Batman wrapped his cape around him as he stared straight ahead at his greatest enemy.
"Eren Jaeger." He said. "You are far from your island. Too far."
"I came to pay my respects to the Man of Steel." Eren said coolly. He kneeled down and lifted Raven's head off the ground. "She took his death harder than anyone."
Wonder Woman stepped forward.
"Eren." She said. Her voice firm. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Raven came here of her own accord to speak on my behalf." Eren said quietly. "I rather wish she hadn't… it would have been easier if I had simply issued my own response."
"And response is that?"
Eren stared straight at them, dead-eyed.
"If you ever attempt to destroy my island again, I will destroy you all."
Wonder Woman stood, glaring at him darkly, as Batman stepped forward.
"You would threaten us?" He growled. "In your position?"
"Eren…" Raven murmured. Eren gripped her head tightly.
"Take us back to the Island." He commanded. "Now."
She closed her eyes and vast shadows surrounded them. Batman raised his hand, and a batarang spun forward… but by the time it reached its targets, they had vanished.
The Flash came to a stop right beside Bruce.
"That's it?" He asked, a little surprised. "He just showed up and left?"
"He threatened to destroy the entire world if we let him be." Batman said.
"Really?"
"He did." Wonder Woman said. She sounded troubled. "But does he have the power to follow through on his threat?"
"He does." Batman said, his voice heavily. "Any man that could kill Superman is dangerous."
Wonder Woman fell silent.
"Assemble the League." Batman said. "Jaeger must be stopped. We will not allow Superman's death to be for naught."
…
Raven was set down on in her room to rest as Eren returned to the throne room. Historia and Mikasa were waiting for him. Historia looked very unhappy, but Mikasa stood tall and imposing expressionless.
"What did you do, Eren?" Historia asked, exasperated. "Everyone from the outside world is saying that you're the greatest supervillain in the world!"
He walked past her and sat on his throne. Immediately Mikasa moved in to stand beside him. Historia looked up at them, her unease deepening. If it came to a matter of loyalties, Mikasa would take Eren's side no matter what.
"Is that so?" Eren sounded disinterested. "I have seen differently. I watched a brave girl stand up against the entrenched political establishment of this world's global superpower. I have seen people be imprisoned for speaking out in our favor, for daring to think that we could be human. Superman himself died to protect us."
Historia watched him carefully, his lip curled.
"We will not lay over and die." Eren said. "We will crush those who conspire against us… so we can harmonize with those from the outside world."
Historia laughed humorlessly.
"You speak of peace, yet you act to destroy them all." She said. "They are right to fear you!"
She thought she saw Mikasa's hand twitch to her blade, and a twinge of fear ran through her entire body, but it was Eren who spoke.
"Fear me they shall."
…
Assembling a team to take on Eren Jaeger was far more difficult than Batman had imagined. Raven's defense of the Eldian people, coupled with the masses distrust of the government and the Justice League, had left many of his best operatives questioning his motives. It was fortunate that Diana had been present to hear Eren's threat against the world, and as such she took the threat just as seriously as she did. With her help he was able to recruit a team of seven to raid Paradis and remove Eren Jaeger from power… by force.
"We've never displaced a dictator before." Supergirl told him anxiously. "Wouldn't that cause some kind of, uh, power vacuum?"
"You are wise to consider such things." Wonder Woman said, causing her to beam. "But Historia has shown that she is more than capable of leading her people when it comes domestic affairs. Our target is Jaeger… I cannot imagine that Historia supports him in this matter."
"But are we sure about that?" Supergirl asked. "If we're wrong-"
'We're not wrong." Batman growled at her.
Ignoring her shocked expression, he stalked off.
"Forgive him." Wonder Woman told her. "He's taking Kal's death rather hard."
She smiled weakly. "So am I."
Soon enough, the team was brought together.
Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Supergirl, and Cyborg… these would be the seven to raid the Island of Eldia and remove Jaeger from power. Of those, Batman trusted only Cyborg… and only because Barbara had him under her complete control. He was sure the others, if given half of an opportunity, would betray him and defend the Eldians if given even half a reason to do so.
Barbara would likely be getting a lot more usage out of the satellite cannon in the near future.
Despite his concerns for the Eldians, however, things were quickly spiraling out of control. President Lex Luthor had had to go into hiding after the White House was stormed by its own people and several high ranking government officials were killed. The entire country was erupting into Civil War.
(This wouldn't happen if the people were not allowed to have guns)
When Jaeger was thrust from power they would have to focus their energy on maintaining peace… and, perhaps, stripping the population of more of their easily abused rights.
…
It took Raven a moment to realize that she was in safe territory. When she had first woken up, she had assumed the worst. That she had been captured by the enemy. She had accidently frightened the poor nurse who had been looking after her when she had first woken up, but once she had calmed down she realized that she was back on the island.
"I brought you your tea." Historia told her brightly, as she set the cup on her bedside table.
"Thank you." Raven said quietly. She could tell that Historia was faking her smile. She was more troubled than Raven had ever seen her. "Are you well?"
Her hand trembled somewhat.
"What?" Historia said, clearly a little distracted. "No… No, I'm very well."
She refused to elaborate any more on the subject, asking instead about more trivial topics. Raven felt it was not in her best interest to push her: Historia was very clearly not interested in opening up about whatever was bothering her.
She was in the middle of telling her about Dr. Friez's progress in training the first generation of modern Eldian engineers when a knock came at the door.
"Come in." Historia said.
It was Mikasa Ackerman. Raven knew her by sight, although they had never spoken. She had initially assumed her to be Levi Ackerman's wife, but had learned since that that was not the case. Although every Eldian almost universally seemed to consider Levi to be the strongest man behind the walls, Mikasa seemed to have a reputation for being far more loyal to her King.
"Mikasa." Historia said. "Is something the matter?"
"My apologies." Ackerman said. Her voice, Raven was surprised, was far softer than she would have expected. "But Eren requests your presence."
Historia stood up, but Mikasa shook her head.
"Your presence." She said, gesturing to Raven.
She was surprised.
"Me?" She repeated. "Why?"
"She's not well." Historia said immediately. "It has to-"
"She's coming." Mikasa said, and that was that.
Wonder Woman had done a number on her. Merely getting out of bed made her head feel like it was about to split open. Historia helped her along as Raven made her way to the throne room, where Eren Jaeger sat waiting.
Mikasa immediately stepped up beside him, and Raven felt herself feeling a little intimidated. They were both staring down at her with rather hard looks.
"Firstly." Eren said. "Let me thank you for speaking up on our behalf. Because of you the Globalist Government was not able to justify an all out attack on this island. The United States Military is in shambles, and their own people have risen up to overthrow their leaders. Because of you, there is no real hope of a traditional invasion."
Raven instantly saw the problem. "But Batman isn't controlled by the government."
"Indeed." Eren said. "He is coming here, in hopes of displacing me and seizing control of this island and its people."
Raven's eyes flashed. "He cannot be allowed to do so."
"I quite agree." Eren said. "And we have no means of defending ourselves the Justice League. Their powers are beyond that of most weapons we possess."
"…Most?" Raven repeated, suggesting that he elaborate. He ignored her.
"The only reason the Justice League is coming here is because they believed I killed Superman." He said. "If someone from the outside world… someone like you… was able to prove to them otherwise… we could stop this conflict before it even begins."
Raven understood where he was coming from, but she shook her head.
"I have no influence in the outside world." She said. "I have done everything I possibly can. I have vouched for you, and I have fought and bled for you… and I will give my life for you. But I cannot stop the Justice League."
Eren stared down at her, and for the first time Raven had the distinct impression that he was angry with her.
"Very well." Eren said at last. "We have only one option remaining."
Historia gasped, raising her hand to her mouth.
"Before we utilize the absolute last resort." Eren said. Historia relaxed somewhat, and Raven gave her a surprised look.
"Levi."
Raven gave a small start. She had not noticed Levi standing right behind her.
"I want you to kill the Justice League." Eren said. "If they cannot be stopped… we will make them stop."
"No!" Raven said, horrified. "That's suicide!"
Levi bowed his head.
"As you wish." He said, his voice cold. And then he was gone.
"Mikasa."
"Yes?"
"Prepare the Garrison." Eren said. "They're going to have their work cut out for them protecting the population from the fallout. Armin, Annie, and Ymir should all be prepared to do their part."
"Yes."
"Historia?"
"Yes?"
"I will need you to work with Raven to make sure that we have the weapons we need to adequately deal with the Justice League. Dr. Friez and Robin will be valuable assets, and we will need them to contribute everything we possibly have to this conflict."
"Friez has a lot of experience fighting Batman." Raven noted. She felt herself calming down somewhat. "And Robin knows him better than anyone. If anyone could get the better of him… it's them."
"My thoughts exactly." Eren said.
Historia bit her lip.
"But at what point will you cause the Rumbling?"
Raven gave her an inquisitive look.
"As the absolute final resort." Eren said. "It will not be used unless absolutely necessary."
"If you have some sort of ace in the hole." Raven said, her voice cold. "Perhaps you should consider using it now, before you needlessly send your men out to die."
She had not read the room very well at all. All of the Eldians gave her a blank stare.
"The Rumbling is not a toy that can be played with." Eren said, ending the awkward silence. "I will not destroy this world unless I feel like I absolutely must."
"Destroy… the world?" Raven repeated, puzzled. "What exactly…?"
Historia shook her head, placing her hand on her arm.
"We haven't the time for this." She hissed. "Pray you never live to see it."
She took Raven's arm and dragged her away.
"Farewell." Eren said, as he watched them leave. "Dedicate your hearts… to the Eldian people."
…
A/N
Wow, you didn't have to wait all that long for a new chapter. At the rate I'm currently going I do expect I will finish the story relatively soon. Thank you all for being so patient, but I really felt like if I rushed this second half of the story the quality would have suffered.