Chương 44: Teaching Billy
Barry and Shazam exchanged a glance, their smiles fading as they focused on the rubble where the hulking figure lay. The air around them buzzed with tension, and the once-cheering crowd fell silent, watching with bated breath.
"Alright, kid, follow my lead," Barry said, his tone more serious now as he prepared for the next move.
Shazam nodded, his youthful energy simmering just beneath the surface. "Got it. I'm right behind you."
Suddenly, the ground trembled as the massive man pushed himself up from the crater, his eyes burning with rage. Dust and debris clung to his armor, and with a low growl, he stood, towering once more. His fists clenched, the muscles in his arms bulging as his focus locked onto Barry and Shazam.
Barry's body tensed, his sharp gaze taking in every detail of the giant's movements. "Here we go again," he muttered under his breath, then dashed forward, a blur of red lightning trailing behind him.
The massive man swung a wild fist toward Barry, but the Flash effortlessly dodged, his body moving like liquid, bending around the attack. As he zipped around, he glanced at Shazam. "Now!"
Shazam flew in with blinding speed, lightning crackling around him as he closed the gap. With a mighty shout, he brought his fists down on the man's shoulder, sending shockwaves through the ground. The force of the blow made the giant stagger, but he roared in defiance, swinging back in an attempt to swat Shazam away.
The clash continued, the two heroes weaving in and out of the giant's reach. Shazam's power and Barry's speed made them a formidable team, but the enemy was relentless. Every hit they landed seemed to barely faze him, and his heavy fists crashed into the ground, each impact shaking the square.
The massive man, realizing he was outmatched by the combined efforts of Barry and Shazam, growled in frustration. His eyes flickered with something akin to fear as he stumbled back, his massive frame tensing. Without warning, he turned on his heel and bolted, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground as he fled through the ruined streets of Central City.
Barry's eyes narrowed as he watched the giant retreat. His first instinct was to chase, to ensure the threat was neutralized, but something tugged at him — the safety of the citizens still lingering in the square. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the crowd huddled in fear, and his heart clenched.
Just as Shazam prepared to take off in pursuit, his body sparking with energy, Barry's arm shot out, catching him by the shoulder. "Hold on, kid," he said firmly, his tone laced with authority. "Let him go."
Shazam blinked, confusion flashing in his eyes. "But—he's getting away! We can catch him, Flash! We can't just let him run off like that."
Barry shook his head, his expression steady but serious. "We can catch him, but right now, these people come first." His gaze flicked to the scattered citizens, some still frozen in shock, others helping the injured. "We need to make sure everyone here is safe before we go after him."
Shazam hesitated for a moment, clearly wanting to chase after the giant, but Barry's calm, collected presence kept him grounded. He took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Alright… you're right."
Barry gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we'll track him down later. For now, let's focus on the people who need us here."
Together, they turned their attention back to the citizens, moving through the square to check on those who had been caught in the chaos. Barry moved swiftly, helping injured civilians, while Shazam used his strength to clear debris and rubble from the streets.
Iris and the rest of Team Flash were already guiding people to safety, coordinating with emergency services. Cisco and Caitlin had set up a triage area, tending to the injured with efficiency and calm. Barry's gaze softened when he spotted his loved ones, safe and unharmed, working alongside each other.
As the situation began to stabilize, Barry took a moment to stand still, the adrenaline of the battle slowly fading. He glanced at Shazam, who was helping a mother and her child out of the wreckage. The young hero looked back at Barry with a newfound understanding in his eyes.
"Thanks, Flash," Shazam said, offering a genuine smile. "I was so focused on the fight that I forgot what really mattered."
Barry nodded, his expression warm. "It's easy to get caught up in the moment. But being a hero isn't just about stopping the bad guys. It's about protecting the people who can't protect themselves. Sometimes that means letting one fight go to win the bigger battle."
Shazam chuckled softly. "I guess you're not just fast, you're pretty wise too."
Barry smirked. "Don't get used to it, kid. I'm still learning every day."
As they worked to help the last of the citizens, Barry's thoughts briefly wandered back to the giant. He knew they would have to face him again, but for now, he was content knowing the people of Central City were safe. The battle could wait.
When the square was finally cleared and the last of the injured were tended to, Barry glanced toward the horizon where the giant had disappeared. "We'll find him," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Shazam stepped up beside him, his eyes filled with determination. "Yeah. And when we do, we'll be ready."
Star Labs
Team Flash had returned to the familiar confines of STAR Labs, the tension from the town square battle still lingering in the air. The soft hum of equipment filled the room as they gathered in the control room, each one lost in thought. The screen displayed images of the giant man they'd fought, his towering figure frozen mid-attack. Barry stood off to the side, leaning against the desk, deep in thought, his mask discarded on the table beside him.
His face, bruised from the fight, bore the same features as Albert "Al" Rothstein—the very man whose murder Eddie, Joe, and Barry had been investigating. Eddie paced restlessly by the door, his hands on his hips, his eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"How did he have the same face as him?" Eddie's voice was strained, his tone a mix of confusion and frustration. "I mean, he's dead. We all saw his body." He ran a hand through his hair, still not fully adjusted to the madness that seemed to constantly swirl around Central City.
Joe stood nearby, his phone still in hand after making a quick call. His usual calm demeanor was tinged with unease, his brow furrowed in thought. "I just confirmed it," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of disbelief. "Al Rothstein's body is still in the morgue. Which means..." He paused, glancing at the others, "This guy could be his twin or something."
The room fell into a brief silence as everyone absorbed Joe's words. Iris, sitting at the computer, tapped away furiously, her fingers moving with determination. After a moment, she leaned back in her chair, her brows knitted in concentration. "That's highly unlikely," she muttered, her eyes scanning the screen. "There was no mention of a twin anywhere in Al's background. I've checked everything. No records, no birth certificates. Nothing."
Iris glanced at Barry, her eyes filled with concern, but there was also a glimmer of curiosity. Barry had been unusually quiet, his arms crossed over his chest, his head lowered as if lost in thought. The weight of the situation sat heavily on his shoulders, but there was something else—something he wasn't saying.
With a deep sigh, Barry finally looked up, his eyes meeting the gaze of everyone in the room. There was a moment of hesitation, as if he was weighing whether to speak, but then he pushed himself off the desk and took a step forward.
"I know this is going to sound crazy, but…" He paused, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance, "I think I have a theory on how this is possible."
Cisco, who had been leaning against a control panel, groaned audibly. He threw his head back, rubbing his face with both hands in exaggerated frustration. "Don't say it," he muttered, his voice muffled behind his hands. "Please, Barry. Don't say it."
But Barry, his expression serious and resolute, nodded. "Yes, it is."
Cisco dropped his hands and slumped against the console, his face twisted into an incredulous grimace. "Of course it is."
The rest of the team watched Barry closely now, their attention locked onto him. Eddie stopped pacing, crossing his arms and staring at Barry with a mixture of curiosity and unease. Joe's eyes narrowed, a familiar look of quiet understanding crossing his face, though he said nothing. He knew Barry wouldn't bring up a wild theory unless he had a solid reason for it.
Barry took a deep breath, his hands clasped in front of him as he spoke. "I think we're dealing with… a parallel universe."
Eddie raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening. "A what?"
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