Ch - 17 Birth of a Hero?

By the time Barry returned, the night had already settled over Central City. True to his word, Swayam had returned before nightfall, but Barry was not empty-handed. He brought a box filled with unsolved case files from the Central City Police Department (CCPD).

Gathering Caitlin, Cisco, and Swayam around, he began, "I've been going over unsolved cases from the past nine months, and there's been a sharp increase in unexplained deaths and missing persons." A pause followed, during which Barry's tone shifted to one of accusation. "Your meta-humans have been busy. I'm sorry if I'm still placing blame on you, even though I know this wasn't your intention. I get that all of you lost something too. But I need your help to catch Mardon and anyone else like him. I can't do this without you." The desperation in his eyes reflected the weight of his request, and Swayam could sense the urgency behind it.

Swayam's heart raced with anticipation; he knew this was the pivotal moment that would lead to the formation of Team Flash. Yet, he stifled his excitement and waited for Cisco to take the initiative. Cisco, ever the optimist, stepped up. A smile began to spread across his face as he said, "If we're gonna do this, I have something that might help." He moved toward a corner of the room, flipped a hidden switch, and a concealed passage appeared in the wall.

As they entered, Swayam took in the sight of a hidden room cluttered with Cisco's inventions and trinkets. Cisco moved through the scattered machinery until he uncovered a human-shaped mannequin clad in a vibrant red superhero suit. "This is something I've been tinkering with," he explained, excitement in his voice. "It's designed to replace the turnouts firefighters traditionally wear." Cisco revealed his project, turning to face the trio. "I thought if S.T.A.R. Labs created something useful, maybe people wouldn't be so angry at Dr. Wells."

Barry listened intently, his brow furrowing as he questioned, "How's it going to help me?"

Cisco glanced at Swayam before turning back to Barry. "Honestly, I wasn't making this suit for you; I was making it for Sam. I wanted to create a heroic figure associated with S.T.A.R. Labs, someone who could help people in need with his superhuman abilities. I planned to present this idea in a few days after I refined it, but when I saw the spark of determination in your eyes, I knew it could be useful for you."

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "As for how it helps you, it's made from a reinforced tri-polymer. It's heat and abrasion-resistant to withstand your high-velocity speeds, and the aerodynamic design will help you maintain control. Plus, it has built-in sensors so we can monitor your vitals and stay in contact with you."

Barry examined the suit, recognizing the immense responsibility it symbolized. The seriousness of his task weighed heavily on him. After a brief inspection, he turned to Cisco and said, "Thanks for the suit, Cisco. But how do we find Mardon?"

Just as Barry posed that question, Caitlin, engrossed in her tablet, chimed in. "While Cisco was showing you the suit, I retasked the S.T.A.R. Labs satellite to track meteorological abnormalities over Central City. We just got a ping." Caitlin's voice was urgent as she directed the team's attention to her findings. "The atmospheric pressure dropped 20 millibars in a matter of seconds. I traced it to a farm just west of the city."

As Barry prepared to race toward the pinged location, Swayam, who had been quietly observing, stood up and grabbed a mask to cover his face. He intended to accompany Barry. Caitlin, catching Swayam's movement out of the corner of her eye, asked, "Where are you going, Sam?"

Both Cisco and Barry turned their gazes to Swayam, eager for his response. "I was thinking of going with him, just in case he needs any assistance."

Caitlin's heart tightened at the thought of Swayam facing danger. Over the past eight months, she had developed feelings for him, and the prospect of him putting himself at risk made her anxious. Yet, she knew Swayam's determination was unwavering; once he made up his mind, it was nearly impossible to dissuade him. Thus, rather than protest, she simply questioned, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Swayam met her gaze with confidence, a reassuring smile crossing his lips. "I'll be fine, Caitlin. Besides, we cannot be certain that Barry won't require backup, and who better than someone who can keep up with him?"

Cisco, noticing the tension in the room, broke the silence. "I think it's a great idea that both of you go together. Teamwork is what will help you tackle whatever Mardon throws your way."

Barry nodded, feeling bolstered by their support. "Okay, then. Sam, let's head out."

With newfound determination, both of them prepared for their mission. Swayam's heart swelled with pride; he was ready to step into this new role as a protector alongside Barry.