Chapter 109: Metapocalypse

"…This is Channel 52 News, reporting on the recent disaster in Central City…"

"…A massive explosion of unknown origin has just rocked Central City…"

"…a horde or army of some kind is currently surrounding the outskirts…"

"…this video of Zoom being unmasked of the thought-to-be-dead Hunter Zolomon…"

"…the Flash disappeared — disintegrated, really…"

"…Central City in chaos…"

"…Where are the Justice League?"

After the recent explosion nearly knocked out the power, the entirety of Iron Heights Prison had been put on lockdown. On top of the general population being put under maximum security, while those in the metahuman wing had been quickly placed into meta-dampening cuffs in the possibility that the power was knocked out. Already most of the guards were armed, in preparation for the worst.

They were right to be worried.

The lights did, in fact, go out, followed by the power. The guards, already equipped with flashlights, were not bereft of sight, though they were all anxious, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The familiar sound of a loud, collective click! answered their paranoia, seeing the general population released from their cells and starting a massive riot that guards were desperately trying to contain.

The riot spread throughout the prison, led by the enterprising mind of Leonard Snart, his sister Lisa, and their long-time partner Mick Rory. The prisoners broke through every room, using whatever they could get their hands on to knock down doors and knock out guards. While that was going on, others went after the metahuman wing, the most guarded wing in the entire facility. Many prisoners knew that if they could get those fellow prisoners free, give them the ability to use their powers again, then escape would be much easier for all of them.

They needn't have bothered.

Leonard Snart frowned as he heard the tell-tale sounds of another explosion rocking the building. One that sounded a little closer to home than the one that had allowed this riot to be possible. He held up a hand to stop his sister and partner, telling them to calm down the rest of gen pop, and once the sounds were gone, waited.

He didn't have to wait for long. People gasped as a blue portal formed in front of Leonard, allowing a young hispanic man with long hair and some futuristic-looking glasses step out, facing him. The man smirked. "Are you the leader of this little band of miscreants?"

"Well, I wouldn't call us miscreants," Leonard said slyly, in that suave, slow way of his. "And we aren't what you'd call 'little'."

"True. Name's Reverb," the man introduced himself. "My boss, the one that arranged this little prison break, has got an offer for all of you. Would you mind hearing him out?"

Leonard narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "Do we have a choice?"

Reverb shrugged, still smirking.

The thief glanced at his sister, then at Mick, then at the men and women gathering behind him. Then he glanced back at Reverb. "Well then… what's your offer?"

Instead of answering, Reverb simply stepped aside and gestured them towards the breach. Leonard frowned for a moment before stepping inside, eyes slightly widening when he realized he was now in the prison's front courtyard. Already he could see several metahuman criminals there, working out their powers for the first time in months. Among them included the infamous Mark Mardon, Shawna Baez, one of his old teammates on that ultimately ill-fated caper, and even his old associates Sam Scudder and Rosa Dillon. He made great pains to avoid their line of sight, which was easier as more of the gen pop started to gather around him.

Eventually, it seemed the entire population of the prison was here, including those in maximum security like the Tricksters. Whispers broke out as many began to wonder who was responsible for all this. Who was responsible… and what did they want? Leonard Snart, thief extraordinaire and a brilliant man in his own right, was one of those asking the latter question. Experience had taught him that there always a catch to these sorts of things, and this was no different. Especially with the recent mass explosion that had rocked the city like the Particle Accelerator had.

Finally, Reverb reappeared, along with a young woman with platinum blonde hair and a masked man with a scythe. The woman breathed out and formed a makeshift stage out of ice, walking up with Reverb to stand on it alongside the man. The whispers grew stronger, along with shouts demanding answers. What was going on here? Why did they help with the breakout?

Then a flash of cobalt lightning, and the entire courtyard fell silent.

Zoom observed the crowd of criminals with his now infamous oily black eyes, blue electricity cackling around him. Many shivered when that gaze passed over them — it wasn't often that the prisoners were allowed to see the news, but the brutal defeat of the Flash had been covered throughout nearly every major news outlet for days. Combined with his prior massacre before the battle, and, well, Zoom already had more than his fair share of cred with this crowd.

"Former prisoners of Iron Heights, I bring good news." Zoom grinned. "The Flash is dead."

There was another beat of silence, and then screams of joy. Several metas shot celebratory blasts into the air as shakes and hugs were exchanged. Even the reserved ones like Leonard couldn't help but adopt satisfied smirks and smiles. Zoom allowed the celebrations to continue on for a bit, before gesturing to the mask man to do something. The man wielded his scythe into the air, firing two consecutive blasts of energy which collided with each other, releasing a loud sound that quieted the crowd.

"Not only is the Flash dead," Zoom continued, "But the Justice League has been defeated, forced to retreat. And when they return, I will crush them like I did the Flash, and mount their bodies on my wall. But until that time comes, join me in conquering this city, and show the world that the time for heroes is at an end!"

Many cheered in accordance to that, but others grumbled darkly, discussing the cons and benefits of pursuing such an endeavor. Eventually, a pair pushed through the front of the crowd: Scudder and Dillon. Both wore haughty, defiant looks on their faces as they gazed up at Zoom.

"And why the hell should we do that?" Scudder called out, and some called out with him, including his girlfriend. "We don't answer to you! We don't answer to anybody!" Many more roared in approval at that statement, and it was beginning to spread throughout the rest of the prisoners.

Zoom turned to stare directly at Scudder and Dillon for an unnaturally long moment.

Then he disappeared, and reappeared with two vibrating hands between their chests.

People gasped and backed away as the couple choked before falling limp. Zoom haphazardly dropped the bodies to the ground and glared down at them coldly. "That's why," he said with cold authority. Many began to shudder and quiver as he lifted his gaze to observe them all again, enjoying the fear in their eyes. "Anymore dissenters?"

No one spoke up. Instead, the crowd cleared a path to Leonard, the man that had been unofficially declared their leader. Leonard took great pains not to show his own fear, reminding himself that this was a killer speedster like the Flash. Except this one killed far more wantonly, and that meant one misspoken word and he'd be on the ground just like his former associates. "What do you want us to do?" he asked, trying not to visibly swallow.

Zoom tilted his head.

"Dad?" Iris asked, glancing up from where she was sitting next to Eddie's bedside. Her father had just hurriedly entered the room with a pale and scared expression, opening the door with a little more force than necessary.

"They're putting the hospital on lockdown," Joe reported, voice breathy, "Soon, no will be allowed to enter or leave."

"What?" Iris stood up, turning to face her father fully. "Why?"

"There's some kind of hostile army just outside the city, ready to invade. They say Zoom has been seen among them, talking to them."

Iris froze. The metahuman army Barry and the others were trying to stop from coming to this earth. She quickly realized with horror. Without Barry, and the Justice League God knows where, Central City was now completely at Zoom's mercy.

"I've been asked with security in case the worse comes to worst," Joe continued, heedless of her thoughts. "Iris—"

"I'm going with you," Iris quickly decided. "I'm a cop too, and I'll just be useless staying here by Eddie's bedside. I can better protect him and Ralph by helping you."

Joe pursed his lips. "Alright. Do you have your service weapon on you?" Iris had been off-duty before she came here, after all.

"I do," Iris confirmed. "After the explosion, I thought I might need it."

"Good. Let's go."

Father and daughter shot one last farewell look to Eddie before leaving the room, heading to the lower levels of the hospital, towards the front of the building where security and other people of similar professions were gathering to help defend the place. The entire city was now aware of the army, and many were also preparing for the possibility of an invasion. In light of the recent on goings over the last few months, it seemed prudent to do so.

However, as they were walking down the halls, they saw a group of doctors, nurses, and visitors congregating around one of the televisions. Exchanging a look, Joe and Iris politely pushed through the crowd to see what it was, and stopped cold at the image that greeted them. CCPD's First Precinct, their precinct, currently had a giant reverse lightning bolt emblazoned onto the front of their building, burning for all to see.

"Zoom," Iris gasped.

"David," Joe whispered, heart now worried for his friend.

"You…son…of…a bitch…" David Singh wheezed out as he clawed at the hand that was currently choking him. Zoom gave him an unimpressed look, before dropping him to the ground. Surrounding him were many corpses, all of them were David's officers. Only few had been spared.

"Lock him and the others in his office," Zoom ordered one of the metas currently with him, "And guard them. They are not allowed to escape, only to watch as I burn their city to ashes."

The meta complied, dragging Singh, Julian Albert, and the other surviving members of CCPD's First Precinct to Singh's office. Zoom watched them go for a moment, before turning back to the front of the bullpen, where the old, golden mural between the two elevators had been vandalized. It would make a fine backdrop for what was to come.

Already, his men were working to set up a filming apparatus, where he would make his grand speech to the world, confirming the death of the Flash and the defeat of the Justice League. Where he would make his intentions known, and dissuade any attempts to stop him. People would try, of course, and they would fail, bolstering his infamy, and destroying hope from around the world. It would be even more glorious than when he had done it to his own earth.

"Boss," Sand Demon finally said after a few more minutes, "We're ready for you."

Zoom nodded, and sped to the front of the mural, where a camera was trained on him. The red light on the front of the camera indicated he was being filmed live, and that was all the warning he needed.

"Hello, Central City. Hello, world. If you do not already know who I am, let me introduce myself: I am Zoom, the fastest man alive." Zoom paused to allow that statement to sink in.

"I am here to fulfill my promise, to be the reckoning of Central City. The Flash, your precious protector, is dead. Your Justice League fled like cowards right after. There is only me now — me and my army of metahumans, all ready to take the city in my name. Do not bother trying to resist. You cannot win."

"And as for why I am doing this, well… let me introduce myself again." Zoom reached behind his head to grab the flaps of his mask, unveiling the smirking face of Hunter Zolomon.

"My name is Hunter Zolomon," he started, "Hunter Zolomon… of Earth-2. And if you're confused about that bit, let me ask you this question: have you ever heard of the multiverse theory?"

In the Fortress of Solitude, the Justice League and their allies watched Zoom's speech on one of the giant monitors mounted above the main apparatus. Caitlin was going to each one, checking them over for injuries and treating people as necessary. However, even a professional like her couldn't help but stop when those words spilled from Hunter Zolomon's mouth.

"He isn't," she exhaled in disbelief, eyes wide.

"He is," Jefferson, her current patient, confirmed as he continued to watch the speech alongside her.

The entire Fortress was deadly silent as they listened to Hunter Zolomon explaining the multiverse theory to the people of the world. Then he provided proof, by bringing over one of his metahuman minions, the doppelganger of a famous mayor over in Gotham City, who was no doubt watching this very speech right now. He then brought in two more doppelgangers, this time of a pop star and a businessman, to ensure this wasn't a fluke, opening a breach for them to use for good measure.

"There's no going back now," Hartley stated grimly as the explanation finished. "No matter what happens from here on out… the world will never be the same."

There was not a single person who argued otherwise. He was right, after all. Zoom had changed the game, and now there was no going back.

"… I murdered the Hunter Zolomon of Earth-1, my doppelganger, several months ago and took his place. All to prepare for this invasion, all to conquer this earth. The Flash did figure it out, especially after I kidnapped him and some of his friends and replaced them with my own men for a time, and brought him to my earth. They escaped, and after discovering my counterpart's body, he tried to confront me — as you know by now, I was prepared for that as well."

"Now he is dead. His friends have fled, and are perhaps watching this speech right now, planning a counterattack at a ripe opportunity. So to you, the Justice League, and you as well, people of Earth-1, I say this," the image of Hunter Zolomon put his mask back on, once again becoming Zoom. "Do not bother. This world now belongs to us, to Zoom. Accept that, and maybe then you'll be able to keep your lives." And finally, the feed cut.

In the main living room of the Queen Mansion, the Queens, the Lances, Samantha and Ruby Arias, and Kal Kent all watched the screen in horror. Thea was pulled close to her mother and father, taking comfort in their presence, as was Ruby with her own mother. The Lances saddled up together, suddenly wishing they had their daughters with them. Luckily, they were both far away from this chaos as well — Sara on one of her humanitarian missions, Laurel with Oliver on a trip to Metropolis. Even so, they could not help but worry for their friends, the West family of Central City, two cops who were probably trying to stop Zoom's army right now. The two could very well be dead right now, and none of them were aware of it.

The only person not trying to seek out comfort was Kal. Instead he kept dumbly staring at the screen, fisting his hands into his pajama pants. The Flash is dead, Zoom had said. If that was true… if that was true, then Barry was dead. And if Barry was dead…

Kal didn't want to even think of it. He had seen the footage, yes, but he still refused to believe it. Because if he did, then there would be nothing stopping him from breaking down — breaking down with none of his family around to comfort him. The same family who was God knows where, probably hurting and… and…

He fled up the stairs, ignoring the shouts of his name.

The Metapocalypse, is what history would call it. One of the greatest, most horrendous supervillain attacks of all time. The day when metahumans from another world, an alternate earth, invaded Earth-1 and wreaked havoc all across Central City. The first great defeat, great failure, of the legendary Justice League.

Along with the metahumans were various criminals from this earth as well, including Earth-1 metahumans. Recruited by Zoom through kinship, given free rein to commit crime to their heart's content. To spread fear throughout the populace, to crush hope. For at least one whole day, Central City was absolutely lawless, and the people suffered. Hundreds would die, victims of a monster's whims.

It was the end of an era… and the dawn of an age.

"We need to stop them," Mari stated as she watched the sheer pandemonium beginning to encompass Central City on the monitor.

Oliver, at the front of the crowd, closest to the monitor, grimly nodded. "We do. But we can't do it now."

"Oliver—"

"We can't, Mari," Oliver whirled around, entire body tense. "We can't. I know how you feel, I hate the idea of seeing this too and not being able to do anything about this, but if we just go charging in there without a plan, half-cocked, we will all die. And if that happens…" He glanced again at the charred suit sitting on one of the chairs in front of the monitor, and looked away in heartbreak and shame.

A sorrowful pall pervaded through the atmosphere. Another reminder of what was at stake, now that they had failed to stop the invasion. If they died, there was a good chance they would be leaving the entire earth to Zoom's mercy, not just Central City.

Cisco, who had been milling about the Fortress, trying keep his minds off what had happened, couldn't help but approach the suit — the last scrap of his friend. He and Barry had their differences, and Cisco had resented him for sidelining him for so long, but in the end, he knew Barry had only done it out of concern for him. That Barry had cared.

And now, he was gone.

Overcome with grief, Cisco reached out to touch the yellow lightning emblem. Barry and him had designed that together when the Flash became a public entity. It had been one of the first projects where Barry had let his guard down around him, let him see the person his friend really was. They had more in common than they thought they originally did.

He touched the emblem—

Barry. Storm. Lightning.

"CISCO!"

Cisco inhaled deeply as he was shaken out of his vibe by his brother, who was looking at him in concern. He could see the others doing the same, all slowly gathering around him.

"Cisco," Ronnie asked cautiously, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Cisco told him, still a little shaken. "I… I had a vibe."

People exchanged looks, and Oliver frowned, taking charge as he was wont to do. "What did you see, Cisco?"

Cisco trembled. "I saw Barry."

The Fortress fell silent as everyone processed that statement.

"I saw Barry," Cisco repeated. "Guys… I think he might be alive."

Yup. We're going into the Speed Force everyone. Though it's not like none of you predicted that.

As for the Metapocalypse, I chose that for the climax of Arc IV because it made more sense than the "destroy the multiverse" plan for the Season Two finale (and more epic than just a race between Zoom and Barry). And of course, it's more game-changing — the Justice League's first defeat, and the exposure of the multiverse. Nothing will ever be the same, I can assure you of that.

Get ready, everyone. We're going into the endgame.

Please comment or review, flames will be ignored, constructive criticism welcome, and don't forget to update the TV Tropes page!