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Chapter Five

xxxxxxx

Kyle pushed his ring to the limit as he flew through space, willing himself to go faster, faster. Soranik had run every test she knew, every procedure that would show signs of some kind of duplication or deception. None of them showed even the slightest hint that she was not who she said she was. Her DNA matched, her story held up. She was undoubtedly Peesh Walker. And she was overdue for a reunion with her father.

He'd already left when the results came through, having decided that either way, Walker needed to know what was going on. But hearing that he could deliver good news was a joy - Walker had lost so much and now a little was being returned. The universe did give back sometimes.

He was almost glad he hadn't been able to make contact through the ring. Some things really had to be done in person and this was definitely one of them. Elpis seemed entirely too far away right now.

It was odd to think that he hadn't hesitated to fly off knowing that he'd left Arkillo with reach of Peesh. Of course Soranik was looking after her too and Arkillo was heavily guarded, yet the truth was, he trusted Arkillo with her. After all he'd done in freeing her and bringing her here, he'd earned that. Besides, Peesh clearly trusted him too, even if she was scared of him, as any child would be.

And she was still a child. Despite the years that had passed since her 'death' she was still shy of adulthood amongst her species. He remembered asking Bro'Dee about it, when he realised that the Blue Lantern had aged only slightly in the years he had known him. An Astonian's lifespan was roughly twice that of a humans and they aged proportionally. While a human of Peesh's age would have been well into adulthood at this point, she was barely an adolescent. Although he wondered how her experiences might have changed her. That sort of thing - it could age anyone. Although, she was Saint Walker's child and his positive outlook had hopefully stayed with her. Only time would tell.

By the time Elpis finally came into view, he'd almost lost himself in wondering how his friend would react. Walker was not easily shocked, but this was a miracle like no other.

The planet glowed a soft blue as he approached, making him smile. It had been lifeless for so long after the Blue Lantern Corps fell, but now, thanks to Saint Walker's efforts, it was coming alive again. He didn't know where or when Walker had obtained or built a new central battery, but he had managed it somehow. With the reservoir filled again, hope shone brighter than ever, a power to be acknowledged. Soon, new Blue Lanterns would come here for training and the universe would be a better place for it. Who knew, maybe there was a place for Peesh in the ranks. Certainly something had kept her going these past years.

As he flew through the atmosphere, his ring guided him towards the location of the new battery. Not that he needed it. It stood as a monument to the first corps, on the very spot they had fallen. Here, Brother Warth, Sister Sercy and so many others had given up their lives to let Saint Walker live. To let hope live. That was something that would never be forgotten. Placing the battery here - it was just right.

There was, however, no sign of Saint Walker. In fact, the whole place seemed oddly deserted - though he supposed that wasn't too hard on a planet with an inhabitant of one. "Bro'Dee?" He called out. "It's me, Kyle!"

There was no answer, so he walked cautiously towards the battery. The blue glow was strong and soothing, clearly Saint Walker had been working hard to bring it to full power. But... Where was he?
"Bro'Dee!" Kyle called out again. "Come on, where are you?" He walked around the battery, looking for any sign of his friend.

"Kyle?" The response was so unexpected that he jumped.

"Walker?" He still couldn't see him.

"Down here..." The soft laugh teased.

He looked down and there, emerging from a tunnel like a curious rabbit, was Saint Walker.

It was such a ridiculous sight, the esteemed Saint Walker popping up from the ground, that
Kyle laughed, the upcoming seriousness fading away for the moment. "What are you doing down there?" He asked, as Walker emerged fully.

The Blue Lantern smiled. "Checking that the battery defences are installed correctly. I am no fan of war, but I will not risk a repeat of what happened here before."

"Good plan," Kyle agreed. Even the eternally optimistic Saint Walker had his limits – and he was no fool.

"It is good to see, you, Kyle," he smiled warmly, embracing his friend. "Though most unexpected. What brings you here?"

"I..." All of a sudden, his carefully rehearsed speech sounded terrible. He'd planned exactly what he was going to say, was going to deliver the news smoothly and confidently. Yet now Walker was in front of him, the words sounded dry, unfeeling. "Um... We couldn't, um... Contact you by the ring..."

"No, my works here have interfered with communications," Walker nodded. "Is something wrong? If you need my help, you have it."

"Wrong? Oh... No. No, not at all, I just... Um..." He ran his hand through his hair. "You know, I'd decided exactly how I was going to say this..."

"How you were going to say what, Kyle?" Walker put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Please just tell me. You say nothing is wrong but still you struggle to tell me."

"Right. Yes. Sorry." Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. "It's kind of a miracle actually... you believe in those, right?"

Walker laughed. "Of course. I have witnessed too many not to. Why do you ask? Has something miraculous happened to you?"

"Well, yes... sort of. The truth is – it's your miracle, not mine. And that's why I'm here, to bring you to Mogo." He shifted awkwardly as he tried to pick words from the muddle in his head.

Saint Walker sighed and blinked a few times before replying. "Kyle, my friend, I mean no offence, but if you could please starting making sense that would be very helpful." He smiled gently. "I have no idea what you are talking about and it is quite confusing."

Kyle blushed, annoyed with himself for making such a mess of this. How was it that he could face down universe ending threats, but ask him to deliver good news and he was all stutters and awkward words? "Sorry. I'm not good at this." He took a deep breath and started again. "Um... Some days ago, Arkillo found a young Astonian bring held by slavers on Darvix V. He figured he owed you one, I guess, and decided to... Liberate her."

Walker looked surprised. "Well that was... Very kind of him. I knew there was more to him than fear alone. Although how did one of my people leave Astonia? We have no such means of transport."

"That's where things get complicated, Walker. She was taken by a group of alien explorers who found her wandering alone. The Slavers didn't get her until later."

"There was much chaos when our sun began to die. Many families were torn apart," he sighed.

"Right. But some not as much as they thought. This girl, Bro'Dee... this girl is the miracle. Because her name is Peesh Walker." He smiled and looked at his friend.

The look Walker gave him then was so sad it hurt his heart.

"Oh Kyle, I know what you are thinking. But as much as I may wish it, it simply cannot be, my daughter is long dead." Walker looked away, unable to meet Kyle's gaze. "Another child by that name is not impossible."

"You didn't let me finish," Kyle said. "I know I'm making a mess of this, just... Hear me out, okay? Her story matches yours, so when Arkillo couldn't find you, he took her to Mogo. Soranik had all your medical files from when you were unwell, so we ran tests. Every test. Her DNA is a match. There's no evidence of manipulation, duplication, coercion, anything. And you said yourself you never buried her. Bro'Dee, I know it seems impossible. But here, look." His ring glowed briefly and a picture of Mogo's newest guest popped up.

Kyle found himself having to quickly construct a chair as Walker's legs gave way beneath him.

"Sorry, should have warned you. But... You see? It is her. We've eliminated all chances that it's some kind of trick. This is your miracle, Bro'Dee. And long overdue."

"I... But... How..." Still sitting on the chair construct, he tried to take it in, his mind reeling from the revelation, his eyes never leaving the picture. "She... She died, had I thought there was any chance she was alive I would never have left Astonia..."

Kyle stretched the chair so he could sit down next to his friend. "I know. For what it's worth, she thinks you're dead too. We weren't sure you were okay so... She hasn't been told the truth yet."

"This is... I cannot..." He closed his eyes, covering his face with his hands as he struggled to deal with the onslaught of emotion. Tears fell freely and he didn't care. How had this happened? He trusted Kyle... If he said it was true, then it was. And the image... She had grown a little of course, but it was undeniable.

"Hey..." Kyle put his arm around Walker. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you in a less shocking way but... Good shock, right?"

"Yes..." Walker's voice shook. "The... Very best..." He tried to think, to work out how it had happened. How he had not known and for so long? "I need to see her." He wanted to accept it, but knew he wouldn't until she was actually there, alive and well in front of him.

"Of course you do. We can leave as soon as you're ready." The journey was long enough that hopefully Walker would have time to clear his head.

"I... I need to set the automated defences. It will only take a moment..." He surprised himself by remembering. It was hard to think of anything but the news he'd just received.

"Okay..." Kyle nodded as they both stood. "No rush."

Walker gave him a look and Kyle laughed.

"Sorry."

Xxxxxxxx

Saint Walker was quiet on the trip to Mogo. The stars rushed past them in silence, the only sound the odd ship or blazing crackling of a sun. Kyle understood. Someone coming back - it threw you. Learning she had never died, that had to be taking some time to accept.

"Hey..." Kyle broke the silence after several hours. "You doing okay? I know it's a lot to take in."

Walker nodded. "I am... managing. I was just thinking." He sighed. "About why I never questioned her fate, why I was sure she was dead, with no doubts. I believe I know but... it is hard to admit."

"Oh?" Kyle looked over questioningly.

"When the ring heals, you know it shows you what you need. Arkillo saw Sinestro, because that was what would help him. I... I saw my family. All of them. I had no experience with the ring and so I never questioned what I saw." He paused, remembering. "Now I realise I should have looked back, made sure."

"You can't blame yourself for that," Kyle replied. "You'd only just got the ring, you didn't know how it all worked then. And you'd been through hell trying to save your planet. It could have happened to anyone. What matters is now. You're alive. She's alive. Anything else can come later."

Walker nodded. "Wise words. Yet I struggle to make my heart heed them. What has she been through? You said slavers had her... what did she endure?" His face creased in worry.

"I don't want to say too much, it's not my place. But they didn't have her the whole time and she seems pretty resilient. Much like you. She seems to be a lot like you, actually."

He smiled softly. "I used to hear that often."

"I'm sure you will again."

"I hope so." He looked at Kyle then, his voice cracking with joyful emotion. "This... is really happening. I am going to see her. I am going to see my little girl." The blue aura around him intensified as his hope gained new wings. He smiled at Kyle and his speed increased as he flew through the stars as a blazing blue beacon of hope.

End Chapter 5