Although Hal Jordan had a whole list of problems—reckless, loud-mouthed, overly emotional—he could still take advice. The moment Thea spoke, he immediately manifested a massive spread of green chains, binding Parallax tightly.
That ring of his really is something else…
Thea couldn't help thinking when she saw it. Hal Jordan inherited Abin Sur's ring—not the very first Green Lantern ring, but coming from one of the "greatest warriors" in the Corps, it was naturally one of the top rings of its era.
Thea released the Book of Parallax. After absorbing a large amount of Parallax's yellow energy, the book had gained new functions. The decorative-looking chains engraved on its cover could now be deployed—requiring nothing from Thea. A single command, and the book's internal energy would move on its own, trapping the enemy.
A green chain and a yellow chain snapped out simultaneously, wrapping Parallax up layer by layer.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Continuous gunfire rang out. Batman stood on a rooftop, raising that bizarre-looking weapon of his and firing at Parallax.
Where each shot landed, a rainbow-colored mist burst out. Parallax, who had been thrashing violently a second ago, suddenly slowed—its fierce eyes flickering with a moment of dullness.
What the hell kind of black-tech is this…
That was the thing about Batman: you never knew what ridiculous invention he'd pull out next. At this point, "inventing weird stuff" might as well be his superpower.
Since the enemy wasn't resisting, none of them held back. Superman's fists—each about the size of a casserole pot—hammered mercilessly into Parallax's head.
Thea and Hal Jordan also kept manifesting weapon after weapon, delivering their own "warm greetings."
But the fiercest attacks came from Diana.
Whether it was because reunions made her happy or something else, her silver bracelets had clearly sensed her intent. Her battle spirit surged dramatically. Every strike she delivered glowed with dazzling divine power, forcing Parallax to burn huge amounts of fear-energy just to patch up its body before it completely fell apart.
"I am a Guardian! My power, my wisdom—will never be defeated by a tiny planet like Earth!"
Parallax's body was nowhere near the massive form it had when it descended. At least one-third of its mass had already been consumed. Thea's yellow ring had absorbed plenty of its foundation—but she knew the real test was about to begin.
"Throughout the history of the Green Lantern Corps, countless strong warriors have risen. In my long life, I've seen geniuses beyond number. Let them entertain you!"
Parallax inhaled sharply, its enormous body rooting itself into the ground. As it gathered power, the entire American continental plate seemed to tremble.
It completely abandoned defense, letting their attacks land freely. One of its eyes had even been punched blind by Superman. Whatever energy Superman had infused into that strike, no amount of fear energy could regenerate it.
"HAA—!"
Parallax's jaws opened wide. Countless meteors and broken buildings spewed outward. Amid the rubble, several streaks of green light flared unmistakably bright.
It has this move too?!
Thea quickly asked Hal Jordan to scan them. Her yellow ring couldn't register Green Lanterns, but Hal's could.
"Gemini Kova — Sector 2214. Disappeared thirty-seven thousand years ago…"
"Karl Holz — Sector 269. Disappeared one hundred and ten thousand years ago…"
"Garel Knight — Sector 1129. Disappeared two thousand one hundred years ago…"
...…
Five Green Lanterns appeared before them.
Their uniforms were the traditional Green Lantern design, though torn and faded. Their eyes were vacant, mouths slightly open. Their bodies had been preserved through some unknown method, and their minds were still frozen at the moment they'd been captured.
The rings on their fingers still glowed—proof that, in their minds, they were still fighting.
Parallax laughed like every stereotypical super-villain combined.
"They were the prodigies of their eras. I saved them on purpose. I even keep them charged! Hahaha! Let them play with you!"
The five "missing, presumed dead" Lanterns twitched—then shot upward mechanically, each locking onto a target.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, even Batman—who only ever wanted to be a "great Earthling"—got assigned an opponent.
A burly Green Lantern warrior fired a huge blast at him.
Batman's training had clearly not been for nothing—he flipped mid-air, dodged the blast, and threw a Batarang straight into the Lantern's chest, triggering a violent explosion.
Seeing that, Thea felt relieved.
Batman's mind was brilliant, but in raw combat he was no match for beings like these walking hacks. The fact that he could hold out for even a few exchanges meant Thea could focus on finishing her own opponent first before rushing to help him.
But while she could trust Batman not to die immediately…
someone else instantly became the bigger problem.
"AH—!!"
A scream tore through the air.
Thea instantly bound her opponent with chains and looked upward—her eyes nearly popping out.
Superman had been run clean through by a massive green energy sword.
The blade pierced his chest from front to back. His body went limp as he began plummeting toward the ground.
Shit!
They're mimicking kryptonite wavelengths?!
Of course they were—these were veteran Green Lantern warriors. Not amateurs like Hal Jordan.
The Lantern who pierced Superman was already preparing a finishing strike—one that would leave the Son of Krypton truly dead.
Yes, Superman had a tendency to "die and come back," but Thea was not about to let him be killed by some forgotten nobody from ten thousand years ago.
While controlling the Book of Parallax to restrain her first opponent, Thea launched herself forward to intercept the killing blow.
Two-against-one.
It took everything she had—her enemies were fast, experienced, and completely unaffected by the yellow ring's usual suppression of green energy. She had to keep one eye on the captive Lantern while defending against the other.
As for Superman…
well, he probably wouldn't die from falling.
…Right?
A flicker at the edge of her vision caught her attention.
Just as Superman was about to kiss the pavement, a figure swooped in and caught him mid-air.
A girl?
Thea forced her two opponents back with several fierce strikes and focused.
Blonde hair like sunlight, loose checkered shirt—she looked like any ordinary city girl, maybe two years younger than Thea.
But the yellow ring's scan told a different story: her stats were far beyond human, and her body resonated naturally with yellow energy.
Thea understood instantly.
Kara Danvers… Supergirl.
She looked young, no combat suit, just civilian clothes—likely flew over the moment she saw the earlier satellite broadcast.
Her power level wasn't enough to fight a Green Lantern veteran, but she could help with Parallax.
"Hey, kid! Big guy's fine.
That huge boss over there—he's yours!"
Thea shouted as she pointed at Parallax, who was currently mauling Hal Jordan.
…You want ME to fight THAT?
Kara's mouth fell slightly open, stunned beyond words by the opponent Thea had just "assigned" her.