Cisco was still the same even after I left, "Let's go. But no being the Flash."
"Of course."
We headed to the speed canon room, or whatever it's called now. The breach was swirling around itself. I looked around, realizing there were many "toys".
"What are these things?" I asked.
"Oh, it's just some weapons in case the breacher is not friendly. Speaking of whom, Harry visited Jesse and gave death threats to Wally."
"Really? When?" Chuckled at the fact that Wally was threatened by Harry.
"Last month. Man, you've missed a lot."
"Yeah. I know. How's Caitlin?"
"Oh, she and Julian got engaged. They're going to get married next month. You haven't got the invitation letter, have you?"
"No." Feeling happy and sad at the same time. Happy because Caitlin was finally going to be married after...Ronnie. Sad because she may or may not have forgotten me.
Suddenly, a noise came from the breach, Cisco and I immediately grabbed our weapons, pointed at the breach. Hoping it wasn't some telepathic gorillas or deadly metahumans coming through the breach.
Instead, a blonde girl came out from the breach. She was wearing a blue shirt with a red cape on her back. An "S" on her chest.
It was Supergirl.
"Kara?"
She smiled at me, "Hey Barry."
I ran to her and hugged. Missing one of my best friends from another universe (technically she's the only best friend in other Earths). After we broke off, I realized the breach had closed.
"Hey, Cisco." She waved at him, who returned.
"So Kara, what are you doing here?" I asked. Suddenly, her smile was gone, "We need to talk."
~~~~~~~Line Break~~~~~~
"So...let me get this straight. There's a villain, called Lex Luthor, has created a killing machine called Doomsday which was designed to kill you and your cousin, and has been terrorizing every city he passed through for a week, just to kill you and your cousin." Cisco said after hearing her long speech.
"Yes." Kara nodded, "And when we captured Lex, he said something about Savitar..." I sighed the moment I heard the name, "...being the god of speed and is returning. So I came here."
"Yeah well, Barry here defeated Savitar and trapped him in the speedforce last year. So I'm not sure exactly how this Lex Luthor maniac knows about him." Cisco replied, "Besides, who named Doomsday? That's a pretty cool name." He grinned.
"Maybe the one Lex was talking about is a doppelgänger of Savitar?" Kara asked.
"No way. Savitar is trapped in the speedforce. Meaning there's no other doppelgänger of his is a speedster." Cisco replied.
While they're having their conversation, I sat at the corner, staring at the floor, hoping it would end soon.
"Um...Barry?"
"Yeah? Where's Cisco?" Realizing Cisco was no longer in the cortex.
"I asked him to give me a minute. What's happening?" Kara asked.
I stared at those beautiful brown eyes, "It's nothing."
"You're lying." I guessed I had to be honest with her.
"Look. I'm not the one whom you met a few years ago, I'm no longer..."
"What do you mean you're not the Barry I know?" Kara cut in, frowning at my reply.
"I retired."
"What? You mean retired-retired?"
"Yep." Brushing back and forth on my thighs. I hoped she won't ask any more questions, but I was wrong. "So you're saying you're no longer the Flash?" I sense a little bit of uncertainty in her words; I nodded to confirm she had listened correctly.
"Why?"
"Iris' death." A tear dropped from my eyes. Memories of that night resurfaced. I cover my cheeks with my hands to hide the tears, "It's my fault she died."
"No. It's not." Kara hugged me, and I returned. Not used to crying in front of people, especially a person who understands me because of similar tragic background.
"What happened to Iris isn't your fault, it was Savitar. I may not know Iris very well, but I'm sure she wouldn't want you to stop running, would she?" Kara asked. I didn't reply, sobbed on her shoulder. God, that's embarrassing. And wait, how did she know it was Savitar who killed her?
I let go of her after calming down, which was the last thing I wanted to... 'Wait, you can't fall in love that quick, can you?' I thought.
"And I assume you didn't come here just to ask about Savitar?" I asked.
"Yeah. Will you wear that scarlet costume..."
"Uniform." Cisco cut in, who returned to the Cortex with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Yeah, whatever." Kara rolled her eyes, "Can you come? And help us defeat Doomsday?" She asked.
"I wouldn't miss a field-trip to Earth-38." I smiled at her, feeling peace at last.
"Same here!" Cisco was definitely excited.
~~~~~~~Line Break~~~~~~
I don't know what's happening, but after talking to Kara, I felt everything's fine. And I'll admit, she's amazing and funny, and very adorable. But I wasn't sure why I fell for Kara for such a short time. I mean, we just saw each other half an hour ago.
After talking about the threat on her Earth, the three of us decided to stay at STAR labs since it's late.
Anyway, Cisco and I are going to Earth-38 along with Supergirl. But we, uh he, hadn't told the team yet.
"Cisco, what about the others?" I asked.
"Uh...maybe they will stay here. 'Cuz someone is needed in case of something bad happen. Like really bad stuff."
"Yeah." I agreed, "Hey Cisco, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For leaving you guys." I admitted.
"No, it's fine. We get it. You need a little time off. Although I'll say, a year is way too long." He grinned, "But I'm impressed, since Kara's here, she's been looking you with goofy eyes."
"What...no. You think..." I was surprised. Kara has a boyfriend, right? "No way, she has...what's his name...Mon-El, right?"
"From my experience, she broke up." Cisco tried to sound like some Jedi master, "Word of advice, ask her out. It's good for you."
"Maybe."
~~~~~~~Line Break~~~~~~
"So you're saying the two of you, along with Kara, will head to Earth-38 and defeat this Doomsday?" Joe asked.
"Yeah." I replied.
"Besides, I wouldn't miss having a field-trip to Earth-38." Cisco said.
"So why can you go while we have to stay here?" Wally said, a little bit of jealousy in his words.
"'Cuz there must be someone who watches over this city." Caitlin replied, "It's good to have you back, Barry."
"Thanks, Caitlin. Oh and congratulations on your engagement." I said.
"How did..." Caitlin glanced at Cisco, "Right."
"I didn't know Supergirl has a superpower to talk you into helping her." Jesse whispered, chuckled at the last words. I frowned and glanced at Kara, who suddenly blushed.
Superhearing. Probably.
"Well, I'll bring back Barry and Cisco in one piece, I promise." Kara said after recovering from her adorable blush. Wait, adorable?
"Well, don't worry. 'Cuz we'll definitely be in one piece. Or else Caitlin is gonna bring us back to life and then kill us again."
"Touché, Ramone." HR said.
"Well, time to go." I said while grabbing the backpack on the chair. Kara nodded and pressed the inter-dimensional extrapolator.
A small breach was formed within the cortex, I grabbed Cisco and Kara, and run into the breach.
For once, the feeling of electricity pumping through my veins felt good.
TBC
Hey guys! Thanks for reading. I know the grammar can be a little bit off, but I am working on it. Just like Kara, English isn't my first language. I hope you all can support me and continue reading this story.
Also, this chapter will be shorter than the others as I want to see your reactions. Please comment on my ideas!