A look of disgust curled on Roy's face when the sound of G. Gordon Godfrey greeted him. It was coming from the tv, where Connor and Mia were watching Godfrey's show.
"-Justice League finally provided scanners to every government on Earth to root out those filthy little aliens posing as real human beings," Godfrey said, leaving toward the camera like it was interested in what he was saying. "But you have to wonder, how were they able to whip up this tech so fast?"
"Why are you guys watching this garbage?" Roy asked as he crossed his arms.
"Social studies," Connor answered. "We have to write about the recent alien invasion from different perspectives."
"And this is what, your conspiracy theory perspective?"
"Blame the school," Mia said as she scribbled something in her notebook.
"They're the ones making us watch this clown. Bet you he's an alien."
"How do you figure?"
"Throws people off his scent if he's anti-alien like this."
"Wouldn't surprise me. Turn it off as soon as your done. We don't support Godfrey in this home."
"I'm done," Connor said. "Mia?"
"Yeah, I think I have enough for a paper."
"We can also compare notes." Connor turned the tv off. "Better?"
"Much."
"Have you heard anything about the alien invasion?" Mia asked, rolling over so she was laying on her back.
"No, but I doubt it'll stay that way. Batman will reach out when he has enough information." Which Roy hoped would be soon, because he had a lot of questions and wanted answers.
— —
Unfortunately, those answers didn't come until a couple weeks later, as soon as Red Arrow stepped off his bike, his comm beeped. He gestured to Speedy and GA to change as he put his hand to his ear. "Red Arrow," he said.
"I need you to come to Gotham," Batman replied in place of a greeting.
"Right now?" There was a hint of amusement in the archer's voice as he made to follow his proteges and change out of his suit.
"Yes, right now."
Red Arrow stopped dead in his tracks. "What's wrong?"
"No one's hurt."
"That's not an answer."
"I can explain better if you just come to the Cave."
"Does it have something to do with that explosion I saw on the news on Malina Island last week?"
"No. That was an…unrelated matter."
"I can't just drop everything-"
"This is important, Roy."
Red Arrow sighed, then slowly nodded. "Yeah… Ok. I'll be there in 15 minutes." His hand dropped from his comm as Mia and Connor approached him with concerned frowns.
"Is everything ok?" Connor asked.
"Did Batman say something about the explosion?" Mia asked at the same time. "Did someone get hurt?"
"No one is hurt." Or so he says. "But I have to go to Gotham tonight."
"Why?"
"I don't know, he wouldn't tell me. Can you guys just tell Jade I'll be home soon?"
"Mhm," Connor nodded. "Be careful."
"I will. Everything will be fine. Bed, when you get upstairs. Both of you."
"Bye, Roy."
"Bye," Mia added as Red Arrow walked back to his bike. They watched him leave silently, then stood there for a minute. "What'd you think's going on?"
"No clue." Connor shrugged. "Everything's fine though. Roy can handle everything."
"That's true."
"Come on, let's go upstairs. See if Jade needs any help with the baby."
"Mhm."
— —
Red Arrow drove his bike out of the zeta tube and drove down a Gotham street. 'What could Bruce possibly want to talk to me about?' he wondered as he drove toward the Bat Cave. 'If no one was hurt on Malina Island, then what else is going on?' He'd talked to Bruce on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dick and been quiet since New Years, but Roy had chalked that up to getting busy with the Team again. 'I'll just have to wait until I get there.' Thankfully, it didn't take long to get there. When he drove into the Cave, Batman was sitting at the computer, with Dick, Barbara, Tim, and Alfred standing around him. 'Oh…this should be fun,' Roy thought as he got off his bike.
"Hey, bro!" Dick said excitedly as Red Arrow approached. "Glad you made it."
"Well, B didn't give me much of a choice," Roy said as he took his mask off. "What's up?"
"I have to leave Earth," Bruce said, once again not bothering with a greeting.
"Why? Where are you going?"
"Rimbor."
"Where is Rimbor- No, why are you going to Rimbor?"
"That's… Do you remember when Savage and Kalrion broke onto the Watchtower five years ago?"
It definitely didn't escape Roy's notice that Bruce was leaving someone out of that explanation, but he didn't mind. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"
"Do you remember the missing 16 hours where I and several League members disappeared and we had no idea where?"
"Did you finally figure it out?"
"Unfortunately," Barbara muttered.
Roy frowned. "What'd you mean unfortunately? What happened?"
Bruce sighed. "Apparently, while under the control of the Starro-tech, we…may have attacked the planet," he explained. "People got hurt. Innocent people"
"Yikes."
"Big yikes," Barbara agreed.
"We're going to Rimbor to stand trial and clear our names."
"You're going to be on trial?" Roy asked, suddenly concerned.
"There's no need to worry, Master Roy," Alfred reassured him. "These actions were taken while Master Bruce and his comrades were…not themselves. We're certain they'll be able to clear their names."
"I hope so. When do you leave?"
"In a few days."
"You gonna come see him off with us?" Dick asked brightly.
"Of course." Roy wouldn't give up the opportunity to potentially say good-bye to Bruce forever. "Is…that all?"
"Yes," Bruce said as he stood. "Tim, are you sleeping here tonight?"
"Yeah," Tim nodded. "My parents are in Brazil this week, so I'll probably stay until they come home." Bruce nodded, then walked away, presumably to change.
"Are you staying for a while?" Dick asked Roy.
"I can't. I have to go home."
"Really?!"
"What do you have going on in Star that you always have to be there?" Tim asked curiously.
"Yeah," Barbara agreed. "What kind of Ponzi scheme are you running out there?"
"It's nothing. I'm just busy. There's…a lot of crime," Roy replied, trying not to seem evasive. Part of him watched to tell them about Connor and Mia. About his tiny baby girl, probably fast asleep in her crib. The way Connor had sat with Lian in his lap while he mediated on Rōhatsu. How Mia had read Twas the Night Before Christmas to Lian on Christmas Eve (with bonus commentary passing judgment on the characters.) Because he had to keep his kids safe. Protecting Connor from the inevitable judgment other heroes (mostly Bruce) would have for him. 'I was going to do it soon, but with Bruce leaving the planet….seems like he's got enough going on. Maybe I should just wait until he comes back.'
"Yeah, I get busy," Dick agreed, rubbing his hair a little bit. "Things have been…crazy with the Team since New Years."
"Any chance that explosion I saw on the news at Malina Island?"
"…Yeah. That was…not fun."
Tim rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's one way to describe that traitor Kaldur trying to blow us all to kingdom come," he muttered.
Something slammed into Roy's stomach and momentarily knocked the wind out of him. "K-Kaldur was there?" he asked quietly.
Dick and Barbara gave Tim equal looks of disappointment, which he visibly shrunk under. "Timmy, what was that we said about not telling Roy about Kadlur?" Dick asked.
"Sorry…" Tim muttered.
"It's fine, Dick," Roy said dismissively, waving it off with his hand. "It's fine. I'm fine."
"Uh-huh…" Dick replied.
"It's true. I am." Roy swallowed. "So… Kaldur was at Malina Island?"
"Yeah. He tried to blow up everyone but, we got away."
"So he's…really…gone to the dark side, huh?" He tried to keep the hint of hopefulness out of his voice. Judging by the glint in Dick's eye, he definitely noticed.
"He attacked all of us. Including Aquaman and L'gaan."
"Who's L'gann?"
"Aquaman's new protege."
"…He has a new protege?" Somehow that surprised Roy, even though he knew, logically, that Aquaman was bound to get a new protege eventually. It still hurt though. He couldn't shake the feeling like Kaldur had been replaced. 'But Kal…he's a villain now. A bad guy. He's trying to blow up my friends!' While it was exactly where Roy knew he'd end up because of his choice, it still hurt to know.
"Yeah. He's an ok, kid. Still learning." Dick shrugged, then looked Roy in the eye. "I know it's hard for you, Roy, but Kaldur's not coming back to us."
"I know. I- I know."
"If you ever get too lonely out in Star you're welcome to come on a few missions with us," Barbara offered.
"Yeah!" Tim agreed excitedly.
"Thanks, guys. I'll…keep that in mind."
"At least stop by more often," Dick said. "We miss you around here."
"I know. I miss you guys too." Roy looked at the time and sighed. "I really have to go home. Let me know when Bruce leaves for Rimbor. I want to be there."
"Will do. Get home safe."
"I will. Bye guys."
"Bye, Red," Barbara smiled. "Get some sleep. You look tired."
"Bye, Roy," Tim said.
Red Arrow put his mask back on as he walked back to his bike.
— —
When he got home, he checked on Connor and Mia, who were asleep. He passed by the nursery, then smiled a little as he walked in. "Did she wake up?" he asked, nodding his head at Lian in her arms. The baby cooed quietly and reached for her mother.
"Of course," Jade replied. "Any of those baby books you read give away when she's supposed to start sleeping through the night?"
Roy chuckled as he walked closer and gently ran his fingers over Lian's soft hair. "Why don't you just read it yourself?"
"Because I have maternal instincts. Besides, we both don't need to know all that stuff. That's what I have you for." Jade stroke Lian's cheek. "Why the summons from the Bat tonight?"
"Mmm… League business he wanted to tell me about. Here, let me take her." He let Jade put Lian in his arms then stepped back so she could leave. Roy smiled and hummed while he bounced Lian in his arms. "Shhh… Time to sleep now, baby." Roy shushed her again, then quietly started singing,
"Ahala ahalago naashá gha̧
Shí naashá gha̧, shí naashá gha̧
Shí naashá lágo hózhǫ́ la
Shí naashá gha̧, shí naashá gha̧
Shí naashá, ladee hózhóó lá
Ahala ahalago naashá gha̧
Shí naashá gha̧, shí naashá gha̧
Shí naashá lágo hózhǫ́ la
Shí naashá gha̧, shí naashá gha̧
Shí naashá, ladee hózhóó lá."
Roy repeated the lullaby a couple more times before Lian was fully asleep. He smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "My dad used to sing that to me, you know? When I was really small. It's one of my earliest memories." Very, very gently, to not wake her up, Roy laid Lian down in the crib. He stroked her cheek gently and stayed there for a few seconds, just watching her sleep. 'Sleep well, my baby.'
— —
It was a few days later that Red Arrow found himself outside Mount Justice. He looked directly at Batman, trying to ignore the beach behind them. As much as he was definitely over Kaldur (absolutely over him) the sight of the sand and seawater still brought back memories he'd rather not think about. So he focused solely on Batman, trying not to think about how this might be the last time he'd see his mentor.
"Be careful, alright?" Nightwing asked.
"I was about to say the same thing to you four" Batman replied evenly. "I fear we leave the more dangerous task here on Earth."
"We'll manage."
For a moment, Batman glanced at Red Arrow. Despite how capable he knew the archer was, it was hard to turn off the part of the Bat that regretted leaving him. 'It isn't as if I've been around to help him lately.'
"Time to go!" John announced.
'Oh, well.' Batman trend away from his kids to join the others. 'At least I'm leaving him knowing there's no way Oliver can hurt him.'
'Bye. Bruce,' Roy thought as he watched Batman join the other League members living for Rimbor. He glanced at the other proteges gathered on the beach with them. Despite everyone knowing the seriousness of the situation and why it was necessary, why their mentors had to leave, there was still an element of sadness to the air.
"May the gods be with you all," Wonder Woman told them.
No one moved or said anything as John created a green spaceship around them and they flew away into space.
"It'll be ok," Nightwing said quietly.
"Think so?" Red Arrow asked.
"Of course. Why? Don't you think so?"
"…I don't know." Red Arrow looked up at the star-filled sky. "I just…got a bad feeling."
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. They'll clear their names and be home in no time."
"I hope so."
Nightwing turned to his brother and smiled. "Want to patrol Gotham with us?"
"Can't." Red Arrow shoved his younger brother away gently. "But, if you guys really need me, I'll be there. Don't hesitate to call."
"We won't. Come on guys. Let's go."
'Be safe, Bruce,' Red Arrow thought as he followed the others back inside Mount Justice. 'Good luck. Given what's been going on, I feel like we're all going to need it.'
A/N: Things are slowly getting more intense.
The song Roy sings is one I found online. My research turned it up as a lullaby so, I apologize if it is a) not a lullaby and b) if the words/translation are wrong.
Translation:
I am going in freedom
I am going in beauty all around me
I am going, I am going in beauty
It is around me