Wavelengths
A DCAU Plus fanfiction project
Arisia Rrab
One of the Guardians must have really hated her, Arisia reflected. Why else would she be getting a guard shift in the same cell block as Atrocitus?
She understood the necessity: Sinestro had figured out how to make his own Power Rings, and his own Corps. They were calling themselves the Sinestro Corps, and the former Green Lantern had been recruiting from every corner of the galaxy. This meant Oa needed more protection, given Sinestro knew the defenses almost as well as the Guardians.
It didn't mean she had to like it. Especially with her temporary partner: Laira Otomo.
The more seasoned Lantern wasn't terrible. She was competent, and friendly, and didn't treat Arisia like a kid.
(Like a certain Earth Lantern did, hmph.)
But as they observed the communal area in the cell block, where Atrocitus was holding a meeting, she couldn't help but be slightly disturbed by how much attention Laira was paying attention to the Ryutian's words.
He was in the center of a circle of other inmates, from all across the galaxy. His deep voice was calm and even, but carried far.
"This week, we are continuing our study into will, and how it relates to other emotions," Atrocitus spoke, standing like a mountain in the midst of the smaller prisoners, "in particular, fear. This is an appropriate topic, I feel, given the emergence of the Sinestro Corps."
Arisia grimaced. The knowledge that the Yellow Lanterns were powered by fear wasn't that well known, yet a prisoner in the most secure holding facility in the galaxy knew about it? Nevertheless, she continued to listen from overhead, separated from them by the green tinged forcefield.
"Fear is a natural response to threatening stimuli," Atrocitus continued, "as natural as breathing. In most species, it pushes us into one of two decisions: Fight, or flight. Fear in higher beings can cause change: Nations band together into alliances out of fear of an outside threat. Individuals create innovations to defend themselves out of fear. Fear can bring about great changes."
Atrocitus paused, his dark eyes sweeping across his attentive audience.
"Yet fear alone is insufficient as a motivational force," Atrocitus decided. "Can anyone tell me why?"
A rotund alien, mostly face and sharp teeth, raised a stumpy arm. Arisia vaguely recalled his name: Zilius Zox.
"Because, Great Atrocitus, fear exists to be conquered," he spoke in a raspy voice. Atrocitus nodded.
"Exactly," Atrocitus rumbled. "While consumed in fear, you make yourself vulnerable. You must use your will to fight within, and without. Fear can spur you to action, but half of the fear response is always to hide, to cower. Its power is therefore limited in a true fight."
"But, Great Atrocitus," Zilius Zox asked, "is not being able to hide, to flee and survive another day, a valuable trait for some fights you cannot win?"
Atrocitus stared intensely at the little alien, and Arisia swore his eyes glowed red. Zilius grimaced, but held his ground. Finally, the huge Ryutian nodded.
"It is true, fear can be useful strategically," he stated. "But ultimately, it is a matter of control of that fear that is most important. Flee from too many battles, and you will lose the fight. Freeze and delay making too many decisions out of fear, and your enemies will overcome you. Fear is a motivator, but it is up to your will to control it. Your will must be paramount in all things."
Another alien scoffed at him.
"You're starting to sound like those Green Lanterns!" He hissed. "It's called the Book of Rage, yet all you do is preach about will!"
Atrocitus very calmly turned to stare at the alien... Then, faster than Arisia could track, he punched the alien right out of his chair and into the wall. The rest of his followers got up and scooted out of the way, as the belligerent alien got back up with a snarl. He wiped the blood from his jaws and charged.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" He screamed, his clawed fingers stretching out to seize Atrocitus. Arisia held up her ring hand, but Laira seized her wrist. Laira shook her head.
"Watch," she ordered, just as the attacking alien made contact with Atrocitus. The giant Ryutian took the hit, and just as quickly and smoothly he grabbed the alien's arms and flipped him over into the deck with a hard thud. The alien, stunned, stared up at Atrocitus. He cringed, whimpering as Atrocitus tightened his grip around his wrists.
"P-Please... D-Don't...!" The alien babbled.
"Your rage is strong," Atrocitus spoke, still as calm and even as ever, "but without control, it is useless."
"You... You're bigger than me," the alien protested, his pitch going higher. "You're stronger-!"
"And that matters not, when the prison around us is constructed of pure will," Atrocitus stated. "Your rage is not lacking, but your will is."
He released the prisoner, and then helped him up. Atrocitus looked down upon him gravely.
"Rage is power, but power is useless without the will to use it. To wield it. To know how to use it," Atrocitus continued. "If you are to master anything, you must first master yourself. So says the Book of Rage."
"I... I understand, Great Atrocitus," the alien spoke, bowing to him. Atrocitus pushed his head back up, shaking his own.
"Master your own power, and you will never bow to anyone again," he rumbled.
"Save you," the alien said, now speaking in something close to awe. Atrocitus rumbled, that unpleasant laughter from before. It made Arisia shiver.
"If you will it," Atrocitus spoke.
The session ended, and Arisia and Laira began a patrol of the interior of the cell block. This was always the riskiest part of the job: Even with their power rings. Yet the cell block seemed... Peaceful. The prisoners went about their activities: Exercising, reading, eating, or talking.
Laira's path steered them towards Atrocitus, who was sitting alone in a corner of the cell block. A number of the aliens from the session were milling about, pretending to be engrossed in their own activities... But Arisia was keen enough to recognize a protective detail when she saw one. It was Atrocitus' court, despite all appearances.
Zilius Zox spotted them, and rose to walk up in front of Atrocitus. He bore his sharp teeth, and spread his stubby arms out.
"What do you want with Great Atrocitus?" He hissed.
"It is fine, brother," Atrocitus rumbled, "let them pass."
Zilius scowled, and begrudgingly moved aside. He was seething at them, but kept it under tight control. Laira didn't appear troubled at all: Just the opposite, which was scarier than her being nervous.
"Hello Atrocitus," Laira said with a smile, floating just above the deck. Atrocitus nodded to her, the slightest hint of fondness in his eyes.
"Lantern Laira, Lantern Arisia" he returned. "Back on guard duty?"
"It was my request," Laira admitted. Arisia made a face.
"It wasn't my request," she stated icily, glaring at Atrocitus.
Atrocitus nodded slowly.
"Sinestro's new Corps has been causing problems," he spoke. Laira nodded again, looking skittish. Arisia scowled.
"How did you know that?" She demanded. Atrocitus again laughed softly.
"Please, Lantern Arisia. After being here for so many cycles, there is little I do not know," he replied. "The rage he has been causing speaks for itself. It is all too..." He trailed off briefly, his eyes fixing on hers, "familiar."
Arisia managed not to wince. Laira looked sympathetic, an expression Atrocitus waved off.
"Wars against former comrades are the worst kind," he said. "The betrayal... It burns within you. Every interaction, every moment of adulation or admiration of your former friend turned foe... It all turns to acid, burning you from the inside out."
"You're not going to be shedding any tears if Sinestro dies," Arisia pointed out. Laira shot her a warning glance, but Atrocitus again laughed.
"No. I will only regret it was not at my hand," Atrocitus stated, "a sentiment many sapients will agree with." He considered things carefully for a moment. "Then again, I suppose, in a sense... He too is a victim. A sign of the corruption of the Guardians."
"They didn't make him enslave his planet," Arisia shot back, narrowing her eyes. Atrocitus met her gaze, calm and even as ever.
"No. They merely gave him the tools needed, and failed to notice his crimes," Atrocitus spoke.
"He was a hero! He fooled them too! He fooled all of us!" Arisia protested.
"The greatest heroes require the most scrutiny," Atrocitus replied, "as admiration is the furthest thing from understanding. The image is only as good as the reality behind it." He looked over at Laira. "As Laira has found out for herself."
Arisia looked over at Laira. The purple-skinned Lantern grit her teeth, and clenched her fists. She looked down at the metal deck, trembling.
"I apologize, Laira," Atrocitus said, and he sounded like he meant it, "I did not mean to-"
"No. It's okay," Laira said shortly. She took a deep breath and looked over at Arisia. "You know... Amon Sur? Abin Sur's son?"
Arisia winced. She hadn't heard all the details, but she knew enough...
"He's a Yellow Lantern, isn't he?" Arisia asked. Laira was silent for a moment, before she managed a nod.
"We fought over Varva. He tried to kill Ke'Haan's, my... My ex partner's family," she explained. Laira shut her eyes tightly. "I wanted to kill him... I almost did."
"And now she is on probation," Atrocitus said gently. Laira nodded, and looked up at Atrocitus. The Ryutian nodded slowly. "It is understandable, Laira. To want revenge. To destroy the wicked."
"Yes it is," Laira admitted, nodding slowly. Atrocitus reached out and grasped her hand. Laira started, and looked up. Arisia had her ring up in a second, but Laira shook her head back.
"It is natural," Atrocitus spoke softly, "to answer the pain caused to you with more pain... But never forget. Amon Sur is lost. Driven by fear and inadequacy. He is no longer his own master. Just a rabid beast trying to please Sinestro. You will destroy him, but you must not let your rage master you. Your rage will make you unstoppable... But only if you are in control."
Laira nodded, looking almost reverent.
"Yes, Atrocitus," she replied softly. Atrocitus let her go, and looked back at Arisia. She still kept her ring on him, but it didn't seem to move him at all.
"I would not want you to get in trouble," he spoke. "You should continue your patrol."
"We were just getting to that," Arisia stated, taking hold of Laira and pulling her away from Atrocitus. They got back on track, and Laira was back to looking professional. Arisia fixed her with a glare.
"What the hell was that?" She hissed to the elder Lantern. Laira shook her head.
"Atrocitus... Helped me," she said. "I just... I needed someone to talk to, and he listened."
"There are Lantern psychologists for that! Why talk to him?" Arisia whispered. Laira smiled, and shrugged.
"Because he told me to embrace what I'm feeling, instead of just suppress it or work it away," she said. She clenched her fist, and her ring glowed a bit darker. Arisia almost swore her eyes turned red, for just an instant, under the dim cell block lighting.
"He helped me, Arisia," Laira explained. "Just because he's a prisoner here doesn't make him a monster."
"He and his cell killed over twenty Green Lanterns!" Arisia insisted. Laira nodded.
"I know. I asked him about that," she explained. "He felt remorse over it. It was such a long time ago... He recognized it was wrong."
"But he still wants to kill the Guardians?!" Arisia demanded. Laira was silent, and just stared at her.
"I think, with enough time," Laira began, "he can change his mind on that too. Just locking beings away isn't the answer, Arisia." She shook her head, "we need to listen to them, too. Try to help them."
Arisia stared at her. Laira stared back. The older Lantern let out a sigh.
"Are you going to report me?" She asked. Arisia bit her lower lip.
"I... I don't know," she admitted. Laira reached out and rested a hand on Arisia's shoulder.
"All I ask is that you hear him out," she said, "then you can make your decision. Can you do that for me, Arisia? Please?"
Arisia stared back. She let out a long, soft sigh.
"... Okay," she said. "Okay... But if I report you-"
"I won't take it personally," said Laira, smiling warmly. "I just hope you realize, with the war on... We need all the help we can get."
Laira looked back over her shoulder at Atrocitus, who had not moved. Arisia followed her gaze, her eyes narrowed.
Somehow, she didn't think Atrocitus was the kind of help they needed.
This is part of my fanfiction universe DCAU Plus: An AU of the DCAU with elements of the Teen Titans cartoon and the comics canon being introduced. This mini series focuses on what's going on in the rest of the universe during the time of the Thanagarian Invasion on Earth, and will focus on the Green Lanterns. More to come!