A/N: This is probably the first story that I've actually taken the time to plan and mindmap and all that jazz, so please review and tell me what you think because I think this could end up being really good. I usually read the character's voices as I see them in the animated series, although this isn't based of that at all, so that's just what I'm going for.

This chapter is merely for scene setting purposes, the real action begins in Chapter 2, but please read this any way to get it all going! Rating is going to be T for language just in case.

"There was a war in heaven, and I won. Your future belongs to Darkseid now." - Darkseid

Gotham city was completely and utterly deserted. With a nuclear threat being confirmed, and sources claiming that the Joker was behind it, all civilian life had ceased and fled to the outskirts. The military had barred all access into the city with a perimeter encasing the contaminate zone completely. The only problem was, there was no explosion. No warning. No nationwide, televised 'Joker' message. Nothing. Standing at the focal point of the perimeter was General Steven Luceno of the United States Military. Beside him stood Batman, stoic as ever and gazing into his binoculars, pointed directly at the city.

"Still nothing" Genera Luceno said, "and it's been 3 hours." He looked at Batman, waiting for his response. The Dark Knight paused for a second.

"This can't be Joker. He wouldn't have gone to the trouble of acquiring a nuclear bomb and not made sure that I knew that it was him."

"And we have nothing." The General scratched his brow. In the distance, a foot soldier was sprinting towards them.

"Sir! Sir! You need to see this!" the young soldier said, handing the general an envelope. "its addressed to Batman." Batman stopped what he was doing and grabbed the envelope from the general's hands. It felt light, meaning it was merely paper. The stationary was very high quality. The handwriting was elegant, sophisticated and written in fountain pen. Batman pulled a small knife from his belt and flipped the letter over. The seal had an omega symbol stamped into it. Batman immediately put the envelope on the hood of the army truck and put his finger on his ear.

"This is Batman to all points. Code Red. Everyone available to my position, now!" Within minutes, 13 heroes had assembled alongside him; Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lanterns Hal and John, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, the Flash, Green Arrow, Zatanna, Hawkgirl, Huntress, Cyborg and Shazam. It was the best assembled team of superheroes since Braniac had invaded Star City last month.

"You think we'll be enough?" Green Arrow said, sarcastically.
"Maybe one more, 15 is a good number to for a team." Batman said, ignoring the sarcasm entirely. He pressed his finger on his ear once more. "Batman to Nightwing, we might need you here too."

"What for?" Nightwing replied over the comm.

"We need one more person on this team and I want one of my own on this" he replied.
"On my way. What's this about?" He asked.

"Best I tell you when you get here. Batman out."

Once Nightwing had arrived, he showed the envelope to Superman. Without a second glance, Superman scowled at the envelope and turned away from the group, clenching his fists hard enough to produce a diamond in his hand. After a few seconds, he turned around to face the group, with a look that could kill.

"Open it." Batman used his knife to slice through the seal and pulled out the paper inside. The paper read:

Dear Batman,

I trust you to be the wisest of your colleagues to I have entrusted you to make the first move. I am certain that if you have not already summoned the league to read this together, you are about to.

I will keep this short; I don't want to keep you waiting. If you and the other leaguers would be so kind as to make your way into Gotham and congregate at Robinson Park, you will find what you seek.

Much obliged,

D

Batman gritted his teeth together. He knew it was a trap, so did everyone else.

"We're still going in right?" Shazam said at the back of the crowd.
"Of course we are" replied Wonder Woman.
"Good luck!" the general said as they all made their way into the deserted city.

Robinson Park, much like the rest of Gotham at that moment, was very quiet. Huntress and Green Arrow covered the rooftops whilst Superman and the two lanterns hovered overhead. The rest of the leaguers were in the middle of the park, gathered around a round object. It looked like the computer terminal on the Watchtower, but it was black and red instead of blue, and it was hovering.

"I expected more" said a calm Martian Manhunter. Batman took out a scanner from his belt and examined the 'orb'.
"It's covered in tachyons." Batman said, backing away slightly. The rest of the group did as Batman did, knowing that if he backs away from something, it really isn't something to mess with.
"Tacky-what?" Huntress said, puzzled due to her lack of scientific knowledge.

"Tachyons are very rare and volatile particles that can travel through space, even through different dimensions. They could even take us with them when they next travel."

"Or bring something here," Batman interrupted. There was a silence that fell over the league while they contemplated their next move.

"At least we have something to do now. It's been over a week since any of us had anything big to deal with." Cyborg joked. Batman gave him a look as if to say 'not the best time'.

Suddenly the orb started to hum and whirr erratically. Superman shot down to protect the others from harm, but a beam shot out and up into the sky. The energy beam seemed to hit a point and then it started to spread out.

"It's a force-field." Flash said. Then another beam shot out and hit the floor. It then rose, slowly revealing the being behind it; first a set of coal black boots and culminating in the gargantuan head of Darkseid. Superman immediately lunged for him, but John Stewart sent a green rope construct to pull him back.
"Easy Kal" He said, as Superman restrained himself.
"Greetings Justice League," the booming voice said.

"Darkseid." Superman said, almost snarling.

"Please Kal-El, don't flatter yourself. I am not here for only you." Darkseid said with an arrogant tone. "As the most powerful being in the galaxy, I am not often challenged. However, I am always open to anyone who can try."

"So you've come to fight us again? For sport" Batman said angrily.

"Oh no" Darkseid laughed. You won't be fighting me." Darkseid then raised his hand, and a third beam struck the floor beside him. "I'm sure Highfather has told you of Takion?" Darkseid said smugly. Superman suddenly looked very worried.

"I have harnessed his atomic shapeshifting powers to construct a tournament in my honour. You should be proud that I have chosen Earth as the battleground!"

The third beam then revealed Takion, standing in his golden suit of New Genesis armour, shackled and restrained. Darkseid then put his hand on his shoulder and Takion screamed in agony. A light shot out that blinded the leaguers. Batman shielded himself in his cape. The Green Lanterns protected everyone else in a giant bubble, but all efforts failed and they all were bluntly knocked into unconsciousness.

The first to awake was Shazam, who found himself and the other heroes in what looked like a military bunker. There was dirt and leaves everywhere, and the only source of light was an open door at the top of a flight of stairs. Shazam scratched his head and pondered waking the others up. He decided to investigate the door. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he couldn't believe what he saw. Gotham was a complete wasteland, broken buildings everywhere, no sign of any life. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a new building in the distance. It was Wayne Manor, except this twisted image was no playboy manor house; this was Darkseid's throne room; fiery pillars and statues in Darkseid's honour. As he turned around, he heard something that even with the courage of Achilles, made him jump.

"SHAZAM!"

A/N: So what did you think? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I'll be bringing in some reader voting in later chapters so stick around!