Wally West kept running slower and slower, until his speed finally gave out. "What's going on?" he thought to himself. He had to walk the rest of the way to Washington from Virginia for his award. He was being commended by President Luthor for saving his life at a speech he gave on child safety.
On the way, Wally realized he was getting tired. He knew something was wrong, "This isn't right" he told himself. As he passed a bus stop, he sat down to take a rest. As he sit there, he noticed a cloud of red smoke forming in front of him. He thought this was strange, as you don't see red smoke mysteriously appear out of nowhere.
From the red smoke emerged a spirit being. He called himself Zarathos. "Wally West," he called out. "Yeah, that's me."
"You have been very naughty."
"Who are you, Santa Clause?"
"No, I am the demon Zarathos. I have come to punish you."
"What for? I didn't do anything. I'm being rewarded for saving a life."
Zarathos was getting impatient with Wally. "That's exactly it. You weren't supposed to save Mr. Luthor's life."
"What do you
mean?"
"Lex Luthor was supposed to die that day. He had it
coming."
"Well my job is
to protect those in danger, even if they don't deserve it."
"That
is brave of you, but now you must face the consequences."
Wally stood up and felt a surge of pain throughout his whole body, "What are you doing to me! Leave me alone!"
An hour later, Wally awoke in the Justice League Headquarters. He looked different. He felt different. What had happened to him? He felt his speed returning to him. He felt like he had a surge of new strength. The demon Zarathos had attached himself to Wally's soul, and thus, the Ghost Runner was born.