15. Race

- Central City Park -

"You, me, a race to see who's the fastest?" Zion issued the challenge with a mischievous grin across his face. However, before Barry could say anything, Zion tossed the Worthy Pot into the air. Barry was taken aback by the action but quickly moved to catch the Worthy Pot. He didn't want a relic to be destroyed before him. 

But when Barry turned to Zion, all he saw was a golden flash of light and the shout, "Accelerate (XLR8)."

The light stunned him, and the slight daze caused him to lose the Worthy Pot. Now he saw who the thief was; it was an alien, semi-armored velociraptor with a black-blue color theme, a circular object with a golden hourglass symbol on its chest, and black orbs on its legs.

"See ya, Flash!" The visor of XLR8's helmet slid down before he rushed out of the park into the city. 

Barry was not lagging behind; he quickly changed into his iconic spandex. He didn't know how the youngster had changed, but he needed to catch him. He quickly accelerated with incredible speed as he gave chase to the now alien speedster.

The ordinary citizens in the park only experienced a slight wind trouble before everything returned to normal. They didn't know the incredible race between two speedsters had started. 

Zion, in the form of XLR8, sprinted through Central City at breakneck speed, weaving through the urban maze of towering skyscrapers and narrow alleyways with uncanny precision. The world around him slowed down to a standstill. Pedestrians only saw a black-blue blur as XLR8 whizzed past them like a fleeting breeze. The wind created by the sheer speed sent hats flying and billboards swaying dangerously.

Zion accelerated, his rush through the central city caused devastation with each step as with his speed. 

The ground trembled, traffic lights swung wildly, their wires snapping like thread in the gusty wind, the glass windows shattered, and the cars parked along the street were lifted off their wheels, their alarms blaring in protest. A cacophony of car alarms, sirens, and shattering glass filled the air, drowning out the collective gasps of the citizens. Zion's speed was causing havoc in the city. This was the level of destruction caused by a speedster if they ever ran at full speed inside a city. They would only leave destruction in their wake. 

But Zion wanted to prove something to the citizens and {you, yes you}. That a speedster was capable of causing destruction with each of their steps. He wanted Flash to realize how powerful he is at the start of his hero career. And Zion didn't have to wait long for the scarlet speedster; it only took a moment for the Flash to catch up to him. In the world of stillness, only a man in red spandex moved at incredible speed, his trademark red costume with a lightning bolt embalmed in it. He quickly caught up with Zion, running side by side, his eyes showing agitation.

"Stop this; you are destroying the city!" Barry shouted. 

He could see the destruction they were causing. To catch up to this alien speedster, he was using more speed than what he normally used inside a city, and with each step, he broke the pavement, shattered glasses, lifted vehicles, and knocked people out. Even though he never felt any air resistance when he was running, that never meant his speed didn't cause adverse effects.

"You understand, Flash. The power that was bestowed upon you." Zion turned to Flash, skating backward. Kinecelerans evolved for quick and precise movement, allowing them to make sharp turns, run horizontally, even run backward. They evolved to run. "You could be stronger, a god among men. Why do you choose to be a servant?" 

"Because great power comes with responsibilities!" Flash closed in on XLR8, extending his hand to grab this alien's shoulders. But XLR8, with his exceptional reflexes, anticipated the move. He twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding the Flash's grasp. Zion quickly changed direction and took off. With a burst of speed, Flash again caught up with XLR8. 

The chase continued through Central City, with two speedsters weaving between cars, leaping over obstacles, and darting through narrow alleys. The Flash was relentless, determined to catch his elusive opponent, while XLR8 used his superior agility to stay one step ahead. 

XLR8, now in the lead, showed off his agility by leaping onto the side of a skyscraper and then rebounded off it, propelling himself even faster. The Flash, undeterred, ran up the side of the building, using the structure as a springboard to launch himself toward XLR8. It was a breathtaking display of acrobatics and speed. 

Seeing the Flash closing in, XLR8 executed a sudden spin, creating a miniature tornado around himself. The swirling winds made it difficult for the Flash to maintain his course. However, the Scarlet Speedster responded by creating a vortex of his own, countering XLR8's move with a gust of wind that dispersed the tornado. 

With them evenly matched, the race continued through Central City, occasionally leaving shockwaves in their wake. The Flash knew he had to think strategically. He anticipated XLR8's move, predicting a sudden change in direction. When it came, the Flash mirrored the move flawlessly, gaining ground on his opponent. In a daring maneuver, he stretched his arm forward once more, fingertips grazing XLR8's shoulder. 

For a split second, it seemed like the Flash had the upper hand. But XLR8, with a burst of speed, retaliated with a spin, his tail snapping like a whip. XLR8's timing was impeccable, leaving no way for the Flash to avoid it. The tail made contact, delivering a glancing blow that sent the Flash spinning through the air. The Scarlet speedster tumbled and crashed into a nearby car, deforming it in an instant. The car frame was distorted, its windows shattering into a million pieces. 

With the Flash momentarily incapacitated, XLR8 hovered over him, his voice distorted by the whir of his super-speed. "Yes, great power comes with responsibility. But who can stop the fastest man alive if no one can catch him." 

Flash might be the strongest character in the DC universe next to Superman. His speed and versatility allow him to defeat many foes stronger than him, but he never fully realized his full potential in other sub-skills except running through time itself. This is also why Wally West was considered one of the strongest Flashes. His dexterity with the Speed Force actually gave him an advantage, such as creating his suit with pure Speed Force. He had explored many different ways to use the Speed Force.

Barry grunted as he looked up; he had let his guard down. He felt a crippling pain from his left ribs. He could also feel his bones healing. He looked at the alien who was questioning him after breaking his bones, but he could also feel the underlying curiosity in its voice.

"I am a  hero because I wanted to help the innocent... I do it because I want to; I don't want anyone to suffer injustice," Flash answered. 

XLR8's visor slid up, revealing his face, and Barry could see a smile on its lips. "Well, Flash, are you sure that is what you want to do? Even though you might have to sacrifice everything you cherish to protect others?"

Barry answered immediately, "Yes."

Zion got the answer he wanted; he placed the Pot next to Flash. He never needed the pot anyway. He then pointed his clawed hand at Flash's lightning bolt. "Use your power. Focus on the lightning coursing through your cells, blood, bones; guide them toward your injuries. The lightning not only gave you the ability to run fast; it was more than that. So, use it to accelerate your already accelerated healing." 

Barry looked at the alien, puzzled at how he knew all this. "How do you know this?"

"Flash, I am from a species that evolved to move at supersonic speeds. Then there you are, who possesses the connection to the force that allows you to run at speeds that we dream of," Zion explained. "I know all about speed. I evolved to run." 

Barry listened to the explanation and decided to try and focus his Speed Force where it hurt. He could feel a rush, and the pain slowly vanished. In a minute, his pain reduced to a bearable level, skipping the months of hospitalization needed for a normal human.

[Siren sound blaring]

Zion turned to the expected arrival of the CCPD, ready to apprehend the Speedsters causing havoc. The cars blocked both sides of the road, officers quickly exited their cars and pointed their guns at them.

Zion was baffled, so he decided to speak. "All of you do know that we could literally catch bullets, right?"

The officers looked at each other at the question, they were baffled by the scene in front of them. First, they were here to catch the Flash and whatever he was chasing. Second, they never expected to find a velociraptor. Third, they never expected the velociraptor to talk to them. 

"Did the dinosaur just speak?" one of the officers asked his partner.

"I think so?" his partner replied.

"Oh, come on, don't be racist," Zion groaned.

"S-sorry?" The officer apologized; he wasn't even sure why he apologized.

"Apology accepted, officer," Zion nodded, "Now, who is your clan leader? I would like to have a diplomatic relationship with your species."

"Clan leader?...You mean country leader?. It's the President; you would have to talk to him," The officer replied, his gun still pointed at XLR8.

"Okay, I shall speak to him then. Adios, amigos!!!" With that, Zion vanished.

This left the Flash confused. They just had a race, but before it was completed, he was beaten. Then the guy asked questions. Then he told the police that he was here for diplomatic purposes before vanishing. The whole thing was just confusing. What was the whole purpose of it all? Was it just another bizarre day?

"Stay down, Flash!!!"

The officers snapped out of their daze and realized they were fooled. But they quickly gathered themselves and decided to arrest the Flash, who looked to be in not the best of conditions. Flash looked at the officers, his smile wry. He couldn't believe it; he, who tried to protect the people of this city, was at gunpoint. Flash slowly got up with his hands up in surrender.

"DO NOT MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENT!!" the officer shouted before he walked to the Flash to handcuff him. Even though it sounded stupid to cuff someone who could run faster than the fastest missiles, it was what they did. 

"Hi there, Officer," A voice stopped him; it was Zion. "Can I ask which direction to your world leader?"

Zion asked with a sheepish expression. The officer was dumbstruck. At this point, the poor man wanted to just quit the job. He was trained to catch street criminals, not speak to super-speed dinosaurs. He was already having mental breakdown from all the bazaar things happening in this city for the past few days.

Zion didn't care about the officer's mental stability as he accelerated his speed until everything just froze. He then turned to Flash, who was also looking at him with a smile. Barry was feeling amused due to Zion's actions. Zion then gestured with his head to go, and Barry gave an acknowledging nod before they both vanished from the crime scene.

"DAMN THEM!!!" The dumbstruck officer only realized too late that he was played, again. He threw his hat to the ground in frustration and stomped the ground a few times in frustration.

The police with no criminal to catch were left to clean up the mess. They also finally retrieved the Worthy Pot.

*****

Peace out. (・~・)ゞ