"I don't understand. You listened to a human over me!" Sinestro roared.
"Mr. Morin is powerful. His advice is useful," a Guardian said calmly, looking down at him. "And we still haven't punished you for leading those Lanterns to their deaths against Parallax."
"That's because I didn't bring enough people!" Sinestro snapped. Images of Parallax crushing them effortlessly flashed through his mind. "It's too powerful. It counters will itself! I needed to know its origin. You knew. Abin Sur knew. But you refused to tell me. Why?"
The Guardians fell silent.
Their gazes shifted toward a shattered pillar nearby.
After a long pause, one of them spoke.
"Willpower was our only weapon. But not everyone possesses an unbreakable will. After catastrophic losses, someone proposed an alternative energy source. One we swore never to use."
"...Fear."
"But fear is unstable," the Guardian continued. "One among us disagreed. He entered the sealed Vault of Fear, convinced it could be controlled. He wished to prove us wrong."
"He was wrong," the Guardian said flatly. "He became the demon he sought to destroy."
"...Parallax," Sinestro said quietly. "A Guardian."
"We sent Abin Sur to imprison him," the Guardian said. "He failed."
"And now Parallax is coming for Oa," Sinestro added.
Silence followed.
"So what now?" Sinestro demanded. "We rely on a human?"
"Mr. Morin is the strongest being we've encountered aside from a Kryptonian," the Guardian replied. "With his assistance, the Corps may prevail."
"We cannot place the future of the Corps in an outsider's hands!" Sinestro shouted. "We need our own solution."
His eyes burned.
"We must forge a Ring of Fear."
"It's beautiful."
Hal walked up beside Carol Ferris, champagne glass in hand. Carol-his childhood friend and the daughter of Ferris Aircraft's CEO-was admiring a hovering drone display.
"It is," Carol said with a smile.
"I meant your dress," Hal added quickly. "And... you."
"Your leather jacket is passable," Carol replied. "Too bad that's all you've got."
"That's it?" Hal protested. "Not even 'you look handsome'?"
"I never said you were wrong during the test," Carol replied calmly. "I just don't think you're handsome. Thanks."
"...Right." Hal coughed and changed topics. "So how'd you land the contract?"
"I convinced them it was your reckless flying, not the aircraft," Carol said proudly. "We raised the flight ceiling. Problem solved."
Not far away, Hector Hammond watched them.
And listened.
He realized he could hear thoughts.
Power surged through him.
In his mind, he was superior now. Carol had clearly chosen Hal over him. In every possible way-appearance, talent, confidence-he was being crushed.
碾压.
"I'll make them fear me," Hector thought.
His gaze shifted to Senator Hammond, his father, who didn't spare him a glance. Hector felt the disappointment. The disdain.
"I'll make you pay."
As his father boarded a helicopter, Hector focused. A water pipe burst nearby. The sudden pressure launched a metal fragment into the tail rotor.
The helicopter spun wildly.
Screams erupted.
Hector laughed.
"I am the master of all! Hahaha!"
Hal ran off immediately. He didn't want to be recognized. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman-all of them kept their identities secret. He wasn't about to be sloppy.
The ring activated.
Green light wrapped around him.
He shot into the sky.
The helicopter skidded across the ground, its main rotor spinning like a scythe. Carol was directly in its path, her ankle twisted.
Hal acted instantly.
A green shield enveloped her. A ramp formed. Then a massive truck construct slammed into place, stopping the helicopter cold.
Everyone was safe.
Hal handed Carol back to her father.
Then he flew away.
Carol watched his retreating figure, stunned.
What is he doing?
Why is he acting like a professional by staying silent?
Does he really think that tiny mask hides his face?
Everyone can tell it's him.
Several reporters had captured everything on camera.
This was front-page news.
"Master Wayne, you should see this," Alfred said, setting a tablet down.
"What's with the green suit?" Bruce commented flatly. "Awful taste."
"A unique hobby, perhaps," Alfred replied.
On the screen, Hal Jordan glowed emerald as he flew through the night.
Bruce nearly slid the tablet away, half-concerned the green light might stain his black suit.
"A new hero..." Bruce murmured. "Could this be related to that Fear Energy?"
He picked up his phone.
"Morin," Bruce said, "do you know a kid who flies around in green?"
Chapter 23: A Hunger for Fear
"The one in green?" Morin asked. "Wearing a stupid mask?"
"Yes. You know him?"
"Hal Jordan. A pilot chosen by the Green Lantern Corps," Morin replied. "What did he do?"
"He saved a helicopter. And a girl," Bruce said. "Is he connected to Fear Energy?"
"Possibly. I'm heading back. You coming? Meet me there."
"I'm going," Bruce said, ending the call.
He leaned back, eyes narrowing.
If it's energy, it can be used.
Controlling my fear... instilling fear in my enemies...
Can I use it?
"Green Lantern..." Jor-El said thoughtfully inside the ship. "And Fear Energy?"
"Yes," Morin replied, already standing. "I need to return."
"Clark can assist," Jor-El said calmly. "Real combat is the best training."
"Agreed," Morin said.
At the same time, in Coast City, Hector Hammond screamed.
Pain tore through his skull as something inside split and expanded. His head swelled grotesquely.
Far away in space, Parallax sensed it.
Fear.
It altered its course toward Earth.
A new Green Lantern. A planet rich in fear.
It would prove its superiority over Abin Sur.
A command was sent.
Find the Lantern. Destroy him.
"Any way to locate it?" Bruce asked as he arrived on a Coast City beach, swallowing a pill to recover from the energy drain of teleportation.
"I can," Morin said, landing beside him.
"What exactly is the enemy?" Clark asked as he touched down lightly. His control was far better now. "An emotion?"
"Yes," Morin said simply. "Fear."
He called Hal.
At that moment, Hal was being lectured by Carol.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" she snapped. "I've seen you naked! I know how long your-whatever is! You think a mask hides you?"
"My bad," Hal said, removing it.
"Why are you green? Why the tight suit? Why the stupid mask?" Carol continued relentlessly.
"It's a set-wait," Hal said. "Where's your phone?"
"I'll explain later!" He answered the call.
"Hey, Hal," Morin said. "How's the hero business?"
"Good... you saw that?"
"Hard to miss all the green. How did the helicopter crash?"
"A pipe burst. Water pressure. Hit the tail rotor. Why?"
"You think a pipe just bursts and hits a helicopter by coincidence?" Morin said flatly. "Someone's committing murder. Using Fear Energy."
"Meet us in an open area. We're on our way."
"...Okay." Hal flew up to Carol's roof. "Ready."
Morin sensed Hal.
And the malice nearby.
Hector Hammond was waiting. He planned to grab Carol once Hal left.
He didn't realize he'd already been found.
"The Fear Energy is close," Morin sent the coordinates. "I'm moving. You two coming?"
He vanished.
"Uncle Bruce," Clark asked, "why aren't you teleporting?"
"I'll go in a moment," Bruce said evenly. "To surprise the enemy."
A lie.
"Got it!" Clark took off with a sonic boom.
Bruce stared upward.
"...I'm out of juice."
You think I don't want to teleport? If I go now, I'm just delivering myself.
He swallowed more pills.
Only then did he teleport.
"What are you-" Carol began, then stopped as a beam of light cut through the air.
"Hello, Hal," Morin said. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Ferris."
"Hi..." Carol was stunned. First Hal flew. Now this.
"I'm here too!" Clark landed.
"You're Superman?!" Hal lit up.
"Call me Clark."
"Where's Bruce?" Morin asked.
"He said he'd be late," Clark replied. "To surprise the enemy."
"Heh," Morin said. "More like he's too exhausted to teleport."
"Stop talking about me," Bruce said, stepping out of another beam of light.
Morin glanced over. "Walk a few steps. Let me see."
Bruce: "..."
I've had enough of you.
"You're Batman!" Hal rushed over. "I'm a huge fan!"
"...Thanks," Bruce said, leaning back slightly.
So much green... this suit's going to stain.
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