[ Hall Of Justice, Briefing Room ]
By his lonesome, Superboy sits at the oval table examining a new nth metal comprised artifact. A pair of thick frame glasses. One of a glistening bronze-like color, indestructible, sturdy, and unexpectedly modern. Nearby, his Father Box lays upon the table, ready to answer questions or oblige a reasonable request from the kryptonian.
"These are one of those special artifacts that seem to give people and objects crazy powers and alterations? Just who in the world designed this one? It practically looks like one of those nerdy glasses Kal-EL wears…" He muses, murmuring to himself as he adjusts the item within his grip to look it over from various angles. Nothing really sticks out by the time he finishes analyzing it. Thus, he holds them over the Father Box and issues a request.
"Father Box, scan and give me any detail you can about these." Almost immediately, the box gives off a bell ring in acknowledgement and projects a light source. A thin line that scans the specs from one end to the other and back several times. Once the Apocalyptic box finishes, it relays its findings with naught but that usual ominous ring to its new owner. Findings that incite curiosity in Kon-EL.
"Glasses of a… cosmic journalist? And they're named Specs of the Truth Seeker? Ha! Sounds like something a journalist would do… Anything else?" Superbly inquires as he examines the lenses. This time, with more direct attention - allowing him to catch a glimpse of something. During, the Father Box answers with a firm 'No'.
Superboy's eyes narrow as he tilts the glasses downward, giving a direct view of what he caught.
"I see. So, it's all speculation from here on out then." He concludes, then proceeds to lift the glasses toward his face. He eases them onto his ears while the visuals from the lenses seem to expand from his personal perspective. His eyes go wide as he seems to seamlessly phase into the scenery - in the middle of a city overlooked by the night. Cars pass on the streets, while the scarce civilians about keep their distance. The artifact had been activated.
"What the--!?" A baffled Superboy's reaches for his face with the intent of pulling the glasses off, but all his hands meet is the bare skin of his face. No matter how much his fingers desperately search, they find no trace of it - yet, he can definitely still feel them. However, he's finally yanked from his own ordeal by the ongoing struggle taking place nearby. Grunting, explosions, and even the sound of an active Lantern ring graces his hearing.
The sounds lead him to treading toward a nearby corner of a wide alleyway, of which he leans to peek around. His eyes widen at what he sees -- an arrowhead flying his direction. It strikes the surface of bricks near him and explodes on impact, giving off a small fiery blast that, at best, brushes over his face like a strong breeze. He instinctively turns his head and shuts his eyes as tiny debris flies at him. He looks back with a brow rising, finally laying eyes on the combatants. Green Arrow and Hal Jordan. Two big Justice League names facing off in what was definitely far from a friendly skirmish. Still, Superboy refrains from meddling just yet and resumes observing for a little longer, listening intently.
"So, this is really it, Hal!? You unquestioningly serve as a cog in the machine? Endorsing Earth being turned into a Policed Planet!?" Ollie exclaims, maneuvering about until he rolls into kneeling, avoiding a lethal blow from a construct mace bashing into the pavement before he fires several arrows from his bow. Arrows the Green Lantern just barely weaves out of the way of.
"How long are you going to keep this up, Green Arrow? You know how the Corps. operate now. You've known it for 15 years now! Yet, you just keep pushing your luck." Hal practically hisses in retort, taking aim with his ring and discharging a large spider construct. As it emerges, its claw-like legs make several attempts at impaling Green Arrow overhead. Though startled, the bowman hustles and dodges them all as he runs deeper into the alley. The creepy construct follows behind, screeching.
"This isn't right and you know it!! This was never the American way, Hal!" Ollie shouts out while sprinting, his voice echoing throughout the linear space.
"That's old and dead, Ollie. This is Green Lantern jurisdiction now. We're keeping criminals and potential offenders in check. You violate curfew, there's a price to pay. You disrupt order, there's a price to pay. You house fugitives, there's a price to pay. You try to undermine the order of society, there's a price to pay! It's long over time for you to be eliminated, Ollie. You either fall in line or die. There's no place here for undesirables." Hal responds matter-of-factly. His construct swiftly catches up to the blonde and harshly strikes at Green Arrow, who just barely manages to leap out of the way and onto his stomach. Cornering the bowsman, the spider prepares to take another jab. Simultaneously, Ollie quickly reaches to pull another explosive arrow from his quiver. But it proves unnecessary.
"Hey, Commie sympathizer!" A voice calls out from behind the lantern. Hal proceeds to peer over his shoulder, and when he does, a firm blow meets his jaw. It was Superboy! The young man's fist didn't make direct contact, but his telekinesis. A simple tap, but it sends the lantern speeding off like a human cannonball.
CRASH, CRASH, Crash, crash…!!
Hal goes smashing through not only his own construct, but half a dozen buildings and beyond.
"Today or tomorrow, Truth, Justice, and the American way will always stand tall!" Superboy shouts, his voice carried out by echoes.
A baffled Ollie soon approaches while tucking his arrow away.
"W-wow… That. Was. Amazing. Saved my life too, kid."
"Don't mention it, Arrow. I was more than glad to help." Kon-EL nods, lowering to touch down. It's then Green Arrow takes a moment to study the youth.
"Clark, is that really you?"
"Clark? No, man.. It's me. Superboy. You don't recognize me?"
"Kid, I didn't even know Superman had a son, and I've known the guy for about 20 years. This is news to me."
"I'm actually his clone. But… if you don't even know that, then maybe this isn't just the future. This is an entirely different Earth!"
"Ah, a visitor from the multi-verse sort of thing, huh? Stranger things have happened. Listen, we should definitely get a move on. More of them will show up any second."
"I- I don't get it. Why was Hal Jordan of all people talking like that? I feel like I'm in a live episode of the Twilight Zone or something. OOOFF!" Without warning, a wall construct sweeps Superboy away and drives him out of the alley, colliding into the building across the street with a THOOM.
"Don't know about being in an episode of Twilight, but you're definitely in BIG trouble, punk." The deep and oh-so-distinct voice of Kilowog announces as he and several other lanterns descend onto the scene.
"Oh great… They're already here." Ollie murmurs under his breath. Before he could even think about moving an inch, another lantern discharges a construct -- a lime green transparent box that captures Green Arrow inside.
"Looks like we finally caught our elusive fugitive, too. Good to finally meet you, Queen. Too bad this could be the last time we ever meet." The gruffly lantern tells him, bearing the look of some sort of werewolf in a Lantern suit and mask.
"It definitely is. Orders are crystal clear." A returning Hal informs.
"You mean--?"
"Yeah. Do it."
"With pleasure." And with that, a grin spreads across the hairy lantern's face as he adjusts his construct. The box begins to gradually shrink and close in around Green Arrow, who eventually extends his limbs to struggle against his nearing demise.
"NNNGH! D-damn you, Hal!" Ollie curses. From where he's pinned, Superboy watches with a boiling temper.
"As for our little friend here--" Hal begins, shifting his attention to the Boy of Steel. However, he doesn't get to finish that thought.
"GET OFFA' ME!!' Superboy bellows with a roar that rings far and wide. Along with his pupils, his entire frame is engulfed in an outline of brilliant red. With apparent ease, he rockets from his position. Pushing against the wall construct until he slams it against Kilowog, then him against the second story of another building with it. As the largest of the lanterns falls in a daze to the sidewalk below, Superboy follows up by delivering solid blows to most of the other lanterns. One goes flying across the street, one bounces off the side of a wall before dropping limp, and the one holding Green Arrow captive goes soaring and crashing onto a dumpster.
Exhaling with relief, Ollie gives his thanks.
"Appreciated, kid.. That was way too close for comfort."
"Don't sweat it, man. Just-- GAH!?" Superboy finds himself being fired upon by heavy green projectiles. The remaining Lantern, Hal, let's lose with a myriad of firearms. Laser canons, rapid fire rifles, sub machine guns, etc. Bullets of all sorts pummel Superboy relentlessly. Still, Kon-EL remains firm. He lifts his arms horizontally to shield his face, peering between a small gap at the persistent adversary.
"Don't know who you are, but you just got yourself into a fight you CAN'T win."
"Oh yeah!? We'll see about that." Superboy retorts. Then, yet again, the kryptonians eyes are given a glaze over of deep red. He forms a telepathic link with Green Arrow.
[ "Hey, do me a favor and book it. I got these guy's attention, and I rather not worry about you getting up in this " ]
[ "Huh, is that you, kid?" ]
[ "Yeah, I can form mental links. Now go." ]
[ "But I can help! I've got a clear sh--" ]
[ "Beat it, old timer! I got this, okay? Get out of here!" ]
[ "Are you sure about this?" ]
[ "Yeah, I am. You'd just get in my way." ]
[ "Fine, fine. But be careful… These guys don't mess around." ]
[ "I'm gonna' be just fine." ]
Then, with a sudden jerk, Superboy snaps higher into the sky. While Hal adjusts to follow his target, there's already smoldering heat emitting from the kryptonian's eye sockets. A burst and consistent beam of heat vision begins searing through the Green Lantern's constructs like butter. Hal gives up his guns to form a giant shield instead. Challenging the ring slinger's form of defense, Superboy keeps the pressure on. His eyes adopt a wide-eyed scowl and his Beams intensifies. Thickening as its temperature skyrockets, now pushing the lantern back and toward the street gradually.
Still, the Indomitable will of Hal Jordan burns bright. Through gritting teeth, he fights against the pressure pushing him away.
"You think you can outmatch ME, punk!? You think you've got a leg up on me!?" Hal exclaims, his own eyes soon giving off a smoky flow of green. Then--
PPPSSSHHUUUURRR!
The Lantern adopts some offense of his own. A concentrated beam of green fires from the center of his shield, pushing against the intense glow of red. A stuttering struggle ensues, but Hal does indeed make progress.
"THEN LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT!" Superboy taunts. A flame-like aura of his telekinesis begins flowing around his entire person. He starts to integrate his tactile-telekinesis into his heat vision, giving it an unimaginable boost in force and an additional trait of bluntness.
Hal can feel that boundless pressure. Beads of sweat begin rolling down his temples, but there's no will to forfeit the fight. No, the renowned Lantern cries out in fierce determination and gives it everything he's got.
The opposing forces emit a blinding glow of energy. Energy that keeps expanding in brightness and size, mimicking the radiance of the sun. Illuminating the night for hundreds of miles.
{ To be continued... }