It's time to see the fallout of the previous chapter. What will Caitlin say to Barry about Wells? What will Tommy think about Laurel being the Black Canary? What happens with Supergirl and her aunt Astra? Read, find out, and enjoy.
Leave a review after reading, please. Feedback is always appreciated.
Special thanks to Chevalier Lecteur, NeoTyson, CallMeMiles, Immortalman18, Aragorn II Elessar, and Madmax for the recent reviews.
To Madmax: I'm still thinking about adding Nyssa here.
Cisco and Caitlin were in the cortex, secretly watching Barry and Iris talk at the treadmill room via cameras. Iris was clearly mad at Barry for keeping his identity as The Flash a secret from. Barry tries to justify his reasons for keeping it a secret. Cisco and Caitlin felt like they were watching a soap opera drama and Barry and Iris were like an arguing married couple.
"I'm not angry Barry. I'm just disappointed," said Iris. "You're my best friend. You shouldn't keep secrets from me."
"I had to keep you and Joe safe," said Barry.
"By lying to us?" questioned Iris.
"Believe me, Iris. I was gonna tell you. There were so many times I wanted to tell you," said Barry. "But then the Reverse Flash came and... I couldn't put you at risk."
"You mean like Eddie?" questioned Iris.
"We will find him, Iris. I promise you," said Barry.
"Well, until you and your friends can find him, don't talk to me," said Iris.
Barry sighs, disappointed at him.
"But one more question, Barry," said Iris. "Caitlin. You know she's Killer Frost. You know all the horrible stuff she's done. Why not turn her over to the authorities?"
"Ronnie came back, remember?" reminded Barry. "She's trying to make amends."
"Ever the hero, huh, Barry?" asked Iris.
Iris walks out of the room and out of the cortex. Cisco and Caitlin had to act casual so Iris wouldn't know that they've been watching. While Caitlin sold the act, Cisco's pretend phone call was poorly acted. Iris didn't care if they were listening or not. She just left. Barry comes back feeling crestfallen.
"You guys were listening, weren't you?" guessed Barry.
"Barry, if you wanted to turn me in, you would've done it last Christmas," said Caitlin.
"How's the search for Eddie?" asked Barry.
"It's going... not great," said Cisco. "I've been looking through the cameras for red lightning, but I found nothing. If Wells really is the Reverse Flash, he must know we're onto him."
"And speaking of Wells..." Barry faces Caitlin. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Barry, you're a smart guy. You would've found out on your own, and you did," said Caitlin.
"Or you wanted to torture me with the emotions of finding out," guessed Barry.
Caitlin smirked. Clearly, she had no regrets.
"You sent a killer alien loose all because Wells lied to you?" questioned Barry.
"Wells may have been my motive to become Killer Frost, but Doomsday was all me," said Caitlin. "I meant what I said about the heroes in this city. You think you can save everyone, Flash? You have no idea."
"What else do you know?" asked Barry.
"Nothing else, really," said Caitlin. "But I can find out where he's keeping Eddie. After all, I found where the D.E.O. was hiding."
Caitlin was about to leave, until Barry grabbed her arm.
"Caitlin, all the tech you stole these past few weeks, you have to return them," said Barry. "You said you wanted to start fresh with Ronnie. Returning the tech can help."
"Barry, I need that tech," said Caitlin.
"To what? Destroy the city?" asked Cisco.
"Just because we're friends again, it doesn't mean I'm gonna tell you what I was doing," said Caitlin. "The tech stays with me, and if you're gonna think of following me, well, you know what I can do."
Caitlin frees herself from Barry's grip and leaves S.T.A.R. Labs.
"Should I track her down?" asked Cisco.
"No," said Barry. "I trust her."
The next day, at Silverstone High, Tommy has been trying to avoid Laurel, but she wouldn't stay away from him. Like when he's just grabbing a textbook from his locker, she would approach him.
"We need to talk," said Laurel.
"There's nothing else we need to talk about," said Tommy bitterly. "You lied to me, kept secrets from me, not to mention you used me, your boyfriend, as a punching bag to force my father to confess. I had to go to the hospital, if you remember."
"I'm really sorry about that, Tommy," said Laurel.
"And you what else I'm figuring out," said Tommy. "All those times you ditch me or say you have better things to do, you were with Oliver. And since the Black Canary was your reason for spending less time with me, I think I know what Oliver's part of this is. Oliver is the Green Arrow, isn't he?"
Laurel's mouth opened, but she couldn't speak.
"Don't lie to me, Laurel," said Tommy.
"He's all of them," said Laurel. "The Hood. The Arrow. The Green Arrow. It's all Oliver."
"How long have you know?" asked Tommy.
"Since the hostage situation last year involving your father," answered Laurel.
"Laurel, you're 18 years old. You shouldn't be out there risking your life," said Tommy.
"No one in this city would do anything but Oliver," said Laurel. "I wanted to help him. I had to. I wanted to save this city, just like he does."
"It's bad enough that you and Oliver lied to me, but you two keep going out there running into danger knowing that you two are all I have left in this world," said Tommy.
"Your father is in Iron Heights," said Laurel.
"He's not my father. He's not family," said Tommy. "You. Oliver. You two are my family, but families don't keep secrets from each other."
"Then let me make it up to you," begged Laurel. "I'll put Black Canary on hold on date nights. Just give me the chance."
"No, Laurel," said Tommy. "All the time, you and Oliver... it's like I don't even know you two anymore. He killed people. You hurt people. I can't... I can't be around you two. It's over."
"Tommy..."
"It's over, Laurel!" shouted Tommy.
Students nearby stopped and looked at them. Laurel was embarrassed, but she focused on Tommy. Tommy, however, didn't want to talk anymore. He turns around and left her. Laurel called his name, but he didn't come back.
"Laurel."
Laurel turns around and sees Oliver. It's like he has a knack for showing up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Laurel didn't care. She just threw her arms around him and cries on his shoulder. Oliver rubs her hair as he hugs her back, trying to comfort her.
"It's gonna be okay, Laurel," he assured her. "I'll talk to him."
"No," said Laurel. "He's right. It's over. I was a horrible girlfriend and I don't deserve him."
"If anything, he doesn't deserve you," said Oliver. "Laurel, you are the strongest, bravest, most responsible woman I have ever met and he was an idiot to let you go."
Laurel smiled a bit. The honesty in Oliver's voice, she adored it.
After school, Supergirl shows up at the D.E.O. to talk to her aunt Astra. Before she could walk into her cell, she froze. Yesterday, she tried to kill her. It still haunts her that she even thought about doing that to her own aunt. She loved her like family, despite all the atrocities she's caused since coming to Earth. Trying to get a hold of herself, she walks into the room.
"Nice of you to visit," started Astra. "I assume you're here to interrogate me."
"I came here to apologize," said Supergirl. "I lost it yesterday. All the innocent people you've hurt, you've killed, I didn't how to react. I just wanted to hurt you. If I hadn't controlled myself, I would've..."
"While I am grateful to be alive, you disappointed me by showing mercy," said Astra.
"I'm not here to talk about mercy," said Supergirl. "I just want some questions."
"About?" asked Astra.
"Mother," answered Supergirl. "Earlier, I talked to her. Well, to be specific, an artificial intelligence hologram of her. She told me that she used me to get you arrested. Is that true?"
"Why would you believe anything I say?" asked Astra.
"Because of what mom told me," said Supergirl. "Now I need to hear it from you."
Astra stands up as she tells her tale. "I came to your house that day to see you. Then as it turns out, your mother lured me there to get me to confess my crimes. Yes, I killed people, but only to save Krypton. She still believed there was good in me. Your mother never gave up on me. I suppose it was me who gave up on myself. Before you know it, she imprisoned me on Fort Rozz."
"Mother still believed you could be saved," said Supergirl, affected emotionally by the story.
"And I suppose you want to do the same thing," guessed Astra.
"Then tell me," said Supergirl. "Do you care about me or not?"
Astra responds. "I remember when you were little. I would tell you stories about our home and you would lean on me and I would hold you close, hug you like you were my own daughter. I love you, Kara. I always have. The only reason I tried to kill you was because I thought you have become completely disillusioned. I was wrong."
"I never forgot about Krypton, Astra," said Supergirl. "I think about our home every day. It's why I wear this cape. Not just because my cousin does, but because I want to save this world from the fate our planet suffered."
"You've never changed at all, Kara," said Astra.
"Something tells maybe you haven't changed either," said Supergirl. "It's just the matter of showing me the good in you."
"I won't tell you what Non is planning," said Astra.
"I don't expect you to," said Supergirl. "But maybe... we can do what you wanted from the start. To be family."
Astra smiled, and so did Supergirl.
Meanwhile, in the basement of the abandoned Snow household, Killer Frost was using the tech she stole to search for Eddie Thawne. Hours have past and she couldn't find any sign of him or Harrison Wells. Caitlin guesses that he must've known that Barry knows who he is. Still, this didn't stop her from looking. She made Barry a promise that she's trying to go straight and helping him save a friend is the first step.
However, her peaceful search was interrupted by the sudden gust of wind behind her. This can only mean that a speedster has entered her place.
"How'd you find me?" asked Killer Frost.
"I followed you," said a raspy voice.
Killer Frost turns around sees Zoom. Blue electricity surged from his body,
"You promised you'd help me find a cure," said Zoom.
"And I'm working on it," said Killer Frost. "But I have other matters to deal with."
"Like helping The Flash?" questioned Zoom. "I know you crawled back to him."
"It's complicated, Hunter," said Killer Frost.
Zoom froze for a moment, shocked.
"How did you know who I am?" asked Zoom.
"I'm not stupid, Zolomon," said Killer Frost. "You once came to Eliza Harmon, who just happens to be a friend of mine, about a serum that can counteract the side effects of a speed drug and harmonize with its properties."
"Then how do you propose to stop me from revealing your secret hideout?" asked Zoom.
"You need me," said Killer Frost. "Don't forget, Hunter. You may be fast, but I am your weakness. My powers can slow you down, kill you even."
"Just be sure you don't give me a reason to go after The Flash," threatened Zoom.
Zoom runs out of the house. Killer Frost just smirked, not feeling worried at all. She feels as if she's on top of the situation, as she always does. After all, she did once orchestrate the fight between The Arrow and The Flash with none the wiser.
She returns to her work. While her computer works on locating Eddie, she decides to contact a certain someone. She scrolls through the contact list on her other computer until she found the name she was looking for.
Slade Wilson.
In an abandoned facility somewhere in Silverstone City, Slade Wilson was currently training with an army of mercenaries he freed from prison. They looked like 1st Graders compared to the mighty Deathstroke. Slade was just tossing them around and knocking them down like they were nothing. Even the most skilled out of them lasted for only a few seconds.
He finishes the last one by slamming his face to the floor, knocking him out.
"You boys need more practice," said Slade.
"If this Mirakuru stuff is what you say it is, we won't need practice," said one mercenary.
"The Mirakuru can make you virtually invincible, but it doesn't hurt to sharpen your combat skills," said Slade. "This city is on the brink of destruction. It's almost time for us to add fuel to the fire. Don't disappoint me."
Slade retreats to his office. He sits down and thinks about his plan to destroy Oliver Queen's life. As he thinks, he can see Shado, smiling at him.
"There's nothing to worry about," said Shado. "No one knows Oliver Queen like you do. You know how to break him. You know how to cripple him. You know how to weaken him."
"Time will come," said Slade.
"Yes, it will," said Shado. "You will have your vengeance. You will soon avenge me."
"But afterwards, what then?" wondered Slade. "After I make him suffer and take his life, what will I do? You're not here with me."
"Just focus on the task at hand, Slade," said Shado. "I believe in you."
Shado kisses Slade. He closes his eyes as if it felt real. When he opened his eyes, she was gone.
He then opens his computer and contacts one of his accomplices, codenamed "Pagonia". He's never seen her face, though. He's only heard her voice, if modulated.
"Mr. Wilson?"
"How is the progress with the Mirakuru?" asked Slade.
"Fabulous," said Pagonia. "It will be done sooner than you expect."
"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to see you face-to-face when you give it to me," said Slade.
"All in good time, Mr. Wilson," said Pagonia. "Until the day comes, it is best if my identity remains hidden."
"I'm trusting you," said Slade.
"You won't regret it," said Pagonia.
As for why Killer Frost chose "Pagonia" as her codename when contacting Slade, "Pagonia" is Greek for "frost."
As for the next chapter, we're taking a break from the Flash/Arrow/Supergirl storyline to shed some light on A.R.G.U.S. Do you remember that Amanda Waller had replicated the Cold Gun and Gold Gun?