MARVEL: THE SCARLET SPEEDSTER

-EARLIER BEFORE THE ATTACK-

The dimly lit meeting room aboard the yacht was heavy with frustration and worry. Jimmy Woo stood at the head of the table, trying to organize a plan, but the room's energy was restless. Wally leaned against the wall, arms crossed, silently contemplating his next move, when Kevin stormed over.

Without warning, Kevin grabbed Wally's suit collar and slammed him against the wall with surprising force.

Kevin: This is your fault! My wife Shanna she's gone because of you!

Wally: Hey, take it easy!

Kevin's eyes were filled with anger and despair.

Kevin: Take it easy? You were supposed to protect her! You were supposed to bring her back, and now Weapon X has her! They've taken her, and it's all on you!

Wally struggled to free himself, but Kevin's grip was firm. The team watched in stunned silence. Blink took a step forward, ready to intervene, but Jimmy raised a hand, signaling her to wait.

Wally: Look, Kevin, I know you're mad, but blaming me isn't going to help get her back.

Kevin: Blaming you is all I've got right now! You don't know what it's like to lose someone like this!

Wally's expression darkened, and he spoke in a calm but firm tone.

Wally: I do. More than you think. But if we're going to save her, we need to work together, not tear each other apart.

Kevin hesitated, his grip loosening slightly.

Jimmy Woo: Kevin, enough. Wally's right. We're wasting time. We need to focus on the mission.

Kevin released Wally with a frustrated shove, pacing to the other side of the room.

Kevin: You'd better bring her back. Both of you.

Outside the yacht, young Matthew lay curled up on a makeshift bed, sound asleep despite the raised voices inside. A soft breeze rustled his hair, unaware of the storm brewing just beyond the walls.

Jimmy Woo: Alright, everyone. Let's get our heads in the game. We've got a queen to rescue.

Wally: We'll bring her back. You have my word.

Kevin: If anything happens to her...

Wally adjusted his suit, his voice steady but laced with determination.

Wally: It won't. I promise.

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of the situation heavy on everyone. Outside the yacht, Matthew, Shanna's young son, was curled up on a bench, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the storm raging inside.

Jimmy Woo: Now, if we're done assigning blame, let's get back to the plan. We're wasting time.

The meeting resumed, but the lingering tension between Kevin and Wally was palpable.

Jimmy Woo stood at the head of the table, a holographic projector displaying a 3D map of Stryker's Command Tent and the remaining threats: Toad, Blizzard, and Sabretooth. The images of the three villains hovered ominously, their profiles rotating slowly.

Jimmy Woo: Alright, listen up. Blob and Lady Deathstrike are down and will be in custody soon. That leaves three major threats inside Stryker's camp.

He pointed at the hologram, enlarging Toad's image.

Jimmy Woo: First, Toad. Agile, unpredictable, and annoyingly sticky. He's fast, but if you can catch him off-guard, he goes down quickly.

The hologram shifted to Sabretooth.

Jimmy Woo: Next, Sabretooth. He's tough, feral, and ruthless. Weakened from his last encounter, but still dangerous. Aim for his legs to slow him down or use his own rage against him. Keep your distance if you can.

Finally, Blizzard's image enlarged, his icy attacks captured in vivid detail.

Jimmy Woo: And then there's Blizzard. He's the wild card. He can freeze the air, create ice weapons, and slow down anyone who gets too close. The key to defeating him is—

Wally raised his hand casually, interrupting the briefing.

Wally: I've got Toad and Sabretooth. But Blizzard? No idea. The guy's a walking snow cone factory.

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone turned to Wally. Jimmy raised an eyebrow but didn't miss a beat.

Jimmy Woo: Thanks for the confidence, Wally. Blizzard's weakness is his over-reliance on his powers. If you can push him to overuse his abilities, he'll burn out, but we need to keep the pressure on him. Photon, you'll be key for this. Your energy attacks can counteract his ice.

Photon nodded, her expression resolute.

Tigra: What about the rest of us?

Jimmy Woo: Tigra and Blink, you'll focus on providing support and taking out any reinforcements. Falcon, you'll handle aerial reconnaissance and make sure Stryker doesn't escape.

Jimmy's gaze swept over the group.

Jimmy Woo: This is a coordinated strike. We're taking Stryker's camp down tonight, dead or alive. Everyone clear?

The team nodded, the gravity of the mission sinking in. Wally leaned back in his seat, his usual smirk replaced by a rare moment of seriousness.

Wally: Alright. Let's do this. But if Blizzard turns me into a popsicle, I'm haunting all of you.

The meeting room cleared as the team dispersed to prepare for the raid. Wally lingered, leaning casually against the wall, adjusting his skates and flexing his fingers in anticipation. Jimmy Woo stayed behind, his expression serious as he approached Wally.

Jimmy Woo: Wally, before we head out, I need a favor.

Wally looked up, eyebrow raised.

Wally: A favor? Sure, what is it?

Jimmy Woo hesitated for a moment, then sighed.

Jimmy Woo: Look, I have confidence in Photon, but if Blizzard pushes himself to full power, things could go south fast. Kevin's staying behind with his son, so we'll be down one key player. If Photon can't hold him off... I need you to step up.

Wally tilted his head, intrigued.

Wally: Alright. What do you need me to do?

Jimmy Woo: If Blizzard goes all out, I want you to use your speed and those skates of yours to take him out of the equation. Grab him and run. Keep him away from the base—far away. Don't stop until he's too tired to fight or until we've secured Stryker and his camp.

Wally blinked, processing the request, then gave a low whistle.

Wally: You're asking me to play ice taxi for Mr. Frosty? Man, you sure know how to make a guy feel special.

Jimmy Woo: I'm serious, Wally. Blizzard at full power could cause massive collateral damage, not just to us but to everyone nearby. You're the only one fast enough to neutralize that threat.

Wally studied Jimmy for a moment, then gave a small nod, his playful demeanor softening.

Wally: Alright, Woo. I'll do it. But if I get freezer burn doing this, you owe me a lifetime supply of hot cocoa.

Jimmy smirked, relieved.

Jimmy Woo: Deal. Just make sure you stay safe out there.

Wally stood upright, giving Jimmy a mock salute before turning to leave.

Wally: Don't worry about me, boss. I've got this. Besides, how hard can it be to outskate a human ice machine?

Jimmy watched him go, shaking his head with a small smile.

Jimmy Woo: You'd better be right, Wally. For all our sakes.

Wally gave him a confident thumbs-up.

Wally: Hey, it's me. I'll be fine but first let me call someone i know.

-PRESENT-

The battlefield was chaos, with the Agents of Atlas engaged in fierce combat against Stryker's forces. Photon stood firm, her hands glowing with energy as she prepared to confront Blizzard. Across the way, Blizzard raised his hand, the air around him shimmering with an unnatural chill as frost crept along the ground.

Suddenly, Wally's voice echoed across the camp.

Wally: Photon! It's time!

Photon turned sharply toward the sound, her focus snapping to Blizzard. She saw his hand begin to glow with an icy blue light, the unmistakable sign of his most devastating attack.

Photon: Wally, get out of the way!

Blizzard smirked, his breath visible in the frigid air.

Blizzard: ABSOLUTE ZERO!!!

Just as the words left his mouth, Blizzard felt a sudden force grab him. In a flash of red and gold, he was yanked from the ground and whisked away at a blinding speed. The frost that had been forming collapsed into the air as Blizzard's attack was interrupted mid-charge.

Wally, with Blizzard in tow, moved like a streak of lightning through the camp, weaving between obstacles and dodging stray attacks. His feet barely touched the ground as he sped through the chaos.

Blizzard: What the fuck?! LET ME GO!

Wally: Sorry, Frosty, but camp's closed! Time for some fresh air!

In less than a second, they were out of the camp and racing through the forest. Trees blurred into indistinct streaks of green as Wally pushed his speed to the limit. Thirty seconds later, they skidded to a stop on a deserted beach, the ocean waves crashing against the shore.

Wally released Blizzard, who stumbled backward, his ice-cold aura instantly freezing the sand beneath him.

Wally: Alright, buddy. You wanted to play freeze tag? Let's see how you handle me one-on-one.

Blizzard steadied himself, glaring at Wally with icy fury.

Blizzard: You think you've won just because you moved me? You've only delayed the inevitable.

Wally smirked, planting his feet firmly in the sand.

Wally: Maybe. But now it's just you and me. No backup, no distractions. Let's dance, Popsicle.

Blizzard steadied himself, the cold radiating from his body intensifying. The ground beneath him crackled with frost, extending outward in a growing circle.

Blizzard: You've been a thorn in my side for too long, speedster.

He raised his hand, which transformed into an enormous jagged appendage of ice.

Wally: This... isn't good...

Blizzard: ABSOLUTE ZERO!

With a thunderous crash, he slammed the icy hand into the ground. A chilling wave of frost surged outward, consuming everything in its path. The air itself seemed to freeze, and the temperature plummeted to unbearable levels.

Blizzard: No more mutant. No more resistance.

Wally skidded to a halt, shivering uncontrollably. He felt the cold seep into his suit, through his skin, and into his very core. His body temperature was rapidly dropping, and the frost creeping up his legs turned into jagged ice.

Wally: (Struggling) What... the hell... is this?

His eyes widened in horror as he noticed his fingertips beginning to fade into mist, the frost consuming him inch by inch. It wasn't just freezing him it was erasing him.

Wally: (Thinking) His power... it doesn't just freeze. It turns everything into vapor... no way I'm getting out of this on my own!

Blizzard smirked, his icy aura radiating triumph.

Blizzard: No one can escape Absolute Zero. Say goodbye, hero.

Just as Wally braced for the worst, a searing burst of heat broke through the icy gloom. Flames erupted from the sky, melting the frost and cutting through the cold like a fiery blade.

A figure descended in a blaze of light and heat, landing between Wally and Blizzard.

Firestar: Need a hand, Wally?

Wally, shivering and barely standing, managed a weak smile.

Wally: Right on time, Firestar... you sure know how to make an entrance.

Firestar's flames roared around her, creating a protective barrier of heat that melted the frost off Wally and halted Blizzard's encroaching ice. She turned to Blizzard, her eyes blazing with determination.

Firestar: You're playing with fire now, Blizzard. Let's see how well ice holds up against me.

Blizzard scowled, retreating a step as the intense heat pushed against him.

Blizzard: You may have melted the frost, but you can't extinguish me.

Wally, regaining his strength, stepped beside Firestar.

Wally: You got the heat, and I've got the speed. Let's take this guy down.

Firestar smirked, her flames surging brighter.

Firestar: Let's turn up the heat.

NEXT ISSUE: FIRE, ICE, LIGHTNING (0/0)