Welcome back to The Injustice Wars. Last time, the Republic started building their forces past what Vandal Savage had managed to gather, with Belial Aether specifically going after Hawkgirl, a former member of the Regime. After helping her past the brainwashing Superman put her under, Hawkgirl gladly joined the Republic and literally broke out of prison by breaking the wall down with her enchanted mace. So, what comes next? Read on to discover...

(Our story resumes back in Vandal Savage's headquarters where Belial Aether and Hawkgirl have just arrived on scene, conversing with Vandal Savage)

Vandal Savage: Excellent work, Mr. Aether.

Belial Aether: Please, just call me Belial.

Vandal Savage: Now we can only hope your friends are just as productive.

(At this point, the door to this observation room opens, revealing Hellboy and Nekoto Wismer have returned, this time with two figures in tow, each obscured by the darkness.)

Vandal Savage: You were successful?

Nekoto Wismer: Only walked out with a few scars.

Hellboy: Yeah, we got your people.

(At this point, the two figures step forward, revealing Giganta and Scandal Savage)

Vandal Savage: Welcome, all of you. (To Scandal Savage) Especially to you, my daughter.

Scandal Savage: You know as well as I do that we're not on speaking terms yet, dad. I'm only here because the hornless devil here offered me the ability to avenge Knockout.

Belial Aether: Knockout? Who's Knockout?

Scandal Savage: My wife.

Vandal Savage: I assure you, my daughter, your beloved will be avenged. Now then, we must get on to other business.

Belial Aether: Hold up, V. We're still waiting for Plastic Man.

Vandal Savage: Of course.

(And just like that, Plastic Man comes stretching into the room, empty-handed)

Vandal Savage: I take it you were unsuccessful in finding your assigned person?

Plastic Man: Not in the way you'd think, boss. Talia was easy enough to find, but, well... she'd killed herself by the time I'd found her.

Vandal Savage: (Clearly shocked) What?

Plastic Man: She's dead.

Vandal Savage: Oh my. (Brushes a tear from his face) I... I can't believe it.

Belial Aether: Sounds like you knew her pretty well.

Vandal Savage: Her father, Ra's, was one of my oldest and closest friends. We just lost him recently to the Society, specifically that vile ape Grodd.

Belial Aether: I'm... so sorry for your loss.

Vandal Savage: What about her daughter?

Plastic Man: Couldn't find any trace of her. Chances are she's running the League of Assassins now, so we might never find her.

Vandal Savage: A pity. The al Ghul bloodline would've given us the edge we needed.

Belial Aether: Then let their loss motivate us to keep going.

Vandal Savage: (Starting to perk up slightly) Well said, Son of Anubis. Ra's would not want us moping about forever. He would...

(But before Vandal Savage can say anything, the entire room is buffeted by what appears to be a strong windstorm.)

Vandal Savage: What on earth is that?!

Belial Aether: (Sensing something on this wind) This feels like something Shu would be up to. It's a divine wind. Everyone stay down here, I'll figure out what's going on.

Vandal Savage: You're not handling this alone.

(With that, Belial Aether and Vandal Savage run upstairs and out of the room, somehow revealing themselves to not be in New Jersey anymore, but in the middle of a mountain range somewhere.)

Belial Aether: Wait, where are we anyways?

Vandal Savage: Khüiten Peak, Western Mongolia.

Belial Aether: How'd we get here from New Jersey?

Vandal Savage: (Shielding his face against the wind) Is now really the moment to ask this? But if you must know, a magic gateway courtesy of Klarion, may he rest in peace.

(At this point, Belial Aether's not even listening, as he's instead focusing on the source of the divine winds, a massive tornado, stationary in front of them)

Belial Aether: Shu! If this is you, you really need to hold off on the divine storm!

(At this point the storm actually stops, revealing a young man crying into his knees)

Belial Aether: (Seeing the person for the first time, then surprised) You're not Shu.

Vandal Savage: A student of his perhaps?

(At this point, the figure finally sees them, through tear stained eyes)

?: I'd advise you to leave me be.

Belial Aether: By Ma'at, it's just a kid.

Vandal Savage: Do you want to handle this, or should I?

Belial Aether: Based on your daughter's reaction to seeing you, it's better if I do it.

Vandal Savage: Then by all means.

(With that, Belial Aether approaches the crying young man, putting a hand on his shoulder.)

Belial Aether: Is everything okay?

?: No. Not even remotely.

Belial Aether: What seems to be the problem? Is there anything I can do to help?

?: Not unless you can raise the dead.

Belial Aether: (Uncomfortably) What do you mean?

?: Today's just been a bad day in my history.

Belial Aether: How so? And what does that have to do with raising the dead?

?: First the Regime murders my family, then my mother passes just before Superman falls, all on this day.

Belial Aether: I take it that causes your powers to go out of control.

?: Yeah. It really sucks, because I always dreamed of being a superhero, but I can't even control my own powers! I haven't been able to since the world forced me to be alone

Belial Aether: What if I could help you with that?

?: You can?

Belial Aether: Yeah, I can. Let's just say my abilities went slightly out of control when my mother passed. But I had some good teachers to get me back on track. I'm more than willing to be that for you.

?: Really?

Belial Aether: I swear on my mother's grave.

?: (Drying his eyes) Well, I suppose it's worth a shot. Count me in.

Belial Aether: Excellent. But I will say, you won't be working alone. I've got a team on my side.

Vandal Savage: (Stepping in) I can assure you will be surrounded by the best of teachers.

Belial Aether: So what's your name, kid?

?: Flint Tengu. But... is it possible that I can be called by my hero name?

Belial Aether: Sure, what is it?

Aero: Aero.

Belial Aether: Well then, Aero. Welcome to the Republic. There's a lot of training to get done, so let's get started.

(With that, Belial Aether, Aero, and Vandal Savage re-enter their mountain headquarters, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good place to wrap up for today. And what a moment to wrap up on, with the introduction of our seventh of the original ten Nullverse characters, Aero! Aero has some unique abilities, but we'll have to wait to see more of what he can do. But there is another character he is connected to, but they'll come in later on. So, the Republic is gathering members. But I bet everybody's wondering what the Legion is up to. Don't worry, we return to them next chapter. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!