Warning: Can be triggering!
Heat
That was the first thing I noticed when I felt myself come around.
The heat was overbearing, it felt like I was baking in an oven. I immideatly knew this wasn't going to be fun.
I felt something rough and grainy on my skin and I let out a low whimper, hating the feeling. It was like sandpaper rubbing against my skin.
My hearing came next. The sounds of animals and wind met me and I groaned slightly.
I knew opening my eyes wouldn't be a good idea, but I had too. This wasn't home.
I slowly opened my eyes, only to scream at the agonizing sunlight shining everywhere and I dug my head into the ground.
Sand...No people...Super freaking bright...Blazing heat...
Why am I in the desert?!
I felt my breathing pick up and I whimpered more, feeling my body pull itself into a ball.
No! No having panic attacks in the middle of a desert!
I jammed my eyes shut and tried to slow my breathing.
One...Two...Three...Four...Five...Six...
I counted, using my fingers to count with my thoughts. Everytime I lifted a finger, I used my other hand to slide against my skin and I willed the feeling to flood my senses as it was familiar and soft.
When my breathing finally got my breathing under control I began thinking, trying my best to think.
I pressed my finger to my com, only for static to come through. I pressed the insignia on my belt, but was met once again with static.
Great, I can't contact Red or the league...Even though their probably the reason I'm in the desert, unable to open my eyes.
If only it were darker...
Then an idea struck me.
Desert caves! Red said that if I ever got lost in a desert to look for desert caves!
But how am I supposed to find one without opening my eyes?
I felt my spirits immideatly drop as I began playing with my hair anxiously.
After a moment of thinking everything over, I slowly stood up. I cupped my hands around my eyes as best I could before opening my eyes ever-so-slightly.
I was met with what felt like a thousand suns shining straight into my eyes and I let out another whimper and I felt like turning into an ostrich and digging my head into the sand.
Please let there be a cave nearby.
I slowly turned, and I was beginning to lose hope until I had turned a full 180 degrees and I saw what looked like the mouth of some humongous frog, an estimated 40 paces away.
Praise be onto whatever deity is listening.
I immideatly shut my eyes again and started walking, keeping my hands forward to keep myself from falling into something.
12...13...14...1-
At my fifteenth pace, my foot hit something and before I knew it: I was face first in the evil sandpaper.
Rock?
I sat up and felt around me for the rock, but what my hand came into contact with was very much not a rock.
I was soft, smooth, and although warm; was cooler then the desert atmosphere.
At my own risk, I opened one of my eyes a peek to look down only too see a guy around the same age as I was, with light brown skin, cut blonde hair, a red top and black pants with fins on the calves. On his arms were black, eel-like markings and on his neck were...Gills?
Wait a second
"Aqualad?" I exclaimed quietly.
To my dismay, he didn't respond or even move.
Is he...Dead? Crap! Please don't be dead!
I crawl over to his head and, with what little vision I had, I put my head on his chest and tried to check for breathing and/or a heart beat.
Thankfully I found both, even if they were weak.
I sighed in relief.
"You are a superhero Aqualad!" I mumble, even if my attended audience was unconscious. "If you're going to die, do it in a way that shows how brave and noble you are, not by heatstroke."
I use whatever strength I have to lift the guy and begin to drag him along with me, using most of my body to support his strength.
I'm a lot stronger then when I last checked...This guy is a solid thirty pounds on meat leastbut I'm still carrying him?
Still, you're heavy Aqualad!
Sixteen paces later, we finally make it to the cave. I walk lightly as to not make any echos, and embrace the cool air. It wasn't exactly super cold, but it was way better then the blazing sun.
I lay Aqualad onto the ground and open my eyes, taking in the dull, dark orange-brown of the cave's walls.
I look down at Aqualad before kneeling down and checking his pulse, being careful to navigate around his gills. He was still alive, good.
"I don't suppose you know why we're out here?" I asked the unresponsive Atlantean, laughing to myself as I drifted off into thought.
Why would we be out here?
Well it's not just me, so it can't be a mission from Red. Besides, he just let me do my own patrols: no way he would send me to thedesert!
But that means it was the league.
But why?
Why can't I remember?
As my head begins to hurt even more, a groan escapes my throat as I run at my sore eyes.
I really wish I had my medication...
I look down at Aqualad again and I find myself pull my legs into my body and rest my head on my knees.
"Do you think the league will rescue us?" I asked, not expecting an answer
"Or maybe the authorities of...Wherever we are? I mean, it's too hot to be the US or even Mexico. Maybe Southern Europe, or Africa? Arabia is definitely a possibility. I hear Australian deserts and places like that are nothing to sneeze at..."
I laugh at myself when I realize I'm rambling.
Suddenly however, Aqualad starts making odd whimpering sounds and I whirled around to make sure he was okay.
God I wish I had water...
"Hold on Aqualad, we'll be okay! Just hang in there!" I said, smiling as I placed my hand on his head.
Please...Whoever's out there: help!
***
"You know..." I muttered as I lay on my side, watching Aqualad out of boredom. Dusk had fallen and all heat had left with the sun, leaving a fairly medium atmosphere. "If you were awake, I'd probably be thanking you for the last time we bumped into each other."
I giggled at the memory from a good month ago.
There was a huge waterspout issue in Beach City and the league had called in Red, Aquaman, Aquaatd and I. Of course, I'm still new to being an actual superhero and I ended up tripping. Aqualad saved me.
"God I'm such a clutz." I laugh at myself as I mentally kick myself.
The only response that I received was Atlantean mumblings and I smiled sadly.
"Guys! I found them!" I suddenly heard, and I perked up. I threw my head up but instantly regretted it as the sound of someone screaming and two pairs of loud footsteps met my ears and I instantly grasped them and shut my eyes tightly; trying to block out the loud noise.
Suddenly, both noises stopped but I didn't trust the people so I remained with my hands over my ears.
"Why...Is she doing that?" A rough but feminine voice asked.
"Her medication's worn down...Hold on." I heard a boy's voice say, and a moment later I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see-
"Robin?" I asked, eyebrows raised. "What are you doing here?"
"Here." The Boy Wonder said and I see him outstretch his hand and sand me something. I look closely to see it was a syringe.
My medication.
"How do you..?"
"I'm Robin." He smirked, and I laughed gently before taking the syringe and injecting it into my arm.
I immideatly feel the effects take over and I hum in relief as my senses dial back.
"Oh thank god..." I hum.
"Can't imagine waking up in a desert with autism is overly fun." Another voice says and I turn to see a ginger boy in a familiar yellow and red costume with a lightning bold insignia.
"Wait, you're Kid Flash!" I exclaim. "How do you know I have autism?"
"...Megan." Robin urges.
"Oh, right!" Another voice says, but before I can see who: a weird feeling floods over my mind.
I remember everything.
The five more months of Red's training, befriending Roy and Kaldur and them telling me their identities, meeting and befriending Wally, Roy quitting, Cadmus, Superboy, forming the team, Megan, Artemis...
Getting sent to Byalia with the team to covertly investigate an immense power surge, Megan going off on her own in camo-mode, and then getting hit with a psycic-attack through the telepathic link.
"I remember..." I hummed, rubbing my head. "Who would have guessed so much happened in six months?"
Then I looked up and around at me team, but noticed a certain member missing.
"Where's Superboy?" I asked.
"He's been taken in by the Byalians." Megan said anxiously.
"Well then we need to go him." I said, but then looked down at Kaldur. "But Kaldur needs hydration ASAP!"
Then an idea sparks in my mind, and I turn to Megan.
"Can you call the bioship?"
"It's out of my range, and I need to go find Superboy. He didn't exist six months ago, he has no memories: just primal rage. I'm the only one that can help him." Megan explained.
"Superboy's indestructible, just ask those tanks." Wally said. "It's Kaldur that needs your help, like NOW!"
"We...Can carry Kaldur to the bioship?" I asked, trying-and failing-to come up with solution as I turn to Wally. "Can't you run him there?"
"I'm way out of juice, right now: I couldn't even carry her." Wally said, pointing to Artemis who rolled her eyes and hit his arm. He was right, I could tell in his voice that he was exhausted.
Suddenly, Megan keels over in pain and clutches her head.
"Supeboy! He's in pain!" She exclaims before flying off. "I can't wait!"
We all watch her leave, a sense of dread filling us.
"Perfect..." We all mutter in unison.
***
As we pulled Kaldur across the desert in a makeshift stretcher, it quickly became obvious that we were all tired.
Wally wasn't talking very much, Artemis kept phasing out mentally, and Robin almost tripped and fell. Of anything, I was the most well rested but my head made it hard to think about anything.
Suddenly, we came across a small patrol of Byalian soldiers and we ducked behind a bunch of large rocks.
Kaldur started muttering again, but I placed a hand on his head and shh-ed him.
"Quiet now Kaldur." I whispered to him, and he quickly silenced down. I took the small feat and smiled down at my friend.
"We can't risk a fire-fight with Aqualad K.O'ed like this." Robin hissed.
"Not just him...I'm way out of juice." Wally huffed.
"And I'm almost out of arrows!" Artemis added.
Robin looked at me and we both nodded before disappearing together. Robin used the dark to his advantage and scattered a bunch of exploding birdarangs before disappearing back to the rocks. I however, stayed behind.
When the bombs went off, I used my wind to pick up the sand cloud and make it grow even larger around the soldiers.
"Now!" I ordered, and with that: we ran off.
***
We finally arrived at the bioship and the four of us couldn't have ran any faster in.
The other three immideatly went to lay down in the main part of the ship as I took Kaldur and hooked him up to an IV with water. I also filled up a large canteen and began pouring some into his mouth, and used my fingers to force his muscles to swallow.
"I've got Superboy, we're on our way!" Megan's voice rang through the telepathic link.
Suddenly, Kaldur sprung up. Unfortunately, I was still hunched over him so he crashed his forehead into mine, and caused me to fall on the floor in a confused heap.
"Who are you? How did you get inside my head?" He exclaimed.
"Hello Megan! Aqualad's memories: knew I forgot something!"Megan said.
"Dah me too! I forgot a souvenir for the mission!"Wally cursed, looking disappointed.
"Don't worry."Megan said. "We've got the souvenir thing covered."
As the link fell silent, Kaldur looked down at me.
"...Sorry." He said, outstretching his hand to me but I waved it off and got up myself.
"No need to apologise." I smiled at him as I gently pressed on his shoulder making him lean back down on the bed. "Just get some rest."
"Should you not get some as well?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and I smiled more before folding my arms on the bed by Kaldur's legs and laying my head on them.
"I'll be right here if you need anything." I said sternly, and Kaldur chuckled before nodding and settling back into the bed.