#22: Reverse

The Flash
#22: Legacy of Barry Allen Part 3
“Reverse”

“It’s wonderful, Barry. He…he’s one of us. He’s an Allen.

Barry saw it in Thaddeus’ face, in his build, in his joy. For all the features that were off—his dark hair, shocking height, and the peculiar glint in his eyes—there was a characteristic to match the Allens’ purebred, All-American caricature of a look. Was he some distant cousin thrice removed? No, Barry doubted it. The answer, of course…

“You time traveled.” Realizing the callousness of his response, Barry blushed and awkwardly hugged his newfound relative. “Welcome to the 21st century…Thaddeus, right?”

“Yeah, I—yes to both. Yes, I’m Thaddeus Allen,” the teen stammered, seemingly star struck, “And yes, I time traveled.” Pulling back, he ran a hand through his moppish hair. “I’m from the 25th century.”

“Dope,” Chess blurted.

“So what, you’re Barry’s many-greats grandson?” Max asked.

“Uhhh…no. Close but no, you…uh…if I explained, I’d prob’ly break the timeline,” Thaddeus shrugged, “More. Maybe. Probably. I dunno.” He perked up, his attention suddenly elsewhere. “Barry, sir, um, did you dye your hair? You’re naturally a brunet, yeah? The Flash Museum—”

“Must have it wrong,” Barry interrupted, as Chess mouthed the words ‘Flash Museum’ beside him.

Henry chimed in, “Most Allens are dirty blonde. I can see the mix up—it gets pretty dark—but Barry’s certainly a blond.” Smiling wistfully, he continued, “God, as a baby though, he had the whitest hair…”

Barry returned his father’s smile with one of his own. Words couldn’t express how glad he was to see him free, happy, nostalgic as hell. It was like the old days, before his mom died.

Still grinning, Barry added, “Things must’ve gotten confused over time.”

“Orrrr I broke time,” Thaddeus deflated, “Frag.

That statement, he broke time,—the repeated use of it—dragged Barry out of his bliss. He focused his thoughts back on the boy, on the situation at hand, as Chess interjected.

“Frag, is that a curse word? Like the future version of fu—”

“Let’s not play with history,” Barry interrupted. He eyed Thaddeus with the most empathy he could manage, and took a deep breath. “I really appreciate you saving my dad, but you said you could’ve broken time. That’s not great. And he, now he has to deal with the fallout of all of this.” Barry’s gaze wavered when it crossed Henry, who seemed crushed by what he was saying. “We have to deal with it. Thaddeus, it’s wonderful to meet you—honestly—but you need to go home.”

“No!” The anger exploded out of the boy. It caught Barry off guard. Thaddeus didn’t look like he had it in him—he seemed more nervous than anything—but there was real, virulent rage in his voice. However, he recovered as quickly as he lost control, muttering, “I—I’m sorry. I can’t—my timesphere, my time machine, is broken. I’m stuck here until it repairs itself, and, uh, honestly, time’s probably—it’s pretty malleable. So, yeah, I can’t leave. And it’ll be fine. I hope. But a year, maybe two, and then—”

“Barry, you traveled back in time when your energy crossed with Savitar’s, correct?” Gehenna began. “Max has that power now. He healed me. He’s superfast. Together, maybe—”

“We can send him back,” Barry and Max said at once.

As everyone’s eyes fell on Thaddeus, the boy blurted, “I’m Kid Flash.” To their obvious confusion, he continued, “I’m destined, fated, timey-wimey determined to be your sidekick. It’s in all the history books, and in the Flash Museum. I’m Kid Flash.”

“Very Silver Age,” Chess mumbled. “I can dig it.”

“Chess, enough,” Barry urged. He took a moment to gather himself. His exhaustion was finally weighing on him. Keep it together, Allen. “Listen, Thaddeus, I appreciate you trying to help, but this isn’t—I’m not going to let a kid live out some comic book fantasy on my watch. Let alone a kid from the future.”

“I’m not a kid,” Thaddeus blurted, a hint of his vitriol returned, “The name’s just…it’s a name. I’m eighteen years old. When I’m from, I could join the Science Police or, hell, enlist for the United Planets’ marine corps. And I’m not just some rando. I’m an Allen! I have superspeed, your speed!” His expression softened. “Please.”

Barry didn’t know what to say. Heck, even at superspeed he was having a hard time processing everything. The Rogues were on the loose, Daniel might be comatose, his father had broken out of jail, Max was back and a full blown superhero, and now he had to deal with all of this, too. A teenage sidekick? The idea alone infuriated Barry. It was ludicrous, dangerous, completely unreal – it was the sort of idea Barry would come up with. He’d always wanted to be the comic book Flash’s sidekick.

Henry stepped forward, his legs shaking beneath him. “Barry, son, there’s something else…”

He couldn’t finish. That alone frightened Barry. The last time he’d heard his dad talk like this was after his mom died.

The dread creeping through him only deepened when Max said to Henry, “The kid told you, didn’t he? Should’ve figured he’d know, too.”

“Am I alone in being completely lost?” Chess said.

“No.” Barry looked first at Max, then his father, then finally Thaddeus. None of them would meet his gaze. “What is it? What’s so horrible you can’t even say it—”

Max took his hand, allowing an arc of azure energy to pass between them. Suddenly, STAR Labs was gone. Instead, all Barry could see was a literal storm of information. Images flashed by in foggy clouds and sparks. An all-too-familiar voice sounded at the back of his mind.

“You are the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. You are what you see, what you feel, what empowers you. You are the Source.”

“Savitar?!” Barry cried out. “What the hell is going on?”

The images solidified before him into a figure…into Ro’tacha, Savitar, armored in silver plate, his form glowing, fluid like that of a god.

“You need fear me no longer, Barry Allen. I have…changed. The elders of Maximillion’s tribe, they have taught me much. Taught us both much. There are things we have come to understand, truths the Ghost riddled me, truths I…”

“Misunderstood,” Barry realized.

Savitar sneered. “I was misled. Allow me to show you…”

His form faded, replaced again by the storm of imagery. This time the fog thinned, allowing Barry to make out their details. The Ghost, Savitar’s white-haired servant, appeared cloaked before him, his lips twisted in a hyena’s grin. He spoke with confidence, a devilish charisma that put Barry on edge.

“I am from the future, my lord. You may think of me as a seer of sorts. I know what’s to come. I know the Demon’s fate,” the Ghost said.

“His name is Eobard Thawne,” Savitar boomed, “He claims to hate you with the same vitriol as I. He came seeking power, the power to aid in your destruction.”

Barry dug his nails into his palm as the image shifted to that of Thawne cackling as he examined his hands. Azure sparks danced between them. He vibrated for a moment, then spoke.

“The Flash created the power you now wield: the Speed Force. And ultimately he will die by it,” Thawne explained.

The image shifted again. Now, Barry himself, the Flash, ran before him around a pillar of crimson energy. He was moving fast, faster than he ever had before. Slowly, his body crumbled, fading much like Savitar’s. The energy ceased, and there was nothing.

Barry felt his strength leave him.

“I thought it would be me that slayed you, my power. Alas, your fate lies in the future. Not much farther in the future, but farther nonetheless.”

“How much time do I have?” Barry asked. “Is it Thawne? Does he—”

Eobard Thawne appeared within the storm again, looking him directly in the eyes. Barry saw something familiar there. Something frighteningly familiar.

“You want a reason to trust me? Of course you do. You’re not an idiot.” Thawne’s grin was like a funhouse reflection of Barry’s. The same crooked jawline, the same spread of teeth, but the tone of it, the feeling it exuded…it was pure evil. “I’m behind all of it. Every great pain he’s suffered, every nightmare he dreams, I am its source. I am his Alpha and Omega. I’m the reason he exists.”

“I killed his mother.”

The storm grew silent. The image froze. Barry felt lightning coursing through his veins. His mind was moving faster than what surrounded him. It was moving faster than the Speed Force. White rage fueled his every thought, his every heartbeat. Years of trauma dragged him to his knees. With tears of light burning his eyes, he screamed.

When Barry opened his eyes again, he was back in STAR Labs. Most of the others stumbled back, surprised. Max, too, was on the floor, terror flooding his eyes as he stared back at Barry.

“You scared him. Savitar, he won’t speak to me. He…what did you do?” Max muttered.

“Where is he?” Barry growled. “Where is Eobard Thawne?”

Thaddeus covered his mouth; he looked like he was about to puke. Chester, for once, was speechless. Max seemed to pull back into himself, shivering.

Gehenna stepped forward, uncertain. “Who?”

Henry kneeled beside Barry, and wrapped his arm around him. Everything shattered. Barry collapsed into his father’s arms, sobbing again. He couldn’t muster the words, couldn’t explain.

Thaddeus did for him: “He killed her. Thawne, he killed his mom.”

Henry looked up at Thaddeus, blinking, unable to understand, “I—I don’t—Nora? He killed—he killed—”

Thaddeus just nodded.

And Barry ran.

…

Iris did not believe in miracles. To be frank, the last year had shaken her faith in pretty much everything – gods, men, sheer happenstance. The arc of mankind seemed to lean toward tragedy, seemed overcome by it. She’d tried to preach optimism and strength to Wally after his parents died, but had been lying through her teeth. She believed in nothing; she believed she was nothing. But seeing Wally again made her smile. She could almost believe in happy en…

Well, almost. It was a stupid thought. Her smile twisted into a frown.

They were in the bad guy’s lair, after all. The belly of the beast.

Thawne and his zombie had sped Iris to it so quickly she couldn’t make out their path. She had no idea where they were (a warehouse, maybe?). She had no idea what that big honking machine was near the back of the room. She did know the people beside it, two of the three, at least. Dr. Wells and Elias.

But she had no time for him. She ran to her nephew’s side.

“Wally!” Iris cried. He was tied to a chair, gagged and pale, but managed a teary grin nonetheless. Her gaze fell back upon Thawne, bloodshot with rage. “Let him go.”

“Of course,” Thawne agreed, twisting the golden ring on his finger. He motioned to his zombie. “Do the honors.”

While the speedster lackey walked to their side, taking his goddamn time, Dr. Wells grumbled out, “It’s finished. Your bloody generator is complete. Can we go now, or is there some other patent you’d like use to infringe?”

“My answer shouldn’t surprise you,” Thawne began. “No—” He blinked, his voice drowned out by the rending of metal as the zombie tore apart Wally’s restraints. Condescension dripped from his voice as he said, “Jamie, there are keys, you understand? Is your mind so degraded that I have to spell out every single step for you? Unbelievable! This is why I never use henchmen.”

Iris looked Wally over for injuries as Thawne berated the zombie, Jamie.

“Are you okay? Is anything—”

“Iris,” Wally interrupted, shockingly focused, “We have to stop him. He—he’s from the future. That machine is the Blackout Generator. He wants to become—”

A flash of crimson lightning then—

CRACK!

A man screamed. The two strangers watched on, ghost-white, as Dr. Wells crumpled out of Jamie’s grasp, his neck broken. Iris squeezed Wally’s hand tight. Neither knew what to say.

Eobard dusted off his hands, as if he had done the deed, and shrugged. “You two really ought not to talk during the movie. You’ll miss the best parts.” His mouth contorted into a rictus grin. “Let me be clear, Ms. West, Iris—can I call you Iris? I do intend to abide by my end of the agreement. You and your nephew will be spared if you can make him comply. He has been a very difficult guest.”

“Wests are stubborn,” Iris retorted.

“Oh, believe me, I know,” Thawne agreed.

Iris stood up, continuing, “And I’ve got no reason to trust you. You were finished with Dr. Wells—he built your machine—so you killed him. You’ll do the same to us.”

“No, I killed Dr. Wells because he was a prick. Do you see the other two men there? Dr. Elias and Dr. Ramon? I will not harm them if they continue to place nice,” Thawne argued, “I’m incredibly tired of murder. So cheap. So been-there-done-that. You can’t imagine.”

Wally tugged on her hand. “Iris, I can’t—”

“What do you want?” The curiosity got to her. She had to save Wally—at any cost.

Thawne’s grin sparked with genuine pleasure. “I want Wally to serve as my lightning rod, to help focus that machine, the Blackout Generator. You see, your nephew has a connection to the Speed Force, the source of Barry Allen’s powers, and I intend to use it to my advantage.”

“You want to become a speedster,” Iris realized.

“Not just any speedster, Iris…” Thawne touched his cheek. Suddenly, a web of black lines appeared over his wrinkled visage. The lines, the cords, lit up with blue light. He passed his hand over his face. When it settled, his appearance had changed. He looked like…

He looked like Barry.

“I want to become the Flash.”

…

Len had never really liked Sam Scudder. The guy rubbed him the wrong way, always focused more on his own gain and glory than that of the team. To be frank, he was a prick, but there was no hiding the fact that his death broke Len’s heart. It wasn’t just a matter of his own loyalties; it wasn’t a Rogue matter.

This was a family matter.

Len had been watching Lisa for nearly a quarter hour. In that time, she’d broken into three hysterical crying fits, followed by short bouts of contemplation as she stared into the mortuary at Sam’s body. She hadn’t noticed him all the while. He hadn’t mustered the courage to speak up. He couldn’t, not while he was left speechless by his own silent sobs. It was like pops all over again.

“Len,” Mick placed a surprisingly gentle hand on his shoulder, “The watchdogs are getting impatient. I don’t wanna rush you, but…you gotta talk to her now, man, or else…”

“Yeah, yeah,” Len said. “Tell short stack and Betty White that I’ll be done in a couple minutes.” He wiped at his eyes, then stopped Mick before he could leave, “Wait. Any news about Axel?”

“He’s still in surgery. Docs don’t got no answers yet,” Mick explained.

“And James?”

“He’s an angry drunk,” Mick said, “Picked a fight with Mardon. Couldn’t tell you why. Guess who won?”

“The 220 pound grizzly bear,” Len muttered.

Mick nodded. “James is out cold. Agents are pissed.”

“Tell ‘em to shove it,” Len grumbled. With a sigh, he added, “On second thought, let me tell ‘em myself—”

“Leonard?”

She stopped him in his tracks. Len hesitated. It was pointless to procrastinate—she’d already spotted him—but he didn’t move. Mick offered an apologetic shrug, then waved at Lisa.

“Hi, Li—”

“Don’t, Miguel,” Lisa rasped, “Just don’t.”

Mick stepped back, hands up. “Cold,” he grunted, nodded in farewell, then walked off.

Len finally faced her. “I’m sorry, sis—”

“Y’know I’ve heard that a lot from you, even before dad,” Lisa crossed her arms, “Hasn’t changed anything. Hasn’t stopped you from ruining lives. Hasn’t stopped you from ending them.”

“That’s not really fair,” Len argued.

“What’s not fair is that you keep getting away with everything!” Lisa was crying again, her face contorted with excruciating pain. “I can’t count how many times I’ve called the cops on you; I can’t count how many times you’ve gone to jail, but here you are, liberated, untouched, pristine. I did it again after I heard about—about Sam. You were supposed to be in Iron Heights, but I knew—I knew you were responsible for this, and—and I’m told—I’m told your whereabouts are classified! You’re a murderer, and the federal government is protecting you!”

She was right. She was always right, always had been. Only reason he hadn’t been stopped in the hospital, only reason they weren’t being interrupted now was because he was under federal protection. He was charged with more crimes than he could count, but he was safe. Everyone else, however…?

“I got my code, Lisa,” Len blurted, “I am trying to be better—”

She spat back, “Your ‘code’ is bullshit. You only came up with it to appease me, and what has it changed? You killed dad. You killed who knows how many cops. You’re a murderer, Leonard; you always will be.”

He didn’t know what to say. Truthfully, he wished he’d never even sought her out to begin with. He wished he could just let her go.

He wished she’d let him go.

“You gonna say something??” Lisa got into his face. “C’mon, I wanna hear your excuses. The same old shit—”

“I need to leave.”

That shut her up…for a moment. He barely made it halfway down the hall before she called to him again. However, the tone of her voice had changed. She was steady, she was firm, but she wasn’t angry.

“Are you going to kill him?”

Len did not look back at her as he said, “Yes.”

A beat, then, finally, Lisa set him free.

“Good.”

…

“You have to do it.”

“No way.”

“Wally, you have to—”

“He’s psycho!”

“You have to believe that…” Iris trailed off. You have to believe that Barry can beat him. She couldn’t say it. “Ma’am, your husband was a hero.”

Wally stared back defiantly at her. “I’m not going to help him!”

Iris sighed, and stepped back. She looked over at Thawne, who was going over the machine’s specs with Cisco and Dr. Elias. “Can’t I be your—your lightning rod? We share a lot of genes.”

“No,” Thawne said without looking up. “It’s not about blood. Wally’s connection to the Speed Force is…beyond science. He has to choose to tap into it. It must be him.”

Wally spat back, “Let him kill me. I won’t—”

“Think of pop-pop.” The words slipped out of Iris’ mouth. They instantly caught Wally’s attention, and she instantly regretted them. Still, she knew she couldn’t back down. Not now. “Think of Danny…” Your husband/brother/nephew is dead. Her heart sank. “Think of me, Wally. We can’t lose you.”

Wally had never looked younger. Though he’d filled out since then, though he was now her height, he seemed like the same timid, terrified child she’d met almost a year ago now. He seemed broken. “The Flash will stop him…” Wally whispered, “Barry will stop him.”

It was Thawne who spoke next: “So, what’s it gonna be, Wally?”

They ended up strapping him to the generator’s core. Wally held his hand all the while. She didn’t know if he was shaking, or she was. She didn’t know which would be worse. When the two scientists activated it, Thawne had Jamie pull her back. Light began to course around Wally, through Wally. The engine hummed, heating up.

Iris had never been more afraid in her life. Your husband, brother, and nephew are dead. She had to believe in something.

She had to believe in happy endings.

Everything went white.

…

Barry saw the world through foggy glass, his tears bogging his vision as his mind struggled to keep up with the speed at which he was running. He could hear two voices calling after him, lost to the wind, but he did not slow. Eobard Thawne had done it. Eobard Thawne had done it. Eobard Thawne had done it all.

Something hit Barry. Someone. They tackled him through a tree and into a rolling halt in Sapphire Park. Finger-curling pain wracked his body, but it still felt numb in comparison.

“You gotta slow down, Barry,” Max said, forcing himself up. “You gotta talk to somebody. Trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two about trauma.”

“That’s priceless, coming from you,” Barry spat.

Max put his hands in the air. “I’m not saying I’m a role model, but I’ve changed, man.” He shook his head. “This isn’t about me. Just—Barry, please, I know what you’re going through—”

A crackle of green light then Thaddeus skidded to a stop beside them. Breathing heavily, he waved in greeting.

“Whoo, that was—you guys are fast. The real deal ain’t a joke. Wowza.” To their looks, he muttered on, “Not here to interrupt, but play support. To be a sidekick, if you will. Eobard Thawne? Man, frag that guy. What a jerk. Next time I see him, I’ll give him the ol’ Allen wallop—”

KRACKOOOOMMMM

The sky came ablaze with thunder and lightning as a great white beam tore through a cloud. Barry knew at once what this was, who this was.

“Thawne.”

Thaddeus’ jaw dropped. “Sky beam—cool! Always wanted to see one—”

Just like that, Barry was off again, following the beam to its source. The others tried to catch up, but he’d stabilized, his rage focusing him to faster and faster speeds. He slowed for but a moment when he realized the beam was coming from STAR Labs. What the hell was going on? It looked like tachyon energy, the very same energy at the core of the Blackout Generator. Had Chess been building one in secret?

The sight of reporters outside did little to halt his progress. They were there for him, no doubt. To question his return, his identity. He didn’t have time to clean up the Rogues’ mess. Barry vibrated through the outer walls of STAR Labs, something, he realized, he couldn’t do just weeks ago.

The building was by and large empty. He counted one security guard at the entrance, but he wasn’t in any danger. Barry continued through the winding halls to the central lab—to Gen, Chess, and his father. He was surprised to discover the source of the beam was actually coming from beneath them. The others had backed away, all caught in differing expressions of shock. Barry sped them out of the room for their safety, then vibrated underground.

There was a basement. No one had ever mentioned a basement. Did Chess and Gen—or Dr. Elias, for that matter—even know about it? His resolve hardened; this was Thawne, no doubt.

The basement wasn’t large—a couple storage rooms, a bathroom, a hallway, and then the main corridor. There he found the Blackout Generator, a full blown recreation of the bestial machine. That came as no surprise to Barry. What brought him to a halt, however, were the people around it.

Jamie Missichkone, the Fallen, stood to the side, emotionless. Dr. Elias crouched against the wall, staring in terror at the machine. Iris—Iris—was here with Wally, who was strapped to the generator. What the hell was going on? Why hadn’t anyone told him they were missing? But it only got worse. There was a corpse on the floor; Barry recognized Dr. Harrison Wells, a world-renowned physicist and Nobel Prize winner. Thawne had killed him, but which…which one was Thawne? The young man beside Elias, or…or Barry?

He blinked twice, still moving at super speed. Barry couldn’t believe his eyes. Though dressed in a gray jumpsuit, there was no doubt this was his duplicate, his clone, his identical twin—it had to be Thawne. He was strapped to a chest device that was in turn connected to Wally by a cord. The tachyon energy—the very energy that opened Barry’s connection to the Speed Force—flowed through Wally and into him.

Thawne turned toward Barry, and smiled. His duplicate, the man who’d murdered his mother, was now a speedster. Barry didn’t have the time to process everything that was going on. He just ran.

Barry tried to shove Thawne into the wall, but the murderer vibrated out of his grasp and the metal vest. He sped around to the side of the room quicker than Barry could follow with his eyes, crimson sparks tracing his path. Thawne spoke—his words stilled, too slow for the speed at which they were moving—but Barry could read his lips: “You’re late, Barry Allen.”

Barry slowed. He wanted to hear his voice, wanted to hear it from him…

“Did you kill my mother?”

Thawne, too, returned to normal speed. His hyena’s grin tightened with pleasure at the question. “This timeline continues to fascinate me. Different partners, multiple Wally Wests, Iris dated Leonard Snart of all people, and you—you somehow know the answer to your life’s greatest mystery.”

A weight settled inside Barry, like a cold iron in his heart. The icy numbness that followed seemed to dull his senses. He ignored the others’ exclamations; he could see nothing but the man before him. It took an explosion of light and sound to drag his attention back to the full of his reality.

Max and Thaddeus slowed to a stop on either side of him. Thawne’s eyes widened, but he gave no voice to his surprise. Barry nearly charged him, before Iris’ cry caught his attention: “Wally! WALLY!!”

Her nephew was unconscious, perhaps dead. Barry was reminded of the corpse, Dr. Wells, and the other victims, Dr. Elias and the young man beside him. His heart ached with years of trauma and rage, but he couldn’t act on it right now. He couldn’t put his vendetta before innocent lives.

Barry had to be a superhero.

“Thaddeus, grab that kid, Wally, and get out of here. Max, I need you to take Dr. Elias and—”

But Max was already gone, speeding toward his brother with sudden desperation. Jamie took off, and he followed. Thaddeus had frozen in place, abject fear in his eyes. Barry had to handle this alone, but he couldn’t rush into it without thought. How could he take all four of the innocents at once and avoid Thawne? A vacuum, maybe, but that would be difficult to control. If only he could share his powers. If only…

Thawne pressed a ring on his finger, and out from it burst a yellow suit. This was Barry’s best opportunity. He had to take a leap of faith. Come on, Speed Force, you mystical hunk of junk! Help me out here!

“Run, Thaddeus, run!” he cried, sprinting forward.

First he grabbed hold of Elias and the other lab-coated survivor, and sped them over to Iris and Wally. Once there, Barry closed his eyes and thought only of the lightning inside him. The crackling of energy, the unseen aura around him, the limitless field deep inside his heart. He thought then of his mother, but in his mind’s eye he could see only her bloodied corpse. The connection weakened; the world slowed around him. Thawne. It was Thawne’s fault. Everything was Thawne’s fault!

Someone took his hand. Barry opened his eyes, and looked at Iris. To his surprise, she smiled at him. Even now, with her nephew’s life on the line, she trusted him. She believed everything would be all right.

Golden sparks danced from the lightning bolt on Barry’s chest to Iris’ heart. Suddenly, the world picked up speed again. Barry could feel the Speed Force, he could feel it like he never had before. The very same spark that connected him to Iris crossed to the others. Bright grins lit up their faces as they realized what was happening. Together, Barry and Iris picked up Wally.

That’s when he heard Thaddeus scream.

Thawne held him by the throat, cackling at the boy’s terror. The villain was dressed quite literally like Barry’s opposite—a reflection of his suit, the reds colored yellow, the yellows red, the white core black, and its reversed bolt slashed across his heart bloody crimson.

Thaddeus looked at Barry with pleading eyes, tears streaming down his face. Barry stepped forward, but he was already too late. In a flash of crimson lightning, Thawne disappeared with the boy in tow.

Barry looked back at the others, wondering if he stood a chance, wondering if he could save Thaddeus. He’d split his connection to the Speed Force five ways, but he couldn’t take it back. Wally was in need of immediate medical attention. Barry had to let him go, if only for the moment.

The cold weight returned. Thawne had won. He’d beaten him again.

Barry wasn’t fast enough to save everyone.

…

Max swore he was fast enough, he swore he would catch Jamie, but his brother continued to elude him. Downtown blurred beside him. They crossed into the Dregs, then back around again, and finally sped toward the Ruby Bridge. Jamie was headed for Keystone City.

But, with a sudden screeching twist, his brother decked him instead. Max tumbled across the pavement and into a parked car. Though armored, he took a beating. Metal and glass pierced his skin, but each shred of debris popped out quickly enough. The wounds closed. He healed before Jamie could even register what was happening. We are a god, Savitar cheered.

“Time to perform a miracle,” Max grumbled back.

He met his brother, and managed to overpower him, tackling him into the Missouri River. It was like their childhood all over again, wrestling in the muck of the reservation. However, a lot of time had passed since then. Max was now larger than his older brother; moreover, he had a hell of a lot more power behind him. Jamie ran on borrowed energy.

Each of Max’s punches struck with a thunderous boom. Deeper and deeper they sank. Jamie tried to fight back. He tried to return the blows, but it was pointless. Max had him beat. This was what he’d trained for, this was why he’d left.

Jamie stilled. Finally, Max took hold of his brother, and swam them back to shore. With a shock of Speed Force energy, he forced Jamie to vomit up the water in his lungs. Max picked him up, and, carrying him in a fireman’s hold, ran back to STAR Labs.

Pride coursed warmly through his body. He’d done it. He’d finally done it.

Max was fast enough to save his brother.

…

First there was darkness, then, with a crimson flash, light. Thaddeus was strapped to a chair, and trapped in what looked like a warehouse. The Reverse Flash stepped away from the light switch and, after removing his cowl, examined the pill bottle in his hand. Thaddeus’ pills.

“I went back on mode earlier, but I’m ready now. Give me those pills, and we can have a fair fight. You and me, mano a mano, Kid vs. Reverse.” Thaddeus hoped he sounded brave.

“You’re calling yourself Kid Flash?” The Reverse Flash howled with laughter. “Oh, that’s priceless. This timeline, I must say, it’s one of my favorites so far. What a fun twist.”

“You’re no Barry Allen,” Thaddeus spat back, “You’ll never be like him!”

Still, the supervillain seemed only to find amusement in his words. “Oh, I could say the same to you. The difference, truthfully, is I’m not trying to strictly be him. I want to replace him. Different supporting cast, different occupation, different heroic approach. I will deal with the Rogues permanently. You should be proud. I’m going to live your dream.”

“My dream is to be a hero; you’re the villain,” Thaddeus retorted.

“That will soon change,” Reverse Flash said. With a cock of his head, he continued, “What happened to you? This is…new. Do you even know who I am?”

The question weighed heavily upon Thaddeus. Looking to the floor, he nodded. “Yeah, I…I know. I’ve always known. No one in the family will shut up about it. Everyone blames you for where we ended up. Your legacy, it tarnished our family’s name forever.”

The Reverse Flash erupted with laughter again. He went on and on and on. Thaddeus wanted to mock him, to spit on him, but he couldn’t muster more than a grunting response. “So fragging psycho.”

“You think—let me get this straight—you think I’m, what, your great, great, great grandpoppy? When do you think I was born?” The Reverse Flash said, advancing on him.

Thaddeus shrugged. “I dunno, 23rd century? 31st? The Flash Museum doesn’t say, and no one in the family knows. But time travel makes it all sort of pointless, anyway. You’re the reason our blood went bad.” He quickly added, “Till me, anyway.”

Now just a foot away, the Reverse Flash loomed over him, shaking his head. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You absolute imbecile! I’m not the reason the Thawne family ‘went bad.’ I’m not related to you.”

“Frag that, you lying moder,” Thaddeus growled, “You’re my namesake.”

“I’d forgotten how…how stupid…” The Reverse Flash seemed unable to finish. He looked off into space, as if suddenly lost in thought. “I haven’t worn my real face for a long time. It feels almost wrong now, after all I’ve changed.” He sighed, and touched his cheek. A web of black lines crossed his pale mug, the face of a hero. “Oh well.”

The Reverse Flash peeled the module from his skin, causing the mirage—including the very tone of his voice—to fade away. What replaced it made Thaddeus want to scream, but he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t look away from those painfully familiar eyes. Everything, every inch, he recognized it all, aged as it was. The handsome Allen features worn down by generations of poverty and pain, and, of course, the kicker, the defining trait, the stark reverse of Barry Allen’s perfect golden hair—a black mane, oily, unkempt, and oh-so recognizable.

The man with Thaddeus’ face stared back at him without a smile, his ice-blue eyes empty voids of feeling.

“Eobard Thaddeus Thawne, I am you and you are me. You are your hero’s greatest villain. You are the Reverse Flash.”