As a power unique to the DC universe, the Speed Force is one of the most fundamental components of the entire cosmos.
In the comic universe, the abilities granted by the Speed Force are incredibly diverse, but unfortunately, most of them have not been displayed in this world. Ethan doesn't know if Barry Allen in this universe can reach the level of the comic version and fully develop the various abilities of the Speed Force.
This is because there is a fundamental difference in settings between the comic universe and the TV universe.
In the comic universe, the Speed Force represents the speed of light in that world. Speedsters only enter Speed Force mode and exhibit various powerful abilities by connecting to the Speed Force and running at or near the speed of light. For example, a punch that hits with the force of a white dwarf star, or punching someone decades or even centuries into the future.
However, when not in Speed Force mode, speedsters can still run fast, but their combat power is significantly weaker. Even a punch thrown after sprinting toward an opponent has the same impact as swinging a fist while standing still.
Furthermore, in the comics, if a speedster's connection to the Speed Force is severed, only Barry can use his own power to re-enter Speed Force mode.
In other words, being at or near the speed of light is considered activating the Speed Force in the comics.
But in the TV universe, Barry's speed hasn't reached the speed of light, not even close, yet he has already activated Speed Force mode while running at several times the speed of sound.
However, even after entering Speed Force mode, Barry in the TV universe does not display the overpowered abilities seen in the comics. Instead, he is more like a comic book speedster who hasn't activated the Speed Force yet. This inconsistency makes Ethan uncertain about how the rules of this universe work, which is a real headache.
Additionally, although Barry possesses super-fast reflexes and perception, these abilities are not always active. This can be seen from some of the early details after he wakes up. He typically remains in a "normal" state and must actively "switch on" the high-speed mode.
This also explains why Barry often gets beaten up by regular people. In his default state, his reflexes are no better than a normal person's, and in a panic, he doesn't have time to enter the high-speed state before his opponent gets in the first hit and dazes him.
This seemed to change later on. After some time, Barry would stay in a high-speed state more often, merely suppressing his reaction speed and thought processes to live a normal life.
After thinking through all this, Ethan looked back at Thea in front of him and gave his honest assessment.
"Probably... you can't?"
"Why not? Doesn't the Speed Force make me faster? If I'm faster, I can throw more Meteor Fists in a shorter amount of time."
"Because I don't know if you'll be able to control another type of energy when you activate the Speed Force and enter a high-speed state."
"Uh..."
Thea had been studying with Ethan for nearly two years. Energy control was a major part of her training. She was no longer a novice. She understood very well how difficult it was to control energy.
Even with guidance from a god, she had only barely touched the threshold. Thea had personally experienced how tough it was to manage energy.
Just mobilizing one type of energy was already incredibly difficult. Controlling two types of energy with completely different properties at the same time? It would probably be faster to just put a knife to her own throat.
"Then what if I directly condense the Speed Force into a meteor and throw it?"
Ethan thought of Barry's only long-range move for a long time: building up speed, gathering lightning, and hurling it like a spear. This seemed to prove that the Speed Force could be condensed into an offensive form.
"If you get the chance, you can try."
But a meteor condensed from lightning? Would that still be the Pegasus Meteor Fist? Was Thea trying to steal Thor's job now?
Thea, of course, couldn't hear Ethan's internal commentary. She was now eager to see the Speed Force for herself.
However, for the next stretch of time, Ethan didn't take Thea to S.T.A.R. Labs. Instead, he wandered around Central City on his own. Just when Thea thought he might have changed his mind, they finally went back to S.T.A.R. Labs.
Caitlin was surprised by Ethan's sudden return. Dr. Snow clearly hadn't expected Ethan to come back. She had assumed that after the initial tour, Tony and Ethan had lost interest in S.T.A.R. Labs since they hadn't shown up in a while.
She even thought they had already left Central City. It wasn't really her concern anyway.
Unexpectedly, after some time, this young man named Ethan actually came back, and without even notifying them, he showed up unannounced.
"Hello."
"Uh... hello."
Caitlin smiled awkwardly and kept glancing at the Latino man beside her.
Unfortunately, her colleague didn't understand what she meant at all and simply stood there, just as awkward, greeting Ethan with a stiff smile.
"This is my colleague, Cisco Ramon. After the particle accelerator accident, only Cisco and I remained."
Ethan knew this was Cisco Ramon, a guy who would eventually become a cheat-level character, casually inventing all kinds of black tech. In the near future, he would awaken a very powerful ability. It was just that this guy had no desire to develop his powers, and in his hands, the ability was somewhat wasted.
Speaking of abilities, Ethan also noticed a faint but dormant energy inside Caitlin. Unlike Cisco, who was still slowly transforming, Caitlin's transformation had already been completed. The energy within her was merely asleep.
"Killer Frost... and Vibe?"
Ethan looked at the two. They still seemed a bit green, not in age, but in experience and how they handled themselves.
They weren't very old, and both were involved in relatively "nerdy" research. That naturally made Caitlin and Cisco not very good at dealing with people.
That explained why Caitlin had been flustered when she hosted Ethan and the others last time, and why Cisco hadn't even shown up.
If Ethan hadn't dropped by unannounced, he might not have met these two at all. Normally, Dr. Wells would have handled things personally.
"No need to be nervous. I'm just looking around."
Right now, S.T.A.R. Labs only had these two present. Dr. Wells wasn't always around. Caitlin and Cisco were the ones who stayed here every day.
Of course, the real reason they remained at S.T.A.R. Labs wasn't just because they had nowhere else to go, but because of a certain special guest currently residing in the lab.
"Who is that?"
Last time, Dr. Wells had led them through the outer areas, never letting them enter the interior, so they hadn't seen the unconscious Barry Allen.
But this time was different. Ethan arrived without notice. Caitlin rushed out to stop him, but she didn't dare block an investor outright. So, when Ethan walked straight into the medical room without any resistance, Caitlin had no idea what to do.
"That's a patient who was injured during the particle accelerator explosion."
"Barry... Allen?"
Cisco, still trying to be helpful, explained honestly. When he realized what he had just said, he saw that Ethan had already walked over, and the girl next to him had already spoken Barry's name.
"You know him?"
"We met once in Starling City."
Although Cisco wasn't very socially skilled, even he could tell this situation was awkward. Their lab had exploded, Barry had fallen into a coma, and now the investor who had shown up just so happened to know Barry. Was this a sign that S.T.A.R. Labs was finally done for?
"How is his condition?"
Cisco didn't dare speak casually anymore and turned to Caitlin for help. Besides, this was her area of expertise anyway.
Caitlin had no choice but to bite the bullet and explain Barry's condition to the 'sponsor.'
Overall, Barry's condition was very good, even better than many healthy people. The only issue was that he was still unconscious.
Ethan, however, could tell that Barry was close to waking. His body had completed the foundational transformation and had adapted to the Speed Force. He could wake up at any moment.
That was for the best. Ethan wouldn't have to wait much longer.
Just as he was debating whether to give Barry a nudge to help him wake up, he noticed Barry's eyelids twitch slightly.
"Ahem, his eyelid just moved."
The two standing beside him were like nervous kids, staring at him as if waiting for instructions. Ethan had to remind them before Caitlin noticed Barry's subtle movement.
A second later, Caitlin, who had just been timid and quiet, suddenly shifted into a different person, quickly beginning various checks on Barry. While she was busy, Barry, lying in the hospital bed, opened his eyes.
"Where... am I?"
Barry Allen sat up, looking confused, then glanced at the strangers around him. Well, not all of them were strangers. He recognized Thea. He had met her once in Starling City, but they weren't close.
"Miss Queen? Why are you here?"
He turned his head. Cisco quickly explained the current situation, helping Barry catch up.
"I've been in a coma for a long time? How long?"
"Nine months."
Just as the room was filled with commotion, Harrison Wells arrived. He had rushed over after hearing that Ethan had shown up unexpectedly, but he hadn't expected Barry to wake up at this moment.
At this point, he couldn't even think about Ethan. He immediately greeted Barry.
"Welcome back, Mr. Allen."
(To be continued.)