Disclaimer: I do not own DC Comics or the CW TV shows Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow or any other characters or elements pertaining to the mentioned franchises.
Queen Consolidated Applied Science Division
Oliver and Diggle entered the building as Zehra stood at the wrecked door with Quentin.
"This door was made of expanded reinforced titanium." Diggle said. "What did they use to do this?"
"Not sure yet. No sign of any explosives. Maybe a crane, maybe a forklift." Quentin said as he walked down the hall. "I'm guessing there was at least three of them, maybe four. And given how quickly they got in and out of here – they were fast." He, Oliver, Diggle and Zehra were looking around the warehouse. "Any idea, what these guys were so hot to break in here for? You didn't happen to have a spare earthquake machine lying around, would you?" Quentin quipped before realizing what he had said as Oliver shot him an unamused glare. "Sorry."
"This is what we were able to pull off the security cameras." Kelton said as he showed Oliver, Quentin, Diggle and Zehra his tablet with the footage of a masked man standing over two guards lying on the floor before throwing a box at the direction of the camera as the feed ended.
"Whoa." Zehra gasped.
"He was the only guy we got on video. The rest of the crew must have come in after him." Kelton said.
"Actually, it was only one guy." A young man with short dark brown hair and black coat said from behind them as they turned around, while the man stepped up from the shadow with his tablet. "Sorry I'm late, but actually, my train was late. Well, the second one. The first one I did miss but that was my cab driver's fault. I've got this great traffic app and… but he thought he was right. I'm here now, so—"
"Great. Who the hell are you?" Quentin asked dryly.
"And do your parents know you're here?" Oliver added.
"I'm Barry Allen." The man said as he showed them his ID. "I'm from Central City Police Department. I'm with the Crime Scene Investigation unit. We're working on a case with some similar unexplained elements in Central City, so when the report of your robbery came over the wire, my captain sent me up here."
"And you think one guy ripped through this door like it was tinfoil?" Quentin asked sarcastically.
"One very strong guy, yeah." Barry nodded before looking at his tablet. "It takes about 1,250 pounds of torque to break someone's neck." He showed them a picture of a corpse in a morgue. "You see the marks on the guard's neck? The bruising pattern suggests the killer used only one hand." Oliver looked at the picture, lost in his own thoughts. "I'm guessing you don't know how hard it is to break someone's neck." He asked Oliver.
"Hmm? No, no idea." Oliver shook his head.
"We're gonna need a list of the entire inventory here to figure out what was stolen." Kelton said.
"Actually, I think what was stolen." Barry said. "A centrifuge. An industrial centrifuge. Probably the Kord Enterprises 2BX 900. Maybe the six series." They followed him to a concrete base, which seemed to have been attached to something but was ripped out. "Both have a three-column base. Here, you can see the three sets of broken bolts, where the thief just ripped it out of the ground."
"And what exactly is a centrifuge?" Quentin asked.
"Basically, it separates liquids mixed together, when the device rotates around." Zehra said as they stared at her. "I got A from chemistry."
"And it moves lighter objects to the top." Barry said as she smiled before he focused on the task. "You can see the cracks heading to the door? Footsteps. One guy." Oliver knelt down, measuring the tracks and looking at the column base. "Anyway, it's just a theory. One backed by a lot of evidence."
"There has to be another explanation." Quentin said skeptically.
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Barry said before Oliver got up and turned around to face Quentin.
"What do you think, Oliver?"
Oliver gave Quentin a grim look. "Honestly, I hope it's not what I think it is. For mine and Sara's own sake."
Three years ago, South Africa
"Where's Henry?" Sara asked as she was meeting Richard outside.
"They think he's dead… but I staged it." He assured her. "But you need to play along."
Turner and the mercs were loading guns as they entered the cars.
Present, the Lair
Chloe reviewed the footage as Oliver, Sara, Henry and Diggle stared. "Holy…"
"How can that guy be so strong?" Chloe asked.
"And why would he want the centrifuge?" Henry asked as Sara turned to Oliver.
"You're not thinking—"
"I hope it's not." Oliver said grimly.
"What?" Henry asked, confused.
Diggle then looked at his phone, checking the mail. "I just got the final inventory from Applied Sciences. That CSI kid from Central City was right. The only thing missing is that centrifuge."
"What was his name again?" Chloe inquired.
"Barry Allen." Oliver said as Chloe widened her eyes, while she and Henry stared at each other.
"Barry?"
"Allen, isn't he that weird geek kid, who keeps claiming that—"
"Yeah." Chloe nodded quickly.
"You know him?" Sara asked as Chloe nodded, sighing and wiping her face.
"Yeah. I should have known he would look into something that would seem weird." She took a breath. "Before I joined the Agency, I was working as a cop in Central City for three years. Barry was working there as an assistant CSI. He's always been obsessed with the unexplainable."
"How so?" Oliver asked as Chloe sighed.
"Thirteen years ago, his father murdered his Mom. But Barry's been keeping on insisting with one and the same story."
"Which was?" Diggle asked.
"That some kind of a blur burst into their house, in which was a man and Barry's father was trying to fight it. Barry tried to help but suddenly, he was twenty blocks away from the house. Henry Allen was charged with murder of wife Nora. There were fingerprints on the knife. Barry's been trying to solve the impossible since then, he keeps believing that his Dad is innocent. But… all the evidence proves contrary." Chloe said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"And what do you think?" Sara asked.
"Barry's a smart, determined kid." Chloe admitted. "He's a good detective… and yeah, there are weird things out there but… honestly… he can't prove that his Dad is innocent, no matter how hard he tries. I… don't know. Maybe he can help with this but… I don't want to see him get hurt. I'll talk to him later."
Later, Queen Consolidated Applied Science Division
"Barry!" Chloe said as Barry turned around.
"Chloe, hey!" They hugged each other as Chloe kissed him on his cheek. "What are you doing here?"
"I work in Verdant. I've heard you're in Starling." Chloe said. "I needed to make sure. I didn't know that there was a similar case in Central City."
"Well, I…" Barry hesitated as Chloe sighed and gave him a hard look.
"Barry, tell me the truth. What are you doing here? I know you lied to Singh about being sick."
Barry stammered. "Well… I—"
"Don't worry, I haven't told Joe anything but I checked in and there's no similar case there." Chloe said. "I need you to be honest with me. Is it about finding the impossible?"
Barry stared at her for a moment before he deflated. "Chloe, you know why I need to do this."
"I get it. Barry, I really do." She assured him. "But you lied to Joe and Singh and you're interfering with the police investigation, do you realize how much trouble you could get into?"
"Chloe, what I saw that night was just as real as the man, who ripped the metal door with his bare hands." He pointed towards the door. "You know this is not possible." Chloe sighed. "Are you gonna turn me in?"
Chloe sighed again. "No. But I'm keeping an eye on you, just to keep you out of trouble and as soon as we sort this case out, you're going back to Central City, end of discussion." Barry nodded as he smiled. "Let's get to work." They turned to the computer.
The Lair
Henry hung up the phone as he turned to Oliver. "Chloe called me. She has a lead on our guy, on the dirt on his boot are traces of sugar. There's a sugar refinery two miles away from here and guess what; their truck matches the make and model of the one, that our thief used."
"Can you track the vehicle?" Oliver asked as Henry turned to the computer.
"It was just used to steal thirty thousand ccs of O-negative."
"So, he has super-strength, likes blood, please, don't tell me we suddenly believe in vampires." Diggle groaned.
"Let's go." Sara said.
Later, Starling City
The Arrow and the Canary drove with their bikes behind the truck as the Arrow shot down the side mirrors as the Arrow and the Canary tried to flank the driver, jumping from each side to the door but the driver managed to push them both out as both vigilantes were barely able to grab hold onto the truck as the Arrow and the Canary climbed in and tried to pummel the driver from both sides but the driver managed to force the Arrow out with one punch.
The Canary widened her eyes in shock as the Arrow managed to get hold onto a windshield. She wanted to assist her partner but the man punched through the glass and grabbed the blonde before the Arrow stabbed him in the leg with his arrow as he crawled back inside but the man threw the Arrow out with one punch as the Canary jumped down from the truck in worry to approach her partner, whose fall was softened by garbage bags.
Later, the Lair
Oliver screamed in pain as Sara taped his wound. "Sorry, Ollie."
"What was that?" Diggle asked. "Was it like…" He paused as Sara and Oliver looked at him, then Oliver nodded.
"Yeah."
"What?" Henry asked as he and Chloe stared, confused and not following.
"We've seen men with abilities like these before." Sara explained.
"Wait a minute, you mean, he's like Slade Wilson?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah." Oliver nodded.
"You said you burned the serum, Oliver." Diggle pressed.
"And you killed Anthony." Sara added.
"As well as Slade." Oliver agreed.
"Then, who and how did he get the formula for Mirakuru?" Sara asked.
"And what does he want with it?" Chloe added.
"He stole a centrifuge and a large supply of blood." Oliver listed. "Someone wants to make more of it. A lot more."
"There's a third component; a large sedative." Sara said.
Oliver showed Henry and Chloe the arrow with warped tip. "I need you guys to analyze the blood on the arrowhead, see if you can find out what sedative they're using."
"Maybe Barry can help." Chloe suggested as Oliver and Sara stared. "I trust him, OK? He's a good kid."
"OK." Oliver said reluctantly. "If you think so."
Three years ago, South Africa
The mercs went out from the trucks as Sara grabbed her batons as they entered nearby caverns. "What is this place?" Sara asked.
"Something… mysterious." Richard said. "Beyond explanation."
As they were going deeper, the darkness kept consuming them as Sara felt uncomfortable before one of the mercs started to scream and shoot around frantically as he panicked as the rest were watching a fast shadow moving around.
Present, Queen Consolidated Applied Science Division
"Chloe, where did you get the blood sample?" Barry asked.
"I have a friend in SCPD." She explained. "It was extracted from one of the arrows the Hood uses."
"You're kidding." Barry laughed as he climbed down from the ladder. "That the vigilante is working the same case we are! Go figure. Why did you leave the force?"
Chloe sighed. "I wanted something more. Making the world a better place."
"What do you do now?" Barry asked as she chuckled.
"More or less the same job. Just on a different scale." Then, she got a message from Oliver. "You want to head to a party tonight?"
The Lair
Sara picked up her phone, noticing it was Sin calling. "Yeah?"
"Sara, I need your help, it's my friend Max. He went missing. I haven't seen him in a week, no one has. Something happened to him."
Sara sighed and wiped her face. "Look, I've got a lot on my plate right now but I'll help as soon as I can."
"Sara, I…" Sin sighed. "OK. Thanks."
"Don't worry. We'll find him." Sara promised as she hung up.
Later, Queen Manor
Oliver, Sara, Thea, Chloe, Roy and Barry were at a party at the almost empty manor as Oliver danced with Sara, Thea danced with Roy and Chloe danced with Barry.
"You've grown up, have you, Barr?" Chloe teased.
"Yeah." Barry laughed as Chloe stared.
"Look, I know you're just trying to help but I don't want you to get into more trouble than you already are, OK?"
"I'll… do my best." Barry said as Chloe smiled.
"You really believe that there was a man in yellow that night?" Chloe asked honestly as Barry nodded without hesitation.
"Why do you ask now? You've never believed me."
Chloe sighed. "Let's just say that I've seen some things that you can't explain. Maybe it's time to give your father the benefit of the doubt."
Oliver saw Isabel and Moira talking together as he could gather it was not a pleasant conversation.
Three years ago, South Africa
Two men were killed as they saw two swift flashes of light that cut right through their chests as everyone stared in shock.
"Keep your eyes open!" Turner ordered. "Everything that moves, kill!"
Sara was nervous but tried to stay calm as they were walking down the cavern before the mercs started to scream and shoot around before being killed by shadows and Sara panicked as they all were moving forward, while being slaughtered, vainly shooting at their foes hidden in darkness.
Present, Queen Consolidated Applied Science Division
"Ketamine, huh?" Chloe frowned as Barry nodded. "Thanks, Barry." She shook hand with him.
"You didn't tell Singh I—"
"No." Chloe said. "I like you like a brother, OK? You're my friend and I'll be damned before I let you get fired from your favorite job."
Barry smiled. "Thanks, Chloe."
Three years ago, South Africa
Sara, Richard and Turner and a couple of mercs kept running forward, not looking back as their companions were being slaughtered before they couldn't hear the screams anymore.
"What was that?" Sara asked.
"I don't know." Richard admitted. "But apparently, we're uninvited guests."
"Spooked out, Miss Lance?" Turner gloated.
"No." Sara snapped as they moved forward and saw the light and as they took a look, they all widened their eyes to the sight of a hidden city under the cavern.
Present, the Lair
"Barry said that there were traces of Ketamine in our guy's system." Chloe informed.
"It's a common anesthesia that comes from hydrochloric salt." Sara added.
"Can you use that to track him?" Oliver asked.
"There's only one possible location in Starling City, with how much of the sedative he had and the amount of blood he stole." Henry said as Chloe showed the image on the screen.
"A covert A.R.G.U.S disaster bunker on the edge of the Glades for the worst-case scenarios. They have hideouts like these all over the country. Supplies full of food, clothing…"
"Medicine." Diggle finished.
Henry then showed Oliver and Sara the arrow with warped tip. "Look, be careful. This guy is definitely not human. The way this arrow was bent, your guy may as well have skin made of rock. I mean, you might slow him down but I'm not sure you can stop him."
"I've beat someone like this before, Henry." Oliver assured him. "I can do it again."
"And this time, he's not alone." Sara added as Oliver turned to her. "It's not gonna end up like the last time, Ollie, I'm not the same person anymore."
Oliver nodded reluctantly before Diggle turned to the screen and Oliver noticed a red fletchette sticking out of a utility pole.
Later, outside Verdant
"What?" The Arrow asked Roy as he and the Canary approached him.
"I need your help." Roy explained. "A friend of mine's friend, the cops think he OD'd but we think he was murdered."
"Why?" The Canary inquired.
"Well, he wasn't an addict for starters and this…" Roy showed them his cellphone with a photo of a dead man shedding blood tears as the blood of the Arrow and the Canary ran cold. "That doesn't look like any OD I've ever seen."
"Stay away from that." She snapped.
"You two know something?" Roy asked. "What happened to him?" He glared at the Arrow as neither he or the Canary replied. "You told me to be your eyes and ears on the streets. You know what, that is not good enough for me anymore." He growled.
"Fine." The Arrow snapped. "Then we're done altogether." He and the Canary turned around.
"I don't need you two!" Roy exploded. "I have friends, that can help me. You can't stop us."
Roy turned around and started to walk away.
"Slow you down." The Arrow growled as he spun around and fired an arrow at Roy's leg, who screamed out as he fell on the ground, while noticing how the Canary was staring at him. "Don't look at me like—"
"I was only gonna say that you beat me to it." The Canary said. "And I think I should have a pointed conversation with Sin later."
"Agreed." The Arrow nodded.
Queen Manor
Moira was facing Malcolm in the living room as she informed him that she had turned him in to Ra's al Ghul as Malcolm smirked before walking away.
"This isn't finished, Moira."
Later
The Arrow and the Canary scoured the warehouse before dodging a flying crate that hit a shelf next to them as the Arrow fired above at the masked man on the catwalk, who dodged and jumped down, engaging the two vigilantes, who dodged his punch before the Arrow restrained him with a bola arrow to a support pole as the cables wrapped around the thief's neck.
"Who are you?" The Arrow demanded.
"Merely a follower." The masked man replied.
"Of who?" The Canary growled.
"My brother." The masked man said cryptically.
"Did he give you the Mirakuru? Did he inject you with it?!" The Arrow snarled.
"No, he saved me with it." The masked man said before he ripped the cables around his throat and was about to attack the vigilantes.
The Arrow fired two more arrows that pinned the thief's feet to the floor. The man roared and threw a punch but the Canary dodged and hit him in the head. Both vigilantes were attacking in sync the masked man but he managed to disarm the Arrow and knock the Canary down on the floor as she slid down, dazed as she hit the shelves and some equipment fell on her head, knocking her out.
The Arrow kept fighting the masked man but he managed to dodge and break the arrows that restrained him before sending the Arrow to the ground with a strong punch to his chest as he slid down the aisle. The masked man then neared the Arrow as he kicked, sending the Arrow flying upwards as he hit the vent above and as he was falling down, the masked man threw another punch, sending the archer flying to a shelve full of medical supplies as he passed out with two syringes sticking out of his knee.
Chloe, Henry and Diggle entered the warehouse, waking Sara up. "What happened?" Henry asked.
"Ollie…" Sara realized as she got up on her feet and they neared him, seeing the syringes sticking out from his leg. "He took me out and then—"
Henry touched Oliver's neck. "He's got a weak pulse. Come on, Ollie, wake up!"
Chloe opened his eyes. "Dilated pupils."
"What was that?" Sara examined the syringes as Henry went to the computer but it was trashed.
"Damn it. Without it, we don't know what was he injected with." Then, they saw Diggle pulling out his phone. "Dig, what are you doing?"
"Calling 911."
"Dig, no, no!" Chloe stopped him. "I know someone who can help!"
Starling City Bus Terminal
Barry was sitting alone on the bench with his briefcase before he felt a dart hitting his neck as he passed out.
The Lair
As Barry came to, in front of him stood Chloe, with a desperate look in her eyes. "Barry, I need your help."
So, what do you guys think?
Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this and want for me to continue.