American comic book: My Father is Superman, am I just an NPC?

Chapter 247 Speed ​​Force: Feed me peanuts!!!
In a city that is constantly changing and evolving.

The crimson Speed ​​Force flowing in Reverse-Flash's eyes seemed to reflect past scenes that ordinary people could not see.

His assertion that Batman "knew before he disappeared" cast a deeper shadow of confusion over everyone, leaving the superheroes present somewhat bewildered.

"Bruce was able to make a plan in the face of such a sudden and unexpected event?" Even Superman found it hard to believe. You have to understand, whether it's the Weeping Angel or being erased from the timeline, these are things that even Batman could hardly predict, and the changes in the timeline happen instantly and have a global impact.

He didn't believe that even Bruce could be prescient in that situation.

"of course."

Reverse-Flash's lips twitched slightly, revealing a profound smile. He didn't directly answer the question. Some truths are indeed difficult for those who aren't speedsters to understand.

"Is that so?" Only Ian, who was being held in Superman's arms, blinked thoughtfully. He swallowed the last bite of chicken foot and then waved his greasy hands.

"We have to trust Uncle Bruce! He's Batman! Nothing can stump him, even if time is messed up, he can straighten it out for you!"

Ian spoke in a highly inflammatory tone, as if he were giving a speech.

This highlights Batman's status in his whereabouts.

"You just want to become the fastest, right?"

Clark, as the father, had already seen through Ian's true intentions.

"Heh, not really... I don't love being a speedster, I just love saving the world." Ian lied through his teeth, perhaps his conscience had long since grown accustomed to this level of torment.

No ripples.

After saying that, Ian turned his gaze to Reverse-Flash, feeling a sense of astonishment.

The concept of 'the weight of world positions'... This involves the underlying rules of the universe, and even he himself only gradually understood it after awakening his system and coming into contact with a lot of forbidden knowledge.

Unexpectedly, Reverse Flash's statement just now seems to have touched on the edge of this essence.

Is it because the Speed ​​Force is too intelligent? Ian was unwilling to admit it; he preferred to believe that the Speed ​​Force's profound perception of time might guide the user to glimpse the mysteries of 'existence' itself.

After all, the Speed ​​Force is one of the pillars of the DC universe.

"Don't talk."

Superman didn't want Ian to continue talking nonsense, so he reluctantly made his request to Ian. As a dutiful son, Ian certainly wouldn't refuse Superman's unreasonable request.

After all, he is very filial.

"What do we need to do?" In the end, it was the Flash, Barry Allen, who stepped forward and brought the topic back to reality. He was the only person present who could have a conversation with Reverse-Flash in the realm of speed.

"Yes, we need to take action. We don't have enough time to waste. It's not just me; you all face the same dilemma as me."

Reverse Lightning's smile faded, and his tone became urgent.

“We need to speed things up, Barry. Time waits for no one. Once everything is settled, the timeline will be completely fixed, and it will be incredibly difficult to reverse it.”

He pointed to the city skyline around him, which was constantly distorting and trying to stabilize like a faulty signal; it was a direct representation of the gradually solidifying timeline.

“That being said.” Barry stared at his archenemy, his blue eyes filled with distrust. “Swann, how can you convince us that you’re not trying to use us to accomplish some kind of scheme? Like… creating an easier-to-control Speedster? Or perhaps stealing more Speed ​​Force?”

He glanced at Ian, who was eager to try.

"Is that what you think of me?" Reverse-Flash chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Barry, you're like a soldier returning from a long and brutal war. I can clearly feel your deep-seated distrust of me... and the fear hidden deep within."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled heroes before finally settling on Superman's intense, sun-like stare. "However, as I've said before, on this matter, I will indeed stand with you. After all, Superman is right here; I can't escape, can I?"

His tone also carried a hint of helplessness.

"Ah."

Clark stepped forward, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power: "It had better, Swan. If Ian suffers any harm or any 'bad accident' in the process, no matter where you escape to in the timeline, you need to always believe that I will find you."

This threat from the gods on earth is as heavy as a mountain.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily beneath the Reverse Lightning mask.

He knew, of course, that Superman's words were probably not just empty talk. After all, having traveled through time and the multiverse for so many years, Reverse-Flash had never heard of such an evil Superman.

The evolutionary leap is too great.

Reverse-Flash was so impressed that he almost believed Superman had undergone a new mutation.

"of course."

In the end, he still didn't dare to make the same threats to Superman as he had to the Flash.

"I'm so touched!"

While being carried by Superman, Ian seized the opportunity to feign emotion: "Dad! I'm so touched! Really! If you could let go of my neck and let me stand on my own, I'd be even more touched!"

He took the opportunity to make his own demands.

Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to them.

Superman ignored his youngest son's banter, his arm as steady as a rock.

"hehe."

Wonder Woman Diana's gaze kept shifting between Ian and Reverse-Flash.

She frowned slightly, her expression somewhat strange. As an Amazonian princess, and also as a woman, her intuition was far sharper than anyone else's.

At this moment, observing the two of them, Wonder Woman Diana felt that the expectant expression on Ian's face seemed to be more than just anticipation of becoming the fastest... Deep in his eyes, there seemed to be a more complex, almost... eager anticipation that Reverse-Flash would really trick him?

If Diana had observed such emotions in others, she might have thought she was overthinking things, but Ian Kent's reputation in her eyes was indeed that of someone capable of making such expectations.

That reputation.

Truly as stable as a rock.

“Alberd Swann,” Diana suddenly spoke, her voice carrying the majesty and admonition of a goddess, “If I were you, I wouldn’t play any tricks. Because what you should be worried about isn’t Superman.”

Her words were meaningful.

It was as if I had seen through something deeper.

Whether Reverse-Flash heeded this warning is unknown. He simply turned his gaze to the Star Labs building next door: "We need the help of the particle accelerator, at least to use it to create a relatively stable special force field environment that can amplify and guide the Speed ​​Force."

“Leave this to me,” Barry immediately interjected. “I can communicate with my friends in the lab…”

He knew perfectly well that Reverse-Flash was hiding his identity as Harrison Wells, and was playing along, having no intention of revealing Reverse-Flash's true identity.

As Batman once told the Flash, having an enemy in the open isn't so scary, but it's truly foolish to put that enemy back in the shadows.

This wasn't just something the Flash understood; the entire Justice League knew it. Even Aquaman, seeing that the Flash and Reverse-Flash were putting on an act, didn't step forward to expose Reverse-Flash's scheme.

To be fair, The Flash's suggestion wasn't bad.

however.

"Communicate with them? You've been around for so many years, and all you know is talk, talk, talk." Unexpectedly, Reverse-Flash shook his head and mocked The Flash.

“Communication is too slow, Barry. I only have that kind of patience with you. As for other people, anyone… speedsters should have the right way to handle problems.”

I don't know if this is a genuine confession.

Anyway, Ian really ships this couple.

"Kiss one, kiss one."

His quiet encouragement clearly reached everyone's ears. At least in Ian's view, Reverse-Flash was shy; after all, why would he run if he wasn't shy?
"Whoosh~"

After his "confession" to The Flash, Reverse-Flash erupted with crimson lightning once more, transforming into a streak of light that pierced through the reinforced glass wall of Star Labs at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. With a resonant movement, he passed directly through the wall and disappeared inside.

The genuine skill of passing through walls is an essential course that every speedster should learn.

There's also treading water... climbing walls while ignoring gravity. Yes, this isn't the TV series "Legend of the Ninja Village," but rather a required course for speedsters to learn these kinds of "ninja" skills.

"Damn it! We have to keep an eye on him! He loves to pull tricks! He might just pull a fast one on us once he's out of danger!" The Flash cursed under his breath, golden lightning crackling around him. He followed closely behind, clearly having been tricked by Reverse-Flash many times before, so he became extremely cautious.

The Flash caught up instantly.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and others did not hesitate and used their skills to rush into the laboratory.

When they entered, the laboratory was in complete disarray. Several of Barry Allen's close friends had been knocked unconscious by Reverse Lightning, which had moved at high speed into the area.

Inside the main control room of the particle accelerator, they witnessed a startling scene.

"You too!" Reverse-Flash swiftly chopped at the neck of Dr. Harrison Wells, who was sitting in a wheelchair with a look of "astonishment" on his face!
This shouldn't have happened, since Reverse-Flash is Dr. Harrison Wells, or at least at this point in time, he impersonated the original Harrison Wells.

This is a scene where someone is fighting against themselves.

Even Ian was quite amazed.

"So, to put on an act, they created a time remnant to better conceal their true identity..." The Flash understood almost instantly, speechless. The other heroes exchanged glances, all showing expressions of understanding and helplessness.

His ideas were largely the same as Barry's.

Reverse Flash is definitely a drama queen!
She's such a great actress!

"See that, Speedster? Speed ​​is always our greatest advantage." After putting on this "self-inflicted" act, Reverse-Flash didn't even glance at "himself" slumped in the wheelchair. He walked straight to the massive and complex particle accelerator control panel, his hands moving across the keyboard in a blur.

While he couldn't resist "teaching" the Flash, he was also rapidly modifying the densely packed parameters on the screen.

"When two Speed ​​Forces from the same origin resonate strongly in two different time periods, they can form a very subtle intertemporal connection, similar to quantum entanglement. This can not only help us pinpoint exactly which era the three children were sent to, but also allow us to take advantage of a 'loophole' in the Speed ​​Force's rules to temporarily... create a speedster capable of running into the past!"

Reverse Lightning explained as he demonstrated.

"To be honest, I couldn't understand a single punctuation mark he was saying."

Aquaman shrugged, indicating that he was just a king, and although he was somewhat educated, he was not a graduate of King's University.

"Forehead……"

The Flash could understand, but he certainly didn't know how to lecture as well as Reverse-Flash. Several superheroes were all captivated and thoughtful by Reverse-Flash's explanation.

Even Wonder Woman Diana was pretending to think.

"Temporarily?" Only Ian was unwilling to think about it, but he keenly grasped this key word. He immediately became somewhat unhappy and began to twist his body.

"Why is it temporary? I don't want a trial card! I want a permanent Speed ​​Force membership!" He seemed ready to protest, his eyes filled with displeasure as he looked at Reverse-Flash.

Fortunately, Superman applied slight pressure to the back of his neck, instantly subduing him. Otherwise, Reverse-Flash would likely have been subjected to Ian's aura attack, along with coercion and enticement.

Why was there no incentive?
The main reason is that when facing villains, it's natural to disregard some human rights. Capitalists are the type to save money wherever possible, and Ian won't let his moral bottom line exceed the law by too much.

"What do you want to do?" After using his super brain to calculate the parameters that Reverse-Flash was adjusting, he couldn't figure it out. Superman, who was being urged by his super brain to use the bat brain, couldn't show his ignorance. He could only look at Reverse-Flash with a straight face and ask the core question directly.

"I can't explain it to you clearly in a short time."

Reverse Lightning didn't even turn his head.

His eyes were fixed on the rapidly scrolling data on the screen.

"All you need to know is that this is a game for speedsters, and only speedsters can get involved." After saying that, he looked meaningfully at the Flash, Barry, beside him.

“So,” Barry sighed, rubbing his temples, “you’re asking me to cooperate with you?”

Upon hearing this, Reverse-Flash finally stopped what he was doing, turned around, and nodded firmly: "That's right. The Speed ​​Force that Batman collected in the past originated from you. Therefore, only you can resonate most strongly with the Speed ​​Force that exists in the past and is being used by Batman."

He really could see the past.

However, no one knows why he didn't tell the people present since he had already determined the time. Perhaps it was just like how the Flash knew him.

While Reverse Flash is trying to save itself, it also has its own agenda.

"You'd better be really sure." The Flash looked at the complex parameters on the screen that made him dizzy and gave up trying to understand them. After all, he was just a super genius, not a super genius who had received a futuristic education.

"So what do I do?"

The Flash asked directly.

"Don't be nervous."

Reverse-Flash's face once again revealed that gentle smile as he pointed to the particle accelerator ring track, which was already humming and beginning to warm up.

"Do what you do best, Barry."

"Run, Barry, run!"

With that, Reverse-Flash restarted the particle accelerator. In the massive circular tunnel beneath the Star Labs, the low hum gradually transformed into a deafening roar.

"Buzz!!!"

Inside the restarted machine, powerful energy is gathering.

The entire space was filled with the smell of ozone and the distinctive odor of high-voltage electricity.

Immediately afterwards, the specially configured force field was activated, isolating the tunnel interior from the outside world and creating an independent and stable high-energy environment.

It is functioning normally.

It wasn't damaged as the Flash had always believed—perhaps Reverse-Flash had tampered with the machine before, which is why Star Labs had been unable to repair it.

“Very good, no problem at all.”

Reverse Lightning stood in front of the control panel.

On the screen, the energy flow graph was being constructed with astonishing efficiency, based on the specific parameters he had set. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the data stream as he performed the calculations.

He had to make sure everything was going according to his calculations.

“It’s my turn.” The Flash, Barry Allen, stood at the starting line of the circular track and took a deep breath. He glanced back at his comrades—Superman was still carrying Ian, his eyes serious; Wonder Woman gripped Vulcan’s sword tightly, ready to deal with any unexpected events; Aquaman and Cyborg were also on guard.

"Barry, be careful," Diana warned in a low voice.

That's exactly what I meant.

Aquaman touched his nose.

"If that's what they all mean, then that's what I mean too."

Steel Bone is also a shrewd scholar.

“I’ll keep an eye on this guy.”

Superman is more concerned about whether Reverse-Flash wants to take advantage of the situation.

"Wait for my good news."

Barry nodded, giving everyone a reassuring look. Despite their distrust of Reverse-Flash, this was, for now, the only visible hope. Dazzling golden lightning began to erupt from his body, the crackling arcs reflecting the blue energy currents permeating the tunnel.

"Now, Barry! Get on the runway and push your Speed ​​Force to its limit! Resonate with the past!" Reverse-Flash's voice came through the communicator.

With a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

"it is good!"

Without further hesitation, Barry transformed into a golden bolt of lightning and instantly dashed into the circular track!

With the boost from the force field and driven by his own will, his speed increased at an unprecedented rate. Golden speed force energy surged from his body as if it were tangible, merging with the entire accelerator force field to form a gigantic, ever-rotating golden energy vortex.

At the same time, on the main control screen, a signal that was originally extremely weak and almost undetectable suddenly became clear and stable after Barry started running!

That was a Speed ​​Force signal from the past, originating from the same source as Barry!

"Signal locked!" Reverse-Flash stared at the screen, his voice filled with a hint of fanaticism and excitement. "Resonance is being established! The bridge... is being built!"

How could he not be excited?

The fact that the time tunnel can be re-established means that Reverse-Flash still has the opportunity to escape this barbaric era and return to what he considers the civilized 31st century.

Hope is rekindled.

Reverse Lightning was overjoyed.

He typed rapidly on the keyboard.

Two lightning bolts, each transcending time, drew closer and intertwined. Past and future, because of these two lightning bolts of the same origin, achieved a wondrous convergence at this moment.

Meanwhile, in a past timeline, inside the Batcave beneath Gotham City, Bruce Wayne had already removed his badly damaged Batsuit and donned a black combat suit suitable for research. Before him stood a massive machine with a complex structure and a rugged, mechanical aesthetic.

It connects to the main power source of the Batcave and multiple analysis modules. At the heart of the machine is a focusing cavity made of special crystals and superconducting materials.

“When I look to the future, I hope it won’t burn my eyes.” Bruce carefully placed the test tube containing the golden lightning into the slot of the focusing chamber. The Speed ​​Force within the test tube seemed to sense something, flowing more actively, with tiny arcs of electricity leaping on the inner wall of the test tube.

Alfred stood to one side.

He held a drink to replenish his energy, but his eyes followed Bruce's every move closely, his face showing obvious worry.

“Young Master, are you sure you want to do this? Our understanding of this energy is still very limited.” Alfred knew very well that Bruce had just stolen some of this energy from that young man.

They haven't even had time to conduct more experiments and collect more information.

“That’s one way to understand it, isn’t it?” Bruce’s answer was as concise and firm as ever. He walked to the main console, his fingers rapidly manipulating several physical switches and the virtual interface. “While the future can be changed, it is also the best way for us to investigate the identities of those children.”

Bruce Wayne is making crazy moves.

The complex startup process was completed step by step.

Then, the machine emitted a low charging sound, and the internal energy conduits lit up with blue light one by one. Subtle spatial distortions began to appear around the focusing cavity.

It felt as if the air itself was trembling slightly.

"Very good, as always, no mistakes."

The biggest difference between DC's grandpa and Marvel's invention genius is that DC's grandpa's plans rarely fail, while Marvel's invention genius Tony Stark is better at learning from failures and doing better.

Bruce then gave all the safety protocols and energy confinement fields a final check, took a deep breath, and pressed the red-painted start button.

“Buzz——!!!”

The machine emitted a roar far deeper, yet far more awe-inspiring, than the particle accelerator in Star Labs! Powerful energy was injected into the focusing chamber, stimulating the speed force sample within! Golden lightning suddenly erupted in the test tube, like a sun awakened, its blinding golden light instantly filling the entire focusing chamber!

It was channeled into the entire machine through a complex energy circuit! An invisible, dimensional-transcending wave quietly spread out from the Batcave as its center.

In the past and in the future.

At two different points in time and space, due to Batman's activation and Flash's running, the two Speed ​​Forces, which share the same origin, reached a perfect resonance frequency at this moment!
An invisible bridge has pierced through the barriers of time.

Reverse-Flash, standing at the future control panel, gazed at the resonance curve reaching its peak on the screen, a look of impending victory on his face. Meanwhile, Batman, in the past, stared intently at the strange data displayed on the machine, his brow furrowed, as if he had discovered something unexpected.

Reverse-Flash stared intently at the energy curve on the screen that perfectly resonated with the past, his eyes blazing with crimson light. He originally wanted to take action himself to carry out the next step, but as soon as arcs of electricity lit up his body, he felt Superman's terrifying gaze. Helpless, he could only turn his head sharply and shout at Superman, who was giving him a death stare.

"Now! Throw him in! Throw him into the very core of the Speed ​​Sphere!" It's no wonder Reverse-Flash could only give the order; he realized he couldn't even run as fast as Superman's eyeballs.

How can I do it myself?

I can't do it myself at all.

He was afraid that if he dared to use his speed boost even once, Superman would just smother him against the wall.

"No need to throw it! No need to throw it! I'll climb in myself!"

Before Superman could make any move.

Ian, who was being held, burst with intense excitement and anticipation. He forcefully broke free from Superman's not-so-full grip and, like a wild dog that had broken free of its reins, flew into the violent golden energy vortex of the particle accelerator with a joyful yet resolute momentum!

"Ian!"

Superman was slightly worried.

However, after raising his hand, he hesitated and put it down again.

“That’s Ian Kent… Clark, do you still think your little guy is some porcelain doll? I think your worries are completely unnecessary.”

Diana covered her forehead, and complained to Superman with a somewhat helpless tone. To be honest, this woman's mouth sometimes really does seem to be blessed.

Just as Ian's figure disappeared into that blinding golden light.

"No!!!! Don't let him come!!!"

A sound came from inside the particle accelerator.

There should only be one person inside, Barry Allen the Flash, but at this moment, the voice is definitely not the kind of voice that Barry Allen the Flash could make.

It was a shrill scream, seemingly composed of countless twisted and overlapping voices of men, women, and children, filled with terror, anger, and despair, that suddenly exploded from the core of the particle accelerator.

It resolutely refused.

The sound pierced through the roar of the machines and the barriers of physicality, carrying a soul-stirring tremor that resonated deep within everyone's eardrums!

"The Speed ​​Force... is speaking!?"

Reverse Lightning realized with horror what had happened.

(End of this chapter)