Got to play with my little idea for Sinestro and Atrocitus. Both have their own reasons for hunting Kyle.
Kyle woke up surrounded to find a yellow bubble encasing him. He was confused, unsure of what was going on and where he was. Kyle tried to move, but it felt like a weight was pressing down on his body. The last thing he could remember was fighting Arkillo and Bleez before getting sneak attacked.
"I don't understand how humans can go so cruel." A voice stated. "They can be so manipulative and cruel to poison and take advantage of someone."
Kyle managed to move his head to see who was talking. To his surprise, it was Sinestro. Sinestro was sitting with one leg crossed over the other. He was using his ring to encase Kyle and was staring at the Green Lantern with curious intentions. Kyle was stunned, not liking what his presence could have meant.
"I was able to pull an interesting memory out of you." Sinestro stated, clearing up some of the confusion as he stood up and approached the prison. "The fact that you were having a nightmare helped."
"Let me go." Kyle demanded.
Sinestro released Kyle, allowing him to stand. He grabbed Kyle's neck, making sure that Kyle didn't leave. Kyle glared at him with disdain.
"I don't know if I should pity you or laugh." Sinestro commented. "However, I'm not that cruel. I find the former more usable."
"I won't join your club if that's what you're implying." Kyle scoffed.
"Of course not. To be honest, I'd much rather use you as an outlet to torment Hal. After all, I could use you're abuse to torment Hal. Imagine how he'd feel knowing that he couldn't stop me from using your harbored fear to torture you. And when I've drained you of all that fear, maybe I'll spare you by ending your life. Or maybe, I'll find new fears to abuse and keep you as entertainment."
A boom interrupted Sinestro's rant, startling both of them. Stomping rumbled through their occupied space, causing Sinestro to shift his attention.
"I've already told you to back off Sinestro." Atrocitus claimed, storming into the room. "This Lantern is mine. His rage and trauma make him a suitable Red Lantern."
"Yes, that's what you've said, but I've already claimed him as my pawn."
Kyle broke out of Sinestro's grip, activating his ring. Green tinted eyes angrily glared at Sinestro and Atrocitus.
"I refuse to stand by and let you dictate my life." Kyle argued. "I'm not a Red Lantern, nor do I want to be your pawn."
The two head Lanterns swapped glances.
"Why don't we discuss this later?" Sinestro compromised. "We can decide his fate once he's been punished."
Hal slowly started to regain consciousness. Above him was Bruce, leaning over him concerned. Hal quickly sat up, recalling what was going on. He wasn't in his Green Lantern uniform, which was a relief, but he knew something was missing. Hal started to panic as he scanned the area for Kyle, unable to visually locate him.
"Calm down." Bruce gently requested, kneeling beside Hal. "You might have a concussion."
"Where's Kyle?" Hal frantically asked.
Bruce was troubled. He knew what happened, but finding the right words was going to be a challenge. Bruce knew he had to be delicate.
"A Green Lantern was spotted by several witnesses." Bruce began. "He was fighting a 'monster' in yellow and a blue lady in red." Bruce could feel Hal begin to tense up. "He was ambushed by a man in yellow, who trapped him in a yellow bubble and managed to outrun a giant red monster and his cat."
Hal was floored by Bruce's description. Even with the witnesses' obscure descriptions, they both knew who they witnesses were referring to. Hal tried to stand up, only for Bruce to hold him down.
"Let me go." Hal weakly growled. "I can't leave him with Sinestro. I got to save Kyle."
"You need to regain your strength."
Hal continued to squirm, hoping to get away from Bruce.
"No. Kyle's out there, getting tortured no doubt."
"It's my fault this happened!"
The outburst startled Bruce. Hal was livid as his emotions began to settle. Guilt and regret filled him as his hand shrouded his eyes. Kyle was gone, and as far as Hal was concerned, it was his fault.
"I should have kept him home." Hal quietly regretted. "If I had just listened to him, this wouldn't have happened."
Bruce could sympathize with Hal's regret. Hal was trying so hard to be there for Kyle, and getting smacked in the face when he gets overzealous. From what he understood, Kyle was like the younger brother to the Lanterns, if not a son to some of the senior members. Damaging that familiar bond was terrible.
"Look, I know you wanted to do what you thought was best for him." Bruce admitted. "Did you handle it properly in its entirety? Probably not, but you did a lot of good for him."
Hal didn't seem to listen to him, too caught up in his own dilemma. Bruce could clearly see this, not too fond of the rut Hal seemed to be running himself into.
"Look, I'll get this taken care of." Bruce offered, placing a hand on Hal's shoulder. "I can stall this for a while, but you need to save Kyle. The longer you dwell on this, the longer he's tortured by Atrocitus and Sinestro."
"But I've already failed him." Hal sighed.
Bruce's grip tightened, causing Hal to flinch.
"You're failing him by not going after him. I don't care how regretful you feel, you can't condemn him. If you care at all for him, you won't let him go through this alone."
Bruce got through to Hal this time as his eyes softened. He was well aware that he was still wearing his ring. Hal slowly lifted it up, activated only his ring.
"Contact Guy Gardner and John Stewart." Hal requested.
"What's going on?" John frantically asked. "Sinestro and Atrocitus were sensed heading near Earth."
Hal took a breath swallowing his pride. He knew he needed the help. Kyle needed the help.
"We've got a problem." Hal admitted. "I'm going to need some help and Saint Walker."
The wall of Sinestro's lair burst down as Hal, John, Guy, Kilowag, and Saint Walker entered. Everyone's heart dropped as they were greeted by a dreadful sight. Kyle was frozen in a state of panic as Arkillo showed him a repeat of his violation. His body was scratched, bruised and burned as he was restrained by chains.
All the while, Atrocitus and Sinestro seemed to be in the beginning stages of a fight. Neither one seemed to have taken much damage as Dex-Starr floated around his master.
"So you've finally decided join us?" Sinestro greeted, noting the arrival of the Lanterns. "If you're here for your little friend, I'm afraid he's a little preoccupied at the moment."
"Let him go Sinestro." Hal demanded.
"That I cannot do Jordan. You've lost the right to have him. It's our turn to decide now."
Hal's anger spiked. The last thing he wanted to hear was Sinestro trying to claim Kyle.
"I said let him go."
Hal soared towards the two Lanterns, ready to take them both on.
*insert dramatic music* Hal has reinforcements and Sinestro and Atrocitus have torture.