In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 40 - Beginning Anew

It was over.

Goldwath hobbled to the sandy shore of Manhattan Beach, shaky. It was truly over, he felt like this was a dream. His sworn enemy of 3 years was gone, and the rest of his gang dispersed to places unknown. (Though most likely to prison since Batman had vanished soon as the battle was over and everyone scattered.)

His whole body was aching, and he desperately wanted to collapse to the ground and rest for a little bit. He had to whole strong though, until he could be looked at; he had to stand strong for when Lazuli emerged. He sat down and let his aching body rest as he watched.

He awaited on the coastline with their daughter. Just a few moments ago, he retrieved Orca from Mother Merli and found an interesting sight: the bar was in disarray. Everything was shattered and scattered around, and Braaqi was huddled in a corner. Only a concerned Mother Merli and an oblivious blepping Orca was there. He didn't bother to ask questions on what chaos just happened and thanked his foster mother and brother for taking care of their daughter.

They all waited.

Minutes later, a head popped out of the water. Emerald eyes shone brightly. He widened his eyes and ran.

Two lovers colliding with one another and tumbling on the wet sand.

Goldwath aggressively kissed Lazuli's cheek. "You're alive! Moons of Thanagar, you're alive!"

"I should say the same you dingus!"

The rest of Lazuli's group emerged as the League gathered to help them, talking with the King and Queen.

"Is it over?" Lazuli asked Goldwath as she pulled Orca to her, giving her a nuzzle.

He nodded confidently. "He's no more. His body is in a watery grave. Only the sharks will greet him."

"That's great!"

"What about Atlantis?"

Lazuli stood up and slammed a paw to her chest, smirking. "Back in our control, baby!" she declared proudly.

"Then it was a success then! For all of us!" His eyes beamed. "I'm so happy you're safe!"

"As I you!" Lazuli noticed his wounds. "Albeit, partially."

"Heyyyy!" Goldwath pulled her back to him, and he huddled close to her, taking in her scent. It was wet and near fishy, but he didn't mind. He could care less on that. What mattered most was that she was alive and breathing, her heart still beating. He could breathe in peace now.

"So tell me!" Lazuli sprung up from her place after some time cuddling Goldwath. "How'd ya kill him? What was the battle like?? Did you have the advantage and pinned him down like 'hahhh got ya know scum!'? But then he went 'HYAH!' back and put you in that situation where all hope seemed lost until you pulled through and went SWISH right at him??"

Goldwath was amused by her humor. He never wanted her to change. "Actually... I didn't entirely kill him myself," he answered. "I had some help."

"Really? Who?" She looked at the League. "Hawkgirl maybe?"

"N-No. Cassandia."

The princess blinked. "The dude's girlfriend?"

Goldwath nodded, proceeding to explain all that had led up to Cassandia ripping his life force away from him, with the revelation of the Rebels being nothing more than pawns for him to manipulate and use. All the while Lazuli sat with curious eyes, oh so curious Goldwath mused to himself as he knew the surface world was an enigma to her.

"That's crazy," Lazuli said after he had finished. "To betray not only your allies in such a cruel way, but your significant other... That's all kinds of messed up."

"Tell me about it. Especially since the two had a son."

"What!?"

He felt his ears twitch inside his mask. "Yeah. Looks just like his father, a spitting image. Cassandia retrieved him after Dazzling was gone. I could only imagine how much pain he gave to her and the little one, from their conversation before she killed him."

"Poor guy. And poor Cassandia. I hope that the two of them can find peace."

Goldwath hoped so too, but he didn't want to reveal to Lazuli that he was having fears of the boy. Despite Dazzling calling him as soft as Cassandia, he feared for the trauma that would sink in to his brain. Everything Dazzling did to him (only Dazzling knew what he had done to their son) would have a bad impact, and it could change him for the worst. It would also mean the boy would follow the same path as his father, allowing his unhealed trauma to fester and grow.
They're strong temptations, I can't blame him, he thought, reminiscing on his own anger that he let fester after his banishment from Thanagar. But would we be prepared for a Dazzling Hawk 2.0..?

"Oh!" Lazuli perked up, half startling Goldwath. "There's just something else to tell you!"

Goldwath tipped his head. "What is it?" he asked.

"Hey dad!" She called out to her father, dashing towards him. Goldwath stood awkwardly by himself, swishing his tail across the sand. Their daughter chased after his tail, slamming her paws down on it and nibbling. What news could there be that she had to retrieve her father?

Ultramine approached him alongside Lazuli. He felt a bit threatened by the King since he still never bowed down to his authority, but he managed to keep his cool.

"Goldwath," Ultramine began, sitting down, "we've come to a conclusion, Lazuli, the Queen and I."

"What conclusion?"

"Atlantis cannot return under my control."

*What?* Goldwath felt his wings twitch. What was the point of returning to your Kingdom if you weren't going to take it back?

"It's about time some fresh blood takes the reigns and allow Atlantis to prosper and grow after this coup. Obviously, the throne would always be handed down to the firstborn, so Lazuli will now be Queen of Atlantis."

She beamed at him.

"Ohhhhh!" Goldwath said. He looked at Lazuli. "Oh, Moons of Thanagar! Congratulations."

"This means, you're the next King!" Lazuli proclaimed, pressing herself to him.

"... What?" He blinked, comprehending what was said. "Me? A King?"

"Because Lazuli is Queen, whoever wins her heart becomes the next King," Ultramine explained. "It's always tradition."

"So... I take her paw in marriage, and I.. become King?"

Ultramine nodded.

That was all he had dreamed for ever since meeting Lazuli. Goldwath sought for the day he could have her father's approval to take her as his. Now it was happening right here and right now, and he had to do a double take. 

"This...This is amazing!" he exclaimed. "Thank you so much, Your...Your Majesty."

He was suddenly struck with something. The Thanagarian looked to the League. What about them? He had spent enough time to grow to appreciate the Justice League in his short time with them. He didn't mind marrying Lazuli and becoming her King, but he didn't want to abandon them.

Superman smiled at him. "We thank you for all you've done. You will be remembered in the League."

"I don't want to leave it though," Goldwath said. "You've all been nice to me despite my troubles and been with me through them all. I want to continue the responsibility of caring for the world." He nodded at Lazuli. "Alongside Atlantis."

She beamed at the League. "It would be nice for Atlantis to make itself known again to the surface world."

"It would be an honor," Superman said, bowing at the Queen. 

"So you're basically gonna be like Batman?" Flash asked Goldwath. "Not entirely a member but still a member?"

"Yeah!"

"Then it is agreed."

He smiled, nuzzling Lazuli and Orca. "Thank you, Superman."

He gave temporary goodbyes as he prepared himself to live in Atlantis. They hit hard for him; even when Green Lantern gave his best regards. After all they went through, Green Lantern still respected him. The Thanagarian looked back to the League before he left, catching Hawkgirl's attention. His eyes widened. He turned to Lazuli with a nod, signalling for her to wait for him. The two Thanagarians met together for a temporarily final time.

"I..." Goldwath rubbed his neck. There was so much he wanted to say to her. But where could he start? What could he say? "Thank you for all you have done. I'm sorry for everything-"

She went up to him and hugged him. Goldwath widened his eyes. 

She understood him. She was the first to help him. She was the first to truly understand him. She already had her share of words to tell him during his tumultuous time.

No were no more words.

Just the moment she could give him.

He returned the hug, holding back his tears.

After minutes of silence, he finally backed away and turned back to Lazuli.

"Are you ready, King Goldwath?" she said teasingly, nudging his shoulder.

The Thanagarian looked at her and the former King and Queen of Atlantis. They smiled at him. Ultramine bowed at him.

Goldwath stood tall. "Get ready Atlantis. You will be under the rule of the Justice League."

Inhaling, he dove underwater and headed off into the city.
Life was now truly beginning for Goldwath and he couldn't wait for what was to come.


{THE END}