Barry Allen Flash in 2 worlds, Marvel

Star Labs, 2017

Night

"Okay Dominic, you need to lie very still," Caitlin told Dominic as he laid on a bed in the med-bay.

"Explain this to me again, what's he gonna do to me?" Dominic asked as he eyed Allen wearily.

"I'm gonna help get that bullet out of the back of your neck, that's all you need to know," Allen said as he walked over.

"It's oaky, you can trust him," Caitlin assured Dominic as he looked skeptical.

"Well…I guess if he can get this thing out of the back of my neck, I'm game," Dominic said as he looked at Allen. "Do it."

Allen nodded as he walked over to Dominic. Caitlin nodded at him and, vibrating his hand, Allen phased through Dominic's head, grabbed the bullet and carefully extracted it, pulling it out all within the span of a second. Caitlin then immediately got to work at stitching him up.

The Ninth Dimension, 2019

Afternoon

"Whoa," Cisco breathed as they all looked around, taking it all in.

The Ninth Dimension was like nothing any of them had imagined. The sky was a weird mix of green and yellow with large masses of rock in the sky that looked like bones were floating in the sky. And the ground looked like it was just floating in the sky.

"I feel like Goku and Vegeta going inside Majin Buu," Cisco muttered and everyone but Frost looked at him oddly.

"What?" Steve asked confused.

"It's some show he and Barry watched in high school, just ignore him," Frost said with a sigh.

"Where do we find Mxyzptlk?" Wanda asked, wanting to get right down to business.

"This is his home; chances are he already knows we're here. He'll come to us," Strange said.

"What makes you think that?" Steve asked curiously.

"Because he'll see this as fun as well, not to mention a challenge. And he can't back down from a challenge," Strange said grimly.

Star Labs, 2017

Night

"Thank you for all your help," Caitlin said as she and Allen cleaned up the med-bay. "I don't just mean for Dominic, but for coming back here and saving my life."

"It's what friends are for, right?" Allen asked and she smiled tightly. "What's going on?"

"What makes you think something's going on?" Caitlin asked evasively.

"Because I know you. Come on, what's up?" Allen asked and she was silent for a moment.

"Cisco, Harry and Ralph have been hanging out with Killer Frost," Caitlin finally said. "Jitters even named a drink after her."

"And that's a bad thing?" Allen asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Everyone keeps going on about how great she is. Don't me wrong, I'm glad she can help but I spent so long worrying she'd hurt people and now…" Caitlin trailed off, trying to find the words.

"You think they prefer her to you?" Allen realized and Caitlin looked away, the answer clear on her face. "That's ridiculous."

"How can you be so sure?" Caitlin asked and Allen paused.

This was something entirely new for him. His Caitlin had never expressed such self-doubt. He supposed that accepting Killer Frost rather than trying to take control of their body had helped quite a bit, not to mention falling in love with Steve. Allen was silent for a moment before he spoke.

"Tonight, before Cisco told me what was going on, I was about to head home," he said and Caitlin looked up at him. "Constantine had found out a way to get me home. Do you know why I decided to come back here instead?"

"Because it's who you are," Caitlin said automatically and he smiled slightly.

"True, but what made me decide to come here tonight wasn't out of any morality. It was something my Caitlin said to me the last time I saw her," Allen said and she raised an eyebrow. "Heart and head. I wear my heart on my sleeve; usually I let it control my actions. She's usually the one who keeps me in check, yells at me when I'm being stupid. But she left, so now I have to think with my heart and my head."

"She just left you guys?" Caitlin asked surprised and Allen shook his head.

"No, I told her to go," Allen said, only confusing her. "She fell in love with the leader of the Avengers when they came to Earth-1. He had to go back and she stayed with us, but I could see how much it hurt her to be away from him. So I told her to go be with him."

"And she just left?" Caitlin asked, still in disbelief.

"She did what I told her to do, to live for herself for once," Allen said as Caitlin tried to absorb this. "But back to my point, she is the one person who knows me better than anyone ever has. And so I know that if anyone prefers Frost to you, they are an idiot."

"Thank you," Caitlin said, smiling before kissing him on the cheek. "I missed this version of you. The less selfish version who was there for me…for us."

"He's only as gone as you let him be," Allen said and she looked at him as though he'd suddenly spouted another head.

"You've seen him, you know who he is now," Caitlin pointed out.

"What I know is that he's lost his way. And yeah, I'm still pissed about Thawne. But it doesn't have to be this way between you guys. You can do something about it; you can try and reach him. Just because someone loses their way doesn't mean they can't find it again. Sometimes, they just need a guiding hand to show them the way," Allen said and Caitlin was silent for several moments.

"What if it's hopeless? What if Barry is just…too far gone?" Caitlin asked with doubts.

"It's only hopeless if you give up on him. And I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't be here if you had," Allen said and Caitlin nodded. "You want your friend back? Fight like hell to save him from himself."

The Ninth Dimension, 2019

Afternoon

"So tell me again why we didn't call someone like Thor or Kara?" Cisco asked as they walked through the Ninth Dimension, looking around for any sign of Mxyzptlk.

"This place has an unusual effect on beings like Asgardians and Kryptonians. Any alien entering loses all rational thought," Strange explained.

"Indeed they do. I guess they just can't handle my realm."

Suddenly, Mxyzptlk appeared in front of them, chuckling mischievously. Immediately, everyone was ready, Strange summoning two Tao Mandalas as Steve grabbed his shield. Wanda's hands glowed with red energy as Frosts hands began emitting mist and Cisco held up his hands, ready for a Vibe blast at any moment.

"Where is my husband?" Wanda hissed, her eyes glowing red.

"What's the matter, you seem a little mad?" Mxyzptlk asked with a chuckle.

"Enough. You've taken Barry Allen. Return him or suffer the consequences," Strange ordered and Mxyzptlk laughed.

"I couldn't do that even if I wanted to," Mxyzptlk said with a grin.

"Who are you working for?" Steve demanded.

Immediately, everyone noticed a change. Mxyzptlk's grin vanished, replaced by a frown as he paled. They could now see the fear in his eyes, plain for all to see. Gone was the mischievous trickster, in his place a scared man-child who feared someone more powerful than himself.

"Who are you so afraid of?" Cisco asked. "Did they put you up to this?"

Apparently, Cisco pushed a button, as Mxyzptlk's eyes flashed with fear and anger.

"I fear no one!" Mxyzptlk roared as he waved his hands, blue-white energy emitting from them.

Suddenly, several large boulders appeared in the sky, levitating as they circled one another. Then, they came flying at the group of heroes. Wanda used her powers to stop a few of them as Strange sent some to the Mirror Dimension and Cisco opened a breach, catching one. At the same moment, a breach opened up not far from Mxyzptlk. The boulder came out as Wanda directed her boulders towards him as well. However, Mxyzptlk waved his hands and the boulder flew back towards the heroes. Strange waved his hands and, just before the boulders hit them, they all instantly turned into a large swarm of butterflies.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Strange asked as two Tao Mandalas appeared on his hands.

With a roar of anger, or perhaps fear, Mxyzptlk waved his glowing hands as, to the shock of the group, two giant, stone statues that rose out of the ground.

"Oh Frak," Cisco said before the statues made a move towards them.

Star Labs, 2017

Night

"So I made this?" Cisco asked as he and Allen were in his workshop, Cisco examining Allen's Flash Ring.

"No, it and the suit were made by someone on Earth-66 named Leo Fitz. Maybe you'll meet him someday," Allen said, smiling as he thought of how Cisco would react to Fitz.

"I hope so," Cisco said, thinking he'd like to meet the guy who improved the Flash suit. "So this is really bullet proof? I could never figure out how to make that happen with you speed. This guy might be even smarter than me."

"Might just be more experienced. Earth-66, it's a crazy place," Allen said and it was silent for a moment. "So no sign of Devoe?"

"Yeah, it's like he just vanished," Cisco said with a sigh. "And we know he didn't drown."

"It would be naïve to think he did," Allen said with a nod. "Any idea what he wants?"

"Barry thinks he's interested in his powers but I don't know, it seems like someone as smart as Devoe would have some way to drain his speed if that's what he wanted," Cisco said skeptically.

"Well, whatever he's after, you'll figure it out. You always do and I'm sure it's not any different in this timeline," Allen said as he placed a hand on Cisco's shoulder and Cisco smiled.

"Thanks man," Cisco said as he handed Allen the ring back. "So we're all gonna head to Joe's for the Christmas party. I don't think Joe would mind I you stopped by."

"Thanks for the offer but I don't think Iris would be too pleased with me just dropping in and I don't wanna cause problems for Joe," Allen said as he put the Flash Ring back on. "I appreciate the offer though."

"So what will you do now then?" Cisco asked and Allen shrugged.

"Head back to Star City I guess, hope I haven't missed my only chance at getting home," Allen said truthfully and Cisco's insides twisted uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have involved you in this," Cisco said but Allen shook his head.

"You wanted to save your best friends; I'd do the same thing in your position. And if I had to make that decision again, I'd still make the same choice. It was the right thing to do," Allen said as he placed a hand on Cisco's shoulder. "Good luck buddy."

Allen then turned and walked out, leaving Cisco to his thoughts. As he was walking down the hall, he rounded the corner and nearly ran into Barry. They stopped and an awkward silence filled the hall as both remembered their last encounter.

"Barry," Allen greeted neutrally.

"Hey," Barry said awkwardly. "Look, um, I wanted to thank you. I know you gave up your way home to come help me and Caitlin, so thank you for that."

"I didn't do it for you, I did it because it was the right thing to do," Allen said pointedly. "Maybe you should try it some time."

"Do you really think that low of me?" Barry asked, in disbelief at how much Allen seemed to dislike him.

"Honestly? Yeah, I do," Allen said honestly. "Did you know Oliver has files on the computer in his lair? Not just on the bad guys, but on Team Flash and the Legends to. He keeps on eye on us, waiting for the day we go rogue, hoping it never comes."

"He told you this?" Barry asked lowly, his face growing paler with every word Allen spoke.

"My Oliver did, a long time ago. I guess mine trusts me more than yours trusts you," Allen said with a shrug. "I asked this timeline's Oliver if I could look at his file on you. For every supposedly heroic action you take, there's always a level of selfishness there to. I hope the hero you used to be is still inside you somewhere but so far, I haven't seen him."

Allen then walked passed Barry, leaving the slightly younger version of himself alone with his thoughts.

The Ninth Dimension, 2019

Afternoon

Steve rolled out of the way, barely avoiding getting hit as one of the stone giants stepped where Steve had been moments earlier. With a roar, Wanda waved her hands, glowing with energy as her eyes flashed red. The stone giant glowed red before it was sent crashing into the other giant and the two fell. The giants landed on the ground, a large dust cloud forming as they fell to pieces, leaving only rubble.

"Nice work," Frost said, out of breath as the five of them regrouped.

"It's not over yet," Strange said grimly.

As if to prove him right, Mxyzptlk waved his hand and the remains of the giants flew into the air, circling them like a shark. Then, with the speed of a bullet, the debris rained down on them. Steve and Frost attempted to dodge as Wanda and Strange deflected the debris while Cisco opened up breaches to send the debris somewhere else.

"Okay, this isn't working! We need a new plan!" Cisco said as he sent the debris off to the side.

"The only way to defeat him is if some of us distract him while the others go at him in a frontal assault. Otherwise he'll get us eventually," Steve said.

"I agree," Strange said, moving his hands and cutting a piece of debris in half. "Ramon, Wanda and I will draw his attention. Create a breach for Captain Rogers and Frost then you move in with them. Anyone have any objections to that plan?"

"Nope," Frost said, her eyes flashing.

"On my signal," Steve said and the others nodded.

Steve then, to their shock, rushed forward, grabbing his shield and jumped. He landed on a piece of debris before throwing his shield. Taking that as the signal, Wanda moved her hands and the pieces of debris stopped. As Steve jumped down, Wanda waved her hands and all the debris went flying back at Mxyzptlk. At the same moment, Cisco opened a breach and Frost went through it.

Mxyzptlk waved his hands and all the debris turned into, of all things, bubbles. However, he didn't have time to laugh about it, as Steve's shield was sailing towards him. He waved his hand and it was sent sailing back towards Stave. Steve ducked, dodging it as a breach opened up next to Mxyzptlk. Frost, on an ice bridge, emerged from it and quickly began shooting ice daggers from her hands. Mxyzptlk quickly raised his hands and tried to send them back at her but, to his surprise, they suddenly glowed red, looking like they were trying to fight his commands. Wanda smirked as Frost continued to fire more ice daggers at him.

Out of patience, Mxyzptlk roared as he waved his hands, a blast of energy emitting from him that sent Frost flying back, her ice bridge and daggers evaporating. Cisco quickly opened up a breach and another one opened up near Frost. She flew into it and emerged from the other one, where Steve caught her as her hair and eye color returned to normal.

"My hero," Caitlin joked.

"Enough," a voice that seemed to echo through the ninth dimension suddenly spoke with power and authority before there was a bright light that blinded them.

When the light faded, all six of them stood in a room that seemed to exist in outer space, given the stars in the darkness all around them. And standing a few feet away from them was a dark skinned man wearing a suit that vaguely reminded Steve of Thanos' armor. As he saw the man, Cisco gapped.

"You. You're The Monitor. You're the guy who switched Barry and Oliver's bodies!" Cisco exclaimed and Steve looked surprised.

"What?" Steve asked.

"A few weeks before Thanos, he gave a washed up professor at Gotham University a book that allowed him to alter reality. He used it to switch Barry and Oliver's bodies," Caitlin explained and Steve looked like he was getting a headache.

"I miss the days when the weirdest thing around was me," Steve grumbled.

"Mar Novu, it is an honor," Strange said sounding humbled as Cisco, Wanda, Caitlin and Steve all looked at him oddly.

"You know him?" Wanda asked.

"Only by reputation. Mar Novu, or The Monitor as you know him, is the guardian of the multiverse," Strange said and Novu nodded at Strange.

"Thank you for your words Stephen Strange," Novu said kindly.

"You, you did this. You're the one Mxyzptlk has been working for," Wanda hissed, her eyes glowing red as the realization hit her.

"Yes, I did," Novu admitted. "But your husband is in no danger Wanda Maximoff, I assure you."

"If Barry isn't in danger, why do this?" Steve demanded.

"He thinks that some sort of crisis is coming," Caitlin explained.

"Not a crisis, an Apocalypse the likes of which the multiverse has never seen," Novu corrected as everyone looked horrified. "Oliver Queen believes that Barry Allen is our best hope. Let us see if he's right."

"So this whole thing…is some kind of test?" Cisco asked in disbelief.

"Why test Barry? Kara helped save us to, why not test her instead?" Wanda demanded and Mar Novu was silent for a moment.

"Among the many misconceptions humanity holds dear is that al beings are created equal. In truth, there are those who are greater: Heroes such as yourselves. But even among heroes, there are different estulans," Novu said as all them looked taken back. "The highest belong to those known as Paragons."

"Paragons? I thought those were just a myth," Strange said stunned but Novu smirked.

"At one point, did you not think things like the multiverse and aliens were a myth?" Novu asked pointedly.

"And you think Barry is one of these Paragons?" Steve asked as he crossed his arms, looking thoughtful.

"If Oliver Queen is correct, I think Barry Allen may be the one who will save us all," Novu said, stunning them into silence.