The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (Male Reader Insert)

8.11 Faster than Death

Near the center of downtown Central City was placed a tranquil fountain and rest area. A statue dedicated to the city's many lost soldiers from the Second World War sat in the middle of the fountain. It was surrounded by tranquil waters that were illuminated by the kinetic movement of water spraying in an arch, decorating the fountain display. Metal benches and small shrubbery surrounded the circle. The location was surrounded even further by city streets that stretched off into the various business, entertainment, and industrial sections of the city. Tall skyscrapers and high rises cornered the tranquil park on all sides.

Along the streets, citizens walked by living their day-to-day lives. Some stopped to get a hotdog from a local street vendor. Others chatted while sipping their coffee during their lunch breaks. Parents held onto their children's hands as they crossed the street, not that there was much to look out for anyway. The courtyard was unusually light on traffic today, with just a few cars and taxi cabs passing through. 

All was right in the small courtyard. That was unless citizens decided to pay extra close attention to the street lamps placed near the roads. The lights flickered, buzzing on and off. The traffic lights changed back and forth between different colors, unable to make up their minds. Some people even felt the hairs raise on their arms, like some sort of static discharge was filling the air.

Suddenly, red lightning crackled around the various lampposts as a black and blood red blur whizzed onto the scene. Zoom stopped in the middle of the road. Red lightning crackled around his body. A set of oncoming cars swerved to avoid the sudden appearance of the man in the middle of the street. They crashed into the sidewalk, one car ending up in part of the fountain.

Hunter grinned and looked around. On his chest was strapped the tachyon device he'd been working on. Turning his head, Hunter spotted everyone on the streets. A small crowd had now gathered from the people who were minding their own business. Some pulled out their phones to record what was unfolding before them. Others recognized the black silhouette of the speed demon and ran away. Scared mothers and panicked fathers grabbed their children and ran as far away from the courtyard as they could. 

Zolomon grinned seeing it all. All the attention was back on him. He finally had an audience. Hunter took the opportunity to speak to everyone. He talked like a pastor giving a sermon that warned about the end of days.  

Hunter: Citizens of Central City. Some of you may recognize the man before you. But I assure you that I am no longer the mortal being I was. I have been reborn. And with that, I have been given a new purpose. But that purpose comes with a burden. I come with bad tidings. The end of civilization as you know it is nigh. For this world to truly prosper to its full potential, it must be reborn such as I was. Some of you may cower before it, others embracing it. But be warned that death has come to claim you all. I have come. 

With a devilish lick of his lips, Hunter brought his hand upon the tachyon device and turned it on. The device whirred to life with a click and a vibrating sound, almost like a fan starting up. A faint red light enveloped the ring surrounding the emblem on his chest. Red lightning coursed out from the machine and through Hunter's veins. He closed his eyes and breathed deep, inhaling his new sense of power. When he reopened them, his eyes were glowing a bright blood red. He had never felt this much power before.

Hunter: This... This is something else.

As Hunter was distracted by his new sense of power, he felt a tin can hit the back of his head. Turning around, Hunter spotted a young man amongst the crowd. He looked to be about twelve or so years old. Hunter glared at him while the boy stepped forward.

Ralph: You won't win. The Flash will stop you. He always does.

Zolomon squinted his eyes. He brought up his hand and outstretched his fingers. A large bolt of lightning leaped from his hands and hit a nearby light pole. The pole snapped and fell down to the ground, narrowly avoiding the young kid. Hunter looked down at his hands in surprise and glee with how much power he had.