A/N: Welcome to this new story and sequel to Wounds of the Soul. It's not a obligation to read that first fic, but I strongly suggest it if you want to understand every aspects of it and why certains characters might look a little OOC if you compare to the show without having read the events of the first story.
Like I said at the end of Wounds of the Soul, it's a little gift/sneak peek for you and you'll need to wait just a little longer 'til I start doing regular update on that story. Be sure to follow that story if you want an alert the minute the next chapter is coming.
''Are you sure you're ready for this, Cisco?'' Inquired Caitlin into the comm, sitting behind the main cortex desk.
''Maybe you should let the cops handle it'' Added Iris, standing right behind the young doctor, doubt easily hearable in her voice.
''Yeah, I'm sure there's a mugger around the corner that could be an easier start for you.'' Agreed Caitlin, nodding as she spoke, without realizing the person at the other end of the line couldn't see it.
''Really?'' Answered Cisco over his com system, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. ''Your overwhelming confidence in my abilities is touching. ''
As he was talking, the young man stepped out of the darkness, approaching the door of that old abandoned apartment building.
Since Barry left town, almost 3 months ago, the team worked hard to keep themselves busy, not wanting to think too much about Barry's decision, or think about where he was, if was ok, if he was ever planning on coming back…The young engineer managed in this time frame to build himself a full Vibe suit, complete with a pair of gauntlets to help him channel and gain better control of his powers. Plus, he also managed to complete his speed lab project with the help of everyone; Caitlin, Joe, even Wally and Iris. Now, everything was ready, everything was in place for it to be operational, well except for a speedster to take a few laps around the track.
Despite Barry's wish to not go look for him, Cisco still tried. Of course he did, he needed to know if his best friend was ok, they all needed it. Was Barry resting on a beach somewhere in Florida? Was he busy sightseeing all around the country, looking to find himself again? Or…biggest question; was he even still alive? Even if nobody dared to bring up that possibility out loud, there wasn't a single mind who hadn't thought about it, especially since the last person who got saved by Constantine ended up taking his own life over the guilt of his actions. It was worrying everyone a little bit more with each passing day, especially considering the fact that there was no trace of the speedster anywhere; none of his credit cards had been used since he left, their software for facial recognition couldn't pinpoint his face anywhere in the country and his bank account had been left untouched since he took off, leaving his cell phone behind at the same time. Barry just fell off the face of the Earth, again.
Where was he? How was he living out of nothing? Unless he suddenly decided to rob stores and banks or was living under a bridge somewhere eating garbage like Ronnie and Stein after the explosion, chances of Barry being alive and well weren't that good.
''Come on Cisco, you can't afford worrying about Barry right now.'' Whispered the young engineer to himself, he had a job to do and he had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy.
If Flash wasn't coming back in town anytime soon, someone needed to protect Central City's citizen and why couldn't it be Vibe? Cisco thought it was worth the shot, people of this city still needed protecting, especially considering the criminals that came out of hiding once they saw that Flash was gone, again. Despite multiple witnesses of the blur and Iris' article back in October, when Hyde got killed, that Flash was still alive and had saved them from an unknown danger, it didn't took long for people to realize that their hero had abandoned them after that event.
''Just remember that he already killed somebody.'' Said Iris, nervously playing with her long necklace.
''More like two, actually.'' Corrected Caitlin, nervously, earning a 'Not helping' glare from her friend.
''I know, I know, first sign of trouble I'll run. Alright, I'm going in.''
Both women shared a concerned look, but knew better than keep arguing, it was too late to change the young man's mind.
''Alright, just be careful.'' Said Caitlin, glad they were able to convince Cisco to put sensors in the Vibe suit to follow his vitals. Hopefully, this first try in the field wouldn't be a total disaster. Why did all her friends felt the urges to be heroes?
''Always am.''
Despite his confident words, Cisco still felt his heartbeat pick up the pace a little bit as he carefully opened the unlocked front door, making his way inside, gauntlets raise high, ready to defend himself at any moment. From the security videos they were able to hack into of this guy's last couple of attacks, everyone who tried to defy him suddenly ended up falling on the ground, numb and in pain. Even though the team didn't really know, yet, what his exact powers were and how to neutralize them, Cisco still felt he had the upper hand as long as the element of surprise was on his side; this guy had no idea he was a meta, all he needed to do was knock him down before the other guy could attack.
From the vibe was able to get, he knew which apartment this guy was staying, allowing Cisco to swiftly move to the 3rd floor, right in front of the correct door, ready for action. Here goes nothing. It was only as he carefully approached the door that Vibe started really questioning his plan of action; how do you get inside or break the door without being seen? Not like he was a master criminal or could just phase right through it….Oh well, looks like it was going to be a pretty straight forward attack.
Alright, let's do this. Positioning himself in front of the apartment door, Cisco took a deep breath, getting all the needed energy ready for the attack. Positioning his arms in the air, pointing toward the door, Cisco started a countdown in his head; all he needed to do was break it open with his powers, get in, knock the man down before he could do anything and save CCPD a whole week of work.
3. 2. 1…nothing. Absolutely nothing came out of his gauntlets.
''Guys.'' He said quietly and nervously in his comm. ''I don't have my powers anymore. ''
''What?! What's that supposed to mean?'' He instantly heard Caitlin's worried voice.
''It mean I don't have my powers.'' What else was this supposed to mean? He could feel a cold shiver passing in his spine.
''Get out of there, NOW!'' Answered back Caitlin without missing a beat.
Too late, by the time Caitlin's words registered in Cisco's mind, the door started by itself. Well, technically not by itself as a very tall man appeared on the other side of it, all dressed in black, wearing a black hoodie with the hood on and a ninja-like mask covering his mouth.
''You're a meta aren't you?'' He said with his deep, creepy voice.
So much for the surprise. How in the hell did this guy even knew that?
'''I…It's ridiculous, I was just…you know.'' For once in his life Cisco ended up being at a loss of word, stumbling on them. He wasn't expecting this turn of event, especially when being so powerless, literally.
''I could feel your powers before you even entered this room. ''
''I don't know what you're talking about… '' Tried to deny Cisco, hearing in his ear the screams of his friends trying to contact him, probably seeing his vitals spiking under the stress and fear he was under right now, knowing that there was no panic button to hit to call Flash at the rescue. He was on his own. Despite the none-stop pumping in his ears, he swore he heard something about calling for help, help was good.
''There, there. Not need to deny it. '' The criminal scoffed under his mask. ''I'll make you a deal, tell me what I want, and I'll let you live.''
It couldn't be that easy, never was with villains, but it was worth asking. Worst case scenario, it would only help gain time 'til Joe was there.
''I'll bite.'' He firmly said, keeping his head high and looking straight in the other man's eyes in defiance. ''What is it that you want?''
''Isn't it obvious?'' Despite the presence of the mask hiding the lower part of this man's face, Cisco could tell he was smiling. ''I want what every criminal in this town came in for; I want the Flash.''
Oh good, another villain after Flash, too bad his timing was off.
''Flash? Haven't you heard pal? He left town, you're not going to find him here. '' Cisco couldn't stop the shaking in his voice as he was already trying to peak around to see if he could try and make a run for it. Without his powers he was no match against this tall and muscled guy. Why did this guy just had to pick the apartment right in the middle of the hallway? There wasn't anywhere to hide.
''Something tell me you know where he's hiding. You vigilantes always seem to stick together.''
''Yeah, well, what can I say? You can't always be right. He's gone so you can go on, rob your bank and move on, or whatever else float your boat.'' Cisco clenched his fists, carefully studying his adversary, searching for a sign he was about to attack, while trying to gain every possible second.
''Oh, if only it was this simple, but I need the Flash. I need payback for what he did. For what he took for me.''
Cisco frowned at this. Had he seen that man before? He couldn't quite remember, maybe if he wasn't hiding half of his face. It was personal. Who had Barry pissed off that wasn't dead or in prison right now?
'Think Cisco, think. ' He mentally encouraged himself, but just couldn't find a name fitting the man's physical.
''Hey, for your information, it wasn't my choice that he left town, ok?'' It definitely came out harsher than intended, but it wasn't exactly a conversation the engineer felt like having right now, especially not under theses conditions. ''And I wouldn't keep my breath if I were you for Flash to come back anytime soon.''
''Well, that's too bad, that mean I'll have no other choice but to kill you.'' As the man was speaking, Cisco could see the eyes started to intensively glare at him with hate.
Before Cisco had any time to react, he felt his limbs going numb, sending his legs shaking under his own weight as gravity attracted him right to the ground, falling with a loud bang. He could still hear the worried voices in his ear as sudden pain started appearing in his chest.
''Cisco! What's happening!''
Just as he felt his time was coming to an end, a rush of wind passed right in front of him, alongside of a signature lighting, before immobilizing itself in the apartment, right behind the other man.
''Stop!'' Said a vibrating and commanding voice, a voice that Cisco instantly recognized before he even had the chance to get his head up and see a familiar and tall figure wearing a dark black and blue speedster suit, the exact same suit that went missing the same day than his friend.
''B…GHOST!'' He exclaimed with a mixture of shock and joy.
The speedster's eyes fell on him for a moment, widening in surprise to end up face to face with his friend, clearly not expecting Cisco to be there, but didn't say a thing that would give away the fact that they knew each other.
''Ghost!'' Growled the other man as he also recognized his new adversary, approaching him in a threatening way. ''How dare you show your face? ''
''Let this man go and we can figure this out. ''
Recovering on his elbows and looking up, Vibe made eye contact with the Ghost again, noticing the intense look he was getting in return, urging him to leave now. What game was Barry playing at? Why hadn't he taken this man down already? Unless….unless he was just as powerless. If Barry came just as unprepared as he did, they were both done. Suddenly, in the corner of his eyes, Cisco saw the man in the black hoodie taking something off the dusty floor.
''Watch out!'' He yelled, trying to warm Barry.
The speedster took his eyes off Vibe instantly, but he wasn't fast enough, no doubt now that he was just as powerless as Cisco, as he barely had time to see what was coming before a broken metal pole was violently thrusted in his left thigh.
''Stop!'' Yelled Cisco, struggling to get up on his feet as the sound of his voice was lost in the cry of anguish that left Barry's lips as the speedster fell on the floor in pain.
Let me know in the comments your thoughts about that first chapter and if you're onboard for this new adventure.
Still working on a couple of things, couple of choices to make, so I can't promise a date for the second chapter, but give it a couple of weeks at least.
Oh and...you know me; Sorry, not sorry for this cliff. ihih