Chapter Text
Invasion
Chapter 1
Damian walked slowly into the cave following a tense dinner on Friday evening. The family had barely been able to finish their silent meal before they separated to parts unknown to the youngest member of the family. Damian had noticed tension building slowly over the past couple weeks, and just figured that work wasn't going well. Ever since the school year began, Damian had been far too busy to keep track of the happenings at Wayne Enterprises. Some days, it was all he could do to keep up with the happenings of the Warrington School.
However, a week of nightly Justice League meetings had turned the boy's mind away from business complications. The meetings ran late into the night, long past his weekday bedtime, and as such, he had no chance to ask his father what was going on. It became a common event through the week that the only other person Damian saw this week was Alfred, and he was in the dark about current events, just as Damian was. It had been a struggle to follow Alfred's advice, but Damian trusted that Bruce would tell him everything he needed to know, and he hadn't tried to push for an explanation of events.
He hadn't really had a chance to push for information lately. This evening's dinner was the first time he had actually seen his father since Monday morning. Damian was desperate for information, but Bruce had been sending out Batman-level glares at any extra noise during the short meal.
Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, Damian found Batman, fully dressed and waiting impatiently at the computer. "Go get dressed; we're late," was growled ominously at the youth, when his presence was noticed.
Confused, Damian asked, "Isn't it a little early for patrol, Father?"
"We aren't patrolling tonight."
"But, it's Friday," slipped from the boy's shocked lips before he could stop it. He winced as the Bat turned and leveled a full glare at him. "Sorry, Father. It's just...I haven't seen you all week. I was looking forward to tonight. I...I missed you."
Batman took a deep breath to try to settle himself. He hadn't even realized that he hadn't seen his youngest in several days. "That was unavoidable," Batman said, in Bruce's voice, "And it wasn't your fault. Now, go get dressed. You have a mission."
Damian nodded and turned towards the locker room. He only made it three steps before he stopped in his tracks as his mind slammed to a halt. "Wait, I have a mission? You said I couldn't do solo work until I was sixteen."
Batman winced, "No choice in this situation. You were requested by all involved. Hurry up, I'll explain more when we get there."
Several minutes later, Batman and Robin stepped out of the Zeta Tube to the computerized announcement, "Recognize Batman, A-02. Recognize Robin, F-01."
A smile broke out on Robin's face, "I have a Justice League clearance now?"
Batman tried his best not to match the smile on his son's face. "Like I said before, there was no choice in the situation."
"I didn't know there was an 'F' level clearance."
Robin could have sworn there was a smirk on Batman's face. "That's because you aren't a member of the Justice League, yet."
Robin looked up critically and said, "F sounds like an awfully low level, A-Zero-Two."
"It will be enough for this mission."
"Which is what, Father? This is Mount Justice, right?"
Batman nodded, looking around the old control room. "Very good, Robin. We are at Mount Justice. A week ago, the Justice league received a credible threat."
"Terrorists," Robin asked.
"Worse. Brainiac."
Batman could tell that Robin's eyes were as wide as they could get under his mask. "What does he want, Batman?" the boy asked.
Batman sighed, "Metas. His message stated he found a way to absorb Meta energy to power his machines. He's planning on abducting and draining all Metas on Earth. Superman and Martian Manhunter believe the process will be fatal to anyone Brainiac gets his hands on."
"Shit," Robin whispered.
"Yes," Batman replied dryly.
"Are we going to space to fight Brainiac," Robin asked, with just a hint of eagerness and excitement in his voice.
"No." Batman almost smiled as Robin's expression fell. "Nightwing and I are going to space to fight Brainiac, along with the core of the League. You are staying right here."
Robin looked around at his surroundings. "Here? Wasn't this base compromised? If you want me to be safe somewhere, why not just leave me at home?"
Batman was proud that Robin had remembered the detail of the base, without ever having to be told to research it. "Yes, this base was compromised, and it was widely publicized that it had been stripped, and the mountain filled back in, after the Justice League moved operations to the Watchtower."
"This place hardly looks stripped and filled."
"That's because it wasn't. The defenses have been improved, and it has been held in reserve for situations like now. This base has been reactivated for a special project. Brainiac wants Metas. We aren't going to give him any. While the core of the League is away, League affiliates will be scouring the planet for all the Metas we can find. We are setting up holding facilities around the world, and this is one of them. You, Robin, were chosen to be in charge of this facility."
Robin smiled for a second before his look flattened. "Wait, if Brainiac is collecting Metas, wouldn't I be more useful out there? Don't we want as few super-powered beings as possible in range of Brainiac? I don't have any special powers. Aren't you and I reasonably safe from this threat?"
"I told you he would say that, Batman."
A new voice caused Batman and Robin to turn towards the Zeta Tube, as Superman strode over with a smile. "Robin, you are absolutely right. You are safer than most of the people we will be sending against Brainiac when his armada arrives tomorrow. You are also reasonably well-suited for the job we have chosen for you."
Robin looked skeptical. "While I'm ready for just about anything you can assign me, am I supposed to believe that a world full of Metas are going to listen to one teenager in a mask and cape?"
"Your connection to me is more than enough to earn you a little latitude," Batman said, "the rest is up to you."
"Given the plan for this facility, your age will actually be a benefit," Superman said. "Right now, we know of four Metas who will be joining you here. More might come, but we just aren't sure yet. Speaking of which, here is your first roommate."
Superman gestured to his side, and a skinny waif of a Superman mini-me materialized from the Man of Steel's shadow. He was a hair taller than Robin, but lacked the older boy's visible muscle mass. Shaggy black hair almost hid curious blue eyes. The zip-up Superman sweatshirt with the sewn-on red cape made it obvious who this was, but Superman introduced him anyway.
"Batman, Robin, this is Superboy."
"That's original," Robin said softly, hiding his snort of laughter. Batman heard it anyway, and rolled his eyes under his cowl.
The younger boy seemed not to hear the comment, and just waved and said, "Hi."
"Wait a minute," Robin said, "Did you say roommate?"
"Yes, he did," Batman said. "You will be staying here to watch out for all those who are brought in."
Robin looked up at Batman and asked, "For how long?"
"Until the crisis is averted and the situation is over," Batman said softly.
Superman spoke up, "Projections show Brainiac's armada arriving in system around three A.M. We don't know size or strength yet, but if it is anything like the last time he tried to invade the Earth, it's going to be a long weekend for us. The world's militaries have been put on alert, but hopefully we won't have to call on them."
Robin looked back and forth between the adults, trying to judge what he should believe. "So, you figure on two, three days?"
"Four," Batman said, "Just in case."
Robin nodded, then said quietly, leaning in towards Batman, "What about school on Monday? I can't afford to fall behind; not if I'm going to finish this year."
Batman nodded, "Agent A is very concerned about the high fever you will be developing on Monday morning. You could be sick all week. Try to feel better soon, son."
Superboy tugged on Superman's cape with a smile and asked, "Does this mean I get to miss school on Monday, too, Dad?"
Superman smiled down and replied, "Your mother wasn't too happy about that, but you're safer here."
Another announcement from the Zeta Tube heralded the arrival of Flash. Batman shook his head as the red-clad man appeared at his side. "It always amazes me how the fastest man on Earth is perpetually late to everything."
Flash shook his head and said, "Cut me some slack, Batman. It's not easy wrangling these two."
"These two?" Robin asked, looking over to see two orange jumpsuit-clad youths, a girl with bright red pigtails and a boy with short brown hair, jabbering away like old friends with a smiling Superboy.
Batman leaned over to Superman and asked quietly, "They've met before?"
"A couple weeks ago," was murmured back. "Kids, come over here for a second."
The two youths trooped over dutifully to stand next to Flash. Superman smiled at the kids and said, "Kids, this is Robin. He's going to look out for you for a couple days. Robin, this is Impulse and...I'm sorry, Flash, did he ever come up with a name?"
Flash blushed slightly and said, "I think we're still looking. We've been trying out Mercury, but that might not stick."
Superman shrugged, "Mercury, huh? I kinda like it. We can go with that for now."
Awkward greetings were passed between the children. For as much as they were aware of each other's existence, this was the first time they had all met in person.
Robin looked around the room and finally realized what was being asked of him. Taking all he was going to take, Robin turned to Batman and said coldly, "A word, Father?"
Father and son walked across the room to speak. Flash said softly to Superman, but not so softly that he wasn't overheard by Batman and Robin, "Yep, I was expecting this."
"Yes, Robin?" Batman said, trying to keep a level tone.
Robin hissed, "My super-secret mission is to play babysitter? No, Father. I can't do that."
"Why not?"
Robin leaned in even closer, "I don't like children, Father. You know I have no tolerance for frustration. It's all I can do to handle Todd and Drake some days."
"Robin, you may not see it, but this is an important mission."
Robin's eyes widened under the mask, "How is this possibly an important mission?"
"Think about it," Batman said in a serious tone, "Brainiac wants Metas. These children are Metas. Do you think Brainiac is going to go after the strongest or the weakest first? That is where you come in. Brainiac's henchmen are not going to expect the level of thought and strategy that you are able to come up with from one so young. You will have the advantage here."
"I can handle dealing with Brainiac. I don't know how to deal with children, Father."
Superman appeared on one side of Batman, Flash walked over and stood on the Dark Knight's other side. "This is very important, Robin," Superman said. "What you will be doing is preserving the future of the Justice League. I assume that your plan still is to one day be Batman?"
Robin glanced up at the man in black before replying, "Yes."
Superman nodded, "Part of being Batman includes a seat on the Justice League main council. Like it or not, these children share that same destiny, but only if they survive this crisis."
Flash nodded at Superman's comments before adding his own. "If nothing else, Robin, these are our children. There is nothing we care about in this world more than them. We are going off to fight Brainiac, in order to make the world safe for them, and for you."
Robin sighed, "Okay, but why me, though? Surely there is someone better suited to the task, someone who at least knows your children."
Nightwing, who had just arrived at Mount Justice, threw an arm around Robin's shoulders and said, "You would be surprised. The list of potential names was a lot smaller than we hoped. In the end, you were chosen because all three super-parents here felt you were the one name on the list that could be trusted absolutely to keep everyone safe. With you on guard, they won't have to worry about what is happening here; they can focus on getting rid of Brainiac without distraction."
Robin sighed again as he looked over at the line of wide-eyed youths, staring at the adult conversation. Little did Robin know that seeing him having this conversation with their heroes had the effect of placing Robin among their ranks as someone to be listened to and trusted. "I don't even know them," he said softly.
"Then here is a chance to get to know them," Nightwing said with a smile.
"You all want me to spend a long weekend with them. What are we supposed to do? Play? I don't know how to do that."
"It's never too late to learn, Robin," Batman said softly, surprising the crowd.
Superman said, "Whatever you decide on will be up to you. You're in charge. Flash and I have already spoken to our kids, they'll listen to you."
Nightwing continued Superman's thought, "Don't go overboard with it, Robin, and you'll be fine. You are the oldest, you have the most field experience, and, if you hadn't noticed, they are already looking at you like an authority figure."
Robin took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Fine. Just remember, though, this was your idea."
"We know, Robin," Superman said with a smile. "We all must sacrifice in times of need. Your sacrifice is understood, noted...and deeply appreciated."
Flash disappeared from Batman's side, reappearing on the other side of the room with both of his kids in his arms. Superman walked off at a less super pace, but ended up at the same spot as Flash, with Superboy clinging to his neck tightly. Robin looked up at Batman, realizing that the time was approaching for the elders to leave. I haven't seen him all week. Now, I won't get to see him for who knows how much longer.
Robin did his best to control the quiver in his lip as Batman spoke softly, "I know this isn't how you were planning on spending your weekend, Robin, but I have every confidence you will succeed in your mission."
Robin just stared, breathing deeply. Nightwing placed a hand on Robin's shoulder gently and said, "Use your words, Robin. Don't keep it inside, we talked about that. What is it?"
Robin looked at the floor and spoke softly, almost too softly to be heard, "Th-three years ago, Nightwing and I w-watched you leave on another 'save the world' mission. You didn't come home from that mission, Father. Now, now you're leaving again, and this time, y-you're taking Nightwing w-with you. I don't know if I can do this."
"Robin, your mission is very straightforward..."
"Not the mission," Robin interrupted, bringing his head up to try to meet Batman's eyes, "I don't know if I can watch you leave again."
Nightwing gasped at the quiet admission as Robin continued. "You promised, Father," he hissed vehemently, "you promised I wouldn't be alone again."
"You won't be," Batman replied, just as vehemently, "not for long. Brainiac can't possibly bring a large enough force to take on the entire planet."
Robin took a half step closer to Batman and said in the strongest voice he could manage, which sounded awfully watery and sad to Nightwing, "You will come home this time. I'm not giving you any other option. You have to come home because you have to bring Nightwing home. Neither of you are allowed to die. I do want to be Batman, but I don't want to be Batman anytime soon. I'm still learning how to be Robin, I can't just stop that and start learning how to be Batman, especially if I won't have a teacher to guide me."
"Batman, Nightwing, we need to get going," Superman's voice broke into the family moment from across the room.
Batman looked at his sons before saying loudly, "We've come across a logistical issue. We need a couple minutes to solve it. Come Robin, Nightwing."
Batman led his sons towards a hallway as Superman asked, "Anything you need help with?"
"It's under control," Batman growled as they disappeared down the hall.
Superman knew exactly what was going on; he had been eavesdropping on the Bats for the better part of the last two minutes.
Batman stalked down the hall, with Robin almost jogging to keep up. Suddenly, Batman stopped and dropped to a knee in front of his son. Robin couldn't stop in time, and ended up running into Batman. That was what Batman intended to happen, and he held tightly to his son for just short of a minute. It took Robin several seconds to realize what Batman was doing, but he melted against the body armor when he did.
"I will come back, and I will bring Nightwing. You can't get rid of us that easily," Batman whispered into Robin's ear.
"I will accomplish my mission, Father, for you, so you can accomplish yours with one less worry."
Nodding, Batman stood, hating that he had to let go of his son. Nightwing filled Batman's space and hugged Robin tightly, whispering, "I'm still jealous of you, little brother. You are still the only one who gets Bat-hugs."
Robin smirked softly, "Bring him back alive, Nightwing. That is your only mission out there."
Nightwing sounded almost hurt when he said, "Bring him back alive?"
"Yes."
"You're only worried about Batman coming back alive?"
"Yes." Robin knew the answer hurt his brother, but he continued his explanation. "You see, for you to accomplish your mission, you have to bring him back alive. The only way to ensure that happens is to bring him back in person. No false heroics. Just do your job and come home."
A smile broke out on Nightwing's face as Robin spoke to both of his elders. "For as much as I am Robin now, and we work well together, you and Nightwing are untouchable as a partnership. Go out there and show Brainiac what an utter fool he is to have picked a fight with the original Dynamic Duo."
Batman let a small smirk show under his cowl, "We will, son. You'll be seeing us before you know it."
The trio walked back towards the entrance hall, Batman and Nightwing each keeping a hand firmly on Robin's shoulders as he walked between the two men. Robin stopped just before he figured they would be visible at the end of the hall and turned to Batman, asking, "One more, Father?"
Batman instantly dropped to a knee and enfolded Robin in his tight grasp. Robin's arms wrapped tightly around Batman's neck, and the older man could have sworn he heard a sniffle from his son. A gauntleted hand cupped the back of Robin's head. The boy took a deep breath, hoping this wouldn't be the last time his father held him. Reluctantly, he took a step back, and nodded at Batman.
"Were you able to fix your logistical problem," Superman asked as the Bats entered the room from the hallway.
The smile on Superman's face irked Batman. He knows exactly what was going on, Batman thought, why does he have to act like he's clueless at times like this? "For now. Let's just get this over with."
Robin hung back by the computer as Flash and Superman said their final goodbyes to their children. The kids migrated over to stand next to Robin as Nightwing whispered to Flash, "He's not taking this as well as I had hoped."
"Babysitting," Flash asked in a whisper of his own.
"No, the other part...aaaaand, he just heard us," Nightwing said, catching the look on Robin's face.
Before stepping into the Zeta Tube, Superman turned back to see a sea of sad faces watching the adults leave. "Kids, just relax. This will be over before you know it. We'll handle everything. Listen to Robin, he's in charge, he'll take good care of you. Robin, you know what we're trusting you with right now. I know you won't let us down. Thank you."
With a flash of Zeta light, four heroes-in-training were left alone, while their families went off to war.
A/N: As you should be able to tell by now, this will be another multi-chapter story. This is currently at 12 chapters, and is completely done at this point. As I go back and edit this, there might be a few changes added, but I don't think any of the changes will result in new chapters. I'm going to try to stick with the 12 that are already written.
Just so it is a little better understood, the outline for this story was written at the same time DC began the whole Rebirth cycle. This was completed before most of the new storylines were fleshed out. I've been sitting on this completed story for the better part of six months, until I get to this point in my timeline. As I've said before, I'm only following a couple of the Rebirth stories, so I really don't know if I'm writing out of turn. Then again, I have also always said that I'm writing in my own universe, so DC rules don't apply.
Now that some of the characters have been introduced, I can let you all in on what I'm thinking with them. Robin, of course, is the same 13 year old Damian I've been writing for a while. Superboy is the 10 year old Jonathan Kent from the Superman and Super Sons books. Impulse is an 11, almost 12, year old Irey West. Mercury is, of course, her twin Jai West. I don't know if Wally's kids made it into the Rebirth cycle, but I'm using them anyway. I'm also aware that Jai supposedly has, or had, no powers. For the sake of my story, I am writing him and Irey as normal speedsters. And yes, the Mercury name is something I made up, because I didn't have anything else to call him for a secret identity, and it fits a speedster.
This story will focus on the experience of the kids in the upcoming conflict. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to write the war from the Justice League perspective. Maybe? We'll see how this story is received, and if there is any demand (hint, hint) for it (in comments).
Thanks for playing along.