Backstage, Cisco stared at the armed robber in disbelief for a moment, then turned to Barry, his voice tense.
"What should we do?"
"I don't know," Barry replied, eyes fixed on the unfolding robbery, "but someone has to stop him."
He grabbed a nearby scarf and wrapped it around his face, leaving only his eyes visible. It was a birthday gift from Alice, something he treasured deeply. Taking a steady breath, he prepared to rush out.
Cisco stopped him immediately.
"Wait, Barry!"
"What?"
"If you charge in like that, you could expose yourself."
Though usually laid back, Cisco's tone sharpened with urgency.
"This is police work. Let professionals handle it."
"I am a police officer."
"As a forensic assistant?" Cisco shot back. "Your arm is still injured. Think about what you're doing."
Barry shook his head.
"I can't stand by. I have to do something."
Cisco glanced toward Dr. Wells on stage, then looked back at Barry.
"Don't you get it? You're the most important part of this. Dr. Wells said you're all he has left. No company, no reputation, not even his legs, but he has you. Your body is different, Barry. You healed faster than anyone should."
He stepped closer, voice lowering.
"He believes you could be the key to new medical breakthroughs. Vaccines, treatments, fortunes, all of it could come from you. You can't throw that away just to play hero."
Barry lowered his head, his voice quiet.
"Is that really what you think?"
"Yes. And it's what Dr. Wells thinks too."
Silence hung between them.
Barry's mind drifted to that night, the night his mother died, the night his father was taken away in handcuffs while he could only watch, powerless.
"I've spent my whole life chasing answers," Barry said slowly. "Trying to understand what happened. Trying to prove my father's innocence. Back then, I couldn't do anything. But now… now I have a chance to help someone. I won't walk away from that."
"And what if you're just a guy who got struck by lightning?" Cisco pressed.
Barry hesitated.
"I don't know. But I can't accept doing nothing."
Cisco's serious expression broke into a grin. He clapped Barry on the shoulder.
"Relax. I was messing with you. I believe in you. I was just doing my best Dr. Wells impression."
Barry blinked.
"Go on," Cisco added, stepping aside. "Just don't forget to keep your identity secret."
Grateful, Barry nodded.
"Thanks, Cisco."
He turned and rushed out.
Inside the hall, the situation had grown tense.
Sophia's father, Mr. Albert, stood up calmly despite the danger. He gave his wife a reassuring glance before addressing the masked leader.
"I'm willing to pay ten million dollars. Just don't hurt anyone. Avoiding casualties benefits you too. You won't have the entire Central City Police Department hunting you."
As a seasoned investor, Albert remained composed. He stepped forward carefully, hands raised, then slowly pulled out his checkbook.
The leader in the black mask laughed and embraced him mockingly.
"Finally, someone sensible."
He leaned in, his voice sharp.
"A city-wide manhunt? That's exactly what we want."
He turned to address the room.
"This world is already beyond saving. And here you all are, talking about technology like it will fix everything."
On stage, Dr. Wells sat silently in his wheelchair, his expression tight with anger.
"Power is consolidating. People like Homelander are tightening their grip across the country. And you expect a future under that kind of rule?"
The leader shook his head, then refocused.
"We're not here just for money. If we were, we'd rob a bank. No, we want something bigger."
He grabbed Albert by the collar.
"We want to become famous."
He waved the signed check.
"Red Cardinal, take it. Go with Black Mamba. Get back to base."
Two armed men took the check and left without a word.
Four robbers remained, controlling the room.
Albert was shoved back into the crowd.
Just as the robbers prepared to leave, Rachel suddenly stood.
"You're not taking that money!"
Her voice cut through the tension.
Sophia froze beside her, eyes wide. Her parents looked horrified.
Rachel stepped forward, anger burning in her expression.
"You can't just take it!"
The masked leader turned, amused. He approached her slowly.
"And what if I don't give it back?"
"I'll take it myself."
He laughed.
"Brave girl. Wrong place for courage."
He raised his gun.
That was enough.
A sharp gust of wind tore through the hall.
Barry moved.
In an instant, he was in front of the leader, grabbing the gun and kicking him in the abdomen. The shot fired upward, shattering the chandelier above.
Glass rained down as people screamed and scattered.
The hall descended into chaos.
Barry followed up with a strike aimed at the man's throat, but the leader reacted quickly, dodging and countering with a powerful kick that sent Barry crashing into a row of chairs.
Pain surged through his body, but he forced himself back up.
Then everything changed.
A thick white fog began to spread across the room.
It appeared unnaturally fast, filling the space and limiting visibility.
Barry tensed, scanning his surroundings.
Most people had fled. Only a few remained, including Rachel, Sophia's family, and Dr. Wells with Cisco.
Footsteps approached.
Barry raised his guard, but it was Rachel.
She looked at him curiously.
"Are you related to Bart?"
"Bart?"
"Bart Allen. He runs just like you."
Barry shook his head.
"I don't know him."
Rachel seemed disappointed but quickly refocused.
"We need to stop him."
She extended her hand, then paused.
"No, I've got this."
A dark energy emerged from her body, forming a crow-like shape that shot forward into the fog.
Moments later, a loud impact echoed.
The mist shifted.
A figure stepped out.
With a simple motion, he dispersed the shadow construct.
Barry's eyes widened.
Without hesitation, he activated his speed and charged.
Time slowed.
The world blurred as he closed the distance in less than a second.
Then he saw the man's face.
Something about it felt familiar.
As Barry moved to strike, unease gripped him.
The man's eyes moved.
He was tracking him.
Shock hit Barry instantly.
Impossible.
His punch slowed as doubt crept in.
Then the man moved.
Within the same slowed space, he reached out, faster than Barry expected.
Panic surged.
Barry tried to change direction, but the sudden shift threw off his balance.
He crashed hard into another pile of chairs, the impact echoing through the hall.
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