Chapter 20: Downtime

Gotham City

August 27, 06:12 EDT

"I'm on my way guys! Just hang on a little longer!" I fly faster and faster to get to my teammates in our latest mission, which I should've been on from the start. Especially with what's happening to them now.

Two hours ago, Hal calls me while I'm sleeping and tells me that the Corps is getting a transport of new prisoners, most of them big, monstrous, ugly looking mugs. The Guardians needed all hands-on deck with this one, especially because one of the prisoners is a universally known criminal and murderer named Arkillo. This guy was the biggest and worst looking of them all. Hell, he makes Kilowog look handsome.

The transport made it to Oa as scheduled and everything went smooth sailing from there. And then Gardner happened.

Guy Gardner is another Green Lantern from Earth, and I honestly don't know why he's a Lantern. Gardner is a great fighter, I'll give him that. But all in all, he's a short fuse that's always getting lit. He loses his temper way too fast, he listens to orders less than Jordan does, he intentionally picks fights with anyone and everyone…

Anyways, Gardner antagonized and picked on Arkillo so much on the way to his cell that he got mad enough to break his cuffs and went on a rampage. Arkillo also managed to wreck a few of the buildings and bust up a couple of GLs, sending them to the infirmary. Gardner got knocked out by the big palooka as soon as he got free. It took me, Kilowog, Arisia Rrab and Jordan what feels like forever to stop him from doing any more damage and put him in his cell.

Long story short, Gardner ended up making a big mess and we all had to help clean it up. By the time I finished with cleanup duty, I checked with the Cave and Red Tornado informed me that the mission wasn't going so good for my friends. That was five minutes ago, and now I'm speeding my way through Gotham City and to save them.

From what Tornado told me, the Team was tracking a human that's mutated into some muck monster they're calling 'Clayface' after he attacked the Wayne Foundation. Tornado says that he and the rest of the League aren't sure what this Clayface is or where he came from, just that he can shape his body to whatever form he wants to. No doubt Batman will want to take DNA samples to ID him and understand his abilities more once this Clayface is caught.

I look to my ring and bring up the coordinates marked on a map of Gotham City, courtesy of Tornado. "Green Lantern to Red Tornado. I'm closing in on the Team's coordinates. Should be there within minutes."

"Affirmative. I should inform you know that Batman will be at there to help as well."

"What? Why?"

"I informed him of the situation just as I did with you. He feels that, even though it is their mission, he needs to step in this one time."

"That's very appreciated, and no offense to Batman, but I'm all the backup my team needs."

"Nonetheless, Batman will be at the coordinates too. If he already isn't there."

"Green Lantern out." Thanks a lot, Red.

I make a final left turn and reach my given coordinates. The only building near the vicinity is, by the looks of it, an abandoned warehouse. Safe bet that's where the others are with Clayface. I don't see any sign of the Bat here either. Looks like I beat Batman to the finish line. Hopefully his 'assistance' won't be needed.

I circle the building for any windows or any signs of the Team's location in the warehouse. I don't find any, unfortunately. I fly above the base of the building and find a window on the roof. I can see someone moving through the window, but I can't tell who.

I shine my light just enough for me to see and not to tip Clayface of me just yet. The body comes into better view know, and from what I can see it's a giant mass of mud and clay, with legs and arms. One of them shaped like an anvil. That's Clayface, no doubt there.

I see only two other people through the window, backed up against a wall. One of them is dark skinned, wearing red, and lying on the floor. Kaldur. The other is on their knees, wearing all white, blonde and holding a bo staff in defense. Sara. I don't see the others anywhere in sight, but hopefully they're all okay.

Clayface looks ready to strike Canary down. He won't get the chance.

I start to drop towards the window. When I get closer, I bring my ring down and shoot a light through the window, shattering enough of it for me to fall through. The light hits the ground and forms a wall between Canary and Clayface, keeping his anvil from her and Kaldur.

I descend into the room and touch ground with concrete, with me between my friend and the Monster from the Swamp. I turn to Canary and, taking a closer look, see that her uniform isn't as white as usual. Canary's face, uniform and staff are all covered in patches of dried mud and dirt. Aqualad is too, and he's still staying down unfortunately.

"Are you guys okay?"

"We'll live", she says.

I turn to Clayface, but what catches my eye is what's to his left. My friends – Robin, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy and Artemis – all lying on the ground, beaten and muddied up. "I take it you're the one who did this to my friends."

The Living Playdoh laughs at me, creepily grinning at me. "I was going to finish off the girl, but it looks like I have someone new to kill."

"You wish."

Clayface raises his anvil hand ready to attack, but I move before he can hit me. I swiftly move past him, with a samurai sword construct in hand, striking him first. Clayface turns to face me, but before he can do anything, his upper body starts sliding off his lower waist until he hits the floor.

"Canary, you need to get the others to safety."

"I'm not leaving you alone to fight this… thing."

"Yes, you are. I'll be fine, but Aqualad", I nod to as he tries to get up, "and our friends, they need you more."

"But—"

"No one is going anywhere!" Clayface starts putting himself back, faster than I thought he could have. He forms his hand into a crossbow and shoots clay arrows at me. I lose the sword and create an arm shield to deflect the arrows. Before I can make a move, someone crashes through the window and attacks Clayface with their own weapons. Explosive, black weapons. Batman.

Batman lands in front of him and jumps back a step right as Clayface punches the very spot he was just standing on. Batman then brings out an electrical taser and shoots at Clayface. The electricity surges throughout his body, which looks to have a definite effect on him. In a matter of seconds, the big blob of a beast melts into a puddle of mud and clay. And that's why he's Batman.

Speaking of which, Canary, Aqualad and I turn towards the Dark Knight, and he does not look pleased with us. At all.

Mount Justice

August 27, 07:58 EDT

"I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers, and head home."

"Head home? I am home", Superboy says back to Batman. He and the others do as the Bat says and make the way for the showers. I'm about to do the same before he stops me.

"You too, Kyle." Me? What does he want from me? I then stay put as told to, along with Aqualad and Robin. "Just Aqualad and Rayner." Aqualad, Robin and I exchange looks, wondering why he doesn't want his trusty sidekick to hear whatever this is. Instead of question his mentor, Robin leaves the three of us.

I look over to Aqualad, who doesn't look back to me. This mission must've been harder than I thought it would've been. Hopefully Batman doesn't go too hard on Kaldur. He's been a good leader, and even good leaders are bound to make mistakes at least once. But why would he want me to stay?

"I am sorry you had to intervene. I know the Team performed poorly—"

"The Team performed adequately. The problem was you. You're their leader and your head wasn't in the game."

Before I get the chance to defend Kaldur, he answers back. "No, you are… correct."

"Why wouldn't you be focused like you've been? What's going on Kaldur?" I ask my friend.

"Of late, I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world. For so many years it filled my every thought. But now that I am here my dreams are all Atlantis."

"Atlantis, or someone you left behind?" That definitely grabs his attention immediately. Someone he left behind? Family, a friend, or someone more…

Batman then turns to me and just stares at me, waiting I'm guessing. "Yes, I know. I should've been on mission tonight. If I were, I could have done something to help stop Clayface's attack."

"No."

"No? Why not?"

"Your responsibilities to this team are important, but your first duty is to the Green Lantern Corps. With that in mind, remember that you won't be able to go on every mission this team is tasked with. And as much as you want to help your teammates, you won't be able to all the time."

As harsh as Batman's words are, they speak very true. My duties to the Team are just as important as the duties I have to the Corps. There will be times I will have to go to another star system for a mission given to me by the Guardians. As much as I don't want to admit it, I won't always be there on every mission, with my teammates. With my friends.

"Nonetheless", Batman continues, "you still remain focused and vigilant when on mission. You don't hesitate when you can't afford to, and you know what is necessary of you." Hearing that coming from the Bat himself, that's high praise. But I think it's more than a compliment towards me.

Turning back to Kaldur, Batman continues. "You can split your time between the surface and the sea, but not your mind. Either you're here 100% or you need to walk away. Make a decision Kaldur, and make it soon."

As soon as Batman leaves the Cave, that just leaves me and Kaldur alone for what feels like forever. "I shouldn't have had to listen to that. What Batman said to you, that should've been between you and him. I had no right—"

"It is fine, Kyle", he says stopping me in my tracks. "To be honest, I am glad someone other than me knows what I am feeling right now."

I only know so much about Atlantis, from what Kaldur's told me about it, and his life before Aqualad. Kaldur grew up not having much to his name, but did have a loving family and good friends. He became Aquaman's protégé after he and another Atlantean, Garth I think, helped him defeat Ocean Master, Aquaman's half-brother. Other than that, I don't know a lot about his family, or his friends. 'Or someone you left behind…'

"Can I ask, who was Batman talking about before? Someone you left in Atlantis?"

But Kaldur doesn't answer me. He only faces down to the floor, probably imagining he was under the ocean about now.

"It's fine, I shouldn't have asked. There are probably things about your life you don't like people to know about, I get it." I start walking away from my friend. "Just know that if you ever feel like talking to someone about anything—"

"Tula." The name stops me in my tracks and I turn myself around to face my friend and leader. "Her name is Tula."

"Is she your friend, or…"

"Let me ask you something first. What is Sara to you?"

Hearing his question, I understand completely what he means. "Oh. She must be some girl to have caught your eye now."

"Tula is strong and smart and independent, and is also graceful and kind and beautiful…" Just the way he talks about her, his tone of voice, I can hear her absence in his life.

"You miss her more than you let on."

"I do not know what I am to do. I do not wish to abandon my home forever, but I do not want to leave you and my friends. We have built something strong and unique. I just don't know…"

"Go home, Kaldur."

Kaldur looks to me, with me now being about one foot away from him. "What?"

"Batman was right. You need to figure out what you want, to return to Atlantis or stay with the team. And you need some time to yourself to find your answer. Best way I can think to do that is by going home. Where better to clear your head."

"But wouldn't you rather I stay?"

"Oh, I do. I'm hoping that you'll stay as our leader." I put my hands on his shoulders. "But if your heart tells you to return to Atlantis, I won't stand in your way. I'm sure the others won't either. Whatever your decision will be, we'll understand. All that matters is your happiness."

Kaldur's expression goes from utter confusion to a grateful smile. He puts his hands on my shoulders too while placing his head against mine. "Thank you, Kyle. You always seem to know what to say when someone needs it the most."

"I think that's the optimism talking." Kaldur laughs at my comment. "Tell you what." I take my hands back and make a small, circular construct no bigger than my hand. "Take this with you", I say as I hand it to Kaldur.

"What is it?"

"It's kind of an alert for me, to let me know if you need to talk. This trip is yours alone to take, but if you need anything, just press on the middle of the construct and I'll be swimming your way sooner than you think."

Kaldur holds the construct for a minute, wondering if he'll even use it no doubt. Nonetheless, he puts it in his pocket. "Thank you, my friend."

"Plus, it'll give me an excuse to meet Tula. I'm curious to see who's the better fighter between you two."

Kaldur doesn't respond right away, just shakes his head to my idea. "Hopefully we will not need to find out." He brings out his hand and I meet it with my own, shaking it vigorously.

"Now why don't we get ourselves cleaned of this gunk before we leave? I'd rather not be seen as the Muddiest Green Lantern."

Kaldur laughs at my joke, patting my back as we head for the shower room. "Now wouldn't that be something."

Oa

August 27, 12:26 UTC

Getting back from our mission and after taking a 30-minute hot shower just to be sure I got all the clay off me, I flew straight from the Cave back to Oa. I wanted to make sure that Arkillo and the other prisoners are still safely locked up. I also wanted to see if Gardner had wrecked any more of Oa while I was gone.

Finally making it to the home to the Green Lantern Corps, I see flying through the buildings that everything wasn't been wrecked again. Hopefully the Guardians put Gardner through the ringer so this won't happen again.

Flying my way to the Sciencells, the Corps' prisoner cell blocks, I see Kilowog and Salaak at the Sciencells entrance. I drop down to the Sciencells right in front of them.

To my left is Salaak, a GL Protocol Officer assigned to Oa. He has four scrawny arms and an oval shaped pink head, resembling that of a shoehorn. Though if he knew I ever said or thought that, he might stick me with menial duties on Oa. Salaak is a good GL, but he's kind of a loner and a pessimist too. Maybe he just needs to feel the 'aster'.

To my right is Kilowog, the Corp's drill sergeant and biggest badass it has. He's a huge Bolovaxian, about the size of Bane or Blockbuster, with two skin tusks coming from the bottom of his mouth. Besides me, Hal has been on many missions with Kilowog, more than any other GL in the Corps. From what I've heard from Hal and my training at his hands, you won't find any other Green Lantern more hard-hitting, honorable, and loyal in the Corps.

"Kyle Rayner of Earth."

"Salaak of Slyggia." Always formal with everyone, especially the Guardians.

"Hey there, Poozer!" Kilowog says as punches my left shoulder. No matter how many times I've trained with Kilowog, I'm always in some sense of pain.

"You gotta stop calling me that, Kilowog. I'm not a rookie anymore."

"Maybe, but you're still pretty green in my eyes Rayner."

"So, I take it Gardner didn't cause another prison riot while I was on Earth."

"Nah, the Guardians decided to put him on timeout before he could get the chance to wreck anything else", Kilowog says. "Hopefully when he's out he'll behave a bit more when it comes to detaining criminals."

"Fat chance of that."

"Hey Rayner, you know where Jordan is?", Kilowog asks.

"Last I heard from him he was patrolling Coast City."

"Is that right?", he says with doubt in his voice. Well if by chance he's not, he's most likely cozying up to Carol back at his place.

"Well what else would he be doing? It's not like you need him for anything important, do you?"

"No, I just wanted to talk to him about something. Nothing you need to worry about."

"If you say so, Sergeant", I say raising my hand to my head, lowering it right after. I do that to him all the time. And almost every time he gives me this irritated look. Like now.

"Sgt. Kilowog, is something wrong?", Salaak asks. "Your face shows signs of anger or hostility."

"I'm fine, Salaak. I just remembered I need to discipline a certain poozer later. Hard." Yeah, I might be paying for that later.

"Green Lantern of Sector 2814", my ring says right after. "report to the Green Lantern Council Hall immediately. Priority one." Saved by the ring.

"What do the Guardians want of you, Kyle Rayner?" Salaak asks.

"I don't know, but I better go find out." I take my leave and head on over to the Council Hall to see what the Guardians want with me.