Chapter 3: Things You Can't Outrun (Except Adam's Pranks)
The air in Central City grew thick with an acrid, choking fog. Kyle Nimbus, now calling himself The Mist (much to Jisoo's silent disapproval, as she still preferred "Cloudy Boy"), was systematically hunting down the cops and judges who'd put him on death row. It was all very dramatic, very villain-of-the-week.
In S.T.A.R. Labs, the mood was grim. Caitlin Snow, usually the picture of stoic professionalism, was visibly shaken. The Mist's attack on the prison had brought back painful memories of her fiancé, Ronnie Raymond, lost in the particle accelerator explosion.
Adam, ever the master of inappropriate timing, tried to lighten the mood. "So, tragic backstory bingo? Lost fiancé, check. Mysterious explosion, check. Impending villainous revenge, double check. Anyone got 'evil twin' on their card? Because I'm feeling a strong vibe for that one later." He winced. "Too soon, Adam. Way too soon. Even for you."
Caitlin just gave him a watery, unamused stare. Jisoo, however, quietly walked over to Caitlin, her expression softening. "She's sad. Like a sad song. Needs a hug."
"Caitlin-unnie," Jisoo said softly, using the Korean honorific for an older sister. She reached out, and a faint, warm glow emanated from her hands. "It's okay to be sad. Even when the world is… exploding." She gently pulled Caitlin into a hug.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]: Minor Wish 'Feeling of Warmth and Comfort' Used by Member 'Jichu.' Cost: 5 Days. Current Wish Balance: -10 Days (from Adam's debt, Jisoo's magic is free).
Caitlin, surprised, leaned into the warmth. It wasn't just physical; a strange, soothing calm seemed to wash over her. "Thank you, Jisoo," she whispered, a genuine, if fleeting, smile gracing her lips.
Later, the team was tracking The Mist to the prison where Joe West was trapped. The gas was closing in. Barry was struggling. Adam's internal alarm bells were screaming. "Chaotic Savior protocol engaged! Time for some truly absurd heroics!"
"System," Adam thought, a desperate, manic energy seizing him. "Chaotic Savior! Target: Joe West. Wish: Pants Fall Down. Make it… spectacularly public."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]: Chaotic Savior Activated. Wish: Pants Fall Down. Host survival probability: 99.9%. Cost: 50 Days. Current Wish Balance: -55 Days. Awaiting payment.
At that exact moment, as The Mist solidified, ready to strike Joe, the detective's pants, with a comical whoosh, slid down to his ankles. Joe, utterly bewildered, looked down, then up at The Mist, then back at his pants. The Mist, momentarily stunned by the sheer absurdity of the situation, paused, a cloud of poisonous gas seemingly doing a double-take.
"What the…?!" Joe spluttered, trying to pull his trousers up.
That split second of confusion was all Barry needed. He zipped in, administered the antidote, and then, still chuckling, sped Joe out of the prison.
"Adam, what in the name of all that is holy was that?!" Joe yelled into his comms, even as he was being whisked away.
"Just a little… tactical distraction, Detective!" Adam yelled back, stifling a laugh. "You're welcome!"
Jisoo, watching the scene unfold, shook her head, a small, unbothered smile playing on her lips. "Snack King, always with the chaos." As Joe's car sped away, she subtly extended a hand. A faint, reddish shimmer surrounded the vehicle, giving it a slight, almost imperceptible boost, helping it get away from the lingering gas faster.
"Did you feel that, Joe?" Barry asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Like a little extra push?"
"Yeah, Barry," Joe grumbled, still wrestling with his pants. "I think I just experienced the universe's most embarrassing escape plan."
Adam, meanwhile, was staring at his Wish Day balance. "Fifty-five days in the hole. For Joe West's dignity. This system is a cruel, cruel mistress. I need a new strategy. And maybe a better class of prank." He then used a minor wish to add a ridiculous "boing" sound effect every time Wells dramatically turned in his wheelchair.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]: Minor Wish 'Foley Effect' Used. Cost: 1 Day. Current Wish Balance: -56 Days. Debt accruing.
"Well, at least I'm consistent," Adam thought, as Wells, mid-sentence, paused, looking around for the source of the inexplicable sound. Caitlin, despite her grief, actually let out a small, surprised snort of laughter. Maybe Adam's terrible jokes weren't entirely useless after all.