One Year Later

Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to DC or Marvel.

Chapter 13: Speed Freak

Jay Garrick, the original Flash, was busy in Keystone City, picking up where Wally West, a hero by the same moniker, was killed in battle against the Anti-monitor. A speedster who fought since World War Two and had slowed aging, Jay was anything but slow when it came to heroics. Currently, the elderly speedster was teaming up with Tigra and Blue Beetle as Dr. Arthur Light, the villainous Dr. Light, was terrorizing the city.

Dr. Light stomped down, throwing a tantrum,

"No! No! No! I won't let you spoil my fun!"
He unleashed a brilliant light attack. Blue Beetle, real name Ted Kord, lowered his goggles and fired a grappling hook. He swung on it and kicked the villainous Light in the chest,

"Lights out!"
Tigra, real name Greer Nelson, dashed on top of Light, pinning him down. She glared like a cat had cornered its prey,

"Now, stay down."

Dr. Light tilted his head, lecherously smiling,

"You're hot."

He shot Tigra off, but the striped were-cat landed on her feet with ease. Jay sped up and slammed a fast punch into Dr. Light's face,

"That's for hitting the lady."

Dr. Light had little stars around his head as he fell into unconsciousness. Greer smirked,

"Nice one."

Jay looked at the feline heroine and shook her head,

"In my day, no lady would be wearing what you are in public."

Tigra shrugged,

"I like it. It makes me feel all loose and frisky."

She kissed Blue Beetle on the cheek. Jay laughed,

"Well, I take it its official."

Blue Beetle nodded,

"Yep, we're getting married."

Just as it would seem that the heroes would ride off into another sunset, suddenly, there was a loud explosion. Actually, several loud explosions.

The three of them turned and saw Black Flash standing in the middle of the street. Ted blinked,

"Wait, is that…Flash?"

Tigra sniffed,

"I don't know, but this is bad."

Black Flash seemed to be completely focused on Jay Garrick and sped after him. Jay sped away, but was being quickly pursued by the mysterious Black Flash. Tigra looked at Ted,

"What do we do?"

Beetle said,

"We call in the League."

Jay Garrick shook his head,

"You may dress like Flash, but you're not him!"

The Black Flash was silent and continued the chase. He tried to get in close, but, with a fresh burst of speed, the classic Flash managed to pull away at the last second. The Black Flash continued the chase, determined to catch his quarry.

Jay Garrick sped through a building, vibrating his molecules through it. He thought he had gotten away, but the Black Flash was right behind him, vibrating through the same wall. Jay could not believe it; very few speedsters could do that. He suddenly stopped and the Black Flash also stopped. He turned and said,

"Wait, are you really Flash?"

The Black Flash only stared blankly for a moment, as if trying to study what the elder Flash would do. Then, it sped seemingly away. Jay blinked, and then could feel himself getting weaker.

Black Flash managed to slip behind him and began draining the Speed Force from him. Jay screamed and managed to look at Black Flash. For a moment, he saw the true Flash's colors on his uniform and said,

"You've got to fight this."

The mysterious Black Flash managed to say,

"Jay…Help…me."

That voice. Jay remembered that voice from a long time ago. But, it could not be him. It could not be. Could it?

At that moment, Hawkman came barreling in at high speeds and slammed his mace into Black Flash, knocking him into the side of a building. Though hurt and unconscious, the Black Flash was alive. John Stewart and Hawkgirl were with him and the former soldier asked,

"Are you all right?"

Jay nodded, trembling as he got up,

"I'm fine, but I am a little weak. We've got to get him to Watchtower. I know him."

Hawkgirl said,

"That guy looks like Flash."

The scientist said,

"It is Flash."

John shook his head,

"Wally?"

Jay said,

"Not Wally. Possibly the greatest speedster of all time…Barry Allen."

Next Chapter:

A startling truth is revealed as to the identity of Black Flash. But, how is it Barry is alive? Stay tuned, fellow readers!