Author's Note: I can't believe I've completed another story! And its all thanks to you, my wonderful readers! Well, since its the last chapter, I hope this will satisfy you. And sorry about the lack of updates, I had a writer's block for this chapter then I got a job about a week go. Let's get going!
Shout Outs: Thanks to YoungJay for following the story. Thanks to Another observer for favoring the story.
Summary: After finding out how to stop Inertia, Bart sacrifices himself in order to stop Inertia. The Future has been saved.
Chapter 20: The Future
Barry stared at the newcomer who was glaring at the monster.
"Barry, what's going on over there?" came Cisco's voice.
"I...I...apparently, I have help."
The fiend's eyes grew large as they were filled with fury.
"YOU! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!" he screamed.
The person smirked. "I guess luck was on my side."
He then turned to the side to face Barry who had a stunned look once he saw who it was.
"Bart?"
"What? You didn't actually thought I was dead, did you?"
Barry stammered, his eyes still glued on the person until he gave a soft smile.
"So, what's the plan?" Barry asked. "How do we defeat him?"
Bart let out a sigh; a certain dark look fell on his features.
"We take his powers. It's going to take the two of us as he reached his peak. If we stun him, we can take his powers. He would be speed less—he wouldn't hurt people anymore."
Barry nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
The demon sneered. "You think you could stop me? No one could! Not even you, Flashes! If you couldn't stop me in the Future then you couldn't stop me here."
"We will see about that," Bart replied, eyes set on his opponent.
The monster laughed. "Do your best."
The two speedsters then ran towards him. With perfect timing, Inertia used both of his hands and he extended them out, spinning them around until he created gusts of wind. The blow blew the speedsters away, causing them to fly backwards and they both stumbled to the ground with a harsh thud.
:(/\):
"I'm going to be totally honest and say that those two aren't going to be able to defeat Inertia, are they?" Caitlin asked as she winced when Barry took another harsh blow; the vitals going down.
"To be honest, I agree with you. Inertia's at his peak right now—he's too powerful," Cisco answered.
"But, of course there's always a way," a new voice announced, entering the room and he sat down beside Cisco.
Cisco raised an eyebrow. "And what way is that?"
"A temperature being dropped so low to the point where not even the Flash can withstand it."
Cisco stared at Wells before he figured it out. "Sub-zero. The cold gun."
"But where can we get a cold gun? Last time I checked, ours got stolen." Caitlin pointed it out.
Wells turned to the brunette with a knowing look. "You think so? Or you know so? Because I happen to know someone who has that gun."
Cisco widened his eyes from realization. "Oh no…no…Barry won't forgive us. Do you realize that he will probably make a deal which we have to oblige?"
Wells sighed. "There comes a time where a villain must team up with a duo of heroes and that time is now. So tell me, Cisco. Are you willingly wanting to sacrifice Barry and Impulse or do you want to stop this fiend from causing any more harm?"
:(/\):
"We must stop this…maniac!" Bart shouted over the ferocious wind as he desperately clung at an object.
"Tell me something I don't know!" Barry exclaimed, holding himself against a wall. "You know, it doesn't really help when you have a speedster that almost has the same abilities you."
"Sorry,"
And the two kept holding tightly onto the objects so they wouldn't be blown away from the twisters that were produced from Inertia's arms. And like that, Inertia stopped with the whirlwinds, making the two speedsters fall to the ground with a thud. Barry grunted when he fell and he slowly pushed himself up, totally being windblown.
Bart groaned as he too push himself up, being tired already. "Okay," he said, shakily. "We have to stop him. Let's try running from opposite directions and hitting him from front and back."
Barry nodded. "Okay,"
The two of them took their fighting stances; their eyes were set with determination as Inertia gave out a charged yell. Inertia's arms were tucked in and he too felt the power coursing throughout his body and the power was actually visible, being able to see the traces of electricity around his body.
And then, Barry and Bart zoomed off at the opposite directions, hoping to at least hit him. When they ran, with great timing, Inertia released his enormous speed power. Like a shockwave, it struck the two speedsters, forcing them to fly off course.
Bart grunted. "We have to try again," he got up, ignoring that his suit was torn especially at the arms section. "We can't give up now. Not yet."
:(/\):
Cisco muttered.
He knew there was a reason why he hated Harrison Wells and this was one of the reasons. Harry made him go to the location where Captain Cold was located. Of course, Harry made an excuse as to why he couldn't go since after all this was his idea in the first place. That being said, Wells made up an excuse which still baffled Cisco.
Lame, he thought, scowling. He hugged himself tighter to keep the heat in him. Cold had to be in the coldest area. Why couldn't he be in some place like…in an abandoned house or a bar or something…
"Who is trespassing my home?" an icy voice came from the darkness and it made Cisco shiver.
"Believe me; I have no intention to stay here," Cisco said, holding his head up high. He narrowed his eyes as the familiar figure emerged out of the darkness.
Cold frowned; a look of disdain settled upon his features. He sneered. "It's you. What do you want?"
Cisco closed his eyes and took a breath. "I have come here to ask you a favor,"
Cold lifted his head slightly and stared at the person he hated.
"And why should I help you when you and your friends have caused me enough harm?" Cold asked. "I am happy to be here…alone, being in peace. I have no intention helping you."
"Because," Cisco glared. "We have a madman on the loose and we need your help. You're the one with a cold gun."
"Now I remember," Captain Cold said. "The speedsters can't withstand the sub-zero temperatures and so you want my help to stop this…madman," he smirked. "Well, let me put it this way: what problems you have are yours to deal with, not mine. Whatever shenanigans you have, I am not concerned with."
Cisco scoffed. "Well, that's funny. Because if that madman wins, I can't guarantee that you will be left to survive. Right now, Inertia has the power to destroy this city. We can't let that happen. Remember: this is your home too and whatever lives in it will be exiled."
Captain Cold narrowed his eyes, being irritated by this…person. Cisco. He gave an annoyed look before he turned his attention to his weapon then back at Cisco.
"Give me one good reason why I should help you then I might reconsider."
Cisco rolled his eyes. "I have an offer which you can't refuse."
:(/\):
"BART!" Barry screamed as he watched his grandson getting struck painfully from the evil lightning.
The attack electrified Bart in a way a normal lightning would do to a human. Bart gasped, succumbing to his knees as his hand rested upon the ground. He panted heavily, slightly feeling weak.
"Bart!" Barry zoomed towards him; his hands on his shoulder and arm.
"I'm f—fine," he said, shakily.
Inertia laughed at the weak scene, sneering. "You might as well give up hope now, fools. There's no way you can hope to defeat me. You can spend little time what you have with your loved ones as I destroy this pitiful city."
Barry narrowed his eyes, a look of hatred coursing through him.
"No!" he snarled, getting up. "I won't let you win. Not now, not ever."
Inertia laughed, demonically. "How can you hope to stop me if you can't even save yourself? Let alone your grandson?"
Barry stared at him with a bewildered look. As he looked at the enemy, there was a new voice that got announced.
"Sorry but I don't plan on seeing this city destroyed," a new voice said. As the newcomer spoke, a streak of blue went towards Inertia, having him staying still at his spot.
"What?!" he snarled, struggling to move. He looked down to see a pile of ice freezing his legs. He sneered, knowing who it was.
Barry furrowed his eyebrows at the new attack but he widened his eyes when he heard the voice. He knew that tone from anywhere…
"As far as I'm concerned, this is my home too and I'm not letting you to allow to destroy it."
"Aww, if it isn't the big bad boy," Inertia laughed. "Isn't this ironic?"
Barry gaped at Captain Cold who held his gun in his arm. Sensing that someone was staring at him, Cold gave a short nod.
"Don't get too cozy with this, Flash. Believe me: I have no intentions in helping you."
"Then…how…why…" Barry trailed off.
"A little birdie came in and sang a song for me," Cold said. "And that little birdie is actually a part of your team. Shocking, isn't it?"
Naturally, Barry was still baffled by Cold's sudden appearance. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to register that Snart was here…helping…him? Did he got that right?
Barry pressed a button on his ear-com. "Guys," he said, warningly. "Why is Snart here?"
"Uh, uh…sorry…can't…seem to hear you…sorry!" the fake static came from Cisco which made Barry frown.
"Wait, Cisco—don't hang—and of course he would hung up on him…" Barry gave a frustrated sigh, pinching his nose bridge. He then glared at Snart. "Why are you here?"
Snart rolled his eyes. "Forced to help. Cold gun. Sub-zero. Speedsters' weak point. Next question or are we gonna do some butt kicking?"
"Not with you, I won't," Barry muttered.
As they finished talking, Inertia was able to vibrate his molecules to break free from the ice grip that was at his feet.
"Cute trick but too bad it won't be enough to stop me!"
"Don't be too sure short stuff," Snart remarked.
Inertia snarled. With that, the demon released his power which was heading towards Snart. Groaning, Barry realized that he had to save him even if the Flash did wanted to see Cold get electrified…Sighing, Barry took a first step and then he disappeared in a flash, pulling Snart away from the spot. But in doing so, Barry performed a clumsy pull which made Snart fall to the ground.
"I could've handled it," Snart said, annoyed.
"Yeah, sure. You will thank me later, alright?"
Rolling his eyes, Snart spoke once he got up.
"Okay, Impulse and I will stun Inertia and when the time is right, you will freeze Inertia."
"Who died and made you King?" he sneered. "I don't take orders from anyone. Especially from you."
Making an irritated quirk, Barry snapped. "Just for the time being, stop being such a prick and for once in your life, do as I say!"
"Whatever," he muttered.
Barry then ran towards Bart who got up. "Okay, Impulse. You and I are going to do what we did previously. Run from opposite directions and stun him. Snart will then use his cold gun and end him for good."
Bart nodded. "Sounds like a good plan."
With that, Barry and Bart began to take their stance and made their move.
"You're all fools!" Inertia screamed, eyes glaring with madness as he watched the two streaks. "You can't stop me! You couldn't stop from the future and you won't ever stop me from here!"
With great timing, Inertia released his attacks, hurting both of the speedsters. During this time, Cold got out his gun and started to aim at the mad villain but unfortunately, his attack didn't come clean. Since Inertia was aiming blindly, his attack struck Cold's gun but it also hit his hand. That forced his hand to stumble away from his gun, accidentally striking Barry, freezing him on the spot.
"Really?" Barry grunted, struggling.
Cold carelessly shrugged. "Oops?"
Inertia walked towards Bart while leaving a trail of electricity on the ground.
"You're weak! You're a pathetic being that is not even worthy of this power! You don't deserve it!" he raged. "Spineless…worthless…that's what all of you are! Your Flash legacy! It will be your downfall! And I will be the one to destroy it while all you could do is to watch how you failed." he said, malevolently.
Bart clenched his fists tightly and he lifted his head up; his eyes showing nothing but speed. Barry struggled to be free from the ice attack.
"You're wrong. You will fall. You're so full of hatred and angry…it will eventually consume you. That's your downfall," Impulse spoke in a completely different tone. A tone which Barry had never heard before.
Inertia stared down at him, his cold eyes boring into his. "For many years, I've hated Allens. What do you know about hate and angry, young one?"
"I know enough that it will destroy you."
Inertia widened his eyes with such rage that made Bart thought he was for sure he was going to be blast into pieces. But Impulse knew better; he knew the next move.
With that, Impulse got up and began to zoom this way and that, throwing Inertia off course. On the last move, Impulse began to vibrate and everything seemed to go in slow motion as Bart went closer to him; the speed rushed in his eyes.
Bart's hand touched Inertia's chest which made him gasp from the startled shake. Bart felt the power flowing through Inertia's body and then, Impulse removed his hand away from his chest, leaving Inertia to start the process of becoming stunned.
"What did you do to me?" he screamed with fury, feeling his body weakening.
"Stopping you from hurting innocents,"
"NO!" the demon howled.
Bart turned around to face Barry although he made a slight frown when he saw Captain Cold no longer there. Barry gave a small smile at what he had done. Throughout this scene, all that was left was having Inertia to slowly have his powers fading.
Through his body, Inertia felt his speed fading away. There was just one spot left which was his heart…
No…I won't…lose…Inertia thought.
And like that, Inertia mustered the remaining strength he had and then…he plunged his vibrating hand through Impulse's heart, squeezing it which made Bart gasp from the unexpected attack.
Barry widened his eyes and screamed. "NO!"
Grinning wickedly, Inertia twisted, increasing Bart's pain even more and he pulled him closer to him, whispering in his ear.
"If I go…you go…after all, not every battle can have a happy ending…" he cackled, demonically; a crazed look glinted in his eyes.
With a one last strangled gasp, Inertia released his grip and pushed Bart roughly, forcing him to fall to his knees. In a slow motion, Bart fell and the familiar blue streak came, freezing Inertia right at the spot; his cold frozen eyes was left staring at the fallen hero.
Tears furiously flowed down Barry's cheek at the scene and using his power, he was finally able to escape the icy grip and rushed over towards his grandson; a great pain settled in his aching heart.
"Bart!" Barry screamed from the pain. "Nonono…you're not dead…you're not dead…oh please no…"
Unfortunately, his heart was no longer and Bart's eyes was left staring. Barry clutched his suit, bending down, sobbing over the loss.
"Well…I guess my part is done," Cold stated, interrupting the moment.
From hearing his voice, Barry lifted his head; a look of pure hatred went across his features.
"You…" he snarled, heavily. "You…how dare you…"
Cold stared into his eyes. "My part of the deal was defeating Inertia…not crying over a deceased speedster. Hate to tell you but there's reason why my name is Captain Cold."
Snart gave a one last look at the older speedster before walking away, leaving Barry alone to grief over the loss of his grandson.
:(/\):
A few weeks had passed but that didn't made Barry to stop visiting the grave of his grandson. The grave which was located at the cemetery; although originally, he planned to bury Bart's body at the heart of the city which was where the battle took place.
Barry stared at the words that were etched into the stone. A mourning look went on his features, lowering his head bitterly.
"I'm sorry…" he muttered. "I'm so sorry…"
"If anyone's fault, it's mine. Well, actually it was Harrison but I still obliged…" a voice said.
Barry forced himself to look away from the tomb and stared at Cisco with a grief-stricken look. From the minute Cisco saw him, his heart dropped down, plunging to his stomach.
Cisco let out a sigh. "I stated that this was a battle you and Bart couldn't win. Inertia was just too mad…he was too…consumed by the power. Harrison then had an idea which was to gather Captain Cold because his gun was able to defeat Inertia. Speedsters could not withstand sub-zero temperatures. I agreed and went to seek out for him," he closed his eyes, "Of course, when I found him, I had to make a deal to that egotistical jerk. I am so sorry. I did not meant to have Bart dead. That wasn't the part of the plan at all."
Through his speech, Barry shook his head even though deep down, he had felt a sense of hate rising up and he tried to bury it.
He shook his head. "It's just that…every time I get close to someone, they would always either leave or be gone…" he spoke, bitterly; his voice cracked. "I understood why you had to do it…what I didn't understand is that why didn't you told me at the battlefield…" he said, tears flowing down and he let out a shaky breath. "Please…I wish to be left alone."
Cisco gave an upsetting look at his broken friend and he feared the worst of Barry. But knowing him, Cisco nodded mutely, understanding the situation and he left silently.
But then he stopped, turning to face Barry. "Just know that you and Barry are heroes."
Barry shook his head, furiously wiping the tears. "I'm no hero. Bart is."
Cisco stared sadly at Barry and began to leave. Once Cisco left, Barry lifted his head, a glazed look fell upon his features as he stared at the horizon.
:(/\):
At the Future…
The old man let out a breath, sensing a trouble pain in his heart. He opened his eyes, staring at the distance as a wind flew by.
He knew this feeling…a loss of a speedster…a hero…
Bart was a hero. He saved the future. He saved the future but at a terrible price…
The old man sighed. He was too young to die…he had a future ahead of him but it was all taken away…
The man gave a one last look at the distance.
"Thank you, Bart…the Future is saved…"
Author's Note: A once happy ending is now a depressing one…sorry but I had to kill off Bart…as much as I didn't wanted to…I had to :( simply because Inertia was a mad crazed villain. That being said, I finally got rid of my writer's block for this chapter and add that to the fact, that I had other things to do. But anyways guys, this chapter concludes of this story so thank you for being with me throughout the end and I hope to see you in my next story. I have already have another Flash story out which is The Flash, A History and it is a novelization of the TV show so feel free to check that story out and I shall see you next time. Farewell!