Chapter 32: Killer Frost's Chill (and a Spark)
The S.T.A.R. Labs Cortex was colder than usual. And it wasn't just the air conditioning. It was the palpable chill emanating from the new arrival: Earth-2 Caitlin Snow, aka Killer Frost. She looked exactly like Caitlin, but with a permanent scowl, ice-blue lips, and an aura of "I will freeze you and then make a sarcastic comment about your frozen corpse." Adam, however, found himself strangely drawn to her. Because, you know, future girlfriend. And a chance for a new skill.
" Okay, Adam, play it cool. Literally. This is your future girlfriend. Or at least, a version of her. Don't mess this up. And definitely don't mention the future. Or the fact that you died from a pigeon. She doesn't seem like the type to appreciate irony."
"So, you're… Caitlin?" Barry asked, looking bewildered. "But… evil?"
Killer Frost scoffed, her voice a low, icy growl. "I'm Killer Frost. And I'm not evil. I'm just… efficient. And I don't suffer fools gladly. Or at all." She glared at Cisco, who immediately shrunk behind a console.
Adam, however, stepped forward, a charming, Stiles-esque grin on his face. "Well, hello there, Killer Frost. Or should I call you… 'The Ice Queen of Sass'? Because you've definitely got the sass down. And the ice. Very impressive. Though, I must say, blue lipstick is a bold choice. But you pull it off."
Killer Frost's eyes, usually devoid of emotion, flickered. A hint of surprise. "And who are you, human? Another one of Flash's pathetic sidekicks?"
"Adam Stiels," he said, offering a small bow. "Unofficial consultant, part-time intern, full-time admirer of well-executed powers. And a connoisseur of cold. I mean, I once spent a winter in Canada. It was brutal. But I survived. Mostly."
Harry Wells, who had brought Killer Frost through the breach, looked at Adam with a mixture of annoyance and grudging amusement. "He's… persistent. And annoying. My Earth's version of him is less… conversational."
"It's a gift," Adam said, winking at Killer Frost. "Comes with the territory. Now, about those powers of yours. Can you, like, make ice cream? Because if so, I'm willing to overlook the whole 'trying to kill us' thing. For a scoop of mint chocolate chip."
Killer Frost actually… almost smiled. A flicker. A ghost of a smile. "You're insane."
"Probably," Adam conceded cheerfully. "But I'm a fun insane. And I'm surprisingly resilient to cold. I mean, I once accidentally fell into a frozen lake. It was invigorating. And taught me a lot about hypothermia. And the importance of warm socks."
He saw his chance. Killer Frost was about to unleash an ice blast at Barry, who was trying to reason with her. He needed a death from her. A cold-based death. Something that would give him 'Enhanced Cold Resistance.' Or, you know, 'Ice Manipulation.' Because controlling ice would be awesome.
He deliberately positioned himself in the path of her ice blast, bracing himself. He felt the searing cold, the sudden, impossible chill that ripped through his very being, freezing him from the inside out. Darkness.
[SYSTEM ALERT: DEATH DETECTED. CAUSE: CRYOGENIC OVERLOAD (KILLER FROST).][LIVES REMAINING: 4/5 (Current Life Activated)][DEATHS ACHIEVED: 2/30 (Next System Level: Level 7)]
[SKILL ACQUISITION: 'ENHANCED COLD RESISTANCE' HAS BEEN UNLOCKED!][DESCRIPTION: Provides significant protection against extreme cold, frostbite, and cold-based attacks.]
Adam gasped, his eyes snapping open. He was back in his apartment, disoriented but alive. He felt a strange, comforting warmth in his veins, a subtle resistance to the ambient chill. He could feel the cold, but it no longer bit at him. It was like wearing a permanent, invisible thermal suit.
" 'Enhanced Cold Resistance'! Yes! Now I can finally go to Antarctica without worrying about frostbite! Or, you know, survive a really bad winter. And definitely survive Killer Frost's 'cold shoulder.' This is going to be incredibly useful. And incredibly ironic. Thanks, future girlfriend. You're the best."
He quickly changed, his heart still hammering. He raced back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Killer Frost was contained, but still radiating an icy fury.
"Adam!" Caitlin exclaimed, rushing over, her face pale with worry. "You just… froze! We thought you were… gone! She froze you solid!"
"Yeah, well, turns out I'm surprisingly resilient to being frozen solid," Adam feigned, rubbing his arms. "Must be my 'enhanced common sense' kicking in, telling me to get out of the way of homicidal ice queens. But I did get a good read on her. She's not just cold; she's hurting. There's a lot of pain there. And a lot of sarcasm. We have that in common."
He looked at Killer Frost, who met his gaze. For a split second, he saw it: a flicker of something in her eyes. Not anger. Not coldness. Something akin to… curiosity. And a hint of grudging respect.
"You're still insane," Killer Frost muttered, but there was less venom in her voice.
"And you're still beautiful when you're angry," Adam shot back, a genuine smile on his face. "Just saying. Now, about that ice cream…"
He knew he had made a connection. A tiny spark in the vast, icy tundra of Killer Frost's heart. It was a start. And he had a new skill. This was going to be a long, cold, but ultimately rewarding journey.
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