"Where is this?"
The question hung in the air, but Hal didn't answer right away. Instead, he tilted his head as if giving it genuine thought. Then, with a casual shrug, he replied, "Hmm... my back garden?"
The words hit like a slap to the face. Quicks's expression twisted with rage, his fists clenching as his metallic skin glinted under the light. Without hesitation, he charged at Hal, his movements sharp and precise, his body shimmering like liquid silver.
Though the attack appeared impulsive, it was far from reckless. Quicks was well known in the organization for his combat prowess. His body contained a unique mercury-like substance that he could manipulate at will. This gave him incredible flexibility and durability, allowing him to shift between hardened and softened states. When softened, his body absorbed impacts like a sponge, rendering most physical attacks useless.
He often used this talent to his team's advantage, deliberately taunting enemies and drawing their attacks so his teammates could exploit the openings. Now, as he sprinted toward Hal, his team prepared for their opportunity. Several of them began quietly charging their powers, waiting for the right moment to strike.
But Hal wasn't interested in playing along. He raised his right hand, and the Lantern Ring on his finger glowed with an intense green light. A beam of energy shot out, forming a massive glowing fist in midair.
Boom!
The green fist collided with Quicks, the impact thunderous and final. The force of the blow sent him flying backward, his body flipping end over end until he slammed into the far wall. The impact left a deep crater in the concrete, and he crumpled to the ground in a motionless heap.
The room fell silent.
The other aliens, who had been preparing their attacks, froze in place. Their expressions shifted from confidence to disbelief as they stared at the dented wall and their fallen teammate.
"No way..." one alien muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Quicks wasn't just any fighter. He was their tank, the one who could take the heaviest hits and keep standing. For him to go down in a single strike was unthinkable.
Hal lowered his hand, the green glow fading slightly. He looked at the gathered group with calm detachment, as if daring them to make a move.
At the back of the room, a tall, humanoid alien with sharp features narrowed his eyes. He was a senior member of the organization, and his calculating gaze quickly assessed the situation. It was clear they were dealing with someone far more dangerous than they'd expected.
"Take him down!" the senior member barked.
The command snapped the others out of their shock. With angry roars, they charged forward, determined to overwhelm Hal with sheer numbers. Even if this intruder was strong, there was no way he could take on all of them at once—or so they thought.
The first wave of attackers barely reached him before chaos erupted.
Without so much as a gesture from Hal, an invisible force blasted outward, striking the aliens like a shockwave. One by one, they were thrown backward, their bodies slamming into walls and furniture. Cries of pain and confusion filled the air as they struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
"What the hell was that?" one alien gasped, clutching his chest as he staggered to his feet.
Before anyone could answer, a new figure stepped forward. This one was massive, easily twice Hal's height, with muscles that seemed carved from stone. His thick gray skin glistened under the lights, and his heavy footsteps shook the floor.
The room grew quiet as the giant approached.
This was one of their strongest fighters, a hulking brute known for his raw power. His race was legendary for their strength, and he had earned a reputation for crushing enemies with a single blow. If anyone could stop the Green Lantern, it was him.
The giant didn't waste time with words. He roared and swung a massive fist at Hal, aiming directly for his head. The punch connected with a loud crack, sending a ripple of force through the air.
For a moment, it looked as though the attack had worked. But then Hal tilted his head slightly, turning back to face the giant with a calm, almost bored expression.
The giant froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Impossible..." he whispered.
Hal smirked. "That all you've got?"
The giant roared again, his frustration boiling over. He swung three more punches in quick succession, each one faster and harder than the last. But Hal effortlessly floated to the side, dodging every strike with ease.
Then, with a flick of his finger, Hal summoned a glowing green boulder from thin air. The massive stone hovered for a moment before plummeting toward the giant like a falling meteor.
The giant barely had time to react. He raised his arms to catch the boulder, his muscles straining under its immense weight. The ground cracked beneath him as he sank to one knee, his entire body trembling from the effort.
"Not bad," Hal said, watching with mild amusement. "But you'd better not drop it. If it falls, I can't promise what'll happen."
The other aliens stared in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open.
"What... what kind of power is this?" one of them stammered.
Hal's ability to summon objects from thin air was unlike anything they had ever seen. The green glow of the Lantern Ring defied all logic, creating weapons and tools with seemingly limitless potential.
The giant let out a strained grunt, his veins bulging as he lifted the boulder and threw it aside. It crashed into the floor with a deafening impact, creating a massive crater before dissolving into glowing green particles.
Hal raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Nice. Want to try something bigger?"
Before the giant could respond, the entire hall began to shake. The ceiling cracked, and chunks of debris rained down as a massive green meteor appeared above them.
The meteor was enormous, its size dwarfing everything in the room. Its glowing surface radiated an intense green light, casting long shadows as it descended.
The giant looked up, his expression shifting from determination to sheer terror.
At the last moment, he muttered under his breath, "You've got to be kidding me."
The meteor crashed down, its green glow illuminating the room in a blinding flash.