AN: This is my first published story so hello! Unfortunately, I don't own any of these characters or the cover image. However, since this is not canon, I think I own the story line, I don't own, I'd have to look it up. But, please read and review!
What came first the hero or the villain? Well, it could be argued that the hero rises to fight the villain or the villain rises to challenge the hero. Don't understand? Here's an example: if Bruce Wayne never wore the pointy eared cowl, would the Joker even have started to terrorize all the civilians in Gotham?
Where's this going? Well, here's the next question: if the Justice League didn't vow to protect Earth and the rest of the universe with all their powers, would the aliens that are currently coming to conquer the third planet of the solar system even have considered doing so?
Dick would argue that what the Justice League is doing is great and other adjectives that Damien would have gagged at. Speaking of the demon brat, he would have just made his tt sound and say something along the lines of his time being wasted by an imbecile. Tim would go quiet and ponder the question so long that he would forget about it. Bruce would simply grunt in response, ignoring the question all together. And if anyone had some sort of clue as to where Jason was, he would most likely argue that heroes are doing more harm than good. Of course, it would be worded a lot differently and with several colorful words Alfred wouldn't approve of.
The said Justice League was currently holding a meeting in a space station orbiting Earth, discussing the best way to take care of the aliens.
"I could attempt to make communication. Perhaps we could work something out." Superman offered, receiving a snort from green lantern.
"Yeah, sure, go for it. It's been a while since I saw your ass get kicked" he snickered. He had a point, whoever or whatever these aliens were, they matched the kryptonian's strength and there was an army of them. So, they were in quite the predicament and have been discussing options for several hours with no solution.
"I think we need to bring in the titans and all the young ones" Flash broke the silence and all heads turned towards the speedster.
"You're kidding, right?" Green Arrow said, taken aback by the comment. "They're not ready for this. Hell, I don't think we're ready for this."
"Exactly. That's why we should bring them in." This time, everyone turned to face Batman with bewilderment on their faces.
"Please explain yourself, Batman," Wonder Woman spoke up for the group.
"Green Arrow was right. We're not ready for this. We are severely outnumbered and we don't have enough strength to make up for it. So, it would be beneficial to get as much assistance as possible. I will be pulling the vigilantes from Gotham in to help and I suggest you all do the same with your respective cities and allies." Batman spoke with such authority and power that the room couldn't bring themselves to argue. Flash mouthed thank you to the billionaire and he received a nod in return. Then Aquaman cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, but I think you need to clarify. Do you mean that you're bringing in all the vigilantes on Gotham or all the heroes? Because there is a difference. Particularly a one-person difference," he stressed. Everyone knew who Arthur was talking about. After all, it has been a topic of discussion several times at the table. Without turning around, Bruce heard Nightwing push himself off the wall where he was leaning against with Arsenal, Starfire, Zatanna, Raven, Tim, and Damian (technically he was supposed to be with the other sidekicks, but he refused to be with "children who have the same mental capacity of sheep"). Bruce held up his hand, signaling Dick to stand down… for now.
"I believe it would be beneficial to bring him in as well. I'm not asking you to consider him a hero. However, I ask you to cease viewing him as a criminal. I may not approve of his methods, but I cannot argue with the results." Bruce spoke calmly, trying not to add fuel to the fire. Key word: trying.
"How is he not a criminal?" Cyborg argued, "He kills."
"Killed." Batman corrected, "We have reached an accord. He is allowed to remain operative in Gotham as long as he doesn't kill."
"Like I said before, we need all the help we can get." Flash added. Superman had a thoughtful look on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off by Shazam.
"What makes us so successful is that we work as a team. If I recall, he acts alone and isn't very… uh, let's say agreeing. So, if we do allow him to join us for this, he must be willing to cooperate with others. Can you guarantee us this, Batman?" He asked, not hostile. The problem was Bruce couldn't. It was hard enough to get along in Gotham, and majority of the time, there was an entire city between them. He looked back towards Dick, whose facial expression told him he was thinking the same.
"Arsenal can." Everyone turned towards Clark as he looked towards the archer in red. "You were in association with him. What can you tell us?" Roy cleared his throat.
"Well, to be unbiased, uh, I would say that, umm" he started slowly, trying to come up with the right words. Robin rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath that caused Nightwing to gently whack his arm. "Ok. So, for the most part, if it comes down to it, he's willing to do whatever's necessary to get the job done. However," Roy hesitated, unsure of whether to paint his best friend in a good light or to tell the truth. It wasn't that he was bad, it's just he had certain qualities that the league might not find …favorable. He sighed and looked towards Dick, who gave a sympathetic smile of reassurance. He knew the internal conflict Roy was going through.
"Alright, I'm just gonna tell you how it is. What I have to say about him isn't important. And all this back-and-forth you guys are doing is equally as pointless. Why? Well, at the end of the day, he is the one who decides whether he'll be a part of this shindig. Not me, not you, him."
"I don't follow" Martian Manhunter tilted his head in question.
"What Arsenal is saying," Nightwing stepped in, putting his hand on Roy's shoulder, " is that if my brother does not want to work with the league, he won't. Nothing would change his mind, 'cause if there's one thing he is, it's stubborn as hell. The league all exchanged looks and Dick added one more thing.
"However, I do suggest we try to get his help. Especially since he would probably end up taking on these aliens by himself if we don't work with him. And not that it matters, but personally, I believe he would probably be able to pull it off."
"Yeah right," Green Lantern scoffed. He looked towards Batman and saw no evidence of the disbelief that was on almost all of their faces. "Right?"
Batman cleared his throat and this is when Tim decided to interject.
"Most likely. If he sets his mind to something, it tends to get done. Batman just won't admit Nightwing's right because that means risking damage to his ego." Jaws dropped open at Tim's direct offense to easily the most terrifying person in the history of the universe. Bruce slowly turned his chair to face Tim and gave him the oh-so-famous Batglare™. Tim held his gaze for approximately .000004 seconds before losing the battle of wills. Bruce glanced towards Dick and saw his eldest fail to hide the smirk that was increasingly growing on his face. Even Damian looked down to hide his amusement from his father, and more importantly Tim (he didn't want to give the moron the satisfaction in thinking he made the clearly superior of the two laugh). Diana cleared her throat and the room turned their attention towards her as she stood.
"Very well. If no one has any more to say," she paused just in case, "then I believe it's time we voted. All in favor of gaining assistance from ALL other heroes and vigilantes, raise your hand." Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Flash, Starfire, Arsenal, Nightwing, Shazam, and Red Robin raised their hand, leaving Green Lantern, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Zatanna, and Raven with their hands down. "Well, eleven to six means we call everyone in," she announced.
Everyone got up and left whilst talking with each other, everyone except for the heroes of Gotham. Batman used two fingers to draw in his allies. He first looked to his youngest (and only biological) son.
"I noticed you didn't vote. They would have respected your opinion, you know."
"My vote would not have made a difference."
Bruce hummed in response before moving on to Tim. But before he could get a word out, Tim was already rambling.
"Bruceiamsosorryididntmeantosaywhatisaiditjustsortaslippedoutandicouldntstopmyselfandilldowhatevericantomakeupforimsososososorry—"
"Tim," he held out his hands in front of him, "calm down. It's alright, just don't do it again, got it?"
"Yesyesyesofcoursewounthappenagainthankyou—" He saw Bruce's raised eyebrow and closed his mouth, counted to three, then gave a swift nod of his head. Maybe he shouldn't have drank three coffees in thirty minutes.
Bruce then turned to Dick, who stood in between Tim and Damian, and asked, "Would you be willing to find out where he is? Despite how I made it appear to the other League members, we aren't exactly…" He trailed off, unsure of what word to use. But, Dick got the message all the same.
"Of course! It's been a while since I saw him. I'm sure he'll be glad to help!" Damian snorted and Dick's ear-to-ear grin fell slightly.
"Dick, just get a location and we will take care of the rest."
"Whose we?"
"Me and some members of the League. They'll want to be there, and as much as i am against that, I know I'll get a headache trying to convince them otherwise and they'd probably go anyways."
"Alright, remember, just be patient, understanding, flexible… essentially everything you're not and you'll be fine." Bruce gave him a pointed look and Dick smiled sheepishly. He closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose while he pointed towards the door.
"Just go." Dick turned and briskly walked out, his usually smile back in its place. He, for one, was excited. Bruce was not. It's been a long time since he saw his wayward protege (too long in Alfred's opinion) and he had a feeling that this meeting would not go well. He looked at the most recent Robins and gestured for them to follow as he made his way to the tube to send them back to the Cave. It was Tim who spoke up first.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"No."
"Doesn't he hate the Justice league?"
"Yes"
"Are you gonna give more than one-word answers to my questions?"
Shrug
"Hey, not cool." Bruce was glad Tim and Damian were behind him, that way they didn't see his smile. After all, Batman does not smile.
"So, let me get this straight," Damian started as they entered the familiar area and approached the famous Batmobile, "we're about to go and try and convince a crazy psychopath who hates the League and everything they stand for to join the League in battle?! Something definitely doesn't seem right here."
"He's not a crazy psychopath," Tim argued.
"He's literally tried to kill you numerous times in the past."
"He's changed."
"God, your naivety is pathetic, Drake."
"Enough," Bruce watched as Tim and Damian opened their mouths to continue, "Both of you." They snapped their jaws shut, but it didn't stop them from giving each other death glares. Bruce shook his head and sighed as he entered the car, the two of them following suite. The Batmobile roared to life and sped out of the cave to go on their nightly patrol.
As the city came into view, Bruce thought about their plan and the more he thought about it, the less he liked it. But still, he voted for it, or rather for him. He shifted his gaze towards the rooftops, his mind taking him back to simpler times of running across the city with a young boy who could always make him laugh. Now, all of that was gone. That boy was grown up and filled to the brim with anger. Oh, what he would do to try and help fix all that damage. But, it was made very clear that Bruce had to 'stay the fuck away.' He felt the anxiety rise in his chest as the night went on and the closer it got to having to speak with him— Jason Todd, the infamous Red Hood.