Upon arriving on Earth-2, the team took a moment to take in their surroundings. They stood amidst a vast forest filled with tall, lush trees. The air was humid, with a faint layer of fog blanketing the area, adding an eerie stillness.
"Cisco, where exactly are we?" Julian asked, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression tense as if expecting immediate confrontation.
Cisco pulled a small device from his pocket, its screen glowing faintly. He had brought it along to track Harry's last known location. A tracker had been embedded in the watch Harry usually wore—an intentional precaution that might now give them a lead. Turning to Julian, Cisco finally responded, "We're in the African jungle. Gorilla City is nearby, and Harry's tracker is even closer."
As he spoke, Cisco held up the device to show the tracker's location—a few kilometers away, right on the outskirts of Gorilla City. It didn't take much to deduce that it might be a trap.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" Caitlin asked, her arms folded as if to ward off a chill. This was the Earth where her evil meta doppelgänger had originated, and the thought brought a wave of unease. She couldn't shake the memory of what she might become without a cure. The urgency to speak with Wally weighed heavily on her.
Barry glanced at the team, quickly formulating a strategy. "First, we find Harry's tracker. Once we have that, we'll reassess and figure out our next move."
With the likelihood of a trap in mind, they opted to move cautiously, walking toward the tracker's location instead of racing through the forest at full speed.
As they moved, Caitlin's gaze lingered on Wally, her thoughts clouded with worry. Julian noticed her distracted expression and fell into step beside her. "So, what's on your mind today? You look… disturbed," he asked, his tone uncharacteristically soft.
Caitlin sighed at Julian's question, coming to a stop as she turned to face him. "It just feels strange being back in this alternate universe," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of unease. "This is where I met my doppelgänger—the evil one, Killer Frost. She's the version of me I'm always afraid of becoming."
Julian nodded thoughtfully. "So, where is she now?"
Caitlin hesitated for a moment before sighing again. She quickened her pace to catch up with the others. "She's dead," she said quietly.
Julian's brow furrowed at her words, concern etched on his face. He picked up his stride to walk alongside her, sensing the weight of her fears. "That's not going to happen to you, Caitlin," he said firmly, his tone carrying an unexpected warmth.
Caitlin glanced at him, moved by his words, and allowed a small smile to tug at her lips. For the first time, she felt that his presence on the team though wasn't necessary—it was okay. "I'm glad you came with us, Julian. You're a nice addition to the team."
Julian smirked, his confidence bubbling to the surface. "Well, I live for danger," he quipped, his tone lighthearted as they finally regrouped with the others.
"Okay, guys, the tracker is just up ahead," Cisco informed, his voice low. The team tensed immediately. Julian pulled out his gun, while Barry and Wally prepared themselves for action, their bodies coiled like springs.
As they stepped into a small clearing, they saw Harry's watch lying on the ground, its signal responding to Cisco's tracker. Before anyone could react further, a low rumble echoed through the jungle, growing louder by the second.
The group stiffened, their eyes scanning the area as the sound of an approaching stampede filled the air. Within moments, the team found themselves surrounded by more than twenty giant gorillas.
The massive creatures puffed out their chests, their breaths heavy and menacing. Armed with shields and spears, they glared at the intruders with malicious intent, tightening the encirclement without uttering a word.
Then, two of the gorillas parted to make way for their commander. From the clearing emerged a figure that was unmistakable—the towering and fearsome form of Grodd.
A tense silence fell over the group as Grodd's cold, calculating gaze swept over them. Finally, his telepathic voice echoed in their minds. "Flash~… I knew you would come," Grodd said, his tone assured.
Barry clenched his fists, his expression hardening. "Grodd! Where is Harrison Wells? Why did you bring him here? Release him to us now, and let us leave peacefully," Barry demanded, his voice firm as he tried to defuse the situation without escalating to violence.
Grodd scoffed at Barry's words, his silence laden with defiance as he stared intently at the speedster, his expression one of barely concealed contempt.
Suddenly, Caitlin stepped out from behind Wally, her expression a mixture of fear and resolve. "Grodd!" she called out, her voice trembling slightly but loud enough to grab his attention.
Grodd's eyes snapped toward her, and for a moment, his demeanor shifted. Recognition flashed across his face as old memories resurfaced. "Caitlin~…" he echoed, his tone softer, almost wistful.
"Please Grodd," Caitlin said, her voice pleading, "we just need our friend back. That's all."
Grodd's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his expression unreadable. But then his eyes hardened once more, turning toward the rest of the group. The moment of vulnerability was fleeting, and his commanding presence returned as he weighed his next move.
Grodd finally broke the silence. "Harrison Wells is now Solivar's prisoner," he declared, his voice calm but menacing. "He was found trespassing in Gorilla City and has been apprehended. His execution date is close."
Barry's eyes widened in shock, disbelief written all over his face. The rest of the team mirrored his reaction, struggling to process the gravity of Grodd's words. Despite the claim, Barry's instincts told him that Grodd was deeply involved in Harrison's sudden appearance in Gorilla City.
Meanwhile, Wally's gaze remained fixed on Grodd, studying him intently. Something about this Grodd felt different—unsettlingly so. He seemed sharper, more intelligent, and far more composed than anything Wally had witnessed in the series. There was a clarity and focus in Grodd's eyes that unnerved him.
Grodd, noticing Wally's stare, turned his attention to the young speedster, meeting his gaze with intensity. For a moment, it felt as though Grodd focus was directed towards him.
Wally's mind raced, trying to understand why Grodd's focus was on him. Why me? he wondered. They had never met before—not in this world, not in any timeline he could recall. Yet Grodd's attention felt deliberate, almost personal.
But one thing Wally couldn't shake was the nagging feeling that an outside force was at play. The situation felt orchestrated, as though someone—or something—had carefully set the pieces in motion. This wasn't just Grodd acting on his own. There was a larger hand in this. 'Perhaps another Universal force?' he thought feeling an incoming premonition.
Barry, having gathered his thoughts, called out to Grodd. "Hey! Take us to Solivar. Harrison Wells had nothing to do with his appearance in Gorilla City."
Grodd scoffed, exhaling heavily in disdain. "Once Solivar makes a decision, nothing changes it. Your friend's fate is already sealed."
Barry's jaw tightened. He wasn't willing to take no for an answer. Resolving this without violence was his priority, and he needed to speak with Solivar to make that happen.
Grodd stood silent for a moment, his piercing gaze shifting between the team members. It was as if he were weighing his options, calculating every possible outcome. Finally, he broke the silence. "Very well," he said, his tone carrying a note of finality. "But know this—once you enter Gorilla City, you may never step out again."
The gravity of his words sank in, causing most of the group to swallow nervously. The way he said it wasn't just a warning; it felt like an unshakable certainty.
Barry squared his shoulders, his determination unwavering. "Lead the way," he said firmly.
Without another word, Grodd turned, gesturing for his troops to move aside and clear a path. The team followed cautiously and soon they were on the gates of Gorilla City.
The gates of Gorilla City loomed before them, a towering construct of stone adorned with intricate carvings of gorilla warriors . The architecture was primal to say the least.
The gates creaked open slowly, revealing a sprawling metropolis teeming with life. Massive structures carved from stone rose high above the jungle floor, connected by bridges and walkways. Gorillas of all sizes moved through the city, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility as they eyed the human intruders.
"This place is incredible," Cisco whispered, his awe battling against his unease. He couldn't help but marvel at the architecture and their way of life.
Julian, however, was far less impressed. "Yes, wonderful. A city of hyper-intelligent gorillas who probably want to kill us. Charming."
"Stay focused," Barry warned, his eyes darting around for any sign of Harry. The oppressive stares of the gorilla populace made his skin crawl, but he kept his head high, projecting an air of confidence he wasn't entirely sure he felt.
Soon, they arrived before a large building, its architecture imposing and intricate, a testament to Gorilla City's blend of primal strength and intellectual refinement. By the entrance, guards stood at attention, their towering forms clad in armor.
Each gorilla gripped their spear tightly, muscles tensing at the sight of the humans. Their eyes burned with distrust and hostility, making it clear that the team's presence was far from welcome.
Barry, Wally, and the others exchanged uneasy glances as the guards blocked their path, refusing to move. The air grew thick with tension until, at last, the guards stiffened slightly. Their expressions didn't change, but it was evident they had received a telepathic instruction. Slowly, grudgingly, they stepped aside, allowing the humans to pass.
Grodd led them into the massive building, its interior uniquely styled. The walls were adorned with carvings depicting the history and triumphs of Gorilla City. Glowing stones embedded in the ceiling illuminated the space, casting an otherworldly light on the figures moving silently through the hall.
At the end of the long chamber stood a throne of black stone, polished to a gleaming finish and inlaid with shimmering veins of silver. Upon it sat a silver-haired gorilla, tall and imposing. His presence radiated authority and danger, his very posture commanding attention.
The gorilla's eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto the group with a malice so intense it was almost tangible. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he looked as though he could kill with a glance.
Grodd stopped a few paces from the throne, lowering his head slightly in deference. The team stopped a few meters from the throne, though uneasily, unsure of what to expect. Solivar's gaze swept over them.
When he finally spoke, his deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber like a roll of thunder. "Why have you come to Gorilla City?"
At this time Wally was the one who stepped forward.