(Y/n) POV:

Zatanna and I woke up early in the morning. She put on her magicians outfit and I dressed in my combat uniform but without the plate carrier, helmet and backpack.

We barely spoke as we walked to the zeta tube. I have no idea how this conversation with Captain Atom is going to go, but I can't imagine it will go well. Even if it does I doubt I'll be able to convince many agents to willingly work with the League and the Team after they accused us of being war criminals.

I stopped Zatanna and grabbed her hand before she could step into the zeta tube.

(Y/n): "I-I have no idea how this is going to play out."

Zatanna: "I don't either."

We made eye contact and I instantly saw how worried she was.

(Y/n): "No matter what happens on the Watchtower, we're going to be alright."

Zatanna grabbed my collar and pulled me into a quick kiss while the zeta tube activated.

Zatanna: "I love you."

(Y/n): "I love you too."

We stepped into the zeta tube together and I closed my eyes as the light overtook me.

————————————————————————

3rd Person POV:

Deep in the slums of Gotham City, the Joker wakes up in the basement of an abandoned housing complex. The clown prince of crime was knocked out in his Arkham cell by a nerve agent released through the vents.

As Joker picked himself up he found the room he was in to be completely empty with the exception of a small table with a file full of paper resting on it. The floor above was half caved in, creating a large hole in the ceiling.

Joker carefully walked to the table and grabbed the folder, opening it and reading the pages slowly. A smile formed on his face and laughter soon broke the silence as he continued reading the file.

As Joker spread the pages out across the table a small photo fell to the floor. Joker quickly stuffed the rest of the pages back into the folder before reaching down and grabbing the small photo.

The clown took one last look at the photo and the name Zatanna Zatara printed beneath the photo of the magician, before stuffing it back into the folder and laughing hysterically as he exited the abandoned building.

————————————————————————

The meeting on the Watchtower started off incredibly rocky and hasn't improved much in the last half hour. (Y/n) barely spoke and stared daggers into Captain Atom who simply returned the favour.

Aquaman: "With the summit taking place on Santa Prisca it will be impossible for us to detain anyone who attends. We can't legally arrest them."

(Y/n): "Let me worry about that."

Black Lightning: "Haven't you done enough bending the law to your will?"

Captain Atom: "Let me be clear. You may have been proven innocent but you're far from guilt free. If you break the law the League won't hesitate to take you down."

(Y/n): "As if you could if you wanted to."

Captain Atom: "You're on thin ice, (Y/n)."

(Y/n): "It's Vanguard, and for god's sake don't take the coward's way out for five minutes! We were supposed to be allies! You threw that away the first chance you could, and then blamed me! All because the people we're fighting, who's stated goal is our mutual destruction, said I committed a war crime!"

Captain Atom: "We had to make a choice, we had to do what was best for the League. If you were found guilty and the League stood by your side, how fast do you think the Reach would've capitalized on that?"

(Y/n): "Some choice, abandon your allies because it's convenient. You're no better than the Light. You should've known there was no way I was actually committing war crimes."

The room was silent for a moment as (Y/n) turned to the holographic map of Santa Prisca.

(Y/n): "Forget this. I won't be able to find any agents who would be willing to work with you anyway and honestly you can count the number of people I trust in the League on one hand. I will continue to work with the Team because I trust its leadership and I'll personally work with the League on certain occasions because I trust a handful of its members."

(Y/n) paused for a moment, the decision he was about to make weighing on him. Superboy was the only one who saw where this was going. Given recent events he couldn't agree with (Y/n) more.

(Y/n): "Consider the partnership you had with the Strategic Homeland Division terminated."

(Y/n) sighed and turned his attention to Nightwing.

(Y/n): "I'll meet you at the warehouse with any agents that I can round up. Captain, we can continue the conversation about trust and alliances later."

(Y/n) disappeared through the zeta tube and Zatanna let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Green Arrow: "You know, I don't blame the kid. We've been nothing but hypocritical."

Captain Atom: "We have to respect the laws and our charter. We can't afford to anger the U.N any further."

Green Arrow: "Oh come on! We have a covert ops team that we use to break that very charter!"

Black Lighting: "It's not about breaking the law, it's about allowing our younger heroes to learn away from the public spotlight!"

Green Arrow: "Oh sure, but we still actively take advantage of the fact that it's covert to break the charter and international law!"

Zatanna: "STOP!"

The arguing Leaguers stopped and faced the magician who had stayed mostly silent for the duration of the League's argument with (Y/n). Zatanna glared at her comrades who suddenly felt the shame of being involved in the most hypocritical argument ever.

Zatanna: "THIS IS POINTLESS!"

Zatanna calmed down and quickly composed herself before finally saying what she'd been rehearsing in her head for a while now.

Zatanna: "(Y/n) isn't a criminal, and the League made a mistake. Sure he more often than not chooses to do things by himself, but that's only to spare us from having to do it at all! He would take on the most dangerous mission possible completely alone if he thought there was a small chance someone he cares about could get hurt or die! He's the most caring and loving person I know and he only wants to keep us safe! If the League truly is sorry for what you did then apologize to him. He'll accept it and continue to work with us because I know him, I know what and how he thinks! I love him and if ever feel the need to question my loyalty to the League, just know I'll stick with the people I can trust and love."

*Small Time Skip*

The agents entered the warehouse in Blüdhaven, (Y/n) had managed to convince Kelso and Noble squad to join him, not that it took much convincing. The other agents were far more forgiving than (Y/n).

Kelso: "So you actually terminated your partnership with the League?"

(Y/n): "For the time being. I honestly don't know what to do... they took the easy way out and abandoned me when it was inconvenient to stand by my side. Can I really trust them?"

Kelso: "Look kid, they're under an immense amount of pressure. They made a mistake, give them a chance to make it up."

(Y/n): "They didn't really seem interested in apologizing or making it up to me."

Kelso: "Maybe not, but I know how you are, and I know you went into that meeting expecting a conflict. Just be open to forgiving them even if they don't apologize right away."

(Y/n): "You always know what to say.... Director."

Kelso: "Really?"

(Y/n): "Yep, I submitted the paperwork before coming here. I'm planning on taking a vacation when this is over anyway, so I need to make the Director someone I can trust."

Kelso: "You know, you didn't have to do that. You can take your vacation and still be the Director."

(Y/n): "Kelso, I trust you more than I trust anyone. There are some answers I need and I can't find them while I'm the Director, I'm too visible. Someone is actively trying to keep me in the dark, I won't be able to find out what happened at the Guest House as long as I am the Director."

Kelso: "Well, I'll do everything I can to help."

(Y/n) smiled at Kelso and was about to thank her when the Team started arriving through the zeta tube. Soon, Wonder Girl, Robin, Batgirl, Kaldur, Miss Martian, Superboy, Lagoon Boy, Blue Beetle, Beast Boy, Impulse, Bumblebee and Guardian stood before the agents. The awkward silence was broken by Nightwing arriving through the zeta tube.

Nightwing: "Alright, everyone here?"

(Y/n) stepped around the Team and into Nightwing's view. The detective smiled when he saw his friend ready to go.

Nightwing: "Glad you could join us, Vanguard."

(Y/n): "Well, even the cavalry needs a little backup now and again. Everyone, I'm assuming you know Noble squad, but allow me to introduce my friend and mentor, Director Alani Kelso."

Kelso awkwardly waved at the Team who were all studying the agent that arrived back from the dead.

Nightwing: "Director?"

(Y/n): "I stepped down and gave her the job. It's about time I take a break from leading the Division. There are some things I need to focus on."

Nightwing smiled and nodded to his friend.

(Y/n): "Alright, time to discuss our plan of attack."

*Small Time Skip*

The Team, (Y/n) and the agents loaded up in the bio-ship. The ship was dead silent as they flew to Santa Prisca. Everyone was incredibly nervous for what was to come.

Against (Y/n)'s wishes they picked up Artemis and Wally. Both were eager to get back at Savage and end the alliance between the Reach and the Light. Zatanna refused to sit out, knowing that the League wasn't planning on assisting the Team she made up an excuse to leave the Watchtower and join up with the Team.

(Y/n) walked into the back of the bio-ship and watched as Artemis and Wally finished gearing up.

(Y/n): "You don't have to do this, in fact you shouldn't be doing this."

Wally: "We need to."

(Y/n): "Trust me, Savage will pay. I'll see that he rots in a cell for the rest of time for what he did to Artemis and Zatanna. You two can go home."

Artemis: "(Y/n), you wouldn't sit out if you were in our position. Don't expect us to be any different. We're in this until it's over."

(Y/n): "I know... I just feel better having said it."

Wally: "We should be far more worried about you. This is a really ambitious plan."

Artemis: "Wally's right. There are a million ways it could go wrong."

(Y/n): "Don't let Zatanna hear you talk like that. She'll bench me."

Artemis: "Maybe she needs too. I mean no offence, but your gadgets aren't going to do much against Black Beetle and Klarion. That's not even accounting for the other members of the Light, the massive amount of Reach soldiers and League of Shadows assassins that will be present."

(Y/n): "I thought you two would have more faith. Besides..."

(Y/n) loaded my rifle and adjusted the optic before fiddling with the IR laser attached to the side rail.

(Y/n): "I'm a professional."

Artemis rolled her eyes and Wally laughed. (Y/n) couldn't help but laugh as well. Soon, Zatanna, Kelso, Nightwing and the agents entered the cargo hold and the ramp lowered.

Nightwing: "Good luck."

Kelso: "We don't need it, we're professionals."

(Y/n): "Damn right."

Zatanna smiled at her agent as Nightwing, Artemis and Wally sighed while trying to keep the smiles off their faces.

(Y/n): "Alright, White Knight. Want to lead the way?"

Kelso: "Vanguard, I thought you'd never ask. Let's move people!"

————————————————————————

Deep inside the largest mountain on Santa Prisca, Black Beetle entered a large open area lit up by torch like light fixtures placed sporadically throughout the cave. Black Beetle surveyed the different ledges surrounding a metal platform in the center of the cave. The ledges descended in a style that mirrored an arena or coliseum, with the highest elevation being at the outside closest to the exits.

Black Beetle glared across the open cave and watched as a lady with short dark hair and tanned skin entered from the other side.

The woman, Sandra Wu-San, otherwise known as Lady Shiva, had a sword attached to her hips and nodded at the Reach Warrior before stepping to the side and allowing the Light to pass her.

Vandal Savage, Ra's Al-Ghul, Black Manta and the Brain. They were followed by a large number of assassins that spread out on the Lights half of the cave. As the assassins spread out, Black Beetle moved aside and let the Reach Ambassador and Head Scientist enter. The pie were followed by an even larger number of Reach soldiers that spread out to occupy their half of the cave.

Savage: "Ambassador."

Ambassador: "Savage."

Black Beetle: "As head of security for the Reach, I must insist that no masks be worn at the summit."

Black Manta stepped forward, challenging the Reach warrior.

Manta: "Simply because you insist is no guarantee."

Ra's al Ghul: "Manta, if you wouldn't mind. After all, we are among friends."

As Black Manta removed his mask, Ra's sarcastically asked the Reach warrior if he was satisfied. Black Beetle groaned before turning and walking behind the ambassador and scientist, allowing the politicians to take center stage.

Ambassador: "Excellent. Then with these formalities out of the way, let us begin."

————————————————————————

(Y/n) and the agents moved carefully through the maze of tunnels, drawing near to the main cave where the meeting was taking place.

The agents silently dealt with any assassins guarding the tunnels and never spoke a word to one another, they didn't need to.

————————————————————————

Ambassador: "And the other members of the Light, won't they be joining us?"

Ra's al Ghul: "Our more public members of the Light are occupied, contacting damage control to mitigate your many failures."

Savage: "In any case, we are sufficient."

Ambassador: "If you say. I know you called this summit, but the Reach has come with a long list of grievances against the Light. Please explain how you let the earth hero, Zatanna, be liberated by her friends. As we discussed, her capture is key to controlling the Division and Vanguard. Now, various agents attack both our operations, a direct result of your failure to keep Zatanna Zatara as your hostage."

Savage: "The liberation of Zatanna was a direct result of Vanguard forming an alliance with an unknown faction."

Ra's al Ghul: "This unknown faction is responsible for the continued attacks on both our operations."

Head Scientist: "How could one group of non-super powered people disrupt your entire operation?"

Black Manta: "The same way Vanguard and his agents crippled your fleet and freed the entire Justice League's covert ops team from your prison on the Warworld. Incompetence. We've given the Reach everything you required, and you aliens have let it all slip away."

Ambassador: "I don't believe this is a productive direction for our discussion."

Ra's al Ghul: "No? Your public approval ratings are at a record low. As are sales of the Reach drink, which you had hoped would enslave the populace."

Savage: "You allowed the young heroes to rescue Blue and Green Beetle, returning them into the hands of the Justice League."

Ambassador: "Enough of this! Black Beetle will kill Blue and Green so we can reset their scarabs and find new host bodies. Remember your place! The Earth is now the property of the Reach, and per our original agreement, the Light are simply our favoured agents among the humans!"

Black Beetle: "Show the proper respect."

Black Manta: "No agreement exists that enslaves Black Manta!"

As Black Manta stepped forward and prepared to attack, Black Beetle and his soldiers did the same.

Black Beetle: "No agreement exists that guarantees the life of Black Manta!"

————————————————————————

Kelso and (Y/n) were crouched down in one of the entrances to the cave, hiding in the darkness with Noble squad assembled behind them. Kelso nodded to (Y/n) and he pressed a button on his ISAC watch.

A split second later a holographic video of Kaldur and Artemis appeared in the center of the cave, catching everyone off guard.

Kaldur: "Greetings."

Artemis: "If you're watching this then your sorry alliance is over. We won."

Savage: "What is this?!"

Ambassador: "Artemis?! I thought Kaldur killed Artemis!"

As the realization of what really happened dawned on the Reach, Black Beetle started laughing.

Black Beetle: "Kaldur'ahm duped them all. Including his own father."

As Black Beetle laughed, Light scrambled to find a way to shut off the holographic video, only to give up when no immediate solution presented itself.

Kaldur: "The Light and the Reach deserve each other. Both sides play at being partners. But the Reach believes the Light to be their naive tools of conquest, when in fact the Light has manipulated the Reach from day one."

Artemis: "It was the Light that brought Earth to the Reach's attention, by sending the Justice League to Rimbor. The Light set the trap and the Reach snapped at the bait."

Kaldur: "The Reach fulfilled the Lights desire to thrust our world into the galactic spotlight. Part of their perverse survival of the fittest scheme for the planet, which they believe will transform the Earth and the Light into the eventual rulers of the Milky Way."

Artemis: "Though the Light made the deal to help the Reach take the Earth, they've also done a better job at sabotaging the Reach's effort than we did."

Kaldur: "The Light kept the advanced meta-gene out of the Reach's hands by protecting the teenagers at S.T.A.R labs, added a neutralizing agent to the Reach's drink and gave Vanguard the ability to transport his agents to the Warworld so the Reach wouldn't gain control of it. Then they turned public opinion against the Reach, and intentionally allowed the Team access to the scarab temple."

Artemis: "Any agenda either of you shared was merely an illusion. I think we've shattered it."

The holographic video shut down and the occupants of the cave were left in a state of shock.

Black Manta: "Kaldur... what have you done?"

Savage: "He has done more to damage my plans than any living creature in 50,000 years. I'd be impressed if I wasn't so f-"

The Reach Ambassador yelled out in anger. He stormed past Black Beetle and approached Savage, yelling the entire time.

Ambassador: "YOU EARTHLINGS ARE A PLAGUE! YOU DARE BETRAY US! THE LIGHT IS FORTUNATE WE DO NOT USE THE WARWORLD TO CARVE UP YOUR PLANET AS WE SPEAK!"

Savage: "That would indeed impress me, as I have the Warworld's crystal key."

(Y/n): "That's what I was waiting for."

(Y/n) and Kelso stepped out, away from the darkness and each shot the closest Reach soldier. The suppressed pistols made a soft thump as blood shot out from the Reach soldiers heads.

(Y/n): "By order of the Strategic Homeland Division, authorized and empowered by presidential directive 51, everyone in this cave is under arrest. If you want to walk out of here alive, you'll throw down your weapons right now."

Savage: "I've had my fill of your interference. Do not expect to survive this fight."

(Y/n): "Oh please, you're hilariously outgunned and outclassed."

Kelso: "We're professionals."

Noble squad rushed out of the darkness and joined (Y/n) and Kelso. The agents leveled their rifles at the insane number of Reach soldiers and assassins spread out in the cave before them.

(Y/n): "And even if I thought we couldn't take you alone, which I don't, I brought a very angry magician who is pissed at you for a number of very good reasons. ISAC, now!"

Suddenly Zatanna's voice rang out and echoed throughout the cave.

Zatanna: "Kaerb eht foor trapa dna tel su ni!"

The roof shattered into several large rocks and crashed down into the forces of the Light and the Reach, forcing them to scramble for cover. The entire Team descended into the cave as the agents opened fire, striking the closest enemies and swiftly carving a path to the center of the cave.

Kid Flash: "Hey there Vandy, ya miss me?"

As the fight dragged on it was clear that the Team was going to win. (Y/n) used his ISAC drones to blow up all the other exits with the exception of the one he entered through. Nightwing and Batgirl arrived at (Y/n)'s side as Zatanna shielded herself and Artemis while sending blasts of lightning at anyone unlucky enough to get caught in her gaze.

Nightwing: "I don't want to jinx us..."

(Y/n): "Then shut up and don't! I'm going for their leadership, cover me!"

Sutton: "Yes sir!"

(Y/n) pushed himself off and away from the rock they were using as cover and shot the first three Reach soldiers before releasing the empty magazine and swiftly taking out his knife. The agent tackled the fourth Reach soldier and stabbed him several times in the gut before pushing off the alien corpse and reloading his weapon.

Savage: "We have underestimated these young heroes for the last time."

Klarion appeared out of Savage's ring and shot a blast of red lightning that impacted at Zatanna's feet. The blast sent both her and Artemis crashing to the ground, mostly unharmed with the exception of a few cuts.

With a snap of his fingers Klarion teleported Savage, Lady Shiva and himself away, leaving an enraged Black Beetle who was struggling to comprehend how everything went wrong.

Black Beetle: "Cowardly meat!"

Ra's al Ghul: "No, Savage has the right idea. The heroes have no jurisdiction here!"

(Y/n): "We don't need it!"

(Y/n) shot the closest Reach guard to the ambassador and head scientist, causing the aliens to freeze in fear as the agent approached them.

Black Beetle: "You're all cowards!"

Black Beetle suddenly stabbed Ra's al Ghul, an action that shocked everyone and caused the fight to stop for a brief moment.

As Ra's body fell over one of the assassins rushed to his side, proclaiming that the "master will be resurrected". (Y/n) snapped his gaze to Black Beetle as the assassin used a grappling hook to pull himself and Ra's out of the cave.

(Y/n): "I'm going to enjoy this."

Black Beetle: "You lost our last fight."

(Y/n): "And you lost the one before that, but this time I brought friends. Kelso, now!"

Kelso and Noble squad jumped out from behind cover, each holding a thermite launcher. As (Y/n) pulled out his own thermite launcher the agents started firing the sticky charges at Black Beetle.

A short distance away, Kaldur was facing off against his father.

Manta: "I still cannot comprehend this betrayal Kaldur'ahm."

Kaldur: "I admit to being conflicted father. I have seen your noble side, but you left me no choice, as long as you waste your gifts on villainy, I will stand against you."

Manta: "It seems I have been far too permissive, I had hoped the suffering of Artemis would teach you discipline and respect, clearly I was wrong."

Black Manta shot his lasers at Kaldur who summoned a wall of water to block the attack. Kaldur lunged at his father and sent a blast of water that caused his father to fly into a nearby wall.

Zatanna and Blue Beetle were battling the giant fire serpent summoned by Klarion moments before his retreat. The serpent had Miss Martian wrapped in its tail and was thrashing her against every solid object in sight.

Zatanna: "Tnepres esaeler ym dneirf!"

The serpent let go of Miss Martian and she was caught by Blue Beetle before she could crash into the floor.

Blue Beetle flew Miss Martian to Superboy's position and dropped her off before rejoining the battle. Miss Martian was covered in sweat and on the verge of a heat stroke. Kid Flash raced over with a medical kit he ripped off one of the agents backpacks. Together the two applied cold, wet clothes across Miss Martian's body to quickly cool her body temperature.

Impulse: "Hey, KF, whatcha doing?"

Kid Flash: "Oh same old same old, saving a friend while driving the bad guys crazy. You know, I never commented on how much I like your look, I think it's crash."

Impulse: "You do?!"

Kid Flash: "Of course, but you know, I always figured you'd wind up in something with a little more yellow and red."

Impulse's eyes slowly widened as a smile formed on his face.

Impulse: "Whoa, seriously?"

Kid Flash: "Hey, once this whole invasion thing is over, Artemis and I are going back into retirement. Someone needs to carry on the family tradition."

Impulse: "DUDE, that is so crash! You watch, I'll make you proud."

Kid Flash: "I know you will. Now start with the Brain."

Impulse: "Consider it done."

Zatanna stepped out from behind the safety of a large rock and started calmly walking towards the serpent. She snapped her fingers and her eyes started glowing bright white. The same white aura that was present on the aircraft carrier overtook her body once again, shielding her from all incoming attacks and making the rocks around her levitate as she started floating a few feet in the air.

Black Beetle noticed this and instantly broke off his fight with the agents, leaving them and retreating to the Reach Ambassador and Head Scientist. The leaders of the Reach fleet had been pinned to the wall by Blue Beetle moments ago after the hero stopped them from fleeing the cave.

Ambassador: "Warrior, free us! We must flee!"

Black Beetle: "Pathetic, look at where your machinations have left us. Under article 16 of the Reach planetary acquisition code, I hereby declare you unfit to lead this delegation."

Ambassador: "NO!"

Black Beetle freed the Head Scientist after stating that she may still have some use. The Reach warrior then picked up the scientist and took off, fleeing the cave through the large hole Zatanna created at the start of the fight.

Zatanna now had an exceptional amount of rocks flying around her. Beams of white magical energy shot up, creating columns that engulfed the rocks flying around Zatanna. (Y/n) and the agents watch in disbelief as Zatanna's voice echoed loudly throughout the cave.

Zatanna: "Gninthgil, skcor dna ygrene! Taefed ruo stnenoppo!"

The rocks crumbled into several small chunks the size of baseballs before they, along with lightning and blasts of white magical energy were sent in all directions. Zatanna attacked with deadly accuracy, never missing a target or hitting anyone by accident.

The agents around (Y/n) dove for cover but (Y/n) couldn't. He simply stood tall and watched Zatanna through the dust and bright flashes of lightning and magic. Loud explosions rang out as Zatanna focused her energy on the serpent. Lightning crashed into the serpent and it dissolved in a bright flash.

As Zatanna attacked every Reach soldier and Light assassin she could, Kelso and (Y/n) made their way to the edge of the cave where the Reach Ambassador was pinned against the wall.

Ambassador: "T-this isn't over."

(Y/n): "Look around. You never stood a chance."

Ambassador: "Just like your agents in Lyon?"

————————————————————————

(Y/n) POV:

The lightning stopped before the dust settled. As I stumbled my way through the cave towards the dimming light of Zatanna's magical energy I constantly stumbled over the corpses of Reach soldiers and the Light's assassins. I'm not sure if they're all dead, but I'm not sure if anything could've survived Zatanna's attack.

The dust had completely settled by the time I arrived at the platform in the center of the room where Zatanna was about to land. I quickly maneuvered myself so she would land right in front of me. The second Zatanna's boots touched the ground, the white aura that surrounded her body shut off and her eyes returned to their normal beautiful blue.

Zatanna stumbled forward and I caught her. I forced Zatanna to put her arm around my shoulder to hold herself up while she regained her strength and energy.

(Y/n): "Are you okay?"

Zatanna: "Yeah... yeah I'm good. It just... takes a lot out of me."

(Y/n): "Take your time. I've got you. You did so good."

I felt Zatanna snuggled into my side as she caught her breath. I watched as Noble squad spread throughout the cave and secured it.

I can see Nightwing standing beside Kaldur, looking down at the unconscious body of Black Manta. Wally and Artemis were holding hands and walking towards Kaldur and Nightwing.

We started slowly walking towards the group assembled by Kaldur. The more we move the more I realize that Zatanna is in no shape to be walking, she can barely stand.

I gently picked her up bridal style, earning a few cute giggles from Zatanna and whispers of gossip from the Team.

Kaldur: "In truth I had hoped to end this tonight. Savage escaped with Klarion, Luthor and Queen Bee never showed, and Ra's al Ghul will no doubt be resurrected."

Nightwing: "Kaldur are you kidding me? You won. We won."

Artemis: "You literally tore the Light in half and crippled the Reach."

Wally: "Dude, you triumphed."

(Y/n): "Kaldur, this is the best night we've had in a long time. Since we used ISAC to holographically record the entire conversation before we revealed ourselves, we'll be able to use the recording to clear the Justice League."

Nightwing: "Kaldur, this has been a good night. Maybe the best we've had since the three of us took off for Cadmus two years ago."

Kaldur looked down at his unconscious father and sighed.

Wally: "Come on, enjoy the moment. You've earned it."

Kaldur: "Perhaps you are right."

I gently set Zatanna down after she signaled that she was strong enough to stand on her own. She quickly hugged me and I gently kissed her cheek. Artemis and Wally were in the middle of their own hug and we turned away to give them a small amount of privacy.

As M'gann and Conner walked up to us we heard Blue Beetles voice call out.

Blue Beetle: "Uhh guys, we've got a problem."

Nightwing: "What kind of problem?"

Sutton: "The Reach Ambassador is dead."

Nightwing: "What?!"

Sutton: "He's been stabbed, by a large knife or sword. It's impossible to tell which."

Kelso looked at me as the group advanced to the corpse of the Reach Ambassador. I avoided her gaze and kept my focus on the corpse. Despite how hard I tried I could feel her gazing into my soul.

Kelso: "Last I saw him, Black Beetle was heading his way. That was before the light and dust show from our friendly magician. Black Beetle must have killed him to prevent us from learning whatever he knows."

Blue Beetle: "Why would he kill his boss?"

(Y/n): "He must've blamed him for their numerous failures."

Nightwing: "Damn it! I was hoping to learn what he knew."

(Y/n): "I doubt he had any useful or unique intel."

Kelso: "It's unfortunate but it isn't a setback. We still won and this doesn't take away from our victory."

Zatanna grabbed my hand and leaned against my shoulder.

(Y/n): "Let's head home, everyone here deserves some rest."

Nightwing: "Agreed."

————————————————————————

*3 hours later*

3rd Person POV:

On the Warworld, Black Canary, Black Lightning and Captain Marvel are guarding the key chamber with a handful of Reach soldiers walking around the perimeter, keeping everyone tense.

Suddenly a boom tube opened up underneath the Reach soldiers and they all fell in. The portal closed as fast as it opened, leaving the stunned Leaguers in complete silence.

Black Canary: "Was that a boom tube?"

The soft sound of a cat purring caused the Leaguers to spin around. They were met by Klarion and Vandal Savage emerging from one of Klarion's portals.

Black Canary: "Savage!"

The three Leaguers attacked but we're no match for Klarion.

————————————————————————

Nightwing, Kaldur, Superboy, Miss Martian, (Y/n) and Zatanna arrived on the Watchtower. The group was greeted by Red Tornado and Aquaman.

Nightwing: "Alright, let's get right down to business. With your triumphant return I am officially returning control of the Team to you."

Aquaman: "Congratulations Kaldur'ahm."

Kaldur: "Thank you, but this is unnecessary. You have done amazing work during my absence and under the most trying of times."

Nightwing: "Which is precisely why I'm thrilled to have this particular monkey off my back, jobs all yours pal."

(Y/n): "Everyone will be here to help you get back in the swing of things, but I doubt you'll need it. You're a natural leader, Kaldur."

Kaldur: "Thank you all."

The group was shocked when a boom tube opened a few meters away. Everyone took a fighting stance. (Y/n) leveled his rifle and prepared to face whatever was about to come through the portal. Nobody expected the unconscious bodies of Black Canary, Black Lightning and Captain Marvel to come falling through.

Before anyone could react the portal slammed shut with a deafening bang. (Y/n) raced forward to check on the unconscious Leaguers, reassuring the group that they were fine and only unconscious.

Zatanna: "Uh, guys... the Warworld is flying off into space."

Everyone spun around to watch the giant satellite fly off at an incredible speed. Within minutes it was gone.

Nightwing: "Umm. Is that good news or bad?"

(Y/n): "I honestly don't know."

————————————————————————

*Small Time Skip*

Captain Atom rushed to the U.N with the new evidence the Team collected. Though everyone insisted on remaining ready for the final attack on the Reach flagship once the emergency session concluded, (Y/n) managed to drag his friends to a nearby restaurant.

(Y/n), Wally, Zatanna, Artemis, Dick, Kaldur, M'gann, Conner, Barbara and Raquel arrived and were quickly seated.

Dick: "I can't believe you dragged us out for dinner at a time like this."

(Y/n): "Everyone needs to eat, and you don't know Secretary Tseng like I do. He's a politician, he'll delay the vote as long as possible to try and save his own skin. He's got to have realized that he's politically screwed after this. There is no way he keeps his job for longer than a month after we kick the Reach off world."

Dick: "I guess you're right."

(Y/n): "Now, after a very brief discussion with Wally, and in honour of his renewed retirement with Artemis, I took the liberty and ordered three very large pizzas for us."

Everyone smiled and (Y/n) felt amazing. The group ordered drinks while they waited for the pizza. They talked about their recent adventures and Zatanna explained how she had taken on a student.

(Y/n) couldn't help but smile as he thought back to the night where Traci walked in on him and Zatanna. "God that was so awkward" the agent thought to himself.

Soon the pizza arrived and the group had to fight off Wally to ensure they all got a slice.

Artemis: "If you keep shoveling pizza into your mouth like that (Y/n)'s going to have to order another one."

Wally tried to respond but his mouth was full of pizza.

Wally: "Ammotherr twwoo."

Artemis couldn't contain her laughter as Wally slurred his words. When Wally tried to ask "What?" it came out as an inaudible slur and the rest of the table broke down laughing.

(Y/n): "We've got all the time in the world, I can order another one."

Artemis: "You're lucky he likes you."

Wally: "Oh I know. I'm his favourite."

Zatanna laughed and I smiled.

(Y/n): "I wouldn't go that far. Maybe a solid fifth place. An argument could be made for fourth."

Artemis loved the comment and almost spit out her drink.

As the laughter died down (Y/n) decided that he would break the news about his return to the status of regular agent.

(Y/n): "So... now that Kelso is back and the Division isn't at risk of becoming Walker's puppet... I decided to step down from the role of Director and give it to Kelso. Effective as of tomorrow morning, I'm back to being a regular agent."

Everyone was silent for a moment. The group wasn't really sure what that meant.

(Y/n): "So, I'll be spending a lot more time with you guys... as well as sorting out the Guest House mess."

Everyone could see Zatanna tense up at the mention of the Guest House. She hated talking about it and she would never admit it but she still had nightmares about (Y/n) screaming in the hospital. Occasionally she would hear his voice screaming in her head, begging to die, pleading with her to let him go. She'd wake up covered in sweat and scramble to find (Y/n) beside her.

The worst was when they happened whenever (Y/n) was away on a mission. She'd wake up screaming and searching for him only to find their bed empty. Zatanna has cried herself to sleep more than a few nights after violently waking up.

Zatanna: "W-what do you mean "sort out?"

(Y/n): "Someone has been keeping me from the truth, blocking my attempts to find out whatever I don't know... it'll be easier for me to figure things out when I'm not constantly in the spotlight."

(Y/n) sighed and grabbed ahold of Zatanna's hand, attempting to reassure her that everything would be alright.

(Y/n): "But that's enough about that depressing topic. We've got more pizza coming and I think we've earned another round."

Wally: "My stomach wholeheartedly agrees with you."

The group was careful not to drink too much but still enough to enjoy themselves. They spent the rest of the night laughing and enjoying eachothers company, each of them hoping these times would never end.