Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Arrowverse.

So, I know this chapter is short but it's mostly setup. Next chapter we'll really start to get into the action.

So, a few things that you should probably know before we go further so no one is confused or asks about it later:

Obviously, this does not match up with Flash canon. Aside from the SnowBarry relationship, Henry is still alive, so no Flashpoint. But Zoom was still defeated and Harry and Jesse went back to Earth Two.

Quentin was reinstated as Captain and has spent the last six months working with the district attorney and Team Arrow to clean up SCPD.

Quentin and Donna broke up. It wasn't anything melodramatic or anything, Quentin just pushed her away in his grief for Laurel and the relationship didn't survive. Sorry for those of you who like Donna and like her relationship with Quentin. I can usually tolerate Donna when she's not being hypocritical and controlling but I just don't see how that relationship contributes to the plot at all.

Felicity is still in Star City and still CEO of Palmer Tech but is on the outs with Team Arrow. There's a reason for that and you'll find out why later.

Central City Police Department

Morning

"I'm afraid I'll have to refuse your offer, Ms. Graves." Singh said politely as he leaned back in his chair.

"Come now Captain, you must see that the benefits of this deal far outweigh the cons." Mercy said haughtily.

"Perhaps. But if a condition to this deal is to hunt down the hero who has selfless helped us protect this city for the past two years, I can't in good conscious take it." Singh said firmly.

"I see…have a good day captain." Mercy flashed a smile that was probably meant to be reassuring but just looked predatory.

Mercy walked out of Singh's office and noticed the judgmental, heated glares shot at her by the officers. She smiled smugly at them as she walked out. Barry and Joe stared after her, knowing that this was not over.

Star City

Afternoon

''Mayor Palmer, a Mr. Diggle is here to see you." Ray's secretary told him over the phone.

"Thank you Cindy, send him in." Ray said before hanging up.

After a moment, the door opened and Diggle walked through it, dressed in a business suit. At Ray's encouragement, Diggle closed the door and sat down in the chair across from Ray.

"What is it Ray, you sounded urgent on the phone." Diggle asked concerned.

"I had a visit from an old classmate from prep school today: Lex Luthor." Ray said grimly and Diggle blinked.

"The CEO of Lexcorp?" Diggle asked and Ray nodded.

"He wants my help in waging war against all Metahumans. Yeah, that was my reaction," Ray said upon seeing Diggle's expression, "naturally, I refused. After he left, I found a bug on my desk. I sent it to the police but I'm pretty sure Lex planted it."

"Could he have heard anything incriminating against you?" Diggle demanded, knowing that Ry getting impeached was the last thing the city needed.

"No, the only thing I did before I found it was call you and tell you to get down here. He won't get much from that conversation, especially since I called you by your nickname. But Dig, something really weird is going on here. Lex has always been hungry for power and convinced that everyone was out to get him but this is something else. Lex has an axe to grind with Metahumans; you need to give Barry the heads up." Ray said grimly.

Star City police department

Same time

"I'm telling you captain, this thing is really state of the art." The tech told Quentin as he examined the small microphone.

"Any way we can prove that Lex Luthor planted that in the mayor's office?" Quentin inquired.

"Nothing short of a confession or security footage showing him doing that." The tech said and Quentin nodded in understanding.

Star Labs

Later in the afternoon

"So, Lexcorp is going after Barry? Why?" Wally asked as he and the rest of Team Flash stood in the main room of Star Labs.

"How should I know?" Barry asked slightly annoyed with Wally.

"I'm researching Lex Luthor but nada. The guy's even more of an enigma than Wells, ugg, Thawne." Cisco corrected himself.

"There's gotta be a reason he hates Metahumans. You don't just wake up one day and decide you want to exterminate an entire race." Joe pointed out.

Barry opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Digging it out, he frowned as he saw Diggle's name flash across the screen before he answered it.

"Hey Dig, what's up?" Barry asked after answering the phone.

"Lex Luthor paid Ray a visit today, tried to get him to help him take out all Metahumans, including you." Diggle warned him.

"Well I see they're serious. Mercy Graves, a representative from Lexcorp, came to the station today and offered to supply the anti-Metahuman task force with military grade weapons if they agreed to hunt me down as well. Singh refused." Barry explained.

"Then this isn't an isolated event. Luthor is serious about wiping out Metahumans." Diggle said stunned.

"Seems that way." Barry agreed grimly.

Nanda Parbat

Same time

Oliver and Nyssa spared with swords, appearing to be equally matched. Then Nyssa kicked him in his leg, causing him to be distracted enough for Nyssa to hit him in the chest with the butt of her blade. Oliver fell on his back and Nyssa had her sword at his throat.

"You are distracted." Nyssa noted as she put her sword away.

"Yeah," Oliver admitted as she helped him to his feet, "I know it's stupid but I can't shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen in Star City."

"If you worried, then call your sister." Nyssa suggested and he shook his head.

"It's probably nothing, just my body not reacting well to the peacefulness here. And I left Star City in their hands because I have faith in them, it will look like I don't if I call every time I get paranoid." Oliver pointed out.

"Then you must to relax or it will consume you." Nyssa said before she leaned in and kissed him.

Unspecified location

Night

"So the Central City police refused, as did Ray Palmer," Lex noted to Mercy blankly, "disappointing but irrelevant. Our plans will continue either way."

"Are you certain sir?" Mercy asked curiously.

"Yes, it is time." Lex said as he pressed a button. The wall began to move and revealed a closet. Standing in the closet was a humanoid shape. Lex smiled as it began to move.

So, what do you guys think? Please leave any thoughts or comments you may have in a review, feedback is greatly appreciated.