Hi ppl! SAND TORRENT here. I'm super excited about this story! It's gonna be AWESOME!

New York City

Richard Grayson was nervous. No... not exactly nervous. More like... apprehensive. The Reach had already won the hearts of the people. They had the press on their side. Making a speech against them in the United Nations building was going to be tough. As he made his way to the podium, he felt the eyes of the crowd on him. He heard clamors and excited whispers. "Nightwing- it's him- oh my god-" Richard blocked out all of the voices and took his place behind the podium. The Reach's ambassador walked up to him and turned to the crowd. "Here, we have Nightwing. He has graciously offered to set aside some of his time to sign our contract. This will bring about a new era of peace, in which the Reach and humans can coexist in an intergalactic society." Nightwing sighed. "I'm not here to sign your contract, ambassador."

The ambassador raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Our vision of an ideal society does not appeal to you? We will live together in harmony. The human race will flourish not only on Earth, but on other planets. Your population would expand greatly, and your economy would thrive due to intergalactic trade. We have the resources and the means to allow you to accomplish this. I do not see why you refuse our offer." Nightwing glared at the ambassador. "I think you know why, ambassador. We both know the real reason that the Reach is on Earth. You're intergalactic conquerors who are trying to subjugate the people of Earth, by making them think your goals are noble."

The ambassador laughed. "And why would we do that? We are a peaceful race. We are diplomats, traders. We would never think of doing such a thing. Also, why would we employ such a method to take over your planet? Why not use brute force?" Nightwing turned to the audience. "Because the Green Lantern Corps forced the Reach into a pact. You can only take over a planet if that planet's inhabitants willingly accept your rule."

The ambassador narrowed his eyes. "And where did you... learn this lie?" Nightwing turned back to him. "The Justice League's database." The ambassador smiled again. "I think that I've had enough of this. Your claims are preposterous, and have an insufficient amount of evidence to support them. I think we're done here." Two guards walked across the stage to Nightwing. "Sorry, sir. But you have to leave this event." Nightwing scowled and looked over his shoulder at the ambassador. "This isn't over, ambassador."

Rimbor

Batman sighed. The six heroes were walking to the Bat-ship. They had been cleared of all charges, due to Batman finding camera footage of Vandal Savage mind controlling the League. It was quite handy to have a wrist computer that could tap into the Watchtower's previous security footage. The authorities in charge found the League innocent, and offered their apologies. Still, something was amiss... "What's wrong?" Superman inquired. The Dark Knight turned. "What do you mean?" Superman's lip curled. "You're obviously in deep thought about something. Anything wrong?" Batman scowled. "Something's wrong, Superman. I have a feeling that something happened in that courtroom." Superman raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you mean?"

"I mean that I saw money changing hands. Rimbor's currency. The judge recieved money from a source unknown to me. He was sitting in the back of the room. When the judge called for a break, I noticed our suspect give the judge money. I didn't see his face." Superman let out a deep breath. "But our names have been cleared. And that's what matters."

The heroes continued walking, and the Bat-ship soon came into sight. Batman narrowed his eyes. "Wait." Several dozens of aliens were shooting at the Bat-ship with laser firearms. Wonder Woman flew up to the Bat-ship and stood on top of it. "What are you doing?" she asked menacingly. The aliens stopped shooting, and started frantically speaking in Interlac. Batman walked up to the ship. "I suggest that you all stand aside and let us pass. We intend to get back to our home planet."

"Sorry, Batman," a voice from above said. "But the deal has been made. You will not leave Rimbor." The Caped Crusader looked up. "Judge," he stated calmly. "Who paid you to do this?" The judge descended in his pod-like vehicle, revealing a translating mechanism on the pod. "Sorry, Earthling. That is confidential information." Green Lantern raised his hand, and his ring glowed. "Then, we have a problem." Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl rose up into the air, their attention on the judge. Hawkgirl drew her mace. The Man of Steel followed suit, glaring at the aliens.

The judge laughed. "Kill them!" The aliens raised their guns.

Undisclosed location

The Boy of Steel woke with a start. Where the hell was he? What was going on? He tried to get his bearings. He was in a storage room, locked in some sort of containment pod, not unlike a Cadmus pod. An inhibitor collar was on his neck. He slammed against the edge of the container, but to no avail. Without his Kryptonian strength, he had no chance of breaking out. Superboy growled in frustration. Then, it all came crashing down on him. Blue Beetle. That traitor had sent him here.

He had trusted him. A mistake. "Aaaaaaaaargh!" Superboy bellowed. He continued to pound his fists against the pod, until his hands started bleeding profusely. He swore under his breath. When he got out of the damn pod, Blue Beetle would pay.

What had happened? All he remembered was a white flash. Blinding pain. Then, he woke up in the pod. The sound of footsteps jerked Superboy out of his daze. He looked up to see Blue Beetle standing in front of his pod. "BLUE! GET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN POD, OR I SWEAR I'LL RIP YOU IN HALF!" Blue Beetle narrowed his eyes. "Lo siento, hermano. But I can't do that. Now, go back to sleep." Blue Beetle raised his hand, which morphed into a cannon. Blue waves of energy washed over Superboy. Within seconds, he was asleep again.

War World

Arsenal collapsed, exhausted. He should never have panicked. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! He had run away from Blue Beetle. He was a coward. A bloody coward. Who was he kidding? He didn't deserve a place on the team. He was a rookie with a robotic arm. He might as well have been a civilian!

No. He couldn't dwell on it. He had to find his way back to the edge of the world. Then, he would take an escape pod to Earth. But every turn he had taken, every corner he had rounded, only led to dead ends. And he always ended back there. A bright orange room with various pieces of alien technology scattered about.

Arsenal was hungry and fatigued. If he didn't find his way out soon, he would die.

Metropolis

Lex Luthor looked out over the jewel of the East Coast. The home of Superman. Dozens of other titles. But to Luthor, Metropolis was just an investment. Nothing more. He was standing on the roof of a LexCorp building, contemplating how his business would skyrocket after the Reach's plan was carried out.

Then, Luthor's phone rang. He pressed the talk button and held it to his ear. "Ra's. I presume that you did not call on social reasons?"

"Unfortunately not, Lex. I wanted to give you a message. Tell the ambassador that we are ready. The final part of the plan can be carried out."

Luthor smiled. "Very well, Ra's." Luthor pocketed his phone, still smiling. Soon, everyone would see the Light.

Gotham City

Blackhawk looked out over the Gotham skyline. Something was terribly wrong. He didn't know how, or when. All he knew was that Gotham City was in flames.

O.o What will happen to the Leaguers on Rimbor?

Where exactly is Superboy?

What is the Reach's plan?

Who is Blackhawk?

Stay tuned to find out!

CHEESE!