If Barry Allen Never Became the Flash in the Arrowverse

If Barry Allen never became the Flash, several significant changes would likely occur in both his personal story and the larger narrative of the Arrowverse. Here's a detailed exploration of how his absence would impact the environment of Central City, alter his personal life, affect the Speed Force, and reshape the dynamics of heroes and villains in the universe.

Impact on Central City

Crime and Villainy

Without Barry Allen, Central City might experience a rise in crime and villain activity. Major threats like Reverse-Flash and Savitar could operate with less resistance, leading to a more chaotic environment. These villains would likely exploit the vacuum left by the absence of a powerful protector, causing significant turmoil in the city.

Other Heroes

Other heroes, such as Green Arrow, Supergirl, or even the Legends of Tomorrow, might have to step in more frequently to fill the void left by Barry. Their storylines could become more intertwined as they confront threats without the Flash's speed. This would require them to adapt their strategies and potentially form new alliances, leading to a more dynamic and multifaceted fight against crime.

Barry's Personal Life

Family Dynamics

Barry's relationships with characters like Iris West, Joe West, and Caitlin Snow would be different. Without his powers, his bond with Iris could evolve differently, potentially delaying their romantic relationship or changing its nature entirely. The absence of Barry's speedster persona would alter the balance of power in his relationships, leading to new conflicts and resolutions.

Career and Identity

Barry might focus more on his career as a forensic scientist without the dual identity of the Flash. This could lead to different character development arcs, possibly aligning him with a more traditional hero's journey. His focus on science might give him a different perspective on justice and heroism, potentially shifting the moral landscape of his character.

The Speed Force and Other Speedsters

Speed Force Dynamics

With Barry not becoming the Flash, the Speed Force might not manifest as it did in the show. Other speedsters like Wally West and Jay Garrick might not have the same opportunities or motivations to become heroes. Their paths and destinies would likely diverge significantly, leading to a different narrative for the speedster segment of the Arrowverse.

Villains

The absence of the Flash would likely alter the motivations and actions of speedster villains who might seek new targets or alliances without Barry to challenge them. Without the Flash's presence, these villains could become more aggressive or insidious, leading to a different dynamic in the fight against evil.

Team Flash

Team Dynamics

The formation of Team Flash would be drastically different. Characters like Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow might take on different roles or they might not have come together at all without a central figure like Barry to unite them. Their personal and professional relationships could evolve in unexpected ways, leading to a different team dynamic.

Alternate Leadership

Characters like Cisco or other potential leaders could emerge as the key figures in the fight against crime. This would lead to different team dynamics and character developments, potentially creating a new leadership structure for the hero team.

Crossovers and the Multiverse

Crossover Events

Barry's absence would significantly change the dynamics of crossover events in the Arrowverse. His interactions with other heroes like Oliver Queen or Kara Danvers would be absent, affecting the overall narrative cohesion of the universe. Crossovers would likely focus more on the interactions of remaining characters, leading to a more fragmented yet interconnected narrative.

Crisis Events

Major events like the Crisis on Earth-1 and Earth-2 would need to be reimagined without Barry's presence. Heroes would have to find new ways to collaborate, leading to different strategies and outcomes in these crises. The absence of the Flash would force other heroes to step up and fill the gaps, potentially leading to new power dynamics among the metahumans and regular humans.

Themes and Morality

Heroism and Sacrifice

The themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the burden of power would be explored differently. Barry's journey as a hero often revolves around his struggles with responsibility and the sacrifices he makes. Without his character arc, the show may adopt different moral dilemmas, leading to a richer exploration of other characters and themes. This would reshape the narrative landscape of the Arrowverse, making it a more complex and nuanced universe.

In conclusion, Barry Allen not becoming the Flash would create a ripple effect throughout the Arrowverse, altering character arcs, storylines, and the overall dynamics of heroism and villainy in the universe. The absence of his speedster persona would lead to a richer exploration of other characters and themes, reshaping the narrative landscape of the Arrowverse significantly.