The conversation with Solovar was intense, each weighing the danger Grodd represented. Flash, though vigilant, had let his guard down, focused on the gorilla's revelations. That's when the strike came.
A beam of violet energy, silent and piercing, shot from the rooftop of a nearby building. It struck Flash squarely in the head. The Scarlet Speedster cried out, not in physical pain, but from mental agony. He staggered, his hands pressing against his cowl as if to keep his mind from imploding.
"Barry!" shouted Utopian, rushing to his friend.
But Flash didn't hear him. His eyes, visible behind his mask, were glazed over, filled with chaotic visions and discordant voices. He saw fragments of memories, the faces of his loved ones twisting into nightmares, contradictory orders fighting for control of his will. In a flash of fear and confusion, he activated his speed and vanished in a gust of wind, leaving behind a trail of disturbed air.
"FLASH!" roared Utopian, but he was already gone.
Furious and worried, Utopian looked up at the building from which the beam had originated. His X-ray vision scanned the structure, instantly locating the figure still holding the strange weapon. Without a second's hesitation, he shot into the air like a rocket, determined to smash through the wall and neutralize the assailant.
But halfway there, a wave of pure, crushing mental power slammed into him. It wasn't a concentrated beam, but a frontal, brute-force attack. It felt like a giant fist, made of pure will, had punched his mind. The pain was lightning-fast, blinding. His powers flickered briefly, and he lost control of his flight. He fell heavily, crushing the roof of a parked car below with a shriek of twisted metal.
"Ugh..." he groaned, his head ringing, stars dancing before his eyes.
A few seconds later, he regained his senses, pushing himself painfully off the damaged vehicle. He shook his head to clear the mental fog.
"Dammit, I lost him!" he cursed, looking at the now-silent building. The assailant had used the diversion to escape.
Solovar, who had watched the scene with simian concern, approached.
"Human, are you alright?" he rumbled, his gaze scrutinizing.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Utopian replied, rubbing his temple. "I was attacked directly in my mind. It was... intense."
"That was Grodd," Solovar stated gravely. "He does not need to be physically present to project his will. He must have taken control of a human to use that ray weapon, and then he protected his escape with a psychic attack."
The reality of the situation crashed down on Utopian. "And Flash? Where is he?"
"After being hit by the ray, he got up, disoriented, and then left at an incredible speed," Solovar explained. "His direction was erratic."
"Dammit," Utopian breathed, his heart sinking. "Grodd must be controlling him now. If he's got his hands on the Flash's speed..."
He didn't need to finish the sentence. The nightmare was obvious.
Solovar placed a powerful but calming hand on Utopian's shoulder. "Panic is Grodd's ally. We must act with wisdom. Come. We must go to my safehouse. I have hidden artifacts from my city there, designed to protect the mind from Grodd's interference. We cannot defeat him if we are puppets in his hands."
Utopian nodded, his mind regaining its clarity. The mission was clear: find a way to protect their minds, locate Flash, and stop Grodd before he plunged Central City, and perhaps the world, into slavery.