(Y/n) POV:

The alert came faster than we anticipated. We went to the Warehouse to kill time and attempt to relax after finishing dinner. M'gann and Conner left for Rimbor so they could deliver the evidence exonerating the League.

After about three hours at the Warehouse we got the alert. ISAC's voice completely wiped away any trace of happiness, leaving us all more concerned and fearful. We all knew the Reach weren't the type to go down quietly and without a massive fight. We were right.

ISAC: "Emergency transmission received."

Everyone's faces went white. I raised my arm and pressed a button on my watch, playing the message.

Kelso: "Hey kid, get your friends and gear up. POTUS cleared an attack on the Reach flagship. We're going in. You'll lead the boarding party."

Everyone's eyes were glued to me. I couldn't think. Then in a split second, I got over my hesitation and realized what I needed to do. The Ambassador was already dead. I need to kill Black Beetle and avenge my agents. It's the only way I'll be able to look at my watch and not feel incredibly guilty for not stopping their deaths.

(Y/n): "Gear up. Nightwing, get the Team ready. Tell them to join the battle the second they are ready. Zee, would you mind doing the honours."

Zatanna: "Sserd su rof elttab!"

Our outfits all suddenly changed in a puff of smoke and we were all in our mission uniforms. I strapped on my helmet and loaded my rifle while walking onto the bio-ship.

Kaldur: "Black Beetle will be waiting for us."

Zatanna: "We will need to face him together. It'll be the only chance we have at stopping him."

(Y/n): "I'll handle Black Beetle. Just focus on neutralizing the entire Reach ship before they can launch some form of counter attack."

Artemis: "How do you plan on dealing with Black Beetle?"

(Y/n): "I'm going to burn his armour off and go from there."

As the bio-ship took off for New York, I could tell that everyone was less than confident in my plan. After a few minutes of awkward silence they finally asked me for more details.

Nightwing: "Okay, just out of curiosity... how exactly are you going to "burn off his armour?"

(Y/n): "Carefully."

Kid Flash: "This isn't funny."

(Y/n): "Please just trust me. I know I'm keeping everyone here in the dark but I need to do this alone. I need to be able to sleep at night and I can't do that until I fix my mistake."

Rocket: "What mistake?"

(Y/n): "Lyon. I need to avenge my agents. I need to take down Black Beetle by myself."

Zatanna: "You're insane if you think we're letting you walk into that fight alone! Despite what you may think you're no match for him, not alone."

(Y/n): "Zee, I'm doing this. I need to. I was responsible for them. I let them down. This is my fight and my fight alone."

Zatanna shot out of her chair and raced towards me. She violently slapped me across the face and stared daggers into me. Normally I'd be terrified but I can't back down. I've got to do this my way. If I never do anything on my own again I'll be perfectly fine with it, but this one thing, this one fight, I've got to kill Black.

Zatanna: "No it's not damn it! You're not alone! SO STOP ACTING LIKE IT!"

(Y/n): "Those were my agents. You want to be in this fight... fine! But you better stay out of my way."

I walked away before she had a chance to say anything. I don't know what else would slip out of my mouth so it's best I leave before I say something I regret.

3rd Person POV:

Zatanna: "I can't believe him! This is no time to be worrying about avenging his agents! He can avenge them by winning and the best way to win is to work together!"

Nightwing: "Look, regardless of how this plays out, we will face it as a team. (Y/n) is a part of that team and it's up to us to help him, even if he doesn't want it."

(Y/n) emerged from the cargo hold a few minutes later as the bio-ship arrived in New York. The agent tapped his watch and connected the groups radios together before linking them to the SHD network.

(Y/n): "Vanguard calling White Knight, we're entering the AO."

Kelso: "Copy that, Vanguard. The air strike should give you enough cover to dock with their ship. Good hunting, White Knight out."

A few moments later the voices of several pilots crackled over the radio, coordinating their attack on the Reach ship. Two squadrons of F-35's soared past the bio-ship, breaking off into smaller formations for their attack runs.

Blue Leader: "All points, this is Blue Leader. We're starting our attack run."

Greystone: "Copy that, we won't have long."

Jay: "I've got multiple contacts on my scope."

Blue Leader: "Grey squadron, keep those fighters occupied. Everyone else make your run count, hit the engines and the ship will lose power."

Nightwing maneuvered the bio-ship through the battle and docked with the Reach warship. Soon the entire group was ready to board the alien warship.

The second the ramp dropped (Y/n) charged in. He swiftly shot every single guard in the docking bay, clearing it of hostile forces in a matter of seconds.

Without speaking a word to his friends, the agent moved into the ship. The group ran into resistance almost immediately, getting pinned down and unable to advance down the hallway leading towards the bridge.

(Y/n): "We don't have time for this! ISAC, mark their positions and launch seekers!"

ISAC: "Confirmed."

As the seeker mines dropped out of (Y/n)'s bag, Zatanna and Aqualad arrived at his side.

Aqualad: "The others have split up and are going to take control of various parts of the ship to prevent a counter attack."

(Y/n): "Good."

Zatanna: "A thank you would be appreciated. We care about you and are trying to help!"

(Y/n): "You really want to do this now?!"

Zatanna: "Oh please. I have your undivided attention, it's as good of time as any. Ezeerf!"

Every Reach soldier at the end of the hall suddenly froze in place. They stayed perfectly still as the seeker mines attacked and completely wiped out the Reach soldiers.

(Y/n): "Fine! I'm sorry for pushing everyone away and I'm sorry for trying to do this alone!"

Zatanna smiled and crossed her arms as Kaldur simply sighed.

Zatanna: "See, was that so hard?"

Aqualad: "If you two are done, we do have a ship to capture."

Zatanna: "He's done."

Before (Y/n) could even respond, Zatanna gently placed her finger on his lips and winked.

Blue Beetle: "Sorry we're late!"

The small group turned to see Blue and Green Beetle flying towards them.

Blue Beetle: "The rest of the Team has split up and joined forces with everyone already aboard the ship."

Green Beetle: "It is time we end this."

Zatanna: "I couldn't agree more, (Y/n), please follow me."

Zatanna finally removed her finger from (Y/n)'s lips as she walked around the corner and snapped her fingers. Zatanna's eyes suddenly turned white as the group followed her towards the large door at the end of the hall.

Zatanna: "Egral rood nepo won!"

The door suddenly opened, allowing Blue and Green Beetle to fly in and attack while Zatanna, (Y/n) and Aqualad advanced under the protection of Zatanna's magic.

When the three entered they found Black Beetle in a desperate fight against Blue and Green. Aqualad rushed past Zatanna's shield and engaged the last of the Reach soldiers defending the bridge.

Black Beetle kicked Blue into the wall closest to Zatanna and (Y/n) before blasting Green with his plasma cannon, sending the martian crashing into the roof before falling to the ground in a deafening crash.

Black Beetle: "Vanguard! This is all your fault!"

(Y/n): "Your invasion is done. You've lost."

Black Beetle: "You will be the only loser. After I kill everyone you care about."

(Y/n): "Try it. They're all far more powerful than me."

Without warning, (Y/n) fired his thermite launcher. The first charge stuck to Black's chest and was quickly followed by the second and third. Black shot the charges off before they could fully burn through his armour.

Zatanna moved to help Aqualad as (Y/n) deployed every gadget he had on him. He tossed the large turret on top of a computer console as his drone launched from his backpack. The two larger gadgets were followed by a very large number of seeker mines.

(Y/n): "You've been itching for this fight since you got here. Well... here I am. Come give me an excuse to kill you."

Black Beetle lunged at the agent and was met by (Y/n) attacking him with everything he had. The seeker mines kept the Reach Warrior off balance as the drone and turret continuously fired at him. (Y/n) quickly ducked behind cover to reload the thermite launcher, an action that only took him a few seconds.

(Y/n) moved away from his hiding spot behind a computer console in time to see Green Beetle tackle Black after the last seeker mine detonated.

Green Beetle: "You are a slave to the Reach. I will set you free."

Green Beetle's scarab latched onto Black's as (Y/n) started maneuvering around Black Beetle to get a clear shot at his scarab.

Black Beetle laughed before blasting Green's chest with a plasma shot. The blast briefly melted away Green's armour, long enough for Black to stab the martian through the chest with his arm configured into a sword.

Blue Beetle: "NO!"

Green Beetle fell back and struggled to stay upright as his armour disintegrated, a result of Black destroying his scarab when he stabbed the martian. Before anyone could move, Black slashed Green Beetle's neck.

As the blood poured out Black Beetle laughed hysterically.

Black Beetle: "You will all meet the same fate!"

Black Beetle suddenly stopped laughing when he felt a soft thump impact his back, directly on top of his scarab.

(Y/n) said nothing as he activated the charge and started to burn through Black Beetle's scarab. The Reach warrior screamed as he attempted to pull off the burning thermite from his back. His attempts were all in vain as (Y/n) kept firing thermite charges at different parts of Black's body.

Within seconds the thermite had burned through Black's scarab. A deafening scream rang out as the scarab disintegrated and with it Black's beetle armour.

Black Beetle fell to the ground and struggled to push himself up as (Y/n) advanced with his handgun drawn. Black Beetle reached out and grabbed the staff like weapon from a now deceased Reach soldier. Black Beetle pushed himself to his feet and spun around to face the advancing agent.

Before Black could utter a word or aim his weapon, (Y/n) put three rounds in his gut. The shots seemed to bring the fighting in the bridge to a screeching halt as everyone watched (Y/n) and Black Beetle.

For the first time since the invasion started fear could be seen in Black Beetle's eyes.

Black Beetle: "You-"

*BANG*

(Y/n) shot the Reach warrior directly between the eyes. Black Beetle's body crashed down onto the metal floor as blood shot out of his head. The body landed with a thump that echoed throughout the bridge.

Everyone watched as (Y/n) calmly walked up to the warrior's body and stood overtop of the bleeding corpse.

(Y/n): "You got off easy. I hope you suffered before I finished it."

(Y/n) shot the body twice before holstering his gun and walking away.

(Y/n): "This is Vanguard, we've captured the bridge. Black Beetle is down."

The others gathered by the door and watched as (Y/n) walked towards them.

Zatanna: "(Y/n)... are you okay?"

The agent sighed and looked back at Black Beetle's body. After a brief moment he turned back to the group and shook his head.

(Y/n): "No. I thought finally killing that monster and avenging my agents would make me feel better. It doesn't even feel like it's over."

Blue Beetle: "That's because it isn't. I detected a signal coming from Black Beetle's scarab moments before you destroyed it. Black set a plan in motion to erase all evidence of the Reach's attempt to conquer us. The Reach is going to destroy the world."

(Y/n): "What?! How?!"

Blue Beetle: "Get everyone together. We don't have long to act."

ISAC: "Extreme weather anomalies detected."

Aqualad: "We need to return to the Watchtower as soon as possible."

*Small Time Skip*

Captain Atom and (Y/n) are standing before the entire Team, Rocket, Zatanna and the Atom.

Captain Atom: "Natural Disasters have escalated. The rest of the League is spread thin, saving lives across the globe."

Blue Beetle: "They're called Magnetic Field Disrupters. The Reach have seeded them in multiple locations across the globe. They're designed to cause a deterioration of the planet's magnetic field, which is in turn causing these not so natural disasters."

(Y/n): "Blue Beetle and ISAC can locate the MFD's, but we expect them all to be heavily guarded."

Captain Atom: "How do we shut them down?"

Blue Beetle: "I-I don't know, because Black Beetle didn't know. There's no failsafe, this was an endgame."

(Y/n): "Well then. We'll just have to follow Kelso's teachings and blow them all up in a violent explosion and hope that does the trick. I will scramble squads of agents and JTF soldiers to attack the MFD's we don't have the numbers to cover."

Before anyone could comment on (Y/n)'s plan the Watchtowers computer announced an incoming transmission.

Computer: "Incoming emergency transmission from United Nations Secretary General Tseng Dangun."

The holographic video feed appeared and Lex Luthor was standing in front of Tseng.

Captain Atom: "Luthor, what are you-!"

Luthor: "Secretary Tseng was kind enough to let me borrow his frequency, as I have a possible solution to our mutual problem."

Atom: "A problem created by you and the Light, when you collaborated to bring the Reach to Earth."

Luthor: "Perhaps, but as I believe you know the Light always planned to-"

(Y/n): "Enough! We're on the clock people, get it together. Luthor, what do you have?"

Luthor: "Always to the point agent, that's why I like you. LexCorp has developed anti-reach software, a virus that should disable the MFD's. Now as you said, time is of the essence."

Luthor ended the transmission and (Y/n) stepped forward.

(Y/n): "Luthor has sent coordinates, our rally point is at the base of LexCorp tower in Metropolis! Grab your gear! You have three minutes to get there, go!"

Nightwing couldn't help but smile as he watched the Team take orders perfectly from (Y/n). Zatanna and Rocket were already good to go so they used the Watchtowers computer to send a message to every hero available and let them know where to meet up.

(Y/n) tapped his watch and put his helmet on, stretching out the mic to its proper position and calling for reinforcements.

(Y/n): "This is Vanguard to all points. Need immediate backup from any and all available agents. ISAC will transmit coordinates."

After (Y/n) sent the transmission he quickly geared up, loading his rifle and attaching the sling holster to it and walking towards the zeta tube.

(Y/n): "Zee, Rocket, let's go!"

*Small Time Skip*

Every single hero in the Justice League on Earth and a few retired heroes assembled alongside (Y/n), Kelso, Noble squad and 14 additional agents.

Captain Atom and (Y/n) stepped up to Luthor with Blue Beetle close behind.

Luthor: "Agent, Captain brief the heroes on their mission, Beetle, with me. I need you to upload the virus to these "eggs."

(Y/n) stepped up onto the small stage and instantly spun around to face the crowd of heroes. A few months ago he couldn't even have imagined himself leading a coordinated strike from the League and the Division, much less when the fate of the world is at stake.

(Y/n): "Listen up, we only have time to say this once!"

Captain Atom: "Every single MFD must be disabled before they chrysalis to guarantee Earth's safety. Each MFD is protected by multiple Reach drones."

(Y/n): "These drones are as deadly as a Beetle warrior and we've detected 20 spread across the world. We have approximately 40 heroes here, so we will have two heroes and an agent per squad."

Luthor: "You will all be issued multiple reach tech eggs containing my anti-reach virus. While two members of a squad run interference with the drones, the third simply has to touch his or her egg against an MFD to disable it."

There were a few shocked whispers among the crowd as Captain Atom distributed the assignments and pairings.

Luthor: "Ladies and gentlemen. The fate of the world is in your hands."

(Y/n): "No pressure. Agents, JTF reinforcements will be on damage control, so no holding back. We won't get another shot at this."

As the agents and heroes were breaking up into their assigned groups, Zatanna slipped away to (Y/n)'s side and quickly hugged him. The pair noticed Artemis and Wally doing the same a short distance away and smiled.

Zatanna: "Be careful."

(Y/n): "I was about to say the same thing to you, after all, I am a professional."

Zatanna couldn't help but smile and hold onto (Y/n) a little tighter.

Zatanna: "You certainly are. So make sure you keep those two safe."

Zatanna gestured to Robin and Wonder Girl. (Y/n) was assigned to be their accompanying agent, Robin and Wonder Girl clearly had feelings for one another and were sharing an awkward moment together, that made both Zatanna and (Y/n) smile.

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

Zatanna: "I love you too."

Zatanna quickly wrapped her arms loosely around (Y/n)'s neck and the agent pulled her into a passionate kiss. Zatanna sighed in disapproval when (Y/n) broke the kiss a short moment later. They wanted to continue but both of them knew they didn't have time to spare.

The pair watched Artemis and Wally separate and walk towards the "portable" zeta tube assembled by the stage. (Y/n) walked away after wishing Zatanna good luck one last time.

(Y/n): "Wonder Girl, Robin, you two ready?"

The pair jumped as (Y/n)'s question had snapped them out of their blissful state.

Wonder Girl: "Y-yeah."

Robin: "Right... yeah we're good to go."

(Y/n) lightly laughed before waving the two heroes over to the zeta tube. The group briefly waited for the zeta tube to activate and then stepped into the light, emerging in Singapore.

(Y/n): "This is Vanguard, moving to the target."

The voice of the team's new communications coordinator Lucas Carr rang out in the agent's headset.

Lucas: "Copy that Vanguard, the target is in a park close to the border with Malaysia. Good luck."

In Warsaw, Zatanna, Bumblebee and Kelso were fighting their way through Old Town. The Reach had planted the drone in the middle of Old Town and deployed a small army to defend it.

As Zatanna and Bumblebee delt devastating blows to the swarm of drones defending the MFD's, Kelso ducked behind a destroyed car to reload and catch her breath.

She was about to rejoin the battle when she saw it. A figure watching them from the rooftops across the plaza. The second the figure noticed Kelso glaring at them they started to move away. The darkness of the night made it impossible for Kelso to identify the figure, but as the mysterious figure stood up and started to walk away Kelso caught a glimpse of an orange ring on the person's wrists.

Kelso slumped back against the destroyed car, she was certain it was an ISAC watch. Despite the figure's absence she glared at the rooftop where they had been for a minute as the bright flashes and explosions of battle rang out all around her.

Zatanna: "Kelso! We need the egg, are you ready?!"

Kelso suddenly snapped out of her dazed state and jumped back into action. She wanted to chase after whoever was on the rooftops but knew that this fight was far more important at the moment.

Kelso: "Cover me I'm going for it!"

Kelso rushed past Zatanna and Bumblebee, slashing at a drone with her combat knife as she passed it. Kelso slid by the MFD and slammed the egg against it as she went by. The MFD slowly shut down and unceremoniously fell to the ground with a loud metal thump.

Zatanna: "This is X-Ray squad, the Warsaw MFD has been disabled."

Lucas: "Copy that X-Ray, good work."

Zatanna ended the radio transmission and noticed Kelso staring up at the roofs of the surrounding buildings. The agent didn't seem to notice an angry Bumblebee approaching.

Bumblebee: "Hello! I get you are supposed to be the best at what you do, but leaving us out to fight off the swarm alone for five minutes while you did nothing was kind of excessive, don't you think!"

Kelso still didn't acknowledge Bumblebee or even Zatanna as she approached. When the agent finally tore her gaze away from the rooftops she looked down at her watch for a brief moment before lifting her head to face the others.

Zatanna: "Kelso, what's wrong?"

Kelso: "Nothing, I'm just exhausted."

(Y/n): POV

It was almost impossible to get past the tornadoes and get into the park. Once we did we gave Robin the egg and Wonder Girl and I started our attack.

Wonder Girl smashed through the first wave of drones with ease. I deployed all my gadgets to meet the second wave head on and the battle began. Within minutes I was forced to press myself up against a nearby tree to spare myself from the onslaught of lasers. The wind is making it impossible to hear anything and even with my goggles down and gaiter pulled up to cover my mouth and nose, it's difficult to see and breathe.

I left the safety of my tree and fired a hail of bullets at the two closest drones, smashing them both and causing them to fall to the ground moments before they blew up in a small explosion.

Wonder Girl: "I can see it, Robin, you're up!"

Robin: "Moving in!"

Robin swung down and landed about ten feet away from the MFD. I activated my emp pulse and shut down the drones close to Wonder Girl and I before I advanced on the last ground of drones.

Robin flipped over the MFD and placed the egg on it, shutting the alien device down. I let out a small sigh of relief as I shot the last drone continuously until it crashed into the ground.

Robin: "This is Viper squad, Singapore MFD has been disabled."

Lucas: "Copy that Viper, it's almost over."

I noticed Robin and Wonder Girl smile at each other and I turned away so they could have a small moment together in privacy.

Once the police and government trucks arrived to secure the area we quickly made our way back to the zeta tube. Wonder Girl and Robin went to the Warehouse but I teleported to the Watchtower.

Once I arrived I was greeted by Kid Flash and Artemis who each congratulated me on a job well done.

Kid Flash: "I think it's almost over."

(Y/n): "I bet you're just itching to go back into retirement."

Kid Flash: "It really isn't that bad, you should give it a try."

Artemis: "You and Zatanna would love it."

(Y/n): "I have no doubt about that."

Lucas suddenly celebrated, congratulating everyone on a job well done as he announced that we had destroyed every single MFD. I let out a sigh of relief, I think we're finally in the clear. Zatanna arrived through the zeta tube and I waved her over to us.

The Atom: "We missed one, the Earth's magnetic field is still being disrupted."

My heart sank as I turned my attention to the monitor. Suddenly Blue Beetle's voice rang out over the intercom.

Blue Beetle: "I'm detecting a 21st MFD, hidden in the arctic by Earth's magnetic pole, sending exact coordinates now."

Lucas: "There are no zeta tubes in the arctic... I'm not sure how we're going to get there in time."

Flash: "I'm on it!"

Impulse: "Not without me gramps."

I watched as the small white and red dots representing Impulse and Flash quickly moved towards the arctic on our world map. They'd be there in about five minutes. I hope that's fast enough.

I felt someone tug on my hand and turned my head to see Artemis pulling me towards the hangar. Once we rounded the corner we began our sprint to the back far I realized what had happened.

Artemis: "Wally just left through the zeta tube, he's going to the arctic! The others are already waiting for us at the bio-ship!"

Once we arrived in the hangar we rushed aboard. M'gann instantly closed the hatch behind us and the bioship launched into space.

When Artemis and I walked into the main cabin I noticed Nightwing, Aqualad, Superboy, Miss Martian, Batgirl, Rocket and Zatanna already seated.

Miss Martian: "We're almost there!"

I tapped my watch and listened in on Flash's reporting of the situation.

Flash: "We're too late. The MFD has already gone chrysalis. I'm not sure if the egg-"

Luthor: "The egg is useless now, you're too late."

I slumped back into my chair and everyone looked at me. We all heard the conversation over the radio. Everyone has an unreadable look on their face. I don't think I completely understand that we lost.

Artemis: "S-so that's it? We lost?"

(Y/n): "I-I don't know. I-I think so."

A short moment of silence took over and before anyone could say anything we heard Flash ask the same question over the radio.

Flash: "What now?"

Luthor: "Now you run."

Flash: "Hey I'm no quitter, there's got to be a way to-"

Luthor: "I didn't say run away. I said run. Together, you and Impulse should be able to negate the chrysalis by running counter to its energy flow."

Flash: "Is it really that simple?!"

Atom: "I wouldn't call it simple, you'll be attempting to siphon its power with your own speed trails. It'll take a massive amount of kinetic energy."

When the radio transmission ended I noticed Artemis, she's extremely worried and having trouble sitting still. I want to help Kid Flash, Flash and Impulse but I can literally do nothing useful. I hate feeling like this, completely useless and helpless to aid my friends. I should've never let the Reach get this far into their plans, I should've stopped them sooner.

I could see the bright tornado-like energy chrysalis in the distance and watched it grow in size the closer we got.

Soon Miss Martian landed the bio-ship and quickly lowered the ramp. Everyone rushed out and assembled a short distance in front of the bio-ship. Zatanna and Artemis were freezing and both had on one of my large winter coats designed to fit over all my gear. I didn't bother putting one on.

Nightwing: "Look! It's working! They're shutting it down!"

Everyone let out a small sigh of relief. I saw Zatanna gently place her hand on Artemis's shoulder and Artemis relaxed before turning her gaze to me and forcing out a smile.

I smiled back before turning my attention back to the shrinking tornado of pure energy. The clouds above us started to clear and in the distance we could see the sky returning to its normal colour.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly until ISAC ripped it all away.

ISAC: "Friendly vital signs in critical condition, massive internal energy readings detected."

Everyone froze. My face went white. They didn't know who ISAC was referring to, but I knew I only set up ISAC to monitor the vitals of my close friends.

I quickly looked at Artemis and noticed one thing and one thing only. Fear.

I activated my radio and screamed into it. I've got to get him out of there, I've got a few seconds to save his life.

(Y/n): "Wally! Wally get out of there! Wally can you hear me?! STOP RUNNING WALLY!"

Nightwing: "KF STOP!"

Artemis: "WALLY!"

I waited for half a second and nothing happened. I broke into a sprint towards the three speedsters. I've got to warn him.

By the time I got to the energy tornado, it had completely dispersed. I desperately looked through the clouds of snow and ice to find any trace of Wally.

When the clouds cleared everyone else had arrived at my side.

I saw Flash and Impulse panting on their knees, they are both on the verge of passing out but I don't care. I didn't pay any attention to them as I looked for Wally.

It didn't take me long to figure out that he's not here.

I quickly checked ISAC for his vitals, hoping to find anything that could hint at his location. I stared at the orange holographic projection of everyone's vitals. Beside Wally's name wasn't his status but 'no signal' as if he was completely gone.

Artemis: "(Y/n), w-where's Wally?"

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

Flash: "Artemis..."

Flash gently grabbed hold of Artemis, placing both his hands on her shoulder. I know what's about to happen and I'm not ready for it, I can't even imagine how she's feeling.

Flash: "He wanted me to tell you..."

Artemis: "No no no, please no."

Flash: "He loved you."

Artemis fell to her knees. She started sobbing instantly. Zatanna and M'gann rushed to her side and pulled her into their embrace.

Artemis's sobbing soon became uncontrollable as she completely broke down. I stood there, listening to Artemis crying as I pried my gaze away from the girls. Dick had taken off his mask and was struggling to hold back tears of his own.

I finally pushed myself to step forward after wiping away my own tears before they had a chance to freeze.

(Y/n): "Come on, let's get her somewhere warmer."

Zatanna looked up at me and nodded while holding off tears of her own. Like everyone else, she failed.

M'gann left the embrace and brought the bio-ship over to us. Zatanna helped Artemis up and held her as they walked up the ramp and into the bio-ship.

A short moment later everyone else followed, we didn't speak a word the entire flight back to the Watchtower.

*Small Time Skip*

3rd Person POV:

A few hours after Wally's death, the members of the Justice League that travelled to Rimbor finished their return journey to Earth. As the massive spaceship construct made by the Green Lantern's faded away the Leaguers were left to stare in disbelief at the remains of Mt. Justice.

Superman: "A-are we... too late?"

Batman was the first to notice the entire Team approaching in the night sky. The original members of the League and their accompanying Leaguers watched as the Team landed all around them. The League was quick to notice the presence of Kaldur, who all but Batman thought was a traitor.

Batman: "Aqualad, what happened here?"

Kaldur stepped out of the super-cycle and sighed, the realization that the invasion was unceremoniously ending, finally weighing on him.

Aqualad: "Fear not. The crisis has passed. Though at a terrible cost."

*Central City*

Zatanna and (Y/n) helped Artemis up the steps to Wally's house. When they reached the door Artemis quickly stepped forward and pressed the doorbell before retreating back between Zatanna and (Y/n).

Artemis started sobbing as she heard the footsteps approaching the door. Despite Zatanna's best attempts at comforting her she can't keep it together.

Wally's parents soon opened the door. They'd been told of Wally's passing by Flash and had been waiting for Artemis. Both Wally's parents welcomed Artemis in with open arms and embraced her as she sobbed with tears racing down her face. They thanked Zatanna and (Y/n) for safely bringing Artemis to them before gently closing the door.

Zatanna and (Y/n) began the long walk back to the zeta tube. The pair barely spoke until (Y/n) heard Zatanna sniffle and pulled her into a hug. Zatanna started sobbing into (Y/n)'s neck as tears ran down the agent's face.

The pair stood completely still, embracing each other under the streetlight.

*Small Time Skip*

The next week felt like an eternity for (Y/n) and his friends. Artemis left her home and moved back in with her mother in Gotham.

Zatanna and (Y/n) are walking together, trailing a few feet behind Artemis and M'gann as they walk into the visitation hall of a funeral home just outside Central City.

(Y/n) gently closed the door behind him and turned to face all of his friends. Dick, Kaldur, Conner, Raquel, M'gann, Barbara, Zatanna and Artemis were spread throughout the room. Even Roy showed up with Jade (Cheshire), who's now clearly pregnant and engaged to Roy.

Zatanna, M'gann, Barbara and Raquel stayed with Artemis the entire visitation and funeral. (Y/n) could barely focus on the funeral. He just zoned out and tried to keep himself from tearing up. He hated losing people, especially in situations where he blamed himself, which was most of them.

The funeral lasted for a few hours but to (Y/n) it seemed like it was over in a few minutes. Before he knew it he was walking Artemis back home with everyone they were close to.

The girls went inside with Artemis to comfort her. The group didn't want Artemis to be left alone, not after the funeral. They all agreed to check up on Artemis regularly.

As the group walked away, Dick was the first to break the silence.

Dick: "I-I already miss him."

(Y/n): "I think we all do. It'll never be the same with him gone."

Conner: "I still can't believe it. I-it just didn't seem real at the time."

Kaldur: "I hope he knows he saved us all."

(Y/n): "I'm sure he does, he had to have known his sacrifice would save everyone and everything."

*Time Skip*

*July 4th*

Nightwing, Aqualad, Superboy and (Y/n) arrived back on the Watchtower.

The group is watching a GBS broadcast of the resignation of Secretary General Tseng with Batman, Superman, Black Canary and Captain Atom. The Reach fleet has now left Earth and is being escorted to Oa by the Green Lanterns.

(Y/n) couldn't help but feel relieved that Tseng resigned. He hated working with the politician and considered him the worst General Secretary the U.N has ever had.

While feeling somewhat relaxed that Tseng is out of office, (Y/n) took a drink from his coffee.

Godfrey: "Sounds like someone's finally listening to old G. Gordon, the lone voice of reason, calling for the ouster of U.N Secretary General Tseng after his disastrous collaboration with the Reach. Well, guess what folks. Tseng finally resigned, following devastating evidence provided by the American government, particularly the Strategic Homeland Division and the Justice League forced him to admit the Reach were here to conquer us."

(Y/n), Nightwing and Superboy couldn't help but roll their eyes as Godfrey spun recent events to make it seem like he was always on the right side and had been calling for Tseng's resignation for months.

Godfrey: "You're welcome. Now, his successor has not yet been chosen, but I think we all know only one man qualifies. The man responsible for saving all our lives from the Reach's MFD's, ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Lex Luthor!"

Superman: "You have got to be kidding me

Superman waved his arm and the holographic projection turned off. (Y/n) spit out his coffee and started coughing. The agent almost hacked up a lung while coughing and had to set his drink down so he wouldn't spill it.

(Y/n): "What the fuck?!"

Nightwing: "I would pay so much money to sit in and watch your first meeting with him."

(Y/n) glared at his friend and Nightwing laughed.

While Captain Atom took the opportunity to apologize to (Y/n) and repair the relationship between the Division and the Justice League in the face of a U.N led by Lex Luthor, Kaldur pulled Nightwing off to the side and away from the small crowd of heroes.

Kaldur: "This is no time for you to resign."

Nightwing: "I'm not resigning, just taking a leave of absence. Besides, if you need help, Barbara is more than ready to step up, and if you're that desperate I'm sure (Y/n) and Noble squad would be happy to lend a hand."

Kaldur: "Agreed, but Dick-"

Nightwing: "I need a break, Kaldur. You, me, Wally, we founded this team. Without him..."

Kaldur sighed before placing a hand on Nightwing's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

Kaldur: "I understand."

On the observation deck, Artemis is in her Tigress uniform while Bart is in a version of Wally's Kid Flash uniform that was tailored to fit him.

Artemis wiped away a few tears while looking at the hologram of Wally before she turned to Bart.

Artemis: "You look good."

Bart: "Really? Because I feel like a fraud."

Artemis: "Well don't. Wally would be so proud and you're honouring his memory by becoming Kid Flash."

Bart: "Thanks. So you're suited up, but as Tigress?"

Artemis: "Artemis was Wally's partner. I'm taking a break from the Team and the hero business, but if I come back, it'll be as Tigress."

Bart: "If?"

Artemis: "I'm going to take some time for myself, I'm going to get some rest and just... I think I just really need a break."

Bart: "Hey, take as long as you need. None of us expect you to jump back into action."

*Gotham City*

The Clown Prince of Crime steps into a warehouse in the Gotham slums. The warehouse is stuffed full of boxes at one end containing ammunition, explosives and chemicals. At the other end a large crew works on a very large assembly line. The men are making joker venom, the chemical gas the clown is famous for.

Large scuba diver air tanks are stacked in neat rows close to the large door where another member of the crew makes their way through the rows and straps a small explosive charge to each.

Joker smiles as the door behind him opens, a member of his crew slips through holding a clipboard. The criminal hands his boss the clipboard and Joker smiles as he flips through the pages.

Criminal: "Everything was at the drop point, just like you said it would be, boss."

Joker: "I love a joke that writes itself."

(A/N): Thanks for reading. Wally is one of my favourite characters so writing this chapter really sucked... but maybe we'll see him again? I mean there's always hope, right?