Good news everyone! It's reading week, which means I can get another couple of chapters out to you!

I'm so happy to see the positive reaction to my story thus far, and I'm so excited for the next few chapters, especially with what's to come and how Flint fits into it.

But, first things first, to answer something that multiple people have asked me... Yes I own Justice League Dark. Yes I have seen it, yes I love it. Now leave the point alone. I already love it enough I don't need more reason to.

And now, for some other questions.

Daniel's the man 98: Will Keemia come over to the DC universe? Maybe.

Shaneman17: Punisher? That sounds like fun. But only if I can get the Justice League to the Marvel Universe (*wink-wink*)

Sgt. M00re: Sandman and Zatanna getting married? Well I don't want to give away the ending. Also, Sandman fighting Clayface? Is there really such a great demand for this? And then the Sinister Six being sent to the Justice League universe and being mistaken for heroes... It would probably end up way to similar to this, but I do have plans for one certain Spider-Man villain in particular. See if you can guess who.

Nicochan11: Apparently there is a great demand for Sandman to fight Clayface. Consider it done! Eventually...

Big thanks to my new beta for editing this chapter for me, it's a massive load off of by shoulders.

Disclaimer: Sandman is owned by Marvel and Disney, and the Justice League and all related characters are owned by DC Comics. I own nothing but the concept here.

And away we go!

In his last moments, Solomon Grundy was at peace. He had reunited with his soul, and surrounded by his new friends, he passed on peacefully, giving his life for the greater good. At this moment he had received the peace he long sought, and thus entered the afterlife gratefully and with a sense of calm.

A calm that was shattered.

His eyes opened with a sudden rage he didn't know before. All the peace gone from his mind, all inclination of the quiet and respectful end he had achieved. All that was left was rage. Rage and violence. Long gone was his soul and his rational mind, all that he had was this dark sense of violence that clouded his thoughts.

One fist burst from the earth, then another, tearing his large pale body from the grave as the teens standing in front of his grave stepped back in fear.

"What did you do?" One shouted, looking at his friend fearfully.

"I don't know! It was in the movie, I didn't think it would work!" the boy said desperately, their third companion having long since abandoned them at the sight of the large, lumbering zombie that stood before them.

Against his better judgement, the first boy took a nervous step forward. "Solomon… Grundy?" he asked quietly.

The large zombie turned to face him with a jerking motion, startling the boy. For a long minute, there was nothing but a contemplative silence, as though the hulking leviathan before them was contemplating the words he just heard.

The boys let out a small sigh of relief, before the short lived calm was replaced with a snarl from Grundy as he raised his hands above his head.

Their screams could be heard for miles before the shambling corpse made his way to their hometown.

His rampage had begun.

Aquaman's hard stare was levelled clearly at his opponent. Among all of his battles, both physical and intellectual, he had never before had any opposition that infuriated him quite like this. The opponent in question?

Shayera Hol aka Hawkgirl, former member of the Justice League.

"It's your move Hawkgirl" he said simply, staring at the chess board in front of them. Hawkgirl stared back for a moment before regarding the board with apathy. Amazo watched the game with interest as he studied their methods. After a minute, she moved one of her bishops only to have Aquaman's queen take it.

"Check in five moves" the Atlantean King said with a confident smirk.

"We'll see" she retorted dryly.

"Diana told me you regularly beat Batman. Difficult to believe from the current pitiful level of your game" he taunted. He wasn't intentionally trying to insult her, only trying to goad her into a reaction. A shred of her former rage and warrior's honour. The long months she had spent in the Tower of Fate had proven to show that any inkling of her former personality or spirit had long since died in the wake of the failed Thanagarian invasion.

A few moves later, and Aquaman took the last of her knights. "I should have known better than to expect a proper challenge from a woman" he taunted, once again trying to illicit a reaction from her. In a former life, Shayera would have knocked him out cold with a single blow for any sort of comment along those lines.

However, Shayera simply shrugged, saying nothing.

"Such scintillating repartee" Aquaman snarked before pinching the bridge of his nose. "I get better conversation from the android"

At this, Amazo cocked his head in a questioning fashion.

Since you are aware of my presence, is this another attempt to goad a reaction?

Aquaman ignored the android before moving another piece in response to Shayera's position. "Check"

Shayera looked at the board, studying it carefully. Despite her predicament, she had an easy exit and counter ready to be used. Instead, she knocked her king down in surrender.

"I win again? Huzzah…" the King of Atlantis drawled before resting his face on his hand.

"It's just a game" Shayera said quietly.

Giving her a hard stare, and angered at how easily she had lost, Aquaman threw the board across the room before slamming his hands down on the table. "You disgust me!" he roared.

Instead of flinching at his yell or even retaliating, she instead sighed. "Join the club" she frowned before standing up and leaving the room.

"I could have told that wouldn't work" a new voice called, as Aquaman noticed Dr. Fate stepping out from the shadows across the room.

"She was once one of the fiercest warriors I'd ever met. What's she doing here?" Aquaman asked, watching the door Shayera left through with a mixture of confusion, worry, and frustration.

"Trying to find her way" the sorcerer answered. "Leaving the Justice League was difficult for her, I provided her sanctuary. A place to meditate on her life and future. We must allow her the time she needs to…" he said before his hand trailed up to touch his helmet. "Excuse me" he said suddenly before disappearing with his usual purple ankh.

Before the King of Atlantis could process what just happened, the chess board he tossed and its scattered pieces lifted off of the ground before being placed back on the table. Amazo sat in the chair Shayera once occupied before staring at the Atlantean with renewed interest.

New Game?

Dr. Fate reappeared in front of the empty grave of a man who he helped to bury, and that he helped to care for in their last moments. Not only that, but the overwhelming magical energy he felt there was alarming. Very alarming.

"J'onn? It's Dr. Fate" he called, looking at the headstone with a worried glance. "We may have a problem"

Inside the Tower of Fate there sat a garden. It was set in a small pocket dimension, and was full of a quiet serene peace. Inside, Shayera approached a ring of rose bushes, where she usually went when she was upset and needed some time to think. She spent a great deal of time there lately. She wasn't expecting to find Inza there however. Dr. Fate's wife looked up at her with a kind smile.

"I wasn't expecting you back so soon. The garden needed work" she said as she carefully pruned one of the bushes.

As she stood up to leave Shayera stopped her, shaking her head. "Don't go Inza. This is your place, I'm just a visitor here" the Thanagarian tried to explain.

"My husband and I have offered you our hospitality. We respect your privacy. Treat this area as you would your own home" Inza replied.

As she walked off with one of her bushes Shayera looked up to her again. "Aquaman thinks I've been here too long…"

Inza gives a small chuckle before turning her head. "Flowers bloom when they're ready Shayera. Not before"

Shayera looked down at that. "I'm no flower, I don't know what I am. I'm not Lieutenant Shayera Hol of the Thanagarian Empire. Not anymore; I've been stripped of my rank and exiled from my homeworld. I'm not Hawkgirl, that was always a sham" she said, her voice close to breaking. "Most people on Earth will never trust me again and I can't blame them. When I do my job, people get hurt. People I care about…"

Inza gave her a knowing look before frowning. "And what happens when you don't do your job?" With that, she finally turned to leave Shayera alone with her thoughts.

Flint carefully set the various ingredients on the counter in his kitchen as he set out one of the cookbooks he would be using. He figured that instead of spending money on another dinner date (Not that he couldn't afford it, he just would prefer something different) he decided instead that he would cook some dinner for his next date with Zatanna.

Now, while an expert on the careful arts of microwaving pizza and instant macaroni, he was complete;y naïve on the other elements of cooking. So naturally, he figured he should start with something simple. Lasagna was what he came up with.

'It's just pasta cheese and sauce. Easy enough' he thought to himself with a confident smirk as he looked into the book with interest.

"Preheat the oven…" he muttered before following the instructions and tying an apron on. "Alright, let's get to work here"

Before he could continue however, he was interrupted by a sudden phone call. He set the box of dry pasta down before answering it. "Hello?"

"Flint? It's Z"

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"I was just wondering what you were planning for our next date. Nothing too expensive I hope" She asked, relaxing on her couch as she sipped her tea.

"Nah, nothing like that. I was actually gonna cook you some dinner myself"

"You were gonna cook for me? That's so sweet. I didn't know you could cook"

"What?" he laughed nervously. "Of course I can cook. I hope you like lasagna"

"Oh I love lasagna" She grinned.

"Great. Anyways, gotta go, the oven's already started and I want to make sure it cooks for long enough" he explained.

"Right, right" the magician nodded. "Well I'll be there for seven if that's still good with you"

"Actually could you make it eight? This recipe needs the extra time" he said, trying to buy some more time in case he had need of it.

"Gives me extra time to get ready, so it's no worry. See you tonight Flint"

"See you then Z, bye" he finished before hanging up quickly and groaning. "Damn it! Now I really gotta do this right" he frowned before setting to work again. After several tries he finally had the pasta and the sauce ready before he set it all in the pan and put it in the oven.

"Alright, this needs two hours, so that's plenty of time" he sighed in relief before getting a call on his communicator.

"Flint, we have a situation" J'onn called as he picked it up.

"Yeah go ahead J'onn, I'm all ears" he answered, taking the apron off.

"Solomon Grundy has returned and is attacking Baton Rouge. I'm sending you in with Green Lantern and Vixen to handle the situation" the Martian explained.

"You sure about that? John can probably handle this one on his own" Flint asked in confusion. He knew about the Zombie and his incredible strength and durability. However, he also knew how most of the founding leaguers could easily handle him on their own with little trouble. Three leaguers seemed like overkill.

"It is necessary. Grundy has already killed three people and many more are in danger" J'onn pressed seriously as Flint nodded at the severity of the situation.

"Alright I understand. Send me in now J'onn" he nodded before being teleported away.

He just wished he could finish in time to take the lasagna out.

Flint was teleported instantly to a street in the middle of Baton Rouge. He barely looked up before seeing a police car fly towards him, sailing quickly through the air. "Oh you've got to be kidding" he mutters, ready for impact before the car was caught by John. Grabbing it with his ring before setting it aside carefully.

Flint nodded his appreciation before walking over to where John and Vixen were waiting for him. "Hey Sandman. Here to third wheel date night?" Vixen asked with a smirk as Green Lantern rolled his eyes subtly. Vixen was an African American woman in an orange jumpsuit and claws, whose animal totem allowed her to channel the abilities of any animal she could think of. She was also hopelessly attracted to John, who brushed her advances off. Apparently he still held out for a certain red-haired Thanagarian.

"Well I can't be intruding much worse than the zombie can" Flint shrugged as John took to the air.

"We need to move fast. Whatever's got Grundy so angry, it's proving seriously destructive" the Lantern interjected before leading the other two off. "Dr. Fate called it in to J'onn, Solomon Grundy's back"

"The zombie guy? He's a heavy hitter" Vixen questioned as she followed closely.

"Yeah he's tough" Green Lantern affirmed. "But we can take 'im. Funny thing though, is that he's supposed to be dead"

"More dead than usual you mean?" Flint asked. Before Green Lantern could respond though, a loud, guttural roar suddenly shook the trio as they looked ahead, past the crowds of people running in fear. The streets were littered with crushed cars and various debris, and in the centre of it all, a large bus was hefted into the air by a pale, ten foot tall behemoth. Solomon Grundy, buried in the rags he wore, and virtually the same as the day he died.

"Aw man, don't do it" John groaned before Grundy roared again and threw the bus through the air towards the heroes.

"Yeah. That figures" Flint grimaced as Vixen and Green Lantern dove out of the way, while the bus landed on their team mate.

Grundy meanwhile, picked up yet another car to toss before Vixen channeled the strength of an elephant before charging forwards and knocking Grundy through a truck and then the wall of a building. Grundy grabbed her wrist in response before tossing her out of the building and into a wooden fence.

Flint's sand poured out from the windows of the bus and reformed his body before he approached his fallen comrade. Her arm stuck out at an awkward angle and her body was littered with bruises as she groaned in pain.

"God that's gotta hurt" he muttered before she tapped her totem and harnessed a lizard's regenerative ability, her arm popping back into place with a sickening crack.

"You have no idea" she grimaced before using the speed of a cheetah to get back in the fray as Sandman also joined in, where John was currently burying the zombie under a pile of cars. The two used their own abilities to add to the pile of debris, hoping to slow Grundy down before the zombie somehow floated into the air, blowing the dome of debris outwards with a burst of magical energy as a car door slammed into Green Lantern and knocked him unconscious.

Vixen immediately rushed to his aid as Flint saw the pale behemoth slowly approaching, his every footfall shaking the ground. "Alright big guy. It's you and me now" he stated, forming two large hammer as the zombie made to attack. Before he could connect however, a sudden red and blue blur slammed into Grundy, sending him flying back down the block.

Superman then looked back at his team mates seriously. "Get Lantern somewhere safe" he ordered as Flint stood with him.

"Man are we glad to see you" he said with a small smile as Grundy could be heard roaring from down the street.

"Somehow I don't think he shares the same sentiment" the man of steel frowned as their undead adversary lumbered back towards them. "Come on Grundy. We've been through this before, you don't have a chance against me. Maybe we can talk this out"

"I think he speaks the language of violence" Sandman replied as the zombie slammed his hands into the ground, creating a shockwave that forced the heroes back. Superman nodded before clenching his fist and rocketing forwards, intending to finish this quickly. However, he wasn't expecting the zombie to just reach out and catch his fist, stopping the man of steel cold before squeezing, slowly cracking the bones in Superman's hand.

"Oh crap" Flint called out. Not many beings could catch one of Superman's punches. To date Flint could only think of a few, and Grundy wasn't one of them. He was on a whole new level as he tossed the Superman away down the street before taking a swing at Flint.

Flint prepared his sand for the zombie's fist to pass through harmlessly, but was instead met with it at full impact as he was knocking into a nearby bus; the same Grundy tossed earlier.

"Can't you go just let his fist pass through you?" a now returning Vixen asked in shock.

"I tried. Whatever's powering him now, it's unbelievable" Flint muttered as he sat up. 'I forgot what pain felt like. It's not pretty' he thought with a frown.

Grundy gave a low growl before charging them again, both heroes looking thoroughly afraid.

"Oh this ain't good" Sandman said, before standing up.

Checkmate. You are improving. This time it took me sixteen moves to beat you.

Aquaman glared at the android after having lost his seventh game in a row to him.

That's nearly double the moves it took last time.

He sighed before shaking his head at the android. "Set up the board"

Before Amazo could do as asked a purple ankh flared into the room, as Dr. Fate returned to the tower. Despite his face being covered by the helmet a wave of disturbance surrounded him.

"Solomon Grundy's grave is empty" He said suddenly, much to the enragement of Aquaman.

"Tell me where to find those responsible, then dig more graves" the Atlantean King seethed. Despite Grundy's previous life as a criminal, he had sacrificed himself to prevent an extradimensional invasion. If nothing else, he deserved an undisturbed rest.

"We are dealing with something far more sinister than mere human avarice" Fate warned, his tone signifying the great danger that loomed. "Grundy's grave was forced open from the inside, and the site reeks of chaos magic"

At that, Amazo gave him an intrigued glance.

He left under his own power?

"Far more power than he ever evidenced before" Fate continued before conjuring an orb that showed the battle. "Behold"

The two peered in curiously, seeing Grundy effortlessly knock Vixen aside into a parked car while a now conscious Green Lantern returned fire. Superman swung a car at the zombie, only to be knocked away with a powerful punch while the zombie grasped Flint's arm tight when the sand-based hero attempted an attack from behind.

"They need our help" Aquaman concluded, ready to enter into the fray and assist his comrades.

"So does Grundy" Shayera added, walking into the room, much to the others' surprise. "Let's try and get there before the League kills him"

Amazo cocked an eyebrow before looking back at the orb where Grundy repeatedly punched Flint in the chest. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" the hero said as one last punch knocked him through a glass window.

That scenario seems… unlikely at the moment.

"In any case, are you certain you're up to this Shayera?" Fate asked with a stern yet caring voice.

"Doesn't matter' the Thanagarian said dryly. "Bad guy or not, he sacrificed his life to save ours. We owe him the benefit of the doubt"

"Very well" Fate nodded after a moment before opening a white hole that appeared in front of the heroes as he reached inside. "I've learned the hard way that the energy-dampening properties of this device can disrupt fundamental forces, so I've kept it hidden in a pocket dimension, away from the magic that flows freely through my home. But if you are ready to take up the fight again" he started before pulling out her mace and holding it to the hero expectantly.

Shayera stared at it hesitantly for a moment, before suddenly taking the mace, her mace, and hefting it easily in one hand.

"I'm ready"

"God damn he's a force of nature" Flint groaned as he stepped back out into the street, Vixen sliding back on her heels before catching her balance again.

"Got anything this strong in your world?" she asked, panting from fatigue.

"Well, we have quite a few that come close to this power…" he started, eliciting a shocked expression from the heroine. "But the one that comes to mind the most is the Hulk. He's a hero, and a founding member of the Avengers team"

"A hero? How strong is he?"

"Well he gets stronger the angrier he gets, so it's impossible to say really" he shrugged, dodging a bench that was tossed his way.

Vixen dodged as well before turning back. "Anything specific you can remember?"

"Well, I can remember one thing firsthand. He was once so angry, a single footstep almost sank the entire eastern seaboard"

"The eastern seaboard?!"

"Yep" he nodded. "Quebec all the way to Florida"

"That's insane!"

"That's the Hulk. Then again that's just what I've witnessed, I've heard that he punched an asteroid the size of the moon to dust, and once he held up an entire mountain range"

"Incredible" she breathed in disbelief.

"That's what they call him" Sandman nodded as they followed the Zombie in his relentless rampage, approaching a bridge that extended over a large stretch of the bay. Green Lantern attempted to restrain him, only to be met with a clap that sent a devastating shockwave, forcing him back and shattering windows for blocks. Superman then sandwiched him between two cars until Grundy knocked him into one of the bridge's supports, shaking and crumbling the foundation of the structure.

Then, before the whole bridge could fall into the ocean under the strain, an octopus larger than anything the heroes had ever seen appeared, holding up the bridge with ease so the civilians could escape.

"Aquaman?" Flint asked as the hero in question climbed onto the bridge with a confident smirk.

"Outrageous" he nodded with a laugh before a car started to lean off the edge, a mother and her daughter still trapped inside. The car soon had its roof torn off by Hawkgirl, who reached inside and pulled the two to safety.

"Shayera, you too?" Flint asked with a hopeful smile as she nodded.

"Figured you could use the help" she replied before landing on the ground and walking over. "It's good to see you again Flint" she greeted as the heroes regrouped.

"Likewise" he nodded before Superman landed in front of them again/

"Good to see you back Shayera" the man of steel greeted. "Now where were we again?"

Green Lantern snorted indignantly before cracking his neck stiffly. "We were about to kick Grundy's undead a-"

"Perhaps we can be of assistance" Dr. Fate interrupted before appearing in front of the other heroes with Amazo in tow.

"Hey Amazo, how's life treating you?" Flint greeted with a nod. In the time since the android's return, Flint had made a point of visiting him on occasion. Amazo greatly appreciated this as the only other contact he had was with Dr. Fate, Hawkgirl, and occasionally Aquaman. Not that the android would admit it, but he considered Sandman among one of his first, and among his few, friends.

Life is treating me rather well, thank you. I wish to aid you against this threat.

Superman shook his head before looking up again. "Alright, let's throw our big guns at him; me, Fate, and the android" he said before leaning closer to the sorcerer. "You let his out of the tower now?"

"I was curious to see if you would try to dissuade him" he replied with an almost amused shrug until Shayera shook her head.

"Hold up" she interrupted. "Before golden boy teleports him into the sun I want to tray talking to him" she announced before spreading her wings and flying off to find the undead fiend.

"Shayera wait!" Green Lantern called before she disappeared around the corner, finding Grundy pushing the wall of one of the buildings. Her confusion as to why he was doing this was very evident, but she shoo it off before landing behind him.

"Grundy!" she called, the lumbering Zombie turning to look at her with a low glare as she cleared her throat.

"It's me. Remember, Bird-Nose?" she asked, using his nickname that he gave to her. Instead of the reaction she expected, Grundy simply picked her up before slamming her into the wall he was just pushing, raising two hands to crush her until a large sandy fist forced him back.

"I would recommend moving right about now!" Flint shouted as Shayera slowly stood up, Superman and Aquaman returning to punch him further down. Fate then joined them, firing magical blasts in an attempt to subdue the zombie.

"What's happened to him?" Shayera asked in worry and confusion.

"I'm sorry" Dr. Fate announced ruefully. "I sense nothing of the Grundy we know within that shell; he is nothing but rage!"

Then it is time I brought this to an end.

Amazo stood forward, raising his hand an summoning a golden aura as Shayera stepped in front of him.

"No! Don't hurt him!" she cried out before the android moved her to other side of the street with his telekinesis before bombarding Grundy with an almost unimaginable power. The other heroes had since moved back to avoid the powerful bursts of energy, as they watched with interest.

In my travels through space, I've attained mastery of forces all but incomprehensible to humans I… Wait.

The heroes followed the android's attention, before looking on in horror. Instead of hurting him, the energy was somehow increasing Grundy's power as he grew in size before giving a deep, guttural roar.

Something is wrong. The creature is somehow feeding on my energies! He adds my power to his own!

Amazo suddenly fell back from a telepathic shock as he struggled to stand again.

My presence here puts you all at risk. I will retreat several light-years' distance until I can determine how to counter this effect.

The android then suddenly disappeared in a flash of golden light, leaving only a small wisp of smoke in his wake as the heroes stared blankly where the android once stood. Then with a look of grim determination, they resumed their battle, with Superman punching Grundy across the face and Aquaman slashing his thighs with the hook on his right hand. Green Lantern then summoned a massive beam of energy to rocket Flint forwards, who struck the zombie with a large mallet, sending him crashing through several buildings until he stood back up where the League first found him.

"Tell us something Doc" Green Lantern panted as Flint shook his hand slightly at the slight pain from the impact.

"Grundy was revived with chaos magic" Fate explained as the approached the square where the fight began. "A cumulative with no known upper limit. My magic is as useless as Amazo's technology"

'Chaos magic? Where's Wanda when you need her?' Flint thought ruefully.

"Then I say we take him out the old-fashioned way!" Vixen cried out before rushing to a statue and attacking its supports with her claws, quickly chipping away at the base. The others nodded in understanding, carefully leading Grundy over until Flint shoved the statue over where it crushed the rampaging zombie. An uneasy sense of calm descended on the heroes.

"No way it's that easy" Superman frowned.

"I'm with you Supes. Something's up" Flint agreed before Grundy suddenly burst from the rubble, grasping Vixen's ankle.

"Put her down!" Hawkgirl yelled before shooting towards the zombie, her mace crackling with energy as she gave an avian cry and struck him right in the ribs. A sickening crack of bones could be heard as Grundy, for the first time that night, gave a roar of genuine pain, releasing Vixen who quickly retreated.

Grundy clutched his bruised ribs, drool pouring from his mouth before he have another roar and dove at the Thanagarian warrior. Shayera gave a snarl before sidestepping his attack and swinging her mace, connecting it with his back. Grundy gave another cry of pain before Shayera landed strike after strike, further injuring him. Each shot made the zombie weaker and weaker as he fell onto his knees, breathing heavily as Shayera flew up high before diving back down quickly, with one last good shot to Grundy's neck, knocking him through the street and into the sewer below.

The others heroes approached slowly, looking at the large hole she had created while Lantern shone a light for any sign of the zombie.

"I can't see him" he announced with a frown.

"Neither can I" Superman added. "There must be lead in those old sewer pipes"

"Well he's not exactly subtle. We'll find him easy enough" Flint said, looking back down the hole.

"And then Pretty-Polly here can bash him with her magic mace" Vixen finished.

"Why does it hurt him?" Shayera asked as she examined the weapon curiously, small sparks crawling along the surface of the mace as she hefted it again.

"It's made of Nth-Metal" Fate explained, stepping forward to look into the sewer. "Your people's technology was built specifically to repel magical creatures. It disrupts the magic that animates him. The creature only knows rage and seeks only oblivion. Your mace may be the one thing that can grant him peace"

"What are you saying?" Lantern asked in sudden confusion.

"Your favourite movie is Old Yeller, you know exactly what he's saying" Shayera replies in her usual snide tone before sighing regretfully and looking away in shame. "Is this my destiny? To be a destroyer? To betray yet another friend?"

"It's not that simple. It never was" Fate countered.

"Hey!" Vixen suddenly called, drawing the attention of the others as she folded her arms. "How about we discuss it for another couple of hours? That way, he's sure to get away"

After a brief silence Aquaman placed a hand on Shayera's shoulder. "Only you have the power to put that creature out of its misery. To stop is before it hurts anyone else" he said grimly.

Shayera gave another uncertain look to her mace, gazing at it with dread and a certain amount of fearfulness that was rarely seen expressed by her. Taking notice, Green Lantern stepped forward.

"You don't have to do it Shayera. I'll do it for you. Give me the mace" he offered.

Shayera stared at him for a moment, until her knuckles tightened around the hilt of her mace as she shook her head. "Forget it John. He was my friend, it's my responsibility" she announced, closing her eyes. "I'll do it"

"Did you want someone to go down there with you? Just in caser?" Flint asked as Shayera gave him a thankful smile before she shook her head.

"No I'll be fine" she said quietly, filled with determination before she approached the hole and jumped in, beginning the search for Grundy anew.

Shayera walked through the sewer for the better part of an hour, looking around every so often as she followed the trail of destruction that Grundy had left in his wake, nothing but the glow of her mace to guide her, and her own thoughts to keep her company.

Though they proved to be of little comfort to her.

She couldn't kid herself. Being unable to help Grundy, to give him back the rest and life he deserved without hurting him. She was ashamed. It was made worse by the fact that she wanted nothing more than to walk away, and not betray another person who at one point trusted her. But there was no other option. In desperation and for the greater good, she continued her trek.

At a certain point, she could make out the sound of loud, shuddering breaths. She was getting close. A few more steps and she rounded the corner to find Grundy slumped against the wall of the tunnel. His breaths were deep and laboured, his wounds either heavily bruised or bleeding slowly. He turned to face her, his lips curled into a small snarl as he let out a low growl.

"Shh, it's okay" she assured him quietly. "It's just me… bird-nose. I know what you want, what you need" she whispered, her voice cracking as she rolled her mace slowly.

After a brief moment, Grundy appeared to understand her as he gave a small nod, relaxing as he blinked slowly and looked down at the ground, anticipating what came next.

"Close your eyes" she whispered as Grundy listened, doing as she said. "It'll be over soon" she finished, before raising her mace one last time, her body wracking with sobs at what she was about to do.

Then the mace was brought down.

Back on the surface, the various heroes were tending to themselves as news reporters and civilians started to gather around the barrier the police had made, waiting to see what happened next. Flint rubbed his bruised knuckles lightly as he watched the worried Lantern pace back and forth nervously.

"She's been down there too long" Flint finally sighed as john nodded.

"He's right. We should go in after her" he agreed, approaching the hole. However, before he could enter, Shayera suddenly flew back out. Her eyes were swollen and her expression haunted as she kept her head low.

"It's over" she announced quietly, shaking her head as the others looked down with respect to the fallen. After a moment, Shayera began to walk away as various reporters swarmed her.

"Hawkgirl! Do you think today's acts can possible make up for your complicity in the Thanagarian invasion of Earth?" one asked before being pushed out of the way.

"Do you have a comment on your dismissal from the Justice League" Another pestered her until Green Lantern interrupted.

"Hawkgirl was never dismissed from the Justice League" he announced defiantly as he and the others heroes walked over to her side. "She can come back whenever she likes" he continued, her shock clearly evident as he gave a kind smile. "I recused myself because… well, you know. Anyway, Superman broke the tie" the Lantern revealed.

Shayera looked to the Kryptonian as he nodded cheerfully. "I believe in second chances. I believe in redemption. But mostly, I believe in my friends" he finished, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Before he could continue, they were interrupted by sudden shouts. 'Traitor!" one civilian called in anger before being joined by others who hurtled other insults and curses to Hawkgirl, clearly not being as forgiving as her Kryptonian teammate was.

"Hey back off!" Green Lantern yelled as Sandman nodded.

"Yeah, lay off her will you? She doesn't need to hear this!" he agreed.

"Yes I do" Shayera shrugged as the two looked to her in confusion. "But it's okay. I guess I deserve some of that"

Before she could walk off again, a small hand grasped hers. It was the girl who she saved from the falling car.

"Thank you Miss Angel" the girl said with a shy smile, which Shayera returned warmly.

"You know something? You deserve that too" Sandman grinned before checking the time.

"Oh crap, J'onn teleport me home!" he said before the Martian did as he asked, leaving his team mates confused.

"Where did he go in such a hurry?" John asked curiously.

Flint arrived home just in time for the timer on the oven to go off as he sighed in relief before taking out the lasagna. "Oh thank god. Not bad for a first time cook" he laughed before going upstairs to get ready for Zatanna's arrival.

An hour later, both were sipping the last of their wine before Flint took their plates over to the sink. "Flint that lasagna was great. You must be an expert at cooking it"

"Actually, this was my first time cooking" je admitted with a nervous chuckle.

"Really?" she asked in surprise before laughing. "Well coming from someone who can barely cook instant noodles, it was a feast"

"Well thank you, just don't expect it all the time" he laughed before she nodded.

"That's fair. Next time, let's just get pizza"

"Agreed"

Dr. Fate returned to the Tower with a suitably tired Aquaman who sat back on one of the chairs in front of the chessboard before a golden light flashed and Amazo appeared in front of them.

I believe I have come up with a suitable solution to counter Grundy's magic.

"Don't worry about it. Shayera took care of it. The day is saved" Aquaman sighed with a small laughed as the android seemed to pout.

Oh… I see…

"But if you want, we could always have game number ten" he offered before gesturing at the chessboard.

The android seemed to perk up at that, before he sat across from the Atlantean King eagerly.

And that concludes another one of the saddest Justice League episodes ever. Seriously, as if seeing Grundy die once wasn't bad enough, now we get this as well? That's even worse. (Still nowhere near the saddest death, that award goes to poor Ace)

But, while Flint's relationship with Zatanna is going smoothly thus far, what will happen after he is sent to the far past... then the far future? Next time, the epic two-parter; The Once and Future Thing! Now with an added surprise.

As always, be sure to read and review, ciao for now!

~WafflesTheApprentice