Alrighty, so this episode is a bit of a filler, but I've been itching to give some of the villains backstory and character's ordinary lives some frackin attention because the main show just doesn't seem to care about the quality of the story. Anyways, I promise you that snowbarry fluff will come. Have patience- this story means a lot to me and I would hate to just put two
people who just met into a relationship.
Act 5
Barry grinned as Joe fumbled around in his pockets for his keys. He felt impossibly lucky to be able to get right up after all of the things that he had gone through. Most people didn't survive being struck by a lightning bolt. His mood momentarily soured as he remembered the possible side effects Wells had listed before he could leave STAR Labs. Hypothermia, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, weight loss… the list went on and on. Joe let out a little chuckle as he opened the door to their house. "Almost didn't think you were gonna make it then, Barry. Keep going like that and you're going to give this old man a heart attack."
Barry laughed along with his dad. It felt good to be back, though he hoped he wouldn't have to go through anything like that ever again.
Joe sank down on his couch, lines in his face melting away the moment he turned on the TV and started channel surfing.
"I told Singh that you got a really bad stomach bug. I made him promise me that he'll go easy on you for the first two weeks."
Barry grinned.
"Thanks, Joe. Next time we get lunch, you know it's on me."
Joe laughed, then turned serious.
"It's good to have you back, Barry."
Barry rolled his eyes and laughed.
"Yeah, I've noticed. Enough people tell me that already."
Joe grinned, handing him a beer- which might not have been the best choice medically, but since he was Barry's dad he got a pass.
"I wasn't finished."
Barry could see the glint of amusement in his dad's eyes.
"Oh?"
"If you go anywhere without telling me or Iris, then you're grounded for a month."
Barry put a hand over his forehead and groaned.
"Joe, I'm an adult now."
Joe grinned.
"Hey, my house, my rules."
Just then, a click could be heard from the general direction of the door, and Barry saw Iris's curly hair pop out.
"Look who's home early."
Iris's eyes widened when she saw Barry.
"Yeah, I just finished up on my project for uni. Anyways, are you okay, Barry? I heard you got sick."
Barry nodded- the tingling sense in his head had all but disappeared, thanks to the iv bag Caitlin had hooked him up to.
"I'm fine now. How's your major? I can't imagine journalism having easy projects."
Iris grunted.
"You know, at this point I think the professor hates us. 99 percent sure of it."
Barry laughed.
"You said you loved him when you started out!"
Iris set her campus bag on the table as she plopped down next to him and Joe.
"That was because I loved what he taught, not what assignments he gave us. What's on?"
Joe took a swig of his beer.
"Animal planet and some kind of reality show- take it or leave it."
Iris rolled her eyes.
"Told you we needed to get a Netflix premium account."
They laughed. It was just another normal thursday. Life was back on track, and Barry felt better. He had no idea what was coming.
*
Clyde Mardon groaned. He didn't know where he was. His eyelids felt heavy, like something was pushing it down, filling it with liquid so that it was stuck.
With difficulty, he opened his eyes. He saw schools of tiny fish swimming by him. He was in a river- no, he was at the bottom of an ocean. Mardon panicked, expecting to feel the burn of his lungs taking in water as he opened his mouth and gasped. But no such sensation came. He moved his hand in front of his face.
It was difficult to see in the murky water, but a military dog chain was firmly grasped in it. It was inscribed with the name 'Mark Mardon' on it. Suddenly, memories of the night of the particle accelerator explosion came back to him.
Clyde signaling to Mark….Clyde setting s trap for the cops…. Getting on the plane…
A bright band of light cleaving through the plane as they plummeted to their death…..
Clyde opened his mouth and screamed. He didn't care if he was about to drown, because the closest person to him was dead. It was almost worse than being dead himself. Almost.
As Clyde's eyes adjusted to the darkness he could see a reflection of himself on the dog tag. He saw… he saw... gills?
No, no, no…. This isn't possible.
Clyde touched his neck gingerly. Sure enough, he felt the distinct ridges and flaps that could only belong to a giant fish's gills. Rage boiled inside him, building in waves and destroying any semblance of logic or caution.
He threw away the dog tag, barely noticing the fish swimming away from him. Blood pounded in his ears. Clyde could feel vibrations ripple through his body as the still water around him turned into a giant whirlpool. The water around him was under his control. It responded to his touch. It was a part of him now, as he surfaced to the cold moonlight of Central City.
He had lost everything he had. Now he wanted those who had done this to him to suffer. Only after Central City was bits of rubble floating in the sea would he stop his rampage. Maybe then he might join his brother.
Clyde smirked darkly to himself as he torpedoed towards the city.
