Morning sunlight washed over the busy city street as Wally trudged forward, hands in his pockets, jaw clenched. Next to him, tiny 10-year-old Amadeus Cho bounced with way too much energy for someone Wally was forced to babysit.
Amadeus poked Wally's pant leg for the 20th time.
Amadeus: Hey, Mr. West.
Wally (snapped): I DON'T HAVE CASH ANYMORE, YOU BRAT! NOW SCRAM!
But Amadeus didn't even blink. Instead, he pointed upward. Look.
Wally followed his finger eyes rising to a massive electronic billboard towering over the street.
His jaw dropped open.
Wally: What the fu—
Then stopped himself and cleared his throat as his eyes widened when he noticed Amadeus staring at him.
Wally (sigh): Wait... My bad. I almost fogot you're basically here kid? Sorry, brat.
Amadeus simply nodded like a disappointed parent and his hands behind his back like he'd seen this coming.
On the billboard was a giant headline:
"Fastest Men Alive? Quicksilver outruns mysterious speed hero in botched last year!"
Below it was a blurry picture of Wally and Quicksilver, with Wally looking like he tripped on air.
Wally staring at the billboard a very long moment then start to trembling with pure rage. He reached behind into some unknown pocket of speedster physics, pulled out a random pillow, and bit it like a starving wolf.
Wally (grumble): How dare they make allegations about me… They really compared me to Quicksilver!? Seriously?!
Amadeus tilted his head innocently.
Amadeus: More like you are a slow runner, Mr. West.
Wally froze and slowly turned his head, eyes narrowing into glowing red pinpoints of offense.
Wally (shout): WHAT?! Who do you think you are telling me that?!
Amadeus (shrugged): I don't know. Maybe someone who thinks you need a trainer for your powers? I guess? Old man?
Wally (shout): I'M 25!
Wally houted so loud a car alarm went off across the street and continue to muffled with pillow fluff in his teeth tearing into the pillow again, mumbling into it.
Wally: Why didn't I listen to Jimmy when he said don't babysit this little brat…
Amadeus tilted his head with an innocent look that was clearly fake.
Amadeus: I wonder who made that billboard, Mr. West?
Meanwhile, inside the Daily Bugle…
J. Jonah Jameson stood in his office like a king on a mountain of slanderous headlines. He threw his head back and laughed in pure villainous joy, holding a fresh newspaper mock-up.
J. Jonah: Another hero ruined by me! J.Jonah Jameson himself!!
he shouted.
J. Jonah: Vigilante always a criminal! Just like Spider-Man! HA!
The staff around him pretended to type harder, terrified.
Back on the street with Wally and Amadeus…
Amadeus glanced at Wally, who was still chewing the abused pillow like it owed him money.
Amadeus: Uhhh, Mr. West? Maybe it's time to stop staring at the billboard… and go to Mr. Zelinsky to make you a new suit?
Wally froze mid–pillow bite.
Wally: You're right…
He muttered, spitting out feathers. Then he looked down at Amadeus.
Wally: So, kid… you know the location?
Amadeus nodded calmly.
Wally nodded too and kneel down.
Wally (smirk): C'mon, hop on my back tightly. I'm gonna use my speed to get there, because I am the fastest man alive!
Amadeus, without hesitation, replied.
"More like slowest man alive...?"
Wally felt it immediately like a knife to the chest, twisted twice.
Wally (dramatic): Br-Brat… Your words cut deep. Deeper than any blade!
Amadeus (nonchalantly): I know.
As Amadeus already climbing onto Wally back like this was random routine.
Wally took a deep breath.
Wally: Alright, kid… now give me the map.
Amadeus, still clinging onto Wally's back in a casual piggyback, patted his pockets with one hand.
Amadeus: Uhhh… hold on… left pocket… right pocket… jacket pocket… oh.
Wally blinked.
Wally: Oh what?
Amadeus paused.
"I… kinda… lost it."
Wally's eye twitched.
Wally: What.
Silence.
Both of them froze in place like someone had hit the mute button on life.
A soft breeze passed.
A random bird landed on a nearby mailbox, stared at them, then shouted at full volume:
KWAK!KWAK!KWAAAAK!
Wally slowly turned his head toward Amadeus, veins appearing on his forehead.
Wally: Kid… tell me you're joking.
Amadeus: I wish... I was.
KWAAAAK! screamed the bird again, like it was laughing at them.
Wally sighed so hard it could've powered a wind turbine.
Wally: I'm starting to think abandoning you in Savage Island kid...
Amadeus (nervous): You're joking right? Right??
Wally: I wish... I was...