You know Barry, one would think that my beef with you started with some climactic battle. The city in ruins, your friends disabled or dead, and a brutal brawl to the death between the two of us.
Truth be told, it started way differently.
"C'mon Eobard!" said an excited adult Malcolm, "It's almost time!"
A ten-year-old Thawne unenthusiastically shuffled alongside his father as the two waded through a crowd of onlookers. Today was a big day for Eobard, though he didn't know it at first.
"There he is!" shouted Malcolm.
The two broke through to the front of the crowd as a massive red veil fell away, revealing a massive new building with a large six-foot granite statue of the Flash. The crowd roared as the Flash zoomed into the field where they were located, hand outreached. Raising their hands as well, the crowd screamed with joy as Flash gave everyone high fives. Eobard sighed, looking uninterested.
"Look at him go!" Said Malcolm, "He's the fastest man alive!"
Malcolm turned, looking at the disinterested Eobard.
"I said look!" said Malcolm.
Malcolm grabbed Eobard by the ear and yanked his head in Flash's direction. Eobard winced as Flash slid to a stop in front of the statue, now holding a microphone.
"Hello everyone!" said the Flash, "My partner Wally has decided to take on double duties to allow me to welcome everyone to the new Flash Museum, so let's start with a big round of applause for Wally!"
The crowd cheered and erupted into deafening applause, Malcolm and Eobard included.
"Now, I'm gonna have to keep this short, duty calls as always." said Flash, "But what I have to say today is important."
Flash pointed at the statue, "That is not a statue of Barry Allen."
The crowd murmured in confusion.
"What's he mean by that?" asked Eobard.
"I don't know." said Malcolm.
"That is a statue of the Flash." said Barry, "and you might think that those statements are contradictory. My name is Barry Allen and I am the Flash."
Flash stepped forward, "But the truth is, Flash is more than just what I make of it. Flash is an ideal, a legacy."
Flash turned around, facing the museum, "This museum isn't a celebration of my achievements, it's a celebration of the ideals that come with the Flash, ideals that I hope never die."
Flash smiled, "It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, as long as you embody those ideals, you can be the Flash! And with the boring speech out of the way, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Flash museum!"
The crowd cheered as Flash sped off, allowing them to flood the doors to the museum. Malcolm giggled like a little boy, gently taking Eobard in front of the statue.
"We're so lucky to have someone like the Flash." said Malcolm, "You know he saved my life once, right?"
"I know dad, you've told me this story a million times." said Eobard, "I don't want to hear it again."
"Watch your little mouth." said Malcolm, "Fine, if you don't wanna come with me, I'll just walk around on my own."
And with that, Malcolm left Eobard in front of the statue.
Eobard stared at the statue, admiring its gleaming white stone. He noticed that everyone walking by rubbed the feet of the statue, likely for a sign of good luck. Eobard smiled, noticing the incredibly large amount of love and fame the Flash had. Even at an age as young as his, Eobard was extremely smart.
"When I grow up." said Eobard, "I'll be the Flash, then people will love me."
Daddy never shut up about the Flash, his obsession was probably why he never paid me any attention. It was a good thing when the car crash happened, I was glad to be rid of that oaf.
But let's get back on track, I wanted to be the Flash, but how would I do it? Well, can't be the Flash without the Speed Force.
"Which one was it again?"
A twelve-year-old Eobard sat in his bedroom in front of a table topped with chemicals.
"The Flash museum laid out Barry Allen's origin as Flash and how he got his powers." said Eobard, "So now I have to find the right combination of chemicals to replicate the accident."
Eobard tapped his feet, checking every chemical to make sure it's right.
"Alright!" said Eobard, "now I'll have to build a lightning rod."
Eobard walked over to his window, looking out at the stormy skies brewing ahead.
"Or I might get struck randomly," said Eobard, "But what are the chances of tha-"
*KRAKAKOOM!*
A bolt of lightning strikes Eobard's bedroom window, electrocuting him and throwing him backwards onto the table. The chemical vials are smashed by Eobard's body, coating him in a new formula.
"GAH!"
Eobard coughed as he sat up straight, his vision blurry. He shook his head, trying to get the ringing out of his ears.
"What just-"
Eobard's eyes widened when he noticed a piece of glass floating in the air. Standing up, Eobard approached the piece of glass and poked it, watching it float away. Thawne looked around the rest of the room, finding other pieces of debris frozen in place.
"Is this?" said Eobard, looking at his own hands.
Red lightning crackled around his arms, inducing a joyful smile from the boy.
"I did it." said Eobard, "I DID IT!"
I didn't know it yet, but that wasn't the speed force, not really.
I would nurture my abilities in the upcoming years, enrolling myself into UA just like you did. I passed top of my class, earning a ton of invitations to various hero agencies. Thing was, I already knew where I wanted to go.
An eighteen-year-old Eobard stood in front of the Flash Agency, watching as numerous speed heroes raced in and out of it. While they were all fairly quick, none possessed the speed force. Eobard smiled, walking into the agency doors with his paperwork.
"Hello!" said the secretary at the front desk, "Welcome to the Flash agency, how can I help you?"
"I'd like to apply for a spot on the hero team." said Eobard, "I have my paperwork right here. The name is Eobard Thawne."
The secretary frowned, "Unfortunately Mr. Thawne, we have no open spots."
Eobard sighed, "Can you at least fit me into a queue or something?"
"You'll have to come back later." said the secretary.
Just as Eobard's annoyance began to bubble over, there was a whoosh as a red streak came in, bringing a gust of wind that knocked all the paper on the secretary's desk into the air.
"Janice, I just put the Rogues back in jail," said Flash.
"I'll file the paperwork when you stop knocking all my files everywhere!" said the secretary, "Damn it, Barry, you don't pay me enough."
"I'll give you another raise." said the Flash, "We really don't pay you enough. Besides, I'll just pick up your-"
Flash stopped mid-sentence when he realized that all the files that he had previously sent flying into the air were no longer in the air, now were they on the floor.
"Looking for these?"
Flash turned to Eobard, who held all the papers in a neat stack. Flash stared at Eobard, slowly developing a smile.
"What's your name?" asked Flash.
Eobard beamed as he was acknowledged by his idol, "Thawne. Eobard Thawne."
"Well Thawne," said Flash, "Are you interested in a position here?"
Just like that, you let me in. A generous offer they called it, how right they were. It's funny, when you realized I used the speed force too you knew I was significant. But you never knew how significant I would be to your life, and how much your life meant to me.
"DEATH TO ALL!"
The villain known as Tar Pit tossed cars around the cityscape like they were toys, trying to murder as many people as he could. He was a massive blob of sentient tar given life by a villain who could put his mind into inanimate objects. Unfortunately for Tar Pit, his mind got stuck inside the tar.
A woman screamed as a car flew through the air, its path taking it straight to her.
"Gotcha miss!"
Barry and Wally raced in, grabbing the woman and pushing her to safety. Barry wore his red Flash uniform while Wally wore his similar uniform, though his costume had an open-top that let his hair flow.
"Thank you!" said the woman.
"Alright," said Wally, "Now we take down Tar Pit."
"NOOOOOOOO."
Barry and Wally whirled around to find that Thawne was already there, creating a tornado with his arms to suck Tar pit into a jar. Tar Pit's body swirled around as it was funneled into the jar, which Thawne promptly sealed up. It was also worth mentioning that Thawne was already in costume. Specifically, it was a Flash costume with inverted colors.
"What?" said Thawne, "Too fast?"
Barry and Wally sped up to Thawne, with Wally taking the jarred Tar Pit and Barry patting Thawne on the back.
"Nice work." said Barry, "Why the costume?"
"I've always wanted to be the Flash." said Thawne, "But I'm not quite there yet, so the inverted colors is a compromise."
Barry smiled, "Don't worry Eobard, with skills like yours, I think you'll fit right in."
And fit in I did. I worked for you for years Barry, beating down criminals and saving thousands of people. We had beers after missions, you took me to your wedding, the works. I appreciated it, but I never forgot the fact that I was still in your shadow, always in your shadow.
I was there for fifteen long years Barry. Fifteen years. You don't realize how much time has passed until you look back, and you only look back at moments of celebration. Moments like
"Happy 50th Anniversary!"
Champagne bottles were popped open as the Flash Agency cheered in celebration. It had been 50 years since Barry Allen had first become the Flash, and people were ready to party in his name.
"Please, please!" said an older Barry, stuck in the middle of the crowd, "This is a little excessive."
"Hell no it isn't!" said Thawne, speeding up to him with a glass of brandy, "You're the Flash, any anniversary for you is a reason to be excessive."
Barry chuckled, "Heh, I guess I can indulge a little."
Barry took the glass and sipped the brandy, "By the way, congratulations on cracking the top ten on the boards last week."
"Thank you!" said Thawne, "I couldn't have done it without you!"
"Nonsense!" said Barry, "You have the drive to do what you do. You could have succeeded anywhere, I'm just happy you chose us."
Barry sipped on the brandy a little more as Thawne timidly approached him, "Can I ask you something personal?"
"Hmm?" said Barry, "Sure, go ahead."
"You once said that the Flash was a legacy." said Thawne, "Does that mean that when you retire, you'll pass down the mantle?"
Barry thought for a moment, "Well, I am getting old. In a decade or two, It would be a good idea."
"Who would you grant it too?" said Thawne, "Hypothetically speaking."
Barry gave Thawne an odd look, "Well, I'd give it to the person who I deemed most suitable for the name."
Thawne smiled, "You know my dream, sir?"
Barry placed his brandy glass on a table, "Yes, to be the Flash."
"Then you know I will try as hard as I possibly can to live up to the Flash name and to earn it!" said Thawne, "I swear I won't let you down."
Barry opened his mouth, but closed it, reconsidering his words, "Go for it kid, I'm sure you would make a fantastic Flash."
Thawne grinned, "Because anyone can be the Flash."
"Grandpa Allen?"
Barry turned around to find an eighteen-year-old boy with ginger hair wearing a yellow Flash suit.
"Hey Bart!" said Barry, "Wearing Wally's old Kid Flash costume aren't you."
"Yup." said Bart, "I'm hoping to become a Flash just like he did!"
Barry turned around to Thawne, "Thawne, this is Bart, my grandson. He just joined the agency as our newest recruit. He even taps into the speed force as we do."
Thawne eyed Bart, "Are you sure he's up for this?"
"I'm sure of it Eobard," said Barry, "Bart will be a good hero, I know it."
I knew Bart was trouble from the moment we met. He was a threat to my goal of becoming the Flash, but I naively thought that I could just out skill him. I would be so exceptional that Bart would have no chance of being selected.
"Down Mr. Mercer." said Thawne, punching Captain Boomerang across the face, "You're getting old."
Mercer spat out blood, "And you're not the Flash, I wanted the Flash."
Thawne gritted his teeth, "Well guess what, you'll get him in a few years!"
Thawne began to savagely beat Mercer, cracking his ribs.
"Stop!"
A hand grabbed Thawne's fist, preventing him from continuing the beating. Turning around, Thawne came face to face with Bart.
"We're supposed to put these guys in jail so they can't hurt anyone." said Bart, "Not beat the crap out of them when they're down."
Thawne yanked his hand out of Bart's grasp, "I'll be on my way then."
Thawne grabbed Mercer and blitzed him to prison, making sure his handcuffs were nice and tight.
That encounter summed up our way of being heroes pretty well. He stuck to the alleyways and slums, keeping the peasants safe and taking down low-level villains. I never figured out why, but all I knew was that he wasn't taking advantage of the big fish.
I would crack the top 3 in the next decade, taking down big villain after big villain. Bart was still a tiny minuscule fish in a big pond, barely cracking the top 100. Sure, I got love around that point, but it wasn't enough, I had to take the Flash name and all that came with it to be truly loved and to truly justify the lifetime I've spent serving under you. I was sure that when the big announcement came, I would be selected to be the Flash and my life's goal, my life's work, would be accomplished.
How wrong I was.
"Aw c'mon man!" said Trickster, "I can't let my dad's legacy be wasted!"
Thawne had Trickster pinned down with a boot to the head in front of a large news station. Big Tv's were spread across the entrance.
"Sorry Axel," said Thawne, "But trash like you and your dad don't get to have a legacy. Unlike me, you're born to be forgotten."
"Breaking news!" said a news reporter, "Both Barry Allen and Wally West, better known as the Flashes, have announced a surprise retirement."
"What?!" yelped Thawne, whirling to the tv.
"The hell is going on?!" said Trickster, but Thawne shifted his boot over Trickster's mouth.
"The move has shocked the Flash agency as well since Neither Allen nor West elected to inform the agency of their decision in advance." said the reporter, "In addition, Mr. Allen has announced that he will be selecting a member of his own agency to take on the Flash mantle. We go live to the scene!"
Thawne's heart jumped with joy as his breathing became baited, his hands going over his mouth. The TV screen swapped to a live feed of an older white-haired Barry standing on a podium in front of the Flash Museum.
"It's finally happening!" Exclaimed Thawne.
"Hello," said Barry, "You may be surprised by my sudden retirement, but the reality is I've simply realized that being the Flash can take its toll on private life. I'd like to spend more time at home with my beautiful wife, Patty."
Thawne nodded to himself, still absolutely giddy.
"But truthfully, none of you are here for my retirement reasons." said Barry, "You're here to figure out who I've selected to take my mantle."
Thawne shook with excitement.
"I have elected to choose..." said Barry.
"Eobard Thawne!" exclaimed Thawne.
"My Grandson, Bart Allen!" said Barry.
Thawne's smile remained frozen on his face, his mind in complete denial at first. Unfortunately, after a few seconds, the truth came barreling down on Thawne.
"What?" said Thawne, shaking his head with wide eyes, "I-I don't understand."
"Heh."
Thawne turned around to find Trickster chuckling at him, "Aw, you didn't get the dream job? Better luck next life!"
A dark look made itself visible on Thawne's face as he leaned down, grabbing Trickster and speeding them both into a dark alley.
"Uh, what's going on?" asked Trickster, "Aren't I supposed to go to jail?"
"Yes, but..." said Thawne, "I really need to blow off some steam."
Thawne immediately began to lay into Trickster, punching him rapidly. Blood and teeth began to fly out of Trickster's mouth immediately.
"Sto-Stop! St-" sputtered Trickster, unable to get the words out as Thawne continued to hit him mercilessly. Eventually, there was a *CRACK* and Trickster's head went limp, but Thawne continued to lay into him. Soon, bits of flesh began to fly from Trickster's face, then eyeballs, then his jaw.
Thawne panted, stepping back from Trickster's now destroyed head. He looked at his own costume, not caked in blood. His hands in particular were drenched in the red substance. Thawne's mind went back to the announcement, the reveal that he would not be the Flash, and everything seemed to fall apart. Thawne dropped to his knees, burying his face in his hands as he began to weep.
Thawne wondered in the back of his mind why he wasn't chosen. He was the most skilled, highest-ranked hero in the agency, he even had the speed force, how could he not get chosen.
Thawne continued to cry, lamenting on the lifetime of servitude and proving his heroism that now didn't get him squat. Barry knew what Thawne wanted, he knew that Thawne was the best, so why not pick him? Couldn't anyone be the Flash?
Then Thawne came to a realization.
Thawne wiped his eyes, which were now blood red with anger.
"That old fool," said Thawne, "He chose his own blood over the best choice as any selfish bastard would. Anyone can be the Flash my ass, it's all a big fat lie."
Thawne stood up, fists clenched, "Well, if he wants to invalidate my entire existence by choosing his ilk, I'll invalidate his legacy by killing his ilk."
Now you see Barry, the lie of the century, the lie that made me waste my entire life trying to become the Flash. You were only ever going to pick your own child instead of me, the obvious best choice. You knew what my life's purpose was and you took me on a joyous journey towards that goal. You had me climb the stairway to heaven with you Barry. But in the end, you revealed your lie and kicked me back down when we got to the gates.
This was the night Eobard Thawne faded away and Reverse-Flash was formed. Get a good look Barry, cause this is just the beginning.
Here it is! Part 1 of the long-awaited Origin of Eobard Thawne. I know anticipation is high and so are expectations, so I've done my best with the time I had! Please tell me what you think so far about this origin!
Credit to Deadcool14 for introducing some ideas that helped influence this origin.
Also, don't worry about the Patty thing. Mina X Barry is still the ship!
Reviews:
DCDGojira: Mongul will be the villain of the crossover. Barry ain't holding back when he next fights Thawne. I'm keeping myself safe in terms of Coronavirus, I live in the USA and on the opposite side from Washington state where it's starting to break out but I'm still taking precautions!
Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Deadcool14: Probably not to the JSA thing, This fic already has too many DC characters that aren't specifically Flash related, but in a spinoff fic I might be able to make it happen! I'll have to think about Killer Frost and Vibe, but a short event might happen since they're so related to the Flash! If they enter I'll be sure to credit you!
Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Leonardo18anime: If you think I'm gonna have Barry sing at the Culture Festival, you are absolutely correct, he will sound like Grant Gustin!
Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Jose Ramiro: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
TheOkWriter: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Worseman: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Vault Hunter: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)
Next Chapter: The finale to Eobard Thawne's shocking origin!
