The runaway

Chapter six

Wally POV

Six weeks

Six long and difficult weeks.

Nightwing might be a little weird but he's gone through some crap. He just escaped from a lunatic and now he's back in the crazy clutches of a madman.

Surprised I know big words? Well I happen to be a genius but that doesn't help me get my friend back.

We promised him we'd help him and when he needed us most, we were snoozing.

I paced in the cave living room while the team were all wallowing and trying to figure out a plan, Batman was probably in his cave, not giving a crap.

Throwing my hands in the air, I yelled, startling my team.

"We were right there! How could we have let this happen? We're supposed to be protecting people, but we were asleep!" I ranted, Artemis stood up, looking like she was about to object but I stopped her. "Don't, I already heard it from Barry, I don't need the lecture from you" I continued my pacing.

"Wally!" Artemis shouted, getting my attention, "we won't save Nightwing by pacing a hole in the floor, we're going to find him"

"Come on Artemis, it's been six weeks, if we were going to find him we would have done it by now, be realistic" I shouted.

"Recognized Nightwing B0-7, Batman 02"

I zipped over to the zeta beam, never having been so happy to hear that dam robotic voice.

"Nightwing!!" I hugged him, but when I heard a pained groan, I stepped back, in fear I had hurt him.

"Wally you're good, just a little banged up is all" he replied, trying to smile.

"Bats what happened?" I asked just as the rest of the team arrived, they, unlike me, carefully hugged Nightwing.

"6 of the original league are hospitalized, many associates of the league are either bed ridden for the next six months or unconscious. We tracked Nightwing through a tracer I put in his arm, should an event happen like this. Get him to the Med Bay, I have something I need to attend to" with a dramatic swish of his cape, he was gone.

...
Nightwing POV
...

Bruce left me at the mountain, most likely to deal with the deadly mercenary.

The team has been motherhen-ing me for the past three hours.

"Alright guys, seriously, chill." I grunted as I felt my bruised rib rub against my skin and most likely a few broken ones were shifting as well.

Slade hadn't been happy when we got back, beat me within an inch of my life everyday for the past six weeks. Said he had to 'beat that pesky hero hope' out of me.

On the bright side he didn't check for trackers, but I was well isolated which was the reason for taking so long to find me.

It took 12 hours for the league and mixed vigilantes and allies to take down one man.

No monster.

I'm very lucky to be alive, which I suppose was the purpose of Slade being careful with how far he pushed.

On a brighter side, the league's most wanted mercenary is in a cell, and I've finally caught a break.

I glanced at the team and they were trying to get my attention, snapping out of my reverie, I finally gave them my attention.

They were sitting in chairs, surrounding my bed, and for the first time in six weeks I finally felt safe.

"Sorry, uh must have gotten lost in my thoughts" I said sheepishly while picking at a loose thread on my blanket.

"Nightwing what happened?" Meghan asked.

Taking a deep breath I replied. "Slade kept me in a cell, beat me every single day, it was worse than when I had to train under him" Rubbing my wrist I licked my lips. "Look guys, I'm really tired...." I trailed off and glanced up only seeing an understanding team.

Two weeks later.

I was finally up and walking around, if I had stayed in that bed one second longer I would have wanted to murder someone.

Not that I ever would.....

I didn't want to tell the team my identity yet, not because I'm scared but because it was like showing someone your frail, weak, undefended side. The one you protect at all costs.

Mine was a nine year old boy before his parents died, and I couldn't stand to see the pity on the team's faces. It always happened, people would find out my parents died and they'd give me fake sympathy and crocodile tears.

We sat on the couches, Artemis on one side and Wally on the other.

Once again I acted as a barrier between the bickering teens. Not that I minded, as it was better than Slade.

Bruce told me I could talk to him one last time before they put him in the furthest reaches of the earth in the deepest, darkest tunnel they could find. I was surprised when I said yes, maybe it was the fact that I just wanted to...

My thoughts were broken by a hand in my face.

Wally.

"Hey dude, you kinda spaced out on us, you sure you're okay?"

I nodded.

"Okay, I've got a game" Meghan announced and she looked so excited that I felt bad even thinking about ditching this game. "Truth or dare?"

After several grunts of reluctant agreement, she began. "Kaldur truth or dare?"

"Truth my friend"

"Do you speak fish?" She asked innocently, which caused everyone to crack up and for kaldur to show a bit of blush of his cheeks.

"I'm afraid I don't, only my king has that right" he answered. "I believe it is my turn, Wally truth or dare"

"Dare all the way!"

"Eat and entire bottle of ketchup and mustard together at the same time"

Wally gaped at kalfur, apparently shocked that he had come up with the dare. Even I was shocked that the cool collected leader could pull suck a prank.

After eating the disgusting amount of condiments, Wally turned to me.

"Wing, ol' buddy ol' pal, truth or dare?"