Written by Green Lantern
Edited by Power Guy
All-Star Gallery of Artists Featuring: JLU51306, Darth Ennis, Argos, the Stranger, and Power Guy


The Planet Oa


Hal Jordan coasted toward the beautiful home base planet of the Green Lantern Corps. Oa's splendor always put the premier Green Lantern in sentimental mood . To his way of thinking, he was married to the most wonderful woman God ever created. He was enjoying the pension of his military career and dividing his time between his duties as a Green Lantern and as a husband and father. He was so proud of his son. He never would have imagined that Daniel would grow up to serve in the universe as both a Green Lantern and a pastor. “I am really looking forward to getting this debriefing overwith so I can go home to Carol,” he thought. “Where should I take her this time? Camping in the Rockies?” As he prepared to land on Oa his thoughts turned towards his son. “I wonder if Daniel is here on Oa? Four months is too long to be away from family. I wonder what I have missed be being away for so long?”

“Hal Jordan of Earth,” greeted one of the Guardians solemnly.

“Hello! Our mission was a complete success,” replied the Emerald Gladiator victoriously.

“You are assigned to another mission of the utmost urgency,” instructed the Guardian who had come to greet the Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814.

“Man, I hope this isn't another one of those long, deep space missions,” complained Hal.

“On the contrary, you are assigned to return to your home planet Earth to apprehend two former Green Lanterns, both of whom have been compromised and are now suspected to be working with the Black Hand.”

“WHAT!!?!!” exclaimed the former Justice Leaguer.

“Your former nemesis recently escaped his Indigo prison with the aid of your greatest enemy, the Mocker,” explained the blue-skinned being.

Hal Jordan's body tensed at the thought of a pairing of the Black Hand with the Mocker. “But who are these alleged rogue Lanterns I'm supposed to hunt down?”

“Former Green Lanterns Daniel Jordan and Scott Stone.”

Hal Jordan's eyes widened in shock.

Star City Park, Connecticut



Daniel Jordan never considered himself a judgmental person. As a Christian pastor all he really wanted to do was help people. He sincerely loved each and every Titan. Yet there are three that he held especially dear to his heart, whose every move and attitude he could predict flawlessly: his best friend, Dark Arrow, his former girlfriend, Sargona, and the girl of his dreams, Sonic Boom. Yet for several months he found himself bewildered by Di Di Queen. Her behavior had become erratic. She was utterly unpredictable, acting out of character more often than not. She had even killed a man! Now all of the sudden, when the Cerulean Knight found himself off-balance because of his strange, seemingly prophetic experience about the Mocker, Di Di was once again exhibiting behavioral duality.



“If this War of Lights is real, I'm in,” expressed the twin of Dark Arrow.

“No, Di Di, this is dangerous,” objected the Blue Lantern. “This is about power and lights and prophecy and will and...”

“BALONEY!” shouted the daughter of Black Canary. “I am a professional. I train as much if not more than any other Titan. I am dangerous! I am an accomplished martial artist, my sonic scream is more powerful than any ability Power Guy or Powerstorm have, I can whip Robert's you know what any day of the week, I am a better archer than him, and I have a secret weapon that even YOU don't know about!”

“What are you talking about?” asked a bewildered Daniel. He had not seen Di Di act so arrogantly since they were fourteen and she was chosen as the captain of her high school varsity cheerleading squad. She had grown so much since that time. “And why are you acting like Sargona!?!”

Rolling her eyes, Sonic Boom willed the transparent ring on her finger to switch to visible mode. “I have had this since our battle with Dr. Destiny,” she said smugly. All of Daniel's questions were immediately answered when he saw the emerald power ring on her finger.

“Di Di, you have to take that off if its what I think it is,” said Daniel.

“NEVER!” shouted the Blond Bombshell as she lunged toward her former boyfriend in preparation to teach him a well-deserved lesson with some serious judo.

A blue hard light shell of protection formed around the Blue Lantern. With lightnings speed, a series of cerulean colored fists and hands slapped and punched the Titan's resident martial artist, knocking her to the ground.

Confused and dazed, Di Di looked up to her childhood friend dressed in a blue and white uniform and questioned, “Daniel, what is going on?”

Suddenly, a flash of black light emanated behind the dazed Sonic Boom. The Black Hand grabbed the new Black Canary.

“Di Di! NO!” shouted the son of Hal Jordan.

Then Sonic Boom saw the green ring that her former beau held. Suddenly she realized what was happening and shouted, “Daniel, destroy that ring! Its evil!”

Daniel watched in horror as the Black Hand disappeared as quickly as he had appeared, and with Sonic Boom as his captive.

“So, the Black Hand is behind all of this, and now I know what he is up to. He may have gotten you Di Di, but he didn't get what he came for,” said the former Green Lantern as he held the power ring from the Universe of Evil in his palm. “I will rescue you, Di Di, that I promise, but first I have to go save all of our friends.”

Daniel put the green ring from the Universe of Evil in one of the hidden pockets in his uniform and rocketed into the sky.

Guam, U.S.A.



An alluring Asian woman dressed in a striking black and white uniform descended towards the charming island territory of Guam. Sometimes she wondered if the super-hero life was really for her. Illumina's mother was Japan's greatest warror; even greater than the Rising Sun or Katana, and now she was following in her mother's footsteps. Dr. Light was a woman of science and a hero of light. Though her daughter was a champion of justice, sometimes she enjoyed the solitude of staying at home on a Saturday and just baking homemade macaroons. “Is this really the life for me?” she wondered as she saw Diamond Jack dodging an attack by an orange-skinned alien. “Where are the others?” shouted.

“You're the first one here!” replied the dashing hero of the black light.

“...And you'll be the first to fall!” added the Mocker with an evil grin.

“So, you're the jerk who has been invading the privacy of my friends,” said Imako in a threatening tone. “I take an attack on ANY Titan as an official request for a good pummeling!”

“Be my guest, Lady Light,” said the Mocker in a sickening-sweet tone. “Free shot!”

“I'm no fool, thought Illumina, “When a villain who welcomes an attack he is setting you up for a trap.”

“What do you want, alien?” said the heroine of Japan.

“Like you said,” shouted Diamond Jack as a beam of black energy burst forth from his ring towards the Mocker, “he wants a good pummeling.”

Imako knew that Diamond Jack's attack on the Mocker was ill-advised, but it happened so quickly that there was nothing she could do to stop it. She activated her Titans of Justice signal to remind available members that the situation in Guam was serious, and poised herself to join the fight at a moment's notice. The Mocker was enveloped in Diamond Jack's energy blast, but seemingly unaffected.

“Why are you grinning like that!?!” demanded the irritated Asian lady as she noticed a change in the countenance of her teammate.

“I...I can't stop!” exclaimed Diamond Jack. “He's somehow controlling my power ring! I can't turn it off!”

The former Lady Light instinctively knew that something big was happening, but she was not yet able to detect just what it was. If she were to use her own power on the Mocker he might take control of her abilities also, so she would have to try to saving her comrade by taking him out of the picture. Though her martial arts skills were not in the same class as the Huntress, Knightvision, or Sonic Boom, Imako had been well-trained. “I will make this up to you later, my friend,” she said softly as she sped towards Diamond Jack and gripped his collar-bone area in such a way that her teammate immediately fell to his knees.

“HA-HA-HA-HA-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” shrieked the Mocker as he noted the arrival of two more Titans of Justice in the sky. “The War of Lights has begun!”

The Bedroom of Stellar



Freddie Batson had paced every square inch of his bedroom during the past two hours. He could not overcome the recent dream he had experienced. In his recurring nightmares, the Mocker insinuated repeatedly that Sherry was cheating on Stellar with his best friend, Bulletboy. Freddie wanted to remain rational, but found it difficult. Sherry meant more to him than anything in the world and he needed reassurance. He approached his private phone for the eighty-third time and decided that this time he would go through with it and call the love of his life. One way or another he had to know the truth! But just before he could pick up the receiver the phone rang.

“Batson residence,” said the teen as he brushed his bangs out of his eyes.



“Hi Freddie, this is Sherry,” said Stellar's girlfriend with a strange timidity, “I was wondering if it would be okay if we could meet somewhere?”

“...uh, sure,” said Freddie with mounting insecurity.

“There's something I want to...” began Sherry.

“Yes?” encouraged Stellar. “What is it?”

“Can you just come over to my house?” asked the Girl of Two tThousand Gimmicks. “This is something that I would prefer to tell you about in person.”

Stellar reaffirmed that he would be over briefly and hung up the telephone in apprehension.

Paris, France

Hal Jordan entered the Earth's atmosphere over the lovely skies of Europe. His ring informed him that there were two energy-based weapons in the vicinity of Paris below. “Could it be Daniel's and Scott down there?” thought the greatest Green Lantern of all time. “What would they be doing here? Well, whether its them or not, Paris is as good a place to start looking for them as any.”

He descended toward a lovely chalet overlooking a calm lake. As he prepared his ring to scan the premises and identify all human forms a blaze of violet-colored light burst forth from a window of the quaint building. Hal barely had enough time to shield himself.



“You are NOT going to take me away!” screamed a raven-haired lady with a French accent.

“Whoa!” exclaimed the Emerald Gladiator. “I just came here to--” He stopped short when he saw two more super-powered beings charge forth from out of the doorway. “What is going on here?” He demanded as he recognized the forms of Starman and the internationally famous Jem.




“We were just trying to find that out for--” began Starman.

“I'm NOT going with you!” shrieked the Star Sapphire as a blast of raw energy emanating from her star tiara blazed toward the Green Lantern.

Hal Jordan masterfully created a shield to protect himself, elevated his position in the sky, and commanded his ring to create a giant fly swatter.

“Hold on a minute!” shouted Scott Stone as he lifted his star rod and began flying toward the Green Lantern. He did his best to appear bold, in control, and macho in an effort to impress his personal hero.

“I can't believe Scott is working with a villain like the Star Sapphire,” thought Hal Jordan in disbelief as he misinterpreted Starman's actions. “Could this mean that the Guardian was right about Daniel too?” “WHERE IS MY SON!!?!!” demanded the veteran lantern as the enormous fly swatter morphed into two giant hands, one grabbing Starman and the other grabbing the Star Sapphire.

“LET GO OF ME!!!!!” screamed Monique in panic.

Then a bluish cloud formed as the peaceful form of the Blue Lantern descended from out of nowhere. “Please,” pleaded the figure humbly, “don't fight. We are all friends here. We can work through this together.”

The Star Sapphire was strangely calmed at the presence of the man she knew had come to rescue her. Starman was embarassed in front of the great Hal Jordan and momentarily dumbfounded at the presence of Daniel Jordan. The Green Lantern was perplexed. He was amazed to see his son in a blue uniform and at the same time wondered why he was acting strangely. Then all three realized simultaneously what was happening and turned their attentions towards Jem.

“Two Star Sapphires,” reported Hal Jordan's ring.

“That's a pretty creative way to use a violet ring,” said Hal Jordan to Jem, “You mind explaining what's going on here?”

“What do you mean violet ring?” asked Jem.

“Your power source,” replied Hal Jordan matter-of-factly, “According to my ring the source of your power is a star sapphire hidden somewhere on your body. And you haven't answered my question.”

“We are doing our best to keep the Star Sapphire under control while we try to figure out the validity of a new threat,” answered Jem, “and while my jem is a part of me, it is most decidedly not a power ring.”

Scott Stone squinted at his friend and teammate, Jerrica Trevor. “Could it be?” he thought.

“What is this threat?” asked Green Lantern.

“RELEASE ME!” screeched Monique.

“We are not yet sure of the validity of the threat, but it calls itself the Mocker,” answered Jem.

“The Mocker is one of my old foes,” answered Hal Jordan as he commanded his ring to release Starman, but not the Star Sapphire.

“Thanks,” said Scott Stone as a presence suddenly appeared before them in an emerald glow.

“Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814,” said the visage of a Guardian of the Universe. “You are not to get involved with the Star Sapphires. You are to return to Oa for debriefing.”

“I just came from Oa,” objected Hal, “and I am working on my assignment.”

“The Guardians have no record of your arrival on Oa. You are to return immediately,” commanded the Guardian as it faded from sight.

“Strange,” thought the Green Gladiator, “He made no comment about the presence of Scott Stone, but I was just instructed to apprehend him.” Hal Jordan then approached Starman and asked, “Where is your ring?”

“I...I...I...” said Scott Stone nervously.

“What Starman is trying to say is that he resigned from the Green Lantern Corps when he found out about your son's termination,” said Jem. She knew that her good friend was overwhelmed to be in the presence of Hal Jordan.

“He was terminated!?!” asked Green Lantern in disbelief. He looked intently into Scott Stone's eyes as the Titan nodded his head in affirmation. “Then there is only one way to handle this,” said Hal as he levitated near to Starman and raised his fist. Starman's eyes widened as he prepared for the worst.

Off the coast of Guam, U.S.A.

“I am just saying that Knightvision isn't needed for this type of mission,” emphasized the newest member of the Titans of Justice East. “No disrespect intended!”



“Knightvision is one of the best tactical and battlefield leaders we have, Green Latrine,” said Sargona as her voice betrayed a growing irritation. “And I will have you know that every member of the Titans has proven his or herself to be invaluable to every battle situation time and again...except for YOU!”



“Guys!” interrupted Knightvision as the threesome neared the area the Mocker chose for the War of Lights to take place. “Look there! That is the Mocker and it looks like he's trying to kill Diamond Jack!”

“Take care of your new boyfriend, while I take care of the space-commie,” said the newest Green Lantern arrogantly. Suddenly, at the command of Jo Jo Gardner, the emerald disc that he was transporting Brendon Grayson on disappeared resulting in the fall of the son of Nightwing. Rolling his eyes, Knightvision did an aerial dive in case he landed in the ocean waters before Sargona could react. Thinking quickly, Sargona was able to activate her Ruby of Life in order to catch her teammate. What happened next was so quick that no one knew what was going on. Sargona's Ruby of Life began pulling away from her as if something were tugging at it. Simultaneously, the former Ice Warrior commanded his ring to create a giant fist which he hurled towards the Mocker. But to his horror, he immediately lost control of his energy ring. Then both Sargona's power and Jo Jo Gardner's power beams went straight to the Mocker as if he were siphoning their energies. Knightvision then depressed the emergency button on his ToJ communicator as he fell into the ocean.

“NO!” thought Illumina as beads of perspiration covered her forehead and back. “The Mocker is stealing all of their power. “What do I do?”

The Home of Sherry, Girl of Two Thousand Gimmicks

Stellar approached the front door of the upper-middle class home where his lady friend lived. He was wearing his nicest jeans, the new belt his parents gave him for his birthday, a well-bleached shirt, which he did his absolute best to iron perfectly, and a gray sports coat. He had taken special care to use the cologne that Sherry had given him for his birthday. The Super Friend was so nervous that he banged the front door when he had only intended to knock politely. What would his first words be? “Look, Sherry, I need to know..?” “Seen Bulletboy around lately?” “Do you still love me?”

The door opened as Sherry yelled, “Surprise!”

Stellar was both startled and relieved as Sherry handed him a package wrapped in patriotic wrapping paper. “What's this?”

“It's a special gift that I have been working on for you,” replied Sherry in a sweet and teasing tone.

“But, my birthday was last month!” objected Stellar.

“Just open it,” said Sherry in a whispered tone.

“WOW!” shouted Stellar as he pulled out a brand new 'Stellar' uniform made by the girl of his dreams. “I will always treasure this and take the best care of it! I love it and will always wear it as a symbol of our love!”

“Try it on,” encouraged Sherry.



Paris, France

“What are you doing!?!” yelled Jem as Scott Stone the energy from his star rod hit Hal Jordan so hard that the greatest Green Lantern's ring came off of his finger, resulting in Hal Jordan's body plummeting towards the ground.

“Trust me,” said Scott Stone as he caught Hal's ring, placed it on his own finger, and commanded it to fly him speedily towards the falling test pilot.

“Let him fall to his death!” shouted the Star Sapphire as she was freed from the grip of Hal Jordan's trap.

Guam, USA

“NOOOOOOOOO!!!!” screamed Sargona as an orange beam of light emanating from the Mocker ripped the Ruby of Life from her. Before she could try to use her “backwards magic” a blue-violet ray slapped her into a daze. Before she blacked out she saw her jewel crack in mid air and parts of it drop into the sea.

By this point Jo Jo Gardner's eyes and cheeks had reddened from tears. He had never been so afraid in is life. The Mocker had complete control of the new Green Lantern's battle weapon . “Knightvision! What do I do!!?!!”

“Use your ice powers!” came the cry as Knightvision swam towards the area in the ocean where Sargona had fallen.

“I CAN'T,” replied the red head in panic as the Mocker stowed a major portion of Sargona's ruby and ripped Diamond Jack's ring from his unconscious body. Illumina watched in horror as the Mocker tossed Diamond Jack into the ocean. Realizing that the Mocker's goal was to steal weapons of power, Illumina started a martial attack on the alien with a swift kick to his groin. To her horror the alien grinned. It was then that she realized that she had just made a possibly fatal mistake.

“HAAAA-haaah-haah-ha-haaaaah!!!!! All I needed was some type of physical contact with you, fool,” said the monster arrogantly. The heroine of Japan could feel her power being drained from her body and there was nothing she could do about it. As consciousness ebbed away a glimmer of hoped warmed her as she saw Power Guy, Stellar, and Whirlpool arrive on the scene.



Acting quickly, Whirlpool dove into the Pacific waters to rescue Diamond Jack. Knightvision then motioned for Power Guy to take Sargona from his arms. As Power Guy flew Sargona away to a hospital and as Whirlpool swam Diamond Jack towards the coast of Guam, Knightvision centered himself to catch the falling Green Lantern. “I guess its a good think I came after all,” thought Brendon to himself as he swam the son of Guy Gardner to safety.

Stellar realized that it was up to him to save Illumina. “Let her go, you foul monster!” he shouted bravely. The Mocker tilted his head back with an irritating shriek of laughter. Using the brief window of opportunity, Stellar aimed and fired an energy beam at the villain with full-force.

“Shouldn't have done that!” smirked the villain as Stellar fell under the control of the orange-skinned alien. Freddie struggled with all of his might to resist the pull of the Mocker's control to the point that the new costume that Sherry made him began to shred. He bravely put aside his bitter disappointment as the costume disintegrated and concentrated on saving Illumina. As the Mocker's orange beam drew Stellar's now scantily clothed body near, the young hero ripped his cosmic converter belt off. In the split-second in which the Mocker stole the belt Freddie grabbed the unconscious heroine of Japan away from the space monster's grip.

Then Starman, Jem, and the Star Sapphire arrived on the scene. Not knowing the grim reality of the Mocker's goal, Scott Stone used his star rod to attack the alien, who used the accumulated weapons of the Titans to rip the rod away from a very shocked Starman.

Star Sapphire then commanded her star tiara to blast the Mocker at full-power. Jem watched in horror as the tiara was ripped off of Monique, resulting in the French villainess plummeting towards the ocean below. She dove earthward to help the raven-haired beauty as Scott Stone suddenly was clothed in his Green Lantern uniform.

“He's stolen all of our powers,” whispered Freddie Batson as Green Lantern Scott Stone whisked the unconscious form of Illumina and the barely clothed Stellar away from the scene with great speed. “He siphoned almost all of Illumina's solar energy from her body and made it into a white crystal...he took my belt...he destroyed my costume...He--”

“Shhhh...” replied Starman, “You saved Illumina's life. That is all that matters. You are a hero.”

“So, its down to you and me, now,” said the Mocker as he grinned at Jerrica Trevor.

“No, I have briefed my friends and they are on their way,” said Jem confidently. “This looks like a job for--”

KA-POW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“-- Power Guy!” she finished as the Mocker reeled from the pain of the Kryptonian punch.

Power Guy then doubled back and prepared to strike again as swirling lights of orange and indigo created a portal. “Capture me or save them if you can,” shouted the alien as Sonic Boom's unconscious body fell out of the portal. Simultaneously, the Mocker used the ToJ weapons of light to hit Jem very hard, who then plummeted towards the sea.

“I've got, Jem,” shouted Vince as Blue Lantern Daniel Jordan arrived on the scene. Soon both heroes had rescued both Jem and Sonic Boom, but the Mocker was nowhere to be found.

Metropolis: Titans of Justice Headquarters, The Next Morning

“Power Guy is still not here!” whispered the Flash in exasperation. “Do you realize just how late he is?”

“Yes, Wilma,” answered Infierna Verde, doing her best to be patient with Power Guy's tardiness, the Flash's complaining, and Starman's non-stop fan boy monologue, “Vince is now sixteen minutes late.” All of the heroes who participated in the battle at Guam were present, with the exception of Power Guy, Sonic Boom, Illumina, Stellar, and Diamond Jack. Scott Stone was dressed in his Green Lantern uniform.



“...and did you realize that he could do the mental telepathy thing?” continued Scott Stone getting louder and louder as he continued talking. “I mean, there I was face-to-face with THE GREATEST GREEN LANTERN of all TIME, and like an idiot I thought he was gonna actually beat the fire out of me, and suddenly I can hear his voice in my mind! Hey Dan! Did you know that your dad could do that?”

“...uh, no...” replied the Blue Lantern in a hushed, embarrased tone.

“You didn't?” continued Starman, “Well, can you believe that he actually instructed me telepathically with his ring to pretend to knock him out? Then he says for me to take his ring from him and use it until we can get to the bottom of all of this mess with the Guardians kicking you out of the Corps, Daniel! Can you believe it? I am actually wearing THE power ring of THE Hal Jordan!”

“How long is Power Guy going to take?” whispered the Flash to Black Vulcan. “I'm not sure I can take another minute of this!”

“Actually, I think Starman's fangasm is a good thing,” whispered Celeste Pierce. “Its distracting everyone from thinking about just how bad of a beating we took yesterday. Do you know how many ToJers lost their power sources in the battle with the Mocker? To tell you the truth I kind of feel guilty for not being there to help out.”

“Me too,” agreed Infierna Verde.

Just then Power Guy entered the meeting room.

“Finally!” blurted the Flash with crossed arms. “Do you realize that you are seventeen minutes late!?!”

“Hey, PG!” said Starman, “You've gotta hear what happened to me in Paris yesterday.”

“LATER!” shouted Black Vulcan, the Flash, Sargona, Infierna Verde, and Dark Arrow in unison.

“I apologize for being late,” began Vince Starr, “I know that the Titans took a big hit yesterday, and when one Titan hurts we all hurt. We may have lost that battle, but we WILL win the war. We may have lost weapons, but we didn't lose any lives, and I promise you that we will get every weapon back if I have to hunt down the Mocker and kick his slimy carcass myself.”

“...and we can begin recovering battle weapons right now,” interrupted the Blue Lantern. All eyes turned to him as he got up from his seat and walked toward Sargona, whose glum countenance turned into an annoyed countenance as he approached her. “Sarge, I found these when I rescued Sonic Boom yesterday. I put them into a setting for you. I hope you will like them.”

With a wrinkled brow Sargona looked at the pair of ruby earrings in her former boyfriend's extended palm. Suddenly she realized what they were and exclaimed, “Are these--”

“Two slivers of your ruby that fell into the ocean when the Mocker broke your ruby,” interrupted Daniel Jordan. “He still has the bulk of your Ruby of Life, but I thought these might be a small consolation while we hunt him down.”

Sargona took the earrings and admired them. Their design was very classy and complimented her dress. She did notice in suspicion that the setting had a mixture of blue and green colored elements, but decided to keep that observation to herself for the meantime. “This doesn't mean you're forgiven, Dan,” she said sternly, “...but its a start. They are beautiful...and I can use them just as well in this form as I could the entire ruby.”

Then a bright violet light filled the room. “Its the Mocker!” shrieked Jo Jo Gardner in panic.

“Greetings, heroes and warriors,” said a feminine voice. “I am a representative of the Zamarons.”

“She is so beautiful,” thought Whirlpool.

“Jerrica Trevor, I have come to reward you for your years of service of the Zamarons,” she continued.

“What?” asked Jem in disbelief.

“The power that you have harnessed as a weapon of holographs over the years is indeed a star sapphire,” she said in a regal pronouncement. “You are hereby appointed as the official Star Sapphire of space sector 2814. The full knowledge of its power and usage is now at your disposal.” Turning to Daniel Jordan the Zamaron continued, “We have taken the former Star Sapphire, Monique, to our home base for psychological treatment and care. But I promise you, Lantern of space sector 2814, that we shall return her to you for your comfort as soon as possible.” Then she vanished as quickly as she appeared.

“Waitaminute!” shouted the Blue Lantern, “What do you mean by 'return her to me?'”

A smirk was heard from the general direction of Sargona. Two seconds later the beautiful mage broke out into a hysterical laughter. Dark Arrow then started laughing and soon everyone, except for Blue Lantern was laughing.

“Shall we close the meeting so that we can go check up on Illumina, Sonic Boom, and the others in the hospital?” said Power Guy choking back a laugh.

After the meeting was adjourned Daniel Jordan approached Vince and said quietly, “Please tell Di Di I'll come visit her later. I have an appointment I have to keep.”

“Something I can help you with?” offered Power Guy.

“Nah,” said Blue Lantern, “nothing I can't handle...”

Gotham City: Cranston Law Firm, The Office of Helena Wayne

A raven-haired lawyer dressed in top quality garments peered out of her office window at the amazing view of Gotham. As she sipped her hot tea she silently congratulated herself on winning her most recent case, placed her cup on its saucer, and filed the case folder in her filing cabinet. She was living her dream. She was enjoying membership in both the Titans of Justice and the Justice Society Unlimited. At the same time she was finally a defense attorney. She loved saving lives and helping the underdog improve his live.

Bzzzzt!

Helena depressed the button on her office com link. “Yes, Linda? Is it Harry Simms again?”

“No, Ms. Wayne,” replied the secretary, “Its a Pastor Jordan. He doesn't have an appointment...”

“It's okay, send him on in,” said the lawyer.

A bald man with brown-rimmed eye glasses quietly entered the office and closed the door behind him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit, Pastor Jordan?” asked the Huntress pleasantly. Her smile slowly left her face as she realized that her heroic teammate, obviously burdened about something, was having difficulty beginning whatever it was that he had to say.

“Is it Di Di?” asked Ms. Wayne. “I just got back from a case with the JSU, but I heard about the incident with the Mocker.”

“No, not exactly,” replied Daniel, “at least not anymore. You remember that case with Dr. Destiny?”

“When Di Di and I returned to the Universe of Evil?” asked the Darkknight Daughter.

“Yes...Did Di Di ever tell you anything about bringing back...a souvenier?”

The Huntress instantly realized that the ending of this conversation was not going to be good. “No. What do you mean?”

“This,” said Daniel as he extended his fist towards the lawyer was transformed instantly into his Green Lantern uniform.

“You're back?” asked the Huntress in surprise. “No more Blue Lantern?”

“No, I am still Blue Lantern,” he explained as his uniform changed to that of the Blue Lantern, ”but now I also wear the power ring that Di Di brought back with her from the Universe of Evil. Apparently she was under its evil influence from the time you returned until yesterday.”

“WHAT!?!” said the normally level-headed lawyer. “...Why did you even put that thing on?”

“I didn't,” stated the pastor matter-of-factly. “It forced itself on my finger shortly after I got it away from her.”

“Take it off!” reasoned the Huntress. “Destroy it.”

The bald guest sighed, sat down in one of the office chairs and after a long pause simply said, “I can't get it off.” Several moments of silence passed before he added, “I haven't told anyone else about this, not even Robert.”

“Why are you telling me?” asked the Darkknight Detective suspiciously.

“I think this...this thing is the reason that Di Di...killed...Dr. Light. I think its why she's been acting so crazy... Look, Helena, I have already put Sargona through too much. I can't ask her. I can't ask my cousin, either...You know, Air Wave? I can't turn to Robert or Vince, either. They are too close to me. They couldn't go through with it.”

“Go through with what!?!”

The Blue Lantern raised both of his rings and a very sleek and sharp, metal arrow of blue mingled with green appeared on the lawyer's desk.

“Helena, if things get bad...If I start acting like I might kill someone...”

The Huntress' heart skipped a beat and a chill came over her entire being as she awaited her teammate to finish his request.

“Helena, if I get out of control, I'm asking you to kill me.”

Opal City: The Bedroom of Stellar

Young Freddie had laid quietly in his room for hours listening to the raindrops pound on the roof. He hadn't eaten anything since the War of Lights. He still couldn't get the horrible laugh of the Mocker out of his mind. “How will I tell Sherry that the beautiful costume she made me has been ripped to shreds? How can I continue being a hero without my Cosmic Converter Belt?” he thought.

Suddenly he felt a presence in his room. He jerked himself up swiftly as he heard a mysterious, yet soothing deep voice say, “Don't fear, my friend. It is I--”

A thunderbolt struck loudly and a flash of light revealed the dark form of the Stranger.

“The Stranger?” asked Freddie.

“Yes, I have come to you because I have a task for you.”

“Sure! Anything!” exclaimed the eager young lad.

“Return these weapons to their respective owners,” commanded the Stranger.

Another flash of lightning revealed Starman's star rod, the remainder of Sargona's Ruby of Life, Green Lantern Joseph Gardner's power ring, and Diamond Jack's ebony colored ring all resting on Stellar's dresser.

The young hero leaped up from his bed and dashed to his dresser to look for his Cosmic Converter Belt. “It's not there,” said the Stranger solemnly.

“But...but how am I supposed to help them without--”

“The Mocker took all of the power he needed from these weapons for the evil purpose he has planned, and placed it all into your belt. He then discarded these weapons and I repossessed them. You are a hero even without your belt,” said the Stranger. “Take these weapons to their owners. They will need them shortly. The Universe's Darkest Hour is upon us.”

TO BE CONTINUED...