After shutting down his computer, Su Zhan stretched and settled onto the hotel bed, savoring the simple comfort after so many nights spent on alien ships and in Asgardian palaces. The mattress felt like a rare luxury, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax. His gaze drifted to a newspaper on the nightstand. The bold headline read, "Planet Daily." He picked it up, curiosity piqued, but what truly caught his attention was the byline: Clark Kent. Su Zhan smiled to himself. Clark Kent-Superman. In this world, the legends of the Justice League were real: Superman, Green Lantern, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Cyborg—all of them existed here.
A thought struck him. "System, if I erase this world and open a new one with the same continuity—say, the Flash's world—would the events of this Green Lantern world carry over?"
The system's neutral voice responded in his mind. "Yes. Within a shared continuity, events persist across related planes."
Su Zhan's eyes lit up. That meant he did not need to keep dozens of parallel worlds running at once. Once he obtained the Green Lantern ring, he could erase this instance and open a new one—Superman, Flash, even Arrow—and the world would continue to evolve as one. The possibilities for building power and influence were endless.
Just then, the system chimed in his mind. "The plot has begun. Main mission: Obtain a Green Lantern ring. Side mission one: Hero saves the beauty-rescue Carol Ferris and wins her heart. Side mission two: Make the Green Lantern's existence known to the world."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow at the side missions. "Picking up girls is a mission now?" he muttered, amused. He did have a good impression of Carol Ferris—she was beautiful, strong, and destined to play a key role in this world. Still, he would let things happen naturally.
Before he could ponder the missions further, a flash of green light illuminated the night sky outside his window. Something had fallen—no, crashed—in the distance, trailing emerald energy. Su Zhan's heart raced. "Abin Sur's spaceship," he realized. The legendary Green Lantern's arrival marked the true beginning of this world's story.
Without hesitation, Su Zhan's body erupted in flames, and he shot out the window, streaking across the city like a comet. Within moments, he landed near the crash site. The sleek, transparent vessel was half-buried in the earth, its hull glowing faintly with alien technology.
Inside, a purple-skinned, bald-headed alien in a green and black uniform sat slumped in the cockpit. The Green Lantern ring gleamed on his finger. Abin Sur was dying.
Su Zhan approached, gently lifting Abin Sur from the wreckage. The dying Lantern's eyes flickered open, and he regarded Su Zhan with quiet intensity.
The ring on Abin Sur's hand suddenly shone, bathing Su Zhan in a pillar of green light. For a moment, he tensed, unsure if this was an attack, but the energy was calm—almost welcoming. Su Zhan realized what was happening. The king was choosing its successor.
He remembered the Green Lantern Corps' creed: the ring sought those who were utterly without fear. Su Zhan's confidence, his refusal to back down even in the face of cosmic threats, made him a perfect candidate.
Abin Sur's voice was weak but clear. "What is your name?"
"Su Zhan," he replied, steady and unflinching.
Abin Sur nodded. "I am Abin Sur, Green Lantern of Sector 2814. This ring has chosen you. Take it. Place your hand in the lantern's light, wear the ring, and speak the oath."
With trembling hands, Abin Sur pressed the ring into Su Zhan's palm. The green lantern battery hovered nearby, glowing with power. Su Zhan slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling a surge of energy course through him.
He reached for the lantern, recalling the words he had read in comics and seen in films. As he gripped the battery, the ring pulsed, and he spoke, his voice steady and resolute:
"In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power—Green Lantern's light!"
The lantern flared, flooding the crash site with emerald brilliance. Su Zhan felt the ring's power settle into him, a living force attuned to his will.
Abin Sur smiled faintly, relief in his eyes. "The ring is yours. Protect this sector… and use its power wisely."
With those final words, the legendary Green Lantern of Sector 2814 breathed his last.
Su Zhan stood in silence for a moment, honoring the fallen hero. He looked down at the ring on his finger, marveling at its weight and promise. He had expected to compete with Hal Jordan for the ring, but fate had chosen differently. The Green Lantern ring had chosen him.
He glanced at the lantern one last time, then turned and raised his hand. The ring responded instantly, forming a field of green energy that lifted Abin Sur's body gently from the wreckage. Su Zhan would see to it that the Lantern's sacrifice was not forgotten.
"Sorry, Hal Jordan," Su Zhan murmured. "This time, the ring chose someone else. But maybe that's for the best."
He tested the ring, willing it to create a shield. Instantly, a shimmering barrier appeared before him, then shifted into a sword, a staff, a gun, and a vehicle—each construct more complex than the last. The possibilities were limited only by his imagination and willpower.
A new chapter had begun.
With the ring's power, Su Zhan felt ready to face whatever this universe had in store. He would carry on Abin Sur's legacy, protect this world, and perhaps, in time, become a legend himself.