-Next Day-
The sun cast a warm glow over the grounds of the X-Mansion as Wally, using a pair of forearm crutches, made his way slowly across the campus. Roberto walked beside him, offering a casual but steadying presence. Wally took in the sprawling lawns and gardens, a welcome change from the sterile walls of the hospital room he'd been confined to for so long.
Roberto looked over at him, an eager smile lighting up his face as he broke the silence.
Roberto: So, Wally... how'd you get famous? I mean, as an artist?
Wally chuckled softly, glancing down at the crutches as he adjusted his weight.
Wally: It's kind of a long story, but I guess it all started with my love for sketching when I was a kid. I'd always draw comics, cartoons, just whatever popped into my head.
Roberto nodded, hanging onto every word.
Roberto: That's pretty cool. So, it was just a hobby at first?
Wally: Yeah, pretty much. Didn't think much of it until I hit high school. I started posting my art online, you know? I thought, why not? Then people began to notice, and… one thing led to another.
Roberto: And suddenly, you're Wally West, the artist everyone talks about.
Wally: Not quite "suddenly"... there were a lot of late nights, a lot of struggling just to get my name out there. But yeah, eventually, things started to click. It's been kind of a wild ride.
They walked a bit further, the sound of birds and the occasional chatter of students filling the air. Roberto paused, watching Wally carefully.
Roberto: You think you'll get back to it? Painting and all that, I mean.
Wally hesitated, looking down at his hands, still bearing the faint marks of his recent ordeal.
Wally: I don't know, Roberto. This whole experience has… changed me. Maybe in more ways than I realize. But art's always been part of who I am, so yeah. I think I will.
Roberto grinned, offering a supportive nod.
Roberto: Well, whenever you do, know you've got a fan here. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
Wally looked over at Roberto, a small smile breaking through his otherwise serious expression.
Wally: Thanks, man. Means a lot.
As they strolled along the pathways of the X-Mansion, Roberto cast Wally a curious look, his brow furrowing slightly as he wondered aloud.
Roberto: So, by the way… which school did you go to?
Wally thought for a moment, casting his gaze over the horizon as he reminisced.
Wally: I used to be at the Massachusetts Academy. Good place, I guess. I remember there was this girl with brown hair, always right beside me. I'II called her "Grace" because she just... kind of had this calm, graceful vibe about her, you know?
Roberto chuckled, nodding as he took in Wally's story.
Roberto: "Grace," huh? Sounds like she made quite the impression. What was her real name?
Wally paused, scratching his head with a bit of a sheepish grin.
Wally: You know… I actually don't remember. It's been years, and "Grace" just kind of stuck. We were close back then, but I guess a lot has slipped my mind since.
Roberto laughed, nudging Wally lightly.
Roberto: Man, you're something else. Forgetting names, giving nicknames... So, do you think she remembers you?
Wally shrugged, smiling a bit.
Wally: Maybe. I hope so. I'd like to think I left some kind of mark. But it's funny how time blurs things, huh?
Roberto: So… what about your family? Your parents?
Wally's expression darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his face.
Wally: My mom… she died when I was younger. But they never found her body. Just… gone.
Roberto's face softened in empathy, then he hesitated before asking.
Roberto: And… your dad?
Wally squinted, struggling to recall a name lost in the fog of time.
Wally: I don't really remember him. All I have is this vague memory… his name, it started with a K—
Suddenly, Roberto's eyes went wide, and he cut Wally off, noticing something strange.
Roberto: Uh, Wally… I think you're… vibrating?
Wally chuckled, lifting his hand, thinking it was just his phone.
Wally: Yeah, I know, the phone's—
Roberto interrupted with a shout, panic filling his voice.
Roberto: No! I mean, your body is vibrating!
Wally looked down at himself, eyes widening in alarm as he saw his entire body trembling, shimmering with an uncontrollable energy.
Wally: Roberto, what's going on?!
Roberto, trying to stay calm, frantically pulled out his phone to call for help.
Roberto: Don't worry, I'll call someone! Hang on—
But before he could finish, a bolt of lightning burst from Wally's body, hitting Roberto and sending him staggering back. Wally's eyes went wide as his vibrating intensified, his entire form seeming to flicker, buzzing with energy.
Wally: Roberto!
Then, suddenly, Wally's body surged forward uncontrollably, his feet leaving the ground as he shot forward in a blur of speed, vanishing into the distance, leaving a trail of scattered leaves and debris in his wake. Roberto, still recovering from the shock, stared at the empty spot where Wally had just been with a pair of forearm crutches in the ground, dazed and alarmed
Roberto: Mr.Wally!
A sudden scream echoed from the kitchen, and Roberto rushed in, skidding to a halt at the chaotic scene in front of him. Bobby and Warren were both pinned against the table, struggling to breathe as wind whipped around them at dizzying speed. Wally was a blur, circling them so fast he was barely visible, creating a vortex that trapped his friends in a suffocating whirlwind.
Roberto's eyes darted around the room, desperate for something, anything, that might stop Wally. His gaze landed on a fire extinguisher lying on the ground.
Without hesitation, Roberto grabbed it, ran up to the edge of Wally's high-speed circuit, and timed his swing. With a swift and determined move, he brought the fire extinguisher down, slamming it right into Wally's face.
The impact broke Wally's momentum, and he dropped to the ground, stunned, his body finally still. The whirlwind dissipated, and Bobby and Warren collapsed onto the table, gasping for air.
Roberto knelt beside Wally, breathing heavily.
Roberto: Wally… buddy, what the hell happened to you?
Bobby, still catching his breath, managed a shaky laugh.
Bobby: Next time… just bring snacks, not… almost like a tornadoes.
-Hours Later: Danger Room-
Inside the X-Mansion's Danger Room, Hank McCoy stood with his tablet, eyes focused as data streams filled the screen. Beside him, Ororo Munroe, better known as Storm, watched Wally as he dashed around the room at breakneck speed, leaving a trail of yellow lightning in his wake. Wally's movements were almost impossible to track, his form just a yellow blur that filled the entire room with crackling energy.
Ororo turned to Hank, her gaze shifting between Wally and the tablet.
Ororo: Hank, what are you seeing? Is something wrong with his vitals?
Hank frowned, tapping through the data.
Hank: Yes… something very strange, actually. His cellular structure is unstable it's as if his entire body is vibrating on a molecular level. It's unlike anything I've seen before, almost like his cells are… overcharged.
Ororo's eyes widened slightly as she watched Wally make another impossible turn in the air, the yellow lightning intensifying.
Ororo: Is that dangerous for him?
Hank nodded, concern deepening on his face.
Hank: Potentially, yes. His cells aren't used to processing this much energy. If this continues unchecked… it could become catastrophic. We need to find a way to help him harness or stabilize this power before it harms him permanently.
Ororo watched Wally, worry in her eyes, then turned back to Hank.
Ororo: So what's the plan, Hank? How can we help him control this?
Hank sighed, his mind racing through possibilities.
Hank: We'll start with further diagnostics, but I'm afraid this might be beyond typical mutant physiology. We may need to look into his speed power for a solution… or someone who's dealt with powers like his before.
Ororo gave a resolute nod, a spark of determination in her gaze as she looked back to Wally.
Ororo: Then we do whatever it takes. Wally is one of us now and we won't let him go through this alone.
But just as they were about to proceed with their next move, a voice interrupted them.
Logan stepped into the Danger Room, his usual smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were narrowed, and his posture was relaxed, but his words were anything but.
Logan: You know what? I think it's time we give him a Sentinel.
Hank's eyes widened in disbelief. His tablet still hovered in his hands, displaying Wally's unstable readings.
Hank: Logan, you can't be serious. You're suggesting that we use a Sentinel to help him?
Logan's smirk only deepened as he walked further into the room, his boots thudding softly against the floor.
Logan: I know, Hank. But this'll help him, bub. The kid needs something to focus that energy on, something that'll give him a challenge. Trust me, he'll figure it out
Ororo: Logan, you can't be serious.
Logan's smirk widened as he approached the control panel, completely unfazed by their concern.
Logan: Oh, I'm serious, Bub. You both know the best way to get someone to learn control is through a little... training.
He turned to the control panel with a quick movement, his finger already on the button.
Logan: Computer, Sentinel training, now.
Ororo stepped forward, shaking her head in disapproval. Her eyes were sharp, filled with concern for both Wally and the dangers that Logan's idea could bring.
Ororo: Logan, this is not the solution. We need to help him understand what's happening to his body not throw him into a fight with a machine that could potentially harm him!
Logan's smirk never faltered as he glanced at Wally, who was still moving in circles at high speed, his body vibrating with an unstable energy. The Sentinel, meanwhile, stood ready to engage, its metallic joints clicking into place.
Logan: Look, we can stand here and talk about it all day, but the kid's gonna need to learn how to handle himself before this thing blows up in his face. A little bit of pressure, and he'll get a grip on it.
Hank: Logan, no! We're not throwing Wally into a fight with a Sentinel! He can barely control himself right now this is madness!
Logan turned to Hank with a shrug, his tone unrelenting.
Logan: Sometimes you need to throw someone into the deep end to make them swim, Hank. He's not gonna learn how to control this power by running away from it.
Ororo's eyes flashed with concern, but Logan stood his ground, watching as Wally zoomed past in a blur, not yet aware of the challenge that had just been set before him.
Ororo: You're out of your mind, Logan! The last thing Wally needs right now is a Sentinel coming after him.
Hank: This is a terrible idea, but... if this works, he'll learn to control his power.
Ororo looked at Logan with a glare that could cut through steel, but there was something else in her eyes concern mixed with the begrudging understanding that Logan's method had a twisted kind of logic to it.
Ororo: If anything happens to him, Logan…
Logan didn't flinch, just gave her a curt nod.
Logan: I'll take full responsibility. But trust me, this will help him.
Ororo: I just hope we're not making a bigger mistake than we already have.
As the Sentinel activated and began moving toward Wally's position, the young speedster finally noticed the looming threat. His eyes widened slightly, his body instinctively slowing down as the Sentinel's massive form advanced.
Wally: Wait... What the hell is that?
The Sentinel's head turned, locking onto Wally, who was now aware of the danger and slowed to a halt in mid-air, confusion and fear flashing in his eyes. He wasn't sure what was happening but could feel the threat looming.
Logan: Alright, kid. Let's see what you've got.
Wally's eyes widened as the Sentinel raised its arm, aiming a massive energy blast directly at him.
Wally: Wait, wait, WAIT!
But the blast fired anyway Logan's voice cut through the air.
Logan: Something you can't outrun, kid. Time to show us what you've got.
-Somewhere in the Philippines 9:34PM Night-
Inside the cockpit of a commercial airplane, Weather Wizard, his eyes glowing with malice, sat at the controls. His hands gripped the yoke with a chilling steadiness, while his mind boiled with rage and resentment. The hum of the plane's engines provided an eerie background to the storm brewing within him. He glanced out the window, watching the clouds grow darker, thickening with the ominous energy he was preparing to unleash.
Weather Wizard: They think they can stop me? They think they can take away what's rightfully mine?
His voice was low, almost a growl, as he spoke to no one in particular. The grip on his fingers tightened, and the storm outside began to react to his fury. The wind howled, lightning crackling ominously in the clouds as if waiting for his command.
Weather Wizard: I will destroy everyone who gets in my way. Not even the Avengers... not even the Fantastic Four... and certainly not the X-Men. They will all perish at my hands.
A wicked smile curled across his lips. He could feel the power of the storm surging in his veins, each crack of thunder amplifying his resolve. He stretched his hands out, his fingers crackling with energy, summoning the full wrath of the storm.
The storm outside grew more chaotic. The clouds twisted into a violent vortex, the plane's wings shuddering as the winds picked up. In the distance, the flashing lights of the city below seemed so far away, but Weather Wizard's fury was centered solely on this plane, on these innocent passengers. They were nothing more than pawns in his game now.
Weather Wizard: Let them feel the wrath of a god!
With a forceful gesture, he thrust his hand forward, and the heavens responded. A massive bolt of lightning shot down from the storm clouds, striking the plane with bone-rattling force. The metal of the aircraft screamed in protest as the lightning surged through its frame, igniting the electrical systems and sparking a catastrophic chain reaction. The plane began to shudder violently, the passengers inside screaming in terror.
Weather Wizard: Now, perish... ALL OF YOU!
The plane's hull cracked under the strain, and another strike of lightning pierced the fuselage, sending shockwaves of destruction throughout. The sky above became an unholy glow as fire erupted from the center of the plane, and it began to break apart, tumbling toward the ground. Weather Wizard stood, unflinching, as the chaos unfolded below.
The storm raged on as the debris of the doomed plane fell from the sky, a tragic testament to Weather Wizard's unrelenting fury. The passengers were lost, their fates sealed by his wrath. And as the wind howled in triumph, Weather Wizard took in a deep breath, satisfied with the destruction he had wrought.
Weather Wizard: This is just the beginning.
To Be Continued