Hal thought for a moment before turning to John Stewart. His voice carried a restrained frustration.
"I'm afraid it's because of Earth."
"Earth? What happened there?" John asked, clearly unaware of recent events after being summoned to Oa.
"A lot has changed on Earth recently. Homelander overthrew the legitimate government and now controls all of America. Personally, I think the reforms have been effective, but the Guardians do not share that view."
Hal spoke with a helpless expression, aware of how divided the Corps was on the matter.
John nodded slowly. "They pulled me out of Ute for this?"
"That's right," Hal replied.
"It was heavy work there. I was barely able to leave," John added.
"What happened at Ute?" Hal asked.
"Something unbelievable," John said, but before he could elaborate, the sky above them changed.
Countless emerald lights streaked across the heavens like falling stars.
Hal looked up. "Looks like you weren't the only one summoned."
The sky was soon filled with Green Lanterns of every form and species imaginable. Creatures with octopus limbs, centaur-like warriors, blue-skinned beings with sharp ears, and even bizarre squid-like Lanterns descended toward the Council Tower. Among them, Kilowog stood out despite his alien features.
Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed from the tower stairs.
Kilowog approached Hal and John.
"What's going on, Kilowog?" Hal asked immediately.
"I've been assigned to a Lantern unit heading to Earth. The Guardians have ordered us to bring Homelander in for interrogation," Kilowog replied.
Hal's expression tightened instantly.
"You can't do that. Not everything he did was wrong. He protected Earth. He shouldn't be treated like a criminal. I won't be part of this."
His stance was firm.
Even as a Green Lantern, Hal was also tied to Earth as its protector.
Kilowog exhaled heavily. "The Guardians knew you'd refuse. I tried to argue for you, but they do not trust your judgment on this."
Hal's eyes narrowed. "So what now?"
"I've been ordered to retrieve your ring. You are confined here until the mission is complete," Kilowog said, extending his hand.
The weight of the order hung between them.
Hal's jaw tightened. "You expect me to hand over my ring while you go after my planet?"
Green energy began to glow around his fist as his will intensified. The ring responded instantly, reacting to his anger.
"Don't do anything reckless, Hal," Kilowog warned.
A dozen Lanterns surrounded them within seconds. John Stewart stood among them, though his expression remained conflicted.
"Hal, stop this," John said quietly.
Hal said nothing. His gaze shifted across the ring of Lanterns tightening around him.
Then his power erupted.
"Move."
A burst of concentrated emerald energy exploded outward from his clenched hand, scattering the Lanterns. Kilowog was struck first, thrown back heavily as blood spilled from his nose. The others followed, flung away by the force of Hal's will.
Without hesitation, Hal shot upward as a beam of green light, escaping into the sky.
"Stop him!" Kilowog shouted, holding his face.
The remaining Lanterns immediately pursued him.
Above them, the Guardians watched from the tower.
Ganthet frowned. "We must intervene."
Another Guardian responded. "No. Let the Corps handle Hal Jordan."
But Ganthet shook his head. "Hal Jordan's will is unmatched. If he is determined, very few can stop him."
Meanwhile, Hal pushed himself to maximum speed.
"They cannot reach Earth. They cannot warn Adrian," he thought.
A sudden energy blast struck him from above.
The attack came too fast to evade.
Hal was hit midair and forced downward, gritting his teeth as he tried to stabilize his descent. A containment field formed around him before he could recover.
He slammed a construct fist into the barrier.
Nothing.
The field held firm.
Hal roared and struck again with everything he had.
Cracks formed.
But before it could break, energy bindings wrapped around his limbs. More Lanterns arrived, reinforcing the restraints and pulling him away from the opening.
"Let me go!" Hal shouted, reaching out as the escape path closed.
He crashed to the ground, restrained on all sides.
John Stewart landed nearby. "Stop resisting, Hal."
Hal looked up. "John, you can't do this. Adrian has saved Earth countless times. You are letting them make a mistake."
Before he could continue, Kilowog struck him.
The blow sent Hal staggering.
Blood ran from his nose again.
Hal let out a strained laugh, eyes locked on Kilowog. "Hitting a restrained man must make you feel strong."
Kilowog's breathing was heavy, his anger barely contained.
"Untie him," Kilowog ordered.
Ganthet stepped in immediately. "No. That is exactly what he wants. Do not fall for it."
Hal smirked faintly. "Come on, Kilowog. Show them how justice works."
Kilowog raised his fist but hesitated.
The conflict was visible in his expression.
Finally, he struck again.
Hal collapsed.
"Remove his ring," Ganthet ordered. "Then proceed to Earth."
Later, Hal regained consciousness inside a holding chamber aboard the Corps facility. A translucent barrier separated him from the outside.
Salakk guarded him, seated calmly.
"It is still not too late," Hal said. "You can stop this."
"This is the Guardians' decision," Salakk replied.
Hal shook his head. "You are provoking a war you do not understand. Adrian is not someone who can be handled through force."
Salakk remained unconvinced. "A retrieval team has already been deployed."
Hal exhaled slowly. "You are underestimating him."
Footsteps approached.
A Lantern appeared behind Salakk.
"Shift change," the newcomer said.
Salakk frowned. "I received no such order."
The Lantern moved closer. "When have the Guardians ever explained themselves to you?"
Salakk turned slightly.
A flash of green light struck his head.
He collapsed instantly.
Hal's eyes widened. "John?"
John Stewart stood there, lowering his hand.
"You need to leave, Hal. Now," John said firmly.
He opened the containment field.
Hal stepped out slowly. "Why help me?"
"I trust you. And I trust Adrian," John replied, returning Hal's ring.
Hal accepted it, still processing. "So this was an act?"
"Yes," John said. "It had to look real."
Hal nodded once. "Then let's move."
Together, they escaped the facility.
Earth.
Smallville High School.
A history class was underway.
"Turn to page thirty-seven. We will be covering early American industrial development and its global impact," the teacher said, continuing her lecture.
The classroom door suddenly opened.
"Excuse me," a voice said.
The teacher froze.
Standing at the entrance was Adrian.
The classroom fell silent.
She had not expected to see Adrian there.
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