R. Vital: ... GOD DAMN IT! Do we have the script stealing ninjas again?! Where is my gun?! No, no! Better yet! 4Koma Ninpoutou, where are you?!
jasongd: She is based off the comic character, who first appeared in Superman: The 10ยข Adventure #1 from 2003 and was last seen in Superman/Batman #25 in 2006. While I never read these comics, I have always found her character interesting. She was part of a mystery and plot twists and all that, turns out she was a clone made in the future. We just simplified it and changed it up. We where creative and do what we do.
Negaben364: There is a danger of that.
ANTI REAPER: Happens off screen. Might show a visit in person later on or in Krystal, who knows.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Lex never takes an L.
AlienTokusatsuDuelistMangaGeek: Rather simple really, I am uploading on Saturday's... my time. Work has been really intense lately ON Friday's, so I am uploading chapters some time after midnight when I get home before I go to bed. So... yeah. This is partially because of how drained I am on Saturday's, as well as me not wanting to risk the chance of forgetting to upload.
B.E.A.T.N: We are building up to that, as well as other subplots.
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
B.E.A.T.N: We've got plans for the future. Don't worry about Karen, we've she'll be looked after.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: It's going to be dangerous with it. And Cir is a potential.
R. Vital: Luthor's ego is going to get the better of it.
Mike Kromer: Please calm down for the 'please update', but yeah. Lex is going to pay for it.
ANTI REAPER: The Tennyson family would spoil the grandbabies, trust me.
Negaben364: Well...you're not wrong.
jasongd: Um, I think we just got her from the wiki. I can't remember which comic she's from.
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Artist: GhostKaiser23, he goes by Hangman12 on Deviantart. Either look him up, or go to my profile to see links to all of his official work for this story
Disclaimer: Cartoon Network owns Ben 10 or Teen Titans
AUTHORS NOTE
And here is the newest chapter! Time for a special mini-arc!
Hope you guys like the Lanterns and their lore!
OFF! TO! SPACE!
James' Harem 2
Chapter 58
Rage Of The Red Lantern's Part 1
Sector 7841, deep in space in a quadrant far from Earth. The vacuum of space was a battleground, filled with shining lights of yellow and green. Figures with glowing auras that shot out blasts of energy and constructs of those two lights.
"Keep up the attack! They can't hold up for long!" An alien with a yellow aura proclaimed, shooting out light-construct skulls at the green-aura covered figures.
"Stay the line! Hold them back!" The leader of the green construct users responded, almost like a commander.
Suddenly the skies of space turned red like blood
"What the hell?" Both sides looked around and felt a deathly chill up their spines, as a burst of maniacal laughter echoed throughout the battlefield and attacked them all.
"GWAH!" A yellow aura figure screamed as their stomach was cleaved open from a bloody blade of red light.
"ARGH!" A green aura figure screamed as they were boiled alive from a viscous thick blood-like substance.
And as one the two sides of the war United against the third foe, screaming as they did
They were dying. Boiled alive. Slashed. Cloven into pieces. Bashed. Left into a mushy paste. Whoever was doing this... was leaving none alive. All the while, maniacal laughter laden with sorrow flew about the location... as a figure with bloody red wings flew around, vomiting blood on those who were fighting. And the rings that were on the bodies of the people flew away.
All the while, a red light filled space
*on earth *
"So, I see the trip to Metropolis was eventful." Dick commented as they welcomed Cir-El into their home-base and showed around by Kori and Kom.
Just going through the normal stuff before she'd be set up at the Unlimited Metropolis branch tower
"Just a bit." James nodded
"Is Cir going to be staying with us permanently or is this more of a 'she's staying for -you-' sort of thing?" Dick asked
"...Probably both." He answered as he knew the Kryoptonian girl was a fan "She's gonna be on her own a bit/with Power Woman. But she wants to train with Team Metropolis as much as possible."
"Makes sense. Stay at home, but also part of the team." Dick understood. "How do you attract all these ladies?"
"It's not my charm, looks or my winning personality, I'll tell you that much." James joked making Dick laugh "I think she'll be fine. We'll keep an eye on her." James continued
"Speaking of; did you kick Luthor's ass?" Duela asked, resting on the couch.
"Have a history with him?" Garfield asked
"That guy's just bad news. I know him by his reputation and how he dodges and gets off on any charges of villainy thrown at him." Duela answered. "Plus, he's a straight up dick."
...
"Hahaha haha!" James laughed, nodding lightly
"Is that a jab at me?" Dick responded as he turned to his wife.
"Maybe." she winked
"Hey, where is Cass?" Dick asked, grumbling a bit
"With Bart." she sighed "Visiting a... friend."
*at Central City prison*
"You don't need to come with me." Bart said as she and Cass walked through the prison
"Want to." She answered and held his hand as they were being escorted. Though they didn't need it, it was a formality and required.
"Okay." he sighed as they walked into the room
They sat down at a table where Thad was being brought in, looking worse than Bart saw him before. Like he hadn't slept or couldn't get to sleep. A wall of glass between them for safety, his hands and feet cuffed to the chair
"Hey Thad, you okay bro?" Bart asked
"Exhausted. Can't sleep." Thad answered, trying not to look at him... or Cassandra. He felt something when he looked at her. A loud thumping in his chest.
"Why?" Cass asked in worry as she looked at him "Not eating properly, either." she noted
"The withdrawal?" Bart questioned
"Yeah. Y-You could say that." Thad answered defensively, looking at the floor, only taking the smallest and quickest glances at Cass.
Cass noticed, however. She was noticing all of it. The twitches, the high breathing, the constant wiggling and twitching.
"Bart, talk to us. We're here to help you." Bart asked
Thaddeus began to laugh at that, shaking his head "You can't 'help' me. I'm too frigging damaged." Thad answered "We both know I'm a... A monster." he said seriously "I am broken. Completely and utterly. I'm a druggy. A murderer. Obsessed. A lunatic. There is no 'redemption' for me. We are going to keep doing this fight until one of us dies. So just get that through your head and leave me to rot. Because if you keep seeing me as someone you can save, one day you WILL slip up. And I will SAVOUR that victory. "
Bart sighed heavily as he heard that. He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. He slowed down as he closed his eyes. His body started to vibrate slightly as he was thinking through his words very carefully to try and help Thad as best he could...
"... You are lying." Cass frowned as she read his body language. Thad was scared. "Bart... Let me speak? Alone?" she asked, her hand rubbing her boyfriends shoulder
"Okay. Anything that goes wrong, I'm here in a flash." He answered, unintentionally making a joke.
"Bleh." Thad groaned
Cass smiled and kissed Bart's cheek, watching him rush out
"He's a bitch." Thad groaned as he saw that, but his body language read 'He is so lucky.'
Cass pressed a button, making the glass wall disappear, as she knelt down in front of him "Tell me. Your story."
Thad looked at the former glass wall and looked at Cass... And was shaking in worry and fear. He was scared, terrified, guilty.
"Tell me." she said softly, taking hold of his hands
"I was born long after Bart. His clone." he grumbled "While Bart's aging was accelerated, living through a simulation to try and give him the feel of a normal childhood, mine was the opposite. My aging was slowed, I spent hundreds of years growing to the age Impulse was when he first appeared. The entire time being fed so much information. And one phrase... 'kill Bart Allen'."
Cass frowned as she heard that, but still listened; all the while she was reading him like an open book. He... 'read' exactly the same as Bart. Their bodies sung the same songs, they used the same words. Only different 'spirits', two different voices singing the same songs. Bart's was open, full of joy, energetic. Thad's was slower, more thoughtful, calculating. It was... fascinating
"Then I came back in time and started fighting Bart, trying to kill him. And eventually... I lost my speed." Thad continued
Cass nodded, seeing his motions and seclusion; he felt like he had lost his means for what he wants, what he feels is a part of him. His identity.
"And then... I had to take Velocity 9 to keep up." he continued, hissing under his breath "Fuck... it was... this IS torture. The world... so slow. I can't move any faster, my mind it... is like a snail. I know it's wrong and it... it is torture! I needed it! I... I needed it. I need it."
Cass nodded as she heard that, looking at him, in his darkened eyes.
"At first... I felt like myself again. The Speed Force back in my system and I could be who I am again... and then. I was frizzing out, I could feel the Speed Force leaving. I needed more. Needed more and more." Thad shook angrily, though he couldn't do much in the shackles and dampeners. He was shaking in his chair, looking like he was hyperventilating
Cass held his hand, trying to calm him down. "I'm here. It's okay." She reassured him gently.
"H-Huh?" he blinked in shock, tears dripping down his face
"You're scared. Don't lie, I can tell." Cass answered, looking into his eyes as her hand reached up, holding his cheek
This. This one small action. A tender touch for Cass looking at him with honest and caring eyes... it was probably the first time Thad had felt kindness outside of his 'family'. Not that he even HAD a family. All he had was an AI that acted like a carer. And even that was a tenuous relationship at best. The tear's came, pouring down his face
"Why are you so nice to me?" He pathetically wept
Cass was silent for a few moments, looking directly into his eyes...
"Because I was a born to be a weapon as well." she responded softly
"Y-You're a? A weapon?" Thad asked in shock, looking at her with teary eyes. "H-How? Why?"
"My father wanted to create a copy of my mother." Cass explained "A second Lady Shiva. The perfect killing machine."
"... I... I don't know what to say." He admitted, frowning and looked at the floor sadly 'None of this was in the files I saw. On what I studied. History has changed so much since I met Bart. I... what do I do?'
"Oh?" She blinked, her hand slowly pulling back from his face. Her black glove sliding across his flesh. He flinched, thinking she was going to strike him... but no. It was still soft and gentle. "Believe. We'll help." She responded
"Will you?" Thad asked
"We will." She nodded, looking into his eyes "If you let u-"
Cass' words where cut off as Thad suddenly moved forwards and locked his lips with hers
Cass' eyes widened in shock as she couldn't believe that Thad was kissing her. She pulled back, breaking the kiss. She didn't know what to say or do. She looked into Thad's eyes and saw the desperation and sincerity in that kiss, she was shocked by this sudden thing and felt a shivering chill up her spine because of the suddenness of it all. She didn't know what was going on, her brain going wild
"Hey! Get away from her!" The guards ordered, pulling Thad away from Cass as they came rushing in
"Hnn!" Thad was pulled away and grunted by the sudden grip of the guards and away from Cass. He looked out at her, begging her "I wasn't hurting her! I didn't do anything wrong!" Thad called out, flailing like a wounded animal or scared child.
... And Cass acted without thinking
She rushed forwards, throwing a few punches that had the guards in the floor in seconds. They weren't hurt, they where fine
"Wh-whoa." Thad's eyes widened in shock as he guards where now knocked out "How...?"
"Weapon." She pointed to herself. "But don't kill."
Cass was shocked, however. At how she just sprung to Thad's defense. It was... It was... Why? Was it because Thad looked like Bart? Was it because of that kiss? His body language was the same as Bart's, it confused her. And his eyes... Begging for help
'Help me! Please, I beg you!' That's what his body was saying.
"Cass! Are you okay? What's going on?" Bart asked, zooming inside.
"Nothing!" she squeaked in panic
Thad remained quiet and went limp, not wanting to stay, but...he was so confused. Confused... And hopeful. And he had to admit, the view was not that bad either
"Did you do this, Thad?" Bart asked, seeing the guards who were getting back up.
"No. I didn't." He answered
"Guards where hurting them. Did nothing wrong." Cass responded
"But then who...? Cass, did you knock them down?" Bart asked before he pieced it together.
She nodded quickly and took Bart's hand "Leave? Please?" she asked, wanting to go home
Bart nodded as the guards got up and grabbed Thad. "We'll be back again. Promise." Bart answered and ran off with Cass who he carried in classic Princess style
Cass snuggled into Bart's arms as she felt safe again... but also conflicted, she didn't know what to think. Was she falling for a villain? Someone based on her boyfriend? His... brother? Was she just being confused?
'Bye, Cass.' Thad thought before he was escorted back to his cell.
*Elsewhere*
CRASH!
A few of the Titans rushed out of the tower, seeing something crash outside
"What the devil was that?!" Gar asked as they went outside.
"Guys, be on alert." Dick ordered
"Already on it." James answered, a transformation at the ready as the smoke died down... Revealing a woman
"What the heck?" They gasped before James went down and examined her, unaware that his Matrix scanned her.
"She's hurt. We need to get her inside." He called out. "Kori, Kom, can you help?"
"Of course." His wives answered, helping him.
"I'll get the med-lab online." Victor answered.
Everyone hurried into the crator to help the woman out, noiticing she was humanoid with a few key differences and was wearing a strange outfit
She had pale blue skin, long black hair and blue eyes, covered in a black and red costume that covered her arms, legs and slender torso with D-Cup breasts and a strange logo. A circle in the middle of two vertical lines with crooked upper halves. "She must be wearing a special armour or something." James commented as he carried her.
"It feels like spandex, or latex." Jinx commented as she helped support the woman's legs
"What's that on her hand?" Kom asked as she held the woman's torso.
On the woman's hand was a blood-red ring, with an exact copy of the symbol of the one on her chest. "What is it?" James asked
"I don't know, it's not familiar to me." Kom answered
"Isn't it like a Green Lantern ring?" Dick pointed
"Yeah, it is. But it's wonky at the top. Maybe it's a similar design or make?" James responded, seeing the similarities it had to when he was visiting the Justice League and met Green Lantern.
As well as his interactions with Kyle from Titans Unlimited's Space Team
"We should call Kyle. He might have some information on this ring of hers." Kori commented
"Good idea. I'll call him now." Duela responded
"Okay, the bed's ready." Victor called out.
"Here we go." They lowered the woman onto the bed.
"Is she going to be okay?" Jinx asked
"Well, she doesn't look damaged from the fall. Maybe she's exhausted. I'll keep an eye on her so she's not alone." Victor answered. "And we've got her on the scan-bed so we can see if anything's wrong."
"Okay, that's good." Dick answered
James nodded... And his Matrix beeped "The heck?" He asked in confusion as he looked at it. "Darn it, did I scan another alien?"
"Well, confirms she is an alien and not a Meta." Jinx shrugged
"... Yeah, I guess so." James nodded. "I wonder what species she is though."
"We'll ask Kyle when he gets here. Let's give her some rest." Jinx answered
*time skip*
"Are you sure this is the right symbol?" Kyle asked as he had arrived to the Main Tower.
"Yeah, do you know what it is?" Duela asked.
"I... It looks familiar. Like the Green Lantern Corps symbol. But it's crooked and tilted. I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with this Corps." Kyle apologised.
"Wait... There are other Lantern Corps'?!" Karen gasped
"Yeah, one for each colour of the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum." Kyle explained "... It's the place the Lanterns draw their powers. Green is for 'Willpower', the 'middle of the road' sort of thing."
"Meaning the different colours denote a different emotion?" Kori asked
"Yeah, for example; yellow denotes Fear. Because of our enemies the Sinestro Corps, they use Fear against Willpower." Kyle explained
"... A... Doesn't that mean that Green should mean 'Courage' and not 'Willpower' if that's the case?" James asked.
"I don't make the rules, it's just how the Guardian's have ruled it for millennia." Kyle agreed but didn't want to make a headache about it "Well, described it."
"It makes sense." Dick said "You need Will, determination, to have courage. You need to have the 'strength' and 'focus' to overcome your fears into action. And you need to Will your constructs into shape. I can see why the Guardians describe it like that."
"I suppose." Kyle answered.
"I wonder..." Kori pondered
"What is it?" Kyle asked
"If yellow is 'Fear'; what does 'Red' mean? Love? Passion?" She questioned.
"Like I said, I don't know. I'm sorry I'm not much help here." Kyle apologised.
"It's fine. You tried your best." his team mate Stargirl assured
Down in the medical bay, the woman was slowly stirring awake, feeling her head throb from pain and confusion. She thought she landed on hard bedrock or a meteorite... not such a soft bed platform.
'Wh-what's that?' The woman thought as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around at this strange location. Her head slowly turned as she saw a strange metal humanoid. Her eyes widening in fear and anger.
"This is so strange. She's breathing but there's no pulse, no heartbeat. Alive but doesn't have a heart? Is that even possible?" He muttered to himself. And then he was hit by a massive blast of red blood
"ARGH!" The mechanical man screamed in pain, feeling his body boil, despite being mostly metal. Red warning lights sounded off and caught the woman by surprise.
Suddenly there was a flash of yellow, and her eyes widened as she saw a figure enter the room
"Vic, are you okay?" The figure asked.
Standing before the woman in red, was a handsome buff, slender man with deep raven black wings protruding from his back, pale blue skin like blue snow and shimmering yellow eyes, black hair that went down his back and an almost elven face, wearing a long toga with Gladitorial straps around his body. A stunning figure of a man to the woman.
"Impossible." she snarled
"You're awake? Oh god, Vic!" James gasped as he saw the carnage.
"What did you do?!"
The woman saw James and glared, lunging at him with ferocious red claws.
"YOU SHOULD BE DEAD!"
"Ack! Wh-What're you talking about?" James struggled, trying not to be choked out, his voice coming through his new form. He had to admit, he sounded rather suave in this form
"THE PLANET IS DEAD! I'M THE LAST ONE! I WAS RAPPED IN THE FLAMES BY THOSE YELLOW BASTARDS! DON'T TRY AND TRICK ME!" she snarled
"Wait, what?!" James' eyes widened in shock as he heard that.
The woman clawed at his face and immediately flew off through the open door out of anger and confusion, leaving James burned with her napalm blood on his face.
Yes you read that right. Napalm blood
Victor grunted and pressed a disinfectant to get the blood off of them; luckily only Victor's metal body was affected, none on his skin...James however, had transformed out of his form to remove the blood. "F-Fuck! What the hell was that?" Victor yelled
"No idea." James admitted "And she had powers her DNA sample didn't."
"Meaning... that. That armour thing isn't natural." Victor grunted, getting his body fixed up.
"I'm going to find her. You stay here and get healed up." James responded, helping Victor onto the bed.
"No doubt. Hnn! The hell is this stuff?" Victor grunted as he tried to wash the 'napalm blood' off his body.
James used his new wings and flew off, shooting out of the tower as the woman seemed to burn her way out of the tower. There was a small come of energy around James as he rushed at the woman, tackling her in the air
"ARGH!" The woman screamed, the two of them spiralling in the air and almost crashed to the ground. "Let me go!"
"No! Please, calm down! You're not in any danger here!" James tried to explain before she... Threw up in his face?! And why did it burn?! "ARGH! Fucking-!" James removed his grip off her and tried to rub the vomit off his face... GOD! He flashes yellow, quickly changing aliens. The woman's eyes widened in shock as she saw this, seeing James turn into a humanoid lava being. "That's enough!" Now in the form of Hot Spot the napalm blood exploded but left him unharmed, James giving the woman a serious look
The woman looked in shock as she saw this transformation, seeing James switch between one form and another. "Wh-who are you?" She panicked "You're... You're not one of my... Nut you where... What the hell?!"
"I know you're confused. But just listen. I don't want to hurt you." James explained. "You're on Earth, you came to us exhausted and hurt." He walked towards her, returning to his human form "You crashed on Earth. What happened?"
"What-What?" she stuttered, shaking her head. She held her head, groaning "No... what's going on?!"
"Who are you?" James asked
"I... Princess..." she stammered, her head spinning "I... they used me. They... raped me. The blood." The woman mumbled, her mind clearly in chaos, looking at James. It was like her mind was trying to catch up with what was going on "I had to... I only felt rage. Pure, hatred for everything." She shook her head and gave a deep mumble "What happened...?"
...
"Who are you?" James asked. It was like a switch was pressed as she took a confident demeanor, like she broke free of the shadows of the past
"I am Bleez of the Red Lantern Corpse!" She called confidently
"'Red Lantern Corps'? Okay, Bleez. I'm James, member of the Titans of Earth." He answered calmly.
"Alright, 'James of Earth'. Why did you save me? I spewed napalm blood into yours and your ally's face." Bleez spoke.
"Okay, you did... and we're pretty mad about that." James responded, ticked off but not letting his anger rise. "But being angry doesn't solve things quickly."
"Shows what you know." Bleez answered with a scowl.
James raised his forefingers and shook his head. "Agree to disagree. Can you come back to Titan's Tower just so we can solve this? And apologise to my friend?" He held a band out to her, smiling "You crashed to Earth. You are still hurt. Let us help."
Bleez looked at this gesture... and as he said the word 'help', she went immediately on the defensive. "Alright... I'll trust you." She commented "For now."
"Thank you." James responded as they headed back to the Tower and saw the broken damage she had caused.
*time skip*
"I can't believe that all happened to her." Raven commented as she saw Bleez sleeping in a bed.
"Yeah, I know... But what are we gonna do?" Duela asked as Victor had his face healed up.
"I guess we could call Kyle and ask the Green Lantern Corps." Garfield suggested. "We heard her side of the story."
James nodded, looking at the unconscious woman 'It begs the question... Who assaulted her?' He thought to himself.
"I'll contact Kyle, I think it'll be helpful." Dick continued, agreeing with Garfield's plan.
"We'll keep an eye on her." Raven added.
"Thanks, Raven." Dick responded, calling Kyle.
'Red Lantern's.' James thought, his arms crossed 'Rage... Could the Red Lanterns be 'Rage'? It is the colour of passion, love, fire and aggression. It is so weird. It could be either. But, blood? And she mentioned anger...'
"James? What're you thinking?" Kom asked her husband.
"Nothing." he shook his head, smiling "How are the kids?"
"The loud noises scared them, but we've managed to get them to sleep." Kom answered. "They almost set fire to the room."
"Bea." James chuckled "We need something to help her control that."
"Very true." Kom nodded. "But I think that your small frog alien might work something with that."
"Yeah yeah, I'll get on it." he grumbled with a smile
"How long is she gonna be here for?" Jinx asked.
"A few days; I'm guessing." Karen answered. "If she doesn't melt everywhere first."
"Space stuff... Just great." Bart mumbled "No floor to run on."
"I wonder... Is there a war going on up there or something?" Victor commented
Cass looked up at the sky through the window, thinking about the potential 'war' that was outside their atmosphere... it was kind of dizzying to her.
"Cass? You okay?" Duela asked
"Space. Is big." Cass answered. "Will we go?" She turned around and looked at her step-mother.
"Maybe one day." Duela assured
"Okay." She nodded. "Is there a Lantern war?"
"... Probably." Duela nodded.
"I don't know. But we're going to find out and try and help." As she stroked her daughter's hair.
In the other room, some of the Titans were contacting Kyle to get his insight into this and hopefully contact the beings who gave Kyle his Lantern Ring.
*Time Skip*
The Titans were preparing to head into space, the information that KYle had sent over gave them the location for Oa and the Green Lanterns. Not all of them, of course. James was approaching the med bay to speak to Bleez.
'I hope she's in more of a talking mood now.' He thought as he knocked on the door.
"What?" She snarled softly
'Obviously not.' James thought. "Bleez, members of the team are going into space to clear your name. We want you to come with us."
"... come in." she grumbled
James walked in slowly and saw that Bleez was wearing a comfy threadbare shirt and lounging trousers over her Red Lantern clothing. Not that she needed the shirt but... Oh well "I want to go over everything you've told me about, if that's okay." James commented
Bleez nodded and sat down. "Why do you care? Going this long for me, a murderer."
James sighed and sat down next to her. "Because I was assaulted when I was younger too. I got through it because of my family."
She frowned... and sighed "Whatever."
"So... the Red Lantern's?" James asked
"What do you want to know?" She asked, seeing that he wasn't going to ease up about it "It is a complicated answer."
"As much as you can." James answered.
She looked at the ring on her hand and then at James. "The Red Lanterns are a Corps, much like the Green or Yellow Lanterns. While they derive their power from Willpower or Fear; Red burns with Rage. It's the power that drives the Corps; when we're chosen, it replaces our heart and our blood becomes a burning substance that we can use as a weapon." Her ring glowed a bit, as did her eyes, as she spoke "We can not make constructs like the Green's or Yellow's. Our power is pure, a wave that washes over our foes. Melts and burns them. You can cut me in half, and I will still live. Rip out my heart, my ring is my heart. And I can put in more strength into my blows than the Green's OR Yellow's could hope to."
"And... this 'War of Light' between the Green's and Yellow's?" James asked
"It's as old as emotions have existed. Willpower vs Fear. Pushing forward into the unknown or staying in safety." She answered.
"And the leader, the creator, of the Yellow's... Sinestro. He has a deep hatred of the Guardian's."
"Why is that?" James asked, shuffling his feet a little.
"He thought that... the Guardians weren't doing enough. Not 'protecting' the people from themselves. He thought that 'policing' them, reinforcing rules and regulations would help people stay safe. No crime because the rules would be enforced, killing criminals before they get out of line."
"Ruling by fear." James realized.
"He was once a Green Lantern. But when they learned of his thoughts and his methods, they took his ring away. Banished him... He eventually found the Yellow energy and made his own corps. And wishes to take the Green Lantern's place as the 'defenders', as the one 'keeping the peace'."
"And where does the Red Lantern's play into this?" James asked "With the Guardians and the war."
"They were people, on a planet called Ysmault. In Sector 666 of the Universe. The Leader's people were massacred by something... and he murdered his only remaining partner to fuel the Lantern Battery. We have to bathe in the blood to quell the rage and take control. The Red Lantern's leader, Atrocitus, is rage incarnate and has vowed to murder the Green Lanterns and Guardians." Bleez explained. "But he isn't part of the war. We are... Almost outsiders. Ready to destroy whoever wins. As we are not police, not dictators... We are avengers. Our rage is justice. And we seek bloody vengeance for those who have been wronged, and those who have wronged us."
"And you want revenge on those who hurt you the most." James frowned, wanting to hold her hand in reassurance.
"I suppose you don't know what that must be like. Being fueled with so much rage and anger to hurt all those who hurt you." Bleez asked
"... Actually, Bleez. I know that all too well." James answered, recalling the memories he had of when he became 'Gigasaur' for the first few times... and how the blind rage was intoxicating.
"What do you mean?" She scoffed lightly
"When I first got my powers, I was... In a haunted place. I was so angry, it felt like I could trust no-one; not even myself. I felt attacked everywhere and on all sides. It was a reflex and subconscious desire that I attack all threats to me." James explained. "I just wanted to rage and not feel the pain anymore. I was so scared of where I was... I couldn't help but lash out." His hand brushed his Matrix and shuddered "I was a slave... An experiment. Until I got lucky. I found my family... But I was still hurt. Deep down. Fear and anger turned into nothing but an endless tornado. I had to accept the love and concur my anger to move past it."
Bleez listened to James as he told his story... how he opened up to her. And how, not small, but... familiar he felt to her.
"I guess I'm not the only one who's got hatred inside." Bleez commented, looking back at her ring.
"Yeah. But we're going to clear your name, or at the very least, get the Green Lanterns off your back and hear your story." James answered "For... Whatever is going on."
"I'd like to know to." She muttered
"It's gonna be okay, we'll get to the bottom of this." James patted her shoulder gently. "... What IS your story, Bleez?"
Bleez sighed as she was asked this, feeling... not exposed, but 'open'. "Alright... I was the daughter of Royalty on my planet of Havania. I was always accosted by suitors. Almost every day I was hounded by them. I turned them down because... I saw they just wanted the throne for power and status."
'Sounds like Penelope in the Oddessy.' James thought to himself. "Please, carry on."
Bleez sighed and nodded. "A few days later..." She frowned and gripped the shirt she was wearing. "I was... attacked. They took my wings." She hissed recalling that memory. "My planet was destroyed. Those Yellow Lanterns... They... Used my body as a toy. For days. My planet, lifeless. I was helpless... All I had was my rage."
James closed his eyes, wincing at the description that Bleez gave... and how sorry he felt for her.
"I was all alone. And that pain... that anger!" She gripped her hand and felt it burn. "It called my Red Lantern ring and it wreathed me in flames and blood. I had become a Red Lantern." Her ring pulsed like a heartbeat as Bleez frowned "I murderer them all." She stated
James frowned but sadly understood. She was hurt and she was so fueled with rage... It made a terrible amount of sense to him.
"I'm sorry you went through that." He sighed
"It is what it is, I suppose." She answered and then stood up. "Your friends probably want us to head to Ysmault now."
"Ysmault?"
"Home of the Red Lanterns. Where I became one." She explained. "And one of the last places I'll be safe. Or as safe as I can be."
"I see." he nodded
BOOM!
"What the fuck?!" James called out.
"They're here!" Bleez instinctively responded, her ring glowing bright. Outside they saw a few Green Lanterns!
"Oh shit." James frowned. Outside the Titans were trying to calm the fighting before it escalated. "Why're you here? We're trying to help!"
Booming out with their rings amplifying their voices "You are harbouring a dangerous criminal! Stand down and release her into our custody!"
"Killowog." Bleez blinked
"Please tell me that he's someone we can actually talk too?" James hoped as he went outside. "Stay here, Bleez. We'll talk to them." He rushed outside, seeing who this 'Killowog' was
Floating there, in their Green Lantern clothing was a dark orange-skinned humanoid alien with large muscles, a pig-like face with flesh-tusks, a skull-like nose with sunken black eyes. This was a 'no-nonsense' looking person...and honestly, he didn't seem like he'd want to talk.
"Oh, crap." He whispered gently.
'Uncle Manny situation.' he thought, going to his Matrix
"Titans, will you relinquish the fugitive?" Kilowog responded. "She has been found guilty of the murders of up to 200 Green Lanterns!"
"... What?" James blinked
Bleez, hidden from the group and inside the Tower, was looking for a way out and not get caught by those assholes.
"What do you mean? And could you lower the volume?" James called out "Seriously dude, no need to shout."
"So-" Kilowog apologised, before lowering the volume. "Sorry, but we had to get your attention so you know the scope of this."
"This is important." Another Lantern responded. "Our rings have followed the culprit's trace signature here."
"Oh?" James asked with a raised eyebrow, crossing his arms
"The ring the culprit has is connected to the Red Spectrum, we followed that trail here and we are to bring her to The Guardians." The Lantern answered.
"Will she have a trial? Or is this an execution?" James responded as he could tell. It was the eyes. This guy was a tough guy but fair and kind
"She will have a trial." Kilowog answered. "We're not outright killers."
"That's good." James sighed
BOOM!
Suddenly the roof of Titan's Tower exploded a bit, a streak of red rushing into space.
"Damn it!" The Lanterns called out angrily.
One of the Lanterns, on instinct and reaction, shot out bindings of energy and wrapped up James "You helped her escape!"
"Stand down!" Kilowog ordered as he caught this. "We're going after her."
James glared, being surrounded by yellow light as be transformed