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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 0:27:48 GMT -5
Legacies
Chapter 2: Fast Forward Written by Dan Johnson Cover by: Borize Edited by: ArtTeach
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 0:29:07 GMT -5
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 0:29:52 GMT -5
“In between birth and death, you have a time to emit light so you leave behind a legacy.“ - Harbhajan Singh Yogi
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 0:33:34 GMT -5
[July 4, 2010]
I push down on the pedal, but even as I bury the needle on the speedometer it still feels like my world is moving in slow motion. I just hope I'm not too late to catch Bruce.
Tim speeds down the roads of Gotham, seamlessly weaving through traffic. He ignores the trail of blaring horns that follow him as he recklessly cuts in front of cars. Their opinions don't matter to him, he has one thing on his mind.
I drive on for what seems like hours until I finally reach the gigantic Wayne Manor. I could still navigate the grounds with my eyes closed, yet everything just looks so...different. It's been 5 years since I stood outside these gates, but there's no time for me to reminisce, people are dying in Keystone.
He approaches the door and rings the doorbell. Within seconds, the door is opened and he meets the kind old butler with a sense of urgency. “Can't talk now Alfred, I need to see Bruce.” Tim brushes past the dumbfounded butler, speeding towards the old grandfather clock leading to the Batcave. “...Very well Master Timothy.”
Deep within the caverns underneath Wayne Manor, billionaire Bruce Wayne frantically types on the keyboard of his super computer. He stares at the screens that are emitting light throughout the darkness of the cave; different television programs showing the strange ball of energy devouring metahumans as well as Keystone residents by the hundreds on one screen, and various case files on the other. “It doesn't make sense. This doesn't match any known super villain's powers.” He strokes his dark gray stubble, coming to a halt when he notices someone walk down the steps. “Alfred I told you, I don't have time for...” “Hey Bruce.” Bruce is rendered speechless at the sight of his former sidekick, only to be interrupted by his computer screen flashing a message from multiple distress calls from Justice League members. “I don't have time. I...I can't do this right now.” “I know, I came to help. There must be one of Dick's old Nightwing costumes around here that fits me.” “Damn it.” Bruce mutters to himself as he stands up from his chair, throwing folders onto the floor while doing so. “I told you five years ago that this was too dangerous. You're not going to throw away your future for...” “This isn't about my future, this is about the lives of everyone in Keystone! I've seen the news, the body count is in the hundreds, and plenty of those deaths belong to heroes.” “That's exactly why you and your friends need to stay here! Someone needs to be around for when we aren't!” Tim stands there in silence as he begins to piece together the mystery that had plagued his mind for the past five years. “Tim...” he pauses, as if he is letting a load off of his shoulders that had been there for years, “...we didn't fire you because we thought you couldn't do the job. We did it because you are needed for the future, a future without us.” He starts pacing back and forth next to the computer. “We knew this day would come, the day that our generation of heroes would be unable to stop a crisis and...” “Bruce don't talk like that.”
What does he mean by that? We're going to stop this thing, I know we will. I might need to step up someday but...the Justice League is going to stop this thing. I have plenty of time to prepare for the future.
“Just hear me out. We needed to be sure that you would be around when it happened. We needed you kids to carry on our legacy of saving those who are unable to save themselves.” He reaches out and lays his hand on Tim's shoulder. “The fact that you've been fighting crime even after I forbade you, it shows me just how dedicated to helping people you really are.” “I...I don't know what to say.” “Just tell me that you will help lead the new generation of heroes in the right direction.”
The way he's talking, this could really be the end, couldn't it? I glance over at the computer screen and see all of the heroes being slaughtered by new waves of energy appearing all over the city. Batman could die today....so many already have. I...
Tim looks down towards the ground, then shifts his head up, confidently looking Bruce in the eyes. “You can count on me Bruce. I'll try to make you proud.” Bruce extends his arms out and wraps them around Tim. “You already have Tim. You and Dick already have.” “Wait.” Tim pushes away from Bruce. “What about Dick? There's no way I'm more deserving than him to take on this responsibility.” “Dick is his own man now, and I trust him to make his own decisions. Knowing Dick, he's already in Keystone.” Bruce lets off an approving smile. “One more thing.” Bruce reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope. “What's this?” Tim cautiously takes the envelope and looks at his name written in cursive on the front. “Each of you will get one.”
Each of us...this is really happening.
Before Bruce is able to explain the mysterious letter, a blue and red blur passes in front of them. “Bruce, we need you out there.” Even in the face of a crisis, Superman stands confident next to Bruce. “We still don't know what we're dealing with?” Bruce questions, still puzzled by the bizarre happenings. “Not yet, but something odd happened right before I flew here. Wally entered the energy and was able to return. He said it looked familiar, almost like being inside the speed force, but somehow different.” He looks towards Tim and realizes what he was interrupting. “So you told him? “Yes.” Bruce responds. “I know that you and Conner won't let us down.” Superman speaks in a tone that helps reassure Tim's fears before he flies off to aid Keystone once again. Bruce then grabs his cape and cowl from the computer chair and proceeds to put them on. “I have to go Tim.” He walks to towards the Batmobile. “Bruce.” Bruce turns his head towards Tim. “Thanks...for everything you've taught me.” Bruce continues towards the Batmobile. Tim opens up the envelope, revealing a letter, as the Batmobile speeds out of the cave.
Dear Tim,
In Keystone City, heroes are making an attempt to save as many civilian lives as possible while others are trying to stop the balls of energy appearing all over the city. The batmobile screeches to a halt next to the Flash who is taking a breather after running frantically for hours. Batman jumps out with a stack of envelopes in his hand. “They need me Bruce, my city needs me.” He yells out to Batman, doubled over in pain. “You can barely stand Wally, you've done enough. We need someone with super speed to deliver these. You're the only one left.”
If you are reading this, then you must know that we fired you for a reason. You and your friends are needed to carry on our legacies. I know that I am expecting a lot from you, but I have known you to exceed my expectations many times in the past.
Wally grabs the letters and races off, leaving Batman's cape flowing in his updraft.
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 0:36:52 GMT -5
The six of you that were up in the watchtower that day, plus one other, are essential to the future of the world.
The Flash speeds through the cornfields on the Kent farm. He arrives at the house and drops off two envelopes on the doorstep. Cassandra Sandsmark, after hearing a noise outside, steps out and picks them up just as the Flash is on his way to his next stop.
With the Justice League setting an example, the rest of the available heroes will follow you.
In Manchester, the Flash leaves an envelope outside of Bart Allen's apartment, though there is no answer at the door.
The tone of the next generation must be set by the seven of you. It may not seem like it at first, but you will realize the importance of your actions.
Wally pulls out the next letter as he races through Gotham City. He shows up at an apartment belonging to Tim Drake and Mia Dearden. Mia hears the knock on her door and looks outside.
Other heroes will look to you for guidance, for leadership. It will most likely feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
“This is Freddie Freeman reporting for WHIZ radio in Fawcett City. The crisis in Keystone rages on, and Earth's heroes still have no clue as to what is causing this disaster.” Before Freddie is able to continue his report, his papers are blown off of his desk, leaving only an envelope on it. He scratches his black hair in confusion.
I can think of no one better suited for the job than you to lead the new generation.
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 1:23:46 GMT -5
Outside of an apartment building in Detroit, a woman is being mugged. “Hand the purse over lady.” The thug grabs at her purse, until out of nowhere a young black man grabs the crook's arm and throws him against the building. The criminal sprints in the opposite direction and leaves the hero to attend to the woman. “Thank you Otis. If only your mother could be alive to see what a fine young man you've become.” As she walks off, a wind passes by them and Otis finds himself holding an envelope. He curiously opens it up and he is bathed in a green light. “No way.”
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 1:32:34 GMT -5
I'm confident that you can handle this when I'm gone, and while I wish I could be around to see the kind of man you will become, I know that you won't let me down. - Bruce
Tim stares at the letter, unable to move until he hears Bruce's voice coming from the computer. “Clark you're not going in there! Too many have died just getting within ten feet of it!” Tim approaches the screen to see a direct feed of a camera in Bruce's cowl. He sees Superman in front of Bruce in Keystone as they stand near the energy. “It's growing too fast! At this rate it will devour the entire city by the end of the day, and there's no one else to stop this thing!” Superman yells. They stand ready to enter, but before they can the energy extends out to them and the feed is cut out. “Bruce!” Tim yells out to the screen. Though he couldn't see what happened, the outcome was obvious. Tim fights back his emotions as he walks towards another area of the cave.
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 1:33:17 GMT -5
In Keystone, a small group of heroes fight to save as many civilian lives as possible. The Flash returns from delivering the letters to see Ray Terrill, also known as The Ray, struggling to stand. “This can't be all that's left. There must be more.” Wally says as he looks at the number of heroes left in Keystone. “This is it Flash. There's about ten of us focusing on getting the remaining residents out, the injured heroes, and villains looting the city.” Ray reports to Wally. “I'm not going to let this happen, I have to stop this.” Wally speeds off towards the energy as fast as he can, his muscles aching for relief. He breaks through into it, and begins to feel the familiar energy flow through him. “The Speed Force!” He whispers in awe to himself as everything goes black. In Keystone, the enormous ball of energy slowly disappears. All over the world, people watch on their TVs, unable to find words for the bizarre attack that had just taken place. In its wake, the energy has left Keystone in ruins, with no evidence of the hundreds of heroes that had given their lives.
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 1:34:19 GMT -5
Almost an hour passes, and the dust begins to settle. The few heroes remaining are approached by an army of villains tripling their numbers. The Ray limps towards the villains and stands his ground. “You aren't going to take this city, not while we're still alive, not while I'm still standing.” The Weather Wizard waves his wand and The Ray is struck by a bolt of lightning, bringing him to his knees. “Well, when you put it that way...” The young Trickster standing next to the Weather Wizard says with a smirk. Ray hears a helicopter above the city, and notices the man in the passenger seat. The helicopter lands and Lex Luthor steps out. “July 4th, today marks the world's independence day, freeing the people of Earth from their beloved heroes. Today will be the birth of a new world order, a new generation. Keystone is ours for the taking, and no one is left to stop the Society from taking over any other city.” Lex speaks with a sinister grin on his face. “There's no hope for humanity.” Ray winces as he stands tall, awaiting his honorable death at the hands of the villains.
A crack of thunder is heard off in the distance and a figure is seen flying towards the army of villains. They look to the skies to see Freddie Freeman dressed in a red costume with a white cape matching the color of his short hair. He reaches the ground and stands at The Ray's side. “Freddie, is that you?” Ray whispers in a weakened voice. “Nope, the name's Captain Marvel now.” A reassuring smile forms on Freddie's face showing Ray that they have not lost the battle yet.
The clouds part, and from above, Conner Kent and Cassandra Sandsmark land on the ground. Conner wears the Superman emblem on his chest along with a dark red and blue suit, while Cassie wears a bright yellow spandex uniform with silver gauntlets. As she grabs her lasso, her eyes emit a bright light. “Luthor.” Superman's commanding voice echo's in the empty city and his eyes glow red with intensity. “My son.” The baffled billionaire responds with genuine surprise.
A green light blinds the heroes and villains, and once it is dimmed they witness Otis Mills, dressed in a grey jumpsuit with a Green Lantern log on it, flying towards them with a power ring wrapped around his left middle finger. As he closes his eyes and slowly lands, sweat drips down from his head. Light shines from his ring and a green towel appears to dry his damp forehead.
An engine roars, a mile away from the heroes and villains. Tires screech as debris is avoided, and the smell of burning rubber is left in its path.
As I bury the needle of the speedometer, I realize that the fast forward button has just been pressed, and my life has gone from zero to sixty. The one question on my mind is....can I handle this?
The jet black Batmobile tears through the city, stopping next to the stand off between the heroes and villains. Mia Dearden, wearing a sleeveless black spandex suit and yellow gauntlets, jumps out of the car as the golden archer, Yellow Arrow. The heroes and villains look anxiously towards the Batmobile. Tim Drake lets out a deep breathe and exits the car, revealing himself as The Batman to the crowd of metahumans. In a gravelly voice, he speaks. “Don't give up hope yet.”
Can we handle this?
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Post by artteach on Oct 11, 2006 1:35:02 GMT -5
Legacies Back-up “Shadow of the Bat” Starring Tim Drake
[5 Years ago...]
As we're beamed down from the Watchtower, no words are spoken. I feel so much regret for what I did, and I don't even know if it was worth destroying our friendship because I felt the need to play detective. There is more going on here than the Justice League is leading on, but I could have gone about this differently.
As I reach out to Conner's shoulder and begin to open my mouth, he flies off. The others follow suit and I'm left alone. Am I destined to become a loner who trusts no one and in turn is trusted and liked by no one? I have never wanted to become Batman, but if I continue on this road, then that would seem to be the logical next step for me.
Weeks pass and I am still unable to contact the team. If I track them down and talk them in person, it could just make things worse, but they aren't answering phones or their Titans beepers. I leave a message on each answering machine anyway, even though I know that they will delete it before listening to it anyway.
We forged friendships as Young Justice, and we became family with the Titans. Did I forever ruin the only family I had left because of a hunch I had? Working in such a dark city, using fear and mistrust as tools to attempt to put a stop to all the murder and other crimes in Gotham, brings a darkness into your life. The only thing that has kept the darkness from devouring me for all these years has been family, be it blood relatives or friends. How am I going to live with myself? How will I...
My phone rings, the caller ID says it's Mia...
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