In space the Earth hung glittering like a precious gem in all its natural glory. A white mass of light appeared out of nowhere and enveloped the planet. The lights were invisible to the people of Earth, but they all of sudden felt a great sense of righteousness sweep through them. For a single moment hope seem to shine on this world. The lights came together and formed a ball of pulsating energy and descended towards the East Coast. The ball of light landed in the center of Gotham Park and shifted into the form of a young girl. She was Star, a member of the race known as Entities and she had come a long way to inspect Earth.
So far what she had discovered wasn't encourageble. When she had merged with the planet she felt it cry out in pain from all the pollution, wars, and disease that were plaguing it. Everything that could be considered evil was present here and in high concentration. The people of Earth had lost their way in the big scheme of things. She focused her powers and let her mind drift from person to person. She could feel the hopelessness and despair many felt around the world. The governments of the planets were falling apart, crime rate was higher all of the world, and the human race was at odds more and more with one another and refusing to settle their own problems let alone the ones with alien worlds. "Things have really fallen apart in the twenty years I have been gone." Star said softly as she began strolling through the park. Time flowed differently for her. For humans two decades may seem like a long time but for her they had passed in the blink of an eye.
She saw a mugger trying to steal a women's purse. As he passed her she made a small gesture with her hand and suddenly the thief was stopped by an invisible force field. The police arrived and she smiled. "At least some humans are still dedicated to fighting for their planet. But I fear that the evil in this world has grown too much and is too strong. If something isn't done soon the planet is doomed." Star said to herself as she continued her walk.
She finally reached her destination. A secluded clearing in the park with an old oak tree in the middle of it surrounded by a group of maple trees. She held out her hand palm flat and from there ten bubbles of light appeared. Each bubble contained the image of a child. She looked at them one by one and smiled. Twenty years ago the League had disbanded and the world fell into chaos. These ten kids were the Earth's not to mention their realities only salvation if only they were ready. All their lives she had been there guiding them, protecting them, encouraging them. But she had never directly interfered with their lives as it was forbidden. They must each willingly do what she hoped they do. With a wave of her hand the images disappeared. Almost all the pieces were in place. Soon it would begin.
"I sense that you are near by sister Nova. Why not start our little game." Star thought her voice echoing everywhere.
"Everything is set up. The game board is ready, we each have our pieces, and both of us knows what's at stake. The future of this reality continuous existence and the consequences of the actions from either side winning and losing the game. I hope that you remember the rules and don't try to bend or break them for your own reasons." Nova thought back to her. Although she hadn't chosen to take a corporal form her presence filled the area.
"Rest assured I will play fair and see that you do as well. Just make sure that your pieces are ready to play in the final round seeing as I have to get my team there." Star replied steadily.
"It's not my fault my time table was faster then yours. Its time to see if everything you've been planning for the last twenty years comes to labor. I hope that your pieces understand and our prepared for all of this. Meeting you, discovering their true destiny, and finally battling it out for the ultimate victory. They aren't even a real team yet. How do you even know they will play? Are you willing to risk everything on the sake of a vision you saw?" Nova asked.
" I am Nova. They are ready for this there's no doubt about it. All their lives they have been prepared for this challenge whether they realize it our not. I have never been wrong about a person and I don't intend to start now. These ten children are the most dedicated and worthy people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. No other team deserves this honor as much as they do. They will play and I believe that they will exceed not only my expectations, but also yours. So sit tight. The game is about to begin." Star said ending her conversation with her sister.
She reproduced the globes of light and was waiting anxiously for the right moment so that she may begin. When the final piece was found she would activate her powers and in turn the children would be transferred to the playing field. She hoped they wouldn't hate her too much for this.
In the middle of old Gotham the Batmobile was circling around the old buildings. Wayne Enterprise had purchased the entire historical district and was in the middle of renovations. But some punks were vandalizing the place at night. Bruce wanted the two of them to check it out and put a stop to it.
"I don't believe this. I had to cancel another date with Dana because of this. This isn't fair. Where does he get off telling us what we can and can't do? Its not like he's our father." Batman muttered angrily as he ran a scan over the area.
"Bruce has his reasons Terry. I know that he may seem rough and unemotional at times but you got to accept that's who he is. He just orders us around like this because he cares. Where like family to him and he doesn't want to lose that. He doesn't want to take the place of our father okay? I'm sure that Dana understands why you've been so busy lately. Besides you're not the only one missing out on something. I was suppose to be taking part in a gymnastic Exbo tonight, but I had to cancel at the last minute. You don't think I'm not disappointed? Well I guess it comes with being Batgirl. I'm detecting no usual heat signatures. Maybe we should do a fly by and check out the area on foot see what it turns up." Batgirl suggested.
"Good idea. I'll have the Batmobile on stand by incase we need its help. Hey Wayne you alive tonight?" Batman asked pressing his communicator link.
"Very funny you two. What's your status? Have you found the saboteurs?" Bruce asked. Ace was lying down on the floor next to his master. Both of them were anxious to her what the twins discovered.
"No we haven't discovered anything yet Bruce. Where going in for a closer look. Don't worry will make sure to be careful and will keep in contact at all times. Batgirl out."
The two of them descend down from the skies and split up and began searching the area for possible clues that could lead them to their suspects. After fifteen minutes of searching they were getting frustrated. There seemed to be nothing here that would indicate what was going on. "I'm ready to turn it in. We've got homework to do and there still might be time to go do our stuff if we hurry. You want to call it a night?" Batman asked her.
"Five more minutes Batman. Lets make one last sweep then will call it a night. I'm sure Bruce can't object to that. Your near the theater go check it out. I'll meet you there in three." Batgirl replied.
Sighing loudly he began searching through the alleyways. "Is every place in Gotham treated like a garbage dump? Hey what's this?" Batman asked as he picked up something shining. He began to inspect it carefully. It was a necklace of some sort. The chain seemed to be made out of pure gold but it felt very light. Hanging on the chain was blue pointy crystal of some unknown substance. (Think of Disney Atlantics crystals and you got it.) Batgirl arrived and he showed it to her. As he turned the crystal over he saw that it had the old symbol for Batman on it.
"Hey Bruce turn on your vid link for a sec. I found something unusual in the alley by the theater. It seems to be a necklace of some sort. It has a blue crystal with your symbol on it. I'm going to put it on." Batman said over the link.
Something about that description sounded awfully familiar to him. Suddenly he knew what that necklace was and what it meant. "Terry no! Don't put on the necklace!" Bruce shouted frantically, but all he was getting was static.
Batman slipped the necklace around him. It felt strange to wear it put the feeling quickly passed. Suddenly the crystal began glowing bright blue. A blue light shot out from the tip and hit Batgirl's heart. Suddenly she was wearing an identical necklace. Both were incased in a bright blue light. They screamed loudly as they vanished from sight.
Meanwhile across town in her apartment Max Gibson was working on her new computer program. She was trying to design a search engine that could interact with alien computer systems, but with little luck. She shivered in the night air. Ever since she had been partially spliced she had been more susceptible to the cold. She got up off her bed and strolled over to close the window. Suddenly she felt very dizzy and she collapsed to the floor. She glowed bright blue for a second and a ball of light came out of her body. It hovered over her for a second then vanished.
In New York City Athena was having a heated conversation with the landlady of her building. "What do you mean I have one week to vacate the property? This penthouse has been paid for by my father I own it. You've never had any complaints against me before. So what's the problem?" she demanded
"I'm sorry Ms. Themyscira, but the apartment has failed in both safety and health inspection. The people from the construction company are coming in a week to tear this place down. You have to vacate immediately. I'm sure that you and your bird can find a place near your school. Now good night." The landlady said saying goodbye.
Athena stormed into her living room and fell on top of the sofa. "What am I suppose to do? I've never had to find myself a place to stay or anything else like that before. Father already planned and paid for everything. With the first quarter almost up at school I don't have time to find another place!" Athena screamed into the pillow.
Suddenly she heard a screech and removed the pillow from her face. Ulysses had landed on her crystal coffee table with a small parcel attached to his leg. She undid the bag and opened it up. Out fell her mother's crystal necklace. She was surprised. She had never seen her mother take this off. It was like it was a part of her. There was note. It read: Dear Athena. I thought that you might need this crystal to help guide you on your journey. Whenever you hold it think of me and I'll be there with you. Love Mother." Shrugging her shoulders she slipped on the necklace. The instant it was around her neck she started to glow bright blue. "No what's happening to me?" she screamed as she vanished from sight.
Lucas was playing one on one against Carol. Lucas had the ball and was trying to get around Carol so he could score, but she wasn't letting him through. He faked right, and then left made for right but continued past her on the left and dunked the ball. "I win! Oh man you should of seen your face when I got past you." Lucas crowed.
Carol toweled herself off and took off her sweatbands. "That was a great game. You're seriously improving. Hey what's that? I've never seen you wearing jewelry before." She commented.
Lucas looked down at his necklace. "Its my Dad's. He just gave it to me this morning. It's weird because he always wears it even when he's sleeping. Mom says it was a gift from a special friend. He said it was my turn to wear it. Look I'm going to stay a little longer and work on my jump shot. I'll see you tomorrow." Carol nodded and hopped on her bike. She didn't see the flash of blue light or hear Lucas cry out as he vanished from sight.
Clark was trying to finish his article for the Daily Planet, but the pounding music from the guest bedroom was distracting him. Wondering what in the world Kara could be up to in there he strolled into the room and his jaw dropped. Kara was painting a mural on the ceiling. "Kara El what do you think your doing?" Clark asked in disbelief.
"Oh what sorry Dad. I was just using the guest bedroom as my art studio. I saw how drape it was in hear so I decided to fix it up. I hope you're not mad." Kara said landing on the floor. Putting down her paintbrushes she looked at him. "What? You said we needed to paint this room?"
"This isn't what I meant. Kara your seventeen years old not seven! Your suppose to be more responsible than this. That's why I gave you that crystal necklace. It's very important to me and I want you to take care of it while your mother and our out tonight." Clark told her as she past him to go clean up in the bathroom.
"Yeah like he really thinks I'm not responsible enough to take care of some dumb necklace. What is so important about this thing anyways? It doesn't look that important to me." Kara muttered. She soon found out how important it was when she disappeared in a flash of light. Clark had seen it and knew that it must be time. "Be careful Kara."
Up in the Watchtower the J'onns were busy repairing some of the old systems. The Watchtower hadn't been updated in years and was in real need of repairs. J'onn was outside fixing the satellite relay system while Marsha was tinkering with the generator trying to make sure they had enough power to stay afloat. J'osse was running diagnostics on computers, but was having trouble concentrating.
"Why do I have to be doing this? I mean I could be working on my newest invention or studying comets, but no I'm repair an outdate space station. At least I have Father's crystal so I don't feel lonely." J'osse said as he finished running his diagnostics. He turned to give his mother his report as she exited the elevator when he felt himself disappearing. He let out a psychic cry, but it was unheard.
In Central City Wally were telling the members of the cross-country team that practice was over and they should all head home. Both Gordon and him were putting the equipment they used away. "That was some practice. You did well today. I hope you continue with the good work."
"Yeah thanks for the encouragement Dad. Can I go home now? I have homework to do and other stuff. You can handle doing this stuff without me." Gordon said. His dad agreed and he took off for home. As he ran he couldn't help but feel the simple joy it brought him. No one saw him faded away as he ran.
Shania was just getting off from her volunteer job at the hospital. She was a candy striper and worked very hard. "There you go Mrs. Johnson. I hope you're comfortable. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Take good care of yourself child. Have a good evening and that's a pretty necklace." Mrs. Johnson replied.
"I will be careful. You just take care of yourself and I'm glad that you like the necklace." Shania said as she left the hospital. Once she rounded the corner and saw that no one was there she sprouted her wings and flew home.
"This was a great day. I can't believe that nothing went wrong today. I love volunteering at hospitals and stuff like that. It helps prepare for me for one day when I have to go and save Thanagar. Hey what in the world? No!" Shania screamed as she was engulfed in a blue light that took her away.
Deep below the ocean waves in the city of Atlantics Princess Marina was asleep in her bedroom. It had been a long hard day dealing with Reef's project, talking with her parents, and a lot of other stuff. Now she was just trying to rest. Then just like all the others she glowed blue. But instead of disappearing her body remained while a white ball of light rose up out of her body and vanished without a trace.
Then ten teenagers screamed as they were thrown through a loop through a swirling vortex of color. As they went images filled their mind. Past events dealing with their own history that of their parents and people they didn't know. It was like they were experiencing all of time at the same time. Finally they world stopped spinning around them and they were each deposited uncermonesly in the past. They were knocked out by the fall.
Meanwhile in the future Star stared up in the sky. Her arms dropped down to her side. She had made her first move of the game and was staring intently at the board waiting to see what was next. She hoped that her team would survive all of the dangers that were coming their way. "The game has begun. I hope that everything works out in the end." Star whispered. Without so much as saying a word she simply faded away leaving the clearing as it once was.