SO, SO, SO SORRY! THOSE OF YOU ON AO3 WILL REALIZE THIS CHAPTER IS MISSING FROM HERE! When I complete the next chapter, I will slot this one in appropriately.

You didn't think I forgot about the 'extras' did you? Not after I made my complaint in the Elsewhere epilogue with John Stewart/Shayera.

So, we give Shayera and lots of the flight capables a clan. I'm working on a Failsafe-prevented-by-Batclan chapter and a Matriarch piece that includes Boogalee99 from FFN idea of Ma and Pa throwing the Super twins a 17th surprise

Also: Boogalee asked about Christmas with the Flashfam. While I plan to sort of check in with them for the Failsafe thing, we'll see about the other

Shayera remains the poised, thoroughly trained soldier who came to Earth all those years ago, but her poor heart is cracked. She will never, it seems, gain the son John and Bruce had seen. When Batman calls her to the Mountain, she is surprised. Along with herself, Batman has called Shazam. It is then, that she learns she is to train a group of young, flight capable heroes. Billy and his wisdom will guide her when her own knowledge fails her, but it is a beginning.

Shayera spends more than two years focusing on her charges. Beast Boy, Blue Beetle, Zatanna, Rocket and on occasion, Icon. Shazam reveals the truth of himself so that his team is aware. Shayera herself slowly reveals the bits and pieces of herself that are slowly coming back together. Rocket and Zatanna, despite being initially wary, agree with Beast Boy's assessment that Shayera is the 'team mom' of the Flock. And it sears her heart with joy, that these young Earthlings do not hate her.

Indeed, training her fledglings gains her an in with Batman, Superman, Flash and Green Arrow that Lantern and Wonder Woman simply do not have. Shayera argues heatedly with Superman about whether or not Connor and Matthew may steal Beast Boy and Blue Beetle for a 'boys weekend' or Superlass will be permitted to take Rocket and Zatanna on a flying patrol of Metropolis. With Batman, there is the argument about Beast Boy using his incredible gift to survey Gotham.

With Barry and Oliver, she compares notes on young, female heroes. J'onn would join them, but for the fact he has little to do with his own niece. Catwoman proves useful as a sounding board, another cape thrown into the chaos of a huge blended family.

And then her world comes to a stop again. There is a message from Thanagar, spoken in the formal Thanagarian tongue.

"Shayera Hol, Champion of the Skyfire Wing of Thanagar, I regret to inform you of the passing of our Matriarch, Azera. As is her wish, you now head the Skyfire wing. We await your directive.

-Azizal"

There is another missive enclosed, in a far more common tongue

"Shayera,

Our beloved Champion. Would that you could return to Thanagar, but we all well know that is impossible. The Wing needs direction, even if remote. Whether you call us to your side or direct us from Earth, we will abide your wish.

-Gadreel"

Shayera frantically clears the Thanagarians for a visit, explaining to the Flock that though they are what she considers them the closest thing to an actual Wing, a Thanagarian only claims one.

She doesn't tell anyone that Azera Skyfire, who was the only female in her own absence, led the small wing of four males easily. Because Azera hadn't just been a close friend. Azera had been more than a decade her senior, a matriarch to the nth degree, but a battle born one who had wielded a sword with grace.

When the Thanagarian ship lands on Watchtower, the Team and League are all on deck. John Stewart strangles a cry of disbelief when three tall, muscular males disembark, a fourth, smaller one crying out as he raced to Shayera. Scooping the little boy up, Shayera coos to him before greeting the males.

"Gadreel, Azizal, Glethen, and Azuma." The three older men nod, murmuring to Shayera before Gadreel pulls something from his pocket. Shayera shakes her head and mutters

"Not now. Come meet my Flock." Azizal frowns

"Shayera, sweet, why have you not inducted them into the Wing? Mother would never have begrudged you a Wing of your own." Shayera's sad expression pulls on multiple heart strings.

"Oh, Ziz, Skyfire is-was- your mother's domain. Once it is mine, I will doubtless induct the willing young ones into the Wing." Gadreel spoke then

"Good. But you need to wear the Glimmer and take your inaugural flight." Nodding, Shayera escorted them to their temporary quarters.

FAMILIA

It takes a few weeks for the Skyfire Wing to settle in. Azizal is constantly with Shayera, smirking at John and Carter both. When asked about the annoying Thanagarian, Shayera laughs and says between giggles

"If I hadn't been promised to Hro, I'd have married Zizzy long ago!" Azizal preens and struts, shooting cocky looks at his father Gadreel and uncle Glethen.

Finally, it's time to watch Shayera's inaugural flight. Once Gadreel, Glethen, Azizal and even Azuma have sworn to follow her leadership, the old wing transitioning to new, Gadreel bestows on Shayera a magic on, it makes her wings glimmer.

Taking off, Shayera begins her inaugural flight, igniting the sky with golden fire glinting off her wings. When she lands, the Flock has been briefed on what is appropriate to swear to the Skyfire leader.

One by one, each member of the Flock submits to the title of Matriarch. A formality, really, but both Beast Boy and Zatanna call her 'Mom' and Blue Beetle and Rocket call her 'Momma Shay'. With a joyous laugh, Shayera races across the sky, her Wing in formation behind her, bathed one and all in the brilliant flames sparked by her wings.

FAMILIA

John Stewart watches Shayera with her charges, and regret gnaws at him. He'd pushed Shayera away, made his bed. But he'd never known how miserable he'd made her until he saw her breathlessly dancing on the wing several weeks ago with the original Skyfire members.

And then… well. He'd been on monitor duty when Shayera and Azizal had given 'skydancing' a whole new meaning. He'd heard over the satellite link as Shayera screamed her joy, heard Azizal's grunt.

He doesn't have to wonder why it hurt.

Although, like Diana, Clark, Hal and several others, when the Skyfire Wing swoops back around, he too, leaps in the air and flies in a growing formation, Shayera's glimmering wings still lighting the sky with golden fire.