Enjoy the new chapter.
Leave a review after reading, please.
Special thanks to romario. hume, Steve993, jessicabiggs16, NeoTyson, and Darkness032 for reviewing the previous chapter.
To romario. hume: Please be patient. I don't want to rush anything unless I have to.
To Steve993: Thanks again. I always think of myself as an amateur writer, but you help make me feel otherwise.
To Darkness032: I understand your stand on Barry's character during Season 3 and Season 3 in general. I don't have to disagree. I just want to tell you that even though this is a FanFiction story, I'm trying to stay close to canon, trying to make sure everyone is in character, more or less. We've all seen how Iris' death has affected Barry (Flash 3x19), and that's the Barry you're reading in this story. His recovery has to take time. As for Crystal Frost, all I can say is... just be patient. Nice for you to share your theories, though.
It was almost closing time in Mercury Labs. Dr. McGee was talking with one scientist about their energy project when all of a sudden, the alarms go off. Security immediately head to the floor where the trigger originated. McGee followed the guards to a lab on the top floor. They saw someone.
"Hey, you! Stop it right there!" yelled a guard.
The intruder turned around for a moment before running away. McGee caught a glimpse of the intruder's face and was surprised.
"Dr. Snow?" she wondered.
The next morning, Joe and Cisco arrived at Mercury Labs as soon as Dr. McGee called. She takes them to the lab that was robbed last night.
"So, what happened here?" asked Joe.
"Someone stole the power source of this power generator," said McGee, pointing at said generator.
"I worked really hard on that," complained Cisco.
"Who stole it?" asked Joe.
"Security cameras were disabled when the robber broke in, but I manage to get a glimpse of her face," said McGee. "I didn't think it was possible, but the person who broke in here was... Caitlin Snow."
Joe and Cisco were both shocked.
"But Caitlin's dead," said Cisco. "Her body was destroyed."
"I know it sounds impossible, but I know who I saw," said McGee.
"Look, no matter how crazy this is, we're gonna look into it," promised Joe.
"Thank you," said McGee.
McGee leaves the lab to allow Joe and Cisco to have a look around.
"I'm getting a serious case of deja vu," said Joe.
"You're talking about Harry, right?" asked Cisco.
"Yup," said Joe.
"Should we call Barry?" asked Cisco. "I mean I know he's not a CSI anymore, but he's good at it."
"No, we can't tell Barry," said Joe. "We both know he's trying to become the Flash again. He can run, but his head's not clear. Once he hears that Caitlin is alive..."
"I hear you," said Cisco, agreeing to keep this a secret from Barry.
In the Rogues' warehouse in Central City, Lisa was making some tweaks to her Gold Gun.
"Are you sure we have to work with this Speed God?" questioned Bivolo.
"I don't trust him 100%, but I do see the positives in our partnership with him," said Lisa.
"He's a speedster. Why does he need us?" wondered Axel.
"The Flash is a speedster, but he doesn't work alone. He has a team," said Lisa.
"Let's not be so skeptical, people. A new friend is a new friend," said Jesse.
"Axel's right," said Scudder. "This job he's asking us to do. It's a simple kidnapping. He can just do it himself. Why ask us?"
"Because this person cannot know of me."
The Rogues turn around and see Savitar in the room.
"Just remember. I need her alive," said Savitar.
"Is this Crystal Frost even dangerous?" asked Lisa.
"I don't know. That's why I need to know," said Savitar. "Physical harm is welcome, but I want her heart beating when she is brought here."
"And if it's not?" asked Bivolo.
Savitar runs towards Bivolo and grabs him by the neck, lifting him off the floor.
"Do not disobey me," threatened Savitar.
Savitar drops Bivolo. While Bivolo tries to recover from the choking, Savitar approaches Lisa.
"I must warn you. Once you see Crystal Frost, you will hesitate. Don't," said Savitar.
Savitar leaves the warehouse.
At the West family house, Barry was sitting down on the couch, staring at his phone. His phone was set to contact Crystal Frost. All Barry needs to do is push the "call" button. Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. Barry answers the door and sees Cecile.
"Hey, Cecile," greeted Barry.
"Hey, Barry," greeted Cecile. "You cut your hair."
"I'm trying to get myself back out there," said Barry.
"How are you?" asked Cecile.
"I'm working on it," said Barry. "Did you come to see Joe?"
"Yeah, I am," said Cecile. "He usually comes back for lunch and I wanna be here when he's back."
Barry lets Cecile in.
"Uh, Cecile, I need some advice," said Barry.
"About what?" asked Cecile.
"I... uh... I met someone," said Barry.
"Barry, that's wonderful," said Cecile with a smile.
"No. No. It's not like that," said Barry. "She's a psychologist and she's been trying to help me. But... I'm having a hard time accepting her help."
"It sounds like this is more than just professional," said Cecile.
"I guess you can say she's trying to make a connection with me," said Barry.
"And, let me guess, you're pushing her away," guessed Cecile.
Barry hanging his head to avoid eye contact confirms Cecile's guess.
"Barry, you can't keep pushing people away," said Cecile.
"I know, and I'm trying," said Barry.
"But you're not trying hard enough," said Cecile.
Barry sits down on the couch. Cecile sits down as well.
"What's her name?" asked Cecile.
"Crystal," answered Barry.
"Pretty name," said Cecile. "What's she like?"
"She's... kind, understanding, and pretty creative," said Barry. "She... dressed up like Killer Frost to help me."
"And how does that help?" asked a confused Cecile.
"She thinks that if I stop thinking about Caitlin as the one who killed Iris, I might finally be at peace with it," said Barry.
"Well, she's not wrong," said Cecile. "I may not have known Caitlin like you do, but Joe told me that she was like family to you. You tried to save her because she was your friend. I understand that."
"But after... Iris... I almost gave up," said Barry.
"Barry, when people try to help you, you allow them," said Cecile. "You say you want to get back out there. If Crystal wants to help, then you have to give her another chance. What would Iris want you to do?"
Barry looks at Cecile and says, "She would want me to become the Flash again."
"Then you know what you have to do," said Cecile.
"But... I don't know if she can really help me... I mean, all of me," said Barry. "She knows why Barry Allen is suffering, but the Flash is another part of me I need to fix. Even if she can help the man under the cowl, it won't be enough."
"Maybe you should tell her," suggested Cecile.
"I don't know if I can trust her," said Barry.
"You're the only one in this room who knows her. Only you know if she can be trusted," said Cecile.
Before more words can be spoken, someone came in through the front door. It was Joe. Barry now feels awkward being in same room with his surrogate father and his ex-girlfriend. He whistles as he slowly walks upstairs, trying to escape the awkward atmosphere.
At the cafe, Crystal was having a cup of coffee and checking on the list of patients she has to help today. Unbeknownst to her, Barry was watching her from afar. He has been thinking about what Cecile told him. He needed to be in top shape to face Savitar. Even if he can run as fast as before, he needs to be mentally ready, and constantly thinking about Iris' death is not helping him.
Crystal finishes her coffee and leaves the cafe. After she walked out of the door, her phone rings. Barry was calling.
She answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hey," greeted Barry. "Listen, I know things were a bit rough between us last time, but... I wanna try again."
"You really want to?" asked Crystal.
"I need you," said Barry.
"Well, I have a full day ahead of me," said Crystal. "How's tomorrow morning sound?"
"Sounds good," said Barry.
"Well, I'll see you then," said Crystal.
After her shift at the hospital was over, Crystal returns home. She heads to her room and takes out a little box from her drawer. Inside the box is the power source she stole from Mercury Labs. She heads into her walk-in closet and enters the secret door. Inside the door is a small metallic box. She opens it and places the power source inside. The box glows, thanks to the power source.
Suddenly, Crystal heard noises downstairs. She immediately locks her secret door. She opens another drawer. It had a gun inside. She picks it up and heads downstairs.
"Whoever you are, get out," she said.
She walks slowly with her gun raised. When she walks into the kitchen, she sees someone opening the fridge.
"Hands up!" she shouted.
The intruder puts her hands in the air. She turns around, revealing herself as Lisa Snart. At first sight of the woman with the gun, she was shocked.
"You look surprised," said Crystal.
"I can see why my partner warned me about you. You look just like someone I know," said Lisa.
"Let me guess, you knew Caitlin Snow, too," guessed Crystal.
"She was a friend," said Lisa.
"Did she teach you to break into other people's home and steal their food?" asked Crystal sarcastically.
Lisa laughed a little. "You even sound like her."
"Don't move," threatened Crystal.
Suddenly, someone grabs her by the neck and takes the gun away from her. It was Sam Scudder. Rosa Dillon walks in front of Crystal and attempts to use her Vertigo-inducing stare. Crystal, however, closes her eyes. Scudder was about to open her eyes. Suddenly, Crystal elbows Scudder in the gut and then kicks Rosa in the stomach. She slams Scudder's face to the wall and trips Top by kicking her in the calf. Lisa picks up her Gold Gun, but Crystal grabs her arm.
Suddenly, Lisa feels her arm freezing, causing her to shout in pain and drop her gun. She looks at Crystal with shock.
"You're... you're..." Lisa didn't know what to say.
"Nice to see you, too, Snart," said Crystal.
While Crystal picks up her gun, Lisa taps into her earpiece and says, "Trickster, you're good to go."
A little ball breaks into the window. It lands right at Crystal's feet and detonates. It releases sleeping gas. Crystal faints and falls asleep.
"Mission accomplished," said Trickster.
Sam and Rosa were about to pick up Crystal. Suddenly, Flash, Kid Flash, and Jesse Quick showed up.
"Next time, pick a van that looks less conspicuous," joked Flash. "Maybe one that doesn't have Trickster's face on the side."
"There's that sense of humor," said Kid Flash with a smile.
The three speedsters immediately incapacitate the Rogues and tie them up with anything they can find, whether it's duck tape, wire, or rope. Crystal started waking up as the three speedsters return inside. Kid Flash and Jesse Quick were shocked to see her face. Flash gestured them to stand back.
Flash walks towards Crystal and helps her stand up.
"Thank you," said Crystal.
"Couldn't just leave you alone. Like I said, I need you," said Flash.
"What?" asked Crystal, confused.
Flash takes off his cowl and reveals to Crystal who he really is. It's safe to say she was surprised.
"Hi," greeted Barry with a smile.
"Wow," muttered a surprised Crystal.
While Barry and Crystal exchange smiles, Kid Flash and Jesse Quick look at each other with confusion.
Wally and Jesse now know about Crystal. How will they take it? Will more of Team Flash find out about Crystal? Stay tuned and find out.