Young Justice Season 5 - The Fifth Generation

Episode/Chapter 1 - Once Upon a Speedster

"Once upon a time... and then... the end!"

"Aw, come on, you do that ALL the time, Uncle Bart..." Dan Allen groaned.

"Welp, sorry kiddo. Uncle Bart doesn't come up with the best bedtime stories." Bart Allen chuckled as he stood up from Dan's bed.

"When do we learn how to be fast like you, Uncle Wally, and Daddy?" Dan asked.

Bart shrugged, "Well, that's an excellent question, but I hope not soon."

"But why not?" Dan asked.

"Look, it's a complicated explanation you wouldn't understand." Bart sat down next to him again, "but maybe the choice is up to your dad. Give yourself some time. You're both only five."

"I don't want to be fast." Dawn Allen said from her bed next to Dan's, "I don't want my life to go by so fast. I also think boys will think I'm weird and I'll never get married."

"Who cares? I want to fight crime!" Dan laughed as he stood up and posed like a superhero on his bed.

"Haha, okay, I think you had a little too much sugar tonight." Bart laughed as he checked the clock, "it's almost midnight, and your dad will kill me for keeping you two up too late."

"Okay. Good night." Dan yawned as he turned and drifted off to sleep in a snap.

Bart exhaled as he slowly and quietly left. He shut the door behind him and stared at it for a few seconds, then leaned his forehead on it, shutting his eyes and shaking his head as he remembered what had happened a couple months ago. It was horrifying. He didn't even recognize the faces. It all happened too fast. He was still even more confused about why they had gotten to him. It was all a blur.

"Rough day?"

Bart turned abruptly to see Barry walking down the hall towards him.

"Yeah. Handful." Bart forced a smile as he gestured to the door.

"Sorry. Thanks again for watching the kids." Barry put his hand on Bart's shoulder, then noticed the look on his face, "everything alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah..." Bart nodded slowly.

"If it's about the past few months after the last time you visited the future... They can't get to you anymore. They---"

"I don't know who they are, Grandpa! They wanted me, but I didn't catch why!" Bart shouted in a whisper, "it all just happened too fast. If only... If only I could be faster..."

Barry looked at him sadly, then continued, "look, uh, I think it's about time I taught Dan how to harness the speed force. Wally's going to be there, how about you?"

"Sure." Bart nodded, "anything for the little slugger."

"Thanks, Bart. I'm sure he'll love it that you're there. We're thinking this Saturday."

"That works."

"Great. Well, see you soon." Barry patted Bart on the back before walking down to his bedroom.

Bart stood there for a few more seconds, headed down the stairs, and out the door. From there, he ran to the nearest Zeta Tube and Zeta'd to the Cave.

"Recognized. Impulse, B23." The computer announced Bart's arrival. He ran down the halls and into the living room and kitchen. He walked to the fridge and opened it, scanning its contents for a satisfying drink before hearing someone run in and plop into a seat at the kitchen island.

"Hey, Bart!" Bart immediately recognized the voice, "up this late, eh, Hermano?"

Bart turned to his best friend Jaime Reyes as he held a can of soda, "Dude, I don't know what could happen... What if the guys follow me here... What if they're after you guys..."

"Whoa whoa, slow down, Esé... If that's the case, then we can hold up our own. And if they're after you, we can protect you. We can help you. We've done it in the past, and we'll do it again."

"I just... I just don't know this time, Blue..." Bart shook his head.

"Dude, it's still the beginning of a new era. A new day. You have to enjoy it." Jaime slung his arm around Bart's shoulders, "the entire Light is gone except for Vandal Savage of course, but who else could he possibly find to defeat us? Look, you know what you need?"

"What?"

"To go out, have fun! What happened to the old Impulse we knew and loved?" Jaime smirked, "how about you and me go out to the mall with our girls? That'd do us all some good."

"What about the team?"

"They'll do fine without us, don't worry. Besides, Nightwing did say to take it easy, am I right?"

"S-sure." Bart shrugged. But he knew full well that after Saturday, he had every right to be scared and to be even more scared than he already was after three months ago.

- To be continued! -