Chapter 43: The Challengers

Chapter 43: The Challengers

---*

Oliver Queen woke up with a jolt. He felt a sharp pain in his head and a tightness in his chest. He tried to move, but he realized he was trapped inside a small, dark box. He could barely breathe.

He remembered what had happened before he lost consciousness. He had been captured by Tachyon, the speedster villain who had become the new kingpin of Central City for months. Oliver had attacked the hideout where Tachyon and his team were planning their next move. Tachyon didn't even waste any time knocking him out. Tachyon had struck him with a bolt of lightning, sending him flying across the room.

Oliver had woken up in a basement, tied to a chair. Tachyon standing in front of him, wearing a black jumpsuit with a white tachyon symbol on his chest.

Tachyon had smiled wickedly and started to talk, comparing their situation to a James Bond movie, where Myles was the villain and he was the hero. Myles hadn't revealed his master plan, but Oliver knew who he wanted and then he had knocked Oliver out with a punch.

Oliver had woken up again, this time inside the box. He didn't know where he was, or how long he had been there. He didn't know if anyone was looking for him, or if anyone could find him. He didn't know if he would ever see his friends and family again.

He felt a surge of anger. He refused to give up. He refused to let Tachyon win. He focused his mind and tried to think of a way out.

Oliver then heard a voice outside the box. It was Tachyon, talking to someone else.

"Richie, what the hell is this?" Tachyon asked, sounding annoyed.

"It's a coffin, boss. You said to put him in a box," Richie answered, sounding confused.

"A box, Richie. A box. Not a coffin. A coffin is for dead people. He's not dead yet," Tachyon said, sighing. "He's not right? I mean kind of punched him hard enough but I'm 100% sure his neck is still intact.

"Sorry, boss. I thought you meant a coffin. You know, typical villain stuff," Richie said, apologizing.

"Richie, I'm not your typical 101 bad guy, you don't put the hero in a coffin. You put him in a box with a bomb and a timer and a camera. That's how you do it, Richie. That's how you do it," Tachyon said, explaining. "You only put him in a coffin when he's dead or you really want to mess with his head."

"Oh, I see. Sorry, boss," Richie said, sounding sheepish.

"It's okay, Richie. It's okay. We all make mistakes, it's my fault for being not clear enough. Now go back to the base and wait for my signal," Tachyon said, letting him go.

"Okay, boss," Richie said, leaving.

Oliver heard the sound of footsteps approaching the box. He tried to unbind his wrists, but it was too late. The box opened up and revealed Tachyon smiling and greeting Oliver with a good evening.

"Hello again, Mr. Green. I hope you had a nice nap," Tachyon said, cheerfully.

Oliver glared at him and tried to kick him, but Tachyon dodged and grabbed his legs.

"Easy there, Mr. Green. No need to be rude. I'm here to help you out of this coffin," Tachyon said, dragging Oliver out of the box.

Oliver felt the cold air hit his face and realized they were outside. He looked around and saw they were in the middle of a street, surrounded by cops, cameras, and bystanders.

"What are you doing?" Oliver asked, panicking.

"I'm giving you a chance to be a hero, Mr. Green. A chance to save yourself and the city from this bomb that I've rigged behind you," Tachyon said, tying Oliver to a pole behind a large metal device with wires and a red digital display.

Oliver saw that the display showed 10 minutes and counting down.

"A bomb? Are you insane? I thought this is your territory." Oliver asked, incredulous.

"No, Mr. Green. I'm not insane. I'm creative," Tachyon said, grinning. "And yes this is my territory, so what stopping me from turning this park into a good parking lot? Aren't motivated enough now?"

"Barry trusted you." Oliver growled.

"Barry trust a lot of people and half of them aren't even gonna last long." Myles shrugged. He took out his phone and pointed it at Oliver. "Say cheese, Mr. Green. You're on live TV," Tachyon said, pressing a button.

Oliver saw that his phone was connected to a large screen in a nearby building that showed his face to the world.

He felt a surge of fear and worry. He thought his identity as the Green Arrow was now exposed to everyone. And his team will suffer the aftermath.

But then he noticed that he was still wearing his costume and mask.

He looked at Tachyon and saw him wink at him. "Don't worry, Mr. Green. I'm not here to ruin your secret. I'm here to challenge you," Tachyon said, taunting him.

He put his phone in his pocket and ran away at super speed.

Oliver heard his voice echo through the speakers on the street. "Good luck, Mr. Green. You have 10 minutes to defuse the bomb or die trying. And Flash try not be late for the fireworks."

Tachyon laughed maniacally as his voice disappeared.

***-

At Star Labs, Cisco and Caitlin were watching the news on a large screen. They saw Oliver tied to a tree with a bomb behind him, and Tachyon taunting him on live TV.

"Oh, no. This is bad. This is very bad," Cisco said, worried.

"What is Tachyon doing? He's gone too far this time," Caitlin said, scared.

They turned to Barry, who was standing next to them, wearing his old suit.

"Barry, you have to stop him. You have to save Oliver," Cisco said, urging him.

"I know, Cisco. I know. But how? Tachyon is faster than me. He's stronger than me. He's smarter than me. How can I beat him?" Barry said, doubtful.

"You can beat him, Barry. You have something he doesn't. You have a heart. You have a team. You have us," Caitlin said, encouraging him.

Barry smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, Caitlin. You're right. I can beat him. I will beat him," Barry said, determined.

He looked at Cisco.

"Cisco, get my new suit ready. The one you've been working on for months. The one with the metal plates and the tachyon enhancer," Barry said, requesting.

"Are you sure, Barry? That suit is experimental. It could be dangerous," Cisco said, warning.

"I'm sure, Cisco. It's the only way I can match Tachyon's speed and power. It's the only way I can save Oliver and the city," Barry said, insisting.

"Okay, Barry. Okay. I'll get it ready. But be careful, okay? That suit is not a toy," Cisco said, agreeing.

He ran to his workshop and brought back a large metal case.

He opened it and revealed a new suit for Barry.

It was similar to his old jumpsuit in design, but it had metal plates on the chest, arms, and legs.

It also had a tachyon enhancer on the chest, shaped like a lightning bolt.

It looked sleek and futuristic.

"Wow. That's amazing, Cisco. You've outdone yourself," Barry said, admiring.

"Thanks, Barry. But don't thank me yet. This suit is still untested. It could have glitches, malfunctions, or side effects," Cisco said.

"I'll take my chances, Cisco. It's worth it," Barry said, confident.

He took off his old suit and put on the new one.

He felt a surge of energy coursing through his body.

He felt faster and stronger than ever before.

He looked at himself in a mirror and smiled.

Caitlin walked up to him and handed him a syringe. "Here, Barry. Take this with you. It's a serum I've developed to knock out Tachyon. It's based on his DNA sample that we got from his blood trail last week," Caitlin said, explaining.

"Thanks, Caitlin. This could come in handy," Barry said, accepting.

He put the syringe in his belt pouch before looking at Caitlin and hugging her.

"Thank you, Caitlin. You're the best," Barry said, grateful.

"You're welcome, Barry. You're the best too," Caitlin said, smiling.

"What, she gets a hug and I don't?" Cisco joked before Barry hugs him as well.

"Thank you…" Barry whispered.

Cisco smiled. "Anytime, man. We'll be right behind you."

Barry was about to leave when he heard a voice behind him.

"Barry! Don't go!" Dr. Wells said, interrupting him.

Barry, Cisco, and Caitlin turned around and saw Dr. Wells rolling in his wheelchair.

He looked at Barry with a worried expression.

"Barry, don't go. It's too dangerous. Tachyon is too powerful. He'll kill you," Dr. Wells said, pleading.

Barry shook his head and walked up to Dr. Wells.

"Dr. Wells, I have to go. I have to stop Tachyon. I have to save Oliver. I have to save the city," Barry said, explaining.

Dr. Wells grabbed Barry's arm and looked at him with a severe expression.

"Barry, listen to me. Tachyon is not someone you can face alone without a plan. He's a mastermind, a genius, a psychopath. He knows you, Barry. He knows everything about you and your friends. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows how to hurt you and how to break you," Dr. Wells said, reminding him.

Barry looked at Dr. Wells with a determined expression.

"Dr. Wells, I appreciate your concern, but I can't stand by and watch Tachyon and his rogues go out of control any longer. They've caused too much pain, they've crossed too many lines. I have to stop them, Dr. Wells. I have to stop them now," Barry said, insisting.

Dr. Wells sighed and let go of Barry's arm.

"Barry, you're being stubborn and reckless. You're playing right into Tachyon's hands. He wants you to come after him. He wants you to face him alone. He wants you to die," Dr. Wells said, warning him.

Barry shook his head and ran away. "I'm sorry, Dr. Wells, but I have to do this," Barry said, leaving.

Dr. Wells watched him go with a frustrated expression. He cursed under his breath. "Damn it, Barry! Why don't you ever listen?" Dr. Wells said, angry.

He turned to Cisco and Caitlin and looked at them with a stern expression.

"Cisco, Caitlin, keep track of Barry and his vitals. Monitor his suit and his serum. Let me know if anything goes wrong," Dr. Wells said, instructing them.

"Yes, Dr. Wells," Cisco and Caitlin said, nodding.

Dr. Wells nodded back and rolled away.

He quickly headed to his time vault and locked the door behind him.

He took off his glasses and walked up to a large metal case.

He opened it and revealed a new suit for himself. It was similar to Barry's new suit in design, but it had metal plates on the chest, arms, and legs.

It also had a tachyon enhancer on the chest, shaped like a lightning bolt.

It looked sleek and sinister. "Hello, old friend," Eobard said, admiring his suit.

He took off his clothes and put on the suit. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his body. He activated his tachyon enhancer and saw that it was fully charged. Letting out a satisfied, Eobard savored the taste of power as he laughed and ran away.

He left Star Labs with no one noticing.

Meanwhile, in the Speed Force, a dark figure emerged from the swirling vortex of energy.

It was Black Flash, the hunter of speedsters who defied the natural order of time. The reaper has an upgrade as well, now wearing some unique armor with zombified face replaced by glowing energy. In its grasp was a scythe large enough to cleave an entire field.

It sensed a disturbance in the Speed Force, a disturbance caused by Myle's existence. It roared in rage and ran towards his scent.

Its mission was clear as day. KILL MYLES WALLEY! The grim reaper couldn't help but grin. This time the mortal will not escape his grasp. The speedforce will prevail.