Here's chapter 25 and the start of the second season.
Enjoy!
Rainbow Legend: Spirit of the Dragon
Chapter 25: Assembling the Team
Narrator's POV
"After 9 Months in space, we've finally returned to our home after being gone for so long. When my father spoke of that adventure, he said it felt like being young again but he also felt like his heart had stopped. The dangers we've faced were extreme, but thankfully, we've survived together along with our friends. But for me, that adventure was an awakening for my childish nature had melted away.
Summer had finally ended, making room for the autumn that was ready to begin. Schools were starting up again and I was eager to tell my friends all about my adventure. It was hard to believe, but I actually became popular because of my opportunity to travel with my Green Lantern dad. But even though I'm glad to be home, there hasn't been a day where I haven't miss my new friends, especially a certain Red Lantern and a unique AI. No sooner have I found out that my next adventure will soon begin."
-Neo Terra, Planet Terragon-
It was autumn in Terragon. The air was cool, the forests were filled with colorful trees from red orange to golden brown, and many leaves were flying in the air as it was being carried by the wind.
The Terragonians were enjoying this weather because it is almost the harvest season. Many people are harvesting their crops to store for the winter or raking leaf piles while their children were busy laughing as they chased the leaves and jumping in the leaf piles.
However, there was one boy who wasn't playing. Koren was lying down on his back on the grass, watching the clouds with his mind filled with deep thoughts. It has been almost two weeks since he and Avian returned home. The young 14 year old then stared at the gauntlet which changed his life forever. Ever since the Red lantern invasion was stopped, Koren was unable to understand the true power of the Gauntlet and wanted so hard to find some answers.
"I don't know why this gauntlet is so important, but I think it has something to do with the lanterns and their energies. By my experience, this Gauntlet activates its power the moment it receives the energies from their rings or power battery. If only I knew more."
Koren sighed as he stood up and return home for the day.
When night came, he was in his bed still awake. He recalls the adventures he had with the crew and how he misses them.
"I wonder how Hal Jordan is doing. And Kilowog, Aya, and even Razer. Have they gone on a new journey and will they ever visit us?" He sighed deeply. "I hope they are doing well." He said before he drifted off to sleep.
-Dreamscape-
Koren slowly woke up and looked to see that he wasn't in his bedroom or in any place he recognized. Instead, he was in a whole new world, lying on a floating, green, rocky platform. It was as dark as the night with stars shining, smaller fragments of rocks floated past by like clouds, and even some kind of a green temple at the end of it. To him, it looked liked he was in another dimension.
"Where am I? Is this a dream?" He walked to the edge of the pillar he was on and tried to examine the area. "Hello? Is anyone there?" He cried out hoping to find an answer until suddenly a calm, wise voice emitted to him.
"Are you the one who wields the Rainbow Gauntlet?"
"If you're referring to the Gauntlet in my arm, then yes, I am. Who are you? What is this place?" Koren asked the unknown stranger.
"Do not be frightened, young one. You are not alone. As for who I am, I am only but the very entity of willpower itself."
"I don't understand," Koren wondered.
"I had sensed your willpower ever since its power source was activated from the gauntlet. But this is the first time you've reached deep enough for us to communicate," The voice explained. "I have summoned you in order to prepare you."
"Prepare me for what?" Koren asked with eyes widening in surprise.
The voice sounded worried. "An ancient enemy has been released from his slumber and it will be a matter of time before he reaches his full strength. You must be ready when he does."
"But what can I do?" Koren asked. "I'm just a kid."
The voice chuckled. "But the Gauntlet senses more than that. It seems to be quite attached to you, isn't it?"
"That was an accident! I didn't want this to happen," Koren yelled with anger. "It's now stuck to my arm, in case you haven't noticed!"
"There are no accidents in destiny. The Gauntlet becomes irremovable once it has chosen its savior and you're it. You'll need it in the future for it holds a great power, but only when you mastered all the other abilities it absorbed or will absorb in the future."
"Abilities? You mean like that roar I did some time ago?" Koren wondered.
"That roar is special, but it is not the ability I was referring to," The voice explained. "It is a gift for you. The chosen wearer of the Gauntlet receives unique abilities only when it is needed. Learn to master these abilities and you will be able to overcome great challenges ahead."
Koren nodded in agreement as he proceeded inside the green temple ahead. There was a small green pool and around the walls were banners, one of them carrying the green lantern's symbol. He watched in awe as he heard the voice again.
"Now it's time for you to learn my gifted ability to you," the voice continued. "Sometimes in battle, your allies will not always be available to help you. So this ability will prove valuable."
Koren stepped forward and activated the green energy within the gauntlet. He then transformed into his dragon form, but the voice suddenly forced him to revert back to normal. As Koren was about to protest, the voice spoke again."You won't need your dragon form for this particular skill. Just focus your powers and listen to my voice."
With a cautious nod, Koren closed his eyes and focused, hearing the mysterious voice. "In battle, the Green lanterns use the power of the willpower to make them stronger and defend themselves, but you have a special skill that can heal their wounds. Once you harness the skill of healing, any minor injuries will no longer be a problem for you or anyone."
"How do I master the skill of healing?" Koren asked.
"First, focus your power into your hands as they will be needed to allow the healing to occur then say the words: Ion iyasu."
Koren focused and murmured, "Ion iyasu." As he did, he felt a strange tingling sensation in his fingers. He opened his eyes and looked down to see his hands glowing green.
"Impressive," the voice chuckled. "Rarely have I seen a kid unlock this ability on their first try. But now it's time to put that skill to use…" So saying, the voice levitated a small sharp stone gave a small cut on Koren's arm along the back of his hand.
"Ow!" Koren gasped.
"Don't worry, it's necessary to mastering the skill," the voice reassured. "Now place your hand on the wound and say the words again…"
So Koren focused again and spoke the words again. After a few attempts, he felt the pain lessen and when he removed his hand, he saw the wound had completely healed, leaving no trace of a scar.
"You have done very well, young warrior," the voice said approvingly. "Remember, this ability can only work with the green energy or when your willpower is strong. But now, it's time for you to return. You have a long journey ahead so you must be ready. However, the enemy draws near, so be careful."
"Wait," Koren cried. "Before I go, will you tell me who you really are?"
"My identity shall remain secret to others until the time is right," the voice replied mysteriously. "For now, you shall know me as Ion…"
As Koren felt his eyes grow heavy, he saw a vision of a giant green being which sort of looks like a whale like creature.
"Koren, wake up!"
Koren then felt someone nudging him softly, instantly waking him up from his dream. He looked up to see Avian beside his bed.
"Uh? What?" He stammered. "What happened?"
"You were dreaming and from the looks of it, it might have been either a bad one or a really important one," Avian said worriedly. After two peaceful weeks in Terragon, Avian hoped for some days without any trouble and without any Green Lantern duties for a while.
Koren rose up and yawned loudly. "It's just a dream, dad. Nothing more," He explained.
"I hope so because if you keep having the same dream again and again, it means something," Avian exaggerated. "Besides you haven't been the same since we returned home."
"Dad, dreams don't mean anything, they're just dreams," Koren yawned before he sighed. "I know what you mean. I just miss our friends. That's all."
"I know. So do I, but we have our own lives to think about. Why don't you get dressed and come for breakfast? Every new day is a brand new adventure."
Koren chuckled while Avian left his room. He got up and wore a green shirt with gray sleeves and a rainbow forming in the center, long black pants, and green and white sneakers. After that, he went out to have some breakfast with his father. Avian noticed that Koren was deep in thought while staring at his breakfast, barely grabbing a bite.
"Something on your mind, son?"
"Huh?" Koren returned to the real world. "No. It's nothing." He remained silent until he spoke. "Dad, it's been two weeks since our journey with Hal Jordan. Do you think they'll visit us soon?"
Avian sighed softly. "I'm sure they will, someday. I just hope it's a friendly visit and not mission recruitment."
Koren laughed with Avian. "No argument there, but I wouldn't mind for another adventure. Just not a life threatening one would be fine by me."
Avian chuckled while watching his son with a smile. Suddenly, they heard a knock on their door, surprising them both. "I wonder who could that be," Avian wondered as he stood up and proceeds to open the door. But as he did, his eyes widened at the sight of the three people he least expected.
"Hey, Avian. Long time, no see!" It was Hal Jordan who greeted, with Kilowog and Aya behind him.
Avian groaned, thinking that he spoke too soon. "Not long enough."
"Hal, is that you?" Koren gasped as he smiled. "You're back!" He happily tackled Hal who chuckled in return.
"Koren, look at you! You've gotten bigger… and stronger!" Hal grunted from the tackle.
"What are you guys doing here?" Koren asked, though he was happy to see them.
"Well…"
A moment later…
Avian invited the crew inside the house and they all sat in the living room. He sighed as he pinches his forehead in annoyance. "Please, tell me you came here for a cup of buttered tea."
"Sorry, but no. Although I wouldn't mind a cup of it." Hal added.
"Make that two, please," Kilowog said.
Avian then left for the kitchen as Koren waited with them. "Where's Razer?"
"He's on sabbatical. I'm sure he'll turn up, eventually," Hal explained.
"Oh," Koren sadly replied. He wanted to see him again since he considered Razer like a brother to him. "So, what's new?"
"The first change in our current state is that Green Lantern Hal Jordan is now a member of the Honor Guard," Aya answered.
"No way! Congratulations!" Koren congratulated.
"Thanks, kid," Hal smiled. "Guess now I'm in the Honor Guard club like your old man."
"And yet, you got your butt kicked by a squirrel," Kilowog chuckled.
"A squirrel, you say?" Avian suddenly came in with drinks for everyone except for Aya. "This I had to see. You should have called me, Kilowog."
"It was priceless. Sector recruit 1014 is our new recruit and top of his class. It was a riot to see this poozer go man to squirrel in just 20 seconds."
"You must be so proud," Avian smiled.
"Ha-ha," Hal sarcastically said. "Very funny, but enough of the jokes. Avian, we came here because I got orders to get the band back together. Want in?"
"After you dragged me to Frontier Space, having me and Koren stuck in space for 9 months, and I got stuck with Kilowog fighting the whole Red lantern invasion by ourselves?" Avian pointed out with a slight anger in his voice. "Though fun as that was, I think I'll pass."
"What?" Hal gasped. "This is a shot of real action!"
"With real danger along with it!" Avian finished. "Besides, we're happy here. We need time to relax and catch up with a lot that we've missed."
"Where's the fun in that? How about I make you a deal: you give me any challenge you pick, and if I pass, you have to go with me," Hal offered.
"Any challenge?" Avian grinned. "How well can you swim?"
"And exactly what is it that you want me to do?" Hal asked nervously. They arrived at a big lake known as Snapjaw Lake where it is one of the Daemons' favorite fishing spot.
"It's easy. All you have to do is get a shard of a Spirit Gem located underwater and that's it," Avian explained.
"Seems easy enough." Hal then proceeded to enter the water, but then he halted. "Wait, why is this lake called Snapjaw Lake?"
"Oh, because of the Snapjaws," Koren answered bluntly.
"Snapjaws?!" Hal panicked.
"They're just piranha-like fish, but don't worry! They're harmless," Avian assured him.
Hal gulped and dived underwater. Avian and the others waited patiently for Hal to resurface.
"There's a catch, isn't it?" Kilowog eyed on Avian who nodded. "What is it?" He wondered until he immediately saw bubbles rippling in the water.
"You'll see in three… two… one…" Avian counted and immediately Hal bursts out of the water, screaming for his life. Surrounding him were a swarm of Snapjaws, snapping to take a chunk out of him. They were red, green, and silver colored, with sharp teeth and fins. Hal swam for his life until he barely made it to shore. The Snapjaws then returned underwater.
Hal panted heavily and was in pain since one Snapjaw was biting his rear. Avian laughed and removed the fish and threw it back to the lake.
"I thought… you said that they were… harmless!" Hal panted.
"Well, they're not hurting me now, aren't they?" Avian said.
"I hope you're happy now," Hal angrily said as he handed over the shard he managed to get.
"Thanks. It's an easy job where anyone can do it."
"Then why didn't you do it?" Hal asked.
"Are you nuts? Those fish would've killed me!" Avian answered.
"Sometimes, I hate you," Hal groaned.
"And sometimes I just want to disembowel you," Avian remarked. "That's payback for all the dangers you put us in."
Kilowog laughed at the scene. "That's as funny as the squirrel fight!"
"Well, a deal's a deal. Pack your things, Koren," Avian ordered.
"Yes!" Koren happily ran ahead while the others followed.
"Wait, you're bringing Koren?" Kilowog was surprised by this since last time, Avian was against his son going on a mission with them.
"If you have a problem with that, try and stop him, not that you'll have any luck," Avian offered cooly, but knew that they won't try because they're happy that the kid would be joining along.
After a while, Avian and Koren boarded the Interceptor with their luggage and supplies for the mission. This time, they hoped that this mission won't make them get stuck in space.
"Ready, everyone?" Hal asked.
"READY!" Everyone answered.
"Aya, initiate ultra warp," Hal ordered.
"Affirmative. Initiating ultra warp now." The Interceptor then lifted off and ultra warped to the given coordinates.
It wasn't long until the Interceptor finally reached Frontier Space safely and started their mission. Avian wondered what this mission is all about, but he had the guts to ask. "I have to ask. What is the reason for needing my assistance again?"
"Do you remember when Ganthet told us about the Manhunters?" Hal reminded Avian who nodded. He had heard them before while working undercover on Shard. "Well, I'm afraid that they've been activated."
"What?! How is this possible?" Avian gasped. He had heard that the Guardians had not only created them, but had also deactivated them when they proved to be flawed when they've considered all emotions evil. "Are you saying that those killing machines are revived?"
"I wish that it weren't true, but it is," Hal grimly said. "We've discovered various temples on different planets which are actually factories creating the Manhunters again. These robots attacked us, intent on destroying everything and killing the rest of us. They nearly succeeded in the past... and now, they lay siege to the other galaxies."
Avian and Koren listened on, shocked as they realized just how dangerous are these machines can be.
"These things are as bad as those bugs you've fought back on Shard," Kilowog added.
"You mean the Mantadors?" Avian corrected. "If that's true, then we have another plague to prevent."
"Yes," Hal agreed. "You see, I, alongside Kilowog and another GL called Tomar-Re, fought against the horde. Then, when we were beginning to turn the tide... It came."
"Who?" Koren asked curiously.
"We don't know what it was, but that thing was... is... monstrous, horrific, and dangerous. It's a powerful, giant, robotic being that fills the skies with despair and terror, an unstoppable force of nature. We barely survived, but now, it's after every world so it can consume them."
The Terragonians were amazed by this and couldn't believe the disaster that's beginning to form at this moment. This sounded even worse the the Red Lantern invasion.
"Maybe you're right, Hal. It is dangerous to face this being head on," Koren answered surely. "But I'm willing to try."
"So will I," Avian replied as he smiled at his son's determination. Seeing as how his friends are ready for action, Hal smiled.
"Very well then. Let's go."
The healing incantation "Ion iyasu" is a combination of "Ion" which is the entity of willpower and "Iyasu" which is the Japanese word for "healing". This is a way of saying 'Ion will heal you'.
FYI: Spirit gems are colorful gem clusters known to give power to the Terragonians.
How will this mission go? Keep reading to find out soon!
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