Welcome back to The Injustice Wars! Last time, Scarecrow found his way to Darkblood, and after trying to explain the purpose of the scepter he carries, agrees to discuss further over dinner. Meanwhile, Blaze and company have caught their scent. For now though, we're going back to Ysmault. So how're things going in space? Read on to discover...

(Our story resumes exactly where we left our space-faring team: Shade has just heard Atrocitus' terms. He can take the data he seeks, but at the cost of Green Lantern's life. Atrocitus has reminded Shade that Green Lantern was the one who left a nearly fatal scar on his side in the past, while he was Yellow Lantern, and Atrocitus is waiting on his response)

Atrocitus: Well then, what will it be, dragon? The data you seek, or this killer's life?

(Shade still looks conflicted, glaring at Green Lantern out of the side of his vision, remembering the scars he's inflicted upon him and the innocent people whose deaths he was involved in. There's clearly some resentment behind Shade's eyes. But at the same time, he's conflicted. He knows what he would do if given the chance, but he's trying to think about what Dragnarok would do, what Blaze would do. But in that moment, an unexpected thought pattern comes to the front: Tundra's. After a few moments of this, Shade lets loose a sigh and turns to address Atrocitus)

Shade: I've made my decision.

Atrocitus: Then make it known.

Shade: Let me just say, I harbor no love for Hal Jordan. There are plenty of people who will say he hasn't paid for his crimes as part of the Regime, and more of them don't wear red rings than do. To be honest, I'm one of them. Considering he's the reason I ended up having to get a part of my stomach removed, and that I walk with a slight limp on the left side, and that my intestines needed to get sewn back together more than once.

Green Lantern: (Kind of annoyed by all of this) Is there a point at the end of this, beyond that you really hate me?

Atrocitus: SILENCE, MURDERER!

Shade: (Uncomfortably) Thanks. Now, as I was saying. I harbor no love for Hal Jordan. But at the same time, people very close to me, people I've trusted my entire life, people I love are echoing in my mind. And all of them are saying one thing. We don't trade lives.

(This completely stuns Green Lantern. He firmly believed he was going to die today.)

Shade: Hal Jordan has a long road to redemption, that much is beyond doubt. But it seems only fair that if the Guardians and Batman have given him another chance, that we do too. So no, we will not be trading Hal Jordan for that data. But we are not leaving this world without it.

Atrocitus: (As his ring glows) So be it. You have chosen death, then. KILL THEM ALL!

Shade: Push through them, we know where we're going, they're just in the way!

Lobo: Got to say it kid, you're one crazy bastitch! (Revs up his space chopper) We're going to get along just fine!

(And with that, the battle begins: Shade charges straight for Atrocitus while the others focus on the remaining Red Lanterns. Atrocitus thinks he knows what he's in for, but quickly realizes how wrong he is. Shade strikes with a fury far beyond anything he's seen)

Shade: You know, before you presented me with your little ultimatum, I was having a pretty good day. Now you've just gone and pissed me off. And trust me, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

(Atrocitus endures a few more strikes from Shade, and then he sees it, a red light glowing behind Shade's eyes, something he's only seen once before, in his own reflection)

Atrocitus: Such rage in your heart! It is almost unmatched, even by me!

Shade: If that was your weird idea of a compliment, I honestly have no idea how to respond.

Atrocitus: Then allow me to simplify, dragon.

(With a clear motive behind his movements, Atrocitus flies back at Shade and grabs him by the throat, throws him into a nearby rock. As he lands, Shade sees the Central Power Battery, but doesn't get to focus on it for very long as Atrocitus flies back at him, grabbing him by the throat again)

Atrocitus: You have a place in my Corps!

(As he holds Shade down, Atrocitus lets loose a stream of blood into Shade's face. The burning acidic liquid forces Shade to relive his worst memories, literally every single time he's ever gotten angry at anyone for any reason. And in that moment, Atrocitus materializes a Red Lantern Ring in his hand)

Atrocitus: And I highly advise you take it!

(As Shade is forced to feel every ounce of rage he has ever felt all over again, Atrocitus, with his free hand, grabs Shade's arm and tries to force the Red Lantern Ring onto his finger, turning him into a Red Lantern. But Shade is able to resist, but it's unclear how long he can hold out. Meanwhile, behind them, Hal Jordan notices what Shade is going through, and now faces the same conflict Shade did earlier. Now he knows how Shade really feels about him, but, being the hero, he feels the compunction to save Shade. So will he? That is for another time, as our tale is ending for today)

And that looks like a good spot to end for today. So Shade made the right choice, and chose not to trade Green Lantern's life for the data they came for. But it looks like all the rage Shade feels about, well a lot of things that we have kind of discussed before and have yet to cover, has attracted Atrocitus' attention, and he's now trying to recruit him into the Red Lantern Corps. And Hal Jordan is confronted with a moral dilemma of his own. Now knowing Shade's feelings towards him in full, will he still save him? Tune in next time for the answer! Same time... same channel!