Chapter 20
In Blackest Night
And Crimson Red
Part 2
Disclaimer: Time for more!
The day had started out so promising in the view of Green Lantern trainee rookie Hal Jordan aboard the ship known as the 'Interceptor'. As it had seemed like just another day of training for him until the Guardians got word that the Red Lanterns were on the move again. Seeing to it that his training was interrupted yet again to his annoyance and so, he, along with his mentors Sinestro and Kilowog ventured out to where the troublesome red bunch were sighted. And along for the ride was Razer, a former Red Lantern until he was abandoned by them but still used their power as he had no interest in using a Green Lantern ring. Plus, the Guardians weren't sure they could trust him. The last member of the crew of the Interceptor was Aya. The ship's AI who'd created herself a body and was learning about life and all it had ever since and if Hal was right, forming a very interesting relationship with Razer.
Now while he loved what he was doing, even if there was some who had low views of him because of being from Earth, Hal tended to miss his home planet. Especially his two closest friends there in the form of Carol Ferris and Oliver 'Ollie' Queen. The ache of home was one reason he took so vigorously to spending his time training and learning what he could so he wouldn't find himself thinking much on it. And sure, he could just quit and go back home but that just wasn't him. Now finding out that the Red Lanterns were in the system where the Star Sapphires were based out of had made Hal even less happier than what he already was thanks to a past experience he'd had with that particular bunch of ring bearers. Well, at least these girls are givin' as good as they get!
Hal had also gone ahead of the others while they kept the Red Lanterns busy in the air to see how things were in the palace. Though the last thing he was expecting to see was Oliver Queen himself in some green get up! "Ollie!? What the Hell are you doing here!?"
Oliver stared at the man suspiciously as he held on to Carol, whom had nearly been crushed moments ago. "Do I know you?"
"You should, that's Hal." Cut in Carol venomously, causing Hal to do a double take when he heard her voice.
"Carol!? You're a bearer of the Sapphires too now!?" He asked in stunned shock.
She nodded with narrowed eyes while Oliver just looked confused and he wasn't happy about that at all. "Ohh boy!" Groaned Hal as this had been the last thing he was expecting today!
"JORDAN! QUIT FOOLING AROUND AND FIGHT!" Yelled out Razer as he came into the palace.
And he wasn't alone as a former comrade of the Red was chasing after him but Oliver decided to do something about that by firing an arrow at him that made its mark. Bringing the alien down for the count much to Hal and Carol's shock. "You… Did you just kill that, that alien!?"
"Considering I had no idea aliens existed until now, I have no idea, Carol." Near growled Oliver but as it would turn out, the alien was still alive and Razer quickly went towards him to keep him occupied.
And not happy about being shot at! "Okay, when this is all over, I think we all need to sit down and seriously talk!" Voiced Hal and gained a scowl from Carol.
"That's rich coming from you considering you let us all think you were dead this whole entire time!"
Hal winced and knew then and there that that was going to be a mistake he'd have to deal with for the rest of his life. "Kinda have to agree with her, even if I am confused as Hell."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I did you guys wrong and I'll do what I have too in order to make up for it." Promised the trainee Lantern as more Reds showed up.
Forcing the conversation to be put on hold as the fight went on. Unfortunately more trouble would happen when the robotic beings known as the Manhunters would show up, forcing a temporary alliance to occur where the Red Lanterns were concerned if they all wanted to make it out of this situation alive. "KEEP THEM AT BAY HOWEVER POSSIBLE!" Shouted out the Queen of the Star Sapphires.
Oliver went to grab for an arrow and realized that unfortunately for him, he was out of them. Along with any fletchettes. "Damn." He muttered lowly to himself before going on the defensive as the troublesome robotic menaces came after him.
Somewhere, he vaguely heard Carol's voice that he needed help and a big part of him hated that she was even fighting herself when she shouldn't be. However or whoever got her here, we are gonna talk.
Distracted by the need to survive this fight and his thoughts, Oliver failed to notice a Red Lantern ring making itself at home on his finger. "Oliver Queen of Space Sector 2814, you contain great rage within you. Use my power and let all know of your rage."
Unnoticed to him, Hal's eyes shot wide in horror and worry when he heard that happening from where he was. "NO, OLLIE!"
But he was too late as the power of the Red Lantern enveloped Oliver and the battle came to a stop as this happened. Seconds later all could see Oliver but he looked different appearance wise with a dark red menacing vibe radiating from him. To Hal and Carol, he looked like something out of the stuff of nightmares when it came to slashers. A dark and cold laugh was heard from Oliver as he stared at the Manhunters. "Its time to show my rage and for you to die!"
And as if he'd been bearing a ring for years, Oliver began to make use of its abilities to create a bow and with it, arrows. But not just any arrows, arrows that contained barbed wire wrapped around them and proved to be quite effective. Unfortunately, they weren't just used on the Manhunters but anyone who happened to be in Oliver's way much to Hal and Carol's horror. "HAL! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM!"
"I concur with your fellow human, Jordan. Especially before he has us in his sights." Sinestro remarked as Kilowog successfully took down two of the Manhunters.
"Yeah? Well, I'm open to ideas!"
Sinestro rolled his eyes at this. Rookies…
Gi'ata, the Niece of the Queen of Zamaron hovered over to them. "Perhaps if we were to open his heart to love's embrace?" She asked as the Manhunters were starting to flee from the wrath of the Lantern and they weren't the only ones as the Red Lanterns were doing the same too as some Sapphires kept away from the savage Red ring bearer and others gave chase to their unwanted enemies.
None of them happy with how things had happened, especially by essentially being betrayed by a new member of the Red Lantern Corps! "WITH MY NEW POWER, I'LL FIND YOU, CHINA! AND I'LL SLOWLY KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!" Roared out Oliver as he laughed menacingly.
Plotting in his mind the various ways he would torture that bitch before finally killing her. "Oh God… I hate to say this but that horrible woman is lucky she's no where near Ollie right now." Carol said with a pale face for she and Hal both knew full well just how wrong China White's actions had been towards Oliver all that time ago.
Kilowog was about to ask what the human was talking about but was sadly interrupted by the pissed off Red Lantern thanks to him chucking a piece of Manhunter debris at him. "Don't make me come over there!"
"HOW ABOUT I COME TO YOU!? I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU! AND THEN I'LL KILL CHINA AND STALK! AND THEN I'LL FIND WALLER AND FINALLY PAY HER BACK FOR FORCING ME TO WORK FOR HER! MY RAGE WILL FINALLY BE FELT!"
Kilowog made to move but Hal stopped him as Aga'po made her way to the group with a troubled expression on her face. Sure, she had heard of and even seen the rage of the Red Lanterns but this was on a whole other level and it greatly bothered her. "Sister, as you seem to know this… Man, you may be our only hope of getting through to him." Implored the Queen and Hal was quick to voice what he thought of that.
As to him, that meant putting her in danger! But Carol shot him a look that basically told him to shut up thanks to how she was still unhappy with him. "Well, I'm impressed, Jordan is finally shut up by someone." Muttered Razer with a smirk on his lips that didn't lessen when Hal looked at him in annoyance.
"It is quite impressive given how Lantern Jordan can be." Agreed Aya.
Hal shot her a betrayed look as Kilowog chortled and Sinestro smiled to show his amusement. "What do I need to do, my Queen?" Carol asked seriously and with a hint of nervousness.
"You must get close to him and use the power of your ring to bring out his love. At this point, it is the only thing that will stop his rage."
The Queen strongly believed in love and even with his dark rage, rage that was being held back by several of her Sapphires, he had love within him. "Carol, you don't have to do this."
Carol looked over to a worried Hal. "I have too, Hal. I… I do love and care for him and I can't bear to see him like this."
She wouldn't ever be able to forgive herself if something happened to Oliver that otherwise, could have been avoided. Hal sighed and made a decision. "Then we'll do this together. I owe it to you two and our friendship."
Despite her current feelings towards the man, Carol couldn't help but smile at him. "Then let's do this."
"Good luck for I feel you both will need it." Remarked Sinestro before the two flew off towards Oliver.
Author's Notes: Will Hal and Carol succeed? Only time will tell!