Green Lantern's Blight!

Green Lantern's Blight

Time: 1702 AA / 1818 AD

Location: Orbit of Stupendous McAwesomeface III

The black void where the breach had been was finally still, but that didn't mean I felt any peace. The parasite was gone, sure. For now. But the ripple effect of its intrusion wasn't over. The universe had noticed me. And the last thing I wanted was attention.

I floated in place, staring at the now-empty patch of space, my fists clenched so tightly my knuckles ached. The emerald glow from my Ring flickered, matching my state of mind: unsettled, calculating, and a little pissed off.

Sul-Da and Thala hovered beside me, their expressions a mix of relief and unease.

"We stopped it," Thala said, her voice tight, trying to convince herself as much as me.

"For now," I replied, the words tasting bitter. I shook my head. "We didn't stop the problem, Thala. We just swatted a fly. There's a whole infestation somewhere out there, and they know we exist."

Sul-Da swallowed hard. "Then we'll be ready when they come back."

I let out a humorless chuckle. The kid's spirit was admirable, but spirit wasn't going to keep us alive. Preparation, ruthlessness, and a willingness to cross lines others wouldn't—that's what kept you alive in a universe filled with cosmic horrors.

"We need to do more than be ready," I snapped, the irritation bleeding through. "We need to make sure they don't come back in the first place."

Thala raised an eyebrow. "You're talking about offense."

I met her gaze, my eyes cold. "Exactly. Defense only gets you so far. We need to make it clear that any threat to my Sector—our Sector—is a mistake they won't live long enough to repeat."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "And what does that mean, Michael? Waging war on something we don't understand? Inviting more danger?"

I shrugged. "Danger's already here. I'm just making sure we survive it."

Sul-Da frowned. "But how do we find them? The breach is gone."

"Yeah, but the breach left traces. Even sealed, it left fingerprints in the fabric of reality." I raised my hand, and the Ring projected a shimmering map of Sector 3601. Threads of residual energy crisscrossed the display like veins of black lightning.

++ Analysis complete. Dark energy trails lead beyond the boundaries of local space. Anomalous energy signature detected in the Void Between Galaxies. ++

"There," I said, pointing to the heart of the display. "The source is out there, in the Void."

Sul-Da's eyes widened. "The Void Between Galaxies? Isn't that… dangerous?"

I smirked. "Everything worthwhile is dangerous, kid."

Thala crossed her arms. "The Void isn't just dangerous. It's a dead zone. No stars, no planets, no life. If something's hiding out there, it means they want to be hidden."

"Then we'll flush them out," I said flatly.

I turned and began flying back toward Stupendous McAwesomeface III, my mind already calculating the next steps. Behind me, Thala and Sul-Da followed, their uncertainty trailing them like shadows.

Time: One Hour Later

Location: Control Chamber, Stupendous McAwesomeface III

The control chamber was a sprawling, high-ceilinged room filled with green holographic displays. The walls were lined with crystalline panels pulsing with energy. In the center, a circular platform projected a 3D map of the Void Between Galaxies, an expanse of utter darkness that stretched for millions of light-years.

I hovered above the platform, studying the map. The residual energy trail twisted through the void like a scar, pointing toward a region so dark and empty it looked like the universe itself had given up on it.

The others were gathered behind me: Thala, Sul-Da, and the rest of the kids. Their eyes flicked between me and the ominous void on the map.

"All right, listen up," I said, my voice cold and even. "We're heading into the Void. Something out there tried to breach our Sector, and I'm not waiting for them to get a second shot."

Sul-Da stepped forward, his hands clenched. "We're going with you."

I shook my head. "No. This isn't a field trip. I'm going alone."

"No!" Sul-Da's eyes blazed with determination. "We can help!"

"Help?" I let out a dry laugh. "You barely survived the last fight, kid. I'm not dragging you into the dark so you can get torn apart by something we don't understand."

Thala's voice was tight. "They're not just kids anymore, Michael. They've trained. They've fought. You can't keep them locked away forever."

I turned to face her, my eyes narrowing. "This isn't about training. It's about survival. My survival. Our survival. And I'm not risking everything I've built because someone wants to play hero."

Thala's jaw clenched. "You're not the only one with something to lose."

I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "No, but I'm the one who's kept us safe for centuries. I didn't do that by being sentimental. I did it by making hard choices. This is one of them."

Sul-Da's eyes filled with frustration, but he didn't argue. He knew he couldn't win.

I turned back to the map. "I'll go in, find out who or what's out there, and deal with it. If I need backup, I'll call you. Until then, you stay here and keep our home safe."

Thala's eyes softened just a fraction. "And if you don't come back?"

I smirked. "Then you'll know it wasn't worth the risk."

Time: Two Hours Later

Location: The Void Between Galaxies

The Void was worse than I'd expected.

It wasn't just empty—it was hungry. The absence of stars, planets, or even dust made it feel like space itself had been hollowed out. My Ring's glow seemed feeble here, swallowed by the oppressive blackness.

I pushed forward, the energy trail guiding me like a beacon. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, to leave this place to its emptiness. But I ignored them. This was about control. My control. If I let fear dictate my actions, everything I'd built was for nothing.

Suddenly, the Ring flared.

++ Warning: Massive energy signature detected ahead. Source unknown. ++

A structure loomed out of the darkness. A massive, jagged fortress floating in the void, its surface a swirling mass of dark energy and obsidian spires. Pulsing veins of purple light threaded through its walls, like it was alive.

My gut twisted. This wasn't just a hideout. This was a stronghold.

A deep, vibrating voice echoed in my mind, cold and ancient.

"You've come far, Lantern. But this is where your journey ends."

Tendrils of shadow erupted from the fortress, shooting toward me like spears.

I smiled, cold and sharp.

"Bring it on."

Green energy flared, and the darkness closed in.