Avenging Justice 3:
To Infinity and Anti-Life
Part VII
Sector 2628, Odym
"Arise Saint Walker, you are one of the first," Ganthet said, floating above a sparkling pool. "Take the Blue Lantern Ring of Hope and go forth. A great threat is rising, our Green Lantern brethren will need us in the coming battle."
Sayd continued, "As the light of Hope, you have a higher calling to comfort and ease the suffering of all sentients."
The group was small, barely more than a dozen sentients, from all across the universe. Many were spiritual and religious leaders, ones used to finding hope even in the darkest times. Ganthet and Sayd had recruited them for this, to kindle the flame of Hope. That elusive emotion that could move a sentient to great acts of heroism, and could lead a people to burn down tyranny for a better tomorrow.
However, the power as elusive, just like the emotion itself. One could have it in spades, but still need the will to act upon it. Those who held too tightly to it, could find themselves losing it. For Hope to flourish, eventually one had to act upon it. Because of that, there were a great many things these new Blue Lanterns could do. However, their real power would only come to fruition when paired with a Green Lantern.
Ganthet held aloft his ring, and pointed to the newly minted Blue Lantern battery construction nearby, "In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full, our souls ignite! When all seems lost in the in the War of Light, look to the stars, for Hope burns bright!"
The others repeated this oath and tendrils of blue light left from the main battery construction and filled their rings. A dozen lantern like creations, from across each species history, appeared in their off hands. Brimming with power, these would be used to connect to the main battery here, and recharge their power. The first wave of Blue Lanterns was ready, and now was set to be sent out into the universe.
"Go forth, Blue Lanterns, bring Hope back to the Universe!" Ganthet called out to the newly minted lanterns. "Aid the Green Lanterns, together we will bring a New Day!"
An hour later, all the newly minted Blue Lanterns were flying off into the starry blanket above. Below on the planet, it was still daylight, and the two Oans watched their new recruits head off into the unknown. They would need more, but unlike the Green Light of Will, the Blue Light of Hope required another type of wielder.
"Ganthet, when you brought the battery online, there was a spike in the power," Sayd floated to face the other Oan. "You do not look surprised."
Ganthet smiled, "No, I have suspected for a time, that there are more mysteries than even we have answers to." He started to move towards the new Blue Lantern Main Battery. "Looking back at even our in depth records, I found things that the other Guardians just don't look at, choose to forget."
"What does that have to do with that power spike?" Sayd continued. "I've looked at the archives, but I don't remember any other users of the Blue Light."
Ganthet nodded, "Our brethren tend to disregard things they can't explain or quantify. It is my thought, that there may have been other wielders of the Emotional Spectrum in the past. However, that power spike you saw, came from a technology that is ninety-nine-point nine percent like ours here. I traced it back to Sector 1148."
"I'm not familiar with the Lantern from that sector," Sayd admitted. "However, I was under the impression it was one of the more lawless sectors."
Ganthet nodded, "Which is why we allow a little more latitude with the Lanterns assigned to the sector. I looked them up before we left Oa, a human."
"I thought our only human Lanterns were those from Sector 2814!" Sayd turned, shock fully showing on the normally calm demeanor.
Ganthet smiled, "Yes, a human. Which led me to further questions and discoveries. I knew we Guardians would have to evolve, but now I'm sure it will need to be sooner than later. We may not have realized it when we first set eyes on Hal Jordan, but Humanity is very quickly growing into something more than even we thought to achieve."
"I don't know what to think about that," Sayd said, her eyes going back up to where the newly minted Blue Lanterns had disappeared.
Ganthet laughed, "Neither do I. I know the others have always seen me as odd, taking to Lantern Jordan so quickly. However, I can't help but thing one day his kind will take over for us. They may very well be Guardians in the making. Their tenacity, wrath, hope and will to continue on, overcoming all. I just hope they can overcome their own fears and prejudices, to become what they are capable for."
"That is a lot to ask of one species," Sayd looked sadly at Ganthet.
He nodded, "We did it. Though there are times I wonder if we should spend more time with other peoples, instead of sitting up high on our seats looking down. That, though is a topic for a different time."
Sector 0000, Oa
The Guardians watched as yellow and green constructs lit up the sky. A message had been sent to Ganthet, to bring him back in time for the war's end. There had been casualties, and already new recruits were going through the training.
A fallen Lantern had turned on the rest, and created a corps of his own. At first he had only been making the life of Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart miserable, doing what he could to disrupt the Guardians' work. However, the creation of his own corps, had been a step up in the conflict. The death of Green Lanterns, and the massive disruption of order, had meant a declaration of war.
As such the Guardians had rethought their prohibition on killing and unlocked all Green Lantern rings. Now, their Lanterns could now dispense lethal force, if necessary. Millenia ago, they had locked that out, after a failed experiment with the Manhunters. However, the dangers of the universe were only growing stronger, and the Green Lanterns needed to meet that head on.
There had been much debate, but now with the ruling in effect, there were other things to focus on. Mostly with the balance of power shifting, they saw other forces were moving, repositioning. The warlord Thanos was sending out more forces of his, but the Guardians didn't think he'd be leaving his planet anytime soon. The living planet, Ego, had gone silent after many strange growths erupted across the universe. The Nova Corps were having trouble in their own sector, but the Guardians only view this as a natural ebb and flow in the state of affairs.
Asgard though, that was a different matter entirely. A great power, and for the millennia they had provided stability to their sector of the universe. However, it recently went silent. Most of the royal family was seemingly lost, the Green Lanterns of that sector had only a limited time to report back. What they did report back was a flotilla of refugees and a world burning as Death and Fire fought to the end.
The Guardians put no stock in such poetic nonsense, but they did know the warlord Surtur had been taken by the Asgardian prince, Thor Odinson. Before the planet fell apart, they did remember that a power struggle in the royal family had started. Hela had seemingly come back from wherever she had been banished to. With the increasing death toll, the Guardians had sent that sector's Lantern, only for them to be ambushed by the Sinestro Corps. Currently their replacement was being trained below.
Their attention was drawn again to the heavens, as Hal Jordan blasted off right at Sinestro. A green jet fighter surrounding him, with thousands of green bullets blasting at the yellow clad Korugaran. Sinestro scoffed at such a direct attack. Had Lantern Jordan really not learned. Always with the direct and full out assault with this one. At least Lantern Stewart used tactics, that Sinestro could appreciate. However, it did make Jordan easy to deal with.
Sinestro parried the attacks, and then sent a massive javelin back at Green Lantern. It pierced the side of the green jet, and much to Sinestro's surprise, Hal wasn't there. By reflex he pulled up a massive shield, like the tower shields from Earth's more primitive days. The impact of a large explosion sent the Korugaran flipping backwards. It would take more than that though, he was far too experienced for that to affect him for long.
Quickly, Sinestro sent out a beam attack, and then quickly turned and brought down a massive yellow drill. It felt it hit something, and he turned his attention to that. It was a green construct, an oblong shape, with what looked to be a burning fuse at the top. Immediately, Sinestro put a sphere around him as the green construct exploded.
A few feet away, Kilowog laughed as he saw that poozer, Sinestro fighting to regain his bearings. Especially as Jordan's massive hand constructs clapped together, and Sinestro tumbled again, this time towards Oa. He began to right himself again, but this time Hal Jordan was on him with a flurry of blows. Meanwhile, green constructs peppered away at Sinestro. Kilowog could just imagine that Jordan's ring was just about ready to throw low power signals, he just hoped Jordan had done enough to end this.
"Impressive, Jordan," Sinestro commented idly as he was pushed back. "This ferocity, this focus, if only you and the Guardians understood, this is what the universe needs. We need to end threats permanently, not allow them to fester."
Jordan sent a blast of green energy at his one time friend and mentor, "We are meant to protect, we aren't meant to rule!"
"Really, still this naïve?!" Sinestro shot back as he sent a yellow scythe at his one time friend. "Once the Guardians are done with me, what do you think is going to happen? They're going to put down the Star Sapphires. They do not like sharing power, even if they allow other agencies. Notice they didn't go to the Nova Corps aid years ago?"
Hal Jordan slammed a massive downward chop into Sinestro, "Maybe it has something to do with the death of the Lantern for Asgard!" He followed up with a very angry blast from his ring. "Or how about those lost in this needless war. There has been enough death on both sides, end this now!"
"How naïve you are, Jordan," Sinestro shot back, as she sent a column of spears at his one time friend. "I do miss your innocence, but the universe needs order. I will provide it, by making them fear doing evil!"
Hal knew he was running low, it was a long shot, but it was now or never. He sent out all but a small fraction of his power out. The resulting green blast sent Sinestro flying back, right into an oncoming green freight train. Slamming off of that, Sinestro was battered by a car filled freeway in the sky. The leader of the Sinestro Corps bounced off each one, struggling to get his bearings. Just as he did, a massive green Mack truck slammed into him. He pushed that off, only to find a green lasso attaching itself to him, and then he was slammed into the ground. Before he could draw breath, a massive mallet hit him again, again and again.
Finally, Sinestro stopped moving, and Hal Jordan landed hard beside him. He pulled his arm back, he'd been here before. Then as if on cue, just as he predicted, Sinestro sat up and attempted to blast Hal. Which is when Green Lantern let out one final haymaker, and sent Sinestro back down. This time, he was out cold, and Green Lantern Jordan quickly called for reinforcements. Much to his relief, it came in the form of Tomar-Re and Kilowog.
"We got the poozer," Kilowog snapped out. "You need to recharge before they figure out you're low."
Tomar-Re smiled, "Come, Lantern Jordan, I'll shield you as you make your way to the battery."
Soon, the battle ended, as many of Sinestro's forces realized he was captured. They escaped back into the star filled blanket of space. Several didn't, having been captured or killed by the Green Lanterns they were fighting. Their forces had taken casualties, and they were without their leader, but one had to wonder if that would stop them. The Guardians on Oa thought this would, but some had to wonder.
However, the victory came at a price. Laira, Lantern of Sector 112, sat cradling the body of Ke'Haan. He had fallen at the hands of several Sinestro Corps attackers, much to his credit. However, that left little comfort to her, as she had cared for him very much. She was a warrior, and knew that these things happened in war. However, they were supposed to be peacekeepers, and this unnecessary war had been started by those yellow ring bastiches.
She didn't notice the limp form of Sinestro being carted away, instead she ran a hand over Ke'Haan's unmoving face. Not a single tear was shed, publicly. Away from the others, they would be. For now, she had a duty to perform. She could spare a moment though, just a moment. She let out whispers to the dead man, hoping it would find him and aid him on his way to the afterlife.