Issue #202

PLOT BY TJ BURNS and MATT TURNAGE,

SCRIPT BY BARRY REESE

"Revelations"

---

The bar called Warrior's had found itself home to some very interesting groups in its short time of existence
but rarely had it seen an assemblage like this. Though the sign on the front door read "Closed", the interior
was full of heated discussion. Hal Jordan, newly returned to this universe*, stood flanked by Kilowog
and Kyle Rayner, facing the owner of Warrior's -- Guy Gardner.

(*See last issue.)

"I can't believe it -- How much nerve do you have, Jordan?!" Guy Gardner lunged for Hal Jordan, his fist raised.

Hal stood his ground, not budging an inch. It was Kilowog who caught Guy's fist, holding it steady. "Now hold on there, Guy. This ain't Parallax."

Guy blinked, noticing for the first time that Kilowog was there. Guy had been cleaning off some tables when the trio of visitors had materialized in the room -- the shock of seeing Hal had overrode everything else in Guy's mind. "Kilowog...? How?"

Kyle moved forward. He was dressed in his Green Lantern uniform, but he was painfully aware that he somehow looked like a school kid next to Hal. "I know it's all pretty strange, Guy -- but Kilowog was never really dead. He'd been turned into pure energy by Parallax..."

Guy tore his gaze back towards Hal. His eyes narrowed at the Green Lantern costume that Hal wore. "By Hal, you mean... How can you even wear that uniform with a straight face? You disgraced the Corps!"

Hal let out a long, ragged sigh. He didn't much like being lectured on honor by Guy Gardner -- but he knew that under the circumstances it couldn't be helped. "Guy... I only know a little bit about what's happened while I've been gone, but I swear to you -- I was never Parallax. Whoever it was that pretended to be me has a lot to answer for..."

Something in Hal's voice caught Guy's attention. Though the two had always been rivals, Guy had always admired Jordan in his way -- and as Hal stood there before him, Guy knew with certainty that this was the real deal. "I believe you."

Kilowog picked up Guy, hugging him to his mammoth body fiercely. "Ya poozer -- I knew ya would know the difference! We've got our buddy Hal back!"

Guy pushed away, smiling. "Yeah, yeah... So what are we gonna do now?"

"We find the other Green Lanterns that are left -- give them rings again. We can reform the Corps and look into this Parallax mystery. I think we should start with Arisia -- she'd make a great addition to our little group." Hal rubbed his chin thoughtfully, taking control of the situation automatically.

Guy shook his head. "We're not going to be able to do that, Hal... Arisia's dead. Major Force killed her."

Hal's shocked expression spoke volumes. "What?! That madman that I fought at the airport* -- he killed her?!"

(*Again, last issue.)

Kyle placed a hand on Hal's shoulder. "Cool off, man. I know how you feel -- Force killed my girlfriend, too."

Hal's face darkened and for a moment, he looked much older than his years. "My lord... So much has changed since I've been away. The universe seems like a darker place." The room was silent for a moment before Hal spoke again. "We have to light the way... We have to revive the Corps."

Kyle stared at this man, this legend, who stood before him. He'd only met Parallax and he now knew that the villain who had masqueraded as Hal Jordan was nothing more than a pale reflection. There was something inspiring about being in the presence of Jordan -- an almost palpable sense that no matter what life threw at you, you'd always be able to bounce back. "One problem is going to be finding all the old guys. Some of them joined up with the Darkstars, some retired... others were killed by a chick named Fatality."

Hal nodded, "Well, I think we can --"

"Qward... Jordan... " The strained, exhausted voice that heralded a new arrival sent chills down Hal's back. It was a voice he recognized all too well.

A figure surrounded by green flame staggered out of a dimensional rift. He was old and very short, wearing a red suit. The figure was Ganthet and he was obviously very ill. The Guardian staggered forward, falling into Hal's arms.

"Ganthet! What's wrong?"

The Guardian stared up into Hal's eyes and wheezed, "The end of all is coming... Sinestro is back."

---

Carol Ferris watched the television news in silence, seated in the darkened office at the Ferris Aircraft headquarters. Again and again, she stared at the figure of Hal Jordan on the screen. Only hours ago, he had returned to her life -- swooping in like some fairy tale knight to save his lady. Carol smiled at that line of thought... so often in the past, that's the way she'd thought of Hal. He'd been in and out of her life so often over the years that she'd grown used to being alone, but that never made it any easier. She missed him so badly... and now here he was, again.

Carol ran a hand through her long, dark hair and leaned back in her chair. She wasn't sure how she felt at the moment... elation at having Hal back, certainly, but also fear. Fear that she was never going to be able to move forward with her life like this. She had fallen into a rut with Hal -- he'd return, she'd drop whatever she was doing to be with him, then he'd disappear again.

Carol felt a tear run down her face. "Oh, Hal... I was just beginning to accept your death... What are you going to do to me this time?"

---

The old Guardian blinked his eyes, staring about himself. Guy Gardner was standing with his arms folded next to Kyle Rayner -- the youth that Ganthet himself had entrusted with the Green Lantern legacy. Kilowog and Hal Jordan were looking at Ganthet with concern. "I see that the two of you have returned..."

Hal narrowed his eyes. "You don't sound surprised, old timer."

Ganthet stood up on unsteady legs. "In recent months, I have become privy to information that makes your resurrection pale in comparison, Hal Jordan. Still, it is good to have you back at last. We will need your experience and skill."

"You mentioned Sinestro..."

"Yes, Sinestro has indeed --"

"Wait a minute!" Kyle stepped forward. He was glaring at Ganthet. "How are you even here? You merged with Parallax during the Final Night fiasco!"

Ganthet turned an impatient gaze towards Kyle. "The being known as Parallax is no more... His death during those dark days was real enough. But I had already learned much from our merger... including the whereabouts of my brothers, the Oans!"

Guy rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna grab a brew."

Kyle murmured, "I don't usually drink but in this case... get me one, too."

Ganthet sat down in a booth, his face looking much older than anyone remembered. "All that we know of
Parallax and his actions is a lie. The true orchestrater of it all is the rogue Green Lantern, Sinestro..."

Hal shook his head. Years ago, Sinestro had trained him in the use of his Power Ring... but he'd soon become his greatest foe when Sinestro's lust for power had exceeded all else. "I can't say I'm surprised to hear he's involved... But Kyle said that Sinestro was dead."

"None of the deaths caused by Parallax were what they seemed, Hal Jordan. Sinestro managed to return prior to the first appearance of Parallax -- and had become an ally to both the Cyborg and Lord Malvolio of the Green Flame. How he came into contact with them is still something of a mystery -- though I surmise that he learned of them through your Power Ring, Hal Jordan... The three of them created Parallax, a false replica of you. When you were banished from this universe, Parallax took your place and launched his assault on OA. As you have already seen, he did not actually kill Kilowog and he did not kill the Guardians either..."

Kyle cleared his throat. "What about Sinestro? If he was behind all of this, why didn't he merely strike himself while Hal was away? Or at least show up at the most opportune time and assist Parallax instead of fighting him?"

"Sinestro knew that such open defiance would bring further resistance. Even if he proved successful in his schemes, if he had made himself known as the villain of the piece he would have been targeted by numerous groups -- L.E.G.I.O.N. and the Darkstars, for example. There would be far fewer who would go in search of the famous Hal Jordan, even if it was obvious he was no longer in control of his faculties. Far better to fake his own death and make it appear that he had nothing to do with these horrors."

Hal winced. He hated hearing how someone had traded on his good name for all of this... Could anything he ever do clean this blemish from his reputation?

"When Parallax apparently destroyed the Guardians, he actually transported them to the Anti-Matter Universe of Qward. There he has drained them of their energy --he is using them to power his own Corps. He called them the Anti-Green Lantern Corps and they are massing even now for an attack upon Earth..."

Guy frowned. "That lousy... We have to go and stop 'em!"

"It's too late for that, Guy..." The woman's voice brought everyone to a dead stop.

Hal turned to see three beings stepping from a black-colored portal. Each wore black Power Rings and had the features of dead allies... The woman who had spoken appeared to be Arisia, still as young and vital as Hal remembered her. Beside her stood the forms of Chaseleon and Hollika Rahn.

"Arisia...?" Hal blinked, his heart in his throat. Sinestro had gone too far this time. In the past, his schemes had threatened many and harmed few... but now there were so many deaths and insults to be paid for.

Arisia smiled. "It's me, Hal -- but I'm not the simpering little cow that you used to string along!" A black fist emerged from her Power Ring, striking Hal.

The experienced Green Lantern reacted with a thought, however. A shimmering green shield caught the blow, deflecting it. "Arisia... Please. We can help..."

Guy shook his head. "That thing ain't Arisia -- she's dead, Hal. Real dead."

Hollika Rahn launched an ebony assault against Kilowog, driving the alien hero back against the wall. He knocked off a display case housing a Manhunter android. "Oof! That hurt, ya poozer!"

Kyle Rayner created a giant green bunny that drop-kicked Hollika away from Kilowog. "Let me help you there, big guy!"

Kilowog pushed up his sleeve, revealing a massive bicep. "Thanks, kid -- but I think I can handle this!"

Hal was facing off with Arisia, standing protectively in front of Ganthet. The two were both sweating from exertion, each channeling their willpower through their Power Rings. Emerald energy sizzled as it met black, charging the air with power.

"You certainly...have...skill...but you...don't have...my experience!" Hal forced more energy through the ring, while a small tendril of emerald force broke off from the branch blast. It snaked around Arisia's back and pounded into her. The girl fell forward, stunned. "I'm sorry, Arisia... if that's who you are."

Ganthet shook his head. "Remember, Hal Jordan, that Sinestro has shown his ability to create simulacra of startling effectiveness."

Chaseleon withdrew a small weapon and sneered, "The battle hasn't been won yet, Green Lanterns... We still have a surprise for you." Without another word, Chaseleon fired at Guy. The beam struck him, staggering him.

Guy shook his head as if to clear it of a thick fog. When he opened his eyes, they were blank and lifeless. He immediately transformed his hand into a spiked ball and slammed it into Kilowog's stomach. The bigger GL wheezed as the air was knocked from his lungs.

Hal's eyes opened wide. "Guy...What's happened to you?"

Guy smiled with evil intent. "I just realized I was on the wrong side, Jordan. It's payback time!"
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NEXT ISSUE : The battle with Anti-GLC continues as the
truth behind Guy Gardner is revealed! Plus : Alan
Scott and John Stewart join our growing cast!