Issue #36 Faux DC proudly presents.... "Rebuilding - part two." by TJ Burns

The scene opens in the Hawk's Nest in Chicago, where we see Katar leading Shayera, blindfolded, into the living room. "Jam it, Katar, I hate this! Why can't you just tell me what this surprise is?", says Shayera, in an exasperated tone. "Because it's a surprise, Shayera.... and one that I think that you'll appreciate.", says Katar with a smile on his face. "Ok, here we are...", says Katar as he removes the blindfold. "Oh!", exclaims Shayera when she sees the surprise. The scene changes to show a full set of wings, made of a shiny, silvery metal. They are delicately crafted, so that every feather seems real. "How could this be, Katar? I thought all of the Nth Metal was destroyed!", says Shayera, overwhelmed. "So did I, until my time in the Hawkgod's dimension. I discovered that he lied to us about how the metal was created. He was never an angel that my father tossed into Hell. He only said that in order to demoralize me enough to try and take my soul. That meant that the metal could still be created.... As it turns out, I didn't even have to do that much. He missed some of the metal on Earth. I found out that J'onn had kept the wings that Sharon wore while she was being manipulated by Fel Andar. He had planned to refurbish them for a JLA project, but with her resurrection, he felt that it was OK to give them to me. Between me and Dr. Irons, we had them up and running in no time.", said Katar. "So what took you so long?", laughs Shayera. "Well, I just thought that they should be as beautiful as the woman who'll be wearing them.", smiles Katar as the two embrace. _______________________________________________________________________ Elsewhere, in a darkened chamber.... "Sir, the Shadow Thief has arrived.", says a well dressed man. "Excellent! Send him in.", says a figure in the shadows. "Actually", comes a voice from nowhere, "I'm already here." As everyone in the room turns suddenly, the shadows begin coalescing in the center of the room. Ultimately, they become a man... Carl Sands, the Shadow Thief! "Most impressive Mr. Sands. I was not aware that your control over the shadows was as complete as that.", says the man in the shadows. "I trust that you know what we wish for you to do, then." "Certainly. You want me to steal the wreckage of the original JLA satellite from where it's being stored at Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City.", says the Shadow Thief calmly. "Can you do it? You were defeated by Batman in the past." ,says the man in the shadows. "That was long before I got the power I do now. Libra considered me to be enough of an expert then to hire me for his Injustice Gang. Now, with my powers, the Bat wouldn't stand a chance!", says the Shadow Thief angrily. "The only problem is that it's kind of hard for one man to transport an entire satellite." "True... which is why we only wish you to steal the computer's memory core." , says the man in the shadows. "Alright.... I'll accept this mission... You agree on my price?", says the Shadow Thief. "250 million dollars is cheap for the information on that device. Bring it here, and we will even include a bonus." ,says the man in the shadows. "One more thing... I want an extra 100 thousand if I have to face any metahumans.... and 100 million if you want me to kill Batman while I'm at it." , says the Shadow Thief. "Agreed. Shall we shake on it then, Sands?", says the man in the shadows. The Shadow Thief begins to fade out. "Your goods will be here by the end of the week. I trust you not to betray me... not now that I know who you are. I'm sure the alien would be very interested in learning that YOU are behind the Criminal Alliance of the World." "True. And I'm sure that even you could not avoid my assassins forever." ,laughs the man in the shadows. The mocking laughter of the Shadow Thief fills the room as he vanishes. "Don't bet on it...." _______________________________________________________________________ Morning, Chicago. "Kalmoran! Who would call here at such an hour?" ,says Katar Hol, as he is woken up by the ringing telephone. "Hello?" ,says Katar.... as he is knocked flat by an unseen force! "Seven Hells! What hit me?" ,says Katar, dazed. "I did alien! You see, Carter Hall was my best friend. I'm not about to let MORE alien scum disgrace his reputation.", comes a tiny voice. "Ray? Ray Palmer? What are you talking about? I may be an alien, but I'm still the same man who was your friend.", says Katar. Suddenly, the Atom shoots up from the carpeted floor, hitting Katar again! "Prove it alien! Tell me something that only he'd know!", says Ray Palmer, the Atom. "I remember when you came to me for advice when you were about to marry Jean Loring. I told you that her career would always come first for her.... but that I had saw you defeat world destroying challenges before, at ten inches tall. if you could do that, you could certainly handle those sorts of challenges. When the two of you got a divorce, I was crushed, because I'd given you the wrong advice.", says Katar, his voice becoming choked. "I remember. I told you that your advice was right on... only that I hadn't followed it as closely as I should have. I'm.... I'm glad that your back, Carter!", said the Atom. "And I'm glad to see you to! You haven't aged a day!" ,said Katar. "Deaged a few times, actually. And you look younger!" ,said Ray Palmer. "I've merged with all other Hawkmen. It does wonders for the health.", cracked Katar. Suddenly a gunshot rings out! Both heroes hit the floor, only to look up at an angry Shayera! "Ok, meat.... hands off my fiancée!" ,says the angry Hawkwoman. "She always like this?" ,whispers Ray. "Do I look stupid enough to answer that question?" ,grins Katar. _______________________________________________________________________ Later.... Our scene has changed, and the Atom is joining our protagonists for breakfast. "So you are looking for a job Carter? Have you ever thought of teaching?", says the Atom, over a cup of coffee. "A little. I don't know how well I'd do at it though. As Carter Hall, I really screwed up my relationship with my son Hector because I was always on archaeological tours... I don't ever want to make that mistake again. Of course, I have a chance to make that right now." , says Hawkman. "I think you'd be good at it Peacock. After all, didn't your father teach on Thanagar?" ,says Shayera. "Yes, he did.... I actually have an offer from one of the Universities here in Chicago to teach history and archaeology. I wasn't sure that I'd like it, but maybe I should give it a shot at that. You like it, Ray?" ,says Katar. "Yeah. Trust me, it's much harder to force nuclear physics into the MTV generation than it ever was to beat Amazo." ,laughs Ray. "You know, you may be right. I've been a superhero, in one lifetime or another, for ages. Maybe it's time I start trying to teach the next generation of people the information they need to survive in the world that people like us have made, Ray. Maybe some of our values will rub off too." ,says Katar. "That's a hard task, old friend. Trust me.... I tried leading the Teen Titans.." ,says the Atom. "But I've imposed on you two long enough. I'm truly sorry about the mix-up Carter. Anytime you need me, call and I'll come running." "Good bye Ray. Will you be at the wedding?" ,asks Katar. "After you offered me the best man's job? You know it!" ,says Ray Palmer. Seconds later, he micronizes down and travels through the phone line back to Ivy Town. "I think you'd enjoy teaching, Peacock. But you'd better hurry! You have that meeting with the old JSA in Gotham. I have to go to that seminar that the Department is holding today, in order to prepare us for metahuman combat. Like I need any more of that!" ,laughs Shayera. "OK, my love. Lefty is off picking up my mother right now, so we'll have to order out tonight. It's amazing that a man who considers beer to be a fine cooking sauce is so good at it!", says Katar as the wings sprout from his shoulder blades and he begins to take flight from the balcony. "See you tonight!" _______________________________________________________________________ Gotham City... "Well bless my soul! If it isn't the winged wonder himself... and only twenty minutes late" ,says Jay Garrick as Hawkman touches down outside of the old JSA brownstone. "Not all of us can break the speed of light, Jay. How's Joan." ,says Katar. "She's doing fine. So let us in on the big secret... how did you make it back to the land of the living, Carter?", says Jay. "As a result of the Hawkgod's manipulation, I was merged with all other Hawkmen. So I'm both Katar Hol and Carter." ,says Hawkman. "Not a bad trick... doesn't that cut down on your own individuality though?", asks Jay. "Surprisingly, no. Katar and Carter were a lot alike. As such, I'm mostly still the same man I was. So where are Alan and Ted, anyway?" ,says Katar. "Right here!" ,says Alan Scott, the Sentinel, as he descends from the sky. "Alan! Did everyone get younger while I was gone?" ,asks Hawkman with a laugh. "A somewhat sore subject, I'm afraid, Carter. I have some good news though... remember Hal Jordan? Apparently, he was framed for the Parallax murders. He's returned, and is Green Lantern again!" ,says Alan. "That's wonderful, Alan! I knew that someone that Barry trusted as much as he did Hal could never be responsible for what happened with Exant." ,says Jay Garrick. "Good news indeed! I should look Hal up sometime... we served together in the old JLA... I know from experience how tough it can be to come back to find the world changed so much!", says Katar. "Anyway, on to our meeting... did you bring the cards, Jay?" ,asks Alan with a smile. A brief blur of motion occurs. "I did now." ,says Jay Garrick with a laugh as the three warriors walk into the old headquarters. _______________________________________________________________________ Wayne Enterprises, Warehouse 44. "Hey Jake, did you hear something?" ,asks a night watchman. "Not a thing, Bill... ack!" ,cries his partner as he falls, a black dart sticking out of his neck. Suddenly, the local shadows coalesce into the form of the Shadow-Thief! "That was too easy... Wayne has to be a sap to think that these two are enough to protect his goods in Gotham City, of all places.", he says with a sneer. The Shadow-Thief walks through the wall of the warehouse. A loud ringing begins to echo from the building. "Unbelievable! The alarms even cover people walking through the walls. The Justice League must guard their secrets even better than I thought." ,says Carl Sands, the Shadow Thief, with a sigh. "Looks like I'm really going to EARN my pay tonight. Maybe I'll even get a chance to leave Batman in a pool of his own blood this evening." _______________________________________________________________________ The JSA brownstone.. "Great game Jay... after that first six packs of cards we lost. Next time, deal at a rate that WON'T incinerate paper, OK?" ,laughs Alan Scott. "Hey, did you see the hands I had been getting? Those cards deserved it. Besides, it was only four packs." ,says Jay Garrick. "Great game guys... but it's getting late and I promised my lovely bride-to-be that I'd be home by now. Is there any way I can get to Chicago faster than on my own power?" ,asks Katar Hol. "Well, with all the wooden weapons you are carrying, I can't just teleport you, or I would, old friend. Maybe you can use the old JLA teleporters. You still have access, right?" ,asks Alan Scott. "That's a great idea Alan! I really appreciate the advice... See you guys!" ,says Katar, as he takes to the air. "Take care, old friend! We don't want you having to get resurrected again!" ,shouts Jay Garrick as Hawkman flies away. _______________________________________________________________________ Wayne Enterprises Warehouse 44. "Hold it right there villain!" ,cries an unseen figure at the Shadow-Thief. "Who're you supposed to be, kid? I thought that Gotham was the Batman's beat." ,smirks the Shadow Thief. "I'm Joe Public, pal, and as long as there are scum like you around, I'm here to take you out." , cries the costumed adventurer as he hurls himself at the Shadow Thief, and promptly goes straight through him into the wreckage of the JLA satellite. "Kid, I took on Batman, Hawkman, and the entire Justice League before I got powers... do you honestly think you have a prayer against me?" ,says the Shadow Thief as he viciously chops down on the back of Joe Public's neck. "Ouch! That might hurt a normal guy, pal, but I'm Joe Public... I'm a superhero. And you, my friend, are toast." ,cries the metahuman hero as he punches the Shadow Thief... only to scream in agony. "Sorry, pal... did I forget to mention that I can open a gateway to any shadow... I hear that it's really, really cold in Antartica." ,smirks the Shadow Thief, as he viciously strikes at the young hero's pressure points. "Face it, all you managed to do tonight was make me an extra ten grand by showing up and letting me beat you." The unconscious young hero merely drops to the ground. _______________________________________________________________________ Police Headquarters, Gotham City. "Thanks a lot for letting me use the teleport tube up here, Commissioner. I truly appreciate it." ,says Hawkman. "Not a problem Hawkman. We haven't had any of the old JLA around here, other than Batman, since that disaster with G. Gordon Godfrey though... are you sure that the satellite still works?" ,asks Commissioner Gordon. "I am not sure either, to be honest, sir... but I figure I'll give it a shot. I'll give your regards to Commissioner Emmett! Thanks again!" ,says Hawkman as he steps through the teleporter. "Nice guy, that Hawkman... how come we couldn't get a hero like that one, eh, Commish?" ,says Harvey Bullock from behind Gordon. "I'm surprised to see you speaking up for any hero, Harvey." ,says Gordon, surprised. "Eh, This one's different... he's a cop, Commisioner. Anyone that can cut it as one of us is OK in my book." ,says Bullock. "Besides, I have a nephew on the force in Chicago. He says that the Hawk's an OK guy... saved him during some sort of terrorist standoff... while following police procedure. Now that's a hero." "Maybe he is, Harvey... but so is Batman." ,says Commisioner Gordon. "Excuse me, Commisioner." says a young patrolman who has just arrived on the scene. "There's an alarm going off at Wayne Enterprises." "Send over a car immediately!" ,says Commisioner Gordon. _______________________________________________________________________ Wayne Warehouse 44. "Where is it?" , shouts the Shadow Thief angrily. "You'd think that Earth's Mightiest Heroes could keep a better organized headquarters... or is that some other group?" A faint moan comes from the ground. The Shadow Thief lashes out a kick to the temple of the stirring Joe Public. "So where is the computer core, anyway?" sighs the Shadow Thief, as a bright flash occurs behind him. "What the...?" "Well if it isn't Carl Sands... it's been a while since we've fought." ,smiles Hawkman as he steps out of the teleport tube. "Wonderful... tonight just keeps getting better and better." ,sighs the Shadow Thief as he enters his shadowy form. "Say good-night Sands" says Katar Hol as he raises his mace... only to have it knocked from his hands by a familiar boomerang. "I knew that the JLA put too much trust in you alien... your 'reincarnation' never fooled me. Now I have my proof. You broke in here for some reason tonight... but you'll be going out in chains." ,says the Batman, as he prepares for another throw. "Wonderful... how am I going to explain this to Shayera?" ,thinks Katar, wryly. _______________________________________________________________________ TO BE CONTINUED! _______________________________________________________________________ Next issue: Hawkman vs. Batman! Be here!

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