Disclaimer: All characters, settings, etc. relating to The Green Lantern are trademarked under DC Comics. I am doing this for my own enjoyment and have no intention of profiting from this venture. All rights reserved to their respective owners, etc., etc.

First off, thank you for taking the time to view my story. Even if you end up disliking it, I appreciate people simply giving it a chance by reading some part of it.

For those of you that worship the comic books, I will burst your bubble right now. I have never read the comics. (Gasp!) I know, I know. Honestly, my first encounter with The Green Lantern was John Stewart in the Justice League cartoon, and it was a lasting impression. My inspiration for choosing to write a fanfiction piece on Green Lantern spawned from the live-action film version, even if it wasn't the best. If you are not a fan of anything based on the movie, you can just think of this as another alternate universe.

This story will follow post movie-verse of The Green Lantern. I've chosen this path because I know next to nothing about the comics, and I find the movieverse allows me a little more creative license regarding canon character paths.

I will eventually be introducing an Original Character, whom will have a large role in the story line.

If this plot manages to catch anyone's attention, I only hope it will give a little more life to the Green Lantern Fanfiction community.

~.*Holding on By a Thread*.~

"What need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance

double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live;

That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder."

-William Shakespeare


Inconspicuous.

Something that is so small and fragile that it is easily overlooked by the life forms around it.

A parasite.

Deep within the confines of space, the small spec floated lifelessly in a comatose state. It had been there for some time now, an inanimate object like most of the things that make up the floating bits of the universe. Just considered trash among the many other useless things left in space by careless wanderers. Time was something that it knew not. It just floated there. Watching. Waiting. For something. An opportunity. had been what seemed like forever since life graced its presence. For eight months, is traveled carelessly among the far regions of space looking for anything to fuel its shattered existence.

A sudden disturbance in the small spec's still prison brought a sense of excitement. It could taste it, the flowing energy of life.

A small cargo ship in the distance, travelling at a leisurely pace could be seen. It took some time for the ship to approach, running straight for the tiny particle that floated in its path. It was too small and inconspicuous for any of the ship's sensors to pick up on anything. Something so simple, barely living. One would assume it would bounce off the hard metal of the ship's hull just like most space trash did; however, this little thing, this parasite, clutched to the ship like a life line.

"Finally…"


Chapter 1 - It Grows Within

Sector 1314 - Planet: Xanshi - Under the Guardianship of Green Lantern Reever

It was peaceful under the soft breeze of the morning sky. The tall blades of grass waving among each other, proudly swaying at least four feet above the ground. The dual suns' glowing rays skid across the rippling waters of the vast lake surrounded by lush meadows. This planet was known for its natural beauty. It was the perfect depiction of calm. No one would suspect.

A flash in the distance and a sudden snap suddenly caused a flock of birds to scatter across the plain, creating a dark blanket of feathered mass.

"Damn birds," spit a grizzly man coming forth from the grass, slashing at his surroundings passionately. The thick cloak and dusky leather clothes were heavy as they strained against his body, trying to keep up with his movements. He was a Durarian space trader. Dark. Dirty. And deadly. Over the past millennium, his kind traveled the universe developing a new line of trade. In the beginning, it was reputable and profitable but as the latter waned so did their reputation. It was desperation and their lack of conscience for life around them that lead to the formation of a new black market. They were a true dark mark trailing along the planetary systems. One that was difficult to stamp out.

The trader continued to slash at the grass, frustrated at its refusal to be tamed. "This shipment had better be worth it," he grunted in disgust. More grumbles were heard within the brush as more traders exited the space craft to assist. The chopping sounds continued on, louder and with fervor. It had been six hours since they had arrived on the lush planet of Xanshi. They had been looking for a discreet location as a drop off point for their goods. The planet, while active and healthy, still held a good amount of isolated areas. Over population was not an issue here. It was perfect.

In the distance along the tree line, the essence of smoke and steam slowly diffused into the canopy and eventually beyond as the junky cargo ship settled itself further into the softened ground. The slight creek of the engine and various compartments rattled and protested as the ship adjusted to the planet's gravitational pull. And among those noises, the soft sound of a "plop" occurred. But it was so subtle that even though incongruous to the life surrounding it. It was ignored. The hardened spec slowly began to sink into the ground like acid, eating up everything it touched. Deeper and deeper, it reached into the moist dirt, suddenly becoming erratic and shifting throughout.

Above ground, the drifters were setting up a perimeter. At least six men were planting signals near the lake. "Hurry up over there! We ain't got all day!" the engineer next the crates shouted across the way.

The man farthest from the group threw up a rude gesture in reply and slowly started to make his way back with the rest of them. "This had better be worth it," he mumbled to himself.

All of a sudden, the ground opened up below his feet, sucking him in. It happened so quickly, only a muffled shout had time to escape his throat. But it was enough to catch the attention of one of the others. "The hell…?" Looking across the grass, the drifter squinted his eyes, willing himself to see over his obstructed view. Thinking one of the crew men was fooling around, he shouted, "Hey! We don't have time for this!"

As his words echoed, a few of the others turned around to see what the commotion was about. Suddenly, the second man disappeared into the grass, but the shrill sound of a desperate scream echoed through the field as the blades of grass shook violently.

"What's going on out there!?"

"What was that!?"

The other men began shouting all at once. And then they started dropping like flies, the peace of the scene shattered by the desperate screams of the men in the field.

One of the engineers unloading the crates from the ship ran in a desperate panic to the comm link of the piloting panel, activating a distress signal. "This is Mar'thesh of Durar. Our ship is on the outskirts of a small mining facility near the great lake. Requesting assistance!" The communications link was left open as the engineer raced to one of the storage compartments, not bothering to wait for a response. Deep within, spare weapons were held in the case of a pirate attack. His hands shook as he picked up a long, sharp blade, breath heavy in the silence of the ship's hull. 'Where were the others?', he thought, tremors now wracking his body.

In the distance, he could hear a response over the comm. link, but he couldn't understand a word of their language. Punching a panel in the hallway, Mar'thesh opened the link to all parts of the ship. "Please!" he pleaded. "Send help!"

It had gone deathly quiet outside. Slowly making his way back to the cargo bay, he peered around the corner. There were no signs of any of the crew or whatever had attacked them. His hands squeezed the thick hand of his weapon, palms sweaty from the stress.

Slinking his way around the cargo bay door, he inched slowly towards the exit ramp. His heart rate spike and his trembling began to increase. Just one peek. That was all he wanted. Just to make sure. And he waited at the edge, too afraid to set foot on the dirt. Waited for something. Anything.

"I can smell...your feeeaaar..."

The scream could be heard over the communications link and across the land. The only answer that followed was a strangled gurgle dying out into nothingness. And then there was only static.

Somewhere in the vast planet of Xanshi, the plea was heard.

But help would come far too late

...for anybody.


If you've gotten this far, thank you for reading. It's a bit short, but I tend to write all of my beginnings that way.