The Last Red Lantern

Atrocitus:

As I look at the people on the strange spaceship, I see two green lanterns and three Earthlings. However, only one of these Earthlings is wearing a pair of glasses.

"You," I say, aiming my red ring at the Earthling with the glasses.

The Man:

As I stare down the red energy gathering in Atrocitus's ring, I look at the Rusted's bridge.

"If I can reach her controls," I think, "I can activate her cannons. I just have to wait for the right opening."

"You," Atrocitus yells, his red ring starting to glow brighter. "Are you the fabled man in glasses I am seeking? Answer me now!"

"Fabled," I repeat, looking at Cold and Harleen. "Uhh, no. I am not the fabled man in glasses you are seeking."

"You're lying," Atrocitus says, descending as he pulls back his ring. The red energy fades, and so does the glow around Atrocitus's body.

"Please," he starts, "I need your help."

"Please," I repeat, pulling back my head. "Those are words I thought I would never hear Atrocitus say. Ever."

Arisia and Laria look at each other before turning to look at me. They lower their rings and walk to the Rusted's railing. I join them.

As we stare at Atrocitus, his face looks different from before. Normally, he always looked angry. His eyes would be glowing, his brows would always be at an angle, and he would always be screaming. Now, the glow in his eyes is fading, his head is lower, and he's talking. Not screaming or yelling or saying he'd destroy me, but he is talking.

"Why do you need the help of the man in glasses," Arisia asks.

"Also, how did you get past Oa's planetary shield," Laria adds.

"Finally, how did you learn of this fabled man with glasses," I say. "Seriously, how did you learn of him?"

"I need the fabled man in glasses' help because we Red Lanterns were attacked very recently," Atrocitus says. "We tried to fight back, but he was just too strong. As far as I know, I am the last Red Lanterns."

To prove his point, Atrocitus reaches for something behind him. Automatically, Arisia and Laria raise their rings. They look ready to fire at Atrocitus but stop when they see what is in his hands.

"Are those," Arisia starts, "Are those red lantern rings?"

"Yes," Atrocitus says, almost whispering.

In Atrocitus's hand are a bunch of red lantern rings. They seem to be drained of any red energy. I watch as a few drop to the ground, the sound of them hitting echoing. Atrocitus flips his hand over and it rains powerless red rings.

"Upon realizing I was the lone survivor of the Red Lantern Corps," Atrocitus goes on. "I spend the next few months coming here."

"Make sense," I think. "The Red Lantern's home planet, Ysmault, is lightyears away. Even at full speed, it would take a green lantern 18 months to reach it."

"When I finally arrived, I saw yellow lanterns attacking. I knew I couldn't take them on so I waited."

"He knew he couldn't take out a bunch of yellow lanterns," I repeat. "Wait, is this Atrocitus, or is Clayface pretending again?"

"As the last yellow lantern entered, I followed after him and hid when the battle broke out."

"He hid during a fight? Yeah, this is Clayface alright. Where's my shotgun?"

"Shortly afterward, when the battle was over, I tried to found the Guardian of Oa, but apparently, they were busy."

"Busy trying to kill you," Cold whispers, he and Harleen now standing near us.

"Okay," I say, "That's two questions out of three answered. Again, how did you learn of this man with the sunglasses?"

"As I was flying around," Atrocitus starts, "I noticed many of the green lanterns seemed tired and exhausted. Like my ring, their rings were not glowing as bright as I remember. It was then I heard of him."

Atrocitus:

Hiding behind a building, I keep my glow low so none of the green lanterns will see me. Two lanterns flying past, they wobble up and down as they fly.

"I can't take much more of this," one of them said. A thin lantern with one eye and many arms, he looks at his fellow lantern, a short blue sphere with metal arms and legs.

"I know," the blue sphere replied. "My system needs repairs and I am running very low on power. I hope to rest soon."

"I don't think we'll be resting any time soon," the thin lantern said. "Especially with that Super and that Earthling with the glass."

"I still can't believe it. Did you see what he did?"

"He managed to rip a ring right off of Hal Jordan's finger and used it. I always thought that was impossible."

"What," I say, lending closer as I try to listen to more of their conversation. "He ripped the ring from Hal Jordan?"

"There's something off about that Earthling," the blue sphere went on. "Heck, there's something off about all of them. I said we just blast them off of Oa. We got enough issues, and now we have to deal with this."

"Just give it some time. Once the Guardians say we can, we will blast that strange-looking spaceship out of here."

The two disappeared as they turned a corner. Meanwhile, I think about what they said.

"The power to pull one's ring and use it. I must see for myself."

I then shoot up and seek out this strange-looking spaceship.

The Man:

"Just to tell you," I say, waving my hand and grabbing Atrocitus's attention. "This strange-looking spaceship is called the Rusted."

"The Rusted," Atrocitus repeats. "What an odd name."

"There's something we can agree on," Cold whispers. I bump him with my elbow.

"So again," Atrocitus says, "Are you him? Are you the fabled man in glasses? If you are, then, please. I need your help. I need your help to enact my revenge."

Atrocitus rises his ring and closes his hand. As he does, his ring fills with red energy and some of the glow returns to his eyes. Seeing this, Arisia and Laira both rise their rings. Even Harleen pulls out her pistols.

"Easy there big, red, and ugly," Harleen says, pulling back the hammers on her pistols. "I've heard of you, and of that famous ring of yours. If you want Sunglasses' help here, then ease up on the anger."

"You are him," Atrocitus says, looking right at me.

"Harleen," I say through the gaps in my teeth. I slap her on the back of her head. "Thank you so much for telling Atrocitus."

"What," Harleen says, rubbing the back of her head with her pistol. "It's not like it's a big secret or anything. The man in the glasses? You're literally the only one here in said glasses. I don't think it would have taken Bruce long to solve it."

"Still," I say.

"You are him," Atrocitus says, very creepily smiling. "I knew it. Strangely, as I approach this ship, I sense a strong feeling of rage and hate. It only grew when I saw you. Take this."

Without a second to waste, Atrocitus pulls from behind him another red lantern ring. He throws the ring at me and I catch it.

"Use that ring," Atrocitus says, "Use it and help me get revenge against the one who destroyed the Red Lantern Corps."

"And who would that be," I ask.

"Darkseid."

As soon as I hear the name, I freeze.

"Darkseid," I repeat, squeezing the ring in my palm. "You have got to be kidding me."

Looking like Atrocitus is about to say something, green chains wrapping around him stop him.

"I knew we couldn't trust you," Kilowog says, his eyes having a little bit of red in them. "But you two."

Pulling at the chains, Kilowog drags Atrocitus closer in.

"Once I tell the Guardians this, then they'll see. You're not allies. You're all enemies."