DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Central City.

A flash of lightning streaked across the streets at incredible speed.

Inside a five-star hotel in Midtown, in a VIP suite…

Captain Cold, Heatwave, Mirror Master, Trickster, Captain Boomerang, Weather Wizard, and the Pinnacle Man were all gathered near a computer.

"Boss, you were right. The Flash really is searching for us everywhere. He's already gone through all the places we used to live." The Trickster was visibly excited, having hacked into the city's PRISM system. Through surveillance and satellite monitors, he could see traces of the Flash's movements.

"This is to be expected. We released all the prisoners. Of course, he's busy. It's normal for him to have us in his sights," Captain Boomerang muttered as he rubbed his hands together. Without his boomerang, he was using a dining knife as a substitute throwing weapon. It made him extremely uncomfortable.

"But within just half an hour, all the prisoners have already been recaptured and brought to justice. That speed is insane." Weather Wizard shook his head. Even with his power to control the weather, he felt uneasy. The Flash was just too fast.

"We need to come up with a plan. We've all got talent, good looks, and a way with words. Central City should be ruled by us. We can't let the Flash keep blocking our way." Mirror Master added. He had the ability to enter mirror space, which was how, under Bardi's arrangement, they had all escaped from prison undetected by the Flash.

"We're really going to go up against the Flash like this? He's too fast. I got caught instantly and didn't even have time to react," Heatwave grumbled. He shoved a Swiss Army knife into his boot, then took a rough bite of pineapple bread, washed it down with a swig of beer, and narrowed his eyes in contentment.

Everyone fell silent, turning their attention to the curtains and watching Bardi outside the window. All of them had been defeated by the Flash multiple times and were fully aware of how dangerous he was. During the prison break, Bardi had won some of their respect. As the current leader of the Rogue Gang, they were still willing to hear him out—if his advice worked.

Of course, if he failed, they'd scatter.

As for the Flash…

This wasn't like in the comics, where they could match him through clever use of powers.

In reality, the Flash's speed allowed him to toy with them. He could catch any of them in seconds. It wasn't even a challenge.

If they had the Flash's speed, it would be much easier to deal with both heroes and other enemies.

But their reflexes couldn't even respond to his attacks. Fighting him directly was hopeless.

Bardi stood by the window like a covert operative, lifting the heavy, ornate curtain. Sunlight poured into the room, illuminating his face.

He saw the residual streak of lightning flashing in the distance across Midtown. It was the afterimage of the Flash.

He let the curtain fall. The room dimmed instantly.

"I need to get my Freeze Gun back. It can slow the Flash's speed. Trickster, Boomerang—you both need to retrieve your weapons too. We need to face the Flash at full strength."

Among them, only Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, Heatwave, and Pinnacle Man had actual powers. Even so, their powers weren't especially strong. Right now, even Snart alone could take them all down.

Of course, Snart was now Bardi, whose control of the body had reached its peak. His hands and feet alone were enough to subdue them. That was one of the reasons they had agreed to follow his lead after escaping prison.

"Maybe we can use hostages to force the Flash into submission. Isn't he supposed to be kind?" Pinnacle Man said casually.

Bardi swept his eyes across the room.

"Let me explain the rules.

"No killing unless absolutely necessary. We don't want to attract too much attention from other heroes. I don't want a certain flying Superman coming down on us.

"No drugs, no harming women or children, no cruelty, and no reckless behavior.

"No infighting within the gang. If anyone breaks the rules, the Rogue Gang will deal with them without hesitation.

"Any objections?"

Bardi easily established the original principles of the Rogue Gang. These were the very same rules the group had always followed, and he had no intention of changing them.

The others exchanged glances and nodded in reluctant agreement. Operating too brazenly in Midtown would only draw unwanted attention, possibly even from alien forces. Everyone was just trying to make money—there was no need to make things worse.

Besides, they all saw themselves as stylish robbers. Hurting women and children didn't suit their image. They all approved the rules one by one. If there had been objections, the group would've disbanded on the spot. That's how each of them saw it.

With their agreement, Bardi's soul felt a sense of relief. Snart's last wish had been fulfilled to some extent. All that remained was defeating the Flash.

Under Bardi's leadership, they began executing the plan to recover their equipment.

After Snart was tried in court, his Freeze Gun was locked away in the court's dangerous equipment storage, along with Captain Boomerang's boomerangs and the Trickster's gadgets. These items had all been confiscated by the Flash and secured during the trial.

The Trickster was in better shape. He was resourceful and had several secret bases, each hiding plenty of gadgets he could retrieve at any time.

But Snart's Freeze Gun and Captain Boomerang's boomerangs were custom-made. They had to rob the court to get them back.

Afterward, Bardi ordered the clever Trickster to start creating powerful adhesive slime that could restrain the Flash's speed. He also had him acquire some high-tech components from the black market. Meanwhile, Bardi himself would generate an electrostatic field, which would help neutralize the Flash's movement during the final confrontation.

Soon, the Rogue Gang split into three teams.

The first team—Mirror Master and Weather Wizard—was sent to rob Citibank in Midtown. Bardi had specifically chosen a bank full of mirrors, asking them to carry out a mission designed to attract the Flash's attention.

The second team—Trickster and Heatwave—headed to the black market to purchase the gear Bardi needed.

The third team—Bardi, Captain Boomerang, and Pinnacle Man—went to the court's secure equipment storage to retrieve their weapons.

Everything went smoothly. The Flash's attention was captured by Mirror Master, who quickly hid inside the mirrors before the Flash could catch him again.

A week later…

The Rogue Gang formally challenged the Flash. After Captain Boomerang, Trickster, Heatwave, and Pinnacle Man were all defeated one after another, Bardi deliberately escaped, luring the Flash to the predetermined location. There, using high-frequency vibrations, he generated a static electric field.

The explosion paralyzed the Flash.

The wish had been fulfilled.

(To be continued.)