Emperor Building.
Negative ninth floor. The steel walls were cold, with a faint oily smell from fresh machinery.
The Flash's condition was grim. His body hung suspended in the air, arms and legs spread wide in a restrained position. Thick tubes connected to his limbs, his legs replaced by mechanical prosthetics. The smooth steel surface of the prosthetics reflected a cold, gelatinous sheen.
Dozens of transparent tubes, the width of arteries, pierced into his body, connecting directly to his heart and blood vessels. Anesthesia flowed through him continuously. His blood was drawn repeatedly for monitoring and research.
'Zzz…'
Yellow arcs of electricity flickered across his body, crackling and discharging into the surrounding air, leaving burn marks where the dust met his skin.
Through the pipes connected to him, a yellowish energy mixed with his blood was extracted, collected, and transported to other areas for study.
Speed Force.
His abilities were restricted. The frequency of the Speed Force within his body was controlled and drawn out through the system, slowly harvesting this power for measurement and research.
"Your Majesty, his cellular regeneration is dozens of times faster than that of an ordinary human. The nucleus of each cell emits a strange energy during operation. This energy appears and disappears within thousandths of a second. It is extremely difficult to capture or utilize."
"We can only extract small amounts of Speed Force through regular blood draws while monitoring the fluctuations of this energy. Due to the nature of time manipulation involved, our research remains in the early exploratory stages."
"But there is one very unusual discovery. We still do not know the true source of his energy, but as long as he continues receiving nourishment, his body keeps generating this strange Speed Force."
"It appears, Your Majesty, that as long as he maintains proper nutrition, the energy consumption and output remain entirely disproportionate. He is, effectively, a humanoid perpetual motion machine."
Ferdinand Swan, a gray-haired scientist, stood nearby, excitement shining in his eyes. His cheeks were flushed as he reported his findings.
Despite having witnessed many technological marvels within the Emperor Building's underground research labs, any of which could easily win the Nobel Prize, he remained stunned by this living being, whose body possessed such extraordinary energy reactions.
This energy, known as the Speed Force—the source of The Flash's power—was utterly astounding.
For Swan, who specialized in researching biomechanical power sources, The Flash represented a groundbreaking specimen, capable of revolutionizing flesh-and-blood mechanical lifeforms. If this Speed Force could one day be harnessed for a biomechanical spaceship, it could allow for superluminal travel across the universe without the need for wormholes.
Theoretically, because the Speed of Light represented a boundary where time itself could be manipulated, there was potential to test and achieve time travel—changing history itself.
Although there were many technical barriers, Swan firmly believed that with time and research, it would be possible to unlock the potential of the Speed Force. Superluminal travel, and perhaps even time manipulation, would no longer be fantasy.
Bardi held the report tablet in hand, flipping through pages of data. His expression remained indifferent, but the glowing data reflected in his eyes as he rapidly browsed through dozens of pages.
He nodded slowly, glancing at Ferdinand Swan. Originally, Bardi had involved Swan merely because of his surname and modest reputation in scientific circles. But Swan had far exceeded expectations, deducing early theories about the efficiency of Speed Force utilization in such a short time.
The scientists of this world truly possessed wild brilliance.
"Well done. Keep him nourished. Wake him up. I have something to discuss with him."
Bardi handed the tablet back to Swan as he spoke.
Swan's expression froze. He hesitated for a moment before carefully taking the tablet. His tone grew cautious.
"Your Majesty… if we allow him to regain consciousness, even slightly, he may absorb Speed Force at full capacity from its unknown source. I fear he might break free…"
Until now, The Flash had remained sedated, his blood slowly extracted while he was kept in a dazed state. Even with cooling devices suppressing his metabolism and dampening the Speed Force, Swan dared not fully awaken him. His calculations suggested that the Speed Force's true power might far exceed their control systems.
Bardi's gaze turned cold, casting a sharp glance at Swan.
The old scientist lowered his head, no longer daring to protest. He could only obey Bardi's order, administering proper nutrition and halting the anesthesia to allow The Flash to awaken. However, they maintained just enough restriction to prevent him from regaining too much power too quickly.
Even so, the weakened Flash opened his eyes slowly, dazed and groggy.
The moment his eyes landed on Bardi, yellow electric arcs surged violently across his body. His veins bulged, rage burning in his eyes as he roared:
"Barmulodi!!!"
The Flash struggled fiercely, clenching his fists tightly. His body trembled violently as he hung in the restraints. But the arcs of electricity quickly faded. Blood mixed with Speed Force was drawn steadily through the tubes, draining his strength.
Pain contorted his face. The constant extraction gnawed at his body like parasites, weakening him. The flickering arcs faded into silence as his head sagged, breath heavy, face pale.
"I kept my promise to you. Now, it is time for you to fulfill yours."
Bardi's tone was calm, indifferent.
The Flash panted heavily, eyes half-lidded. Slowly, he raised his gaze toward Bardi, forcing a bitter smile.
"You, Barmulodi… aren't you supposed to be all-powerful? Even you want to go back… to change the past, to fix your regrets?"
Bardi remained silent, his cold eyes fixed on The Flash.
The air between them filled with quiet tension. The faint coolness of the underground lab pressed against their skin like a creeping chill.
After a moment of stillness, Bardi finally spoke slowly.
"I could easily track down your loved ones… all of them. Anyone who has ever opposed me."
"But from the beginning, I have chosen not to investigate their whereabouts. I have no desire to drag innocent people into this simply because of your foolish resistance."
"This… is my respect for you."
"I have only targeted you. But that does not mean you can mock me here or refuse to fulfill your promise."
Bardi's voice lowered, sharp as ice.
"Flash, are you telling me… you refuse to honor your end of the deal?"
The Flash's face twisted in pain and anger. He clenched his teeth, breathing hard. Rage boiled from deep within as he growled through gritted teeth:
"Bar… mu… lo… di!!"
Bardi stood silent, staring at him expressionlessly.
The Flash's fury gave way to grief. Helpless, heartbroken, and in deep agony, he finally spoke:
"I will help you go back… but you must swear. Swear to me… you will never harm my family. Not my parents."
For a moment, Bardi fell silent. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at The Flash, a flicker of curiosity crossing his expression.
"…Your parents? Your father? Your mother?"
"Wasn't your mother killed when you were a child… by a home intruder?"
In that instant, Bardi froze. For the first time, a chill crept down his spine.
All this time, he had never confirmed which version of the multiverse this was. The number of parallel universes in the DC world was unimaginable, far beyond fifty-two. Determining which world this was had always been uncertain.
But in only one rare timeline… The Flash's mother had survived.
"Enough, Barmulodi! I will cooperate! I will obey your commands! Just… just let my parents go!"
The Flash's teeth clenched. Tears streamed down his face, dripping onto the icy steel floor. The droplets fell through the faint mist of the cold laboratory, rippling silently on the ground.
Bardi narrowed his eyes, stunned. His limbs felt cold as a storm of realization surged in his chest.
(To be continued.)
***
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