DCU Green Lantern Corps #74 Brightest Day (Blackest Night)

To go along with the issue, here is the track for issue 16. If you care to, listen to it AFTER the issue, I feel it elevates the experience :)

 

Track Link: Brightest Day

 

-^- ??? -^-

 

"Where… am I?"

 

Hal's body floats aimlessly through a dark void, not dissimilar to space. His mind and body both feel numb, his limbs weightless and free… he feels so damn free. All his burdens, his regrets and promises, they're gone. They faded away, but he doesn't know how.

 

"Hey kid."

 

Hal's eyes go wide at the voice, his head turning towards the source at a snail's pace. A small smile spreads across his face as he locks eyes with the man, an involuntary tear rolling down his cheek.

 

"Hey dad."

 

-^- Sector 666 -^-

 

Kyle watches in awe as the nearest planet is consumed in a mixture of red and violet light. Huge chunks of debris launch from the epicenter, where, even at the long distance, he can see Guy.

 

As his eyes pan along the open space, he feels a twinge in his chest. Behind him, Aya places a hand atop his shoulder. "It is time," she says, opening the bubble around them.

 

Kyle closes his eyes as he floats through space. It's a strange feeling, only growing stranger as he's struck by a beam of light. Opening his eyes, he sees Guy's right side encompassed in red, the beam connecting the two. A beam of orange fires from John's unconscious body, followed by yellow from Thaal. Green, Blue, Indigo, and finally Violet all shoot out, connecting him to each of the lanterns. The colors swirl in his mind, but somehow calm him.

 

"It's time."

 

-^- ??? -^-

 

Hal rubs the back of his neck, chuckling as he walks along the path in front of him. "I wasn't really expecting her to ask me," he says, turning to his father, who chuckles.

 

"That's just the Jordan charm, son," he says, patting him on the back. "So, got any kids?"

 

"Nah, not really my thing," Hal says, wincing as the thought of a short-haired, brown skinned boy flashes in his mind, "mentored a couple newbies, though."

 

"Really?" he asks, surprised. "What'd you teach 'em?"

 

"Just basic stuff; flight control, keeping calm, how to be a he…ro…" Hal pauses, holding his head with his left arm. His left arm… but how, he…

 

"Son, calm down," his father says, patting him on the back. "It isn't too egotistical to call yourself a hero, test pilots save tons of lives. If it weren't for you, who knows how many pilots could've died.

 

"Test pilot… but… my ring?"

 

"Ring?!" his dad exclaims. "You didn't tell me you married that girl! Your mother will be so happy to hear!"

 

"No… no I didn't… I failed her," Hal mumbles, looking up at his father. "Sinestro took her… he hurt her because of me."

 

"Son, I don't know what you're talking about, you-"

 

"This… this isn't real… is it?"

 

"Hal, why are you acting like this?" his father asks, raising his eyebrow inquisitively and taking a step towards Hal. "Of course it's real, you… you died. Your plane crashed, you did your part, it's time to rest."

 

"No… no, that's not right," Hal mumbles, stepping back. "I put the ring on… I'm dead but that isn't the end of it… it doesn't send me away, not immediately. What you're leading me to… is to become Nekron's puppet."

 

"Hal you're… you're making things up in your head," his father frowns, reaching his hand out. "C'mon, son, your mom's waiting for you, she's missed you so much."

 

"She'll need to wait a little longer," Hal whispers as he closes his eyes. The sound of a blowing wind causes them to open. In front of him stands Nekron, his father's skin blowing off his skeletal body. Looking down, he sees himself; his left arm is gone and his body is covered in a black suit.

 

"You are so cowardly that you would reject your own death?" Nekron asks as his own body begins to fade.

 

"No," Hal says, raising his arm into the air. His head tilts up, giving him a small glimpse of the array of colors forming. He lets off one final smile, "I have the will to embrace it.

 

"Do your thing, kid."

 

-^- Sector 666 -^-

 

Kyle floats omg the stars, his heart racing. So many different emotions flood through him all at once. He hates that life has been lost. He wants it all to be over. He's afraid of losing those he loves. He hopes that those hurt can recover stronger. Most of all, he knows he's going to stop this, no matter the cost.

 

It's then when the black battery before him cracks, black light spewing out. His eyes begin to glow a bright white, the potency of power rising at each crack formed. The moment the battery shatters, sending the embodiment of death out I to space, is when it happens. Kyle is enveloped in pure white light. A suit begins to form over his skin, a pale grey accompanied by an ice white.

 

"I'm…" Kyle mumbles, unable to describe the feeling. The universe is different now. Each star spread throughout space is a life, ones he's meant to protect here and now. Each of those stars give him power, give him the strength to stop death. Instinctively, his arms raise to the sides, basking in the white light.

 

Images flood his mind, memories, not of his own life. Without a thought, his lips begin to move.

 

"In brightest day…" A marine stands over a lone grave, mourning in the rain,

"there will be light." A red headed man boy leaps through his window, running off into the night.

"To cleanse the soul,", a woman fights back as green energy swirls around her,

"and set wrongs right." A boy stands in front of his sister, protecting her no matter what.

"When darkness falls," a man holds two children, promising them the world,

"Look to the skies." A pink man sits on a throne, running his fingers over a yellow ring.

"A new dawn comes," A hero sacrifices his life for the fate of the universe.

 

Kyle's right arm raises in front of him, his fist clenching tight.

 

"And it fights for life…

 

A beam of blinding light fires from Kyle's ring, blasting into Nekron's skeletal body. He knows it's the end. He knows, thanks to Hal, Nekron can no longer retreat into the battery. The creature tries to fight, raising a large scythe into the air, but Kyle creates one of his own, shattering the black construct instantly. Nekron lets out a final roar before the light evaporates him, lighting up the universe so even those in the darkest times ses the white light of life.

 

As the beam fades, Kyle feels the power inside him leave. His eyes travel down to the ring around finger, widening as the object fades from existence. He quickly reaches for his throat, as if he could stop the lack of oxygen. As he begins to struggle, an eruption of smoke returns his lost breath. As he leaves, he looks around to see himself somewhere else, somewhere extremely green.

 

It's only been hours, but it's felt like days since he's had the sun on him. Without thinking, he lays back, basking in the warm rays and letting his head rest in the grass. "Where are we," he mumbles, feeling extremely tired.

 

"Mogo," Guy says, a small smile spreading across his face as he pats the ground. "I missed you buddy."

 

"How are we here?" Jessica asks, looking around. "We were just multiple star systems away."

 

"That would be me."

 

Everyone turns, spotting a man in a dark collared cloak and hat. His white eyes shine bright as a blue mist pools around him.

 

"The Stranger," Guy says, crossing his arms. "So now that we win, you're fine with helping."

 

"Indeed," he nods, causing Guy to sigh. "With the success of your mission, I elected to keep you all from certain death."

 

"Death?" Simon asks, before he winces. His blue ring suddenly flies off his finger, its shape molding into a large blue bird in the sky. "What the hell?"

 

"With the return of life, the entities shall return to their right place inside their batteries," the Stranger explains, motioning to the indigo ring flying off Jessica's finger. "I only wish I could've saved you all."

 

Kyle raises his brow, confused, before a green light shines behind him. He lifts up from the ground, turning to see Alan's body beginning to fade.

 

"I'm… fading away," Alan mumbles, looking at his hand slowly becoming transparent. "When I came back… you said Ion broke the barrier of death upon linking with me… but without it…"

 

"You can not stay on the mortal plane," the Stranger nods, solemnly. "I have informed your children of what would occur after your departure, both understand, but were glad to have seen you, even one last time."

 

"Heh… yeah," Alan says, smiling. "Me too."

 

John's eyes slowly open upon the blinding green light. "Alan?" he whispers, eye blown wide at the sight. He doesn't notice the orange ring leave his finger.

 

"Hey, my clock ran out a long time ago," he says to John with a smile. "I'm just glad I could help out one last time. I'll be seeing you all… just not too soon, 'kay?"

 

There's a silence in the field, a show of respect to Alan. The silence is broken, however, as Aya approaches Thaal, grabbing him by the wrist. "Parallax is unwilling to leave you," she says, tilting her head in confusion as he Yanks his arm back.

 

"I control Parallax," Thaal scoffs at the android, staring down at his ring. "As I said before, I'm not a vessel, it is my pet."

 

"My rings aren't leaving either," Guy says, staring down at each piece of metal. As Guy looks up, he curses to himself, seeing the vanishing mist of the Phantom Stranger. "Well there goes my answer."

 

Kyle opens his mouth to crack a joke, but stops as he sees Simon. Confusion is spread across his face as he takes a step forward. "Wait, Guy, why do you have the violet ring?" Simon asks, staring at him. Guy's face falls, the small smirk vanishing in seconds. "What? What's… wrong…"

 

Thaal frowns, as John lowers his head, unable to look at Simon. "I… tried," he mumbles, raising his hand, pointing across the field.

 

Simon turns towards where John is pointing, eyes widening at the sight. He takes slow steps, eyes fixated on the body as it slowly fades to dust. "H-Hal…" he whispers, dropping to his knees before the man's corpse. "Hal… no, no you-you can't be gone… you can't!" Guy grits his teeth, staring at the ground beneath them. "Hal please… you… you still have to see me… you told me you'd see me be a hero! Please, you can't go until then!" Jessica kneels down beside him, wrapping an arm around him. "You said... you said you'd... No... I... I di... I didn't get to say goodbye…" His head falls into the crook of Jessica's neck as he sobs. Jessica holds him, tears of her own falling.

 

"I didn't get to say goodbye."

 

-^- Hall of Justice -^-

 

Simon stands before the silver statue erected in the back gardens of the Hall of Justice. Hal's funeral had ended around an hour ago, but he just couldn't pull himself away from the statue. While a public grave and service had been planned, Superman offered a private, intimate service at the Hall of Justice. He's glad, glad that he was able to celebrate Hal's life with people who really knew him. People who really knew the struggles of being a hero.

 

Most of the league has left by now, superhero business and all, with only a few still mingling with one another. Jessica is talking with Martian Manhunter and Superman, though he isn't sure what about. He has an itching feeling they're asking her to join the league as a full time member. He hopes so, she deserves it.

 

"It's hard."

 

Simon turns to the voice. "Oh, hey, Barry," he says, before turning back to the statue. "Yeah it's… not easy."

 

Barry takes a spot next to him, admiring the statue. "He's probably complaining right now that it isn't gold," Barry jokes, causing a smile to spread across Simon's face. "He was like a father to you… or something similar, right?"

 

Simon nods. "He… he was my hero for so long, then he came into my life and… and guided me," Simon explains, smiling at the statue. "He showed me how to be a real hero… and I couldn't even let him see how his work paid off."

 

"I think… he's definitely seen it," Barry says, crossing his arms and looking up to the sky. "My dad he… helped build my everything. My morals, my drive, my compassion… everything that makes me The Flash. In his last moments, he told me how proud he was of me… he said he knew I'd change the world. You say he didn't get to see his work pay off? I'm confident in saying he did. Every crime you stopped, every person you saved… he saw you… yeah, I'm definitely confident in that."

 

Simon's smile begins to wobble, before tears roll down his face. His arm rises to wipe them from his eyes. He can't help but chuckle as he sniffles. "Th-thank you… Barry," he says, looking over to see the man smile. "Thank you."

 

-^-

 

Guy leans against one of the garden's trees, arms crossed as he stares at the statue. Standing beside him is Thaal.

 

"Earth funerals are much different than those on Korugar," Thaal mumbles, cape billowing in the wind. "There is much less blood."

 

Guy raises an eyebrow to the remark, but let's it be. He watches as Simon begins to cry, with Flash comforting him. It puts a small smile on his face, knowing the boy is healing, or at least starting to.

 

"So, what do you plan to do now, Gardner?" Thaal asks, grabbing Guy's attention.

 

"Hm?"

 

"You're no longer a part of the Green Lantern Corps, so I'm curious," he clarifies. "Do plan to stay here, or explore the galaxy with no jurisdiction."

 

"I'm… not sure, really," he mumbles, watching as Jessica shakes the hands of Superman and Martian Manhunter. "Jessica, Simon… the kid, Kyle… they're the Green Lanterns now. I'm something else… it may take some time to figure out what that is."

 

"Whatever you do," Thaal says, lifting off into the air, "I wish you luck. I best be off, goodbye, Gardner." Guy sends a salute Thaal's way, watching as the man flies away.

 

"Gardner."

 

Guy turns, seeing the shadowy figure of Batman standing near one of the trees. "Y'know, you don't need to do the 'ghost in the night' thing everytime you talk to someone," Guy says, watching Batman's expression stay unchanged. "So, what's up? I take it you don't want to go out for beers."

 

"I wanted to give you all time, but I need to know… where is John?" he asks, stepping out of the shade.

 

Guy sighs, leaning against the tree once more. "When everything was done, after Mogo sent out a beacon to the guardians, three green rings flew to us," he explains. "Problem is, after Simon and Jessica got theirs… the third went to Kyle, not John. He's not a lantern, not anymore."

 

"So where is he?"

 

"Not sure, really… afterwards we went to Oa, trying to reason with the guardians…" he mumbles, looking up at the sky, but Oa was still in chaos. It was packed full of lanterns, new and old, all getting fresh rings. He broke away from us and… disappeared."

 

"I see," Batman says with a nod. "He's made no attempt at communicating with you?"

 

"Heh, nah," he chuckles. "Outside of the other lanterns and Jeff, you're the first to talk to me since we got back. Well, and the letter from Max."

 

"Max?" Batman asks, his voice becoming darker. "Maxwell Lord recruited you as well?"

 

"What do you mean 'as well?'"

 

-^-

 

John Starr wakes in the back alleys of Los Angeles, alleys he was incredibly familiar with. He began patting his chest, finding himself dressed in regular clothes. Laying in front of him was a wallet, along with a set of keys.

 

"Jim…"

 

-^-

 

Jim Corrigan watches as John lifts himself up, smiling.

 

"The reaper doesn't give chances," Phantom Stranger says, a small smirk on his face.

 

"Yeah, well, it's not me anymore," Corrigan smiles, pointing to his casual clothes opposed to the dark green robes. "No more spirit of vengeance… I thought I'd do a bit of deserved justice before I go."

 

"As his power grew weaker, your hold over him became stronger, it allowed you to contact me," Stranger says, earning a nod from Corrigan. "It also is how you were the one to choose your successor… I'm curious as to why."

 

"Why? Cause I know him," he says, still smiling. "The ghost, I mean. I know that… you can fight back against him. It's not an easy task, one I failed at pretty miserably, but you can. You just need enough willpower to do it.

 

"The Spirit of Vengeance is something the universe needs," Jim says as his body begins to vaporize. "That spirit, however, needs a conscience… one that'll reel him in when needed… and I think Hal Jordan, maybe not right away, will give it that."

 

"Goodbye, Jim Corrigan," Stranger says, tipping his hat. "I wish you peace in the afterlife."

 

"See you around, Stranger."

 

The Phantom Stranger stands, watching as the man fades into nothing. In his place, a new figure appears, one fully shadowed under a green cloak, only the dim glow of its green eyes shining through the void.

 

"Welcome back, Spirit."

Done