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Chapter 365: Am I the Only One Left?
2023-11-16 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Chapter 365: Am I the Only One Left?
The war was still ongoing. The flames of war had razed mountains and forests, and the dazzling light show was still clearly visible from ten miles away. But it was all coming to an end.
The number of Yellow Lanterns had been reduced by more than half. Of those who remained, some had succumbed to fear and voluntarily surrendered. Only a small group who had sworn fealty to Sinestro were still putting up a desperate resistance.
That group was composed of the elites of the Sinestro Corps, the first batch to follow Sinestro. Their strength and loyalty were on a completely different level from the rookies who joined later. Of course, the disparity in numbers between the two sides had now reversed from the initial state. Now, they had become the weaker party, like a lone yellow boat in a storm; its capsizing was only a matter of time.
Following the destruction of his main body, Brainiac's fleet was also completely annihilated. Right after, the Manhunters suffered a devastating blow from the light. By now, more than half of the Manhunters were destroyed, and the rest were caught in a group beatdown by the forces of justice.
Orin Vale gently descended from mid-air, landing in front of the Cyborg Superman who had been shot down by his massive area-of-effect attack.
"Finally."
Cyborg Superman raised his head, his eyes glaring viciously at Orin Vale.
But what Orin Vale saw in those eyes didn't seem to be anger or hatred, but rather... anticipation?
That was an understatement.
It was almost a predatory look, inexplicably unsettling.
"Hank Henshaw?"
Orin Vale sized him up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ten Yellow Lantern Rings on his hands.
"Joined the Sinestro Corps? You seem to be doing quite well for yourself."
Cyborg Superman also said, "Ultraman, the most powerful being on this planet... no, perhaps in this universe. Will you be enough?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if you can satisfy me!?"
With a loud shout, he activated his Yellow Lantern energy, and Cyborg Superman charged forward at full speed, fists first. The Yellow Lantern energy enveloping him transformed into some kind of mechanical structure that encased him, topped with a spinning, golden drill, and rushed violently toward Orin Vale at an unparalleled speed.
Orin Vale found it all a bit strange, but he didn't hold back. He neither dodged nor evaded, shattering the drill construct with a single punch that continued onward, piercing the outer shell to strike Hank Henshaw square in the face.
Cyborg Superman's already twisted face immediately collapsed under the force of the blow. The Yellow Lantern's force field was completely unable to block Orin Vale's earth-shattering punch, and his mechanical structure, with a hardness comparable to Superman's, couldn't withstand it either. Hank Henshaw's grotesque jaw broke off entirely, and his mechanical eyeball flew out of its socket. The mechanical half of his face caved in, his exposed gums collapsing along with it.
He tumbled backward in a somersault. But as he scrambled to his feet, his face—caked in grime, machine oil, sparks, and blood—was contorted into a hideous grin.
"Incredible! I can feel it! This is what I'm talking about!"
Orin Vale: "..."
*This guy's completely broken, isn't he?*
"But it's not enough! Again!"
As his voice fell, Cyborg Superman had already broken the speed of sound. He moved like Superman, a vapor cone exploding behind him. His figure flashed in front of Orin Vale, but his punch only pierced through an afterimage left by his high speed.
Orin Vale, arms crossed, dodged to his side. Without even turning his head, Cyborg Superman activated his power ring's energy, conjuring a new mechanical arm out of thin air that shot towards Orin Vale. But Orin Vale easily shattered the mechanical arm with a flick of his elbow, following up with a punch that struck straight for his opponent's face.
Cyborg Superman's head was thrown back by the blow. This time, his metal nose bridge was shattered by the impact. His iron head cracked under the force of the punch, revealing the circuitry within.
"Incredible!"
A muffled voice came from some component within his ruined head.
Seemingly feeling no pain, Cyborg Superman lunged forward again. Orin Vale dodged a palm strike, using the opening to grapple, twist, and break one of his arms. He then fluidly parried a left fist and kicked out the back of Henshaw's knee, breaking his leg.
After a series of heavy blows, Cyborg Superman was knocked back again. A seamlessly aimed cutting ray then shot through his abdomen. Cyborg Superman's limbs were broken, his head was busted open, and a hole had been blasted through his stomach that went straight through his back. Yet he still got up relentlessly, continuing to shout.
"I can feel it! Again! Harder!"
Orin Vale: "..."
*I've never heard such a strange request.*
Orin Vale caught Cyborg Superman's follow-up punch with one palm. With a fluid twist, he single-handedly broke his opponent's remaining hand. Then, grabbing him by the cape, he lifted him into the air. With a push of his feet, his body erupted with speed. Within a fraction of a second, he had dragged Cyborg Superman into the sky as a streak of electric light and thrown him far away.
*Since he's so insistent, I might as well satisfy him.*
Energy gathered around Orin Vale's body as light particles danced in the air. Electric currents circled his body, and pathways of light spread along the red and silver stripes of his form.
He formed a cross with his arms, locking onto the position where Cyborg Superman had been thrown.
Giga Specium!
An output more ferocious than the regular mode, like a cannon that could pierce the very stars! Even after precisely compressing the energy, Orin Vale didn't dare use it carelessly on the planet's surface, which was why he had lifted his opponent to what he calculated was the minimum controllable altitude before unleashing it.
This attack made the starlight itself dim in comparison and left the entire battlefield stunned.
Green Lantern Rings, Yellow Lantern Rings... the power wielded by the Lanterns seemed laughably insignificant before such a brilliant light.
Even Parallax, an Emotional Entity, shuddered upon catching a glimpse of that light beam. It thought to itself, *This looks familiar.*
Just seeing it from a distance made it instinctively want to get far away. It seemed to have a touch of PTSD...
Only Cyborg Superman, as he faced that azure light, feeling its warmth envelop him, couldn't help but twitch the ruined corners of his mouth. Tears of gratitude streamed from the corners of his eyes.
In the final moment before being engulfed, he whispered.
"Thank you, Ultraman..."
The light swallowed him.
Every part, every cell of Hank Henshaw's body was disintegrated.
This time, he finally felt he had completed his long journey and seen the end.
But it wasn't the darkness and cold, the death enveloped by the void, that he had imagined.
He felt... filled with light.
Thaal Sinestro slowly climbed out of the giant pit he had been knocked into, shaking his dizzy head.
The emergence of "Ion" had exceeded his expectations. After just a few rounds, he was already certain that he and Hal Jordan were no longer opponents on the same level. At least, not until he could figure out a way to get a new power-up.
They had to adjust their strategy.
He had to contact Cyborg Superman and Brainiac as soon as possible. He had to re-coordinate and plan their respective troops' strategies...
Just as he was thinking this, Sinestro looked up and froze.
The first thing he saw was Hal Jordan, who had already pursued him and was now floating before him with his arms crossed.
Next was a large 'S'—the Superman of Earth. Following closely behind were Supergirl, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman... a whole host of Earth's heroes.
Then there were vast numbers of Green Lanterns and Blue Lanterns filling the sky.
And at the very top, the most eye-catching and brilliant of all, as if wherever he stood was center stage, was none other than that Ultraman.
Sinestro was silent for a few seconds, then asked.
"I'm the only one left, aren't I?"
(end of chapter)
2023-11-16 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Chapter 365: Am I the Only One Left?
The war was still ongoing. The flames of war had razed mountains and forests, and the dazzling light show was still clearly visible from ten miles away. But it was all coming to an end.
The number of Yellow Lanterns had been reduced by more than half. Of those who remained, some had succumbed to fear and voluntarily surrendered. Only a small group who had sworn fealty to Sinestro were still putting up a desperate resistance.
That group was composed of the elites of the Sinestro Corps, the first batch to follow Sinestro. Their strength and loyalty were on a completely different level from the rookies who joined later. Of course, the disparity in numbers between the two sides had now reversed from the initial state. Now, they had become the weaker party, like a lone yellow boat in a storm; its capsizing was only a matter of time.
Following the destruction of his main body, Brainiac's fleet was also completely annihilated. Right after, the Manhunters suffered a devastating blow from the light. By now, more than half of the Manhunters were destroyed, and the rest were caught in a group beatdown by the forces of justice.
Orin Vale gently descended from mid-air, landing in front of the Cyborg Superman who had been shot down by his massive area-of-effect attack.
"Finally."
Cyborg Superman raised his head, his eyes glaring viciously at Orin Vale.
But what Orin Vale saw in those eyes didn't seem to be anger or hatred, but rather... anticipation?
That was an understatement.
It was almost a predatory look, inexplicably unsettling.
"Hank Henshaw?"
Orin Vale sized him up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ten Yellow Lantern Rings on his hands.
"Joined the Sinestro Corps? You seem to be doing quite well for yourself."
Cyborg Superman also said, "Ultraman, the most powerful being on this planet... no, perhaps in this universe. Will you be enough?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if you can satisfy me!?"
With a loud shout, he activated his Yellow Lantern energy, and Cyborg Superman charged forward at full speed, fists first. The Yellow Lantern energy enveloping him transformed into some kind of mechanical structure that encased him, topped with a spinning, golden drill, and rushed violently toward Orin Vale at an unparalleled speed.
Orin Vale found it all a bit strange, but he didn't hold back. He neither dodged nor evaded, shattering the drill construct with a single punch that continued onward, piercing the outer shell to strike Hank Henshaw square in the face.
Cyborg Superman's already twisted face immediately collapsed under the force of the blow. The Yellow Lantern's force field was completely unable to block Orin Vale's earth-shattering punch, and his mechanical structure, with a hardness comparable to Superman's, couldn't withstand it either. Hank Henshaw's grotesque jaw broke off entirely, and his mechanical eyeball flew out of its socket. The mechanical half of his face caved in, his exposed gums collapsing along with it.
He tumbled backward in a somersault. But as he scrambled to his feet, his face—caked in grime, machine oil, sparks, and blood—was contorted into a hideous grin.
"Incredible! I can feel it! This is what I'm talking about!"
Orin Vale: "..."
*This guy's completely broken, isn't he?*
"But it's not enough! Again!"
As his voice fell, Cyborg Superman had already broken the speed of sound. He moved like Superman, a vapor cone exploding behind him. His figure flashed in front of Orin Vale, but his punch only pierced through an afterimage left by his high speed.
Orin Vale, arms crossed, dodged to his side. Without even turning his head, Cyborg Superman activated his power ring's energy, conjuring a new mechanical arm out of thin air that shot towards Orin Vale. But Orin Vale easily shattered the mechanical arm with a flick of his elbow, following up with a punch that struck straight for his opponent's face.
Cyborg Superman's head was thrown back by the blow. This time, his metal nose bridge was shattered by the impact. His iron head cracked under the force of the punch, revealing the circuitry within.
"Incredible!"
A muffled voice came from some component within his ruined head.
Seemingly feeling no pain, Cyborg Superman lunged forward again. Orin Vale dodged a palm strike, using the opening to grapple, twist, and break one of his arms. He then fluidly parried a left fist and kicked out the back of Henshaw's knee, breaking his leg.
After a series of heavy blows, Cyborg Superman was knocked back again. A seamlessly aimed cutting ray then shot through his abdomen. Cyborg Superman's limbs were broken, his head was busted open, and a hole had been blasted through his stomach that went straight through his back. Yet he still got up relentlessly, continuing to shout.
"I can feel it! Again! Harder!"
Orin Vale: "..."
*I've never heard such a strange request.*
Orin Vale caught Cyborg Superman's follow-up punch with one palm. With a fluid twist, he single-handedly broke his opponent's remaining hand. Then, grabbing him by the cape, he lifted him into the air. With a push of his feet, his body erupted with speed. Within a fraction of a second, he had dragged Cyborg Superman into the sky as a streak of electric light and thrown him far away.
*Since he's so insistent, I might as well satisfy him.*
Energy gathered around Orin Vale's body as light particles danced in the air. Electric currents circled his body, and pathways of light spread along the red and silver stripes of his form.
He formed a cross with his arms, locking onto the position where Cyborg Superman had been thrown.
Giga Specium!
An output more ferocious than the regular mode, like a cannon that could pierce the very stars! Even after precisely compressing the energy, Orin Vale didn't dare use it carelessly on the planet's surface, which was why he had lifted his opponent to what he calculated was the minimum controllable altitude before unleashing it.
This attack made the starlight itself dim in comparison and left the entire battlefield stunned.
Green Lantern Rings, Yellow Lantern Rings... the power wielded by the Lanterns seemed laughably insignificant before such a brilliant light.
Even Parallax, an Emotional Entity, shuddered upon catching a glimpse of that light beam. It thought to itself, *This looks familiar.*
Just seeing it from a distance made it instinctively want to get far away. It seemed to have a touch of PTSD...
Only Cyborg Superman, as he faced that azure light, feeling its warmth envelop him, couldn't help but twitch the ruined corners of his mouth. Tears of gratitude streamed from the corners of his eyes.
In the final moment before being engulfed, he whispered.
"Thank you, Ultraman..."
The light swallowed him.
Every part, every cell of Hank Henshaw's body was disintegrated.
This time, he finally felt he had completed his long journey and seen the end.
But it wasn't the darkness and cold, the death enveloped by the void, that he had imagined.
He felt... filled with light.
Thaal Sinestro slowly climbed out of the giant pit he had been knocked into, shaking his dizzy head.
The emergence of "Ion" had exceeded his expectations. After just a few rounds, he was already certain that he and Hal Jordan were no longer opponents on the same level. At least, not until he could figure out a way to get a new power-up.
They had to adjust their strategy.
He had to contact Cyborg Superman and Brainiac as soon as possible. He had to re-coordinate and plan their respective troops' strategies...
Just as he was thinking this, Sinestro looked up and froze.
The first thing he saw was Hal Jordan, who had already pursued him and was now floating before him with his arms crossed.
Next was a large 'S'—the Superman of Earth. Following closely behind were Supergirl, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman... a whole host of Earth's heroes.
Then there were vast numbers of Green Lanterns and Blue Lanterns filling the sky.
And at the very top, the most eye-catching and brilliant of all, as if wherever he stood was center stage, was none other than that Ultraman.
Sinestro was silent for a few seconds, then asked.
"I'm the only one left, aren't I?"
(end of chapter)
