"Arise!" The boy who was kneeling stood to his feet, his eyes met the blue ones of the king. "Bartholomew Allen, if you accept this oath you swear to protect and serve the honor of the Twin Kingdoms. Do you accept?"

"Aye your majesty." His majesty, King Barry walked forward. He took a sword offered by his nephew on his left. Bart bowed his head and held out his right hand. The king placed the handle in the boy's hand and clasped his own on top of it.

"Then young Bartholomew, I knight you as a defender of the Kingdoms!" Bart raised his head and then bowed to his majesty. Clapping erupted in the hall from the other knights and the servants. Bart's eyes drifted to his cousin Wally who stood next to the king. Wally had a wide grin on his face as he clapped. Bart faced the small crowd for a few moments before it began to disperse. Several knights came and patted the boy on the back with congratulations. Soon the hall was empty, save for the new knight, the older knight, and the king.

"Well Bart, you did it!" Wally said. He slapped Bart on the back, sending the younger forward.

"Wallace, be careful!" King Barry scolded. He gently laid a hand on Bart's shoulder. "Well done Bart. You've certainly earned the position."

"Thank you your majesty."

"The ceremony is over, no need for formalities."

"Okay your- grandfather."

"Better. Now…" Barry's eyes gleamed, and a smirk formed. "What do you two think of raiding the kitchen in… celebration."

Wally and Bart looked at each other before dashing down the steps to the door. "RACE YOU!" As Barry was a king of two kingdoms he did not run, but instead walked with purpose.

"Barry! Bartholomew! Wallace! What do you hooligans think you're doing?!" The king and his knights began to panic as the pointed steps came closer. The guilty parties peeked out from underneath the table they hid under. Bart's eyes followed a purple satin skirt up to a pair of bright green eyes. Queen Iris. And she did not look pleased.

"Oh darling!" Barry began to crawl out from under the table. "What a surprise, why the boys and I we were going to come fine you but-"

"Don't tell me." Iris said, Barry stopped. "You got hungry along the way."

"Why dearest, you know me so well!" A guilty smile light up the king's face.

"Tell me this, why are you hiding underneath a table? It's a rather inappropriate position for a king."

Wally spoke up hesitantly, "Privacy? You're constantly complaining about how pigs have better table manners than us!" Iris sidestepped closer to her nephew and rubbed some frosting off of his freckled face.

"Or could it be because you've gotten into the cake I had made for Bart's celebration dinner!"

That was it, they were dead. Bart nestled deeper under the heavy table. Maybe he could sneak out the other side and… "Bart, come out. I know you're under there!" Or maybe not. He crawled out best he could with his hand covered in cake. Iris frowned at him for a moment, then she began to fight the curl of her lips. Her hand covered her mouth as she cleared her throat and tried to stay upset. But a fit of giggles overtook her. As her giggles continued Barry and Wally began to chuckle along nervously. Bart joined in, he had no idea what they were all laughing about. Perhaps their impending doom.

"Bart," Iris began, but she couldn't keep going. Her crown slipped slightly on her red hair as her head dipped. She stood straight and fixed her crown. "You have frosting all over your face and in your hair!" Bart reached his clean hand up and felt the tips of his hair. Indeed his hand came down covered in chocolate frosting. He licked his hand, no use wasting perfectly good frosting! He quickly stopped at the frown he received from her majesty. Iris sighed.

"Please, all of you come out. Dinner is about to be served." She gave Barry a pointed look, "If you haven't spoiled it."

"Don't worry," He smiled and patted his stomach. "I always have room for dinner!" The king and queen began to walk towards the dining area, leaving Wally and Bart with the half-devoured cake. The two red heads looked at each other, then slowly glancing at the retreating couple. Bart's hand began to reach slowly for another piece of cake…

"Boys!" They both jumped. "Go clean yourselves up and then hurry to dinner! I'll send someone to take care of the cake." Iris's voice called. The two sighed before regretfully crawling out from under the table. Bart stretched slightly, then went to find something to clean his face with.

Rocks came hurtling closer. Panting. Find an escape!

The shouting was coming closer! Nowhere to hide, where to hide?

"αηδιαστικός" They shout, Pain, a rock met its mark. Where to hide? Getting tired…

Light, from above… get out of the water! Swimming faster, they won't follow out of the water!

Panting, Lungs hurting. Climb up, higher

They've stopped, it's too dry. Rest a moment, just a moment…

Bart shot up, breathing hard. He cautiously glanced around. It was indeed his room at the castle. His grandfather's castle. He was safe. Moonlight shone threw one of the many windows, illuminating the room. The light was comforting. A tapestry with his grandfather's coat of arms bearing a bolt of lightning hung on the wall in front of him. It helped further cement the feeling of safety. He tried to fall back asleep, be after a while he decided he wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon. Instead he pulled on his boots and fastened his heavy cloak to take a walk.

The dew outside was just beginning to form. Bart's mind began to slow as he wandered one of Queen Iris's many gardens. The nightmares though less frequent still came quite often. Visions of towns being pillaged, his family being dragged away, and the worst was watching Wally fade into nothing. Bart rubbed his eyes trying to rid his brain of the images.

After walking for a bit longer he came to a pavilion with well-tended vines covering the sides and roof. A simple stone bench sat in the center. He made his way inside and sat down with a quiet sigh. His head was still pounding and his sweat was beginning to turn cold. Barry of course knew about the nightmares, but not about how often they happened. He had told Bart to feel free to come and get him if he couldn't sleep. Bart did a few times, but he felt bad waking the king up too often. The man had more important things to do than sit with a scared teenager. He was almost an adult! He shouldn't need anyone to hold him after a nightmare.

Soft footsteps coming around the back of the pavilion shook Bart out of his thoughts. It was probably only a guard on patrol. But habit caused the boy to be poised to run. He internally cursed to himself at having not brought his sword.

The footsteps paused on his left. "Who's in there?" The person called softly. Bart recognized the voice. He stood up and peered around.

"Sorry Sir Garrick," He replied. "I couldn't fall back asleep. I thought a walk might help."

Sir Jay Garrick, captain of the guard came around to the front of the vine covered structure. His hand that gripped his sword handle relaxed and a small smile formed on his face. Small wrinkles from years of smiling took their shape. "No worries my boy." He stepped into the pavilion. "Just doing my job." Bart gave a small nod and a silence fell. He wondered if he should head back inside and not bother Jay. But Jay spoke first.

"It appears your walk hasn't done you any good. What do you say we go on a run?"

Bart's body stiffened in attention. He nodded and the two began treading to the training course Jay had designed for people with their abilities. Jay Garrick was gifted with incredible speed. Doctors, mages, and priests could not divulge where the power came from. He used his increased physical and mental speed to become one of the mightiest knights that ever graced the Twin Kingdoms. To his surprise the young prince Barry also possessed the gift at even greater potential. He taught the prince to control and maintain his powers. Later he did the same for Wally after his accident and even assisted Bart shortly after his arrival.

The sky was just beginning to lighten when the pair had reached the grounds. Jay removed his winged silver helm and heavier pieces of his armor while Bart flung his cloak onto a rail. The beginning of the course was a two mile straight stretch of road before curving into obstacles to maneuver. Bart knelt into position as Jay did the same.

"One," the boy counted. "Two…"

"Three, GO!" Jay finished. And in a flash, the two were gone from immediate sight. Bart's tensions began to drain as he focused on staying on an even pace with the captain. The straight and easy road never took long to complete, they were already rounding the curve. Wooden poles flew by as quick glimpses as the pair weaved them. Jay gained a few feet on Bart and he kicked over a pole causing it to fall in front of the younger. Bart leaped without a second to spare.

"What was that about?" He shouted.

Jay merely glanced back with a wide smile. "Just keeping it interesting!"

Bart grinned and pushed himself faster. Two could play at that game.

Where did these nets come from? Who's shouting? Have to get away…

Too hot, too dry, need to get into the water. Pain, must hide. Boats, danger! MUST GET AWAY!

Laughter and more shouting, too loud. Help! A boot, pain.

Darkness.