Avenging Justice 3:

To Infinity and Anti-Life

Part XII

Sector 2828, Vega System, Okaara

"I'm telling you, bub, our friend here is related to those Guardian idiots," one loud Ravager said as he spit out whatever he had been chewing. "Look at him, even cringing at being compared to them. What happened, they not hug you enough, didn't share their might with you?"

Another ravager, a woman with purple skin and pink hair scoffed, "You're just upset he's a lovelier shade than you!" Turning to the Controller, "By the way, it is it true what they say about Pink Skins?"

"I don't want to know, and don't care," he said, shaking his bald head. "I hired you to lead my team to the power source. Keep that straight, personal squabbles are meaningless."

Another Ravager growled, "We don't need this, I saw we leave this asshole here."

"We promised to do a job, and we do the job," the original speaker said. "After the job is completed, you're free to go after him. Till then, do your job."

The Controller sighed, "You're all just lucky that you're good at what you do. Now hurry it up."

The purple skinned Ravager threw out a rude gesture, with the other Ravager coming up to put a comforting hand on her back. Despite his coming to her defense, she decked him hard. She didn't like being touched. The young man looked shocked, and she said something very unkind towards him. The rest of their group just laughed, and he got back up, already seething.

The Controller didn't say anything, and made it seem that he wasn't even paying attention. If it wasn't for them finding the power, they'd all be beneath his contempt. So, let them sort out their own interpersonal issues, as long as he got the power. They got the power, he corrected himself. That's why he'd been sent out here. It was beyond time for them to leave their mark on the galaxy, and finally show up those arrogant Oans. The Controllers would be the new power, one wielded with ferocity and tenacity.

Through a cave system, below a maze of pre-industrial ruins, and even further down they traveled. Soon the light of day had been left behind and the only illumination came from their personal sources. The purple skinned woman was perspiring heavily, trying to hide it from the others. Luckily for her, most of them were focused on the surroundings. As there was a sense of dread in the air, and only the Controller didn't seem affected by it.

She hated this place already, flashbacks from long ago came back. Before she was strong, before she could hurt people back. Here though, her tormentor seemed so close. The orange skin, the near dark eyes, and that laugh that made her skin crawl. The "experiments" the Tamaran woman did to her, the pain she inflicted, the other things that still gave her nightmares. She had escaped and promised never to be that weak again, to never be at someone's mercy like that.

Up ahead, a faint glow broke through the darkness. An orange glow, that pulsed wildly and erratically. The Controller knew this is what his people were looking for. He could feel the power from it here. Now, to retrieve it, take it back and weaponize it. They were so close now, no other galactic power would be strong enough to stop them. Combined with their immortality, and ability to heal, the Controllers would finally be able to bring their vision to fruition.

This thought was why he didn't see the danger, the hidden hand coming from the darkness. The orange knife that entered his back felt real enough. It was more than just the piercing, shooting pain, but continue with a severe burning that radiated out. Literally, if felt like someone had lit weapons grade plasma into his wound, and he screamed in agony, his body falling to the ground in a writhing mass of limbs.

The Ravagers were quick on the draw, but even they were flabbergasted by what came out at them. Unlike the quick attack that took out the Controller, they were well aware of what came at them. Hundreds of orange figures materialized to entrap them. Each figure was of a different being from the galaxy, and too many for any of them to accurately get a count of them all. Quickly though, they did make out Tamarans, Chitauri, Asgardians, and even Daxamites.

More out of instinct than anything else, the Ravagers opened fire, even as they looked for a place to regroup. First order of the day was to find a place, where the orange figures weren't behind them. Second was to make a run back to the surface, and third was to retrieve the client, there was still a matter of payment. Though the more orange figures appearing, the more it seemed liked a better idea to write this off as a failed venture.

Unfortunately for them, every place, nook and cranny they ran to, there were more orange figures. They blasted and shot these figures, only to have three more take their place. The leader barked orders, and sent out several grenades that exploded with blinding light. The energy broke apart several of the figures, then more came. He spun his pistol around, shot off three more shots before switching to a carbine type device.

An orange figure, this one Jaydan in appearance, complete with golden dragon armor, lunged at him. He felt the lance penetrate his shoulder, and then again felt it rip into his midsection. Despite the armor he wore, the blow still did him harm. He coughed once, feeling blood pool in his armor. He ended the orange Jaydan with three well placed shots, but now he was moving slowly. Soon he was hit more, and he fell to a knee.

Beside him, the rejected young man from earlier, was pulling him up. Dragging his leader away, the young man was firing with his off hand, shots going wild. The Ravager leader made a note, to get all his people used to and proficient with shooting from their nondominant hands. Whatever passed for hands, he corrected himself, because some of the Ravagers came from places where "hand" was a generous name for their appendages.

"Ravagers, sound off!" the leader called out, feeling more strength leave him.

His vision was going hazy, and he felt more agony. Then he was falling to the ground, the young Ravager that had been dragging him, falling too. Attached to the young man, were three orange figures, hacking and slashing away. Blood flew, and the leader was absently aware some had hit him. That wasn't his main concern, he could feel the warm pool around him. His people, he had to get his people out. He was tired, so tired.

"Retreat…." He gasped, and just in time for a huge orange foot to come crashing down upon his skull.

The purple skinned female Ravager fought fiercely. She saw the leering, greedy looks on all the figures. They pulled and tore at her, trying to rip her apart. She felt her armor tugged, felt the hands grasping around her, pulling at her. The others were being ripped apart, that must be what these were meant to be doing to her. The blow came from behind and she rolled with it, her vision going fuzzy. More hands grabbed at her, as the darkness tried to envelop her.

Making it to her feet, she pounded up the stairs, behind her death rattles rang out. She shot back, because the orange figures were still coming, no matter how many she took down. One with long taloned hands, struck her, ripping her armor. She sent a blow back, and felt a blunt weapon strike her midsection. She fell forward as another blow sent her hurtling back down the stairs. Orange hands ripped and grabbed, and finally she screamed as her last weapon was removed.

Over her body, she heard, "I want….."

She screamed again, and then the figures were blown back by Ravager energy weapons. Sensing her time, she leapt up and raced towards the firing. He heart stopped, at what presented to her. There, torn to shreds, and surely a dead man walking, was the youth she'd punched just a little bit ago. In his hands were the energy rifle and an energy pistol on his side. He turned towards her, half his face missing. He smiled one last time and then dropped.

Pure instinct alone, she grabbed the two weapons and fled. Rage and fear built up in her, more of the latter as she heard the sounds of a mob coming after her. Pushing her body to the limit, running faster than she could pull air in, she went through the darkened pathways. She wasn't thinking, just running, and several times she got turned around. Then came the blessed light, and she was almost there.

Her leg felt a lancing pain and she tumbled hard forward. Smacking into something hard, what little breath was in her lungs, was knocked out. She couldn't breathe, her vision swam and her body failed to respond. Even as orange hands pulled at her, she was defenseless. She wanted to fight back, wanted to hurt them, she wanted them to pay. She felt undeniable rage, and wished that she could just wipe them out.

"You're mine…." Came the voice again. "I want….need….! I will have!"

This time the hand coming for her wasn't orange, but real. Even as the other orange hands held her pinned to the ground, the face coming at her, was all too real. Pure avarice washed over the being, and she could see he wanted something, she was just scared what. Why had this been done all this to keep her alive, while slaughtering everyone else on her team? Her mind didn't have far to go, as immediately horrible things ran through her head. Once again she raged, this time screaming in frustration.

"You have great anger in your heart." Said a new voice, one that was both horrible and in alignment to her wishes.

The woman screamed as the red ring attached to her finger, and her insides went on fire. Soon she vomited out red plasma, destroyed most of the orange figures. Some even launched towards the figure coming at her. An orange shield stopped it, but that was all she needed. The figures lost their grip and she blasted off. She only knew rage, and she wanted to go after her attackers, but something was calling her to the stars. She ripped three of the orange figures apart, and then snarled at the being who had been calling for her.

"I want that ring, give it to me!" the being said.

In response to this, she sent out more red plasma from her mouth and then went towards the light. She'd be back, she was going to burn this planet to cinders and find that being. She was going to rip him apart, piece by little piece. She wanted to do so now, with this wonderous power coursing through her, but she was being called. Having to put off her revenge angered her more, increased her wrath. With each rage, she could only see those who had wronged her, and more power came to her. She would make them all pay.

Sector 0000, Oa

"You broke the treaty, now I'm sending my army," came Agent Orange's voice.

What was projecting it was a fallen Manhunter, standing in front of the Guardians. This Manhunter had fallen long ago, when their deal had been struck. Being sent back like this was another part of the message being sent to the Guardians. A message that confused the recipients, till they saw the next images. The failed incursion of Okaara by one of the controllers.

Of course, to Agent Orange this was an incursion by them, even if it was one of their offshoot brethren. Like the Zamorans that had also split off from them, a secret that very few knew, they were being held responsible. It also couldn't come at a worse time.

With the Sinestro Corp war coming to a close, they were still trying to replace those lives lost. Several Lanterns were still injured, with their recovery possibly taking weeks, if not months. Those that were left, now had to pick up the slack. As it was, they were covering other Lanterns' sectors, till replacements would be found. In short, they were weakened.

The last time the Orange Light had been fought over, the Guardians had been forced to let Larfleeze "win." For this, he was kept in his sector, and none of their Lanterns would or could patrol it. This had kept the peace, until now. Not for the first or last time, the Guardians cursed their emotional brethren. They were being drawn into a conflict, all because the Controllers were forever looking for more power.

"With the treat voided, I will hold back my armies, but I want a tribute," the voice of Larfleeze said.

The next few minutes were a rattled off list of everything and anything that could be wanted, hoarded or the like. Some were ostentatious, others were simple and trivial, but all exhibited greed's ever growing need to devour. What struck the Guardians as curious was the mention of a red power ring. The power of rage was red, but they were unaware of anyone who'd tapped into that power. That was concerning, what else had changed while Sinestro had held their attention? They would need to send out scouts, their newly minted Alpha Lanterns. Those could be trusted, for their sacrifice had been great.

"We do not negotiate with terrorists," the Guardian now known as Scar said with finality. "Stay on your world, in your sector, per our deal and nothing will happen to you."

Another Guardian interrupted, "Sister, we must confer about this." Turning back to the orange construct talking for Larfleeze, "We haven't sent anyone to your world. The one you killed, was a Controller, and not one of our people."

"He looked like you, sounded like you, he was you," Larfleeze responded. "Now meet my demands, or I'll come for it myself!"

With that the construct vanished, and so did Larfleeze's voice. Leaving only the Guardians sitting on their high seats. Ganthet's seat was empty, with the others already sending a message out to him. This couldn't wait though, they needed to figure out how to handle this situation. They weren't in any shape for another war, nor stopping uncontrolled greed. That is what Larfleeze would bring down upon them. However, they couldn't let him run amok either.

Not with the reports of Thanos' forces on the move. Already several worlds had fallen dark, and their sector Lanterns also falling silent. It got even worse as several new recruits were being selected from those sectors, indicating the previous ones had fallen in some way. No, they were needed now more than ever.

"We can't not let this affront stand. We left him in peace, and the first time in thousands of years someone comes looking for that Orange Light, he blames us," Scar sounded angry.

Another of the Guardians shook his head, "Sister, calm yourself. We have purged emotions, so that we may see clearly."

"Where was that when Sinestro's minions almost wiped us out?" Scar shot back. "We were calm and focused, and one of his sycophants did this!"

She pointed to her scarred features. During the war, one of Sinestro's lieutenants got lucky and managed to burn the Guardian. She had been healing since, but her demeanor had changed. Gone was the calm, and now she was more apt to call for action and use force. They had hoped having her go to meet with the Star Sapphire leaders, but that had quickly devolved into another near battle. Yet, there was something in her words.

The Guardians had been making calm, reasoned decisions for thousands of years. For most of that time there had been "peace." However, recently events had gotten so chaotic, even they were having trouble staying calm and reasoned. Even instituting the Alpha Lanterns had been a reaction. Everything was changing, and maybe it was time for changes in their Lanterns as well. Already the rings had been unlocked to allow for lethal attacks.

"Send two Alpha Lanterns to Sector 666, they'll know the world," another Guardian said. "Then we'll take several Lanterns to Okaara."

"Agreed, then we will end these threats," Scar started to calm. "We will bring peace and order back to the Galaxy."