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"So, what do we have?" Jason asked, leaning forward as Diana slid a file across the table.
"Manhunters," Diana replied, her voice calm but edged with gravity. "They're the original Green Lanterns or more like the concept of a galaxy-wide police force."
Zatanna added, "It seems they were made by the same people who created the rings."
Before they could continue, the mission room door creaked open, and Green Lantern John stepped inside, his presence commanding attention.
"Guardians of the Universe," John said, his tone heavy. "And it seems that their old mistakes haunt them to this day."
"Old mistakes? Elaborate," Jason pressed.
"The Guardians have done a lot of good across the universe but also a lot of harm. This is one of their darker decisions. Manhunters… robots created with immense power and vision to safeguard the universe. Think of them as precursors to today's Green Lanterns. The difference? They were machines." John's words sank in, each one deliberate.
Jason nodded slowly. "And at some point, they lost control? Were stolen? What exactly happened for them to end up as an army under Despero and Savage?"
"I'm getting there," John said, a tinge of solemnity in his voice. "This is something I only learned through Hal. Hal had many contacts with the Manhunters, knew countless secrets of the Guardians… and this is one of them." He removed his Green Lantern ring, the emerald glow fading as he continued.
"By telling you this, I'm effectively quitting my position as a Green Lantern, and… as A here. I've thought about this for a while. But… Hal's death… confirmed my decision. I think I've done my part as a hero. Now I need to do my part as a father."
Diana blinked, then spoke softly, "John… Katma is…? Congratulations…"
"Don't beat yourself up about it," Jason said with a nod. "You deserve this. Everyone knows your service to this planet. You deserve rest."
John gave a small, appreciative nod before returning to the topic. "Now… about the Manhunters and their secret. Their objective was simple: eliminate all evil under the motto, 'No Man Escapes The Manhunters.' For the first few years, it worked. Perfectly, even. Until their programming evolved… and they drew a terrifying conclusion: emotion itself breeds evil. To eliminate evil, you must eliminate emotion. And what has emotion?"
"People?" Jason answered cautiously.
"All sentient life." John's voice was quiet but cutting. "So they started exterminating sentient beings across the universe… culminating in the largest massacre in galactic history: the Massacre of Sector 666. Trillions perished. Only five survived one of whom would later create the Red Lantern Corps, sworn enemies of the Green Lanterns."
Jason's jaw tightened. "I see… that's… fucked up."
Diana added, her voice icy, "Trillions of people… how could they even hide something like that?"
"The Guardians are masters of secrecy. They pursue peace and prosperity, but not always morally." John's gaze was steady. "From what I've gathered, the Manhunters should have been destroyed an AI named Aya handled most of them. But some weren't present during that event and were found by Despero. How he activated them… or if he even did… I don't know. Normally, only the Guardians could trigger them. Then again… the Anti-Monitor did manage it once, so clearly there's something we don't understand."
Jason exhaled. "I see. Then we prepare for an invasion of sorts. What about Despero? What do we know about him?"
Diana's lips curled in a faint scowl. "He's a fucking prick."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Okay… I'm interested. What's he done?"
"He mind-controlled some of us when we first fought him," Diana explained. "We barely won thanks to Martian Manhunter's mental tricks. But with J'onn dead… he seems to want a rematch. Last time, we barely survived. He's strong uncomfortably so. Even Superman struggled. Facing a powerful warrior and mind control simultaneously is no small feat."
Jason's expression hardened. "I see… well, I've got a plan for him. His army seems to be the real problem. Let's gather more intel where they could strike, where they are now…"
Everyone nodded, diving into preparations as John watched, a bittersweet smile on his face. For him, this was the end of an era. His days as a hero were done, but a new chapter as a father awaited.
John turned, walking toward the door, the faint glow of his ring extinguished, leaving only the memory of a hero behind.
....
"Now… this is quite interesting. So you modeled them after the Manhunters?" Savage spoke calmly, one hand resting behind his back as he followed Despero through the vast chamber.
Thousands of figures stood in rigid silence around them. Manhunters. Endless ranks stretching into the distance, metal bodies reflecting the cold lights above like a sea of dormant executioners.
"Kinda," Despero replied, his single eye glinting as he gestured toward the army. "We found the original Manhunters. Of course, whatever happened to them, that virus completely destroyed them. But… their bodies, weaponry, and build remained. And oh… they were powerful."
Savage's gaze lingered, analytical, calculating.
"And so," Despero continued, his voice thick with satisfaction, "I managed to do something special with all those humans you were sending me over the years…"
"And what is that?" Savage asked, already suspecting the answer.
"I removed their brains, completely changing them and remodeling them to fit into the Manhunters. Then I mind-controlled them. That is how… we have this army." Despero's grin widened into something feral. "A completely obedient, perfect army. It will never betray me because it does not have programming. It is a slave. A sentient slave."
The air itself felt heavier.
Savage chuckled softly, a rare smile touching his lips. "Well… looks like your revenge on the League won't wait long then?"
Despero stopped walking. He turned and placed a massive hand on Savage's shoulder, his grip firm, possessive.
"All because of you, friend," Despero said. "Had you not located the original Manhunters, helped heal me, and granted me those humans… I would not have returned so quickly. Thank you."
Savage met his gaze without flinching and smiled, nodding once."Of course. We have shared aspirations."
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If you Like this story! Check out my other story ! Shadow Monarch in Danmachi!
AND
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/Riadooo"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want !