Good Thing I’m Fast Enough

After deciding to split up to recruit new members, the trio hastily finished breakfast and quickly began laying the underground pipeline for the base. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., once the pipeline was completed, the three finally decided to start the recruitment process.

Glancing at the clock, Bruce nodded.

"This timing is perfect. I'll take off shortly and arrive at Mercy Bay by evening. I should be back tomorrow!"

"Oh, then go as fast as you can. We'll handle things here," Clark smiled at Bruce.

"I… well, you're fast enough!"

Bruce helplessly pursed his lips. Just as he was about to leave, Heisenberg suddenly spoke up.

"You're heading to Mercy Bay, right? Let me give you a lift."

"Give me a lift? You mean that fleeting rainbow-colored beam from last night?"

Bruce's interest was instantly piqued.

"Last night, I kept an eye on the Princess of Atlantis, but there was no sign of her leaving the ship.

I didn't dare ask too much, but I saw the rainbow flash.

If there wasn't some reason for her to stay, then she must have been sent away by the rainbow.

And that… could it be the Bifröst Bridge from Norse mythology?"

"Of course!"

Heisenberg rubbed his forehead, his face darkening.

You, Bruce, with your thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, look at the nonsense in your head.

What do you mean by "didn't dare ask too much"? What do you mean by "some reason"???

Setting his hand down, Heisenberg continued.

"You're right, it's the Bifröst Bridge. Want to experience it?"

"Of course."

Bruce nodded, then looked around the ship, sighing.

"Kryptonian technology is truly terrifying. Their research on warp drives and wormholes—I have no clue about it.

But you've mastered it effortlessly, even millions of years ago.

Science truly has no limits!"

"Hmph, you're overthinking. The Bifröst Bridge isn't science—it's theology!"

As the words fell, Heisenberg casually slapped the table, and the rainbow light descended, enveloping Batman-clad Bruce.

At that moment, Bruce's face tightened.

"Wait, I'm not ready yet…"

Whoosh!!!

He was gone…

Watching Bruce vanish, Clark froze for a moment.

He hesitantly turned to Heisenberg and asked,

"Grandpa, didn't he say he wasn't ready?"

"Seems like it. Should I send him back to prepare?"

"Wait…"

Before Clark could finish, Heisenberg clapped his hands again.

…

Near the centuries-old wooden port of Mercy Bay, a dazzling rainbow light suddenly descended.

In an instant, the few residents of Mercy Bay all turned toward the light.

At the same time, in a tavern, someone leaning against the window was startled by the rainbow beam.

He gulped down a mouthful of wine, then stared wide-eyed, quickly looking toward a burly man drinking alone nearby.

"Arthur!"

"Hmm?"

Arthur frowned, turning toward the caller. Through the broken window, he saw the rainbow bridge that had just vanished!

In an instant, he bolted upright, his muscles tensing involuntarily.

The old linen vest he wore couldn't conceal his rugged physique.

With a wide stride, he pushed open the tavern door and charged directly at the black-armored Batman emerging from the rainbow bridge.

Bruce, who had just landed, hadn't even had time to observe his surroundings when he saw Arthur Curry charging at him, face contorted with anger!

"Damn!"

Even as Batman, he couldn't help feeling helpless. His dramatic arrival seemed to have particularly annoyed Aquaman!

Bruce understood Aquaman's thoughts. He knew Arthur was dedicated to rescuing fishermen in distress near Mercy Bay, and Mercy Bay was Aquaman's base of operations.

His sudden descent was akin to Superman arrogantly hovering over Gotham City without even knowing him!

So, Bruce instantly came up with a plan—if only he could…

The rainbow light descended again, causing the furious Arthur to halt in his tracks.

Moments later, staring at the vanished Batman, Arthur Curry was utterly baffled!

As a kid who grew up in Mercy Bay, Maine, how could Arthur not know Batman?

So when he saw the bat, he immediately thought Mercy Bay was in trouble.

But before he could ask, the bat disappeared?

This…

This makes no sense!!!

…

Meanwhile, back on the ship, the newly returned Batman looked utterly dejected.

The temporary plan he'd just come up with…

Was scrapped again!

Before Heisenberg could say anything, he muttered,

"That was one hell of a memorable teleportation!!!"

"Haha, forgot you weren't ready. Go prepare, and I'll send you back!"

Heisenberg joked, and Bruce took a deep breath.

Then, he helplessly shook his head.

"I planned to meet him as Bruce Wayne, but too many people saw my arrival.

I'll probably have to recruit him in my armor, with my face covered.

Hopefully, his guard will be lighter than I expect.

Though that's unlikely—I won't make mistakes!"

"OK, as long as you have a plan!"

Heisenberg nodded, then watched Bruce return to the plane and retrieve a small box.

"Ready!" Bruce declared.

Seeing Bruce prepared, Heisenberg snapped his fingers lightly.

As the sound faded, Bruce vanished again, appearing before the bewildered burly man in Mercy Bay.

After Bruce left, Heisenberg patted Clark's shoulder.

"You go find Cyborg. I'm heading to Central City."

"Got it, but Grandpa, can you bring me a Dyson Sphere souvenir from Central City?

They're hosting a tech expo there!"

"Haha, Lois is busy with interviews again, so no time for tourism, right?

Don't worry, I'll bring one back for you."

With that, the ship's dome opened abruptly, and Heisenberg floated out, then vanished.

Outside the ship, countless small robots on guard duty turned toward the sky in unison, a move that made the onlookers realize Heisenberg had appeared.

But before they could admire his divine form, Heisenberg's figure was gone from their sight.

For a moment, sighs of regret filled the area outside the ship.

…

Central City.

…

Barry Allen has always known he's special, but he never thought he was that special.

A sudden lightning storm granted him his astonishing speed, a power he calls the Speed Force.

It elevated him beyond the realm of mortals.

And his ability to manipulate time borders on the divine.

Yet, even so, he can't change his tragic life.

At least, not yet!

At age 11, he witnessed a bolt of lightning kill his mother.

But the police didn't believe a young boy's story.

His father was imprisoned, and everyone was convinced he was the murderer.

In a single day, he lost both parents.

Fortunately, he could still visit his father in prison occasionally.

Today was one of those days!

Barry chatted with his father in prison, as usual on weekends.

Since Barry had graduated from college, his father was concerned about his job prospects.

When his father asked, Barry shyly smiled and shared his plan.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm applying to a lab. I've even prepared my resume."

As the words fell, Barry pulled a piece of paper from his hoodie pocket and showed it to his father.

His father glanced at the resume, and Barry nervously folded it up.

He didn't want his father to see what he was actually applying for.

Because he wasn't applying to be a researcher at any lab—he was applying to be a pet shop caretaker…

Perhaps from nervousness, Barry didn't notice that the resume he tucked back into his pocket had a torn corner.

"Hey, kid, I didn't get a good look.

Too bad I can't cook you dinner after your interview.

If you're lucky enough to join the lab, make sure to follow your mentor's instructions to some extent.

I used to know some scholar friends—they all had quirks and were hard to please."

"Of course, I…"

Before Barry could finish, a guard interrupted.

"Time's up, buddy.

You two meet every week, and I'm starting to recognize you. No need to rush this time, right?

Let's go, don't make it hard for us."

Hearing the guard, Barry helplessly nodded, glancing around before whispering to his father,

"I'm still investigating what happened back then. Trust me, I'll find the evidence, I will!"

Hearing Barry's words, his father, about to leave, sighed guiltily.

In the last second before hanging up, he said to Barry,

"Don't let your life be defined by what happened back then. I've already failed you enough—don't make me feel worse, Barry!"

"Alright, let's go!"

The guard pulled Barry's father away, and the two gradually disappeared from Barry's sight.

Until they were completely gone, Barry shook his head regretfully.

"I'll get you out eventually!"

Saying this, Barry turned and resolutely left the prison.

He was going to his interview.

Walking thirteen streets, Barry went from before lunch to 1:50 p.m.

He was indeed fast, but he rarely showed his speed. When no one needed help, the faster he was, the more he enjoyed walking slowly, like now.

Of course, he'd never admit that speeding up always left him hungry, and now he was too broke to even afford pizza!

He just liked strolling—it had nothing to do with money!

Soon, he stopped at a street corner. Across the street was the pet shop where he planned to apply.

He nervously rubbed his cheeks, then steadied himself and walked toward the shop.

As he walked, Barry glanced at the pet shop and suddenly saw a girl who made him pause.

She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her aura was exceptionally serene, like a lotus in a chaotic world.

After passing the girl, Barry slowed down, unable to resist looking at her back.

Perhaps it was a woman's intuition—the girl turned back, following a sixth sense, and looked at Barry.

In that brief moment, Barry turned away, embarrassed, and continued toward the pet shop as if nothing had happened.

Seeing no one behind her, the girl didn't think much of it. Maybe she was mistaken.

So she took a few steps, then suddenly turned back again.

Still no one…

The girl sighed in relief. She must have been mistaken.

Little did she know, behind her, Barry took a deep breath.

Good thing I'm fast enough!