The difference in ability wasn't the only issue—even this lower-tier precognitive state placed tremendous strain on a mortal body. From Lisa Draka's expression, as if she were about to cough up an internal organ, it was obvious the technique was rapidly exhausting her strength—perhaps even shortening her lifespan.
Though she was Sinestro's subordinate, Thea couldn't let her burn herself out like this. She signaled Deadman to finish the fight quickly.
Receiving her instruction, Deadman let out a mischievous grin and performed a dramatic high-dive motion—plunging straight into Lisa Draka's body.
Sinestro immediately sensed something was wrong. Thea cast a Magic Eye spell on him, allowing him to see the struggle between Deadman and Lisa Draka.
"What is—?"
Sinestro wasn't surprised Thea possessed non-ring abilities; that much he already knew. What shocked him was the sight before his eyes—Deadman with his pale face, dark eye circles, and bright red acrobat's suit, half his torso emerging from Lisa Draka's blue-skinned back. At first glance, it looked like a grotesque mutant creature.
Sinestro could see it because of Thea's magic. Lisa Draka, a living alien with no magical training, could only feel something violently forcing its way into her body. She didn't need to think twice to know this was bad, and she fought back with full strength.
But Deadman's possession technique was extremely domineering. Against normal people—like Nightwing—he could take control in an instant with no resistance. Even Batman, whose willpower was unmatched, had been possessed for a few seconds before throwing him out. Compared to that, Lisa Draka's willpower wasn't nearly enough. Although Deadman was inexperienced with the technique and still adjusting, his spiritual form quickly overwhelmed her unprepared soul and achieved the initial takeover.
"Such an ability… truly extraordinary."
Sinestro, well-traveled and knowledgeable, was genuinely startled. A technique like this didn't rely on combat skill or constructs—just outright usurpation. Even he couldn't immediately think of a counter.
Seeing his wariness, Thea eased his concerns.
"Deadman's technique is effective against ordinary people, but it doesn't last long against someone with strong willpower."
Her words had barely landed when Deadman—now controlling Lisa Draka—staggered forward a few steps.
"This woman is resisting violently…"
Thea wanted to observe how far Deadman could push his possession, so she didn't intervene.
Hal Jordan, watching like a confused bystander, stared at Lisa Draka's trembling body. Feeling secondhand embarrassment for Earthlings, Thea casually cast a Magic Eye on him as well.
Now four people could see Deadman directly.
Lisa Draka, though blind to him, could feel everything far more intensely. She exerted every ounce of strength to force him out.
The battle became a prolonged tug-of-war. Deadman's spiritual form was vastly stronger than an ordinary soul, but Lisa Draka had been handpicked by Sinestro for a reason—her willpower was formidable. Though losing in direct spiritual confrontation, she had the advantage of being in her own body, with a constant supply of energy.
As time passed, Deadman gradually weakened and was eventually forced out. He was rootless, with only his own spirit to draw from. Lisa Draka, meanwhile, was nearly exhausted. Sweat streamed down her blue skin, and her precognitive state had completely collapsed.
"So that's how it is. If the target's will is strong enough, he gets forced out."
Sinestro relaxed upon seeing this. Lisa Draka's willpower was nothing compared to his—if she could hold out, he would have no trouble resisting such an attack.
Still, Deadman's ability was remarkable—anyone with a discerning eye could see that. Sinestro was clearly pleased to have such a candidate join the Yellow Lantern Corps.
Not long after, the third and fourth yellow rings were completed. Thea gestured for Lisa Draka to step forward first.
The entire process was exactly the same as before, except that the oath she recited was the same vow Sinestro had spoken on the day he forged the Corps.
After her name was inscribed into the Book of Parallax, Lisa Draka stepped aside to receive the ring's knowledge.
The fourth ring—the one meant for Deadman—encountered a slight issue. The ring's power was no joke; it completely ignored his invisibility. But when it reached the "identify biological origin" step… it failed.
The ring circled him twice, unable to determine what planet his lifeform belonged to. Eventually, it seemed to give up, its voice sounding almost glitchy and awkward:
"Sentient lifeform detected. Origin… bzzzt… Error… uh…
Boston Brand.
You possess the ability to instill great fear in others.
Welcome to the Yellow Lantern Corps."
Thea almost burst out laughing. If the ring had a humanoid form, it would probably be banging its head against a wall after meeting a once-in-a-millennium anomaly like Deadman.
Deadman recited the same oath Thea once had—causing Thea and Sinestro to exchange a glance before looking away simultaneously.
The moment he put on the yellow ring, Deadman immediately mastered the construct ability, manifesting a physical body that resembled his living form. Though entirely yellow, and not exactly his preferred aesthetic, after so long as a wandering ghost, simply having a tangible presence was a blessing. Color was a small matter.
To him, the ring served primarily as a way to experience being "alive" again, and to help him invade opponents' bodies using fear energy to break their resistance.
After materializing his new body, Deadman eagerly poked and pressed various objects, delighted by the sensation.
Hal Jordan had been wary at first, but after exchanging a few words, the two unexpectedly hit it off. Both had once been reckless troublemakers who later turned toward heroism. They went from chicks, to firearms, to the future—chatting endlessly until they were one step from swearing brotherhood.
Thea spent three days on Oa, during which she met Abin Sur's sister—Arin Sur, who was also Sinestro's wife—as well as Sinestro's daughter, Soranik Natu, and Abin Sur's son, Amon Sur.
After receiving an overwhelming amount of gratitude, Thea chatted casually with Diana and several Guardians. With nothing more to do and having been away from home for too long, it was time to return to Earth.
After bidding farewell, she and Hal Jordan arrived at the border of Sector 2814. Now filled with a sense of mission, Hal acted as if his sector faced world-ending threats daily. He insisted on patrolling and eliminating all potential dangers before returning to Earth.
Faced with such stubbornness, Thea couldn't be bothered to argue. She certainly wasn't going to tell him that most of the universe's greatest threats were concentrated on Earth. Other planets were actually very safe—just guard Earth well and the cosmos would thank him.
Thea didn't need Deadman for anything at the moment. Seeing how well he and Hal got along, she let the two of them carry out justice in nearby star systems. Power rings could communicate across any distance, so they could contact her whenever needed.
Hand in hand with Diana, Thea descended onto Europe. Together they retraced the routes of their past, comparing memories, wandering slowly. Eventually, the time came for them to part ways.
"I'll visit you next week," Thea said cheerfully.
"All right. I'll be waiting," Diana replied, her smile as radiant and pure as ever.
They kissed goodbye—one heading west, the other south.