The Flash #98

The Plot: "The Deep End"

The secret Wally has been keeping—that he’s been using Jesse Quick to "protect" her from his fate—comes to light, and the fallout is devastating.

• The Betrayal: Jesse Quick discovers that Wally never intended for her to be the "next" Flash. He was pushing her to be faster as a psychological trick to keep his own speed in check. The confrontation between Jesse and Wally is one of Waid’s best-written character moments.
• Max Mercury’s Intervention: Max realizes that Wally’s fear of leaving Linda Park is actually what is causing the Speed Force to "lash out." The philosophy of the Speed Force is expanded here—it’s not just a power source; it’s a destination.
• The Kobra Siege: While the speedsters are bickering, Kobra successfully captures Linda Park. This raises the stakes to the absolute maximum: Wally must now decide if he will "ascend" to save the woman he loves, even if it means he can never come back.