Agony. A flash. Uncertainty...
Barry opened his eyes. All around him was blinding light. He rubbed his eyes, hoping to get used to the brightness. But when Allen had time to adjust, the light began to draw lines until they came to life and formed an image... The image of S.T.A.R. Labs. Barry was in a familiar room. This was where it all began, and this was where it all ended. The memory of the last battle was still fresh in his mind, the pain caused by this war, the eyes of his fallen friends, which reflected no less sadness. Most of all, he thought about Oliver, who gave his life so that he and Kara could live and protect Earth. Barry found out about this at the very last second, otherwise he would not have let his friend die for him. He would not let anyone die for him.
So Oliver's sacrifice was in vain? Barry didn't want to think about that, just as he didn't want to think about the fact that this man had left his wife and children to fight in this war and die.
He paced around the room, his gaze falling on the stand where his suit should have been hanging. There was only a mannequin. Barry looked down at himself — he wasn't wearing the suit. He was wearing only a white T-shirt and trousers of the same colour.
In fact, he should have realised long ago that he wasn't wearing the suit, but he felt nothing physical, not even the tears running down his cheeks.
He was dead, and all that remained of him was a shell that felt only the pain of loss, the pain of not being able to prevent the inevitable.
Barry glanced at the main console. All the moments that had passed behind it flashed through his mind, from the very first day when he woke up and saw Cisco and Caitlin in front of him. To the very last, when everyone: the Flash team, the Arrows, the Legends, and even the Supergirl team — stood here trying to come up with a plan to save the world. They were all here, alive, full of determination and heroism. And most of them had fallen. Barry had seen it with his own eyes as the Legends died one by one. He had held Killer Frost in his arms as she bled to death, dying first and giving her body to Caitlin... Barry would never forget her last words.
"I've always loved you. Only you..."
Why does Barry always notice the most important things last? He was so obsessed with Iris, considered her the love of his life, but didn't notice the one girl who always helped him and was there when he needed her. Only her love for the scarlet speedster (albeit unrequited) kept Caitlin Snow going. She truly loved only two people: one died, and the other was forever chasing after someone else. No, Barry didn't devalue Iris's love; he knew she loved him just as much... That's why Barry Allen hated himself for always noticing the most important things last.
He sat down on the floor, trying to hold back the tears that were begging to come out. He wanted to smash everything, but the difference was that S.T.A.R. Labs, like him, was a ghost, just memories that would stay with him in his personal hell forever.
"You died a hero," a stern male voice said. Barry recognised it instantly.
He stood up and saw the Monitor standing before him. His slightly haughty, God-complex gaze changed to one of sympathy. Barry had never seen him like this before.
"Mar Nova," Barry said his real name, even though there was no need. "Am I... in hell?"
"Everyone decides for themselves," he shrugged.
"Well, then..." Barry stopped himself. "I died a hero, right?
"Yes. And your sacrifice was not in vain. Nor was Oliver Queen's sacrifice. Nor was the sacrifice of all the others. You won, albeit at a very high price.
Well, at least that's something. Others will sleep peacefully, knowing that tomorrow the multiverse will be safe.
"But the war isn't over yet," said the Monitor. "The balance of the multiverse is more important than anything else, and it hasn't been restored yet."
"What does that mean?" Barry asked.
"It means that someone is needed to finally bring order to the multiverse.
"Is that someone... me?"
Mar-Valius nodded, and hope appeared in Barry's eyes...
"So I'll go home?
"Not exactly," Monitor shook his head. "The multiverse is huge, it's not just fifty-three Earths or however many you've come up with.
"It's infinite...
"Exactly. There are other Earths that Crisis, fortunately, did not reach. But nevertheless, one of them is still in danger. And I will send you there.
"What will I have to do?
"Whatever is necessary.
"That's what you told Oliver. And you know how that ended?
"This is a completely different situation.
"Really?
Barry was ready for anything, he was ready to restore that damn balance so that they would finally leave him alone. But he was tired of fighting, tired of struggling. He truly enjoyed being a hero, protecting people's lives, but it came at too high a price, and The Flash isn't immortal...
"The choice is yours, Barry," said the Monitor.
"What is this Earth, may I ask?
"You know it, you've seen it, you've read about it. It's a world very different from your own. But if you go there, you will lose all your powers, though they will be replaced by another. You call it magic.
At that moment, Barry narrowed his eyes suspiciously. So he would cease to be a speedster, but become... a wizard? Allen's interest grew even stronger.
"I'm ready," said the man. In any case, he agreed to take a chance. But if he saved this land, the balance would finally be restored. "But... will I return home?"
"That all depends on what you do and what decisions you make as a result.
Barry exhaled in agreement. The monitor opened a breach and stood next to her. Allen took a determined step forward when Mar Novu suddenly grabbed his shoulder and looked him in the eyes.
"There is much unknown waiting for you there. Be careful," he said, then let go of him. "Good luck."
Barry entered the breach. A bright light flashed in his eyes again, but it was immediately replaced by an all-consuming darkness...
***
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