In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight, Let those who worship evil's might, Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"

Hal Jordan held his ring close to the front of his emerald lantern, reciting the oath that marked him as one of the Corps. There had been a dark, terrible period in his life when he thought that he'd never say those words again... but then the darkness had passed and he'd found redemption, honor... and love.

"It gives me chills watching you do that. Every time." Carol Ferris sat on the bed, wearing only a button-up shirt belonging to Hal. Her hair was down and slightly unkempt, while Hal wore pajama bottoms. The air in the Northwestern mountains was a bit nippy outside, but a steadily burning fire kept them both warm inside their cabin. 

Hal set the battery aside, willing it to become invisible. He then knelt on the side of the bed, kissing his lover with a passion he hadn't felt in years.

Carol ran her hands through his hair, her eyes bright. "No more gray."

"None at all. You like it?"

"I don't know -- a little salt made you look distinguished."

Hal grinned, kissing her neck. "Distinguished is overrated."

Carol pulled away, her smile faltering just a bit. "What are we going to do, Hal? Once this vacation is over...."

"What do you mean?"

"Are we an item again?"

"You have to ask?" Hal squeezed her tightly. "Baby, I've lost you too many times in the past. This time, we're doing it right."

"Aren't you afraid of Star Sapphire taking me over again? What if she kills you the way she did poor Katma?"

"That was a long time ago... and it wasn't you. Sapphire's buried deep in your subconscious and Kimi says she's never coming out again. You've got her abilities, without any of the madness. Best of both worlds."

"So... am I going to be your sidekick then? Green Lantern and Star Sapphire?"

Hal looked into her eyes for a long moment and Carol felt a flush rise to her cheeks. It wasn't just that he was so handsome, it was the intensity in his eyes... it made her feel weak and powerful, all at once. "I'm hoping you'll be my wife."

John Stewart tried to ignore the crick in his neck, though it had gotten worse over the last half hour. He was overdue on the plans for the new Superman museum being erected in Metropolis and the delay was starting to affect the budget. He glanced over at the clock and saw that it was well past one in the morning. He'd had way too many late nights this past week.

He stood up and ambled into the kitchen to make himself some coffee. He knew he could use his power ring to wake himself up but he hated doing that kind of thing. It seemed wrong somehow to use it to improve himself when it wasn't really necessary. Over the years, the ring had seemed as much a burden as a blessing, but he'd made peace with it recently. Yes, it'd cost him a lot but it had also afforded him opportunities that few other men possessed. He'd gone from a stereotypical 'angry black man' (that thought made him smile) to someone comfortable in his own skin. That was nice.

He was standing at the counter, smiling to himself, when he heard a footstep behind. It was halting and unsteady, followed by a feminine gasp. John whirled about and saw something that made his mouth fall open. It was Katma Tui, his lost love.... and a gaping, bloody wound was in her chest. She collapsed into his arms, moaning softly. 

John held her tight, his mind reeling. "This can't be real....."

"Now," someone said, with the hint of humor in their voice.

John felt Katma fade away in his arms, just before the wall to his apartment shattered inwards. A hulking brute that he recognized from news footage burst in -- Mammoth -- and he was flanked by several other villains: his sister, recently resurrected from the dead, Shimmer; the tiny inventor known as Gizmo, propelled by a jet pack; and an old foe of the Justice League, the original Dr. Light.

John tried to use his power ring but Shimmer was already in motion. She transformed the air around the ring into solid gold, the yellow color blocking the ring's effectiveness. Gizmo then pointed a small gun at the Green Lantern, firing small devices which attached themselves to John's chest. High-voltage electricity flooded into his body, knocking him out.

Dr. Light rubbed his gloved hands together, while Psimon slowly became visible at his side. "It worked perfectly. He never even knew you were here!"

Psimon smiled. "There was never any doubt, my good man. The Fearsome Five have always been capable of greatness."

"Not that you did anything to help, Light." Gizmo landed next to John, rolling him over on his back. "We did all the hard work."

"It was my plan," Light pointed out. "Besides, I'm essential for what's to come, remember?" The villain held up his hands, flooding the room with several different frequencies of light. "The battery is usually kept invisible... but it's bound to show up on some freq-- Bingo!"

The power battery was resting atop a bookcase, but was quickly brought down by Mammoth. The brute stared at it, sneering. "This is where they get their power?"

"It's connected to a larger one on the planet OA," Light replied. He gently took the battery from Mammoth's hands. "And it's our ticket to paradise."

Shimmer was wandering about the apartment, staring at photographs and books. "How did you know where to find him?"

"After that witch turned me to pure energy*, I took some time to look around before I managed to re-form. I was able to tap into the energy wavelengths given off by the battery -- and I saw that Stewart was sloppy when it came to protecting his."

(*Back in Justice Squadron # 14)

"And now what, Light?" Psimon asked. "You promised that with this battery, we would be unstoppable."

Dr. Light looked at his teammate and nodded. His hands began to glow and the power battery hummed. "Now I tap into the battery's power and absorb it." He smiled as a greenish-white glow began to fill the apartment. There was a small shudder of power in the room as the other members of the Fearsome Five were tossed backwards like rag dolls. The walls and ceiling were shattered, nearly bringing the entire apartment complex down around their ears. 

In the center of it all stood Arthur Light, encased in a shimmering field of green and white. "You did your part well, Psimon. I don't know if I could have taken a GL all by myself... after my recent defeats, my ego's taken quite a bruising. But now... now I'm ready to finally get myself the respect I deserve!" The power battery still clutched tightly in his hand, Dr. Light strode to his teammates, one by one, and helped them to their feet. He saved Psimon for last, enjoying the fear he saw in the man's eyes. "Let's go kill some heroes, shall we?"

Hal Jordan flew through the morning sky, a smile plastered on his face. She'd said yes... He hadn't known for sure he was even going to propose until he'd said it and he'd been even more uncertain that she's accept.

Hal's flight carried up through the clouds and away from the Earth, all the way to the JLA's current headquarters on the moon. It was different than the old satellite HQ that he'd loved so much, but at least it was in space. He felt the League belonged there, where they could look down on the fragile blue-and-green world below and better protect it. He'd had many arguments with Ollie about that. Green Arrow had thought it put the League on a pedestal, above normal human concerns. 

Good old Ollie, Hal thoughtly warmly. Always ready to play the role of devil's advocate, weren't you? I'm going to have to look you up soon... see if you're still willing to play best man at the wedding.

Green Lantern entered the facility and made his way to the meeting room. He'd received the call about an hour ago, while he and Carol had been out walking in the woods. She'd looked damned good in her jeans and t-shirt, making him want to take her right there amid the trees. I feel like I'm twenty again, he thought to himself.

Stepping into the room, he found himself brought up short. He'd expected to find Superman, Batman, the Flash... the current roster of the League. Instead, he saw a group of reservists and other heroes: the beautiful sorceress Zatanna, with whom he'd shared many years in the League; the attractive young blonde known as Supergirl, newly arrived from Krypton*; J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter; and the Will Payton Starman.

"What's going on?"

J'onn stepped forward first, smiling at his old friend. "An offer. Superman has decided, and the rest of the current League agrees, that Earth must become a part of the greater galactic community. As such, we're seeking to establish a group that will serve as both protection from extraterrestrial threats and also as diplomats to the galaxy. We will journey to other worlds and get to know them, let them know that Earth should not be viewed as a threat... and we will also serve as the advance line of defense."

"You're a part of this?"

"Yes. I will serve as deputy leader."

Hal scratched the back of his head, looking thoughtful. "Isn't this L.E.G.I.O.N.'s job?"

"We will coordinate with both them and the Hawkmen of Earth*."

(*See Legend of the Hawkman for more.)

"I just got back from space, J'onn. I'm hoping to get caught up on my personal life before returning to OA and--"

"We want you to be our leader, Hal." Zatanna flashed that winning smile of hers. "You've got the experience and the connections... and I think that the group we've got here, with you added, is a good one. J'onn and I have plenty of experience... Kara is young, but is nearly Superman's equal in power... and Will has the power and bravery to become a top-flight hero."

"I'm not arguing the lineup," Hal countered. "But I'm not sure I'm ready for League duty again."

"It would be an incredible honor to work with you," Supergirl said. She looked doe-eyed and innocent, though Hal could recognize the strength within her. It reminded him strongly of Kal, but it was different, too. She'd seen some harsh times lately, he was sure of it*.

(*In DC's Superman/Batman series)

"Thanks... Kara, is it?"

"Yes!" she beamed. "Kal's my cousin. He had this uniform made for me and thinks that you'd be a good influence on me."

Hal fought the urge to grimace. Once upon a time, he'd have pursued this leggy blonde with gusto... but now, he supposed, she was young enough to be his daughter. "What about you, Will? What brings you to the group?"

Starman smiled beneath his somewhat unruly head of hair.  "I've always thought I wasn't ready for the League... but sometimes you've got to take the chance. I'm willing to do whatever you want me to."

Hal realized these people were already treating him like the leader, like he had the authority to boot them out if he wanted. "I... I tell you what. I'll give it a try, okay? Are we going to be based out of the Watchtower?"

Zatanna shook her head. "Nope. We have something better." Her delicate hands swept through the air. "Ekat su ot eht pihs," she said, using her backwards-magic. The entire group found themselves on the bridge of a vessel located on the far side of the moon. "A L.E.G.I.O.N. cruiser, given as a goodwill offering. It has living quarters for sixteen, a rec hall, dining facilities and is capable of interstellar travel and combat."

"I admit it... I'm impressed." Hal wandered past the controls, the pilot inside him yearning to fly this ship. "So what do we call ourselves? Justice League Space?"

"That's still to be decided," J'onn admitted. "But that should be the least of our worries, I would think." The Martian Manhunter patted his friend on the back. "Welcome back to the League, Hal."

Detroit

The Fearsome Five stood just outside the boarded-up structure, each of them waiting for the signal to begin. Dr. Light, relishing the role of leader, gave the slightest incline of his head before launching a powerful energy assault. Mammoth and his sister followed suit, while Gizmo tossed grenades. Psimon hung back, but he used his formidable mental powers to pull at the protective barriers, loosening them. In moments, they were free to enter.

Light strode forward, grinning from ear to ear. "Welcome to the new headquarters of the Fearsome Five, my friends... right where our old friends the Justice League used to rest. The Bunker is ours!"

"And this is why you stole the power battery, Light?" Psimon asked sarcastically. "So we can become squatters?"

Light shot him a withering glare. "The League was based here for over a year, Psimon... and when they left, it was because they were kicked out. They didn't have time to pack... or clear their computers." He let the last hang in the air before striding forward, into a large laboratory and meeting room. Dust covered large monitors along the far wall. "Gizmo -- get them up and running. I want to know everything the JLA knew back then... and maybe today, too. If you can tap into their current system, do it."

The little scientist complied eagerly, enjoying his task.

Light, meanwhile, sat down at the head of the meeting room table. He looked giddy as he declared "This is the start of something big, dear hearts. I just know it....."

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: "Five For Fighting" continues! Dr. Light is now augmented by the Power Battery and his four companions are eager to take advantage... and armed with the knowledge they've gained from the old Justice League computers, they might just be ready to do so!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

No letters yet, so I'll assume there are no complaints out there. :-)

Please help me with the name of the JL branch. JL Cosmic sounds reeeeeeally lame, but it's the best I've got. Zatanna and J'onn are faves of mine from the old JLA, Will Payton got the shaft in the real DCU (so I've Hyper-timed him back here) and I really liked the Jeph Loeb / Michael Turner revamp of Supergirl. Add in Hal Jordan and we have a powerful mix of characters, I think. If interest warrants, maybe they'll get their own series -- if not, they'll pop up here frequently.<

Keep in touch,

Barry Reese