Author's Note: Yes I'm back and I'm sorry it took me so long. Never forgot just struggled to get back into a DC mood. But here we are and I intend on seeing this through. To start, expect a double upload of chapters! Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Coming of the Khund

The Urdine lived in mountainside caves, a primitive and diminutive species that remained a little people in a great big world. Nature was their constant companion. What they did not use to advance their lives they worshipped and respected. Whatever naturally-occurring phenomena occurred in their daily lives, the Urdine could chalk up to something in their ecosystem.

So when the earthquakes and avalanches came, they begged the gods of the mountain for forgiveness as their friends and loved ones were entombed in the caves they called home.

Their homes, their land, it was behaving angrily and they could not figure out why. They stood before boulder-encased cave mouths, hearing the desperate cries of the survivors on the other side, cut off from light, food, and water. No matter how hard they tried and what crude devices they used to attempt to clear the rubble, there was simply too much for them to move alone. Falling into despair, the Urdine were on the brink of giving up all hope…

Until, that is, a brilliant blue light descended from above.

Responding to their desperation, Michael Ryker and Ghia'ta arrived to provide aid, the strength of their power rings removing the rubble blocking the caves. Violet light seeped into every crack and crevice, forcing the rocky debris apart as Ghia'ta pull the debris free and clear of the cave while Michael forged crane claws to grasp and pull free the pieces of rock and stone blocking off the cave.

Soon the Urdine were freed and joyously reunited with their fellows. The Lanterns watched on from above as celebrations unfolded across around the village. "Aw, they're so adorable when they're happy." Ghia'ta cooed fondly.

"They are. In an Ewok sorta way." Michael remarked. Ghia'ta offered a quizzical glance, her ears perking in curiosity.

"What's an 'Ewok'?" She asked. Michael responded by using his ring to generate a small render of the Star Wars creature, pulled from his memory.

"Small, furry, ursine in nature. It's from Earth popular culture." He explained. Ghia'ta's eyes brightened.

"They're so cute!" She exclaimed. "You'll have to take me to your homeworld and show them to me."

"One day." Michael replied. He glanced at the Urdine below. "They seem like they're okay now, shall we carry on?" Ghia'ta obliged him as the took off into space again, destined to follow the call of their rings to wherever they were needed most.

Much later…

"…of course, he just had to make a declaration of hostile intent right then and there, so I had to intervene to stop a war from starting." Ghia'ta was saying as she and Michael darted across expanses of stars. From a distance the two were streaks of coloured light, mere violet and blue against the backdrop of deep space. The two Lanterns had busied themselves with the affairs of three planets so far, appealing to their needs as only a Star Sapphire and Blue Lantern could. As they did, Ghia'ta was far more open about herself and her past, revealing many previous visits to some of the worlds they had been assisting.

"I guess people would definitely remember someone who prevented a war. An outsider, no less." Michael mused, half-focused on her words and half-deep in thought. Despite the princess's vibrant and cheery personality, her presence still plagued Michael with uncertainty about their… unique situation.

Maybe I was just riding the wave of all the emotion. Had to be. That night still feels like a dream…

"Well they were certainly very thankful." Ghia'ta hummed in agreement. "I wound up staying for three standard days." Michael grunted in response, saying nothing. It didn't take long for Ghia'ta to take note of his seemingly distracted demeanour. "Hey… you okay?" The human glanced up, his eyes meeting hers. The look in her aquamarine hue radiated curiosity and concern. It was a look that felt foreign to Michael… as though no one had looked at him such a deeply personal way in a very long time.

He was not ready to broach his concerns with her. Not yet.

"Er… sorry. Just… lost in thought." He excused. Gotta try and get her back to what she was talking about. "Must be the anthropologist in me. You were saying?"

"I was just saying they were very thankful and that I wound up staying there for three more days." Ghia'ta repeated. Michael looked to her with a partial smirk.

"What exactly could you accomplish in three days?" He asked. Ghia'ta giggled.

"You'd be surprised."

Michael was prepared to ask more when his ring abruptly flashed and it started speaking to him, "Disturbance detected in local system."

"What kind of disturbance?" He asked.

"A member of the Green Lantern Corps is engaged against a band of Khundian raiders." His ring informed him.

"Name of the planet?" Michael quickly inquired. Ghi'ata was more focused on the nature of the crisis.

"Khund?! Oh no, not them!" She exclaimed, ears shooting straight up in alarm. Michael's ring filled him in on the details; a savage race of marauders, the Khund waged war on whoever they could, not for personal gain or glory, not for resources or because of ancient feuds, but because they could. Most races seldom survived their sudden raids, either taken as slaves or outright killed. The Khund were cold, methodical, and capable of killing Green Lanterns. Now a lone Green Lantern was fighting the Khund, likely to keep the inhabitants of a planet safe from them, and in danger of dying in the process.

Michael took one look at Ghia'ta concerned expression and knew that this was a situation they could not leave be. If anything, her worry was all the reason needed to aid this Green Lantern. "Ring, plot coordinates." Michael commanded.

The Dendu inhabited the rocky moon of Dunvite 4, living a technologically advanced life under protective domes that shielded them from the moon's unforgivingly cold atmosphere. These domes were vast enough to connect neighbouring polities, stretching as far as 1000 square kilometers. Unfortunately for the inherently-peaceful Dendu, the Khund had found a way to enter their domes without ruining the atmosphere, leading to a total ground invasion.

Ranks upon ranks of armed warriors, weapon-laden speeders, naval vessels, and heavy-duty tanks trundled across the rocky ground, terrifying the Dendu even from afar. Already several townships lay in smoldering ruins, their populaces driven off or outright slaughtered. Such would be the fate of all Dendu if the Khund weren't stopped.

Bolts of emerald light ripped through their lines as the Khund turned their weapons skyward. They returned fire as a sphere of green hovered above their ranks. The Green Lantern, dressed in a vibrant vest clad in the Corps symbol, rained explosive fire from above as he blew their speeders to smoldering pieces. "Yeah that's right, come get some you pale freaks!" His dark red bowl-cut hair bobbed and waved with his rapid movements, the Green Lantern diving low and around sizzling streaks of blue and yellow gunfire.

Those not otherwise engaging the Green Lantern opened fire on the Dendu settlements, energized tank shells exploding from barrels aimed towards homes and businesses. The Green Lantern moved to cut them off, crafting a supersized missile pod to fire off multiple small warheads to intercept their salvos before they could cause further destruction. Certain of his success, the Lantern lurched as multiple blaster rounds struck his protective aura. "Hey! Backstabbing bastards! Nobody gets the drop on Guy Gardner. Nobody!" He snapped, opening fire with a barrage of rapid-fire emerald bolts. The Khund closed in.

"Drop the Lantern!" One of the commanders ordered. "I want his head for my wall and his ring for my trophies!" Tank salvos erupted and Guy Gardner reacted, forging a large shield to ward off the shells. Explosions rippled around him, the concussive force overriding his willpower and shattering his shield. Guy was sent tumbling across the rocky ground, the human forcing himself up with a groan as the Khund converged on his position.

Warning. 50% charge remaining.

"Great. Just great." Guy grumbled, priming his ring and aiming downrange. "Well, I'm gonna need all fifty percent." He decided, determined to do his duty and see this through to the end… whatever that looked like.

All of a sudden, he felt his willpower swell as a new strength filled him. A blue light bathed the area, drawing the attention of the Khund skyward as its brilliance grew.

Power levels 52.1%

Guy was feeling rejuvenated, inspired, hopeful even. The emerald light around him grew in intensity, blinding the Khund.

Power levels 61.8%

Unleashing the power of his ring, a shockwave of green light blew the Khund off their feet. This was followed by a bright blue barrage of power bolts from above that punched holes clean through the supporting column of tanks. Arrows of violet light rained down and shredded the aerial speeders, clearing out the entire frontlines in a manner of seconds. Guy took flight, closer to the blue light, as he joined his newfound allies.

Power levels 85.6%

"Thanks for the assist." He offered, setting his eyes on the human and near-human. "Name's Guy. Guy Gardner."

"Michael Ryker. Blue Lantern."

Guy cocked a brow and smirked. "Didn't realize the blues were hiring humans now." He remarked. Turning to the Zamaron, he grinned broadly and turned up the charm. "And who's this beautiful thing?"

"Princess Ghia'ta of Zamaron and the Star Sapphires. And while I don't mean to upset you, Guy Gardner, I'm with the blue." Ghia'ta responded. Guy cocked a brow again and frowned slightly.

"What's a monk got that I don't?" He questioned.

"That's 'badass monk' thank you." Michael interjected. A barrage of violet tank rounds streaked past at that moment, startling the trio back into action. "Although maybe we should pick this up later!" Michael exclaimed. "Ghia'ta, help Guy. I'll protect the civilians." He darted off in a flash of blue as Guy Gardner turned to face off against the Khund. Ghia'ta lingered for a moment, watching Michael leave.

He's prioritizing the people first. Their safety is his mission… such selflessness…

"Alright, princess, hope you don't mind chipping a few nails. These guys play rough!" Guy remarked.

"I know! I've encountered them before!" Ghia'ta replied, crafting a spear construct. "Much like I've been to this planet before."

"Well well well, someone's well-travelled. Let's see if you can keep up with a Green Lantern!" Guy dove ahead, his power surging.

Power levels at 97.7%

Creating an RPG construct, Guy opened fire on the nearest tank, sending his projectile down the barrel and destroying the turret with a fiery blast. Ghia'ta dashed into the midst of the Khundian warriors, driving them into the ground with her spear as she took them down one after another in rapid succession. Laser rounds ripped past them both all the while, some striking their protective auras and others missing them entirely.

Michael, meanwhile, had herded the surviving Dendu behind an impenetrable blue forcefield powered by his hope to keep as many of them alive as possible. The Dendu were a short, stocky species with thick limbs and vaguely human facial features. Their pigmentation, however, could range anywhere from blue to green to even grey. In Michael's eyes they bore a loose resemblance to the dwarves of high fantasy back on Earth, even though they appeared to be entirely hairless.

Khundian rockets and tank shells exploded against his blue field, his determination unwavering against the onslaught. "Move! Hurry, move! Get behind me!" He ordered those below, bracing his extended arm as he concentrated his focus entirely onto the power rushing from his ring. He could feel a symbiotic exchange from the proximity of Guy Gardner's green ring, bolstering his power and charge to firm up his constructs. Michael could only hope it would survive the onslaught the Khund would inevitably throw at him. Aerial vehicles started divebombing his position, dumping laser fire and missiles into his forcefield, drawn to his bright blue projection like flies to honey. Grunting as multiple explosive impacts caused cracks to form across his projection, Michael quickly broadened his field to cover more of the township, weathering another assault by airborne Khund warships.

Guy Gardner unleashed a giant fist construct that flipped a tank turret over treads. The same fist opened to backhand several speeders out of the air, sending them crashing into the ground in fiery heaps that barely missed Ghia'ta. "Hey! Watch where you're aiming!" She cried out, kicking a Khund to the ground as her spear sliced through another and sending him careening away.

"All's fair in destruction and war, princess," Guy shot back, constructing a volley of thermonuclear missiles he sent careening into the Khund lines, the ensuing explosions wiping out tons of Khund and overturning their tanks. Smoke filled the air, clouding their vision. When it cleared, the forward line of Khund had fallen but even more were approaching to take their place. "Ugh! These guys don't quit!" Guy complained.

"Try harder! Aim for the tanks!" Ghia'ta cried out as she dove towards the Khundian warriors. Driving her spear into one, she generated a power blast through her construct that sent him flying through the air. She touched down and was immediately surrounded by more Khund… but as a dagger construct appeared in her hand, she seemed more than ready for them.

She swiped at one to her right, cutting through his protective suit as a look of horror dawned over his pale face. Spinning back around, Ghia'ta took one out at the leg before she impaled her dagger through the knee of a second. She took flight, spinning end over end until she lodged her dagger through the arm of another Khund and used her leverage to throw him to the ground. Elongating her dagger into a sword, she spun around and hacked the arm off one Khund before turning back and driving her weapon clean through the helmet of the previous warrior.

Facing down one more Khund, she lunged towards him and drove her sword clean through his chest, throwing him to the ground as she vaulted over and locked her legs around the arm of another, swinging him in an arm bar twist that sent him slamming into the dirt. Ghia'ta promptly conjured up another dagger and drove through the open visor of the Khund, his dying rasps barely heard above the hiss of venting atmosphere. The Zamaron picked herself up just in time to see a tank bearing down on her, barrel tilting menacingly down until she was eye-level with the black opening. She crafted a spear,hoping to react before it could shoot, only for a sizeable green baseball to become wedged within.

The following blast promptly caused a backfire that blew the turret right off the tank. "You're welcome." Guy remarked with a smug grin. Ghia'ta rolled her eyes.

"Gonna do that another fifty times?" She wondered, gesturing to the ranks of tanks approaching them. Guy glowered and slumped his shoulders.

"Man I hate these guys!"

A shadow fell over them as massive Khundian warships moved in from low orbit, turrets moving to acquire a firing solution on the lanterns. "Uh, maybe we should fall back!" Ghia'ta exclaimed, leading the mad dash away from the shadow of the warships. Blue cannon rounds rained down around them, kicking up all manner of debris in the midst of fiery plumes. Racing ahead as streaks of light, Guy and Ghia'ta made for the safety of Michael's forcefield. The turret salvos chased them right up to the field of blue where the thudded against the Blue Lantern's construct.

"So, you want the bad news or the good news?" Guy wondered in a sarcastic tone.

"I can see it all from here. Where's the good news?" Michael retorted.

"The fact they can't get past your forcefield is a start." Guy noted with a grin.

"Sure, but you also led them right to me!" Michael exclaimed as he gestured with his free hand to the fast-approaching Khundian ranks. Another round of warship blasts struck his shield quickly followed up by a strafing run from Khund airspeeders. Laser rounds, missiles, and particle blasts slammed into Michael's forcefield, proving too much for him as it shattered on impact, shards of blue raining down around them.

Clambering to his feet, Michael reshaped his light into an 18th century ship of the line and unleashed a full broadside of the vessel's cannons. A volley of blue cannonballs streaked through the air and ripped through the squadron of Khund airspeeders, reducing them all into fiery debris. The vessel dissipated as Michael's light flashed a brilliant blue and reformed into a complete artillery regiment from the Napoleonic wars. Cannons boomed in deafening sequence as their salvo of cannonballs tore into the Khundian warriors and reduced the frontline just enough to give the lanterns a breather.

"What? Not a 'whiff of grapeshot'?" Guy teased. Michael looked to him, impressed.

"Clever. Didn't take you as one to pay attention to history."

"Waterloo is a good movie." Guy replied. He could feel his ring feeding off of Michael's aura and vice versa.

Power levels at 121.2%

They turned their attention back to the Khund. "Now what?" Ghia'ta asked. "No matter what we do they just keep coming."

"Guess we need an army to beat an army!" Guy decided, using the additional charge on his ring to form a line of dozens of M16 assault rifles. Green bullets spat from the barrels, tearing into the approaching Khund but not fast enough to make a difference.

"At this rate, they're going to overwhelm us!" Ghia'ta realized as she plunged back into the fray, taking the fight to the Khund. Forging a sword construct, Ghia'ta spun and landed a back kick that send a Khund slamming into nearby rubble. Promptly jamming her weapon into the nearest raider, she flipped over him, using her weight and leverage to slam him into the ground. A violet spear formed in her grasp as she crossed the distance to another Khund warrior and shattered his faceplate with a swing before he could even get off a shot.

Whipping around, the broad side of her spearhead smashed into a Khundian raider and sent him tumbling across the ground. Ghia'ta then planted herself and thrust her weapon, using her momentum to her advantage, and skewered a Khund's head as she slammed him back against the remnants of a wall. Golden energy bolts sizzled past as another Khund charged to face her, Ghia'ta vaulting over his salvo and driving her spear clean through his chest only to lift him up over her head and slam him into the ground. Wrenching her weapon free, she summoned her power ring to generate a field around some nearby debris, hoisting up a cluster of broken stone to hurl it at another incoming Khund. He was crushed under the onslaught.

Adjusting her stance, Ghia'ta drew back her arm and through her spear with laser-like precision, impaling a distant Khund warrior before her construct shattered like glass, leaving only a corpse behind. The princess summoned a pair of gigantic ornate swords that followed the motions of her hands, whirling and chopping into Khund raiders with broad sweeps of violet light.

Michael moved to attack the tanks, his ring bursting forth a swarm of Asiatic shishi lions. They swarmed the nearest tank, ripping it apart as the vehicle fired a last desperate shot that arced high into the air as the turret was torn asunder. They leaped to another but the third in the column decided to take action quickly, aiming downrange at Michael and firing a plasma shell. The Blue Lantern reacted with a shield, his body jolted by the blast as it shattered his protective construct and ruined his focus as his lions dissipated. Picking himself up, Michael channeled his hope and his ring glowed brightly. Thrusting out his fist, a beam of blue light erupted from his ring, gradually taking on the swirling shape of a large Chinese dragon. The monster surged forward with jaws open, biting off the turret of the tank as its bulk thrashed into the ranks of Khund warriors, sending them scattering in every direction.

"Oh we're having a monster mash now? Cool!" Guy aimed his ring skyward and channeled a supersized construct that slowly grew bigger and bigger as he forged a perfect replica of Godzilla. The Kaiju loosed a deafening bellow before it lit up the Khundian ranks with emerald green atomic breath.

"Pop culture meets mythology. Nice." Michael remarked with a grin as the pair unleashed their monsters on the Khund. Even Ghia'ta stopped to watch the display, both awed and a little frightened by the gigantic beasts conjured up by Guy and Michael.

"Do you have such things on Earth as well?" She asked.

"Only in stories, princess." Michael replied.

Ghia'ta grew thoughtful as she watched the twin monsters devastate their way through the Khund ranks. An idea sparked in her mind and she grinned as she thrust out her ring to make her own contribution. Pink light flourished, growing bright and bigger as she forged her own monster out of light. It resembled a cephalopod with a many-tentacled lower half while the upper was comprised of a huge bulbous head framed by sharp spikes and a mouth filled with serrated fangs. It was a Sebilung; a space-faring native to Zamaron's system that often preyed on starships and the occasional Lantern.

The Sebilung tore into the warships overhead, ripping them to pieces and sending their burning hulks cascading to the ground in giant explosive finishes. Much in the same way, the Godzilla and Chinese dragon destroyed Khundian raiders and their armored contingents, putting a serious gap in what remained of the militant force. Vehicle after vehicle was rent asunder, falling from the sky in flames or crushed underfoot, along with a sizeable number of Khund.

The assault proved strong enough to finally break their ranks.

Raiders turned and fled, whatever vehicles remained turned swiftly about as they broke off from the engagement and made for the edge of the habitation dome. "They're retreating!" Ghia'ta joyously cried.

"Keep it up! We have to make sure they all go!" Michael echoed, hope flooding his ring and, in turn, empowering Guy's ring.

Power levels at 159%

The three monsters chased the Khund until they were beyond the safe haven of Dunvite 4's habitation dome, fleeing into the stars from whence they came. Only then did the three monsters fade away as the lights of the Lanterns dimmed. Only then did the three breathe collective sighs of relief and, finally, stop to rest. They did so amidst cheers from the Dendu, the stalwart little people emerging in droves to praise their saviours… all three of which basked in the richly-deserved adulation.

Later…

With the Khund gone the long process of recovery began. While the core polities had been predominantly spared, many of the neighbouring townships had been laid to waste and thus necessitated rebuilding. Ghia'ta made to reassure the Dendu while Michael and Guy conversed for a moment.

"You know I, uh, appreciate your help. These bastards have killed solo Lanterns before, probably would've done the same to me if it wasn't for you." The Green Lantern confessed.

"Don't worry. I'm more than happy to bring hope to those who need it." Michael replied, patting his shoulder. Guy made a face.

"You blues are alright, maybe a little too preachy. But thanks for charging my ring. Now I don't need a battery for weeks." His ring confirmed as much.

Power levels at 210%

"Just doing my thing. Nice to know Greens and Blues work well together." Michael agreed. "Feel free to take off. Ghia'ta and I will work with the Dendu."

"Much obliged. I was on my way to deal with some real Corps stuff when I found this mess." Guy took flight, cloaked in a green aura. "Oh, and one more thing," Guy said, turning around to gaze upon Michael one more time, "you were right. You are a badass space monk." With a smirk he took flight, vanishing in a trail of emerald. Michael crossed his arms and smiled faintly.

Nice enough guy. Weird haircut, but he's got the makings of a good friend.

Michael floated over to Ghia'ta where she stood addressing a trio of Dendu. "…it was our pleasure to help you in your time of need, Archmaster Atrios."

"Aye, milady, you have our most sincere thanks." Atrios responded in a heavily accented voice, bowing so deeply his long silver beard and matching ponytail swayed and flipped around. "Of course, we have never forgotten your previous visit." He added with a smile.

Ghia'ta could sense Michael close in behind her and grew nervous. "I, er, am glad to see I've made an impact. Your society is flourishing."

"That it is. We are most pleased to show you our progress." Atrios agreed.

"I would be happy to see. And to aid you in the aftermath of this attempted invasion." Ghia'ta. "But, please understand, this will not be like last time. My time here will be brief as I am aiding Blue Lantern Michael." She quickly added. Atrios nodded, disappointed but understanding.

"Ah, well, I suppose that's fair. We'd be willin' to at least give you a place to lay your head tonight."

Ghia'ta bowed. "Thank you, Archmaster." The Dendu went on their way as Ghia'ta looked to Michael. "So… ready for a little rebuilding?"

"Of course." Charging his ring, Michael reached out for a bundle of rubble and used the strength of his light to reform debris into a wall and placed it up against the ruined house it had fallen from. "If you don't mind me asking, what was he talking about when he mentioned 'last time'?" He asked.

"Oh! Uh, well, I was here once before. Just, you know, spreading the violet light." Ghia'ta excused, reshaping the terrace of another house. "The Dendu used to be a very cold and unforgiving society. Much like the planet they lived on. I showed them there was more to life than just work and surviving, eking out an existence."

"Sounds like you made quite the impression." Michael mused, returning to his work. Ghia'ta's eyes turned downcast for a moment, Michael oblivious to her change in expression.

"I did…" she whispered to herself.

True to their word, the Dendu provided sufficient lodging for the two Lanterns after the reconstruction efforts. A spacious room with a large bed and a floor-to-ceiling window with a balcony to overlook the capitol polity. Michael and Ghia'ta entered, stretching to savor the peace and quiet. The accommodations were simple, a far cry from the princess' bedroom on her homeworld. Michael didn't mind. The rest would be welcome after such a hard-fought day.

Although rest seemed to be the furthest thing from Ghia'ta's mind.

The Zamaron turned, batting her eyelashes as she offered a coy smile to her Blue Lantern cohort. "Shall we… celebrate our achievement today?" She cooed. Michael knew the look in her eyes, enchanting as they were. But the way they sparkled, the way her ears fluttered as she leaned in close to him… the violet glow from her power ring…

And suddenly he was waking up the morning after.

Michael abruptly sat up in bed, discovering he was once again unclothed. The human looked himself over, feeling somewhere between perplexed and distraught. Scattered memories flashed behind his eyes, giving him a sense of deja vu.

Again? It happened so… so quickly. A-And like I had no control over my own body, I just… I-I just caved to it all…

His gaze turned to his side. Ghia'ta was still sound asleep, looking peacefully cute in her slumber. The Zamaron was just as unclothed as he was, the sight of her unlocking another flurry of erotic memories from the night before. Michael gulped and slowly crawled out of bed, moving carefully as to not wake the Zamaron. A single thought sparked a blue light from his ring and the lower half of his Blue Lantern uniform sheathed his legs in coal black and cobalt blue. He made for the balcony, leaning against the bannister as he inhaled deeply of the fresh morning air and tried to make sense of things.

I wish there was a way to explain things. I'd never go that far with a girl I've barely even met. Ghia'ta and I haven't even so much as gone out on a date, let alone found mutual feelings for one another. So why do we keep winding up in bed like this…?

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, struggling to make sense of things. Michael opened his eyes and turned them towards the horizon, watching the sunrise as the celestial star of the Dunvite system made its orbit.

After Catherine… Can I even love again? She was my everything. From high school until… until she wasn't. Surely it's too soon… after that, I just can't. What hope is-

He abruptly stopped as the conflicting thought went unfinished. He had meant to say 'What hope is there for me? I'll just keep thinking about that pain' only to realize that he was a Blue Lantern, Hope was his power, his strength. The same hope that gave him a new outlook on life could work its healing ways on other aspects of its life, too. Michael smiled to himself.

Guess you're all out of excuses, aren't you, Mike?

Soft hands spread across his back and slowly wrapped around his torso. Ghia'ta's silky smooth voice carried on the morning air. "You're awake. I thought I'd tired you out last night." Her purring voice sent a shiver down his spine and the conflict within Michael was renewed. Was this just a normal male reaction? Or was it the product of something else… something wholesome or sinister?

He turned around to face her. Ghia'ta had used her ring to fashion a rather fetching set of pink lingerie to preserve her modesty as she joined him on the balcony. "I've always been an early-riser." He lied. "Just wanted to take in the view of another alien sunrise. I'll never get tired of those." Ghia'ta smiled, running her hand along his arm.

"You know, for a human, you're incredibly pleasant to be around." She said quietly, her ring flashing briefly. "I hope you know that, Michael. From what I've seen, you're a good person."

"I try." He replied with a shrug.

"Don't stop trying." She told him softly. "I like that about you. You're kind, considerate, thoughtful… I've met some other human Green Lanterns and, while good in their own right, they don't possess the same gentle spirit you do." Michael glanced away, bashful.

"I think you're the first person to tell me that." He confessed. Ghia'ta leaned in close, encircling his arm with hers as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"You should be told that more often, then." Michael glanced at her overt display of affection and again felt conflict within himself.

I wish I understood you better, princess. I wish I knew what this was between us and why it keeps happening. He thought to himself.

What Michael failed to consider was the possiblity that some answers come with their own baggage, their own hurts and dark pasts. And that some answers, like those that could only come from Ghia'ta, would not be given openly for how much they would impact her in return…