The Next

Generation

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the general idea you see in this chapter. In this little version of the future for the Arrow/Flash universe, Sara did NOT die and simply was comatose for a good long while after Barry managed to successfully save her before she hit the dumpster as he had simply been in the right place at the right time after he headed away from Oliver. Also the idea of Oliver being one of the trainers/mentors for the next generation of heroes has been an idea in my head for awhile now that I wanted to explore a bit. Also, I'm gonna play around with the timeline here a bit. Bruce's parents are killed during the 3rd year Oliver had been believed dead. Could be considered from the Gotham show if you want to see it that way. Admittedly, I haven't seen that series yet myself. So basically Oliver is the more older and experienced Veteran while Bats isn't, but he still has a spot on the League Council. And so far only has the first Robin with him. So here we go!

Summary: Its 20 years later and the next generation of heroes is starting to rise up.

In the past 20 years that has passed, much had changed and some things just didn't. Like Slade Wilson being a pain the butt for a lot of heroes for example. One thing that had certainly changed was Oliver's attitude towards a lot of things. And wasn't as dark and broody as he used to be. And had even lectured Batman on that many times. Something that had seriously irked the Dark Knight for the longest time. The Gotham Knight really didn't care if the Veteran knew what he was talking about or not and just felt the older man needed to butt out. Something that many in the League and the Council all knew quite well. Which sometimes made Council meetings a bit tense as they were never quite sure if the two would get into it with one another. The Council itself was comprised of ten men and women and had originally been set up by what Cisco Ramon still liked to call Team Flarrow to this very day. Even Palmer had a spot at the table for some time until he chose to vacate it. Sara, despite no longer being in active duty as she had retired still chose to keep her spot in the group.

Sara was another person that the Batman just didn't care for. And it all came down due to her past connections with the League of Assassins. That and the fact she's been happily married to Nyssa for years didn't help either. Batman had also made the mistake of challenging Sara and it was well known it hadn't ended well for him. And as such, wisely kept his mouth shut when it came to her. As for why Nyssa had gone off and married Sara and had yet to be hunted down, all anyone really knew is that she had challenged her father and came out the worse for wear cause of it. But in the end he had agreed to allow his daughter to do as she wished. Some speculate it might be down to due to him still wishing to retire after Oliver had refused his offer and hoped that Nyssa and Sara could possibly provide him an heir somehow. Of course there was always Talia, whom had certainly been a surprise to the centuries old man.

That was another issue Batman had too when it came to the Assassins bunch. And currently while brooding, he was waiting on the rest of the Council members to come inside the meeting room so that they could discuss current issues. Aside from Batman and Sara having a spot at the table, Oliver, Roy, Felicity, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Martian Manhunter, Barry Allen, and John Stewart also had positions too. John Diggle years earlier had refused as things were getting even weirder for him and was quite happily retired from the crime fighting life with Lyla. Ted Grant was another who stepped down from the Council for various reasons. Sara 'Freebird' Diggle however had decided to become one of the next generation of heroes, much to her father's dismay. Of course he was also secretly proud of his little girl. Lyla however was just happy that her daughter was spending her time constructively rather then destructively.

When Sara Lance had eventually learned that the Diggles had named their daughter after her, she had honestly felt truly touched by that and swore to be the most coolest aunt that there ever was. Even deciding to train the girl when she got older. She had even trained Sin too after she finally managed to talk the girl into it. And now Sin proudly carried the mantle of The Canary. Something that still slightly irked Laurel Lance a bit to this day. As at the time when her sister was in a coma, she had been getting pretty good at the whole crime fighting thing. At least until her father and sister put down their foots and told her to stop and stick to being a lawyer. As in Captain Lance's words 'One daughter running around doing this insanity is all I can really handle.' And the lawyer grudgingly agreed to stop.

After several more minutes of waiting, the room soon filled up with the rest of the Council. But Oliver was nowhere to be seen. When asked why that was, all Felicity had said is that he was currently dealing with something he couldn't get away from and left it at that. And before Batman could say anything to that, Superman managed to beat him to it. "Ahem, we can worry about that later. But for now, let's get started."

It had long been decided several years ago that every 3 months that the Council would have a different head of it. And currently Superman was that head. This was done so as to avoid burn out and any fallout that might cause. So far it was working rather nicely too. Wonder Woman decided to speak up next. "I believe it is time we discussed the younger heroes who are now active on the field. While several of them are side kicks to some of us for one reason or another. I think it would be ideal if they were to form their own group and be around one another more."

Many at the table nodded their heads in approval of this. But the Batman had his own reservations about the idea. Especially since he didn't quite feel that Robin was ready to fully be on his own just yet. Of course the idea that maybe he had trouble letting go never entered his mind. Felicity chose to speak up next. "I think that would be a great idea actually. As a few of them have worked together before pretty well and doing this would be beneficial for them. We could even have someone to help out with training programs." Nods of approval were seen yet again.

Over the years Felicity had finally managed to get a hang on her lack of a brain to mouth filter. Although it still happened from time to time. Especially if she happened to be annoyed with Batman and knew it would bother the crap out of the brooding man if she babbled. She was another that the Dark Knight didn't much care for as he felt she was a civilian and really had no place in the Council. The fact she liked to mother hen and called him out on a few things were factors too. "I think I would be best for something like that." He called out gruffly.

Barry however, had something to say. "Yeah, man I really don't think they need to learn how to brood. You brood enough for everyone as it is!"

The Bat tried not to feel too annoyed by the Speedster's words. "Oh? And I suppose you think you would be best for that?" He asked him archly.

"Who? Me? No way! Oliver maybe but not me." Was the laugh filled response.

"Didn't he once put two arrows into your back when he first started your training with him?" Diana asked uncertainly, as she was a bit concerned about a man who if he would do something like that. Then would likely do so with teenagers.

Barry laughed a bit again at that. "Oh yeah, but I highly and I mean HIGHLY doubt he would do that to them though. After all he's mellowed out a lot since then." Felicity had to smile at that, as it was quite true.

While Diana looked less uncertain about it now, Batman could be heard scoffing at the idea. He didn't particularly want the archer giving lessons to Robin. Nor any kind of crazy ideas either. And the archer had certainly gained a few of those over the years. Like deciding on actually using a boxing glove arrow in his arsenal. Something he had actually been on the receiving end himself a time or two. Roy spoke up next. "Hey Oliver trained me and I turned out just fine!" Sure part of his arm was now cybernetic after it getting cut off in a fight but over all he really had turned out pretty well.

Batman looked over at the red clad archer for a moment before speaking. "Forgive me if I don't take you at your word considering a certain mishap of yours." He told him coldly.

The mishap being that Roy had slept with the villianess known as Cheshire. Though he never regretted it as it had given him the most cherished thing he'd ever gotten in his life. That being little Lian who was now 4 and currently having play time with Thea at their home. Where he'd much rather be then here. "Oh like you really have room to talk considering a certain cat lady in Gotham." Roy finally said with a smirk easily seen on his face.

The Bat however didn't take the bait and let it be for the time being. The last Martian hoping to ease the tension in the room spoke up next in his usual calming manner. "As I believe a majority of us are in approval of the young ones forming their own group. Should we call them in now or simply wait til all our business is finished?"

Stewart then added his own two cents saying that they should just go ahead and get them to come up and then handle more business afterwards. Which got many a nod of approval for. "Very well, let's get them up here then." Called out Superman, who silently wished he had his own protege who could join in on this.

Sara winced as she knew exactly where they were at the moment. "Uhh... About that. We kinda can't right now."

Everyone aside from Roy turned to look at her, all of them curious about that. "And why is that?" Batman gruffly asked.

Roy jumped in next, saving Sara from having to say anything herself. And she swore she'd buy the man she considered like a little brother to her a beer after this was done. "Well you see that's the thing. Oliver's actually got them all out on a training exercise right now." Was his calm explanation, though on the inside he was enjoying the looks he got for his answer.

"WHAT!?" The Dark Knight roared out unhappily. As again he didn't want the archer anywhere near his protege and possibly giving him ideas.

"Whoa man, no need to yell. I'm right here! Their totally fine, he even took them to Lian Yu for the training." That maddeningly calming way he spoke was really starting to annoy The Bat now. But before he could say anything, Felicity beat him too it.

"WHAT!? He better not have taken my daughter to that place!" Felicity's Loud Voice had come out in fine form. And the Martian Manhunter could be seen rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Roy hesitated there, something Sara quickly spotted and had to hide a smile at the sight. Even after all these years he still couldn't really stand up to Felicity and her Loud Voice. "Um... He might have?" The red clad archer said hesitantly.

"OLIVER JONAS QUEEN!" Could pratically be heard through out the whole Watchtower.

Author's Notes: And that's that for now! And yes, I will be doing more with this! Hopefully the way I've set up things here will make sense. R and R!