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

Ngamer11 · Aug 19, 2021

Handlewithcare said:
Can someone remind me how ParaPaul dealt with the Sheeda? He went to the future too, right? But then traveled back?

He got Dr. Sivana to actually try to defeat the Sheeda, and helped bring the League to try and apprehend the queen.

Ganurath · Aug 19, 2021

So, I recently reread Swamp Thing Goes to Gotham due to someone binging the SV thread, and the part where OL arranged a Presidential Pardon caught me for a moment, because I remembered Grayven had needed a pardon from the governor for killing Klarion. Then I realized the trick: Swamp Thing was in Louisiana (among other places with plants) while he was committing crimes in Gotham, so they'd all be federal crimes.

Darko · Aug 19, 2021

Handlewithcare said:
Can someone remind me how ParaPaul dealt with the Sheeda? He went to the future too, right? But then traveled back

I think he and some Leaguers managed to destroy Gloriana's ship and later tracked her to Malvolio's place where Flash killed her.

Renegade was the one that went to the future.

Chojin Patriarch · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
10th September 2012
08:59 GMT

The fleet he's brought -and I can feel the green from the other side of the system- is large, but it's 'escort import head of state' large, rather than 'you're now being invaded' large. There are a wide variety of ship configurations so I'm going to assume that they haven't settled on a doctrine-.

Okay, so not looking like he's here to make trouble. That's good, right? Still, having the figurative 800-pound gorilla rolling through will naturally make everyone nervous. Especially one as potentially mercurial as Malvolio can be assumed to be as a 17th-century nobleman...

No, that's not what this is. Each species under his aegis has sent a small flotilla. He's showing that he rules a multi-species polity. Communicating that there's no reason why you couldn't be one of them. Most empires have a core species and then treat others better or worse depending on their philosophy. Krypton generally treated the worlds they dominated alright, though any active resistance was put down comprehensively as a reminder that it wasn't a negotiation. Controllers are excellent people to be ruled by, as the populations they've rehoused will attest. At the far opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Reach and their quicksand approach to empire building: looking relatively harmless until you're stuck and then pulling you under and drowning you.

Everyone's got their own method. Where that method falls on the 'good' or 'evil' end of the scale depends a lot on their care for the races absorbed... Presumably Malvolio operates under the 'treats you well unless you piss him off' rule.

He wants to be clear to everyone seeing this galaxy's centre of Lanternism that that isn't how he does things.

"Ring, contact… Squire Wallace."

That's Malvolio's extended-lifespan human seneschal, for reference.

"Communication request sent."

Because when Lord Malvolio ends a conversation with 'This is not the end', it's probably best to find out exactly what he meant by that first.

Yes, there's a big difference between 'I can understand what happened, but I'm not happy right now, check back later' and 'I will hound you to the far edge of the universe in the name of Revenge.'

A construct holoprojector appears in front of me, and a moment later an image of Lord Malvolio's personal assistant shimmers into being.

"Lantern-." He starts in surprise. "Orange Lantern. This is… Unexpected. What brings you here?"

See, this is where the Renegade has an advantage. He at least took on a name people can call him (and that he can use himself) instead of, well... True, it's caused him more trouble than it's really worth. But still...

"Access to records concerning past Lanterns second only to those of Oa. I assume that your master is here for much the same reason?"

"I would not presume to answer such a question on his behalf."

And it's not unreasonable he has multiple reasons.

"Fair enough. The locals are a little concerned about your fleet being here. Would you care to relay your master's intentions?"

"He has requested that any Lantern who makes contact be conveyed into his presence at the earliest opportunity."

Well, given his previous respect for the rule of Hospitality, that does make sense. Even if you're on a conquering spree, that doesn't mean you have to be rude about it.

"I wasn't certain if -given our past altercation- such a request would include me."

"He directly stated that it included Lantern Jordan. You weren't mentioned, but I have no reason to believe that he holds you in greater disfavour."

Yeah, he probably has even less love for Jordan... So, a point in the 'not here to make trouble' column...

"Okay. I've available now. Is there a queue?"

"No, you are invited immediately. Please come to the command cruiser at once."

Benefit of knowing the boss, I guess. Though refusing the invitation would not be a good idea, methinks...

"Certainly. I will be with you shortly."

I end the communication, glancing at Lantern Dul as I do so. I could bring her with me, even if she ended up having to wait outside during my meeting. On the other hand, if it came to a fight, she'd just be in the way. And it would be useful to have someone out here keeping an eye on things.

So she gets to play overwatch. Since for a Lantern, the other side of a solar system is not a long distance...

"Lantern Dul, monitor things from here. Let me know if the fleet makes any overtly aggressive action."

Her eyes are locked on the ship upon which I can feel Lord Malvolio's presence.

No getting ideas now, Dul. I'm sure he'd have a bout or two with you if you asked nicely. Or, don't panic, if that's concern in your eyes...

"That's a human?"

"Broadly."

Depending on how similar his father was to human. Because there are so many 'near-human' extra-terrestrial species out there. And given that he apparently moved through 16th-century European society undetected, it must have been up there on the 'near-human' scale.

Hm. I'm not going to try stepping out anywhere near Lord Malvolio again and space warping seems… Dubiously wise. Instead, I make an inertia-suppression drive construct and use that to fly across the system, careful to avoid looking at my own sensor readings as I go.

These things are slow and require huge amounts of power when compared to other faster than light systems, to say nothing of the… Physics anomalies which can sometimes result from incautious use. But I've survived contact with an actual deliberate time machine, so I'm not too worried. And almost no one bothers trying to interdict them for much the same reasons that no one really uses them and because no one really uses them, which means that Lord Malvolio almost certainly won't. No one in Sector 1634 had the technology, so…

I'm a bit lost as to the implications even with the wiki link, but I can understand the preference for a slow approach. Don't want any gunners out there getting a little antsy about a fast-moving object inbound.

And I'm here, lights illuminating… I think that's a landing bay, though it doesn't appear to have a significant quantity of fighters or bombers inside. Visitor landing? Or perhaps Lord Malvolio's private landing area. I dismiss my construct and fly to it at a more sedate pace. Hm, multi-layer atmosphere shield. Usually ship builders consider that to be unnecessary, as it's easier to throw up an impermeable shield or actual armour if something goes wrong with the first one. Not sure what that says about Lord Malvolio or his ship builder. There's enough space in here for a shuttle or two, but it's empty at the moment. I wonder-?

And nothing says there aren't some quick-deploying pressure doors hidden away. I appreciate the care taken in having backups for your backups though.

A door in the side of the room opens, and Wallace walks in with an escort of two soldiers. Dreadnaughts wearing primitive looking power armour. Their species was one of the most active during the wars following Lord Malvolio's disappearance, and not as a unified faction. I'm glad for the neighbours that they've accepted his return, and nervous for their slightly more distant neighbours that they've accepted his return.

Big lads, if a bit cute in that pic... Wonder how belligerent they are normally, given their history. And you can at least see why Malvolio employs their services...

"Orange Lantern. Thank you for arriving so promptly."

"No trouble, Wallace. Is his lordship at home?"

"He is on the ship and eager to speak with you."

Well, all very civilised so far.

I fly closer and land just ahead of him, his bodyguards appearing not at all troubled.

"Lead the way, then."

Heh. Would Wallace recognise the classic Shakespeare line, I wonder? Still, better not to be too facetious...

He walks back between his bodyguards and through the door by which he entered, and I walk along beside him. The guards fall in behind us, their greater size making them take one step for every three of ours.

"Has Lord Malvolio given any indication of how he feels about our last encounter?"

...No ranting speeches about taking vengeance or anything like that?

"In what sense, sir?"

"The Flash's gross violation of Lord Malvolio's hospitality. I rather assumed that he would hold us all responsible."

Yes, that would definitely be a worry.

"It is true, he was quite enraged. Since then, however, I have had the liberty to visit the Earth, and learn a little more of what the Sheeda did that so enraged your party."

"You've visited Earth?"

Not unexpected. I'm sure Malvolio would be curious as to the state of it, having heard about the attacks. Never mind the four centuries since he left.

"Covertly. Lord Malvolio was mindful that his personal arrival would have been somewhat provocative, and I did not wish to draw undue attention unto myself." He frowns mildly. "Still, the behaviour of The Flash seemed to be somewhat at odds with his typical character."

"A normal war might last years, but individual soldiers won't spend more than a tiny proportion of that actually fighting. The Justice League fought multiple times each day for months on end, for the entire war. The Flash moves at supernatural speed, but for him the rest of the world slows down. For him, each fight wasn't minutes or hours, it was days or years. Or longer. He spend centuries of subjective time looking at all of the evils the Sheeda inflicted on humanity at close range."

Not fun. At least he's getting help dealing with what he saw now.

"I see. Yes, his behaviour is a good deal more explicable when viewed in that light. What has become of him?"

"At the time, not a lot. With things how they were, we just couldn't spare him. Now, he's on a leave of absence and getting therapy. We can't risk someone with his abilities losing control of himself like that again."

Hope the other speedsters are dealing with it better. Jay Garrick at least has years of experience, and I suspect Wally was never let near the worst sites...

"And the Sheeda? What of them?"

"Very few Sheeda were captured alive. In theory, those held by various Earth nations should have been handed over to the special tribunals that were set up by the agreement of Earth's governments to try and punish them for their actions during the war. Most were found guilty of capital crimes, though a few didn't meet the required threshold. Those are in prison."

Of course, that assumes each nation handed over all their Sheeda prisoners. Or that some didn't disappear into the black budget of some secret agency like Checkmate or SHADE.

"And so die the Sheeda."

"Not necessarily. I would be surprised if some of the more powerful countries didn't offer a few sanctuary in exchange for their knowledge of magic or biotechnology. And… The Sheeda are humans from the far future. In theory, our descendants will become like them. It's just a matter of time."

Not for a long time, at least. Millions of years, if not billions.

"A most disquieting thought."

"Possibly due to our studying the biological material they brought back with them."

Ah, DC time travel and its love of paradoxes.

"Why would anyone desire to become such as they?"

"One gene sequence to grant greater longevity, one for faster wound healing, another for visual acuity or intelligence. Immunity to cancer…" I shrug. "Improving yourself seems like a good idea, and then eventually you look back and wonder how you got where you are."

Speaking from experience, OL? Never mind all the alternates that, bluntly, effed up in the process. Looking at you, Renegade and Tangseid.

"A subject on which we could both opine."

I just nod.

Indeed. You've seen some of the results, after all, thanks to that little trip to the end of time...

Well, an informative walk & talk.

And yet we learned nothing of import at all. Still, no doubt Malvolio is monitoring OL's presence, and hopefully we get to see him soon. Let's just hope that their impending conversation isn't interrupted by any outside party busting in.

moralrelativity · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
He spend centuries

spend -> spent

Darko · Aug 19, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Especially one as potentially mercurial as Malvolio can be assumed to be as a 17th-century nobleman...

Given his willpower he may not be prone to mood swings, but he will be very stubborn.

Chojin Patriarch said:
See, this is where the Renegade has an advantage. He at least took on a name people can call him (and that he can use himself) instead of, well... True, it's caused him more trouble than it's really worth. But still...

Paul has been called Pavlos, so he can call himself that.

Chojin Patriarch said:
And given that he apparently moved through 16th-century European society undetected, it must have been up there on the 'near-human' scale.

His changes may have come later in life or he claimed it was a birth defect.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Hope the other speedsters are dealing with it better. Jay Garrick at least has years of experience

And seeing as he fought in WWII he'd have likely seen some pretty terrible shit.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Of course, that assumes each nation handed over all their Sheeda prisoners. Or that some didn't disappear into the black budget of some secret agency like Checkmate or SHADE.

Or the army just straight up killed them.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Speaking from experience, OL? Never mind all the alternates that, bluntly, effed up in the process. Looking at you, Renegade and Tangseid.

At least Renegade has some knowledge on what his weird serum would do to a human.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Let's just hope that their impending conversation isn't interrupted by any outside party busting in.

Chojin, you're back with Murphy again?

You need to stop this or one day no one will care about you.

Mr Zoat · Aug 19, 2021

moralrelativity said:
spend -> spent

Thank you, corrected.

BR549 · Aug 19, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Presumably Malvolio operates under the 'treats you well unless you piss him off' rule.

Or, the method used to maintain the Pax Wulfenbachia.

Rule on the principle of Don't Make Me Come Over There.

Bud-E · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"A normal war might last years, but individual soldiers won't spend more than a tiny proportion of that actually fighting. The Justice League fought multiple times each day for months on end, for the entire war. The Flash moves at supernatural speed, but for him the rest of the world slows down. For him, each fight wasn't minutes or hours, it was days or years. Or longer. He spent centuries of subjective time looking at all of the evils the Sheeda inflicted on humanity at close range."

Now Flash flipping out makes a lot more sense. I assumed there was one specific event that caused him to hate the Sheeda, but this is so much worse.

Senevri · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
He spend centuries of subjective time looking at all of the evils the Sheeda inflicted on humanity at close range."

That's...
The Flash doesn't usually accelerate his mind to the same extent as his body, which makes sense because otherwise he wouldn't actually experience being fast, and a task such as running over the pacific would be EXTREMELY boring. AFAIK, he CAN do it, just generally doesn't, and I think it requires extra effort.

In addition, he doesn't retain information very well from when he's accelerated - a typical example would be when he reads every medical book in the library to help someone, for an example. This could easily be a short term to long term memory conversion issue, although in a Doylist sense it's a game balance nerf.

Mr Zoat · Aug 19, 2021

Senevri said:
That's...
The Flash doesn't usually accelerate his mind to the same extent as his body, which makes sense because otherwise he wouldn't actually experience being fast, and a task such as running over the pacific would be EXTREMELY boring. AFAIK, he CAN do it, just generally doesn't, and I think it requires extra effort.

In addition, he doesn't retain information very well from when he's accelerated - a typical example would be when he reads every medical book in the library to help someone, for an example. This could easily be a short term to long term memory conversion issue, although in a Doylist sense it's a game balance nerf.

You mean that the SI might be lying in order to create a favourable impression?

Shocked Pikachu face gif.

Sockmonkey · Aug 19, 2021

Senevri said:
That's...
The Flash doesn't usually accelerate his mind to the same extent as his body, which makes sense because otherwise he wouldn't actually experience being fast, and a task such as running over the pacific would be EXTREMELY boring. AFAIK, he CAN do it, just generally doesn't, and I think it requires extra effort.

When just traveling, he wouldn't speed his mind as much, but in combat he would in order to have more time to think and plan.

Darko · Aug 19, 2021

Sockmonkey said:
When just traveling, he wouldn't speed his mind as much, but in combat he would in order to have more time to think and plan.

And even if he doesn't speed up his mind he'd have still seen all kinds of terrible, evil shit for weeks or months on end.

DrThoth · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
You mean that the SI might be lying in order to create a favourable impression?

Shocked Pikachu face gif.

It's fine that he's doing that (if he is), but I think it should be clear to the reader if that's the case, through his internal narration. No-one ever brought that fact up before in the discussion about him so thinking about it, it makes sense as a manipulation.

Speaking of lying and Flash reminds me of Diana's disapproval of his conduct to his violation of xenia. Have they talked or interacted at all since that mission? Seems like a lot of potential drama there (but then again, that's true for most of the people and plotlines in the story).

Mr Zoat said:
[Does a quick reread]
Wallace hasn't really gotten in to the whole 'god' part. While he's not totally in denial, he mostly treats it as a fix for his prior problem and his metaphysical bond with Artemis is nothing like as strong as hers with Grayven.

The story likely won't get there, but it should be more of a concern for him over time as he's a low-key immortal now, though it helps that most of his peers are either New Gods too or longer-lived species. Would make his future relationship with Robin quite interesting though as the latter continues to age (and the same goes for Green Arrow and Canary, since I don't think the latter has been Awakened).

Not wanting their loved ones to age and die, such as their parents, might also be a motivation, for Wallace and all of them in general.
I know Alan is dead in the Renegade timeline but what about Jay and Joan Garrick? After the Frances Kane situation, has he not thought to ask Renegade to Awaken them? Or at least get Mister Miracle, Zatara and Zatanna to work on replicating the Awakening or something. Paula also seems like someone Renegade would want to Awaken, given their history and the increased importance of Artemis in his life.

WereDragon · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
quicksand approach to empire building: looking relatively harmless until you're stuck and then pulling you under and drowning you.

Interesting note: Despite Holywood's protestations it is actually very difficult to drown in quicksand. Quicksand is denser than the human body. As such once you are displacing enough of it (somewhere around chest deep for most people) you float rather than sink.
Still a deathtrap due to how difficult it is to get out but not a drowning hazard.

Mr Zoat · Aug 19, 2021

DrThoth said:
I know Alan is dead in the Renegade timeline but what about Jay and Joan Garrick?

Both still alive.

After the Frances Kane situation, has he not thought to ask Renegade to Awaken them? Or at least get Mister Miracle, Zatara and Zatanna to work on replicating the Awakening or something.

With Grayven off the team, asking him to do something like that would be a big deal in Wallace's mind. And with Frankie getting her abilities under control, not something that she needs.

Paula also seems like someone Renegade would want to Awaken, given their history and the increased importance of Artemis in his life.

But that was matched by the decreased importance of Paula in Artemis's life. Grayven doesn't hate the idea, but he probably won't be proactive about offering it.

Coda · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Since then, however, I have had the liberty to visit the Earth, and learn a little more of what the Sheeda did that so enraged your party."

Remove the comma after "Earth".

Whiteeyes said:
As I understand it Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 10,000 souls will get into Heaven and an "unknown number" already have, with the rest going to Hell if they don't get one of the remaining slots.

It's 144,000 sealed, not 10,000, and the rest of the redeemed get to be resurrected on the recreated Earth instead of going to hell.

Doccer · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
"A normal war might last years, but individual soldiers won't spend more than a tiny proportion of that actually fighting. The Justice League fought multiple times each day for months on end, for the entire war. The Flash moves at supernatural speed, but for him the rest of the world slows down. For him, each fight wasn't minutes or hours, it was days or years. Or longer. He spent centuries of subjective time looking at all of the evils the Sheeda inflicted on humanity at close range."

What was that one piece of music told from the Flash's perspective? I tried looking it up on Google and YouTube but I kept getting music from the CW Flash series.

DrThoth · Aug 19, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
With Grayven off the team, asking him to do something like that would be a big deal in Wallace's mind. And with Frankie getting her abilities under control, not something that she needs.

I'm not sure who 'she' is in this case, since I was referring to Jay and Joan Garrick, whose mortality is presumably on Wallace's mind at least a bit, given that Alan and Kent are dead. You didn't address my point about asking Mister Miracle and co. but I believe I must have asked something like that before anyway.

Odysseus2099 · Aug 19, 2021

Doccer said:
What was that one piece of music told from the Flash's perspective? I tried looking it up on Google and YouTube but I kept getting music from the CW Flash series.

Ballad of Barry Allen.

Stsword · Aug 19, 2021

Senevri said:
That's...
The Flash doesn't usually accelerate his mind to the same extent as his body, which makes sense because otherwise he wouldn't actually experience being fast, and a task such as running over the pacific would be EXTREMELY boring. AFAIK, he CAN do it, just generally doesn't, and I think it requires extra effort.

In addition, he doesn't retain information very well from when he's accelerated - a typical example would be when he reads every medical book in the library to help someone, for an example. This could easily be a short term to long term memory conversion issue, although in a Doylist sense it's a game balance nerf.

If he didn't process the world at superspeed he'd have been a red smear on the wall the first time he used superspeed becuase he'd have just kept running until he hit a barrier he couldn't break through.

And in the episode Bloodlines Bart and Barry talk strategy with each other so quickly that Kid Flash can't make out what they are saying.

Oh and in the comics it was specifically stated to be a short term/long term memory thing that prevents him from remembering all that stuff he reads permanently.

Mr Zoat · Aug 19, 2021

Coda said:
Remove the comma after "Earth".

No, he paused there.

Otto von Saurion · Aug 19, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
aren''t

aren't

Vaermina · Aug 20, 2021

Chojin Patriarch said:
Okay, so not looking like he's here to make trouble. That's good, right? Still, having the figurative 800-pound gorilla rolling through will naturally make everyone nervous. Especially one as potentially mercurial as Malvolio can be assumed to be as a 17th-century nobleman...

They already put up with Paragon, so there shouldn't be any problem.

Bud-E · Aug 20, 2021

Vaermina said:
They already put up with Paragon, so there shouldn't be any problem.

I was about to argue that Paul isn't unhinged but then I remembered the last 100 chaps of this story.

Assblaster5000 · Aug 20, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
'escort import

This should be 'important' right?

Someguy Somewhere · Aug 20, 2021

Took me a bit, but with regards to the bit about The Flash's POV during the War, this was an earlier POV piece from Barry around the time of the War Games story like back here

Orange Lantern had asked him about it one time, when he was just starting out. He'd wanted to know if he was fast from his perspective as well. And he saw where he was coming from right away. Logically, if his body was moving faster than everything else, from his point of view wouldn't he just be running normally through a world of statues? Or if it was just his body that moved faster, wouldn't he have big problems with steering and control?

He hadn't really thought about it before he took his shot of Jay's formula. If Jay hadn't had any problems with it, why would he? And then they went running to test it out and he accidentally ran around the world when they tried to test his top speed. And it had been quick, but after a moment he could remember all of the things he saw, a million still images from every country he ran through, a million stationary objects he remembered dodging around.

He got the best of both worlds, and when Orange Lantern brought up the alternatives he was damn glad about it.

Mr Zoat · Aug 20, 2021

10th September 2012
09:05 GMT

"Orange Lantern Paul. Or should I say, Lord Illustres?"

The room in which Lord Malvolio is receiving me is a smaller version of his audience chamber/throne room back on his space station. The throne is absent, the smaller space not requiring the same gallantry to dominate. It's replaced with a heavy curved stool which both supports him and subtly emphasises his huge size.

"Either is accurate. I am an Orange Lantern and my rank is Illustres. In some cultures that warrants the appellation 'lord', but the Orange Lantern Corps has no such title structure. Either are preferable to 'wyrmling'."

"Lord Illustres, then. Why have you come here?"

"I wish to improve my abilities as a trainer. The records on Karax are excellent, and I hope to learn from them."

"There are other men such as you, who wield orange light as I wield green?"

"There are a large number of other Orange Lanterns, yes. I have a particular relationship with the orange light which none have entirely been able to replicate, much as I have not seen any Green Lanterns who have… Developed their abilities quite as you have."

"None at all? The thought vexes me and leaves me discomported."

"Humans appear to have a natural affinity for certain types of exotic energy. It may be due to our world being naturally rich in magic; my studies on the subject are incomplete."

"Other than Harold Jordan, who amongst our people serves the Guardians of Oa?"

"May I ask why you wish to know?"

He frowns mildly, staring directly at me.

"If I meant them ill, I would have acted upon my intent long before this day. I wish to learn of them that I may learn of myself."

"I apologise. The true names of certain empowered heroes is not usually public knowledge; you are asking me for privileged information that I am not necessarily at liberty to share."

The stare decreases in intensity, but the frown does not fade.

"Their names are secret? Is that a measure to ward off witchcraft?"

"Ah, might do, actually. It's more that… There was a certain… I'm sorry, I don't know much about the politics of the era in which you grew up."

"I am disposed to assume that matters of disestablishment and limits of parliamentary authority have been resolved; intractable as they did seem, it has been the passing of four centuries as the Earth measures time."

I frown. "I'm sorry; when exactly did you leave?"

"Shortly after the news of the decapitation of King Charles reached mine home in Salford."

"Oh, the English Civil War! Yes! Ah, England still has an established church but attendance is not mandatory and individuals are free to practice whatever faith they like or none at all. And after the parliamentary government collapsed, and after Cromwell reigned as a tyrant and eventually died, Charles the Second was invited back into the country to take the throne. He did alright, but he was succeeded by his brother who was so unpopular that parliament invited his daughter and her husband to take over which more or less established parliamentary supremacy, though the eventual shift in power from the House of Lords to the House of Commons wasn't completed for another two hundred years."

"Doth that bear any relation to the true name of Earth's other Lanterns?"

"Ah. No, I suppose not. I just thought that you might find it interesting. Essentially, the masked vigilante tradition arose in America, where those involved would wear masks to protect themselves against prosecution for their unlawful activity by the authorities they shamed with their superlative achievements. It also served to protect their friends and families from retaliation by the criminals they fought. And while some of Earth's Lanterns have their names in the public domain, not all do."

"Tis a strange thing, but I will not require you to betray their confidence."

"Thank you. Alan Scott picked up a green power ring in the nineteen thirties, and… Various things happened and he has a blue one now. Guy Gardner and Anya Savenlovich have green rings and public identities, while Green Lantern Two Eight One Four A's identity is not public knowledge."

"Then there are four human Green Lanterns at present."

"Yes. Oh, and Carol Ferris has a violet ring. That's it at the moment. Aside from you, obviously."

"I do not know the habits of the Guardians of Oa well, but that number strikes me an uncommonly high. Wallace, bring refreshment."

"At once, my lord."

He turns and leaves the audience chamber, presumably to head in the direction of the kitchens.

"Would you like a seat? As sovereign lord of all I survey I seldom play host to those who are my peers, but it seems that you are more in the manner of a near-equal."

"Thank you."

I float a little way into the air, then generate a construct stool in the same style as the one he's sitting on, but a little smaller and plainer.

"What brings you to Karax, Lord Malvolio? The local Green Lantern is concerned, given that you were on poor terms with the Guardians."

"I mean the man no malice. It would not be proper to blame every knight for the conduct of their king. My purpose here is peaceful pilgrimage, that I may learn the lore of the light I wield with my will."

"That… Might be difficult. The abbot of the order with one of the better libraries recently betrayed them, and a replacement hasn't been appointed yet. I suspect that the local Green Lantern is under orders not to aid you, and he's considered to be the authority around here. A lot of what they record is publically accessible, but a lot isn't."

"I would not wage war while peaceful paths are available. But what of you, Lord Illustres?"

"I'm happy to share with you. I'm curious about how a human becomes.. something like you. Blue Lantern Alan Scott is a good friend of mine, and he's.. not entirely a corporeal human any longer."

"His nature is now akin to mine own?"

"That would be my guess. The Atlanteans have a good understanding of the mechanics of the human soul, but their knowledge of alien technology is much worse. Magicians have always been able to bind themselves to power beyond themselves, but that wouldn't explain why some Lanterns undergo such a change and others don't."

"The mortal soul is a thing to be weighed and measured?"

"I have personally been to both Heaven and Hell. I don't recommend either, though Hell's the more honest."

"You have sojourned as Dante led by Virgil to the realms of the blessed and blighted dead?"

"Earth is a strange place filled with strange people. Would you like the full tale?"

He manages a small smile, though his missized lips make it look a little off.

"Verily."

"Then I should probably start with the reason for my first visit…"

Mr Zoat · Aug 20, 2021

Assblaster5000 said:
This should be 'important' right?

Thank you, corrected.

Darko · Aug 20, 2021

Mr Zoat said:
Then there are four human Green Lanterns at present."

"Yes. Oh, and Carol Ferris has a violet ring. That's it at the moment. Aside from you, obviously."

Though she's not from this Earth.

Mr Zoat said:
Wallace, bring refreshment."

'refreshments'

Mr Zoat said:
Earth is a strange place filled with strange people.

An understatement.

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

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