Chapter XIII: Beginning Of War

Oliver Queen's funeral service was a quiet one. Resistance members stood on one side while the Regime stood on the other, United only by their mourning for a friend's death. Dinah and Hal stayed last. "Dinah."

She peered her eyes at him, "Are you still standing with Superman after this?"

He closed his eyes and turned his head to the side, "I am. The world is better. He didn't mean to"- She turned away, "There's nothing more to say, Hal."

Soon enough Superman flew down, "Can we talk? I'm sorry. I... it was an accident. I never meant to hurt him," he tried to reach out to her, "Please. Say something."

"You want me to say something?" She turned around and screamed loud enough to make his ears bleed. He grabbed her by the mouth, but released her a moment later. "That's it, Clark. Let's see the real you. Show me the last thing Ollie saw before you killed him. You fooled me, like everyone else. I believed that you were like us. I thought you were human. But you're not. You don't see the world like we do. You see humanity as something you need to protect, something fragile. We will tear you down."

He glared at her, "I would watch your words, Dinah."

"Look at me closely."

After a moment his eyes went wide, "You're pregnant."

"Yes. I'm fighting for two now," he flew off. "He's gone. Did the lenses record everything?"

"Yes. We got it all, Dinah. Well done."

"Good."

"Oracle out."

Up in space Itachi looked down on Earth.'The plan has changed. Superman is still loved by the people. If we take him down now the world may hate us... we'll have to make the world hate him first. The cracks are starting to show already, he just sent Green Lantern to interfere with Congress's government shut down, and he has started enforcing curfews starting in Gotham. It's inevitable that he'll soon try to enforce this on a world scale.'

Itachi made his way to the teleporter and went back down to Earth. To try and hide his identity he has been using a disguise to walk around in public. And for his communicator his only choice is to muffle it, because he gets questioned if it's turned off.

Up back in space as soon as Itachi left, Sinestro appeared outside the watchtower window and Superman blitzed him into the moon. Sinestro didn't fight back, "Please... I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to warn you. They're coming. They would see this world returned to the chaos that was consuming it. They're coming for you Superman."

Later at the Hall Of Justice Ganthet the guardian confronted Superman with Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner by his side. "What can I do for you, Ganthet?"

"You have helped us many times in the past. There have been times when your intervention was the difference between victory and defeat, and so I come to you today as a friend-- as an Ambassador of Oa. I am here to advise. Not to interfere."

Superman remained stone faced, "And what is your advice?"

"Stop what you are doing."

Superman slammed a fist on the table. "What I'm doing is protecting these people."

"No, Superman. What you are doing is seeking to control them."

"I am one of them."

"No. You are not. You have been raised among them, but you are not of Earth."

"You're right. I am not of this planet. My planet was destroyed and my people perished due to ignorant and arrogant leaders not acting when needed. I will not allow that to happen again."

"I have watched many civilizations rise and fall. We guardians are gifted with enormous power. Sometimes, not using that power is the most difficult decision of all. The people of Earth must be allowed to follow their own path, without outside interference or control."

The earpiece in Superman's ear went off, "Ask him. Ask him the question."

"You said you have watched civilizations rise and fall," he glared at him, "Were you watching Krypton in its final moments? Did you choose, in your infinite wisdom, not to use your power that day?"

Ganthet looked down and Hal said, "Ganthet?"

Superman pushed his hands into the table, "You dare? You dare come to me today to lecture ME on responsibility? You doomed my planet. You people, my parents!"

Ganthet flew above Superman, "No. They doomed themselves."

Superman flew above him, "You want me to let the monsters of this world run free?"

"We will not allow you to rule over these people, Kal-El of Krypton!"

They both got into battle ready positions, "Is that a threat?"

"It is a warning."

Guy Gardner got in-between them, "Okay, guys. You're both very intimidating. Now, how about we take the ominous power levels down a notch before we lose a continent? Why don't we go get a drink? It might be hard for Ganthet to see over the bar, but I could bring a cushion or something."

Superman peered his eyes and maintained strong eye contact with Superman, "Ganthet. Get the hell off my planet."

He turned around and walked out, "I am sorry to see you like this, Superman. It is clear that you are past the point of reason. We will return to Oa. Come, Hal Jordan."

Superman sat back down in his chair and Sinestro appeared behind him, "You see now? You realize now what I realized long ago. They are guardians in name only. I am sorry for Krypton and Its people, Superman."

"Do not think for a second that I trust you, Sinestro."

"We are not so different, Superman. They will come for you as they came for me. I don't expect you to trust me, but you will need me when they come."

After their meeting, Sinestro willingly was imprisoned and Superman, Flash, and Lex were standing on the other side, and even after Sinestro's story about his past Flash still thought the team up was a horrible idea. "Oh, come on. Can we please not even pretend to believe this 'poor misunderstood Sinestro' sob story? This is the poster boy for an entire corps of evil, who spend all their time doing evil."

Lex stood in front of Clark, "We cannot trust him. He's right. You can't trust me. But I have no interest in destroying you, Superman. We have the same enemy. I need you. I need you to stand against them. They will never leave you in peace. I am not trying to decieve you. I want revenge."

Flash's mouth tensed, "Well at least He's honest about his evil. I vote for letting him rot in the cage."

Sinestro raised his chin and started glowing, "You think you can contain me?"

He easily walked through the laser grid cell and everyone got into a battle ready stance, "Impossible. I designed that cell myself. Nothing should be able to escape."

Sinestro got close to him, "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

"Exactly."

"I can kill you with a thought, human."

Flash got in his face, "I can smack you down faster."

He looked back at Lex, "You fear me."

"Of course."

"Then there is only one way. I give you your fear," he handed his ring to Lex. "They are Guardians in name only. They only want control. They let your planet and your parents die. How many more civilizations have they watched burn? How many times have they chosen death over life?" He turned around, "I am not a good man anymore, but when the time comes you will need me. Together we will end them," he turned around again and smiled, "Oh, and also I think we should have a talk about your interesting friend with the red clouded cloak."

Back on Oa Green Lantern has finished standing in front of the Guardians for trial, he flew down and met Kilowog who met him with open arms, "Poozer!" He hugged him, "It's good to see you!"

"Hnng, it's good to see you too, Kilowog, but I need my chest cavity for all sorts of things."

"Ha! What's a few ribs between friends?"

Ganthet flew down, "Kilowog. The council is waiting."

"Of course Ganthet."

Hal turned his head towards another friend, "You look like you just watched someone repeatedly slapping a kitten."

"John Stewart!! What are you doing on Oa?"

They shook hands, "I was hoping you could tell me."

Hal frowned, "I'm afraid you're probably here because of Earth."

"Why?"

"Superman has begun transforming the planet in your absence. It's amazing, John, but I'm not sure the guardians see it that way." Well, it has to be big for them to recall me from Ryut. The place is far from stable."

They looked up into the sky at dozens more Lanterns arriving on the planet. "Looks like you're not the only one being recalled," he looked towards Kilowog and the rest of the lanterns coming down the steps, "What's happening."

He looked down at the ground, "I'm taking a squad of Lanterns to Earth. The guardians want us to apprehend Superman and bring him back here for trial."

"What? Superman is doing what's best for Earth. If you think for a second that I'm going to help you"-"No. The Guardians know you're not going to help. I argued for you, but they don't trust you on this one. Sorry, Poozer. I'm going to have to ask you for your ring until this is over."

Hal's brow and mouth tensed, "You think I'm going to just lie down and let you attack my planet?"

The test of the Lanterns started surrounding him, "Don't be stupid, Jordan."

"Back off!" He used his ring to shoot out beams like a disco ball that made everyone back off and started flying off the planet.

"STOP HIM!"

The guardians looked at Hal trying to leave the planet, "It is as we feared."

"We should intervene."

A guardian put a hand on Ganthet's shoulder, "No, Ganthet. Let the corps handle Jordan."

"Hal Jordan has proven the strength of his will time and time again. If he wills it strongly enough, do you honestly believe his fellow Lanterns could stop him? He must not be allowed to warn Superman. We must act."

On Earth Superman, Shazam, and Hawkgirl flew over a plain field and looked up at the dozens of Green Lanterns flying down. Shazam had a furrowed brow, "What do they want?"

Superman kept looking up, "Me."

Kilowog led the group, "Superman. The Guardians want to talk to you on Oa."

I am doing important work here, Kilowog. I will not leave."

"I've been told to bring you in. I'd really like to do that without any trouble."

Hawkgirl's eyes peered, "Where is Hal Jordan?"

Superman asked, "What did you do to him?" Kilowog didn't respond," Cyborg."

"I have them."

"The ground is clear beneath us. Take the shot."

Kilowog looked up, "No fricking"- a huge red beams shot down from the Watchtower and hit all of the Lanterns.

"Are they down? Superman, can you confirm--are all of the Green Lanterns down?"

"No."

5 Lanterns flew out of the smoke and started fighting them. Kilowog swung a hammer at Superman, "This is stupid, Kilowog," he went behind him and grabbed his head, "You can't touch me with a thought based weapon. I can move faster than thought."

"Then I guess it's lucky that we already thought of that. See, we already touched you."

Superman crashed onto the ground and was paralyzed. He looked up at a flying squirrel. "S...Squirrel?"

"Yeah, they always underestimate the Squirrel."

The Squirrel landed on his chest, "It's always the same with you all powerful types. You're used to big things coming at you, but you don't consider the little things. Sure I'm small, but I can also think small. Right now. I'm thinking so small that I'm stopping the synapses from firing in your brain."

Hawkgirl and Shazam were restrained and Kilowog announced, "Okay, let's wrap this up."

Another Lantern asked, "What about these two?"

"Bring them, we'll let the Guardians decide what to do with them. Ch'p. Can you keep Superman's brain out of action until we get to Oa."

"Sure, I'll even try not to permanently damage him." Although before they could do anything else a yellow nail went through his brain, killing him instantly."

They all looked up and saw Sinestro. "You..."

"Oh, don't look at me like that, "Poozer". I did you a favor. You always looked ridiculous fighting beside a Squirrel."

Another fight broke out and Hal and John arrived on the scene, "What's Sinestro doing here?!"

"Try to break up the fighting. Then we'll ask questions."

John started flying towards Sinestro, "I've got Sinestro. You try to stop Superman and Kilowog from tearing each other to pieces!"

Hal stopped Kilowog's fist, "Kilowog stop! Stand down!"

"Yes, stand down. Sinestro stood in front of a squadron of Yellow Lanterns, "There's really no point."

Hal looked at Superman, "What is going on?"

"Don't be concerned, Superman. They're not against you."

Superman's brow furrowed, "What is this, Sinestro?"

"This is how you win a war."

Kilowog looked back at the rest of the Green Lanterns. "STOP FIGHTING! We yield okay? We're done, let us take our wounded."

Sinestro stated, "No."

Hal got close to Sinestro and pointed at him, "I don't know what you're doing here, but you don't get to make that decision, Sinestro."

Sinestro put his hands behind his back, "They can't be allowed to report back to Oa. You know this. If you let them go, they will only return with the rest."

Hal looked at Superman, "Superman?"

Superman looked away and down at the ground, "Sinestro's right."

The Yellow Lanterns surrounded the Green Lanterns, "You know what needs to happen. They must be exterminated. Superman," he crossed his arms, "Superman. If you let these Green Lanterns go free, they will only return to challenge your rule again. Let us exterminate them and be done with it."

Hal yelled, "NO ONE is exterminating ANYONE."

"Superman?"

Shazam cut in, "We will not condone executions, Sinestro. We're heroes."

Kilowog said, "You sure about that? Cause I don't remember a whole lot of "heroes" that were happy to be seen standing so close to the scum of the Sinestro corps. HRRRG!"

Arkillo wrapped ropes around him and lifted him off the ground. Hal put jackhammers on both sides of his head, "Release him!"

"We outnumber you, Jordan. I'm not going to let him go. I'm going to keep squeezing until he pops."

Superman walked up to Arkillo, "You were told to stop."

He looked at Sinestro for confirmation, "Do as they say, Arkillo," he returned his focus to Superman, "If you won't kill them, then realize that this is a war. There are prisoners in war."

"I know," he walked up to Kilowog, "Green Lanterns, remove your rings."

"Do not!"

Superman leaned in and his forehead tensed, "Remove your rings and I promise you will be humanly detained. No harm will come to you."

Arkillo also leaned in, "Don't listen to him, Kilowog. Fight back! Give us a reason to turn you into little green bits."

"I don't control the Sinestro corps, Kiloeog. This is the only way your people make it out of this."

Kilowog submitted and took his ring off, "You should have come quietly. The Guardians are going to kick your ass."

Superman looked at Sinestro, "We'll take them from here. Sinestro. Your corps isn't welcome on Earth, I want them gone."

Sinestro's forehead tensed and he lowered his head, "I would advise against this"-John interrupted, "You heard him, Sinestro."

Hal followed up, "Leave."

"No. The corps goes, but Sinestro stays."

Hal had wide eyes, "What?"

"There is more going on here than you realize, Hal. And without him I'd be paralyzed, and halfway to Oa by now."

Sinestro looked over his shoulder at Arkillo, "Arkillo, take the corps away but remain ready. We've hidden our presence here from the Guardians gaze, but this is not the end. This war is just beginning."