Simon, The Gurren Lantern 2

Simon, The Gurren Lantern
Chapter 2:
My Ring is the Ring that Outshines the Stars

Simon was greatly confused by the events that had just transpired.  One moment he was squaring down against a Red Lantern, the next a green ring was talking to him and sipping onto his finger.  But what was most confusing was what he was feeling right now.  He felt stronger, stronger than any time before.  He felt like he could go through hell and back if that's what it took to achieve his goals.  He felt like he could withstand the might of the Anti-Spiral alone if that's what it took.  He felt like he could take on anything.

As the green light that surrounded him faded, Simon noticed that he wasn't wearing what he was before the ring talked to him.  Instead, he was wearing an outfit much like what Kyle Rayner wore, but with more green on the torso and the symbol in the center instead of off to the side.  But what most confused Simon was the fact that he was glowing a green light.

"This is…odd," said Simon.  By this point, the Red Lantern recovered and rushed at Simon again.  Luckily, Simon noticed this and threw a punch at the creature.  As he swung, a large green fist erupted from his hand and impacted the Red Lantern, sending it into a building.

"The Spiral Energy must be affecting my vision," said Simon, "I've got to stop using it for a while.  After I beat this guy of course."

The Red Lantern jumped out of the rubble it made upon hitting the wall and spat its blood at Simon.  Simon jumped away from this, moving faster than he thought possible.  Simon then rushed at the Red Lantern, fist ready.  Simon was about to throw a punch when a green drill erupted from his hand and started spinning.  The drill drilled into the Red Lantern's shoulder, causing major damage. The Red Lantern screamed in pain before it was sent flying of by a shockwave erupting from the drill.  Simon stood amazed at what he had just done, then looked at the drill coming from his hand.

"Amazing," said Simon, "I just thought how a drill would be great right now, and here it is.  I wonder what else I could make."

The Red Lantern got back up and sprayed more blood at Simon.  Immediately, Simon held up his fist and a barrier was erected in front of him.  However, the blood destroyed the barrier and the Red Lantern continued rushing forward.

"You're going to go all out, huh?" said Simon, forming a pair of sunglasses resembling those of his brother's in his hand, "Then so will I!"

Simon threw the glasses at the Red Lantern, and as they flew they split into two equal sized glasses.  The two glasses flew around the Red Lantern, cutting at it until they immobilized it by sticking themselves through its arms and legs, each going into one arm and one leg.  Simon then formed a long drill from his hand before expanding it to a drill twice the size of him.

"GIGA…DRILL…BREAK!"

Simon rushed forward, drill spinning in front of him.  Simon's drill bored its way into the Red Lantern, eventually going right through the creature.  Simon then let the drill dissipate while the sunglasses returned to his hand, letting them dissipate as well.  Simon floated where he had stopped while the Red Lantern fell to the ground, only to be caught by Guy Gardner.

"Wow, he's not getting up any time soon," said Guy Gardner, "Luckily this species can regenerate itself with only a head, or he would be out of luck."

"It never fails.  I always feel better after using that," said Simon, "Wait a minute, I'm flying.  That…is just awesome."

"So, where did you learn to do that?" asked Kyle Rayner, flying up beside Simon.

"Giga Drill Break? I learned it from my bro," said Simon, "It was the first and last time he did it, actually."

"Was your brother a lantern of any color?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"No, we were copiloting a giant mech at the time," said Simon, "In fact, Lagann was one part of that mech."

"Right," said Kyle Rayner, "As for that ring on your finger, you're going to have to talk to the Guardians as soon as possible.  They're going to have a few questions."

"Right," said Simon, looking at his ring.

~~~

"You just stood there and gave a speech to a Red Lantern?" asked a Guardian.

"Yes," said Simon, "I do it all the time."

"Then I am surprised you're still alive," said another Guardian, "However, you did prove that you had great will, and so you gained that ring."

"So you need great will to get one of these," said Simon, "Why is that?"

"It is because the green light is the light of will," said a Guardian, "And you seem to have greater will than many other Green Lanterns.  Lantern Kurokami has a fine successor."

"Oh, is this her ring?" asked Simon.

"Indeed it was," said a Guardian, "And now it is yours.  Lantern Simon, you shall administer Space Sector 4469.  You also have full access to most of the facilities on Oa.  Right now, I suggest you go to training.  May your will shine bright."

"Thank you, sir," said Simon.  He then left the chamber of the Guardians.

~~~

Simon entered into the training facility to find Kyle Rayner there, doing some stretches.

"So you're in charge of training?" asked Simon.

"No," said Kyle Rayner, "But, the Guardians ordered me to train you because…they felt like it I guess."

"Good enough for me," said Simon, "So where does this training regimen start?"

"It starts with simple constructs," said Kyle Rayner, forming a sword in his hand, "Your ring will generate anything that you can think of.  You've already shown that you can create drills, so let's see what else you can do."

"Alright, let's do a sword," said Simon, generating a long, slightly curved sword.

"Any reason why you made a Japanese-style sword?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"This is the type of sword my bro used."

"Right," said Kyle Rayner, "Let's see how it holds up then."

Kyle Rayner rushed at Simon and attempted to strike, but Simon blocked it.  Simon pushed Kyle Rayner back and made his own attempt, but Kyle Rayner blocked that.  The two went on like this for a while until Simon formed a drill on his other hand and struck Kyle Rayner's sword with it, destroying it.

"That's hardly fair," said Kyle Rayner, "Well, if you're going to cheat, so will I."

Kyle Rayner formed a segmented sword with spikes coming up the top in his hand.  He then slashed the sword down, causing the segments to separate and go forward like a whip.  Simon did his best to dodge, but Kyle Rayner kept attacking him with his whip-like sword until it wrapped around Simon.

"When did you come up with this?" asked Simon.

"I watched a little Bleach," said Kyle Rayner, "Before it started getting bad."

Kyle Rayner was about to throw Simon to the ground when a multitude of drills burst out of Simon, destroying Kyle Rayner's sword.  Simon retracted the drills and rushed right for Kyle Rayner, but a green dome blocked his assault.  Simon tried to drill through the dome, but the drills failed to penetrate.

"The second thing to know about constructs," said Kyle Rayner, "They are only as strong as your will.  Right now, my will is stronger."

"I wouldn't count on that," said Simon as he continued to drill.  The dome then started to crack from the point it was being drilled at.

"How can you have more will than a veteran Lantern like me?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"Because my drill is the drill that pierces the heavens," said Simon as the dome's cracks expanded, "and my ring is the ring that outshines the stars!"

The dome broke and Simon rushed at Kyle Rayner.  Kyle Rayner tried to push Simon back with some fists, but dodged them and tackled him.  The two struggled in each other's grip before Simon pinned Kyle Rayner on the ground and pointed a drill at his heart.

"Just who the hell do you think I am?" asked Simon.

"I think you're a Green Lantern that doesn't need any more training," said Kyle Rayner, "Could you let me get up?"

"Of course," said Simon, getting up off of Kyle Rayner.

"How did you get so much will?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"Well, this ring actually functions a lot like Lagann," said Simon, "After using Spiral Energy for so long, it just comes naturally."

"What's Spiral Energy?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"It's the driving energy behind evolution for many species in…well, my sector I guess," said Simon, "Any species that has DNA in a double-helix and reproduces naturally can generate it.  When used in mechs like Lagann it can do just about anything."

"Depending on the drive to survive and evolve of the person, right?" asked Kyle Rayner.

"Yes," said Simon, "This probably sounds real weird to you, doesn't it?"

"When you're a Green Lantern, you hear much weirder," said Kyle Rayner as they left the training room, "Are there any negative repercussions of using Spiral Energy?"

"If a species uses too much, it could evolve to the size of a galaxy," said Simon, "If that happens, the universe will collapse in on itself."

"Wait a minute," said Kyle Rayner, "You honestly think that life can get that big, and that life being that big will cause universal destabilization?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, let me explain this," said Kyle Rayner, "The amount of time necessary for materials to be transported in a being the size of a galaxy is TOO LONG FOR BIOLOGICAL BEINGS LIKE SPIRAL SPECIES.  On top of that, the universe is not going to destabilize because a galaxy is organized into a person."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Simon.

"Yes I am," said Kyle Rayner, "I've browsed through some of the universal stability stuff that the Guardians have gained over the years.  And, the impossibility of life the size of galaxies is basic biology.  Though life can get pretty big."

"How big can it get?" asked Simon.

"If you're ever in Space Sector 2261, talk to Mogo," said Kyle Rayner, "He'll answer your question."

~~~

"Is Nia ready to come out yet?" asked Simon, walking up to Nia's tube while wearing his Team Dai-Gurren cape.

"Yes she is, Lantern Simon," said the head scientist, "We replaced all the instable material about an hour ago, and for the past 45 minutes we've been doing some fine tuning, you know, making sure everything works well with everything else.  We were actually waiting for you, since you care for her so much."

"Thank you," said Simon, stepping up to Nia's tube, "There's no reason to wait around anymore.  Let's bring her back."

"Draining tube," said the head scientist, "By the way, why aren't you in your Green Lantern uniform?"

"Because I have to greet her as the Simon she remembers," said Simon.

"Understood," said the head scientist, "Detaching breathing mask."

The fluid in the tank slowly lowered, and the mask Nia had been wearing slipped off her face.  Nia collapsed on the floor of the tube, still unconscious from the crash and the treatment.  When the tube finally opened, Simon rushed in to Nia and held up her head to his level.

"Nia, are you alright?" asked Simon, "Please wake up."

Nia began to groan, and slowly her eyes began to open.

"Hi, Simon."

The two immediately hugged, happy that they were together again.  When they stopped, Nia looked around, confused.

"Simon, where are we?" asked Nia, "And why am I not wearing anything?"

"Oh, clothes, right," said Simon as he took of his cape and put it on Nia, "You're in a medical facility on another planet."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and the people here were trying to fix what the Anti-Spiral did to you," said Simon.

"Did it work?" asked Nia.

"I think it did," said Simon, "But I don't know all the details of what they did.  You'll have to ask the guy in charge.  He probably wants to talk with you anyway."

"Okay," said Nia.  Simon helped Nia slowly get up and led her to the head scientist.

"Wow," said Nia upon seeing the scientist, "And what manner of creature are you?"

"I'm a Green Lantern, not a creature," said the head scientist, "Anyway, I want to run a few tests so we can see if there's anything wrong.  You'll be ready to go home in a day or two, provided we don't see anything wrong."

Nia just looked at the scientist, confused.  The scientist rubbed his eyes and said, "Lantern Simon, give her your translator."

"But I need it," said Simon.

"Your ring's a translator," said the scientist, "Didn't anyone tell you that?"

"Ok then," said Simon, taking the translator out of his ear and putting it in Nia's.  The head scientist began to explain the tests to Nia when Kyle Rayner walked in, carrying an old-style lantern.

"I thought you'd be here, Simon," said Kyle Rayner, "I see Nia's up."

"Yes," said Simon, "Right now they're running tests to make sure nothing's wrong."

"Medical professionals are paranoid like that," said Kyle Rayner, "Anyway, I need to go over a few things with you before you go."

"What are they?"

"First, Lagann is fully repaired.  Second, your ring allows you to fly through space unassisted.  At full charge you'll have no problem getting back home while carrying Nia and Lagann."

"That takes a load off my mind," said Simon.

"Glad to hear that," said Kyle Rayner, "Third, Lantern Kurokami reported some disturbances in her sector.  From what the report said, it looks like the Sinestro Corps."

"Sinestro Corps, is that another color with a ring?" asked Simon.

"Yes it is," said Kyle Rayner, "Just as we use the green light of will, the Sinestro Corps uses the yellow light of fear.  Their goal is to bring order to the universe by instilling fear."

"Sounds like a dangerous group," said Simon, "Who started this corps?"

"Thaal Sinestro," said Kyle Rayner, "He was once a Green Lantern, the best in fact.  But, he became…disappointed by how well the Green Lanterns were doing.  So, he sought to keep order another way, and found the yellow light."

"That sounds like someone I used to know," said Simon, "He was a great Spiral Warrior, but he ended up creating an empire based on oppression, touting himself as savior of humanity."

"That does sound like Sinestro," said Kyle Rayner, "What'd you do when you met him?"

"Lordgenome?  I beat the snot out of him."

"Then you should have no problem the Sinestro Corps," said Kyle Rayner, "Fourth and finally, this is your power battery.  Hold your ring up to it and say the oath, and your ring will be recharged."

"I guess I should know, but what's the oath?" asked Simon.

"In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
Beware my power, Green Lantern's Light."

"Got it," said Simon, "I'll be sure to keep my ring charged."

"Just be careful," said Kyle Rayner as he left, "You'd be surprised at what the enemy can throw at you."

~~~

"So they are policemen in space?" asked Nia, wearing some clothes the Green Lanterns gave to her.

"Yes they are," said Simon as he lead Nia out of the medical facility, "They were also kind enough to fix Lagann after our crash."

"They fixed Lagann and helped me?" said Nia, "They are such nice people.  Where do they come from?"

"They come from anywhere," said Simon, "Anyone who has the right will can be a Green Lantern."

"What will is that?"

"The will to overcome your fears, I think," said Simon.  Simon and Nia exited the medical facility to find Lagann sitting outside, Kyle Rayner leaning against it.

"Kyle, what are you doing here?" asked Simon.

"Just came to see you off," said Kyle Rayner.

"Are you taking us home?" asked Nia.

"No, the Green Lantern of your sector is," said Kyle Rayner.

"And who is that?" asked Nia.

"Me," said Simon as his Green Lantern uniform materialized on him.

"Simon!" said Nia, "You look wonderful."

"You know, you can personalize that outfit," said Kyle Rayner.

"Later," said Simon, picking up Nia, "Right now, let's go home."

With that, Simon and Nia flew off, Lagann trailing behind.



Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann © Gainax
Green Lantern Corps and related concepts © DC Comics