The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest and all related characters, 
properties, etc., are the property of Hanna-Barbera and Turner 
Industries. No copyright infringement was intended.

This story and all original characters are the products of my own 
twisted little mind.
________

Bitter Reunions:
Prologue



The first thing he felt was the pain in his head. A constant aching, 
throbbing pounding pain, so intense he was absurdly afraid his head 
was in a vise or something equally ridiculous - except the pain was 
coming from the inside. His eyes burned with a searing pain, although 
he could see nothing but darkness and he was certain his eyes were 
closed. He could feel a throbbing pain in his ears, far worse than any 
ear infection he'd had as a child. He wasn't sure which pain worried 
him more.

The pounding decreased a bit as he concentrated on breathing air into 
his oxygen-starved lungs through his burning throat and he was able 
to realize he was lying on his side on a hard surface. Probably a floor. 
He tried moving his fingers, just to see if he could, and was startled to 
realize he was covered in a thick liquid substance with the texture of 
maple syrup but freezing cold.

Then he realized he was shivering.

As the ache in his head and ears slowly faded away he heard a voice, 
just beyond comprehension. He concentrated and made out the words. 
"It's all right, you're safe now. You don't have to worry." He couldn't 
remember having been in danger - he couldn't remember much of 
anything right then, but the soothing words calmed him.

Somehow - he would never really know how - he found the strength 
to open his eyes. His eyelids parted only slightly before a harsh glare 
of light glared into his eyes, causing the pain to flare up again. He 
closed them quickly and heard the soft voice order the lights put out.  
When he felt the light disappear he opened his eyes again, blinking 
away the tears of pain.

A woman looked down at him, golden hair framing her face. "Are you 
all right?"

Somehow, he managed to say "yes." The hoarseness of his voice was 
frightening and his throat burned with the effort of that one word.

"Do you know who you are?" she asked. "Can you tell me your 
name?"

"Jonny Quest," he rasped, before the dark comforting blackness of 
sleep claimed him .

***