MARVEL: THE SCARLET SPEEDSTER

-JULY 1991-

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over Wally's modest home as he unlocked the front door, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. Kicking off his shoes, he tossed his bag onto the couch and fished his phone out of his pocket. The screen lit up, displaying Emma Frost's name. He smirked and tapped the answer button.

Wally: Hey, babe. What's up?

Emma's voice came through the line, cool and confident as always, but with a hint of playful annoyance.

Emma: Wally, do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to call me back?

Wally chuckled, leaning against the kitchen counter as he grabbed a bottle of water.

Wally: (grinning) Yeah, yeah, I know. But you know me, Em always busy with my stuff over here.

Emma: (scoffing) Oh, please. "Stuff" is just your excuse for everything. What could possibly keep you so occupied?

Wally unscrewed the cap and took a sip, his green eyes sparkling with amusement.

Wally: You know how it is. Training, errands, saving the day... the usual. And a work is never done.

Emma: (with mock exasperation) And yet, you somehow manage to find time to call everyone but your girlfriend.

Wally winced playfully, setting the bottle down as he walked into the living room.

Wally: Ouch. Okay, you got me there. My bad, babe. But hey, I'm calling now, aren't I? That's gotta count for something.

There was a pause on the other end before Emma responded, her voice softer now.

Emma: (sincerely) I just miss you, Wally. It's been weeks since we've seen each other.

Wally's expression softened, and he ran a hand through his messy red hair.

Wally: (gently) I miss you too, Em. You know I do. But you also know how crazy things get for me sometimes.

Emma: (with a sigh) Yeah, I know. I just wish we had more time together, that's all.

Wally sank into the couch, his tone growing more serious.

Wally: I promise, I'll make it up to you. How about this weekend? Just you and me. No distractions, no school business. I'll even cook dinner.

Emma laughed softly on the other end, the sound making Wally smile.

Emma: (teasing) You, cooking? Now that's something I have to see.

Wally: (grinning) Hey, don't knock it till you try it. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, you know.

Emma: (smiling) Fine, I'll hold you to that. But if you burn anything, I'm taking over.

Wally: Deal.

Emma's voice came through, a mix of curiosity and mischief that he'd come to recognize all too well.

Emma: Wally, can I ask you something?

Wally: (grinning) Sure, babe. What's on your mind?

Emma: (playfully) What if… what if we had children someday? Would you stay by my side?

Wally blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. But then he chuckled, his tone light and sincere.

Wally: Of course, yes! You're my girlfriend, Em. I don't care if we even had five children. I'd still be here, by your side, no matter what.

Emma: (laughing) You're crazy, Daddyfucker.

Wally laughed along with her, shaking his head.

Wally: (grinning) Hey, someone's gotta be, right?

Emma: (teasing) So… which gender would you prefer? Girl or boy?

Wally thought for a moment, tapping his fingers on the edge of his bed.

Wally: I think I'd prefer girls. I don't know why, but it just feels right.

Emma: (playfully) Oh, really? Why's that?

Wally: (shrugging) I don't know. Maybe because I can imagine having five little versions of you running around, giving me hell but making life amazing.

Emma: (teasing) Five daughters, huh? So, if we did have five, what would you name them?

Wally leaned back against his headboard, thinking aloud.

Wally: Let's see... Celeste, Esme, Irma, Phoebe, and Sophie. Yeah, I guess those sound nice. What do you think?

Emma: (smiling through the phone) Those are beautiful names, Wally. But don't forget we're still seventeen. I'm not ready to think about children or anything like that yet.

Wally laughed, relieved the conversation had lightened up.

Wally: Same here. We've got plenty of time for all that. For now, I'm just happy being with you, Em.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, content to just hear each other's breathing over the line. Finally, Emma broke the silence.

Emma: (softly) I love you, Wally.

Wally's smile widened, and his voice was warm with affection.

Wally: Love you too, Em. Always.

As they ended the call, Wally leaned back with a contented sigh, already counting down the days until the weekend.

The front door creaked open, and his adoptive grandfather stepped inside, carrying a small bag of groceries. His presence, as always, was commanding yet warm.

Grandfather: Wally, have your other adoptive relatives come by yet?

Wally looked up from his phone, slightly confused.

Wally: Nope, no sign of them yet. Why, Lolo?

Grandfather: (sighing as he sets the bag down) Well, I hope they're not late for my birthday celebration. I reminded them last week!

Wally smirked, his mischievous streak kicking in. He stood up, put on a mock-serious face, and dramatically pointed at his grandfather.

Wally: Yappapaayappaapaa! Don't know what to do, Lolo! Here, take some MX3 for your food supplement!

His grandfather froze for a moment, then smacked Wally lightly on the back of the head with a chuckle.

Grandfather: You damn brat, I'm your Lolo! Show some respect, huh?

Wally: (rubbing the back of his head, laughing) Ay, sorry, Lolo! Just trying to keep you young, you know?

Grandfather: (grinning) Young? You're the one acting like a clown. Go set the table if you're so full of energy.

Wally saluted playfully.

Wally: Aye-aye, Captain Lolo!

As Wally dashed toward the kitchen, still laughing.

Wally paused in the middle of the kitchen, a plate in one hand, his playful grin fading into a look of unease. He clutched his chest, his breathing growing shallow.

Wally: Lo... I don't feel so good... I feel like my whole body is about to die or something...

His grandfather, still in the living room, turned toward him, concern etched across his face.

Grandfather: What do you mean, Wally? What's wrong?

Wally's legs wobbled as he leaned against the counter for support. His hands trembled, and as his grandfather rushed toward him, he froze in horror. Small, glowing particles began to drift off Wally's body, disintegrating into the air like ashes in the wind.

Grandfather: (voice trembling) Wally...?

Wally looked up at his grandfather, fear and confusion in his green eyes.

Wally: I don't know... I'm sorry, Lo...

Before Wally could finish his sentence, his body began fading faster. His legs dissolved, then his arms, leaving only his terrified face.

Grandfather: (shouting, horrified) WALLACE, NO!

The grandfather lunged forward, his arms reaching to embrace his grandson, but it was too late. Wally disappeared completely, vanishing like a wisp of smoke. The plate he had been holding clattered to the floor, breaking the silence with a haunting crash.

Grandfather stood frozen, his arms still extended in a desperate attempt to hold onto his grandson. Tears welled in his eyes as he dropped to his knees, staring at the empty space where Wally had stood moments before.

Grandfather: (whispering) Wallace... my boy... where did you go?

{AFTERMATH: Thanos, wielding the fully assembled Infinity Gauntlet, commits a mass genocide by snapping his fingers, erasing half of all life in the universe. This act alone accounts for the deaths of countless beings, across countless worlds, numbering in the trillions or more.

Additionally, throughout the story, Thanos fights and kills multiple characters, including some of Earth's heroes and cosmic entities but the conflict end with Adam Warlock the infinity gauntlet in the end Thanos was defeated by the Heroes and became a farmer in unknown planet.}

-EPILOGUE: DECEMBER 1992-

It was a warm evening in 1992, and the house was alive with laughter and chatter as the family gathered to celebrate. The sound of clinking glasses and soft music filled the room. The grandfather sat alone in the corner, holding a framed photo of his late grandson Wally and his late daughter, Cecilia. The photo was a bittersweet reminder of happier times Wally's mischievous grin and Cecilia's loving smile.

Grandfather: (softly to himself) If you were still alive, Wally... you'd be so proud to see your new-born adoptive niece. Such a little bundle of cuteness.

He smiled faintly, lost in memories, but the smile quickly faded. He sighed, his fingers gently brushing over the photo's surface.

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed from the living room, followed by a rush of footsteps. The grandfather's heart skipped a beat as he jumped to his feet, panic rising in his chest.

Pearl's dad burst into the room, wide-eyed and gasping for breath.

Pearl's Dad: (shouting) Dad! Wally! He's alive!

Grandfather: (stumbling back in shock) What?! What are you talking nonsense about?!

Without waiting for an answer, Pearl's dad hurried toward the living room. The grandfather followed, his pulse racing, unsure of what he would find.

When they entered the living room, the grandfather froze, his breath caught in his throat. Standing there, just as real as the day he had disappeared, was Wally. He was smiling, looking no different than he had before he vanished, though his eyes held a sense of confusion and awe like he don't remember what happened in the incident.

Cecilia's mother, Pearl, rushed to Wally and embraced him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

Pearl's Mom: (crying out in relief) Thank goodness! Cecilia's son is alive! Wally, my boy!

Wally, standing amidst the stunned family members, blinked in confusion but returned the hug, his voice shaky.

Wally: (softly) I... I don't understand. What happened?

The grandfather stood frozen, unable to speak, his eyes locked on his grandson. For a long moment, the room was silent, filled only with the soft sobs of Pearl's mother and the astonished gasps of the others.

Grandfather: (finally finding his voice, trembling) Wally... You're... you're back?

Wally nodded, still trying to piece together the fragments of his memory, but before he could explain further, the grandfather crossed the room in a rush and embraced him with all his strength.

Grandfather: (voice breaking) I thought I lost you forever... I thought you were gone.

Wally smiled softly, his arms around his grandfather.

Wally: I'm here, Lo. I'm here.

His head was spinning with questions, but just as he was about to ask another, a faint cry echoed through the room. His ears perked up, and his gaze shifted toward the soft sound.

Wally: (looking around, confused) What's that noise?

Pearl's mom, still holding him in a tight embrace, turned her head toward the source of the sound, a soft smile forming on her lips.

Pearl's Mom: (gently) Oh, Wally, that's your niece.

Wally blinked in surprise and looked around, his heart racing with a mix of emotions. He moved toward the baby's crib, which sat near the corner of the living room, and as he drew closer, the soft crying intensified.

Wally: (softly, surprised) My niece? But... who...?

Pearl's mom walked over, wiping her tears with a gentle hand as she scooped up the baby from the crib. She smiled warmly as she cradled the child in her arms and turned to Wally.

Pearl's Mom: (beaming) This is Pearl. She's your niece, Wally.

Wally's eyes widened, his confusion turning into wonder. He walked closer, his expression softening as he gazed at the baby in Pearl's mom's arms. The infant stopped crying and blinked up at him, her big eyes full of curiosity.

Wally: (smiling gently) Hello, little one?

The baby gurgled softly, reaching out with tiny hands, as if trying to reach for him. Wally's heart melted, and he reached out slowly, brushing his fingers against the baby's hand.

Wally: (whispering) You're so tiny... You're my niece. And I... I'm your uncle.

Pearl's mom nodded, her voice full of warmth and joy.

Pearl's Mom: (laughing softly) Yes, she's your niece. And she's already made such a big impression on all of us.

Wally leaned down closer, gazing at Pearl with a smile that radiated pure affection. It was a surreal moment, like the world had shifted in a way he hadn't expected. He had thought he lost everything, but now, he had a new family to protect.

Wally: (softly) I'll make sure to be the best uncle I can be.

Pearl's mom, wiping away the last of her tears, beamed with pride as she handed the baby to Wally. He carefully cradled the infant in his arms, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar, overwhelming love for the tiny life in his hands. Grandfather, watching from across the room, couldn't help but smile through his tears.

-TO BE CONTINUED-