Speed and Steel

by Ka4tyna27

As Krypton explodes Alura Zor-El sends her daughter Kara and her slightly younger nephew to earth. While Kara sleeps in the phantom Zone Art In-Ze lands in a farm in Smallville. After discovering and honing his powers he decides to help humanity as he waits for them to join him in the sun, as Superman.

2. Chapter 2

p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Still being edited:/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The fortress of solitude was cold. Fortunately so was Krypton meaning that Arthur was adapted for cold environments and under the yellow sun temperature became a non issue. He stood at his console typing in his native language. He liked to use things from Krypton when he could. It was a reminder of those he loved, the extent of what he'd lost but it also showed him what he had gained. In English the words read 'Barry has extreme speed with no limit currently in sight. He is able to generate electricity as he moves. He appears to have his heart in the right place however, I fear his new found power has made him believe that he is invincible. I am concerned he may get in too deep./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"A fire in Metropolis the monitor showed. He flew into the clouds getting water vapour on him as he did so. He could see the fire from quite far away and if his memory served him right it was at . He flew through the top window blowing the fire out with his breath. His X-ray vision showed him damage in the structural integrity amongst other things that he did not want to see. A beam fell as he moved to catch it stopping it from weakening the floor. A scream drew his attention. Kat Grant screamed as she tried to get away from the fire. Arthur flew her to the ground away from the building. "There's no one else inside" he shouted to the fire department. The firemen were already tackling the smoke inhalation and potential debris. "Are you ok Mrs. Grant?" The shocked woman looked at Arthur coughing before she spoke. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She leaned up kissing Arthur on the cheek "I'm fine thank you Arthur"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur simultaneously blushed and panicked at her words "It's Art. Mrs. Grant"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The woman merely smirked at him "I won't tell anyone Aiden". Arthur inwardly berated himself for getting caught knowing that he could trust Kat he flew back to Central city./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Central City:/spanbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Had she really known all this time? He thought as he flew. Smoke could be seen over Central city so that is where he went. "You there yet?" Cisco asked into the microphone sucking on a lollipop./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin walked into the room holding coffee cups "what are you doing?" She asked accusingly as Cisco shut off the monitors and spun in his seat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Cisco shifted uncomfortably in his seat "nothing"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin realising that Cisco was doing something stepped closer asking "who are you talking to?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""No one" Cisco replied. Caitlin continued to step forwards proceeding to ask./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Are you talking to Barry?" She questioned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Who?" Cisco asked trying to play dumb./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Barry Allen. Struck by lightning. In a coma for nine months. Woke up able to run faster than the speed of sound? Ring a bell?" She said snarkily./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Nope haven't talked to him" Cisco answered putting the lollipop in his mouth. Caitlin cocked her head and raised her eyebrow as Barry's voice came through the speaker. As Barry ran from the building Arthur descended upon it blowing the fire out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry caught his breath leaning against a dumpster. "Everybody's out, what else you got for me Cisco?" He said happily, ready to help the next person who needed it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"At S.T.A.R. Labs Caitlin leaned into the microphone "Barry it's Caitlin"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"A look of shock came over his face as he awkwardly responded "hey Caitlin. How's your day?" He asked trying to diffuse the situation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Get back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Now" Caitlin ordered the speedster, giving a stern look to Cisco who merely grinned. Barry raised his hand to his head as an uncomfortable feeling set upon him. Once Barry was back "Have you both lost your minds? Who do you think you are?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Well I'm the eyes and ears and he's the feet" Cisco joked pointing at himself and then Barry. The two followed Caitlin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This isn't funny. You could have gotten yourself killed. You can't be running around the city like some supersonic fireman"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Why not? This is what we talked about. Me using my speed to do good" he justified to the doctor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We talked about you helping us contain other people who might have been affected by the particle accelerator explosion. Meta-humans. Besides Clyde Mardon, we haven't found any. Wells berrated him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""People in the city still need help. And I can help them"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We can help them" Cisco interjected./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Will you please say something" Caitlin asked Wells who just rolled into the cortex./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I think what Caitlin is saying, in her own spectacularly angry. Is we're just beginning to understand what your body is capable of. Not to sound like a broken record Mr. Allen. I do caution restraint" he finished sounding the ever learned mentor. Barry shook his head in disbelief at his idol./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Dr. Wells, I doubt restraint is how you got to be the man you are today" Barry retorted./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""In a wheelchair and a pariah" he said bluntly "lack of restraint is what made me these things" he said raising his voice slightly. "Know your limits" Wells told him before wheeling away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"As Caitlin walked away she gave Barry a cold look "don't expect me to patch you up every time you break something"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Hey uh anything happen out there today? The sensors were kicking back weird telemetry like your vitals spiked for a few seconds" Cisco asked in concern. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry shook his head "never felt better" he responded. A phone chimed as Cisco pulled it out his pocket and handed it to the meta-human./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Hey Joe, everything all right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Great. I got a fresh crime scene, a dead body, detectives interviewing witnesses. Miles of that yellow tape around everything. I'm missing one thing, can you guess what that is?" Joe asked becoming sterner in his question./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'll be right there" Barry hung up with a sigh "my day job beckons"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry sped to the police station causing papers to fly every where. "When do you think he'll remember he forgot his clothes?" Wells said smirking at his employees./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry arrived in the store, a label still on his jacket. "Hey sorry I'm late" Barry said to Joe and the captain. "Doing a little fall shopping?" The captain questioned rather annoyed at the CSI's tardiness./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Oh, hey, I was going so fast this morning I didn't even notice" Barry began putting the gloves on as Eddie showed them the footage. Barry began stepping on the footprints baffling the three men with his methods. "Footage may only show one, but it was six guys. Look, the tracks. They're all crossing each other. Six steps of footprints, six guns stolen. We should be looking for a crew" he informed them causing the men to share a look. "Huh. Weird. The shoes. They are all the same size. Men's 10s I guess. Just like you captain. Not that you're a suspect sir". Barry finished his words with a stutter realising what he had just said. The captain walked away followed by Eddie. As Joe stood in shock./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The two walked into the precinct building. "Your ability to multitask is remarkable. The way you can embarrass me. The captain and yourself at the same time"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Joe I'm sorry"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'm starting to think 'Joe I'm sorry' is my actual name considering how often you say it to me"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'm dealing with a lot right now"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Look I know you are. Believe me I'm dealing with it too. I've always had a very simple set of beliefs. Gravity makes things fall. Water makes things wet. Three years ago we learnt that we are not alone in the universe and I accepted that. Eventually" he fished with a mutter. "And until a few weeks ago, I believed a human man could run a mile in four minutes. Not 4 seconds."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I can do it in three" Barry said cockily "not relevant" he added seeing Joe's expression./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You haven't said anything to Iris, have you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""No I made you a promise. I keep my promises" Barry defended./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Joe pointed at him as he joked. "Keep on lying like that and you're liable to get struck by lightning. Get to the lab. Start processing the evidence from the gun store" Joe watched as Barry jogged up the stairs to his lab./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry began moving his hand in a circle replacing the centrifuge with his powers. He breathed as an uncomfortable feeling set upon him again. "This is all your fault. I could've taken European Folklore. To cover my sociology requirement. But no. You said 'take journalism, Iris. Reporters have all the fun'. Guess what Barry Journalism is boring. I'm bored. I blame you" she monologued in mock offence. She noticed that Barry was staring at her "what? Why are you staring at he like that?" She questioned him. "You look really nice" Barry responded as he moved to the other desk./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Thanks. Why don't you look nice?" She asked. She noticed that Barry didn't seem to understand. "This afternoon? Suit and tie? The university is giving Simon Stagg" she was interrupted as Barry remembered what she was talking about. "Simon Stagg"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Some award and you promised"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""To explain the science in your article. It's all coming back to me now"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How fast can you get home and change?" She asked him. Barry sighed before responding "pretty fast" inwardly chuckling at the joke. Eddie walked in with his hands on his side "Allen, Joe asked me to see where you are at on the evidence from the gun store shooting. Oh hey Iris" he added noticing his girlfriend. Iris blushed as he greeted her "hi detective"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur was once again on the phone to his mother. Honestly he couldn't have been found by a better pair of people./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Have you met any nice girls to bore with all this science?" his mother inquired teasingly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""No mom"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""A shame dear. I was hoping for a daughter in law and some grand children"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Mom. You know that can't happen"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Weren't you born in a box of some sort?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""A genesis Chamber"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Exactly. Anyway you know family isn't determined by blood. I'm sure it will happen sooner than you think"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""By mom" he turned the phone off with a sigh. He loved her infinitely but she could be a bit much sometimes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur was walking along at a leisurely pace towards the university. Stagg's work was remarkable and definitely worth reporting on. He dropped his pad of paper as he was bumped into. "Oh I'm so sorry" the woman said as she bent down to pick the stranger's pad up. She handed it over as Arthur told her "no worries. Arthur Kent. You are?" He asked her sticking out his hand. "Dr. Caitlin Snow" she responded. Arthur furrowed his brows at the name trying to think where he had heard it. "Something wrong?" She asked irritated. Arthur gently shook his head at the woman's question "no. Not at all your name just seemed familiar" he replied donning his politest smile. Now that she thought about it, his seemed somewhat familiar as well. "Coincidence?" She suggested. She definitely hadn't met him before, she would remember if she had. "So what brings you here?" He asked. Caitlin turned to style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm a bioengineer. You're a reporter?" She asked already knowing that he seemed the type. "Yes. The Daily Planet" he responded style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Never heard of it" she told him bluntly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Well I only started it a few weeks ago" he defended. "Thought I might get a good story".br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Probably"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Though the advancements in cell cloning have been tremendous. Soon enough the wait time for organ transplants will be almost removed. The potential is near limitless" he style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I thought you were a reporter?" She asked surprised at his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You aren't the only doctor in the room. My father had a saying 'if you're going to do something give it everything you got' " he told her. She merely responded with a style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I think it's about to start" she said only one step above monotonously. Arthur adjusted his glasses on his face as he readied his notepad. "You're not going to the front?" She asked frowning at the man. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""No I've got a good set of ears" he responded. Caitlin merely shrugged and continued on walking. He listened to the speech writing down the things he thought could be important. At first it didn't cross his mind, multiple simultaneous heartbeats. Stagg had already walked out of the room. Men with guns entered the room firing into the air as they did so. As people screamed Arthur ducked into the toilets. He shed his clothes revealing his insignia into the mirror. He entered the main area standing in front of where the security guard once stood. He wasn't blind to the fact that Barry had moved the guard. Perhaps he would have to warn the meta-human once more. He used his heat vision striking one of the men in the hand causing the bag to drop. He took two steps forward unleashing a clap that sent the men sprawling. As they recovered they unleashed a storm of bullets into the crowd knowing that Superman would save the people instead of chasing them. He blocked them with his body. One last shot was fired at the woman he had met earlier. He flew lifting up her up into the air. Caitlin screamed in shock as she was gently set back down. "Thank you" she stuttered the events of what just happened still in her mind. He flew out the door and back into the toilet getting dressed again. He headed to where there were already cops asking questions. Under a table he saw a saphire necklace that he had seen around Caitlin's neck. He picked it up and walked over to her as she was waiting to be talked to. "Um. Dr. Snow?" She turned at the sound of her name. She almost smiled as she saw the reporter. He held out his palm "I found it on the floor. I recognised it from when we spoke earlier". /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her eyes widened "thank you. I thought I'd never see it again". She blushed as their hands touched as she took it back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" "Just happy to help" he smiled at her. "Seems important" he commented. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She smiled fondly "it is. My father gave it to me before" she trailed of but the ending of her sentence was heavily implied. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I understand" he said his tone less happy. Caitlin tried to put it back on struggling to hold her hair out of the way "do you need help?" He asked the Dr. She nodded her confirmation as Arthur went behind her gently moving her hair out of the way. She wasn't sure why she was feeling this way surely it was wrong so soon. "You were saved by Superman. Can I get a quote about that?" He asked donning a polite smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Feelings stirred inside of him, wishing he could have a normal life. He definitely felt, something for the doctor but he didn't know what. He saw her blush and heard her heart rate increase when they were near. But he knew that any chance would disappear with the fact he was alien. He lived in a world of buildings of sand and people of cardboard./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"S.T.A.R. Labs:/spanbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Caitlin was angry. Furious. Livid. "You lied to us. How could you not tell us you were experiencing dizzy spells? We're your doctors!" Her hands were becoming more animated as she continued to berate Barry. "God knows what's going on inside your body. Your cells are in a constant state of flux. You could be experiencing a cardiopulmonary failure, or a transient ischemic attack"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry looked at Wells his scientific mind failing him at the present moment "mini-stroke. Probably not". /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry looked back at Caitlin "you, of all people should know that in science, we share. We do not keep secrets" she finally finished. She then stormed off to continue her work and calm down. She may not of been Barry's best friend but she had begun to care for him. She didn't want to lose someone, anyone else. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Wow I haven't seen anyone make her that angry since Ronnie" Cisco remarked handing a pad to Wells, walking to catch up with his friend./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin was stood pushing various buttons rather angrily. "Hey" Cisco said tentatively./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Ronnie was Caitlin's fiancé?" He asked looking to wells. "The one that died the night of the particle accelerator explosion?" Wells looked to the wall blankly. He may have been deceiving them but he did genuinely care for them. Especially the trio of Caitlin, Cisco and Ronnie. "He is missed" he responded. A moment passed before he commented "now let's see why this is happening to you"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Cisco walked up to Barry rubbing his hands together "we are all set" he chimed "a little padding just in case" he said, leaning against the boxes filled with Styrofoam. Barry looked at the padding, intimidated by the need for it. "Yeah". Cisco walked behind the consoles ready to make sure everything was running smoothly. "You sure about all this, Cisco?" Barry asked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Most home treadmills have a maximum speed of around 12mph. This one has been Cisco'ed by yours truly. Trust me, it can handle your speed" he said sure in his creation. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry readied himself to begin running "okay" he said. Cisco started the treadmill. Barry began running, slowly building up speed. Soon he was reaching speeds that most could only dream of. "Heart rate, blood pressure, nerve conduction all normal" Caitlin said thinking of other factors that could be affecting Barry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""For Barry" Wells chimed. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin read another monitor "brainwave function within standard limits". /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Cisco was smiling in his seat proud of his creation "heh. Told you the treadmill could take it"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" Wells' eyes went to a line on the screen "Caitlin, look at the glucose levels"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Oh my God. Of course" she sighed, disappointed in her own stupidity. "It was so obvious" she berated herself. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Glucose levels" Wells said again. Barry continued running oblivious to all that they were saying. "Barry we think we know why you keep" he was interrupted by a thud as Barry flew off the treadmill and into the wall of boxes that Cisco had constructed. "Passing out" he finished as Caitlin jumped and pulled a face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry slowly sat up from the bed, assisted by Caitlin and Cisco. "I passed out again?" He asked groggily. "Total metabolic failure. Brought on by acute hypoglycaemia" Caitlin clarified for him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" "I'm not eating enough? So an I.V. bag and I'm good to go?" He simplified causing Cisco to scoff and Caitlin to smirk. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Try 40. Guess you were thirsty" he said smirking from his chair, drinking coffee. "We are going to need to fashion you a diet based on your metabolic changes"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I've done a few calculations. You need to eat an amount equal to roughly 850 tacos. Unless we're talking cheese and guac, which is like a whole other set of qualifications" Cisco half joked. Joe walked in unnoticed by the team. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""For Mexican I recommend Tito's on Buckner avenue. Best burrito in the city" he said walking around the cortex. Wells looked at the detective "detective West. What brings you to S.T.A.R. Labs?" Joe looked at Barry "when I couldn't find you in your lab, I started doing a little research. Turns out there were reports of a red streak running around the city. Stopping muggers. Rescuing people from burning buildings. And it wasn't the big friendly alien" he finished with a joke. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Joe I can explain" he began./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You already have a job in law enforcement, Barry. I suggest you get back to it" he said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" Caitlin hummed in agreement "don't look at me, I'm on your side" she said as the detective looked at her accusingly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Detective, we all want what's best for Barry" Wells tried to justify. "If you wanted what's best for Barry, you'd talk him out of this insanity. Instead of encouraging him going out there risking his life" Joe told the disabled style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You saw a man control the weather. What are the police going to do about someone like that. Since the accelerator exploded we think there may be more like him" Barry argued emotionally. Joe crossed his arms in frustration "and you are going to do what? Catch them? Are you insane?" Joe asked angrily, concerned for Barry's safety. "You think that because you can run real fast that you're invincible? You're not. You can still be hurt. you're just a kid. My kid." Joe told him unwilling to compromise on what he perceived best for his son. "But I'm not your kid, Joe and you're not my father" Joe's eyes began to water at Barry's words. Some part of him knew that he didn't mean those words but they hurt nonetheless. "My father is sitting in Iron Heights. Wrongfully convicted" Barry stood up as anger became the only thing on his mind. "You were wrong about him and you are wrong about this" his jaw clenched as Joe refused to see what he saw as reason. "Now I may not be able to help him" Barry admitted his chest feeling pain as he did so. "But if I can save someone from a burning building... Or stop some armed thieves I'm going to do it. And you can't stop me" Barry told Joe angrily. "So don't try" Barry warned the detective. Joe looked around the room "you think you're so smart all of you. But you don't know what you don't know. Joe looked at Wells for a brief moment, pointing at the man in the wheel chair "I hope you are smart enough to figure it out before somebody gets killed" he finished pointing at the young man he took in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Gotham:/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"'You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy' the quote was from Star Wars. It was about Mos Eisley but it always made Arthur think of Gotham. Home to The Joker. To the Scarecrow. To one man who he had long looked up to. That is why he was there, stood on the dreary roof. He gazed to the sky. In the clouds there was a symbol of justice of hope for the people of Gotham. "Bruce" Arthur said not turning to face the man "we need to talk"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Wayne mansion was a lavish place full of antiquities. They were sat on leather couches drinking tea that Alfred had made. "What can I do for you Arthur?" Bruce asked the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I need your advice" he admitted to the man./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""My advice would be to seek out investors, perhaps Wayne Industries" he suggested purposely misconstruing Arthur's intentions./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"He stared Bruce in the eyes asking "what can you tell me about this reported red blur in Central?" Bruce had indeed heard of such a thing, he liked to keep an eye on things like this. To some it was a severe case of paranoia but to him it merely came with the territory of being Batman./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Barry Allen?" Bruce asked trying to confirm the identity. The alien nodded "you want to know if he is trust worthy?" He asked knowing his friend's intentions./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I do not believe that he is like us. Able to do what we do" Arthur commented. He knew full well the sacrifices that had to be made to go out every night and see humanity at it's worse./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I thought you were the one who believed in giving people a chance?" Bruce said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I don't know. More and more people with these powers will be cropping up" he said. The words caused Bruce to adopt a worried look. 'How long' he thought 'how long until a criminal appears with the ability to make his friend bleed'?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You are worried about trusting the wrong people on this" Bruce said. Arthur nodded at his words "you have all the information on this that I do. More even" the billionaire finished./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We have walked this path but I can't let someone else get hurt. Not while I can still help" he said confidently./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You know the answer. We both do" Bruce said ambiguously./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Thank you Bruce" the two men nodded and shook hands. It was funny how all that time ago they were both on the way to take the other down. Two men who are so similar yet so different, both believing the other to be the better man./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The following morning Barry approached his work station "come to yell at me again?" he asked eyeing Joe as he walked into the lab. Joe sighed at the remark "Simon Stagg's head of security was murdered last night. The coroner took some skin samples hopefully they belong to the killer" he said handing Barry a bag of evidence. "See if you can find a match" he told the CSI as he walked away. Barry's mind was racing to find the pattern "can't be a coincidence Stagg's benefit was attacked" he pointed out to the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'm going to interview Stagg right now" he told Barrybr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"I'll come with you" Barry said preparing to go with the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Your job is in here. Stay here and do it" he told the scientist trying to keep him away from style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" / Iris walked in smiling as she greeted her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Hey baby" he responded kissing her on the cheek before style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Why is my dad mad at you?" she asked Barry immediately taking note of the rift between the two men. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry turned to glance at her and then turned back to his work "work stuff" he lied. "Why are you mad at me?" he asked seeing her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You were supposed to meet me at Jitters to give me some scientific background for my article" she reminded the speedster. He sighed in frustration remembering his promise "and I didn't show up"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Now I have to come up with a new article topic within 24 hour or else I fail this assignment" she said to him irritated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" Barry turned to her "iris" he began. Iris interrupted him showing her style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Don't say that you're sorry. okay. I know that you are. What I don't know is what is going on with you. We grew up one bedroom down from each other. Do you honestly believe that I don't know when you aren't happy? Or sad, or depressed or lost?" she monologued while opening a packet of coffee sweetener. "I'm going to ask you one last time" she demanded "Barry Allen, and you better be honest with me. What the hell is". Barry never heard the end of her sentence as he began moving so incredibly fast that he was able to vent all of his feelings to Iris before the sweetener even reached the coffee. "The hell is going on with you?" She said as Barry began moving at a perceivable speed once more. The analysis finished and Barry moved to analyse the data hoping to escape the conversation with Iris. Iris followed him to the work station "we are not done talking about this" she warned him. Stem cells appeared upon the screen baffling the scientist./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" He looked in shock at the screen "Impossible" he stated. "There was a murder last night. These cells belong to the murderer but these cells are naïve. Stem cells. They can differentiate to become any cells the body needs. They only come from babies" he told the aspiring reporter. Iris was confused at what he just said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This means what, your killer is a new born, a pregnant woman?" She asked. Barry didn't respond to her question. "I suppose I should let you deal with this" she said. Barry nodded comprehending the possibility of a metahuman. "Look we'll talk later okay?" Iris said not letting Barry escape the situation. She left as Barry prepared to head to S.T.A.R. Labs./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The two cops and the scientist walked through a warehouse "you honestly think that someone wants to kill me?" Stagg asked the cops. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We are not sure Mr. Stagg but the event you were being honoured at was robbed at gun point" Eddie said trying to placate the man. "And your head of security was found murdered this morning" Joe added erring on the side of caution. Stagg shook his head in disbelief "I am a scientist and a philanthropist. We are not often the target of assassins" he told them arrogantly. Joe lifted a stack of papers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""What about lawsuits? You got about 20 of those pending against you" he said trying to gain information on who the criminals could be. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Yeah, it is a sad fact of life detective, that when you have lots of money, People who haven't, think they can take yours" he informed them ever the capitalist. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Joe spun on the spot lifting a piece of paper with a photo of Danton Black. It was no coincidence that his was the photo he picked out. "People like this guy for example? Danton Black" Joe said. Stagg repeated the name already knowing exactly who the man was. Joe began reading another sheet of paper "you fired him, now he's suing you" he pointed out. "Unfortunately our working relationship wasn't successful. But I can assure you both of one thing. Danton Black is not a killer" he held the paper for the cops to see "he is a clinical researcher not a criminal mastermind. Now if I can help you in any way please let me know" he said politely as he began walking away to go back to his business. "I want these people caught as much as you" he said only caring for his own safety and not the innocents who could be caught in the crossfire./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Five men stood side by side "then here we are" one of them shouted. They pointed their guns and began firing. "Down" Joe shouted. Bullets ricochet, the sound travelling into the highly sensitive cochlea of an alien. Joe and Eddie drew their own guns. Eddie fired a shot as the three went for cover. "Head down" Eddie warned trying to maintain composure. The five men proceeded down the aisle trying to get closer to their target./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Superman twisted through the air. He could hear the gun shots, he could hear the thundering heartbeat of One Barry Allen. One thing stood out in his super senses, these men all had simultaneous heartbeats all but one who was one fifth of a second ahead of the others. He scanned the warehouse and proceeded to land just as two of the men tried to flank them. Eddie and Stagg dived behind a wooden box, letting the alien go to work. They began firing at him, he stood as the bullets hit his chest. His heat vision went towards one of the men who managed to dodge it, while the other lifted a barrel and threw it at him. raising one hand he tried to catch the barrel unaware that it was travelling fast enough to push his arm an inch back. The barrel bounced to the side with a metallic clang. The man who threw the barrel ran to him faster than any athlete he had seen and punched him, caught unaware he stumbled at the blow "You're strong. Good to know". Arthur rushed forwards grabbing the man by the left shoulder and throwing him into the armed man. A gun clattered to the ground next to him, he kicked it to the side where Joe was being pinned by the two men. The men who he had caused to collide stood once more, both charged at him simultaneously. It wasn't yet a situation where they could outmatch his strength instead it was a situation in which he had to maintain restraint. These men were far stronger than a normal human but they could still be killed if he kicked too hard, punched too fast. He dodged a fist to the face, sweep kicking the man off of his feet. He groaned as he hit the floor. The other man swung a metal rod that he had found on the floor. Arthur caught the rod and made it brittle with his breath. "Run" he shouted to the cop and scientist. Arthur ran back to the detective just in time to see Black replicate. Joe fired at the men who fired back. Arthur placed himself in front of the detective "I'm giving you the chance to lay down your weapons" he told the men. They fired at him hoping that a bullet would finally do it's job. Arthur prepared to defend the detective. He let time pass over him, something he had learned from his aunt, he saw Barry run into the building. His optical receptors perceived him to be moving slower than the average human. Their guns disappeared from their hands before they could blink "go" he told the detective who refused. Before anything could be done the detective found himself outside of the building./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry sped back into the building "whoever you are give yourself up" he demanded as he stood next to the alien. "Sorry we're not going anywhere. Until Simon Stagg is dead" five of the identical men said. Arthur unleashed his Arctic breath sending the men backwards. His eyes glowed red as they attacked him and Barry. Barry sped forwards knocking two over. The three left shook as they replicated, Arthur fired heat vision at two of them sending them sprawling. One of them drew a gun firing at Barry who caught the bullet. Nine engaged Arthur separating him from Barry, earlier there tactics were flawed but they seemed to have learned from their mistake. Arthur hovered at head height kicking one in the face. He rapidly descended punching the ground hard enough to cause small tremors. "What are you?" He asked them unsure if they were like Barry, or something else. "I am justice" they replied. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""No" Arthur shouted "I have looked justice in the eyes and you are not him" he told them as he blocked a blow to the head./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry was holding his own at the start but that was quickly fading. He punched a clone in the stomach causing it to replicate. In his surprised he was struck from behind. Barry felt his leg give way as it was kicked out from under him. He fell to the floor as they began to strike. They struck again until he was finally defenseless./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur spun as fast as he could nailing the clones with a dangerous intensity of heat vision. They went into the aisle one remained standing but before he could react he was thrown into his compatriots like a bowling ball "strike" Arthur quipped. He had a choice take Barry to S.T.A.R. Labs or take in the criminals in the end there wasn't much of a choice. The priority was always the people. He gathered Barry into his arms and headed to S.T.A.R. Labs./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"He entered the cortex where he was met with silence by the scientists. Cisco was the first to speak as a smile worked it's way through "you're Superman". It was then that Caitlin's brain processed the unconscious form of Barry Allen "put him here" she said gesturing to a bed. He did as the doctor ordered and gently placed Barry down. Caitlin immediately set to work rubbing disinfectant on the wounds only glancing back at the alien. Cisco, who was still smiling "I have so many questions" he told the occupants of the room. Wells wheeled forward "perhaps we should priotise other things like the state of our" he stopped not wanting to reveal Barry's name./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Barry Allen" Arthur interjected revealing his knowledge./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You know his name?" Wells asked intrigued./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Dr. Harrison Wells, Dr Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramone" he stated looking at each of them in turn./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Superman knows my name. Cool" he said smiling widely./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Well it seems you have us at a disadvantage Mr." he paused hoping the Kryptonion would reveal his real name. Arthur looked at him curiously "Art In-Ze or Superman is fine" he told the scientists./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Wells looked at him curiously and turned the conversation back to the CSI "perhaps you could tell us about what happened to Barry?" Arthur turned back to the wheel chaired man "I was actually hoping you could tell me. This man was like no alien I have read about. He was able to replicate himself into over 15 clones all exactly the same, they were strong too, enough to catch me off guard. I was wondering if he was like Barry, one of these so called meta-humans?" He asked looking over at the chief scientist. Well's mind searched for the answer as his employees shared an uneasy look, "Cisco if you please". Cisco swivelled in his chair and tapped furiously on the keyboard. The screen brought up a choropleth map showing the different exposure to dark matter. "When we turned the accelerator on the tremor caused a malfunction in the pipeline. Dark matter and other X elements were released we hypothesise that this is what is causing people to gain these powers" he informed the alien regretfully. Arthur saw the man's regret clear as day on his style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It's not your fault Dr. You would have to be from the future to have known about the tremor" he told style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"If only that was the case" wells replied curtly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"On the bed Barry began to stir. His hyper healing having worked like a charm, repairing his bones and closing his cuts. He looked around the room. He saw his new friends around the room, he blinked his eyes, squinting at the strange figure. The cape hung from his back, "superman?" he questioned with a groan. The medical doctor rushed to Barry's side to assess his condition "that was quite the fight you put up Mr. Allen" he commented sarcastically. Caitlin grabbed forceps and a first aid box "perhaps you can talk once I have treated my patient" she said. Caitlin began to clean more of Barry's wounds letting his hyper healing do most of the work. "Thank you for saving me" he told the alien sincerely. Arthur nodded in response. Barry winced as Caitlin did her work. The doctor apologised at causing the speedster discomfort. "The abrasions are already rapidly healing" she style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Yeah, I got my ass handed to me" the speedster reluctantly admitted. Arthur watched as Cisco inspected the suit "you got blood on my suit" he said in mock offence at the appearance of his hard work./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Some of it belongs to him, another not so friendly meta human" Barry said bitterly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I told you what would happen if you didn't stop" Arthur said reminding Barry of the warning he gave. Barry huffed in frustration "I had to do something. Anyway at least we have a name". Wells pivoted his chair to face a screen, he swiped up on his tablet causing Black's face to appear "Danton Black" he said. Wells had a look of admiration "biogenetecist specialised in therapeutic cloning. Growing new organs to replace failing ones" he explained not knowing if the super powered alien knew what that was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Apparently Stagg stole his research and then fired him" Caitlin pointed out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Harrison Wells looked over at the alien "didn't you say Black created clones of himself Mr. Superman?" Wells asked. Arthur nodded in response "pretty Ironic how he specialised in cloning, now he can make xeroxes of himself" the alien and speedster smirked as they realised just what Cisco had said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"A link formed in Well's mind "if he was experimenting on himself when he came into contact with the dark matter wave", he was interrupted by Cisco "meet Captain Clone" he said giving the meta a name. The occupants looked at him in disbelief as his name fell flat. His smile faded as he saw there were no fans of Captain Clone "don't worry I'll come up with something cooler". Barry looked at the image of Danton Black, he shook his head and made his way to leave "where are you going?" Caitlin asked concerned. Barry turned to face everyone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Joe was right. I'm in way over my head. I'm fast but I am no warrior" he turned to look at the caped man "no Superman. I could barely fight one metahuman let alone 10" he went to leave once more./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Wells stopped him, calling his name "Barry. I understand today was a setback but every grand enterprise has them. You can never learn to fly without crashing a few times" he said smirking./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur had remained silent it seemed the time of his choice was upon him "I can confirm that". Caitlin raised an eyebrow as Cisco looked as if he wanted to hear the story./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This wasn't a grand enterprise Dr. Wells" he paused "This was a mistake" he admitted as he left the building./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur looked at each of them "thank you for your help, truly but I have been doing this for years. Leave it to me" with that he sped himself out of the cortex reaching into the sky. He had a meta human to catch but first he needed calories and lots of them./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Steak, chips and Ice cream. It was chock full of calories allowing him to be at full strength. It was his favourite, yet he was eating it all alone. He walked to the alleyway and ascended into the sky. The nourishing sun enabled his eyes to become like telescopes with which he could gaze into the night sky. He first looked to Mars, and then to the left. He could see a star which he knew had long since exploded. It was there as bright as ever and he would wait for the light of the explosion to reach Earth. He closed his eyes allowing his ears to take over. It was a familiar voice that he could hear "you need to get to S.T.A.R. Labs right now". He could hear what seemed to be panic in her voice. He found himself flying as fast as he could. By the time he got there Barry was stood in front of black "turn yourself in" he told Black./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""It's okay. It's okay." Caitlin assured the super powered beings./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Standing there. That's not him is it?" Barry asked coming to the realisation faster than the Kryptionion./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""It's one of his replicates" Wells explained calming the two men./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur looked at Black "how did he get here?" He asked the scientists./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin stepped forwards explaining just how Black was standing there. "I grew him" she said blushing and smiling at her accomplishment. Arthur looked at her quizically "are you sure this is safe? When I fought earlier they were able to dodge attacks that they couldn't see coming. Almost like some kind of hive mind" he asked turning his attention back to the replicate. "We believe that he is only aware of them when he is actively trying to use them. This replicate is acting as a receiver" Wells explained easing his mind. Arthur considered a link in his mind "kinda like a remote control car" he said causing the older scientist to nod in affirmation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Caitlin pulled up a screen on her computer "I isolated a sample of Black's blood from your suit, to see if I could trigger the In Vitro cultivation process. To learn how Black multiplies." She explained letting her hands become more animated with her excitement. "So I exposed the target cell to a protein gel and they began replicating into that" she finished, pointing at Black. "We also think we may have a way to stop him" Caitlin looked at Arthur "like you said. The relationship between Black and the replicates is like a remote control car. So if we take the batteries out of the remote. We switch them all of". /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How do we know which is the real Danton Black?" Arthur asked the scientists./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""That occurred to me given Barry's passing out. Black has limits just like you. Controlling all of the clones must require a huge amount of Physical strength and concentration. Look for the one showing signs of weakness or fatigue. He's the prime" she said excitedly. Arthur looked at the scientist admiring her intelligence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Just a theory but one the two of you might want to put to the test" Wells informed them erring on the side of caution. Cisco walked over carrying a packet "plus, I whipped up these protein bars to keep your metabolism up" he said offering the packet to Barry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I suggest steak and ice cream" there heads turned at the outlandish suggestion "what? Don't knock it until you've tried it". The replicate grunted and turned to Caitlin causing her to scream, as Arthur prepared to go on the defensive two shots rang out hitting the replicate in the chest sending it to the ground. "Anymore of them?" the detective asked. Wells seemingly already had an answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Nope" Caitlin said hurriedly as she caught her breath. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The speedster questioned why the clone moved. "Prime. I'm guessing the prime is on the move. It heard the summons to battle" Wells explained. Joe holstered his gun "and I know where he was summoned to. Stagg Industries". /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry looked at him in surprise at his hesitation "why aren't you calling it in?" He asked the man who took him in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""you were right. The police can't fight this. What Black's become, like Mardon" he shook his head "it's beyond me. Maybe beyond them too" he said nodding in Well's direction. "But you can stop this, Barry and I know you won't be alone. Now go stop him" he finished looking at the alien who gave a nod of affirmation. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Arthur knew Barry wasn't aware of how to use his speed "Barry" he said gaining the meta's attention "your optical receptors are beyond anything this world has seen, perhaps even me. Slow down and let the world pass you by and you shouldn't get hit" he explained. Barry seemed to understand what he meant and walked to his suit. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Cisco was currently like a kid in a candy store "hell yeah. We're really doing this? Super hero team up. Watch out central city Superman and the" he trailed off not knowing of a name to give Barry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Once Barry was in his suit the two men looked at each other "you go in the front door. I'll come from above" he told the less experienced hero. Barry readied himself "race you" he said a fraction of a second before he started running. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""So cool" Cisco said as he saw them disappear. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Joe blinked a few times still trying to make sense of it "I don't think I'm ever getting used to that" he mumbled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"5 men were holding guns to Stagg, Barry took Stagg away as Arthur descended through a window behind them. He kicked one of them in the head as he landed. He exhaled throwing the replicates into the floor. He and Barry were stood facing the replicates. "I know Stagg stole your research but that doesn't give you the right to murder" he told Black. All the replicates began firing, Barry heeded the alien's words. He saw as the bullets seemed to slow down allowing him to dodge them. Arthur dashed to a chair and hurled it at one of the replicates on the floor above. He quickly glanced at a clone on the ground floor sending him sprawling with a weak blast of heat vision. Barry darted knocking out clones on his way to the stairs. The clones on the ground floor charged at Arthur knowing that their physical strength would do more damage to him than bullets. He sidestepped a punch letting it sail past him, stopping inches before another clone. Another grabbed a chair and sent it barrelling into him. Arthur quickly recovered grabbing it's broken leg and hitting two of the clones with it. He let himself be put on the back foot as they corralled him against a desk. He quickly flipped over the desk and shoved it into three of the clones./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This is about Elizabeth" said the clone that was being pushed against a pillar said. "She was my wife' said another, drawing Barry's attention. Barry sped the clone into another room. "She had a degenerative coronary disease. She was on the transplant list for years but time was running out so if I couldn't get her a new heart" Barry new what was coming next./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""You were going to grow her one" he finished for the desperate man./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Downstairs Arthur hesitated as he heard the words. His father had died in a similar manner, he couldn't help but sympathise with the man. One of the clones saw his hesitation and struck him sending him into the desk behind. He jumped onto the desk and slowly looked at the clones that were circling him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I was so close" he cried "until Stagg stole my research so he could reap the glory while I had to bury my best friend. "Now I'm alone" he said in a way that made Barry want to cry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I know what it's like to be alone, Danton" the clones looked at the alien "the government of my world knew it was going to die and in their hubris they let it" he said sombrely. Arthur pushed himself further wanting to stop any violence "two billion souls lost forever. Now I'm the last of my kind and my people will die with me" Black's hands trembled slightly at the tale. "Please, it's never too late to change" he begged the Meta-human./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Black replicated into even more and circled Barry. Arthur flew and grabbed the speedster's hand pulling him away. "Remember Barry, find the prime"./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""There's too many of them to fight" he told them through his comms. Wells chimed in reminding Barry of their theory. "I can't it's impossible" he told them breathlessly. Next to him Arthur readied himself to fight the clones. It would not be easy, to take them all out without using too much power. "Nothing's impossible Barry, you taught me that. You can do this" he said surely into the microphone as he was sat on the edge of his seat. The clones came up the steps, Barry and Arthur shared a look as one fell. On the count of three they ran towards the sea of clones. Arthur sent a blast from his eyes knocking a good few of them down. Barry knocked one over causing others to trip. Latching onto a clone, Arthur spun him in a 360 and released into the crowd. Barry ran as fast as he could knocking Black out and transporting him away. Arthur looked as the clones fell. "Barry are you alright?" His foster father asked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The speedster let out a breath as he began to laugh "it's over". Unbeknownst to Barry the prime Black stood behind him. He charged at Barry who dodged out of his way. Barry rushed over to the window to save Black. Danton knew, he knew he could not have revenge. If he could not have revenge then he would be reunited with his sweet Elizabeth and in his last moments he smiled for the first time in months./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Barry was stood, his arms crossed as he watched the news "tried to save him" he said regretfully. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Wells looked at the screen solemnly "some people don't want to be helped. Sometimes when they break there's no putting them back together" he said to his colleagues and the speedster. Barry turned to the scientist "some people heal even stronger" Barry told him. The words related to Wells more than any of them could have known. Barry turned, patting Wells on the back. Cisco walked over with his lollipop "well at least Multiplex won't be able to hurt anyone else. Told you I'd think of a cool name" he told them putting the lollipop back in his mouth./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" "I hope I'm not interrupting anything" a voice said, drawing their attention. All four heads swivelled to face him "Thank you for your help" Arthur told him. He looked at the faces around the room "I once thought I could save the world by myself. I was wrong" he said surprising the speedster. "This world, like it or not is changing. Evolving, perhaps it is time for me to do the same" Arthur stretched his hand to the speedster "partners?" he asked. Barry shook his hand repeating his word. "Goodnight Mr. Allen" Barry grabbed his coat and headed to his lab./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /From her chair Caitlin sighed, the men turned to look at her "it just feels unfair. Stagg kept that research that could have saved hundreds of lives and he lost his wife because of it" Arthur felt himself agreeing. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"An idea came to mind "I'm sure someone out there will discover the truth. It seems I am needed in Japan" with that he flew there. He had always been warned away from friends, but now? He felt more himself than he had ever been./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Conflict, it had many definitions but the one this woman was experiencing was emotional. She had signed up to do good in the world. To eradicate diseases, perhaps even death. She didn't sign up for this, to play God./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"A/n:br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Danton Black was given enhanced strength in order to compensate for Arthur's presence. /span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"While the replicates aren't sentient meaning Arthur could obliterate them all within seconds I decided that he wouldn't be able to bring himself to do so due to their human appearance. /span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p