John Stewart stood with his arms crossed, his green ring casting a faint glow across the metallic floor. He had been a Green Lantern long enough to recognize when he was about to be dragged into something complicated and Arthur Blackwynd was the definition of complicated.
Arthur stood beside him, he wore simple black clothing he preferred when not actively engaged in battle. His violet eyes were fixed on the stars beyond the observation window, his posture deceptively relaxed. But John had fought alongside enough warriors to recognize the tension beneath that. "Alright," John said, his voice shows that he had already accepted his fate. "We're going to Oa. I suggest we fly, it'll give you a chance to see the sector, get a feel for the space around it... The Guardians appreciate when visitors arrive through proper channels. It shows respect."
"I have a faster way." Arthur said calmly.
John's eyes narrowed. His voice dropped, "Please don't tell me we are teleporting there. They will be on alert the moment you set foot on the planet. The moment you breach their perimeter, every Lantern in the planet will know."
He stepped closer, his voice becoming more urgent.
"I know you don't like the Guardians. Trust me, I get it. I've had my issues with them for years. They're rigid, they're controlling, they're convinced they know what's best for the universe and for everyone." He paused. "But please.. you need to show a bit of respect for the order there. For my sake, man. If you antagonize them, they'll make this difficult. And I'll be the one who has to smooth things over.."
Arthur's smile widened. "Fine. I'll teleport only outside of their citadel.. Not exactly in front of their faces."
John's jaw tightened. His hand rose to pinch the bridge of his nose. "That's not what I.." He stopped, exhaling slowly. "You know what? Do whatever you want. I'll get into trouble either way. I always do when I'm around people like you."
Arthur's laugh was warm, genuine. "That's the spirit."
He raised his hand.
A portal opened its surface swirling with the colors of space, Beyond it, the green-tinged atmosphere of Oa could be seen, the pulsing glow of the Central Power Battery illuminating the landscape.
John sighed, the sound carrying a thousand regrets.
"I hate you man," he said quietly.
Arthur stepped toward the portal, his voice carrying back over his shoulder. "No, you don't."
He stepped through.
John followed, muttering under his breath.
.
.
.
.
Oa -
The world of Oa was a world shaped by the will of beings who had dedicated their existence to the preservation of life and the suppression of chaos. The sky was a deep, vibrant green, illuminated by the pulsing glow of the Central Power Battery. The air was clean, almost sterile.
Arthur and John emerged from the portal on a plateau overlooking the Citadel of the Guardians. The structure rose before them, a massive complex of crystal and light, its spires reaching toward the green sky, Green Lanterns moved through the air like streams of emerald light, their forms silhouetted against the glow of the Battery.
Arthur's eyes swept across the landscape, his expression unreadable. His hands were clasped behind his back, he was relaxed, almost casual.
John stepped forward, his ring glowing. "Alright. They've already noticed us.. Give me a moment to.."
Before he could finish, a swarm of Green Lanterns descended from the sky.
They surrounded Arthur and John in a perfect formation, their rings blazing with emerald light, their expressions wary and guarded. The lead Lantern, a tall, armored figure with red eyes, hovered before them.
"Shadow Monarch." His eyes flicked to John, a brief acknowledgment. "Stewart. State your purpose."
Arthur's voice was calm, "I'm here to meet the Guardians. Important business."
The lead Lantern's eyes narrowed. His ring pulsed with power, a subtle threat. "You are not welcome here, Shadow Monarch. Your presence disturbs the Central power..."
"Is tolerated," Arthur cut in smoothly, "because I'm here with John Stewart, and because I have no intention of causing trouble, also I won't be staying for too long." He paused, his eyes sweeping across the assembled Lanterns. "And because I'm hiding my Shadow Ring. It makes you guys weaker, so I won't be using it."
The lead Lantern's jaw tightened. His eyes flicked to John, seeking confirmation. John nodded slowly.
The lead Lantern was silent for a long moment. Then he stepped aside,
"Proceed," he said, his voice flat. "But know that we are watching you."
Arthur's smile was thin, "I would expect nothing less from the most competent Lantern Corps in the universe."
He walked toward the Citadel,
John fell into step beside him, his voice a low whisper. "You could have been a little less... you."
Arthur's voice was equally quiet, "I was being polite."
John shook his head slowly. "That was polite? That was your version of polite?"
Arthur's smile widened. "Compared to what I usually am? Yes." He paused. "You should see me when I'm not trying."
The Citadel was vast, its ceiling lost in a haze of green light, its walls lined with the ancient forms of the Guardians of the Universe. They floated in a semicircle, their eyes fixed on the two figures who had entered their hall.
Arthur rose to meet them, his feet leaving the ground, his form hovering at eye level with the Guardians. His expression was calm, respectful, but he had faced them before. He had challenged their authority, and he had walked away.
John stayed on the ground, his ring dimmed, his posture respectful. He had been in this chamber many times. He knew the protocols. He also knew that Arthur was probably about to say something that would make his life significantly more difficult.
The lead Guardian spoke, "Arthur Blackwynd." A pause. "The Shadow Monarch and The Supreme Commander of the Shadow Corps, This is an unexpected visit."
Arthur inclined his head, his voice measured, respectful. "Guardians." He paused. "I come seeking information."
A murmur passed through the assembled Guardians. Their eyes narrowed, their ancient minds already calculating the implications of his words. They had learned, over the millennia, to be wary of beings who sought knowledge, especially beings who had demonstrated the power to reshape entire worlds.
The lead Guardian's voice was flat and cautious. "Speak."
Arthur's eyes swept across them, "I came here because Nyx was attacked. By Mobius." He paused, letting the name sink in. "The Anti-Monitor."
The chamber fell silent.
The Guardians exchanged glances, their ancient faces showed concern, they knew the name. They knew the power and they knew the threat.
"I know you have history with this being," Arthur continued, his voice steady, unwavering. "Considering he seeks to end all matter, while you preserve life. I need information. Information regarding the history of Planet Qward, where Nyx now resides, and any information about the secrets of the anti-matter universe, and Mobius himself."
He paused, his eyes blazing violet.
"It is important because I intend to deal with him myself. He will prove to be a great threat to our universe here. He is not an enemy that can be ignored or contained. He is an enemy that must be confronted, and I will take that responsibility."
Silence stretched across them.
The lead Guardian spoke. "Qward was once a world of chaos, a breeding ground for fear, for despair, for the Yellow Lantern Corps. It was a stain on the universe, a monument to all that we sought to control and contain. It was a world that thrived on suffering, on the terror of those who could not escape its grip, and yet it also mirrored Oa."
His eyes found Arthur's.
"When you took it, when you transformed it into Nyx, we were... uncertain. We did not know what you intended. We watched, waiting for the moment when you would reveal your true purpose." He paused. "But we saw that you brought order to chaos. You brought purpose to emptiness. You created something from nothing, and we realized we were wrong about you."
Arthur's expression didn't change. "Thank you for your words but I didn't come here for praise."
The Guardian's lips thinned. "You came for knowledge."
"Yes."
The Guardian was silent for a long moment, then he spoke
"Mobius is not a being of chaos. He is a being of oblivion. He does not seek to rule, to conquer, or to dominate. He seeks to erase, to return all things to the nothing from which they came. He is the embodiment of entropy."
He paused, his eyes glowing with ancient wisdom.
"He has been in conflict with various kinds of beings throughout history. The New Gods. The Quintessence. Darkseid himself." His voice dropped. "Mobius survived them all. He intended to destroy the multiverse itself, but something happened to him and he retreated to the anti-matter universe, where he has been recovering, planning and waiting."
Arthur's voice was flat. "Waiting for what?"
The Guardian's eyes met his, "For a chance, for someone to prove worthy of his attention, someone he can grow stronger with by defeating him." He paused. "It seems you have done that."
Arthur's lips curved. "Then I won't disappoint him."
He turned away from the Guardians, his form descending toward the ground. His voice carried across the chamber, addressing them one last time.
"If you be so kind, order your Lanterns to keep an eye out for Mobius. And anti-matter waves." His voice hardened. "He might strike them and Oa as well. Both he and Darkseid know about our combined strength, Nyx and Oa are great forces that keep them at bay. Except we are doing a better job compared to you."
John's face went pale. His eyes darted between Arthur and the Guardians.
"Arthur," John hissed. "You can't just.."
Arthur was gone.
A gust of shadows, a whisper of violet light, and the Shadow Monarch had vanished.
John stood alone in the chamber, surrounded by the silent, watching forms of the Guardians. He could feel their eyes on him.
He opened his mouth, searching for words, for an explanation, for anything that might smooth over what had just happened.
"Look, he didn't mean.."
The lead Guardian's voice was flat. "We will take his words under advisement, John Stewart. You are dismissed."
John's jaw tightened. His hands clenched at his sides.
He turned and walked toward the exit, his footsteps echoing against the crystalline floor.
His voice was a whisper, barely audible.
"Why did you do me like that, Arthur..."
/-\
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