Chapter One

Who Needs the Justice League?

All over the country, no, the world, people turned to their TVs, tuned their radios, all waiting to hear what Superman had to say.

--

Superman had never had trouble talking to crowds. It was easy for him, because he was confident, and the words flowed freely. This was partially because he usually had a pre-planned speech that he would practice until it was perfect, but still.

Today however… today was different. As he gazed across the restlessly shifting crowd, he could not force himself to speak the robotic words that he had prepared. Those words mean nothing, he thought bitterly. Just emotionless blather.

Superman decided to forget the speech, and 'wing it'. He smiled faintly. That was something Wally would have said.

Superman took a deep breath, and began.

--

The red-haired man sat in the dimly lit bar, with a friend and a glass of whiskey.

As he brought the glass to his lips, his eyes strayed to the TV in the corner above the bar.

The camera was focused on Superman, and in the background he could see the rest of the 'Big Seven'. No, one was missing. His brow furrowed with worry. He hoped the speedster was alright. Probably just injured…

The man focused back on Superman as the hero began to speak.

"Several years ago, when there was still only – still only the seven of us, we were taken captive by a Justice League from an alternate universe – the Justice Lords. Their world was perfect. The streets were clean, there was no crime – but the people were afraid. The Flash is the conscience, probably of every Justice League in every universe. When their universe's Flash was killed, they crossed a line. They learned to kill.

"Our Flash never agreed to the building of the laser. He said it was too much power. He was overruled, which in itself says that we've already started down the path of the Justice Lords." Superman took a deep breath, before continuing. "Yesterday, Lex Luthor and Brainiac fused together to create one, god-like body. We were all down… all except for Flash. He… he destroyed Brainiac, but was killed in the process."

The glass of whiskey fell from the red-haired man's grasp, and shattered on the floor.

"Shame," said the man's companion while lighting a cigarette. "He was a likeable kid. For a superhero." He paused, seeing the look on his friend's face. "You alright, Rudy?

Rudy did not hear him. He did not hear anything, except for the blood pounding in his ears.

"Oh… God," he finally choked out, stumbling to his feet. "Oh God."

His friend frowned at him. "Rudy? You're taking this pretty hard. Here, have another drink."

Rudy shook his head numbly. The Flash… his son… was dead.

--

"… Killed in the process."

Silence. Complete and utter silence.

Then, somewhere in the crowd, Superman heard the Question whisper, "Armageddon."

This prompted Superman to finish his speech. "As a result, we are disbanding the Justice League."

"What?!"

"We can't disband!"

"I think it's the right decision…"

One voice cut above the rest.

"So that's it? You're just going to give up?" Green Arrow strode forward so that he was standing in front of the crowd. "You remember what we did yesterday? We saved the world – again. Hell, from what I hear, Flash practically saved the universe. You don't think that has any value? Look, I see what you're getting at with the whole Justice Lords concept, but I don't think that's an issue. Not anymore. Not with us-" he gestured to the crowd of heroes, "-watching. So if you want to quit anyway, fine, we'll throw you a parade, but the Justice League goes on. The world needs the Justice League, and the Justice League needs you, Superman."

"The Justice League needs Flash!" Question shouted. "Armageddon!"

"The Justice League," Zatanna cut in smoothly, "needs everyone it can get. Flash was an important member, but we don't have him anymore, so we'll just have to deal with it. The Justice League will fall apart without you leading us, Superman, and as Green Arrow said – the world needs the Justice League."

A/N: I have an illustration for the prologue! It is here: http://agentgecko(dot)deviantart(dot)com/art/Force-Prologue-108409576. I'm going to be doing at least one illustration for each chapter. :D