章 28: Acquisition
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Wally's conversation with HR was cut short. Just as in canon, Caitlin had invited Julian to join Team Flash, hoping he could help her find a cure for Killer Frost.
"D-did you ask Julian to join Team S.T.A.R. Labs?" Barry asked, gathering with the others at the Cortex entrance.
"Yeah, I know he's an acquired taste—"
Cisco interrupted before she could finish. "Yeah, well, he is Dr. Alchemy, the Big Bad's little bad, sooo…"
"Yeah, he gave Wally his powers," Iris added. Wally stayed silent at this. He'd started to wonder about the true origin of his powers. His lightning's color was distinctly different from what it should've been—yellow.
From the moment he got his powers, he could enter Flash Time easily, mastering speedster abilities in record time. In fact, he felt capable of crafting entirely new skills; he just hadn't tried yet. Iris's assumption about Julian didn't sit right with him. One possibility returned to his mind: Could I have met someone who reincarnated me but erased my memory? The thought lingered for only a fraction of a second.
"Guys, I need his help," Caitlin continued. "I'm sorry, Cisco, but these cuffs aren't enough. Every night, I go to bed afraid…afraid I'll wake up as her."
"Maybe Julian can think of something we haven't."
"Barry, when your mother died, Joe and Iris took you in," she went on. "Cisco, when Dante died, I slept on your couch to keep you company. The things we face…no one should do it alone. Trying is the biggest mistake you can make."
Everyone fell silent, unable to refute her words. Barry, especially, began to reconsider his secretive approach, withholding a possible future he'd seen from the team.
"He hasn't revealed that Barry's the Flash," Caitlin pointed out, "I think we can give him a chance."
Barry scanned the group, then nodded. "Tell Julian we'll think about it, all right?"
Caitlin nodded and left the room. As she exited, Barry pulled Iris aside, and together they made their way to the Time Vault. Wally watched them disappear around the corner, a sigh escaping him. The future was coming fast, and he knew he needed to be prepared.
He quietly trailed back to the Cortex, where the team began their usual checks, more casual than thorough. HR occasionally glanced in Wally's direction, replaying their earlier conversation in his mind.
In one corner, Wally conversed with Alfred, scrolling through potential building sites for his project. Finally, he settled on an average-height skyscraper near the city center. Alfred took over the logistics, arranging an installment-based payment plan.
After a few moments, Barry and Iris re-entered, their expressions serious. Iris's eyes were red, tinged with tears.
"Hey, guys. Umm, Iris and I have something we need to tell you," Barry announced, drawing everyone's attention.
As he explained, Caitlin interjected, "So, you're saying that four months from now, Savitar will—"
"Possibly," Barry corrected, cutting her off.
Seeing the tension in Caitlin and the others' eyes, Iris tried to reassure them. "Guys, I'm fine. Seriously, it's okay," she said, though her words didn't quite ease their worry.
Wally, looking down thoughtfully, finally asked, "When are we telling Dad?"
"I don't plan on telling him," Iris replied firmly, earning a sharp look from Wally. He glanced around, hoping someone else might speak up, but it seemed everyone had silently agreed. It wasn't their decision to make.
"Iris, he needs to know," Wally insisted gently, his gaze steady on her.
"I agree with Wally," HR chimed in, but the others ignored him, dismissing his input.
"No, we can't. We all know this news will blind him. You saw how he was when Wally was in danger—imagine if he knew Savitar was going to kill. He'd go after Savitar himself."
"The future isn't set. There's still hope," Barry said to Wally, hoping to ease his concern. But Wally's mind resisted the comfort. Regardless of how grim the news might be, he felt their dad had a right to know.
"But, Barry, changing the future isn't as easy as we think. The future wants to happen—that's how it was explained to me," HR began.
After HR's vivid explanation, using a row of dominoes to illustrate his point, they reached a conclusion: to alter the future, they needed a clearer view of the events unfolding over the next month. With that knowledge, they might stand a chance of changing Iris's fate.
This was where Cisco came in. He would vibe Barry back to the moment he had glimpsed the future, allowing them to gather the crucial information they needed to proceed.
However, it was getting late, so they decided to postpone the plan until tomorrow. Everyone was quick to head home, but on the way out, Wally pulled Iris aside for a quick word.
Already sensing what he wanted to discuss, Iris spoke first. "Wally—I know this secret will be hard for you to keep, but I need you to understand why I'm doing this."
Wally paused, considering her words. But his own thoughts pushed back, the impact of her plea fading fast.
"Let me tell you how this will play out," he began. "We'll live like nothing's changed for a while, maybe a few months. But eventually, you won't be able to keep it bottled up. You'll break down, bit by bit, and sooner or later, you'll spill the truth, even if you don't mean to. And when that happens, it'll be a lot more devastating."
"Think about it wisely," he added before Iris could come up with a response, then walked into the distance, waving goodbye to the others before returning to his villa.
Walking in through the entrance, his entire body was quickly scanned. The next moment, a forcefield invisible to the naked eye flickered off, allowing him entry.
"Sir, the building has been secured," Alfred's voice chimed through the villa's speakers as Wally moved inside. "I've scheduled your meeting for 8:00 a.m. sharp. I suggest you rest up; it's a crucial day tomorrow."
Wally paused, nodding to himself. "Thanks, Alfred," he murmured, glancing at the data on his phone one last time before setting it aside. The building he was acquiring would mark the first step toward his own foundation—West Tech. The future he envisioned felt massive, even overwhelming.
But as he stepped into his room and lay back on the bed, exhaustion slowly overtook him. Despite everything on his mind, he knew he'd need a clear head for the morning.
He lay in the dark for a few minutes, letting the day's events drift in and out. Eventually, his mind quieted, and sleep pulled him under.
The next day, the alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., jolting Wally awake. He groaned, rolling over to see the clock glaring back at him, but he knew Alfred's reminders were right. Today was important.
He spent a few extra minutes in bed, gathering his thoughts and pushing aside lingering doubts before finally getting up to prepare.
By 7:45, he was dressed and ready. Wally glanced in the mirror, ensuring his appearance was professional but relaxed—he didn't want to seem too young or too casual. With a deep breath, he grabbed his documents, straightened his collar, and headed out.
Arriving at the meeting point, a modest office building tucked between a string of cafes and storefronts, Wally took a moment to steady himself.
The architecture was impressive, if not overly modern, and something about its blend of old and new gave it a sense of established history. Just as he was about to enter, a sharp voice called out.
"Mr. West?"
Wally turned, seeing a woman approaching him with a confident stride. She was dressed in a sleek business suit, carrying a tablet in one hand and a set of keys in the other.
"Yes, that's me. And you must be…?"
"Ms. Lawson," she said, shaking his hand firmly. There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she looked him up and down, but she didn't underestimate him. "You're younger than I'd anticipated. Are you sure you're ready to make this kind of investment?" she questioned with curiosity.
Wally smiled, unfazed. "It's never too early to get started, right?"
Ms. Lawson arched an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at her lips. "Right. Well, let's begin with a tour, and we'll discuss the finer details as we go." She turned and led him into the building, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
As they walked, she gave him a breakdown of the building's structure. "This was constructed many years ago, but it's been maintained exceptionally well. It has a built-in power generator, several floors dedicated to office spaces, and a secure basement storage area."
Wally nodded, glancing around and taking in every detail. The architecture had character, and he liked the way the space was laid out. It was professional without being cold.
"So, what's your vision for this space, Mr. West?" Ms. Lawson asked, genuinely curious. "I work with many young entrepreneurs, but this kind of investment is… ambitious for your age."
"I understand the surprise," Wally admitted, his tone thoughtful. "This isn't just an investment; it's the foundation of something bigger," he replied, keeping the information vague.
Ms. Lawson looked intrigued; her curiosity was even more piqued, though she refrained from pressing further. "And you're funding this yourself?"
"More or less," Wally replied, with a small smile. "I have a bit of family support, but I'm aiming to keep it as self-sufficient as possible," he added, lying through his teeth.
They continued walking, reaching the top floor with expansive views of the city skyline. Ms. Lawson leaned against the window, looking out over the view. "You realize, Mr. West, that owning a building is only the beginning. There are maintenance costs, staff requirements…"
"I'm aware," Wally replied, keeping it short.
She studied him for a long moment before nodding. "In that case, let's talk about your terms."
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