The Flash arrived in the lobby of the United Nations' building, papers flying everywhere as he came to a stop. In his arms was the unconscious form of Jade, who had passed out after a massive jolt of energy surged through her body.

“IneedWatchtoweraccessimmediatelythiswomanneedshelprightawaysostartbootingupthetransporter!”

“Slow down, son!” said one of the guards. “We can't understand a word you're saying.”

“Okay, but we need to do this quickly,” he said. “I'm the Flash, member of the Justice League and I need immediate access to your Watchtower transporter. See this woman? This is Jade, one of our new members and she needs to be checked out by the Watchtower's medical systems.”

“Right this way,” said the guard, leading the way to the elevators. Once the elevator arrived at its destination, the Flash moved over to the transporter tubes, still cradling Jade's body.

“Boot up the transporter, I need Watchtower access immediately.”

“That...may be a problem,” said one of the technicians.

The Flash grimaced. “Look, maybe I'm not making myself clear. I need to get Jade to the Watchtower immediately. She was attacked by something, some sort of energy feedback and the Justice League needs to investigate. Patience comes difficult to a guy who can think at the speed of light, and that patience is waring very thin when one of my friends may be in danger.”

“I understand that, except we have a problem,” said the technician. He motioned to a large monitor. “Look at this. In order to facilitate transporter access, we remain linked to the Watchtower's computers twenty-four/seven. Except now, for what may be the first time since the Watchtower's construction, there's no connection, no signal, nothing.”

“What does that mean?” asked the Flash.

“Normally, it would mean someone has simply disabled the transporter, except it's much worse than that.”

“Show me,” said the Flash.

“We have satellites that monitor the Watchtower so we can stay in visual contact as well, in case of emergencies,” said the technician.

“And also to keep an eye on us.”

“Just like you monitor us?” asked the technician. The Flash remained silent as the technician entered some commands and linked to the satellite cameras. “There.”

The Flash shook his head. “There what? I don't see anything other than the lunar surface. You have this at the right angle?”

“That's exactly my point,” said the technician. “This is the exact location of the Watchtower.”

“So where is it?”

“That's what we'd like to know as well,” said the technician. “The Watchtower has simply vanished without a trace, like it was never there at all.”

	The World's Greatest Superheroes! BLACKEST NIGHT Part Two
JLA #51 June, Year Seven	by Dino Pollard

MARTIAN MANHUNTER	SUPERMAN	THE BATMAN	THE FLASH	ARSENAL	JADE
STEEL	BIG BARDA	MR. MIRACLE	ZAURIEL	AZTEK	MANITOU RAVEN

Steelworks

Once he was out of the harness, Aztek moved to Steel's location, looking over his armored teammate's shoulder. “You wanna run that by me again?” he asked.

“This...this isn't possible,” said Steel. “But our galaxy...maybe the entire universe...is shrinking.”

“How could the entire universe shrink?” asked Aztek.

“It's...it's a theory, more like speculation, really,” said Steel. “The universe was created by the Big Bang, right? A massive surge of energy that then began a massive expansion across the universe.”

“Right...depending on who you ask.”

“What happens when you stretch out a rubber band and then let it go?” asked Steel.

“It snaps back.”

“Exactly. This is the basic idea behind the theory—or more speculation, really—of the Big Crunch. That one day, gravitational forces will cause the universe to stop expanding and then begin to contract until everything is crushed together and sucked into black holes. But even if this theory is true, it's not supposed to happen for millions, maybe even billions of years. And when it does happen, it's not supposed to be this rapid.”

“That means someone else is behind this,” said Aztek.

“I'm already getting in touch with the big leagues.” He opened a communication channel. “Steelworks to Watchtower, do you copy?”

On the monitor screen was nothing but snow and the sound of static coming from the speakers. Steel tried again. “Steelworks to Watchtower, do you copy?”

“Problems?”

“I'm not getting any response from the Watchtower,” said Steel. “This isn't possible...”

“Yeah, you said that already,” said Aztek. He tried his own comm-link. “Aztek to Watchtower, do you copy?”

The sound of static came again and Aztek looked at Steel, shrugging. “Guess it's not your equipment that's the problem.”

“No, it has to be a result of the Crunch,” said Steel. “I'm trying to contact STAR Labs, maybe they've got some insight that can help us with this situation. Steelworks to STAR Labs, do you copy? I need to speak to Emil Hamilton immediately.”

The image of Emil Hamilton appeared on the monitor. {I hate to be rude, Steel. I usually enjoy our chats, but right now, we're a little busy.}

“Let me guess, massive gravitational flux? Rising atmospheric temperatures? Raging storms? Satellite coordinates completely off?”

{Well...yes. I take it you have some insight?}

“I think we're looking at the Big Crunch, Emil.”

{But that's impossible.}

“Yeah, we covered that part,” said Aztek.

“Is there anything else you can tell us?” asked Steel. “Something you can figure out?”

{Unfortunately no, we're as in the dark as you are and any attempts to contact the Watchtower have failed.}

“We know, I think it's the result of the Crunch.”

{No, I don't think so. Our scanners pick up no trace of the Watchtower—like it never even existed.}

Steel looked at Aztek. “Meaning that whoever's behind this has the foresight to get rid of the JLA first.”

“Leaving the universe defenseless,” said Aztek.

“To hell with that,” said Steel. “Steelworks to Oracle, do you copy?”

{I have a feeling I know what this is about.}

“I want you to link me in to as many metas as possible, can you do that?”

{Done, you're on.}

“This is Steel, JLA Priority Level Omega Five. We've lost contact with the Watchtower and Superman, Batman and the Martian Manhunter have lost contact. I'm taking command of the Justice League as of now and ordering all members and reservists to be on high alert. People, we've got a Crisis-level situation on our hands. Stay in touch with Oracle and get out there and start saving some lives.”

Steel closed the channel and Aztek watched as the armored man assembled his sledge hammer. “You think that will help?” he asked.

“Buy us some time, at least,” said Steel.

“And what are we gonna do?” asked Aztek. “No offense, but you're a guy in a fancy suit and I'm a guy with a fancy helmet. Kind of hard for us to push the universe back into order.”

“I'm just getting myself prepared,” said Steel. “If nothing else, we should be out there helping people.”

“No, your place is here,” said Aztek. “You're one of the smartest men on the planet, and if anyone's going to figure it out, it's going to be you. I'll get out there in the streets and do the grunt work, all this astrology stuff—”

“Astronomy.”

“Right, astronomy stuff is over my head. I'm no good to you in here.”

*BOOM*

With a sound of god, the thunderous boom was paired with a massive surge of light and Steel and Aztek looked to see bright, white energy circling out of a single point. A woman emerged from the alien portal, clad in battle armor and holding a weapon in her right hand.

“I wouldn't be too certain of that, Aztek,” said Big Barda. “You may well be the key to finding our missing teammates.”

The Batcave

The Batman and Manitou Raven emerged from the transporter tube located in the Batcave. Once they stepped out, Raven's eyes scanned the strange cave with a mixture of curiosity and amazement.

“So this is the Underworld...” he said.

“The words are accurate, but the meaning behind them is off.” The Batman moved towards the large Cray computer set up in the cave with Raven following close behind.

“This is how it begins,” said Manitou Raven. “The Crisis to end all Crises.”

“I don't think so,” said the Batman, sitting at the computer. “I've seen these types of threats in the past and we always come out on top at the end.”

“At least as far as your memory is concerned,” said Raven.

The Batman glanced over his shoulder. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Raven leaned against his staff. “Your memories have been altered. You've forgotten of The Worlds That Were. Infinite Earths, at once like a spiral one could traverse with ease. Then slammed together as one.”

“You're talking nonsense,” said the Batman.

“Am I?”

“Other worlds hold no interest for me, I'm just worried about this one.”

“You, in particular, are one of the biggest contradictions I've encountered, Batman.”

“Should I be honored or insulted?”

Manitou Raven's eyes went blank as he absent-mindedly circled his fingers. “A grim avenger...a colorful superhero...a traveler of worlds...all of these are things you have called yourself in your life.”

“...right.”

“You doubt me?” asked Raven.

“You can believe whatever you want,” said the Batman. “Just don't expect me to buy it.”

Manitou Raven approached the Batman from behind, looking down at the Dark Knight. “You do not know the truth behind your existence. And perhaps you never shall. Perhaps none of you will, and that may be for the best.”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“Because this is the beginning of a new Crisis, launched by one who does remember The Worlds That Were. Although I sense he will not live long enough to see it end.”

{Batman!}

“Oracle, thank god,” muttered the Batman. “Give me a situation report.”

{The Watchtower's missing, Steel declared himself the League's temporary leader and told all reservists we're facing a Crisis-level threat.}

Raven remained stoic but the Batman could feel his eyes on him. “What about the Watchtower?” he asked Oracle. “What do you mean it's missing?”

{I mean just that, not only have we lost all contact with the Watchtower, but it's as if it was never there in the first place. Someone has erased it from existence.}

“Steel made the right call,” said the Batman. “Get in touch with him, STAR Labs, Ray Palmer and anyone else who can tell me what the hell is going on.”

{I'm on it. Oracle out.}

The Batman could still feel Manitou Raven's eyes on him. “This doesn't justify your insane ramblings, so don't even think of saying 'I told you so.'”

*BOOM*

The Batman and Manitou Raven turned at the sound of the gods, watching as a Boom Tube opened in time and space, and a man hovered into the Batcave, held aloft by discs beneath each foot, his cape flowing behind him.

“Would it feel better if it came from me?” asked Mr. Miracle.

A slight smirk cracked the Batman's stone face. “I'd still be suspicious. Good to see you again. Manitou Raven, this is—”

“One of the old gods, reborn in a new form,” said Raven.

“Mr. Miracle is fine,” said Scott Free. “I understand you've got some problems, Batman.”

“The Watchtower vanished, the universe on the brink of extinction, mass chaos in the streets,” said the Batman.

“So just another Wednesday, eh?” asked Mr. Miracle.

“More or less.”

New York City

“Flash!”

The Flash turned to see Arsenal entering the transporter center, dressed in costume. “Got here as fast as I could,” he said. “Did you get Steel's message?”

“Yeah, I did,” said the Flash. “Something bad is happening here.”

“It's...about to get worse...”

The Flash and Arsenal looked down at Jade, whom Wally still held in his arms. She began to stir to consciousness. “What happened?” asked the Flash.

“Power surge...an unbelievable power surge,” said Jade. The Flash set her down, but kept his hands on her back and arm to steady her. She found her footing fairly quickly, however.

“What are we looking at here?” asked Arsenal.

“It was like being struck by all the force of the Oa power battery at once,” said Jade.

“But I thought you weren't a real Green Lantern like that,” said Arsenal.

“I'm not, but Oa and the Starheart are connected,” she said. “That connection was severed after...”

“After Hal,” said the Flash. “Why would it suddenly have been reestablished?”

“Only two things I can think of,” said Jade. “Either the power battery has somehow been recharged. Or...”

“...or Hal's back,” said Arsenal.

“Except is it Hal or is it Parallax?” asked the Flash.

{Oracle to Justice League, do you copy?}

The Flash put his hand to his ear, activating his comm-link. “Go ahead, Oracle.”

{Something strange is happening right now. At the Coast City memorial.}

“That's...just about the worst news I could've heard all day,” said the Flash.

Gotham City

Oracle watched in shock at the monitor display, not believing the readings she was getting. “You can say that again,” she said.

{What's going on with Coast City?} asked the Flash.

“There's a massive surge of power, the same kind of energy signature that was left in the wake of the Watchtower's disappearance,” she said. “And because of that...Coast City is back.”

{What do you mean 'back'?}

“Just that,” said Oracle. “The entire city—buildings, homes, even people—they're all back.”

The Watchtower

J'onn J'onzz watched in shock as one by one, all of the Watchtower's systems shut down as Superman and Zauriel returned to the monitor womb. The Manhunter from Mars barely acknowledged them, just kept his eyes focused on what was happening to the Watchtower.

“We searched the entire Watchtower, I even swept through a second time,” said Superman. “No one else is here except us. Tell me you were able to find something, J'onn.”

“Quite the opposite, I'm afraid,” said J'onn. “All the Watchtower's systems are going offline. Life support, monitors, electricity, everything. Not even our emergency back-up power is kicking in. It's as if everything has just been completely shut off.”

“And I think I know why...”

Superman and the Martian Manhunter turned to Zauriel, who stood at the observation deck, looking out the large windows of the Watchtower. Except their usual view of the planet Earth was gone, replaced by a massive, sprawling city, composed of winding streets and buildings with twisted, bizarre construction.

“We're no longer on the moon,” said Superman. He approached the observation window as well, staring out in surprise as he continued to speak to Zauriel. “Do you know where we are?”

Zauriel shook his head. “I have an idea, but I'd rather not say at the moment. Not until I'm sure of it.”

“Whatever that energy signature was just before the systems all went offline, it must have transported us somewhere else,” said J'onn. “But to where? This architecture, it should not even be physically possible.”

“Another dimension?” asked Superman.

“It seems to be the most logical explanation.”

“We won't know anything for sure unless we have a look around,” said Superman. “Come on.”

The three heroes left the Watchtower through an exit at its base, setting foot onto the mangled streets. The roads themselves twisted in bizarre shapes, rising up above the ground even when there was no hill underneath. Yet cars seemed to move through them without any difficulty and people who walked by them would not even give them a second glance. It was impossible to discern whether it was night or day, for the sky was simply a dark reddish color with no visible sun or moon. Massive building spires twisted upwards towards the sky, some of them contorted and twisted around each other in such a way that they should have collapsed.

“I'm going to take a look around,” said Superman, lifting off into the sky. Zauriel called out to him, however, urging him to stop.

“Superman, wait! You don't understand!”

Just as he rose high enough, Superman found his great powers suddenly waning and he began to plummet to the ground below. Zauriel quickly shot from his spot, his angelic wings granting him the speed and ascension needed to grab his new teammate. He lowered the pair of them to the ground.

“What happened?” asked Superman.

“I just realized where we are,” said Zauriel. “And your powers won't work here.”

“Why not?” asked Superman. “They've worked before in other dimensions.”

“This place is not like those,” said Zauriel. “Your powers come as a direct result of exposure to a yellow sun, as a result of circumstance. Circumstances mean nothing here. J'onn and I still possess our powers because there is no circumstance involved.”

“You know a lot of this place,” said J'onn. “Where are we?”

“Different cultures have different names for it,” said Zauriel. “Those of us in Heaven refer to it by one name—Necropolis.”

“City of the dead?” asked Superman.

“Yes,” said Zauriel. “The ideas of judgment and deciding if you go to paradise or punishment, those are fantasies. Heaven and Hell are simply two factions of a war. Those who choose not to be involved live out eternity in this place.”

Superman looked around. “So, you're telling us...”

“Whoever's behind this has a massive degree of power,” said Zauriel. “We've been transported to the afterlife.”