KEYSTONE CENTRAL The vast area that once comprised both Keystone and Central Cities spreads out like a giant metropolis across the landscape. It's thought to be one of the safest and best places to live in the whole Noram region, but things aren't usually what they seem.... BAM BAM BAM! "What the hell are ya doing Joe?" Joe Wilson stands at the bank vault entrance, guns in both hands, both smoking. They've recently been fired. A man lay dead at his feet, two gunshot wounds to the head, blood pouring onto the floors. "He tried to be a hero, I just showed him the price of heroism, not let's get the hell outta here!" Joe and his partner Ken bolt for the street. Their getaway vehicle is close, only thirty feet away. As they approach the door, a second bank guard draws his gun. 'This is supposed to be a peaceful area, this shouldn't be happening, and it WON'T as long as I'm here,' he thinks to himself. Too bad for him he doesn't possess the killer instinct that these two thieves have. Before he can act, two bullets are flying his way, another murder about to happen.... ZOOOM! ...but in Keystone Central.... ZOOOM! ...you have to be fast to get away with your crimes... ZOOOM! ....for the law acts between the ticks of a second! Right before his eyes, the bullets stop and the two men are knocked out. A bright red and gold flash is all that can be seen as the money is put back into the vault, and as the blur stops it reveals two men standing side by side. "Are you all right, citizen?" "'Bout time you guys showed up! Man, what the hell took so long!?" "We apologize sir, the alarm only went off five seconds ago, be sure to have it fixed..." they pick him up off the ground...."Have a nice day sir!" And with that, they speed off, gone in a gust of wind..... ***************************** THE DCF PRESENTS- "THE FLASH: DCF" Volume One, Issue One December 1997 "What A Rush!" The Origin of The Flash DCF Chapter One of Three "The Speed Force" Written/Created By- Joey W. Guerra AGuerra601@aol.com Editted By: Erik Burnham darvey@rocketmail.com **************************** "And now, Live from our studios it's the Keystone Central Late News, with our anchor Phil Marx!" The face of Phil Marx fills the Video screen.... "Hello there, I'm Phil Marx. An attempted Bank Robbery was stopped today by two members of the FLASH Corps. One man was killed, and three others injured. The Corps have not released the identity of the killed man, nor have they yet publicly explained why they didn't show up sooner. Many Keystone Central citizens have been wondering lately- Are the FLASH Corps making a difference? It's been nearly a year since Mayor Hill started up the group named after the famed twencen hero. But many people say they are more trouble than they are worth, Debrah Thomson reports..." Mike Hill sits in his office and watches the report, disgusted by it. As the serving "Mayor" of Keystone Central, he likes to think of himself more as a god than mere mayor; he has helped to better this place, and still they complain! HA! Try living in Bludhaven, or Gotham, or even Metropolis! He ponders just letting this city go straight to hell, but no, he needs more time before he can act. He needs to make sure everything is in line, then his time will come! Jason Ramos wanders from wing to wing of the museum. He smiles, a loose grin, even when he's by himself it's all he tries to allow. He wouldn't want people to see him actually happy now would he? As the owner of the Keystone Central Museum of History he's about to become rich and he knows it. Within two days the place will be open, and he grins again, thinking of the money. It's not like he actually needs the cash, nope, Jason has enough money for a couple of lifetimes at least, but wealth is power to him, and he wants to be the most powerful man alive! He stops in front of the door that is sure to make him rich. A lighting bolt is engraved into it, a sign nearby reads "The Flash Museum". It's big enough to actually be a museum all its own, though it's only a part of the whole building. Inside are items from all the men and women who were called Flash, or simply were known to associate with them. Jason passes past some of Jay Garrick's stuff and laughs. You see, Jason doesn't really believe in heroes or their ways, the only thing he believes in is power. He goes down the line until he reaches the Wally West Exhibit. He looks over the various items, and starts to get a weird feeling as he stares at one in particular. It's in a glass case, the sign next to it says, "Ring Worn By Wally's Beloved Linda". He doesn't know why he's so attracted to this one item, or really how it got here… "If he loved her so much how come we have the ring? hah!" Jason leans over to pick it up, he's just about to touch it when... "Hey Jason!" He starts to turn, but he knows who it is before he even looks. "Alex. What do you want?" "How about- "Nice to see ya sis!"- jeez, Jason you can be so rude!" Jason walks towards her. "Just because you're my sister doesn't mean I have to be any nicer to you than the rest, and just because dad gave you AND me this museum to run when he died doesn't mean I have to like it! Now leave me alone." Jason storms off towards his office, leaving Alex with thoughts of better days, when her and Jason actually got along. Mike Hill has had an eventful afternoon. He talks to a figure draped in shadows over his video phone. Mike Hill isn't happy. "You said they would have him! The bank opening was the BEST opportunity to get the job done! You said you hired the best money could buy! So what the hell happened!?" The figure steps out of the shadows... it is Jason Ramos. "I changed my mind, I called abort at the last minute, I simply cannot have murder on my conscience. I may be a monster, but I'm not that kind of monster, Mr.Hill" Mike slams his fist into his desk. "Screw you! I need one of the Noram ambassadors dead and you said you could do it you slimy son of a --- "Watch your language, Mr. Hill. I'm out and that's it. Find someone else to kill for you, I will not be a part of it, and by the way. Don't try threatening me or my sister, otherwise I see you losing your next election by a landslide. Money CAN by votes, and I have much more than you. Goodbye." The screen goes blank, and Mike goes into a fit of rage. "DAMMIT!" ************** It's night in the city. All goes well. Ten crimes are about to be committed, within thirty-seconds the criminals will be in jail. It's just part of life here, you have to move fast. Down on West Avenue, five FLASH Corps members speed by, a sonic boom announcing their presence to the citizens and merchants here, a small twister soon follows. Yes, all is well, except for in the Museum where Jason now wanders to the same ring he so desperately wanted to touch earlier. He reaches towards it again, and touches it without hesitation. What happens next will change his life forever! "What the...." He never finishes that question. Bright, white-hot light fills the room, and visions begin to appear before him.... "Linda, I'll love you forever...." Images of two lovers, bound together by a force stronger than any ever known, the force of true love. More images dance around his mind until.... The room falls silent, and Jason and the ring have vanished! Deep inside his mansion, Mike Hill smiles, and the smile turns to laughter. Jason may have double-crossed him, but that problem is about to be dealt with. Mike falls asleep, visions of a future that he will rule filling his dreams... ********************* TO BE CONTINUED! NEXT ISSUE!- Be here next issue to see just what happened to Jason! Plus Mayor Hill's plan gets into high gear! And any questions or comments would be greatly appreciated! Send them to AGuerra601@aol.com!