S.T.A.R.
Labs
Barry reached S.T.A.R.
Labs, not empty-handed—he brought drinks, knowing someone would still be angry at him.
He walked into the cortex and found Cisco and Dr.
Wells talking.
“Dr.
Allen, what do you have for us?” Dr.
Wells asked.
“Coffee.
My special blend,” Barry said, lifting the carrier.
“Ooh, I was just craving one,” Cisco said, grabbing one.
Barry handed another to Dr.
Wells.
“Thank you, Dr.
Allen,” Wells replied.
“Where’s Caitlin?” Barry asked—after all, she’d been upset with him earlier.
“She’s in the med bay,” Cisco said, sipping his coffee.
“This is amazing.
I could get addicted to this.”
“Let me go get her.
I’ve got something for the team,” Barry said, heading for the med bay.
Inside, Caitlin was working on something.
“Hey,” Barry called.
She turned, gave him a glance, then turned away, cold.
Barry shook his head and walked closer.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Sorry for what?
You didn’t do anything wrong,” Caitlin said snarkily.
Barry smiled faintly and sat beside her.
“I’m sorry for being reckless.
I get it—we don’t know what I’m capable of yet, and running in blindly could hurt me.
So… be there for me.
Stop me from making bad calls, and I promise I’ll try to come back safe and sound.
Okay?”
Caitlin looked at him.
Seeing how genuine he was, she couldn’t stay angry.
“As an apology,” Barry said, handing her the coffee.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“My special blend.
I promise you’ll love it.” He smiled.
She took a sip and looked surprised.
“It’s delicious.” Her frown melted into a smile—so beautiful it mesmerized Barry.
“You should smile more.
It really suits you,” he said softly, gazing at her.
Caitlin’s heart skipped a beat.
Her face felt hot, brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Come with me to the cortex.
I have something to tell.
Wells and Cisco are waiting,” Barry said.
When the team was gathered, Wells asked, “So, Dr.
Allen, what is it you want to say?”
“I found another meta-human,” Barry said, immediately getting everyone’s attention.
“And where did you see this meta-human?” Wells asked.
“This morning, there was a gun store robbery.
Six men were involved.
The same six men tried to rob Central City University this afternoon.”
“Tried?” Caitlin asked.
“Yes.
I knocked them all out.
When I unmasked them, they were all the same person,” Barry explained.
“The same man?
Like clones?” Cisco asked.
“Exactly.
Same face, every detail.
And then the bodies decomposed instantly into dust,” Barry said.
“There was also a seventh one.
I believe he was the prime.
He must have fled once the others were taken down.”
“Do you know who this man is?” Wells asked.
“I have a picture.
Cisco, can you run it through the DMV database?” Barry sent the image to Cisco.
“On it,” Cisco said.
Within minutes, he had results.
“Yahtzee.
Our meta is Danton Black.”
“Danton Black,” Wells read.
“A biogeneticist specializing in therapeutic cloning.
Growing organs to replace failing ones.”
“You know, it’s pretty ironic,” Cisco said.
“The guy specialized in cloning, and now he can Xerox himself.”
“If he was experimenting on himself when the dark matter wave hit during the particle accelerator explosion—” Wells began.
“—meet Captain Clone,” Cisco finished, grinning at his own name idea.
Wells and Caitlin gave him a side-eye.
Barry shook his head.
“You can do better,” Barry said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come up with something cooler,” Cisco said in a serious tone.
“I’ll send this information to Joe” Barry compiled all the information and sent it to Joe for further investigation
“In the meantime, why don’t we run some tests” Dr.
Wells informed ” Caitlin, Cisco get the treadmill ready”
“Is that really necessary?
I feel fine.”
“I’d rather make sure everything is fine,” Wells countered evenly.
“You’ve gone through something no one else on this planet has.
It’s always better to exercise caution.”
“Fair enough.
Let’s do it.” Barry shrugged.
Ten percent should be enough to satisfy him, he thought.
They led him back into the familiar test room.
“We’re all set,” Cisco said, strolling up to Barry as he eyed the stacked cardboard boxes nearby.
“A little padding.
Just in case.” Cisco smirked, then disappeared into the observation area.
Barry climbed onto the oversized treadmill.
“You’re sure about this, Cisco?
Last time it maxed out at a hundred.”
“Last time I didn’t know what you were capable of,” Cisco said proudly.
“This one’s been Cisco-ed to extremes.
Trust me—it can take it.”
Barry nodded once.
“Alright.” He gave the signal, and the treadmill roared to life.
At first, Barry’s stride matched the pace easily.
The machine accelerated, and his form blurred, streaks of Violet-gold lightning bleeding into his outline.
The walls seemed to tremble; the air rippled around him, tugging at his clothes.
Faster and faster—1200… 1500… 2000 mph.
He could go faster, but held back.
“Mach 3.” Cisco whistled, still amazed every time.
“Heart rate, blood pressure, nerve conduction—normal,” Caitlin reported, eyes scanning the monitors.
“For Barry,” Wells muttered dryly.
“Brainwave functions steady,” Caitlin continued.
Cisco leaned back with a satisfied grin.
“Told you the treadmill could handle it.”
Wells’ eyes narrowed.
His concern grew—Barry was improving too fast.
At this rate, he might become too fast.
What he didn’t realize was that Barry wasn’t even pushing himself.
If Wells knew his true limits, he’d probably faint from anger.
After twenty minutes, Wells finally called off the exercise.
Barry eased down smoothly, slowed to a jog, and stepped off the treadmill without breaking a sweat.
“So… did you find anything?”
“You’re doing wonderfully,” Wells replied, voice calm but watchful.
“Did the energy bars help?”
“For now,” Barry said, “Still hungry… but manageable.”
“Ill have to fashion you another PowerBar” Caitlin added, the amount of calories he needs is ridiculously high
“Okay.
than I’ll see you tomorrow” Barry had to exercise, than there is a meeting with Iris to help her with the article and another meeting with sapphire
“Goodbye Guys” Barry waved and left in a Flash causing a burst of wind
“It’s really annoying when he does that” Caitlin muttered, rearranging her hair
Penthouse
Barry did his usual routine—now he has gotten used to fifteen times gravity, his powers increasing day by day.
When it was time for his jog, he laced up his special shoes and ran around the globe, finishing in roughly two hours.
He later met Iris, helped her polish an article, then filled his stomach.
By nightfall, he was in Sapphire’s room.
The two of them had slipped into a familiar rhythm, lying close after an intense workout and the bath that followed.
Sapphire rested her head against him, absently tracing lines across his chest.
“It’s almost ready.
All I need now is the right moment,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of their plan.
Barry listened calmly, brushing her shoulder with his hand.
“Are you sure you’re ready?
There’s no turning back after this.”
Her eyes hardened, though her body stayed relaxed against him.
“I don’t care.
I can’t stand his control—over me, over everything.
I’ll take the very thing he loves most.”
Barry didn’t answer, only pulled her closer.
“I’ll be there to make sure you win.
But for now… rest.”
Sapphire smiled faintly, her face still flushed from the madness of the evening.
Exhaustion softened her expression as she closed her eyes, finding a deep sense of security in his arms.
Barry pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before letting his own eyes fall shut.
The room slipped into calm silence, their breathing settling into rhythm as sleep claimed them both.
Next Morning
CCPD – Barry’s Lab
Barry was processing the evidence he had collected yesterday.
He was just finishing up when he saw Joe walk in.
“What happened?” Barry asked, noticing the evidence bag in his hand.
“Simon Stagg’s head of security was murdered last night.
The coroner took some skin samples—hopefully, they belong to the killer,” Joe said, handing Barry the bag.
“See if you can find a match.”
“Can’t be a coincidence that Stagg’s benefit was attacked last night.
It could be Danton Black,” Barry said,
“I’m going to interview Stagg now,” Joe told him.
“I’ll come with you,” Barry offered, in case Joe needed backup.
“No, do your job here.” Joe dismissed him firmly.
“Hey, Dad,” Iris walked in just as Joe was leaving.
“Hey, baby.
Gotta go,” Joe greeted her quickly before heading out.
“What happened to him?” Iris asked, surprised by his crankiness.
“Work,” Barry replied.
Joe was under a lot of pressure trying to figure out this new meta.
Then he turned to Iris.
“Why are you here?”
“I have a few questions regarding the article,” Iris admitted.
“What? New chapters come out on g.com first.
I believe I made it very simple for you,” Barry said.
He had already simplified it, knowing she’d have trouble understanding.
“I don’t know… I just feel this article isn’t up to the mark.” Iris sighed.
The article was well written, but something about it felt wrong to her.
“So after nearly getting robbed, you still don’t feel this is right for you?” Barry raised a brow.
Iris stayed quiet, lost in thought.
“Well, you have twenty-four hours to come up with another topic.
Good luck.” Barry shook his head and returned to work.
Moments later, the results came in—the DNA sample matched Danton Black.
But Barry also found something else.
Naïve cells, Barry thought.
It makes sense… through spontaneous production of stem cells, he can replicate any part of his body or his whole body.
“What?” Iris asked, noticing Barry deep in thought.
“I need to get this to Joe,” Barry said, printing out the result and his analysis.
He exited the lab—only to find the precinct in chaos.
Officers rushed out in a hurry.
“Captain, what’s going on?” Barry asked, seeing Captain Singh putting on his bulletproof vest.
“Not now, Barry.
Armed gunmen are shooting up Stagg Industries,” Singh said before leaving.
“Joe’s there…” Barry’s worry spiked.
Black was hell-bent on killing Stagg, no matter the collateral damage.
Without hesitation, Barry sprinted back to his lab.
He had a spare suit, equipped his suit, and zipped away.
Stagg Industries
Joe was crouched behind a stack of metal barrels, pinned down as gunmen closed in.
Eddie had already taken Simon to safety, but the situation was looking grim.
Unbeknownst to Joe, a hail of bullets was cutting straight toward him.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept through.
A Violet-gold streak tore past the shooters in a blur.
Before Joe could even react, the bullet meant for him was plucked from the air, and in the next instant, he was yanked away from the firefight to outside the facility.
Joe is surprised by the sudden change in scenery.
He sees Barry in his red suit.
“Barry wai—” Before he can say anything, Barry disappears.
He rushed back inside, surprise evident in their eyes seeing their target disappear.
“Danton Black, surrender.
You don’t have to make this hard on yourself,” Barry warned, his face vibrating, Violet-gold sparks covering his face, his voice extremely different.
“Sorry, we are not going anywhere.
Not until Simon Stagg is dead.” There were a total of six clones again.
“Well, I’m not gonna let you.
” Barry looking for the real one.
“It’s you.
You were the one who stopped us yesterday,” the one in the middle said.
“Well, then you know I can stop you again.
So be wise and surrender,” Barry gave one last warning.
“We will see about that,” the one in the middle spoke again.
They suddenly opened fire.
Barry saw the muzzle flashes, the bullets coming toward him.
He caught them immediately and then disarmed all of them.
He punched the first one, kicked the second, who was thrown toward the third.
He shoulder-tackled the fourth and fifth, leaving the sixth one behind.
Before they could process, five out of six were already incapacitated.
The sixth one was surprised.
Shocked, panicked, he tried to punch Barry, but to him, the man was like a sitting duck.
Barry sidestepped, tripped him, and exited superspeed.
The man comically fell face-first.
Barry went to bind them so they can’t escape, but all the bodies decompose and turn into dust.
None of them were Prime.
Barry thought
Barry searched every corner of the factory to see if Prime was anywhere around.
But no—he couldn’t find him.
He was operating from somewhere else.
Seeing that he could not find prime, he went back to Joe
“Joe,” Barry stopped in front of him, getting his attention.
“Barry, are you okay?” Joe asks, grabbing Barry’s shoulders.
“I’m fine Joe,” Barry reassured hi,.
“Are you out of your mind?
You could have been killed there!” Joe shouts at Barry.
“Joe, calm down.
He couldn’t even see me coming.
I am too fast for him,” Barry calms him down
“It doesn’t matter.
You shouldn’t be doing this Barry, running and chasing after bad guys, it’s the police’s job,” Joe says.
“Joe, you tell me, what would you have done if I didn’t get here in time?
Didn’t you see what this man can do?
He can create multiple clones of himself.
Do you think the CCPD has enough men to take him on, a man who can create as many copies of himself?
If this guy is left unchecked, soon he will flood the streets of Central City with copies of himself, terrorizing it.
You tell me, Joe, how can normal people fight against him?” Barry needs to give Joe reality check
“The world’s changing, and you need to keep up with the change” Barry tore through his illusion, Joe is stubborn and only harsh reality could wake him up
Joe is silent, he realizes Barry is right, and it took him almost losing his life to figure this out.
“Joe, I understand you are worried about me, but the same can be said for me, too.
I was terrified when I heard about the shooting and I didn’t even hesitate for a second before running here.
I don’t want to lose more of my family,” Barry says seriously.
Joe tears up a little and hugs Barry.
“Lets go to S.T.A.R.
Labs,” Barry said,
Joe looks at Barry and sighs.
He knows Barry is right.
He just saw what this Meta-Human could do.
He thought he was going to die today.