Author's Note:
Again, I am beginning a story outside of my main field. I will explain in my profile why this is.
Worth noting, this story is meant for the animated series Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, this chapter taking place just days after the series finale and the departure of Hawkgirl.
Most chapters will be longer than this - also, this content isn't the most exciting. That said, it felt to me the best place to start.
If you notice any errors, please let me know as soon as possible. If you've any questions, you can either PM me or write a review.
Lastly, I do not own Justice League or any related characters.
"J'onn's right. Earth still needs us, and we'll never let her down. It's our duty."
That sentiment echoed through Batman's mind as he surveyed those around him. One didn't need to be a detective to sense the downbeat mood despite Superman's rather positive proclamation. Admittedly, Batman mused, J'onn set the bar pretty high also.
The tense atmosphere, the Caped Crusader noted, wasn't doing Wally any good, though John, Diana, and J'onn seemed to be taking it in stride. The Flash kept fidgeting, but much unlike his pre-invasion self, kept his jokes to a minimum, and when he realized he wasn't going to be able to lighten the mood, he gave up entirely.
Bruce almost felt bad while witnessing the change in personality going over Flash. Almost.
Wally let loose a long sigh, culminating in him asking, his voice weary, "So, anyone know when the big man is planning on turning up? I mean, I'm not one to complain, but-"
"He'll be here," Batman replied, his stern tone shutting Flash down.
As if Superman had been waiting for that moment, the door to the Batcave's conference room opened, and in stepped the Man of Steel. He only looked at his five peers a few seconds, unsmiling, before he said, his voice full of authority, "Let's begin."
"It seems to me we have a long discussion ahead of us," Superman began, sitting down between Wonder Woman and Flash. "Our Watchtower is completely decimated, our ranks have diminished, and our morale, as a whole, has suffered a devastating blow. We must," he continued urgently, "figure out how to best get back on our feet in the least possible amount of time."
"The Watchtower situation isn't something we should fret over," Batman replied. "The funds to secure the construction of a second one won't be hard to come by."
"The Billionaire Bat strikes again," Wally said, a grin now appearing on his face. While the remark was ignored, Batman did see a slight smirk come upon Diana's face.
"The more important question is how to deal with the loss of Hawkgirl," Batman continued, "because like it or not, we have lost significant power."
"We could carry on ourselves," John Stewart, his voice gruff (especially given the events of the last week). "I mean, was she a powerful member? Without doubt. But all of us are powerful, and if losing one member immediately emasculates us, then what are we?"
"There are others out there who we could offer membership to, though," Superman replied, his eyes staring directly into Green Lanterns'. "No one is saying we're not powerful as is. That said, I personally feel a change is needed, and now seems the best time to implement that change."
"What type of change are we talking here, Clark," Diana asked, curious. "Yes, it makes sense to update the Watchtower's defenses, and bring in one or two new members, but it sounds as though you're talking about more than that."
"I am," Clark boldly stated. "I'd like to offer membership to far more than two or three individuals. I was thinking at least twenty, to start with."
The stunned silence lasted a few seconds before Flash spoke up, this time serious.
"Um, are you sure that's a good idea? Like, how would that even work? Grodd attacks and what, 25 of us turn up and start pounding him? I don't think that'll go over too well."
"What he means is," Batman began, cutting through the Flash's immaturity, "we would likely be based in the Watchtower, and when necessary, a group of us would go assist those who need it, probably in small sub-groups."
"Yeah, but are there even enough heroes to get with us? I can think of only a few others, and that's if I try really hard."
J'onn, who had remained silent through the whole procession, finally spoke. "If we do indeed decide to go the route Superman is proposing, then proposed membership can be discussed. To do such beforehand, if we choose not to go with Superman's plan, would be wasteful of the time we have."
"I have to admit," Green Lantern said, looking at Superman, "the idea of having even twenty heroes living up in the Watchtower bugs me. We'd need to train them all in how to run the machinery, the protocol, and teach them how to pilot the Javelin. Not to mention the extensive training exercises necessary to ensure everyone is on the same page."
"First off," Superman replied, "it's not as though all of us would be living up there. Half of us sleep down here on Earth, yourself included, as is. Secondly, while I agree it'd not be an easy undertaking, possessing a large amount of superhumans and heroes in order to further our cause for justice could only benefit the planet. Also, it's worth noting that while some heroes will undoubtedly learn how to use the different machinery, I think we should also have personnel, or support staff, to deal with the operation of the Watchtower, giving us more time to train new recruits."
Green Lantern nodded curtly at this, though still appeared uneasy at the idea.
"Diana, have you any concerns," Batman asked, looking at the woman to Superman's left.
She remained silent for some ten seconds before clearing her throat and saying, "I think that Clark has a point. I can understand why some among us may be troubled, but when you look at the big picture, I feel it's a good move forward."
"Then I'd recommend we vote," Batman said, "unless anyone else has concerns to voice."
"How about you, Batman," Superman asked, gazing at him with a look of incredulous confusion. "You haven't said anything about how you feel."
"I maintain part-time status, and will continue to do so," he replied. "Whether or not I approve shouldn't make a difference."
"That's baloney, Bruce," Diana snapped, clearly aggravated.
"Still," J'onn stated, his tone mournful, "if that is how Batman wishes it to be, then so it will be. Shall we vote," he asked, turning his head, making eye contact with the whole of the League.
Superman nodded, and started off with a "Yea."
"Yea," continued Flash.
"Yea," Green Lantern said, with noticeable hesitation.
"Yea," Wonder Woman quickly followed.
J'onn concluded, with a "Yea," of his own.
Superman looked around at his peers. "The motion is adopted."
"So now, which nobodies are we going to try and recruit," Flash asked, seeming to not entirely be joking.
"I suggest we each name a few individuals that come to mind, decide on those, and go from there," Superman replied. "At least give ourselves a workable starting point."
Wonder Woman spoke first after a few minutes of quiet contemplation. "Aquaman? That is, if he could leave Atlantis?"
"He'd more likely have part-time status," J'onn agreed, "but he is a prime candidate to ask."
"In that case," Superman said, "we could ask Doctor Fate. He'd also be part-time I suspect, but even so, his abilities would benefit us greatly."
"Zatanna," Batman swiftly suggested, then seeing none of them appeared to understand, added, "she's a magician."
The room remained silent, the League's eyes still on Batman.
"I give you my word, you'll want her."
"So Aquaman, Doctor Fate, and Zatanna," Flash counted off with his fingers. "A long way from thirty."
"Steel, Orion, Supergirl, and Metamorpho," Superman replied, his impatience obvious. "Discuss."
"I don't know about the others," Green Lantern said dismissively, "but Rex is a friend of mine. His powers are still relatively new. Do you really think he'd be ready for the League?"
"Since I'd like to put you in head of the training regimen," Superman countered, "that's up to you. Do you think he's ready?"
Green Lantern thought for a few seconds, then gave his head a slight shake. "Not entirely, but I think given a few weeks with him, he'd do just fine." The fact that Green Lantern would also like another friend up on the Watchtower escaped no one.
"Who's this Steel guy," Flash asked.
"A friend," Superman simply replied. "He's also an engineer, so he'd be helpful on that front also."
"How about Nightwing," Wonder Woman asked, looking over to Batman.
"No," he replied stiffly. "One: he's not ready for this level of combat. Two: he's operating in Blüdhaven, and I don't feel he'd be too keen on leaving. Three: I won't allow it."
"Oh, he couldn't vote," Flash began, grinning, "but when it comes to new members, he has opinions all of the sudden."
He chuckled at his own joke, but upon seeing Batman's glare, immediately quieted down.
"Just throwing this out there," Superman prefaced, "but what about Static?"
"Static," Green Lantern questioned, confused for a second, and then remembering. "The kid from Minnesota? Come on, he's in high school. He'd be too immature, and I couldn't get him ready in five months let alone a few weeks."
"Would he be worse than Lobo, though," Diana asked, a soft grin on her lips, and everyone at the table laughed, save for Batman and J'onn.
"No, I can say with certainty that he wouldn't be worse than Lobo," Green Lantern replied, the grin on his face making him appear better than he had looked in days.
"I do wonder," Batman started, the jovial tone around the table almost instantaneously dissipating, "why Static would be turned down when Supergirl got by without any comment on her age."
"If you didn't agree with Supergirl," Superman said, angrily, "then speak up instead of sitting over there like some silent, judgmental guardian."
An awkward silence followed, and Batman simply replied, "That didn't address my concern."
"Listen, Supergirl and Static are both young and potentially immature; I grant you that," Superman explained, his ire still obvious, "but Supergirl has a great handle on her abilities, while I think Static has serious work to do. I was just putting out feelers when I suggested him. If the consensus of the group is that Static would benefit the League, then I'd be happy to admit him."
"Come on, don't you think you might be underestimating Static," Flash inquired.
"Or overestimating Supergirl," Batman darkly added.
"Stop this. Now," Wonder Woman fiercely said, staring both Batman and Superman down. "This isn't helping at all. We should just move on."
"Any other names come to mind," Batman asked, still eying Wonder Woman.
"I've heard some names," Green Lantern spoke up, "but I can't say I know any of them too well. Black Canary, Atom-Smasher, Elongated Man and Huntress."
"I know of Huntress and Black Canary," Batman replied. "Both would be very good people to extend this offer to. We might as well add Green Arrow too, who operates out in Richmond, California. If we could get him."
"Green Arrow," Superman mused, a look of interest on his face. "I've heard he's pretty good."
"Who in Hera's name is Atom-Smasher," Wonder Woman inquired. "He sounds, well, intriguing."
Green Lantern shook his head. "Never met him. Heard he stopped a few bank robberies and helped during the earthquake we had last year."
Flash, Batman noted, looked as though he really wanted to poke holes in the suggestion, but surprisingly held his tongue.
"And Elongated Man," Wonder Woman continued, not noticing Flash's look of distaste, "I'd think with that name, I'd have heard of him before."
"Some kind of detective, I think," Green Lantern replied. "Pretty sure he's able to stretch his body, limbs and all, to make any shape he wants. Something like that, anyways."
Flash then spoke up.
"I've worked with him a few times. Ralph's a good guy, reliable, and definitely willing to help out younger members should they need it."
"I can see that coming in handy," Superman said, nodding his head in approval. "I have to admit, that sounds a useful trait, especially given the likelihood some of our new members will be feeling a bit out of place. I just wished I'd heard of him before," Superman finished, somewhat wistfully.
"Honestly," J'onn said, "I do not think many of the names we come up with will be known to us. Still, I am sure the results will be positive."
"What I'm hearing is," Flash stated, "we have a lot of work ahead of us, if we want to ask every person we've mentioned."
"You're the Fastest Man Alive; we have faith in you," J'onn dryly quipped.
"First things first, though," Superman stated, "get a new Watchtower operational and then hire support staff. Once those two are done, then we go on a major recruitment drive."
Around the table, Bruce noticed that every head nodded. Despite his doubts, Batman joined in.
"I see we are agreement," Superman said, his voice proud. "This is a new era for the Justice League. Before, with just seven of us, we defended the Earth from everything you could imagine, from inter-dimensional demons to multiple attempted takeovers of our home. Imagine what we can do with twenty of us." He beamed at his peers.
"With that, I call this meeting adjourned."
