Chapter 107 : the rise of the third army

Author note : Hello guys ! New week end and a new chapter of your favorite story ! Okay, probably not… Still hope you like it ! Your comments, reviews and stones give me an idea as to how much you do.

Also, there are other stories and chapters to read in advance on my Patréon page ! Look for Cathbel on the website or use this link : https://www.patr*on.com/user?u=66371596

There are up to 10 chapters ahead for both 'squib who became Iron Lad' and 'Marvel : the Author'.

Enjoy !

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The Organic Interface floated in orbit of Oa, studying its green glow as he waited. His sensors had already pinged the planet's radar and monitoring facilities so now, he expected some kind of a welcoming committee. Whether it was in the form of the alien race in charge of the planet's administration, or the corps enforcing the law in the universe, it was still to be determined.

What he didn't expect was the response time… Granted, organic beings were not the most organized and efficient, but this… This was just appalling ! Where are the Maltusians ? Or the Green Lanterns ?

The Organic Interface considered the current situation and likened it to someone going to a police station. Although it was monitored and guarded, it was possible to enter it or even stand in front of it… Perhaps, it was something like this ? Still… Someone with the ability to travel through space unassisted should raise a few alarm bells.

Well… Perhaps, it was better for him. He shrugged, a very human-like gesture he only noticed a millisecond after he had already done it. He ran a quick diagnostic of his systems to find out whether anything was wrong with him, and arrive at the conclusion that it was only a remnant of his life as a human.

Filing this problem into a new folder under 'possible aberrant behavior', the OI started to move in on the planet. Although he had already tried to scan for the Third Army or the Maltusians, he had been unable to find either of them. Then again, it was logical their creation wouldn't be detectable, especially by the GL's rings.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, on the planet's surface, the Green Lanterns had all been called in, in order to deal with a prison break. Oa wasn't just the Headquarters for the Guardians and the Green Lantern corps. It was also the place where they kept the most fierce and dangerous criminals of the universe. While, to the Green Lanterns in charge of security, it appeared like a glitch in their security measures had occurred that allowed for the criminals to escape, the truth was that the guardians had orchestrated it. In order for all of the Lanterns to come back, they needed a reason that would push even the most headstrong and unruly to come. Guy Gardner and Hal Jordan, to name only two, were quite free-spirited after all…

As for why they were doing this… Well, it was all so that they could enact their plan to cleanse this universe of all emotions.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Kyle Rayner was journeying through the universe in search of teachers, trying to wield the different colors of the emotional spectrum. He'd already gone through the Red of Rage, Yellow of Fear and Blue of Hope. And now, he was listening to the teachings of Indigo-1 on the Indigo color of compassion. Unlike the other corps, the members were actually former criminals forced through their ring to experience the pain they've inflicted on their victims. Essentially, they were convicts.

Indigo-1, formerly known as Iroque, was a former terrorist, a bomber who had caused the death of Abin Sur's daughter. Abin Sur had brought her here to become the first member of the Indigo tribe before he died some time later, his green lantern ring inherited by Hal Jordan.

Kyle being a rather compassionate person, he was rather quick to pick up on how to harness the indigo light, unlike the red of Rage and yellow of Fear. Essentially, he had noticed that he had troubles accessing the more negative emotions. To this day, Greed was still completely inaccessible to him… He was actually planning on visiting Larfleeze in order to learn how to wield the orange light. No doubt that would go swimmingly !

Another light he hasn't been able to use successfully for long periods yet is the violet light of Love. Carol has been teaching him but it doesn't seem to go very well… Especially since he noticed for whom his feelings are love are directed and he almost always feels guilty.

All in all, Kyle was progressing towards the complete mastery of the Emotional electromagnetic spectrum and toward the white light of Life. However, he couldn't help the growing unrest in his mind. His sense of urgency was telling him to hurry and he could only wonder if he would be successful for whatever crisis was up ahead…

* * * * *

Far from Green Lantern controlled space, in a region where none of the other corps possess a decent presence in, a couple of small blue people dressed in what some would consider red judges' clothes were floating in space over a world. Using their powerful will, they scanned the world and directed their new weapons…

One of them commented, coldly :

« It's operating at optimum capacity. As expected, a life devoid of emotion is the most perfect life there is… »

Its current partner, Ganthet, nodded :

« Indeed. I realize now how foolish my earlier fears about the process was. I now am… perfect, as well. No hesitation, no feeling of any kind… Only our purpose remains. »

Down on the world, a few members of their Third Army had been sent in order to 'recruit' more members. Of course, like the Guardians did for Ganthet when he opposed having his emotions erased, they didn't ask what the people down there wanted. No doubt, they too would be foolish enough as to argue that having emotions was better than having none. Soon, however, they would know no more pain, no more sadness or fear… They would be complete and they would be one with their will.

* * * * *

A mother with a pink skin and three eyes, no hair but a ridge crest atop her head held her children to her chest, trying to hide her discomfort. The attack on their world by an unknown alien invader had started a few days ago. Their armies could do nothing against the seemingly magical abilities of the aliens… Soon, they joined them. She had seen the footage of their soldiers turning into… the mouthless and terrifyingly silent metallic monsters. All it took was a scratch and in a few moments of extreme pain, if one were to judge by the horrendous screams, the person would become something else. Something like them.

The government was quick to be toppled after that and now, only a few token pockets of resistance remained still fighting against the invader. An invader they knew nothing of, that didn't try to communicate, couldn't be reasoned with and whose purpose, beyond spreading like some kind of humanoid plague, was unknown.

The mother had taken her children and was holding up in the only safe place where she thought she might survive. Buried under the ground of her house, where she kept the non-perishable food. Her hope was dim, but she put on a strong face for her children. Tonight would be their last meal…

The monsters had now almost completely taken over the bodies of her people. The resistance had been defeated and converted and they were now roaming the world to find the last survivors. Neither she, nor her children would grow their ranks. This, she had decided ! So, with a smile and while humming a song to assuage her children's fears, she prepared a feast.

The monsters had almost reached their small village. Since she and her people were running out of time, and with no means to fight back against them, there was truly only one recourse for her and her children…

She sprinkled it in the sauce before churning it long and hard. Unfortunately, this would not be painless… However, they would leave this world as themselves. With a strained smile and hopeless eyes, she served her children their last meal, trying to make their last conversation as pleasant as it could be.

A couple of hours later, the Third Army discovered the lifeless body of three people : a woman and her two children. They were lying in a pool of blood and mixed bodily fluids. After a tremendous deal of pain, they had finally been released from it, loosening their facial features into a relaxed, almost relieved expression.