Impulse and Inertia – First Step.
This is a little series I've created seeing as though there is so little written about the pair. Here's chapter one.
Beginning of Something.
Pounding of footsteps echoed as something blasted down the street. Behind it came another, slightly heavier being, both of them in league with one another. They were looking for one thing. Something misguided. Someone who wanted to kill only one.
"Youngster, stop a second."
The first blueish blur halted instantly, revealing the identity of Max Mercury a.k.a Max Crandall, a stern yet kindly man with white hair and a cerulean and silver spandex outfit with matching cap. It all fit snugly to his body, perfect for reducing friction.
The second smaller blur zipped back to his mentor.
"Yes Max?"
This young boy dressed in crimson and snow spandex with yellow and red goggles was Impulse, the fastest boy alive; or Bart Allen, the grandson of the legendary Barry Allen who had been the Flash. With floppy russet brown hair and molten gold eyes, the boy was the picture of innocence. And in most ways, he was.
Max eyed his ward carefully.
"Remember who we're facing. Inertia is highly dangerous and he hates you. Hate can do terrible things, so be careful yes?"
Impulse nodded quickly.
"Okay!" he chirruped before he was gone again. Max was willing to bet any money he had that Bart hadn't listened to a word he'd just said. It was a good job he was around. Sighing, he sped off after him. As they both ran and ran, they were unaware of a figure clad in green and jet-black, smirking in the shadows, that kept pace with both.
"You're mine Impulse."
And so saying, the figure darted out of the dark alleyway and started racing in front of the two heroes, grabbing their attention.
"Max, it's him!" Impulse cried out as he put on more speed, catching up to Inertia, who glanced behind with another smirk.
"Too slow idiot."
Impulse shook his head violently.
"Am not!"
The two boys were now neck and neck, Impulse being oblivious of Max's shouts to come back.
"Ready for defeat, clone?" Inertia taunted him, strands of blonde hair waving in the violent breeze.
"Not yet." Impulse smiled cheekily, making the first move. He lashed out and hit Inertia full on in the face, causing a red mark to appear like a red beacon of light on white paper.
Inertia snarled.
"You'll regret that faker."
As Max started to catch up, he saw Inertia strike out and Impulse blocking the attack, only to be punched forcefully in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the concrete below.
"Impulse!"
The boy stood shakily and spat out some blood.
"Ow, that actually hurt for once." He teased, wiping his mouth clean of crimson blood with the back of his gloved hand. Inertia gave no retort as he sprang like a cornered cobra, only to meet thin air, followed by a visit from Impulse's foot connecting with his back. Inertia twisted and clapped the offending limb in between his hands. A split second later and Impulse flew over his shoulder towards the wall. The shock lasted for a good moment before Impulse regained his senses in time to vibrate his molecules through the sturdy brown brick and concrete. Max stopped in front of Inertia suddenly and held out a hand palm outwards.
"Enough Inertia."
Inertia just glared balefully at him and leapt out harm's way as Impulse came homing in for a counter-attack.
"Boys, ENOUGH!" Max shouted louder and grabbed the two teens out of midair. Inertia and Impulse were still straining to get at each other.
"Nngh, put me down old fool!" Inertia snapped. "Or I'll make you."
"No! You won't hurt Max!" Impulse cried, struggling harder. Max sighed.
"I won't be putting anyone down. This fighting has gone far enough. Why can't it end Thaddeus?" He spoke gently to the yellow-haired boy, who had gone limp in his grip. There was no response and seeing this, Impulse stopped fighting for a foothold as well.
"Inertia?"
Hearing the concern in Impulse's voice pushed Inertia's rage further still. With a sudden movement, Inertia fought his way free and leapt clear, thoughts of revenge and spilling young blood still tangible.
"Get away from me old man!" Eyes full of hatred stared out from acid green and yellow goggles. "I never wanted you near me! You keep making my life miserable and you have to die!" Directing this outburst at Impulse, Inertia attacked again, ripping Impulse out of his mentor's grip. Impulse kicked out hard and hit Inertia's stomach. Inertia doubled up and Impulse took the opportunity to wriggle his way free before speeding round and round Inertia, whipping up a tornado the size of a big truck. Inertia zipped out, managing to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground before being slammed from the side. Sending a stinging slap to Impulse's face, Inertia used that low tactic to recover and flee the scene by running up the side of one of the many buildings in the area and leaping nimbly like a domestic cat from one dull grey concrete slab to another. Impulse furiously gave chase, losing Max in the process as the elder speedster lost sight of the boy he was supposed to be looking after.
"Damn."
Impulse was unaware of this however as he caught up easily to his 'evil twin'.
"You're persistent aren't you?" Inertia muttered in irritation and performed a flying kick, which Impulse blocked immediately. As they continued to fight, neither realised that Impulse was being backed further towards the edge, the fighting was THAT intense. At the last moment, Inertia smirked as he realised the advantage of his position. Feinting with a scissor kick, Inertia met Impulse's chest with his green clad fist with a crashing ferocity.
Impulse squeaked in fear as he toppled off the edge of the apartment building. It was a 100ft drop and Impulse couldn't fly.
"IMPULSE!" Max hollered, icy-cold fear gripping his old heart, watching the thin boy fighting for a grip as he swung helplessly from the building.
Inertia towered over the terrified boy, leaning down far enough to whisper in Impulse's ear.
"Now you die."
Impulse's golden eyes widened in terror behind the goggles.
And as fast as lighting, he scrambled back up to safety, knocking Inertia away.
Inertia spat at the speedster, eyes narrowed.
"I'm fed up with this. But you haven't seen the back of me just yet."
And having said all he wanted to, Thaddeus Thawne fled. Impulse sank to his knees in exhaustion as Max shot to his side.
"Bart Allen, you could have been killed!"
Bart raised his youthful face. "Yeah, I suppose."
Max resisted the urge to face-palm.
"We're going home."
"I can't."
Max stared at him, surprised. "Why?"
"Because I have…something to do."
"It'd better not be the arcade AGAIN." Max rolled his eyes.
"No." Was the simple reply as Impulse whizzed away. Max was left standing in the dust as it settled gently, utterly perplexed.
There you go! You like? It could very well be the beginning of something. Lol. Please review. If you do, Batman will sing to you.
Batman: "No I won't."
Yes you will. *slaps him upside the head*