“Something feels off…”
After reviewing the Network’s files, Yuri couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of doubt.
At first glance, aside from demonstrating just how formidable the Network was, the files seemed entirely useless.
They offered zero help to the FBI in busting the organization.
After all, even the FBI hadn’t taken the security of these files seriously, leaving them dumped casually in an evidence room.
Yet Blacksmith had specifically sent Axel to steal them back.
Why?
Unless Blacksmith believed the files contained information that could threaten the Network, there was no reason for her to care about their existence.
“And she was careful, too.
She deliberately used a green rookie for the job, having him steal The Trickster’s gear first to draw everyone’s attention.
Before the files went missing, the FBI probably never even connected this to the Network.”
Yuri stroked his chin, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
“Whatever’s hidden in these files, it has to be vital to Blacksmith.
At its peak, the Network pulled in a net profit of fifty million a year…”
“Jem said this job could net a few million bucks.
Let me see if it’s really worth that much.”
Yuri made up his mind.
He would sell the files back to Blacksmith, pocket at least a few million, and get as far away from the mess in Central City as possible.
Whatever earth-shattering scheme the Network was cooking up after that wouldn’t be his problem.
As for where to go after leaving Central City, Yuri didn’t have a solid plan yet.
Though he had heard Blue Valley had one of the lowest crime rates in the world, which sounded like a pretty good spot…
In short, no more expired cereal for him, ever again!
The thought of three square meals a day packed with fresh meat, eggs, and dairy made his mouth curl up uncontrollably.
Wait a second!
Suddenly, Yuri realized a glaring problem.
Selling the files to the Network was a fine idea, and with the Omnitrix in hand, Yuri didn’t fear getting double-crossed.
But…
where *was* the Network?
“Shit!
Why do they have to hide so well?” Yuri cursed under his breath.
“Whatever.
The Network isn’t stupid.
Once they realize the files are missing, they’ll come looking.
I’ll just wait for a chance to make contact.”
Stashing the files safely away, Yuri collapsed onto his bed and fell sound asleep.
***
Meanwhile, in a residential neighborhood of Keystone City, outside a single-story house.
After being “attacked” by the mysterious figure, Wally had stayed on high alert for a long time.
However, the expected second strike never came.
Feeling no physical discomfort whatsoever, Wally figured his heightened emotions had played tricks on him.
He gave up his aimless dash and met up with James and Hunter.
Hunter pulled out a key, opened the door, and the three of them stepped inside.
“Hunter, I’ve been thinking about something since earlier,” James said as he walked in.
“I’ve reviewed the files on the Network.
There wasn’t much valuable intel in there—certainly nothing worth the Network going through all this trouble to steal.
I hadn’t joined the FBI yet when you led the investigation against them.
Was there something going on behind the scenes that I don’t know about?”
“Or is there a hidden secret in those files?”
Hunter shook his head.
“I have no idea why the Network suddenly wants those files back either.
Truth be told, we barely uncovered anything back then.
The Network hid too deeply.
Most of our intelligence came from an anonymous informant within the Network.
But he refused to meet us in person or provide specific details.
We only communicated a handful of times, so I never learned his real identity—or even if he’s still alive.”
James mused for a moment.
“The files sat in the evidence room for months.
They had countless opportunities to strike, yet they waited until now to steal them.
That’s a huge red flag.”
“Maybe I know why the Network waited until now,” Wally interjected.
Hunter and James turned to him at the same time.
The young hero’s expression was grim, practically radiating bad news.
“The Flash…
is no longer in this world!”
The words hit Hunter and James like a thunderbolt.
They stood frozen in place, rendered speechless by shock.
Seeing their reaction, Wally immediately realized they had misunderstood.
He rushed to explain, “It’s not what you think!
The Flash is still alive.
He’s just…
in another world.”
James and Hunter exchanged a look, answering in unison, “The Mirror World?”
“To be precise, I don’t know, but probably not,” Wally continued.
“Do you remember the fight between The Flash and Weather Wizard a few days ago?”
“Of course.
An entire block was leveled by tornadoes and lightning.
Nobody could forget that… You are reading on g.com, the official source.
But wasn’t Weather Wizard defeated?”
“Right, Weather Wizard was defeated.
But very few people know *how* The Flash beat him.
The tornado Weather Wizard created broke every known wind scale, accompanied by endless strikes of lightning.
Weather Wizard had never been that powerful before.”
Wally shared the details he had gotten from Aunt Iris.
“To stop Weather Wizard, The Flash had to exceed the speed of light…
I don’t know why, but he always warned me that speedsters shouldn’t break the speed of light lightly, or it would trigger catastrophic consequences.
I used to wonder what those consequences were.
Now I know.”
“The Flash was pulled into an unknown, mysterious dimension.
Nobody knows when he’ll be able to get out.”
Hearing Wally’s words, James and Hunter instantly connected the dots to something terrifying.
“My God…
are you saying the Network only launched their move because they found out The Flash was missing?”
Wally nodded heavily.
“It’s not just that.
I suspect the Network is systematically targeting The Flash’s allies and mine—like Jesse Quick, the original Flash, Chunk…”
“Wait!”
Before Wally could finish, a sudden realization flashed in Hunter’s mind.
He realized he finally understood what the Network was aiming for!
***
The night passed without incident.
Inside the Rustbucket, Yuri slept until well past noon.
“Not having to go to school makes life feel so delightfully trashy,” Yuri thought lazily.
But the next second, his attention shifted to the Omnitrix.
After a long wait, the Omnitrix had finally finished analyzing the Speed Force!
Yuri couldn’t wait to see what his new form looked like and brainstorm a name for it.
“Huh?!”
To his utter shock, the number of unlocked alien forms in the DNA database still read 10!
He cycled through the transformation roster—yep, still just the original ten alien heroes.
Not a single addition.
“How is that possible?!”
All that time spent analyzing, and he got nothing out of it?
At least give me an analysis report or something!
Just as Yuri was growing thoroughly agitated, contemplating turning into Four Arms to pick a fight with someone, he finally spotted a tiny change.
In the bottom right corner of XLR8’s avatar, a tiny green dot was lit up…