Ult. GL Corps #5 - When In Warworld Pt. 1

[liquidsword34]

Ultimate Green Lantern Corps #5
When In Warworld Part 1 of 4

The Coast City Four, as the media has dubbed them, dive into their rusty grey station wagon under a hail of bullets from the two police officers stood outside of the bank. As the car lurches away their ears ring from the alarm system and gunfire, but aside from that they are unscathed. The two men in the back seats pull off their ski-masks once they get four blocks from the bank to count the bags of money they hold, stowing their guns away in the pockets of their blue boiler suits as they unmask. As with their last three robberies, the quartet worked fast and precise, in and out in under a minute, giving the police barely enough time to reach the scene before they were gone.

"The hell you taken' your mask off for?", the man riding shotgun asks in a thick Gotham accent as he turns to the men riding in the back. "The cops are only a few blocks away".

"Calm down, Larry", one of them replies as he gleefully counts the green notes one by one, yanking off his gloves to relish the feeling of the cash against his grubby little hands. "Two cops were just passing by and tried to take some pot shots at us, big deal, not like they'll have had time to call for back-up or anything".

"I'm just saying, numbskull, they fired at us. Any other cops are gonna get off their asses and look into that, don't yah think?".

"You whine like a soccer mom", 'numbskull' retorts as the station wagon slows down and turns off the main street into an empty side road lined with boarded up store windows, graffiti art sprayed on walls and other signs of general disuse.

"Watcha' turnin' down here for?", the passenger next to numbskull bellows into the drivers ear.

"I didn't, car's got a mind of its own!", the driver says before the vehicle jumps to a stop suddenly, sending crispy hundred dollar bills flying everywhere.

"That was me, boys", the voice of a young male rings out, maybe twenty-four or twenty-five years old and brimming with confidence. "Couldn't have you running off without saying hello".

"You dumb punk!", Larry yells as he jumps out of the car, his hand on his gun. "You don't know who you're messing with! I'll blow yah freakin' head off unless you tell me who you are and what you did to our car right now!"

"No need to get angry, pal, you just need to ask. I've got a real name, but most guys like you call me Obsidian, which will do nicely for now. As for what I did to your car? See, I'm connected to all this weird darkness stuff called the Shadowlands. Not sure how, not sure why, but I can do some funky stuff, like merge with my shadow, steal shadows, fly-".

The other bank robbers step out their car, reaching into their pockets for their weapons as they scan the area. "-And most importantly, move through objects like your car, letting me move it as I like".

"We ain't got time for this, kid!", the driver yells as he yanks out his gun from his jumpsuits pocket and waves it about wildly. Before he can so much as put his chubby finger against the trigger, a black shape emerges from the driver's shadow and grabs his arm in a vice grip with two hands. The shape is tall and well built, with striking white eyes and a long flowing white cape to match, with a black and dark blue suit including a jagged belt and heavy boots.

"It's rude to talk when I haven't finished", Obsidian hisses as he punches the driver hard in the face, knocking him out cold. The other thieves pull their weapons out hurriedly and start firing, forcing Obsidian to pull himself and the driver back down into the driver's shadow. The three remaining men charge the spot where the shadow was, guns aimed at the pavement and hands shaking in fear. "All yours, Jade", a voice rings out through the street, emitting from every shadow.

"Is that all you've got? Magic tricks?!", one of the criminals barks as he raises his gun up.

"Oh no, me and my brother have more than that", a soft female voice jokes from above. A boomerang made from emerald green light launches down the street from above at the thieves, knocking Larry up into the air and off his feet. The young form of a short woman with light green skin and a shade darker hair comes into view, her body outlined in a black bodysuit with green trimmings and long white boots, complete with a sort of aura of green fire which buzzes away around her. "Now, how about you put the guns down and I won't go all freaky magic on you guys, OK?"

While one criminal reacts by sprinting into the small gap between two of the clubs, the other decides to fire at Jade, who lazily raises her right palm to reveal a star shaped birthmark from which she projects a shield of green light. The seven bullets the criminal has in his weapon are harmlessly deflected away, followed by the man tossing his gun up at Jade in a last ditch attempt to harm her. In reply the super heroine launches a blast of light which hits him in the chest, knocking him to the ground. "Behave, please".

The last man runs down the alley, his size sixteen shoes slamming against the ground as he goes into a headlong sprint. He jumps a short fence into an adjoining alley and comes face to face with Obsidian, who is still holding the car's driver over his shoulder like a hunter carrying home its trophy. With ten yards or so between them the thug decides to hedge his bets and restrain from shooting at Obsidian straight away, instead taking his time aiming at Obsidian's black, almost haunting mask.

"Drop my pal and get out the way or I swear I'll put a bullet in you, kid!", he yells, his hands trembling on the trigger. "It's big boy rules now, I'll do it!".

"No you won't", Obsidian flatly replies. "I'm talking to your shadow, I can feel your fear. You know that before the bullet leaves the chamber, I can sink into my shadow, pop out of yours and drag you down to the police station. The Shadowlands tell me this stuff, and shadows don't lie".

Slowly, the man lowers his gun, eventually dropping it and kicking it away under a dumpster. Obsidian makes a mental note of where the gun is so he can tell the police and then follows the man back to the car where Jade is sat patiently next to the two other men, both of whom are wearing emerald green handcuffs she has created using her power. Nearby a police siren wails, homing in to arrest the Coast City Four at last.

"Well, that went quite well", Jade tells her brother as she handcuffs the remaining two men.

Obsidian chuckles as he leans against the hood of the car. "Very well. You doing anything once we knock off patrol for the night?"

"Just hanging out at the apartment and doing some last minute gift buying", Jade says as Obsidian sits next to her, patiently waiting for the police car. "You?"

"Nothing much. Jesse might be coming over again but...", Obsidian trails off as he looks up, noticing a small, black, metallic sphere floating in front of him with a light orange glow surrounding it. "Are you seeing that as well?"

"...Yeah. What is-"

"JADE AND OBSIDIAN OF EARTH, YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR COMBAT BY LORD MONGUL", a deep voice booms from the floating object. The orange light glows brighter before shooting out and hitting the siblings like a homing missile, instantly teleporting them away. "WELCOME TO WARWORLD!". As the cop car pulls up the sphere slips away up into the sky swiftly and silently, leaving the four criminals in shock.

"Do we tell the cops about that?"

"Do you think they'll believe it?"

"Point".

***

"Sinestro!", John Stewart calls across The Warrior's Bar, gaining the attention of the entering Korugarian and prompting him to sit down opposite John and Kilowog. The bar is bubbling with activity, but ever since Guy Gardner's leaving the atmosphere hasn't been the same. The bar is more hushed, with less of the usual rambunctious banter between Lantern's which was almost always led by Guy.

"Stewart, Kilowog", Sinestro says sternly as he sits down and holds up his arm, calling for a drink. "Is Scott here?"

"Oh, Alan?", John smirks. "Yeah, he's here. With his new partner".

"Ah, yes", Sinestro says as one of the drones working the bar passes him a drink. "How is he doing?"

"Bad", Kilowog answers. "Scott's not used to poozers, never really been a man of the youth if you catch my drift".

Sinestro chuckles softly as he sees Alan Scott approach, flanked by a short female alien with tomboyish blonde hair, sun-baked orange skin and a charming, youthful smile. "Thaal, this is Arisia Rrab", Alan says exhaustedly as he and Arisia take their seats. Arisia wears a green skirt and white top which runs from the top of her skirt up to her shoulders, managing to be sleek and fashionable while also being suitable for wear during combat. In a room full of mostly testosterone fuelled 'tough guys' like Kilowog and John Stewart, Arisia stands out from the crowd like a lion in a petting zoo.

"Daughter of Fentara, niece of Blish?", Sinestro asks as he folds his arms up, using his body language to remain distant from Arisia despite his interest.

"One and the same", Arisia says. "And you're Thaal Sinestro of Korugar, aren't you?"

"How did you know?", Sinestro asks, incapable of not being charmed by the younger Lantern's enthusiasm.

"My Da always used to read to me from this big book called Tales of the Corp. It was written by a group of Lanterns including my Uncle, I always loved the story about you and Alan fighting the sentient black hole over your home planet", Arisia beams, always happy to indulge her interest in Green Lantern history and trivia.

"Wait, your uncle was a Lantern as well?", John asks. "Your dad AND uncle being members of the Corps? That's not an everyday thing".

"Since the start of the Green Lantern Corps a male member of my lineage has worn this ring", Arisia explains, looking down at the ring which sits on her right hand as she does. "My Da, his Da, and his Da before him were all Lanterns during my lifetime, and now, with my uncle gone, I'm the first female member of my lineage to be a part of the Corps".

"I served with your father, he was a good Lantern", Sinestro says, making Arisia's smile spread from ear to ear.

"He'd be glad to know you said that", Arisia replies softly, "Da always spoke highly of you when he read about you".

"Sorry to drop out of the first meeting of the Sinestro fan club", John interjects as he stands up from his seat, "but I promised my folks I'd drop in to see them today, so I'd best get going".

"I'd best be leaving as well", Kilowog sighs as he stands up. "Salaak's negotiating peace between two groups of merchants in the same space sector, so he needs my help".

John waits for Kilowog to stand, making idle conversation as he does. "Salaak's still not much of a talker?"

"Nope, I can barely get two words out of the guy".

"Thaal just got here! Anybody would think you two were avoiding him!", Alan jokes as the two Lanterns make their exit, leaving just the three of them sat at the table. "How's Jordan been doing?", Alan asks Sinestro, who scowls.

"He doesn't seem to be taking everything seriously. He takes a long time to respond to messages, answers back to my orders and, despite having great willpower, has to be prompted to put his mind to everything".

"He did sort of save the universe", Alan says to Sinestro, who doesn't react.

"That doesn't change that he has some way to go before being as good as he can be", Sinestro replies coldly.

Not wanting to argue the point further, Alan shrugs and looks around the bar, not noticing that one of the bars robotic workers has silently flown up next to him. The robot is shaped like a small green flying saucer with the corp's symbol engraved on it and four mechanical arms coming out of the underside.

"Alan Scott?", the drone asks in a monotone robotic voice. Alan turns and nods in the affirmative. "I have a message for you". The drone makes a series of beeping noises before an audio recording plays. Alan, Sinestro and Arisia listen intently to sounds of a roaring crowd possibly hundreds of thousands strong, before a single bellowing voice cuts in over the babble and silences the others.

"People of Warworld! I, Lord Mongul, will soon present for your pleasure two of the universes most powerful beings. They go by the names Jade and Obsidian, and this duo will soon fight to the death for your entertainment!".

"Mongul", Sinestro growls, clenching his fist. "I thought we had seen the last of him several years ago". Alan holds up his hand to silence Thaal as Lord Mongul continues talking.

"But, if that were not enough, we have found that these siblings have a family member many of you will be familiar with. Their father is none other than Earth's Alan Scott, a member of the Green Lantern Corps! Lord Mongul fears no man, not even a Lantern!".

"The recording is blank after that", the robot says before clicking off and flying away, as though it was delivering any old message.

"You have children?", Arisia asks while widening her eyes in shock. "I have studied the Corps all my life, and I never knew that".

"Neither did I", Alan mutters while stroking his chin, deep in thought. "That recording was from very close to Mongul, within yards at least. And the bit about them being my children, it doesn't seem like something he would normally announce to an audience like that. He wanted me to hear this. It may just be a trick, to try and lure me in and capture me. Mongul would love to force a Green Lantern to fight in Warworld".

"Mongul is too scared of the Green Lantern Corps to do that. He won't want to tangle with us, we only imprisoned him two decades ago", Sinestro reminds Alan. "The children, whether or not they are yours, are his prize".

"What if it's extortion or blackmail", Arisia suggests enthusiastically, clearly excited to be involved in a conversation with senior lanterns such as Alan and Thaal. "He might want you to do something for him, like capture somebody or something. Mongul has done things like this in the past, hasn't he?"

"You're correct, and it's a definite possibility", Alan says as he climbs up from his chair, straightening out his cape as he does. "I doubt they are my children, and it's most likely a trap, but if Mongul is planning something I need to look into it".

"Mongul shouldn't even be free after everything he has done, and yet he continues to run games of bloodsport AND plot against us?", Sinestro snarls to Hal. "He should still be locked up here on Oa".

"I know how you feel, Sinestro, but if we do not allow people like Mongul a chance to reform, we're not much better than them".

Sinestro grumbles something about Mongul under his breath as Alan beckons for Arisia to follow him. "Do you really think the two of you can handle Mongul alone", Sinestro calls after Alan, who stops in his tracks. Alan pauses for a few seconds, thinking it over before turning back to Sinestro.

"Get Hal and meet us at Warworld", he says before setting off towards the exit again, quietly talking to Arisia as he does.

***

Jade and Obsidian awake in a small prison cell, surrounded by walls of dark grey metal and with dim strip lights on the walls illuminating the room. Metal bars keep the duo from escaping and the entire room is ice cold, making hairs stand on end. As Jade awakens Obsidian is already standing leaned against the cell's bars, staring down at a floor stained with blood of assorted colours.

"Where are we?", Jade asks as she stands up, feeling light headed, weak and confused, like part of her is missing.

"No idea", Obsidian replies. "I've only been awake for a few seconds longer than you, and it's not like there's a brochure laying around".

"Well, I think we should find out", Jade says as she raises her arms up and concentrates on the bars, imagining creating a pair of giant hands to rip the metal away like it was nothing. Nothing happens. She tries again, this time closing her eyes and visualising the bars being ripped away by a battering ram of green energy. Yet again, nothing happens. "My powers aren't working", Jade sighs in defeat. "How about yours?"

Obsidian looks at the shadow cast by the bars of the jail onto the floor outside and then at his own shadow, trying to travel through the latter and out of the former. But his shadow doesn't open up, or even communicate back with him. Obsidian curses in anger as he turns to his sister. "My link to the Shadowlands is broken, or gone, I'm not sure".

"Your powers are not gone completely", a regal voice calls from behind the bars, making the siblings jolt around in surprise. The being stood before them is about ten feet tall, with sickly yellow skin and limbs as thick as truck tyres. His purple, military style boots strike the ground like thunder claps as he strides down the corridor to view his prisoners. He wears a metal helmet which covers most of the back of his head, a sleek purple bodysuit which covers most of his body and metal decorations such as a pair of bracelets and a belt. The figure towers over Jade and Obsidian with a cocky grin spread across its face.

"Then what's happened to them?", Obsidian growls, trying unsuccessfully to scare the figure.

"As long as you are on Warworld, you are under MY control. This includes your powers. Warworld is an artificial planet with many weapons, including powers dampeners which can be configured to stop people like you two using your little abilities when I don't want you using them".

"I'm going to assume that you're Lord Mongul, then", Jade pipes in, now sat against the wall facing Mongul. "The robot said-"

"I know what my own robot said you insolent girl", Mongul snaps at Jade, "but yes, you are correct, I am Lord Mongul, ruler of Warworld".

Obsidian balls his fists as he hears Mongul insult his sister, which the giant alien notices straight away. "You wish to strike me because I insulted your 'sibling'? A woman you've known for three Earth months, at most?"

"How do you know so much about us?", Jade inquires. Unlike her brother Jade does not project her fear and distress into anger, remaining calm and facing Mongul with a clear head.

"I have been watching the two of you since I found out who your father was, long before you met each other or gained your powers. Once your brother's gift alerted him to your existence, I started paying close attention, just in case I needed the two of you. I used a variety of methods to watch you. Warworld itself contains a number of devices such as remote drones and tracking devices, and I have many inhabitants of your planet in my debt who checked up on you when needed. Recently, I faced two problems: Warworld's arena requires new warriors to awe the crowd in combat, and I require a dangerous task carried out. You will serve me well in the solution to both problems. Does that answer all your questions, or do you wish to waste more of both our times?"

Obsidian approaches the bars, looking up at Mongul wide eyed. "You know who our father is?"

"Are you deaf?", Mongul jokes.

"WHO IS HE!?", Obsidian yells, causing Jade to jump up and pull him back, knowing that Obsidian is going to start a fight he cannot win. The two fall to the ground in a heap as Jade restrains her brother, making Mongul chuckle heartily.

"Do not raise your voice to royalty", Mongul taunts as he turns and marches away from Jade and Obsidian's cell, leaving the two with an either bigger question than before.

***

Hal Jordan sits laid out on the couch in his living room wearing the thick, itchy red and green sweater Carol's mother, Christine, knitted for him, as she does every year. Some sort of holiday special is blaring away on the TV as the smell of ham being cooked wafts through the apartment.

"Need any help in there?", Hal calls to Carol while half heartedly trying to recall where the remote is.

"Only if I want something else burnt", Carol yells back.

"Who was even going to eat yams, anyway?", Hal chuckles as he puts his feet up. The apartment is small, made up of a tiny sitting room, a kitchen, a bedroom barely large enough to fit a queen sized bed in and a bathroom. A makeshift table has been set-up in the middle of the living room with six chairs cramped in around it to eat Christmas dinner at.

"When are your brother, Sue and the kids getting here?"", Carol asks as she walks into the living room, wearing a sweater just as uncomfortable as Hal's and practically collapsing down onto the couch as Hal moves his feet down.

"Should be an hour or two", Hal replies as he puts his arms around Carol, who laughs as Hal pulls her on top of him.

"That's not what I was thinking, Hal!", Carol giggles.

"Why not?"

"Well", Carol says, as she looks up at the window, raising her eyebrows as she does. "The Starsky to your Hutch is hovering outside of our window, so there's that".

Hal sighs as he climbs up to his feet, spotting Sinestro landing on the apartment's balcony and letting himself in. "Why aren't you wearing your ring?"

"Well, on Earth we have this thing called Christ-"

"Yes, I know about your planet's festivals. Why are you not wearing your ring? I've been trying to contact you for at least half an hour".

"You said we were off duty today", Hal says as he exits the living room, leaving Sinestro and Carol to their awkward silence. After rummaging through his bedroom drawers Hal pulls out his ring from inside a pair of balled up socks and slides it onto his finger before sprinting back into the living room, his outfit changing to his Green Lantern attire as he runs.

"You should never have your ring out of your possession, Jordan", Sinestro says patronisingly. "Ring: Power level check", he orders, causing both his and Hal's ring to light up.

"30 percent power remaining", Sinestro's ring says.

"9 percent power remaining", Hal's declares a second or so afterwards. In response Hal concentrates and pulls his power battery out from the pocket dimension it resides in, dragging it from its homeworld and putting it down on the dinner table before he and Sinestro place their hands on it. It's only Hal's third time charging his ring actively (Instead of allowing it to recharge at night), but he already knows the Green Lantern oath well.

"In brightest day, in blackest night
No Evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power
Green Lantern's light!

Both Lantern's rings light up as power surges into them from the small green battery, ending in a flash of emerald illumination. Hal picks the battery up off of the table and pushes it back into the pocket dimension it is usually stored in, making it dissolve into thin air as though it had never even existed. As Hal and Sinestro turn towards the window to leave, Hal feels a tap on his shoulder.

"Hal, your brother's coming, remember", Carol says. "What am I supposed to tell him?"

"Tell him...tell him there was an emergency at the airfield".

"You know I hate lying".

"Just for now, this one lie. I'll try to be back as soon as possible, I promise", Hal replies, turning to face Carol. "I need to explain something like this to him in person".

"...Fine", Carol sighs as she hugs Hal. "Take care of yourself".

"Of course", Hal says as he follows Sinestro to the balcony door. The two raise their rings and blast off like shots from a cannon into the cloudy sky, creating a trail of green behind them.

"I really hope none of the neighbours saw that", Carol grumbles as she sits back down on the couch and puts her feet up.

-To Be Continued-Ult. GL