Beware Your Fears...
"Preparing to exit Warpjump," the AI droned. "Destination in 5...4...3...2...1..." The Interceptor II's warp drives wound down as the Lanterns on board were greeted by a scene of complete devastation-asteroids reduced to dust, the Gateway to Creation in shambles, but no sign of Razer or Ilana. Hal and Kilowog surveyed the battle zone, both sharing the same unspoken concern-We were too late.
"What the norx happened here?," asked Kilowog. "I thought the Aya-Monitor did some damage! It looks like-as you Earthlings say-'all HELL broke loose'"
"Judging from the looks of this place, pal," Hal responded, "I'd say that's a pretty safe bet."
"Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and Kilowog," Appa's voice blared over the comms in their rings. "Have you arrived?"
"We're here, Appa," answered Hal. "The place looks like a demilitarized zone-but no sign of Razer or Ilana."
"That is another reason I've contacted you. There are signs that Razer is still alive, despite the Black Lantern's efforts. He has, however, been taken," Appa continued. "Do you remember the frontier prison?"
Hal had no trouble remembering that place-the Spider Guild almost making hors d'oeuvres out of them, Byth Rok's attempted betrayal of them, and Razer saving them both...with Aya's help. It amazed him how well those two worked together. Almost as if-nah.
||O||
"Wake up, dear Razer," Ilana crooned, her words almost venomous. "I don't want you to miss what I've got planned for you. I heard from the 'Warden' here-what was his name? Goggan?-no matter, I disposed of him anyway-that you were an 'esteemed' guest here. Delivered at the hands of the Green Lantern Corps personally! So I'm sure you remember what these are!" She gestured around the chamber at the multitude of yellow crystals embedded in the walls. "And I know you know what this is!", she continued, bringing a headband forward and placing it on his head. "Fit for a king! And now, how about a kiss for the condemned?" She leaned toward Razer and kissed him-her desiccated lips drawn back into a smile. "Oh, how I've missed that," she said, licking her lips seductively. "It almost makes me miss living-but I must say I've grown to prefer the alternative. You'll find out soon enough, my love," she spoke, her words-no matter how sweet they sounded, Razer could almost taste their poison.
"How could I have let her do this to me?", he thought to himself. "This is no longer the Ilana that I loved. She's been twisted by hate-the same hate that-"
"Turned you into a Red Lantern in the first place?" Razer recognized this voice, as well. He'd been hearing it for a month before his expedition to find Aya-but had no clue as to how he was hearing it now.
"Guardian Ganthet?!", he thought, "but HOW-"
"This is not the time, young Razer," Ganthet interrupted him. "I am able to communicate to you through your hope of finding-Aya. Although her physical being is gone, your belief that she exists in some form can translate into strength in this place. However, as Hope does very little against Fear, Rage may be what you'll need for now."
"In case it has escaped your sight," Razer countered, "I'm chained in a room with a psionic torture device on my head-and a psychotic dead woman at the controls-"
"And that doesn't enrage you?", Ganthet asked. "Right now, she's impeding your mission-a mission you took upon yourself at all costs! And what are you going to DO about it?!"
"Looking for this?", Ilana's voice jerked him out of his telepathic pep-talk. "You didn't think I'd be stupid enough to leave you armed, did you?", she asked, clicking her tongue and holding his power ring. "And if you're wondering how I removed it, that's my little secret! Let's just say I still remember a few tricks!" He knew he had to think-fast.
