FIC: Faith Wayne (24/?)

J'onn J'onzz looked up when alarms blared out throughout the Watchtower, his mouth dropping open at the sight of hordes upon hordes of creatures sweeping towards the massed GL lines. His hand thudded down on the alarm button, information flowing from their control satellite and to the various teams and individuals awaiting his call throughout the world. Then he turned on the automatic defence systems, rushed to the loading bay and flung himself out into the vastness of space.

Gotham City

"I'm surprised you sent for me."

Batman didn't bother to glance towards Azrael, choosing instead to peer down at the shadowy streets, car lights illuminating the stygian darkness even as their engines' roar drifted up to him. "You're a better soldier than you are crime-fighter, Jean-Paul, and we're in a war tonight." Besides with Nightwing leading the Atomic Knights in Bludhaven, he needed all the help he could get. "Robin's in the south with Huntress and Batwoman, Oracle will be co-ordinating our efforts. We have allies out there tonight."

"Couldn't trust me with the boy and the girls?"

Batman ignored the bitter tone in Azarel's voice. "You're good at what you do, we'll need you eventually."

"And need me against what?" Disbelief replaced bitterness in his former protégé's voice. "Fallen angels?"

Batman raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised at your incredulity given your name." Some instinct forced his eyes up to the cloudy sky above. "They're here," he clenched his gloved fists, "I can sense them." Batman grimaced as his utility belt let out a warning beep. "I knew it."

Metropolis

Gangbuster looked towards Agent Liberty and Rick, his heart tight in his chest. As heroes patrolling Metropolis, they were forever in the shadow of Superman, but despite that they took their duties seriously, and tonight they'd be called upon to protect their city in ways they'd never dreamed.

Teen Titans HQ, San Francisco

Cyborg strode into the Teen Titans' conference room, his friends crowded into the room, the tension in the air so thick it was difficult to breathe. "The alarm just came in," he stilled the exited murmurs with a raised hand. "We already know how we're planning to respond, I'm leading Red Devil, Static, and Hawkgirl in protecting SF itself, Wonder Girl, you're taking Miss Martin, Super Girl, and Super Boy up to help in the orbital defence." Cyborg cast a quick look around, committing his friends' faces to memory. "You have your jobs people, do them, then come back alive. That's an order."

JSA HQ, NY

Alan Scott stared at the communicator in his hand, stomach twisting at the portentous message he'd just received. Gathering himself, he rose and hurried through the corridors into the waiting lounge, everyone stiffening at his entrance. "The message just came in. Hawkman, I want you to lead Cyclone, Damage, Atom-Smasher, Doc Mid-nite, Mr. Terrific, and Wildcat in a ground defence. Power Girl, Jade, we'll fly up and join the orbital defence."

Freedom Fighters HQ, WashingtonDC.

Uncle Sam looked around his team-mates in the Freedom Fighters, pride swelling inside his chest. "Once again," he intoned. "It falls to us to protect our nation's capital from enemies without. Stay alert and stay together."

Faith's heart thundered as she started down the steps leading out of the house. Even with the bigger stakes her nerves weren't for herself but for Xan and the others. Guess that was courtesy of a mom who'd reached her to believe she didn't matter.

Whatever the reason, fuck she was so scared for Xan, her throat was narrower than a straw and her heart all twisted and beating like it was bein' pounded on by a drummer with ADD. "Be careful."

Faith forced a smirk as she turned to Harris, one hand resting casually on her hip. "Careful? Practically my middle name, yo."

"Oh yeah?" Xander's remaining eye gleamed with amusement. "I could think of a few more suitable ones?"

"You ever wanna get me between the sheets again, you better not use any of 'em," Faith warned before standing up on her tiptoes, cupping Xan's face and, ignoring the brats' catcalls, kissing him on the cheek before whispering in his ear, "stay safe, hon." Faith shot the watching Slayers a blistering glare. "Come on, brats. We got a city to protect."

"John Henry Irons," Irons stiffened at the metallic voice, then relaxed as he belatedly recognised its owner as his friend and turned to face the blue-caped android. "Are you readying yourself to fly to Earth's defence?"

"Yes," he replied with a nod as he picked up his hammer. "I'm just about ready."

"Excellent," Red Tornado nodded. "Then it would an honour if I and Firestorm," the android indicated Irons' fellow African-American meta stood behind him, "could accompany you?"

Irons flashed the android a gleaming smile. "It's me who'd be honoured my friend."

Superman's cape swelled around him as he flew up to the ensuing battle, the on-going carnage causing his blood to chill. Gathering himself, he initiated his Legion communications device, made the call then slowed as the demon that could only be Lucifer turning towards him, shock reverberating through him at the palpable wave of hatred searing from the demon to him.

Superman snarled and balled his fists together, jaw clenching. No-one was going to destroy his adopted planet. Not while there was a breath left in his body.

Star City

Sirens blared through the air, thick, black smoke pluming up from around the city between skyscrapers. Ollie Green bared his teeth as he heard Black Canary's shrill screech heading towards him, pushing one of the Fallen towards them. "Ready, Arsenal?"

"Ready," his protégé growled through the earpiece.

"There's enough space between us and the Fallen, I want you to use the Explosives arrows, one in the head, one in the torso," Green ordered. "I'll do the same."

"Roger."

Ollie sighted, drew, and released the arrow in one smooth motion. He didn't bother to follow the arrow's progress, choosing instead to reach into his quiver, draw and aim his next arrow, and send it on its way. Green Arrow watched the second arrow vibrate its way to its target, saw it thud home high in the demon's left shoulder. The moment Roy's arrow did the same, Ollie pressed his detonator.

Four explosions split the sky, the monster shredding, fragments of flesh, bone, and blood flying in every direction, and would have soaked Black Canary but for his love quickly screaming up a sonic screen that knocked said remains to the ground. "Well done everyone," Green Arrow rasped. "Let's move on to the next."

Bludhaven

Nightwing flew through the air, catching the Fallen square in the face, his drop-kick's impact echoing up his lower limbs. Landing in a crouch beneath its flashing talons, he reached out, grabbed it by its calves and pulled.

The demon crashed to the ground, hitting a pile of rubble behind it. Then another launched itself out of the darkness to his right, only to disintegrate in a blast of yellow energy.

Nightwing glanced over his shoulder when he saw another blast of energy take the Fallen he'd been battling. Rising, he turned towards the half a dozen Atomic Knights stood there, their armour scratched, scorched, and dented, but the Knights themselves still standing. "This sector has been cleansed, Sector 12 is reporting heavy Fallen activity."

Nightwing nodded. "Sector 12 it is."

Rain poured down on the grim city as sirens blared and women screamed in the distance, Faith shooting glances all around, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling pre-cognitively as the night's horror swelled like an approaching storm. "Shit!" Faith stumbled backwards, dropping into a crouch when a seven-foot tall, powerfully built, scaled figure crashed to the ground opposite her, flamed eyes peering out of its avian face, the air echoing to the flapping of its triangle-shaped leathery wings.

"Such emotions in you!" Faith recoiled instinctively before the creeping nightmare, its three-pronged claws digging into the tarmac as it started towards her, Faith's throat drying and tightening as the creature approached. "Fear, rage, temper, wantonness. I grow -. SSSSS!" The angel flinched backwards when Faith's Slayers stepped out of the shadows to flank her, their faces taut and white, but their gazes steady. "LOYALTY! COURAGE! HONOUR!"

"Explosives." Faith started at her father's grim tone suddenly behind her. The wall to the beast's left imploded, burying the angel beneath it. The Slayers parted before the masked crime-fighter. "Thank you for your assistance, ladies." Batman crouched down and scooped up a brick. "I'll deal with this from here."

A cold rage built up within Batman as he stared at the pile of shattered bricks beneath which his daughter's attacker laid. Only his iron control held him back from racing over there and flinging the bricks off the Fallen and attacking it himself-.

Wayne's eyes narrowed as the first brick fell off the top of the pile. Launching himself forward he raced up the pile, his hand swinging down to first scoop up and then crash the brick into the creature's skull. Bone shattered, the creature's head snapping around as his blow impacted. The angel peered up, mouth opening.

The creature's head snapped to the side when Batman drove the brick into its jaw, bone shattering inwards. Blood gushed out to soak his glove as he leaned back and swung the brick down again, the creature's cheek collapsing under the ferocity of his attack.

And he swung again and again, until the creature's head hung limp and all fire had left its eyes.

"Don't ever threaten my daughter again." Batman snarled as he dropped the bloodied brick and retreated down the pile, eyes glancing left and right as he searched for more demons to hunt.

Pain ran like fire through Gwet-Dar's frame as he fell to earth, every muscle screaming in protest as a thousand dreadful images rampaged through his head. Of the winged fouls, of the monsters tearing through his allies and friends, and of them rending, tearing great wounds in him.

"Haaaa!" Gwet-Dar screamed as he hit the ground, more bones shattering as he failed to activate in time to completely cushion his landing. Blood bubbled out of his mouth, every limb aching and head thundering.

"Life force to extinguish in two minutes." Gwet-Dar forced back a moan at the ring's cold statement. He had to find someone to-. "Potential bearer approaching." Gwet-Dar pulled his head up and forced his three eyes to focus on the humans hurrying towards him.

"Oh man!" A voice gasped. "An alien!"

"A dying alien," a man's deep voice commented. "Give him some room, girls." The women sped back as the man crouched beside. "Sir, is there anything I can do for you? Some water."

Gwet-Dar's vision blurred then sharpened to reveal the one-eyed man cradling him in his arms. "One thing. The ring," yellow blood dripped from Gwet-Dar's mouth, "the ring says you have sufficient willpower to wield it."

Xander stared open-mouthed at the alien. Him, a Green Lantern? A space cop? The very idea was ridiculous.

"Hey Xan," Xander blinked as Faith appeared from the opposite end of the street, her girls crouched behind her. "We saw the guy fall outta the sky. If his ring thinks you can do the job, take it."

"But the girls-."

"We'll join up patrols," Faith interrupted. "The real fight's up there and if you can help, I know you, you," Faith's dark eyes shone with pride, "you gotta do."

The alien let out a bone-rattling groan, its eyes dulling. "Take the ring."

"Um," Xander gently eased the ring off the being's finger and slipped it on his own. Instantly he was cloaked in an emerald light, his clothes replaced by a Green Lantern costume. "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"