In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 5 - Waiting in the Shadows

{Warning: This Chapter will contain violence and bloody scenes. Read at your own discretion...}

{Years Prior...}

"Come on, let's go!! Last one there is a rotten Gordanian!"

The sun shone high in the sky, and the grass felt warm underneath everyones' paws. The Thanagarian eagerly ran ahead while smiling before he stopped and turned back around. They all stared at him with grimaces. Dazzling Hawk was confused. His eyes darted between his friends and tipped his head. 

"Guys?" he asked.

They were silent. 

"I said, let's go! You're supposed to follow my orders!"

They looked at each other with looks of uncertainty. Finally, one of them looked at Dazzling Hawk and raised an eyebrow. 

"We uh...We don't really wanna tag along with you this time, Dazzling," they said.

Dazzling Hawk's eyes widened, taking a step forward. "Wh- What, why?!" he asked with worry. 

"It's...It's nothing personal, but..." They looked away and around as if trying to formulate the words to speak next. "...you're just, uh how do I put it? Kind of a jerk. We're all tired, but you refuse to let us rest. We understand how important missions are, but...we need breaks sometimes."

"Huh!?"

"And also, your small, deformed wing is just really strange," another one from the group spoke up. "Any Gordanian could easily take you down with one strike. What even happened to you? Your mom dropped you on your back before your wings could grow?"

They all laughed. And laughed. Dazzling Hawk stared at his "friends" with shock and anger. How could they? Had they been tricking him the entire time? Had they lied about their friendship this whole time? He clenched his paws and growled.

"I- I thought we were teammates!" Dazzling Hawk shouted. "Knock off this buffoonery right now! I don't care how you guys are feeling! You all should be listening to me anyway and treat me with respect! I am your leader! Soon- Soon I will be commander of the army! I've been training my whole life for that role. So, let's go! NOW!!"

They continued to laugh and visibly gave up talking to him.

"Come on guys, let's go with Amberwath and his brother instead. I heard Goldwath just got promoted to commander in chief." The Thanagarian who spoke looked back briefly at Dazzling Hawk with a smirk.

"Nooo way! Really!?"

"Yeah, man."

"Congrats to him! He deserves that role! His brother must be so proud of him."

"Wait, guys--!" Dazzling Hawk was left in the dust as everyone walked away from him, not bothering to look back or even talk to him. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. They would all pay for their treachery to their leader.

But more importantly, he would have the brother of Amberwath pay for stealing his role. 

✰✰✰

"Dazzling Hawk of the Thanagarian Army, stand down!"

Out in the middle of nowhere, with only surrounded by Goldwath, Amberwath and two other members of the army, Dazzling Hawk had called to challenge Goldwath's position. The two faced each other in a battle stance and circled one another, growling. Dazzling Hawk narrowed his eyes. He spat at Goldwath.