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𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥

CHAPTER EIGHT
the new firestorm

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JULIET HAD DONE what Patty asked and ran the tests on the teeth she found. It wasn't really in her list of things to do to crush the blonde's spirits, but the teeth weren't from a shark at all. She leaned against Barry's desk in her lab, watching as Patty flipped through the results.

"Human DNA?" Patty asked, sounding confused.

"Yeah," Juliet answered. "Sorry to let you down, but . . . seems to be no man-shark."

"Well, thanks for testing it for me."

"Yeah, no problem. So, what's next?"

"I don't know, probably file it under never gonna happen," Patty replied. "I have another case anyway."

"Oh," Juliet said. "Well, if you need any help, you know where to find me or Barry.

"No, no, no, no, Detective said definitely n-not."

Juliet blinked in surprise — Joe didn't want her and Barry on a case? "Uh, all right. Is everything okay?"

"Sure, why?" Patty responded, sounding quite panicked by trying to cover it up by placing an unconvincing bright smile on her face.

"You're acting strange, sweetheart."

"No! No. I'm the same old P. Spivot, you know?"

Juliet couldn't help but smile. She was sure that nobody called her P. Spivot. Also, Patty was just actually adorable.

"What — actually, I — I have to go, but thank you so much for testing this, and I — I'll see you." Patty then turned back around, only to directly run into Barry, who was coming back into the lab. "Oh my God."

"Woah," Barry stated, stumbling back a bit from the collision.

"Sorry," Patty voiced, avoiding all eye contact with Barry and brushing past him quickly.

Barry watched her go for a second before turning back to Juliet in confusion, who was slightly laughing into her hand. "Uh . . ."

"Hi, babe," Juliet greeted. She walked closer to him. "Your face is so red."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

Barry tugged on the end of her ponytail gently. "Quiet."

Juliet giggled a little. "Whatever you say. Hey, I'll be right back, though."

Barry kissed the top of her head as she passed. Juliet walked down the steps and into the precinct, looking for one specific person. She found him standing by the window, looking out at Central City with a cup of coffee and a solemn look on his face.

"Joe," Juliet called. "Why are you staring ominously into the distance?"

"Just had a hell of a day," Joe admitted as Juliet stopped next to him. She raised an inquiring eyebrow, and Joe sighed. "Iris' mother, she told me she was dying."

Juliet's eyes widened a little. "Oh?"

"Yeah, and I know Francine. She's telling the truth about this."

"So that's why she came back," Juliet stated, and Joe nodded. "Okay. Uh, does Iris know that?"

Joe shook his head. "Not yet." He then stared at her for a second. "Did — did you need something?"

"Yeah, actually," Juliet revealed. "Patty just told me that you don't want Barry and I working on some case she's on with you."

"No. I was checking out a lead. I'll let you two know."

"Sounds good." Juliet gave him a two-fingered salute. "Back to my lab I go."

"If I catch you kissing Barry in there, I'll kill you," Joe voiced, a teasing element to his tone as she walked away.

"You'd miss me too much," Juliet protested.

The next day, she found herself back in S.T.A.R. Labs, like always. Professor Stein looked worse than he had yesterday, which worried Juliet to the max. Even though that was an extremely pressing matter, there was another one. According to the news, Hewitt had gone completely off the rails.

"What's being described as a spontaneous energy malfunction erupted last night at Eikmeier Technologies," the reporter announced. "Wanted for questioning is scientist Henry Hewitt."

"Hewitt's dormant abilities must have been triggered when we attempted the merger," Caitlin explained.

"This could be catastrophic," Professor Stein added. "If his powers are anything like mine, he — he requires a grounding mechanism to stabilize his volatility. Otherwise—"

"Yeah, he's gonna pop his top, and he's got a long history of violence, according to his police record," Cisco finished.

"Oh, shit," Juliet commented.

"Police record?" Barry repeated, looking at Caitlin.

"I didn't find a police record," Caitlin responded, rounding around the desk.

"Yeah, of course not, it was sealed," Cisco admitted. "But guess what, ya boy hacked in and—" he typed for a moment "—hold on, wait for it. One count battery, two counts aggravated assault, court-ordered anger management therapy."

"Huh," Juliet let out. "Glad I made him run into the wall."

Caitlin seemed crestfallen. "He seemed like such a nice guy." She looked at Professor Stein. "He even knew your Hudson nerd song."

Suddenly, Professor Stein started to gasp and he stumbled for a second. Juliet's eyes widened and instinctively lifted up her hand the tiniest bit, ready to catch him with mind control if he fell again.

Cisco immediately stood up. "Woah, you okay?"

"It appears Mr. Hewitt's stability isn't the only one in question," Professor Stein voiced. "I think I need to lie down."

Cisco put an arm around him. "Yeah, I'll come with you."

"Thank you."

"Professor Stein is getting worse," Caitlin stated to Juliet and Barry. "And Hewitt's like this because of me. And now Jefferson Jackson will never come back because of what I said. I just didn't believe that he has what it takes."

"This isn't because you didn't believe in him," Barry told her. "Sometimes, great possibilities are right in front of us, and we don't see them, because we choose not to. I think that we need to be open to exploring something new."

Caitlin sat and thought about it for a second before ultimately leaving — presumably going to find Jax. Juliet sighed and slumped into Barry's side from where he sat on the desk. Barry let out a small laugh and wrapped his arm around her, tucking her in closer as he kissed her forehead.

While Caitlin was gone, Professor Stein's time was running out — literally. The power source that Cisco had been using to keep him alive had run out, and his temperature was rising rapidly. It was only a matter of time before things would ultimately reach their end. They moved him into the medbay, where all the machines were beeping fast.

Juliet stood by his bedside, staring down at Professor Stein in worry and concern. He had been through so much in the past two years, and she really did not want to see him go. Professor Stein was kind and nurturing and was the one who told her and Barry about the possibilities of time travel and altering realities. Him and Ronnie had flown into the black hole to save Central City. Without him, Juliet wasn't sure where she would be.

"Caitlin," Barry breathed out, and Juliet turned to see her and Jax walking into the cortex.

She walked faster towards them. "What's wrong?"

"Come here."

"Oh, good, you're here," Cisco said. He tapped the power source. "This thing, it ran out, like, thirty minutes ago."

"His temperature is a hundred and forty-two degrees and rising fast," Barry added.

"He's going into rapid oxidation," Caitlin voiced. "We need to find a coolant."

"I think it's too late for that," Cisco admitted.

Jax then nodded. "I'll do it. I'll merge with him. You said this is a chance for me to be a part of something bigger than myself, to help people. That's what I want."

"Are you one-hundred-percent sure?" Juliet questioned. "There's no going back after you merge."

Jax looked at Cisco. "And you said I could fly, right?"

"Damn right," Cisco replied.

"Okay. So what do I do?"

Cisco walked out into the cortex, and Jax followed him. "Okay, well, here's the abridged version."

Caitlin put a hand on Professor Stein's arm. "Professor Stein? Professor Stein?"

"Oh, Clarissa, five more minutes," Professor Stein mumbled.

Barry rounded around to his other side. "No, Professor, you have to get up. Jax is here."

Professor Stein's eyes fluttered open as Barry put his glasses on for him. "What?"

"Jax is here. Here, grab onto me." Barry looked back at his girlfriend. "J?"

Juliet nodded, knowing what she meant. She held out her hand and focused on Professor Stein, red energy traveling from her fingertips up her arm. Juliet did most of the work, pulling Professor Stein up from his bed and helping him stand. After that, and when Barry and Caitlin got their grip on him, she let her concentration go. She followed after them into the cortex, her hand slightly lifted by her side just in case, to see that Cisco had put the splicer on Jax.

"You came back, Jefferson," Professor Stein voiced. "Thank you."

"Well, like my coach always said, out of yourself and into the team," Jax responded. "So, how's this work?"

"Okay, all you're gonna do is touch him," Cisco instructed.

"And then what happens?"

"You become Firestorm," Caitlin answered.

Jax nodded. "Okay."

Caitlin gingerly let go of Professor Stein to stand on his own. Juliet stepped back towards the medbay away from them, watching in concern. The only source of comfort she felt, calming her down from some anxiety, was Barry's hand on the small of her back, where it usually resided.

Jax and Professor Stein touched hands. At once, their bodies completely enveloped in flames. Juliet watched, a small smile spreading across her face, as they formed into one. Jax now had flames coming from his hands and his head.

Caitlin took a step forwards. "Jax?" He turned towards them, his eyes completely white, just how Juliet remembered Ronnie's to be. "Is Professor Stein—"

"How will I know?" Jax inquired. He then looked up in wonder — presumably, Professor Stein was talking to him in his head. "Oh, so I get Gray as my copilot. So when do we get to take this for a test spin?"

Suddenly, the alarm started to beep throughout the cortex, signaling that something was happening.

Cisco ran behind the computers. "Uh, how about now? It looks like Hewitt's recharging at Central City High School's football stadium."

Juliet and Barry shared a quick look. Immediately, Juliet teleported into her suit and to the football stadium. She looked, only to see Hewitt standing in the middle of the field. All of the energy from the lights were drawing into him in orange energy. The crowd and the football players were all running away from him. A flash of yellow lightning sped past her, and Juliet turned, only to see Barry then land next to her after saving two players.

"Cisco, cut the power to the field so he can't draw anymore energy," Barry ordered.

"I'm on it," Cisco replied. "Stand by."

At once, all of the lights in the football stadium went out, diminishing the energy traveling from them. It only left Hewitt, an orange glowing figure, right in the center of the field.

"Hewitt!" Barry shouted, and he turned to the two heroes. "You need to stop. This is not who you are."

Juliet suddenly heard flames. She glanced up, only to see Firestorm lowering himself to the ground.

"Stein?" Hewitt asked. "You chose him over me? That's who I'm supposed to be! I deserve the Firestorm matrix!"

Hewitt then stretched out his hands. At once, orange energy expelled from him in a blast, hitting Firestorm. Juliet clenched her jaw in anger as Firestorm to send him back. Oh sure, another person was copying her powers.

Firestorm managed to right himself. Juliet glanced back and teleported next to him on the bleachers. Red energy itched at her fingertips, wanting release, but she held it back for now.

"You okay?" Juliet questioned.

"I was a quarterback, I know how to take a hit," Firestorm responded.

"Fair enough."

"Hey, guys, cutting the power didn't work," Barry revealed over the comms. "It's like the more we anger him, the stronger he gets."

Caitlin snapped. "That's it. It's like one of those, uh, controlled fusion devices. Um . . ."

"Tokamak?" Cisco guessed.

"Yes, exactly. And the more powerful they become, the more unstable they become. Barry, Jules, make him angry, and he'll blow his fuse."

Barry looked at the two others, a smirk on his face. "You up for a little game of catch me if you can?"

Juliet smiled. "I'll make him regret bumping into me even more."

Jax grinned as well. "Let's go for it."

At once, Juliet teleported back onto the field. She immediately jumped right in front of Hewitt, giving him a smirk, before letting her own energy blast hit him. Hewitt fell to the ground, looking angry. He glared at her as he got up, but before he could do anything, she teleported away. There was a mix of Juliet's figure and Barry's yellow lightning as the two ran around him.

"Hew, Hewitt, over here!" Barry called. "Paging Dr. Hewitt."

Juliet teleported right in front of him again. "Boo."

Hewitt yelled and sent another energy blast her way, but Juliet got out of the way and let him hit a part of the field. Immediately, it created a crater, smoke spiraling into the sky.

"Man, you are not good at this," Barry said. He sped away from an energy blast. "Do you need a hug, Doctor?"

"I'm an expert on energy," Juliet added, her voice echoing as she teleported around him multiple times. "Yours is fucking pathetic."

"Come on, Hewitt, give me your best shot!" Firestorm urged.

At the same time, Jax sent a burst of flames and Hewitt sent a burst of energy. They met in the middle before both of them extinguished. Honestly, it kind of reminded Juliet of Harry Potter and Voldemort.

"Is that all you got, Hewitt?" Barry teased.

"Man, no wonder you didn't make the cut if that's how you fight," Jax stated.

Juliet shrugged. "Lame."

Hewitt's anger ultimately got the best of him. He sent energy blasts out of both of his hands — one towards Barry and Juliet, the other towards Firestorm. Barry took Juliet's waist in his arms and sped them away while Firestorm also got out of the way. Firestorm then flew forwards and punched Hewitt right in the face. Hewitt felt to the ground unconscious, his body no longer glowing orange.

"Not bad for your first go at this," Barry told Firestorm.

"Well, I had a great coach to help me through it," Firestorm replied. "Isn't that right, Gray?"

Barry smiled. "Welcome aboard, Firestorm."

Juliet then giggled at Hewitt's crumpled figure. "It's always so satisfying when people are humbled."

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JULIET GOT A serious case of déjà-vu from watching Firestorm be sent off. She remembered the last time this happened, when Ronnie and Professor Stein had left them to go train. Now, as she stood there, her hand in Barry's, it felt weirdly the same, yet so different.

"And how is Mr. Hewitt?" Professor Stein inquired as they all went out to the front porch.

"Uh, seems like that last burst of energy has burnt him out," Caitlin answered.

"Our Tokamak's gone dark," Cisco stated.

"Yeah, we're just gonna keep him safe and sound in the pipeline till he decides to keep quite about all this," Barry said.

Juliet shrugged. "I'll keep threatening him."

Joe nodded to Professor Stein. "So you're gonna meet up with Clarissa?"

"We're meeting in Pittsburg in three days," Professor Stein responded.

"Why Pittsburgh?" Jax asked.

"A colleague of mine was monumental in helping train Ronald and me. She's graciously offered to help the two of us as well."

"Well, how's she gonna help us?"

"Well, there were many aspects of our abilities that we never quite achieved," Professor Stein continued. "Hopefully now, we can fully realize that potential." He turned to Caitlin. "Oh, my dearest Dr. Snow." He hugged her for a moment. "Ronald may be lost to us, but he will never be forgotten."

Professor Stein then approached Joe, Juliet, and Barry. Joe hugged him first, and then Juliet extended her arms out with a smile.

"Thank you for everything," Juliet voiced quietly. "Visit once in a while, will you?"

"Of course," Professor Stein confirmed. He then let her go and said his goodbyes to Barry, and then Cisco. Him and Cisco shared a short conversation and a hug before Professor Stein turned to them all. "And now I believe it's time to take this show on the road, or to the sky, if I am to be literal."

Joe laughed loudly at that. Juliet couldn't help but laugh as well, her smile only widening when Barry tugged her in to stand a little closer to him. Jax placed the splicer on his chest.

Professor Stein stared at him. "Are you ready, Jefferson?"

Jax nodded. They touched hands, and both of their bodies engulfed in flames until they merged into one. Firestorm then shot into the sky with his fire. Juliet squinted up at the blue sky through the sun until Firestorm was no longer visible.

Suddenly, Juliet felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out, only to see it was an incoming call from Iris. Juliet's eyebrows knit in concern for a moment — Iris had told her that she was going to meet with her mom again. Maybe it was about that. She squeezed Barry's hand and walked to the side, answering the call.

"Hey," Juliet greeted.

Iris sniffled on the other end. "Jules?"

"Yeah? What's wrong?"

"Can . . . can you just come over, please?"

"Of course," Juliet agreed instantly. "I'll be there in a sec. Love you."

"Love you more," Iris responded.

Juliet hung up and turned to her boyfriend and Joe. "Hey, that was Iris. I gotta go."

Barry leaned down and kissed her quickly. "I'll see you later. I love you."

"I love you, too. Bye, Joe."

With that, Juliet teleported away from the Stein house and to the West house. When she entered the house, the first thing that she noticed was that it was dark. Absolutely no lights were on, and in the setting sun, shadows casted around the place. Juliet glanced around for a second, only to find the one person she was looking for was sitting on the steps, staring blankly ahead with tear tracks running down her cheeks.

"Hi, 'Ris," Juliet greeted, walking up to her. She sat next to her on the stairs, and without saying a word, Iris immediately let her head fall on Juliet's shoulder. Juliet put her arm around her best friend, holding her close. "I'm assuming your meeting with Francine didn't go well."

"No," Iris stated. "It didn't. But . . . Jules, I found out something else about her, and I — I just had to tell someone."

The next words — Juliet never expected to hear.

"Joe has a son, and I have a brother."

〖   ϟ   〗

WALLYYYYYYYYY <3

anyways y'all I have been crying over the eras tour for DAYS like you mean I get to experience that LIVE? I'm gonna get to absolutely scream the bridge to cruel summer? what do you MEAN tolerate it is on the set list?