Hmm… Interesting response to the evil cliff-hanger. I really enjoyed the reviews!

Thanks for all of the response, especially from the first-time reviewers! It really means a lot!

Just to make one point clear: I do not hate Wally in any way, shape or form. He is by far my favourite character in 'Justice League', and this story was written in response to the distinct lack of Wally storylines. I don't hate him. That aside, it was a lot of fun seeing Grimm torture him, don't you agree?

The last four lines of chapter six were the first ones I wrote in this ficlet. So you can imagine my delight in finally seeing it on here. As for Wally's fate, well you'll just have to read on, won't you?

BWAHAHAHA!

By the way, Gotham's Princess: feel free to release the flying monkeys at any time.

Disclaimer: As depressing as it sounds, Grimm is my sole creation.

CHAPTER SEVEN: SALVATION

The Leaguers teleported into an alleyway near Wally's Central City apartment. Peeking her head around the corner of the alleyway entrance, Wonder Woman signalled that there was no one around, and the team headed out.

There had been much debate about a proper course of action. They had tried calling Wally's phone, but found out it had been disconnected. Lantern had wanted to leave immediately to find his friend, Batman had argued that sending all six of them to his apartment was unnecessary. However, none of them were willing to stay behind.

Some argument later, all six of them found themselves standing outside of Wally's apartment, looking fairly conspicuous. They had all agreed that discretion was very important. They could not afford for people to start questioning why the original league was checking up on someone as insignificant as Wally West. However, there were no two ways around it; most of the League's identities weren't secret, and if they showed up sans costume, Batman, Superman and Flash's covers would probably be blown.

Together, they walked up all six flights of stairs to their friend's apartment. Superman might have commented that Flash living in a building with no elevator was slightly poetic if things hadn't been quite so serious. But truthfully, they were all on edge. None of the heroes knew what state they would find their youngest teammate in.

Wally's apartment was at the end of a long hall. Batman, who was at the head of the pack, noticed that the door was open a crack. He knew something was wrong immediately. Wally, who had once been the victim of home invasion at his first apartment, never left the door open or even unlocked.

Bursting into the apartment, the Leaguers spread out and searched for signs of Flash. Shayera hung back, inspecting the hallway.

"Are you looking for someone, dear?"

The heroine whipped around at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. She spotted the assailant-a suspicious elderly woman- peering through the crack of her door. She relaxed, and took a step towards Flash's neighbour.

"Yes," she replied, trying to look friendly. The woman appeared not to recognize her as a member of the Justice League, and was eyeing the Thanagarian with suspicion. "We're looking for the man who lives here-Wally West."

The woman unlatched her door and stepped out into the hallway, still wary of Shayera. "Is he in some kind of trouble?"

Shayera shook her head. "We think he may have information regarding a case we're working on," She lied expertly. "We just want to talk to him."

Her lie appeared to work. The elderly woman smiled at Shayera.

"I didn't think he could be in trouble. Such a nice boy, that Wally." She gave the appearance of a grandmother speaking fondly of her grandson's accomplishments. "He feeds my fish for me sometimes."

Shayera sighed inwardly. This was getting her nowhere. Wonder Woman appeared from inside the apartment.

"He's not in there," she informed her winged teammate.

The old woman smiled knowingly. "If he's not in his apartment, he's probably on the roof," she offered. "That's where he likes to think, you know."

Diana and Shayera exchanged looks. The Amazon ran back inside to inform the team, who immediately followed her into the hallway.

The elderly neighbour pointed to the stairs they had taken to get here. "Those lead all the way up to the roof. The door should be unlocked."

Superman graciously thanked her for her help, before leading the troops back to the other end of the hall. Shayera stayed back long enough to hear the older woman call her.

"You be sure to look after him," the neighbour requested, before turning back towards her own apartment. "Such a nice boy, that Wally."

Shayera smiled sadly, turning to follow her team. Hang on, Wally, she thought anxiously. We're coming.

Their pace quickened as they reached the stairs. By the time they hit the tenth floor, the heroes were almost at a run.

Just four more flights, John thought. Almost there.

They rounded the stair on the fourteenth floor. The roof door was in sight. Batman led them up the final flight of stairs and kicked the door open.

The six heroes burst onto the rooftop just in time to see a flash of red fall off the ledge and out of sight.

"Wally!"

"NO!"

Someone screamed.

They raced to the edge of the roof, Superman and Shayera both hopping the ledge and flying after the falling body of their friend.

Wally barely registered the arm around his chest, but he felt himself slowing down. He had been so close. Just two more floors and he would have been free.

He wasn't falling anymore. He was flying upwards. He could hear someone talking, but he didn't know what they were saying.

Wally was lying down now. There were more voices. Someone was calling his name. He felt himself falling away. The last thing he heard was Grimm screaming somewhere in his mind. Then it all went black.

"Is he going to be alright?" John Stewart peered through the glass at his young friend. They had transferred Wally immediately to the Med Bay upon their return. He had yet to regain consciousness.

Superman sighed. He had been briefed by the medical staff and promptly told to stay out of Flash's room. Let them do their jobs. It was a harder concept to grasp when you were so used to fixing everybody's problems. He could tell the rest of his team felt the same way.

"He will be once I find the cure," Batman answered Lantern's query. As usual, his voice betrayed no hint of doubt or worry. He would find the cure. Wally would be perfectly fine. It was just a matter of how long it would take him.

J'onn added, "The drug spread considerably throughout his body during his leave of absence. He also hasn't eaten recently. His metabolism is off its schedule, which is damaging his body. He is hooked up to an IV Unit now."

Lantern nodded his understanding.

Batman took one last look at the young speedster lying helpless in the hospital bed. He then turned, cape flying, and headed for the door.

"I'll be in my cave," he informed the rest of them, not bothering to stop. "Keep me updated."

And then he was gone.

Clark surveyed his teammates. "While he's working on that," he started. "The rest of us should steer clear and let the medics do their jobs."

John shook his head. "I'm not leaving," he stated firmly, looking his leader and friend straight in the eye.

"Neither am I," Shayera turned from the window to face the Man of Steel. There was a fierce look in her eyes.

"I'm worried about him too," Superman sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "But we have an operation to run. There are people counting on us. Besides, we don't want this to be given any more attention than it has to."

They had automatically agreed to keep Wally's problem between the seven of them. For obvious reasons, it wasn't a good idea to go spreading around that your team was emotionally distraught. After all, many villains would see it as an opportunity to attack them while they were distracted.

But they were also concerned about the other members of the League. Wally had been brought in quietly and given a private room. The medics were instructed to use the utmost discretion. They could not afford to have too many of their teammates agitated, and that is precisely what would happen. Many viewed Wally as annoying, but he had made an effort to befriend every one of their new members to some degree. News of his condition would only divert their attention from protecting the world.

Of course, the main reason for the secrecy was far less glamorous. Plainly, they all knew that Flash was often regarded as 'the weak one'. The idea that something as silly as a rusted arrow had managed to put his life in danger wouldn't help counteract this idea. And the more people told Flash he wasn't good enough, the more he felt the need to prove himself. This usually consisted of him doing something dangerous and stupid.

When this was all over, they had to be sure he wouldn't risk his neck recklessly trying to make up for it. Twice in a month he had cheated death, but his luck was bound to run out eventually.

DUN DUN DUNNNN! Foreshadowing? That's for me to know, and you to find out!

You guys know I couldn't let Wally off that easily! Grimm and I have more in store for our favourite speedster…

Although, you have no idea how much I wanted to start this chapter like so:

"The sight of Flash's mangled corpse was one that would haunt the Leaguers for many nights. Lantern stared hollowly at the body of his young friend, still unable to move from the shock.

'If only we'd gotten here a few minutes earlier,' Shayera whispered.

Batman looked at the tiny vial in his hand, which contained the cure he had so easily found. The green liquid inside seemed to taunt him. He threw it on the sidewalk in disgust. It was of no use to anyone now.

Wally West was dead."

Just a look at how things could have been! Lucky for you guys, Wally's not going out like that! Dun dun DUNNNN!

Tell me what you thought! Again, I really enjoyed last chapter's reviews!

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rogueandkurt