We're about to take a brief time-traveling adventure, for a good reason, of course. Remember, Mercury Labs in Keystone is where Team Flash is operating now, but don't expect it to be as technologically advanced as S.T.A.R. Labs. This chapter will show that.
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Special thanks to Superior Tennyson, NeoTyson, DarkSuspense, Steve993, jessicabiggs, and Guests for reviewing the previous chapter.
Seven months ago...
Eobard Thawne, a.k.a. Reverse Flash, had just ran back 2017 in an attempt to escape Black Flash. He enters an abandoned warehouse, where he plans on staying until his wrist device warns him of the Speed Force's new enforcer.
"Nice to see you again, Thawne."
Eobard turns around and sees Killer Frost, sitting on top of a forklift.
"Were you just waiting for me?" asked Thawne.
"Not really," said Killer Frost. "I just came here to relax myself."
Thawne turned his head and saw a half dozen people. Three of them had icicles in their chests. Two of them were frozen. One lied dead with a severed hand."
"I'm pretty sure a severed hand doesn't kill someone," said Thawne.
"Snapped his neck," said Killer Frost.
"You have really turned into quite the killer, Ms. Snow," said Thawne, complimenting her.
"So, how's the quest for the Spear?" asked Killer Frost.
"It's, uh, not going well, at least, right now," said Thawne.
"The Legends have it," guessed Killer Frost.
"The pieces, yes," said Thawne. "But don't worry. I assure you. Ms. Bertinelli will have what you promised her."
"So, we're still partners?" asked Killer Frost, jumping off the forklift.
"Of course we are," said Thawne.
"You remember our deal, right?" asked Killer Frost.
"I have to make sure that you and the Flash retain your memories in the new reality," said Thawne, remembering.
"And you're still willing to honor it?" asked Killer Frost.
"Well, you left me no choice, if you remember," said Thawne. "One question, though. Why did you refuse to allow me to use the spear to bring back Ronnie Raymond? The Spear can change reality. You don't really need to remember this life. You can be happy."
"Even if I was blissfully unaware about my pain and anger, I'd prefer an ugly reality than a beautiful lie," said Killer Frost.
"Always the realist, Ms. Snow," said Thawne.
"You'd know that. You treated me like one of your own," said Killer Frost.
"You do know I'm just a time remnant, right?" asked Thawne.
"I know," said Killer Frost. "But you have memories of your time posing as Harrison Wells. I say that counts for one thing."
Killer Frost was about to leave the warehouse, until she saw a small device in Thawne's hand.
"What is that?" asked Killer Frost.
"It's a device from the future. Time Masters, like Rip Hunter, use it to store memories," answered Thawne.
"It can do that?" asked Killer Frost, intrigued.
"Indeed," said Thawne. "Well, it's empty now, so... I'm still wondering why I even have it on me."
"Can I have it?" asked Killer Frost.
"Why would you be interested in this?" asked Thawne.
"You don't need it anymore, right?" said Killer Frost.
"Well, Rip Hunter is back with the Legends now, so... yeah," said Thawne.
"Then give it to me," said Killer Frost.
"Well, it's useless anyway," said Thawne.
Thawne gives Killer Frost the memory container. Suddenly, his watch started to beep.
"Guess Hunter's on his way," said Killer Frost. "You better go."
Thawne leaves the warehouse and runs to another time. Killer Frost heard a roar from outside. She hides behind a column as a speedster zoomed into the room. It was Hunter Zolomon, except his face was scarred and he had a red lightning bolt on his chest. He was sniffing the air, clearly looking for Thawne. Zoom picked up his scent and runs towards his direction.
Killer Frost looks at the device in her hands.
Barry would've spent the night moping and crying over the truth about Crystal if Joe hadn't called him back to Mercury Labs. According to Joe, Tracy needed to talk to him about the trap. Barry puts on his Flash suit before seeing Tracy Brand, along with the rest of Team Flash, in the lab.
"What's the problem?" asked Flash.
"The Speed Force Bazooka needs two pieces of technology to be functional," said Tracy. She walks towards the board and shows Flash drawings of two devices. "A hyper-thermal regulator and a plasma-induced laser targeting system. Mercury Labs doesn't have both of them."
"S.T.A.R. Labs did," said Cisco.
"Except, of course, it got blown to smithereens by a solar flare, courtesy of our once dear friend, Caitlin Snow," said H.R.
"I talked to Dr. McGee and she said that it would take months, maybe years for Mercury Labs to create the tech," said Tracy.
"And since Caitlin 2.0 dies in three weeks, we can't afford to wait," said Cisco.
"So, what's this got to do with me?" asked Flash.
"We talked about it and we all agree that it's a big risk," said Jesse Quick. "But..."
"We need you to travel back in time," finished Kid Flash.
"What?" Flash was surprised by the answer.
"We know you promised yourself and the Speed Force that you would never do it again," said Jesse Quick.
"But we need the tech from S.T.A.R. Labs to finish the trap for Savitar," said Kid Flash.
"Cisco says you're the only speedster here fast enough to travel through time," said Joe. "This may be dangerous, but if you really want to stop Savitar, we need you to do this."
Barry hangs his head as he keeps his mouth shut.
"Are you okay?" asked Joe.
"I'm fine," lied Flash.
"No, something's wrong with you," said Joe, seeing through Barry's lie.
"Not now, Detective," said Flash. "Alright, I'll do it. The question now is when."
"Good thing I already have the answer," said Cisco. "You have to travel back to the night S.T.A.R. Labs exploded. It's the best way to get the tech without our past selves noticing. Go back any time earlier than that and our past selves discovering the missing tech might trigger some events we don't want to happen."
"Got it," said Flash, nodding.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" asked Joe. "'Cuz you look like you've just seen a ghost."
"We have to stop Savitar. That's all that matters now," said Flash.
Flash runs out of Mercury Labs.
"Something's wrong with him," guessed Kid Flash.
"Yup," agreed Jesse Quick.
Flash runs through the streets of Keystone as fast as he could, until he opens a breach through time. He comes out of the other end and finds himself back in S.T.A.R. Labs. The shaking tells him that he traveled to the exact him he wanted to be in. He walks towards the medical bay and peers through the open door. He can see Supergirl on the medical bed, glowing because of the power cell that Killer Frost put inside her.
"That's the spirit," she said through her comm-link. "Now, run, Barry, run."
Flash knew this meant that his past self was about to run faster and keep the tornado running to contain the solar flare. He rushes to the lab fast to get the tech he needs.
"Okay, what do you need to find, Barry?" he asked himself, trying to remember what Tracy said. "Hyper-thermal regulator. Plasma-induced laser targeting system."
Flash searched through every shelf, table, and cabinet at super speed for the tech he's searching for. After finding what he needed, he started running again. Supergirl unleashes her solar flare, but luckily for Flash, he entered the time breach before he got hit.
Flash returns to Mercury Labs, leaves the regulator and the targeting system on Tracy's desk, and then leaves the building again in super speed.
"That was fast," said Tracy, sounding surprised.
"That's time travel, Tracy. He just traveled back to the exact point in time he left. It's like he never left at all," said Cisco.
"I'm really glad I met all of you," said Tracy, subtly staring at H.R.
H.R. notices this and smiles at her.
The next morning, Barry was lying down in bed, but he didn't move. When Joe knocked and called him for breakfast, he didn't come down. Wally and Jesse have knocked as well, warning him about a crime going on in the city, but he just told them to handle it themselves.
It was almost noon and Barry hasn't moved from his bed. He was still thinking about last night's discovery. Crystal Frost was Caitlin Snow the whole time. He still couldn't believe he never saw it before. But what bothered him more is the fact that Caitlin was alive. He knows why he lashed out on her, but a part of him was confused why he did. When Caitlin died in his arms, he mourned for her. He wished she had lived that day. Yet, the first thing he did after he discovered the truth was yell at her.
His phone started ringing. Still lying down on his bed, Barry picks up his phone and reads the caller's name. It was Crystal. He was gonna ignore it, but second-guessed himself. He reminds himself that it was Caitlin. She was alive. No matter what she did to him, a small part of him what happy that she was alive. He pushes the "answer" button.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hey, Barry," greeted Crystal. "I doubted you'd answer, especially since you told me to get out of your life."
"What do you want?" asked Barry.
"To talk," answered Crystal.
"What's left to talk about?" asked Barry. "I know who you are, and if you're asking me to forgive you, it's not gonna be that easy."
"Just meet me at the abandoned saw mill outside of town," said Crystal. "Please, Barry. Just give me this one chance."
After Crystal ended the call, Barry started to think about his next move.
Barry puts on his super suit and arrives at the saw mill where Crystal asked him to meet her. At first, he though the place was empty, until he heard footsteps heading towards his direction. He turns around and sees Crystal, dressed in blue from shoulder to toe.
"I know you like blue, but this is a little too blue," joked Barry.
"Surprised you're still joking after what you just find out," replied Crystal.
Barry takes off his cowl and asks, "What do you want?"
Crystal removes her hand from behind her back and shows him the memory-storing device.
"I did some reading," said Crystal. "Found a few things that explained my own questions."
"Like what?" asked Barry.
"Like how I knew Lisa Snart but don't remember our times together," said Crystal.
"You remember Lisa Snart?" asked Barry.
"Yeah," said Crystal. "And Earth-2 Laurel Lance."
"Okay, now I feel kinda hurt," replied Barry. "Why would you keep your memories of two criminals you've only known for a short time but not your friends? Oh, wait, never mind. I forgot. You don't remember."
"Look, Barry, I know you're not taking this very well," said Crystal. "But I want you to trust me again."
"Caitlin Snow or Crystal Frost, you still kept secrets from me," said Barry. "Very big ones, in fact. I can't just forgive that."
"And I understand," said Crystal. "But I wanna regain your trust. I'm going to restore my memories."
"Wait, what?" Barry asked.
"I'm going to bring back Caitlin Snow," said Crystal.
"But why ask me to meet you here?" asked Barry.
"Because I wanted to ask you if you want me to do it," answered Crystal.
"Are you sure you want this?" asked Barry. "I know you're desperate to regain my trust, but you... Caitlin... erased her memories for a reason. She wanted to escape the pain of her old life. To forget about the tragedies she caused and the lives she ruined."
"Barry, I just found out that I am Caitlin Snow," said Crystal. "I've read enough to understand why she sought to escape the pain. But if being Crystal Frost makes you distrust me, then this is my only option."
"How would be sure Caitlin Snow would still want what Crystal Frost wants?" asked Barry.
"We are one and the same, aren't we?" replied Crystal. "It's really up to you, Barry. Are you willing to give Crystal Frost a chance or do you want Caitlin Snow back? I know deep down, you wish you could've saved her. Here's your chance."
Barry looks back and forth between Crystal and the memory storage device in her hands. He wanted to run as far away from her as possible, but something was keeping him from doing it. She just told him that he has the opportunity to help Caitlin Snow. In spite of what she did to him, he always wished he had been able to save her. Despite the hate he felt for her, he still offered to help her on the night she died.
"After Iris died, I hated Caitlin, but not so much that I wanted to kill her," said Barry. "The last time I faced Killer Frost, I still offered her a chance at redemption. I told her that I would find her a cure for her powers. Even after all the death and destruction she caused, there was voice inside me yelling at me to save her, and I listened to it."
"Is that a yes?" asked Crystal.
"I can't forgive you for Iris, but I am glad to see you. I mean it," said Barry.
Without further ado, Crystal pushes a button on the container. It casts a beam of light on Crystal's forehead. Her eyes closed as she sees a series of images flash in her mind. Once the process was complete, Crystal drops the floor.
Barry kneels down and tends to his unconscious "friend".
"Cait, are you okay?" asked Barry.
Part of Crystal's hair was beginning to turn white. When Barry touched her hair, Crystal's eyes opened. They were glowing with the color of ice. Before Barry can react, she hits him with a beam of cold ice, pushing him several feet away from her.
Barry vibrates himself to melt the ice on his suit. He stands up at the same time Crystal did.
"Hello, Flash," she said, firing another ice blast at him.
And that concludes this chapter. Wanna see how this encounter ends? You'll have to wait.
By the way, if you're gonna complain that Barry is being too soft of Caitlin despite everything she did to him in "Unforgivable", read their conversation again. It's all the explanation I have of why he is acting like this towards her.