21"Normal Speech"
"Ring Speech."
"Justus and Techniques"
"Tailed Beast or Monster Speech"
AN: How's it going ladies and gentleman, hope everyone is having a fine day today. Not much to say but I hope you enjoy the ride! Enjoy!
Space, the final frontier. At least that was what most humans thought when they looked to the stars. It was the introduction of superheroes like Superman and Martian Manhunter that showed humans were not all alone in the universe. One of those humans was Hal Jordan. He wasn't anyone special, father died in a flying accident, his family became distant, and joined the military at age 18 to get away and be a pilot just like his father. And one day, working for a private flight company, he's taken to a crashed alien ship and told by some ring and said dying alien that he has the ability to overcome great fear. That day changed his life. Now he was apart of the Green Lantern Corps, the police force made by the Guardians of the Universe to maintain order throughout the 3600 sectors of the universe the Guardians held control. He had been through a lot, loved, lost, died, but even he, Hal Jordan, the greatest Green Lantern couldn't imagine what to do when he was told by the Guardians about something called Cataclysm.
"What the hell do you mean that you can't do anything?" Hal stood in front of the Guardians tribunal, thinking back to how many times he had stood there before. His normally brown hair was now greying, similar to when he had been possessed by Parallax. He was a long way from his 30's, but that didn't mean he was any less of a warrior.
"What we mean is that this is out of our power, we recommend you go home, Hal Jordan. Spend time with your wife and your family, we have dismissed all the Lanterns except for you." Hal couldn't believe this, the Guardians, giving up? Impossible, yet here they were, seemingly ready to die.
"Alright… I'll be going then. It's been nice knowing you all."
"To you as well Hal Jordan." Hal let his ring flare-up, lifting off the ground and leaving the chamber. As he approached Oa's atmosphere he frowned to himself, was there really nothing they could do? Was the universe really meant to just die? 'No.' he thought to himself, 'I can't let this happen.'
2 Hours Later
Flying towards Earth, Hal's mind raced. Just where was the Cataclysm going to start? Why was it happening now? Why couldn't a few godlike beings do anything about it? Checking his ring's navigation, he was surprised to see a message from the Ganthet.
"What do you want Ganthet, I thought you and the Guardians had already given up on trying to save the universe?"
Even though it was a hologram, Hal could still see the sad look on Ganthet's face. "I know you are not pleased Hal Jordan, and it saddens me that our last interaction should be like this. But I've only messaged you to in order to inform you that many of your fellow Lanterns have deactivated their rings. If not to be with family, then to find peace. As of right now, only you maintain the connection to your ring. I say this as not only a friend but as someone who has lived for millennia, find peace within yourself, Hal." and just like that he was gone, leaving the Green Lantern flying through space in silence. Flying past Mars, Hal did his best not to linger on the beauty of his planet.
'It'll be easier this way, saying goodbye to it all.' Hal thought to himself, conjuring a simple construct of his family.
"Carol, what did I ever do to deserve you." Hal stretched out his hand and caressed her green cheek, the construct leaning into his hand with a smile. Hal shifted his eyes towards his two children, young but strong. Carol Jr. and Martin. However, his mourning was cut short by a rumble, one that he felt even through the void of space. Looking over towards Venus, the Green Lantern's white eyes widened. A small tear had appeared in the void of space, slowly growing larger as he watched pieces of Venus begin to slowly be absorbed into the white and black hole.
'N-no, it can't be… so soon?' for the first time in many years, Hal Jordan felt fear, "Is this the end…" Hal muttered before gazing upon the construct of his family. Something inside him steeled, an icy green haze flashing across his eyes. Many believe Green Lanterns are chosen because they are beings without fear, but all intelligent life knows fear. No, Green Lanterns are chosen because they can overpower that fear, and fill that void with an immeasurable will.
Tightening his fists, Hal shot off toward the forming wormhole. As he got closer he couldn't help but be amazed. The wormhole had started to take shape, similar to a tsunami, a pitch-black eye in the center with crackles of black and white electricity throughout. Hal aimed his ring, intent on simply forcing the hole shut. Forming two hands, he began to slowly encroach on the center, wrapping the giant green hands around the eye, before watching as his constructs dissolved upon contact. Taking a moment to reanalyze his situation, Jordan subtly noted just how hard it was starting to become for him to maintain his distance. Hal watched as asteroids began to fly towards him, watching as more and more chunks of Venus started to separate and drift.
Pouring more will into his ring, Hal decided that closing such a disaster as this would be pointless, he'd have to destroy it. "All I've gotta do is blow up a black hole ten times the size of the moon… wonderful." focusing once more on his task, the Green Lantern continued forcing as much power into the black and white entity as he could. Hal felt his ring begin to drain and did his best to push as much power as he could through his ring. Pure beams of energy flowed from his ring, as the ring's charge crept lower and lower.
"Ring, power check."
"Ring charge at 17%, 16%, 15%..." Hal knew that sooner or later he would run out of juice, and it would be a miracle if he could even maintain what little power he had and get back to Earth, especially so close to the wormhole. Thinking about his ring's charge made Hal realize something. Every other Lantern had either disconnected from their ring or had stopped using it, which meant the Central Power Battery was going untouched. Reaching out through his ring, Hal found the tether to the Central Power Battery that every ring had, a small tug of will and fear mixed together.
Using that tether, Hal pulled, hard, opening the floodgates and allowing the full and unchecked power of the Green Lantern Corps to flow through him. The overloaded ring began to spark before he used his willpower to form a conduit that could handle the energy. Taking the shape of a knight's suit of armor, the fully powered Lantern focused on the Cataclysm. Pulling his hands back, Hal thrust them forward, throwing nearly everything he had at the portal. He had been at this for nearly half an hour now, and one way or another, either the entity or him would crack under the pressure. At that moment, Hal saw his opening. In the center of the black void, a small white crack appeared.
'I need to end this.' without hesitation, Hal formed a bastard sword in his right hand and rushed in. In seconds, the armored Green Lantern had stabbed his sword into the small crack, bright, white light spilling out as a result. 'JUST KEEP PUSHING!' Hal yelled at himself, eyes glowing through his helmet, the blade of the sword inching deeper and deeper. He ignored the immense pain he was in, trying only to focus as his willpower suit of armor slowly began to dissolve into the wormhole.
"In brightest day, in blackest night…" the crack in the eye slightly expanded Jordan pushing as much power as he could into the ephemeral blade.
"No evil shall escape my sight…" another popped up, letting out more and more cosmic energy.
"Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power…" More and more cracks started to appear throughout the eye of the cosmic storm.
"GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT!" Hal made his final push, pushing his sword up to the hilt inside of the entity. Within seconds the Cataclysm filled with bright green light, expanding and pulsing before finally detonating in a bright flash of light, with Hal himself barely managing to maintain the little armor and resistance he had as he was thrown toward the Moon. He had done it, he thought to himself, he had saved everyone. As he slowly drifted between the Moon and Earth, body broken and bloody as his armor faded away, Hal's mouth slowly quirked into a smile.
"Heh, universe ending Cataclysm my ass…" with no energy left, Hal Jordan slowly let his eyes close and his muscles started to relax. And with his slowing breaths, the dim green aura that surrounded his body faded away.
"Ring Status Report. Green Lantern 2814.1 Deceased. Space Sector 2814 Scan for Replacement Sentient Initiated." the ring slipped from his middle finger before flying away, seemingly disappearing into the emptiness of space.
Small Town on the Border of Tsuchi no Kuni
Naruto's smile seemed to reflect the sunset as he stood atop the tallest building in the small desert town he and Jiraiya were in. It had been two years since the famed Toad Sage had started their training trip, and soon enough they would have to go back to the village, but for now, they would be staying on the outskirts of Kaze no Kuni. Jumping down to a nearby alley, the 15-year old ninja excitedly walked across town to the local brothel. Jiraiya had promised they would get some late night training as soon as he got back to the hotel, but the blond teen couldn't wait anymore. Practically kicking open the door, Naruto ignored the quizzical gazes from the other patrons as he scanned the building for the Sannin's signature hair.
'There he is.' the shinobi thought to himself, making his way towards the bar. "Jiraiya, wake up, you said you would train me tonight!" Naruto practically yelled into the white-haired man's ear, earning a gurgled jump of surprise and dreariness as well as various annoyed looks at the
"Not now Naruto," Jiraiya slurred out in an annoyed fashion. "Can't you see I'm busy working my magic?" Jiraiya gestured to the bartender, a rather attractive but intimidating woman who glared at the drunk teacher. The older woman looked at Naruto and gave him a small smile of pity.
"He's been sitting here all night doing his best to get into my pants, I recommend you get him out of here. He's already passed out three times." Jiraiya let out a laugh before his head fell back onto the bar. "Scratch that, four times."
"I'll take care of him, thank you." Naruto grabbed onto Jiraiya before tossing him over his shoulder. With a wave, the young ninja walked out the back door, fireman carrying the once again unconscious Jiraiya. However, their night wouldn't end that simply.
"Hey kid, do us a favor and run along 'fore you get hurt." a gruff voice said as the two ninjas exited the raunchy establishment. Looking in front of him, Naruto was surprised to see maybe five or six men standing around the back entrance.
"And why, pray tell, would I do that?"
"Because the man you're carrying is Konoha's very own Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, and I don't feel like killing a green shinobi like you today. Just do as I say and maybe I'll cut you part of the bounty." Naruto took a minute to examine just who these men were, noting their scratched out Suna headbands. Setting Jiraiya down, Naruto turned to face them all, adjusting his headband and cracking his knuckles.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." making his signature hand sign, three more Naruto's showed up, grins of anticipation on their faces. Rushing the two smaller men on the outside of the group, simple taijutsu seemed to be enough to take them out, with his other clone moving to fight the three men in the middle of the group.
"If you wanted to die so bad kid, you should've just asked! Wind Style: Air Bullets!" the leader shouted out, firing multiple bullets at the jumpsuit-wearing ninja. Dodging them with ease, Naruto landed a sucker punch onto the leader, being satisfied with the crack under his knuckles as the man fell in pain. Seeing the other men unconscious, Naruto dispelled his other clones as he walked to the downed man's body. "You broke my goddamn nose!"
"Does it look like I care? You wanted to kill a drunk man." the blond crouched down and punched the man in the stomach, knocking him out before walking back over to Jiraiya. "Looks like we won't be training tonight, eh sensei?" the teen laughed out as he approached the older man.
"Naruto Uzumaki of Earth, you have the ability to overcome great fear…" a foreign and stoic voice sounded out from behind him. The blond jinchuriki turned around, almost blinded by a bright green light surrounding a small green ring. "Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps." Instantly the ring flew onto his right middle finger, a sharp pain, as quick as a bee sting, on his hand before energy from the ring began to spread over his body. A green and black uniform began to surround him, Naruto being mesmerized at how intricate it was.
'The green is as hot as fire, but the black is as cold as ice…' white gloves adorned his hands and before a white circle formed on the center of his chest. "Woah. This is… crazy." Naruto stared at his new clothes, a green and black tunic with green boots, but it looked skin tight. The blond pulled at his chest as if it was fabric, but was shocked to see that it felt just like his own skin. "That's kinda impressive, but what the hell is the Green Lantern Corps, and why the hell am I wearing this stupid suit?" before any of his questions were answered the ring once again spoke in its monotone, mechanical voice.
"Other sentient life detected, concealing identity." in seconds a green domino mask formed over his face, his forehead protector falling to the ground. The back door of the club opened, with the bartender and bouncer walking out only to see the newly made Green Lantern.
"Just who the hell are you?!" the female bartender yelled as the bouncer checked the unconscious bodies laying around.
"Um… gotta go, bye!" Naruto jumped into the air, intent on landing several feet away, except he wasn't landing. Looking down, the shinobi held in a small scream as he hovered above the ground. "... I think I should've just gone to bed today."
AN: And there we have it, our favorite blond ninja is now in possession of a Green Lantern ring, hope you guys enjoyed it. If you've read Time-Warlock's Let There Be Light!, I'm doing my best to not retread any ground of his, since that's pretty much one of the best NarutoxLantern stories, and I think I'm doing a decent job.I'm trying to get out maybe two other story ideas that I've been cooking up as well pretty soon. My main focus will still be Brand New Day, but next week expect at least one more new story, hopefully. As always, read, review, and have a great day!
