The Flash Museum
Distant FutureA police hovercar passes overhead as the shadowy figure kneels low to the ground. He waits until the car has passed before slowly standing and continuing towards the eastern perimeter wall. The walls surrounding the museum grounds are accompanied by six-foot tall hedges, perfect for anyone attempting to make an unnoticed approach. Upon reaching the corner of the wall, the figure presses his back to the hedges and dares a glance around the courtyard. The largely open space presents a most serious challenge for reaching the front door of the museum. Periodically spaced lamps throw light across the grounds while security drones silently travel pre-determined routes overhead. The man reaches into his pocket, feeling his fingers wrap around a tiny remote. He points it at the nearest lamp, and with a click, the light is extinguished. Crouching, the figure darts through the shadowed space, pausing to let a drone pass before disabling the next lamp and advancing.
Finally, through careful navigation of the maze of lamps and drones, the figure reaches the exterior wall of the museum. He glances upwards at the domed security cameras. Though it's much too dark to make out their movement, he knows the timing by heart. Silently counting to himself, the man waits until the blind spot in camera coverage presents itself. He swiftly dashes for the front door, extinguishing the overhead lamps. The door is locked, but he has come prepared. Producing a new device from his pocket, the figure places it against the door and begins the sequence. There's a whirring of electronics before the door clicks open. Retrieving the device, he quickly ducks inside before a security drone or another passing hovercar spots him.
In the darkness of the museum's octagonal vestibule, a colossal shape looms. Hands on hips and sporting a smile cast in bronze, the twenty-foot statue of Barry Allen -- a.k.a. the Flash -- stands guard and welcomes visitors to the museum erected in his honor.
'Would he be smiling if he could see me?' the figure wonders bitterly. He shakes the thoughts from his mind. He has come tonight with a purpose, and he cannot let his emotions distract him. Having no need for a map, the man walks with purpose down the Main Exhibit Hall. On either side, trophies from the Flash's countless adventures adorn the walls, but the figure pays them no mind. Tonight, he's after a trophy of a different kind. Near the back of the hall, he finds the door he needs. "Employees Only past this point," an adjacent sign reads. The man again turns to his lockpicking device.
This is uncharted territory. Until now, the man had only seen the public side of the museum. Still, he has studied the floor plans and is confident he knows where to go. Even in the dim, overnight lighting, he navigates the much smaller hallways with ease. After descending a flight of stairs to the basement, the figure finally arrives at the archives: the room where all uncatalogued exhibits are stored. He knows he will find his prize here, if he finds it at all. Row after row, shelf after shelf, unmarked boxes extend the considerable length of the room. With a sigh, the man cracks his knuckles and prepares for the search.
Central City
Present DayWednesday afternoon brings a fresh crime scene: robbery/homicide at a pawn shop. The call comes in while I'm in the Crime Lab, and I volunteer so I can stretch my legs. There are two squad cars parked out front when I arrive. Among the officers standing around the scene is my roommate Vin. Upon seeing me, he wraps up his conversation with the other uniformed officers and approaches me. "Hey, Barr," he says by way of greeting. His eyes narrow, and he nods towards the protein bar in my hand. "That another one of your 'special' bars, the ones without labels? I've always been curious to know what's in 'em. You're munching on one practically every time I see you."
What's in 'em, Vin? Oh, about ten thousand calories, give or take. During those first few days after getting my powers, I felt extremely lightheaded and weak. It didn't take Dr. Wells long to realize that my supercharged metabolism was burning through calories faster than I could take them in. So he developed these calorie-dense protein bars to help take the edge off. I've still got a voracious appetite, but at least I'm not in constant risk of passing out.
"I'd offer you one, but they've got walnuts so I know you can't have them," I lie. Truth be told, I don't know what would happen if someone with a normal metabolism ate one of these, and I'm not itching to find out.
"Walnuts are fine. It's cashews that I'm allergic to," Vin explains.
"Oh. Well... it's got those, too," I add quickly. I finish the rest of the bar and sanitize my hands before approaching the scene. The door to the pawn shop is cordoned off with tape. I duck beneath it and get my first look inside. There's a crime scene photographer crouched behind the counter where the dead cashier's body lays. At the feet of the body, the business end of a pump-action shotgun sticks out conspicuously. I scan the floor of the shop, noting the shards of broken glass and the various crime scene markers. The shelves on the far wall are shredded in a pattern consistent with a shotgun blast. Looks like the shopkeeper tried to defend himself before he went down.
As I circle the scene, I spot a mark beneath some broken glass. I bend low and take out a pen from my pocket, gently pushing the glass pieces aside. Feeling Vin hovering over my shoulder, I decide to explain before he can ask,
"It's some kind of scuff mark." I lean in a little closer.
"Too smudged for a clean tread, but the pattern appears to be some kind of combat boot with a rubber sole." I set down my bag next to me and unzip the smallest compartment. There, I find my ruler. Lining it up with the scuff, I report,
"Looks to be about a size... ten? Ten and a half? Hard to tell with an incomplete mark."Vin just nods and jots down what he can on his notepad. His radio crackles, and he takes a step back to listen to the call going out. "10-4," he answers when Dispatch finishes. As he returns, he explains, "Sorry, Barr. We've gotta run. The Rainbow Raiders are hitting the First National Bank right now."
"Sure. Be safe." I stand up straight and watch as Vin and his partner hop in their car. Once they leave, I pick up my bag and make for the back door of the pawn shop. With one last glance to ensure that no one's watching, I slip out the door into the alleyway behind the shop. There, I have the privacy to slip on my ring and press the release button. In a flurry of motion, I slip into my friction-proof suit and cowl. The Rainbow Raiders are small-time, but Flash can bring an end to the conflict far quicker and more painlessly than the CCPD. I take off for the First National Bank, passing Vin's squad car as I go.
As I arrive at the bank, I'm greeted by a strange scene. The Rainbow Raiders are there alright, but they've already been subdued and piled on top of one another outside. Before I can begin to speculate about who -- or what -- took them down for me, the answer presents itself. In a blur of motion, another speedster appears at the base of the First National Bank's steps, holding the last remaining Raider, Indigo, under his arm. His costume is not dissimilar to my own; in fact, it's clear that he took heavy inspiration from the Flash. With a proud smile, the speedster drops Indigo with the others and zooms across the street to meet me.
"Flash, you have no idea what an honor this is. I have admired you for a long time.""Looks like it," I answer diplomatically. I shake the speedster's extended hand and continue,
"Seems like I should be the one admiring you. Central City didn't need me today, thanks to you."He laughs with a hint of nervousness behind it.
"Don't give me too much credit. I was just trying to live up to your example. I believe there's a lot you can teach me about using the Speed Force."The mention of the Speed Force catches me off-guard.
"You know about the Speed Force?" I ask.
"I know a lot more than that," he winks.
"You see, I'm from the 25th Century. I've come back in time to learn from you, to become your partner! My name is Eobard Thawne, but you can call me -- PROFESSOR ZOOM!" 
nitemare shape,
Sep,
Fetzen,
Morden Man
