Disclaimer: Neither Ben 10 or any of it's products or characters belong to me. Justice League and any of it's products or characters do not belong to me either. Thank you for reading.
Author's Note: First of all, out of the first few people who read my story, a few people seem to dislike or are sick of the whole Kara X Ben pairing. While yes it is overdone I really do like the two pairings, but I might change my mind and perhaps pair him with someone else. It won't be anyone who appears in Young Justice because well...I want to try that too after this story. Might change in the future.
Author's Note #2: Yes, some of you noticed Wally West is not the Flash in this story. I am almost positive that Wally West was never supposed to be the Flash in the beginning of the making of the Justice League. The first Flash was supposed to be Barry Allen in the beginning of the Justice League. So that will stay no matter what. But as a result of this story the Young Justice universe might change a bit.
Chapter 2: Once A Hero, Always A Hero
Gotham City: Wayne Manor
Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth had been the faithful butler and care taker of the Wayne family for many years. He had been here for happy times, the difficult times, and the most tragic of times. He had been here through his young master Bruce's grief when his parents died, recklessness as he grew up, anger as he truly faced the death of his parents, and finally his reincarnation into the hero known as, Batman.
He stood vigilantly during the nights his young master went out to make the world a better place while he was ironically more relaxed during the day when parties were attended and money was seemingly thrown about as his young master also played the billionaire playboy to hide his true night activities. He often thought of what the young master Bruce's parents would have thought about their only son going about, putting himself in danger and risking his life almost every night, and recently almost every day.
...They would, of course, have been proud of their son. As was he. He hoped that the late Thomas and Martha Wayne would not frown on his support of the young master driving himself so hard, while never really forming much of a social life or friendships, despite his heroic actions.
A knowing smile appeared on the old sage's lips as he put away the rest of the clean dishes, drying his hands off. He had indeed noticed the young master had started to...open up more, if that was the correct term, after forming the so called Justice League with the other heroes. Despite referring to himself as merely a part-timer, he had noticed that despite his reluctant nature, he worked together with the Justice League more often than not these days. A good sign if he did say so himself.
As Alfred started walking out of the kitchen and through the house, he started his way towards the large living room, intent on finishing his repairs on one of the young master's 'civilian' motorcycles when a sudden large engine noise rumbled right outside the large display windows. A blinding searchlight peered into the room moments later.
On instinct from having faced crisis while being around his young master's alter-ego, or perhaps his true face, the aged butler immediately took cover behind the two shelf bookshelf in the living room. He peeked out just in time to see Hawkmen and Hawkwomen pouring out of the drop ship.
"Good heavens!" Alfred managed to duck his head in time as the windows smashed open, the Thanagarian soldiers smoothly landing down on the ground. Alfred peeked over the bookshelf, noting with distaste the mess the Thanagarians made in the living room.
Hro Talak's adviser and a lieutenant of the Thanagarian forces, Kragger, stepped forward. Using his war axe, he slammed aside one of the expensive loft chairs. Not being one to cower and stand aside, Alfred immediately ran forward with his fists up, blocking Kragger's way.
While the Thanagarians were sacrificing the humans to survive, Kragger had no desire to fight someone with, first and foremost, no power whatsoever. He also had no desire to kill someone with such age but thought the old human was commendable for trying to put up a fight. Nonetheless, he was in the way.
Kragger immediately shot his hand out and grabbed the old butler's face and threw him aside onto the ground with enough force to knock him out. Already knowing where his destination was, Kragger headed straight for the grandfather clock that hid the secret entrance to the Batcave. He swiftly rammed his war axe into the clock and smashed it into a few pieces.
He eyed the metal door for a few moments before placing his hand on the cool surface, feeling the structure. A very strong, reinforced metal alloy. Even laser fire wouldn't be able to penetrate that. He moved aside and nodded his head at the Hawkwomen carrying an energized staff, one with enough power to melt any metal alloy.
The soldier nodded and stepped towards the door, lifting the staff and ramming the energized end of it into the door. The metal heated up after one mere second and started to melt through. She dragged the staff all the way down before making her way up and curved it around to the other side. Cutting through the whole perimeter of the door before she swiftly kicked it down into a hot smoking mess. Kragger abruptly brushed past her and into the small staircase leading down into the cave.
The other Thanagarian soldiers immediately followed their leader, gripping their various weapons carefully as they moved in small groups throughout the cave.
Kragger looked around as he started to hover down onto one section of the cave, "Spread out." he landed down alongside four of his soldiers, peering around the dimly lit cave, "Their hiding here somewhere."
Just as the Thanagarians started spreading out amongst the darkness, a thin green blast sliced through the barrel of a laser cannon one of the Hawkmen were carrying, "Uh-uh. All through hiding." Green Lantern's shining emerald eyes glowed in the shadows of the cave.
Suddenly a voice echoed in the darkness, a slight Romanian accent laced into his voice, "It is you, my feathered friends, who should be hiding."
One of the Hawkmen suddenly cried out in pain, startling the rest of the soldiers to turn towards him. They looked on in slight horror as their fellow soldier was in the grips of a bizarre looking creature, it's fangs currently sunk into the neck of their comrade. He seemed to get a bit pale as his body went limp, his energy drained, dropping his own laser cannon onto the ground.
The creature had a large head with greenish-white skin and sharp yellow teeth along with shining sickly green eyes unlike Green Lanterns burning bright emerald ones. He wore what looked like a black and green jumpsuit with a green chest plate. He had on black gloves with green pointed claws and a green mask with spikes along the sides and chin, two long ones forming a V shape on top of his forehead. Under his arms, he had green flaps resembling the wings of a bat similar to a wingsuit. The Ultimatrix dial was right under where his belly button would have been, worn like a belt buckle.
Whampire smirked at the Thanagarian soldiers, licking his fangs for the fear factor, "Mm...tastes like chicken."
Green Lantern raised his right fist, glaring at the Thanagarians, "Come and get some."
The Hawkmen immediately flew into action, charging up their various weapons. A few fired their laser rifles and pistols at Green Lantern while the ones with maces, spears, and axes attempted to slice at Whampire. A green glow immediately covered Green Lantern as he took to the air and fired a blast of energy into the face of one of the soldiers, knocking him down.
Wonder Woman jumped from the shadows, spinning her lasso around before expertly wrapping it around one of the Hawkmen's ankles, yanking him down towards her. She spun him around over her head before slinging him away.
J'onn phased through the floor, lifting his right arm up as he solidified and promptly close-lined the Hawkmen thrown by Wonder Woman.
Gwen formed flat purple platforms in the air, stepping from one to another as she formed temporary stairs for herself. As she reached her desired height she started chucking spheres of purple mana into any Hawkmen flying in the air, knocking them down or at least disarming them.
Meanwhile Flash was zipping around the cave, grabbing the spear of a Hawkman trying to pierce him and jumping over it, delivering a kick into his face. Another soldier carefully aimed his laser pistol at Flash but soon screamed out in agony as Superman zoomed in front of him and smashed his hands onto the barrel of the laser and the trigger. The heat from the blast caused the Hawkman immense pain while Superman barely felt a thing from taking the full blast to his palm.
Superman drew back his right hand and spoke to the soldier in a calm tone, mockery laced into his voice, "Lets use our inside voice." he then slammed his fist into the soldier's face, sending him flying back into a large stalactite.
Flash zipped around the cave as two of the Thanagarian soldiers attempted to blast him with a large laser cannon. The speedster proved too fast as he dodged the beam and zipped behind them, smiling as he rotated his arms in circles rapidly, causing a large wind tunnel to blast the soldiers into the very large coin statue among Batman's souvenirs.
The large statue shook then promptly slammed down on top of the two soldiers, crushing them before Flash zipped on top of it. Putting his hands on his hips he looked down at the coin, "Tails." he said smugly, "I win."
Batman fired a grappling hook into the ceiling, swinging himself up and towards a Hawkman firing a cannon at him. He dodged it easily before slamming both his feet into the face of the soldier, knocking him to the ground. As soon as he landed on the floor he let loose three batarangs, watching them zip through the air and pierce the chest plates of three Thanagarian soldiers charging him with a spear and two maces.
As the batarangs merely blinked orange and beeped faintly, the male Thanagarian in the middle looked at Batman with contempt, "Your weapons are pitiful."
Batman stood up straight with his hands by his sides as he glared at the Thanagarians with a hint of a smirk on his lips, "Wait for it."
Soon, hundreds of little eyes blinked open in the shadows behind the Dark Knight, the dark winged creatures screeching as they swarmed out. The bats engulfed the three Thanagarians in a mess of dark wings, driven by the hypersonic signal being emitted by the batarangs. As they scratched and bit into every spot of exposed skin, the Thanagarians cried out in pain before collapsing to the ground.
Whampire dodged left and right, smirking at Kragger before swinging his leg up and viciously slamming his ax out of his hand. He then shot his arms out and grabbed each of Kragger's arms, staring deep into his eyes. His sickly green eyes seemed to swirl mystically as he spoke in a hypnotic tone, "Sleep."
Kragger resisted for a few moments before letting out a drawn out groan, his shoulders slumping and his head lolling back.
Whampire then dropped the lieutenant onto the ground before joining the others, who were cleaning up their respective opponents. Batman spared a glance at Whampire before making his way towards the stairs, "Lets go."
As everyone made their ways out of the cave and into the living room, they saw Alfred sweeping up broken glass and depositing them into the trash can. As Batman passed him, he looked up with his usual calm, "Mind the glass sir."
As they all neared the large broken windows, Batman turned to Green Lantern, "I want you, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Whampire to go to the command ship and shut down the force field."
"And the rest of us?" J'onn looked at Batman with his usual unreadable expression.
Batman looked at J'onn, not even blinking, "You're going to help me retake the Watchtower."
Whampire paused. During his meal with Diana and Gwen, as well as his tour of the Batcave, he was told about the supposed giant space satellite base the Justice League had orbiting around Earth. Although he wasn't really that surprised, or impressed, considering he had been on many space satellite bases and even a space satellite training ground, he was curious to see what it was like.
Flash zipped in front of Batman, raising an eyebrow, "It's crawling with Thanagarian soldiers. How do you plan on getting inside?"
Turning his head towards the Thanagarian drop ship right outside his living room window, Batman spoke with a matter-of-fact voice, "With that."
A thought occurred to Whampire as he stepped forward, holding his hand in the air, "Wait a second, I don't want to...separate from Gwen. Let her come with me."
Batman glared at Whampire before speaking, "Can Gwen fly?"
Whampire blinked a few times before answering, "Um...well usually no but-" Batman cut him off sharply, "Then what are you going to do, carrying Gwen the whole way to Metropolis then fight the Thanagarian air defenses while carrying her on your back?"
Everyone watched the two with concern as Whampire glared at Batman, "Fine, then let me come with you to the Watchtower. I am sure Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern are more than enough to take down some command ship."
Batman pointed his hand out the window, keeping a steady glare on Whampire, "In a few hours, possibly minutes, the whole planet will be reduced to nothing. Do you think I am sending Wonder Woman, Superman, and Green Lantern to take down the command ship because you believe I think one of them isn't enough to handle it? I am sending you all because we have no chance to screw up. Because the fate of the world is in our hands. Whatever issue you are going through, get over them now because we don't have the time. Deal with them later."
Just as Whampire was about to tell Batman off, Gwen stepped forward and gently placed her hand on his shoulder, turning him to face her, "Ben, I promise I'll be alright... I'll be alright. I know that you are strong and that you'll come back to me, no matter what. Don't treat me like some fragile doll, you know I can take care of myself. So go and do your job and I'll do mine. Okay? Remember what Grandpa said... Responsibility."
Whampire stared at Gwen for a few moments before nodding, reaching up to squeeze Gwen's arm gently, "Sorry Gwen... I guess after everything that happened, I'm a little...overprotective."
Gwen gave him a soft smile before getting up on her tippy toes to wrap her arms around Whampire's neck to give him a warm hug, "I know Ben...I know."
Everyone watched the two in a mix of awkwardness and warmth before they separated. Ben nodded at the three who he was going with before giving Gwen one last smile and pushing the Ultimatrix dial on his stomach, "Jet Ray!"
In place of Whampire stood a red, humanoid, manta ray like alien with two black lightning bolt-like stripes coming down from his shoulders to the Ultimatrix dial on his chest. He had two yellow horns extending from each side of his nose and stood at about the same height as Ben was in his human form. He had gills along his sides and yellow wings connected from underneath his arms to his sides like a wingsuit, resembling bat-like wings with three long fingers at the ends. He had a long red tail trailing from near his bottom and three long toed feet.
His voice was slightly distorted like he was speaking into a fan and pitched a bit higher, his Ultimatrix dial glowed on his chest. He opened his arms up before looking back at Gwen, "Stay safe."
Gwen nodded and waved at him as he pushed off into the air and flew fast after the other three who already left. She then turned to Flash who gave her a wink before zipping outside next to Batman who was already working on getting the Thanagarian ship open. J'onn placed a comforting hand on Gwen's shoulder before flying outside as well. This is going to be a long day.
/0/
J'onn had his hands on top of the computer console inside the Thanagarian ship, staring at the control blankly. Batman hovered over his left shoulder, looking down at the controls with his cape completely shrouding the upper half of his body. Flash stood over J'onn's right shoulder, his hands behind his back as he looked at J'onn.
After a few moments of nothing, Batman finally spoke, "Well?"
J'onn sat up straight, speaking in his matter-of-fact tone, "I have no idea how to fly this vehicle."
Flash looked away from J'onn, looking over the ship's controls in interest before reaching out and pressing a large white button, "What's this do?" the ship's forward cannons shot out a large yellow beam and destroyed a large portion of the living room wall, barely missing Alfred who had his left arm over his face to shield himself from the sudden blast.
Barry had the decency to look sorry before cringing back from Batman's scowling face, pushing the speedster back against the front windshield as he gritted out from between his clenched teeth, "That's. Not. Helping."
J'onn had his right hand cupping his chin, thinking for a few moments while ignoring Flash's antics before turning to the two, having come to a solution, "I'll need one of the Hawkmen."
Gwen was looking around the ship, placing her hands over some of the controls, trying to recognize some of them. She actually did recognize a few gadgets here and there, smiling fondly as she remembered listening to Kevin describe multiple tools around the Rust Bucket jet they used to fly around in.
Gwen suddenly placed her hand onto her chest, feeling the familiar pangs of hurt shooting through her body. Remembering Kevin made her remember every sweet moment she had with him, remembering every sweet moment she had with him made her remember the explosion she had seen in the sky and the feeling of loss and loneliness at the realization that she couldn't sense his mana anywhere.
She remembered, remembered trying to call him on his cellphone. Then she tried tracking him with a Plumber's badge before finally resorting to trying to track his mana through the ring he had given her, the ring he had said belonged to his father and one he had never left home without on a necklace or at least nearby. She remembered trying with growing desperation as she repeatedly looked for his mana before finally collapsing into a fit of tears.
Gwen jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, turning around with a small gasp. Flash lifted his hands up in the air in surrender, looking at her in surprise, "Whoa there red, calm down. You alright? You were...just standing there looking like...you were in pain. Are you hurt or something?"
Gwen blinked a few times, managing to swallow down the lump in her throat and the tears that had almost fallen from her eyes, "No...no I'm fine. I was...just in deep thought. Where's Batman?"
Flash pointed left his thumb towards the open door of the ship, "Batman went to get one of the Hawkmen so J'onn can hopefully pull some information out of their thick skulls."
When Gwen merely blinked at the speedster he snapped his fingers, "Oh right, with all that has been going on, you and your cousin don't really know our abilities do you?" the speedster grinned and started making his way out the door, indicating for Gwen to follow him.
As the half-Anodite and speedster exited the ship, he continued to explain, "Well you see J'onn is a Martian of many, many different talents. He has the ability to shape shift into any person, any creature, any form. He can turn intangible and phase through many objects, has super strength, the ability to fly. And the most useful? He has telepathic powers. Though he tries his very best to never enter someone's mind without their permission. But...against criminals and bad guys, he won't hesitate to break down the door, if you know what I mean."
Flash gestured to the sky, "J'onn here came all the way from Mars to warn us of an impending alien invasion from a bunch of parasitic aliens who had attacked Mars. When the Martians had beat the aliens and sealed them away, they thought it was the end but...the prison the aliens were kept in was disturbed by an earthquake the Mars Rover unknowingly caused. Fleeing from the Martians and their nerve gas, they targeted Earth next. With the help from J'onn, we managed to repel the alien invaders and he decided to stay with us to form the Justice League."
Gwen's gaze traveled to the Martian Manhunter standing a few feet away, a bit awestruck at the powers he possessed. The most impressive, and perhaps the most disturbing to her, was his power of telepathy Flash so graciously described to her. The thought of her mind being invaded and her most deepest thoughts read sent a shiver down her spine.
Noting the slightly worried look on Gwen's face, Flash immediately changed the subject, slightly regretting his words. He always had a knack for talking, even with his enemies, "And then there's me. Flash, the fastest man alive! I can run all the way to China in a few second from here. I am idolized in Central City and I even have my own red haired news reporter who showers me with praise. Personally I think, no, I know I am faster than Supes."
Gwen blinked then smiled, shaking her head, "You talk so fast, I think you speed up with every sentence you say. Is that unintentional or were you just trying to be funny?" When Barry gave her a wink she smiled a little wider. The speedster was funny and warm, like a big ball of sunshine. Even his mana felt warm and it vibrated with energy.
Before further conversation could go on Batman jumped out of the large hole in his living room, courtesy of Flash, and onto the ground with Kragger held firmly in front of him with his hands cuffed behind his back and his wings trapped between his arms. He then shoved the Thanagarian lieutenant forward before throwing his back against the ship.
The four heroes stepped up in front of the trapped Thanagarian, glaring down at him. He defiantly looked up at them with pride, sneering at them, "You think I'd tell you anything? I'd sooner choke on your bones."
Flash let out a small growl and grabbed Kragger's armor, lifting him up and raising his fist at the same time, "Okay by me, start with these?"
J'onn immediately grabbed Flash's arm, "We are running out of time. I'll take the information from him." he turned to Kragger as Flash dropped his arm and the Thanagarian.
"I thought you couldn't read their minds?"
J'onn's eyes glowed menacingly as he peered down at Kragger, reaching both his hands out and onto Kragger's head as he spoke ominously, "I'll just have to try...harder."
Gwen watched in fascination and a mix of fright as she sensed J'onn rip into the Thanagarian soldier's mind, Kragger's eyes widening and mouth hanging open. Only a few moments passed when suddenly J'onn cried out in pain, three large gashes appearing on his face, as if some animal had clawed at him. She gasped as six gashes appeared on his back, then three on his right arm and then three on his left.
"Something's attacking him!" Gwen stepped forward but Batman shot his arm out, stopping her, "Let him be, he can do this."
Gwen looked at J'onn with concern as more and more wounds appeared all over his body. She watched as his hands seemed to burn and cuts increasingly appeared all over his body before finally Kragger cried out in pain before collapsing.
J'onn let out a gasp, staggering for a few moments before standing up straight, his wounds healing up instantly. Batman went up to J'onn who spoke up with a tired expression, "I have what we need..."
Gwen looked at Kragger with a bit of fright, noting his catatonic state. So this is what a proper telepath could do to someone, especially with using so much brute force to enter someone's mind. She reached out with her mana, wrapping Kragger in a tendril of purple mana and laying him down on the grass a few feet away. She then followed the others onto the ship, buckling in as J'onn expertly started the ship and took off.
Meanwhile, Alfred had stepped outside, his hands behind his back as he walked up to the catatonic lieutenant with some distaste. He leaned over the Hawkman, raising his eyebrows as he spoke with his usual tone, despite nobody being around, "I've asked Master Bruce to refrain from leaving trash in the yard..."
Aboard the Thanagarian Command Ship
Shayera sat on the low circular seat in the middle of the holding room, her head hung down with her eyes closed. A force shield hummed around her, the energy around her shimmering as she waited patiently for her fate to be decided. She had no regrets about what she did, she did what was right. It might not have been what was right for her people...but it was right none the less.
Her eyes opened and she looked up as the doors hissed, indicating someone had come to see her. She already knew who it was before opening her eyes, standing up to come face to face with Talak. She could see his stress, the strain he was suffering through as he walked up to her. It broke her heart to see him like this, a former shell of the proud, strong, confident warrior she had first met.
When he spoke his voice was firm and strong, like the commander she knew, "Why would you do this?"
She stared right back at him, having already gone through this in her head, "I'm trying to save lives."
Talak didn't waver, watching her with those same commanding eyes, "So am I. Tens of billions of Thanagarians." he moved closer, his voice rising.
Shayera stepped a bit closer, glaring at him a little, "So we trade the humans' lives for our own?"
"War makes for hard choices, lieutenant." Talak spoke in that militaristic tone again, looking at her not as another Thanagarian or even the woman he had loved, but as a soldier, "It's them or us."
Shayera shook her head slightly, "The man I fell in love with would have found another way..." her gaze softened a little, hoping to change his mind.
Then, like the stubborn and hard headed man he was, his mind jumped to another conclusion, "Are you talking about me, or Green Lantern?"
Taken off guard, Shayera stared at Talak in silence for a few moments before closing her eyes and looking down, her silence all the answer he needed.
Finally a slightly hurt tone entered his voice as he spoke, "I didn't want to believe it... Shayera, I love you. I can forgive your treason." Shayera crossed her arms, shaking her head slightly, "I can forgive everything." Talak placed his right gauntlet onto the force field, making the energy turn slightly red, "Make this all go away..."
Shayera's eyes opened wide as she took a step back, looking at Talak in surprise as he spoke with some desperation, "Just tell me what I need to hear! It was a meaningless flirtation! You were lonely... Tell me I'm the one you love! Not. Him!" he leaned in closer, an almost begging tone laced into his wide eyes.
Shayera stepped a little closer, making one last attempt to change Talak's mind, "If you want me, I'm yours. All you have to do is spare the Earth." She knew it was a long shot, she knew Talak wasn't the kind of man who would just abandon such a grand plan at the whim of winning her of all people, but she had to try.
Talak looked at her for a moment, his hope leaving his eyes as he pulled his hand back. He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist into the force field, "Perhaps you will forget him when Earth is nothing but a memory." he spoke in a cold tone, turning away from her and heading out the door. Right after he had exited, spikes thrust out of the holes all along the edge of the door frame and blocked the exit, leaving Shayera to stand there alone with her thoughts.
Space: Outside the Watchtower
J'onn smoothly piloted the stolen ship towards the Watchtower occupied by the Thanagarian troops before he slowly morphed his body to take on the appearance of Kragger perfectly. From his wings to his armor and body he resembled the Thanagarian lieutenant in every way.
He spoke into the comm in Kragger's voice, typing in the docking codes he has pulled from the lieutenant's mind as he spoke, "Shuttle Elipson sixteen, requesting entry. Confirm docking code."
He received an immediate response from the soldier on duty, "Docking code confirmed, you are clear to come aboard." J'onn eased the ship into the docking bay, landing down carefully before unbuckling and stepping down the ramp towards the two Thanagarian soldiers with maces.
One of the soldiers spoke up with a bit of surprise but enough diligence to sound respectful, "We weren't expecting you sir."
'Kragger' stared at the two soldiers as he spoke in a calm voice, "There has been a change of plans." immediately after he finished speaking, J'onn slowly morphed into a muscular blue cyclopes with horns and charged the two Thanagarians with a mighty roar, ramming his fist into them and sending them flying into the wall.
Another Thanagarian soldier immediately lifted his laser rifle to shoot the Martian but a batarang swished out and knocked the weapon away from his hands. A large tendril of purple mana shot out from the ship and crashed into the soldier, pushing him back with quite a bit of force before he slammed into the metal wall.
At the noise from the three guards being attacked, a battalion of Hawkmen flew out of the main doors on the far side of the hangar. Not wasting any time, Flash zipped past his companions and started wailing away at the Thanagarians one after another with his super speed. Gwen started chucking balls of mana one after another at the flying Thanagarians, knocking them out of the air into unconsciousness or for Flash to finish them off. Batman gripped his shock pad knuckles and started knocking out the Hawk soldiers with electrifying punches. J'onn, with sheer brute force, rammed his own fists into any guard who got near him.
Thanagarian Command Ship
"Commander, the Justice League is approaching!" Talak looked up at the holographic screen as one of his soldiers spoke up with urgency, a display of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and yet again, another unknown creature approaching the ship.
Talak placed his hands on his hips, watching the screen as if he had expected them to come, "Kragger's strike squad has failed. Launch interceptors." at his command, hundreds of fighter ships immediately launched from the command ship, swarming around the ship like bees around a beehive.
Wonder Woman narrowed her eyes at the defense around the command ship, "Pretty bad odds."
"Four against four hundred? Oh please, this is overkill. Why don't two of you just hang back?" Jet Ray's voice piped up from under Superman.
Superman glared at the ships, moving up a bit faster, "Yeah. They don't stand a chance."
The four heroes quickly dived into the swarm of fighters, Wonder Woman and Superman just allowed their bodies to ram through the fighters like paper while Green Lantern sent out multiple blasts of green energy from his ring to destroy several fighters at the same time. Jet Ray was even faster than the fighters swarming around him, using his neuroshock blasts to cut through the squadrons by the dozens.
Watchtower
J'onn held a Thanagarian soldier up in the air by his armor, his other hand on his hip while Gwen held another up with a claw made of mana. Flash stood up proudly, one hand on his hip while the other was pressed up to his comm, "Okay. The Watchtower is ours again." He then zipped away towards the main controls as J'onn and Gwen dropped the Thanagarians they were holding onto the ground.
Flash stopped behind Batman, one brow raised with a hand on his hip as he watched Batman fiddle with the computer, "So where's your secret weapon?"
"You're standing in it."
Flash's mouth opened slightly, his eyes widening, "Wait...you mean we're gonna-"
Before Flash could finish his sentence, Batman cut him off, typing rapidly into the computer, "Take the Watchtower out of orbit and drop it right on top of their science project." Gwen let out a quiet gasp, her eyes widening, "What about the people down there? The people around the bypass?"
"The bypass should have been abandoned by now, it's set to activate remotely or the Thanagarians would be destroyed with it. Besides, for the greater good, small sacrifices must be made. If there are people down there..." he glanced back at the unconscious Thanagarian soldiers before turning back to the computer, "Get them to the escape pods." the whole station shook as the primary thrusters blasted the Watchtower out of orbit and on a course towards the hyperspace bypass.
Having no time to argue and not possibly seeing a better way to save the planet on the time limit they had, Flash, J'onn, and Gwen started moving any Thanagarian soldier they could find to the escape pods before launching them. With one escape pod left, Flash zipped around the whole Watchtower in a few seconds before moving into the escape pod with two more soldier as J'onn and Gwen placed a few onto the floor.
J'onn glanced at Flash while Gwen gently laid out the Thanagarians, "Is that the last of them?"
Flash started to dust his hands together, grinning as he looked over his handiwork, "Yeah, the tower is completely pest free."
"Good." all three of the unsuspecting heroes whipped around as they heard a beep then the sound of the escape pod's doors closing shut and launching away from the Watchtower. Flash pressed against the door, "Hey!"
As the pod drifted away, Gwen pressed against the glass besides Flash as J'onn yelled in a panicked voice, "What are you doing!?"
Batman's voice came out on the intercom aboard the escape pod as he met the solemn gazes of each hero, his finger pressed to the button besides the door, "I can't have the Watchtower burn up on reentry. I'll have to guide it in manually."
At his words, J'onn and Flash's mouths fell open slightly with wide eyes as Gwen banged her fists on the window, "Batman! No!" she screamed the last word, drawing it out as she banged against the reinforced windows.
"Gentlemen. Gwen. It's been an honor." With that, Batman turned away and headed back towards the main computer while Flash dropped down with a droop in his shoulders, resting his elbows on his knees as he gazed at the floor in awe. J'onn merely looked down at Flash with sorrow while Gwen continued to stare out the window.
She couldn't believe this was happening. Again. She couldn't help remembering Kevin telling her he was going to take the Rust Bucket 3 and check out Vilgax's armada. The next thing she knew, the mothership had blown up and Kevin was gone.
She banged her fists against the window again and pressed her forehead against the cool glass, slowly sinking to her knees. Flash scooted closer, placing a comforting arm over her shoulders as Gwen let out her tears.
Thanagarian Command Ship
Superman fired his heat vision from his eyes, shooting down fighter after fighter. Wonder Woman continued to bash her fists through every Thanagarian fighter that got in her way like paper, jumping on top of one and ripping it's main cannon out. She flew up into the air and wielded the oversized cannon like a machine gun and started to rapidly fire it around the swarm of fighters.
Jet Ray flew with his super sonic speed left and right, up and down the fleet. His neuroshocks continued to tear apart the fighters but also started to destroy defensive cannons on the main command ship while ripping little chunks off, piece by piece.
Gathering up his Will, Green Lantern created what appeared to be a giant electrical drill, the image quickly spinning as it whirred to life and rammed into the hull of the ship. The ship's outer layer creaked and finally ripped apart as he dug in further and further until he was fully through.
As soon as the opening was made, Green Lantern swooped into the command ship and created giant clamps with his ring, gripping two Thanagarian soldiers and throwing them into a wall.
Meanwhile, on the bridge, one of the soldiers in the control room pulled up a holographic feed of Green Lantern blasting through the corridors, "Intruder alert. All available security forces to the engineering deck!"
Talak growled, "Belay that!" he turned on his heels, the war axe in his hand crackling with electricity as he made his way towards the main doors, "Green Lantern is mine."
Watchtower
High above, the giant satellite base known as the Watchtower blasted into the upper atmosphere with the thrusters set to maximum. Batman ran into the main control room, moving up to the console and slamming his hand down on the emergency shutters. The computer read in big red letters 'Close Shutters' as the heavy, reinforced blast shutters crackled with electricity as they shut over the windows.
Batman's fingers glided across the keyboard as an image of the Earth appeared on the screen, the words 'Projected Course' flashing briefly on the screen. The command chair slid up behind him as he took his seat, arrows and projection courses appearing over the image of the Earth and the Watchtower. It confirmed the impact target as he strapped himself in firmly. A steering wheel for the satellite popped out of the console, shoving two large handles out to him as the screen turned into a direct view of the front of the Watchtower along with a green course projection guideline.
If he had known this was how his life was going to end, he might have quite possibly asked Diana for another 'fake' kiss. Probably not.
He briefly thought about how he left almost half of his fortune to Alfred and the other half to charities. Would Wayne enterprises become corrupt like other large corporations? He hoped not. What would become of Gotham, filled with sick psychopaths like the Joker? Clark probably had it covered. Or maybe Green Lantern. Or Diana. Or J'onn. Or maybe even Flash. Hell, maybe even the kids.
Perhaps some youth who had gone through the same pain he had, would take up his mantel? Become the new Batman, but in a whole new way.
After a minute of contemplating all of these thing, Batman immediately refocused on the task at hand, his fingers wrapping around the controls in determination. He had a job to do and he would see it through. Even to the very end.
Thanagarian Command Ship
Superman latched onto one of the fighters flying by him, grabbing onto the edge with an iron grip and spinning it around with a yell before throwing it at the bridge of the ship. The pointed ends of the fighter rammed into the glass, forming cracks around the pointed edges that penetrated the thick glass.
Wonder Woman, seeing an opportunity, flew forward with gusto and slammed her fists into the back of the fighter, ramming it through the glass and into the control room. The fighter crashed around the bridge, collapsing a platform and a pillar before exploding into fire and smoke. Wonder Woman flew through the wreckage, Jet Ray right behind her as they flew through the doors and into a corridor splitting off left and right.
Wonder Woman landed on the ground, looking from side to side. Jet Ray landed next to her, his long pointed fingers scratching his cheek, "Which way? Eenie, meenie, minee, moe?"
Wonder Woman had her hands on her hips, looking left and right before shaking her head, "We'll have to split up. I'll go right, you go left. One of us is bound to find the force field control. With Green Lantern also somewhere on the ship, our odds get better."
Jet Ray nodded at her before lifting his hand up to his Ultimatrix dial and slamming his hand onto it. Wonder Woman briefly shielded her eyes from the light before it died down. Her eyes widened when, in the place of Jet Ray, stood a very large humanoid tiger, "Rath!"
He was about nine feet tall, resembling an orange and white tiger with one long sharp claw coming out of each wrist. He had no tail but was quite muscular with green eyes. He had black stripes all along his shoulders, head, legs, and upper body. His jaw, neck, chest, hands, and feet were white.
Rath let out a ferocious roar, raising his hands into the air, "You know what, Rath doesn't care if he has to rip this whole ship apart. Rath ain't gonna rest until he finds those stinkin force field controls and teaches them a violent lesson, in pain! Rath will rip apart any stupid chicken men he meets, and destroy their stupid, pathetic chicken king! King of chickens! Chicken noodle soup!"
Wonder Woman blinked at his sudden drastic personality change, especially the quite intense aura he was emanating. Before she could speak however, instead of going down the left corridor like they discussed, he rammed his fist into the metal wall and ripped a giant hole in it, smashing his way through. She supposed that was one way to search the ship.
Though the noise he was making attracted quite a few Thanagarian security forces now coming down the hall to her right. Cracking her knuckles, Wonder Woman flew right into the middle of the squad of soldiers, punching and kicking them all over the corridor. She picked up one of their swords, twisting the familiar weapon around her hand before swiftly swiping the blade through the Hawkmen ranks, throwing them aside like rag dolls.
She quickly made her way down the hall, holding the blade in her hand carefully. Three Hawkmen spotted her and immediately made a run for her but were quickly slammed back by her power. She was about to make her way down the hall when to her right, she spotted a holding cell with an all too familiar Thanagarian inside.
Shayera Hol, once known to the Justice League as Hawkgirl, stood inside the force field, helpless.
Due to her banishment from Themyscira and the fame of her being Wonder Woman, she did not have the opportunity to make friends with, well anyone. Especially women. Shayera Hol not only shared her passion for justice and righteousness but was also a proud and strong warrior, much like her sisters on Themyscira. She went as far as to consider the winged woman one of her sisters, her first best friend outside of the Amazon island. But she had spat on that bond, stepped on it and utterly dishonored it with her treachery. In Themyscira, your sisters were not your sisters because they were bound by blood but because they were bound by honor, by comradery, by respect, and by their bonds. The dishonoring and disgracing of a bond could end in a duel, often times to the death. They took betrayal very seriously and though this was not Themyscira, Hawkgirl's actions could not be so easily forgiven.
Shayera's wide yellow-green eyes stared at Wonder Woman through the force field surrounding her and past the bars of the doorway, their eyes briefly meeting before Wonder Woman narrowed her eyes at her former friend, "I should leave you to burn."
After a few moments she brought her blade down on the control panel, shutting off the force field and unlocking the door at the same time. Shayera looked at her in surprise before Wonder Woman abruptly ran down the corridor to her left.
Resolving herself, Shayera ran forward, making her way out and picking up a fallen soldier's mace before jumping into the air, flapping her wings as she made her way towards the shield controls.
Thanagarian Command Ship: Engineering Deck
Green Lantern pierced the middle of the force field control room doors before prying them apart and quickly running inside. Resistance was more fierce than he thought and it took him longer than he had liked to get here.
As soon as he had entered though, a voice rang out throughout the room, "The force field control is over here." Green Lantern looked up, pointing his ring at the voice. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw the form of Hro Talak glide down onto the floor in front of him, blocking his path to the shield control.
"That is what you came for, yes? You want it?" Talak raised his war axe, watching Green Lantern intently, "All you have to do is get by me."
Green Lantern scowled and raised his right fist, "It'll be a pleasure." he fired one beam of green laser at Hro, who promptly sliced it with his ax.
"No." Hro glared at Green Lantern with fury in his eyes, "This won't be like the last time when you took something that belonged to me."
Not in the mood to discuss who took whose girl and what misunderstanding or betrayal went on with who and who ever, Green Lantern merely goaded Hro on, "Whatever I took, was freely offered. Maybe you should take better care of your stuff." he then fired a barrage of green blasts at Hro, all of which were blocked and deflected.
Green Lantern then took to the air, his body glowing with the energy of the ring. Hro immediately took flight after him, swinging his war axe down at Green Lantern who brought his right arm up to form a green energy kite shield with his ring.
Hro cried out as he brought his ax down again and again onto Green Lantern's shield, making a big gash on the top of the shield, right down the middle. He then swiped his ax to the side and slammed Green Lantern towards the ground, forcing him to lean back as Hro once again brought his ax down onto the shield, pushing him back.
With the shield wavering, Hro brought his ax over his head, gripping it with two hands to perform an overhead swing. He slammed his war axe down, forcing Green Lantern to dodge to the right as the ax rammed into the floor, devastating it with cracks as energy rippled out of the ax and into the floor.
Before Green Lantern could recover from dodging the attack, Hro immediately ran forward and viciously back handed Lantern across the room. Green Lantern attempted to swing his fist at Hro but was punched in the face with a lot of force, sending him flying into a metal tank of gas. The machinery behind him crackled with smoke and electricity as Hro immediately moved forward and grabbed Lantern's throat, lifting him up into the air.
"I've beaten you, little man." Hro sneered at Green Lantern, narrowing his eyes at the man who stole his betrothed and even caused her to betray her own people, "Any last words?" he lifted his war axe, the metal blade crackling with electricity.
Green Lantern opened his emerald eyes and glared down at Hro, "Yeah, you can kiss my ax!" his ring glowed as he formed his own war axe in his right hand and lifted it up just as Hro lifted his own ax up. Green Lantern blocked Hro's ax with his own, both of the men slashing at each other as their axes met with a clang and crackle.
/0/
Shayera made her way down the corridor, not having met many soldiers along the way, at least conscious ones. Diana was really inflicting some damage. She skidded to a halt when suddenly, three Thanagarian soldiers slammed through the wall right in front of her and crashed into a pile of unconscious limbs in the far corner. Her eyes widened further when through the freshly made hole, a nine foot tall humanoid tiger stepped through, roaring.
When he spotted her, he snarled and immediately charged at her. She dropped the mace in her hands and raised them up in surrender, screaming, "Wait!" With amazing reflexes, the tiger just managed to stop his pointed claw from coming down on her face, much to her relief.
The tiger pulled his hand back, growling at her before crossing his arms, "Okay, but make it quick. Rath doesn't have a lot of time before the hyperspace thinga ma jig goes off and destroys the planet. Rath likes this planet and really really wants it to stay right here. So speak quickly before Rath decides to pummel you to bits!"
Shayera blinked several times before Rath growled at her again. Getting over her shock, she started to speak quickly, "I don't know if you know me, but my name is Shayera Hol... I...used to be part of the Justice League. I..."
Rath suddenly cut her off, pointing his finger at her, "Ah! You're that...that red haired chick that came to the cave! Gave Bats that purple cassette tape and then proposed to Lantern! Uh...I mean...gave Lantern his power ring back!"
Shayera outright ignored the proposal comment and nodded, looking at Rath carefully, "Do I...know you?" she couldn't remember meeting this creature, she was sure she would remember something with such...personality. Not to mention he was a giant, talking, violent tiger.
"Oh yeah! You have no clue who Rath is! Well Rath is Rath! Rath is the strongest, just know Rath is a friend of the Justice League. If Rath remembers right though, the Justice League doesn't think you're a friend. What are you doing here?!" Rath almost spat the words at her in the end and she resisted the urge to smile. She couldn't help remembering Grundy while listening to this creature talk, the way he referred to himself in the third person and the simplistic way he spoke.
When she didn't answer, Rath growled and took a menacing step towards her. She held up her mace, the end crackling with electricity, "I am not here to fight, I am here to help. I know where the force field control is. I don't want this world to be destroyed or let the people here die. I know it will not excuse my actions, but I did what I thought was right in the line of duty at the time. Now, I am fighting to do what I believe is right once more."
Rath glared into her eyes for a few moments before snarling and turning away, "Whatever, Rath doesn't really know what went on with you, and Rath doesn't really care right now. Rath just wants that force field gone! So if you want to help Rath, then fine! Help Rath! But Rath is warning you right here, right now. You try to double cross Rath, you better be sure you kill him. Because if you don't..." he turned on her, pushing his face really close as a growl rumbled from his throat, "Rath will rip you apart and stuff those pretty wings down. Your. Throat."
Shayera didn't even blink at his threat but nodded before hefting her mace and running down the corridor, Rath right behind her.
/0/
Green Lantern slammed his green ax across Hro's own war axe and bashed it across the room before bring the blunt side of his ax up under Hro's chin like an uppercut. He dissolved the war axe and stared at Hro as he rubbed his chin before throwing a punch at Green Lantern.
Calling upon his military training, Green Lantern ducked under the wide punch and threw his own counter, slamming his fist into Hro's solar plex, causing him to hunch over in pain. Taking advantage of the opening, Green Lantern delivered a vicious left hook onto Hro's face before following up with a right hook then a left once more. He then finished him off with a right uppercut, reinforced by a slight blast from his power ring, sending Hro flying back and into a computer console.
Green Lantern watched the smoke and crackling of electricity, spotting Hro's supposed unconscious body on the ground before turning towards the force field control. There was actually a force field around the force field control so Lantern had no choice but to start firing a beam from his power ring into one focused point of the force field.
After that fierce battle, he could feel his body aching but he willed himself to focus as he grabbed his right wrist with his left hand, intensifying the beam cutting through the force field.
Just as he saw the field let up, Hro spoke up from his right, "Big mistake." Hro's war axe slammed down onto Green Lantern's power ring, cutting the front emblem piece of the ring off while at the same, fracturing his arm.
Lantern cried out in pain, his right arm shaking as he looked towards Hro who slammed his left fist across Lantern's face. Lantern slid across the floor with a groan, his eyes closing as he blacked out. Hro stood over Green Lantern, looking down at him with hatred before bringing his war axe over his head with two hands, ready to swing it down onto the Lantern's own head.
Just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, Shayera ran into the room, screaming his name, "Hro! Enough! The fights over, you're a soldier, not a murderer."
Hro turned to Shayera, a look of anger appearing on his face. Just as he was about to deliver a vicious backhand across Shayera's face, a very large orange hand clamped down on Hro's arm. Hro looked up in surprise as Rath's snarling face leaned very close to his own, "That is the last mistake you'll ever make."
Without warning, Rath's other fist came up full swing and slammed a jaw breaking uppercut onto Hro's chin. He kept a tight grip on Hro's arm with his other hand, preventing the Thanagarian from flying back. Dazed and his vision slightly spinning, Hro didn't have time to think as another vicious punch slammed into his face. Without pause another fist slammed into his stomach, causing him to let out a hoarse breath, "Listen here you over grown turkey, chicken, whatever! Rath absolutely despises men who hit women! Rath would rather watch My Little Pony alongside little eight year old girls than let some stupid ugly overgrown Dodo bird, hit a woman!" As his ranting increased, the amount of punches Hro suffered all along his body increased as well.
Hro wobbled on his feet, his vision blurry as Rath finally let go of his arm. Putting his hands together into one big fist, Rath slammed his fists into the side of Talak's face and sent him flying into the large computer console, causing the circuits to crackling with energy and electrocute the Hawkman. The force field around the force field control died down, Hro lying still among the wreckage. He growled, turning towards Shayera who was helping Green Lantern up. He let out a roar of triumph before looked towards the force field control, "We need to turn that off, now!"
Watchtower
Batman gritted his teeth as he fought with the controls, the Watchtower finally entering the atmosphere as red lights flashed all over, the alarms blaring loud. The whole Watchtower crackled with electricity as it started to fall apart and caught on fire.
Speaking into the intercom as the place literally started to crash and burn around him, Batman scowled as he spoke to Superman, "We're cutting it a little close. Have you shut off the force field?"
Superman floated above the command ship, pressing his comm as he fired his heat vision again, downing yet another fighter, "Not yet. Where are you?"
Batman spoke as if it was supposed to obvious, struggling with the controls again, "Aboard the Watchtower, guiding it to target." Superman's eyes widened as he looked up, "That's insane, get out of there!"
Batman felt sweat heavily beading down his face as he felt the heat increasing but was glad to see the Watchtower was on course, "Negative. I am staying..."
Superman's mouth had fallen open as he tried to listen to the rest of Batman's response but the comm link had abruptly cut. His eyes widened as he looked up, "Batman!" He raised both his fists up and flew upwards towards the burning Watchtower, calling on that 'faster than a speeding bullet' legend he was known for.
Thanagarian Command Ship: Engineering Deck
Green Lantern limped towards the force field control, pressing his hand down on the giant golden, circular lever. He pressed down on it with one hand, grunting as he felt his wounded body strain. Rath was about to step forward and press the button with one finger when Shayera moved next to Lantern, placing her hand over his. She looked at Green Lantern who in return looked into her eyes before they both pressed down on the lever, lowering it down fully.
Hyperspace Bypass
At the hyperspace bypass device, Thanagarian carrier ships were evacuating from the construction site as fast as they could. As Paran watched from her own carrier, her eyes widened as the giant force field around the hyperspace bypass started to dissolve.
As the force field dissolved and the hyperspace bypass started to warm up, the giant burning Watchtower plummeted to Earth like a meteor. Superman flew after the fiery inferno with all his might, a look of determination on his face.
Meanwhile, inside the burning Watchtower, Batman fought to stay conscious through the smoke and pure heat burning him up inside. The whole Watchtower crackled with electricity as Batman gazed at the screen. Right on target. Burning up and falling apart, the computer was still running. He really did get his money's worth when he built this damn station.
Sweat poured heavily down Batman's face as he coughed from the smoke, finally feeling his consciousness fade, his hands slipped from the controls. In that exact moment, Superman burst through the wall to his right and grabbed Batman's entire seat, lifting him up and flying right back out the hole he entered through.
Just as the hyperspace bypass finished warming up and began to activate, the giant fiery space station once known as the Watchtower, plummeted down onto the bypass and exploded with enough destructive force to destroy the bypass and everything around it for a few miles like a nuke.
Carrying Batman and flying with all his might, Superman managed to stay a few feet ahead of the blast and rubble of metal, fire, and rock for a few minutes before falling onto the ground from the debris. After a few moments of brilliant light and fire, it ended. Smoke, ruin, rubble, and metal were scattered as a large crater stood where the bypass was.
Among the rubble, one giant boulder shook for a few moments before being thrown off. Superman stood up, shaking gravel off of himself as he turned to look at the crater. Batman, shielded by Superman's body, sat against the rock with a huff.
Superman and Batman finally looked at one another with a knowing look before Clark cracked a smile, "Always have to be the hero, don'tcha?"
Bruce seemed to scowl at Superman for a few moments before giving him a smirk, "Right back at you."
Thanagarian Command Ship: Engineering Deck
Back on the engineering deck of the Thanagarian command ship, Green Lantern and Shayera both watched the video screen with some relief, seeing the wreckage of the hyperspace bypass. They both shared a brief look before looking away, Shayera with sorrow at what was to come and Green Lantern with weariness from the days events.
Rath let out a growl of approval before pumping his fists into the air, about to cheer when suddenly they heard footsteps behind them. A platoon of Thanagarian soldiers rushed into the room, armed with various weapons. They surrounded the three heroes, Rath glaring as he snarled at the Hawkmen, "You want a piece of Rath!? Rath wants a piece of all of you! Right now! You don't even want to mess with Rath right now! Not! Right! Now!"
Just as Rath was about to jump into the mass of Hawkmen, the heroes heard grunts of pain and metal meeting metal. They all looked towards the door to see Wonder Woman swiping her sword across about five or six Thanagarian soldiers, her hair slightly disheveled, holding her sword up in a guarded stance, "Whose next?"
The Thanagarians all looked at each other before Rath suddenly let out a roar and body slammed four of the Thanagarians. Just as Wonder Woman was about to attack two of the soldiers still standing, a voice echoed across the room, "Stand down. Lower your weapons."
All eyes went to Hro Talak, even Rath who was currently holding two Thanagarians in headlocks. One of the Thanagarians attempting to attack Wonder Woman looked at him in confusion, "Commander?" Hro walked towards his soldiers, electrical burns all over his body and his wings burnt here and there.
"Our mission's a failure. There is no more reason to fight." He got some of his strength back in his voice as he nodded at his soldiers, "Let them go." Wonder Woman also dropped her stance, lowering her sword as Rath slowly released the soldiers he had.
Hro then walked straight up to Shayera, glaring at her, "I hope you are pleased with yourself. It'll take years for us to rebuild elsewhere."
Shayera didn't even blink at him, "Then you better get started." She then promptly brushed past him with Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Rath joining them. The Thanagarian soldiers moved aside, watching them all go alongside their commander.
Gotham City: Wayne Manor a few days later
Shayera Hol watched with great sorrow as the news reported the retreat and departure of the Thanagarian fleet. The reporter sounded relieved and tired but finally thanked the Justice League, saying how the world once again owed them a debt of gratitude.
Ben watched the news for a few moments with interest. So the world knows about super powered beings and heroes and actually gives them credit. No slander, no hateful news, no ungrateful Will Haranguers? That's definitely a plus.
As the report ended, Shayera's shoulders drooped as she finally turned the TV off, placing the remote down onto the table carefully. Ben looked at Gwen who was sitting next to him on the couch. They swapped stories on what happened during their individual missions and Ben was surprised at Batman's actions. The brooding, scowling man was a hero through and through. He had new found respect for the man.
Gwen got up as Alfred came into the room, placing a tray of tea onto the table. The old butler smiled at her as she knelt down next to the table, helping Alfred pour the tea into each cup. After placing a hot cup of tea for each of them, Alfred politely excused himself to prepare dinner.
Shayera crossed her arms, hugging herself slightly as she spoke, "They've been in there for a long time."
Gwen paused from sipping her tea as Ben looked up at Shayera. He nodded, watching the winged woman carefully, "Yes..." he let out a tired sigh, rubbing a hand over his face, "They have."
After cleaning up some of the mess, tending to those who needed medical attention, and straightening everything out with the UN, the Justice League, plus two, plus a traitor, had come to Wayne Manor because they had no other place to meet in secret.
Taking much needed showers, getting some much needed food, and finally having a blissful ten hours of sleep, everyone had met up. The League apparently had many things to talk about, one being the fate of Hawkgirl, the traitorous Thanagarian who helped found the Justice League. Then there was the subject of the fate of the Justice League itself. How to rebuild and what to rebuild.
Hawkgirl, after her betrayal, was obviously not included in their voting and discussion while Ben and Gwen were never part of the Justice League to begin with. So, after much needed rest, they spent most of the time talking together while the Justice League went into the other room to discuss. Shayera had joined them a little later, asking politely if she could turn on the news.
Now here they were, complete strangers who had fought against each other, then with each other. Mostly. So they did what they could, they all talked. Shayera did most of the sharing while Ben and Gwen merely introduced themselves and explained their situation while telling Shayera a story or five about their own adventures. Shayera was certainly surprised to find out they were from a different dimension and why she had never heard of or seen them before. Quite a trump card she said.
Then she explained it all, what brought her here. What she had thought the entire time, then what drove her to do what she did to the Justice League, then why she took the League's side. Gwen and surprisingly Ben, listened patiently for three hours. It was relaxing, they realized. To talk, to share, and to let out their thoughts and stories. It was therapeutic.
They had many similarities, though not good ones, they knew each others pain. The pain of losing everything dear to you. To lose your friends, your family and all you knew. To have to live with what happened, no matter how painful. To have that will to move on and survive.
Finally, Gwen gently placed her teacup down onto the table, adjusting herself so she was sitting back with her knees tucked to one side, "Miss Shayera?" Upon hearing her name, with Miss in front none the less, Shayera looked up from her tea.
"Just Shayera is fine, Gwen."
"Shayera then." Gwen smiled a little, having let her hair down from her pony tail, her luscious red locks similar to the winged woman's own hair, flowed down her back. She took a deep breath and looked at her carefully, "I understand from your story the things you did, you did because you thought you were doing what was right, for your people and in part, for ours..."
Ben cleared his throat, picking off where Gwen trailed off, "You didn't know what your military was really planning, we truly believe you didn't. It doesn't make sense why you would help us unless you really didn't know what your military was planning. What you did, Shayera? Was...phenomenal. People might call you a traitor from both sides...but we think you are a hero."
Gwen spoke up again, giving Shayera a warm smile, "You might have done some things that you regret, but who hasn't? What I think really matters...is what you did in the end. You saved this Earth. You saved billions of lives, the lives of people who are not even your own species. You had no obligations to them, but you did. You went as far as to have yourself get shunned by your people by helping us, and I think... I think that despite what happened, you are a true hero. A wonderful hero."
Ben smiled as well, "You might...go through some hard times, Shayera. Not everyone will know, but we will. Me and Gwen, that you sacrificed so much, and gave a lot so that we could be here right now. So that everyone on this Earth could be here right now... Because of you."
Shayera had no words to express, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open slightly as she stared at these two teens looking at her with nothing but warmth and gratitude. She didn't move for a long time until Gwen stood, still smiling and moved towards Shayera. She hesitantly reached out and gave the woman a warm embrace, pulling her close. She gave the Hawkwoman a gentle pat on the back, smiling as she did so, "No matter what the world may say or what the Justice League decides, you will always be a hero with our gratitude, Shayera Hol. Thank you."
Shayera blinked a few times, swallowing the lump in her throat as she tried to say something, anything. To at least get a thank you out. But before she could get her thoughts in check, Alfred came into the room.
/0/
Wonder Woman leaned forward with narrowed eyes, "She exploited our weaknesses, betrayed us!" she looked around the table at each of her fellow Leaguers.
Flash waved his hands before placing them on the table, "Come on! It was the ultimate 'no-win' situation. But when push came to shove, she came through for us, just like always."
J'onn stared straight ahead at Wonder Woman, speaking in his normal calm tone, "She is a pariah to her people. We're all she has left." He then turned his attention to Superman.
Superman nodded a little, waving his hand, "Believe me J'onn, I feel for her. But after everything that's happened... I honestly don't know if I could ever completely trust her again."
Green Lantern stayed silent, his right arm in a cast from his personal battle with Hro Talak, before he looked around the table at each member as they decided the fate of the woman he knew he still loved. He honestly couldn't figure out what to say.
Finally Batman spoke, deciding to end this endless loop, "We are arguing in circles. It's time to take a vote."
/0/
"They've sent for you, Miss." Alfred smiled gently at Shayera who smiled back in return before turning to look at Ben and Gwen. They both gave her encouraging smiles before she started to walk towards the dining room the League was using. Before she got out of range, Ben called after her, "Shayera!"
Shayera paused, turning to look at Ben over her shoulder. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up, "No matter what happens today, no matter what they vote on or what you decide... Once a hero... Always a hero."
Shayera couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips before nodding with resolve at Ben. She took a deep breath before walking forward.
/0/
Shayera opened the dining room door like pulling off a band-aid, fast to get it over with. She stepped into the dining room, feeling six pairs of eyes staring at her, judging her before Superman started to speak, "Hawkgirl..."
Having said this in her head before she got to the room, Shayera spoke up before she lost her nerves. She felt bad for interrupting Superman but she needed to let them know, "Before you start, I have something to say."
She swallowed down the sudden lump in her throat and took a few steps forward, "I came to this planet as a patriot. I had a mission and I carried it out." she looked at each of their faces, the faces of her first true friends. Friends she had betrayed, she reminded herself, "What I couldn't know, was that I would come to care for the Earth and her people, that I would come to care for all of you." she couldn't help dropping her gaze, "I've spent the last five years torn between my feelings and my duty. I won't ask you to do the same."
With firm resolve Shayera looked back up, at her team, her friends. J'onn's eyes were always hard to read but she could see his sorrow in them, Flash was the easiest to read out of all of them and he obviously looked pained, looked sad. Superman looked torn, as if he couldn't decide whether to be sad for her or be angry. Batman's expression held no visible emotion she could read, just an observation of her while Wonder Woman was the opposite. She could see the distaste and anger in her eyes plainly, no surprise. Green Lantern, she didn't know what to say, maybe she just didn't want to look deep enough, afraid of what she would see. Her eyes looked back at Superman as she spoke, "Therefore I am resigning from the Justice League, effective immediately.
The Justice League watched in silence as Hawkgirl turned and started to leave. Before she could reach the door though, Barry stepped forward and stopped her, gently giving her a parting hug. After a moment, Shayera returned it, closing her eyes before letting go.
Flash watched her back until she turned the corner, his shoulders drooping, "Great... No Hawkgirl, no Javelin, no Watchtower. Whats going to happen to the League now? Do we all just walk away?"
Surprisingly, it was J'onn who answered immediately, determination on his face and in the tone of his voice, "No, we rebuild. Starting today."
Superman stood up firmly, "J'onn's right." he turned to look at the other members of the Justice League, "Earth still needs us. And we'll never let her down. It's our duty."
Green Lantern looked down solemnly, still contemplating everything that happened over and over again in his mind. He really just couldn't figure out what to say.
/0/
Ben and Gwen immediately stood up when Shayera came back into the living room. They couldn't quite read her expression but when she smiled they knew it didn't go well, "They kicked you out?" Ben exclaimed incredulously.
"Ben!" Gwen elbowed her cousin in the stomach. He winced, holding his now sore tummy as he muttered an apology.
Shayera smiled at the two and shook her head, "No... I resigned."
The two cousins looked at one another before looking at Shayera. Ben opened his mouth to say something but Gwen beat him to it, "Are you sure this is what you want? It sounds like you didn't give them a chance to tell you how they actually voted."
Shayera smiled, looking towards the windows, "No... It wouldn't be right. And besides, I think it'll be good for me to go, find out who I am... See what I am really supposed to do."
Ben looked at Shayera with mixed emotions, seeming like he wanted to encourage her while at the same time, ask her to stay. Though it was a short period, both the Tennysons had bonded with Shayera, they did not wish to see her leave and especially not alone.
Gwen resolved to just stepping forward and giving Shayera a warm hug before pulling back with a smile, "It may not mean much but... If you ever need a friend, someone to talk to, or just need a girl to hang around with. You can come find me anytime." Shayera smiled a little, nodding in thanks.
She turned to Ben who also gave her a big hug, holding her close, "Where ever you go for this...soul searching. Whatever purpose you think you were created for, know you are a hero. Don't ever forget it." he grinned when he pulled back which earned him another real smile from Shayera.
She gave the two cousins one last look before making her way outside, her eyes drifting up towards the orange sky.
The two Tennysons watched her go with mixed feelings before turning around when Alfred cleared his throat, "Young Master Ben. Miss Gwen. They've sent for you."
/0/
Shayera had her eyes closed, her hands by her sides as she felt the wind rush through her hair. She stood near the edge of the cliff overlooking the waters of Gotham. She opened her eyes when she felt a presence behind her, already knowing who it was. When he spoke up, she could feel her heart give a slight squeeze, "You never asked how we voted."
She smiled slightly, feeling a bit lighter, "It doesn't matter."
John's eyes never left her back, the little distance between them feeling like miles as he watched her, "So...where are you going to go?"
Shayera looked towards the sunset, "I don't know. Some place where the fate of the world isn't in my hands. Some place with no secrets or lies."
"Was it all a lie?"
Shayera paused for a moment before turning around, the setting sun behind her shining on her fully, making her seem like a real angel, "I love you John." she said it with no hesitance and all her honesty, "I never lied about that."
They then stared into each others eyes for a few moments before she turned and took off, spreading her wings as she jumped off the cliff. John took one step forward, his left hand reaching up before he stopped. He watched her fly off, his arm dropping by his side as he felt the tears drop from his eyes.
He realized he did not say it to her and that she was already out of reach, but he said it anyways, "I love you too."
Author's End Note: That took me longer than I expected. Went from 8:00 PM to 11:32 AM this time, so forgive me if I got a little sloppy in the end. I hope it was okay, there ends the second season of Justice League. Justice League Unlimited, coming up.
Author's End Note #2: Yes I changed the Martian, White Martian story and such. Sue me. I mentioned the Young Justice thing up top remember? So I am editing a few details the Justice League did wrong in my opinion like Barry Allen being the Flash and etc. etc. Don't hate me for it.