The Flash
From over a century and a half of experience, Max learned that all speedsters drew their power from the same source: an energy field beyond the speed of light, which for lack of a better term he called the "speed force." He finally explained what he had learned to the others when Wally West was transforming into energy. His explanation which held up under the ensuing events was that Wally's trip through time during Zero Hour had caused him to brush up against the speed force and set him on a one-way trip that would soon bring him to it.
Wally later became the first person to return from the other side of light, after which he found himself with a direct link to the power and new abilities. The efforts of Savitar to channel all the energy to himself and his army successfully stealing it from all the others again indicated a common source of power.
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The Speed Force
Over the years, known speedsters who have merged with the speed force by achieving terminal velocity include Barry Allen, Johnny Quick, and Savitar. Wally West is still the only person known to have returned three times under his own power, anchored by his relationship with Linda Park[1]. The other two known to have returned, Max Mercury and Rival, both needed outside help.
The way the speed force seems to work is that it powers any super-fast being not naturally fast. A cheetah, for instance, is naturally fast. Superman's speed is also a natural consequence of his Kryptonian heritage. All Flashes, however, have been normal people "noticed" by the speed force through accidents (lightning, supersonic flight, etc.) or intentional experiments (magic, steroids, etc.).
