Arrowverse: I'm a Hero

Chapter 22: Rogues' Gallery & Rising Reputation

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Objective: Solidify Adam's reputation within Team Flash. Sub-objective: Utilize newly acquired powers in direct combat. Primary Skill Acquisition Target: All combat-relevant skills (proficiency increase). Emotional Triggers: Urgency, Teamwork, Tactical Execution. ]

The crisp Central City air hummed with a pre-dawn chill, but inside S.T.A.R. Labs, the atmosphere was already buzzing with the familiar blend of caffeine, computer screens, and impending meta-human chaos. Adam, already on his second (still mediocre) cup of coffee, watched Barry, Cisco, and Caitlin pore over a rapidly escalating news report. The Central City National Bank, an edifice of glass and steel usually reserved for the city's wealthiest aspirations, was now encased in a shimmering, sub-zero shell of ice. A chillingly familiar sight.

"It's Snart," Barry stated, his voice tight. "Captain Cold. He's back, and he's not messing around this time. He just froze the entire front of the bank, and his cold gun readings are off the charts. He's got something new."

"His weapon is creating a localized absolute zero field," Cisco confirmed, his fingers flying across the console, his usual frantic energy now tinged with a grim determination. "Any direct contact, and the structural integrity of anything, or anyone, becomes... non-existent. It's too cold for Barry to just zip in. He'd shatter."

Caitlin, her brow furrowed with concern, looked up from her medical readings. "His core temperature is dropping rapidly, even from this distance. He's somehow radiating that cold in a wider radius. This isn't just a cold gun anymore; it's like he's a living ice storm." A faint shimmer of frost formed on her own fingertips as she spoke, a constant, worrying reminder of her own nascent powers.

Adam felt a surge of anticipation. This was it. Captain Cold. The perfect opportunity to showcase his own burgeoning Cryokinesis (now 65% proficiency from active practice), and to truly integrate as a frontline asset. He had been practicing in the hyper-cooled containment cells, learning to sculpt ice, to control the temperature, to feel the very vibrations of extreme cold. He could now flash-freeze a cup of coffee without shattering the mug, which was progress.

"Captain Cold, you say?" Adam mused, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Leonard Snart. Always so dramatic with his entrances. And his exits, for that matter. My 'network' has extensive theoretical data on 'Cryo-Elemental Control,' and if he's radiating cold, then he's drawing ambient thermal energy. He's a living heat sink. We need to disrupt his field, not just his gun."

Barry looked at Adam, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You have a plan?"

"Perhaps a 'hunch'," Adam corrected, pushing off the console. "One that involves a counter-force. An opposite reaction. And possibly, a very annoyed investment banker with a sudden affinity for extreme temperatures." He gave a confident, albeit slightly dangerous, grin. "Cisco, can you pinpoint the source of his radiating field? Not just the gun, but the central point of his body's emission?"

"Uh, yeah, it's coming from his chest-piece, looks like a new power source!" Cisco shouted, already adapting his readouts. "It's got a unique vibrational signature, distinct from the gun!"

"Excellent," Adam said, already moving towards the exit. "Barry, you need to create a diversion. Draw his attention. Make him focus his field. Caitlin, prep a thermal neutralizer. Something that can absorb residual cold after he's dealt with. And Joe, tell your men to keep civilians well back. This is going to get... chilly."

"Adam, wait!" Barry called out, but Adam was already halfway to the cortex doors, a determined glint in his eyes. He knew Barry would catch up.

The scene outside the bank was chaos. NYPD officers had formed a perimeter, their faces etched with awe and fear as the ice continued to spread, encasing parked cars and lampposts in a thick, unyielding layer. In the center of it all, standing atop a mound of shimmering ice, was Leonard Snart, his cold gun held casually, a smirk on his face.

"Flash!" Snart's voice boomed, amplified by some unseen device, chilling the very air. "You're late! And you brought a friend? How quaint. More ice for my collection."

Barry, a streak of red and yellow, zipped onto the scene, creating a whirlwind. "Snart! Stop this now! People are going to get hurt!"

"Oh, they're already hurt, Flash. Spiritually," Snart retorted, firing a blast of pure cold that forced Barry to dodge rapidly. "And financially. This bank, it represents everything wrong with your so-called 'justice' system. Time to freeze it all away."

Adam chose his moment. Barry was a blur, dodging Snart's icy blasts, circling him, trying to find an opening. Snart was focused, his entire body radiating cold. This was the opening.

He used his Super-Speed (now 38%) for a burst, not across the street, but upwards, leaping onto a nearby building facade, scaling it with quick, precise foot placement. Then, with a surge of his Flight (now 25% proficiency), he launched himself off the building, propelling himself into a high arc, aiming to come down directly on Snart from above. It was still clumsy, but the speed gave it momentum.

"He's got a friend who flies?!" Snart exclaimed, distracted for a split second, his head tilting upwards.

That split second was all Adam needed. As he descended, he channeled all his Cryokinesis into his hands, focusing it into a dense, super-chilled blast, like a concentrated beam of absolute zero. Simultaneously, he applied a focused burst of Kinetic Energy Manipulation (now 40%) to the air directly above Snart, creating a sudden, localized pressure drop, amplifying the effect of his ice.

"Surprise, Captain!" Adam yelled, his voice echoing with the sudden chill.

The concentrated blast of ice and kinetic force slammed down onto Snart's chest-piece. The air around him shimmered violently, then imploded inwards. Snart roared, a guttural sound of shock and pain, as his radiating cold field flickered, sputtered, and died. His cold gun, too, sputtered, its internal mechanisms freezing solid from the sudden, intense counter-cold at its source.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Spike Detected: Shock/Rage (Leonard Snart). While not a skill target, his intense reaction provides valuable data for future countermeasures. Also, your dramatic entrance was highly effective. ]

Barry, seizing the opportunity the moment Snart's field collapsed, zipped in, disarming the now-inert cold gun and delivering a precise, non-lethal punch that sent Snart sprawling onto the icy ground.

"You... you froze me!" Snart gasped, shivering, his breath pluming in the sudden, warmer air. "Who the hell are you?!"

Adam landed beside Barry, dusting off his slightly frosted suit. "Just a concerned citizen, Captain. With a very particular set of skills. Skills I've acquired over a very long and surprisingly chilly career. You picked the wrong bank, and the wrong day, to go full Elsa." He smirked. "Though, I must say, your ice work is impressive. Excellent structural integrity. Five stars for aesthetics, zero for villainy."

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Spike Detected: Admiration/Reliability (Barry Allen). Proficiency Upgrade: Super-Speed (40%). Your combat effectiveness is making you an indispensable asset. Keep up the heroics, you chaotic force for good. ]

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Proficiency Upgrade: Cryokinesis (70%). Your decisive use of cryo-powers in direct combat has significantly increased proficiency. You're practically a walking snow globe now. ]

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Proficiency Upgrade: Kinetic Energy Manipulation (45%). Effective application in a combined assault. Your punches are getting more 'oomph'. ]

Cisco and Caitlin arrived moments later, Caitlin immediately rushing to take medical readings on the subdued Snart, while Cisco stared at the frozen bank facade and then at Adam with a look of utter, bewildered awe.

"Dude," Cisco breathed, "you just... you just went full sub-zero badass! Where did you learn to do that?! I thought Caitlin was the one getting ice powers!"

Adam winked. "Oh, I've got a lot of hobbies, Cisco. You know, just picked up a little 'molecular thermal control' on the side. Very relaxing. And surprisingly useful when dealing with overgrown ice-pop enthusiasts. And yes, Caitlin, it's a bit like yours, but I've had more practice… theoretically." He saw the complex emotions in Caitlin's eyes – fear of her own powers, but also a growing fascination and even a hint of hope, seeing Adam's control.

Barry clapped Adam on the shoulder, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Adam, that was incredible! You knew exactly what to do! You saved the city!"

"Just doing my part, Barry," Adam said, though a genuine warmth spread through him. This was it. He wasn't just a guide or a confidant anymore. He was a force multiplier. An unpredictable, sarcastic, and increasingly powerful member of Team Flash. His reputation was officially rising. And it felt damn good.

A Special Message to My Amazing Readers!

To keep Arrowverse: I'm a Hero growing and deliver more chapters faster, I've launched a Patreon! Join today for 5$ unlock 30+ additional chapters and become a vital part of this story's journey. Your support means the world!

you can read also 20+ chapters of "The Boys: I'm the New Hue, I Need More V" and "legends of tomorrow : Im a Legend Now"

Click here to dive deeper: [patreon.com/TheFinex5]