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With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Discussion in 'Creative Writing' started by Mr Zoat, Jan 27, 2019.

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  1. Threadmarks: Uncomplicated Good Works (part 4)
    Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    3rd December 2012
    08:01 GMT


    "May I sit down?"

    Zartok's ring has been glowing faintly since I entered the refectory, but the way he's holding his left hand against his right arm means that it's not obvious. He's monitoring me, but isn't looking at me. Everything about his posture suggests that he has no interest in me at all.

    He tilts his head upward towards me, an expression of indifference on his face. "You may sit where you like, Illustres."

    And the way his desires are in flux makes it a little difficult to divine his true feelings on the matter. Honestly, I imagine that it would obscure it from most Lanterns.

    I find myself smiling. I wrote that such a technique was probably possible, but I never really bothered learning it myself.

    "Thank you." I sit down. "Congratulations on your victory."

    "Two Scarab Warriors will make little difference in a war of this scale."

    "True, but it's a sign of your increasing mastery that you were able to do it. You took on board what I said. That sort of fixity of purpose paired with flexibility of method is something I heartily approve of."

    "You have done more."

    "I'm the Illustres. And I had a year to train without a war going on, and while I know that you're familiar with a great many weapons there isn't anything quite like a power ring."

    For a moment his control weakens and his face nearly forms an expression. Then it snaps back.

    "Very well. I acknowledge your compliment."

    "I also like the way you're muddling your desires like that. I could see it eventually becoming a technique that could keep me out."

    He stops bothering to disguise how he feels, the expression of frustrated irritation painting itself across his features.

    "What do you want?"

    "I had a conversation recently that made me think of you. I wanted to make sure that you understood why I did what I did. To make sure that there was no ongoing misunderstanding that might harm our professional relationship."

    He tilts his head back slightly. "You fear that I will grow to eclipse you."

    "Oh, no. By all means, eclipse me."

    His eye narrows. "Do not mock me."

    "I'm not mocking you. This is why we need to talk." He relaxes slightly, but it's clear that he's still suspicious. "We're Orange Lanterns. We train to realise and harness our avarice. To harness our need to reform the universe into something more pleasing to us. But I think that you're assuming that what I want is the same as what you want."

    "Explain."

    "I caused this Corps to come into being. But I picked Vril Dox to run it. If my motive was to gain power and authority, why would I do that?"

    "Because he's a functionary. When I ruled Cardonia I had administrators serving me and ruling in my name. I may have spent most of my time leading my armies, but all of their power came from me."

    "Dox is one of the few Lanterns I don't think I could beat in a fight."

    He clearly doesn't believe me.

    "My skill with the orange light is greater than his, but his mind is faster than mine and he knows far more of weaponry than I do. A fight between us would be over in seconds."

    "A likely story."

    "You've learned to read desires with the orange light, haven't you?"

    "Of course I have. But you defy my skill."

    I hold out my left hand. "I block remote detection. Touch me."

    He considers for a moment, then reaches out with his left hand and takes hold of mine in firm grip, the glow from his ring growing slightly. And I canFeel it as he connects his awareness of the orange light to me.

    "I want the end that is the destruction of the Reach. True?"

    His eye narrows. "Yees."

    "Do you see any great desire in me for it to happen one way or another?"

    "You… Want it to be at the hands of the N.E.M.O. alliance, to bring together all of the people in this region in the aftermath. An interesting way to build an empire."

    "Do I want to rule that alliance?"

    "…" His eye narrows further. "N.. o…"

    He pulls his hand back, eye opening back to the normal extent.

    "I misjudged you, Illustres."

    "You did." I shrug. "You have questions. Ask them."

    "Why Drusa?"

    "You have strong desires. She doesn't. She hasn't allowed herself to get attached to things, because attachments were a source of vulnerability. That attitude does have its advantages, but an Orange Lantern needs to desire things. Beating her in a fight would merely encourage subservience. I needed to speak to her about her thought processes instead."

    "Why did you single me out?"

    "You were encouraging a mindset that was not helpful to the other trainees learning well. By challenging you and demonstrating your error, I motivated you to learn what you have. And you are stronger for it."

    "My staff fighting instructor had a similar attitude. When my skill surpassed his, I killed him."

    "Lantern Ragnar joined the Corps after I defeated him in an arena match. He plans on challenging me again once his skill has increased sufficiently for it to be worthwhile. If you want revenge, you'd best keep working at it if you want to kill me before he does."

    "The idea of your death doesn't trouble you."

    "The idea of yours troubles you?"

    "I do not fear death, but I would be frustrated if I died with my ambitions unrealised."

    "I've made arrangements. But my ego is tied to the changes I've made in the universe. If my death is part of making my Corps stronger, then so be it."

    He considers for a moment.

    "I understand. I think I even respect it. But be warned, Illustres: it will be my hand that kills you."

    "I wish you the best of luck, Lantern Zartok."
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2022
  2. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Thank you, corrected.
     
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  3. Darko

    Darko Connoisseur.

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    Just some nice little talk about murder between coworkers.

    "her thought"
     
  4. Handlewithcare

    Handlewithcare Versed in the lewd.

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    Paul: "I died twice already and it didn't stick. Death of the Endless seems like a nice person so BRING YOUR A-GAME, BITCH!"
     
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  5. john doe 777

    john doe 777 Know what you're doing yet?

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    Honestly forgot who tf zartock is
     
  6. Ngamer11

    Ngamer11 Experienced.

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    A one eyed Lantern who challenged Paul to a fight, not knowing who Paul was at the time. In the Green Lantern animated series, he was an antagonist that became a member of the RLC.
     
  7. Pinklestia

    Pinklestia Well worn.

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    How many times has Oh El died so far?
     
  8. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    Thank you, corrected.
    No, Drusa joined the Red Lantern Corps. Zartoc got left on Mogo.
     
  9. FreeGod

    FreeGod If you see a God on the road fuck it!

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    Has the Orange lantern corps managed to maintain it's zero lantern casualties record against the reach so far?
     
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  10. Lord Ernest

    Lord Ernest At the End...

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    This feels so... strange. I do know the Illustres views it in such a different way, although I don't know if it's certainty in himself or something else. But, it feels like having a Mongul among your followers, or a Starscream that doesn't even have the decency of feigning subservience. The guy is not only training to murder you, but if my memory serves right, to usurp the corps and use it to establish an empire for himself, is it?

    Is he then such a great asset against the Reach to compensate? How does his presence within the Orange Lantern Corps assist in its ultimate goal of improving the universe?
     
  11. Chojin Patriarch

    Chojin Patriarch Veteran Lurker

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    ...Ugh, drawing a blank... Okay, this guy. The wanna-ba boss-man. He mistook OL for a rookie, challenged him to a duel in his people's way of establishing dominance, and found out he was bullying a dragon. I hope he's changed his tune somewhat.

    I see he's learned some control. But is it a good kind of control?

    Enlightenment rather makes it useless, doesn't it? When everything is orange-tinged, how do you pick out specifics?

    And it shows a maturity to take advice on board, rather than childishly ignore it because of a bruised ego.

    Which, ultimately, is merely a tool that can make whatever weapon you can imagine...

    ...Okay, Zartok, might need to pull the stick out of your butt. Loosen up a little?

    Oh, don't give up on it, kid. Anyone else, it might have worked.

    Heh. I get the feeling Zartok did take the wrong message to hearts.

    If anything, that means that he won't be the only one having to do the big jobs.

    An easy mistake to make, especially if you base it on commonalities.

    ...Less paperwork. :p Can't change the universe if you're stuck filling out all the forms.

    Probably true. Intellect, self-control and knowledge... All things Dox has a lot of.

    I don't doubt he could manage some of the more exotic weapons in their databases, quite easily.

    Bet that comes in handy spotting someone starting to lose control.

    Surprised that sort of thing hasn't caught on. Then again, most planets don't have the kind of arcane mindset to think of it.

    And linked this deeply, I doubt there is any room for falsehood...

    'Want the ends, want the means.' If the job gets done...

    ...Then it gets done, and he'll move on to the next.

    Probably amazed that someone doesn't want to rule everything he sees.

    So many questions, no doubt.

    That would be the more personal approach to training that OL took with Drusa.

    If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is, set it right. Sums up some of OL's character neatly.

    And that fight is going to be spectacular. Also likely destructive, so probably best held somewhere remote.

    I mean, why fear something you've already done twice?

    And with the chance of him surviving it, he can even watch the results.

    Nothing like good motivation to bring out an Orange Lantern's best.

    Heh. If OL's methods of surviving his own death catch on, things might get trippy for the Corps. Of course, that's probably dependant on the Corps' members reaching the same lofty heights as OL's power-levelling. Sadly, while Reach soldiers might be tough, they don't give that much XP... Whereas Earth basically adjusts the challenge to the player's level... :p
     
  12. Diraniola

    Diraniola I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    Earth is the infinite mega dungeon that scales to your level and had an entire sector worth of mobs on one planet. The Reach is main story progression. It provides a decent challenge to speed runners and casual gamers, but any side quest grinding makes them trivial.
     
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  13. Akshka

    Akshka Wait, am I lost?

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    Not that it'll actually stick but its the thought that counts lmao
     
  14. NightmareWarden

    NightmareWarden Versed in the lewd.

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    I’d like to remind you that defying one’s own death sort of deflates the meaning and prestige of killing your boss. Paul is likely to survive. Afterwards if this guy survives the frustrated Orange Lanterns who Wanted Paul to live, he’d have to contend with Ophidian. He clearly would not stand such a weakness- the ability of the Ophidian to depower his ring.

    I can’t see this guy becoming an Orange Lord Malphunio (Malphorio? Melkorio? Uhh…?) faster than Paul will. Ultimately this guy wants the empire for shallow reasons. Someday his philosophical development will uncover that, and he’ll struggle to want it. That vulnerability will give him a chance to reform.
     
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  15. theaceoffire

    theaceoffire Versed in the lewd.

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    Well, apparently he's a tsundere.
     
  16. Stsword

    Stsword Versed in the lewd.

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    Lord Malvolio.

    If you care.
     
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  17. Windona

    Windona Beetle Queen of Crackshipping

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    Gotta get the plans for murder clarified, huh. Don't want any misunderstandings with someone who wants to kill you to prove your skill
     
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  18. Darko

    Darko Connoisseur.

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    Last chapter had a Nazi taking the wrong lessons to heart and this one has a warmonger taking the wrong lessons to heart.
     
  19. Whenever Possible

    Whenever Possible Versed in the lewd.

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    My first option would be Gattaca, just so everything that comes after seems less objectionable.

    Edit: Beyond that, I don't know... Miller's Crossing? Maybe?
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2022
  20. NightmareWarden

    NightmareWarden Versed in the lewd.

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    That’s it, thank you.
     
  21. jonasquinn

    jonasquinn I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    Firstly from what I remember Zartok’s goal was never as grand as usurping the corps and using it to make an empire of himself, he just really wanted the respect and admiration that comes from being powerful, maybe he’d go that far eventually but we don’t know for sure

    Secondly it’s very important for Zartok that his victory be legitimate, he can’t just pull a Starscream and betray OL at an inconvenient moment because A) He’s nowhere near being in line for Illustres, B) He needs to prove his superiority in front of an audience and C) If he tries it and fails OL will probably kill him whereas if he keeps it to legitimate challenges he can try as much as he likes

    Finally, the main use Zartok provides is that he’s a talented, motivated and combat capable Lantern who is driven to prove that he can learn how to use his ring as well as OL all of which makes him very useful for fighting the Reach
     
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  22. Bud-E

    Bud-E Stand up so I can push you down!

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    Mr Zoat I don't know if this was ever explained but did Quinn turn evil because he was corrupted by the Anti-Life or because he was a Constantine fully aligned with Order or some other reason?
     
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  23. crazygrox

    crazygrox Versed in the lewd.

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    So the subtext of this conversation is that Paul is sure that Zartok can't keep him dead even if he manages to kill Paul and Zartok doesn't know that.
    Though there might be a reason to review recruiting practices, if the goal is to recruit people who want the same things as they do, there's something of a chance that all of these people who want things greatly divergent from what Paul wants are going to want to break off in their own direction as the conditions the corps operates under change.
     
  24. NightmareWarden

    NightmareWarden Versed in the lewd.

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    He tried to kill his identity using Anti-Life, but he’s basically the only person who could not die from it. I think it is likely that anti-life did keep him from attempting suicide in any other non-cataclysmic way though. How much was anti-life and how much was his actual personality when it came to apathy towards the imprisoned villains leaving and cussing havoc (or getting more powerful)… no idea. So it affected him indirectly, like how Renegade!Paul (Grayven) used to be affected by classic!Grayven’s personality and memories.
     
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  25. Threadmarks: Uncomplicated Good Works (part 5)
    Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

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    6th December 2012
    15:24 GMT


    "So, yeah. That's where I'm coming from. As far as I'm concerned, killing you would be a net positive for the universe, but… My favourite philosophers are a couple called John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor. Mill was originally a utilitarian, but one day he had a sort of brainstorm where he realised that even if he was successful in implementing utilitarianism across British society, it wouldn't make him happy."

    The Spider Guild elders of Chughraghahh continue cowering in abject terror.

    "I'm not quite like him. I probably would find killing you satisfying, and it would certainly promote the general good better than any other option. But as long as you stop being evil, I'll consider it to be just as good."

    I smile pleasantly as I look them in the eyes one after another-.

    One of the older ones collapses, clutching his thorax. Only those closest to him dare move, and they only lean away slightly.

    Orange strands join me to the Spider Guilder currently… Not a heart attack, apparently. Rather, his digestive system has gone into overdrive and his own digestive enzymes have eaten through his stomach. Flip a few biological switches, repair the organs… And render him peacefully unconscious, because it looks like he hasn't been getting enough sleep.

    I suppose there is a bit of an environmental catastrophe going on outside, from where I launched all of their orbital infrastructure at the planet.

    "So how about it? You pledge your loyalty to the Queen and reform your society, and I'll help you get back on your feet."

    I deposit my patient off to the side.

    "What..?" There's a shuffling as his neighbours move away from the speaker. "Whatwillweeat?"

    "Farming isn't that complicated. You're perfectly capable of raising animals -non-sophont animals- for slaughter, like most of your neighbours do. Or you can grow meat in vats. You're a technologically sophisticated world, it's well within your abilities."

    And I feel-hear it, the sound-shape of their worldstate collapsing as they get it through their heads that this isn't a temporary hardship, but the end of the Proper Way Of Doing Things.

    "So why don't you talk about this amongst yourselves, and I'll pop back in a day or so and find out where you've gotten to?"

    I

    step out,

    reappearing on the bridge of a Karaxian battleship serving as part of the interdiction fleet. It seems that the local civilised worlds have used the opportunity I provided to tighten the noose a little. Not enough to end things, but combined with the economic damage I inflicted the local Spider Guild sept is being choked out.

    "I said I'd give them a day to think it over."

    There's a sort of diffusion of responsibility-based looking around between the senior officers, then the commanding admiral nods at Lantern Toren.

    "Your… Queen."

    "The Queen."

    "I don't understand."

    "My queen, the queen of my home nation, is a woman called Hippolyta. The Queen is a heavily altered Spider Guilder created by the sept in Vega as some sort of prototype living genetic engineering laboratory. Under her leadership they have developed excellent relations with their neighbours, and if they surrender to her instead of you, you won't have to worry about any other sept sending a retaliation fleet this way."

    He nods.

    "I have reviewed Lantern Green Man's records. She is at the mercy of all of her neighbours and building them ships for free. I doubt that these Spiders will acquiesce to that degree."

    "There's always Plan B. But I think I'm going to be optimistic."

    "If they do not accept, will you kill them all?"

    "I probably should, but, no. Instead, I'll transport them to barely habitable worlds with no intelligent life, and they can relearn civilisation or die in accordance with their own merits."

    "There are still a great many people alive on Chughraghahh, as well as their smaller colonies."

    "I'm immortal. Or as close as anything can be. I've got the time and the motivation. I'm hopeful that even if I have to start, the rest will see that I'm serious after a few days and concede."

    "And then?"

    "And then I'll fly some of the Queen's people over here to oversee the transition to not-evil, while you and your friends park their ships in orbit with their guns pointing down just in case."

    The admiral nods. "With no need to occupy their worlds."

    "Occupying worlds is a ridiculous prospect. Once the population gets culturally unified it's basically impossible for a civilisation of a similar level of advancement unless their population is massively higher. I-."

    "Admiral!"

    A deck officer gestures at the tracking… Why is that ship heading for Chughraghahh?

    The admiral grabs a handset, looking concerned.

    "Hesk, what are you doing? We agreed-."

    "We should have done it this way long ago. We lacked the resolve, the strength of soul! No longer! End t-."

    I frown. That sounded off. He didn't look anything like that orange during the briefing. I turn my head and stare out through the hull towards his position. The Spider Guild still have ships but their planetary shields are gone. If that flotilla burns for the planet and performs a ground strike-.

    I see his desires, his martial drives and need to inflict retribution… Even his desire for renown, are massively inflamed compared to what I saw earlier. And it's.. not just him, the rest of his flotilla look similar. Someone has mucked around with them. I could do that but it wasn't me. The Lanterns on Karax for self-study could probably do it, but there's no reason for them to do so. If they wanted to wreck the place then they're more than capable of doing it themselves. Who did this, who did this?

    "Should we.. intercept?"

    I hear the distaste in the admiral's voice. They might be afraid to push the attack, but the idea of acting against someone attacking their ancestral enemy naturally rankles.

    "I believe that the crew are under an unnatural mental influence. I'm working to counter it. If it comes to it, I'll stop their ships myself. Stand by."

    Show me a face.

    Ah I see it. They spoke to-.

    The face turns to look at me. That's not meant to happen.


    "Oh look at you. It's high time we had a little chat, snake man. My place, I think."

    That-.

    Where am I?
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2022
  26. Ngamer11

    Ngamer11 Experienced.

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    Didn't think we'd see Desire again. I'm not sure what's worse, having them as a friend, or having them as an enemy. I hope at some point, Paul can have a nice conversation with Death.
     
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  27. Bloodalchemy

    Bloodalchemy Versed in the lewd.

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    I never thought about the connection between Desire and Orange Lanterns being powered by an subset of desire.
     
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  28. theaceoffire

    theaceoffire Versed in the lewd.

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    He's had the ultimate meeting with her before, I think twice now... Suck on that Thanos!
     
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  29. Oglymogly

    Oglymogly I trust you know where the happy button is?

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    Interesting. From a certain point of view, Desire might even be in the right in calling in Paul for a talk here. We know that the oldest three Endless have roles/ duties/ responsibilities. It is very possible the rest do as well, and either we the readers never see them doing their jobs or they they just don't.
    So is it possible that Paul has been messing with Desire's turf with his emotion editing?
     
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  30. Vaermina

    Vaermina Well worn.

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    Well... That attempt to be a proper hero sure didn't last long...

    You know... I feel like we are going to be seeing a lot of this now that Zoat has hit the point that he's powered up his SI so much the only thing left that isn't a complete curbstomp is depowering or multiversal characters.
     
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