Here's the new chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Leave a review after reading, please. (Anything but "update please" because it feels pushy)
Special thanks to The Grinning Psychopath, jessicabiggs16, TheLifeStruggleIsREAL, KitsuneMalfoy, Darkness032, sara. holliday. 7777, and Guest for reviewing the previous chapter.
Barry arrives back at Joe's new house, soaked from head to toe. Even if he can't get sick, Joe put a towel around Barry so he can get warm and dry himself. Jesse makes Barry a cup of hot chocolate. Joe saw a bruise on Barry's face and asked what happened. Barry told Joe to call Cisco and H.R. because he wants everyone to hear what he has to say.
When Cisco and HR arrived, Barry tells everyone what happened to him. Needless to say, everyone was shocked.
"I don't get it," said Joe, confused. "How can Savitar be back? I thought you sucked his spirit into the Philosopher's Stone."
"I did," said Barry. "It's hard to explain, but he said that he used Jay's speed to get out."
"That explains the call I got from Lyla telling me about A.R.G.U.S. missing a metal suit of armor," said Cisco.
"Well, he's gonna regret coming back. Team Flash has three speedsters and there's only one of him," said Wally confidently.
Everyone looks at Barry.
"You are getting back out there, right, B.A.?" asked HR.
"I have to," said Barry.
"But you're not in the right condition to be running out there again," said Joe.
Barry gets off the couch and looks at Joe. He says, "Joe, I know I'm broken, but I can't just sit here and let something I created rule this world."
"Okay, Barry, calm down," said Joe. "It's just... everyone in this room knows how hard it's been for you without Iris. It's been hard for all of us. But if she was here, she would have wanted you to keep fighting."
Hearing Joe's words, Barry hangs his head in sadness.
"What's the matter?" asked Joe.
"Nothing, it's just... that's the promise I made Iris. To keep fighting no matter what happens to her," said Barry.
"But you quit," reminded Jesse.
"A promise I couldn't keep," said Barry sadly. "But now, I'm not sitting on the bench anymore. I'm getting back on the field."
"Okay, but first, we need to see if you can still run like the Flash," said Cisco. "We'll start tests tomorrow."
Barry looks at the hair covering his face. "And if I'm suiting up again, does that mean..."
"You need a haircut," said Joe.
Joe and HR heads to the kitchen to grab some hot chocolate. Barry sits back down on the couch and continues drying himself.
"Am I the only one getting Megatron vibes right now?" asked Cisco. "Not only does Savitar look like him, but he's also got his luck. No matter how many times you get rid of him, he just comes back."
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing," said Wally.
"Well, he's not gonna be lucky for long," said Barry.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Caitlin was here," said Jesse. "She outsmarted Savitar twice. We could really use Killer Frost's evil but brilliant mind right now."
"She made her choice," said Barry. "We're gonna have to deal with this ourselves."
The next day, it was time for Barry to test himself. Team Flash was at their secret base at Mercury Labs, currently listening to HR's draft for his new book. Everyone, however, was getting bored. Jesse was already sleeping and head was resting on Wally's shoulder.
"... and as the storm raged on and the sands threatening to blind him, Marco stayed on his feet and kept on walking," read HR. "But the storm was so strong that it nearly blew him down. It was only his will to finish his mission that is keeping him..."
Barry enters the room wearing his Flash suit. He even cut his hair.
"Oh, thank God, Barry!" exclaimed Cisco. "You're late, like, fifteen minutes late."
"Yeah, that was when I started reading my new story," said HR.
"That's not what I meant," said Cisco.
HR raised an eyebrow, confused.
"So, what do you got for me, Cisco?" asked Barry.
Cisco shows Barry the track he planned on the computer. "Just a simple straight path outside Keystone."
"And how can we tell if he's ready?" asked Wally.
"I did some calculating. If Barry runs at his average speed all the way, he should make it out of town in, by my estimate, 44.5 seconds," answered Cisco.
"Oh, no problem. I can do better than just match the time. I can beat it," said Barry confidently.
"Getting cocky, huh? Sounds like you're almost out of your shell," said Jesse with a smile.
"Okay, Keystone, make way. The Flash is making a comeback," announced Cisco, talking like a commentator.
"Good luck, Bar," said Joe. "The world needs the Flash."
Barry heads outside Mercury Labs. He stands still, capturing some attention, as he waited for Cisco to give him the signal.
Cisco started. "Ready... get set... go!"
Flash started running. Even though he's had his speed for three years, it felt odd to use it against after so long. He has been so caught up with Iris' death that he didn't have the will to use his speed again. Now that he has, he's beginning to regret ever ignoring his powers. The rush of adrenaline. The feeling of the wind in his face. He missed it. He was just too depressed to know it.
"Look at him go," said Joe.
"He's above his average speed," said Cisco.
"Go, B.A., go!" shouted HR.
Feeling motivated by HR's cheering, Flash ran as fast as he could. He was getting closer to the outskirts of the city. However, as he ran, something flashed through his mind. He could see the memory of Killer Frost killing Iris in front of him. He then sees himself running to S.T.A.R. Labs only to get hit by a bolt of electricity, which to him waking up and noticing the destruction to his city. As more bad memories flashed in his head, Flash started to lose focus. He almost ran into a car. Luckily, he ran over it, but after that, he loses concentration and started slowing down. He barely dodges cars coming towards his direction, until he tripped on the sidewalk and crashed into a stop sign, hurting his back.
"Ooh! Flash just wiped out of the track," commented Cisco.
"Barry, are you okay?" asked Wally.
Flash grunts in pain before saying, "Not really."
Flash gets back on his feet. Everyone on the streets saw him. Some took pictures. Some murmured to each other.
"Uh, hi, everyone," greeted Flash with an awkward smile and wave. "Don't mind me. Just... running along."
"Boo!" responded Cisco.
To avoid more awkwardness, Flash runs back to Mercury Labs, hurt back and all.
Back at Mercury Labs...
Luckily, the secret lab also comes with a medical bay. Barry lie down to be scanned.
"How bad is it?" asked Barry.
"Not too bad, really," said Jesse. "Just a small fracture. Nothing your super healing won't cure for a few hours."
"Barry, what happened?" asked Joe. "You looked like you were doing fine, and then all of a sudden, you just slowed down."
"Did Savitar spook you or something?" asked Wally.
"Nah, if he was there, we would've detected his presence," said Cisco.
"So, what's the problem?" asked Wally.
Barry didn't speak. He just lied down on the bed, silent.
"Barry, you know keeping secrets only makes things worse," said Joe.
"Fine," said Barry. "Memories were flashing in my head."
"What memories?" asked Cisco. "The bad ones, I assume?"
"Yeah," admitted Barry.
"You saw Iris' death, didn't you?" guessed Jesse.
Barry didn't respond, but the sad look on his face gives away the answer.
"Clearly, you're not ready," said Joe.
"But I can't just keep doing tests until I'm ready. We don't know when Savitar will make his move. For all we know, he's making a move right now," said Barry.
"Bar, clearly you're still traumatized from everything that happened in Central City," said Joe. "You need to sit down and relax first."
"I'm with Joe, B.A. You can't fight Savitar if you keep living in the past," said HR.
Barry looks at Cisco, Wally, and Jesse. The looks on their faces tell him that they agree with Joe and HR about him needing to rest and get his mind right.
Barry walked back to the house. On his way, he noticed something. The house next door, which was abandoned a few months ago, has just been bought. The new owner, to his surprise, was Crystal Frost. She was just signing some papers before entering the house. Despite repeatedly telling himself not to, he decided to pay her a visit.
He was about to knock on the door, but hesitated. He wonders, "Why am I doing this?" Seeing someone who looks like Caitlin should be giving him nightmarish flashbacks, but for some reason, seeing Crystal doesn't. Maybe the reason he's doing this is because he thinks being comfortable seeing someone like Caitlin might help ease his conscience.
He finally knocks on the door. Crystal answers.
"Uh, hi," greeted Crystal. "Wait, you look familiar. Bart, is it?"
"It's Barry, actually," said Barry.
"Did you cut your hair?" asked Crystal. "I like it."
"Thanks," said Barry, rubbing his hair.
"So, what are you doing here?" asked Crystal. "Are you stalking me or something?"
"Uh, actually, I live next door," said Barry. "Just about to head inside until I saw that you were moving in."
"Look at that. We're neighbors," said Crystal delightfully.
Barry smiled a little.
"Do you wanna come inside?" asked Crystal.
"Uh, I don't want to bother you," said Barry. "I guess I'll see you around."
Crystal was about to close the door until Barry talked gain.
"Hey, uh, do you maybe wanna... I don't know... grab a cup of coffee or something?" asked Barry.
"Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Allen?" asked Crystal.
"N-no," said Barry. "Just... a cup of coffee between neighbors. Nothing wrong with that, right?"
Crystal thinks for a moment. She says, "How does noon sound?"
"Sounds good. I don't really have a lot to do today," said Barry.
"See you later," said Crystal.
Barry walks back home, while Crystal watches him walk away. A smile pops on her face as she slowly closed the door.
Meanwhile, in Central City, the Rogues were operating in an old toy factory, which was filled with weapons, toys tricked out to be weapons, some technology, mirrors, and mattresses for sleeping. Their peace was interrupted when two speedsters arrived at the scene.
"Hey, guys," greeted Kid Flash.
"How did you find us?" asked Top.
"We heard a boom," answered Kid Flash.
The Rogues glared at Trickster. He simply smiled and waved nervously.
"My bad," said Trickster.
The two speedsters wasted no time trying to round them up. Rainbow Raider is the first to be knocked out, having been slammed to an oil drum by Jesse Quick. Kid Flash smashed all mirrors to keep Mirror Master from going anywhere before knocking him out. That just leaves Top, Trickster, Axel, and Golden Glider.
Golden Glider picks up her gun and started firing. The speedsters dodged her blast. One blast ended up gluing Top's legs to a wall. Axel was about to throw a teddy bear with a bomb in it, but one missed gold blast knocks it out of his hand and glues it to the wall behind him. It blows up, blowing Axel away and leaving a hole on the side of the factory.
"Guess it's time to try out my new toy," said Trickster.
Trickster takes out what appears to be a big gun. He fires. The gun releases some sort of disc. When it hit the floor, it unleashes electricity that hits both speedsters, causing them to fall down in pain.
"It's attracted to kinetic energy," explained Trickster, laughing.
Golden Glider was about to turn both speedsters into golden statues, until Kid Flash fights the shocking and destroys the disc with a vibrating punch. He knocks Golden Glider to the wall and uses her Gold Gun to turn Trickster's weapon into solid gold.
"Hey, I just completed this yesterday," complained Trickster.
Jesse Quick quickly tackles Trickster and knocks him out.
Kid Flash and Jesse Quick approached each other and hi-fived with both hands high in the air.
"Five months and we finally nabbed them," cheered Jesse Quick.
"It's not over yet," said Kid Flash. "Let's get these guys to KCPD."
Suddenly, a streak of white lightning shows up and knocks both speedster down on their backs. It was Savitar.
"I don't think so," he said.
Kid Flash and Jesse Quick get up and engage the God of Speed. However, their punches barely do anything and they both get swat aside like they're just a couple of pesky mosquitoes.
"You're both still green," commented Savitar.
"Watch us," replied Jesse Quick.
Jesse Quick runs towards Savitar, only to get quickly snatched up by the neck.
"Not fast enough, Jesse," said Savitar. "You're never going to be as fast as I am."
Kid Flash runs towards Savitar and punches him in the head from behind, making him drop Jesse Quick. Kid Flash speed-punches Savitar from head to stomach, but Savitar shakes it off and punches Wally towards a wall.
"I could kill you both, but it's not the time yet," said Savitar. "I would suggest you leave this instant and prepare for the inevitable."
"We're not running away," said Jesse Quick.
Kid Flash approaches Jesse Quick and says, "It's not worth it. He's too fast, too strong. We're not ready."
Kid Flash takes Jesse Quick out of the factory, leaving Savitar alone with the Rogues. Those who are unconscious were beginning to wake up.
Some of the Rogues recognize the Speedster.
"Who are you?" asked Top.
"It is I, Savitar, the God of Speed," answered the speedster.
"Like we haven't had enough of you," complained Axel.
"I am not here to kill you," said Savitar. "I am here to make you an offer."
"What offer?" asked Golden Glider.
"My ascension is at hand. I only need to make sure that the Flash and his allies don't interfere," said Savitar.
"And what makes you think we'll help you?" asked Golden Glider.
"Because once I become a god, I can spread chaos to the entire world," said Savitar. "Does that not interest you?"
"I'm listening," said Golden Glider with a smirk.
At a cafe in Keystone, Crystal was sitting by herself, waiting for a certain someone to show up. She looks at her watch and sees that it's five minutes past noon. Finally, Barry arrived. After ordering himself a cup of coffee, he sits down with Crystal.
"Sorry I'm late," apologized Barry.
"That's okay," said Crystal. "It happens."
"With me, it's pretty much almost all the time," admitted Barry.
Crystal chuckled in response.
"So, uh, what brings you to Keystone?" asked Barry.
"A change of scenery," answered Crystal. "Hub City is a bit too rough for me. I heard Keystone is now the sunniest town around since Central City went to hell. So, here I am."
"Made any new friends lately?" asked Barry.
"The only person I've met since moving into town is you," said Crystal.
Barry finally gets the cup of coffee he ordered. As he drank, Crystal's smile dropped as she stared at him.
"Something wrong?" asked Barry.
"Mr. A... Barry... you called me Caitlin when we first met. I did some research and I found something," said Crystal. "Caitlin Snow, a.k.a. Killer Frost, a metahuman who was responsible for the destruction of Central City. I checked the pictures on her Facebook profile. I can see why you mistook me for her."
"She was, uh, a good friend of mine," said Barry
"A good friend who murdered the woman you love," said Crystal. "I also did some research on you. I can see a lot of pictures of you and someone called... Iris West."
Barry hangs his head in sadness at the sound of his deceased girlfriend.
Crystal puts her hand on Barry's and says, "I'm really sorry. But, Barry, I'm not her. I may look like her, but I'm not her."
"I know. I know," said Barry.
"Is this why you asked to have coffee with me? You think seeing me might help you cope with your grief?" asked Crystal.
Barry buries face in his hands for a moment before facing Crystal again. "Look, Crystal, I'm sorry. It's just that... my friends and family are trying to get me back out there. When I tried, I let my past get in my way. So... yeah... I thought seeing you might help."
"Look, Barry, I'm not mad," said Crystal. "I just don't like being used."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry," apologized Barry, feeling bad and embarrassed. "I understand if you want me to drink somewhere else."
"No, don't go," said Crystal. "I can't pretend to understand how you feel. You had a friend who killed the love of your life. The only thing I can understand is that is a traumatizing event. Lucky for you, I'm a psychologist. I can help you."
"Do you really want to help me?" asked Barry.
"We're neighbors, Barry," said Crystal. "If we're gonna be living next to each other, we might as well spend some time together."
"That would be nice," said Barry.
"After we're done drinking our coffee, we're heading to Keystone Park for some fresh air," said Crystal.
The "walk in the park" part will have to wait until the next chapter. I hope this was still good.