PROLOGUE

"Where is he?" Barry demanded through his radio as he sped through the streets of Central City in pursuit of Jim Rider, a new metahuman who was able to control metal.

"About seven blocks to your left," replied Caitlyn Snow's voice.

Barry turned left immediately.

"We've got surveillance on him," Doctor Harrison Wells said. "He seems to be taking out his anger on a lamppost."

"A lamppost?" Barry almost stopped running out of sudden surprise. "That's all?"

"Well, he is flinging it all over the street.

"That makes more sense," admitted Barry.

Now a new voice sounded, this one sounding more excited than worried. "He actually ripped it out of the ground! And he's throwing it around like it's a toy! How cool is that?"

"Cisco, he's using it to hurt innocent people," Caitlyn pointed out.

"I know," Cisco's voice said defensively. "That doesn't mean I can't admire the powers."

"Guys," Barry interrupted. "Where is he?"

He had stopped running in the middle of a square. A bent and mangled lamppost lay across the cobbled stones with several half-amused onlookers examining it.

"The tracker still shows he's there," said Caitlyn, sounding puzzled. "Maybe-"

She broke off as a crash sounded. Barry immediately heard a scream.

"Caitlyn!" Barry shouted.

"Cisco!" screamed Caitlyn.

"What's happening?" Barry demanded.

Silence.

"Guys!"

"B-Barry!" gasped Caitlyn's voice.

"Oh thank god," breathed Barry with relief. "What happened?"

"A large piece of metal crashed through the roof!" Caitlyn sobbed. "It was being controlled by Rider and it snatched Cisco!"

"What!" gasped Barry. "Are you and Doctor Wells okay? Hang on, I'll come back."

He was about to start out running when Caitlyn said hurriedly, "No, no, everything's okay!"

Barry set off running anyway, but to look for Rider and Cisco.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Barry asked in a manner that said he wanted an honest answer.

Caitlyn sighed. "When the roof caved in, we did get a bit hurt. My arm is feeling a bit numb and Doctor Wells is unconscious but he's fine."

Barry stopped running. "I've found Rider."

"How do you know?" Caitlyn asked urgently. "Can you see him?"

Barry glanced up at the roof of the Central City Police Station where Rider and the piece of metal that held Cisco both were.

"I think I can," Barry said dryly to Caitlyn.

He shot up to the roof.

"Well hello Flash," Rider said as if they were just meeting in a cafe. "Or should I say: Barry Allen?"

Barry gasped.

"It wasn't me," choked Cisco immediately. "I swear I didn't tell him!" Barry knew he was thinking about the time when Leonard "Captain Cold" Snart had tortured Dante—Cisco's brother—until Cisco had revealed the Flash's real name.

Barry was still trying to get his head round what had just happened, when Rider chuckled. "He's telling the truth. It was someone else who gave me your name."

"Who?" Barry demanded.

"Your Doctor Harrison Wells," grinned Rider.

Barry hadn't thought he could be any more shocked. He was wrong.

"Oh he didn't do it on purpose," said Rider, still grinning. "I can't just control metal. I have a sort of metal telepathy."

"So when you attacked Star Labs..." Barry mused.

"That's right," smirked Rider. "Wells shouted, "contact Barry!" or something like that. I just put two and two together."

"That was quite a gamble," Barry said quietly. "Attacking Star Labs—and risking capture—just to maybe get my name and perhaps catch me off-guard with it."

"Yes, attacking Star Labs was a gamble," agreed Rider. Then his evil grin grew wider. "But a gamble as to whether both Wells and the girl would die or just one."

"You maniac!" Barry screamed at him.

If possible, Rider's grin became even bigger. "Did you know that Wells launched himself out of his wheelchair to save the girl from a falling piece of debris?"

Barry was speechless by this point.

"He really cares about all of you. Now..."

Rider stuck out his arm and the piece of metal carrying Cisco stuck out over the edge of the roof. It was a hard impact if he fell.

"Let Cisco go," demanded Barry.

Rider laughed. "No I don't think I will," he said. "Unless, of course, you mean..."

He moved his hand slightly and the piece of metal opened slightly. Cisco squeaked Barry's name.

"No," shouted Barry. "That's not what I meant."

"Then take off your mask," said Rider. "It won't be in front of anyone except me. And it's the only way to ensure your friend here's safety."

Barry considered this.

"Don't do it Barry!" shrieked Cisco. "It can't be that simple!"

"Quiet!" Rider snapped at him.

To get it over with, Barry ripped off his mask to reveal his face. Rider was staring at him like he had just received the Christmas present he had always wanted.

"At last, the Flash," breathed Rider.

"Now your end of the bargain," Barry said.

Rider nodded dutifully and waved his hand. The piece of metal flew over to the roof and deposited Cisco on the ground. Barry rushed over to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he helped his friend up.

Cisco nodded shakily. "I'm okay. Caitlyn and Doctor Wells?"

"They're fine," Barry reassured him.

Barry hugged Cisco, with the latter facing Rider. Unbeknownst to Barry, Rider had redirected the piece of metal to shoot straight towards him. Cisco gasped and shoved Barry out of the way just in time. As Barry crashed to the floor, the piece of metal impaled Cisco through the chest.

Barry stared in shock as his friend crashed to the floor with the piece of metal sticking out of his chest. Rider cackled and flew away.

Barry scrambled to his feet only to drop back to his knees at Cisco's side. His friend's face was very pale and he was completely still. Barry quickly yanked the metal shard out of Cisco's body and stemmed the flow of blood from the hole. Barry quickly felt for a pulse but he couldn't feel one.

"Cisco!" Barry's anguished scream, a long and drawn-out sound, echoed through the wet night air in Central City.