Chapter 2: Fast Forward

[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.

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.”

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.