Welcome back to The Injustice Wars. Last time, the Republic and Legion walked into a trap set by Reverse Flash and Livewire, only to reveal that Reverse Flash was going to use the entire group as bargaining chips to get Brainiac to restore his timeline. When that didn't work, he tried to turn himself into a literal time bomb using the Negative Speed Force, but the Flash and Jay Garrick, with aid from Blitz and Livewire, managed to stop him. But just as Reverse Flash was being hauled to the morgue, Darkblood and his forces stole his body. So, what does he have planned? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes in the new Batcave, where everybody is resting after having seen what they saw in dealing with Reverse Flash.)
Jay Garrick: It's still hard to believe he's gone.
Flash: I thought the same thing the first time, Jay. But Thawne is like a virus. He always comes back.
Jay Garrick: Ordinarily I could see the whole speedster regeneration thing. But he had the entirety of his Negative Speed Force in him at that moment, and we neutralized it. Cancelled it out.
Flash: Even still, color me unsure.
Livewire: Ah will you quit it with that? That yellow bastard's dead.
Blaze: I'm with Barry on this one. Until we get the coroner's report, I'm not going out on the limb that we'll never see Eobard Thawne again.
Belial Aether: Same goes for me.
Livewire: (Looking around the room) So, is this just something you're doing now? Trying to bring back the glory days, eh Bats?
Batman: The larger alliance wasn't my idea. (Gestures to Blaze and Belial Aether) It was more theirs.
Livewire: Huh. Wouldn't have pictured you two as the Justice League types. But that was some pretty sweet coordination out there.
Blitz: Hey, we wouldn't have been able to get through it without you.
Aero: They make a good point, Leslie.
Livewire: Yeah. Now that you mention it, it did feel kind of good to shock it to that guy. Though, Grodd's probably got a bounty on my head by this point, since we never saw his plan through. (Sighs) Looks like I'm going to have to go into hiding again.
Aero: No you don't!
Livewire: I admire the enthusiasm, Flint. But where could I even go?
Belial Aether: With us.
Livewire: (Sarcastically) With you?
Belial Aether: Some of my friends might be able to keep you hidden until we get Grodd sorted out. Or at very least protected.
Aero: You can trust him on this, Leslie.
Belial Aether: You've helped us, now let the Republic help you.
Livewire: (Thinks it over for a second) Eh, what the hell. Sounds like it could be fun. (Grabs Belial Aether's hand to shake it) Count me in.
Blaze: Always nice to bring more into the alliance.
Livewire: You're in on this too?
Blaze: I run the Legion, a separate faction, but yeah. The Legion, Republic, and Insurgency are in an alliance.
Livewire: Now this is going to be interesting.
(But as Livewire is added to the Republic, we transition to The Nameless City, where Darkblood, Enchantress, and Vermillion are planning something over Reverse Flash's corpse)
Enchantress: I don't know. Do you think we can pull this off?
Vermillion: I would sssssssay we have a dissssstinct chancccccce of ssssssuccessssss.
Darkblood: I don't see why we'd fail. Your dark magic will revive the flesh, Vermillion will restore his time, and my power will handle the rest.
Enchantress: If you think it'll work, we may as well at least try it.
Darkblood: Very well then, let us begin.
(Without much else to say, the three dark juggernauts channel their powers. Enchantress first fills the corpse with her sickly green magic, reanimating it. Then, Vermillion applies a dosage of his crimson time powers restoring it to before it was burnt to heck, and then finally, Darkblood unleashes Dark Aether into the midst. This somehow rekindles the Negative Speed Force, and before long, the body of Reverse Flash is levatating over the dark trio. And as the power surge stops, light returns to behind Reverse Flash's eyes and he falls to the floor, limp again.)
Vermillion: Did it work?
Enchantress: I have no idea.
(Unsure if their plan worked, Darkblood pokes Reverse Flash with the tip of his tail. At first he gets no response, but then Reverse Flash gasps back to life and starts screaming while scrambling to his feet)
Darkblood: IT'S ALIVE!
(Soon Reverse Flash is back on his feet, steadying himself in his speed before bracing himself against the altar he was lying on.)
Reverse Flash: What the hell happened?! (Feels pain in his chest) And who's been dancing on my chest?!
Vermillion: I'm thinking he'sssssss lossssst it.
Enchantress: If there was anything to lose. I was expecting him to be a zombie at this point.
Darkblood: Never doubt the power of Aether, my dear.
Reverse Flash: Where am I? The last thing I remember was seeing the multiverse unfold before my eyes...
Enchantress: He's definitely lost it.
Reverse Flash: Then I saw all the paths I could take... (Looks back to Darkblood) And they all converged on you.
Darkblood: Quit your rambling, speedster! What the hell are you talking about?
Reverse Flash: (Puts it together, at least to some degree) I see it now. I see what I'm to do. (Falls to his knees in front of Darkblood)Every version of me, across the multiverse, is meant to serve you, Lord Darkblood. I dedicate my newly revitalized life to you, my Dark Lord and Master.
Vermillion: Well, that wasssssss... unexpected.
Darkblood: Unexpected, but welcome. (To Reverse Flash) Rise, Eobard Thawne. Welcome to the Empire.
(And with a diabolical laugh shared by Darkblood and a smirking Reverse Flash, our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to end for now. So, Livewire's with the Republic, and Reverse Flash is revived and now serving the Empire. Things are about to get a lot worse for our heroes going forward. And with this, I am pleased to announce that, as far as I can tell, the Republic is all together now! Two of three fan factions are fully assembled. The Empire's still got a few heavy hitters, but they'll come in time. So, what awaits our heroes next? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!