The Flash : Please Kill Me (Complete Remake)

Chapter 9: First Rogue – Metahuman Mayhem (REMAKE)

The first alert came in the middle of Adam's attempt to explain the intricacies of a particularly obscure anime plot to a bewildered Cisco. A sudden, violent storm had erupted downtown, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Weather anomaly," Caitlin stated, her fingers flying across a keyboard. "Localized, unprecedented wind speeds, rapid temperature drop."

"Weather Wizard," Adam mumbled, almost instinctively. Then he cleared his throat, trying to play it off. "Or, you know, just really bad weather. Central City always had weird weather. Maybe it's a new type of… super-storm."

Cisco, however, had heard him. "Weather Wizard? Dude, that's a good name! Can I use that?"

"Be my guest," Adam said, trying to look casual. "Just, you know, give credit where credit's due. To my 'enhanced common sense,' obviously."

Barry, meanwhile, was already vibrating with nervous energy. "I have to go. People are in danger."

"Slow down, Barry," Joe said, stepping in. "We don't know what this is. And you're still figuring out… everything."

"I can help," Barry insisted.

"He can," Adam interjected, stepping forward. "He's fast. And fast is good when buildings are falling down. But he's going to need intel. And maybe someone to point him in the right direction. Like, for instance, the fact that these storms always seem to follow a specific, almost… personal pattern."

Wells, from his wheelchair, observed Adam with a subtle, almost imperceptible narrowing of his eyes. "Mr. Stiels seems to have an uncanny knack for these… patterns."

"It's a gift," Adam repeated, trying to sound humble. "Comes from watching too many crime shows. And, you know, having a brain that just connects things. Like, what if this weather isn't random? What if it's… controlled?"

Joe looked at him. "Controlled? By who?"

"That's the million-dollar question, Detective," Adam said, shrugging. "But if I had to guess, I'd say someone with a very personal vendetta. And a very specific target. Maybe someone from the past?" He looked pointedly at Joe, knowing Clyde Mardon's connection to him and Eddie Thawne.

Joe's eyes widened slightly. "Mardon."

"Clyde Mardon?" Barry asked, confused. "The bank robber?"

"The one who supposedly died in the plane crash," Joe confirmed, his voice grim. "But if he's back… and he can do this…"

"Then we have a metahuman on our hands," Wells finished, his voice calm, almost too calm. "And a very dangerous one."

Adam felt a surge of triumph. He was guiding them. Subtly. Without revealing too much. This was the dance.

Barry, despite his inexperience, was determined. He suited up (or rather, got into his civilian clothes, which was still a work in progress for "The Flash"), and zoomed off. Adam, meanwhile, stuck with Joe, using his "Urban Navigation" to guide them through the chaotic streets, pointing out areas of interest, potential targets, and escape routes.

"He's heading for the old bank district, Joe," Adam said, pointing to a swirling vortex of wind in the distance. "It's always the banks, isn't it? Villains are so predictable."

"How do you know that?" Joe asked, his brow furrowed.

"Just a hunch," Adam replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "A really, really good hunch. My 'Enhanced Observation' is practically screaming 'bank robbery in progress, with a side of atmospheric destruction!'"

They arrived at the scene, a chaotic mess of overturned cars and terrified civilians. Barry was already there, a red blur, trying to evacuate people. Clyde Mardon, looking menacing and in control of the elements, stood amidst the chaos, a furious look on his face.

" Okay, Clyde, you're less impressive in person than on screen. And way more shouty. But hey, you're my first proper metahuman. Don't disappoint me. I'm counting on you for some sweet, sweet skill points."

Adam watched as Barry struggled. He was fast, yes, but he was clumsy, inexperienced. He didn't know how to fight a metahuman. He didn't know how to use his speed effectively.

"Barry, look out!" Adam yelled, pointing to a massive gust of wind Mardon was conjuring, aimed right at the Flash.

Barry dodged, barely. Adam realized this was his chance. He needed a death from Mardon. A strategic one. One that would give him a useful skill. Weather-related, preferably.

He saw a loose piece of scaffolding, directly in Mardon's line of fire. He "tripped," stumbling directly into its path, ensuring it would be hit by Mardon's next wind blast, and then collapse on him. It was risky, but he had three lives from Mardon. He could afford one.

" Alright, Clyde, show me what you got. Make it windy. Make it hurt. Just don't make it permanent. I've got a show to watch."

Mardon, distracted by Barry, unleashed another powerful gust. It slammed into the scaffolding, sending it crashing down. Adam, caught underneath, felt the crushing weight, the sudden, sharp pain, and then… darkness.

[SYSTEM ALERT: DEATH DETECTED. CAUSE: BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA (WEATHER WIZARD).] [LIVES REMAINING: 0/3 (Current Life Activated)] [DEATHS ACHIEVED: 1/15 (Next System Level: Level 4)]

[SKILL ACQUISITION: 'BASIC WEATHER MANIPULATION' HAS BEEN UNLOCKED!] [DESCRIPTION: Grants a rudimentary ability to subtly influence localized atmospheric conditions (e.g., minor gusts of wind, faint temperature shifts).]

Adam gasped, his eyes snapping open. He was back in his apartment, disoriented but alive. He felt a faint breeze, almost imperceptible, swirling around his hand. He concentrated, and the breeze intensified, ruffling his hair.

" Holy crap. It worked. 'Basic Weather Manipulation'! Now I can finally control whether it rains on my parade. Literally. Take that, Mardon! You gave me a superpower! You magnificent, murderous moron!"

He quickly changed, then raced back to the scene. He found Joe and Barry, looking grim. Mardon had escaped.

"Adam!" Joe exclaimed, relieved. "What happened? We thought you were… under that scaffolding!"

"I… I don't know," Adam feigned, rubbing his head. "One minute I was there, the next… I was just… gone. Like a gust of wind picked me up and dropped me a few blocks away. Must be my 'enhanced common sense' kicking in, telling me to get out of the way."

Barry looked at him, his eyes wide. "That's… impossible."

"Is it?" Adam challenged, a knowing smirk on his face. "After what happened to you, Barry, is anything impossible now? Besides," he leaned in conspiratorially, "I think I figured out how Mardon does it. It's not just wind; it's… atmospheric pressure. If you can disrupt that, you can disrupt him."

He was back in the game. With a new skill. And a very confused, very grateful Team Flash. This was going to be fun.