Barry Allen and Wally West, now Kid Flash, stop Captain Cold and Heatwave from robbing Central City Bank. Afterward, Barry sends Wally home and heads to S.T.A.R. Labs. There, Ryan Choi shows Barry the newly enhanced Cosmic Treadmill. Barry wants to break through time—Ryan assures him it’s ready. Barry tries running but stops short. "Maybe tomorrow," he says. Later, Barry has dinner with Iris and Wally. But something still eats at him. At the precinct, his partner Donald Drake notices Barry distracted. Donald follows Barry downstairs, where he’s assembled evidence trying to prove his dad didn’t kill his mom. Barry believes if he runs fast enough, he can finally prove the truth. After Donald leaves, his eyes flash red. That night, a red bolt speeds through S.T.A.R. Labs. The Treadmill screen reads: "Updated Speed." The next morning, Barry returns, gets on the Treadmill, and blasts off through time. When he opens his eyes, he's home—his childhood home. It’s his birthday. He sees his mom. His dad. The red bolt. He dives at it—and takes it outside. The bolt clears. It’s Donald. Or rather, Eobard Thawne. He’s Eddie’s descendant. He created Barry’s enemies, shaped his path, and now he wants Barry’s speed. The race begins.
