A Series of Goodbyes
(Universe DB; 21st Century Earth)
The Loss of a Hero
Clear of crimson skies, the world mourns its lost hero. In a battle between the Scarlet Speedster of Central City and his nemesis Professor Zoom, the heroic Flash disappeared in the aftermath. Roughly two days afterwards, Captain America and Superman came forward to confirm the death of the fastest man alive. It is the hope of this journalist to capture and share the place this beloved hero left in both the superhuman community, and our world as a whole.
Five years ago, the Justice League of Avengers was officially formed in the wake of the second Chitari invasion. Of its founding members, many will point to the strength of Superman, the intelligence of Ant Man and Batman, or the experience of Wonder Woman and Captain America as the greatest boon the heroes had. But if you ask the heroes now, they point to a different source.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," says Janet Van Dyne, the super heroine known as the wasp, "Hank and I had just arrived to see the Boomtube over times square. I was trying my best to keep up with everything, but all of a sudden, I was staring at a laser beam twice my size. Before I could even scream, I was on the other side of the street watching Giant Man stomp whatever tried to kill me. Looking up I saw Flash with his ever-easy smile. And you know what he said? "Flash Fact, Lasers hurt." And ran off to save someone else."
Such a tale of heroism was not only seen by Ms. Van Dyne. Reports throughout the city tell the story of the second bearer of the Flash name saving hundreds of people from lasers, explosions, and rubble during the attack. Even the famously anti meta-human news source the Daily Bugel sang the praises of the fastest man alive, saying "He [The Flash] stormed into our office. There were dozens of those monsters, and he took care of them like they were nothing."
The Scarlet Speedster has also been an aid to countless charities through races hosted by the Baxter foundation. Just two weeks after the Chitari attack, he, in collaboration with Guardian of the Globe Red Rush, raised over one million dollars for reconstruction efforts.
In more recent times, the Flash was credited with the uncovering of Keystone City from its decade old disappearance at the hands of the villainous Shade. This incident also brought the hero into a meeting with the first to bear his name.
"After all these years, I had given up." Says Jay Gerrick, the first Flash. "Shade had the city under his thumb for ten years. Even when I tried to stop him when he first took over, he was always one step ahead." When asked what changed to allow the villains' downfall, Mr. Gerrick had this to say. "By the time he [The second Flash] showed up one day, I was worn thin. I could barely break the sound barrier after everything, but he inspired me as much as I had ever done him. He encouraged me to put the helmet back on, and I've been running ever since."
This is not the only hero Flash inspired. Four years ago, when the JL-A had its first shake up in roster, the Flash was reported to have spoken in vehement favor of formerly presumed terrorists Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, alias's Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver respectively.
"We were getting side glances everywhere we looked." Says Pietro. "Lantern and Batman were the worst. In hindsight, the two of us were probably the only thing those two ever agreed on. Flash was different. He was one of the members who were taking a break from the league. He didn't even need to be there, but he was. He understood us better than anyone else there. It's thanks to him my sister and I are still here today."
We were unable to reach out to those closest to the Flash. Those such as his former protégé Kid Flash and his best friend Green Lantern declined to comment at this time. Our thoughts are with them and the fallen hero's family in this difficult time. In recognition of the Flash, a memorial has been built in his home of Central City, and a museum has begun construction to honor such a heroic legacy. In closing, this is the quote given by Superman to the Planet reporters after his announcement.
"I've seen first-hand, the pedestal superheroes are put on. After it happened to me, I swore never to do that to anyone else. I succeeded for a while. Then, the league formed. So far so good, Batman was grumpy, Green Lantern and Iron Man always did their best to get on each other's nerves. Even Cap who I grew up practically worshiping, would have the most bizarre expressions when technology came up. None of them, or anyone else in the league, were put on pedestals. Flash was different. He had seen tragedies just like the rest of us and came out of it the best we could ever hope to be. He was the best of us, and the most human man I've ever met."
Clark Kent, reporting for the Daily Planet. Photographs credited to Peter Parker.
… … … Speedsters Farewell... … ...
On a bright and sunny day three individuals stand overlooking a tall statue of the fallen Flash.
The first, and shortest, is a blue hedgehog from planet Mobius, with red and white shoes, white gloves, and vibrant green eyes. This is Sonic the Hedgehog.
The next is a human male wearing a blue jumpsuit, sporting a recent addition of a striking silver lightning bolt down his torso, his hair and eyes matching it. This is the hero Quicksilver.
The final, just between them in age and space, is a young man with red hair. Clad in a red suit, a shade darker than the statue before them, a cowl pulled back behind his head. This was the former Kid Flash.
"I still can't believe it." Wally says aloud, a thought he'd repeated thousands of times by now. "First Aunt Iris, now Uncle Barry. It's all..."
A gloved hand clasps his shoulder. "Unbelievable." Pietro finishes the thought.
The former Kid Flash looks down at himself, dressed in a costume so familiar and yet simultaneously alien in appearance. "I know what I said before, but-"
"Let's not start on this again Wally." The hedgehog interrupted. "You earned that suit, and there isn't anyone Barry would be prouder to wear it."
"Listen to the chaos gremlin, will ya?" Pietro agreed.
"Who you calling a Chaos gremlin?" Sonic replied in fake annoyance. "If I'm a gremlin, you're a chaos giraffe."
"Giraffe!?" The speedster narrowly missed a smack in the hedgehog's direction. "Get back here spikey!"
Wally smiled looking at the two blue blurs. "Thanks guys. I think I needed that."
"What can I say? We're cool like that." Sonic said, coming to a stop.
"Now that you're through questioning yourself, I think there's one thing we still need to do today." Quicksilver says, stretching out.
His fellow speedsters sent confused glances at each other.
"And what's that white hair." Sonic asked
"The first time I met Barry was when I joined the league. You know how he helped Wanda and me, but afterwards he came up to talk. I was a brat sure, but he just took me outside and told me to run. I had no idea what he was going on about, so I argued. Eventually, he challenged me to a race to Japan. Now, I've never been one to refuse a challenge. When we finished, you know what he said?"
"Why worry, when you can run?" Sonic asks with a smirk, getting into his own running stance. "Because he got that one from me."
The speedster shakes his head; smile on his face. "If you're not moving, you're not living. Sometimes all you can do is keep moving forward, even if your paths not lit, and trust you'll find your way."
"Thanks guys." Wally says, smiling at the shared memories of his mentor. "Last one to Italy buys the pizza? I'm famished."
"Let's step it up!"
"You're on Flash!"
… … … Looking towards the Future... … …
And so it went in the coming days, heroes and villains from all over this world and beyond would visit and pay their respects to the fastest man no longer alive. Streaks of emerald could be seen flying overhead at many times of day, and Central City soon became a hotspot for late night UFO sightings. One such alien sits alone on a bench just outside the neighboring construction site.
"Hello there Barry." The man greets the tribute, every thought deliberately said. "We never met you and I, but I know you heard of me. I'm the Doctor."
The man slips on glasses, glancing at the busy site next door. "They're building a museum you know? Well, you probably knew that too. Time travel has the tendency to ruin surprises. Spoilers and all that."
Focusing on the statue, he continues the one-sided conversation. "In fact, I wonder if you knew your end was coming. I saw my death coming once. Twice, actually. It is not an enjoyable experience by any means."
The Doctor pulls up a newspaper. The date is inaccurate, and holds the headline, "Flash Rebirth-The Return of the Flash."
"You'll be back though Mr. Allen. We're a lot alike in that way. Cheating death. But the funny thing is, while actually its quite sad really, is that in death your life was celebrated. But when you return alive and well? You won't be thought of with reverence and respect. You'll be a joke. The man Time Agents and Patrollers point and laugh at. All because of one mistake. Changing time to suit your "selfish desire." One single mistake, and all that good will; gone in a flash."
A dry laugh escapes the man's lips. "A reputation I lack, purely because my mistakes were far from public record. No, I'm the only one who knows what I did; my mistakes. The Time Lord Victorious, Demons Run, The hybrid. All lost to history." He slowly blinks away memories.
"But coming from someone whose made more mistakes than you could possibly imagine; be rest assured Mr. Allen, Scarlet Speedster, one of the fastest men alive and savior of all that is. You'll always be a hero to me."
And so, the Time Lord got up and left to places and times unknown. If one were truly observant, they would see a faint outline of lightning as his Tardis disappeared. It soon dissipated, knowing its job was done.
Is it obvious that Barry Allen is one of my favorite characters? I like all the Flash's; specifically, in how they contrast from each other. Jay is wise and experienced, Wally is quick to solve a problem and motivated by his family foremost, and Bart is obviously impulsive, but also very unique in temperament due to his origins and photographic memory, a unique trait among speedsters.
Barry, to me at least, is ultimately the mentor of the Flash Family. In comics, he was the only League member to have a consistent positive relationship with his partners, aside from certain instances brought on by extreme stress and a certain petty speedster.
As always, Reviews and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.