Gotta Go Fast

                                          Same Name New Blog 

Sam blinked awake after a good amount of gentle slapping. “Whu- Agh-”

Oh god everything was blury - oh god his head-

He struggled to sit up, trying to swipe Wally’s hand away. The memory of everything that had just happened was still fresh in his mind, but BOY thinking was really painful right now. He couldn’t digest anything, or really make heads or tails of it. But- y'know, bleeding in the brain really did that to ya. That was… what happened right? He remembers getting punched in the head…. Oh GOD his head. He grabbed his face and winced. The inside of his brain hurt AND the outside. And also EVERYTHING.

“I- wha…?” Help…. home? “Where’s-” He looked down at his mirror gun. “Uh….”

Okay- c'mon think, where did Wally live…? If he can do this for the Rogues after getting his shit kicked in, he can do this now. Uh- math…

“Hokay uh- Zap.” He points the pistol at the blurry image of the Flash hovering above, and the speedster is ported away in a beam of light. Sam flopped down on the sidewalk and blinked woozily up at the sky as it span around in circles. What he had just done not reaaaally connecting for some reason, but he’s proud anyways. Yeaaah super genius even under extreme circumstances!

He feels like shit.

Actually he’s just gonna roll over and puke a little bit.

Suddenly Wally was home. That will never not be a jarring experience.

Wait.  Where’s Sam?  Shit.  He’ll call Axel.  Wow everything really hurt.  Now that the coast was clear it was safe to let the pain actually roll in.  

Puking first.  Call Axel second.  

The call was brief, with a short, sweet, message.  And then the speedster was on the floor.  Hello, floor.

“It’s done! He’s cured!” Ah blessed be the hair-thin will of humanity. “Just you wait, by this time tomorrow, this room will be no more! Totally wiped clean! You’ll never see me again!” especially when I come back more powerful to slit your throat in your sleep.

“AH- and what do the human’s say? ’PSSH’- arm? This arm? Fix this arm? Don’t worry- this was the garbage arm. Look!"  Desaad casually whips out a long serrated blade from the depths of his cloak and slices it clean off. The mostly mechanical limb falls to the floor with a meaty THUD.

Desaad grit his teeth, face twisted in restrained agony. Though the expression quickly turns more into someone trying to bite back his laughter at Wally’s disgust. "S-see, it hurts much less now, actually. Much more effort to repair it than it is just to make a new one, ey?”

“Take your friend now, Merciful Flash of Earth and pretend you never saw me! I was serious when I said if word were to get out about this it would be war.”

The part of Wally’s face that was visible from under the cowl paled considerably when Desaad’s arm was lopped off in front of him.  Definitely might puke later.  

After a brief pause to collect his thoughts and to muster up the will to stand again, Sam was hoisted up.  All that time trying to convince the rogue to eat more suddenly seemed like a bad idea.  Everything hurt.  Every muscle felt like it was on fire still.  Carrying a lightweight like Sam around made the speedster very thankful that he never listened to advice.  

There was only a last glance back, no words.  Just a note to self about having a sweep done of this building tomorrow.  He waited until they were out of the vicinity to set his passenger down and pat his cheek.  

   Desaad was used to being treated this way (It was practically his given profession at this point.) But that didn’t mean he particularly liked it coming from a human. Just you wait Flash, when my power reaches new levels, you’re first on the chopping block.

  With practice eased, deft fingers pulled together a patchwork of mismatched parts from here and there. Lazily transforming insanely advanced technology into an entirely new invention for this specific, previously untreated case. Casual master’s work at play here- don’t pause to appreciate it or anything. 

   The finished product was something that looked similar to an electric shaver, a small hand-held object with a rottery piece positioned at the business end.

   Careful to keep out of Flash’s immediate  beating-range, Desaad circled around to the rear of the Mirror Master’s back. Pressing the metal object into the base of his neck. A whir and click- a small blade jut out and cut a deep one-inch incision. Hooked a line of wire hidden under the surface of skin in a single swipe.

  “Consider yourself lucky that you’re unconscious, friend. Else this would be incredibly painful.” Desaad mutters as the machine begins to spool, twisting the twine free of Sam’s body in neat little ringlets. Drops of blood sprayed out as the speed of the device accelerated. Long inter-connected strands of circuitry was pulled from anywhere to Scudder’s arms to the depths of his brain.

  It took Desaad a moment to realize the sight of blood was upsetting to humans and he was quick to ramble, attempting to save himself from another loby of fists, “AH- the bleeding is negligible, promise. He might be a bit sore- Small amount of hemorrhaging. Headaches- back aches… Just- general aches.”

  He winced under the Flash’s glare, grinning a sheepish and jagged smile, “Ah- need I remind you Sire that technically this condition isn’t my fault. Even if I put this technology here, it is perfectly safe for humans. Granted its integrity remained undamaged. No normal human tool should have been able to come CLOSE to simply ripping pieces off the walls…”

A heavy, annoyed sigh was released as the speedster grit his teeth.  “Look, I realize that he snuck in here and stole something that wasn’t his to take.  But you shouldn’t have been here in the first place.” 

Peh- Orion. Desaad rolled his eyes secretly as he pulled himself up off the floor with a sneer. I’m shaking in my boots.

  “…OH- PLEASE MERCIFUL FLASH, you don’t understand..!! You mustn’t tell anyone of me being here…!!!"   Desaad slinked along the floor like a worm, hugging Wally’s boot, "I broke many treaties appearing here- if word were to spread, it would be war, WAR! Don’t let my people suffer for my crimes ple-he-heeeaaase.”

 "New Genesis would attack…! Many innocents would die. It would be planetary slaughter-! You wouldn’t want to start all that just for me… Would you?     Oh WISE and KIND Flash…?“

  “Not that I would question your abounding wisdom, m’lord… If bloodshed is what you crave. Brave and talented Soldiers cut down for nothing… Why, let it come down! It- It shall be called the Flash’s WAR- yesss, merciful Flash’s War….”

    He released the speedster and slinked back to the panels on the wall, using his one hand as best he can to pull some parts free and build himself a machine that might help cure the one in Orange. Though having two arms would certainly be nice.

Another glare was shot in Desaad’s direction.  Hate grew with every word spat from his mouth.  “Shut up and do what you’re told.  I doubt you need both legs to do this.”  Wally felt his stomach churn at the threat.  Sensitive subject.

The speedster limped over to Sam and knelt down to check his head.  He probably needed a boost after basically being possessed and then punched in the head at high speeds.  Poor guy.

Before he could even blink- pain snaked up his arm and he was on the ground. Punches were lobbed at his face, left and right. The Sjambok fell from his limp, broken hand and he was left no choice but to take them.

Each impact shook his HUD- shut down his more nuanced mechanical functions. This had to stop before he was too damaged to even survive the boomtube home-

After taking far more abuse than was humanly possible, Desaad finally was left with no other choice but to resort to what he was best at.

Grovelling.

“ST- AGH- STOP STOP!” His good hand vainly attempted to shield his face, “Please-! Have mercy! Pl- AGH! - STOP! I SURRENDER!” Tears sprung from his thoroughly mashed face, black blood oozing from cuts and bruises, from his nose and mouth. “Please! Have mu-mu-mERCY ON MEEE!!!”

Once the punches finally took to pause, Desaad peeked over the top of his arm to see if the Flash was listening before going full pitiful-mode. WAILING and crying, cowering in fear! The highest form of Apokoliptian respect. “WHOA- MERCIFUL FLASH OF EARTH- GOD AMONG EARTHMEN. Your blistering bruises upon my face are like… many blessings! I pray that they horribly scar me for the rest of my immortal life…!"  SNIFFLE,  "I cherish every ache they bring me should you find mercy on me now!”

He squeezed his eyes shut and wilted under Wally’s gaze, in preparation should he see fit the beatings continue  

The Flash froze mid punch, fist dirtied with thick, black, blood.  A glare was Desaad’s first answer, hatred and anger hissed out with every heavy breath.  

After a moment to let the intruder squirm in anticipation, Wally stood with a hiss of pain, lifting the broken man up by the collar of his robes.  “You’re gonna wish I believed anything you say unless you do what I want.”  Desaad and all of his pleading was carried over to Sam’s body and tossed to the ground. 

Desaad’s eyes rolled back and a sickening smirk slithered over the top of his lip like a wave, “Hohh- hohohooo” Yesss, he could feel that pain- it stroked his empathic mind like the sweet caress of a lusty lady.

Then the so-called hero’s fist collided with his so-called friend’s head, the force sent Orange-clad Earthman into the floor. It was almost enough to kill him right then and there…! So much instinctual power! Such apathetic lizard-brained self preserving verve…! It send Desaad into a fit of cackling laughter! Why- it positively tickled him!

“SO EASILY YOU HIGH AND MIGHTY EARTHMEN TURN ON EACH OTHER. You’re no less than dogs! Brainless dogs that cry and snap! Disgusting animals with value only in their squeals for my delight!” The whip struck the ground, again and again as Desaad approached, “And OH do I delight…!”

Green eyes widened at the sight of Sam in a crumpled heap.  They had come here to get him relief and everything got turned upside down.  

Then that voice filled the room.  That vile, demented, voice.  Wally glared daggers at Desaad as he approached.  It was time to end this.  The pain didn’t matter.  He’d heal and there wouldn’t even be a damn scar.  All that mattered was that this creep ate dirt.

Static filled the air around the speedster as sparks flicked around him once more, darting out from his eyes and feet.  

Breath.

The world around him nearly came to a complete halt.  Blood oozed down his leg as his muscles tensed before taking off.  

It was easy to maneuver around the now frozen oncoming attack.  Even the blue sparks from Desaad’s weapon flickered in mid air.   And that weapon was the first thing to go.  Wally didn’t bother taking it out of the man’s hand.  He simply just grabbed his wrist and vibrated until a loud snap echoed in his ears.  Then the broken limb was pushed backwards.  Hard.

“You!”  A hand gripped at the Apokoliptian’s throat and shoved him to the ground.  Good thing Desaad’s face was already passed saving, because Wally wasn’t going to hold his punches.

desxxd:

Fast- that was too fast- “OOF-!” Desaad felt his insides crumple at the impact. In a split-second decision, he attempted to lessen the force by throwing himself onto his back and letting the Flash ran over him. He swung his legs up and twisted on his heels. CRACK- one swipe as the Flash ran away-  SNAP! he twirled around and came down again with another. The whole thing must have happened almost too fast for the naked eye. The blue electricity hung in the air in a double-spiral.

Desaad watched in elongated time as the Speedster stumbled forward to his fallen comrade, the one in orange. Still fighting the call to Apokoliptian arms.

Rise, Soldier, STRIKE HIM!

Strike- Strike with what?!

Anything-

The feel of the switchblade he always carried in his boot stung his skin like a brand. Sam knew exactly what to do. In a flash of cold mirrored steel, the Mirror Master reached into his boot, flicked open the blade and plunged it deep into Wally’s hip as he passed into arm’s reach.

 Blood sprayed out onto his face and he twisted the blade. With the cold, detached, and hungry expression of an insect splayed across his usual conventionally attractive features. Under the hold of Apokolips, he looked like a corpse. An exoskeleton shaped like Sam.

He yanked the knife free and got to his feet, and though swaying, looked ready to do more damage should he receive the command.

Pained screams echoed through the room as Wally stumbled forward.  Blood dripped down the shreds of costume from wounds that were desperately trying to heal.  Just a quick break and he’d be fine.  He just needed a second if he could get one-

Who was being called now?  The speedster tensed, ready for more soldiers from Apokolips to arrive, only to have been focused on the wrong thing.  

Desaad’s core made a sickening thump like a wooden log. The vibration was distinctly inhuman, but it still sent a shudder right to his ears. He smacked Wally’s leg to one side and used his strength to pull the speedster in for a strike, using his own grapple against him.

Their foreheads collided and Desaad swung the Sjambok across. The elastic metal wrapped around the speedster’s body with an electric CRACK-POP- the pure impact of the blow was enough to bust the seams on Wally’s costume, angry raised welt left in its path.

He shoved hard, pushing them apart, Desaad grabbed his middle, teeth bared in a pained snarl.

The speedster let out a pained cry through gritted teeth.  But there was no time to dwell on pain right now.  Wally didn’t have any weapons besides his movement so it was important to never slow down.

In an explosion of electricity, The Flash took off as soon as he had enough footing.  This would all be easier if the room was larger, or a circle but he’d make due with scaling the wall and the ceiling hoping there had been enough room to gain the right momentum.  

Keep going.  Keep going.  Don’t fall.  Please don’t fall.

  “Ha.” Desaad’s pale lips curled into an oily smirk, “You’re right. It’s not a very fitting punishment. No not at all. Becoming one of Apokolip’s drones- that’s more an incredible honor isn’t it?” He shrugged his bony shoulders, “Ah, Not that it matters much anyways… I can’t let either of you leave here alive.”

  He’s of course aware of the Flash. He’d have to be just to know what a speedster is and what they can do. Of course, disappearing such a prominent hero was bound to raise no shortage of suspicion. Not that there’d be any way to know who did it or how…     He just…  preferred his pathetic earth ‘heroes’ strapped to a table, stripped of their power, suffering a long and painful death at his expert hands while they CRY and renounce everything they hold dear!!

  (OHoho- pleasurable pinpricks run along his pasty flesh at the thought. A lustful hunger flashes in his eyes, as he imposes these musings upon Wally like he’s sizing up a slab of succulent steak for the seasoning).

  A remorseful sigh- BUT, seeing as he was already in his battle-ready attire, with a much more flexible and light-footed weapon at hand. He was hardly left with any other efficient option than to deal with them now in true warrior’s fashion.   Besides… His appetite for blood had already been moistened earlier, he felt ready to stretch out his newly grown parts. Test out the extent of his slowly developing abilities.

  Without warning, a strong horizontal strike of the weapon, Desaad aimed true to whip the crimson hero’s head from his shoulders.

“An honor?  As if.”  Desaad may be quick enough to react to an approach but he was no speedster.  The weapon was longer but nor much different than Nightwing’s eskrima sticks.  Handle at the base, zappy part at the end.  

 When the Flash jumped closer- Desaad felt like everything moved in slow motion. He not only was able to react in time by taking a few steps back, he was able to unleashed his weapon. A thin, long, black sturdy switch-looking apparatus with duel prongs. It looked to be the marriage between a Sjmbok and a Cattle-prod. It struck the ground with sharp POP and dangerous spark.

   The panel fell at his feet and he glanced down at it with a sneer. What was-? Ah. He understood. It turns out the little intruder was also a thief. The poor metal warped and tried to repair itself in inexperienced care. And as expected, it also tried to interface with the Earthman.

  “…. Earthmen have Lizard brains. They can’t comprehend the technologies of Apokolips.” Desaad smirked, not moving an inch, “The machine assumed since you are lower lifeforms that you are simply Parademons. Automatically attempting to read your genetic code and repair bodily deficits in order to reestablish communications…”  

 "Once bodily functions peak at 100 percent and communications have yet to be established, a secondary measure is activated, a total re-installation of programming… But not Human programming. Soldier.“

 Rubber rubbed rubber as Desaad’s black gloved hand squeezed the handle of his weapon, "You pathetic Earthmen think that returning what you stole from me will earn you any favors? You’re receiving a fitting punishment for your crimes. See to it that it does not get more severe.” He cracked the Sjambok again dangerously.

Well shit. Apparently this guy was fast.  How?  Barda’s from Apokolips and she’s not quick enough to keep up with him.  Who was this guy?

Wally didn’t back down, even when the weapon zapped near him.  If anything happened he’d have the Justice League so far up this guys ass Batman would be able to use him as a hand puppet.  

“Fitting punishment?  I don’t think so, pal.”  Sam wasn’t about to turn into any...demon.  Not with The Flash around.  Deadly threats weren’t really in his utility belt of tactics so to speak.  But something needed to be done.

desxxd:

  Boots clacked harshly against hot cobblestone hallways. Desaad stood straight in his battle-ready attire. Of course, he probably wasn’t going to war- he had many duties here to attend to on Apokolips. But in accordance to regulations, he was to appear before the troops alongside the other generals to see them off. Which was fine, if not annoying. Desaad was a very busy man he didn’t have time for ceremonious frivolities.

 An echo of footsteps followed up behind him right before he was about to cross the threshold out the temple. “Sire- I have an urgent message for you-”

 It was one of his mousy assistants, pig-sweat stained the front of his oily robes as he cowered under Desaad’s annoyed glare, “Agh- Silence, Sluggard! Can it not wait until after I fulfill my duties- It’ll be your head should Prince Kalibak discover why I was not present at today’s Reicht.”

 A bow- Ten bows. “Yes yes of course, but you specifically ordered to be made aware should you received any personal transmissions from Lantern Space…”

  Desaad’s caterpillar brows climbed his forehead and he made a total about-face back inside the depths of the temple, “Very well- thank you for doing your duty.”

 "Ah- sire….“ the assistant followed behind, his mandibles chewing anxiously against the fabric along his mouth-slot, “A thousand pardons to pry… but I took the liberty to locate the exact location of the signal and- well… may I inquire why you’re waiting for messages from…. earth?”

 Desaad stopped and looked back at his assistant, the sounds of cheering crowds echoing through the long red windows lining their passageway. The ceremony had already began- curse it all….

 "Before I answer that, I ask you this: Have you told anyone else of your discovery?“

The bug bowed its head in servitude, a look of cowardly realization crossing his compound eyes. ”… No of course m'lord, I know you value your privacy…“

Desaad’s lips pulled back in a snarl, "That I do.”

A pinpoint strike and a scream rang out, only to be cut short. The assistant’s head was removed from its shoulders. Desaad did not bother with the body, simply left it to lie. Dismembered servants were commonplace here. And hungry parademon patrols would be by soon and devour it whole.

A quiet place found, boomtube opened, Desaad jumped into the portal and out to his apparently NOT so secret Earth chamber. This time he’d been smarter, leaving sensors that detected any sort of disturbances. Though it was a rush job and the sensors were not strong enough to directly reach his HUD. Should have had more foresight than to trust his overly-curious assistants. But for his plans, unfortunate sacrifices would have to be made…  He’d just have to take more care to hide the source of the signal for next time.

Oh and what does he find but more humans in strange clothes- one of which he recognizes to be the same as the one he allegedly dropped into space. 

 ”YOU!“ he growls in anger.

  “I-I’m trying-” is what he tried to say, But Sam can hear himself talk- he’s speaking in tongues. He struggled to get up, looking at Wally, eyes pleading. But at the angry explosive sound of the boomtube, his hands clap down harder around his ears, knees hitting the ground once more.

It’s- Lord General De Saad. Wait- Desaad? Why does he- wait Lord General?! “a-ARGHH-!!!”

  Head felt like it was being filled with that horrible noise AOL makes when it’s trying to load the internet. Just a roaring irregular crackling scream. Some… incomplete programming inside him was instantly deferring him to the alien- like an irrefutable chain of command. They shared a wireless connection.  And Desaad knew he was now under his control - for some reason Sam could tell.

  Sweat poured down his face, he felt like he was magnetized to the floor. The terrible need to obey the only other leader in the room. His struggle just to get to his feet suddenly started to poison every asset of his entire being. Right up until he no longer just struggled to control his body, but to remember who he was- WHAT he was.

But almost before the question posed itself, an answer appeared: Parademon. Parademon. Parademon. Parademon.

   “Wally-!”

Wally desperately tried to hold Sam up, keep him close.  Even when the rogue fell once again to his knees, The Flash kept a protective hand on him.  The language spewing from the man’s mouth was nothing he’d ever heard before which was strange for someone who had been all over the world and to many different planets.  But despite the lack of understanding, the look on Sam’s face gave Wally all that he needed.  

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.  Do you understand?  You’re gonna be okay.”

A familiar push and pull coupled with the ungodly volume of the boomtube and the speedster readied himself.  Anyone or anything could enter the room ready to kill.  Wally took a breath, steadied himself, and channeled enough speed force energy to blow a hole in the wall if needed.  Sparks flew everywhere and the air crackled with electricity.  

The person who entered the room was certainly not what The Flash was expecting.  Though they seemed ready for something by the looks of it, they honestly didn’t look very threatening.  At least compared to the speedster’s imagination of what they were about to face.  Never underestimate something from space though.

Sam calling out his name, threw Wally into action.  This needed to end quickly and without a fight if possible.  Damn.  Why hadn’t he brought backup?  If he single handedly starts a war with Apokolips, everything he’d ever worked for would be gone.  

With a preparative breath, The Flash speeds up to Desaad, not too close, but enough to take his attention off of the rogue on the floor.  “Hey!  Look,”  the chunk of Apokoliptian tech was held up “We’re bringing this back.  Take it and fix him.”  There was no fear in the speedster’s eyes.  By the looks of this guy, the robes were misleading.  Wally could definitely take him in arm wrestling so he could take him in a fight.