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.

Chapter 12

Music Playing: Justice League Theme Song

After Martian Manhunter had repaired the psychic damage caused by Strife in Areina's mind, Meygan called a team meeting in the Infirmary. She waited on Vincent and Brian, who had been pigging out in the cafeteria. But they got there after 5 minutes, Brian carrying a huge foot long sub.

"Meyg?" Olivia sat on the edge of Shock's bed, who was awake and healing pretty good. So was Syfon. But Andrew was still in pain but Molly repaired his wings, the feathers were already grown back and they were still very sore.

"Ok. We had a hitch-hiker. Strife was inside Areina."

There were several gasps.

"So the LOD is still screwing with us?" Brian asked when his mouth was clear.

"Yeah. Looks like it." Meygan stood against the wall, arms folded. "We're nowhere near ready to go back. But I know some of us want to get back. Thing is...I want us at the top of our game in order to take back Watchtower. Brian was right when he told me that Vincent and I had done it before, when there was a couple hundred. But now, we're looking at 10,000 bots as well as the bad guys and their lackeys."

"Can't we ask the Justice League for help?" Virgil Jr. asked Meygan. "I mean, some of us are going to need back up verses others."

"I know the timeline is screwed up as it is. We are on the clock also. We got...Hey Billy, what's the timer down to?"

Billy used Backpack's onboard comp to get the answer. "19 hours and 12 minutes."

"Okay. We got 19 hours to heal up and get back to fix this before the LOD officially wins."

"And what about the JLU?" Luna asked. "Great Uncle Clark and the others will be coming back unless the Red Lanterns are giving issues on Oa still."

"That's the other issue. Kid Fate told me he sent a distress call out to Oa for the JLU to return immediately. If the LOD aren't out of Watchtower by the time they return, they are sitting ducks," Meygan explained.

There was quiet among the remaining members of the team.

"Then...we all can't go back," Eolus said. "Some of us, the ones not healed 100%, stay behind."

"BULLSHIT!" Andrew looked pissed off at that notion. "I'm not staying behind!"

"Neither are we!" cried Virgil Jr. and Billy.

"Crap," Meygan said under her breath. This wasn't going as she had hoped.

"Where is Kid Fate?" Vincent asked.

"Keeping guard. He can hear us, you know." Rave grinned. "I didn't want the League nor our parents listening in or interrupting."

"Meyg..." Terry was thinking. "Maybe we should ask for help. From the League. I mean, we're so out-numbered."

"I know. That's why we would need to free our parents and the older heroes. That's the only way we're going to win."

"That's not going to work if we're fighting lackeys," he told her.

"We can do this. The rest of our team is depending on us to pull off a miracle. No offense, sis."

Molly was thinking about something. "What...Mey-Mey...Can you unleash yourself? Like, let go and cut loose on the LOD? "

Meygan sighed. "Not without Aunt Raven there to keep me in check. It's not something I would risk doing."

"Unleash?" Eolus asked.

"There's...a much darker power within me, one that I share with Aunt Raven. That power comes from her father, Trigon. If I cut loose, I can destroy the universe with one blow. It's not something I want to do without her," Meygan explained.

"Can't Mona help?" he asked.

"She can but if I let go all at once, and not slowly build up to unleashing, I can still destroy the universe." Meygan looked irratated at how the meeting was going. "That option is off the table."

"I can make something that could help, Meygan," Syfon offered.

"No Billy. Messing with these dark powers isn't a joking matter."

"Neither was my offer. Let me come up with something. Then test it."

"NO WAY!" Meygan said, making her response the end of that topic.

"Wait...Meygan, why not? It's all or nothing," Luna said. "We can't let them win. Why not risk everything?"

"And kill everyone!? No Luna. Even I won't do that, not even to win."

"You know...when I was growing up, I heard the stories about the original Batman. We all did. And how the adult heroes thought that you were just like the original Dark Knight. No offense, Terry," said Andrew. "You know, after your accident. I always thought that way about you...You kinda DO act like him. He would risk it all just to win. Why can't you?"

Meygan was getting mad. She could feel her temper rise with her anger. "I. Am. Nothing. Like. Him. And I will never be." She then turned to leave the Infirmary. She was going to blow. And she knew it. 'How did I get compared to him!? I'm nothing like Grandpa!' She walked out.

"Guys, you're wrong about Meygan. Uncle Dick told me something that I swore I would never tell unless something like this EVER happened." Areina said as she got off the bed.

"What could you say that we don't know about the batfamily already?" Andrew remarked.

"Do any of you know about the failed mental training exercise?" Areina asked and she got nods from Molly, Luna, Vincent, Kevin and Meygan. It seems that the others had never heard of it.

"When the team was just starting, they did a mental training exercise that was, even though our parents didn't know, set to worsen as they solve the latest problem. After Artemis 'died' in the simulation, M'gann's mind took over and they all thought it was real. When they finally came out of the simulation, everyone was traumatized, even Uncle Dick." Areina told her team.

"Where was your mom, from what I know she wasn't in the simulation?" Olivia asked. She had learned about the original team from Mathen.

"She had not been involved with the team at this point, she WAS a member of the originals but only because she was Dick's twin. Anyway, they all had therapy sessions and Uncle Dick told Black Canary that he didn't want to be THE Batman anymore because he did what Grandpa did, sacrificed EVERYTHING for a mission within the training simulation. Uncle Dick was never like that…well except for during the Reach Invasion." Areina said.

"But he DID become like Grandpa." Molly stated.

"He regretted doing it, Molly; he told me that he every time something happened, like when La'gaan was captured or after finding out what M'gann did to Kaldur, he wanted to tell, he even told La'gaan and Conner about it, but with the others it ate him up inside to keep the secret. Think about when Cassie was yelling at Eolus when she came to Watchtower…..He said he never did anything like that after the Reach was kicked off the planet, and I believe him. Meygan's wrestling with similar demons…. metaphorically. She's not going to risk her friends and family for the sake of a mission, and you have to have faith that we WILL win this war." Areina finished as she thought over what her uncle had told her AND what just happened.

This got the team to thinking about what just happened, and Areina left them alone to talk while she looked for her cousin. She had no idea that Meygan could do such a thing. What else could she do that she wasn't telling anyone about?

John Stewart came into the Infirmary to check on the injured kids. But he noticed that the one with wings-the one that said he was a ¼ Thanagarian-was staring at him.

Andrew couldn't help but continue to stare at his grandfather. The stories of John Stewert have been told all around him, and Andrew knew he had to talk to his father about the one thing he was left that no one else knew about.

"Umm, John; can we talk...alone."

The Green Lantern, John, stared at the young boy with wings. "Um, sure, but what about?"

"I'd rather wait till we're away from the others."

Andrew then walked from the others and John followed, catching Hal's eye as they left the Infirmary. Andrew was careful not to let his wings hit the sides of the hallway. They were still pretty sore. Andrew found a secluded spot far from the others but he knew telling his grandfather about himself was a risk. "I'm Andrew. They call me Airhawk." The 10 year old then took off his helmet. He kept it on while they-Hawkman, Hawkwoman and Molly worked on him.

"You're my grandson, aren't you?"

"Y...yeah." He didn't think it was going to be this easy.

"I met your father, Rex before."

Andrew was shocked, and it showed on his face.

"It's ok. I hate time travel. But this...meeting him and now you, I don't mind."

"Grandpa, you don't know what it means to talk to you right now; I have so many questions."

"I do as well...Andrew was it?" John stated.

"You ask first."

"If Hawkwoman is your grandmother, what happens to her spouse, Hawkman?"

"According to history, Hawkman died protecting her against rouge Thanagarians; and it wasn't but about a year after that you and she started dating, and the rest is history. Dad may not have gotten real wings, but they passed to me," Andrew answered.

"Did I...make her happy?" John asked. He would hate himself if he was just a rebound.

"Grandma said you were the best. She loved you so much. She's still alive. She told me stories about you. You died when I was four so my memories are hazy."

John was happy about this, but he saw the questions burning in his grandson's eyes. "Alright, now what are your questions?"

"There is something you gave me before you die, and I have to know...how will I know when the right time to use the ring is?"

John was shocked. He gave a child his ring!?

"I was to protect it until it found your replacement." Andrew reached into his pants, and pulled it out. It still glowed. "Dad chose to be a Thanagarian warrior. And I...I'm not sure yet."

John sympathized with him. There was a reason the ring hadn't left Andrew. "Your heart knows when it's right." He didn't want to tell Andrew that the ring already chose him.

"Heard from dad that you were incredible as a GL; mind if I see just how good you are?" Andrew asked, a grin on his face.

"Alright, but we better get Hal in here too."

Andrew was curious about why his grandfather wanted Hal in on the showcase as well; but he didn't care, he was going to see his grandfather, THE John Stewart in action.

Olivia Lance went to the detention area after leaving the Infirmary. She saw her dad's black eye. She wanted to speak her mind. She couldn't believe that this Stalker guy was still causing grief from behind bars! She stared at Ian's backside. Her arms were folded, waiting.

"You know...few people can sneak up on me like that." Ian/Slade rolled over to his feet and stood up. "The infamous Siren. Gonna make me talk with your song.?"

"Hardly." She glared at Stalker.

"Like your fathers black eye? I heard it was nice."

"Maybe you'd like one," she said with false bravado. How did he know she was Green Arrow's kid!?

"Once Deathstroke is done with Red Arrow's son, he'll come for you."

"Why? What's his issue with archers?"

"Slade had plans to blow up the president's motorcade. Green Arrow, Red Arrow, Arsenal and Tigress stopped him and saved the president. That event got him arrested. Deathstroke vowed revenge."

"And that's it? They're dead because he got arrested?" She found that hard to believe.

"Look at who remains. You and Archeron. And he will kill you both..." Stalker/Deathstroke walked to the static field, just shy of hitting it. "He will kill you both slowly, intimately...until you beg for mercy. Then...your mothers will weep as each of you gets a bullet in the head!"

Siren had tears in her eyes. "He's a monster." Her voice was a hard whisper.

"He's not the only one. My Legion of Doom will come. Did you children think running to the past would somehow protect you!? They will come, and all of you...are dead. Every. Single. One. Of. You. Children." Ian/Slade laughed manically, even as Siren ran off, upset at the news.

Areina was looking for her cousin when she ran into her mother.

When Reiena saw her daughter again, she couldn't help but cry a few tears. "Honey, you're different than when we saw you a month ago," Reiena remarked.

"Well, I don't know if my half-brother opened his big mouth, but I'm engaged." Areina said, seeing the tears in her mother's eyes.

"He said that you and Kaldur's son…..mated." Reiena said, not knowing how else to say it.

"Yea….he was going through something and after a mission in Atlantis; I knew we were meant to be," Areina said, a blush coming over her face.

"What do you mean; there's no way you can survive at those depths!" Reiena said; astonished at what her daughter just told her.

"It's thanks to the person Uncle Dick marries. I don't know if I should say anymore."

"It's that sorceress; isn't it?" Reiena said, having met the woman just one day after meeting Areina. And she was suspicious of that woman.

"I won't say much more, but yes; she has connections to Merlin the Magnificent from King Arthur's time. He sent me a charm that allows me to breath underwater. I went with Kaldur and Orin'ahm to save King Orin and Atlantis after Uncle Wally was ripped from our timeline," Areina told her.

"And my son? He treats you well?" Kaldur'ahm came into the room. "I did not mean to interrupt," he added when Areina seemed shocked that he was there.

Areina blushed. "Yes, Kaldur'ahm, he does. It's alright that you interrupted; you're curious about your future. Orin'ahm protects me, and even when we're not together, I feel that that's a connection, and not just from Luna's mental link." Areina said; a bit of a giggle, but she was worried about her fiancé.

"The mating heat must have been hard on him." Kaldur remarked. "It's…hard on me as well."

"I was a little scared at first, but after some time, and, as I was telling mom, a mission we went on in Atlantis; I knew we were meant to be together." Areina said.

"We Atlanteans are very protective of those we feel to be our soulmates. I'm sure that Merlin's gift to you helped while you were in Atlantis," Kaldur said, having heard the last thing Areina told her mother before he entered the room.

"It did; Merlin thought of everything after meeting me while he was time traveling. I can breathe underwater; speak and understand Atlantean fluently; and, this is the best part, my fire power worked as well. I wanted to get back at Manta for hurting Orin'ahm, but everything worked out just fine," Areina said; her thoughts of the underwater mission to Atlantis still fresh in her mind.

"So brave, and yet I can't help but miss you even more," Reiena said.

"I see now why Uncle Dick and the original Team are so close of a family. You guys went through a lot together."

"Looks like lately that you and your team have become as close as we have become." Reiena said.

Reiena was rather proud of her daughter; her and this Atlantean fiancé were a gift. Areina saw the look in her mother's eyes; and all of a sudden, she broke down at the thought of her soul mate being captured by the very people that destroyed their timeline.

Reiena caught her future daughter before she hit the ground crying and hugged her. "It's alright honey; I'm sure Meygan will find some way to save them, she's your team's leader that's here, so just trust in her." Reiena said.

The one thing that was not expected as Kaldur joined in the hug. Areina was shocked, the first Atlantean ever on the team didn't know her for very long, but then she realized that Kaldur would love her anyway, as she was becoming his daughter in law. "Your mother is correct; Meygan seems powerful, and I know that she will come up with something that you and your team can do to save everyone that was captured."

Areina wasn't crying a hard by now; and she knew that the two heroes from the past were right. "Thanks mom; thanks Uncle Kaldur."

"Why don't you and I go work with our fire powers. I'm curious to see what you can do….even without me having been there to train you." Reiena said as she and Kaldur released Areina.

"Alright, maybe you can help me get the hang of heating the air around me faster so I can fly sooner." Areina said as she wiped her eyes then smiled. "But I need to find Meygan after. She shouldn't be alone right now."

Reiena nodded, and so the two fire controllers headed to a quiet place.

Kaldur knew he needed to speak to Meygan. She needed another leader's guidance right now.

Batman had listened in on the meeting itself. Now he understood why Vincent made those comments earlier. His reputation as the Dark Knight had scared the kids. Meygan needed to talk to him. He got up from his chair to go find her. Because if their computer techie was right; the future team was out of time.

***Oh boy. Ian is stirring up trouble from his cell. Who can put him in his place? And what does Batman have to say to Meygan? What will Kaldur say to her? Stay tuned to more! ***