Episode 35 - Flash Fanfiction - Game On!

Chapter 4

While Cisco ran a scan of the mug shot on his computer, Astrid spoke to Harry in his office and Barry searched the city looking for the man. It was as if he had absolutely disappeared.

"You've seen him, Harry. Why did you lie?" Astrid demanded.

Harry closed his door and faced Astrid. "Gideon... can you switch on the anti-telepath software for this office?" he called out.

"You installed software in my building to ensure that I couldn't read your mind?" Astrid snapped.

"No, your fiancé did... and right now, we need it. The man we are dealing with has been watching us. All of us. You were correct with your assumptions that this is some sort of game. But the question is, why?"

"Have you figured it out, yet?" she asked him.

"For once, I'm not sure. But I also believe that you were right with your assumptions. He knows us all personally. He has traits of all of us. I saw him... he allowed for me to see him before he breached out of here."

"Breached out of here? So, he's a breacher? But his mental activity..."

"...is also that of a telepath. Yes, precisely."

"But, that's not possible... How could..." her sentence was interrupted by Caitlin barging into the office. "You guys have to come quickly!" she said.

They ran out after her and she led them to her desk where Cisco was holding up a post-it note.

"What's that, Cisco?" Astrid asked as he handed the small pink piece of paper to her.

"What's going on?" Barry asked as he arrived into the cortex. He stared at the post-it note. The word 'Check' was clearly written on it.

"I just found it here when I returned to my desk. What's it supposed to mean?" Caitlin asked.

"It's all part of the game," Astrid said.

"He's playing chess with us," Harry said.

"Well, that will explain why he gave Iris back!" Barry informed them.

"He what?" They all asked in unison.

"Joe just called. Iris is safe at home. The most she could tell us is that the profile matches his description, he was a breacher and a telepath. and he didn't hurt her." Barry explained.

"That just doesn't make any sense," Astrid said, shaking her head. "Why would he take her, hide her and send us on a search, just to let her go... did she say where he took her?"

"That's the thing... it was to a pocket dimension. But it didn't sound like the one that we went to before the Flashpoint. It was somewhere else."

"It's all part of the game... sacrifice one pawn to get the rest of the pieces out of hiding." Harry repeated Paco's earlier words. "He wants us to think we're winning to put us all to work."

"But what for?" Caitlin wondered.

"Wow, That's such a typical move... he's distracting us... from what's really in front of us!" Cisco exclaimed.

"It gives him a chance to make his next move," Barry said. "But we'll be ready for him."

"Let's list the things we already know..." Astrid said as she made haste for the large whiteboard. She erased what was already on there and brought up a marker. "Taking Iris was a distraction. Using Cisco's tech, was a clue. He's a telepath, a breacher... Maybe someone from the future... And he's playing a very frustrating game with us... he's either very childish... or very strategic."

Caitlin joked as she held up the portrait, "Maybe he's yours and Cisco's child from the future... I mean, he kind of looks like you both... I bet if you ran one of those programs where you merge your faces together... he would probably look something like this."

"Caitlin, not the time for jo... hey, she's right!" Cisco said, "Look... he even has your chin, Astrid."

Astrid brought her palm to her forehead. "You guys... we need to be serious! Whoever this man is, he's bad news. I didn't even think it was possible for one person to be both a breacher and a telepath, is it Snow?"

"Well, it is actually rather fascinating." Caitlin said, "...I mean if we take Cisco's ability... he receives visions, which in a sense is a telepathic ability and he can also manipulate vibrations, which is what makes him a breacher. So, I'm guessing it could be possible... I'd have to study this man's genetic makeup. But for someone with such power, you're right... he could be very dangerous... and he could also be very, very powerful. We're talking about a whole new type of meta-human."

"Look at you all..." Paco said as he stood in the middle of the cortex demanding their attention. "...The team working hard to figure out just who they're up against. I have to say, I kinda miss it."

"Who are you!" Barry demanded as he stood face to face with the man. "Why did you take Iris? Was it to mess with us?"

"Well, if it isn't the Flash, well, Barry Allen..." Paco said with a smile. "I've done nothing wrong. Iris is fine... She was pretty excited that she got to see a cool new world. It gives her something to write about."

"Hey man..." Cisco said as he approached them. "I get you like your games... But, I really don't get the whole chess thing you got going on... Have you ever tried playing a video game? I mean the VR's pretty cool... But I bet they probably have something a little more futuristic in your time..."

"My biggest hero, Cisco Ramon... isn't that another name for... never mind, it's not important." Paco said with a smile. Before Cisco or Barry could continue he stepped towards Caitlin, Harry, and Astrid.

"Dr Caitlin Snow... Honestly, you and Barry make a really cute couple... I ship the both of you. Dr Harry Wells... Still keeping secrets, I see... and... Astrid..." he said looking down at her.

"You're trying to read my mind. It's not going to work... you taught me everything I know. You all did... But, we've all seen Star Wars..." Paco looked over at Cisco. "...I guess the Padawan has become the Jedi Master." Before the group could do anything, he breached and disappeared before their eyes.