Arthur Blackwynd's Estate - The Underground Base
Beneath the quiet elegance of Arthur's Estate, hidden behind layers of lead and wards woven by the most powerful magic users in the world, the handiwork of Raven and Arthur's finest magic users in his legion, the underground base was vast, its walls lined with holographic displays that showed the status of Nyx, the movements of Shadow Lanterns across the sectors, and the ever-shifting patterns of cosmic threats that Arthur had dedicated his existence to monitoring.
Arthur sat in a chair near the center of the chamber, his eyes fixed on the displays, his violet eyes flickered with the light of the data streams.
Shadow Lex Luthor stood before the main console, his fingers moving across the interface and behind him, Shadow Owl worked in silence, his own interface glowing with the soft light of analysis and calculation. His form was more reserved, but his mind was no less formidable.
"Lex. What have you found?" Arthur asked.
Shadow Lex paused, his fingers hovering over the interface. He turned to face his monarch, with a satisfied look.
"My King, after extensive analysis of the temporal signature at Kent Farm, cross-referencing the residual energy patterns with known Speed Force fluctuations and accounting for the unique quantum signature of Earth's timestream, I have confirmed that there is indeed a disturbance." He paused, letting the words sink in. "One that resembles the Speed Force. And it is recent, within the last twenty-four hours, Earth standard time."
Arthur rose from his chair, walking toward the console, his gaze fixed on the data streaming across the display. "Good so I'm not crazy, Now can you detect where he came from? The time, the world, the exact moment?" He paused. "That would be a great help."
Shadow Lex nodded slowly, his fingers already moving across the interface, pulling up new data streams. "Naturally, my King. I have been studying the powers of various League members.. The Flash and Superman, especially, for years. Their abilities, their limitations, their potential applications." His eyes gleamed. "The Speed Force is such a phenomenal force of the universe. Very tricky. Very dangerous to be tampered with."
He paused, his eyes fixed on the display.
"Not many can tap into it. The Flash alone does, as far as we know." He glanced at Arthur, "And you, my King."
Arthur smiled and shook his head. "I have a lesser ability compared to it, it is not even close, Speed Step is a very basic ability, the system did point out that I could tap into it if the ability evolved, but it never did, at least I don't feel like it did.."
"I believe it has to do with The Flash's existence. You cannot tap into it because he exists." He paused, his voice dropping to a more contemplative tone. "The Speed Force is not merely a power source, it is a fundamental aspect of reality itself. It is the force that connects all things, that binds the multiverse together. And it is tied to those who can access it, who can channel its power."
He paused, his eyes meeting Arthur's.
"The Flash exists, and that existence creates a kind of... resonance. A harmonic that prevents others from accessing the Speed Force in the same way. You can tap into its edges, its shadows, but you cannot fully immerse yourself in it." He paused. "But that is just my theory, my Monarch, I can't confirm it myself."
Shadow Owl spoke from his position at the secondary console. "In order to tap into it, to see everything for yourself.. .The Flash needs to die." His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "The Speed Force would then seek a new vessel, a new connection. And you would be the logical choice, given your connection to death and your ability to channel cosmic forces."
Arthur's voice was flat, "That will not happen."
Shadow Owl's head bowed, "Apologies, my King. That was not a suggestion from me. I merely stated what is required to achieve such a result." He paused, his voice softening, just slightly. "I am aware that The Flash is a... valuable ally. His death would be a significant loss."
Arthur's eyes softened, just slightly. "I know what you meant, Owl."
Shadow Owl straightened, "You could also convince The Flash to use the Speed Force and see this timeline for yourself, before it goes into destruction. You could ask him to carry you with him, to show you what he has seen." He paused. "Naturally, since the future one warned you, something big must have happened. Enough to go back in time and do what he did. Enough to risk the consequences of temporal tampering."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, his mind already turning over the implications, weighing the risks. "That could work. I can survive the Speed Force, but I need someone to guide me through it." He paused. "And who is better than Barry?"
Shadow Lex's voice carried a tone of caution, "First, we need to identify where future Barry came from, before we proceed with this. The exact time, the exact world, the exact moment." His eyes met Arthur's. "That way, you can easily navigate through time. You will know where to go, when to arrive and what to expect."
He paused, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.
"Are you sure you want to proceed with this plan, my King? Temporal tampering is... unpredictable. Even with the best preparation, there are risks. Paradoxes. Changes that cascade through the timestream like ripples in a pond... even for a higher being of Death like yourself."
Arthur was silent for a long moment, his mind turning over the question, the risks, the potential consequences.
Then he spoke, "I don't know, I also kind of promised Batman not to tell Barry..."
Shadow Lex's eyebrow rose, a flicker of the old Lex Luthor peeking through the shadow. "And since when do you listen to him, my Monarch?"
Arthur's laugh was dry, surprised. "Good question.." He paused, his eyes distant, contemplative. "When did I start listening to him I wonder?"
"We could also try to build a time portal. It would require significantly more time... days, perhaps weeks, but it is more precise and less dangerous than tampering with the Speed Force." He paused. "It would also leave Barry out of this entirely. He would not need to know, would not need to be involved." Owl said calmly.
Arthur nodded slowly, then he spoke. "Lex, Owl, find out where future Barry came from. The exact time, the exact world." He paused. "Then we'll decide what to do."
Both shadows bowed their heads. "As you command, Monarch."
George appeared at the edge of the chamber, like a shadow even though he was just a human, he had been listening, as he always did, his expression was filled with concern, his hands clasped behind his back, his silver hair catching the light of the displays.
"Master Arthur," he said, "You wish to travel through time now? To alter the course of events before they unfold?"
Arthur turned to face him, his expression softening. "To prevent destruction, yes. I would." He paused. "So I won't have time for regrets."
His voice dropped, becoming quieter, more vulnerable.
"If the threat only was about me, I wouldn't care. But our enemies... they know who to target. And we don't." He paused, his eyes meeting George's. "And that's scary.. Nothing scares me more than... losing those who I care most about."
George was silent for a long moment, his eyes searching Arthur's face, he had served Arthur for years, had watched him grow into the being in front of him, to someone that carries the fate of the universe. But he had never seen him like this, uncertain and almost afraid.
Then he spoke, "I wish I could argue against that, Master Arthur." He paused. "But I cannot."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone.
"But do your own thing. I just want to let you know that since Lady Kara only returned home recently, she will not be very pleased with this news." He paused. "And I have a feeling that even Lady Raven will not agree to this."
Arthur's jaw tightened. "They don't have to know." He paused. "As for Kara, keep her entertained. Distracted." His eyes glowed faintly. "I'm glad this base is fully covered by lead, otherwise she would know I'm here. Planning to do something."
George sighed. "Whatever you say, Master Arthur." He paused, his voice dropping to a murmur. "How about your dear mother and brother?"
Arthur shook his head firmly, his eyes hardening. "Of course they also don't have to know."
George's eyebrow rose. "Should I be worried that I would be erased from existence since you'll be messing with time?"
Arthur's laugh was warm and genuine. "No."
George's expression relaxed with a smile on his face. "Good to know."
Arthur's smile widened, his eyes softening with warmth. "Don't worry, George. I will not allow your existence to be erased." He paused. "I would reset the universe, just for you if that ever happens."
George's laugh was a warm, a rare display of emotion from the usually composed butler and caretaker. "How reassuring, hearing that coming from you, Master Arthur." He paused, "In that case, there is nothing for me to worry about."
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