The hospital's corridors echoed with screams and shattering glass as Fake Flash wearing his signature red suit and Speed Demon wreaked havoc. Patients fled in terror, and medical staff scrambled to evacuate the injured. Suddenly, the X-Men arrived, stepping into the destruction.
Cyclops led the charge, his visor glowing with restrained energy. He looked at The Flash, disbelief etched across his face.
Cyclops: What the hell are you doing? Wal-
Before he could finish, The Flash shot forward and landed a powerful punch to Cyclops' jaw, sending him stumbling back.
The Flash: Just enjoying the fun, bro!
Cyclops quickly regained his footing, glaring at The Flash as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
Cyclops: Alright, you asked for it. It's two against four. X-Men, take him down!
Psylocke unsheathed her psychic katana, her eyes narrowing as she darted toward The Flash. Meanwhile, Morph shifted into Quicksilver, his form a blur as he rushed at The Flash.
Morph: Gotcha now!
But before he could make contact, Speed Demon intercepted, grabbing Morph mid-stride and slamming him into the ground with a wicked grin.
Speed Demon: Not so fast, fake Pietro. You're mine!
Cyclops unleashed a blast of optic energy toward The Flash, who effortlessly dodged with a smirk. He zipped past Cyclops and Psylocke, delivering precise punches to their stomachs that sent them doubling over in pain.
The Flash: You guys are way too slow to keep up with me!
Professor Xavier sat in his wheelchair nearby, his brow furrowed in concentration as he attempted to read The Flash's mind. His face twisted in confusion and frustration.
Xavier: Something's blocking me. I can't get into his mind… it's like he's shielded.
The Flash skidded to a stop, standing confidently amidst the chaos as Cyclops and Psylocke struggled to their feet.
The Flash: Is this all you've got? I was expecting more from the mighty X-Men.
Speed Demon cracked his knuckles, standing beside The Flash with Morph still pinned under his boot.
Speed Demon: Looks like your team's outmatched, X-Boy.
Cyclops clenched his fists, glaring at the two speedsters.
Cyclops: We're not done yet. JEAN, NOW!
The Flash's expression shifted to confusion as he turned to look behind him. Suddenly, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey) emerged, her eyes glowing with the unmistakable brilliance of her telekinesis.
With a flick of her wrist, an invisible force slammed The Flash into the ground, pinning him hard enough to crack the tile beneath him.
Marvel Girl: Enough of this destruction, whoever you are. You're not Wally West, not like this.
The Flash growled in frustration, his body vibrating rapidly as he destabilized Jean's telekinetic hold.
The Flash: You really thought that would work on me?
His entire form became a blur of energy, shaking off the telekinetic force. In a lightning-fast move, he grabbed Speed Demon, who had been engaged in a standoff with Morph, and bolted for the nearest exit.
Speed Demon: Finally! Let's get out of here!
Cyclops raised his hand to signal Jean to stop.
Cyclops: Let them go. We need to regroup and figure out what's really going on here.
As The Flash and Speed Demon vanished into the night, the X-Men stood amidst the wreckage of the hospital. The fight was over for now, but the mystery behind The Flash's actions only deepened.
Jean looked at Cyclops with concern.
Marvel Girl: Scott, something's wrong with him. That wasn't just Wally it was like… something else.
Cyclops nodded grimly.
Cyclops: We'll get to the bottom of this. But next time, we'll be ready.
-LOCATION: JAPAN, TOKYO-
Jimmy Woo stood in a dimly lit alley, holding a device that tracked Wolverine's location. The streets were alive with the hum of Tokyo's nightlife, but Jimmy's focus was singular finding Logan.
Suddenly, he felt the cold steel of a knife press against his back. A soft but firm voice whispered in his ear.
Yukio: What do you want from him?
Jimmy froze, raising his hands slightly. He slowly turned his head and saw Yukio standing behind him, her knife poised and eyes blazing with suspicion.
Jimmy Woo: I want to meet the Wolverine in person, not you, lady Yukio.
Yukio narrowed her eyes, her grip on the knife unwavering.
Yukio: I don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D., and I certainly don't trust you. Why should I lead you to him?
Jimmy Woo turned slowly, keeping his hands visible.
Jimmy Woo: Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm an ally. This isn't an official S.H.I.E.L.D. operation this is personal. I need Logan's help to save someone important. That's all.
Yukio studied him carefully, lowering the knife slightly but not putting it away.
Yukio: Logan doesn't like people dragging him into their problems. You'd better have a damn good reason.
Jimmy Woo: Trust me, I do. Just tell me where he is, and I'll take it from there. No strings, no hidden agendas.
Yukio paused, then sighed.
Yukio: Fine. But if this turns out to be a mistake, you'll answer to me.
Jimmy nodded, a small smirk forming on his face.
Jimmy Woo: Fair enough. Now, where is he?
Yukio hesitated for a moment before motioning for him to follow her.
Yukio: Come on. I'll take you to him. But don't say I didn't warn you.
-MINUTE LATER-
Jimmy Woo sat at a small table across from Logan, nursing a glass of sake. The air was heavy with cigarette smoke, and the low hum of jazz music played in the background. Logan leaned back in his chair, a cigar clenched between his teeth, staring at Jimmy with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
Logan: So, what do you want from me, boy?
Jimmy Woo leaned forward, clasping his hands together on the table.
Jimmy Woo: I want you in on my mission.
Logan let out a dry laugh, removing the cigar from his mouth.
Logan: A mission? What kind of bullshit is this? Look, no one drags me into their problems just to recruit me for some shitty S.H.I.E.L.D. gig. If Fury sent you, you can go back and tell him to stick it.
Logan stood up, adjusting his leather jacket, and began to walk away.
Logan: Don't expect me to join your little crusade, kid.
Jimmy clenched his fists, his voice rising as Logan reached the door.
Jimmy Woo: It's important. It's about Wally West.
Logan froze mid-step, his head tilting slightly as he processed the name.
Jimmy Woo: He's been kidnapped by Mister Sinister.
Logan turned around slowly, his eyes narrowing.
Logan: Sinister?
Jimmy nodded, his voice firm.
Jimmy Woo: Yeah. He's got Wally, and he's planning something big. I don't know all the details, but I know we can't let it slide. I need your help, Logan. You know Sinister better than anyone.
Logan's jaw tightened as he considered the weight of Jimmy's words. He walked back to the table, leaning in close.
Logan: If Sinister's involved, this ain't just another mission. Fine, I'm listening. But if you're wasting my time, you'll regret it.
Jimmy Woo: I'm not wasting your time. This is real, and Wally's life depends on it.
Logan pulled out a chair and sat back down, his intense gaze fixed on Jimmy.
Logan: Alright, kid. Start talking. Tell me everything you know.
Jimmy Woo leaned forward on the table, his voice lowered as he began to explain the details of his vision. Logan sat across from him, arms crossed, his expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Jimmy Woo: Look, I wouldn't come to you if it weren't serious. I had a vision, Logan. Wally appeared to me, pleading for help. He said his soul was trapped somewhere, but his body's being used by Mister Sinister for God knows what.
Logan raised an eyebrow, exhaling a puff of cigar smoke.
Logan: A vision? You expecting me to buy into mystic mumbo-jumbo now?
Jimmy Woo: I'm not asking you to believe in visions. I'm asking you to look at the facts.
Jimmy grabbed the remote from the table, switching on the bar's television. The screen buzzed to life, and a breaking news report filled the room.
News Anchor: "Chaos erupts in the city as The Flash and an accomplice, identified as Speed Demon, wreak havoc. Witnesses describe The Flash attacking hospitals and terrorizing civilians. Authorities and local heroes are struggling to contain the situation."
The screen cut to shaky footage of The Flash speeding through the city, destroying cars and creating mayhem, followed by Speed Demon grinning wildly.
Logan's eyes narrowed as he stared at the screen, the cigar dropping from his mouth.
Logan: Damn.
Jimmy Woo: This isn't the Wally West we know. Sinister's done something to him, and it's not just his image on the line. Innocent people are getting hurt.
Logan leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.
Logan: I don't remember that kid being this dangerous. Last time I saw him, he was just some annoying punk who stole my—
Logan paused, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Logan: Jean Grey's underwear, bub. Took me two days to track him down and teach him a lesson.
Jimmy's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly shook it off, trying to stay focused.
Jimmy Woo: Logan, this isn't the time for nostalgia. If we don't act fast, Sinister's plan is going to spiral out of control.
Logan grabbed his drink, finishing it in one swig, and slammed the glass down on the table.
Logan: Alright, kid. You've got my attention. Let's save this speedster before he wrecks the whole damn world and my patience.
Jimmy Woo leaned back in his chair, a small smirk of satisfaction crossing his face.
Jimmy Woo: Great. That's one down, three more to go.
Logan furrowed his brow, his claws instinctively twitching as his patience wore thin.
Logan: Three more? What the hell are you talking about, bub?
Jimmy sat up straighter, pointing at Logan with his index finger.
Jimmy Woo: I'm recruiting the four major heroes on my list to form a team. You're the first one, Logan. Congratulations.
Logan groaned, shaking his head in disbelief.
Logan: Figures. Should've known you were dragging me into some half-baked S.H.I.E.L.D. operation. Who are these other so-called "major heroes," huh?
Jimmy leaned forward, his tone turning serious.
Jimmy Woo: The next one's a guy who cracks jokes while shooting webs and gets a little too deadly when he's wearing a certain black suit.
Logan: Spider-Man? That little punk? He's got guts, I'll give him that. Who's next?
Jimmy Woo: The second's a scientist who turned into a monster thanks to gamma radiation. He's been laying low, but word has it he's running things like a mafia boss lately.
Logan chuckled, a dark grin crossing his face.
Logan: Hulk. Now that's someone I wouldn't mind having on my side in a fight. And the fourth?
Jimmy Woo: The last one's a guy with a flaming skull who rides a bike and shows no mercy to anyone who crosses his path.
Logan's eyes widened slightly as he leaned back, letting out a low whistle.
Logan: Ghost Rider. Damn, Jimmy. You're really pulling out all the stops. You think you can actually get these guys to work together?
Jimmy Woo: That's the plan. If we're going to take down Sinister and save Wally, we'll need the best of the best. And that's you four.
Logan grabbed his cigar from the ashtray, lighting it up and taking a long puff.
Logan: Well, you've got me on board, bub. Let's see if you can rope in the rest of this dream team without getting yourself killed first.
Jimmy grinned, standing up and adjusting his jacket.
Jimmy Woo: Oh, don't worry. I've got this under control. Now let's get moving we've got a web-slinger to find.
Logan: This better be worth it, kid.
The two headed out of the bar.
NEXT ISSUE: CATCHING THE SPIDER!