A/N: Pandemonia has nicknames for everyone. Yay!!
"Hello, Sweet Tooth, Doctress, Cherry," Alex Trinity says, nodding his head to each of them in turn. "My Mistress sends her regards." Then Alex's eyes land on Batman and grow wide. He bounces up and down and walks over to Batman happily. Before the others can react, Alex wraps an arm around Batman and turns him to face the others.
"Ooh! Look, look, look! It's Bat Boy!" Alex trills, holding onto a very cautious and annoyed Batman, taking a few steps backwards to separate them from the group. Batman's expression sours when he realizes what Pandemonia must call him, while Barry turns away slightly to hide a smile he can't stop.
"Uhm, hello." Cisco says nervous and rolling "Sweet Tooth" over in his mind. Not exactly the nickname he would have came up with himself, but he -uh- can't necessarily tell that to this Ghoul. At least it's not "Bat Boy."
"Mistress wanted me to deliver a message." Alex continues, ignoring the others and focusing mainly on the Flash, aka "Cherry."
"Seriously Pandemonia and her nicknames." Barry mutters quietly under his breath before clearing his throat and asking, eyes on the bomb on Alex's chest, "What message?"
"It's quite simple: Mistress Pandemonia says if you want to cure Flower Girl, she would like to meet you alone and in person." Alex says, still holding tightly to Batman. "And she means, with no chauffeurs. That includes you as well, Batty." Alex continues, glancing at Batman from the corner of his eye. "You and I get to sit here and be best of buds!" He finishes excitedly with a broad smile on his face.
After a second of thought, Alex adds, "Oh, and Mistress told me to make sure that you went ALONE. No funny business, otherwise Flower Girl and your other friends will enjoy some fireworks." Alex smiles wider and takes a step towards the group, sending Caitlin and Cisco scooting backwards.
Barry is unsure what to do. For a moment, he deliberates. From where he is standing, he can't see the bomb's trigger. Pandemonia is many things -crazy, psychotic, and weird- but she isn't dumb. Barry knows she wouldn't do the same thing twice; he's pretty certain that there is no confetti in this bomb. But Batman's face is telling him "IT'S A TRAP!" more than if he would just say the words aloud.
Barry knows it's a trap. Obviously it's a trap! But this is Iris they're talking about. He can't just let her continue to deteriorate right in front of him. He has to do something.
Barry thinks all of this through, and more, in a very short amount of time. Within twenty seconds of quick thought, Barry has a shaky plan formulated in his head and is ignoring Batman's furious gaze. He's the Flash; he can do this.
"Where does she wanna meet?" He asks, trying to remain strong and push away the voice in his head that says he's an idiot.
"No!" Cisco and Caitlin say at the same time; Bruce slowly shakes his head 'no.' Barry blatantly ignores them.
"At the place you first encountered Cynthia," Alex says, his grin turning manic and his voice sing-song. "She said you'll find quite a party."
Barry hesitates for a moment, looking around at his friends. He doesn't want to leave them with a crazy bomber in their midst, but they're smart. They can figure it out. But maybe he should try to help...
"Oh! I keep forgetting. And she says to be there by ten o'three or Iris will never be free." Alex dissolves into high-pitched laughter at this. Barry glances at the digital clock on the table next to him.
It reads 10:02 PM.
"NO!" Batman yells, finally speaking. Alex hushes him with a jerk on his arm.
