"How are things going, Cait?" Barry asked, not so confidently. He was back by the bank that Puppetmaster "robbed". It was now 3 in the afternoon, about 12 hours since Iris was taken. There were still some police and reporters here, but it was pretty empty. The road was still wrecked, as was the bank. He knew Puppetmaster would probably see him here. Cisco was beside him, looking around.
"I think okay." Caitlin said. She was still by Ralph, who was slowly waking up. She was looking around the perimeter of the bank, seeing nothing. Joe, Cecile, and Jenna were in the Cortex, waiting. Ralph opened his eyes.
"Am I dead?" He asked. Caitlin jumped and ran to the lab. Ralph tried to get up. "Hi Caitlin, are you dead too?"
"No Ralph. You're not dead, you're at S.T.A.R. Labs. You got hit with some of Puppetmaster's acid and you fell into a coma for a little bit."
"Oh jeez. Has anything happened while I've been out?" He looked around, noticing Barry and Cisco were back at the bank. Joe, Jenna, and Cecile were in the Cortex. He started to get up.
"No! Ralph, you can't go out and fight right now you were just in a coma!" Caitlin scolded, she pushed Ralph's chest down. He frowned.
"I have to help them, though. I have to go be a hero."
"Listen Ralph, Puppetmaster is controlling Iris. He made her stab Barry. It's not safe. And, it's not good for your health. Just sit this this one out, okay?"
"I can't just not do anything and watch." Ralph admitted. Caitlin smiled sweetly.
"I know. Just sit this one out." He nodded, and looked back up at her. Both their eyes lingered at each other's for a second.
"Caitlin!" Joe exclaimed. She broke eye contact with Ralph, and ran back into the cortex.
"What's wrong?" She rushed, pulling the monitors and security cameras back up. Puppetmaster, Thorn, Iris, and the bodyguards were all there. They looked about 100 feet from Barry and Cisco. Iris was back in the marionette costume, just without a mask and wig. She had another weapon now, it looked like an umbrella. Her eyes had the optical illusion flashing in them. She looked more controlled than the last time Barry saw her. Joe gasped. He gave Jenna back to Cecile, who bounced her lightly. Ralph stretched his neck to see the screen. He thought that Barry and Cisco were outnumbered. His face dropped and he looked around to try to find an exit.
Barry looked at Iris, who was just standing there. He has another chance to bring her back. He can do it this time, he promised Joe. Puppetmaster smirked at him.
"Nice to see you again Puppetmaster." Barry taunted. "Let Iris go. This has gone on long enough."
"I'm sorry Flash, we can't do that." Thorn replied snarkily, walking in front of Puppetmaster. Puppetmaster looked annoyed at him.
"Why do you even have her? What's your endgame?" Barry questioned, Cisco getting his hands ready.
"Isn't it obvious? You can't fight her back." Puppetmaster boasted. Thorn hit him on the arm and whispered to him.
"We'll see about that." Cisco smiled. He whispered to Barry, "I'll handle Iris. I can hit her, you get the big guys."
"Okay, thank you Cisco." Barry said. They focused back on Puppetmaster. Barry sped up to him and punched Puppetmaster in the jaw. Puppetmaster reacted and took his cane. He jabbed at Barry, but he missed. Cisco shot a blast at Thorn, but he dodged. Thorn started calling trees toward him. He shot branches at Cisco. The branches were so sharp they scratched through Cisco's costume. Iris started running toward Barry. She swung at him with her umbrella. She nipped him a couple of times with the blade.
"Iris! You have to stop! It's Barry! Please Iris. Please." He pleaded. He tried to speed-grab her hands, but Puppetmaster knocked Barry on the back of his head with his cane. Barry collapsed. Iris tried to stab him but Puppetmaster held her back. They walked away from the unconscious Barry. Meanwhile, Thorn had wrapped vines around Cisco's neck. Cisco choked, unable to get away from the plant villain. Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Ralph went down the elevator. He had snuck past Caitlin, Joe, and Cecile. He was now going to help his friends. They were in danger and needed his help. He didn't care about the costs. He hurried to stretch across town to the bank. He went as fast as he could, Barry and Cisco's lives being in Ralph's hands. He finally arrived at the bank. He stretched a punch toward Thorn. Thorn's eyes widened as he went down, hard. Cisco fell on the ground and took a gasp for air.
"Ralph what did I tell you! Come back here, now!" Caitlin scolded on the comms. Ralph shook his head.
"I can't," He replied. "I'm being a hero." Barry's speed-healing eventually caught up with him, and he got up. He looked at Iris. Her eyes were held in a death stare. This was worse than last time, she wouldn't wake up. Puppetmaster started to grab his cane, but Ralph uppercutted him. The only villain left was Iris. Ralph and Cisco stepped back to let Barry handle it. At S.T.A.R. Labs, the rest of the team watched intently, Joe especially.
"Iris! Iris! Wake up, it's Barry, okay! It's your husband, Barry!" He shook his cowl off, and he walked towards her. She stayed cautious, and tried to step back. Barry kept walking towards her.
"Your name is Iris Ann West-Allen. We were married November 27, 2017. We've been best friends since we were 10. Please look at me and remember." He begged her to look at him. She turned her head a little in his direction."I love y-"
His declaration of love was interrupted by Puppetmaster. Puppetmaster yelled out in pain, and snapped his fingers. Iris fell on the ground. Barry gasped, racing towards Puppetmaster. Then, Ralph's eyes twisted into a black and white hypnotic illusion. Like Puppetmaster's. Ralph started attacking Cisco. Caitlin jumped on the comms.
"It's because he was hit by the acid! Barry, you have to knock Ralph out and bring him to S.T.A.R. Labs now!"
"Caitlin we almost have Iris!" Barry retorted, trying to get Ralph away from Cisco while holding back the villains. He was also staring at Iris.
"I'm so sorry, Barry, but this is a situation. You won't be able to get Iris if Cisco is dead!" Barry shook his head, and sped punched Ralph to the ground. He then sped them both back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Caitlin ran Ralph and Cisco to the lab. Barry cursed again. Jenna woke up and started crying, Cecille shushed her and ran her to the lounge to feed. Joe looked at Barry, sad and furious at the same time. Barry looked up at him, crying.
"I lost her Joe. I lost her again. What if we can't get her back? What if they-the-they kill her?" Barry started sobbing then, and Joe grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Afraid this was the only child he had left.