Jay stepped into the lab, watching the scientists hustle and bustle as they prepared to get the prototype ready. He walked through the room, careful not to knock over any busy or distracted workers.

"Garrick!" said Wells, who had just finished directing a group of his underlings, "You're here, good. We've just finished the device and you should be fitted with it within the hour. Where's Nezu?"

"He had to hold a press conference with Aizawa, the media is eating the school alive." said Jay.

"Damn, let's hope the school's popularity doesn't plummet." said Wells, spotting a group of scientists carrying the prototype.

"Ah, here it is." said Wells.

The scientists handed Wells the prototype, at which point he promptly showed it to Jay. It was a small metal harness, barely big enough to fit on Jay's chest. However, Jay could see the small intricacies in the steel, such as the wiring and circuitry underneath.

"This is the Tachyon Enhancer prototype." said Wells, "Nezu is a damn genius to have designed such a device so quickly. With all the different dangerous tools and parts needed to complete this, it makes sense he couldn't build it himself, at least not in a timely manner."

"What does it do?" asked Jay.

"It stores excess speed energy that runs off of you as you run, holding onto it before injecting it into you for a short term burst of speed." said Wells, "It'll serve as an amp for your powers, and it should help you with whatever job needs doing."

"Thank you," said Jay, taking the harness and putting it on immediately. He felt a sharp pain as the device latched onto him, connecting to his energy. Checking his watch, Jay's eyes widened.

"It's getting late and the job's about to start." said Jay, "I need to go."

As Jay turned around to speed out of the lab, Wells grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Wait!" said Wells, "I'm not finished."

Wells let go of Jay, "This design may be incredible, but it's still a prototype. It may take more energy than it's supposed to if you're not careful."

Jay nodded, "I'll keep that in mind."

Jay sped out of the lab, moving through the hallways at top speed. He passed by various scientists and assistants, the gust of wind he generated knocking the papers out of their hands. As he burst through the exit and out into the open city, Jay looked up, gazing at the sunset. He could feel his energy being sucked into the enhancer, storing up to be used later. It was an uncomfortable feeling, almost painful, but he ignored it. He had a job to do.

As he raced through the streets of Fukuoka and left the city, Jay felt a lump in his throat. Thawne was always Barry's greatest enemy, and they were always faster than him. He'd done his best in the past to help, but he always felt like he was lagging behind. Old age didn't affect him like a normal person, but he still felt its effects. Being slower than all the other speedsters frustrated Jay, but with this device he had a fighting chance.

Your reign of terror stops here Thawne.

Entering a new city, Jay darted between streets before sliding into a police building. Going faster than the eye could see, he flew down a few hallways before stopping abruptly in front of a large double door. Taking a breath, He walked inside.

Jay was met by a massive group of heroes, all gathered in one place for a singular purpose, to capture the League of Villains and save Katsuki Bakugou.

"Jay, you're here." said All-Might, "Now we can begin."


Barry's eyes widened at the sight of Golden Glider, who's shimmering golden glow lit the entire room. He stumbled backward, almost falling off the bed as she raised her hands.

"Slow down kid, I'm not here to hurt you." said Glider.

Barry caught his breath, stopping himself from going off the bed's edge, "I-I don't understand, how are you alive?! What are you doing here?!"

Glider looked at Barry with sad eyes, "After the particle accelerator accident, I thought I was dying. I drifted in and out of consciousness, unsure if I was gonna make it."

Glider looked at the window, taking in her own reflection, "But soon my body was stabilized, and that's when it started."

Golden Glider extended her hand, "Come on, try and shake my hand."

Barry looked skeptical, "I'm not one to take advice from a villain."

"Please Flash," said Glider, "you need to understand."

Hearing the pain in her voice, Barry sighed before cautiously obliging, slowly reaching his hand out. Just as his hand was about to meet hers, he watched as his hand passed through hers, as if her golden fingers weren't solid matter. Barry leaned back, surprised.

"What is this?" said Barry.

"This is an astral projection." said Glider, "My physical body is comatose and located in this very hospital."

Barry didn't know how to feel. On the one hand, he was being visited by a Rogue, an enemy. On the other hand, he felt as if a giant weight had been lifted off his chest now that he knew Glider was alive.

"If you're alive," said Barry, "Does that mean Mirror Master is too?"

"He is," said Glider, "He looks after me all the time."

Barry's heart jumped, "What? How?! Is he here?!"

"He is," said Glider, pointing at the window, "He's right there."

Barry squinted, looking at the window despite the fact that nobody was behind it. However, he could swear that he could spot something or someone within the glass. His eyes widened when he realized who was there. Mirror Master, in all his orange and Green glory, stood inside the window's reflection.

"He's been alive this whole time and he never connected with the other Rogues?!" said Barry, now seeing Mirror Master clear as day in the glass's reflection.

"It's not his fault after the accelerator he can't leave the mirror dimension," said Glider, "He's trapped. Besides, he's been looking after my body."

Again, another weight was lifted off Barry's chest. Mirror Master was alive, even if he was trapped in the mirrorverse.

"We overheard your plan," said Mirror Master, "with the other kids."

Barry's eyebrows furrowed, "What the hell do you want with them."

"Oh we don't want anything with them," said Mirror Master, "We've done enough fighting."

"What Sam's trying to say is that we know you're trying to save someone." said Glider, "We're trying to save someone too."

Barry's eyes narrowed, "Who?"

"I've been watching the news, we've seen what happened at your training camp." said Glider, "Mardon, Jin, and my brother were all captured."

Barry knew where this was going right away.

"No way," said Barry, "I'm not breaking out the Rogues, especially after what they did when they tried to escape Fukuoka as well as what they did at the camp."

"Flash please, you don't understand." said Glider, "The things they said my brother was doing, he's not normally like that."

"Maybe, but what's done is done." said Barry.

"Will you just listen!" said Glider, "He has a code, and he usually sticks with it. The fact that he isn't must mean he doesn't know I survived!"

"You're right, he doesn't." said Barry, "But that doesn't excuse what he did."

"Fine, then let's get into the real meat of why you should help us." said Glider, "You're friends."

"What about them?" Barry said angrily.

"You kids are in over your heads, you're all gonna get yourselves killed." said Glider, "If you free the Rogues, we'll help you rescue your friend."

As much as he hated it, Barry had to take a minute to consider the option. If they went alone, the mission would be so much more dangerous. With the Rogues, he had a much better chance. However, if he did that, they would likely roam free to rob and steal again, and that was something Barry couldn't have on his conscience.

"The answer's still no." said Barry, flipping his feet off the bed, "Now it's time for me to go, stay safe."

Looking at his crutches, Barry grimaced, knowing they would only slow him down for what came next. Steeling himself, Barry stood up and off the bed. His back reacted in pain, but he was standing on his own two feet again.

"I'll see you in prison." said Barry, who began to walk to the door.

"No!" said Glider, her hair reaching out. Wrapping itself around Barry's wrist, it suddenly became tangible, pulling him back and keeping him from leaving. Barry's head whirled around, staring in utter contempt at Glider.

"Just a projection huh?" said Barry.

"I can make parts of myself tangible, but only for a little while." said Glider.

As if on queue, Glider's body became intangible again, her hair slipping through Barry's wrist.

"If you have this power," said Barry, "why don't you save your friends themselves?"

"Because of him." said Glider, "The fast villain."

Barry's eyes widened, "Thawne."

"Is that what his name is?" said Glider, "I guess it doesn't matter, all I know is he definitely manipulated my brother. I saw him force my doctor to forge a letter to Leonard before murdering him."

Glider continued, "He's been monitoring my body, making sure that I can't contact anyone outside this hospital. If my brother learned I was alive or if I gave a clue that I was awake like saving him from prison, he would know and kill me. That's why I haven't been able to talk to the rest of the Rogues."

Barry frowned, Glider was yet another life Thawne was ready to ruin.

"Please," begged Glider, "please help us."

Barry looked down, "I...I can't. It isn't right."

Barry turned around and started to leave through the doorway as Glider spoke out one last time.

"My body is on the 10th floor if you change your mind!" said Glider.

Barry paused in the door frame, "I'm sorry, but my mind is made up."

Barry left, leaving Glider and Mirror Master alone in the room.

"So what's the plan now?" asked Mirror Master.

Glider floated to the ground, a tear in her eye, "We hope he changes his mind."


Barry walked down the hospital stairs, wondering if he'd made the right choice.

Even if they could help, I can't work with the villains, especially if it means breaking them out.

As he exited the building and entered the night lit cityscape, he was prepared to meet up with Todoroki, Midoriya, and Kirishima in order to plan for their rescue. What he didn't expect was to see Iida there as well.

"Barry!" said Kirishima, his arms now free of the casts, "You made it!"

"Yeah," said Barry, a little emotionally drained from his confrontation with Glider, "What's Iida doing here?"

Iida stepped forward, "Barry, we were just discussing Bakugou's rescue."

Barry looked over the rest of the group in confusion, "How'd you convince him to join?"

Midoriya stepped forward, "Yaoyorozu and Iida want to make sure we don't step out of line. She's decided to give us the tracker in exchange for holding back."

Barry nodded, walking up to Iida, "Iida, I'm sorry. I-"

"No need, for it is I who must apologize Allen." said Iida, a look of sorrow on his face, "Like with Midoriya, our confrontation in the hall shouldn't have been so physical."

"It's not all on your end Iida," said Barry, "I said some harsh words too."

Iida nodded before bowing, "Please forgive me!"

"Woah!" yelped Barry, "Of course I forgive you, that's what friends are for!"

Iida rose up, not quite smiling but not quite frowning, "Thank you!"

Barry nodded, walking up to the other group members, "How are you Midoriya?"

"I'm fine." said Midoriya, "I just can't stand the fact that I wasn't able to save him."

"I know," said Barry, "But we'll get him."

"I have the tracker here," said Yaoyorozu, holding up the device.

"Do you think they store the Nomu in their base or another area?" asked Barry.

"I don't know," said Yaoyorozu, "We'll have to find out for ourselves."

Barry nodded, approaching Todoroki, "We're not planning on an all-out fight, are we? We'd never win that way."

"Of course not," said Todoroki, "our plan is to be covert and avoid any conflict whatsoever."

Barry smirked, "Good, then we should all be ready."

"Alright," said Kirishima, "Before we go, I want to ask everyone one final time if they're sure they want to do this."

Kirishima balled his hand into a fist, holding it horizontally, "Bump my fist if you're ready to go."

Todoroki was the first to join the circle of fists, then Midoriya, then Yaoyorozu, and finally Iida. As the 5 formed said circle, they all looked at Barry.

"Barry, are you in?" asked Midoriya.

Barry looked at his own hand in hesitation, why was he waiting? Rescuing Bakugou should be a no brainer, yet here he was, unsure if he should join.

I can feel warning signs going off in my head, but as long as we remain covert, we should be fine.

Barry put his fist into the circle.

"Hell yeah!" said Kirishima, "Now let's get going!"

As the four dispersed and began to leave the hospital grounds, Barry could still feel a strange sense of danger, like he was making a mistake.


They walked along the sidewalk, heading towards the train station. As they hopped aboard a train Barry could feel a weight on his chest, but he refused to acknowledge it even as it grew stronger.

As the train departed and the moon rose into the starry sky, Barry closed his eyes. While his friends rationalized it as getting the sleep he might miss, the reality was that Barry didn't want to entertain the question on his mind, the question that was eating him alive.

Did he join the group to save Bakugou, or did he join so they could lead him to Thawne?

He slowly drifted off to sleep, unaware of a small flash of yellow lightning bursting past the train.


Alright, things are heating up! I hope the reveal of why Lisa wants Barry's help satisfied, especially since it's a thread that hasn't been picked up in around 20 chapters.

Reviews:

DCDGojira: Honestly, it would probably be when Chewie meets up with Lando again. I like the scene!

Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

Aztec 13: Sorry, the gadget wasn't the Cosmic treadmill like you thought. As cool as that would be, it wasn't really what I had planned.

Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

Jose Ramiro: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

Deadcool 14: Thawne's suit looks like the comic Thawne's suit. (Use Flash: Rebirth as a reference.) I do love the Injustice redesign though.

Awesomerebel55: Thanks for the feedback as always! :)

Next Chapter: Covert Action