Disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Comments: Yet another story written by Thowell3 and myself. Someday we'll finish all the stories we've started. This blossomed after watching the Terminator movies. This does not have any connection to any of the other stories that we are writing. Enjoy and review.

Chapter 1 – Jump City 2029 C.E.

The machines rose from the

ashes of the nuclear fire.

Their war to exterminate

humankind had raged for

decades, but the final

battle would not be fought

in the future.

It would be fought here,

in our present.

Tonight...

- Scene Break -

Skulls of the dead littered the ground. The enormous wheels of the tanks crushed them without hesitation. Changeling crouched behind the ruins of a building, watching the tank go by. His large pointed ears quivering, picking up any noises as they passed by. His deep-green eyes were narrowed, intently watching his target.

"Is it clear?" Nightwing asked from behind him.

"Looks like it," the crouched figure replied. The dim light shining on him revealed that his skin was green.

"What are they doing over there?" Nightwing was dressed in black with a black mask, long black hair, and a blue bird emblazoned on his chest.

"I have no idea," Changeling replied. He was clad in black and dark-magenta. "But whatever it is, they have half an army over there protecting it." The small communicator he was holding crackled to life.

"Garfield this is Raven," the woman on the other end spoke. "I've got eyes on the target."

"What do you see?" Changeling asked.

"They're working on some sort of machine," Raven replied.

"Any idea what they're trying to do?" Changeling wanted to know.

"Can't tell," Raven replied. "I'm going to try to get closer."

"Be careful," Changeling warned his wife. She just smiled at him. He waited, his heart pounding, for her to make contact again. He knew that Raven could take care of herself, but that didn't stop him from worrying.

"Oh no!" Raven's shocked whisper jolted him to his feet. "Garfield get Richard and the others over here now!"

"Right!" Changeling was on his feet in a flash. "Over!" He gestured to Nightwing and the others and they began to make their way towards the target. Raven waved to them as soon as they got closer and he crouched down beside her.

"So what's happening Raven?" Nightwing asked the young woman.

"See for yourself," she outstretched a grey hand. Changeling and Nightwing both followed her gesture. Some robots were standing around a machine pressing buttons. In the machine stood a naked man. "This doesn't look good." She murmured. "Whatever's happening, we have to stop it."

"When is it ever good?" Changeling muttered. Raven glanced at him from under her blue hooded cloak.

"Actually," she replied. "I've been meaning to tell you something Garfield..."

"Whatever it is," Nightwing interrupted. "It'll have to wait." Raven sighed.

"Fine," she muttered. They turned their attention back to the robots. The naked man disappeared.

"Hey!" Changeling pointed at the now empty machine. "Where'd he go?"

"I don't know for sure," Raven replied. "However, I think it might be time travel."

"We have to find out where he went!" Changeling exclaimed. "I mean when...I mean...Let's just go!" Raven phased away, reappearing in the middle of the robots. They looked at her without feeling.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she chanted. Black energy swirled towards the machines, knocking them backwards.

"That's our cue," Changeling announced. He focused on Raven, allowing the primal side of his brain awaken. His body strained as it shifted into the hulking form of the beast. Letting out a howl, he charged towards the robots surrounding Raven. He crashed through them, sending them flying with his massive paw. Nightwing charged in after the beast, knocking robots over with his staff. The squadron came trooping in with their guns, shooting the robots. Some went down, but others shot back.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven cried. This time the black energy went through the machines, severing the heads from their robotic bodies. The bodies clanked to the ground, useless. Nightwing raced over to the machine.

"Richard, what year does it say on the time machine?" Changeling asked after shifting back to his human self.

"It's actually a time-displacement field," Nightwing replied. Changeling rolled his eyes. "2009." He finally said. "We were in our teens then. You don't think...?"

"That they are trying to kill one or all of us?" Raven finished his sentence. "Quite possibly."

"Someone has to go back!" Changeling exclaimed.

"I'll go," everyone turned to see Flash with Jinx at his side.

"Wally?" Changeling blinked. "When did you get here?"

"Just now," Flash replied with a grin. "Heard shooting and decided to make my way over."

"Are you sure you want to go?" Changeling asked.

"We won't necessarily be able to bring you back from the past," Raven admitted.

"I can get back on my own," Flash replied with a grin. Changeling scratched his head.

"How?" he asked. "Doesn't that break all the laws of Physics?"

"I can run at the speed of light if I have to," Flash replied. "No guarantee that I can run at that speed for that long, but I can if I have to. By human standards, that shouldn't be possible."

"Wally be careful," Jinx held onto his arm tightly.

"Me, careful?" he scoffed and grinned at her. "I am the fastest man alive. Nothing can get me."

"I did didn't I?" Jinx asked with a smile. He smiled back, and she kissed him. "Seriously though." She said firmly. "You'd better come back to me."

"And whatever you do," Changeling piped up. "Don't try to meet up with your past self. We don't know what could happen if you did."

"Be careful Wally," Raven hugged him. "If need be, I will bring you back."

"Don't worry Raven," he grinned at her. "I'll be fine." He leaned closer, and whispered. "You should really tell Gar. He really should know." Raven stared up at him with wide eyes.

"How did you know?" she hissed.

"Jinx has a problem keeping secrets from me," Flash grinned.

"You better come back dude," Changeling piped up. "I don't want to deal with an upset Jinx."

"Don't worry Gar," Flash grinned again. "I'll be back. And you should get some time alone with Raven. I think she wants to talk to you."

"I'm going to kill you myself," Raven growled. Flash laughed and held up his hands.

"Whoa, careful Raven," he continued to grin at her. "Take it easy. You wouldn't want to hurt yourself." Raven growled. Flash turned to Jinx. "Those hormones are deadly aren't they honey?" He asked.

"You won't be laughing when you find out that you have to go naked," Raven growled. Flash's eyes widened.

"N-naked?" he stuttered. "Why would I have to go through naked?"

"It won't send anything dead through," the soft, malicious voice made everyone spin around. Out of the shadows came Slade. His one eye narrowed on Flash. "Oh, and I hope you're up to this dear boy, because it will be me you're fighting."