When the timesphere was ejected from the temporal zone, Nova was grateful that she'd chosen a location that would be deserted, since a portal opening at random wouldn't be unforeseen in the science division, in the Anvil, it would be unheard of.

"Welcome to the 25th century." Nova said as they got out of the time sphere.

"Wow, I am getting serious Empire vibes here." Cisco said as he looked around.

"You're not wrong. Especially since that franchise is still alive in this century, just underground since Thawne outlawed it when he took over. I think he was trying to prevent people from realizing how oppressive his rule is, though I'm pretty sure that he actually structured his empire based on the Galactic one. He's even got the evil sith lightning powers. I'm amazed he hasn't declared himself emperor." Nova said.

"He outlawed Star Wars? Screw everything else he's done, that's the worst thing he's ever done." Cisco said, clearly outraged.

"Remind me to pick a different best man when we get back." Barry said to Caitlin, who nodded.

"I mean, besides killing your mom of course." Cisco said quickly.

"Enough. We're here for a reason. Let's hide the sphere and then get the lay of the land." Barry said as Nova took a look around.

"We're close to my old place, we can stash the sphere there. Assuming it's not rigged with traps in case I ever returned, since there's no way of knowing if Erikson was forced to give them my identity." Nova said.

"It's the best place we have, especially since you're the only one who knows the terrain. On our way there, you can tell us more about Thawne's government." Barry said.

"With pleasure. If only to help you dismantle it." Nova said as she helped them hide the sphere.

After stashing the sphere, Nova led Barry, Caitlin and Cisco through the Anvil, all of them horrified by what they saw.

"My god, it's even worse than it was when I left." Nova said as she looked around to see the masses huddling around, the feeling of despair and poverty stronger than ever.

"No wonder you put on the mask." Barry said, having to resist the urge to suit up.

"Yeah, but it wasn't easy, running without an instruction manual." Nova said, hating how much worse things had gotten without her here.

"I can't believe Thawne did all this. I get that he hates the Flash, but was oppressing people like this really necessary?" Caitlin said, seeing all the injuries and having to resist the urge to give into her doctor's training and start helping.

"Most people from the Anvil are put to work doing the menial tasks deemed too good for the rest of society. Things like mining energy crystals and other things are just as dangerous, since as far as the higher ups are concerned, we're expendable. There's also metahuman registration. All babies are tested at birth for the metagene and if they test positive, they're taken from their families and taken to education centers to be turned into super soldiers." Nova said.

"How did you avoid that?" Barry asked.

"I still don't know. Maybe it's because I didn't get my speed until I was an adult or something, but somehow, I managed to pass all of Thawne's metahuman detection tests when I was a kid." Nova said.

"Interesting. But how did you get your powers in the first place? Since it sounds like you weren't born with them." Barry asked.

"Even before I got my speed, I tried to be a bit of a robin hood. One of the good things about being from the Anvil is that we're so invisible to the upper class that they'd never suspect that one of us had the guts to raid their transports. They always assumed that it was one of the middle class people." Nova said.

"What kind of stuff did you get from the transports?" Cisco asked.

"Whatever I could get my hands on. Food, medicine and medical supplies, clothing, computers, you'd be amazed how much stuff is portable in this time period. I did everything I could to try and provide the people of the Anvil with some hope." Nova said.

"So how did you get your powers?" Caitlin asked.

"I got overconfident. I tried to hijack a transport full of chemicals that could be used to help provide heat and power to the Anvil. But it was a trap. The transport was rigged to explode if anyone attempted to remove the chemicals from their containment units before it reached its destination." Nova said.

"So you got blown up." Cisco said bluntly.

"Yep and as far as the Empire is concerned, Nova Beretta died that day. But Silver Bolt was born. It was a lot easier to operate when everyone thinks your alter ego is dead." Nova said.

"How did you survive?" Caitlin asked.

"The speed force. It was an electrical explosion that, combined with the chemicals, linked me to the speed force and helped me survive the explosion and the fall after that. I fell in a river and washed up on shore, unconscious and when I came too, I found I could run as fast as the Flash." Nova said.

"And then you decided to put on a mask and try to be a hero." Caitlin said.

"Yeah, I tried and failed. I had no idea how to use my powers. Then I met Erikson, the prodigal son, heir to the Thawne Empire, who tracked me down and instead of turning me in, became my guy in the chair behind the scenes." Nova said.

"Well, you're not the same person you were when you left. You've come a long way in your training. And honestly, the more I look around, the more I can't stand by and do nothing." Barry said.

"What are you saying?" Nova asked.

"We're not just going to free Erikson, we're gonna free this time period from Thawne's control now and lure him here. Take the fight to him when he's not expecting it. We can stop his army before it ever has a chance to leave this time period." Barry said and all three of them grinned, right before Nova pushed them into an ally to avoid a sentry patrol.

"Are you sure about this Barry?" Nova asked, since while she was all for this, she wanted to be sure.

"Thawne loves to mess around with our time period, we might as well return the favor." Barry said and Nova nodded as they all activated their suits.

"Time to start an uprising." Silver Bolt said, eager to finally free her home.