a/n: again, don't know why i can't center my dividers and it's stressing me out.

anyways... enjoy this filler chapter because i have a test this week

"I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers and head home."

"Home?" Superboy asks as he raises his arms, gesturing to the Cave, an annoyed look on his features. "I am home."

"You're limping." Robin pointed out and I waved it off, struggling to stand up straight.

"You have a bruise on your cheek." I teased, wiping the clay off my suit. "Gotham's full of... unique personalities. Clayface being one of them."

"You get used to it after a while. Coast City don't have anyone like that?"

"It's tame for the most part which gives me an opportunity to focus more on gaining more control of my Ring and combat training... but without Kilowog, it's proven a bit hard."

"Kilowog?"

"He trains all the new recruits. When I was in Oa those two and a half years, he trained me in combat while Hal and I took routine visits to Ysmault to try and understand my abilities as a Red Lantern."

"You're due for another trip soon, right?" Robin asked and I glanced down at my Ring. "For a charge?"

"I have my Lantern at home which works fine for now. I... I don't like going to Ysmault. It's full of rage and-"

"Makes you whelmed?"

"Extremely." I laughed and glanced at Batman who was glaring and gestured for me to leave. "I should head home and recharge. I'll shower over there before the clay fully hardens."

"Robin, let's go!" Batman called out and he tensed.

"See you next mission?" He shrugged and I nodded with a small smile. "Take care of that leg."

"You take care of those bruises, Boy Wonder."

Recognized: Batman, 02
Recognized: Robin, B-01

"The hell was that about?" Wally asked.

"Don't know what you mean."

"Why does the Bat glare at you?"

"He doesn't like me very much... I think it's because he hates Hal, but I'm not sure." I shrugged, deconstructing my mask. "Did I do something?"

"Not that we know of, Zar. I think he's just in one of his moods."

"I hope so."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

"Kilowog!"

"My favorite poozer!" Kilowog exclaimed as I flew up to hug him. "I haven't seen you in almost three years! How you been, kid?"

Shortly after I left the Cave, the Lanterns were summoned to Oa for reasons unknown.

Which means I got to tag along as well despite my protests and begging to stay at the Cave or with Carol.

"I've been good." I smiled. "I made friends there as well."

"You did!?"

"She sure did and I didn't have anything to do with it." Hal called out. "We're only here for like a day or two. I honestly don't know why we're here."

"You three could use the opportunity to super-charge for the ride back home. Guardians know I sure can't." I suggested and pointed at the Lantern tied at my waist. "And I'm not risking going back to Ysmault after that day."

"Enough of that, I wanna hear more about these friends of yours." Kilowog said and sat me on his shoulder. "They humans?"

"Some have powers and everything! Wally has super speed, Kaldur is an Atlantean, M'gann is a Martian, and Superboy is half-Kryptonian. Robin's the only one without any abilities, but he's an excellent fighter. He could teach you a few things, Kilowog."

"Yeah? And his dad hates my guts." Hal scoffed. "It's actually funny watching the two of them be friends while Batman secretly wants to break his rule and kill me."

"You're not exactly a happy go lucky guy, Hal." John rolled his eyes and I chuckled. "I sometimes consider it a miracle Zaria has put up with you for so long."

"Can't go with Mogo. He doesn't socialize." I said and we all laughed. "Any clue as to why we're here, John?"

"Guy's sweet talking the Guardians to see if we can leave any faster for your sake. Word got around that you're back and the majority of the Corps aren't happy."

"This is why I hate coming here. This is why I should've stayed in the Cave with Red Tornado or with Carol! Her beef is with Hal, not me. She actually likes me." I whined and Hal glared. "It's true! I don't even belong here!"

"Yes, you do." Hal defended and I scoffed. "Remember the story I used to tell you when you had nightmares?"

"Avra, the first Lantern... I remember."

"Think about that whenever-"

"You all might wanna stick around to hear this." Guy called out and I groaned.

"I wanna go home!"

"We might not have a home to go to if we leave now, Red."

"What are you-"

"You might wanna come with me. All of you."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

"Most of you know Krona's story... how he defied authority and created the Antimatter Universe billions of years ago. He nearly annihilated all of creation... As punishment he was turned into disembodied energy and cast throughout the cosmos. We thought him gone but it seems he has reconstituted himself in the Antimatter realm bringing the Shadow Demons under his control."

"We have sent a squadron of Lanterns to the sun to begin monitoring. They'll be setting up observation platforms to conserve energy. Meanwhile, all important documents and artifacts will be moved from Oa to the Broome-Kane star cluster for safekeeping. We'll need everyone to keep a close watch on the sun while we evacuate."

"Evacuate!?" Guy and Hal exclaimed.

"We have already removed the Book of Oa, our most sacred text. Next will be the library." Ganthet said and looked down at the entire Corps. "I suggest you all charge your Rings for the Central Battery will be removed as well."

"Hal? I don't-"

"Come on. You and I are gonna make a quick stop at Ysmault for your super-charge before we get killed by the sun." He grumbled and pulled me away. "I swear, just when I was making progress with Carol and everything was going smoothly, the fucking sun decides to fucking act up and ruin my life."

"Hal, are you... are you okay?" I asked, forcing him to stop flying for a few moments. "You seem more stressed than usual."

"It's nothing you should be worrying about, Little Red."

"Hal..."

"I'm fine, Zaria. Just have a lot on my mind."

"Is it Batman again?"

"It's a long story, Zar." He sighed.

"It's a long way to Ysmault... we've got time."