Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! Or whatever it is you all celebrate. This is going to be my last post of the year so I'll see you in 2021. My co-authors are Brightburn1985 and ThomasMarieAmell2.0.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Flash

Night had fallen, and the team still had no idea how to stop Magenta's powers. They'd just have to take her out before she could cause any harm.

Joe was stationed at the hospital where the foster father was placed. Barry remained at STAR Labs just in case they were wrong and Magenta would launch an attack elsewhere. Or maybe she'd left Central City to start anew. One could hope.

"Do you see any sign of her?" Barry asked Joe through the phone.

"Nothing. If she's here, she's not doing anything." Joe responded.

"Just keep an eye out. No telling when she'll be there."

"You know Barry, this is still just a hunch. Magenta might not even show. We could just be wasting our time waiting for her here," Joe pointed out.

"I know Joe, but it's the best lead we have. If Magenta doesn't make an appearance, chances are she's never going to resurface," Barry said. "It's a long shot, but it's the only one we have,"

Barry then heard screams coming from the other end of the call. Caitlin and Cisco exchanged looks of concern with him at the sound. "What was that? Are people screaming?"

"That might have something to do with the giant ship that just levitated out of the harbour," Joe informed them.

"What are we going to do about that? If Magenta drops that, it could kill a lot of people, no matter where it falls." Caitlin asked in concern.

"We'll have to think of a way to keep the boat from falling for now. I've got to get out there. Start thinking!" Barry shouted as he got into his suit and rushed out to the hospital.

Barry stopped at the top of the hospital that Magenta was threatening to take down. The boat was slowly coming closer and higher as it was preparing to bring down the building. "Okay guys, I'm here. Open to some suggestions,"

There was silence on the other end that started to unnerve Barry. They had to think of something soon. "Bottom line Barry," Harry began to say, "we have no idea how you can generate a powerful enough force that will be able to keep the ship suspended in the air."

"There has to be something!" Barry insisted as the ship was almost directly on top of him. "What if I use a wind funnel?"

"No, you'd never be able to generate the force necessary with just your arms," Harry said.

"No, not with my arms. If I run," Barry corrected him.

"That-that could work. Barry, run in a figure 8 fashion!" Harry shouted urgently.

Barry wasted no time as he started running in an infinite loop to create twin wind funnels that would hopefully keep the ship from crashing on top of the building.

Fortunately, it seemed to work. Magenta tried to force the ship down, but the wind Barry created when he ran was able to keep it suspended for the time being. But that introduced a new problem.

"Okay, crisis averted. The ship hasn't plummeted. We bought some time, now how are we going to stop Magenta if she's the only one who can bring the boat back into the water?" Cisco asked.

"Like I have all the answers?" Harry said sarcastically.

"Well Barry can't keep this up forever. Eventually he's going to stop from exhaustion or the roof is going to give out from his running. We're still on the clock," Caitlin said.

"Someone needs to convince Magenta or Frankie to put the boat back into the ocean," Harry said.

"Barry's usually the one who talks down our criminals. We're just there for backup," Cisco said, not having any experience in trying to calm down metas. He and Caitlin were both more used to taking down metas with brute force. Not an option in this scenario.

"Well obviously Allen can't leave where he is. So someone else needs to talk her down," Harry said.

"Joe! Can you do it?" Cisco asked through the phone.

"Everyone in the hospital is evacuating right now. I won't be able to get out of here fast enough." Joe said in dismay.

"So Barry needs to keep the ship suspended in the air, and talk down Magenta from dropping the ship. He can't be in two places at once," Caitlin said.

"Time remnant?" Cisco suggested.

"Do you really want Allen to tempt the fates?" Harry said.

Cisco thought back to what had changed the last time Barry had travelled through time. Even if it was for a few seconds, there could be huge consequences. "Not really," Cisco shook his head.

"What if I go out there?" Jesse asked.

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked his daughter.

"I'll take over for Barry," Jesse said. "I keep the ship in the air and then Barry will be able to leave and talk to Magenta. We don't have any other option right now,"

"Do we really need that hospital?" Harry asked the team.

"Dad!" Jesse shouted incredulously.

"I mean, how many people are in there right now? Two? Three?" Harry asked.

"There are still over a hundred people in here waiting to get out. Me included!" Joe shouted over the comms.

"Nobody asked you Joe!" Harry yelled.

Everybody looked at Harry for his response. Honestly, Jesse could have left, but she knew she'd forever feel guilty if she deliberately went against her father in this.

Harry just sighed and looked into his daughter's eyes. He remembered the conversation with Caitlin earlier, that he needed to realize Jesse was an adult now and she was the one to decide what to do with her new powers. "If that's what you want,"

Jesse smiled and rushed off. That was basically a yes coming from her father.

Moments later, she arrived at the roof of the hospital running alongside Barry. "Thought you could use some help. Go, I got this," Jesse said.

Barry nodded his head in thanks and broke off the loop to get to Magenta. "Frankie!"

Barry was able to locate the girl quickly. She was one of the only people in the streets right now, so it was easy to find her.

By her glowing eyes, they were right. Magenta was in control right now. Her eyes were filled in confusion as she looked at him and then back up to the roof where there were still sparks being shown from Jesse's speed trail.

"I had a little help," Barry briefly explained.

"Why are you helping him? John deserved everything we did to him. He hurt Frankie," Magenta said.

"I know. I know what happened that night. John, he was probably angry. Yelling a lot. Maybe he hit something. Frankie was scared. And you wanted to protect her. So you stopped him," Barry said in a calming voice.

"I-I just wanted to protect her and to stop the bad men from hurting Frankie ever again."

"I promise you, if you put the ship back into the water, nobody will ever hurt you again. John will serve time as soon as he's out of the hospital. We'll find a nice family to take care of you. You won't suffer anymore," Barry said.

"He said we were worthless. That we were nothing! A pathetic waste of space that didn't deserve his generosity." Magenta shouted.

"I understand. What happened to you was horrible and I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But what happened to you doesn't justify hurting all of these people." Barry said. "You're scaring them Magenta. You're scaring Frankie. She doesn't know what's happening to her and she's terrified."

"She can't know. It's too dangerous. I need to keep her safe. That's why I have to do this. So that she doesn't have to," Magenta said, tears were falling from her eyes.

"Frankie is stronger than you think. She needs to know. She deserves to know. Just put the ship back," Barry tried to convince her.

"I have always looked out for Frankie. I have always done what's best for her. She doesn't need you. Frankie needs me," Magenta shouted.

"Is this what Frankie needs? If you do this Magenta, you are going to be locked away. Frankie will never be free because of what you did. Please stop. It's over," Barry said.

Magenta looked at him for any sign of deceit. When she didn't find any, she let out a tearful sob and used her powers to carry the boat back into the water.

With the ship gone, Jesse could stop running. The roof glowing with the embers of her speed trail in a singular pattern.

Magenta's eyes faded to darkness and Frankie reemerged. She lunged towards Barry, seeking comfort. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…" Frankie sobbed into his chest. Repeating her mantra like it was the only thing she could say.

"It's all right. Everything is going to be alright," Barry returned the hug to the girl, patting her back.

"I don't remember much on how I got my powers," Frankie said to the team in STAR Labs.

"Just try to think back. What do you remember?" Barry asked, still disguised as The Flash.

"… I started getting dreams. Another life where I had powers. They started coming to me when I was awake too. They got so intense I wanted to do anything I could to get them to stop," Frankie recalled.

"Does the name Alchemy mean anything to you?" Cisco asked.

"Yes!" Frankie's eyes lit up in recognition. "Dr. Alchemy. He spoke to me. Said he would restore my powers. I don't know how, but I just knew where I had to go to find him. After I did, a lot of things are just a blank,"

"Do you remember where you met him?" Barry asked.

"No," Frankie shook her head. "I think I took the bus. I had to walk the rest of the way. It was dark. There might have been a train I saw,"

Barry nodded his head in thanks for any indicator to where Alchemy might be hiding. "Thanks. This will be really helpful in finding him,"

"So what happens to me now?" Frankie asked fearfully.

"I promised you and Magenta that you are never going to have to suffer again. John will never foster anymore children if we have anything to do about it." Barry promised her.

"We're going to be placing you in Coast City with my daughter Iris until we're able to get you a more permanent living situation. You'll be well taken care of there." Joe said to her, handing her a bus ticket out of Central City. "She'll meet you at the bus stop."

"Thank you so much," Frankie said. "But what if something happens and Magenta goes after somebody again?"

"Magenta is there so she can shield you from things you don't think you can handle. She's meant to protect you. But if you can face your own problems head on, you don't need her anymore." Barry told her. "I told Magenta that you're stronger than she thinks. Just don't give up on yourself and keep trying. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

"Samuel Beckett." Harry nodded, recognizing the quote.

"Try not. Do or do not." Frankie raised her eyebrow in suspicion.

"Yoda." Cisco smiled at the quote.

Barry lightly laughed under his breath. "Anyway, you should go home and pack your bags. The bus leaves tonight. If you can think of anything else or have any concerns, you can reach us at this number." Barry wrote down the number that would connect her straight to his STAR Labs business number.

"You really trust me with this?" Frankie asked.

"You're one of us now. Part of something bigger than yourself."

"I hope you don't mind me saying that I hope I never have to use this number, and I never have to see any of you again." Frankie said. But she still pocketed the piece of paper.

"You and me both. But you can never be too careful. I hope you have a good life Frankie."

Frankie smiled at the man who saved her. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. I hope you have a good life as well,"

"I'll take you down to the station. We'll get you checked out and clear up all of this mess." Joe beckoned her to follow him.

As soon as they left, the rest of the team tried to decide what they were going to do. "Another meta created by Alchemy. That makes two. There are still 3 more to find," Cisco said.

"At least. There could be more out there that we haven't discovered or yet to be created," Caitlin corrected him.

"Should we do something about him? Technically he hasn't done anything wrong per se. So far we have an egotistical speedster and a split personality with a skewed sense of justice. We can't lock him up for creating them can we?" Barry pointed out.

"Well if you want my opinion, track him down. Keep an eye on him. He's a potential dangerous foe, or a helpful ally. It all depends on you really." Harry said.

"What he's doing is wrong. Alchemy is giving people powers, but he's not helping them with their development. It's no wonder why Clariss and Kane went mad. We need him to stop plaguing his victims with dreams until they relent and submit themselves to be given powers," Barry said.

"So what exactly are we charging him with?" Cisco asked.

"We'll figure something out. He's creating metahumans and letting them wreak havoc. And he's invading their thoughts, inflicting them with pain until they agree to meet with him. That's torture, at the very least." Barry said.

Barry was still in his STAR Labs office that night, looking over files that needed to be sorted. Business contracts and his monthly taxes that needed his attention.

His personal phone buzzed with an unknown number. Barry gave it a glance before answering it. "Hello? Who is this?"

"Flash?" a female voice said, sounding very worried.

"Frankie?" Barry recognized her voice.

"I need help. I'm in trouble. Someone is after me," Frankie informed him.

"Where are you? I'm on my way," Barry said, hurrying into his suit.

"I'm still at the bus station. I'm hiding in the bathroom."

"Who's following you? Do you know who they are?" Barry asked. The rest of the team was still in the Cortex. Barry put his phone on speaker so the rest of them could hear.

"I can't see who it is, but I can sense them with my powers. They're coming for me. A giant metal man." Frankie whispered. "Please help me,"

"I'm coming," Barry said, dashing off to the bus station. Cisco had connected the call to his headset so he could continue talking to Frankie while he was running. "Just stay where you are,"

"No! No! Stop! Please don't hurt me!" Frankie yelped.

"Frankie!" Caitlin and Cisco yelled at the call.

There was a sound of a blade as it tore into flesh on Frankie's side of the call. It was swiftly followed by a thud and then the call got disconnected.

Caitlin and Cisco both flinched at the noise and had tears collecting in their eyes as they heard the awful sound. Cisco squeezed his eyes together in an attempt to keep the tears at bay but failed. Barry angrily grunted and turned off his own headset, continuing his path to the bus station.

Once he'd arrived, Barry made his way into the girl's bathroom where Frankie said she was hiding. As Barry got deeper into the restroom, the more difficult it got for Barry to hold in his sob.

The floor and walls were completely covered in blood. A crushed phone lay haphazardly in a pool of the red liquid.

And finally Barry saw the body of Frankie Kane completely split in half. Her torso separated from the waist.

Barry dropped down on his knees and looked at the severed body of the young girl in despair. Her face etched with terror. Whatever had caused it was long gone now.

"I'm sorry," Barry whispered to her. "I couldn't save you. I didn't make it in time and I'm so sorry. I failed you."

Barry reached for her eyes and slowly closed her eye lids. He couldn't stand the sight of them.

"I'm sorry," Barry whispered one final time. "This is all my fault. You deserved better than this."

Barry was training Jesse with her new powers. The Speed Lab was a bit too small for what Barry had in store so they moved their training into the accelerator.

The two speedsters were covering every inch of the accelerator. The ground, the walls, even the roof.

Jesse was following Barry's lead. Everything he would do, Barry wanted Jesse to copy.

Once, Jesse tripped over her own feet but eventually managed to correct herself.

That was when Barry had called for them to stop.

"Sorry. That wasn't very heroic." Jesse apologized over her mishap.

"No, you need to pay attention. In the heat of a fight, you'd be dead already." Barry scolded her. "You have super speed. The world stands still to you. Even the slightest change in your movement can be the deciding factor in any fight. You need to anticipate, look to where you're going, not just where you are."

"I said I was sorry. It was a mistake," Jesse said with wide eyes.

"A mistake that could have cost you your life if this were a real fight," Barry glared at her. Mulling over his words, Barry realized something and groaned. "Oh my god, I've turned into Oliver,"

Barry left Jesse in the accelerator to think whilst he went back to his office to deal with the business side of STAR Labs.

Jesse returned to the Cortex where the rest of the team resided. "What's his deal?" Jesse asked, surprised at how tough Barry was being with her when he would usually be more calm and understanding.

"He's going through some things. Frankie Kane just died and Barry's feeling pretty responsible since she called him for help," Caitlin responded.

"I understand that, but why is he taking it out on me?" Jesse asked.

"Because now you're his responsibility as well, and he's trying to keep you safe from Frankie's fate." Cisco said. "I'm sure he'll calm down in a little bit,"

"I like this Barry." Harry claimed. "He's actually thinking ahead and trying to keep you safe."

"But he's not Barry. You know that," Caitlin said. "He's not the compassionate, caring person we all know,"

"I'm sure he'll be fine. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this Barry while we can," Harry said.

"Well glad you're enjoying it. Barry's nitpicking every little thing I do and scolding me for the smallest mistakes," Jesse said.

"And what's the problem exactly? I told you, you weren't ready and now Barry is saying you're not ready. Maybe it's finally time to start listening to your betters," Harry said to his daughter.

"I can't believe I ever missed you." Jesse rolled her eyes at her dad. She sped off to take some time for herself away from all the criticism she was receiving.

"You know, we've missed you around here though," Cisco said to Harry.

"This place hasn't been the same without a Wells around," Caitlin agreed.

"Well if you want, why don't we just find you another Wells. Let's get to work," Harry said.

A new meta duo had appeared in town. Sam Scudder, who'd appeared after being missing for 3 years, and Rosalind Dillon, who broke out of Iron Heights.

Scudder had the ability to travel through any reflective surface and bring anyone or anything along with him. This earned him the name of Mirror Master from Harry, who experienced a similar villain on his own Earth. But the villain from Earth-2 didn't have any apparent powers. His name actually came from the fact he had a weapon that erased the third dimension in objects.

Dillon actually had mental powers that caused anyone who looked into her eyes to experience heavy vertigo. Cisco hurriedly named her Top so as to not have his thunder stolen from Harry.

The two of them used to be partners with Snart, but with him out of the way, they decided to strike out on their own.

Barry, and with the help of Jesse, they were able to stop them within the day. They had a minor mishap with Barry being stuck in a mirror, but with Caitlin's powers, they were able to slow the molecules in the mirror enough for Barry to phase out of it.

Jesse decided to take Barry's advice to heart and was able to handily defeat Dillon before her vertigo got any worse.

Barry managed to trap Scudder in an infinite loop of mirrors that prevented him from leaving with his powers. And there was no way Scudder could hope to run away from The Flash.

All the while Cisco, Caitlin, and Harry were trying to determine which Wells in the multiverse would be a good fit for the team. They had finally decided on the Wells from Earth-19.

When they finally met, this Wells wasn't anything like the others that they met. "A Wells with a sense of humour," Cisco commented after Wells made a dramatic entrance. "That's new."

"You can call me HR," HR said.

"HR it is. This is the team. That's Dr. Caitlin Snow, Cisco Ramon, and our resident speedster Barry Allen. And this is my daughter Jesse," Harry introduced them all.

HR greeted them all with a handshake and a clap on the back of their hands, which was the customary greeting on Earth-19 apparently.

"And last thing before I go, never ever, under any circumstances should you ever-" Harry was about to say before he was cut off by Jesse speeding the both of them through the breach to Earth-2.

"Oh my god, what was he going to say? Right? Isn't that what we're all thinking? He's saying something super important and then he's gone and we're all like 'What was he gonna say?' Am I right?" HR had a humorous smile on his face and sighed. "Oh well. I am starving. Do you guys have a Big Belly Burger?"

"Some things stay the same," Caitlin commented fondly.

"Seriously, I'm famished," HR insisted.

Well, hope you all enjoyed that. I know the fate of Frankie was a little sad, especially for Christmas, but I didn't plan on posting this on Christmas. On another note, in case if it wasn't clear, Savitar is still the big bad of the season, but I'm obviously going to be writing him differently. I'm probably going to introduce Savitar in 3-4 chapters.

The main problem I had with Savitar is that the writers gave him such a good backstory and godly speed. But then they just made him out as nothing but a whining brat and his speed was just on average to Barry when he escaped the Speed Force. I am going to be keeping Savitar up to form and making him a different person based on such a cliche plot that I wonder how soon it's going to take for any of you to guess what it is or if I can keep the charade up until the reveal.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'll see you all in 2021!