The Flash: Next Generation

chapter 9: part time hero

(Artwork Credit to @autumncityxo on instagram)
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Emma's pov:

It had been a year since I left the gang. Nothing bad had happened. I knew Ripper was all bark and no bite. I was 16 now and had my license! I still didn't have a car but I didn't really need one. I walked downstairs and saw mom and dad standing in the kitchen both holding cups of coffee. Dad looked over and smiled. "Hey kiddo." He said. I smiled and walked over. "Hey dad." I said leaning against the counter. They continued their conversation like I wasn't even there. I walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a bowl. Then I opened the drawer that had the silverware in it and grabbed a spoon. I went and sat it on the table. Then I went to the cabinet and pulled out the box of captain crunch. I tucked it under my arm and walked over to the fridge. I grabbed the milk and then I went and sat down in front of my bowl and made myself some breakfast. I started eating and listening to mom and dad's conversation... for entertainment ya know. "So I'm working on a new story." Mom said with excitement in her voice. "Oh. What about?" Dad asked taking a sip of his coffee. "Well... It's about the recent gang activity around central city..." She said quietly. I heard dad place his cup down on the counter. "Is that the best thing to be writing about?" He asked sounding concerned. "It'll be fine Barry." Mom said. Then I heard her place her cup in the sink. I heard dad sigh. Mom kissed him on the cheek. "I love you big baby." She giggled and started walking towards the door. "Bye, love you two!" She said walking out. "Bye mom!" I yelled with my mouth full. "Bye." I heard dad mumble. I finished my breakfast then picked up my bowl and walked to put it and my spoon in the dishwasher. "So dad." I say turning and going to get the cereal box and the milk. He looked at me over the brim of his coffee cup. "I was wondering if... maybe I could, become like a full time hero." I say with a little smile. He placed his cup down and sighed. "I don't know Emma." I walk towards the fridge and opened it. "You said I could when I was 16." I say shutting the door and walking to the cabinet. "I guess I did. But I don't know. I'll need to talk to your mom about it." He says placing his cup in the sink. I sigh and open the cabinet door. "Fine." I place the box on the shelf and shut the door. "I'll see you later kiddo, ok." He smiles and walks over to me. He kisses me on the top of my head. I give a little smile. He grabbed his bag and walked to the door. "Bye, love you." He says opening it and walking out. "Bye love you too." I say. He shut the door and I walked over and plopped on the couch. I sighed loudly and thought of what I could do today. I grabbed the t.v. remote from the table and turned on the t.v. The news channel was on. "Ew. Really dad?" I questioned out loud. I started switching through the channels hoping to find something interesting. I stopped when I ended up back on the news channel again. "Ugh! Nothing!" I fall over onto my side and stare at the news reporter. "And it looks like the gang activity has increased throughout Central City recently." The reporter stated. "No kidding dude." I say turning the t.v. off. I go upstairs to my room and sit at my desk. I hadn't drawn in awhile, even though I really enjoyed it. I grabbed a piece of paper from my drawer and a pencil out of a can I had on my desk. I thought for a minute on what to draw and then started. About 30 minutes later I had a rough draft of Central City drawn. I shrugged my shoulders and continued to add some details. When I had finished drawing I picked up my phone, which I had been listening to music on, and text Hunter. ' Hey, wanna meet at Jitters?' I sent it and waited for a reply. *ding* I heard my phone go off about 5 minutes later. I picked it up and saw Hunter had texted me back. 'Sure. See ya there:)' it read. I smiled. 'Ok :)3' I sent back.

|at CCPD|

Barry's pov:

"yes Iris. I know it's dangerous. But I think she might be ready in a month." I say to my wife on the phone. I pause and listen to her telling me all the reasons why Emma shouldn't be a part time superhero. "I guess that makes sense." I lean against my desk. "Ok, love you, bye." I hang up the phone and shove it into my back pocket. I knew how long Emma had wanted to help me out. Ever since she was little she would always ask if she could help me when I would go to fight one of the metas. I can understand she feels useless.

|later at the loft|

Barry's pov:

I walked into our front door and hung my bag on one of the hooks on the wall. "Emma I'm home!" I call. No response, guess she's not here. I shrug my shoulders and walk over to the couch. I pull out my phone and sit down. I prop my feet up on the coffee table. Then I unlock my phone and text Emma. 'Hey. Where are you?' I grab the remote and turn on the TV while I wait for a response. A few minutes later my phone dings. I pick it up and see Emma has texted me back. 'I was just out with hunter. Heading home now.' It read. 'Ok.' I send back. About 30 seconds later she zooms in the door. "Hey dad." She says. "Hi kiddo." I turn around and grin. "So have you thought about my question from earlier?" She asks plopping down beside me. I place my arm on the back of the couch and chuckle. "You sure are persistent." I say. "Yeah. I get it from you." She looks up at me grinning. I smile and squeeze her. That she did. "Well your mom doesn't think it's a good idea..." she looks down and mumbles. "But... I think with one more month of training you'll be ready to help me out." I say. She looks up at me with a big grin. "Really!?" She asks. "Yeah." I smile and laugh. She jumps up and starts dancing! I laugh. Then she attacks me into a hug! "Woah!" I say patting her back. "I never said you were doing it, I just said that's what I thought." She pulls away and starts pouting. "But dad..." she says sticking out her bottom lip. "I'm all for it kiddo. It's your mom who is the problem." I say shrugging my shoulders. "Can I still train like I'm gonna do it?" She asks. "Sure ya can." I say. "Yes! I'm gonna convince mom. Just you watch." She says sitting back down. I chuckle. I'm sure you will.