"So, you are staying," Flamebird commented, not surprised at all by An'ki and Razer's decision.
"Articious is dead and someone needs to take care of the Red Lantern Corps," Razer explained with an apologetical smile. "Sorry for not being able to finish what we started."
"Don't mention it," Flamebird waved his apology away. "Your people need you. I am a prince, I understand your decision." Flamebird paused, before smiling at Razer. "I'm proud of you, you've finally stopped running away and found your place."
"I hope you find yours too," Razer replied with a smile.
"I will," Flamebird assured him firmly. He then turned to An'ki who was holding back his tears. "Come here, let it all ot."
An'ki threw himself into Flamebird's arms and sobbed, as he clingged into him. "I need to stay and train, sorry!"
"No need to apologize," Flamebird assured him. "Thank you for everything and congratulations on finding your new home."
"Thank you, brother," An'ki thanked him gratefully. "We'll see each other again."
"We will have Guy or John bring you to Earth after your training is over, I have so much to show you," Flamebird smiled.
"Promise?" An'ki put out his little finger.
Flamebird laughed as he intertwined their pinky fingers in the childish oath. "Promise!"
Flamebird then took the ship back to Odym to join the remaining 7 in the mother ship and return to their journey. This time Saint Walker joined them. Not only to continue Flamebird's healing training, but so that they could continue to have the protection of the Lantern Corps- even if it is a different colour.
"The Red Lantern Corps have already sent a group to Akropolis," Saint Walker informed Flamebird one day after a training session. "They entered an alliance with the Star Sapphires and the Blue Lantern Corps. There are talks about doing the smae with the Green Lantern Corps, but they seem preoccupied with something else right now and have left that for later. On the other hand, the new Red Lantern Corps is being well-received by the galazy. Razer's work with you aided a lot on imporivng their image. Though, there's still a lot of work to do. Oh! Razer and Sayd asked me to inform you that you were granted honorary citizenship of Ysmault and Odym."
"At this rate I'll have more citizenshipss than years," Flamebird sighed. "It's ridiculous!"
"You are well-loved, enjoy the fruits of your labor, Brother Flamebird," Saint Walker smiled fondly. "By the way, what are we going to do with the twins?"
Right, the twins...
The twins were from a race of humanoid, grey skinned, people whose world was destroyed by raiders for minerals. The surviving group they were part of got intercepted and taken by Darkseid. You can guess what happened next. They are the only ones left and had been artificially turned into parademons, until Flamebird had saved them. Recently, they had both been chosen by a Yellow Lantern Ring each.
"What are we suppose to do other than support them?" Flamebird replied, shrugging. "Colors only represent different emotions, and emotions are neutral. You can be red or yellow and still do good. If you are worried we can always ask them how they feel about being Yellow Lanterns."
"We can answer that," two mischievous voices echoed from the door.
"Eavesdropping is not polite," Flamebird scolded them lightly, with amusement. Pa-kun and Da-kun chuckled mischievously. Sharing a secretive smile. "Twin telepathy seems to be a thing even in other races," Flamebird muttered to himself, shaking his head in amusement. "So, how are you doing?"
The twins turned serious, surprising Saint Walker and Flamebird, the mischievous twins serious? Weird.
"We've known fear for a long time," Pa-kun explained.
"It's an emotion we are very familiarized with," Da-kun continued for his twin.
"We were young when our planet was invaded and destroyed..."
"So, fear has been part of our life for as long as we remember..."
"Then Darkseid happened..."
"We turned into parademons who feed in fear..."
"We enjoyed that..."
"From being afraid to creating fear..."
"We were no longer afraid..."
"It was liberating..."
"Then Flamebird came..."
"And we were weak again..."
"We were angry..."
"But mostly afraid..."
"What will happen to us now?"
"Our planet destroyed and we were weak..."
"We were lost..."
"But we learned that we were no longer alone..."
"We had a new family now..."
"We were still aafraid..."
"Demons creeping in, trading shots with our ego..."
"Our chains only dragging us down..."
"But we leanred that being afraid is ok..."
"That you can't be coragious without being afraid..."
"Our scars made us dig down deeper..."
"To push it 'till there's nothin' more..."
"It was time to stand up, show what we are made of..."
"Rise from the gound..."
"Blood, sweat, tears, make the pain taste sweeter..."
"Fear is what pushes us..."
"We are no longer afraid of being afraid..."
"We welcome it coragiously..."
Saint Walker and Flamebird looked at such brave twins in awe. Not being afraid of fear, but welcome it with courage... was inspiring.
"Which is why we are leaving for Qward," Pa-kun continued to the shock of Saint Walker and Flamebird.
"Soranik, Siniestro's daughter, is taking a stand against her father, inspired by Razer's coup," Da-kun explained.
"A coup against the Siniestro Corps," Flamebird murmured, barely stoping himself from groaning- he has changed so much!
"Do you need aid?" Saint Walker asked them concerned, these were his students after all. "The Blue Lanterns Corps and the Red Lantern Corps will help you if you request it."
"No, this is something the Yellow Lantern need to do on their own," Pa-kun answered.
"Thank you," Da-kun finished for his twin.
"I understand," Flamebird sighed. "Go! But you better contact us as soon as you are done!"
"Got it boss!" Pa-kun saluted.
"See ya!" Da-kun said his goodbye.
And just like that the twins were gone and only 5 survivors remained in the mother ship.