I am Wally west

Chapter 46: Charges Dropped



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The team gathered—Wally, Cisco, Caitlin, HR, and even Barry, who had been training to sense and absorb more Speed Force energy. Curious about the serum's potential, Barry decided to join them and observe.

They stood a safe distance away from Gypsy as Caitlin stepped forward, holding the vial. Its glowing fluid radiated with an unmistakable brilliance, catching everyone's attention.

With steady hands, Caitlin approached Gypsy, carefully locating a vein in her arm. After a moment of precision, she injected the serum. The effect was immediate—Gypsy's heartbeat spiked sharply, causing a wave of tension to ripple through the room. But just as quickly, her heartbeat stabilized, easing the tension and leaving the team in silent anticipation of what might happen next.

Within seconds, Gypsy's breathing steadied, no longer needing assistance. Her fingers twitched briefly before her eyes snapped open in panic. Without registering her surroundings, she lashed out instinctively.

But nothing happened. It was only then that the others noticed the meta-dampening cuffs secured around her wrists. The restraints suppressed her abilities, preventing her powers from triggering. The sudden stillness gave her mind the chance to stabilize, the confusion in her gaze gradually softening as she began to process her environment.

The others ignored Gypsy for a moment, their attention fixed on the spectacle that had just unfolded. They were certain there hadn't been a cuff on her before—yet now it was secured around her wrists.

Stranger still, there had been no sound, no whoosh, despite the presence of two speedsters. It had simply appeared.

Noticing their confusion, Wally sighed and explained, "Flashtime." The word brought clarity, and their memories refreshed, they refocused on Gypsy.

But Barry continued to stare at Wally, as if struck by a sudden realization. During those fleeting moments of Flashtime, though immobilized by the meta-dampening bands he wore, he had felt something unusual.

His sensitivity to Speed Force energy had heightened. Though he couldn't move, he had clearly sensed Wally's movements through this newfound awareness. What stood out most was how different Wally's Speed Force signature felt compared to his own.

However, the moment had been too brief to analyze further. Whatever he had sensed, it left him intrigued and eager to understand more.

"Where am I? Why am I in handcuffs?!" Gypsy barked, her voice sharp and aggressive.

Cisco quickly stepped forward, his hands raised in a calming gesture as he closed the distance. "Gypsy! Gypsy, calm down. You're in S.T.A.R. Labs," he said hurriedly.

The moment her eyes landed on Cisco, her demeanor shifted. Her breathing steadied, and her anger ebbed, though her gaze lingered on the cuffs with visible irritation.

Wally took it as his cue. Just as swiftly and imperceptibly as he had placed the cuffs on her, he removed them. A subtle breeze was the only sign of his movement, leaving Gypsy rubbing her wrists and glancing around, her confusion still evident but her aggression subsiding.

After calming down, memories of her fight with Cisco replayed vividly in Gypsy's mind. Realizing she had lost, her fist clenched tightly before she exhaled and relaxed her hand. Noticing she bore no injuries, she stood from the bed, dropped to one knee, and declared solemnly, "By the laws of Earth-19, my life is yours to take."

The rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances before deciding to leave Cisco and Gypsy to resolve this alone.

Feeling awkward, Cisco quickly pulled her to her feet. "Come on, get up. I'm not taking anyone's life."

Gypsy hesitated, her expression unwavering. "Cisco, I lost. It's only right I follow through to the end."

Cisco met her determination with calm resolve. "That's not how we do things here," he said gently. "Different Earths, different rules."

After more deliberation, Gypsy finally accepted that Cisco had no intention of taking her life. Her thoughts shifted toward HR. He was alive, but she had lost the Trial by Combat, which meant any attempt to take him back to Earth-19 would be illegal. She couldn't risk it—not when the consequences could bring shame to her family, especially her father, who would be deeply disappointed.

These people had even saved her life when she was on the brink of death. Now, she resolved to find a way forward that would benefit both sides.

"Now that I've won the Trial, HR is not going anywhere," Cisco said firmly, noticing the conflict written on her face. "He's here to stay."

"I know..." Gypsy admitted softly, her voice tinged with reluctant acceptance.

Minutes passed as she regained her composure. To her surprise, she discovered only a day had passed since their fight, making her recovery feel like a miracle. Still, she chose not to pry. Instead, she donned a sleek black outfit similar to her previous one, the original too damaged to wear again.

"So, you're just going to go back to your Earth and tell the authorities you lost?" Barry asked, his tone wary. He was visibly uneasy, concerned she might return unannounced someday when they least expected it.

"No," Gypsy replied firmly, meeting his gaze.

Barry's confusion turned into unease, his worry evident. "What do you mean by that?" he asked cautiously worried she might go back on her word.

Gypsy met his gaze, her tone firm and unwavering. "HR can stay," she said, "but I can't tell anyone I lost. I've never lost before... until now." She paused, glancing at Cisco briefly before continuing. "Instead, I'll report that HR... that I killed him."

Barry frowned, unsure how to respond, but Cisco stepped forward, his tone a mix of concern and disbelief. "You're just going to tell them you killed him? Won't that backfire on you?"

Gypsy shook her head, her expression resolute. "No. As far as Earth-19 is concerned, HR is gone. No one will question me, and no one will come looking for him."

HR hesitated, his voice tinged with apprehension. "But if you tell them you killed me, that means I can never..."

"You'll never return to Earth-19. Ever," Gypsy interjected firmly, her tone leaving no room for debate.

HR paused for a moment before nodding lightly. "Do we have a deal or not?" she pressed, shooting him a sharp glare.

"Deal," HR finally agreed, his voice steady despite the weight of the decision. Besides, he wasn't planning on going back—there was nothing for him on Earth-19. This was his home now.

"Bye, Gypsy," Caitlin muttered as she left the Cortex, heading to the med bay. She had tests to run on the serum and its potential applications. As she entered the med bay, her thoughts lingered on Wally. Perhaps he could help her find a way to erase Killer Frost.

Back in the Cortex, only Cisco and Gypsy remained. Cisco broke the silence with a smirk. "Listen, I know there's no coffee on your Earth because of the whole blight thing or whatever, but this is an awful lot of coffee to be bringing back. That can't be legal."

Gypsy returned the smirk. "I mean, I won't tell if you won't."

"For someone so fixated on enforcing the law, you seem oddly comfortable breaking it," Cisco teased.

"Some laws are worth breaking—for the right person," Gypsy replied with a sly grin.

Cisco blinked, momentarily speechless. "Hmm. So... this is goodbye, then?" he asked, curiosity and reluctance in his voice.

Their gazes locked, a flicker of unspoken desire passing between them.

"For now," Gypsy said softly.

They stepped closer, the moment charged with tension. Cisco closed his eyes, ready for the kiss. But when he opened them, Gypsy was gone, leaving only an empty space where she had stood.

Cisco stood in disbelief a smile on his face" "What an exit," he muttered.

"What an exit indeed," Wally teased as he came out of the corner holding his phone which he had used to take a picture of Cisco kissing the air. "Now I have something to put on a frame,"

"Delete that, Wally," Cisco said, his face turning red as he lunged for the phone.

Wally effortlessly sidestepped, his speed making the attempt laughable. "Nah, this one's going in the hall of fame," Wally teased, holding the phone out of reach. "Maybe even as a motivational poster. 'Shoot your shot—even if it's with thin air!'"

"Seriously, man, give it back!" Cisco groaned, half-laughing, half-embarrassed.

Barry, who had been quietly observing the playful exchange, shook his head, trying to suppress a grin. "Alright, Wally, give him a break," he said, crossing his arms. "You've had your fun."

Wally relented, tossing the phone back to Cisco. "Fine. But don't say I never did anything for you," he quipped with a smirk. "You owe me."

Cisco caught the phone and immediately checked to ensure the picture was deleted. "Whatever," he muttered under his breath before walking off toward his workshop.

There, he had plenty of work waiting for him. The energy shielding project was finally gaining traction, and with the groundwork laid, it wouldn't be long before he could have shields stationed around S.T.A.R. Labs.

Back in the Cortex, Barry and Wally were now alone. Wally noticed the shift in Barry's demeanor immediately. It was clear he had something on his mind.

"What do you want to say?" Wally asked, cutting straight to the point.

Barry hesitated for only a moment before replying. "I need your assistance. It has to do with Flashtime."


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