American comics: Starting with Luke the Maker

"Master." Atrocitus, leader of the Red Lantern Corps, knelt before Thanos, his voice trembling slightly.

"It seems you have not brought me the news I desire." Thanos, sitting atop a meteorite floating in the void of space, looked calmly at Atrocitus kneeling before him.

His gauntlet now bore the insignia of three different Lantern entities: Green Lantern, Yellow Lantern, and Red Lantern. These three energy embodiments were Ion, Parallax, and Butcher respectively.

[Writing this, I hope readers remember our domain name Taiwan Novel Network →𝒕𝒘𝒌𝒂𝒏.𝒄𝒐𝒎]

"Punish me, please." Atrocitus lowered his head deeply.

"Master, please grant us more time. We will surely find the location of the other Lantern entities for you." Bleez, another warrior of the Red Lantern Corps, also knelt, pleading with her head lowered.

"You disappoint me greatly." Thanos clenched his gauntlet-clad fist, and a beam of red light shot into Atrocitus's body.

Enveloped in the red light, Atrocitus seemed to suffer immense pain, abruptly raising his head, his eyes rolling back in agony, his entire body suspended and lifted by the red light. After a series of violent tremors, he was blasted away by the red light, tumbling and sliding across the surface of the meteorite for some distance.

The painful screams gradually subsided, and Atrocitus struggled to his feet. The other members of the Red Lantern Corps, including Bleez, dared not utter a sound.

"I granted you a long-lost peace, freeing you from the influence and domination of the Red Lantern power. I released you from the control of the Red Lantern energy. In return, you serve me, seeking out the location of the Lantern entities. I recall giving you precise coordinates. You have failed to bring it back." Thanos's flat, matter-of-fact tone created a mountain-like pressure on everyone present.

"It escaped. Please grant me another chance; I will surely bring it back to you." Atrocitus pleaded.

"Sector 2814. This is your last chance," Thanos stated.

As Thanos's voice faded, Atrocitus, rising to his feet, led Bleez and several other Red Lantern warriors, transforming into streaks of red light, and flew towards Sector 2814.

"Master, what about us?" Zorc whispered.

"Continue advancing towards our designated coordinates," Thanos replied softly.

...

Sector 2814.

Metropolis.

Lex Luthor entered his laboratory and spoke to a man who was completely chained up: "Another day begins. How are you, my friend?"

"I've told you, there's nothing of value on me that you should care about," Sinestro sighed. He never imagined he would end up in such a predicament, imprisoned by a native of this planet. Although this native is somewhat intelligent.

"You don't get to decide that," Lex said, wagging his finger, standing before Sinestro with his hands behind his back.

"I've already revealed all the knowledge I possess, without holding anything back. What else do you want to know?" Sinestro met Lex's gaze.

"Me? I'm more interested in the energy you wield and who that person you fear so much is." Lex paced back and forth in front of Sinestro. "I've asked you from the very beginning, but you've consistently refused to give me a straight answer, and I find that very troubling. Without something new to offer, my patience is zero."

"Why not ask someone else? Like that Green Lantern? Or that Kryptonian?" Sinestro retorted.

"That's a good idea, but I don't get along very well with that Kryptonian you mentioned. You're in my hands, why would I go looking elsewhere?" Lex shrugged.

"Do you also desire the energy of the ring? It's useless. If I were still the leader of the Yellow Lantern Corps, with the Yellow Lantern Central Power Battery in my possession, I would gladly let you experience that power. But I'm not anymore. My Central Power Battery was destroyed, the entity was captured, and I lost my source of power.

I don't even dare to run too far. If it weren't for the fact that I lost my power, do you think you could have captured me?" Sinestro sneered. His mental state wasn't good; this man before him was no good person, and he had used many methods to make him talk and cooperate.

"Is that really so?" A mysterious smile appeared on Lex's face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellow ring familiar to Sinestro, placing it on his right middle finger in front of him. The ring automatically encircled Lex's finger, adhering to his skin.

Under Sinestro's incredulous gaze, the yellow ring glowed with energy, the yellow light flowing upwards like water, enveloping half of Lex's arm, like wearing a transparent yellow sleeve.

"Impossible! The Yellow Lantern power has already been claimed. You, you have sided with that person!" Sinestro stared at his yellow ring, unable to help but widen his eyes and shout.

"Why can't it be that I obtained the recognition of this energy through my own intelligence? Controlling them isn't easy; one wrong step and you can be controlled by them, becoming a slave to their erosion, losing yourself," Lex said softly, dispelling the energy radiating from the ring.

"The energy? Without the entity, without that person's gift, where did you obtain the Yellow Lantern energy?" Sinestro pressed Lex urgently.

"The energy? Perhaps you'll find it unbelievable, but it comes from a new instrument developed by Gotham's Wayne Enterprises. That instrument can collect a certain type of energy and store, separate, and consolidate it. I paid a great price to obtain a [sample]." Lex had a very interested expression on his face. "Do you know what I saw in it?"

Without waiting for Sinestro to answer, Lex eagerly continued, "I saw an incredible, groundbreaking technological revolution! Its appearance is enough to propel human civilization forward by a significant step, even comparable to the gods."

"With it, humans can all be supermen, and we will no longer need aliens like Superman to be meddlesome heroes. Although I don't know where Wayne Enterprises got this technology or why they don't make it public, it will soon be in my hands. I won't be as timid as they are.

Technology should serve humanity, and this technology even more so! It can allow humans to [evolve]! It's immoral for Wayne Enterprises to enjoy it exclusively."

"You don't understand at all; not everyone can withstand it." Sinestro scoffed at Lex's statement. Even those annoying Guardians wouldn't spread the Green Lantern power to everyone in the entire universe.

"Isn't that even better? Just like when people are born, some are mediocre, some are intelligent, and some possess talents such as art and sports. This is natural selection," Lex said, not taking it seriously. "Although I say it belongs to all of humanity, in fact, only a few can truly enjoy it. The talented will naturally gain its favor.

When you choose, don't you follow the ring's selection? A strong emotion or powerful will forms a strong attraction to the corresponding attribute ring. This method is a bit primitive, but it's not bad."

"So, what do you want to ask me? You already have it." Sinestro looked at the Yellow Lantern ring on Lex's hand, which didn't budge no matter how he called to it in his heart, feeling somewhat dejected.

Although this ring once belonged to Sinestro, there's no doubt that it has changed allegiance and found a new master.

"I need to know more." Lex waved his ring, shooting out a beam of light to cut open Sinestro's restraints, saying softly, "Of course, if you cooperate and are willing to work with me, then it's not impossible for me to make a new ring for you. It may not be as good as this one, but around this planet, there will definitely be no worry about insufficient energy."

"Do I have a choice?" Sinestro moved his limbs, which had been bound for a long time, and stood up.

"A wise choice." Lex smiled. "Let me think, where should I start?"

...

Cave Base.

The assembled League members.

Diana Prince looked at Barry Allen, who had entered with Batman, and frowned slightly: "I didn't expect there to be a child here?"

"Barry Allen, a powerful metahuman, we will need his abilities," Batman gave a brief introduction and answer.

"I know you, I've read your biography, Wonder Woman!" Barry approached Diana, his face full of excitement.

"Oh, and Superman, I've also seen your deeds, fighting crime, punishing evil and promoting good! You are my role model."

Before Diana could say anything, Barry caught sight of Superman on the side, exaggeratedly abandoning Diana and quickly going to Superman to exchange pleasantries.

"Thank you." Superman's impression of Barry was quite good, giving a very gentle response.

"What kind of terrifying enemy requires such a luxurious lineup? I think this team is already invincible." Barry was nervously excited, so excited that he wanted to go out for a run.

"An enemy far more terrifying than you can imagine." Batman sat down at the conference table.

"This is more detailed information about the target." Batman opened the virtual projection, playing the battle footage from back then.

While the footage played, he introduced the information. By the time the edited footage ended, his explanation had also just finished.

"Are you sure of his danger?" Aquaman Arthur looked at Thanos's full-body projection displayed when the footage paused, somewhat grimacing.

"We can't be sure what he'll do after achieving his goal, but based on his known personality and deeds, it's best not to wait until that step. By then, it may already be too late, and everything may be irreparable," Batman said. "I can't accept others forcibly entering my home, bringing the unknown. They may just want to visit, but more likely, it's an invasion. I'm pessimistic about humanity; in any case, it's always right to be prepared."

"Maybe we can negotiate with him?" Diana asked tentatively.

"He's an extremely dangerous individual! Just because we refused to hand over the Green Lantern Central Power Battery, he slaughtered the entire planet Oa, eliminating most of the resisters and Guardians.

The Green Lantern Corps, which maintains cosmic stability and peace, was almost completely wiped out. Even Green Lanterns who didn't return in time face the dilemma of not being able to replenish their energy. His actions have caused great destruction to the entire universe. Without the Green Lantern Corps, all regions of the universe will face unprecedented chaos and challenges," a Green Lantern attending the meeting said, his tone revealing unreserved hatred for Thanos.

...

A purple light swept from the depths of the universe, passing through the atmosphere and entering the interior of the blue planet. Carol Ferris, the new head of Ferris Aircraft, witnessed the most fantastical scene of her life.

A gem radiating an eerie purple light floated quietly before her eyes. That light seemed to possess a powerful attraction, making her feel mesmerized.

With a captivated expression, she reached out her hand, her fingers gently touching the purple gem. The moment she touched it, the gem transformed into a stream of light and entered her body.

A powerful energy instantly surged through her entire body, and Carol unconsciously unleashed intense purple energy fluctuations.

...

"Huh? This energy?" Lex, who was happily chatting with Sinestro in the laboratory, suddenly stood up, exchanging hesitant glances with Sinestro.

...

Cave Base.

The base's alarms for mental and emotional spectrum energy suddenly sounded, interrupting Batman's meeting. The sudden alarm caused everyone's hearts to tense up instantly.

"New energy, not Yellow Lantern or Green Lantern. The outbreak point is near Metropolis. We must send someone to investigate," Batman hurriedly reviewed the records, his expression serious.

"I'll go back for a while." Superman stood up from his seat.

"I'll go and take a look too." Hal Jordan also stood up. He felt the atmosphere of the meeting was a bit too oppressive, and this kind of thing was a good opportunity for him to get busy.

"I'll go and see too." Diana was the third to stand up; she really wanted to feel up close what kind of energy was being fought over by everyone.

"Then the three of you go. Play it by ear. It's best to bring back the energy source and hide it," Batman looked at the three who stood up and nodded.

...

Several streaks of red light stopped on the surface of the blue planet based on the detected information. The red light dissipated, revealing several figures.

"Familiar place. Sweet revenge!" A cat-like member of the Red Lantern Corps muttered, looking at the planet below, his pupils flashing with angry red light.

"It's here. Find it and bring it to the master! This time, failure is not allowed," Atrocitus ordered in a deep voice.

PS: Thanks to the reward from the silent peak classmate.