STAR LABS, CENTRAL CITY, EARTH-PRIME
It has been a month since Barry vanished into a breach. Cisco, Nash, and Chester have been trying to find a way to locate Barry's location in the potential multiverse. Kara has offered to help Team Flash secure the metahuman threat in Central City.
"Why don't we try tracking the energy levels of..." Chester proposed.
"We thought of that and... there's a problem. There is no way of tracking Barry via his speedforce energy cause we didn't scan him before we began the test, hence," Cisco ranted, slamming his fist on the table, "we can't track him."
"Brainy got any ideas yet?" asked Caitlin as she passed by the frustrated trio.
"Obviously not," Cisco said, visibly frustrated.
"Cisco, you really need to calm down, getting mad won't get you anywhere," Caitlin advised.
"I'm trying, but it has already been a month, Caitlin, a month! Not a week but a month!" Cisco angrily said, raising his voice.
"You gotta rest, Ramon, take a break, we will brainstorm for you," Nash advised while pushing Cisco away.
"But, but..."
"Just relax, Ramon," Nash said. "Let's go and get food. You like food?"
Caitlin sighed. She had hoped that things would get better, but something about life always screws it up, making things worse. She looked around, Chester was focusing on finding a solution while Nash was calming Cisco down.
ALLEN-WEST APARTMENT, CENTRAL CITY
"Barry, you probably can't hear me right now, but I still feel the need to talk to you. Barry, wherever or whenever you are, I hope you are all right. It's been lonely without you, and I miss you. I hope you can find a way to come back, if not, I promise you, we will try to find a way to bring you home." Iris lingered on the balcony, looking at the night sky.
Ever since her husband has disappeared, Iris has been trying to move on with her life, trying to think that things would turn out just fine, but as time went on, Iris began to lose that hope. Now, she wants to see him again.
"All you need to know is I will always come running back to you," Barry's promise echoed in her head.
Iris looked at the night sky. Memories of her and Barry swept through her mind, reminding her of the sweet memories. Tears flowed down her cheeks for what seems to be the umpteenth time in the past few weeks.
BRAINY'S LAB, NATIONAL CITY
Brainy was focusing, trying to find a way to find out if there is really a multiverse, which is proving to be quite a difficult task as he has been working on it the past few weeks. Then, Brainy's mind clicked.
"Of course," Brainy muttered to himself. "Eureka!" Brainy stood up, picking up his phone. "I must tell them now!"
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound came from outside, prompting Brainy to look into the source of the noise. As he was about to open the windows, the lights went off. Brainy looked around. He saw a blurry figure standing in the dark corner of the house.
"Whoever you are, I recommend you to leave," Brainy said, preparing to leave.
As Brainy quickly run towards the window, the figure swiftly moved in front of him, blocking his way. Brainy attempted to punch him, but his attacks are seemingly doing nothing. The intruder sent Brainy flying, then pinning the Coluan against the wall.
"What do you want?" Brainy grunted as he tried to escape from the intruder grasp.
"For you to disappear, at least until the time is right," the figure whispered.
"You can't kill me that easily." Brainy was trying to but time hoping that someone will come.
"Now, where is the fun in killing? It's so much fun playing with you petty heroes, better than just killing you all," the figure said, chuckling evilly. "I know you think you can get out of this mess, but listen to me here, stop wasting your time, nobody is coming to help you."
In a flash of light, Brainy and the figure disappeared.
BLUE VALLEY, EARTH-2
It was nighttime in the small town of Blue Valley. Unknown to the town folks of Blue Valley, two of the JSA were on their daily patrol, watching over the townspeople from a building.
"Do you see anything, Hourman?" asked Beth.
"Nothing, just a peaceful town," Rick replied. "What about you?"
"Chuck is not picking up anything yet," said Beth, before yawning.
"Hmm... you're tired," Rick said.
"Well... I had a busy day," Beth replied.
"All these nights of patroling better be worth it, we have been patrolling for like weeks, yet somehow the ISA still managed to slip out of our sight and strike," Rick raved.
"I know. It's puzzling. Even Chuck can hardly detect them. By the time he managed to detect them, it's too late," Beth said.
"Well, at least patrol is not boring with you around," Rick said.
"Really? I thought you used to think that I'm annoying?" Beth quipped, chuckling she nudged her boyfriend playfully.
"Oh, come on. Let that go, will you?" Rick fake scowled at his girlfriend.
"I'm just kidding," Beth chuckled. "By the way, how did training Alex go today?" asked Beth casually.
"The usual," Rick said.
"The usual good or the usual bad?" asked Beth curiously.
"You know what I mean," Rick said, smirking
"And here you go again, being all secretive and mischievous again," Beth chuckled while nudging him lightly. "Seriously, though, how was it?"
"Well... he is improving, getting better at combat, but he still doesn't seem to understand the importance of teamwork and holding back..."
"Like you?" Beth asked.
"Yeah," Rick looked down while remembering the person he was a year ago, chuckling softly. "Like me."
"Well, give him some time, he will come around, like how we did," Beth encouraged.
Suddenly, a faint sound of violin playing broke the silence. Rick and Beth looked at each other knowingly before making their move.
"Chuck, where is the sound coming from?" asked Beth immediately as they walked.
"It seems to be coming from the outskirts of the town, the frequency of the violin playing matches the Fiddler," the AI answered.
"It got to be the Fiddler, contact Pat, Court and Cam," Rick said.
WHITMORE-DUGAN'S HOUSE
"Mom? Where's Pat?" Courtney asked, hurrying down the stairs with Cameron behind him.
"Still at the Pit Stop with Barry, why did you ask?" Barbara said as she turned around to see that her daughter was wearing her Stargirl outfit while Cameron was wearing slightly baggy trousers, a tight white shirt while simple black leather belt wraps the waistline of his pants and a distressed leather trench coat. "Oh, hero time?"
"Yeah, Beth and Rick managed to track down the Fiddler," explained Courtney.
"Be safe," Barbara said, concerned for their safety.
"We will, Barbara, don't worry," Cameron answered as they left.
Barbara sighed. She felt as this scenario was too similar to the time when they fought the ISA and were defeated. "I hope everything goes well this time," Barbara wished as she continues doing chores.
THE PIT STOP
Pat was working on upgrading STRIPE while Barry was helping him.
"You should actually work for NASA if you guys have that here, " Barry said while handing tools to him.
"Yeah, we do. I get that a lot, but I like this life better, a normal life," Pat said, interrupted by his phone ringing. He looked at his phone. It was Courtney.
"Court? What is it?" Pat asked.
"Beth and Rick located the Fiddler," Courtney informed.
"And you want me to come and help capture him?" asked Pat skeptically.
"Somewhat like that," Courtney replied.
"Wait, don't go in and attack him. There may be more with him. I got a better idea. You and the team should spy on him first to get information about the ISA and their plans, but if things get serious, then you and the team show yourselves," Pat advised.
"So, you're not coming?"
"No, a giant robot will draw attention. If things get messy, call me, and I will come and help," Pat said.
"Okay," Courtney replied.
"Be safe," Pat said before hanging up.
"What is it?" asked Barry curiously.
"They found an ISA member," said Pat.
"Do they need my help?" Barry asked.
"They will call if they need help," Pat replied.
"All right," Barry said. "How can you feel so calm and not worried about your stepdaughter and her friends every time they do this?" Barry asked coolly.
"I do feel worried. But after seeing Court and her friends in action, seeing them mature, I know I can trust them," Pat replied.
"You all must really trust and love each other," Barry said in wonder.
"She is my daughter, after all, it's normal for a father to care for their children," Pat said. "What about you? You obviously have someone you care about, got a child?"
"Well, I met my daughter, who came from the future. She was erased from the timeline because of a mistake while traveling in time. My wife and I still plan on having her. But, with all that happened, I can't see how I am supposed to be a father while being a hero.
"Well, I can't say I am a good parent, but I know one thing, you will work it out on the way," Pat said encouragingly.
Barry looked at Pat, thinking about what he said. Barry knew that he was right. Barry has been making things up as he goes the entire time. Making a promise to himself, Barry knew that once he managed to get home, he and Iris will get very busy indeed.
OUTSKIRTS OF BLUE VALLEY
"Are you guys in position?" Courtney asked over the com, keeping her voice low.
"Hourman and I are in position," Beth confirmed.
"Great, remember, we don't attack unless they attack," reminded Courtney as Cameron looked over at the Fiddler who had been playing the violin ever since they arrived.
"Understood," replied Rick.
The JSA split into two groups, one group on the one side of the road, surrounding the Fiddler who was playing the violin while standing in the middle of the street. The Fiddler has a mask covering his face while his attire was similar to the Fiddler seen on the ISA group photo in the old ISA headquarters. Then, a truck drove up behind the Fiddler, blocking the road. The doors opened, and the driver stepped out, revealing to be the Gambler and a hooded girl. The hooded figure was carrying a crossbow. The girl was wearing a black mask similar to old Tigress while her outfit had tiger stripes pattern all over it. It was the new Tigress that they faced weeks ago, Tigress Jr.
"Now, this is interesting," Cameron mutters under his breath.
"Where is the shipment?" asked the hooded girl.
"Patience, let's wait for Fiddler to bring in the shipment," the Gambler said.
Then, another truck was driving directly towards them. As the vehicle neared, it stopped right in front of the Fiddler as he continues to play the violin. The door opened, and one man walked down, seemingly in a trance.
"That's all? We are here to get another truck?" asked Tigress Jr.
"Don't you stop asking questions?" asked Gambler, feeling a little irritated.
"Why can't I ask questions, I literally know nothing about this mission. I was ordered here to be your bodyguard," Tigress Jr. ranted.
"Then you better do a good job," said the Gambler as he walked towards the truck while the Fiddler was still playing the violin. "If you must know, we need the equipment if we are going to bring while plans to life again."
"What? Bring their plans to life… again?" Cameron thought to himself. Is his father planning to brainwash the entire world?
"Beth, there is someone still on the truck," Chuck informed. "He is resisting the Fiddler control."
"We need to help him, they are going to kill him," Beth said.
"Icicle..." Courtney motioned.
"Got it," Cameron replied, understanding Courtney's plan. Icicle aimed and shot an ice blast right at the Fiddler knocking him down while Courtney immediately dived in to knock the Gambler away from the truck. Meanwhile, Cameron was taking care of the Fiddler and created a barrier of ice around him, making sure that the Fiddler is trapped.
"Hourman, get the other guy out. Dr. Mid-Nite, contact STRIPE," Courtney said as she sent a blast at Tigress Jr., who was charging towards her and managed to dodge the blast swiftly.
"I'm unable to send a message to STRIPE," informed Chuck as Beth was hiding in the bushes, trying to make a plan.
"We're on our own then," Cameron said as he looked around the area.
Courtney opened the truck's door. "C'mon, we're saving you, get out of the truck!" The person quickly got out.
Meanwhile, Rick ripped off the ISA truck's door, pulling the other guy, who seemed to be still in a trance.
"C'mon, wake up!" Rick said as he shook the person, trying to wake him up. The person eventually woke up, confused by his surroundings. "Go! I'll cover you," Rick said. The person quickly ran as Rick look around, checking for any more victims.
Tigress Jr. shot a few arrows, attempting to hit the superheroine. Courtney manages to deflect them with her staff while charging toward her. Courtney swiftly tries to land a hit on Tigress Jr., but the hooded girl manages to block her attack and throw her off. Courtney fell on the road hard. She got up and saw Tigress Jr. charging towards her. Cameron saw this and quickly blasted Tigress Jr. away from Courtney.
"Team, let's move out!" Courtney ordered as she led the truck driver away from the battlefield. Regrouping with the rest of the team, along with the other truck driver.
"Stargirl! We can't let the ISA get their hands on the equipment!" Beth reminded.
"Way ahead of you," Courtney replied as the staff shot a beam of energy at the truck blowing it up.
"No!" The Gambler yelled in anger. "You meddling kids have messed with us for too long!" The Gambler pulled out a gun and aimed it at them. A high pitch ringing was heard, and the ice dome around the Fiddler began to shatter. The Fiddler was conscious and was walking towards them. Tigress Jr. joined in wiping the frost off her shoulders.
"Face it, you know that you all are outnumbered," Courtney said to the villains.
"You won the battle today, Stargirl, but not the war," The Gambler said, then pointing the gun at the ground, firing a shot. Thick smoke burst from the ground, blinding the JSA. When the smoke has cleared, the Gambler, the Fiddler, and Tigress Jr. have disappeared.
"Stargirl, what do we do with these two?' asked Cameron.
"We get the information we need and leave the rest to the FBI," Courtney said before turning towards the two men that were rescued. The two men were still shocked at what had happened.
"What was in the truck?" Courtney asked.
"We're not allowed to tell anyone about it. It's highly classified NASA equipment," one of the men spoke.
"But we need to know what it is if we are going to help, these guys that captured you are..." Cameron retorted.
"We know about this entire ISA and JSA business going down in Blue Valley, and I'm telling you guys, we can't tell you what it is," the man standing behind the man who was talking interrupted.
"All we can tell you that is highly classified NASA equipment," the man who was standing in front added.
"And we need to know if you are going to help," Rick replied, feeling a little irritated.
"Sorry, we are not at our liability to tell." The two men walked away from the heroes after nodding at them, an act of thanking them.
"Wait, don't you guys need help?" asked Courtney.
"We don't Stargirl, already contacted them, thank you for your help, Stargirl," the man said, before continuing down the road with the other man.
THE PIT STOP
The JSA returned to The Pit Stop and changed back into their civilian clothes before telling what happened to Pat and Barry.
"So, that's all," Courtney finished after telling Barry and Pat about what they found.
"NASA? Seems like they are trying to get something," Barry said.
"But they have Dragon King, don't they?" asked Rick, puzzled.
"When we wiped their previous base, a lot of stuff were still in there and the FBI confiscated them," Beth recalled.
"So, maybe this was to get back their stuff or they needed something else," Cameron added.
"I would think that it was the latter reason," Courtney said as she leaned on the table.
"They are doing it again," Pat said as he came to a realization.
"Doing what again?" asked Barry, knowing nothing about the situation.
"Project New America," Courtney replied.
"To keep things simple, they want to brainwash the country," Beth explained.
"Okay, seen that before," said Barry plainly.
"I'm sure you did," Pat replied.
"I deduce that they are going to hack into somewhere to get the codes like last time," the AI suddenly sounded.
"You mean the time we fought Sportsmaster and Tigress?" asked Courtney.
"Yeah," Beth replied, nodding.
"Wait, Dragon King? Sportsmaster? Who even came up with these names?" asked Barry.
"Don't ask me, ask the person who once called himself Stripesy," Courtney jokingly roasted Pat.
"Court…" Pat chuckles as he rolled his eyes.
"So, what can we do?" asked Cameron.
"Well, as of now, nothing, until we see them on our radar again," Courtney said.
"But… but we can't just wait for something to happen…" Cameron protested.
"Cameron, if we rush into things, one of us might get really injured, like that night," Rick said.
"Rick is right, our mistake last year was rushing into things, the Empire Enterprises was a good example of it, we don't want to repeat that," Courtney agreed with Rick.
"Well, I'm coming with you guys next time," said Barry.
"Me too, with all these things, I'm getting worried for you kids," said Pat.
The conversation was interrupted by Beth, letting out a loud yawn, earning herself looks from the others.
"Sorry, I'm just, really exhausted," Beth said, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"You guys better get some sleep, leave the rest of the night to me and Barry," Pat said.
"All right, Pat, see ya," Rick agreed as the teenagers made their move.
"Goodnight Pat," Courtney said as Cameron followed her quietly.
"Bye, Mr. Dugan," Beth waved before following Rick.
"Hmm… those kids are something," Barry praised as he looks at the group.
"I know, they are special, willing to risk their lives to protect and fight, it is something, rare, especially for their age," Pat said, smiling.
"So, we are patrolling the town?" asked Barry.
"Something like that," Pat replied before being distracted by a sound of something crashing outside the Pit Stop, giving Barry a nod.
Barry quickly suited up while speeding and stopped right outside the Pit Stop and just in time, he saw something he didn't expect to see. A flash of lightning rushed by him, it was a speedster, speeding away.
"You see anything Barry?" Pat called from inside.
"Yeah, and I'm going after it," Barry informed as he sped in the direction of the speedster.
ISA HEADQUARTERS
Steven, Artemis, Isaac were at the meeting room with Jordan, Paula, Larry and Dr. Ito, seated at the table.
"You 3 failed to get the equipment I needed to start building the machine, letting the Justice Society blow it up," Dr. Ito snapped.
"We weren't prepared," Steven protested.
"I told you that you should have sent us, sending our daughter with the musician isn't enough, that boy is just like his mother," Larry told Jordan. Isaac stared at Larry angrily at the mention of his mother.
"Crock," Jordan warned again, and Larry went quiet.
"Artemis and Isaac, I thank the both of you for helping us tonight, and Isaac, please excuse Mr. Crock here, he and your mother didn't get along very well," Jordan said calmly.
"Of course," Isaac acknowledged.
"The two of you may leave," Jordan said, smiling.
Artemis and Isaac got up and left the room. Artemis looked at her parents, who were giving her approving looks. The two teenagers walked out of the room not talking to each other before walking down separate pathway. Artemis turned to see that Cindy was there leaning on the walls of the corridor.
"What are you doing here?" asked Artemis.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" asked Cindy.
"You are trying to spy on the grown-ups?" Artemis asked, chuckling softly.
"Don't you get curious, when they don't let you in on everything?" asked Cindy.
"Well, all I needed to know is they are helping the country," Artemis replied as she walked, Cindy following her.
"Really? Not even a little curious?" asked Cindy suspiciously.
"No…," replied Artemis looking at Cindy. She was giving her that look again, the look of disbelief.
"All right, I'm curious all right? I just don't want to meddle with anything, I trust my parents enough to do the right thing," Artemis confessed.
"Now, that's more like it," Cindy cooed jokingly.
"You're pain in the ass, you know that?" Artemis asked sarcastically.
"Well, you know me," Cindy replied chuckling.
The two girls walked down the corridor, continuing their conversation.
Meanwhile, Jordan, Steven, Ito, Larry and Paula were joined by Zoom, the newest and the anonymous member of the ISA.
"So, did the heroes show up?" the voice asked.
"Yes, the JSA intervened," Jordan replied.
"According to plan then?" asked the voice.
"Not really, the speedster didn't show up," Steven replied.
"You should be thankful he didn't show up, you all are no match for him," the voice replied.
"And you are?" asked Larry sarcastically.
"Yes," the voice said plainly.
"Nevertheless, everything is set in motion, I assume the JSA thinks that we are doing what we did again," Ito interrupted.
"Good, let's continue to make them think that way," the voice said.
"What about the speedsters?" asked Jordan.
"I got eyes on one, the other will soon join the JSA, I'm sure he will. And when everything is ready, we strike and take them and the telepath," the voice continued to explain.
"Understood," Ito said calmly.
"Anything else to add, Jordan?"
"Just keep doing what needed to be done, and don't attract any unneeded attention. Meeting adjourned," Jordan announced to the group.
BLUE VALLEY
Barry rushes through the streets trying to catch up to the speedster in front of him. He followed the speeding figure into the woods, slowly catching up to the speedster. Barry tried not to lose the speedster in front of him, desperately trying to catch him. Barry soon caught up to the speedster and manages catch and hold the speedster down. Barry turned the speedster over, trying to get a glimpse at his face. It doesn't help that they were in the middle of the woods and it was nighttime. Barry couldn't see much of his face at all.
"Who are you? What are you doing spying on us?" asked Barry demandingly, wanting answers.
"Why would I tell you that?" the girl replied, scoffing as she struggles to free herself from Barry's grip. "Let me go!"
Barry was surprised that the speedster was a girl. He wasn't expecting that at all, loosening his grip a little.
"Not until you tell me who are you," Barry said, struggling to hold her down.
The girl quickly got up and kicked Barry in the face, knocking him backward and tried to escape. Barry quickly rushed after her and managed to subdue her again, against a tree. He got a better look at her this time. The girl speedster's suit was dark red with yellow stripes on the arms, there was a red lightning symbol on her suit.
"You are the Flash, aren't you?" asked Barry, trying to get her to talk.
"Look, I'm not telling you anything. Let me go!" The girl demanded while trying to struggle against Barry's strong grip.
"STRIPE, I got the intruder, I may need backup," Barry informed Pat over the coms.
"On my way," Pat replied. "Coming with the robot."
"You think you can hold me?" the girl chuckles sarcastically.
"What are you laughing about?" asked Barry confused.
The next thing Barry felt was a hit to his neck and all was black.
STAR LABS, CENTRAL CITY, EARTH-PRIME
Iris, Cisco, Nash, Caitlin and Chester were in the Cortex, huddled in front of the screen as they received a call from Kara Danvers, who told them dire news.
"What do you mean Brainy is gone?" asked Cisco in disbelief.
"Gone, missing, none of us know where he went," Kara said over the screen.
"How… Does anybody know where Brainy was last night?" asked Caitlin, trying to understand the situation.
"Mia said he was in his lab, working on finding Barry," Kara informed.
"He disappeared in his lab?" Cisco interrupted, his voice was filled with obvious concern and confusion.
"That's a possibility. But the real question is how and why?" asked Kara.
"He must have found out something," Nash concluded.
"But, if he found out something about locating Barry, isn't there is anything we can build on in his lab?" asked Chester.
"Jonz swept his lab, nothing out of ordinary and nothing about finding Barry," Kara said.
"This was a set up," Iris mutters. "Barry disappearance was definitely no accident, neither was Brainy's disappearance."
"But who did this and why?" Chester posed a question.
"It has to be someone smart enough to know about the multiverse and smart enough to evade Stars Lab security systems. I'm gonna upgrade those systems now," Cisco announced as he got up and rushed away. "Chester, Nash, with me," Cisco said. Chester and Nash followed Cisco down the hallway.
"Thanks for informing us, Kara, stay safe," Iris said, after the awkward silence.
"You're welcome, you all stay safe too, bye," Kara said before hanging up.
Iris stared at the screen blankly after Kara hung up. Caitlin looked at her, concerned for her.
"Hey, Iris, are you okay? You look worried," Caitlin asked, placing her hand on Iris shoulder.
"I'm worried, for Barry," Iris admitted miserably.
"We all are, but we can't do anything but hope that he is fine," Caitlin comforted. "Don't worry Iris, he will be fine."
"How do you know?" Iris asked in disbelief.
"Barry has been worse spots than this, he will be fine," Caitlin answered.
"Hope you are right," Iris said with a hint of uncomfortableness in her voice.