As Barry and Billy stepped into the control room, the atmosphere shifted from tension to warmth. The soft hum of equipment filled the space, along with the bright, sterile glow of monitors casting a faint blue light across everyone's faces. The team, waiting in anticipation, turned toward them with smiles that lit up the room.
"Hey, you two!" Cisco grinned from across the room, his hands clapping together as he strode forward with excitement in his step. "You guys crushed it out there!" His enthusiasm was contagious, and the others nodded in agreement, murmuring their congratulations. Caitlin, seated at one of the monitors, offered a warm smile, her eyes glinting with pride.
Billy, still jittery with residual adrenaline, rubbed the back of his neck, awkward but beaming. "Uh, yeah, it was a team effort," he mumbled, looking around the room with a sheepish grin. His eyes darted to Barry, who stood beside him, his expression calmer but filled with quiet satisfaction.
Barry smiled back, his posture relaxed now that they were back in the safe familiarity of S.T.A.R. Labs. His breathing was steady, and there was a calmness in the way he stood, hands resting loosely at his sides. "Couldn't have done it without Shazam," Barry said, nudging Billy lightly with his elbow. Billy's grin widened at the praise, the nerves in his shoulders visibly loosening as the compliments washed over him.
But before the moment could stretch any further, a sharp, mechanical beep suddenly cut through the air. Everyone froze. The sound came from one of the nearby consoles, its blinking red light catching Cisco's attention instantly. His smile vanished as he quickly crossed the room, his movements suddenly precise, alert.
"Uh, hold up…" Cisco muttered, his fingers already flying across the keyboard, eyes narrowing as he scanned the screen. His body tensed, a low hum of concern growing in the back of his throat. "Something's up..."
The room fell silent as everyone's gaze shifted to the monitor, a heavy weight settling into the air. Barry's eyes flickered with a subtle shift—still calm, but sharper now. His stance straightened slightly, the easy relaxation replaced with quiet readiness. Beside him, Billy's body stiffened, his earlier excitement evaporating as his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Cisco, what is it?" Caitlin asked, standing from her seat, her voice steady but tinged with concern. She walked toward him, her eyes scanning the data on the screen. The tension in the room was palpable now, thick and unspoken.
"Looks like we've got a breach," Cisco said, his voice tight as he stared at the screen. His fingers tapped nervously against the desk as he scrolled through the data, eyes darting from one monitor to another, trying to make sense of the sudden alarm. "Someone just... walked into the building. And I don't recognize the signature."
Barry's jaw clenched slightly, though his face remained composed. "Can you tell where?"
Cisco was about to answer when the automatic doors to the control room slid open with a hiss.
Everyone turned, the sound of footsteps echoing softly as a man walked into the room with his hands raised, palms facing outward in a gesture of surrender. He moved slowly, deliberately, his steps unhurried. The flickering lights from the monitors cast a faint shadow over his features, but his calm, almost casual demeanor stood out starkly against the sudden tension that gripped the room.
"Hey, hey, I come in peace," the man said with a faint smile, his voice smooth and disarming as he took another step forward. His hands stayed up, but his eyes were sharp, assessing every face in the room.
For a moment, no one moved. Barry's body went still, his posture no longer relaxed but coiled, ready. His eyes locked onto the man, studying him with the practiced precision of someone who had been in too many unpredictable situations. There was no fear in Barry's gaze, but his muscles were taut, every fiber of his being poised to react.
Billy, on the other hand, was less subtle. His fists clenched instinctively at his sides, his wide eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and suspicion. "Who is this guy?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes. His gaze darted toward Barry, searching for any sign of direction.
Caitlin's eyes flicked between the man and the others, her breath catching for a moment as she instinctively took a step back, positioning herself closer to the console. Cisco, however, remained at the computer, though his hands hovered above the keyboard, ready to alert the others or lock down the room at a moment's notice.
Barry was the first to speak, his voice low and steady. "Who are you?" His tone wasn't aggressive, but it carried an unmistakable authority.
The man's smile widened slightly, though it never reached his eyes. He kept his hands raised, his movements deliberate and slow as he glanced around the room before finally locking eyes with Barry. "I'm just here to talk," he said, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of something more. "No need for the heroics just yet."
The tension in the room thickened, a subtle unease settling over everyone like a dark cloud. Barry's eyes narrowed, his gaze never leaving the man as he took a small, almost imperceptible step forward, positioning himself subtly between the stranger and his team.
"We'll decide what you're here for," Barry said evenly, his voice carrying a weight of authority that left no room for argument.
The man chuckled softly, his expression still calm, still controlled. "Fair enough," he replied, his hands lowering just slightly, though they remained in view. "But I suggest you hear me out. Because Zoom… well, let's just say he's not far behind."
Billy's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Zoom, and for a second, panic flared in his eyes. He shifted nervously on his feet, glancing up at Barry. But this time, Barry's face was unreadable, his expression hardening as he locked eyes with the stranger.
Barry knew the bastard before him, he was no one other than Zoom himself, Hunter Zolomon who just want to act as a friend but later strike after getting all his weaknesses but this time he is different than in the series but he is not the only one different, he is also different and Zoom is in for a surprise.