This chapter will be similar to 3x20, but with some changes.
Leave a review after reading, please.
Special thanks to jessicabiggs16, NeoTyson, godspeed 251, and Steve993 for reviewing the previous chapter.
Crystal was in Team Flash's HQ in Mercury Labs, using a computer, doing research on Caitlin Snow while listening to "Young and In Love" by Jordin Sparks. Cisco comes in and didn't look pleased to see her.
"Hey, Ms. Frost?" called Cisco, raising his voice so she can hear her. "Can you turn that down, please?"
Crystal lowers the volume as Cisco walks into the room.
"Come inside. Use my workroom. Use my computer. I don't care," said Cisco sarcastically.
"Thank you," replied Crystal nonchalantly.
"Caitlin wasn't really a fan of Jordin Sparks. Nice to know you think different," said Cisco. Once again, he begins to see the familiarity of the scene. "Okay, seriously, when is all this deja vu going to stop?"
"Caitlin Snow was one messed up lost girl. Her actions were more than just cruel. They were atrocious," commented Crystal.
"She did a lot of terrible things. I just wish it really wasn't her," said Cisco with sadness in his tone.
Caitlin notices how Cisco feels and turns her attention to him.
"Okay, what did she do to you?" asked Crystal.
Cisco's stare tells her that he didn't understand what she was talking about.
"I know she killed the woman Barry loved, destroyed the city, et cetera, et cetera. What did she do to you?" asked Crytsal curiously. "You don't think I notice that you're trying to avoid eye contact. Guessing she did something that made it personal between you two. Please, tell me. Whatever it is, maybe I can help you."
Cisco didn't say a word. What he did is remove his gloves, showing Crystal his cybernetic hands. Crystal covers her open mouth with both her hands, horrified by this sight.
"She froze my hands off. She didn't even care," said Cisco.
"Oh my goodness," reacted Crystal. "I am so sorry."
"Don't be. You're not her," said Cisco, putting his gloves back on, hiding his hands.
"Barry told me you two were like brother and sister," said Crystal. "He also told me that everyone eventually gave up on her except for him. Is 'this' why you did?"
"Believe me, I didn't want to give up on her, but she kept showing us time and time again that she's not Caitlin anymore," said Cisco.
"Look, Mr. Ramon, you don't have to trust me if you don't want to," said Crystal, crossing her arms. "I just want to help Barry. Once he defeats Savitar, you'll never see me again."
"Uh, what are you doing here anyway?" asked Cisco. "I thought you didn't want to be part of Team Flash yet?"
"No, but I wanted to look around," said Crystal. "Seriously, all this tech is amazing. I can see why Dr. McGee was one of the top scientists in Central City."
Suddenly, an alarm shows up on the computer.
"What's happening?" asked Crystal.
Instead of answering Crystal, Cisco picks up his phone and calls Barry.
"Barry, break in at Keystone University," said Cisco.
At Keystone University, students and teachers were running for their lives. Flash shows up.
He asks a teacher, "What's happening?"
"Some woman with a gun that shoots gold," said the teacher. "She's at the chemistry lab."
Flash zooms to the chemistry lab, where he finds a young woman hiding behind a table to avoid getting hit by a gold beam, courtesy of Golden Glider. There also happens to be a metal bowl on fire, burning the papers inside it. Flash finds a fire extinguisher nearby and takes out the fire.
"Nice to see you again, Flash," said Golden Glider.
"Wish I can say 'feeling's mutual,'" replied Flash.
"Savitar said you'd show up," said Golden Glider. "He also said that Kid Flash and Jesse Quick won't be arriving until thirty seconds after you come."
Golden Glider takes out a hand-held switch and pushes the button, activating anti-speedster barriers that blocks the doors.
"What is going on here?" asked the woman hiding behind the table.
"Just come out and make this easy for you," said Golden Glider, raising her gun.
Flash zooms towards Golden Glider. She fires a gold blast. Flash dodges this by turning and leaning back. When his eyes look back at Golden Glider, he gets shot in the chest. Most of his mid-section is covered in gold, which weighs him down to the floor, causing him to land on his back.
"I wish I can kill you," said Golden Glider. "But luckily for you, I'm only here to kill her." She looks back at the woman hiding behind a desk.
Kid Flash and Jesse Quick arrive, but get shocked by the anti-speedster barriers, rendering them unconscious.
The woman Golden Glider is targeting picks up a fire extinguisher. She sprays Golden Glider with it, blinding her temporarily. While Flash attempts to vibrate out of the gold, Golden Glider kicks the woman towards a corner. Before Golden Glider can make the kill, she gets slammed to the wall by Flash. He takes her switch and pushes the red button, deactivating the barrier.
Kid Flash and Jesse Quick walk in, feeling a little dizzy from the shock.
"What did we miss?" asked Kid Flash.
"She tried to kill me," said the woman, pointing at Golden Glider.
Golden Glider taps into her earpiece and says, "I'm outnumbered."
All of a sudden, a streak of white lightning zooms in and takes Golden Glider out of the university.
"Savitar," said Flash, recognizing the lightning.
"Uh, thank you," said the woman.
"You're welcome, miss..." Flash paused, expecting her to introduce herself.
"Uh, T-Tracy Brand," said the woman.
"Why was that girl trying to kill you?" asked Jesse Quick.
"I don't know," said Tracy. "All she said is that her 'partner' wanted me dead."
"So Savitar wanted her dead," said Jesse Quick. "But why didn't he just kill her himself? He was just here."
"That's something we'll have to find out," said Flash.
Tracy picks up her work and leaves the lab.
"Again, thanks," said Tracy.
"Wait, we need to ask you some questions," said Barry.
"I'd love to talk, but my bus leaves in five minutes," said Tracy, walking out the door.
The three speedsters just stood and looked at the woman with confused faces.
"Someone might wanna tell Joe to keep an eye on her," said Flash.
"Yup," said Kid Flash and Jesse Quick simultaneously.
Back at Mercury Labs...
Team Flash look into the woman the Flash rescued at Keystone University. They open her picture and profile on the computer.
"Tracy Brand," started Barry. "Student at Keystone University. Straight A student. Has never gotten a grade lower than A+ in Science since Preschool."
"She's pretty," said H.R., staring at Tracy's picture while drinking coffee.
Everyone glares at H.R.
"What?" asked H.R.
"Okay, so we have a smart person who Savitar wants dead," said Cisco. "The question is why."
Before anyone can say another word, Joe walks into the lab.
"Did you learn anything?" asked Barry.
"Nothin'," said Joe. "I offered Ms. Brand police protection, but she rejected it."
"We have to keep an eye on her whether she wants it or not," said Barry. "If Savitar wants her dead, we have to protect her."
"Which brings up my previous question: Why didn't Savitar kill her himself?" wondered Jesse.
"Well, Golden Glider is apparently his pawn now," said Cisco. "Maybe he just wanted to see if she can get results out of her. I mean he did kinda let Caitlin do everything when he was planning Operation: Global Meta."
"Pardon?" asked Crystal, confused.
"Savitar was once planning to turn millions of people all over the world into metas," explained Wally.
"And how did he plan on doing that?" asked Crystal.
"With a relic called the Philosopher's Stone," answered H.R.
"Wow," reacted Crystal.
Dr. McGee arrives at the lab with Cecile by her side.
"Hey, Joe," called Cecile.
"Is something wrong?" asked Joe.
"Yeah, Captain Edward wants you back at KCPD," said Cecile.
"You could've just called me," said Joe.
"Well, maybe there's a reason I decided to talk to you in person," said Cecile.
Everyone in the room takes a few steps back, feeling the awkwardness between Joe and Cecile. H.R. even said "awkward" through his lips.
"I have, uh, an appointment in thirty minutes, so I'll see you guys later," said Crystal, leaving the lab.
At the Rogues' Warehouse in Central City...
"Just give me another chance," said Golden Glider.
"No," said Savitar. "You had your chance."
"I don't get it," said Golden Glider. "You're a speedster. Why not just kill her yourself?"
"It's because I expect results from those I ally with," said Savitar. "Caitlin Snow betrayed me, even after I assured her that she would become a goddess of this world. I want to make sure my acolytes deliver this time."
"Why her?" asked Golden Glider, referring to Tracy Brand.
"All you need to know is that if she lives, my future will be destroyed," said Savitar.
Later that evening, at a coffee shop, Tracy was trying to order a coffee, but she had a problem. She looks through her purse, tossing out some stuff in search of something, but she couldn't find it.
"Okay, look, I may not have any cash, but I have one of those, um, Jitters cards with ten stamps on it," said Tracy to the barista. "Which means you owe me a free drink."
To Tracy's surprise, a man places a dollar bill on the counter.
"Allow moi to help out a damsel in distress," he said, handing Tracy back one of the things she dropped. He tells the barista, "I will order for myself and the lady. I'll have a triple-shot, no-whip mocha Flash, and anything this young lady desires."
"I, uh, need to calm down, so... a Zoom," ordered Tracy.
"Zoom?" H.R. was confused. "Never heard of it."
"Oh, it's on the secret menu," said Tracy. "Triple espresso with a shot of cayenne."
While Tracy clicks her tongue, H.R. mumbles.
"Marry me," he said.
"Wait, what?" asked Tracy, confused.
"Nothing," said H.R. "I'm H.R., by the way."
"Tracy," she said.
"Pleasure to meet you," said H.R.
"So, why are you helping me?" asked Tracy. "Are you stalking me?"
"I, uh, not exactly," said H.R. awkwardly. "I'm here to... well, you see, I work at Mercury Labs and Dr. McGee asked me to search for some brilliant young minds. I found you."
"Dr. Christina McGee wants me to work at Mercury Labs?" asked Tracy, surprised. "But I'm no one. I'm a nobody."
"Don't say that," said H.R. "I actually took a look at your work and theories on, um, quantum mechanics, am I right?"
"That is correct," said Tracy.
"And it actually sounds interesting," said H.R. "Your ideas of wave-particle duality, your quantization of energy, and your time-symmetric formulation of quantum theory and how..."
At Mercury Labs...
"... how the boundary conditions lead to principle causality and the psychological arrow of time," said Cisco, speaking to H.R. through a walkie talkie, helping him talk to Tracy.
"... and the psychological arrow of time," finished H.R.
Tracy smiles, impressed by H.R.'s knowledge in physics.
"You really know your stuff," said Tracy.
"Well, je suis... smart," said H.R., feeling awkward.
At Mercury Labs...
"Lay off the French, and lay off the improv too, please. Just keep her talking," said Cisco, sounding annoyed.
The barista gives H.R. and Tracy their orders.
"Thank you, Mischa," said H.R. He picks up the mugs and gives Tracy hers. "The Zoom."
"Thank you," said Tracy.
"You're welcome," said H.R.
"Let's zoom," quipped Tracy.
"I don't need to be a psychologist to know that H.R. is in love with Tracy, hence the flirting," said Crystal, who is sitting beside Cisco.
"Hmm," mumbled Cisco.
Seeing Cisco trying to avoid eye contact, Crystal decided to speak to him about it. "Look, Mr. Ramon..."
"Please, just call me Cisco," said Cisco.
"Cisco," said Crystal. "I can only imagine how traumatizing it is to lose such vitals parts of you, especially since you need... them... to use your powers."
"I've been working behind the scenes for two years as the team's engineer. I think I can handle not begin on the field," said Cisco.
"It's not that simple, Cisco," said Crystal. "From what I can tell, you're mad at her, at yourself, and you feel robbed of your special gift."
Cisco finally makes eye contact with Crystal.
"Look, Dr. Frost, I know you're an expert of the brain and emotions, but a psychologist isn't what I need right now," said Cisco. "We're trying to save an innocent woman from being killed. I suggest we focus."
Cisco continues looking at the security cameras outside the coffee shop. Crystal decided not to speak any further and focuses.
Inside a car at the parking lot of the coffee shop, Barry, Joe, Wally, and Jesse stake out H.R.'s conversation with Tracy. Joe watches them through a pair of binoculars.
"I don't know about this one, Bar," said Joe. "H.R. isn't exactly our best closer."
"He'll be fine," said Barry.
Barry looks at Joe and sees that he looks bothered.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," lied Joe. "It's just..."
"Cecile," guessed Barry, Wally, and Jesse at the same time.
Joe sighs. "I told you all. I'm not ready."
"Let's be honest here. You're never going to make things up with her," said Jesse.
"What makes you say that, young lady?" asked Joe.
"The fact that every time we tell you to talk to Cecile, you just end up talking about work with her," said Wally.
"Joe, you can't keep pushing her away," said Barry. "I know that sounds ironic coming from me, but Crystal said something to me that I never thought of before."
"And what would that be?" asked Joe.
"That me not being there for you is one reason you're pushing Cecile away," said Barry. "I know I haven't been a good son to you since Iris died."
"Barry, we all understand why you wanted to be alone," said Joe.
"No, you really don't," said Barry. "Yes, I wanted to mourn all by myself, but that's not it. I pushed everyone away because I felt responsible for what happened to her, and I didn't want to face you on the day you finally blame me for it."
"Barry, I don't blame you. None of us here blame you," said Joe.
"I know," said Barry. "But this isn't about me. It's about you. Cecile loves you, I know. And I know you love her too. We all know what Iris would want you to do."
"She would want you to go after her," said Wally.
"Just because Iris is gone, doesn't mean you have to stop living your life," said Jesse.
"You have to make the most of your life. Being with Cecile make you happy. Iris would want you to be happy," said Barry.
Joe hangs his head as he thinks.
"That Dr. Frost is really helping you, isn't she?" asked Joe.
"She is," said Barry. "I know looking at her is hard, but just remember, she's not her."
Back at the coffee shop, Tracy decided to share something with H.R.
"Okay, so, here's the thing that I could never get them to understand at the university," said Tracy. She looks around to see if anyone is within hearing range. She leans closer at H.R. and says, "See, I've been studying speedsters."
"Oh." H.R. was surprised to hear this.
"And so, you know how, when they run, they generate a trail of... lightning behind them?" started Tracy.
H.R. nods.
"I don't think that all of that is generated from them running," said Tracy. "I think... some of it comes from somewhere, like it comes from some sort of..."
"Speed Force," said H.R.
"Yeah, that is a great term for it," smiled Tracy.
"Thanks," replied H.R.
"So, I've been doing some calculations," continued Tracy. "I think there might be a way to manipulate it. Maybe even control it."
"Interesting," said H.R. "How do you think one can accomplish that?"
"See, I don't know because the university wouldn't fund my research," said Tracy.
H.R. continues to stammer awkwardly.
"Why are you so interested in this?" asked Tracy. "Everyone thinks I'm a crackpot."
As an act of comfort, H.R. puts his hand on top of Tracy's.
"I don't think you're a crackpot," said H.R.
"But you don't know me," said Tracy. "You should see me in the lab."
"You have big dreams and a brilliant mind. Those two together, that doesn't make a crackpot. That makes a genius," said H.R.
"Uh, thanks," said Tracy with a smile.
The two drink their coffees at the same time while maintaining eye contact. All of a sudden, something busts through the window and hits a table, startling everyone.
Barry and Joe saw the projectile hit the coffee shop. Barry turns his head and saw two familiar individuals dressed like pirates. It was Trickster and his son, Axel. Trickster was wearing a pirate hat, an eyepatch, and holding a hook in his hand. Axel wears a bandanna and arms himself with a plastic sword. They were standing next to what appears to be a cannon.
"Ooh! So close," said Axel, using binoculars to see where the cannonball.
"Get your ass back on the wheel, son! We're not done here," said Trickster, talking like a pirate.
Axel loads the cannon with another cannonball. He looks through the crosshairs of the cannon. He has Tracy Brand in his sights, exiting the cafe with H.R.
"Fire in the hole!" yelled Trickster.
Axel fires again. The cannon ball was about to hit Tracy. Fortunately for her, the Flash arrives. He jumps up and catches the cannonball, but the velocity of the ball pushes him until he smashes through a window.
"Ouch," commented H.R.
Trickster and Axel were about to load the cannon again, until a bullet hits the cannon. They see Joe West, holding up his gun.
"Detective West! Nice to see you again," greeted Trickster.
"You too," joked Joe. "Now, get down on the ground."
"If you insist," said Trickster.
Trickster gets down on his knees. Axel follows his father. Trickster puts his hand behind his hand. Suddenly, he pulls a gun out from his back and fires at Joe. Fortunately for Joe, Kid Flash and Jesse Quick capture all the bullets.
"I don't know if you guys know this but you're on land, not on water," joked Kid Flash.
"You might wanna give up now or I'll give you a reason to be wearing that patch," said Jesse Quick.
"Drats!" cursed Trickster. "Guess we'll have to play dress-up later."
Trickster takes out another gun and fires at the air, releasing a flare. A few seconds later, a streak of white lightning shows up and takes them away.
"If these Rogues always need Savitar to bail them out, why does he even bother with them?" wondered Kid Flash.
"Bar," remembered Joe.
H.R. and Tracy check on the Scarlet Speedster. He looked banged up, but he was beginning to stand up. H.R. decided to give him a hand.
"Thanks," said Flash, accepting H.R.'s help.
"No problem," said H.R.
"Are you okay?" asked Tracy.
"My stomach hurts and my back aches, but I'll be fine," said Flash.
"Wait a minute," said Tracy, realizing something. "Have you been keeping an eye on me? Did the KCPD send you two?"
"Oh, no," lied H.R.
"Don't bother lying. We've been made," said Flash.
"Okay, fine, we were," said H.R.
"So, you're friends with the Flash?" asked Tracy.
"You can say that," said H.R.
"Look, Ms. Brand, I know you said you didn't want protection, but it's my duty to protect everyone, somebody or nobody," said Flash.
H.R. tells Tracy, "Trust me. I may have been here on duty, but I really did look at your work. I truly think you're a genius. If I could ask you out for another cup of coffee, I would."
"Well, I, uh... thanks," said Tracy awkwardly.
Joe approaches Tracy.
"Ms. Brand, you really need to come with us," said Joe.
"Well, I've been almost killed twice, so I guess I could use a little protection," agreed Tracy.
At Mercury Labs, H.R. takes Tracy to Christina McGee.
"You must Tracy Brand," said McGee.
"And you're Dr. Christina McGee," said Tracy, shaking the scientist's hand.
"H.R. showed me your profile. You have potential," said McGee.
Tracy turns to H.R. with a surprised look on her face. "Wait, you mean she actually read my profile."
"Well, I thought I wouldn't be lying if I did," said H.R.
"If you're looking for an internship anywhere, Ms. Brand, you're more than welcome here at Mercury Labs," said McGee.
Tracy couldn't help but smile. She always thought of herself as a nobody, and yet, here she is in Mercury Labs, talking to the famous Christina McGee, who sincerely believes she is brilliant and has potential to become someone special.
"Uh, Tracy, there's, um, something I need to show you," said H.R.
H.R. and Tracy take the elevator to Team Flash's headquarters in the basement. While they wait, H.R. takes out his facial transmogrifier and reveals his true face. Needless to say, Tracy was shocked.
"Surprise," said H.R.
"You're... you're..." Tracy could barely speak due to the surprise.
"Yes, I know I look like Harrison Wells, but I'm not that Harrison Wells," said H.R. "It's a long story. The rest of the team will brief you. But I promise you, I'm a swell guy."
At the lab, the rest of Team Flash are wondering about why Savitar is trying to kill Tracy Brand.
"Why would Savitar want Tracy Brand dead?" wondered Wally.
"That's the third time you said that in the past ten minutes," pointed out Cisco.
"Okay, let's think," said Jesse. "Savitar is from the future, right? Maybe in the future, Tracy did something to him."
"We're not just talking about a childish prank, are we?" joked Cisco.
"It must be something big," guessed Barry. "Maybe Tracy is an obstacle to his rise to power."
"She studied speedsters, right?" asked Joe. "Didn't her research say something about... manipulating the Speed Force?"
"Savitar said that in the future, I trapped him in the speed force," said Barry. "Maybe Tracy helped me in the future."
"If that's true, that would explain it," said Wally.
Barry then thinks back to what happened at the university. "When Golden Glider attacked Tracy at KCU, she said Savitar told her exactly when I'd show up and how long until Wally and Jesse show up."
"Guess that explains the barrier," said Jesse.
"Savitar's from the future, which means he's always one step ahead of us." said Barry.
"It's like Caitlin all over again," commented Jesse. "Well, except she's not a time-traveling speedster. She was just smart."
"There's only one way we can get the answers we need," said Barry.
"Bar, what are you saying?" asked Joe.
"I'm gonna run to the future," answered Barry.
Hope this was an okay chapter. In the next chapter, you can probably tell that it will take inspiration from 3x19 ("The Once and Future Flash"). Of course, there will be changes. Since Iris is already dead, well, expect things to be a little different.