NO HERO · BARRY ALLEN | ✘

Fourteen: Carnwennan

"Cisco, what did you want?" I sigh, wishing I could have my phone in hand in case of an awkward conversation.

"Well since Barry is out talking to Stein and doing some police whatnot, Wells and I have created something absolutely special for you," Cisco says giddily. He claps his hands in excitement.

"I did say I was going to look into your records and I found that you took fencing classes... in fifth grade?"Wells closes a folder and sets it on his lap.

"Yeah. I started when I was ten and stopped at seventeen. I think it was because of all those AP classes. Agh, I might be a little rusty. What does this have to do with anything- sir?"

"We've decided to give you a special gift. It's this dagger with some special buttons on the side and when you turn on this button right here- um, I think it's better if you do it." Cisco hands me a knife around sixteen inches long, simple, with round circle looking buttons on the side.

"What does this have to do with fencing?" I blurt out, then purse my lips. "Sorry."

"Yeah, whatever. Press that one." He points at the bottom.

I brush my thumb over it and feel a sharp jab. "Fu- JESUS!" The button glows red and the smallest drop of blood eventually evaporates. Ewww..

"It just imprinted on you. The dagger knows only you can turn on the buttons. Now press it again."

I reluctantly rub my thumb over the button again and the dagger begins to heat up. I'm a few inches away from the blade but it still burns as if I'm really touching it. "Damn, that is really hot!"

"Yup. The heat allows neurotransmitters and other special particles to go into a body, disrupting acceleration movement in the target."

"Huh?"

"It kinda neutralizes metahumans for a few minutes when you stab them. But only if you turn it on. The heat cauterizes the wound so it's not too dangerous, unless you turn the cold on."

"Wow, that is.. Amazing."

Cisco gently slides it into a sheath. "This sheath, in simple people talk, just basically protects it from rusting, the cold, dust, et cetera et cetera. The inner layer replaces the neurotransmitters when the amount is low, and you'll feel it slack against your hand. Don't worry though, there's enough in the knife to last years."

"Thank you so much Cisco! And Dr. Wells." I wrap my arms around his neck. Since I'm wearing heels, he's maybe about an inch or two shorter. "I wanna practice on people. Metahumans, preferably."

"You'll need this only in case of emergency, if the Flash can't save you," Wells explains sharply, taking the knife. "We don't want this to fall into the wrong hands. If you use this too often, people might start to wonder if there is another vigilante working with the Flash and the Arrow."

"Arrow? Bro, that is so FREAKING COOL! Who is it, anyway?" I ask dumbly.

"You'll know soon. And you'll get some practice if you're unfortunate enough to encounter metahumans," Wells shrugs. He hands me back the knife.

"Any name suggestions? I'm thinking... Ev-" Cisco begins, but I cut him off.

"Nah. I'll call you Carnwennan. Named after the dagger at the side of King Arthur," I decide.

"That's actually... kinda perfect. Ish. You gotta work on your naming skills, hun."

"Whatever you say, Cisco," I say just to shush him.

"Okay, we should set up something for me to practice. Is that okay?"

"YES! I've been waiting for this since week one. Follow me." Cisco runs down the halls and opens a door into the room with a treadmill and a weird looking dummy with a fake skin stretched over the crossbeams and wires.