"The Phantom Ring was stolen!?" Jessica Cruz couldn't help but repeat what she just heard with a bit of disbelief. She couldn't quite understand how such a dangerous weapon could be taken while under direct supervision from the Guardians of the Universe.
"Jessica Cruz of Earth, we have reached an impasse while discussing what we should do about the theft. We have traced and located the Phantom Ring's signature, it's currently in a distant universe."
"Okay, okay." She regained her composure after getting a bit more information.
"However, we have discovered the fact that the universe it's currently in is on the brink of collapse, and will soon cease to exist. As you know, attempts to destroy the Phantom Ring have proved unsuccessful, we are currently of the opinion of allowing the universe to wipe it out when it collapses."
"Excuse me?" She didn't quite believe her ears.
"Additionally, we lack any current means to cross through to such a distant universe. The window we have to decide our course of action is small, and we require your input. I'm in favor of letting the window close, even if the universal collapse doesn't destroy the Ring, it would become inaccessible to all."
"What? Are you being serious? Are you honestly considering letting that weapon out there?" She could still vividly recall just barely being able to put up a minor fight against it while it was wielded by an amateur. If someone stole it, from the Guardians no less, they definitely would have some nefarious plans.
"Jessica Cruz, we have reached a stalemate in our decision, and you are the only one we can ask to settle it. We could do nothing or we could send you to retrieve the Ring, however the mission won't be easy."
"Why me? Just because I helped before? I wasn't alone and I barely did anything."
"You performed your duty admirably, but your conduct isn't the reason we have to ask this of you. Your Ring is special, it contains a portion of the Travel Lantern's essence, and is the only current method we have of reaching this distant universe. The retrieval mission can only be undertaken by you."
"Y-you can't be serious."
"It is not within your responsibility to protect that far off universe. And should you travel there, you'll be unable to recharge your Ring, and your abilities will be considerably weakened. Additionally, if you don't complete the mission and return within a short time frame, you'll be unable to return to this universe ever again."
Hesitation stilled her mind, her immediate response to hearing this news was to dismiss it as nonsense, but she couldn't do that. She couldn't run away again, she couldn't leave people to die, her body flared a bright green as her willpower surged. "I'll do it." Her words were the final say in the manner.
…
…
After her Ring was fully recharged, she flew out to the coordinates she was given. Having stopped a distance away, she saw a squirming sector of unstable space fabric, and inside of it was a seemingly infinite light-bridge stretching on to another universe.
She stilled her breathing and steeled her nerves, she had to do this, or else she wouldn't be able to look at herself in the mirror. She had also been informed of the risks and dangers of this mission, which didn't particularly inspire confidence in herself.
Jessica Cruz felt the power level of her Ring waver, but she shook her head and pushed away her fears.
She could do this.
After being informed that the Phantom Ring wasn't the only thing they had stolen, they had also managed to snag some of the other Rings from other Corps. So she was also given something to help her out, a Blue Ring. If it found a suitable host on the other side, they would be able to recharge and boost her power.
Memories of unpleasant experiences flashed through her mind, she recalled everything she had been through. She had experienced the depths of countless emotions, but in the end, it was her willpower that was her strongest.
Done gathering herself, she dove into the unstable space. Where there's a will, there's a way after all.
Jessica felt her body be squeezed and stretched, and her mind strained to stay conscious as she traversed a dimensional tunnel. But she didn't allow her conviction to waver, even as she felt her Ring use tremendous energy to keep to her together, she forced herself to remain focused.
She would do this, her will wouldn't allow failure.
Still, it couldn't hurt to hope for the best.
AN: I know nothing of the Green Lanterns. I only remember him as a guy from the old justice league cartoon, i have heard plenty about them, but nothing that stands out.
I only know about Jessica Cruz from the crossover.
I did some light reading as research, but I don't plan on getting everything 100% accurate, so just think of this as an AU where things are how I say they are. Unless I'm mistaken about a crucial detail, I don't particularly care about what I get wrong.