Here's Part 3. Oh, by the way, for everyone who keeps asking, "When will Barry, Kara, and Oliver find out about each other?" you really have to wait. I can promise you, though, that it will happen soon in this story.
Leave a review after reading, please. (Anything but "update please" or something sounding similar)
Special thanks to Lauriver4ever, Raven of Darkness, and Guest for the recent reviews.
Maxwell Lord's Christmas charity party has come. The party takes place at a building owned by Lord Technologies. Those invited arrived and wearing their best suits/dresses. What caught everyone's attention was the arrival of the Queen family and the Merlyn family. Laurel Lance attended the party as Tommy's plus one. While all cameras and microphones were pointed at the richest families in Silverstone City, a certain teenager enters through the front door. It was Barry Allen. He styled his hair differently and wore a suit with red features.
He pushes the comm-link button hidden in his tie and says, "Guys, I'm in."
"Good. Good," said Wells. "Downstairs is where you need to be."
Suddenly, somebody calls out to Barry.
"Hey, you!"
Barry turns around and sees Maxwell Lord.
"I don't recognize you," said Maxwell. "Who are you?"
"Uh, Sebastian Smythe," said Barry.
"Really?" questioned Max, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm here on behalf of Harrison Wells," said Barry. "He couldn't be here tonight."
Barry takes out a letter and gives it to Maxwell. He reads it and sees Harrison's signature.
"Yep, that's Harry's signature, alright," said Maxwell. "Well, any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Enjoy the party."
Maxwell turns and leaves the young man alone.
"He's a really nice guy in person," said Barry.
"He can be pretty chipper most times," said Wells.
Soon enough, it was time for Maxwell Lord to speak to the crowd. His secretary, Paulina, took the pleasure of introducing him.
"Philanthropist. Industrialist. True friend to the Silverstone faithful. Maxwell Lord."
Maxwell Lord walks up to the stage and takes the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone," greeted Maxwell. "It has been a pretty eventful year. Superheroes. Supervillains. Sometimes, I swear we're living in a comic book."
The crowd laughs, amused.
Maxwell continues. "This party was originally intended to raise awareness of the poor and needy in the Glades, but now it's more than that. After the unfortunate fate of our beloved Mayor Altman, I'm dedicating this party in his honor. He wants to make this city peaceful for all, and that's what I intend to do, starting today..."
While Maxwell continues, Barry takes this opportunity to execute his plan.
"Okay, where do I go?" He asked through his comm-link.
"Downstairs," answered Wells. "After you make it down, you'll find a server room at the end of the hall."
Barry sneaks around the crowd. He accidentally bumps into someone. He apologizes and proceeds, but didn't even look at the person he ran into. If he had looked, he would recognize the man as Oliver Queen. Oliver looked over his shoulder and noticed something familiar about the man walking past the crowd. Barry just kept on walking until he noticed someone in the crowd. He saw a brunette in a black dress who reminds him of someone he knows.
"Barry, what are you waiting for? Staring at some hot girl or something?" asked Cisco.
"You could... say that," replied Barry.
"You can meet her later," said Cisco. "Get going."
Barry heads downstairs and finds the server room. He attaches a little device to a cord, attempting to download Lord Technologies' private database.
"Device is in place," reported Barry.
Suddenly, he heard someone open the door. It was Paulina.
"May I help you, sir?" asked Paulina.
"Oh, uh, I thought the bathroom was here," said Barry. "I... uh... I get lost a lot."
"Men's room is upstairs," explained Paulina.
Wells tells Barry, "You may want to stay upstairs. We'll keep track of the download."
Barry returns upstairs as Maxwell Lord finishes his speech. He was about to grab a drink until someone approached him.
"Look who's a sight for sore eyes."
It was Oliver Queen.
"Mr. Queen, pleasure to meet you," said Barry, pretending not to know him.
"What are you doing here, Barry?" asked Oliver softly, trying to make sure no one is listening. "And why are you acting like you don't know me?"
"I believe you must be mistaking me for someone else," said Barry.
"Who are you then?" asked Oliver, pretending to "play along".
"Sebastian Smythe," answered Barry. "I'm from out of town. I'm attending this party for Dr. Harrison Wells, who, sadly, couldn't be here tonight."
"And what is your relationship with Harrison Wells?" asked Oliver.
"He's a mentor," answered Barry.
"That's funny, because Harrison Wells is also the man who's been taking care of Barry Allen since he was in a coma," said Oliver.
"Well, he is a generous man," said Barry.
"Barry, stop playing games. I know it's you," said Oliver with exasperation in his tone.
"You might want to watch your tone, Mr. Queen," warned Barry, trying to sound like someone different. "I'm not someone you want to trifle with."
"Fine. You wanna play this game? I'll play it with you then," said Oliver, playing along for real this time. "What do you think of Silverstone City so far, Mr. Smythe?"
"Interesting town, really," replied Barry. "Before I came here, I did some research. Silverstone City is one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country. I guess you're all lucky you have the Flash and Supergirl to keep an eye on things. According to everything Cat Grant said about them, they're true symbols of hope."
"And what of The Arrow? From what I hear, he takes care of Silverstone's corrupt wealthy," asked Oliver, referring to his alter ego.
"You mean the man who murdered your mayor? He can rot in a cell for all I care," replied Barry. "He's no hero. He's a criminal. A brute. Unlike Flash and Supergirl, he inspires fear, not hope. This city would be better off without him."
"Some of the world doesn't share your opinion, Mr. Smythe," said Oliver.
"Well, we all have different opinions," said Barry. "It's just hard for me to believe anyone would be worshiping some guy dressed as Robin Hood."
Barry and Oliver glared at each other, until someone broke the silence.
"Lookey here. Barry Allen and Oliver Queen in the same room. Fancy that."
Barry and Oliver turned their heads to see a blonde woman wearing a sparkling blue dress.
"Layla Williams," she said, introducing herself.
Layla shakes hands with Oliver. Oliver's grip was a little tight and Layla noticed.
"Wow. Nice grip, Mr. Queen," said Layla. "If I were you Mr. Allen, I wouldn't pick a fight with him."
"You've misunderstood, ma'am," said Barry, trying to act mature. "The name is Sebastian Smythe."
Oliver asks Layla, "And how do you know us?"
"You don't recognize me, Oliver? Of course, you don't. We never met face-to-face," said Layla.
Oliver was getting suspicious. First, he sees Barry Allen acting like he's different person. Next, he meets a woman who seems to know him and Barry, but he's never seen her before or even heard of her before.
"I'm gonna go grab a drink," said Oliver. "See you later, Mr. Smythe."
After Oliver was out of sight, Barry turns to the woman next to him.
"Caitlin, what are you doing here?" he asked, recognizing her. "And what's with the wig?"
"Nice to see you, too, Barry," greeted Caitlin sarcastically. "I came here to make sure your crazy plan isn't so crazy after all."
"Well, I'm pretty sure Oliver is suspicious right now," said Barry.
"I was trying to bail you out," said Caitlin.
"By pretending to be someone else?" questioned Barry.
"Hey, you're not the only one who can pull this off," said Caitlin.
"Oh, god, please stop. You two argue like a married couple," said Cisco.
"Cisco, why didn't you tell me Caitlin was here?" asked Barry.
"Actually, Barry, we did not know Caitlin would follow you," said Wells.
"By the way, you might to know that the transfer is complete," said Cisco.
Barry heads downstairs while Caitlin wanders off someplace else.
Oliver sees Barry walking downstairs and follows him. After walking down to the floor below, Oliver stopped following Barry when he saw a news report about a burning building. There was a little girl still trapped on the top floor. Oliver wanted to ignore this, but he knew what Laurel would want him to do. He may not consider himself a hero, but Laurel does and he wanted to make her proud.
Oliver turns around and attempts to sneak out of the party undetected.
Barry, meanwhile, heads back to the server room to retrieve the device. However, it was gone. He looks around until he saw someone outside the door, looking at him. It was the woman in a black dress that he saw earlier. She had the device in her hand. She started walking away. Barry chases after her by walking fast. However, he was too late. By the time he followed her outside, she was already aboard a car. The car drives away, leaving Barry disappointed at himself and wondering who the girl is.
Inside the car...
"You got it?" asked Alex.
"Yup," answered Kara, holding the device in her hand.
"That's no the device we gave you," said Alex.
"I may... stole it from someone," admitted Kara. "He was also there to steal information on Maxwell Lord."
A few city blocks away, The Arrow emerges from the burning building with a little girl. He returns her to her mother. The Arrow looks at the crowd of people around him. They were keeping their distance. Suddenly, one 10-year-old boy started to clap. He was followed by the rest of the children. The adults, however, kept their silence. The Arrow fires a grappling arrow to the next building and slingshots himself away from the scene.
December 24 (1 day before Christmas)
District Attorney Cecile Horton was asked to give a statement regarding The Arrow after his heroic act the previous night.
"How do we determine what's good? In a world of politics, good is a conversation, not a unilateral decision," she started. "That's why I urge The Arrow to come to our hearing this afternoon. To see if he deserves a chance to redeem himself after his horrendous act. Does he act by our will? Or by his own? He claims to be trying to save our city? Is it true? Or is it all some personal vendetta?"
At the bunker, Oliver and Laurel were sparring with escrima sticks. Oliver was impressed how much Laurel has learned in a month. She has gotten stronger, faster, and more skilled. Her hand-eye coordination has improved as she blocks and dodges Oliver's attacks.
The two exchange strikes left and right until Oliver kicks Laurel in the stomach, knocking her down. Laurel gets up and continues swinging. She manages to knock one stick away from Oliver's hand. Oliver manages to defend himself despite only holding one stick. He did as Laurel did and disarms her of one stick. The two swing their sticks at each other like they're fencing. In the end, they both had their sticks pressed on each other's throats.
"You're getting better," said Oliver. "At this rate, I might want to consider letting you out into the field as a Christmas gift."
"I think I prefer to stay alive for Christmas," said Oliver.
"I'm just saying that you're learning fast," said Oliver. "Faster than I have."
"Well, you were a billionaire who loves parties and girls, so it's no surprise really," said Laurel.
Oliver rolls his eyes and sighs.
"So, the hearing, are you gonna go?" asked Laurel.
"Unless it's a trap, no," said Oliver.
"I don't think it's a trap," said Laurel.
"Laurel, they believe I killed the mayor. Why on earth would they give me a chance to defend myself?" said Oliver.
"I've met DA Horton before. She's a well-meaning person. If this was her idea, then I trust her," said Laurel.
"Even if I go, what would I say?" asked Oliver. "Just telling them I didn't kill the mayor just makes me guilty."
"I'm not gonna tell you what to say," said Laurel. "You're gonna go to that hearing and speak from your heart. Don't deny. Don't admit. Just tell them what you think is the right thing to say."
"I don't know if I can do it, Laurel," said Oliver. "Besides, they're partially right. I'm no hero."
"Tell that to the little girl you saved last night," said Laurel. "Oliver, you may not be a symbol of justice like Flash and Supergirl, but you are a hero. You're a hero to me. One day, this city will see you for who you really are. Going to this hearing is the first step. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me."
"You know I can never say no to you," smiled Oliver.
"That's because I know you, Ollie," said Laurel.
Meanwhile, a man on a wheelchair named John Corben was held up in Iron Heights.
"Hey, Corben, you made bail," said a guard.
"Who paid?" asked Corben.
...
Corben was taken to an abandoned warehouse in a wheelchair, where his bailer was. He walks inside and finds someone sitting on a wheelchair, back turned. The wheelchair turns around, revealing a masked woman with snow white hair.
"John Corben, am I right?" she started.
"Who are you?" asked Corben.
"Just a victim of Harrison Wells' ambition," answered Killer Frost.
"What do you want?" asked Corben.
"Let's recap, shall we?" said Killer Frost. "You were an assassin sent here to Silverstone City to assassinate Lena Luthor. You were stopped by The Arrow on December 5th, the day you made your move. The place where you and The Arrow fought was a worn-out warehouse. Your scuffle caused the place to collapse on you. Five broken ribs. Torn ligaments on both your knees. Dislocated shoulders. It's amazing you survived."
"So?" asked Corben.
"I know how you can make The Arrow pay," said Killer Frost. "The first thing you need is to appear at his hearing this afternoon."
"I heard about that," said Corben. "Is he even gonna come?"
"Oh, he will come," said Killer Frost confidently. "By the way, this wheelchair is for you. I thought maybe your arms are tired from spinning your wheels all day."
Meanwhile, at Silverstone City Museum, Kara Danvers was talking to some art critics while she waits for the curator. In order to hide in plain sight, not only did she dye her hair completely brown like yesterday but she also wore a dress that shows some skin and went by a different name. Marley Rose.
"Ms. Rose," called the curator. "This way, please."
The curator takes Kara to what she was looking for.
"Here it is. The Jade Sword," he said. "Enjoy."
"Thank you," said Kara.
The curator leaves Kara to enjoy the artifact. Someone walks her way.
"It's a fake," he said. "The real one was sold in '98 on the black market. Now it hangs..."
"Over the bed of the Sultan of Hajar," interrupted Kara.
Kara turns around and looks at the face of the man who approached her.
"Sebastian Smythe, I presume," said Kara. "I'm Marley Rose."
"You're lying," said Barry. "For one thing, my name's not Sebastian either."
"Seems we're both in the same line of work," said Kara. "Excuse me."
Kara walks away. Barry puts his arm around her and walks with her.
"Excuse me, miss," he said. "Last night, you took something that doesn't belong to you. Stealing is not polite."
"Is it stealing if you steal from another thief?" asked Kara.
"Who are you?" asked Barry, dismissing her question.
"Someone interested in the same man you are," said Kara.
"Is that right?" questioned Barry.
"I believe Maxwell Lord is involved in some sort of scandal and I intended to find proof," said Kara.
"Did you get it?" asked Barry.
"Yeah," answered Kara. "He's clean. He's no suspect. Someone used Lord Technologies' mainframe to mask his or her involvement. What about you? Why'd you try to hack into his system?"
"You heard of Captain Cold? He's threatening Maxwell Lord," said Barry. "The woman he works for wants something called Project Kr."
"I tried to access it. It's heavily encrypted," said Kara. "Excuse me."
Kara was about to walk away, but Barry stopped her by grabbing her hand.
"You know, I never really pegged you as the kind who likes to wear seductive clothing," said Barry. "Kara Danvers."
"Well, it helps distract men," said Kara flirtatiously. "What about you? You act like a bad boy just to mask your true identity. Seems effective."
"I bet that, in that dress, nine out of ten men let you get away with anything," said Barry.
"And you're the tenth?" questioned Kara.
"I'm guessing I might be the first to see through that babe-in-the-woods act," said Barry. "You don't know. I've known a few women like you."
Kara looks at Barry in the eye with a smile on her face. "I don't think you've met a woman like me."
Kara playfully adjusts Barry's bow tie.
"You want the drive," guessed Kara.
"Yes, I do," said Barry.
Kara reaches into her purse and takes out the drive, giving it back to Barry.
"I hope you're satisfied," said Kara before walking away. "Mr. Allen."
Barry watched Kara walk away. He was beginning to wonder what this meeting meant and how it will affect their friendship going forward. She knows that he's not some dorky nerd from school, and he knows she's not some ditzy CatCo intern.
In the Smoak household, Felicity was, as usual, on her laptop, doing what she does best. Hacking. Suddenly, a streak of yellow lightning zooms into the room, causing the papers on her table to fly all over place. Felicity turns her head and gasps in surprise at the sight of who is in her house. It was the Flash.
"Felicity Smoak," greeted Flash, disguising his voice.
"The Flash," said Felicity, amazed to be talking to him. "The Flash is in my house. The Flash is in my house."
"Okay, calm down," said Flash.
Felicity was hyperventilating and fanning herself with her hand.
"Ms. Smoak, I don't have a lot of time, so can you please calm down," pleaded Flash.
"One second," said Felicity.
Felicity takes out her phone, stands next to the Flash, and takes a selfie.
"Okay, I'm calm now," said Felicity. "So, what are you doing here?"
Flash takes out a drive and an earpiece and gives them to her. "I need you hack into a file called Project Kr. When you're in, contact me. Just promise me you won't show this to anyone. This is my business."
"Flash business. Got it. You can trust me," said Felicity.
Flash leaves the house in super speed, once again causing the papers to fly everywhere.
"That's... awesome," said an amazed Felicity.
At Lord Technologies, Maxwell Lord was talking to Malcolm Merlyn on the phone, until the lights went out.
"I may need to call you back," said Maxwell before hanging up.
Luckily, he keeps a gun in a drawer. When the door opened, an beam of ice came in and froze the gun in his hands, causing him to let it go. Coming into the room is Killer Frost, along with Captain Cold and Golden Glider.
"How did you get in here?" asked Maxwell.
"Well, for one thing, we didn't bring our hot-headed brute," said Golden Glider, referring to Heat Wave.
"What do you want?" asked Maxwell.
"Before I answer that question, let's talk about what you want," said Killer Frost.
"And what prey tell do you think I want?" asked Maxwell.
"You want to discover Supergirl's secret identity," said Killer Frost. "Well, we're giving you a way to find her."
"You're gonna like this, Maxy," said Captain Cold.
The Snart twins put a small metal crate on Maxwell's desk and open it, revealing the device inside.
"What is it?" asked Maxwell.
"This device's sole purpose is to detect alien DNA," said Killer Frost.
"And what do you want in exchange?" asked Maxwell.
"My partner and I are only in it for the money," said Captain Cold, referring to himself and his sister. "Our cold-hearted compadre here, on the other hands, wants something from you."
"Project Kr," said Killer Frost.
"And if I refuse?" asked Maxwell.
"I have proof that you forced Ethan Knox to blow up the airport and your train. Say no and the city knows that their favorite son is a murderer," threatened Killer Frost.
All Maxwell could do was think. A way to find out Supergirl's true identity is being served to him on a silver platter, if a silver box counts. All he has to do is let Killer Frost gain access to Project Kr, but he was reluctant. He knows that Killer Frost is serious about revealing his involvement in Ethan Knox's bombing attempts.
In the end, Maxwell chose to take Killer Frost to Project Kr. He takes her to the building's secret basement. He places his hand on the print scanner to open the door. Inside is a woman, comatose, lying down on a medical bed. She looked like Supergirl.
"She has Kryptonian DNA, right?" asked Killer Frost.
"Half her DNA is Kryptonian," answered Maxwell.
"That's all I need," said Killer Frost. "Leave. I need to do this alone."
Maxwell leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Killer Frost approaches the girl.
"Look at you. Reduced to a science experiment for a megalomaniac," said Killer Frost. "At least, now, you have a purpose to serve."
She then coats the tip of her finger with sharp ice, preparing for the operation.
I thought a nod to Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist's previous roles on Glee would a harmless addition. So, what do you think?