GREEN LANTERN NEW GENESIS: RECHARGED
Chapter 3: On new grounds
"And that's pretty much it, after the poozer vanished we brought the princess here."-Kilowog explained as he alongside Salaak, Shinji, Arisia, Soranik and Koriand'r stood in front of the Guardian council as the veteran trainer gave out the full report of their mission. The Guardians seemed to give them a silent treatment before finally giving out their opinion.
"The returning of Princess Koriand'r is problematic."-One spoke up as then Koriand'r raised her eyebrow before stepping out in front of Shinji and his fellow trainees.
"Problematic?"-She asked as all of the Guardians eyed the young Tamaranian.
"Salaak, display the Guardian space."-Ganthet asked as the four-armed alien acknowledged his order and displayed the map of the known universe in form of a globe made out of blocks. With one of the blocks being in different shade of green.
"For ages the Vega system that Tamaran is a part off was locked off from the Green Lantern Corps and from our influence, consequence of an ancient pact we made millennia ago."-Appa Ali Apsa exclaimed as Kilowog rubbed his large chin.
"A pact? A pact with what?"-Kilowog asked as Appa eyed him.
"With something that is none of your concern Kilowog of Bolowax Vik."-he replied as Shinji walked in front of Koriand'r.
"So…how we will get Koriand'r home?"-Shinji asked as the all the Guardians seemed to now look at him with Arisia and Soranik sharing a confused look.
"It appears we will have to make a little…exception."-Ganthet with a small chicly undertone to his words before looking at a fellow Guardian, a female with her hair tied in a bun.
"We will send Princess Koriand'r back to Tamaran with a single Lantern to serve as an escort."-She said as Koriand'r then suddenly pointed at Shinji.
"Then I chose him."-The Tamaranian said as Kilowog stepped in front of Shinji.
"Hold on there Princess, kid is still a blankcircle, a recruit, I can't let him alone on a mission alone to enemy's territory."-Kilowog said as Koriand'r raised her eyebrow.
"Maybe by your standards, but I can see it that your "recruit" has the eyes of someone that had seen combat and the horrors of war."-Koriand'r said putting her hands on Shinji's shoulder's and staring deeply into his blue eyes, with Shinji looking at her emerald eyes seemingly lost into them. Soranik meanwhile internally chuckled as she looked at Arisia, who seemed to keep fuming anger deep within herself. For someone who was after the Korugarian adolescence period with her mind being somewhere around 19 earth years old she couldn't help but look at her Graxonite "childhood friend" with amusement.
"With all respect Princess Koriand'r, leave the decision making to the Guardians."-Appa Ali Apsa said as Koriand'r once again turned towards the council.
"I go with Shinji or I'll make my way to Tamaran on my own."-She said as the ends of her hair begun to cover itself with fire showing her frustration. Ganthet then turned at the princess before nodding in agreement.
"Very well, if you wish for Recruit Ikari to accompany you then the Guardians give their agreement, and judging by what Sergeant Kilowog said in his report I believe that his training can be concluded."-Ganthet said as Kilowog sighed before turning towards Shinji.
"Right Guardian Ganthet, Shinji Ikari…In the name of the Guardians of Universe and all the unnecessary words that will unnecessary prolong it, welcome to the Green Lantern Corps."-Kilowog said emitting a beam at Shinji's chest filling out the blank black circle in his uniform with a Lantern emblem. Kilowog then turned towards Shinji's fellow trainees.
"Same goes to both of you, congrats poozers."-Kilowog added launching two similar beams at Arisia and Soranik's uniforms and filling out their white circles with Lantern emblems as well.
"However, in order to make sure that Lantern 2814.4 fills his mission accordingly I believe we should assign a senior lantern to watch over his assignment."-Appa Ali Apsa said as the female Guardian looked at Ganthet, who only nodded.
"I would suggest Hal Jordan of Earth, since the mission already requires bending the rules."-The fame guardian said as Ganthet nodded with a smile.
"Great idea Sayd, Salaak! Contact Hal Jordan, Lanterns Rrab and Sinestro can leave the citadel now."-Ganthet said as Soranik nodded and flew out of the citadel, with Arisia following her giving a small wave to Shinji.
"Bye."-She silently whispered before following Soranik out of the large building leaving Shinji, Kilowog and Koriand'r alone with the Guardians.
"I'm telling you Tom, something is up about that bird, she feels kinda stiff after crossing Mach 5."-A man with brown hair said while he was looking at the reflection of his mirror. Him spraying perfume on his body as he had a date to prepare for.
"Hal, it's not a plane that is the problem, it's you. Miss Ferris herself said not to push her this far."-A voice from the other side of the phone said as Hal Jordan chuckled.
"Carol can say whatever she wants, when I'm in the air It's up to me to keep the girl in check, like tonight."-Hal said as his own Green Lantern ring begun to glow. Causing Hal's mood to turn grimmer.
"Not now! Not now! Gotta go Tom."-Hal said closing the call on his phone.
"What is it Salaak?"-Hal asked as a small holographic image of Salaak appeared on his ring.
"Lantern Jordan, your presence is required on Oa, priority alpha."-Salaak quickly said before vanishing, Hal only sighed as he runned from his bathroom wearing only a towel to his bedroom, throwing on a plain white T-Shirt and grey shorts. Without even putting shoes on Hal summoned his Power Battery.
"In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight, let those who warship evil's might…BEWARE MY POWER! GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!"-Hal exclaimed as his body was covered by his uniform and his eyes were covered by a green domino mask. He then took a close look of himself in the nearby mirror. Thanks to being in the Air Force he was of a muscular build and a fairly tall, traits that were passed to him from his father, who was a test pilot as well before getting killed in an accident. Hal then opened his balcony door before flying off, quickly leaving his home town of Coast City California and making his way through the Earth's atmosphere. 'Couldn't they call John or Guy for this?'-he thought as he continued his journey to Oa.
"Greetings Lantern Arisia Rrab, Welcome to the Hall of Lanterns. Here are the holos you requested of the most recent Lanterns from Graxos IV, Sector 2815, in rare occurrence all the lanterns are from the same lineage."-An AI voice said as Arisia looked at the four images of her family, her Grandfather Santara, her Mother Marata, her Father Fentara and her Uncle Blish. Arisia took a deep breath as her hand instinctively travelled towards her lantern symbol.
"Hey everyone…It's been a while. I am a Lantern now! I guess all this training you've put me through paid off Da."-Arisia said looking at the holo-image of her father.
"We did all the things you said we would do. And no Grandpa, lantern Kilowog isn't softer then Lantern Deagan, not at all. Our first mission was also went without problems. Except for that part where I almost died, but Shinji saved me, and later dealt with our enemy by absolutely incapacitating him."
"And later you got married and there was a happily ever after."-Arisia's monologue was suddenly cut by Soranik who floated behind her, Arisia jumped before turning towards her friend.
"C-Come on Soranik, you know it's not like that."-Arisia said as her mouth was covered by a shade of red. The Korugarian only raised her eyebrow before setting her feet on the floor.
"Oh really? I've seen the way you looked at the Tamaranian when we were en-route to Oa. And if I was Ikari I would probably look at this princess as well, big competition to fight."-Soranik teased as Arisia's orange skin was slowly turning red.
"Come on Sora! Shinji is a good friend and an amazing Lantern, but he is currently nowhere near Hal Jordan."-Arisia said closing her eyes and clasping her hands as to sell the illusion she was creating, but Soranik wasn't just a lantern, she was also the daughter of Sinestro. So she let out a slight chuckle.
"Arisia… Jordan is an adult human male, to him you are nothing more but a child and a junior to mentor."-Soranik said as Arisia showed her a puffed up facial expression while crossing her arms.
"By Earth's solar cycle I am 28 years old, I've also used my time while we were rebuilding Oa to learn Hal Jordan's "English" language to better communicate with him."-Arisia said while Soranik sighed hearing the naiveté of her best…and only friend since her father only allowed them to be friends because Fentara was a friend of Abin Sur, Soranik's uncle, former Lantern of Sector 2814 and Hal Jordan's predecessor, but also her father's mentor. That and the fact that the three men were meeting frequently allowing the two girls to spend time together. Soranik summoned a construct arrow before pointing at Arisia.
"And look at yourself, if Earthlings growth process is similar to Korugarians or Graxonites then to him you are nothing more than a teenager both in body and in mind."-Soranik explained as Arisia over looked her body.
"I believe I have curves worthy enough of a grown woman Hal Jordan would love."-Arisia said as Soranik rubbed her forehead in irritation.
"And how, how do you plan on becoming this grown mature woman Arisia Rrab?"-Soranik asked as Arisia herself felt she was running out of arguments.
"I-I can use my ring to make myself…look older?"-Arisia said in an uncertain manner as Soranik nodded.
"See? Even you think it sounds ridiculous, so…will you give up and finally admit the truth to your best friend? We spent 3 weeks of nonstop training, and you would always shoot him a small glance either when he was training with Kilowog or when you watched him during our combat lessons. The fact you always seem to blush and the look you gave that Tamaranian when she was smiling towards him, I may not be a therapist but I still have working eyes."-Soranik said as Arisia looked down to the floor.
"Fine…I do feel kinda, warm inside when I think about him? Or when he smiles for once, and his compassion towards life, or his courage."-Arisia said as Soranik nodded before seeing that her ring begun to glow.
"I gotta go back to Korugar, my father wants me to report. I'll leave you to think about it on your own."-Soranik said as she lifted up from the floor of the Hall of the Lanterns and left the Graxonite alone in her thoughts. 'Do I like him? I like Hal? Or have I liked him? I myself thought it was weird and tried to fight while he himself said he viewed me as something of a younger sibling. I thought of myself being able to perhaps be a woman that Hal Jordan could love, but could I be a girl Shinji Ikari could like? And would he like me back?'-she thought as she now sat there alone…with only the holos of her bloodline paying her company.
Hal finally entered Oan atmosphere before finding himself in front of the door to the Guardian Citadel as he walked towards probably another barade he gave small salute to Salaak.
"Hello Lantern Jordan."-Salaak said as Hal turned towards the four-handed alien.
"Hey Salaak, what stunt I pulled off this time that the Guardians want to see me?"-Hal asked as Salaak kept working on his terminal.
"It is not about you lantern Jordan, but I will leave the explaining to the Guardians."-Salaak said as he opened the door allowing Hal to pass. And it was the first time that Shinji saw Hal Jordan…the first Green Lantern of Earth, in Shinji's opinion he looked exactly what an archetype of hero was, well built? Check, chiselled face? Check. A one part uniform? Check. The only thing he was missing was a cape, although Shinji himself viewed having a cape as a kinda odd stylistic choice.
"Ganthet! What's up?"-Hal asked standing in the centre of the room.
"Lantern 2814.1, your newest assignment is overviewing Lantern 2814.4's trip to Tamaran."-Appa Ali Apsa explained as Hal then looked at Shinji.
"And 2814.4 would be you?"-Hal asked as he then was struck by a realisation, it was only a kid, a human kid of frail build and with eyes of a kicked puppy, and now the fourth Green Lantern of Earth. 'Holy...shit.'-Hal thought as Shinji slightly bowed his head.
"I'm Shinji Ikari, it is good to finally meet you sir."-Shinji said as Hal realising that it was a Japanese boy also tried to respectively bow as to appeal to his customs.
"Yeah it's good to meet you too, how old are you?"-Hal asked as Shinji looked up to him.
"I am 14 years old."-Shinji replied as Hal looked at Kilowog with a risen eyebrow, with the Bolivaxian only shrugging.
"I don't mean to offend you kid, but how did you ended up with a ring? You should be in school somewhere on Earth chasing after girls and not in an intergalactic police force."-Hal said as Shinji slightly looked down…was this Hal Jordan that Arisia always talked in high regard? And he was also his sector partner, with it being very obvious Shinji's age was an uncomfortable topic.
"Be it the fact, but Lantern Ikari proved himself to be a good recruit and passed sergeant Kilowog's training and his first mission with relative ease, if you are unwilling to take part we can assign it to another lantern."-Sayd said as Hal looked at Shinji.
"No I accept."-Hal said before looking at Kilowog with a look that meant more than words, he definitely wasn't going to let him slide. So the old trainer sighed agreeing on Hal's silent offer.
"I'll go with them, the kid is still technically my recruit."-Kilowog said putting his heavy hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"Very well, now get to it."-Appa Ali Apsa said as the dome of the citadel opened allowing the three lanterns and the Tamaranian princess to leave Oa, as from the surface Arisia watched them leave the planet. Tamaran was far away from Oa, so once again the Lanterns resulted to using interspace, shortening the several hour flight into just a single Earth hour, during their flight Hal only kept looking at Shinji interested how someone like him could end up with a ring. Teenage heroes weren't nothing new, his best friends on Earth, fellow superheroes also had sidekicks, but here the situation was different, it wasn't because a young kid became a ward of a millionaire or a kid recreated a lab accident using a chemistry set to gain his idol's powers, here it was a fully sanctioned intergalactic police force and not a person putting a costume to make a difference, like a certain man from Gotham.
"The ring says we should be on the edge of Vega space in five minutes."-Kilowog said turning towards the two fellow lanterns holding the construct sphere in place with the Tamaranian princess flying inside it.
"The edge?"-Shinji asked as Kilowog nodded.
"Remember that Vega is off our turf, and you volunteered. Technically picked but volunteered. Me and Jordan will stay at the border while you sneak the Princess in."-Kilowog said as Hal interfered.
"I do think it's a bad idea, I should be the one to escort her back."-Hal said as then Koriand'r turned towards the veteran lantern.
"Her is flying next to you and can hear you very clear Lantern Hal Jordan."-She said as Hal sighed before nodding his head.
"My apologies Princess, I didn't mean to offend you."-Hal replied before pointing towards Shinji.
"And you should apologise to Shinji as well, you haven't seen him in combat and you keep judging him because of his age."-Koriand'r said as Shinji took all the courage he had and put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's ok, I'm used to it."-Shinji said as the princess turned back towards Shinji before grabbing his hand in a strong yet gentle grip.
"No it is not ok, you have proven yourself as a warrior both to me and the Guardians of Oa, and so you should be seen as warrior and recognised for it."-Koriand'r said, but before Shinji could reply the sphere that he, Hal and Kilowog were holding together with their rings left interspace.
"We're here."-Kilowog said as Koriand'r took a look around the surroundings.
"Yes, I recognise those stars, let's go Shinji Ikari."-Koriand'r said pulling Shinji's arm.
"And remember, you can only escort her to Tamaran's orbit. After that she is on her own."-Kilowog said as Shinji gave a small salute acknowledging the trainer's words before two streaks of light, one orange and one green vanished in the void of the universe. And it was the exact moment when Hal turned towards Kilowog.
"All right Kilowog, what's the deal about the kid? 14? He looks barely 12. Arisia next to him looks like a college student. And why wasn't I or John informed about it?"-Hal asked as Kilowog shrugged it off.
"Don't expect any answers from me Jordan, I just trained him, but the princess is right, kid can handle himself in a fight and took everything I threw on him during the bootcamp much better than many other rookies, that and he handled his first real mission while having subordinates to look after and completed it without my help. All I can say is that the kid and had been though some serious combat and has his fair share of experience."-Kilowog explained as Hal rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"A child soldier…great. Did he mentioned anything about his family?"-Hal asked as Kilowog sighed.
"I don't…know how to explain it to you Jordan. From what I understood when the Guardians were interviewing him, he's not from here, his ring works differently than ours as well. And from what he said to the guardians he doesn't have anywhere to come back to, I've only heard that they lost their war, whatever that means."-Kilowog said as Hal was now more confused than ever.
"You're kidding, the kid looks like he couldn't hurt a fly, much less kill someone."-Hal said as Kilowog crossed his arms.
"Maybe, but after all those years of sending out poozers to their sectors I believe that I can recognise a look of a vet who's been through hell and back, the kid's been though it and its obvious when you look him in the eyes, all before a ring slipped on his finger, the fact that the constructs he mostly creates with relative ease are guns, knives, missiles and giant claws also says something about it."-Kilowog said as Hal sighed.
"Great…"-He said turning away to look at the void.
"Then maybe you should keep an eye out for him?"-Kilowog asked as Hal once again turned to his former trainer, once again with his eyebrow raised.
"Excuse me?"-He asked as Kilowog unfolded his arms.
"You're human, he's human…and the fact I think you are best suited for it, Stewart's too stiff and Gardner…is Gardner. Also from what you told me you Earth Heroes like to take kid sidekicks so he would blend in perfectly with the others without too many unnecessary questions."-Kilowog said as Hal quickly turned his head around.
"No no no no, not in 100 years."-Hal said as Kilowog then gave him a look as if he was only a trainee.
"And why not?"-Kilowog asked as Hal flew closer.
"I don't need a sidekick."-Hal sternly said as Kilowog sighed.
"Maybe you don't need him as your sidekick. But the kid needs you as a mentor, a human mentor and a partner. You know, someone who can teach him how to be …normal? Just think about it."-Kilowog said as they spent the rest of their time in relative silence. Shinji meanwhile was escorting Koriand'r, they told themselves about their worlds, with Shinji slightly opening up about the Angel War and the threats he had to face before allowing the Third Impact to destroy everything he cared about, he found it surprising of how many painful experiences and horrors he suffered he could relate to Koriand'r's story about her being the slave of the Gordanians before being sold off to the Reach for experiments, she reminded him of Asuka, with the same warrior spirit and bravery although Koriand'r was far more kind and had less problems with herself compared to the Second Child.
"You had to be a strong warrior to face such horrors and prevail."-Koriand'r said impressed as Shinji sighed.
"No I'm not, for most of my life I was a spineless wimp, or an idiot in other people's eyes. If I was as strong as you make seem I wouldn't made the mistakes I did."-Shinji said as Koriand'r turned back to him, her emerald eyes seeming full of compassion.
"No one is perfect, if it was anyone put into your position without any real support, I don't know what I myself would do in such circumstances so what other human youths could do?"-Koriand'r asked Shinji then turned back towards her, his mask vanishing.
"You are the strong one, enduring the betrayal by your sister, the slavery and experiments."-Shinji said as they reached their destination, the planet of Tamaran, visibly larger then Oa and probably Earth.
"For which she will pay, dearly."-Koriand'r said as both of them looked at the planet under them, visibly stained and in chaos.
"It looks so…barren."-Shinji said as his memories shifted towards the images of Earth taken after the Second Impact. Koriand'r then looked at him with a smile.
"The war with the citadel has damaged it, but it's still the home. And this is where we must part ways Shinji Ikari."-Koriand'r said before flying up close to the young Lantern.
"I wish I could come down there with you, but Vega is off limits and so is Tamaran."-Shinji said sadly as Koriand'r put an assuring hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"It is the business of Tamaran and it will be solved by Tamaran, rest assured and your assistance has proved meaningful to bringing peace to our planet, and I'll await the day we will fight by each other's side again."-She said as Shinji looked up to her face.
"You think we will see each other again?"-Shinji asked as the princess once again smiled.
"If X'hal wills."-She said before surprisingly planting a deep kiss on Shinji's lips, and after they separated it took a bit for Shinji to catch his breath, as he finally regained some control over himself he saw an orange streak entering Tamaran's atmosphere, the beautiful alien princess disappearing in fire as deep as her hair. 'Maybe it's how they say thank you in their culture?'-Shinji thought as he made his way back to Kilowog and Hal, him using his construct S-type and booster equipment to quicker leave the Vega space.
"So how did it go?"-Hal asked as Shinji joined them in creating the construct sphere before entering interspace.
"Well enough, but I'm still worried."-Shinji sighing as Hal gave Shinji an understanding smile.
"That's what friends are for."-Hal said as Kilowog turned nodding.
"Sometimes we have to let people fight their own battles."-Kilowog said as he turned back with the rest of the flight being in relative silence.
Hal stood in front of the door to Shinji's room in the barracks, and he stood there for the last 10 minutes. It took a lot of thinking, internal fighting, listing out the pros and cons, and so he made his decision, the tricky part was talking to the kid himself, and probably apologising. Hal swallowed air and knocked on Shinji's door, and after few seconds he saw him, dressed up in his school uniform.
"Lantern Jordan?"-Shinji asked confused as Hal smirked at him.
"Enough with the honorifics Shinji, it's just Hal, and I wanted to take you to lunch, talk about few things."-Hal said as Shinji raised his eyebrow confused.
"You want me to what?"-Shinji asked shocked by his proposition allowing his construct chopsticks to vanish. Hal only sternly nodded before taking a sip of drink.
"Yes, I want you to come to Earth, ring or not, you need to be in school, with kids your own age, with friends your age."-Hal added as Shinji looked down on his ring before raising it at Hal's face.
"You don't think I'm worthy of my ring solely because of how young I am."-Shinji said in a stern voice as Hal sighed.
"I didn't say that."-Hal said as Shinji slowly put his fist on the table they were sitting at.
"But you were thinking about it."-Shinji said as Hal wanted to object before stopping himself and put his hands up.
"Point taken, but in one thing I'm certain, ring or not you are still a 14 year old kid and you need a life resembling what other 14-year olds have, hell look at me! I need some semblance of a normal life myself."-Hal said as Shinji rubbed his chin lost in thoughts, thinking about the Veteran Lantern's proposition, every adult Shinji had knew across his life had either abandoned or betrayed him, with most of the time being both or just didn't care about him and his feelings. The fact that this man was a Green Lantern, one of the best in many of his colleague's minds, but he was an adult, although with character Hal kinda reminded him of Kaji, if Kaji was an American and lacked a ponytail, it took well over a minute for Shinji to make his decision as well, before finally thrusting out his hand.
"One year, I'll give you one year on Earth, and if I won't like it I will return to Oa and live here permanently."-Shinji said as Hal took his hand in a firm grip before shaking it.
"Deal, I'll come back to pick you up in few hours, go pack up your things in the meantime."-Hal said before flying away from the commissary.
Shinji cleaned up his small room, it served as his "home" for almost a month, and although kinda small it was better than just be LCL in Unit 01's entry plug for eternity. He then noticed what he left on his bedside table. 'What am I supposed to do with these?'-Shinji asked himself as he took the pair of his old hair clip interface headset he used back in the day as an Eva pilot. 'At least it's a small memoir, a grim reminder of my failures, but not anymore.'-he thought burying his thoughts deep as he put the hair clips deep into his pockets, although he hated that moment of his life with burning passion, he viewed this singular thing he had left from his world that weren't his clothes as a souvenir of sorts, a some sort of connection to the people he left behind. Shinji then took his power battery into his arm before staring in its green light. 'I'm sorry for abandoning all of you, but now I'll never run away again.'-Shinji thought as he put his lantern into his pocket dimension before summoning his uniform over his clothes, as he opened the door with the intention of heading to the rendezvous point with Hal as he saw Arisia standing in front of him.
"Oh, hey."-Shinji said as he walked out of his room and stood in front of Arisia.
"I've heard your conversation with Hal Jordan…I-It didn't meant I've eavesdropped! I was eating my lunch few tables away and I just happened to hear it. You are going to live on Earth?"-Arisia said as Shinji nodded.
"Yep, and what about you? Are you going back to Graxos?"-Shinji asked as Arisia nodded.
"Uhm, I'm going back to get some things talked out with my Aunt and make amends for continuing my education remotely."-Arisia said as Shinji nodded.
"Remotely? You're moving here?"-He asked as the blonde nodded to his words.
"Yes, my family had an apartment on Old Oa before we well…threw it at Krona. After we rebuilt it I received a bigger apartment and I decided to move there as well, it's better to monitor the entire sector from here then the middle of it. But that's not important, you will be living with Hal Jordan right?"-Arisia asked as Shinji nodded.
"He said that ring or no ring I still need some semblance of a normal life, if I knew what a normal life was."-Shinji said as Arisia nodded listening to his words.
"It is nice of him that he made this offer, also you don't know how lucky you are, Hal Jordan is one of the best, he was mentored by Soranik's father after he finished basic training. Also he mentored me…for a bit."-Arisia said uniting her hands looking down on the floor.
"I do hope he lives up to the expectations you were building up, I gotta go now."-Shinji said as he flew upwards, as he wanted to leave he suddenly felt a hand on his leg.
"Wait! There is something I wanted to tell you."-Arisia said as Shinji's feet touched the floor.
"Good luck…"-Arisia spurted out as Shinji nodded with a smile.
"Thanks."-Shinji blurted out blushing before leaving the barracks. 'You coward! That wasn't what you wanted to say!'-Arisia's inner critic said as she sighed. Meanwhile Hal and Shinji begun their long trip to Earth, hours were passing in relative silence, Hal of course tried to make some small talk about things Shinji didn't know or didn't care about, of course he wouldn't relay anything about his past to any adult, the guardians knew but they had to knew if he wanted to have his ring. It was finally Shinji who decided to make an effort in conversation just as they flew over Earth's moon.
"Are you sure its ok for me to live with you?"-Shinji asked as Hal nodded with a smirk.
"Of course, if what I heard you really don't have anywhere else to go, and I don't mind company as long as you aren't a complete snob, although I don't know if there is a possibility for someone to be more messy and forgetful then me."-He joked as Shinji gulped at the thought of a view similar to Misato's apartment.
"Well here we are."-Hal said as Shinji stopped in his tracks and found himself mesmerising at the planet in front of him, a pure blue jewel floating in space, with no red oceans or scars in sight. Never touched by horrors and tragedies of the Second Impact and the Third Impact. And seeing that planet was the final nail in the coffin in realisation that he was in another universe, no Evas, no Tokyo 3, no NERV or SELLE, no anything he knew, facing a new clean Earth, the planet that was supposed to be his new home and one he entered with a clean slate.
"Hey kid, you ok?"-Hal asked as Shinji looked at his ring and saw his ring glow, ever since it landed on his finger Shinji promised himself that he wouldn't run away anymore, he runned from Misato, Asuka, Touji, Kensuke and his entire world filled with people that put their hopes and dreams on his shoulders, and he failed them all by allowing their world to die, but with this ring, he had another chance to protect Earth, redeem himself, be the hero his world wanted and needed him to be but he wasn't.
"Yeah, I'm fine."-Shinji said as Hal nodded.
"Well then, let's go."-Hal said flying down towards Earth, as Shinji followed him something unusual brought his interest, and after the Angel War and his training in the Corps it was hard to make him surprised, a floating building, similar to the Green Lantern Sector Houses that are set between sectors for lanterns to rest and interact.
"What's that?"-Shinji asked pointing at the building, Hal only turned his head.
"That's off limits for the time being Shinji."-Hal said as Shinji raised his eyebrow.
"Why?"-Shinji asked as Hal continued his explanation.
"Well, me and you are full-fledged Lanterns and designated patrolmen of our sector. But on Earth it works kinda different, other then me, you and other Lanterns there other Superheroes on Earth, you know…like Ultraman. A lot of them in fact, many of us are a part of team known as the Justice League, and this is our headquarters, the Watchtower, and if you think it looks like a GL orbiting station, that's because it was, I had to request the Guardians to lend a retired base that we can use."-Hal explained as Shinji was interested in the world he was showing him.
"There are other heroes? And you are a member of a league of heroes?"-Shinji ask as Hal nodded with a smirk.
"Yep, and not that I brag, but I was among the seven founding members of the league after our first team up."-Hal said as Shinji nodded impressed by what Hal said.
"But why would you make your base off-limits, and in space?"-Shinji asked as they finally entered Earth's atmosphere as the black of the void turned into the light blue of the sky.
"After an…incident that happened few years ago, and the fact you aren't a member, all heroes your age don't even know about the watchtower, you can consider yourself lucky."-Hal explained as Shinji raised his eyebrow.
"Heroes my age? How many?"-Shinji asked as Hal nodded.
"Yep, your age,and quite a lot of them we have these days, although they are sidekicks, you'll probably meet them soon enough. In fact we are planning a gathering of them all in few weeks in our public cover HQ, you in? The world will meet you soon enough anyways."-Hal said as both of them found themselves flying over the sea.
"Uhm, sure…if they don't mind."-Shinji said as Hal smiled.
"I'm sure they won't, and we are at our destination, welcome to Coast City California, home of now two Green Lanterns and the angels."-Hal said as Shinji frantically turned towards him with his ring risen, as if the word "angel" triggered something in his mind.
"The angels…baseball team?"-Hal said as Shinji sighed in relief, he then looked down to see people on the beach, all waving towards them as he followed Hal, and even though it was Earth Shinji couldn't feel more alien than ever, it was his first time in a country other than Japan, and Coast City compared to Tokyo 3 felt far less grand, although it was still an impressive city, with bridges connecting the districts and the large business district and city centre filled with skyscrapers, Shinji then saw Hal landing on a balcony of what was presumably his apartment. His uniform disappearing as Shinji followed him, his uniform vanishing to reveal his old school uniform.
"Okey, but before we'll get you settled down we need to get you a new wardrobe that doesn't scream "1990s schoolboy." Do you have any other stuff?"-Hal asked as Shinji only took out his battery from its pocket dimension, Hal only nodded.
"Uh huh, step two then, get you stuff, but first put down your battery in your room."-Hal said as he lead Shinji towards his apartment's guest room, it was larger than his room on Oa, with a decent sized bed, a fairly large window that was lighting up the entire room, on the left side a desk with a chair and on the right side a wardrobe that perfectly held the battery, as Shinji put it down Hal then pointed towards out the room.
"Come on, now let's get you clothes and stuff. Regarding that last one, any special needs?"-Hal asked as Shinji then turned towards him with crossed hands.
"Yes…can I ask for a Walkman? A one that plays DAT tapes would be sufficient."-Shinji said as they walked out of the apartment, Hal for few seconds had a shocked expression before suddenly exploding into laughter.
"A Walkman? Kid its 2010! Nobody uses those things anymore! Hell I don't know how many of your peers know what a Walkman is, if you like music then I'll get you an IPod, hell a new one just came out so you're in luck."-Hal said leading Shinji into his car, a red roadster. Shinji was confused by Hal's reaction. After the Second Impact DAT tapes were common, and what's an IPod?
"Hop in."-Hal said jumping over the door to the driver's seat with Shinji opening the door to the passenger's side just as Hal started the engine, and just as Shinji closed the door Hal jolted the car into the streets of Coast City.
"Where are we going?"-Shinji asked as Hal took another turn without turning indicators on, causing a philharmonic sound of car horns behind them.
"The Coast City mall, we'll get you clothes, an IPod and something for lunch."-Hal said as Shinji nodded.
"Oh, I've never been to a mall before."-Shinji said as Hal looked at him and not on the road, for a brief second before narrowly dodging a Semi truck.
"Would you mind not driving like a complete lunatic? I understand America has different laws but even so."-Shinji said as Hal then took another turn.
"Sorry, it's just I'm surprised what I just heard and I'm really trying not flip the car over since it's on lease, You really never been to a Mall before?"-Hal asked as Shinji unfolded his arms.
"I never had any occasion, there were smaller clothes stores near where I lived and when I wanted to do something else for entertainment I went to an arcade."-Shinji said as Hal put aside all the questions he wanted to ask about from what year he was.
"And what about your friends?"-He asked as Shinji then turned to look at the sidewalks of Coast City.
"I never really had any, sometimes I would hand out with my classmates but it was quite rare, and I don't mind being alone."-Shinji said as they reached their destination.
"Well you are not alone now and I'm here to make sure of it, now come on."-Hal said getting out of the car, with Shinji following, since Tokyo 3 was a city designed as battle fortress against the angels it couldn't really allow itself for buildings like the Coast City Mall, enormous building built with red, white and grey bricks. Everything had to be utilitarian in its design and construction, all buildings looked exactly the same, Coast City was vastly different, every building seemed to look different, all connected by streets that weren't as straight-forward as Tokyo 3's, with crisscrossed cuts that gave Shinji a headache. Hal dragged him though the crowd that even though more seemingly "normal" compared to the Green Lanterns he saw on Oa, Shinji still felt awkward in large crowds, especially when people gave him awkward looks, Hal dragged him into a clothing store, handing out various articles of clothing, the Veteran Lantern being surprised on how many of the clothes were too big for him.
"Geez, supermodels would ask you for tips for how to be as thin as you. Hand over that size two shirt, I think I got a size one that will fit you just right."-Hal said handing him a white size one T-shirt. After half an hour or so of picking up clothes Shinji now had, according to Hal a fashionable wardrobe. After paying for the clothes Hal then lead him to Coast City's Apple Shop, Shinji knew what Apple was, but ever since Steve Jobs died during the Second Impact the company stalled behind the Japanese competition, it appears that in this universe it happened differently and the company remained prosperous. Shinji couldn't help but stare at the phones behind glass displays as Hal walked with him towards the counter. Where a lady wearing a black apple T-Shirt was looking at something on her phone.
"Hello there, we're looking for an IPod touch four for the kid."-Hal said as the girl looked up towards Hal with a playful grin, Shinji only sighed at the view.
45 minutes…5 of each was picking the model and 40 of Hal flirting with the cashier, but he was still grateful considering the price. As he walked with the small white box holding the music player in his right hand with bags holding his clothes in the left.
"How those this thing work without buttons? Does it need a stylus or something?"-Shinji said asked Hal chuckled.
"From what planet did you came from? This thing has a touchscreen you use with your hands, hell it's a model with a card slot so you can still use music and internet after I put an internet card inside."-Hal said as he lead Shinji to the restaurant area of the mall.
"The internet? But don't you need to unplug your home phone to use it?"-Shinji asked as Hal facepalmed. 'Getting him up to speed with the times will prove difficult.'-he thought as they stood in front of the counter of Coast City Mall's local McDonald's.
"So, I'll take a McRoyal, what do you want kid?"-Hal asked as Shinji then looked up to the menu to see he couldn't read a word in English, not paying attention to English classes back in Tokyo 3 finally caught to him. His ring then faintly glowed as for a second he could perfectly read what was written, his ring using its universal translator.
"I'll just take the fries."-Shinji said as the cashier wrote it down in his machine.
"And two Large Kooba Colas."-Hal added as after some time their food arrived on a tray, with Hal finding them a seat as they both begun to eat.
"You barely eat those fries, no wonder you are so thin."-Hal teased as Shinji dipped another fry in ketchup.
"I'm Japanese, we don't eat a lot of meat."-Shinji said before swallowing his fry.
"Right…I can't say if this is supposed to be a joke or not. So how about School? I know you don't really seem to plan staying here for good, but it would be nice to have some education if you will want go to college in the future."-Hal said as Shinji nodded.
"Sure, I don't mind it, although how will you enlist me? Legally I don't exist."-Shinji said as Hal chuckled between the swallows of his burger.
"Don't worry, let's just say I have some friends in high places that can help us, and don't worry its not anything illegal, and it's better to do it quick before people will start posing questions."-Hal said as suddenly the floor beneath them started to shake, seeing sheer panic among other people inside the Mall. However what brought Hal and Shinji's attention was a tv report on a near screen, showing a man in a black and dark blue armour and a helmet with two dark blue spikes shooting what looked like violet energy beams.
"Well, it looks like the world will meet you sooner Kid…Kid?"-Hal asked as he saw Shinji run out with the crowd, Hal only unfolded his arms as he hid the bags under the table and runned with the crowd. Shinji meanwhile was focused on finding a staircase. With all people seemingly using the main entrances to run away, the supposed emergency staircases were left empty, and luckily for him this one contained a window.
"Ring, deactivate nearby CCTV cameras."-Shinji said as he looked up to see the only camera around fry. It served as an confirmation that he was ready to go. So he summoned his uniform and flew out of the mall.
"All of you! Fear the might of Doctor Polaris!"-The villain exclaimed using his magnetic powers to pick up a car after car and throwing it at the Coast City Police Department's Police Vehicles as the Policemen were currently hiding for cover. Shinji meanwhile noticed Doctor Polaris throwing a car at a pair of civilians, a mother and a daughter.
"NO!"-Shinji exclaimed as he summoned and Eva hand, catching the flying car in front of the two. The mother uncovered her daughter's eyes as she looked up to their saviour.
"Thank you…Green Lantern?"-The mother asked as Shinji turned around his head towards her.
"A Green Lantern, now get out of here."-Shinji said as the mother grabbed her daughter and fled, now he focused all his attention on Doctor Polaris as he put down the car.
"Green Lantern? You look more like a Kid Lantern to me. Did he finally get a sidekick to pick up slack for him?"-Doctor Polaris asked as he threw another car at Shinji, who summoned a beam causing the car to be cut in half.
"I'm tired of people patronizing me because of my age!"-Shinji exclaimed flying towards Doctor Polaris, who threw more metallic objects at the civilians, but Shinji wasn't going to give up just like that, so he stretched his willpower to its maximum to create an elastic construct bubble around the crowd making the metallic objects bounce off of it.
"Ring power 30%" -The AI of Shinji's ring exclaimed as he internally facepalmed, 'Haven't charged it since the warship mission.'-Shinji thought as he know knew that he needed to end this with a one attack, so he put up as much speed as possible before summoning a large green construct Eva fist decking Doctor Polaris in the jaw before he could react to it, the same fist later pinning him down to the street, knocking him out in the process as his comical helmet fell off his head.
"Kid!"-Shinji turned around as he saw Hal also in his Lantern uniform fly towards him.
"Threat taken care off."-Shinji said as Hal saw Doctor Polaris regaining consciousness, not for long as Hal summoned a small construct to deck him in the jaw knocking him out the second time.
"I see, the crowd is safe and you kept collateral damage to a minimum, good job."-Hal complemented patting Shinji on the back. Just as the crowd started to cheer with journalists that appeared seemingly out of nowhere begun to show in microphones and cameras to their face.
"Well, it looks the world wants to meet you."-Hal said as Shinji awkwardly waved at the cameras.
"Uhm,hello?"
"This is Vinessa Swelter for CCN, only a few hours ago this street behind me was a scene of horror when a supervillain known as "Doctor Polaris" caused a ruckus just in front of the city mall, luckily before anyone could be hurt he was intercepted by Green Lantern, but not the one most of us would think about, Green Lantern's new partner, dubbed "Kid Lantern" by the public made a quick work of the villain and with the assist of his senior turned him to authorities hands, does it mean that our city has gotten its own Dynamic Duo? Only time will tell."-The reporter said as Shinji watched the news report from today's battle at the mall on his new IPod, since Hal put an internet card inside it not only allowed him to use the music services, but also to use the internet and watch videos. He was laying on his bed dressed in his pyjamas as he read reports on his flashy debut. Cringing at the name given to him, all other Green Lanterns were just that, Green Lanterns. Why was he getting a dumb nickname? Especially something as weird as Kid Lantern. Shinji then saw Hal opening the door to his room.
"Already settled with the IPod I see? Better than the Walkman isn't it? And you don't need to thank me again, consider a "welcome to earth" gift. Listen Kiddo, I'm impressed by the way you handle it all and Polaris seemed only as a minor inconvenience for you. I think I now see why the ring chose you."-Hal said as Shinji nodded.
"Thanks."-Shinji replied as he put down his IPod onto his bedside table.
"Sweet dreams Kiddo."-Hal said closing the door as Shinji looked up at the ceiling, an unfamiliar one, although perhaps maybe he could make it his own this time.
A/N: Another chapter of New Genesis: Recharged is here. But before we will talk about the plot I'll make this clear, since it mentioned so many times in A/N's of the original. Shinji won't be a Gary Stue here as well, although he has experience in combat he still doesn't know what a hero he wants to be, the fight with Doctor Polaris is supposed to show it. Since as he had said it in chapter 2, if he can't use more complicated constructs he will try to be smarter with what he can do and he is given, henceforth things like hacking and changing the elasticity of his constructs, and for this long first arc it will be Shinji's strategy in order to finally build up himself for his first big test that one day will lead to accessing the Ion power and FAAAAAAAR into the future the White Lantern powers. For now I want Shinji to face small scale threats with an occasional space threat appearing for Shinji to stop since either the league with Hal and John is busy or Guy is doing something else. And I do want Shinji to meet Guy Gardner very soon (Second favourite Human GL). For other plot threads, yes Arisia is a bit more immature then what most of you may know from the recent comics (Tomasi, Johns, Morrison etc.). But remember that in this universe she is and will remain a teenager and grow naturally both mentally and in body, since the comics from the 80s and even her origin story from Tales of the Corps #3 from the Johns's run was showing a bit of her immaturity and the fact that she is only a young girl. She alongside Shinji and the rest of the cast will grow and her arc will help her turned into the badass vet she is in the Tomasi run of GL Corps. Also i know that IPod touch four came out in september 2010, but this is the universe where Korea doesnt exist and superviilain attacks are on regular basis so making the premere earlier wont be something out of touch with the accuracy to the real world, also Kooba Cola! (With Vitamin B1!) as another obscure DC reference. Until Next time! And as always I don't own Evangelion and DC Comics, that belongs to Studio Khara and Warner Brothers Discovery.