Chapter 21

In Blackest Night

And Crimson Red

Part 3

Disclaimer: Here we go!

Despite the amount of experience Hal had since becoming a Lantern, it was rapidly becoming apparent that it meant nothing when dealing with Oliver. Especially where his rage was concerned and the fact it was backed up by the power of the Red Lantern Ring. Along with his apparent skills in fighting that he'd kept secret from him, Carol, and likely everyone else he knows back home. Carol's lack of experience in this sort of thing was another factor that just wasn't helping with the situation any. And because of that, Hal was having to spend more of his time helping keep her safe. "Would you stop!? I can take care of myself just fine!"

Both narrowly dodged one of Oliver's Red Arrows. "Considerin' you clearly haven't been a Star Sapphire all that long, can you blame me for wantin' to keep you safe!?" Hal asked in return as he created a construct shield to deflect their friend's attacks.

Something that was making the archer none too happy if the loud, vulgar yelling he was doing was anything to go by. "While I'm touched by the thought of you wanting to keep me safe, Hal, I'm still a little angry with you for not doing more to let me know you've been alive all this time. And furthermore, the more we're on the defensive, the less likely we'll be in able to get through to Oliver!"

Hal sighed, knowing Carol was right and not liking it one bit. "I'm gonna come over and there and inflict a lot of pain if you don't stop ignoring me!" Yelled Oliver.

"Ohh, put a cork in it, Ollie!" Snapped Hal without really thinking about it.

Something that of course, didn't please the red clad man any and he charged at the two with an angry yell. "Hit him the moment he gets close enough."

Carol looked at the man next to her, unsure if she understood his rushed words correctly but not having a lot of time to give it thought once Oliver was right in front of them. Hal's shield construct vanished and he yelled for her to make a move. Not used to this sort of thing, Carol did the first thing she could think of and that was slap Oliver right in the face. "Aww Hell." Groaned Hal as that apparently did nothing to phase the other man.

A growl came from Oliver and Carol winced. "Umm… Oops?"

Thinking quickly, Hal blasted his friend with the power of his Ring, sending him flying back some. "That's the best you could come up with!?" Asked the Lantern to his fellow Earther incredulously.

Something she scowled at him for. "Well excuse me for being new to all this!" She retorted defensively.

Hal sighed but before the argument could go any further, Oliver was firing off his deadly arrows once again at the two. Forcing them to go on the defensive once again. "OLIVER! YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS!" Tried Carol imploringly.

"I'LL STOP WHEN ALL I HATE IS DEAD." He roared back and got struck in the face by Hal.

Carol and the others watched as the two chose to fight hand to hand but it didn't last long thanks to Oliver using one of his creations to stab Hal in the knee. "Now… For getting in my way, you die." Snarled Oliver.

"You're, you're really gonna do that to a friend, buddy? Cause the Ollie I know would never do something like that."

Momentarily, Oliver stilled in his motions before growling. "The Oliver you know isn't here anymore, Jordan."

Creating a knife with his newfound power, Oliver raised it high into the air with full intent on using it on the man in front of him. A sight that saw Carol moving before she could so much as stop herself and yelling out as she did so. "In the Hearts lost to the cold and dark, may the light and the love from my ring shine so that the Black shall fade and the Hearts return. BRING FORTH LOVE EVER LASTING!" She cried out and slammed her Ring against Oliver's chest where his heart was.

A bright purple light enveloped the trio and those watching had to shield their eyes thanks to how bright the whole thing was. And once it had faded away, all could see the image of a transparent, dark haired woman with the trio. "Sh-Shado!?" Oliver asked in disbelief as he stared at the newcomer.

She smiled at him and brought out her hand placed it on his cheek. "I'm here, Oliver."

"Is this some sort of trick?"

"It is not. The power of Carol's love for you and the power of her Ring has allowed for me to come to you on this day, Oliver." Replied Shado as she stared straight into his eyes.

There is clearly more to the power of the Star Sapphires. Something the Guardians will wish to be informed about no doubt. Thought Sinestro to himself as he caught sight of the Queen's awed reaction.

Figuring that even she hadn't realized something like this was possible. "The anger in your heart, the hate, you must let it go, Baobei. Or it will destroy you."

"Its… Its all I have left."

Shado smiled sadly at him and shook her head in the negative. "It is not and you know it. Let not the evil of the Ring you bear or your hate and anger blind you to that truth." She told him and images popped up around them.

Images that included her, him, and Slade during happier times on the island of Lian Yu. Images of various people in his life, most especially his friends and family members and all the happy times with them. The knife in his hand vanished as he took it all in as Shado's form solidified and hugged him tightly to her body. The two even sharing a kiss as the power of the Star Sapphire surrounded the both of them and in so doing, removing the hold the Red Ring had on him until it fell off his finger. Allowing him to return to normal and for him to begin crying as it couldn't be held inside of him any longer. Falling to his knees in the process with Shado holding on to him tightly as he wept and everyone else watched on. "You needn't forgive what has been done to you, Oliver, nor should you unless you wish too. But you can forget so that you can move on and never let them hold such power over you again."

Oliver said nothing as he continued to cry in her arms, letting out everything he felt in that moment. Neither paying attention to the fact that Carol and Hal were holding hands and it was likely neither realized they were doing so either.

A Short Time Later

A drained and exhausted but happy Oliver made his way to where the Ring Bearers were with Shado still besides him. "Ollie, good to see you, buddy!" Greeted Hal happily as he came up to his friend and his lady friend.

"Listen, I want to apologize for earlier."

"Nah, don't even worry about it. You weren't in your right mind so its all good."

"You should listen to him, Oliver, he speaks truth." Advised Shado.

"I make no promises." Was all he could say and both she and Hal could work with that.

"You do me and my father proud, Oliver. Know that always." She told him seconds later as her form began to fade.

Causing him to smile sadly at her as Hal quietly walked away to re-join the others. "You're leaving me again, aren't you?"

"I am… The Sapphire's Power can only keep me here for so long."

Oliver sighed unhappily and hugged her, even if it was somewhat awkward thanks to her fading form. The two even shared a passionate if lingering kiss. "I love you, Shado…" He said softly once the two had stopped kissing.

"And I love you, Oliver. Always. Just don't let your love for me keep you from moving on. Say with Carol, Laurel or someone else. Always keep a lit-no, a lot of love in your heart." Shado told him with a smile on her lips.

Despite himself, Oliver couldn't help but laugh a little. "You know that was cheesy as Hell, right?"

"I know. But I had a feeling you were tired of Apples."

He went to respond but stopped when he realized Shado was pretty right about that. "You make a good point." Shado's laughter rang out as she faded back to the Afterlife, leaving a suddenly somber Oliver behind. But one who felt he had gained some closure with Shado Gulong's memory. Heaving a sigh, he made his way towards the others.

"So, what now? More specifically, how do Carol and I get home?"

"We can handle your return home, Archer." Queen Aga'po told him.

"And I will be a representative of the Star Sapphires on Earth with one of the Queen's personal instructors helping me learn how to use my Ring." Added Carol with a nod.

"I can't return home just yet 'cause of the threat we're currently dealin' with but I will be makin' an effort to stay in touch with you guys." Hal said.

"You'd better." Warned Carol with narrowed eyes.

Hal held up his hands defensively and she smirked at that while Kilowog snickered as Razer privately wondered to himself again if he could somehow make use of the Sapphire's power to bring back his lost love. As that happened, Aya went over everything in her mind, knowing that the Guardians back on Oa would be quite interested in what was learned on this day. Though Aya was fully intending to study the information for her own personal reasons where herself and Razer was concerned. Carol then turned her attention to Oliver. "And don't think you and I aren't going to be having a very serious conversation when we get back, buster. Especially where your little Robin Hood persona is concerned."

"You aren't going to want to join me, are you? Because a human night light isn't gonna help me much."

Snickers were heard from Hal as she glared at the archer. "Just for that remark, I just might do it."

Oliver sighed. "We'll… We'll see how that talk of yours goes first." He said in the end, deciding it was best to let the whole thing go for now.

A suspicious sounding cough came from Hal and Oliver made a face at him. "What? I didn't say nothin'."

"Right. Sure you didn't. Thousands would believe that." Came Oliver's dry response, making for Hal to scowl at him.

Sinestro sighed in disgust and walked off, unwilling to hear anymore at that point. "Right, I guess its time we got on our way. You two take good care of each other back home, alright?"

"With Love to guide us, how can we not?" Carol asked in return, elbowing Oliver in the side when she caught him rolling his eyes at the cheesyness of her words.

Laughter was heard before they all went on their ways but not before a hug or two and telling the other to stay safe. I'll do my best to keep love instead of hate in my heart, Shado. I'll do my best…

Author's Notes: Woot! This chapter is finished! Along with this particular story arc in the story! Hope it was satisfactory for anyone reading! Up Next: The final confrontation begins when Stalk marches on Little Vibe. R and R!