Chapter 59: Chapter 58
AN: So does anybody know what the hell the original author meant when he asked me to turn Myles into a psychotic version of Johnny Cage when he becomes the singularity? I know he's from Mortal Kombat but does he want a change in character or does he mean he wants me to turn Myles murders into a funny overkill? I have a feeling he is trying to prank me with these because he knows I have a habit of overthinking things. Is this about the meme of Johnny Cage's theme, "international love?" Ugh, I hate it when he does this to me. Now I have an idea that the MC superpower is basically parrying everything, like Dante's Royal Guard but on steriods. Anyway, can you guys please help me with what the hell he is asking me?
***
Star Labs has always stood as a beacon of scientific innovation and discovery. However, on this particular morning, the atmosphere within the high-tech facility was far from its usual bustling and optimistic self. The air was heavy with tension, and the hum of machinery seemed to echo the unease that had settled over Team Flash.
The events of the previous night had left everyone on edge. The man in yellow, a speedster who appeared out of nowhere, had launched a sudden and brutal attack on Barry Allen. The scarlet speedster had managed to narrowly escape, but the aftermath had left Star Labs in disarray. The team was now grappling with the possibility that the man in yellow had kidnapped Harrison Wells, the brilliant mind behind the particle accelerator.
In the central command area of Star Labs, Cisco Ramon was hunched over his workstation, fingers dancing across the keyboard as he sifted through data. His typically vibrant and witty demeanor was replaced by a furrowed brow, a clear sign of the gravity of the situation. Beside him, Caitlin Snow paced nervously, glancing at the monitors with a sense of urgency.
"Any sign of Wells, Cisco?" Caitlin asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Cisco shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "Nada. It's like Wells vanished into thin air. I've checked every security camera, every inch of this place. Nothing."
Across the room, Joe West leaned against a table, arms folded. He had seen his fair share of chaos, but the mysterious speedster's appearance had thrown everyone for a loop. "I've been looking into this guy. No matches in any criminal database, no records at all. It's like he doesn't exist. But he's real, and he's dangerous," he said
"I can't believe this.We finally got rid of one crazy but we have to deal with another one. Barry gets attacked, and now Wells is missing!" Cisco yelled, his gaze focused on the ground.
Just like Barry, Cisco had always idolized Wells and the idea that his idol or father figure was possibly kidnapped and tortured by a psychopath was taking a toll.
Barry Allen stood at the center of the room, still recovering from the assault. His jaw clenched, and a mix of determination and frustration etched across his face. "We can't waste any time. We need to find Wells before that maniac does something to him."
As the team deliberated, the particle accelerator chamber, once a symbol of scientific achievement, loomed in the background, casting a shadow over the room. The very technology that had granted Barry his superhuman abilities now seemed to be a source of vulnerability.
***
Hartley was extremely happy. He would have cried, but he was too busy doing something important for Myles. Myles had been nice enough to visit him by hacking the system and disabling the power dampener in his cell. This allowed Hartley to use his superhearing. When he overheard Team Flash talking about the man in yellow, Hartley's heart leaped with joy. Myles had promised him revenge, which he delivered by driving Eobard insane.
Hartley couldn't help but think about how Eobard must have looked when Myles shattered his dream of returning to his timeline. He didn't really care about the details of what Myles did, as long as it hurt Eobard. Myles took away Eobard's future after Eobard took away Hartley's future. It seemed like a fitting payback.
When they brought Myles' frozen body, Hartley was actually worried. But then he heard from Grodd that Myles had managed to jump into another body, although he had become weaker.
"Not so funny now, is it, Thawne?" Hartley hissed with joy.
"Hello? Hello? Hartley, are you there?" Myles' voice echoed in his head.
"Grodd is offended about this," Grodd joined in.
"Don't worry, dude. This is just temporary until I regain most of my powers. So, until then, you're my go-to guy," Myles casually shrugged.
"GRODD IS NOT A PHONE!" The gorilla roared. Hartley was sure Grodd was about to strangle their boss.
"You are! You big, black gorilla. What do you think you are right now?" Myles joked.
"Grodd will rip your heart out!" Grodd growled.
"Are you sure you want to risk me taking over your body?" Myles asked, genuinely curious.
Hmm... Myles and his metapowers were indeed intriguing. He had so many abilities that he himself wasn't entirely aware of what else he could do. Even his ability to jump between bodies was a recent discovery. But it was also clear that some of his powers weren't under his control, which annoyed him. He didn't want to find himself in a tough situation or unintentionally helping Team Flash defeat him, unless it somehow benefited his own interests.
"Anyway, how's the Snail Squad doing?" Myles inquired.
"Right now, they're searching for Eobard. Speaking of which, you said you would help me, but what exactly did you do?" Hartley asked.
"Oh, that? I fucked with his family tree," Myles said matter-of-factly. "Actually, I might have started with his great-great grandmother and worked my way up."
"But you said Thawne was from the future. How did you manage to do that?"
"Well, do you really think time travel is only possible for speedsters?" Myles countered.
"But we don't have the technology for that!" Hartley exclaimed, and then he heard Myles laugh.
"That's why I took the hard way. I made sure to motivate my future self to date every Thawne."
"That doesn't make sense. That would mean you'd have to repeat this process for decades, maybe even centuries. Our lifespans are at most 100 years, and Thawne c..."
"I KNOW~ That's why you don't mess with time, Hartley. Things get really messed up if you do. That's why I'm turning every monkey into a meta. If I can find one that can make a copy of me, then I'll program it to be released at a specific time with one mission only."
Hartley decided to stop making sense when it came to finding logic in his boss. Otherwise, he'll go insane trying.
***
Melanie found herself in a surreal dreamscape, a place between reality and illusion. As tendrils of mist enveloped her, the world around her shifted and contorted, mirroring the profound transformation taking place within her mind. In this ethereal realm, the echoes of her original persona and the artificial brainwashing clashed, creating a discordant symphony of conflicting thoughts.
Her original self, a beacon of independence and resilience, stood in stark contrast to the brainwashed version that emerged slowly, like a phantom creeping from the shadows. The two personas existed side by side, each vying for dominance over Melanie's consciousness.
"You can't let him control you like this," urged her original self, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "Fight back, Melanie. Remember who you are."
The brainwashed version, however, wore an expression of serene fanaticism. Her eyes gleamed with an unwavering loyalty to Myles, the architect of her conditioning. "Why fight when Myles has shown me the way? He gave me purpose in this messed-up world. Unlike our parents who abandoned us because we fell in love"
The dream-like setting echoed with the subtle hum of tension as the two Melanies squared off, a battlefield of conflicting ideologies. The original Melanie pleaded, "He brainwashed us, manipulated our thoughts. We can break free from his control. We were strong, independent. Don't let him erase who we are."
The brainwashed Melanie, however, maintained an unwavering conviction. " No he freed us from confusion and doubt. You're clinging to an illusion of freedom. Myles opened our eyes to a higher truth, a purpose beyond individual desires."
The argument escalated, with the dream landscape warping in response to the internal struggle. Shadows danced across the surreal scenery, mirroring the internal turmoil within Melanie's psyche. Her original self desperately tried to break through the programmed loyalty, emphasizing the importance of personal agency and free will.
But as the clash intensified, it became apparent that the brainwashing had woven itself deeply into the fabric of Melanie's being. The two personas, instead of battling for dominance, began to merge in a surreal dance, creating a hybrid identity where brainwashed devotion coexisted with the vestiges of individuality.
Tears welled up in the eyes of the original Melanie as she realized the futility of her struggle. "I can't let him take you away from me," she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of both sorrow and resignation.
As they mixed together, the original Melanie looked at the new blend with tears in her eyes, saying, "I can't stop him, can I?"
The merged Melanie looked at her with a tranquil smile, a disturbing sense of serenity emanating from her. "Myles showed me the truth: as long as we're useful, we'll never be alone."
Melanie's conflicting selves solidified, leaving behind a changed, yet eerily serene, individual. The dreamscape faded away, leaving Melanie in a reality where the fusion of brainwashed loyalty and original resilience had become the new foundation of her altered identity.
***
After having a conversation with Hartley, Myles proceeded to seek out Melanie, while Shawna stood by his side, acting as his protector. Out of all the individuals he had transformed, Melanie was the one who underwent the most extensive changes. Myles was unaware of what abilities she had acquired, as he intended to keep it a surprise for himself.
His curiosity was swiftly satisfied as the transformation process concluded, causing Myles to raise an eyebrow in disbelief. He wondered if Melanie had just modified the size of her hips, waist, and breasts. However, he dismissed those thoughts and instead focused on her overall appearance.
To his astonishment, Melanie's body had turned partially transparent, emitting a shimmering silver glow, almost reminiscent of liquid metal. Faint wisps of energy encircled her figure, giving her an ethereal and otherworldly presence. Her eyes radiated a formidable intensity, reflecting the immense power flowing within her.
Additionally, she now wore a sleek and form-fitting suit, seemingly materializing from the quantum energy under her command. The deep, iridescent black color of the suit possessed patterns that shifted in a manner resembling the cosmos. Intricate silver lines traced along her body, adding to the intricate design.
Directing her gaze towards Myles, Melanie made a sudden move, prompting Shawna to swiftly position herself in front, prepared to teleport Myles to safety. She had already imagined a secure hiding place where they could seek refuge. However, Melanie caught Myles off guard by pulling him into a tight embrace, accompanied by a seductive smile.
"So, boss, care for some fun?" she coyly inquired.
"No," Myles replied plainly.
"Oh, come on!" Melanie exclaimed in frustration, raising her arms exasperatedly. "What's wrong with me?" she questioned, accentuating every curve of her body.
"Nothing. I only want to avoid the risk of you injuring my pelvis," Myles stated matter-of-factly.
"But I can fix it," Melanie pouted.
"And I'm regretting making you constantly aroused as a joke," Myles thought, his expression unchanging. "Once we fix my actual body, then I'll consider it. But until then, the answer is no. Furthermore, this body is underage, and I may be a bit deranged, but I'm not a pedophile."
"Damn it!" Melanie cursed. "I completely forgot about that aspect."
Shawna could remain stoic but one could see some disgust in her eyes. Perhaps it was remnants of her lost humanity but even then, it was barely there.
"For now, let's focus on training and discovering your newfound abilities. We have time since Speedy Backstabber, or Thawne, is keeping the Flash occupied," Myles suggested as he exited the room.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone