GREEN LANTERN NEW GENESIS: RECHARGED
Chapter 9: Welcome to Happy Harbour
It was another slow day both for Shinji and his masked alter ego. Ever since his mission on Aoran and his "involvement" in project Cadmus the things Kid Lantern was dealing with felt quite…small, a robbery here, a car chase there or that one time where he had to get a cat from a tree. At least he didn't have to worry about School for some time since the summer vacation started, and that meant without patrols or his swimming lessons with Tula Shinji was sitting in Hal's apartment for the last two weeks. With that he followed his daily routine, preparing dinner for himself. Hal being out all day and night…again.
"Hey Kid."-Hal said tiredly walking inside the apartment, throwing his shoes into the drawer before walking towards Shinji.
"Where were you?"-Shinji asked tiredly grabbing a mug of coffee.
"Out, with friends. How about you?"-Hal asked walking towards the fridge and taking out a diet soda.
"Well: read, watch T.V, patrol the city and went for my swimming lesson."-Shinji recited as Hal raised his eyebrow.
"Really, no friends over? No girls either?"-He asked making Shinji raise his own eyebrow.
"Of course not."-He replied turning towards the playing T.V, focusing his attention on a news report involving Superman stopping someone from committing suicide, not by sheer strength but by a talk and a hug.
"What do you mean "Of course not"? You're a kid Shinji, at your age you should have friends over, have fun, get into trouble, jump off from a girl's window in only your boxers when her parents return home?"-Hal said, with the last part catching to enough of Shinji's attention to make him turn around.
"That's oddly specific, but I thought as GL's our job is to prevent trouble."-Shinji said before Hal put his hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"When we're in uniform, out of uniform we are allowed to have fun. Hell the first time I met John was during a bar brawl. With our life expectancy being so short having fun should be the priority when not ringslinging."-Hal said, making Shinji sigh as he took a sip of his coffee.
"You don't have to tell me how short life is Hal, I've went through that."-Shinji said making Hal initially give up. 'Damn, making Kid admit basic human interactions is like convincing Sinestro to not act like a jerk. At least Batman could invite him to his new te-…wait, Hal Jordan you are a genius.'-he thought before quickly finishing his Soda.
"Get dressed, we're leaving."-Hal said making Shinji initially confused for a second. Not even having enough time to ask questions before Hal insisted on charging his ring.
"So, we are we going?"-Shinji finally asked as Hal turned towards him with a smirk.
"You'll see, it's a surprise."-Hal said before the two walked to the side of Hal's apartment complex to see an abandoned phone booth, an invention that while still common on Shinji's Earth, before the 3rd Impact of course. Here was quickly pushed away in favour of more frequently appearing smartphones.
"What am I Looking at?"-Shinji asked as Hal summoned his uniform much to his young partner's confusion.
"Trust me, walk inside."-GL said finally convincing Shinji to follow though his request, walking into the booth with GL following, him closing the door seemingly activating a small camera scanning both of their faces.
"Recognised: Green Lantern-05, Kid Lantern-B-06."-An automated voice said before both of their bodies turned into yellow particles.
"What the hell?"-Before Shinji could finish his sentence he found himself standing in a large silver tube, way larger than a phone booth the two walked in the alley. Walking forward he noticed he and GL weren't in Coast City anymore, they weren't even on the same Coast. Looking up to see a large rocky ceiling hovering over his head.
"Welcome to Mount Justice Shinji, the first HQ of the league."-GL said making Shinji turn towards him.
"And we're here because?"-He asked before GL summoned a construct of a TV with a report of the Cadmus incident on.
"Well, remember the incident with Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash? In short words, the bad guys are getting smarter. So the league, but mostly Batman are putting together a covert team of young heroes."-GL explained, it took a second for him to understand what GL was saying, before it all connected in his head.
"Wait, you want me to jo-"
"Hey Kid Lantern!"-A voice of Kid Flash called out making Shinji turn to see Kid Flash and Robin walking up towards him, dressed in civilian clothes with Aqualad behind them alongside the Superboy, now dressed in a black superman T-Shirt and Cargo pants and a pretty green girl with red hair floating in the air.
"Hey guys."-Shinji said as Robin gave him a high five.
"Hey KL, what's up?"-He asked before GL put his hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"Well, the reason why I brought him here was to see if you guys want him to have a shot at your team?"-GL asked making Wally and Robin's faces lit up.
"Wait m-"-But before Shinji could finish Wally immediately spoke up.
"Dude, our own Green Lantern in our own team, more good things coming every day."-Wally said before he and Robin shared a high five.
"So, how about it?"-GL asked making Kaldur step up in front of Wally and Robin.
"It would be an honour to have you in the team."-Kaldur said with a smile before Superboy scoffed behind him.
"An honour, who is this?"-Superboy asked, with Shinji only slightly bowing down.
"I am Shinji Ikari, it is nice to meet you in better circumstances."-Shinji said in a silent tone, Robin then turned around towards Superboy.
"Also known as Kid Lantern, the Green Lantern who got us from under the rubble that was once Cadmus, the upper part at least."-Robin said finally making Superboy look at Shinji.
"So, like you?"-He asked looking towards GL, who only smirked before turning towards Shinji.
"Show them Kid."-GL said before stepping back, allowing Shinji to take full stage as he summoned his uniform, before raising his ring and summoning construct versions of: GL, John, Guy, Kilowog, Greet, Tomar-Re, Laira, Soranik and Arisia. All with their rings risen constructing a sign saying "Impressive?".
"Yeah, very impressive."-Robin said marking the part where Shinji desummoned both his construct and his uniform.
"So, any objections? If Speedy said no, then the spot is open! And he is a Green Lantern! That's like 70% boost to the team's sheer power."-Wally said turning towards his teammates, Aqualad and Robin immediately nodding, Superboy only grunted in what seemed like agreement, the Green Girl then settled her feet on the ground.
"None from me as well. I'm Miss Martian, M'gann M'orzz. But call me Megan, we're on Earth after all."-She said between silent stutters before reaching out her hand, which Shinji shook. 'I guess I'm not the only one who feels like an alien.'-he thought silently to himself.
"You too?"-Megan asked making Shinji show an "Eh?" expression before looking towards Superboy.
"Superboy."-He grunted out introducing himself before GL turned back towards the Zeta tube.
"Well, I guess you accepted him, then I'll be on my way."-GL said as the tube scanned him.
"Wait, what?"-Shinji asked before GL slightly turned his head towards the young Lantern and his new team.
"You didn't think that we would just deal with the formalities did you? Kid it's summer, stick around, get to know your teammates."-GL said vanishing in the Zeta particles.
"Wait, did he even talk with Batman about this?"-Robin asked to which Shinji only unfolded his arms.
"Right…that's something we'll cross later."-Robin said with a grin causing Shinji to raise his eyebrow.
"Wait, I'm in?"-he asked confused before Wally put his arm around Shinji's head and left shoulder.
"Well duh, like I said, our own Green Lantern, so cool."-He explained finally making Shinji a bit more comfortable.
"We were just having a tour around the cave, why don't you join us?"-Megan asked in a tone that Shinji thought was too sweet to say no.
"I know, come on! We left the best part for last."-Megan said flying up with Shinji following thanks to his aura as the others followed them on foot.
The elevator door opened to the team, revealing the hangar bay, on it stood a decently sized red sphere-alike object.
"It's my Martian Bio-Ship"-Megan explained before walking towards it alongside the rest of the team.
"Cute, not aerodynamic but cute."-Wally said making Megan turn towards him with an amused smile.
"It's in rest silly, I'll wake it."-She explained before raising her hand towards the ship, before it begun to transform into a way more aerodynamic shape, with two prongs sticking out in the front. Megan then turned it around and made its rear hatch open.
"Well, are you coming?"-She asked the visibly startled teens who followed her. 'Everything feels so…sticky, biological. It kinda reminds me of Unit 01.'-Shinji thought experiencing something he never expected towards his Evangelion unit, nostalgia. Maybe it was because of his Mother? Speaking of who, he still didn't know what was his mother doing, supposedly building the Blue Lantern Corps...not really knowing how it was going. Meanwhile Megan opened another door inside the ship to reveal the ship's cockpit with 5 front seats and a captain seat in the centre.
"Strap in for launch."-She instructed as Shinji sat in the nearest chair before restraints buckled him up in his seat. 'Not beating the Eva allegations, but as long as nobody pours LCL inside it will be good.'-he thought staring though the window.
"Red Tornado, please open the bay doors."-Megan asked before the door opened allowing the Bio-ship to fly out and let the team look down on the small town of Happy Harbour. As the rest were mostly focused on Megan showcasing her abilities, Shinji on the other hand was locked in his own thoughts. 'Can really be part of a team again? I am a Green Lantern, but we normally work alone. And It's a closed circle of those deemed worthy if we have to work in pairs or more, here we are all just kids, kinda like-'-it was at this moment his brain performed a mental hiccup regarding thinking about Asuka and Rei, especially not when there was someone who could READ MINDS. 'Shinji, Shinji? Are you still here?'-suddenly Megan's voice echoed throughout his head, and if it wasn't for the restraints he would probably fall down onto the floor.
"Y-Yes? I think so."-Shinji said noticing the other five staring at him.
"Dude, have you been paying any attention to what we were talking about? Also, why didn't you say you could phase though stuff?"-Wally asked Shinji who then looked at the floor, visibly embarrassed.
"Sorry."-He muttered out for a second snapping back to his old meek persona.
"Don't be, I mean you are a Green Lantern. You've probably seen more of the universe than any of us will see in our lifetimes, I can understand why something like this must be boring to you."-Megan said in a sweet tone to which Shinji only raised his hands in objection.
"I don't think that, I just…thought about something else."-He said hoping that they won't dig any further.
"About what?"-Kaldur asked, causing Shinji's inner alert crank up to eleven.
"And if you don't want to tell us then Miss M can always get it out of your head."-Robin joked as the bio-ship received a message.
"Red Tornado to Miss Martian, an emergency alert has been triggered at the Happy Harbour power planet, I suggest you investigate, covertly. I'm sending coordinates."-Tornado said immediately changing the atmosphere in the ship. 'Good thing I charged this thing, though it was around 66%.'-Shinji thought looking at his ring, it lighting up for a second showing his determination.
"Received, adjusting course."-Megan said taking back the controls of the ship.
"Tornado's keeping us busy again."-Robin said scoffing as the ship was beginning to land.
"Well, a simple fire led you to Superboy. We should find out what caused the alert."-Megan said before Superboy turned around.
"I think I know the cause…"-he said as a tornado hit the Bio-Ship, Megan doing her best to get the ship out of the vortex before setting it down on the plant's parking lot. After the six In Cognito young heroes, Shinji immediately summoning his mask in order to look inside via Infrared. 'Right, that big heat signature isn't a good sign, wait? What's with the second one approaching?'-Shinji thought before turning around to see that Robin was gone…of course.
"He was just here."-Megan said confused before the windows of the plant began to blow up, signalling for the teens to run inside. Only to witness Robin getting thrown around by large figure, covered by a red armour with black details on the legs, chest, arms and head. From his back sticking out were blue tubes that matched his blue eyes, he also wore a brown scarf, quite out of place for a seeming robot.
"Who's your friend?"-Superboy asked landing beside Robin.
"Didn't catch his name, but he plays kinda rough."-Robin said as the group looked towards the figure.
"My apologies, you may address me as Mister Twister."-The figure, now known as Mister Twister introduced himself before summoning another Tornado and throwing Superboy into the wall. Shinji only sighed, summoning his aura before flying towards Mister Twister as behind him the rest of the team was getting ready to attack him. Dodging his tornados before retaliating with his own attacks, firing lasers at Mister Twister.
"I see, a Green Lantern, but so young… does your Mother know you are here?"-He asked to which Shinji smirked before summoning an Eva handheld bazooka.
"Listen tincase, we're not really in a mood to fight a rejected Ultraman villain. So please cut the part when you hand yourself over to the authorities."-Shinji said allowing a little bit of his "Kid Lantern" persona to slip though. With those words he fired a large green blast, not enough to fully vaporise, still not knowing if he is dealing with either an android or a controlled suit. Unfortunately for the young Lantern the shots weren't enough to damage Mister Twister. Who laughed before launching another Tornado aimed at Shinji who summoned a shield. Meanwhile Wally tried to attack him via a frontal kick, whom Mister Twister send flying though the second power plant entrance. Before again sending Kaldur and Megan flying back, leaving only Robin and floating Shinji alone against him.
"I was prepared to be challenged by a superhero. I was not, however expecting children."-He said visibly startling both Robin and Shinji.
"We're not children!"-Robin explained throwing a pair of explosives which were supported by another pair of lasers.
"Objectively you are, have you no adult supervision? I find your presence here quite disturbing."-Mister Twister said unfazed by either Robin's explosives or Shinji's lasers.
"Well, we hate to see you disturbed. Let's see if you're more turbed once we kick your can."-Robin said before Megan used her telekinesis, pulling down a piece of power plant's infrastructure sending a massive pile of steam down at Mister Twister. Using that as a cover Superboy jumped up trying to once again attack him, only to get sent flying before crashing into Megan. It was in that moment when Robin, Kaldur and Shinji prepared a counterattack. The two more experienced heroes rushing first before being caught in Mister Twister's tornadoes. Shinji summoned a pair of Eva hands and managed to catch his teammates before uniting the two into a fist, finally landing a punch on Mister Twister, not really doing any damage, but it was still a punch. Sending him out from the power plant.
"Turbed enough?"-Shinji asked panting as the mechanised villain eyed him.
"Indeed, and impressive little Lantern, but not enough."-He said sending another large Tornado into the power plant. Not hesitating for a second Shinji summoned a wall of green light shielding him, Robin, Kaldur, Superboy and Megan. Keeping it hold until the Tornado died out on its own. Meanwhile Wally finally regained consciousness, first thing he saw being Mister Twister trying to fly away from the power plant. He runned up towards him, who effortlessly dodged his tackles before facing him.
"What have you done to my team!?"-Wally asked.
"Embarrassed them, largely."-Mister Twister said before sending Wally in a tornado back towards the power plant, before suddenly stopping.
"I got you Wally."-Megan said before settling him down on the ground.
"Oh, thanks."-Wally replied as meanwhile Shinji was slowly getting both tired and irritated, mostly by the fact he was limited in regards to his abilities without his full-on uniform and mask. 'Ah screw this!'-he thought before looking towards his ring. 'Ring! Give me a scan of Mister Twister. Look around in the blueprints, find any sort of weakness.'-internally ordering before his ring lit up in confirmation.
"I would have thought you had all learned your limitations by now."-Mister Twister spoke up.
"What do you want?!"-Kaldur asked having enough of villain's mind games.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm waiting for a real hero."-Mister Twister said before Kaldur turned towards Megan.
"Read his mind, find a weakness."-He ordered.
"But I thought I wasn't supposed to do that?"-Megan replied, meanwhile Shinji's ring beeped out a "Scan Complete". Before showing Shinji a graph. 'So, it's an android. With powers similar to Red Tornado. Ring, run additional scan comparing Mister Twister and Red Tornado.'-he thought as Meanwhile Megan came to a similar conclusion, although being more certain.
"Hello Megan! Mister Twister is Red Tornado in disguise! He's inorganic an android. And how many androids do you know that can generate tornados?"-Megan said causing the team to banter against themselves, all expect one.
"Red Tornado sent us here."-Aqualad concluded.
"After saying we'd be tested soon enough. This is his test, something to keep us busy!"-Robin added, making their anger rise.
"Speedy called it, we're a joke."-Wally said adding to the somber tone.
"Are you really sure he's Red Tornado?"-Shinji asked turning towards Megan.
"Well…he's an android."-Megan said, herself showing that she wasn't quite sure.
"Scan complete"-Shinji's ring AI spoke up displaying another graph, making Shinji's fear come true. 'Crap! Despite being seemingly built the same way they aren't the same android!'-Shinji thought before flying off, his mind quickly coming up with a plan. Meanwhile Robin, Kaldur and Wally walked up towards "Red Tornado".
"We know who you are and what you want."-Robin said, meanwhile Shinji settled himself on his sniper position, taking a deep breath he begun constructing a handheld positron rifle. 'Why is this so much harder without a full-on-uniform?'-he thought to himself assembling his construct.
"So, let's end this."-Aqualad stated, Mister Twister only seemed to let out a scoff before raising his hands.
"Consider it ended."-He spoke beginning to create a large vortex in the air, 'Come on, why aren't they doing anything?'-Shinji asked himself preparing his rifle.
"Impressive show, but we will not indulge you, we will not engage!"-Aqualad spoke up, Mister Twister only continued his work, lighting beginning to strike from the sky.
"There!"-Shinji finally exclaimed holding his positron rifle, his mask appearing on his face in order to get a lock-on. 'Come on! Come on!'-he frantically thought watching the situation get worse.
"You think I'm Tornado…Ironic."-Mister Twister said sending another lighting down onto the team, all of them hitting the ground except for Superboy who prepared for a counterattack that never came. 'Now!'-finally getting Mister Twister into his crosshairs Shinji fired a large blast of Green Energy, it took a lot from him as the construct quickly evaporated. Using what he had remained of his breath he flew down towards his team. Meanwhile the Green Beam managed to hit its target. Completely evaporating Mister Twister's scarf and most of its red and black paint. Using his hands to shield himself the skies turned blue once more.
"Impressive Little Lantern, you saw though in contrast to your teammates."-Mister Twister said though a damaged speaker flying down, revealing his scorched armour being now mostly gunmetal grey. Shinji didn't even react with a verbal remark and summoned a pellet ready to attack. Before suddenly stopping. 'What the?'-Shinji asked to himself before turning around to see Megan, using her telekinesis, her showing him the "shush" gesture.
"Fine then, I won't deny you children have power, especially your friend from Oa, but playing hide-and-seek with you would not help me achieve my objectives. So stay concealed! If you confront me again, I will show no mercy."-Mister Twister said finally flying away, allowing Shinji to let go of his pellet rifle, panting for air hard as he fell onto the ground.
"Why…Is…this…harder…then normal?"-Shinji said out loud, his breath slowly returning to normal.
"What happened?"-Wally asked getting up from the ground.
"I place the bioship between us."-Megan explained, meanwhile Superboy only punched the ground in anger, creating a large crater.
"And that's supposed to make it right? You tricked us into thinking Twister was Red Tornado!"-Superboy said in anger, walking up towards Megan.
"It wasn't her fault, and according to my scan she could think that."-Shinji added looking at his ring.
"I agree with Shinji, it was a rookie mistake. We shouldn't have listened."-Robin added, Shinji then looked at Megan's face, noticing the colours on her face fading. 'Too eager to please...'-he thought to himself.
"You are pretty inexperienced, hit the showers, will take it from here."-Wally said helping Shinji up.
"Stay out of our way."-Superboy grunted out before jumping away with Kid Flash and Robin racing after him, Shinji tried to call upon his aura but only managed to lift up himself up couple of centimetres before falling down.
"The hell, ring! Energy percent?"-Shinji asked before his ring lit up.
"93% remaining, power level in norm."-the AI said confusing the young Lantern.
"Are you ok Shinji?"-Kaldur asked to which Shinji looked towards his ring.
"Yeah, I believe that attack took a little bit more than the ordinary, especially without my uniform."-Shinji explained, Kaldur only nodded before turning towards Megan.
"Stay with Megan, regain your strength before joining us. You've already helped a lot."-Kaldur suggested before turning to look at the young Martian.
"I was just trying to be part of the team."-Megan said looking down at the grass.
"To be honest, I'm not sure we really have a team."-Kaldur said before joining up with the rest.
"Guess both of us are not needed."-Shinji said looking at his ring. 'And what the hell is wrong with me today? Seemingly thinking about working in a team again is-wait wait, I get it now.'-he thought to himself while he and Megan walked inside the Bio-Ship.
"But you're the only one who got a real hit on him."-Megan said taking the controls before taking off.
"Yeah, but because of personal reasons the seemingly lenient constructs seem like creating an artificial heart."-Shinji said huffing in annoyance at his own incompetence.
"Well, there's two of us in that department then."-Megan said with Shinji looking towards his ring. 'Complete the mission and then worry about it.'-he thought to himself before turning over towards her.
"But we can't leave them to fight alone. Despite their experience working together Mister Twister wiped the floor with them."-Shinji said as Megan pressed a button on the ship's HUD.
"That's why I'm calling for help."-She said before an image of Red Tornado appeared.
"Red Tornado, the disturbance in the plant was an android calling himself Mister Twister, he possesses similar power set to you and is even immune to my telepathy. They-I mean, the team needs your help."-Megan reported on the situation, not expecting to the reply she received.
"If I intervened, it would not be to help. Still, it is an odd coincidence that this "Twister" shares my elemental abilities, and my immunity to Telepathy."-Red Tornado said before Shinji brought up the report he made with his scan.
"What is surprising is the fact that after checking though Twister's inner schematics and comparing them with yours. The match is around 60%"-Shinji explained catching Tornado's attention.
"Indeed, there could be a chance that Twister was either: Based on my schematics, or built by my creator T.O Morrow or one of his protégés."-Tornado explained as it was this moment where Megan came up with a plan.
"Hello Megan!"-Megan said to herself confusing Shinji.
"So, what is the plan?"-Shinji asked before Megan mentally uploaded the plan to his head. 'Wow…this could actually work.'- he thought to himself. 'I know right? But we need Kid Lantern now more than ever. That and to inform the rest.'-Megan echoed in his head to which Shinji nodded. His 'Mission-first-worries-later.' Mentality taking over as he summoned his uniform. Megan smirked, before turning the bioship around and heading towards the town centre of Happy Harbour.
"'Listen to me, all of you.'"-Megan's telepathic voice echoed throughout not only Shinji's head, but also the group fighting Twister on the ground.
"What did we tell you!?"-Superboy roared as Kid Lantern could feel his…Eardrums? Hurt.
"'I know, and I know I messed up. But now I'm very clear on what we need to do. Please trust me.'"-Megan said before turning towards Kid Lantern.
"Your quo."-She said, the young Lantern showed her a thumbs up before phasing though Bio-Ship's hall and putting up speed. Letting go of his worries finally made him feel like he was back to 100 percent. Turning around he saw Megan, now clad in her Red Tornado disguise following him.
"'You gave them the plan?'"-Shinji asked on the rapidly established mind link.
"'Yeah…just follow through your act, when I give the signal join us. We'll need that sheer power.'"-Megan replied before the two reach their destination.
"Hit the showers boys. I was hoping, you could handle this. Clearly you cannot."-"Red Tornado" said landing alongside Kid Lantern in front of the in Cognito heroes.
"But we've got a plan now!"-Robin added playing on the act like a skilful actor.
"The subject is not up for debate. Kid Lantern, stick around and help me."-"Red Tornado" said making the other four heroes disperse.
"I was beginning to believe you'd never show up."-Mister Twister teased.
"I am here now."-"Red Tornado" replied, seeing this as a sign Kid Lantern flew back and fired several lasers, acting as both support fire and cover for Megan's "tornados" which in reality were Wally spinning at super speed.
"We're equally matched Twister."-"Red Tornado" said summoning another "tornado" and throwing rocks with her telepathy.
"No Tornado we are NOT!"-Mister Twister replied summoning a wall of air to protect himself before firing a blue beam from the canons of his forearms, the damage that Kid Lantern did before showing itself in how the armour was damaged, sparks emanating and Twister's voicebox seemingly jumping though tones. "Tornado" dodged the blasts before a hit on a random boat caused her to fly back, seemingly to malfunction.
"Tornado!"-Kid Lantern exclaimed letting out the most Oscar-worthy performance he could, releasing a wild array of beams that a marksman like him would never let out from his ring. Mister Twister only flew towards "Tornado".
"Remain still, android. The reprogramming won't take long."-Mister Twister said releasing wires from his hand, only for Tornado's head to transform into Megan's.
"Longer then you might think."-She teased before sending Twister into Wally, still spinning like a tornado. Launching him towards Superboy who with a series of quick punches increased the damage Kid Lantern had made before. With another strong punch Superboy sent him flying into the harbour. Where Aqualad was waiting for him. Showing a hook into Twister's armour before using his Electric powers, overcharging Twister enough to generate an explosion sending him back to the surface. Megan then lifted him up and forcefully removed the arms. Robin using the occasion to throw a pair of explosives which send Mister Twister onto the ground. Kid Lantern then summoned a large spear of Longinus imprisoning the downed villain before desummoning his uniform mid-air and landing alongside his teammates. Much to the team's surprise Mister Twister's body opened up to reveal a person in a pilot suit. 'But the scan indicated it was completely mechanical.'-Shinji thought to himself as the pilot managed to get out.
"Foul, I call foul."-He said, before Megan smashed him down with a boulder. Shocking everyone except for Shinji.
"Don't know how things are done on Mars. but on Earth we don't execute our captives!"-Robin exclaimed making Megan only smirk.
"You said you trust me."-She added before lifting up the boulder revealing a pile of metal.
"That's why I couldn't read his mind."-Megan concluded before Wally lifted up a sole eyeball.
"Cool, souvenir!"-Kid Flash said before putting the eyeball into his pocket.
"We should have had more faith in you, both of you."-Aqualad said looking at Megan and Shinji, who begun to clean up Mister Twister's remains with his ring.
"I haven't done much."-Shinji muttered before disposing the pieces into a construct trash container.
"You were the only one who actually damaged him at the beginning. What was that anyway?"-Superboy asked, to which Shinji sighed before flying up.
"I'll explain it later, I have all those pieces to carry to so I'll fly behind you."-Shinji said, confusing the rest of the team for a second before they complied. 'Why am I not surprised that this didn't work? Remember last time you were in a team, and how it ended.'-he thought to himself, while flying behind the Bio-Ship. Even after all the things he faced as a Lantern, he still wasn't ready to fully commit himself to being in another team, especially with his own fears crippling him and his powers to such a degree.
"It was clearly created to sabotage or destroy you."-Aqualad said, as he and the rest of the team alongside Red Tornado examined Mister Twister's remains back in Mount Justice.
"Agreed."-Tornado replied.
"Is that why you wouldn't help us?"-Megan asked looking at Tornado.
"No, this was your battle. I do not believe it is my role to solve your problems for you. Nor should you solve mine, for me."-Red Tornado stated, confusing the rest of the team, except for Shinji. Whose attention was on the Zeta tube that would get him out of here.
"But if you're in danger?"-Megan asked, the Red android only stating his reply.
"Consider this matter closed."-Red Tornado said before walking away.
"Batman, Aquaman, Flash maybe even Green Lantern. They'd jump right in to fix things."-Wally said.
"Guess if we're gonna have a babysitter, a heartless machine is exactly what we need."-Robin said startling Wally.
"Dude! Harsh."-Wally said, meanwhile Shinji begun to slightly back away.
"And inaccurate, I have a heart. Carbon-steel alloy, I also have excellent hearing."-Tornado said eyeing Robin.
"Sorry, I'll strive to be more accurate."-Robin said, embarrassed by what he said.
"And more respectful."-Kaldur added, meanwhile Shinji was in the process of finding Coast City on the map. 'I was right, they are all just regular kids. Even Megan and Superboy. And I'm…me.'-Shinji thought, not realising he caught attention of others.
"Shinji are you ok?"-Megan asked as the Zeta Tube lit up.
"Yeah dude, the after-party is just getting started!"-Wally said before Shinji turned towards them with a sigh.
"Listen…about the whole team thing, I still need to think about it."-Shinji said before vanishing in the Zeta particles, not being able to see the team share a confused and a slight worried look.
"Recognised: Kid Lantern-B-06."-The Zeta Tube hummed before Shinji opened the door of the phone booth, now back in Coast City. Which was after midnight. Not even bothered to walk by the door, Shinji summoned his aura and flew towards Hal's balcony door. He walked inside only to see Hal watching TV.
"So, how did it went?"-Hal asked as Shinji only walked towards the fridge and took out his dinner.
"I don't think this is going to work. I am not ready, and with my lack of keeping myself in check I'm only a nuisance. They don't need me. And you didn't even talk about this with Batman before dumping me off."-Shinji said, not looking to see Hal's slightly disappointed facial expression. 'Why was I expecting that?'-he thought to himself before walking towards Shinji.
"Hey, I didn't dump you on them. I just wanted you to spent some time with kids your age, ones that can understand the struggle of putting on the costume. You're not the easiest in terms of making friends."-Hal said, to which Shinji only turned around with a scowl.
"I'm not a hero, I am a Green Lantern, an intergalactic lawman. The team, they are just regular kids. Carefree and normal despite all the danger around them. I have nothing in common with them."-Shinji said while heating up his food.
"Did you at least try?"-Hal asked to which Shinji shot him a glare that Hal could describe as "a look of someone who was dead inside."
"Believe me I tried, I just can't…not again."-Shinji said before returning to working on dinner, Hal only sighing in defeat. 'I guess I can't get though him enough, perhaps it's time to call Dinah? Although Shinji will probably kill me if I try to drag him to her. I just hope that he will come though, maybe then ask her to keep an eye on him. Please kid, don't quit immediately.'-he thought to himself walking away. Shinji only to sighed to himself.
"Sorry Hal, I just don't how to be a kid."
A/N: All right, this chapter was one of the hardest to adapt, since I thought that Shinji's reasoning was kinda dumb. Although here I tried to more or so explain why Shinji could react this way, with the next chapter serving as a kind of a closure to this indecisiveness. Not really much to say anything else, the part where Shinji thinks about how harder everything seems without the full costume will also have a payoff. My point is to write Shinji and Kid Lantern as the same yet different characters. And this will be another conflict for Shinji to resolve. He may now move forward and love himself. But does he love himself enough to once again let others to his life? Time will tell, until then take care! And as always I don't own Evangelion and DC Comics, that belongs to Studio Khara and Warner Brothers Discovery.