The Tiniest Bit of Hope

The Man:

The impact of Oa exploding kicks the Rusted into overdrive. She sails faster than before, outsailing the flying debris. With me at the wheel and everyone else gripping for dear life, we manage to make it out of range of Oa before there is any damage.

As the fire starts to die down and the debris floats instead of shooting out, I pull a lever, and out comes thrusters. The thrusters appear on the side of the Rusted. They turn her to the side so we can look at Oa. At least, what's left of Oa.

"Oa," Kilowog says.

"Oa," Arisias says.

"Oa," Laria says. "Salaak. Everyone."

The three of them lower their heads. It spread like wildfire, and very soon, everyone, even the Guardians, have their heads lowered.

"We lost Oa," Kilowog goes on. "We lost Mogo and Tomar-Re and Guy and who knows who else. All because we didn't believe in you guys. Ahh!"

Kilowog screams and slams his fist against the railing. He screams again while shaking his fist.

"What do we do now," Arisia asks, turning to face Harleen. "I mean, what will happen without the green lantern corps?"

Even though Harleen couldn't understand Arisia without her ring, she could sense the sadness in her voice.

"It's okay," Harleen says, wrapping her arm around Arisia. Arisia rests her head on Harleen's shoulder and cries.

"Salaak told you to go," Laria asks Atrocitus. "He told you Oa is lost and that we should leave."

"Yes," Atrocitus answers. "He told me that he knew. He knew you and Arisia and everyone else fought as hard as we could but that Oa was lost. He wanted you to get out of there. He told me that if one green lantern survives, then so will the green lantern corps."

Upon hearing this, Laria looks at her ring. She shakes her head and lets her hand drop.

"He was wrong," Laria says. "Kilowog, Arisia, and I are all here, but without our rings, we're not much of green lanterns."

"No," I shout, stomping my foot so loud, it grabs everyone's attention. They all stare at me as I walk down the stairs and toward the deck.

"Without the rings, you're not much of a green lantern," I repeat to Laria. "That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard and I have heard a lot of dumb things over the years. The earth is flat. The sky is falling. Barry isn't an idiot."

"Hey," Barry says from somewhere in the back but I ignore him.

"With or no ring," I go on, "You are still green lanterns. The rings choose you because they believe in you. The reason I could wear the rings, whether green, red, or, blue is that they believe in me. They sense the willpower, the anger, and the hope I have. That I still have, and so do the three of you."

I stop when I see something small flying toward us. I waste no time and shoot out the red ring. A claw and wire appear and they catch whatever it is. I pull it in and show it to everyone.

"A dead green ring," Ranakar says. He turns his head and points outward. We all look to see dozens and dozens of green rings floating out in all different directions.

"They're floating," Kilowog says. "Not trying to find new owners."

He grabs one as it floats by. Kilowog throws it into the air over and over but it always comes back down.

"Come on," he says, "Go. Go. Find someone worthy."

Kilowog throwing it again, I catch it this time. I then throw it back into space.

"Kilowog," I say, "Give me your ring."

"What," he asks.

I roll my eyes, shake my head, and go to the next person.

"Laria," I say, "Please give your ring for a bit."

Though clearly confuse, Laria takes off her ring and gives it to me.

"Saint Walker," I say, "I need your ring as well. Please, may I borrow it?"

The same confused expression as Laria, he still takes it off and gives it to me. I then reach into my pocket and pull out all the red rings Atrocitus dropped before. Adding the red ring on my finger to the pile, I throw them into space.

"What are you doing," Ranakar asks.

"Giving the universe a little bit of hope," I answer. "It may be the tiniest bit of hope there is, but it's still hope."

With the green and red rings floating in space, I prepare myself. I breathe in and out repeatedly before putting on all three rings and chanting.

"In brightest days," I start. "And in blackest nights, from the known and unknown, no evil shall escape my sight. For those who worship evil might, beware my power. I am green lantern light!"

Laria's ring then sparks before coming to life. I can hear gasping as not only do the other green rings come to life back but I am encased in green lantern armor.

"Through fearful days," I start, "And raging nights, we with strong hearts and will, do our souls ignite, When all seems lost in the War of Light, looks to the stars and see hope burning bright!"

Saint Walker's ring then roars and explodes. It shines brightly as now blue lantern armor falls on me. I hear even more gasping as the green rings begin to summon themselves. There, floating in front of us, are a green Salaak, a green Tomar-Re, and even a green Mogo. They all smile as they look at us.

"Salaak," Laria says, holding her hands over her mouth. "It's you!"

"No way," Kilowog says as his own ring starts to glow.

"This is impossible," Ranakar gasps. "This shouldn't be possible. Especially since the battery was destroyed. Who are you?"

"Busy here," I say, concreting as I begin my secret red lanterns' oath. "The power of the crimson red can lead your soul away from dread and heal the deepest wound of hate. Let no one else decide your fate."

Red armor forms on me and like the green rings, the red ring themselves start to summon their previous owner. As they do, I see one familiar face.

"Hey Razer," I say with a nod. "Long time no see."

The red Razer smiles and nods his head when he sees me.

"That is not red lantern oath," Atrocitus says.

"Nor is that the blue lantern oath," Saint Walker adds, "Or the green."

"Of course, I know that," I say. "These are alternative oaths. Secret oaths that hold more power."

"If they're secret oaths, then how do you know them," Ranakar asks.

"Shut up you," I say as I slowly step forward. All the past lanterns turning to me, I speak as loud as I can.

"Go forth," I shout, shooting out my hands. "Go forth and find new owners. Find these worthy of your power and tell them this. Come find us."

With that, all the past lanterns disappear. They disappear back into their rings before shooting out in all and every direction.

We all watch as the rings shoot around, moving at unwatchable speed before leaving and disappearing with only a single twinkle.

"They will find new owners," I say, turning to face a stunned crowd. "Those with strong hearts and unbreaking will. Those with anger but with a sense of peace and justice. It won't be easy, and it won't be short, but we will see them again. One day."

"Well, in that case," Kilowog says as he clenches his fist and his ring glows brightly. "They'll need someone to quickly get them into fighting shape."

He jumps into the space and hovers there for a bit.

"I'll track down any ring owners I find and train them," Kilowog says. "We'll be coming to Earth as soon as we can."

"Wait, what," Supergirl says, walking up to the railing. "Are you serious? How are you going to track down ring owners?"

"I don't know," Kilowog answers. He lowers his head and stares at his ring. "But I do know this. A whole new bunch of green lanterns will be coming, and they're going to need training if they want to stand up to Superman."

With that, Kilowog flies toward me. He looks me in the face and offers me his hand.

"This was something I learned from Earth. Thank you."

I cough and look away for a bit. I really don't want to shake Kilowog's hand, mostly because I'm still slightly mad at him, but everyone is looking at us. Even Kara.

I roll my eyes and shake the big ugly's hand.

"Hold on," Laria says as she runs up to me with an open hand. I rub my hand on my jacket before pulling off Laria's ring and giving it to her.

"I'll come with you," Laria says, jumping into space with Kilowog.

"So will I," Saint Walker says, running up to me now.

"I as well," Atrocitus adds. He and Saint Walker follow Kilowog and Laria into space. The four of them hover together, side by side.