2: GAME
Keeping up with a hyperactive 4 year old was one thing. Add hyperactive speedster to that sentence was in an entire different ball game. Children were naturally pumped with energy and had their parents worrying about their every little move. It was a given. Wally was like a new breed of the energized bunny. Barry had to admit that he found it difficult to keep up with the kid. He was the fastest man alive and yet he couldn't keep track of a tiny four year old. One minute Wally would be playing quietly with his toys then the next he was in the kitchen banging on cabinets.
Wally seemed to enjoy messing around with his guardian. Barry could tell from the insane giggles and large grins whenever he found him hiding in a closet or somewhere. Locking doors was actually useless since Wally already mastered the ability to phase through the doors. Barry once found him in the locked attic, crying, because it was so dark and he was covered in dust.
Besides getting into trouble, like any kid, Wally loved playing games. Barry would entertain the young speedster with hide and seek (which he sometimes regretted) and an indoor game of tag. No game was without a few messes but it made Wally happy so it was worth it. Barry learned that Wally's favorite game was cops and robbers. Barry would always play the robber, pretending to steal in front of the hyper 4 year old for him to notice then Wally would spring into action. Barry would hide somewhere till Wally would find him then it would end with a tickle fight.
Playing with Wally was actually more exhausting then tying up real robbers. Barry rarely had time for himself now besides work and hero activities. Wally was always in need of constant attention so when Barry told him he was going to be gone for a while..well it didn't suit well for him.
"Why can't I come?" Wally asked with a frown. He watched as Barry pulled his cowl over his face, hiding himself but a familiar smile still peaked from the mask.
"Too dangerous, kiddo" Barry replied in a apologetic tone, "Hey when I get back we can go to that ice cream shop-"
"By the Central City mall?" Wally finished as he hopped up and down in excitement.
"Yeah but you have to stay put okay?" Barry playfully messed with Wally's red hair then knelt down to give the young speedster a hug.
"Okay!" Wally replied. They broke apart then Bar- Flash disappeared with a gush of wind. Wally giggled but then frowned a little to know that he was now alone...by himself...without Barry.
Wally dragged himself to the living room, trying to preoccupy himself with his toys but his mind was still on Barry. When was he coming home? Why didn't he ever let him come along? Was it really all that dangerous? He dressed up in a cool costume- like Halloween..maybe he was actually doing something fun. The thoughts were endless and it actually made him really curious. He itched to go follow Barry but the city was just too big for him. He remembered the last time he went and raced around the city and couldn't find Barry for a whole 5 minutes! It scared him! He didn't want to be by himself...but he wanted to go with Barry. Wally crossed his tiny arms in thought but then an idea sparked.
Flash was always on the television! Maybe if he could find Barry on the television then he'll be able to find him in the city! Wally climbed on top of the sofa and grabbed the remote that was right next to him. He clicked on the TV and after a few attempt at changing the channel he found the boring news station.
'...and he has taken several hostages with him inside the Benny diner. The Trickster has yet to make any demands to the Central City police...'
Wally watched with focused eyes as the camera panned over to a small building that looked very familiar to him. The diner looked completely empty besides two people who were in clear view with their hands above their heads. They looked frighten and one of them was even crying a little. Wally frowned but continued to watch the scene.
'The police are trying to set up communicate-' suddenly a bright red blur appeared in front of the camera then disappeared, the woman who was talking to the television stopped before smiling, 'It appears the scarlet hero is already on the case' she said before the camera moved away and towards the diner again.
"Barry!" Wally shouted happily at the screen. It showed the Flash by a few policemen but then quickly moved towards a window in the diner. It was the Trickster. Wally knew the man because Barry had pointed him out on another new report they watched together. Barry made sure that Wally knew all of the Rouges just in case he spotted them. Barry told him that they were troublemakers.
Wally watched as the Flash dashed towards the diner but something strange appeared in front of him.
A blinding white flash then a yell.
The camera caught just in time, Flash flying back from a powerful and unknown force. Wally covered his mouth in surprise and in horror. What had happened?
The lady was talking again but Wally was more focused on Barry who was on the ground still as a rock. Sparks of electricity were all over his limp body but Wally was too young to understand what it was.
"Barry!" Wally cried but knew that he couldn't hear him. Why wasn't anyone helping him? The camera moved away from Barry towards the door of the diner where he last was. The whole door was black like it was burned by fire. Did something explode? In the background he could hear the Trickster laugh hysterically making Wally angry. How dare he hurt Barry!
Wally dashed from the living room and into his own room. He grabbed his stepping stool and placed it in front of his tall dresser so that he could reach the top shelve. It was where he kept all his hats for winter and something extra special. He remembered asking Barry why he always wore a mask and didn't let people see his face. Barry said it was because he didn't want people knowing who he was and to keep other people safe that he knew. Wally still didn't really understand his answer. He would want everyone to know Barry was the Flash. Barry was a hero after all!
However, if Barry was going to keep his face hidden then so would he!
Wally pulled out a mask similar to the Flash's only the top of it was cut off and it was a bright yellow. Wally put it on his face and looked into the small mirror near his bed. His red hair was sticking out the top but besides that nobody could see his face. He grinned and went into his closet to grab a coat...because Barry would get mad if he left the house without one. He didn't like it when Barry was mad at him.
Wally pouted a little as he put on the coat at least it was red, like the Flash! His eyes caught sight of something extra that poked underneath his bed. They were a pair of goggles. Wally grabbed them and placed them in front of his eyes.
Yeah, they would be cool!
..GAME..
That was one powerful shock. Barry grunted in pain as the strong current of electricity ran through his body. Note to self, never touch that knob again. It was such a obvious prank from the Trickster and he fell for it. Great, he hoped they didn't catch that on television. Barry pushed away his thoughts to focus on the situation. He would have to find some other way to get inside. The Trickster wasn't all that clever but he wasn't stupid neither. Thankfully it was just him and not accompanied by the other Rouges. He needed to get back to Wally before he destroyed the house.
Flash became a blur in front of the people and appeared behind the diner in a second. He quickly vibrated fast enough to allow him to phase through and quietly without alarming Trickster. It wasn't him that was startled.
"Ahh!" one of the hostages cried once they said Flash appear out of no where. All six hostages turned to face where the hero was along with Trickster. Great...
"Too predictable!" he said with a large grin then pointed a bizarre gun looking device towards him. He fired but Flash was too quick and easily dodged it. A blast of acid launched out from the gun and landed the last place the speedster was and melted the floor.
"My hand might just slip and melt one of the hostages, Flash!" the Trickster shouted. He aimed his gun towards a young boy who was now trembling in fear. Flash ceased moving in a split second and had his hands up to his chest outward.
"Trickster, I know you wouldn't hurt these people" Flash said trying to ease the tension, "Just let these people go and we can talk it out"
"Ha! You'll just stick me in the looney bin like before! Well I'm tired of you making me look like a fool!" he turned back to the boy with his finger on the trigger.
"Wait!"
It was too late and he fired.
Not too late for the Flash though.
Flash made a mad dash towards the young boy and grabbed him at lighting speed away from the acid that spewed from the gun. However, another blast quickly followed the first one and hit Flash right in the thigh. The acid burned through his costume and sunk into his flesh, burning him like fire. He trip over a leg from a chair and hit the ground. The boy was unharmed thankfully but his acid was eating at his thigh.
"Damn.." he cursed under his breath in pain. It was agony to even move the entire leg. He could hear Trickster's sinister laugh close in on him.
"Lookie lookie!" he said mockingly, "Looks like I'm cutting your run short!" he aimed the gun right to Flash's face this time.
Crash!
"Ow!" the Trickster rubbed the back of his head in anger, "Who threw that!" he asked the hostages but none of them said anything. They remained still as statues with their hands in the air and remained silent. The Trickster growled, "I said-"
Crash!
Flash caught it this time. The streak of white that was a dinner plate flew across the room and crashed into Trickster's head. He cried out louder and of frustration.
"Alright! How's there!" the Trickster stomped his way towards the counter to catch sight of the menace who was throwing-
"Woah!" the Trickster landed on his bottom in a second as a streak of red and yellow appeared and did circles around him. Flash watched in awe as the streak suddenly dashed towards him and paused.
"Wally!" Flash cried out in shock, "What on Earth are you-"
"I'vecometohelpyoubecauseIsawth etelevision-" Wally continued his ramble in hyper-mode making the hostages look at one another in confusion. Barry listened as if it were any other person talk but was still dumbfounded to see the youth in front of him. He had a mask on and goggles on top of his head plus a coat that he had gotten him last Christmas.
"What are you wearing?" Flash asked, "Never mind, Wally you can't be here! I told you it's too dangerous!"
"B-but...I just wanted to help...I was scared that you were hurt" Wally answered with glossy eyes and a cute pout.
Barry was about to retort when suddenly he spotted the Trickster back on his feet. Barry grabbed Wally protectively and pulled him behind him and out of sight.
"Who is that? Your sidekick? Baby Flash?" he let out a laugh, "Coming to save daddy are we?"
Barry got up from the ground, ignoring the painful wound in his thigh and was more focused on getting Wally away from the lunatic. The Trickster noticed this and smiled.
"Wally, can you do something for me?" Barry asked the little speedster.
Wally's eyes seemed to beam with excitement, "Yeah!" he said eagerly and nodded.
"Remember cops and robbers?"
"Yeah!"
"The goofy looking guy is gonna be the robber okay? And we are the cops" Barry explained as his eyes were glued to the Trickster, "Can you make him angry for me?"
"You bet!" Wally said then dashed away from Barry towards the Trickster. Barry felt his heart skip a few beats as he watched the young speedster run a few circles around the crook before going back to the counter to gather as many dishes as he could. Wally was a tiny blur as he tossed plates, silverware, glasses and bottles at the Trickster in lighting speed. Once he was dizzy and preoccupied, Flash punched Trickster in the mouth and grabbed his device then snapped it in half.
"No!" the Trickster cried, "No fair.." then lost consciousness. Once it was safe, Flash gathered up the frighten people and lead them out the door. With the many thanks for the people to the scarlet speedster and the young vigilante, Wally couldn't contain his excitement.
"Yeaaah!" Wally jumped onto the counter with his fist raised in the air, "Did I do good?"
"You made him so mad I think he turned green" Barry joked as he grabbed the little speedster from the counter and into his arms. Wally giggled and hugged Barry tightly.
"I think I'm a little tired, can we go home now Flash?" Wally asked as he rested his head on Barry's shoulders.
"Sure thing, Tiny Flash"
"Naaah...I wanna be Kid Flash..."
Barry laughed, rubbing Wally's back and soothing him to a comfortable slumber, "Sure thing, Kid Flash"