Masque Of Death • The Flash

Hostage Situation

As my fight came to an end, I watched the van vanish into the distance with amazing speed.

Damn it. She got away again.

Frustration surged within me, but I pushed it aside, knowing there was no time for self-recrimination. My attention was suddenly drawn to a crackling sound, accompanied by an icy chill. Killer Frost and the Flash streaked towards me, locked in a dangerous chase. Swiftly, I retrieved a specialized ammunition cartridge and deftly loaded it into my pistol, taking careful aim.

With each passing moment, the Flash and Killer Frost hurtled closer, the tension mounting in the air. I held my breath, poised for the opportune moment. As they closed mere inches from me, I squeezed the trigger, releasing a syringe filled with a unique concoction. The projectile found its mark, piercing the Flash's leg. Instantly, his control over his superhuman speed wavered, and he careened into a nearby light pole with a bone-jarring impact.

Approaching the fallen hero, I couldn't resist a taunt. "Nanites, courtesy of Palmer Tech," I announced with a touch of satisfaction. "They deliver a high-frequency pulse that disables your speed. You're not gonna be running around for quite a while."

The Flash struggled to his feet, still dazed by the impact. He attempted to retaliate, but it was futile. I took him down with ease.

As if on cue, Killer Frost alighted beside me, stepping off her crystalline bridge. Her icy presence chilled the air as she spoke.

"Savitar says, I'm not allowed to kill you, but we can't have you following me around," she declared. With one hand, she raised a deadly icicle from her palm. Addressing the Flash, she inquired, "Was it the left leg last time?"

"What?" groaned the Flash, still disoriented from his collision with the light pole.

Without awaiting his reply, Killer Frost drove the icicle deep into his leg, eliciting a pained cry from the Scarlet Speedster.

Ouch. That's gotta sting.

"Scar tissue is far more sensitive than regular tissue," she taunted, callousness dripping from her words. The Flash writhed in agony, his moans filling the air.

"This isn't you." He pleaded, attempting to reach the vestiges of humanity within her, despite the pain coursing through his veins.

"It is now," Killer Frost retorted, her voice devoid of warmth or empathy. I scooped up the unconscious Cisco, my gaze hardening as I issued my ultimatum.

"And also, bring us Tracy Brand to the XXXX warehouse by nightfall, or we will kill your best friend."

Retreating toward my awaiting vehicle, the Flash could only watch helplessly, his despair evident as his best friend was taken away before his very eyes, leaving him with a gnawing sense of powerlessness.

...

~XXXX warehouse~

Beep!

The beep of my wrist device resounded as I gracefully leapt off the stacks of crates where I had been lying in wait.

"They're here," I signalled, motioning for Killer Frost, who was meticulously examining her icy nails, to prepare herself.

Vaulting off another crate, she said with a hint of excitement, "Finally."

"Caitlin, you don't have to kill her. I know deep down there's still good in you," Cisco pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation, as Flash, Joe, and Tracy slowly closed in on our rendezvous point.