The Brave and the Bold Part 2 (Emerald Knights)

The 8th episode of the first season of Emerald Knights. With the heroes now on Betrassus, Starro is able to overtake their might and place them in cocoons that grant their greatest dreams. We explore what would happen if Hal's father never died in the test plane crash. This episode also serves as the second act of the tie-in theatrical Green Lantern film.

Cast

 * Chris Pine as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern
 * Callan Farris as young Hal Jordan
 * Chris Pine is de-aged for his scenes as an 18-year old
 * Alison Brie as Carol Ferris
 * Josh Duhamel as Martin Jordan
 * John David Washington as John Stewart/Green Lantern
 * Ryan Reynolds as Jack Jordan
 * Ryan Reynolds is de-aged for his scenes
 * Harry Lennix as J'onn J'onnz/Martian Manhunter
 * Alan Ritchson as Guy Gardner
 * Preston Oliver as Jim Jordan
 * Kelly Frye as Jessica Jordan
 * David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman/Kal-El
 * Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
 * Jaimie Alexander as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman
 * Lucas Till as Barry Allen/The Flash
 * Jono Kenyon as Arthur Curry/Aquaman
 * Frank Welker as Starro the Conqueror

Story
The scene cuts to a shot of the group in the middle of the street. The area is evacuated, Flash is stretching and trying to heal.

Wonder Woman

By Hera. It was all so.. so..

Superman

Tranquil. It’s strange, this was the closest I’ve felt at.. peace.

Wonder Woman

Like the songs of the siren. We need to stop this at its source, such an evil could control the entire galaxy much less the Earth.

Batman

Agreed. Flash, how are you feeling?

Flash

Better already.

Batman

Good. Lanterns, you can get us up there?

Hal smirks

Hal

You even have to ask?

Hal and John carry two bubbles into space. Hal’s is filled with Batman and Flash, John’s is filled with Wonder Woman and Aquaman. J’onn and Superman fly besides them.

Hal

You know, I could’ve made like a race car or a rocket ship or something. Didn’t literally have to be a bubble.

Batman

Focus on the mission, Lantern. The planet is right ahead.

Superman

Is that.. Betrassus.

Martian Manhunter

You’re familiar?

Superman

I’ve heard stories. One of the most famous royal kingdoms in the galaxy, one of the proudest civilizations. What has happened..

John

One more reason on the “why we need to stop Starro” list. It’s a long list.

Meanwhile, Aquaman and Diana speak in the bubble. They’ve been silent for most of the ride.

Aquaman

How have you been.

Wonder Woman

Like you care.

Aquaman

Diana, I do. Really. Listen, we left things off on-

Wonder Woman

I am not interested in reminiscing. We need to complete this mission and let it be the end of it.

More silence.

Wonder Woman

I trusted you Arthur.

Aquaman

I know, Diana, and I’m hoping you can once more!

Wonder Woman

You don’t get it? I’m not falling for it again Arthur. I’m done trusting you.

Martian Manhunter (Mental Link)

We’ve arrived.

Wide shot of the entire planet. Starro occupies an entire continent, and is visible from space. His eye is closed, he seems to be resting.

Hal

Is he sleeping?

Martian Manhunter

I believe he is reserving his energy. Trying to gather it for something larger.

They float above the surface of Betrassus, Diana flies while the Lanterns hold the remaining heroes in bubbles.

John

We shouldn’t step on the surface of the planet, Starro will feel the vibrations and turn us into those.

John points at the standing cocoons on the planet. As he does, the planet begins to rumble. Starro speaks.

Starro (Mental)

I can hear you.

Martian Manhunter

What? But he’s-

Starro (Mental)

Rest? There is no need for me to rest. I feed off the desires of my prey, that is all the energy I will ever need. Today, heroes, today you will be my prey.

Roots from the planet begin to strike at the Lantern bubbles, cracking them. One of them grabs Wonder Woman’s feet, she begins hacking at it with her sword. Superman and Martian Manhunter are both laser visioning other roots.

Starro (Mental)

Listen, listen to my sweet serenade. Everything you have ever wanted, made possible by me. Lost family, loved ones, worlds. They can all be restored. They can all be made whole again.

The first to succumb is Superman, he is eventually placed in a cocoon and is retracted to the planet. His face is left open, with only a star to cover it.

Diana

Kal-El!

Diana flies for Superman, but feels the effect too. She doesn’t go to sleep (neither did Superman), her eyes simply gaze as her body becomes motionless. The same thing happens to her. As Starro grows stronger, he cracks the bubbles.

John

Jesus Christ! What’s going on?

Martian Manhunter

Wonder Woman and Superman have succumbed to his trap! They’re like all the others now

Batman grabs Aquaman as he falls, attempting to grapple away. Flash runs away from roots trying to grab him. Eventually, they are all caught and put to the same fate.

Starro (Mental)

The last time that we met, Martian, you resisted my mental corruption. This time I plan on something more.. Physical than mental.

Martian Manhunter is entirely grabbed by the roots of the planet, and dragged under a nearby volcano. Here, he can’t move due to his psychological weakness to fire and extreme heat.

John

J’onn!

John and Hal both blast back roots, as some fall more take their place. They advance closer and closer.

Starro (Mental)

Green Lanterns.. Stubborn as ever.

John

Hey Hal

Hal

Yeah John?

John

Whatever happens, it’s been an honor.

Hal

We’re not going to die. We’re Green Lanterns.

John

Heh. Here’s hoping you’re right.

John is grabbed by a root, and slowly succumbs.

Hal is left alone, surrounded by roots, until he is finally grabbed. He does not succumb immediately, but he is weakening.

Starro (Mental)

Tell me, Hal Jordan, why do you resist me so?

Hal

Fuck.. you buddy…

Starro (Mental)

It would’ve been a fairy tale, Lantern. A dream land like all your friends, but in truth, I don’t think that’s what you want. I think what you want, and all you want, is your father back.

Hal’s eyes open wide.

Hal

Dad?

Finally, he succumbs to the same fate.

A young Hal Jordan is standing outside of an airstrip, cheering on his father as he flies. There, he meets a young Carol Ferris.

Hal

Hey! That’s my dad up there! He’s in the airplane!

Carol

Yeah! Well my dad owns the airplane!

Hal is unfazed, he continues to cheer as the little girl gets annoyed and walks back to her dad. Willard Ferris is on a radio, talking to air pilot Martin Jordan.

Carol

Daddy! Daddy, that mean boy is ignoring me!

Willard

One second sweetheart. What’s the issue, Jordan?

Martin

It’s the oil! It’s eating up real fast, Willard, I think that was my last torque pin gone! I don’t know how long this thing’s gonna last!

Willard

This is investor day, Jordan. Do you know what that means? We need you to-

Martin

Listen to me! This thing is going down either right here or in Coast City, and right here nobody else gets hurt.

Willard

Twenty million dollars and our last seven years of development! That’s what you have up in the air, Martin! Think of your wife! Think of Hal, he’s watching you right now! You think he wants to see his daddy go up in flames? Keep it up Jordan!

Martin contemplates this and sighs, having already made up his mind.

Martin

Willard, make sure my boy’s taken care of.

Willard

Martin, wait!-

Suddenly, the radio cuts off as Martin performs a nosedive right for the pavement. The crowd is shocked and Hal is both confused and terrified. At the last minute, he’s saved by a glowing green construct hand catching the plane and landing it safely. Martin gets out of the jet, shocked, and the Lantern is revealed to be Abin Sur. He shakes his hand and helps him out, and then flies back off into the sky. Hal watches the green streak in the sky, amazed.

Fast forward 10 years, Hal is in his room playing space invaders. Hal’s little brother, Jim, enters his room.

Jim

Can I play?

Hal

Not right now Jim, I’m trying to beat my high score

Jim

Right. Well Mom’s been looking for you, dinner’s ready and.. Jack’s home.

Hal

Pass.

Jim

Please, Hal? You know this is really important to mom.

Hal

Because he’s her favorite.

Jim

You.. you really think so?

Hal

Jim I didn’t mean it like that- yeah I’ll be down soon. I’m starving anyways

Jim smiles as he leaves the room. Hal heads downstairs, and his Mom (Jessica) is swarming around Jack as he brings his bags in.

Jessica

Hal, dear! Jack is back, isn’t this wonderful?

Hal

Hey Jack.

Jack

Little Harry! It’s been a minute kiddo.

Hal

(Sighs) Welcome back, Jack. Would love to continue this but I’m starving. How’s the food mom?

The Jordan family is now at the dinner table, with Jessica finishing up and serving Jim last.

Jim

Food looks delicious mom.

Jessica

Thank you sweetie. So Jack, tell us all about law school.

Jack

God, where do I start? Well, it’s a lot of work but we knew that before we got into-

Hal zones out of the conversation, focusing on the empty chair at the dinner table. He has momentary flashbacks to when he was a kid staring at the planes, the jet almost crashing, Abin Sur saving Martin’s life. Hal has an outburst and cuts off Jack’s conversation.

Hal

When’s Dad coming home?

Jack

Rude.

Jessica

Now, now, Jack. He’s running late, but he’ll be here Hal.

Hal

He’s always running late.

Jessica

Your father is a very busy man, you know this Hal.

Hal

Too busy to eat with his family?

Jessica

Hal!

Hal

No mom I mean it! Jack came home from Berkley and he’s still not here! It’s Jack!

Jack

Jesus, Hal, are you always like this at dinner? No wonder Dad doesn’t like coming here.

Jessica

Jack!

Jim

Guys, can we just-

Hal

You know what, douchebag?

Jack

What Hal? Ever since I came back you’ve been acting like a jerk

Hal

And you’ve been acting like a pretentious asshole ALL MY LIFE.

The family is silent around the table.

Hal

I’m going on a drive.

Jessica

Hal, wait!

Hal leaves the house and slams the door.

Jessica

Jimmy, dear. Please go talk to your brother.

Hal is in the driver’s seat of his truck, and Jim runs up to the passenger’s window

Jim

Hal, wait!

Hal

What do you want.

Jim

Please, don’t go. Mom’s been planning this forever, and we’re all really excited to have Jack back.

Hal

We? I can’t sit next to that guy for another minute.

Jim

Hal, please? For mom?

Hal takes a pause.

Hal

Sorry, Jim. Not doing it.

Jim is saddened and Hal notices this.

Hal

Hey, uh, do you wanna have some fun?

The brothers drive through a neighborhood, speeding.

Hal

Alright, Jim, you’re gonna take that baseball bat, and everytime you see a mailbox you’re gonna hit it as hard as you can.

Jim

Are you sure about this?

Hal

Of course I am, I do it all the time! Just lean a little out the window and smash them! Oh, and keep your seatbelt on!

Jim

Oh- okay!

Jim leans out of the window, and the truck approaches a mailbox. He takes the bat and smashes it down.

Hal

Good shit Jim! Just like that! Hit another one!

Jim

Hal, I really don’t know about this-

Hal

Just trust me!

Jim crushes another mailbox, and starts laughing, so does Hal.

Hal

See? It’s fun! We’re having fun!

Jim keeps smashing mailboxes and the duo keeps laughing, until Jim notices blue and red lights flashing in the windshield

Jim

Uh, Hal?

Suddenly, the siren begins to play

Hal

Damn.

Hal pulls over the truck, and the cop heads to his window.

Cop

You wanna explain what exactly you boys were doing?

Hal gives a nervous chuckle while Jim sits down completely petrified.

At the police precinct, Hal and Jim wait for their mom to come pick them up. Hal’s mom walks in with Jack, and Jim runs right to his mother and hugs her, his face hidden in her stomach. Jack looks over at Hal with anger.

Jack

Nice one, asshole.

Hal looks down in disappointment, until he hears a familiar voice.

Martin

Son, we need to talk.

Outside of the precinct, Martin and Hal speak while their family waits in the car.

Hal

Nice of you to show up.

Martin

Son, I’m sorry I can’t be as home as much as I might want to be, but that is no excuse for you to act like this.

Hal

Tsh. As much as you want to be- I mean do you even want to be here? You too ashamed of your screw up son?

Martin

You are not a screw up.

Hal

Really, because somehow Jack finds a way to remind me every time that we meet.

Martin

This is not about Jack. Hell, this isn’t even about me! This is about your delinquent behaviour, and how we’re going to fix it!

Hal

Gee, I dunno Dad! Let me find a good father to ask!

Martin

YOUNG MAN!

Hal

What? Young man what? I see you around the house maybe three times a month Dad. You don’t even know me enough to punish me!

Martin

DAMNIT HAL! I’ve been trying to keep my temper, but you’ve pushed me too far! You’ve constantly taken advantage of your mother, your brothers, and my kindness! Starting Monday you’re going to pack your bags, because you’re being sent to Coast City Bootcamp!

Hal

What? Bootcamp- what are you talking about?

Martin

Whatever issues you have with me or your brother are going to be RESOLVED before you come home. And when you do come home, you’ll be an upstanding citizen, and not this, this BRAT! You will be somebody that I’m PROUD to call my son!

Hal takes a pause, digesting the information

Hal

Brat?

Martin

That’s not what I meant.

Hal

Proud to call your son. What, I’m not worthy right now?

Martin

Hal, listen to me-

Hal

No! No, why should I! You’ve been gone the past month and a half, and suddenly you just drop into my life screaming about bootcamp! I was doing fine without you!

Martin

CLEARLY THAT WASN’T THE CASE!

Hal scowls at his father, turns around and walks away.

Martin

Hal! HAL! HAL!

Hal keeps walking, away from the sounds of his father and the precinct. He ends up in a nearby bus station, sleeping on one of the chairs.

Clerk

Departure for Mesa, Arizona, arriving in two minutes.

Hal wakes up, and heads for the arriving bus. As he waits, his family’s car pulls up and his father jumps out.

Martin

Hal! Hal, how the hell did you end up over here? This is the opposite end of the city!

Hal

Took a bus.

Martin

Hal, listen, come home! Please, just forget what’s happened today, I will make more time for you! Your mother is worried sick!

The bus arrives at the station

Martin

Hal! Please!

Hal

I’ll see you later, Dad.

Hal steps on the bus, and it leaves for Arizona as his family watches devastated.

Hal arrives at a NASA outpost, hoping to get a job. He speaks with the man hiring there.

Clerk

Hm, you graduate high school?

Hal

Yes sir.

Clerk

Says here you quit your last job at Big Belly Burger. Got bored?

Hal

No sir, I moved.

Clerk

Really? Where from?

Hal

Uh Coast City, California sir.

Clerk

That’s a long way to move from son.

Hal

Yeah I just had to get.. out

Clerk

(Sighs) Listen, I just don’t know if we-

Hal

Wait! Wait, please! I can do anything you need me to, paperwork, cleaning, hell I can be your mailman! Anything you need

(Pause)

Clerk

You wanna be an astronaut one day kid?

Hal

That’s the end goal sir.

Clerk

Alright then ya sonuvabitch, you’re hired.

Hal shakes his hand

Hal

You won’t regret it sir.

Fast forward 7 years later, Hal is now 25 years old working the desk at the Space Station. He goes home to his apartment, bored of his job and waiting for the chance to become an Astronaut, that chance comes in the mail.

He opens it and reads a letter that says “Welcome to the Interceptor XI, Hal Jordan”

Hal smirks.

Hal

It’s about damn time.

The next day at work, Hal looks for somebody to show him what he needs to do to become an astronaut, he finds his boss Mr. Kevin Ambler.

Hal

Mr. Ambler!

Mr. Ambler

Hal! Somebody’s waiting for you down the hall, she said she wanted to speak to you?

Hal

She? She hot?

Mr. Ambler

Just get down the hallway, Jordan. Oh- and congratulations.

Hal walks down the hallway to see a businesswoman standing there for him, waiting.

Hal

Hello, and who may I have the pleasure of speaking to?

Carol

Carol. Carol Ferris, Ferris Aircrafts.

Hal

Well Carol- wait, wait Carol?

Carol

Hey Hal. It’s been a while.

Hal

Yeah, like 17 years! I haven’t seen you since the Green Light incident

Carol

Yeah, it has been some time hasn’t it. Anyways, I started to wonder about you-

Hal

Oh?

Carol

Not like that. Anyways, I heard you weren’t living in Coast City anymore, then I went to check on your parents.. they’re worried sick Hal.

Hal

Jesus, they really did a number on you

Carol

It’s not an act Hal, they’re serious.

Hal

And I seriously don’t care, I’m not going back to Coast City.

Carol

Which is what I figured, so to alleviate their tension I promised I would make life as good here for you as I can. They told me you loved astronomy and aliens and I found out that you work here, a space station that Ferris Industries GENEROUSLY funds

Hal

Wait so, you’re the one who-

Carol

Yes. I pulled some strings and, well you’ll be co-piloting our Ferris Aircraft Interceptor on its way to the moon. You’ll be looking for precious materials, anything that’s sustainable.

Hal

Jesus Christ, Carol I don’t know what to say

Carol

Don’t worry about it. But uh, call your parents Hal. Please, let them know you’re okay. You of all people should know how short life might be.

Carol walks away, and Hal stands there conflicted. He takes out his flip phone, and he sees Dad right there as a contact. He’s close to pushing the button, but he can’t, and he walks away.

2 years later, Hal has completed his astronaut training. He’s in the interceptor as it’s ready to launch into space, piloting the ship is Guy Gardner, and the rest of the crew consists of Hank and Terry Henshaw.

Guy

Liftoff in 5..4..3..2.. and we have liftoff boys and girl.

The rocket launches up into the sky, with a crowd of people cheering. You can see Carol on the ground smiling, and the Jordans watch the launch on the news at their house, still proud of their son.

As they break into space, they release the rockets and are only in the shuttle.

Guy

And we’ve broken through the atmosphere. Lady and gents, welcome to space.

Hal

Jesus Christ, it’s- it’s beautiful

Hank

You said it. This is my 4th time here, still can’t get over it.

Carol (Comms)

How are you guys holding up?

Guy

Just fine Ms. Ferris, we broke atmosphere and here heading for the moon now.

Carol (Comms)

Thank you all. Please, remember to be mindful of asteroids, satellites and obstructions of the sort.

Hal

Aw, you care about me Carol?

Carol (Comms)

I care about your 3 other crewmates and that $26 million rocket you’re flying in. Babysit Hal for me you guys, would ya?

Terry

Don’t even worry Ms. Ferris, we’ve got that under control.

Carol (Comms)

Great. Well, I’ve got to get going. Good luck.

Carol switches off the Comms.

Hal

So.. are we there yet?

Guy

Funny, we got about 3 more days Jordan.

Hal

I’ve got some sleep to catch up on anyways.

The ship travels through space, moving slowly until it gets to the moon, where Guy is able to land it. They open the door with their suits on.

Guy

One small step for man..

They alll walk behind Guy as they explore the moon.

Hal

Wow.

Hank

You can say that again. Come on fellas, let’s get to the mission.

They mine at moon rocks and use tools to measure the amount of water inside of them, also looking for precious minerals. The day ends and they haven’t found anything yet.

Hal

Jesus Christ, I’m exhausted. How do you guys do it?

Terry

We take it one step at a time.

Guy

I keep my mind on the paycheck.

Hal

Heh. Both good advice. How long are we here for again?

Hank

About 4 months.

Hal

Sounds fun.

An unspecified amount of time goes by, the astronauts journey further into the moon. Suddenly, Hank’s leg gets caught by a crevice

Hank

Guys! Guys, I need some help here!

Guy

Hold on, Hank, we’re coming!

The crew try to help Hank out of the crevice, but they all end up falling down a hole. They get up to find a massive cave

Terry

Hanky? Hank are you okay?

Hank

Yeah, yeah I’m fine. But uh- where are we?

Hal

Funny. I was just about to ask you.

Guy

Flashlights on if you have em guys.

They each turn their flashlights on.

Guy

Follow me, we’re going to see what’s over that way, it might be an exit. And don’t split up.

The crew walk through the cave, stumbling for what seems like hours.

Hal

We need to take a rest Guy.

Guy

In a minute, just- woah. What is that?

Guy sees a glowing green light, and the rest of the crew notices it too.

Hank

Should we really be walking towards that?

Hal

Only one way to find out..

In the lead, Hal and Guy walk towards the source of the green light, and they find a dead alien in a spaceship: Abin Sur.

Guy

What the hell..

Hal

Is that a- oh God

Hal has flashbacks to the alien saving his father.

Hal

No- no.

Guy

Hal? Is everything okay?

Hal

Yeah, just. Yeah. Let’s take a closer look.

The duo step closer, and the ring on his finger begins to levitate.

Guy

Is that a.. a ring?

Finally, it starts to fly and chooses Guy. Guy is transformed into a Green Lantern, much to Hal’s surprise

Guy

What’s.. what’s going on?

Hal

I don’t- just wow.

Suddenly, Hal hears a voice in his head.

Abin Sur

Hal.

He turns towards the body, it’s lips aren’t moving but it’s voice is speaking.

Abin Sur

Wake up Hal. Wake up. You are not yet finished. Wake up.

Hal snaps awake, hidden in his cocoon, his green light pierces through the cocoon, and he uses it to melt the cocoons off the other leaguers, severely weakening Starro in the process.

Starro

AGHHHHHH

Flash

What the- what’s going on?

Hal

No time to explain, Superman travel to the core and find J’onn, we need to end this.

Superman

On it.

Superman flies up and crashes straight into the crust of the planet, on his way to find MM.

Starro

You FOOLS! I give you all lives you couldn’t DREAM to even comprehend

Aquaman

A facade!

Starro

You wouldn’t have even NOTICED! IF YOU HAD JUST STAYED PUT!

Starro tries to crush the members with his tentacle, they narrowly avoid this. Superman comes back up with a weakened MM.

John

J’onn! Is he okay?

Martian Manhunter

I’m fine, I will be fine.

Batman

Good because we need to focus on Starro

Aquaman

Well what’s the plan?

Wonder Woman

We aim for his eye!

Flash

What’s to stop him from taking our minds again?

Hal

He’s been weakened by whatever I did, if he could do it again he would right now

Superman

Then we have no time to waste. We do this and we do this now.