Pain.

He'd been awoken to it on many occasions, a burning sensation, a stinging sensation, a throbbing sensation. Bones, skin and even his mind had all been harassed with torrents and extremities that he never thought could be induced upon a person and leave but a scar. It was at times like these, when he considered getting a new job.

His first thought was to get up, but as more waves of pain broke through their barriers and clawed at his senses, he thought better of it. His lashes seemed glued together and it took some effort just to pry them open. His vision was, once again, a blur of different shades of red but he could just make out the outline of a well-rounded hill, though it seemed so close.

It was only when the hill moved did he realise that it was a hairless head, its mouth was curved into a gleeful smile that looked childish on the man who wore it, a man whom Wally had known to be a well composed, whilst rather insane figure of evil. He was of course, none other than Lex Luthor.

"You're awake then."

Wally stiffened, every fibre in his body was stood up on end and wriggling with tension. His hands clenched into fists as recognition crept into his mind, fighting back any other emotion and taking its seat at the front of his mind, along with the fear that accompanied it. He momentarily forgot the pain and sat up abruptly, pulling away from those leering eyes. He was grabbed by his cowl which was cruelly torn from his head but he didn't care, Luthor had already seen his face and seeing it again was neither going to further any of his evil schemes or lessen Wally's chances of escaping. He fought the hand as it grasped his hair and turned his head. Green eyes met brown, wild orbs and his actions were stilled suddenly as his perspective on the face grew to accommodate pale skin, flared nostrils and a snarling, painted smile, wide enough to reveal stained, yellow teeth and a gold filling. The hand remained twisted in his bed-ragged, wild hair regardless of his silent protests but before he could retaliate more hands joined the first, locking his arms and legs in vice-like grips. A green tongue darted out to quench its owner's purple lips. Wally had to bite his own tongue to save himself the humiliation of screaming as clawed talons gripped his eye-lids and kept his gaze fixed on the face before him. He could only glare at his assaulter as a long, green nail dragged itself across his face. Wally worked the saliva in his throat and in the only act of rebellion he could think of, spat in his captor's face, aiming for his dirty, glaring eye.

The face drew back in disgust and Wally felt the hands on his limbs clench as he was pulled back into an awkward posture and another needle slammed into the side of his neck.

The red slipped away but before darkness crept in he felt a foot or a hand slam into the side of his face as someone cursed his name.


The Watch Tower was silent as it ever was at this time of day (or night or however you wanted to look at it) and if it wasn't silent then it was devoid of any sound that could interest J'onn J'onnz as he stared at the monitor which might as well have been blank as far as he was concerned. He wore the same passive expression as he had done for the best part of the past few years between now and the first time his feet had touched earth's soil. Whilst his face betrayed little to nothing, however, his mind battled with logic, knowledge, wisdom and moral.

J'onn had been talking to Flash for no more than two minutes before he had rudely ended their conversation with no explanation for his odd behaviour. Usually J'onn would not have been surprised or worried by the sudden suspension of communication or as J'onn preferred to think of it as "just Wally's way of dealing". However, it was the Flash who had contacted him and when Flash begins a conversation it goes faster than the recipients mind can keep up with but lasts longer than most can cope with. However, this situation had been different, two minutes was a record time for Wally and for once he seemed to have had nothing to say. What worried him further was the Flash's lack of knowledge of his own situation, though that wasn't as unusual as his conversation length. He had attempted everything within his imediate vicinity and power but despite the use of some of the most advanced technology to his knowlege combined with telepathy had him no closer to finding his friend and member of his now extended family.

J'onn had informed the available founders of the league of the Flash's disappearance who had all agreed that few of the members outside the core six should be informed or even none if they could help it. Wally had after all been on leave at the time and though he was technically still a member, questions would be asked if people found out that the Flash had gone missing straight after his departure.

So there he stood, as composed as ever on the outside but fuming restlessly over their inactive decision. Though as usual, nothing showed on his face as he continued to furiously type commands and instructions into the buzzing machine.


Thank you all for the reviews, much appreciated and yes I updated the very next day _ that's how much of a life I have ;)
Now you know that I'm not kidding when I say: "My life is minimal".