Six Months before the attack.

"So, what is it exactly?" Robin asked.

He was sitting on the corner of the desk, playing with his gloves as the computer next to him continued to analyse the data. Batman broke his gaze away from the screens for a moment to glance at his partner.

"Off the desk." He growled.

Robin grinned and jumped down, instead leaping into the back of Batmans chair. Batman ignored this and turned his chair, trying to disengage the teen hanging onto the back. Robin tightened his grip and laughed as Batman glared at him.

"Haven't you got a meeting to attend?" He asked.

Robin slid off the chair.

"It's not for another hour Bruce."

Batman glared at the boy, who just smiled back. Realising he couldn't win, Batman turned back to the screen.

"It appears to be a signal, possibly a call for help. I am currently trying to track it to its origin."

Robin frowned slightly and peered at the screen.

"Doesn't look like it's from Earth, what are you going to do if it's unreachable?"

"It doesn't matter. We still have a duty to try and help."

"All right, road trip!" Robin called.

Batman turned to find his protégé scaling the wall.

"Not you Robin. The Justice League."

"Awww!" Robin called leaping from his perch.

Batman watched as Robin threw out his jump line to slow his fall, landing neatly on the ground.

"Don't do that." He called when he was sure the teen was safely on the ground.

He turned back to his work.

"Besides, you have your own team now. I am sure they will need you while the League is away."

"I guess." Robin replied. "It's just… We don't patrol much together anymore. I kind of miss it."

Batman stood, looking down at the boy. Then, he placed a hand on Robins shoulder.

"I miss it too Dick."

The computer beeped. Both heroes turned to watch as the signal was tracked to its source.

"Well, it's not off-planet." Batman said.

He picked up his comm, ready to radio the rest of the League. Robin looked at the screen.

"It's not even that far from here." He said, trying to hide it as an innocent comment. But Batman was good at reading his partner.

"You are not coming."

Robin pulled a face but didn't argue.

"Go to your meeting Robin. I will see you tonight."

Robin turned away.

"That's if you make it home tonight." He muttered.

Batman pretended he didn't hear that comment as Robin made his way up the stairs to change and go. Glancing at the signal again, he switched his comm on. He would be the first to admit, he wasn't the world's greatest father, but he really hoped that maybe tonight, he wouldn't disappoint Dick.

3 1/2 years into the future.

Batman could not believe how well the plan had worked. Playing on his knowledge of his collages younger selves and using a fake distress signal, he had pulled the heroes through time and into the perfect trap. Now with most of the Justice League captured and out of the way, there was nothing to stop the Lords from creating the perfect world for their children.

Fiddling with his calculations slightly, Batman found himself glancing over at the captive League. The whole group were unconscious, kept down by a mixture of sedative gases in their prison.

Someone walked up behind him. Batman didn't even flinch as Wonder Woman placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I have to admit." She whispered in his ear. "I had given you up as insane Batman."

Batman glanced over at her. Her short dark hair and skin tight red body suit was a very different look from the Diana he had known three years ago. The kind, caring but tough woman had long since been replaced with this stone cold killer before him. If Batman were honest with himself, he would admit, he missed the old Diana, The Diana he had almost loved. Quickly he turned away.

"I hope you understand your role in this Diana." He replied, choosing to ignore her comment. "Not all of the League are accounted for. We will no doubt meet with resistance when we try to enforce our rule."

Diana smiled.

"Please Bruce. When have I not got the job done?" She ran her hand across his shoulder almost provocatively.

"Just try not to kill anyone." Batman growled back.

She gave him another smile before turning away to laugh at the Flash. Barry was jumpy, and unsurprisingly so. The attacks three years before had not just cost him his nephew but his whole family when his wife Iris had cut ties with her husband. Flash had been crushed but this new hope of regaining at least some of his family had put him back in his old high spirits and even Batman had to admit, it was a nice chance. The black and red speedster was bouncing off the walls of the cave, causing several of the Lords to watch him in wonder.

But most of them ignored him, too caught up in their silent preparations. And a few were glancing at the captured League. Maybe wondering how such a weak group could survive so long. Or more likely, thinking back to what they lost.

Batman finished his typing with a small sigh. Even he would admit it would be nice to have children around again. After the attacks, Superman had ordered all training for young heroes to cease. All the surviving sidekicks had been sent back to their homes and previous lives. Some had put up a fight, trying to create new groups but the Lords had shut them down.

Footsteps drew near to Batman once again. The Dark Knight turned to acknowledge Green Arrow. The Archer had finished his preparations and had been quietly waiting for the signal but it looked like he had finally lost his patience.

"How long?" He asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"Just waiting for Superman." Batman replied.

Green Arrow snorted.

"Typical he would be late." He muttered.

"Who is late?" A voice asked.

Even Barry fell silent as everyone glanced up at the ceiling. Superman drifted to the ground, his black and white suit making his blue eyes glow in the dim.

"No one." Green Arrow muttered.

He may be impatience, but Ollie wasn't stupid. Superman smiled and turned to Batman.

"So, I guess you have already gone over the plan." He said.

Batman nodded.

"Yes. You will all need to work together to capture the Watch Tower. From there, you can track and capture the remaining members of the League."

"What about you?" This voice came from Black Canary, who had managed to bully the rest of the Lords into letting her join the mission.

"I will go to the Batcave. Years ago, I connected it to the Watch Tower as a failsafe. The moment the Watch Tower is taken, the Cave will be alerted. I would much rather none of my household find that alert."

"Yeah, we don't want the boy detective figuring us out." Barry called.

Everyone froze, their eyes glued on the Dark Knight. It was an unspoken rule that no one mentioned Robin in Batmans hearing. Even Superman took a step away from his friend.

Batman ignored the comment.

"Green Lantern has volunteered to stay behind and guard our guests. Although I trust my designs, I know my own mind and would not put it past my younger self to attempt an escape."

Everyone slowly relaxed, laughing slightly at Batmans paranoia.

"Alright then." Superman said, once again gaining control of the situation. "Let's do this."

With a grim smile, Batman flicked the switch, activating the tunnel through time.

It probably won't surprise anyone to know I was watching Batman: The Animated Series when I was writing this. There, that explains the scene between Batman and Robin. Plus, I love when they act like family, since it seems so rare.