Ch - 15 Destiny?

After escaping the chaotic scene, Swayam made his way to a vantage point where he could observe the impending confrontation between Barry and Clyde Mardon. The tense encounter was brief, and Clyde managed to slip away, but Swayam's thoughts soon shifted. He was ready to leave, satisfied with his objectives. However, a chilling memory from the series surfaced in his mind—an accident where a police officer lost control of his vehicle during a fog-induced crash, ultimately leading to a fatal explosion.

Despite his desire to leave quickly, Swayam couldn't shake the urgency to save the officer's life. Without a second thought for potential consequences, he sprinted toward the police car that was about to flip over and explode. In a swift motion that appeared entirely natural, he flung the officer out of the vehicle, saving him just in time.

What neither Swayam nor anyone else realized was the profound impact this simple act of heroism would have on the omniverse. But for now, Swayam had no idea he had just set off a chain of events that would ripple through time and space.

Fifteen minutes later, emergency services arrived, treating those injured in the chaos that had unfolded.

---

Barry, having witnessed Clyde Mardon firsthand, rushed home to talk to his adoptive father, Joe. But his attempt at reasoning turned into an argument, as Joe struggled to believe that a person involved in a catastrophic plane explosion was alive and well. Barry understood Joe's anger; anyone would react strongly to such shocking news.

Feeling increasingly frustrated with Joe's disbelief, Barry left and rushed to the one place he thought could provide answers—S.T.A.R. Labs.

---

Inside S.T.A.R. Labs, Caitlin and Cisco were busy brainstorming ways to upgrade their vital monitoring device. Meanwhile, Dr. Harrison Wells analyzed the data from both Swayam and Barry, looking for clues to explain the recent events. Their work was abruptly interrupted when Barry burst through the door, clearly agitated. "I wasn't the only one affected by the particle accelerator explosion, was I?" he demanded.

Before Wells could respond, Swayam stepped in behind Barry. With a serious expression, he pointed out, "Didn't Cisco already mention that I was also affected by the particle accelerator explosion? Think logically; how could you be the only one affected? Or is this just because your adoptive father didn't believe you?"

Barry's irritation flared as Swayam hit a nerve. "Were you following me?" he snapped.

Swayam, unfazed by Barry's childish defensiveness, shot back, "Did you seriously expect us not to observe you and leave you to your own devices?"

Dr. Harrison Wells recognized the truth in Swayam's words but sensed that escalating tensions wouldn't help Barry. Speaking in a calming tone, he said, "Swayam, that's enough. And Barry, what he said is true. We couldn't let you roam around without supervision, knowing your potential. While our approach was flawed, our intentions were good."

Barry began to cool down, realizing their reasoning wasn't entirely unjustified. With a nod, he prompted Wells to explain further. "As for your earlier question, we don't know for sure," Wells admitted.

Irritated yet composed, Barry pressed, "You said the city was safe and there was no residual danger. But that's not true. Now tell me what really happened that night."

Wells took a deep breath and looked at Cisco, Caitlin, and Swayam before answering. "The particle accelerator went active. At that moment, we felt invincible, but then…" He paused, pressed a few buttons on his wheelchair, and projected footage of the particle accelerator on a large display. "It all went wrong. The dimensional barrier ruptured, releasing unknown energies into our worlds—antimatter, dark energy, X-elements…"

Barry interrupted, "Those are all theoretical! What do you mean by 'worlds'?"

Eobard Thawne, ever the manipulator, seized the moment and pointed to Swayam. "Swayam here is literally an otherworlder. As for theoretical concepts, just how theoretical do you think you are?"

Barry had questions about Swayam, but he held his tongue, waiting for Wells to elaborate. "We mapped the energy dispersion throughout Central City, but we have no way of knowing exactly who or what was exposed. We're searching for other metahumans like Swayam and you."

"Metahumans?" Barry echoed, confusion etching his features.

Caitlin interjected, eager to clarify. "That's what we're calling them."

Swayam, feeling somewhat sidelined, added, "I encountered one such being, with whom Barry interacted. He could control fog and possibly manipulate weather."

Barry, though acknowledging Swayam's intentions were good, felt the weight of the situation. "Yes, he was in a car chase with the police after robbing a bank. His name is Clyde Mardon, and he's a criminal. He can control the weather."

Cisco's excitement bubbled over. "This just keeps getting cooler!"

But Barry, knowing the danger Clyde posed, scolded Cisco. "This isn't cool! People got injured! Someone could have died. Joe's old partner was killed by him on the day of the particle accelerator explosion. We have to stop him before he hurts anyone else!" Barry was ready to rush out of S.T.A.R. Labs, determined to track down Clyde, but Eobard, posing as Wells, intervened.

"Barry, that's not your job; it's the police's job."

"Actually, I work for the police," Barry replied defiantly.

Wells shot back with hard facts. "You work with the police as a forensic assistant."

Barry guilt-tripped Wells. "You and your S.T.A.R. Labs are responsible for this mess."

Irritated, Wells shouted, "What matters is you and Swayam." He gestured to them both. "You are important, not me. I lost everything—my company, my reputation, my freedom. After waking from the coma, I faced an impossibility. And then you came along, another impossibility—your broken hand healed in three hours. We tried everything with Swayam, but didn't get anywhere. We believe your body may hold the key to genetic therapies, vaccines, medicines—we could find treasures buried within your cells. We can't risk losing everything again just because you want to play hero." After a somber pause, he continued, "You're not a hero. You're just a young man who was struck by lightning."

As Wells finished speaking, Barry looked at Cisco, Caitlin, and Swayam, searching for their support. When he found none, his disbelief settled in, and he walked away, feeling the weight of his own frustration and the consequences of their actions hanging in the air.