A/N Wow. Its been so many years since I've been on here. I looked back at some of my old stories and they're awful. Like actually, so bad. I'm still not much of a writer (that hopefully comes with more practice), but I have way too many ideas and the Notes app on my phone is getting a little crazy, so I figured that I should put ideas here instead.

This is set at some point between the arrival of Artemis and Zatanna. I know this first bit is short, but I should have the next bit up within the week so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!

CHAPTER 1

"No way in hell!"

"I swear, dude. Cross my heart and hope to die, she kissed me right here." Wally pointed to his freckled cheek, blissfully recalling the pretty girl he had rescued earlier that day.

"Wally, technically she kissed your suit, not you. Your cowl covers that part." Snickering, Dick wiped his lip with a napkin,"and she doesn't even know what you look like. If she did, she might not have-"

"Hey!" Wally shouted indignantly around a mouth full of pepperoni pizza. Swallowing, he continued, "She could totally see enough. Besides, it's all in the eyes."

The boys were sent into a fit of laughter as Wally comically wiggled his eyebrows. It had been nearly a month since the two had gotten together outside of missions, and they wasted no time catching up. Bruce Wayne and his ward were forced to flee the Gotham due to a series of violent threats after Bruce exposed a money laundering scheme in a tangent of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce did not scare easily, but there had been a few calls closer than he'd liked and when paper threats showed up in Dick's school locker—well, let's say a vacation in Sweden seemed overdue. Now that the drama had ended, the teen duo had finally reunited.

The humorous banter continued throughout their meal. Wally, who had already eaten a rather large dinner before the outing, ate nearly 3/4ths of the large pizza, and only stopped upon noticing the sideways glances of the waitstaff. The two often visited this restaurant when together. People here generally minded their own business and, although the pizza was by no means fantastic, it was certainly good enough. Wally was sure that if they ate here one more time, they waiters would have their order memorized. After the food disappeared, Dick placed a generous tip on the table and the boys stood to leave.

•••

Despite the obvious lack of sun, Dick had worn his usual dark glasses. This was one of the few places where the ward of Gotham's Playboy Billionaire had yet to be recognized, and he was hoping to keep it that way. Dick knew that the shades served little protection from those who were looking closely, but he could walk with confidence around the more casual paparazzi—which is why he was mildly off-put by the man sitting alone at the table in the corner. He seemed to be reading lightly from the weekly paper while sipping coffee, but every so often Dick would glance past Wally and catch him staring at back. Or at least he thought so. It was entirely possible, Dick thought, that the man was simply looking curiously at the boy wearing sunglasses in a dimly lit pizzeria. It was strange, but was it strange enough to warrant such interest? One might come to conclusion that the teen was blind, or perhaps suffering light sensitivity before considering a celebrity trying to hide from prying eyes. This time it just didn't seem to be the case. His cover had been blown.

Too bad, Dick thought as they exited, I was really starting to like this place.

"—and then Roy threw the biggest fit I have EVER seen. It was incredible"

Torn from his verdict, Dick joined Wally in musing over Roy's antics. While it was usually awkward to be in the room with Ollie and Roy simultaneously, it did occasionally produce a strange sort of comedy gold. The guy knew how to throw a tantrum. It is a lot like how—

Suddenly there was a flash of bright light and a blur of dark fabric. Feet scuffling. Heavy breathing. A hit to the ribs and a face full of dirt. A voice shouted above him, another screamed. And then, as abruptly as it began, it ended.

Except not really. Dick strained his eyes through the dark. The flash of light had sent colorful splotches swimming in his vision. His brain pounded against his skull as he tried to move, to lift his head from the ground. He could see Wally standing above him, but something wasn't right. He was shivering violently, and pawing at his face. Then, over the torrential noise in his ears, Dick heard hiccuping gasps coming from his friend.

They had just been attacked.

•••

Burning. Flames licking, gnawing. His face, his hands, his arms, all burning. Seconds, minutes, hours stretched on as fire danced across his body, ripping him to shreds.

Wally coughed out a strangled cry as he choked on the air that wouldn't enter his lungs. Awoken by the heat, a beast began to writhe violently within his stomach. Growing and spasming and clawing until it suddenly erupted through Wally's mouth: a scream so raw, so agonized and fearful, that it might have been the sound of his soul tearing from his body. Nothing existed but sharp lashes of blazing heat. There was no Wally West, no Kid Flash, just white hot pain.