###
The hum of the magnatar in the distance was a dreadful sound, an ominous reminder of the stakes. STAR Labs was abuzz with tension as Barry, Wally, Iris, Caitlin, Cisco, and now Tony—Zero—prepared for what could be their final confrontation with Zoom. The weight of the multiverse's survival bore heavily on them all.
Tony stood slightly apart, still grappling with his role in all of this. His reappearance had been met with skepticism, and the lingering tension was palpable. But the System's constant prompts kept him focused.
**System Update:**
**Objective: Rescue Joe West. Destroy the magnatar. Ensure Barry Allen's survival. Preserve the multiverse.**
Barry gathered the team, his resolve unshakable despite the grief etched into his features. "This is it. Zoom has Joe, and the magnatar's primed to destroy the multiverse. We need to act now. Wally, Caitlin, and Cisco, work on disabling the magnatar. Tony, I need you to back me up against Zoom."
Tony nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Barry hesitated, but he nodded back. "Let's save the world."
---
### **The Confrontation with Zoom**
The battlefield was chaotic, the magnatar's energy casting an eerie glow. Zoom stood at the center, his blue lightning crackling with menace. Joe was bound to a chair nearby, battered but defiant.
Zoom sneered as the team approached. "Ah, the Flash and his merry band of fools. Come to watch me destroy everything you love?"
Barry stepped forward. "This ends now, Zoom."
Zoom's laughter echoed. "You can try, Flash, but we both know how this ends. You'll lose. You always do."
Barry charged, his lightning sparking as he clashed with Zoom. The two speedsters moved at blinding speed, their strikes sending shockwaves through the air.
Tony darted toward Joe, using his metallic enhancements to slice through the restraints. "Hang tight, Joe. I've got you."
Joe groaned as he stood, nodding his thanks. "You're full of surprises, Tony."
Tony smirked. "You don't know the half of it."
---
### **Destroying the Magnatar**
As Barry battled Zoom, the rest of the team worked frantically to disable the magnatar. Cisco examined the device, his hands shaking. "This thing's protected by some kind of Speed Force energy. We can't break through!"
Tony's System chimed in:
**System Alert: Secondary Objective—Infuse residual Speed Force energy into your body to weaken the magnatar's defenses.**
Tony hesitated but placed his hands on the magnatar, feeling its immense power surge through him. His body glowed faintly, and the magnatar's defenses flickered.
"Now, Cisco! Hit it with everything you've got!"
With Tony's help, the magnatar's shield shattered, leaving it vulnerable.
---
### **Barry's Time Remnant**
Barry's time remnant appeared, a perfect copy of himself. The remnant nodded at Barry, their shared understanding clear.
"I'll stop the magnatar," the remnant said.
Barry looked at him with a mix of pride and sorrow. "Thank you."
The remnant sped toward the device, vibrating at incredible speed until he destabilized it. The resulting explosion was massive, but Barry and Tony worked together to shield the team from the blast.
---
### **Zoom's Fate**
Zoom staggered, his powers waning. The time wraiths appeared, descending on him like avenging spirits.
"You can't take me!" Zoom screamed as they dragged him into the void.
But one of the wraiths turned its attention to Tony, gliding toward him with malevolent intent. Tony froze as it reached out to him.
Instead of attacking, the wraith merged with Tony, its energy dissolving into his body.
**System Alert:**
**New Force Fragment Acquired: Potential for Strength Force Resonance Detected.**
Tony gasped as the power settled within him, a subtle connection forming to something greater.
---
### **Saving Henry**
With the battle over, Tony approached Jay's unconscious form. The System's final prompt appeared:
**Objective: Save Henry Allen's soul. Fuse with Jay Garrick's body.**
Tony hesitated. "Are you sure about this?" he whispered.
The System was silent, but Tony knew what had to be done. He extracted Henry's essence, a glowing orb of light, and guided it into Jay's body.
Moments later, Jay stirred, his eyes opening to reveal Henry's familiar gaze.
"Barry," Henry said softly.
Barry fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Dad?"
"I'm here, son," Henry replied. "Thanks to him." He glanced at Tony, his expression grateful.
---
### **The Aftermath**
Back at STAR Labs, the team processed everything that had happened. Joe approached Tony, his expression a mix of gratitude and caution.
"You saved me, saved Barry, and helped stop Zoom. For that, I'm grateful. But if you're hiding anything that could hurt this team, I'll stop you myself."
Tony met his gaze evenly. "I understand, Joe. I'm not that person anymore. I'll prove it."
Iris joined them, her arms crossed. "You've done a lot of good, but that doesn't erase what you've done in the past."
Tony nodded. "I don't expect forgiveness overnight. But I'm here to help, no matter what it takes."
Caitlin approached next, her voice softer. "You've changed. I can see that. But trust is earned, not given."
Tony gave a small, rueful smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
---
### **A New Beginning**
Barry approached Tony, his expression thoughtful. "You saved my dad. You saved all of us. I don't know why, but I trust you. Welcome to the team, Tony."
Tony nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. Redemption wasn't a straight path, but he was finally on the right one.
**System Alert:**
**Quest Complete: The Line Between Redemption and Revenge.**
**New Ability Unlocked: Strength Force Integration.**