Powers to be.

Walking through the grassy plains of the old wastelands, were Cir-El and Markus.

" It's amazing how much the wastelands have changed. What was once devoid of life, has now flourished and is teeming with it. The people are slowly reclaiming the land that was lost. It is beautiful." Cir-El spoke.

" It is. It really is. But there is something I've been wondering for some time. If the land is coming back, then what else is coming with it? Surely the wildlife would be returning as well. If it does, then these establishments are going to need protection. We can't just have new colonies popping up."

" That is true. I suppose even with the Wildebots keeping to the treaty, there are still many different and dangerous animals in the wild. I can have Dregg draw up some of the armada to build a base nearby. If that is what you want."

" I like that idea. But let's meet with the people first. See how they would feel. I do not want them thinking the capital is trying to force them into any kind of submission." Markus told the woman.

" That sounds like a wise decision. You're getting better at making those." Cir-El joked.

" Well, I guess you've rubbed off on me."

" Is that a bad thing?"

" No, actually I'm quite glad. I still don't have much life experience. I know things, but knowing something and how to act on that knowledge are two different things." Markus told the woman.

" That is very true. Knowledge and wisdom are two different things. But still, as long as I have lived, I have met few men who had the knowledge, and wisdom, and power that you do, and still show as much love to those around him as if they were all his equals. Such compassion is a rare commodity in this life. But it is one I am glad I found in you."

" Cir-El, you don't give yourself enough credit. I owe a lot of what I am to the people who have helped guide me and you are one of those people, love. There are many things I've learned from you."

" Oh you, and that tongue of yours. I swear you could charm any woman out of her clothes if you wanted."

" Then should that not speak for how special you are? And besides, this tongue can do more than charm." Markus joked.

Cir-El looked up at Markus with a grin on her face. She raised her hand and leisurely stroke his cheek. " I am aware."

Markus chuckled and playfully lifted Cir-El up into his arms and started carrying her like a princess.

" You know, Cir-El, I think I like this place quite a bit. It's quiet, spacious, away from the prying eyes of the city. What do you say about building a small cottage out here?"

" What?"

" Yeah, a small one. Big enough to give us space to just relax and take a break from all the politics of trying to run this kingdom of ours. You know? A quiet place... For you... And me... And..."

" Markus are you....? Are you-"

" I mean it doesn't have to be right now. I'm not saying we drop everything, and you know... Have a kid. But eventually, when we both feel like we're ready and our kingdom is safe. I was hoping that maybe we could start a family of our own."

" Markus, nothing would make me happier. But I agree that we should still focus our time on building a more than stable civilization. Raising a child will take time and lots of our attention."

" I know. Like I said. Not now. Just when we're ready." Markus told the woman.

Cir-El nodded and for a moment there was a brief quiet between the two. It was then Markus decided to take the initiative to try and move things along.

" Come on. I have an idea." Markus told the woman.

" Where are we going?" Cir-El asked.

" To meet the villagers. We do need to get around to doing that. No better time than the present am I right?" Markus asked the woman.

" Alright. Let's go." Cir-El told the man. She pointed towards the village and patted Markus on his chest, like he was her personal carriage.

Markus chuckled and walked, with the woman in his arms, towards the village

.............

It was an average day for the villagers, their new settlement was finally operational. The soil around was so fertile that the crops were beginning to flourish much faster, and at larger capacity than ever before. And today would be even more special, because the small settlement, now had two very important visitors.

" Watcher Ward, Watcher Ward!"

A small teenage boy, with brown skin and black hair came running into the main chief's home, out of breath, signaling that he had been running for some time.

" Easy child. What has you so worked up?" Ward asked the young man.

" Sir, we have visitors from the capital."

" Who is it?"

" The King and Queen sir."

" What the King and Queen? What would they be doing out here?" Ward asked.

" Well, actually we were hoping to talk with you, watcher." Markus moved the curtain out of the way and stepped into the watcher's home with Cir-El by his side. " Do you mind if we come if in?"

...................

Meanwhile at the capital city.

Dregg and Grogg were busy handling the arrangements being made with the wildebots and with Oa.

" This is becoming quite tiresome." Dregg told Grogg.

" Maybe so, but it is important for us to handle if we wish to continue having some semblance of peace. I'm not a fan of playing bureaucrat either. But it is what it is, I guess. How are things with S'ym?" Grogg asked the man.

" Pretty good actually. She's supposed to be coming by later on tonight. I promised her dinner. But with the talks getting backed up like this, I might end up having to cancel." Dregg spoke.

" Oh, don't do that. Look, if you want. You go ahead and leave. I'll handle things from here." Grogg told the man.

" Are you sure about that?" Dregg asked.

" Yeah, me and Virlal were planning on having dinner after later. If push comes to shove, he and I can handle it. Besides he's usually done with his work long before us anyway. The man can talk is way through just about anything." Grogg stated.

" I appreciate it, Grogg." Dregg handed his work over to Grogg and quickly left, making sure to be out of the building before Grogg could recant on his offer.

......

Dregg walked through the imperial city. His destination was simple, he wanted to get home as swiftly as possible.

When he did get home, Dregg knocked on the door before opening it.

" S'ym. I'm home!" Dregg yelled out.

S'Ym, a young woman with blazing red skin. As red as the sun itself, came strolling out of the bed room. Her long black hair flowing down her body. " Dregg, what are you doing back so soon? I wasn't expecting you until later."

" I got the day off, S'ym. So, I figured I'd come back and spend some time with you." Dregg told the woman.

" That's nice. Since you're back, why don't we go shopping? I need to grab some items for dinner tonight."

" Alright. I'll be waiting for you outside."

" Nonsense. Give me a moment." S'ym told the man.

S'ym vanished into her room once more, \leaving Dregg to linger by himself until finally she reemerged, wearing a thin gray robe and a pair of sandals.

" Okay, let's go, dear." S'ym told the man.

" Right, my lady." Dregg stepped to the side and held the door open for S'ym and as she exited the small building, Dregg locked the door behind her.

..............

The market.

Dregg and S'ym were vicariously moving through the market. They were shopping together in preparation for their night. Something S'ym appreciated greatly, due to the fact that she had not seen much of Dregg in recent days.

Many of the problems that he faced before were gone, but every now and then there was always something that came up that would draw Dregg's attention away from home. So, having this moment to have a full day together, well both Dregg and S'ym were grateful for Grogg and Virlal for taking the brunt of the duties upon themselves.

" This is wonderful, Dregg. It's been so long since we've been able to just have a day to ourselves." S'ym spoke.

" I know. But with everything at the palace, and having to keep a constant watch for trouble. It becomes hard to have time alone."

" Are you having any troubles? I'm sure King Vulcan, would be open to letting you take some time off."

" He is. But..."

" But what, Dregg? What is it that bothers you so?"

" He is still too kind. He has come far from the whelp; I met in the pit. But he lacks foresight in certain areas."

" Like what?"

" He takes too much time away from the palace. Even if we are no longer in constant war, there is still danger posed to his life. And to ours. Even with the advancements in our defenses, the galaxy is still too big, for him to just up and leave. At any moment we could come under attack. And I get it, S'ym. He's never had true freedom before. And I am sure there are many things he wishes to experience. But for him to be king, he must learn that sometimes we do not get what we want, and instead we have to make the sacrifices, even the ones we don't want to make."

" Dregg."

" Forgive me, I just do not wish for things to fall back into what they were before. Or become worse."

" Have some faith in your friend, Dregg. He's doing the best he can."

" I know, S'ym. I just wish he'd do better. Take things more serious." Dregg told the woman. For a moment he was quiet. His mind was full of thoughts that plagued him. But upon seeing S'ym's expression, Dregg shelved his concerns. " Forgive me. Today is supposed to be about us, celebrating our love. Not me complaining."

" No, Dregg. Speak. It is good to clear your mind."

" Not today. Today we celebrate. Tomorrow we may worry about our troubles." Dregg told the woman.

Just as Dregg was beginning to move past his current state of mind, a bright light in the sky flashed. And from the atmosphere, an imperial dreadnaught was seen falling down towards the planet.

" What was that?" S'ym asked.

" That was an imperial dreadnaught being blasted out of the atmosphere." Dregg told the woman. " S'ym, go home and wait for me."

" Dregg, what's happening?"

" Go home. Now." Dregg told the woman.

Three bright yellow lights, rained down upon the planet all at once. Their attention was immediately placed upon the market, which flew into a terror.

" Hail filthy insects of Valdar. By orders of Lord Sinestro, we seek an audience with your king." The biggest and burliest of the three men spoke.

" HEY!" Dregg yelled. " I was enjoying my first day off in months, with my beautiful girl. You're going to regret that, punk."

" Who do you think you are?"

" Someone who's been looking to blow off some steam."

" As you wish."

..................

" My King, it has been a great and humble pleasure to meet you. I will give some consideration to what you have proposed to me. But I want one promise, that no matter what we decide that you will not impose your will on us. As I told you, we moved here to get away from the city. We don't want its issues any longer. We simply wish to be at peace." Watcher Ward told Markus.

" Of course, Watcher. You have my word." Markus told the man.

" Thank you, sir. You and Lady Cir-El have a pleasant day. I have much work to do, before meeting with the villagers. If you wish you may stay, until-"

Just as Ward and Markus were speaking, the young man from earlier returned in an even more urgent mood than before.

" What is it, kieran?" Ward asked the boy.

" Your majesty, trouble... In the Imperial Market. Chief Instructor Dregg, confronted the enemy, but we're getting news that he's been beaten."

Without word or hesitation, Markus exploded through the roof of the Chief's home.

.............

" Hahaha! Is that the best you can do?" Arkillo asked as he held Dregg by the neck.

The man's skin of iron was blackened, christened in his own blood.

" Pathetic." Arkillo muttered. He dropped the barely conscious man of iron to ground without any care. " I want your king brought to me, now!"

The sound of thunder erupted in the air, and in an instant, Dregg vanished before he hit the ground.

" I got ya." Markus muttered to the man. He placed Dregg on the ground and stood up.

" King Vulcan."

" The king."

" It's the king."

The crowd of people began whispering the king's name under their breaths.

" This is your king? He looks human. What happened to Mongul?" one of the lanterns asked.

Markus looked at the men, and just stood there quietly.

" I asked, where is Mongul?" The lantern spoke once again.... And once again, there was no response. " Okay, tough guy. Since you don't seem keen on speaking then, listen up. And listen good. See, there's something we gotta get straight. Mongul had a deal with Sinestro, a group of our elite Lanterns to serve him, in exchange Mongul was to deliver to us, a weapon of his armada. The War world. But since he's gone things have changed. Apparently, you're taking his place now. As of this moment, you work for Sinestro, you got it? You don't move, you don't breathe, hell you don't even think without Sinestro's approval, understand? You will comply with our orders, you will serve us to the best of your ability, and if you don't, we will wipe this planet out, just like we've done others."

As the man spoke, Markus listened closely. With pure intent.

And unaware to the man, the sky above began to darken significantly.

" Now, are you going to surrender yourself peacefully? Or is Arkillo here, gonna have to do to your whole planet, what he did to your friend over there? What do you have to say, King?"

Markus was quiet for a moment and then... He approached the Lantern and stood over him, his shadow casting downwards and engulfing the man's entire body.

" You are right, Lantern. Things have changed." Markus raised his arms and flexed, lightning bolts began cracking across the sky and the sound of thunder echoed loudly. " You come to my home, threaten my people. Injure one of my closest friends. And try to assert your dominance over me?" The wind begin to pick up, into gusts of hurricane like winds.

" Choose your next words carefully human. They may be your last as king." Arkillo told Markus.

" You seem to be misunderstanding something, I am not human." Markus spoke. Lightning struck him from above, engulfing his body in a glorious light that engulfed the entire market. " Secondly: I have chosen my words carefully. It is you who should have done the same."

" Alright, then! Die!" The Lantern that had been running his mouth off, shouted to the top of his lungs as he lunged at Markus.

Markus in turn, struck the yellow lantern hard in his chest. Channeling the full wrath of a thunderstorm through his entire body, cooking him from the inside out. The residual lightning sent Arkillo and the other Lantern flying.

" Finally! We do this my way!' Arkillo shouted. He charged back at Markus, looking forward to the fight that would come. Although, even as blood thirsty as a beast as he was, Arkillo was not ready for this fight.

Markus punched Arkillo away from him. Hitting him so hard and so fast, that Arkillo's body appeared to be a blur of lightning as it crashed into the lantern directly behind him.

" What happened?" Arkillo was confused. He didn't even see the attack coming.

" Ar...Killo. Behind you." The Lanter underneath Arkillo desperately tried warning the man, but it was too late.

[ Ring Analysis: Atmospheric anomaly.... Electromagnetic pulse in four seconds. Three. two. One.]

Arkillo turned around and a large lightning bolt struck down on top of him and the other yellow Lantern grunt.

The blast was contained, but powerful. The burning hot lightning cooked the yellow lantern grunt, and burnt his entire body to ashes. It very nearly did the same to Arkillo and would have done so if not for the man's naturally dense skin.

" AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Arkillo's shouted to the heavens. The pain raging through his body could only be dulled so much by his ring.

Arkillo stuck his hand out into the air, trying desperately to get to his feet.

Markus, grabbed this hand and pulled Arkillo up towards him and grabbed him by his throat and hoisted him up towards his face.

Markus glared down at Arkillo, and for the first time in his life, Arkillo was afraid. He saw it for the first time. His own death.

" Give your orders and ultimatums to those who choose to obey, or who are too cowardly to fight. Not to me. Or learn again, the difference between a God of thunder.... And a mortal man wearing a flimsy ring." Markus spoke directly to Arkillo, and in an instant he crushed the man's hand in his palm.

" Aghhhhhhhhhh!"

" As for your master, since power is all, he seems to understand, you tell him Vulcan says this: If any Yellow Lantern or Lantern of any color other than Green... No, if anyone period, comes to Valdar uninvited on behalf of those who suppose themselves to be powers.... Within the hour they will learn what true power is. The skies will open and deliver the first part of that message in terms even the blind could not fail to see. Anyone attempting to escape that message will find entering my skies even more dangerous. And this will only be the beginning of their education."

" For his own good. For theirs. And yours, go and convey my message. My warning to every Lantern in this galaxy. Do not let them forget what a God of Thunder and Lightning is, and what that means. As for your war with the green Lanterns, I have no interest in blatantly throwing myself or my people into conflict. So, for the moment, I am neutral. Do not give me cause to reconsider my position. Speak my words to every corner of the galaxy, that Valdar is off limits. Now, go!" Markus dropped Arkillo and watched as the man struggled to lift himself off the ground. Even with the use of his ring.

" One more thing. Tell Sinestro this, I killed his Lanterns from before. And I have killed them again. I am not the heroes of earth. I do not care who my opponents are. You attack my people, and I will kill you. All of you." Markus told the man. " Now, you may leave."

Arkillo, left, broken and defeated, in shame. He left as quickly as he could. Using his ring to carry his body through space, until finally, it took over and pulled him to safety itself.