A Flash of the Lightning

by Techfish

On April 25th, 2024, the Flash engaged in battle with his oldest enemy: the Reverse-Flash, defeating him before disappearing in a flash of light. That was the second time. This is the story of how that day ended twice, and how, in the world's darkest hours and in the midst of its first true crisis, Barry Allen saved the multiverse. (Short chapters as separated by time and POV.)

13. Chapter 12

T2 = 05.17.32

This time, when the Pariah found him, Barry tried to question him further. He had to know what it was that would destroy his world, but the stranger couldn't help him.

"I'm being pulled to witness the next calamity," said the Pariah, looking down at his evaporating form. "You must fix this! Save it! Save us—"

"Wait!" Barry cried, and before he knew what he was doing, he seized the Pariah's vanishing arm.

He felt a shaking, twisting sensation, and when he looked up again, he was staring at the deteriorating skyscrapers of National City.

"No!" said the Pariah, horrified at what he'd accidentally done. "You have to go back, it's too late for this world!"

"I have friends here!" the Flash shouted over the thunder. "Let me save them!"

Without waiting for an answer, Barry sprinted away, looking for any sign of his old ally, Supergirl.

He found her almost at once, with her sister and their Martian friend, J'onn. They were standing at the top of a building, staring up at a hole in the sky that looked horribly familiar.

"Kara!" he shouted, and she turned.

"Barry? What are you—"

"Run! Now!" he commanded, without time for explanations. He felt J'onn in his head, comprehending his purpose, and the Martian nodded.

"Move it!"

Barry seized Kara and Alex by the hands while Kara held fast to J'onn's and Barry sprinted them away just in time.

The eruption of void chased them across the continent. Barry ran with all his might, and felt the lightning spark within him, drawing his friends in close. With a trembling, shaking shock, he pulled them all right out of reality.