- Kristen Kramer: Heard some paroled ex-cons went shopping without their wallets.
- Barry Allen: OG meta-criminals, actually. Jack, Ten, King, and the Queen, call themselves the Royal Flush Gang. They were Central City's very first meta-threat.
- Kristen Kramer: You work that case, too?
- Barry Allen: Actually, no. The first time they pulled a job, I was...
- [flashback of him in a coma]
- Barry Allen: Kind of under the weather.
- Ray Palmer: I think Barry's going to need a helping hand.
- Chester P. Runk: Wait, what? Like a superhero team-up with the Atom? What changed your mind?
- Ray Palmer: My friends - an old one and a new one - but I'm still not a Legend.
- [runs off to change into his Atom suit]
- Chester P. Runk: Yeah, you're a hell of a lot more.
- Chester P. Runk: How awesome is all this?
- Barry Allen: Oh, it's pretty awesome. Have you seen the Magnus Lab's Saturn Simulation?
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, dude, I was in it.
- Barry Allen: You can get in it?
- Caitlin Snow: So what's it like walking to get coffee when you can run 4,000 miles an hour?
- Barry Allen: It's nice slowing down every once in a while, even for the Flash.
- Iris West-Allen: Flash, Atom, who are you firing at?
- Chester P. Runk: Yeah, yeah, he's right behind you.
- [Despero throws a taxi-cab at The Flash and Atom, The Atom then shrinks himself and Flash to avoid the taxi and regrow to normal size]
- The Flash: [groans] Now I know how Diggle feels.
- Queen: What? This is impossible. I read your mind. I saw what you were planning, and then I trumped your hand by going all in. How did you...
- The Flash: You can read minds. I can think at super speed.
- Queen: Your thoughts - after I read them, you reshuffled the deck.
- The Flash: I guess the house doesn't always win.
- Despero: You're nothing like I expected, not that it matters. Those who were once good die just as easily.
- Ray Palmer: Chester, what you did back there at Jitters...
- Chester P. Runk: It was a huge mistake, I know.
- Ray Palmer: Was the best gift possible. Between that and helping Barry again as the Atom, I have now realized that there is a middle ground to this whole balance thing, which is why I want to return the favor. So, what if I created a non-profit organization to fund young scientists like your Jitters friends?
- Chester P. Runk: That would be awesome.
- Ray Palmer: Great. I was thinking I could call it the Quincy P. Runk Foundation, if that's okay. Barry told me about your father.
- Chester P. Runk: [hugging him] Uh, yeah, if you ever need, like, a consultant or anything like that.
- Ray Palmer: I know who to call.
- [turning for the elevator]
- Ray Palmer: Oh, and Barry, there's one sure way to prove to Despero that you'd never destroy the world.
- Barry Allen: What's that?
- Ray Palmer: Just show him who you really are, like you do with this team each and every day.
- Chester P. Runk: Okay, well, that's not good.
- Iris West-Allen: What is that thing?
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, I'm picking up some seriously advanced tech readings.
- Iris West-Allen: You just had that thing in your back pocket?
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, no. I just picked it up from right there.
- Iris West-Allen: Oh, yeah. Tech Con, right.
- Ray Palmer: Well, I am impressed. A schedule, timed to the minute, including a coffee stop to recharge. Best handler ever.
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, you're getting a whole lot more than java in Jitters, my friend. How about a dozen CCTC entrepreneurial hopefuls, each with their own game-changing startup idea ready to pitch in three minutes or less? To Ray Palmer, business behemoth, scientific genius. Am I right? Okay, okay, come on. Let's go, uh, make some dreams come true.
- Ray Palmer: Chester.
- Chester P. Runk: Yeah.
- Ray Palmer: What made you think that I...
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, oh, I... I just know how much you used startup investments to expand Palmer Tech. You just got, like, a nose for science, but I also know you've been out of the game for a little while. So I figured I'd help jumpstart the magic.
- Ray Palmer: Okay.
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, and don't worry about Tech Con, 'cause your interview with Iris isn't for another 90 minutes. So we got time. Hey, got your back, man.
- Ray Palmer: Thank you, but I'm not worried about my schedule.
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, right, right. You need a cronut first, obviously.
- Ray Palmer: Chester.
- Chester P. Runk: [calling to a barista] Excuse me...
- Ray Palmer: Chester, Chester. Chester, I... I... I don't want to start another tech business. It's like I told Barry and Iris, the only thing I want to pursue these days is a balanced life. That's why I haven't worn the Atom suit in ages.
- Chester P. Runk: But you're a... you're... you're a Legend.
- Ray Palmer: Was a Legend. Now, I suppose, that's what, uh, Team Flash is for. Look, I-I know how that might sound for the Atom, but Ray Palmer's priorities are his wife and working in his own lab. I... I hope that you can understand that.
- Iris West-Allen: Chester, Ray. Ray, Chester.
- Ray Palmer: Ah, so you're the new team tech genius. Nice to meet you, Chester.
- Chester P. Runk: Likewise. I've been a big fan of yours ever since reading your papers on quantum qubits.
- Ray Palmer: So you're pretty stoked about the Con this year, huh?
- Chester P. Runk: Oh, are you kidding me? Ever since I found out you were gonna be this year's legacy honoree, I kind of took the liberty of signing up to be a CCTC volunteer. I'm gonna be your liaison for the entire event. If that... if that's cool? Like, if you're... like, if you're all right?
- Ray Palmer: Sounds great.
- Chester P. Runk: Cool, 'cause I already have your whole itinerary planned to sweet perfection.
- Barry Allen: So, um, I'm late for work. So, Ray, Chester, I'll pop by the convention center later.
- Iris West-Allen: Don't you dare.
- Barry Allen: See ya. I gotta go.
- Ray Palmer: [Barry whooshes away] Aw, he forgot his breakfast.
- Iris West-Allen: Ray?
- Ray Palmer: In the flesh.
- Barry Allen: What, uh... what, uh, brings you to Central City?
- Ray Palmer: Oh, well, you guys said I could always crash if ever I was in town, and I'm here attending CCTC, uh, but my hotel is overbooked. And it's impossible to get a conference hotel room at the last minute, so I... I figured I'd take you up on your very kind offer.
- Barry Allen: Oh, that makes sense.
- Iris West-Allen: Does it?
- Barry Allen: We found this at the train collision site.
- Cecile Horton: I thought Kramer had you working on the Mercury heist instead?
- Barry Allen: Uh, yeah, I am.
- Cecile Horton: You are, but you think that it's related to the Calvert train collision?
- Barry Allen: I will know in a minute. While working evidence from the Mercury Labs heist, I found charred marks on the guard's weapons, marks exactly like those.
- [getting a rest result]
- Barry Allen: Yeah, I was right. Heat signature's the same as the burn marks on the weapons at Mercury Labs. Laser burns delivered with pinpoint precision, Jack's trademark.
- Cecile Horton: Okay, okay. Even if it is the Royal Flush Gang behind all of this, why? Why would they go through all the trouble of causing a massive railway collision when they haven't even stolen anything yet?
- Barry Allen: I asked myself that, too. Then I found out what was being carried in this case. A bleeding-edge beryllium core, which is a highly unstable power source.
- Cecile Horton: And that's what caused the trains to explode.
- Barry Allen: No. A beryllium-based detonation would've leveled a surrounding ten-mile radius.
- Cecile Horton: [with a short gasp as he opens the case] The core wasn't in the case when the trains collided.
- Barry Allen: Which means the real question is why is the Royal Flush Gang changing their M.O. to become tech thieves?
- Ray Palmer: Are you guys having pizza?
- Iris West-Allen: We, um...
- Ray Palmer: Is it gluten-free?
- Barry Allen: No, it's from Italy.
- Ray Palmer: Oh.
- Iris West-Allen: So, uh, where is Nora? Did she come with you?
- Ray Palmer: No, she's saving the world one kid at a time and loving it.
- Barry Allen: Mmm.
- Ray Palmer: [seeing the candles] Am... am I interrupting?
- Barry Allen: No.
- Iris West-Allen: Never.
- Ray Palmer: Really? Great! So, is this a sofa bed or, like, a sheets and blankets on top sort of thing?
- Barry Allen: Uh, there is a guest bedroom at the top of the stairs.
- Ray Palmer: Aw. You guys are the best. I'll get the rest of my bags later.
- Iris West-Allen, Barry Allen: Okay.
- Iris West-Allen: [seeing all his luggage] I thought he could shrink things.
- Barry Allen: Yeah.
- Barry Allen: How often do you talk to Sara and all the other Legends?
- Ray Palmer: Well, not very often. Uh, Nate and I do have a standing drinks night once a month, but he's rarely in the same century or year. Yeah, that may be why I haven't heard from him lately.
- Iris West-Allen: I'm sorry.
- Ray Palmer: It's okay. Kinda. Yeah, it was really hard leaving the Legends, but since then, Nora and I have been more connected than ever. And, uh, you know, I-I've been able to get back to my other true love, pure research. Plus, my life's more balanced now. It's not just "I'm the Atom" and science takes a back seat. You know? So, uh, yeah.
- [raising his drink]
- Ray Palmer: To, uh... to second acts.
- Barry Allen, Iris West-Allen: [there's a knock on the front door] I'll get it.
- Despero: You can't fool me with a speed mirage, Flash. My mind is too powerful.
- The Flash: Wait, you said I was good once. What happened to me? You owe me that.
- Despero: As you wish. Bear witness to a coming Armageddon that you create ten years from now, one that destroys your own planet. It already happened, Flash. That's why I, Despero, have to kill you. It's how I save our world.
- Allegra Garcia: So, I totally blew it at the office. I told you, I wasn't ready.
- Iris West-Allen: You got resistance from the staff.
- Allegra Garcia: They barely listened to me. I'm pretty sure they think I don't have enough experience, which I don't, and they think that my suggestions for which stories to cover are wrong.
- Iris West-Allen: Yeah, I figured that might happen.
- Allegra Garcia: Then why put me in charge?
- Iris West-Allen: Well, because you can handle it. And dealing with this is a part of growing into your new position.
- Allegra Garcia: Well, I am not growing. I am crashing and burning. Iris, I can't do this.
- Iris West-Allen: Yes, you can.
- Allegra Garcia: Well, how do you know?
- Iris West-Allen: Because you're exactly what CCC Media needs. You have a point of view that's entirely your own, and you know this city better than anyone in that room. You grew up here. You not only survived Iron Heights, you came out on the other side a hero.
- Allegra Garcia: I could melt Taylor's face.
- Iris West-Allen: You went from juvenile delinquent to voice of the people, and I'm talking about your writing, not your meta powers. Your articles speak to people because you're one of them. That's your point of view. It's also how CCC Media speaks to the city and why people respond so... strongly.
- Allegra Garcia: Okay, but being a journalist and being in charge are way different.
- Iris West-Allen: Look, I know that it's scary, but think how you leveled up as a meta. I'm sure that was scary, too.
- Allegra Garcia: Try terrifying, but somehow I knew I could handle an upgrade.
- Iris West-Allen: Okay, then do that at the office, too. Your point of view is perfect for this company. You've already learned how to own it. Now go, sell it.
- Iris West-Allen: What is this?
- Barry Allen: A candlelit pizza dinner.
- Iris West-Allen: Oh.
- Barry Allen: From our favorite place in Milan.
- Iris West-Allen: Oh, thank God. I was too tired to cook.
- Barry Allen: I can't imagine why. Team Citizen has been in overdrive these days. Plus, Deon's still helping to stabilize your temporal sickness with regular treatments. It's a lot to handle.
- Iris West-Allen: I told you, I'm fine. Plus, you're not exactly an underachiever yourself, Flash. Nice work at Calvert Railway.
- Barry Allen: Thanks.
- Iris West-Allen: I guess we both earned a night off.
- Barry Allen: And without kids, too. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great having Bart and Nora stop in all the time from 2049.
- Iris West-Allen: But if we're ever gonna have a baby...
- Barry Allen: Uh-huh.
- Iris West-Allen: We need some alone time, Mr. Allen.
- Barry Allen: Mm-hmm.
- [they lean in to kiss, but just before their lips touch, there's a knock on the front door]
- Barry Allen: Great.
- Allegra Garcia: You wanted to see me?
- Iris West-Allen: Yes. So, the last six months have been pretty intense.
- Allegra Garcia: I'll say. We have three new reporters, an IT intern, and an office manager now. Plus, online circulation's over two million, and your new podcast is freakin' brilliant.
- Iris West-Allen: Thank you.
- Allegra Garcia: Oh, we need faster Internet. Should we call the new landlord?
- Iris West-Allen: Sue Dearbon bought the building. I think we can fix our own Internet.
- Allegra Garcia: Roger that, but seriously, I just don't see how you do it all and still find time for an op-ed each week.
- Iris West-Allen: Well, I can't. So the bullpen needs a supervising editor, someone who decides which stories we cover and then assigns and pre-edits copy, which is why I am promoting you.
- Allegra Garcia: Wh... Iris... wh... I-I've barely been staff for a year. I... I'm not ready for that.
- Iris West-Allen: Well, I think you are.
- Allegra Garcia: Well, you do realize you have people on staff now who are more qualified to handle that sort of thing. I mean, Vanya? She's got ten years of experience under her belt. Or that annoying Taylor just graduated summa cum laude from Barnard College. Even the old guy was a war correspondent in Beirut.
- Iris West-Allen: [a little insulted] Aariz is my age. Girl.
- Allegra Garcia: I...
- Iris West-Allen: Look, now that we're CC Citizen Media, I am busier with more and more administrative duties.
- Allegra Garcia: Iris, are you sure?
- Iris West-Allen: You got this. I believe in you.
- Caitlin Snow: I have learned one thing watching Frost go through all of this. For the first time since Ronnie passed, I think I'm really ready to get back out there. I'm gonna start dating again.
- Barry Allen: That's awesome. I'm really happy for you.
- Caitlin Snow: Thank you. Now, if I could just get some oat milk for my coffee.
- Barry Allen: [their phones buzz] Two bullet trains on the Calvert railway are gonna collide.
- Caitlin Snow: Barry, that's 50 miles south of Keystone City.
- Barry Allen: Yeah.
- Caitlin Snow: [he whooshes away, saves the day, and returns] That was amazing. You got everyone to safety in, what, 20 seconds?
- Barry Allen: 12, actually. Try your coffee.
- Caitlin Snow: [taking a sip] Wow, you have seriously leveled up. If only you could teach Frost how to do the same. I mean, bypassing anyone who calls themselves Chillblaine, I think, would save for a lot of heartbreak.
- Barry Allen: I mean, Frost dating anybody is a first for her. Right? And everybody you dated before Ronnie, I'm guessing that was you leveling up. You know, it's a process. Maybe just give Frost space to do the same.
- Cecile Horton: [after a brief power loss at Iron Heights] Barry, what happened?
- The Flash: I got in the inmates back in their cells before anyone got hurt, but we've got a bigger problem. Looks like the Royal Flush Gang just leveled up, too.
- Barry Allen: [going to Jitters with Caitlin] Is Frost joining us?
- Caitlin Snow: No. Last night, I sent her on a two-week "Eat, Pray, Love" tour because she's still pining over Mark Blaine.
- Barry Allen: I thought she was mad at him all summer.
- Caitlin Snow: And fall, but she still misses him, even though I told her he's a jerk who is never gonna change.
- Barry Allen: Let me guess, she didn't care?
- Caitlin Snow: Yep. She said, "The heart wants what the heart wants."
- Barry Allen: She's always been such a romantic.
- Queen: So it's all done?
- Jered Haywood: Transfer complete. Who wants to be a millionaire?
- Ten: I do.
- Queen: Exactly, and since more people means smaller shares for us...
- King: Someone's out of chips.
- Jered Haywood: What the hell, man? We planned this for years, and now you're gonna kill me?
- Queen: Of course not. Jack is.
- Jack: I'm all in.
- [the Flash runs into the room and saves Haywood from King's grasp, he returns Haywood to Iron Heights prison and runs back to confront the others]
- The Flash: It's over, people. Haywood's back in Iron Heights. Who wants to go next?
- Queen: Ah, usually, I know when to fold them. You know 50 million - it's a lot to leave on the virtual table.
- King: And since my Queen is a psychic who knows everything you're going to do before you do it, go ahead, Flash, we call.
- Queen: Four to one, I like these odds. Go ahead, Flash-y, pick a card, any card.
- Aariz: This copy is damn well-written. What exactly are you looking for?
- Taylor: If you even know.
- Allegra Garcia: Look, these stories aren't bad. They're well-sourced, thorough, but CCC is about more than providing facts. It's the voice of the people, which means it needs to have something to say.
- Vanya: It's literally the opposite of objective journalism. How about we leave the editorializing to Iris?
- Allegra Garcia: Okay, it's right there in the name, "Central City Citizen." Yeah, you guys landed some pretty major interviews, but every person's voice in this city deserves to be heard, not just the most famous or high-profiled ones.
- Taylor: So what, we're not even supposed to talk to the DA or the mayor anymore?
- Allegra Garcia: Yes, talk to them, but them talk to the janitor who cleans the mayor's office or a mom working two jobs just to pay her bills, because corruption in this city - it affects them more than anyone. Don't you guys see? When we're at our best, our readers see themselves reflected in our stories. So try again, remember who you're writing for.
- Despero: Prepare to die, Flash.
- The Flash: Every life ends sooner or later.
- Despero: Wise words from a dead man.
- The Flash: Despero, I'm not gonna fight you again.
- Despero: Really. I'm disappointed. Striking down a defenseless foe? Well, there's no pleasure in that.
- The Flash: So you enjoy killing?
- Despero: Twist my words at your own risk.
- The Flash: You wanted to kill me. I'm not running anywhere.
- Despero: Then neither am I. In another time, on another world, we could've fought side by side, you and I. There's great strength in you, Flash, but I've seen your future. The lives you take, the betrayals you revel in. You're the most dangerous kind of killer because you hide in the body of a hero.
- The Flash: I'm not a killer. I'm not whatever you think I am. I can prove it if you let me show you the truth. Or you can take an innocent life just to prove you're right.
- Despero: You're either very stupid of very brave. I can't decide which.
- The Flash: Well, find out. Scan my mind. See for yourself, then decide.
- Despero: I see no deception in your mind. But I do see truth. And honor. Flash, you're asking me to risk allowing the future I've already witnessed to unfold. I'm sorry. But there's too many lives at stake. Don't you see? This is why I came back. This is the purpose I swore to uphold.
- The Flash: What if you're wrong about me? I've spent my entire life protecting this world. All I'm asking for is a chance to prove I'd never turn my back on it.
- Despero: [yelling] Why should I believe you?
- The Flash: [deactivates his cowl] Because my name's Barry Allen, and I've nothing to hide.
- Despero: Your boldness impresses me, Flash... And it's earned you a stay of execution. You know have seven Earth days to prove that you won't become the monster I've already witnessed in the future. If you can't convince me in that time, or if I find any trace of a darker nature, I will end your existence.
- Chester P. Runk: Barr, how do we defeat a ten-foot-tall red alien who thinks like Grodd and punches like Fuerza?
- Ray Palmer: By figuring out what kind of alien he is. Get that, and you may have some idea of what his weaknesses are.
- Chester P. Runk: Like Kryptonians...
- Ray Palmer: And kryptonite.
- Caitlin Snow: Great idea. I'll call Alex in National City.
- Allegra Garcia: Iris, this account of Despero fighting Flash and Atom is amazing. Is Barry okay?
- Iris West-Allen: Yeah, it's just, Despero is like no one we've ever faced before. Any notes?
- Allegra Garcia: Just one. Publish this now. People need to read it. You saw everything and survived. The city needs to know it can, too.
- Iris West-Allen: By the way, I, um, I read the revised articles that you had Vanya, Aariz, and Taylor write.
- Allegra Garcia: And?
- Iris West-Allen: We're going straight to print with all of them. Whatever you did to inspire quality work like this, it must've gotten through.
- Allegra Garcia: Thank God, but they're still not happy with me.
- Iris West-Allen: Hmm, welcome to management.
- The Flash: Whoever you are, if you're looking for a fight, you found one.
- Chester P. Runk: [running in with Ray and Iris] Oh, snap.
- Ray Palmer: Time to let the Flash do what he does best and kick some butt.
- Cecile Horton: So what do we do?
- Ray Palmer: Well, he took our best shots like they were nothing.
- Barry Allen: We need to be ready.
- Chester P. Runk: For what?
- Barry Allen: The fight of our lives.
- Barry Allen: Korber, what's going on?
- Officer Daisy Korber: Iron Heights just lost power for three seconds, during which every cell door unlocked and opened. Now they've got a thousand inmates roaming the facility.
- Cecile Horton: Barry, if they get out...
- Barry Allen: Yeah, I know.
- Cecile Horton: You gotta go easy on yourself.
- Chester P. Runk: How? The day I'm having? I feel like I might as well just gamble my per diem away at the craps table with Grandma Runk. I mean, Tech Con's paying in cryptocurrency this year, which barely feels like real money, even though it totally is.
- Barry Allen: [a thought strikes him] What if the Royal Flush Gang didn't change their M.O.? Chester, can we find out if any Star City casinos also take cryptocurrency?
- Chester P. Runk: Yeah.
- [going to a keyboard]
- Chester P. Runk: Hot damn. Turns out they all do, 'cause they'll happily take your money however they can. And check this out. These casinos have over 50 mil in their digital coffers.
- Caitlin Snow: So, what exactly would the Royal Flush Gang need to pull off a heist like this?
- Chester P. Runk: A computer with a next-level microchip... a massive power source to run it... and an expert in cyber espionage to execute the hack.
- Cecile Horton: They didn't change their M.O. They just leveled up. Okay, how do we stop 'em?
- Chester P. Runk: Uh, the second the hack starts, I can trace it and ping the location.
- Barry Allen: And I'll be ready.
- Barry Allen: Turns out the Royal Flush Gang kidnapped a prisoner named Jared Haywood. Had any luck trackin' 'em down?
- Caitlin Snow: Not yet.
- Barry Allen: What about the Mercury Labs chip?
- Cecile Horton: Well, Chester's still trying to figure out why the Royal Flush Gang would need it.
- Barry Allen: Okay.
- Chester P. Runk: [coming in] Not anymore. Turns out that chip's so cutting-edge, it has, like, a thousand different applications, so... sorry. I blew it. Seems to be my thing today.
- Cecile Horton: Hey, what's going on, Chester? I'm sensing a whole lot of sadness.
- Caitlin Snow: Yeah, aren't you supposed to still be with Ray?
- Chester P. Runk: I have resigned as Ray's liaison. Turns out I messed that up, too. Now I'm, like, dead to him.
- Barry Allen: [seeing Chester acting weird] Well, he's not avoiding me.
- Ray Palmer: Chester surprised me earlier with a pitch fest to mentor aspiring scientists in the intention of forming a startup with one of them.
- Barry Allen: I... that sounds great.
- Ray Palmer: And it would've been before, but I... I've grown a lot the last few months.
- Barry Allen: So, what, you don't miss any of this?
- Ray Palmer: Well, I'm still a scientist, Barry.
- Barry Allen: Yeah.
- Ray Palmer: But, you know, if I start another big tech company, next thing I know, I get lost in all this again. This is all so intoxicating, and I... I don't want to fall back into the trap.
- Barry Allen: I get that, but, I mean, I'm not the same that I was the first time I put on the cowl, either. You know, I'm faster, more confident, more at ease with myself.
- Ray Palmer: Yeah, you've grown, too.
- Barry Allen: Yeah, but one of the ways that's happened is learning to take time out to help Team Flash grow, too. Yeah, I've learned just as much from them as they've learned from me. It's like being a CSI. Every day, I work with all my fellow officers in all departments.
- Ray Palmer: I mean, I do miss scientific collaboration. Just like I told Chester, I'm not a Legend anymore, and, uh, I don't have the CCPD.
- Barry Allen: So what? You're Ray Palmer, legacy honoree. If you want something that doesn't exist, invent it.
- The Flash: [after Despero is banished away] Man, whatever you did...
- The Atom: Anytime, Flash.
- Iris West-Allen: Hey.
- Chester P. Runk: Hey, you guys okay?
- The Flash: Yeah.
- Iris West-Allen: Where'd that thing go?
- The Atom: I... don't know.
- Ray Palmer: Barry, you know you're not destined to destroy the world, right?
- Barry Allen: Yeah, I know, but the visions Despero showed me seemed so real. And he said "our world".
- Cecile Horton: But what does that even mean?
- Barry Allen: I don't know, yet.
- Chester P. Runk: What if he's mind-punking you? Like how he made you and Ray see an illusion during your fight.
- Caitlin Snow: I don't think he was. Every test I've run on Barry shows that he's completely fine, mentally and physically.
- Cecile Horton: Well, I scanned the residual feelings that Despero left behind inside your mind, and there was no doubt Despero was telling the truth. He really did see those things.
- Barry Allen: Which means everyone's in danger.
- Cecile Horton: No. No, there is no way that you're the bad guy in this situation. What we need to do right now is find out the truth.
- Barry Allen: I have a bad feeling it's gonna find us once Despero gets back from wherever Ray sent him.
- Ray Palmer: Yeah, well, uh, the tech inside his belt was so complex, uh, I could barely recognize the navigation system. So instead of sending him to a specific location, I tried a random setting. Who knows where he went?
- Barry Allen: Or when he's coming back.
- Ray Palmer: Are you sure you don't need me to stick around? Nora can handle any supernatural emergencies while I'm gone. And like you said, Despero could come back any minute.
- Barry Allen: It's okay, we're on it. And if Despero comes back again...
- Ray Palmer: The Atom will embiggen. Yeah? No? All right. Keep working on that one.
- Barry Allen: So, your, uh... mimic powers... how exactly do they work?
- Kristen Kramer: They only activate in times of stress, when my adrenaline spikes, and the effects are temporary.
- Barry Allen: That's good to... yeah.
- Kristen Kramer: Allen, does me being a meta make working for me more difficult?
- Barry Allen: No, ma'am. It's already tough enough as it is.
- [first lines]
- Despero: [in 2031 Central City, the streets are in chaos] Look at them praying for a miracle that isn't coming. Who knows, maybe it's my curse to leave one betrayal behind, only to fight a greater one here amongst the stars? They could've stopped this, but none of them had the strength to do what must be done, but I do.