In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 8 - The Attack on Metropolis

Cassandia paced back and forth in the bathroom, the anxiety over flooding her. She lifted herself up to the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. What was she going to tell Dazzling Hawk? This wasn't the time. Not today, not now. Today was the plan to attack, and she couldn't have Dazzling Hawk worry about her when he was in the lead. 

Nausea gripped her, making her hiss through her teeth. No, not right now, she told herself. She took a deep breath in and exhaled. Cassandia coughed a little to hide her nausea. She had heard the door open, prompting her to turn her head. It was Candycane, who peeked in with a curious and worried look. She headed to Cassandia's side and rubbed her back.

"Hey, are you ok?" she asked. "Dazzling Hawk wanted me to check up on you. He's really worried-"

"I'm...fine, really," Cassandia said, nodding off the feeling. She smiled back at Candycane. "I just haven't been feeling well these past few weeks..."

"Hm? Mind explaining? Gal-to-gal?"

Cassandia rubbed her arm in embarrassment. Did she want to tell her what was afflicting her? She knew Candycane; she wasn't exactly the best with keeping secrets, no matter what people offered her. But she also couldn't just turn down talking to her. Cassandia found her to be a very likable and supportive friend. 

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" she asked the question. "Especially not tell Dazzling Hawk just yet?"

Candycane froze, trying to formulate her thoughts, but nodded. "I will promise, whatever is afflicting you right now that you or me cannot tell Dazzling Hawk, I won't spill." She pushed her paw towards Cassandia. "I'll swear on my life, if I have to."

Cassandia was also hesitant. She took Candycane's paw and shook it. 

I can trust Candycane still. She's a friend of mine. A close friend.

"Well...here's what I have been feeling, and what I discovered..."

✰✰✰

Despite things still being tense between him and Green Lantern, Goldwath was doing well with growing back the lost trust with the League. The more he got the trust, the more he learned about every member, and their lives. Well, all except Hawkgirl. He had sensed a twinge of covering up with her story, but he had not bothered with it. He also began to grow closer and closer to Hawkgirl, and she also started growing closer to him. 

It was fair of him to say the two were catching feelings for one another. 

The same day as everyone was doing their work, the alarm sounded in the Watchtower. Goldwath immediately got into position. He saw J'onn J'onzz flying towards the alarm and followed after him, standing by his side. "What's going on?" he asked the Martian who went to check. 

"An attack happening in Metropolis," he explained in his usual monotone voice. "Notify the others."

Goldwath done as he was told, and the Justice League were heading their way. Something nagged Goldwath from what the Martian had told him.

Why did he feel his anger spiking again? He didn't know what was happening yet. But something in the back of his head just gave him flashbacks to his past. A missing link of sorts. 

"You alright?" 

Hawkgirl's voice and her comforting grip on his arm snapped him out of his thoughts, and he turned to her with a warm smile. "I'm doing okay," he said. 

She nodded. "Want to tell me about it?"

"Oh no, no, I am all good. I was just reminded of something."

"Of what?"

Goldwath pulled away from her touch and looked out the window. "There's something about my past that's hazy I'm trying to remember. Some kind of hidden link to my anger." He paused temporarily, staring as they slowly entered into Earth's atmosphere. "I don't know why, but something about whoever is attacking the city is bringing back suppressed memories..."

"Mmm....Maybe this will help with your inner conflicts?" Hawkgirl asked optimistically. 

He shrugged. "Maybe..."

As soon as the League had landed, they split up and went off in separate routes to search for the source of the attack. Goldwath went with Hawkgirl and the two trekked through the park. 

"I'll look over here, while you look over there," Goldwath told her.

"Ok. If anything, just yell," Hawkgirl said.

"I'll be fine. You be careful though."

She nodded and searched in her spot. As they scoured, Goldwath froze, feeling a presence nearby him. He looked behind him to see no one behind him. His expression turned into confusion as he lowered his gaze to his shadow, where a pair of white eyes opened and a white smile erupted. Goldwath leapt away from the paw that had struck out from his shadow and called out.

"HEY!" he shouted, lashing out to the pitch black-furred wolf with his only good arm. It dodged his attack and circled around the Thanagarian, smiling. "Who are you??" 

"Your fears," the wolf spoke ominously. "I am what you fear when the darkness rises...But for now...I am your distraction..."

"What- AGH!!"

Unusually long and sharp claws gashed at his back, blood staining his fur and dripping to the ground. From the side he was tackled to the ground and had a paw pressed to his throat. He found himself under the paws of yet another Thanagarian wolf, one about twice his size, one wing larger than the other. Scars littered his body, particularly one on his chest.

Goldwath blinked rapidly. 

Why did he look familiar to him?

Goldwath choked out for Hawkgirl but she hadn't come to his aid; instead, he had found her pinned by the silver-furred wolf, the pitch black-furred wolf and a pink-furred wolf. 

Goldwath blinked again. 

He turned around to see a duo of Gordanians pile on his brother, which enraged him. That memory spiked in Goldwath as he squirmed underneath the Thanagarian. 

"Who are you?" Goldwath snarled at the Thanagarian, who laughed.

"Goldwath, Goldwath, Goldwath," he spoke with "tsk's." "All those years and you've completely forgotten about me? A shame....I thought you would remember me..."

That voice... Goldwath blinked again, and in front of him, the memory slowly came back for him. His mouth gaped. No...It can't be...

"...Dazzling Hawk?!"

{To be continued...}