Author's Note: I hope you're all enjoying the Green Lantern Animated goodies I've been including. Baller show, shame it ended so soon. All the good ones seem to suffer such a fate it seems. At least we can keep it alive in spirit.
By the way, I have a discord for fans who love GLTAS and my writing. Link's in my profile.
Now enjoy!
Chapter 5: Can You Feel the Love?
Zamaron. A violet conduit of light situated in Sector 2813. It was a unique world of great crystal formations and vast minerals, resulting in a landscape that appeared pink from space but was rather a barren, dusty brown in person. The native Zamarons had taken to constructing floating dwellings above the landscape, powered by crystals of opposing magnetic polarities. The buildings were shapely and ornate, carved from materials harvested from the surface below. From towering cathedral-like libraries to sculpted cavernous halls of the royal palace, all of it was a reflection of the artistry and antiquity the native Zamarons prized.
Near the edge of one such floating sanctuary, Ghia'ta sat with her knees drawn up to her chin as she gazed out across the vast expanse of Zamaron's horizon. With a vacant look in her eyes, her gazed flicked back and forth between the view of her homeworld and the pink Star Sapphire ring around her right middle finger. Her thoughts were scattered, attempting to pull together meaning from vast and varied places to try and form a coherent answer to a burning question. Like embers upon her soul the issue burned away at her, compelling Ghia'ta to find reason and understanding.
Unfortunately for the beleaguered princess, both of them eluded her.
Why? Why did it react like that to him? It's never done that before. B-But I know what my ring can do and what it draws its power from… so I don't understand why it would respond so strongly in the first place!
Loosing a quiet sigh, Ghia'ta examined her power ring again. The pink crystalline band sat dull and seemingly lifeless around her finger, a far cry from the pulsing exuberant vibrance it had shown in such a way that was burned into her memory. "Why…?" She whispered to herself.
"You are troubled, dear Ghia'ta." A warm, motherly voice obeserved from behind. Ghia'ta turned to see her aunt, Queen Aga'po, descending from above.
The Zamaron Queen was dressed in her common regal attire: a bright violet wrap around her chest the equivalent of an earthen sports bra, coupled a two-piece skirt of the same material. It trailed behind her long, shapely legs while being shortened in the front to resemble a sash. Her feet were clad in a metallic pair of high-heeled boots, adding to her already-impressive height whenever she chose to walk. Her forearms were clad in pink bracers reaching from elbow to wrist, her hands bare to leave her pink power ring exposed. Seated atop her lucious mane of long brown hair was a tri-point crown that framed her brow most exquisitely. Her ears were shorter than Ghia'ta's but no-less pointed while her eyes remained bright, lacking any pupil or iris in present an otherworldly visage. Like Ghia'ta, much of her skin remained exposed, revealing toned muscles in the vein of an athlete or gymnast. Unlike Ghia'ta, her skin was a much darker shade of Aegean; grey to the point of appearing blue in the right light.
"Forgive me, auntie. I did not mean to worry you." Ghia'ta softly apologized as her aunt alighted beside her. She turned to give Aga'po her undivided attention.
"Your shift in demeanor has been noticeable, little one. Ever since you returned from your harrowing ordeal over Lusan, you have appeared distracted." Aga'po stated as she sat beside her niece.
"It's true, auntie, but there's something I have just been trying to understand." Ghia'ta confessed.
"What is it?" Aga'po pried. With a sigh of resignation, the princess unfurled her posture and sat with her legs to one side, braced against the ground by one hand.
"It is about the human Blue Lantern who saved me."
"What about him?"
"It's not so much him as much as it is something that happened to me because of him." Ghia'ta explained. "When we parted ways, he… he kissed the back of my hand, and I'm sure he was just trying to be polite, but I felt… something. Something I cannot wrap my head around." She described. "I felt a spark. The kind that made my ring react in ways I've never seen it capable of before."
Aga'po raised a razor-thin eyebrow. "Because of this human?" Ghia'ta nodded.
"I have been trying to understand it. Usually my power ring reacts for me or because of others. It's never reacted to me before." She looked over her ring again. "I know the powers of my ring, like any Star Sapphire does, but this has still confused me to no end."
The queen relaxed her posture. "Describe this Blue Lantern to me. What did you see and think when you saw him?" Ghia'ta shrugged.
"I mean… he's a human, auntie." She started to say before she paused and thought better of her answer. "Well… his complexion is fair. His eyes are bright and they match the blue light that fills him. His hair is is like little strings that fall around his head, and they frame this little blue circlet he wears. It looks like a crown of sorts. Not as great as yours, of course." Aga'po smiled, staying silent and listening carefully. Ghia'ta giggled slightly. "His cheeks turn a rosy red color when he's flustered and they dimple whenever he smiles. He's… well kept. At least, he takes care to groom himself. He cares about how he looks and how he presents himself."
"Noble qualities in a Blue Lantern." Aga'po surmised.
"If he visits, I'm sure you'll see what I see." Ghia'ta proffered.
"Perhaps so, my dear niece." Aga'po said as she slipped an arm around the younger Zamaron. "The Blue Lanterns are the youngest Corps among all the representatives of the emotional spectrum. But they certainly rank among the most powerful. This human must have done something of note to earn his ring."
"But what does any of that have to do with me?" Ghia'ta wondered. "I've never heard of a Star Sapphire being affected by their own ring. I thought all of its innate abilities were to be directed towards others?"
"You are correct," Aga'po affirmed with a nod, "in the history of our Corps, the Love Attunement and True-Love Sight have only ever been used on others from different species. It helps bind souls together and gives a sense of purpose to those who have lost loved ones. Since the reformation we have used these powers to inspire peace and harmony throughout the cosmos. We no longer bend others to our way of doing things." The queen paused, dwelling on her own words for a moment. "You say you felt a spark?"
"It's the only way I can describe it." Ghia'ta answered. "My ring flashed so brightly, pulsing like it does whenever we draw upon the true love a society has fostered. It kept shooting up my arm, making my heart beat faster. I've never felt so… confounded by something. On the one hand I wanted it to stop so I could focus. On the other… I never wanted the feeling to end."
Aga'po loosed a thoughtful hum as she settled close to her niece, taking in the radiance of Zamaron and the way the violet crystal formations dazzled in the sunlight. "It seems to me, Ghia'ta, that your ring is attempting to commune with you." She decided at length. Ghia'ta looked to her, ears perking up at the mention of a possible solution.
"Really?"
"I cannot say for sure. You are correct in saying that has not happened to another Star Sapphire before." Aga'po added, causing Ghia'ta ears to droop in disappointment.
"Well… the only way I can learn more is if I'm in close proximity to Michael again." She determined, resigning herself to not knowing any more.
"Then you must exercise patience until his arrival." Aga'po advised her. "Being a Blue Lantern, I am confident he will be a man of his word and will come to visit you."
Elsewhere in the galaxy…
The Daromite species were a bipedal blue-skinned alien race with bulbous black eyes and soft shiny skin. Their faces were flat and noseless, possessing holes for ears as well as slits along the sides of their head that resembled gills on a fish. There's was a simple lifestyle, generally divided between living in large cities made of stone or brick and living out in the swampy marshlands of their native Daro, dwelling in wooden huts built under the shadow of vast mountains.
They had always dwelt in safety, believing the mountains would protect them. Their beliefs were quite suddenly shattered when the mountain began to tremble and fall upon them.
Massive boulders came crashing down in thunderous droves, flattening huts and tumbling across fields. Panicking Daromites ran screaming for their lives, mothers clutching children as hopeful spiritualists prayed for a miracle. But these were just precursors of a greater avalanche. The ground trembled and split, the mountain broke, and the world seemed to be coming crashing down on the Daromites. They looked on in peril and their spirits broke as the end of the world came upon them…
But it was not to end today.
Crashing into their midst in a flash of blue light, Michael Ryker snapped up his arm to conjure a bloom of light from his power ring. A protective force field formed around the village, reflecting boulders with ease as he saved the village from getting crushed. A sudden quiet overtook the Daromites as they looked on in awe at the blue aura shielding their village. Sensing their hopes renewed, Michael's ring drew power from the very emotional state of those around him as he reformed his protective aura into a castle wall. It wrapped around the rear of the village, powering over the wasit-high Daromites as it absorbed the blows of tumbling rocks.
"I'll hold them back. Go!" He cried. The Daromites started running, heeding his advice as they raced to get away from the epicentre of the avalanche. But as they drew further and further away from their homes, they noticed the tremors in the ground increasing by the second.
All of a sudden, the ground split, revealing a yawning chasm that grew so vast so quickly that the villagers were split into two groups on either side of the divide. Families split apart called out to one another, teary-eyed as they believed they had been spared only to face a fate worse than death. Some clung to the hope their blue savior might aid them yet again.
He did not have to, however, for Michael was not the only Blue Lantern on the scene.
Swooping into the void caused by the shorn terrain, Saint Walker stretched out his arm as a blue light erupted from his power ring. Within the chasm it began to construct a simple bridge, stretching from one end to the other and increasing as they divide grew ever wider. With him, Razer helped carried the infirm and senile across, urging the other Daromites to follow him to safety and reunion with their loved ones. A few scattered boulders landing near the entrance to the bridge hastened their movement. "Brother Michael, you must hold off the avalanche until the Daromites are safe!" Saint Walker called out.
"Working… on it…!" Michael grunted in reply, focusing all his hope into holding off the growing pile of boulders his castle wall was keeping in place. Concentrating his hope into his ring, as well as the hopes of the Daromites to survive this ordeal, Michael reworked his castle wall construct into a near perfect replica of Earth's Hoover Dam. Growing in size and density, his construct now possessed the means to hold off more of the avalanche.
Razer and Saint Walker continued to ensure the Daromites were safely ferried away from the foot of the mountain, working tirelessly in order to ensure their comrade would not suffer too heavily from the effort he was exerting. Michael himself was on the brink of collapse, one arm clutching his extended limb as the light emanating from his ring flickered erratically. His hope remained, but it dwindled with the strain. At last, Razer and Saint Walker arrived to lend their own power and pneumatic presses cast by their rings condensed the boulders into pebbles as Michael let his blue Hoover Dam fall to shards of light.
"Thanks, but those rocks are gonna keep coming." He told his fellow corpsmen, out of breath as he was.
"Perhaps it has something to do with the skies above." Saint Walker suggested, pointing up. Hovering menacingly in the air was the shape of a planetoid, seemingly bearing down on Daro on a collision course. Razer held out his ring and let the internal electromagnetic scanning properties determine the nature of the celestial object as well as its effects on Daro. He had an answer within moments.
"That planetoid has been on a non-linear orbit for centuries, passing closer and closer with every solar rotation." Razer announced. "It's finally passing too close to the planet and it's gravitational pull is wreaking havoc with the Daro's natural order."
"Prompting fluctuations in magnetic fields, seismic disturbances, and tectonic upheaval. Excellent find, Brother Razer. Now that we understand where the plight of these people stems from we can take action to correct it." Saint Walker concluded. "Brother Michael, any suggestions?" The human studied the planetoid for a moment, sensing a tremor in the air as the planetoid's looming form distorted the very air around him.
"Maybe we can move it into a stable orbit. One that's far away from this planet." He suggested.
"Ring. Calculate stable orbital pattern around the nearest star." Saint Walker promptly commanded his ring. It wasn't long before he had a solution and the Astonian took flight. "I will create a wormhole that will place the planetoid in a stable position within the system. But I will need you two to push the planetoid through the wormhole." He stated before rocketing up into the upper atmosphere. Razer looked to Michael and held up his glowing power ring.
"Ready to move a planetoid?" The Volkregian wondered.
"I'll pull. You push." Michael answered, thrusting his fist into the air as he took flight cloaked in blue energy. Razer was close behind him as they followed Saint Walker up to the edge of Daro's orbital limits.
The three Blue Lanterns set to work. Michael forged three caravans of workhorses from his ring and chained them to the planetoid. Razer generated two massive hand constructs, controlling them with his own two hands as he laid them on the planetoid and pushed from behind. Ahead of them, Saint Walker generated a wormhole from a steady beam from his ring that grew larger the more he concentrated his hope. The wormhole expanded in size, growing large enough to accommodate the planetoid as Razer pushed hard and Michael's hope urged his workhorse caravan onwards. Their combined hope to liberate the Daromites from their affliction empowered their constructs to be as strong as possible as ever so slowly they eased the planetoid through Saint Walker's wormhole.
"Slowly as you go! We don't want to catapult this planetoid into another erratic orbit!" Saint Walker cautioned. Switching tactics, Michael let his caravan dissipate as he looped around to Razer's position and crafted a pair of F-35 Lightning fighter jets, hooking them up to the planetoid in order to slow its motion. The afterburners flared bright blue as they countered the movement of the planetoid, gracefully easing the celestial body through Saint Walker's wormhole until it was out of sight.
Breathing sighs of relief, the Blues took a moment to relax as Razer keyed up his ring again. "Ring, scan planetoid's current course for correct orbital parameters." His inquiry was promptly answered in an affirmative tone,
"All calculations indicate a proper solar ellipses whose path does not intersect with planet Daro."
"Has Daro's planetary destabilization calmed down?" Razer then asked.
"Affirmative." His ring replied.
"Well, I'd call that a job well done." Michael remarked.
"As would I." Saint Walker concurred. "You both performed quite admirably." He complimented. "You in particular, Brother Michael. As a full-fledged Blue Lantern I must applaud the progression of your abilities."
"Brother Walker is right. You're certainly not a trainee anymore." Razer concurred.
"Well… I have both of you to thank for your own contributions to my path." A slightly bashful Michael responded. "I wouldn't be a full-fledged Blue Lantern without either of you."
"We'll let you continue on your way, Brother Michael. We appreciate your assistance here." Saint Walker said. "We will return to the surface and ensure the Daromites that all will be well."
"Best of luck, you two. Happy to help." The human responded with a salute before he took off into the reaches of space.
Feeling good and fine after performing yet another good deed to change the life of someone else for the better, Michael was pondering what to do next.
Guess I could use my ring to seek out another system where people could use some help. Or maybe I could slow down for a bit. I have been going pretty hard lately… I wonder how much time has passed? Feels like days. Hard to tell with all the planets I've been to.
Hurtling like a blue comet across the cosmos, the Lantern pondered his choices until he slowed to a halt and remembered his fateful encounter over Lusan. His thoughts turned to the lovely Princess Ghia'ta and her outstanding invitation. "You should come visit Zamaron some time. My aunt will probably want to meet the man who saved her dear niece."
"Zamaron. Yeah, there's an idea." Stretching out his arm, Michael's ring pulsed with blue light as he conjured up a wormhole that was an extension of his thoughts. Fueled by his hope to visit the home of the Star Sapphire Corps, a churning vortex of oceanic light formed in front of him and Michael darted through it.
Moments later, elsewhere in the galaxy…
The human emerged from his wormhole to discover a large pink-shaded planet hovering before him. He frowned and tilted his head, studying Zamaron for a moment. "Pink. I feel like I should be surprised…" He murmured to himself. Slowly floating forward, Michael began to pick up speed as he approached the homeworld of the Star Sapphire Corps. He had no idea what to expect. This would be his first proper interaction with another Lantern Corps outside of the Blue Lanterns and the former anthropologist had no idea what to expect.
Maybe just do as Professor Barnum always said: be open, be courteous, and hold no expectations.
The blue-wreathed human paused as he approached Zamaron's atmosphere, seeing a bright bundle of violet light approaching him. He glanced at his power ring and noted no proximity alarms or imminent danger alerts. Whatever this was it was not approaching him with hostile intent. A fact that became more apparent as a bipedal humanoid took shape within the violet aura.
Michael came to a complete halt as Ghia'ta's smiling face greeted him. "Michael…! You came!" The Zamaron exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as her ears perked right up.
"I promised I would. Hopefully I haven't been keeping you waiting for too long." He responded, trying to be warm and friendly.
"Not long at all." Ghia'ta replied. "How have you been? Are you busy? What did you do after we parted ways?" She wondered.
"Uh, well," Michael began, clearing his throat, "after you left I went back to help Lobo." At the mention of the Czarnian, Ghia'ta frowned and her ears folded back.
"Him? Why?" She questioned.
"I promised I would if he came clean." Michael explained. "But he was such a pain I finally conjured up a wormhole to the nearest mechanic plant and sent him on his way. If I ever see him again, it'll be too soon."
"Ditto." Ghia'ta concurred, her mood brightening somewhat. The giddy princess took his hand in hers and urged him down towards the planet, ignoring the jolts being cast by her ring that ran up her arm. "Come, I'll introduce you to my aunt. She's been eager to meet you." Michael followed her down to the planet's surface, discovering that, under the caramel-coloured clouds and subtle violet glow, Zamaron was a rather rocky, mineral-based planet. What took him by surprise were the crystal fields and floating dwellings.
Such advanced architecture… a far cry from the rather tribal state of most worlds I've been to so far.
Leading him to the largest of the floating dwellings (the walled one with ivory towers and crystalline centrepieces) the princess alighted at the foot of a polished marble stairway and led Michael upwards. At the top, Zamaronian guards stood at attention with violet spear constructs in hand. The human took in the many sights in awe, his mind brimming with question after question that remained quieted in favour of the brilliance of the moment. "Wow. This is very impressive." He murmured, looking around.
"And we are not yet inside." Ghia'ta mused with a giggle, shooting a glance over her shoulder. "I have many more sights to show you." She promised, batting her eyelashes.
"I have no doubt." Michael replied as Ghia'ta kept walking. She led him to the top of the stairs and into a courtyard where one of the larger pink crystals had been fashioned into the starburst symbol of the Star Sapphire Corps. Michael was in awe of the robust beauty of the thing, noting the intricacy of the carving markings that indicated how much time and effort the Zamarons put into their craft.
His gaze turned back to Ghia'ta, only to be drawn lower as he helplessly noted the sway in her hips with her stride. Michael struggled to tear his eyes away. Her strut and sway put any of the super models back on Earth to shame. He'd seen Mari McCabe perform on one occasion during a televised broadcast and the ebony vixen had nothing on the Zamaron in front of him.
Cool it, Mike. You're a guest and she's a very gracious host. Treat her as such.
He forced his eyes away, looking instead to the crystal toppings along the wall and completely unaware of just how much he had triggered Ghia'ta's sixth sense. A well-traveled woman, being ogled by men was not a new phenomenon and, while flattered, Ghia'ta was unsurprised by his reaction, as this was hardly her first time dealing with lingering, hungry eyes. What did surprise her, and please her, was Michael's self-control and ability to avert his gaze. His chivalrous demonstration struck a chord with the Zamaron for Ghia'ta did not know many men who could deny their desires like he could.
I could count the number of men who've done that on one hand… and I wouldn't have to put up many fingers. His respectfulness is… rather charming, I must say.
"The throne room is through here." She instructed, guiding him through an arching entryway. The architecture reminded Michael of the stonework ancient Britons used.
"Any p's and q's I should be aware of?" He queried.
"If by that you mean how should you present yourself, just be polite and answer promptly. My aunt is fairly easy-going, but she's also a queen." Ghia'ta answered.
"Duly noted."
The interior was not nearly as lavish as Michael had expected, but the sheer number of violet crystals had increased to give them room an ethereal glow. Flanking the queen were a pair of armored Zamaron guards, both of them carrying curved ornate swords and smooth-plated shields. They towered over Michael and the size of their muscles suggested they could do some real damage with one punch alone.
Seated on a bench-like chair sat Queen Aga'po. Her attire unchanged, the leading Zamaron was poised regally, cutting a figure both beautiful and imposing. "My Queen. Here is the man who rescued me from the Gordanian slavers," Ghia'ta began, a sweeping arm gesturing to Michael, "the earthman Michael Ryker of the Blue Lantern Corps." Now in the spotlight, Michael crossed one arm across his torso and bowed from the waist.
"It's an honor to meet you, Queen Aga'po." He said simply.
"So, you are the human who rescued my niece." Aga'po mused as she reclined in her seat, studying him. "She speaks very highly of you, Blue Lantern Michael." He straightened up, folding his hands behind his back.
"Truly, I was unaware of Princess Ghia'ta's royal status at the time. But I was more than willing to assist in her escape from Gordanian chains." He replied. Aga'po rose from her throne, strutting down to meet him face to face while revealing she stood a whole head taller than the human.
"Out of the goodness of your heart? Without thought of reward?" She questioned. Michael swallowed, trying to figure out where he should look. Straight ahead? Up at her face?
"As a Blue Lantern, highness, it is my duty to give hope to the hopeless and to answer the hopes of those in peril. Ghia'ta's freedom is all the reward I could want." He replied and Aga'po tilted her head thoughtfully. "Although, if I may, an invitation to your lovely homeworld is a reward in and of itself. To see the wonderous sights of Zamaron as well as the awe-inspiring Star Sapphire Corps you command is a rare treat I wish to savour." He quickly added.
Aga'po's response was to offer a small smile. "It is rare to find a human who can forge words like silver." She mused aloud. "Your carry yourself well, Michael Ryker. I do not think I have ever met a human who is as eloquent as you are. For saving my niece Ghia'ta, you have my eternal gratitude. You shall be considered a friend of Zamaron for as long as you live." She promised. Michael bowed again.
"You humble me with your graciousness, majesty."
"We will celebrate with a feast this evening." Aga'po announced, eyes darting to her niece. "Ghia'ta, entertain our guest until then, yes?"
"As you wish, my queen." Ghia'ta promptly affirmed with a small curtsy. She turned to leave and Michael followed.
Returning to the open air, Ghia'ta took flight and whirled around with a smile. "Come on. I'll show you around." She promised. Michael followed her into the air, blue and pink streaks arcing across the air as they dove towards the planet's surface. Ghia'ta led him towards caverns filled with crystalline outcrops. All were pink in shade but their variety of sizes took Michael by surprise. Some were short and sharp, like spikes jutting from the rock. Others were huge in width and height, dwarfing him many times over. He had to wonder if the Zamarons found any use for these varying sizes. Guiding him through more twisting tunnels lit by violet crystals, Ghia'ta led Michael past stone-hewn structures that resembled balconies as well as great statues chiseled into the portraits of Zamaron warriors. "This is where Zamaron society first began. These catacombs still house our libraries and archives. They contain all the known information in the universe about the violet light of love." Ghia'ta explained.
"Wow… How long have those been around for?" Michael wondered, eyes filled with awe.
"Mm, they've been there for as long as I've been alive so… over one-hundred and seventy-five years." Ghia'ta supposed. Her human companion performed a double-take.
"I'm sorry, you're a hundred and seventy-five?" He repeated, sounding flabbergasted. Michael then composed himself. "Talk about aging gracefully."
Ghia'ta giggled, cheeks darkening at his compliment. "You flatter me, Michael."
The princess led him onwards, out of the caverns and into a gully where a gentle stream curled and rolled across the landscape. It poured out as a waterfall into a basin which served as the foot for a great plateau full of pink crystals.
But what really took Michael's breath away was the massive Star Sapphire central battery perched in the centre of the canyon.
Unlike the blue central battery, the violet central battery was forged from crystal instead of metal and reflected sunlight from dozens of different angles as it glimmered in the midday light. All around the battery flew or hovered various points of pink light, all emanating from various members of the Star Sapphire Corps. Michael took note of several flying around, surprised by their appearances.
"They look… human." He said aloud, noting how their skin tone matched his and how the structure of their faces and eyes were not unlike the women of his homeworld.
"Yes, there's a few species out there with a close resemblance to yours." Ghia'ta stated as she flew over two particular Star Sapphires in flight. "Her name is Remoni-Notra, from Pandina." She stated, gesturing to the black-haired woman. "And her name is Dela Pharon. She's a corps veteran. She was a Star Sapphire before I earned my ring." She added, referring to the blonde.
Diving in closer to the central battery, Ghia'ta picked out a Zamaron who much resembled her aunt. In contrast, she wore battle armor and possessed a pierced navel. "Miss Bloss is a friend of my aunt. She trains new Star Sapphires. I've never worked so hard in my whole life as I did when I was under her." Ghia'ta explained.
"Training is rigorous, I take it?" Michael queried, pondering the possibility that Star Sapphires trained just as hard as Blue Lanterns did.
"It has to be." Ghia'ta replied emphatically. "Our power rings are more susceptible to controlling their user by their own power. Love is one of the two emotions on the far ends of the emotional spectrum, and has a much stronger influence over those who are given to the violet light. But our rings must be accepted by the wearer and will never force themselves on a user." She explained. "If you don't believe me, you can ask my friends; Savith and S'leen. They were in the same trainee group as I." She added with a smile.
Michael took a moment to appreciate the way her eyes sparkled.
Arcing up and over the central battery, Ghia'ta was quick to spot a red-headed, blue-skinned member of the Lartnec species flying high above them. "Oh! There's Miri Riam. My aunt says she's one of the best Star Sapphires she's ever had the privilege of fighting alongside." Performing a barrel roll, the pair glided near a butte where two Star Sapphires sparred with flashing violet constructs. "And that's Yrra Cynril. She used to be a member of the Sinestro Corps." Ghia'ta said, pointing to the dark-skinned woman with long black hair. She was dressed in a full bodysuit of pink skintight fabric, although it possessed a plunging neckline that reached all the way to her navel.
Michael chose to focus on her apparent Sinestro Corps history. "Wait, really?"
"Oh yes. The Queen found her and brought her back to Zamaron. We used a process that purged the emotions in her heart that made her worthy of a yellow ring and replaced them with an opportunity to find something to love. That made her worthy of one of our rings." Ghia'ta told them. They slowed and ascended, taking in the battery valley as Michael pondered her words.
"Interesting. A rehabilitation method." He murmured. "What's this process called?"
"In your language, the closest term I can call it is 'crystalloduction'." Said Ghia'ta. "We encased her in a crystal forged by our rings and let the healing effects of the violet light work their course on her. Because, sometimes, all someone needs is a chance to feel something else to realize their course was foolhardy and detrimental to their lives." Her gaze returned to the sparring match, specifically to the snow-white skinned Star Sapphire dressed in fishnets. "Much like with her: Prixiam Nol-Anj. We just call her 'Prixi' for short. She used to be a member of the Braid Clann criminal syndicate until we managed to purify her with the violet light."
With that, she took flight again, Michael hot on her heels as the wrapped back around the central battery. As they did, the Blue Lantern took note of a woman in a violet robe, the starburst Corps symbol emblazoned across the front. More noticeable were her matching bird-like wings jutting out from her back. She seemed to be dressed differently from the other Corpswomen and that made Michael curious.
"Who is that?"
"That is Mistress Khea Taramka. She's a Thanagarian with a special connection to the violet light."
"What kind of special connection?" Michael queried.
After a moment's though, Ghia'ta shrugged. "You know, I'm not sure. All I know is my auntie was talking to her for days until she decided to make her the steward of the central battery."
Streaking back across the canyon, Ghia'ta slowed to make landfall atop a lone butte and Michael followed suite. He turned to look back over the expanse of the crystal fields and the glowing central battery, awed by its wonder.
"Your Corps seems to be comprised primarily of women." He said at length.
"It is not impossible for a man to become a Star Sapphire. Just harder." Ghia'ta replied as she sat down, dangling her feet over the edge.
"I take it you're speaking from experience?" Michael wondered as he sat next to her.
"Well, as princess I am privy to the complete history of our species and our Corps." The Zamaron said quietly. "Even if I didn't get to see it happen, I know that it did happen." She turned and smiled, Michael returning it.
"Is that exclusive information or might I be honored by hearing the history of the Corps?" He wondered. A first, Ghia'ta seemed hesitant to answer. But she soon relented and what she had to say made Michael long for the notebook he left on Odym.
"At first, it was just a title; one champion of the cause wielding a single Star Sapphire gem. We Zamarons would hold this champion in great regard but the gemstone always seemed to be too much for any one sentient to bear. We had numerous champions but not one of them seemed to possess the longevity to continue on as the Star Sapphire. Eventually the Zamarons decided to make one of our own the Star Sapphire and made her the queen."
"Would that be your aunt?"
The question caused Ghia'ta to stop suddenly, her expression suddenly clouded as her ears drooped ever so slightly. "Um… no." She murmured in a quiet voice. Clearing her throat, she continued. "It turned out the gemstone drove that queen to madness… and my aunt was the one forced to put an end to her before she killed us all. My aunt was the one to realize that the power of the gem was too great to be controlled so she ordered a power battery and a power ring forged out of the Star Sapphire gem. She then placed the original within the central battery to act as a mediator. This allows us to distribute its powers throughout an entire Corps of Star Sapphires."
The air turned quiet as Michael took it all in, letting Ghia'ta have a rest from her explanations. "Your aunt sounds like a shrewd woman." He commented.
The princess smiled faintly. "She is. The Zamarons made her queen in the aftermath and she has ruled both our home and the corps ever since."
"I can't imagine how that must feel; to take the place of a fellow after being forced to slay them." Michael mused, his gaze turning back towards the battery. "Who was the first queen?" He finally wondered.
"Her… Her sister." Ghia'ta confessed. "My mother."
Michael whipped around with wide eyes. He put everything together and immediately felt bad for prying so deeply. A knot formed in his stomach as he stammered an apology, "I-I'm so sorry, I-I never meant to pry or bring up old wounds-"
"It's okay, Michael. I am at peace with it." Ghia'ta interrupted, her voice soft and distant. "Although for a species as mine, who lives so long, events that happened centuries ago sometimes feel as if they occurred only yesterday." She confessed, revealing just how raw the pain really was. Michael felt he could relate and knew he would not want someone prying into private matters when he was still reeling from them.
"I'm very sorry for your loss." He whispered quietly.
Ghia'ta nodded softly. "Me too." She said. After a moment's silence, she slid off the edge of the butte and took flight again, her body enveloped in a violet aura. "Come on. Let's go back to the palace." She invited, smiling again.
Dinner was not so much a communal affair as much as it was a close gathering of those Aga'po held in high regard. By and large it was fellow Zamarons seated around the table,with Ghia'ta sitting to Aga'po's left and the Corps trainer Miss Bloss to her right. Michael was given a seat beside Ghia'ta, a rare position for outsiders but Aga'po had made his deeds known to everyone present which ensured the Zamarons were more at peace with the Blue Lantern man in their midst.
The food presented was both unlike anything Michael had ever seen while ringing quite close to some familiar Earth delicacies. Fruits seemed to be a big one with bowls filled with grape-like bundles, cherry-like singles, and large melon-like centrepieces. But meat platters were also in abundance, allowing for combinations Michael would have thought impossible until the sweet and savoury settled on his tongue.
Eating came few and far between for the Blue Lantern, however, as his presence generated much conversation among the Zamarons at the table.
"Tell us, Michael, what was your profession before becoming a Blue Lantern?" Aga'po inquired.
"I was a cultural anthropologist, highness. I studied other cultures to better understand them and then I passed my findings along so others could understand as I have." Michael readily answered.
"That is a noble battlefield trait." Miss Bloss mused aloud. "The ability to see and know one's enemy can give the most strategic advantages. You would be wise to not squander your gift, earthman."
"I very much choose not to, Miss Bloss. Not when there's suddenly a whole plethora of other peoples and cultures at my fingertips. Everyone I help reveals something new." Michael replied.
"And what kind of help do you offer them?" Aga'po questioned.
"Whatever kind of help they need in order for their hopes to be answered." Michael responded. "It's my mission as a member of the Blue Lanterns to aid anyone who needs it in order to spread the blue light to the galaxy."
"We Zamarons believe in something similar." Said Aga'po. "The violet light of love is strong and binding, capable of saving the universe. All those who are aware of its unfathomable power are for the better."
"Life without love is blasphemy." The Zamarons all said as one.
"Young Ghia'ta is one the Corps most accomplished members." Aga'po added. "And that's not just familial embellishment." Ghia'ta smiled bashfully and looked down at her plate.
"Auntie…" she quietly whined.
"The Queen speaks truthfully." Miss Bloss added. "Ghia'ta has brought the violet light to more folds than any other Star Sapphire." Michael glanced at the flustered princess and faintly smiled.
"A child prodigy." He stated.
"Moreso than that." Aga'po interjected. "Ghia'ta has embraced the mission and understanding that the violet light must be spread throughout the galaxy."
"Even from my limited view, I can understand why." Michael mused, leaning forward with hands folded. "On Earth, wars have been fought over love. People have gone to great lengths in the name of love. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Queen Aga'po, love is very powerful indeed."
"You speak as though you have experience." The Queen remarked. "What is your story, Michael Ryker? How is it an anthropologist from Earth came to wield a blue power ring?"
The human fell silent and did not answer right away. Ghia'ta glanced over at him, suddenly sensing a kinship given her earlier silence aboard the butte. Her stomach knotted, realizing that Michael had something personal of his own to keep private that she was not aware of. "Mine is… not a happy tale, highness. And while I would rather spare you the gory details, I will say that I had to endure my own blackest night before I could enjoy my brightest day." Michael vaguely replied.
Aga'po carefully considered Michael's words. Then she stood up and walked around the table to wear the human sat. Michael quickly rose as well, trying to be polite and praise respects to the monarch. That was when Aga'po raised up her hand and gently set it on the side Michael's face. Her power ring began to glow. "Let us see the truth of your words." She said, eyes glowing pink as she channeled the love attunement power of her ring: the ability to reveal one's connection to the violet light.
Michael felt his mind swirl as images flashed before him. Connected to his mind, Queen Aga'po saw what Michael saw, her eyes ablaze as she viewed scenes from Michael's memory. Her ring projected what she witnessed and allowed the other Zamarons to observe as well.
He was walking hand in hand with a girl about his age. "You have known love." Aga'po whispered. She saw him and her together, the moments they shared and the fun times they had. He also saw the time when she left him for someone else. How she and his best friend betrayed him. How he was left alone and broken-hearted after one bad day. "Your love was broken, as was your heart." Aga'po gasped as did the other Zamarons. She released Michael's thoughts and the human reeled for a moment. "You have known much pain and heartbreak Michael." Aga'po stated softly, clutching one hand to her chest. "I am truly sorry for your loss." The human nodded numbly, looking away as he pressed his palms into his eyes and made his best effort to forget.
Hope for the future. Hope for peace. There is always something to hope for.
His unspoken mantra soothed his soul and he slowly sat back down. "Thank you." He said quietly.
"To be hurt so deeply… that's… I can't imagine…" Miss Bloss trailed off.
"Maybe we shouldn't." Ghia'ta said. "Maybe some things should not be considered any further." She reached out and laid a hand on Michael's shoulder, her ring pulsing as she did.
After dinner, Ghia'ta took Michael for a walk within the confines of the palace. Still trying to be a gentleman, the human offered the princess his arm which she gratefully accepted. "I hope I wasn't too much of a downer at dinner. Sorry for spoiling the mood." He apologized.
"You are not the one to blame." Ghia'ta quickly insisted. "It's just that… well, my aunt, like all Zamarons, prizes love above all other emotions. So she had to find out what your history was."
"And I'm gonna guess she was promptly disappointed by what she found." The human surmised.
"No! If anything you mean a bit more to her now because of your past, Michael." The Zamaron responded. "Now, please, push those ugly thoughts out of your head and let's enjoy the sunset together." Ghia'ta had taken him to a balcony at the edge of the palace roof which overlooked the planet below. There sat a single sofa, big enough to fit three or four average sentients comfortably, and Ghia'ta promptly led Michael over. The Blue Lantern took a seat as Ghia'ta collected a pair of crystal flutes from a nearby table, offering one to him. "An after-dinner tasting to your liking?" She queried.
"I suppose it would be." Michael obliged, accepting the drink and taking a tentative sip. It was cold and refreshing down his throat, while also bearing a certain spice that shot straight to his brain. "Delicious. What is it?"
"The juice of the Kafle'en fruit. It's said to replenish the spirit and enhance the senses." Ghia'ta described as she cozied up beside him. The balcony was bathed in golden light as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a pleasant haziness across the view of Zamaron. The natural light seemed to accent the pink and blue uniforms of the two Lanterns, making them appear almost as natural to the planet as the crystal formations that grew there. "This is my favourite place in the palace. I love the views it offers. Doesn't the sunset look so dreamy from here?" Ghia'ta wondered, her body settling against Michael's arm.
"Very picturesque. Reminds me of vacations to the family beach house." The human mused. He sipped his drink again, as did Ghia'ta.
"Tell me about your family." The princess urged.
Michael shrugged amicably. "Not much to tell. I was an only child, made it a little easier for mom and dad. They were travellers, had an insatiable sense of wanderlust."
"Wanderlust?"
"Oh. It's a word from my homeworld. It refers to a desire to see new things and go to new places you've never been to before." Michael explained.
"Did you inherit this 'wanderlust' from them?" Ghia'ta queried, her free hand tracing his bicep.
"Eh, maybe in a way. I have a desire to learn new things about places I've never been to." Michael suggested. "Which I have really been indulging in since becoming a Blue Lantern." He looked towards the princess. "You know, I'm really glad you invited me to Zamaron. I can't thank you enough for introducing me to your world and your people and your corps… and your aunt." Ghia'ta smiled.
"It's the least I could do for the man who freed me." She replied. "Although I do wish our first meeting had been a touch more… pleasant." Ghia'ta added with a giggle.
"I suppose there are nicer locations than the inside of a Gordanian slave ship." Michael concurred. Ghia'ta set her drink down and shifted her position.
"Here, let me free you of some knots." She proffered. Michael leaned forward as Ghia'ta settled in behind him and started massaging his shoulders. The human loosed a groan, exhaling loudly as he savoured her soothing touch.
"Oh… that feels great."
"Far be it from me to let my savior suffer from such tension." Ghia'ta purred. Her ring was pulsing again, flickering brightly as she massaged Michael's shoulders. Every effort she made to touch him resulted in more jolts and sensations surging through her. Ghia'ta was ultimately getting as much enjoyment from this as Michael was… albeit in a completely different way.
Michael leaned back as the sunlight turned dusky red, dipping below the horizon. Cradled by Ghia'ta and her massaging touch, he relaxed for the first time in days.
"Yeah… I'm glad I came here." He murmured. "I'm glad I met you too, princess."
"Ghia'ta." She whispered, leaning close until her lips were next to his ear. "Call me Ghia'ta." Michael leaned back and turned to look upon her. Their eyes met, their faces very close to one another. Ghia'ta's hand slid around to caress his face, her ring glowing a soft violet hue as the stars came out. Michael watched enchanted as her eyes twinkled in the light, rays of violet catching and reflecting off her beautiful sea-green gaze. "Very well… Ghia'ta."
Ghia'ta was also captivated by what she saw. The blue of his eyes seemed to glow like the light of a dwarf star, radiant like a fire kindled by the blue light within him. She'd never seen anyone with eyes like his. Not even in her fellow Star Sapphires did the light glimmer as brightly as it did with him. Her ring continued to pulse, in synch with her own heartbeat whose tempo increase the longer she stared at him. Her gaze dipped low. His lips looked inviting. A ghost of a chance flashed before her eyes, images rendered in violet light flooding her mind as the power of the ring overrode her own thoughts. Despite her training and focus, she was powerless to its desires… and wondered ever so briefly if she shared them too.
Without a word, Ghia'ta leaned forward on impulse and pressed her lips to Michael's, embracing him in a chaste kiss. The sudden flood of input from her ring excited her to no end, as if a sudden revelation had dawned on her. Everything suddenly seemed so clear but she couldn't tell if it was the work of her own mind or her power ring. Barely a moment passed before she released him, Michael seemingly frozen as Ghia'ta was left breathless, excited by the sudden boldness of her move.
The princess beheld him again and saw his face in a new light; the violet light of love. Where have you been all my life…
Michael was rather stunned by Ghia'ta's actions but he certainly was not complaining. His drink long forgotten, he felt a new warmth overtake his mind and a sudden desire to remain in close proximity to Ghia'ta. He wanted to be close to her and his hopes shifted. I hope I can know her heart…
Ghia'ta batted her eyelashes at him, smiling coyly. "Would you like to stay the night?" She wondered in a low, smoky tone.
"I… I would be honored to. I-I'd be a fool to turn down the hospitality you've shown me." Michael replied, swallowing nervously as he rose to follow her. They moved inside the palace and had left the balcony behind them when he asked, "You have guest rooms?"
"No…" Ghia'ta said simply, turning around to give him an absolutely smouldering look, "but my bed is big enough for two." She added as she took him by the hand and led him into her own bedroom…
The next morning…
Blinking his eyes open, Michael found himself staring at the ceiling. He felt like himself again but his mind was still an absolute whirlwind of mental images, all of them erotic and sensual.
What a dream… What a helluva dream. It had to be a dream, right? No way I slept with her.
A warmth to his right side drew his gaze and he started upon laying eyes on Ghia'ta's bare skin as she slept on her side, half of his arm hidden from view by her head and shoulders.
Oooookay, not a dream.
A quick check of his tactile senses revealed no additional layers between his skin and the bedsheets and Michael's mental images were suddenly cast in a new light: no longer fantasy but reality. Michael ran his free hand through his hair.
What happened to me last night? We're just getting to know each other, there's no way I should've been moving the fast with her! I mean… sure, she's incredibly beautiful. But that's no excuse to hop into bed with her right off the bat. We haven't even gone on a date or anything like that! I-It's like the carnal, red-blooded desires every man has suddenly took control of me and… all I could do was have her.
The beleaguered Blue Lantern struggled to sort himself out until a soft groan from the princess beside him was followed by shuffling movement as she rolled over. He looked to greet her, Ghia'ta's bright blue eyes sparkling as she batted her eyes at him. "Good morning." She whispered with a smile.
"H-Hey. Morning." Michael stammered in reply. Ghia'ta cuddled close to him, treating their morning in as if they'd been romantically involved for years. Michael wasn't necessarily complaining but he was still confounded this had transpired.
"I take it you slept as well as I did?" She queried, closing her eyes as she draped an arm over his pecs.
"Well… If you slept like the dead, then yes I did." Michael replied, earning a quiet snicker from her. "I don't mean to be rude, but I have to ask… do you sleep with all your guests?" He hesitantly inquired.
"Only the cute ones." Ghia'ta teased as she tapped the tip of his nose. With that, she snuggled back into him, laying her head on his shoulder as her arm reached across his chest. She seemed only interested in these morning cuddles, she didn't make nearly as physical a move on him as she did last night.
A sudden pulsating beep from her ring kept Ghia'ta from getting too cozy and the princess loosed an inaudible grumble as she drew her power ring close to her lips. "Hello?" A flash of pink light revealed a small panel containing a soundwave pattern that rippled in time with the words of her aunt.
"Ghia'ta, I should like to speak with you and Michael in my chambers immediately." Aga'po suddenly stated, rooting Michael to the bed as Ghia'ta propped herself up on one arm.
"Of course. Very well, auntie." She responded as the communication came to an end. Ghia'ta huffed in annoyance, pouting as the summons clashed with her desire to remain in bed. Her eyes fell half-lidded, her ears folding back as her lip curled.
She looks rather adorable like that.
"Guess we better get up." She relented, slowly slipping out from under the sheets as she made to stand. Michael's mind momentarily blanked as Ghia'ta naked form was revealed to him again and he couldn't help but savour the sight in front of him. Ghia'ta turned, noting the look in his eyes, and giggled as her ring glowed and a flash of violet summoned her clothes back into place. "I really wouldn't mind indulging your desires again. If not for the fact the queen is waiting for us I probably would, too. But it's best not to keep my aunt waiting." She told him. Michael paused for a moment as her words sank in.
She actually wants to go again.
"Erm… r-right! Right." Michael agreed, clearing his throat as he hopped out of bed. A flash of blue light from his ring reformed his Blue Lantern uniform over his body, like he hadn't even removed it.
Together they departed her bedroom and made a beeline for the throne room where Aga'po was waiting. Poised prim and properly as she had been the day before, Michael now felt extremely awkward being in her presence… after all, she was the mother-figure of the girl with whom he'd just slept with. Ghia'ta bowed and he followed suite. "You wish to see us, my queen?" The princess inquired.
"Indeed I did." Aga'po began, leaning forward in her chair. "And I will spare any pleasantries. I am aware you stayed the night, Michael Ryker, just as I am aware you invited him to your chambers, Ghia'ta. Nothing may happen within the walls of this palace that can escape my knowledge." She stated. The human turned beet-red as the princess avoided her aunt's gaze. "I am certain you are both mature and of sound mind in your decision-making, but the fact that this has taken place while you have many questions, Ghia'ta, has forced me to intervene." Aga'po continued. Aunt and niece shared a brief but knowing look but Ghia'ta chose to remain silent, awkwardly rubbing the back of her head. "The power of love is strong, so strong that not even we who wield the violet light can fully control it." The Queen turned to look upon the Blue Lantern, who remained as still as a statue. But her insightfulness proved the better, "If you have something to say, Michael Ryker, you may speak freely." She offered.
Swallowing, Michael stepped forward and held out his hands in passivity. "Your highness… I promise you, and I swear on my honor as a Blue Lantern, that I harbour no ill will against Princess Ghia'ta or the throne of Zamaron." He vowed. "I'm willing to admit we got carried away last night, but I just want you to know that I have no malicious intent."
"Your apology is misplaced, earthling. I am not mad about what transpired between you two, only concerned." Aga'po interjected, calming him somewhat. "I can tell my niece is rather taken with you. But she is the heir to the throne of Zamaron. She is like a daughter to me, my only family, and I take raising her very seriously. I will suffer nothing less than excellence for her and, while her happiness pleases me, I remain unconvinced of her choice."
"My Queen, he did save me from the Gordanians-" Ghia'ta attempted to interject but Aga'po merely raised her hand and the princess fell quiet.
"Rescuing my niece is a noble feat but still pales in comparison to the achievements other humans have accomplished." Aga'pos stated. "However, status is not what concerns me. I will only accept her choice when I have seen for myself sufficient proof that you can make her happy in the long run, Michael Ryker. Yours is a new relationship, both with my niece and with the Blue Lanterns. You do not have much of a history to examine and, therefore, I need to see more." Rising from her throne, the Queen stepped towards Michael, her gaze entirely upon him. "I understand your mission as a Blue Lantern, but now I must ask more of you. You will accompany Ghia'ta on her mission to spread the violet light to the cosmos just as she will accompany you on your quest to illuminate worlds with the blue light. I will use this as an opportunity to see if you are worthy of my Ghia'ta and I will bear witness to all of your actions to see if you can prove yourself to me."
Right… this is you making up for tripping up, Mike. You're obligated to the Queen now.
"I understand the charge, majesty, and I offer no objections." Michael politely promised.
"Very well." Aga'po affirmed, turning to bring Ghia'ta into her presence. "You will depart before sundown."
Before a standard day on Zamaron had come to an end, Ghia'ta and Michael had taken flight into the space above. The two of them enveloped by protective auras, Ghia'ta seemed a little more carefree as she soared through empty space while Michael seemed rather stiff as he rocketed straight onwards. "Well, I can think of worse ways to spend my time. I mean, hey, you and me, right? Nothing wrong with that." The princess supposed as she executed a barrel roll.
"True. If our experience with the Gordanians is any indication, we could work well together." Michael mused in reply. "You think she's… mad about us? About me?" He suddenly wondered.
"Who? Auntie? Chya-ra, no!" Ghia'ta chuckled, eyes sparkling as her ears perked up. "I've seen her when she's angry and, trust me, that wasn't it. That was her being serious."
"Oh. Well, that's nice to know." Michael murmured. Sensing his discomfort, Ghia'ta adjusted her course to fly right alongside him.
"Hey, you've got nothing to worry about. My aunt has always been a little overprotective of me. That being said, you're technically the first man I've brought back to her." She explained. Michael mulled that over and offered a shrug as his burden felt a little lighter.
"I guess that would explain a few things. You're doing all kinds of firsts and she's reacting like any good mother would." He surmised.
"See? You get it." Ghia'ta continued. "I won't have to worry about her anyway. You're a Blue Lantern for Khu-Fu's sake. I don't think men get any more wholesome than that." She added. Their eyes met again, Michael smiling for the first time that day and Ghia'ta returned it. "So… where to?" She asked.
"Well, how about we let our rings decide? Whoever's reacts first, the other follows." Michael suggested. Ghia'ta beamed, ears jutting out.
"I like how you think." She replied.
Together they bolted off into the galaxy, bright streaks of blue and violet illuminating the dark of space as the pair embarked upon a brand new adventure. It was one that Ghia'ta was readily looking forward to… but one that Michael had a few reservations about.
Boy, what have I gotten myself into?