Chapter 283: The Social Death of the Violet Lantern Leader
Six Lantern Corps leaders sat around a round table.
It was an unprecedented sight. Though the Orange Lantern proxy was absent, to have nearly the full spectrum of Lantern leaders gathered together was extraordinarily rare.
"The Yellow Lantern ring worn by Allen came from Grin. The Orange Lantern ring was likely granted by Larfleeze."
Gillian asked, "Then how did he get the Green Lantern ring?"
Everyone turned their gaze to Abin Sur, hoping he had the answer.
"No idea. Kentar's ring was swallowed by a Predatory Entity upon his death, so it's definitely an unregistered Green Lantern ring."
An unclaimed Green Lantern ring like that, according to OA's records, simply didn't exist.
Normally, when a Green Lantern dies, their ring seeks out a new host and summons them to OA for review.
The Guardians maintain extremely strict standards for Green Lantern candidates. Depending on the host planet, some ring permissions may be restricted.
For instance, a few specific Green Lanterns assigned to high-conflict zones may be authorized to use lethal force. But the vast majority are limited to non-lethal law enforcement.
If a ring selects someone who doesn't meet the criteria, the Guardians can remotely disable it, reducing it to a mere ornament.
But the Green Lantern ring Allen wears clearly isn't one of those on record—it cannot be shut down remotely.
Other Lantern Corps rings are different. They don't have remote shutdowns, only the ability to cut off central energy supplies.
The energy of each ring is supplied by an emotional entity, with each Corps leader able to manage distribution.
To revoke someone's ring, one must confront them at close range.
Unfortunately, there's another problem—Allen has an Orange Lantern ring, which can absorb the powers of other spectrums.
Thus, locating Larfleeze is now a priority.
If they can cut off the Orange Lantern's energy supply, Allen will eventually burn through the energy of all three rings and be left vulnerable.
"So where is he?" asked Blue Lantern leader Saint Walker.
Blue Lanterns could teleport across galaxies—but only if they knew the target's location.
The universe was vast; finding someone aimlessly was virtually impossible.
"I have a proposal," Gillian said, suddenly producing a Violet Lantern ring. "We can grant him an honorary ringbearer status for tracking. As long as he's in this universe, we can locate him instantly."
"You're aiding the enemy."
Atrocitus immediately objected. "He already has three rings—giving him another is utter madness."
Abin Sur and Sinestro both nodded in agreement.
With three rings, Allen was already evading two Corps with ease. Giving him a fourth was unimaginable.
"Use your head," Gillian said patiently. "We'll give him a gutted Violet ring. All permissions revoked, no access to a central battery. That way, he'll burn through his other rings faster without gaining any new power."
The room fell into thoughtful silence—and then agreement.
It was a clever plan.
Once Allen was captured, they could strip all his rings and render him powerless.
"I proposed it, so I'll go first."
Gillian raised the Violet ring to her lips and whispered softly.
In the next moment, the ring turned into a beam of violet light and shot off into the stars.
"I'm quite curious to see how strong someone with three rings really is," Gillian said with a confident smile.
"Wait a minute," Abin Sur interrupted. "The Violet Lantern Corps is entirely female. How can Allen become one of them?"
Everyone paused, realizing they had never seen a male Violet Lantern before.
"The Violet ring doesn't discriminate by gender," Gillian explained. "As long as the heart holds love, that's enough."
Still, women—being more emotionally attuned—were more often favored by the Violet rings.
"Don't forget to keep an eye out for Larfleeze," someone reminded. "We can't let all of this go to waste."
Indeed, the Orange Lantern's dual abilities to absorb and supply energy were beyond absurd—especially in Allen's current state.
One could think of it as a power to steal or grant abilities. But Larfleeze, consumed by greed, never shared—he only slaughtered.
Elsewhere, on a distant alien world…
Allen lay suspended between two trees, resting on the back of a giant snake-like creature, its body tied between the trunks like a hammock.
"Living like this is almost shameful," he muttered, a leaf covering his eyes. He showed no sign of worry about being hunted by the Lantern Corps.
Suddenly, a hand lifted the leaf and offered him a strange fruit, gently asking, "Sweetheart, is it sweet?"
"I'd eat chocolate poop if you fed it to me," Allen grinned, gazing fondly at Righty—the physical embodiment of his Yellow Lantern ring, appearing like a celestial fairy.
"Darling, I've been meaning to ask—why do I have to wear the Leo Gold Cloth?"
That's right. Righty was clad in a glimmering golden armor—modeled after the Leo Cloth from Saint Seiya.
Allen had thought the Yellow Lantern uniforms were ugly, so he modified one to better fit female aesthetics.
"It's a symbol of my love for you," he said earnestly. "There's even a song: 'At July's end, you're a Leo; at August's start, you're still a Leo.' Also, I really like red-braised lion's head meatballs at the rehab center cafeteria."
"Go away, you idiot."
Just then, Lefty returned—tackling Allen with a flying hug.
Splat!
Allen winced in pain, biting his lip as he turned to look at her.
He had given Lefty a manifestation based on the Aries Cloth—complete with two ram horns on the shoulders.
Her sudden pounce had driven both horns into his collarbone.
"Lefty, please keep your distance."
Splat!
This time, the horns pierced his hand as he tried to block her. Blood oozed from both wounds.
Allen winced, trying to staunch the bleeding with crossed arms.
Lefty, born from the Orange Lantern ring, inherited its greedy possessiveness—and her jealousy was extreme.
"I won't let go."
Splat!
Another strike. This time, the horn jabbed deeper through his hand.
In pain and resignation, Allen pouted. "If you don't love me, at least don't hurt me. My heart belongs to Righty. There's no future for us."
"Darling, don't say that. I'm okay with sharing you with Sister Lefty," said Righty, gently leaning on his shoulder like a scheming lotus blossom.
"That's not in character. I'm a devoted man. I won't stoop to the shame of polygamy!" Allen declared righteously.
Splat!
As Lefty pulled back, blood gushed from both collarbone and hand. Allen's face twisted in agony.
"Stop clinging to me—I'm gonna die from blood loss!"
Luckily, he had priest-class healing skills and could treat himself.
"Look, a shooting star!"
Righty pointed at a streak of violet light tearing through the sky.
"Let's make a wish!"
"That's a Lantern ring, you dumbass," Allen muttered, confused. "Why is there a Violet Lantern ring here?"
The Violet Corps wasn't exactly active—a bunch of hopeless romantics weren't known for doing anything useful.
Worse, their rings could charm entire armies into defecting.
Sure enough, the violet light stopped before Allen, revealing a Violet Lantern ring.
Following the "finders-keepers" logic, Allen didn't hesitate—he put it on an unused finger.
"With fear and doubt, two hearts entwined.
Through darkest nights, I cannot rest.
Let dainty fingers wear this sign.
Let love's light fill the world again!"
As he finished the oath, the ring bound itself to him.
"No power?"
Suddenly, Allen realized something was wrong—the ring was completely dim.
Even the lantern battery stored inside had no energy.
Normally, it should channel energy from its entity source.
"Not a big deal. I've got the Orange ring."
Allen used it to reverse-supply energy, jumpstarting the Violet ring into glowing again.
Truthfully, Allen wasn't lacking in power. His hybrid ring, fused with central energy, was like an infinite battery.
Meanwhile, across the galaxy, Gillian immediately sensed Allen's location the moment he spoke the oath.
The space warped—and out stepped a seductive figure in daring attire and flawless beauty.
"Violet Lantern Leader?" Allen asked tentatively.
"That's right. You must be Allen."
Her gaze swept over Righty and Lefty—her eyes narrowed dangerously.
She raised a violet crystal and released a blinding pulse of light.
Any male exposed to it would fall hopelessly in love with the Violet Lantern, becoming a willing puppet of love.
"Oh hell no, it's a love-brain radiation attack!"
Allen wasn't clueless—he knew exactly what that light could do.
He yanked Righty and Lefty in front of him to block it.
"Weaponize the waifus—frontline ex and current girlfriend!"
Then he counterattacked—flinging both girls straight at Gillian.
Boom!
The three women crashed together.
To be clear, Violet Lanterns weren't strong in combat. Their strength lay in psychological manipulation and brainwashing.
If the light couldn't touch you, their tricks were useless.
"You harlot! Don't you dare hurt my sweetheart!"
"You shameless floozy! Trying to seduce my man? I'll kill you!"
Righty and Lefty exploded into a whirlwind of fury, pinning Gillian to the ground, pulling her hair, slapping her face—like a street brawl between jealous lovers.
Such savage, vulgar fighting left Gillian utterly dumbfounded.
She was a dignified Violet Lantern, used to proper duels—not this kind of barbarism.
She tried to struggle free, but the two girls had her completely restrained.
Her voluptuous rear stuck up high—no chance of escape.
Allen's eyes sparkled as he stared at the tempting, deeply-cut violet outfit.
"Hold her down, girls! Time for my forbidden jutsu!"
He formed hand seals with utmost seriousness.
"Horse, Boar, Tiger, Rat, Ox, Dog, Dragon, Snake, Ram!"
One seal after another, pure Naruto style.
At the final seal, he shouted:
"Secret Technique—A Thousand Years of Death!"
Thwack!
"AAAH—!"
A scream of unbearable agony echoed through the forest. Gillian's eyes filled with tears of regret.
What was she thinking challenging this lunatic?
He actually used such a depraved technique. Monstrous!
Allen casually blew on his finger like a gun barrel and flipped his hair.
"You're the first woman to taste my ultimate move. Consider yourself honored."
"You bastard! I swear I'll enslave you for eternity!" Gillian sobbed.
"Oho~"
Allen smirked devilishly. "You greedy little minx. Let me show you my second forbidden jutsu—a poetic one called 'Lament of the Chrysanthemum'. It'll make your flower bloom like a sunflower."
"No! Wait! Let's talk this out!"
Gillian panicked. "Okay, maybe I was a little loud earlier! My tone was bad! I'll apologize! Truce! Please!"
A searing, burning pain between her legs jolted Gillian back to her senses. One more hit and she might start hemorrhaging on the spot.
"Horse, Boar, Tiger, Rat—"
"No no no…! Let's talk, please! Big bro, handsome guy, daddy, grandpa, ancestor—please stop! Waaaah…"
Gillian broke down completely.
Tears poured down like a broken string of pearls, flowing uncontrollably.
If you walk along the riverbank often enough, sooner or later your shoes are going to get wet.
She waited and waited, but the excruciating pain she braced for never came. Even the two clones holding her down stood there motionless.
Gillian couldn't help but look back.
And there they were—a whole group of Lantern Ring leaders staring at her with puzzled expressions.
Crap!
When did they show up?
Waaah…
Gillian sobbed even harder, completely devastated.
To socially die right in front of everyone like this—she'd honestly rather take another hit from that damned jutsu.
Sensing the spatial distortion, Allen seized the chance to flee the scene, hopping onto the Four-Colored Ghostfire and bolting without a second thought, leaving both the current and former versions of himself behind.
After all, with the Lantern Rings in hand, he could summon his little left and little right personas anytime he wanted.
And with the addition of the violet Lantern Ring, the Ghostfire now looked even more badass.
Frostine asked cautiously, "Gillian, are you okay?"
Are you seriously asking me that? Do I look okay to you?
Why don't you take a Thousand Years of Death and see how you feel.
"I'm fine. He just caught me off guard. I won't let him off so easily next time," Gillian muttered stubbornly, trying to save face.
But the leaders' eyes were filled with doubt. They had heard her pitiful, groveling pleas loud and clear.
Still, the unspoken rule among elites is: see it, don't say it. Everyone had a reputation to maintain, after all.
But this embarrassing little episode? They fully intended to tease her about it for the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, Allen, now far away on his Ghostfire bike, pondered the sudden appearance of the violet Lantern Ring. His sharp mind kicked into gear and quickly drew a conclusion.
"They must be trying to track me through the Lantern Rings. Damn, that's clever. Still, if they're handing out gear, who am I to say no? Heh heh heh…"
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