Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Young Justice. Never have, never will.

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Mist: And here would be the next chapter!

Whistle: I think they gathered that.

Mist: *pouts* fine, ruin my fun.

Whistle: *Rolls eyes*

Mist: Whateves. So how is everyone enjoying their summer? I'm loving it! Except the heat, it's too hot. I hate it when it's too hot. (sorry Heatwave)

Whistle: You complain if it's above 20 degrees.

Mist: Pretty much.

Whistle: *face-palm* Just start the chapter…

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Chapter 26: Ready for battle

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{One week later}

(Wally/Blitz's POV)

I looked back over my shoulder to find Hartley still sitting silently on his chair. The older boy was watching James and me like a hawk as the two of us played with Lego blocks on the living room floor. It's been like this throughout the whole week since my former friends kidnapped me, Hartley hasn't left my side for a second –and neither has James. My friends are terrified that those monsters will come and try to take me away again.

An understandable fear; one that also scares me. I know the team and the Flash well enough to know that they won't give up so easily.

The hard part is waiting for them to strike…

"Wally?" James said, catching my attention.

"Huh? Ya?" I responded dumbly as I turned my attention to my friend, mentally wondering how long I had spaced out for.

"Are you ok?" My friend asked me, concern evident on his face.

I nodded and looked around nervously. "I'm fine," I lied. I was certainly not fine, not after what happened last week.

James wasn't convinced, he saw right through me. "And you still afraid of those baddies coming to steal you away again?" He asked me, hitting my thoughts right on the mark.

I nodded and let out a sigh. "It's only a matter of time before they come for me…" I mumbled as I looked down at the floor, not wanting to make eye-contact anymore.

"We'll be ready," James promised me.

I looked back at my friend and smiled. "I just wish they'd leave me alone," I complained, "Why can't they see that this is my home now?"

"Maybe because they're all insane?" James offered with a laugh.

I laughed with him.

"You don't need to be afraid anymore," James told me, a determined look in his eyes. "We're your family –and we will protect you. No one messes with the Rogue family and gets away with it!"

I allowed myself to smile more. My friend's determination making me feel better already.

James is right. There's nothing to be afraid of. My family will protect me.

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(Third person POV following Hartley)

Hartley watched as the children played and talked on the living room floor. His eyes never leaving them for a second.

He was not going to make the same mistake he did before. He was going to keep his little Wally away from his would-be rescuers. The child belonged to the Rogues now –and nothing was going to change that ever again.

Wally's mind is no longer his own. When the little boy allowed the mind control to fully sink into his head, he had giving up all his free will.

Now all that was left of Wally was an adorable little puppet for Hartley to manipulate and shape to his will. And because Hartley wants Wally to be an innocent little child, he will be an innocent little child; forever following his every order without question and without though. A perfect little brother. Just like little James.

Hartley loved his two little brothers. They are so cute, and so obedient. Not like how they were before he had changed them.

Both children had been so free-spirited and freethinking, constantly acting on their own accord as though they could actually make an intelligent decision. It sickened Hartley to know that without his guidance the little ones would be having interest in relationships. That they would have eventually grown up. Obviously, Hartley had already corrected that; if them playing like five-year olds wasn't a big enough clue.

Oh how Hartley adored the personas he had given the children –so much better than the ones they had before. Even the other Rogues agreed that the boys were much better off like this.

That led him to another thing. He couldn't let the others know just what he was doing.

Yes, even Captain Cold was not aware of just how badly Hartley was messing with their minds. They were all still under the impression he was sane, after all.

Hartley was not sane; he gave up the right to call himself that years ago.

Which is why when he says he will do anything to keep his little brothers to himself. He means it.

And any fool who dare try to ruin his perfect little family –was doomed.

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(Third Person POV with the other Rogues)

Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Heatwave, Captain Boomerang, and Mirror Master were sitting around the kitchen table playing poker when a thought occurred to the leader of the Rogues. A thought many others in the house were having.

"They're going to try to take him away again," Captain Cold commented as he drew a card from the pile.

"We can handle it," Heatwave brushed it off. "Sides, with the way Piper's watching him all the time it's not like they'll be able to get him alone."

"Perhaps," Mirror Master said, shaking his head. "But what if they decide to do a full on attack? Will we be able to defeat all of them? And what do we do if they involve the rest of the league? We can't defeat that many capes."

Captain Boomerang rolled his eyes at his teammate. "We're gonna be fine," he said. "Soon as they see da kid's unda Piper's full control thell hafta leave."

Captain Cold nodded in agreement. "Even the league knows when they've been beat," He told the other Rogues.

"The kid's ours," Weather Wizard declared. "And you all heard what Piper said. Wally's allowed his mind to be put under. So there's no way for them to snap him out of it. He's going to be Blitz forever."

The Rogues grinned at that. They've all always had a soft spot for the small speedster, never could fight him as hard as they could the Flash. Now that he was a part of their team they were, for lack of better phrase, content with life. It was as though things were suddenly exactly as they were supposed to be.

And now that there was no way for Wally to snap out of it again they could stay contented.

But that didn't stop Captain Cold from worrying about the kid. He had a nagging suspicion that Hartley wasn't telling him everything. But that could wait for another time, so long as no one was being harmed then it was alright in Captain Cold's book.

For now he was more focused on the battle that was soon to come.

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(Third person POV with the Team plus Flash)

"Is everyone clear on the plan?" Flash asked as he looked around at the team.

Aqualad nodded. "Yes, we've been planning this all week," he confirmed for his team. "We will tell our mentors that we are going to Central City with you tomorrow because you are giving us a special training exercise."

The Flash nodded approvingly. "And if anyone asks what the exercise is about?" he quizzed the teenagers.

"We tell them it's top secret," Artemis responded, rolling her eyes. "We all know the cover story, Flash. What I'm more concerned about is how we're going to rescue Wally. I doubt that those creeps are going to be leaving him unguarded after last week."

The Flash sighed, knowing the archer's words were true. That was the reason they've been putting so much careful planning into this; to make sure that nothing goes wrong. If they make one single mistake they could lose Wally forever. Or if they draw to much attention to the situation the rest of the league could find out and their entire operation would be taken over. And who knows if the league will be as understanding of the situation as they were.

That, and the fact that if they don't succeed, Iris was going to kill them.

"Then we'll just have to take the direct approach," Roy growled as he stepped forwards. "I'm done hiding and planning. I say we just storm in there. Grab Wally. And drag him out kicking and screaming if we have to!"

"You know why we can't do that," Zatanna objected. "If he begins to see us as a threat his mind will fear us and allow the Pied Piper full control."

"Assuming is mind isn't already in his full control…" M'gann added bitterly. The Martian girl still blamed herself for not noticing the failsafe that had caused them to lose Wally again in the first place. She's done nothing but mope around the cave all week.

Conner put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but did not say anything as he did not know how to comfort her.

"We'll find a way," Robin insisted to the others. "We'll get him back, somehow."

"And this time we won't lose him again," The Flash added, his mind trailing to his nephew. He's been worried sick about him for a long time, and has hated trying to put on a brave front when all he wanted to do was cry.

But all of that would change tomorrow. Tomorrow they would rescue Wally. Tomorrow they would free his mind.

And tomorrow he would never let him go again.

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(No POV)

The war for Wally starts tomorrow. Who are you rooting for?

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Whistle: Care to explain that last line? Readers probably think you've gone crazy.

Mist: It's the question of the day. I want to know how many people want Wally to be rescued and how many want him to stay as Hartley's puppet.

Whistle: I see. Will the answered influence what happens next?

Mist: *nods*

Whistle: There's only, what, two more chapters after this? Then it's just two or three specials and it's all over. Are you sad?

Mist: A little. I've been working on this story for so long it will feel weird ending it.

Whistle: Well at least you have 'kidnapping 101' to fill the void.

Mist: Good point!

Whistle: Now say good bye to everyone for today.

Mist: Bye bye viewers! See you soon!

Both: Please review!