Author's Note: This is Chapter 2 (technically 5) of the Emerald Knight. I'm... starting off quite slow, but deliberate. Remember: the world of Green Lantern is enormous (and that's just the Green Lantern side of DC). I do however remember the little cameos that Fox put into the previous iteration of this series (particularly around the Titans), so that will factor in a little. For context: The Emerald Knight is an amalgam universe mixing elements from DC and MHA. So quirks and meta powers are seen as one and the same - with meta powers likely being more powerful (due to their rarity), but quirks being more... abundant. However, I have skipped most of that as Izuku is now becoming a Green Lantern (and will be well away from all that nonsense on Earth). Not to say he won't have issues as a Lantern, but... you'll just have to read on and see for yourselves.

Chapter 5: Meet the Guardians of the Universe kid

"Holy Mother of All Mi-!"

The aspiring hero could only marvel at the sight in front of him. An impossibly large and magnificent chamber, looking as if it presided over the whole universe. Stars and galaxies twinkled in the distance, with several giant pillars (which served as seats for the Oan's), encircling the area – around a central plateau (or was it a platform?). The architecture looked impossible to pull off; equally utilitarian, space-age and regal. Though he supposed, this was what the mighty Guardians were going for.

Izuku hadn't felt this nervous since well...ever! Was it actually okay for him to be here? Would the Guardians scold him? Take his one shot at being a hero away from him (i.e. the lantern ring resting on his finger)? Could he measure up? Would they accept him as the new Sector 2814 Guardian? Well, the nervous teen figured they should be okay with him, seeing as no one took up a fuss when he arrived.

Okay; that wasn't exactly true since, he did weird out a bunch of other Lanterns, with his constant muttering.

'Well here goes nothing.' Swallowing down the queasy tumbling in his stomach, (and with a gentle nudge from Mr. Kilowog), Izuku made his way towards the central platform. Each step he took echoed all around the chamber, and he could just feel the eyes of his (soon to be, hopefully), Instructors, observing him – a little quirkless boy from planet Earth.

"Come forth Izuku Midoriya of Earth."

He meekly nodded in response, feeling like this was going to be some form of reprimand, from these god-like beings. He hastened his steps till he was standing in the centre of the platform.

Izuku looked upwards, turning to each Guardian.

'Why do they look like they're glaring at me?'

One of the Guardians spoke directly to Izuku. His voice, felt reassuring for the youth. He turned to the pillar where this particular Guardian resided. Unlike his compatriots, this Guardian had a warmer expression on his face

"Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps Izuku Midoriya. We are the Guardians of the Universe. Overseers and protectors of this cosmos."

"Th-thank you for the privilege of wielding this ring!" He bowed low, hoping this conveyed his sincere admiration and respect. He...wasn't sure if they knew anything about Earth (or rather Japanese customs).

"You are quite welcome young one. Now..."

The Guardian raised his left hand. Suddenly, a holographic display appeared from thin air.

A little startled, Izuku flinched back. Then he calmed himself when he realised it was some sort of display - in full 3D!

"Apologies for startling you but, this presentation is standard for new recruits and those from species we do not have among the corps ranks."

Izuku nodded in understanding. So he really was the first human to join the Green Lanterns. He really wants to leave a good impression of humanity, on these powerful beings. He hopes he can.

The display morphed into a digitised version - with accompanying visual static and mesh like structures - of what looked to be... Oa?

"As you can see young one, this is the planet of Oa - the headquarters and centre of Guardian Space - or Sector 001."

"Sector 001?"

"Indeed. Sector 001 was the very first sector that we mapped out in all the universe."

In front of Izuku the display zoomed out from Oa, until it reached what looked to be a boundary. This boundary, then had a label of Sector 002 pop out to identify the area.

The display zoomed out rapidly, until several grid like sections could be seen, with a blinking indicator denoting their current Sector of the Universe.

The boy's eyes widened in awe of this.

"These are merely the closest sectors to Oa. The wider universe, we also mapped out."

The display then rapidly zoomed out to what looked to be some sort of 3D sphere, with a myriad of grids etched into its structure. Izuku wasn't entirely sure if this was a planet or galaxy or...

"I see you are confused. It is not a planet, or galaxy, or some other cosmological object.

That image right there, is the entire universe, perceived from the outside."

"W-WHAT!? THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!"

"BUT HOW?!"

Some of the other Guardians winced at the shrillness in Izuku's voice. Note to Guardians: Human surprise can hurt organic audible transceivers (i.e. our ears hurt from Midoriya's screeching).

The Guardian speaking to Izuku only smiled.

"Indeed. It took some time but, we managed to completely map the universe into more than 3600 space sectors. Each of which, we assigned at least one Green Lantern to."

Izuku nodded lamely. Clearly, the act of mapping the whole universe was routine to the Guardians.

(Mental Note for Izuku: The Guardians are super geniuses! I could learn loads from them.)

His mental note internalised, he decided to ask the Guardians a simple question(s):

"Hey...do you all have names? Or would you prefer I just call you the Guardians of the Universe – or some other pronoun?"

The Guardian who had been conversing the most with Izuku answered.

"Most of us prefer to just be known as the Guardians. However, depending on circumstances or our own preferences, we...may be more lenient. I for one am happy for you to call me by name."

Again, this particular Guardian gave a small smile to Izuku. Then, he floated down to Izuku and keeping to eye level, held out a hand.

The boy looked a little dumbstruck by the gesture! Was he supposed to take his hand and shake it? Is that what was supposed to happen here?

"Yes, you can take my hand in yours, as a gesture of good will and a welcome. Regardless, my name is...Ganthet. Again, welcome to the Green Lantern Corps."

Izuku's mood immediately lightened, as he gratefully took Ganthet's hand in welcome.

"Thank you so much Mr. Ganthet – er – sir!" Izuku then traced his eyes across the various pillar-thrones that encircled him.

"And thank you all as well Guardians. I won't disappoint you in my duties as a Lantern!" Again he bowed low to his new Instructors (and bosses). They all looked rather indifferent, besides some having quirked their eyebrows in...amusement, surprise? He wasn't sure. He wasn't even sure if he made a good enough impression with them. Perhaps with Ganthet he did, but the rest? Maybe not so much.

"And we expect great things from you, young man. You will have ample opportunity to train and develop your skills and knowledge. Your peers will help in this growth." Ganthet nodded his sage advice, as he floated back to his pedestal throne.

With these final words Izuku made his way off the platform, and back out to the main hub of the building – where Mr. Kilowog and Mr. Sinestro were waiting.

Some time later...

"You were rather chatty with that new recruit, Ganthet."

"Well, sometimes a little bit of compassion – even if small – can go a long way in generating pride for the Corps – from even the most nervous of recruits."

"I mean, you were particularly emotional today Ganthet."

"Well, we may have purged ourselves of emotion, for the sake of logic, but even you must realise, that emulating these feelings can bring about positive results in our recruits."

"I don't see wh..."

"Really? Logic dictates that the simplest way to boost morale – and overall efficiency – of the Corps, is to act less like automatons and more like living beings"

"How doe...?"

"Have you not been monitoring the Lanterns and the hushed whispers that reverberate across the communication lines?"

"A little, but wh...?"

"While not overt, there are certainly ill feelings towards us. For some of the species under our care, they think we act like some of the dictators from their worlds. Or perhaps, their bureaucrats – far too removed from the Lanterns to understand their needs."

Ganthet's colleague mulled over the implications of what he had said.

"Is this...like what happened with the Manhunters?"

"No...but, we made the Lanterns specifically because of what occurred with those mechanised...terrors."

"I see, there is wisdom in your words. That some emotion might be vital in bringing order to their...chaos."

This was a common notion among the Guardians. That even with the heroic deeds of the Lanterns, they were too...wilful (pardon the pun). Too difficult to properly control, for the stoic Guardians.

Ganthet's face quirked ever so slightly. A very small smile, if one was perceptive enough.

"I would not say it in that way but...yes. When we give even the semblance of empathy, the Lanterns perform markedly better; compared to if we remain "cold and unfeeling" as they say. This is a statistical fact."

Ganthet then flew off to his own personal duties. Leaving his colleague and old time friend to muse over this discussion.

End of Chapter Notes: Comment and/or review! I appreciate it (and I'm sure Fox would too.)