Episode fanfic Title: Sick Leave

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(Narrator's POV):

Cassandra was in an unexpected routine aboard the spaceship as the days turned into weeks. Stuck with her uncle and Kilowog, she had adjusted to her new reality, making the best of the situation. A small bond had formed between her and Razer, the enigmatic figure imprisoned in the cell. What began as a mere curiosity evolved into a regular occurrence - Cassandra visiting Razer after his encounters with Kilowog's interrogations. Unbeknownst to her, her presence had become a source of comfort for him, a faint glimmer of light in the otherwise dim confines of his cell. Until one day later, she did not visit.

Meanwhile, Hal Jordan, a.k.a. the Green Lantern, had just returned and headed to work with Aya (A.I.) and later went with Kilowog in the main hanger. "Hey, Cass. It was Hal Jordan," he continues. "I came to tell you that you can visit Razer later since you seem-"

"*COUGH* *COUGH*" A groggy cough echoed throughout his niece's room. It confused Hal before he noticed a tissue stash on the floor. Instantly, he calls out, "Cass? Are you alright?" As he switched on the lights, he saw Cassandra lying on the bed, sweating profusely, which caused her forehead to sweat. 

Panicked, Hal rushed to her side and shouted, "Aya! What's her temperature?" "Her temperature 102.4." "Jesus... anything else?" Hal asked, "No. Only a high chance of a high fever being increased." 

The situation felt urgent, and he knew he needed to take action quickly.

"Kilowog!" Hal called out, his voice carrying a mix of concern and urgency. Kilowog, the hulking member of their crew, immediately turned his attention toward Hal and Cassandra's room.

"What's going on, Hal?" Kilowog's deep voice rumbled as he entered the room, his eyes widening when he saw Cassandra's state: she was wearing her green lantern pajamas, drenched in sweat, and her face was flushed like a tomato that you could almost believe she wore makeup only the difference is that she isn't wearing any of it: "She's burning up, Kilowog. We need to get her to the medical bay right away," Hal said, his voice tight with worry.

Kilowog nodded in understanding and moved to lift Cassandra from the bed gently. Hal grabbed a blanket and draped it over her before Kilowog cradled her in his massive arms.

"Let's move, Lantern," Kilowog said, his tone serious as he carried Cassandra out of the room, Hal following closely behind. In the medical bay set near one of the medical berths, secretly, the A.I. remembered her promise to Cassandra and made sure to hide the heart condition from the Green Lanterns from ever finding out about it: 

"Let's place her here," He instructed, his voice calm but with a hint of concern. Kilowog carefully set Cassandra on the medical bed, and the medical equipment immediately assessed her condition as Aya scanned her. At the same time, Hal said, his brows furrowed as he looked at the display. "Aya, what do we have on board that can help with her high fever?"

"All the medical supplies are in a special order."

 Aya responded, "Fortunately, we also have a couple of cold compresses that could help lower her temperature temporarily; I can also synthesize a fever-reducing medication based on available resources." She suggested, letting out a sigh of relief come from Hal Jordan as he stared down at his niece in worry before Kilowog put a hand on his shoulder by motioning him out of the room to interrogate Razer:

"Alright, let's start with the compress and the medication," Hal replied, his attention shifting back to Cassandra. He took a deep breath; his worry was evident, but he also carried a sense of determination.

Aya projected a cold compress for Uncle Hal to bring and placed it over Cassandra's forehead, and Hal carefully put it there. At the same time, Aya initiated the synthesis of the medication. Kilowog stood nearby, his expression a mix of concern and helplessness.

Hal kept a watchful eye on Cassandra as the medication was prepared, hoping that the treatment would start taking effect soon. The medical pod hummed softly as it worked to stabilize her condition. 

Minutes felt like hours as they waited for the medication to be ready. Finally, Aya projected a small vial containing the synthesized medication. Hal quickly took it and gently administered it to Cassandra.

"Please keep an eye on Cassandra and make sure she doesn't strain herself," Hal instructed Aya in a hushed tone. He touched Cassandra's arm before leaving her in Aya's care. Unaware that his niece had left by walking carefully towards her room using the wall as support, Aya told her she couldn't leave the medical room. 

Cassandra groaned weakly and coughed up blood, but Aya quickly provided her with a trash bin to dispose of the tissue. "Aya, don't you dare stop me," She threatened as she tiredly made her way to the shower to freshen up and change into comfortable clothes.

Even in her weak and sick state, Cassie requested to visit Razer, and after processing her request, Aya agreed to let her go. However, their conversation was interrupted when Kilowog angrily lifted Razer by his shoulders: "How many Red Lanterns are out there? And why are you hunting Green Lanterns?" 

At this point, Razer said nothing, only to be slammed at the wall, making the Volkregian man grit his fangs in pain, "ANSWER ME!" Suddenly, he was interrupted when Cassandra entered by shouting at Kilowog: "Kilowog, stop...it!!!" She hissed out loud, "He didn't know... what he did was wrong, so maybe I could ask him nicely; he might help us find the red lantern's hideout because he might know something, and we don't. Violence is never the answer."

"What? You're defending him?!?" Kilowog exclaimed, his black-red eyes narrowing at me in anger, but Cassie narrowed her eyes right back at him so he wouldn't mess with Jordan's niece, sighing to herself with the high fever increasing but, held it back: "If he doesn't want to answer, leave him be. Unless YOU want to turn into a red lantern with your massive issues towards a Volkregian man who only wants to die."

Her silver eyes gaze down to Razer's, whose expression is emotionless, showing nothing of anger and defeat, that is until her uncle Hal comes in running: "Easy there, Kilowog." He continues, "This thing is rental, remember?" He told his friend that the Green Lanterns didn't provide an answer. 

His friend then threw Razer into a cell corner. Infuriated, Kilowog walked out of sight. Razer sat on the floor, staring at the ground in frustration. Next, Hal turned to Cassie, "Cassie, your health is important, and I won't let you ignore it any longer," Hal asserted firmly, noticing her worsening state. "I came... because I wanted to visit Razer." 

He couldn't help but roll his eyes as she again used his last name to push back against his concern.

"Hey... I can handle the high fever myself, Jordan, with or without help..." Cassie weakly defended herself, but her state quickly caught the attention of a Red Lantern, glancing up at her once again. Razer saw her face pale with sweat, her hands and body shaking little by little; Hal, on the other hand, understood why. 

Whenever he tells her to rest or not do something, Cassandra uses his last name to prove a point. Hal turns back to Razer, "The Red Lanterns abandoned you; they left you for dead. I think it's called for payback, Don't you? he asked. "Help us. Tell us what you know."

"I do hate the Red Lanterns for what they did to me." Razer says in an angry tone of voice, "But it doesn't mean I stopped hating Green Lanterns. It just means I have more people to hate." 

Leaving a shocked Cassandra in front of him, she felt like crying but wasn't going to give him the satisfaction, "So, you also include me as the one to be hated as well?" "I-" Before Razer could apologize, already feeling worse about but, she sighed and stared silently at him, only to be interrupted by her uncle telling her: 

"Can you keep an eye on him, Cass?" Hal asked, Cassandra nodded: "Okay, I'll be with Kilowog in the main hangar." Hal was unsure about leaving his sick niece alone with the prisoner near the Red Lantern. Despite his concerns, he didn't stop her stubbornness and left her with the prisoner before he walked out the door, looking back one last time. 

Cassie, who stayed behind, took a chair and sat before the prisoner, weakly sitting by hugging herself and staring at her uncle and Kilowog, contacting the Guardians of O.A. for a meeting.

In the main hangar brought to you by Kilowog~~

As Hal and Kilowog attentively listened to Ganthet's offer, Appa unreservedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the proposal: "-Hal Jordan stole the ship, and you wished to reward him by giving the ship's command to it!?-"

"=Appa, we have no choice! Ganthet tries reasoning with the Green Lantern chancellor, "=They are our only line of defense in the frontier. Besides, there's very little we can do to punish Jordan anyway, and it will be good for Kiara to learn about the galaxy.= "

"~Then we are one mind; the interceptor crew is tasked with gathering intelligence on the red lantern threat and taking reasonable action to slow their advance.~" Sayd said.

"-We may be one mind, but only under protest. Now what is the status of the Red Lantern ring?-" Appa asked.

"Safe in a stasis box," Kilowog said, showing the Green Lantern council the stasis box as it guards a ring while Hal added more: "Yeah, the ring doesn't take up much room. Unfortunately, Razer does. What do you suggest we do with him?"

"-Even you know your duty, Hal Jordan. He must be imprisoned.-" Appa told Hal before the communication ended, Ganthet spoke: "=May I ask how is your relative niece, Jordan?=" "She's keeping an eye on the prisoner; Hal continues, "Cass wanted to do it since she was the first one wanting to visit him today. Even with the high fever, she's got." 

Sayd and Ganthet are both worried about the teenager's health. Ganthet, mostly, because he knows about her heart condition secretly, but he has not told the Guardians or Hal Jordan about his suspicions being true: "=I see. Have a nice day, and oh, say hello to your niece for me.="

After that, and from within the cell across from where Razer was kept and Cassie was sitting, they also heard it from afar. She (Cass) is happy about Ganthet's offer but saddened by the fact that Razer will be sent to prison: "Fools!" He starts, "For what I have done, they should execute me." 

"That... *COUGH* is very angsty of you to say..." She said, getting herself comfortable on the chair, which was a bit stiffy for Cass. Still, she did not want to end the conversation, making Razer look at her with daggers shooting straight at her eyes and ask, "Did you not remember what I have done to you?"

"You knocked me unconscious but also got abandoned by the citrus guy." Cassandra responded calmly so she would not cough blood as Razer got angry and shouted, "How are you so calm about this!?" He stares at her deeply, ready to win the verbal fight, "After everything I did, you should be mad at me!" 

At this point, the human teen stays silent while her memories of herself saying those things make her learn more of Razer's rage and pain, so she simply says: "If you did kill me, I would be mad and haunt you." She shakily but slowly went up front to the Volkgerian man's cell, "But you knocked me out and got me out of the explosive planet from harming me."

With a pause, she leans in to stare at his eyes, and responds, "So, for your question, no... I can never be mad at someone who saved and protected me from getting hurt. I feel very grateful that you did that. I thank you and forgive your actions for doing it all."

Suddenly, Cass felt her high fever rising, coughing up more before she fell on her knees by the rush of pain in her body as Razer widened his eyes and clicked his tongue before turning away from her. 

Razer did not understand why she was forcing herself to visit him; already stunned and deep thought, he sighed in frustration: "You should rest." 

"W-What?" 

"Or would you rather get worse so you are not allowed to visit me... Your choice." 

Now it was Cass's turn to be astounded by his words, which caused her to show a weak smile: "I will, Razer... for your sake." She got up from her chair and exited the room to rest, and Razer softened a bit before going to his cold demeanor glare at the Green Lanterns.

Interrupted, Aya questioned Razer, "I do not understand your desire for self-destruction." Aya continues to explain: "If one regrets such actions, one should find a way to make restitution."

"I am not going to debate this with a computer!" 

After that, Aya fell silent, processing the insult while feeling curious about him. Meanwhile, Cassandra went to bed to rest her fever and take her daily medication for her heart condition, while Hal Jordan/Green Lantern and Kilowog discussed the nearest prison.

Location: Spider Guild Prison planet...

Aya finished landing the interceptor ship on the planet; Hal Jordan & Kilowog, who chained Razer's wrist with their power ring, walk down together to look in amazement and disgust at the place: "Wow, she took you at your word 'bout the "nothing too nice" thing." 

He said with a bit of uneasiness.

"It ain't that bad..." Kilowog insisted. "Are you kidding? This place gives me the creeps. It's like fear radiates from walls." 

Hal shuddered at the thought, "It's a dark, dank, repulsive hole full of..." Cut off by the giant pig Green Lantern's growl: "Spiders." 

"I was going to say rats, but... oh!" Hal widened in surprise when guards welcomed the Lanterns in the shape of giant spiders that came up before them. However, behind Kilowog, Hal, and Razer... another alien who happens to be the Spider Guild Prison planet warden had come to greet them: "Well, well, Green Lanterns~! It's been long since we've hosted a prisoner for our esteemed colleagues in justice."

"So you must be the warden here?" Hal asked politely. 

"I am Myglom. I operate this prison on behalf of the spider guild, my dear lady." He said. The Green Lantern (Hal) did not like how the warden stared at Razer, already sensing something was off but shaking it off as Myglom eagerly said, "Ah, it appears you have something for me." Kilowog places his fist on his waist before explaining: "This piece of work is Razer." 

He pulls Razer's wrist with his power ring, making the Red Lantern grunt and stagger but holding his anger in check: "We have documented evidence of his crimes against sentient..."

Myglom chuckled happily, "Oh, I'm quite confident he's guilty.~" He continues: "No one has ever escaped from this facility. I'm very proud of that... but I'm even more proud of our rehabilitation program. You'll find that nearly 100% of our former... guests never returned of crime." 

"Well, I'm sold. Myglom, we officially remand custody of Razer to your care." Kilowog happily handed Razer to the spiders." That's one down, " said Hal before one more glance at the spider soldiers taking Razer into his cell; Feeling the uneasiness again, he shook it off before following Kilowog inside and flying into space.

In the Interceptor ship, Hal checked on Cassandra, who had just finished resting: "Hey, Cass, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Uncle..." She coughed slightly as color returned to her face while tasting the alien soup and medicine provided by Aya's robotic eye. Using her robotic arm, she placed a cold compress on her forehead again. "Did you rest?"

"I did; luckily, the fever is going down, thanks to Aya, right?" Aya replied flatly, "Correct. While she rested in her room, I brought her liquid and food to help her regain her strength and 'get back to normal.'"

Jordan chuckled at that last comment before Cass asked, "And Razer? Can I still visit him?"

"We imprisoned Razer in the Spider Guild Prison, so visiting him is out of the question," Hal sighed. "But he'll stay there until the other Red Lanterns are brought to justice." Cassandra gasped silently, deep in thought about the Red Lantern prisoner. She looked up at her uncle and said, "I don't think you should have left Razer on that planet."

She continued, "I feel like something horrible will happen to him."

Flashbacks of Razer flooded Cassandra's mind as she blinked a few times before getting up. "Where are you going?" Hal asked. 

"To the main hangar where Kilowog is. You won't mind, right?" They both agreed, but Cass had other plans in mind.

Noticing Kilowog putting the stasis box inside the controls, she needed to get it and form some distraction, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna sleep a lot easier knowing he is not here." Kilowog commented on the situation while he rested his boots on the console. 

He then observed Cassandra, who appeared lost in thought before returning to her doubts about the prisoner's system: 

"Hey kid, you alright?" Kilowog asked, watching Cass sigh and answer, "It's not fair." She started by looking at him: "I cannot believe you are proud of leaving Razer in that place, not knowing how suspicious it is to think about."

Kilowog cut her off, "As I said, now we can get back nailing those Red...Lanterns. Did you see that?" 

"What? Outside in space?" Hal questioned Kilowog, "There's nothing but stars." He commented and started to look closely. While he was distracted, Cass stole the red power ring so she could handle the situation herself. She pretends to go to her room, "I'm going to my room, night." "Night, Cass." 

Once out of sight, Cassandra puts the ring on, rushes to her room, gets her computer, and heads to the weaponry room: "Aya, do not tell my uncle or Kilowog that I have the red ring and stole a blaster." 

"If you stole the red ring and the blaster, you will be imprisoned for doing so for your actions." 

"But, Aya! This is about a man's life in danger; torturing people in their cells is illegal!" Cassandra quietly points out more in detail: "I can't let it slide or else, I will never forgive myself. I gotta try, please."

Aya started thinking about her words before disappearing; with a sigh of relief, Cassandra began to fix the blaster into a smaller one by tinkering with it before contacting Kia's other brother, Chris, on her computer: "How do you make a blaster? Estás en serio?" 

"Yes, por favor." She continues, "Someone is in trouble, and I need your help to fix it with your guidance in 15 seconds." Chris started pondering on whether or not to help, but even so, he did as told and began teaching her. 

After following the instructions, Chris hangs up as Cass is ready to take on the action: "Done, now to sneak out." As soon as she was about to head out, Cassandra hid behind a wall to eavesdrop on the new prisoner by peaking at a small frightened creature, Who was begging and pleading for mercy: 

"No... PLEASE NO! Mercy... Not back to Nightmare Rock. Goggan lives his pain there. Torture, Goggan is a child there and old. The worst of fates! Again... and again..." The creature name Goggan begged and explained, making Cass feel pissed that she quietly stared in horror at the thought of Razer being in harm's way. 

Before eavesdropping more on the conversation, "And if he's telling the truth?" She heard her uncle's statement, "Razer's worse than a criminal if the spider wants to torture him, let 'em." Kilowog stubbornly says, "It is our job. Our duty is to serve and protect, even if they're criminals." Hal explained.

"Intriguing, but criminals must be punished. Surely the prisoners deserve fate." Aya said from her robotic eye, looking at Cass's uncle and Kilowog: "They deserve justice, which sometimes involves punishment, but not torture." Hal explained to Aya, turning to Kilowog, "Look, we got to take... this back anyways, so... we'll have a look around." 

Killowog groaned: "Okay. But even if there is something wrong with the prison, it's not like Myglom will have to let us see it. They'll clean up their act as soon they see us coming." 

"That's why they're not going to see us coming." Hal grinned. 

'Oh Skittles,...*squeals and *cheers* Uncle, do it, please do say it.' Cass mentally prays, excited to hear him say the magic words, "We're going to break into prison." He smirked. 

Silent fist bumps into the air, and Cass hides carefully. She pulls her computer bag, blaster, and now her V.R. headset (A/N: She has a headset, don't ask) over her shoulder, and after they leave the new prisoner in the cell, Cassandra comes out from her hiding spot and frees the alien.

"You freed me! Thank you! Thank you!" He squealed by jumping onto her leg, making Cass feel comforted and uneasy at the same time before she ripped his legs away from her: "Woah, calm down, my friend. 

She patted his eye: "Just because I freed you, it doesn't mean you are going back there, now sit down and explain to me about the roots of how the Spyder Guild prison planet works on torture. What are the methods?"

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Back in the Spider Guild prison...

Amidst the eerie yellow crystals, Razer's distressing cries echoed through the caverns, sending shivers down one's spine as his most painful memories of his first love, Ilana, in their final moments together.

_________________________Flashback_________________________

Razer's mate, Ilana, was overlooking their village from their home. "The fighting has stopped." "For now. They'll be back. Razer came back, joining her side near the open destroyed wall of their home. "The warlords always come back."

"Maybe they'll leave us alone. Illana continues, smiling softly at Razer: "The Forgotten Zone will be where we can raise a family. Without worry... Without fear..." She said, hugging Razer's arm with love and comfort: "I'm going to make that happen. Razer starts by turning to his first loving wife: "By joining the Militia." "Razer, no! Please, no!"

Ilana was horrified before she tried begging for her husband's rash decision to join the Militia, wanting him to change his mind: "I'm sick of hiding while the warlords take what they want."

He growled before turning his back on his wife while he listened to his first love's words: "You think more fighting will help? Our people need teachers, doctors, and builders. Not more soldiers!" "I'll gain power in the Militia and protect everyone," Razer said as he kissed her forehead. "Especially the ones I care most."

*The scene changes*

The Forgotten Zone was destroyed, the flakes of ashes floating around the boulders cracked in every corner of the planet, the remnants of a once-thriving village reduced to ruins. Ilana lay amidst the devastation, tears streaming down her pale face as she was brutally dead. 

The air was heavy with sorrow and loss, starkly contrasting the hope-filled conversation she had shared with Razer not too long ago. He, now battle-worn and weary, approached Ilana:

"Illana!" He expressed guilt, anger, and grief at what he saw was his true love gone before his eyes, tears streaming down his face while he fell on his knees; Heartbroken before he pulled her body close into an embrace: "But... I came back for you... I came back... I came back for you. I CAME BACK FOR YOU!!!" 

He screams his rage to the heavens. 

Suddenly, a red ring appears to him with Atrocitus speaking through it. "Razer of the forgotten zone, you have great anger in your heart. You belong to the red lantern corp. Give in. The ring knows your pain."

"Someone must pay!" Razer then holds out his hand for the ring. "You will have revenge. This, your new master, Atrocitus, promises..." Razer accepts and lets in the ring and the costume of a red lantern.

________________________Flashback________________________

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(Cassandra's Pov): After the explanation, in the Spider Guild prison...

Two hours had passed since my uncle and Kilowog set off to save Razer, and dinner was off the table, leaving me in the dark about my situation. In the Spider Guild prison, Aya and I noticed the entrance had opened earlier.

I drew on Aya's green energy for support as we entered the ramp, and she opened the door for us. Inside the hallways, I spotted spider-like soldiers above and shot at them with my blaster, like I was in an arcade. More enemies appeared, prompting me to smash the yellow crystals while Aya navigated another route.

In a clear area, Aya stopped in front of the yellow rocks, and I asked, "What's wrong?" 

She replied quietly, "I can't continue. Something is blocking me, but I believe the green lanterns are down that path." I cursed under my breath at my uncle for going on a mission without anyone watching his or Kilowog's back. I turned to save Razer, only to find myself lost again.

"PPSST! Aya, can you help me find Razer again?"

"Of course." As Aya processed the location, a green digital map appeared, indicating our position. We soon found his place and headed to Red Lantern. After a few more turns, we discovered his cell. Before entering, Aya explained Razer's headgear was a memory nightmare device, and she had already checked for any spiders.

I noticed a button and, with my tech and computer at hand, began connecting wires to the small machine beside me after sitting on the floor. Aya, curious, asked, "Why do you have those strange devices and a blaster in your bag?"

"These gadgets are essential for my work," I replied. "The V.R. goggles allow me to see my computer's data and communicate with others back on Earth. I'm testing if I can enter someone's mind without damaging my goggles."

I paused, then adjusted the goggles and entered the forbidden codes Kia had given me. "If you don't test it, you could die," Aya warned, her concern evident. "I know, but we'll do this together as a team," I smiled, appreciating her care. "It means you want to protect me."

"I don't understand caring, but your fever seems to be lowering," she noted softly as I caught a glimpse of Razer being tormented. Feeling guilty, I pressed enter, surrendering to unconsciousness, knowing Aya was there to safeguard my mind.

(______________Inside his mind______________)

My eyes open ever so slowly, turning my face, and I see Razer facing his back towards me as I notice that I am inside a dead woman's body, lying on the floor, noting that the price is high when entering someone's mind simultaneously. Already noticing how amazing it was to test my technical skills by realizing that we both said: " 'Razer?' " I spoke softly in Ilana's body.

Razer looked back to see that I was there. After entering his mind, I already got glimpses of knowing who this woman was... Regretting my choices in being inside a dead person was his wife. 

From what I learned, her name was Illana: "How did you get inside my mind?!?!" Razer asked angrily at this revelation, terrified I decided to apologize later on, " 'Don't panic, I am the Aya program, and Cassandra was the one you suggested.' " 

Aya defended me. 

To make matters worse; Even though Razer was surprised, he frowned again, already prepared to say something since it was my idea to enter his dream. Still, it was either breaking the buttons or alarming the spider soldiers of my sneaky tactics with Aya. It was a choice; Razer turned away:  

"I know this is a fantasy... an illusion meant to bring me pain." Razer balled his fists hard that I instantly flinched as Aya and I stared at him with no hint of fear or to cry: 

" 'You know about it then... why?' " 

"The memories keep replaying repeatedly in my head." Razer explained before he spoke, "They hurt. But I don't mind, and I get to see her again... even if it's just for one more moment," 

I sympathized with Razer's pain and realized how long he had been struggling. 

His suffering shattered my heart, as I know all too well what it's like to endure brokenness. However, my own experiences were due to the dangers I faced. Despite being hurt, bullied, and unjustly punished for things I didn't do: " 'I know it all too well.' " 

"Pray you both ever do," Razer said. "We need your help." Aya explains urgently, "We are here because the Green Lanterns need help." 

" 'Aya cannot save them." I point it out: " 'Some force is keeping her out of the Spider Guild prison.' " 

Razer's crossed arms fall off before he immediately questioned in confusion, "The prison? He asked: "What are the Green Lanterns even doing here?" 

Aya says, "They've heard that the prisoners are being tortured here." She continues: "And Hal thought it was unacceptable. They came back to investigate." 

I nodded inside Razer's late wife's body with Aya, he widened his eyes in disbelief, and I smiled, " 'Yeah, to see if it was true, so they came to save you in time.' " I said, hoping it would change his mind about returning, but it backfired: 

"Even in your ill state, Cassandra. How did you manage to come here? You both are foolish." Razer growled: "I deserve to be here! I helped destroy an entire world. All those people died because of me!" 

He crossed his arms over his chest, " 'No, you did not." I step up to him, " 'Kilowog was able to save and rescue the shelters before the world was destroyed.' " 

"What? Then... I didn't-It doesn't matter; I'm still the one who pressed that button. In my heart, I'm guilty of murder. I'll be staying here..." 

Having enough of his angsty and edgy protest, I firmly told him: " 'You have suffered long enough, and it is time to get out of this memory. And you're coming with us.' "

(_____________Exiting Razer's mind____________)

I gasped as I took off the V.R. goggles by throwing them across the room before I went over to catch Razer from falling to the ground; Aya had just freed Razer from the machine, just in time to catch him in my arms and support Razer. 

Knowing full well that entering and hacking into someone's mind is a success, I secretly was proud of my job when suddenly, he stared at me and then at Aya's green energy: "Oof! Your light almost as if you ate nothing." 

"Are you seriously wondering about my diet right now?" 

"As a matter of fact, Razer, it does." As I held onto Razer, supporting him in my arms, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and accomplishment. 

Aya and I had successfully pulled off a daring operation within the nightmare machine device, freeing Razer from his dark past since he had been trapped. The intensity of the experience was still coursing through my veins, but I couldn't ignore the active adrenaline that had sprung up between us in the aftermath. 

Razer frowned before he looked at my gadgets and V.R. goggles on the floor next to us and turned to look at my A.I. friend: "I will never forgive this." Razer told Aya, who responded with: "I've seen your past and know of your pain." 

"No one knows my pain, especially not a machine." He disagrees before turning to me disapprovingly: "I don't think you'll comprehend it." 

After putting all my techno stuff back in my bag, I earned him a look, "Even if you did not want to tell me about your past, Razer. I would've found out about it without even asking your permission." 

Not wanting to hear or listen to Razer's anger right now, since we needed to save my uncle and Kilowog before they turned into spider tortilla's dish, I knew what he had been through as Aya opened the cell. Still, I wasn't going to let him punish himself like that. 

As soon as we ran out of the cell, following Aya to lead us; Razer and I went towards the same tunnels that led us to them to the lanterns, "Where, now?" Razer asked. "Some force is preventing me from exploring this direction. I believe this is where they are keeping Hal and Kilowog." Aya answered. 

"And the other way?" 

"That leads us back to the ship," I replied and wanna know what happened next. He takes off to the other tunnel, which left me stunned but remembered something and ran after him, "No! You cannot leave them to die!" Aya shouted. "I got him, Aya." 

After I reassured her that I'll be back with Razer, I followed him to the exit of the Spider Guild prison, "And where do you think you're going?" I went before him so he won't go anywhere, and Razer glares: "None of your business." He answered, pushing me away. 

I glared at the back of his head before I took out the red power ring from my bag pocket.

"If you are looking for your ring, I have it right here." I showed Razer his red power ring in my hands; he widened his blue eyes before I brought his hand to put his ring on for him. After he transformed into his Red Lantern suit, he was still stunned by my actions, and Razer did not understand why so he questioned me, "How did you get this?"

Still, suspicious of me as always, I told him: "When Kilowog was distracted by a 'squid' creature name Gollogan." I continue to explain, "I took the liberty to steal it behind his and my uncle's back. So you're welcome." 

I smirked, taking notice of Razer's dumbfounded reaction to my answer, "You stole a ring from a Green Lantern... just to help?" He looked at me before he snapped out of his reaction and replaced it with being cold-hearted, yet he continued: "You are not as...useless as I expected."

His words made me smile. "Is that a compliment I hear?" "No, it is your recklessness for doing something stupid without a relative's permission." I pretended to be offended, "Okay, one that's harsh." 

Both of us headed back inside to find Aya. 

I told her to wait for us at the Interceptor; we immediately went to look for the Green Lanterns, who were mind-tortured by this horrible spider guy. I was furious: "I'm gonna kill him." Before I could do anything, Razer grabbed my arm before pulling me down and told me, "You cannot do anything foolish, do you understand?" He hissed, "Like hell, I would; this is my uncle we're talking about." I continue whispering to Razer: "I am not a coward, I got a blaster, and I do not want to be out of a fight just by a giant spider. You cannot stop me." 

I left, and before the giant spider could prepare to feed on Uncle Hal and Kilowog, Razer and I entered by fighting alongside while killing the other spider soldiers from coming at us: "Great timing, you two." I glanced at Razer's reaction, making me smile a bit before he and I fought back to back; Hal smiled at us. 

Razer left to free the captives (my uncle and Kilowog) while I continued blasting at the spiders using the blaster I made. Razer jumped to the ground before using his red power to fight the rest off; I, wanting to join in the fight even more, backflipped only for my uncle to protect me and safely land me on the ground. Winking at Uncle Hal, who gave me a proud smile before I ran to dodge the red beam from hurting me as I continued helping Razer by using my blaster to shoot all the spiders until it was empty: 'Sh*t! It's out of juice!' 

Fear was written on my face. I threw my blaster and began fighting, only for them to shoot their webs at me towards the wall; It was too late for me to dodge it. Trapped into one of spider web's goo, Kilowog came to rescue me with his green power ring, "Kid, you're nuts!" 

"Yeah, no kidding!" I laughed before I infused it with the yellow stone to increase its strength. Kilowog disagrees as he brandishes a stalactite and leaps into battle. "You want some Puzza?! There's plenty for everyone!" 

Seeing the battle's outcome, I tried looking for a sort of weapon and finally found the perfect one by taking a spear from one of the spider soldiers and only jumping onto the warden as he was cowardly trying to slip away. However, Hal came just in time to help me, and he found him before he stood in his way: "You were going to leave without saying goodbye." 

The warden roared in his language on what I could not understand yet and attacked him. Hal fought back with all his might, while I did not give up on fighting: "Cass, give him a distraction!" "On it!" It was a tough match, but he finally defeated the spider despite the lack of his ring. "I was kicking butt long before I got this ring, and I've been squashing bugs even longer." 

After they defeated the spiders, Hal, me, and Kilowog looked at Razer, who was still glowing in rage, waiting to see what he would do next; And to our astounded reaction, Razer removed his ring rather than wearing it again and gave the ring back to my uncle. 

I took out a bottle of water and a cup, poured water in it, and went over to Razer by kneeling in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder before silently asking him if he wanted to drink and stand up. Initially surprised by the gesture, Razer accepted it. 

"Thank you for saving my uncle, Razer. You deserve it." He blushed and nodded silently, and I also blushed at how adorable-I MEAN how well-received it was for me to hand him water after a battle.

Later, the Green Lanterns imprison the spider ex-warden, whose name I cannot pronounce well, along with his spider soldiers in the cells. Goggan appointed you to become a temporary warden until the Guardians send the replacement arrives in 18 months. 

Of course! Goggan assures him that no one will be tortured there; once that is done, Kilowog thinks, "You know, for a second, I thought you were gonna appoint Razer as the new warden." "Are you crazy?" Uncle Hal says before walking away, "I couldn't possibly leave a Red Lantern in charge of this place... Because he's coming with us." 

He throws the red ring for Razer to catch it, and to his surprise, he catches it and does not know how to react when I get a call from Kia on my phone and answers: 

"Hello? Oh, hi Kia...really?... No way! Okay, I'll tell him, code light out." I turned off my phone and turned to my uncle, who was confused until I explained my essay results to my teacher a week ago. 

Due to my inability to attend classes in person, Kia and I received a B+ on our essay, and my uncle was happy for me before he asked how I convinced Razer to help me, to which I replied that it was classified. 

He respected it as we all headed back to the ship.

Inside the Interceptor...

Later on, I kept the food and drinks that I carefully brought from Earth so I wouldn't eat any grilled cheese sandwiches for a while; after that, I was drawing on my sketchbook by lying upside down on top of the couch: "Why are you lying upside down on top of the couch?" 

Razer was the first to ask by showing a questionable glance at me, "To help me sketch better. Why?" I got off before I sat down on the couch properly: 

"...hn."  He hummed and stared at his red ring while I put my coloring pencils on the table and continued to sketch in my sketchbook, an idea popped into me, and I suggested to Razer that he express his emotions by drawing them on paper; he was hesitant. 

Still, he rejected it by saying he doesn't know how to draw: "It doesn't have to be perfect in art, Razer." I continue, "Just feel it like you mean it." 

Razer stared at the white paper before we sat in peaceful silence as he started to sketch.

A/N: SLOW UPDATES! I'LL BE POSTING MORE!