Chapter Text
The fight was painless. Both to Batman’s bruised ribs and to his friends, and yes they were friends. They didn’t know his name, his face or any details of his personal life. But there were little things each member did which informed him they were friends. He hoped his own gestures were similarly seen. Clark’s welcoming smiles, he had met with Sundays off to visit his childhood home and parents. Diana took the time to spar with him, improving his blade skills. In return he had taught her more hand to hand tactics and strategy. J’onn’s quiet support was mirrored.
His secrecy did have its downsides. He couldn’t let Cyborg, Barbra, Tim and Cullen meet. Victor struggled with connecting to other humans, Batman wished he could introduce him to his children who were more tech minded. But with his dedication to keeping his children secret all he could do is insist on helping with the watchtowers tech.
When Barry was complaining about Wally’s forays into speedster-hood the father in him was bursting to share his own stories. Instead, he made high calory snack bars to give Kid Flash a pick me up when he overshot his capabilities and made sure the watchtower was stocked with medicine which would be safe for speedsters of Wally’s size and age.
And Jordan? They’d sorted out their differences. Batman no longer gave him the worst assignments. And Hal’s derision had faded. They were good 90% of the time.
Either way Batman was glad when after the last of Toyman’s bots had shut down the worst injury anyone had was Flash’s healing scrape from a tumble he took.
Assuring himself of his teams well being Batman turned to go.
“Headed off then?” Kal said.
“Hrn, I’m not much use here.” Batman gestured to the truck sized slab of concrete impaling the ground.
Kal turned following his gesture and rubbed the back of his neck, “yeah, I uhh—”
“For the situation it was an appropriate response.”
Kal’s aw-shucks routine was replaced by a small but genuine smile. “Thanks B.” Clark opened his mouth, then stopped. Tilting his head to the side in a ‘I’m listening’ gesture he’d adopted around those who knew his hearing range. Those who didn’t thought the reporter had a bad habit of spacing out.
Batman grunted in question, but otherwise waited for whatever Kal was listening in to, to complete.
“The Civil Defence has cornered Flash.”
“Cornered?” It wasn’t a friendly adjective for the people who helped with the clean-up.
“hmm, Rao they’re Lex’s new people, they’re here to get us to sign up for the registration act he passed yesterday.”
“Ahh.” Lex Luthor had been in the oval office for a grand total of twenty-four hours, and they were already running into trouble with him. Bruce cursed the mainland’s insistence on Patriotism, insisting they were the best, to the detriment of a critical analysis of the system, so they could actually improve.
The US had unfortunately become a plutocracy and if there was anything Lex Luthor wasn’t short of it was money. Money plus an excellent PR team selling a story about redemption and a hard-working capitalist.
Batman scoffed, just because Lex had fanatically erased any mention of his father didn’t mean the man was any less of a blue blood than Bruce himself.
“What are we going to do?” Kal asked, “I know we discussed ‘what if,’ but I wasn’t truly expecting the ‘if’ to happen.”
It was because Clark was a good-hearted fool who still believed in the Mainland. But it was an optimism Batman admired so he kept his thoughts to himself.
Batman opened his League wide communicator, “Emergency Meeting 1200 tomorrow.”
“There can’t be another Emergency yet?” Green Lantern said.
“Luthor,” Batman growled.
“ahh never mind, I’ll be there.” Jordan said.
The Flash was the last to arrive to the meeting, though it hadn’t truly begun yet. Batman was staring out into space half listening as J’onn and Clark talked. Unlike Clark’s usual behaviour there were no smiles or kind words to go around, rather tension laced his every move.
“you need to move out of the US,” Batman said, with no warning after minutes of silence.
“I can’t just move, I have a life, a Job, a family.”
“It’s not the daily metropolis, there are international correspondents. And as for the family.” Bruce raised an eyebrow, which given his mask probably was more like an expressionless glare. “You can circumnavigate the Globe in minutes, at those speeds even New Zealand is a reasonable commute.” Batman said. “Luthor is a narcissist, and he has fixated on you as the cause of all his problems. Anything goes wrong for him will be your fault, as a businessman the fallout of his revenge was bad enough, as a president?”
“It will be worse.” Clark finished.
“Far worse, you need to make it clear. You may not like him as president, you may not agree with his choices, but you are willing to respect the wishes of the people.” Luthor would still blame him for everything anyway, but the rest of the world would catch on. And if they got lucky the person he blamed for his own failings would shift.
“He is right Kal. Respecting autonomy of human governments is not possible for you while you reside in a country Lex Luthor is president of.” J’onn said.
Clark deflated, “there is an overseas assignment at the planet I’ve been offered, it’s a chance to do some good with a pen. But—”
“You were going to turn it down because Metropolis needed you,” Batman said.
“Exactly, but if I need to get out of the U.S.? It would be perfect.”
Of course it was, Bruce hadn’t bought the Daily Planet because the future of print was bright.
Clark sorted, the group broke up and Batman called the meeting to order.
“As of three days ago Lex Luthor became President of the United States of America. Two days ago, the order for all vigilantes, Meta humans, and non-humans to register with a taskforce Luthor has set up, went through.” Batman said, “It goes without saying none of us like this situation. We are here to come up with plans for each Member of the team and the league as a whole.”
“You must have already made contingencies though?” Barry said. “I mean the rest of us were joking about what we would do because none of us thought it a possibility. But you’re…”
“You, Spooky.” Jordan finished.
“I have several contingencies in place. However even if I am ‘me’ I still need input before I decide to interfere ‘like an overgrown rodent, without the concept other people might have ideas and thoughts of their own,’” Batman said. The last part a direct quote taken last Bruce had assigned Lantern a bad shift rotation. It had been so Clark could attend his father’s 60th not that Lantern had known.
Hal at least had the dignity to flush, rather than backing it 100% like he would have when they started the League.
“Ahh yeah, Sorry Spooks I was frustrated.”
Batman took mercy and moved on with a slight nod. “The UN has floated the idea of the JL being recognised under the United Nations. They have decided to vote on the issue in less than a month. The conditions far more favourable than Lex’s.”
“I suppose it makes sense, we do operate internationally, few countries would be okay with the US controlling our actions.” Cyborg said.
Batman nodded. Countries had been able to ignore their US connections for disaster relief or protection from alien invasions. But with Lex’s taskforce those missions would now be a heavily armed US force entering countries without their permission, not even the U.S.’s closest allies would be okay with the league’s invasion.
“I intend to secure the vote from interference. As for Batman?” Bruce smirked, “Lex will have to catch me first.”
“You plan to ignore the order?” Lantern asked.
Batman nodded. Gotham would be hostile to any force the President could employee. And Bruce was capable of avoiding or fighting any which stuck it out.
“Well one of us has a plan, what about the rest?” Lantern said.
“There is no way I can register with Lex.” Clark said, “He'd use it against me in a heartbeat. But I can’t ignore it like B. People are nervous of me and my power already. Going against the government will lose me support.”
“You are Superman surely support doesn't matter too much?” Lantern said.
“So I should become a dictator? Forcing people to do what I want them too?” Clark said.
“No, no. I suppose I see your point. I hadn’t thought of it like that.” Hal said. “I suppose forcing myself on people is a consideration I’d have to make as well?
“Less so, you are off world for significant chunks of time, and have been less idolised into a political figure,” Diana said. “As I am an ambassador for a foreign nation until I am asked to leave, I will act as the document has no impact on my life.”
“And if they ask you to leave?” Kal asked.
“Then I shall go.” Diana said.
Clark nodded, “I’m taking an overseas assignment at the Planet. And I believe Australia has made inquiries as to my availability this fire season.”
“Three down.” Hal said. “Any ideas for me Spooky, I didn’t come prepared.”
Batman rolled his eyes behind his mask.
“he’s off world frequently.” Diana said. “Perhaps you, like Kal, take an off-world task.”
Batman stiffened; he had a plan for Hal. He was hoping to bring it up without accusations of medalling but if Hal went for Diana’s serviceable plan he’d be screwed.
“I’d prefer not to,” Hal said, “Space is great and all, but Earth is home.”
“Diana is right about you being off world and therefore out of the president’s jurisdiction frequently however.” Batman said.
“Ahh so you do have a plan.” Jordan said smiling, “why didn’t you lead with it?”
“Because it’s a bad assignment.” Batman said. “I wouldn’t be willing to do it.”
“So, you stuck me with it, sounds about right Spooky.” Jorden nodded, “so what is it?”
“We need someone inside Lex’s taskforce.”
“And I’d be perfect because?”
“Because what Lex can do or can ask of you is limited. Not only that you are human, if with alien tech.”
“He can’t experiment on me. And if worst comes to worst, I can fake an off-world emergency and Oa would back me.”
“I’m aware of what you would be giving up—”
“Why do we need a person inside the task force so badly?” Flash interrupted, and winced, “Sorry Bats.”
“Because the League is made of seven people, what about Hawkgirl? The Atom? Blue Beetle? The rumours of someone new in Blüdhaven,” Diana said. “I imagine the UN will want us to open up our roster as we have been debating, but it doesn’t help those heroes left in the dark in the meantime.”
Batman nodded at Diana acknowledging the point, adding, “The UN has authority over international incidents, those who operate locally will still be on their own.”
“But you are also right, I spend too much time off world to be much help.” Jordan said.
Batman held up a finger, “But Lex is anticipating our interference. You are loud, and you do not follow orders you disagree with.”
“Is that a complement or an insult,” Barry said, “I can’t tell.”
Ignoring Barry, Batman continued, “With you there Lex will be less inclined to search for another person we have sent.”
“Me,” J’onn said correctly guessing where Batman’s brain was heading.
“Who are we sending him as?” Cyborg asked, “we’d need a baseline human Hero willing to let us compromise their identity to Luthor.”
“Why a baseline—” Barry started, “Never mind so Luthor doesn’t become an experimental creep.”
“I have secured a Hero and an alias J’onn can use.” Batman said.
“Really who?” Clark asked.
“The rumoured hero from Blüdhaven.” Batman said.
“We have their permission?” Diana said.
Bruce nodded, Dick had suggested it in fact. “He operated in Blüdhaven for 3 years and all the league got was rumours.”
“He’s better at the entire he’s a myth thing than Spooky, that’s for sure.” Jordan said.
Nightwing was indeed good, though Bruce was slighted at his own abilities. He had deliberately revealed himself to the league. In the early days, before he’d trusted them in the slightest, to draw them away from his children. The league and non-Gothamites still assumed any hero activity out of Gotham was him.
“Regardless he has a hero identity he is willing to let us use, and I have an alias which will pass any background check Luthor will throw at it.”
“Are you sure?” Clark held up his hands, “I don’t doubt your alias building abilities but Lex’s background checks were difficult to fool before he got multiple intelligence agencies behind him. I mean there is no way he’s not going to notice a recently made identity.”
“It’s my alias.”
“yeah I got that—”
“No, it’s my Alias, it was the one I created as a backstop if any intelligence agency tried to find out my identity. It’s designed to fool the best of the best. It has the funding, the training, the personality of a vigilante.” Bruce didn’t mention he had lived under the alias as he was training for several years. “If Lex doubts the identity it won’t be Oliver Brown is a real person, it will be if Nightwing wasn’t another hero identity I developed for when intervention was required in Blüdhaven.”
“Is it?” Diana asked, “Batman is connected with Gotham, I doubt either Gotham or Blüdhaven would appreciate your interference. But under another name?”
Bruce considered lying to cover for Dick further, but for all his secrecy he did trust the league, and he tried not to actively lie to them. Lies of omission however were still fair game.
“No Nightwing is another vigilante. But we have collaborated and trained together enough our methods are similar.” Batman turned to J’onn, “J’onn would make a passable Nightwing if he impersonated me. But I’ll send you through information on personality, methods, and history he’s cleared me to share with you.”
“And Martian Manhunter?” J’onn asked
“Will do what people assume you do anyway, stay on the watchtower and wait for world ending threats.” Batman said.
“And it’ll be what I’ll do,” Cyborg said, “it’s not like I have a life or secret identity anyway.”
Batman controlled a wince, Cyborg was cut off from humanity enough, removing what connections he did have was cruel.
“He’d still be able to visit his family and stuff, right?” Barry asked.
Batman nodded, “I’ll add limited clearance for your father to the watchtower too.”
“Isn’t it a security risk?” Cyborg asked.
“Yes, but your father is trustworthy. And you need all human connection you can get, particularly with us around less.” Batman said.
“Thanks man.” Victor said.
“So that’s Diana, Clark, Batman, Hal, J’onn and Victor down. But what about me?” Barry asked.
Barry’s situation was the hardest to solve, not only was Barry a metahuman and at more risk from Luthor for it, so was Wally his young nephew.
“Both Iris and Wally are at risk here.”
“You could use either the strategies of Victor or Clark.” Diana said.
Barry was already shaking his head. “My job doesn’t have overseas assignments, and uprooting Wally from his friends after what happened to his parents?”
Wally West’s parents died shortly after the kid had gained his powers. No removing him from school and friends was a bad idea.
“Ignore the order,” Batman said. “you are an often overlooked member of the league. With any luck Lex will have bigger fish to fry. Your identity is one of the better concealed, with luck Lex won’t come after you.”
“Surely eventually he’d go after Barry?” Clark said.
“Eventually,” Batman said, “But time should not be underestimated. It’s time for Lex to show his true colours, time for opportunities to present themselves and time for Wally to heal.”
“So I’m giving Wally time to heal and hoping Lex puts his foot in it, in the meantime?” Barry asked.
“Lex always puts his foot in it sooner or later, with the entire world watching. I’d bet on sooner.” Batman said, “until then procrastinate signing up.”
Luthor could not believe the nerve of the Justice League, first they publicly announce they were willing to come under the United Nations jurisdiction, increasing the probability the UN’s vote would go through. Then most of the league had not complied with his Order and the less said about the one who had the better. The Green Lantern sure knew how to make himself annoying.
He couldn’t touch Wonder Woman without her withdrawing from the US making all those who resided in DC pissed. Superman had fucked off to Australia and Lex’s popularity in Metropolis plummeted as a result. Without Superman there the damage done whenever one of his villains attacked had increased, regular property damage and deaths wasn’t a good thing to have a president causing.
Though interestingly enough the property damage was not at a level Superman had caused before the starting of the league. Which lent credence to his theory someone in the League had taught the flying menace to fight strategically and avoid property damage.
Lex suspected exactly who it was too. The same person who was responsible for all Luthor’s blackmail and leverage on the UN and Heroes disappearing. It was time the overgrown flying rodent of Gotham learnt exactly who he was dealing with. Lex firmly ignored there was another member of Gotham who he dearly wanted to hurt right now. No this was about the overgrown furry with anger issues not Bruce Wayne.
Gotham PD had called off the search for Batman but surely, they could be convinced to restart it. With proper training and resources, they would get him under control shortly.