The Sandman, Flint Marko, slept on a rooftop. He was having a dream in which he was being approached by a familiar face. It was the face of a man he had accidentally shot to death years earlier.
"Ben Parker. Is it really you?"
"It is. It's been a while since I spoke to you, Mr. Marko."
"I am so sorry. No words can express how much I regret what happened that night that you died."
"It was an accident."
"No. It was my fault. I shouldn't have tried stealing a car. I should have left you out of the situation. I should not have been running with bad company."
"We all make choices that we regret. But that doesn't mean that we should have to suffer from them. And I believe that a few of your friends want to make my nephew suffer."
"I was infiltrating their group so that I could find out their plan and warn your nephew about what they planned to do. But I failed."
"Well, I think you should know that my nephew has been captured by them. He cannot defeat them alone."
"I can help him. But what can two do against six?"
"I am sure that you can figure it out. You are a good man. Do not tell yourself otherwise. You have to look inside and realize what good you can do. You may regret being turned into sand, but your powers are useful if used correctly. With great power comes great responsibility. I have told my nephew that. It is the reason that he is always out fighting crime and trying to bring goodness to New York. You can do the same. Please, Flint. Do me a favor and save my family."
"I will. I know that I would want someone to save my daughter if she was dying. She is doing better now, but I still regret my unlawful actions. I think that saving your living family is the only way that I can ever redeem myself. I will find any help that I can get."
"I know you will. I forgive you."
Flint Marko shook hands with Ben Parker.
He awoke and rose up rapidly. He looked at the night sky and noticed a flying human with mechanical wings. He turned into sand and started flying in its direction.