Rise and Fall

Sector 0, Planet Oa, Green Lantern Corps Headquarters

“That bad, huh,” said John Stewart as two of his fellow Green Lanterns approached. “Usually only see that look on Hal’s face when the situation’s went sideways.”

“Sideways would be preferable, John. Sideways we can manage,” Hal Jordan replied. “This situation is… what did you call it again, Kyle?”

“Non-Euclidean,” Kyle Rayner said as he used his power ring to create a holographic example of that type of geometry.

“Translation: Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition.  Got it,” Stewart said.  “So… what’re we going to do about it?”

“We are going to do damage control,” Hal replied, frowning. “With Mogo out of action, the Corps is down one of our major players. Some of our enemies might move to take advantage of that.”

“And until Mogo goes green again, he won’t be able to fabricate new rings for… those we’ve lost.”  Kyle said, grimly.  “And we’ve lost some good Lanterns out there.”

“Not just in our Corps, either,” John replied. “The Blue Lanterns took heavy losses in the attack on Mogo… one of ‘em I knew personally.  Esperanza Cavalera.”

“I heard,” Hal said. “The impact of that loss hit her sister Luzia pretty hard… hard enough to override the Indigo Tribe ring she wore… and there’s not much that can do that.”

“Agreed,” John said.  “Turned her into a Gray Lantern… her and Mogo.”

“Yeah,” Hal replied. “Gray Lanterns can radiate a wave of grief and sorrow.  It’s contagious. Anyone hit by that wave can ‘turn Gray’ as well, especially anyone grieving a great loss in their life.  Every new Gray boosts the signal, spreading sorrow wherever they go.”

“So now there’s a planet-sized Gray Lantern out there,” Kyle added. “Guys, if Mogo goes mobile, he could spread that gray wave to entire star systems… even entire space sectors!” 

“Right. We could be facing an intergalactic pandemic of sorts,” John said, grimly. “Yeah, that’s a pretty non-Euclidean situation, alright.”

“Carol has the most experience dealing with Grays,” Hal said. “She’s called in other Star Sapphires to work with her and the Guardians on ways to deal with the ‘Gray Wave’ while we still have options.”

“Any good news for us, Hal? I think we all could use some,” said John.

“We’ve got the ringleader of the attacks on Mogo locked in a Sciencell,” Hal said. “Unfortunately, Amon Sur isn’t talking. We’re still not sure what his goals were.”

“But we stopped him,” Kyle said.  “At great cost.”

“Kilowog’s leading a squad of Lanterns on Mogo, rounding up any stray Yellow Lanterns and Qwardians that’re still planetside,” Hal added.  “And we’ve got some of our best tracking down Lyssa Drak out in deep space. She’ll answer for her crimes… including murder.”

“That’ll be cold comfort to those who knew Esperanza,” John said. “And her family.”

“Maybe bringing Lyssa to justice will help her sister find some closure,” Kyle said.  “Enough to lift the gray shadow on her heart.”

“Here’s hoping,” John said.

Sector 2494, within the B’rhnacthi Nebula

“No more runnin’, Drak,” Guy Gardner snarled.  “If I were you, I’d surrender… but I won’t cry if you decide to put up a fight.”

“Not helping, Guy,” said Arisia Rrab to her fellow Green Lantern. “But he’s right, Lyssa – there’s nowhere left for you to run to. It’s over.”

Interior Artwork from the Justice League #48 (Feb. 2016). © and TM DC.  Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Jason Fabok.

“Oh? Well, in that case… I give up,” Lyssa Drak replied, a sneer on her lips as she raised her hands in surrender.

“Huh,” Guy said, slightly puzzled. “Just like that? No monologue, no threats, no yellow spikes and chains or quotes from the Book of Parallax?”

“Nope,” Lyssa said.  “How do you Earthers put it?  ‘I want my phone call’…yeah, that’s it.”

Arisia shrugged and generated a set of handcuffs and manacles with her power ring. “This might be a first,” she said as she placed the bindings onto Lyssa. “Sinestro Corps members usually put up more of a fight.”

“Yeah,” Guy replied.  “A lot more… like ‘to the last, I grapple with thee’ more.  Somethin’s fishy here.”

“You got me, cowboy,” Lyssa said.  A moment later, her body began to twist and contort, transforming before the surprised eyes of the two Green Lanterns.  After a moment, an orange humanoid in the uniform of the Sinestro Corps floated in space before them.

“A Durlan,” Arisia said dryly. “Who hired you to impersonate Drak, shapeshifter?”

“Got nothin’ to say to you, sweetheart,” the Durlan replied.  “Take me to my Sciencell.”

“We’ve been had,” Guy said to Arisia as he encased the Durlan within a green energy bubble.  “This punk led us on a wild goose chase, and Drak’s still at large.”

“And up to no good, I’m sure,” Arisia said.

“Oh, hon, you have no idea,” the Durlan said, chuckling.  “That, I’ll give ya for free!”

“Shut it, Durlan,” Guy said.  “Call our little blue bosses, Arisia.  The Guardians are gonna wanna know about this.”

“Right,” Arisia said, frowning at the Durlan’s words. “Hope we’re not too late.”

Sector 2261, Planet Mogo

Interior Artwork from Green Lantern #64 (Mar. 2011). © and TM DC.  Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Doug Mahnke.

“It is as I foretold,” Lyssa Drak muttered as she emerged from the shadows beneath a dark gray sky.  “The ruse was successful, and our enemies are in disarray.”

You have served us well, child of night. Release us, and you shall have your dark reward.

“Soon,” Lyssa replied to the ominous voice within her mind. “Your jailer has been weakened, where I am stronger than I have ever been.  I shall deliver you from durance vile… my master.”

She paused at the entrance to a foreboding cave, smiling, a hint of madness in her eyes. 

“Your victory is nigh,” she said. “No one will stand before your terrible might!”

And with that, she walked into the dark cavern, her maniacal laughter echoing within its shadowy depths.