JustIce League: The Malignant Uprising

Fast As Lightning - Part One

Northern Edge of the Gotham City Storage Facility

Flash was beginning to feel confusion about his actions for the first time in a long time. He stared at the fighting going on in front of him and his team. He didn't want to feel the way he did. He didn't want to make anything worse or fuel the tension that lurked in the air, but Flash didn't know what to do.

Was he a part of the problem?

Flash purposefully turned his back from the team. He couldn't bare to look at the remaining three faces in his squad. Who will go next? Guilt consumed Flash as he thought about his team. He knew Manhunter was trying to help and be the peacemaker everyone wanted him to be, but Flash didn't know how to tell him that he only made things worse. Hawkman was just a silent soldier of brute strength that only followed orders. He didn't feel things the way the others did.

Then there was Superman. Flash gave a silent scoff. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Flash could feel Superman's curious gaze over his shoulder. He didn't know what kind of man Superman was anymore.

"Flash," Manhunter's deep voice was calm, "We can't let them get to us. We have to be a team."

Flash still kept his back away from them. He wanted to laugh or say something funny. He wanted to bring everyone back together, but the anger inside of him wouldn't let him.

Manhunter spoke again. "Flash. We have to go. We have to help the others."

"Oh really?" Flash scoffed. "That's just what you said to the Kryptonian right before he blew out Hawk Girl's brains." Flash spit out the words like they were poison.

"I didn't mean to-" Manhunter began.

"Apparently you don't mean a lot of things Martian!" Flash turned on his heels to look Manhunter in the eyes, but the alien only gave a hollow stare.

Flash spoke again with the same venomous tone, "I've tried to forgive you in the past for minor accidents like burglaries and car chases, but this has crossed the line. You think that you can't do any wrong! You think that yo-"

"I never said any of-"

"Shut up for once! Don't you see?! I don't care! I don't care about any of this anymore! I think I liked it better when I wasn't a part of this team." Flash looked at the ground and crossed his arms. He took a deep breath in and lowered his voice back to normal. "I'm done with you after this. All of you. I'm quitting the League."

"Flash, don't say that." Manhunter still remained calm as Flash began to go silent. "Think of all the people who need you."

Flash gave one last look to Manhunter and Superman. "I'll quit once we're done here."

"Flash."

"I'm looking for Diana," Flash said and then he ran toward the center of the storage facility. He ran faster than he ever knew he could, away from the team. He needed to be alone.

******

Central City

Flash remembered the feeling of failure. It wasn't the first time he failed his friends. His intelligence always got the better of him.

"Barry Allen?" An old lady called his name up to the front desk of Fast Labs Corporate Liaison and Investigation. It was a new science building in town that partnered with the police with consulting work. Barry stood up and rushed to the front desk.

"That's me," he said awkwardly, tripping over his shoelaces.

The old lady peered at him over the rims of her glasses. "I understand that you applied for a job here. Is that correct?"