NEOMAGE: Life is so good, life is so good...

DARKSEID: Uh, boss...isn't there something you should tell the readers?

NEOMAGE:  Oh, yeah...dear readers, this might very well be the very last chapter to this Justice League/Crazy Anime fanfic. So, as I wrap up the Justice League fic, I and the rest of the characters in the Crazy Anime side-story wish you all well in your happy fanfic reading now and in the future.

NARRATOR: Oh, the sorrow...now I'll be without a job...

NEOMAGE: But this doesn't mean I'll stop writing fics! Soon, very, very soon, I'll be posting some new fics, though probably not any more Justice League stories unless I get inspiration. I will, however, post one more JL story starring the Flash vs. many of the bad guys from his current comic series, plus I'll soon be done with my up-and-coming Yu-Yu Hakusho action/adventure fanfic, and then I'll be posting a whole new Yu-Gi-Oh story that's unlike any I've read at so far. So, fear not, Mr. Narrator – I'll let you know if I have a job for you in the future!

NARRATOR: 

FLASH: A fanfic dedicated to me! Whee!

ZOOM: Will I be in it?

NEOMAGE: You'll just have to read it when it comes out and find out.

ZOOM: Oh...okay...

NEOMAGE: Now, let me do the disclaimer one last time for this fic... "I do not own Justice League, Yu-Gi-Oh, or any of the other shows being portrayed in this story or side-story." Good. Now, let the last chapter commence!

CHAPTER 18

TIME: 5:49 p.m.

PLACE: Wayne Manor, Gotham City

"Whatever are you talking about, J'onn?" asked Wonder Woman, greatly perplexed.

J'onn looked over at Flash knowingly. Immediately the Scarlet Speedster knew what the Martian was referring to. "J'onn, are you really gonna do it?" he asked uncertainly. "I mean, if you do it, you'll never have a second chance to..."

"Believe me, my friend...I think the time calls for it." J'onn nodded. "Everyone, please gather round. There's something I have to tell you."

Curious, the other League members drew closer to J'onn. He took a breath, then slowly, quietly, told all of them what he'd already told Flash...about the Martians' ancient gift...about the Mayavana.

"You mean...all this time you've had this gift...and you never told us?" Superman remarked when J'onn had finished.

"Well, at first I never considered it to be a big deal...not until Flash put the question to me about whether I would change the past if I could," said J'onn. "I have seriously thought about this matter ever since then, and now I have made up my mind."

"What will you do, then?" asked Lantern.

J'onn looked at each of his teammates in turn, then rested his eyes on Hawkgirl. "What is your heart's greatest desire?"

She looked surprised. "My heart's...greatest desire...?"

"Yes."

Hawkgirl looked away for a moment. Then she looked back at the Martian. "Well...I would wish to just be able to forgive myself...for what happened last year," she said softly. "But I will never be able to forget, no matter what happens..."

Lantern, looking at her sad face, got an idea. "Hey...suppose we could wipe the whole world of the memory of the Thanagarian invasion? It would be as if it had never happened. Could you do that, J'onn?"

J'onn looked surprised. "The whole world? I don't know...it sounds pretty tricky. It would require much more energy than I alone could manage..."

"Then we'll lend you some of ours!" Flash offered, jumping up.

Hawkgirl looked at Flash, then at J'onn, and finally at Lantern. "Guys...thank you."

"Then is that your wish? To make the rest of the world at large forget what happened back then?" asked J'onn.

"Yes. Yes, that is my wish." Hawkgirl nodded with determination.

"Then let's start donating our energy," said Superman, and with that he held out his hand, palm down. Flash responded in kind, putting his hand over Superman's. Lantern then placed his hand over theirs, and Hawkgirl rested her hand on his. "And what about you guys?" she asked quietly, talking to Wonder Woman and Batman.

Wonder Woman just looked at them. Then she gave in. "Of course...I'll help you any way I can." She reached forward and rested her hand on top of theirs. "You've always been a friend, Hawkgirl...and today you redeemed yourself in my eyes."

J'onn nodded. "And you, Batman?"

Batman stood some distance away, apparently still at conflict with himself over the matter. Haltingly, he walked over to where the others stood. "Are you sure this is wise?" he asked.

"The future is what we make it, my friend," J'onn replied simply.

"Yeah," Superman nodded. "No matter what happens...no matter who leaves or who stays...everyone here will always be a member of the Justice League. That includes you, old pal."

Batman looked at the pile of hands. For the first time, a small smile broke out on his face. "A true team...one that can never be broken apart, no matter what happens...all right. You've convinced me." He walked over and added his hand to the pile.

J'onn then rested his hand on top of the pile and, automatically, they all closed their eyes and concentrated. At that moment, it was as though their very spirits were connected as one, and J'onn could sense the emotions flowing from each of them. All of them wanted to be together again, to be a team once more...all of them wanted to heal the wounds of the past and move on.

And as all seven of them stood there, hands together in the middle of the circle, J'onn quietly morphed into his true Martian form and started to glow. The others could sense that something was happening, but none opened their eyes even for a quick peek, determined to concentrate so they could give as much of their energy as they could manage.

By and by a soft, blue glow emanated from the circle's center and radiated outward, slowly yet surely. And as it spread, it was affecting everything that it touched.

The blue glow spread toward Metropolis, caressing every newspaper that it came across. In the Justice League's combined subconscious, it was realized that in order to erase the memory of the Thanagarian invasion from the rest of the world, written records of that event had to be obliterated, as well. And when this thought was brought up, the glow responded accordingly.

At present, the Daily Planet was in a heavy buzz, going over the latest news to be placed in the "International News" section of the paper. According to the official report, the traitor named Hawkgirl, for reasons unknown, had returned to aid the Justice League in their fight against Vandal Savage's Secret Society. Though they had won, the report went on, it was only left to be determined whether this Hawkgirl was the same one, or someone else who was really a spy.

But as the reporters came in with new stories to add to the official headlines, and as much of the story was edited and pieced over, the glow passed over the offices of the Planet...and the scene was changed.

Instead of bias toward Hawkgirl and uncertainty toward the Justice league in general, now there was a feeling of admiration toward the heroes for having defeated the Secret Society. Instead of blaring about a potential traitor coming back, now the stories being typed to be placed on the front page spoke about the gallant battle between the heroes and villains without mention of Hawkgirl's previous betrayal. And the memory of that betrayal was now erased from the minds of everyone.

The glow spread toward Washington, D.C., where the heads of government who had secretly hired Hawkgirl to spy on Savage in exchange for a slate wiped clean now sat, waiting for her to return. It touched them, altering their memories so that no trace of Hawkgirl's actions or identity remained in their minds. Now, all that concerned them was the new budget debate that was bound to pop up at the next press conference.

"Uhhh..." J'onn groaned and slumped.

"J'onn!" Superman moved to assist his Martian friend.

"I'm all right," J'onn replied tiredly. "Just...a little weary, that's all."

The other Leaguers opened their eyes. "Did we...do it?" asked Flash.

"I think so," Lantern answered. "Well, J'onn? Did it work?"

"Yes," J'onn nodded. "I can no longer sense any hatred for Hawkgirl anywhere in the world. Now...the wish has been fulfilled."

Hawkgirl nodded. "I'm only sorry that you had to use your own power to do it, J'onn," she said gently.

"It's all right," he assured her. "I'm of the utmost confidence that you'd do the same for me, were I in your shoes."

"I need to sit down," said Batman, edging over to a chair. "That sucked a lot out of me."

"Same here," said Wonder Woman. "I'm going to lie down."

"Wait," said Hawkgirl. "There's something I need to say first."

The others waited.

"I'm really, really grateful that all of you have done this for me, let me assure you of that," she went on. "And I'm also happy that all of you are...willing to forgive and forget what I did. But, with all due respect, I want for my earlier decision to remain. I can't be a full-fledged member of the Justice League, but...perhaps I could be a reserve member instead?"

They looked at her with some surprise. "A reserve member?" asked Superman. "Shayera, really...we wouldn't mind if you came back full-time."

But she shook her head. "No. I appreciate it, but...Midway City needs me now. I can't just turn my back on the place that I can now call home. Even so, I'll always be there should you need my help. You know where to find me." She nodded with resolution.

Batman chuckled. "Nearly the same thing I said when the League was first started," he remarked, "but if that's your decision, then I won't stop you. I can't speak for the others, but..."

"No, she's right," said Lantern. "It's her choice to make, and we can't force her. But we can keep her on reserve, and call her when we need the extra help, can't we?"

The Leaguers looked at each other. "I suppose we could do that, yes," said J'onn.

"Yeah," said Flash. "But hey, Hawkgirl, just remember...there'll always be a place for you here in the League, no matter what happens. Okay?"

She nodded. "Thank you."

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Midway City

Hawkgirl and Lantern were flying together, over Midway City. "The city looks real beautiful at night," he remarked.

"Yeah, doesn't it?" she chuckled.

Lantern looked at her. "I gotta say, though...your announcement back there really surprised me," he said quietly.

"I thought it might," said Hawkgirl. "But the battle today made me realize something. Even though we seven are the ones who initially started it off, there's always room in the Justice League for more heroes. And there ARE many, many heroes out there in the world...we should give them a chance, don't you think?"

"Maybe," said Lantern. "But still, when the new Watchtower gets launched into orbit, it's going to feel kind of empty without you being there all the time."

"No, it won't," she shook her head. "I can always come by to visit...and you can still come and see me, can't you?"

He looked at her for a long moment. "Yeah, that's right," he smiled. "Say...you wanna go grab a few burgers or something? It's all on me."

She giggled like a schoolgirl. "Your place or mine?"

"Oh, come on; whose is closer?"

"Okay, big boy, you win." And then, hand in hand, the two heroes flew into the heart of Midway City.

TIME: 7:12 p.m.

PLACE: Central City

Superman, J'onn and Flash were sitting together in the Shining Light Café, munching on sandwiches. "You were right about this place," Superman mumbled through a mouthful of food. "It's rather small, but it's clean and the food's good."

J'onn chuckled. "It's the first time I've seen you talk with your mouth full, Superman," he said. "Flash's influence rubbing off on you, huh?"

"Not funny, J'onn," Flash growled, halfway through his sandwich.

Superman sipped on a cappuccino. "I'm still a little uneasy about this whole affair, though...call me paranoid, but I'm going to keep an eye on Hawkgirl, just in case," he told them.

"Yeah; you are paranoid," Flash shook his head. "Then again, Batman's influence must be rubbing off on you or something."

"Whatever."

"All said and done, though, we fought a good battle against Savage today," said J'onn. "And we've restored order to the world, in more ways than one."

"Let's hope it stays that way," Flash sighed.

"Wishful thinking, Flash," Superman remarked. "But the Justice League will be there to stop the next megalomaniac who tries to take over the world—right?"

"Hear, hear," said J'onn, raising his malt shake.

"I'll drink to that," said Flash, raising his soda bottle. And the glasses clinked together.

TIME: 7:20 p.m.

PLACE: Wayne Manor, Gotham City

"Batman...do you have a moment?"

"You're still here? I thought you'd left with the others..."

Wonder Woman stood behind Batman's chair in the Batcave. "What're you doing?"

"I'm altering some data, at Hawkgirl's request," said Batman. "Remember, she'd changed her name and everything. If the whole world is to forget about what Shayera Hol did completely, I have to tie up the loose ends...including the fact that she changed her name. Then, there are all those other legal details..."

Wonder Woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked, "Do you think we did the right thing...causing the whole world to forget what Hawkgirl did, I mean?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Batman didn't turn to face her. "She's been given a second chance...if she screws this up, she'll be buried quite fast."

"I sincerely hope she doesn't." Wonder Woman thought a moment. "I have to say, though, Bruce...maybe we were being unfair to her all this time..."

"No maybes about it. I think she would've given us a second chance if we were the ones who betrayed the team...yet we didn't even give her a chance at all, did we?"

"Still, maybe it's for the best that she stays in reserve. At least she won't be very far away."

Batman chuckled. "Now's she's in MY spot—remember, I called myself a reserve member for the longest time."

"Do you still consider yourself a reserve member now?" Wonder Woman asked softly, leaning over the chair.

Batman reached out and gently touched her hand. "No, not really. Not anymore."

She nodded and smiled quietly. "I didn't think so."

NEOMAGE: That's it! That's the end of that! The fanfic is officially finished!

BATMAN: No fair—you gave me such a small part in this part of it!

NEOMAGE: You want a bigger part? (pulls out an AK-47)

BATMAN: (reaches for his utility belt, only to find it's not there) OO;;;

NEOMAGE: Eat lead, bat! (starts shooting)

BATMAN: (dodging bullets cartoon-style) DAMN YOUR AUTHORING POWERS!!!

NARRATOR: (stuttering like Porky Pig) Th-uh-uh-Th-uh-uh-That's all folks!!!

THE END