Starling City was in chaos over Thea Queen's kidnapping, but Central City had it worse.
The meta-human trio—already a nightmare to contain—had grown bolder since The Flash vanished. Joe West was in hiding. After the failed trap, Caitlin Snow had been taken and no one knew where she was. Green Arrow had rushed back to Starling City to protect his family, and even then, Jack Kadere had snatched Thea right out from under them.
Harrison Wells and Cisco Ramon worked around the clock trying to restore Barry's speed. Progress was glacial.
Barry watched criminals tear through the city. He heard the people calling for The Flash. The guilt consumed him—he regretted every choice that had led to this.
---
A red streak cut across Central City. Jack Kadere deposited Thea and the real Harrison Wells's remains at the villa.
"Is this your place?" Thea steadied herself and glanced around.
"Laurie." Jack called out. A moment later, Laurie emerged from inside.
"Set up a room for her. She'll be staying here for now."
Laurie nodded and gestured for Thea to follow. After a beat of hesitation, Thea went with her, the two of them already talking as they walked.
---
Aerie, Prison Area.
Caitlin Snow shot to her feet when Jack walked in carrying a body bag. She forgot she wasn't wearing anything. "Who—who is that?"
"Harrison Wells." Jack set it down.
"Doctor Wells?" Her voice climbed. "You killed Doctor Wells? Why? Why would you think he's the Reverse-Flash!"
"Why do you think he isn't?" Jack unzipped the bag.
Caitlin stared at the desiccated corpse inside. The words died in her throat.
"What... what is this?"
"This is Harrison Wells. The real one. Fifteen years ago, he was in a car accident with his wife—she died, and afterward he moved from Starling City to Central City and founded S.T.A.R. Labs. This is his body. Run whatever tests you want. If this is really him..."
"Then who's the Harrison Wells we know?" Caitlin finished, dazed.
She'd never believed Wells could be the Reverse-Flash. But looking at the corpse, doubt crept in. Jack opened the cell door and tossed her a dress.
"Put that on. You're coming with me."
---
She dressed and followed him out of the prison area, the body bag in tow. They entered a chamber filled with equipment she didn't recognize.
"This... this is a spaceship?"
Jack had brought her aboard directly—she'd had no idea where she'd been held.
"The Aerie. Time-travel capable." He smirked. "Speaking of which, I just remembered I've got a couple of enemies I still haven't dealt with. I should pay them a visit."
The Time Masters Council. Vandal Savage. He hadn't forgotten the last attack on the Aerie. Whether the Legends had handled them or not, maybe he'd take care of it himself. He wasn't the type to hunt down every enemy the moment they crossed him, but he wasn't the forgiving type either. When they died depended entirely on his mood.
"A time-travel spaceship?" Caitlin's eyes widened. "Is that how you know things we don't?"
"If that's what you want to believe." He gestured toward the equipment. "Let's get this done."
Caitlin familiarized herself with the systems, then began the identity analysis. The work took half an hour.
The results appeared on screen.
Caitlin didn't look up.
Jack grabbed her chin and tilted her face toward the display. "Read it."
Her expression crumbled. "This really is Harrison Wells. Then... who's the man at the lab?"
She turned to Jack. "I'm sorry. I—I misjudged you."
"Doesn't matter to me. This is just a game between me and the Reverse-Flash."
"I'm so sorry. If that trap had worked, I would've hurt you—and helped him." Guilt and regret twisted across her face. The mentor she'd trusted was an impostor. "I have to tell Cisco and Barry. Now."
"I'll take you." Jack's grin sharpened. "I want to see how the Reverse-Flash reacts."
---
S.T.A.R. Labs.
They arrived to find yellow lightning crackling through the cortex.
Barry Allen had his speed back.
"You!" Barry skidded to a stop. Cisco and Wells snapped their attention to the doorway.
They'd just finished a desperate gamble—massive electrical currents to jumpstart the Speed Force in Barry's cells. Dangerous as hell, but it had worked. And now, seconds later, Jack Kadere was standing in their lab. Of course they were nervous.
"Caitlin—are you okay?" Cisco rushed toward her.
She glanced at Jack, then shook her head. "I'm fine. He didn't hurt me."
Cisco exhaled.
"Hold on." Jack raised a finger. "Doesn't this feel familiar? Pretty sure the last time I kidnapped you, this exact conversation happened."
Caitlin paused. "...It does, actually."
"What do you want this time?" Wells's voice was flat, his gaze fixed on Jack from his wheelchair.
"You could still kneel and apologize." Jack's eyes narrowed as he studied Wells. "Though I'm not sure I want your apology. That body bag contains the corpse you buried fifteen years ago. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Once the results are verified, your cover's blown. You'll lose S.T.A.R. Labs, lose your ability to protect Barry, and he'll be coming for you. He might not be fast enough to catch you—but you can't kill him either, can you?"
Jack let the silence stretch.
"This is your last chance. I'd hate for the game to end too soon."