A/N: thanks to edboy4926, Flaming dragon, Warrior Chickenz, and FinlandNative for the reviews.
Dawn of the Third Day
When the Reach revealed themselves to humanity the day after, the League hoped for a rejection. Instead, G. Gordon Godfrey himself was praising the Reach on their approach, claiming, "Coming in the front door was better than what some members of the League had done". That had struck a nerve amongst the League and they began working on a way to counter the maneuver on the Reach's part. Captain Atom had already left for New York to welcome the Reach, something that the others considered just an act to try and sway the growing public opinion for the Reach.
"I should be the one handling their Ambassador," the Didact told the assembled League, minus the one on Earth and those off at Rimbor. "Captain Atom is wasting his time, thinking he can figure out any of their plan. I'd end them before they could begin any of it, including corrupting the young Blue Beetle. The fact he hasn't betrayed you is a surprise."
"From what we've learned about you, that wouldn't be the best idea," Aquaman said. "I'm also curious why you claim Blue Beetle would betray us."
"Because he's done it before. Just ask Impulse, if you're concerned. He'll lie, but he probably thinks he can save his friend." The Didact turned away. "I promise not to start an alien civil war on Earth."
"Although that's what we've gotten, in part, with the Reach and the Kroloteans both springing invasions," Flash commented. Along with Aquaman, they were the only founding members there, the rest either on Rimbor or Oa.
The Didact shook his head. Only on the pressing of the Reclaimer did he agree to talk with the Justice League. Otherwise, he would've gone down and destroyed the single Reach ship over New York before continuing on to scour for the rest of their fleet and destroy it.
"Tell Captain Atom to expect my arrival. Make sure he shows no signs of expectation." The Didact turned from the assembled League members. "And for the record, I wasn't planning on killing them. Yet. I'll give them some time to panic and wonder whether I find their hidden fleet, wherever it is." The ancient Forerunner left, transporting back to his own ship once he reached the nearest zeta tube.
"Prepare my Cryptum. We head for New York."
Captain Atom stood on stage with the Reach Ambassador and the Secretary General. He didn't like the Ambassador, having been briefed on what they had discovered last night during the raid on the Reach vessel that had contained a number of their younger operatives, along with civilians. He wanted to bring to light that fact, but Nightwing had gotten the rest of the League to back the decision to not tell the public. That's what's going to lose us Earth. The public doesn't like being lied to, especially by their heroes.
A buzzing began in his ear as the Ambassador started speaking. He pressed the COM in his ear, turning away from the festivity. "Captain Atom."
"Flash here. The Didact is on his way. Try to be surprised." Atom nodded and looked back. Everyone was staring at him.
"Is there something we're interrupting, Captain?" the Ambassador asked.
"We've detected another ship. It's on the far side of the planet from our satellite. We installed it after the incident with the Kroloteans." The Secretary-General said nothing. They all turned to the sky, watching as a silver object pushed through. Orange lines were everywhere, just visible from the ground. The front section opened up, massive silver chunks opening up like a mouth. It revealed a sphere with orange scaring on its bottom, appearing to be ready for something.
Everyone took a breath together before it fell. It raced to the ground, slowing before it reached the ground. The dark grey slabs at the bottom pulled up, revealing more of the orange underbelly. It finally stopped fifteen feet above the ground, a burst of energy emerging from the bottom.
An object came out of the bottom, drifting to the ground. The spires surrounding the alien opened, reaching their full extent when it reached the ground. Captain Atom crossed his arms, watching the Didact step forward.
The Forerunner was in ceremonial armor, his face covered by his helmet. The Ambassador stared at the figure in confusion. The designs were familiar and he recognized the ship, but he was unsure which universe the being belonged to.
The Didact walked forward, Promethean Knights appearing at his sides. He approached the podium, where UN guards stopped him.
"Uh…sir, we're going to ask you to return to your sphere until this press conference is over." A knight walked up to the man, and flashed the orange skull beneath. The guard took in a harsh gasp before stepping out of the Didact's way.
"Who are you?" the Secretary-General asked. The Forerunner pushed past the man and stood at the podium, staring at those gathered. His helmet pulled back to reveal his face and his suppressed a snarl.
"I am the Didact," he said. The journalists began writing notes like mad. "I have come here in the midst of a…dispute with the Reach. We both come from a different universe, one where humanity has stretched out into the stars without your precious heroes, and you've morphed yourself into the largest fish in the pond."
"What sort of dispute?" a journalist asked.
"In my universe, the Reach attempted to destroy your empire. Even with our…disagreements, I came to your aid. My people made it so that you would be the inheritors of our legacy. 100,000 years our technology sat, waiting for you. And you did come, long after your old ally who betrayed you for a genocidal crusade." The Didact glanced at the Ambassador. "But even with your victory and my release, others believed they could take humanity." Everyone stared up at him, waiting for what was next.
The Reach Ambassador came forward, slipping next to the Didact. "I've always been one for stories where everything seems better than it is. We came to your people there in hopes of strengthening them, of making an alliance that'd benefit both sides." The crowd clapped, cheering 'Reach'.
The Ambassador stepped away from the podium, a small smile on his face. "Thank you for your help, Didact. I'm afraid I have a private conversation with the Secretary-General and the good Captain." The three others walked away, leaving the Didact behind. Captain Atom shot him a quick concerned look.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," the Forerunner said. He reached out to the Ambassador and closed his hands, activating the telekinesis device in his armor. The insectoid alien choked, trying to bring his hands up to relieve the feel of being strangled. "You continue to play your game, hoping humans will never catch up, yet you're wrong. Soon enough those humans that you wronged will arrive and you will be destroyed, by one of three different hands." He released his grip. "I'll let you figure out which three I speak off."
The Didact turned away, returning to his pedestal. It rose back up into his Cryptum as the Knights disappeared, teleporting back into the Forerunner structure. It returned to the ship above and was sealed away.
"G. Gordon Godfrey reporting from the UN in New York. We just witnessed a new alien, calling himself 'The Didact' attack the ambassador of the Reach. Until these other humans he speaks of arrive, his story has zero credibility. Maybe he's with the Justice League, trying to sweep the Reach away. They were willing to come in the front door and now they insult us by sending that terror."
Wally turned off the TV, tired of the man's yapping. He glanced at a picture of Artemis and him the day before they left the team; their final team picture. Dick had already become Nightwing, Jason still training with Batman before being allowed to come to the cave. Miss Martian and Superboy were still together then. Aqualad was there also, almost smiling. Rocket and Zatanna had visited, just initiated into the League. Red Arrow was with them, in between searches for the real Roy. Behind him and far back was his wife Jade. She didn't use her Cheshire personality as much. Then he looked to the front, where Batgirl and Beast Boy were. Logan had taken to M'gann as if she was his sister, which in many ways he was. Batgirl was Dick's newest girlfriend, Barbara Gordon. He remembered the night she found out that they all were heroes, even Artemis. They were Tempest had left the team and Tula had yet to join.
Wally looked away from the picture when he phone began buzzing. He picked it up and saw 'Dick' on the caller ID. Sighing, he answered.
"Hey. How did the raid go?"
"Fine, Wally. However, I was wondering. Would you be up for meeting our newest operative? He's good friends with that Didact you watched on TV."
"I'll see you in ten. Watchtower, I assume?"
"See you there, Flash Junior."
A/N: oh look, I got the chapter done. Despero is next!