Disclaimer: Don't own Young Justice or Batman Beyond.

Chapter 2: From Out of Nowhere

"Hey, Dick… It's Tim… I called to see how you were doing. I assume that you're there right now and not in the mood to talk to anyone, and I understand. Call me back when you get the chance or are in a better mood."

"It's Barbara. I know you're there. Pick up the phone, damn it! Pick. Up. The. Phone. Ugh, fine, be like that! But I'm not going to stop calling until you respond."

"Dick, it's Artemis. I know this hurts you as much as it hurts me, but locking yourself up in your apartment and avoiding the team won't help the pain. Everybody's worried about you. The freshmen are stressing Kaldur out and Conner's sulking like a lost puppy. And Bart's been…acting weird lately; more twitchy than usual if you can believe it. He keeps asking when you're coming back though. Call back, okay?"

"Barbara again. Please pick up the phone. If you're going to keep doing this, I'll have Conner knock down your door."

That was the end of the messages. Dick wouldn't say it out loud, but he was starting to feel a bit guilty about leaving his teammates behind. He was aware that they needed him, but the team only reminded him of Wally. It reminded him of all the things they said, the things that were never said. All of the good times and the bad times, the ups and downs, raced through his mind at a speed faster than the Flash. Every argument, spirited debate, and stupid conversations about Pokemon and Doctor Who and whatever stupid thing there was to have an argument, spirited debate or stupid conversation about. All of the firsts they had together or witnessed would play over and over again in his mind. The first time the team had an actual mission, the first (and last) time Dick had a sugar high from drinking his first (and, once again, last) Monster, the first time Wally drank alcohol, which lead to Wally's first hangover... every last one of them was on loop.

After checking the messages on the answering machine, Dick turned on the television, flipping from channel to channel. Eventually, he settled on the Colbert Report, deciding that Stephen Colbert's sarcastic remarks on politics were better than listening to Barbara cuss him out.

Not even five minutes later, the phone rang. Dick sighed loudly, grabbed the phone without bothering to look at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"You're needed in Gotham. Now."

Dick rolled his eyes. Bruce was probably trying to get him out of his apartment. "May I ask why, Bruce?"

"There's an abnormal energy signature that I am unable to look into. I want you to go with Barbara and Tim to check it out."

Well, it is kinda strange, Dick thought. "Fine, I'll be there in ten."

Dick hung up without bothering to hear what Bruce had to say next, whether it was a comment about the mission or a statement voicing his concern over Dick's decision to lock himself up in his apartment.

When Dick was in a hurry, it took him less than three minutes to suit up. Normally, he'd be commenting on how hot he looked in his Nightwing suit, but he wasn't in the mood, nor did he care. He didn't care that his hair wasn't perfectly messy or that his eskrima sticks weren't perfectly straight in their holster. Right now, he had something that needed to be done, and, if he's lucky, a bad guy's face to punch in. It was about time he did something about the pent-up anger that he'd been holding in since Wally 'ceased.'

In two minutes, he found his way to the Zeta tubes, and in four, he was almost to the meeting point where he would met up with Batgirl and Robin. He could hear a tail end of their conversation so he kept himself hidden in the shadows, not making his presence known just yet.

"-anyone could get him to come out, it's Batman." Tim said as he adjusted his staff, making sure it was in working order.

"Let's hope so. He's brooding so much he's starting to remind me of Batman." Batgirl's little remark made Dick wince. It seemed like no matter how much he tried to avoid being like Batman, more and more he saw himself becoming him.

"Oh come on, he's not that bad…yet." Tim pause as his cell phone alerted him to a new text message. "Seriously, Impulse?"

"Impulse again? What is up with that kid? It's like he has Bat-fever or something…"

"You too? At first I thought he was just lonely after Wally…you know. But he keeps coming over or contacting me for no real reason. Every time I try to ask him what's wrong he start speed-talking and fidgeting. You know, the other day he actually came over to the manor to ask if he could barrow a cup of sugar."

"Sugar?"

"And the next day he came over to return it." Dick had to clamp his own hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing.

Batgirl didn't bother to hide her smirk. "Is that when Batman scared him off?"

"Yeah. He was mad that Impulse kept using his speed to get from Central to Gotham City. Never seen anyone run that fast in my life and that's including speedsters."

Knowing his fellow bats would only worry more if he was late, Dick stepped out the shadow as if he just arrived.

"Well, it's good to see you're not sulking anymore," Batgirl said, her eyes narrowing but still showing concern. He doubted he fooled her at all.

"Not sulking at the moment," Dick corrected her, "Still not quite feeling the aster. Batman called me about an abnormal energy signature. Where is it?" Anything to keep the, 'Are you alright?' questions and comments at bay.

"One of the warehouses on the east side," Batgirl said, "Let's move."

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When they arrived at the warehouse that had the strange energy signature, the trio of bats soon understood why it was so abnormal. There was a giant crater, and in it was a teenager no older than Nightwing. The teen wore a black outfit with a red bat on his chest. The mask he wore had familiar bat ears on top.

"Man, he's going to do the 'I told you so' bit and chew me out big time," the Bat-teen said. The teen seemed distraught, considering the tone of voice he was using. "Hello, old man, you there? Must have busted it during the fight or something."

Bat-teen took a look around and gasped. "What the?" Dick couldn't see his facial expression very well, but he assumed it must've been a look of horror. "Oh no… Maybe I should have listened to the old man…"

"Old man? Who could he be talking about?" Robin gave Nightwing a look of confusion.

"Dunno Robin, might as well find out." Nightwing stood from his vantage point and jumped down behind Bat-teen, landing without a sound.

"Hey… kid," Nightwing called out. The teenager turned around to face the veteran crime fighter.

"I don't know who you're supposed to be, but that's a pretty lousy imitation of Batman," Nightwing said, "Who are you, anyway? Batboy? Bat-teen? Batlad?"

"I'm Batman," the teen said, "Who the hell are you?"

"Like I said earlier, that's a pretty lousy imitation of Batman. You look nothing like him."

"You didn't answer my question."

Nightwing rolled his eyes, "You're the one on the spot here, Batman, not me. But, if you must know, I'm Nightwing."

Batman gave him a look. "You can't be Nightwing. Nightwing's old. Like, in his sixties."

Nightwing snorted. God, this kid was funny. "Old? I'm old? I'm not even old enough to get into a bar."

Nightwing put his hands behind his back for a second. He signaled Batgirl and Robin with one of his many bat-signals.

"Speaking of bars," Nightwing said, "Tell me if you've heard this one. Batman and Nightwing walk into a bar-"

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Terry couldn't believe what he was seeing, who he was seeing. It was the legendary Nightwing, young, around his age. He had seen pictures, of course, but this couldn't be real. He was hoping this was some weird dream or VR world because if not…

But just as Nightwing started to joke around he was ambushed on two sides. On instinct he fought back, using the extra strength the suit gave him to fend off his attackers. Only now he even more shocked to discover he was fighting Batgirl and Robin. This was getting too weird, even for Gotham.

But while he had them out matched in strength, they had more skill. As he narrowly dodged a batarang he couldn't help but think, 'I see the commissioner hasn't lost her touch.' Or when Robin's electrified bo staff got him in the knees, 'And here I thought the Robins were only there to distract Batman's enemies. Damn that hurt, even though the suit!' But with that thought, it made him realize he had made a critical mistake. 'Uh oh, where's Nightwing?'

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While Robin and Batgirl jump down from above and attack the fake Batman, Nightwing discovered something.

'There's actually a second energy signature here, which is coming from this Batman,' Nightwing thought to himself. 'The first was so great, it covered his. But, with time, a great big energy signature will decrease to a level that will allow one to detect the second. It's his suit… it's so wired, it's practically a computer!' He smirked to himself. 'And if it's more computer than spandex, I just might be able to hack it. If I can take control of the suit, I may be able to immobilize him… there we go!'

As if on cue, Batman falls to the ground. Batgirl and Robin seemed quite surprised.

"Hacked his suit~," Nightwing said in a sing-song voice.

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Terry felt the horribly familiar feeling of his suit locking up, leaving him unable to move and completely vulnerable. 'Ah SLAG!' he thought to himself, trying to find any part of his body that would move. 'Terrific Terry, what was one of the old man's first lessons? Never turn your back on an opponent, especially a Bat.' He listened as the trio discussed what to do with him.

"So what now?" asked Batgirl, keeping at least one eye on him. "Besides imitating Batman he hasn't done anything illegal."

"Batman might disagree with you on that one," Nightwing said with a smirk. Terry smirked back. 'Yeah old man Wayne would call that a federal offence, wouldn't he?'

"You could always take me to the cave and have your boss question me himself." Terry doubted very much that they'd take him anywhere near the cave, but he needed to see the old man. He had a theory about what had happened to him after his fight with Time Code, but he had to be sure. He hoped he was wrong, but if he was right…well, either way he'd need Batman's help to get back to his reality.

The Bat-kids all looked at the stranger and then back at each other. Without saying a word the three of them all came to the same conclusion. Clearly, no one was letting this kid anywhere near the cave, and anyone who asked to be interrogated by Batman was up to something or just insane. Either way, the big man needed to be called in. The suit he was wearing wasn't made in a fan boy's garage and there was still that strange energy reading he gave off when he first arrived. Finally Nightwing took charge.

"Batgirl, Robin, contact Batman. I'm gonna take this Batman to my base in Bludhaven for a little chat." Terry glared up at Nightwing who, in his opinion, was enjoying this a little too much.

"Great, but how are you going to get him there? You can't use the Zeta tubes because he's not authorized. And he might try to run off if you give any power back to his suit…" Tim asked as his older brother tossed him something. He looked in his hand and saw it was a motorcycle key.

"I've got a ride stashed a few blocks from here. I'll keep an eye on our new friend while you bring that around." While Batgirl went off to try and contact the real Batman, Tim went to get them transportation.

"Don't you usually leave people hanging upside down from lamp posts or something?" Terry said, feeling like he might as well be tied up.

"Normally, yes, but we have a few questions for you. You could save us all a lot of trouble by telling me how you got here, who you are and why do you think you're a mini-Batman."

Terry tried to look around but found he couldn't move his head enough. "No, not here, somewhere more secure." Dick became quiet, hearing the tone in his voice.

"My bunker's fully secure. But even if you insist on secrecy, I'm not going to be able to return power to your suit until we get there. Oh, and you'll have to be blindfolded."

Terry sighed, his muscles were already starting to cramp, but it didn't look like he had much choice. "What? Not satisfied with cutting my optical feed?"

"Call me paranoid."

"Fine, you're a bat." Dick smiled at his younger captive. At least he was entertaining.

Soon enough, Tim returned with the Nightcycle, a little disappointed he couldn't take it for a real spin.

"Alright, Batman," Nightwing said after he got the teen into the sidecar, "Let's mosey." Terry grumbled as he was packed into the small car like a piece of luggage.

"I feel like a sidekick."

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Nightwing took the teenage Batman to the old warehouse that the team had temporarily used after Mount Justice and the Hall of Justice were destroyed. Dick was relieved that he left some of the technology here, as he could be sure to monitor the teenager while he was away. He secured the teen in a small cell like room before he pulled up his halo-computer and he pressed a few keys.

"I've rebooted your suit, but only your mobility," Dick explained, "I don't trust you enough to use any weapons on me. And remember, I can shut it off at anytime if I feel you are a threat of any kind."

Terry gasped as the suit unlocked and he could finally move. "Ah, son-of-a-" but his curse was lost as he straightened himself out. "I've never felt that stiff in my life. How does the old man live like this?" Nightwing was amused but put on his game face. Time for some answers.

"I want you to answer a few questions for me," Nightwing said, "Who are you?"

"Batman."

"No, I mean who are you? As in under the mask?" The kid looked hesitant for a moment. "Trust me, kid, I won't tell anyone."

"Except your boss." But surprisingly Terry removed his own mask. "Terrence McGinnis, or just Terry. But it doesn't really matter. If I'm right, and I'm about 99% sure I am, then no one is going to recognize me. And you won't find my fingerprints or DNA on file anywhere either. How about you? You got a name besides Nightwing?"

"Sorry, doesn't work like that."

Terry gave him a knowing smirk, "Well, I thought I'd be polite, Mister Grayson. That's what my mom always taught me."

Dick's eyes widened behind his mask. This Batman knew his secret identity. 'Shit, this is bad…'

"Don't believe me? Tim Drake is the current Robin, Barbara Gordon is the current Batgirl and good old Bruce Wayne is the current Batman."

Dick's eyes narrowed. "How did you-"But Terry cut him off.

"Now, answer me this… what year is this?" It sounded like a stupid question, but the seriousness in which Terry had asked it unnerved Nightwing as much as the fact that his secret identity had been compromised.

"2016. Why?"

"Oh my god," Terry whispered, "Oh my god… I really should've listened to the old man."

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I was right. Slag it, I hoped I was wrong." The boy's sky blue eyes grew wider as it finally sunk in how much trouble he was in. "I'm not supposed to be here… I'm supposed to be forty years into the future."

Dick blinked, once, twice, three times. "Okay… that explains why you're Batman, and why it was hell to hack your suit. I assume you know Bart Allen?"

"Who?"

"Never mind kid-" Terry gave him a glare. "Right, sorry, Terrence. I assume you want to get home, right?" Terry nodded. "Well, we have yet to get Bart home, so you'll have to wait a while. Sorry about your luck. Life sucks, shit happens, blah, blah, blah. I'll spare you the details."

Terry gave him a look. "You seem bitter. Even in his sixties, the Dick Grayson I knew wasn't this bitter."

Dick rolled his eyes once again. "You have friends in your time, Terry?"

"Yeah," Terry said, "I do… not many, though."

Dick gave him a sad smile and sighed, "Here's a little advice… cherish the friends you do have, even if it's only one or two. In this life, every time we see each other may be the last."

Terry gave a confused look, having no idea what Dick was talking about. Sure, he did his research on the original boy wonder, but it was mostly fighting styles and cases. He's heard stories from Grayson himself, but not about his personal life. But the look on Dick's face told him that he was serious about this. But it also brought up some unpleasant memories of Jared and his step father Armory. He remembered what happened when-but he shook his head violently. He didn't want to deal with that now. He just wanted to focus on getting home, focus on the mission.

Terry nodded, pretending Dick's words didn't strike a chord, "Okay. Cherish your friends… got it."

"Now, if you'll excuse me," Dick said, moving over to one of the larger computers in the room, "I have to call you-know-who and explain this mess to him."

To be continued

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Everyone started out a little insane
But you learn pretty quick how to fake it for the game
But some of you never learned to drop the act
So under that skin of yours: a heart attack

Make a move - Icon for hire

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