Issue # 6

"Emerald Wings"
Part Two

Written by Barry Reese

"...the Guardians built their power on a lie. A lie that they had always been wise and strong, a lie that one of their own named Krona had snapped and broken their most sacred of rules -- that against learning the true origins of the universe. It was said that Krona had unleashed the concept of evil and the Guardians, overwhelmed with guilt, had sought to make amends by creating first the Manhunters and later the Green Lantern Corps. Again I say -- It was a lie."

Doranchatok stood before his acolytes, his black and gold uniform glinting in the firelight. The world of Nia was a dark and desolate one, but its position made it important to Doranchatok and his followers. Nia was the closest inhabitable world to OA, reborn home of the Guardians and their mates, the Zamarons.

Most of the acolytes wore dark robes with a circle emblazoned on the chest, a line slashing through the time-honored symbol of the Corps: an emerald power battery. Several of them stepped aside as Darthartheen, sister to Doranchatok, moved through the throng. She stepped up onto the pedestal alongside her blue-skinned brother, her own pale skin -- a sign of her Zamaron heritage -- seeming ghostly in comparison. With practiced care, she picked up the narrative where her brother had left it. "And when our parents, whose memory shall always be with us, sought to reveal the secrets of the Guardian's deception, they were struck down by the Green Lantern known as Hal Jordan and the Guardian named Ganthet. My brother, Doranchatok, was taken prisoner by the Guardians and was with my mother when she perished, shortly before Hal Jordan's evil took root and destroyed the Corps. After his own freedom was won, Doranchatok found me... and began the process of spreading the Truth. The universe is a victim of inevitable Entropy, cursed to die an early death because of the lies and deceptions of the Guardians. They who claim to safeguard reality are, in fact, the choosers of the slain!" Darthartheen's voice rose at the end of her speech, her gnarled left hand raised into the air. A Green Lantern ring, a gift of her father, gleamed on her right hand. Like her brother, she had internalized the power of the Guardians, but the ring remained a useful focus -- and symbol.

The acolytes all returned the salute, their voices raised in an almost religious fervor. The day that Doranchatok had long foretold had come -- the Zamarons had returned, bringing with them their children, conceived with the now-dead Guardians. OA had been restored.

The lie was going to be told again. The Guardians would seek to once more dictate the nature of the universe, ignoring their own sins -- the sins of their fathers.

Unless someone stopped them.

Doranchatok's voice rang out as an emerald glow surrounded his body. "Let the Guardians and their Thanagarian guests celebrate! Let them lie unawares as we strike! For this day the Truthseekers Alliance shall strike and the lies shall be torn asunder forever!"

The voices chanted his name over and over as Doranchatok stared out at their rapt faces. Aliens of a dozen worlds, each of whom had lost their families, their hopes and their faith because of the Guardians. Some had watched as Green Lanterns had failed in their sacred duties to protect them... others had seen their pleas for help ignored time and again.

Doranchatok took his sister's hand in his. "Today... the evil dies!"

OA

Hawkman and Hawkwoman stood inside the Guardian's grand citadel, staring out the window at the rapidly changing landscape. Both of them had removed their helmets, but remained clad in their Wingman uniforms. Before them, the young Guardians -- children of the old Guardians of the Universe and their Zamaron mates -- were terraforming OA, creating a near-perfect replica of their ancestral home.

"What do you think, Peacock? Is this the dawning of a new era of peace or the beginning of the end?"

Katar Hol glanced towards Shayera Thal, a smile playing across his face. Shayera once again took note of Katar's smooth, handsome features and marveled. There was no trace of the Hawk-God or the other Avatars any longer. "I'm not sure, yet. The Guardians and the Corps did a lot of good... but I'm a little concerned to see Hal Jordan again, especially with a Guardian's power level."

"Ditto." Hawkwoman moved over to her mate's side, putting an arm around his waist. "It's good to have you back. When you were the Avatar... I missed you. I'd grown kind of used to having you around and then -- poof! -- no more Peacock."

Katar looked at her with devotion, the depth of his emotion having only been enhanced since meeting his Earth-One counterpart. "I'll never leave you again. Ever."

Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of a man clearing his voice. Hal Jordan stood in the doorway, still looking serene with his blue skin and red robes. The shock of white hair atop his head was easier to accept than the change in skin color -- Hal had been going prematurely gray for years before his stint as Parallax. "Sorry to interrupt, but the other Guardians want to invite you a meeting. Given your status as heroes on Earth, we think you'd made perfect ambassadors for us."

Hawkwoman bristled. "Perfect pawns you mean? No thanks, Parallax. Why not call in the real Green Lantern of Earth? Afraid he'd see you as the fraud you are?"

Hal shook his head, not looking the least bit offended. "Kyle's already been summoned. Shayera... I understand your hesitance. I made a lot of mistakes. But I think once you've heard the full story, you'll see that I wasn't quite myself when I became Parallax."

Hawkman answered before Shayera could make another angry response. "We're ready to listen." He squeezed Shayera's shoulder before reaching for his helmet. Shayera followed, obviously not trusting Hal any further than she could throw him. Out of the corner of his mouth, Katar whispered, "Keep your head, Shayera. And no mentioning of Doranchatok -- whoever he is, we have no idea how the Guardians will react to the news that he might still be around."

Hawkwoman nodded, her lips pursed. Fine. We'll play it your way, Peacock. But if Jordan there tries to pull another Zero Hour stunt... I'll be the first to stick in a bullet in him.

The grand chamber was filled with Guardians and Zamarons. The women, all wearing the warrior garb of their race, lined the exterior exits and entrances, serving as an honor guard. The men, shorter and blue in skin color, stood side-by-side on a raised dais. Their smooth, youthful faces were full of good will. "Welcome, Katar Hol and Shayera Thal. You have arrived on a most auspicious day -- the rebirth of our birthright."

"Forgive us if we don't share your enthusiasm, Guardian. One of your current number tried to destroy the universe." Kyle Rayner and his current lover, the heroine known as Jade, both stood at the side. Their Green Lantern rings flashed periodically, filled with renewed energy in the presence of the Guardians.

The Guardian who had first spoken nodded. "Quite understandable. Our fathers were sometimes accused of being too reticent when it came to revealing information. We do not plan on making such mistakes. Guardian Jordan, please explain to the Thanagarians."

Hal moved forward slightly, towering over the other Guardians. "Thank you, Nalhartin. Several years ago I encountered a being named Malvolio. He was insane, with plans for galactic conquest. I was able to defeat him, but not before my power ring had been destroyed. I had to take his... and unknowingly, I allowed him to begin subtly influencing my behavior. His spirit lived on in the ring... and, when my mental state reached its thinnest, he pushed me over the brink. I suspect that he eventually wanted to take control of me entirely, but even during my Parallax phase, I maintained some semblance of my old self. When I sacrificed myself to stop the Sun-Eater, I thought I'd finally found my peace... until I woke up, in a strange new dimension."

Nalhartin broke into the discourse, furthering the tale. "My fellow Guardians and I were still safe with our Zamoran parents... but we never turned a blind eye to the universe our fathers had protected for so long. We saw Hal Jordan's fall from grace and watched with sorrowful hearts as he finally redeemed himself. At the moment of his death, when his form became pure energy and left behind the restraints of the flesh, we called him to us. By this time, seeing how the universe needed us, we had used our powers to prematurely age ourselves into young adulthood. Our goals were simple -- we wished to return to our native universe and rebuild the Corps... but we needed to avoid the mistakes of the past. Hal Jordan, a good man driven to a bad end by one of our fathers' greatest failures, will serve as our -- for lack of a better term -- 'human conscience.' He shall make sure that we never grow too cold, too complacent."

Hal nodded. "Yes... For the first time in so long... I'm whole. I'm composed of the same emerald energy that powers the rest of the Guardians and I suppose I'm functionally immortal. Having that kind of perspective on life makes me realize how futile my Malvolio-inspired attempts to bring back Coast City really were."

"So... what about Malvolio?" Kyle Rayner held Jade's hand in his, obviously feeling a bit out of place amongst the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Guardians' return. "If he was existing as energy inside the ring, is he still out there somewhere?"

"He has been dealt with, Kyle Rayner."

The current Green Lantern of Earth whirled about to see Ganthet, dressed in a red jacket and slacks, moving forward. "Ganthet...? I was wondering where you were in all this."

Ganthet looked around the room, his heart obviously swelling with pride. "Welcome home. All of you."

Nalhartin returned the greeting, looking back at Kyle Rayner. "And have no fear, Green Lantern of Sector 2814... We have no plans to retire you from service. In fact, you and your partner shall be the vanguard of a newly rebuilt Corps, made up of returning members of the old service and news ones that we shall select in coming weeks."

Hawkman spoke up for the first time, having been content until now to let the Guardians explain themselves. "Your return resulted in the deaths of members of a Thanagarian vessel and L.E.G.I.O.N.aires."

Hal's faced darkened. "The L.E.G.I.O.N. deaths weren't our fault -- they were killed by the Thanagarians. As for the members of your race, their deaths are attributable to us. Our return to this universe flooded the nearby area with radiation and was too much for them to bear."

Before Katar could respond, everyone in the room felt the ground tremble beneath their feet. A moment later, the booming sounds of an explosion nearly deafened them. A Zamaron guard cried out, "We are under attack! One of them bears a Green Lantern ring!"

Hawkwoman jumped into the air, flying towards a window. "Katar! There's dozens of ships coming in -- all different makes and types -- along wwith a girl armed with a GL ring! And the guy leading them is Doranchatok!"

Nalhartin looked blank. "Who is this Doranchatok?"

Ganthet shook his head wearily. "A child cursed to live with the knowledge of his parents' failure and sins. They uncovered an old secret that the Guardians had kept under wraps for centuries. His father died in a mad attempt to change history. I'm afraid this only further unhinged Doranchatok and his sister's minds."

"Well, let's start the defense then. I don't know what they want but--" Hal Jordan, moving forward, felt Nalhartin's hand on his arm. "What?"

"You are a Guardian now. Not a Green Lantern. Have faith in our defenders and we of the Guardians will step into the fray if needed."

Hal hesitated, feeling a war within himself. In the end, however, he nodded towards Kyle and Jade. "You heard the man. Go to it."

Hawkman held up a hand to hold everyone in place. "We'll help you," he said, ignoring Shayer's stare, "But only because I believe your story about Malvolio. In the future, I hope the Wingmen of Earth and the new Green Lantern Corps can be allies."

Nalhartin nodded. "Of course. Feel free to call upon us as needed."

Katar nearly lost his footing, holding onto a railing as another explosion rocked the building. "Jade! GL! Outside now -- you're best suited to taking care of those ships out there. Shayera and I will deal with Doranchatok and the girl!"

Jade hesitated before nodding. She didn't immediately know why Katar was in charge, but there was a note in his voice that suggested that he didn't have the time to argue the matter -- besides, she reasoned, he sounded like a born leader. "You ready, GL?"

Kyle nodded. "As I'll ever be. Come on. Let's kick some alien bootie."

Hawkman felt the familiar sense of peace wash over him as he took to the air, Shayera at his side. It felt a bit strange to fly with Nth metal and artificial wings again, but the feeling of air rushing past him and the sense of adrenaline flooding his body was at once terrifying and uplifting.

On the ground, he was a dreamer -- an idealist constantly forced to recognize the frailties of human and Thanagarian societies.

But in the air...

In the air, he was the Hawkman.

"Peacock, are you smiling?" Shayera's shocked voice came to him over their helmet communicators. "I have to admit, I like the way you're building contacts for the Wingmen. L.E.G.I.O.N., the Justice Squadron, now the Corps... we'll be even more effective this way."

"That's what I'm hoping -- be careful, Shay. These kids are dangerous." Hawkman raised his Thanagarian pistol and fired. The Green Lanterns -- Kyle Rayner and Jade -- were using their power rings to deal with most of the attacking ships, but the most dangerous threats were Doranchatok and his sister, each of whom were destroying all that the Guardians had just rebuilt. Katar's blast struck Doranchatok's green force field, richocheting off harmlessly. It served to get the man's attention, however.

"What are you doing, Thanagarian? This isn't your fight... and even if it were, you're on the wrong side! The Guardians stand for a lie, a lie of their own omnipotence. They seek to dominate and control -- and your people will have to fall in line or risk losing their favor."

Hawkman holstered his gun, drawing forth his katar blade. He swooped in low, slashing out with his weapon. Once again, the attack did no damage -- but Katar had seen enough of the lad to know that he had trouble both attacking and defending at once. If I can keep him busy long enough, the Lanterns can deal with his invasion force and then help me stop Doranchatok. "I think they deserve the opportunity to prove themselves, boy."

"Go to hell. They've had millenia to do that -- and all they've accomplished is a pack of lies about their own origins and the lives of my parents!" Doranchatok raised both hands, momentarily dropping his force field. The emerald blast pounded into Hawkman, sending him rocketing back.

Hawkwoman froze in mid-air, watching as her lover hurtled towards the ground. Before she could dive after him, however, a green fist materialized about her.

"You should pay more attention to your enemies," laughed Darthartheen as she flew towards Shayera. "If your boyfriend is stupid enought to challenge my brother, then he deserves whatever he gets."

Shayera cursed before suddenly bolting free of the emerald grip. Darthartheen looked on in surprise until she saw that Shayera's gloves had been dipped in some sort of yellow powder. "Stupid, preening little girl -- all Thanagarians were trained in fighting the Corps." She raised her rifle, thumbing the power setting to its highest. A beam of yellow force shot out, cutting a thin hole right through the madwoman's shoulder.

Doranchatok looked away from the falling Hawkman when he heard his sister's cry of pain. He charged up for another assault, this time aimed at Hawkwoman. In that instant, Katar fought to clear his mind. Cobwebs seemed to cling to his every thought, making his movements slow and erratic. Even so, he brought his fall to a halt and aimed his katar blade at Doranchatok. He can't keep his force field up when he makes those kinds of attacks. All it will take is one good shot.... Please, Shayera, don't let him hit you.

Doranchatok roared, "You're all fools! Look around you! Even if we fail today, we've damaged their precious citadel -- we've shown the galaxy that not all of us will herald their return with praise and rejoicing! Some of us know the truth!"

Hawkwoman saw the emerald fireball shoot towards her and she banked as hard as she could, completing a full roll in the air that allowed her to narrowly miss being blasted to bits. At that very second, Hawkman threw his blade. Its mark was true and it embedded itself deeply in Doranchatok's side. Blood sprayed into the air as the wound began to open.

"Are you okay?" Jade flew towards Hawkman, looking at him with concern. His uniform was torn in places, revealing cuts and bruises. "Most of the ships are down -- they used a variety of yellow defenses, but Kyle's ring doesn't have the old ineffectiveness to that color, so it didn't matter."

"I'm fine... any injuries amongst the Guardians?"

Jade glanced down to see the Guardians and Zamarons watching the dwindling conflict. "Nope." The green-skinned heroine stared at Doranchatok and Darthartheen, who hovered nearby, each nursing their wounds. "Looks like the only problems left are the twins."

Hawkman waited until Kyle and Shayera had joined them before he flew forward. "It's over. Whatever complaints you have with the Guardians... You're not going to solve them through force."

Darthartheen, her withered hand cupped over her shoulder, sneered at them. "If you knew the depths of their treachery, you wouldn't defend them."

"We're not defending them, bitch. We're telling you that you need to find some other way of amusing yourself besides attacking them," snarled Hawkwoman.

Doranchatok shook his head. "There can be no compromise. Not until the Guardians admit their treachery."

"Then we will."

Hal Jordan, the newest of the Guardians, floated between the siblings and their foes. "I was there when Ganthet revealed the truth -- that the Guardians' past was a lie, that they were born in just as much sin and violence as the rest of the galaxy's races. I also know that Krona's experiment did not unleash entropy into the universe -- it was the actions of your own parents, via a time paradox."

Doranchatok stared at him blankly. "And you would share this... with the universe?"

"Yes. These are not the same Guardians. They have seen the folly of trying to pretend omnipotence."

Hawkman could see the uncertainty in Doranchatok's face, the warring of emotions within. He started to speak, hoping to sway him towards the side of reconciliation, when he noticed a strange yellow glow began to surround Darthartheen. The girl stared at it in mute astonishment and Katar knew immediately that this was not part of their plan. "Darthartheen! Hold onto me!" The Thanagarian threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around the girl. Whatever was happening to her, whatever strange attack this was, he would not allow her to face it alone.

In the wink of an eye, they were taken elsewhere.

Gone were the Guardians, OA and Shayera Thal.

In their place was the mechanized interior of an alien vessel.

Hawkman and Darthartheen stood, arms wrapped in an uncomfortable embrace, in the center of a Qwardian vessel. The commander of this group, dressed in dull brown and yellow, stared at them with huge, inhuman eyes. He ignored Hawkman, instead offering a hand to Darthartheen. "Welcome to the Anti-Matter Universe of Qward."

Darthartheen stared at him with suspicion. "Why am I here?"

A thin smile passed over the Qwardian's face, making Katar frown with concern. "Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Next Issue : Emerald Wings continues as Hawkman finds himself in the Anti-Matter Universe! Can he survive the infamous Crime Syndicate of Amerika?!

AUTHOR'S NOTES

This week saw the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. It's a scary world, folks. Makes me appreciate spending time in this little fantasy realms all the more. I hope I've provided you with a little bit of escapist fun.

Darthartheen and her brother, along with their origin involving the Guardian's "lies," can be found in Green Lantern: Ganthet's Tale, which was written by Larry Niven and drawn by John Byrne. You should be able to find it in the back issue bin of your local comics shop.

If you want to see more of Hal and the new Guardians, please let myself and Tim Hartin (DCL founder and EiC) know -- maybe there's room for a Tales of the Green Lantern Corps series at DCL somehow. In the meantime, they'll be around for the rest of the current storyline. Those of you on the DC Legends mailing list will note that "Emerald Wings" was scheduled to run in issues 5 & 6... Well, it grew. It's going to last a bit longer. :-)

Let me know what you think,

Barry Reese