Kid Flash looks around his assigned area, taking in everything. One thing about being a speedster, it allowed you to process your surroundings a whole lot faster. He had yet to see anything suspicious, but being a psychic himself, he knew that there could be many ways that abnormal activity was hidden, so he activated the infrared on his goggles and looked around again. One of these days he'd have to add an ultraviolet and electromagnetic setting to his goggles as well. Right now he currently had infrared and night vision.
He'd mention it to Batman, who had originally made the goggles for him, but he knew he would never live it down, so he would have to work it out for himself with Uncle Barry and Quick Flash's help. Rob may be able to help him with that as well. He knew different settings would come in handy, though maybe there was a way to find out if there were huge amounts of electricity in the area. Hey, Rob, can you hack the local power grid and see if there are any major hotspots in our area?
I gotcha, KF, they could be cloaking. I'll get right on it. Robin replies to this.
Kid Flash grins, he loved being as smart as he was, though he hardly ever let on to this fact. Rob knew how smart he was, but Kid Flash downplayed it as a hero and played it up as Wally West. Still fully in tune with his surroundings he takes another look around and nearly curses out loud, backtracking quick and silently, Huge Problem, Mental Terror is here.
Who is this Mental Terror you speak of? Aqualad inquires.
Only Quick Flash's grandfather. It's said that even the Scarecrow is scared of him. Artemis states.
Not good, we need to get out now. Robin says.
Kid Flash picks up Robin and zooms back to the ship, Red Arrow, Zatanna, where are you two, we're pulling out now. Aqualad orders. Even he had heard of Scarecrow.
Once everyone is safely back on the bioship M'gann gets them a safe distance away and Robin puts through the call to Batman, " We discovered that Mental Terror is on sight and decided a retreat was in order. "
Batman flinches, even J'honn had problems with Mental Terror, " Understood, did you discover anything else? "
" Yeah, they're using some kind of cloaking tech, huge hotspot, sending the data to you now. " Robin states.
" The local aquatic wildlife has told me that a new fish has been introduced, a piranha and from the pictures they sent it looked like it had been affected by the Joker's laughing gas. " Kaldur states.
Batman grimaces, " Just what we need, a super villain team up. "
" I could sense magic in the air, Batman, I think Jinx may be involved as well. Or maybe Klarion, I'm not sure which. " Zatanna says.
" Anyone else have anything to add? " Batman asks.
Red Arrow sighs, " I'm pretty sure I saw Cheshire. It was only a fleeting impression though. "
" Superboy, do you have anything to add to this? "
" I heard someone talking, pretty sure it was Toy Man. " Conner states.
" Understood, I'll send Superman and Wonder Woman to check things out then. " Batman says.
Kid Flash remains oddly quiet, sensing something was amiss within the ship. He does a cursory check on each of his friends and he blanches under his costume, this was so not good. Artemis had been replaced, and yet he could do nothing to bust her without his secret coming out. " Kid Flash, do you have anything to report? " Batman asks.
" I was the one to find Mental Terror. " Kid Flash states calmly, scanning the impostor subtly.
Artemis, or rather Slide, a teen shape shifter didn't even know her cover was blown, she had been studying Artemis for weeks. " Is there anything else? " Batman asks.
M'gann, scan Artemis' memories, something's off, she hasn't insulted me once.
M'gann does so and her eyes widen, " There is something else to report, we have an impostor on board. Artemis was patrolling outside of the ship to stop anyone from stumbling across it, Artemis is still there. "
Slide curses and shifts her shape back to her original form, " You'll never get to her in time. "
Quick Flash, we need you now, Artemis has been captured, there's not much time. Wally calls out.
Rachel, back in hers and Wally's room curses at this, " Kuso, why does this crap always happen when I need down time? "
" What's wrong, Rachel? " Beast Boy asks her.
" Artemis captured, in big trouble, I have to go get her out, now. " Rachel replies.
" You can't, your telepathy. " Beast Boy says.
" Wally knows this and he still called for my help, so it has to be bad. " Rachel states.
" Well, you'll need help. " Beast Boy says.
Rachel nods at this, Rave, I need you, now.
A raven made out of shadows appears and a teen of the same name is seen appearing from it, " This had better be good. "
" Telepathy evolved, teammate in trouble, I'm the only one who can go and get her. " Rachel says quickly.
Raven curses, " All right, I'm with you. "
Rachel hits the button on her watch and her costume appears, she teleports off with Raven, knowing that Raven would be able to shield her mind. Working together the two female teens were easily able to get Artemis and teleport her to Green Arrow's home, " I thought you were sidelined, Quick Flash? "
" Am, but Artemis got captured, wasn't enough time for the League to mount a rescue op, KF called me in, and I called Raven to shield my mind and help me save Artemis. " Quick Flash says quickly.
" Got it, hey, Raven, get her back to bed, I know it's hard on any meta when their powers evolve. " Green Arrow says as he takes his sidekick into his home.
Raven takes her back and sighs, " This is troublesome, Beast Boy, let me know if something happens that requires my help. "
" Got it, Ray. " Beast Boy says.
Raven disappears in the same way she had come and Beast Boy checks on Rachel ten minutes later and curses, she was burning up from using her powers. Raven, get back here, she's burning up from using her powers.
Raven returns and curses in a language only she knew, " Get a basin filled with cool water and start wiping her forehead down. "
Beast Boy rushes to obey and wonders if he should call Wally. While he's wiping down Rachel's forehead Raven is chanting softly, though even she knew that the only way Rachel would relax enough for this to work would be if Wally got his ass home soon. She and Rachel weren't really friends, more like acquaintances, well, they were close to being friends, but fell short of the mark. Beast Boy looks at Rachel with worry in his eyes, " Should I call Wally? "
" You'd better. " Raven says.
Raven uses her powers to care for Rachel while Beast Boy calls Wally. Back at Mt. Justice, after having subdued Slide Wally scrambles to answer his phone, it was BB's ring tone and it told him something was up, " Wally here. "
" Get home now, bro. She overdid it and is now burning up, Raven needs her to relax and you're the only one who can get her to do that. " Beast Boy says.
" Damn, so she overdid it to go get Artemis. " Wally says.
" Yep, get your ass home fast, before Raven gets any crankier. " Beast Boy practically orders.
" She called Raven? " Wally demands.
" She did, Raven was the only one who could shield her mind enough to go save Artemis. " Beast Boy states.
" All right, on my way. I'll zeta home. " Wally says, and hangs up. The relationship between Quick Flash and Raven was unique, they weren't really friends, but they weren't enemies either. They had mostly the same powers so they would practice together from time to time. A few times they had teamed up to take down a traveling villain, Live Wire, Volcana, and Poison Ivy, to name a few. If one had to label their relationship then Wally supposed they could be distant cousins.
People who tolerated each other and that was it, though he knew that they would always have each other's backs, they just weren't that open and honest with each other. He reaches the zeta beam and heads for home. Now he actually had a home, instead of just a house he went to. He could still remember how they had met. Gorilla Grod had been up to his old tricks again, and thanks to Quick Flash he and his uncle weren't susceptible to Grod's tricks. However, Grod had destroyed the warehouse Raven had been staying in and she had attacked him. Quick Flash, recognizing another like herself had immediately gone on the offensive, while still shielding the male speedsters minds.
Between Raven and Quick Flash it was over fast. Raven had promised to help when she was needed, but other than that they were to leave her the hell alone. Raven had put up with Beast Boy, because Quick Flash had told her that Beast Boy was an orphan and needed some place he'd be safe. It didn't hurt that the pair were both attracted to each other, they just didn't want to admit it. Empathy was certainly fun at times. Wally heads for his girlfriend and pulls her into his arms once he gets there, a slight hum traversing his body and allowing her to relax.
Raven sighs in relief as her incantations finally take effect, " She'll sleep until Sunday, or she should at any rate, never actually tried this on a speedster. I've also slowed her metabolism down so that won't become an issue. "
" Thanks, Raven. You know, you would be a welcome addition to Young Justice. "
" No thank you, I do not want to answer to anyone other than myself. "
" Would you consider be like a consultant, plus Zatanna could use someone to help her train her magic, you'd be ideal for that. "
" Bring Zatanna to me and we'll see. " Raven states.
Wally nods, " Raven, could you…? "
" Empathy evolved, huh? "
" Yeah. " Wally admits.
" I'll shield you until Monday, that should be long enough for you to get it back under control. " Raven states.
" Let me guess, you used Robin as a buffer? " Beast Boy asks him.
" Had to, Rob'll keep the secret. Though now I need to make sure Rach and I get our homework done. So, what has been decided about you? "
" I'm going to a private school, that way my name will be better protected. " Beast Boy says.
" Makes sense, you need any homework help let me know and I'll be sure to help you out, or you could ask Uncle Barry. " Wally states.
" I know, bro, I know. " Beast Boy says, rolling his eyes.
" Well, I'll be going. " Raven says.
" Raven, if all goes well, come by next Friday and we'll have a movie and pizza night, just a night to unwind. " Wally says.
She smiles at this, these misfits were like family to her, though a very dysfunctional one. Raven disappears in her usual way and Wally heads for the living room, Rachel in his arms, knowing that he couldn't leave Rachel alone for too long, she'd allow him bathroom breaks, and food breaks, but that was it.
Wayne Manor, Gotham City:
Dick Grayson mulls over the latest bit of information he had gotten from his friend. Though now that he thought about it, Wally being an empath actually made a lot of sense. He always knew exactly how far he could push anyone, though he could push Batman further due to having Quick Flash at his back. It was amazing how Gotham's Dark Knight was scared of Central City's Purple Speedster. Yeah, normally villains did secondary colors but for Quick Flash it worked, she had yellow boots, gloves, and she wore goggles as well.
The female speedster was always shielded by both speedsters and heaven help the villain that kidnapped her in front of a Rogue. That ended up turning out extremely messy, every time. Though if one of Gotham's villains did it, Batman steered clear, he knew the Rogues would be coming to get Quick Flash, most likely with Kid Flash in tow, Central City was a little different, they didn't harm or outright try to kill their heroes, just disable for a while. At least that was true with the Rogues. Grod was another story, he hated the Scarlet Speedster for always thwarting his ambitious plans. Zoom was very different indeed, but even he feared Quick Flash, as Quick Flash was not just a speedster, but also a psychic and she had shown exactly how good she was in a fight, she had kicked Zoom's ass for daring to destroy her favorite comic book store which had also taken out her favorite doughnut shop. In other words it had been a bad day for Zoom, he'd gotten to see first-hand exactly why no one pissed off Quick Flash. Flash and Kid Flash had stood there dumbfounded as they watched her systematically demolish him.
Dick Grayson also knew that Quick Flash was quite acrobatic, apparently her elementary gym teacher had taught her and they'd trained together learning new stuff.
Barry and Iris Allen's home:
Wally sighs as he thinks back to the day James, Hartley, and Rachel had cornered him and demanded to know what went down before he and Robin had reached them.
Flashback:
Well, at first it was a full frontal assault with everyone clearing the way for me and Rob while I went zipping around to disarm all the thugs. M'gann and Zatanna were working together in one area, Artemis and Kaldur in another, and finally we had Conner and RA working together as well. Trick arrows were flying all over while Kaldur and Conner both unleashed some serious cans of whoop ass. I was back by Rob's side at this time, and when the opening presented itself I sped us through it and kept the bad guys off of us while Rob did his hacking thing.
Once he got the door open and the security taken care of in the immediate vicinity we went in and he reactivated the door system, then he proceeded to hack the entire security system, save for the human guards. We took them down as they came at us, though it took Rob awhile to find the room you guys were in . Your captor really didn't want you found. We would fight the bad guys and hide for a bit to give Rob some time to try and hack his way through all the security protocols in place around your location, and if we had thought that was hard, that in no way prepared us for the metas that Luthor had waiting for us.
We barely got through all six of them. It took every ounce of teamwork experience we had together. It was just a damn good thing that I was so fast and he happens to be a freaking ninja. With his quick thinking and my quick movements, plus the fact that we had actually worked together before was what helped us win that, and no I am not going into detail about that right now, maybe later. After that we almost ended up in an acid bath, only Rob's grappling line saved us from that. I have never seen such an elaborate set up to keep people from getting in. Even Bats isn't that crazy about it. The floor started moving out from under us and I managed to beat it out, only to find out that there was a pit of lava beneath it. After that Rob started hacking the security systems in earnest while I watched our backs. Rob would throw the occasional Birdarang when necessary, but it was mostly me that had to keep us safe.
Batman couldn't believe it when we filed our report, he was shocked at the amount of security we had to go through to get you guys back. They were probably expecting the Rogues, but hey, Rob and I managed to get you guys out, we called Conner and had him procure us a back door out. Rob had found a safe passage out, which is the route we took on our escape. Anyhow after several more minutes Rob found us a safe way to you guys and while I held off our welcoming committee or someone's punishment crew Rob hacked into the room and you know the rest.
End Flashback:
Yeah, he'd been vague, but he had promised to be more detailed later. He just hadn't felt like reliving the battles with those metas at that exact moment. It had been an exceedingly hard battle for him and Robin, they'd barely survived, only years of working together had saved them, as they knew how each other would react to any given situation and prepared for it. It was only that fact that allowed them to survive and get to Quick Flash, James, and Hartley. Rachel was still curled up in his arms, though she was much more relaxed now and had fallen into a natural slumber, Raven had said she hadn't used the spell on a speedster before.
However, he was going to enjoy watching his Rachel sleep. It wasn't often that he got to enjoy it, as there was normally school or something else equally as dismal to wake up and get to. He loved being a hero, don't get him wrong, but he loved there just being time for the two of them. How no one ever found out he didn't know, but he suspected Rachel played a major part in that. He knew he looked at her with loving adoration in his eyes, he couldn't help himself. Though he knew he'd get in trouble for it later he undid her braid and allowed his fingers to run through her hair. He loved the feel of her hair and it was only a rare occasion when he had the pleasure of playing with her hair. Forest green eyes slit open, " I should get mad at you, but I'm too content to care. "
Wally smiles at this, " Just rest, Rach. "
" I can do that, I'll let you play with my hair all weekend, but you're the one who'll have to redo it then, got that, Wally? "
Wally's green eyes light up at this, " Rach, babe, thank you. "
She smiles at this, she knew how much he loved playing with her hair, " I think it's time to let your aunt and uncle know, they'll understand why we're keeping quiet. "
Wally sighs, " You're right, we'll tell them soon, 'kay. "
He watches her reactions to his gentle playing and makes a note of what she really liked. To be used at a later date, though precisely when he didn't know, it was only rarely he could play with her silky tresses. These were the moments Wally truly treasured, and he made sure to remember them all. Beast Boy knew how to stay scarce, but their time alone would be coming to an end soon, and Wally would almost mourn it. Maybe he should tell his aunt and uncle about them, they would understand, as Rachel had pointed out. The main reason he hadn't told anyone except for Robin, was his father, but they were both heroes, it couldn't get out yet. At least not until they were much older and Quick Flash's reputation had spread further. A lot of big time villains had heard of her but they all thought that the others whom had gotten their asses handed to them by her were exaggerating.
Wally smirks at this, Rach could kick anyone's ass, hell, she beat Black Canary every time they faced each in practice. Rach's reaction times were quicker than the average speedster, and she always moved at the very last possible moment. It pissed Black Canary off no end, because she could never fully comprehend Rach's fighting style. Rach was as unpredictable as the wind, as flowing as the ocean, and he swore she could blend into the shadows better than Batman could. He knew there was something different about her, but he also knew that she would tell him when she felt he was ready to hear it. He wouldn't have believed she was psychic if she hadn't proven it by nearly driving him insane by talking telepathically to him for three hours straight.
Rachel smirks at him, " You're not blocking me, Wally. "
Wally groans at this, " Damn, you have me too relaxed. "
Rachel grins at this and moving faster than Wally can even track she has him pulled down to her and kissing him. This Wally gladly participated in, he enjoyed the fights for dominance, though normally Rachel ended up winning. Though it pained him to do so, he kept things at a kiss, though this was in fact a French kiss, one in which neither participant was likely to want to leave any time soon, though a need for air called it to a halt. " God, I needed that. " Wally murmurs.
" I know, we hardly ever get enough time alone to talk let alone do anything else. " Rachel states, she was not going to be moving anytime soon, of that she was certain. Wally was her telepathic buffer, plus, she just liked being in his arms. Plus for her when she got to sleep in them every night.
" Rach, how is it your hair is so long? "
" That information is classified as of yet, Wally West. " Rachel states firmly.
Wally groans at this, " Why can't you tell me? "
" You're not ready to hear it yet, when you are you will, 'kay. "
He nods slowly, it pained him that she seemed to know things like that. He would abide by her judgment though, only he had never faced her wrath, seen it, yes, faced it, hell no. Being an empath had some perks, and he loved being able to wrap himself up in her emotions. Her emotions were the best buffer out there. You all right to be away from me for a little bit, I did run through a jungle.
Go take your shower, Raven's spell is still in effect, I just don't stay under with sleep spells. Besides, your aunt is almost home anyhow.
Gotcha, I'll see if my aunt can't set up a spa date for the two of you. You both need the pampering.
Spa, pampering, not having to do anything, I can certainly agree with that, have her let me know when and I'll scare the proper people, though maybe I'll invite Artemis, Zatanna, and Black Canary. I don't think Bats will argue with both me and BC.
So does this mean Zatanna and Artemis will be let in?
I know I'll let Artemis in, as much as I love hanging out with you guys, I need a girlfriend or two, that way when you do annoy me, I have someone I can complain to.
Gee, thanks.
Hey, you have plenty of male friends.
True, now you need to chillax, got that.
Rachel smiles at this and grins when Iris Allen walks in the door, " Hey, Iris, how was your day? "
" It was good, all things considered. You all right? "
" Raven helped out, so by Sunday I'll be back to normal. " Rachel replies.
" Where's Wally? "
" Shower. " Rachel replies.
" Mission? " Iris asks.
" Yeah. Iris, I need sugary goodness, so maybe you can make chocolate chip pancakes? " Rachel says, Raven's spell unfortunately didn't work on her metabolism.
Iris smiles, " Of course I can. "
" Of course you can what? " Barry asks.
" Make me chocolate chip pancakes. " Rachel states.
Barry sighs, " Telepathy evolved? "
" Yep, it did. "
Rach?
" Make enough for Wally, I'm feeling generous. " Rachel says.
Barry gives her puppy dog eyes and Rachel stares at him blandly, " That doesn't even work when Wally tries it. "
" She's right, unc. I have other ways of persuading her. " Wally says zooming in.
Barry and Iris blink, " Wait, what? " Barry asks.
Rachel laughs at this, " For a speedster, Barry, you sure are slow. "
Iris grins, " How long have you two been dating anyhow? "
Wally blinks, " Ah, Rach, when did we make the transition? "
Rachel's eyes take on a hard cast, " The day Quick Flash had a little chat with Rudolph West. "
" Is that why he was so nice for three months? " Wally asks.
" No one threatens you, no one hurts you, or they deal with me, you had to be ready to leave him or he had to do something incredibly stupid which would allow your aunt and uncle to make a move. " Rachel states firmly.
" Why not say anything? " Barry asks.
Iris whaps him on the head, " Rudolph for one, and obviously they don't want their enemies to use that against them. "
Barry has the grace enough to look sheepish, " Uh, right. "
" And my uncle is supposedly a brilliant chemist. " Wally says, shaking his head at this.
" Watch it, Hot Rod. " Barry says, his tone teasing.
Rachel exchanges a look with Iris, " Boys, one of you needs to go get me some grocery items if we're to eat. "
Barry takes the list and is gone in seconds. " Gee, Aunt Iris, you could have just asked to grill me when he wasn't here. " Wally says.
" Wally, I know about your empathy, I've known for quite some time, that was why I thought everything was going good for you, that Rudolph was a good father. Why did you hide it? " Iris asks.
Wally looks at her, fighting his emotions back, " Please, can we not have this conversation now, I'm too emotionally unstable right now. "
" His empathy's evolving, if you try to talk to him now, well, it'll get messy, fast. " Rachel states.
Iris sighs at this, " Rudolph never mentioned our family, did he? "
" No, why? "
" Our grandmother was like you, Wally. I always felt so safe around her, so loved. " Iris says.
" Really? " Wally asks her.
" Yes, she also had a slight gift of precognition and said her great-grandchild would be greater than her. " Iris states.
Wally looks stunned, " Really, she really said that, about me? "
" I know it's you she was talking about, she said her great grandchild would be fast as lightning with a heart of gold. " Iris says firmly.
Rachel grins at this and gets up from the couch, walking over to her speedster, " She was right about that. "
Wally pulled her to him almost automatically, she always knew when he needed her, every time. He was grateful for that, " Young lady, have you been… ? " Iris asks.
" I had to, for numerous reasons, reasons that I can't yet divulge. Otherwise I'll have a pissed off time god to deal with and Chronos cranky is never a good thing. " Rachel says.
" How do you know a god? " Wally asks.
Rachel smiles, " That's classified as of now. "
Wally groans at this, " Is everything classified with you? "
" Not my feelings or my thoughts, and I'm sure you at least, know my feelings. "
Wally smirks at this, " Of course I do. Now, how long can it take a speedster to do some shopping? "
" Oh, he has to travel around the world to complete the shopping, since I have a husband that can get me the finest ingredients from around the world I indulge in that from time to time. " Iris says, smiling.
Wally looks at Rachel, " Don't get any ideas. "
Rachel smirks at this, she knew she'd have to tell Wally the full story of her heritage one day, but that day wasn't today.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice.