Chapter 21: The Flashback and the Trickster
The Arrowcave was, for once, relatively calm. Oliver was probably off brooding in a dark corner somewhere, and Diggle was likely contemplating the existential dread of being a bodyguard to a man who actively sought out danger. Adam, however, was on a high. He was video-calling Cisco, who was practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, this is going to be good. The OG Trickster. Mark Hamill. It's like a villainous reunion tour, but with more bombs and less merchandise."
"Adam! My man! You will not believe what's happening!" Cisco's voice crackled through the comms, barely containing his glee. "The original Trickster is back! And he's got a copycat! It's like a villainous family reunion, but with more explosions and less awkward small talk!"
"The original Trickster? As in, the one who looks suspiciously like a certain Jedi Master with a penchant for voice acting?" Adam quipped, leaning closer to the screen. "Oh, this is going to be epic. Just tell me he's still got the crazy laugh. Because if not, what's even the point?"
Caitlin, looking far less amused, chimed in. "Adam, this is serious. He's already caused a lot of damage. And he's using bombs."
"Bombs, schmombs. Details, details," Adam waved a dismissive hand. "The real question is, does he have a giant jack-in-the-box that shoots confetti? Because if so, I'm going to need a picture. For, you know, scientific research."
Barry, who had just zoomed into the S.T.A.R. Labs comms room, looked at Adam with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Adam, he's a dangerous criminal."
"And a pop-culture icon, Barry! There's a difference!" Adam retorted. "But fine, fine. Business. So, two Tricksters. Original and copycat. What's their deal? Are they, like, a father-son duo? Or a really weird fan club?"
Cisco explained the situation: the original Trickster, James Jesse, had escaped prison, and a new, younger Trickster was emulating him. They were setting up bombs all over Central City.
"Alright, System, my dearest digital companion, I need a clue. Something about these two Tricksters. Something that will help Barry catch them before they turn Central City into a giant confetti bomb," Adam whispered, activating the System.
[ASK A QUESTION. COST: 50 NON-PLP. CONFIRM?]
"Fifty LP for a villain's hideout? That's a bit steep for a guy who just wants to blow things up. But fine. The plot demands it. And I really want to see Barry punch a clown." "Confirm!"
The System provided a rapid-fire stream of information. [THE ORIGINAL TRICKSTER, JAMES JESSE, MAINTAINED A SECRET HIDEOUT IN AN ABANDONED TOY FACTORY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CENTRAL CITY. HE USED IT TO STORE HIS EARLIER INVENTIONS AND EXPERIMENTAL GADGETS.]
"Aha! A toy factory!" Adam exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "Cisco, Caitlin, listen up! I've got a hunch. A really, really specific hunch. Have you guys checked any abandoned toy factories on the outskirts of Central City? I have a weird feeling that's where our original Trickster is hiding. Probably surrounded by creepy dolls and exploding rubber chickens."
Cisco's jaw dropped. "A toy factory? Why would he be there?"
"Because he's a Trickster, Cisco! It's thematic!" Adam said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Think about it. All the old toys, the props, the perfect place to build bombs and plan elaborate pranks. It's like his villainous Batcave, but with more glitter."
Cisco (POV): Adam was a walking, talking cheat code. He just knew things. Things that no one else could possibly know. It was baffling, amazing, and incredibly useful. He didn't question it anymore. He just accepted it. And secretly, he hoped Adam would join Team Flash permanently. They needed more pop-culture references in their lives.
Barry, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. "It's worth a shot. Let's check it out."
Later, at the abandoned toy factory, the scene was exactly as Adam had envisioned: dusty, creepy, and filled with the remnants of forgotten childhoods. The original Trickster was there, along with his copycat, surrounded by a bizarre array of gadgets and bombs.
The confrontation was chaotic, a whirlwind of explosions, bad jokes, and super-speed. Adam, watching remotely, provided a running commentary, much to Felicity's amusement and Oliver's (unseen) exasperation.
Ultimately, both Tricksters were apprehended, and Central City was saved from a very messy, very loud, and very glittery fate.
[MISSION COMPLETE: TRICKSTERS. REWARD: 250 NON-PLP.]
"Two hundred and fifty LP for helping catch a couple of clowns? This is the easiest money I've ever made. And I didn't even have to get covered in glitter. Win-win."
Back in the Arrowcave, Adam leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face. "See? Told you. Toy factory. It's always the toy factory. Or the abandoned circus. Or the really creepy doll museum. Villains are so predictable."
Felicity just shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "You're impossible, Adam."
"And you love it, Smoak. Admit it," Adam winked. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to go find a giant rubber chicken. For, you know, scientific research."
System Status After Chapter: Non-PLP: 965. PLP: 5.
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