//------------------------------// // More Than Partners // Story: The Emerald Torch // by Onomonopia //------------------------------// Brother Garth led the two Lanterns across the breathtaking landscape, the beauty of the land so great that both Lanterns were left speechless despite the occasional question that Warth put forward. Birds, whose feathers gleamed like a rainbow under the shining sun, flew past the group while the purest of blue streams and lakes ran beneath them. "Wow...this planet is nothing like Oa...even Equestria at its best was never this beautiful," Spike finally managed to get out, getting a chuckle from brother Warth as he extended a finger and allowed a small bird to flitter down onto it. "It pleases me to hear you speak so highly of our planet. For when Ganthet first brought the Blue Central Battery here, this land was nothing but ruin and desert," Warth revealed, getting an impressed whistle from John. "Those blue rings can really work miracles, can't they? It makes me wish that there were more Blue Lanterns in the galaxy. We could really use more hope than we have." "Do not worry, Lantern Stewart, all will be well," Brother Warth said, the familiar words getting a smile to cross Spike's face. "Look, up ahead is Saint Walker and the other Lanterns." Spike and John looked ahead into a small field to see ten Lanterns sitting in rows while meditating, while another Blue Lantern that had greyish skin sat at the front and watched them. "And as you can see, Lantern Stewart, our numbers have never been higher. It pleases me to see so much hope in the galaxy." Saint Walker turned to look at the three Lanterns as they floated down to him, motioning to the class before uncrossing his legs and floating up to greet them with a smile on his face. "Greetings, Green Lanterns. It's rare that we get Green Lanterns here in such peaceful days. Have you come here simply to meditate and restore your hope...or, as I fear, there is another reason you are here?" "It's the serious one, I'm afraid," John clarified. Saint Walker nodded and motioned for the group to sit with him, though out of the corner of his eye he caught Spike looking around for someone. Saint Walker spoke a few quiet words to Brother Warth before joining the Green Lanterns as the other Lantern took off. "Can I get you something? Refreshments, perhaps?" Walker offered. "Sorry, we're here on official Lantern business and will need to leave as soon as we can," John said in an official tone, but he visibly relaxed under the peaceful atmosphere and the blue ring's soothing energy. "But first things first; we're here to warn you." "Warn me? I assume that the only reason a Green Lantern would come out here to warn me is that there is a chance that my planet may soon be under attack," Saint Walker deduced, getting a nod from John. "The Manhunters have been rebuilt and they've been targeting Lanterns of every Corps, either killing them or kidnapping them," John informed Walker, who let out a sigh before placing his wrists on his knees and meditating for a moment. "I remember the Manhunters well. They attacked our planet when Ganthet first tried to activate the Central Battery," Saint Walker reflected, his ring creating images of the Manhunters attacking the planet and the sole Blue Lantern. "I also recall, that through the efforts of our friend Hal Jordan and his allies that the Manhunters were destroyed for good. Yet, you say that they have been...rebuilt?" "Rebuilt and far more powerful than before," John clarified with a snarl as he created a full construct of the new Manhunter with his ring. "They're far more durable than before and have greater firepower. Spike and I got lucky with the group that we fought, since they seemed to be damaged before they attacked us. I can only assume that the Green Lantern they took was who did it." "How strange, that beings that sought only to destroy all emotion in the universe, would now capture those who can bring out its power to the fullest," Saint Walker observed with a small shake of his head before looking at John again. "There is more that you wish to say to me, isn't there?" "Yeah. I'd feel safer if you and the other Blue Lanterns came to Oa with us," John said, getting a curious look from the senior Blue Lantern. "You're the only Lantern Corps that hasn't lost a member yet, meaning that it's only a matter of time before the Manhunters come after one of you. But if all of you are on Oa, then not only will there be thousands there to protect you, but with will and hope combined they also won't stand a chance. Please consider what I'm saying, we can't lose any more Lanterns." "There I fear I must enlighten you. When I talked with the Guardians of Oa, it was true at that moment all Blue Lanterns were accounted for, but now I am not so sure. Two Blue Lanterns are not on Elpis right now and have not been for some time. I contacted both of them when I was informed Lanterns were going missing, but only one of them contacted me back," Saint Walker informed John with some worry. "It is not unusual for Blue Lanterns to go silent for months on end in their journeys to spread hope and find peace, but I am still concerned." "Understand. Can you tell me where the two Blue Lanterns were when you last contacted them? Spike and I can go investigate for you." "Brother Toro, the one who did not respond to my call, last contacted me on a planet that was not too far from sector 1583. It should not be too hard to find. My other Lantern said that he would investigate as well and immediately took off into the depths of space, despite my warnings. That one was always quick to action," Walker said with a small sigh. "Alright then, we'll go to where Toro's location was immediately," John said as he stood up, but Saint Walker held out a hand and looked towards Spike with a smile. "Yes, Lantern Spike, I fully know that there is something that you wished to ask of me as well. What is it?" "Um...there's...a certain Blue Lantern I'm looking for," Spike stammered out with some embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his head and looked down. "Do you...know where she is?" "Hmm, I am not sure. Do you know of this Lantern's location, Sister Belle?" The moment Saint Walker spoke Spike was tackled from the side and the next thing he knew a pony in a Blue Lantern uniform with a blue ring on her horn had her lips pressed against his, while her hooves wrapped themselves around his neck to pull him tight. His eyes went wide for a moment before he wrapped his claws around the back of the Lantern and pulled her tighter, kissing her back. John and Walker watched with smiles on their faces as the two finally broke apart, Spike casting a glance at the other Lanterns with a face redder than a Red Lantern, while Sweetie simply waved at John with a huge smile, not embarrassed in the least. "John! It's so good to see you again!" Sweetie sang with joyful music in every word. "Man, the last time I saw you must have been seven years ago! How have you been? You hardly look any different." "Aside from getting old, I'm doing pretty good. But clearly a lot has happened between the two of you since the last time we met, because I don't remember either of you being candidates for the Star Sapphires," John teased with a huge smile. Spike's face somehow went even brighter as he rubbed the back of his head while Sweetie placed her head under his chin and snuggled up close, causing both their green and blue auras to burn intensely. "W-well, the two of us fought alongside each other for so long that it just kinda...happened," Spike stammered out, looking in every direction except for where John was. "Just kinda happened? Puleeze," Sweetie butted in with a coy smile as she moved her head to look at Spike, hoofs on his shoulders as the smile grew wider. "It took him three full attempts to finally ask me out, and even then he could barely say it the third time. For a Lantern who supposedly can overcome any fear, I've never seen you so scared in all your life." "I-I wasn't scared, I was just...distracted by work," Spike muttered as he looked to the side. "Mm-hmm, sure" Sweetie hummed as she gently nuzzled his face, pecking his nose one last time before narrowing her eyes at the scar on his face. "That wasn't there a month ago. Did something happen to you Spike?" "Nothing much, just got a small cut fighting evil and saving a world from certain destruction," Spike said with far more confidence as he puffed his chest out, getting a snicker out of John. "You know, hero stuff "Aw, my brave Spikey-Wikey," Sweetie cooed as she kissed the scar softly, getting a full chuckle out of John as Spike's chest deflated and his face went back to its crimson hue. Sweetie hugged him one last time before breaking free and walking over to the senior Lanterns, giving John a look as she did so. "What?" "Oh nothing. Spike mentioned something about you coming here to see the Blue Lantern home world, right?" John quickly said to change the topic, but Spike could see from his eyes that John wasn't going to let him go anytime soon. "So how has your first time in space by yourself been?" "Ugh, it took so long to find this place, even with Saint Walker here giving me directions," Sweetie groaned as she looked around. "But when I got here I was struck dumb by just how beautiful it was!" "Trust me, you weren't alone." "Then I met Saint Walker and Brother Warth and a bunch of other cool Lanterns! And then they taught me how to master my powers even further!" Sweetie exclaimed excitedly as she floated into the air and began to show off, creating a plethora of constructs that impressed both John and Walker. "Yes, Sister Belle has shown herself to be quite the bearer of hope. She has boundless energy and a near infinite amount of hope. All of the other Blue Lanterns speak of how they seemed to feel more hopeful just being around her," Saint Walker added with a smile before looking over at Spike, who was just then walking over to them. "And she always spoke so highly of you, Lantern Spike, constantly telling us the tale of how you single-handedly defeated a large number of Lanterns before fighting off the Black Lanterns." "Greed and rage maybe, but for the others I had help," Spike said as he placed a hand on Sweetie's shoulder with a serious expression. "And now there are other Lanterns out there that need help, just like I did years ago. It was nice meeting you Saint Walker, but it's time John and I headed out to make sure that the Blue Lanterns you spoke of are alright." "And I'm coming with you," Sweetie said with confidence, looking up at Spike for the objection that never came. "After all, hope and will are strongest together." "She's right there. Alright Spike, take Sweetie to the ship and we'll head out," John ordered, Sweetie whooping in victory as she took off to the sky, leaving Spike to chase after her. "Wow, seeing those two kids in a relationship makes me feel old," John muttered as he rubbed his shoulder. "Now that they are gone, what is it you truly wished to tell me?" Saint Walker asked as he resumed his meditative position. John looked at the Lantern with surprise before sighing. "I was being serious when I said you should take your Lanterns and head for Oa," John said with deadly seriousness in his voice as he looked down at his ring. "Killing Lanterns is one thing, but capturing both them and their rings? That only ends in trouble, very bad trouble." "You do not want me and my Lanterns on Oa so that we are safe; you want us there in case the Lanterns need our assistance," Saint Walker said, seeming to read John's mind. "I do want you and your Corps to be safe, but yes, I'd feel much safer if hope and will were in unison against this threat," John clarified with worry in every word. "I shudder to think what evil atrocities could be committed with that many Lantern rings." Saint Walker nodded at John's words before his eyes opened again and he looked over at the Green Lantern. "I will consider your words, John. While I do not wish to abandon our home, this threat is far more serious than I first gave it credit for," Saint Walker agreed solemnly. "It would be wise to surround ourselves with friends during this time." "Thank you for listening," John said with a sigh of relief, both Lanterns rising and bowing to each other before John took to the sky. "And thank you for coming to warn us, friend Stewart," Saint Walker said as John flew away. "But do not worry too much. All will be well." 'Wish I could believe that. Hell, wish I could be as calm and relaxed as most Blue Lanterns. But I just can't shake the feeling that there's something big going on, something that might endanger all of us,' John pondered as he flew to the ship, entering through the ramp to find that Sweetie had already made herself right at home. "Hi John! Ready to get this show on the road?" she asked from the Captain's chair in the Interceptor's cockpit. "Will be, once you get out of my seat. How about you head on to the back and pick out a room for yourself?" John suggested. "Sure, but I don't mind sharing a room with Spike," she said while smiling at Spike lovingly. "Sweetie, do you have to say stuff like that?" Spike groaned as he looked away. "Come on, I'm just messing with you!" she laughed before using her ring to pull her battery out of a portal. "Just let me charge up my ring and I'll go on back." She placed her ring against her battery as she said this and after clearing her throat, spoke her oath. "Against fearful day or raging night, I will illuminate the darkness for all who fight! For with Rarity's faith and alongside Spike, I shall stay strong and burn with Blue Lantern's light!" A flash of blue shone through the room as she finished charging, causing both Green Lanterns to shine even brighter. She then returned to normal and bounded out of the room, allowing John to smirk at Spike. "She even included you in her oath. That's just precious," John teased Spike. Shut up!" Spike hissed at John as the Lantern laughed and sat down, launching the ship off of the Blue Lantern homeworld and off into space. He entered the coordinates from where the missing Blue Lantern was last reported and in the next moment the Interceptor was sailing across the stars. "Still, I'm kind of surprised that you didn't object to her coming along," John intrigued once the ship was sent in the right direction. "You know that this mission is incredibly dangerous, right? Yet, you're fine with her coming along?" "Every mission that the two of us go on is incredibly dangerous. And more often than not, she's the one that saves me when things go south," Spike pointed out before a small smile crossed his face. "Besides, I've been fighting alongside her for so long that it feels weird not having her beside me. We're partners...actually, more than partners at this point. We fight as one." A blast from the room behind them caused both Lanterns to jump, yet they recovered immediately and flew through the doors into the living quarters, rings at the ready for whatever caused the explosion. What they found, however, was a destroyed computer terminal and an embarrassed Sweetie Belle. "Okay, things might look bad, but in my defense, the fact that this ship can talk caught me off guard," she said quickly. John rolled his eyes with a smirk while Spike held a hand to his heart, each glad that the real fighting hadn't begun yet.