Legends of the Flash #7

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Legends of the Flash #7
Snap

Written by Nikolai Peter Fomich
Edited by Daniel Dyer

Stirring amidst the hardened, cold furnishings of Albert Desmond's basement, a dazed and perturbed figure awakens to an erratic, yet mellow sound. His eyes flicker for a moment, and finally Barry Allen awakes. Rising quicker than most would in his position, the young man takes in his surroundings, disconcerted by what he doesn't see. Albert is gone, along with Barry's hope of helping his friend. For now, it seems that the unnatural secrets that Albert so desperately clung to has destroyed a friendship - and a life.

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"Freeze, police!"

Smirking, Captain Cold aims his gun to the ground below the police officer, who flips into the air as the crook fires, the gun in the officer's hand going off and ricocheting in the distance. Hearing the approach of two police vehicles, Cold turns to his left, and blasts a fire hydrant next to the closest car. The water explodes with the momentum of Cold's blast, violently rocking the hostile car to a halt. Soon bullets flair by the fleeting fugitive, and Captain Cold freezes the ground behind him so he cannot be followed.

"Damn it, where are you!?" the crook yells into his wrist-band communicator. Damn it.

Suddenly, ahead of him another costumed figure pops out of a store window.

"Come on, Len! Let's get out of here!"

Not thinking twice about it, Captain Cold jumps into the reflective surface.

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Mirror Master Escapes! The headline jumps out at Barry, accusingly. If he was a different kind of person, Barry might have thrown the paper, venting his anger at the problems that have piled up since the lightning strike. Instead, he simply sets it down carefully, and picks up the phone. "Iris? Hey honey, can we talk?"

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Lightning crashes, as shameless rain callously bounces into the Central City streets, forcing all manner of pedestrians to take cover. Running toward a well-known coffee house, Iris West uses the latest Central City Daily to shield her malleable hair from the rain. Entering the small building, Iris looks around to find a table for herself and Barry. Whenever he gets here, anyway. Before she can look any further, she spots Barry himself, already being waited on. Will wonders never cease?

"The usual, Nadia. Thanks."

"On time, Barry? Something I should know?"

"Hey Iris." Getting up to kiss her, Barry's smile borders on a blush.

"So how goes the supervillain-hunting?" Barry's face tightens for an instant.

"You mean at the police department? Alright, I suppose. Now with Captain Cold breaking Mirror Master from prison, it's been doubly hard. It's frustrating, you know?"

"But at least you have Frank and Albert, to help you out." Turning to face the rain outside, Barry suddenly seems very far away. "At least you have me."

Barry smiles again, and a look of resolution hardens his soft face. "Iris, I want to tell you something. You see, I- "

A crashing explosion rocks the neighboring building, distinct from the lightning because of its power.

"Iris, stay here. I'm going to call the police and see if there is anything I can do."

"Barry, what's- "

"Iris, please."

After a quick embrace, Barry is gone.

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

The chaos around the streets of the promenade is uncanny. People run for cover as two self-dubbed supervillains steal as they please, fighting the police as they make their way store to store.

"See, Len? What could be more fun then this? I told you a shopping trip would be a blast!" says the Mirror Master, as he jumps through a reflective surface to avoid police bullets.

"I'm just here for the money," his partner replies, as he blasts his way through to the next building. Grabbing what petty cash he can, Cold throws the money into a bag, which he later gives to Mirror Master to send to their hideout, via his crazy technology.

"Sure you are! That cold demeanor of yours might fool others, but I know for a fact- you enjoy this as much as I do!"

As much as he hated to admit it, Mirror Master was right. They could be hitting another bank, or a depository- instead it was the shopping center. Aw, hell. This is fun.

Suddenly, the sound of glass being crashed is heard. Then another. Then another. All around the two villains, mirror surfaces are being destroyed. Without thinking, Mirror Master jumps inside the nearest reflection - one of the few that has not been destroyed yet. Amidst the myriad of noise, Sam Scudder screams to his partner. "Cold, get in! Hurry! It' the - " A gloved red fist smashes the final reflective surface.

"Hello, 'Captain'. Long time, no see."

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"Faster...faster than time... faster than..." A shell of a man walks among the ruins of his home. Professor Eobard Thawne had awaken in his hospital bed dazed... and angry. He remembers an argument... something about the Flash. And voices... familiar ones. Kenyon... that's who it was! Kenyon... and Allen. Barry Allen. Conspiracy theories bounce through the traumatized man's head, until he sees a yellow cloth. Then, only plots of revenge fill his broken mind.

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

A powered ice-blast jumps out at the Flash, who runs to safety onto the other side of the room. It was a stand-off. Flash could not get to Captain Cold, who had surrounded himself with ice- something that didn't bode well with the Flash's power. But by the same token, Captain Cold could not set a foot out of his circle of ice, whereas the Flash would catch him within seconds. Great.

The wall of the clothing shop suddenly gives way and begins to collapse near the Flash, though he quickly moves to safety. Finally figuring a way out, Cold freezes the roof above him- and then propels himself. Without thinking, the Flash grabs a handful of purses and begins throwing them at the criminal at top speeds. "Agh!" One hits his leg, and another his shoulder. Falling to the ground, another comes out of nowhere, the propelled object knocking the freeze gun out of his hand, and onto the ice which encircles him. "Damn it!"

Running as fast as he can, Cold falls and slides on the ice, stomach facing the ground, as he reaches for the gun.

Taking a risk as well, the Flash runs across the ice, but soon slips, and crashes into the nearby fitting room. Throwing a shirt off his head, Flash sees ice an inch from his face.

Knocking what he can out of his way as he runs to avoid the beam of ice, and ignoring as much pain as he can, the Flash leaps across the room toward his enemy. "You won't escape this time, Cold!" Ducking to avoid another blast, Flash hears a crash, and moves to avoid the various shards of ice as they fall to the ground from the already frozen roof. Running up the tower of ice that Cold had created to escape, it is through sheer will that Barry doesn't slip and fall. Everything else has gone wrong these past few months. I'm not losing this fight.

When he reaches the top, he sees Cold making his way, using an ice slide cross from building to building. Cold had gotten far- he seemed headed for the city. But now the Flash uses the ice to his advantage. Sliding across the sled of ice and picking up speed, Flash jumps through the air and down toward one of the lower buildings where the crook is located. Grabbing him as he pummels downward, they both smash through glass panels of the local aquarium. Both men are down among the bits of glass, and breath heavy for an instant- though Cold is the first to get up.

Rising as well, the Flash finds his enemy gone. He can't have wandered too far.

Walking amongst the sea-tanks, Flash sees a smaller, household fish-tank, holding a strange looking clownfish. Suddenly, ice bursts through it, and Flash moves out of the way. Directly ahead of him is his enemy. But the look on Cold's face... Turning around, Flash sees another tank, completely frozen. This one was bigger than the clownfish tank. Much bigger. Turning to run, the tank breaks, releasing a huge flow of water and doomed sea creatures amongst the combatants. Cold is about to freeze the water, but realizes that he would probably get frozen along with it. Each costumed character grabs hold of something, as the water passes them and dies down.

Coughing, they both seem exhausted. "Can't - catch a break - can I?" Cold says, leaning against a broken tank filled with dull-colored fish.

Pushing himself up, Flash almost smiles. "You're - telling me."

For a moment, the combatants look at each other, weary. Suddenly, each realize that Cold's gun is no longer in the criminal's hand. The tide of water had taken it. Realizing the fight is over, neither make a move to harm the other, and instead take a moment's respite.

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

In the days that follow, Barry- or more appropriately, the Flash, is kept busy, helping to rebuild much of what was destroyed. Soon, everything seems to mellow down. Declared a hero, the Flash is offered (and gladly accepts) the key to the city. The notoriety does not get to Barry's head- but the continued attacks on his person does.

"I'm just saying Fiona, Creed Phillips may be a decent fellow, but the Senator's repeated attacks on the Flash are unfounded." Fiona Webb, Barry's neighbor and new friend, was taking Barry to a press conference that Senator Phillips had called for. Iris was there, and they were suppose to have lunch together afterwards anyway.

"You're preaching to the choir, Barry. But if anything, Senator Phillips is head-strong. And now, along with his support in the business community- "

"'Business community'? What do you mean, Fiona?"

"Didn't you hear who's giving the speech today? I think he's a friend of yours."

* * *

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"I am proud to present here today a man well-known to all the citizens of Central City. His works as a scientist and his unwavering sense of public duty is second to none. In fact, it is such a care and love for the people which has urged him to appear today. Ladies and gentlemen... Mr. Keith Kenyon." In a low whisper, such that only Kenyon can hear him, Creed Phillips adds "This better be good."

A secretive smile is Kenyon's only reply. Oh, it is. "Thank you, Senator Phillips. Our Senator is right when he says it is my conscious which has urged me to appear in front of you all today. What I have to say is of paramount importance. You see I know who the Flash is... and he is standing right in this room!" The murmurs of the crowd start up instantaneously, much to the vengeful Keith Kenyon's pleasure. I'll win yet.

Above all the onlookers, a mysterious figure smiles, delicately but dangerously. It is time. Suddenly, a single snap is heard, a blurred figure preceding and following the noise. In midsentence, Keith Kenyon falls, dead.

Continued...