Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Guest: No, I'm not gonna use Siren-X.
Chapter 8- Defeat
"Dayton Optical Systems calls it the Prism," Sam says to everyone. Barry, Oliver, and Kara had returned not long ago, and told them what the Earth-Xers stole.
"What on Earth do they need a sub-light generator for?" Harry asks almost to himself before saying, "It's basically a spectral emitter that uses quantum entanglement."
"They could also use to create a stable fusion reaction," Caitlin says.
"Which means what?" Wanda asks. When nobody answers, she says, "Guys, that wasn't a rhetorical question."
"Basically, the device they stole can be converted into a neutron bomb," Harry says.
"Okay, that's bad," Wanda says.
"Bottom line is we gotta catch these parallel-Earth invaders," Sam says.
"This might help," Barry says as he walks up holding the kryptonite arrow that Oliver shot Overgirl with.
"Is that a kryptonite arrow?" Alex asks as she takes the arrow.
"Yup," Barry says.
"Wait. Did Oliver shoot Kara?" Wanda asks with worry.
"Sort of. The other archer and flying woman are Oliver and Kara of Earth-X. Oh, and they have a speedster working with them who is my doppelganger from Earth-X," Barry says. Wanda's eyes widen at that last statement.
"When you said that Earth-X was horrible, you might have undersold it," Caitlin says to Harry.
"Wait. How could there be another Kara?" Alex asks.
"Just as there are an infinite number of Earths, there are an infinite number of Karas," Harry says.
As Alex walks into one of the adjacent labs with the arrow, Sam says, "Ok. So, if that arrow has Kara-X's blood on it…"
"We could track it using quantum analysis," Harry finishes.
"Hey, guys, I think I have a quicker way," Alex calls from the other room. Everyone hurries from the cortex into the side lab.
Alex is examining the arrowhead under a special microscope. "These red blood cells are suffused with shortwave radiation," Alex says as they walk in.
"Solar radiation?" Caitlin asks in confusion.
"Yeah, incredibly high amounts. Like nothing I've ever seen," Alex says.
"Can you track it?" Barry asks, looking at Harry.
"Yeah. With you guys' help, I can track it," Harry says before heading for one of the computers, Sam and Caitlin following him.
(HYDRA hideout)
As Blitzkrieg is making his adjustments to the Prism, Overgirl slowly walks up behind him. "Will it work?" she asks.
"It will with a few adjustments and the right power source," Blitzkrieg says.
"Oliver is on his way to handle that as we speak," Overgirl says.
Blitzkrieg sighs as he stops working and looks at Kara. "Oliver has a choice to make," he says.
"Me or HYDRA?" Overgirl asks rhetorically.
"Exactly. Because we came to this Earth with 2 goals, and what I and the others are worried about is that if we can't accomplish them both, he is going to choose you over a second Earth flying under our banner," Blitzkrieg says.
"Oliver will not abandon our mission," Overgirl says.
"Really? Because while I know Oliver's willpower, his love for you can blind him!" Blitzkrieg says.
Overgirl is quiet for a moment. Then, she says, "If it comes to Oliver choosing between me and HYDRA, I will make sure he chooses HYDRA."
"How?" Blitzkrieg demands.
"If it comes to it, by taking the choice out of his hand," Overgirl says.
(Hallway outside the cortex)
As Oliver walks down the hallway, he sees Kara walking towards him.
"Oliver, I wanted to talk to you," Kara says.
"I had no ill will towards you when I made that arrow," Oliver says.
"I understand. After the events of the last few years, and especially after we encountered General Zod as a guardian of the Soul Stone, I can understand why you made it. I just want to know why you felt the need to keep it a secret from me," Kara says.
"If I told you, who's to guarantee you wouldn't try to and destroy it?" Oliver says.
"Maybe a long time ago, I might've. But now, I can understand it. I just have a bad past with people I thought were friends keeping a stash of kryptonite secret from me. Just…I'm asking that you not keep secrets like this from me," Kara asks.
Oliver is quiet, then slowly nods. Kara nods in turn, and they resume walking.
(Lab next to the cortex)
As Harry is typing away at his computer, he says to Caitlin, Alex and Sam, "Supergirl-X's blood is filled with solar radiation-more than it should be-but if I could try to get that to act as a kind of beacon…" he trails off as he keeps typing.
Mick, who has been resting on a medical exam table, suddenly sits up and says, "Hey." He then walks up behind Caitlin and asks, "How do you do it?"
"Do what, Rory?" Caitlin asks impatiently.
"Bring the other you out of you," Mick explains his question.
"You don't want to know," Caitlin responds.
"Sure I do," Mick says.
Caitlin sighs, then says, "It happens when I am angry or scared."
"Oh," Mick says. He pauses, then says, "So, if I were to, umm… BOO!"
Everyone glances at back at Mick, and Caitlin says, "Nice try."
Suddenly, Harry hits the desk, and says, "Boom. Whatever's going on with Kara-X's blood, it's intensifying."
"Worse for her is better for us," Sam says.
"Better for us for tracking her at least. We should have her location any minute," Caitlin adds.
(Speed lab)
Barry and Wanda are sitting in silence on the ramp leading up onto the track in the Speed Lab, not really saying anything.
Finally, trying to break the silence and introduce a bit of humor to the situation, Barry says, "Can you believe it? We got together when an evil doppelganger of mine was trying to kill us. And now, when we're trying to have our wedding, another evil doppelganger of mine is trying to kill us."
Wanda smiles and shakes her head. "I sometimes worry about your sense of humor," she says.
"Hey. Life is much easier when you laugh your way through it," Barry says with a smile.
Wanda smiles lovingly back at him, then says, "It's been so long since that attack by Savitar. When I first told you I loved you."
"And we had our first kiss," Barry says with a smile.
Wanda smiles even more, and leans in to give him a kiss.
Suddenly, they hear footsteps. They look up and see Oliver walking into the Speed Lab.
"They found 'em?" Barry asks.
"Yeah. They're at a shipping depot outside Danville," Oliver says.
Barry nods and stands up. As he does, Wanda stands up beside him. Barry looks at her and asks, "Are you coming with us?"
"Of course, I am. I'm not getting left out of this fight," Wanda says.
Barry smiles. "Then let's suit up," he says.
In one of the labs, Alex tests her guns to make sure they're combat ready, then walks out to join the others.
Down in the speed lab, Stein and Jax look at each other before clasping hands and merging into Firestorm.
In the cortex, Barry activates the Iron Flash suit as Pietro slips his gloves on, then pulls his mask over his face as Wanda walks out of the medbay in her suit.
By the elevator, Kara pulls apart her shirt, revealing her uniform underneath.
Down by the pipeline, Natasha, already in her suit, watches as Oliver zips up his jacket, then slips on his mask and pulls up his hood.
In another lab, Bucky straps his weapons onto his suit as Laurel puts on her mask.
In another lab, Nate tightens his suit, then steels up.
In another, Bruce slides the last of his batarangs into his belt before pulling his cowl over his face.
In another lab, Clint pulls his mask over his face, straps his quiver on, and picks up his bow.
Finally, in another lab, Sam straps the Falcon pack onto his back as Steve slides his mask into place and picks up his shield.
They walk out of their lab, where the rest of the team is waiting for them, and they all head out of STAR Labs, ready to end this.
It's not too much longer before they reach the target building. As the non-fliers gather on the roof, Steve says, "Supergirl, Firestorm, and Falcon are sweeping the perimeter."
Pietro and Barry speed up onto the roof. "It's done. Wall-to-wall HYDRA in there," Pietro says.
"Bruce and I will take up breach positions on the north-west corner if that's okay with you guys," Nate says.
"Sounds good," Bruce says.
"I'll take Alex and we'll take the south-west," Natasha says.
Alex nods, then says, "STAR Labs thinks that HYDRA converted the sub-light generator- the Prism that they stole- into some kind of superweapon."
"Speaking if super, theirs is our biggest threat," Barry says.
"Agreed. Let's take her out first," Oliver says.
Back at STAR Labs, Rhodey is sitting at the computer station. As he is sitting there, Laura walks in. "Hey, Rhodey. What are you doing here?"
Rhodey turns around in his chair to look at Laura and says, "Didn't bring my suit over from Earth-99. Didn't think I'd need it. So, figured it would probably be more useful for me to stay behind." He pauses, then asks, "How do you feel about Clint heading off to battle again?"
Laura smiles. "I knew he could never stay out of retirement," she says, drawing a smile from Rhodey.
Right then, Mick walks into the Cortex behind them and shouts, "Mustard!" They turn around and look at Mick as he says, "You people have breaches, but no mustard."
"Um,, what are you doing here, Rory?" Rhodey asks.
"Yeah, why didn't you go with them?" Laura asks.
"Go where?" Mick asks.
(HYDRA hideout)
Oliver slowly makes his way into the building, with Steve right behind him. The two keep perfectly quiet, wanting to maintain the element of surprise as long as possible.
Then, they round a corner, and see several HYDRA agents ahead of them. "Halt!" one of the agents says.
Oliver is about to fire an arrow, and Steve draws his shield back to throw it, when a flash of yellow lightning takes out all the HYDRA agents. Barry then stops in front of them.
"Couldn't have left one for me?" Oliver asks.
"I'm saving Nazi you for you," Barry responds.
Natasha and Alex walk up. "No sign of the Prism," Natasha says.
"It has to be here somewhere," Barry says.
"Incoming," Alex says as she raises her pistol. Barry turns around and sees the mass of HYDRA agents slowly surrounding them.
"Stay where you are!" one orders.
Then, out of nowhere, a flash of red lightning streaks past them. Barry immediately takes off in pursuit of Blitzkrieg.
Oliver immediately begins firing arrows, while Steve throws his shield. Alex and Natasha both start firing pistols. At the same time, Nate, Bruce, and Clint run out of nowhere and attack the HYDRA agents.
Then, Overgirl flies overhead. "Now, Wanda!" Steve shouts.
A wall blows down and Wanda steps into the building. She then sends out bursts of energy and takes flight after Overgirl.
Then, Steve hears something coming at him from his right and ducks. Looking up, he sees it's a round shield, which bounces back into the hand of Militant. Steve narrows his eyes, and rushes at Militant, who rushes to engage him.
Alex glances around. "I see their Flash, their Supergirl, and their Captain America," Alex says.
"But where's their Green Arrow?" Bruce asks.
(STAR Labs)
Outside STAR Labs, a pair of black boots slowly make their way across the parking lot towards the entrance.
Inside, Caitlin walks into the cortex, holding a jar of mustard. "It was in the fridge. Did you check the fridge?" she asks as she hands the mustard to Mick.
"Oh. Thank you, sweetheart," Mick says.
Caitlin rolls his eyes as she walks up behind Rhodey. "Any word from the team?" she asks.
"Nada. They're still at the shipping depot, but it's radio silence right now," Rhodey says.
Meanwhile, Harry is walking towards the elevator, wanting to get some fresh air, when he sees someone in front of him. He stops, then slowly looks up, revealing Dark Arrow standing right in front of him.
"OMG," Harry says slowly.
"There is no God," Dark Arrow responds.
Harry turns and starts running back down the corridor. He finds an alarm button and presses it before Dark Arrow walks up and knocks him out.
"You'll be useful," Dark Arrow says before looking up and walking further into the building.
(HYDRA hideout)
Back at the hideout, the battle is still raging. Kara, Sam, and Firestorm have joined the battle, raining fire, literally in Firestorm's case, down on the HYDRA forces. At the same time, Pietro is now also trying to chase down Blitzkrieg.
Steve is still engaged with Militant. The two supersoldiers are exchanging blows with incredible speed, but neither has managed to land a good hit on the other.
Meanwhile, as Clint fires an arrow to take out a HYDRA agent, an arrow flies right by his head. He turns around and sees Bowman walking towards him.
"Time to see who's the best," Bowman says before firing another arrow at Clint. Clint easily dodges it and fires an arrow back at Bowman, who catches it and drops it. The two then rush each other.
As this is going on, Oliver punches another HYDRA agent, then whips around, only for Overgirl to land next to him and throw him through a pile of crates.
(STAR Labs)
Everyone in the cortex looks down at the screen, which shows Dark Arrow walking away from the unconscious Harry.
"You and you, hide," Mick says to Rhodey and Laura.
"I'm not defenseless. I can fight," Rhodey says.
"I know. That's why you need to stay with her," Mick says.
"What about Caitlin?" Laura asks.
"It's gonna get a lot colder in here," Mick replies. Caitlin just nods in response.
(HYDRA hideout)
Oliver slowls starts to regain consciousness. He looks up, not moving from where he is, and sees the battle still going on all around him. He can see Steve still fighting with Militant, and Clint fighting Bowman. Not only that, but he can see Wanda fighting with Overgirl, throwing energy blasts at her.
Oliver, wanting to help, slowly draws a kryptonite arrow, fits it to his bow, and fires it at Overgirl. However, Overiglr shoves Wanda back, then spins around and catches the arrow before breaking it in two.
Overgirl is about to fire her heat vision at Oliver when she is suddenly wrapped up with Wanda's telekinesis and sent flying through a pillar.
(STAR Labs)
The door into the Speed Lab opens, and Dark Arrow slowly walks in. He slowly stops, feeling that he's not alone.
Then, Mick steps out of the shadows and fires his heat gun. Dark Arrow dashes out of the way of the flames. Mick keeps firing his gun, but Dark Arrow nimbly avoids the flames.
"Afraid of a little heat?" Mick asks.
Then, Dark Arrow fires a grappling arrow, which binds Mick to a pole. Dark Arrow stalks towards Mick, saying, "I'm not afraid of anything. I am going to enjoy killing you. Slowly and painfully."
Mick struggles against his bonds, then looks at Dark Arrow and says, "Bet you're pretty angry and scared right now."
"I told you. I don't fear anything," Dark Arrow says.
"Actually…"
Dark Arrow whips around, lunging out with his bow, only for Killer Frost to grab it, and ice to start spreading along the bow. "He was talking about me. Didn't think this through, did you? Just you against us," she says. As she speaks, ice continues to spread along the bow, then up Dark Arrow's arm.
Unfazed, Dark Arrow says, "I don't need to think to kill you." He then presses a button on his bow using one finger, and a blast of energy comes out of it, breaking the ice and sending Frost flying across the Speed Lab.
"Anyone else wanna be a hero?" Dark Arrow calls out.
Only a moment later, Thea, Rene, and Curtis all jump into the room. Curtis, tossing one of his T-Spheres, says, "They wanted to wait. But I didn't think we'd ever get a better entry line than that." He and the other two then rush Dark Arrow.
(HYDRA hideout)
Alex spins around, firing her pistol as Blitzkrieg and Barry race around her. Before long, Blitzkrieg hits her and knocks her flying into the air. Pietro races up and catches her as she falls.
"Thanks," Alex says as Pietro sets her down.
(STAR Labs)
As Thea, Rene, and Curtis attack Dark Arrow, they quickly realize he's equal to all of them. He blocks all of their blows with incredible ease.
Rene tries to strike Dark Arrow in the head. But, before he can, Dark Arrow deflects his punch, brings him down to the ground, and strikes him in the head with his bow, knocking him out.
Curtis runs up, angry, but Dark Arrow flips him over his shoulder. He then draws an arrow, firing it into Curtis' chest. Curtis falls back, coughing up blood, before taking his last breath.
Thea screams in anger and attack Dark Arrow. He fends off several of her blows before he punches to kick her in the leg, causing her to stumble back. He then smacks her across the face with his bow, knocking her out.
Dark Arrow looks down at Thea before saying, "I'm going to enjoy this, little sister." He then looks over at Rene and says, "And you? Oh, the Four will love this."
(HYDRA hideout)
On one side of the hideout, Nate is almost smirking to himself as he knocks out several HYDRA agents.
Suddenly, somethings hits him hard from the side, knocking him flying into some boxes. As he tries to regain his bearings, a bolt of lightning strikes him. Nate cries out in pain before the lightning eventually causes him to fall unconscious.
As he does, Thor-X steps over him, smirking down at him triumphantly.
On the others side of the hideout, Oliver attacks several more HYDRA agents, knocking all of them out. Standing up and looking around, he sees that there are no more conscious HYDRA agents anywhere nearby.
The rest of the team, except for Wanda, Barry, Steve, and Clint, gather around Oliver. Then, they hear something approaching.
"What the h*** is that?" Bruce demands as some kind of robot, with a glowing green chest piece, walks into view.
"Metallo," Kara says.
Right then, Metallo releases a blast of energy from its chest piece, knocking Kara flying back.
Firestorm flies right at Metallo, but Metallo knocks him aside. Firestorm hits a pillar, and in a burst of fire, separates into Jax and Stein.
Suddenly, across the hideout, Blitzkrieg pulls a fast move, slowing down, then grabbing Pietro and slinging him into a pillar, knocking him out. Barry races up to him, but Blitzkrieg throws a bolt of lightning at Barry, knocking Barry flying back. Blitzkrieg then races up to him and knocks him out.
As this is happening, Wanda is still fighting with Overgirl. As she uses her telekinesis to restrain Overgirl, Overgirl laughs and says, "You remind me of my old friend. But, you're clearly not as smart as her."
Before Wanda can figure out what that means, a blast of energy hits her from behind, and she collapses, unconscious, revealing Tactical Force hovering behind her.
Overgirl flies over to help Militant. Seeing Steve push Militant back, she flies down and hits him, sending Steve flying into a pillar. Militant stalks up to Steve and punches him in the face, knocking him out.
As this is happening, Clint is still fighting against Bowman. Then, from out of nowhere, Blitzkrieg races in, and with a blow to the sound of the head, knocks out Clint.
Blitzkrieg then races on to the rest of the team, arriving at the same time as Overgirl. Together, the two easily knock out the rest of the team, saving Oliver for last.
As Oliver watches the other members of his team go flying over the ground, Overgirl lands right in front of him. "Hate to do this to that handsome face, but…" Then, Metallo stalks up and kicks Oliver in the face, knocking him out.
And, I'll end there.
So, many of you may be wondering why I killed Curtis. The reason being is because I felt Dark Arrow wouldn't just leave everyone alive. Plus, he's one of my least favorite Arrow characters. In addition, I felt his death would help motivate the team later on. Plus, since Team Arrow still has Felicity, I'm not quite sure why they still need Curtis that badly.
Obviously, he spared others. He does have a specific reason for sparing Rene, which you will later find out. I originally planned on having him kill Mick too, but I realized I liked Mick too much, as well as his dynamic with Loki, and I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Next chapter will hopefully be up Monday, if not tomorrow. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!