Barry ended the call with his dad, his heart finally at some peace.
Now that he had some time, he closed his eyes to further assess his body.
He could sense his genome becoming more and more complex, with additional genes expressed—he would need further tests to confirm it himself.
He could feel the meta-DNA, the very thing granting him superspeed, had fully incorporated into his own DNA.
Because of the Omega Effect and the serum he had taken, his gene-lock had burst open.
His previous limits had expanded dramatically, and his nine-month coma allowed his body to seamlessly adapt to the changes.
By his conservative estimate, his strength had increased three to four times.
“I’ve informed Iris.
She’ll come and pick you up,” Caitlin said shortly as she entered the room.
“Come with me,” she added, leading Barry toward the med bay.
Caitlin retrieved a special device.
“I thought you wanted to collect my blood,” Barry said, confused.
This didn’t look like a regular vacutainer.
“Normal hypodermic needles won’t penetrate your skin, so Cisco built this special injector that can puncture it,” Caitlin explained.
She had already tried herself—no matter how much force she used, she couldn’t pierce his skin.
“How?” Barry asked.
“We think the lightning somehow hardened your skin,” Caitlin replied as she pressed the device against his arm.
With a soft click, the needle forced its way in.
Barry felt resistance—he was sure he could have stopped it if he wanted—but he relaxed and let the needle puncture.
Barry studied Caitlin as she worked.
She was really beautiful, and true to her name, she was cold.
Her golden-brown hair framed a delicate face, and her eyes—filled with grief and sorrow—only deepened her beauty.
“What?” Caitlin asked, noticing Barry’s gaze.
“You’re beautiful,” Barry blurted out.
Her eyes widened and she blushed.
“Sorry… I said that out loud,” Barry quickly apologized, making the situation even more awkward.
The atmosphere turned heavy, but thankfully a voice interrupted them.
“Caitlin, the room’s ready.
Bring Barry,” Cisco’s voice crackled over the comms, saving them both.
“We should go,” Caitlin said quickly, moving away first.
She led Barry to a testing room equipped with a specialized treadmill and multiple monitors to track his vitals.
“Running is the best way to assess your current condition.
Caitlin will monitor your vitals, while Dr.
Wells and I observe,” Cisco explained.
Barry removed his shirt, his toned, lean body catching the light.
Not a single ounce of fat could be seen—his physique looked sculpted to perfection.
Caitlin couldn’t help but stare, and even Cisco felt a pang of jealousy.
Ahem.
Dr.
Wells cleared his throat, snapping their attention back.
“Dr.
Allen, ready when you are,” Wells said.
Barry nodded and began to run.
The treadmill whirred to life.
He steadily increased his speed—10 miles per hour, 20, 30—breaking the world record with ease.
At 50 mph, he kept going, and didn’t stop until he hit 100 mph.
His speed created after-images as he blurred across the treadmill.
On the other side of the glass, Caitlin, Cisco, and Wells watched closely.
“Holy moly!
He just destroyed the world record!” Cisco exclaimed, eyes wide at the readings.
“Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, nerve conduction, respiratory rate—all well within range.
He isn’t even breaking a sweat.
His condition is almost like a…” Caitlin began.
“Superhuman,” Cisco finished for her, stunned.
Dr.
Wells, however, wasn’t surprised.
He already knew Barry was capable of far more—but something about this still felt odd.
Barry wasn’t even trying.
Before the lightning transformation, he could already push 300 mph.
Now, even without the Speed Force, he believed he could go faster.
He was a true superhuman.
The treadmill simply wasn’t built for his limits.
Twenty minutes passed.
Barry was still running, relaxed, while the treadmill groaned in protest.
“Dr.
Wells, the treadmill’s at its limit!” Cisco warned as warning lights flashed.
“Dr.
Allen, that’s enough for today.
Stop,” Wells said through the intercom.
“His vitals are steady… it’s like he was on a morning jog,” Caitlin murmured in disbelief.
The data didn’t lie.
Barry slowed to a stop and stepped off, barely warmed up.
He joined the others.
“Dude, that was insane!
You were going five times faster than Usain Bolt.
You’re officially the fastest man alive,” Cisco said excitedly.
“Thanks, Cisco.
But honestly, I felt like I could go even faster,” Barry admitted.
“The machine maxed out at 106 miles per hour,” Caitlin explained, still shocked, though her tone remained cold.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll modify it to handle your superhuman speed,” Cisco promised, patting Barry on the shoulder.
“Well, Dr.
Allen, that was certainly impressive.
Let’s move on to the other tests…” Wells said smoothly.
Barry then went through tests measuring his strength, reflexes, and jumping ability.
Caitlin, Cisco, and Wells were all stunned.
Wells especially—he hadn’t expected Barry to develop these abilities.
Quietly, he began to worry if the Flash he intended to create would even be born at all.
“I think that’s enough for today,” Barry said at last, confident his performance spoke for itself.
“Very well, Dr.
Allen.
But please—if you notice anything unusual, let us know,” Wells replied.
He already had other matters on his mind.
Barry changed into fresh clothes, and just as he was leaving, he heard a very familiar voice.
“Barry!
Barry!”
He turned his head toward the sound and saw Iris entering the lab.
“Barry!” she called again, her voice full of excitement and relief as her eyes fell on him standing upright.
She rushed toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
“You’re awake—thank God you’re awake.
Dad and I were so worried.”
“I’m fine, Iris, I’m fine,” Barry said softly, hugging her back and rubbing her shoulders to calm her down.
She finally let go and looked him over, her eyes scanning as though to confirm he was really standing there.
“Should you even be on your feet right now?” she asked, concern heavy in her tone.
“Never felt better,” Barry reassured.
“Barry, I watched you die… your heart kept stopping,” Iris whispered, trembling at the memory.
“You don’t need to worry, Miss West.
Dr.
Allen is in perfect health,” Dr.
Wells interjected smoothly, stepping in before Barry could respond.
Iris turned to him and grabbed his hand gratefully.
“Thank you—thank you so much for helping Barry get better,” she said with heartfelt sincerity.
“I was responsible for what happened to Barry,” Wells replied, his voice low and regretful.
“It’s the least I could do.”
“Dad’s going to be so happy when he sees you,” Iris said, turning back to Barry with a smile.
“Where’s Joe?” Barry asked.
“He’s stuck at the precinct with work.
Let’s go visit him.”
“Sure, but I need caffeine—and food,” Barry admitted, his hunger finally catching up.
“We’ll stop by Jitters on the way,” Iris said, her face glowing with happiness at seeing him so alive.
“Mr.
Allen, remember—if anything happens, you come to us,” Wells reminded him, his eyes lingering longer than necessary.
Barry nodded, before leaving with Iris.
Barry sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as Iris drove.
The world outside looked familiar yet strangely new.
“I’m so happy you’re finally awake,” Iris said, her voice soft with emotion.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done—or what Dad would’ve done—if we lost you.”
“I’m here now,” Barry said, giving her a small, reassuring smile.
Iris smiled back before returning her attention to the road.
Barry turned to the window again, watching as a bird soared across the sky.
His vision sharpened, his focus narrowing—and suddenly the world slowed.
Not just slowed—froze.
The bird’s wings flapped in painful slow motion, every car on the street crawled forward, Iris’s movements stiff and delayed as though she were trapped in molasses.
Barry’s heart pounded.
He knew this sensation.
Flashtime.
His brain was processing faster, his body vibrating with energy.
The world wasn’t slowing down—he was speeding up.
Unbuckling his seatbelt with careful precision, he opened the car door, knowing the metal would snap like paper if he moved too roughly.
He stepped out and in a blink—he was gone.
A blur across the city.
The rush was intoxicating.
He stopped at a convenience store, grabbed a handful of snacks, dropped cash on the counter, and in the next instant, was back in Iris’s passenger seat as if nothing had happened.
“Where did you get the snacks?” Iris asked, bewildered.
She hadn’t seen him move.
“Cisco gave them to me before we left,” Barry lied casually.
He wasn’t ready to tell her about this yet.
Jitters
They stopped at Jitters, where Barry wasted no time ordering the biggest items on the menu—five times over.
Iris’s eyes widened as she watched him devour everything in record time.
“What?
I haven’t eaten in months,” Barry said through a mouthful of food, ignoring her stare.
“Here you are, sir.
Your quadruple shot of espresso,” a cute blonde barista—Tracy—said with a bright smile as she handed him his coffee.
“Thank you,” Barry said warmly.
Tracy’s eyes lingered on him before she reluctantly moved on.
Iris shot him a knowing smile.
She was well aware how much attention Barry drew.
Barry, however, ignored her and focused on his food and coffee.
When they left, Iris practically dragged him.
“You’re going to eat through Jitters’ entire stock,” she scolded, embarrassed by the looks people gave them.
Barry chuckled.
“Alright, let’s go.”
They arrived at the precinct, Iris parking right outside.
“Come on, Barry,” she said eagerly, hopping out of the car.
She seems more excited than me, Barry thought with a smile as he followed.
“Dad!” Iris called.
Joe turned, ready to greet his daughter—until his eyes fell on Barry.
“Barry…” Joe breathed, disbelief etched on his face.
“Barry?”
“Joe, it’s me,” Barry said with a grin.
Joe walked forward and pulled him into a crushing hug.
“I’m so glad you’re awake.”
“Me too, Joe,” Barry replied, hugging him back.
“Oh, you scared the hell out of us, kid,” Joe said, finally letting go with a smile stretching across his face.
“Yeah, that was quite the nap, baby face.
Still look twelve,” an old bald officer teased as he came over.
“And you still look like you’re eighty,” Barry quipped back.
Joe chuckled but quickly grew serious.
“You look okay… but are you really?” He placed a hand on Barry’s shoulder.
“I’ve never felt better,” Barry assured him.
Before Joe could respond, a female officer walked up.
“Detective West, we’ve got a 5-15 in progress at Gold City Bank.
Two dead.
The storm’s really picking up on the south side.”
Joe nodded, grim.
“Sorry, Barry.
I’ve got to run.”
“Do you need my help?” Barry offered instinctively.
“No.
You take it easy.
There’ll be plenty for you to do once you settle in,” Joe said firmly.
“Let’s go, partner.” He motioned to his partner—Eddie Thawne.
“Hey, Allen.
Glad to see you,” Eddie said as he approached, shaking Barry’s hand.
“Glad you’re back.” His eyes lingered on Iris for a moment.
“Hey, Iris.”
“Detective, you should go.
My dad doesn’t like being kept waiting,” Iris said, overly sharp.
Eddie looked at her awkwardly before nodding.
“Good to see you again, Barry.” Then he walked off with Joe.
Barry raised an eyebrow.
“Okay… what was that?”
“What was what?” Iris replied defensively.
“It’s like you were trying to be mean to him, but you’re not.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Iris muttered, flustered.
“Are you dating him?” Barry pressed, sometimes she forgets he has a masters in psychology.
Iris froze, torn about how to respond—but before she could, the same officer from earlier called her.
“Iris, got a minute?”
“Sure,” Iris said quickly, seizing the chance to escape.
She turned to Barry.
“I’ve got some work to do, but I’ll see you tonight, okay?” Without waiting for his response, she hurried away.
She’s definitely dating Eddie, Barry thought, grimacing.
This will be complicated.
Joe might kill him if he finds out.
Speaking of Eddie, Barry asked the nearby officer “What happened to Chyre?” Barry knew he was not dead, his photo was not the wall of martyrs
“On the night S.T.A.R.
Labs blew up, Joe and Chyre were chasing the Mardon brothers.
Gunfight broke out—Chyre was hit.
Lucky for him he was wearing one of those new bulletproof coats, so he walked away with only bruises.
Later he transferred to Keystone.”
Barry nodded.
One of the industries under ARON investment was responsible for the production, it’s quite famous among law enforcement, as for the mardon brother apparently there plane crashed due to the particle accelerator explosion
Suddenly, Barry noticed a nearby criminal reaching for an officer’s gun.
Without thinking—Flashtime.
The world froze again, soundless and still.
Barry moved casually behind the criminal and shoved him lightly.
The world snapped back to speed.
The man slammed into a desk, startling the officers, who quickly restrained him.
“SCREW YOU!” the criminal shouted as they dragged him away.
Barry’s connection to the Speed Force deepened with every use.
Needing space, he slipped out a back door into the alley.
Closing his eyes, he let adrenaline surge through him.
violet-gold lightning sparked in his eyes and crackled across his body.His molecules vibrated at impossible speed, his hands blurring as though invisible.
Barry closed his eyes, a part of his DNA was expressing itself even more strongly than ever.
Barry opened his eyes, he took a stance and then – He ran.
The world vanished in a streak of color.
Every detail was sharp, every turn effortless.
Physics bent around him, his body weaving through impossibly tight maneuvers with grace.
BOOM.
The sound barrier shattered behind him.
He could go faster—he knew it—but stopped before his shoes burned away completely.
He stamped the ground to kill the fire licking at them.
“Great,” Barry muttered, catching his breath.
He was already hundreds of miles from the precinct.
I guess I should head back to S.T.A.R.
Labs.
He’ll be expecting me.
Barry thought,
Hey Guyz Author here, How are you liking the story so far, do give reviews and let me know.
Also if you have any question do ask, I might do a QnA Chapter if you would like