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APOKOLIPS -
Darkseid sat unmoving upon his throne.
He was waiting.
DeSaad approached from the shadows, his elongated frame bowed low, fingers clasped together in reverence. His smile came easily tonight, thin, sharp and delighted.
"My lord," DeSaad began softly, savoring each word, "we have… developments."
Darkseid's eyes did not shift.
"Speak."
DeSaad inclined his head. "The Czarnian. Lobo." A pause, deliberate. "He has abandoned his mission."
That earned a reaction.
Not visible rage. Not surprise.
"He lives," DeSaad continued. "The shadowed Earthling survives. More than that, he grows. Rapidly."
Darkseid rose.
Stone groaned beneath his feet as he stood, tall, "So," Darkseid rumbled, "even the last son of Czarnia proved… insufficient, again."
DeSaad licked his lips. "It would appear so, my lord. The Earthling's power no longer progresses linearly. It accumulates. Evolves and adapts." His eyes gleamed. "At this point, he poses a threat greater than the Kryptonian."
That made Darkseid turn.
Slowly.
His eyes, locked onto DeSaad. For a moment, the torturer feared he had overstepped.
Then Darkseid spoke.
"I know."
The word echoed.
"He is not simple," Darkseid continued. "Earth is truly a troublesome planet." His hands clenched, stone cracking beneath his grip. "He is an anomaly I did not account for."
DeSaad's smile widened. "There is more."
Darkseid's gaze sharpened. "Go on."
"There has been… movement," DeSaad said carefully. "Reverent tremors along the emotional spectrum. Concentrated."
Darkseid did not need clarification.
"Oa," he said.
"Yes," DeSaad confirmed eagerly. "They are also very active but there is another presence now. Qward." His voice dropped, reverent. "The Shadow Lanterns."
Darkseid's eyes narrowed.
"No longer wraiths," DeSaad went on. "No longer just ghosts. They are alive, my lord." A quiet laugh escaped him. "Much like the Green Lanterns… but these ones feel much stronger."
Silence fell.
Then
"He is dangerous," Darkseid said.
Not as an opinion.
As a verdict.
"An anomaly," he continued, "that spreads, builds and inspires loyalty." His eyes glowed faintly red. "That is a threat to Apokolips that we have to deal with by any means necessary."
DeSaad leaned forward slightly. "Shall I dispatch more assassins?"
Darkseid turned back toward the abyss of Apokolips' horizon.
"No."
"Assassins are tools for mortals," Darkseid said. "They fail because they seek death." His voice deepened. "He is no mere mortal, so this requires dominion."
He paused.
"I have a plan."
DeSaad's spine straightened immediately, delight flashing across his twisted features. "As always, Lord Darkseid, your foresight eclipses all. Whom shall we send?"
Darkseid's eyes ignited fully now, crimson Omega-fire simmering beneath his lids.
"One we already have on Earth."
DeSaad froze.
Then realization dawned.
A slow, terrible smile spread across his face.
"Ah…" he breathed. "Of course."
Darkseid's voice dropped, heavy with inevitability.
"My daughter."
The word carried no affection, only ownership.
****
OA – HALL OF THE GUARDIANS
Within that sanctum, Arthur Blackwynd hovered effortlessly, he floated at eye level with the Guardians themselves, neither above nor below, an unspoken courtesy. His dark armor caught the emerald light and bent it into deeper hues, violet shadows sliding across its surface. His ashen-white hair drifted as if touched by a wind no one else could feel. Violet eyes, sharp and calm, regarded beings who had watched the universe for billions of years.
For once, the Guardians did not look down on the one before them.
"Welcome," one of them said, voice layered, multiple tones speaking as one.
"Shadow Lantern. Arthur Blackwynd of Earth."
Arthur inclined his head slightly, not a bow, but a respectful acknowledgment.
"Guardians of Oa," he replied evenly. "Thank you for receiving me."
Another Guardian spoke, their glow shifting subtly. "We have observed your actions on Qward. Specifically… your modification of the Shadow Central Power Battery."
A faint smile touched Arthur's lips.
"Reducing its absorption rate was a necessary correction," he said. "I never intended to compromise the Green Lantern Corps, or interfere with its mandate." His eyes softened, just slightly. "Balance matters. I wouldn't sabotage it for my own gain."
A low murmur passed between the Guardians.
"You have shown restraint," one of them admitted. "That restraint prevented destabilization across the Emotional Spectrum, which have been an issue for some time now."
Arthur shrugged lightly. "I consider that a bare minimum."
He folded his arms behind his back, drifting a fraction closer before stopping himself, aware, always aware, of boundaries.
"My purpose here is simple," he continued. "I wish for cooperation. Not integration." His gaze sharpened. "The Green Lanterns should not operate in close proximity to Shadow Lanterns. The nature of our power would weaken them over time, and we don't want that."
The Guardians listened, silent, unblinking.
"What I propose," Arthur went on, "is collaboration through information, intelligence, and coordinated objectives. Parallel paths. Shared warnings."
He gestured faintly, the air rippling as if acknowledging the thought.
"There are evils in this universe that wait for chaos," he said quietly. "They thrive on disorder, on hesitation. Oa is not immune to that truth." His eyes lifted, meeting theirs. "That is why Nyx and Oa must stand aware of one another."
A Guardian spoke after a pause.
"What threats do you foresee?"
Arthur did not hesitate.
"Many," he said simply. Then, after a beat, "Darkseid."
The name carried weight even here.
"We are aware of Darkseid," another Guardian replied. "His atrocities are well documented. Yet he has never dared to attack Oa directly. He understands the power of the Lantern Corps."
Arthur's smile returned, this one sharper.
"You mean he hasn't dared yet," he said. "Darkseid is patient. That's what makes him very dangerous."
He slowly descended, boots touching the luminous floor without a sound.
"But that particular problem," Arthur added, turning slightly as he began to walk, "is mine."
The Guardians exchanged a look something rare for beings so controlled.
Finally, they spoke as one.
"The Green Lantern Corps will aid you in any capacity you request. Your purpose is… noble. And righteous."
Arthur stopped. Turned. Inclined his head once more.
"You have my thanks."
He left the Hall without ceremony.
Outside, beneath Oa's endless green sky, three familiar figures waited.
Hal Jordan leaned against a railing, arms crossed, grin already forming. John Stewart stood beside him, composed as ever, while Kilowog loomed behind them, arms folded.
Hal was the first to speak.
"Y'know," he said, smirking, "I don't think I've ever seen the Guardians that polite. Guess miracles really do happen."
Arthur glanced at him. "Everyone matures eventually," he said dryly. "Even beings who've lived for a billion years."
That earned a chuckle from Hal, from Kilowog, even a faint smile from John.
Hal's expression shifted, just a little more serious. "What you said back there… all true?" He scratched the back of his neck. "You really think that bastard's gonna make a move?"
Arthur met his eyes. "He will."
There was no drama in his tone.
"He's afraid of me, as much as the Guardians." Arthur continued calmly. "And fear makes Darkseid dangerous, more so than he already is. He'll try everything he can to erase me."
Hal whistled softly. "That's… comforting. In a terrifying sort of way."
Arthur shrugged. "It's not a big deal."
Hal blinked. "You and I have very different definitions of 'big deal.'"
A corner of Arthur's mouth lifted. "The so-called big bad of the universe will soon realize what he is dealing with."
Hal raised a finger. "Careful, Arthur. Darkseid's not simple."
Arthur looked at him, really looked.
Said nothing.
Hal sighed. "Okay, okay. Not saying you're simple. Just.. he's evil evil. Capital E."
"I know what you mean Hal," Arthur replied.
"I should return home," Arthur said at last.
John nodded. "You're always welcome here Arthur, and we shall keep an eye out."
Kilowog grunted. "I know that we will work together with your wraith like lanterns but just don't turn Oa into a shadow planet, poozor."
Arthur smiled faintly. "I can't promise that."
Hal grinned.
Arthur stepped back and the light around him dimmed.
Shadows folded inward, wrapping around his form like a closing curtain. For a moment, only faint violet afterimages remained.
Then nothing.
John stared at the empty space. "…Man. I have to admit, he gives me the chills."
Hal exhaled slowly. "Happy to say that I don't, but that would be a lie."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want