MARVEL: THE SCARLET SPEEDSTER

The ground trembled beneath the opposing forces, steam hissing and rising where fire met ice. Blizzard's icy form shimmered in the heat, but he stood his ground, his jagged hand regenerating in seconds.

Blizzard: You think fire alone can match the void of absolute zero? Fools.

With a sweeping motion, he unleashed a storm of jagged icicles, each shard razor-sharp and aimed with deadly precision. Firestar countered with a fiery vortex, disintegrating the projectiles mid-air. The collision sent shards of melted ice and vapor flying, obscuring the battlefield.

Wally: (Ducking and weaving) Firestar, keep him busy! I've got an idea!

Blizzard snarled, sending another freezing wave across the ground, forcing Wally to keep moving. The speedster darted left and right, dodging ice spikes and weaving through the frigid fog.

Blizzard: Running won't save you, speedster. I'll turn this entire battlefield into a frozen wasteland!

The frost expanded outward, threatening to engulf everything again, but Firestar wasn't letting up. She shot twin streams of fire at Blizzard, the flames dancing and spiraling around him, keeping him from advancing further.

Firestar: You talk a lot for a guy who's sweating ice cubes. Let's see how you handle this!

She launched herself into the air, igniting a massive fireball and hurling it toward Blizzard. The explosion sent a shockwave through the area, melting frost and revealing Wally's movements.

Wally: (Grinning) That's my opening!

Wally's form became a blur, circling Blizzard at near-light speeds. The friction from his rapid movement began generating heat, amplifying Firestar's flames and destabilizing Blizzard's icy domain. The ground beneath Blizzard's feet started to crack, the once-solid frost giving way.

Blizzard: (Growling) No! You won't overwhelm me!

Blizzard raised his jagged hand again, trying to unleash another Absolute Zero, but Firestar was ready. She dove in, flames spiraling around her body as she slammed into Blizzard's arm with a fiery tackle, shattering the icy appendage.

Blizzard: (Roaring) You'll pay for that!

Wally: You've got bigger problems, ice cube!

At that moment, Wally's speed generated a cyclone of warm air, sucking Blizzard's frosty mist into the vortex. The heat and force of the whirlwind destabilized Blizzard further, forcing him to stumble.

Firestar: Let's finish this, Wally!

Wally: On it!

Firestar unleashed a concentrated blast of fire, the inferno roaring through the frozen air like a meteor. At the same moment, Wally accelerated, creating a shockwave of superheated air as his sheer speed compressed the heat around him. The combined assault surged toward Blizzard in an unstoppable torrent of heat and force.

But Blizzard was ready. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a massive ice block from the ground, shielding himself from the attack. The flames and shockwave collided with the block, sending shards of steaming ice flying in all directions, but Blizzard stood unfazed.

Blizzard smirked behind his icy shield. With a swift motion, he conjured an ice dagger in his hand, its razor-sharp edge glinting ominously in the light of Firestar's flames. He lunged at Wally with deadly precision.

Blizzard: Fast as you are, you can't outrun a blade.

Wally saw the glint of the dagger and instinctively vibrated his molecules, shifting just enough to make the weapon pass through his stomach harmlessly. He stepped back, catching his breath, his hand instinctively moving to where the blade had almost struck.

Wally: Close call... too close.

Firestar hovered above, her flames flickering as she took stock of the situation.

Firestar: Wally, can you reach him?

Wally glanced at Blizzard, who was already preparing another ice shard in his hand.

Wally: Yeah, I can reach him. The problem is, every time I get close, he pulls this ice dagger trick. He's fast with it too almost got me just now.

Firestar frowned, the heat around her intensifying.

Firestar: We need to find a way to break through. If we keep playing his game, he'll wear us down.

Blizzard chuckled, spinning the ice dagger in his hand.

Blizzard: That's right, heroes. I'll outlast you both. Let's see how long you can dance around before the frost claims you.

Wally smirked, his mind racing as he tried to devise a plan.

Wally: Alright, Firestar, here's the deal. Keep him focused on you. I'll see if I can outmaneuver that block of ice and take him off guard. But if he tries that dagger thing again...

Firestar: Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't get the chance.

Blizzard smirked as he conjured a series of ice daggers in rapid succession. The shards gleamed with lethal precision as he hurled them at blinding speed toward Wally and Firestar.

Blizzard: Dodge this!

Wally's instincts kicked in immediately. Vibrating his hands at super-speed, he began grabbing the daggers mid-flight, one by one. The air was filled with the sharp crack of ice shattering as he broke each projectile.

Wally: Too slow, Frostbite!

But Blizzard wasn't playing fair. His final dagger glimmered with an eerie, frosty glow, spinning faster than the rest as it sailed through the air. Wally saw it too late. He reached for it, but the dagger's edge sliced clean through his palm, leaving a deep, icy wound that numbed his hand instantly.

Wally gasped, clutching his injured hand.

Wally: Ah, damn it!

The ice dagger continued on its path, its sharp tip aimed directly at Firestar.

Firestar was mid-flight, preparing another fiery attack, but the dagger struck her squarely in the chest, piercing her heart. Her flames flickered and dimmed as she gasped in shock, her body beginning to fall from the sky.

Wally's eyes widened in horror.

Wally: Angelica, no!

He blurred into motion, catching Firestar before she hit the ground. Her body was limp, and the icy wound on her chest glowed faintly as frost began to spread outward.

Wally: Stay with me, Angelica! Don't you dare die!

Blizzard laughed coldly, his breath visible in the freezing air.

Blizzard: Heroes always fall. Guess she couldn't take the cold.

Wally's face twisted in fury and desperation as he cradled Firestar, her warmth fading in his arms.

-MEANWHILE...SOMEWHERE IN CANADA-

Shanna, the Queen of Savage Island, was strapped to a chair, her wrists bound tightly, her eyes narrowed with defiance. She sat across from Mr. Sinister, who stood calmly, studying her with a sinister smirk.

Mr. Sinister: You've been a difficult subject to... break, Queen Shanna.

He stepped closer, the shadows around him making his figure appear even more ominous. In his hands, he held a small device that hummed menacingly, its purpose clear.

Shanna: You'll never get what you want from me.

Mr. Sinister's smile didn't falter, but there was a coldness to it that made Shanna's blood run cold.

Mr. Sinister: Oh, I think I will. You see, you have two choices, my dear. You can either tell me the name of the speedster, the one who's been causing such trouble... or I can choose to experiment on you. You'll never see your island, your people, or your family again.

He held up the item, a tool designed for experiments, its sharp metal gleaming in the harsh light.

Mr. Sinister: This device will strip away everything you are, piece by piece. Your body, your memories, your very soul... it will all be mine to study.

Shanna's eyes flickered to the device, but she didn't flinch. She had been through far worse, and nothing would break her.

Shanna: I will never tell you.

Mr. Sinister's expression darkened. He slowly paced around her, savoring the moment.

Mr. Sinister: You misunderstand me, my dear. I'm not asking for your cooperation. I'm offering you a deal. If you tell me the speedster's name and describe his appearance, I will let you go free. I will have Omega Red escort you back to your island, back to your people... your family.

Shanna's heart skipped a beat. The thought of seeing her island again, of being reunited with her people, her family, was tempting, but she couldn't give in. She wouldn't betray her allies.

Shanna: You'll never break me.

Mr. Sinister chuckled softly, almost as if he were humoring her. He stepped closer, his voice low and persuasive.

Mr. Sinister: A queen's resolve is admirable. But you know as well as I do that every queen has a breaking point. Tell me his name, and I'll ensure your family and your island remain untouched. Your people will be safe. No more bloodshed. No more experiments. I will have Omega Red take you home.

-BACK TO SAVAGE ISLAND-

The air around Wally was thick with tension. His chest heaved as he held the injured form of Firestar, her breath shallow and her face pale, the bloodstains on her outfit a stark contrast against her usual bright appearance. She was barely conscious, her body limp in his arms. The weight of her injuries seemed to drag him down, but the fire in his chest, the rage, pushed him forward.

Wally's eyes, usually a calm and vibrant green, now burned with an ominous red hue. They glowed like two coals in the midst of a firestorm, the rage and grief coursing through him like wildfire. His heart pounded violently in his chest as memories of his past painful and unforgiving rushed to the surface.

His mother's death. The way he found her, the way they took her from him…

Pearl, hurt by S.H.I.E.L.D., the injustice, the agony in her eyes…

Quicksilver's words: "You brought this on yourself."

The emotions tore at him, making the world around him feel like it was closing in. He gripped Firestar tighter, his arms trembling with the effort to hold back the surge of power within him.

Blizzard's footsteps echoed, slow and menacing. He walked forward with purpose, his cold smile creeping across his face. He could sense Wally's inner turmoil, the flood of emotions threatening to break free, and he relished it.

Blizzard: What's the matter, mutant? Holding your dear friend?

Wally's red eyes locked onto Blizzard, a dangerous gleam flashing through them as he felt the weight of the past and present collide. His heart thundered, but he forced himself to stay calm, to focus on the moment. This was not the time for memories—this was the time for justice.

Without warning, Wally's hand vibrated at an incredible speed. He moved faster than anyone could react, his hand shooting forward in a blur, straight to Blizzard's chest. In an instant, the vibrations tore through the air, reaching Blizzard's heart. The villain gasped, his smug expression faltering as Wally's power flooded through him.

Wally: Choose kill or die.

Blizzard: Wh-what... what do you mean?

Wally's voice was calm, but the anger in his eyes was volcanic. His words were laced with all the loss he had experienced, all the rage that had built up over the years.

Wally: You know exactly what I mean. You can choose to die here... or you can choose to walk away and live. You've hurt my friends my family and now, you'll pay the price for it.

Blizzard froze, his breath catching in his throat as the vibration rattled his very bones. He could feel his life hanging by a thread, the raw power emanating from Wally sending shivers of fear down his spine.The cold of Blizzard's heart had met the searing heat of Wally's fury, and in that moment, it was clear: Wally had nothing left to lose.

Blizzard's hands shook as he stumbled back, his confidence shattering. What... what are you doing? He gasped, trying to summon his ice powers, but his fear paralyzed him.

Wally's voice, cold and unyielding, echoed through the air, carrying the weight of everything he had lost, everything he had fought for.

Wally: I gave you a choice. Don't make me take it from you.

The world seemed to hold its breath as the two stood locked in a silent standoff. Wally's rage, like a living thing, pulsated around him, making the air hum with electricity. His eyes glowed like burning embers, and for a moment, it seemed like the world itself had slowed down.

Blizzard, once so sure of himself, was now a trembling wreck, his own fear for his life cutting through his icy resolve. He had underestimated the speedster, the mutant who had been through hell and back, and now, Wally's power had him at his mercy.

Blizzard: You... you're crazy...

Wally: No... I'm just done holding back.

The threat hung in the air like a knife poised to strike. For the first time, Blizzard knew what true fear felt like, and it was all because of Wally's rage a rage born from loss, betrayal, and pain. And in that moment, Blizzard understood: the real danger wasn't just the speed of Wally's fists or the power of his attacks. It was the rage that drove him. And that, was something even Blizzard couldn't ice over.

Wally's vibrating hand stayed pressed against Blizzard's chest, his grip unwavering.

Wally: Make your choice.

Firestar, now lying on the cold, hardened ground, could feel the weight of her injuries as she struggled to keep her focus. Blood stained her suit, and her breath was shallow, but the real pain came from seeing the man she knew the man who had fought beside them all, the man who had saved countless lives on the brink of losing himself to his rage.

Wally stood before her, his hands still vibrating with power, the faint red glow of his eyes slowly dimming. The fury that had taken hold of him was still present, but the edge of his emotions was slowly slipping into something else a chilling silence.

Wally's gaze was fixed on Blizzard, who was still reeling from the threat of Wally's power. But then, something in Firestar's voice cut through the storm in his mind.

Firestar: West! No, stop!

Wally's head snapped to her, his red eyes narrowing with a flash of confusion and anger. His breathing was ragged, his jaw tight with restraint.

Firestar: You're not the guy we all know at the X-Mansion! You're not the type of person who's willing to kill!

She pushed herself up slightly, the pain almost overwhelming her, but the desperation in her voice kept her fighting.

Firestar: You might be reckless, Wally, to the point of jumping into situations without forethought... a trait that often puts you in mortal danger. But you are not a killer! You're mission is to arrest, not kill!

Wally's fist clenched, the vibrations in his hand faltering as her words hit home. She was right. He had never been one to take lives. His focus had always been on saving, on helping, on being there for those who needed him. His anger, though, had clouded his judgment. He had allowed the darkness to overtake him, if only for a moment.

Wally: Firestar...

Her voice softened, her eyes locking onto his. She was still weak, still in pain, but her words held the weight of everything they had been through together.

Firestar: I know you, Wally. You're the one who always pulls us out of the fire, not the one who starts it. Don't let this anger define you. You're a team. You fight for yourself, not against each other.

Wally's hand trembled slightly, the red glow in his eyes fading entirely as his emotions slowly started to settle. He hadn't realized how far he had fallen into the abyss of his rage, but hearing Firestar's voice brought him back. It was like a lifeline he hadn't known he needed.

Wally: I... I don't know what came over me.

Firestar: It's okay. Just don't lose yourself in this fight. We need you, Wally. The world needs the real you.

The words, simple yet powerful, struck a chord deep within him. Wally closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, before looking down at Firestar. He could still feel the echo of the anger inside him, but now, it was tempered by the weight of her plea.

Wally: You're right.

Blizzard: Y-You...

Her voice wavered, fear creeping into her tone as she realized the truth. Wally wasn't just angry. He was about to unleash everything the full fury of his rage.

Wally's hand vibrated, pushing further against her chest, his grip unyielding. The temperature in the air dropped around them, a stark contrast to the fire raging within him.

Blizzard: I-I didn't mean...

But Wally wasn't listening. His voice, filled with a primal fury, cut through her apology.

Wally: I don't care what you meant. You hurt the people I love... Now you'll know what happens when you make me angry.

His hand glowed a fierce red, sending a shockwave through Blizzard's chest. She struggled, but there was nothing she could do to break free. She had pushed him too far. The power in his hand surged, vibrating at a frequency that threatened to stop her heart.

Blizzard: Please... stop...

Wally's gaze hardened, the fury in his eyes refusing to relent. He could hear Firestar's shallow breathing in his arms, her life hanging by a thread, and all of his pent-up rage boiled over. But in that moment, something held him back a flicker of his old self. He wasn't a killer, no matter how much he wanted to make them pay for what they had done.

He stepped back, lowering his vibrating hand, but his glare remained intense.

Wally: You're lucky...

Blizzard, shaking, realized that her life had been spared. Wally had let her go, but she knew this moment had changed something inside him something dark, something dangerous.

Wally: But if you ever hurt anyone I care about again...

His voice was cold, but the anger was still burning inside him. He turned away, his focus now solely on Firestar.

Wally: I won't hesitate next time.

Without warning, a blur of motion appeared from nowhere swift, destructive, and unforgiving.

Wally didn't even have time to react.

A massive crack echoed through the air as Omega Red's armored boot collided with Wally's back. The force of the blow sent him sprawling forward, his body crumpling under the brutal impact. The pain was immediate and all-consuming. It felt like every bone in his spine had just been snapped, and the shockwave of agony tore through him. He cried out in pain, unable to keep his balance as he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Omega Red's eyes glinted coldly as he stood over the fallen speedster, the tension in his muscles palpable. He dropped Shanna unceremoniously on the ground, her body battered from the earlier fight. Her limp form lay motionless, and Wally's heart sank at the sight.

Omega Red: Have the queen.

He sneered, his voice dripping with malice as he stepped away from Wally and turned toward Shanna. There was no care in his movements just cold, calculating precision as he left Wally broken on the ground. Wally struggled to push himself up, his hand clutching his back, but the pain was unbearable. Tears welled in his eyes as he fought to steady his breath, trying to regain some composure.

Behind Omega Red, Blizzard was slowly getting to his feet, looking dazed from his earlier battle with Wally and Firestar. He wasn't quite ready to stand up, but the sight of Omega Red taking charge immediately sparked his attention.

Blizzard: Hey, Omega Red! Could use a little help here—

Before he could even finish his sentence, Omega Red's tendrils shot out like a living weapon, wrapping around Blizzard's body and lifting him off the ground with brutal force. Blizzard let out a surprised yell as Omega Red hurled him with terrifying strength, slamming him into the ground, his body cratering into the earth beneath him. Blizzard crumpled, knocked out cold, his limbs lying in awkward angles.

Omega Red, once again cold and emotionless, took a moment to survey the battlefield. Wally, writhing in agony, and Firestar, still barely conscious, were left behind. But Omega Red didn't seem to care. His mission was clear, and the scene was beneath him.

Omega Red: You're not worth my time.

He turned his back on the fallen heroes, beginning to walk away, leaving them behind in the wreckage of the fight. His heavy footsteps seemed to echo in the silence, each step a reminder of how powerless they were in this moment.

Wally, still struggling to breathe, could only watch as Omega Red walked away. His back screamed in pain, but his eyes were fixated on Shanna, lying helpless on the ground.

Wally: No... no, not again...

Firestar, still breathing shallowly, reached out with a weak hand, but it barely brushed against Wally's arm.

Firestar: Wally... we... we have to stop him...

Wally's vision blurred as the pain in his back intensified, but her words reached him, cutting through the haze. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth through the agony. He refused to let it end like this not after everything they had been through. Not after all the lives at stake.

Wally: I can't... I can't let him... get away with this...

But as Omega Red's figure disappeared into the distance, Wally realized just how deep the pain ran. He could barely keep himself upright, let alone face another fight.

But somehow, he had to. For Shanna, for Firestar, for everyone. Even if it meant fighting through the agony. Even if it meant overcoming the impossible.

Wally slowly pushed himself up from the ground, his hand gripping his back as he steadied himself, his heart filled with resolve.

Firestar: Wally... don't...

But just as his legs coiled and he was about to sprint off in pursuit, a firm grip on his foot stopped him dead in his tracks.

He looked down to see Firestar's trembling hand, her fingers wrapped around his boot. Her face was a mix of pain and determination, her eyes wide with concern. Despite her own injuries, despite the toll the battle had taken on her, she was still trying to keep him grounded, to stop him from making a fatal mistake.

Firestar: Wally... listen!

Wally stopped, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. He turned to face her, his brow furrowed in frustration, but her words hit him harder than anything else could.

Firestar: Stop... don't chase him. There's no winner here in this fight. You're already injured, and you're tired. If you run, you might end up dying because of your broken spine.

Her voice was strained but firm, filled with an urgency that pierced through his anger and desperation. She was right. He could feel his body threatening to give out, every muscle in his back screaming in protest as the pain surged. He was at the limit of his strength, but his mind still screamed at him to keep going.

Wally: I can't... I can't just let him get away, not after everything...

Firestar shook her head, her eyes fierce despite the pain.

Firestar: Wally, please. If you keep going like this, you won't make it. We have to think this through. Omega Red's gone... it's over for now.

Wally hesitated. The impulse to chase, to fight, was almost unbearable. But Firestar's grip on his foot remained steady, her words sinking deeper into his mind. He looked down at her, at the determination still shining in her eyes, despite her own suffering.

Firestar: Look... we can still do something. We can carry the Queen Shanna and get her to safety. We'll handcuff Blizzard to stop him from using his powers, and then we'll head back to the yacht. We'll regroup. But if you keep pushing yourself like this... you'll end up worse off. Please, Wally. We need you. Don't throw it all away now.

The weight of her words settled in his chest, the overwhelming pressure of the situation momentarily lifting. Wally stood still for a moment, his breath ragged as he let it sink in. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in, the overwhelming ache in his back warning him of his limits. His body wasn't ready for another fight, not like this. The thought of losing more, of making everything worse, made his resolve waver.

Wally: But... I can't just let him—

Firestar: You're already doing everything you can. Right now, the best thing you can do is get us all out of here alive.

There was no escaping the truth in her words. Wally's shoulders slumped, and the fight in his eyes faded, replaced by the quiet realization that he couldn't do this alone not this time.

Wally: Alright...

He slowly nodded, his voice barely above a whisper as he finally gave in to the fatigue and Firestar's plea.

Wally: Alright... let's get the queen... and then we get out of here.

Firestar's face softened, a small, relieved smile crossing her lips as she finally let go of his foot.

Firestar: That's the Wally i know.

With her assistance, Wally knelt down, his body still protesting with each movement. Together, they gathered Shanna's unconscious form and carefully moved her away from the battle site. As they worked, they handcuffed Blizzard, ensuring that he couldn't escape or use his powers.

Wally could still feel the burning pain in his spine, but the sense of responsibility, the need to protect those around him, kept him going. They would make it back to the yacht, and then, they would figure out how to stop Omega Red and the others but for now, survival was the priority.

-BATTLE OF SAVAGE ISLAND TIME: 2 HOURS 11 MINUTES AND 25 SECONDS-

NEXT ISSUE: AFTERMATH