January 10th, 10:22 AM
Fourth Moon of Korugar


It didn’t take Preston very long to find Sinestro’s home. Using the records of former green lanterns from his ring, he knew exactly where to fly to reach the planet Korugar. Despite his speedy journey to the planet, Preston knew he had to be careful. This wasn’t his territory anymore. Sinetro was manufacturing and sending out Power Rings left and right to put a Yellow Lantern in every sector that had a Green counterpart. 

He was lucky that things were as good as they were. Had anything gone worse, he probably would be killed on sight, or maybe none of them would have survived the boiled war between SInestro and the Guardians of Oa. It was all hard to say, but he wasn’t here to think about that right now. 

He slowed to a near halt as he reached Korugar. It wasn’t incredibly easy to find a single life form, so Preston did what he knew would capture attention. With his ring held high, he created a giant green beacon at the edge of the planet’s atmosphere, waiting for Sinestro or any of the other Former Green Lanterns to show their faces to him.

A moment later an answering call came from one of the small moons surrounding the reddish planet. Two rapid pulses of yellow light. A Green Lantern signal to wait there. After a few tense minutes, a trio of figures came into view. Thaal Sinestro, flanked by two unfamiliar Yellow Lanterns. Upon seeing Preston, Sinestro’s tense expression softened a bit, though he did not dismiss the escort.

[color=aba000]”Ah, Emerald Knight!”[/color] The former Green Lantern called, coming to a halt in the void of space near Preston. [color=aba000]”My apologies for the delay, I didn’t know who was coming. To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit? Here to discuss those peace talks, get an old hand’s advice?”[/color] He asked with a smirk, crossing his arms as he regarded his old ally.

Though Preston’s expression had been hard on the way here, seeing Sinestro again and mentioning the now settled war of Sotra brought a small smile to his face. Of course Sinestro would want to help, thats why he came to him in the first place. 
[color=00a651]”A recruit of yours, actually.”[/color] Preston tried keeping his tone light, but nothing on earth would spark more ire than the mentioning of the Nazis. [color=00a651]”His name is Wilhelm, and it’s come to my attention that one of your rings broke him out of a special prison.”[/color] There was no easy way to say any of this, but it needed to be done. Preston had learned this by fighting, and he hoped that SInestro would understand.

[color=aba000]”Ah yes, Silber.”[/color] Sinestro said with a nod, his own expression becoming serious. [color=aba000]”First, let me explain that I am not attempting to hide anything from you or the Wizard back on Earth. I was going to contact you once we’d gotten his recruitment underway. I’ve gathered that the Wizard can be quite understanding and forgiving, and so I was hoping to understand Silber’s transgressions and attempt to make them right. He has quite a lot of potential you know, more so than most of my recruits. And well, you know how the Rings works, Knight. They’re not ‘sent’ to anyone in particular, they simply ‘find’.”[/color] Sinestro paused, studying the face partially hidden by the green mask.

[color=aba000]”However… I somehow get the feeling that this is to be less of a conversation than I was hoping for, am I correct?”[/color]

[color=00a651]”I’m sorry, Sinestro. I wish our meeting was about something a little better.”[/color] Preston eyed the two lackeys carefully, but not for more than a few seconds at a time. He wouldn’t resort to battle, not here, and not with one of the more formidable lanterns in the universe. [color=00a651]”I can’t tell you how to lead your group, nor who to include in it, but I want you to know exactly the kind of person Wilhelm is.”[/color]

[color=00a651]”On Earth, about, maybe eighty or ninety years ago, there were men called the Nazis. They committed genocide, killed millions in the name of blood purity. Wilhelm, if you can believe it, is one of those men. As I understand it, he lived through the war that the Nazi’s inspired, being one of the very last to hold such beliefs. He will kill all in his way, I can promise you that. If I can’t persuade you into letting him go, killing him even, then I’m going to beg that you at least keep an eye on him and keep him in check. He’s dangerous, immensely powerful, and has a history of murdering millions.”[/color] 

That was all he had. Everything was up on the table, and the turn was Sinestro’s. Preston only hoped that coming here to talk to an old friend would be enough to avoid repeating the second World War on a cosmic scale.

Sinestro had fallen still and silent through Preston’s explanation, his expression growing hard. In the silence that followed, he turned to his guards and fixed his steely eyes on them. [color=aba000]”I need you to go keep an eye on our newest recruit. Don’t approach or engage. Don’t even let him know you’re watching. Me and the Green Lantern have business to discuss.”[/color]

The Yellow subordinates moved away without question, a testament to the iron will Sinestro imposed on his people. With only the vacuum of space to keep the pair company now, Sinestro floated closer to Preston. [color=aba000]”Perhaps I should have consulted an expert on Earth history when I discovered who he was.”[/color] Thaal admitted, his eyes locking with Preston’s. [color=aba000]”I admit however, I am… Confused by something you said. HE committed these atrocities for… Purity? Was there some kind of genetic plague among your people, Preston? Some reason to do this? Because if not… Senseless bloodshed and violence is frankly unacceptable in my Corps. I want to be clear about that.”[/color]

[color=00a651]”Genetic Purity,”[/color] Preston corrected himself rather quietly. [color=00a651]”The wrong parents, the wrong skin tone, hair, eye color. The Nazis believed that… if your parents, your grandparents, came from a different land, worshipped a different god, that they were genetically inferior, and [i]deserved[/i] to die in order to ensure that humanity continued in a certain way.[/color] It hurt to think about. To think about all of the lives lost in so many wars. All of the wars he wasn’t even alive to know about, those he had fought in. So much violence. 

Preston sighed, setting a hand on Sinestro’s shoulder. [color=00a651]”Thank you for hearing me out. Everything back on Oa was pretty hairy, and I’m glad you made it out alright then. I don’t want someone like him ruining a reputation you have yet to truly garner.[/color]

Sinestro let the silence hang in the vacuum for a long moment, trying to make sense of the information Preston had shared. What kind of planet fought a war over something so idiotic as minor physical differences? Religion was understandable, it had caused wars throughout the universe, but something as simple as hair color or skin tone?

[color=aba000]”I… Appreciate your patience with me, Preston.”[/color] Sinestro said finally, steeling himself again. [color=aba000]”You’ve been my greatest ally in my little project here. I would not want to ruin my reputation by accepting someone so despicable as you have described. I’ll need to extend my apologies to the Wizard as well, and ensure that my Rings steer clear of the Rock. Emerald Knight,”[/color] He continued, squaring his shoulders and setting his jaw. [color=aba000]”I invite you to the fourth moon of Korugar, into the stronghold of the Sinestro Corps to apprehend an escaped fugitive. I will accompany you, help your cause, and escort you and your prisoner back to Earth. What do you say, friend?”[/color]

Preston smiled widely at Sinestro. Had be been anyone else, perhaps Orin or maybe even Arcana, he would have taken Sinestro’s forearm into a hand, shaking like manly men on earth did. But that was stupid and Sinestro didn’t seem like one to be all that touchy-feely. Preston removed his hand from Sinestro’s shoulder and nodded gladly. [color=00a651]”Lets go get us a Nazi.”[/color]

The mismatched pair shot through the relatively small stretch of space, entering the artificial atmosphere of the moon with ease. Preston earned a few wary glances from the other Yellow Lanterns, but the sight of Sinestro with him kept anyone from acting outright aggressively. Sinestro guided the pair towards the Power Battery housing chamber, trusting that Preston would remember his original training and having to refill his Ring’s power bank before generating a miniature Battery of his own. Wilhelm should be there, currently being watched over by Sinestro’s guards.

[color=aba000]”We’ll likely have to act quickly.”[/color] Sinestro said, placing a hand on the door. [color=aba000]”If he’s as powerful a psychic as he claims, we’ll only have a moment. I should work on building some mental resistance into the Rings…”[/color]

It was a smart idea to charge up before going into battle. Rings, no matter where they were, always latched onto the rotation of the celestial body they were nearest to. Being a small moon circling a planet, Preston most likely didn’t have a whole lot of time before he’d have to charge his ring. 

He summoned his battery and chanted the oath before sending it away. He had forgotten that Wilhelm was a psychic, [color=00a651]”That fucker.”[/color] and hoped that they could deal with Wilhelm quickly before he dug his metaphysical nails into anyones brains. 

[color=00a651]”He’s given our wizard a lot of trouble, as I’m sure you’re aware. We need to get him as soon as possible and return him to the Rock of Eternity where he can’t feel a single soul.”[/color]

[color=gray]”The notion of purity, is one of true beauty. All peoples of Earth are naturally chaotic, but my people, the master race, are the only ones who could stand a chance at bringing true peace and justice. If any others remained, they would simply ruin what had been built, destroy the peace that Aryan leadership brings,”[/color] Wilhelm spoke, like a master teaching an apprentice, to a small number of Yellow Lanterns, who all nodded along with his statements. He’d already made friends here, maybe not through the correct means, but he had done it.

Wilhelm let out a “hmm?” as he heard speaking coming from the entranceway to the battery. He smiled upon seeing that it was Sinestro approaching.


[color=gray]”Oh, hello Sinestro, have you come to…”[/color] he let out a gasp from the back of his throat upon seeing the green clad figure beside him. His face hardened. [color=gray]”And the Emerald Knight.”[/color] he tried to return his voice to a relaxed tone and offered another smile.

[color=gray]”Well, you had told me you’re friends, so I suppose this isn’t that big of a surprise.”[/color]

No matter where Wilhelm looked, the other Lantern’s eyes were quick to follow, their mouths drooped open and their bodies relaxed to an unnatural degree.

Don’t think act, don’t think, act. The mantra repeated itself in Preston’s head, trying to become the loudest thought he had in an attempt to keep Wilhelm out of his mind. His hand shot forward, his ring fired off a few energy shots as he dashed to the side. 

Preston had never faced Wilhelm or anyone with a similar powerset. Talking and trying to peacefully apprehend him was out of the question long before things began. Any time for talking was time for him to weasel his way into their minds. [color=00a651]“Sinestro! We need to take him out cold and fast! We can’t let him control us!”[/color] Preston took to the skies, acting as a distraction while shooting Wilhelm with many more energy bolts. If only they had some sort of concrete way to dealing with telepathic powers, that would make things infinitely easier.

[color=gray]”Was?!”[/color] was Wilhelm’s shocked reaction as the Emerald Knight suddenly attacked him. He swiftly made use of his new powers, generating a shield to deflect Preston’s attacks.

[color=gray]”What the fuck?!”[/color] he asked angrily, his teeth clacking into each-other. He looked over at Sinestro with a bewildered expression on his face. [color=gray]”What is he doing? I’ve done nothing wrong, I’ve come here to serve you, faithfully! I’m in your debt!”[/color]

He pleaded, his ring glowing as his voice raised in volume higher and higher. He immediately began probing Sinestro’s mind to figure out what the hell was happening.

His eyes shot wide as he read Sinestro’s recent memories.

[color=gray]”This… this isn’t right, none of this is right, they don’t understand. My beliefs have always been what is best for order, for peace on Earth! If you listen to him, to her, you’ll never be able to bring peace, she will defend the status quo forever, she will always be your enemy! All that my people have done has been absolutely necessary! It’s only forces like her that keep Earth from being a place of peace and purity! Listen to me! Please!”[/color] his tone one of despair.

He attempted to use just the slightest of mental nudges to move Sinestro towards his viewpoint, he hadn’t been in his head long enough to do anything more.

There was that word again, purity. The mere thought enraged Preston. [color=00a651]”pure of what? Blonde hair? You and Hitler killed millions for the sake of purity, and the world still hasn’t recovered! Come with me quietly and it’ll be over.”[/color]

Had Wilhelm attempted to pry into Sinestro’s emotional state instead of simply his memories, he would likely have become even more desperate. Though his face was as placid as ever, and his body language betrayed nothing, Sinestro was a veritable volcano about to erupt. The confusion he’d felt before about the senseless war had transformed on their journey here. Now there was little left of the confusion; it had been replaced by that which made Sinestro so powerful. The indomitable will that had been the shining jewel of the Green Lantern Corps. And now a potent rage behind that, pure anger that a planet could erupt into civil war over something to stupid, and that men like Silber had been behind it.

Sinestro stepped into the room, barely glancing at Emerald Knight as his ally went on the attack. He spent a moment taking in the dimensions of the space, Wilhelm’s position, the odd vacant look about his other soldiers. And then he felt a nudge. As his newest recruit pleaded with him, Sinestro’s sharp mind felt a tug of pity towards the man, an attempt at compassion. The realization of what the old man was trying broke the dam.

The yellow-clad, purple-skinned master of fear strode forward, his long legs closing the distance as he raised his arm and held out his ring, pointed towards Wilhelm. Sinestro’s thoughts coalesced into a single, crystal clear thought as his face warped in anger.

[color=aba000]”In Blackest day, and Brightest night
Beware your Fear made into Light
Let he who tries to stop what’s right
Beware MY power, SINESTRO’S MIGHT.”[/color]

The roaring chant was accompanied by a brilliant flash of yellow not just from the Yellow Ring on Sinestro’s hand, but accompanying flashes on the Rings of the enthralled Lanterns as well. As one, those Rings abandoned their owners, leaping to Sinestro’s outstretched hands and settling on his fingers. Armed with a dozen rings stacked on his fingers, Sinestro let loose a volley of concussive blasts towards Wilhelm, each exploding in a shower of bright light and sparks.

Immediately the other enthralled former lanterns moved in between Wilhelm and Sinestro, taking his attacks and being tossed into the wall behind. Wilhelm looked more annoyed than anything, letting out a sigh.

[color=gray]”I would have been loyal, you know that, right?”[/color]

Before Sinestro could respond, Wilhelm leaped off the ground and slammed back down, surrounding himself in debris and hiding his position.

[color=gray]”The weak link goes first.”[/color]

Wilhelm’s voice came from behind Emerald Knight, he flew upwards behind him, covering his face with his ringed hand to keep the debris out of his all important eyes. The air around him distorted, and a loud bass-heavy rumble filled the air as an invisible blast fired from his head towards Preston’s, powerful enough to shred a normal human’s body.

As soon as the voice from behind Preston sounded off, he created a small dome around him, hoping to protect him from whatever the Psychic had planned. The psionic blast impacted the dome he had made, cracking it from every angle and even being strong enough to move through it and rock Preston against the inside of his own creation. 

The dome he had made unwrapped itself from around Preston and turned into a solid wall to be launched at where he had heard Wilhelm’s voice. Something burned inside of Preston just thinking about Wilhelm, a flare that made Preston’s desire for his capture almost as strong as the will of Mogo. Dust and debris coated the area only briefly. There was no more hiding for him. Preston created a fan to swipe away at the dust, leaving only the rubble that Wilhelm himself would find as his tomb.

Wilhelm let out a kiai as he formed a lance around his ring-bearing hand, driving all of the force of the weapon into a small point on Preston’s wall, shattering it completely, but doing the same to his own weapon. It seemed that the rings were equal in pure power.

[color=gray]”Everything this world has thrown at me, I have overcome!”[/color] he roared as he closed into melee range with Preston. [color=gray]”My goals are backed by divine furor, I am the avatar of Odin! I am the end! I am the new beginning!”[/color] he screamed rabidly. He’d kind of lost himself in his anger, everything he’d been through, it drove him a bit mad.

Preston would feel his motion become impossible, and swiftly a massive golden fist was generated on top of Wilhelm’s own. He roared as he spun through the air in an attempt to drive it right through the Emerald Knight.

[color=aba000]”Survival is not victory.”[/color] Sinestro snarled, turning on his heel and waving his right hand. The Rings there flashed, each creating a construct aimed to take advantage of the enthralled Lanterns fears. Alien shapes and monsters materialized, each one pinning or immobilizing a thrall. Focusing on Wilhelm now, Sinestro raised his left hand. The golden fist stopped abruptly. 

[color=aba000]”You have been opposed at every turn. Beaten. Vanquished. Barely clinging to life. My Ring found you on death’s door. It should have left you there.”[/color]

Sinestro clenched his fist. The golden construct around Wilhelm’s arm flickered and vanished. The Yellow Power Ring on Wilhelm’s middle finger cracked and disintegrated.

[color=aba000]”You survival is due to the kindness of others. Not your victory.”[/color]

[color=00a651]”Kindness for a soul like his is wasted. The only mercy he deserves is death.”[/color] Preston’s voice dropped, completely overtaken by an unspeakable rage from within him, fueling his desire to win over Wilhelm and remove this blight from existence. He paused, however, to breathe. He needed to still himself. He wanted to kill Wilhelm, right here, right now. It would be so easy with Sinestro’s help to do it. However, Nazi or not, it was evident that extra-terrestrial life cared little about such a title or even knew of the connotations surrounding it. There would be someone to answer to.

But this wasn’t murder.

Preston flew around Wilhelm and created another construct to pin him down to the ground prostrate. Lantern rings were all about imagination and invention, and this was certainly a good way to apprehend him for the time being. The restraints around Wilhelm’s arms and legs rose, flipping him around quickly to shove his face into the ground. A fifth restraint locked his head into place. 

[color=00a651]”Sinestro,”[/color] Preston began, looking down at the pitiful life form below him. [color=00a651]”You know what the guardians would do to me if I offed him. He’s your lantern, but my escapee. What should we do with him?”[/color]

Sinestro looked on at Emerald Knight with approval. He had become much more powerful since the fight with the strange red-ringed child. A worthy successor to Abin Sur.

[color=aba000]”As much as I hate to admit it,”[/color] He said, raising a hand to the sky and firing off a series of pulses to call in more Lanterns to contain the enthralled minions. [color=aba000]”I believe the Wizard wanted him alive, if his imprisonment in the Rock was any indication. You kept me from tarnishing my reputation. Now it’s my turn to repay the favor. Let him live. We’ll take him back to Earth. We are most likely unable to enter the Rock without her permission.”[/color]

[color=00a651]”Well then? Let’s be off."[/color]