Sinestro stared in stunned disbelief as Mogo plummeted from the sky. The living planet, a force few could rival, had been defeated. And by Hal Jordan, of all people.
He struggled to comprehend it. Hal's strength had never suggested anything close to this. Doubt crept into Sinestro's mind, sharp and unwelcome.
Nearby, Ganthet watched the falling mass with a grave expression. Even he had not anticipated this outcome. Mogo had fallen, and Hal had claimed yet another victory. With each triumph, Hal seemed to drift further into instability.
Ganthet did not hesitate. He surged forward at full speed, racing toward the descending planet. If Mogo struck Earth, the devastation would be beyond recovery.
A sharp rush cut through space.
Yet someone moved faster.
Adrian reached Mogo first.
The collision was immediate and violent. A thunderous force slammed into his body, sending shockwaves through the air as the planet trembled. Even Adrian staggered under the impact, his body forced downward by the immense weight and velocity.
For a brief moment, gravity won.
Then Adrian steadied himself.
He planted himself beneath the falling mass, lifting Mogo onto his shoulders. His expression remained composed, his resolve unshaken.
With a powerful surge, he drove upward.
The lifeless planet, its Green Lantern symbol dim and fading, was forced back toward the sky. Adrian's acceleration intensified, the air around him spiraling into a storm as he pushed through the atmosphere.
Once beyond it, he increased his speed further, driving Mogo into deep space with relentless force.
Sinestro let out a low, bitter laugh as he turned toward Ganthet.
"Is this what you wanted?" he asked, his voice edged with contempt. "A world reduced to ruin. A sea of blood. Is this the outcome you envisioned?"
Ganthet watched Adrian disappear into space with Mogo, his face tightening. The weight of failure pressed heavily on him. Every consequence traced back to his decisions.
"You never cared about this world," Sinestro continued, arms crossed. "Or the universe. Only your own interests. Now your Green Lantern Corps lies in ruins, and you unleashed Hal. Oa will pay the price for your arrogance. If you have any sense left, you would abandon Earth and return to Oa immediately. If Hal gains what he seeks, your end will not be merciful."
Ganthet remained silent, caught between duty and consequence. Returning to Oa meant admitting complete failure. Not only had he failed to stop Adrian, but his actions had nearly destroyed the Corps.
Yet if Hal was left unchecked, the danger would escalate beyond control.
He stood at a crossroads.
Sinestro sneered. "You hesitate. That tells me everything. Pride still matters more to you than survival."
Ganthet lifted his gaze to the sky, where Hal had already vanished.
Then he looked back at Sinestro, his voice steady. "Your crimes are beyond measure. I will not waste time on you."
Without another word, he turned and shot into space.
At once, the remaining Green Lanterns received his command. Reluctantly, they disengaged from their battles with the Yellow Lanterns and gathered in the sky before departing.
The city below was left in ruins, scarred by the conflict.
Far away in Gotham, Barbara finally reestablished contact with Batman. The satellite systems flickered back online, displaying images of Coast City.
They watched in silence as the Green Lantern Corps withdrew.
"Did we fail?" Barbara asked, her voice strained.
Batman's expression darkened. "If there is one word for this, it is failure. There were too many variables beyond our control."
Barbara hesitated. "I still haven't heard from Black Canary. She went after Adrian. I don't know what happened."
Her concern was interrupted by a weak voice over the channel.
"Oracle… can you hear me?"
Barbara straightened immediately. "Black Canary, are you alright? Did you succeed?"
A pause followed.
"No," Black Canary replied quietly. "I failed."
Barbara struggled to respond. "Then how did you survive?"
A faint, bitter laugh came through. "He let me live. He said I'm pregnant."
Barbara blinked in shock. "Pregnant?"
"Yes. It's Oliver's. That's why he spared me."
Black Canary recalled the look in Adrian's eyes, a conflict of emotion that she could not fully understand. There had been something human there, something restrained beneath the brutality.
He had taken Oliver's life, yet he had spared hers.
"I'm just glad you're alive," Barbara said after a moment.
Batman's voice cut in. "I have an order."
Barbara adjusted the channel without question.
"I want a full retreat," Batman said.
The command stunned everyone listening.
"Guy Gardner is gone. The Green Lantern Corps has withdrawn. Black Canary is no longer combat capable. This fight is over. We cannot win."
Barbara's voice wavered. "Ganthet is still out there. Maybe…"
"No," Batman interrupted firmly. "Hal's betrayal has crippled the Corps. There is no path forward here."
Barbara stared at the screen, her hands trembling as she removed her glasses. Tears blurred her vision.
"We worked for this," she whispered. "How can it just end like this?"
In Coast City, Black Canary leaned against the rubble as Doctor Fate descended beside her. His golden helmet gleamed as he reached out to steady her.
"You look exhausted," he said.
She gave a faint, tired smile. "You would be too."
Supported by him, she continued speaking over the channel.
"We miscalculated. Relying on the Green Lantern Corps was a mistake. We overlooked the most critical factor. Hal Jordan."
She paused, catching her breath.
"But Adrian is not invincible."
Barbara frowned. "What makes you say that?"
Black Canary's voice hardened. "Because he is still a man. Not a god."
Silence followed as her words settled over the group.
Then Nightwing's voice broke through.
"Commissioner Gordon is missing."
Barbara's heart dropped. "Missing? What happened?"
Nightwing replied quickly. "Cyborg traced someone intercepting our communications. Gordon went after them alone."
Barbara's worry deepened. "Even with the serum, he cannot handle metahumans like that."
Nightwing glanced out at Mera, who continued her relentless assault with controlled torrents of water. "He said it was his responsibility."
Batman spoke again, decisive. "Your priority is evacuation. Zatanna will assist."
Nightwing exhaled, watching the battlefield. "Understood. Though dealing with Mera is going to be a problem."
===
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