Chapter 13:

Dick was coming home to his apartment after a long night in Bludhaven. He had been putting his all into work since the Reach invasion. He had entered the cop academy and was training to become a Bludhaven Cop. At night he took the streets as Nightwing, protecting the people of Bludhaven, doing drug busts, stopping gang fights and any other forms of violence.

In his free time he looked for Wally. He refused to believe the speedster was dead. From what Jaime said about the scarab's information on Wally "ceasing" and Barry's recount on Wally's "death" it seemed that it was possible Wally was still alive. Cease didn't necessarily die and Wally couldn't just evaporate into thin air. Matter can only be changed not made or destroyed. Wally was still alive somehow, somewhere and Dick would find him.

He had gone to Antarctica several times to investigate, see if he could find any thing. There was no trace of Wally but there were traces of Zeta beams and Boom tubes in the air. The pessimistic side of him told him it was just the traces of the reach technology but he kept the hope it was something else. He had gone to the Watchtower yesterday to report his findings to Batman and Adam Strange but they told him it was not likely anything.

"Nightwing report to Watchtower: Emergency," came the voice of Bruce from his comm.

"Bats I'm just coming in from patrol and I just saw you yesterday. You can't possibly have become more paranoid to need to check up on me every 24 hours."

"As much as I've missed your sarcastic banter," Bruce stated dryly, "you really should get here. There is something you need to hear."

"Fine. Heading to the nearest Zeta now."

The nearest Zeta tube happened to be under his apartment building. Bruce owned the building and had insisted on building a basement for Nightwing to use as his base. Dick loved it, it reminded him of the Batcave but it was his own space not Bruce's. Pulling back on his suit and sticking the domino mask back on his face he walked through the zeta tube.

Nightwing Designation B01

The Zeta tube whirred and the light flashed behind him as he entered the watchtower. Batman was there waiting for him along with Adam Strange and a hero he had never personally met but recognized from Bruce's files, Vibe. He immediately realized what was going on.

"You've found something. I was right wasn't I? He's not dead."

"Lets talk about this somewhere private," Batman said leading them into an unused meeting room and closing the door behind them. As soon as he did Nightwing whirled around and started questioning Vibe.

"You saw something. Is he alive? Does he remember where he is? Is he in the past? The future? Is he-" Nightwing quieted under a warning look from Batman.

"Nightwing calm down. I know you're anxious but this isn't professional," in Bat language that meant Please Dick, You've worked yourself to death. I'm worried about you. As much as I would like Wally to be alive for you… for Barry… for Artemis… for the whole team…. We need to be prepared for the worst.

"I came up to the Watchtower to access some information from the League's database. While I was up here something happened. It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it but I'll try in the simplest terms. My "visions" take me to alternate timelines, or alternate dimensions, or even here in this world in the past, present or future. When that happens it can be an out of body experience, or I can inhabit another version of myself's body for one second."

"Why are you explaining this?" Nightwing was becoming impatient.

Batman put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "Just listen."

"I think a Vibe, an alternate version of myself from another dimension, inhabited my body from a minute. He left a message," Vibe explained taking off his glove and raising his hand.

"Another dimension? I understand time travel. Impulse, I mean Kid Flash is from the future, but have we ever had an experience with people from other dimensions?" Adam Strange asked excitedly.

"Yes," the Bat and his son answered.

"The good thing is he's alive. We just need to find a way to get him home. I've been feeling a pull and think I can find a way to communicate with this other dimension," Vibe said.

"Good. The next step would be to let everyone in on the plan. I promised, no more unnecessary secrets," Nightwing crossed his arms and looked at Batman expecting to see a disappointed frown. Instead he was given a barely noticeable proud smirk. I'm proud of Dick, Bruce was thinking, I never wanted him to become me. I have to many secrets, I'm too blocked off. I promised he would have a normal life, a happy childhood. Despite so many tragedies, he's still so happy. He almost became me…. He almost cracked, but he didn't. My little bird has become his own hero. One not ruled by sadness and the need for revenge.

Encouraged by Batman's pride in him Nightwing continued, "I'm going to call Artemis and the West-Allen clan. Then we call an emergency meeting for the team and the League."

"Agreed," Batman said, "Vibe, get to work on communicating with the Vibe who left the message. We're bringing Kid Flash home."