While in Invisible Mode, the floating city landed in its destination.
"Finally arrived," sighed Edward. "Quickly check what time period we are in?"
"According to my calculations and data, the Flash is in its fourth year or Season Four."
Edward grunted, "So we couldn't land in his early years?"
"We're lucky we could navigate such a troublesome Multiverse, so don't expect to be able to land at any point in time," said Morgana. "So, what's our plan? According to our simulations, Barry won't be as understanding or cooperating as the Doctor."
"That's why I wanted to land early. We could have easily infiltrated Team Flash by working at Star Lab and get what we wanted."
"We have to adapt, so what's the plan?"
"We don't know how much time before the Convergence ends. So, let's use a more forceful yet still peaceful method."
"What does that even mean?"
"Barry created an alternate reality in his third year when he traveled back in time and changed his mother's death. Although he left that reality, it should still exist. Our first visit should be there. Locate it."
"As you wish."
Morgana could monitor the entire planet and the surrounding realities and dimensions connected to it. And even if she could not, she could use a Cause and Effect Spell to find the reality connected to Barry.
"Found it," she declared, and the team did not hesitate to travel to that alternative reality. The process was not smooth despite the fact they were not navigating the multiverse.
"What did the scan find?" asked Edward.
"Barry Allen is not here, as we expected. However, oddly enough, I could not find Savatar as well."
"So, Barry was not the only one who escaped that reality," muttered Edward. "So, is only Kid Flash left?"
"Yes."
"Capture him."
The process took some time and effort, but it was done perfectly. Edward looked at the young Wally West in this particular prison he made for Speedster.
"Show me the scan and preliminary result."
The first thing they learned about Speedsters is that it was impossible to read their mind or control them, and that's because the Speed Force was protecting them.
Edward frowned at this result because he knew this was not an innate ability of any of the Flashes. Gorilla Grodd has controlled Barry's mind on many occasions.
After this preliminary result, he looked at Wally's Life Code, which was as the show revealed. Dark Matter altered his cells and DNA, allowing him to tap into a special force in the universe — the Speed Force. He did not care much for the Life Code alteration, as his focus was more on the Speed Force.
For his experiment, Edward used Dark Matter to alter a clone's Life Code to copy Kid Flash, creating his own Speedster. Then, he ran multiple tests on the subject.
"This can be considered a failure," commented Morgana.
"Indeed." Although they created a speedster, the latter's connection to the Speed Force was subpar, thus preventing them from learning its essence.
"What's more, it's the same for this subject— we cannot read or control their minds." Such an anomaly was worrying.
"So, what's next?" asked the purple-haired clone.
"Let's clone Wally West and see if there is a difference."
The result of the experiment's second round was different, even by leagues. The clone had a deeper connection to the Speed Force, thus not only making him faster but also could use different abilities.
However, when compared to the original, they were still not in the same league. Wally did not want to cooperate with this experiment despite the promise of his release; he did not even accept the threat to his family, which was out of character for Wally.
So, Edward had to make it look like the dungeon holding him had a faulty system and allow him to escape. While running, he gathered all the data he needed before recapturing.
"We can now conclude that connection to the Speed Force is not just related to the body but also the mind and maybe the soul," said Edward. "However, Wally's Soul Dimension and Flame were normal. So, where is the source of their gift?"
"Do you think the reason for our anomalies is because this is an alternative reality?" asked Morgana.
"This could explain some of the anomalies but not all of them."
"Do you have a better theory?"
"I do," replied Edward. "The Speed Force is also a living entity or has a consciousness, and it does not want foreigners like us to find its secrets."
He should have thought of that since the Speed Force appeared to Barry in the form of his mother in the show.
"That could explain it. But what's with all these time-related concepts suddenly acquiring consciousness?" complained Morgana.
"Suddenly? For all we know, it's always been like, but we accidentally uncovered two worlds with similar concepts."
"True, but let's watch out if the same thing happens in the next world."
The two continued their research and gathered more data. Edward traveled to Earth 3 after a great effort to observe Jay Garrick, another Speedster. In the comics, Jay Garrick was the original Speedster, but his power came from a mutation of his genes. It was later retconned that his power connected to the Speed Force.
Edward did not interact with Jay in any form and only secretly observed and recorded. The final result is that Jay's connection to the force was greater than any of his experiments but still to a lesser degree than Wally's, let alone Barry's.
[Sidenote: In the comics, Wally West is the Speedster with the deepest connection to the force, not Barry. Even in the show, it's hinted at as such, but since Barry was the main character, such a plot did not go far.]
"We have enough data to work with for now," commented Edward before making a device that would grant him access to the Speed Force. In the process, he was able to prove some of his theories.
A normal universe has four fundamental forces: gravity, electromagnetic force, and weak and strong nuclear force. However, there are other forces in this universe, including the Speed Force.
"You were right," said Morgana. "The Speed Force can affect the space-time continuum using speed and movement. Such an application should be unique enough for the Time Game."
"Indeed," replied Edward as he tested out the final product. "However, this is not enough." The speed force he could tap into was not enough to break the restraint of the space-time continuum, so they needed more data.
"It seems Barry is the key to our success," commented Morgana.
"Yes. In some ways, he's the child of the Speed Force."
The group's next destination was not Barry and his group but the major villain of that year—the Thinker. He was a man of unparalleled intelligence who had his brain mutated after exposure to Dark Matter.
The Thinker was shocked after seeing Edward suddenly appear and stuttered incomprehensible that he was an anomaly and should not have appeared.
"Do you think we should have dealt deeper into the effect of Dark Matter on the Life Code?" asked Edward after analyzing the Thinker's brain composition.
"Maybe, but you should consider how this world is different. The laws allow for people's Life Codes to be more malleable and changeable. In other places, dark matter will not have such a positive effect."
"True," nodded Edward. "Alright, let's go see our protagonist."
[AN: Apology if there are some inconsistencies or errors with this arc. It's been years since I watched The Flash, and I only saw the first four seasons. So, I'm doing my best through research, but it's not the same.]
Edward, dressed in a well-fitted black suit, shoes, and a long blazer, walked toward a room where he heard chatters. From a distance, he could hear Team Flash talking about recent events.
Last year, Barry had to enter the Speed Force to save the city and the world, forcing him to be stuck there. However, the team did not give up on him and tried to get him back. After a few failures, Barry opened a breach from the Speed Force and returned to the world.
However, the breach released a large quantity of dark matter. Unfortunately, a bus full of passengers was in that area, and they were successfully mutated as a result. These meta-humans have been the main source of their trouble for the past few weeks.
"Who are you?" asked Joe, Barry's adopted father and Iris's real father; he was the first to notice Edward walking in.
"Oh, you're all here; that saves me a lot of trouble," replied Edward with a smile. "I'm agent Edward Bones from the SDMV— the Supervising Department of Meta-Humans and Vigilantes. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
He handed Joe his badge before walking to Barry: "You must be the famous Flash—It's an honor to meet you."
"Same," replied Barry casually, but anyone could tell he was saying it for the sake of politeness. "What exactly is this SP–"
"SDMV," explained Edward. "Over the years, the world has experienced a rise in meta-human and vigilant activities. Previously, the US government ignored all of you because the good you did outweigh the bad. But recent events have made many people concerned. So, my department was established to facilitate a better relationship between vigilantes and the government."
"That's a nice way of saying you want to monitor us."
"You must be Iris West: love your writing," commented Edward. "But you're correct. However, it's best if you don't see it in such a negative light. The program has just started, and you guys are the first test run. You wouldn't believe it, but some of my superiors suggested starting with Oliver and his team in Star City." Edwards shook his head, showing how absurd such an idea was.
"We do not need supervision," refuted Barry directly.
"I agree with Barry on this," added Cisco Ramon.
"The government having control over how superheroes do their job? I cannot fathom a better recipe for disaster," stated Harrison Wolfgang Wells.
"Harrison Wells? Shouldn't you be dead?" asked Edward. "Let me guess, from a parallel earth?"
"Earth 19, and you're deflecting the issue."
Edward smiled before looking at Cisco. "Do you mind if I use your computer to show you something?" Cisco hesitated for a moment before agreeing. Edward pulled out a report with a number highlighted in bold red: 22, 345, 976,898.
"That's the amount of money your team has caused the government since you started— 22 billion dollars in over four years. All that money comes from taxpayers."
"How is that possible?" chimed in Caitlin, the team's doctor.
"Every time you run so fast that you destroy cars, windows, or the insurance paid for people's cars and properties destroyed, or even generate earthquakes or even tsunamis during some of your battles — all of these require money, and the government has been paying the bill."
"You cannot blame Barry for all of this," argued Iris.
"True, but it does not change the fact he's responsible for most of it," explained Edward.
"What exactly are you trying to get at?" asked Cisco.
"I will be direct. According to my orders. your team has three choices: disband and become regular citizens, pay the money owed, and you can continue your vigilante activities, or, I suggest you choose that one, accept the supervision."
Edward looked at Harrison Wells, "Personally. I suggest you pay the money. Many people are interested in the technology to navigate parallel dimensions: the benefits are simply endless."
"Impossible," denied Cisco, and Edward shrugged.
"And what if we don't comply?" asked Barry, staring him directly in the eyes.
"You guys don't seem to grasp the severity of the situation," sighed Edward. "Many people fear that Barry or one of his speedster little friends will one day travel to the past and eliminate the founding founders, thus erasing the birth of this great nation. Now, can you imagine what the US government—which has the greatest military in the world—will do to prevent such an event from occurring?"
Edward looked at him back, "In such a worst-case scenario, you might be fine, but that cannot be said for the others."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm trying to make you see the reality."
"What reality? Barry would never do such a thing," added Joe.
"One thing I've learned in my life is that fear is never logical. And when people with the power of a nation behind them began to act out of fear — that's a recipe for disaster."
The room became gloomily quiet for a few seconds before Edward continued, "I understand this is a lot to process. I will give you a day to mull it over. I will be back tomorrow at 1500 hours."
Edward took his badge from Joe's hand before walking out, and the team immediately began to discuss countermeasures.
"What should we do?" asked Caitlin.
"Let's check that weirdly named department first," said Iris as she used the computer. "Dad, do you remember his ID number?"
"Yes, I memorized it."
Soon, the team found Edward's identity, including the semi-classified ones.
"Ex-Special Force: Served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was about to retire but was called into this new department," explained Iris.
"So, he's legit?" asked Ralph Dibny or the Elongated Man, a new meta-human from the bus accident. He was quiet the whole time Edward was there.
"It appears so."
"You said he's an Ex-Special Force and served?" asked Barry.
"That's right."
"In that case, let's contact Diggle to see if he knows something."
The team then contacted Team Arrow in Star City, asking Diggle if he had any information. A few minutes later, they received a call.
"I got news from a few of my contacts," said Diggle. "Edward Bones led a task force called the Silent Diplomats. Their mission was to enter hostile territories and negotiate all kinds of under-the-table deals for the government."
"Diggle, did you hear anything about this SDMV?"
"No. Apparently, this department was of the highest security level: no news was leaked before it was formed. However, I must warn you. From what I hear, Edward Bones is an expert negotiator, manipulator, and ruthless man who will do anything for his mission. Be careful how you deal with him."
"Alright, thanks."
"No problem. I must go and deal with Olivier; he's not in the best mood after knowing the government knows his real identity."
The call ended, and the room once again became somber.
"So, what do we do?" asked Ralph, but no one could give him an answer.
…
Edward and Morgana looked at the screen before them.
"Are you sure you shouldn't choose a nicer identity?"
"No, they are bound to be suspicious of me. So, it's better this way, makes it more believable."
"If you say so. What's our next step?"
"Let's analyze the data we gathered."
They could not read Barry's mind, but this was not the same for the other members. People like Caitlin and Cisco have been with Barry for a long time, and as scientifically minded individuals, they have a great understanding of the Speed Force.
In their mind, Edward was able to gather a lot of data. From Caitlin, he learned a great deal about how Barry's cells and DNA reacted or connected to the Speed Force. Meanwhile, he learned about the force itself from Cisco's mind.
After summarizing and analyzing the data, Edward showed up to the lab the next day, as he stated.
Anda mungkin juga menyukai
Komentar Paragraf
Fitur komentar paragraf sekarang ada di Web! Arahkan kursor ke atas paragraf apa pun dan klik ikon untuk menambahkan komentar Anda.
Selain itu, Anda selalu dapat menonaktifkannya atau mengaktifkannya di Pengaturan.
MENGERTI