Hello, my loyal readers.

I am sorry for going so long without an update. I've been in Utah for a good friends wedding, and been pretty busy. But, I haven't forgotten this story. I will try and get another update or two up within the next week.

Enough chit chat. Let's get to it.

Chapter 10- Pursuing Alchemy

Barry looks around at the team. They're all looking at him, waiting for an explanation about what had happened earlier.

"This guy called himself Inferno. He never have his true name. But he said he had only recently acquired his powers. After Rhodey shot him, and before he died, he told me how he got his powers. He told me a man came to him and gave him his powers. A man who called himself Alchemy," Barry explains, putting in a tiny bit of disdain at the name Alchemy.

"Well, from the way you just spoke, I'd say you know exactly who he is," Steve points out.

"Sort of. I told you a bit about him already. I'm not sure who he truly is. But I've met him. He's linked to Savitar," Barry says.

"How? And how do you not know who he really is?" Tony asks fiercely.

"Be patient, Tony. I know you want to get Pepper back. But Barry knows Savitar best. We just need to trust him," Steve says calmly. Tony sits there for a moment before he nods slowly.

Barry waits for a moment. Then, he continues, "I learned more about Savitar not long before I came here. I've told you most of it already. Savitar's been around for a long time. Whenever he goes to a new world, he sends a herald of sorts. A lieutenant to gather worshippers and prepare the way for him. That herald is called Dr. Alchemy, or simply Alchemy. He himself doesn't have powers. But, when I encountered him, he was using the Philosopher's Stone to restore the powers of the metahumans of Flashpoint, and functioned as Savitar's high priest. Like I told you before, we discovered my former CSI colleague Julian Albert was Alchemy. We also learned Alchemy was just a front. When he prepares to go to a new world, he finds someone to become Alchemy, and somehow establishes a mental link with that person. This enables him to pretty much mind control that person, and during the times that person is being controlled by Savitar, they assume the identity of Alchemy."

"So, you think Julian Albert got brought to this Earth?" Sam asks.

"No. He's now working with my team, and in any case, it would be difficult for Savitar to bring someone else from Earth-1 to this Earth. I think that Savitar has turned someone on this Earth into Alchemy. And if Inferno got his powers from Alchemy, that means he has the Philosopher's Stone, and it means he'll be looking to create more metahumans to challenge us," Barry says.

The team kinda sits there for a moment. Then, Steve nods, mainly to himself, and says, "Alright. We need to stop Alchemy first, then we can focus on Savitar. Barry, I want you working with Tony on a strategy to neutralize the power of the Stone, if possible, and capture Alchemy. Sam, I want you, Rhodey and Vision to start running aerial reconnaissance of upstate New York, looking for anything that could lead us to Alchemy or Savitar, as well as keeping an eye out for more metahumans. Nat, I want you to go to Clint's place and brief him on the situation. He needs to be aware of what is happening in case Alchemy sends anyone after him. Once you get back, I want you to look into any unexplained disappearances, even temporary ones, that could give us a clue as to who Alchemy is. Wanda, you'll be with me at the facility, and we'll be on standby alert, ready to go at a moment's notice at the first sign of Alchemy."

Steve looks around at the team and says, "Alright. Everyone understand their jobs?" Everyone nods. He nods in return, then simply says, "Let's get to work."

(The next day)

Barry sighs. He and Tony have been hard at work for a full day, trying to think of a way to contain the power of the Philosopher's Stone. Barry isn't sure how, unless they can find the box it was originally contained in.

They've had only a little more luck in figuring out how to capture Alchemy. According to Barry, Alchemy doesn't have any powers of his own. So, Tony has said he sees it as just a matter of separating the Stone from Alchemy. The problem may be getting the Stone away from him.

"Are you sure there's nothing else you can tell me about the Stone?" Tony asks Barry.

"Not to be rude Tony, but my answer hasn't changed since the last 3 times you asked me that. I've told you everything I know about the Stone," Barry says.

Tony sighs a bit and looks back at the computer. He continues typing, muttering something to himself about speedsters.

All of a sudden, their earpieces come to life, and they hear Sam call over them, "Guys, I am seeing a huge discharge of electricity at a warehouse about 50 miles from the facility. I can detect three life forms inside the warehouse."

Barry and Tony look at each other, and Barry simply says, "Alchemy. He's making more metas."

"Go. I'll keep working on this," Tony says. Barry nods, then gets up and runs off, puts on the suit, and speeds off for the warehouse.

Tony shifts screens on the computer, hacking into a satellite to get images of the warehouse. He also brings up a map of New York, which shows the location of the Avengers throughout New York. He can see Barry closing in fast, Sam circling the warehouse, and both Rhodey and Vision inbound.

"Alright, everybody. Barry's gonna need support. Rhodey and Vision, as you get there, engage any bad guys in that place. Sam, you hang around and wait for them. Cap, you need to get moving," Tony says over comms.

Barry races the 50 miles to the warehouse, and comes to a stop inside. Despite knowing what he can expect, it still comes as a shock as he sees Alchemy, still in that same outfit. But, standing between him and Alchemy are two men. One's body is wreathed in miniature lightning bolts. The other man has seemingly become made of water.

Barry stops for a second to examine Alchemy. He seems slightly taller than he remembers, and of a different body shape. This just reinforces his idea that Savitar has taken over someone from this world and turned them into Alchemy.

"Ah. The Flash. I knew you would show up," Alchemy says.

"I don't know what your plan is. But it ends today," Barry says.

"My plan has barely begun. My master will yet achieve his goals, and force you into hell," Alchemy says, then gestures with his arms towards the two metas, and says, "And my two friends here will stop you."

"I see you generate lightning. But, can you withstand getting hit by it?" the lightning-man says with a snear.

"You can create as many metas as you want. I'm still gonna stop you," Barry says with determination.

Alchemy merely laughs, then says to his two cronies, "Get him."

The lightning-man immediately unleashes two powerful lightning blasts at Barry. Barry instantly runs out of the way.

The water-man responds by sending a jet of water at Barry, which Barry easily dodges. But, the water-man then sends a wave out from his body, which the lightning-man electrifies. When the wave hits Barry, he goes crashing back as the electricity courses through his body.

Dazed, Barry tries to get up, and notices Alchemy fleeing out of the warehouse. But, before Barry can do anything, the water-man blasts him with a more powerful her of water, holding him firmly in place.

Then, a beam of yellow light blasts the water-man and knocks him back. Barry turns to where the beam came from, and sees Vision floating there. "I am afraid I cannot allow for you to harm the Flash," he says.

Both metas turn to Vision. Then, Rhodey flies in and lands right beside Vision, followed by Sam.

Barry grins broadly as he flashes to their side. "Well, my metahuman friends. Looks like you're outnumbered," he says smugly. Then, turning to his teammates, he asks, "Well, my friends, shall we kick some a** together?"

"We shall," Sam says with a grin. Then, he spreads his wings and takes off, flying straight at the lightning-man, along with Rhodey. And Barry runs at the water-man, joined by Vision.

(Outside the facility)

Alchemy laughs as he runs toward the hidden helicopter. Nothing can stop him now.

Suddenly, something hits him hard in the stomach, and he falls to the ground. Looking around in irritation, he sees Captain America and Wanda Maximoff standing a few yards away.

"You're not going anywhere, Alchemy," Steve says firmly.

"You think you can stop me? I am the servant of the speed god, Savitar," Alchemy says.

"And we've both faced down the God of Thunder. You don't scare us," Steve says.

"Oh, you may not be afraid yet. But soon, you will meet my master, and you will know fear, and you will finally know what it's like to lose," Alchemy says. He then holds up the Stone, and fires a beam of energy from it. Wanda instantly summons a hex shield, which easily deflects the beam. Steve then charges, shield in hand, at Alchemy.

(Back at the warehouse)

Barry runs at high speed around the water-man, dodging his attacks while throwing small lightning bolts at him. Each bolt causes him to scream in pain, but aren't enough to knock him back.

Meanwhile, Rhodey and Sam's battle with the lightning-man has taken them to the other end of the warehouse. They fly around him, trying to attack him while evading the bolts of lightning he fires at them. Unfortunately, whenever he's not shooting a lightning bolt at them, he casts what looks like a web of lightning around him, which blocks their bullets, and absorbs most of Rhodey's repulsors.

Barry grunts as the water-man finally gets in a lucky shot, and knocks him flying back with a jet of water. Vision responds with a weak blast from the Mind Stone, which knocks the water-man back.

Vision floats down to Barry. "Mr. Allen. I have an idea," he says in a low voice. Barry looks at him, eager for any helpful idea.

"I have seen that whenever you hit him with lightning, it temporarily forces him to resume his solid form. If you hit him with a powerful enough bolt of lightning, I can hit him with a blast powerful enough to knock him out," Vision says.

"I like it. Let's do it," Barry responds. He then stands up and starts running.

Barry runs and runs, charging up one of the biggest lightning bolts he's ever tried to throw. The water-man tries to hit Barry with jets of water, but Vision helps to distract him, dividing his fire.

Finally, Barry feels he's ready. He stops, gathers the lightning, and throws it. The powerful lightning bolt hits the water-man. The man screams in pain, reverting back to solid form, very dazed. Then, Vision unleashes a powerful blast from the Mind Stone. Not enough to kill him, but enough to knock him flying and knock him out cold.

Barry stares down at their vanquished opponent. He then turns to Vision and smiles. "Thanks, Vision," he says. Vision simply nods.

(Outside the warehouse)

Steve raises his shield, deflecting a beam from the Philosopher's Stone. Alchemy then has to jump aside to dodge an enemy blast from Wanda.

Steve grips the shield and throws it at Alchemy. Alchemy dodges the shield, then fires another beam at Steve. Steve barely manages to dodge it.

Wanda reaches out with her telekinesis and uses it to throw the shield back to Steve. But, unfortunately, it gives Alchemy enough time to release another beam of energy from the Philosopher's Stone, which hits Wanda in the chest and knocks her flying back.

But, even though Alchemy got a chance to attack Wanda, it also opens up a chance for Steve to attack. Steve throws his shield carefully at Alchemy's head. The shield hits him hard on the side of the head, knocking him to the ground.

Seeing Alchemy is down, Steve rushes over to Wanda. "Hey. Wanda. You okay?" he asks worriedly.

Wanda groans loudly. After a moment, she manages to say, "Ugh. That stone packs a big punch."

Steve smiles as he helps Wanda to her feet.

(The warehouse)

"I got it. Overwhelm him. He can't produce enough lightning to deflect too many attacks," Rhodey says.

At that moment, he stops circling, and unleashes his unibeam. In response, the lightning-man releases a powerful lightning bolt to stop it.

Then, Vision floats over and releases a powerful blast from the Mind Stone. The lightning-man releases another lightning bolt to block Vision's attack.

Both Rhodey and Vision keep up their attacks. The team can see the lightning-man is tiring. Then, Sam takes the chance and opens fire. Several bullets catch him in the chest, and he collapses.

Barry walks over, looking down at their fallen opponent, having already snapped metahuman cuffs on the water-man. He sighs and says, "I really don't like killing our opponents."

"Yeah, well, sometimes it can't be helped. And in our line of work, we're not used to always preserving our enemies," Sam says.

"Uhh, guys, " Steve calls over comms.

Barry raises his head a bit. "What's up Steve?"

(Outside the warehouse)

Steve stares down at the face of Alchemy, that gold mask in his hand, revealing who is the man behind the mask.

"I got Alchemy's mask off. You're not gonna believe who it is," Steve says as he stares down in shock.

And, I'm gonna wrap up here. Yes, I know. I'm cruel. But, I figured it would keep you really eager to get the next chapter. And yes, the next chapter will begin with the revelation of Alchemy's identity. And I think it will surprise a lot of readers. Alchemy's identity will affect the story all the way to the end.

Please let me know in your reviews who you think Alchemy is. The winner(s) will get to choose an Arrowverse character to come to Earth-99, As well as a small plot detail they would like to see.

I hope you didn't mind me calling our metas this chapter water-man and lightning-man. I couldn't think of anything else to call them. And no, I was not intending to create Electro or Hydro Man from the comics.

I know some of you may be disappointed they caught Alchemy so fast. But, let's be honest. Barry has all the Avengers helping him. I think it would be a bit ridiculous if it took him a long time to finally get Alchemy.

Well, I'll end here. Again, please review. I will not post the next chapter until I've gotten at least 4 more reviews.

Until next time.