Oa
"Emotion is not quantifiable," one Guardian said to another as they analysed the data from their experiments. Untoward social experiments which had resulted in an impurity. They had given freedom of romance within the corps. A liberty which they had not expected to be so conservative. They were pleased with the results which made them optimistic for their corps' future as a consummate group of professional colleagues. Then two of them did become intimate and in more ways than just physical. Kyle Rayner and Soranik Natu were very much willing partners. The couple became lovers without any shame. Living as the Zamarons would have them. How disgusting. The data was still insufficient for their great weapon to be created, but they had a preliminary prototype. As ever these Machiavellian ancients conversed in their citadel, with no identity discerning one from the other. "I think it is time brothers and sisters, that we form a Third Army." "A Third Army?" "Hear me out. The Green Lanterns are imperfect. We need creatures without free will as the Manhunters had, but with the reasoning to not be hijacked by another as those androids were." "Such a creature does not exist." "No, but we can make one. We have to. Otherwise we leave the universe to chaos. The chaos that Lanterns Rayner and Natu have cultivated with their unprofessional fornication. Now I hear tell that Ion is the lover of Lantern Rrab. A corps of Ephemeral beings was always doomed to fail as a cybernetic one was without the necessary enhancements. The Lanterns have served their purpose, but by allowing sentient lifeforms to harness one part of the Emotional Spectrum, we have started the War of Light by letting such aspects of reality spread throughout the cosmos. Our Green Lanterns should be disposed of as much as their counterparts who oppose us." The Guardians all nodded in approval. "But we cannot initiate such an action now. First, we must handle this recent crisis. The crisis Krona has wrought by not dying. Our intelligence has informed us that our supposedly slain kinsman is now part of a gang of intergalactic criminals attacking the other corps. We may well be next."
In the canteen, Kilowog, Soranik and Arisia sat and had some luncheon. "Still feeling embarrassed about Hal escaping?" Arisia asked Kilowog who seemed very blue. "Nah, I'm glad the poozer got away," her old friend shrugged, "But I do wonder what's going on with Kyle. Haven't heard from him in a while. He went dark investigating Sector 666. Not long after he goes the other Lanterns are attacked. All of 'em except…Sinestro's old boys. Controlled by Mongul now, who somehow ain't dead. I dunno'." Kilowog absorbed some protein as Soranik sighed. "I miss Kyle too," she rested her head on a hand, "But we have duties here. Duties towards the rest of the universe." "Kilowog isn't saying we give in," Arisia told her friend, "But we should be worried. Things aren't going well for the corps and…" "Have you found Sodam yet?" Kilowog asked her. "Um, no," the youngest of them was evidently upset, "I miss him."
"We all do, kid. Come 'ere." As Kilowog hugged Arisia paternally, a shudder shook the entire planet. The whole of Sector Zero it seemed. The Guardians espied a fleet in the sky. A fleet led by two men who resembled the Kryptonian warrior known as Kal-El. The exception in appearance for one was the fact that the taller of the two was cybernetically enhanced in combination with his flesh in some parts, and the other in that he seemed to be an adolescent. Coming from out of the ships were men and women in battle gear, with green light shining from their limbs. Tamaraneans. Then beside that fleet came various men and women wearing wings for flight. Thanagarians. A swirling portal opened allowing many Kryptonians to exit with their heat vision primed. Creatures of yellow skin with an army of Lobo clones to enforce them. Psions. With them came a well-known and implacable foe of the corps. The Yellow Lanterns, with their former leader, Mongul restored to his rightful place. Nothing could appear worse or more intimidating than this. Then a gigantic skull appeared behind them and immediately fired a bolt of energy at the main base of the Lanterns.
Kilowog immediately took his two comrades out of the blast whilst the Guardians witnessed twenty Lanterns die from that same strike. The energy coming from the ship appeared to be yellow, fired like a cannon by the Lanterns who control fear. The three Lanterns were on the ground with a fire behind them. "How in all the sectors did that happen?" Kilowog shouted into the aether as Arisia recognised the ship. The ship had a weapon at its base. A laser draped in colours unlike any ever seen before. "That's Brainiac's ship, Kilowog. But look at that cannon below it. It has all the colours…How did he get a laser that can harness the Emotional Spectrum?" "I think I can guess who's been attacking the Corps'," Soranik sighed as she began shouting to various Lanterns crowding around them, "Listen up. We are under attack. Mobilise immediately. Call all Lanterns straight to Oa. No exceptions. This is just as the Blackest Night was. We must protect the Central Battery." Mogo the planet immediately began reaching out across the cosmos to summon all the Lanterns they could muster. All of them. The universe would not abide any Lantern not arriving at Oa.
On the Tamaranean mothership, Blackfire stood with her husband, Vril Dox, who was disgusted to see the skull ship which had joined them. "You…are…working with him?" he bellowed at his consort. "Indeed, husband," Komand'r wave a hand at her paramour, "Your father is certainly an invaluable ally to have. And he can be easily reined in compared to those uncompromising Guardians." "But he's evil!" Dox was apoplectic. "Yes. And?" Blackfire laughed as she stroked her stomach in motherly desire, "He's the grandfather of my little messiah. We should embrace him as both an ally and family surely?" Vril scowled before stalking off only to be grabbed by two royal guards. "You must prepare Captain Comet for the battle, husband," she commanded her glorified stud, "Eddie has yet to arrive with his troops." Dox moved to protest but stifled himself. Whether he liked it or not, he was a king consort and going to be father to the Hybrid Messiah. Blackfire and his father had him in the palm of their hands. And besides, he needed to take down the Guardians of the Universe for the greater good. The good of ending their tyranny for Krona.
On the deck of Brainiac's Skull Ship, Thawne, Krona and Brainiac stood and observed the planet below them. "Soon, Krona, all this will be yours," Thawne smiled, placing a hand on the Maltusian's shoulder. "I have no desire to rule Thawne," was the cold reply of his ancient comrade. "You're the most qualified of us all when this is over," Thawne told him supportively, "A broker of peace between our empires, with Brainiac here at the head of the Emotional Spectrum destroying worlds who disrupt the Galactic Council and the order they bring to the cosmos. Soon, all will know our dominance and tremble before the might of our assembled power. Now, would you mind giving myself and Brainy here a bit of a moment to discuss strategy?" The Maltusian hesitated before leaving silently with an air of disapproval. "Brainiac, you do realise I am connected to the embodiment of life in the universe, yes?" Eddie spoke with great impatience. "Life is a quirk of matter, Thawne," the intelligence spoke monotonously, "It is all but meaningless to me." "And yet you demand living subjects from me?" Thawne rejoined provocatively.
"Irrelevant. I gather your intention here is to scold me. You dance about your intention as all lesser beings do rather than communicating plainly. May I remind you, you are my ally, not my master."
"Allies advise, not scold. But this goes beyond advice. You destroyed Daxam!"
"You desired its annihilation…"
"When we had dealt with Oa. Not before! You have no idea what this could bring upon our head."
"My intellect outstrips—"
"And yet it is incapable of common sense. By destroying a planet before Oa you could have forewarned the Guardians. They may have a weapon of mass destruction primed anyway. Not to mention destroying a planet in a random act of cruelty, or a show of force, will entice our enemies to mobilise prior to any battle. Oa is strategic. Destroying it will remove the greatest barrier to universal conquest. And on your head be it if a certain someone makes their way here."
"You mean Sodam Yat?"
"No, the Easter Bunny. Of course, Sodam Yat!"
"He is just another Green Lantern."
"A Daxamite Green Lantern acting as the host of Ion. The embodiment of willpower! I can think of at least three advantages he already has over our entire army."
"You are the host of an embodiment and we have a Kryptonian who is nigh invulnerable. I am sure he will handle whatever the last Daxamite has to throw at him."
"All I'm saying is you've made a grave error of judgement, Brainiac. Potentially fatal."
"We have the greatest army ever assembled in universal history and an arsenal the Anti-Monitor would envy. Your fear of one over-powered, headstrong Daxamite is mere paranoia."
"Whatever. Now point me in the direction of Katar Hol."
Brainiac opened a door behind him silently, as Thawne walked outside. Joining him were Cyborg and Troia who soullessly followed the man their psyches were beholden to. Thawne opened a door a few corridors down and entered a lab filled with green vats. The Thanagarian in question had nearly completed his work. "Katar!," Thawne greeted his pawn in a jocular fashion, "Has the process been successful? Have we achieved memetic clonage?" "Indeed," Katar announced joylessly as he pointed to the vat containing a female form, "Kendra Saunders. Hawkgirl. At your service. She will serve you far more readily than anyone bowing to your psychic powers of suggestion." "Excellent, Katar," Thawne smiled as he placed his hand on the vat longingly, "We may yet release her into the fold." "Um, Mr Thawne," the Thanagarian stumbled. "What?" the preacher was impatient to return to battle preparations, "Can't you see I'm busy." "You promised me much for my work," Katar gulped, "I have given you the army from Thanagar on top of finally achieving memetic clonage. Now I would like the favour to be returned." "Ah," Thawne intoned, "Very well, I suppose I have delayed paying you for your services. Stand still a moment." Thawne then placed his hands on Katar's head and spoke in Thanagarian as the ship seemed to shake. Carter Hall assumed the vessel was under attack. But then he noticed something. Kendra was awake. What the hell was going on? Then a red-haired woman entered who made Carter feel as if this whole experience was a means of driving a knife into his heart. Shiera. It must have been. But then she embraced Katar and kissed him in a reciprocal warmth, and he knew that this wasn't his wife. It was Shayera Thal. But then she looked to the tube and cried slightly. Kendra was still awake and looking distressed. But no one appeared to notice this apart from Carter.
When Thawne and his underlings had departed, Katar pressed a few buttons and both Carter and Kendra fell from their tubes. "I am sorry, my love," Katar hastily told his resurrected wife, looking deeply into her eyes, "But this is Carter Hall." "What have you done, Katar?" Carter spluttered before Shayera could respond as he went over to check on Kendra who seemed terrified of all around her. "I knew my memetic clonage was a success," Katar perfunctorily told his human counterpart, "I had no doubt about it. But I knew that to resurrect Shayera, Thawne would have to pull Shiera's soul from Kendra. She is her own woman now, Carter. Whereas my wife…is a mind slave." Shayera seemed to aimlessly look into the sky. "I have done this for you, Carter," Katar sighed, "Now get this young girl out of here." "I'm not leaving without Kory, Kyle and the others," Carter insisted, foregoing thanks for the weaker man's apparent sacrifice, "I'll not leave them for Brainiac to experiment upon." "Oh, you are stubborn," Katar gritted his teeth before laughing, "I should have realised we were similar enough for you to be selfless in this. Very well. But we must wait until the fighting begins to attempt an escape. Brainiac's drones won't be protecting them then. But Thawne's goons will be." Shayera then screamed as her husband laid her down on a nearby table. "I'm sorry, my love," he whispered, kissing her forehead deeply, "She won't remain a mind slave for long, but the process will take its toll on her mind. Therefore, I may very well have sacrificed my wife's sanity for your guilt, Carter. I hope you're grateful." Carter merely held Kendra close to him as she looked up and asked, "Are we dead?" "No, thankfully," her old partner smiled, happy to see her awake, "We'll get out of here, my dear. Don't worry."
Thawne arrived on the bridge of Brainiac's ship where a battle computer had been prepared for him. "All is prepared," Brainiac sardonically indicated from his throne. Thawne smiled with glee as he held several communicators switches down. Komand'r, Mongul and a Thanagarian commander appeared as holograms before him, as did Superboy-Prime. The former Reverse-Flash began issuing his orders to the troops with the flair of General Patton. "Mongul, assault the citadel directly. Slaughter the Guardians and any Lanterns who stand in your way! Komand'r and Prime, lead the Kryptonians into battle with the main bulk of the Lantern forces. Commander Kol, your forces will do as the good queen commands. This should go as painlessly as possible, my friends. Well, for us, at any rate. Soon the universe itself shall be ours!" With that, Blackfire began speaking to her assembled troops and nearby Kryptonians from the bridge of her mothership. "Sons and daughters of Tamaran! Today, we claim the cosmos itself for our alliance with Thanagar, the Yellow Lanterns, the Guardian Krona and the great warlord, Brainiac. On this day, we destroy the most powerful organisation in the universe and establish a dynasty which will last a billion years across countless systems. I, the Hybrid Madonna, so swear it. My daughter will be Empress over a million worlds together with her Thanagarian consort. Today I will become Tamaran's greatest sovereign as we smite the Green Lantern Corps and the Guardians of the Universe! As for our Kryptonian allies, you will have the privilege of building this empire as our equals with the Thanagarians. Now attack!" The Tamaranean troops cheered joyously, as did the Psions since they weren't the type for rousing speeches and just decided to follow suit with the army beside them.
Mongul flew out to the assembled Yellow Lanterns and chuckled gleefully. "Fear will win this day my followers. The willpower of the Green Lanterns will be crushed underfoot in the name of Parallax and Mongul. These benighted and ancient fools who think they control the universe through their fearless sentinels will know they were always doomed to fall. They will die as they should have when Parallax first struck this world all those years ago. I swear this as a warrior of Warworld! I swear it as your resurrected commander. I swear it as Mongul, Lord of the Mongul Corps!" The Yellow Lanterns then all raised their rings in unison and began their chant: "IN BLACKEST DAY, IN BRIGHTEST NIGHT, BEWARE YOUR FEARS MADE INTO LIGHT. LET THOSE WHO TRY TO STOP WHAT'S RIGHT, BURN LIKE HIS POWER – MONGUL'S MIGHT!"
Cyborg Superman flew towards Superboy-Prime to make a comment on the armies assembled with them. "They will nearly all die this day, you know that?" Henshaw pointedly asked the younger man. "That's what Thawne is expecting anyway," Prime responded, smiling and thinking of how he would destroy this world with relish. Below them, the Green Lanterns were assembling for a defensive point under Kilowog, Arisia and Soranik Natu. "This is not a good day, ya' poozers," Kilowog told all who managed to assemble, "This is almost as bad as when the Black Lanterns came. But this ain't the end of the Lanterns. No, sirree. I ain't going down today like some rustbucket Manhunter. I'm going to fly right into the heart of that ship and rip Brainiac's head off his shoulders, and I hope each and every one of you follows me there! Who's with me!" As they all stood strong, all the Lanterns on the surface below saw the armies descending and realised there wasn't time enough to say their oath. Looking at Soranik and Arisia, Kilowog gulped and they flew to meet their fates.
The first attack was fierce and brutal. Hundreds of Green Lanterns fell, not realising the Tamaraneans now had the yellow impurity which made them immune to their assaults. Others were diverged when they noticed Mongul and his forces attacking the citadel. It wasn't enough. Mongul gleefully advanced on the meeting chamber only to find no Guardians there. "Thawne, where are the Guardians?" the Warzoon bellowed indignantly, "What trickery—" "Did you really think them stupid enough to fall to us this quick in the game, Mongul?" his benefactor smiled, "No, I'm afraid you've fallen for what on my world is known as a red herring. Remember that weapon of mass destruction of theirs I mentioned." Mongul looked below him and saw a bomb slowly pulsating. "You're at the epicentre of it," Thawne continued, "Sorry, old chum, but eggs and omelettes as you yourself know." "I will wring the life from your scrawny human neck, Thawne!" Mongul bellowed as the bomb exploded below him and took out the majority of the Yellow Lanterns. The Despair Bomb. It was the best the Guardians had managed to manufacture from their experiments with emotion and it tore through the Yellow Lantern forces like a knife through butter. Several of them felt their heads explode as every negative emotion they had ever felt overwhelmed them. Their own rings of fear turned on them. By the time the explosion had spread, very few Yellow Lanterns were left.
On the bridge, Thawne laughed a little. "You just sacrificed a third of our forces!" Brainiac screamed, displaying an uncharacteristic fury, as Krona's veins throbbed in his head. "What foolish endeavour is this Eobard?" the Maltusian reprimanded him, "The Yellow Lanterns were a key part of our stratagem." "Not at all," Thawne mocked his allies, "Did you really think an idiot like Mongul deserved a place in our alliance? They served their purpose. The Guardians have played their hand too early while we still have a significant number of our forces immune to the Green Lanterns and their power rings. They'll need a solution to that yellow impurity soon, haha!" On the bridge of the Tamaranean mothership, Vril Dox appeared as a hologram before his wife looking concerned. "Komand'r, this is insane," the prince consort begged her, "We must withdraw. Phase Three could destroy us all at this rate." "Phase Three will not happen-" she rejoined, only to be interrupted by her frenzied husband. "Thawne just tossed Mongul and his entire corps aside on a gamble," he fretted, "We can't trust he won't do the same with us, my dear." "Phase Three is our plan, Vril," she pointedly reminded him. "And our insurance. But I take your point, there are far too many weapons of mass destruction at play here for my liking."
Only Lanterns with great physical abilities like Arisia or Kilowog seemed to be able to stave off Tamaraneans and Kryptonians who came their way. The sky was full of these gold-skinned warriors who unleashed random cries of "FOR QUEEN KOMAND'R!" throughout the struggle and criminals from the Phantom Zone who expected all to kneel in their presence. Kilowog and Arisia had started counting how many Tamaraneans they could take out at a time, knowing it was impossible to count the near-invincible, but not unstoppable, Kryptonians. But at this point, the Green Lanterns were outnumbered. There wasn't a snowball's chance in Hell of them winning. So, the Guardians decided to join the fray. Using their great telepathic abilities, the Guardians ripped through some Thanagarians and Tamaraneans, as well as remaining Yellow Lanterns. But it wasn't enough. The Guardians were not quick enough for the Kryptonians. Eventually, only ten of them remained within the same number of minutes since they had joined the battle. "This is folly," one Guardian proclaimed, "I think it is time we activated…the First." The Guardians nodded reluctantly to the one who made the suggestion before descending to the depths of the planet. In the crypts, the keeper Morro sensed what they were doing and prepared himself to fight his masters.
As they arrived in the bowels of Oa, Morro stood his ground. "I cannot allow you to unleash the First Lantern, masters," he spoke defiantly, summon the shades of the departed Corpsmen to his aid. "He is the only one who can save us," one of his masters protested. "By destroying the cosmos!" their keeper replied, preparing his ring, "Our Lanterns are being slaughtered!" a Guardian shouted, "What would you have us do?" "This being will have amassed near infinite power since his imprisonment, he could slaughter countless innocents," the keeper manifested a scythe construct as the departed Corpsmen constructs assembled around him, "Do not make me slay you, masters!" "You serve us—" one began only to be shot down with a cry of, "I serve the universe first. Now back away! Lest ye all die!" Seeing no quarter would be given by their keeper, the Guardians then concentrated all their telepathy on Morro who resisted with great might, the Corpsmen around him vanishing in turn. His ring slowly began draining of power as he did so. He had an hour in which to resist them before he expired. He could only pray that was enough time for this war to end.
Aboard Brainiac's ship, Carter Hall and Kendra Saunders, now in their Hawkman and Hawkgirl outfits saw all that was going on below them. "We must hurry to the dungeons," Katar told them, "Else we will not have time to rescue your friends." "I...understand that," Carter nodded, still looking on in despair at the alliance felling all the Green Lanterns. Then he realised. The yellow impurity derived from the element of yellow Parallax had placed in the Central Power Battery. A being of great power needed to be housed in the Central Power Battery for it to work, no more than the Anti-Monitor had been used to power the Black Lanterns, some ancient and terrible being would need to rest inside the monument for the Lanterns to truly regain their former might. Otherwise the Green Lanterns would forever have that weakness. Carter looked to his buckle of Nth metal and sighed. He then turned to Kendra for a moment, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"It is so good that you are alive, Kendra. Ever since losing Shiera once again, I have not been able to forgive myself for allowing you to die and her to live. My wife and I had my time and I was being selfish by not finding a way for you to return. She and I have lived many lives over many millennia, and I think it is time that others got a chance to live and be loved instead."
"Carter, don't blame yourself. Please. You loved Shiera. Love is selfish."
"But I'm a hero, Kendra. We're not supposed to be selfish. And I ruined your life by constantly having the part of my wife's soul within you longing for me. It killed you in the end. If you hadn't been with me that day the Black Lanterns would never have devoured your heart. I want you to lead a long and beautiful life. Marry someone who will love you as I loved Shiera. Tell your children of the legend of Prince Khufu and Chay-Ara. Tell them of their eternal love. Do that in my honour...and Shiera's."
"Carter, why are you talking like this?"
"Because today an old man will die and a young woman will live." He then kissed her on the forehead rather than the lips, to remind himself he would not burden her with the notion he was in love with her. Still she grabbed his hand, realising what he aimed to do. "But I do love you," she whispered, desperate to make it clear that she did care for him. "No, you don't," he shook his head, wiping away a tear, "But I appreciate the lie." Hawkman then picked up his mace and tossed it to Katar. "Carter, what are you doing?" his Thanagarian self asked. "Saving this Corps," the older man informed him, "Saving my friends. Good luck, Katar. Be a good Hawkman. And take proper care of that mace, I've had it for three thousand years and it hasn't let me down yet. I wouldn't like you to start disappointing her." Carter then ran towards an airlock door and sealed it shut despite Katar's protests. "Carter! No!" the man who resembled him in so many ways begged the man whose soul he had once held, "What are you doing?" Giving one last salute before the airlock opened, Carter flew through the skies, past various Lanterns, Tamaraneans, Kryptonians and Thanagarians all locked in mortal combat. "Izzat Hawkman?" Kilowog asked in disbelief, wondering if the cavalry had come. He knew it was no ordinary Thanagarian by his speed and determination. Flying through the remains of the citadel, Carter found the Central Power Battery of the Green Lantern Corps and the access point therein. Closing his eyes, he plunged into the bright green abyss. He could feel the Green Light of Willpower raging around him tearing his mortal body apart. But not his soul. Not the soul of Prince Khufu which had lived a thousand generations. The soul with the willpower to keep fighting for his love for all eternity. That soul was now the power of the Green Lantern Corps. Green Lantern's might. As his body disintegrated, Carter let out one final yell which was heard throughout the cosmos. "Shiera, I am coming home to the Duat, my eternal love!" As he perished, Carter Hall saw a red-haired woman holding his hand and lifting him into the great beyond.
A large flash issued from the Central Power Battery and both armies were knocked down and stumbled for a brief moment. The Green Lanterns could feel a new power in their rings. Like they almost had no limit. No impurity. Kilowog was the first to test this, firing straight at a Tamaranean shock trooper and actually managing to harm him. "Cheers, Hawkman," he whispered to his ring before shouting to his comrades, "He's done it! That blamed fool has done it! The yellow impurity's gone! Come on. Once more unto the breach! Show these poozers what we're made of!" And so, the Green Lanterns began routing the Tamaranean and Thanagarian soldiers. Aboard his bridge, Thawne laughed maniacally to the chagrin of his allies whose holograms still appeared before him.
"This is not funny, Thawne!" Komand'r barked, "My forces are being massacred." "We still have yet to truly play our hand, your majesty," he smirked, before turning to Superboy-Prime's hologram, "Tell Henshaw that you both need to eliminate a certain power source." That earned a smile of acknowledgement from Prime before his hologram vanished. "Begin Phase Two!" he bellowed to the remaining holograms, "Brainiac, prepare the World-Eater!" The commanding intelligence immediately sent a message to Slade Wilson who was holding Koriand'r and her child in the cells below, just as Donna Troy and Victor Stone arrived to help escort him. "I see you've sent the troops," Slade said to Brainiac only to receive no reply, "Very well then. Come on, princesses. Let's make this as painless as possible." Kory and Mar'i were then dragged by Troia and Cyborg unwillingly from their cell. "Donna, Vic! Please, it's me, Kory!" Starfire pleaded with her old friends to no avail, "We were the dearest of friends once. Do not let Brainiac use me to destroy another world." Slade then took Mar'i from Donna without her noticing as the child cried. "Let go of me!" the girl protested, "You're a bad man." "That I am, child," he whispered seriously and protectively, "But you two need me if you want to get out of here alive." Slade turned to Kory who nodded her consent for whatever scheme he had concocted to liberate them.
On Oa, Soranik Natu was tending to the wounded on both sides outside the ruins of the citadel. She shed a tear seeing the weapon the Guardians had just used to decimate the Yellow Lanterns. The heads of several of them were missing, while those with their corpses intact had their faces twisted in fear. She closed the manic eyes of the victims and began weeping a little. In the sky, Cyborg Superman and Superboy-Prime had joined in the affray, with the latter attacking Arisia while the former handled Kilowog. "You're all fools, you know that?" Henshaw taunted Kilowog, "There is no supreme power in the universe. Your Guardians are a sham. You all should just submit and know that might is right." Kilowog just kept fighting back, resisting every blow the near invincible being delivered. "Not today, poozer," he landed a sucker punch which damaged some of the astronaut's face, which quickly reformed. Arisia successfully dodged all of Prime's attacks as well. "I'll kill you, you little fairy!" Prime childishly shrieked, "Your boyfriend won't like that, will he?" Arisia then punched Prime solidly with a Power Ring construct knocking him back. As Kilowog held Henshaw in a headlock, Henshaw began firing his heat vision into whole arrays of Lanterns, killing dozens. "Stop it!" Kilowog demanded, tightening his grip. "Make me, fool!" Henshaw bragged despite being pinned down. Kilowog released the cyborg and began pummelling him with all the power in his ring. Henshaw was barely phased but several Kryptonians came to his aid all the same. Seeing his opportunity as they all primed their heat vision, Kilowog threw Cyborg Superman into the epicentre of their blasts. The man who had once sailed to the stars and returned to humiliation by Superman burned in agony. Kilowog watched as the combined heat vision obliterated the Cyborg Superman, hopefully for good this time.
As Soranik continued to tend to the wounded, she looked up and saw Brainiac's ship was preparing to fire directly at her location. The etheric beam targeting them was multi-coloured, suggesting it drew all its energy from throughout the Emotional Spectrum. Suddenly, a solitary green light subsumed the whole of the beam. Little did Soranik know, but her lover, Kyle Rayner's, power ring was the source of that green light. It wouldn't have been any consolation for her to know that her death would now be instantaneous. Up in the distillation chamber, Kory was fitted into the laser beam by Vic. "Your father's name was Silas," she desperately tried to remind him, "You were a star football player. Please, Vic, remember who you are." Donna then took Mar'i from Slade and they watched as Cyborg prepared to activate the device and fire Starfire's power at the planet below. "Donna, that is my daughter," Kory turned to her best friend, "Dick Grayson's daughter. Your brother in spirit. You love me and him. You would not take our child from us. The child of your two dearest friends. You would not let her watch yet again as her mother is used as a weapon." The laser activated once more and Kory felt the surge of emotions flood through her body for a second time. On the planet below, Soranik closed her eyes as she awaited her fate.
Many things rushed through Donna Troy's mind at that moment. The name, Dick Grayson, reminded her of a friend. Daughter? The little girl. Mar'i? Mary. Like Dick's mother. Beautiful golden skin, like Kory. Kory trapped in the machine. Kory about to…destroy a planet. Kory about to kill. The young girl looked up into Donna's eyes and cried a little. "Please don't do this, Aunt Donna!" the weeping child begged. Donna so wanted to stop. Wanted to think for herself. But Thawne wouldn't want that. Then she turned to see Vic continuing to enter in calculations as Kory screamed while he primed the weapon. Deathstroke seemed to calmly stand right behind Cyborg. Almost as if he were going to pounce. Donna's reaction was immediate. She had to stop Slade. For Thawne. But for some reason, her lasso wrapped around Cyborg and not Deathstroke just before he could push the button to fire Kory's power at Oa. Slade then shoved something magnetic onto Vic's head, and it seemed to calm him down. Cyborg looked groggy and seeing Kory in the machine, spoke for the first time in months. "What the hell?" was the shout of surprise that left the Titan's lips, "Somebody let me out of this thing. We've got to get Kory out of there." Slade then walked over to Donna and pulled something out of her ear. A tiny little worm. A mind parasite. She punched Slade in the face as Cyborg released Starfire from the machine and she hugged him and her daughter. "Thank you, Vic," Starfire wept into her friend's form.
"I just saved your life and that of an entire planet, Troy," Slade protested, standing defiantly against the Amazon, "So give me a break. We need to Boom Tube the hell out of here if we want to live." "How are you controlling Vic!" she screamed, grabbing him by the throat. "I'm not," he knocked her hand aside, "That's a signal jammer on his head. The Calculator's signal is being drowned out so long as he wears it. It might not last forever, so we've got to use him quickly and get out of here." "Why are you helping us?" Donna demanded, staring the Terminator down. "Because Donna," Kory answered, "He has no desire to harm my daughter. And he knows what Thawne is capable of from working for him." Troia suddenly forgot Deathstroke and ran straight into a big group hug with her friends and the child. "So, you're Mar'i…Grayson then?" she asked the girl. "Yep," she smiled, "And you must be my Aunt Donna and Uncle Vic Mom always talks about. Gramma told me you wre both great heroes." Cyborg and Troia smiled bashfully at the innocence as they turned to see Deathstroke hadn't run away nor was he trying to kill them. "Please, trust me for once," he muttered. They both reluctantly nodded, but before Vic could activate a Boom Tube, Kory raised her hand in protest, "We must save my friends first." That earned an eye roll from Slade. "There's no time," he protested. "We will make time!" Kory shouted before flying away to rescue Kyle, Adam, Alanna and Aleea.
Back on Oa, Soranik continued to tend to the wounded, whilst she remained surprised that Brainiac's ship had never fired. Thawne was likely distressed above her on that same ship. As she provided medical care for a wounded Tamaranean, a large hand appeared on her shoulder. "I shall get to you in a minute, good sir," she said without turning around, "This man needs urgent medical attention." "What I desire cannot wait," a sinister, booming voice said behind her as she turned to see Mongul, with half his face missing and his skull thereby exposed, "I have waited a while to kill you, Soranik Natu. It is only a shame your father is not here to see it." Before Soranik could move to use her power ring, Mongul broke her wrist. "I shall devour you, girl," he spoke with a distinctive hiss due to the injuries inflicted to his face, "I have never tasted one of Korugar before, but I know the taste of your mother's people of Ungara. This will sate me to no end, such a delicate flesh." He raised her up and opened his damaged mouth to eat her. She was disgusted watching the blue saliva in his mouth as she closed her eyes only to fall to the ground rather than be eaten. Mongul's body lay ripped in half. Like he had just been struck with a chainsaw and cleaved in two. She then did see that something had burst through his abdomen, no doubt causing the creature to now bleed slowly to death. A green stake. "I lost your mother and I will not lose you too," the voice of Thaal Sinestro told his daughter as he lifted her up by the hand. "Sinestro," Soranik managed, "What?" He pointed to the sky and above them was a mass of Lanterns come to join the battle.
Four forms specifically were headed for Brainiac's skull ship and fighting its defences. These were Merand'r, Ryand'r, Lobo, Ganthet and Saint Walker. "All will be well," Saint Walker assured them once they took out one of the large laser cannons affronted on the skull. "You keep fragging saying that, but I don't see anything well about all this krootacking situation!" Lobo shouted back at him. "Thank you, Saint Walker," Ryand'r said holding his fellow Blue Lanterns hand, "And forgive Lobo's crassness, I am sure you are accustomed to it by now. I am afraid I must depart, my friend. My sister and niece are no doubt aboard the ship of Brainiac. I need to find them." Ryand'r's words received a silent bow of acknowledgement from the saint. "I've got a score to settle," Lobo nodded in the direction of the Tamaranean mothership. "You seek vengeance, Lobo?" Ganthet asked quizzically. The Czarnian nodded in reply. "I owe it to Lyrl to make sure his old man doesn't breathe anymore," Lobo constructed a large gun resembling an Earth rocket launcher with his ring. "I shall miss you, Lobo," Ryand'r reminded him, "And I will tell my sister of your bravery since our separation." "Ah, don't get all mushy," Lobo said, kneading his fist playfully into the young man's cheek, "Just get her and the fragging munckin outta' there." Saluting his comrades, Lobo began flying towards Komand'r's ship, the rage of the Red Lanterns now fuelling him. Merand'r then felt his prince's hand on his shoulder. "Go with him, Merand'r," Ryan commanded calmly and empathetically, "I have a feeling Lobo will need your help more than we will." "Goodbye, my prince," Merand'r said, tears in his eyes, as he gripped Ryandr's hand before following the Czarnian into oblivion. Ganthet nodded solemnly. "And I must stop my brothers and sisters from ending the universe, I am afraid," he spoke with a solemn tone, indicating he did not expect to survive this, "Saint Walker. Aid young Ryand'r in his struggle. For the sake of hope." Walker nodded at his guardian and flew with Ryand'r into Brainiac's skull ship while Ganthet descended towards his former home. He knew what his brothers and sisters planned for this was always their plan should Oa be threatened by such a force.
Sinestro flew up with Soranik to stand before the various Lanterns in a display of might. "This is a dark day!" he announced majestically, "Oa is threatened! Our Corps and the way of life we fight for is in peril. None of us have much love for the Guardians, but that does not matter. The universe will fall under the tyranny of the likes of Komand'r and Brainiac if we do not win today. We must fight to save the cosmos from their dreams of conquest. Or die trying. I, Thaal Sinestro swear this as a Green Lantern." Kilowog, Arisia and the other Green Lanterns had assembled below him, and Kilowog gave his former enemy now once again his comrade, a nod of approval. Sinestro led the mass charge of Blue Lanterns, Green Lanterns, Star Sapphires, Red Lanterns and Indigo Lanterns into the forces of Superboy-Prime, the Tamaraneans, the Thanagarians and what remained of the Yellow Lanterns. The carnage was epic. John Stewart and Guy Gardner advanced on Prime as Lanterns and others fell by the dozen all around them. "Two of the sub bench Lanterns think they can take me down!" he shouted as Guy grabbed one of his arms, "Pathetic, Gardner!" "I ain't giving up," Guy was almost manic in his resilient fury, "You killed a lot of good people, Prime. The only reason you're still breathing is because we're too soft." "Well then, it seems that's something we agree on," Prime answered before firing a loaded charge of heat vision straight into Guy's chest, knocking him out.
"Guy!" John shouted as he constructed a vice from his power ring and wrapped Superboy-Prime in it. "I am a Kryptonian!" the false Superman shouted in disgust, "And not of this universe! No construct can hold me, Johnny boy!" His heat vision again fired at John but he managed to dodge it. Carol, Bleez, Arkillo, Atrocitus, Indigo-1, Sinestro, Soranik, Arisia and Kilowog all combined their firepower and blasted it straight at Superboy-Prime who merely chuckled, "That tickles," he sneered before unleashing a blast of reflected energy knocking them all out but also killing some of the Kryptonians helping him, "None can stand against me," he shouted into the void, "None." "I beg to differ," John Stewart bellowed as he arose and punched Prime again and again with constructed boxing gloves from his ring, not letting up, taking the kid by surprise. For once, Superboy-Prime found himself evenly matched, because of the Blue Lanterns ability to amplify the powers of other Lanterns John found himself strong enough to strike the Kryptonian, as three of that corps had arrived in order to aid him. John delivered each blow he gave the impostor measure for measure. "I don't want you to die," he sincerely told the younger man, "But if it means saving the universe…" John moved towards Prime's form, which now lay bleeding on the surface of Oa, with his ring charged for a killing strike. "I'm sorry," he said, only to be uppercut by the petulant excuse for a Superman. "On my Earth, we didn't need Lanterns!" the childish oaf declared obnoxiously, "Lanterns are stupid! You're all so useless, you can't even beat me. And you're using all your best! Ha!"
That was when a large green light came flashing through the cosmos. The light of willpower itself was coming home. Arisia looked up into the sky and smiled to herself, knowing that Ion had returned. "What did you do to my world?!" Sodam Yat yelled in rage as he careered right into Superboy-Prime and began beating down upon him, "Tell me!" "I don't even know who you are!" Prime shouted. "I'm the man who kicked your ass last time you threatened my Corps!" the Daxamite broke Prime's nose with his next blow, "I am Sodam Yat! Last Son of Daxam! Torchbearer of the Green Light of Willpower! I am Ion!" And with a loud punch, Superboy-Prime went careening at least half a galaxy away from the action. More concerned with protecting the corps, Sodam flew down to Oa and Arisia immediately greeted him with a kiss. "I was not expecting that," he said as Kilowog patted him on the shoulders. "I'd still be grateful, kid," the Bolovaxian said with warmth to their rescuer. Sodam looked up to see all the devastation happening above. "They destroyed Daxam," he said, pointing at Brainiac's Skull Ship. Turning to Arisia, he held her face in his hands and said, "You will survive this night, my love. I swear it. I will destroy Brainiac and all he stands for."
On the bridge of Brainiac's ship, Eddie Thawne started sweating profusely. "Didn't see that coming did you?" Krona chuckled. "No, I did," Thawne was now redolent with anger, "And there's only one person in this room who is at fault. Brainiac! You let us down!" The preacher then turned to his ally aggressively. "We're all going to die because you were too eager to attack Daxam. Ion was exiled from the corps. He wouldn't have come here had you not enraged him." "We still have Captain Comet," Brainiac pointed out. "Very well," Thawne sighed indignantly, "Komand'r! Get your husband to begin Phase Three." Blackfire's hologram disappeared as she nodded. "Now isn't that better," Krona asked. "Not quite," Thawne replied, "You've let us down, Brainiac. You have failed. And I do not tolerate failure." Thawne's eyes then rolled in the back of his head and a white light emerged from him. Brainiac started writhing in agony as his physical form felt blood come from every orifice. Eventually, the Coluan body only had bloodshot eyes left which betrayed no sign of life.
Before Thawne could gloat over his victory, a familiar voice echoed all around him, "I told you, life is but a quirk of matter, Thawne. It has no mastery over me. I am Brainiac. I am indestructible. So long as there are bodies and technology, there is Brainiac." Thawne immediately saw the situation going south only to turn around and see wires entering Krona's head. "You intended to betray all of us," Brainiac spoke now through the mouth of the Maltusian as he sapped the will and individuality from him, "Otherwise, you wouldn't have killed me. Krona included. I am merely giving him a more utilitarian means of expiration. I will fulfil his wishes and destroy his kinsmen, then conquer this universe with their power. After that, perhaps more. I am Brainiac. There is no limit to my will. Flee while you still can, Eobard Thawne. Flee and await my wrath. For once I am done with Oa, I am coming for Earth." Thawne reached into his pocket and pulled out a spare Mother Box before another second could pass. Using the Boom Tube, he fled in terror before the new electrical tendrils spreading from Krona's body could snap his neck.
Komand'r knew the end was near and so teleported to Brainiac's ship to get her revenge on her sister and the child. She was the Hybrid Madonna, no one else. Meanwhile, her husband had already begun the process of activating Adam Blake and using him to take Oa. Vril was now in his chamber beginning the final phase. The creature within now bore less resemblance to Adam Blake and more to Mordru or Vandal Savage. His forehead now contained two lightning bolt tattoos, each one descending towards his brow from left and right, which when connected seemed to show the bottom half of a star. Dox had added in a processor to his brain which gave the appearance of tattoos when seen from beneath the skin. The processor allowed him to connect with other dimensions and experience the cosmos more as a Coluan would than a human. Where the man's heart had been, there was now a purple glow, from the fact Dox had replaced it with a cybernetic engine powered by the violet light of love harvested from Zamaron. Komand'r had acquired a crystal from the planet after the assault for her husband. Soon, Captain Comet, would be every bit the neo-human Dox envisioned him to be. His ulltimate warrior. "Soon, my neo-sapien," Dox caressed the tube in an almost loving way, "You will be a weapon of war, more powerful and terrible than even the Sun-Eaters. All shall follow the rule of law under L.E.G.I.O.N., thanks to you. My greatest achievement. My Adam." "Not on my watch," a familiar angry voice shouted behind Vril. It belonged to none other than Lobo. Dox was shocked to see the brute was clearly a Red Lantern, with a large Tamaranean Green Lantern at his side. "Lobo," he stammered, "What a pleasant surprise." "Last time we spoke Dox," the Czarnian had an uncharacteristic menace to his approach, "I swore I'd get you back for trying to kill me. Now…things are different. Last time we spoke your boy was alive."
"Lyrl was an unfortunate casualty of the war. He never loved me, nor I him. I will not mourn him, but another of our illustrious lineage of genius being gone from the universe should not be celebrated."
"He died hating your guts. He was my friend. Probably the only fragging friend I had in the universe, and you killed him! Now, I'm gonna' kill you."
Lobo leapt upon Dox and began pummelling him mercilessly. Hearing the commotion, Tamaranean royal guards burst in armed to the teeth. "Merand'r…. what a pleasant surprise," one of them intoned, "How would you like to die, traitor?" "The only traitors here are you," Merand'r bellowed as he fired energy from his Green Lantern Power Ring at all of them. But they were too many. One starbolt hit him. Then another. Then finally five at once. He eventually fell on the floor and saw his nephew, Tililfos, look down on him with glee, holding the ceremonial axe of the commander. "I do this for my queen, uncle," he said before beheading Merand'r on the spot. Lobo paused his assault. Turning to see another felled friend, he screamed and fired a burst of energy from his Red Power Ring right through Tililfos' head. He then spewed bloody napalm over all the controls when Dox shouted, "You fool! You're letting him out too early! His mind will be clouded with emotion."
In his cage, Adam Blake roared with rage at what had just become of him. His powers amplified against his will. Being imprisoned for months and experimented on by Vril Dox. No more. He would not suffer such agony a second longer. The tank burst and from it emerged Captain Comet, his eyes opening to reveal only crimson slits. The experiment had jumpstarted his evolutionary potential reaching its fullest, and he comprehended things most sapient beings couldn't even begin to know even existed. He was the pinnacle of being in the cosmos. And it drove him insane. Emerging from his cage, he saw his captor cowering before him. "What have you done to me?" Adam asked, seeing his face reflected in a shard of broken glass. "Made you better," Dox answered with pride, managing to right his posture as he stood up. Captain Comet's glow seemed to be leaving even Lobo stunned with awe. "You turned me into a monster!" Adam screamed in vain. "You are the best your species can reach in terms of evolution," the Coluan scoffed at the neo-human's ingratitude, "I have made you a living god. You should be on your knees thanking me. I suppose I shouldn't expect a sentimental Earthling to understand." "Well then, Dox," Captain Comet levitated slightly, his radiance almost blinding Lobo and Dox, "If I am a god, feel my divine judgement." Adam then pointed towards Vril Dox and in an instant the Coluan exploded into particles of dust as violet energy of a colour with Adam's erupted from within his body.
"Now that is badass," Lobo cheered. Adam looked down at him. "Go, Lobo," he spoke softly, his awareness allowing him to realise what was going on all around them, "Protect Koriand'r. Your vengeance is done. Protect the woman I love…" He then teleported Lobo to Brainiac's ship with a snap of his fingers. All he cared about was Kory getting out safely. He knew the Green Lanterns would not allow that. The Guardians of the Universe would want the Hybrid Messiah as much as anyone else. He needed to make sure Kory made it to Earth with her daughter. But how did he know. He began to see so much of time. Understand the universe. He knew what he must do. Below Oa, Ganthet saw Morro about to collapse. "Stop, brothers and sisters!" he bellowed as he unleashed a telepathic assault to defend their crypt keeper. "Ganthet, you fool!" one of his brethren addressed him sternly, "We knew you would not understand what we do here. We do this to save the universe."
"You will destroy the universe if you unleash Volthoom. I cannot allow it. I would rather have Brainiac kill us all than allow that to occur."
"Then we know who our true enemy is."
The Guardians then redirected all their energy from subduing Morro towards subduing Ganthet. Their kinsman's screams echoed across the whole planet as every fibre of his being was ripped from him bit by bit. He was losing himself. Losing Ganthet. Losing the Guardian who had saved the universe. Losing everything about himself that made him stand out from his brethren. He was becoming part of their collective again. No, worse than that. He was becoming their slave. A drudge to use for their dirty work. He held onto the memory of four Green Lanterns as his mind vanished. Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner. If Volthoom were released, they would be the last hope. But at that second, as Ganthet lost himself entirely, the battle above stopped…
The fight had been raging ever fiercer since Ion had joined in. He was defeating many Tamaranean and Thanagarian soldiers at this point. None could stand against his might. Sodam kissed Arisia once more to remind himself he was alive in the heat of battle. "I will save this universe, and we will be together, my love," he shouted, revelling in the thrill of the fight, "Trust me on that!" "Well, get your head back in the game first," she pointedly reminded him before he incinerated a Thanagarian coming at them with a mace. While this was occurring, Kyle Rayner found himself being awakened and given a Green Power Ring by of all people, Kendra Saunders. "Kendra?" he rubbed his head in shock at the sight of the resurrected Hawkgirl, "What the hell?" Then Koriand'r appeared before them. "We must find Adam Strange and his family at once, Kyle," she said, avoiding delay, "Oh, hello Kendra. Where is—" "He gave his life to reactivate the Central Power Battery," Hawkgirl sadly informed her. "A most noble end to a most noble hero," Kory stoically said with respect as Kyle placed the Power Ring on his hand again. "Go to your Corps, Kyle," Kendra nodded. Activating his ring, Kyle flew from the ship through Brainiac's weapons generator, crippling the Skull Ship's defences, to join Sodam and the others. As he embraced Kilowog and kissed Soranik, Kyle began a chant that would echo throughout all the universe.
IN BRIGHTEST DAY, IN BLACKEST NIGHT, NO EVIL SHALL ESCAPE MY SIGHT, LET THOSE WHO WORSHIP EVIL'S MIGHT, BEWARE MY POWER—GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT."
Adam Strange, his wife and daughter held one another in their cell in fear as Slade Wilson burst in violently by shoving his sword through a drone of Brainiac's. "I'm not here to hurt you," he unconvincingly told them, "Kory sent me. We've got to get the hell out of here." Adam was about to protest when Alanna and Aleea just ran ahead of him and he felt he had to follow them but not before saying, "This isn't over, Deathstroke." "Not by a long shot," the Terminator drawled, "But it will be if we hang around and let Brainiac divert his attention to us." Unbeknownst to either of them, Brainiac could not have done such a thing as he was now receiving a barrage of blows from the various Lanterns assaulting his ship. Using Krona's mind power, he amplified the forcefield, but found Krona's consciousness slipping into his own. "You think you can destroy my mind, Brainiac?" the Maltusian struggled to speak through his own mouth. "No, I have merely assimilated it," Brainiac replied with the same mouth, "We can do great things together, you and I. Why do you think I'm still trying to destroy Oa?" "Well, if that is the case, then time is of the essence," Krona smiled, "By now the remaining Guardians will be close to unleashing the First Lantern."
In the distillation chamber, Starfire, Troia, Cyborg, Mar'i, Adam, Alanna and Aleea, as well as Deathstroke all assembled while Vic prepped the Boom Tube. "It's now or never, Victor," Slade shouted, "We can't go back for anymore." Outside, Hawkgirl was about to enter when she encountered Katar Hol and Shayera Thal, who by now had regained her mind. "We will return to Thanagar," Hawkman told her warmly, "You are welcome to join us." "No," Kendra replied, "I've got business back on Earth. My world. I have a feeling that things haven't been going completely right since I've been gone. I aim to change that." "Well then go with our blessing, Hawkgirl," Shayera said, kissing Kendra on the forehead. "Thanks, Hawkwoman," Kendra told the handsome redhead, "Give your son my love." Katar and Shayera nodded in assent. Entering the distillation chamber, Cyborg saw them and promptly activated a Boom Tube. "That should bring you straight to Thanagar Prime," he told them. "Get the council to call off your stupid army," Slade shouted at the couple, "Or Cyborg will be sending me next." With no cry of protest, they nodded their assent. The Boom Tube closed just as quickly as it had appeared behind Hawkman and Hawkwoman. Lovers reunited after many years dead.
"Now that we've had that little love in, I think it's imperative we all get out alive, don't you," Slade impatiently reminded them as he shot a drone of Brainiac's which descended from on high, "He's realised what we're doing, and why his machine wasn't working." Cyborg started the Boom Tube as quickly as he could. Adam, Alanna and Aleea went through first to Rann just as quickly while he programmed one for Earth. "Where did you want it to go again?" Vic asked his old enemy. "Gotham," Deathstroke reminded him, "Last safe place in America for anyone fighting Thawne. If anywhere can really be called safe." "Never thought I'd hear the words Gotham and safe in the same sentence," Donna snorted. Kory looked a little disapprovingly at her friend. "Um, surely you mean it's very safe since Mar'i's father is there?" Starfire corrected her friend with a tone denoting maternal protection. "Mom, I know dad lives in a place filled with crime," Mar'i said sarcastically, "But ordinary crime sounds pretty good right now compared to interstellar warfare." Just then, Ryand'r and Saint Walker arrived. "Uncle Ryan!" Mar'i shouted before running in for a hug.
"This ain't time for a family reunion, kid!" Slade impatiently told the child. "Really?" the voice of Blackfire said from behind the two Blue Lanterns with relish, "I think it just might be." She had her starbolts primed. "Hand the little one over, brother. She cannot be allowed to usurp her cousin's birthright as Hybrid Messiah." "You have lost," Saint Walker calmly told Komand'r with a firm kindness, "Surrender now and we will let your brother and sister protect your child from any more danger." And why pray tell will I not be able to protect it, fool!" she shouted venomously. "We are not letting you go free," Ryan said bitterly, "You killed our grandmother and hundreds of others stain your hands with their blood." Kory dragged Mar'i away and motioned Donna to take her through the portal. "No, please," her daughter begged, "I want to help Uncle Ryan!" Her uncle then bore his right arm out before him in a threatening manner. "If you're not going to come quietly, sister," he revved up his Blue Power Ring, "Then don't come at all." Before he could fire Komand'r released all the power of her starbolts into her little brother, incinerating him in five seconds flat. "NO!" Mar'i screamed as Donna jumped with her through the portal. Saint Walker found himself incensed with rage for the first time in ages. "He was worth ten of you, harpy!" he screamed, unleashing all the power of his Blue Ring upon Komand'r. Starfire, now weeping for her brother, fired a starbolt just as powerful as Blackfire's at her sister, who deflected it with her gauntlets only for the impact to cause her body to burst through the hull and into the depths of space.
Slade was still fighting some of the drones with Hawkgirl and Cyborg's help. "Go, Princess," the Terminator shouted to Starfire, "Your daughter needs her mother. Saint Walker and I will hold off the drones." "Not alone, ya won't," Lobo said, bursting through and spraying napalm everywhere, "Do what he says, Princess. Get the frag outta' here." "Thank you, Lobo," Kory flew towards the Czarnian and kissed him on the cheek, "I know your soul to be gentle." Lobo felt a little touched by that but it couldn't contain his rage. "Follow her," he told the Terminator, Hawkgirl and Cyborg, "I'll deal with Brainiac." Deathstroke nodded in shock at the sheer ferocity of this beast as Saint Walker trembled in his boots fearing what Ganthet had unleashed giving this one a Power Ring. Slade saluted Saint Walker, before he, Kendra and Vic went through the Boom Tube together prior to its closure. Lobo smiled gleefully and headed up to the control room, murder very much on his mind. There Brainiac levitated in Krona's body. "Ah, I forgot about you," the Coluan addressed him through the Maltusian's mouth, "No matter." Tendrils from the main computer entered Lobo's brain and he began to be assimilated into Brainiac's hive. "Not on your fragging life!" he screamed, firing a stake construct from his Red Power Ring right through Krona's body. "That won't save you!" both Brainiac and Krona's voices said in his mind as Lobo screamed in pain. But before assimilation could be completed, an explosion outside concluded the battle…
Adam Blake had emerged from the Tamaranean mothership to find several different Lanterns fighting Tamaraneans, Kryptonians and Thanagarians. He knew the Tamaraneans served Komand'r. Angrily, he thought of them all as dust and every single Tamaranean soldier exploded as Dox had done, followed swiftly by the Thanagarians and Kryptonians when they moved to deal with Adam in self-defence. Seeing what was happening, Ion angrily approached the god. "That was tantamount to genocide!" the Daxamite was disgusted, "Now there are only a handful of Tamaraneans left in the universe." "I do this to save the most precious of them all," Captain Comet replied coldly, "I do this to save my beloved Koriand'r. Now you will stand aside, Green Lantern." "Or what?" Ion squared up to the deity, "You'll do this to me too? What for, we don't want to hurt you?" "Your Guardians are about to release a being who will end reality," Adam sneered, "I cannot allow that, for she is part of reality."
"You're paranoid. Look we can help you. I think I recognise you. Your name is Adam Blake. You're from Earth."
"I am more than Adam Blake now. I am first of the neo-sapiens. And I want Starfire to live. And to do that the Guardians must die."
"Well, sorry, but I'm not letting you kill my bosses."
"Then die, mortal."
Blake attempted to turn Sodam Yat into dust as he had the others. No effect. "Mortal, eh?," Sodam managed through gritted teeth, sweat pumping from his body as he resisted Blake's power, "I'm Ion. Torchbearer of the Green Light of Willpower! I'm afraid you've just met your match, God boy." Sodam punched Blake with all his might and Blake replied in turn. Captain Comet was definitely the more powerful of the two. "I will destroy your friends if you do not release me," Captain Comet spoke desperately, betraying emotion for the first time since he killed Dox. "Coward's tactic!" Sodam punched him in the face, "Threatening bystanders. I just lost my home today, pal. And I ain't in the mood to let any more people die. And you seem to be head honcho butcher no. one on the body count front!" "I do what I do for love!" Adam shouted, his voice being heard by all around them. "You're insane!" Ion bit back as he delivered a burst of energy through Blake's gut. Captain Comet merely envisioned the gut healing and it did. "Maybe so," Blake grabbed the hero by the neck, "But I am a god!" Arisia looked on in vain at her lover being strangled while Kilowog held her back, knowing that if they interfered, they'd be killed. "Go on then," Sodam managed, "Show me you're a god. Use all your power on me. Right here, right now. Show me what you're made of." The reply of Adam Blake was a malevolent smile. "With pleasure," Captain Comet whispered. With all the force of his power, Adam incinerated Sodam into a thousand million atoms, exhausting himself with the strain. Arisia screamed through bitter tears as Guy and Kyle yelled in shock while an injured John Stewart simply held Carol Ferris with his good arm.
Then, suddenly and as quickly as he'd been destroyed, Sodam's atoms began reforming. "Impossible," Kyle said, knowing the power of Ion, having once been its host. "It can't be," Guy continued. "Brilliant," Kilowog uttered. Sodam Yat's body reformed itself out of sheer willpower. The willpower to survive. "This cannot be," Blake spoke with disbelief. "I thought you were a god," Sodam countered, "You should know anything is possible." Ion let loose all of his power at his opponent as Captain Comet replied in kind. All the Lanterns in the area shielded themselves with the help of their Power Rings when Hawkman's spirit activated the self-defence mechanism. Every single one of the Thanagarian and Tamaranean ships was erased from the sky. The shockwave spread to Brainiac's ship, stripping it down to its molecular form. For the better part of a minute, violet and green light seemed to tear the heavens asunder, with Oa remaining untouched thanks to Carter Hall using the light of willpower as a forcefield. The brightness then faded, and Captain Comet was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was a bloody and bruised Sodam Yat.
Arisia flew over to her lover. "Sodam, please," she begged taking his hand, "I just got you back. You can't do this." "I avenged my home, Arisia," he struggled, tightening his grip on her hand, "I saved the universe. Don't cry. Please, don't. There'll be other lives. We will see one another again. I promise." The life left the Daxamite's eyes and Arisia lay one final kiss on his lips before flying back into Kilowog's arms. As Kyle Rayner wept, Soranik Natu held his hand tightly and Sinestro placed a hand on a shoulder of both in a paternal fashion. The Torchbearer had died to save everything. Ion was no more. Except he wasn't. The fish-like spirit emerged from his corpse and suddenly flew inside the body of one John Stewart. "John, what the hell?" Guy shouted, not fully understanding what was going on. For some reason, John heard Kyle's voice in his head. "You are the Torchbearer now, John Stewart. Wield my power well, and do not let Sodam Yat's death be in vain." "I won't," John spoke seemingly to himself before arising with his eyes glowing green. "John?" Carol asked, and he turned to her, staring deeply as if into her soul.
"Ion."