Title: Heroes of Today

Author: CrazedFangirl13

Beta: TheAsterousAuthor

Rating: T (for violence only)

A/N: Welcome! This is the first multi chapter fic of mine that will actually be completed. This will have no slash, no smut, and no language. It is rated T for violence only, and my own paranoia. Many thanks to my wonderful Beta, TAA!

Dedication: To my best friend, who doesn't yet have an account on this site.


The sounds of battle raged throughout the facility. The stark white walls had become stained by the blood of both the scientists and Rip's team. As Rip took down another of the white-clad men, he glanced around at the rest of his team. They were easily holding their own, even against the larger numbers. However, he saw no sign of their main enemy, Vandal Savage, the reason they were at this facility in the first place.


Earlier that day, they had been in 1939, as the professor had wanted to visit the day that Amelia Earhart had officially been declared dead. As they hadn't heard anything about Savage, the rest of the crew readily agreed, grateful for any distraction from the tense atmosphere that had been the prevalent mood since Carter's death. After arriving in January 5th, 1939, Rory and Snart had seen an advertisement for an auction, advertising "Rare Artifacts and Valuable Items From All Over!"

Deciding that the auction was more exciting than someone that was (in their time, at least) already dead, they had disappeared. Three hours later, they showed back up at the ship covered in dirt and holding a torn journal that was written in 1917. They then told the rest of the crew about their experience, which involved Vandal Savage (who had apparently been at the auction and bidding on the journal), a fight (during which they had fought Savage and his minions), the rescue of the book from Savage (even though he had read part of it, they were the ones that had escaped with the journal), and a cabbage merchant (which they had refused to elaborate on).

After they had regaled everyone with this tale, everyone had gathered around the journal in anticipation. Rip opened it, and- "It's written in German," Rip said. "Well, that certain puts a damper on things." Professor Stein stepped forward, holding out his hand. "I can read German," he announced. This was met with a few muttered statements of "of course he does," and Rip handed the journal over.

Everyone watched as he skimmed through the journal, occasionally muttering to himself. Then, "Weapon, experiment, great power- I think the Germans were building a weapon. The author of the journal keeps mentioning an experiment that would help them win the war."

Rip's face lit up st this revelation. "Savage must be trying to take the weapon and use it himself. We have to stop him."

With that objective in mind, they had traveled to the time and date in the journal, found the facility, and gotten into a fight with Savage and his goons, leading Rip back to where he was. After a few more minutes of fighting, they had defeated all of the scientists and Vandal's men, leaving the immortal glaring in fury at them. "It's not worth it," he snarled, almost to himself. Rip watched as something flickered in Savage's eyes, then his own eyes widened when Savage grinned and threw down some small pellets that exploded with a loud sound and a bright flash.

When Rip could finally see again (approximately thirty seconds after the bombs had exploded), Vandal had disappeared and the rest of his team was rubbing their eyes in much the same manner as he had been a few seconds ago. After giving each of his crew a quick once-over and determining that there were no apparent wounds, he clapped his hands together once to bring their attention to him. As they turned to look at him, he started giving them their orders. "Right, then. Let's spread out and search the facility for this experiment that Savage wanted."

As each crew member took off in a different direction, Rip turned and walked down the corridor directly behind him. He saw multiple signs in German, and was about to open a door into what looked like an office when a shout echoed down the hallways, sounding suspiciously like Professor Stein. Rip quickly made his way down the hallway that the professor had taken, seeing the rest of his crew standing by a doorway, apparently waiting for him. When he arrived, he saw that they were all staring through a large window in the wall in shock. As he started to ask what was the matter, he looked through the window and his protest died on his lips.

Kneeling, hunched over and chained by his neck and wrists to the floor and with his back to the door, was a boy.

After a moment, Snart spoke. "Well, we can't just leave him there," and shoved Hunter in the shoulder. Rip started, realizing they were waiting for him to say something. "Right, right. Snart, you and I will go in there. The rest of you, stay out here. We don't want to scare the kid."

Without waiting for the crew to nod their understanding (he knew they would follow his orders on this) he opened the door to the room and stepped inside. The boy's back stiffened as he became aware of someone entering the room, but the chains prevented him from turning to see who it was. Rip eyed the boy, his attention drawn the the shock of fiery red hair atop his head. The kid wore a simple pair of pants and a shirt, both a bland gray color. As Rip looked at him, at a loss for what to do, Snart stepped forward and put his hand on the boy's shoulder, only to jerk it off when the kid jerked his head towards the hand, a definite click sounding in the air as the boy's teeth closed on air.

Snart looked shocked, but his expression quickly morphed into one of rage. "The little brat tried to bite me!" He angrily took a step towards the huddled form on the floor, but was stopped by Rip's hand on his arm. Rip pulled him back a couple steps and whispered to him, "The kid is probably just nervous because he can't see you. Let me try." Looking frustrated, Snart nodded and watched as the leader of the crew stepped forward and slowly approached the boy. He walked around slowly, coming to a stop in front of the kid. He crouched down in front of him when he realized that the boy couldn't see him, bringing himself down to eye level.

Making sure not to make any threatening moves, he asked, "What's your name?"