**A Few Moments Earlier - Stagg Industries**
Joe West, Eddie Thawne, and Simon Stagg walked through a dimly lit warehouse at Stagg Industries. The air was thick with the scent of dust and old machinery, the shadows cast by the sparse lighting adding an eerie atmosphere to the vast space. Joe and Eddie had come to warn Stagg about the potential danger to his life.
"Mr. Stagg, we believe your life is at risk," Eddie said, his voice firm. He had his hand resting near his holster, ready for any sudden threat.
Stagg scoffed, clearly unconvinced, his polished shoes clicking against the concrete floor as he walked. "Nonsense. I have the best security money can buy. If you don't have anything better to say, you should leave. I'm running late for a meeting with Bruce Wayne in Gotham."
"Mr. Stagg, please," Joe insisted, his tone urgent. "We have reason to believe—"
Before Joe could finish, the warehouse door burst open with a loud bang, and three men in masks and identical clothing burst into the warehouse, guns aimed directly at them. Their entrance was abrupt and forceful, the sound echoing through the large space.
One of the masked men stepped forward and spoke up, his voice dripping with menace. "You wanted them found, Mr. Stagg? Here we are."
The men started firing without hesitation. Joe and Eddie, trained and experienced, reacted instantly. They quickly pulled Stagg behind a stack of crates for cover and returned fire, the sharp cracks of gunfire ringing in their ears.
The gunfight was intense but brief. Joe and Eddie's combined efforts managed to take down two of the gunmen with precise shots. The masked men fell to the ground, their weapons clattering against the concrete.
The remaining gunman, however, was different. He didn't flinch or retreat. Instead, he calmly pulled off his mask, revealing his face. It was Danton Black, a man both Joe and Eddie recognized from the police files.
"Danton Black," Stagg gasped, his face pale with shock. "I thought you were dead."
Danton sneered, his eyes filled with a cold, calculating hatred. "Not dead, Stagg. Just waiting for my chance to make you pay."
Stagg's eyes widened with fear and recognition. He remembered Danton all too well. Danton had been one of his most brilliant researchers, working on groundbreaking projects. But when Danton had demanded credit and compensation for his work, Stagg had fired him and stolen his research. Danton had sworn revenge, but Stagg had never taken his threats seriously—until now.
Joe kept his gun trained on Danton, his mind racing. "Danton, don't do this. You don't have to go down this path."
Danton's sneer grew more pronounced. "It's too late for that, Detective. Stagg ruined my life. Now I'm going to ruin his."
Before Joe or Eddie could react, Danton's body began to shimmer and split, forming multiple copies of himself—an army of Danton Blacks. The clones moved in unison, their expressions identical, their intentions clear.
Joe and Eddie exchanged a brief, grim look. They knew they were outnumbered and outmatched. They took defensive positions, ready to protect Stagg at all costs.
As the clones advanced, the air filled with the sound of their synchronized steps. The situation seemed dire, but Joe and Eddie stood their ground, determined to fight back against the overwhelming odds.
---
**S.T.A.R. Labs**
In seconds, Barry arrived at S.T.A.R. Labs. He didn't stop to talk to anyone, not even pausing as he grabbed his suit from the storage area. Cisco, Caitlin, and Dr. Wells, who were working nearby, looked up in surprise as Barry sped past them.
Cisco quickly ran to his computer, frantically typing. "Barry, what's going on? Why the rush?"
Barry's voice came through the comms, breathless but determined. "Joe is in danger."
---
**Stagg Industries - Present**
Joe and Eddie were taking cover behind the crates, firing at the advancing clones of Danton Black. The clones were relentless, moving forward despite the bullets. Joe's and Eddie's pistols were running low on ammo, and the situation was becoming increasingly desperate.
"We can't hold them off much longer," Eddie shouted over the gunfire.
"Just keep firing," Joe replied, his tone resolute. "We have to protect Stagg."
Stagg, crouched behind the crates, was trembling with fear. He had never imagined that his actions would lead to such a deadly confrontation. The sound of gunfire and the sight of the clones advancing filled him with dread.
Suddenly, a blur of red lightning streaked into the warehouse. It was Barry, now fully suited as the Flash. He moved with incredible speed, disarming the clones and knocking them out one by one. Within seconds, the immediate threat was neutralized.
Barry's speed and agility were unmatched. He created a vortex with his arms, using the wind pressure to push back the clones. The clones were thrown off balance, stumbling backward as Barry moved in for the attack. He delivered rapid punches, each blow landing with precision and force, incapacitating clone after clone.
Danton Black watched in shock as his duplicates fell to the ground, unable to match the Flash's speed. He growled in frustration, his anger boiling over. "You think you can stop me, Flash? You can't stop all of us!"
Barry didn't waste words. He focused on the task at hand, moving faster than the eye could see. He darted between the clones, using his speed to create confusion and disarray among them. One by one, the clones fell, until only the original Danton Black remained.
Danton, realizing he was outmatched, tried to create more clones, but Barry was too quick. He used his speed to generate a powerful shockwave, disrupting Danton's cloning ability. The force of the shockwave sent Danton crashing into a stack of crates, leaving him dazed and vulnerable.
Barry stood over Danton, his expression stern. "It's over, Danton."
Danton struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with defiance. "This isn't over, Flash. Stagg will pay for what he did to me."
Barry shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "Not like this."
With that, Barry swiftly moved to restrain Danton, using specially designed cuffs that Cisco had made for metahumans. Danton struggled but couldn't break free. Barry gave a final nod to Joe and Eddie, acknowledging their efforts, before taking Danton in a blur of red lightning.