The elevator doors slid open and Oliver Queen walked into the hallway of Star Labs. It truly baffled him how Team Flash could get away with so little security. As he made his way towards the cortex, a tall, slim man in pyjamas, a housecoat and slippers entered the hallway in front of him.

"Um…" he stared blankly at Oliver, nose red and eyes puffy. "Can I help you… sir?"

"Oliver Queen, here to see Barry Allen." Oliver replied with a smile.

"Right!" the tall man said. "Ralph Dibny here to tell he's over that-a-way." He pointed down the hall towards the cortex and his arm began to extend at his wrist, stretching like silly putty and flopping uselessly to the ground. Oliver stared at it, eyes wide.

"Oops," Ralph said, staring at his hand that was now on the ground. "So much for secret identities…"

He looked back at Oliver and extended his arm at the wrist until it was at handshake height.

"Elongated Man at your service!" He said.

"Uh thanks, I'm going to find Barry." Oliver said, avoiding the handshake, and skirting past Ralph.

"Good idea," Ralph said, pulling his hand back to its regular shape. The two of them made their way towards the cortex.

Barry was busy running some data with Cisco when he heard Ralph call from the hallway.

"Hey Barry, do we like Oliver Queen?"

Barry and Cisco both turned to the door to see Ralph and Oliver enter.

"Cause he totally saw my stretchy… thing and that would really suck if he was a supervillain." Ralph continued. Barry smiled.

"Oliver! How've you been, man?" Barry greeted Oliver with a handshake, knowing he hated hugs. "What are you doing in Central City?"

"I had to come up for some last minute business so I figured I'd come give my favourite speedster a visit." Oliver replied with a smirk.

"Oh, so he already knows. Phew!" Ralph said, relieved. Barry scratched the back of his neck.

"Uh… Oliver this is Ralph Dibny, the newest member of Team Flash." He said.

"Yeah, we met in the hallway… he did his… stretchy …" Oliver looked for the right word.

"Yeah, my bad" Ralph mumbled while Oliver thought.

"Thing…" Oliver finished, not being able to come up with anything better.

Barry smirked. "Yeah, it takes some getting used to."

Just then Iris entered and frowned upon seeing Ralph.

"Ralph I thought I told you to get some rest. That cold's not going away by itself." When she noticed Oliver, her frown turned into a smile. "Oliver. Hey, how are you? How's Felicity?"

"Good. She's good. We're… good" Oliver answered quickly, "I was just coming over to see if Barry wanted to have coffee or something since I was in town-"

Suddenly, a flurry of beeps came from the main computer and Team Flash jumped to action.

"We've got an active shooter at city hall." Cisco called from behind the computer.

"On it." Barry said, turning instinctively towards his suit.

"Right behind ya." Ralph sniffled.

"Maybe you should sit this one out Ralph." Barry said, "We don't need you sneezing your mask right off your face."

"Or your face off your face, for that matter." Cisco replied, putting on his Vibe goggles. Oliver shivered at the thought. Ralph shrugged his shoulders in agreement.

"Why don't I tag along?" Oliver said. Barry turned towards him.

"You've got your suit?" he asked, a small smile on his face.

"Come on Barry… I've always got my suit." Oliver smiled back.

"Let's go then!" Cisco said creating a breach. Barry sped Oliver his suit and they lined up in front of the breach.

"I don't have to remind you that none of you are bullet-proof do I?" Iris said, taking her seat at the computer.

"Don't worry," Barry said, pulling his hood over his eyes. "We'll be fine."

And together they jumped through the breach, landing on the sidewalk just outside city hall.

"Alright, do you see him?" Cisco asked. Oliver scanned the area, bow drawn and ready.

Suddenly a breach opened in front of them and a short young man in a black trench coat and a mask hopped out. Barry noticed two things as soon as he saw the man. Number one, his bangs were way too long and he looked seriously emo, and Number two, he was holding a gun that was not normal looking.

"Get down!" Barry yelled, but before he could speed to his friends he was hit with a blast of frigid ice and was knocked backwards onto the pavement.

"Look familiar, Flash?" the shooter asked, a wicked grin on his face.

"Where did you get that?" Cisco asked. Oliver didn't wait for the answer. He shot an arrow directly at the shooter, but before it could reach its target, the man pulled a small device out of his pocket and breached himself out of harm's way.

Oliver quickly helped Barry to his feet and drew another arrow.

"Did he have an extrapolator?" Barry asked.

"And a cold gun?" Cisco added, "Yes…yes he did."

"Who is this guy and why does he have your tech?" Oliver asked, scanning the area once more.

"Good question…" Cisco said, holding his hands up offensively, watching carefully for the man to reappear.

Barry put a hand to his ear, switching on his con.

"You guys got anything for us?"

Before he could get an answer a breach opened behind him and the masked man jumped out, wrapping his arm around Barry's throat. He then thrust a small Taser-like object into his side which glowed orange and crackled with electricity. Barry grabbed at the man's arm, gasping in pain and struggling to break free from his grasp. Cisco and Oliver turned towards the pair, arrows and vibes ready.

"Pretty neat, hunh?" The man said, holding up his little Taser. "I made it myself. I call it the Meta-Taser. It temporarily dampens any Meta's powers, including yours, Barry. Though I really have to give credit to you, Cisco. I couldn't have done it without you."

Barry tensed up at the mention of his name. Cisco noticed and he hoped to god the masked man didn't.

"Who the hell are you?" Cisco said, raising his arms again. "And what the hell are you talking about."

The man smirked, tightening his grip around Barry's neck.

"My name is Arthur Knowles, and I'm the one who's going to end The Flash."

With that, he pulled out his extrapolator and let himself fall into the breach behind him, dragging Barry down with him.