An Apprentice's Future
By: Malaizjan De Jesus & 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.
Chapter 2
Music: Young Justice Theme Song from self-titled album
A blackish-gold time vortex appeared above the combatants and two people fell through it. Stalker/Slade leaped away and the two newcomers landed on either side of Flamebird.
Dick saw the pair. So did Batgirl. Where was the League!? No way they didn't know that their base was under attack.
The taller of the two wore a two-piece red leather costume (think Green Arrow's Smallville costume). The hood was pulled over his head and hid half his face. Sunglasses further hid his face. He wore protective arm guards that went from his middle fingertip to elbow. A few fingers from each hand was not covered.
The shorter one was hidden by a black cloak, the hood shaped as a raven. The shorter one was glowing a dark purple color. It was visible but faint. Then a pale hand reached out and undid the cloak.
It fell from the person.
Dick recognized her. His daughter.
She wore a dark purple sleeveless suit with a black raven over her chest. A black utility belt hung from her waist and black above-the-knee boots completed her outfit. A domino mask covered her eyes but Nightwing's symbol was over the top half of the mask. Her black and purple streaked hair was at her shoulders. From the cuffs of her gloves came two eskrima sticks. "So…killing Uncle Wally wasn't enough; you had to go after Red Bird's mom too?" She went into a fighting stance.
Reiena was coming to.
Dick and Barb knew that stance.
It was THEIR stance.
"Who are you!?" Batgirl demanded.
Aqualad was starting to come to.
Archeron freed his folded bow from a holder on his back. By releasing his bow, a flat quiver appeared under it, full of sleek, metallic arrows of various colors. "Stalker here, along with the Legion of Doom, is responsible for killing Wally West, who's our Flash. We're here to fix it."
Artemis was already awake as she got up, bow out and arrow cocked to fire. "How." A simple word, meant as a question, laced with anger.
"They created the 21st Reach device and placed it in Antarctica." Rave glared at the villain.
"It targeted our Flash specifically, to slow him down so the kinetic energy would hit him and kill him," Archeron added.
Stalker/Slade clapped sarcastically. "Rave and Archeron are such clever little kids. Nightwing should have NEVER sent you two after me. We've already won. Just surrender."
"SCREW YOU!" they said at the same time, Rave throwing a Wing Ding at Stalker's head.
Stalker/Slade leaped up, firing his odd weapon at the pair. Archeron launched an arrow.
Reiena got out of the way as the others came to.
Rave dodged everything and leaped into the air, firing off dark energy blasts at Stalker.
Stalker pulled out his short blades to cut her as she came down but she twisted her body to avoid the sharp weapons and the two went at it.
Archeron had his bow ready and aimed an arrow at the pair. He waited for an opening.
Reiena was conscious but with a broken hand, she was limited. But Dick didn't sit still- he jumped in to help. The father-future daughter pair were slightly off in their attack, but you'd have to be Batman to see it. Stalker/Slade did and he was all over that.
The villain kicked Nightwing in the gut and dodged Flamebird's fireball. Rave got in a lucky shot and he fell back just as Archeron fired his arrow.
But the villain from the future dodged the arrow and arched his back to do a back flip and he aimed his odd gun at Nightwing as soon as he was right-side up. He fired.
"DAD!" Rave pushed her future dad out of the way and the long bullet hit her arm in the long bicep tendon (located right above the armpit where the body and arm meet). She screamed as she was then shocked. The currents were visible as she fell to the floor, withering in agony.
Stalker/Slade grinned.
Archeron ran up to Stalker and began to fight him hand-to-hand. He was pretty good, handling Stalker with some ease. He then leaped up and fired another arrow, this one catching the villain in a steel mesh net. Stalker went down. "Rave!" He ran over to Meygan to try and help her. He masked the fact that he felt her pain.
Aqualad went over to the villain as he was trying to get up and punched him in the face, knocking him out.
Reiena and Dick were at Rave's side. Rave's eyes rolled as the currents from the bullet ripped through her prone body, the intensity increasing. The hole the bullet made bled freely.
Not wasting any time, Archeron ran over to Stalker and picked up the gun he dropped. Vincent looked it over. He found the switch and flipped it.
Rave stopped seizing, the currents gone from her body just as the twin protégés of Batman stopped the bleeding. Rave panted, her eyes closed.
"What is going on here!?" Robin wanted to know.
"We need your help," Vincent said to the gathered group.
The team looked ready to attack him.
"Wait! It's me!" Vincent looked to Dick and Reiena and lowered his hood.
"Vincent?" Dick said. He looked to the unconscious villain. "What's going on? Why are you back?"
"Back?" Kaldur echoed.
"Yeah. These two we met a year ago," Reiena explained.
"He's called Time Stalker," Vincent explained, pointing to the downed villain. "He came to the past to kill Flamebird, you and my dad."
"Nightwing?" Conner asked. This kid's story sounded crazy to him.
"They're on our side," Dick assured Conner.
Batgirl wasn't so sure.
Vincent grinned. He might as well have fun with this mission. "Hi, Uncle Conner."
Conner's jaw dropped. Uncle? Him, an uncle!?
"Rave and I need your help, Nightwing. He and the Legion of Doom took out Uncle Wally in our time. They replicated a Reach device and planted it here to change our history. We're here to bring him back."
"He's dead," replied Artemis flatly.
"No. They goofed. He's trapped. And Rave can get him out," Vincent said.
"The Legion of Doom is still active?" The deep voice of Batman startled them, even Vincent.
The Justice League members decided to show up now.
"Damn, you're intimidating. I thought it was old age that did that," Vincent said to the Dark Knight.
Dick chuckled as Batman glared the young archer down.
"And yeah. Stalker reformed it. They even broke Deathstroke out of prison to complete their team. They got 89% of the Earth. They killed heroes, captured some. Our team and our parents and families are trapped in Watchtower. It's only a matter of time before they set their sights on us."
"Vincent, let's throw Stalker into a cell and get Rave and Flamebird to the Med Bay. Then you can tell us everything," Dick told him.
The Conference Room.
It was the same as in the future. Nothing changed in that room in all that time.
Vincent felt like he just got caught stealing Areina's bras. The Justice League…these legends stared at him and that was intimidating.
But he didn't see his dad. He knew he dad was a League member, the first protégé to do so. But he stayed calm.
"Ok Vincent…how is my kid going to save Wally?"
"Your kid?" Superman asked. He didn't trust these kids.
"Yeah." Young Dick was feeling like no one believed him.
Vincent smiled. He knew that tone of Nightwing's well. He was getting annoyed. Being trained by him gave him insight on the League and they didn't even know it.
"OF course they don't believe you, dad. I am short and I have purple hair." Meygan appeared from a sudden black vortex of cold air, healed and ready to fight.
That startled everyone.
Vincent chuckled. His bond sister liked making an entrance.
"Besides, Great Uncle Superman always doubted me. Had something to do with that first training simulation…"
Clark's jaw dropped. "I don't even know you."
Rave looked to Batman for help.
"They are who they say they are. Rave is Nightwing's daughter and Archeron is Red Arrow's son." That statement spoke to the League. To know that Batman knew these two and that they were telling the truth was enough for them. But they didn't have to like it.
"Where's my daughter?" Flamebird asked.
There were plenty of stares from the heroes and protégés.
"In our time, fighting to keep the LOD from winning. Alpha and Beta Squads are holding down the tower," Vincent explained.
"Perhaps I can clear the air by reading your minds," Martian Manhunter suggested.
Rave and Archeron stared at each other. They nodded seconds later, which earned a stare from the legendary Martian. "Just mine. No one goes near his mind." Her voice was low, menacing and it sounded like it was in stereo.
The Green Lanterns had concern on their faces.
J'onn focused on Meygan's mind as he entered it.
Martian Manhunter was not prepared for what he saw: The struggles, the battles, the good times she had with the children of the proteges. He even saw his own niece have children of her own and that Meygan was in love with the oldest child. But there was another presence within the girl and one memory that was closed off from him.
When the Martian tried to see it, he heard, "This is off limits, Martian. Meygan said I could block this memory from you. Back off or I'll make you leave." It was followed by a growl.
Respecting the other presence, Martian Manhunter left Rave's mind. "It is true. They have the means to rescue Wally."
"This is so not crash. He's dead. He faded away," said Bart.
"The LOD goofed. He's trapped in the Speed Force," Vincent told them. "And Rave can get him out."
Artemis had tears in her eyes. "But…are you a speedster?"
"No, but I traveled in it before with Uncle Wally," Rave said. "And I've done it before," she added, lying.
Vincent and Meygan shared a quick stare and Batman caught it. He knew that she lied about the last part. He didn't like that.
"With these, I can get there and pull him out." Rave held her arms up so they all could see the thick, black metal bracelets on her wrists.
"Ελπίδα βρίσκεται μαζί σας. (Hope lies with you.)," Cassie read what was etched on those bracelets for it was in Greek.
"Huh?" said Conner.
Cassie told them what the words were.
"Komos etched those words for me," Rave said. "He's pretty good at that."
"He?" Wonder Woman asked.
"He's an Amazonian jokester, yeah," Rave said.
The Hawks and Cassie stared at Diana in surprise. A Male Amazon?
Vincent chuckled.
"But, why only you two?" M'gann asked.
" 'Cause we're Omega Squad," Vincent told her, as if she knew.
Meygan shook her head. "They don't know, little brother," Rave told him.
"If you want the dangerous stuff done, you call in Omega Squad. We're the only 2 members, so don't ask." Vincent folded his arms and smirked.
Green Arrow was shaking his head. The kid was SO Roy's son.
And that smirk? Everyone knew it.
It was Nightwing's smirk.
The Hawks stared at the archer. He was rather confident. For a child.
"And how many are there on this new team?" Batgirl asked.
"18," Meygan answered. "Archeron and I are Omega Squad. Alpha Squad is Nightwing II, Aqualad II, Kid Flash II, Batman, Red Bird, SBP, Syfon, Static II and Kid Fate. Beta Squad is Miracle, Airhawk, Eclipse, Robin IV, Siren, Komos and Blue Beetle IV."
Jaws dropped.
"Wait. SBP?" Conner asked.
Both teens from the future stared at each other. "SBP stands for Superboy Prime," Meygan answered.
"He's half Martian, half Kryptonian," Vincent added.
Both M'gann and Conner flushed.
Clark and J'onn looked ready to throttle the pair.
"Wait. Who's the youngest?" Tim, the 3rd Robin asked.
"Airhawk and Eclipse. They're 10," Vincent answered.
"Wait, KIDS are really on this team!?" cried Black Canary.
"Beta Squad are reserve members or people who just joined the team," Meygan explained. "Miracle is 11, and she's my baby sister."
Dick's eyes widened. He couldn't believe it. He had more than one kid?!
"Yeah, Robin IV is 12. Static is 13 and Syfon is 14," Vincent continued.
"Hold up. Batman is on Alpha Squad?" Artemis asked.
"Yeah. Duh, the original had to retire. Goodness, did you guys really think Batman would be Batman until he died?!" Meygan asked sarcastically.
"Um…yeah," said Roy, just entering the conference room. "I just got Icicle Senior in jail…" His eyes met Vincent's.
"DAD!" Vincent ran to him and hugged him. He didn't care how it looked.
Roy wasn't prepared for it and almost got knocked off his feet. He didn't know how to take the hug.
Meygan looked ready to cry. Dick and Reiena saw it. They knew something bad happened to Roy, for his own son to react like that. "We need…to get started. I can do this by myself. You go ahead, Archeron."
Vincent looked bad at Meygan. 'You're the best, sis.'
'I know.'
Martian Manhunter eyed the small girl. "You and him can communicate mentally."
Meygan was surprised. But then again, she knew of the legendary Martian Manhunter. "Yeah. I have…powers. So I can do things that shock our parents and teammates every day. I'm still training with Raven. So I'm still her protégé for another year. Then I go to Superman."
Clark stared at her. "I have to train you?"
"Yeah, on how to fly at high velocities. I'm…still having trouble," she admitted.
Back in the future, at the LOD headquarters holding cell…
Cyborg was still messing with his collar, trying to unlock it. Although he'd been upgraded to keep up with the changing technology, he still couldn't bypass inhibitor collars.
"Give it up, Cy," said Best Boy. Gar had grown up into his own hero and with Cyborg, formed a separate hero group called The Titans. Some of their members were also captured, and as well as a few part timers. But some of the Titans were still free. Like the Spoiler. She and her daughter, Lila, were still out there in the world, trying to save the planet. By themselves, by the looks of it.
Starfire, a fellow member of the Titans, stared at Raven, who hung from the far wall in a dark energy webbing, which immobilized the half demoness. "We must help her."
"If you have any ideas, I'm all for it," said Star Girl. She retired over 20 years ago but she picked up the staff again when the Slade Bots invaded. She was just outnumbered.
"I got one. Knock out the next villain that shows up," said Osiris. He hated being in a cell. IT grated him like nothing else.
"At least some of the heroes are at Watchtower, looking after the kids," said Bart.
"My son better not be," Cassie glared at Impulse.
"The Bat Cave was overrun," Bart told the former Wonder Girl. "He's at Watchtower."
"I don't want my son anywhere near Nightwing!" Cassie said darkly. "After that whole fiasco with the Reach and Light, how could anyone trust him!"
"He re-earned my trust and the trust of so many," Cyborg told her.
"Cass, let it go. Amazons can't hold such grudges forever," Donna Troy told her fellow Amazon. She was also a member of the Titans too.
"YOU don't get to tell me how I should act! You all wouldn't allow my son on Themyscira!" Cassie was upset at that event. It wasn't her fault she had a son!
"The law was put in place for a reason," Donna said sadly. "That didn't mean we all agreed with it."
"I don't need any of you!" Cassie told Donna. "I raise my son as an Amazon. That's all that matters to me." Cassie folded her arms.
"Cass-"
"You two need to shut up," Rip Hunter told them. Rip was from the same time frame as Booster Gold, and a time traveling hero in his own right. But Rip had a secret of his own: he was Booster's son. Not even Booster knew that.
Meanwhile, in the torture chamber that Drow set up…
Rose Wilson, aka Ravenger, was strapped to a bloddy table, unable to move as Drow had his fun cutting her. She already had her fingers broken in both hands and she watched him dangle a blade in and out of her line of sight. She had heard of this sick villain and she knew she was in for a long night.
"Drow, I need to have a talk with our guest."
Drow, Carter Dent, saw Deathstroke/Ian in the doorway. "Sure." He dropped his knife on the tray and left the room.
As soon as Drow left, Deathstroke/Ian came into her line of vision, since she could barely move her head since it was strapped down to the table.
"I wanted to offer you a place in the LOD."
"You're not my father. Who are you?" Rose asked.
"Ian."
"Montgomery's GRANDSON!?" Rose couldn't believe it. "Why?" she asked.
"I have my reason for acting like Slade."
"You don't know!?" Rose gave a sarcastic laugh. "My father let your grandfather rot in prison!"
"A fact I know ALL too well."
That paused Rose.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve for your father. I thought you'd like a better fate. I can't control Drow when he wants his fun."
"I have to decline."
Ian sighed. "Very well." He walked out of the room.
Drow came in all happy. He grinned at her.
She was nervous but she defiantly stared Drow down.
Minutes later, there was a scream from Rose that echoed throughout the building.
All of the captured heroes heard her.
And they were worried.