Winds Of Change

by firefox332

It's been a while since Impulse rescued Blue Beetle but Impulse is still acting like it happened yesterday. His change in attitude begins to worry the team and even the Justice League. He is closing up and chooses to contact home. He soon realizes that it was a big mistake. The only way to fix it is to get the team from the future to help, but it isn't as easy as it sounds.

7. The Start of the War: 2056

December 22, 2056
Gotham City
6:34 PM

"Well?" asked Damian as he watched Madison climb up and down broken buildings, dodging rocks that where being flung at her. He sat on the hood of an old car; it no longer had wheels, windows and doors. There was a mangy looking dog sitting next to him with a dark blue handkerchief around his neck. It was a short haired black Labrador, his head would move the same direction as Damian's as they both watched. Jayson stood on a trailer that flipped over on its side, he had a pile of small rocks by his side and he was shooting them at Madison with his bow. Madison stood still and, in one solid motion, she caught the rock and threw it back at Jayson, hitting the bow, startling the archer. "Well," said Madison standing up straight, "everything is going exactly as planned." Jayson had gone back to flinging rocks at Madison, she effortlessly dodged them "Bart had finally got home sick and decided to call home. Derek answered. They caught up. All the while, Beetle had his team of scientists tracing any form of Zeta beam radiation. And if you are right about them being able to trace it successfully-"

Jayson grabbed five rocks and hurled them at the blue eyed girl; she stopped and caught them all. Jayson spoke after Madison caught the rocks, "Then Beetle should be able to follow the signal, like a cell phone connection. And that is all he needs to-" Damian finished for Jayson, "go back in time." Madison threw the rocks on the ground. Jayson jumped from the trailer and walked over to where Damian and the dog were. Madison looked up to the two boys, "I have my- colleagues- on standby. And ready to fight." Damian nodded, "Good. The more people we get the better." Jayson looked to Madison, giving her a look that said 'we need to talk, in private'. Madison nodded and looked to Damian, "You should get back to Beetle's sanctuary. Keep me in the loop and see when they plan to activate their mission."

Damian hopped up the dog started to follow, "We'll see. Titus, stay. Go home with Grayson and Harper," and with that he disappeared into the shadows. Titus stayed and just looked where his owner had disappeared. Madison turned to Jayson, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine-" Jayson stopped her, "I don't know how you do it Mads," Madison glared at him, "Don't call me 'Mads'" she hissed through her teeth. Jayson ignored her, "I don't know how you can just keep lying to people's faces like this. I mean, I can understand the twins, most of the orphans, and anyone else. But to CJ? Derek? Even-" he paused as though he lost his train of thought, "Greta and Cissie and Bart. You've known them their entire lives and yet-" Madison put her hand up, "Stop. J-just stop," she said her voice a bit shaky, "I'm lying to them so that they can be happy in the end. You'll see, I've got every little thing planned out. It's going to work. Come on Titus." Jayson sighed, "I trust you Mads." Madison just sent a glare at him and didn't even try to correct him. The black lab got up and followed the two.

December 23, 2056
the Village
11:46 AM

"Ugh, I'm so bored!" yelled Cissie as she hung over the side of the couch. Titus looked up to the small archer form his spot on the ground. "Well," said Greta as she floated in the air reading a book, "Grab a book and start reading. It took us all morning to lug the boxes from the basement. And you didn't even touch a book yet." "Hey!," yelled Cissie, "I read through that Twilight series! And I like Edward better." Derek looked up from his book, he was sitting on the other side of the couch from Cissie, "Yeah," he said, "Then read another. I suggest another vampire book. Or even a classic book. Everyone is reading," he motioned to the floor that had three other kids reading books. He then motioned to the recliners where two more kids sat, then to the dining room table where four more kids sat. Every once in a while, a kid or two will come from another room or from upstairs to replace the book that they just got done reading. "Enjoy this luxury that we will never have again," he finished.

Cissie looked around and rolled so she was sitting up straight, "I'm not a big fan of reading. The only reason I read Twilight is because Greta would shut her trap about it. And I just want to got outside and get some exercise," she said as she looked toward the front door. "No!" yelled Abigail from the other room. The blonde haired, green eyed girl came into the dining room area through the door way that connected the area to the kitchen. She was holding a medium size bowl and stirring something inside. Titus got up and sat at Abigail's feet, "You guys know that when it snows nobody is allowed outside," she said as she continued to stir. Cissie jumped up, "But it's just snow. You guys said that you played in it when you were little-" Abigail shook her head, "That was before the atmosphere was layered with toxic chemicals that mix with any type precipitation, causing things like acid rain. Or in this acid snow." Derek looked at Abigail, "That sounds so crash! Well, the name anyway," he said.

Abigail rolled her eyes and headed into the kitchen, Titus didn't hesitate and followed. Cissie jumped up, "C'mon you two," she said heading into the kitchen. Derek sighed and put the book down on the sofa. Greta just dropped hers on the floor. The three went to the kitchen island that sat in the middle of the small kitchen and hopped up on the wooden logs that served as bar stools. Abigail had started to pour the liquid she was mixing onto three cookie sheets. Madison was also in the kitchen, she was at the island chopping up some vegetables. Titus has switched from Abigail to Madison. Her hair was tied back into a low ponytail. "Where did you get those?" asked Derek as Greta and Cissie drooled over them. Madison didn't take her eyes off the knife as she cut them up, "I know someone," Derek didn't miss a beat, "Poison Ivy?" Madison matched Derek's speed, "No."

"Yes," he said just as fast. "Maybe" she said finally giving up. Derek smiled and took a piece of the yellow carrot she was chopping. Madison slapped his hand, the piece of carrot went to the edge of the counter, Titus jumped up and grabbed the small piece of carrot and sat back down on the ground, "It's for the soup," she said pointing over to the stove that had two huge pots in it, both with covers on top. Abigail had finished with the cookie sheets and put the pan down, "Yeah," she said wiping sweat off of her forehead, "We are making soup for everyone here at the Village. And since Christmas is almost here, I made everyone's favorite: rock candy." She pointed to the cookie sheets. Madison had taken the carrot's she chopped and evenly separated them to the pots. "The soup should be done by noon. So the boys should be home at noon," Madison said. Abigail laughed, "The rock candy should be done by Christmas Eve."

CJ came into the kitchen, "How are my two favorite girls doing?" he asked looking at the big pots of soup. Abigail smiled and Madison rolled her eyes, "The soup is doing well. It should be done-" William super sped into the kitchen and slid to a stop, he was out of breath. A couple seconds later Jayson ran in, he too was out of breath. Titus barked at the two. William got hold of his breath the fastest, "Beetle has summoned everyone to the central part of Gotham," he looked to Derek, Cissie, and Greta, "and I mean everyone." Madison looked at CJ, "Grab the Shields, we might need them. Along with coms as well. I have a feeling we might need them." CJ sighed, not really wanting to get the Sheilds, and went to his room. Abigail took the pots of soup off of the stove, "Okay!" yelled Madison, "Everyone, we are heading into Gotham's city park. Find a blanket or something to keep you warm."

As the kids filed out of the building, they merged with the rest of the people from the Village. Most of the kids stayed by the six teens that they felt safe next to. Jayson and Madison walked together. The black lab didn't leave Madison's side "Do you have any idea what this is about?" he asked, making sure nobody else heard. Madison just looked at Jayson, "Yes. And so do you, but keep playing dumb," she said keeping her voice low. Jayson nodded. By the time they got to the center of Gotham, there were at least a hundred people there, and after twenty minutes, people stopping coming. Jayson and Madison managed to stay together with Cissie, Greta, Derek, and two other kids. CJ, William, Abigail, and the rest of the kids where spared out around the big group. There were at least 200 people in the little area, which was more than anyone thought were still alive and roaming around freely.

Madison's little group managed to make their way toward the front but couldn't get to the stage area, where Beetle, Damian, the Reach Ambassador, and a few of their, successful, test subjects stood. Jayson's and Madison's coms came to life "What do you think this is about?" asked Abigail over the com. "I don't know," replied Madison, "But stay whelmed, we might need to fight our way out of this" Madison threw an arm over Derek's shoulder. Derek just kept his eyes up on the stage. The Reach Ambassador cleared his throat and stepped forward. Everyone went quiet. "Welcome," said the Ambassador, "I know that our 'promises' forty years ago didn't, how you say, live up to your expectations. But fear not, our team of experts have developed a way to fix everything-" Someone interrupted him; "We don't want anything from you! Or the Reach!" Everyone yelled in agreement. "Silence!" yelled Beetle. Everyone went quiet.

The Ambassador nodded toward Beetle and continued, "We have developed a way to," he paused, "make things the way they were supposed to be." The group murmured on what he could have really meant. Damian chuckled, "Don't sugar coat it Ambassador. They will find out the truth soon enough." The Ambassador nodded, "You are right Mr. Wayne," he looked toward the group, "We have developed a way to go back into time," the group started to buzz with disapproval, "Blue Beetle, Mr. Wayne, prepare the device to go back into time forty years ago; 2016." The group was now surrounded by the group of shape shifters, led by 223.

Madison pushed Derek back a little bit, Jayson did the same to Cissie, and Greta just followed the two. The two older ones forced their way toward the front, along with the large dog. Derek tried to follow but was just pushed back by the crowd of people. The three stayed back with the other kids who didn't lose their way. Damian and Beetle uncovered a small podium with a panel on the top. "No," yelled Madison as she tried to get to the stage to stop the process, Jayson was right next to her and Titus barked. Beetle jumped down, causing the unstable ground to shake. "Remember the contract," said Beetle, which caused Jayson and Madison to stop in their tracks, Titus growled but didn't do anything other than that. "You even try to attack, or even change into your sidekick costumes," he laughed, "well, you know what happened to the heroes that you once worshipped."

Beetle let out another laugh, "And you know what happened when Red Arrow, Nightingale, and Superboy tried to call my bluff. Or should I call you by your real names, Jayson, Madison, and Conner Junior?" Jayson and Madison looked at each other, "How is the half Kryptonian and half, well, he's not a whole any more now is he?" The archer and gymnast backed up into the group once again, along with the dog that didn't stop growling. Beetle laughed. "Well, now what?" asked Jayson. Madison sighed and turned on her com, "Everyone, get ready to run," she looked at Jayson, "when we get to 2016." William spoke over the com, "Are you sure there is nothing we can do? I mean, I know we are bound by the contract to not fight as our hero names but-" Abigail interrupted her twin, "Both Maddi and Damian looked over the contact, there was no loop holes." Madison nodded even though only Jayson could see.

After a moment of silence William spoke again, "Then can somebody tell me who's on whose side? Because it looks like Damian is on Beetle's side." Nobody said anything and just looked up at Damian who was pushing buttons on the podium. CJ spoke next, "I have known Damian, since he and Maddi rescued me from Cadmus. Damian is on our side, he's just a mole on Beetle's side." There was a slight pause and Madison spoke, "And what does it matter who's on whose side. Us, the heroes, are fighting alongside our arch enemies from before the apocalypse. We just need all the help we can get." Nobody spoke after that, knowing it was true. Damian looked at the Ambassador, "Connection has been made," he said. He looked down to Madison and Jayson.

Blue lightning started to strike, the clouds above started to swirl. Everyone covered their eyes as the wind blew. When everyone opened their eyes, there was sunlight. It took a minute for Madison and Jayson to gather what had gone on. The group looked up at the stage, that now had, not only everyone who was standing on the stage before the time machine when off, but now it also had Black Beetle, another Ambassador, Tigress, Aqualad, Psimon, Queen Bee and G. Gordon Godfrey. Tigress was damasked and her face was now Artemis's, she was on her knee's with her hands tied behind her back, with Aqualad next to her with his hands tied behind his back as well. The group from the future looked around at the people who were from this section of time. Titus barked at the stage, wanting to be by his owner.

Godfrey didn't waste any time to get to someone from the future, as he asked questions nobody answers; they just looked to Madison and Jayson. Eventually Godfrey got the idea and when to the black haired girl and red haired boy, "Okay," said the reporter, "You two seem to be the elected people to talk, now," he cleared his throat and signaled the camera to focus in on the two, he held the microphone between the two, "Tell me, your names and the world how great the future is with the help of the Reach." Madison and Jayson looked at each other. Madison looked up to the stage, "This wasn't in the contract," she whispered to Jayson.

Godfrey started to get a bit annoyed, "Speak up girl. Tell the entire world-" Titus growled and barked at the reported. Madison straightens up and silences the dog by grabbing the handkerchief. Jayson was the one to speak, "This girl is Madison Grayson. I'm Jayson Harper." Madison now spoke, "And the fabulous future you are referring to doesn't exist." There was a huge gasp from the crowd, Godfrey let out a laugh, "So it's even better-" "No!" yelled everyone from the future. Finally everyone got what was going on. Madison activated her com, "Abbie, Will, you two have a new mission. Save your mom and Aqualad." The camera's looked up to the group on the stage. Both of the Ambassador's came forward and said at the same time, "Meet your new dictator from the future; Blue Beetle. Earth is now under our control." Titus started to bark and pull, trying to get to Damian on the stage.