Author's Note: This is a little something I whipped up last week. Just a possible imagining of what could happen to Wally now that his Uncle Barry is the Fastest Man Alive again. It seems likely that we may not know his fate in the DCU for some time now. At least until they find some use for him down the road. The reason its on this page will be explained later. Basically everything that's happened to him up till Flash: Rebirth. Enjoy.

Brightest Day: New Justice

A few days had passed since the final battle with Professor Zoom, and yet even now it all seemed so surreal. Wally West; The Fastest Man Alive sat on his living room couch in a daze. His Uncle Barry, mentor and arguably the greatest Flash of all had been returned to him. The man who gave his life so vallantly in the first Crisis has been resurrected. In all that they'd been through in the past few days it still seemed like a dream to him. A man that had been removed from his and everyone else's life for years...the man he replaced as the Fastest Man Alive, both in a literal and figurative sense was alive. He still had trouble wrapping his head around it. He looked down at his ring, and traced the Flash insignia with his eyes as it laid in the center of his palm.

A few days ago he was the sole bearer of the mantle. Well, maybe not the sole bearer; Jay was still alive and kicking but most people considered Wally to the the Flash. Not that anyone actually knew who he was under the mask, but the guy in red was the Flash. At least as far as the public was concerned.

Jay Garrick was the first man to use the identity, and admittedly his look was a little different than what most people associate with the Flash. But he used it all the same up to and long after the new guy debuted. But Jay was a gracious man and allowed his successor carry his mantle. The new man in question was Barry Allen, police scientist for Central City's Finest. Long before the term CSI came into use; Barry was a forienics expert that was doused in his chemicals after a freak accident and became the Scarlet Speedster. It was his costume and identity that people came to recognize and would continue to do so for many years to come. Barry Allen was insanely fast, able to go beyond the speed of light, and even the speed of thought. Barry Allen would go on to fight many colorful and bizarre villains that menaced him on a regular basis. Villains who in turn would become Wally's enemies. Indeed the Flash seemed to attract a very bizarre set of villains, foes not like the Penguin or Lex Luthor. But just bad guys with very simple goals such as robbing a bank. Barry was never quite sure where they all came from. They just seemed to come out of the woodwork one day. Guys with boomerangs, ice guns, flying shoes, controlling the weather, talking to rats, the list just went on. It was as though he was some sort of wierdness magnet. Needless to say there was never a shortage of villains in Central City.

It wasnt long before Wally got caught up in his uncle's exploits. At 10 years old, he was already a fan of the Flash. His Aunt Iris, who was seeing Barry took him to the police station one day to meet him. Lightning would literally strike twice that day, recreating the accident that turned Barry Allen into the Flash. Young Wally West was turned into a pint sized duplicate of the hero. Right down to the icon and little booties. It seemed as though Fate had big plans in store for the boy, and from that day onward became the Flash's sidekick. Iris would later marry Barry and the young boy blossomed under his uncle's tutelage.

In time however Flash felt that his charge should be a little more distinctive and therefore created a new suit for his sidekick. The now familar yellow over red jumpsuit with circle-less lightning bolt and exposed red hair. As the years waned he became a confident superhero in his own right, even joining a new upstart team known as the Teen Titans.

In a few more years tragedy would befall the Flash. A madman from the future named Eobard Thawne took one of his suits and reversed it with a negative power charge and time traveled into the past calling himself Professor Zoom. The man known as Zoom soon became a rival of the Flash and would cement himself as his greatest enemy. Time travel had damaged his psyche and fell in love with Barry's wife Iris. When she refused his advances, Eobard killed her by vibrating his hand through her head at supersonic speed. Barry attacked him in a blind rage and almost beat him to death if it wasnt for Wally's interference. Professor Zoom was later imprisoned while Barry tried to rebuild his life. In time the Flash managed to love again and would soon marry another woman. On that second wedding day, Professor Zoom escaped to wreak his revenge. Panicked Barry clotheslined him before he could reach the bride inadvertantly breaking the villain's neck, killing him. He was later put on trial for the murder, even having his own nephew Kid Flash testify against him. The Flash was later aquited of the murder since he acted in self defense.

Grief stricken the Flash disappeared into the future to get away from his many troubles. Learning that she was from the 30th Century, Iris was resurrected through futuristic technology by her parents and was reunited with Barry. Finally giving the Fastest Man Alive a sense of happiness. Though his time with her would ultimatly be short lived as the Flash was called back to the present to battle a being known as the Anti-Monitor and his bid to elimate the universe. In the penultimate battle Barry sacrificed his life running at his absolute limit intercepting the beam that would have destroyed Earth. Catching the energy particles at its source he vanished into nothingness leaving only his costume behind.

With the League devestated by this loss, 21-year-old Wally West soon took over the mantle in honor of his late uncle. And became the new Flash.

In the following years he would have to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously as the newest Flash. With such an enourmous title to live up to, it seemed as though no one not even the villains he fought saw him as a valid replacement for Barry. In time he would mature and hone his skills, discovering a whole new power level not even his mentor knew in life. When Professor Zoom returned from the grave to defile the Flash legacy, even threatening to replace Barry in the hearts and minds of the public. Wally shattered his own psychological barriers and embraced his powers fully, allowing him to defeat the Reverse-Flash and discover his link to the mythical Speed Force. The source of all speedsters' powers. It was this final push that allowed him to surpass his mentor and become the rightful heir to the Flash mantle.

And now six years later its come full circle. His uncle has returned from the dead, during mankind's darkest hour. It was something no one in this world would have ever expected, least of all Wally or Jay the current holders of the Flash mantle. With Jay out of semi-retirement the original Fastest Man Alive had acted as a mentor to Wally. But now that Barry was back everything has been thrown into flux. At first it was seen as a miracle, the greatest of them all had returned to help battle Darkseid who was trying to destroy all reality. Once that was over Professor Zoom returned yet again and cursed Barry turing him into the embodyment of Death to Speedsters: The Black Flash. With his very touch now fatal to them, they worked together to reverse the change. Zoom had returned with his own evil variation of the Speed Force that drained all other speedsters of thier powers and possibly even kill them. Nearly taking the lives of Wally's children Jai and Iris. In the end it would take the combined might of the entire Flash Family to defeat Professor Zoom and sever his connection to the Negative Speed Force. Eight speedsters total.

Now that the danger had finally passed it finally dawned on him. Now that Barry was back...what would become of him? By all accounts he was happy he was back, he really was. He thought the world of his uncle, even now at the ripe old age of 26 he was estatic to have him back. The only person even happier he's back was his Aunt Iris who had been back in the present for quite some time. But only now as the days passed he started to ponder the implications of his uncle's return. For the first time since he took up the mantle, his identity as the Flash has been compromised. Now that he was back, what good was Wally? He never really thought about how Jay must have felt having two successors step up to the plate. Surely there must have been some doubt about his usefulness as a Flash. He couldnt even break the sound barrier anymore, granted Jay was an older man but still it must have weighted heavily on him at times. Now his secrity as the 'main' Flash has been threatened. But he wouldnt dare ask Barry to step down. Not after all the time he's been gone. Despite all his accomplishments, Barry was still the greatest Flash of all... not Wally.

It's the thing he's been thinking about the past few days now. What is he to do now? Theoretically he could still be the Flash. Nobody was asking him to step down, least of all Barry. And its been proven many times over that several people can and have run around with the same identity. But with Wally it was different. It wasnt that his powers were in any way infurior to Barry's. Its just...the public opinion weighs heavily on who is the better Flash. For most of his life he's been compared to Barry. The scrutiny had never been stronger when he was first starting out as the Flash. Only recently did it start to ease when he came into his own and forged his own identity under the mantle. But now...would all of his hard work be erased? Would people immediatly forget who he was now that his uncle was back? It was the question that had haunted him for days now. What does the future hold for Wally West?

He continued to stare at the ring in his hand, until a familar one came down on his shoulder. He looked up and saw a blonde haired man in his 30s stand before him in a blue dress shirt and sweater vest.

"Is everything all right son?" his uncle asked.

His eyes darted away from his mentor as he tried to think of what to say. And sighed as he closed his hand clasping the ring.

"Actually...no it isnt. Uncle Barry I'm glad that your back and all. But I've been wondering...what will become of me?" he asked looking up at him.

His smile faded a bit as he looked back at his young nephew. He knew this question was coming, and he wasnt sure if he had an answer. The elder Flash sighed as he sat down next to him on the sofa.

"You...think I'm going to replace you?" he asked and mentally kicked himself. Smooth Barry. Smooth.

His nephew doubled over turning his eyes to the floor.

"It's just...well I've been doing for a while. And, dont get me wrong I really am glad to have you back." he said making eye contact with him, making sure he knew his words were true.

"You dont have to retire son." he said placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"I wouldnt dream of doing that to you. You've been a hero your entire life, unlike me. It's engrained in you, and technically you've been doing this for as long as I have. Just because I've been dead for a while doesnt mean I want it all to myself. I'd be a terrible person to do that to you Wally, especially after all you've been through. And from what I've heard you've done some miracious things with your powers. Things I havent figured out until recently." he smiled and placed his hand on his chest.

"I want you to continue carrying the Flash mantle alongside me. Just like we've both have with Jay. Just because I'm back, doesnt threaten your status." his uncle assured him.

"Well no of course not. But then what about the people? Your the better Flash to them...I'm just second best." he said downcast.

"Let them worry about themselves. They cant do the things you and I can." he said.

"What about the League? I mean I'm sure after all these years they'll be happy to have you back." Wally added.

"They wont kick you out because of me. I wont allow it. Besides your just as important to the League as anyone else." Barry said.

"I guess we'll see what happens." he said still unsure.

"Your afraid they'll regulate you to reserve status." he added. His nephew shrugged.

"I figure that's the least that can happen." he said.

"We'll figure it out. Once all the festivities and hoopla have died down things will get back to normal. And we'll talk to the League and figure things out. But I promise you, your status as a Flash is in no more danger than my own." his uncle tried to tell him.

"Grandpa Barry!" a little girl yelled tackling his midsection.

The Flash groaned as she collided with him and hugged her 'grandfather'.

"Iris I've told you, he's your Great-Uncle." Wally said.

"It's all right, she can call me grandpa if she wants." he said.

Though truth be told the thought of being a grandfather at 35 didnt sit well with him. Then again...he did have Bart. The little girl infront of him had fiery red hair like her father, and looked up at him with bright green eyes. Iris 'Irey' West was the 10-year-old daughter of the Flash. And it was through her father that she developed one of his powers. The abilitiy to fade through walls...and everything else if she wasnt paying attention. Through a freak accident involving her and her brother's metagene, the twins had been artifically aged...to different ages 10 and 8 respectively. Yeah genetics, go figure.

As he doted on his granddaughter he turned his attention back to Wally while gently ruffing her hair.

"So Linda tells me you guys have been having some financial difficultites." he said softly. Wally was a little stunned by what his uncle just told him as evidenced by his slightly flustered blush.

"Well...yeah but you know times have been tough everywhere." he said looking back at the floor.

"You know now that all those other crisises are over. You have more time to spend with your kids. Maybe even straighten out other things that need to be addressed." he said still looking down at Irey.

"Yeah." he answered softly.

"Actually things have been a little rough since the twins were born. With all my duties I've been spreading myself a little thin here. And here I've been worrying about my position as a Flash..." he said looking over at his daughter.

"Daddy? Your still going to fight the bad guys right?" she asked.

"Well...um. You know Daddy would still like to fight the bad guys, but first he has to figure things out first. Like...how am I going to provide for you and give you what you guys want." he explained.

"But your still going to fight crime and save the day like before." Irey said unsure. He leaned down and picked up his daughter.

"Look, sweety there are more important things in the world than being a superhero." he said looking over at Barry.

"And its taken me till now to realize that. I'll always be a superhero no matter what. But right now, I got to take care of what's important to me. And that's you and your brother." he said lightly touching her nose. His daughter hugged his chest and begged.

"But I want you to be the Flash! Your the coolest daddy ever." she said tearing, as he stroked her hair.

"I know...me too. But I'm not finished being the Flash." he said reassuring her. He turned and looked up at his uncle.

"But in the meantime, he'll be the one fighting crime. I hope you understand Irey." Wally told her.

In week following her dad's temporary retirement, Irey was at school prowling the hallway. Ever since then, both Jai and Iris had been in something of a funk. Too young to understand why thier dad who only weeks earlier would take them on patrol across the city had settled back into his role as the police department's mechanic. The worst thing of all was that they couldnt tell thier friends who thier dad was, hence the masks. It seemed as though nothing could bring her out of her preteen depression.

It was fifth hour now, right between Social Studies and Science. The latter of which she never had much intrest in. It was then she decided to do something she hadnt done before in her very short life. She cut class. Having recently gained superspeed during her battle with Zoom. She did a quick change into her yellow and white costume and ducked out the front door of her school, the sudden burst of wind catching all others off guard. Once she was beyond the boundaries of her school she took off in a supersonic burst and raced across town. Just because her dad quit being a superhero didnt mean she was about to. She was fortunate that nobody was able to trace her at superspeed, she needed time to think...to brood. Who would have thought a 10-year-old could brood? Actually for her the proper word was more than likely pout. That's it, 10-year-old girls dont brood or angst, they pout. Angsting was for teenagers, brooding's for Batman.

Right now she just wanted to run her heart out, and not care about the world. Unfortunatly she was also causing a stir with her hypersonic dash, none too subtle like her dad or predecessors before her. From his classroom window, Bart Allen heard the sonic boom along with pratically everyone else in the vicinity and saw a yellow and white blur race by. With everyone else drawn to the windows he used the opportunity he duck out and change into his Kid Flash uniform. And caught up to her soon after. Racing along side his younger cousin he called out.

"Iris?" he asked. She looked back at saw him in costume.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked.

"Just cuz!" she pouted.

"Irey I know I'm the last person to say this, but why arent you in class?" he asked once more. She refused to answer.

"C'mon talk to me Iris. This isnt like you." he said.

"I dont want to talk about it." she stated looking forward.

"Its about your dad isnt it? Look I dont like it anymore than you do. But he's doing this becuase he cares about you. He's just doing what he thinks is best." Kid Flash called out.

Iris skidded to a halt a moment later and glared at her cousin as he stopped just a little beyond her. He caught his breath resting his fists on his hips as he tried to explain it to her. But before he could an alarm sounded as Captain Cold came out of a bank with a sack of money. The villain's eyebrows shot up behind his visor in shock.

"How did you know I'd be here?" he asked.

"This is awkward." Kid Flash said just as stunned. Before he could answer, he whipped out his freeze gun and opened fire on them.

Author's Note: I apologise for the lengthy introduction to the Flash mythos. It just seemed like a logical way to explain what's happened to him up till this point. Anyway with all the Brighest Day stuff going around. and most of it lacking any 'brightness' as far as moving away from the grim and gritty death and angst the DCU is so wel known for. I figured what if they brought back Young Justice in a new version like they did with Teen Titans a few years back? I dont really know where this is headed. But if you have any suggestions I'd be happy to hear them.

Please review,

Green Gallant