GREEN LANTERN CORPS: BRIGHTEST DAY

SECTOR 2814; COAST CITY:

“Dad, what was it like being a Green Lantern?” asked Jessica Jordan.

Hal Jordan looked away from the engine he was working on, and up at his daughter, sat on the wing of the plane. The sun was low in the sky, on the descent, and Jess looked tired-- not that she'd admit it. The Jordan family had a busy day ahead of them tomorrow, and while he had insisted she turn in early, as ever Jess showed the defiance of youth. Hal couldn’t blame her. She took after him in more ways than one.

“There were highs and lows, kiddo,” said Hal. He wiped his brow of sweat, and decided that enough was enough, he’d finish up at a later date. “I fought monsters, demons and gods, and I travelled through space doing good where I could. I met your mom, of course, and that was one of the highlights of my entire life.”

Jessica watched her father clamber up onto the wing, and take a seat next to her. “Do you ever, umm, do you ever regret giving it up?”

“Never,” said Hal. “I’ve spent the last ten years with you, and your mom, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

“Because, well, sometimes I see you watching the news, seeing the others doing their thing, and you look sad, and I don’t want, uhh, I don’t want--”

“Jess, if I was a Green Lantern, I wouldn’t have been here, with you,” said Hal. “I’d have been flying around the planet, never really having a chance to slow down, never having a chance to see you or your mom.” He looked up, and smiled. “Do I miss it? Some of it. I don’t miss all the rules and regulations, but I hated the Air Force for that too.” Hal laughed and put his arm around Jess’ shoulder. “Are you nervous about tomorrow?”

“No,” said Jess, too quick to be the truth. “But what about the others? They managed it, didn’t they? To live two lives, and you, you gave it all up, so I just, I don’t want to be the reason you didn’t live, I don’t want to have been an anchor, or albatross, or something.”

“They’re not me,” said Hal. “I’m an all or nothing type a’ guy. You got my all, Jess. I haven’t been a terrible dad, have I?”

“No, no, not at all, you’re the best dad I ever had,” said Jess. She leaned into him hard, a nudge against his ribs. “It’s just, it’s never been normal. Not with mom’s work. Not with you and that ring you always wear round your neck. It’s like a reminder, to you, and, I think, maybe me? Of what could have been for you?”

Hal pulled the silver chain out from under his shirt, and dangled the emerald power ring out in front of his daughter. “Jess, listen to me. This ring gave me the power to shape the world. To change the course of the universe,” he snatched it out of mid-air, “and I gave up wearing it because of how much I love you.” He opened his hand, and the ring was gone. When she was small, Jess loved sleight-of-hand, and she warmed at the memories of her dad pulling quarters from behind her ear. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Not one.”

“I guess,” said Jess. “Umm. Dad, I think I am nervous about tomorrow.”

“You and me both, kiddo,” said Hal. She wrapped her arms around his torso. “But that’s because I’m your dad, and I’m always nervous. You know what they used to call me, back in the day?”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Jess, shaking her head, remembering all the stories her dad used to tell her about his Air Force days, “‘the man without fear’.”

Hal laughed loudly. “Oh, man, that all changed when I first held you in my arms. I remember it like it was yesterday. You know I wasn’t able to be there when your mom gave birth to you,” Hal grimaced, remembering the circumstances, “Another reason I don’t miss being in the Green Lantern Corps. But when I got back, and I held you, Jesus Christ I was scared of everything. Scared of dropping you on your thick head--” He tapped her lightly on the side of her head and she shook him off, laughing. “--Scared of you falling over in the playground. Scared of you getting in fights at school. Scared about your first date, your first driving lesson, scared about how I was going to do right by you.”

“You did, dad,” said Jess. “Besides, I could look after myself.” She held out her hand, and beads of emerald light floated up and formed a sphere above her palm. “You didn’t need to worry.”

“Ha, you don’t get it,” said Hal. “But knowing your mom, and the stories she tells, with or without that little trick, you’d have got on just fine.”

Hal sighed.

“You’re okay with tomorrow, right?” said Jess. “I know its late notice, but if you wanted to, I could, uh, I could hold off on going? Especially with mom--”

“And have you resent me for the rest of your life? No way, kiddo. No way. You’re going to go to school tomorrow, and you’re going to fly higher than the rest. You can thank your mom for that. You got her genes when it came to kicking ass.”

“And yours when it comes to being a pain in the--?”

Hal covered his ears dramatically. “Hey, young lady; do I as I say, not do as I do. You don’t get to use that language in front of me yet, not until you’re twenty-one. No, thirty. Forty? Let’s say never, okay?”

Jess shook her head in faux embarrassment, then turned to face the setting sun. “I love you, dad.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” Hal paused for a moment, considering his life so far and where it had led him. He remembered when he wasn’t in control of his own life, when tragedy struck his family all those decades ago. He remembered his father, and a weight filled his chest. “I never got to have this with my dad. He was always flying. Always working. I don’t blame him, he was providing for us, but still,” he sighed, “you’d have loved him, kid. You remind me of him so much. Braver than anything. Willing to face the world head on, consequences be damned. I was a kid when we lost him, but he died saving lives. Mine included. I wish he was here today. I wish he was here with us.”

“I know, dad,” said Jess, hugging her father’s side as he squeezed her tight with one arm. “I wish he was here too.”

Finally, the Sun set. The sky was brushed with the last dying flecks of light left from the day and specks of green light danced amongst the stars just out of father and daughter’s sight. The universe was still, and safe, and perfect.

With thanks to Scott Kruger and Don Walsh

SECTOR 0; OA:

Atop the Star House, the highest point on Oa barring the Citadel itself, Katma Tui sat in silence, watching the twin suns rise. She never got used to the change in the changing skyline of Oa, but never questioned it. She looked down at her ring, and let herself smile.

Green Lanterns weren’t supposed to live particularly long. She’d been part of the Corp for nearly fifteen years, longer than 90% of the current membership of the Green Lantern Corps. Few retired. Most died in action. She watched as her colleagues passed, and then their successors died too. Never her. Never here and her friends, and thank the gods of night for that. She’d already lost so much, and her heart ached for that loss every single day--

“Hey, Kat,” said Arisia Rrab, interrupting Tui’s ruminations.

Katma turned, hiding her surprise at seeing her best friend here at this moment in time. “’Arisia! I didn’t know you were Oa-side.”

Few Green Lanterns retired, and even fewer passed their rings on to the next in line to their Sector, but Arisia had done just that over a decade ago, the only one in history to do it for the reasons Rrab did.

Arisia was a Love Lantern, empowered by a violet Star Sapphire ring so as to ensure that love survived and thrived through the blackest of nights.

“You’re brooding again,” said Arisia. “I can sense it a mile off.”

“What can I say?” said Katma. “There’s a lot I’m able to brood about.”

“Yeah, I can understand that,” said Arisia, leaning over the balcony and watching threads of emerald and violet light zip through the spaces between buildings below. “You’re thinking about John?”

Katma tried not to think about her husband. She missed him dearly. His loss was something that weighed on her very single day. Katma found herself lost in her heart, and she heard Arisia gasp.

“What’s wrong?” asked Katma.

Arisia covered her ring as strobing light flittered from between the gaps in her fingers. “Nothing! I just realised I’m late for a meeting with Thaal. You know how he gets when you’re not punctual. You know how he gets full stop.”

“All too well,” said Katma. “Don’t let me hold you up. Do let me know when you’re back though. We’ve not had a girls’ night for too long and I need something to keep me going, ha.”

“Of course,” said Arisia. She embraced Katma tightly, her violet power ring glowing as the morning light began to spread across Oa, then headed upward, toward the main Citadel building, a glint of something mischievous in her eye. Her ring kept strobing. Connection made.


“Ahh!” Hal Jordan awoke with a start, and couldn’t figure out why.

“What’s wrong?” Chloe Jordan brushed his cheek and the action settled him, but he was still confused. “Bad dream?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” said Hal. He placed his hand over hers and smiled. “Don’t worry.”

“Hard not to,” said Chloe. “I can feel how tense you are from over here. And I’m already feeling pretty damn tense myself.”

After all their years together, Chloe saw straight Hal’s attempt to put her at ease with a gentle smile. “Well, considering what’s happening later, can you blame me? And considering what’s still to come… Christ… when will we ever get another night’s sleep?”

“Our little girl, all grown up,” said Chloe. “She’s only going to be in San Francisco, Hal. It’s not far, and she’ll be safe. And we’ve got the rest of it down. Nothing to worry about.”

“God. Our little girl, all grown up and off to join All-Star Academy,” said Hal. “Who’d have thought we were capable of bringing up a productive member of the superhero community?”

“I hate to break it to you, Hal, but everyone had faith in me,” said Chloe. She shrugged. “And they knew I could carry you the rest of the way to being a damn good dad. On my shoulders.”

Hal sighed dramatically. “The thing is, I can imagine Barry and Ollie saying that…”


Hurtling through space at unparalleled speeds, Arisia Rrab and Kyle Rayner travelled toward a dead world; what they would find there wasn’t a complete mystery to them, but it had been so long since anyone had travelled so far into the ghost regions of Sector 666. What grew there in the dark was something the rookies were taught to fear…

“You sure about all this?” said Arisia.

Kyle’s expression gave nothing away. “The intel makes perfect sense.”

“And I trust the source of the intel, but we’ve been through this before. I just don’t know if I want to get my hopes up.” Arisia sighed then decided to change the subject. “I like what you’ve done with the costume.”

“Well, everyone else gets to redesign theirs on a whim, why can’t I?” said Kyle. The two of them came to a stop above a scorched, crimson world. “So, this is Ryut.”

“You’ve never been here before?”

“I wasn’t exactly myself when the last stand took place,” said Kyle. “If I was, maybe I’d have stopped it from happening.”

“You can’t think like that. What happened happened and now we’re just dealing with the damage done, irrespective of cause.”

“Right. I know it goes without saying, but we need to be ready for anything. If you begin to feel yourself getting pissed off, power through. There’s absolutely zero reason to get angry, okay?”

An amused expression formed on Arisia’s face. “You know I’ve been a Lantern longer than you, Kyle. That goes without saying.”

“Force of habit, sorry. Thaal normally sends me out with rookies to make sure they have what it takes to be a member of the Corps. Oh, man, they all call me sir.”

“Yup, all the new Sapphires call me ma’am, which is like, okay, sure, but then others call me ‘sister’ and I do a double take,” said Arisia. She laughed, and Kyle chuckled along with her. “Better than ‘aunt’, I guess.”

The two Lanterns descended through Ryut’s thick, lightning-racked atmosphere, and toward the barren wasteland of a world below.

Unnoticed by the two visitors, crimson light in the shape of a man flickered in the mountainous ranges nearby, and began to head toward them…


“We just received a data burst-- Lanterns Rrab and Rayner have arrived at Ryut,” said Protocol Lantern Z. “Would you like me to keep you updated as they progress?”

Thaal Sinestro waved his colleague away. “There’s no need. They will get the job done.”

“Of course, sir,” said Z, his body-- a maze of electrical impulses given abstract, emerald shape-- floating away from the Council chamber.

Alone at last, Sinestro approached the western wall, his ring triggering its opening out onto a large balcony. He looked across the beautiful vistas that surrounded the main city on Oa and felt his spirit rise. Everything was so bright, so sharp, and it was through many tragedies they had finally arrived at this place, but the universe was peaceful, finally. At long last.

“It’s a great view,” said Katma Tui. “I’m surprised you let yourself find time to appreciate it.”

“Ah, if I don’t get out of the main chambers at least once during the day, I’ll go mad,” said Sinestro. “How can I help you today, Katma?”

“Your meeting with Arisia didn’t last that long,” said Katma.

Sinestro sighed audibly. “What can I tell her? It’s been a decade since we Green Lanterns had any say over the operations of the Love Lanterns, but it is always good to speak to old friends, especially when their travels take them off the tracks we have travelled in our time. Why do you ask, Katma?”

“Kyle and Arisia are in Sector 666. Why would you keep that from me?”

Sinestro understood Katma’s frustration. “Last time you were in Sector 666 you nearly died. If it wasn’t for Kyle’s intervention, you wouldn’t have made it back to Oa.”

“That was one time and it was a mistake that I will not repeat,” said Katma.

“You are right, Katma,” said Sinestro, “because you will not be involved in the final effort to bring an end to the Red Lantern threat. I know I made a mistake, all those years ago. We lost a good man in John Stewart.” Sinestro approached his old protégé, and placed a hand on her shoulder. His ring projected the time in front of them, and he nodded slowly. “Their work should be well underway. By the time you reach Sector 666, it will be done. Once and for all.”

Katma was confused by her mentor’s words. “Thaal? What do you mean?”

Sinestro headed back inside the Citadel. “We’re fixing the mistake, Katma. Now… go. You have my permission to travel to Ryut. Get your closure.”

Katma shot into the sky and headed toward Sector 666. Before she broke the orbit of Oa, she sent a message to Thaal: “Thank you.”

Sinestro dismissed Katma’s projection. He began to think on his own life, and what he had achieved. It had been a rough journey, but the Green Lantern Corps was whole, was the premiere peacekeeping force in the entire universe. He had done good. And that’s all that mattered.


“Do you ever miss our old life? Moving from city to city as the job demanded?” asked Chloe, as she put on her ear-rings.

Sat on the edge of the bed, still working out the kinks from his lack of sleep the night before, Hal bobbed his head from side to side as he considered the question. “That’s a tough one. I’m Coast, born-and-bred, and being a nomad was a tough move, but to me, and this has always been the case, home is where your family is. Home is with you and Jess and whatever comes next. But am I glad to be back home in Coast City? Oh, man, yes.”

“Aww, well, that’s the right answer,” said Chloe, leaning in to kiss her husband on the cheek. “Hmmph. Are you going to shave that thing off before the ceremony? I mean, you always said…”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” said Hal. He leapt up and grabbed Chloe, picking her up and spinning around. “I want to make sure the maximum amount of embarrassment is available for Jess.”

“I heard that!” came Jess’ voice from outside their bedroom, as she bounded toward the bathroom.

“You were meant to!” Hal called back, as he gently placed Chloe back to earth. He took his ring out from under his shirt and slipped it onto his finger, and in a split second and one razor sharp thought later, he was clean shaven for the first time in years. “Oh, that’s brisk. That’s cold.”

Chloe laughed and brushed her fingers across Hal’s, where the ring throbbed warm down his hand and wrist. “Amazing. They let you keep the most powerful tool in the universe and you’re using it as a razor.”

“Being a big damn hero has its perks,” said Hal, removing the ring and placing it back under his shirt. “How do I look?”

“As handsome as ever...” said Chloe, kissing him on his now-exposed cheek. “Ooh, it’ll take me a while to get used to that, though those grey streaks you've got going on at the temples do soften the blow...” She laughed again and then looked back toward the door to their bedroom. “This is a big day for her. Joining the academy, moving to San Francisco. It’s massive.”

“She’ll be fine,” said Hal. “Hell, even before I was a teenager I was sneaking out every day to watch my dad fly overhead--” He motioned across the room with his palm facing down. “And she’s your daughter as much as mine. She’s wily as all hell and not your average teenager. That’s kind of the point.”

“That’s probably more me than you,” said Chloe. “Ignoring the energy-casting powers, of course.”

“Yup, but I refuse to take the lion’s share of the blame,” said Hal. “It’s her birthday in a couple of months, so we’ll head down and see her then, but distance isn’t going to hurt her.”

“I just worry so much. After what happened, after everything--” Chloe shook her head. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry…”

“Shush, it’s all right,” said Hal, stroking Chloe’s hair. “It isn’t exactly like our lives were ever going to be easy, and it’s not like they were ever supposed to be normal.”

“You’re talking like you didn’t go on a rampage when it happened,” said Chloe.

“Black Hand is a monster, but I’ve learnt to accept that there are some things you can’t change. If I had my hands around his throat right now, it would be a different story,” said Hal. “I just wish…” he started, but then he trailed off, “…it’s done,” he said, finally. “We made it through.”


“Jeez, this place stinks,” said Kyle. He threw up a map of the planet, and two dots appeared next to each other on the projection, one green and the other pink. “That’s us.” The ring frizzled and sparked, something in the air making it hard to maintain consistency. “Damn,” cursed Kyle, dropping the map from existence. “Holding that together actually hurt.”

“This place is cursed,” said Arisia. She held her ring up into the air, then drew it down. “And I can’t get a reading either.”

Kyle looked around, and took in their position. The entire world was strewn in debris, ghost cities buried under broken mountains and burst and drained volcanos. Directly behind them was a large, dried out sea, and Rayner knew what kind of liquid used to fill it. The blood lake of Ryut was the stuff of nightmares and urban legend to the rookies of both their Corps.

“Guess whatever’s in the air is affecting your ring too,” murmured Kyle. “Ring says it’s got main systems at optimal. I guess higher functions must be fuzzy because of this damn hellhole.”

Arisia nodded. “Same. I had hoped that a tether might--”

Arisia was interrupted when a streak of scarlet lightning slammed into the ground where Kyle stood and threw the veteran Green Lantern into the dried up ocean, a huge plume of red dust billowing up on impact both times.

From where Kyle had stood a second ago, the swarming, crimson dust began to clear and out trudged a wild man, his hair matted and thick, his beard obscuring his features.

“You need to calm down,” said Arisia. “You need to let go of your anger. Please. It’s me, don’t you recognise--”

Screaming obscenities, the wild man charged at her as his body seethed with crimson energy.


“You ready?” said Hal.

Chloe nodded. “You?”

“As I’ll ever be,” said Hal. “Jess?”

Chloe and Hal Jordan’s daughter stood at the bottom of the stairs, along with two suitcases filled with her belongings. Jessica wore a black hoodie, but underneath that was a Green Lantern t-shirt, one of the few that Kyle had designed a few years back when he took a break from the Corps. She beamed, barely able to contain her excitement at what was happening.

“Wow, and here’s me thinking you’d be running late,” said Hal.

“Da-ad, this is really important to me, I don’t want to mess it up,” said Jess. “And you look silly without your beard.”

“Thanks, I guess? But anyway, you’re a Jordan, running late is kind of in our nature,” said Hal. “Then again, you talk to your uncle Barry, he’d give me a run for my money in that category.”

Jess tutted and playfully punched her dad in the sternum. “I recognise a pun when I hear one.”

“Isn’t that one of the main classes they teach at Titans Towers?” said Hal.

“Just because a Robin has the run of the place doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games and hostage situations,” said Chloe. “Barda Free is the principal, and she’s not going to let anything slide.”

“Alas, back in my day it used to be quips and wordplay all the time…,” said Hal.

“So, who’s driving?” asked Chloe.

Hal shrugged. “Kiddo, what do you say, you want to take this one?”

Jessica Jordan grinned from ear-to-ear and Chloe’s hand found Hal’s own. Jess clamped her hands together then opened them up abruptly, a pulsing, emerald energy sphere forming around the three of them, independent of any ring.

Within seconds, the family had phased through the ceiling of their home, and were headed toward San Francisco, invisible to anyone who might look up, and propelled by the power source inside Jessica Jordan’s being.

“Do you know where you’re going?” said Hal, looking down at the streets below.

“I looked at the map before we left, so yeah, I’ve got it sorted, dad,” said Jess. “Just enjoy the ride.”

Chloe rested her head on Hal’s shoulder, and arched her neck so her lips were by his ear. “Your heart is racing, Highball.”

“Just because I used to be a test pilot doesn’t mean I’m entirely comfortable when a teenager is at the controls,” said Hal. “But hey, I’ve got my just-in-case,” he patted his chest, where his power ring was tied around his neck on a silver chain. “Next stop, San Francisco.”


The Red Lantern smashed into Arisia’s defensive aura, heavy sparks of energy flying straight back into her attacker’s face as she held her ground. She sent constructs out that bound his arms, and he was knocked back, only for her energy to fizzle and melt under the immense otherworldly effect of the scarlet energy he wielded.

“Please, you need to calm down--”

The Red Lantern surged forward once more, but before he could impact against Arisia’s aura once more, a bright blue bolt of energy slash down from the sky and into the ground in front of her. A man stood up from the small crater, taller than Arisia and clad in a blue uniform. She knew who it was and backed away slowly.

“Hey now, there’s no need to treat her mean, pal, she’s just doing her job.”

The man turned, his long, red hair platted behind his neck, his beard trailing down his chest. He laughed once and gave Arisia a thumb’s up. “Hey ’Risia, no need to fear, Guy Gardner’s here.”

<G-Guy?> The Red Lantern stopped in his tracks, flickers of cerulean light in his eyes.

Kyle finally pulled himself out of the empty sea he’d been tackled into.

<A-and that m-means--> The Red Lantern turned and looked back at-- <--Kyle.>

“It’s all right, John, we know how it can get,” said Kyle, rubbing his jaw. “That’s why Guy’s here. Help you get your head on straight.”

John Stewart ran his hands through his long, dirty hair as he dribbled crimson energy. <It, it j-just gets so hard. I c-can’t think past all the rage.>

Guy slowly approached his old friend, his hands raised. On his right hand, where his emerald power ring used to sit, was the blue replacement he’d been wearing for years. “Anyone else would have exploded by now, Johnny. You’ve kept it together; you’re doing your job. We’re here to relieve you of that duty.”

<I took it all inside me, Guy, I d-did it for the universe, and now I’m barely here,> said John. <He’s-- he’s in here with me-- a-and-->

John Stewart, the last Red Lantern, dropped to his knees as his aura continued to spit red. His throat was a burnt wreck, the only method of communication available to him being the red power ring on his finger.

“I figured out the solution,” said Kyle. “Guy did the legwork.”

Guy nodded and slowly slipped his hand into the dimensional lock Lanterns would store their portable power batteries inside. Instead of pulling out a green battery, or a blue battery, what he removed burned red. “The last Red Lantern power battery in existence. Atrocitus’ own. We found it. You don’t have to hold onto it anymore, John. You can let it go.”

Kyle crouched beside John. “Empty it out into the battery, and we can end the threat of the Red Lantern Corps once and for all.”

John grit his teeth, reeling his head back as something rushed through him. Kyle moved back, but Guy stepped forward. They knew what John was going through, and they cursed themselves for not being the ones to do it when they were given the opportunity.

The last stand of the Red Lantern Corps, the final act of spite by Atrocitus. Here, on Ryut, the Honour Guard of the Green Lantern Corps faced the surviving members of the Red Lanterns, only to learn too late it was a trap. Atrocitus had slaughtered his entire Corps then stolen their rage, placing it inside the Red Lantern Central Power Battery where it had begun to boil and burn, ready to explode.

Atrocitus intended to detonate his Central Power Battery, destroying everything in the surrounding Sectors, but John Stewart realised that the rage had to go somewhere, so he stole Atrocitus’ ring and charged it-- overcharged it-- and absorbed the rage of a hundred thousand alien beings.

The explosion didn’t happen, Atrocitus was dead, the rage of the Red Lantern Corps now part of one man-- John Stewart.

John knew what he was getting in to. No one could stand to be near him, their own rage coming to the surface in his presence. He accepted exile on Ryut, with the hope that he could one day learn to control the anger bubbling inside him like a witch’s cauldron.

Even with visits from Guy and the calming effect of his Starsoul powers, the rage proved difficult to control, and he roamed the planet, lashing out against the ruins of a dead world. All the Green Lantern Corps could do was cordon off the sector, and search for a cure for their possessed friend.

Years later, they had their answer.

But now, as John screamed, his friends looked on in horror. A crimson construct formed over Stewart’s face, a twisted, constantly changing visage. Guy knew who it was, they all did-- Atrocitus’ face reached out of John’s own, and began to rant: <I told you I would have the last laugh, Lanterns. John Stewart is mine.>

“No, he’s not,” said Katma Tui, as she descended from the skies.

Arisia saw her chance and took it. “Tether re-established!” A band of violet light snapped from her ring and plunged harmlessly into Katma’s chest, then it sprung outward and connected her to John. His eyes opened wide, and the Atrocitus construct surged toward John’s wife as she approached.

Katma threw a construct between them that splintered the Atrocitus construct’s façade. John grit his teeth and tried to hold himself back so the construct wouldn’t each his friends, but all the while the scarlet construct trudged toward his wife, barely restrained by John’s action.

<This… will…. never… end…>

Guy grit his teeth and looked over at Katma. “Glad to have you onboard, Kat. Sorry to keep you in the dark--”

“Later,” said Katma. “We need to save John.”

“You’re the boss,” said Guy. “Going in!”

Gardner grabbed John’s arms and held on tight. Where his body met John’s, his blue uniform began to blister, but Guy didn’t show any sign of caring about the pain. His eyes began to glow.

“With the blue light of the Starsoul, I can help you control the rage, John. You know this. You just have to hold on and do what we say, okay?”

<O-okay,> said John.

Katma was by his side, John’s hand in hers, the caustic crackle of his red aura burning her glove audibly in the silence of the wasteland. “You can do this.”

Kyle raised John’s other arm, his own fingers blistering under the action. Red whip constructs lashed out from Stewart’s aura, but they swatted ineffectively against Katma and Kyle’s shields, Guy’s blue light weakening any attacks from the violent red energy.

“You need to put it back,” said Kyle.

<H-how?> said John.

“You need an oath,” said Guy.

Katma nodded. “There’s one you know by heart.”

John nodded nervously, and in unison with Guy, Katma and Kyle, began to recite the oath of the Green Lantern Corps.

<In brightest day and blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight, let those who worship evil’s might, beware my power-->

A shuddering, explosive stream of crimson energy shot out of the Red Lantern ring John wore, the power diving straight into the power battery Guy had carried with him. The battery cracked on the front as the energy was driven inside, but did not shatter.

Arisia watched in wonder at the sight of them, huddled together in the hopes of saving John Stewart

Even though it had been years since she’d last uttered it, Arisia couldn’t help but join in with the oath.

The scarlet power ring shattered on John’s finger, and fell to the ground in pieces. Blue tendrils of energy weaved a web over his wounds, and went to work repairing the damage done by John’s time wearing the red power ring. The violet light connecting Katma and John’s hearts intensified as her heartbeat became his, keeping him going as the transformation back to himself occurred.

As the blue light finished its work, and John was finally hole, John looked at his beloved wife and whispered the last part of the oath that had kept him coming, and Katma joined him in saying it as he collapsed into her arms. “…Green Lantern’s light…”

“Is he okay?” said Guy. “I never did that before, to someone so far gone.”

“B-best I’ve been in years,” said John as he looked up at his wife’s face. There was a scorched band of skin around his finger where Atrocitus’ power ring had been mere moments before, the only physical scar to remind him of his trials. Not even the blue light of the Starsoul could heal that scar. “Thank God.”

“Oh, John,” said Katma, embracing her husband. “I almost began to lose hope…”

Kyle crouched down beside his friend. “Whenever we tried to help before, the effect of the red power ring drove us into murderous rages at each other. I nearly gouged Katma’s eye out the last time. But with Arisia and Guy providing support, we finally--” Kyle paused. “--Aaand you really don’t care about all that right now, do you?”

John laughed. “I appreciate what you did, Kyle. Arisia, Guy--” He was taken aback. “--Guy, is your hair in a plait?”

“Ah, my daughter, she likes to play with it,” said Guy. “Tora doesn’t mind it, and neither do I.”

“Y-you have a daughter?” said John. “How long have I been stuck here?”

“Long enough,” said Katma. “Now’s not the time to dwell on that. Let’s get off this dead world and celebrate.”

“Yeah, we’ll get you a shave and a nice brewski, and catch you up,” said Guy.

Katma embraced John tightly, her arms wrapped around his head and neck. John leaned into it, holding his wife. “I’m so sorry, Katma. I didn’t know this would happen when I did it.”

“Shush,” said Katma. “You’re back. That’s all that matters. And we both know knowing wouldn’t have changed a thing. You’re a hero, John. Nothing could ever change that.” She kissed him, and then looked at Kyle. “Do you have it?”

Kyle nodded. “John,” he knelt down next to his friend, “I’ve been holding onto this for you.” He touched his power ring and then pulled it off his finger, only for his original ring to remain there and a second to appear in the palm of his other hand. Hal taught him the trick years ago, and the sleight of hand made John blink, but he was too weak to question it. “It’s yours if you want it, but I understand--”

John reached out, and his power ring flew back onto his finger, hiding the scar left behind by Atrocitus’ ring. Stewart’s ragged Red Lantern costume left him, and was replaced by a pristine Green Lantern uniform. His long beard and unkempt hair was removed a moment later, and he finally looked himself again.

“I’m home,” said John, his other hand in Katma’s.

John stood, unsteady on his feet, but he waved Guy away when the latter went to help him.

“Glad to have you back, pal,” said Guy. “Now, screw the debriefing. I hear there’s a party waiting for us back home and you deserve a beer.”


“When it comes to excellence in the training of young superheroes, the All-Star Academy has produced some of the greatest icons of our generation, going on to join the ranks of some of the greatest teams of heroes this world-- this universe-- has ever seen,” said Barda Free, current principal.

“Be it back in the halcyon days of those first years with Robin, Speedy and Wonder Girl, all the way through to the present day of the hundred students we currently teach, these young people are our future, and I am proud to be here to offer guidance to them as they work their way through the academy…”

Hal had heard the spiel before. It was a superhero school unlike any establishment in the world, perfect for Jess and her power set. He would have preferred to train her himself, but she was unrelenting. Her friends went here, so she wanted to go too. He had spoken to those of his friends still alive and out in the world and they vouched for what Barda and the others had done here. Who was he to argue with real results?

There was a round of applause from the hundred or so parents gathered, and Hal realised the assembly was finished. Jess was sat with the rest of the first years, and she waved at him from the front of the hall. He waved back, but saw her attention snatched away from him. He sighed as he saw her smile and rush down the side of the room to a group of men whose identities caused Hal to grin in the exact same way.

“What is it?” said Chloe.

Standing with Jess were Guy Gardner, looking as much like a Viking as he could possibly manage while dressed in cerulean blue; Arisia; John Stewart, thinner than Hal last remembered but finally free from the influence of the Red Lanterns, with Katma Tui next to him; while Kyle Rayner was the one who spotted Hal and waved.

“My drinking buddies,” said Hal. “They made it.”

“Holy crap,” said Chloe. “Is that John?”

The Jordans rushed over to the assembled heroes and embraced them individually.

“Kyle, you dog, you did it, you really did it,” said Hal. Guy let it slide. “John, how long have you been back?”

“Been about an hour or so,” said John. “When Guy said party, I had no idea how grown up Jess was. What are you now, fourteen? Fifteen?”

“Old enough, uncle John,” said Jess, blushing. “And I’ve been accepted into the All-Star Academy. So that basically makes me eighteen.”

“No, it does not,” said Hal.

“You’re only as old as you feel,” said Guy, his laugh a bellow in the assembly hall. “Man, standing here, seeing all those superkids up there, I feel o-old.”

“You are old, Gardner,” said Kyle.

“Nah, screw you, kid, I’m like a fine wine,” said Guy. “Or whatever.”

“How old’s your daughter now, Guy?” said Chloe.

“Sigrid’s oId enough to have her old man wrapped around her finger,” said Guy.

“That doesn’t narrow it down,” said Hal. “And where’s Tora?”

“Humanitarian mission with the League in South Kahndaq,” said Guy. “I’m seeing her later and Sig’s with her aunt Bea for the night. So with that in mind, Tora and I are gonna see if we can’t knock another--” Chloe’s withering glare silenced him. “Yeah, well, uh, I’m looking forward to seeing her.”

“Umm, dad?” said Jess.

“What’s up, kiddo?” asked Hal.

“I have to go to school now…” said Jess. “And you’re causing a scene…”

The assembled members of the Green Lantern Corps and their friends looked over Jess’ shoulder and could see the majority of the incumbent class and their families looking back at them. The faculty were smiling-- everyone apart from Principal Free, of course-- amused by the turn of events, and happy to see John Stewart back home.

Hal cleared his throat. “Sorry, folks!” He turned back to Guy. “The usual place?”

“Yup,” said Guy. “Later, Highball. Good work.”

“And glad to have you back home, John,” said Hal.

John shook Hal’s hand. “Glad to be here.”

Chloe hugged Hal’s arm as they returned to their seats, and Jess sat eagerly on the edge of hers as she listened to Barda Free speak. She was beaming, excited about what her life was about to come, and Chloe and Hal couldn’t help but be proud of her.


Coast City was a pristine city, with a large dock and a large contingent of military personnel calling it home at any one time.

When Chloe and Hal had Jess, they moved away, Chloe’s work with the Global Peace Agency meant that Hal had to give up his childhood hometown, but the sacrifice was worth it-- raising his daughter was more important than anything else in the world, be it a crisis, a twilight, an end of days… Chloe and Jessica Jordan-- named after Hal’s mother-- were the light of his life, more so than any Central Power Battery ever was.

They’d moved back when the Global Peace Agency took their work to the next level, meaning it was finally safe for the Jordans to be back in the world and not travelling from new city to new country to new continent ever few months.

On the outskirts of Coast City, near the military base and not too far away from the now closed down Ferris Airbase-- Carol having upped sticks and moved to the other side of the country-- sat Kane and Broome, the old dive bar the US Air Force NCOs would rock up to on their down time, and when there were navy men on shore leave, a place they’d congregate too. Military discount, a relaxed vibe, and good music on the jukebox-- even when they were rivals in USAF Guy and Hal would drink there. John had been here back in his days with the marines, and Kyle had been dragged here repeatedly after he official joined the Green Lantern Corps.

Now, the gang was back together, Guy as rowdy as ever, insulting anybody who cared to be insulted and waiting for his wife to turn up, John and Katma enjoying each other’s company in the corner, Kyle talking to a girl at the bar and Arisia to some boy, while Hal and Chloe watched and enjoyed seeing their friends reunited. They’d got changed before getting here, Guy wearing a shirt emblazoned with his bar’s logo, a big red W, John and Katma dressed business-casual, while Katma and Kyle were both dressed for a party, even if right now there wasn’t one to be had at this particular bar.

“You know who should be here?” asked Chloe.

“Henshaw,” said Hal, slowly. “I called him before we left this morning, left him a message and everything. Didn’t hear back.”

“That’s a shame,” said Chloe, sipping her soda water. “Jesus, we came a long way, didn’t we?” said Hal. “When I first met you, Guy over there hated your guts. There were yellow rings flying around that infected Lanterns with a sentient virus. Sinestro was evil--”

Hal held up two fingers. “Twice. And neither his fault. Jeez, do you remember when Guy went bad? And then me?”

“--And then you knocked me up,” said Chloe, nudging him in the ribs. “Made sure I could never leave your orbit…”

“Hell, hon, I thought we talked that out over the last, what, fifteen, sixteen years?”

Chloe laughed. “Yeah, you’re okay. You’ll do.”

“You know… my dad once snuck me in here when I wasn’t old enough to drink,” said Hal, reminiscing. “Gil, the owner, he didn’t mind. It was a different world back then. There are photos of some of the best pilots the world has ever known behind the bar, most of them taken right here using Gil’s camera. My dad’s photo is up there somewhere…” He gestured toward the back bar. “Where it deserves to be.” He sighed and stood up. “Keep an eye on Guy. He might start pillaging this place if Tora doesn’t turn up soon.”

“You’re going outside?” said Chloe.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been back here, I want to have a walk, check out the airfield across the way.”

Chloe squeezed his hand and he returned the sentiment before exiting the bar and wandering out into the dark, the only light to illuminate the night being the stars above.

“Hey, Chloe,” said Katma, sidling up to her old friend. “How are you?”

“Great, thanks. Jesus, I’m glad John’s back. I hated that he had to stay up there, alone. I can’t imagine--” Chloe paused. “--It must have been hard for you, I’m so sorry.”

“It was, but he’s here now. I couldn’t stop doing my job in all that time. I had responsibilities… I think that helped,” said Katma. “I think it kept me sane.” She looked at Chloe’s glass and then gave her a knowing look. “You’re not drinking?”

Chloe sipped her soda water. “Nope.”

As Hal stood out in the brisk outside air, there was a familiar sound behind him and he turned to see Tora Gardner-Olafsdotter materialise from thin air, and wander toward the bar. As she walked, her blue and white costume transformed into her civilian clothes, and soon enough she noticed him looking and waved warmly, before venturing inside to find her own husband.

“Beautiful night,” said a voice nearby.

Hal turned and saw Hank Henshaw leaning against a fence, his back to him.

Hal shook his head, pleasantly surprised by his old friend’s appearance. “You made it.”

These two men had been through the wars together. Hank was the first back-up Green Lantern to be appointed by the Guardians of the Universe, about a year after Hal received his ring. Not long after that, he died at the hands of Mongul, only to come back as the host of the deadly Predator entity. Horrible things happened between the two men, things that took a damn long time to get past, but Hank proved himself time and time again to his comrade, and the two reconciled.

Henshaw was wearing the same battered leather jacket he always wore, and Hal shook his head at the sight. He himself was wearing his dad’s flight jacket, the same one he too would always wear, and as he approached his old partner, he extended his hand.

“Yeah, but you get caught under a sky like this, why’d you ever want to put a roof between it and you?” Henshaw turned and shook his head. “I didn’t know I was going to come, until I realised how rude it’d be not to.” He shook Hal’s hand, and the two men embraced. “How was San Fran?”

“I left my heart there,” said Hal, laughing. “How’s NASA? This you,” he pointed up, “keeping the skies clear?”

“Keeps me busy, there’s that,” said Hank. He held out his hand, and the cracked ring nestled on his finger glinted. “Barely get time to take this for a spin. I mean, we colonised Mars. There are scientists on Mars, and I didn’t need to generate one construct. The technology we got from Power Girl and Superwoman, wow, you wouldn’t believe. Glad that mess resolved itself.”

“Did you see that John’s back?” said Hal. “Guy found the last Red Lantern battery in existence and they were able to channel all the energy John had inside him into it. He’s inside now. The look on their faces-- John and Katma, I mean-- they won’t be here long. Gonna tear apart a motel room.”

“Good for them,” said Hank. “They deserve to be happy.”

“We all do,” said Hal, punching Hank in the arm. “How’s Adrianna?”

“My darling wife is wonderful, thank you,” said Hank. “We visited her sister back in Arkhangelsk a few months ago, before her latest tour on the International Space Platform. You know she’s a national hero in Russia? The fanfare she received when we landed in Moscow… crazy.”

“One of the greatest astronauts to ever live,” said Hal. “Come on inside so we can toast to ‘Ace’, one of the other greats.”

Hank patted Hal on the back and the two men ventured inside, and Guy roared when he saw Henshaw enter. “Look who made it!”

“The silver fox returns!” said Kyle. “You drinking? The usual?”

“Sure, everyone else is,” said Hank, glancing around the room. Kyle bought a bottle of rum from the bartender and was passed an empty glass. Tora smiled as she took the glass from him and filled it with ice, then handed it to Hank. He thanked her, then looked over to John. “Am I glad to see you.”

John raised his glass. “And you, my friend.”

“Why did nobody tell me there was a rescue effort?” said Hank. “I would have been there like this,” he clicked his fingers, “am I still not cool enough to hang out with you guys?”

“Hey, you know how it is,” said Guy, “everybody else was already near--”

“I’m sure you had your reasons, I’m just yanking your chain.” Hank smiled and poured himself a rum.. “So, where we off after this? Clubbing?” He winked at Kyle, who flicked his collar out in response and pointed at his old friend, affecting the worst Fonz impression known to man.

“Oh, I think we’re all too old for that,” said John. “Katma and I are going to make a move in a bit. It’s a long flight back to Korugar, especially when you’ve got a few beers in you.”

“You’re not sticking around?” said Kyle.

“Lots of catching up to do,” said Katma. “Ask no more questions.”

“I can guess,” said Guy, smirking. Tora punched him in the arm. “Hey!”

“But before you go, Chloe and I wanted to let you all know something,” said Hal. “Gil?”

The owner of the bar nodded and left the room for a moment.

“What’s this then?” asked Guy.

Knowingly, Katma looked over at Chloe, who smirked at Guy’s curiosity.

“Well, there’s no easy way to say this,” said Hal, his hand in Chloe’s.

“He’s being dramatic,” interrupted Chloe. “We’re having a baby. I’m pregnant.”

Gil returned with bottles of champagne and glasses, and Kyle punched the air in excitement. “Hell yeah! Congrats, guys!”

“You’re not firing blanks!” said Guy, embracing Hal. “You stupid bastard, whatever happened to no glove, no love?”

Hal laughed loudly. “We’ve been married for ten years, you sonofabitch. If anything, it’s a long time coming.”

Hank sipped his drink and replied dryly, “I was going to say.”

“So, a toast then?” said Arisia, raising her glass as Hal nodded to cede the floor to her. “Before Guy gets the same idea he always gets and swears all over the place.”

Understanding and agreeing from experience, everyone joined her with their glasses, even Guy, who shrugged and nodded.

“To true love--” Guy groaned, but Arisia pushed forward. “--And to our brightest days. To the ones behind us and the ones still to come. To friends and family. And to Chloe and Hal Jordan!”

The room cheered, and Hal kissed Chloe on the cheek. “To our brightest days,” repeated Chloe, as the assembled friends and family congratulated the happy couple on their announcement.

“Brightest days,” said Hal. “I love you, Chloe.”

“And I love you too,” said Chloe. “You silly, silly man.”

After everything-- a universe of crises, of lights extinguished and Lanterns lost, of worlds destroyed and suns snuffed out, the Green Lantern Corps continued to hold the line against the galaxy’s worst. For every planet lost, whole sectors of space were saved, and the Corps would never stop pushing back against the never-ending ocean of malevolent forces that attempted to drown the good. And it was these moments, quiet moments under a starry sky and on the surface of a safe world, the important things were celebrated. Years of love, of friendship. Of family and victories. These men and women, after all they’d gone through, together, individually, this was what mattered most. Moments that came few and far between the best and worst of adventures, but moments that mattered none the less.

And with glasses filled and something to celebrate, here was to another decade more. And another after that, and more after. Here’s to the Brightest Days still to come--!

Don’t forget to check out the ongoing, present day adventures of the GREEN LANTERN CORPS as the monthly series continues!