Love and War

[corps_of_love]

Queen Aga'po of the Zamarons strides out to look into the violet light pouring out from the central battery. Deep in the center, two crystallized skeletons embrace each other tenderly, their love, even in death, resonating within the crystals around them and filling the central battery with the violet light that will heal the universe

Comments

[carol_ferris]

The 'She' they were expecting is not precisely the one they will get, and she is not alone.

Henry's weight is warm in her arms throughout the flight. She tells him again that they are just checking on the vision the ring gave her to make sure Hal was all right, but she didn't believe it. Her luck never falls into place so easily. She knew somewhere he was in trouble and that he would never ask her for help.

It doesn't seem long before she's approaching the Zamaron homeworld. The power inside her is jubilant. She's coming home, and Home is welcoming her back.

[corps_of_love]

She can sense the light from the central battery. She can sense its power... and its warm love.

As Carol approaches, one Zamaron steps out to speak with her.

"Carol Ferris of Earth. I am Queen Aga'po of Zamaron. I welcome you with love in our hearts."

[carol_ferris]

She is still Carol Ferris. She didn't lose herself in the ring this time. She nods as she puts Henry down next to her, keeping hold of his hand.

"Please tell me, are the Green Lanterns in battle now?"

[corps_of_love]

"The opening salvos for the foretold War of Light have begun," the Queen explains. "But they will survive these skirmishes. For what is to come, only love can heal the universe."

[carol_ferris]

She nods. It wasn't a question of if, but where and when. "The ring told me that the Star Sapphires are needed alongside the Lanterns to fight the coming war. Who joins me?"

[corps_of_love]

"We wished to make certain that the rings were safe before you gained yours; that was the least we could do after our previous mistakes with you." She gestures, and an image appears before her of another Star Sapphire. "This is Remoni-Notra of the planet Pandina. She was selected as a Star Sapphire once before, but then rejected our offer. She stole one of the stones and came to Earth to seek out yours. She worked with the Secret Society of Super-Villains before being put into a coma in a battle with the Justice League. She has been restored and given a ring."

[carol_ferris]

"Has the ring restored both her mind and body?" Carol can't help asking. Help she will need, but not the kind that she has to watch.

[corps_of_love]

"She is capable of great love," Queen Aga'po explains. "And she helped us assure that the new rings would be safe." She gestures again, and the image of Remoni-Notra vanishes, to be replaced with another. "This is Dela Pharon. You met her once before, in your second outing as the Star Sapphire. She attempted to take your place to show love to Green Lantern Hal Jordan. She, too, has been brought into this new Star Sapphire Corps."

[carol_ferris]

"One Sapphire who tried to steal my stone, and one who tried to steal Green Lantern." If Carol's voice is on the dry side, it's because she's trying not to show outright sarcasm.

[corps_of_love]

Queen Aga'po gestures once more, and the image vanishes. "There will be many more. Rings such as the one you now possess have been sent out across the universe, seeking out those, male and female, capable of great love. You will have a great army standing behind you."

She turns to look out at the stars. "Even now, our distant cousins the Controllers seek to create a new Corps, to challenge the Green Lantern Corps. Rings red as blood and filled with rage have filled space to build another corps. Blue rings of hope have begun to find bearers. Somewhere, deep in space, Indigo and Orange lights shine. But then darkness will arise to swallow all... unless love can do what the others cannot. It will heal the universe." She turns back to Carol. "And you will lead them."

[carol_ferris]

She's halfway across the universe to help a world that created the stone that tries to brainwash her every chance it gets. All because the ring on her hand tells her she's needed. Now she's told that she will lead an army of Sapphires to heal the universe with love.

With no psychedelic van in sight.

Easier said than done. But done it has to be or none of them will survive. All she can do is nod in agreement. "I will lead them."

[corps_of_love]

Aga'po smiles, then looks down at Henry, as if noticing him for the first time. The toddler blinks up at him with large eyes.

"Ah, but I had not realized that you had created a child with Green Lantern," she says. "Congratulations."

[carol_ferris]

"Henry isn't mine." Was that regret coloring her voice? A family might have been nice once, if life had ever worked out right.

She swings the toddler up in her arms. "Hal adopted him. I was looking after him when the ring came to me."

[corps_of_love]

"I see," Queen Aga'po nods. "You do have much love in your heart, do you not?" She turns again to look out at the sky. "Throughout space, love is in danger, Carol Ferris of Earth."

[carol_ferris]

"Love is always in danger," Carol says, hugging Henry to her. "It's fragile and fleeting, and it makes promises it can't keep. But I agree with you that it's worth the fight."

[corps_of_love]

Henry squirms a little and points at Aga'po. "Puple!" he declares.

Aga'po doesn't turn to look. "Listen to your heart. It will guide you to where love is calling out. And you can protect it."