Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: So I've decided to try to post a chapter at least every Monday and Thursday.

Okay so from here on out this is what the following will means (I noticed I messed up a while back in the first chapter since everything was bold and italicized):

Peter Piper Picked - Thoughts

"Peter Piper Picked A Peck Of Pickled Peppers" - If you see more than one sentence in italics, that most likely means it's a flashback.

Peter Piper Picked -Thoughts in flashbacks

"Peter Piper Picked" - if it's only one word then it's an emphasized word in flashbacks/thoughts. Just like how it would be "Peter Piper Picked" in current day.

Also just a reminder that the Invasion happened in 2015 in my story, not 2016.

~ Friday, September 22 2017 3:40 p.m ~

"So..." The girl started, glancing at the boy next to her cautiously.

"So." He repeated, reading a comic book and totally not trying to avoid her.

"Um, I like the costume change." She commented.

"Thanks." He said, managing to portray absolutely no emotion in his voice, which was surprising considering he usually couldn't even move without portraying some sort of emotion.

"It really brings out your...fur?"

"Um, thank you?"

"...Is that a new tail?" Beast Boy sighs as he shuts his comic book abruptly before turning towards the girl next to him with a glare.

"Yes because my old one was crushed by a rock when I was visiting your grave site." Terra looked down into her lap. Yep definitely deserved that one, she thought as she began to look everywhere but to the left of her since the subject she wanted to talk to obviously didn't want to communicate.

The only other people in the rec room was Raquel, Zatanna, Karen and Bart, clearly having no idea how to react to the suddenly tense teammate and the awkward new one who was revealed to have been raised from the dead. Megan hesitantly floated in with a fresh tray of cookies.

"Um, hey...do you guys want any snacks? You must have worked up an appetite after school today right?" the Martian said as an attempt of conversation.

"Not hungry. I'm gonna go take a nap." Beast Boy announced as he proceeded to get up and walked out the rec room, not even sparing Terra a second glance. Once she was sure he was completely gone, she let loose a dramatic sigh and fell sideways on the couch.

" 'Is that a new tail?' Who the hell says something like that?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Terra muttered to herself angrily before she hits herself on the head.

"He hates me." She stated looking at the ceiling sadly.

Megan gave her an awkward smile. "He doesn't hate you. He just needs time to...process this." she said in a reassuring manner. Whatever this is, Megan thought. Terra let out another sigh.

"So basically what you're saying is that I have to wait until Gar comes to terms with this." She said, gesturing to all of her. And by this I mean come to terms with the fact that his friend who he thought was dead then thought was alive but then realized she might be someone who looked like her but then turned out to be the real her but was really just avoiding him is back in his life. Terra shook her head. "I'd rather have him ignore me than to wait for him like that." She then proceed to get up and exit the rec room. Everyone was silent until Bart spoke up.

"Well that was awkward." he stated, not looking up from his phone as he typed something. Everyone glared at him but he just ignored them as he went to go answer a message.

"I can't believe they're still not properly talking." Zatanna stated.

"Z, it's only been three days. Give them some time." Karen said.

"I wonder what happened to them. I was getting major vibes from them so they obviously have some previous sexual tension going on." Raquel said. She and Zatanna had stopped by to visit the newbie on the Team and had walked in right before the awkward attempt at conversation took place. Karen raised an eyebrow. Beep.

"Uh uh girl, sexual tensions? She used to be on the Titans with them and she was what? Ten? I think they still believed in cooties at that age." Karen said. Raquel looked affronted. Beep.

"You are not telling me you ain't sense something more than friendship between them. I mean whatever was left of it, that is." Raquel said. Beep.

"Sense? All this teenage angst makes you Megan now?" Zatanna said with a smirk. Beep.

"Well...Raquel is right on a certain level. They both feel highly around each other, it's just that Terra feels immense guilt and Garfield feels..."

"He feels..." Karen prompted, motioning for her to go on.

"Betrayed." Megan finished in a small voice. The girls all looked at each other in silence. Beep.

"For the love of god, Bart who are you texting?!" Raquel shouted. Bart looked up with a raised eyebrow.

"A friend." he said bluntly before he went back to texting. The girl simultaneously rolled their eyes and one by one left the rec room. Bart looked confused for a second but soon shrug his shoulders and looked down to read the new message he just received. He smiled and continued to text back.

~ Friday, September 22 2017 6:30 p.m ~

Recognized:

Nightwing B01

Nightwing steps off the platform. As her eyes took in the floor to ceiling windows, it just reminded her of how much she didn't want to be here.

Richelle exits Wayne Enterprises, eager to get home and hopefully have a bath. Maybe I can finally put that bottle of Jacob's Creek to good use.

She accepts her keys from the valet and enters her car. Just as she's about to pull out, the screen on her dashboard lights up with a familiar handsome face.

"You know if you had contacted me any later I probably would have swerved off the road," she tells him as she begins to make the hour drive out to Bludhaven.

"You know you wouldn't have." says the deep voice. Richelle smirks.

"I think I would know what I would do but whatever old man. Now what was so important that it couldn't have waited until I got home?" she inquires. She can feel Bruce's stare on her as she changes lanes.

"Report to the Watchtower immediately." he said. She frowns a bit.

"Um yea, no can do right now. I'm on the highway and the exit is a ways to go." she states.

"Richelle–"

"If I was truly needed to report to the Tower immediately, you've contacted me sooner rather than wait for me to get off of work." Richelle tells him, eyes never leaving the road. She smirks at the sound of a sigh from the other.

"Be ready to give us an update on the team and its missions upon arrival." Bruce tells her, preparing for whats to come next. But instead of the shouting he was used to, all his daughter did was give out a scoff in disbelief, smirk slipping right off.

"Of course. And the founders just couldn't find the time to inform me about this earlier, correct?" She deadpanned, trying desperately to cover the hurt in her voice. Bruce furrowed his eyebrows in worry, taking notice of the emotion despite the blank face now presented to him. He didn't like that this and the fact that he didn't know his daughter as well as he thought, was becoming a reoccurring thing.

"Richelle–"

"Don't." she tersely. She gives her head a small shake. "I'll be there in an hour." Not waiting to hear a reply, with a quick tap to the screen she ends the call.

So much for relaxing.

Shaking her head, she sighs and walks deliberately towards the conference rooms. Better to get this over with than to give them more ammo against me.

On her way, various members of the League shoot her multiple looks of disappointment which she tries her best to ignore.

"...nearly killed the kids..."

"...she deceived everyone..."

"...how did we not know..."

"...it's only because of Batman that.."

"...almost like she's a different person..."

"...what happened to her..."

She picks up her pace ever so slightly, inhaling a deep breath, stretching out each of her vertebrae, shoulders back and eyes forward. I did it. We're alive.

After what seems like forever, she finally approaches the conference room door. As she gets closer, however, she notices that it's open just a crack. She tuts her teeth at that. True it was one of the original conference rooms as most of the others have electronic doors, but it was still an amateur mistake. They didn't know who could be listening. Imagine how embarrassing that would be to see the noble and respected Justice League fall at the hands of a cracked door, she thinks, a smirk gracing her face. Oh how 'upstanding' they would seem then.

"The Justice League." the man scoffs, his back to her. "The world thinks that we need them, that they're here when no one else is. The Justice League are many things. Over glorified. A source of endorsement. Some might even say 'upstanding'." He slowly shakes his head. "But, above all else, they are a distraction."

"That's not true." she states defiantly. "They save lives." The man turns toward her, platinum eyebrow raised.

"They keep people blinded while there is war going on. You say they save lives. What about all the soldiers without the fancy suits and technology, what about them? Why haven't they decided to intervene, to end the war, bring our men back home, hmm? Too busy fighting crazies and playing in their little 'space station'? How come they have yet to lend any of that alien technology to NASA? To have them better protected since they certainly are way more aware of the different species up there?" And suddenly it was as if her whole body was drenched in cold water. Her gaze slowly drops to the floor. Why? Why hadn't they done all that? Footsteps get louder, closer, until they're right in front of her own.

"Richelle." He says so condescendingly. She looks up at him, so confused. It was as if his face had blurred, hard lines smooths out. He was handsome, she couldn't deny that, yet that didn't disguise the fact that he was still vile. Ruthless. Deadly. And she hated that he was trustworthy. That he made her feel safe. That he made her question everything she once knew was right. Why was he doing this?

"Richelle, the Justice League are capable of doing many great things yet they don't do them. They are self absorbed. Anything that isn't a 'world threat' or a threat to their home turf goes immediately under the rug. They're all against killing yet they do nothing to prevent the killing that happens everyday. They don't really care about anything but themselves." He brings his hand up to cheek, caressing it with his thumb. "And darling...you'll realize that soon enough"

She freezes, breath stuck in her throat. No, she thinks. That is not me. This is just a simple mistake, easily overlooked. The Justice League are good. She counts backwards from ten before she knocks on the doors. He and I are nothing alike.

"Batman, do you really think that this meeting is necessary?" Superman insists, sitting to the right of the he was talking to.

"Considering this is our typical bi-monthly meeting day, Superman, I would assume it is necessary." Batman replies, not looking up from the files in front of him. Superman growls while Wonder Woman shoots him a look from her seat right across from him.

"What Superman means, is that do you think the topic of the meeting is quite necessary." she tells the Dark Knight.

"Yeah, especially with the information we've just uncovered." Flash cosigned from his seat next to the Amazon. "We've all seen what this man can do first hand, Batman–"

"Which is why it is a perfectly logical reason to assess the Team so we can better prepare them on the off chance he might become a problem." Batman states. Green Arrow scoffs, crossing his arms from his seat next to Superman.

"Might? Batman whenever this man turns up again, destruction is sure to follow."

"Especially if there's money involved." Green Lantern added, a look of disgust etched on his face. Aquaman, who was seated next to Green Arrow, narrowed his eyes at the Corps officer across from him.

"You wouldn't be implying that–"

"Well it's been nearly two years since we've seen any sign of them and with the recurring events that's been happening, one can only assume that–"

"MM does have a point. It does seem sorta fishy that he suddenly made himself apparent on our radar, no offense Aquaman."

"No worries, speedster. Your point is sound–"

"See this is why we should–"

"Enough." The other six stop talking all at once and turned towards the Dark Knight. "I'm sure you all haven't forgotten the events that took place during the Invasion. How we left them on their own. The consequences that it lead to." Almost everyone one seemed to shrink at that, especially Flash. "Yes, given the situation, they handled themselves astoundingly but I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we would all like to avoid another outcome like that for quite some time. The Team is fairly independent but they still need guidance. Which is why this meeting is necessary." Superman just barely flinched at that jab. "We will discuss how we will deal with this sudden threat once we finish the briefings." Batman concluded, daring anyone to voice any objections.

There was silence for a few tense minutes until finally a knock resounded from the door.

"Enter." Nightwing walks in, feeling as if she was intruding, even though she's meant to be there.

"How nice of you to finally join us, Nightwing." Superman said, obviously annoyed. Batman mentally sighed.

"Sorry, my car doesn't have wings like his does." Nightwing replies back with a forced smile, nodding to her mentor. She stands there, they looking at her and she looking at them.

"Well proceed child, start the briefing." Wonder Woman urges. Nightwing takes a deep breath before she begins. She starts mission success rate.

"The Team has been given exactly three covert ops in during the seven months since the last meeting. The first one took place on December 14, 2016 along the outskirts of Saint Petersburg, Russia, dealing with a local mafia who intended to ship out the steroid, Bane Venom–" She was cut off by Superman.

"Bane usually keeps his distribution of Venom along the coast of South America. Do you know exactly how the Russians got their hands on it?" he questioned. Well it's not like I had time to ask, I did ruin their drug party so the feelings were a little sore, she wanted to say but held it in and instead reasoned with –

"Most likely, they obtained the venom from their supplier. Who that is remains unnamed. The mission was a success as the Team managed to prevent the shipment from going through. The second one then took place on April 11, 2017 in Vlatavastok. The Team's mission was to protect Queen Perdita on the suspicious activity detected after surveillancing the queen for two days. As it turned out, henchmen of Count Vertigo were assigned to assassinate the queen just days before her coronation. Though the mission was a success, we still have suspicions of an ulterior motive on Vertigo's accou–"

"And why do you think that is?" Green Lantern questioned. Nightwing started at being interrupted yet again.

"The assassins hired were considered a C level threat in the full report. They made amateur mistakes – leaving trials, not wearing masks, seemingly sticking out like a sore thumb in the crowd of elite – which ultimately lead to their capture and arrest. Knowing of the the Count's previous henchmen's skill level, it seemed as if he didn't want nor care about the success of the assassination. I think that Count Vertigo used the assassination attempt as a disguise to cover up."

"You think?" Green Arrow accused. She gritted her teeth and tried not to make her next words sound so harsh.

"Yes, I'm almost certain that Vertigo was trying to cover up some other plan."

"Well do you have any evidence to back up this hypothesis?" The Flash said. Nightwing hesitated.

"Well...no...but–"

"The how exactly are you so confident that Vertigo didn't just plan to assassinate the queen?" The Flash pressed on.

"When we go to the whereabouts of Vertigo, it was in an old apartment building. There were guards circling the perimeter and there were at least ten stories. Beta Squad – which consisted of Superboy, Beast Boy and Arsenal – created a distraction by engaging the guards in combat while Alpha Squad – Robin, Blue Beetle and Kid Flash – and Delta Squad – Batgirl, Wonder Girl and M'gann – proceeded to search the building. Delta Squad made the initial contact with Vertigo on the roof of the building. According to Batgirl, Vertigo took a computer before he manage to escape via helicopter. Alpha Squad then alerted the Team that there was a bomb set to go off in 5 minutes. The Team made it out before the building exploded yet Vertigo manage to get away. This mission is considered a failure." Nightwing concluded. "On the third missi–"

"Wait wait wait. Go back. I want to know about the Team's well being after the mission." Wonder Woman chimed in.

"The injuries were minor, a few burns, some cuts here and there, mostly more irritating than harmful." She informed.

"And where exactly were you during this mission? What was your part?" Wonder Woman asked.

"I was overseeing and directing the mission from base." Nightwing informed."

"So you weren't exactly there to see if Vertigo had a hidden agenda?" The Flash said. Nightwing frowned.

"No but I trust Batgirl's information on what she saw." The Flash just hummed in respond. There was silence for a few moments before Martian Manhunter spoke up.

"Nightwing, please proceed with the third mission briefing." She nodded her head in thanks. This meeting was definitely not going as smoothly as she had hoped. Wish for the best, prepare for the worst, she thought. Definitely wishing that this is over soon.

"The third, final and latest mission took place in Kazimierz Dolny, Poland. From the mission report, the mission itself seemed very basic. The Team went in to transport some files for new gamma radiation studies from the Polish Star Labs base to the base in Sweden. There was mandatory radio silence as there had been reports of thefts on various train on the same route. We did it as a saftey precaution in case they tapped the frequencies. To my knowledge, there were only a few bump ups but overall the mission was also a success." The League shared a look amongst the seven of them.

"You said 'to you knowledge'. Why?" Green Lantern questioned. Batman spoke up for the first time since the beginning of the briefing.

"I lead the Poland Mission. I informed Nightwing of the main details of the mission and that was all. Nightwing, begin the team analysis."

"As a group they seem the be functioning together quite nicely. They communicate clearly and if there is a problem, they usually sort it out amongst themselves quite frequently." Nightwing paused, a little hesitant to say the next part. "They do, however, seem to have authoritive issues whenever I am in charge. They blatantly ignore any advice I give them, whether it be during training or personal. This ultimately causes tension and them to lash out more often than not."

"And why exactly do you think that is?" Green Arrow said. It was obvious what he was implying.

"It seems that the older members are more hesitant to communicate with me alone than anything while the younger members are still dodgy on the decision to keep me in a leadership position."

"Well that certainly is understandable." Superman said.

"Excuse me?" Nightwing said quietly as she narrows her eyes.

"You've deceived your team on multiple occasions–"

"Superman that has nothing to do with–" Wonder Woman held her hand up to stop him so Superman could continue. Batman scowled at the princess for being cut off but Superman took no notice to either of them.

"–dating back even before the Invasion started. You've destroyed thousands of dollars worth of League property and equipment. You've not only traumatized the members of your team but also the family you decided to leave out on your plan for setting up a false murder of their loved one, Artemis Crock. You endangered the life of Kaldur'am should he have been discovered as a double agent. You would have been the cause of yet another death if you hadn't managed to find a way to bring Kid Flash back from the Speedforce. It seems as though that any and every decision you have made from the very beginning has had a hidden motive so it's reasonable and quite frankly understandable why the Team would have trouble communicating and trusting you." Superman stated.

"Are you quite done, Superman?" Batman asked dryly. Superman nodded.

"I've only said what needed to be said long ago." It took everything Nightwing had to hold back the disbelief she was feeling.

She looked around the room noticing that besides Batman, no one else disagreed with what the hero had just said. She couldn't believe it. She mentally scoffs. Even after all this time, all the things she had done to redeem herself, she was still faulty in their eyes. What part of the term war didn't they understand? I did it. We're alive. Why couldn't they see the logical steps she needed to take to ensure the world's survival? Well then. That's it. She was done explaining herself. The game of playing nice was finally over. This had gone on for far too long. She was so tired of it.

"Thank you, Nightwing. We will inform—"

"If you think I am such liability with my position as leader, Superman, then I suggest you revoke my title immediately." She states. Everyone stops at that, not expecting her to respond and certainly not respond with that.

"You...want me to revoke your position." Superman repeated hesitantly.

"No but if you see fit that I am incapable of leading this team that I'd rather you do it now. I wouldn't want to be the factor that holds the team back and though it may not seem so, I am a very busy woman. So I'll ask again, Superman. Do you want me to step down?" There was a pause before the man of steel responded.

"No." Was all he said. Nightwing nodded at the answer.

"Then I would advise you to keep any remarks to yourself from here on out. You saying things I already know isn't doing anyone any more good." She looked around the table slowly. "Anyone else have anything to add to the briefing?" Not a soul uttered a sound. "Then I suggest you all do the same." And with that Nightwing turned as walked out, making sure the door was completely shut on her way.

No one said a word and no one moved a muscle. Batman once again mentally sighed. This will not end well, he thinks as he observes his partners. He stared at the door his daughter just exited, trying hard not to shake his head while looking down at the files he was working on before the briefing. Especially if this signals what's to come.

~ Friday, September 22 2017 9:00 p.m ~

Five figures in five different locations walked with purpose towards a certain room and approach a screen. Each take precautions to make sure the room is secure, whether that be with locks, guns or soldiers. Once they are sure they won't be interrupted, they turn to the technology before them. They each look at the time and count down backwards.

...Ten...

...Nine...

...Eight...

...Seven...

...Six...

...Five...

...Four...

...Three...

...Two...

...One...

The video feed came to life.

"Is this waiting game really necessary?" A man dressed in an expensive green suit asked. "It's been a month since Poland. I suggest that this is the perfect opportunity to strike."

"As much as I hate to admit but I agree with Snow White over there. Just say the word and I'll gladly crush some skulls." A blond man in a gray masked drawled out from his position behind the man. He was just itching to get his claws wet.

"Vertigo and Sportmaster are right. We've set up all the pieces during the past two years very carefully." Queen Bee announced. You could hear her men working diligently in the background. Vandal Savage nodded in response.

"Patience. I'm sure Luthor's timing is reasonable."

"No need to worry, everyone. After intensive planning with L-2, the time to initiate Phase One is upcoming." Luthor told everyone, talking to a plasma screen in his office.

"Do you hear that Teekl? You'll get a crunchy little bite to eat soon." The witch boy purred to the feline in his lap.

"Soon indeed." A man agreed.

"Ah, yes. Reassurance wasn't the only purpose of this conference call." Luthor informed. Vandal nodded.

"Yes. L-2 has stepped up and shown impressive work during the past eleven months." Vandal said. The man smirked.

"Oh stop now, don't make me blush." he said. Luthor smirked at his companions retort.

"Ra's Al Ghul still currently recovering from his resurrection, he will remain inactive until further notice. L-2 will take his place." Luthor concluded. "Any objections?" No one said a word.

"My my isn't this going to be fun." Vertigo said, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Welcome to the light, L-2."

"I'm sure what is soon to come will be quite the treat?" Queen Bee said.

"I assure you, Queen Bee, it'll be to die for." Luthor assured.

"Almost as if a blue warbler will sing to my very tone." The man said. And what a treat it will be.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who reviewed in the last chapter. It really meant a lot to me considering I was so nervous putting it up. Thank you so much for your kind words, especially the lovely review PaintSpatterings left me. It was your kind words that really touched me. I love and read each and every review. Don't be afraid to leave one! Until Monday.

- The Aly E