Eddie raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening. "A what?"
"A parallel universe," Barry repeated, his voice more certain now. He paced slowly, his hands gesturing as he explained. "Another dimension. A different version of our world. Al Rothstein's body is still in the morgue here, but that doesn't mean this guy can't be him. Or, at least, some version of him."
Iris leaned forward in her chair, her brow furrowing. "So, you're saying this could be a doppelgänger? From another Earth?"
Barry nodded, his eyes intense. "Exactly. I've come across similar things before... energy signatures, anomalies. I didn't think much of it at first, but now it makes sense. This guy—this version of Al—must have come from another dimension."
Cisco shook his head, a disbelieving grin tugging at his lips. He walked over to Barry, hands on his hips. "Barry, we've talked about this theory before, and I still think it's nuts. Do you know how many things would need to line up for that to happen?"
Barry gave Cisco a small, knowing smile. "Yeah, but after everything we've seen... would it really be that surprising?"
Cisco stared at him for a moment, then sighed in defeat, throwing his hands up. "Alright, fine. It's not the craziest thing we've seen. I'll give you that."
Joe, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "If this is true, then we're dealing with something bigger than just one guy. We need to figure out where he came from—and if there are more like him."
Eddie shook his head slowly, his eyes wide as he processed everything. "Parallel universes… doppelgängers… This is a lot to take in, man."
Barry gave him a sympathetic look. "I know. But we've got to be prepared for whatever's coming next."
The room fell silent again, the weight of Barry's words settling over them. Each member of Team Flash exchanged glances, knowing that this was just the beginning of something much larger, much more dangerous than they had anticipated.
A sudden beeping sound broke the heavy silence, causing everyone in the room to jerk their heads toward the source. Cisco's ears perked up immediately, and with a quick glance toward the monitors, he dashed over to the computer.
The tension lifted slightly as he leaned in, his fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced ease. "Hold on, guys, we've got something," Cisco muttered, his eyes glued to the screen. His usual air of confidence returned, the earlier confusion melting away.
The others gathered around, their curiosity piqued. Barry moved closer, peering over Cisco's shoulder. "What is it?"
"Give me a sec," Cisco said, still focused on the data scrolling across the screen. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as the information finalized. "There!" He tapped the monitor triumphantly. "I've found him. Our giant buddy—Atom Smasher."
The room collectively blinked.
"Atom Smasher?" Barry repeated, eyebrow raised.
Cisco looked up from the screen, shrugging slightly, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What? It's a nice name." He grinned as if daring anyone to argue with him. "Come on, big dude, smashes stuff, has atoms or whatever—totally fitting."
Barry exchanged a glance with Iris, who was stifling a laugh. Eddie rubbed his temples as if already sensing the ridiculousness of the name would stick.
Joe, his arms crossed, shook his head but couldn't hide the slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "You just had to name him, didn't you?"
Cisco straightened, feigning innocence. "Look, it's either that or 'Giant Angry Guy,' and that doesn't really have the same flair."
Barry chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, Atom Smasher it is."
"Damn right it is," Cisco said, his smile widening. He turned back to the screen, his tone becoming more serious as he tapped another key, pulling up a map. "Anyway, we've got a lock on him. He's hiding out near the industrial district, just outside of the city. Looks like he's trying to lay low after that last fight."
Barry's demeanor shifted, his focus sharpening. "Then we don't have much time. We need to stop him before he can cause any more damage."
"Agreed," Joe said, nodding. "We can't let him get another chance to hurt anyone."
Cisco nodded. "I'll keep track of him from here. You guys head out, and I'll guide you in."
Barry turned to the others, his jaw set in determination. "Let's move. This time, we're not letting him get away."
Before Barry could say another word, Billy—always eager and brimming with youthful energy—bolted from the room in a flash, practically leaving a trail of excitement behind him. His movements were swift and impulsive, his grin wide as he zipped through the doors, clearly driven by the thrill of getting his name in the headlines. The lightness in his steps betrayed his eagerness to prove himself, to stand tall alongside the city's greatest hero.
Barry blinked in surprise, his hand half-lifted as if to stop him, but it was too late. A faint, amused smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he sighed. *Typical,* he thought, shaking his head. Billy was always so quick to act, so driven by the need to make his mark. That youthful enthusiasm was admirable, but it also made Barry just a little bit nervous.
With a deep breath, Barry didn't waste another second. His movements were fluid and graceful, a blur of speed as he grabbed his suit from the rack in the corner. In one smooth motion, he was dressed and out the door, the familiar crackle of lightning in his wake. His mind was already focused, sharp, as he moved, his heart steady with the responsibility that lay ahead.
Behind them, Nora watched the scene unfold from her spot near the entrance, her eyes soft and filled with affection. She had seen these boys—her boys—run off countless times, always chasing the next big danger, always so sure of themselves. But no matter how many times she saw it, that maternal instinct still flickered within her.
Her lips curled into a gentle smile, a quiet warmth in her expression. She stepped forward, the words slipping from her lips in a voice filled with both pride and concern, "Take care, my boys."
The sound of her voice lingered in the air as Barry and Billy disappeared from sight. The soft echo of her words was both a blessing and a prayer, a quiet reminder that no matter how fast they ran, they always had a home to come back to.