Chapter Text
Barry was no stranger to the frequent lateness that had become his trademark at league meetings. Despite being hailed as the fastest man alive, punctuality was often sacrificed in favor of quick sprints and last-minute sprints. Every time he stormed into the conference room, a familiar sight greeted him: Batman's disappointed scowl burning a hole into the back of Barry's head, a silent reprimand that Barry hurriedly tried to dodge by avoiding eye contact with the imposing, brooding figure of the Bat. Today was no different for the perpetually tardy Scarlet Speedster. He pulled out his chair with a sigh, bracing himself for what was rumored to be the most drawn-out, tedious gathering in Justice League history: a never-ending debate about security protocols and strategies for facing an ominous, possibly universe-ending threat that, in truth, might never come to pass. As hours dragged on like an interminable marathon, the league members grew restive, their eyes glazing over, with half of them staring into the abyss of boredom, lost in their own thoughts. That is, until the topic shifted to adding a fresh face to their ranks, igniting a spark of renewed energy among the heroes.
“I nominate Red Arrow,” Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) announced with undeniable enthusiasm, standing proudly and gesturing toward a shimmering hologram that materialized, illustrating a sharp image of the young archer, his features sharp and determined. “I know he's young and a bit hotheaded, but I believe he could bring valuable skills and spirit to the team.” Barry glanced around nervously, catching glimpses of trepidation and doubt flickering among the league members. It had been years since anyone had spoken to Roy Harper, and memories of their last encounter lingered like a shadow. Originally, their plan was simple: infiltrate the building quietly, gather intel, and slip away unnoticed. But after Roy was insulted by a masked attacker, his temper snapped, unleashing chaos and violence that spiraled out of control. Barry vividly remembered the fight that followed clashing with enemies he’d lost count of and still felt the sting of a concussion whenever Roy's name was mentioned.
“Just give the kid a chance,” Oliver said with unwavering confidence, offering a reassuring smile. “It's been a while since that incident, and thanks to Young Justice, Roy has had time to prove himself. He’s grown, learned, and earned his place.” Yet, those words seemed to vanish into the noise of the room, falling on deaf ears. Slowly, Oliver's confident expression faded into one of resigned acceptance as he sank back into his seat.
Suddenly, Superman (Clark Kent) leaned forward, his bright eyes shining with conviction, and proposed, “I’d like to suggest a vigilante from Blüdhaven known as Nightwing. I’ve heard he’s been protecting the city with remarkable skill and dedication for several years now.” His smile was unwavering—almost blinding in its optimism—and radiated a sense of genuine admiration.
The hologram of Red Arrow remained dark, an ominous reminder that even the Justice League knew little about this mysterious hero. That silence seemed to serve as a warning; caution was wise. Barry wondered how Clark managed to know so much about Nightwing when the League itself knew so little.
Clark Kent had faced Batman’s icy glare many times over the years, but this might have been the fiercest yet. Supporting Nightwing was essentially backing Batman’s legacy, and if the Dark Knight was reluctant to share details about his protégé, Clark’s knowledge came from personal insight. As uncle to Dick Grayson, Clark felt compelled to speak up, hoping to give the younger hero a fair shot at proving himself on the grand stage.
"I admit there’s limited intel on Nightwing,” Clark acknowledged, glancing respectfully toward Batman with a nod. “But I’ve seen him in action. His combat style is impressive, and his composure under pressure suggests he’d be an asset to the League.” Throughout his speech, Clark kept a steady gaze fixed on Batman, seeking some sign of approval. Despite Batman’s reputation for aloofness and secrecy, the League often relied on his judgment in critical moments. If Batman disapproved, the conversation might as well be over, and no other hero would dare speak up.
A tense silence settled over the room, heavy with anticipation as each member contemplated the weight of this decision. This meeting marked a potential turning point in the League’s history, shaped by the choices and convictions of its members—until Batman finally decided to break the silence.
"Nightwing would be a valuable asset to the Justice League," Batman said evenly. "But given how perilous and crime-ridden Blüdhaven is, he probably wouldn't have much time to participate in league missions." His words were cautious and measured, although Bruce didn't want to talk badly about his oldest son's vigilante persona. Knowing Blüdhaven was Gotham's sister city, it was a given that Batman would know about the protector, and by the looks on the other heroes' faces, they expected as much, so he had to comment on Superman's nomination without trying to reveal the core of his concerns—protecting his family from the dangers that more exposure to hero society could bring. This was the unspoken dilemma: while the idea of Nightwing joining was appealing, the threat of his prominence bringing unwanted threats to those he loved was something Bruce couldn’t ignore.
Clark was going to get a stern talking to after this meeting, as Bruce could see the slight shift in everyone's faces at his words confirming Batman's approval of Nightwing, as he's never actually complimented another hero before. Dammit, Bruce should've just used his signature disapproving "Hm" at Superman's suggestion, dispersing the conversation, but taking the advice of his family, he was trying to be more social with his coworkers.
"Well, Spooky didn't say no to Superman's nomination and actually complimented him, so I will approve Nightwing's recruitment to the Justice League." Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) spoke up, filling the silence.
"Green Lantern does have a point; Batman simply implied that Nightwing would not have the time to incorporate with the league. I suggest going to Blüdhaven and asking the vigilante. " Diana (Wonder Woman) spoke proudly and gracefully, as expected of the Amazonian woman.
"Also, meeting this Nightwing will help us gather more information on his skills and capabilities. It could provide us with a clearer picture of how he would fit into our team dynamic and tackle the threats we face." Superman nodded in agreement with the Amazon.
"So it is settled then; 3 members of the Justice League will go to Blüdhaven to invite Nightwing for a month-long trial to assess his potential contributions. This approach would not only allow us to evaluate his abilities in real time but also give him a chance to understand our values. " J'onn (Martian Manhunter) smiled, inserting his approval of the recruitment.
With the rest of the heroes at the meeting silently nodding, confirming their agreement, Batman leaned forward, his expression serious. "We need to ensure that he understands the weight of the responsibility that comes with being part of the Justice League. I will accompany whoever is going to Blüdhaven."
Surprised expressions fill the room as Batman does something unexpected; this village must be special if Batman is willing to take time out of his active schedule to greet Nightwing. The collective thought lingered in the room until Superman spoke: "I will also accompany Batman with the Flash if he is willing to." Superman thought that having Barry join him and Bruce would definitely pause the definite conversation about bringing up the suggestion of nominating Nightwing.
That sparked Barry's interest. Superman wanted him to meet Nightwing; he assumed it was punishment for arriving late, as he saw Batman's stern gaze overcome him. Barry wanted to say "hell no," but the radiance of Superman's smile overshadowed that need, so he said, with a hesitant smile, "Yeah, I do not mind."