In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 1 - Disturbance in Central City

It was a usual calm day in the Watchtower. 

While everyone did their usual jobs around the tower, one member of the Justice League couldn't help but just stare out of the window of the upper level into the space ahead of her. That member was Hawkgirl, and she was upset about something, as the Flash noticed of her. He speed ran his way up to her and gave her a soft pat on the shoulder with his paw.

"You look a little down, mind telling me what's up?" he asked her sincerely. He could see some kind of hidden sadness behind her mask but wasn't quite sure how exactly to put it, since she hardly ever took her mask off.

She sighed. "No reason." She gazed back to the window.

"Oh come on, there has to be some kind of bother weighing you down." Flash gave her a bump with his waist to cheer her up. He grinned upon seeing a faint smile crack her lips.

"It's nothing, really, I-"

The alarm started to go off in the Watchtower, causing the two of them to lift up their heads in curiosity. That kind of alarm meant that something dire was going on in Central City. The two looked back down to meet each other in the eyes and Flash nodded.

"Guess duty calls for us."

Hawkgirl gave a smirk as she withdrew her mace. "Looks like it does~" She spread out her wings. "Let's go."

★★★

Rage.

That was all the disabled Thanagarian wolf could think as he tore through the streets with his teeth and claws. Rage, feel the rage, let it run throughout your veins. It was an unnatural amount of anger but Goldwath had let it take control of it. People screamed as they fled, some cowering in terror as they stared upon the eyes of Goldwath. Law enforcement had been called but they could not seem to take out the enraged Thanagarian. 

Pain.

Give everyone pain.

Let everyone feel your pain, his inner voice told him. Inflict your rage upon them just like that Gordanian did to you! 

As Goldwath towered over the wolves he had pinned, a strange green light appeared in his peripheral vision of his only good eye. It impacted his body with such force that sent him flying to the air, colliding back to the ground. More pain shot through his already weakened body, searing into his rage-induced brain. He growled and got back up limply, shooting his head up to locate the source of the green light. He noticed a wolf covered in the green light in the air, a ring in his toe. Other wolves joined him after the ray of light retreated back to the ring.

Recognizable wolves.

Goldwath lifted up his ears. He heard about them before.

"Oh look...the Justice League."

"Who are you?" Green Lantern asked.

"Someone you should be fearing!" Goldwath snapped. He lunged at the League, teeth and claws bared. 

Superman shouted, "Everyone split up and stop him! Flash, J'onn, go calm everyone else in the meantime!" 

Green Lantern shot out with his ring again, this time Goldwath dodging the ray of light and colliding with him. The two rolled on the ground as they exchanged paw swipes, drawing blood. When Goldwath had him pinned with his only good leg, he felt the tightening grip of a rope wrap around his body. Once again, he was thrown to the air, this time colliding with a building. He tumbled to the ground, groaning and breathing heavily. Upon looking at where the rope connected, he saw it was Wonder Woman. His good eye lit ablaze in the anger, he got up and swung his body in a way that flung Wonder Woman. He heard a faint "AGH!" from her as she let go of her rope. 

Goldwath wiggled himself free from the rope and decided he was done with the Justice League. Turning tail, he started to retreat back to his alleyway.

"He's getting away!" 

"Not if I could stop him!"

Who are you? Goldwath thought to himself as he limply ran back. He didn't see the wolf of this mysterious voice, probably because she was hidden in his bad eye. He had no time to check now; scrabbling his paws, he skidded into an alleyway to try and diverge whoever was chasing after him. As he hid behind the trashcans, his good eye caught a flash of wings blazing by that startled him. 

Another Thanagarian?

He laid low until it had gotten quiet. Once the silence lasted over a minute, he poked his body out, limping further into the alleyway. Goldwath figured he could try and run away in a secluded spot-

"haaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

What in the- Goldwath was struck from behind with a strong weapon, this one definitely leaving an injury that will give him a bruise for weeks. He fell to the ground, cursing himself at the pain. He tried to crawl away but was pinned by the unknown assailant. 

"Stop right there, scum-- Huh??"

When Goldwath had turned his head back, he was shocked at what he was seeing.

Another Thanagarian wolf. Just like him, except free from any crippling injuries, and a lot more smaller than him in comparison. She held a mace in her jaws and looked at him with wide eyes.

The two kept their eyes locked, staring in awe and silence, shocked at what they were seeing. 

"..."

"..."

"Another Thanagarian?" she said in shock, her words muffled by the mace in her jaws. 

She had let Goldwath go and helped stand him up. She had put away her mace to appear less threatening. Goldwath, while awed, narrowed his eyes and jerked his head away from her.

"I should ask the same to you," Goldwath grumbled. "What is a Thanagarian like you doing here on Earth? Were you also exiled, or are you on some top secret important mission?"

{To Be Continued...}