The Flash #36: "Impulse Control"

Lights fade, lights appear. One minute I’m there, the next second I’m here. Now these are the big questions folks: when the heck is here and why? Actually I’m already starting to wonder when the heck there was, too. Oh this is not good. Hang on to what you’ve got up there in that thing you call a brain. Scrambled eggs, is what it’s actually starting to feel like. Oh, scrambled eggs. I’m starving. Nope, focus. I’ve got to figure out when and where I’m at. First step if I’m going to get out of this alive.

A little cheese on those eggs, too. OH! And top it off with ketchup and I could be in taste bud heaven. Actually feeling it rolling around on my tongue would be even better than the actual taste.

FOCUS!

I’m out in a field. That’s good, means less possibility that anyone actually saw me blink in. Hey, two cities! I recognize those. I know exactly where I am. Wow, talk about a coincidence. Alright, if I’m near Keystone, then I should have some kind of family here, somewhere. I’ll check a paper to see what the date is. This isn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.

WOOSH! I’m off.

Oh man! Feel that wind in my face. Real wind! How amazing is that. Ah, the city. Wow is it crowded. Grab a paper, check the date: two thousand and nine? I kind of over shot the mark just a bit. Wait a minute! Grandpa! I can get Grandpa to help me.

Making my way across town in less than two seconds flat is easy; standing still long enough to check out the home of Barry Allen... not so much. When I get to the house that I ‘m pretty sure is the right one... history books are a bit screwy... Okay, fine, I wasn’t paying attention... sheesh. Anyway, things are not like I expected them to be.

For one thing, the house looks like a Mardanian Bullet Train has gone through it. Not to self, nobody here has any idea was Mardanian is, let alone a Bullet Train. Second of all there’s a massive amount of people surrounding the house. Wow, look at all those old fashioned cameras! Talk about antiques! I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on one of them.

FOCUS!

Okay, no way am I going to make myself known, so this place is out. First thing I need to do is find me some cloths that fit in with this time. Even if spandex has its own club at this time, an unknown costume would draw attention. I’ll head into the city, snatch some cloths of the period and figure out what to do after that.

As I head out of the suburbs and into the city I’m surprised to see billows of gray smoke rising from several different locations. Man the town is jumping tonight. I must have come during one of the many crises that they used to have. I’m barely into the city when I see the dome go up behind me. I’m guessing that’s something that even these people don’t see every day.

When I’m heading across the Keystone/Central Bridge is when I get my first real big shock of the night. Flying past me at speeds that surpass mine are two costumed figures that both look vaguely familiar. Them I’ve seen in my history books. Barely have time to let that register when two more zoom by after them. Okay, gotta stop and check this out. Just keep out of site and see what’s... WHOA! The first two speedsters suddenly stop and the ones chasing them slam into a brick wall. I hear the snap of the ones neck. A sickening sound. Who are those two guys? I know I’ve seen them before but I can’t remember their... wait... Max. One of them was called Max. Max what, though? Think about it later; getting out of here before they see me.

*******

Parts of the city look like a war zone. As I pass by officers I’m hearing a lot of the same words over and over: Rogues, Flash, hospital. Passing through alley’s I see a cloths line full of drying cloths. Just about to reach it when I hear a lady scream from the street on the other side.

I’m such an idiot. I shoot right past the cloths and out the other side of the alley only to come face to face with a small mob scene. Whatever is going on in this city, these people obviously want to take advantage of it. They used to call them looters, I think. Yeah, taking the loot; loot meaning stolen items.

Not going to let that happen. Zipping past some shocked looking bystanders, I pass the first guy who has just run out of a store with a large item in his hand. I barely glance at him as I put out my leg in front of him as I pass by. He trips, stumbles and then falls to the ground. Unfortunately the merchandise in his hands goes flying onto the ground, shattering into a hundred pieces. That’s a great big oops on my part. Okay, lesson learned.

As I turn around to go back and put him down for good, I also bring both my arms out and check two other guys who are busy robbing a woman of her purse. I’ve had practice at this particular move where I come from and it works perfectly. Both guys go flying and will never know what hit them... literally.

After making sure I’ve got the rest of the little mob under control by using the same ingenuity that I used to defeat the evil Mud Monster’s of Alpha Four. It was brilliant in its simplicity, perfect in its execution-- if I do say so myself.

Once I’ve finished up with that problem I go back and retrieve the cloths that I need to borrow. How lucky am I, anyway? Nice threads. I’m guessing this is the skateboard look I read about. Going to have to make sure I remember the area so I can bring them back when I’m done.

When I’m finished changing, in about three point two seconds, I start examining the area more closely; now able to walk around looking like a normal kid.

The city looks like a war zone. I hear some kind of battle taking place at the hospital, another on the far side of town. Two cops are running up the street, shouting orders over their PA system as they head towards the hospital. What have I stepped into? This isn’t at all what I expected.

“Hey kid!” A guy yells from a place called Subway. “Get in here until it’s over!”

“Until what’s over?” I ask innocently as I jog over to this shop. Talk about some odd, but really good smelling odours.

“Where you been, kid? Hiding under a rock? All hell is breaking loose. Rogues battling Rogues; something big happening at the hospital, and the big revelation about The Flash.”

“What revelation?” I’m really confused at this point and really having a hard time concentrating with those smells all around me.

“The Flash is some guy named Barry Allen. Some kinda cop or somethin’. It’s like the whole world has suddenly flipped upside down. I ain’t seen anything this crazy since those starfish started falling form the skies.”

So this is when I am. Talk about weird timing. I’ve ended up here at the exact same time that Barry was revealed to be Flash. Oh man, I need to really stay low at this point. I mean there’s a lot I don’t remember about my history, but this... this is a biggie. Problem is I’m a little fuzzy on what happens after that. I know there are some pretty big things that follow for both Barry and Wally, but beats me what they were. Think, Bart, think. I’ve got to keep focused and try to remember...

“Hey kid, you wanna sub, on the house?”

“Do I!” Oh man I’m starved. I hope it’s as good as it smells. If it is then I’m going to be in heaven.

I have no idea what it is that I’m biting into, but I will say that never in my short life have I had anything like it. It’s like creation itself has exploded in my mouth. By the time I finish the whole thing I’m stuffed, and suddenly wondering what I was supposed to be doing.

That’s when I see two Rogues go by in the front window. One seems to be beating the daylights out of the other one.

“Oh yeah, I remember.”

*******

It’s now been a week since I’ve arrived and I’m regretting not paying attention to my history lessons more and more. Some of the stuff that The Flash is going through, I mean the really big stuff, is easy to remember; but the little things, not so much.

I’ve gotten by easily enough on the kindness of strangers, at least when it comes to food; but not so well on the whole shelter thing. If I was considered an adult it’d be a lot easier, but there’s no way a boy of my age can shack up at a shelter without someone sending me to some kind of child services, and I don’t care what century your from, they’ve never been pleasant. So instead I’ve been holed up in a run down and vacated motel just outside of town. Ha! I said vacated. Lot’s of vacancies actually. At least nobody sees me zipping in and out of the place.

Or at least I didn’t think anyone did, until today.

Like most days I went into town looking for the latest news on Barry. I’m totally fascinated with the guy-- but really I can’t blame myself, can I? The paper is saying that his wife and him are working through their loss. That sounds about right. With the holiday season right on top of them this first one isn’t going to be easy, either.

So here I am, minding my own business like I always do when I hear the alarm going off at this department store across the street. Talk about an old fashioned get up. The guy who runs the mom and pop place is about seventy three. Nice guy, actually. He’s been really cool about offering me cloths that get torn or damaged during delivery. He thinks I’m so homeless kid-- he’s right.

I take off like a flash... get it. When I get into the shop at a fast enough speed that I can’t be seen by the human eye, I check things out. There are three guys behind the front counter where the old man’s wife is standing. All three have guns pointed at her. Two more are at the back of the store with Mr. Kremple. Got a give him props, the guy doesn’t look scared, just really ticked off.

Tricky situation, but nothing I can’t handle. The three up front look the most upset, probably cause Mrs. Kremple hit the alarm. I head back to the front and swipe the guns out of each one of their hands. I head to the back and do the same to the thugs with the old man. Knocking them both to the ground on my way back to the front of the store. That’s when I’m totally caught off guard by the sight of that Max guy that I saw when I first arrived. He’s already got the three men knocked out and tied up with nylons by the time I’m up front again.

I don’t even hesitate, just keep moving towards the front door; unfortunately he’s right in front of it in the nano-second it takes me to get there. I stop short. I mean the guy looks older than dirt; I don’t want to slam into him and break his hip.

“I was wondering if you’d make an appearance.” He says to me, his eyes staring straight at me through his mask. That’s when his last name slams into the front of my thoughts.

Snapping my fingers I blurt out. “Mercury! You’re Max Mercury!”

He nods. “And you have me at a disadvantage. I don’t know your name and it’s rude not to introduce yourself.”

“Sorry, my name is Ba... Ba...” I stop talking. What do I tell him?

“Ba Ba? As in Ba Ba Black Sheep?”

Jeez, he doesn’t have to be so sarcastic. “Sorry, my name is Barney. Barney, um, Barney Gumble!” He’s giving me a look that pretty much is telling me he isn’t buying it. I persist with a large smile. “Yep, that’s me-- Barney Gumble.”

“Kid, I may be old, but I ain’t stupid, and I do watch television.”

Well that didn’t work. Let’s be flippant and see where that gets me. “Would you believe Barney T. Dinosaur?”

Suddenly I’m grabbed by the back of my shirt and the two of us are speeding down the street past the morning traffic. My guess is he didn’t believe that one either.

We arrive at his destination, which is the place that I’ve been holding up in. I’m pretty sure I can’t chalk this one up to coincidence. He drops me a bit roughly as we skid to a halt and he walks around the little home that I’ve created. There really isn’t too much to see as everything I’ve collected, including the nasty looking mattress, was taken from dumpsters or back alleys.

“Did you think I didn’t notice you that day?” He asked as he examines the room.

I’m going to keep quiet for the moment. And let me tell you, that is not easy.

“It took me a couple days to find you again, but I’ve been keeping an eye on you ever since. You’re a speedster that I’ve never seen before. Haven’t told anyone else about you yet; which I’m guessing is a question you’re going to have for me. At this point, Jay, Johnny, Wally and Barry have no idea that you even exist. I was going to tell Jay, but you really have been keeping such a low profile that I started thinking there might be a lot more to you than meets the eye. If you were a crook, then you’d have done something to advance yourself from living here, by now. Then yesterday I watched you snatch that cat from the middle of Twelfth Street before it got flattened by the delivery truck. Had to be sure you were on the right side though, which is why I staged that little robbery back there.”

“You staged that!” I exclaim before reminding myself to shut up. Keep quiet you impulsive little idiot.

“Yeah, hired those guys. Probably going to have to pay double for the two in the back though. Hope you didn’t hurt them to badly.”

I’m keeping quiet. Hard to do. First person I’ve really had a chance to talk to. And I mean this guy has more history to him than Barry or Jay. Wish I could remember some of it though.

“So I’ll make you a deal. You tell me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and whatever it is-- long as it isn’t law breaking-- I’ll keep that truth between us. Deal?”

My whole body is fidgeting as I think that one over. If I’m stuck here, at least for now, I really do need someone on my side. I need someone I can trust. Alright, just do it. Tell him! You’re dying to anyway.

“Son, at this point you’re not getting rid of me. At the very least I’m going to drag you back to my place for a good meal and a decent place to sleep, but I’d much rather think that you’re an honest fellow who I can trust. It’s obvious you’ve got a good heart.”

He called me son. Nobody has ever called me that before. Wow, does that feel good.

I take a deep breath. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. “Alright, but it stays between us?”

“Long as you’re not breaking the law.”

“My name is Bart Allen. I’m the grandson of Barry and Iris Allen and I’ve come from the future.” So that’s what people mean when they say their jaw dropped. Quick, add something else. “See, nothing law breaking at all.”

Max removed his mask and stared at me, his eyes wide open. “Just the laws of physics, kid.”

As he helps me pack my meager little possessions, I tell him some half truths, just to get him off my back. I can’t tell him everything, not yet. I don’t know if anyone is going to come looking for me. If they do, I don’t want this guy to end up getting hurt. I’m already starting to like him.

*******

I spend the holidays with Max, who surprises me with a gift called an XBox360. It has two games that I finish in less than twenty four hours. It’s still fun though. Takes me back, actually.

Still he presses me on how I got here. I tell him the truth, the tread mill. It’s part of a private collection that I was able to find. Then he asks why I came here and that’s when I veer away from the truth a bit more.

I tell him that I was just messing around with the machine; playing with something I wasn’t supposed to be playing with. That’s how I accidentally got sent back here. The first question he asks is when I’m prepared for. What happened to the tread-mill? This one is easy in its simplicity. “I don’t know. It just disappeared on me.”

The next question’s not as easy. “What do you think we should do about this? We’ve got to get you back to your own time; you know that, right?”

“Oh yeah, I know. Just not sure what to do yet.” He’s not buying it and it is pretty lame, I gotta admit. “I um, I need some fresh air. I’ll be back in a few.”

He says nothing, just nods in acknowledgment, but I can feel his eyes on the back of my head as I walk out of the room. Once I’m out of range of his stare, I change into the costume that I came in and shoot across country.

There are three kids that I accidentally ran into right before Christmas. I was just zipping in and out of cities, checking the sites, when I stumbled upon these guys fighting a giant nutcracker in the middle of Gotham City. I even helped them defeat the thing! I told Max about it later and he filled me in on two of them. The guys go by the names Robin and Superboy. He wasn’t sure about the blond girl; he assumed she was new, but when I described what she was wearing he immediately deduced that she was somehow tied to Wonder Woman. I checked later and found out he was right. She’s calling herself Wonder Girl. She looks like a woman to me, though. Giggity!

That’s where I’m headed when I feel something land on my back. It hits me so hard that I’m sent tumbling, and at the speed I’m going, it isn’t a quick tumble. I go for about a half a mile before I stop. It puts me near Wonder Girl’s residence, actually.

As I stagger to my feet it dawns on me that I’ve been stalking her for the last couple of weeks. How did I end up becoming a stalker, for Pete's sake! I don’t notice the metal arm swinging down until it’s too late, and find myself flying backwards another five feet before landing on the ground.

FOCUS!

Before I can get myself off the ground, this time, though, there’s a streak that shoots across the sky, slamming into the metal monstrosity that I finally recognize. It’s an advance scout. They found me! That thought is quickly suppressed as I watch the blond girl beat the crap out of the scout. In less than a minute she’s carrying it on her back and it looks like a crushed Coke can.

“Looked like you could use a little bit of help there.” She says with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m Wonder Girl, what’s your name.”

Say something... say anything...!

“Nice outfit. By the looks of it, I’m guessing you’re a speedster?”

One word... just one word...

“A mute speedster?” She asks.

“Impulse! You can call me Impulse.” I blurt out. I have no idea where that came from. What a lame name.

“Impulse? I like that!”

Strike that. It’s now a totally rad name.

“You know the Flash?” She asks me excitedly.

“Kind of... sort of... not really.” I can’t believe she still has that thing on her back. She’s carrying it around like it’s a knapsack.

Her look of puzzlement is understandable; I sound like an idiot after all. I’m about to open my mouth again and probably say something even stupider when she interrupts me.

“I’ve got a couple of friends who I’d love for you to meet. Maybe they can help us figure out what to do with this thing.” She says this while tossing the piece of scrap metal in the air like a basketball.

I grin ear to ear, cementing in her mind that I am the biggest doofus this side of the Mississippi. She gives me a playful smile and picks me up with her one free arm. I find myself flying over her city and away from it a fast speed. Not as fast as I’m used to, but much faster than I’m used to without my feet on the ground.

“Where are we going?” I finally get the brains to ask.

“I’m taking you to Gotham City to meet my friend Robin. He’s closest to us.”

“Sounds great!” Is all I can reply, but inside my chest feels like it’s about to burst. I think I just made a friend. A real live, actual friend! And if I’m lucky, I’m going to make a couple of more!