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Who is Green Lantern? Everyone on Earth even the aliens in the faraway galaxies know who Green Lantern was, how could one not? He was the old blonde boy, founding member of the Justice Society of America who couldn’t handle wood being tossed at him. Green Lantern was the pilot whose will occupied a dead planet and inspired others all across the universe. Green Lantern is the man who is a careful planner, former military, former architect and the leader of the galactic police force. Green Lantern was a creative young adult who is selfless and finds the good in everyone. Green Lantern was a man coming from an unfortunate past and trying to move forward and redeem himself as a Justice League member. Green Lantern was a woman, a new recruit who overcame her trauma to protect people of Earth. Green Lantern was thousands of different species across over 3000 space sectors becoming galactic space cops that defended the universe and their home planets. Green Lantern WAS Guy Gardner. The keyword is “was”. Guy Gardner isn’t Green Lantern anymore. His ring was ripped away from him when Hal Jordan's ring became one with a stupid deadass planet. Acting as if he couldn’t just ask the little blue guardians to make a new ring, and decided to give Guy Gardner the boot.
Now the fourth Green Lantern of Earth was just Guy Gardner…. But who is Guy Gardner? Who is Guy Gardner without a big fancy green ring? Who is Guy Gardner without the flashy powers? He’s just a regular guy. Even then that’s being too generous. Guy Gardner was a selfish jerk with serious anger issues. A low life.... Maybe he could just use his brawn and fight the bad guys with his fists like Ted and Bats did… No that wouldn’t work, he wasn’t rich like those two phonies, and certainly not intelligent enough to build all those fancy gadgets. Not to mention Guy certainly wasn’t up for any of Ted’s sarcasm or Bats one punching him right now. Speaking of being rich, Guy really needed to figure out his money situation… Maybe he could become a teacher again? Would he still be able to get hired? What the fuck is he supposed to put on his application anyways? “I worked as a space cop and fought ugly ass beasts.” Yeah right. Maybe he could become a social worker again? No, that’s a hard no. He could renew his licenses to be a lawyer? No, he already hated himself enough, no need to add more fuel to the fire. Maybe Tora would take him back… No… No she was with Bea now- Tora finally found someone she deserves.- All Guy could really think he could do was down the rest of his beer. Pathetic. He was absolutely pathetic. At this rate Guy was going to become just like his bastard of a father. A no good drunk, a man who only knew how to take his anger out on others who didn’t deserve it. Guy slammed his fist on the coffee table as he took the last sip of his beer. Ah fuck he was crying too. A sad, sad drunk. The voice of Guy’s father began to echo in his brain.
”Are you going to cry now? Don’t be a wimp Guy, no son of mine will be this weak. Why can’t you be like Mace huh? He got accepted into the police academy and became a successful man, unlike what you’ll ever be. Maybe I should teach you another lesson.”
Maybe Roland was right, but Mace didn’t end happy either. Fell into dope, became a corrupt cop. Mace ended up miserable and eventually.. died. Guy punched the coffee table again, letting out a frustrated growl.
“How many have you had today?” Asked a concerned voice. Guy slowly reacted with a cloudy mind from the booze. His glassy blue eyes took their time to look over at a man decked out in over the top patriotic clothing. What was General Glory doing here? If it was under any other circumstances -If Guy was still Green Lantern with one of the most powerful weapons in the world- he’d be falling on his knees answering to any request that General Glory had, the general was his fucking childhood idol, but this was normal circumstances. Or maybe it was the normal Guy Gardner has been ignoring every time he put on that damn piece of jewelry. He slowly looked back at the empty beer bottle, with more surrounding his feet. Guy honestly couldn’t remember how many beers he had today. He lost count after the fourth one. Damn he was going to get some sort of liver disease from all this. He could already see the headlines, “Former Green Lantern dies from liver failure!” Oh how heroic. General Glory marched over to Guy and gave a disappointed sigh. Great, add General Glory to the list of people who're disappointed in Guy.
“If you don’t mind me saying this, but you look terrible buddy,” General said as he bent down to try and get better eye contact with the drunken Guy.
“No shit,” Guy said slowly through a rough voice. Damn he sounded terrible too.
“Now Guy what have I told you about using that kind of language?” General Glory asked as he placed a hand on Guy’s shoulder. Oh fuck you General and your over the top morals.. Guy using foul language should be the least of his worries right now..
“Aw gee I’m sorry sir,” Guy slurred. General frowned as he gave Guy a squeeze on the shoulder before standing straight up. He over exaggeratedly marched out of the room for a bit before returning back with a glass of water and holding it up to Guy’s lips. Guy glared at General, or at least General thought was supposed to be a glare at him, Guy’s aim was a little off from the booze.
“You’ve got to pull yourself together Guy!” General said as Guy snatched the water glass from the General mumbling that he can drink water himself. General tried to give an overly bright smile as he knelt down in front of Guy, “You can’t just sit around like this, this isn’t like you!” Guy paused from drinking the water to look at General Glory. Taking his time processing the words, he was honestly too drunk on booze for this. Guy just wanted to waste away like he has for the past few weeks since his ring was taken.
“Well maybe.. maybe this is like me,” Guy spit back, “I ain’t Green Lantern no more, I’m just a lowlife guy now, so what do you kn-urk-“ Guy didn’t get to finish that sentence when his stomach began to do flips and he threw up all over General Glory’s red, white and blue uniform. The two men both grimaced at the sight as Guy went to apologize when General Glory held up a hand to stop him.
“Let’s get you cleaned up soldier,” General Glory said as he stood up and awkwardly helped Guy up, trying to not get the vomit everywhere. Guy insisted he could walk by himself and slowly stumbled to the bathroom to throw up the rest of what he had in him. General Glory cringed at the sound of the heaves, and the stench of his now ruined costume. The overly muscular man walked off to change into a fresh t-shirt and shorts that never really fit right -cursed his oversized comicbook proportions-. General walked back into the living room of the apartment to see Guy had emerged from the bathroom and was sitting slumped over on the couch. General Glory, or well he was Joseph Jones now, sat on the couch next to Guy. The worn out furniture groaned from trying to keep holding the two extremely muscular men. Joseph threw an arm over Guy’s shoulders and leaned to try to get a look at Guy’s face. He looked slightly better, but still clearly in a drunken state and no doubt tired.
“I must admit Guy, I do not like seeing you like this,” Joseph stated, “I honestly preferred seeing you picking unnecessary fights and being a jerk over this.” Joseph honestly didn’t mean for the jerk bit to go the wrong way. He was just innocently saying that, but it still stung. Unnecessary fights… Just like his old man… Jerkjerkjerkjerkjerkjerkjerk. Guy sniffed as he scrubbed his eyes, damn was he still crying? Pathetic wimp. How was it even possible for the human body to produce this much moisture from their eyes was beyond Guy’s intelligence. If anything, he’d cry out the booze…. pathetic sad drunk.
“Can this wait?” Guy asked trying to rub away the pathetic tear tracks on his face, “I’m too drunk for this Mr. Jones.” Guy said as he sunk down even more on himself trying to close himself off from the sad concerned eyes from his idol. Guy already felt like a pathetic wimp, what did Joseph Jones even think he was doing? Trying to make Guy even softer than he already was? Guy wanted at least a little bit of dignity left.. Even if it was a small drop of dignity.
“Of course Guy, how about I go get you another glass of water and you take a nap right here on this nice couch!” Joseph said, mustering up a bright smile, “Maybe when you wake up I’ll take you out to a nice restaurant (Not a bar) on me and we can talk this out!” Joseph finished as he patted Guy on the back and stood up to fetch the glass of water. Guy laid down on the couch slightly cramped up. He heard the clanking of the water glass on the coffee table as sleep began to take over. Yeah… Joseph better be paying for the meal because Guy didn’t have the money for any fancy meals.
————
Guy slowly woke up to a bright afternoon light shining in his face and a disgusting stench. He rubbed the sleep out of his face and dizzily sat up. Water. He needs water. Guy felt dehydrated as hell, and sick.
Ah fuck.
Hangovers.
Guy looked over at the coffee table with a room temperature glass of water sitting on top. He snatched it up and mistakenly began to take large gulps of the water. His stomach wasn’t too happy about that as it began to do angry flips leading to Guy to stumble and wobble along to the bathroom to do more heaving and emptying out his stomach. He was hunched over the fake porcelain toilet when a loud knock rang through his aching head.
“Guy is that you in there? Is it? Is it you Guy? Is this the right apartment?” Called what sounded a loud and annoying voice that pierced through his ear dumbs. Guy only responded with a "Hnnngh” as he gagged from the taste in the back of his throat. “Alright buddy, would you like me to get you some fresh clothes while you get cleaned up? Would you buddy? I am not too knowledgeable on human fashions! But I can go fetch you something Guy! I can!” The voice said from the other side. Guy gave another “hnnnngh” He heard footsteps pad off. The ginger haired man stood up from being hunched over the toilet and stumbled over to the shower and turned the knobs to heat up the water. Guy began to disregard his sweaty clothing when he heard the door to the bathroom fling open, Guy immediately turned his head around to see G’Nort standing in the opening with one furry hand holding clothes and the other fury hand covering his eyes.
“I’m not looking Guy! I promise! My paw is covering my eyes Guy! I promise! I brought your fresh clothes Guy! I did!” G’Nort said as he threw the pieces of fabric at Guy “Mister General Glory is in the kitchen Guy! He is Guy! He wants to talk to ya!” G’Nort added before closing the door. Guy huffed as he began to slide in the shower. Who the fuck invited G’Nort over anyways? It certainly wasn’t Guy. He didn’t want to see any of those damn Green Lanterns, but if one had to appear why the fuck was it the stupid dog man? Guy huffed as he stepped in the shower and began the process of freshening up despite his massive hangover headache.
———
Guy stood in front of the mirror staring at the skull tank top and short shorts. Why the fuck did G’Nort picked the ugliest outfit? Guy was honestly thankful that he was born colorblind. He could only imagine how bad the colors were. Guy stepped out of the bathroom and began to travel to the kitchen when he saw G’Nort charging at him. Guy braced himself as he got tackle-hugged by the dog like Green Lantern.
“I missed you Guy! I did! I tell ya! The corps isn’t the same without you Guy! It ain’t I tell ya!” G’Nort said as Guy stiffly stood in the hug. Slowly Guy raised up a hand to pat G’Nort on the back. Oh god, Guy’s gotten really soft. If he was still Green Lantern he’d probably have punched G’Nort for hugging him. G’Nort finally released Guy from the hug and dove straight for Guy’s hand. “C’mon on Guy! C’mon! More friends showed up in the kitchen! They have! General Glory called them! He did!” G’Nort said as he began to drag Guy by the hand. More people showed up? Fuck he didn’t want this! HE DIDN’T WANT OTHERS SEEING HIM LIKE THIS! It’s embarrassing to the Guy Gardner reputation! Guy tried to put the breaks on G’Nort dragging him into the kitchen, but the dog man kept pulling and it was too late. General Glo- no Joseph Jones was in there accompanied by Ted Kord, Booster, oh god damn it is that Bea and Tora? He didn’t need want Ted’s sarcasm, Booster’s stupid ego, Bea’s hatred, Tora’s soft doe eyes…. FUCKING GOD DAMNIT.
“Why the fuck did you invite a fucking circus?” Guy angrily asked Joseph as he tried to give an innocent smile.
“Language Guy, language. I only just invited your friends over! Friends are always good to have around when in troubling times!” Joseph explained as Guy felt boiling rage try to come out. Friends? FRIENDS? None of those people were his FRIENDS! Ted hasn’t been Guy’s friend since Guy accidentally overdid it during a sparring match between the man, Booster’s overly inflated ego always clashed with Guy’s need for an ego (What was Booster even doing here anyways? He's not a part of the Justice League. He's on that stupid Conglomerate junk), Bea fucking hated him without a doubt, she probably only showed up because she didn’t trust Tora around Guy. Then there was Tora. Sweet, sweet Tora, Guy never deserved the little time they were together in that relationship. He tried his hardest to change for Tora to be a better man for her, but she deserved so much better then what Guy could physically do so he let her go. Didn’t matter though, she was with Bea now anyways. Guy’s face scrunched up angrily as he was about to blow when he felt cool arms wrap around him. He blinked for a bit as blue eyes looked down to meet a set of pale blue eyes.
“I missed you Guy!” Tora said her Norwegian accent rang thickly through Guy’s brain. He was about to take in the moment when the sound of Bea’s angry voice brought him back down to reality.
“Step away from him Tora,” Bea said protectively. Tora released Guy and gracefully walked over to her girlfriend. Seriously what was Bea doing here? She never liked him and Guy never liked her. In fact, what were any of them doing here? Guy wasn’t a part of the Justice League anymore. No powers. No special abilities. No fancy tech. No high quality intellect. He was just an angry jerk now who gets drunk waiting for some liver disease to just take him over.
“What are ya doin’ here? I ain’t Green Lantern anymore and I ain’t a part of the Justice League either.” Guy asks the group.
“Thank god our prayers have been answered,” Ted sarcastically mumbled, earning a snicker from Booster. “But seriously dude, we’ve heard what’s happened and we are all genuinely concerned.” Ted said with Booster nodding along next to him.
“Yeah this totally isn’t like you dude, way out of character,” Booster started, “I betted Ted 20 bucks that you’d be hulking out by now… uh don’t take that one too seriously..” Guy only responded with a grunt. Concerned his ass, those two weren’t concerned about him, hell no one was.. except for maybe G’Nort but G’Nort hardly counts. They all just came over a stupid bet. Worried that he was going to go terrorize the city or something like that. Yeah… Some friends.
“Well yer presence is unwanted so leave!” Guy demanded as he pointed to the door in the kitchen. He really didn’t want to deal with these fools right now.
“But you need us Guy! You know you do! Because you do! You do!” G’Nort said as if he was a record stuck on repeat. Guy glared at the stupid mutt.
“No. I don’t need anything, not the ring, not the stupid Just Us League, not the Corps, and I certainly DON’T NEED YOU!” Guy angrily yelled as everyone took a step back from him. G’Nort’s eyes glanced up with hurt puppy dog eyes. He fiddled with the large lantern ring on his paws as his eyes slowly traveled to the ground.
“Ya didn’t mean that? Did ya Guy? Ya didn’t mean it? Ya do need us. We’re family right Guy? That's what humans consider friends right? Right Guy?” G’Nort blabbered as he continued to fiddle with his ring. Guy looked at the poor dog man as he began to have second thoughts. Until he frustratedly shook his head and ran a hand through his ginger hair.
“No ya stupid mutt. I did mean what I said,” Guy said back with an overdose of venom as he watched G’Nort sink in even more with his tail between his legs.
“We only just wanted to help. We did Guy! We did,” G’Nort added being too stubborn to drop it. Did this stubbornness come with every ring? Because it was really starting to piss Guy off.
“WELL I DON’T NEED IT! I DON’T NEED ANY OF YER HELP” Guy threw his hands in the air as the mood began to go down further.
“What’s your problem?” Bea asked as the room temp a true subtly began to rise.
“Yeah not cool dude, not cool.” Booster added, crossing his arms.
“We were only trying to help,” Ted pipped in standing next to Booster. Guy looked towards Tora expecting her to share her thoughts as well, but she just looked away and moved slightly behind Bea. Guy took in a deep breath as he prepared to blow.
“Only trying to help? I don’t need your damn help!” Guy yelled as he punched the wall leaving a large hole. The whole room went silent as everyone stood back. Tora was hiding behind a protective Bea, Ted and Booster were in a tangle of limbs as if they’re both trying to protect each other at the same time, G’Nort was now at the other side of the room and Joseph had jumped up from his chair. Damn.. Was Guy really that scary? Wasn’t that something the Green Lantern Corps was supposed to be fighting against? Wasn’t that why the Sinestro Corps was deemed bad? Because they caused fear across the world? Damn some Green Lant— Wait. Guy wasn’t a Green Lantern anymore.. Guy’s blue eyes tried to meet Tora’s pale blues, they always seemed to cool down his rage, but she wouldn’t spare him a glance. “I didn’t ask for any of your help! So stop getting so offended over it. In fact! Leave! FUCKING LEAVE! GET OUT OF MY APARTMENT! I DIDN’T EVEN FUCKING INVITE YA IN HERE!” Guy yelled as he stomped over to the door and threw it open. He pointed out into the hallway and angrily snarled at the clowns in his apartment. Ted and Booster looked between each other as if they were mentally communicating before leaving the apartment without a word or a second thought. Next was G’Nort the dog man stopped in the doorway and looked up at Guy in the face.
“I know ya didn’t mean all that Guy. Ya do need us, I know it Guy! I do!” G’Nort said with his tail still between his legs, “We’re still friends right Guy? You still have my puppy bone that I gave you, you do! I saw it. That means we’re still friends right Guy?” G’Nort rambled with a hopeful look, but Guy didn’t respond. The ginger hair man looked down at the ground. Guy refused to look like a cry baby wimp in front of them. He’s not a wimp. He’s not. At least not in front of others. G’Nort ears drooped as he solemnly walked out the door. Next was Bea who was dragging Tora behind her. Bea didn’t even bother to give Guy a glance, Tora on the other hand stopped. The ice goddess took in a deep breath as she went to say something, but Bea tugged on the girl’s arm.
“C’mon on Tora, that bastard doesn’t deserve your time,” Bea said as she tugged on Tora’s hand. Tora shook her head.
“But…” Tora started looking between Guy and Bea.
“No Tora, Bea is right. I don’t deserve your time,” Guy said. For the first time he actually agreed with Bea. Someone fucking frame that. Tora opened her mouth again to respond, but closed it lost for words, “Ya deserve happiness Tora, not a mean jerk like Guy Gardner.” Guy said. Someone frame this as well, for once in Guy’s life since his stupid brain injury, he was finally being sensible. Or at least what he thought was sensible. Tora’s eyes went back to looking at the ground and allowed Tora to guide her down the hallway. Guy felt something in his heart. Does he even have a heart? Is it possible for Guy Gardner the mean jerk. The bully of the Justice League. Has a heart? That certainly can’t be possible. He’s just going soft… It was only a matter of time before his old pops finds out about this. How pathetic and soft his son is. How much of a wimp he is. For some reason, that didn’t come off as a surprise. Actually Guy knew he was going to come crashing down some day. It was karma. Nothing good ever lasted for Guy Gardner. Guy finally looked up from the floor and began to shut the door harshly when he saw Joseph Jones, General Glory, still standing at the small kitchen table. Guy could remember when he was a kid, after a beating from his father, he’d sneak away to his room to read the General Glory comics to try and escape from the harsh reality. Unfortunately he’s not a kid anymore. -Not a wimp. Not a wimp. Not a wimp.- He couldn’t just run away to his room and hide away in juvenile books. Now he had the real General Glory standing in front of him, why hadn’t the General left with the others?
“Aren’t you going to leave too?” Guy asked as Joseph shook his head.
“No,” Joseph said. Guy closed the door the rest of the way as he went to sit in the other chair at the table.
“And why not?” Guy asked as he sunk down, defeated. He was supposed to be a Green Lantern.. or he was.. But wasn’t even former Green Lanterns supposed to be willful? Guy certainly wasn’t feeling will for anything right now.
“Because I live here too buddy!” Joseph said as Guy facepalmed. Guy guessed he forgot about it due to the heat of the moment. “I am sorry Guy, I didn’t mean for that to happen,” Joseph started, “Just good o’G’Nort showed up all concerned and I thought maybe having friends over would help you. I was wrong.” Joseph finished, Guy looked up at the General. Not knowing how to respond to the apology. It should really be Guy the one to apologize. He’s the one who blew up at everyone that wanted to help him -Like he needed the help. Totally not..- Guy’s childhood idol shouldn’t be the one having to apologize, but when did Guy Gardner ever apologize to anything? God he is a wimp. If Guy was a true man, man enough, like General Glory. He’d been able to apologize for this whole mess. He'd been able to own up to his fuck ups.
Guy is a wimp and forever will be a wimp.
“Aw gee Mr. Jones, what am I gonna do?” Guy asked, “Who even am I, this is all so fucking confusing.”
“Language Guy, and that my friend is going to be something you figure out yourself,” Joseph answered. Guy hated when the General’s high morals were right, but not much help. Find out by himself? Guy’s been trying to do that for 30 years now. He thought he knew who he was when he got that ring and all its power, but now that it's all taken away who is he now? “How’s your hangover my boy?” Joseph broke the silence as Guy’s eyebrows scrunched together. He had been so caught up in the heat of the moment he totally forgot about the now dull headache. Amazing of what exaggerated emotions can do for you.
“It’s not too bad now,” Guy answered. Guy could tolerate the pain, he’s not that big of a wimp is he? Guy has been so wrong so far, probably wrong about that as well.
“That’s good, I still owe taking you out to eat!” Joseph said, Guy raised an eyebrow, owe him what now? “Remember before you went to sleep yesterday, I told you I’d take you to a nice restaurant.” Joseph explained as Guy’s mouth formed into an O.
“Yeah, yeah… I’d like that, as long as yer paying,” Guy said, “I don’t have the money after all.” Joseph only laughed. The two men stood up from the table and began to prepare themselves to go out. Guy threw his black leather jacket with a golden G on the front over the ugly skull tank top G’Nort picked out for Guy to wear.
————
“When ya said a nice restaurant, I thought ya actually meant a nice restaurant… not McDonalds….” Guy said as he and Joseph stood outside the double golden arched fast food chain.
“Ah, but I heard it was an all American and patriotic place to eat at,” Joseph said, earning an eye roll from Guy, “Do you want to go to a different place?” Joseph asked.
“No no, it’s fine.” Guy said as he opened the door to the restaurant and allowed Joseph to enter in first. The two men went to the counter to order when Guy’s blue eyes caught the sight of a large group at a circle in the restaurant. They were an older group sharing life stories, but there was one old man very similar to someone he knew. No it was someone he knew.
Roland Gardner.
This couldn’t be fucking possible.
Of all times.
This couldn’t be fuckng happening.
How the fuck in the large city did he end up at a McDonalds that his old man was also at.
Fuck.
“Guy are you alright? It’s our turn to order,” Joseph asks, concerned from Guy’s silence.
“We need to leave. Now” Guy said with urgency. He kept his eyes on Roland Gardner sitting at that table acting like he had a right to be laughing over there with a smile on his face. Guy needed to get out of there before the Happy Meals became Angry Meals.
“Why? Is there something wrong?” Joseph asked, trying to look at what Guy was looking at.
“Don’t ask questions General, we’ve got to-“ Guy paused when he heard his name being said from a voice that did not belong to Joseph Jones.
“Guy?” An old man with a trucker hat and a well worn brown jacket. His face shown age was not kind, and the scruffily white beard tried it’s best to hide it. A man who looked like an old Guy Gardner. None other than Roland Gardner.
“No, no don’t talk to me,” Guy said as he began abruptly marching to the door, but was stopped by someone grabbing his arm. Guy’s head whipped around to see it was his old pops who had a hold of him. Guy unintentionally flinched as he automatically prepared for some sort of strike. Guy is a grown ass man who could easily overpower his old man but his standing there frightened waiting for the strike, but the strike never came, it was just Roland holding on to his his arm with a concerned look. The only time Guy had ever seen the look of concern in the old man’s eyes.. Except for maybe the time when Mace was beaten badly during a drug deal gone wrong.. “Let go of me pops,” Guy growled. Already so much has happened today. He didn’t want to add his pops lashing out on him to the list.
“Guy, son, please hear me out,” The old man desperately said as he began to soften up the grip. Guy pondered the words for a bit as he continued to scowl at the old man.
“Ya got 5 minutes,” Guy said. Roland gratefully nodded as Joseph just stood there with a face mixed of confusion and concern, “General can ya.. ya can just go get a table.” Guy said as Joseph nodded and walked away. The General didn’t know too much detail of Guy’s backstory, the man wasn’t too open about sharing it other than some witty remark during a sparring match. Guy always talked about there being two parts of his life, before the brain trauma and after the brain trauma as if the brain trauma was some sort of comicbook reboot and everything that happened before did not matter.
Guy and Roland sat down at a small empty table Roland gratefully sat down because his son was giving him a chance, but Guy sat down with gritted teeth. “Your time starts now pops, ya better start talkin’.” Guy said with venom in his voice. Why was he even giving the bastard a second chance? Roland certainly never gave Guy a chance.
“I’ve changed son,” Roland started earning an unbelieving eye roll from his son, “No really Guy I have. Do you see that group over there? That’s my AA group. I joined them a few months back, I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol in six weeks! Can you believe it?” Roland said as he tried to give a smile, but Guy still wasn’t buying it. “Well it’s true son, you can check the house if you want, you won’t find a single drop!” Roland said with pride.
“Ya got 3 minutes, pops. Is that all yer gonna tell me? You quit drinking? Yippie skippie,” Guy said as he went to stand up to only be stopped by another grab at his sleeve.
“Please wait, I have more to tell,” Roland said. Guy thought for a moment before sitting back down.
“Ya go 3 minutes,” Guy reminded, holding up 3 fingers. Roland nodded as he took a deep breath and continued the life story that Guy had missed out on when he ran away to play space cop.
"Ya see son, after your brother's death I began to spiral downwards. Yer mom began to find every reason to not return home, you moved out. And I don't blame either of ya. You both deserved to find a better place away from me… I hit below rock bottom. Then years go by and Peggy passes away," Roland looked down at the dirty fast food table as he felt shame fill his stomach, "It took a whole lot, but that's when I started thinking. Looking back at what had I done, and my god… my god what have I done?" Roland said slightly choked. Guy's eyes widened as he tried to lean in further. There was no way Roland was about to cry. Roland never cried. There was no way this could be Guy Gardner's father. Unless it's the year that the last remaining Gardners decide to go soft…
"I hit my own son.. what kind of father would do such a thing?" Roland finally said, "Every time I became punch drunk, I raised my hand to my own son." Roland bawled as he tried to rub away the tears that were rolling down his wrinkled face.
"Oh pops.." Guy said, it was all he could say. What was he supposed to say? He's already had an emotional rollercoaster ride today and a lousy past couple of weeks.
"I… I don't expect ya to accept my apology Guy. I don't deserve it," Roland continued taking in a deep shaky breath, "But I want ya to know I'm proud of ya son." Roland said. Guy's mouth dropped open as he felt the world just blur out. He was in shock. Proud? Roland was proud? He was proud of Guy? This couldn't be real? No no no he must be in some drunken dream. Roland was never proud of Guy. He was only proud of Mace, even after Mace died, Roland was proud of Mace. But never Guy. Not when Guy scored the winning touchdown. Not when Guy ranked highest at his school science fair. Not when Guy worked day and night studying to keep his grades up so he can bring home a report card of straight A's. Not when Guy graduated college and became a teacher for special ed kids. No. Roland was never proud. This isn't real. This isn't real.
"You may not believe Guy, but I am proud of you," Roland said, breaking Guy out of the state of shock, "Yer a part of that Green Lantern group right? With the Justice League folks. I've seen it all in the paper, ya don't wear a mask like the others so it's easy to spot that's is my son. My son is a Green Lantern! I get to show off the'm headlines to my AA group, that's my son savin' your asses." Roland said with such pride in his voice that Guy never heard before. Or at least not directed to him. Guy shamefully looked down at the worn down seat cushion before deciding to face his father and tell the truth.
"I'm not Green Lantern anymore pop," Guy said. Roland's tired eyes widened for a moment then retreating back to normal.
" 'M sorry son. I sure bet it was fun travelin' through space hangin' out with Superman," Roland commented, "But I'm still proud of you." The old man said as he checked down at his watch letting out a sigh. The time was up for explaining himself. Roland slowly got up as joints crackled and creaked as he got out of the booth. Guy followed his old man in suit. The father and son looked at each other until Roland made the move and hugged his son. Hugged his son for the first time without the intention of beating him afterwards. Guy stood in the hold awkwardly and tense unsure of what to do. He began to relax in the hug when all a sudden something ticked inside him. Guy pushed his way out of Roland's hug with a highly annoyed "ugh".
"I can't deal with this pops," Guy said, "I've gone soft, I can't deal with anymore of this sappy bullshit. I'm done, I'm out. I'm done with being this sad sap!" Guy angrily said as he ran out of the McDonald's and down the streets or Baltimore. Leaving behind a confused Joseph and Roland, unsure of what they should do.
Guy ran down the streets turning random corners and down random two way allies. He was done with being a normal guy. It made him soft. A wimp. He needed to be a Lantern again. He needed power. Any sort of power. Guy needed to be a hero again. He couldn't just live his life in the dumps like this. Guy turned down an alley to catch his breath when he saw something that he could only assume was glowing at the end. The ginger man slowly crept towards it with his arm stretched out as he got closer Guy began to recognize it was a Lantern ring. It was power.
Now if it was any normal former Green Lantern that can see color, they'd be able to immediately recognize that this ring was the color yellow. The color of the Sinestro Corps. The color of fear, but.. Guy Gardner is full on colorblind. He could never tell between the different Lantern colors. They all looked the same to him except for the red ring. He could see full red. But this ring before Guy wasn't red. He finally snatched the lingering ring and put it on his middle finger.
"GUY GARDNER FO THRAE ROTCES 2814. LLEW OT EHT SINESTRO SPROC,"
Guy didn't fucking understand anything the ring said… aren't they supposed to translate languages? But most importantly did he hear the word Sinestro? Oh fuck, what has he done now…