Title: Fester
Summary: "'Let the dissenter pay the price'" The Red Lanterns are seeking revenge on Razer for leaving their ranks. However, is Razer too valuable to lose? The Green Lanterns must decide whether or not if it is worth risking their own lives to save their Red counterpart. How much torture and pain is a life worth?
Disclaimer: I do not own Green Lantern: The Animated Series or Green Lantern. It all belongs to DC comics.
Time Frame: Will include some things from later episodes but the takes place Pre-Reckoning. It's kind of like my version of Reckoning
Authors Note: I doubt many of you know this, but I'm also a video editor on Youtube. My username is x0xMacraucheniax0x (and I'm not even sure I can even advertise myself...but I don't care) and I've recently made a Razer video tribute titled "Do You Have A Problem With You?" I'd be so grateful if ya check it out
Also, here are some answers to some of your wonderful, awesome reviews! (You guys are all brilliant!) First of all, of course there is going to be some Razer/Aya! I LOVE that couple. The story is just not going to be focused on romance. Second, I have no idea how this is going to end. How about you guys leave a lot of reviews and I'll let Razer live. Um, ha... Bribery at its finest. But seriously...I don't know how it ends. Also, to Rowanfall: Don't spoil it for the rest of the readers, you smart cookie ;D But don't worry! Of course there are going to be some nasty turns that I doubt anyone will expect. Not even me.
Zilius Zox was summoned again a mere two hours later. He waited nervously in front of Atrocitus' door. An audience with Atrocitus was honorable; two audiences in one day would either be incredibly dangerous or incredibly rewarding. Zilius wasn't sure which one he was in store for. However, the signs were favorable. Atrocitus had already hinted that Zilius would take a considerably large part in Razer's torture and ultimately, his death. It was most likely that Atrocitus had located Razer and was ready to make the coward pay.
But is it possible that Master has changed his mind? Master has become…edgy whenever that fool Razer is involved. Since finding out that Razer was, in fact, still alive, nearly everything Atrocitus had been doing lately dealt with finding the rogue Lantern. The young Lantern severely threatened the survival of the Red Lantern Corp and caused Atrocitus much discomfort. Zilius was eager, to say the least, to help his mater find the abovementioned Lantern. Zilius barred his teeth at the closed door in front of him. The Red Lantern glowed red with his rage as he pictured himself wringing Razer's neck.
That youngling has embarrassed Master Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corp for the last time. No torture I can imagine will be fitting enough for his crimes. Zilius was able to pass the time rather well, coming up with gory and detailed fates, each new one worse than the one before.
"Zilius Zox!" Atrocitus' booming voice pulled the Lantern out of his disturbing thoughts. Zilius floated into the now open door and bowed widely before his master.
"You requested my presence, Master?" The spherical Lantern straightened up and grinned darkly. "Forgive me for…jumping to conclusions, Master, but have you located the dissenter?"
Instead of answering this question, Atrocitus countered with a question of his own. "How much rage do you feel because of Razer's actions?"
Red flames sprung up and danced around the Lantern. "My rage would fill a thousand galaxies; it could destroy a thousand planets; it would bring the demise of millions of Green Lanterns!" Zilius started to foam slightly at the mouth and he swung his limb around angrily.
Atrocitus turned away and smiled grimly. "You'll need that rage to destroy the Green Lanterns." He walked slowly towards his lantern and stroked it gently. It started to glow faintly.
Zilius frowned and his flames died away instantly. "Have you forgotten about Razer so soon, Master?" he whined. "As much as I despise those Green Lanterns, my rage is for the dissenter!"
Atrocitus didn't defend his latest announcement. Muttering a few dark words under his breath, he stroked the lantern one more time. The room exploded with a flash of red and the blood red glow covered everything. Little red dots from around the room flew to the center and formed a huge sphere. The dots within the sphere blinked various shades of red ranging from such a deep red that it appeared black to a light red.
"By Grotts …" Zilius Zox's eyes grew as round as his body. "What is that, Master Atrocitus?"
"The Guardians believe they are the only ones with a way to watch over their pet Lanterns," Atrocitus muttered. He waved a scarred hand over one of the dots. The dot grew larger until Zilius could see tiny images moving within. When he looked closer, he recognized one of his fellow Red Lanterns. Atrocitus enlarged another dot and Zilius was surprised to see himself and Atrocitus within the orb, staring at the sphere.
"I can see every single Red Lantern with this," Atrocitus continued. "When Razer's dot turned black, I assumed it was because he had been killed. Instead, I have found it turned black because he is losing his rage. To his ring, that is the same as dying."
Zilius was still stunned by the globe in front of him. "Can we still see him?"
A black dot sped across the sphere and floated by Atrocitus' head. The dot grew and Zilius squinted to see the image better.
"Green Lanterns! Razer is with the Green Lanterns, Master!" Zilius flailed angrily again. "Those are the Green Lanterns from that one planet! The one where Razer disappeared. That Lantern called me a 'demented beach ball!'" He peered at the screen a bit closer. The miniature scene showed an irritated Razer in a room with the other Green Lanterns. However, it was obvious to tell that he was no prisoner of theirs. "And he is in league with them?" The spherical Lantern roared loudly and the red flames that exploded around him were much brighter.
"Razer is indeed in league with the Green Lanterns. Already he has aided them in their quest to eradicate the universe of the Red Lantern Corp. Those weak Green Lanterns have somehow managed to reduce Razer's rage."
"Razer must be destroyed!" Zilius seethed, flames pouring out of his mouth.
Atrocitus zoomed in on the image of Razer and his new cohorts. "Perhaps we must restore Razer's rage."
Again Zilius' flames died down and he looked slightly dismayed and confused. "But, Master," he whined. "Restoring Razer's rage would only make him stronger. You'd be rewarding him for leaving!"
"Peace, Zilius Zox. This would be anything but a reward. Let us see how well Razer can control a surplus of my rage." Atrocitus rumbled darkly and pressed his personal lantern. The black dot that had belonged to Razer grew larger and lighter. The dot pulsed three times and then remained blood red.
"What has that done, Master Atrocitus?"
"Do you know what planet the dissenter and his Lantern friends are nearby?" Atrocitus had an infuriating habit of changing the subject rather abruptly. However, the spherical Lantern did not mind for his master eventually returned to his original question.
Zilius paused and thought for a moment. "Forgive me, Master, but I do not."
"It is a deserted island that once held a thriving population. They were a…disobedient group of people. They deserved their punishment. The planet has now become a desolate wasteland."
The lower Red Lantern grinned and chuckled darkly. "I remember it now. I remember it all now. Why did you bring that up, Master Atrocitus?"
"I'm glad you have fond memories of Grnymar. We are returning there soon." Atrocitus growled and turned back to his lantern. "We have a trap to set and old friends to visit."
With a curt word, Atrocitus sent the spherical Lantern from his room to prepare. The leader of the Red Lantern Corp placed a gnarled hand on the smooth surface and the lantern burned a bright shade of red.
"The Guardians are not the only ones with ways to control their watchdogs."
When Razer emerged from his room almost an hour and a half later, he looked slightly more rested but no less pale. Although it was practically killing Hal not to do so, he refrained from asking questions regarding Razer's health. Aya seemed to have learned a little bit about the human gift of tact for she too did not inquire about her fellow Lantern's welfare. Hal doubted that Kilowog cared enough to even both thinking about their red counterpart. As expected, Razer did not "burden" the rest of his team with complaints of his own ailing health.
Needless to say, it was somber flight in silence for a few moments.
Unable to handle the pressing silence for longer than a minute, Hal broke it with his usual attempt at humor.
"So, Aya, can you tell us if this new GL is another planet? Or perhaps a star?"
Still not grasping the concept of sarcasm, Aya checked the sensors on her dashboard. "The Green Lantern we are locating is not an inanimate object such as a planet. My sensors have determined that the new owner of the ring is a living organism much like yourself."
Kilowog groaned. "Like Hal? I'm not sure if we need that kind of help aboard. One Hal Jordan is definitely enough."
Hal shot him a dirty look but continued to question Aya. "By 'like you,' do you mean human?"
Aya turned back to the various blinking buttons and lights. "Humanoid." The robot suddenly frowned, mirroring the typical expression of confusion on her synthetic features. "However, I am unsure of how I know that. Generally my sensors can only track the willpower emissions from the ring and I cannot determine the species of the owner."
Kilowog shrugged. "Perhaps your powers are growin'. It's not like I'm complaining. The more power we've got, the easier things are gonna be when we have to knock around those Red Poozers." The former scientist from Bolovax Vix shot a very pointed look towards Razer.
The younger Lantern crossed his arms and ignored Kilowog's slight jab against his former corp. "Are you unconcerned that this may be a trap?" Silence followed this remark. "After all, Aya was so easily incapacitated by the criminals on our last attempt to find a Green Lantern. What is to say someone or something else has found a way to 'hack,'" Razer made air quotes around the word, "into our system?"
Hal frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not sure. That might explain why Aya could pick up the owner more clearly. But what choice do we have?" Hal suddenly grinned. "Besides, if it is a trap, what's the worst that can happen? We are the best the Guardians got, remember?"
Razer muttered something under his breath and turned back towards the window. Whatever he said, it certainly wasn't that he agreed wholeheartedly with the human Green Lantern. Kilowog also seemed more wary now that Razer had brought up the possible suggestion of it being a trap.
"Not that I'm scared or nothin', but do you think the Red might be on to something?" Kilowog asked cautiously.
Hal didn't have the time to respond. "We will be approaching the Green Lantern's planet in approximately two and a half minutes." Aya announced loudly, still busy checking her measurements for flaws.
Hal glanced out the window and cracked a small smile. "Look, not an asteroid or a Red turret in sight. Is it possible that maybe this mission can end without a planet being blown apart or severely threatened?"
"Don't joke about that," Kilowog growled loudly.
"Don't joke about that," Razer hissed softly at the same time. The two "enemies" exchanged slightly surprised glances before glaring back at Hal.
Realizing what he said, Hal winced. "Sorry. Sorry. Spoke before I thought. People say I have that problem."
Kilowog snorted. "Who told you that, Jordan?"
While the three had been conversing, Aya had already landed the ship. She waited patiently for the male members of her team to finish their conversation before opening the large door out of the ship. The sight that greeted them was not the epitome of a hospitable planet. Reddish orange dust blew ever so slightly in the hot wind and heat seemed to radiate from everywhere on the planet.
Hal floated down from the entrance to the ship and landed on the ground. The impact from when he landed sent a small cloud of dust and other particles into the air. The Green Lantern waved them away with a cough. "All we need is a few tumbleweeds and then this is perfect for a Dirty Harry movie."
"I do not understand this reference." Aya watched the Green Lantern before also floating off of the edge of the platform. However, she did not land immediately for fear of getting unknown particles within her circuits. First the Artificial Intelligence scanned for potentially dangerous elements and then finding the surroundings suitable, she touched down gently. Razer slowly made his way down the ramp and stopped right before the metal sloped into the ground. His bad mood seemed to have returned.
"Some old Earth thing Hal likes," Kilowog explained as he followed behind the Red. "You Earth people have strange customs, Jordan."
"Says the Lantern who eats caterpillars that look like the kind from Lion King."
"What?" Kilowog looked even more confused.
"Never mind." Hal turned around to take in the drab scenery a bit more. Note to self, either stop referencing to movies or make them watch one eventually. "Any suggestions on where to look first?" It was more of a joke than an honest question.
"Not much out here," Kilowog agreed. "'Least that means no double-crossin' murderers out to great us." He gritted his teeth, clearing remembering those on Mogo.
"Don't be so sure," Razer muttered, glancing at his suddenly pulsing ring. The Red Lantern frowned and dropped his arm. "Traps are easy to set."
Hal quickly scanned the dusty horizon again. "I don't know… I don't see anywhere where a trap could be set."
"And I do not detect any life forms in the immediate area," Aya added, also giving the wasteland a sweep with her glowing, blue eyes.
Kilowog shrugged. "That's good enough for me." He jumped off of the platform and landed with a thump on the dusty ground. A cloud larger than the one Hal kicked up rose around the four Lanterns.
Razer was still slightly behind the three and got the worst of the dust storm. He waved away the particles but still managed to inhale quite a bit of the foreign specks. The Red Lantern coughed multiple times, trying to clear the stuff from his lungs, but to no avail. He loathed the worried, pitying, and slightly gleeful looks he was getting from Aya, Hal, and Kilowog, respectively, and quickly managed to suppress his cough.
"I am fine," he said the moment he was able to breathe normally again. "It is just clear to see that Green Lanterns are not as graceful as they claim to be." That was his lame excuse which was so unconvincing that Kilowog felt that he didn't even need to defend his ungraceful self.
Razer stepped off the ship and walked rigidly towards the other Lanterns. Aya watched him sullenly with her bright eyes.
"Razer, you do not look as if you have recovered fully. You insist that you are fine but your constant reminders are not convincing."
The Red Lantern stopped in front of her and opened his mouth to most likely disagree. Instead, he was attacked by another coughing fit. He crossed his arms over his chest and bent over slightly at the waist. About thirty seconds later, his hacks faded into weak wheezes. Aya reached a hand towards him in hopes of stabilizing him but the Red Lantern shrugged it away with a growl.
"I am fine," he insisted. He continued walking, making sure not to make direct eye contact with anyone on the crew.
Hal frowned and glanced around at his fellow Green Lanterns. "Razer, are you sure you are okay? If you say 'I am fine' again, I might just throw you back in the ship."
The Red Lantern did not seem to hear the human. He simply cleared his throat and stared out at the wide desert in front of him. Hal narrowed his eyes.
"Razer, you can't even get out of the ship without having some sort of an attack and you've been acting strange for days. If you do not tell me now what's going on, I will order you back on the ship for the rest of this mission." Hal's voice was deeper than it normally was and caused even Kilowog to raise an eyebrow.
Razer turned around with a dark grimace on his face. "You are sorely misinformed, Green Lanterns. My 'attack' was merely me clearing the dirt from my lungs that I inhaled. Need I remind you we are on a desolate, dusty rock." The Red Lantern swept his arms in a small, sluggish circle around him. "How many times must I say I am fine?" Razer gritted his teeth and sighed. "If we don't hurry, it'll be too la—"
At that moment Razer was hit with another, stronger coughing fit. He doubled over instantly with his hands on his knees. The Red Lantern swayed as more horrible sounds were ripped from his throat. The Green Lanterns all had looks of slight fear and worry on their faces. Even Kilowog frowned as he took a half step towards Razer. Aya, who was closest to Razer, and Hal were both on either side of Razer. Hal reached forward and braced one of the Red Lantern's sides to keep from falling over. Razer's ring suddenly started pulsing, throwing red shadows across the faces of the Lanterns. Once Razer caught a glimpse of the red flash, his coughing became substantially more forceful. He collapsed to his knees and would have fallen on his face had Hal and Aya not slowed his fall.
"They're…here…" The Red Lantern panted out, resting his trembling limbs on all fours. Another fit sent the Lantern into another shaking heap and he grabbed at his chest, trying to push more oxygen into his lungs. Then the fits subsided as quickly as they had come. Razer groaned and collapsed into a motionless pile. Apart from his loud gasps, there was silence for a long moment.
Kilowog now looked relatively freaked out. "Who's here…?"
Hal shook Razer ever so slightly. "What happened, Razer?"
The sick Lantern stirred and sat up slowly. He shifted so he was resting back on his hands and knees. Still unable to breath, he shook his head weakly. From the pained and slightly terrified expression on his face, it was clear that Razer was just as lost as the others. It unnerved Hal to see that expression on the Red's features; it was perhaps the first time he had ever seen actual fear cross the younger Lantern's face.
"Is it over…?" Kilowog asked awkwardly, watching the Red Lantern carefully. In all of his years of recruit training, rarely had he ever seen a "cold" this bad. It just didn't seem natural. Or right, for that matter.
Razer grimaced and held his sore stomach. He made a weird gagging noise and the others were afraid he would relapse into another coughing fit. Hal placed a hand on his shoulder and for the first time, Razer didn't throw it off. The gagging noise tore through Razer's throat and this time something more than air came out with the cough. A red liquid splattered the dusty ground and formed a sticky paste with the red dirt. Razer shuddered. Another cough brought red to Razer's lips and he raised a slightly trembling hand to his mouth. After wiping off some of the liquid from his lips, he stared with wide eyes at the red stain on his hand.
Kilowog chuckled nervously. "So, you bleed like your ring then? Figures, right?"
Razer's hands were shaking violently now and his eyes did not leave his bloody fingers.
"That's not the color it's supposed to be."
Bad characterization and movie puns are bad. Ack. I hope the sphere scene and the coughing scene actually makes sense. Everything in general will make sense in a few chapters, I promise. Feedback is greatly appreciated! :D