Atrocitus stood before the remaining red lanterns as the 9 newly furbished rings whizzed around his head. He looked onto all of them with a new found strength. After he slew the Guardian his mind was quieted and he realized his rage had been quelled. For the first time in decades he felt another emotion, one he remembered so well. This was the same feeling he felt when his family was slaughtered that day. This was the feeling he felt before anger and hate merged with it to form rage. For once in a long time, he felt afraid.
He was afraid that his purpose was fleeting, but it was only for a second. He felt disgusting even admitting that to anyone, let alone himself. He smiled as he saw that the only remaining lanterns were those that had taken part in the blood ritual. Part of him was glad that he could have competent members of the Red Lantern Corps, but it seemed that these members were rebellious in nature. They needed guidance, they needed Atrocitus to guide their rage. He was going to be their shepherd and they were his angry sheep. He smiled and began.
"As you all know I became disillusioned recently by the taint, that was present in the blood lake. That paired with the Guardian's cowardly plot to eradicate us have made me see a different sense of rage. As I drew blood from the only guardian I could kill, I saw the error in my fallacy. I will no longer be as weak as I was in those moments. It took me until now to realize that I was being consumed by my own rage and I did not turn an eye to all of your rage, or to all the rage that surrounds us. Therefore I have used the blood from the lake to forge nine more rings. As a Corps we must expand, and show the Universe what true rage can do. We will help the victims seek their own brand of justice and we will do it with unwavering force. As the founder and father of the Red Lantern Corps I decree that we have a new code. We will seek out the filth of this universe and we will show them the red light of rage. Before we can begin this conquest though we must seek out the last stain the Guardian's left upon this universe. We have had to fight their wars. We had to save those pathetic filth far too many Green Lantern Corps created a mess . Join me and together we will realize our destiny!"
Atrocitus smiled and cheered, looking out as the angry faces returned his chant. As Dex-Starr perched himself on his shoulder he looked out at the few numbers he had remaining. If they were to be stronger they needed a weapon. They needed something that would give them the upper-hand. As he scanned his remaining members, his eyes stopped at Rankorr. What they needed was his power. They needed his constructs. He made his decision. He released the rings into the Universe and allowed them time to go seek their new wearers. He then began to speak again.
"Now that the rings are en route to seek replacements, we must take into account that our numbers are small, whereas the Green scum have numbers in the thousands. Even then it takes many of them to stop us, but we will need every advantage we can have." He maintained eye contact with Rankorr as he uttered every word. "We all need to be able to create constructs and Rankkorr, you are the only one who can manipulate the rage to make constructs. You have proven yourself loyal to the corps and your loyalty is corps will need your loyalty one last time as we seek to expand our influence. Worry not, Rankkorr. You will go down as a legend, as you give your blood to the rest of us, so that we may share in your power. Your sacrifice will not be in vain."
The other lanterns turned on him and began to move in. He created weapon constructs and prepared himself for battle.
"Like bloody hell you will. Any of you come near me and you will regret it." Rankkorr looked around crazily as the Corps began to surround him. Atrocitus flew overhead and smiled at him. He spewed blood vomit and yelled out.
"Attack!" The Red Lanterns began to swipe at Rankkorr as he pushed them all off and pressed of their attacks. As the battle ensued Atrocitus flew watched and chanted. "With blood and rage of crimson red, Ripped from a corpse so freshly dead. Together with our hellish hate, we'll burn you all-that is your fate!" Atrocitus sung the words as Rankkorr fought off the entire corps on his own. He then floated to face him and prepared to attack. When suddenly a voice rang out in the sky.
"Some cryptic ass oath you came up with Atrocitus. I ain't here to tell you how to run your corps, but anyone who gets people to gang up on one of his brothers in arms, his "friend", he deserves the beating I am about to give you." Guy Gardner smirked as he landed and began to walk towards Atrocitus. All the rage and anger he ever felt was burning inside him and he was ready to unload. HIs anger at Hal, at the Corps, at his father, and anyone who wronged him. HIs hate with the people who doubted him. The people who used him. HIs hate for all that was bad drove him to punch atrocitus. His anger at the first lantern. His hate and feelings of betrayal by the guardians. He unloaded everything onto Atrocitus.
The two exchanged blows for a while. Rankkorr stood in amazement, as Guy was beaten to the ground, Only to stand back up and return the favor to Atrocitus. For a second it seemed unclear who would win, but once Gardner dropped Atrocitus to the ground he stood over him and beat him senseless. The white of his gloves became crimson as blood stained his Green Lantern Uniform and covered up the insignia. Gardner beat Atrocitus to within an inch of his life,
He then removed the ring from Atrocitus' hand and placed it on his hand. He felt the anger and rage course through him and he began to see red. He held the rage at bay as he stood up and turned to face the other lanterns.
"I'm the new red, the name's Guy Gardner. Pleasure to meet all of you." He tried to stay calm as the rage began to infect his thoughts. He turned in time to see a blue cat caring Atrocitus' body and flying off with it. He shrugged and turned to the crowd. "So let's get to know each other." Elsewhere the rings sought out their new hosts.
