GREEN LANTERN NEW GENESIS: RECHARGED
Chapter 10: In Blackest Night
"I don't know, I just needed some time away."-Shinji said taking a sip of black coffee. It had been few days since his "audition" at the team. With summer being at full swing he could allow himself a trip to Oa. In other words, he runned away…again. With his return he managed to stumble upon Laira in the commissary, who was currently taking a break from her sector duty, having no one else to talk to he engaged in a conversation.
"You seem to be…unaccustomed to interaction with your peers."-Laira said summing up what Shinji told her. Shinji only sighed before taking another sip of his coffee.
"Agreed, it has been my problem since…forever."-Shinji said earning a sympathetic look from his senior.
"You are really young by Earth's standards, despite that I can feel you've seen certain things…that no other young person should see. And that made you feel cautious with relationships."-Laira said taking a sip of her drink.
"You are right, sometimes I feel like I'm 140 rather than 14."-Shinji said with a slight sad tone. Both his and Laira's words being not too far from the truth.
"If so, then why come to me of all people? Wasn't Hal Jordan supposed to be your mentor?"-Laira asked to which Shinji looked slightly to the floor.
"Hal is…alright. But he cannot understand it. I wasn't planning on seeing you. But the way you act, like a Ronin, strong and self-sufficient. Maybe you could teach me being the type of warrior you are?"-Shinji asked, to which Laira sighed, knowing well Shinji meant.
"You mean someone who can act alone without need friends? Yes, it is hard for me to open up to others, but this doesn't mean we don't have those that care about us."-Laira said before gesturing for Shinji to take a look around the commissary. Him complying to see several lanterns, from various races, planets and sectors. Some humanoid and some not. All seemingly chatting amongst each other, some laughing at other's stories or jokes.
"Look around yourself Shinji, each and every one of those Lanterns would have your back, despite you being of a different race. Despite suffering throughout your childhood. It shouldn't be an excuse for you to shutting out those who care about you."-Laira instructed, causing Shinji to raise his eyebrow.
"From what you told me, you seemed to have a tough childhood as well."-Shinji said to which Laira nodded.
"My childhood was far from ordinary as well. But despite being trained to be a warrior, I was a princess raised among prestige, comfort and love of my family…for a time. You on the other hand, were denounced of basic affection that a parent would give to a child. And that caused you to grow up to be the person you are today, and why you made mistakes."-Laira stated, to which Shinji couldn't help to nod in agreement.
"You are right, family…is pretty much just as an alien concept as the Corps was when I received my ring."-Shinji said to which Laira gave him a sympathetic look.
"Then maybe this is your chance to fully embrace the gift you are being offered? Besides...it isn't like you don't have any close relationships within the Corps."-Laira said, a small faint semblance of a smile forming on her face, confusing the young Lantern for a second.
"Hey Shinji!"-A familiar voice spoke up with Shinji turning around to see Arisia, Laira only closed her eyes in amusement.
"I believe I should take my leave."-Laira said getting up from her chair before slightly bowing her head. Shinji, who although confused why she wanted to leave so early still paid his respects and bowed his head.
"Thank you for your time."-Shinji said to which Laira showed him a small smile.
"You are very welcome young Shinji. And I'm sure you'll persuade with this. You are a Green Lantern after all."-Laira said before flying pass Arisia. The older lantern seeing well what the younger meant by coming here, and why she decided to walk away from Shinji. 'So this is young love? Better not to interrupt it. He needs this after all.'-she thought to herself as meanwhile Arisia took Laira's chair.
"Hello Arisia."-Shinji said with a genuine smile, after all she was probably the closest person he had formed a something of a bond with ever since he joined the Corps.
"So, what are you doing here? Not that I mind seeing you, I mean I am hap-I'll…I'll shut up now."-Arisia said slightly looking away, her cheeks covering with a slight crimson. Her face showing an embarrassed smile. One that Shinji couldn't find adorable, a strange warmth feeling his insides, one similar to when Asuka was actually nice to him and not hiding her insecurities.
"I'm alright, it's just I needed to get away from Earth for a while. Look at me, chosen by a ring of limitless and still cannot stop running away despite trying damn well to do that."-Shinji said making Arisia raised her eyebrow, confused at what Shinji was talking about.
"Why?"-She asked before turning around to see Lanterns talking among each other. 'He won't talk to me fully if we won't be alone…if we are alone. Ah stop yourself! He'll think that you're weird!'-she thought to herself before summoning her aura and raising herself up.
"How about we talk while flying? Even though others won't probably care it would be still nice for us to just enjoy each other's company."-She said reaching out her hand to Shinji. Which provoked him to raise his aura as well before following Arisia out of the commissary. The two soaring though Oa's clear skylines. Shinji feeling the most comfortable around her, he told how his life on Earth was up to this point before talking about how he didn't belong in the team, this was what caught Arisia's attention before they landed on top of a building. The only thing illuminating their conversation being the clear view of the stars from Oa's orbit.
"You say like to you don't feel normal around them? If they are superheroes, then I would normally expect you would fit right in? And yet you're the one feeling alien despite having a Martian and a Kryptonian…cloned but still, you believe you don't fit?"-Arisia asked sitting beside Shinji, who only sighed before he begun, bringing up construct of various team members as he spoke.
"Well, Kid Flash is too hyperactive and keeps putting himself in danger. Robin keeps vanishing into clear air and acts as if everyone knows what to do, Superboy seems too angry at everyone and everything to clearly think. Megan is too eager to please everyone and I know from experience this never ends well. Aqualad's…Aqualad is fine. And I'm…well just me. They are so…normal, cheerful and always smiling and grinning even in the eyes of certain death, besides I feel there is always an omen following me, that every time I happen to join a team…let's say that it doesn't end well."-Shinji said before looking down towards the ground. Arisia, despite not knowing about Shinji's story all too much knows what he meant as a brief period of silence surrounded the two young Lanterns. Despite that the Graxonite still wanted to cheer him up and actually help him.
"Well, the Corps is a team and I'm still here so I'm sure you're just worrying too much. And worry turns to fear, which is our greatest obstacle. I understand that you are not used to deal with other people, but you always have a place here in the Corps. Returning to the topic, clashing with different personalities is something that you'll deal with even without any Lantern or hero business to deal with. It's just life, so why not put the past behind and give them a fair shake? You owe it to yourself, you are way too good of a person to remain a shut off, the ring chose you for a reason."-Arisia stated, despite her tone being sympathetic and encourageable, it still carried a blunt truth. One which Shinji had to hear himself. He knew she was right, and probably judging him for how childish he seemingly acted, he was a Green Lantern. He was supposed to overcome things rather than run away from them. After all he promised not to run away anymore.
"You are right, so right. Funny how I promised myself to change and I keep slipping back into my hurting tendencies. Thanks Arisia, you know, I couldn't ask for a better Best Friend."-Shinji said looking at his finger, his ring for the first time in a while glowing in confidence regarding thinking about the team. Not being able to notice Arisia's blush as internally the Graxion squealed. 'I'm his Best Friend.'-she thought to herself, it wasn't the level of affection she would wish for. But it was a start, and it was from someone that had big problems opening up so it was a major step forward.
"That's what friend are for aren't they? Besides your trip to Earth wasn't all that bad? I mean being able to phase though walls is pretty useful. It's still useful more than the ability I found."-Arisia said blushing, Shinji's interest only perked up.
"Any ability that can help us is useful. And if you allowed me to be comfortable than I should do the same as well. Come on, show me."-Shinji said with a slight anticipation in his tone. To which surprised Arisia nodded before getting up on her feet.
"Well, it was when I first got my ring…I learned I could redesign my uniform on spot."-Arisia said with silent stutters while being incinerated in green flames to reveal a more standard Green Lantern uniform in a form of a sleek bodysuit complete with a mask. Shinji immediately blushing seeing how much the tight-fitting suit revealed more of Arisia's curves than her supposedly "more revealing" regular outfit. Noticing her friend's reaction, the Graxonite couldn't help but to blush as well before quickly shifting back to her regular uniform.
"You see? And that was the uniform I got with my ring. Since designing clothes is a hobby of mine I designed my own uniform on the way to Oa."-Arisia explained, her face still slightly tinted red before returning to sitting beside Shinji. Who despite him being a little stunned still wanted to make sure she was comfortable.
"It sure fits you more…And that ability can actually become useful. You know…we glow green in the dark and that can give us disadvantage if we wouldn't switch to darker clothes."-Shinji quickly said to which Arisia's head slightly her perked up in interest, her pointed ears slightly jumping up. Which Shinji couldn't find it anything else but cute.
"Hey poozers."-Suddenly a voice of their old drill instructor spoke up, the two young Lanterns turned around to see Kilowog, the two immediately springing up onto their feet and standing up on attention.
"Sir."-Shinji said, his tone and mood immediately changing realising what this could mean.
"I got a mission for ya two, and since Salaak is busy talking with the Guardians It's up to me to pick up the slack."-Kilowog explained to which Arisia raised her hand.
"Excuse me Lantern Kilowog, but a mission for both of us?"-Arisia asked to which Kilowog nodded.
"Indeed Lantern Rrab, sorry to break up your little date but your Lantern duties come first."-Kilowog explained ignoring the blushing teenagers, he then raised his ring to bring up a star chart showing the border of Sectors 2814 and 2815.
"We got a report from a space station bordering your two sectors. Since the two of you are the closest resident Lanterns it is up to you, now get to it."-Kilowog said before flying away, leaving the two alone.
"Well, let's get to it partner."-Arisia said, to which Shinji nodded as his mask appeared on his face. The two bright streaks of green light leaving Oa's atmosphere before quickly space-folding to the coordinates Kilowog gave them. Arisia only shot small glances at her partner, her face still slightly crimson. Soranik was right all along. From one human her hearts begun to beat for another, and this time much faster.
"You know…I never got to tell you this. But it's nice someone having someone of similar age on the job. We understand each other's problems better than others."-Arisia said before Shinji slightly turned his head towards her.
"I know, it feels good too. But still some treat you like you are senior and more deserving wearing this."-Shinji said raising his ring to which Arisia sighed.
"It's my family they see, not me. The senior Lanterns that worked with my Dad and Uncle and they see them in me. Even Soranik and her father seem to compare me to my family. The only person that probably sees me for just me…is you."-Arisia said causing Shinji to blush earning a chuckle from the Graxonite.
"But you did save the universe did you?"-Shinji asked before Arisia looked at her ring.
"This won't be enough for people to look at me as my own Lantern. That's what I intend to do."-Arisia explained as her ring lit up.
"Exiting Space-Fold"-Her ring's AI spoke out as the two Lanterns left the rainbow vortex to see a small planet being orbited around by a space station resembling closely an earthly interpretation of a Space Colony. With the large cylinder being gold and orbited by a large red and white cylinder similar to a roulette wheel.
"I know this place, this is the Nebula resort station! I always wanted to come here."-Arisia explained to which Shinji nodded. Her taking the lead, in only few minutes the two found themselves on the ship docking port. The two then entering the elevator that would lead them to the main hall and the reception. The young Lanterns getting a decent view on the gigantic gambler paradise from behind the glass, reminding Shinji of the footage of Las Vegas he had seen on TV.
"Despite being millennia more advanced then Earth. Some technology just everywhere stays the same."-Shinji said out loud. 'I still don't know if I can phase though with other people.'-he noted to himself noting that it would be something that would need testing in the future.
"I know right?"-Arisia asked nodding before the elevator let out a "ping" signalling the young Lanterns that the two reached their destination. The door opened to reveal the lobby. Aliens of various races, shapes and sizes performing various activities throughout the beautifully appointed hall. The two Lanterns walked up towards the reception desk seeing a good looking white-skinned woman with pupil less red eyes and hair with white antennae dressed in an outfit that could be compared to an Earth hostess.
"Greetings Green Lanterns, welcome to the Nebula Casino Resort. I am D'Kay the Resort's guide and receptionist. How may I be off assistance?"-The woman said in a sweet, yet alarming tone in Shinji's mind. Him being well aware on how a voice can be fake.
"We got a report of an emergency. What seems to be the problem?"-Arisia asked as meanwhile Shinji continued to look around and was immediately sent on high alert thanks to his training as an EVA pilot. Despite seemingly doing mundane tasks. All the people in the hall seemed to perform carefully planned routines. Such as an alien watering the plants. Pouring down water in intervals. Seemingly in a perfect rhythm only a machine could do. He then turned his attention towards a humanoid-like alien playing on a machine, despite his lack of fluency in alien languages without his universal translator and the fact his mask had a magnifying feature, he could see well that the machine was showing the same symbols. Yet after analysing the player's behaviour. It appeared he was showing a different script of emotions every time despite earning the same amount of money.
"It was a false report, as you can see everything is all right here."-D'Kay said, her face still showing a vapid smile that sent shivers down Shinji's back. But he wouldn't back down and raised his ring.
"Shinji?"-Arisia asked but before she could receive any reply D'Kay sent out a wave of energy at them. Knocking the table in the process. The two Lanterns not waiting any longer and raised a joint shield.
"You should've have left little Lanterns."-D'Kay said floating over her desk before beginning to shape shift.
"So she's a Martian, ring! Scan he-Aughh!"-Shinji suddenly felt like his head was about to explode. 'So you know my race?'-she said in his head, contrasting the way Megan's voice seemed like a gentle caress over his head, D'Kay's felt like someone was screeching nails on the chalkboard.
"'Who are you?!'"-Shinji asked over the frantically established mindlink.
"'Wouldn't you like to know? Lantern… strange, there appears to be a barrier around your mind, nothing I've seen before. But If you want my name then it's D'Kay D'Razz and-AUGH!'"-D'Kay exclaimed cutting off the mental link, being meanwhile shot by Arisia with a construct flare gun. It was universe-wide fact that the Martians were nearly undefeatable…exception being fire. D'Kay didn't waste any time after falling onto the floor and quickly phased though it.
"Shinji, are you ok?"-Arisia asked as Shinji looked slightly up.
"I'm fine, I ordered my ring to scan her though. But first we need to take precautions, ring! Download me the plan of the resort and place a tracker on D'Kay D'razz's signal. Switch down the main power of the resort, we cannot allow anyone from the outside to get into her clutches."-Shinji said to which his ring lit up.
"Affirmative"-His ring said before all the light's switched off, only blue emergency lights illuminating throughout the resort. Changing the whole atmosphere into far colder, tense filling. But they were Green Lanterns, and tense wasn't in the memo.
"It is too late for us to use the elevator. You ever phased with another person?"-Arisia asked, to which Shinji only turned his head.
"I never done it before? But it should be possible."-Shinji said before Arisia took his hand.
"Then I guess I have to trust you."-Arisia said tightening her grip, Shinji took a deep breath before closing his eyes. The two then phasing though the floor and flying down into the main entertainment annex. Their feet set onto the ground before both of them used their rings to scan though the room.
"Oh, my god."-Shinji said almost vomiting from his mouth, Arisia only put her hand over mouth to hide her shock. One of the supposed many entertainment annexes that was turned into a charnel house, dismembered bodies lying in twisted poses. Gaming tables all covered with internal fluids of several alien races. What got their attention was the fact some of the casualties weren't twisted corpses, their bodies were seemingly fine, it was their facial expressions what send shivers down their spine.
"By the stars…wait, this one's alive!"-Arisia exclaimed scanning one of the laying bodies. A creature resembling anthropomorphic turquoise Octopus dressed in a fancy suit. Arisia quickly rushed towards it with Shinji following.
"Lanterns…finally you came."-It spoke up between coughs as Arisia and Shinji tried to support him.
"What happened?"-Shinji asked before the Octopus turned his head towards him.
"A Martian attack, destroyed defences. Used guests as test subjects, hurry."-The Octopus said before falling unconscious. Not wasting anymore time Shinji brought up the map of the resort with the mental tracker he placed on D'Kay D'Razz.
"Let's go."-Shinji only said before flying off with Arisia soon joining him. The two traversing though the space station that was probably the size of Coast City. Traversing the streets, buildings and vent shafts mostly though Shinji's phasing and deactivated ventilators. Finally, after what felt like hours of playing cat and mouse the two finally found D'Kay's signal. Entering a small storage room to find a Green Martian that looked like forcibly being shapeshifted into D'Kay.
"'You liked this little experiment I made?'"-D'Kay asked Shinji over the mental link. Meanwhile Arisia flew towards the Martian, trying to get into some sort of contact with it.
"'Where are you?'"-Shinji asked to which he only heard D'Kay's mental laughter.
"'Long gone, thanks to you ruining my little…experiment. This time I'll let you this slide, but the next time you interrupt my work I'll rip you and your little girlfriend a part, piece by piece.'"-D'Kay said to which Shinji once again brought up the map to see the tracker he placed disappear.
"'Experiment!? You killed almost every guest in the resort! And how did you take off my tracker?'"-Shinji asked, D'Kay only scoffing as a reply.
"'To satisfy your Oan overlords some of my test subjects are still alive in their cells. And your tracker? It wasn't hard to mentally force the Green over there to pretend he was a White and sending off my signal. A simple disguise and that's how I escaped.'"-D'Kay explained before her mental voice finally faded away. Arisia meanwhile managed to get in contact with the Martian. Who shapeshifted back into the regular Martian form.
"Thank you Lanterns. You came just in time before that White Abomination could finish me with my own form."-The Martian said before Arisia created a construct seat. Meanwhile Shinji opened the communication channel, a small hologram of Kilowog appearing.
"Report Lantern Ikari."-Kilowog said before Shinji begun his report.
"The resort was attacked by a Martian by the name of D'Kay D'Razz, it appears she used the guests as guinea pigs for her "experiments" from what we saw she killed most of the inhabitants of the resort, although some of them managed to survive."-Shinji said abridging the whole situation.
"And where is the prep?"-Kilowog asked, to which Shinji's mask vanished in shame.
"Escaped…"-Shinji said embarrassed, Kilowog only nodded in understanding.
"Martians are a tricky bunch, you got lucky. Round up the survivors, stay put until backup arrives."-Kilowog said before the message disappeared. Shinji's attention then turned to Arisia. 'Oh, she never has seen so much death before, poor girl.'-Shinji said walking up towards his partner.
"We need to round up the survivors before the backup arrives."-Shinji stated, trying to get some semblance back into his partner. Arisia only kept bluntly looking at the Martian, who meanwhile fell into unconsciousness before the construct chair transformed into a healing pod. As if frozen mentally.
"Arisia please, we can't stay here. We need to go, trust me."-Shinji said putting his hand on Arisia's shoulder, to which the Graxonite finally snapped back into attention. 'How can he be so calm?'-Arisia thought with a slight…awe, that he could keep his calm even if surrounded by so many dead. It took them around two hours to round around 150 survivors including those who served as puppets for D'Kay to lure more test subjects. Same with the station's technical crew that D'Kay seemingly used to make sure no one would interrupt her. Shinji and Arisia then spend their time on the shipping dock waiting for their backup.
"How can anyone do something like this? So…inhuman."-Arisia asked rubbing her ring in frustration.
"I…don't know."-Shinji said, not really knowing how to cheer someone up after seeing something like this, this wasn't something that could be helped with a joke. It was more or less the grim reality the two had to face as Lanterns, being young or not. So they sat in relative silence until a Lantern squadron lead by Kilowog arrived.
"Good work you two, go back to Oa. We'll take it from here."-Kilowog said, with Shinji nodding. Him then slightly caressing Arisia's hand signalling for them to go. After Kilowog and his Lanterns begun interviewing the witness and clean-up, the two Lanterns were getting ready for the return trip.
"Are you all right?"-Shinji finally asked gathering all the courage. Arisia only rapidly turned to him and looking like she was rapidly livid. Shinji being sure she was fuming.
"Of course not! How can I be…all right after seeing something like this."-She said her tone slightly going meek in the end. She was scared, really scared. And then it struck Shinji into the chest.
"YOU WONT EVEN HOLD ME!"
He wasn't going to make the same mistake again…never again. He put his arms onto Arisia's shoulders, his mask instinctively disappearing to show his intentions. It was all Arisia needed to instinctively leap onto him and wrap her arms around him. Grabbing a hold of him tight like he was her anchor. Shinji moved down his arms to her waist, allowing her to rest her head on Shinji's shoulder. Who for the first time realised that her people have two hearts, and how seemingly rapid her heartbeat was, before it calmed down feeling the slow pumping matching his own singular one.
"How can you be so calm after what we saw?"-Arisia asked whispering to his ear.
"I'm used to it."-Shinji, despite knowing in what situation they were currently in, his automatic responses were still there, no matter how much he wanted to make her comfortable.
"Why?"-Arisia asked backing away from Shinji before looking him in the eyes. Her crystalline blue matching his toned cobalt. At first he thought of turning her question down, but no. He asked her to trust him, and could she if he wasn't honest with her. Even if she would never look at him with the same view ever again.
"I will explain everything on the way back. And believe me, there is enough for me to talk to not use space-fold."-Shinji said flying up, his mask reappearing before Arisia following him. As they flew back, he let out everything. His whole story, not censoring in the slightest. From his arrival to Tokyo 3 to his fights with the angels, his ups and most importantly his downs. How he killed Kaworu, what he did to Asuka in the hospital, how Misato sacrificed his life for him. And how he killed the whole world saying the words "So they can all just die.". It felt…relieving, but he got lost in it. So much so he begun to weep. Not noticing how Arisia's facial expression change. From curious, to saddened to outright horrified, her hand over her mouth as Shinji finished talking just as the two were hovering over Oa.
"There you are, some hero I am. I will understand if you will never want to look at me again, no matter what I'm still th-"-He couldn't finish as he was stunned by the sheer power of the hug Arisia enveloped him in.
"Sorry, I am honest-to-everything so sorry for what you've been though Shinji, after going through something like I would have trouble opening up to people."-Arisia said herself beginning to weep, how she could hate him? He didn't do anything wrong, in fact his existence was always endless grooming to be a puppet of someone else using his lack of affection. Him being so desperate he did anything to receive, no matter how disgusting it was. She only knew one thing, that if she ever meets his father first thing she will do is put that Son of a Bitch's head on a pike.
"Y-You don't find me disgusting?"-Shinji asked surprised between silent weeps, to which Arisia backed off slightly showing him an amused smile.
"Shinji…please take that ridiculous thing off your face when I'm talking to you ok?"-She asked in a sweet tone to which he complied, his mask vanishing allowing Arisia to clean his face with her thumb, her hands still grabbing Shinji tightly.
"Shinji Ikari, you were made into existence just so that you can bring the end of the world, denounced any basic interaction a child needs and treated like an expandable resource, being around people nowhere fit to take care of you. Despite that and your personal problems you saved your planet numerous times before circumstances forced you to make mistakes, carefully planned mistakes so that some people could achieve godhood, yet you still had the will to halt back and give everyone a second chance to live. There was a reason why a ring onto your finger in the first place. You think I would hate you? My respect for you as a Lantern only grew higher, no one, not probably even some of the veterans could exceed such willpower. I respect you and I care for you, as a fellow Lantern, as your partner. But most importantly as your friend. People make mistakes, but you offered yourself a second chance, like you offered it to everyone. And I believe that you should take it, no matter how big those mistakes have been. All of that is in the past and you can't change it. The only thing you can is to move forward, which was something you've been doing since you got your ring. And you don't realise how much I respect and idolise that in you. You are a Green Lantern, and you got the will for it. One that I would trust with my life and I'm happy to make that bargain, like I did today, and I would do the same thing always."-Arisia finally stated finishing her monologue with her smile…her smile so pure that it reminded Shinji of the time he saw Rei smile for the very first time, so full and honest. He felt…touched, nobody ever told him something like that, hell he never received so many complements and heartwarming words in a single sentence, but deep down he still felt unconvinced.
"But…Kaworu, Asuka."-Shinji said to which Arisia amusingly turned her head, she then caressed his left cheek.
"Shinji, you didn't have a choice. It was either him…or everyone you knew would die, that pushed you down into a spiral. Nobody bothered to help you, no one cared about what you did and abandoned you, and when Asuka landed in the hospital. You were desperate for anything, any touch, any word, and you didn't receive it. Eventually forcing you to go down to your lowest. You think of yourself that you did everything consensual despite being in a catatonic state. Besides, this isn't the Shinji I met, one who despite all the pain he suffers he always back up. The one I trained with, sparred with, faced dangerous opponents by his side. The one I grew to…care for not only as a Lantern but also as a very dear friend. That's the Shinji I know, and the one who currently floats in front of me is that very person."-Arisia stated, meanwhile internally fuming. 'You still didn't tell him how you feel!'-she thought to herself but didn't allow to show it to Shinji. Who still couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Thank you…thank you so much, I really couldn't have asked for a better friend and partner."-Shinji said still stunned by the sheer kindness the Graxonite gave him, so much so he didn't notice Arisia blushing again.
"Thanks, I mean what are best friends for? Besides you made me feel better about my dumb ability. It is only payback that I make you feel better."-Arisia said smiling, to which Shinji smiled as well, his mood now rapidly skyrocketing.
"Gee thanks for that."-Shinji said trying to imitate a joking tone, a bad imitation of one as well. To his surprise Arisia begun to laugh, and he did as well. Thinking in the back of his mind when was the first time he got to laugh like this?
"I didn't mean it in that way!"-Arisia said between chuckles, Shinji then looked towards his ring, it shining brightly representing his newly-found confidence.
"I'm heading back to Earth, I want to give the team…and myself a second shot."-Shinji said before slightly decked him in the ribs.
"Now that's the spirit. And remember, if you need someone to talk with. You can always call me and crush at my place, trust me."-Arisia said before giving Shinji one final quick hug.
"See you around then."-Shinji said, to which Arisia gave him a wink before disappearing into Oa's atmosphere in a streak of light. Him still briefly stunned from what just occurred. He only slightly caressed his cheek in the same place as Arisia did before.
"Ring! Space-Fold, sector 2814 HQ."-Shinji ordered, subconsciously making his ring light up.
"Affirmative"-The ring's AI spoke out before the young Lantern vanished into the void of light. 45 minutes of fast-paced flight in the rainbow filled tunnel later Shinji was back in his solar system, the blue planet revealing to himself before he entered atmosphere. To his surprise flying down into sunny Coast City. 'Was I gone for this long?'-he asked to himself before landing on Hal's balcony, desummoning his uniform before walking inside to see Hal doing something on his laptop.
"Kid! You're back."-Hal said looking slightly from behind the screen, Shinji slightly confused walked up to the fridge in order to grab himself something to drink.
"You weren't worried? Or mad? In the slightest?"-Shinji asked to which Hal closed his laptop.
"Worried? Mad? Shinji I know you, that is enough of a reason besides you being a Lantern. And I am your partner and superior, not your Dad."-Hal said slightly shocking Shinji. Who although slightly saddened by the fact Hal wasn't worried about him, but also surprised by the maturity Hal saw in him.
"Listen, I want to give the Team another shot."-Shinji said determined, to which Hal only raised his eyebrow with a smirk.
"Thought so, I may not be your Dad, but I'm glad you want to try again. It's not in a Lantern dictionary to not get up after a failed attempt, because we shouldn't allow ourselves to fail."-Hal said once again surprising Shinji, him seeing some wisdom in Hal's words.
"Yeah, getting up is what I ought to do."-Shinji said nervously chuckling, his cheeks slightly tinting red remembering Arisia's words.
"Now tell me about that Martian you ran into?"-Hal asked to which Shinji raised his eyebrow in surprise.
"Shinji, you may be a full Lantern. But as 2814.1 I'm still your superior. Of course Kilowog would tell me. Well Lantern Ikari? Field report, how are you feeling?"-Hal asked, to which Shinji nodded, orders were still orders. Even if those weren't actual orders.
"I'm fine, Arisia was more freaked out then me. She still isn't used to seeing dead bodies, but it's better sooner later. Will make the job easier for her in the future."-Shinji said to which Hal slightly raised his own eyebrow.
"Why am I not surprised?"-Hal asked slightly to which Shinji sighed, he wasn't to tell him the whole like he did to Arisia. Despite him being a Green Lantern, he was still an adult and his slight bias in opening up still remaining. That being fuelled by him absorbing every soul of during third impact creating a recipe for distrust.
"Hal listen, let's just say I've been through really nasty things before I got my ring. I've seen my fair share of death, destruction, know that I have blood on my hands. I'm not ready to tell the full story yet, only thing I'll say is that I was a pilot of something that can't be described with human words."-Shinji said, to which Hal nodded.
"Right, that can at least allow me to paint me a more cohesive picture. Listen Shinji, Kilowog told me you had a look of a vet that's been though. And with those eyes I can't imagine the stuff you had seen. But now it's different, you have friends, friends that were actually worried about you. And let's be honest without you they are in major disadvantage. You can always talk to me whenever you feel ready, and I know some people in this community who specialise in helping people like you. You don't have to deal with this stuff alone anymore."-Hal said with compassion almost getting Shinji to tear up.
"Thanks Hal, but I need to catch some sleep if I'm to visit Mt. Justice tomorrow."-Shinji said before heading to his room.
"Sweet dreams kiddo."-Hal said to which he sighed in relief, him carefully analysing Shinji's words. Being slightly surprised by how many times he mentioned Arisia, a smirk appearing on his face. 'Wow, it seems Shinji the stoic Ikari has a crush. And from what Kilowog told me seemingly vice versa. As long as it gets that supposed crush on me out of her mind.'-he thought to himself remembering words from Kilowog's report that "Those kids 'bounce off each other really well.". But his attention was still on Shinji and his planned return to the team. 'Maybe I should really call Dinah? To keep an eye on him? I'll call her tomorrow.'-Hal thought before returning his attention to his laptop.
A/N: Right, you weren't expecting new chapter this quick did you? I felt on the wave and since the original chapter this is based off is my favourite of the original series so I decided to write a quick re-adaptation, quick note here: I always felt it was stupid that Shinji didnt tell Arisia the whole truth as he was still insecure on what she would think, here it's none of that. Here Shinji despite his PTSD still knows that trust works both ways and took the risks, it paying back amazingly well. In terms of characters, yeah if some of you read the comics you may feel Arisia could be a little OOC. But since this is the teenage incarnation of the character, #1 is that she is still far from what Peter J Tomasi wrote her to be as an adult in his phenomenal Green Lantern Corps run and despite Shinji being the main character, her being the main secondary character and her arc will involve growing into her own Lantern, as I stated in the A/N of her debut chapter. #2 the only basis I have for the character I want to write is the Emerald Knights movie, and that left me without much of the basis to build upon. With the other stories involving her teenage incarnation being Len Wein and…yuck Steve Englehart and THEPRIMALEVILPIECEOFSHIT Gerard Jones. Showing her more as a flirty teenage girl a little bit far from the character Mike W. Barr created and I don't want to have a character forcing himself upon Shinji. She will show that side more often whenever the two will be alone, but not yet. Regarding this chapter, despite currently Shinji's story being mostly Earth-based. I really like writing the more space-set stories. Using the original chapter as more of a basis than this being a full-fledged adaptation like most of the chapters before. I wanted to train myself in writing the actually grand story like many of the Green Lantern Corps books are. Personally, in my opinion the perfect Green Lantern story should be Star Wars plus Dune plus Legend of the Galactic Heroes. (Hell i always imagine if this story was an anime then the ED would be Arisia singing Skies of Love with some nice imagery of Shinji in the background.) So slight mysticism mixed with hard sci-fi, sheer grandness and scale and multiple complex and interesting characters. Also, with Shinji being the most space based out of the team, there will be some stories that will involve far more than just battling the Light. Cause I have some ideas that use the fact that this is just a silly little internet story uniting two of the author's favourite franchises to the max. But now we will play it safe for a little while. Regarding the antagonist, since I wanted someone else than a random Martian to be Shinji and Arisia's foil. I picked the character from the Brightest Day storyline, in which she wanted to seduce John to rebuild the Martian race, the only change I made was that D'Kay D'Razz was a green Martian in that story while here she is a white. But in some incarnations Megan is a green as well and most people know her as a white. Also regarding Arisia's thoughts about Gendo, the original author Planer Sage said that eventually Shinji's world will catch up with him. As you all know that didn't come to fruition, so know that here it will happen! But by that time Shinji will already be an adult man so the relationships some of you might know from the rebuild movies will shift vastly. Like the original Young Justice's plot from season 1 onwards. But were a little far from there yet. Before I go I want to make one thing clear, whenever dialogue goes like "'This'" that means the characters are talking though a mind link. Until then take care! Leave a note if you want to help me in improving and creative process! And as always I don't own Evangelion and DC Comics, that belongs to Studio Khara and Warner Brothers Discovery.