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I owe everything to my uncle Barry!
Lightning never struck the same place twice.
Over the years, they'd wondered, wondered how it happened. Wondered at the odds. Only after Barry was dead did Ira suggest the possibility that Barry had called the lightning down himself, no longer wanting to be alone.
Like God creating man in his own image.
My powers…
He'd stood on that same tile, below those same cabinets, next to that same window. At ten, he'd been obsessed with the Flash. Other kids were enamored with Superman, impressed by his strength or Batman, fascinated by his intrigue, or Wonder Woman, inspired by her resolve. But he'd loved the Flash, with his quick smile and his kind words and the way dreams seemed a little more possible with him in the world.
Standing in the same spot, the Flash had stood when he'd gained his powers while the man explained how desperately unlikely it was for lightning to strike the same place twice, Wally had prayed. Begged whoever would listen to let him be like his hero.
He'd been standing on holy ground, willing to give anything, everything, and so god listened.
Barry Allen simply didn't know he was divine.
My identity…
He'd handed him a suit. Told him what it took to be a hero.
Presented him with the tenets of his new religion.
He had to use these powers for good. Be responsible with them.
He'd dubbed him Kid Flash.
That day, Wally West had ceased to exist. What use was there for him?
Everything! That man is like a god to me!
-
But even gods died.
The world should have come to a halt. All of time and space ought to have taken a moment to mourn. But it all just… kept moving.
But Wally was still standing there, empty suit in hand, wondering how a man so large as Barry Allen could have died all alone.
Eventually, he slipped into the suit. Eventually, he stood tall in the holy garments, knowing he could not replace the man who had worn the suit, knowing he couldn't be anything close to the person Barry had been.
But Barry had given him a duty. A mission. A religion. And he could not allow that to die with him.
Wally was just a sorry excuse for a disciple.