A/N: And here is the very last update of this story, the epilogue. What a journey it's been - not just for you readers, hanging around over one and a half years while I creaked out sporadic updates (so sorry about the interminable waits between chapters, by the way) - but also for me, as an author. This story challenged me in so many ways - first of all, it's much longer and more intricate than I'd originally planned, and many many times I had to course-correct in the middle of writing a chapter or revise the number of chapters I thought I had left to write. Every time I thought I was nearly done, the story made me realize that no, there's actually a lot more that needs to be written, and so the chapter count ballooned.

Secondly, this story has continually surprised me throughout its writing. Some plot twists and revelations even I didn't see coming until I was halfway writing them. This story really took on a life of its own and wanted to do so many things - and I had to figure out how to shape it into a coherent and enjoyable read.

Thirdly, if you made it all the way through this author's note, you are a gem. That's just a little insight into my author's mind, but of course, you're here for the main dish. So without further ado, here is the final chapter in Brightest Day, Blackest Night.

Epilogue: Flying Colors
November 2004

Kyle Rayner's journey to the art museum was rudely interrupted when he walked past a construction site just as something snapped where it shouldn't have. Kyle only realized that he'd narrowly avoided being crushed by a cinderblock when he registered a sudden flash of green and looked up to see said cinderblock being suspended by a glowing hand.

He followed the trail of light from the construct and found Green Lantern at the other end. The hero lowered the cinderblock and turned to Kyle.

"You all right, kid?"

Too shocked to say anything, Kyle silently nodded.

The Green Lantern smiled, his domino mask hiding his identity but not the merry sparkle in his eyes. "Cheers!" he said, offering a little salute before he took off to resume…whatever it was heroes like him did when they were out and about.

Kyle was left rather bemused about the whole thing.

"Hey, kid, are you okay?" Oh, so the construction workers had noticed that their worksite had nearly been the scene of a gruesome death.

"I'm fine," said Kyle. He shook himself out of his daze and stared at where Green Lantern had flown away. "That was Green Lantern, right?"

The worker grinned, mostly out of relief, but there was some fondness there too. "Yeah. Didn't think we'd see him around again, to be honest — 'specially not since there's the new guy in Detroit — but I ain't complaining. It's kinda nice to have him back. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Kyle promised.

After a brief goodbye, Kyle continued on his way, though he made sure to give any other construction a wide berth as he mulled over his startling encounter.

James Stewart had by now told his fellow artist friend all about how his brother was the new Green Lantern, and Kyle himself had seen and heard the news about the massive battle in Coast City…that had apparently involved yellow and green dragons? In any case, speculation about whether Coast City's Green Lantern had returned had been rife for weeks, even in Los Angeles, which took a special interest in the matter because Coast City was so close. Only very recently — when Green Lantern was spotted flying about Coast City at the same time John Stewart had been having dinner with his family (Kyle knew because he'd checked with James) — had it become clear that Earth now had two Green Lanterns.

And yet, Kyle had never expected to see the man himself while he was in Coast City on a college field trip — much less have a direct interaction with him. James would ooh and ah appropriately when Kyle told him about his near-death experience, but would then claim that he didn't necessarily care about Kyle meeting the Green Lantern because he had a Green Lantern as a brother — but he would secretly be jealous all the same that Kyle had met the original and he hadn't.

Kyle shook his head and grinned to himself as he stepped into the art museum. This was something he would remember, for sure.

Superman was still the greatest hero around, but Green Lantern was pretty cool, too.

Hal was cruising around his city when he noticed three people converged around a car parked on the side of the road. It was entirely possible that the one currently jiggling the door handle of the driver's side was just an unfortunate driver who'd locked himself out of his car, but the guy's two buddies surreptitiously keeping a lookout down both sides of the road made it blindingly clear that they were a bunch of carjackers.

Hal lowered his altitude until he was hovering right above their heads, then cleared his throat and casually remarked, "I really don't think you're supposed to be doing that."

Their reactions were predictable, but still enjoyable. The guy working the door swore loudly as his hand slipped. One of his friends yelled, "Crap, it's GL!", while the other took off running without a word. Hal scooped up the two guys at the crime scene in a green shovel and went after the runaway.

He needn't have bothered.

A violet coil of rope wound around the ankle of the fleeing carjacker and swiped his leg out from under him to dangle him upside down in the air. Star Sapphire smirked at Hal as she deposited her catch into his shovel.

"This one too quick for you?" she teased.

"Not a chance," Hal bantered back. "I was just giving you an opportunity to prove yourself. Newbie hero and all, you know."

"Careful, Green Lantern. You're speaking to a Queen."

They dropped the would-be car thieves off at the nearest police station and retreated high above the clouds for a private discussion.

"I saw something suspicious at the docks last night," Carol relayed. "I think we might have a smuggling ring on our hands."

"Yeah, I heard a rumor that the person in charge is a meta." Hal sighed.

"I was planning to stakeout the docks again tonight. Want to come along?"

"I'd love to, but I'm with the League tonight. It's my first mission back." Hal checked his watch. "I was actually supposed to head up to the Watchtower twenty minutes ago — oh, speak of the devil…" His ring had just beeped to indicate an incoming message from his sector partner. A second later, John's hologram appeared.

"Jordan, Batman is skulking around looking like he wants to strangle someone. Get up here so that if he decides to act on that impulse he can target the correct Green Lantern and not the scapegoat stuck covering for your ass."

Hal snorted. "Get used to that, Stewart — Bats isn't really particular whom he pulls the 'scary phantom of the night' thing on. Besides, I'm on my way."

"You'd better be." The transmission ended and Hal exchanged a glance with Carol, who nodded.

"Go on. I've got Coast covered till you get back."

Hal smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. "You sure do."

With a jaunty little wave, he rocketed upwards. Under the power of his ring, he soared past the upper atmosphere in no time, and soon enough the Watchtower came into view. Instead of making a beeline for it, though, Hal took a moment to hover in space, looking down on the blue and green globe he called home, and then gazing out into the vast expanse of the cosmos.

Everything his eye could see — from the distant stars twinkling against the emptiness to the orbiting space station above Earth — was his to guard and watch over. Every planet and star was his to monitor, every living being his to protect. It was an immense responsibility, but Hal knew, now more than ever, that he was up to the task, and that there was nothing else he'd rather do. This was his home. This was his sector. And he knew exactly who he was and what he had to do — what he was meant to do.

He was a Green Lantern of Sector 2814.

He was a Founder of the Justice League.

He was an Air Force pilot.

Above all, he was Hal Jordan, the man who had conquered fear.

A/N: Now that the story is over, please kindly review to give me your critique and feedback on the entire thing. Thank you very much for reading, subscribing, favoriting, what have you - and thank you in advance for reviewing. If you'd like to read more in this universe, I have several other Diamond Earth stories already completed that you can find on my profile.

Until next time!