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English
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Published:
2024-03-15
Updated:
2024-05-26
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2,760
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2/?
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Summary:

“A remnant?” Zoom stood over him, blue lightning flickering over black leather. “Nice try, Flash.”

or

Zoom wins and everyone suffers the consequences, especially and specifically Barry Allen.

Chapter 1: The Race is Lost

Notes:

I have been working on this fic for ten months— the inspiration train hit me at mach 2 today and here I am with a finished chapter
Heed the tags and prepare yourselves because this one's gonna hurt

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Barry's cell was cold. There were other things among that— but to a speedster who was used to the constant warmth of his own lightning; cold was the most notable. 

It wasn’t the literal cold that bothered him, but the absence of warmth. Literal warmth was the lightning running through his veins but it was more than that. Warmth was Iris’ arms around him. Warmth was Cisco’s hand on his shoulder after a rough day. Warmth bloomed in his chest with every reminder that this was his life, that he got so lucky to find these people— that warmth, that happiness was so powerful, it channeled into his own lightning. Warmth was his team, his family. They were the reason he ran. 

A tear slid down the almost faded bruise on his cheek. Thinking about that night was pointless, he knew that by now— but just like the last night that changed his life; it haunted him. Always in the foreground during moments of true despair. Whispers in his mind he tried so hard to ignore.

“It’s all your fault.”

He was going to lose. Nearly a year of training, research, science nearly beyond his own understanding— and he still wasn’t fast enough. Zoom ran in front of him as they zipped around the magnetar, strides ahead, but if Barry could just catch him, it would all be over. 

Before he could attempt another lap, almost blindingly bright lightning exploded from the device’s core, sparking throughout the entire ring before narrowing into a beam that shot into the sky. Barry risked a glance up and felt his stomach plummet. The hole in the sky pulsed blue energy with red seeping at its edges, almost as if the universe itself was wounded and bleeding. White lightning zapped at the red, spreading it to more and more of the breach and that’s when everything clicked. I can still stop this.  

The thought carried him forward, used to channel every bit of lightning in his cells. I have to stop this. It built and built, crackling in every bone, every nerve, every vein— the sparks stopped coming off his body and instead absorbed into his skin. No longer using the lightning but becoming one with it. He was more speedforce than human, if only for a second but it was enough. The lightning unleashed from his very heart— creating a portal directly in front of him and the speedforce itself seemed to hum with triumph. A single step away— but in the corner of his eye; a flash, a blur— and Zoom tackled him off the magnetar.

“A remnant?” Zoom stood over him, blue lightning flickering over black leather. “Nice try, Flash.”  

Winded for only a second, Barry ran. The return to reality jarred his senses. Every step against the hard ground was just so real— but he didn’t have time for that so he pushed it to the back of his mind. 

Another glance at the sky proved the breach to be in worse shape already, with blue almost completely drowned in the red. Without a second thought, Barry changed direction; back to the source of this attack. The world moved in slow motion but his mind worked at double the speed. He would run around the core himself, creating a pulse to counteract the magnetar— but the odds of survival were not in his favor. I can live with that. The grim irony of the thought was not lost on him. If he had to choose between himself or the multiverse— there was no choice to be made. He started all of this. More than a year ago, out of his own selfishness and stupidity. It got Eddie killed, and then Ronnie. He’d never forgiven himself for that. Now it was his turn. Sacrifice himself to save the multiverse. It wouldn’t make up for the lives lost— but now no one else would die because of him. Barry’s mind drifted back to his team. I love all of you.  

The core came into view just as blue lightning rushed at him from the side and smashed Barry into a wall. His vision swam as his head bounced off the too-solid surface, fog clouding the blur of black and blue pummeling him into a bloody mess, slowing his perception of the punches he should be able to see coming. A particularly powerful blow hit, and Barry gasped out a scream when a bone snapped somewhere in his torso. 

Something like concrete met his back. Barry touched the side of his head, hand coming away bloody. When did I take my cowl off? The fog finally cleared from his vision, revealing a black mask with dark, soulless eyes. An unstoppable demon with a face of death. That was the one thing Jay– Hunter, hadn’t lied about. A boot met his ribs and he gasped as a stab of pain came from the area. Staring past Zoom, his eyes were met again with the breach— and it was completely covered in red.

“You really thought you could defeat me?” His low whine turned into a howl as Zoom pressed harder on an evidently broken rib. “Forgotten I’m the fastest man alive?” Zoom leaned further down and Barry bit his cheek to prevent a shriek. “Don’t worry.” Tone laced with venom, he wrapped a hand around Barry’s windpipe. Zoom’s mask was inches from his face, blocking the breach. “You’ll have plenty of time to remember.” He clawed at the hand desperately, struggling for air. 

Barry gasped in a few breaths when the hand was retracted, each one sending a stab of pain to the rib. A clawed hand on his shoulder, pulling him to his feet, and the memory of his own spine shattering flashed into his mind. Paralyzed in fear he’d thought was long gone, entire body stagnant as if again back at that night— he couldn’t do anything to stop the next attack, and this time, Zoom snapped his leg instead. A scream escaped his throat and black spots leapt across his vision as the crunch of a shattered bone assaulted his ears. 

Barry collapsed onto his front, cheek scraping against the ground on impact, but it was nothing compared to the explosion of agony from his definitely broken rib. The pain took his breath away yet his hands became fists on the concrete. I have to try. He began to slowly and carefully push himself up— then a hand grabbed his hair and forced him to his knees. Another scream tore through Barry when every injury was aggravated in one way or another from the harsh treatment; broken bones sliding against each other and a headache that made nausea creep up his throat. He shrieked as the hand yanked his head up sharply, neck straining from the angle. 

“Now you can watch your precious multiverse die. Knowing you’re the one who destroyed it.”

Barry wanted to struggle but even the smallest movement sent a stab of pain to somewhere in his abused body. He could do nothing but watch in silent horror as the white lightning shot into the now fully exposed breach. Could only imagine the countless screams as infinite worlds split in two with that same lightning spreading across each one; destroying everything in its path. 

The last bolts entered the breach, then it pulsed and spasmed like splatters of red paint of all shades in the night as it grew smaller and smaller. Finally, with an almost sad calm in the chaos; the breach flickered out of existence.

“No.” The weight of every mistake in a lifetime couldn’t describe this. No comparison existed for what had just happened— for what he had just done— He just destroyed the entire multiverse. 

Somewhere behind the two speedsters, there was a scream and Barry’s eyes shot wide. Reality hit him like a bus when he realized that Zoom just won and what that could mean for him, for his family—

“The reason that you’re running…” Horror drowned out almost all guilt in an instant.

“Zoom—” but with a zip and flash of blue, the other speedster was already gone.

Notes:

*evil laughter*

Updates may take a bit on this one but I hope you guys stick around for the ride

Feel free to leave a comment if you enjoyed!

Chapter 2: Everything is Lost

Notes:

You read the tags, you read the warnings, you read the chapter title; you may want to grab tissues. I am not liable for any emotional damages✋

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Not again. When the blue lightning reappeared; Zoom had Joe in a headlock not even ten feet from him. Not again. “Zoom— Jay—“ 

“I did tell you.” Zoom’s cowl was off and he was grinning. Barry’s eyes met Joe’s, each were almost equally terrified. Not again.

“Don’t do this, not again. You won— you don’t have to do this—“ He had to get up, he had to do something.  

“No, I don’t have to.” Barry looked to Zoom with a speck of hope. “When we first met as Zoom and The Flash; you asked me what I wanted from you.” Apprehension built with each word. “I told you: everything.” Fear gripped his heart as that hope crumbled to dust. 

“Then kill me!” His voice blended to desperation around the final word.

“Barry.” Joe was pleading but he didn’t listen. Not again—

“Jay, I’m begging you!” He couldn’t save him, he couldn’t even move to try.

“Barr, Barr look at me.” In that moment, he did as Joe asked, tears in both of their eyes as they locked gazes. “It’s gonna be ok, son. You’re going to be ok.” Barry shook his head. “Tell Iris—” Joe stared past him, towards the team. “—And Wally, tell them I love them, and that they can get through this. All of you will.” His voice trembled but Joe was resolute. 

Barry didn’t respond, couldn’t respond— instead speaking again to Zoom. “Please don’t do this. Jay, please, please—” An attempt to get to his feet sent him crashing into the concrete and his eyes closed for a millisecond in pain before darting back up. “I’ll do whatever you want, just let him go.” 

Zoom tilted his head. “How much clearer do I have to make it? Anything I want from you, Barry—” Zoom’s voice was measured, dangerous. “I will take.” Joe closed his eyes— and a vibrating hand tore through his chest. 

The world stopped. Barry’s scream was the only sound in existence as Joe fell, almost in slow motion. He reached out, straining himself to get to him. “Joe!” Joe seized on the ground and Barry’s shouts increased. A few plea filled seconds; then Joe’s chest rose, fell, and his body stilled. “No, no, Joe!” Cold air entered Barry’s lungs. “Get up—” A crack in his voice. “Joe!” but Joe lay unmoving, glazed eyes toward the night sky. “No, no, not again—” not again, not again— 

“I don’t think you realized, Barry—” That voice cut through his pain and he tore his eyes away from Joe, to Zoom, who was grinning over his fallen form. “Just how much you have to lose.”

“What?” His eyes went wide, terrified. “Wait, no!” Zoom disappeared as the plea left his lips. When he came back; Barry’s heart stopped. 

Iris struggled in Zoom’s hold, crying and trying to reach her father. “Dad! Dad no! Barry—” She finally whirled to him and he couldn’t find words.

“Iris— I’m sorry, I’m sorry—” Barry made eye contact with Zoom, desperate. “Please don’t hurt her, Jay please—” His eyes darted between Zoom, Iris, and Joe rapidly; tears still falling. “I’m begging you, please. Please, don’t do this.” Iris struggled more but Zoom’s hold on her was stronger. “Kill me instead!” Forcing her to face him, Zoom placed his hands on either side of Iris’ head as Barry shook his own. “Jay! Don’t! Please!” He made the mistake of meeting Iris’ terrified gaze. “Iris—” He couldn’t lose her. He couldn’t. 

“Barry—” The word came out breathless— a blur of black twisted her neck before she could say another. Barry choked on a gasping scream as she fell too, right next to Joe

“Iris?” She stilled immediately at Zoom’s feet, landing with the back of her head facing Barry. “Iris, Iris please look at me, please?” She’s not dead, she can’t be— “Iris!” But she didn’t move. Pressure built in his heaving chest, suffocating him. “Iris!” Tears fell with new meaning. 

Zoom, hand dripping blood, crouched into his blurred vision and Barry’s shaking fists clenched as he pushed himself up. The smirking face of their killer replaced grief with pure, unfiltered fury. 

“I’m going to kill you.”

Zoom laughed. His eyes went black and voice slipped into a demonic tone. “I’m not even finished.” Horror once again gripped Barry’s heart tight enough to make it burst. That blue lightning flashed for the third time and he tore his gaze away from them to follow it. 

Harry’s gun lay in pieces on the concrete, the man himself on his side next to it. Worry, confusion, and fear threatened to overwhelm him at the sight of his other two friends. Cisco was on the ground and Caitlin kneeled beside him— Cisco was seizing. In his mix of emotions, he almost missed Harry being grabbed and deposited next to Iris and Joe. Barry whirled toward Harry but a scream— Caitlin’s— brought him back around. From a distance, he could make out Caitlin reaching for her left ankle, Zoom standing on it and saying something he couldn’t hear. No— no, this wasn’t happening—

“Allen!” His head swiveled to the voice, back to Harry and— “Thank you, for keeping Jesse safe.” 

Barry shook his head, seeing Iris and Joe again and his voice cracked. “Harry—” 

The man held up a hand, lips pursed, determined. “Make sure she stays that way, and tell her I love her.” Before Barry could respond; the lightning returned. Zoom wasted no time in getting Harry into a chokehold— just like Joe— like Iris—

“Jay, come on, please—” Something inside him already knew, knew that he couldn’t save any of his friends— I have to try. “Please, please, just kill me instead!” Zoom said nothing, placing his hands on the sides of Harry’s head. Harry, who met his fate with resignation on his face, whose neck snapped with his eyes half-closed.

Barry couldn’t even scream— couldn’t breathe— Zoom didn’t give him a single second to feel anything before he was in the same position with Caitlin. Her shriek assaulted his ears as her definitely-injured ankle made contact with the ground. 

“Let go of me—” Caitlin struggled despite her injury, but to no avail. “Jay please—” 

Barry pleaded at the same time. “Jay, stop! Just stop! You’ve done enough!” Hoarse but powerful anger found his voice. Barry looked from Caitlin, to the others, and back to Zoom. “Please, please, please stop—” Zoom fixed him with a wordless stare, his arms moved and Barry already knew what came next. “Caitlin—” The snap echoed in the air for a third time. She fell, to join the others. Barry hyperventilated as he took in the bodies— Yet another flash of blue lit up the night— 

Zoom hadn’t moved. 

Barry turned, just in time to see the last remnants of a breach vanish— Cisco gone along with it. He’s ok. Even as Zoom zipped to the spot and stared at where his friend had just been, that one thought fueled him. Cisco’s ok. Something drew him back around, to their bodies— and whatever dam had been holding everything back; broke. 

All his injuries came back into awareness at once, grief charging each one. Caitlin— The back of her head faced him. Her limbs splayed out unnaturally and left foot bent at the wrong angle. Harry— only the top of his head could be seen past Caitlin, leaving Barry a brief, horrible moment to remember a man with his friend’s face. He doubled over but each breath sent a dagger to his rib, the movement josling a broken leg, and fueling a compelling urge to vomit. Iris— Her head had rolled to face him; eyes remained open, horribly blank, and her mouth slightly agape. All wrong — Joe— In a pool of his own blood, positioned the same as before. Grief seeped through everything from the injuries to his mind, where sorrow took over in floods as the weight of his loss finally took its full effect— Until he was left sobbing and gasping on the ground from the sheer pain of it all. 

He didn’t notice Zoom appear in front of him, couldn’t even acknowledge the presence of their killer. “And now you’re all mine.” The words had no time to register before a black blur and burst of pain sent him tumbling into darkness. As a last thought in a mind muddled by grief, Barry could only hope it would consume him entirely.

Notes:

I regret nothing.