Episode fanfic title: A Whole New World...

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(My POV): 2 weeks later

"Alright, you wackwaggons!" Kilowog starts, "Sound off like you mean it, Aya?"  "Present." Aya nonchalantly spoke while she sat with her legs together and hands on her lap. She answered Kilowog before turning to Razer: "Razer?" 

He turns to the Red Lantern, who replied with.

"Ngh," Razer responded out of boredom and annoyed by Kilowog's words. Kilowog then turns to Hal Jordan, who is playing ping pong by himself as he focuses on winning until he is interrupted by his friend.

"Jordan, Jordan!" He called him. 

Distracting Hal's focus construct and waking up from boredom, "Woah! Kilowog, there are only the four of us, and we're all here." He tries to reason, but Kilowog (his best friend) disagrees: "Not quite, we're five, y'know, and now where's Cass, Cass! Hey Jordan, where's your niece?" K

ilowog asked Hal, who responded by saying: "She said that she seems to be doing something-" He was cut off by seeing Cassie entering the room before tripping on her own feet, and immediately, with one construct, Hal held her waist so that she wouldn't fall face-planted on the face. 

When a brown book of mathematics dropped from her hands, she quickly picked it up and was flustered as Kilowog glared: "About time."

"Sorry, I was late, guys. Cassie continues, "I had just finished my classes before coming here." 

(Cassandra's POV):

Kilowog grinned at me after I entered the room: "Late again, Cassie? You've got to work on your coordination," He teased me with his gruff voice filled with good-natured humor. I glared at him and motioned to my uncle to let me stand up. 

He nodded with a sly, snickering sound, which indicated that I had almost fallen face forward. My stumble grabbed everyone's attention, including Razer's, which made me flustered. 

I was embarrassed by tripping on my feet, and of course, I would have a teasing comeback from my uncle later on, so, damn it: "I'll try, Kilowog. I sighed before taking a seat next to Razer, "Thanks for the save," I sarcastically whispered to him before I adjusted my glasses when I heard the Volkregian red lantern scoff a bit until he cast me a worried glance:

"Are you alright, Cassandra?" To which I smiled and said, "I'm fine, Razer. I continued by getting my math book and fixing my glasses again since I was too lazy to wear contact lenses: "Plus, my uncle got me on time from a little fall to the floor, and it wouldn't harm me." 

Suddenly, Razer nodded before he turned away. I still feel the gentle butterflies in my stomach without him knowing what I had felt for him: 'So far, I'm thrilled but also embarrassed that my uncle knows about me crushing on Razer. Still, it's fine; at least my friend Kia and Uncle Hal won't say anything...hopefully.' 

I thought before I shook off the blush from growing by opening chapter 48 of math divisions, and heard this: "Also, Jordan, we may be a half universe away from Oa, Kilowog begins telling my uncle: "But that doesn't mean that we can't maintain a little discipline." I snickered after watching him cross his arms over his buffy chest as my uncle and Kilowog argued.

Then my uncle said with his hand raised in defense, "Discipline's overrated. he continues: "And I called this meeting so that we could assess our situation." As he spoke, I peeked through the pages of the book. I bit my cheek to avoid showing my annoyance at the meeting, as I had trouble with these kinds of gatherings before (especially after the incident with the guardians of Oa, which almost got me exiled back to Earth). Kilowog gave Uncle Hal a deadpan stare, but I remained silent, focusing on my studies, even though I wanted to speak up.

"Easy. Will be dead within a month." Razer sarcastically says, putting his boredom to show as he puts his chin over his cross arms with his chair to support it. Unfortunately, the Red Lantern, friend, and roommate, also known as Razer, just made me want to snap my head around in disbelief at how negative this guy sounds like my parents back home. In contrast, I was forced to speak up: "I disagree. I continue, while not making eye contact except reading my math book, "I don't like the thought of dying within a month, Razer. If you think of it like that, it sounds as if you don't believe in having hope." 

I finished flipping a page in my book when I was interrupted by a slight glare from Razer. Of course, I glared back and stuck my tongue only to make him fume in anger but stayed silent: "I don't need you to act like a child." "Why you-!" My uncle interrupts us further down the drain of our conversation by stating: "How about we leave the tactical analysis to Sergeant Kilowog and not argue about the word 'Hope'?" He suggested that Razer grit his fangs in annoyance, but he kept it in while I watched but returned to my reading: "That's right, Kilowog starts to sigh, "We're in umtec splat. We lost our newfound Green Lantern Iolande when things looked a little hopeful. Cause she won't leave her home." 

After Kilowog returned to his seat, I showed sympathy, knowing he was right about the situation. Iolande, a newly discovered Green Lantern, expressed her desire to stay in her kingdom and protect her people from the Red Lanterns to my Uncle Hal. Although it means we won't have another member on the team, I respect her decision. Moving my seat toward where Razer was, I started using the table to focus on my reading while fixing my glasses again, but sadly, interruptions kept coming towards me. 

"So it's two Green Lanterns fighting against the Red Lantern invasion." Kilowog shrugged in defeat until Aya turned around to face us and spoke: "Pardon my interruption, but I've completed my search for the late Shyr Rev's power ring." She opened a holographic picture of the deceased friend I just met on my birthday. Flashbacks of his last words made me cry, but I hid it well; I sighed before closing the math book since I'd have to read it later after this meeting. Listening to Aya's explanation about Rev's power ring, I went into deep thought until a sharp pain came into my heart that I almost coughed, but luckily, it was small and unrecognized by the others, including Razer.

I didn't want to let him get overprotective or make me rest the entire day, even if I wished he did do that for me. But, it was just my fantasy dream of sci-fi-romance, as Kia puts it. Still, that's not the point; the point is that my heart condition has been worsening for the last two weeks in space. The pills that Aya gave me have stopped working, only to make it worse that if I don't find something to numb better, I could cause everyone to know about my illness. Since the stress and worry about the green lantern not having enough warriors to fight off the red ones is starting to rub on me like a sponge: "Is there good news or bad news, Aya?" I quickly asked, and my uncle said, "Let's have good news." 

Aya nodded: "The ring's signal emanates from a nearby planet. She continues on her explanation. "Outstanding! Must have found a replacement G.L." "Could be another recruit for us, uncle?" I pointed out while watching my uncle smile before he said: "Change course immediately." He paused for a second before he asked, "I know I'm going to regret asking, but what's the bad news?" "An asteroid will hit the planet in question in 5.2 minutes." Her response drove all of us into shock, "I'd say we blow that thing apart before it hits." Kilowog suggests, making me even more scared of the asteroid. Why? I'm not good with asteroids. It is one of the reasons I wanted to puke, only to force myself to swallow the blood from coming out of my system: 'Damn it, I need to leave the room right. Now.'

I mentally cursed myself when the team changed course; not to be suspicious, I took my math book and walked over to Aya by whispering to her about my 'secret' check-up beginning to worsen. She agreed to help by telling me that she could speak without even moving from her spot in her physical form so she could do a scan on me in the other room, but unfortunately, I was stopped by my uncle:

"What are you two whispering about, and where are you off to, Cassie?" "Cassandra wishes to study her assignment quickly so she will not fail." Aya explains with the creative lie: ' God, Aya is good at lying than I am!' I prayed it worked and agreed, "It's true, uncle. I continued by showing the brown book in my hand: "You know me, I don't want to be stuck in the same grade in my education." The complete lie was a perfect choice. However, the main reason is to get the boys off my back from sensing or seeing through the lie; Hal looks at me suspiciously before he lets me off the hook with an 'OK.' 

Thanking him, I left. As soon as I calmly walked away, the door closed behind me. I immediately took off running inside the medical room, going on my knees before using the garbage and puking so severely that after a few minutes, Aya came in and walked over to me by soothing my back: "Your vitals have gone, as you call it, 'skyrocketing' off the charts once again. She said again, "Have you taken your medication pills?" "I did, Aya. I coughed before leaning my head against the wall with Aya's worried blue eyes staring at me while she kneeled in front of me: "Don't get worried about me much. The pills you gave me numbed the pain, but it didn't work today."

"We are now ready to land on the planet soon, Cassandra... I suggest that I clean your attire."

I was confused and asked, "Why?" "Because I do not want my best friend to get cold with the dry bloodstain on your sweater." Aya offered to give her my hand, and I took it as she lifted me off the floor. I got up by handing her my sweater and saw her open a compartment to wash it. 

Location: Sector 2628, the planet of Odym...

Landing on the planet, Razer, Uncle Hal, and Kilowog are about to leave; already knowing that they were looking for me, I got worried but calmed down as I remembered how I got bloodied by my puking moment on my clothes; Thankfully, Aya just saved my butt by having my white turtleneck wash and dry. In 2 seconds, it was fresh and clean to wear, with my blue leggings and sneakers, and I wore my hair in a ponytail.

"So, which way?" My uncle started.

"A strange seismic interference is disrupting my scanner's ability. To pinpoint the ring's exact location. Aya continues, "But it is in this vicinity." "Then let's move." As we all continued walking straight ahead, my uncle placed an order. Razer looked around with annoyance. While walking non-stop, we finally spotted three alien civilians: one female and two males. "We come in peace." Uncle Hal starts with his hands raised, making the three of them look at us and stand up from their places, "You always wanted to say that, Uncle." 

I rolled my silver eyes when Kilowog got confused: "Why?" Before he could have an answer, an alien man with light blue skin welcomed us as 'travelers,' which I immediately felt a bit uneasy about him, not just the unknown man named General Zartok but also Drusa and Grood; (where I started to hear their names) I got close to Razer that I hid behind him. 

I felt uncomfortable around some people during a social gathering of these stowaways. Razer noticed my discomfort and asked me what was wrong. I confided in him, and he silently reassured me that he would protect me if anyone tried to harm me. I felt surprised and relieved before I looked at Razer with a worried expression. He held my hand, causing me to blush. Little did I know, he was also blushing, but we both tried to hide it. 

"I'm Hal Jordan, this is Kilowog, Aya, my niece Cassandra and Razer." My uncle introduced us to them, as Zartok, Drusa, and Grood stared at me with hidden smirks but hid them before anyone could see them when I was the only girl who spotted it: "Where did your ship crash?" Zatok questioned. "We didn't crash, he continues: "We landed just over the rise." Silence erupts, along with the fireplace, which makes me so uncomfortable that I grip Razer's hand for comfort, only for him to return it with a soft glance at me before he looks away: 'Something is not right with these people...' I thought, as Aya stood next to my left which was reassuring that my friends protect me.

"That, Kilowog points at Zartok's staff: "What you're holding is a Thalian Moonstaff? Only the soldiers of the last stand, Thalius Prime, wielded the blade." The conversation continued until my uncle asked them about the green power ring's location in Odym, which, as Razer starts to coldly point out by glaring at them: "A search, I want to point out. He spoke icily, "That is pathetic and pointless." "So what are you saying?" I asked him, "Look around you. There's no green lantern here." He explained, making me let go of his hand, only to receive a small guilty look before I left the group alone.

Somewhere in the forest, away from the ship...

It's been almost an hour since I left the group, annoyed about why Razer would say something about the green lantern power ring not existing here. However, my gut tells me that it is. Pissed off, I took a rock and threw it at a tree before I sighed in frustration when suddenly, I heard bushes from behind me, as if someone had been pushed along with a grunt, Causing me to fall on the floor unexpectedly from the unknown person before I could even punch the person in the face, I was met with a familiar face and voice: "Cassandra?" "Razer? How did you find me?" I questioned him as he gave me a hand to get up from the ground, which I denied his help and got up on my own, "Cassandra-." "Don't. Just don't even think about it." "Cassandra, I just want to apologize..." 

I gazed at Razer, my emotions still mixed with frustration and confusion. His earlier cold demeanor had caught me off guard, and now he was apologizing. I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the situation: "Apologize for what?" I finally asked, my voice a bit softer than before with my arms crossed over my chest. Razer sighed in frustration, looking down momentarily before meeting my eyes. "For what I said back there. It was harsh, and I didn't mean to upset you." Trying to maintain my composure, I told Razer, "Well, it did upset me, Razer. I continue by looking away from him: "We're supposed to be a team, and you made it seem like I was overreacting about the power ring."

He nodded, his expression filled with genuine regret. "I know, and I shouldn't have said that. I was frustrated with those alien civilians and took it out on you. I'm... I'm very sorry." I let out a long breath, my anger slowly decreasing. "...It's alright, Razer, and I appreciate the apology. I held his hands, making Razer widen his cold blue eyes at my actions: "But let's not let this happen again. We're in this together and need to trust each other."

Razer nodded once more, "You are correct, Cassandra. We're a... a team, and I shouldn't have let my frustration get in the way of that. I promise." I offered him a small smile. "Good. Let's find that green lantern power ring." We stared at one another until we both realized what we were doing and felt embarrassed for holding his hands. Razer and I let go of one another and coughed, "Let's-" "Yup." I said meekly while cooling down my face as Razer, and I partnered up to explore Odym; so far, we haven't been able to look for a green power ring or its holder, which made it a bit boring. 

Suddenly, being me, I started humming "Rolling in the Deep by Adele" as it got the attention of a particular Red Lantern, "Hmmmhmmmm hmmmhmmhmm~" "What are you humming?" Razer asked, to which I raised to look at him while we walked together, "Oh, it's a song from Earth that I listened to when I was little. Do you want me to sing it?" I saw Razer doubting whether I should or not until we both heard a chuckle from above; we looked as if we were met by another alien, who had an extraterrestrial-shaped head and rather large black eyes, with an eye having two eyelids with one opening and closing horizontally and the other vertically and has a slender build. 

He has several lines on his head that run from the front to the back. He is roughly as tall and skinny as he wore an olive purple tunic with a single strap running from his thighs to his right shoulder. His tunic had contained a belt and several pouches on each side of him. His forearms and legs were wrapped in silver armor: 'Only two words: Kia's type.' 

I mentally laugh as I note that I'll take a picture of him for Kia to see after the mission: "I think a song would lighten up the grouchy mood of your lover." The alien man chuckles before he disappears, swinging by many trees; then I hear Razer growl in anger, "Don't turn your back on me!" He ran after him while I shouted, "Hey, hold on!" I also ran after Razer and the mysterious alien man.

Already running, I tried looking for Razer as he flew around and sighed in frustration, "Damn you, forest! I said out loud: "A little help looking for Razer, please?" All of a sudden, the trees started moving out of my way. I widen my eyes in shock at what I witnessed: 'The fudge, did this forest do as I told it to? Well... I guess I found Razer.' "Um...thanks?" I stumbled upon some ship graveyard, "Woah...what are they?" I quietly gasped at the structure of each alien ship in front of me as I stood next to Razer, who observed and spoke: "A graveyard space wreck, he replied in disbelief, "Rashe pirate ships." 

"Must be the Warships of the Cardonian Hore?" I hesitantly answered; I felt eyes on me right now: 

"How did you know that?" Razer questioned. 

"Oh, I asked Aya to tutor me about every war history that had happened in the universe." He stared at me for a few seconds, genuinely curious that I shrugged: 

"What? I was bored and didn't want to be left out." He nodded, but we were interrupted by the same Moonman from earlier. Razer protected me behind his back: "You are both correct. He starts explaining more as we both turn around to meet him face-to-face: "And those are space clippers of the Tarconian marauders." 

At this point, I could hear Razer's hot growl coming from his fangs; I felt my breath taken away by that sound, and damn it, now Kia would want my five bucks when I told her about this part. "Who are you?! One of the castaways!" He growls, but he gets ignored while the Moonman continues explaining about the Tarconian marauders, "Those over there are catty slavers from Gur—quite the collection. All of them are horrible people who have done bad things like those people-" The Moonman gets cut off, which, I'll be honest, he's got a smartmouth to piss off Razer, who slowly raises his red ring out and says:

The exchange between these alien men would be interesting to witness. "Tell me who you are, or so help me...!" Razer sneered at him. "The path they walked led them to their doom. It is the same path you travel now. He turns around, "I'm Saint Walker, and you both are?" Replied the Moonman with a bright smile. Though Razer seemed ready to attack, I spoke up quickly: "I'm Cassandra. And this is-" Before I could finish introducing my companion, Razer cut me off, "About to kick your smug rear." Despite his aggressive response, Saint Walker remained unfazed, and his reaction almost made me want to chuckle: 

"That is not a pleasant name, not in the least. He frowns, "For your lover, however, has such a beautiful name." The words of being Razer's 'lover' made my face turn redder than a tomato, and I almost got ready to pass out but was soon interrupted when I heard Razer glaring in anger: 

"You got a problem with me?" 

" 'Do you have a problem with you'?" Saint Walker tilted his head as if mocking him; I covered my mouth from laughing only to cover it with snickers, "I only have one problem, but it's a problem I intend to correct!" Right on time to back away from Razer's red rope construct, I stood a few feet away from him and Saint Walker. As the two fought, I was taken aback when a branch pulled me slowly away from the fight; I gasped when I said, "Hey forest, um, my friend Razer, the one in red fighting Saint Walker, is not a threat. I continued to feel loosened and taken down to the ground: "He's just overprotective in his way. I'll handle it." I left the moving branch to watch the fight, only for me to take out my phone to record the fight.

"Man, good thing I watched Alice in Wonderland." I mumbled about the forest when I heard this: "Taste the power of my rage." Once, I leaned on a tree to continue recording the battle, when all of a sudden, my mouth dropped as Saint Walker went backward like he was freaking Michael Jackson, 'Nice!' I thought: "Rage has no real power or taste, for that matter." Saint Walkers tells Razer, who goes towards him by grunting and trying to karate kick Saint Walker but fails, which causes me to watch my crush-I MEAN my roommate trying to kick his ass. "It's the child of an orphan of fear and despair." Razer tries to punch him but gets his fist injured, which causes me to help; however, I get worried for him. 

Concerned for Razer's safety, I intervened. "Razer! Stop it! You're going to get hurt if you keep on doing this!" I exclaimed. Saint Walker agreed with me, "Your lover is right; we should stop this fight." Saying this should have stopped Razer. Unfortunately, he became even more furious and escalated the fight to fist fighting. I wished I could stop this stupid over-nothing argument, "Your kicks need work. A little higher on the knee, I think." Saint Walker suggested hands behind his back. 

I then saw Razer's cold blue eyes glowing in red flames in pure anger, and I could already tell he was not happy. At. All. Still recording, I moved my phone to Razer and Saint Walker so I wouldn't be seen recording these moments: "Speaking of taste, tho. Saint Walker catches a fruit and takes a bite before throwing it in my direction, "You both should really try this melon, brother and sister." I noticed the same fruit that Saint Walker had mentioned, so instantly, I caught it and curiously stared at it. Then, I looked at him with a chuckle and ate it without consent as I felt the juices in my mouth that it was delicious!"You're right; it does taste very sweet! Thank you... brother." 

I hummed in delight that I glanced to see Saint Walker smile brightly, "You are very welcome, sister." All of a sudden, the peace was broken off only to worsen as Razer shouted: "Leave Cassandra out of this, feed!" "Oh? Then, I suppose I could ask her out?" Saint Walker chuckles, and this furthered Razer's anger even worse. I immediately asked the forest (yes, I did, don't ask) to hold my phone while I left to get in front of him: "Hey, chill out, Razer! I tried to calm Razer down, and by 'tried,' I mean like I did my best while I said: "What did we say about being rude towards someone who just met?!"

"Does it look like I care!" Razer shouted before he left to jump onto a tree and continued attacking Saint Walker, who jumped away from every attack that Razer did. Already annoyed by Razer's jealousy going overboard, I sighed and continued to follow after I grabbed my phone, which was still recording the fight, and motioned the branch for me to follow them. I'm still not used to the forest helping me, but it was actually fun. Once I found them, I watched Razer shoot a huge red blast at Saint Walker, who secretly jumped away from the attack, and widened my eyes in horror at what Razer tried to do. Once it was done, there was no one on-site except me.

"What the hell, Razer?" I crossed my arms over my chest, making Razer turn around when, unexpectedly, Saint Walker stood in front of Razer, "Sit still so I can hit you!" He gasps before trying to put a hit on his face, making Saint Walker push him away: "No brother, you sit still." In one swift movement, he poked under the red lantern's neck as he collapsed backward with a heavy groan: "There's a storm coming, brother. Saint Walker explains, already being serious about the asteroid, "and the galaxy will need everyone strong and true to survive."

"What in the name of Grotz are you talking about?!" Razer exclaimed in anger and shock, still unable to move his head or body. I went towards him to help him sit up with my arm supporting his back: "Your anger and rage may lead to your doom. Saint Walker walks up to us and kneels, "Personally, I think you should avoid that." "Not going to lie, Razer, but you should try to avoid it." I received a death glare from Razer, who struggled to move again, only for us to see a green power ring in Saint Walker's hand, leaving me in shock.

"But there is always hope." As soon as he said that, I was instantly excited that someone agreed with me believing in hope; Razer, on the other hand, widened his eyes: "You're the Green Lantern." We both were shocked at Saint Walker, who shook his head and blinked, "No, not me, brother... He drops the ring onto Razer's crest of his red lantern suit and gets up: "I travel a different path. So does your lover; I am sure she would understand once I talk to her alone."

"I'll be fine, Razer. It's only five minutes of talking, nothing to worry about. I reassured him before I walked with Saint Walker, "And for the record, brother. We aren't lovers. We're friends and roommates." I pointed it out.

"Really? Then why did Razer get defensive?" Saint Walker spoke. "That's simply how he is, and he's been protective of me being with near strangers," I commented, making my new friend laugh before he asked: "Do you like him? Romantically?" His question was unexpected. I felt my face burning up that I wanted to hide in embarrassment, 'Great, not only do my uncle and Kia know of me crushing on Razer but also Saint Walker! Damn, people are good at sensing things.' I mentally got frustrated and revealed: "How... but how-" 

"I know when someone is in love with someone, sister." "I just--I don't! I don't know if he feels the same way." I panicked; Saint Walker's calm and gentle demeanor made me feel surprisingly comfortable talking about my feelings. As we walked away from Razer, who was now occupied with the mysterious green power ring, I opened up a little more.

"It's not just about whether he feels the same way, I admitted, my voice quieter. "I'm afraid it would ruin our friendship if I told him. We've been through so much together, and I don't want to jeopardize that." Saint Walker nodded thoughtfully, understanding the complexity of my emotions. "Love can be a delicate matter but also a powerful force. It can bring people together and give them strength. Sometimes, it's worth taking the risk, especially when there's genuine affection between two people."

I sighed, still uncertain about how to proceed. "I know, but I'm just unsure if now is the right time or if he even sees me that way."

"Time will tell," Saint Walker said with a warm smile. "But remember, the power of hope is not to be underestimated. It can illuminate even the darkest of hearts. If there's a chance for love to bloom, it will find its way." He paused for a moment until Saint Walker said: "You are ill, are you not?" I froze and turned to him, with a guilty expression on my face turning into a frown, when a hand placed on my shoulder that he spoke: "I would not tell anyone if that is what you wish. But you must tell him." "I can't tell anyone, Saint Walker. I sighed, "I don't want to be weak in front of others."

"You are not weak just because your heart is heavy. It does not mean all hope is lost; believe in yourself and let the path guide you." As soon as Saint Walker said that, he walked away. After hearing those words, I felt the weight getting off my shoulders, and I started to let the tears fall quietly, "Can you show me the path to where Razer is again?" I asked the forest; as all the branches began pointing towards my back, I softly smiled at it, knowing everything would be alright.

To be continued...