"Did you also make the palace?" Razer asked Flamebird.
"No, that was a suprise," Damian answered slowly.
What are you planning great-grandparent? Damian though suspiciously, but shelved it for another day, there were more pressing matters.
"Do we agree on the plan?" Kilowog approached them.
"We do," Razer and Damian answered at the same time.
The plan, was to take the surviving 100 hundred aliens into a mother ship of Darkseid's armada and get them back home. Though half of them have lost their home planets and/or families to Darkseid. Kilowog and the green lanterns back-up they had called upon, will be taking seige of one of the towers, making it a base on this faraway side of the universe.
"Are you sure you want to stay with us?" Razer turned to Flamebird. "A green lantern from Earth is coming to take the Lantern Force Book that Darkseid had in his possession. He can take you home. Coming with us will take years."
"I need to stay with them, finish what I've started," Damian answered with determination.
Also, I need to learn to use this new flames I've gained, without the scrunity of the world's greatest detective, Damian admitted internally. I might not be actively dying anymore, the Phoenix Fire healing the injuries caused by the internal fighting between my Hell Fire and Holy Fire. But it still hurts a lot. Maybe on space I'll be able to find a way to balance my different flames. Damian sighed, as Kilowog and Razer discussed the Lantern Force Book, making him smirk. As if Darkseid would have it laying around. I made that book to expose the corruption of the Green Lantern Guardians. They knew about the Blackest Night and about the other lantern forces. Not to mention, their no emotion rules sucked and is the reason why so many Green Lanterns had defected. In the book, I wrote Kyle's methods, the ones he had shared with me before his last stand against Darkseid... ah, at least, that monster is gone for good now.
"First stop Zamaron, there are five Star Sapphires that used to be parademons," Kilowog announced, laughing when Razer winced. "Good luck with Queen Aga'po!"
They said their goodbyes and boarded the spaceship. In there Razer explained to Damian their flight pattern. Because of the various galaxies they needed to visit, time zones, not to mention, trying to move such a big number of people, it will take them two years to complete the journey. However, it would have only passed two months on Earth. Kind of what had happened to Superboy, Jon Kent, when he had gone to space and returned as a teenager. For that reason, Damian will be eternally grateful, his plan won't be derailed any further.
For the 100 surviving, things were tense. They were people from various planets with different cultures and languages, and the only reason they could understand each other was because of a translation device on the mothership. A device that had only been installed, so Darkseid's victimes could understand his threats and fear them.
Razer was afraid that they would snap at any moment and a battle would break. He had not taken into account Flamebird. Damian made rounds every day, asking about each alien's culture and history, even about their language and if they could teach it to him. Being their savior, a kid, and their main healer, made them all softer and more open to him. Soon groups of aliens would gather without him to learn about others on their own. Bonding sessions, playing games of the various planets, also aiding them to become a community rather than a group of people brought together because of horrendous circumstances.
So, once they reached Zamaron, there were a lot of tears. They were saying goodbye to five wonderful women. At least, that was what they were suppose to be doing, but Queen Aga'po had other plans.
"What do you mean you are not taking them back?!" Razer raged like a true Red Lantern, ignoring the prejudicial and disgusted looks of the Star Sapphires. "They survived the immaginable! You are looking at a miracle and yet you are turning it away!"
"It's because of that immaginable torture, as you put it, that I am turning them away," Queen Aga'po answered sternly, though Damian could see the pain hidden underneath that emotionless and cold expression- something only one with decades of bat-training could. "Are they capable of loving fully and fearlessly after all that? To open their hearts and lay them bare? To allow themselves to get hurt again? Because they will, getting hurt and loving go hand-in-hand."
"Then you aid them! You cold hearted bitch!" Damian sighed as Razer cursed tha queen.
"You dare insult our queen?!" A Star Sapphire guard bristled.
Damian stepped between Razer and the guard before things could get out of control. He'll have to put all the diplomacy studies, that Nana Parbat and Hell had given him, to work right now.
"Greetings Esteemed Queen Aga'po of Zamaron, my depest apology for my companion's behavior and words," Damian bowed in respect.
"I accept your apology. I't not as if one could have expected more from a Red Lantern," Aga'po spoke after a pause. "Raise. Who are you child?"
"I am Flamebird, Prince of Nanda Parbar of Earth and heir to the Demon's Head," Damian presented himself. "I was also one of Darkseid's experiments," Damian ignored the pity looks the Star Sapphires' were given him. He's getting used to using his physical age to his advantage. "I am here to request a hearing Your Majesty."
"You hearing is granted, young prince," Queen Aga'po approved, before turning to Razer. "You should learn from him."
Damian raised a hand, stopping another outburst of Razer, before speaking to the queen. "You say that their lov is weak now, but I believe you are wrong. I spent a month traveling with them and while yes, at the beginning, they were afraid, common after our experiences, slowly they came out of their shells and dared themselves to love again." Everyone looked at the young prince stunned and captivated by the pasison within him and his speech. "If someone is hurt and can only see the worst, if they don't think is enough and can still love... how is their love corrupted? If anything it's stronger, because it was tested and survived. If anything, I dare you to love after going through something like that, the same way these brave Star Sapphires did."
A shock silence rang through thhe throne room. Then a laugh. Everyone turned to the queen in shock. She was laughing, fully and freely.
"I accept you dare, young prince," Queen Aga'po spoke after regaining control of her laugh. "I will test them udner the Star Sapphire Force, if they are accepted they will be welcomed and received with a great feast in their honor for such a miracle."
Not only did they pass their test and gain new rings. Five more aliens in the surviving 100 became Star Sapphires. They were a shock, as they were male. Then again, Damian could tell they were falling in love with the Star Sapphires of their group. Luckily, for them, they were accepted by the queen and got a new home- theirs had been destroyes by Darkseid.
During the banquet, the 100 were invited, the ten new Star Sapphires were sitted on the high table with Queen Aga'po and Flamebird. Up there Damian had convinced the queen to send a group of Star Sapphires to Akropolis and set in one of the eight towers. Maybe working with the Green Lanterns for a long period will aid them to build trust and partnership, which will aid against the Blackest Night.
Why am I dealing with space issues and the Lantern Corps?! Damian moaned internally. I am a Bat for Hell's sake! My father must be rolling in his grave! Oh, well, at least, my plans are working. Maybe this way Parallax won't ever take control of Hal's body. Then again, I am taking Kyle's chance to grow into a White Lantern. Choices, choices... What should I do?