Episode 35 - Flash Fanfiction - Game On!

Chapter 2

While the group reentered the cortex, they had no idea that they were all being watched by someone who possessed enough power to stand right beside them and compel them all not to see him.

As Paco's mother had taught him, the strategy was always key to predicting your foe. It had served the team well for years until the Flash had been his own undoing.

Sure, he had done so much good in his lifetime, saving Astrid twice was proof of his goodness. But where was the point in saving someone just to let them die in the end, anyway?

Paco watched the team, trying to determine who they were up against, he was predicting the best way to avoid the inevitable. He needed to be mindful that he didn't alter time so much that he wiped himself from existence... but at the same time, he needed Barry to die.

He would not hurt anyone else, it was Barry, and only Barry that he was after. He had heard about Eobard Thawne. The man who had gone back in time only to be trapped in the past and killed, soon after making a confession. Fortunately, this man would not fail. He knew a thing or two about time travel. Hell, he even possessed the skills to disrupt the speed force.

Paco watched as Astrid looked around the cortex. She noticed that something was off and she looked around as if she could sense him there. He remembered the times that he had played 'hide-n-seek' with his parents. He would compel them not to see him. But that had been so long ago. Right now he would give anything for his parents to find him.

"You guys!" Cisco exclaimed, "I think we're being watched!"

"What do you mean?" Barry asked. 

Cisco stood up and walked right to the spot where the man had been sitting. "He was right here! I just vibed him."

"Oh thank god!" Astrid exclaimed. "I thought I could sense something. It's probably Kent doing that stupid trick. Kent! Kent Nelson!" she called out.

"Sutherland... I don't think Kent's here." Harry said. "I haven't seen him since I've been back."

"Seriously, it surprises me how that man is never around... so much for trying to have a father-daughter relationship." Astrid scoffed.

"You do realize that he is an Agent of Order. He can't just be around whenever you call him." Harry said sternly.

"But Daddy's always away on business." Astrid pretended to whine like a young girl, with an added smile at the end. Cisco placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her supportively.

"Maybe it was Evil Cisco." Caitlin wondered.

"Evil Cisco? Seriously, Caity?" Cisco exclaimed, "That's just bad... uh huh... not a good name... besides, I really doubt it's me. So what's our next theory... what about that guy Reverb? Maybe it's him."

"Okay... moving on from evil Cisco..." Joe said with a smirk. "Maybe we should get CCPD involved and see what they can come up with."

"Alright, we'll head there now," Barry said, as he used his speed to run with Joe over to CCPD, leaving Astrid, Cisco, Caitlin and Harry alone in the cortex.

Astrid ran her mind scan until she picked something up. "You guys... there is someone here. I just can't shake it... it's a different sort of thought pattern."

"What do you mean?" Caitlin asked.

"It's like with Grodd, and the other me from the mirrorverse... Wow... what if it's me?" she asked in shock.

"What do you mean? Why would you take Iris?" Caitlin asked her.

"I'm not sure... but, it would make sense. There was no sign of forced entry, it was almost as if she went willingly... Maybe, she compelled Iris to go with her. I would have easily had access to Cisco's technology... Plus, there's a strategy to whatever this game is... maybe it was to change the course of events in our time to benefit the future... Gideon, is there a time where I travel back through time to change the course of events?"

"No, Miss Sutherland. There has never been a time where you have specifically traveled back through time." Gideon replied.

"Well, do I ever go evil? Or does Cisco go evil and travel back through time?"

"No, Miss Sutherland, aside from Barry's alternate timeline which involved the Lords of Chaos, there has never been a time where you or Mr Ramon, as you would say 'go evil'. Nor does Mr Ramon travel back through time."

"Well, that's a shame!" Cisco said annoyed, "I meant the traveling back through time thing... not the evil thing..." he added as he saw everyone's eyes on him.

"Well, that rules out an evil Cisco and an evil Astrid," Caitlin said with a sigh.

"Let's go to Jitters." Astrid replied, in the same tone, "Maybe some time outside of the office will help us figure this one out."

"The three of you go on ahead," Harry said. "Just bring me back a double shot black espresso... I'm going to see what I can come up with back here."

"Double shot black espresso? Perfect representation of your heart, Harry." Cisco joked, "But, anyway, suit yourself." He left with the girls.

When Harry knew that he could not be overheard, he slowly walked through the cortex. "I know you're here. The group even know you're here. You should just give up this charade and come out."

Paco manipulated DR Wells' mind to allow the doctor to see him. He knew all about Harry and everything that he had accomplished. But, he also knew that the man had a temper, and he could be a strategic and ruthless killer if necessary. He had taught Astrid a lot.

Harry and Paco stared at each other for what seemed like a long time, neither one of them spoke a word, until Harry broke the silence.

"Do I know you?" Harry asked him.

Paco remained quiet.

"Does my team know you?" Harry asked.

Paco still remained silent, as Harry waited for an answer.

It was clear that DR Wells was getting annoyed with being on the receiving end of the silent treatment. Paco gave a slight smile but still said nothing.

"I'm guessing that that's a yes... So where are you keeping Detective West's daughter?"

"It's a game, isn't it?" Paco finally said. "We sacrifice one pawn to get the rest of the pieces out of hiding."

"So who's side are you playing for? What is your motive?" Harry asked. Paco smiled again, and there was something to his smile that made Harry realize just who he was dealing with.

"I've given you an answer to one of your questions. I'm sure that a genius like you can work out the rest." He replied, as he opened a breach and stepped through, disappearing from Harry's sight.