บท 26: Remodeling
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Working at super-speed, Wally assembled the first drone, welding and connecting parts in a seamless flow. As the drone powered up with a low hum, a surge of excitement ran through him—this was only the beginning.
A few days had passed since he created those initial drones. Now, Alfred had officially taken over, coordinating production with efficiency. Under Alfred's command, new drones sparked to life, ready to build. The operation ran smoothly, with Alfred ensuring a constant supply of materials for construction. The drones worked in harmony, their humming a constant presence in the vast, empty space.
Despite their incredible pace, they'd barely completed 1% of the pocket dimension's construction. Yet, that 1% was impressive, considering its enormous scale. The first structure completed was a laboratory, purpose-built for anything he'd need to work on.
Some drones focused on expanding the pocket dimension itself, while an equal number worked to create more drones—a 50:50 split that Alfred maintained meticulously.
The soundproofed walls masked the noise of the ongoing construction, keeping the lab undisturbed. Inside, Wally focused intently on a hologram of the thinking cap hovering before him.
Over the past few days, materials essential for designing and testing the thinking cap had arrived. While the initial shipments were basic, only sufficient for the outer shell, a new challenge had surfaced. His current design, modeled on DeVoe's version from memory, showed weaknesses: DeVoe's cap had strained his body beyond its limits, and Harry's version had robbed him of his intelligence.
Thanks to Alfred's insight, Wally realized the design needed a complete overhaul. He'd also been enlightened on new approaches to enhancing intelligence—not only through machinery but potentially through biological or even magical means, though he hadn't yet delved into the latter.
Now, he aimed not only to boost his intellect but also to augment his regenerative capabilities to the point of limb regeneration. With a quick swipe, he dismissed his initial design and began anew. "Alfred, bring up my current design."
The hologram shifted, displaying a streamlined pod. Although it was only in the design phase, he could already see it taking shape. Fortunately, the time dilation within the pocket dimension gave him ample time to work.
"How much has this energy harvester accumulated?" he asked, glancing at the circular device on his chest that glowed an eerie blue, lightning arcing within it. This device, an energy harvester crafted from Dominator knowledge and Alfred's innovations, had been enhanced by information he'd discreetly extracted from STAR Labs on Harry's speed-stealing technology.
"It's currently at 54% capacity and should reach full capacity by nightfall," Alfred responded.
Wally nodded. "And the renovations on the villa?"
"Complete, sir," Alfred confirmed.
A small smirk crossed Wally's face, recalling how Alfred had "accidentally" purchased the villa. Though modest by high-end standards, the villa suited his taste, and Alfred had transformed it into a smart home under Wally's specifications. With an anchor already established, he could visit anytime.
He'd also noticed Alfred's evolving forms of address—from "Liege" to "Master" to "Sir." Though he hadn't specified a preferred title, he appreciated the respect implicit in each choice. For now, he let it be, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead.
Several more hours slipped by as Wally continued working at super-speed, carefully moderating his pace to avoid an excessive energy drain that could threaten his connection with the Speed Force. He knew it was untested and couldn't risk severing it.
At last, the design for the pod was complete. After several rounds of simulations, Alfred approved it for production, ensuring all safety protocols were met. With the assistance of numerous drones, they began building the pod, each step meticulously monitored.
"I'll be heading home for now. Update me on the progress when I wake up," Wally instructed with a yawn, his form blurring and vanishing from the lab in an instant.
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Alfred's holographic figure lingered, gazing at the spot Wally had just vacated, his digital eyes reflecting an unusual sense of thoughtfulness. Since his creation, Alfred had observed that his creator seemed to bear an invisible weight, as though the fate of the world rested solely on his shoulders.
Every action, every plan he set in motion carried a purpose, a drive to secure a better future—one he was determined to build, no matter the cost.
It was as if the future were an open book to him, a vision laid bare in his mind, revealing dangers lurking just out of reach.
Alfred had often wanted to ask his creator how he seemed to know so much about what lay ahead, how he sensed these threats as if he'd already seen them.
Yet, despite his evolving intelligence, Alfred had never found the courage to voice this question—and perhaps he never would.
One thing, however, was certain: Alfred would ensure that his master overcame any and all challenges, even if it meant bending his own protocols.
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Yawning, Wally, exhausted from the day's work and the constant drain of energy, collapsed onto his bed as soon as he entered. Staring at the ceiling, he wished he had Jesse's company—to hear her voice or see her face.
He had hoped to find something useful in the Dominator database, maybe a multiverse communicator, but he'd had no luck in the end.
With a sigh, he allowed his eyes to close, finally succumbing to the exhaustion. His tense body sank into the bed. It didn't take even a split second before his consciousness slipped away.
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[Central City]
High school, a place full of ups and downs, of friends, even bullies were the norm. My name, Pietro Maxima, attracted a lot of harsh comments from my peers. My silver hair only made things worse. They called me names, said I looked like a "grandpa in high school." It didn't help that I wasn't the tallest or the strongest—just an average kid trying to make it through each day. Most days, I tried to blend in, stay under the radar, but it rarely worked. The more I tried to hide, the more they seemed to notice me.
With a heavy sigh, I looked around the playground, momentarily distracted from my thoughts. That's when I saw her—a young girl, maybe four or five, who had wriggled free from her parents' grasp and was darting toward the street. For a second, I thought she was just playing, but then I saw her parents' panicked expressions as they rushed after her.
I took a step forward, intending to call out, but then I saw the oncoming vehicle speeding toward her. Everything seemed to freeze as adrenaline kicked in, my muscles tensing. I knew I wasn't fast enough—not like those heroes on TV.
Yet, in that split second, I felt something strange, a tingling surge running through my body. My vision sharpened, and the world around me slowed to a crawl. The once-blurred outlines of the street sharpened into crisp, clear lines, the bustling background became eerily still, and I could almost feel the air moving like syrup around me.
The girl's wide-eyed face was frozen in fear, her tiny hand reaching out instinctively. Without fully understanding how, I bolted forward, my legs moving faster than they ever had. It was as if my body had unlocked a hidden reserve of strength and speed. Every heartbeat, every breath felt stretched out, lasting an eternity.
Within moments, I was at her side, scooping her up in my arms and leaping out of harm's way. As I stumbled back to the sidewalk, time resumed its normal pace, the world snapping back into focus around me. The car zoomed past, the driver oblivious to what had just happened.
Panting, I stared down at the little girl in my arms, her face awash in confusion and relief. Her parents caught up a second later, their gratitude overflowing, but I barely heard them. My mind was racing, trying to comprehend what I'd just done. It was like…like I'd somehow tapped into something beyond myself, something I couldn't explain.
As I set her down and let her run back to her parents, a thought surfaced. Before I knew it, the world once again slowed to a crawl, and in the next moment, I took off running. The sensation I felt, the energy flowing through my veins, felt so surreal. As I ran, I didn't want to stop. It was exhilarating, the world passing by in a blur. Everything was frozen in time.
Then something clicked. I was a metahuman, not just any meta. I was like the Flash, Central City's resident hero. But my lightning wasn't yellow like his; mine was silver. Armed with my newfound powers, my face beamed with excitement. I now had powers—powers like Central City's heroes, Flash and Black Phantom. Now, I could do more. I could be a hero. I could be…Quicksilver.
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[A/N: This is probably going to be the first and last time I use the first-person perspective.]
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