This is the finale of the Veteran's Day Special. Last time, what's left of the good guys met up and everyone realized they needed to band together in order to stop Brainiac and save the day. And with Superman relegated to a last option, the first person they need to talk to, is Aquaman. But will the King of Atlantis agree to join the fight? Read on to discover...

(Our tale resumes in Atlantis, where Spyro, Cynder, Hal Jordan, and Aquaman appear to be discussing Brainiac's threat)

Spyro's Log

This is insane. I'm literally standing in Atlantis, talking to Aquaman. Ignitus has told me about the time he was down here when we took down the High Councilor initially. But I couldn't have imagined that this is what would bring me down here.

Aquaman: So, Batman and Lex Luthor want my Marines to assist in this battle? Just like when Superman had me invade Metropolis.

Hal Jordan: Arthur, we were all on the wrong side of that war.

Cynder: (Under her breath) Speak for yourself, Jordan.

Aquaman: The next time my people's blood is spilled will be for Atlantis, and Atlantis alone. Not for the surface world.

Spyro: Seems a little hypocritical, considering the surface world contains your people as well, on your father's side.

Aquaman: My father was of the surface, yes. But my duty is to Atlantis. And, if I'm being quite honest, I don't trust the company you keep. (Pointing his trident at Hal Jordan) Him specifically among surface dwellers. Now leave, and remind your allies to stay out of my seas.

Hal Jordan: And when Brainiac's on your doorstep?

Aquaman: Atlantis can and will defend itself. Now go. I don't need any more distractions.

(At this point, the display of Brainiac's ship cuts out, and the room goes dark, with Hal Jordan's red ring being the only thing illuminating anything.)

Cynder: I really don't think now's the time for ambience.

Aquaman: I... didn't order the lights out.

(As Aquaman says this, a pair of red lights can be seen emerging from the distance, as Black Manta arrives on the scene as some sort of emergency lights kick on.)

Black Manta: Probably because I did.

Aquaman: Manta. What are you doing here?!

Black Manta: (Loading a harpoon gun) Acting as the vanguard of your doom.

(And just like that, we can see from the glass dome of Atlantis that Brainiac's soldiers are arriving.)

Spyro: So you're part of Grodd's little Society too, eh?

Black Manta: He might think so, but once I gut Aquaman like a fish, our little alliance is over. But even then, I'm going to take my sweet time in doing it.

(At this point, Spyro and Cynder step forward, along with Aquaman, as if prepared to fight. Their action catches Aquaman off guard, but never-the-less, he stands with them)

Cynder: (To Hal Jordan) Think you can handle the foot soldiers?

(With an acknowledging nod, Hal Jordan flies off to handle Brainiac's robots, while the rest stand to fight Black Manta.)

Spyro: If you're going to get to him, you'll need to go through us.

Black Manta: Gladly.

(Now the battle begins. Black Manta may have Aquaman at a match, given their history of fighting each other, Spyro and Cynder's intervention manages to turn the tide a little bit, and before long, the mercenary is unconscious.)

Cynder: Two bit merc.

Aquaman: You stood with me, but why? This world is not yours to defend, let alone this city.

Spyro: These may be your oceans, Arthur, but even then we'll defend it on principle. Division is exactly what Brainiac wants. Only by coming together can we stop this.

(At this point, we see Hal Jordan throwing various red constructs at Brainiac's robots, and having little success at it)

Hal Jordan: Then can we come together and help me out here? I'm kind of up against a brick wall!

Aquaman: (Semi-begrudgingly) Cover me.

Spyro and Cynder: Way ahead of you.

(And with that, the trio enters the fray and takes out a good chunk of the robots before Aquaman turns to take out another set on his own, leaving Spyro and Cynder to help Hal Jordan up, just as Cheetah enters the fray, slashing him across the back.)

Cheetah: Strange, I thought the only Regimer to torment down here was going to be Aquaman.

Cynder: Should've figured a Society member was down here.

Cheetah: I'm afraid I have no time to beat around the bush. Wonder Woman's in hiding, quite possibly down here. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?

Hal Jordan: News flash, I unfriended Diana, as did Atlantis.

Cheetah: Don't lie to me. Because I don't need a golden lasso to get the truth out of you!

(With that, Cheetah jumps down from the ceiling and the battle begins. But before long, the tenacity of this trio has Cheetah on the ropes. And without a word to her, the group heads out to catch up with Aquaman, and manage to do so, just as he's getting swarmed by Brainiac's robots, with the trio saving his hide.)

Spyro: So what's the plan, your highness?

Aquaman: My people are getting flanked. I need you three to hold the line here, act as our rear guard.

Hal Jordan: And you?

Aquaman: I'm the vanguard!

(And with that, Aquaman runs off, just as Bane breaks down the door.)

Bane: (Seeing Hal Jordan) Ah, Hal Jordan. You have returned.

Hal Jordan: Kind of good to be back where I belong. Sort of like you in a prison cell.

Bane: (Encroaching on them) Even as a Yellow Lantern you did not show me the proper respect. Allow me to show you how easily your will and rage are broken.

(Now the battle begins. Hal Jordan's red constructs certainly help the battle, but his inexperience with the red ring means Spyro and Cynder are doing much of the heavy lifting here, as Bane eventually falls)

Cynder: Break this, Bane.

(As Bane slips into unconsciousness, Aquaman re-enters the room, already battle wearied)

Aquaman: The gates are being locked down, but the fight's not over yet.

Spyro: Exactly as to be expected.

Aquaman: I'm surprised with all three of you. You willingly put yourselves at risk for Atlantis. (With a slight smile) Perhaps you can be trusted.

Cynder: Glad to hear that from you, Arthur. So are you in?

Aquaman: I can't. Atlantis needs me.

(At this, point the entire group recognizes something is up with Hal Jordan)

Spyro: You okay Hal?

Hal Jordan: We're in danger.

(And in danger they definitely are, as Atrocitus re-enters the room, with the cat Dex-Starr in tow.)

Atrocitus: HAL JORDAN!

Cynder: Great. Angry Clifford managed to catch up to us.

Hal Jordan: You guys go. I'll settle this ring to ring.

Spyro: No chance you're doing this alone, Jordan.

(Knowing his duty is to his people, and that he doesn't want to get involved in this, Aquaman leaves to assist on the front lines as the Lanterns start circling each other)

Hal Jordan: You've messed with my head long enough, Atrocitus.

Atrocitus: I expected better from you, Jordan. Your rage was stronger than any I had ever encountered. That was the only thing saving you from me. Now you try to cast off my ring, so you must face vengeance for your time in the Sinestro Corps!

(At this point, Atrocitus charges the group, but Spyro and Cynder are just about able to block him, until Spyro is flung away like he was nothing, but once he gets a hold of Cynder, Atrocitus notices something)

Atrocitus: Ah, there's something I haven't seen in such a long time. A spark of undeniable rage, stronger than even Hal Jordan's! I sense you have a higher calling, now it's time to show it to you!

(And just like that, Atrocitus lets loose a stream of acidic blood, followed shortly by Dex-Starr, onto Cynder before conjures a red ring similar to Hal Jordan's in his hand, as Cynder appears to suffer some psychological effect)

Cynder: What is this anger?!

Atrocitus: I've sensed this type of rage only once before. Once from someone who betrayed everything they ever stood by. Someone who has hurt their allies in ways one could never expect. This is the rage of self-loathing!

(At this point, seeing no other option, Hal Jordan leaps into the fray and attempts to stop Atrocitus from turning Cynder into a Red Lantern.)

Hal Jordan: (Struggling against Atrocitus' power) Leave... her... alone!

Atrocitus: You honestly think you can stop me, Jordan?!

(Seeing Cynder in the torment she's under, and knowing Spyro can't stop it due to being unconscious, Hal Jordan gives it his all, fighting back against the stronger Red Lantern, and before long, he finds himself reciting a familiar oath.)

Hal Jordan: In brightest day... in blackest night... no evil shall escape my sight...

Atrocitus: If you think that will work, you've lost your mind!

(But perhaps Hal Jordan hasn't lost his mind after all, as in the corner of the glass dome, a green light can be seen dashing into the room)

Hal Jordan: Let those who worship evil's might...

?: Hal Jordan of Earth. You have the ability to overcome great fear.

(And just like that we see exactly what the green light is, it's a Green Lantern ring, and it finds it's way onto Hal Jordan's finger, restoring him to who he was and blowing back Atrocitus)

Ring: Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps.

Green Lantern: (Now finishing his oath) BEWARE MY POWER, GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!

Cynder: (As the acidic blood dissipates, seeing Green Lantern is back) Looks like the Guardians finally trust you again.

Green Lantern: (Seeing Cynder is standing beside him) You were right about one thing Atrocitus. I do hate myself for what I've done. But my will is stronger than my hatred will ever be.

(Now with Green Lantern restored, he and Cynder go to work taking out Atrocitus, which they manage to do just as Spyro is regaining consciousness)

Atrocitus: (Slamming his ringed fist into the ground) Your world is doomed, Jordan! And once it is nothing but a pile of ash, you will beg for vengeance! (Opens a portal) And on Ysmault, I will be waiting for that day. The day you come cowering back to the Red Lantern Corps!

(With that rant over, Atrocitus and Dex-Starr leave, as the dragons and Green Lantern watch on)

Spyro: (Seeing Green Lantern is back in green) So... what did I miss?

Cynder: We'll tell you on the way back to base.

Spyro: Sounds good to me.

(And as the three leave, our scene ends for today)

This concludes the Veteran's Day Special. Once again, I'd like to send a thank you out to all the troops defending our country. I'm not sure I can accurately repay you. That aside, it looks like Green Lantern is back! This is actually the first time I've ever typed Green Lantern as a character name in this story or the first in the series. Probably because this is the first time he's actually Green Lantern, rather than Yellow, or in the case of this story Red. So, what's next now that Aquaman's been crossed off? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!