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Chapter 353: The War's Objective
When it happened, the Green Lanterns were all still in the middle of their battle preparations. Everyone was busily engaged in their duties, and no one was psychologically prepared.
In the center of Oa, the massive green Central Power Battery standing on the ground suddenly erupted with an immense, divine radiance. Dazzling green light burst forth from it. The Green Lanterns passing by were all stunned, freezing in place as they stared in amazement at a sight none of them had ever witnessed before.
An incredibly dazzling light of will burst out from the Central Power Battery, shockingly leaping forth as if it possessed its own consciousness. The Green Lanterns in its path were too blinded to open their eyes, feeling only as if a scorching sun had streaked past them, crossing the Urban Area and heading for the Sky.
Within the green light, a physical form vaguely coalesced, its outline sketching the shape of some kind of creature. The green glow was constantly pushed aside around its body; it didn't look like it was flying, but rather as if it were swimming through the air.
It was the image of a shark.
"Ion Shark!"
A more veteran Green Lantern couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"That's the Emotional Entity of the green light, the embodiment of willpower!"
"That's our Emotional Entity!"
The Green Lanterns had never witnessed such a scene and were stunned for a moment. Most of the time, Ion Shark stayed inside the Central Power Battery, comfortably soaking and sleeping. It was the ultimate homebody shark, one that never went out for a stroll.
Could it be that with the great war imminent, Ion Shark didn't want to be dragged into the war of the colored Lanterns and decided to flee beforehand?
A Green Lantern rushed off to report to the Guardians. However, before the report even went through, it became apparent that it wasn't necessary.
Because Ion Shark showed no intention of leaving Oa. It flew out of the atmosphere, stopped just outside the Interstellar Port, and came to a halt right in front of the floating Parallax.
For a moment, the Green Lanterns carefully observing from the sidelines thought it had perhaps sensed the aura of fear and was about to fight Parallax. But after watching for a moment, they discovered the scene was surprisingly... harmonious.
The two Emotional Entities looked like they were... chatting?
It probably went something like this.
Ion Shark: "Yo, if it isn't Parallax. Haven't seen you in a few days. How'd you get so lame?"
Parallax: "Bullshit. Why don't you try getting blasted to smithereens and having to respawn?"
Ion Shark: "Since you're here, why stand outside the door? Won't you come in and sit for a while?"
Parallax: "Nah, can't. I promised I'd wait right here. If I wander off, I'm afraid I'll have to respawn all over again..."
Seeing the circle of Green Lanterns watching from the side, tense and on high alert, Ion Shark flicked its tail as if to signal: *Don't be nervous, we're just old friends catching up. You all go about your business, no need to just stand here.*
The Green Lanterns: "..."
Although the emotional spectrum dictates that certain emotions counteract others, it seemed the Emotional Entities themselves didn't necessarily have to fight to the death.
Meanwhile, Hal was also looking out from the mess hall. "I just heard someone say Ion Shark has appeared. Interesting. I've been in the Lantern Corps all this time and have never actually seen it."
As he was looking out, he suddenly noticed a Green Lantern Ring flying through the main hall.
Surprised, Hal followed the power ring's flight path with his eyes, only to see it fly straight towards Orin Vale on the opposite side of the table and begin to circle him.
"Orin Vale of Earth, you possess the powerful will to overcome fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps!"
Hal: "!"
He was stunned for a couple of seconds, watching in a daze as a faint, flame-like green glow enveloped Orin Vale's body—clearly a reaction from the light of willpower.
However, before Hal had a chance to ask, he saw Orin Vale casually wave his hand. The green glow on his body vanished, and the power ring that had been circling him turned around and flew out of the hall, disappearing from sight.
"Willpower signature lost. Rescanning for sentient beings..."
Hal was even more astonished.
That must have been one of the Lantern Corps' backup rings. With the great war looming and the Corps having already suffered personnel losses in earlier skirmishes, many of the backup rings had been activated with the command to "recruit new Green Lanterns."
Perhaps one of those rings had detected Orin Vale's willpower and chosen him as its host. Hal could understand that; he didn't doubt for a second that Orin Vale was worthy of wearing a ring.
But to make one's own willpower just vanish on command... what kind of maneuver was that?
"Why did you...?"
"Oh, I was just taking a moment to study the operating principles of the Green Lantern light. As I thought, it's one of the easier energies in the spectrum to master, quite similar in nature to the Blue Lantern light."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm over, and light energy poured forth. As it was released, the light shifted to the green part of the spectrum. Directed by his thoughts, it solidified into a physical form, creating a small Ultraman sculpted from the green light.
Hal's expression became one of utter, profound shock and confusion.
"Wait, that's... the power of the Green Light? But you don't have a power ring, or any other kind of tool?" Hal asked in astonishment. "How is that possible?"
"It's quite simple. Just now, while we were eating..."
Orin Vale smiled faintly.
"...I've connected to the Green Spectrum's light reservoir."
Unknown Location.
Sinestro stood in a dark room, gazing through a porthole at the endless expanse of space.
"After today, we will all get what we desire."
A raspy voice spoke from behind him. Cyborg Superman floated over slowly. His body had been reconstructed after its destruction, and the 'S' on his chest had been replaced by the emblem of the Sinestro Corps.
He looked at Sinestro and said, "A new order. An order built on fear. This is precisely what you've always wanted, is it not?"
"Hmph." Sinestro's eyes glinted, his thoughts unreadable.
They had come together out of mutual interest. While they shared the same apparent goal, their true desires were entirely different.
To bring a new order to the universe, and while doing so, use his corps to exact revenge on the Green Lantern Corps. This was the reason Sinestro gave everyone, but it was only a pretext.
In truth, he had other objectives, which he had not shared with any of his teammates.
"We are getting close," Sinestro said coolly. "Notify all units to prepare for battle. Henshaw, that includes you and your Machine Hunter Legion. Do not forget your mission."
"Of course," Cyborg Superman responded, his eyes flashing with a red glow as he stared blankly out the porthole.
"I have waited for so long... At last..."
Those foolish Guardians, and that Green Lantern Corps... they all thought this was about them. They cowered in their Fortress, on high alert, believing the war was about to erupt on Oa.
Little did they know, this was never about the Green Lantern Corps. They were never the focus of this war.
Just as the Green Lanterns from every Space Sector were pulling back to their Fortress, Sinestro's vast army had already silently advanced on its true target.
Sunlight streamed through the porthole, casting a golden fringe on the cosmic warship that had come from Brainiac. Outside, a countless swarm of Manhunters and Yellow Lanterns flew, bathed in the sunlight, facing a crystal-clear, azure planet that looked like a marble, as if it had just awoken from a dream.
Earth.
(end of chapter)
When it happened, the Green Lanterns were all still in the middle of their battle preparations. Everyone was busily engaged in their duties, and no one was psychologically prepared.
In the center of Oa, the massive green Central Power Battery standing on the ground suddenly erupted with an immense, divine radiance. Dazzling green light burst forth from it. The Green Lanterns passing by were all stunned, freezing in place as they stared in amazement at a sight none of them had ever witnessed before.
An incredibly dazzling light of will burst out from the Central Power Battery, shockingly leaping forth as if it possessed its own consciousness. The Green Lanterns in its path were too blinded to open their eyes, feeling only as if a scorching sun had streaked past them, crossing the Urban Area and heading for the Sky.
Within the green light, a physical form vaguely coalesced, its outline sketching the shape of some kind of creature. The green glow was constantly pushed aside around its body; it didn't look like it was flying, but rather as if it were swimming through the air.
It was the image of a shark.
"Ion Shark!"
A more veteran Green Lantern couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"That's the Emotional Entity of the green light, the embodiment of willpower!"
"That's our Emotional Entity!"
The Green Lanterns had never witnessed such a scene and were stunned for a moment. Most of the time, Ion Shark stayed inside the Central Power Battery, comfortably soaking and sleeping. It was the ultimate homebody shark, one that never went out for a stroll.
Could it be that with the great war imminent, Ion Shark didn't want to be dragged into the war of the colored Lanterns and decided to flee beforehand?
A Green Lantern rushed off to report to the Guardians. However, before the report even went through, it became apparent that it wasn't necessary.
Because Ion Shark showed no intention of leaving Oa. It flew out of the atmosphere, stopped just outside the Interstellar Port, and came to a halt right in front of the floating Parallax.
For a moment, the Green Lanterns carefully observing from the sidelines thought it had perhaps sensed the aura of fear and was about to fight Parallax. But after watching for a moment, they discovered the scene was surprisingly... harmonious.
The two Emotional Entities looked like they were... chatting?
It probably went something like this.
Ion Shark: "Yo, if it isn't Parallax. Haven't seen you in a few days. How'd you get so lame?"
Parallax: "Bullshit. Why don't you try getting blasted to smithereens and having to respawn?"
Ion Shark: "Since you're here, why stand outside the door? Won't you come in and sit for a while?"
Parallax: "Nah, can't. I promised I'd wait right here. If I wander off, I'm afraid I'll have to respawn all over again..."
Seeing the circle of Green Lanterns watching from the side, tense and on high alert, Ion Shark flicked its tail as if to signal: *Don't be nervous, we're just old friends catching up. You all go about your business, no need to just stand here.*
The Green Lanterns: "..."
Although the emotional spectrum dictates that certain emotions counteract others, it seemed the Emotional Entities themselves didn't necessarily have to fight to the death.
Meanwhile, Hal was also looking out from the mess hall. "I just heard someone say Ion Shark has appeared. Interesting. I've been in the Lantern Corps all this time and have never actually seen it."
As he was looking out, he suddenly noticed a Green Lantern Ring flying through the main hall.
Surprised, Hal followed the power ring's flight path with his eyes, only to see it fly straight towards Orin Vale on the opposite side of the table and begin to circle him.
"Orin Vale of Earth, you possess the powerful will to overcome fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps!"
Hal: "!"
He was stunned for a couple of seconds, watching in a daze as a faint, flame-like green glow enveloped Orin Vale's body—clearly a reaction from the light of willpower.
However, before Hal had a chance to ask, he saw Orin Vale casually wave his hand. The green glow on his body vanished, and the power ring that had been circling him turned around and flew out of the hall, disappearing from sight.
"Willpower signature lost. Rescanning for sentient beings..."
Hal was even more astonished.
That must have been one of the Lantern Corps' backup rings. With the great war looming and the Corps having already suffered personnel losses in earlier skirmishes, many of the backup rings had been activated with the command to "recruit new Green Lanterns."
Perhaps one of those rings had detected Orin Vale's willpower and chosen him as its host. Hal could understand that; he didn't doubt for a second that Orin Vale was worthy of wearing a ring.
But to make one's own willpower just vanish on command... what kind of maneuver was that?
"Why did you...?"
"Oh, I was just taking a moment to study the operating principles of the Green Lantern light. As I thought, it's one of the easier energies in the spectrum to master, quite similar in nature to the Blue Lantern light."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm over, and light energy poured forth. As it was released, the light shifted to the green part of the spectrum. Directed by his thoughts, it solidified into a physical form, creating a small Ultraman sculpted from the green light.
Hal's expression became one of utter, profound shock and confusion.
"Wait, that's... the power of the Green Light? But you don't have a power ring, or any other kind of tool?" Hal asked in astonishment. "How is that possible?"
"It's quite simple. Just now, while we were eating..."
Orin Vale smiled faintly.
"...I've connected to the Green Spectrum's light reservoir."
Unknown Location.
Sinestro stood in a dark room, gazing through a porthole at the endless expanse of space.
"After today, we will all get what we desire."
A raspy voice spoke from behind him. Cyborg Superman floated over slowly. His body had been reconstructed after its destruction, and the 'S' on his chest had been replaced by the emblem of the Sinestro Corps.
He looked at Sinestro and said, "A new order. An order built on fear. This is precisely what you've always wanted, is it not?"
"Hmph." Sinestro's eyes glinted, his thoughts unreadable.
They had come together out of mutual interest. While they shared the same apparent goal, their true desires were entirely different.
To bring a new order to the universe, and while doing so, use his corps to exact revenge on the Green Lantern Corps. This was the reason Sinestro gave everyone, but it was only a pretext.
In truth, he had other objectives, which he had not shared with any of his teammates.
"We are getting close," Sinestro said coolly. "Notify all units to prepare for battle. Henshaw, that includes you and your Machine Hunter Legion. Do not forget your mission."
"Of course," Cyborg Superman responded, his eyes flashing with a red glow as he stared blankly out the porthole.
"I have waited for so long... At last..."
Those foolish Guardians, and that Green Lantern Corps... they all thought this was about them. They cowered in their Fortress, on high alert, believing the war was about to erupt on Oa.
Little did they know, this was never about the Green Lantern Corps. They were never the focus of this war.
Just as the Green Lanterns from every Space Sector were pulling back to their Fortress, Sinestro's vast army had already silently advanced on its true target.
Sunlight streamed through the porthole, casting a golden fringe on the cosmic warship that had come from Brainiac. Outside, a countless swarm of Manhunters and Yellow Lanterns flew, bathed in the sunlight, facing a crystal-clear, azure planet that looked like a marble, as if it had just awoken from a dream.
Earth.
(end of chapter)
