Author's Note: So yeah another story I'm starting while I'm doing some other ones. Though to be honest I don't think this will run as long as those and because of that I'm going to try and focus on this story for this month and get it done and then go back to my other ones I'm in the middle of in the new year.

So this is my first real DC story. Well sort of. I did attempt a Justice League/Avengers EMH crossover that I have now deleted due to being unsatisfied with it. I may get back to it at some point and give it another go when I'm not in the middle of another story. But I felt I still wanted to try and tell a DC story so I decided to turn to the CW Arrowverse and write a story for there. This is my first time writing these characters so forgive me if I'm rusty in how I'm handling them. Of course no matter what this probably won't line up with what happens next (as far as Caitlin is concerned even if I tried too) so think of this as a sort of alternate universe following on from the crossover. Not to mention some characters who do appear in this story (and may appear in my future Arrowverse stories I have ideas for in the back of my mind but one thing at a time) mainly Caitlin's guide I don't think has a slim chance of appearing in the Arrowverse anyway so that'd be another reason to consider this that way.

So why is Caitlin the main character of this Christmas story that is essentially It's A Wonderful Life? Well given what Caitlin's gone through I imagine she's feeling a lot of guilt and this feeling of wanting herself taken away from the world because of this power that feels like a curse so putting her in the role of someone who needs a reminder of her importance makes sense plus she is sort of the one who does ground everyone to a certain extent. She is the pure innocent heart of the group in a way.

In regards to some other points like my other stories I'll put them at the end of the chapter just as closing thoughts. Anyway I hope you enjoy the story and it is certainly going to be a challenge for me to write and I hope I do it well.


Some time had passed since the fight for Earth's survival against the Dominators. Now it was the holidays which were usually a time of celebration but sometimes dread. Being attacked by aliens and having the entire world nearly destroyed would be considered a big deal and moment for some people and it still is but when the timeline itself has also changed then that's an even bigger deal. Barry had caused all this and was still willing to give himself up as a punishment for what he did even though he never meant any of this. Not that everyone had thought that way at first it took some convincing for everyone to come around but when they did they stood by Barry and now they aren't going anywhere. Caitlin Snow knew deep down that Barry was trying and will set things right. But what if it's too late for her? What if Killer Frost took over completely before he could do so? Before he could stop Alchemy and Savitar and help her? The only way Killer Frost would no longer exist is if she didn't exist which wasn't going to happen anytime soon. She just didn't know what to do.

"So that's it. That's what's transpired now. Aliens. And I thought another Earth was strange. Even more that there's even more than 2 Earths." Caitlin said as she then chuckled. She then looked down at where she was standing which was the make shift grave of her deceased husband Ronnie Raymond. She had made an effort to visit him whenever she could. With what had transpired lately time had slipped away from her preventing her from doing so. Time. Such a complicated thing. "I'm sure if you were here you'd be telling me not to worry. Trying to tell me things are going to be okay. Then maybe we'd kiss and order a pizza and snuggle up together." Tears began to form in Caitlin's eyes. While she had let Ronnie go old emotions often came back whenever she had these talks that while he wasn't here to see physically she hoped he was listening too somewhere else like he always did.

Caitlin paced back and forth around the cemetery as an icicle began to form out of her hands and her eyes began to turn whitish blue "I don't get it. Why out of all the timeline changes did this happen?! Why couldn't it have brought you back somehow?! Take these powers away and give me back you. Or better yet take me away instead." Caitlin cried as she then threw the icicle into a nearby tree leaving it embedded in it. She then looked over at what she had done and gasped as she then closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm herself down. Since the power dampening cuffs were in use at the moment she was going to need another set for herself. It was the only way she could keep them down for now.

"I guess I'll come back some other time. Maybe never" Caitlin lamented as she walked away in sadness out of the dark cemetery. She suddenly stopped for a moment and looked over across the way. She couldn't be sure of it but it felt liked she was being watched. For a brief moment it looked like she saw a strange man standing there. She then shut her eyes and opened them again to find nothing. The darkness of this place must have been getting to her she thought. Deciding she was alone she opened the gate of the cemetery and walked out down the footpath.

Unbeknownst to her however she was being spotted by a mysterious man. Or rather a mysterious stranger who had somehow made himself invisible as he watched her walk down the path.

"Life isn't easy to "get" Dr. Snow. Everything happens for a reason. And you are about to understand why events have transpired the way they are for you." The Stranger said as he walked down the footpath following her.

Meanwhile Barry and Cisco had been setting up the Christmas decorations at the lab. While the time for the holidays was usually something to look forward too for most people for, Barry it was the most hectic time of the year for different reasons. Every year since he got his powers a villain often pulled the biggest plan they could at this time. I guess if you wanted to show how big you were the holidays which were all about giving big events and gifts were the right time for it not that he wanted things to go bad. This year in particular he was worried. While the Dominators were a big challenge to face facing Alchemy and Savitar was a challenge he wasn't sure how he was going to handle especially at this time. He had the help of his friends who were finally starting to trust him again which he was grateful for but if he was going to end this he needed to fight fire with fire. Or rather speed with speed.

"Alright that seems to be everything in order. If there's nothing else to do we can begin our annual Christmas re-watch of Die Hard back at Joe and Iris's place." Cisco said with a smile as he put the last ornament on. He then looked over and saw Barry staring off into the distance contemplating. "Barry? You okay?"

Barry turned around as he smiled again trying to show nothing was wrong. "Nah it's just. We do this every year I get it. But why is Die Hard a Christmas movie?"

"Well because it takes place at Christmas. Plus it's one of the greatest action films of all time. It's Die Hard man you know it's awesome." Cisco said as if this was all obvious.

"Yeah but Lethal Weapon takes place at Christmas too and that's a pretty badass movie too." Barry added countering his point

"Okay you're right but second after Die Hard" Cisco replied

"What about Home Alone? Does that count? What makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie?" Barry asked his friend who seemed enthusiastic to continue their conversation

"Well yeah Home Alone is a Christmas movie the whole thing with the mom is she's trying to get back to her son no duh it is. I guess if Christmas plays a big part then it's a Christmas movie." Cisco said trying to end the conversation.

"But if it takes place at Christmas like Die Hard does but the idea of the holiday doesn't play a big part does that mean it's a Christmas movie" Barry asked as Cisco tried to think of an answer but before he could he was distracted as he felt Barry's hand on his shoulder as he saw him smiling at him. "I've missed this. Talks like this."

"Yeah me too" Cisco said giving a smile back.

The two friends were broken out of their thoughts as they saw Caitlin enter the room "Well I'm glad the bromance is officially back. You have no idea what it means to see you two not at each other's throats anymore."

"We're going back my place to watch what may or may not be a Christmas movie. Do you want to come?" Barry asked

"Die Hard yeah I know the tradition. I think I'll sit out this year. I still haven't gone back to watch Harry Potter knowing Alan Rickman is gone so it'll be the same kind of idea here." Caitlin said as she walked up to the two.

"His first film. He was in his 40s when he did that film. He truly was one of the best." Cisco said as he held up his hand to the sky in salute

"So where do you plan to crash or what are you going to be doing?" Barry asked a little reluctantly. While he trusted Caitlin enough that she could keep her powers contained there was still a part of him that feared Killer Frost might be let out again if she plays to a vulnerable part of Caitlin's mind and at this time in particular people can be quite vulnerable. And if he wasn't there to stop her this time he may lose her for good and he wouldn't allow that.

"I was just thinking of staying here and doing some work" Caitlin said as she looked around the lab.

"By yourself? In an empty lab that's been known for being the center of weird stuff on a cold night?" Cisco asked before he saw Caitlin looking at him realizing his poor choice of words. "Sorry. It's going to be hard describing the weather for awhile I guess?"

"Nah it's okay. I'll be okay. The cold never bothered me anyway." Caitlin said trying to make light of the situation. But even then cold nights never did bother her even before she got her powers. She was accustomed to working in that environment when the heater broke down and right now it was.

"I'm heading off. You'll follow me right Barry?" Cisco asked

"Yeah I will just go on ahead." Barry said as he watched Cisco walk out the door.

"I really meant what I said about you guys. It's great seeing you guys smile and catch somewhat of a break." Caitlin said as she smiled at Barry.

"Are you okay?" Barry asked with concern.

"Yeah I'm better than I have been. Why?" Caitlin asked trying not to show anything was wrong

"I just didn't want to leave you here all by yourself. You know I trust you right?" Barry asked hoping he wasn't saying anything wrong

"Yeah I do." Caitlin replied

"But do you trust yourself? Do you trust yourself to know that if Killer Frost breaks out of your mind at any time she may try to appeal to a vulnerable side of you? Holidays can be tough times Caitlin you know that. I just don't want to leave knowing you could be vulnerable and the next time we meet she could fully be in control and I won't be able to save you" Barry said as he began to look away before he felt Caitlin's hand on his face. It was slightly cold but she wasn't using her powers.

"I won't let her in. I promise." Caitlin said as she gave him a reassuring look. "But I still feel I need another set of the Metahuman cuffs just in case. At least until this is sorted. So if Cisco hasn't gotten me something for Christmas then he can give me a set of those."

"We're not going to treat you like a prisoner Caitlin. We'll find another way of trying to dampen down your powers without having to treat you like a criminal. Because you're not. And you never will be." Barry said as he then began to leave the room. "So do I lock up or what?"

"No it's okay I'll handle it just go on. Have fun. You deserve it." Caitlin said as she gave him another smile.

"Yeah well so should you. Your usual spot will be waiting if you change your mind" Barry said as he then sped off leaving Caitlin standing there alone in the empty lab.

Caitlin walked around as she began to reflect for a moment. In the span of 3 years it amazed her how much their lives had changed in that time. She had overheard Sara and Oliver discuss a similar topic in the after party of the Dominaor's defeat. Time itself had changed. There have been whole other timelines that once existed now changed due to one alteration and the death of Nora Allen seemed to be the center point of it all. Why Barry's mom of all things? Why is it by changing that one event did things always have to alter? Caitlin sighed as she sat her desk and began to put her head down to rest. The truth was she didn't come here to work she came to try and get a peace of mind that at home she only got so often. Unbeknownst to her however things were about to get strange. Well stranger than usual.


Caitlin's eyes fluttered open a little as she tried to regain her bearings. She then gasped as she saw a white gloved hand was caressing her desk. She then jump started awake and fell back on her chair in shock. In any other situation she'd probably be embarrassed by her clumsiness and then laugh about it but she didn't have time to here. It was then a voice spoke to her. A calm one at that with a hint of a rasp but it still sounded inviting.

"I wondered how long more you would sleep. 4 hours is awfully long for someone to sleep this late is it not Dr. Snow?" The Stranger asked as he walked over to Caitlin.

Caitlin looked up at the voice she heard confused and stunned. Was she still dreaming? How did this person get into the lab without waking her and setting off the alarms or even the app?

Getting a full glimpse of him she saw that he was decked out in what appeared to be a black suit, black socks, black shoes, white gloves, and a huge blue cape which seemed to double up with a high collar. He also was wearing, a black hat with a wide brim creating a "mask" shadow. Looking at him closer Caitlin widened her own eyes as she realized why this was. This man if he even was one had no pupils. She also noticed he was wearing what looked to be a gold medallion around his next with the two pin pieces on the cape also being colored gold. Caitlin sat there for what felt like ever as she saw the man extending out his hand to help her up. Somewhat curious but also intimidated she took it as the man helped her up and dusted off her shirt and pants that had been dirtied a bit after she fell over.

"Thanks I guess" Caitlin said hesitantly as she stood awkwardly next to the man.

"Not a problem. Since my entrance caused this I only saw fit to help you out. A pretty girl such as yourself shouldn't have to spend her time laying on the floor with no help to guide her after all." The Stranger said as Caitlin found herself surprised and blushing at his compliment.

"So who are you? How did you get in here? If you're a meta-human we have an app for guys like you and if that thing is broken..." Caitlin began before the Stranger interrupted her.

"One question at a time my dear. You wish to know if I'm what you call a meta-human? Well I'm not a meta nor a human. As for how I got in here? Well let's just say there's more than one way to get in somewhere" The Stranger answered as he walked over to a kettle and tea set up that was in the kitchen part of the lab "Tea?"

"No thank you I guess you can help yourself out." Caitlin said much to her own confusion. This man had broken into the lab yet she was offering him hospitality rather than calling Barry or Cisco for help. Then again the man had done nothing wrong yet. There was something odd about him. As if he wanted to help her and she wanted it.

"It's not for me my dear. I have no need for it. Please drink. It'll calm your nerves" The Stranger said as he handed her the cup as she took it hesitantly.

"What's in this thing?" Caitlin asked

"Half a spoonful of milk not too hot but not too cold either. Your usual is it not?" The Stranger asked as Caitlin nodded a "yes" in response as she prepared to drink it.

"No LSD? No substances?" Caitlin asked again as the Stranger shook his head as if to say "no"

"Just regular tea." The Stranger answered as he watched Caitlin drink from it. She then walked over to the chair that had fallen over and was about to pick it up when the man made the chair stand upright all without using his hands and instead pushing it up with what looked like levitation. Caitlin looked at him bewildered while he remained stoic and calm.

"Okay are you sure there isn't anything in this?" Caitlin asked as she looked at the tea and drank from it "Because it's damn good tea and I don't want to throw it away if I found out you did something to it."

"Do you believe in magic Dr. Snow?" The Stranger asked as Caitlin looked at him somewhat startled.

"Well if you asked me 3 years ago then no. I'm a scientist I only enjoy magic as a piece of fiction which is what I thought it was. Now though... I guess so. What with alternate universes, changes to the timeline and alien invaders why not have magic exist? Plus Felicity told me about what she and Oliver dealt with not too long ago." Caitlin said in sadness as she remembered Laurel and how she lost her life at the hands of Damien Darhk.

"Yes I'm well aware of Mr. Darhk. He was quite the problem. One I would have dealt with myself if I could have." The Stranger said as he then looked at her with a sympathetic look "My condolences in regards to Ms. Lance. And Mr. Raymond. All those you have lost."

Caitlin smiled as she remembered them all. "Thank you. But why couldn't you deal with Darhk? Oliver spent a long time trying to find someone to help him defeat and match Darhk and yet you're here but you didn't help? We lost a friend because you weren't there to end it sooner."

"I can only do so much I'm sorry to say. I cannot directly interfere and combat a force for someone. I must simply guide them. Thus it was such that I couldn't help Mr. Queen. He was quite lucky though that John and Esrin were there to help him in his time of need. He couldn't have picked two better helping hands in the art of the dark arts despite John's sometimes questionable behavior. " The Stranger answered as Caitlin looked at him confused as to how he knew this "I'm well acquainted with Mr. Queen's allies to the other side. After all who do you think helped guide them in their beginnings?"

"So what are you like a guardian angel?" Caitlin asked curious about what this man if he was one really was.

"Not exactly. But I may have been. Lives are always changing. You know this yourself." The Stranger answered cryptically.

"Yeah and so little time to process it all." Caitlin said as she held up her hand as she felt it start to grow cold as suddenly it warmed up. She looked at the man who was holding out his hand using some kind of power to cool it down.

"Your powers remind me of the time I encountered a young Norwegian traveler with similar abilities. It took Tora quite a while to get used to her powers as well" The Stranger said as he saw the sadness in Caitlin's eyes.

"Why me though? I didn't ask for this. I don't want these powers. I don't want to hurt anyone" Caitlin said as she began to cry again. She then stopped as she noticed her tears were beginning to freeze and become icicles much to her shock. She then saw them fall and shatter as she saw the man holding out one finger.

"Mom was right. It's becoming unstable" Caitlin whispered in horror as she looked at the man "You seem to be all knowing Mr... it doesn't matter but why are you here? Are you here to help me get rid of these powers?"

"The mystery of the universe is that it keeps bringing us surprises Dr. Snow even if we don't expect or seemingly want them. We must therefore adapt to them. As I've said already. I may only guide you. But I am here to show you things." The Stranger said cryptically as he saw the determination in Caitlin's eyes. "What if I told you that your reality was one of many?"

"Yeah Earth 1, 2, 3 all the way to 38. I'm well aware. There's so many worlds out there." Caitlin said as she exasperated in frustration "Are the answers I seek on another earth? Is that it? Which one then? We've barely scratched the surface of them. It would probably take a lifetime to explore them all."

"That much you are right about." The Stranger said as he walked towards her. Caitlin stood there not sure whether to move or not. Before she knew it she felt the man walk behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Allow me to enlighten you."

Suddenly Caitlin gasped as she felt herself being sent flying through the Lab and into another reality entirely all the while screaming. She suddenly stopped as she found herself to her shock floating inside a blue/purple void. She looked over and saw various squares showing what looked to be other worlds.

"This is the multiverse. Worlds throughout all the cosmos. What you will find here is infinite. Various worlds but also timelines." The Stranger said as Caitlin watched doors also manifest themselves. "This is what you witness each time you travel to another world for the first time or discover a new one. Your friends Mr. Ramon and Mr. Allen know this quite well. What there is, was and will be you will find here. The multiverse is your oyster as they say."

Caitlin looked around in awe at what she was seeing. The multiverse itself. It was both fascinating and beautiful at the same time. Looking at the various worlds she spotted what seemed to be the Earth of another Flash. She also saw Kara on her earth. There also looked to be an Earth filled with superheroes who were gathered in a big fight ready for battle with what looked to be a green monster and a man wearing a suit similar to Ray's amongst their ranks. She then saw a world and what she assumed to be Kara's cousin she told them about facing a man in big silver armor.

"Have you had your fill of admiring yet?" The Stranger asked as Caitlin turned around and saw him floating behind her.

"What are the doors exactly for?" Caitlin asked

"As I said they represent time. Various points in time can be accessed from here. All you must do is think of where you want to be as you enter. Then you will appear where you desire most." The Stranger answered.

Before Caitlin could answer she found herself being touched by the man again and then being hurled back out of the void screaming as she the saw she was back in the lab as if things were normal again, having also found herself sitting back in her chair. She then looked over and saw her tea cup which she had finished off earlier was now filled with tea again.

"I put another pot on. Go ahead" The Stranger said pointing to the cup.

"You're positive there isn't anything in this?! Because even as someone who's gone to other Earth's what I just felt was the biggest rush and scariest thing I saw in my life." Caitlin nearly shouted as she began to shake and try to regain herself. Feeling calm again after a few minutes she then drank from the tea. "Why are you showing me this? Why not Barry? He's the hero not me."

"To show you how much you are not aware of in this universe. To show you not all is what you think it is. In the beginning of existence is where the mind and matter met. We use our thoughts to form a reality. As you saw there are an infinite number of universes. These worlds are without end. Some of them benevolent and life giving while others such as the one you call Earth 2 being filled with darkness and a need to survive. There are many dark places where powers older than time lie ravenous and waiting to emerge. I should know. I did all of this so you can ask yourself one question. Who are you in this multiverse Dr. Snow? Caitlin Snow or Killer Frost?" The Stranger answered as he saw Caitlin sat there with a blank emotionless expression on her face. Finally he heard her give an answer that was filled with sadness but maybe realization on her part.

"I don't know." Caitlin whispered as she got out of the chair and walked away from the man. Deciding she had enough of this she then turned to him. "I don't know who or what to call you but I want you to please leave me alone!" Caitlin shouted at the man before turning and walking further away from him unaware of a door materializing in front of her.

"I am a Stranger. A Phantom in the dark. The Phantom Stranger" The Stranger proclaimed revealing his identity so to speak. "Before you go my dear I ask one more thing."

"What?" Caitlin asked confused

"Do you mind your step on the way out." The Stranger said cryptically as he walked towards her. Caitlin stepped backwards in an effort to get away from him as she then found herself tripping through the door and screaming again all the while falling from a large height into a whole new world.

"Now. The true tale can begin." The Stranger said as he walked through the door and shut it as it then disappeared from the lab.


Author's Note:

So that's the first chapter done. Hope it wasn't too boring of an introductory chapter. Like I said I haven't written for these characters before but I hope the story mostly remains true to the series but if there is anything you feel I can improve upon please tell me and I'll try to correct those mistakes in the future.

So who the hell is Caitlin's guide you might ask if you are only someone who watches the shows and aren't as familiar with the comics? Who is the Phantom Stranger? Well not even he knows who he is if that's any consolation (basically he has 4 different origins as well as his New 52 one which seems to give him a full fledged origin while in the original universe it is said that the 4th origin is possibly the correct one).

The Phantom Stranger is basically like a DC version of the Watcher from Marvel or even to some extent the Ancient One from Doctor Strange (The film version anyway which I drew inspiration from here even some of his dialogue if you pay attention is the same just slightly changed) in that he is one of the oldest and most powerful magic users in the DC Universe and usually serves as a spiritual guide/consultant to characters and only appears when he feels it is necessary to do so.

You may also remember him from an episode of Batman the Brave and the Bold where he was voiced by Kevin Conroy and he and the Spectre voiced by Mark Hamill played a betting game over whether Batman would seek justice or vengeance against his parent's killer. It's one of that show's best episodes and the darkest.

As for who would play him in this story if it were actually made for real (which I'll do every time introduce a new character in my stories) I would cast Michael Wincott known for the Crow amongst many other roles (if this were a movie and if he were alive I would have casted Alan Rickman hence all the references to him throughout the story. May he RIP). This also is the first of several future appearances I have thought about for the Stranger should I do more Arrowverse stories. Like I said at the beginning I have some in the back of my mind but one step at a time.

Though to give you an idea I'm pretty interested in the magical side of the DC Universe that I feel bad it can't seem to be explored much in the Arrowverse what with Constantine's one appearance and not using Zatanna even though it clearly felt like the role of Esrin was meant to be filled by her. My guess is this is the result of Doug Liman's Dark Universe (Justice League Dark) film being in development. But with fanfictions such limitations aren't a worry.

The conversation about Christmas films and what makes one a Christmas film and what doesn't is based on a common conversation I've heard throughout the internet. Me I have no strong feelings whatsoever only that the films are enjoyable but you can debate if you so wish. Mainly it was written as a test to see how I would do writing the more down time/comedic dialogue which now that Barry and Cisco are on good terms and friends again fully I feel we'll be getting back to slowly but surely.

As for all the various worlds Caitlin saw there are ones Barry saw before such as the 90s Flash series world and Kara's world but I added the world of the DC Extended Universe and also the MCU. I could have easily added more worlds but I didn't want to go overkill on it. Let me know what worlds you would have liked to have seen.

Anyway I think that's it so far (knowing me though I probably forgot some stuff). If there's anything I'm doing wrong or you think could be improved upon please let me know. Hope you enjoy the story as much as I am looking forward to continuing it. This is your friend Steve993 signing off and I'll see you next time.