Post by liquidsword34 on Nov 2, 2012 21:37:11 GMT -5
Ultimate Green Lantern Corps #2
The War of the Lanterns Part 2
The War of the Lanterns Part 2
"It's seven-fifteen AM, Hal. I'm tired and cold. You really think you can get it to work?" Carol Ferris reluctantly tells her boyfriend, who is at this point waving his Green Lantern ring over his head, trying to see if he can make it do anything. Aside from a few flashes of green light Hal hadn't managed to get anything from his ring despite a night of trying, and at this point he isn't getting any closer. Hal's face is contorted into an image of pure anger and distress as his frustration overcomes him, clouding his mind and destroying his cinfidence. His hair is rustled up and messy, and his brown leather boots are covered in layers of dust. Carol is slumped down by the side of the runway, her eyes barely opened and her corneas aching from the harsh rising sun.
"Carol, it...it spoke. You heard it, right?"
"That was hours and hours ago, Hal. Come on, we can get some breakfast down the street. I'm hungry, I'm tired and I'm freezing cold. Maybe you can try again later?".
"I guess you're right", Hal mutters as he lowers his arms and Carol stands up, stretching out her aching limbs. Hal takes off his jacket and slides it on over her shoulders, earning him a peck on the cheek.
"Hal Jordan?"
Hal and Carol turn around to see Alan Scott standing behind them, with a bright green ring identical to Hal's wrapped around his finger, shining brightly. He wears green pants, a red shirt with a green lantern on it, a sweeping black cloak and a matching domino mask. Alan has sleek short blond hair, cut perfectly and styled just as well. His skin is pale yet not unhealthily so, clean and well kept.
"S... Sentinel", Hal mutters as his face lights up like a child on Christmas. Hal slowly steps towards the man, completely in awe of his idol being stood mere feet away and addressing him by name.
"Haven't gone by that in years, kid. Call me Alan", Sentinel replies while stretching out his hand. "Alan Scott".
Hal practically tears off Alan's hand as he shakes it, unable to take his eyes off of him.
"Are you here about Hal's green...lantern, is it? His Green Lantern?" Carol asks while flanking Hal.
"Green Lantern RING, Madam...?"
"Ferris. Carol Ferris", she replies, almost as awe struck as Hal. "But that doesn't really answer my question".
"It's a long story", Alan says. The older man walks out into the centre of the runway, followed by Hal and Carol. "But first, you've got to look the part, Hal".
"Huh?"
"An outfit. A costume. You know, like mine" Alan continues.
"Well there's an old store ab..." Hal starts, but stops as his ring lights up. As though it were an instinct from birth, Hal lifts his ring up above his head. Within seconds he is dressed in a green and black bodysuit, with a green domino mask like Alan's, and holding a Green Lantern power battery in his left hand as his ring pulsates gently on his left. "Whoa".
"Did...did you do that, Hal?" Carol asks while running her hand across Hal's chest, feeling the strong and yet completely smooth fabric which adorns her boyfriends body.
"I think I did!" Hal replies giddily. "I sort of..I sort of hoped for it to happen, and it did!"
"You willed it. The ring's powered by willpower, which is why it found you", Alan corrects Hal. "You're able to overcome great fear and adversity, with possibly the strongest willpower on Earth. When your father died in a plane crash while you were just a teenager, you carried on, you and Carol developed this business with your own two hands. You're something else".
"How do you know all this?" Carol asks with a hint of cynicism, as unlike Hal she hasn't been completely drawn in by the fairytale nature of the situation. In response Alan simply smiles and gestures to his ring with his empty hand.
"This thing right here? It doesn't just look good. In all the universe it's the most powerful weapon, the largest encyclopaedia, the fastest mode of transport, and the best possible defence against attack. With this thing you can carry out medical procedures top doctors can't even dream of, or inflict pain greater than any torture. And despite all that you only need to be close to that battery you're holding to charge it back up". Alan floats a few feet off of the ground as if to show just a small a fraction of the rings power. "And as a member of the Green Lantern Corps, you will use it to protect life whenever and wherever possible".
"WaitwaitwaitwaitwaitWAIT!" Hal yells out in surprise. "Look, Se...Alan. You're a super hero and, and that's awesome. But...but a corps? Like the army or...or the marines?"
"Not an army, Hal. More like a police force. Thousands of members, from different races, planets, creeds and origins. United by the Guardians of the Universe, to protect those who can't protect themselves. I was a member until a few years ago, when I retired. I got to keep my ring just in case, and Earth was assigned a pair of new Green Lanterns, Guy Gardner and John Stewart".
"John Stewart?" Carol butts in, inquisitive as ever. "The marine who was all over the news not long ago?"
"One and the same, Carol. My point is...well, my point is, being a Green Lantern, that's rare. It's a special responsibility. If the Guardians have pulled me out of retirement just to train you, you're something special, kid. And that's what the corps needs. An alien titan, Atrocitus, has gathered his own Red Lantern Corps, fuelled by anger and rage, and wishes to annihilate the Guardians of the Universe and in turn, the Green Lantern Corps. I know this sounds ridiculous, but over all my years defending Coast City, haven't I earned your trust? It will be dangerous, but they must be stopped, or the entire universe may fall".
"Murderous aliens?" Carol roars at Alan. "You can't honestly want a PILOT to go out and fight that sort of thing. And that's if you're even telling the truth! How are we expected to believe th..."
"O...OK", Hal inturrupts. It all seems to have sunk in at last. His childhood hero coming to him, and telling him that he's been chosen to defend the universe. A smile slowly spreads back across Hal's face. "I'll do it. Carol, if it's as serious as...as Alan says, this is more important than just me. And if I really am "special", if I'm destined for more, I can't just pass that up".
"You're right", Carol concedes. "I'm sorry about...you know".
"You've got nothing to be sorry about, Carol", Hal responds in an instant, wrapping his hands around her. "You'll never need to apologise for wanting to look out for me, but this...this is just what I have to do".
"I never doubted yah!" Alan proclaims as he rises at least ten feet off the ground. In response Hal follows him up, slowly going up into the air. Carol looks up from below, awe struck as she admires the two costumed super heroes, shimmering in the rising sun, their rings blaring out bright green light as a layer of the light coats each of them. "Impressive, but you're just getting started kid. Mind of I borrow your boyfriend for a few hours or so?"
"Don't worry about it", Carol beams, finally coming around to the idea. "Just keep him safe".
"I know, have him home by eleven, no funny business, I've given the speech before", Alan jokes. Even with it being at his own expense, Hal can't help but laugh. Just hearing his idol talk about him in such a kind-hearted way was an honour and a joy. "Now first thing's first, Hal. You can't be flying around with your battery out", Alan points to the power battery still in Hal's hand.
"What do I..." Hal starts, but before he can finish his sentence the battery lets out a gentle "POP" sound and disappears.
"Pocket dimension, you can get it out again as long as your ring is within a few miles of it. You should be able to go a few days between recharge, and that's only if..."
"Lantern's Alan Scott and Hal Jordan come in".
The voice coming from the duos ring is not the dull, monotone voice which informed Hal of his acceptance into the Green Lantern Corps. Instead it is slightly raspy, like a ducks quack yet soft enough to be easy to understand. Alan holds his ring up to his mouth. "We're listening, Tomar-Re".
"Minor robbery, local currency only, just what your poozer needs. A criminal known as The Sportsmaster, a few miles from you at the Coast City central bank".
"Lawrence Crock? They let that crazy old fool out of jail?"
"Looks like it, Alan. I assume you'll have no problems with this?"
"None what so ever, Tomar-Re. Good to speak to you again, it's been too long", Alan says as he turns towards Coast City off in the distance. Alan jets off while motioning for Hal to follow, which he slowly does. Within seconds the two are sailing by, side by side, Alan's cape swirling in the wind as the cool air blows past them. Like a duo of predatory birds the Green Lanterns swoop over the desert outskirts down into the buzzing metropolitan area of Coast City, going at nearly a hundred miles per hour and yet maintaining perfect control, even being able to wave to a few passers by.
"The pleasure's all mine, Alan Scott, it's an honour to work with you".
***
The Warrior's Bar is packed to the brim with Green Lanterns of every size and shape, ranging from the likes of the skinny blind Rot Lop Fan, with his webbed feet, curved shark like head and a green bell on his uniform, to Hannu, a humanoid creature with a body composed of solid rock whom refuses to use weapons, including his power ring, in battle, instead being skilled in hand to hand combat of many forms, and every type in between. The bar is decorated in the Green Lanterns colours of green and white, with small Green Lanterns sitting in the centre of most of the round tables as decorations. The floors and walls are sparkling clean, matching the immaculate uniforms of most of the lanterns. The bar is completely automated with floating droids taking care of most tasks, especially with the bars owner, Guy Gardner, having defected over to the Red Lantern Corps almost a month ago. In the centre of the room sits a coffin with flowers, a Green Lantern power battery and some pictures piled on top. "Abin Sur" has been expertly carved into the green metallic material which the coffin is composed of, with "Father, son, husband, and Green Lantern" just beneath it. Thaal Sinestro, John Stewart and Kilowog stand over the coffin without saying a word, sharing almost the exact same cold, blank look. While not strangers to death, it still hits all three Lanterns hard.
***
Two years ago
"LIEUTENANT STEWART, GET YOUR ASS DOWN NOW!" a strained voice roars over the sound of machine gun fire. John Stewart ignores this, continuing to charge towards an occupied building. Under the hot Afghanistan sun John rifle burns to the touch, sweat rolls off his thick frame and makes his fatigues stick to his chest. Behind him he can hear the sound of an M1 Abram rolling over the debris of what used to be buildings and shouts to load the gun from the other marines. Despite all this John is undeterred, keeping his head down as he sprints to the entrance of the building, bullets whizzing past his head missing by just inches until he dives down behind a chunk of rubble. John had expended his rifles ammo some time ago, and he is down to just his side arm. John keeps ignoring the cries to get back, keeping his mind on his targe inside of the solitary run down building just metres away. John takes a deep breath and then makes a charge, avoiding fire from both sides as he dives through a window.
"What the hell is that moron doing?" a short officer growls, rustling his handlebar moustache. His subordinate simply shakes his head in disbelief. "Tanks are loaded and Stewart goes running into the got-damn hornets nest, he's going to get blown to pieces and I'll have to fill out the damn paper work!" Seconds later the tanks barrel lets off an ear splitting bang as it launches its shell into the occupied building, collapsing all three of its stories down in a cloud of dust.
"Is...is Stewart dead?" a marine mutters, lowering his rifle down to his hip. His question is answered by a body pushing its way out of the rubble, clutching a small object in its hands. John approaches his officer with a scowl on his face.
"I heard it crying before you opened fire, decided to do something. Maybe you should think before you act, sir", John spits at the officer as he clucthes the baby in his arms.
"YOU IDIOT!" the officer explodes, practically bouncing off of his feet as his face puffs up red. "INSUBORDINATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THIS MARINE CORPS STEWART! I SWEAR TO GOD YOU'LL BE IN FRONT OF A COURT MARTIAL BEFORE YOU CAN SAY "HELP ME I'E GOT A PAIR OF SIZE TWELVE'S JAMMED SO FAR UP MY ASS I CAN SEE BOOT POLISH!" I'LL HAVE YOU OUT ON YOUR ASS BY..."
"I saved a child's life. If there's a corps which punishes me for that, I don't want any part in it", John calmly responds before he walks away, leaving the other marines stunned.
***
Present day
"STAY BACK!" the Sportsmaster calls out to the police as he stands on the bank steps. He wears a thick purple sports coat, green pants, a matching mask and has a bag slung over his shoulder containing his various equipment. Sportsmaster is at least fourty, and it shows. Wrinkles cover his face, his nose has a clear break in it and his lips look leathery and worn. At his feet are a pair of duffel bags stuffed to bursting point with money which Sportsmaster has stolen from the bank, with some notes stuffed down his coat and in his shoes. The Coast City Police keep aiming their guns at Sportsmaster, patiently awaiting permission to fire, or for circumstances to change. "I'VE GOT TWO MILLION BIG ONES IN HERE, SPORTS FANS, AND I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THE SLAMMER!"Sportsmaster proclaims, bellowing out his words like an enthusiastic sports commentator. "SPORTSMASTER'S GOING FOR THE GRAND SLAM, AND THIS TIME NOBODY CAN STOP HIM!" From the surrounding office buildings people look down, some even recording what's happening on their phones. Hal and Alan float just below the clouds, peering down at the scene unfolding below.
"Sportsmaster can be a handful despite what he looks like, but just follow my lead and we should be fine", Alan tells Hal. "Your ring works based on your thoughts. You imagine it, the ring makes it, as long as you have the willpower". Alan swoops down over the amassed crowd, followed closely by Hal. The two stop above the police cordon, with Alan creating a megaphone using his ring. Seeing The Sentinel the police back off slightly and lower their weapons, showing their trust in Coast City's foremost superhero and his new companion.
"AH, SENTINEL!" Sportsmaster yells as he rummages in his bag excitedly, almost manically.
"Come in willingly, Crock, and you won't get hurt", Alan says through the megaphone, prompting Sportsmaster to pull a long stick out from his sports bag.
"TODAY, SENTINEL, JUSTICE WILL NOT BE SERVED!" Sportsmaster retorts, prompting the stick to expand out into a tennis racket. Sportsmaster grabs a tennis ball-bomb out of his pocket and squeezes it, making the ball let out a loud click, letting Crock know it's armed.
"You can handle this, Hal. Just imagine something to stop it, and then will it into existence", Alan coaches to Hal as Sportsmaster throws the ball up high into the air. Sportsmaster blasts the ball up towards the duo with a picture perfect overhand serve as Hal raises his ring, trying to focus. First he pictures a racket, volleying the ball away. He quickly throws that thought away. Even if he didn't hit an innocent person, he wasn't going to launch an explosive at a criminal. Then he pictures a net, like on a tennis court. Tilted back to catch the ball so it doesn't fall back down to the ground. In less than a second Hal makes his decision, conjuring up a large, tightly nit tennis net. The ball gently lands on the net which Hal wraps up around the device to absorb the small explosion, prompting applause from the audience below . "Good job", Alan says with no small amount of surprise. "See? It's not too hard".
Sportsmaster turns and charges away from the lanterns while grabbing his bags of cash, diving over a bush and down onto the street as a pair of ice skate style devices pop out from his boots. Skilfully Sportsmaster weaves through traffic, keeping up his speed as he hits the on ramp to the free-way. Behind him cars skid and slide as they try to avoid colliding with the fleeing super villain. The Green Lanterns fly low behind Sportsmaster, keeping him in their sights with their rings drawn. "Any time you want, Hal", Alan says, prompting Hal to create a lasso of green light. Sportsmaster's blades use some sort of thrusters, keeping him moving fast while letting him control his movement down to a science, allowing him to outrun the police cars with ease. Hal takes some pleasure in swinging his lasso over his head like a cowboy a few times before launching it, catching Sportsmaster around the waist and lifting him up off the ground.
"YOU CHEATING SCOUNDRELS!" Sportsmaster bellows as police cars amass on the free-way below him. From the overlooking buildings crowds of people cheer and woop Hal, who modestly smiles and waves back while lowering Sportsmaster down to the police.
"You're getting the hang of ring slinging, kid", Alan tells Hal as he creates a giant green hand to wave at the crowd. "A quick crash course, and now I think it's time for you to go to Oa".
"Oa?"
"The home of the Green Lantern Corps, in the centre of the universe. There you'll be assigned a partner and begin patrolling".
"Patrolling...where?" Hal asks, prompting Alan to gesture upwards,
"The universe, Hal. Where ever evil may roam, the Green Lantern Corps will be there to stop it".
"Can you get that as a bumper sticker?" Hal jokes, making Alan crack a smile.
"Your ring will guide you to Oa. If you have a question, your ring should be able to answer it".
"Aren't you coming? I thought you said the Corps was at war?"
"I'm retired, Hal. You were chosen by the ring for a reason," Alan replies as he starts to drift off. "I might be able to catch my golf game if I fly fast. Your ring can act as a phone, so if you want to tell Carol where you are, feel free".
"A phone?"
"It's the Swiss army knife of cosmic hand held one man army's, Hal", Alan jokes before swooping down low and away. Hal stays floating above Coast City for a minute or so, taking in the view. The hundreds of skyscrapers illuminated by the morning sun. The cars bustling along the free-way. People on the side walk waving up to him. Hal raises his ring, feeling it communicating the coordinates to Oa directly into his brain as he flies off, taking one last look before he passes through the clouds and soon, into outer space.
But even so, Hal can't take in everything. Least of all the angelic, skeletal red and black form of Bleez stood in the twenty-second floor of Cash & Co Bank HQ, peering out of the window while the corpse of the unfortunate chief accountant who's office she had invaded laid at her feet. Bleez struts away from the window, stepping over the bleeding body while raising her ring to her lips. Not even the most powerful telepath can reach a being in deep space from Earth, but like any power ring Bleez's Red Lantern ring acted as a communication device.
"Atrocitus my dear", Bleez hisses, her tongue flicking out of her mouth like a serpent. "I've sent you the information I gathered from the "chosen Green Lantern" and his mentor. Alan Scott is not entering the war and this new Lantern, Hal Jordan, is travelling to Oa alone. And if he does make it...I've picked his fragile little brain, I know a few little things Gardner would love to get his hands on".
"I shall see he is taken care of", Atrocitus replies. "But first, I feel that we have a funeral to attend. Hope you can make it, my love".
***
Sinestro stands alone in front of Abin's coffin, his hands clutched together in front of him. The other Green Lanterns are sat or stood around the roomstaring at Sinestro silently.
"Not all of you will have fought alongside Abin Surr", Sinestro calls out over the sea of hushed faces, "and many of you will have never met him. But, despite this, he was a Green Lantern, like all of us. He fought, and died, protecting the universe. Not many beings can say that. I was Abin's partner for some time, and I have never known a Lantern as enthusiastic, kind hearted and willing to to fight for the Corps as Abin. In his time in the Corps, he showed me true kindness and kinship, like a brother. If Abin's death has taught us anything, it should be that even the best amongst us can fall in defence of this universe and its inhabitants". Sinestro balls up his fists as he looks down at Abin's coffin, while the rest of the bars inhabitants stay silent. "We cannot allow this to continue. We must strike back at the heart of the Red Lantern horde, to show them that law and order will always overcome anarchy and rage". Sinestro puts his ring bearing hand onto the power battery placed on Abin's coffin, prompting all of the seated Green Lanterns to rise up to their feet and put their ring bearing hand on their chest.
"In brightest day, in blackest night"
Every Green Lantern in the rooms voice is unified as they chant the oath solemnly as a tribute to Abin.
No Evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power
Green Lantern's light!
Every ring in the room shoots out a small spark of green light, hitting the power battery and making it shine bright with a green flame. Sinestro lowers his hand back down to his side and walks away from the coffin over to the now seated Kilowog and John Stewart. The three sit in silence as one by one the Green Lanterns walk over to Abin's coffin to pay respects. "You did good, Thaal", Kilowog mutters, knowing it is little consolation to Sinestro.
"The Guardians allowed this to happen and still do not show their faces as Abin's funeral?", Sinestro growls, balling his fists. John and Kilowog don't respond, content to let their friend vent his anger. The Guardians long ago swore off emotions, leaving them distant and objective, in stark contrast to Sinestro's willingness to openly display his anger.
"All Green Lanterns, this is the Guardians of the Universe", a Guardians voice says through every Green Lantern ring in the bar. "Red Lanterns have been spotted within the vicinity of Oa. Be ready for..."
The Guardian's voice is drowned out by the sound of the roof of the bar being cut into shreds by more Red Lanterns than Sinestro can count, Atrocitus in the centre, surrounded by his loyal Corps of ferocious creatures. The Green Lanterns stand shocked as the Red Lanterns raise their rings, ready to fight. "Tell your guardians, that their reign of terror is over!" Atrocitus roars while creating a pair of broadswords with his rings.
"You took my partners life, and now you come to Oa?", Sinestro says as he rises to his feet, staring down Atrocitus as both Lantern Corps await permission to attack from their respective generals. "You kill my closest friend, and expect to live?". Sinestro's ring rumbles to remind him of the book of Oa's law against lethal force. "You will burn like my power, Sinestro's might!" the Korugarian spits as he creates a cot o' nine tails style whip in one hand and a rectangle shield with the Green Lantern Corps insignia displayed on it in the other, diving at Atrocitus as all around them, battle starts.
-To Be Continued-
