Chapter 4: The Coma, the Ghosts, and the Hidden Artifacts
The Arrowcave, usually a bastion of grim determination, was a flurry of controlled chaos. Cyrus Gold, a Mirakuru-fueled super-soldier, was rampaging through Starling City, and Oliver, in his usual fashion, was taking it personally. Adam, meanwhile, was trying to provide "strategic insights" while simultaneously making inappropriate jokes.
"So, he's basically a beefed-up zombie with anger issues? Great. Just what this city needed, another reason to board up the windows," Adam quipped, watching Felicity furiously type at her console. "Are we sure he's not just a really committed method actor for a horror movie? Because his commitment to 'terrifying brute' is, frankly, Oscar-worthy."
Oliver, mid-brood, shot him a glare. "This isn't a joke, Adam."
"Everything's a joke, Oliver, especially when you're facing a guy who looks like he just walked out of a particularly aggressive gym session," Adam retorted. "Besides, humor is a coping mechanism. You should try it sometime. Might prevent those permanent worry lines."
The fight with Cyrus Gold was intense, culminating in Oliver being severely injured. Adam watched, a knot forming in his stomach. "This is it. The 'Three Ghosts' episode. Oliver's going to get his butt kicked, Barry's going to get struck by lightning, and then the real fun begins. Or, you know, the real 'oh crap, I'm in a superhero show and people actually die' fun."
As Oliver lay unconscious, Felicity frantically worked to save him, with Diggle providing moral support. Adam, feeling unusually serious, stood by. "Okay, System, this is where it gets real. Oliver's going to hallucinate his past, present, and future. And then, Barry…"
Later, in the hospital, the air was thick with tension. Oliver was stable, but the city was still reeling. Barry Allen, who had been helping Felicity with the forensics, had gone to retrieve a sample from the crime scene. That's when it happened. The particle accelerator explosion. The lightning strike.
Felicity received the news, her face paling. "Barry... he was struck by lightning. He's in a coma."
Adam felt a pang of genuine sadness. He knew this was coming, but seeing Felicity's distress, and knowing the long, arduous journey Barry was about to embark on, hit differently when it was real.
"Alright, Barry, get some rest, my speedy friend. Because when you wake up, the world is going to get a whole lot faster. And I'm going to be there, making sure you don't accidentally run into a time paradox on your first day."
He looked at the unconscious Barry, a determined glint in his eye. This wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about making a difference. And to do that, he needed more than just witty banter and vague hunches. He needed tools. He needed artifacts.
He activated the System, a new resolve hardening his expression. "System, I need to know. The artifacts. The Pen of Creation, the Sword of the Far-Striker, the Crown of Gravitas, and the Storage Ring. Where are they? I need their locations. All of them. And don't tell me it's going to cost a fortune, because I'm already pretty sure my current financial situation is best described as 'existentially bankrupt'."
[PROCESSING REQUEST. ACQUIRING LOCATIONS OF ALL REQUESTED ARTIFACTS. ESTIMATED COST: 500 NON-PLP. CONFIRM?]
"Five hundred LP? Are you kidding me? That's like, a down payment on a small country, or at least a really good cup of coffee in this economy. But… artifacts. Power. The ability to actually do something. Fine. Take my imaginary money, you digital loan shark."
"Confirm," Adam said, a grim determination in his voice. The System shimmered, and then, a series of coordinates and cryptic descriptions appeared on his interface. Locations in dusty antique shops, forgotten museum exhibits, and high-security auctions.
He looked at the sleeping Barry, then back at the System's glowing text. "Alright, Barry. You focus on your beauty sleep. I've got some shopping to do. And by 'shopping,' I mean 'going on a series of ridiculously convoluted scavenger hunts that will probably involve me embarrassing myself in public'."
Felicity, who had been watching him with a concerned expression, finally spoke. "Adam? What are you doing? You're talking to yourself again."
"Just... planning, Felicity. Big plans. Plans that involve ancient relics, a little bit of luck, and probably a lot of explaining to do later," Adam said, forcing a smile. "Don't worry. I'm just getting ready for my next side quest. Every good hero needs their loot, right?"
He walked over to Barry's bedside, a rare, genuine softness in his eyes. "Get well soon, Flash. The multiverse is waiting for you. And so am I. Just try not to break too many time streams before I get back, okay? I'm not sure my luck points can handle that kind of collateral damage."
He patted Barry's arm, then turned to leave, his mind already calculating routes, potential obstacles, and the most efficient way to acquire his new toys. The Arrowverse was about to get a whole lot weirder. And a whole lot luckier.
System Status After Chapter: Non-PLP: 65 (65 + 500 - 500). PLP: 0.