Harrison Wells' Human Shield

Fastest Man Alive [Final]

Clara screamed when she walked into STAR Labs and saw Black standing there.

Caitlin quickly pulled Clara away. "Cici, it's okay,"

"It is not okay. Black is here, and he's just..." Clara looked at Black, confused. "Standing there?" she looked back at the team. "That's not him, is it?"

"It's one of his replicates." Dr. Wells explained to his daughter as Barry came zooming.

"How did you get it?" Barry voiced on edge.

"I grew him," Caitlin admitted with a smirk.

Both Clara and Barry looked at the woman in shock.

"I isolated a sample of Black's blood from your suit to see if I could trigger the in vitro cultivation process and learn how Black multiplies. So I exposed the target cells to a protein gel, and they began replicating...into that,"

Clara pushed the replicate and moved behind Barry. "Why isn't he...it doing anything?"

"We did a brain scan," Dr. Wells explained to the lost duo. "Involuntary motor functions are active, little else,"

"We think it's acting as a receiver," Cisco reasoned.

"The clones are an empty shell without Black. Shut down the real Black, and you might shut them all down," Caitlin said.

"But how do we know which one's the real Danton Black?" Barry wondered.

"That occurred to me, given your own passing out. Black has limits, just like you. Controlling all of those clones must require a tremendous amount of physical strength. So, look for the one showing signs of weakness or fatigue. He's the prime,"

"Just a theory...but one you might want to put to the test, Mr. Allen," Dr. Wells said.

"Plus, I whipped up these high-calorie protein bars for you to keep your metabolism up,"

"They're good," Clara nodded. I might have..." She was jolted when Black's replica moved towards her, and she screamed, causing the replica to be pushed back by her forcefield.

Gunshots went off, and the team turned to see Detective West by the door with his gun raised.

"Any more of them?" Detective West asked.

"Nope," Caitlin admitted.

"Why did it start moving?!" Clara demanded shakily.

"The Prime." Dr. Wells said, "My guess is, the prime is on the move." he looked at the dead replicate. "This one heard the summons to battle,"

"And I know where he was summoned to," Detective West said as he holstered his gun. "Stagg Industries,"

"You should call it in," Barry said.

Detective West shook his head. "Police can't fight this. What Black's become, like Mardon...beyond me. Maybe way beyond them, too. The only person it's not beyond is you. You gotta do this. I get it. So, for once in your life, do what I tell you to do. Go stop him,"

Barry smiled and went to put on the suit.

***

Clara paced anxiously as she heard Barry getting beat up over the comms.

"Remember, Barry. Find the prime," Caitlin reminded.

"There's too many of them to fight," Barry said, tiredly.

"Barry, you need to isolate the prime," Dr. Wells echoed.

"I can't. It's impossible,"

"Nothing's impossible, Barry. You taught me that," Detective West said. "You can do this,"

Barry let out a cry and,within moments, laughed as he caught his breath.

"Barry," Clara called out worriedly as she moved to the comms. "Barry, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Barry said. "I'm fine. It's done,"

There was the sound of shattering glass.

"Hang on!" Barry exclaimed

Clara looked at the team with wide eyes.

"Don't," Barry pleaded.

The aftersilence was cue enough to let the team know what had happened.

***

"Central City police officials are now confirming..." A news report said on the tv in STAR Labs.

"Tried to save him," Barry admitted quietly.

"Doesn't sound like he wanted to be saved," Dr. Wells said. "Some people, when they break...they can't be put together again,"

Clara squeezed her father's hand. "Some people heal even stronger," she reminded.

Dr. Wells patted her hand. "I hope so,"

"Well, at least multiplex won't be able to hurt anyone else," Cisco said.

Clara cringed, shaking her head at the nickname for Denton Black.

"Told you I'd come up with a cool name,"

"Yeah, I may be the one in the suit doing all the running...but when I'm out there helping people, making a difference...you're all out there with me." Barry said, "Finally realized something, we were all struck by that lightning,"

"He gives better motivation speeches than you," Clara teased her father as Barry left the lab.