Green Lantern's Blight
Time: 1702 AA / 1818 AD
Location: Stupendous McAwesomeface III Orbit
The emerald light of the atmosphere shield shimmered as Sul-Da and I descended back to the surface of Stupendous McAwesomeface III. The familiar terrain of sprawling blue plains, towering crystalline mountains, and dense technicolor forests came into view, but today, it didn't bring the same comfort it usually did.
Something dark had slithered into our reality, and even though I'd sealed the breach, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Sul-Da's jaw was set in grim determination as we landed outside the sprawling palace. The towering structure of iridescent metal and organic curves loomed above us, its crystalline spires reflecting the glow of the system's yellow sun. A sense of urgency filled the air. It wasn't just another day; it felt like the start of something far bigger than any of us.
Waiting at the entrance, Thala Dor-Van's eyes narrowed as she took in Sul-Da's condition and the tension etched on my face. The other kids clustered behind her, their eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
"What happened?" Thala demanded, her voice tight.
"Something broke through into our Sector. Some kind of interdimensional… infection," I said, the words tasting bitter. "Sul-Da got a piece of it. I managed to extract it, but it was close."
She knelt and placed a hand on Sul-Da's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
He nodded, though his eyes still flickered with lingering fear. "I'm okay now."
Thala stood, her gaze hardening as she turned to me. "How bad is it?"
I glanced back at the sky, where the stars still glimmered innocently, oblivious to the threat that had just been a hair's breadth away. "I sealed the breach, but it took a lot. Whatever this was, it wasn't random. It felt… deliberate. Like something was testing our defenses."
Her eyes darkened. "You think someone sent it?"
"Yeah. And I have a sinking feeling they'll try again."
I clenched my fists, the Ring pulsing softly as if in sympathy. We'd been isolated in this Sector for centuries, building, learning, growing stronger. But now, it seemed the universe had remembered we existed—and it wasn't sending a welcome committee.
"We need to fortify our defenses," I said. "Ring, activate planetary defense protocols and scan for any anomalies."
++ Acknowledged. Initiating planetary defense grid. Scanning… ++
Green light cascaded from the Ring, flickering across the sky as invisible shields and weapons systems activated around the planet and its moons. I watched the familiar glow, feeling a flicker of reassurance. Stupendous McAwesomeface III was far from defenseless. I'd spent centuries building failsafes into its core, crafting a fortress that could withstand almost anything the universe could throw at us.
Almost.
Sul-Da turned to me, his face pale but resolute. "What if they break through again? What if they send something stronger next time?"
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then we fight back. Harder."
But even as I said it, doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind. The DC universe was vast, filled with cosmic horrors that could make even the mightiest Green Lanterns seem insignificant. Whatever was behind the breach—whether it was a force from the Dark Multiverse, some ancient cosmic entity, or something even worse—it wasn't something I could afford to underestimate.
Thala's voice cut through my thoughts. "We can't just sit and wait for them to come to us."
I nodded. "You're right. We need information. We need to know who or what we're dealing with."
Sul-Da's eyes widened. "You mean we're going out there? Beyond the Sector?"
I gave him a grim smile. "Yeah, kid. It's time to leave our comfort zone."
The idea of venturing beyond Sector 3601 filled me with a strange mixture of excitement and dread. For centuries, I'd stayed hidden, content to build my little corner of the universe, to prepare in peace. But peace was over. The universe had come knocking, and it was time to answer.
I turned to the gathered children, their faces filled with anticipation and anxiety.
"Alright, everyone," I said, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "Things are changing. We're no longer just explorers or scientists. We're defenders. And if the universe wants to test us, we're going to show it what we're made of."
A chorus of determined nods and murmurs of agreement rose from the group. Even the younger ones seemed to understand the gravity of the moment.
Thala stepped beside me, her eyes softening. "You don't have to do this alone."
I met her gaze and nodded. "I know. And I'm glad you're with me."
"Where do we start?" Sul-Da asked, his eyes alight with eagerness.
"The breach left a signature," I said. "A ripple in the fabric of space-time. We can trace it back to its source. If someone opened that breach, they left a trail."
++ Tracking signature. Coordinates locked. ++
A star map projected itself in the air before us, a glowing path of light stretching beyond the borders of Sector 3601. It pointed toward the vast void between galaxies—a place few dared to travel.
My heart thudded in my chest. "We follow the trail. We find whoever did this."
Sul-Da grinned, a fierce light in his eyes. "And we make sure they don't do it again."
I smiled back, pride swelling in my chest. He was ready. We were ready.
"Alright then," I said, my Ring flaring brighter. "Let's go knock on some doors."
With a surge of willpower, I lifted off the ground, Sul-Da and Thala close behind me. The other children watched us go, their faces filled with hope and determination. This wasn't just my fight anymore. It was our fight.
And whoever had come looking for trouble was about to learn that we weren't afraid to give it to them.
As we soared into the void, the light of the stars stretched out before us—an endless canvas of possibilities, dangers, and challenges. I didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain:
We were done hiding.