Beware My Power.
Scene: Metropolis, an office building. A group of Terrorists have taken its inhabitants hostage.
Head Terrorist:
Speaking out the window through a megaphone:
I’d like to remind you that time is not on your side. The lives of these people depend on our demands being met.
There are police barricades outside. Maggie Sawyer is speaking back through a megaphone:
Maggie Sawyer:
You’ve asked us for a lot of money. You’re going to have to be a little more reasonable while we try and muster the funding. There’s no reason to be rash, you’ll get everything you want.
Head Terrorist:
But, we’re not getting it nearly fast enough.
He leaves the window and eyes the rows of panicked hostages.
We’re going to have to set an example.
He approaches one of the hostages and holds a gun up to her head, she starts to cry.
Cuts to outside. Superman and John Stewart descend.
Superman:
How are the negotiations going?
Maggie Sawyer:
Badly.
John Stewart:
That’s all I needed to hear.
Maggie Sawyer:
There’s thirty something hostages up there, if you charge up there like a couple of nut jobs someone could die.
Superman:
We’ll be careful.
Suddenly gunshots are heard on the floor with the terrorists. Superman and John Stewart fly up there, but suddenly the whole floor glows green and the terrorists are shoved through the windows. Kyle Rayner flies out holding all the Terrorists in GL energy, he forms a massive construct of a pinball machine and sends the terrorists flying through it ricocheting off of bumpers and flippers battering them painfully. The pinball machine dissipates and the terrorists smash together into one massive force bubble which Kyle smashes onto the pavement below. When the construct fades the terrorists are beaten severely and moaning in pain, many of them have been battered into unconsciousness. Superman and John Stewart hover and watch incredulously at his brutality.
Opening Theme.
Scene: Metropolis, about fifteen minutes later. Kyle, Superman, and John Stewart are on top of the office building surveying the cleanup by the Metropolis SCU. The Terrorists are being taken away on stretchers into ambulances.
Superman:
It’s been a while, Kyle. We haven’t seen much of you since the League expanded.
Green Lantern:
I’ve been busy with the rest of 2814. Earth is pretty well protected now I’d say. Besides, you already have the best Green Lantern on the Corps.
John Stewart:
I’m flattered. But I wasn’t aware I was a replacement. You know the idea behind the expansion was to have as many people involved as possible.
Green Lantern:
Look, it’s a big Galaxy, but you know I’ll be here when you really need me.
John Stewart:
Jade and Katma have been pitching in more than you. And they don’t even live on Earth.
Green Lantern:
Look guys, I’m sorry but…
He holds up his construct hand.
…things are different now. I’m trying to help as many people as I can. You guys have Earth covered for me, so I can’t afford to hang around here all the time. There’s too much evil out there.
Superman:
Speaking of helping, I know everyone here is grateful for your assistance. But don’t you think--
Green Lantern:
Too brutal? Not a chance. If I hadn’t been up there when I was they would have blown that girl’s brains out. They’re the brutal ones, Superman. I’m just playing catch up. Look I gotta go. It was nice seeing you guys again.
He takes off. John Stewart and Superman exchange concerned looks.
Scene: Oa. John Stewart is walking with one of the Guardians.
Guardian:
I understand and appreciate your concerns. But the truth is Rayner’s performance as a Green Lantern has improved significantly in recent months.
He activates several monitors of Kyle battling monsters and villains in space.
Sector 2814 has been vastly devoid of conflict lately. Granted your presence on Earth has eased his job. But Rayner has even gone above and beyond that duty to help other Lanterns patrol their sectors.
John Stewart:
That’s fantastic. But I don‘t have a problem with him as a GL. The kid hasn’t been himself lately. He’s distant and obsessive. He doesn’t spend time with friends and family. He’s burying his life. It’s unhealthy.
Guardian:
People grow and change, John Stewart. But so long as he is still preserving peace the guardians cannot find fault with his attitude. We will watch out for any strange behavior, but I hardly see any reason for concern at this point.
The Guardian walks away. John eyes him.
John Stewart:
You wouldn’t. You’re not human.
Scene: Kyle Rayner is flying through space. He’s suddenly intercepted by a green energy beam and stopped. Kyle turns around angrily.
Green Lantern:
Look, whoever you are I don’t have time to--
He turns to see that Jade has grabbed him with an energy ray.
Jade!
Jade:
You don’t have time for me? I know.
Green Lantern:
Oh come on! I didn’t know it was you.
He flies up to her and tries to embrace her, but she turns away.
Jade:
Spare me, Kyle. I haven’t so much as heard from you in two weeks. I thought you were serious about us.
Green Lantern:
I was… I mean… I am. I’ve just been busy.
Jade:
Why haven’t you answered any of my messages?
Green Lantern:
Messages? Through the Corps or the Justice League?
Jade:
Exasperated:
Good God, on your answering machine!
Kyle stares blankly.
At your appartment!
Kyle continues to stare blankly.
On Earth! What’s wrong with you?!
Green Lantern:
Seemingly snapping out of a daze.
Oh… right… sorry. I haven’t been there in a while.
Jade:
You haven’t been there in two weeks?
Green Lantern:
Well I’ve been working overtime to keep 2814 under control, and then Kilowog had this family emergency so I told him I’d cover his sector and…
Jade:
Where have you been sleeping?!
Green Lantern:
Oh! I forgot to show you!
He holds up his ring and produces his power battery then inserts his hand into it and his whole body is suddenly charged with GL energy.
I figured out a way to substitute sleep for a recharge from my power battery. It’s just a matter of--
Jade:
Kyle!
Green Lantern:
What?
Jade:
This is crazy!
Green Lantern:
What is?
Jade:
You’re treating yourself like a machine!
Green Lantern:
I’ve been doing a lot of good.
Jade:
Kyle…
She hugs him.
…you’re only human.
Green Lantern:
Superhuman, actually.
Jade:
Look… I know things have been hard on you lately, but I can only be so patient. I want you to do me a favor.
Green Lantern:
Ok…
Jade:
Go home and get some sleep. Some real sleep, in your apartment on Earth. Then do some sketches and go for a walk in the park. Put Green Lantern on hold and give Kyle Rayner a try. Take a freaking day off!
Green Lantern:
I… I can’t… I have to--
Jade:
Me and the rest of the Corps can cover for you. You’ve earned it.
Green Lantern:
Jade I--
Jade:
Do it, Kyle! For me, and for us. And if you find you don’t enjoy being normal anymore… well… then so be it.
Green Lantern:
…Okay… I’ll take a 12 hour break.
Jade:
Kisses him.
Twenty-four hours, and not a minute less.
Green Lantern:
I’ll see you later…
He flies off towards Earth.
Jade:
I sure hope so…
Scene: Metropolis. Kyle lands near his apartment and switches to civilian clothes, a glove covering his energy hand. He enters his building and takes the elevator up to his floor. As he approaches his door his landlord stops him.
Landlord:
Rayner! Where the hell have you been?! Your rent is four days late.
Green Lantern:
Sorry I’ll have it for you by the weekend.
Landlord:
It is the weekend! And what’s with the glove are you a rockstar now or something?!
Kyle shrugs then enters his apartment. He sighs and looks around at various art projects left unfinished. He enters his bedroom and looks longingly at the bed.
Green Lantern:
You know… maybe it has been too long since I’ve had a good dream…
Kyle takes off his shirt and enters the bathroom. He opens the medicine cabinet and grabs some toothpaste and a toothbrush, but when he closes the cabinet he gasps and drops them. Several gaping holes are in his chest glowing with bright green Lantern energy.
Green Lantern:
No…
Scene: Oa. Kyle forcefully shoves open the door to the Guardian’s chamber.
Green Lantern:
What’s happening to me?!
Guardian 1:
Kyle Rayner. Welcome back to Oa.
Green Lantern:
What is this?!
He lifts up his shirt to show the glowing green energy that is replacing his flesh. The Guardians exchange blank expressions.
Guardian 2:
We suspected something like this might happen, Kyle. Please sit down.
Green Lantern:
No thanks.
Guardian 1:
Have you noticed, Kyle, that the construct of you hand has become progressively easier to hold in place.
Green Lantern:
Yes. I don’t have to think about it at all anymore.
Guardian 1:
It’s permanent now. A part of you. Kyle you have wielded your ring in a way no other lantern before you has. True every lantern can create constructs, but never has a ring selected someone with so vast and vivid an imagination. You’ve discovered uses of the power battery’s energy not even us Guardians were aware of. Your creative mind is actually granting the ring abilities it was never meant to have.
Green Lantern:
Great. But why is this happening to me?!
Gestures towards his chest.
Guardian 2:
Kyle, you’ve bonded with your ring and your power battery on a very intimate level. The result is nothing short of astounding. Already the results of your symbiosis are apparent. During the past month your performance has been nothing short of--
Green Lantern:
Why. Is. This. Happening?!
The Guardian’s exchange blank looks again.
Guardian 3:
We do not yet understand the subtleties of the transformation.
Green Lantern:
Transformation?
Guardian 2:
Your power levels are rising.
Green Lantern:
How can I be getting more powerful than I was before?! This is insane!
Guardian 1:
Not too long ago you felt differently. You didn’t feel the ring’s power was enough. You didn’t feel you were doing enough good. You were determined to save everyone and anyone, anywhere any time, under any circumstances.
Green Lantern:
Yes. I don’t want anyone else to die on my watch.
Guardian 2:
Then why fight this?
Green Lantern:
Because… because I’m changing too much too fast… what happens if I lose my humanity?
Guardian 3:
Sooner or later we all must evolve.
Green Lantern:
That’s it?! That’s all you have to say to me?!
Guardian 2:
Try to be reasonable. As Green Lantern of Sector 2814--
Green Lantern:
That’s what I am to you isn’t it?! A number! A tool! Well I’m not doing this anymore!
Kyle tries to take the ring off his construct finger but it won’t come off.
What?!
Guardian:
It is as we said. The ring is a part of you and you are a part of it. You’ve only yourself to blame for the commitment you made.
Green Lantern:
This isn’t fair… I didn’t know…
Kyle falls to his knees, then gets back up and Blasts a massive hole in the ceiling with a large pillar of energy. When he ceases his attack on the ceiling his eyes have turned permanently green and half of his face is starting to turn into green energy.
Guardian:
Kyle. With our guidance you can learn control.
Green Lantern:
I don’t need your help! I don’t need anyone’s help!
He shoots off into space.
Scene: Kyle is still flying in space though some time has passed. As he’s flying he’s suddenly attacked by a strange vision of a white skeleton faced creature. He staggers grabbing his head and looks up to find a skull shaped space ship. As he attempts to blast the ship with his ring he finds himself teleported aboard. Thanos is seated on a throne with Death at his side (disguised as a humanoid woman.)
Thanos:
Greetings, Green Lantern.
Kyle creates a construct of a battle axe and prepares to attack, but Thanos raises his hands in a surrender-like pose.
Please. I am not your enemy. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thanos. And this is my mistress.
Green Lantern:
Why did you abduct me?
Thanos:
Please forgive our intrusion. But I had to get your attention somehow. I feel that we can help each other.
Green Lantern:
Sorry, pal. Not interested. And if you don’t mind I kind of want to be alone.
He prepares to leave.
Thanos:
You will be alone if you don’t do something to halt that condition of yours.
Kyle pauses.
That’s right, Lantern. I am aware of your predicament.
Green Lantern:
You were spying on Oa?
Thanos:
Yes, but with the best of intentions I assure you. Have you ever heard of the Infinity Gems?
Green Lantern:
I’ve heard stories from pipe dream obsessed space explorers.
Thanos:
I assure you, the gems are quite real, petrified tears of the source of all creation bonded forever to the gauntlet of God himself.
Green Lantern:
Again, no. Please stop wasting my time with cosmic fables.
Thanos:
The Guantlet is real. What’s more I know where it is, how to obtain it, and…
He suddenly is right behind Kyle glowing with cosmic power.
… I once wore it myself.
He touches Kyle’s face and the green energy fades leaving his normal flesh and eyes in tact. Kyle looks at his reflection in the window astonished. He raises his hand to find it too restored to flesh and bone.
And I’ve only absorbed the most infinitesimally minuscule fraction of its power. Imagine what the gauntlet could do for you. It could salvage your humanity and still leave you with the power to protect an entire universe. The gems make the impossible possible. Complete control over Time, Space, Reality, Power, Mind and Soul.
Green Lantern looks very tempted for a moment, but then he turns towards Thanos very sternly.
Green Lantern:
And I suppose you’d just let me have them out of the goodness of your heart?
Thanos:
A just and benevolent God would benefit all.
Green Lantern:
I don’t believe a word of this.
Thanos:
Yes you do. You’ve felt it’s power through me. It would be easy with our combined resources to storm the void where the Gauntlet is protected. The Infinity Watch has recently been vanquished, only one stands guard of the Gauntlet in their stead. The Gauntlet is a tool like your ring. It would be a shame for it to go to waste when so many people needlessly suffer.
Green Lantern:
Do you really think I’m going to help a suspicious alien weirdo get anywhere near the most powerful weapon in existence? Sorry pal, I wasn’t born yesterday.
Thanos:
Pity…
Kyles face reverts to half energy and his hand returns to a construct.
Unlike the Gems my power has it’s limitations. But on a much… brighter note… you’ll probably have millennia as a higher cosmic entity to reconsider.
Green Lantern:
Go to hell.
He flies through the side of Thanos’s ship which reforms itself in his wake. Thanos watches him leave then returns to Death.
Thanos:
How utterly predicatable. But now the Lantern has tasted the power of the Gauntlet. The temptation to seek out its power will overwhelm him. It will consume him as it has me. And once he occupies the Surfer, I‘ll reclaim my rightful role as Lord of Creation… and destruction…
He kisses her passionately. As the camera turns she morphs back into her skull faced form.
The life of the universe is ours to extinguish, Mistress Death.
Scene: An uncharted section of the universe. Kyle Rayner comes upon a glowing cosmic void.
Green Lantern:
I’ll be damned… he was telling the truth…
Kyle is suddenly blasted by a highly concentrated cosmic beam. He shoots backward into one of the many floating chunks of rock surrounding the void. He flies back up and sees the Silver Surfer looking very angry charging up more cosmic energy.
Silver Surfer:
You have mere moments to explain your presence here.
Green Lantern:
I was tracking an energy signal I absorbed from a man called Thanos. I’m with the Lantern Corps.
Silver Surfer:
Not even Green Lanterns have business here. And if you are in league with Thanos you are most certainly an enemy.
Green Lantern:
I’m not in league with anyone at the moment, I’m just looking for something. Is this the Infinity void?
The Surfer blasts him again more ferociously this time and advances on him as he does so.
Silver Surfer:
You seek something you have no right to wield!
Green Lantern:
Pulling a force field over himself and pushing the cosmic blasts of the Surfer away:
Who says I want to wield it. I just want to know something.
The Surfer shoots off in one direction at light speed and smashes into the back of GL’s force field shattering it and grabbing him by the throat.
Silver Surfer:
I have warned you once to leave, now you have insisted on my wrath!
Green Lantern releases a shockwave of Energy then dons a construct of a Knight’s armor and a horse, he charges the Surfer knocks him off his board with his lance. The Surfer falls onto a chunk of rock and GL lands with him. He creates a construct of a stapler and staples the Surfer to the rock. By now Kyle’s body is about half converted to Green Energy.
Green Lantern:
Look. I’m not the bad guy here, ok. And something tells me you’re not either.
Silver Surfer:
Then why persist in combat?
Green Lantern:
Look, I’m going to level with you. Something’s happening to me.
Silver Surfer:
To me my board!
The Surfer’s board slams into Kyle from behind and knocks him through another chunk of rock. It circles back and the Surfer jumps back on. Kyle fires a barrage of missiles at him but the Surfer blasts through them all with a cosmic ray and knocks Kyle further back. He then pursues him through the rock. Meanwhile Thanos teleports in front of the void. He observes the Surfer and GL’s fight from afar and smirks. He enters the void.
Cuts back to Surfer and GL. GL creates a massive construct of a monster that starts swiping at Silver Surfer through the floating rocks destroying many of them as he goes.
Silver Surfer:
I’ve met self-righteous heroes like you before. You assume you seek the power of the gems to better the lives of others. But none were meant to have all six of them, and very few are meant to have even one. Heed my word! Stand down or be destroyed for the good of the universe!
The construct of the monster disappears and Kyle lands and faces the Surfer.
Green Lantern:
Oh God… you were wrong about me…
He sighs…
I wasn’t even seeking it to better the universe… I was only thinking of myself…
Kyle is now more than half Energy.
Silver Surfer:
What is happening to you?
Suddenly there is a shockwave of cosmic energy from the void. The Surfer writhes in agony.
No! The gems!
He flies off into the void and Kyle follows him. The fly down a bright tunnel that is now surging with energy bolts.
Green Lantern:
What’s going on?!
Silver Surfer:
Adam Warlock and his comrades who were entrusted with the gems were defeated months ago by the power of Thanos. I promised him I would guard the Infinity Gauntlet in his stead. Thanos has been trying to get it back since, but he used so much of his power incapacitating the Infinity Watch that he’s been no match for me.
They Enter the center of the void where Thanos has placed the gauntlet on his hand.
Like a fool I allowed him to distract me…
Green Lantern:
No… this is all my fault.
Surrounding Thanos are the petrified bodies of the Infinity Watch. He pulls the six infinity gems from them and summons them towards his hand.
Thanos:
Quite right, Green Lantern. I couldn’t have done this without the assistance of your incompetence. As a reward the deaths of you and your loved ones will be quick and painless!
Green Lantern fires an energy beam pulling the gems off of the Guantlet slightly and wedging energy into the holes that accept them.
Silver Surfer:
What are you doing?!
Green Lantern:
Trying to keep the gems from bonding to the Gauntlet!
Silver Surfer:
You’ll never--
Green Lantern:
Just Blast him with everything you have!
Thanos:
This is for my Mistress!
Green Lantern strains as the Surfer charges up an enormous cosmic blast.
Everything dies! Now--
As Thanos is about to execute his universe-wide massacre, the Surfer blasts the Gauntlet and Kyle yanks the gems out slightly. Thanos’ execution is botched and the Gauntlet explodes with raw cosmic power. The Void starts to warp. Thanos falls to his knees.
Thanos:
No!
He tries to grab the floating gems but all perception of space and reality is scrambled in the void, all Thanos can see is the face of Death in front of him.
Lady Death… I have failed you… don’t leave me… please take me…
She vanishes.
No!!!
From outside the Infinity void begins to collapse on itself and the wake of nonsensical reality begins to expand outside of it. Back inside, Green Lantern and the Surfer desperately seek an exit.
Green Lantern:
What’s going on?! I can’t tell where I am anymore?
Silver Surfer:
The power of the Gems sustained this place. When Thanos’s contact was broken they lost their hold over the void. Find the gems. If we can’t restore their equilibrium this disruption will expand until it encompasses everything!
Cuts to outside the void. In the distance the entire Green Lantern Corps is approaches. Jade flies up alongside John Stewart and Tomar Re.
Jade:
What is that?
Tomar Re:
It looks like a tear in the fabric of space… or time… or both… so to answer your question I don’t know.
Jade:
Whatever it is it’s bad enough that the Guardians need all of us to stop it.
John Stewart:
If we can stop it.
The entire corps surrounds the expanding void and starts to envelop it in a massive force field. As they try and compact their energy fields are warped along with the void and a backlash of Green energy sends them all flying backwards. The void begins to expand rapidly and engulfs the Green Lanterns spreading beyond them overtaking some nearby celestial bodies.
Cuts to back inside the void. Green Lantern and the Surfer are still trying to find the gems through the chaos.
Green Lantern:
This is impossible. Without the standard rules of existence in operation how are we supposed to find the gems?!
Silver Surfer:
Then we must place those rules in motion for ourselves. The Power Cosmic will place me in sync with this environment.
The Surfer closes his eyes and the cosmic chaos begins to clear up. When the void reorders they look around to see the surrounding universe in disarray, frozen in a nonsensical order, the Green Lanterns present are also pulled apart and frozen in shattered time and space.
Green Lantern:
We’re too late…
Silver Surfer:
No. We stopped the spread. These nearby planets are unoccupied. And in such close proximity to the gems we remain in tact… I’m afraid only your comrades were affected.
Green Lantern:
Looking out over the disfigured and dismantled GL Corps:
I’m sorry…
Tears are barely discernable through Kyle‘s mostly energy face.
Silver Surfer:
You should not blame yourself, Lantern. If what you say is true, then the taste of the gem’s power that Thanos gave you drove you to seek them out. You’re only human.
Green Lantern:
…them maybe it’s time to evolve…
The Surfer is holding the Gauntlet. Kyle looks at it then back at the Surfer.
…please…
The Surfer reluctantly gives him the Gauntlet. He places it over his hand and channels the energy of the Infinity Gems through his ring raising the Gauntlet up into the air.
In Brightest Day!
The Gems glow with a blinding radiance.
In Blackest Night!
The Brightness is overtaken by pitch black and then the two extremes begin to alternate as Kyle says the oath.
No evil shall escape my sight!
The Surfer looks on in astonishment as the universe around them begins to reorder itself, the various Green Lanterns reforming to whole healthy beings.
Let those who worship evil’s might!
Kyle’s body is now one hundred percent green energy as he completes the oath.
Beware my power! Green Lantern’s Light!
A blinding green energy flares outward and when it is gone everything is restored. He removes the Gauntlet and sends it back into the restored Infinity void. He turns back toward the Surfer.
Protect it well, Surfer… we’ll leave you in peace.
He flies back towards the corps. Jade flies up to him a look of disbelief on her face.
Jade:
Kyle?
Green Lantern:
Yes.
Jade closes her eyes and looks away from him.
Silver Surfer:
Green Lantern!
Kyle turns towards him.
Why do you fear the power inside you?
Green Lantern:
The power comes from this ring, I’m just a vessel now…
Silver Surfer:
You’re wrong. The power I sensed came from within your being. Even when you were wearing the Gauntlet.
Green Lantern:
It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. I couldn’t have saved them without this extra level of control.
Silver Surfer:
You give yourself too little credit. There are few in this Universe who could wield the power of the gems, then willfully give it up… without using them for personal gain. That power is a power all your own. That is a control beyond anything that ring can give you. Tap into that power, accept that you are in control of yourself.
Green Lantern closes his eyes and concentrates hard. He opens them and is his normal human looking self again.
Green Lantern:
How did you know…
Silver Surfer:
We are more alike than you’d think. Farewell.
He returns to the void. The Corps starts to leave. John Stewart and Jade fly on either side of Kyle.
Jade:
…are you… ok?
Green Lantern:
…I think so…
John Stewart:
Are you… back to normal?
Green Lantern:
Better than normal… like everything makes sense again. But I can still feel it inside… I’m not sure how to explain it…
Jade:
How about twenty four hours to clear your head. And this time--
Kyle flies under her and kisses her interrupting her.
Green Lantern:
Just try and stop me!
He darts off and Jade gives chase.
END.