Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

War was imminent. It was coming fast. It was coming with the promise of blood shed and ash falling over ruined bodies. War was coming to Earth. Battle that it’s lands had never seen before.

War so ruthless, so violent, aliens so terrible, that the Justice League for the first time in its existence, was assembling all of their forces.

Hal Jordan sat in his seat at the Justice Leagues table at the Watch Tower, his signature jacket gone, and his green mask on with his full battle suit.. Standing behind him to his right, was Kyle Rainer, his suit white and green and ready for battle. To his left was John Stewart, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched and Guy Gardner standing next to him with his arms crossed and ring glowing. Standing directly behind Hal, stood Alan Scott. The entire League double looking. Everyone knew he was retired. Everyone knew he didn’t join fights easily. And behind Hal and behind Alan, stood some of the most high ranking members of the Green Lantern Corps. Each with a ring on their hand and the symbol on their chest. Each ready to fight.

Barry Allen sat next to him, sitting in his own seat, cowl up, and Speed-force sparking around him. Behind him stood his own allies, Jessie Quick arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. Kid flash, Wallace West, suit yellow and skin dark, fingers thrumming nervously against his side.  Iris West the second, wearing an Impulse suit, standing next to him and two identical speedsters in blue purple suits, that a few Leaguers recognized as the Tornado Twins. Jay Garrick standing near Barry, suited up and his helmet shining and on. He brought only a few speedsters, the others likely assembling with their own teams.

Diana sat near the front of the table, a few chosen Theymscrians  standing strongly behind her, hair braided and spears in hand.

Clark sat across from her, Mr. Terrific behind him, his cousin Supergirl standing with arms crossed behind him. Superboy the second, looking around nervously but ready to fight, along with a white dog with tail wagging fastly.

The other members of the Justice League sat in their chairs, a few people they convinced to fight and ally along them standing behind them. Arthur with his royal guard. Hawkwoman and Hawkman with Hawkgirl standing behind them. Green Arrow and Black Canary in their each respective seats, Connor Hawke suited up as Arrow standing behind them, and the birds of prey standing strongly and ready to fight with them. Zatana sat in her seat, John Constantine standing right behind her, not smoking or drunk for the first time any of them had seen.

 But it wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough.

Batman was not sitting at his seat at the front, he sat in a chair next to Diana, his arm in a sling, a concussion bad enough for his cowl to be down and a domino mask to be on, and foot in a cast. He had been the first to fight the fight, him and Clark barely had made it to the Watch Tower to warn the Justice Leauge. For the first time, there was no Batman to lead. And hope was fast fading in the room of heroes, each on prepping for war, prepping for a battle without Batman.

The zeta tube dinged, and everyone tensed, hands reaching for weapons or calling on powers.

“Red Robin: Bat 04”

Everyone relaxed at that, everyone exhaled in relief.

Hal knew Red Robin from his Robin days, Young Justice flying around his sector. Barry knew him from Bart, who Barry hadn’t been able to get a hold of since the emergency meeting. Green Arrow knew of him from Arrowette. Diana knew of him from Wondergirl. Everyone knew of him. In one way or another, Tim Drake had connections everywhere. After all, he was trained for moments like this, for times to lead the Justice League.

Red Robin walked through the zeta tube, and the aura in the room, and shifted. He demanded power, demanded attention. A bat through and through, his only visible weapon was his Bo staff, but all those who stood in the space station, knew his greatest weapon was not his hidden knives or hidden batarangs, but his mind. Plans and ideas that rivaled the Bat himself.

Tim clenched his jaw, his Bo staff walking in tune with his feet as he walked to the head of the table. He met every heroes eyes as he nodded. It was a good line up. Great even. But he didn’t need great. He needed amazing. He needed more than the few people that they can gather, he needed everyone.

His own allies, began to filter in behind him. The zeta tubes sounding at the names all at once. Names that made the league double look. Names that held power.

“Superboy: Kon-El, Young Justice”

Kon stood on Tim’s right, strong and steady, ready to fight. Stood behind him, a strong presence just as he always was for Tim. Clark stared at Kon, slightly shocked he answered Tim’s call for battle, but not his own.

“Wondergirl: Cassie Sandsmark, Young Justice”

“Secret: Greta Hayes, Young Justice Retired.”

“Empress:Anita Jones, Young Justice: Retired”

No one had seen Empress in years, not since the original Young Justice days. Yet there she stood, mask down, hair up, swords on her back. She wasn’t a very well known hero, but the lanterns knew her name, and knew the power she held.

“Arrowheart: Cissie King- Jones, Young Justice Retired”

“Impulse: Bart Allen, Young Justice”

“Max Mercury: Flash:”

That was a name that sent ripples through the small crowd of heroes gathered. Max Mercury was an original Justice Society member, everyone knew his name. He was one of the first speedsters to ever exist. Everyone also knew that he didn’t fight. No matter the war that was coming. They stared at Red Robin again in shock. He held power, he held alliances.

“Catwoman: Silena Kyle”

“Spoiler: Stephiane Brown: Bat 05”

“Black Bat: Cassandra Cain: Bat 07”

“Signal: Duke Thomas: Bat 08”

“Robin: Damian Wayne: Bat 09”

“Bluebird: Harper Row: Bat 11”

“Batwoman: Kate Kane: Bat 10”

“Flamebird: Bette Kane: Bat 12”

The crowd around Red Robin kept growing, each member with such power and such rigging abilities growing and growing. The huddle of vigilantes of Gotham, a splash of darkness and purple against the white walls of the Watch Tower. The names were mostly unfamiliar to the league, the names mere rumors and whispers among other cities outside of Gotham. To see them was as if seeing a true ghost for the first time, unbelieving that they stood infront of them. And yet there they stood, awaiting Red Robin’s commands.

An entire wave of shadows flooded out of the zeta tubes. There were no recognitions in the system. But those who had faced down the League of Shadows, knew they were assassins. Deadly, weapons that were almost inhuman, and most of the time loyal to Ras Al Ghul. Yet they stood, bowing to Red Robin.

Young Justice still stood around Tim, ready to fight and protect their leader as if the battle was mere seconds away. Power floated around the once young team.

Tim leaned forward, hands on the table, as he stood in the place where Batman always stood. The place at the head of the table. The place of a leader.

And an army stood behind him.

“You’ve gathered your forces as quick as  you could,” He grinned sharply, his dominion mask shifting, “I’ve gathered mine.”

Chapter Text

Everyone shifted in their chairs or where they were standing. The smile was cold. Cold as ice. Oliver knew that smile. Bruce too. They had seen it on a one Janet Drake. But that smile this time, was on their side.

Tim stood up fully, “I’ve briefed my people on the situation. Hal. What’s the update?”

Hal Jordan straightened up, turning on his com to Jessica Cruz and Carol Ferris and a few other trustworthy lanterns and space flying heroes as they patrolled the tower.

“We’re clear so far. J’on has no sense of the aliens brains yet. And no reports yet to our main base in Sector 2814 yet of unauthorized activity or entrances,” He repeated formally

Red Robin nodded sharply, “ Good. Tell J’on to keep a keener eye out, I don’t put it past them to use blocking technology.”

Hal nodded before relying the information through his coms.

Tim stared at Batman. Everyone paused. No one stared at Batman in such a way. In a way that mimicked his own glare. A stare that conveyed power and listen to me.

“You know who we need,” Was all Red Robin said

Batman grunted.

“He’s the only one who can bring the rest.”

Batman grunted again.

Red Robin nodded sharply as if he understood something no one else heard.

The zeta tubes dinged again.

“Nightwing: Dick Grayson: Bat 02”

The name sent whispers through all those Red Robin did not bring. Everyone knew of Nightwing in one way or another. Wether he fought alongside them as Robin, Nightwing, or even Batman, they all knew of the original Robin, the original team leader. Power flared around him too, in a way that claimed attention and respect.

Red Robin stared at Nightwing.

Everyone tensed. No one knew how they would work together. Nightwing had led the Justice League once before, would he be leading them all today? Would he make Red Robin stand down?

Nightwing extended a hand, and Red Robin grabbed it, smiling sharply. Nightwing returned the grin. It was a terrifying thing.

The zeta tubes bang to him as even more people flooded through. Nightwings army.

“Starfire: Kori’ander”

“Beast Boy: Garfield Logan.”

“Raven: Rachel Roth.”

“Arsenal: Roy Harper.”

“Flash: Wally West.”

“Tempest: Garth Curry.”

The original Titans flooded in. Each one was known. Each one commanded power. Each one an army with their own weapon alone.

Each one loyal to Nightwing, yet awaited Red Robin’s command with a nod.

More people followed, each one gathered by Nightwing, and each one ready to fight under Red Robin.

“Red Hood: Jason Todd: Bat 03”

“Bizarro”

“Artemis of Bana- Mighdall.”

The Outlaws followed behind the original Titans. Everyone had heard of them. Knew of the outcasts that didn’t join the heroes fights. And yet there they stood.

When the zetas didn’t bing again, everyone tensed, awaiting to see what Nightwing would do.

Dick nodded at Batman, and to his little brother, before stepping backwards, standing with his team and alongside his other siblings who came with Tim.

Red Robin turned towards the Justice League. And they all stared in slight horror. He alone had built an entire army. Supers, speedsters, archers, vigilantes, and assassins. All within minutes of being notified of Batman’s injuries.

If Red Robin would turn dark… the Justice League would surely fall. If Red Robin were to turn dark, none of them knew just how many of the people who stood behind him would follow him.

“Let’s begin,” He said, the entire tower focusing on him

Chapter Text

Tim turned to the huddle of supers and allies, “When the battle begins I want supers in the air, I want Superman covering the back right flanks, Super Woman the left back flanks, Both Superboys will focus on the center back, only Kon will be moving inwards if needed. We don’t know if they use magic or not, and I’m not willing to risk some of our strongest fighters. They’re will likely be an attack from all sides, I don’t want any of you touching ground unless needed, use your other abilities to take them out from above.”

Clark looked to Bruce, who simply kept looking at his son. Clark nodded at Tim. Kara nodded immediately and Jon following. Kate was with Tim, so was Kara. Damian was with Tim, so was Jon.

“Keep Krypto and Streaky close, I don’t want them to get to deep in the fights. Make sure they have collars on with the voice recorders so we can use them to rely messages as needed,” He ordered, looking at Kara who held Streaky the cat and Jon who stood next to Krypto

Tim looked back to the league, “I want Green Lanterns in the sky for this fight. Everyone else will be fighting on the ground. They are not bringing war to us. We are bringing war to them. They’ll fight on our home turf so we have the advantage.”

Tim motioned towards the war plans that were spread out on the huge tables along with detailed maps of the huge desert, that had been in Batman’s contingency  for a battle of needed, that they would be directing the battle in.

“I’ve already sent notice to the surrounding cities to evacuate,” He says, “ I want speedsters, excluding Wally and Bart, to focus on the edges of the desert and fight. No one gets in. No one gets out. Stick near to the cities, and before the fight make sure you find food stands and water bottles. We don’t need speedsters dropping mid battle.”

The speedsters who did not come with Red Robin nodded in understanding.

“Don’t get thinking you will be just patrolling. We know they’ll be coming from the sky, but we don’t know their plan of attack, or if they have teleporting devices. But the odds of them attacking from the side is very possible, so be ready to fight,” Red Robin said in a lieu of a warning

“Archers and lanterns ,” Tim said, “You will be fighting behind the front lines and lanterns in the sky. Archers on top of a lantern construct to give them a high stance. We want to take out as many aliens as we can before they get to us. Lanterns will be rotating  in an out of attacking from the sky and holding the construct.”

The lanterns and archers each nodded at their orders.

“Hal,” Tim said, “I want you and Stewart to be in the field the most. Hal, focus on their ships. Most alien armies follow similar ship patterns as we do. Stewart, I want you to use your sniper skills to the max. I’m counting on you two to make sure the ships are empty and notify us if anymore are coming.”

Hal and John locked eyes in understanding. They would need to be ready for full battle mode.

“I want all the lanterns to provide arrows for the archers the second they need it,” Red Robin demanded, “ Mr. Scott?”

Alan Scott nodded for him to continue.

“I want you out of battle the most, I need you to guard the Lanterns. So that everyone can recharge their rings.”

Everyone who didn’t know if they could trust Red Robin as leading the league, did now as Alan Scott nodded and accepted his orders.

“The front lines have agreed to be taken on my men from the League of Assassins,” Tim said motioning towards the huddle of at least seventy assassins, “Pru will relay any information that is needed from our frontlines, including what weapons they use and how they use them. If Pru can’t get to you, another assassin will deliver information and any orders directly from me and me alone.”

A bald pale woman with a broken nose stood in the front with arms crossed and nodded in greeting.

Tim continued, “ I will issue you each a code word that only I will know. If an assassin approaches you in battle with information from me, and you suspect shapeshifters, ask for the code and they will repeat the code I gave them. Don’t worry about mind reading, they’ve been trained to redirect and resist their minds against such forces.”

Everyone hummed or nodded in understanding.

Tim’s fingers trailed over the detailed maps and pointed at a certain spot, looking up at the titans, Nightwing standing proudly with them, “I want original Titans right here, behind the front lines. If they manage to get past my men, the archers and lanterns, and they most likely will, I want you guys to be first line of hand to hand fighting.”

He nodded towards Roy, who stood in between the titans and the Outlaws, a bridge between both teams.

“I want you in a tower as well. But I want you to focus on your other weapons too. Don’t be afraid to pull out guns or grenades,” Tim said before looking at the Red Hood, “The Outlaws will be behind the titans. You will be sent in the minute that an alien gets past the Titans, and the rest of the forces. As soon as one gets by, the rest will follow in pattern, once they see that it can be done.”

Artemis shook her head in agreement and Bizarro shook his head no which everyone knew meant yes. Jason did a head jut, which was the closest thing to respect towards Red Robin as he would get.

“Mr. Terrific,” Tim said, “I need you, and the Hawk heroes in the sky covering the right and left sides from air attacks. I won’t be surprised if they have either flying contraptions and people in the sky. Your jobs will be to disarm and get rid of those the lanterns finish off, or miss.”

Tim points at the large battle plan.

“The sky attacks formations are as followed, Lanterns in the front, Hal and Stewart in the middle, Supers in the back, Hawks and Mr. Terrific on the sides,” He says, “Everyone needs to remember that. If you need backup, call from the air, catch your enemy off guard. Make sure you call from your nearest air support.”

The heroes and vigilantes all nodded in understanding.

He circles a spot in with his fingers, the area without any heroes, the area in the middle.

“Behind the Outlaws,” He says, “Blue Bird, Catwoman, Flamebird and Batwoman will be the next line of defense.”

The vigilantes he named that stood behind him, straightened their backs, hands on their weapons.

“My team and I will be behind them,” He said motioning to the main inner circle, “Behind me and my team, there are three sections. Directly behind us, will be Robin and Signal. If you see a bright shining abnormal light aimed directly at you flashing, it’s likely a coded message from Signal. Lanterns, Supers, and archers in your towers if you see that, thats the signal to get Arrowheart and Green Arrow to the back flanks for an attack. Guy?”

Guy Gardner perked up, he hadn’t got his orders yet.

“If you see the light flashings, I need you to get them to the back as fast as you can.”

Guy nodded, “Flashy light. Get Ollie and Arrowheart to the back and in tower constructs. Got it.”

“To the right back of my team, will be Birds of Prey, along with Aquaman and his royal guard. There’s a well of water not to far from the battle field, the water runs all the way underground. Arthur, I need you to use the water as much as you can. Brace any of our heroes in the sky who are falling. Use the water to disengange their tech.”

Arthur, flanked by his soldiers, nodded.

“To the left of my team, will be Black Bat, Spoiler, and Wonder Woman,” He said pointing at the map again, “I don’t have as many flyers in this section because I trust you all to adjust and bring them down.”

Diana, without hesitating, nodded. If her pupil Cassie trusted Red Robin so strongly, then so would she. He was a warrior. And if Diana respected anyone, it was one who thought of a battle with a mind as sharp as their weapons.

“Hal? Update.”

Hal paused, listening to the chatter on the coms.

“Nothing yet. But my people at the sector base, think it’s going to be soon. We won’t have much longer before they enter our sector. Which will still give us only a few hours if that before they reach Earth.”

Tim hummed, eyes staring at the maps and battle plans behind his domino mask.

“If anyone here doesn’t want to kill, and or suspects coerced alien soldiers, I’ve contacted a few of my connections at the DEO and ARGUS, they’re setting up a containment prison, about two miles from our battle positions,” He points to a dot he drew on a map

 “Speedsters. Another job for you. If someone in your area of fighting, has an alien for containment, its your job to get them in the cell and back to the battle.”

Barry and his group nodded in understanding. They were used to things like that in battle.

“If any of you are wondering if we all will be enough to stop it...” Tim laughed, voice echoing in the crowded and silent rom, “I have a few contacts who have already been briefed but aren’t at this meeting. They’re... a bit on the unpredictable side. Just let them do their thing, and all of you focus on your positions and fucking winning this shit.”

There was a few cheers, and slight clapping. Everyone ready to fight. Hands itching to punch. Guns ready to fire. Arrows ready to fly. Lanterns ready to be ignited.

Red Robin, turning serious once again, the room quieting as placed his hands on the table, meeting all of their eyes.

 “I am warning you all now, this plan is strong and steady. I need to make sure you all understand, while we are assuming that they will attack head on, I am under no assumption that only the front groups will be fighting. This will be messy. Fast. And bloody. I doubt they won’t attack from all sides. As long as you stick our formations, and call on your fellow warriors. This plan will work.”

Everyone nodded. Faith and hope sparking in their chests. They could win this. They would win this. Earth was their home. It was theirs to protect.

Bruce, who honestly was still out of it, smiled proudly at his son. This was what Tim was trained for. He was made to lead. Janet had known it, all those years ago at the first gala Bruce met tiny Tim at. Jack knew it when he held the gun at Bruce, making Tim quit Robin. All of the villains Tim and his team faced, knew it too.

Timothy Jackson Drake was born for great things.

Bruce always knew he would be leading the Justice League one day. He totally called it.