I would like to thank Lynceus for his assistance and contributions!

After testing we had to wait a bit for Jade to come pick us up so we sat there chatting on a bench. “I know this isn’t first on your mind but you need to come up with a good costume. You need to present a heroic image or the press will crucify you. People are scared by the different and scared people get angry easily. Being completely human looking will help, being pretty will help too. We should get you someone to design your costume so it says “sexy hero” and not for example “former man” or “Evil”. That green unitard you created just looks ugly on you and is of masculine cut.”

I changed it to a sweat shirt and yoga pants, still green. She rolled her eyes but said nothing. I nodded, “You’re right. It’s last on my list of things but you’re also right about appearances. Fortunately Jade recommended somebody, I just need to remember who.” After a bit I remembered she said to ask “GL Zwei” so I lifted the ring to my mouth and said, “Ummm, GL Zwei? Can you hear me?”

The ring glowed faintly, and I heard a chuckle. “Sorry, it just amuses me when people call me that. So, who is this?”

My surprise made me hesitate a bit because I hadn’t really expected an answer, then I said, “I’m sorry to bother you but Jade said you’d know someone who could design me a costume? I’m Barry Allen and my wife was just talking about making a good first impression and for once she’s making sense.” I smiled at Iris as Iris whapped my shoulder then stuck her tongue out at me.

Alena Scott, (although I didn’t know her name until later) sounded briefly confused. “Your wife?”

“Yeah,” I said. ‘Oh great,’ I thought. ‘She’s going to tell me I’m a pervert freak and not help me.’ I squared my shoulders, “I’m married to a wonderful woman. She stuck by me when I manifested regardless of the changes made. I’d be lost without her.” I sucked in a deep breath then continued, “So, do you still want to help me?”

“Of course!” She sounded shocked that I had to ask.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good we are at an Air Force Base somewhere in Nevada. I just finished testing and Jade was supposed to pick us up but she’s busy. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific. Can you find us through the ring or do you know the place?”

“There’s a homing feature on the ring Jade gave you, I’ll be along shortly.” As the connection closed, I could have sworn I heard her chuckle. “Barry Allen, huh...?”

“I guess I don’t sound much like a Barry anymore,” I said to Iris.

Iris nodded, “More like a Barbara. Sorry hon, you sound like a soprano now.” She giggled, “And I don’t mean the TV show.”

“I’ll have to think of a new name,” I sighed. “I really am a whole new me.”

Iris hugged me, “You’re still the one I love. That hasn’t changed and you are still you. Just in a younger, prettier package.”

“Prettier?” I blinked in surprise.

“Well, I liked the old you quite well but the new you is soooo pretty.” She started kissing me and I lost track of time until I heard a girl clearing her throat.

A green glowing light surrounded a pair of girls; one was dressed in a fairly revealing variation of Jade’s costume,and had dark green hair, the other was a blonde. Other than their hair color, both girls resembled each other so much that they couldn’t be anything but twins.

The Green Lantern touched down. “Sorry it took so long, I only want to go so fast carrying a passenger. This is my sister, Alison.”

Alison grinned. “That’s me, fashion expert to the super stars!”

We broke apart and adjusted our clothing, if I’d still been male I’d have embarrassing evidence to hide even in yoga pants but as it is shortly I was able to stand, smile, and stick out my hand. “Hi! I’m Barry Allen and this is my wife Iris, although I think I may need a new name soon.”

The Green Lantern had been carefully avoiding her eyes, but her sister quickly took Barry’s hand. “You didn’t need to rush on our account, girls.” She winked. “It’s good to see a healthy relationship in action.”

“Ali!” The other girl hissed. “Will you please try not to embarrass these poor people?”

Alison grinned like a maniac. “God, I love tormenting her. So, Barry...hm. Barrie? You know, with an i and an e? That sounds a bit more girlish.”

Iris and I made nearly identical faces, “Ugh! No offense but I’d really rather not.” I thought for a minute, “How does Barbara sound?”

Alison giggled. “Sorry, ok, Babs it is. Now then, um, what is it that you do, if you don’t mind my asking?” She did a slow walk around ‘Barbara’, as if contemplating something.

“Mainly what I do is speed. I was just tested and my reaction time is somewhere between inhuman and ridiculous, I think I broke the landspeed record today although I won’t get in Guiness for it. I can just break the sound barrier. That is really hard on my clothes though.” I felt my face heat as I remembered how I’d had to recreate my outfit after that. “Here let me show you a sample.” I picked her pocket at maximum speed and suddenly I had in my hand a small black book.

Alison’s sister became very interested. “Say, what’s that?”

“Never you mind, Sis!” Alison snatched the book back. “You’re too young!”

“...you’re two minutes older than I am, how old do I need to be?”

“Knowing you? Thirty at least.” She put the book away. “You’ll have to excuse Alena, she was born an old maid.”

Alena muttered something under her breath, glowering at her twin.

“Now then...since I doubt your lovely wife wants anyone else to see you running around naked, I think we should cover as much skin as possible. I mean, it’s an illusion, of course, but we need you to feel less self-conscious, more confident.” Alison stepped behind Barbara, and placed her hands on the older girl’s hips. “Wow, you got some nice hips though.”

Iris said, “Hey! Just remember those hips are mine! She’s still married and you’re too young for her anyway.”

I cleared my throat, “Covering lots of skin sounds very good to me. I’d like to wear something baggy but I learned the hard way that at high speeds the air will grab on to anything that’s not right close to my skin. The docs in there think I may be generating a forcefield a half inch or so from my skin to protect me from the friction and other effects.” I shrugged, “I don’t know about that. I just know that anything that isn’t skintight tends to get ripped off and I’m now unofficially known as The Flasher until I can come up with a codename I like.”

Alena giggled, but her sister frowned. “Nyet, tovarisch, you must be streamlined, da? I’m thinking a bodysuit that looks painted on, at best. Now, being a fairly depressing cup size myself...”

Alena snorted. “You call these depressing?”

“Hush, you, I’m working here. Where was I, oh yes, I understand how to flatter a more pear-shaped body. First step, as odd as it sounds, a good bra. Molded or padded, the idea is to add a bit of volume. Nothing ridiculous, in your case, just something that makes you look like a larger A-cup. Now, as good as you would look in a skirt...and Iris, my advice is that you really consider forcing her to wear them...we have to cut down on wind resistance. Believe or not, the illusions the ring make do have mass.”

She paused a moment. “Solid colors for your lower half, definitely. We want to attract attention to your chest, so some kind of pattern...a symbol, that’s fairly iconic. Something fast...”

“A bolt of lightning?” Alena suggested.

“Genius! There’s hope for you yet, Sis. Yeah, so pick a solid color you like, and think of a lightning bolt over your chest. White or yellow maybe.” Alison folded her arms, awaiting the result.

Barry shrugged and opened his mouth, but Iris immediately said, “Not Green!” He smiled at her, “You pick then. You always bought my clothes for me anyway.” She considered only briefly, “Red, bright scarlet red with a yellow lightning bolt.” Iris stood up and traced a zigzag over Barbara’s chest. “Like this,” she said seemingly ignoring his blush. “Oh and FYI, I don’t find his, I mean her cup size depressing.” She grinned, “Much better than my old saggy C cups, right dear?”

“You are the most beautiful woman anywhere dear and you know very well you don’t sag anywhere.” I lifted her hand off my chest and kissed it, “That’s why your students all have crushes on you.”

“Aww, she’s so sweet! I want one!” Alison mock-pouted.

Alena rolled her eyes. “If it were up to you, you’d collect ‘em like Pokemon cards.”

“Damn right I would!” Ali grinned again. “Now...for civilian wear, I’d suggest ruffles around the chest area or a peasant top, but for this...we have different criteria. Oh and FYI, Iris, you defnitely do not sag.”

Her sister sighed. “Allison, is there anyone you don’t check out?”

“No, not really. There’s still something missing though. You want to hide your identity I'm guessing. Not a mask or a helmet though, you have a pretty face and very nice hair, got to show that off. Maybe...some kind of visor?”

“I dunno, I really don’t want anyone to recognize me. Would a visor alone change my looks enough? I was thinking a full face mask with eyeholes. Well I could use some goggles or something too." I frowned, “I worry that someone will trace me to Iris and that will put her in danger. That’s why I wanted to cover my whole face and maybe add dark goggles. I mean it worked for Clark Kent but that was only because the writers wanted it that way. “

“Never underestimate Super-Hypnosis and a spit-curl.” Alena winked.

“I understand why you’re worried, but, maybe I can demonstrate. Al, ring me.” Alison held out her hand, and her sister removed a green ring from her right hand, and dropping it in Ali’s palm.

Alison put on the ring, and within seconds, she was wearing an exact copy of Barbara’s costume. And then, slowly, her body began to change shape as well, until she could have been Barbara’s twin!

Alison chuckled. “Am I cool or what?”

“Wow! I didn’t know the ring could do that,” Barbara exclaimed.

Iris winked, “If you weren’t so young I’d make a comment about threesomes but you are so I won’t say a word.” Then she giggled at her wife’s expression.

“I’ll be legal in three years!”

“Alison!” Alena said, shocked.

Ali giggled. “And yes, the rings can disguise your features, although I assure you, this is all me. I come equipped with my own superpowers; I can alter my appearance. Not much good for punching out bad guys, so I don’t do much hero work.” She held up a finger, “Now, observe.”

A tinted visor appeared over her eyes, masking their color. Her hair changed color, becoming ash blonde. Understated red lipstick appeared on her lips as well. “So, am I Barbara Allen?” She placed a hand on one hip, taking on an aggressively feminine pose, thrusting her chest out.

“Let me try that. If it works I’ll just go with a visor.” I concentrated on hair dark as midnight. I felt something change and dragged a lock of my now shoulder length hair into view. It was inky black! “I did it! Now for the eyes,” I concentrated on my eyes and willed them from grey to bright green. “Did that work?”

Alison changed to match Barbara’s appearance. “You tell me.” She grinned. “Now, something everyone ignores when you talk about Clark Kent, is that body language plays a huge role in identifying someone. Take Sis; all she has to hide her face is that domino mask, but I’ve carefully nudged her into being a little more confident when in costume. She’s really a mousey thing, but showing off her legs like that turns her into a lioness.”

Alena blushed. “Uh...really?”

“I wouldn’t steer you wrong, hon. So you should work on that, be more brash and confident in hero mode. Plus, most of the time, you’re zipping around at super speed, so all people are going to see is a flash of light until you stand still....hm...flash of light...”

“That’s actually good advice. I’ll try. Maybe if I add a few flourishes it’ll give me a boost.” I looked down at the skintight red costume. “I’m already showing almost everything, might as well flaunt it right?” I concentrated and added little wings to my boots then created a yellow tinted visor with wings covering the ears. Then the last thing Alison had said registered, “A Flash huh? That’s not a bad name. It beats The Flasher at least.” I nodded, “I’ll go tell them the new name and make it official unless somebody has an objection. Then maybe you can give us a lift home?”

“I think I can manage four people. As long as you’re not in too much of a hurry.” Alena smiled.

“Oh, one last thing. Doris...that is, Giganta, has mentioned some issues with ring-created footwear. She thinks it has to do with the fact her powers somewhat warp reality around her; altering her size and density for example. If your powers cause the same problem, you might want to look into some high-end running shoes, like the ones Olympic runners wear. Uh, Mimura of Japan has these things called wet-grip soles you might want to look into.” Alison advised. “Outside of that, you’re good to go.”

“Oh thanks! I’d noticed that and traction is very important at high speeds. I’ll look the place up and try to order a few.” I went in and took care of the official bits then came back out. “I’m ready,” I said.

Iris grinned, “I’d not normally let myself get picked up by a girl your age but I’ll make an exception this one time.”

“Don’t worry, I’m going to try something different.” Alena held up her real power ring which glowed with bright light. A beam shot out of the ring, and formed the outline of a ‘57 Chevy convertible, all made from green-hued light! “Get in, folks, we’re riding in style!”