MARVEL: THE SCARLET SPEEDSTER

-DECEMBER 31, 1999-

The X-Mansion was alive with holiday cheer. Twinkling lights adorned the walls, the smell of fresh pine and cinnamon filled the air, and laughter echoed through the halls. In the main living area, mutants mingled, donning festive Christmas sweaters and sipping hot cocoa.

Wally stood by the fireplace, wearing a Santa hat instead of the mandatory Christmas sweater, holding a glass of eggnog. His posture was relaxed, but his face carried a distant look.

Hank McCoy approached, balancing a tray of drinks in his large hands. He handed one to Wally with a warm smile.

Hank: Just like I said, Christmas sweaters are a requirement for friends and family.

Wally smirked, adjusting his Santa hat.

Wally: Dude, relax. I'm wearing the hat. Doesn't that scream "friendly" enough?

Hank chuckled, taking a sip of his drink.

Hank: I'm sure it does. But I'll say this I'm sure you're tired of people offering to help by now. And I get it. You don't need it. But, unfortunately, I think you're the type of person who carries a burden inside.

Wally raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip before responding.

Wally: Burden? Bitch, please. The real burden is standing in a room full of people who kept the secret about my ex-fiancée cheating on me.

The atmosphere between them grew tense as Wally's words cut through the festive ambiance. Hank set his glass down and sighed, his tone softer.

Hank: I know, Wally. And for that, I'm truly sorry. We didn't mean to hurt you. We just didn't want to see our friend in pain.

Wally looked at Hank, his expression softening slightly.

Wally: You thought lying to me would stop the pain? Man, it just made it worse. But... I get it. You thought you were doing the right thing.

Hank nodded, placing a hand on Wally's shoulder.

Hank: We all make mistakes, Wally. The important thing is, you're here, you're alive, and you're surrounded by people who care about you. Even if we mess up sometimes.

Wally let out a short laugh, raising his glass.

Wally: To messing up, then.

Wally stood by the fireplace, the Santa hat perched on his head slightly askew, sipping his eggnog with a mischievous smirk. Beside him, Hank McCoy tried to blend into the festive chaos, but his gaze kept wandering toward Abigail Thanriaguiaxus, who stood across the room near the punch bowl, laughing with a group of students.

Wally leaned closer to Hank, lowering his voice.

Wally: Dude, you've been staring at her for like ten minutes. Go talk to her.

Hank shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks flushing a light blue.

Hank: I can't, Wally. She's... Abigail. She's brilliant, and—

Wally interrupted with a knowing grin.

Wally: And what? You're the brilliant Dr. Hank McCoy. What's the worst that could happen?

Hank: She might laugh in my face? Politely decline? Let's just leave it, Wally.

Wally shook his head, an impish glint in his eye.

Wally: Nah, can't do that.

Before Hank could protest, Wally cupped his hands around his mouth and called out loudly, cutting through the chatter of the room.

Wally: Hey, Greenie! My friend over here wants to talk to you!

The room quieted momentarily as heads turned, including Abigail's. She raised an eyebrow, her green complexion glowing softly under the Christmas lights, and looked in their direction.

Hank's eyes widened in panic, and he leaned down, whispering furiously to Wally.

Hank: Wally, what the hell?!

Wally grinned, patting Hank's arm.

Wally: Relax, Beastie. You've got this.

Abigail made her way across the room, her stride confident, curiosity written all over her face. She stopped in front of them, crossing her arms with an amused smile.

Abigail: Alright, Wally, what's this about?

Wally nudged Hank forward with an exaggerated gesture.

Wally: Hank here has something he wants to say.

Hank stammered, his words tripping over each other as his blush deepened.

Hank: Well, um, Abigail, I, uh... Merry Christmas!

Abigail chuckled, her smile softening.

Abigail: Merry Christmas to you too, Hank. Was that all?

Hank glanced at Wally, who gave him an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, Hank straightened up.

Hank: Actually, no. Would you like to join me for a walk outside? The snow looks beautiful tonight.

Abigail's expression brightened, and she nodded.

Abigail: I'd love to.

As they walked away, Wally leaned back against the fireplace with a satisfied grin, raising his glass.

Wally: You're welcome, Beastie.

Suddenly, a sharp beeping noise came from Wally's wristwatch. He glanced down, noticing a flashing alert. His expression shifted from relaxed to serious.

Wally: Uh, Scott, I need to cut this short. There's a robbery happening in Kansas.

Scott raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed.

Scott: Kansas? That's a bit out of the way, isn't it?

Wally smirked as he adjusted his hat and gave Scott a quick pat on the shoulder.

Wally: Not when you're me.

Scott nodded, stepping aside.

Scott: Go ahead, Wally. We've got things handled here. Be careful out there.

Wally: Careful's my middle name... well, maybe not really, but you get the idea.

Before Scott could reply, Wally disappeared in a flash of red and gold, a gust of wind sweeping through the room as he sped off.

Storm: There he goes, saving Christmas.

Scott turned back to the room, muttering to himself.

Scott: That guy never takes a day off.

-LOCATION: SAVAGE ISLAND-

The warm breeze of Savage Island rustled through the leaves outside, but the atmosphere inside Shanna's hut was tense. Shanna sat on a wooden stool, muttering the same words under her breath repeatedly, almost in a trance.

Shanna: Please forgive me... please forgive me... please forgive me...

The door creaked open, and Kevin Plunder, her husband, stepped in, looking concerned. Their son, Matthew, stood hesitantly by the doorway, glancing nervously at his mother.

Kevin: Shanna, are you okay? Matthew told me you've been muttering nonstop. What's going on?

Shanna looked up at Kevin, her eyes glistening with guilt and worry. Her hands trembled as she clasped them together.

Shanna: Kevin... do... do you think Wally will ever forgive me?

Kevin furrowed his brow, confused.

Kevin: Forgive you? For what? Shanna, what's this about?

Shanna hesitated, glancing at Matthew, who had now stepped outside to give them privacy. She leaned forward, close to Kevin's ear, her voice trembling.

Shanna: (whispering)

Kevin's face contorted with horror as he pulled back, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Kevin: What have you done?!

Shanna buried her face in her hands, her voice breaking.

Shanna: Forgive me, Kevin. I had no choice... he threatened our people, our family. He promised to let me go if I told him.

Kevin's fists clenched as he stepped away, pacing the room in frustration.

Kevin: Shanna, you don't understand what you've done! Wally trusted us. You've put him in danger do you even realize what that guy is capable of?

Shanna stood up, tears streaming down her face.

Shanna: I know! I know what I did, and I hate myself for it! But I couldn't let them hurt our people. I couldn't let them hurt you!

Kevin stopped, taking a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

Kevin: This isn't just about us, Shanna. You've put a target on his back. If anything happens to Wally...

Shanna: (interrupting) I'll fix it, Kevin. I'll make it right. I just... I need him to forgive me. Please.

Kevin stared at her for a long moment, his expression softening slightly, though the worry didn't leave his eyes.

Kevin: We'll deal with this, together. But first, we need to tell him the truth. He deserves that much.

Shanna nodded, wiping her tears.

Shanna: You're right. I'll tell him. But, Kevin... I'm scared.

Kevin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Kevin: So am I. But Wally's stronger than we think. We'll get through this.

-MEANWHILE IN FIRST BANK KANSAS-

Wally West, in his Flash suit, zipped around the city, keeping an eye out for signs of trouble. He approached a small convenience store, his speed leaving a faint blur in his wake. He slowed down and entered, catching the attention of an employee behind the counter.

Wally: Hey, where's the robbery?

The employee, a man named Michael, looked confused.

Michael: What do you mean, robbery? There's no robbery happening here, Flash.

Wally raised an eyebrow, feeling something off in the air.

Wally: But I thought there was a robbery reported here...

Michael shrugged, glancing nervously at the door.

Michael: I don't know what you're talking about. Everything's fine here.

Wally's instincts were screaming. Something wasn't right. He was about to ask more questions but suddenly.

"BOOM!"

A loud explosion shook the building, sending debris flying and knocking Wally to the floor. He groaned, trying to shake off the disorienting impact.

Wally: Holy Smoke!

Wally staggered to his feet, his eyes scanning the destruction. The walls had cracked, and a gaping hole was now present where there had once been a solid structure. His mind raced as he stood, his head still foggy from the blast.

Wally: Oh great... just so happens to be one of those places where some real crime ensues.

Before he could gather his bearings, a voice cut through the dust and chaos.

Pyro: You coming with me, red spandex!

Wally whipped around, his face stern as he looked at the man standing a few feet away—Pyro, a notorious villain with the ability to control fire.

Wally: Oh, buddy, relax. What did I do to you?

As Wally sized up Pyro, he suddenly felt a cold, unfamiliar presence—something behind him. His heart skipped a beat.

Wally: What the—

He turned quickly, his senses on high alert, but there was nothing there. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Before he could process what was going on, a powerful wave of fatigue hit him. His body felt heavy, and he collapsed to the ground, his consciousness fading.

Pyro: Good work. Can I leave now, since you put her to sleep using your power?

A low, smooth voice echoed through the air, and Wally's fading senses caught the words.

Unknown Woman: Yes, you may go now.

The voice belonged to a woman who appeared from the shadows, her presence commanding yet eerie. She knelt next to Wally, her fingers gently brushing against his suit. She gazed at him with a mix of longing and affection, speaking as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Unknown Woman: It's been a while, my beloved.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek, high-tech collar—its surface gleaming in the low light of the alley.

Unknown Woman: Prepare him. We don't have much time.

Her voice was soft yet commanding, carrying an unsettling authority. She placed the collar around Wally's neck with precision, its metallic surface clicking into place with an almost predatory finality. As soon as the collar locked, Wally's body twitched, a faint electrical pulse running through him, but he remained unconscious.

The Unknown Woman straightened up, brushing her hands together as if satisfied with her work.

Unknown Woman: Jason.

A figure emerged from the shadows behind her, tall and imposing, with a smirk that suggested both charm and menace. It was Jason Wyngarde, also known as Mastermind, his eyes cold and calculating.

Jason Wyngarde: Yes, my lady?

Unknown Woman: Take him to Mister Sinister. We need him... ready for what's next.

Jason nodded, a glint of dark amusement flashing in his eyes as he approached Wally's prone body. Without hesitation, he grabbed the speedster's arms, hoisting him up with ease, despite Wally's heightened muscle tone.

Jason Wyngarde: I'll make sure he gets there, safe and sound...

The Unknown Woman turned away, her expression unreadable, but the coldness in her voice was unmistakable.

Unknown Woman: Do not fail me, Jason.

Jason only nodded, his grip firm as he dragged Wally's limp form toward a waiting vehicle parked at the end of the alley. The car was sleek, dark, and tinted, its engine quietly humming as it idled, ready to move.

Jason carefully placed Wally into the backseat, securing him as best as he could before climbing into the front. As the engine roared to life, the Unknown Woman stood at the alley's edge, watching them drive off into the night, her thoughts already racing toward the future.

Jason Wyngarde: I hope Mister Sinister appreciates the gift we've brought him.

As the car sped away, the collar around Wally's neck hummed with power, the unmistakable feeling of being under control. Wally remained unconscious, unaware of the new peril that awaited him, or the hands that would soon shape his fate under Mister Sinister's cold, calculating command.

The Unknown Woman stood in the shadows, her silhouette framed by the distant glow of the city lights, as she addressed the figure beside her Micheal, also known as Mystique. Her voice was soft and measured, but there was an underlying tension in the air.

Unknown Woman: Good work, Mystique.

Mystique blue-skinned, her form shifting slightly as she spoke straightened up and crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Mystique: Why did you call him your beloved?

The Unknown Woman's expression remained unreadable, a mix of aloofness and something more calculated. She took a moment before answering, her tone tinged with an air of superiority.

Unknown Woman: It's a secret I don't want to share.

Mystique's eyes flared with a mix of suspicion and irritation, the sharpness of her expression betraying a deeper intensity beneath her calm exterior.

Mystique: A secret, huh? Well, if you want to keep your mysteries, I can respect that... but just remember, secrets have a way of finding their way out.

The Unknown Woman's gaze turned slightly colder, and she seemed to size Mystique up with a new perspective, a hint of something unreadable in her eyes.

Unknown Woman: Perhaps you'll find out one day, if you're worthy enough.

Mystique's eyes flashed with defiance, but she quickly composed herself, holding her ground.

Mystique: We'll see about that,

The Unknown Woman turned away, the air around her now feeling tense, as if she was preparing herself for what lay ahead.

Unknown Woman: But for now, focus on the task at hand, Mystique. We have work to do.

-EPILOGUE-

Mister Sinister stood before a large, illuminated console, holding a paper in his hands as he studied it with a calculating, almost amused expression. His sharp eyes scanned the information, each line confirming the subject he was dealing with Wally West.

Mister Sinister: Impressive…

He muttered to himself, clearly impressed by the discovery. The paper detailed Wally's history, his powers, and most notably, his connection to the events of Thanos Snap in 1991. Sinister's lips curled into a smirk as he processed the information.

Mister Sinister: So, you were one of the victims... fascinating. The only family left is your adoptive grandfather and your niece... What a shame you're about to become a valuable test subject for my experiments, Wallace Rudolph.

As Sinister turned to face Wally, who was chained to a wall, his eyes flickered with a glint of malicious intent. Wally, bound and helpless, glared at him with fierce defiance. His mouth was gagged, a tape sealing his lips, but his eyes burned with rage and a clear message: You'll regret this.

Wally's body trembled with the effort to break free, but the collar around his neck an inhibitor kept his powers suppressed, nullifying any chance of escape.

Mister Sinister: Such fire... but I'm afraid there's no escaping now, Wally. You won't be able to use your speed to stop what's coming.

Mister Sinister approached the control panel, his gloved fingers tapping the surface lightly as a holographic image of Wally's family appeared before him. The projection showed Wally's adoptive grandfather and his niece, Pearl, happily celebrating together unaware of the impending danger.

Mister Sinister: If you even dare to complain about my demands, or attempt to resist...

He smiled coldly, turning the hologram toward Wally.

Mister Sinister: I'll send my drones to eliminate your adoptive family. Do you want that, Wally? Do you want them dead?

Wally's muffled cry of anger echoed in the chamber as he struggled against the restraints, his body straining to break free, his fists clenched. The sight of his family, so innocent, so unaware of the threat hanging over them, filled him with both rage and helplessness.

Mister Sinister watched, enjoying the scene before him. He could see the internal battle raging inside Wally, the powerlessness that came with being stripped of his abilities. Sinister's cold, calculating gaze never left the young speedster.

Mister Sinister: You see, Wally, I don't need to kill you yet. You'll provide me with all the data I need for my experiments, and you'll do it without making a sound. If you're obedient, your family will stay safe. If not...

Wally's glare was intense, his heart pounding in fury. He had to find a way out, but every ounce of his speed, his greatest asset, had been taken from him. And now, to save the ones he loved, he had to endure this torment.

Mister Sinister, satisfied with his work, took a step back, admiring the helpless figure of Wally.

Mister Sinister:No happy new year for you, Wally... But I'm sure it'll be an unforgettable one for your family.

His eyes were filled with raw anger, but his body was physically spent, unable to resist the cruel hand that had trapped him here.

Mister Sinister stood before him, a menacing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He leaned over a table where various syringes and needles glinted in the harsh light.

Mister Sinister: So... Wallace Rudolph, also known as Wally West.

He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto Wally's, his tone almost affectionate in its mockery.

Mister Sinister: Get ready for my plan.

Wally's eyes widened as Mister Sinister took a step toward him, holding up a needle filled with a clear, viscous substance. The speedster's pulse quickened, his heart racing in panic. The tape over his mouth couldn't silence the muffle of distress that escaped through his clenched jaw. He jerked his head in a futile attempt to escape, but his restraints held him firm against the wall.

Mister Sinister: Don't worry, Wally. I'm not going to kill you. At least not yet.

He grinned, savoring the moment, his voice dropping to a whisper as he took a step closer.

Mister Sinister: You see, I have something much more entertaining in mind for you. Something that will make someone like you destroy your own image as a hero.

Wally's muffled cries grew louder as the needle was brought closer to his arm. Fear surged through him. His mind screamed for him to do something anything but the collar nullified his speed, leaving him completely powerless against the experiment Mister Sinister was about to carry out.

Mister Sinister's cold laugh echoed in the room as he prepared to inject the serum into Wally's arm.

Mister Sinister: I'll make sure you never run again, Wally. You'll become a tool for my perfect plan. No more heroics. Just a puppet for me to control.

The needle punctured Wally's skin, and the rush of cold liquid seeped into his veins. A shock ran through him, his muscles twitching as his body began to react to the unfamiliar substance.

Wally's eyes burned with fury, tears of frustration threatening to fall as the realization hit him: he was no longer in control of his fate.

Mister Sinister stepped back, admiring his work as Wally trembled in place, the serum slowly beginning to take effect.

Mister Sinister: You'll be my perfect weapon to create a clone, Wally. Your speed, your strength, your resolve... all of it will be bent to my will. And soon, you'll destroy everything you once stood for.

Wally's chest heaved with each labored breath as his vision blurred. The weight of the situation crashed down on him, but he refused to break. He would find a way out. He had to. For his family. For the people who still believed in him.

But Mister Sinister's words haunted him: destroy your image as a hero.

He could only pray that the strength within him would return before it was too late.

-END OF ACT 01: THE BEGINNING ARC-