Sorry for the delay, everyone! I had writer's block for a while, plus the Christmas holiday was busy, but totally fun!
Here's chapter 38 aka the last chapter of the Indigo Tribe's arc!
Enjoy!
Rainbow Legend: Spirit of the Dragon
Chapter 38: Fear vs Will
The sun had finally rose, clearing away the shadows of the night. All was quiet in the village for everyone knew that today was the day of their battle.
The Green Lanterns prepared themselves alongside the indigo lanterns, who tensely wielded their staffs and weapons in defensive positions. They've seen what those yellow lanterns are capable of. Their deceitful ways of combat, their sickly methods of implanting fear on their enemies, it was just too much to bear.
Avian watched on the horizon beyond the village and into the sky on the lookout for the lanterns. This would be one of the toughest battles he and his friends would ever been to, but now, there's no turning back now. He looked at his bracelet which Aya built for the Green lanterns to counterattack the yellow energy from depleting their energies. He hoped that this would be enough.
Indigo-1 and Koren stood together with clear, determined faces. "Do you see anything, Koren?"
"No. Not yet, but they'll come and we'll be ready for them."
Kilowog chuckled as he punched his fist enthusiastically. "Let them come. I've been waiting for the day Sinestro will meet face to face with my hammer!"
"Easy, Kilowog. Save your energy for the Biogons," Hal reminded him.
Razer and Aya only stayed silent while staying by their friends' sides. However, Razer had a tense feeling inside. Even though he had fought many enemies before, for some reason, the Biogons make his body freeze upon his sight on them. But he'll try to prevent that from happening.
Suddenly, everyone heard something coming towards them. They looked ahead and saw a horde of yellow lanterns flying in the air. Below them was a pack of Biogons heading towards the same direction.
"Here they come!" Raheem alerted. "Shall we attack them?"
"Wait!" Avian ordered as he constructed a green energy binoculars and looked into them. "Sinestro is leading the lanterns. But look at that." He pointed towards the lead Biogon who was none other than Drago.
"Do you know that beast?" Raheem asked Avian cautiously.
"No, but judging from the battle scars he has, I assume he's their leader. Obviously, he's no pushover."
Indigo-1 then turned to her people. "My friends, this is what we've trained for! It's now or never, but know this, we won't give in to our enemy! There are two armies, but only one shall stand and it will be ours!"
Everyone cheered and roared their battle cries and immediately went to their positions.
Sinestro immediately landed in front of the village with his army behind. Drago stood beside him as they both scan the empty village with no signs of anyone. "It seems like there's no welcome committee for us," Sinestro replied sarcastically.
"They really believe they could stand against us?" Drago snorted. "They must have a death wish which I'll have no problem in granting them," he then slashed the bamboo walls like they were chopsticks and began walking forward.
Drago then suddenly stopped when he picked up a familiar scent. "What's this scent?" He sniffed around. "Terragonian."
"Are you guys lost?" Everyone faced up towards the sound and found Koren up on a hill facing the enemy with a small grin. "Because if you are, I'm afraid you're trespassing on the Indigo Tribe's territory."
"The boy!" Drago growled in alarm.
Sinestro scoffed. "Koren, such brave yet foolish attempt to be here alone. Where's Avian and the Green Lanterns? Did he ran away and left his son behind?"
"Is that all you have to say?" Koren said with a glare. "I'll have you pay for the crimes you've committed, here and now!"
Suddenly, out of their hidden places, Hal, Avian, and all the Indigo lanterns charged into battle with their battle cries and weapons at hand. The once peaceful indigo tribe are now a group of brave and honorable warriors just as they were before. When their home and people are being threatened, they won't hesitate to fight back.
"PROTECT SINESTRO! SURROUND HIM!" Arkillo commanded as the army grew closer.
Sinestro only chuckled in amusement. "They don't even know that they're surrounded. To have come here by yourselves, you people are fools. Drago, call your Biogons!"
"With pleasure," he roared into the air to summon his army.
"Everybody's riding on this!" Hal yelled, seeing the two forces charging.
"Surround them and attack the center!" Indigo-1 ordered. "Remember their weak spots!"
It was now a war between the two Corps and the Indigo Tribe charged with a defiant strength against Sinestro's Corps.
"Let it be 100 or 200! Sergeant Kilowog shall defeat you all!" Kilowog said as he swatted his hammer against some Yellow lanterns.
"Sinestro! I, Avian, will be your opponent! Fight me!" Avian declared once he tackled Sinestro to the ground.
"So, Avian, you've finally grown some guts to fight against me," Sinestro smugged. He then summoned a yellow mace and attacked Avian, only for his opponent to dodge each swing. "You're nothing." When he tried to attack Avian again, he was suddenly attacked by Raheem's staff.
"Your opponent's not just Avian!" Raheem cried. "I'll take revenge for my fallen comrades!"
Everyone was currently fighting with courage, strength, and determination in order to defeat the evil Corps. It was a struggle, but thanks to their training, the Indigo Tribe's holding out better than before. Kilowog's strength and tactics managed to defeat three yellow lanterns while his allies managed to ambush four Biogons with their death traps.
Aya led a Biogon to a pitfall trap after it had chased her to a dead end. But behind her, a couple of yellow lanterns attempted to attack her. Luckily for her, Razer and Koren came in to defend her.
"Leave her alone, you parasites!" Koren yelled as he and Razer blasted them away with their air beams and red energy, respectively. However, a horde of yellow lanterns fired their yellow energy in a barrage of attacks, causing some Indigo allies to retreat.
Raheem gasped when he heard his friends retreating. Sinestro took this chance and blows Raheem off of him.
"Raheem!" Avian attempts to help, but Sinestro grabs him and shoves him down to the ground.
"Avian!" Kilowog gasped until some Biogons attacked him.
Sinestro gripped Avian's neck as he prepared to fire his ring at him. "I've considered you as my rival when you were younger. It seems you've learned nothing from your training. You're a failure just like the Green Lantern Corps!"
"It wasn't the GL's that failed you! It was you who failed yourself!" Avian grunted and glared at the former Green Lantern. "You can gain any power you find, but compared to the Indigo Lanterns, who are risking their lives, you're nothing!"
"Then you'll have the honor of being the first GL to die at my hand!" Sinestro snarled, his yellow ring glowing brightly. He aimed his ring at Avian, who struggled to escape.
And as he attempts to fire, a sudden roar cried out. Sinestro turned to see Koren in his dragon form charging at him. He instead fired at Koren. Koren thought quickly and used his gauntlet to absorb his attack. The impact caused him to tumble against Sinestro, releasing his grip on Avian.
"Koren!" Avian hollered.
Koren shook his head, having recovered from his attack, thankfully. The yellow energy he absorbed from Sinestro's attack surged inside of him as well as into the gauntlet, earning him the yellow power of fear. Suddenly, the yellow sphere on the back of the gauntlet glowed brightly with the Sinestro Corps insignia appearing on it and the third stripe on his back suddenly turned yellow.
"It seems I've gain a new power. Thank you, Sinestro," Koren said to himself.
"Damn!" Sinestro growled. "So, your son sure has a habit of butting in to others' business. Kid! If you're a Green Lantern's son, then fight me instead."
"Yeah, I will," Koren answered with determination.
"Wait, Sinestro!" They all saw Hal Jordan appearing in between them. "Koren is part of my crew. Since we're both leaders, perhaps I should fight you instead! I'm more than enough of an opponent for you! Besides, consider this a test between former student and his former mentor."
"Very well, Hal! I accept your terms, but this will be the last time you'll ever live to see this day!" He declared as he and Hal clashed fists.
Meanwhile, Avian and Koren, having left Hal to handle Sinestro, went to see the outcome of the battle. They saw that the Biogons were giving their allies a hard time.
"Koren, it looks like it's time to execute that plan of yours," Avian instructed.
"Right, dad!" Koren nodded. He flew over the battlefield and found Razer defending himself from the Yellows. "Razer! With me!" Razer nodded and joined him. Koren then picked up a big rock and threw it at Drago. "Hey, ugly! Bet you can't catch us even with your weak army!" He then turned and ran away with Razer.
Raheem saw them and followed them behind, knowing they might need his assistance.
Drago glared in anger at the boy. No one makes a fool out of him and lives! "The boy made his worst mistake! I'll make sure that Darkheart ends him once I bring the boy to him! BIOGONS, FOLLOW ME!" He roared which caught all the Biogons attention and followed their leader on the chase.
Kilowog and Aya saw the beasts chasing after the three with worried looks, but they knew it's all part of the plan.
"Be careful, Razer and Koren," Aya whispered.
"We're almost there!" Raheem panted. "The dam's just ahead!"
Raheem led Razer and Koren towards the dam for their plan to work. They just hope that the Biogons haven't reached the area soon. As they drew closer, Koren got a good look at the dam. It's sturdy built with heavy logs and rocks, holding back the water behind it.
"The dam is strong but we can break it," Raheem called out.
"And just how are we going to do that?" Razer crossed his arms.
Raheem then took out a small heavy pouch about the size of a coconut with a long fuse string. "Zook provided me with this. Inside is what you might call gunpowder, only stronger even in small amounts. We just need to light it up in order to blast the dam up."
"Think you could light up a flame to detonate it?" Koren asked.
"I'll try." Raheem said as he began to try to light a fire using some sticks.
Just then Koren heard heavy footsteps and roars not far from them. He turned his head to see and gasped. "Oh no! They're here!"
The men then looked behind to the opposite direction and their eyes widen when they saw the horde of Biogons coming after them.
"HURRY!" Razer pushed on as he saw they were moments away from surrounded by them. Raheem, after many tries and stressful pressure, he finally managed to spark a fire on a torch. However, just before he could light the gunpowder, Drago pounced in front of him and snarled.
Razer turned back to see they were completely surrounded by the snarling Biogons. Raheem pulls out his ring in defensive mode. However, Drago orders one Biogon to hold Raheem down, making him drop the torch, as he slowly waked towards Razer and Koren. Another Biogon caught Koren in a tight grip, preventing his escape. "Razer!"
Razer then aimed his ring at Drago, though he was trembling in fear of the beast.
"Put that down, boy! Someone could get hurt," Drago sneered as he crept closer.
"Don't worry about me! Go for his guts!" Raheem struggled.
"Leave now while you can and the others can leave with you," Drago insisted.
Razer slightly began to lower his ring in deep thought about this. Should he listen to this beast even though he might be lying?
"Don't listen to him, Razer! He's lying!" Koren growled, trying to snap him out of him.
"Aw, come on. This isn't your war." Drago shook his head in amusement. "If you leave now, I won't chase you down. However, the boy...is coming with me."
"Why?" Razer then glared at that question. "What do you want with him?"
"I'm just a worthy lieutenant following his master's orders and all he wants is to meet the kid face to face. Just give him to me!"
"No!" Razer yelled.
Drago laughed at his answer. "Come now! I can tell that you've seen what we're capable of. Just give in to your fears. We know that you're afraid of us. We can see it in your eyes."
Razer backed away slowly, but still held his stance and growled. "NEVER! I may be afraid of you, but I'll never give in to you monsters, so STAY OUT OF MY WAY!"
Koren was impressed by his defiance. It gave him the will to keep struggling against his captors. When he tried to escape the Biogon's grip, he suddenly glowed as a yellow aura surrounding him. Suddenly, he phased through his captors like a ghost. While the enemy was confused by this, Koren took this chance and tackled them.
Razer was amazed by the boy's new ability, but didn't see Drago pouncing on him and held him down. "You should have taken to my offer." Drago bared his fangs as Razer gazed at him nervously. "You may think you're a hero, but you're going to die as my prey!"
Razer was petrified until he saw the burning torch behind Drago. With quick thinking, he lassoed the torch with his ring energy. "I will never be your prey and you'll never lay a claw on Koren!" Once he grabbed it in his hand, he bashed the torch onto Drago's right side of his face and chest, setting it on fire.
"RRAAAARRRR!" Drago roared and screech in agony as the flames burned him.
Razer gasped at the sight but knew what he had to do. "GET OUT OF HERE, GUYS!" He yelled as he threw the torch towards the dam where the sack was, setting the fuse ablaze. Koren and Raheem immediately flew away, leaving the Biogons behind.
The beast gasped as the fuse burned to the sack. "BOOM!" Drago turned back to the dam… in time to see the explosion destroying the dam, forming a great surge of water heading towards them. The water washed them away as it rushed though its path. After they flew out of the chaos, Koren and the others followed the huge growing tide.
Within seconds, Koren could see the Yellow Lanterns in the outskirts of the village, being distracted by the Indigo Tribe fighting and circling them. At that moment, Avian turned and saw his son and his friends flying towards them, just above the great tidal wave.
"EVERYONE, TAKE COVER!" he yelled out to the Tribe.
The tribe retreated to high ledges with Avian and the crew following them as the water sloshed over the Yellow lanterns. Some of them have been washed away but at least the Biogons were gone. When the water passed them, Koren, Razer, and Raheem rejoined their comrades.
"You did it," Indigo-1 called out.
"We all did, especially Razer!" Koren admitted. "He definitely faced his fears and left his mark on the Biogon leader!"
Razer didn't say anything, only nodded in agreement. He then noticed that Hal wasn't with them. "Where's Hal Jordan?"
"He's still fighting with Sinestro." Kilowog answered. "We'll get him later. First things first." He pointed to the Yellow Lanterns that escaped the wave. They all resumed their battle knowing that their tide of war are on their side now.
"It's just the two of us now, Jordan!" Sinestro snarled, his yellow ring glowing madly on his finger and his eyes carrying an unusual menace, like he was taking pleasure in the situation they were both in. He didn't seem to be suffering from exhaustion, like most of the Lanterns were, and seemed to have a very keen wish of ending his enemy's life right now.
"Look at yourself, Sinestro!" Hal countered, trying not to let his emotions or how the change of his former mentor affecting him be seen. He couldn't recognize him anymore. The look of pure hatred across his face and his menacing smile were a shock for him though he didn't show it. If there was one thing that Sinestro had taught him was that he must never let his enemy see his weakness. "Look at what you've become! A monster. A sick, twisted monster!" It hurts to say things like that about someone he had once looked up to, but he needed to.
"You've always been so naive, Earthling," Sinestro smirked, his eyes sparkling wickedly. "You couldn't see what was right in front of you. Never could." He lifted himself off the ground, floating a few feet in the air as if showing his superiority toward the human and chuckled. "It's almost a shame that I'll have to get rid of someone with a potential such as yours, but I cannot risk letting you live."
Shaking his head, Hal took off in the air and the two Lanterns started advancing towards each other. He was grateful to Aya that his ring worked in the presence of so many Yellow Lanterns and could only hope that it would give him enough advantage to take down their leader. "Are you sure you don't wanna think about this? Come back to the Greens?" His words were met with a grimace and a sarcastic laugh from his enemy and he wrinkled his nose. 'So that's the end of a friendly talk,' he thought to himself and lifted his right hand, his ring glowing powerfully on his finger. "If he wants to fight, then so be it," he whispered to himself. He wouldn't back down from a fight, even if it meant having to carry a battle against the one who had once been his teacher, his idol. But that didn't matter now. Too many people, too many lives counted on him. And he didn't want to let them down.
"I now understand why so many people want you dead, Jordan. You are nothing but a fool, thinking you can defeat me," Sinestro chuckled, an evil look in his eyes. "And I will make sure to end this."
This time though, Hal decidedly ignored him and took one look around him, making sure his crewmates - no! His friends - were okay. He briefly spotted Razer and Aya fighting back to back like they always did and taking care of each other and he couldn't help the small smile that took hold of his lips before his eyes fell upon Avian and his son who were fighting side-by-side, too caught up in their battle to notice anything else, and finally he gazed over for a short second at Kilowog who seemed to be handling very well his situation. Briefly, he noticed the Indigo Lanterns fighting alongside them, determined to win. If that wasn't a motivation, he didn't know what else could be. "Many tried," he finally answered, turning his attention back to his enemy. "But they all failed. Just like you will," he said and raised higher in the air.
"I doubt I will," Sinestro replied and caught up with him, both of them hovering high above the others and he lifted his ring hand, shooting a beam of yellow energy at Hal, who created a shield to protect himself and managed to create small cracks in the construction. "It might have slipped from your mind but I am the one who taught you everything. I know each and every one of your moves, Jordan!"
Rolling his eyes, the Green Lantern used the small moment of distraction to attack, shooting his former mentor with energy beams and managing to hit him. "Keep talking, Sinestro. I'll just keep fighting," He growled through gritted teeth and readied himself for another attack. There was no way he was going to let Sinestro win, not when there were so many lives at stake. Taking a deep breath, he kept his focus solely on the Yellow Lantern leader, his face expressionless as he shot more energy beams at him, which made him fly backwards a few meters. He could say he was surprised he hadn't put that much of a fight but a sudden realization came over him, making a cold shiver run up his spine. Sinestro was just toying with him, making him overuse his ring and tire himself out before attacking him full force. He would lie if he said he didn't kind of admire his ingeniousness. 'Good plan', he thought to himself and made a mental note to not let himself fall for this trick. He shot a powerful beam of energy at the Yellow Lantern, trying to buy himself some time to find a way to win. Sinestro counterattacked with his own powerful beam of energy. The attacks collide and an explosion engulfs the area. After the explosion from the attacks, Hal was down, but alive. He groaned since he used a lot of power for the attack.
"Get up!" Hal's eyes slowly cracked open and he groaned silently. His vision was blurry and he felt as if he had just been hit by the Interceptor itself. He felt a throbbing headache starting to settle in the back of his skull and he gritted his teeth.
"Get. Up!" He heard again, each word a sentence itself. His vision finally cleared and when he looked up, he saw Sinestro grinning smugly down at him. "Ah, for a second, I actually thought you were going to give up," The yellow lantern hissed, his voice dripping with venom.
Hal got up slowly, managing to keep his balance despite the aches in his body. He took a quick look around him before returning his gaze back to Sinestro's grinning face in front of him. "You taught me a little too well, Sinestro," he finally replied. "I never give up on anything!"
"We shall see," The former Green Lantern answered and lifted his ringed hand, ready to fire. Hal shot off from the ground, returning in the air, a determined expression on his face.
Sinestro shot from the ground and both lanterns charged and clashed. The battle kept on for a few minutes with either side winning. They both were panting hard from the fight. Hal looked at his ring which was beeping, indicating that it's running low.
"Seems to me that you're running low. It looks like this fight is mine," Sinestro sneered as he fired his ring, only for Hal to dodge.
Hal grinned. "The strongest warrior does not always win," He then flew as fast as an arrow and punched him. "It is speed!" He then flew a u-turn and punches him again. With his speed, he created a barrage of punches at Sinestro, rendering him unable to escape. "You're not the only mentor I ever had. Avian taught me a few moves weeks ago."
Sinestro growled and tried to fire, but Hal dodges every one of his laser. And for every opening Sinestro has, Hal doesn't hesitate to attack. "How are you still fighting when your ring is low?!"
"It's simple, Sinestro," Hal answered him. "It's not the ring that gives me power, it is my willpower as well as my comrades who believe in me!"
Sinestro glared while gritting his teeth in anger. "I won't let you win. I will wipe your existence if it's the last thing I do!" He zooms at him, but Hal moves out of the way. He then flies up in the air at high speed with Sinestro at his tail as he aims his ring at Hal. Suddenly, the clouds cleared up, revealing the bright sun, its rays blinding Sinestro for a moment. Hal takes this chance and grabs his former mentor and flies into the sky. "Let me go!" Sinestro roared as he struggled.
"Oh, I will!" Hal smirked. He then spins around in the air in a circular motion. As he spun, Hal used all his ring energy, and times it with his spinning, thus creating a green energy vortex which gave great damage on Sinestro. Hal then zooms back down, and tosses Sinestro down into the ground. When the dust clears, Sinestro is able to get up, as both lanterns have a staring match. After a while, Sinestro only made a nod and said, "Well played, Jordan." He then succumbs to the damage it took and faints. Hal, realizing that he just beat Sinestro, stands in awe. The Indigo tribe saw their battle and they all jumped for joy to celebrate their victory. The crew smiled for their leader's achievement while Koren and Indigo-1, with tears in her eyes, shared a hug.
Hal then came towards Sinestro who grunted from the pain. "I...lost. It's the first time I've ever lost," Sinestro gasped and faced Hal. "What are you waiting for? Kill me!"
"Why?" Hal shook his head. "My goal is not to kill you. Even if you're our enemy, we aren't going to kill you."
Sinestro gasped at his answer. "You'll regret sparing me. I will come back someday."
"Maybe, Sinestro." Avian joined Hal. "But where I'm from, we don't regret any life we save, even if they're our enemies and might come back to attack us. Life is something to be cherished and maybe someday, you'll learn from this." Sinestro was only speechless and struggled as he got up despite his injuries.
"Take your Corps and leave this place," Hal ordered. "This is the Indigo Tribe's home and you've seen what they're capable of. We're finished here."
Sinestro grunted until he sighs in defeat. He then gathered his injured men and left the area and the tribe alone.
The next day came and the Indigo Tribe arrive to see the crew leave to continue on their journey. Indigo-1 and Raheem came to bid farewell to them after leading them to the Interceptor out of the village.
"Thank you Hal Jordan, Kilowog, Koren, and every one of you," Indigo-1 thankfully said.
"Glad to be of help," Hal nodded. "Guess we'll be on our way."
"Avian, Koren. I will miss you," Raheem said as he shook hands with them.
"We'll miss you, too," Koren said with a sad smile. "Raheem, can we trust you to protect the Tribe?"
Raheem nodded in agreement until he spoke. "Koren, if you ever need me for any reason, all you have to do is call for me." He saw Koren's surprised face as he continued. "Even if you're a thousand miles away, for you I will gladly come running. Think of it as a sign of my gratitude for helping the tribe and me."
Koren smiled, knowing that he gained a friend and ally in the Indigo Lantern. "Okay. Well, Dad, Hal, shall we go?"
"Yeah," Avian agreed.
"May the spirit of Abin Sur help you vanquish your foe. Thank you, Hal Jordan," Indigo-1 gratefully said.
Hal Jordan only shook his head. "Thank you, Indigo-1."
"For what?" She wondered.
"For reminding us of what really matters," he said as he watched his crew getting on the ship. He waved them farewell as they continued on their journey.
Meanwhile...
Far beyond the indigo tribe by the side of the river bank, a few surviving Biogons managed to escape their watery deaths though heavily injured. They waited in case there are more survivors. Suddenly, a burnt dragon-like claw bursts out of the water as it grabs the edge of the river bank. The Biogons were shocked to see their leader Drago reaching to shore, alive though his right side was badly burnt and scarred from the fire.
"Drago!" The Biogons reached their leader and stood beside him.
"Leave me alone!" Drago growled.
"Leader. Your face...is badly injured," One Biogon nervously pointed out, however, this made his leader boil.
"SHUT YOUR JAW!" Drago ordered. He remembered what happened before the dam had burst. What Razer did to him and how he defied him, despite his fears. "That red prey...the next time I see him, I'll tear him to pieces! This I swear it!"
He then angrily roar into the sky as he swore revenge on his enemies, especially on Razer. This battle had been lost to them, but the war is far from over!
Hope you like it!
Consider this a late Christmas present and a early New Year's gift. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
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