An Apprentice's Future
By: Malaizjan Dejesus & Reina Grayson
Author's Note: This is the climatic installment of the Batman Beyond Saga. Everything is coming together and this is the crossover fic. If you're a fan of either this series or Young Justice, than you will enjoy this! I am going to list the theme songs to various DC tv series and most of the theme songs can be found on Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary, which is available now, and the YJ Theme song is on its own album titled: Young Justice, which is also available. So if you don't have them, I suggest you go and buy them both!
Also, I had lots of help with this story. Reina Grayson deserves half the credit in getting 80% of this fic done. Reina and I worked on this chapter, for I wanted to have events in the future play out... There is some swearing but I think it's like 2 words. Just a warning…
Chapter 20
Music playing: Justice League Theme Music
In the past...
"Orin!" Areina ran to her fiancé and hugged him.
"Wait...I know I was in a coma for a few days but we got Batgirl on the team too?" Brian asked. "Since when!?"
"It's us!" Both hoods were removed.
"Dana!? Max!?" cried Terry.
"Um hi, Ter," said Dana sheepishly.
Terry ran to Dana and hugged her for all he was worth. "I…how?" he asked, staring at her.
"Sorry Terry. We had to keep the bad guys busy," Max explained. "We sabotaged Watchtower so they couldn't do anything to the adult heroes."
The temperature then rose back to normal as the shadowed raven vanished, leaving a pale Meygan behind, with a 2nd teen girl. Eolus went to the unknown girl.
"Who's that?" Luna asked.
"Hi, little one." Mona's voice came from the unknown girl. There was the rasp but it was softer.
"Mona!?"
Vincent had never seen Mona look so...human. "How?"
"Meygan unleashed herself." Mona then let Eolus take her hand.
"And scared us half to death!" cried Mathen.
"So, worse than when she and Eolus fought that time?" Areina questioned.
Meygan looked unapologetic. "Nope."
Kevin went to Meygan without hesitating, and held her in his arms. "She was...Meygan was breathtaking. The darkness within her is gone. Forever."
"So no more demon power?" Terry questioned as he and Dana stood together.
"I still have them. But they have evolved…into me."
"We won, thanks to Meygan," Syfon said proudly. "I can't believe it. We actually won."
It took a few seconds before the team from the future erupted in cheers of joy.
Wonder Woman smiled. So did Superman.
"The LOD is trapped at their HQ in Minnesota. So let's go and take them down!" cried Blue Beetle IV as Shock and Robin IV hi-fived each other.
"I know you want to end this Hector, but Meygan's weak, I'm sure we have time for her to return to full strength," Areina said as she looked at the 14 year old.
"No. I'm ready to go," Meygan told her cousin. She left her man's side to walk over to Molly. "I'm sorry; there wasn't time to warn you." Meygan's hand was uncovered as she held it out to her sister. "You're a tier 1 Wind Wizard now."
Molly hesitated for a second before touching her bare hand. It was warm. No cold side effect. "Mey-Mey, you can hug again!" Molly hugged her sister, her gave next to her sister's, born of them crying.
Mathen had to know. He took off his gloves and touched his sister's face. She was warm.
Tears of happiness came to him, spilling from under his domino mask. He ripped it off, and hugged his sisters. Meygan wiped her eyes and let Mathen lift both of them off the floor. She caught Vincent's stare and she gently eased from Mathen and Molly.
Meygan went to Vincent, smiling as she threw her arms around his waist. Vincent was trying to hold back his tears but under his dark sunglasses, a few managed to escape.
"I didn't mean to scare you." she said mentally.
"But...I couldn't sense... What's happened to you?" he replied mentally though their re-established link.
"I'm me again, Vincent. My grandpa Merlin healed me," she answered through their bond.
"I'm glad, sis." he told her mentally.
"Aw...do you two need a room?" Eolus asked.
Mona laughed.
Meygan and Vincent moved away from each other, blushing.
The team was laughing and celebrating as the Justice League looked on. Their parents were very proud of them.
Meygan watched as Molly healed their brother. The rest of the team from the future was meeting their younger parents. Hector was meeting his young Dad, and that was an awkward talk.
Areina held Orin's hand as he lay on the med bed.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get to you," Areina quietly said.
"No. You were safe with Meygan. I would have died a thousand deaths if you had tried to save me." He kissed her hand.
Areina was crying now. "I would have too. I can't stand to be without you."
"Now I know it was you that Marik protected that fateful day. I remember a little girl, but I never saw her again after that. When we met back up at Molly's birthday party, I realized that it was you that I was meant to be with."
"Marik? Mathen's twin and my cousin?" she asked. She would tell him later about what Carlos learned about Doctor Fate.
"Yes, Deathstroke attacked on the day of your mother's funeral. He was going to take you as well but Marik used his magic to protect you."
"I wish...I wish I knew him," Areina told Orin.
Carlos heard that line and smiled.
Meygan stood outside of the Infirmary. She was weakened but she wanted her team healed up.
"You did good." Batman, the original one, stood next to her.
"So if you had been there to see me fight like I did, you wouldn't have been scared?"
Batman merely stared, not giving her an answer. At length, he said, "Your father should be very proud of you. You aren't me. You will never be me."
"Thanks...grandpa." Meygan said with a smile.
Hector was flirting away, without of his armor, and Jaime was trying to stop him from being knocked out by Wonder Woman.
"Wonder Woman, just think of Hector as Kid Flash...Wally. I mean that's how he's acting."
"I know that he is your son from the future, Jaime, but he needs to be careful who he flirts with." Wonder Woman said after letting out a sigh.
Dana and Terry were off in a corner of the Infirmary, in their own world.
"It all worked out." Dana whispered.
"So no more Batgirl?" Terry asked her.
"Not for me, I'm just happy having you."
"I guess Max finally got her wish then, to be in the field fighting instead of helping behind the scenes."
"She did." Dana pulled Terry's head down to kiss him hard on the lips.
Terry pulled her to him and got cat calls and cheers.
"Get a room," Brian yelled.
"Brian, not that I'm glad your back, but a coma sounds good for you right about now," Terry joked.
"Hey!"
Olivia stood next to Mathen as Molly moved over to Billy.
"Hello, my sea goddess," Mathen whispered.
"Sea Goddess?" Siren blushed.
"Your hero name. Sirens in Greek Mythology could make men fall in love just by using their voices. Even without you using your song on me, I was smitten the moment I met you." Mathen stated.
"Really?" Olivia's voice squealed in the end.
Mathen chuckled as he nodded and sat up; then he reached for Olivia's hand and pulled her close. "Sit next to me."
Olivia did so, her face red still.
"Did you meet your dad?" He asked her.
She nodded.
"I have something for you." He reached into his belt and pulled out a golden band with orchid etchings all over it. A simple rose colored diamond stood out with vine etches coming from both sides.
The room got totally quiet.
"Olivia...I want you to have this. It's my promise to you that I will get you a better ring. That you are the only girl for me."
Siren was speechless. Her mouth moved but no sound came out.
"Say yes, Livvie," Luna told the older girl.
Olivia just sat there, unsure what to say.
"Olivia." Oliver Queen was coming to the young couple. "Let me handle this."
Mathen gulped.
"If you break my daughter's heart, I swear, I will shoot an arrow into your private parts."
The guys in the room shifted in sympathy.
"What is it with you archers?" Kevin stated. "I got that from Vincent the moment Meygan and I got back from the Fortress of Solitude."
"Dad!" Olivia couldn't believe he would say that in front of everyone.
Clark chuckled. So did Martian Manhunter.
"I do know that Vincent said he'd shove and arrow up Orin's ass if he ever broke my heart," Areina said...remembering back to the big birthday party.
"Archers are fierce, that's all there is to it," Roy told Kevin.
"Vincent threatened me too; in regards to Meygan."
"That's my son." Roy said as he smiled.
"He is, dad, and trust me, you're no saint either if the story I know about you hasn't happened yet."
"Speaking of, where is my soon to be brother?" Brian asked.
"Soon to be?" Wally asked.
"Yeah. You're going to marry his mom. He'll be my brother." Brian looked rather happy with that idea. "I'll have a mom and he gets you for a dad."
"Vincent's in trouble then." Nightwing (Young Dick) said; a laugh in his voice.
"You're telling me," Roy said, smiling.
"Hey!" Wally cried.
"Wal..." Roy put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "My son is in good hands. Seriously."
Wally had always been teased, so he knew when he was. "Thanks Roy; that means a lot."
Meanwhile...
Eolus and Mona walked among the flowers, enjoying the company of the other.
"This is nice. No one's here to bother us," Eolus said to Mona.
Mona leaned into him. Her human form made her as tall as Eolus and she liked the demi god. "I agree. I sense that you have rather...strong feelings for me. Did you see me within Meygan?" she asked.
"Always. It's nice to actually get to know you, Mona. I can call you Mona, right?"
"Yes." She stared into his eyes, looking, searching... She felt the touch of a God on him... He was the son of a god...Mona got the god in her head. "Oceanus... You know Zeus is your grandfather, right?"
"Duh. Mom told me. He dropped her hand like it was hot.
Eolus looked down at his hands. "Wait...a Titan god of water. Right?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I thought you knew that." Mona turned from him.
"It's all right, I guess even demons know of all the world's myths."
"We do..."
"Mona..." Eolus turned Mona around. "It's ok. I never told anyone, that's all." He pulled her against him. "I may be a demi god, but how did I get you all to myself?"
Mona reached up for a chaste kiss. It only lasted a few moments before she pulled away.
She felt his god powers flow through her and it startled her, that such light would accept her…..a destruction demon.
As Mona and Eolus have their moment, Vincent watched Meygan close her eyes with some worry.
"Sis?" he whispered.
"I'm...I'm ok. Just need...a few days." Meygan was exhausted. Letting go had drained her like no one's business. "I never meant to scare you," she told him.
"You left me behind." Meygan never did that before.
"Had to. History said that I died and you were...changed forever."
"Brainy told you?"
"No. I hacked Computo. That was why we were picked. He was trying to save us."
As Mona and Eolus Kissed, a time portal opened up.
"Ah, crap." Vincent readied his bow. "Let's put the Fatal Five in their place."
Meygan got to her feet. But she was shaking, and Vincent knew she couldn't go into another fight so soon. 'It's time for this little brother to protect his big sister', he thought to himself.
Darkin leaped through, battle armor damaged and all; then Persuader; then 50 Scavengers.
Mona and Eolus were ready for the fight.
Meygan didn't have the strength to change into her costume. So there she was, staring down Darkin with a glare that would've made Batman proud.
"Komos...time to die. Kill him and Rave...!" said the leader of the Scavenges.
Demona knew they needed help so she ran out of the gardens to get that help.
It didn't take long for Mona to find someone from the team or League, and they contacted EVERYONE and were to meet up at the garden. Mona was the first one back and saw what happened to the demi god. "LEAVE HIM ALONE." Mona screamed.
Before they arrived, Vincent tried to protect Meygan but she was taken out with a blast from a Scavenger. They moved in to take Archeron out.
Mona transformed into her demon form and leaped down to tackle Persuader.
One Scavenger grabbed the unconscious Meygan. Vincent had his bow knocked from him and he was hand to hand with the Scavengers but there were too got a punch in to the stomach and a blast clipped his shoulder. He punched the one that blasted him but a kick to his head had him spinning to his knees. Two Scavengers caught his arms and wrenched them back. The other 10 got in pot shots at him. He struggled to get free.
The dynamic trio (since Max decided to join them) arrived and saw what was going on, and Max was about to ask when Areina started to heat the air around her and took off for the Scavengers. Terry pulled out as many Batarangs as he had and was trying to get Persuader away from Eolus and Vincent. Max was new to the training to be as good as her friends, but she was no strangers to fighting...period. The second generation Batgirl went to help Areina as it was three on one for Persuader.
Darkin was forgotten in the midst of the battle. As he dragged an unconscious Meygan away from the fight, he grinned. He got away from a rampaging Rave in his own time, now in the past, he could kill her. He threw her into the wall, and held her there with his own dark vortex. "At last. The Legion of Doom is mine. I have ta thank you for it." He pried her mouth open and poured his dark powers into her mourn and down her throat to choke her to death.
"No!" Max pulled out her batarangs and threw them.
"Those won't work...hero." Darkin caught those Batarangs and threw them back. Two got Max, exploding upon impact.
She was knocked out.
Persuader was holding his own; then more Scavengers showed up.
Meygan was choking even more as Darkin continued to pour his shadow power into her throat; and that's when it happened...another time portal opened up.
Supergirl flew out, slamming into Darkin to get him away from Meygan.
Persuader got all three heroes off of him and turned to meet Brainiac 5's punch.
"Welcome back, Brainiac 5," Areina said as she continued to fight off the Scavengers
Mona took out 5 Scavengers as a cloaked being exited the portal. Two arrows caught a few Scavengers and foam-like goo exploded from within, locking them in place. "He prefers Brainy," said the cloaked figure.
His voice sounded very familiar...
"I know that voice." Areina said, having an ear for tones. The voice was deeper and sounded like her dad, but it wasn't him...it couldn't be. "There's no way."
Supergirl punched away at Darkin but it did little. He blasted her back into the heroes fighting Persuader as the Scavengers closed in on Areina and the cloaked being.
"We can take these guys, sis." The cloaked figure said.
Areina could tell that it was instinct to say something like that, and that's when she saw something in the way he fired his next arrow.
She punched out the next Scavenger. "Vincent?!"
"Damn bat training! I'm called Arrow in the 31st century." He launched an arrow up into the air. The flash arrow exploded, blinding the Scavengers.
"We'll discuss a few things later; right now, little brother, let's get these guys out of Watchtower."
The two siblings then worked harder to take them down.
Darkin would not be denied; as Eolus stood up, Darkin blasted him and sent the demi god into a wall. "You have to die, hero."
"I know you….Ebon. Meygan told me you were Static's big baddie. Well, you can't take me down."
"Surrender...or Rave dies." Persuader had his ax over Meygan's neck as she lay on her back, ready to slice her head off.
Areina stopped moving at the sight of the large axe at her cousin's neck. Sure Meygan was immortal now, but Areina didn't want to any of her family hurt; not after what they just went through. Soon enough she was punched in the face AND stomach...falling to the ground unconscious.
Two light energy orbs hit the pair of villains. They were thrown into a wall and away from Rave.
Terry saw Areina go down, so he made sure Archeron would be alright, and went to check on his partner in crime fighting.
Arrow smiled when a woman with wings came through the portal. "Nice job, Dawnstar. Brainy, let's round them up."
By then everyone showed up.
Arrow paused as he saw his parents.
Mona was breathing through her fangs, the need to kill still high in her mind.
Eolus carefully walked toward her. "Mona, it's ok, it's over. Relax, I won't hurt you."
"They will DIE; the ones that came after you."
"Mona..." He reached out to pull her into his arms, each movement measured. "I'm ok. I'm a demi god, remember."
The light Mona felt from his demi god-self had calmed her, as it always did, and she stopped moving, transforming back into her human self.
"That's my girl." He smiled; then he turned to the future heroes. "Why did I have to die?"
Mona growled.
"Because the 31st century was realigning itself with the death of Wally West." Brainy restrained the last Scavenger. "In it, you and Meygan died saving Watchtower. The Fatal Five wanted to keep it that way since the time line reset itself."
While Brainy had explained that, Arrow walked over to his sister. Being immortal sucked as he lost her centuries ago. She was starting to wake up, and when she saw Arrow, Areina smiled.
"What...what is my brother..." Areina was conscious and sitting up with help from Terry. "Doing...here….from the 31st century."
"Yeah. I want to know too." Archeron held his arm as he made his way to them.
"Wait...Mona said...only Meygan can make Vincent immortal. That's what happened." Terry said.
Arrow smirked at the second generation dark knight. "I wanted it, and Meygan said that was all she needed to hear."
"That's not all. Is it...little brother?" Meygan was sitting up, glaring at Brainiac 5. "I hacked Computo. I already knew."
Arrow was shocked.
Kara placed a hand on the Coluan's shoulder. "Tell them."
"When the LOD changed history, Brian West wasn't the only one comatose. Meygan was too. She was dying. I had to do something to save her."
"And thus, you put our younger selves on the team, making sure Arrow and Archeron never saw each other," Meygan added.
"This, I believe, is yours." Brainy handed Meygan back her Legionnaires Ring.
"It was pure fate that I didn't die when I unleashed, so I guess my cousin doesn't get it." She put the ring back on.
"Get what?" Areina asked.
"My spot in the Legion. I knew what Brainy was trying to do and I went any way."
Areina was awestruck, if Meygan had not gained her immortality early...then Areina herself would have been in the Legion. "You trusted me?"
"The boys in the Legion would have suffered from burns within a week. But it's over...we won, little brothers," Meygan said as she smiled. "Areina, you are a Greyson, but that's not the only thing that gained my trust in such a short time. You risked your life to save me from Stalker and Drow the first time, and you wouldn't attack me even to save your own life when the Legion had us captive. You earned more than my trust, you earned my respect. For only having known you for two years, that is saying something."
"Okay, the guys in the 31st century can't be that bad, I'll admit that one I attacked the last time we saw the Legion deserved it."
"Rokk deserves it anytime he opens his big mouth." Meygan smiled as the rest of the team watched. "Ok team, we got some bad guys to put in their places. So let's pack it...up..." Meygan doubled over. "I...don't...feel so good."
Brainy sighed. Seeing Meygan being held up by SBP...he hoped his master plan had worked out. "Well...we better get back to our own timelines."
"Let's go get Ian and we'll be on our way." Meygan looked over to Darkin. "I knew I missed one."
"How could you tell, you went supernova." Eric told one of the team's leaders.
Meygan merely shook her head.
The Justice League & the 1st gen team arrived in time to see the carnage…and the arrival of the Legion.
"I got him." Mathen said. He took a few steps and almost collapsed.
Orin and Olivia caught him. "I'll go. You still lost too much blood."
"Brainy...really? Do you always have to time travel?" asked an oddly familiar voice.
Everyone looked to Rave.
"That wasn't me." she declared.
"Oh c'mon, we Bats learn to throw our voices. It's like second nature." Eric, Robin IV said.
"This time Robin IV, it's not ventriloquism."
Now everyone was looking.
A dark vortex appeared and out came a second cloaked figure. A small, delicate hand flicked out of the cloak and the Scavengers were sucked into the vortex. Seconds after, Persuader was too.
"Nightwing..." Kara said in awe.
"Yes?" both Mathen & Dick said at the same time.
"Not you TWO!" she barked.
The 2nd cloaked being dropped the cloak.
Jaws dropped; Rave was speechless and Kevin whistled.
It was Meygan, but older, and taller.
If Nightwing I, Dick Grayson, thought his daughter's younger self legionnaire costume was revealing, he hadn't seen anything yet with his daughter from the 31st century.
"Meygan!" Dawnstar, Supergirl, Brainy and Arrow all rushed Nightwing, hugging her.
"Um, I missed you guys too...OW! Getting crushed here!" The older Meygan rubbed her left arm after the massive hug was done. "I was only in a coma for 8 months..."
"It worked," Brainy said.
"Of course it did, little brother." She folded her arms and Hector whistled happily.
Dick and Mathen finally had it with Hector's flirting ways.
"Blue Beetle IV, you're in for it now," Mathen said, trying to scream it at his teammate.
"Jaime, you better keep your son on a leash for a while," Dick said, a fire burning in his eyes.
"Please, Hector is just being a boy. You two are SO melodramatic, it never changes when I'm the subject," said Meygan. She turned to her younger self. "I know you want to ask."
"You're...we're really immortal?" Rave asked.
"We are. Grandpa Merlin wasn't joking about that."
Dick just realized what his 31st century daughter was wearing.
This older Meygan wore a black top that had a collar, and it ended just below her chest. Her left arm was bare but her right arm had a long sleeve that went to her wrist. She wore black short shorts that ended high on her upper thighs. Maroon leggings we're under those and vanished into knee high suede looking black boots. Around her waist was an utility belt, and under that, a layered maroon colored skirt that was high about the shorts and flowed long around her, ending around her knees in the back.
Her hair was long and strawberry blonde, but there were braids of maroon and lavender colors throughout her butt length hair. Large, disc like earrings covered her ears, only exposing the upper tips of each ear. A golden amulet hung from her neck and Nightwing II, Rave and Miracle recognized it: it was their mother's.
"You...you can't wear that!" Dick cried.
Reiena smacked Dick in the head. "She's grown. How are you planning to enforce that decree anyway?"
Meygan laughed. "Really dad? I'm a 1,000 years old. It more covered up than the corset." she teased.
Rave glared.
"We need to get back. SOMEONE left Lightning Lad in charge and he's asking for chili fries." She stared at Brainy.
"Already? Lightning Lad has a one track mind," Brainy groaned.
"No kidding, little brother." Meygan turned to open a 2nd portal.
"Wait!" Molly ran forward, stopping this version of her sister. "You...you outlive everyone?"
"I do." There was a sadness in her voice.
"Do me and Mathen become immortal?" Miracle asked.
"You two get the chance, but I can't say anymore. It can damage the timeline more."
"There are so many questions," Areina said.
Meygan sighed.
"This version of Meygan is right. As it is, I have much to repair," Kid Fate said.
"When you all get back, the timeline will be fully restored." She looked to Terry. His eyes were burning with the most important question."Your mother and brother are just fine, Terry." Against her better judgment, she walked to Terry and placed a hand on each of his shoulders. "Before I go...You ARE Batman. You aren't in his shadow. You aren't him. Be yourself Terry. You do the legacy well...and more." Meygan, the 31st century Nightwing, then walked away, entering the portal she made.
Brainy nodded as Supergirl and Dawnstar entered next. He soon followed.
Arrow looked to Areina. He lowered his hood and ran to her, hugging her for all he was worth. "I love you sis," he whispered to her. Then he let go of her and ran to the portal and it sealed itself shut.
No one said anything, but they all stared at Rave and that made her self-conscious.
"Guess we better go." Shock said.
"We forgot Ian," Brian said.
"I'll get him!" Vincent (Archeron) said, taking off to get their prisoner.
"I don't believe it; Serenity said pretty much that same thing to me back at Watchtower." Terry said.
"She was right; you don't have to be Grandpa's Batman; Sure, I'm Reiena's daughter, but I define her legacy in my own way. It's the same with you; you're Batman now, so he becomes what you define him to be."
Meygan's senses were going off. Something felt wrong. She looked around slowly, trying to pinpoint it.