What Hope Gave Back – Chapter Eleven
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Nothing was happening. Nothing at all despite all the life energy he could muster being poured into Saint Walker. Kyle didn't dare look up. He could hear Peesh crying, that was bad enough. "This is not happening... He trusted me... Soranik, there must be something..." The thought of losing Saint Walker was unbearable.
"I'm not a miracle worker, Kyle... I try my best, but..." The doctor carefully put her arms around Peesh.
"You can't give up!" Peesh demanded, and the fire in her eyes cut right through Kyle. "He promised all would be well! And it WILL. You have to make it that way! You can. I know you can." She was terrified, that much was clear, but despite that - she sounded, in that moment, so much like her father that it refuelled his desire to try again. He wouldn't, couldn't lose Walker.
"Come on, come on, think..." Kyle closed his eyes. There had to be something he'd missed.
An annoyed snort sounded in his ear. "Stupid human." Arkillo snarled in his face. "Try the ring."
Kyle frowned, confused. "Whose ring?" He regretted asking a moment later as Arkillo let out a stream of untranslated curses.
"Put your energy into his RING." The Yellow Lantern looked disgusted that Kyle hadn't understood. "It is connected to him."
Looking down at the dull blue ring, Kyle realised that Arkillo was right. The rings were part of them, the relationship somewhat symbiotic. He should have thought of that, should have realised. And by not doing so he'd wasted precious time. At least the ring was still here, even if only because it was completely drained. It gave him a chance to try what Arkillo had suggested.
He didn't bother saying anything in reply, there was no time. Instead he focused on Walker's ring as his white one powered up again. Shifting the Blue Lantern in his arms so that their rings could almost touch, he willed the energy from his ring into the blue one.
There was silence as the light flowed. Kyle held his breath, feeling the power of his ring as it transferred light, waiting to see if it was enough.
And then... The barest flicker of blue. Hardly there, yet he knew he'd seen it. "Walker!" He redoubled his efforts, heedless of the drain on himself as he latched on to what was quite literally a glimmer of hope.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the blue grew stronger. Kyle was exhausted now, but he didn't stop, pouring the white light into the blue ring, recharging it as Walker had recharged them so many times. He let himself listen to Peesh's pleas, used them to give him the will to push harder, fight more, for Saint Walker's life. "Come on, Bro'Dee..."
It was going to work. It was, he could feel it now. He'd mastered the blue along with the rest, he knew the power of hope and right now the air was full of it. He just needed to push a little more. "Peesh... Come here, come and hold his hand... He should feel that, it'll help."
"Are you sure?" She whispered, walking through the white light to reach them. She was trembling and Kyle couldn't blame her.
"Yes." Walker's words came back to him, asking Kyle to have as much faith as he did. "Yes I'm sure. And you'll be the first thing he looks for when he wakes, so just... Stay right there, okay?"
"Okay." She took her father's hand and waited, watching his ring. It was a little brighter now, the power returning. Finally, it sputtered and flickered before lighting properly.
{locating sentient. Blue lantern 001 - located.}
"Daddy! Wake up, wake up, please..." She squeezed his hand tightly, only realising at that point that she could now see the rise and fall of his chest.
"Peesh..." The word came before his eyes even opened.
"I'm here, daddy..." She rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. "You scared me so much." She blinked back tears and held him tight.
He groaned, as his body started to let him know the strains it had undergone. "I know, Peesh. I am sorry. I could not see another way." His voice was weak and hoarse, but he did his utmost to reassure her. A moment later he forced his eyes open and immediately winced from the bright lights all around. "Kyle... You can stop now. Thank you. I had no doubts you could do it." He hated how weak he felt as he tried to sit, finding he needed Kyle and Peesh's help to do so.
The White light faded but Kyle stayed close, even once Bro'Dee was sitting steadily and had managed to get his arms around his daughter. He watched anxiously, worried about the friend he had so very nearly lost.
Walker held his child, deeply regretful for adding to her trauma, despite the positive outcome. Even more would need healing now - but at least they were alive to have that chance.
"Daddy?" She said quietly.
"Yes?" Her voice was muffled from being buried in his chest.
"I think I got over my fear of water."
He couldn't help it. He laughed before he cried and held her tight, kissing her head and just being grateful that they were all still alive.
Xxxxx
"I want answers," Kyle seethed as he watched the surviving Red Lanterns be dragged off to science cells. "This makes no sense. How. Why? Things have been calm for months!" A Red Lantern was dragged past him at he recognised it as the one who had attacked Peesh and nearly pushed Walker over the line. "Walker nearly died because of this unprovoked attack!"
"I know Kyle, but try to stay calm." Hal winced at the awkwardness of being the rational one. "Saint Walker is going to be fine and we'll find out what this is all about." Hal tried to placate his friend although he was every bit as furious. This should never have happened, especially here on their own Headquarters. "I haven't seen any of these Lanterns before, they must be new. That's pretty strange - I'd have expected at least a few familiar faces. Maybe Atrocitus isn't behind this."
"I don't care, Hal. I want them found and stopped. This can never happen again."
Hal sighed. "Look, Kyle, I know you're upset. But I think we stopped them pretty well, they're in no condition to be mounting any kind of attack for a very, very long time. Let me deal with the interrogations. Get some rest, you look like you're about to fall over."
"I'm fine," Kyle lied. "I'm coming with you."
Hal shook his head. "Fine, have it your way." He led the way to the science cells, where the Lantern who attacked Peesh had been taken, along with the others.
"I want words with that one," Kyle said, his eyes locked on the Lantern. "Attacking kids... That's a new low."
Hal nodded and opened the communications to the cell. He kept an eye on Kyle, who he worried would go too far. "Why did you attack us?" Kyle demanded. "And how did you get in unnoticed?"
The alien seemed unimpressed, despite his situation. "I will not tell. The Red Lanterns secrets are their own!" He smiled, an act that sent shivers down Kyle's spine. "We will return."
Kyle's eyes narrowed. "Open the door, Hal." His voice was cold, utterly different from his usual easy warmth.
"No," Hal refused. "Not until you calm down."
"Calm down?! Hal, this scumbag attached Peesh - she's just a child!" His ring flickered and Hal grew uneasy as the colours it showed were none of the positive ones.
"I know, Kyle. And we will get the answers. But I am not letting you torture anyone. Thats not how we do things. You know that." Still, he turned to face the Red Lantern, who was now looking slightly twitchy as he saw the raw power of the emotional spectrum running through the White Lantern.
"I'd tell him what he wants to know if I were you," he said quietly. "I'm not entirely sure I could stop him if he really set his mind to getting you."
Xxxx
Kyle stormed out of the science cells, Hal hot on his heels. "I don't believe it. I don't. All this suffering... For what, to prove a point?"
Hal shook his head. "This is hardly the first time the Reds have divided. This group wanted to prove their superiority and what better way to do that than taking down the Green Lantern Corps on it's home turf?" He sighed, wishing he had pockets to jam his hands into. "And let's face it, they nearly succeeded. That new cloaking tech – well, I want it. It gave them one hell of an advantage. Now we know about it we might be able to track it in the future though." He smiled slightly. "Not that I think this will happen again any time soon, not with most of them dead or locked up. So try not to worry."
"Not worry? We almost lost everything, Hal." Kyle ran his hand through his hair. "If Walker hadn't... He saved the corps. It's not supposed to be like that. We shouldn't need that. We shouldn't need people sacrificing themselves!" He closed his eyes briefly. "God, what was he thinking. What was I thinking to let him do it?!"
"Kyle... no one liked what happened. But Walker himself would tell you that the Blues were created to aid the Greens because we can't always do it on our own. And okay, this took it to an extreme, but that doesn't change the fact that he was only doing what he was always meant to do. And it worked. We should be grateful. Especially since he is still alive - thanks to you."
Kyle sighed, his shoulders sagging. "You're right. I just... I can't shake the image of him lying there and knowing Peesh saw it. They've been through so much. They didn't deserve that."
"No, they didn't," Hal agreed, putting a comforting hand on Kyle's shoulder. "But as they say, what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. They'll be okay. We all will now."
Xxx
The next few days found Saint Walker confined to the medical centre, under Soranik's strict watch. She had firmly ignored his assurances that he was fine and insisted he remain under observation until she was sure. Still, she had allowed an extra bed to be brought in for Peesh.
She was almost as worried about the girl as she was about Saint Walker. Peesh had been put through trauma after trauma and survived... But it was hard to tell what lasting effects would come from the experiences. Still, she had to admit that close proximity to the Blue light was probably one of the best places for her. That the wielder of that light was her father was simply an added bonus.
That morning, she'd found Peesh wrapped around her father's arm as she slept. Walker was awake and clearly uncomfortable - but the tense look on Peesh's face stopped him from even attempting to move.
"She's still having nightmares?" She asked, as she set a mug of tea within reach of Saint Walker's free hand.
"Yes." He looked at her worriedly. "They had lessened considerably, but since the attack, they are almost every night." He shifted his position to reach the tea and the grip on his arm tightened. "I suppose it is to be expected after all she has been through but... I could have spared her this."
Soranik shook her head. "How? I like to think we'd eventually have won the battle even without your assistance - but at what cost? Many more would have died if you hadn't acted. Maybe even her."
"I knew you are speaking the truth, but... It is difficult. I feel I have caused her so much pain. When all I ever wanted was to protect her. I feel I have failed her." He sipped the tea, though found he could barely taste it.
"Walker... I can see why you'd think that. But you haven't. The things that have happened... They weren't your fault. Trust me, as someone who got the raw end of the deal with fathers... You're doing great and she's a lucky girl."
Walker smiled. "Thank you, Doctor Natu. Perhaps in time I will come to believe that as well. I hope so."
"You will." Soranik replied. "I think she'll make sure of that. You can help each other heal in ways I can't even begin to." She refilled the teacup and turned to go. "Now, get some rest. I told the others you could have visitors today. Expect plenty of them!"
"That should lift her spirits at least. And if Arkillo and Kilowog try to kill each other, at least they are in the right place." He was smiling now, enjoying teasing Soranik, who shot him a dirty look and left.
Xxxxxxx
"Peesh..." He called quietly, trying to wake her gently. "Peesh, you need to wake now. Our friends are coming to see us." Carefully and almost reluctantly, he extracted his now numb arm from her grasp.
She whimpered in protest and opened her eyes when her hands were unable to grab onto the limb again.
"I'm am sorry to wake you..." He smiled softly as he rubbed his arm, trying to restore some feeling. "But company will be here soon." He offered her some of the cooling tea.
"Oh." She took the cup and scooted closer to him again, more attached now than she had been before. This time she'd almost seen him die and that deepened the scars she already carried. "Who?"
"Arkillo, Kyle, Hal... Perhaps Kilowog, if he can stand to be in the same room as Arkillo."
"Oh... That's good." She smiled slightly and reached out for the ever-present velvet rabbit that Hal had retrieved from her room. "I've missed them. It... Is nice of Doctor Natu to allow Arkillo." She had come to understand the tensions his presence caused in her time here and, though she struggled to understand his loyalty to someone like Sinestro, she was glad of the loyalty she'd shown her father.
"Yes... I admit, his continued presence surprises me, but I am not adverse to it. Though I am sure Kilowog is."
"They are too much alike, that is the problem," Peesh stated, causing Walker to choke on his tea.
"I must admit, I had not considered that," he replied, coughing as the tea went down the wrong way. "It's an... Interesting observation." And one that would never, if he had his way, be said to either of their faces. Though the temptation to mention it to Kyle was strong.
"You're laughing!" She pouted - and he smiled again, just to see that look, the one that chased the nightmare from her eyes.
"Perhaps a little," he chuckled. "Go on, get yourself washed and dressed, then I will." And again he smiled, just because she didn't freeze at the mention of getting water on her face. There were many nightmares still to be overcome, but that some were gone - that was a good start and he felt the familiar rush of hope coursing through his veins.
When she had left he got out of the bed, gripping the side table to help him stand. He was still weak from the events of the battle, still unsteady on his feet, but he was getting stronger each day. Moments like that, moments that made his heart sing with hope, they helped immeasurably with his healing.
It was complicated, the way things were now. Happiness and sadness mingled constantly. There would always be loss, always be scars on their hearts. And yet - there was so much joy. They had survived everything that had been thrown at them and found each other again. They had made unlikely friends and survived the worst battles. But then, that was the very nature of hope. Hope was the light in the dark, the assurance that if you keep going, keep fighting, the light will return. And it had. They had made it through the darkness and the future was bright. "Thank you," he murmured to any being that might be listening. This was a gift he would never forget.
She was washed and dressed when she came out of the bathroom, wearing one of the dresses that Hal had bought her. "Do you like it? The Earth-clothes are so pretty!" Feeling pretty was more than vanity for Peesh. For so long she'd been allowed nothing of her own, been denied all expressions of self. Feeling pretty, feeling good, helped her remember who and what she was now.
"You look lovely," Walker told her, though he thought it showed more on her face than in the dress. "I best wash and dress myself, or I will look shameful beside you!"
She laughed. "You are a hero, they wouldn't mind!"
"Nonetheless, I would rather be presentable," he answered, deciding now was not the time to refute the 'hero' status he disliked. In his mind, doing what needed to be done was simply the right thing, not heroic. He picked up clean clothes and made for the shower, though paused at the door as a need to say something struck him.
"Peesh?"
"Hmm?" Her reply was distracted as she helped herself to the tea.
"Thank you," he said quietly, not knowing how better to express it.
She put down the cup and looked at him in confusion. "What for?"
His ring glowed gently as he replied. "Living."
Xxxxxx