Chapter 288: Allen Rescues Uxas
Planet Apokolips.
A cosmic civilization independent of the three great interstellar empires.
Their society was founded on a belief in absolute power, leading to an oppressive regime both internally and externally.
Though native inhabitants did exist on Apokolips, more than ninety percent of them were treated as nothing more than bottom-dwelling ants.
Over time, the harsh living conditions twisted their values.
Uxas, who aspired to lead Apokolips down a righteous path, was instead viewed as a traitor by the common people.
The new monarch, Drax, was the one who enjoyed widespread admiration.
Raggedly dressed citizens raised their arms and cheered at the sight of the new ruler.
Meanwhile, Uxas, bound to an execution rack, was pelted with endless scorn and contempt.
"Citizens of Apokolips," Drax declared with gravitas, "I shall publicly execute the traitor Uxas and convert him into a demonkin, so that he may atone for his sins by fighting for Apokolips."
A surge of wild cheering erupted from the crowd, as if they were finally witnessing a long-awaited justice.
Uxas had seemingly foreseen this outcome. His expression was ashen and lifeless as he faced the scene.
These were the ignorant, foolish people he had tried to save—uncivilized savages in every sense.
His eyes scanned the tribunal, searching for his former allies who had once shared his ideals, only to find them gone—clearly purged.
Perhaps a few hidden allies remained, staying in the shadows, biding their time without revealing themselves.
But without a leading figure bearing the monarch's title, any reform was nearly impossible.
Any such allies would likely have to wait for Drax's heir to be born—hoping that one day, a merciful member of the royal family might emerge.
"Uxas, before your execution, do you have any final words?"
Drax smiled cruelly. "This is your last chance to speak."
Once converted into demonkin, a person would lose all human emotions—and even basic language ability.
"The victor reigns, the loser falls. I have nothing to say."
Uxas calmly accepted his fate.
He looked up at the gray, oppressive skies of Apokolips, where demonkin swarmed endlessly overhead.
But amid that bleakness—there it was. A faint, incredibly rare streak of color, shining brilliantly like the only beacon of light in the world.
Huh!?
Color?
Uxas' eyes widened. He couldn't fathom how a splash of color appeared in Apokolips's sky.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The colorful light drew closer, accompanied by an ear-piercing and obnoxious siren.
A young man was piloting a multicolored flying vehicle, with seven women of various styles seated behind him.
Hiss—
"Allen!?"
Uxas gasped sharply.
It had been a long time since he'd seen Allen—and now here he was on Apokolips! The man must have gone insane again, coming here to throw away his life.
"Uncle Yondu, I've come to save you!"
The seven-colored Ghostfire charged straight toward the execution platform.
"Stop him!" Drax ordered immediately.
As long as Uxas remained alive, Drax would never feel at ease on the throne, always fearing he'd be overthrown one day.
"Commence the conversion procedure immediately!"
He also hurriedly ordered the execution to proceed.
The executioner grabbed the control lever—but nothing happened. The mechanical arm that was supposed to emit the conversion beam didn't react at all.
"Your Majesty! The conversion device malfunctioned!"
Malfunctioned?
Impossible!
The demonkin conversion apparatus had never once failed since its inception. Clearly, someone had tampered with it in secret.
Drax swept his gaze over the officials gathered on the viewing platform, immediately suspecting there were still traitorous supporters of Uxas hiding among them.
A wave of dread surged through the officials' hearts.
They realized the catastrophe that was about to befall them.
Given Drax's brutal nature, he wouldn't bother with careful investigations—he'd simply purge them all and install a new set of obedient officials.
At that moment, demonkin surged in a massive wave toward Allen, trying to stop him from approaching the execution platform.
But the seven-colored Ghostfire crashed through them, splattering demonkin left and right, their limbs flying in all directions.
[Demonkin killed. +250 EXP]
[Demonkin killed. +250 EXP]
[Demonkin killed. +250 EXP]
…
Boom!
The Ghostfire turned into a meteor and slammed into the execution platform.
Drax reacted swiftly, leaping backward. At some point, a long spear had appeared in his hand.
"You insolent worm—I'll kill you myself!"
Seeing Allen land on the execution platform, Drax launched into a furious attack.
At this point, he no longer cared about formalities. All he wanted was to personally eliminate Uxas and this chaotic interloper.
"Cousins—protect your dear Cousin Bro!"
"Yes, Cousin Bro!"
In the next instant, the five cousins—Blood Lantern, Gold Lantern, Red Lantern, Silver Lantern, and Gray Lantern—fearlessly rushed forward to confront Drax, each unleashing their unique elemental powers.
The Green Lantern cousin manifested a giant clamp and began unshackling Uxas.
Meanwhile, the Pink Lantern cousin stood alone, facing the demonkin horde.
She traced a heart in midair with both hands and blew a playful kiss with her right hand.
A pink heart flew toward the army, expanding outward.
As the pink glow passed over the demonkin, they abruptly halted. Hearts shimmered in their eyes, and their fierce expressions transformed into slack-jawed infatuation.
"Big brothers, I'm scared… won't you protect me?" the Pink Lantern cousin whimpered coyly.
Under her charm spell, a portion of the demonkin army turned on their own allies without hesitation, ready to sacrifice themselves for her.
Thunk!
Uh…
Allen suddenly delivered a flying kick that sent the Pink Lantern cousin tumbling off the execution platform. Jealously, he scolded, "Cousin, you're not allowed to flirt with men other than your Cousin Bro! I'll get jealous!"
Newly freed, Uxas was a little dazed as he looked at Allen—who even kicked his own allies without hesitation. Now that's the team captain I remember.
Climbing back onto the platform, the Pink Lantern cousin flattered him with a fawning smile: "Cousin Bro, my heart belongs only to you."
Hmph!
Allen turned away with a tsundere pout and declared proudly, "Forget your delusions—I've pledged both my body and soul to Righty."
"Righty is just your right hand. Get a grip," she said bluntly, popping his fantasy bubble.
"I am clear-headed," Allen replied seriously, raising his right hand. "I like my right hand. You're just an imagined energy being without self-awareness—all my creation, nothing more."
"You knew all along?" she asked, stunned.
"It's just the author bullshitting filler content again," Allen sighed. "I'm just playing along with the act."
"…"
So this whole scene was self-directed and self-acted.
Uxas stared blankly like an outsider as Allen kept performing solo, completely forgetting the battlefield around them was still full of danger.
"Let me tell you something!"
Allen sneakily leaned toward the Pink Lantern cousin and whispered, "I'm not actually crazy. I pretended to be mentally ill so I could get into a psychiatric hospital and enjoy early retirement. Genius, right?"
"Cousin Bro, I'll go help the others. We'll talk later."
As the seven cousins entered the fray together, Drax's disadvantage grew increasingly dire.