Chapter 2: Pilot

Detective Joe West, my caring guardian and mentor, was already at the scene when I arrived. The bank robbery had left a trail of chaos, but Joe's presence brought a sense of calm and order amidst the chaos.

"Barry, you're late again," Captain Singh grumbled, annoyance evident in his voice. He acknowledged my skills as a CSI, but my perpetual tardiness tested his patience.

"I'm sorry, Captain," I replied, slightly out of breath. "I got caught up in traffic. Won't happen again."

Captain Singh shot me a stern look before redirecting his attention to Joe, discussing the details of the crime. Meanwhile, I swiftly assessed the scene, my mind processing every clue and detail.

It didn't take long for me to piece together the puzzle. The Mardon Brothers, notorious bank robbers, had struck again. Did they make their escape in a Ford Mustang, leaving a trail of tire tracks and... manure?

"Hey, guys, I think I've got something," I called out, excitement creeping into my voice. "The robbers fled in a Mustang, and it seems they drove through manure."

Captain Singh raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Manure? Interesting choice of getaway route."

Returning to my lab, I carefully analyzed the manure, hoping it would lead me to the source. With meticulous attention to detail, I compared its composition and unique properties, searching for any indication of its origin.

Just as I immersed myself in the analysis, the lab door swung open, and in walked Iris West, Joe's daughter and my best friend. She had an uncanny ability to brighten any room with her presence.

"Barry! Late as usual," Iris playfully teased, a knowing smile gracing her lips.

I couldn't help but blush, my secret affection for her hidden deep within my heart. "Sorry, Iris. You know how things can get."

She brushed it off, unfazed by my tardiness. "Well, I'm here now. What do you need?"

I motioned for her to join me, explaining the connection between the manure and the Mustang. "Iris, we need to go to S.T.A.R. Labs. They're about to activate their particle accelerator, and I have a feeling it might have some answers for us."

Iris's eyes lit up with curiosity, mirroring my excitement.

As we made our way to S.T.A.R. Labs, I took the opportunity to explain the concept of the particle accelerator to Iris. Knowing her non-scientific background, I simplified the explanation, making sure she could grasp the basics.

"Okay, Iris, imagine this," I began, trying to break it down into layman's terms. "The particle accelerator is like a giant machine that accelerates tiny particles called protons to extremely high speeds. When these protons collide, it creates an enormous amount of energy, which scientists hope can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in various fields."

Iris nodded, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of awe. She may not have had a scientific mind like mine, but she always had a thirst for knowledge and a genuine interest in understanding the world around her.

As our conversation continued, my analysis of the manure finally reached its conclusion. I had narrowed down the possible locations where the Mardon brothers' car could be found. Excitedly, I handed the list to Joe, who studied it with a determined expression.

"Thanks, Barry," Joe said, appreciating my contribution. "I'll get a team together and check these locations. We can't let those criminals get away."

Joe's trust in my abilities was gratifying, and it fueled my determination to make a difference not only in the lab but out in the field as well.

Arriving at S.T.A.R. Labs, we found ourselves amid Dr. Harrison Wells' speech. The room was buzzing with anticipation and excitement. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as a thug brazenly snatched Iris' laptop and made a run for it.

Without a moment's hesitation, my instincts kicked in. I shot forward, my superhuman speed propelling me toward the thief in a blur of red and lightning. I swiftly apprehended him, but he refused to surrender, striking me with a powerful blow.

Gritting my teeth, I fought to maintain my balance, refusing to let the pain slow me down. Just as the thug attempted to escape, Detective Eddie Thawne, a transfer from Keystone City, intercepted him, expertly apprehending the criminal.

As we regrouped at the police station, Iris couldn't help but express her curiosity about Detective Thawne. I gave her a brief rundown, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Eddie Thawne? Yeah, he's a recent transfer from Keystone City," I explained, masking any hint of jealousy that may have crept into my words. "He's got a solid reputation, known for his effectiveness on the job."

Iris nodded, clearly intrigued by this new addition to the Central City Police Department. Little did she know that the arrival of Detective Thawne would have far-reaching implications for all of us.

As we continued our conversation, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. I knew deep down that my unrequited feelings for Iris were the reason for that pang.

But I pushed those emotions aside, reminding myself that our friendship was too important to jeopardize over personal desires.

....

As the night wore on, a sense of unease filled the air, amplified by the gathering storm. Joe and his partner, Chyre, reached the last location on my list, finding the Mardon brothers' car. However, their encounter quickly escalated into a firefight with Clyde Mardon, the mastermind behind the bank robbery.

The sound of gunshots echoed through the night, each burst intensifying the tension that hung in the air. In the chaos, Chyre took a hit, the impact sending him sprawling to the ground. Joe fought back with unwavering determination, but Clyde Mardon managed to escape, boarding a plane in a desperate bid for freedom.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us all, the particle accelerator at S.T.A.R. Labs was undergoing a catastrophic event. A surge of energy, unleashed by the malfunctioning device, caused a massive explosion, shattering the calm of the night.

The explosion rippled through the city, its shockwave reaching the skies where the storm clouds loomed ominously. The convergence of natural forces and scientific power resulted in an extraordinary phenomenon—an interplay between electricity and the unleashed energy from the accelerator.

The surge of power from the explosion interacted with the charged storm clouds, triggering a mesmerizing display of light and energy. Thunder rumbled, and lightning crackled with an intensity never before witnessed.

Central City became the epicentre of a storm like no other, as the forces of nature and science collided in a breathtaking spectacle.

Little did we realize that this convergence of events would mark the beginning of a new era—an era where metahumans would rise, and I would discover the true extent of my own powers.

(He speaks so much, you'd think he was an English major and not chemistry, but meh it's just shooting myself in the foot) as he continued to play mind chess with himself.