Stronger Will

Hal Jordan:

No matter what I do, no matter how hard I concreate, I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring back my suit or my mask. I couldn't get my ring to glow.

"What did you do," I yell, looking at The Man. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," The Man answers. "As I said, your will isn't there. Well, it is there but it's not as strong as it once was."

"I don't believe you," I say. "You must have done something. Tell me what is it. Tell me!"

The Man shakes his head.

"Believe me or not but I rarely tell lies. Mark Twain once said, tell the truth so you don't have to remember the lies. It's too much trouble to tell lies."

I look at my dark-green ring once more. I pull my hand back and shoot it forward. Barely a spark shoots out.

"Come on," I say, "Come on. Work! Work!"

Over and over, I pull my hand back and shoot it forward but nothing happens.

"Your will isn't-," The Man interrupts but I stop him.

"Shut the hell up," I say, running toward him.

The Man:

Watching as Hal runs toward me, he pulls back his hand for the 18th time and shoots it forward. I grab his hand and push it to the side while hitting Hal with the bend of my elbow. He stumbles back while holding his nose.

"You don't believe me," I say, stepping forward. "You think I'm doing something to mess with your ring? Fine. I'll prove it to you. In my own test of will."

"Oh god," Flash says, his head rolling back.

"Yeah," I say, nodding my head. "Also, my test of will is going to be rigged as heck. See, heck."

Bringing up the red ring, I focus and summon a length of rope. It wrapped around both my and Hal's wrists, binding us.

"What are you doing," Hal asks, looking at the red rope. He grabs and tries to break it but there's really no point.

"This is a ritual from ancient times," I say, spreading out my arm. As I hold out my hand, a bright-red sword forms in it. "It is a dual of courage and honesty, of skill and power. It is here where we see what our heart holds. This is a bound dual."

I pull my hand back and Hal stumbles forward.

"Considering your lack of weaponry," I say, eyeing Hal's empty hand. "Let me even the odd."

Shooting out a red beam, it hits Hal's hand and there in his hand is a similar red sword.

"Show me your will," I say, holding the sword in front of me. "Show me the willpower that allows you to wield a green lantern ring."

Hal staring me down rises the sword above his head before charging forward and screaming.

Ganthet:

"Mogo had just spoken to me," Ranakar says, opening his eyes. His hand falls from his head as he looks at all of us. "They have all escaped from Oa."

"Arisia and Laria too," I ask.

"Yes. According to the account of Kilowog, Tomar-Re, Lobo, and Guy Garnder, the two flee with that insufferable Earthling and that Super. They are no longer our problem. At least, for now, that is the case."

"Excellent," Appa Ali Apsa says, "However, there is still the matter of the Green Lantern Corp's battery. Without the battery at full power, Oa's planetary shield is down, and we cannot leave the whole matter of defense solely to Mogo."

"As powerful as Mogo is," I say, "He is not invincible."

"That we can agree on Ganthet," Ranakar says with a scoff. "I see no other choice. We simply will have to assign some green lanterns to guard Oa."

As soon as Ranakar spoke those words, I see some green lanterns below shaking and breathing heavily.

"No," I say, looking at Ranakar. "Our green lanterns are already exhausted. They are begin pushed far too much as it is."

"Ganthet," Ranakar says, staring back at me. "You think I don't know that. You don't think I know our green lanterns are on the verge of collapse. You are wrong, greatly wrong, but we all also know we cannot leave Oa defenseless. Especially now."

"I can handle it," Kilowog says, stepping forward with his ring in his face.

"So can I," Guy Garnder says, also stepping forward.

"Uh shuck," Lobo laughs as he too steps forward. "You guys are making me blush."

"Very well," Ranakar says, pointing at the three. "Starting immediately, you three will join Mogo in defending Oa."

The three of them nod their heads before flying out of the room.

"Excuse me," Sallak says, stepping forward, "But I feel like there is still one unresolved issue."

"And what would that be Sallak," I ask.

"The matter of Atrocitus," Sallak answers. "What should we do with him?"

"I do not know what you are asking," I say, "Atrocitus is within our prison, and he does not have his ring. He is no threat."

"I am only asking because with all of us being too busy guarding Oa and fighting off Superman's armies, we cannot guard Atrocitus."

"I agree," Ranakar says. "Atrocitus must be dealt with."

"What," I say, "Ranakar, you're not suggesting what I think you are?"

"We don't have the manpower," Ranakar yells back. "We may have to destroy Atrocitus."

Supergirl:

The Man raises his red sword and blocks Hal's swing. Hal tries to push down but The Man is stronger and quicker. He pushes Hal back and kicks out one of his legs. As Hal falls to the floor, The Man grabs the rope bounding them. Pulling it, he pulls Hal up as well.

"Okay, okay," Barry says, walking up while waving his arms. "Come on. Stop this already. Hal, you're a lot of things, but a swordsman is not one of them. Stop that now."

Barry walks up to the two but it's Hal who pushes him back.

"Stay out of this Barry," he yells, wiping his mouth. "I got this."

"With all due respect," The Man says, "No you don't."

Hal holding his sword with both his hands then charges forward and swings it at The Man. Jumping back, The Man easily dodges Hal's swing before rushing forward. Hal seeing this, swings his sword again but The Man slides under it.

As he slides, he grabs the rope and pulls on it once more. The rope grabs Hal's foot and once more, Hal finds himself on the floor.

"How is this fair," Dinah yells. "Hal, stop already. Give it up."

"I'm not giving up," Hal yells. "I'll prove it! I'll prove it to you!"

Hal points at The Man with the sword in his hand.

"My will is strong," he yells, "My will is strong! It is unbreakable! It is indestructible! You said this is a test of will. A dual of courage and honesty. Well, here's my courage!"

Screaming, Hal jumps into the air and attacks The Man. He swings his sword down but The Man places the end of his blade on his other hand and blocks Hal's swing.

Sliding out from beneath Hal, The Man steps to the side. Seeing this, Hal turns around and swings his sword but The Man, as expected, blocks the swing and grabs Hal's hand.

He twists Hal's hand and forces him to drop his sword, the red sword disappearing before it can hit the floor.

"You lose," The Man says, rising his foot and kicking Hal away. His own sword and the rope between disappear.

"No," Hal yells, "No! Bring them back! Bring them back! Do it again! Bound us!"

"No," The Man says. "There's no point. If you want it so badly, do it yourself. You have a ring."

Hearing this, Hal shoots out his ring and tries to bring back everything. He closes his eyes and squeezes his hand, trying to summons the swords and rope but it's no use. Nothing happens. Nothing is made.

"I," Hal stutters, "I can't do it. I really can't do it. My ring. My green lantern ring."

Before anything can happen, Hal pulls off his ring and throws it at The Man. The Man catches it and looks at it.

"What are you doing," The Man asks.

"Giving up," Hal answers. "Like Arisia, I give up."