When Hope brings new into your life

[hopeburnsbright]

Avalon had not expected the battle to wage so hard. Bullets hurt, and even with his shields, Avalon felt the burn of pain in his shoulder. Due to the nature of his light-made suit, no wound was visible, but lavendar colored blood dripped off the point of his elbow as he held his sword of light aloft.

Dirty and grim, Avalon floated an inch from the muddy, bloody ground as he went forward. In his wake, the warlord's minions lay on the jungle floor, incapacitated. They all stared into nothing, taken with visions of Hope brought on by a touch of Avalon's sword. They would be no bother any more. He was headed for the dungeon where it was believed civillians were being kept.

Extending his left hand, Ava grunted under his breath at the effort, and a single shot of blue light erradicated the cell lock before him. The door swung open inwards, and without fear, the Blue Lantern swept through.

The room was dark when suddenly, it was filled with blue light that seemed almost white, it was so pure. In the center of it was the winged young man, his sword of light held in tight fingers. He overed there in the dark for a second before the light and sword was gone, leaving him standing on the dirt floor.

"Is everyone alright?" the figure asked, his determined expression melting into one of tenderness. Children. They had held children under lock and key. Avalon wanted to cry.

Comments

[hopesustainsme]

"Yes. We're all well," comes a slightly older voice. She's an adult but not obviously so. They had let her stay with the children because she had kept them calm and had tended to them with great care.

There shouldn't be hope in a place like this. But there is. For a moment Hannah is utterly baffled because for a moment she thought she saw an angel but it's just a young man.

A young man who is hurt and in a strange uniform.

"They didn't hurt the children." She lifts her chin slightly looking very serious but at the same time one of the calmest people in the room. She isn't afraid because she knew that they would be rescued. She kept hope alive even in this hellish pit.

[hopeburnsbright]

Hurt or not, he ignored his injuries. Avalon flashed Hannah a warm smile, and then drew in a deep breath as he processed all that he saw. Not a single child cried, not a one was upset. All looked at him with calm eyes and upturned faces,waiting tombe lead to safety.

It was all very profound for Avalon, and he knew in an instant what he as witnessing. She was the one. Rather than alarm anyone with his realization, Avalon nodded to the girl - she couldn't be much older than him - and said softly "Let's try to all get out, safe and sound. If we can all get in a group, I can protect us better as we come out. The bad guys are almost all defeated, but we might see one on the way out."

[hopesustainsme]

She just gives him a serene little smile. Then she turns her attention to the children.

"Now. We're all getting out of here alive. I promised we would get out. I just need you to be brave for a while longer. I just need you to do me a big favor. I know this man is a strange but he is here to help. See? He's like me. He doesn't use a gun." She has the trust of the children though. She has been here for months already before their camp got taken over.

She gets the children up and herds them so thy are close by Avalon. One of them is very sleepy still so without even thinking about it she hoists the child up letting him rest his head on her shoulder.

"We're as ready as we can be," Hannah tells him.

[hopeburnsbright]

Nodding his head, Ava offered small smiles to the children around him as he turned and lead the way out. The bad men still lay where he had felled them, their eyes glowing blue.

Stepping past them, Avalon helped some of the smaller ones keep moving, though he kept his eyes open. The area wasn't secure - not yet. He was their protector, should any foul befall them.

It was a long walk for Avalon, his nerves were shot and his wings twitching in their bonds by the time they saw sunlight. "Everyone stay back. I am going to seemif it is clear." he said to Hannah, before loving forward. All the sudden, that crystaline blue sword was in his hands, and he darted out the egress to ensure their safety.

[hopesustainsme]

She kept her gaze firmly on the children. She knew they were almost out of the woods but she still wasn't willing to just simply relax.

She keeps the children very close as she waits for Avalon. Her faith that they will all be fine hasn't left her but.... she is still afraid. Her throat tightens a bit but she sends the children a blinding smile.

"We'll be fine. He's just making sure no one is waiting for us... we don't need to be surprised. We'll find your families soon. I promise." She is very sure the children will be safe and that most of the women are alive.

[hopeburnsbright]

Outside there is a grunt and a flash of light, and then silence. About three beats later, Avalon comes back, this time holding on to his right arm with his left hand. He smiled through it though, and nodded to Hannah as he said, " It is safe now. Outside you will find a man in a uniform like mine, only green. He and the tall man in red and white are my friends, go to them and everyone will be safe."

He then hung back, waiting for Hannah to pass and then followed along after her. Somewhere along the way, he unfurled his wings once more, much to the amazement of the children.

[hopesustainsme]

She nodded calmly. She has been keeping up a brave front for the children and holding on tightly to hope. Hope is what kept them alive in this place. She ushers the children out and the one dozing in her arms actually woke up and was staring at Avalon's wings with wide bright eyes.

She just gave a soft happy hum glad to see that her charge was up to being awake as she made her way over to the others.

"Would you like to walk on your own," she asked the child and got a shy look and more burrowing. Yeah no she's going to be carrying this one for a while more. They're very young and not really ready to deal with strangers, even very interesting ones like Avalon. Hannah doesn't mind she's just glad to be in the fresh air and sun light again.

[hopeburnsbright]

"Ava, you're hurt.." trailed off e tall man in red and white, but the winged Lanten just shook his head.

As everyone started to mingle and rejoyce their freedom, Avalon turnedto Hannah and said softly "What is your name? I am Avalon. I know this is all a very wild ride, but you and I have much tomtalk about."

[hopesustainsme]

At that point Hannah had been able to reunite the very shy child with his elated father who had been one of the freedom fighters who had helped them find the camp. She was very pleased and looking forward to finding the other Novices who had been with her on this missionary trip.

She stopped and gave Avalon a very shy smile because she isn't used to being singled out. "Hannah Flowers.... It's important, isn't it?"

By the look on his face she would have to say yes.

[hopeburnsbright]

"Yea. You did something spectacular here, and those whom watch for such have noticed. You carry the spirit of hopewithin your heart. We must go to Odym, and allow you to speak with the Guardians. There is a choice you must make." he said, his words strangely formal.

There was a rustlemof feathers, and Avalon drew his wings about himself more. Despite his right arm being the one that was injured, he extended his right hand, palm up, to her. "Come and see. You will return in three days. This I promise."

The Green Lantern and Lifeforce just looked confused. They had no idea what was going on.

[hopesustainsme]

She stopped and just listened very seriously. Then she turned and called to one of the other people who worked here.

"Alex. I'll be back in three days. Tell the other Novices all will be fine. I'll see them soon," she called. It's funny but she already is thinking along the lines of a Blue Lantern.

She turns back to Avalon and just flashes him a warm smile. "I believe you and I'm ready to go. I just didn't want to worry the other Novices. They haven't seen me since we were captured. There will be time later."

[hopeburnsbright]

Avalon's hand was warm and slick, though it did not look that way. He mumbled an appology and then extended his aura of blue to cover her as well. Then, suddenly, they were floating upwards towards the clouds. It was fairly surreal for someone who had never flown by Lantern light.

As they pulled out to space, Avalon slowed them and let Hannah get a good look at the planet. "It is beautiful, isn't it?" he asked softly. Between them he parted their hands, and frowned as he saw her palm come back with lanvendar blood. "I will be fine, though.. It looks like I made a messof you." he murmured.

[hopesustainsme]

There is a sense of wonder pouring off of her when they see the clouds and the Earth. It was possibly one of the most lovely things she had ever seen and she has seen many things that have made her pause with wonder.

"Very," she agrees sounding slightly breathless. Then she sees the blood and isn't really horrified. Why would she be?

"You're hurt. Shouldn't you see a medic before we go?" She doesn't want him to hurt himself even more by this trip. Concern for his well-being colors her emotions and voice.

[hopeburnsbright]

"All I need is time. I will heal much more quickly that you will probably be accustomed." he replied with a warm smile. Drawin in a breath, he then gave his head a shake, his tone soft as he said "The Guardians would scold me for notmbeing a good example to you. Most Blue Lanterns are not so.. Rough around the edges, as me."

The young man pulled his wings tightly against his back and tried to keep smiling. All would be well, he knew. Avalon was just.. Doing his usual fretting thing. He knew it. He schooled his worry away, and then said softly "Whenever you are ready.. Close your eyes and we will go."

[hopesustainsme]

"You're not a bad example," she tells him very honestly. "I don't even quite understand what is going on just yet. I will understand in time of course. What matters is you are here. The people from the camp are safe again, and soon I will have answers to questions I don't know how to ask just yet."

She isn't afraid or nervous. Just very aware that the horrible situation she was in with the others is over. People are safe again and all is as she had prayed for. She gives him another smile then closes her eyes.

[hopeburnsbright]

There was a feeling of falling, of plummeting through space and time until everything came back in a sudden jerk. Avalon's hand on her shoulder was gentle as he murmured "We are here. Open your eyes."

Odym. Beautiful, blue and green, Odym was the most beautiful planet in the known universe. Even Ava held a certain reverence for it. "Come. They are waiting for us." he said softly.

[hopesustainsme]

"Oh my Lord," she said with awe. She couldn't help it. The change was amazing and she had to take a moment to take it all in. She bites her lower lip to hold back a child-like giggle.

"All right." And she will pad after him on light feet. Her shoes are coming apart and should have been replaced but she hasn't had time in months and for now they suit her just fine.

[hopeburnsbright]

Theymfloat down to the surface, to a low-set series of buildings that seemed to flow into the landscape. There, they were greeted as if they had been expected.

"Brother Avalon. We are glad to see you. Greetings, Hannah. Welcome to Odym." the strange small blue skinned man said. Avalon escorted her to him, and then took a step back, stiffly. The differences between him and the other Lanterns there was stark. Avalon stood at attention, while many of them lounged in comfort or meditated. The Guardian turned to Avalon and dismissed him with a nod, though it was not rude; it was how Avalon wished to be treated, and so he was.

"Good luck, Hannah. I will see you in three days." he said in a gentle tone, before spreading his wings and flying awayupon his own power.

[hopesustainsme]

Hannah waved good bye to Avalon. Then turned and smiled at Ganthet. She ended up walking off with him as they slowly began to talk. They discussed many things in length.

He had wanted to know what her life had been like in her own words. Slowly he pulled it all from her getting her to not be so humble on her successes and failures.

He learned that she was not very worldly but had spent much of her life raised by nuns. Sisters of an order that dedicated themselves to charitable works helping others and acting to help people however they could. She had been on the cusp of taking her vows to officially become one of the Sisters in a few months.

Gathet offered the idea that perhaps she could help people in other ways. Hannah had wrinkled her nose at him in thought then said perhaps that was true. She liked the idea of helping many people.

They talked more about that and many other things. The days pass quickly and soon it is the third day. Her answer was very clear and honest so it should not surprise Avalon to see Hannah resting on rock drinking tea on the third day in a very clean uniform with softer lines than his.

[hopeburnsbright]

She knew everything about him, too. In fact, Hannah might know Avalon as well as he fancies he knows himself, tough that would be proven in time. For now, he seemed happy to see her, and comes to sit across from the girl, his expression excited. "You accepted!" was the first thing out of his lips.

[hopesustainsme]

"Yes!" She bounces slightly with a happy smile.

"It was..." She had been told she would have to face the demons she had buried one day. That it would test her hope but she knew all would be well.

"It was the right thing for me. I am happy. Thank you for bringing me here, Brother Avalon."

[hopeburnsbright]

"We all walk our own path." replied Avalon with a sage nod. He then scribbed a hand through his hair, and drew in a measured breath before saying "I am based out of Earth, too. Though you were choosen because you are from Earth,bwhere I am not. I was born on a planet called Naltor, in Sector 5." The young man then grinned, "I get to be your mentor. I hope I do a good job."

[hopesustainsme]

"Ah," she looks very pleased by that. "This will give me a chance to explain the situation to the Mother Superior."

She is glad and knows that it will not disappoint the Mother. She had not been worried but she knows she can not reasonably take her vows and become a Nun now, her path has changed.

"I think you will, Brother. You did a very good job at helping me save the children. You stayed as calm as I did when there were evil things in that place. You.... showed them what mercy you could. I am pleased you will be teaching me."

[hopeburnsbright]

He chuckled some, his cheeks coloring at her praise. Ava looked towards his hands, lacing rhe blue gloved fingers before him as he spoke. "It was a terrible situation indeed, but one that I have faced before. I just dislike guns. I always end up shot before I can get rid of them."

He was quiet, his eyes on her face for a moment before he murmured, "You are much more in line with what most Blues are. I am afraid that you may find me and my methods rough around the edges. I did not come from a place of faith, but a place of action."

[hopesustainsme]

"I don't like guns either," she admits her expression growing a bit sad for a moment.

"Brother," she says simply. "I know that you and I walked very different paths but we are both after the same goal. We want to help people. I don't care who you were before. I don't care that you are different.... So am I, in my own way. What matters is that we work for the same goals."

[hopeburnsbright]

Avalon gave her a knowing smirk, and just shook his blond head lightly. "Everyone is different in their own way, I just try to warn you what it is like to spend significant time with two different aliens. It is certainly interesting, but at times confusing. I still have issues with some Earth culture, but really it is usually more humorous than injuring."

"I also use my ring a bit differently." he said, his smirk growing. "I believe that any with strong enough hope to wield a blue ring should also have the strength of will to weild the green. That is not to say that we forsake our hope, but you can only have hope with will. All will be well. You will find your own path to hope, and forge your own relationship with will, just always remember their relationship."

[hopesustainsme]

"I... will try my best to adjust but I admit I was..." Her voice trailed off.

"Well you have a good idea. I was very sheltered after my early childhood. Getting used to this though I do not see as a trial. Merely another step on a long journey."

She listened to him and smiled a bit. "I think I understand what you mean. The.... God I worship. The one I put my faith in? It is said he helps those who help themselves. It is one thing to Hope, but another to put those hopes into actions."