DC Universe: The Flash - 1.1 - Welcome to STAR Labs

Someone's coming after me? But who? I mean, I haven't even been the Flash for all that long! So why? Anyways, I keep patrolling. But my patrol around the city leads to a couple minor muggings and robberies being stopped, but nothing major in the grand scheme of things. So I end up going home, as I'm now starving! As I speed in the front door, the newspaper starts flying everywhere, before stopping myself in the kitchen.

 

"I'M BACK!!" I announce excitedly. Barry looks up from the kitchen table, and notices me standing there.

 

"Hey Bart, welcome back! How was school?" He says with interest, as he gets up to give me a hug.

 

"It was just as slow, long, and boring like every other day of school." I reply, as I embrace his awkward hug, trying to get out of the hug as soon as possible.

 

"I know it may be boring for you, but you made a promise to Max. School goes hand in hand with you having a secret identity."

 

"Yeah.. Just wish it was at least more fun."

 

"It's only as fun as you make it. Anyways, I heard about how you stopped White Lightning tonight.. Nicely done!"

 

"Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it was pretty easy! White Lightning keeps trying the same things, and none of them work. She did mention that someone will be coming for me though.."

 

"Coming for you? I mean the Flash has a lot of enemies, but most of them are in Iron Heights.. Maybe there's a new player in town..

 

"Maybe.. Though, it doesn't matter too much until he actually shows up.. So, any new cases you've been working on? Something that yours truly can help with."

 

"You know I'm not really supposed to talk to you about ongoing cases Bart."

 

"I'm aware.. But how am I supposed to catch whoever it is, if I don't know what's going on Barry?"

 

"Fine.. Recently, I've been working on a cases of seemingly unconnected murders. One was burned to death, another frozen solid, than there was one that got electrocuted. Remind you of anyone?"

 

"Yeah of course.. Heatwave, Captain Cold, and Weather Wizard.. Three of your old sparring partners that makeup the Rogues."

 

"Right. But the thing is, two of them are in Iron Heights currently and Heatwave is apparently on vacation in Aruba or something.."

 

"Yep, Heatwave is on vacation.. So it's probably a copy cat right?"

 

"Could be, though most of the time copy cats are sloppy, leaving fingerprints behind that the original wouldn't leave. But whoever did it was very meticulous in making sure there were as little things to trace it back to them as possible."

 

"Hmm. Well, I guess I'll check the usual hideouts, and see if anything pops out."

 

"Wait.. Before you run off, there's some people I want you to meet."

 

"Ookay? Is there people hidden in a closet or something I don't know about?"

 

"Not here Bart.. At STAR Labs. People who could help you for when you're the Flash."

 

"Since when do I need help? I mean you were the Flash for a long time, and you didn't have a team helping you.."

 

"Well to be fair, you're way younger than I was when I first became the Flash. With age, comes experience. Which is something you don't have much of right now. Also your impulsive nature doesn't really help things. Besides, I already called them, and said we were coming."

 

"So you don't trust me to do the job on my own.. Good to know. Fine, I'll go. Doesn't mean that this 'Team Flash' will be a thing though."

 

"I'm just trying to make sure you don't get yourself killed. I'm sure you'll change your mind once we get there. Also, they only know me as a CSI, so you'll have to be my transportation." Me, picking up Barry Allen.. Man, what a joke. I'm sure I'd be laughed at, if anyone else was watching. Thankfully no one is.

 

"Have you gained weight recently? May have to lay off the Krispy Kreme's for a while." I say, as I finally am able to lift him up. With that, I run towards STAR Labs. It's only a minute or so later, that I arrive with Barry at STAR Labs. Feels like it looks different every time I come here, but maybe that's just cause it has to get rebuilt so often. Anyways, as we enter the building, Barry walks up to the front desk, and starts talking to the woman sitting there. I pace back and forth, as others look at me with such confusion. Others oddly find it amusing, and start giggling. It takes what feels like eternity for me, before she motions for me and Barry to follow her. She gives me a weird look, but given the circumstances, it's understandable. We go through a series of hallways, and doorways, before we reach our destination. I open the door, with Barry following in behind me. In the room, there are sets of computers, and lab equipment. Looks like there are a few other rooms, as I see a door on the left, and right hand side of the room. There's a guy sitting in the computer chair, with spikey black hair, along with an older gentleman standing next to him. He's wearing a lab coat, with brown hair that reminds me of my own. The man in the lab coat turns around and notices us standing there in front of the doorway.

 

 

"Ah, they're here!!" He walks up to us, and Barry shakes his hand.

 

"Darwin! It's good to see you old friend." Old friend? I don't remember any Darwin's being in the history books as Barry's friend.. Guess I must've missed something..

 

"You too Barry. Been too long!"

 

"So how do you two know each other exactly?" I ask, still confused on how they know each other.

 

"My bad.. Flash, this is Darwin Elias. He's a research scientist that used to work at CCPD." Still not ringing any bells.. Weird..

 

"But when lightning struck so many times during that Speed Force Storm, I decided my efforts would be better spent here at STAR Labs. Helping new speedsters understand what's happened to them on a cellular level, so they can adapt to those changes. Also gives me the opportunity to learn more about the Speed Force, and how it exactly works." Darwin says, almost interrupting Barry.

 

"Oh, okay. Nice to meet you, Doctor Elias." I vibrate my voice when I speak as the Flash, so that others don't catch on to my secret identity.

 

"Likewise Flash! I look forward to working with you." He reaches his hand out to shake mine.

 

"The jury's still out on that. I only agreed to meet after all."

 

"Fair enough.." Darwin pauses, before speaking up once again. "Albert, come over here."

 

"Just a sec, and I'll be right there." 'Albert' after a few taps on the keyboard, gets up off of the chair, and walks up the stairs to where we are standing.

 

"Hi! The name's Albert Lim. I'm the tech specialist around here. Speaking of which, I could upgrade your suit for you, if ya want."

 

"No thanks.. I'm good. Works great just the way it is right now." Why change something that's not broken?

 

"Alright, well let me know if you ever change your mind. Marissa's gonna freak when she hears about this.. She's a big fan of you, Flash."

 

"Really? Where's she at? Always crash meeting fans." Wonder if she's cute. Guess I may have to stick around for a little while.

 

All of the sudden, there's this beeping that keeps going, until Albert goes to the computer, and taps a few keys.

 

"We got trouble. Home invasion reported in the Brookfield Heights area. Looks like a meta as well."

 

"You're up Flash!" Darwin says with enthusiasm.

 

"Do you at least have a specific address for me?" I ask, before Albert hands me what looks to be a communication device.

 

"I'll let you know on the way.. So does this mean you're in?"

 

"We'll see how this goes first." I look at Barry, and he has the goofiest grin on his face, as I try not to accept this whole thing.

 

"Hey, he didn't say no, so I'd call that a win!" Albert cheers, as I run off to the Brookfield Heights area of the city. This team thing could either blow up in my face, or it could be exactly what I need. Either way, we'll soon find out which of the two it is.

 

Done