In the caverns…
Another color down, now it's time for green. Wonder what is going to test my will. I felt something hit me square between the shoulders. It slammed me to the ground, pinning beneath its force. I looked up, only to find one of those gnome things Hal called a Guardian looking down at me. Man, even when they're illusions they still have that aura of smug superiority.
"You think you are worthy of your power? To hold so much when you know and care so little? How have you been anything other than a detriment to your so-called friends?" The guardian said, calling out my insecurities. Nice way to test my will. What did they think, that this was? Stereotypical middle school or something?
"Of course I am! I care plenty about other people and that doesn't mean I need to know much about myself!" I fire back, confidant I can beat this challenge easily. But the weight pinning me got heavier, forcing my head back to the ground.
"You are an ignorant fool! You don't deserve this power! You don't have the strength or the will to wield this power!" The ring started to fall off again. Either this thing wants to leave or I'm not worthy of it. Wait, why am I doubting myself? I started laughing, the sheer ridiculousness of this test. The flying gnome lost his smugness, and I knew I had him. Time for some fun.
"You think you can fool me? I don't care what you think. It only matters that I care enough to will it to happen. Like my Hal Jordan construct about to kick your ass." I said, watching as the thing turned just in time for the construct to take him out. Current score: 4 – 0. I am the undefeated champion of this!
On the Interceptor….
Razer was surprised to find himself on yet another new planet. At least this time he kept his armor and ring. He started searching for Aya, looking between all the buildings and he realized that there were tons of Green Lanterns all flying somewhere. So this was Oa. They didn't seem to notice, or even care that he was there. Maybe wherever they were going would be where Aya was. When they went in to a building, Razer followed them into it, and entering a massive amphitheater. What he saw shocked him: Aya was center stage, surrounded by guardians. He ran without thinking, his ring charging to fight when the guardians spoke.
"Today, we welcome our newest member, the AI known as Aya. She has proven herself worthy of the title and ring. Aya, we name you Green Lantern!" To the thunderous cheers of the assembled Green Lanterns, Aya accepted the ring and Razer watched as it integrated with Aya. Razer lowered his ring, but didn't stop running. He vaulted onto the stage, startling everyone.
"Razer? How is this possible?" Aya asked, walking up to him. Razer glanced around, feeling the room growing hostile already. He resisted the urge to stare back and kept his focus on Aya.
"Aya, we need to leave. This isn't real. If we don't wake up we'll be stuck on that planet until we die." Razer explained, grabbing Aya's arm. She looked into his face, confusion drawing her eyes half-closed.
"Aya, don't listen to this thing. It's a trick!" Razer turned at the familiar voice, his eyes seeing but not believing. There he was, a Green Lantern version of him. Calling him out. Only in a dream world would he ever be caught wearing something as ridiculous as that outfit, much less be a Green Lantern.
"I would never have joined the Red Lanterns. Atrocitus led my world to war. If I hadn't been given the ring, I never would have been able to save Ilana." The GL Razer continued, leaving Razer stunned on the stage. Razer knew he had to find the way out. Aya was going to hate him for this, but he knew it was the only way.
"Aya, execute program 'Green Mirror'." Razer said, then watched as the world faded and he found himself back on the Interceptor, his hand on Aya's shoulder. Aya awoke quickly, turning to Razer. Her expression was unreadable then she left without a word, leaving him alone with the unconscious Green Lanterns. Guilt stabbed him with its remorseless blade. Great, now who would help him?
"Gnartz." Razer muttered, knowing this was going to take some time. The question of where E had gone would have to wait.
In the caverns…
Blue, time to face the challenge. I felt pumped after that last one. I kept going until I hit an invisible wall. Which then turned out to be an invisible box. That also happened to be indestructible. Or knife proof. I figured I could wait it out. Then the voices started whispering. They whispered of my failures, my lost past, all the secret fears I had been hiding. All the lies I had told myself, all of my doubts. I couldn't drown them out, they were in my head. There was nowhere to run, no way to avoid the accusations. The pain mounted as they destroyed everything I had built up in myself. My dreams, my memories, my personality. All that I had made of myself since joining the crew. All being torn to pieces.
"Shut up!" I cried, the pain of the voices driving me to my knees. I felt something weighing down my hand as the voices started to grow louder, heaping me with more and more failures of mine, of a past I would never know, and true physical pain. What did I have left? This stupid ring that kills me if I didn't wear it? A group of people that don't really seem to notice I'm there? A life that I will never know? I'm nothing. Just another ghostly memory waiting to fade.
I looked at the weight in my hand. It was a little box, the right size to hold the ring. I put my hand on the ring, slowly pulling it off my finger. Everything I had done since waking up flashed by.
Bertrassus, Mogo, Shard, all the colonies, and Zamaron. I stopped pulling on the ring. A single memory held my attention. A single memory stood between me and permanent death in this godforsaken cave.
Gi'ata's smile, her gentle concern. Her lingering touch. The feelings that stirred within me even at the very thought of her. What did I have to live for? I lived for others. I lived for life itself, for the hope of a future. A future worth fighting for with everything I had. The tears in my eyes turned blue, flowing and guiding the ring back to its place on my finger. Hope had been found. The blue trial was now done.
Wiping the tears away, I continued deeper, ready to face my next trial. Some immeasurable time later, I saw another illuminating spotlight, apparently the signal for my next test. When I saw the little girl crying over her dead mom, I knew that this was going to be some really fucked up kind of test.
"Mommy, please wake up. The bad men are gone." She cried, tears running down her cheeks. Why is it always kids? Is there no allowance for innocence in this whole galaxy? Maybe that's what the guardians should try protecting. Flying gnome jerks.
"Hey." I said, the girl turned to me, plainly scared at my sudden arrival. These may be illusions or whatever, but until they stopped existing I'm considering them real. At least they're real enough to hurt me physically, so you know it's not easy trying to keep this straight in my head. Anyway, back to the entertaining part of this.
"Don't worry, I'm here to help. I think I know what you need to do." I say, crouching down so the girl can look me in the eyes. She calms down, sniffling.
"What's your name? They call me E."
"Like the letter?"
"Yeah."
"That's silly. Your name can't be a letter."
"Well my friends call me silly all the time anyways. Besides, it's better than Q. Now that's a silly name." She giggled at that one. Random reference score: One.
"What's that on your hand?" She asked, turning over my hand and revealing the weird scar. Haven't thought about that for a while.
"I got that for being a good guy."
"Why would a good guy get hurt?"
"Because it's better for me to get than adorable little kids like you." She smiled, now it's time to drop the metaphorical bomb and hope it doesn't literally kill me.
"My ring can help your mom."
"Really?" Her eyes were wide on that question. What is it with kids and having that one look that melts any stone or coldness in your heart? Maybe Razer needs to spend some time around kids, so he can soften up. Anyway, time to get it over with.
"Yeah, but it'll make me go to sleep for a long time. When I give you the ring, you gotta put it on your mom's finger. Can you do that?"
"But mommy didn't wake up when she went to sleep. Why can you?"
"It's my secret power. As a good guy, I can go to sleep like that and wake up once I need to. Now your mommy's gonna be confused at first, but whatever she does, don't let her take off the ring."
"Why not?"
"Cause it is special. When I give it to someone, they get to keep it and they get to be a hero like me."
"Really?"
"Yeah, here." I said, pulling it off and just managing to put in her hand before I blacked out. At least I did something good this time. Then I woke up, the ring was glowing indigo on my finger.
"You're selfless sacrifice shows your true compassion for others." The ring said, then stopped glowing that made-up color. I guess that was the sixth trial. One more color to this rainbow from hell.
On the Interceptor…
"Okay, Razer we're all up. Now what do you want? And where's Shiny?" Kilowogg asked, more than peeved about the whole wake-up from the best dream ever thing. Razer had to consider that he alone had seen everyone's dreams and yet no one had been there to help him escape. So how had he done it?
"I told you, this place had some kind of reverse mind-thing. Like the prison, only instead of fear it uses our best dreams." Razer replied, trying to convince them that this wasn't just a case of exhaustion.
"Razer was correct to awaken us, however there is someone approaching and all of us do not have enough power to do more than maintain our translators." Aya stated, returning for the first time since Razer had woken her. Out of everyone, he only felt guilty when he had awoken her. She couldn't dream so she had had no choice but to accept that it had been reality until he had shown up. However, the mystery person approaching was most likely a threat. Wherever E had gone, he hadn't closed the doors so they could hear what sounded like an angry squid.
"Why do I have to pick up the new batteries? The newbie would be doing this if he weren't fooling around in the initiation caverns. At least he brought us a good set. Three Lanterns will make him Thaegan's favorite. Probably have to do something about that. At least he didn't lock up before he started." The squid-like alien said as it walked up the Interceptor's ramp. Kilowogg smashed its face using a piece of nearby piping, sending it back down the ramp. The three Lanterns tackled it, wrestling the tentacles and trying to subdue it. Aya instead grabbed the alien's ring and pulled it off. Without the ring, the alien stopped struggling as its body became dust.
"What the heck was that?" Hal sputtered, clearing as much dust as he could. Nothing worse than the taste of dead alien dust.
"This creature also possesses a power ring with the Mirror Lantern symbol. Apparently the lethal effects of its removal are more powerful than previous experiences showed." Aya mused, holding the ring up for the others to see. It looked a lot like the one E wore.
"So Shiny was right about this place? He wasn't just acting crazy?" Kilowogg asked, hefting the makeshift club back onto his shoulder. Typical Kilowogg. Always solving his problems with something big to swing.
"Perhaps we should be more worried about the fact that he referred to us as batteries and he mentioned something about someone going through an initiation." Razer pointed out. A quick discussion and a hurried look at the other ships confirmed their fears. No one around and no trace of anyone in the vicinity.
"Razer, Hal and Kilowogg, I believe my sensors have located the caverns mentioned by the other Lantern. They appear to be 1.2 miles from here. Perhaps our missing crew member is there." Aya informed them, then proceeded in the indicated direction without waiting for orders. Razer couldn't help but smile as Hal and Kilowogg gave chase. Apparently he was the only one who had noticed how independent, how… alive Aya had become. What was he doing, thinking of an AI like that? She had stolen that form from his memories. And yet he couldn't think of it as anything other than Aya's. What was wrong with him? Razer snapped out of his reverie as Hal called out for him to follow. The only person who seemed to have any answers was the one who wasn't even there.
In the caverns…
Last trial, best trial. I know it's going to be pink-purple, violet, whatever you call it. I still can't decide what color it is. Maybe I need my eyes checked. We just left the Star Sapphires, so it's pretty easy to know this is going to test my love. This should be interesting. Instead of some sad scene, someone in a black robe was waiting in the spotlight, clearly waiting for me even though his hood was up.
"S'up Mr. Creepy?" I smart-alecked, ready to get this underway. The hooded figure didn't flinch, only turning away from me in what I suppose was disdain. Rude much...
"Can you do it?" He asked, giving me a good guess that he was supposed to be some kind if representation of age, or time, or whatever. I'm not huge on this whole symbolic journey anymore, so cut me some slack.
"Do what, exactly?" I asked, impatient as always. What can I say, the end is in sight and I want answers.
With a flick of his hidden wrist, a copy of Gi'ata was standing next to us, waiting on something. At least I hope it's a copy, because I was suffering from something and I didn't exactly want let the real Gi'ata know I had it.
"Can you break her heart as you have so many others?" His arm swept off into the distance, now filled with millions of people, all standing in their own personal spotlights. Whoever managed this place's lighting deserves a raise and an Emmy for added production value. The old man in the black robe started walking, followed by the Gi'ata copy and then me. He stopped in front of one of the people, a Volkregian woman who held a dying man in her arms. I could see the man using the last of his strength not comforting her, but drawing that damned symbol. Some connection to the ring, he was a failure then, and now in front of my eyes.
"Do you even remember her?" The old guy accused. My list of jerks just keeps growing.
"Ventia, she was married to…" I started, the name surfacing from some inner spring. What was I before this ring? Lots of new questions to ask later.
"She was married to him. To you. Until you died in the fighting that consumed Volkreg. Your death left her and your grandson unprotected, you left them to die at the hands of the warlords." The old man followed up with. Jerk to the max. I'm going to kick his ass soon. The fact that Gi'ata was there was saving him from a proper thrashing. For now.
"But that wasn't me. You're trying to confuse me." I counter, flimsy as that argument was. C'mon think of something better. Or plan where you're going to hit him first. Either seems good.
"You broke her heart, dying and leaving her without your comfort and any hope of survival on that war-torn world."
"I told you, it's not me. Whoever that guy was, he isn't me."
"You barely know your own past. How can you claim to know theirs or how they are connected to yours? So answer my question and finish your initiation. Will you break her heart and let her join their ranks?" I turned from the old man and the scene, watching as similar scenes played out in every spotlight. A past person he claimed was me dying and a past love weeping over their broken bodies. I looked at the copy of Gi'ata. It smiled at me, but it wasn't the same smile I knew. It was full of sadness. I thought about my answer. I know, you probably don't believe someone so impulsive could ever do that, but hey I remembered to take the knife. Doubt you remembered that. I took another look around and then down at my ring, where its violet light pulsed to the beat of my heart.
"The answer to your question is yes and no." I couldn't see his face, but I know it was full of confusion. Time to close the book on this adventure.
"You act as though I'm the same as every one of those other guys. I am not them, and they are not me. WE DON'T DEFINE EACH OTHER. They never hurt them on purpose, it was a byproduct of their love. The worst part of love is that you will hurt each other. AND IF I FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE, IT'S UP TO THEM TO HURT ME, NOT YOU!" I finished with a powerful blast, knocking the old guy deep into the crowd of scenes. I turned back to the Gi'ata clone. I reached out a hand, tentatively touching her cheek. When her hand found mine, I pulled her into my embrace. She looked deep into my eyes, waiting and accepting. Points for realism there.
"Just wait until I see the real you." I whispered to her, and kissed her. Too bad she faded after the first press of our lips together. Damn initiation blocking a guy's mojo. I turned, searching the now empty cavern for any sign of anything else. Not that far off was a glowing exit. Game over, time to move on.
A quick step across the threshold found me in a completely different room. The walls were sterile white but tastefully decorated with mono-colored banners hanging around. One for each color. Then I noticed the giant Lantern battery. That must be the Mirror Lantern Central Battery, like the one Hal had said the guardians kept on Oa. The thing was a massive rectangular pyramid, perfectly clear other than a reasonably sized sphere of perfectly reflective metal. The glow of the Battery illuminated a small triangular protrusion that extended from the sphere to the outside of the pyramid. Finally, I noticed I wasn't alone.
"Welcome to our newest member!" A cheer came from the assembled alien group. Maybe a dozen assorted people, all garbed in similar reflective armor with the Mirror Lantern symbol centered on their chests. So it wasn't just my ring fucking with me. It was the factory default.
"What's going on? Are you guys Mirror Lanterns?" I asked, earning polite chuckles from them.
"Yes, but your trials are not yet over brother. Now you must charge from the Central Battery. You have shown yourself capable of feeling and using the full emotional spectrum, but now you must let them empower you." The leader of the group said, and with an unspoken command, the group formed a corridor up to the Battery's dais. What I saw next shocked me. And here I thought I had seen everything by now.
Out of the banners walked copies of me. Not exact copies of me. They were pure emotional energy constructs of the colors, filing into the proper rainbow order. Nice to know so many colors match my eyes.
"Go to them and recite your personal oaths and take them into you. Then you can charge and become a full Mirror Lantern." The leader directed me as I walked up to them. The red one was first, a scowl on his face. His armor was sleek and yet gave off a sense of danger. His arms were crossed but he held out his ring so that mine could touch his and draw on its power.
The power of the crimson red,
Can lead your soul away from dread.
And heal the deepest wounds of hate,
Let no one else decide your fate!
With a smirk, the red construct was drawn into my ring. Now the orange one, who wore rather ostentatious looking robes. And he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off the ring that touched his.
Never consumed by the Orange light of greed,
I only take that which I need.
Enemies you will fear my creed,
Take what's mine and you will bleed!
Another one drawn in, making me feel… more complete. The yellow one sneered at me, seemingly trying to scare me. Colonel Mustard there looked ready for a safari, so covered with pockets and knives was his bulky armor. Nice try, but bro you're me.
Those that taste my yellow power,
Upon your fears I will devour.
My enemies' terror will overpower,
Now stand aside in fear and cower!
Green me tried his best to look professional but he just kept acting up. He was wearing pretty much the same thing Hal wore, without the mask. Hal had rubbed off on me more than I cared to admit.
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!
Blue gave me that kind of knowing smile and then bowed. His armor was simple, like leather over simple cloth. Apparently Hope is rather respectful. Note to self, don't go blue: they won't appreciate my sarcasm.
In fearful day, in raging night,
With strong hearts full, our souls ignite.
When all seems lost in the War of Light,
Look to the stars- For Hope burns bright!
My indigo limited-edition copy was looking at me with something akin to sadness. He held a staff that looked as wild as the tattered sack that he wore but nevertheless extended his ring. Great, now I know which color is my conscience.
With Indigo's compassion in my heart,
A new path for myself I will chart.
Enemies turned to allies they will depart,
Forgiveness and empathy are just the start!
Lover boy shot me a wink and mouthed "Tell her" before raising his ring. I'm not going to describe that humiliating outfit. I nodded, though really, what else am I going to do?
For hearts long lost but full of right,
For those alone in blackest night,
Reach out for the Sapphire's Violet light,
In the name of love, stand up and fight!
With all of them gathered, I felt more like myself than I ever had before. I took a look at the Central Battery again and walked to the protrusion. I turned to the battery, raised my ring and began my own oath:
From new-forged dawn, to ceaseless night;
Against all evil I shall fight.
Let those around me be my might;
Reflect their glow, for the mirror shines bright!
The power flowed into me, filling me in a way the other time I had recharged couldn't compare to. The leader put his hand on my shoulder in congratulations but turned as something made a noise from the side of the room. A door I hadn't noticed flew open, revealing a dirt-covered Aya, a very angry Razer, a steamed Kilowogg, and a very surprised Hal. All the Mirror Lanterns pointed their rings at the new arrivals. My crewmates raised improvised weapons. What the hell was going on?
"Whoa, whoa, whoa guys. These are my friends, my crewmates. Wait, I thought you guys were out cold. What woke you guys up?" I asked, looking to Hal for answers. Even staring down death, I subconsciously think of him as my leader.
"Your new friends use people as living batteries to feed their Central Battery. These guys have been catching unsuspecting ships and converting them into power for their rings. Just like…" Hal said, gritting his teeth as the assembled Mirror Lanterns started to glow dangerously. I knew what he meant to say. Just like the Star Sapphires we had just fled.
"Is this true?" I turned to the leader, disbelief the only thing holding me in place. His expression hardened, taking his gaze off of Hal to look me in the eyes. They were cold and expressionless, so different from before.
"Brother, these batteries hold more vital emotional energy than we can use! Their connection to you makes them even more effective. You don't need them, you have us! With us, you will learn the secrets of immortality and become a master of this galaxy. A god even! All they can promise you is misery and weakness." The leader said. I turned back to the Central battery, but my eyes didn't leave my ring. Could it be true? Could I live with myself if I did this? Could I live with myself if I didn't? I knew what I was doing. I turned back to my former allies, my ring raised against them. Hal's head fell. Looks like the hotshot didn't have a way out of this one. All cards are on the table, now it's time to read them.
"Hal," I taunted, "What's the most important rule of being a Lantern?" The confused look he gave me almost made me reconsider, but hey Aya and Razer will probably figure it out for him. I whipped around, my ring's charge enveloping and deactivating the Central battery. The shock of drawing all its energy through me hurt. Think finger in the wall socket plug times infinity.
"No!" The leader had time to scream before he and the others turned to dust. My legs gave out and the last thing I saw was the others racing to me. For the love of all that is holy, please figure this out you guys. Please.